Shecreptacrosstohim，drawingherstoolafterher。\"Whendidyoufirstbegintofeellikethis，Bartley？\"
\"Aftertheveryfirst。Thefirstwas——
sortofinplay，wasn’tit？\"
Hilda’sfacequivered，butshewhispered：
\"Yes，Ithinkitmusthavebeen。Butwhydidn’tyoutellmewhenyouwerehereinthesummer？\"
Alexandergroaned。\"Imeantto，butsomehowIcouldn’t。Wehadonlyafewdays，andyournewplaywasjuston，andyouweresohappy。\"
\"Yes，Iwashappy，wasn’tI？\"Shepressedhishandgentlyingratitude。
\"Weren’tyouhappythen，atall？\"
Sheclosedhereyesandtookadeepbreath，asiftodrawinagainthefragranceofthosedays。SomethingoftheirtroublingsweetnesscamebacktoAlexander，too。
Hemoveduneasilyandhischaircreaked。
\"Yes，Iwasthen。Youknow。Butafterward……\"
\"Yes，yes，\"shehurried，pullingherhandgentlyawayfromhim。Presentlyitstolebacktohiscoatsleeve。
\"Pleasetellmeonething，Bartley。Atleast，tellmethatyoubelieveIthoughtIwasmakingyouhappy。\"
Hishandshutdownquicklyoverthequestioningfingersonhissleeves。
\"Yes，Hilda；Iknowthat，\"hesaidsimply。
Sheleanedherheadagainsthisarmandspokesoftly：——
\"Yousee，mymistakewasinwantingyoutohaveeverything。Iwantedyoutoeatallthecakesandhavethem，too。IsomehowbelievedthatIcouldtakeallthebadconsequencesforyou。Iwantedyoualwaystobehappyandhandsomeandsuccessful——tohaveallthethingsthatagreatmanoughttohave，and，onceinaway，thecarelessholidaysthatgreatmenarenotpermitted。\"
Bartleygaveabitterlittlelaugh，andHildalookedupandreadinthedeepeninglinesofhisfacethatyouthandBartleywouldnotmuchlongerstruggletogether。
\"Iunderstand，Bartley。Iwaswrong。ButI
didn’tknow。You’veonlytotellmenow。
WhatmustIdothatI’venotdone，orwhatmustInotdo？\"Shelistenedintently，butsheheardnothingbutthecreakingofhischair。
\"Youwantmetosayit？\"shewhispered。
\"Youwanttotellmethatyoucanonlyseemelikethis，asoldfriendsdo，oroutintheworldamongpeople？Icandothat。\"
\"Ican’t，\"hesaidheavily。
Hildashiveredandsatstill。Bartleyleanedhisheadinhishandsandspokethroughhisteeth。
\"It’sgottobeacleanbreak，Hilda。
Ican’tseeyouatall，anywhere。
WhatImeanisthatIwantyoutopromisenevertoseemeagain，nomatterhowoftenIcome，nomatterhowhardIbeg。\"
Hildaspranguplikeaflame。Shestoodoverhimwithherhandsclenchedatherside，herbodyrigid。
\"No!\"shegasped。\"It’stoolatetoaskthat。
Doyouhearme，Bartley？It’stoolate。
Iwon’tpromise。It’sabominableofyoutoaskme。
Keepawayifyouwish；whenhaveIeverfollowedyou？
But，ifyoucometome，I’lldoasIseefit。
Theshamefulnessofyouraskingmetodothat!
Ifyoucometome，I’lldoasIseefit。
Doyouunderstand？Bartley，you’recowardly!\"
Alexanderroseandshookhimselfangrily。
\"Yes，IknowI’mcowardly。I’mafraidofmyself。
Idon’ttrustmyselfanymore。Icarrieditalllightlyenoughatfirst，butnowIdon’tdaretriflewithit。
It’sgettingthebetterofme。It’sdifferentnow。
I’mgrowingolder，andyou’vegotmyyoungselfherewithyou。
It’sthroughhimthatI’vecometowishforyouallandallthetime。\"Hetookherroughlyinhisarms。
\"DoyouknowwhatImean？\"
Hildaheldherfacebackfromhimandbegantocrybitterly。\"Oh，Bartley，whatamItodo？
Whydidn’tyouletmebeangrywithyou？
Youaskmetostayawayfromyoubecauseyouwantme!AndI’vegotnobodybutyou。
Iwilldoanythingyousay——butthat!
Iwillasktheleastimaginable，butImusthaveSOMETHING!\"
Bartleyturnedawayandsankdowninhischairagain。
Hildasatonthearmofitandputherhandslightlyonhisshoulders。
\"JustsomethingBartley。Imusthaveyoutothinkofthroughthemonthsandmonthsofloneliness。
Imustseeyou。Imustknowaboutyou。
Thesightofyou，Bartley，toseeyoulivingandhappyandsuccessful——canInevermakeyouunderstandwhatthatmeanstome？\"
Shepressedhisshouldersgently。
\"Yousee，lovingsomeoneasIloveyoumakesthewholeworlddifferent。
IfI’dmetyoulater，ifIhadn’tlovedyousowell——
butthat’sallover，longago。Thencameallthoseyearswithoutyou，lonelyandhurtanddiscouraged；thosedecentyoungfellowsandpoorMac，andmeneverheeding——hardasasteelspring。Andthenyoucameback，notcaringverymuch，butitmadenodifference。\"
Sheslidtothefloorbesidehim，asifsheweretootiredtositupanylonger。Bartleybentoverandtookherinhisarms，kissinghermouthandherwet，tiredeyes。
\"Don’tcry，don’tcry，\"hewhispered。
\"We’vetorturedeachotherenoughfortonight。
ForgeteverythingexceptthatIamhere。\"
\"IthinkIhaveforgotteneverythingbutthatalready，\"shemurmured。\"Ah，yourdeararms!\"
CHAPTERVII
DuringthefortnightthatAlexanderwasinLondonhedrovehimselfhard。Hegotthroughagreatdealofpersonalbusinessandsawagreatmanymenwhoweredoinginterestingthingsinhisownprofession。
HedislikedtothinkofhisvisitstoLondonasholidays，andwhenhewasthereheworkedevenharderthanhedidathome。
ThedaybeforehisdepartureforLiverpoolwasasingularlyfineone。Thethickairhadclearedovernightinastrongwindwhichbroughtinagoldendawnandthenfellofftoafreshbreeze。WhenBartleylookedoutofhiswindowsfromtheSavoy，theriverwasflashingsilverandthegraystonealongtheEmbankmentwasbathedinbright，clearsunshine。
Londonhadwakenedtolifeafterthreeweeksofcoldandsoddenrain。Bartleybreakfastedhurriedlyandwentoverhismailwhilethehotelvaletpackedhistrunks。ThenhepaidhisaccountandwalkedrapidlydowntheStrandpastCharingCrossStation。Hisspiritsrosewitheverystep，andwhenhereachedTrafalgarSquare，blazinginthesun，withitsfountainsplayinganditscolumnreachingupintothebrightair，hesignaledtoahansom，and，beforeheknewwhathewasabout，toldthedrivertogotoBedfordSquarebywayoftheBritishMuseum。
WhenhereachedHilda’sapartmentshemethim，freshasthemorningitself。
