\"Itdoesnotseemintheleastasifweweremilesawayfromanytownorhabitation，\"saidLadyRunnybroke，complacentlyseatingherselfonastump，\"andIshouldn’tbesurprisedtoseeachurchtowerthroughthosetrees。It’sverylikethehazelcopseatLongworth，youknow。NotatallwhatIexpected。\"
\"ForthematterofthatneitheraretheIndians，\"saidtheHon。
EvelynRayne。\"Didyoueverseesuchgrotesquecreaturesintheircast—offbootsandtrousers？They’renobetterthangypsies。I
wonderwhatMr。Atherlycanfindinthem。\"
\"Andhearichman，too，——theysayhe’sgotamineinCaliforniaworthamillion，——totakeupacrazelikethis，\"addedthelivelyMrs。CaptainJoyce，\"that’swhatgetsme！Youknow，\"shewentonconfidentially，\"thatcranksandreformersarealwayspoor——it’squitenatural；butIdon’tseewhathe，arichman，expectstomakebyhisreforms，I’msure。\"
\"He’llgetoveritintime，\"saidtheHon。EvelynKayne，\"theyalldo。Atleastheexpectstogetthereformshewantsinayear，andthenhe’scomingovertoEnglandagain。\"
\"Indeed，howverynice，\"respondedLadyRunnybrokequickly。\"Didhesayso？\"
\"No。ButFriddysaysheis。\"
Thetwoofficers’wivesglancedateachother。LadyRunnybrokeputuphereyeglassindefaultofostrichfeathers，andsaiddidactically，\"I’msureMr。Atherlyisverymuchinearnest，andsincerelydevotedtohiswork。Andinamanofhiswealthandpositionhereit’smostestimable。Mydear，\"shesaid，gettingupandmovingtowardsMrs。Lascelles，\"wewerejustsayinghowgoodandunselfishyourbrotherwasinhisworkforthesepoorpeople。\"
ButJennyLascellesmusthavebeeninoneofthoseabstractedmoodswhichsotroubledherhusband，forsheseemedtobestaringstraightbeforeherintotherecessesofthewood。Inhertherewasacertainresemblancetotheattitudeofalisteninganimal。
\"IwishMr。AtherlywasalittlemoreunselfishtoUSpoorpeople，\"
saidtheHon。EvelynKayne，\"forheandFriddyhavebeennearlyanhourlookingforaplacetospreadourluncheonbaskets。Iwishthey’dleavethefutureofthebrownracestolookafteritselfandlookalittlemoreafterus。I’mfamished。\"
\"Ifancytheyfinditdifficulttoselectaclearspaceforsolargeapartyaswewillbewhenthegentlemencomein，\"returnedLadyRunnybroke，glancinginthedirectionofJenny’sabstractedeyes。
\"Isupposeyoumustfeellikechickenandsalad，too，LadyRunnybroke，\"suggestedMrs。CaptainJoyce。
\"Idon’tthinkIquiteknowHOWchickenandsaladfeel，dear，\"saidLadyRunnybrokewithapuzzledair，\"butifthat’soneofyourhusband’sdelightfulAmericanstories，dotellus。IneverCANgetRunnybroketotellmeany，althoughheroarsoverthemall。AndI
daresayhegetsthemallwrong。Butlook，herecomesourluncheon。\"
PeterandLadyElfridawereadvancingtowardsthem。Thescrutinyofadozenpairsofeyes——wondering，mischievous，critical，impertinent，orresentful——wouldhavebeenatryingordealtoanyerrantcouple；buttherewaslittleifanychangeinPeter’sgraveandgentledemeanor，albeithisdarkeyeswereshiningwithapeculiarlight，andLadyElfridahadonlytheanimation，color，andslightexcitabilitythatbecametheresponsibleleaderofthelittleparty。Theyneitherapologizedoralludedtotheirdelay。
Theyhadselectedaspotontheothersideofthecopse，andthebasketscouldbesentaroundbythewagon；theyhadseenaslighthazeontheplaintowardstheeastwhichbetokenedthevicinityoftherestoftheparty，andtheywereabouttoproposethatasthegentlemenweresoneartheyhadbetterpostponethepicnicuntiltheycameup。LadyRunnybrokesmiledaffably；theonlythingshehadnoticedwasthatLadyElfridainjoiningthemhadgonedirectlytothesideoftheabstractedJenny，andplacedherarmaroundherwaist。AtwhichLadyRunnybrokeairilyjoinedthem。
ThesurmisesofPeterandFriddyappearedtobecorrect。Thetransferoftheprovisionsandthepartytotheothersidewasbarelyconcludedbeforetheycouldseethegentlemencoming；theywereridingalittlemorerapidlythanwhentheyhadsetout，andwerearrivingfullythreehoursbeforetheirtime。Theyburstupontheladiesalittleboisterouslybutgayly；theyhadhadaglorioustime，butlittlesport；theyhadhurriedbacktojointheladiessoastobeabletoreturnwiththembetimes。Theywereravenouslyhungry；theywantedtofalltoatonce。Onlytheofficers’wivesnoticedthatthetwofilesoftroopersDIDNOTDISMOUNT，butfiledslowlybeforetheentrancetothewoods。LadyElfridaashostesswasprettilydistressedbyit，butwastoldbyCaptainJoycethatitwas\"againstrules，\"andthatshecould\"feed\"thematthefort。
Theofficers’wivesputafewquestionsinwhispers，andwerepromptlyfrowneddown。Nevertheless，theluncheonwasasuccessfulfestivity：thegentlemenwereloudinthepraisesoftheirgracioushostess；thedelicaciesshehadprovidedbyexpressfromdistantstations，andmuchthatwasdistinctlyEnglishanddespoiledfromherownstores，weregratefullyappreciatedbytheofficersofaremotefrontiergarrison。LadyElfrida’shealthwastoastedbythegallantcolonelinaspeechthatwasthesoulofchivalry。LordRunnybrokeresponded，perhapswithouttheAmericanabandon，butwiththesteadyconscientiousnessofanhereditarylegislator，buttheM。P。summedupaslightlyexaggeratedbutwellmeaningepisodebypointingoutthatitwasonoccasionslikethisthatthetwonationsshowedtheircommonancestrybystandingsidebyside。
Onlyonethingtroubledtherosy，excited，butstillclear—headedFriddy；theplateswerewhiskedawaylikemagicaftereachdelicacy，bythemilitaryservants，andvanished；thetableswereinthesamemysteriouswayclearedasrapidlyastheywereset，andanyattempttorecalladishwasmetbythedeclarationthatitwasalreadypackedawayinthewagon。Astheyatlastrosefromtheactuallyemptyboard，andsaweventhetablesdisappear，LadyElfridaplaintivelyprotestedthatshefeltasifshehadbeenpresidingoveranArabianNightsentertainment，servedbygenii，andsheknewthattheywouldallawakenhungrywhentheywerewellontheirwayback。Nevertheless，inspiteofthisexpedition，theofficersloungedaboutsmokinguntileverytraceofthefestivityhadvanished。ReggyfoundhimselfstandingnearPeter。\"Youknow，\"hesaid，confidentially，\"Idon’tthinkthecolonelhasaveryhighopinionofyourpets，——theIndians。And，byJove，ifthe’friendlies’areasnastytowardsyouastheyweretousthismorning，Iwonderwhatyoucallthe’hostile’tribes。\"
