OldMatthewMaule，especially，wasknowntohaveaslittlehesitationordifficultyinrisingoutofhisgraveasanordinarymaningettingoutofbed，andwasasoftenseenatmidnightaslivingpeopleatnoonday。Thispestilentwizard(inwhomhisjustpunishmentseemedtohavewroughtnomannerofamendment)hadaninveteratehabitofhauntingacertainmansion，styledtheHouseoftheSevenGables，againsttheownerofwhichhepretendedtoholdanunsettledclaimforground-rent。Theghost，itappears，——withthepertinacitywhichwasoneofhisdistinguishingcharacteristicswhilealive，——insistedthathewastherightfulproprietorofthesiteuponwhichthehousestood。Histermswere，thateithertheaforesaidground-rent，fromthedaywhenthecellarbegantobedug，shouldbepaiddown，orthemansionitselfgivenup；elsehe，theghostlycreditor，wouldhavehisfingerinalltheaffairsofthePyncheons，andmakeeverythinggowrongwiththem，thoughitshouldbeathousandyearsafterhisdeath。Itwasawildstory，perhaps，butseemednotaltogethersoincredibletothosewhocouldrememberwhataninflexiblyobstinateoldfellowthiswizardMaulehadbeen。
Now，thewizard’sgrandson，theyoungMatthewMauleofourstory，waspopularlysupposedtohaveinheritedsomeofhisancestor’squestionabletraits。Itiswonderfulhowmanyabsurditieswerepromulgatedinreferencetotheyoungman。Hewasfabled，forexample，tohaveastrangepowerofgettingintopeople’sdreams，andregulatingmattersthereaccordingtohisownfancy，prettymuchlikethestage-managerofatheatre。Therewasagreatdealoftalkamongtheneighbors，particularlythepetticoatedones，aboutwhattheycalledthewitchcraftofMaule’seye。Somesaidthathecouldlookintopeople’sminds；others，that，bythemarvellouspowerofthiseye，hecoulddrawpeopleintohisownmind，orsendthem，ifhepleased，todoerrandstohisgrandfather，inthespiritualworld；
others，again，thatitwaswhatistermedanEvilEye，andpossessedthevaluablefacultyofblightingcorn，anddryingchildrenintomummieswiththeheartburn。But，afterall，whatworkedmosttotheyoungcarpenter’sdisadvantagewas，first，thereserveandsternnessofhisnaturaldisposition，andnext，thefactofhisnotbeingachurch-communicant，andthesuspicionofhisholdinghereticaltenetsinmattersofreligionandpolity。
AfterreceivingMr。Pyncheon’smessage，thecarpentermerelytarriedtofinishasmalljob，whichhehappenedtohaveinhand，andthentookhiswaytowardstheHouseoftheSevenGables。
Thisnotededifice，thoughitsstylemightbegettingalittleoutoffashion，wasstillasrespectableafamilyresidenceasthatofanygentlemanintown。Thepresentowner，GervaysePyncheon，wassaidtohavecontractedadisliketothehouse，inconsequenceofashocktohissensibility，inearlychildhood，fromthesuddendeathofhisgrandfather。IntheveryactofrunningtoclimbColonelPyncheon’sknee，theboyhaddiscoveredtheoldPuritantobeacorpse。Onarrivingatmanhood，Mr。PyncheonhadvisitedEngland，wherehemarriedaladyoffortune，andhadsubsequentlyspentmanyyears，partlyinthemothercountry，andpartlyinvariouscitiesonthecontinentofEurope。Duringthisperiod，thefamilymansionhadbeenconsignedtothechargeofakinsman，whowasallowedtomakeithishomeforthetimebeing，inconsiderationofkeepingthepremisesinthoroughrepair。Sofaithfullyhadthiscontractbeenfulfilled，thatnow，asthecarpenterapproachedthehouse，hispractisedeyecoulddetectnothingtocriticiseinitscondition。Thepeaksofthesevengablesroseupsharply；theshingledrooflookedthoroughlywater-tight；andtheglitteringplaster-workentirelycoveredtheexteriorwalls，andsparkledintheOctobersun，asifithadbeennewonlyaweekago。
Thehousehadthatpleasantaspectoflifewhichislikethecheeryexpressionofcomfortableactivityinthehumancountenance。
Youcouldsee，atonce，thattherewasthestirofalargefamilywithinit。Ahugeloadofoak-woodwaspassingthroughthegateway，towardstheoutbuildingsintherear；thefatcook——orprobablyitmightbethehousekeeper——stoodatthesidedoor，bargainingforsometurkeysandpoultrywhichacountrymanhadbroughtforsale。
Nowandthenamaid-servant，neatlydressed，andnowtheshiningsablefaceofaslave，mightbeseenbustlingacrossthewindows，inthelowerpartofthehouse。Atanopenwindowofaroominthesecondstory，hangingoversomepotsofbeautifulanddelicateflowers，——exotics，butwhichhadneverknownamoregenialsunshinethanthatoftheNewEnglandautumn，——wasthefigureofayounglady，anexotic，liketheflowers，andbeautifulanddelicateasthey。Herpresenceimpartedanindescribablegraceandfaintwitcherytothewholeedifice。Inotherrespects，itwasasubstantial，jolly-lookingmansion，andseemedfittobetheresidenceofapatriarch，whomightestablishhisownheadquartersinthefrontgableandassignoneoftheremaindertoeachofhissixchildren，whilethegreatchimneyinthecentreshouldsymbolizetheoldfellow’shospitableheart，whichkeptthemallwarm，andmadeagreatwholeofthesevensmallerones。
Therewasaverticalsundialonthefrontgable；andasthecarpenterpassedbeneathit，helookedupandnotedthehour。
\"Threeo’clock！\"saidhetohimself。\"MyfathertoldmethatdialwasputuponlyanhourbeforetheoldColonel’sdeath。Howtrulyithaskepttimetheseseven-and-thirtyyearspast！Theshadowcreepsandcreeps，andisalwayslookingovertheshoulderofthesunshine！\"
Itmighthavebefittedacraftsman，likeMatthewMaule，onbeingsentfortoagentleman’shouse，togotothebackdoor，whereservantsandwork-peoplewereusuallyadmitted；oratleasttothesideentrance，wherethebetterclassoftradesmenmadeapplication。Butthecarpenterhadagreatdealofprideandstiffnessinhisnature；and，atthismoment，moreover，hisheartwasbitterwiththesenseofhereditarywrong，becauseheconsideredthegreatPyncheonHousetobestandingonsoilwhichshouldhavebeenhisown。Onthisverysite，besideaspringofdeliciouswater，hisgrandfatherhadfelledthepine-treesandbuiltacottage，inwhichchildrenhadbeenborntohim；anditwasonlyfromadeadman’sstiffenedfingersthatColonelPyncheonhadwrestedawaythetitle-deeds。SoyoungMaulewentstraighttotheprincipalentrance，beneathaportalofcarvedoak，andgavesuchapealoftheironknockerthatyouwouldhaveimaginedthesternoldwizardhimselftobestandingatthethreshold。
BlackScipioansweredthesummonsinaprodigious，hurry；butshowedthewhitesofhiseyesinamazementonbeholdingonlythecarpenter。
\"Lord-a-mercy！whatagreatmanhebe，thiscarpenterfellow。\"
mumbledScipio，downinhisthroat。\"Anybodythinkhebeatonthedoorwithhisbiggesthammer！\"
\"HereIam！\"saidMaulesternly。\"Showmethewaytoyourmaster’sparlor。\"
Ashesteptintothehouse，anoteofsweetandmelancholymusicthrilledandvibratedalongthepassage-way，proceedingfromoneoftheroomsabovestairs。ItwastheharpsichordwhichAlicePyncheonhadbroughtwithherfrombeyondthesea。ThefairAlicebestowedmostofhermaidenleisurebetweenflowersandmusic，althoughtheformerwereapttodroop，andthemelodieswereoftensad。Shewasofforeigneducation，andcouldnottakekindlytotheNewEnglandmodesoflife，inwhichnothingbeautifulhadeverbeendeveloped。
AsMr。PyncheonhadbeenimpatientlyawaitingMaule’sarrival，blackScipio，ofcourse，lostnotimeinusheringthecarpenterintohismaster’spresence。Theroominwhichthisgentlemansatwasaparlorofmoderatesize，lookingoutuponthegardenofthehouse，andhavingitswindowspartlyshadowedbythefoliageoffruit-trees。ItwasMr。Pyncheon’speculiarapartment，andwasprovidedwithfurniture，inanelegantandcostlystyle，principallyfromParis；thefloor(whichwasunusualatthatday)
beingcoveredwithacarpet，soskilfullyandrichlywroughtthatitseemedtoglowaswithlivingflowers。Inonecornerstoodamarblewoman，towhomherownbeautywasthesoleandsufficientgarment。Somepictures——thatlookedold，andhadamellowtingediffusedthroughalltheirartfulsplendor——hungonthewalls。Nearthefireplacewasalargeandverybeautifulcabinetofebony，inlaidwithivory；apieceofantiquefurniture，whichMr。PyncheonhadboughtinVenice，andwhichheusedasthetreasure-placeformedals，ancientcoins，andwhateversmallandvaluablecuriositieshehadpickeduponhistravels。