Herroomswerefloodedwithsunshineandfulloftheflowershehadbeensendingher。
Shewouldneverlethimgiveheranythingelse。
\"Areyoubusythismorning，Hilda？\"heaskedashesatdown，hishatandglovesinhishand。
\"Very。I’vebeenupandaboutthreehours，workingatmypart。WeopeninFebruary，youknow。\"
\"Well，thenyou’veworkedenough。AndsohaveI。I’veseenallmymen，mypackingisdone，andIgouptoLiverpoolthisevening。
Butthismorningwearegoingtohaveaholiday。WhatdoyousaytoadriveouttoKewandRichmond？Youmaynotgetanotherdaylikethisallwinter。It’slikeafineAprildayathome。MayIuseyourtelephone？
Iwanttoorderthecarriage。\"
\"Oh，howjolly!There，sitdownatthedesk。
AndwhileyouaretelephoningI’llchangemydress。
Ishan’tbelong。Allthemorningpapersareonthetable。\"
Hildawasbackinafewmomentswearingalonggraysquirrelcoatandabroadfurhat。
Bartleyroseandinspectedher。\"Whydon’tyouwearsomeofthosepinkroses？\"heasked。
\"Buttheycameonlythismorning，andtheyhavenotevenbeguntoopen。
Iwassavingthem。Iamsounconsciouslythrifty!\"
Shelaughedasshelookedabouttheroom。
\"You’vebeensendingmefartoomanyflowers，Bartley。Newoneseveryday。That’stoooften；
thoughIdolovetoopentheboxes，andItakegoodcareofthem。\"
\"Whywon’tyouletmesendyouanyofthosejadeorivorythingsyouaresofondof？Orpictures？
Iknowagooddealaboutpictures。\"
Hildashookherlargehatasshedrewtherosesoutofthetallglass。\"No，therearesomethingsyoucan’tdo。There’sthecarriage。
Willyoubuttonmyglovesforme？\"
Bartleytookherwristandbegantobuttonthelonggraysuedeglove。
\"Howgayyoureyesarethismorning，Hilda。\"
\"That’sbecauseI’vebeenstudying。
Italwaysstirsmeupalittle。\"
Hepushedthetopofthegloveupslowly。
\"Whendidyoulearntotakeholdofyourpartslikethat？\"
\"WhenIhadnothingelsetothinkof。
Come，thecarriageiswaiting。
Whatashockingwhileyoutake。\"
\"I’minnohurry。We’veplentyoftime。\"
TheyfoundallLondonabroad。Piccadillywasastreamofrapidlymovingcarriages，fromwhichflashedfursandflowersandbrightwintercostumes。Themetaltrappingsoftheharnessesshonedazzlingly，andthewheelswererevolvingdisksthatthrewoffraysoflight。Theparkswerefullofchildrenandnursemaidsandjoyfuldogsthatleapedandyelpedandscratchedupthebrownearthwiththeirpaws。
\"I’mnotgoinguntilto—morrow，youknow，\"
Bartleyannouncedsuddenly。\"I’llcutoffadayinLiverpool。Ihaven’tfeltsojollythislongwhile。\"
Hildalookedupwithasmilewhichshetriednottomaketooglad。\"Ithinkpeopleweremeanttobehappy，alittle，\"shesaid。
TheyhadlunchatRichmondandthenwalkedtoTwickenham，wheretheyhadsentthecarriage。
Theydroveback，withaglorioussunsetbehindthem，towardthedistantgold—washedcity。
ItwasoneofthoserareafternoonswhenallthethicknessandshadowofLondonarechangedtoakindofshining，pulsing，specialatmosphere；whenthesmokyvaporsbecomeflutteringgoldenclouds，nacreousveilsofpinkandamber；whenallthatbleaknessofgraystoneanddullnessofdirtybricktremblesinaureatelight，andalltheroofsandspires，andonegreatdome，arefloatedingoldenhaze。Onsuchrareafternoonstheugliestofcitiesbecomesthemostpoetic，andmonthsofsoddendaysareoffsetbyamomentofmiracle。
\"It’slikethatwithusLondoners，too，\"
Hildawassaying。\"Everythingisawfullygrimandcheerless，ourweatherandourhousesandourwaysofamusingourselves。
Butwecanbehappierthananybody。
Wecangomadwithjoy，asthepeopledooutinthefieldsonafineWhitsunday。
Wemakethemostofourmoment。\"
Shethrustherlittlechinoutdefiantlyoverhergrayfurcollar，andBartleylookeddownatherandlaughed。
\"Youareapluckyone，you。\"Hepattedherglovewithhishand。\"Yes，youareapluckyone。\"
Hildasighed。\"No，I’mnot。Notaboutsomethings，atanyrate。Itdoesn’ttakeplucktofightforone’smoment，butittakesplucktogowithout——alot。MorethanIhave。
Ican’thelpit，\"sheaddedfiercely。
Aftermilesofoutlyingstreetsandlittlegloomyhouses，theyreachedLondonitself，redandroaringandmurky，withathickdampnesscomingupfromtheriver，thatbetokenedfogagainto—morrow。Thestreetswerefullofpeoplewhohadworkedindoorsallthroughthepricelessdayandhadnowcomehungrilyouttodrinkthemuddyleesofit。Theystoodinlongblacklines，waitingbeforethepitentrancesofthetheatres——
short—coatedboys，andgirlsinsailorhats，allshiveringandchattinggayly。Therewasablurredrhythminallthedullcitynoises——
intheclatterofthecabhorsesandtherumblingofthebusses，inthestreetcalls，andintheundulatingtramp，trampofthecrowd。Itwaslikethedeepvibrationofsomevastundergroundmachinery，andlikethemuffledpulsationsofmillionsofhumanhearts。
[See\"TheBarrelOrganbyAlfredNoyes。Ed。]
[Ihaveplaceditattheendforyourconvenience]
\"Seemsgoodtogetback，doesn’tit？\"
Bartleywhispered，astheydrovefromBayswaterRoadintoOxfordStreet。
\"Londonalwaysmakesmewanttolivemorethananyothercityintheworld。Yourememberourpriestessmummyoverinthemummy—room，andhowweusedtolongtogoandbringheroutonnightslikethis？Threethousandyears!Ugh!\"
\"Allthesame，Ibelievesheusedtofeelitwhenwestoodthereandwatchedherandwishedherwell。Ibelievesheusedtoremember，\"
Hildasaidthoughtfully。
\"Ihopeso。Nowlet’sgotosomeawfullyjollyplacefordinnerbeforewegohome。
IcouldeatallthedinnersthereareinLondonto—night。WhereshallItellthedriver？
ThePiccadillyRestaurant？Themusic’sgoodthere。\"
\"Therearetoomanypeopletherewhomoneknows。WhynotthatlittleFrenchplaceinSoho，wherewewentsooftenwhenyouwerehereinthesummer？Iloveit，andI’veneverbeentherewithanyonebutyou。
SometimesIgobymyself，whenIamparticularlylonely。\"
\"Verywell，thesole’sgoodthere。
Howmanystreetpianosthereareaboutto—night!