\"Didyouhaveanydifficultywiththem？\"saidPeterquickly。
\"No，notexactly，don’tyouknow——weweretoomany，Ifancy；but，byJove，thebeggarswheneverwemetthem，——andwemetoneortwogypsybandsofthem，——youknow，theyseemedtolookuponusasTRESPASSERS，don’tyouknow。\"
\"Andyouwere，inpointoffact，\"saidPeter，smilinggrimly。
\"Oh，Isay，comenow！\"saidReggy，openinghiseyes。Afteramomenthelaughed。\"Oh，yes，Isee——ofcourse，lookingatitfromtheirpointofview。ByJove，Idaresaythebeggarswereright，youknow；allthesame，——don’tyousee，——YOURpeoplewerepoachingtoo。\"
\"Sowewere，\"saidPetergravely。
Buthere，atawordfromthemajor，thewholepartydebouchedfromthewoods。Everythingappearedtobeawaitingthem，——thelargecoveredcarryallfortheguests，andthetwosaddlehorsesforMrs。
LascellesandLadyElfrida，whohadriddentheretogether。Peter，alsomounted，accompaniedthecarryallwithtwooftheofficers；
thetroopersandwagonsbroughtuptherear。
Itwasveryhot，withlittleornowind。Onthispartoftheplainthedustseemedlighterandfiner，androsewiththewheelsofthecarryallandthehorsesoftheescort，trailingawhitecloudoverthecavalcadelikethesmokeofanengineoveratrain。Itwaswithdifficultythetrooperscouldbekeptfromopeningoutonbothsidesofthehighwaytoescapeit。Thewholeatmosphereseemedchargedwithit；itevenappearedinalongbanktotheright，risingandobscuringthedecliningsun。Buttheywerealreadywithinsightofthefortandthelittlecopsebesideit。ThentrooperCassidytrotteduptothecolonel，whowasridinginadustycloudbesidethecarryall，\"CaptainFleetwood’scompliments，sorr，andtherearetwosthragglers，——Mrs。LascellesandtheEnglishlady。\"HepointedtotherapidlyflyingfiguresofJennyandFriddymakingtowardsthewood。
Thecolonelmadeamovementofimpatience。\"TellMr。Forsythtobringthembackatonce，\"hesaid。
Buthereafemininechorusofexcusesandexpostulationsrosefromthecarryall。\"It’sonlyMrs。LascellesgoingtoshowFriddywherethesquawsandchildrenbathe，\"saidLadyRunnybroke，\"it’snearthefort，andthey’llbethereasquickasweshall。\"
\"Onemoment，colonel，\"saidPeter，withmortifiedconcern。\"It’sanotherfollyofmysister’s！prayletmetakeituponmyselftobringthemback。\"
\"Verywell，butseeyoudon’tlinger，and，\"turningtoCassidy，asPetergallopedaway，headded，\"youfollowhim。\"
Peterkeptthefiguresofthetwowomeninview，butpresentlysawthemdisappearinthewood。Hehadnofearfortheirsafety，buthewasindignantatthislastuntimelycapriceofhissister。Heknewtheideahadoriginatedwithher，andthattheofficersknewit，andyetshehadmadeLadyElfridabearanequalshareoftheblame。Hereachedtheedgeofthecopse，enteredthefirstopening，buthehadscarcelyplungedintoitsshadowandshutouttheplainbehindhimbeforehefelthisarmsandkneesquicklyseizedfrombehind。Sosuddenandunexpectedwastheattackthathefirstthoughthishorsehadstumbledagainstacoilofwildgrapevineandwasentangled，butthenextmomenthesmelledtherankcharacteristicodorandsawthebrownlimbsoftheIndianwhohadleapedonhiscrupper，whileanotherroseathishorse’shead。
Thenawarningvoiceinhisearsaidinthenativetongue：——
\"Ifthegreatwhitemedicinemancallstohisfightingmen，thepale—facedgirlandthesquawhecallshissisterdie！Theyarehere，heunderstands。\"
ButPeterhadneitherstrugglednorutteredacry。Atthattouch，andwiththeaccentsofthattongueinhisears，allhisownIndianbloodseemedtoleapandtinglethroughhisveins。Hiseyesflashed；pinionedashewashedrewhimselferectandansweredhaughtilyinhiscaptor’sownspeech：——
\"Good！Thegreatwhitemedicinemanobeys，forheandhissisterhavenofear。Butifthepale—facegirlisnotsentbacktoherpeoplebeforethesunsets，thentheyellowjacketswillswarmthewoods，andtheywillfollowhertrailtothedeath。Mybrotheriswise；letthegirlgo。Ihavespoken。\"
\"Mybrotherisverycunningtoo。Hewouldcalltohisfightingmenthroughthelipsofthepale—facegirl。\"
\"Hewillnot。Thegreatwhitemedicinemandoesnotlietohisredbrother。Hewilltellthepale—facegirltosaytothechiefoftheyellowjacketsthatheandhissisterarewithhisbrothers，andallispeace。Butthepale—facegirlmustnotseethegreatwhitemedicinemaninthesebonds，norasacaptive！Ihavespoken。\"
ThetwoIndiansfellback。Therewassomuchofforceanddignityintheman，somuchoftheirownstoiccalmness，thattheyatoncemechanicallyloosenedthethongsofplaiteddeerhidewithwhichtheyhadboundhim，andsidebysideledhimintotherecessesofthewood……
Therewassomeastonishment，althoughlittlealarmatthefort，whenLadyElfridareturnedaccompaniedbytheorderlywhohadfollowedPetertothewood，butwithoutPeterandhissister。Thereasongivenwasperfectlynaturalandconceivable。Mrs。LascelleshadprecededLadyElfridainenteringthewoodandtakenanotheropening，sothatLadyElfridahadfoundherselfsuddenlylost，andsurroundedbytwoorthreewarriorsindreadfulpaint。Theymotionedhertodismount，andsaidsomethingshedidnotunderstand，butshedeclined，knowingthatshehadheardMr。
Atherlyandtheorderlyfollowingher，andfeelingnofear。AndsureenoughMr。Atherlypresentlycameupwithacoupleofbraves，apologizedtoherfortheirmistake，butbeggedhertoreturntothefortatonceandassurethecolonelthateverythingwasright，andthatheandhissisterweresafe。Hewasperfectlycoolandcollectedandlikehimself；sheblushedslightly，asshesaidshethoughtthathewishedtoimpressuponher，forsomereasonshecouldnotunderstand，thathedidnotwantthecoloneltosendanyassistance。Shewaspositiveofthat。Shetoldherstoryunexcitedly；itwasevidentthatshehadnotbeenfrightened，butLadyRunnybrokenoticedthattherewasashadeofanxiousabstractioninherface。
