EPILOGUE
ProfessorWilsonhadbeenlivinginLondonforsixyearsandhewasjustbackfromavisittoAmerica。Oneafternoon，soonafterhisreturn，heputonhisfrock—coatanddroveinahansomtopayacalluponHildaBurgoyne，whostilllivedatheroldnumber，offBedfordSquare。HeandMissBurgoynehadbeenfastfriendsforalongtime。HehadfirstnoticedheraboutthecorridorsoftheBritishMuseum，wherehereadconstantly。Herbeingtheresooftenhadmadehimfeelthathewouldliketoknowher，andasshewasnotaninaccessibleperson，anintroductionwasnotdifficult。Thepreliminariesonceover，theycametodependagreatdealuponeachother，andWilson，afterhisday’sreading，oftenwentroundtoBedfordSquareforhistea。Theyhadmuchmoreincommonthantheirmemoriesofacommonfriend。Indeed，theyseldomspokeofhim。Theysavedthatforthedeepmomentswhichdonotcomeoften，andthentheirtalkofhimwasmostlysilence。WilsonknewthatHildahadlovedhim；morethanthishehadnottriedtoknow。
ItwaslatewhenWilsonreachedHilda’sapartmentonthisparticularDecemberafternoon，andhefoundheralone。Shesentforfreshteaandmadehimcomfortable，asshehadsuchaknackofmakingpeoplecomfortable。
\"HowgoodyouweretocomebackbeforeChristmas!IquitedreadedtheHolidayswithoutyou。You’vehelpedmeoveragoodmanyChristmases。\"Shesmiledathimgayly。
\"Asifyouneededmeforthat!But，atanyrate，IneededYOU。Howwellyouarelooking，mydear，andhowrested。\"
Hepeeredupatherfromhislowchair，balancingthetipsofhislongfingerstogetherinajudicialmannerwhichhadgrownonhimwithyears。
Hildalaughedasshecarefullypouredhiscream。\"ThatmeansthatIwaslookingveryseedyattheendoftheseason，doesn’tit？
Well，wemustshowwearatlast，youknow。\"
Wilsontookthecupgratefully。\"Ah，noneedtoremindamanofseventy，whohasjustbeenhometofindthathehassurvivedallhiscontemporaries。Iwasmostgentlytreated——asasortofpreciousrelic。But，doyouknow，itmademefeelawkwardtobehangingaboutstill。\"
\"Seventy？Nevermentionittome。\"HildalookedappreciativelyattheProfessor’salertface，withsomanykindlylinesaboutthemouthandsomanyquizzicalonesabouttheeyes。
\"You’vegottohangaboutforme，youknow。
Ican’tevenletyougohomeagain。
Youmuststayput，nowthatIhaveyouback。
You’retherealestthingIhave。\"
Wilsonchuckled。\"Dearme，amI？Outofsomanyconquestsandthespoilsofconqueredcities!You’vereallymissedme？
Well，then，Ishallhang。EvenifyouhaveatlasttoputMEinthemummy—roomwiththeothers。
You’llvisitmeoften，won’tyou？\"
\"Everydayinthecalendar。Here，yourcigarettesareinthisdrawer，whereyouleftthem。\"
Shestruckamatchandlitoneforhim。
\"Butyoudid，afterall，enjoybeingathomeagain？\"
\"Oh，yes。Ifoundthelongrailwayjourneystrying。Peopleliveathousandmilesapart。
ButIdiditthoroughly；Iwasallovertheplace。
ItwasinBostonIlingeredlongest。\"
\"Ah，yousawMrs。Alexander？\"
\"Often。Idinedwithher，andhadteathereadozendifferenttimes，Ishouldthink。
Indeed，itwastoseeherthatIlingeredonandon。IfoundthatIstilllovedtogotothehouse。ItalwaysseemedasifBartleywerethere，somehow，andthatatanymomentonemighthearhisheavytramponthestairs。Doyouknow，Ikeptfeelingthathemustbeupinhisstudy。\"TheProfessorlookedreflectivelyintothegrate。\"Ishouldreallyhavelikedtogoupthere。ThatwaswhereIhadmylastlongtalkwithhim。ButMrs。Alexanderneversuggestedit。\"
\"Why？\"
Wilsonwasalittlestartledbyhertone，andheturnedhisheadsoquicklythathiscuff—linkcaughtthestringofhisnose—glassesandpulledthemawry。\"Why？Why，dearme，Idon’tknow。Sheprobablyneverthoughtofit。\"
Hildabitherlip。\"Idon’tknowwhatmademesaythat。Ididn’tmeantointerrupt。
Goonplease，andtellmehowitwas。\"
\"Well，itwaslikethat。Almostasifhewerethere。Inaway，hereallyisthere。
Sheneverletshimgo。It’sthemostbeautifulanddignifiedsorrowI’veeverknown。It’ssobeautifulthatithasitscompensations，Ishouldthink。Itsverycompletenessisacompensation。Itgivesherafixedstartosteerby。Shedoesn’tdrift。Wesatthereeveningaftereveninginthequietofthatmagicallyhauntedroom，andwatchedthesunsetburnontheriver，andfelthim。
Felthimwithadifference，ofcourse。\"
Hildaleanedforward，herelbowonherknee，herchinonherhand。\"Withadifference？
Becauseofher，youmean？\"
Wilson’sbrowwrinkled。\"Somethinglikethat，yes。
Ofcourse，astimegoeson，toherhebecomesmoreandmoretheirsimplepersonalrelation。\"
HildastudiedthedroopoftheProfessor’sheadintently。\"Youdidn’taltogetherlikethat？Youfeltitwasn’twhollyfairtohim？\"
Wilsonshookhimselfandreadjustedhisglasses。\"Oh，fairenough。Morethanfair。
Ofcourse，Ialwaysfeltthatmyimageofhimwasjustalittledifferentfromhers。
Norelationissocompletethatitcanholdabsolutelyallofaperson。AndIlikedhimjustashewas；hisdeviations，too；
theplaceswherehedidn’tsquare。\"
Hildaconsideredvaguely。\"Hasshegrownmucholder？\"sheaskedatlast。
\"Yes，andno。Inatragicwaysheisevenhandsomer。Butcolder。Coldforeverythingbuthim。`Forgetthyselftomarble’；Ikeptthinkingofthat。Herhappinesswasahappinessadeux，notapartfromtheworld，butactuallyagainstit。Andnowhergriefislikethat。Shesavesherselfforitanddoesn’tevengothroughtheformofseeingpeoplemuch。
I’msorry。Itwouldbebetterforher，andmightbesogoodforthem，ifshecouldletotherpeoplein。\"
\"Perhapsshe’safraidoflettinghimoutalittle，ofsharinghimwithsomebody。\"
Wilsonputdownhiscupandlookedupwithvaguealarm。\"Dearme，ittakesawomantothinkofthat，now!Idon’t，youknow，thinkweoughttobehardonher。More，even，thantherestofusshedidn’tchooseherdestiny。Sheunderwentit。Andithasleftherchilled。Astohernotwishingtotaketheworldintoherconfidence——well，itisaprettybrutalandstupidworld，afterall，youknow。\"
Hildaleanedforward。\"Yes，Iknow，Iknow。
OnlyIcan’thelpbeinggladthattherewassomethingforhimeveninstupidandvulgarpeople。
MylittleMarieworshipedhim。WhensheisdustingIalwaysknowwhenshehascometohispicture。\"
Wilsonnodded。\"Oh，yes!Heleftanecho。
Theripplesgooninallofus。
Hebelongedtothepeoplewhomaketheplay，andmostofusareonlyonlookersatthebest。
Weshouldn’twondertoomuchatMrs。Alexander。
Shemustfeelhowuselessitwouldbetostirabout，thatshemayaswellsitstill；
thatnothingcanhappentoherafterBartley。\"
\"Yes，\"saidHildasoftly，\"nothingcanhappentooneafterBartley。\"
Theybothsatlookingintothefire。
TheEnd Alexander’sBridge byWillaCatherCHAPTERI