Throughallthisvarietyofdecoration，however，theroomshoweditsoriginalcharacteristics；itslowstud，itscross-beam，itschimney-piece，withtheold-fashionedDutchtiles；sothatitwastheemblemofamindindustriouslystoredwithforeignideas，andelaboratedintoartificialrefinement，butneitherlarger，nor，initsproperself，moreelegantthanbefore。
Thereweretwoobjectsthatappearedratheroutofplaceinthisveryhandsomelyfurnishedroom。Onewasalargemap，orsurveyor’splan，ofatractofland，whichlookedasifithadbeendrawnagoodmanyyearsago，andwasnowdingywithsmoke，andsoiled，hereandthere，withthetouchoffingers。Theotherwasaportraitofasternoldman，inaPuritangarb，paintedroughly，butwithaboldeffect，andaremarkablystrongexpressionofcharacter。
Atasmalltable，beforeafireofEnglishsea-coal，satMr。
Pyncheon，sippingcoffee，whichhadgrowntobeaveryfavoritebeveragewithhiminFrance。Hewasamiddle-agedandreallyhandsomeman，withawigflowingdownuponhisshoulders；hiscoatwasofbluevelvet，withlaceonthebordersandatthebutton-holes；
andthefirelightglistenedonthespaciousbreadthofhiswaistcoat，whichwasfloweredalloverwithgold。OntheentranceofScipio，usheringinthecarpenter，Mr。Pyncheonturnedpartlyround，butresumedhisformerposition，andproceededdeliberatelytofinishhiscupofcoffee，withoutimmediatenoticeoftheguestwhomhehadsummonedtohispresence。Itwasnotthatheintendedanyrudenessorimproperneglect，——which，indeed，hewouldhaveblushedtobeguiltyof，——butitneveroccurredtohimthatapersoninMaule’sstationhadaclaimonhiscourtesy，orwouldtroublehimselfaboutitonewayortheother。
Thecarpenter，however，steppedatoncetothehearth，andturnedhimselfabout，soastolookMr。Pyncheonintheface。
\"Yousentforme，\"saidhe。\"Bepleasedtoexplainyourbusiness，thatImaygobacktomyownaffairs。\"
\"Ah！excuseme，\"saidMr。Pyncheonquietly。\"Ididnotmeantotaxyourtimewithoutarecompense。Yourname，Ithink，isMaule，——ThomasorMatthewMaule，——asonorgrandsonofthebuilderofthishouse？\"
\"MatthewMaule，\"repliedthecarpenter，——\"sonofhimwhobuiltthehouse，——grandsonoftherightfulproprietorofthesoil。\"
\"Iknowthedisputetowhichyouallude，\"observedMr。Pyncheonwithundisturbedequanimity。\"Iamwellawarethatmygrandfatherwascompelledtoresorttoasuitatlaw，inordertoestablishhisclaimtothefoundation-siteofthisedifice。Wewillnot，ifyouplease，renewthediscussion。Thematterwassettledatthetime，andbythecompetentauthorities，——equitably，itistobepresumed，——and，atallevents，irrevocably。Yet，singularlyenough，thereisanincidentalreferencetothisverysubjectinwhatIamnowabouttosaytoyou。Andthissameinveterategrudge，——excuseme，Imeannooffence，——thisirritability，whichyouhavejustshown，isnotentirelyasidefromthematter。\"
\"Ifyoucanfindanythingforyourpurpose，Mr。Pyncheon，\"saidthecarpenter，\"inaman’snaturalresentmentforthewrongsdonetohisblood，youarewelcometoit。\"
\"Itakeyouatyourword，GoodmanMaule，\"saidtheowneroftheSevenGables，withasmile，\"andwillproceedtosuggestamodeinwhichyourhereditaryresentments——justifiableorotherwise——mayhavehadabearingonmyaffairs。Youhaveheard，Isuppose，thatthePyncheonfamily，eversincemygrandfather’sdays，havebeenprosecutingastillunsettledclaimtoaverylargeextentofterritoryattheEastward？\"
\"Often，\"repliedMaule，——anditissaidthatasmilecameoverhisface，——\"veryoften，——frommyfather！\"
\"Thisclaim，\"continuedMr。Pyncheon，afterpausingamoment，asiftoconsiderwhatthecarpenter’ssmilemightmean，\"appearedtobeontheveryvergeofasettlementandfullallowance，attheperiodofmygrandfather’sdecease。Itwaswellknown，tothoseinhisconfidence，thatheanticipatedneitherdifficultynordelay。Now，ColonelPyncheon，Ineedhardlysay，wasapracticalman，wellacquaintedwithpublicandprivatebusiness，andnotatallthepersontocherishill-foundedhopes，ortoattemptthefollowingoutofanimpracticablescheme。Itisobvioustoconclude，therefore，thathehadgrounds，notapparenttohisheirs，forhisconfidentanticipationofsuccessinthematterofthisEasternclaim。Inaword，Ibelieve，——andmylegaladviserscoincideinthebelief，which，moreover，isauthorized，toacertainextent，bythefamilytraditions，——thatmygrandfatherwasinpossessionofsomedeed，orotherdocument，essentialtothisclaim，butwhichhassincedisappeared。\"
\"Verylikely，\"saidMatthewMaule，——andagain，itissaid，therewasadarksmileonhisface，——\"butwhatcanapoorcarpenterhavetodowiththegrandaffairsofthePyncheonfamily？\"
\"Perhapsnothing，\"returnedMr。Pyncheon，\"possiblymuch！\"
HereensuedagreatmanywordsbetweenMatthewMauleandtheproprietoroftheSevenGables，onthesubjectwhichthelatterhadthusbroached。Itseems(althoughMr。Pyncheonhadsomehesitationinreferringtostoriessoexceedinglyabsurdintheiraspect)thatthepopularbeliefpointedtosomemysteriousconnectionanddependence，existingbetweenthefamilyoftheMaulesandthesevastunrealizedpossessionsofthePyncheons。
Itwasanordinarysayingthattheoldwizard，hangedthoughhewas，hadobtainedthebestendofthebargaininhiscontestwithColonelPyncheon；inasmuchashehadgotpossessionofthegreatEasternclaim，inexchangeforanacreortwoofgarden-ground。
Averyagedwoman，recentlydead，hadoftenusedthemetaphoricalexpression，inherfiresidetalk，thatmilesandmilesofthePyncheonlandshadbeenshovelledintoMaule’sgrave；which，bythebye，wasbutaveryshallownook，betweentworocks，nearthesummitofGallowsHill。Again，whenthelawyersweremakinginquiryforthemissingdocument，itwasaby-wordthatitwouldneverbefound，unlessinthewizard’sskeletonhand。Somuchweighthadtheshrewdlawyersassignedtothesefables，that(butMr。Pyncheondidnotseefittoinformthecarpenterofthefact)
theyhadsecretlycausedthewizard’sgravetobesearched。Nothingwasdiscovered，however，exceptthat，unaccountably，therighthandoftheskeletonwasgone。
Now，whatwasunquestionablyimportant，aportionofthesepopularrumorscouldbetraced，thoughratherdoubtfullyandindistinctly，tochancewordsandobscurehintsoftheexecutedwizard’sson，andthefatherofthispresentMatthewMaule。AndhereMr。Pyncheoncouldbringanitemofhisownpersonalevidenceintoplay。Thoughbutachildatthetime，heeitherrememberedorfanciedthatMatthew’sfatherhadhadsomejobtoperformonthedaybefore，orpossiblytheverymorningoftheColonel’sdecease，intheprivateroomwhereheandthecarpenterwereatthismomenttalking。CertainpapersbelongingtoColonelPyncheon，ashisgrandsondistinctlyrecollected，hadbeenspreadoutonthetable。
MatthewMauleunderstoodtheinsinuatedsuspicion。
\"Myfather，\"hesaid，——butstilltherewasthatdarksmile，makingariddleofhiscountenance，——\"myfatherwasanhonestermanthanthebloodyoldColonel！Nottogethisrightsbackagainwouldhehavecarriedoffoneofthosepapers！\"
\"Ishallnotbandywordswithyou，\"observedtheforeign-bredMr。Pyncheon，withhaughtycomposure。\"Norwillitbecomemetoresentanyrudenesstowardseithermygrandfatherormyself。
Agentleman，beforeseekingintercoursewithapersonofyourstationandhabits，willfirstconsiderwhethertheurgencyoftheendmaycompensateforthedisagreeablenessofthemeans。
Itdoessointhepresentinstance。\"
Hethenrenewedtheconversation，andmadegreatpecuniaryofferstothecarpenter，incasethelattershouldgiveinformationleadingtothediscoveryofthelostdocument，andtheconsequentsuccessoftheEasternclaim。ForalongtimeMatthewMauleissaidtohaveturnedacoldeartothesepropositions。Atlast，however，withastrangekindoflaugh，heinquiredwhetherMr。
Pyncheonwouldmakeovertohimtheoldwizard’shomestead-ground，togetherwiththeHouseoftheSevenGables，nowstandingonit，inrequitalofthedocumentaryevidencesourgentlyrequired。