Whentheofficerswerealonethecoloneltookhurriedcounselofthem。\"Ithink，\"saidCaptainFleetwood，\"thatLadyElfrida’sstoryquiteexplainsitself。Ibelievethisaffairispurelyalocalone，andhasnothingwhatevertodowiththesuspiciousappearanceswenoticedthisafternoon，orthepresenceofsolargeabodyofIndiansnearButternut。HadthisbeenahostilemovementtheywouldhavescarcelyallowedsovaluableacaptureasLadyElfridatoescapethem。\"
\"UnlesstheykeptAtherlyandhissisterasahostage，\"saidCaptainJoyce。
\"ButAtherlyisoneoftheirfriends；indeedheistheirmediatorandapostle，anon—combatant，andhastheirconfidence，\"returnedthecolonel。\"ItismuchmorereasonabletosupposethatAtherlyhasnoticedsomedisaffectionamongthese’friendlies，’andhefearsthatoursendingapartytohisassistancemightprecipitateacollision。Orhemayhavereasontobelievethatthisstoppingofthetwowomenundertheverywallsofthefortisonlyafeinttodrawourattentionfromsomethingmoreserious。DidheknowanythingofoursuspicionsoftheconductofthoseIndiansthismorning？\"
\"NotunlesshegathereditfromwhatLordReginaldfoolishlytoldhim。Wesaidnothing，ofcourse，\"returnedCaptainFleetwood，withasoldier’shabitualdistrustofthewisdomofthecivilarm。
\"Thatwilldo，gentlemen，\"saidthecolonel，astheofficersdispersed；\"sendCassidyhere。\"
ThecolonelwasaloneontheverandaasCassidycameup。
\"YoufollowedMr。Atherlyto—day？\"
\"Yessorr。\"
\"Andyousawhimwhenhegavethemessagetotheyounglady？\"
\"Yessorr。\"
\"Didyouformanyopinionfromanythingelseyousaw，ofhisobjectinsendingthatmessage？\"
\"OnlyfromwhatIsawofHIM。\"
\"Well，whatwasthat？\"
\"Isawhimlookafthertheyoungleddyassherodeaway，andthenwheelaboutandgostraightbackintothewood。\"
\"Andwhatdidyouthinkofthat？\"saidthecolonel，withahalfsmile。
\"Ithoughtitwasshacrifice，sorr。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"saidthecolonelsharply。
\"Imane，sorr，\"saidCassidystoutly，\"thathewasgivin’uphisselfandhissisterforthatyoungleddy。\"
Thecolonellookedatthesergeant。\"AskMr。Forsythtocometomeprivately，andreturnherewithhim。\"
Asdarknessfell，somehalfadozendismountedtroopers，headedbyForsythandCassidy，passedquietlyoutofthelowergateandenteredthewood。Anhourlaterthecolonelwassummonedfromthedinnertable，andtheguestsheardthequickrattleofawagonturningoutoftheroadgate——butthecoloneldidnotreturn。Anindefinableuneasinesscreptoverthelittleparty，whichreacheditsclimaxinthesummoningoftheotherofficers，andthesuddenflashingoutofnews。ThereconnoitringpartyhadfoundthedeadbodiesofPeterAtherlyandhissisterontheplainsattheedgeoftheemptywood。
Thewomenweregatheredinthecommandant’squarters，andforthemomentseemedtohavebeenforgotten。Theofficers’wivestalkedwithprofessionalsympathyanddisciplinedquiet；theEnglishladieswereequallysympathetic，butcollected。LadyElfrida，ratherwhite，butpatient，askedafewquestionsinavoicewhosecontraltowasratherdeepened。Oneandallwishedto\"dosomething\"——anything\"tohelp\"——andoneandallrebelledthatthecolonelhadbeggedthemtoremainwithindoors。Therewasanoccasionalquickstepontheveranda，ortheclatterofahoofontheparade，acontinuedbutsubduedmurmurfromthewhitewashedbarracks，buteverywhereasenseofkeenrestraint。
Whentheyemergedontheverandaagain，thewholeaspectofthegarrisonseemedtohavechangedinthatbrieftime。Inthefaintmoonlighttheycouldseemotionlessfilesoftroopersfillingtheparade，theofficersinbeltedtunicsandslouchedhats，——butapparentlynotthesamemen；thehalfloungingeaseandlazydandyismgone，agrimtensioninalltheirfaces，asetabstractioninalltheiracts。Thentherewastherollingofheavywheelsintheroad，andthetwohorsesoftheambulanceappeared。Thesentriespresentedarms；thecoloneltookoffhishat；theofficersuncovered；thewagonwheeledintotheparade；thesurgeonsteppedout。Heexchangedasinglewordwiththecolonel，andliftedthecurtainoftheambulance。
Asthecolonelglancedwithin，adeepbutembarrassedvoicefelluponhisear。Heturnedquickly。ItwasLordReginald，flushedandsympathetic。
\"Hewasafriend，——arelationofours，youknow，\"hestammered。
\"Mysisterwouldlike——tolookathimagain。\"
\"Notnow，\"saidthecolonelinalowvoice。Thesurgeonaddedsomethinginavoicestilllower，whichscarcelyreachedtheveranda。
LordReginaldturnedawaywithawhiteface。
\"Fallbackthere！\"CaptainFleetwoodrodeup。
\"Allready，sir。\"
\"Onemoment，captain，\"saidthecolonelquietly。\"Fileyourfirsthalfcompanybeforethatambulance，andbidthemenlookin。\"
Thesingularorderwasobeyed。Themenfiledslowlyforward，eachinturnhaltingbeforethemotionlesswagonanditsimmobilefreight。Theyweremeninuredtofrontierbloodshedandsavagewarfare；somehaltedandhurriedon；otherslingered，othersturnedtolookagain。Onemanburstintoashortlaugh，butwhentheothersturnedindignantlyuponhim，theysawthatinhisfacethatheldtheminawe。Whattheysawintheambulancedidnottranspire；
whattheyfeltwasnotknown。Strangelyenough，however，whattheyrepressedthemselveswasmysteriouslycommunicatedtotheirhorses，whosnortedandquiveredwitheagernessandimpatienceastheyrodebackagain。Thehorseofthetrooperwhohadlaughedalmostleapedintotheair。OnlySergeantCassidywascommunicative；hetookalargercircuitinreturningtohisplace，andmanagedtoleanoverandwhisperhoarselyintheearofacampfollowerspectator，\"Telltheyoungleddythatthetorturin’divvilscouldn’ttakethesmileoffhim！\"
Thelittlecolumnfiledoutofthegatewayintotheroad。AsCaptainFleetwoodpassedColonelCarterthetwomen’seyesmet。
Thecolonelsaidquietly，\"Goodnight，captain。Letushaveagoodreportfromyou。\"
Thecaptainrepliedonlywithhisgauntletedhandagainstthebrimofhisslouchedhat，butthenextmomenthisvoicewasheardstrongandclearenoughintheroad。Thelittlecolumntrottedawayasevenlyasonparade。Butthosewhoclimbedtheroofofthebarracksaquarterofanhourlatersaw，inthemoonlight，awhiteclouddriftingrapidlyacrosstheplaintowardsthewest。Itwasasmallcloudinthatbare，menacing，cruel，andillimitablewaste；
