Thewholestorybegantobeputtogetherbybits，andcomprehended.OldJohnstone’sclevernesswasrecalledtomind.
ThefewfishermenleftatNewhavenwerereadytokillthemselves.
TheirwiveswerereadytodothesamegoodofficeforLaJohnstone.
FourIrishmerchantsagreedtoworktogether，andtomakeashowofcompetition，thebettertokeepthepricedownwithinbounds.
Itwashardlyfair，fourmenagainstoneinnocentunguardedfemale.
Butthisisawickedworld.
Christielanded，andproceededtoherownhouse;onthewayshewasmetbyJeanCarnie，whodebarrassedherofcertainwrappers，andahandkerchiefshehadtiedroundherhead，andinformedhershewastheprideofNewhaven.
Shenextmetthesefourlittlemerchants，oneafteranother.
Andsinceweoughttodwellaslittleaspossibleuponscenesinwhichunguardedinnocenceisexposedtoartfulconspiracies，wewillputapageortwointothebruteformofdramaticdialogue，andsosailthroughitquicker.
_1stMerchant._\"Whereareyegoing，Meggie？\"
_ChristieJohnstone._\"Ifonybodyasksye，sayyedinnaken.\"
_1stMer._\"Willyesellyourfish？\"
_Christie._\"Sunerthangiethem.\"
_1stMer._\"Youwillbeaskingfifteenshillin’thecran.\"
_Christie._\"Andtentothat.\"
_1stMer._\"Good—morning.\"
_2dMer._\"Wouldhenotgooverfifteenshillings？Oh，thethiefo’theworld！——I’llgivesixteen.\"
_3dMer._\"ButI’llgiveeighteen.\"
_2dMer._\"Morefoolyou！Takehimup，mygirl.\"
_Christie._\"Twenty—fiveismypricetheday.\"
_3dMer._\"YouwillkeepthemtillSundayweekandselltheirbones.\"
_[ExeuntthethreeMerchants.Enter4thMerchant._
_4thMer._\"Areyourfishsold？I’llgivesixteenshillings.\"
_Christie._\"I’mseekingtwenty—five，an’I’mofferedeighteen.
_4thMer._\"Takeit.\"_[Exit._
_Christie._\"Theyhaeputtentheirheadsthegither.\"
HereFluckercameuptoher，andtoldhertherewasaLeithmerchantlookingforher.\"And，Custy，\"saidhe，\"there’splentywindgettingup，yourfishwillbesairhashed;putthemoffyourhands，Iredeye.\"
_Christie._\"Ay，lad！Flucker，hide，an’whenIplaymyhandsae，ye’llruninancry，’Cirsty，theIrishmanwillgieyetwenty—twoschellinthecran.’\"
_Flucker._\"Yekenmairthan’sinthecatecheesm，forasreleegiousasyeare.\"
TheLeithmerchantwasMr.Miller，andthisisthewayheworked.
_Miller（inamellifluousvoice）._\"Areyenofatigued，mydeear？\"
_Christie（affectingfatigue）._\"Indeed，sir，andIam.\"
_Miller._\"ShallIhavethepleasuretodealwi’ye？\"
_Christie._\"Ifit’syourpleasure，sir.I’mseekin’twenty—fiveschellin.\"
_Miller（pretendingnottohear）._\"Asyouareabeginner，Imustofferfair;twentyschellinyoushallhave，andthat’sthreeshillingsaboveDunbar.\"
_Christie._\"Wadyeevencartedherrinwithmyfishcallerfra’thesea？
andDunbar——oh，fine！yekenthere’snaeherrinatDunbarthemorn;thisistheDunbarschulethatslippedwestward.I’mthematirket，ye’llhaetobuyo’meorgangtoyourbed\"_（hereshesignaledtoFlucker）._\"I’llnobeooto’minelang.\"
_EnterFluckerhastily，crying：_\"Cirsty，theIrishmanwillgieyetwenty—twoschellin.\"
\"I’llnotakit，\"saidChristie.
\"Theyarekeentohaethem，\"saidFlucker;andhastilyretired，asiftotreatfurtherwiththesmallmerchants.
Onthis，Mr.Miller，pretendingtomakeforLeith，said，carelessly，\"Twenty—threeshillings，ortheyarenotforme.\"
\"Takthecutter’sfreightatahundre’cran，an’I’mnocaring，\"saidChristie.
\"Theyaremine！\"saidMr.Miller，verysharply.\"HowmuchshallIgiveyoutheday？\"
\"Auchtypund，sir，ifyouplease——thelavewhenyoulike;Ikenye，Mr.
Miller.\"
Whilecountingherthenotes，thepurchasersaidslylytoher：
\"There’smorethanahundredcraninthecutter，mywoman.\"
\"Alittle，sir，\"repliedthevender;\"but，ereIcouldcountthemtillyebybaskets，theywouldlosesevenoreightcraninbook，*yourgain，myloss.\"
*Bulk.
\"Youareavaraintelligentyoungperson，\"saidMr.Miller，gravely.
\"Yehadmeasuredthemwi’yourwalking—stick，sir;there’sjustaescaleyedidnawipeoff，thoughyeareacarefu’mon，Mr.Miller;saeIlaidthebaitforyean’fineyetookit.\"
Millertookouthissnuff—box，andtappingitsaid：
\"Willyegointopartnershipwithme，mydear？\"
\"Ay，sir！\"wasthereply.\"WhenI’maulderan’ye’reyounger.\"
Atthismomentthefourmerchants，believingituselesstodisguisetheirco—operation，returnedtoseewhatcouldbedone.
\"Weshallgiveyouaguineaabarrel.\"
\"Why，yeofferedhertwenty—twoshillingsbefore.\"
\"Thatweneverdid，Mr.Miller.\"
\"Haw！haw！\"wentFlucker.
Christielookeddownandblushed.
Eyesmeteyes，andwithoutawordspokenallwascomprehendedandsilentlyapproved.Therewasnononsenseutteredaboutmoralityinconnectionwithdealing.
Mr.Millertookanenormouspinchofsnuff，anddrewforthebenefitofallpresentthefollowinginference：
MR.MILLER’SAPOTHEGM.
\"Friendsandneighbors！whenaman’sheedisgraywithageandthoucht_（pause）_he’sjustfittogotoschuletoayounglasso’twenty.\"
Therewasacertainmiddle—agedfishwife，calledBeenyListon，atenantofChristieJohnstone’s;shehadnotpaidherrentforsometime，andshehadnotbeenpressedforit;whetherthis，orthewhiskyshewasinthehabitoftaking，rankledinhermind，certainitisshehadalwaysanillwordforherlandlady.
Shenowmether，enviedhersuccess，andcalledoutinacoarsetone：
\"Oh，ye’reagallantquean;ye’llbewaurthaneverthenoo.\"
\"What’swrang，ifyeplease？\"saidtheJohnstone，sharply.
Reader，didyoueverseetwofallowbuckscommenceaduel？
Theystrutround，eightyardsapart，tailsup，lookcarefullyanotherwaytomaketheotherthinkitallmeansnothing，and，beingbothequallysly，theirhornscometogetherasifbyconcert.
Evensocommencedthisdueloftonguesbetweenthesetwoheroines.