Thewild，chimney-cornerlegend(which，withoutcopyingallitsextravagances，mynarrativeessentiallyfollows)heregivesanaccountofsomeverystrangebehavioronthepartofColonelPyncheon’sportrait。Thispicture，itmustbeunderstood，wassupposedtobesointimatelyconnectedwiththefateofthehouse，andsomagicallybuiltintoitswalls，that，ifonceitshouldberemoved，thatveryinstantthewholeedificewouldcomethunderingdowninaheapofdustyruin。AllthroughtheforegoingconversationbetweenMr。Pyncheonandthecarpenter，theportraithadbeenfrowning，clenchingitsfist，andgivingmanysuchproofsofexcessivediscomposure，butwithoutattractingthenoticeofeitherofthetwocolloquists。Andfinally，atMatthewMaule’saudacioussuggestionofatransferoftheseven-gabledstructure，theghostlyportraitisaverredtohavelostallpatience，andtohaveshownitselfonthepointofdescendingbodilyfromitsframe。Butsuchincredibleincidentsaremerelytobementionedaside。
\"Giveupthishouse！\"exclaimedMr。Pyncheon，inamazementattheproposal。\"WereItodoso，mygrandfatherwouldnotrestquietinhisgrave！\"
\"Heneverhas，ifallstoriesaretrue，\"remarkedthecarpentercomposedly。\"ButthatmatterconcernshisgrandsonmorethanitdoesMatthewMaule。Ihavenoothertermstopropose。\"
ImpossibleasheatfirstthoughtittocomplywithMaule’sconditions，still，onasecondglance，Mr。Pyncheonwasofopinionthattheymightatleastbemadematterofdiscussion。
Hehimselfhadnopersonalattachmentforthehouse，noranypleasantassociationsconnectedwithhischildishresidenceinit。
Onthecontrary，afterseven-and-thirtyyears，thepresenceofhisdeadgrandfatherseemedstilltopervadeit，asonthatmorningwhentheaffrightedboyhadbeheldhim，withsoghastlyanaspect，stiffeninginhischair。Hislongabodeinforeignparts，moreover，andfamiliaritywithmanyofthecastlesandancestralhallsofEngland，andthemarblepalacesofItaly，hadcausedhimtolookcontemptuouslyattheHouseoftheSevenGables，whetherinpointofsplendororconvenience。ItwasamansionexceedinglyinadequatetothestyleoflivingwhichitwouldbeincumbentonMr。Pyncheontosupport，afterrealizinghisterritorialrights。Hisstewardmightdeigntooccupyit，butnever，certainly，thegreatlandedproprietorhimself。Intheeventofsuccess，indeed，itwashispurposetoreturntoEngland；nor，tosaythetruth，wouldherecentlyhavequittedthatmorecongenialhome，hadnothisownfortune，aswellashisdeceasedwife’s，beguntogivesymptomsofexhaustion。TheEasternclaimoncefairlysettled，andputuponthefirmbasisofactualpossession，Mr。Pyncheon’sproperty——tobemeasuredbymiles，notacres——wouldbeworthanearldom，andwouldreasonablyentitlehimtosolicit，orenablehimtopurchase，thatelevateddignityfromtheBritishmonarch。LordPyncheon！——ortheEarlofWaldo！——howcouldsuchamagnatebeexpectedtocontracthisgrandeurwithinthepitifulcompassofsevenshingledgables？
Inshort，onanenlargedviewofthebusiness，thecarpenter’stermsappearedsoridiculouslyeasythatMr。Pyncheoncouldscarcelyforbearlaughinginhisface。Hewasquiteashamed，aftertheforegoingreflections，toproposeanydiminutionofsomoderatearecompensefortheimmenseservicetoberendered。
\"Iconsenttoyourproposition，Maule，\"criedhe。\"Putmeinpossessionofthedocumentessentialtoestablishmyrights，andtheHouseoftheSevenGablesisyourown！\"
Accordingtosomeversionsofthestory，aregularcontracttotheaboveeffectwasdrawnupbyalawyer，andsignedandsealedinthepresenceofwitnesses。OtherssaythatMatthewMaulewascontentedwithaprivatewrittenagreement，inwhichMr。Pyncheonpledgedhishonorandintegritytothefulfillmentofthetermsconcludedupon。Thegentlemanthenorderedwine，whichheandthecarpenterdranktogether，inconfirmationoftheirbargain。
Duringthewholeprecedingdiscussionandsubsequentformalities，theoldPuritan’sportraitseemstohavepersistedinitsshadowygesturesofdisapproval；butwithouteffect，exceptthat，asMr。
Pyncheonsetdowntheemptiedglass，hethoughtbebeheldhisgrandfatherfrown。
\"Thissherryistoopotentawineforme；ithasaffectedmybrainalready，\"heobserved，afterasomewhatstartledlookatthepicture。
\"OnreturningtoEurope，IshallconfinemyselftothemoredelicatevintagesofItalyandFrance，thebestofwhichwillnotbeartransportation。\"
\"MyLordPyncheonmaydrinkwhatwinehewill，andwhereverhepleases，\"repliedthecarpenter，asifhehadbeenprivytoMr。
Pyncheon’sambitiousprojects。\"Butfirst，sir，ifyoudesiretidingsofthislostdocument，ImustcravethefavorofalittletalkwithyourfairdaughterAlice。\"
\"Youaremad，Maule！\"exclaimedMr。Pyncheonhaughtily；andnow，atlast，therewasangermixedupwithhispride。\"Whatcanmydaughterhavetodowithabusinesslikethis？\"
Indeed，atthisnewdemandonthecarpenter’spart，theproprietoroftheSevenGableswasevenmorethunder-struckthanatthecoolpropositiontosurrenderhishouse。Therewas，atleast，anassignablemotiveforthefirststipulation；thereappearedtobenonewhateverforthelast。Nevertheless，MatthewMaulesturdilyinsistedontheyoungladybeingsummoned，andevengaveherfathertounderstand，inamysteriouskindofexplanation，——whichmadethematterconsiderablydarkerthanitlookedbefore，——thattheonlychanceofacquiringtherequisiteknowledgewasthroughtheclear，crystalmediumofapureandvirginintelligence，likethatofthefairAlice。NottoencumberourstorywithMr。Pyncheon’sscruples，whetherofconscience，pride，orfatherlyaffection，heatlengthorderedhisdaughtertobecalled。Hewellknewthatshewasinherchamber，andengagedinnooccupationthatcouldnotreadilybelaidaside；for，asithappened，eversinceAlice’snamehadbeenspoken，bothherfatherandthecarpenterhadheardthesadandsweetmusicofherharpsichord，andtheairiermelancholyofheraccompanyingvoice。
SoAlicePyncheonwassummoned，andappeared。Aportraitofthisyounglady，paintedbyaVenetianartist，andleftbyherfatherinEngland，issaidtohavefallenintothehandsofthepresentDukeofDevonshire，andtobenowpreservedatChatsworth；notonaccountofanyassociationswiththeoriginal，butforitsvalueasapicture，andthehighcharacterofbeautyinthecountenance。
Ifevertherewasaladyborn，andsetapartfromtheworld’svulgarmassbyacertaingentleandcoldstateliness，itwasthisveryAlicePyncheon。Yettherewasthewomanlymixtureinher；thetenderness，or，atleast，thetendercapabilities。Forthesakeofthatredeemingquality，amanofgenerousnaturewouldhaveforgivenallherpride，andhavebeencontent，almost，toliedowninherpath，andletAlicesetherslenderfootuponhisheart。Allthathewouldhaverequiredwassimplytheacknowledgmentthathewasindeedaman，andafellow-being，mouldedofthesameelementsasshe。
AsAlicecameintotheroom，hereyesfelluponthecarpenter，whowasstandingnearitscentre，cladingreenwoollenjacket，apairofloosebreeches，openattheknees，andwithalongpocketforhisrule，theendofwhichprotruded；itwasasproperamarkoftheartisan’scallingasMr。Pyncheon’sfull-dressswordofthatgentleman’saristocraticpretensions。AglowofartisticapprovalbrightenedoverAlicePyncheon’sface；shewasstruckwithadmiration——whichshemadenoattempttoconceal——oftheremarkablecomeliness，strength，andenergyofMaule’sfigure。
Butthatadmiringglance(whichmostothermen，perhaps，wouldhavecherishedasasweetrecollectionallthroughlife)thecarpenterneverforgave。ItmusthavebeenthedevilhimselfthatmadeMaulesosubtileinhispreception。
\"DoesthegirllookatmeasifIwereabrutebeast？\"thoughthe，settinghisteeth。\"SheshallknowwhetherIhaveahumanspirit；
andtheworseforher，ifitprovestrongerthanherown！\"
\"Myfather，yousentforme，\"saidAlice，inhersweetandharp-likevoice。\"But，ifyouhavebusinesswiththisyoungman，prayletmegoagain。YouknowIdonotlovethisroom，inspiteofthatClaude，withwhichyoutrytobringbacksunnyrecollections。\"
\"Stayamoment，younglady，ifyouplease！\"saidMatthewMaule。
\"Mybusinesswithyourfatherisover。Withyourself，itisnowtobegin！\"
Alicelookedtowardsherfather，insurpriseandinquiry。