LateonebrilliantAprilafternoonProfessorLuciusWilsonstoodattheheadofChestnutStreet，lookingabouthimwiththepleasedairofamanoftastewhodoesnotveryoftengettoBoston。
Hehadlivedthereasastudent，butfortwentyyearsandmore，sincehehadbeenProfessorofPhilosophyinaWesternuniversity，hehadseldomcomeEastexcepttotakeasteamerforsomeforeignport。
Wilsonwasstandingquitestill，contemplatingwithawhimsicalsmiletheslantingstreet，withitswornpaving，itsirregular，gravelycoloredhouses，andtherowofnakedtreesonwhichthethinsunlightwasstillshining。
Thegleamoftheriveratthefootofthehillmadehimblinkalittle，notsomuchbecauseitwastoobrightasbecausehefounditsopleasant。
Thefewpassers—byglancedathimunconcernedly，andeventhechildrenwhohurriedalongwiththeirschool—bagsundertheirarmsseemedtofinditperfectlynaturalthatatallbrowngentlemanshouldbestandingthere，lookingupthroughhisglassesatthegrayhousetops。
Thesunsankrapidly；thesilverylighthadfadedfromthebareboughsandthewaterytwilightwassettinginwhenWilsonatlastwalkeddownthehill，descendingintocoolerandcoolerdepthsofgrayishshadow。
Hisnostril，longunusedtoit，wasquicktodetectthesmellofwoodsmokeintheair，blendedwiththeodorofmoistspringearthandthesaltinessthatcameuptheriverwiththetide。HecrossedCharlesStreetbetweenjanglingstreetcarsandshelvinglumberdrays，andafteramomentofuncertaintywoundintoBrimmerStreet。Thestreetwasquiet，deserted，andhungwithathinbluishhaze。Hehadalreadyfixedhissharpeyeuponthehousewhichhereasonedshouldbehisobjectivepoint，whenhenoticedawomanapproachingrapidlyfromtheoppositedirection。
Alwaysaninterestedobserverofwomen，Wilsonwouldhaveslackenedhispaceanywheretofollowthisonewithhisimpersonal，appreciativeglance。Shewasapersonofdistinctionhesawatonce，and，moreover，veryhandsome。Shewastall，carriedherbeautifulheadproudly，andmovedwitheaseandcertainty。Oneimmediatelytookforgrantedthecostlyprivilegesandfinespacesthatmustlieinthebackgroundfromwhichsuchafigurecouldemergewiththisrapidandelegantgait。Wilsonnotedherdress，too，——for，inhisway，hehadaneyeforsuchthings，——particularlyherbrownfursandherhat。Hegotablurredimpressionofherfinecolor，thevioletsshewore，herwhitegloves，and，curiouslyenough，ofherveil，assheturnedupaflightofstepsinfrontofhimanddisappeared。
Wilsonwasabletoenjoylovelythingsthatpassedhimonthewingascompletelyanddeliberatelyasiftheyhadbeendug—upmarvels，longanticipated，anddefinitelyfixedattheendofarailwayjourney。Forafewpleasurablesecondshequiteforgotwherehewasgoing，andonlyafterthedoorhadclosedbehindherdidherealizethattheyoungwomanhadenteredthehousetowhichhehaddirectedhistrunkfromtheSouthStationthatmorning。Hehesitatedamomentbeforemountingthesteps。\"Canthat，\"hemurmuredinamazement，——\"canthatpossiblyhavebeenMrs。Alexander？\"
Whentheservantadmittedhim，Mrs。Alexanderwasstillstandinginthehallway。
Sheheardhimgivehisname，andcameforwardholdingoutherhand。
\"Isityou，indeed，ProfessorWilson？I
wasafraidthatyoumightgetherebeforeI
did。Iwasdetainedataconcert，andBartleytelephonedthathewouldbelate。Thomaswillshowyouyourroom。Hadyouratherhaveyourteabroughttoyouthere，orwillyouhaveitdownherewithme，whilewewaitforBartley？\"
Wilsonwaspleasedtofindthathehadbeenthecauseofherrapidwalk，andwithherhewasevenmorevastlypleasedthanbefore。
Hefollowedherthroughthedrawing—roomintothelibrary，wherethewidebackwindowslookedoutuponthegardenandthesunsetandafinestretchofsilver—coloredriver。
Aharp—shapedelmstoodstrippedagainstthepale—coloredeveningsky，withraggedlastyear’sbirds’nestsinitsforks，andthroughthebarebranchestheeveningstarquiveredinthemistyair。Thelongbrownroombreathedthepeaceofarichandamplyguardedquiet。Teawasbroughtinimmediatelyandplacedinfrontofthewoodfire。
Mrs。Alexandersatdowninahigh—backedchairandbegantopourit，whileWilsonsankintoalowseatoppositeherandtookhiscupwithagreatsenseofeaseandharmonyandcomfort。
\"Youhavehadalongjourney，haven’tyou？\"
Mrs。Alexanderasked，aftershowinggraciousconcernabouthistea。\"AndIamsosorryBartleyislate。He’softentiredwhenhe’slate。
HeflattershimselfthatitisalittleonhisaccountthatyouhavecometothisCongressofPsychologists。\"
\"Itis，\"Wilsonassented，selectinghismuffincarefully；\"andIhopehewon’tbetiredtonight。But，onmyownaccount，I’mgladtohaveafewmomentsalonewithyou，beforeBartleycomes。Iwassomehowafraidthatmyknowinghimsowellwouldnotputmeinthewayofgettingtoknowyou。\"
\"That’sveryniceofyou。\"Shenoddedathimabovehercupandsmiled，buttherewasalittleformaltightnessinhertonewhichhadnotbeentherewhenshegreetedhiminthehall。
Wilsonleanedforward。\"HaveIsaidsomethingawkward？
Iliveveryfaroutoftheworld，youknow。
ButIdidn’tmeanthatyouwouldexactlyfadedim，evenifBartleywerehere。\"
Mrs。Alexanderlaughedrelentingly。
\"Oh，I’mnotsovain!Howterriblydiscerningyouare。\"
ShelookedstraightatWilson，andhefeltthatthisquick，frankglancebroughtaboutanunderstandingbetweenthem。
Helikedeverythingabouther，hetoldhimself，butheparticularlylikedhereyes；
whenshelookedatonedirectlyforamomenttheywerelikeaglimpseoffinewindyskythatmaybringallsortsofweather。
\"Sinceyounoticedsomething，\"Mrs。Alexanderwenton，\"itmusthavebeenaflashofthedistrustIhavecometofeelwheneverImeetanyofthepeoplewhoknewBartleywhenhewasaboy。ItisalwaysasiftheyweretalkingofsomeoneIhadnevermet。
Really，ProfessorWilson，itwouldseemthathegrewupamongthestrangestpeople。
Theyusuallysaythathehasturnedoutverywell，orremarkthathealwayswasafinefellow。
Ineverknowwhatreplytomake。\"
Wilsonchuckledandleanedbackinhischair，shakinghisleftfootgently。\"Iexpectthefactisthatwenoneofusknewhimverywell，Mrs。Alexander。ThoughIwillsayformyselfthatIwasalwaysconfidenthe’ddosomethingextraordinary。\"
Mrs。Alexander’sshouldersgaveaslightmovement，suggestiveofimpatience。
\"Oh，Ishouldthinkthatmighthavebeenasafeprediction。Anothercup，please？\"
\"Yes，thankyou。Butpredicting，inthecaseofboys，isnotsoeasyasyoumightimagine，Mrs。Alexander。Somegetabadhurtearlyandlosetheircourage；andsomenevergetafairwind。Bartley\"——hedroppedhischinonthebackofhislonghandandlookedatheradmiringly——\"Bartleycaughtthewindearly，andithassunginhissailseversince。\"
