第2章
ItcouldcertainlynotbethefaultofMrs。Bart，whowasspokenofbyherfriendsasa"wonderfulmanager。"Mrs。Bartwasfamousfortheunlimitedeffectsheproducedonlimitedmeans；andtotheladyandheracquaintancestherewassomethingheroicinlivingasthoughoneweremuchricherthanone’sbank-bookdenoted。
Lilywasnaturallyproudofhermother’saptitudeinthisline:
shehadbeenbroughtupinthefaiththat，whateveritcost，onemusthaveagoodcook，andbewhatMrs。Bartcalled"decentlydressed。"Mrs。Bart’sworstreproachtoherhusbandwastoaskhimifheexpectedherto"livelikeapig"；andhisreplyinginthenegativewasalwaysregardedasajustificationforcablingtoParisforanextradressortwo，andtelephoningtothejewellerthathemight，afterall，sendhometheturquoisebraceletwhichMrs。Barthadlookedatthatmorning。
Lilyknewpeoplewho"livedlikepigs，"andtheirappearanceandsurroundingsjustifiedhermother’srepugnancetothatformofexistence。Theyweremostlycousins，whoinhabiteddingyhouseswithengravingsfromCole’sVoyageofLifeonthedrawing-roomwalls，andslatternlyparlour-maidswhosaid"I’llgoandsee"tovisitorscallingatanhourwhenallright-mindedpersonsareconventionallyifnotactuallyout。Thedisgustingpartofitwasthatmanyofthesecousinswererich，sothatLilyimbibedtheideathatifpeoplelivedlikepigsitwasfromchoice，andthroughthelackofanyproperstandardofconduct。
Thisgaveherasenseofreflectedsuperiority，andshedidnotneedMrs。Bart’scommentsonthefamilyfrumpsandmiserstofosterhernaturallylivelytasteforsplendour。
Lilywasnineteenwhencircumstancescausedhertoreviseherviewoftheuniverse。
Thepreviousyearshehadmadeadazzlingdebutfringedbyaheavythunder-cloudofbills。Thelightofthedebutstilllingeredonthehorizon，butthecloudhadthickened；andsuddenlyitbroke。Thesuddennessaddedtothehorror；andtherewerestilltimeswhenLilyrelivedwithpainfulvividnesseverydetailofthedayonwhichtheblowfell。Sheandhermotherhadbeenseatedattheluncheon-table，overtheCHAUFROIXandcoldsalmonofthepreviousnight’sdinner:itwasoneofMrs。Bart’sfeweconomiestoconsumeinprivatetheexpensiveremnantsofherhospitality。Lilywasfeelingthepleasantlanguorwhichisyouth’spenaltyfordancingtilldawn；buthermother，inspiteofafewlinesaboutthemouth，andundertheyellowwavesonhertemples，wasasalert，determinedandhighincolourasifshehadrisenfromanuntroubledsleep。
Inthecentreofthetable，betweenthemeltingMARRONSGLACES
andcandiedcherries，apyramidofAmericanBeautiesliftedtheirvigorousstems；theyheldtheirheadsashighasMrs。Bart，buttheirrose-colourhadturnedtoadissipatedpurple，andLily’ssenseoffitnesswasdisturbedbytheirreappearanceontheluncheon-table。
"Ireallythink，mother，"shesaidreproachfully，"wemightaffordafewfreshflowersforluncheon。Justsomejonquilsorlilies-of-the-valley——"
Mrs。Bartstared。Herownfastidiousnesshaditseyefixedontheworld，andshedidnotcarehowtheluncheon-tablelookedwhentherewasnoonepresentatitbutthefamily。Butshesmiledatherdaughter’sinnocence。
"Lilies-of-the-valley，"shesaidcalmly，"costtwodollarsadozenatthisseason。"
Lilywasnotimpressed。Sheknewverylittleofthevalueofmoney。
"Itwouldnottakemorethansixdozentofillthatbowl，"sheargued。
"Sixdozenwhat？"askedherfather’svoiceinthedoorway。
