Nevertheless，itwasunmistakablyhot——aheathomelikeinitsintensity，yetofadifferenteffect，throwinghimintolanguidreverieratherthanfillinghisveinswithfire。Secureinhisseclusionintheleafychase，hetookoffhisjacketandrambledoninhisshirtsleeves。Throughtheopeninghepresentlysawtheabbeyagain，withtherestoredwingwherethenobleownerlivedfortwoorthreeweeksintheyear，butnowgivenovertotheprevailingsolitude。Andthen，issuingfromthechase，hecameuponabroad，moss-grownterrace。Beforehimstretchedatangledandluxuriantwildernessofshrubsandflowers，darkenedbycypressandcedarsofLebanon；itsdundepthsilluminatedbydazzlingwhitestatues，vases，trellises，andpavedpaths，chokedandlostinthetrailinggrowthsofyearsofabandonmentandforgetfulness。Heconsultedhisguide-bookagain。Itwasthe\"oldItaliangarden，\"
constructedunderthedesignofafamousItaliangardenerbythethirdduke；butitsstudiedformalitybeingdispleasingtohissuccessor，itwasallowedtofallintopicturesquedecayandnegligentprofusion，whichwerenot，however，disturbedbylaterdescendants，——afactdeploredbytheartisticwriteroftheguide-
book，whomournfullycalledattentiontotherarebeautyofthemarblestatues，urns，andfountains，ruinedbyneglect，althoughoneortwooftherarerobjectshadbeenremovedtoDeepDeneLodge，anotherseatofthepresentduke。
ItisneedlesstosaythatMr。Potterconceivedatonceahumorousoppositiontotheartisticenthusiasmofthecritic，and，plungingintothegarden，tookamischievousdelightinitswildnessandthevictoriousstruggleofnaturewiththeformalityofart。Ateverystepthroughthetangledlabyrinthhecouldseewhereprecisionandorderhadbeeninvaded，andeventherigidmasonrybrokenorupheavedbytherebelliousforce。Yethereandtherethetwopowershadcombinedtoofferanexampleofbeautyneithercouldhaveeffectedalone。Apassionvinehadoverrunandenclaspedavasewithaperfectsymmetrynosculptorcouldhaveachieved。A
heavybalustradewasmadeetherealwithadelicatefretworkofvegetationbetweenitsbalusterslikelace。Here，however，thelapandgurgleofwaterfellgratefullyupontheearoftheperspiringandthirstyMr。Potter，andturnedhisattentiontomorematerialthings。Followingthesound，hepresentlycameuponanenormousoblongmarblebasincontainingthreetime-wornfountainswithgroupedfigures。Thepipeswereempty，silent，andchokedwithreedsandwaterplants，butthegreatbasinitselfwasfilledwithwaterfromsomeinvisiblesource。
Aterracedwalkoccupiedonesideofthelongparallelogram；atintervalsandalongtheoppositebank，halfshadowedbywillows，tintedmarblefiguresoftritons，fauns，anddryadsarosehalfhiddeninthereeds。Theyweremoreorlessmutilatedbytime，andhereandthereonlytheempty，moss-coveredplinthsthathadoncesupportedthemcouldbeseen。Buttheyweresolifelikeintheirsubduedcolorintheshadethathewasforamomentstartled。
Thewaterlookeddeliciouslycool。Anaudaciousthoughtstruckhim。Hewasalone，andtheplacewasasecludedone。Heknewtherewerenoothervisitors；themarblebasinwasquitehiddenfromtherestofthegarden，andapproachedonlyfromthepathbywhichhehadcome，andwhoseentireviewhecommanded。Hequietlyanddeliberatelyundressedhimselfunderthewillows，andunhesitatinglyplungedintothebasin。Thewaterwasfourorfivefeetdeep，anditsextremelengthaffordedanexcellentswimmingbath，despitethewater-liliesandafewaquaticplantsthatmottleditsclearsurface，orthesedgethatclungtothebasesofthestatues。Hedisportedforsomemomentsinthedeliciouselement，andthenseatedhimselfupononeofthehalf-submergedplinths，almosthiddenbyreeds，thathadonceupheldarivergod。
Here，lazilyrestinghimselfuponhiselbow，halfhisbodystillbelowthewater，hisquickearwassuddenlystartledbyarustlingnoiseandthesoundoffootsteps。Foramomenthewasinclinedtodoubthissenses；hecouldseeonlytheemptypathbeforehimandthedesertedterrace。Butthesoundbecamemoredistinct，andtohisgreatuneasinessappearedtocomefromtheOTHERsideofthefringeofwillows，wheretherewasundoubtedlyapathtothefountainwhichhehadoverlooked。Hisclotheswereunderthosewillows，buthewasatleasttwentyyardsfromthebankandanequaldistancefromtheterrace。Hewasabouttoslipbeneaththewaterwhen，tohiscrowninghorror，beforehecoulddoso，ayounggirlslowlyappearedfromthehiddenwillowpathfullupontheterrace。Shewaswalkingleisurelywithaparasoloverherheadandabookinherhand。Eveninhisintenseconsternationherwholefigure——acharmingoneinitswhitedress，sailorhat，andtanshoes——wasimprintedonhismemoryassheinstinctivelyhaltedtolookuponthefountain，evidentlyanunexpectedsurprisetoher。
Asuddenideaflasheduponhim。Shewasatleastsixtyyardsaway；
hewashalfhiddeninthereedsandwellinthelongshadowsofthewillows。Ifheremainedperfectlymotionlessshemightoverlookhimatthatdistance，ortakehimforoneofthestatues。Herememberedalsothatashewasrestingonhiselbow，hishalf-