Thefineweathermusthavethawedthemout。
We’vehadfivemilesof`IlTrovatore’now。
Theyalwaysmakemefeeljaunty。
Areyoucomfy，andnottootired？\"
I’mnottiredatall。Iwasjustwonderinghowpeoplecaneverdie。Whydidyouremindmeofthemummy？Lifeseemsthestrongestandmostindestructiblethingintheworld。Doyoureallybelievethatallthosepeoplerushingaboutdownthere，goingtogooddinnersandclubsandtheatres，willbedeadsomeday，andnotcareaboutanything？
Idon’tbelieveit，andIknowIshan’tdie，ever!Yousee，Ifeeltoo——toopowerful!\"
Thecarriagestopped。Bartleysprangoutandswungherquicklytothepavement。
Asheliftedherinhistwohandshewhispered：
\"Youare——powerful!\"
CHAPTERVIII
Thelastrehearsalwasover，atediousdressrehearsalwhichhadlastedalldayandexhaustedthepatienceofeveryonewhohadtodowithit。
WhenHildahaddressedforthestreetandcameoutofherdressing—room，shefoundHughMacConnellwaitingforherinthecorridor。
\"Thefog’sthickerthanever，Hilda。
Therehavebeenagreatmanyaccidentsto—day。
It’spositivelyunsafeforyoutobeoutalone。
Willyouletmetakeyouhome？\"
\"Howgoodofyou，Mac。Ifyouaregoingwithme，IthinkI’dratherwalk。I’vehadnoexerciseto—day，andallthishasmademenervous。\"
\"Ishouldn’twonder，\"saidMacConnelldryly。
HildapulleddownherveilandtheysteppedoutintothethickbrownwashthatsubmergedSt。Martin’sLane。MacConnelltookherhandandtuckeditsnuglyunderhisarm。
\"I’msorryIwassuchasavage。Ihopeyoudidn’tthinkImadeanassofmyself。\"
\"Notabitofit。Idon’twonderyouwerepeppery。Thosethingsareawfullytrying。
Howdoyouthinkit’sgoing？\"
\"Magnificently。That’swhyIgotsostirredup。
Wearegoingtohearfromthis，bothofus。
Andthatremindsme；I’vegotnewsforyou。
TheyaregoingtobeginrepairsonthetheatreaboutthemiddleofMarch，andwearetorunovertoNewYorkforsixweeks。
Bennetttoldmeyesterdaythatitwasdecided。\"
Hildalookedupdelightedlyatthetallgrayfigurebesideher。Hewastheonlythingshecouldsee，fortheyweremovingthroughadenseopaqueness，asiftheywerewalkingatthebottomoftheocean。
\"Oh，Mac，howgladIam!Andtheyloveyourthingsoverthere，don’tthey？\"
\"Shallyoubegladfor——anyotherreason，Hilda？\"
MacConnellputhishandinfrontofhertowardoffsomedarkobject。Itprovedtobeonlyalamp—post，andtheybeatinfartherfromtheedgeofthepavement。
\"Whatdoyoumean，Mac？\"Hildaaskednervously。
\"Iwasjustthinkingtheremightbepeopleoverthereyou’dbegladtosee，\"hebroughtoutawkwardly。Hildasaidnothing，andastheywalkedonMacConnellspokeagain，apologetically：\"Ihopeyoudon’tmindmyknowingaboutit，Hilda。Don’tstiffenuplikethat。Nooneelseknows，andIdidn’ttrytofindoutanything。Ifeltit，evenbeforeIknewwhohewas。Iknewtherewassomebody，andthatitwasn’tI。\"
TheycrossedOxfordStreetinsilence，feelingtheirway。Thebusseshadstoppedrunningandthecab—driverswereleadingtheirhorses。Whentheyreachedtheotherside，MacConnellsaidsuddenly，\"Ihopeyouarehappy。\"
\"Terribly，dangerouslyhappy，Mac，\"——
Hildaspokequietly，pressingtheroughsleeveofhisgreatcoatwithherglovedhand。
\"You’vealwaysthoughtmetoooldforyou，Hilda，——oh，ofcourseyou’veneversaidjustthat，——andherethisfellowisnotmorethaneightyearsyoungerthanI。I’vealwaysfeltthatifIcouldgetoutofmyoldcaseI
mightwinyouyet。It’safine，braveyouthIcarryinsideme，onlyhe’llneverbeseen。\"
\"Nonsense，Mac。Thathasnothingtodowithit。
It’sbecauseyouseemtooclosetome，toomuchmyownkind。ItwouldbelikemarryingCousinMike，almost。Ireallytriedtocareasyouwantedmeto，awaybackinthebeginning。\"
\"Well，hereweare，turningoutoftheSquare。
Youarenotangrywithme，Hilda？Thankyouforthiswalk，mydear。Goinandgetdrythingsonatonce。You’llbehavingagreatnightto—morrow。\"
Sheputoutherhand。\"Thankyou，Mac，foreverything。Good—night。\"
MacConnelltrudgedoffthroughthefog，andshewentslowlyupstairs。Herslippersanddressinggownwerewaitingforherbeforethefire。\"IshallcertainlyseehiminNewYork。Hewillseebythepapersthatwearecoming。Perhapsheknowsitalready，\"
Hildakeptthinkingassheundressed。
\"Perhapshewillbeatthedock。No，scarcelythat；butImaymeethiminthestreetevenbeforehecomestoseeme。\"Marieplacedthetea—tablebythefireandbroughtHildaherletters。
Shelookedthemover，andstartedasshecametooneinahandwritingthatshedidnotoftensee；
Alexanderhadwrittentoheronlytwicebefore，andhedidnotallowhertowritetohimatall。
\"Thankyou，Marie。Youmaygonow。\"
Hildasatdownbythetablewiththeletterinherhand，stillunopened。Shelookedatitintently，turneditover，andfeltitsthicknesswithherfingers。Shebelievedthatshesometimeshadakindofsecond—sightaboutletters，andcouldtellbeforeshereadthemwhethertheybroughtgoodoreviltidings。
Sheputthisonedownonthetableinfrontofherwhileshepouredhertea。Atlast，withalittleshiverofexpectancy，shetoreopentheenvelopeandread：——
Boston，February——
MYDEARHILDA：——
Itisaftertwelveo’clock。EveryoneelseisinbedandIamsittingaloneinmystudy。
Ihavebeenhappierinthisroomthananywhereelseintheworld。Happinesslikethatmakesoneinsolent。Iusedtothinkthesefourwallscouldstandagainstanything。AndnowI
scarcelyknowmyselfhere。NowIknowthatnoonecanbuildhissecurityuponthenoblenessofanotherperson。Twopeople，whentheyloveeachother，growalikeintheirtastesandhabitsandpride，buttheirmoralnatures（whateverwemaymeanbythatcantingexpression）areneverwelded。Thebaseonegoesonbeingbase，andthenobleonenoble，totheend。
Thelastweekhasbeenabadone；Ihavebeenrealizinghowthingsusedtobewithme。
SometimesIgetusedtobeingdeadinside，butlatelyithasbeenasifawindowbesidemehadsuddenlyopened，andasifallthesmellsofspringblewintome。Thereisagardenoutthere，withstarsoverhead，whereIusedtowalkatnightwhenIhadasinglepurposeandasingleheart。IcanrememberhowIusedtofeelthere，howbeautifuleverythingaboutmewas，andwhatlifeandpowerandfreedomIfeltinmyself。WhenthewindowopensIknowexactlyhowitwouldfeeltobeoutthere。Butthatgardenisclosedtome。Howisit，Iaskmyself，thateverythingcanbesodifferentwithmewhennothingherehaschanged？Iaminmyownhouse，inmyownstudy，inthemidstofallthesequietstreetswheremyfriendslive。
Theyareallsafeandatpeacewiththemselves。
ButIamneveratpeace。Ifeelalwaysontheedgeofdangerandchange。
IkeeprememberinglocoedhorsesIusedtoseeontherangewhenIwasaboy。
Theychangedlikethat。Weusedtocatchthemandputthemupinthecorral，andtheydevelopedgreatcunning。Theywouldpretendtoeattheiroatsliketheotherhorses，butweknewtheywerealwaysschemingtogetbackattheloco。
Itseemsthatamanismeanttoliveonlyonelifeinthisworld。Whenhetriestoliveasecond，hedevelopsanothernature。Ifeelasifasecondmanhadbeengraftedintome。
Atfirstheseemedonlyapleasure—lovingsimpleton，ofwhosecompanyIwasratherashamed，andwhomIusedtohideundermycoatwhenIwalkedtheEmbankment，inLondon。
Butnowheisstrongandsullen，andheisfightingforhislifeatthecostofmine。
Thatishisoneactivity：togrowstrong。
Nocreatureeverwantedsomuchtolive。
Eventually，Isuppose，hewillabsorbmealtogether。
Believeme，youwillhatemethen。
Andwhathaveyoutodo，Hilda，withthisuglystory？Nothingatall。Thelittleboydrankoftheprettiestbrookintheforestandhebecameastag。IwriteallthisbecauseI
cannevertellittoyou，andbecauseitseemsasifIcouldnotkeepsilentanylonger。AndbecauseIsuffer，Hilda。IfanyoneIlovedsufferedlikethis，I’dwanttoknowit。Helpme，Hilda!