BeenyListon，lookingateverybodybutChristie，addressedthenativeswhowerecongregatingthus：
\"Dideveryehearo’adecentlasstakingtheherrin’ooto’themen’smooths？——isyonawoman’spairt，I’maskingye？\"
Onthis，Christie，lookingcarefullyatalltheothersexceptBeeny，inquiredwithanairofsimplecuriosity：
\"CanonybodytellmewhaListonCarnie’sdrunkenwifeisspeakin’till？
notoonydecentlass，though.Na！yekenshewadnahaeth’impudence！\"
\"Oh，yekenfineI’mspeakin’tillyoursel’.\"
Herethehornsclashedtogether.
\"Tome，woman？\"_（withadmirablyactedsurprise.）_\"Oo，ay！itwillbeforthetwayears’rentyou’reawinme.Giest！\"
_BeenyListon._\"Ye’rejusttheimpudentestgirrli’thetoon，an’yehaeprovedittheday\"（herarmsakimbo）.
_Christie（armsakimbo）._\"Me，impudent？howdauryespeakagainstmycharackter，that’skennedfordecencyo’baithsidestheFirrth.\"
_Beeny（contemptuously）._\"Oh，ye’reslyenoughtobeguilethemen，butwekenye.\"
_Christie._\"I’mnosly，and\"_（drawingnearandhissingthewords）_\"I’mnolikethewomanJeanan’IsawinRoseStreet，deaddrunkonthecauseway，whilehermonwasworkingforheratsea.Ifye’renobenyourhooseinaeminute，I’llsaythatwillgarListonCarnieflingyeowerthepier—head，yefool—mootheddrunkenleear——Scairt！\"*
*Alocalword;acorruptionfromtheFrench_Sortez._
IfmyreaderhasseenandheardMademoiselleRachelutterherfamous_Sortez，_in\"Virginie，\"heknowsexactlywithwhatagestureandtonetheJohnstoneutteredthisword.
_Beeny（inavoiceofwhiningsurprise）._\"Hech！whataspiteFluckerJohnstone’sdochterhastaenagainstus.\"
_Christie._\"Scairt！\"
_Beeny（inacoaxingvoice，andmovingastep）._\"Aweel！what’sa’yourpaession，myboennywoman？\"
_Christie._\"Scairt！\"
Beenyretiredbeforethethunderandlightningofindignantvirtue.
Thenallthefishboysstruckupadismalchantofvictory.
\"Yoo—hoo——Custy’swontheday——Beeny’sscair_tit，\"_goinguponthelastsyllable.
Christiemovedslowlyawaytowardherownhouse，butbeforeshecouldreachthedoorshebegantowhimper——littlefool.
ThereatchorusofyoungAthenianschanted：
\"Yu—hoo！comeback，Beeny，ye’llmaybewinyet.Custy’sawaygree_tin\"_
_（goinguponthelastsyllable）._
\"I’mnogreetin，yerudebairns，\"saidChristie，burstingintotears，andretiringassoonasshehadeffectedthatproofofherphilosophy.
Itwasaboutfourhourslater;Christiehadsnatchedsomerepose.Thewind，asFluckerprognosticated，hadgrownintoaveryheavygale，andtheFirthwasbrownandboiling.
Suddenlyaclamorwasheardontheshore，andsoonafterafishwifemadeherappearance，withratherasingularburden.
Herhusband，ladies;_rienquecela._
Shehadhimbythescruffoftheneck;hewas_dos—’a—dos，_withhisbootedlegskickingintheair，andhisfistsmakingwarlikebutidledemonstrationsandhismouthutteringineffectualbadlanguage.
ThisworthyhadbeencalledacowardbySandyListon，andbeingabouttofightwithhim，andgetthrashed，hiswifehadwhippedhimupandcarriedhimaway;shenowflunghimdown，atsomeriskofhisequilibrium.
\"Yearenotfittofeichtwi’SandyListon，\"saidshe;\"ifyeareforfeichtin，here’sforye.\"
Asacommenttothisproposal，shetuckedupthesleevesofhershortgown.Hetriedtorunbyher;shecaughthimbythebosom，andgavehimaviolentpush，thatsenthimseveralpacesbackward;helookedhalffierce，halfastounded;erehecouldquiterecoverhimself，hislittleservantforcedapipeintohishand，andhesmokedcontentedandpeaceable.
Beforetobaccotheevilpassionsfall，theytellme.
Thecauseofthisquarrelsoonexplaineditself;upcameSandyListon，cursingandswearing.
\"What！yehaegottentillyourwife’s;that’stheplaceforye;tosaythere’sabrigindistress，andye’lllethergoontherocksunderyournoses.Butwhatareyeafraido’？there’snadanger？\"
\"Naedanger！\"saidoneofthereproached，\"areyefou？\"
\"Yearefouwi’fearyoursel’;ofa’thebeaststhatcrawltheairth，acoowardistheugliest，Ithink.\"
\"Thewifeswillnoletus，\"saidone，sulkily.
\"It’sthewomaninyourhairtsthatkeepsye，\"roaredSandyhoarsely;
\"curseye，yearesuretodeeaneday，andyearesuretobe————！\"（apastparticiple）\"soonorlate，whatsignifieswhen？Oh！cursethehoureverIwasbornamangsicacooardlycrew.\"_（Gunatsea.）_
\"There！\"
\"Shespeakstillye，hersel’;shecriesformaircy;tothinkthat，ofa’
thathearyecry，AlexanderListonistheonlymonmonenoughtoanswer.\"
_（Gun.）_
\"Youaremistaken，Mr.AlexanderListon，\"saidaclear，smartvoice，whoseownerhadmingledunobservedwiththethrong;\"therearealwaysmentoanswersuchoccasions;now，mylads，yourboatshaveplentyofbeam，and，wellhandled，shouldliveinanysea;whovolunteerswithAlexanderListonandme？\"
ThespeakerwasLordIpsden.
ThefishwivesofNewhaven，moreaccustomedtomeasurementhanpoorlittleLadyBarbaraSinclair，sawinthismanwhatinpointoffacthewas——acool，daringdevil，thanwhomnonemorelikelytoleadmenintomortaldanger，orpullthemthroughit，forthatmatter.
Theyrecognizedtheirnaturalenemy，andcollectedtogetheragainsthim，likehensatthesightofahawk.
\"Andwouldyoureallyenticeourmentilltheirdeath？\"
\"Mylife’sworthasmuchastheirs，Isuppose.
\"Nae！yourlife！it’snaworthabutton;whenyoudee，yournextkinwilldance，andwha’llgreet？butourmenhaewifeandbairnstolooktill.\"
_（Gunatsea.）_
\"Ah！Ididn’tlookatitinthatlight，\"saidLordIpsden.Hethendemandedpaperandink;ChristieJohnstone，whohadcomeoutofherhouse，supplieditfromhertreasures，andthiscoolhandactuallybegantoconveyahundredandfiftythousandpoundsaway，uponasheetofpaperblowinginthewind;whenhehadnamedhisresiduarylegatee，anddisposedofcertainlargebequests，hecametothepoint——
\"ChristieJohnstone，whatcanthesepeopleliveon？twohundredayear？
livingischeaphere——confoundthewind！\"
\"Twahundred？Fifty！Vilecount.\"
\"Don’tcallmevilecount.IamIpsden，andmyname’sRichard.Now，then，besmartwithyournames.\"
Threemensteppedforward，gavetheirnames，hadtheirwidowsprovidedfor，andwentfortheirsou’westers，etc.