submergedbodylyingontheplinthbelowwater，hewassomewhatintheattitudeofoneoftherivergods。Andtherewasnootherescape。Ifhedivedhemightnotbeabletokeepunderwateraslongassheremained，andanymovementheknewwouldbetrayhim。
Hestiffenedhimselfandscarcelybreathed。Luckilyforhimhisattitudehadbeenanaturaloneandeasytokeep。Itwaswell，too，forshewasevidentlyinnohurryandwalkedslowly，stoppingfromtimetotimetoadmirethebasinanditsfigures。Suddenlyhewasinstinctivelyawarethatshewaslookingtowardshimandevenchangingherposition，movingherprettyheadandshadinghereyeswithherhandasifforabetterview。Heremainedmotionless，scarcelydaringtobreathe。Yettherewassomethingsoinnocentlyfrankandundisturbedinherobservation，thatheknewasinstinctivelythatshesuspectednothing，andtookhimforahalf-
submergedstatue。Hebreathedmorefreely。Butpresentlyshestopped，glancedaroundher，and，keepinghereyesfixedinhisdirection，begantowalkbackwardsslowlyuntilshereachedastonebalustradebehindher。Onthissheleaped，and，sittingdown，openedinherlapthesketch-bookshewascarrying，and，takingoutapencil，tohishorrorbegantosketch！
Forawildmomentherecurredtohisfirstideaofdivingandswimmingatallhazardstothebank，buttheconvictionthatnowhisslightestmovementmustbedetectedheldhimmotionless。Hemustsaveherthemortificationofknowingshewassketchingalivingman，ifhediedforit。Shesketchedrapidlybutfixedlyandabsorbedly，evidentlyforgettingallelseinherwork。Fromtimetotimesheheldouthersketchbeforehertocompareitwithhersubject。Yetthesecondsseemedminutesandtheminuteshours。
Suddenly，tohisgreatrelief，adistantvoicewasheardcalling\"Lottie。\"Itwasawoman\'svoice；byitsaccentitalsoseemedtohimanAmericanone。
Theyounggirlmadeaslightmovementofimpatience，butdidnotlookup，andherpencilmovedstillmorerapidly。Againthevoicecalled，thistimenearer。Theyounggirl\'spencilfairlyflewoverthepaper，as，stillwithoutlookingup，sheliftedaprettyvoiceandansweredback，\"Y-e-e-s！\"
Itstruckhimthatheraccentwasalsothatofacompatriot。
\"Whereonearthareyou？\"continuedthefirstvoice，whichnowappearedtocomefromtheothersideofthewillowsonthepathbywhichtheyounggirlhadapproached。\"Here，aunty，\"repliedthegirl，closinghersketch-bookwithasnapandstartingtoherfeet。
Astoutwoman，fashionablydressed，madeherappearancefromthewillowpath。
\"Whathaveyoubeendoingallthiswhile？\"shesaidquerulously。
\"Notsketching，Ihope，\"sheadded，withasuspiciousglanceatthebook。\"Youknowyourprofessorexpresslyforbadeyoutodosoinyourholidays。\"
Theyounggirlshruggedhershoulders。\"I\'vebeenlookingatthefountains，\"sherepliedevasively。
\"Andhorridlookingpaganthingstheyare，too，\"saidtheelderwoman，turningfromthemdisgustedly，withoutvouchsafingasecondglance。\"Come。Ifweexpecttodotheabbey，wemusthurryup，orwewon\'tcatchthetrain。Youruncleiswaitingforusatthetopofthegarden。\"
And，toPotter\'sintenserelief，shegraspedtheyounggirl\'sarmandhurriedheraway，theirfiguresthenextmomentvanishinginthetangledshrubbery。
Potterlostnotimeinplungingwithhiscrampedlimbsintothewaterandregainingtheotherside。Herehequicklyhalfdriedhimselfwithsomesun-warmedleavesandbakedmosses，hurriedonhisclothes，andhastenedoffintheoppositedirectiontothepathtakenbythem，yetwithsuchcircuitousskillandspeedthathereachedthegreatgatewaywithoutencounteringanybody。Abriskwalkbroughthimtothestationintimetocatchastoppingtrain，andinhalfanhourhewasspeedingmilesawayfromDomesdayParkandhishalf-forgottenepisode……
Meantimethetwoladiescontinuedontheirwaytotheabbey。\"I
don\'tseewhyImayn\'tsketchthingsIseeaboutme，\"saidtheyoungladyimpatiently。\"Ofcourse，IunderstandthatImustgothroughtherudimentarydrudgeryofmyartandstudyfromcasts，andlearnperspective，andallthat；butIcan\'tseewhat\'sthedifferencebetweenworkinginastuffystudiooverahandorarmthatIknowisonlyaSTUDY，andsketchingafullorhalflengthintheopenairwiththewonderfulillusionoflightandshadeanddistance——andgroupingandcombiningthemall——thatoneknowsandfeelsmakesapicture。Therealpictureonemakesisalreadyinone\'sself。\"
\"Forgoodness\'sake，Lottie，don\'tgoonagainwithyourusualabsurdities。Sinceyouarebentonbeinganartist，andyourPopperhasconsentedandputyouunderthemostexpensivemasterinParis，theleastyoucandoistofollowtherules。AndIdaresayheonlywantedyouto\'sinktheshop\'incompany。It\'ssuchhorridbadformforyouartisticpeopletobealwaysdraggingoutyoursketch-books。WhatwouldyousayifyourPoppercameoverhere，andbegantoexamineeverylady\'sdressinsocietytoseewhatmaterialitwas，justbecausehewasabigdry-goodsdealerinAmerica？\"