Mrs。Alexandersatlookingintothefirewithintentpreoccupation，andWilsonstudiedherhalf—avertedface。Helikedthesuggestionofstormypossibilitiesintheproudcurveofherlipandnostril。Withoutthat，hereflected，shewouldbetoocold。
\"Ishouldliketoknowwhathewasreallylikewhenhewasaboy。Idon’tbelieveheremembers，\"shesaidsuddenly。
\"Won’tyousmoke，Mr。Wilson？\"
Wilsonlitacigarette。\"No，Idon’tsupposehedoes。Hewasneverintrospective。HewassimplythemosttremendousresponsetostimuliIhaveeverknown。Wedidn’tknowexactlywhattodowithhim。\"
Aservantcameinandnoiselesslyremovedthetea—tray。Mrs。Alexanderscreenedherfacefromthefirelight，whichwasbeginningtothrowwaveringbrightspotsonherdressandhairastheduskdeepened。
\"Ofcourse，\"shesaid，\"Inowandagainhearstoriesaboutthingsthathappenedwhenhewasincollege。\"
\"Butthatisn’twhatyouwant。\"Wilsonwrinkledhisbrowsandlookedatherwiththesmilingfamiliaritythathadcomeaboutsoquickly。
\"Whatyouwantisapictureofhim，standingbackthereattheotherendoftwentyyears。
Youwanttolookdownthroughmymemory。\"
Shedroppedherhandsinherlap。\"Yes，yes；
that’sexactlywhatIwant。\"
Atthismomenttheyheardthefrontdoorshutwithajar，andWilsonlaughedasMrs。Alexanderrosequickly。\"Thereheis。
Awaywithperspective!Nopast，nofutureforBartley；justthefierymoment。Theonlymomentthateverwasorwillbeintheworld!\"
Thedoorfromthehallopened，avoicecalled\"Winifred？\"hurriedly，andabigmancamethroughthedrawing—roomwithaquick，heavytread，bringingwithhimasmellofcigarsmokeandchillout—of—doorsair。
WhenAlexanderreachedthelibrarydoor，heswitchedonthelightsandstoodsixfeetandmoreinthearchway，glowingwithstrengthandcordialityandrugged，blondgoodlooks。
Therewereotherbridge—buildersintheworld，certainly，butitwasalwaysAlexander’spicturethattheSundaySupplementmenwanted，becausehelookedasatamerofriversoughttolook。Underhistumbledsandyhairhisheadseemedashardandpowerfulasacatapult，andhisshoulderslookedstrongenoughinthemselvestosupportaspanofanyoneofhistengreatbridgesthatcuttheairaboveasmanyrivers。
AfterdinnerAlexandertookWilsonuptohisstudy。Itwasalargeroomoverthelibrary，andlookedoutupontheblackriverandtherowofwhitelightsalongtheCambridgeEmbankment。Theroomwasnotatallwhatonemightexpectofanengineer’sstudy。
Wilsonfeltatoncetheharmonyofbeautifulthingsthathavelivedlongtogetherwithoutobtrusionsofuglinessorchange。ItwasnoneofAlexander’sdoing，ofcourse；thosewarmconsonancesofcolorhadbeenblendingandmellowingbeforehewasborn。Butthewonderwasthathewasnotoutofplacethere，——
thatitallseemedtoglowliketheinevitablebackgroundforhisvigorandvehemence。Hesatbeforethefire，hisshouldersdeepinthecushionsofhischair，hispowerfulheadupright，hishairrumpledabovehisbroadforehead。
Hesatheavily，acigarinhislarge，smoothhand，aflushofafter—dinnercolorinhisface，whichwindandsunandexposuretoallsortsofweatherhadleftfairandclearskinned。
\"YouareoffforEnglandonSaturday，Bartley，Mrs。Alexandertellsme。\"
\"Yes，forafewweeksonly。There’sameetingofBritishengineers，andI’mdoinganotherbridgeinCanada，youknow。\"
\"Oh，everyoneknowsaboutthat。AnditwasinCanadathatyoumetyourwife，wasn’tit？\"
Yes，atAllway。Shewasvisitinghergreat—auntthere。Amostremarkableoldlady。
IwasworkingwithMacKellerthen，anoldScotchengineerwhohadpickedmeupinLondonandtakenmebacktoQuebecwithhim。
HehadthecontractfortheAllwayBridge，butbeforehebeganworkonithefoundoutthathewasgoingtodie，andheadvisedthecommitteetoturnthejobovertome。
OtherwiseI’dneverhavegotanythinggoodsoearly。MacKellerwasanoldfriendofMrs。Pemberton，Winifred’saunt。Hehadmentionedmetoher，sowhenIwenttoAllwaysheaskedmetocometoseeher。
Shewasawonderfuloldlady。\"
\"Likeherniece？\"Wilsonqueried。
Bartleylaughed。\"Shehadbeenveryhandsome，butnotinWinifred’sway。
WhenIknewhershewaslittleandfragile，verypinkandwhite，withasplendidheadandafacelikefineoldlace，somehow，——butperhapsIalwaysthinkofthatbecausesheworealacescarfonherhair。Shehadsuchaflavoroflifeabouther。ShehadknownGordonandLivingstoneandBeaconsfieldwhenshewasyoung，——everyone。ShewasthefirstwomanofthatsortI’deverknown。YouknowhowitisintheWest，——oldpeoplearepokedoutoftheway。AuntEleanorfascinatedmeasfewyoungwomenhaveeverdone。Iusedtogoupfromtheworkstohaveteawithher，andsittalkingtoherforhours。Itwasverystimulating，forshecouldn’ttoleratestupidity。\"
\"Itmusthavebeenthenthatyourluckbegan，Bartley，\"saidWilson，flickinghiscigarashwithhislongfinger。\"It’scurious，watchingboys，\"hewentonreflectively。
\"I’msureIdidyoujusticeinthematterofability。
YetIalwaysusedtofeelthattherewasaweakspotwheresomedaystrainwouldtell。
Evenafteryoubegantoclimb，Istooddowninthecrowdandwatchedyouwith——well，notwithconfidence。Themoredazzlingthefrontyoupresented，thehigheryourfacaderose，themoreIexpectedtoseeabigcrackzigzaggingfromtoptobottom，\"——heindicateditscourseintheairwithhisforefinger，——
\"thenacrashandcloudsofdust。Itwascurious。
Ihadsuchaclearpictureofit。Andanothercuriousthing，Bartley，\"Wilsonspokewithdeliberatenessandsettleddeeperintohischair，\"isthatIdon’tfeelitanylonger。
Iamsureofyou。\"
Alexanderlaughed。\"Nonsense!It’snotI
youfeelsureof；it’sWinifred。Peopleoftenmakethatmistake。\"
\"No，I’mserious，Alexander。You’vechanged。
Youhavedecidedtoleavesomebirdsinthebushes。
Youusedtowantthemall。\"
Alexander’schaircreaked。\"Istillwantagoodmany，\"hesaidrathergloomily。\"Afterall，lifedoesn’tofferamanmuch。Youworklikethedevilandthinkyou’regettingon，andsuddenlyyoudiscoverthatyou’veonlybeengettingyourselftiedup。Amilliondetailsdrinkyoudry。Yourlifekeepsgoingforthingsyoudon’twant，andallthewhileyouarebeingbuiltaliveintoasocialstructureyoudon’tcarearapabout。IsometimeswonderwhatsortofchapI’dhavebeenifI
hadn’tbeenthissort；Iwanttogoandliveouthispotentialities，too。Ihaven’tforgottenthattherearebirdsinthebushes。\"
Bartleystoppedandsatfrowningintothefire，hisshouldersthrustforwardasifhewereabouttospringatsomething。Wilsonwatchedhim，wondering。Hisoldpupilalwaysstimulatedhimatfirst，andthenvastlyweariedhim。