\"Stay，\"saidLordIpsden，writing.\"ToChristinaJohnstone，outofrespectforhercharacter，onethousandpounds.\"
\"Richard！dinnagang，\"criedChristie，\"oh，dinnagang，dinnagang，dinnagang;it’snoyourbusiness.\"
\"Willyoulendmeyourpapa’sFlushingjacketandsou’wester，mydear？IfIwassuretobedrowned，I’dgo！\"
Christieraninforthem.
Inthemeantime，discomposedbythewind，andbyfeelingswhoseexistenceneitherhe，norI，noranyonesuspected，Saunders，afterasorestrugglebetweenthefrailmanandtheperfectdomestic，blurtedout：
\"Mylord，Ibegyourlordship’spardon，butitblowstempestuous.\"
\"Thatiswhythebrigwantsus，\"wasthereply.
\"Mylord，Ibegyourlordship’spardon，\"whimperedSaunders.\"But，oh！mylord，don’tgo;it’sallverywellforfishermentobedrowned;itistheirbusiness，butnotyours，mylord.\"
\"Saunders，helpmeonwiththiscoat.\"
Christiehadbroughtit.
\"Yes，mylord，\"saidSaunders，briskly，hissecondnaturereviving.
Hislordship，whileputtingonthecoatandhat，undertooktocoolMr.
Saunders’saristocraticprejudices.
\"ShouldAlexanderListonandIbedrowned，\"saidhe，coolly，\"whenourbonescomeashore，youwillnotknowwhicharethefisherman’sandwhichtheviscount’s.\"Sosaying，hejoinedtheenterprise.
\"Ishallprayforye，lad，\"saidChristieJohnstone，andsheretiredforthatpurpose.
Saunders，withaheavyheart，tothenearesttavern，toprepareanaccountofwhathecalled\"HeroisminHighLife，\"largeletters，andtheusualsignsofgreatastonishment！！！！！forthe_PolytechnicMagazine._
Thecommanderofthedistressedvesselhadbeenpenny—wise.HehaddeclinedapilotofftheIsleofMay，trustingtofallinwithoneclosetotheportofLeith;butaheavygaleandfoghadcomeon;heknewhimselfinthevicinityofdangerousrocks;and，tomakemattersworse，hisship，oldandsorebatteredbyalongandstormyvoyage，wasleaky;
andunlessapilotcamealongside，hisfatewouldbe，eithertofounder，orrunupontherocks，wherehemustexpecttogotopiecesinaquarterofanhour.
TheNewhavenboatlayincomparativelysmoothwater，ontheleesideofthepier.
Ouradventurersgotintoher，steppedthemast，setasmallsail，andranout！SandyListonheldthesheet，passedonceroundthebelaying—pin，andwheneveralargerwavethanusualcameatthem，heslackedthesheet，andtheboat，losingherway，rosegently，likeacork，uponseasthathadseemedabouttoswallowher.
Butseenfromtheshoreitwasenoughtomakethemostexperiencedwince;
socompletelywasthiswoodenshelllosttosight，asshedescendedfromawave，thateachtimeherreappearanceseemedareturnfromthedead.
Theweatherwasmisty——theboatwassoonlostsightof;thestoryremainsashore.
CHAPTERXIV.
ITwasanhourlater;thenativesoftheNewTownhadleftthepier，andwereabouttheirowndoors，whenthreeBuckhavenfishermencameslowlyupfromthepier;thesemenhadarrivedinoneoftheirlargefishing—boats，whichdefyallweather.
Themencameslowlyup;theirpetticoattrousersweredrenched，andtheirneck—handkerchiefsandhairwerewetwithspray.
AtthefootoftheNewTowntheystoodstillandwhisperedtoeachother.
TherewassomethingaboutthesementhatdrewtheeyeofNewhavenuponthem.
InthefirstplaceaBuckhavenmanrarelycommunicateswithnativesofNewhaven，exceptatthepier，wherehebringsinhiscodandlingfromthedeepsea，flingsthemoutlikestones，andsellsthemtothefishwives;thenupsailandawayforFifeshire.
Butthesemenevidentlycameashoretospeaktosomeoneinthetown.
Theywhisperedtogether;somethingappearedtobeproposedanddemurredto;butatlasttwowentslowlybacktowardthepier，andtheeldestremained，withafisherman’slongmackintoshcoatinhishandwhichtheothershadgivenhimastheylefthim.
Withthisinhishand，theBuckhavenfishermanstoodinanirresoluteposture;helookeddown，andseemedtoaskhimselfwhatcourseheshouldtake.
\"What’swrang？\"saidJeanCarnie，who，withherneighbors，hadobservedthemen;\"Iwishyonmanmaynahaeillnews.\"
\"Whatillnewswadhehae？\"repliedanother.
\"AreonyfreendsofListonCarniehere？\"saidthefisherman.
\"Thewife’sawa’toGranton，BeenyListontheyca’her——there’shishouse，\"addedJean，pointinguptherow.
\"Ay，\"saidthefisherman，\"Ikenhelivedthere.\"
\"Livedthere！\"criedChristieJohnstone.\"Oh，what’sthis？\"
\"Freends，\"saidtheman，gravely，\"hisboatisdrivingkeeluppermostinKircauldyBay.Wepassedhernearenoughtoreadthenameuponher.\"
\"Butthemenwillhavewontoshore，pleaseGod？\"
Thefishermanshookhishead.
\"She’llhaecoupitamilewastInchKeith，an’thetiderinningafftheislandan’aheavyseagaun.Thisisa’Newhavenwe’llseeofthem_（holdingupthecoat）_\"tilltheyrisetothetopinthreeweeks’time.\"
Themanthentookthecoat，whichwasnowseentobedrenchedwithwater，andhungituponalinenotveryfarfromitsunfortunateowner’shouse.
Then，inthesamegraveandsubduedtoneinwhichhehadspokenallalong，hesaid，\"Wearesorrytobringsiccanataleintoyourtoon，\"andslowlymovedofftorejoinhiscomrades，whohadwaitedforhimatnogreatdistance.TheythenpassedthroughtheOldTown，andinfiveminutesthecalamitywasknowntothewholeplace.
Afterthefirststupor，thepeopleintheNewTowncollectedintoknots，andlamentedtheirhazardouscalling，andfearedforthelivesofthosethathadjustputtoseainthisfatalgalefortherescueofstrangers，andtheolderonesfailednottomatchthispresentsorrowwithotherswithintheirrecollection.
Inthemiddleofthis，FluckerJohnstonecamehastilyinfromtheOldTownandtoldthemhehadseenthewife，BeenyListon，comingthroughfromGranton.
Thesympathyofallwasinstantlyturnedinthisdirection.
\"Shewouldhearthenews.\"
\"Itwouldfallonherlikeathunderclap.\"
\"Whatwouldbecomeofher？\"
EveryeyewasstrainedtowardtheOldTown，andsoonthepoorwomanwasseenabouttoemergefromit;butshewaswalkinginherusualway，andtheyfeltshecouldnotcarryherpersonsoifsheknew.
Atthelasthouseshewasseentostopandspeaktoafishermanandhiswifethatstoodattheirowndoor.
\"Theyaretellingher，\"wasthenthecry.
BeenyListonthenproceededonherway.