Thetwowomenlookedupinsurprise；thoughitwasaSaturday，thesightofMr。Bartatluncheonwasanunwontedone。Butneitherhiswifenorhisdaughterwassufficientlyinterestedtoaskanexplanation。
Mr。Bartdroppedintoachair，andsatgazingabsentlyatthefragmentofjelliedsalmonwhichthebutlerhadplacedbeforehim。
"Iwasonlysaying，"Lilybegan，"thatIhatetoseefadedflowersatluncheon；andmothersaysabunchoflilies-of-the-
valleywouldnotcostmorethantwelvedollars。Mayn’tItellthefloristtosendafeweveryday？"
Sheleanedconfidentlytowardherfather:heseldomrefusedheranything，andMrs。Barthadtaughthertopleadwithhimwhenherownentreatiesfailed。
Mr。Bartsatmotionless，hisgazestillfixedonthesalmon，andhislowerjawdropped；helookedevenpalerthanusual，andhisthinhairlayinuntidystreaksonhisforehead。Suddenlyhelookedathisdaughterandlaughed。ThelaughwassostrangethatLilycolouredunderit:shedislikedbeingridiculed，andherfatherseemedtoseesomethingridiculousintherequest。Perhapshethoughtitfoolishthatsheshouldtroublehimaboutsuchatrifle。
"Twelvedollars——twelvedollarsadayforflowers？Oh，certainly，mydear——givehimanorderfortwelvehundred。"Hecontinuedtolaugh。
Mrs。Bartgavehimaquickglance。
"Youneedn’twait，Poleworth——Iwillringforyou，"shesaidtothebutler。
Thebutlerwithdrewwithanairofsilentdisapproval，leavingtheremainsoftheCHAUFROIXonthesideboard。
"Whatisthematter，Hudson？Areyouill？"saidMrs。Bartseverely。
Shehadnotoleranceforsceneswhichwerenotofherownmaking，anditwasodioustoherthatherhusbandshouldmakeashowofhimselfbeforetheservants。
"Areyouill？"sherepeated。
"Ill？——No，I’mruined，"hesaid。
Lilymadeafrightenedsound，andMrs。Bartrosetoherfeet。
"Ruined——？"shecried；butcontrollingherselfinstantly，sheturnedacalmfacetoLily。
"Shutthepantrydoor，"shesaid。
Lilyobeyed，andwhensheturnedbackintotheroomherfatherwassittingwithbothelbowsonthetable，theplateofsalmonbetweenthem，andhisheadbowedonhishands。
Mrs。Bartstoodoverhimwithawhitefacewhichmadeherhairunnaturallyyellow。ShelookedatLilyasthelatterapproached:
herlookwasterrible，buthervoicewasmodulatedtoaghastlycheerfulness。
"Yourfatherisnotwell——hedoesn’tknowwhatheissaying。Itisnothing——butyouhadbettergoupstairs；anddon’ttalktotheservants，"sheadded。
Lilyobeyed；shealwaysobeyedwhenhermotherspokeinthatvoice。ShehadnotbeendeceivedbyMrs。Bart’swords:sheknewatoncethattheywereruined。Inthedarkhourswhichfollowed，thatawfulfactovershadowedevenherfather’sslowanddifficultdying。Tohiswifehenolongercounted:hehadbecomeextinctwhenheceasedtofulfilhispurpose，andshesatathissidewiththeprovisionalairofatravellerwhowaitsforabelatedtraintostart。Lily’sfeelingsweresofter:shepitiedhiminafrightenedineffectualway。Butthefactthathewasforthemostpartunconscious，andthathisattention，whenshestoleintotheroom，driftedawayfromherafteramoment，madehimevenmoreofastrangerthaninthenurserydayswhenhehadnevercomehometillafterdark。Sheseemedalwaystohaveseenhimthroughablur——firstofsleepiness，thenofdistanceandindifference——
andnowthefoghadthickenedtillhewasalmostindistinguishable。Ifshecouldhaveperformedanylittleservicesforhim，orhaveexchangedwithhimafewofthoseaffectingwordswhichanextensiveperusaloffictionhadledhertoconnectwithsuchoccasions，thefilialinstinctmighthavestirredinher；butherpity，findingnoactiveexpression，remainedinastateofspectatorship，overshadowedbyhermother’sgrimunflaggingresentment。EverylookandactofMrs。