Themachinerywasalwayspoundingawayinthisman，andWilsonpreferredcompanionsofamorereflectivehabitofmind。HecouldnothelpfeelingthattherewereunreasoningandunreasonableactivitiesgoingoninAlexanderallthewhile；
thatevenafterdinner，whenmostmenachieveadecentimpersonality，Bartleyhadmerelyclosedthedooroftheengine—roomandcomeupforanairing。Themachineryitselfwasstillpoundingon。
Bartley’sabstractionandWilson’sreflectionswerecutshortbyarustleatthedoor，andalmostbeforetheycouldriseMrs。
Alexanderwasstandingbythehearth。
Alexanderbroughtachairforher，butsheshookherhead。
\"No，dear，thankyou。IonlycameintoseewhetheryouandProfessorWilsonwerequitecomfortable。Iamgoingdowntothemusic—room。\"
\"Whynotpracticehere？WilsonandIaregrowingverydull。Wearetiredoftalk。\"
\"Yes，Ibegyou，Mrs。Alexander，\"
Wilsonbegan，buthegotnofurther。
\"Why，certainly，ifyouwon’tfindmetoonoisy。IamworkingontheSchumann`Carnival，’and，thoughIdon’tpracticeagreatmanyhours，Iamverymethodical，\"
Mrs。Alexanderexplained，asshecrossedtoanuprightpianothatstoodatthebackoftheroom，nearthewindows。
Wilsonfollowed，and，havingseenherseated，droppedintoachairbehindher。Sheplayedbrilliantlyandwithgreatmusicalfeeling。
Wilsoncouldnotimagineherpermittingherselftodoanythingbadly，buthewassurprisedatthecleannessofherexecution。
Hewonderedhowawomanwithsomanydutieshadmanagedtokeepherselfuptoastandardreallyprofessional。Itmusttakeagreatdealoftime，certainly，andBartleymusttakeagreatdealoftime。Wilsonreflectedthathehadneverbeforeknownawomanwhohadbeenable，foranyconsiderablewhile，tosupportbothapersonalandanintellectualpassion。Sittingbehindher，hewatchedherwithperplexedadmiration，shadinghiseyeswithhishand。Inherdinnerdressshelookedevenyoungerthaninstreetclothes，and，forallhercomposureandself—sufficiency，sheseemedtohimstrangelyalertandvibrating，asifinher，too，thereweresomethingneveraltogetheratrest。Hefeltthatheknewprettymuchwhatshedemandedinpeopleandwhatshedemandedfromlife，andhewonderedhowshesquaredBartley。Aftertenyearsshemustknowhim；
andhoweveronetookhim，howevermuchoneadmiredhim，onehadtoadmitthathesimplywouldn’tsquare。Hewasanaturalforce，certainly，butbeyondthat，Wilsonfelt，hewasnotanythingveryreallyorforverylongatatime。
Wilsonglancedtowardthefire，whereBartley’sprofilewasstillwreathedincigarsmokethatcurledupmoreandmoreslowly。
Hisshouldersweresunkdeepinthecushionsandonehandhunglargeandpassiveoverthearmofhischair。Hehadslippedonapurplevelvetsmoking—coat。Hiswife，Wilsonsurmised，hadchosenit。Shewasclearlyveryproudofhisgoodlooksandhisfinecolor。
But，withtheglowofanimmediateinterestgoneoutofit，theengineer’sfacelookedtired，evenalittlehaggard。Thethreelinesinhisforehead，directlyabovethenose，deepenedashesatthinking，andhispowerfulheaddroopedforwardheavily。AlthoughAlexanderwasonlyforty—three，Wilsonthoughtthatbeneathhisvigorouscolorhedetectedthedullingwearinessofon—comingmiddleage。
Thenextafternoon，atthehourwhentheriverwasbeginningtoreddenunderthedecliningsun，WilsonagainfoundhimselffacingMrs。Alexanderatthetea—tableinthelibrary。
\"Well，\"heremarked，whenhewasbiddentogiveanaccountofhimself，\"therewasalongmorningwiththepsychologists，luncheonwithBartleyathisclub，morepsychologists，andhereIam。
I’velookedforwardtothishourallday。\"
Mrs。Alexandersmiledathimacrossthevaporfromthekettle。\"Anddoyourememberwherewestoppedyesterday？\"
\"Perfectly。Iwasgoingtoshowyouapicture。ButIdoubtwhetherIhavecolorenoughinme。Bartleymakesmefeelafadedmonochrome。Youcan’tgetattheyoungBartleyexceptbymeansofcolor。\"Wilsonpausedanddeliberated。Suddenlyhebrokeout：\"Hewasn’taremarkablestudent，youknow，thoughhewasalwaysstronginhighermathematics。Hisworkinmyowndepartmentwasquiteordinary。ItwasasapowerfullyequippednaturethatIfoundhiminteresting。
Thatisthemostinterestingthingateachercanfind。Ithasthefascinationofascientificdiscovery。Wecomeacrossotherpleasingandendearingqualitiessomuchoftenerthanwefindforce。\"
\"And，afterall，\"saidMrs。Alexander，\"thatisthethingweallliveupon。
Itisthethingthattakesusforward。\"
Wilsonthoughtshespokealittlewistfully。
\"Exactly，\"heassentedwarmly。\"Itbuildsthebridgesintothefuture，overwhichthefeetofeveryoneofuswillgo。\"
\"HowinterestedIamtohearyouputitinthatway。Thebridgesintothefuture——
Ioftensaythattomyself。Bartley’sbridgesalwaysseemtomelikethat。HaveyoueverseenhisfirstsuspensionbridgeinCanada，theonehewasdoingwhenIfirstknewhim？
Ihopeyouwillseeitsometime。Weweremarriedassoonasitwasfinished，andyouwilllaughwhenItellyouthatitalwayshasaratherbridallooktome。Itisoverthewildestriver，withmistsandcloudsalwaysbattlingaboutit，anditisasdelicateasacobwebhanginginthesky。Itreallywasabridgeintothefuture。Youhaveonlytolookatittofeelthatitmeantthebeginningofagreatcareer。
ButIhaveaphotographofithere。\"Shedrewaportfoliofrombehindabookcase。\"Andthere，yousee，onthehill，ismyaunt’shouse。\"
Wilsontookupthephotograph。\"Bartleywastellingmesomethingaboutyourauntlastnight。
Shemusthavebeenadelightfulperson。\"
Winifredlaughed。\"Thebridge，yousee，wasjustatthefootofthehill，andthenoiseoftheenginesannoyedherverymuchatfirst。
ButaftershemetBartleyshepretendedtolikeit，andsaiditwasagoodthingtoberemindedthattherewerethingsgoingonintheworld。Shelovedlife，andBartleybroughtagreatdealofitintoherwhenhecametothehouse。AuntEleanorwasveryworldlyinafrank，Early—Victorianmanner。
Shelikedmenofaction，anddislikedyoungmenwhowerecarefulofthemselvesandwho，assheputit，werealwaystrimmingtheirwickasiftheywereafraidoftheiroil’sgivingout。MacKeller，Bartley’sfirstchief，wasanoldfriendofmyaunt，andhetoldherthatBartleywasawild，ill—governedyouth，whichreallypleasedherverymuch。
IrememberweweresittingaloneintheduskafterBartleyhadbeenthereforthefirsttime。
IknewthatAuntEleanorhadfoundhimmuchtohertaste，butshehadn’tsaidanything。
Presentlyshecameout，withachuckle：
`MacKellerfoundhimsowingwildoatsinLondon，Ibelieve。Ihopehedidn’tstophimtoosoon。Lifecoquetswithdashingfellows。
Thecomingmenarealwayslikethat。
Wemusthavehimtodinner，mydear。’
Andwedid。ShegrewmuchfonderofBartleythanshewasofme。IhadbeenstudyinginVienna，andshethoughtthatabsurd。