B。A。
CHAPTERIX
OnthelastSaturdayinApril，theNewYork\"Times\"
publishedanaccountofthestrikecomplicationswhichweredelayingAlexander’sNewJerseybridge，andstatedthattheengineerhimselfwasintownandathisofficeonWestTenthStreet。
OnSunday，thedayafterthisnoticeappeared，AlexanderworkedalldayathisTenthStreetrooms。
HisbusinessoftencalledhimtoNewYork，andhehadkeptanapartmentthereforyears，sublettingitwhenhewentabroadforanylengthoftime。
Besideshissleeping—roomandbath，therewasalargeroom，formerlyapainter’sstudio，whichheusedasastudyandoffice。Itwasfurnishedwiththecast—offpossessionsofhisbachelordaysandwithoddthingswhichheshelteredforfriendsofhiswhofolloweditinerantandmoreorlessartisticcallings。Overthefireplacetherewasalargeold—fashionedgiltmirror。
Alexander’sbigwork—tablestoodinfrontofoneofthethreewindows，andabovethecouchhungtheonepictureintheroom，abigcanvasofcharmingcolorandspirit，astudyoftheLuxembourgGardensinearlyspring，paintedinhisyouthbyamanwhohadsincebecomeaportrait—painterofinternationalrenown。HehaddoneitforAlexanderwhentheywerestudentstogetherinParis。
Sundaywasacold，rawdayandafinerainfellcontinuously。WhenAlexandercamebackfromdinnerheputmorewoodonhisfire，madehimselfcomfortable，andsettleddownathisdesk，wherehebegancheckingoverestimatesheets。Itwasafternineo’clockandhewaslightingasecondpipe，whenhethoughtheheardasoundathisdoor。Hestartedandlistened，holdingtheburningmatchinhishand；againheheardthesamesound，likeafirm，lighttap。Heroseandcrossedtheroomquickly。Whenhethrewopenthedoorherecognizedthefigurethatshrankbackintothebare，dimlylithallway。
Hestoodforamomentinawkwardconstraint，hispipeinhishand。
\"Comein，\"hesaidtoHildaatlast，andclosedthedoorbehindher。Hepointedtoachairbythefireandwentbacktohisworktable。
\"Won’tyousitdown？\"
Hewasstandingbehindthetable，turningoverapileofblueprintsnervously。
Theyellowlightfromthestudent’slampfellonhishandsandthepurplesleevesofhisvelvetsmoking—jacket，buthisflushedfaceandbig，hardheadwereintheshadow。TherewassomethingabouthimthatmadeHildawishherselfatherhotelagain，inthestreetbelow，anywherebutwhereshewas。
\"OfcourseIknow，Bartley，\"shesaidatlast，\"thatafterthisyouwon’towemetheleastconsideration。ButwesailonTuesday。
Isawthatinterviewinthepaperyesterday，tellingwhereyouwere，andIthoughtIhadtoseeyou。That’sall。Good—night；I’mgoingnow。\"
Sheturnedandherhandclosedonthedoor—knob。
Alexanderhurriedtowardherandtookhergentlybythearm。\"Sitdown，Hilda；
you’rewetthrough。Letmetakeoffyourcoat——andyourboots；they’reoozingwater。\"
Hekneltdownandbegantounlacehershoes，whileHildashrankintothechair。\"Here，putyourfeetonthisstool。Youdon’tmeantosayyouwalkeddown——andwithoutovershoes!\"
Hildahidherfaceinherhands。\"Iwasafraidtotakeacab。Can’tyousee，Bartley，thatI’mterriblyfrightened？I’vebeenthroughthisahundredtimesto—day。Don’tbeanymoreangrythanyoucanhelp。IwasallrightuntilIknewyouwereintown。
Ifyou’dsentmeanote，ortelephonedme，oranything!Butyouwon’tletmewritetoyou，andIhadtoseeyouafterthatletter，thatterribleletteryouwrotemewhenyougothome。\"
Alexanderfacedher，restinghisarmonthemantelbehindhim，andbegantobrushthesleeveofhisjacket。\"Isthisthewayyoumeantoanswerit，Hilda？\"heaskedunsteadily。
Shewasafraidtolookupathim。
\"Didn’t——didn’tyoumeaneventosaygoodbytome，Bartley？Didyoumeanjustto——
quitme？\"sheasked。\"IcametotellyouthatI’mwillingtodoasyouaskedme。Butit’snousetalkingaboutthatnow。Givememythings，please。\"Sheputherhandouttowardthefender。
Alexandersatdownonthearmofherchair。
\"DidyouthinkIhadforgottenyouwereintown，Hilda？DoyouthinkIkeptawaybyaccident？
DidyousupposeIdidn’tknowyouweresailingonTuesday？
Thereisaletterforyouthere，inmydeskdrawer。
Itwastohavereachedyouonthesteamer。Iwasallthemorningwritingit。ItoldmyselfthatifIwerereallythinkingofyou，andnotofmyself，aletterwouldbebetterthannothing。
Marksonpapermeansomethingtoyou。\"
Hepaused。\"Theyneverdidtome。\"
Hildasmiledupathimbeautifullyandputherhandonhissleeve。\"Oh，Bartley!