Theyounggirl，accustomedtoheraunt\'sextravagances，madenoreply。Butthatnightsheconsultedhersketch，andwassofarconvincedofherowninstincts，andtheprofoundimpressionthefountainhadmadeuponher，thatshewasenabledtosecretlyfinishherinterruptedsketchfrommemory。ForMissCharlotteForrestwasabornartist，andinnomerecapricehadpersuadedherfathertoletheradopttheprofession，andacceptedthedrudgeryofanovitiate。Shelookedearnestlyuponthisfirstrealworkofherhandandfounditgood！Still，itwasbutapencilsketch，andwantedthevivificationofcolor。
WhenshereturnedtoParisshebegan——stillsecretly——alargerstudyinoils。Sheworkeduponitinherownroomeverymomentshecouldsparefromherstudiopractice，unknowntoherprofessor。Itabsorbedherexistence；shegrewthinandpale。Whenitwasfinished，andonlythen，sheshowedittremblinglytohermaster。
Hestoodsilent，inprofoundastonishment。Theeaselbeforehimshowedaforegroundoftangledluxuriance，fromwhichstretchedasheetofwaterlikeadarkenedmirror，whilethroughpartedreedsonitsglossysurfacearosethehalf-submergedfigureofarivergod，exquisiteincontour，yetwhosedelicateoutlineswerealmostavisionbythecrowningillusionoflight，shadow，andatmosphere。
\"Itisabeautifulcopy，mademoiselle，andIforgiveyoubreakingmyrules，\"hesaid，drawingalongbreath。\"ButIcannotnowrecalltheoriginalpicture。\"
\"It\'snocopyofapicture，professor，\"saidtheyounggirltimidly，andshedisclosedhersecret。\"Itwastheonlyperfectstatuethere，\"sheaddeddiffidently；\"butIthinkitwanted——
something。\"
\"True，\"saidtheprofessorabstractedly。\"Wheretheelbowreststhereshouldbeahalf-invertedurnflowingwithwater；butthedrawingofthatshoulderissoperfect——asisYOURstudyofit——
thatoneguessesthemissingforearmonecannotsee，whichclaspedit。Beautiful！beautiful！\"
Suddenlyhestopped，andturnedhiseyesalmostsearchinglyonhers。
\"Yousayyouhaveneverdrawnfromthehumanmodel，mademoiselle？\"
\"Never，\"saidtheyounggirlinnocently。
\"True，\"murmuredtheprofessoragain。\"Thesearetheclassicidealmeasurements。Therearenolimbslikethosenow。Yetitiswonderful！Andthisgem，yousay，isinEngland？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Good！Iamgoingthereinafewdays。Ishallmakeapilgrimagetoseeit。Untilthen，mademoiselle，Ibegyoutobreakasmanyofmyrulesasyoulike。\"
Threeweekslatershefoundtheprofessoronemorningstandingbeforeherpictureinherprivatestudio。\"YouhavereturnedfromEngland，\"shesaidjoyfully。
\"Ihave，\"saidtheprofessorgravely。
\"Youhaveseentheoriginalsubject？\"shesaidtimidly。
\"IhaveNOT。Ihavenotseenit，mademoiselle，\"hesaid，gazingathermildlythroughhisglasses，\"becauseitdoesnotexist，andneverexisted。\"
Theyounggirlturnedpale。
\"Listen。IhavegotoEngland。IarriveattheParkofDomesday。
Ipenetratethebeautiful，wildgarden。Iapproachthefountain。
Iseethewonderfulwater，theexquisitelightandshade，thelilies，themysteriousreeds——beautiful，yetnotasbeautifulasyouhavemadeit，mademoiselle，butnostatue——norivergod！I
demanditoftheconcierge。Heknowsofitabsolutelynothing。I
transportmyselftothenobleproprietor，MonsieurleDuc，atadistantchateauwherehehascollectedtheruinedmarbles。Itisnotthere。\"
\"YetIsawit，\"saidtheyounggirlearnestly，yetwithatroubledface。\"Oprofessor，\"sheburstoutappealingly，\"whatdoyouthinkitwas？\"
\"Ithink，mademoiselle，\"saidtheprofessorgravely，\"thatyoucreatedit。Believeme，itisafunctionofgenius！More，itisaproof，anecessity！Yousawthebeautifullake，theruinedfountain，thesoftshadows，theemptyplinth，curtainedbyreeds。
Youyourselfsayyoufeeltherewas\'somethingwanting。\'
Unconsciouslyyouyourselfsuppliedit。Allthatyouhadeverdreamtofmythology，allthatyouhadeverseenofstatuary，throngeduponyouatthatsuprememoment，and，evolvedfromyourownfancy，therivergodwasborn。Itisyourown，chereenfant，asmuchtheoffspringofyourgeniusastheexquisiteatmosphereyouhavecaught，thecharmoflightandshadowthatyouhavebroughtaway。Acceptmyfelicitations。Youhavelittlemoretolearnofme。\"
Ashebowedhimselfoutanddescendedthestairsheshruggedhisshouldersslightly。\"Sheisanadorablegenius，\"hemurmured。
\"Yetsheisalsoawoman。Beingawoman，naturallyshehasalover——thisrivergod！Whynot？\"
TheextraordinarysuccessofMissForrest\'spictureandtheinstantaneousrecognitionofhermeritasanartist，apartfromhernovelsubject，perhapswentfurthertoremoveheruneasinessthananyseriousconvictionoftheprofessor\'stheory。Nevertheless，itappealedtoherpoeticandmysticimagination，andalthoughothersubjectsfromherbrushmetwithequallyphenomenalsuccess，andshewasableinayeartoreturntoAmericawithareputationassuredbeyondcriticism，sheneverentirelyforgotthestrangeincidentconnectedwithherinitialeffort。