\"Yes，Alice，\"saidMr。Pyncheon，withsomedisturbanceandconfusion。\"Thisyoungman——hisnameisMatthewMaule——professes，sofarasIcanunderstandhim，tobeabletodiscover，throughyourmeans，acertainpaperorparchment，whichwasmissinglongbeforeyourbirth。Theimportanceofthedocumentinquestionrendersitadvisabletoneglectnopossible，evenifimprobable，methodofregainingit。Youwillthereforeobligeme，mydearAlice，byansweringthisperson’sinquiries，andcomplyingwithhislawfulandreasonablerequests，sofarastheymayappeartohavetheaforesaidobjectinview。AsIshallremainintheroom，youneedapprehendnorudenorunbecomingdeportment，ontheyoungman’spart；and，atyourslightestwish，ofcourse，theinvestigation，orwhateverwemaycallit，shallimmediatelybebrokenoff。\"
\"MistressAlicePyncheon，\"remarkedMatthewMaule，withtheutmostdeference，butyetahalf-hiddensarcasminhislookandtone，\"willnodoubtfeelherselfquitesafeinherfather’spresence，andunderhisall-sufficientprotection。\"
\"Icertainlyshallentertainnomannerofapprehension，withmyfatherathand，\"saidAlicewithmaidenlydignity。\"NeitherdoI
conceivethatalady，whiletruetoherself，canhaveaughttofearfromwhomsoever，orinanycircumstances！\"
PoorAlice！Bywhatunhappyimpulsedidshethusputherselfatonceontermsofdefianceagainstastrengthwhichshecouldnotestimate？
\"Then，MistressAlice，\"saidMatthewMaule，handingachair，——gracefullyenough，foracraftsman，\"willitpleaseyouonlytositdown，anddomethefavor(thoughaltogetherbeyondapoorcarpenter’sdeserts)tofixyoureyesonmine！\"
Alicecomplied，Shewasveryproud。Settingasidealladvantagesofrank，thisfairgirldeemedherselfconsciousofapower——combinedofbeauty，high，unsulliedpurity，andthepreservativeforceofwomanhood——thatcouldmakehersphereimpenetrable，unlessbetrayedbytreacherywithin。Sheinstinctivelyknew，itmaybe，thatsomesinisterorevilpotencywasnowstrivingtopassherbarriers；norwouldshedeclinethecontest。SoAliceputwoman’smightagainstman’smight；amatchnotoftenequalonthepartofwoman。
Herfathermeanwhilehadturnedaway，andseemedabsorbedinthecontemplationofalandscapebyClaude，whereashadowyandsun-streakedvistapenetratedsoremotelyintoanancientwood，thatitwouldhavebeennowonderifhisfancyhadlostitselfinthepicture’sbewilderingdepths。But，intruth，thepicturewasnomoretohimatthatmomentthantheblankwallagainstwhichithung。Hismindwashauntedwiththemanyandstrangetaleswhichhehadheard，attributingmysteriousifnotsupernaturalendowmentstotheseMaules，aswellthegrandsonherepresentashistwoimmediateancestors。Mr。Pyncheon’slongresidenceabroad，andintercoursewithmenofwitandfashion，——courtiers，worldings，andfree-thinkers，——haddonemuchtowardsobliteratingthegrimPuritansuperstitions，whichnomanofNewEnglandbirthatthatearlyperiodcouldentirelyescape。But，ontheotherhand，hadnotawholeCommunitybelievedMaule’sgrandfathertobeawizard？Hadnotthecrimebeenproved？Hadnotthewizarddiedforit？HadhenotbequeathedalegacyofhatredagainstthePyncheonstothisonlygrandson，who，asitappeared，wasnowabouttoexerciseasubtleinfluenceoverthedaughterofhisenemy’shouse？Mightnotthisinfluencebethesamethatwascalledwitchcraft？
Turninghalfaround，hecaughtaglimpseofMaule’sfigureinthelooking-glass。AtsomepacesfromAlice，withhisarmsupliftedintheair，thecarpentermadeagestureasifdirectingdownwardaslow，ponderous，andinvisibleweightuponthemaiden。
\"Stay，Maule！\"exclaimedMr。Pyncheon，steppingforward。\"Iforbidyourproceedingfurther！\"
\"Pray，mydearfather，donotinterrupttheyoungman，\"saidAlice，withoutchangingherposition。\"Hisefforts，Iassureyou，willproveveryharmless。\"
AgainMr。PyncheonturnedhiseyestowardstheClaude。Itwasthenhisdaughter’swill，inoppositiontohisown，thattheexperimentshouldbefullytried。Henceforth，therefore，hedidbutconsent，noturgeit。Andwasitnotforhersakefarmorethanforhisownthathedesireditssuccess？Thatlostparchmentoncerestored，thebeautifulAlicePyncheon，withtherichdowrywhichhecouldthenbestow，mightwedanEnglishdukeoraGermanreigning-prince，insteadofsomeNewEnglandclergymanorlawyer！Atthethought，theambitiousfatheralmostconsented，inhisheart，that，ifthedevil’spowerwereneededtotheaccomplishmentofthisgreatobject，Maulemightevokehim。Alice’sownpuritywouldbehersafeguard。
Withhismindfullofimaginarymagnificence，Mr。Pyncheonheardahalf-utteredexclamationfromhisdaughter。Itwasveryfaintandlow；soindistinctthatthereseemedbuthalfawilltoshapeoutthewords，andtooundefinedapurporttobeintelligible。
Yetitwasacallforhelp！——hisconscienceneverdoubtedit；——and，littlemorethanawhispertohisear，itwasadismalshriek，andlongreechoedso，intheregionroundhisheart！Butthistimethefatherdidnotturn。
Afterafurtherinterval，Maulespoke。
\"Beholdyourdaughter。\"saidhe。
Mr。Pyncheoncamehastilyforward。ThecarpenterwasstandingerectinfrontofAlice’schair，andpointinghisfingertowardsthemaidenwithanexpressionoftriumphantpower，thelimitsofwhichcouldnotbedefined，as，indeed，itsscopestretchedvaguelytowardstheunseenandtheinfinite。Alicesatinanattitudeofprofoundrepose，withthelongbrownlashesdroopingoverhereyes。
\"Theresheis！\"saidthecarpenter。\"Speaktoher！\"
\"Alice！Mydaughter！\"exclaimedMr。Pyncheon。\"MyownAlice！\"
Shedidnotstir。
\"Louder！\"saidMaule，smiling。
\"Alice！Awake！\"criedherfather。\"Ittroublesmetoseeyouthus！Awake！\"
Hespokeloudly，withterrorinhisvoice，andclosetothatdelicateearwhichhadalwaysbeensosensitivetoeverydiscord。
Butthesoundevidentlyreachedhernot。Itisindescribablewhatasenseofremote，dim，unattainabledistancebetwixthimselfandAlicewasimpressedonthefatherbythisimpossibilityofreachingherwithhisvoice。
\"Besttouchher\"saidMatthewMaule\"Shakethegirl，androughly，too！Myhandsarehardenedwithtoomuchuseofaxe，saw，andplane，——elseImighthelpyou！\"
Mr。Pyncheontookherhand，andpresseditwiththeearnestnessofstartledemotion。Hekissedher，withsogreataheart-throbinthekiss，thathethoughtshemustneedsfeelit。Then，inagustofangeratherinsensibility，heshookhermaidenformwithaviolencewhich，thenextmoment，itaffrightedhimtoremember。Hewithdrewhisencirclingarms，andAlice——whosefigure，thoughflexible，hadbeenwhollyimpassive——relapsedintothesameattitudeasbeforetheseattemptstoarouseher。Maulehavingshiftedhisposition，herfacewasturnedtowardshimslightly，butwithwhatseemedtobeareferenceofherveryslumbertohisguidance。
Thenitwasastrangesighttobeholdhowthemanofconventionalitiesshookthepowderoutofhisperiwig；howthereservedandstatelygentlemanforgothisdignity；howthegold-embroideredwaistcoatflickeredandglistenedinthefirelightwiththeconvulsionofrage，terror，andsorrowinthehumanheartthatwasbeatingunderit。
\"Villain！\"criedMr。Pyncheon，shakinghisclenchedfistatMaule。
\"Youandthefiendtogetherhaverobbedmeofmydaughter。Giveherback，spawnoftheoldwizard，oryoushallclimbGallowsHillinyourgrandfather’sfootsteps！\"
\"Softly，Mr。Pyncheon！\"saidthecarpenterwithscornfulcomposure。\"Softly，anitpleaseyourworship，elseyouwillspoilthoserichlacerufflesatyourwrists！Isitmycrimeifyouhavesoldyourdaughterforthemerehopeofgettingasheetofyellowparchmentintoyourclutch？TheresitsMistressAlicequietlyasleep。NowletMatthewMauletrywhethershebeasproudasthecarpenterfoundherawhilesince。\"
Hespoke，andAliceresponded，withasoft，subdued，inwardacquiescence，andabendingofherformtowardshim，liketheflameofatorchwhenitindicatesagentledraughtofair。
Hebeckonedwithhishand，and，risingfromherchair，——blindly，butundoubtingly，astendingtohersureandinevitablecentre，——theproudAliceapproachedhim。Hewavedherback，and，retreating，Alicesankagainintoherseat。
\"Sheismine！\"saidMatthewMaule。\"Mine，bytherightofthestrongestspirit！\"
Inthefurtherprogressofthelegend，thereisalong，grotesque，andoccasionallyawe-strikingaccountofthecarpenter’sincantations(ifsotheyaretobecalled)，withaviewofdiscoveringthelostdocument。ItappearstohavebeenhisobjecttoconvertthemindofAliceintoakindoftelescopicmedium，throughwhichMr。Pyncheonandhimselfmightobtainaglimpseintothespiritualworld。