Didyouwritetome？Whydidn’tyoutelephonemetoletmeknowthatyouhad？ThenIwouldn’thavecome。\"
Alexanderslippedhisarmabouther。\"Ididn’tknowitbefore，Hilda，onmyhonorIdidn’t，butIbelieveitwasbecause，deepdowninmesomewhere，IwashopingImightdriveyoutodojustthis。I’vewatchedthatdoorallday。I’vejumpedupifthefirecrackled。
IthinkIhavefeltthatyouwerecoming。\"
Hebenthisfaceoverherhair。
\"AndI，\"shewhispered，——\"Ifeltthatyouwerefeelingthat。
ButwhenIcame，IthoughtIhadbeenmistaken。\"
Alexanderstartedupandbegantowalkupanddowntheroom。
\"No，youweren’tmistaken。I’vebeenupinCanadawithmybridge，andIarrangednottocometoNewYorkuntilafteryouhadgone。Then，whenyourmanageraddedtwomoreweeks，Iwasalreadycommitted。\"
Hedroppeduponthestoolinfrontofherandsatwithhishandshangingbetweenhisknees。
\"WhatamItodo，Hilda？\"
\"That’swhatIwantedtoseeyouabout，Bartley。I’mgoingtodowhatyouaskedmetodowhenyouwereinLondon。OnlyI’lldoitmorecompletely。I’mgoingtomarry。\"
\"Who？\"
\"Oh，itdoesn’tmattermuch!Oneofthem。
OnlynotMac。I’mtoofondofhim。\"
Alexandermovedrestlessly。\"Areyoujoking，Hilda？\"
\"IndeedI’mnot。\"
\"Thenyoudon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout。\"
\"Yes，Iknowverywell。I’vethoughtaboutitagreatdeal，andI’vequitedecided。
Ineverusedtounderstandhowwomendidthingslikethat，butIknownow。It’sbecausetheycan’tbeatthemercyofthemantheyloveanylonger。\"
Alexanderflushedangrily。\"Soit’sbettertobeatthemercyofamanyoudon’tlove？\"
\"Undersuchcircumstances，infinitely!\"
TherewasaflashinhereyesthatmadeAlexander’sfall。Hegotupandwentovertothewindow，threwitopen，andleanedout。
HeheardHildamovingaboutbehindhim。
Whenhelookedoverhisshouldershewaslacingherboots。Hewentbackandstoodoverher。
\"Hildayou’dbetterthinkawhilelongerbeforeyoudothat。Idon’tknowwhatI
oughttosay，butIdon’tbelieveyou’dbehappy；trulyIdon’t。Aren’tyoutryingtofrightenme？\"
Shetiedtheknotofthelastlacingandputherboot—heeldownfirmly。\"No；I’mtellingyouwhatI’vemadeupmymindtodo。
IsupposeIwouldbetterdoitwithouttellingyou。
ButafterwardIshan’thaveanopportunitytoexplain，forIshan’tbeseeingyouagain。\"
Alexanderstartedtospeak，butcaughthimself。
WhenHildarosehesatdownonthearmofherchairanddrewherbackintoit。
\"Iwouldn’tbesomuchalarmedifIdidn’tknowhowutterlyrecklessyouCANbe。
Don’tdoanythinglikethatrashly。\"
Hisfacegrewtroubled。\"Youwouldn’tbehappy。
Youarenotthatkindofwoman。I’dneverhaveanotherhour’speaceifIhelpedtomakeyoudoathinglikethat。\"Hetookherfacebetweenhishandsandlookeddownintoit。
\"Yousee，youaredifferent，Hilda。Don’tyouknowyouare？\"Hisvoicegrewsofter，histouchmoreandmoretender。\"Somewomencandothatsortofthing，butyou——youcanloveasqueensdid，intheoldtime。\"
Hildahadheardthatsoft，deeptoneinhisvoiceonlyoncebefore。Sheclosedhereyes；
herlipsandeyelidstrembled。\"Onlyone，Bartley。
Onlyone。Andhethrewitbackatmeasecondtime。\"
Shefeltthestrengthleapinthearmsthatheldhersolightly。
\"Tryhimagain，Hilda。Tryhimonceagain。\"
Shelookedupintohiseyes，andhidherfaceinherhands。
CHAPTERX
OnTuesdayafternoonaBostonlawyer，whohadbeentryingacaseinVermont，wasstandingonthesidingatWhiteRiverJunctionwhentheCanadianExpresspulledbyonitsnorthwardjourney。Astheday—coachesattherearendofthelongtrainsweptbyhim，thelawyernoticedatoneofthewindowsaman’shead，withthickrumpledhair。
\"Curious，\"hethought；\"thatlookedlikeAlexander，butwhatwouldhebedoingbackthereinthedaycoaches？\"
Itwas，indeed，Alexander。
ThatmorningatelegramfromMoorlockhadreachedhim，tellinghimthattherewasserioustroublewiththebridgeandthathewasneededthereatonce，sohehadcaughtthefirsttrainoutofNewYork。Hehadtakenaseatinaday—coachtoavoidtheriskofmeetinganyoneheknew，andbecausehedidnotwishtobecomfortable。Whenthetelegramarrived，AlexanderwasathisroomsonTenthStreet，packinghisbagtogotoBoston。
OnMondaynighthehadwrittenalonglettertohiswife，butwhenmorningcamehewasafraidtosendit，andtheletterwasstillinhispocket。Winifredwasnotawomanwhocouldbeardisappointment。Shedemandedagreatdealofherselfandofthepeoplesheloved；andsheneverfailedherself。
Ifhetoldhernow，heknew，itwouldbeirretrievable。Therewouldbenogoingback。
Hewouldlosethethinghevaluedmostintheworld；hewouldbedestroyinghimselfandhisownhappiness。Therewouldbenothingforhimafterward。HeseemedtoseehimselfdraggingoutarestlessexistenceontheContinent——Cannes，Hyeres，Algiers，Cairo——
amongsmartlydressed，disabledmenofeverynationality；forevergoingonjourneysthatlednowhere；hurryingtocatchtrainsthathemightjustaswellmiss；gettingupinthemorningwithagreatbustleandsplashingofwater，tobeginadaythathadnopurposeandnomeaning；dininglatetoshortenthenight，sleepinglatetoshortentheday。
Andforwhat？Foramerefolly，amasquerade，alittlethingthathecouldnotletgo。
ANDHECOULDEVENLETITGO，hetoldhimself。
ButhehadpromisedtobeinLondonatmid—
summer，andheknewthathewouldgo……
Itwasimpossibletolivelikethisanylonger。
Andthis，then，wastobethedisasterthathisoldprofessorhadforeseenforhim：