Andbydegreesasingularchangecameoverher。Rich，famous，andattractive，shebegantoexperienceasentimentalandromanticinterestinthatepisode。Once，whenreproachedbyherfriendsforherindifferencetoheradmirers，shehadhalflaughinglyrepliedthatshehadoncefoundher\"ideal，\"butneverwouldagain。Yetthejesthadscarcelypassedherlipsbeforeshebecamepaleandsilent。Withthischangecamealsoadesiretore-purchasethepicture，whichshehadsoldinherearlysuccesstoaspeculativeAmericanpicture-dealer。Oninquiryshefound，alas！thatithadbeensoldonlyadayortwobeforetoaChicagogentleman，ofthenameofPotter，whohadtakenafancytoit。
MissForrestcurledherprettylip，but，nothingdaunted，resolvedtoeffectherpurpose，andsoughtthepurchaserathishotel。Shewasusheredintoaprivatedrawing-room，where，onahandsomeeasel，stoodthenewlyacquiredpurchase。Mr。Potterwasout，\"butwouldreturninamoment。\"
MissForrestwasrelieved，for，aloneandundisturbed，shecouldnowletherfullsoulgoouttoherromanticcreation。Asshestoodthere，shefelttheglamouroftheoldEnglishgardencomebacktoher，theplayoflightandshadow，thesilentpool，thegodlikefaceandbust，withitscast-down，meditativeeyes，seenthroughthepartedreeds。Sheclaspedherhandssilentlybeforeher。Shouldsheneverseeitagainasthen？
\"Praydon\'tletmedisturbyou；butwon\'tyoutakeaseat？\"
MissForrestturnedsharplyround。Thenshestarted，utteredafrightenedlittlecry，andfaintedaway。
Mr。Potterwastouched，butamasterofhimself。Asshecameto，hesaidquietly：\"Icameuponyousuddenly——asyoustoodentrancedbythispicture——justasIdidwhenIfirstsawit。That\'swhyI
boughtit。AreyouanyrelativeoftheMissForrestwhopaintedit？\"hecontinued，quietlylookingathercard，whichheheldinhishand。
MissForrestrecoveredherselfsufficientlytoreply，andstatedherbusinesswithsomedignity。
\"Ah，\"saidMr。Potter，\"THATisanotherquestion。Yousee，thepicturehasaspecialvaluetome，asIoncesawanold-fashionedgardenlikethatinEngland。Butthatchapthere，——Ibegyourpardon，Imeanthatfigure，——Ifancy，isyourowncreation，entirely。However，I\'llthinkoveryourproposition，andifyouwillallowmeI\'llcallandseeyouaboutit。\"
Mr。Potterdidcall——notonce，butmanytimes——andshowedquitearemarkableinterestinMissForrest\'sart。Thequestionofthesaleofthepicture，however，remainedinabeyance。Afewweekslater，afteralongercallthanusual，Mr。Pottersaid：——
\"Don\'tyouthinkthebestthingwecandoistomakeakindofcompromise，andletusownthepicturetogether？\"
Andtheydid。
AROMANCEOFTHELINE
Asthetrainmovedslowlyoutofthestation，theWriterofStorieslookedupwearilyfromtheillustratedpagesofthemagazinesandweekliesonhislaptotheillustratedadvertisementsonthewallsofthestationslidingpasthiscarriagewindows。Itwasgettingtobemonotonous。Forawhilehehadbeenhopefullyinterestedinthebustleofthedepartingtrains，andlookedupfromhiscomfortableandearlyinvestedpositiontothelatercomerswiththatsenseofsuperioritycommontotravelers；hadwatchedtheconventionalleave-takings——alwaysfeeblyprolongedtotheuneasinessofbothparties——andcontrasteditwiththeimpassivebusinesspromptitudeoftherailwayofficials；butitwastheoldexperiencerepeated。Fallingbackontheillustratedadvertisementsagain，hewonderediftheirperpetualrecurrenceateverystationwouldnotatlastbringtothetiredtravelertheloathingofsatiety；whetherthepassengerinrailwaycarriages，continuallyofferedSomebody\'soats，inks，washingblue，candles，andsoap，apparentlyasanecessaryequipmentforafewhours\'journey，wouldnotthereandthereafterforeverignoretheuseofthesearticles，orrecoilfromthatparticularquality。Or，asanunbiasedobserver，hewonderedif，ontheotherhand，impressiblepassengers，afterpassingthreeorfourstations，hadeverleapedfromthetrainandrefusedtoproceedfurtheruntiltheyweresuppliedwithoneormoreofthosearticles。HadheeverknownanyonewhoconfidedtohiminamomentofexpansivenessthathehaddatedhisuseofSomebody\'ssoaptoanadvertisementpersistentlyborneuponhimthroughthemediumofarailwaycarriagewindow？No！Wouldhenothaveconnectedthatmanwiththatothercertifyingindividualwhoalwaysappendsanameandaddresssingularlyobscureandunconvincing，yetwho，atsomesuprememoment，recommendsSomebody\'spillstoadyingfriend，——afflictedwithasimilaraddress，——whichrestorehimtolifeandundyingobscurity。Yetthesepictorialandliteraryappealsmusthaveapotencyindependentofthewarestheyadvertise，ortheywouldn\'tbethere。
Perhapshewasthemoresensitivetothismonotonyashewasjustthenseekingchangeandnoveltyinordertowriteanewstory。Hewasnotlookingformaterial，——hissubjectswereusuallythesame，——
hewasmerelyhopingforthatrelaxationanddiversionwhichshouldfreshenandfithimforlaterconcentration。Still，hehadoftenheardoftheoddcircumstancestowhichhiscraftweresometimesindebtedforsuggestion。Theinvasionofaneccentric-