Shewasinterestedinthearmyandinpolitics，andshehadagreatcontemptformusicandartandphilosophy。SheusedtodeclarethatthePrinceConsorthadbroughtallthatstuffoveroutofGermany。ShealwayssniffedwhenBartleyaskedmetoplayforhim。Sheconsideredthatanewfangledwayofmakingamatchofit。\"
WhenAlexandercameinafewmomentslater，hefoundWilsonandhiswifestillconfrontingthephotograph。\"Oh，letusgetthatoutoftheway，\"hesaid，laughing。
\"Winifred，Thomascanbringmytrunkdown。
I’vedecidedtogoovertoNewYorkto—morrownightandtakeafastboat。
Ishallsavetwodays。\"
CHAPTERII
OnthenightofhisarrivalinLondon，AlexanderwentimmediatelytothehotelontheEmbankmentatwhichhealwaysstopped，andinthelobbyhewasaccostedbyanoldacquaintance，MauriceMainhall，whofelluponhimwitheffusivecordialityandindicatedawillingnesstodinewithhim。
Bartleyneverdinedaloneifhecouldhelpit，andMainhallwasagoodgossipwhoalwaysknewwhathadbeengoingonintown；especially，hekneweverythingthatwasnotprintedinthenewspapers。ThenephewofoneofthestandardVictoriannovelists，MainhallbobbedaboutamongthevariousliterarycliquesofLondonanditsoutlyingsuburbs，carefultolosetouchwithnoneofthem。Hehadwrittenanumberofbookshimself；amongthema\"HistoryofDancing，\"a\"HistoryofCostume，\"
a\"KeytoShakespeare’sSonnets，\"astudyof\"ThePoetryofErnestDowson，\"etc。
AlthoughMainhall’senthusiasmwasoftentiresome，andalthoughhewasoftenunabletodistinguishbetweenfactsandvividfigmentsofhisimagination，hisimperturbablegoodnatureovercameeventhepeoplewhomheboredmost，sothattheyendedbybecoming，inareluctantmanner，hisfriends。
Inappearance，Mainhallwasastonishinglyliketheconventionalstage—EnglishmanofAmericandrama：tallandthin，withhigh，hitchingshouldersandasmallheadglisteningwithcloselybrushedyellowhair。HespokewithanextremeOxfordaccent，andwhenhewastalkingwell，hisfacesometimesworetheraptexpressionofaveryemotionalmanlisteningtomusic。MainhalllikedAlexanderbecausehewasanengineer。Hehadpreconceivedideasabouteverything，andhisideaaboutAmericanswasthattheyshouldbeengineersormechanics。Hehatedthemwhentheypresumedtobeanythingelse。
WhiletheysatatdinnerMainhallacquaintedBartleywiththefortunesofhisoldfriendsinLondon，andastheyleftthetableheproposedthattheyshouldgotoseeHughMacConnell’snewcomedy，\"BogLights。\"
\"It’sreallyquitethebestthingMacConnell’sdone，\"
heexplainedastheygotintoahansom。
\"It’stremendouslywellputon，too。
FlorenceMerrillandCyrilHenderson。
ButHildaBurgoyne’sthehitofthepiece。
Hugh’swrittenadelightfulpartforher，andshe’squiteinexpressible。It’sbeenononlytwoweeks，andI’vebeenhalfadozentimesalready。IhappentohaveMacConnell’sboxfortonightorthere’dbenochanceofourgettingplaces。There’severythinginseeingHildawhileshe’sfreshinapart。She’sapttogrowabitstaleafteratime。Theoneswhohaveanyimaginationdo。\"
\"HildaBurgoyne!\"Alexanderexclaimedmildly。
\"Why，Ihaven’theardofherfor——years。\"
Mainhalllaughed。\"Thenyoucan’thaveheardmuchatall，mydearAlexander。
It’sonlylately，sinceMacConnellandhissethavegotholdofher，thatshe’scomeup。
Myself，Ialwaysknewshehaditinher。
IfwehadonerealcriticinLondon——butwhatcanoneexpect？Doyouknow，Alexander，\"——
Mainhalllookedwithperplexityupintothetopofthehansomandrubbedhispinkcheekwithhisglovedfinger，——\"doyouknow，Isometimesthinkoftakingtocriticismseriouslymyself。
Inaway，itwouldbeasacrifice；
but，dearme，wedoneedsomeone。\"
JustthentheydroveuptotheDukeofYork’s，soAlexanderdidnotcommithimself，butfollowedMainhallintothetheatre。
Whentheyenteredthestage—boxontheleftthefirstactwaswellunderway，thescenebeingtheinteriorofacabininthesouthofIreland。
Astheysatdown，aburstofapplausedrewAlexander’sattentiontothestage。MissBurgoyneandherdonkeywerethrustingtheirheadsinatthehalfdoor。\"Afterall，\"
hereflected，\"there’ssmallprobabilityofherrecognizingme。Shedoubtlesshasn’tthoughtofmeforyears。\"Hefelttheenthusiasmofthehouseatonce，andinafewmomentshewascaughtupbythecurrentofMacConnell’sirresistiblecomedy。Theaudiencehadcomeforewarned，evidently，andwhenevertheraggedslipofadonkey—girlranuponthestagetherewasadeepmurmurofapprobation，everyonesmiledandglowed，andMainhallhitchedhisheavychairalittlenearerthebrassrailing。
\"Yousee，\"hemurmuredinAlexander’sear，asthecurtainfellonthefirstact，\"onealmostneverseesapartlikethatdonewithoutsmartnessormawkishness。Ofcourse，HildaisIrish，——theBurgoyneshavebeenstagepeopleforgenerations，——andshehastheIrishvoice。It’sdelightfultohearitinaLondontheatre。Thatlaugh，now，whenshedoublesoveratthehips——whoeverhearditoutofGalway？Shesavesherhand，too。
She’satherbestinthesecondact。She’sreallyMacConnell’spoeticmotif，yousee；
makesthewholethingafairytale。\"
ThesecondactopenedbeforePhillyDoyle’sundergroundstill，withPeggyandherbattereddonkeycomeintosmugglealoadofpotheenacrossthebog，andtobringPhillywordofwhatwasdoingintheworldwithout，andofwhatwashappeningalongtheroadsidesandditcheswiththefirstgleamoffineweather。Alexander，annoyedbyMainhall’ssighsandexclamations，watchedherwithkeen，half—skepticalinterest。AsMainhallhadsaid，shewasthesecondact；
theplotandfeelingalikedependeduponherlightnessoffoot，herlightnessoftouch，upontheshrewdnessanddeftfancifulnessthatplayedalternately，andsometimestogether，inhermirthfulbrowneyes。Whenshebegantodance，bywayofshowingthegossoonswhatshehadseeninthefairyringsatnight，thehousebrokeintoaprolongeduproar。
AfterherdanceshewithdrewfromthedialogueandretreatedtotheditchwallbackofPhilly’sburrow，whereshesatsinging\"TheRisingoftheMoon\"
andmakingawreathofprimrosesforherdonkey。
WhentheactwasoverAlexanderandMainhallstrolledoutintothecorridor。Theymetagoodmanyacquaintances；Mainhall，indeed，knewalmosteveryone，andhebabbledonincontinently，screwinghissmallheadaboutoverhishighcollar。
Presentlyhehailedatall，beardedman，grim—browedandratherbattered—looking，whohadhisoperacloakonhisarmandhishatinhishand，andwhoseemedtobeonthepointofleavingthetheatre。
\"MacConnell，letmeintroduceMr。BartleyAlexander。Isay!It’sgoingfamouslyto—night，Mac。Andwhatanaudience!