Hesucceeded，accordingly，inholdinganimperfectsortofintercourse，atoneremove，withthedepartedpersonagesinwhosecustodythesomuchvaluedsecrethadbeencarriedbeyondtheprecinctsofearth。
Duringhertrance，Alicedescribedthreefiguresasbeingpresenttoherspiritualizedperception。Onewasanaged，dignified，stern-lookinggentleman，cladasforasolemnfestivalingraveandcostlyattire，butwithagreatbloodstainonhisrichlywroughtband；thesecond，anagedman，meanlydressed，withadarkandmaligncountenance，andabrokenhalterabouthisneck；
thethird，apersonnotsoadvancedinlifeastheformertwo，butbeyondthemiddleage，wearingacoarsewoollentunicandleatherbreeches，andwithacarpenter’srulestickingoutofhissidepocket。Thesethreevisionarycharacterspossessedamutualknowledgeofthemissingdocument。Oneofthem，intruth，——itwashewiththeblood-stainonhisband，——seemed，unlesshisgesturesweremisunderstood，toholdtheparchmentinhisimmediatekeeping，butwaspreventedbyhistwopartnersinthemysteryfromdisburdeninghimselfofthetrust。Finally，whenheshowedapurposeofshoutingforththesecretloudlyenoughtobeheardfromhisownsphereintothatofmortals，hiscompanionsstruggledwithhim，andpressedtheirhandsoverhismouth；andforthwith——whetherthathewerechokedbyit，orthatthesecretitselfwasofacrimsonhue——therewasafreshflowofblooduponhisband。
Uponthis，thetwomeanlydressedfiguresmockedandjeeredatthemuch-abashedolddignitary，andpointedtheirfingersatthestain。
Atthisjuncture，MauleturnedtoMr。Pyncheon。
\"Itwillneverbeallowed，\"saidhe。\"Thecustodyofthissecret，thatwouldsoenrichhisheirs，makespartofyourgrandfather’sretribution。Hemustchokewithituntilitisnolongerofanyvalue。AndkeepyoutheHouseoftheSevenGables！Itistoodearboughtaninheritance，andtooheavywiththecurseuponit，tobeshiftedyetawhilefromtheColonel’sposterity。\"
Mr。Pyncheontriedtospeak，but——whatwithfearandpassion——couldmakeonlyagurglingmurmurinhisthroat。Thecarpentersmiled。
\"Aha，worshipfulsir！——soyouhaveoldMaule’sbloodtodrink！\"
saidhejeeringly。
\"Fiendinman’sshape！whydostthoukeepdominionovermychild？\"
criedMr。Pyncheon，whenhischokedutterancecouldmakeway。\"Givemebackmydaughter。Thengothyways；andmaywenevermeetagain！\"
\"Yourdaughter！\"saidMatthewMaule。\"Why，sheisfairlymine！
Nevertheless，nottobetoohardwithfairMistressAlice，Iwillleaveherinyourkeeping；butIdonotwarrantyouthatsheshallneverhaveoccasiontorememberMaule，thecarpenter。\"
Hewavedhishandswithanupwardmotion；and，afterafewrepetitionsofsimilargestures，thebeautifulAlicePyncheonawokefromherstrangetrance。Sheawokewithouttheslightestrecollectionofhervisionaryexperience；butasonelosingherselfinamomentaryreverie，andreturningtotheconsciousnessofactuallife，inalmostasbriefanintervalasthedown-sinkingflameofthehearthshouldquiveragainupthechimney。OnrecognizingMatthewMaule，sheassumedanairofsomewhatcoldbutgentledignity，therather，astherewasacertainpeculiarsmileonthecarpenter’svisagethatstirredthenativeprideofthefairAlice。Soended，forthattime，thequestforthelosttitle-deedofthePyncheonterritoryattheEastward；nor，thoughoftensubsequentlyrenewed，hasiteveryetbefallenaPyncheontosethiseyeuponthatparchment。
But，alasforthebeautiful，thegentle，yettoohaughtyAlice！
Apowerthatshelittledreamedofhadlaiditsgraspuponhermaidensoul。Awill，mostunlikeherown，constrainedhertodoitsgrotesqueandfantasticbidding。Herfatherasitproved，hadmartyredhispoorchildtoaninordinatedesireformeasuringhislandbymilesinsteadofacres。And，therefore，whileAlicePyncheonlived，shewasMaule’sslave，inabondagemorehumiliating，athousand-fold，thanthatwhichbindsitschainaroundthebody。
Seatedbyhishumblefireside，Maulehadbuttowavehishand；and，wherevertheproudladychancedtobe，——whetherinherchamber，orentertainingherfather’sstatelyguests，orworshippingatchurch，——whateverherplaceoroccupation，herspiritpassedfrombeneathherowncontrol，andboweditselftoMaule。\"Alice，laugh！\"——thecarpenter，besidehishearth，wouldsay；orperhapsintenselywillit，withoutaspokenword。And，evenwereitprayer-time，oratafuneral，Alicemustbreakintowildlaughter。\"Alice，besad！\"——and，attheinstant，downwouldcomehertears，quenchingallthemirthofthosearoundherlikesuddenrainuponabonfire。\"Alice，dance。\"——
anddanceshewould，notinsuchcourt-likemeasuresasshehadlearnedabroad，butSomehigh-pacedjig，orhop-skiprigadoon，befittingthebrisklassesatarusticmerry-making。ItseemedtobeMaule’simpulse，nottoruinAlice，nortovisitherwithanyblackorgiganticmischief，whichwouldhavecrownedhersorrowswiththegraceoftragedy，buttowreakalow，ungenerousscornuponher。Thusallthedignityoflifewaslost。Shefeltherselftoomuchabased，andlongedtochangenatureswithsomeworm！
Oneevening，atabridalparty(butnotherown；for，solostfromself-control，shewouldhavedeemeditsintomarry)，poorAlicewasbeckonedforthbyherunseendespot，andconstrained，inhergossamerwhitedressandsatinslippers，tohastenalongthestreettothemeandwellingofalaboring-man。Therewaslaughterandgoodcheerwithin；forMatthewMaule，thatnight，wastowedthelaborer’sdaughter，andhadsummonedproudAlicePyncheontowaituponhisbride。Andsoshedid；andwhenthetwainwereone，Aliceawokeoutofherenchantedsleep。Yet，nolongerproud，——humbly，andwithasmileallsteepedinsadness，——shekissedMaule’swife，andwentherway。Itwasaninclementnight；thesoutheastwinddrovethemingledsnowandrainintoherthinlyshelteredbosom；hersatinslipperswerewetthroughandthrough，asshetrodthemuddysidewalks。Thenextdayacold；soon，asettledcough；anon，ahecticcheek，awastedform，thatsatbesidetheharpsichord，andfilledthehousewithmusic！
Musicinwhichastrainoftheheavenlychoristerswasechoed！Oh；
joyForAlicehadborneherlasthumiliation！Oh，greaterjoy！ForAlicewaspenitentofheroneearthlysin，andproudnomore！
ThePyncheonsmadeagreatfuneralforAlice。Thekithandkinwerethere，andthewholerespectabilityofthetownbesides。
But，lastintheprocession，cameMatthewMaule，gnashinghisteeth，asifhewouldhavebittenhisownheartintwain，——thedarkestandwofullestmanthateverwalkedbehindacorpse！HemeanttohumbleAlice，nottokillher；buthehadtakenawoman’sdelicatesoulintohisrudegripe，toplaywith——andshewasdead！
XIVPhoebe’sGood-ByHOLGRAVE，plungingintohistalewiththeenergyandabsorptionnaturaltoayoungauthor，hadgivenagooddealofactiontothepartscapableofbeingdevelopedandexemplifiedinthatmanner。Henowobservedthatacertainremarkabledrowsiness(whollyunlikethatwithwhichthereaderpossiblyfeelshimselfaffected)hadbeenflungoverthesensesofhisauditress。
Itwastheeffect，unquestionably，ofthemysticgesticulationsbywhichhehadsoughttobringbodilybeforePhoebe’sperceptionthefigureofthemesmerizingcarpenter。Withthelidsdroopingoverhereyes，——nowliftedforaninstant，anddrawndownagainaswithleadenweights，——sheleanedslightlytowardshim，andseemedalmosttoregulateherbreathbyhis。Holgravegazedather，asherolleduphismanuscript，andrecognizedanincipientstageofthatcuriouspsychologicalconditionwhich，ashehadhimselftoldPhoebe，hepossessedmorethananordinaryfacultyofproducing。Aveilwasbeginningtobemuffledabouther，inwhichshecouldbeholdonlyhim，andliveonlyinhisthoughtsandemotions。Hisglance，ashefasteneditontheyounggirl，grewinvoluntarilymoreconcentrated；inhisattitudetherewastheconsciousnessofpower，investinghishardlymaturefigurewithadignitythatdidnotbelongtoitsphysicalmanifestation。
Itwasevident，that，withbutonewaveofhishandandacorrespondingeffortofhiswill，hecouldcompletehismasteryoverPhoebe’syetfreeandvirginspirit:hecouldestablishaninfluenceoverthisgood，pure，andsimplechild，asdangerous，andperhapsasdisastrous，asthatwhichthecarpenterofhislegendhadacquiredandexercisedovertheill-fatedAlice。