butinitsbreastwascrammedathunderbolt。
Itfellthirtymilesaway，blastingandscatteringathousandwarriorsandtheircamp，givingandtakingnoquarter，vengeful，exterminating，andcomplete。Laterthereweredifferentopinionsaboutitandthehorriblecrimethathadprovokedit：theopposersofPeter’spolicyjubilantovertheironyoftheassassinationoftheApostleofPeace，Peter’sdisciplesasactivelydeploringthemercilessandindiscriminatingvengeanceofthemilitary；andsotheproblemthatPeterhadvainlyattemptedtosolvewasleftanopenquestion。Therewerethose，too，whobelievedthatPeterhadneversacrificedhimselfandhissisterforthesakeofanother，buthadprovokedandincensedthesavagesbytheblindarroganceofareformer。TherewerewildstoriesbyscoutsandinterpretershowhehadchallengedhisfatebyanIndianbravado；howhimselfandhissisterhadmettorturewithanIndianstoicism，andhowtheIndianbravesthemselvesatlastinaturmoilofrevulsionhaddippedtheirarrowsandlancesintheheroicheart’sbloodoftheirvictims，andworshipedtheirstillpalpitatingflesh。
Buttherewasonehonestloyallittleheartthatcarriedback——
threethousandmiles——toEnglandthemanasithadknownandlovedhim。LadyElfridaRunnybrokenevermarried；neitherdidshegointoretirement，butlivedherlifeandfulfilledherdutiesinherusualclear—eyedfashion。ShewasparticularlykindtoallAmericans，——barring，Ifear，afewpretty—faced，finely—frockedtitle—hunters，——toldstoriesoftheFarWest，andhadtheoriesofapeopleofwhichtheyknewlittle，caredless，andbelievedtobevulgar。ButIthinkshefoundanewpleasureintheoldchurchatAshleyGrange，andlovedtolingerovertheeffigyoftheoldCrusader，——herkinsman，theswashbucklerDeBracy，——withavaguebutprettybeliefthatdevotionandlovedonotdiewithbravemen，butliveandflourisheveninlandsbeyondtheseas。
TWOAMERICANS
PerhapsiftherewasanythingimportantinthemigrationoftheMaynardfamilytoEuropeitrestedsolelyuponthesingularfactthatMr。Maynarddidnotgothereintheexpectationofmarryinghisdaughtertoanobleman。ACharlestonmerchant，whosehouserepresentedtwohonorablegenerations，had，thirtyyearsago，acertainself—respectwhichdidnotrequireextraneousaidandforeignsupport，anditisexceedinglyprobablethathisintentionofspendingafewyearsabroadhadnoulteriormotivethanpleasureseekingandtheobservationofmanythings——principallyofthepast——whichhisowncountrydidnotpossess。Hisfutureandthatofhisfamilylayinhisownland，yetwithpracticalcommonsenseheadjustedhimselftemporarilytohisnewsurroundings。Indoingso，hehadmuchtolearnofothers，andothershadsomethingtolearnofhim；hefoundthatthebestpeoplehadahighsimplicityequaltohisown；hecorrectedtheirimpressionsthataSouthernerhadmoreorlessnegrobloodinhisveins，andthat，althoughaslaveowner，hedidnotnecessarilyrepresentanaristocracy。Withadistinguishingdialectofwhichhewasnotashamed，afrankfamiliarityofapproachjoinedtoaninvinciblecourtesyofmanner，whichmadeevenhisrepublican\"Sir\"equaltotheordinaryaddresstoroyalty，hewasalwaysrespectedandseldommisunderstood。Whenhewas——itwasunfortunateforthosewhomisunderstoodhim。Histypewasasdistinctiveandoriginalashiscousin’s，theEnglishman，whomitwasnotthefashionthentoimitate。Sothat，whetherinthehotelofacapital，theKursaalofaSpa，orthehumblerpensionofaSwissvillage，hewasalwayscharacteristic。
Lesssowashiswife，who，withthechameleonqualityofhertransplantedcountrywomen，wasalreadyParisianindress；stilllesssohisdaughter，whohadbythistimeabsorbedthepeculiaritiesofherFrench，German，andItaliangovernesses。Yetneitherhadyetlearnedtoevadetheirnationality——orapologizeforit。
Mr。MaynardandhisfamilyremainedforthreeyearsinEurope，hisstayhavingbeenprolongedbypoliticalexcitementinhisownStateofSouthCarolina。Commerceisapttoknocktheinsularityoutofpeople；distancefromone’sowndistinctivelocalitygivesawiderrangetothevision，andtheretiredmerchantforesawruininhisState’spolitics，andfromtheviewpointofallEuropebeheldinsteadoftheusualcollectionofindividualStates——hiswholecountry。Buttheexcitementincreasing，hewasfinallyimpelledtoreturninafainthopeofdoingsomethingtoallayit，takinghiswifewithhim，butleavinghisdaughteratschoolinParis。Ataboutthistime，however，asinglecannonshotfiredatthenationalflagonFortSumtershookthewholecountry，reverberatedeveninEurope，sendingsomeearnestheartsbacktodobattleforStateorcountry，sendingotherslessearnestintoingloriousexile，but，saddestofall！knockingovertheschoolbenchofagirlattheParispensionnat。ForthatshothadalsosunkMaynard’sshipsattheCharlestonwharves，scatteredhispiledCottonbalesawaitingshipmentatthequays，anddrovehim，aruinedman，intothe\"HomeGuard\"againsthisbetterjudgment。
HelenMaynard，likeagoodgirl，hadimploredherfathertoletherreturnandsharehisrisks。Buttheanswerwas\"towait\"untilthisninedays’madnessofanuprisingwasover。Thatmadnesslastedsixyears，outlivedMaynard，whosegray，misdoubtingheadbitthedustatBall’sBluff；outlivedhiscolorlesswidow，andleftKellyapennilessorphan。
Yetenoughofhercountrywasleftinhertomakehercourageousandindependentofherpast。Theysaythatwhenshegotthenewsshecriedalittle，andthenlaidtheletterandwhatwasleftofherlastmonthlyallowanceinMadameAblas’lap。Madamewasdevastated。\"Butyou，impoverishedanddesolatedangel，whatofyou？\"\"Ishallgetsomeofitback，\"saidthedesolatedangelwithingenuouscandor，\"forIspeakbetterFrenchandEnglishthantheothergirls，andIshallteachTHEMuntilIcangetintotheConservatoire，forIhaveavoice。Youyourselfhavetoldpapaso。\"Fromsuchangelicdirectnesstherewasnoappeal。MadameAblashadaheart，——more，shehadaFrenchmanageress’sdiscriminatinginstinct。TheAmericanschoolgirlwasinstalledinateacher’sdesk；herbosomfriendsandfellowstudentsbecameherpupils。Tosomeoftherichest，andtheyweremainlyofherowncountry，shesoldhersmartest，latestdresses，jewels，andtrinketsataverygoodfigure，andputthemoneyawayagainsttheConservatoireinthefuture。Sheworkedhard，sheenduredpatientlyeverythingbutcommiseration。\"I’dhaveyouknow，Miss，\"