thecrackinthewall，thecrash，thecloudofdust。Andhecouldnotunderstandhowithadcomeabout。Hefeltthathehimselfwasunchanged，thathewasstillthere，thesamemanhehadbeenfiveyearsago，andthathewassittingstupidlybyandlettingsomeresoluteoffshootofhimselfspoilhislifeforhim。Thisnewforcewasnothe，itwasbutapartofhim。Hewouldnotevenadmitthatitwasstrongerthanhe；butitwasmoreactive。
Itwasbyitsenergythatthisnewfeelinggotthebetterofhim。Hiswifewasthewomanwhohadmadehislife，gratifiedhispride，givendirectiontohistastesandhabits。
Thelifetheyledtogetherseemedtohimbeautiful。
Winifredstillwas，asshehadalwaysbeen，Romanceforhim，andwheneverhewasdeeplystirredheturnedtoher。Whenthegrandeurandbeautyoftheworldchallengedhim——
asitchallengeseventhemostself—absorbedpeople——
healwaysansweredwithhername。Thatwashisreplytothequestionputbythemountainsandthestars；
toallthespiritualaspectsoflife。Inhisfeelingforhiswifetherewasallthetenderness，allthepride，allthedevotionofwhichhewascapable。Therewaseverythingbutenergy；
theenergyofyouthwhichmustregisteritselfandcutitsnamebeforeitpasses。Thisnewfeelingwassofresh，sounsatisfiedandlightoffoot。Itranandwasnotwearied，anticipatedhimeverywhere。ItputagirdleroundtheearthwhilehewasgoingfromNewYorktoMoorlock。Atthismoment，itwastinglingthroughhim，exultant，andliveasquicksilver，whispering，\"InJulyyouwillbeinEngland。\"
Alreadyhedreadedthelong，emptydaysatsea，themonotonousIrishcoast，thesluggishpassageuptheMersey，theflashoftheboattrainthroughthesummercountry。
Heclosedhiseyesandgavehimselfuptothefeelingofrapidmotionandtoswift，terrifyingthoughts。Hewassittingso，hisfaceshadedbyhishand，whentheBostonlawyersawhimfromthesidingatWhiteRiverJunction。
WhenatlastAlexanderrousedhimself，theafternoonhadwanedtosunset。Thetrainwaspassingthroughagraycountryandtheskyoverheadwasflushedwithawidefloodofclearcolor。Therewasarose—coloredlightoverthegrayrocksandhillsandmeadows。
Offtotheleft，undertheapproachofaweather—stainedwoodenbridge，agroupofboysweresittingaroundalittlefire。
Thesmellofthewoodsmokeblewinatthewindow。
Exceptforanoldfarmer，joggingalongthehighroadinhisbox—wagon，therewasnotanotherlivingcreaturetobeseen。Alexanderlookedbackwistfullyattheboys，campedontheedgeofalittlemarsh，crouchingundertheirshelterandlookinggravelyattheirfire。Theytookhismindbackalongway，toacampfireonasandbarinaWesternriver，andhewishedhecouldgobackandsitdownwiththem。
Hecouldrememberexactlyhowtheworldhadlookedthen。
ItwasquitedarkandAlexanderwasstillthinkingoftheboys，whenitoccurredtohimthatthetrainmustbenearingAllway。
IngoingtohisnewbridgeatMoorlockhehadalwaystopassthroughAllway。ThetrainstoppedatAllwayMills，thenwoundtwomilesuptheriver，andthenthehollowsoundunderhisfeettoldBartleythathewasonhisfirstbridgeagain。Thebridgeseemedlongerthanithadeverseemedbefore，andhewasgladwhenhefeltthebeatofthewheelsonthesolidroadbedagain。Hedidnotlikecomingandgoingacrossthatbridge，orrememberingthemanwhobuiltit。Andwashe，indeed，thesamemanwhousedtowalkthatbridgeatnight，promisingsuchthingstohimselfandtothestars？Andyet，hecouldrememberitallsowell：thequiethillssleepinginthemoonlight，theslenderskeletonofthebridgereachingoutintotheriver，andupyonder，aloneonthehill，thebigwhitehouse；
upstairs，inWinifred’swindow，thelightthattoldhimshewasstillawakeandstillthinkingofhim。
Andafterthelightwentouthewalkedalone，takingtheheavensintohisconfidence，unabletotearhimselfawayfromthewhitemagicofthenight，unwillingtosleepbecauselongingwassosweettohim，andbecause，forthefirsttimesincefirstthehillswerehungwithmoonlight，therewasaloverintheworld。
Andalwaystherewasthesoundoftherushingwaterunderneath，thesoundwhich，morethananythingelse，meantdeath；thewearingawayofthingsundertheimpactofphysicalforceswhichmencoulddirectbutnevercircumventordiminish。
Then，intheexaltationoflove，morethaneveritseemedtohimtomeandeath，theonlyotherthingasstrongaslove。Underthemoon，underthecold，splendidstars，therewereonlythosetwothingsawakeandsleepless；deathandlove，therushingriverandhisburningheart。
Alexandersatupandlookedabouthim。
Thetrainwastearingonthroughthedarkness。
Allhiscompanionsintheday—coachwereeitherdozingorsleepingheavily，andthemurkylampswereturnedlow。
Howcamehehereamongallthesedirtypeople？
WhywashegoingtoLondon？Whatdiditmean——whatwastheanswer？Howcouldthishappentoamanwhohadlivedthroughthatmagicalspringandsummer，andwhohadfeltthatthestarsthemselveswerebutflamingparticlesinthefar—awayinfinitudesofhislove？
Whathadhedonetoloseit？Howcouldheendurethebasenessoflifewithoutit？
Andwitheveryrevolutionofthewheelsbeneathhim，theunquietquicksilverinhisbreasttoldhimthatatmidsummerhewouldbeinLondon。
Herememberedhislastnightthere：theredfoggydarkness，thehungrycrowdsbeforethetheatres，thehand—organs，thefeverishrhythmoftheblurred，crowdedstreets，andthefeelingoflettinghimselfgowiththecrowd。Heshudderedandlookedabouthimatthepoorunconsciouscompanionsofhisjourney，unkemptandtravel—stained，nowdoubledinunlovelyattitudes，whohadcometostandtohimfortheuglinesshehadbroughtintotheworld。
Andthoseboysbackthere，beginningitalljustashehadbegunit；hewishedhecouldpromisethembetterluck。Ah，ifonecouldpromiseanyonebetterluck，ifonecouldassureasinglehumanbeingofhappiness!