ToadispositionlikeHolgrave’s，atoncespeculativeandactive，thereisnotemptationsogreatastheopportunityofacquiringempireoverthehumanspirit；noranyideamoreseductivetoayoungmanthantobecomethearbiterofayounggirl’sdestiny。Letus，therefore，——whateverhisdefectsofnatureandeducation，andinspiteofhisscornforcreedsandinstitutions，——concedetothedaguerreotypisttherareandhighqualityofreverenceforanother’sindividuality。Letusallowhimintegrity，also，foreveraftertobeconfidedin；sinceheforbadehimselftotwinethatonelinkmorewhichmighthaverenderedhisspelloverPhoebeindissoluble。
Hemadeaslightgestureupwardwithhishand。
\"Youreallymortifyme，mydearMissPhoebe！\"heexclaimed，smilinghalf-sarcasticallyather。\"Mypoorstory，itisbuttooevident，willneverdoforGodeyorGraham！OnlythinkofyourfallingasleepatwhatIhopedthenewspapercriticswouldpronounceamostbrilliant，powerful，imaginative，pathetic，andoriginalwindingup！Well，themanuscriptmustservetolightlampswith；——if，indeed，beingsoimbuedwithmygentledulness，itisanylongercapableofflame！\"
\"Measleep！Howcanyousayso？\"answeredPhoebe，asunconsciousofthecrisisthroughwhichshehadpassedasaninfantoftheprecipicetothevergeofwhichithasrolled。\"No，no！Iconsidermyselfashavingbeenveryattentive；and，thoughIdon’tremembertheincidentsquitedistinctly，yetIhaveanimpressionofavastdealoftroubleandcalamity，——so，nodoubt，thestorywillproveexceedinglyattractive。\"
Bythistimethesunhadgonedown，andwastintingthecloudstowardsthezenithwiththosebrighthueswhicharenotseenthereuntilsometimeaftersunset，andwhenthehorizonhasquitelostitsricherbrilliancy。Themoon，too，whichhadlongbeenclimbingoverhead，andunobtrusivelymeltingitsdiskintotheazure，——likeanambitiousdemagogue，whohideshisaspiringpurposebyassumingtheprevalenthueofpopularsentiment，——nowbegantoshineout，broadandoval，initsmiddlepathway。Thesesilverybeamswerealreadypowerfulenoughtochangethecharacterofthelingeringdaylight。Theysoftenedandembellishedtheaspectoftheoldhouse；althoughtheshadowsfelldeeperintotheanglesofitsmanygables，andlaybroodingundertheprojectingstory，andwithinthehalf-opendoor。Withthelapseofeverymoment，thegardengrewmorepicturesque；thefruit-trees，shrubbery，andflower-busheshadadarkobscurityamongthem。Thecommonplacecharacteristics——which，atnoontide，itseemedtohavetakenacenturyofsordidlifetoaccumulate——werenowtransfiguredbyacharmofromance。Ahundredmysteriousyearswerewhisperingamongtheleaves，whenevertheslightsea-breezefounditswaythitherandstirredthem。Throughthefoliagethatroofedthelittlesummer-housethemoonlightflickeredtoandfro，andfellsilverywhiteonthedarkfloor，thetable，andthecircularbench，withacontinualshiftandplay，accordingasthechinksandwaywardcrevicesamongthetwigsadmittedorshutouttheglimmer。
Sosweetlycoolwastheatmosphere，afterallthefeverishday，thatthesummerevemightbefanciedassprinklingdewsandliquidmoonlight，withadashoficytemperinthem，outofasilvervase。Hereandthere，afewdropsofthisfreshnesswerescatteredonahumanheart，andgaveityouthagain，andsympathywiththeeternalyouthofnature。Theartistchancedtobeoneonwhomtherevivinginfluencefell。Itmadehimfeel——whathesometimesalmostforgot，thrustsoearlyashehadbeenintotherudestruggleofmanwithman——howyouthfulhestillwas。
\"Itseemstome，\"heobserved，\"thatIneverwatchedthecomingofsobeautifulaneve，andneverfeltanythingsoverymuchlikehappinessasatthismoment。Afterall，whatagoodworldwelivein！Howgood，andbeautiful！Howyoungitis，too，withnothingreallyrottenorage-worninit！Thisoldhouse，forexample，whichsometimeshaspositivelyoppressedmybreathwithitssmellofdecayingtimber！Andthisgarden，wheretheblackmouldalwaysclingstomyspade，asifIwereasextondelvinginagraveyard！CouldIkeepthefeelingthatnowpossessesme，thegardenwouldeverydaybevirginsoil，withtheearth’sfirstfreshnessintheflavorofitsbeansandsquashes；
andthehouse！——itwouldbelikeabowerinEden，blossomingwiththeearliestrosesthatGodevermade。Moonlight，andthesentimentinman’sheartresponsivetoit，arethegreatestofrenovatorsandreformers。Andallotherreformandrenovation，Isuppose，willprovetobenobetterthanmoonshine！\"
\"IhavebeenhappierthanIamnow；atleast，muchgayer，\"saidPhoebethoughtfully。\"YetIamsensibleofagreatcharminthisbrighteningmoonlight；andIlovetowatchhowtheday，tiredasitis，lagsawayreluctantly，andhatestobecalledyesterdaysosoon。Inevercaredmuchaboutmoonlightbefore。Whatisthere，Iwonder，sobeautifulinit，to-night？\"
\"Andyouhaveneverfeltitbefore？\"inquiredtheartist，lookingearnestlyatthegirlthroughthetwilight。
\"Never，\"answeredPhoebe；\"andlifedoesnotlookthesame，nowthatIhavefeltitso。ItseemsasifIhadlookedateverything，hitherto，inbroaddaylight，orelseintheruddylightofacheerfulfire，glimmeringanddancingthrougharoom。Ah，poorme！\"sheadded，withahalf-melancholylaugh。\"IshallneverbesomerryasbeforeIknewCousinHepzibahandpoorCousinClifford。Ihavegrownagreatdealolder，inthislittletime。
Older，and，Ihope，wiser，and，——notexactlysadder，——but，certainly，withnothalfsomuchlightnessinmyspirits！Ihavegiventhemmysunshine，andhavebeengladtogiveit；but，ofcourse，I
cannotbothgiveandkeepit。Theyarewelcome，notwithstanding！\"
\"Youhavelostnothing，Phoebe，worthkeeping，norwhichitwaspossibletokeep，\"saidHolgraveafterapause。\"Ourfirstyouthisofnovalue；forweareneverconsciousofituntilafteritisgone。Butsometimes——always，Isuspect，unlessoneisexceedinglyunfortunate——therecomesasenseofsecondyouth，gushingoutoftheheart’sjoyatbeinginlove；or，possibly，itmaycometocrownsomeothergrandfestivalinlife，ifanyothersuchtherebe。Thisbemoaningofone’sself(asyoudonow)overthefirst，careless，shallowgayetyofyouthdeparted，andthisprofoundhappinessatyouthregained，——somuchdeeperandricherthanthatwelost，——areessentialtothesoul’sdevelopment。Insomecases，thetwostatescomealmostsimultaneously，andminglethesadnessandtheraptureinonemysteriousemotion。\"
\"IhardlythinkIunderstandyou，\"saidPhoebe。
\"Nowonder，\"repliedHolgrave，smiling；\"forIhavetoldyouasecretwhichIhardlybegantoknowbeforeIfoundmyselfgivingitutterance。rememberit，however；andwhenthetruthbecomescleartoyou，thenthinkofthismoonlightscene！\"
\"Itisentirelymoonlightnow，exceptonlyalittleflushoffaintcrimson，upwardfromthewest，betweenthosebuildings，\"
remarkedPhoebe。\"Imustgoin。CousinHepzibahisnotquickatfigures，andwillgiveherselfaheadacheovertheday’saccounts，unlessIhelpher。\"
ButHolgravedetainedheralittlelonger。
\"MissHepzibahtellsme，\"observedhe，\"thatyoureturntothecountryinafewdays。\"
\"Yes，butonlyforalittlewhile，\"answeredPhoebe；\"forIlookuponthisasmypresenthome。Igotomakeafewarrangements，andtotakeamoredeliberateleaveofmymotherandfriends。
Itispleasanttolivewhereoneismuchdesiredandveryuseful；
andIthinkImayhavethesatisfactionoffeelingmyselfsohere。\"
\"Yousurelymay，andmorethanyouimagine，\"saidtheartist。
\"Whateverhealth，comfort，andnaturallifeexistsinthehouseisembodiedinyourperson。Theseblessingscamealongwithyou，andwillvanishwhenyouleavethethreshold。MissHepzibah，bysecludingherselffromsociety，haslostalltruerelationwithit，andis，infact，dead；althoughshegalvanizesherselfintoasemblanceoflife，andstandsbehindhercounter，afflictingtheworldwithagreatly-to-be-deprecatedscowl。YourpoorcousinCliffordisanotherdeadandlong-buriedperson，onwhomthegovernorandcouncilhavewroughtanecromanticmiracle。
Ishouldnotwonderifheweretocrumbleaway，somemorning，afteryouaregone，andnothingbeseenofhimmore，exceptaheapofdust。MissHepzibah，atanyrate，willlosewhatlittleflexibilityshehas。Theybothexistbyyou。\"
\"Ishouldbeverysorrytothinkso，\"answeredPhoebegravely。
\"Butitistruethatmysmallabilitieswerepreciselywhattheyneeded；andIhavearealinterestintheirwelfare，——anoddkindofmotherlysentiment，——whichIwishyouwouldnotlaughat！