shesaidtoMissdeLaine，daughterofthefamoushouseofMusslin，deLaine&Co。，ofNewYork，\"thatwhatevermypositionHEREmaybe，itisnotonetobepatronizedbyatapeseller’sdaughter。Mycaseisnotsuchavery’sadone，’thankyou，andIprefernottobespokenofashavingseen’betterdays’bypeoplewhohaven’t。
There！Don’trapyourdeskwithyourpencilwhenyouspeaktome，orIshallcallout’Cash！’beforethewholeclass。\"Soregrettableanexhibitionoftempernaturallyalienatedcertainofhercompatriotswhowereundulysensitiveoftheirorigin，andastheyformedaconsiderablecolonywhowerethenrevelinginthedregsoftheEmpireandthelastorgiesofatotteringcourt，eventuallycostherherplace。Arepublicansoaristocraticwasnottobetoleratedbythetrue—bornAmericanswhopaidcourttoDeMornyforthephosphorescentsplendorsofSt。CloudandtheTuileries，andMissHelenlosttheirfavor。ButshehadalreadysavedenoughmoneyfortheConservatoireandalittleatticinaverytallhouseinanarrowstreetthattrickledintotheceaselessflowoftheRueLafayette。Hereforfouryearsshetrottedbackwardsandforwardsregularlytoworkwiththefreshnessofyouthandtheinflexiblesetpurposeofmaturity。Here，rainorshine，summerorwinter，inthemellowseasonwhenthelargecafesexpandedunderthewhitesunshineintoanoverflowoflittletablesonthepavement，orwhentheredglowoftheBrasserieshonethroughfrostypanesontheturned—upcollarsofpinchedParisianswhohurriedby，shewasalwaystobeseen。
HalfParishadlookedintoherclear，grayeyesandpassedon；asmallerandnotveryyouthfulportionofParishadturnedandfollowedherwithsmalladvantagetoitselfandhappilynofeartoher。Foreveninheryoungwomanhoodshekeptherchild’slovingknowledgeofthatgreatcity；sheevenhadaninnocentcamaraderiewithstreetsweepers，kioskkeepers，andlemonadevenders，andthesternnessofconciergedommeltedbeforeher。Inthiswholesome，practicalchild’sexperienceshenaturallyavoidedoroverlookedwhatwouldnothaveinterestedachild，andsokeptherfreshnessandacertainnationalshrewdsimplicityinvincible。Thereisastorytoldofhergirlhoodthat，onedayplayingintheTuileriesgardens，shewasapproachedbyagentlemanwithawaxedmustacheandastillmorewaxencheekbeneathhisheavy—liddedeyes。Therewasanexchangeofpoliteamenities。
\"Andyourname，mapetite？\"
\"Helen，\"respondedtheyounggirlnaively。\"What’syours？\"
\"Ah，\"saidthekindgentleman，gallantlypullingathismustache，\"ifyouareHelenIamParis。\"
Theyounggirlraisedhercleareyestohisandsaidgravely，\"I
reckonyourmajestyisFRANCE！\"
SheretainedthischildishfearlessnessasthepoorstudentoftheConservatoire；wentalonealloverPariswithhermaidenskirtsuntarnishedbythegildeddustoftheboulevardsorthefilthofby—ways；knewallthebestshopsforherfriends，andthecheapestforherownscantpurchases；discoveredbreakfastsforafewsouswithpalesempstresses，whosesadnesssheunderstood，andrecklesschorusgirls，whosegayetyshedidn’t；sheknewwheretheearliestchestnutbudsweretobefoundintheBois，whentheslopesoftheButtesChaumontweregreen，andwhichwastheoldwomanwhosoldthecheapestflowersbeforetheMadeleine。Aloneandindependent，sheearnedtheaffectionofMadameBibelot，theconcierge，and，whatwasmore，herconfidence。Heroutgoingsandincomingswereneverquestioned。ThelittleAmericancouldtakecareofherself。
Ah，ifhersonJacqueswereonlyasreasonable！MissMaynardmighthavemademorefriendshadshecared；shemighthavejoinedhandswiththeinnocentandlight—heartedpovertyofthecoterieofherownartisticcompatriots，butsomethinginherbloodmadeherdistrustBohemianism；herpovertywassomethingtohertoosacredforjestorcompanionship；herownartisticaimwastoolongandearnestformeretemporaryenthusiasms。Shemighthavefoundfriendsinherownprofession。HerprofessoropenedthesacreddoorsofhisfamilycircletotheyoungAmericangirl。Sheappreciatedthedelicacy，refinement，andcheerfulequalresponsibilitiesofthathousehold，sowidelydifferentfromtheacceptedAnglo—Saxonbelief，buttherewerecertainrestrictionsthatrightlyorwronglygalledherAmericanhabitsofgirlishfreedom，andsheresolutelytrippedpastthefirstetagefourorfiveflightshighertoherattic，thefreesky，andindependence！
HereshesometimesmetanotherkindofindependenceinMonsieurAlphonse，agedtwentytwo，andshewhooughttohavebeenMadameAlphonse，agedseventeen，andtheyoftenexchangedgreetingsonthelandingwithgreatrespecttowardseachother，and，oddlyenough，noconfusionordistrait。Latertheyevenborrowedeachother’smatcheswithoutfearandwithoutreproach，untilonedayMonsieurAlphonse’sparentstookhimaway，andthedesolatedsoi—disantMadameAlphonse，inacheerfulburstofconfidence，gaveHelenherprivateopinionofmonsieur，andfromherseventeenyears’
experiencewarnedtheAmericaninfantoftwentyagainstpossiblesimilarcomplications。
Oneday——itwasneartheexaminationforprizes，andherfundswererunninglow——shewasobligedtoseekoneofthosehumblerrestaurantssheknewofforherfrugalbreakfast。Butshewasnothungry，andafterafewmouthfulslefthermealunfinishedasayoungmanenteredandhalfabstractedlytookaseatathertable。
Shehadalreadymovedtowardsthecomptoirtopayherfewsous，when，chancingtolookupinamirrorwhichhungabovethecounter，reflectingtheinteriorofthecafe，shesawthestranger，aftercastingahurriedglancearoundhim，removefromherplatethebrokenrollandeventhecrumbsshehadleft，andashurriedlysweepthemintohispocket—handkerchief。Therewasnothingverystrangeinthis；shehadseensomethinglikeitbeforeinthesehumblercafes，——itwasacribforthebirdsintheTuileriesGardens，orthepoorartist’ssubstituteforrubberincorrectinghiscrayondrawing！Buttherewasasingularflushingofhishandsomefaceintheactthatstirredherwithastrangepity，madeherowncheekhotwithsympathy，andcompelledhertolookathimmoreattentively。Thebackthatwasturnedtowardsherwasbroad—