Hehadthoughthecoulddoso，once；
anditwasthinkingofthatthatheatlastfellasleep。Inhissleep，asifithadnothingfreshertoworkupon，hismindwentbackandtortureditselfwithsomethingyearsandyearsaway，anold，long—forgottensorrowofhischildhood。
WhenAlexanderawokeinthemorning，thesunwasjustrisingthroughpalegoldenripplesofcloud，andthefreshyellowlightwasvibratingthroughthepinewoods。
Thewhitebirches，withtheirlittleunfoldingleaves，gleamedinthelowlands，andthemarshmeadowswerealreadycomingtolifewiththeirfirstgreen，athin，brightcolorwhichhadrunoverthemlikefire。Asthetrainrushedalongthetrestles，thousandsofwildbirdsrosescreamingintothelight。
Theskywasalreadyapaleblueandoftheclearnessofcrystal。BartleycaughtuphisbagandhurriedthroughthePullmancoachesuntilhefoundtheconductor。Therewasastateroomunoccupied，andhetookitandsetaboutchanginghisclothes。
Lastnighthewouldnothavebelievedthatanythingcouldbesopleasantasthecoldwaterhedashedoverhisheadandshouldersandthefreshnessofcleanlinenonhisbody。
Afterhehaddressed，Alexandersatdownatthewindowanddrewintohislungsdeepbreathsofthepine—scentedair。
Hehadawakenedwithallhisoldsenseofpower。
Hecouldnotbelievethatthingswereasbadwithhimastheyhadseemedlastnight，thattherewasnowaytosetthementirelyright。
EvenifhewenttoLondonatmidsummer，whatwouldthatmeanexceptthathewasafool？
Andhehadbeenafoolbefore。Thatwasnottherealityofhislife。YetheknewthathewouldgotoLondon。
HalfanhourlaterthetrainstoppedatMoorlock。Alexandersprangtotheplatformandhurriedupthesiding，wavingtoPhilipHorton，oneofhisassistants，whowasanxiouslylookingupatthewindowsofthecoaches。Bartleytookhisarmandtheywenttogetherintothestationbuffet。
\"I’llhavemycoffeefirst，Philip。
Haveyouhadyours？Andnow，whatseemstobethematteruphere？\"
Theyoungman，inahurried，nervousway，beganhisexplanation。
ButAlexandercuthimshort。\"Whendidyoustopwork？\"heaskedsharply。
Theyoungengineerlookedconfused。
\"Ihaven’tstoppedworkyet，Mr。Alexander。
Ididn’tfeelthatIcouldgosofarwithoutdefiniteauthorizationfromyou。\"
\"Thenwhydidn’tyousayinyourtelegramexactlywhatyouthought，andaskforyourauthorization？You’dhavegotitquickenough。\"
\"Well，really，Mr。Alexander，Icouldn’tbeabsolutelysure，youknow，andIdidn’tliketotaketheresponsibilityofmakingitpublic。\"
Alexanderpushedbackhischairandrose。
\"AnythingIdocanbemadepublic，Phil。
Yousaythatyoubelievethelowerchordsareshowingstrain，andthateventheworkmenhavebeentalkingaboutit，andyetyou’vegoneonaddingweight。\"
\"I’msorry，Mr。Alexander，butIhadcountedonyourgettinghereyesterday。
Myfirsttelegrammissedyousomehow。
IsentoneSundayevening，tothesameaddress，butitwasreturnedtome。\"
\"Haveyouacarriageoutthere？
Imuststoptosendawire。\"
Alexanderwentuptothetelegraph—deskandpenciledthefollowingmessagetohiswife：——
Imayhavetobehereforsometime。
Canyoucomeupatonce？Urgent。
BARTLEY。
TheMoorlockBridgelaythreemilesabovethetown。Whentheywereseatedinthecarriage，Alexanderbegantoquestionhisassistantfurther。Ifitweretruethatthecompressionmembersshowedstrain，withthebridgeonlytwothirdsdone，thentherewasnothingtodobutpullthewholestructuredownandbeginoveragain。Hortonkeptrepeatingthathewassuretherecouldbenothingwrongwiththeestimates。
Alexandergrewimpatient。\"That’salltrue，Phil，butweneverwerejustifiedinassumingthatascalethatwasperfectlysafeforanordinarybridgewouldworkwithanythingofsuchlength。It’sallverywellonpaper，butitremainstobeseenwhetheritcanbedoneinpractice。Ishouldhavethrownupthejobwhentheycrowdedme。It’sallnonsensetotrytodowhatotherengineersaredoingwhenyouknowthey’renotsound。\"
\"Butjustnow，whenthereissuchcompetition，\"
theyoungermandemurred。\"Andcertainlythat’sthenewlineofdevelopment。\"
Alexandershruggedhisshouldersandmadenoreply。
Whentheyreachedthebridgeworks，Alexanderbeganhisexaminationimmediately。
Anhourlaterhesentforthesuperintendent。
\"Ithinkyouhadbetterstopworkoutthereatonce，Dan。Ishouldsaythatthelowerchordheremightbuckleatanymoment。ItoldtheCommissionthatwewereusinghigherunitstressesthananypracticehasestablished，andwe’veputthedeadloadatalowestimate。
Theoreticallyitworkedoutwellenough，butithadneveractuallybeentried。\"
Alexanderputonhisovercoatandtookthesuperintendentbythearm。\"Don’tlooksochopfallen，Dan。It’sajolt，butwe’vegottofaceit。Itisn’ttheendoftheworld，youknow。Nowwe’llgooutandcallthemenoffquietly。They’realreadynervous，Hortontellsme，andthere’snousealarmingthem。
I’llgowithyou，andwe’llsendtheendrivetersinfirst。\"
Alexanderandthesuperintendentpickedtheirwayoutslowlyoverthelongspan。
Theywentdeliberately，stoppingtoseewhateachgangwasdoing，asiftheywereonanordinaryroundofinspection。Whentheyreachedtheendoftheriverspan，Alexandernoddedtothesuperintendent，whoquietlygaveanordertotheforeman。Themenintheendgangpickeduptheirtoolsand，glancingcuriouslyateachother，startedbackacrossthebridgetowardtheriver—bank。Alexanderhimselfremainedstandingwheretheyhadbeenworking，lookingabouthim。Itwashardtobelieve，ashelookedbackoverit，thatthewholegreatspanwasincurablydisabled，wasalreadyasgoodascondemned，becausesomethingwasoutoflineinthelowerchordofthecantileverarm。
Theendrivetershadreachedthebankandweredispersingamongthetool—houses，andthesecondganghadpickeduptheirtoolsandwerestartingtowardtheshore。Alexander，stillstandingattheendoftheriverspan，sawthelowerchordofthecantileverarmgivealittle，likeanelbowbending。
Heshoutedandranafterthesecondgang，butbythistimeeveryoneknewthatthebigriverspanwasslowlysettling。Therewasaburstofshoutingthatwasimmediatelydrownedbythescreamandcrackingoftearingiron，asallthetensionworkbegantopullasunder。
Oncethechordsbegantobuckle，therewerethousandsoftonsofironwork，allrivetedtogetherandlyinginmidairwithoutsupport。Ittoreitselftopieceswithroaringandgrindingandnoisesthatwereliketheshrieksofasteamwhistle。
Therewasnoshockofanykind；thebridgehadnoimpetusexceptfromitsownweight。
Itlurchedneithertorightnorleft，butsankalmostinaverticalline，snappingandbreakingandtearingasitwent，becausenointegralpartcouldbearforaninstanttheenormousstrainlooseduponit。
Someofthemenjumpedandsomeran，tryingtomaketheshore。
Atthefirstshriekofthetearingiron，Alexanderjumpedfromthedownstreamsideofthebridge。Hestruckthewaterwithoutinjuryanddisappeared。Hewasundertheriveralongtimeandhadgreatdifficultyinholdinghisbreath。Whenitseemedimpossible，andhischestwasabouttoheave，hethoughtheheardhiswifetellinghimthathecouldholdoutalittlelonger。Aninstantlaterhisfaceclearedthewater。