lookingindividual——probablyaninnocenttradesmanintoarailwaycarriagehadgiventhehintfor\"ANightwithaLunatic；\"anervouslyexcitedandbelatedpassengerhadonceunconsciouslysatforanescapedforger；thepickingupofaforgottennovelintherack，withpassagesmarkedinpencil，hadaffordedtheplotofalovestory；orthegermofaromancehadbeenfoundinanobscurenewsparagraphwhich，underlesslistlessmoments，wouldhavepassedunread。Ontheotherhand，herecalledtheseinconvenientandinconsistentmomentsfromwhichtheso-called\"inspiration\"
sprang，theutterincongruityoftimeandplaceinsomebrilliantconception，andwonderedifsheervacuityofmindwerereallysofavorable。
Goingbacktohismagazineagain，hebegantogetmildlyinterestedinastory。Turningthepage，however，hewasconfrontedbyapictorialadvertisingleafletinsertedbetweenthepages，yetsoartisticincharacterthatitmighthavebeeneasilymistakenforanillustrationofthestoryhewasreading，andperhapswasnotmoreremoteorobscureinreferencethanmanyhehadknown。Butthenextmomentherecognizedwithdespairthatitwasonlyasmallercopyofonehehadseenonthehoardingatthelaststation。Hethrewtheleafletaside，buttheflavorofthestorywasgone。Thepeerlessdetergentoftheadvertisementhaderaseditfromthetabletsofhismemory。Heleanedbackinhisseatagain，andlazilywatchedtheflyingsuburbs。Hereweretheusualpromisingopenspacesandpatchesofgreen，quicklysucceededagainbysolidblocksofhouseswhoserearwindowsgavedirectlyupontheline，yetseldomshowedaninquisitiveface——evenofawonderingchild。Itwasastrangerevelationofthedepressingeffectsoffamiliarity。Expressesmightthunderby，goodstrainsdragtheirslowlengthalong，shuntingtrainspipealldaybeneaththeirwindows，butthetenantsheededthemnot。Here，too，wasthejunction，withitslabyrinthineinterlacingoftracksthatdazedthetiredbrain；theoverburdenedtelegraphposts，thatlookedasiftheyreallycouldnotstandanotherwire；thelonglinesofempty，homeless，anddesertedtrainsinsidingsthathadseenbetterdays；theidletrains，withstaringvacantwindows，whichwereeventuallyseizedbyapertenginehissing，\"Comealong，willyou？\"anddepartedwithadiscontentedgruntfromeveryindividualcarriagecoupling；theracingtrains，thatsuddenlyappearedparallelwithone\'scarriagewindows，begotfalsehopesofachallengeofspeed，andthen，withoutwarning，drewcontemptuouslyand，superciliouslyaway；theswifteclipseofeverythinginatunneledbridge；thelong，slitheringpassageofan\"up\"express，andthentheflashofastation，incoherentandunintelligiblewithpictorialadvertisementsagain。
Heclosedhiseyestoconcentratehisthought，andbydegreesapleasantlanguorstoleoverhim。Thetrainhadbythistimeattainedthatrateofspeedwhichgaveitaslightswingandrolloncurvesandswitchesnotunliketherockingofacradle。Onceortwiceheopenedhiseyessleepilyuponthewaltzingtreesinthedoubleplanesofdistance，andagainclosedthem。Then，inoneoftheseslightoscillations，hefelthimselfridiculouslyslippingintoslumber，andawokewithsomeindignation。Anotherstationwaspassed，inwhichprocessthepictorialadvertisementsonthehoardingsandthepicturesinhislapseemedtohavebecomejumbledup，confused，andtodancebeforehim，andthensuddenlyandstrangely，withoutwarning，thetrainstoppedshort——atANOTHER
station。Andthenhearose，and——whatfiveminutesbeforeheneverconceivedofdoing——gatheredhispapersandslippedfromthecarriagetotheplatform。WhenIsay\"he\"Imean，ofcourse，theWriterofStories；yetthemanwhoslippedoutwashalfhisageandadifferent-lookingperson……
Thechangefromthemotionofthetrain——foritseemedthathehadbeentravelingseveralhours——tothefirmerplatformforamomentbewilderedhim。Thestationlookedstrange，andhefancieditlackedacertainkindofdistinctness。Butthatqualitywasalsonoticeableintheportersandloungersontheplatform。Hethoughtitsingular，untilitseemedtohimthattheywerenotcharacteristic，norinanywayimportantornecessarytothebusinesshehadinhand。Then，withaneffort，hetriedtorememberhimselfandhispurpose，andmadehiswaythroughthestationtotheopenroadbeyond。Avan，bearingtheinscription，\"RemovalstoTownandCountry，\"stoodbeforehimandblockedhisway，butadogcartwasinwaiting，andagrizzledgroom，whoheldthereins，touchedhishatrespectfully。Althoughstilldazedbyhisjourneyanduncertainofhimself，heseemedtorecognizeinthemanthatdistinctivecharacterwhichwaswantingintheothers。Thecorrectnessofhissurmisewasrevealedafewmomentslater，when，afterhehadtakenhisseatbesidehim，andtheywererattlingoutofthevillagestreet，themanturnedtowardshimandsaid：——
\"Tha\'llknowSirJarge？\"
\"Idonot，\"saidtheyoungman。
\"Ay！buttheer\'smanyascoomshereasdoan\'t，foralltheycooms。
Tha\'llsayitillbecoomsmeaaswarmanandboyinSirJarge\'ssarviceforfiftyyear，tosayowtagenhim，butI\'mheretodoit，ortheycouldn\'tfoolfiltheirbusiness。ThawasttoaxmequestionsaboutSirJargeandtheGrange，andIwortoanswersoaastomakethathinktharwassuthingwrongwi\'un。HowbutImaysavethatimeandtelltheadownroightthatSirJargeforgedhisuncle\'swill，andsogottentheGrange。That\'eekeepshisnieceinmortalfearo\'he。Thattha\'llbeputinhauntedchamberwi\'aboggle。\"