Everyeyewasstrained.
No！theyhadnottoldher.
Shecamegaylyon，theunconsciousobjectofeveryeyeandeveryheart.
Thehandsofthispeoplewerehard，andtheirtonguesrude，buttheyshrunkfromtellingthispoorwomanofherbereavement——theythoughtitkindersheshouldknowitunderherownroof，fromherfriendsorneighbors，thanfromcomparativestrangers.
Shedrewnearherowndoor.
AndnowaknotcollectedroundChristieJohnstone，andurgedhertoundertakethesadtask.
\"Youthatspeaksalearned，Christie，yeshouldtellher;wedaurna.\"
\"HowcanItellher？\"saidChristie，turningpale.\"HowwillItellher？
I’setry.\"
Shetookonetremblingsteptomeetthewoman.
Beeny’seyefelluponher.
\"Ay！here’stheQueeno’Newhaven，\"criedshe，inaloudandrathercoarsevoice.\"Themenwillhaetaleavetheplacenowy’areturnedfisherman，Idaursay.\"
\"Oh，dinnafieichtonme！dinnafieichtonme！\"criedChristie，trembling.
\"Maircyonus，\"saidtheother，\"auldFluckerJohnstone’sdochterturnedhumble.Whatnext？\"
\"I’mvexedforspeakingbacktillyethemorn，\"falteredChristie.
\"Hett，\"saidthewomancarelessly，\"letyonfleasticki’thewa’.I
fancyIbeganonye.Aweel，Cirsty，\"saidshe，fallingintoafriendliertone;\"it’stheplaceweliveinspoilsus——Newhaven’sanimpudenttoon，assureasdeeth.
\"IpassedthroughtheAuldToonthenoo——aplaceIneverspeakin;an’iftheydidnagloweratmeasIhadbeenastrangebeast.
\"Theycam’totheirverydoorstogloweratme;ifye’llbelieveme，I
thouchtshame.
\"Atthehinderendmypaassiongotup，andIfacedawifeEast—by，andI
said，’Whatgarsyegloweratmethatway，yeignorantwoman？’yewouldnathinkit，sheansweredlikehoneyitsel’.’I’maskin’yourpaarrdon，’
saysshe;andhermonbyhersidesaid，’Ganghametoyourainhoose，mywoman，andGudehelpye，andhelpusa’atourneed，’thedecentmon.
’It’sjustthereI’mfor，’saidI，’togetmymonhisbreakfast.’\"
Allwhoheardherdrewtheirbreathwithdifficulty.
Thewomanthenmadeforherownhouse，butingoingupthestreetshepassedthewetcoathangingontheline.
Shestoppeddirectly.
Theyalltrembled——theyhadforgottenthecoat——itwasallover;thecoatwouldtellthetale.
\"Aweel，\"saidshe，\"Icouldsweerthat’sListonCarnie’scoat，adroukitwi’therain;thenshelookedagainatit，andadded，slowly，\"ifIdidnakenhehashisawaywi’himatthepiloting.\"Andinanothermomentshewasinherownhouse，leavingthemallstandingtherehalfstupefied.
Christiehadindeedendeavoredtospeak，buthertonguehadcloventohermouth.
Whiletheystoodlookingatoneanother，andatBeenyListon’sdoor，avoicethatseemedincrediblyrough，loudandharsh，jarreduponthem;itwasSandyListon，whocameinfromLeith，shouting：
\"Fiftypoundsforsalvage，lasses！isnathaatbetterthanstayingcooard—likeasidethewomen？\"
\"Whisht！whisht！\"criedChristie.
\"Weareinheavysorrow;puirListonCairnieandhissonWillyliedeedatthebottomo’theFirrth.\"
\"Gudehelpus！\"saidSandy，andhisvoicesank.
\"An’，oh，Sandy，thewifedoesnaken，andit’shairt—breakingtoseeher，andhearher;wecannagethertell’t;ye’retheauldestmonhere;
ye’lltellher，willyeno，Sandy？\"
\"No，me，that’Iwillnot！\"
\"Oh，yes;yearekennedforyourstootheart，an’courage;yecomefra’
facingtheseaan’windinabityawl.\"
\"Theseaandthewind，\"criedhe，contemptuously;\"theybe————，I’musedwi’them;buttolookawomani’theface，an’tellherhermonandhersonaredrownedsinceyestreen，Ihaenacoorageforthat.\"
Allfurtherdebatewascutshortbytheentranceofonewhocameexpresslytodischargethesaddutyallhadfoundsodifficult.ItwasthePresbyterianclergymanoftheplace;hewavedthemback.\"Iknow，I
know，\"saidhe，solemnly.\"Whereisthewife？\"
Shecameoutofherhouseatthismoment，asithappened，topurchasesomethingatDrysale’sshop，whichwasopposite.
\"Beeny，\"saidtheclergyman，\"Ihavesorrowfultidings.\"
\"Tellmethem，sir，\"saidshe，unmoved.\"Isitadeeth？\"addedshe，quietly.
\"Itis！——death，suddenandterrible;inyourownhouseImusttellityou——（andmayGodshowmehowtobreakittoher）.\"
Heenteredherhouse.
\"Aweel，\"saidthewomantotheothers，\"itmaunbesomefar—awacousin，orthelike，forListonan’mehaenaenearfreends.Meg，yeidlefuzzy，\"
screamedshetoherservant，whowasoneofthespectators，\"yourpatisnoonyet;divyethinkthemenwillnobehungrywhentheycomeinfra’
thesea？\"
\"Theywillneverhungernorthirstonymair，\"saidJean，solemnly，asthebereavedwomanenteredherowndoor.
Thereensuedalistlessandfearfulsilence.
Everymomentsomesignofbittersorrowwasexpectedtobreakforthfromthehouse，butnonecame;andamidtheexpectationandsilencethewavesdashedlouderandlouder，asitseemed，againstthedike，consciousofwhattheyhaddone.
Atlast，inamoment，acryofagonyarose，soterriblethatallwhoheardittrembled，andmorethanonewomanshriekedinreturn，andfledfromthedoor，atwhich，thenextmoment，theclergymanstoodalone，collected，butpale，andbeckoned.Severalwomenadvanced.
\"Onewoman，\"saidhe.
JeanCarniewasadmitted;andafterawhilereturned.
\"Sheiscometohersel’，\"whisperedshe;\"Iamnoweelmysel’.\"Andshepassedintoherownhouse.
ThenFluckercrepttothedoortosee.
\"Oh，dinnaspyonher，\"criedChristie.
\"Oh，yes，Flucker，\"saidmanyvoices.
\"Heiskneelin’，\"saidFlucker.\"Hehasherhand，togarherkneeltae——shewinna——shedoesnaseehim，norhearhim;hewillhaeher.Hehaswonhertokneel——heisprayin，an’greetinasideher.Icannaseenoo，myeen’sblinded.\"
\"He’sagudemon，\"saidChristie.\"Oh，whatwadwedowithouttheministers？\"
SandyListonhadbeenleaningsorrowfullyagainstthewallofthenexthouse;henowbrokeout：
\"Anauldshipmateatthewhale—fishing！！！an’noowwe’llneverliftthedredgingsangthegitheragain，inyondirtydetchthat’sdroownedhim;I
maunhaewhisky，an’forgetita’.\"
Hemadeforthespirit—shoplikeamadman;buterehecouldreachthedoorahandwaslaidonhimlikeavise.ChristieJohnstonehadliterallysprungonhim.Shehatedthishorriblevice——hadoftencheckedhim;andnowitseemedsoawfulamomentforsuchasin，thatsheforgotthewildandsavagenatureoftheman，whohadstruckhisownsister，andseriouslyhurther，amonthbefore——shesawnothingbuttheviceanditsvictim，andsheseizedhimbythecollar，withagraspfromwhichheinvainattemptedtoshakehimselfloose.