Foramoment，inthedepthsoftheriver，hehadrealizedwhatitwouldmeantodieahypocrite，andtoliedeadunderthelastabandonmentofhertenderness。
Butonceinthelightandair，heknewheshouldlivetotellherandtorecoverallhehadlost。
Now，atlast，hefeltsureofhimself。
Hewasnotstartled。Itseemedtohimthathehadbeenthroughsomethingofthissortbefore。Therewasnothinghorribleaboutit。This，too，waslife，andlifewasactivity，justasitwasinBostonorinLondon。
Hewashimself，andtherewassomethingtobedone；everythingseemedperfectlynatural。Alexanderwasastrongswimmer，buthehadgonescarcelyadozenstrokeswhenthebridgeitself，whichhadbeensettlingfasterandfaster，crashedintothewaterbehindhim。Immediatelytheriverwasfullofdrowningmen。AgangofFrenchCanadiansfellalmostontopofhim。Hethoughthehadclearedthem，whentheybegancomingupallaroundhim，clutchingathimandateachother。Someofthemcouldswim，buttheywereeitherhurtorcrazedwithfright。
Alexandertriedtobeatthemoff，butthereweretoomanyofthem。Onecaughthimabouttheneck，anothergrippedhimaboutthemiddle，andtheywentdowntogether。Whenhesank，hiswifeseemedtobethereinthewaterbesidehim，tellinghimtokeephishead，thatifhecouldholdoutthemenwoulddrownandreleasehim。Therewassomethinghewantedtotellhiswife，buthecouldnotthinkclearlyfortheroaringinhisears。
Suddenlyherememberedwhatitwas。
Hecaughthisbreath，andthenshelethimgo。
Theworkofrecoveringthedeadwentonalldayandallthefollowingnight。
Bythenextmorningforty—eightbodieshadbeentakenoutoftheriver，buttherewerestilltwentymissing。Manyofthemenhadfallenwiththebridgeandwerehelddownunderthedebris。Earlyonthemorningoftheseconddayaclosedcarriagewasdrivenslowlyalongtheriver—bankandstoppedalittlebelowtheworks，wheretheriverboiledandchurnedaboutthegreatironcarcasswhichlayinastraightlinetwothirdsacrossit。
Thecarriagestoodtherehourafterhour，andwordsoonspreadamongthecrowdsontheshorethatitsoccupantwasthewifeoftheChiefEngineer；hisbodyhadnotyetbeenfound。Thewidowsofthelostworkmen，movingupanddownthebankwithshawlsovertheirheads，someofthemcarryingbabies，lookedattherustyhiredhackmanytimesthatmorning。Theydrewnearitandwalkedaboutit，butnoneofthemventuredtopeerwithin。Evenhalf—indifferentsight—
seersdroppedtheirvoicesastheytoldanewcomer：\"Youseethatcarriageoverthere？
That’sMrs。Alexander。Theyhaven’tfoundhimyet。Shegotoffthetrainthismorning。
Hortonmether。ShehearditinBostonyesterday——heardthenewsboyscryingitinthestreet。
AtnoonPhilipHortonmadehiswaythroughthecrowdwithatrayandatincoffee—potfromthecampkitchen。WhenhereachedthecarriagehefoundMrs。Alexanderjustashehadleftherintheearlymorning，leaningforwardalittle，withherhandontheloweredwindow，lookingattheriver。Hourafterhourshehadbeenwatchingthewater，thelonely，uselessstonetowers，andtheconvulsedmassofironwreckageoverwhichtheangryrivercontinuallyspatupitsyellowfoam。
\"Thosepoorwomenoutthere，dotheyblamehimverymuch？\"sheasked，asshehandedthecoffee—cupbacktoHorton。
\"Nobodyblameshim，Mrs。Alexander。
Ifanyoneistoblame，I’mafraidit’sI。
Ishouldhavestoppedworkbeforehecame。
HesaidsoassoonasImethim。Itriedtogethimhereadayearlier，butmytelegrammissedhim，somehow。Hedidn’thavetimereallytoexplaintome。Ifhe’dgothereMonday，he’dhavehadallthemenoffatonce。
But，yousee，Mrs。Alexander，suchathingneverhappenedbefore。Accordingtoallhumancalculations，itsimplycouldn’thappen。\"
Hortonleanedwearilyagainstthefrontwheelofthecab。Hehadnothadhisclothesoffforthirtyhours，andthestimulusofviolentexcitementwasbeginningtowearoff。
\"Don’tbeafraidtotellmetheworst，Mr。Horton。Don’tleavemetothedreadoffindingoutthingsthatpeoplemaybesaying。
Ifheisblamed，ifheneedsanyonetospeakforhim，\"——forthefirsttimehervoicebrokeandaflushoflife，tearful，painful，andconfused，sweptoverherrigidpallor，——
\"ifheneedsanyone，tellme，showmewhattodo。\"
Shebegantosob，andHortonhurriedaway。
Whenhecamebackatfouro’clockintheafternoonhewascarryinghishatinhishand，andWinifredknewassoonasshesawhimthattheyhadfoundBartley。Sheopenedthecarriagedoorbeforehereachedherandsteppedtotheground。
Hortonputouthishandasiftoholdherbackandspokepleadingly：\"Won’tyoudriveuptomyhouse，Mrs。Alexander？Theywilltakehimupthere。\"
\"Takemetohimnow，please。Ishallnotmakeanytrouble。\"
Thegroupofmendownundertheriverbankfellbackwhentheysawawomancoming，andoneofthemthrewatarpaulinoverthestretcher。TheytookofftheirhatsandcapsasWinifredapproached，andalthoughshehadpulledherveildownoverherfacetheydidnotlookupather。ShewastallerthanHorton，andsomeofthementhoughtshewasthetallestwomantheyhadeverseen。
\"Astallashimself，\"someonewhispered。
Hortonmotionedtothemen，andsixofthemliftedthestretcherandbegantocarryituptheembankment。Winifredfollowedthemthehalf—miletoHorton’shouse。Shewalkedquietly，withoutoncebreakingorstumbling。
WhenthebearersputthestretcherdowninHorton’ssparebedroom，shethankedthemandgaveherhandtoeachinturn。Themenwentoutofthehouseandthroughtheyardwiththeircapsintheirhands。Theyweretoomuchconfusedtosayanythingastheywentdownthehill。
Hortonhimselfwasalmostasdeeplyperplexed。
\"Mamie，\"hesaidtohiswife，whenhecameoutofthespareroomhalfanhourlater，\"willyoutakeMrs。Alexanderthethingssheneeds？Sheisgoingtodoeverythingherself。Juststayaboutwhereyoucanhearherandgoinifshewantsyou。\"
EverythinghappenedasAlexanderhadforeseeninthatmomentofprescienceundertheriver。Withherownhandsshewashedhimcleanofeverymarkofdisaster。Allnighthewasalonewithherinthestillhouse，hisgreatheadlyingdeepinthepillow。
InthepocketofhiscoatWinifredfoundtheletterthathehadwrittenherthenightbeforeheleftNewYork，water—soakedandillegible，butbecauseofitslength，sheknewithadbeenmeantforher。
ForAlexanderdeathwasaneasycreditor。
Fortune，whichhadsmileduponhimconsistentlyallhislife，didnotdeserthimintheend。Hisharshestcriticsdidnotdoubtthat，hadhelived，hewouldhaveretrievedhimself。
EvenLuciusWilsondidnotseeinthisaccidentthedisasterhehadonceforetold。
Whenagreatmandiesinhisprimethereisnosurgeonwhocansaywhetherhedidwell；
whetherornotthefuturewashis，asitseemedtobe。Themindthatsocietyhadcometoregardasapowerfulandreliablemachine，dedicatedtoitsservice，mayforalongtimehavebeensickwithinitselfandbentuponitsowndestruction。