You’llneverdoanythinglikethisagain，markme。
Amanwritestothetopofhisbentonlyonce。\"
TheplaywrightgaveMainhallacuriouslookoutofhisdeep—setfadedeyesandmadeawryface。\"AndhaveIdoneanythingsofoolasthat，now？\"heasked。
\"That’swhatIwassaying，\"Mainhallloungedalittleneareranddroppedintoatoneevenmoreconspicuouslyconfidential。
\"Andyou’llneverbringHildaoutlikethisagain。Dearme，Mac，thegirlcouldn’tpossiblybebetter，youknow。\"
MacConnellgrunted。\"She’lldowellenoughifshekeepsherpaceanddoesn’tgooffonusinthemiddleoftheseason，asshe’smorethanliketodo。\"
Henoddedcurtlyandmadeforthedoor，dodgingacquaintancesashewent。
\"PooroldHugh，\"Mainhallmurmured。
\"He’shitterriblyhard。He’sbeenwantingtomarryHildathesethreeyearsandmore。
Shedoesn’ttakeupwithanybody，youknow。
IreneBurgoyne，oneofherfamily，toldmeinconfidencethattherewasaromancesomewherebackinthebeginning。Oneofyourcountrymen，Alexander，bytheway；anAmericanstudentwhomshemetinParis，Ibelieve。Idaresayit’squitetruethatthere’sneverbeenanyoneelse。\"
MainhallvouchedforherconstancywithaloftinessthatmadeAlexandersmile，evenwhileakindofrapidexcitementwastinglingthroughhim。
Blinkingupatthelights，Mainhalladdedinhisluxurious，worldlyway：\"She’sanelegantlittleperson，andquitecapableofanextravagantbitofsentimentlikethat。HerecomesSirHarryTowne。He’sanotherwho’sawfullykeenabouther。Letmeintroduceyou。
SirHarryTowne，Mr。BartleyAlexander，theAmericanengineer。\"
SirHarryTownebowedandsaidthathehadmetMr。AlexanderandhiswifeinTokyo。
Mainhallcutinimpatiently。
\"Isay，SirHarry，thelittlegirl’sgoingfamouslyto—night，isn’tshe？\"
SirHarrywrinkledhisbrowsjudiciously。
\"Doyouknow，Ithoughtthedanceabitconsciousto—night，forthefirsttime。Thefactis，she’sfeelingratherseedy，poorchild。
WestmereandIwerebackafterthefirstact，andwethoughtsheseemedquiteuncertainofherself。Alittleattackofnerves，possibly。\"
Hebowedasthewarningbellrang，andMainhallwhispered：\"YouknowLordWestmere，ofcourse，——thestoopedmanwiththelonggraymustache，talkingtoLadyDowle。
LadyWestmereisveryfondofHilda。\"
Whentheyreachedtheirboxthehousewasdarkenedandtheorchestrawasplaying\"TheCloakofOldGaul。\"InamomentPeggywasonthestageagain，andAlexanderapplaudedvigorouslywiththerest。Heevenleanedforwardovertherailalittle。Forsomereasonhefeltpleasedandflatteredbytheenthusiasmoftheaudience。Inthehalf—lighthelookedaboutatthestallsandboxesandsmiledalittleconsciously，recallingwithamusementSirHarry’sjudicialfrown。
Hewasbeginningtofeelakeeninterestintheslender，barefootdonkey—girlwhoslippedinandoutoftheplay，singing，likesomeonewindingthroughahillyfield。HeleanedforwardandbeamedfelicitationsaswarmlyasMainhallhimselfwhen，attheendoftheplay，shecameagainandagainbeforethecurtain，pantingalittleandflushed，hereyesdancingandhereager，nervouslittlemouthtremulouswithexcitement。
WhenAlexanderreturnedtohishotel——
heshookMainhallatthedoorofthetheatre——
hehadsomesupperbroughtuptohisroom，anditwaslatebeforehewenttobed。
HehadnotthoughtofHildaBurgoyneforyears；indeed，hehadalmostforgottenher。
HehadlastwrittentoherfromCanada，afterhefirstmetWinifred，tellingherthateverythingwaschangedwithhim——thathehadmetawomanwhomhewouldmarryifhecould；
ifhecouldnot，thenallthemorewaseverythingchangedforhim。Hildahadneverrepliedtohisletter。Hefeltguiltyandunhappyaboutherforatime，butafterWinifredpromisedtomarryhimhereallyforgotHildaaltogether。Whenhewroteherthateverythingwaschangedforhim，hewastellingthetruth。AfterhemetWinifredPembertonheseemedtohimselflikeadifferentman。
OnenightwhenheandWinifredweresittingtogetheronthebridge，hetoldherthatthingshadhappenedwhilehewasstudyingabroadthathewassorryfor，——onethinginparticular，——andheaskedherwhethershethoughtsheoughttoknowaboutthem。
Sheconsideredamomentandthensaid\"No，Ithinknot，thoughIamgladyouaskme。
Yousee，onecan’tbejealousaboutthingsingeneral；butaboutparticular，definite，personalthings，\"——hereshehadthrownherhandsuptohisshoulderswithaquick，impulsivegesture——\"oh，aboutthoseIshouldbeveryjealous。Ishouldtorturemyself——Icouldn’thelpit。\"Afterthatitwaseasytoforget，actuallytoforget。Hewonderedto—night，ashepouredhiswine，howmanytimeshehadthoughtofHildainthelasttenyears。
HehadbeeninLondonmoreorless，buthehadneverhappenedtohearofher。
\"Allthesame，\"heliftedhisglass，\"here’stoyou，littleHilda。You’vemadethingscomeyourway，andIneverthoughtyou’ddoit。
\"Ofcourse，\"hereflected，\"shealwayshadthatcombinationofsomethinghomelyandsensible，andsomethingutterlywildanddaft。
ButIneverthoughtshe’ddoanything。
Shehadn’tmuchambitionthen，andshewastoofondoftrifles。Shemustcareaboutthetheatreagreatdealmorethansheusedto。
Perhapsshehasmetothankforsomething，afterall。Sometimesalittlejoltlikethatdoesonegood。Shewasadaft，generouslittlething。I’mgladshe’sheldherownsince。
Afterall，wewereawfullyyoung。Itwasyouthandpovertyandproximity，andeverythingwasyoungandkindly。Ishouldn’twonderifshecouldlaughaboutitwithmenow。
Ishouldn’twonder——Butthey’veprobablyspoiledher，sothatshe’dbetiresomeifonemetheragain。\"
Bartleysmiledandyawnedandwenttobed。
CHAPTERIII
ThenexteveningAlexanderdinedaloneataclub，andataboutnineo’clockhedroppedinattheDukeofYork’s。Thehousewassoldoutandhestoodthroughthesecondact。
Whenhereturnedtohishotelheexaminedthenewdirectory，andfoundMissBurgoyne’saddressstillgivenasoffBedfordSquare，thoughatanewnumber。Herememberedthat，insofarasshehadbeenbroughtupatall，shehadbeenbroughtupinBloomsbury。