\"No！ye’llnogangthereatsiccanatime.\"
\"Handsoff，yedaftjaud，\"roaredhe，\"orthere’llbeanotherdeethi’
thetoon.\"
AtthenoiseJeanCarnieranin.
\"Lettheruffiango，\"criedshe，indismay.\"Oh，Christie，dinnaputyourhandonalion’smane.\"
\"Yes，I’llputmyhandonhismane，ereI’lllethimmakabeasto’
himsel’.\"
\"Sandy，ifyehurther，I’llfindtwentyladsthatwilllayyedeedatherfeet.\"
\"Haudyourwhisht，\"saidChristie，verysharply，\"he’snotobethreetened.\"
SandyListon，blackandwhitewithrage，groundhisteethtogether，andsaid，liftinghishand，\"Wullyeletmego，ormustItakmyhandtillye？\"
\"No！\"saidChristie，\"I’llnoletyego，_saelookmei’theface;
Flucker’sdochter，yourauldcomrade，thatsavedyourlifeatHolyIsle，thinko’hisface——an’lookinmines——an’strikeme！！！\"_
Theyglaredononeanother——hefiercelyandunsteadily;shefirmlyandproudly.
JeanCarniesaidafterward，\"Hereyeswerelikecoalsoffire.\"
\"Yearedoingwhatnaemoni’thetoondaur;yeareabauld，unwiselassy.\"
\"It’syoumakmebauld，\"wastheinstantreply.\"Isawyefacethemadsea，tosaveashipfra’therocks，an’willIfearamon’shand，whenI
cansave\"_（risingtodoubleherheight）_\"myfeyther’sauldfreendfra’
thepuirmon’senemy，theenemyo’mankind，thecursed，curseddrink？Oh，SandyListon，hoowcouldyethinktoputanenemyinyourmoothtostealawayourbrains！\"
\"This’snoNewhavenchat;whalairnsyesicwordso’power？\"
\"Adeedmon！\"
\"Iwouldnawonder，y’arenocanny;she’sta’ena’thepoowerooto’mybody，Ithink.\"Thensuddenlydescendingtoatoneofabjectsubmission，\"What’syourpleesure，FluckerJohnstone’sdochter？\"
Sheinstantlywithdrewtheoffendinggrasp，and，leaningaffectionatelyonhisshoulder，shemeltedintoherrichIonictones.
\"It’snoatimeforsin;ye’llsitbymyfire，an’getyourdinner;abonnyhaggishaeIforyouan’Flucker，an’we’llimprovethissorrowfu’
judgment;an’ye’lltellmeo’auldtimes——o’myfeytherdear，thatlikeityeweel，Sandy——o’thestorrmsyehaeweathered，sidebyside——o’
themucklewhalesyekilledGreenlandway——an’abunea’，o’thelivesyehaesavedatsea，byyourdaurinan’yourskell;an’，oh，Sandy，willnathatbebetterassitan’poorleequiddamnationdoownyourthroat，an’
gieawathesensean’feelingo’amonforasairheedandanillname？\"
\"I’segang，mylamb，\"saidtheroughman，quitesubdued;\"Idaursaywhiskywillnopassmyteeththeday.\"
Andsohewentquietlyaway，andsatbyChristie’sfireside.
JeanandChristiewenttowardtheboats.
Jean，aftertakingitphilosophicallyforhalfaminute，begantowhimper.
\"What’swrang？\"saidChristie.
\"Divyethinkmyhairt’snoinmymoothwi’yougrippingyonfiercerobber？\"
Hereayoungfishwife，withaboxinherhand，whohadfollowedthem，pulledJeanbythecoats.
\"Hets，\"saidJean，pullingherselffree.
Thechildthen，withapertinacitytheselittleanimalshave，pulledChristie’scoats.
\"Hets，\"saidChristie，freeingherselfmoregently.
\"YesuldmairryVanAmburgh，\"continuedJean;\"yearejustsuchalassasheisalad.\"
Christiesmiledproudly，wassilent，butdidnotdisownthecomparison.
Thelittlefishwife，unabletoattractattentionbypulling，openedherbox，andsaying，\"Lasses，I’llletyeseemypresoner.Hech！he’sboenny！\"pulledoutamousebyastringfastenedtohistailandsethiminthemidstforfriendlyadmiration.
\"Idinnalikeit——Idinnalikeit！\"screamedChristie.\"Jean，putitaway——itfearsme，Jean！\"Thissheuttered（hereyesalmoststartingfromherheadwithunaffectedterror）atthedistanceofabouteightyards，whithershehadarrivedintwoboundsthatwouldhavedonenodiscredittoanantelope.
\"Het，\"saidJean，uneasily，\"haeyecoowedyousavage，tobescaredattheweebeastie？\"
Christie，lookingaskantattheanimal，explained：\"Amooseisanawesomebeast——it’snolikeamon！\"andstillhereyewasfixedbyfascinationuponthefour—footeddanger.
Jean，whohadnotbeenherselfingenuinetranquillity，nowturnedsavagelyonthelittleWombwelless.\"An’divyereallythinkyearetocomeherewi’a’thebeastsi’theAirk？Come，awayego，thepairo’
ye.\"
Theseseverewords，andasmartpush，sentthepoorlittlebipedoffroaring，withthestringoverhershoulder，recklesslydraggingtheterrificquadruped，whichmadefruitlessgrabsattheshingle.——_Moral._
Don’tterrifybiggerfolkthanyourself.
ChristiehadintendedtogouptoEdinburghwithhereightypounds，buttherewasmoretroubleinstorethiseventfulday.
Fluckerwentoutafterdinner，andleftherwithSandyListon，whowasinthemiddleofayarn，whensomeonecamerunninginandtoldherFluckerwasatthepiercryingforher.Sheinquiredwhatwasthematter.\"Come，an’ye’llsee，\"wasalltheanswer.Sherandowntothepier.TherewaspoorFluckerlyingonhisback;hehadslippedfromthepierintoaboatthatlayalongside;thefallwasconsiderable;foraminutehehadbeeninsensible，thenhehadbeendreadfullysick，andnowhewasbeginningtofeelhishurt;hewasingreatanguish;nobodyknewtheextentofhisinjuries;hewouldletnobodytouchhim;allhiscrywasforhissister.
Atlastshecame;theyallmadewayforher;hewascryingforherasshecameup.
\"Mybairn！mybairn！\"criedshe，andthepoorlittlefellowsmiled，andtriedtoraisehimselftowardher.
Sheliftedhimgentlyinherarms——shewaspowerful，andaffectionmadeherstronger;shecarriedhiminherarmsallthewayhome，andlaidhimonherownbed.WillyListon，herdiscardedsuitor，ranforthesurgeon.