shoulderedandsymmetrical，andshowedaframethatseemedtorequirestrongernourishmentthanthesimplecoffeeandrollhehadorderedandwasdevouringslowly。Hisclothes，wellmadethoughworn，fittedhiminasmart，soldier—likeway，andaccentuatedhisdecidedmilitarybearing。Thesingularuseofhislefthandinliftinghiscupmadeheruneasy，untilaslightmovementrevealedthefactthathisrightsleevewasemptyandpinnedtohiscoat。
Hewasone—armed。Sheturnedhercompassionateeyesaside，yetlingeredtomakeafewpurchasesatthecounter，ashepaidhisbillandwalkedaway。Butshewassurprisedtoseethathetenderedthewaitertheunexampledgratuityofasou。PerhapshewassomeeccentricEnglishman；hecertainlydidnotlooklikeaFrenchman。
Shehadquiteforgottentheincident，andintheafternoonhadstrolledwithafewfellowpupilsintothegalleriesoftheLouvre。
Itwas\"copying—day，\"andasherfriendsloiteredaroundtheeaselsofthedifferentstudentswiththeeasyconsciousnessofbeingthemselves\"artists，\"shestrolledonsomewhatabstractedlybeforethem。Herownartwastooserioustopermithermuchsympathywithanother，andinthechatterofhercompanionswiththeyoungpaintersacertainlevitydisturbedher。Suddenlyshestopped。
Shehadreachedalessfrequentedroom；therewasasingleeaselatoneside，butthestoolbeforeitwasempty，anditslateoccupantwasstandinginarecessbythewindow，withhisbacktowardsher。
Hehaddrawnasilkhandkerchieffromhispocket。Sherecognizedhissquareshoulders，sherecognizedthehandkerchief，andasheunrolleditsherecognizedthefragmentsofhermorning’sbreakfastashebegantoeatthem。Itwastheone—armedman。
Sheremainedsomotionlessandbreathlessthathefinishedhisscantmealwithoutnoticingher，andevenresumedhisplacebeforetheeaselwithoutbeingawareofherpresence。Thenoiseofapproachingfeetgaveafreshimpulsetoherown，andshemovedtowardshim。
Buthewasevidentlyaccustomedtotheseinterruptions，andworkedonsteadilywithoutturninghishead。Astheotherfootstepspassedhershewasemboldenedtotakeapositionbehindhimandglanceathiswork。ItwasanarchitecturalstudyofoneofCanaletto’spalaces。Evenherinexperiencedeyeswerestruckwithitsvigorandfidelity。Butshewasalsoconsciousofasenseofdisappointment。
Whywashenot——liketheothers——copyingoneofthemasterpieces？
Becomingatlastawareofamotionlesswomanbehindhim，herose，andwithaslightgestureofcourtesyandahalf—hesitating\"Vousverrezmieuxla，mademoiselle，\"movedtooneside。
\"Thankyou，\"saidMissMaynardinEnglish，\"butIdidnotwanttodisturbyou。\"
Heglancedquicklyatherfaceforthefirsttime。\"Ah，youareEnglish！\"hesaid。
\"No。IamAmerican。\"
Hisfacelightened。\"SoamI。\"
\"Ithoughtso，\"shesaid。
\"FrommybadFrench？\"
\"No。Becauseyoudidnotlookuptoseeifthewomanyouwerepolitetowasoldoryoung。\"
Hesmiled。\"Andyou，mademoiselle，——youdidnotmurmuracomplimenttothecopyovertheartist’sback。\"
Shesmiled，too，yetwithalittlepangoverthebread。Butshewasrelievedtoseethatheevidentlyhadnotrecognizedher。\"Youaremodest，\"shesaid；\"youdonotattemptmasterpieces。\"
\"Oh，no！ThegiantslikeTitianandCorregiomustbeservedwithbothhands。Ihaveonlyone，\"hesaidhalflightly，halfsadly。
\"Butyouhavebeenasoldier，\"shesaidwithquickintuition。
\"Notmuch。Onlyduringourwar，——untilIwascompelledtohandlenothinglargerthanapaletteknife。ThenIcamehometoNewYork，and，asIwasnousethere，Icameheretostudy。\"
\"IamfromSouthCarolina，\"shesaidquietly，witharisingcolor。
Heputhispalettedown，andglancedatherblackdress。\"Yes，\"
shewentondoggedly，\"myfatherlostallhisproperty，andwaskilledinbattlewiththeNortherners。Iamanorphan，——apupiloftheConservatoire。\"Itwasneverhercustomtoalludetoherfamilyorherlostfortunes；sheknewnotwhyshediditnow，butsomethingimpelledhertoridhermindofittohimatonce。Yetshewaspainedathisgraveandpityingface。
\"Iamverysorry，\"hesaidsimply。Then，afterapause，headded，withagentlesmile，\"AtalleventsyouandIwillnotquarrelhereunderthewingsoftheFrencheaglesthatshelterusboth。\"
\"IonlywantedtoexplainwhyIwasaloneinParis，\"shesaid，alittlelessaggressively。
Herepliedbyunhookinghispalette，whichwasingeniouslyfastenedbyastrapoverhisshoulderunderthemissingarm，andopenedaportfolioofsketchesathisside。\"Perhapstheymayinterestyoumorethanthecopy，whichIhaveattemptedonlytogetatthisman’smethod。TheyaresketchesIhavedonehere。\"
TherewasabuttressofNotreDame，ablackarchofthePontNeuf，partofanoldcourtyardintheFaubourgSt。Germain，——allveryfreshandstriking。Yet，withtherecollectionofhispovertyinhermind，shecouldnothelpsaying，\"Butifyoucopiedoneofthosemasterpieces，youknowyoucouldsellit。Thereisalwaysademandforthatwork。\"
\"Yes，\"hereplied，\"butthesehelpmeinmyline，whichisarchitecturalstudy。Itis，perhaps，notveryambitious，\"headdedthoughtfully，\"but，\"brighteningupagain，\"Isellthesesketches，too。Theyarequitemarketable，Iassureyou。\"
Helen’sheartsankagain。Sherememberednowtohaveseensuchsketches——shedoubtednottheywerehis——inthecheapshopsintheRuePoissoniere，ticketedatafewfrancseach。Shewassilentashepatientlyturnedthemover。Suddenlysheutteredalittlecry。
Hehadjustuncoveredalittlesketchofwhatseemedatfirstsightonlyaconfusedclusterofrooftops，dormerwindows，andchimneys，levelwiththesky—line。ButitwasbathedinthewhitesunshineofParis，againsttheblueskysheknewsowell。There，too，werethegrittycrystalsandrustofthetiles，thered，brown，andgreenishmossesofthegutters，andlowerdownthemorevividcolorsofgeraniumsandpansiesinflower—potsunderthewhitedimitycurtainswhichhidthesmallpanesofgarretwindows；yeteverysordiddetailtouchedandtransfiguredwiththepoetryandromanceofyouthandgenius。
\"Youhaveseenthis？\"shesaid。