Andletmetellyoufrankly，Mr。Holgrave，Iamsometimespuzzledtoknowwhetheryouwishthemwellorill。\"
\"Undoubtedly，\"saidthedaguerreotypist，\"Idofeelaninterestinthisantiquated，poverty-strickenoldmaidenlady，andthisdegradedandshatteredgentleman，——thisabortiveloverofthebeautiful。Akindlyinterest，too，helplessoldchildrenthattheyare！Butyouhavenoconceptionwhatadifferentkindofheartmineisfromyourown。Itisnotmyimpulse，asregardsthesetwoindividuals，eithertohelporhinder；buttolookon，toanalyze，toexplainmatterstomyself，andtocomprehendthedramawhich，foralmosttwohundredyears，hasbeendraggingitsslowlengthoverthegroundwhereyouandInowtread。Ifpermittedtowitnesstheclose，Idoubtnottoderiveamoralsatisfactionfromit，gomattershowtheymay。Thereisaconvictionwithinmethattheenddrawsnigh。But，thoughProvidencesentyouhithertohelp，andsendsmeonlyasaprivilegedandmeetspectator，IpledgemyselftolendtheseunfortunatebeingswhateveraidIcan！\"
\"Iwishyouwouldspeakmoreplainly，\"criedPhoebe，perplexedanddispleased；\"and，aboveall，thatyouwouldfeelmorelikeaChristianandahumanbeing！Howisitpossibletoseepeopleindistresswithoutdesiring，morethananythingelse，tohelpandcomfortthem？Youtalkasifthisoldhousewereatheatre；
andyouseemtolookatHepzibah’sandClifford’smisfortunes，andthoseofgenerationsbeforethem，asatragedy，suchasI
haveseenactedinthehallofacountryhotel，onlythepresentoneappearstobeplayedexclusivelyforyouramusement。Idonotlikethis。Theplaycoststheperformerstoomuch，andtheaudienceistoocold-hearted。\"
\"Youaresevere，\"saidHolgrave，compelledtorecognizeadegreeoftruthinthepiquantsketchofhisownmood。
\"Andthen，\"continuedPhoebe，\"whatcanyoumeanbyyourconviction，whichyoutellmeof，thattheendisdrawingnear？
Doyouknowofanynewtroublehangingovermypoorrelatives？Ifso，tellmeatonce，andIwillnotleavethem！\"
\"Forgiveme，Phoebe！\"saidthedaguerreotypist，holdingouthishand，towhichthegirlwasconstrainedtoyieldherown。\"Iamsomewhatofamystic，itmustbeconfessed。Thetendencyisinmyblood，togetherwiththefacultyofmesmerism，whichmighthavebroughtmetoGallowsHill，inthegoodoldtimesofwitchcraft。
Believeme，ifIwerereallyawareofanysecret，thedisclosureofwhichwouldbenefityourfriends，——whoaremyownfriends，likewise，——youshouldlearnitbeforewepart。ButIhavenosuchknowledge。\"
\"Youholdsomethingback！\"saidPhoebe。
\"Nothing，——nosecretsbutmyown，\"answeredHolgrave。\"Icanperceive，indeed，thatJudgePyncheonstillkeepshiseyeonClifford，inwhoseruinhehadsolargeashare。Hismotivesandintentions，howeverareamysterytome。Heisadeterminedandrelentlessman，withthegenuinecharacterofaninquisitor；
andhadheanyobjecttogainbyputtingCliffordtotherack，Iverilybelievethathewouldwrenchhisjointsfromtheirsockets，inordertoaccomplishit。But，sowealthyandeminentasheis，——sopowerfulinhisownstrength，andinthesupportofsocietyonallsides，——whatcanJudgePyncheonhavetohopeorfearfromtheimbecile，branded，half-torpidClifford？\"
\"Yet，\"urgedPhoebe，\"youdidspeakasifmisfortunewereimpending！\"
\"Oh，thatwasbecauseIammorbid！\"repliedtheartist。\"Mymindhasatwistaside，likealmosteverybody’smind，exceptyourown。
Moreover，itissostrangetofindmyselfaninmateofthisoldPyncheonHouse，andsittinginthisoldgarden——(hark，howMaule’swellismurmuring！)——that，wereitonlyforthisonecircumstance，IcannothelpfancyingthatDestinyisarrangingitsfifthactforacatastrophe。\"
\"There。\"criedPhoebewithrenewedvexation；forshewasbynatureashostiletomysteryasthesunshinetoadarkcorner。
\"Youpuzzlememorethanever！\"
\"Thenletuspartfriends！\"saidHolgrave，pressingherhand。\"Or，ifnotfriends，letuspartbeforeyouentirelyhateme。You，wholoveeverybodyelseintheworld！\"
\"Good-by，then，\"saidPhoebefrankly。\"Idonotmeantobeangryagreatwhile，andshouldbesorrytohaveyouthinkso。TherehasCousinHepzibahbeenstandingintheshadowofthedoorway，thisquarterofanhourpast！ShethinksIstaytoolonginthedampgarden。So，good-night，andgood-by。\"
Onthesecondmorningthereafter，Phoebemighthavebeenseen，inherstrawbonnet，withashawlononearmandalittlecarpet-bagontheother，biddingadieutoHepzibahandCousinClifford。Shewastotakeaseatinthenexttrainofcars，whichwouldtransporthertowithinhalfadozenmilesofhercountryvillage。
ThetearswereinPhoebe’seyes；asmile，dewywithaffectionateregret，wasglimmeringaroundherpleasantmouth。Shewonderedhowitcametopass，thatherlifeofafewweeks，hereinthisheavy-heartedoldmansion，hadtakensuchholdofher，andsomeltedintoherassociations，asnowtoseemamoreimportantcentre-pointofremembrancethanallwhichhadgonebefore。
HowhadHepzibah——grim，silent，andirresponsivetoheroverflowofcordialsentiment——contrivedtowinsomuchlove？AndClifford，——inhisabortivedecay，withthemysteryoffearfulcrimeuponhim，andthecloseprison-atmosphereyetlurkinginhisbreath，——howhadhetransformedhimselfintothesimplestchild，whomPhoebefeltboundtowatchover，andbe，asitwere，theprovidenceofhisunconsideredhours！Everything，atthatinstantoffarewell，stoodoutprominentlytoherview。Lookwhereshewould，layherhandonwhatshemight，theobjectrespondedtoherconsciousness，asifamoisthumanheartwereinit。
Shepeepedfromthewindowintothegarden，andfeltherselfmoreregretfulatleavingthisspotofblackearth，vitiatedwithsuchanage-longgrowthofweeds，thanjoyfulattheideaofagainscentingherpineforestsandfreshclover-fields。ShecalledChanticleer，histwowives，andthevenerablechicken，andthrewthemsomecrumbsofbreadfromthebreakfast-table。Thesebeinghastilygobbledup，thechickenspreaditswings，andalightedclosebyPhoebeonthewindow-sill，whereitlookedgravelyintoherfaceandventeditsemotionsinacroak。Phoebebadeitbeagoodoldchickenduringherabsence，andpromisedtobringitalittlebagofbuckwheat。
\"Ah，Phoebe！\"remarkedHepzibah，\"youdonotsmilesonaturallyaswhenyoucametous！Then，thesmilechosetoshineout；now，youchooseitshould。Itiswellthatyouaregoingback，foralittlewhile，intoyournativeair。Therehasbeentoomuchweightonyourspirits。Thehouseistoogloomyandlonesome；
theshopisfullofvexations；andasforme，Ihavenofacultyofmakingthingslookbrighterthantheyare。DearCliffordhasbeenyouronlycomfort！\"
\"Comehither，Phoebe，\"suddenlycriedhercousinClifford，whohadsaidverylittleallthemorning。\"Close！——closer！——andlookmeintheface！\"
Phoebeputoneofhersmallhandsoneachelbowofhischair，andleanedherfacetowardshim，sothathemightperuseitascarefullyashewould。Itisprobablethatthelatentemotionsofthispartinghourhadrevived，insomedegree，hisbedimmedandenfeebledfaculties。
Atanyrate，Phoebesoonfeltthat，ifnottheprofoundinsightofaseer，yetamorethanfemininedelicacyofappreciation，wasmakingherheartthesubjectofitsregard。Amomentbefore，shehadknownnothingwhichshewouldhavesoughttohide。Now，asifsomesecretwerehintedtoherownconsciousnessthroughthemediumofanother’sperception，shewasfaintolethereyelidsdroopbeneathClifford’sgaze。Ablush，too，——theredder，becauseshestrovehardtokeepitdown，——ascendedbiggerandhigher，inatideoffitfulprogress，untilevenherbrowwasallsuffusedwithit。
\"Itisenough，Phoebe，\"saidClifford，withamelancholysmile。
\"WhenIfirstsawyou，youweretheprettiestlittlemaidenintheworld；andnowyouhavedeepenedintobeauty。Girlhoodhaspassedintowomanhood；thebudisabloom！Go，now——IfeellonelierthanIdid。\"