Therewerenobonesbroken，buthisanklewasseverelysprained，andhehadaterriblebruiseontheloins;hisdark，ruddyfacewasstreakedandpale;buthenevercomplainedafterhefoundhimselfathome.
Christiehoveredroundhim，aministeringangel，applyingtohimwithalightandlovinghandwhatevercouldeasehispain;andhewatchedherwithanexpressionshehadnevernoticedinhiseyebefore.
Atlast，aftertwohours’silence，hemadehersitinfullview，andthenhespoketoher;andwhatthinkyouwasthesubjectofhisdiscourse？
Heturnedtoandtoldher，oneafteranother，withoutpreface，allthelovingthingsshehaddonetohimeversincehewasfiveyearsold.Poorboy，hehadnevershownmuchgratitude，buthehadforgottennothing，literallynothing.
Christiewasquiteovercomewiththisunexpectedtrait;shedrewhimgentlytoherbosom，andweptoverhim;anditwassweettoseeabrotherandsistertreateachotheralmostlikelovers，asthesetwobegantodo——theywatchedeachother’seyesotenderly.
Thisnewcarekeptthesisterinherownhouseallthenextday;buttowardtheeveningJean，whoknewherotheranxiety，slippedinandofferedtotakeherplaceforanhourbyFlucker’sside;atthesametimeshelookedoneofthosesignalswhicharetoosubtleforanybutwomantounderstand.
Christiedrewheraside，andlearnedthatGattyandhismotherwerejustcomingthroughfromLeith;Christieranforhereightypounds，placedtheminherbosom，castahastyglanceatalooking—glass，littlelargerthananoyster—shell，andranout.
\"Hech！Whatpleasedtheauldwifewillbetoseehehasalassthatcanmakauchtypundinamorning.\"
ThiswasChristie’snotion.
Atsightofthemshetookoutthebanknotes，andwitheyesglisteningandcheeksflushingshecried：
\"Oh，Chairles，ye’llnogangtojail——Ihaethesiller！\"andsheofferedhimthemoneywithbothhands，andalookoftendernessandmodestythatembellishedhumannature.
Erehecouldspeak，hismotherputoutherhand，andnotrudely，butverycoldly，repellingChristie’sarm，saidinafreezingmanner：
\"Wearemuchobligedtoyou，butmyson’sowntalentshaverescuedhimfromhislittleembarrassment.\"
\"Anoblemanhasboughtmypicture，\"saidGatty，proudly.
\"Foronehundredandfiftypounds，\"saidtheoldlady，meaningtomarkthecontrastbetweenthatsumandwhatChristiehadinherhand.
Christieremainedlikeastatue，withherarmsextended，andthebank—notesinherhand;herfeaturesworked——shehadmuchadonottocry;
andanyonethathadknownthewholestory，andseenthisunmeritedrepulse，wouldhavefeltforher;butherlovecametoheraid，sheputthenotesinherbosom，sighedandsaid：
\"Iwouldhaelikeittohaebeenthefirst，yeken，butI’mrealpleased.\"
\"But，mother，\"saidGatty，\"itwasverykindofChristieallthesame.
Oh，Christie！\"saidhe，inatoneofdespair.
AtthiskindwordChristie’sfortitudewassoretried;sheturnedawayherhead;shewasfartoodelicatetoletthemknowwhohadsentLordIpsdentobuythepicture.
Whilesheturnedaway，Mrs.Gattysaidinherson’sear：
\"Now，Ihaveyoursolemnpromisetodoithere，andatonce;youwillfindmeonthebeachbehindtheseboats——doit.\"
ThereaderwillunderstandthatduringthelastfewdaysMrs.Gattyhadimprovedheradvantage，andthatCharleshadpositivelyconsentedtoobeyher;thepoorboywaswornoutwiththestruggle——hefelthemusthavepeaceordie;hewasthinandpale，andsuddentwitchescameoverhim;
histemperamentwasnotfitforsuchabattle;and，itistobeobserved，nearlyallthetalkwasononeside.Hehadmadeoneexpiringstruggle——hedescribedtohismotheranartist’snature;hisstrength，hisweakness——hebesoughthernottobeaslavetogeneralrules，buttoinquirewhatsortofacompaniontheindividualGattyneeded;helashedwithtruebutbrilliantsatirethesortofwifehismotherwasreadytoseehimsaddledwith——astupid，unsympathizingcreature，whosetenchildrenwould，bynature’slaw，bealsostupid，andsobeaweightonhimtillhisdyingday.HepaintedChristieJohnstone，mindandbody，inwordsastrueandbrightashiscolors;heshowedhisownweakpoints，herstrongones，andhowthelatterwouldfortifytheformer.
Hedisplayed，inshort，inoneminute，moreintellectthanhismotherhadexhibitedinsixtyyears;andthatdone，withallhisunderstanding，witandeloquence，hesuccumbedlikeachildtoherstrongerwill——hepromisedtobreakwithChristieJohnstone.
WhenChristiehadrecoveredhercomposureandturnedroundtohercompanions，shefoundherselfalonewithCharles.
\"Chairles，\"saidshe，gravely.
\"Christie，\"saidhe，uneasily.
\"Yourmotherdoesnalikeme.Oh，yeneednadenyit;andwearenatogetherasweusedtobe，mylad.\"
\"Sheisprejudiced;butshehasbeenthebestofmotherstome，Christie.\"
\"Aweel.\"
\"CircumstancescompelmetoreturntoEngland.\"
（Ah，coward！anythingbuttherealtruth！）
\"Aweel，Chairles，itwillnobeforlang.\"
\"Idon’tknow;youwillnotbesounhappyasIshall——atleastIhopenot.\"
\"Hoowdoyekenthat？\"
\"Christie，doyourememberthefirstnightwedancedtogether？\"
\"Ay.\"
\"Andwewalkedinthecoolbytheseaside，andItoldyouthenamesofthestars，andyousaidthosewerenottheirrealnames，butnicknameswegivethemhereonearth.Ilovedyouthatfirstnight.\"
\"AndIfanciedyouthefirsttimeIseteyesonyou.\"
\"HowcanIleaveyou，Christie？WhatshallIdo？\"
\"IkenwhatIshalldo，\"answeredChristiecoolly;then，burstingintotears，sheadded，\"Ishalldee！Ishalldee！\"
\"No！youmustnotsayso;atleastIwillneverloveanyonebutyou.\"
\"An’I’llliveasIama’mydaysforyoursake.Oh，England！Ihaelikeityesaeweel，yesuldnarobmeo’mylad——he’sa’thejoyIhae！\"
\"Iloveyou，\"saidGatty.\"Doyouloveme？\"
Alltheanswerwas，herheaduponhisshoulder.
\"Ican’tdoit，\"thoughtGatty，\"andIwon’t！Christie，\"saidhe，\"stayhere，don’tmovefromhere.\"Andhedashedamongtheboatsingreatagitation.
Hefoundhismotherrathernearthesceneofthelateconference.