\"Yes；itisastudyfrommywindow。Onemustgohighforsucheffects。Youwouldbesurprisedifyoucouldseehowdifferenttheairandsunshine\"——
\"No，\"sheinterruptedgently，\"IHAVEseenit。\"
\"You？\"herepeated，gazingathercuriously。
Helenranthepointofherslimfingeralongthesketchuntilitreachedatinydormerwindowintheleft—handcorner，half—hiddenbyanirregularchimney—stack。Thecurtainswerecloselydrawn。
Keepingherfingeruponthespot，shesaid，interrogatively，\"AndyousawTHATwindow？\"
\"Yes，quiteplainly。Irememberitwasalwaysopen，andtheroomseemedemptyfromearlymorningtoevening，whenthecurtainsweredrawn。\"
\"Itismyroom，\"shesaidsimply。
Theireyesmetwiththissuddenconfessionoftheirequalpoverty。
\"Andmine，\"hesaidgayly，\"fromwhichthisviewwastaken，isintherearandstillhigherupontheotherstreet。\"
Theybothlaughedasifsomesingularrestrainthadbeenremoved；
Helenevenforgottheincidentofthebreadinherrelief。Thentheycomparednotesoftheirexperiences，oftheirdifferentconcierges，oftheirhousekeeping，ofthecheapstoresandthecheaperrestaurantsofParis，——exceptone。Shetoldhimhername，andlearnedthathiswasPhilip，or，ifshepleased，MajorOstrander。Suddenlyglancingathercompanions，whowereostentatiouslylingeringatalittledistance，shebecameconsciousforthefirsttimethatshewastalkingquiteconfidentiallytoaveryhandsomeman，andforabriefmomentwished，sheknewnotwhy，thathehadbeenplainer。Thismomentaryrestraintwasaccentedbytheentranceofaladyandgentleman，ratherdistingueindressandbearing，whohadstoppedbeforethem，andwereeyingequallytheartist，hiswork，andhiscompanionwithsomewhatinsolentcuriosity。Helenfeltherselfstiffening；hercompaniondrewhimselfupwithsoldierlyrigidity。Foramomentitseemedasif，underthatbanalinfluence，theywouldpartwithceremoniouscontinentalpoliteness，butsuddenlytheirhandsmetinanationalhandshake，andwithafranksmiletheyseparated。
Helenrejoinedhercompanions。
\"SoyouhavemadeaconquestoftherecentlyacquiredbutunknownGreekstatue？\"saidMademoiselleReneelightly。\"Youshouldtakeupasubscriptiontorestorehisarm，mapetite，ifthereisamodernsculptorwhocandoit。YoumightsuggestittothetwoRussiancognoscenti，whohavebeenhoveringaroundhimasiftheywantedtobuyhimaswellashiswork。MadameLaPrincesseisrichenoughtoindulgeherartistictaste。\"
\"Itisacountrymanofmine，\"saidHelensimply。
\"HecertainlydoesnotspeakFrench，\"saidmademoisellemischievously。
\"Northinkit，\"respondedHelenwithequalvivacity。Nevertheless，shewishedshehadseenhimalone。
Shethoughtnothingmoreofhimthatdayinherfinishingexercises。
Butthenextmorningasshewenttoopenherwindowafterdressing，shedrewbackwithanewconsciousness，andthen，makingapeepholeinthecurtain，lookedovertheoppositeroofs。Shehadseenthemmanytimesbefore，butnowtheyhadacquiredanewpicturesqueness，whichasherviewwas，ofcourse，thereverseofthepoorpainter’ssketch，musthavebeenatransfiguredmemoryofherown。Thensheglancedcuriouslyalongthelineofwindowslevelwithhers。Allthese，however，withtheiroccasionalrevelationsofthemenagebehindthem，werealsofamiliartoher，butnowshebegantowonderwhichwashis。Asingularinstinctatlastimpelledhertolifthereyes。Higherinthecornerhouse，andsoneartheroofthatitscarcelyseemedpossibleforagrownmantostanduprightbehindit，wasanoeildeboeuflookingdownupontheotherroofs，andframedinthatcircularopeninglikeavignettewasthehandsomefaceofMajorOstrander。Hiseyesseemedtobeturnedtowardsherwindow。
Herfirstimpulsewastoopenitandrecognizehimwithafriendlynod。Butanoddminglingofmischiefandshynessmadeherturnawayquickly。
Nevertheless，shemethimthenextmorningwalkingslowlysonearherhousethattheirencountermighthavebeenscarcelyaccidentalonhispart。ShewalkedwithhimasfarastheConservatoire。Inthelightoftheopenstreetshethoughthelookedpaleandhollow—
cheeked；shewonderedifitwasfromhisenforcedfrugality，andwastryingtoconceivesomeelaborateplanofobliginghimtoacceptherhospitalityatleastforasinglemeal，whenhesaid：——
\"Ithinkyouhavebroughtmeluck，MissMaynard。\"
Helenopenedhereyeswonderingly。
\"ThetwoRussianconnoisseurswhostaredatussorudelywerepleased，however，toalsostareatmywork。Theyofferedmeafabuloussumforoneortwoofmysketches。Itdidn’tseemtomequitethesquarethingtooldFavelthepicture—dealer，whomIhadforcedtotakealotatonefifteenththeprice，soIsimplyreferredthemtohim。\"
\"No！\"saidMissHelenindignantly；\"youwerenotsofoolish？\"
Ostranderlaughed。
\"I’mafraidwhatyoucallmyfollydidn’tavail，fortheywantedwhattheysawinmyportfolio。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidHelen。\"Why，thatsketchofthehousetopalonewasworthahundredtimesmorethanwhatyou\"——Shestopped；shedidnotliketorevealwhathegotforhispictures，andadded，\"morethanwhatanyofthoseusurerswouldgive。\"
\"Iamgladyouthinksowellofit，forIdonotmeantosellit，\"
hesaidsimply，yetwithasignificancethatkepthersilent。
Shedidnotseehimagainforseveraldays。Thepreparationforherexaminationlefthernotime，andherearnestconcentrationinherworkfullypreoccupiedherthoughts。Shewassurprised，butnotdisturbed，onthedayoftheawardstoseehimamongtheaudienceofanxiousparentsandrelations。MissHelenMaynarddidnotgetthefirstprize，noryetthesecond；anaccessitwasheronlyaward。Shedidnotknowuntilafterwardsthatthishadlongbeenaforegoneconclusionofherteachersonaccountofsomeintrinsicdefectinhervoice。Shedidnotknowuntillongafterwardsthatthehandsomepainter’snervousnessonthatoccasionhadattractedeventhesympathyofsomeofthosewhowerenearhim。
Forsheherselfhadbeencalmandcollected。Nooneelseknewhowcrushingwastheblowwhichshatteredherhopesandmadeherthreeyearsoflaborandprivationauselessstruggle。Yetthoughnolongerapupilshecouldstillteach；hermasterhadfoundherasmallpatronagethatsavedherfromdestitution。Thatnightshecircledupquitecheerfullyinherusualswallowflighttohernestundertheeaves，andeventwitteredonthelandingalittleoverthecondolencesoftheconcierge——whoknew，monDieu！whatabeastthedirectoroftheConservatoirewasandhowhecouldbebribed；