\"Ithink，\"saidtheyoungmanhesitatingly，\"thattheremustbesomemistake。IdonotknowanySirGeorge，andIamNOTgoingtotheGrange。\"
\"Eay！Thentheearen\'tthe\'erosentdownfromLondonbythestorywriter？\"
\"NotbyTHATone，\"saidtheyoungmandiffidently。
Theoldman\'sfacechanged。Itwasnomerefigureofspeech：itactuallywasANOTHERfacethatlookeddownuponthetraveler。
\"ThenmayhapyourhonorwillbebespokenattheAngel\'sInn，\"hesaid，withanentirelydistinctandolderdialect，\"andafinerhostelforayounggentlemanofyourconditionye\'llnotfindonthissideofOxford。Afairchamber，lookingtothesun；sheetssmellingoflavenderfromDameMargery\'sownstore，and，forthematterofthat，spreadbythefairhandsofMaudlin，herdaughter——
thebestfavoredlassthateverdancedunderaMaypole。Ha！haveatyethere，youngsir！NottospeakoftheOctoberaleofoldGregory，herfather——ay，northerareHollands，thatneverpaidexcisedutiestotheking。\"
\"I\'mafraid，\"saidtheyoungtravelertimidly，\"there\'soveracenturybetweenus。There\'sreallysomemistake。\"
\"What？\"saidthegroom，\"yeareNOTtheyoungsparkwhoistomarryMistressAmyattheHall，yetmakesapotherandmessofitallbyaduelwithSirRogerdeCadgerly，thewickedbaronet，forhisover-freediscoursewithourfairMaudlinthisveryeve？YeareNOTthetravelerwhosepost-chaiseisnowattheFalcon？YearenothethatwasbespokenbythestorywriterinLondon？\"
\"Idon\'tthinkIam，\"saidtheyoungmanapologetically。\"Indeed，asIamfeelingfarfromwell，IthinkI\'llgetoutandwalk。\"
Hegotdown——thevehicleanddrivervanishedinthedistance。Itdidnotsurprisehim。\"Imustcollectmythoughts，\"hesaid。Hedidso。Possiblythecollectionwasnotlarge，forpresentlyhesaid，withasighofrelief：——
\"Iseeitallnow！MynameisPaulBunker。IamoftheyoungbranchofanoldQuakerfamily，richandrespectedinthecountry，andIamonavisittomyancestralhome。ButIhavelivedsinceachildinAmerica，andamalientothetraditionsandcustomsoftheoldcountry，andevenoftheseattowhichmyfathersbelong。I
havebroughtwithmefromthefarWestmanypeculiaritiesofspeechandthoughtthatmaystartlemykinsfolk。ButIcertainlyshallnotaddressmyuncleas\'Hoss！\'norshallIsay\'guess\'oftenerthanisnecessary。\"
Muchbrightenedandrefreshedbyhissettledidentity，hehadtime，ashewalkedbrisklyalong，tonoticethescenery，whichwascertainlyvariedandconflictingincharacter，andquiteinconsistentwithhispreconceivednotionsofanEnglishlandscape。
Onhisright，alakeofthebrightestcobaltbluestretchedbeforeamany-toweredandterracedtown，whichwasrelievedbyabackgroundofluxuriantfoliageandemerald-greenmountains；onhisleftarosearuggedmountain，whichhewassurprisedtoseewassnow-capped，albeitatunnelwasobservablemidwayofitsheight，andatrainjustissuingfromit。Almostregrettingthathehadnotcontinuedonhisjourney，ashewasfullysensiblethatitwasinsomewayconnectedwiththerailwayhehadquitted，presentlyhisattentionwasdirectedtothegatewayofahandsomepark，whosemansionwasfaintlyseeninthedistance。Hurryingtowardshim，downtheavenueoflimes，wasastrangefigure。Itwasthatofamanofmiddleage；cladinQuakergarb，yetwithanextravaganceofcutanddetailwhichseemedantiquatedevenforEngland。Hehadevidentlyseentheyoungmanapproaching，andhisfacewasbeamingwithwelcome。IfPaulhaddoubtedthatitwashisuncle，thefirstwordshespokewouldhavereassuredhim。
\"WelcometoHawthornHall，\"saidthefigure，graspinghishandheartily，\"buttheewillexcusemeifIdonottarrywiththeelongatpresent，forIamhastening，evennow，withsomenourishingandsustainingfoodforGilesHayward，afarmlaborer。\"Hepointedtoapackagehewascarrying。\"ButtheewillfindthycousinsJaneandDorcasBunkertakingteainthesummer-house。Gotothem！
Nay——positively——Imaynotlinger，butwillreturntotheequickly。\"
And，toPaul\'sastonishment，hetrottedawayonhissturdy，respectablelegs，stillbeamingandcarryinghispackageinhishand。
\"Well，I\'llbedog-goned！buttheoldmanain\'tgoingtobeleft，youbet！\"heejaculated，suddenlyrememberinghisdialect。\"He\'llgetthere，whetherschoolkeepsornot！\"Then，reflectingthatnooneheardhim，headdedsimply，\"Hecertainlywasnotoverciviltowardsthenephewhehasneverseenbefore。Andthosegirls——whomIdon\'tknow！Howveryawkward！\"
Nevertheless，hecontinuedhiswayuptheavenuetowardsthemansion。Theparkwasbeautifullykept。RememberingthenativewildnessandvirginseclusionoftheWesternforest，hecouldnothelpcontrastingitwiththeconservativegardeningofthisprettywoodland，everyroodofwhichhadbeenpatrolledbykeepersandrangers，andpreservedandfosteredhundredsofyearsbeforehewasborn，untilwarmedforhumanoccupancy。Attimestheavenuewascrossedbygrassdrives，wheretheoriginalwoodlandhadbeendisplaced，notbytheexigencyofa\"clearing\"fortillage，asinhisownWest，butfortheleisurelypleasureoftheowner。Then，afewhundredyardsfromthehouseitself，——aquaintJacobeanmansion，——hecametoanopenspacewherethesylvanlandscapehadyieldedtofloralcultivation，andsofelluponacharmingsummer-