\"Mother，\"saidhe，fiercely，likeacowardashewas，\"askmenomore，mymindismadeupforever;Iwillnotdothisscoundrelly，heartless，beastly，ungratefulactionyouhavebeenpushingmetosolong.\"
\"Takecare，Charles，takecare，\"saidtheoldwoman，tremblingwithpassion，forthiswasanewtoneforhersontotakewithher.\"Youhadmyblessingtheotherday，andyousawwhatfollowedit;donottemptmetocurseanundutiful，disobedient，ungratefulson.\"
\"Imusttakemychance，\"saidhe，desperately，\"forIamunderacurseanyway！Iplacedmyringonherfinger，andheldupmyhandtoGodandsworesheshouldbemywife;shehasmyringandmyoath，andIwillnotperjuremyselfevenformymother.\"
\"Yourring！NottherubyringIgaveyoufromyourdeadfather’sfinger——notthat！notthat！\"
\"Yes！yes！Itellyouyes！andifhewasalive，andsawher，andknewhergoodness，hewouldhavepityonme，butIhavenofriend;youseehowillyouhavemademe，butyouhavenopity;Icouldnothavebelievedit;
but，sinceyouhavenomercyonme，Iwillhavethemoremercyonmyself;
Imarryherto—morrow，andputanendtoallthisshufflingandmaneuveringagainstanangel！Iamnotworthyofher，butI’llmarryherto—morrow.Good—by.\"
\"Stay！\"saidtheoldwoman，inaterriblevoice;\"beforeyoudestroymeandallIhavelivedfor，andsuffered，andpinchedfor，hearme;ifthatringisnotoffthehussy’sfingerinhalfanhour，andyoumysonagain，Ifallonthissandand——\"
\"ThenGodhavemercyuponme，forI’llseethewholecreationlosteternallyereI’llwrongtheonlycreaturethatisanornamenttotheworld.\"
Hewasdesperate;andtheweak，driventodesperation，aremorefuriousthanthestrong.
ItwasbyHeaven’smercythatneithermothernorsonhadtimetospeakagain.
Astheyfacedeachother，withflamingeyesandfaces，allself—commandgone，abouttoutterhastywords，andlayupregret，perhapsforalltheirlivestocome，inamoment，asifshehadstartedfromtheearth，ChristieJohnstonestoodbetweenthem！
Gatty’swords，and，stillmore，hishesitation，hadmadeherquickintelligencesuspect.Shehadresolvedtoknowthetruth;theboatsofferedeveryfacilityforlistening——shehadheardeveryword.
Shestoodbetweenthemotherandson.
Theywereconfused，abashed，andthehotbloodbegantoleavetheirfaces.
Shestooderectlikeastatue，hercheekpaleasashes，hereyesglitteringlikebasilisks，shelookedatneitherofthem.
Sheslowlyraisedherlefthand，shewithdrewarubyringfromit，anddroppedtheringonthesandbetweenthetwo.
Sheturnedonherheel，andwasgoneasshehadcome，withoutawordspoken.
Theylookedatoneanother，stupefiedatfirst;afteraconsiderablepausethesternoldwomanstooped，pickedupthering，and，inspiteofacertainchillthattheyoungwoman’smajesticsorrowhadgivenher，said，placingitonherownfinger，\"Thisisforyourwife！！！\"
\"Itwillbeformycoffin，then，\"saidherson，socoldly，sobitterlyandsosolemnlythatthemother’sheartbegantoquake.
\"Mother，\"saidhecalmly，\"forgiveme，andacceptyourson’sarm.
\"Iwill，myson！\"
\"Wearealoneintheworldnow，mother.\"
Mrs.Gattyhadtriumphed，butshefeltthepriceofhertriumphmorethanhervictory.Ithadbeendoneinonemoment，thatforwhichshehadsolabored，anditseemedthathadshespokenlongagotoChristie，insteadofCharles，itcouldhavebeendoneatanymoment.
Strangetosay，forsomeminutesthemotherfeltmoreuneasythanherson;shewasawoman，afterall，andcouldmeasureawoman’sheart，andshesawhowdeepthewoundshehadgivenoneshewasnowcompelledtorespect.
Charles，ontheotherhand，hadbeensoharassedbackwardandforward，thattohimcertaintywasrelief;itwasagreatmattertobenolongercalledupontodecide.Hismotherhadsaid，\"Part，\"andnowChristiehadsaid，\"Part\";atleasttheaffairwastakenoutofhishands，andhisfirstfeelingwasaheavenlycalm.
Inthisstatehecontinuedforaboutamile，andhespoketohismotherabouthisart，soleobjectnow;butafterthefirstmilehebecamesilent，_distrait;_Christie’spaleface，hermortifiedair，whenhergenerousofferwascoldlyrepulsed，filledhimwithremorse.Finally，unabletobearit，yetnotdaringtospeak，hebrokesuddenlyfromhismotherwithoutaword，andranwildlybacktoNewhaven;helookedbackonlyonce，andtherestoodhismother，pale，withherhandspiteouslyliftedtowardheaven.
BythetimehegottoNewhavenhewasassorryforherasforChristie.
Herantothehouseofthelatter;FluckerandJeantoldhimshewasonthebeach.Herantothebeach！hedidnotseeheratfirst，but，presentlylookingback，hesawher，attheedgeoftheboats，incompanywithagentlemaninaboating—dress.Helooked——couldhebelievehiseyes？hesawChristieJohnstonekissthisman’shand，whothen，takingherheadgentlyinhistwohands，placedakissuponherbrow，whilesheseemedtoyieldlovinglytothecaress.
Gattyturnedfaint，sick;foramomenteverythingswambeforehiseyes;
herecoveredhimself，theyweregone.
Hedartedroundtointerceptthem;Christiehadslippedawaysomewhere;
heencounteredthemanalone！
CHAPTERXV.
CHRISTIE’Ssituationrequirestobeexplained.
OnleavingGattyandhismother，shewenttoherownhouse.Flucker——whoafterlookinguponherforyearsasaninconvenientappendage，exceptatdinnertime，hadfalleninlovewithherinamannerthatwashalfpathetic，halflaughable，allthingsconsidered——sawbyherfaceshehadreceivedablow，andraisinghimselfinthebed，inquiredanxiously，\"Whatailedher？\"
Atthesekindwords，ChristieJohnstonelaidhercheekuponthepillowbesideFlucker’sandsaid：
\"Oh，mylaamb，bekindtoyourpuirsisterfra’thishoor，forshehasnaethingi’thewarldnoobutyoursel’.\"
Fluckerbegantosobatthis.
Christiecouldnotcry;herheartwaslikealumpofleadinherbosom;
butsheputherarmroundhisneck，andatthesightofhissympathyshepantedheavily，butcouldnotshedatear——shewassorestricken.
PresentlyJeancamein，and，asthepoorgirl’sheadachedaswellasherheart，theyforcedhertogoandsitintheair.Shetookhercreepieandsat，andlookedonthesea;but，whethershelookedseawardorlandward，allseemedunreal;notthings，buthardpicturesofthings，somemoving，somestill.Lifeseemedended——shehadlostherlove.
Anhourshesatinthismiserabletrance;shewasdivertedintoabetter，becauseasomewhatlessdangerousformofgrief，byoneofthosetriflingcircumstancesthatoftenpenetratetothehumanheartwheninaccessibletogreaterthings.
Willythefiddlerandhisbrothercamethroughthetown，playingastheywent，accordingtocustom;theirmusicfloatedpastChristie’searslikesomedrowsychime，until，allofasudden，theystruckuptheoldEnglishair，\"SpeedthePlow.\"
NowitwastothistuneCharlesGattyhaddancedwithhertheirfirstdancethenighttheymadeacquaintance.