Phoebetookleaveofthedesolatecouple，andpassedthroughtheshop，twinklinghereyelidstoshakeoffadew-drop；for——consideringhowbriefherabsencewastobe，andthereforethefollyofbeingcastdownaboutit——shewouldnotsofaracknowledgehertearsastodrythemwithherhandkerchief。Onthedoorstep，shemetthelittleurchinwhosemarvellousfeatsofgastronomyhavebeenrecordedintheearlierpagesofournarrative。Shetookfromthewindowsomespecimenorotherofnaturalhistory，——hereyesbeingtoodimwithmoisturetoinformheraccuratelywhetheritwasarabbitorahippopotamus，——putitintothechild’shandasapartinggift，andwentherway。OldUncleVennerwasjustcomingoutofhisdoor，withawood-horseandsawonhisshoulder；and，trudgingalongthestreet，hescruplednottokeepcompanywithPhoebe，sofarastheirpathslaytogether；nor，inspiteofhispatchedcoatandrustybeaver，andthecuriousfashionofhistow-clothtrousers，couldshefinditinherhearttooutwalkhim。
\"Weshallmissyou，nextSabbathafternoon，\"observedthestreetphilosopher。\"Itisunaccountablehowlittlewhileittakessomefolkstogrowjustasnaturaltoamanashisownbreath；and，beggingyourpardon，MissPhoebe(thoughtherecanbenooffenceinanoldman’ssayingit)，that’sjustwhatyou’vegrowntome！
Myyearshavebeenagreatmany，andyourlifeisbutjustbeginning；andyet，youaresomehowasfamiliartomeasifI
hadfoundyouatmymother’sdoor，andyouhadblossomed，likearunningvine，allalongmypathwaysince。Comebacksoon，orIshallbegonetomyfarm；forIbegintofindthesewood-sawingjobsalittletootoughformyback-ache。\"
\"Verysoon，UncleVenner，\"repliedPhoebe。
\"Andletitbeallthesooner，Phoebe，forthesakeofthosepoorsoulsyonder，\"continuedhercompanion。\"Theycanneverdowithoutyou，now，——never，Phoebe；never——nomorethanifoneofGod’sangelshadbeenlivingwiththem，andmakingtheirdismalhousepleasantandcomfortable！Don’titseemtoyouthey’dbeinasadcase，if，somepleasantsummermorninglikethis，theangelshouldspreadhiswings，andflytotheplacehecamefrom？Well，justsotheyfeel，nowthatyou’regoinghomebytherailroad！
Theycan’tbearit，MissPhoebe；sobesuretocomeback！\"
\"Iamnoangel，UncleVenner，\"saidPhoebe，smiling，assheofferedhimherhandatthestreet-corner。\"But，Isuppose，peopleneverfeelsomuchlikeangelsaswhentheyaredoingwhatlittlegoodtheymay。SoIshallcertainlycomeback！\"
Thuspartedtheoldmanandtherosygirl；andPhoebetookthewingsofthemorning，andwassoonflittingalmostasrapidlyawayasifendowedwiththeaeriallocomotionoftheangelstowhomUncleVennerhadsograciouslycomparedher。
XVTheScowlandSmileSEVERALdayspassedovertheSevenGables，heavilyanddrearilyenough。Infact(nottoattributethewholegloomofskyandearthtotheoneinauspiciouscircumstanceofPhoebe’sdeparture)，aneasterlystormhadsetin，andindefatigablyapplyitselftothetaskofmakingtheblackroofandwallsoftheoldhouselookmorecheerlessthaneverbefore。Yetwastheoutsidenothalfsocheerlessastheinterior。PoorCliffordwascutoff，atonce，fromallhisscantyresourcesofenjoyment。Phoebewasnotthere；
nordidthesunshinefalluponthefloor。Thegarden，withitsmuddywalks，andthechill，drippingfoliageofitssummer-house，wasanimagetobeshudderedat。Nothingflourishedinthecold，moist，pitilessatmosphere，driftingwiththebrackishscudofsea-breezes，exceptthemossalongthejointsoftheshingle-roof，andthegreatbunchofweeds，thathadlatelybeensufferingfromdrought，intheanglebetweenthetwofrontgables。
AsforHepzibah，sheseemednotmerelypossessedwiththeeastwind，buttobe，inherveryperson，onlyanotherphaseofthisgrayandsullenspellofweather；theeastwinditself，grimanddisconsolate，inarustyblacksilkgown，andwithaturbanofcloud-wreathsonitshead。Thecustomoftheshopfelloff，becauseastorygotabroadthatshesouredhersmallbeerandotherdamageablecommodities，byscowlingonthem。Itis，perhaps，truethatthepublichadsomethingreasonablytocomplainofinherdeportment；buttowardsCliffordshewasneitherill-temperednorunkind，norfeltlesswarmthofheartthanalways，haditbeenpossibletomakeitreachhim。Theinutilityofherbestefforts，however，palsiedthepooroldgentlewoman。Shecoulddolittleelsethansitsilentlyinacorneroftheroom，whenthewetpear-treebranches，sweepingacrossthesmallwindows，createdanoon-daydusk，whichHepzibahunconsciouslydarkenedwithherwoe-begoneaspect。ItwasnofaultofHepzibah’s。Everything——eventheoldchairsandtables，thathadknownwhatweatherwasforthreeorfoursuchlifetimesasherown——lookedasdampandchillasifthepresentweretheirworstexperience。ThepictureofthePuritanColonelshiveredonthewall。Thehouseitselfshivered，fromeveryatticofitssevengablesdowntothegreatkitchenfireplace，whichservedallthebetterasanemblemofthemansion’sheart，because，thoughbuiltforwarmth，itwasnowsocomfortlessandempty。
Hepzibahattemptedtoenlivenmattersbyafireintheparlor。
Butthestormdemonkeptwatchabove，and，wheneveraflamewaskindled，drovethesmokebackagain，chokingthechimney’ssootythroatwithitsownbreath。Nevertheless，duringfourdaysofthismiserablestorm，Cliffordwrapthimselfinanoldcloak，andoccupiedhiscustomarychair。Onthemorningofthefifth，whensummonedtobreakfast，herespondedonlybyabroken-heartedmurmur，expressiveofadeterminationnottoleavehisbed。Hissistermadenoattempttochangehispurpose。Infact，entirelyasshelovedhim，Hepzibahcouldhardlyhaveborneanylongerthewretchedduty——soimpracticablebyherfewandrigidfaculties——ofseekingpastimeforastillsensitive，butruinedmind，criticalandfastidious，withoutforceorvolition。Itwasatleastsomethingshortofpositivedespair，thatto-dayshemightsitshiveringalone，andnotsuffercontinuallyanewgrief，andunreasonablepangofremorse，ateveryfitfulsighofherfellowsufferer。
ButClifford，itseemed，thoughhedidnotmakehisappearancebelowstairs，had，afterall，bestirredhimselfinquestofamusement。Inthecourseoftheforenoon，Hepzibahheardanoteofmusic，which(therebeingnoothertunefulcontrivanceintheHouseoftheSevenGables)sheknewmustproceedfromAlicePyncheon’sharpsichord。ShewasawarethatClifford，inhisyouth，hadpossessedacultivatedtasteformusic，andaconsiderabledegreeofskillinitspractice。Itwasdifficult，however，toconceiveofhisretaininganaccomplishmenttowhichdailyexerciseissoessential，inthemeasureindicatedbythesweet，airy，anddelicate，thoughmostmelancholystrain，thatnowstoleuponherear。Norwasitlessmarvellousthatthelong-silentinstrumentshouldbecapableofsomuchmelody。
Hepzibahinvoluntarilythoughtoftheghostlyharmonies，prelusiveofdeathinthefamily，whichwereattributedtothelegendaryAlice。Butitwas，perhaps，proofoftheagencyofotherthanspiritualfingers，that，afterafewtouches，thechordsseemedtosnapasunderwiththeirownvibrations，andthemusicceased。
Butaharshersoundsucceededtothemysteriousnotes；norwastheeasterlydayfatedtopasswithoutaneventsufficientinitselftopoison，forHepzibahandClifford，thebalmiestairthateverbroughtthehumming-birdsalongwithit。ThefinalechoesofAlicePyncheon’sperformance(orClifford’s，ifhiswemustconsiderit)weredrivenawaybynolessvulgaradissonancethantheringingoftheshop-bell。Afootwasheardscrapingitselfonthethreshold，andthencesomewhatponderouslysteppingonthefloor。Hepzibahdelayedamoment，whilemufflingherselfinafadedshawl，whichhadbeenherdefensivearmorinafortyyears’warfareagainsttheeastwind。Acharacteristicsound，however，——neitheracoughnorahem，butakindofrumblingandreverberatingspasminsomebody’scapaciousdepthofchest；——
impelledhertohurryforward，withthataspectoffiercefaint-heartednesssocommontowomenincasesofperilousemergency。Fewofhersex，onsuchoccasions，haveeverlookedsoterribleasourpoorscowlingHepzibah。Butthevisitorquietlyclosedtheshop-doorbehindhim，stooduphisumbrellaagainstthecounter，andturnedavisageofcomposedbenignity，tomeetthealarmandangerwhichhisappearancehadexcited。
Hepzibah’spresentimenthadnotdeceivedher。ItwasnootherthanJudgePyncheon，who，afterinvaintryingthefrontdoor，hadnoweffectedhisentranceintotheshop。
\"Howdoyoudo，CousinHepzibah？——andhowdoesthismostinclementweatheraffectourpoorClifford？\"begantheJudge；andwonderfulitseemed，indeed，thattheeasterlystormwasnotputtoshame，or，atanyrate，alittlemollified，bythegenialbenevolenceofhissmile。\"Icouldnotrestwithoutcallingtoask，oncemore，whetherIcaninanymannerpromotehiscomfort，oryourown。\"