house，orarbor，emboweredwithroses。Itmusthavebeentheoneofwhichhisunclehadspoken，forthere，tohiswonderingadmiration，sattwolittlemaidsbeforearustictable，drinkingteademurely，yes，withalltheevidentdelightofachildishescapadefromtheirelders。Whileinthepicturesquequaintnessoftheirattiretherewasstillaformalsuggestionofthesecttowhichtheirfatherbelonged，theirsummerfrocks——differingincolor，yeteachofthesamesubduedtint——werealikeincutandfashion，andshortenoughtoshowtheirdaintyfeetinprimslippersandsilkenhosethatmatchedtheirfrocks。Astheafternoonsunglancedthroughtheleavesupontheirpinkcheeks，tiedupinquainthatsbyribbonsundertheirchins，theymadeacharmingpicture。AtleastPaulthoughtsoasheadvancedtowardsthem，hatinhand。Theylookedupathisapproach，butagaincastdowntheireyeswithdemureshyness；yethefanciedthattheyfirstexchangedglanceswitheachother，fullofmischievousintelligence。
\"IamyourcousinPaul，\"hesaidsmilingly，\"thoughIamafraidI
amintroducingmyselfalmostasbrieflyasyourfatherjustnowexcusedhimselftome。HetoldmeIwouldfindyouhere，buthehimselfwashasteningonaSamaritanmission。\"
\"Withaboxinhishand？\"saidthegirlssimultaneously，exchangingglanceswitheachotheragain。
\"Withaboxcontainingsomerestorative，Ithink，\"respondedPaul，alittlewonderingly。
\"Restorative！SoTHAT\'Swhathecallsitnow，isit？\"saidoneofthegirlssaucily。\"Well，nooneknowswhat\'sinthebox，thoughhealwayscarriesitwithhim。Theeneverseeshimwithoutit\"——
\"Andarollofpaper，\"suggestedtheothergirl。
\"Yes，arollofpaper——butoneneverknowswhatitis！\"saidthefirstspeaker。\"It\'sverystrange。Butnomatternow，Paul。
WelcometoHawthornHall。IamJaneBunker，andthisisDorcas。\"
Shestopped，andthen，lookingdowndemurely，added，\"Theemaykissusboth，cousinPaul。\"
Theyoungmandidnotwaitforasecondinvitation，butgentlytouchedhislipstotheirsoftyoungcheeks。
\"TheedoesnotspeaklikeanAmerican，Paul。Istheereallyandtrulyone？\"continuedJane。
Paulrememberedthathehadforgottenhisdialect，butitwastoolatenow。
\"Iamreallyandtrulyone，andyourowncousin，andIhopeyouwillfindmeaverydear\"——
\"Oh！\"saidDorcas，startingupprimly。\"Youmustreallyallowmetowithdraw。\"Totheyoungman\'sastonishment，sheseizedherparasol，and，withayouthfulaffectationofdignity，glidedfromthesummer-houseandwaslostamongthetrees。
\"Thydeclarationtomewasrathersudden，\"saidJanequietly，inanswertohislookofsurprise，\"andDorcasispeculiarlysensitiveandlesslikethe\'world\'speople\'thanIam。Anditwasjustalittlecruel，consideringthatshehaslovedtheesecretlyalltheseyears，followedthyfortunesinAmericawithbreathlesseagerness，thrilledatthynarrowescapes，andweptatthyprivations。\"
\"Butshehasneverseenmebefore！\"saidtheastoundedPaul。
\"Andtheehadneverseenmebefore，andyettheehasdaredtoproposetomefiveminutesaftertheearrived，andinherpresence。\"
\"But，mydeargirl！\"expostulatedPaul。
\"Standoff！\"shesaid，rapidlyopeningherparasolandinterposingitbetweenthem。\"Anotherstepnearer——ay，evenanotherwordofendearment——andIshallbecompelled——nay，forced，\"sheaddedinalowervoice，\"toremovethisparasol，lestitshouldbecrushedandruined！\"
\"Isee，\"hesaidgloomily，\"youhavebeenreadingnovels；butsohaveI，andthesameones！Nevertheless，IintendedonlytotellyouthatIhopedyouwouldalwaysfindmeakindfriend。\"
Sheshutherparasolupwithasnap。\"AndIonlyintendedtotelltheethatmyheartwasgiventoanother。\"
\"YouINTENDED——andnow？\"
\"Isitthe\'kindfriend\'whoasks？\"
\"Ifitwerenot？\"
\"Really？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Ah！\"
\"Oh！\"
\"Buttheelovesanother？\"shesaid，toyingwithhercup。
Heattemptedtotoywithhis，butbrokeit。Amanlacksdelicacyinthiskindofpersiflage。\"YoumeanIamlovedbyanother，\"hesaidbluntly。
\"Youdaretosaythat！\"shesaid，flashing，inspiteofherprimdemeanor。
\"No，butYOUdidjustnow！Yousaidyoursisterlovedme！\"
\"DidI？\"shesaiddreamily。\"Dear！dear！That\'sthetroubleoftryingtotalklikeMr。Blank\'sdelightfuldialogues。Onegetssomixed！\"
\"Yetyouwillbeasistertome？\"hesaid。\"\'TisanoldAmericanjoke，but\'twillserve。\"
Therewasalongsilence。
\"HadtheenotbettergotosisterDorcas？Sheisplayingwiththecows，\"saidJaneplaintively。
\"Youforget，\"hereturnedgravely，\"that，onpage27ofthenovelwehavebothread，atthispointheissupposedtokissher。\"
Shehadforgotten，buttheybothrememberedintime。Atthismomentascreamcamefaintlyfromthedistance。Theybothstarted，androse。