Christielistened，liftedupherhands，andcrying：
\"Oh，whatwillIdo？whatwillIdo？\"burstintoapassionofgrief.
Sheputherapronoverherhead，androckedherself，andsobbedbitterly.
ShewasinthissituationwhenLordIpsden，whowasprowlingabout，examiningtheproportionsoftheboats，discoveredher.
\"Someoneindistress——thatwasallinhisway.\"
\"Madam！\"saidhe.
Sheliftedupherhead.
\"ItisChristieJohnstone.I’msoglad;thatis，I’msorryyouarecrying，butI’mgladIshallhavethepleasureofrelievingyou;\"andhislordshipbegantofeelforacheck—book.
\"Anddivyereallythinksiller’sacureforeverygrief！\"saidChristie，bitterly.
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidhislordship;\"ithascuredthemallasyet.\"
\"Itwillnacureme，then！\"andshecoveredherheadwithherapronagain.
\"Iamverysorry，\"saidhe;\"tellme\"_（whispering），_\"whatisit？poorlittleChristie！\"
\"Dinnaspeaktome;Ithinkshame;askJean.Oh，Richard，I’llnobelanginthiswarld！！！\"
\"Ah！\"saidhe，\"Iknowtoowellwhatitisnow;Iknow，bysadexperience.But，Christie，moneywillcureitinyourcase，anditshall，too;only，insteadoffivepounds，wemustputathousandpoundsortwotoyourbanker’saccount，andthentheywillallseeyourbeauty，andrunafteryou.\"
\"HowdauryeeventomethatI’mseekinalad？\"criedshe，risingfromherstool;\"IwouldnacaresupposetherewasnaaladinBritain.\"Andoffsheflounced.
\"Offendedherbymygrosswantoftact，\"thoughttheviscount.
Shecreptback，andtwovelvetlipstouchedhishand.Thatwasbecauseshehadspokenharshlytoafriend.
\"Oh，Richard，\"saidshe，despairingly，\"I’llnobelanginthiswarld.\"
Hewastouched;anditwasthenhetookherheadandkissedherbrow，andsaid：\"Thiswillneverdo.Mychild，gohomeandhaveanicecry，andI
willspeaktoJean;and，relyuponme，IwillnotleavetheneighborhoodtillIhavearrangeditalltoyoursatisfaction.\"
Andsoshewent——alittle，averylittle，comfortedbyhistoneandwords.
Nowthiswasallverypretty;butthenseenatadistanceoffiftyyardsitlookedveryugly;andGatty，whohadneverbeforeknownjealousy，thestrongestandworstofhumanpassions，wasripeforanything.
HemetLordIpsden，andsaidatonce，inhiswise，temperateway：
\"Sir，youareavillain！\"
_Ipsden.\"Plait—il？\"_
_Gatty._\"Youareavillain！\"
_Ipsden._\"Howdoyoumakethatout？\"
_Gatty._\"But，ofcourse，youarenotacoward，too.\"
_Ipsden（ironically）._\"Yousurprisemewithyourmoderation，sir.\"
_Gatty._\"Thenyouwillwaiveyourrank——youarealord，Ibelieve—andgivemesatisfaction.\"
_Ipsden._\"Myrank，sir，suchasitis，engagesmetogiveaproperanswertoproposalsofthissort;Iamatyourorders.\"
_Gatty._\"Amanofyourcharactermustoftenhavebeencalledtoanaccountbyyourvictims，so——so——\"（hesitating）\"perhapsyouwilltellmethepropercourse.\"
_Ipsden.\"I_shallsendanotetothecastle，andthecolonelwillsendmedownsomebodywithamustache;Ishallpretendtoremembermustache，mustachewillpretendheremembersme;hewillthencommunicatewithyourfriend，andtheywillarrangeitallforus.\"
_Gatty._\"And，perhaps，throughyourlicentiousness，oneorbothofuswillbekilled.\"
_Ipsden._\"Yes！butweneednottroubleourheadsaboutthat——thesecondsundertakeeverything.\"
_Gatty._\"Ihavenopistols.\"
_Ipsden._\"Ifyouwilldomethehonortouseoneofmine，itshallbeatyourservice.\"
_Gatty._\"Thankyou.\"
_Ipsden._\"To—morrowmorning？\"
_Gatty._\"No.Ihavefourdays’paintingtodoonmypicture，Ican’tdietillitisfinished;Fridaymorning.\"
_Ipsden._\"（Heismad.）Iwishtoaskyouaquestion，youwillexcusemycuriosity.Haveyouanyideawhatweareagreeingtodifferabout？\"
_Gatty._\"Thequestiondoesyoulittlecredit，mylord;thatistoaddinsulttowrong.\"
Hewentoffhurriedly，leavingLordIpsdenmystified.
HethoughtChristieJohnstonewassomehowconnectedwithit;but，consciousofnowrong，hefeltlittledisposedtoputupwithanyinsult，especiallyfromthisboy，towhomhehadbeenkind，hethought.
Hislordshipwas，besides，oneofthosegood，simple—mindedcreatures，educatedabroad，who，wheninvitedtofight，simplybow，andloadtwopistols，andgetthemselvescalledatsix;insteadoftakingdowntomesofcasuistryandpuzzlingtheirpoorbrainstofindoutwhethertheyaregamecocksorcapons，andwhy.
AsforGatty，hehurriedhomeinafeverofpassion，beggedhismother’spardon，andreproachedhimselfforeverhavingdisobeyedheronaccountofsuchaperfidiouscreatureasChristieJohnstone.
Hethentoldherwhathehadseen，asdistanceandimaginationhadpresentedittohim;tohissurprisetheoldladycuthimshort.
\"Charles，\"saidshe，\"thereisnoneedtotakethegirl’scharacteraway;
shehasbutonefault——sheisnotinthesameclassoflifeasyou，andsuchmarriagesalwaysleadtomisery;butinotherrespectssheisaworthyyoungwoman——don’tspeakagainsthercharacter，oryouwillmakemyfleshcreep;youdon’tknowwhathercharacteristoawoman，highorlow.\"
Bythismoderation，perhapssheheldhimstillfaster.
Fridaymorningarrived.Gattyhad，byhardwork，finishedhispicture，collectedhissketchesfromnature，whichwerenumerous，leftbymemorandumeverythingtohismother，andwas，orratherfelt，asreadytodieaslive.
Hehadhardlyspokenawordoreatenamealthesefourdays;hismotherwasinanxietyabouthim.Heroseearly，andwentdowntoLeith;anhourlater，hismother，findinghimgoneout，roseandwenttoseekhimatNewhaven.
MeantimeFluckerhadentirelyrecovered，buthissister’scolorhadlefthercheeks.Theboysworevengeanceagainstthecauseofherdistress.
OnFridaymorning，then，therepacedonLeithSandstwofigures.
OnewasLordIpsden.
Theotherseemedamilitarygentleman，whohavingswallowedthemess—roompoker，andfounditinsufficient，hadaddedtheramrodsofhiscompany.
ThemorehislordshipreflectedonGatty，thelessinclinedhehadfelttoinviteasatiricalyoungdogfrombarrackstocriticisesucha_rencontre;_hehadthereforeorderedSaunderstogetupasafield—marshal，orsomesuchtrifle，andwhatSaunderswouldhavecalledincomparableverticalitywastheresult.
Thepainterwasalsoinsight.