Herfatherandmotherplayedintheprovincesmostoftheyear，andshewasleftagreatdealinthecareofanoldauntwhowascrippledbyrheumatismandwhohadhadtoleavethestagealtogether。InthedayswhenAlexanderknewher，HildaalwaysmanagedtohavealodgingofsomesortaboutBedfordSquare，becausesheclungtenaciouslytosuchscrapsandshredsofmemoriesaswereconnectedwithit。ThemummyroomoftheBritishMuseumhadbeenoneofthechiefdelightsofherchildhood。Thatforbiddingpilewasthegoalofhertruantfancy，andshewassometimestakenthereforatreat，asotherchildrenaretakentothetheatre。ItwaslongsinceAlexanderhadthoughtofanyofthesethings，butnowtheycamebacktohimquitefresh，andhadasignificancetheydidnothavewhentheywerefirsttoldhiminhisrestlesstwenties。Soshewasstillintheoldneighborhood，nearBedfordSquare。
Thenewnumberprobablymeantincreasedprosperity。Hehopedso。Hewouldliketoknowthatshewassnuglysettled。Helookedathiswatch。Itwasaquarterpastten；shewouldnotbehomeforagoodtwohoursyet，andhemightaswellwalkoverandhavealookattheplace。Herememberedtheshortestway。
Itwasawarm，smokyevening，andtherewasagrimymoon。HewentthroughCoventGardentoOxfordStreet，andasheturnedintoMuseumStreethewalkedmoreslowly，smilingathisownnervousnessasheapproachedthesullengraymassattheend。
HehadnotbeeninsidetheMuseum，actually，sinceheandHildausedtomeetthere；
sometimestosetoutforgayadventuresatTwickenhamorRichmond，sometimestolingerabouttheplaceforawhileandtoponderbyLordElgin’smarblesuponthelastingnessofsomethings，or，inthemummyroom，upontheawfulbrevityofothers。SincethenBartleyhadalwaysthoughtoftheBritishMuseumastheultimaterepositoryofmortality，whereallthedeadthingsintheworldwereassembledtomakeone’shourofyouththemoreprecious。Onetrembledlestbeforehegotoutitmightsomehowescapehim，lesthemightdroptheglassfromover—eagernessandseeitshiveredonthestonefloorathisfeet。
Howonehidhisyouthunderhiscoatandhuggedit!Andhowgooditwastoturnone’sbackuponallthatvaultedcold，totakeHilda’sarmandhurryoutofthegreatdooranddownthestepsintothesunlightamongthepigeons——toknowthatthewarmandvitalthingwithinhimwasstillthereandhadnotbeensnatchedawaytoflushCaesar’sleancheekortofeedtheveinsofsomebeardedAssyrianking。Theyintheirdayhadcarriedtheflamingliquor，butto—daywashis!Sothesongusedtoruninhisheadthosesummermorningsadozenyearsago。Alexanderwalkedbytheplaceveryquietly，asifhewereafraidofwakingsomeone。
HecrossedBedfordSquareandfoundthenumberhewaslookingfor。Thehouse，acomfortable，well—keptplaceenough，wasdarkexceptforthefourfrontwindowsonthesecondfloor，wherealow，evenlightwasburningbehindthewhitemuslinsashcurtains。
Outsidetherewerewindowboxes，paintedwhiteandfullofflowers。BartleywasmakingathirdroundoftheSquarewhenheheardthefar—flunghoof—beatsofahansom—cabhorse，drivenrapidly。Helookedathiswatch，andwasastonishedtofindthatitwasafewminutesaftertwelve。HeturnedandwalkedbackalongtheironrailingasthecabcameuptoHilda’snumberandstopped。
Thehansommusthavebeenonethatsheemployedregularly，forshedidnotstoptopaythedriver。
Shesteppedoutquicklyandlightly。
Heheardhercheerful\"Good—night，cabby，\"
assheranupthestepsandopenedthedoorwithalatchkey。Inafewmomentsthelightsflaredupbrightlybehindthewhitecurtains，andashewalkedawayheheardawindowraised。Buthehadgonetoofartolookupwithoutturninground。Hewentbacktohishotel，feelingthathehadhadagoodevening，andhesleptwell。
ForthenextfewdaysAlexanderwasverybusy。
HetookadeskintheofficeofaScotchengineeringfirmonHenriettaStreet，andwasatworkalmostconstantly。
Heavoidedtheclubsandusuallydinedaloneathishotel。Oneafternoon，afterhehadtea，hestartedforawalkdowntheEmbankmenttowardWestminster，intendingtoendhisstrollatBedfordSquareandtoaskwhetherMissBurgoynewouldlethimtakehertothetheatre。Buthedidnotgosofar。WhenhereachedtheAbbey，heturnedbackandcrossedWestminsterBridgeandsatdowntowatchthetrailsofsmokebehindtheHousesofParliamentcatchfirewiththesunset。
Theslendertowerswerewashedbyarainofgoldenlightandlickedbylittleflickeringflames；SomersetHouseandthebleachedgraypinnaclesaboutWhitehallwerefloatedinaluminoushaze。Theyellowlightpouredthroughthetreesandtheleavesseemedtoburnwithsoftfires。Therewasasmellofacaciasintheaireverywhere，andthelaburnumsweredrippinggoldoverthewallsofthegardens。Itwasasweet，lonelykindofsummerevening。RememberingHildaassheusedtobe，wasdoubtlessmoresatisfactorythanseeingherasshemustbenow——and，afterall，Alexanderaskedhimself，whatwasitbuthisownyoungyearsthathewasremembering？
HecrossedbacktoWestminster，wentuptotheTemple，andsatdowntosmokeintheMiddleTemplegardens，listeningtothethinvoiceofthefountainandsmellingthespiceofthesycamoresthatcameoutheavilyinthedampeveningair。Hethought，ashesatthere，aboutagreatmanythings：abouthisownyouthandHilda’s；aboveall，hethoughtofhowgloriousithadbeen，andhowquicklyithadpassed；and，whenithadpassed，howlittleworthwhileanythingwas。
Noneofthethingshehadgainedintheleastcompensated。Inthelastsixyearshisreputationhadbecome，asthesayingis，popular。
FouryearsagohehadbeencalledtoJapantodeliver，attheEmperor’srequest，acourseoflecturesattheImperialUniversity，andhadinstitutedreformsthroughouttheislands，notonlyinthepracticeofbridge—buildingbutindrainageandroad—making。OnhisreturnhehadundertakenthebridgeatMoorlock，inCanada，themostimportantpieceofbridge—
buildinggoingonintheworld，——atest，indeed，ofhowfarthelatestpracticeinbridgestructurecouldbecarried。Itwasaspectacularundertakingbyreasonofitsverysize，andBartleyrealizedthat，whateverelsehemightdo，hewouldprobablyalwaysbeknownastheengineerwhodesignedthegreatMoorlockBridge，thelongestcantileverinexistence。