\"ItissisterDorcas，\"saidJane，sittingdownagainandpouringoutanothercupoftea。\"IhavealwaystoldherthatoneofthoseSwisscowswouldhookher。\"
Paulstaredatherwithastrangerevulsionoffeeling。\"IcouldsaveDorcas，\"hemutteredtohimself，\"inlesstimethanittakestodescribe。\"Hepaused，however，ashereflectedthatthiswoulddependentirelyuponthemethodsofthewriterofthisdescription。
\"Icouldrescueher！Ihaveonlytotakethefirstclothes-linethatIfind，andwiththatknowledgeandskillwiththelassowhichIlearnedinthewildsofAmerica，Icouldstopthechargeofthemostfuriousruminant。Iwill！\"andwithoutanotherwordheturnedandrushedoffinthedirectionofthesound……
Hehadnotgoneahundredyardsbeforehepaused，alittlebewildered。Totheleftcouldstillbeseenthecobaltlakewiththeterracedbackground；totherighttheruggedmountains。Hechosethelatter。Luckilyforhimacottager\'sgardenlayinhispath，andfromalinesupportedbyasinglepoledependedthehomelylinenofthecottager。Totearthesegarmentsfromthelinewastheworkofamoment（althoughitrepresentedthewholeweek\'swashing），andhastilycoilingtheropedexterouslyinhishand，hespedonward。Alreadypantingwithexertionandexcitement，afewroodsfartherhewasconfrontedwithaspectaclethatlefthimbreathless。
Awoman——young，robust，yetgracefullyformed——wasrunningaheadofhim，drivingbeforeherwithanopenparasolananimalwhichheinstantlyrecognizedasoneofthatsimpleyettreacherousspeciesmostfearedbythesex——knownasthe\"MooCow。\"
Foramomenthewasappalledbythespectacle。Butitwasonlyforamoment！Recallinghismanhoodandherweakness，hestopped，andbracinghisfootagainstastone，withagracefulflourishofhislassoaroundhishead，threwitintheair。Ituncoiledslowly，spedforwardwithunerringprecision，andmissed！Withthesinglecryof\"Saved！\"thefairstrangersankfaintinginhisarms！Heheldhercloselyuntilthecolorcamebacktoherpaleface。Thenhequietlydisentangledthelassofromhislegs。
\"WhereamI？\"shesaidfaintly。
\"Inthesameplace，\"hereplied，slowlybutfirmly。\"But，\"headded，\"youhavechanged！\"
Shehad，indeed，eventoherdress。Itwasnowofavividbrickred，andsomuchlongerintheskirtthatitseemedtomakehertaller。Onlyherhatremainedthesame。
\"Yes，\"shesaid，inalow，reflectivevoiceandadisregardofherpreviousdialect，asshegazedupinhiseyeswithaneloquentlucidity，\"Ihavechanged，Paul！IfeelmyselfchangingatthosewordsyouutteredtoJane。Therearemomentsinawoman\'slifethatmanknowsnothingof；momentsbitterandcruel，sweetandmerciful，thatchangeherwholebeing；momentsinwhichthesimplegirlbecomesaworldlywoman；momentsinwhichtheslowprocessionofheryearsisnevernoted——exceptbyanotherwoman！Momentsthatchangeheroutlookontheworldandherrelationstoit——andherhusband\'srelations！Momentswhenthemaidbecomesawife，thewifeawidow，thewidoware-marriedwoman，byasimple，swiftilluminationofthefancy。Momentswhen，wroughtuponbyasingleword——alook——anemphasisandrisinginflection，alllogicalsequenceiscastaway，processesarelost——inductionsleadnowhere。
Momentswhentheinharmoniousbecomesharmonious，theindiscreetdiscreet，theinefficientefficient，andtheinevitableevitable。
Imean，\"shecorrectedherselfhurriedly——\"YouknowwhatImean！
Ifyouhavenotfeltityouhavereadit！\"
\"Ihave，\"hesaidthoughtfully。\"Wehavebothreaditinthesamenovel。Sheisafinewriter。\"
\"Ye-e-s。\"Shehesitatedwiththatslightresentmentofpraiseofanotherwomansodelightfulinhersex。\"ButyouhaveforgottentheMooCow！\"andshepointedtowherethedistractedanimalwascareeringacrossthelawntowardsthegarden。
\"Youareright，\"hesaid，\"theincidentisnotyetclosed。Letuspursueit。\"
Theybothpursuedit。Discardingtheuselesslasso，hehadrecoursetoafewwell-aimedepithets。Theinfuriatedanimalswervedandmadedirectlytowardsasmallfountaininthecentreofthegarden。Inattemptingtoclearit，itfelldirectlyintothedeepcup-likebasinandremainedhelplesslyfixed，withitsfore-
legsprojectinguneasilybeyondtherim。
\"Letusleaveitthere，\"shesaid，\"andforgetit——andallthathasgonebefore。Believeme，\"sheadded，withafaintsigh，\"itisbest。Ourpathsdivergefromthismoment。Igotothesummer-
house，andyougototheHall，wheremyfatherisexpectingyou。\"
Hewouldhavedetainedheramomentlonger，butsheglidedawayandwasgone。
Lefttohimselfagain，thatslightsenseofbewildermentwhichhadcloudedhismindforthelasthourbegantoclearaway；hissingularencounterwiththegirlsstrangelyenoughaffectedhimlessstronglythanhisbriefandunsatisfactoryinterviewwithhisuncle。For，afterall，hewashishost，anduponhimdependedhisstayatHawthornHall。Themysteriousandslightingallusionsofhiscousinstotheoldman\'seccentricitiesalsopiquedhiscuriosity。Whyhadtheysneeredathisdescriptionofthecontentsofthepackagehecarried——andwhatdiditreallycontain？Hedidnotreflectthatitwasnoneofhisbusiness，——peopleinhissituationseldomdo，——andheeagerlyhurriedtowardstheHall。