butwhenatlastherbrownheadsankonherpillowshecried——justalittle。
Butwhatwasallthistothatnextmorning——thegloriousspringmorningwhichbathedalltheroofsofPariswithwarmthandhope，rekindlingenthusiasmandambitioninthebreastofyouth，andgildingevenmuchofthesordiddirtbelow。ItseemedquitenaturalthatsheshouldmeetMajorOstrandernotmanyyardsawayasshesalliedout。Inthatbrightspringsunshineandthehopefulspringoftheiryouththeyevenlaughedatthepreviousday’sdisappointment。Ah！whataclaqueitwas，afterall！Forhimself，he，Ostrander，wouldmuchratherseethatsatin—facedParisiangirlwhohadgottheprizesmirkingatthecriticsfromtheboardsoftheGrandOperathanhiscountrywoman！TheConservatoiresettledthingsforParis，butPariswasn’ttheworld！Americawouldcometotheforeyetinartofallkinds——therewasafreeacademytherenow——thereshouldbeaConservatoireofitsown。Ofcourse，ParisschoolingandParisexperienceweren’ttobedespisedinart；but，thankheaven！shehadTHAT，andnodirectorscouldtakeitfromher！Thisandmuchmore，until，comparingnotes，theysuddenlyfoundthattheywerebothfreeforthatday。Whyshouldtheynottakeadvantageofthatrareweatherandrareropportunitytomakealittlesuburbanexcursion？Butwhere？TherewastheBois，butthatwasstillParis。Fontainebleau？Toofar；therewerealwaysartistssketchingintheforest，andhewouldlikeforthatdayto\"sinktheshop。\"Versailles？Ah，yes！Versailles！
Thithertheywent。Itwasnotnewtoeitherofthem。OstranderknewitasanartistandasanAmericanreaderofthatFrenchhistoricromance——areaderwhohurriedovertheshamintriguesoftheOeildeBoeuf，theshampastoralsofthePetitTrianon，andtheshamheroicsofashiftycourt，togettoLafayette。Helenknewitasachildwhohaddodgedtheselessonsfromherpatrioticfather，buthadenjoyedthewoods，theparks，theterraces，andparticularlytherestaurantattheparkgates。Thatdaytheytookitlikeaboyandgirl，——withtheamused，omniscienttoleranceofyouthforapastsoinferiortothepresent。Ostranderthoughtthisgray—eyed，independentAmerican—Frenchgirlfarsuperiortotheobsequiousfillesd’honneur，whosebrocadeshadrustledthroughthosequinquonces，andHelenvaguelyrealizedthetruthofherfellowpupil’smischievouscriticismofhercompanionthatdayattheLouvre。Surelytherewasnoclassicalstatueherecomparabletotheone—armedsoldier—painter！
Allthiswasasyetfreefromeithersentimentorpassion，andwasonlythefrankprideoffriendship。But，oddlyenough，theirmerepresenceandcompanionshipseemedtoexciteinothersthattendernesstheyhadnotyetfeltthemselves。Familygroupswatchedthehandsomepairintheirinnocentconfidences，and，withFrenchexuberantrecognitionofsentiment，thoughtthemtheincarnationofLove。Somethingintheirmanifestequalityofconditionkepteventhevainestandmostsusceptibleofspectatorsfromattemptedrivalryorcynicalinterruption。Andwhenatlasttheydroppedsidebysideonasun—warmedstonebenchontheterrace，andHelen，incliningherbrownheadtowardshercompanion，informedhimofthedifficultyshehadexperiencedingettinggumbosoup，riceandchicken，corncakes，oranyofherfavoritehomedishesinParis，anexhaustedbutgallantboulevardierrosefromacontiguousbench，and，politelyliftinghishattothehandsomecouple，turnedslowlyawayfromwhathebelievedweretenderconfidenceshewouldnotpermithimselftohear。
Buttheshadowofthetreesbegantolengthen，castingbroadbarsacrossthealle，andthesunsanklowertotheleveloftheireyes。
Theywerequitesurprised，onlookingaroundafewmomentslater，todiscoverthatthegardenswerequitedeserted，andOstrander，onconsultinghiswatch，foundthattheyhadjustlostatrainwhichtheotherpleasure—seekershadevidentlyavailedthemselvesof。Nomatter；therewasanothertrainanhourlater；theycouldstilllingerforafewmomentsinthebriefsunsetandthendineatthelocalrestaurantbeforetheyleft。Theybothlaughedattheirforgetfulness，andthen，withoutknowingwhy，suddenlylapsedintosilence。Afaintwindblewintheirfacesandtrilledthethinleavesabovetheirheads。Nothingelsemoved。ThelongwindowsofthepalaceinthatsunsetlightseemedtoglistenagainwiththeincendiaryfiresoftheRevolution，andthenwentoutblanklyandabruptly。Thetwocompanionsfeltthattheypossessedtheterraceandallitsmemoriesascompletelyastheshadowswhohadlivedanddiedthere。
\"Iamsogladwehavehadthisdaytogether，\"saidthepainter，withaveryconsciousbreakingofthesilence，\"forIamleavingParisto—morrow。\"
Helenraisedhereyesquicklytohis。
\"Forafewdaysonly，\"hecontinued。\"MyRussiancustomers——
perhapsIoughttosaymypatrons——havegivenmeacommissiontomakeastudyofanoldchateauwhichtheprincesslatelybought。\"
Aswiftrecollectionofherfellowpupil’srailleryregardingtheprincess’spossibleattitudetowardsthepaintercameoverherandgaveastrangeartificialitytoherresponse。
\"Isupposeyouwillenjoyitverymuch，\"shesaiddryly。
\"No，\"hereturnedwiththefranknessthatshehadlacked。\"I’dmuchratherstayinParis，but，\"headdedwithafaintsmile，\"it’saquestionofmoney，andthatisnottobedespised。YetI——I——
somehowfeelthatIamdesertingyou，——leavingyouhereallaloneinParis。\"
\"I’vebeenallaloneforfouryears，\"shesaid，withabitternessshehadneverfeltbefore，\"andIsupposeI’maccustomedtoit。\"
Neverthelesssheleanedalittleforward，withherfawn—coloredlashesdroppedoverhereyes，whichwerebentuponthegroundandthepointoftheparasolshewasholdingwithherlittleglovedhandsbetweenherknees。Hewonderedwhyshedidnotlookup；hedidnotknowthatitwaspartlybecausethereweretearsinhereyesandpartlyforanotherreason。Asshehadleanedforwardhisarmhadquiteunconsciouslymovedalongthebackofthebenchwherehershouldershadrested，andshecouldnothaveresumedherpositionexceptinhishalfembrace。