Yetitwastohimtheleastsatisfactorythinghehadeverdone。Hewascrampedineverywaybyaniggardlycommission，andwasusinglighterstructuralmaterialthanhethoughtproper。Hehadvexationsenough，too，withhisworkathome。HehadseveralbridgesunderwayintheUnitedStates，andtheywerealwaysbeingheldupbystrikesanddelaysresultingfromageneralindustrialunrest。
ThoughAlexanderoftentoldhimselfhehadneverputmoreintohisworkthanhehaddoneinthelastfewyears，hehadtoadmitthathehadnevergotsolittleoutofit。
Hewaspayingforsuccess，too，inthedemandsmadeonhistimebyboardsofcivicenterpriseandcommitteesofpublicwelfare。Theobligationsimposedbyhiswife’sfortuneandpositionweresometimesdistractingtoamanwhofollowedhisprofession，andhewasexpectedtobeinterestedinagreatmanyworthyendeavorsonheraccountaswellasonhisown。Hisexistencewasbecominganetworkofgreatandlittledetails。Hehadexpectedthatsuccesswouldbringhimfreedomandpower；butithadbroughtonlypowerthatwasinitselfanotherkindofrestraint。Hehadalwaysmeanttokeephispersonallibertyatallcosts，asoldMacKeller，hisfirstchief，haddone，andnot，likesomanyAmericanengineers，tobecomeapartofaprofessionalmovement，acautiousboardmember，aNestordepontibus。Hehappenedtobeengagedinworkofpublicutility，buthewasnotwillingtobecomewhatiscalledapublicman。Hefoundhimselflivingexactlythekindoflifehehaddeterminedtoescape。
What，heaskedhimself，didhewantwiththesegenialhonorsandsubstantialcomforts？
Hardshipsanddifficultieshehadcarriedlightly；overworkhadnotexhaustedhim；butthisdeadcalmofmiddlelifewhichconfrontedhim，——
ofthathewasafraid。Hewasnotreadyforit。
Itwaslikebeingburiedalive。Inhisyouthhewouldnothavebelievedsuchathingpossible。
Theonethinghehadreallywantedallhislifewastobefree；andtherewasstillsomethingunconqueredinhim，somethingbesidesthestrongwork—horsethathisprofessionhadmadeofhim。
Hefeltrichto—nightinthepossessionofthatunstultifiedsurvival；inthelightofhisexperience，itwasmorepreciousthanhonorsorachievement。Inallthosebusy，successfulyearstherehadbeennothingsogoodasthishourofwildlight—heartedness。Thisfeelingwastheonlyhappinessthatwasrealtohim，andsuchhoursweretheonlyonesinwhichhecouldfeelhisowncontinuousidentity——
feeltheboyhehadbeenintheroughdaysoftheoldWest，feeltheyouthwhohadworkedhiswayacrosstheoceanonacattle—shipandgonetostudyinPariswithoutadollarinhispocket。ThemanwhosatinhisofficesinBostonwasonlyapowerfulmachine。Undertheactivitiesofthatmachinethepersonwho，insuchmomentsasthis，hefelttobehimself，wasfadinganddying。Herememberedhow，whenhewasalittleboyandhisfathercalledhiminthemorning，heusedtoleapfromhisbedintothefullconsciousnessofhimself。ThatconsciousnesswasLifeitself。
Whatevertookitsplace，action，reflection，thepowerofconcentratedthought，wereonlyfunctionsofamechanismusefultosociety；
thingsthatcouldbeboughtinthemarket。
Therewasonlyonethingthathadanabsolutevalueforeachindividual，anditwasjustthatoriginalimpulse，thatinternalheat，thatfeelingofone’sselfinone’sownbreast。
WhenAlexanderwalkedbacktohishotel，theredandgreenlightswereblinkingalongthedocksonthefarthershore，andthesoftwhitestarswereshininginthewideskyabovetheriver。
Thenextnight，andthenext，Alexanderrepeatedthissamefoolishperformance。
ItwasalwaysMissBurgoynewhomhestartedouttofind，andhegotnofartherthantheTemplegardensandtheEmbankment。Itwasapleasantkindofloneliness。Toamanwhowassolittlegiventoreflection，whosedreamsalwaystooktheformofdefiniteideas，reachingintothefuture，therewasaseductiveexcitementinrenewingoldexperiencesinimagination。Hestartedoutuponthesewalkshalfguiltily，withacuriouslongingandexpectancywhichwerewhollygratifiedbysolitude。Solitude，butnotsolitariness；
forhewalkedshouldertoshoulderwithashadowycompanion——notlittleHildaBurgoyne，byanymeans，butsomeonevastlydearertohimthanshehadeverbeen——hisownyoungself，theyouthwhohadwaitedforhimuponthestepsoftheBritishMuseumthatnight，andwho，thoughhehadtriedtopasssoquietly，hadknownhimandcomedownandlinkedanarminhis。
ItwasnotuntillongafterwardthatAlexanderlearnedthatforhimthisyouthwasthemostdangerousofcompanions。
OneSundayevening，atLadyWalford’s，AlexanderdidatlastmeetHildaBurgoyne。
Mainhallhadtoldhimthatshewouldprobablybethere。Helookedaboutforherrathernervously，andfinallyfoundheratthefartherendofthelargedrawing—room，thecentreofacircleofmen，youngandold。Shewasapparentlytellingthemastory。Theywerealllaughingandbendingtowardher。WhenshesawAlexander，sherosequicklyandputoutherhand。Theothermendrewbackalittletolethimapproach。
\"Mr。Alexander!Iamdelighted。HaveyoubeeninLondonlong？\"
Bartleybowed，somewhatlaboriously，overherhand。\"Longenoughtohaveseenyoumorethanonce。Howfineitallis!\"
Shelaughedasifshewerepleased。\"I’mgladyouthinkso。Ilikeit。Won’tyoujoinushere？\"
\"MissBurgoynewasjusttellingusaboutadonkey—boyshehadinGalwaylastsummer，\"
SirHarryTowneexplainedasthecircleclosedupagain。LordWestmerestrokedhislongwhitemustachewithhisbloodlesshandandlookedatAlexanderblankly。
Hildawasagoodstory—teller。Shewassittingontheedgeofherchair，asifshehadalightedthereforamomentonly。
Herprimrosesatingownseemedlikeasoftsheathforherslender，supplefigure，anditsdelicatecolorsuitedherwhiteIrishskinandbrownhair。Whatevershewore，peoplefeltthecharmofheractive，girlishbodywithitsslenderhipsandquick，eagershoulders。
Alexanderheardlittleofthestory，buthewatchedHildaintently。Shemustcertainly，hereflected，bethirty，andhewashonestlydelightedtoseethattheyearshadtreatedhersoindulgently。Ifherfacehadchangedatall，itwasinaslighthardeningofthemouth——
stilleagerenoughtobeverydisconcertingattimes，hefelt——andinanaddedairofself—
possessionandself—reliance。Shecarriedherhead，too，alittlemoreresolutely。
Whenthestorywasfinished，MissBurgoyneturnedpointedlytoAlexander，andtheothermendriftedaway。