Bart’sseemedtosay:"Youaresorryforhimnow——butyouwillfeeldifferentlywhenyouseewhathehasdonetous。"
ItwasarelieftoLilywhenherfatherdied。
Thenalongwintersetin。Therewasalittlemoneyleft，buttoMrs。Bartitseemedworsethannothing——themeremockeryofwhatshewasentitledto。Whatwastheuseoflivingifonehadtolivelikeapig？Shesankintoakindoffuriousapathy，astateofinertangeragainstfate。Herfacultyfor"managing"desertedher，orshenolongertooksufficientprideinittoexertit。Itwaswellenoughto"manage"whenbysodoingonecouldkeepone’sowncarriage；butwhenone’sbestcontrivancedidnotconcealthefactthatonehadtogoonfoot，theeffortwasnolongerworthmaking。
Lilyandhermotherwanderedfromplacetoplace，nowpayinglongvisitstorelationswhosehouse-keepingMrs。Bartcriticized，andwhodeploredthefactthatsheletLilybreakfastinbedwhenthegirlhadnoprospectsbeforeher，andnowvegetatingincheapcontinentalrefuges，whereMrs。Bartheldherselffiercelyalooffromthefrugaltea-tablesofhercompanionsinmisfortune。Shewasespeciallycarefultoavoidheroldfriendsandthescenesofherformersuccesses。Tobepoorseemedtohersuchaconfessionoffailurethatitamountedtodisgrace；andshedetectedanoteofcondescensioninthefriendliestadvances。
Onlyonethoughtconsoledher，andthatwasthecontemplationofLily’sbeauty。Shestudieditwithakindofpassion，asthoughitweresomeweaponshehadslowlyfashionedforhervengeance。
Itwasthelastassetintheirfortunes，thenucleusaroundwhichtheirlifewastoberebuilt。Shewatcheditjealously，asthoughitwereherownpropertyandLilyitsmerecustodian；andshetriedtoinstilintothelatterasenseoftheresponsibilitythatsuchachargeinvolved。Shefollowedinimaginationthecareerofotherbeauties，pointingouttoherdaughterwhatmightbeachievedthroughsuchagift，anddwellingontheawfulwarningofthosewho，inspiteofit，hadfailedtogetwhattheywanted:toMrs。Bart，onlystupiditycouldexplainthelamentabledenouementofsomeofherexamples。Shewasnotabovetheinconsistencyofchargingfate，ratherthanherself，withherownmisfortunes；butsheinveighedsoacrimoniouslyagainstlove-matchesthatLilywouldhavefanciedherownmarriagehadbeenofthatnature，hadnotMrs。Bartfrequentlyassuredherthatshehadbeen"talkedintoit"——bywhom，shenevermadeclear。
Lilywasdulyimpressedbythemagnitudeofheropportunities。
Thedinginessofherpresentlifethrewintoenchantingrelieftheexistencetowhichshefeltherselfentitled。ToalessilluminatedintelligenceMrs。Bart’scounselsmighthavebeendangerous；butLilyunderstoodthatbeautyisonlytherawmaterialofconquest，andthattoconvertitintosuccessotherartsarerequired。Sheknewthattobetrayanysenseofsuperioritywasasubtlerformofthestupidityhermotherdenounced，anditdidnottakeherlongtolearnthatabeautyneedsmoretactthanthepossessorofanaveragesetoffeatures。
HerambitionswerenotascrudeasMrs。Bart’s。Ithadbeenamongthatlady’sgrievancesthatherhusband——intheearlydays，beforehewastootired——hadwastedhiseveningsinwhatshevaguelydescribedas"readingpoetry"；andamongtheeffectspackedofftoauctionafterhisdeathwereascoreortwoofdingyvolumeswhichhadstruggledforexistenceamongthebootsandmedicinebottlesofhisdressing-roomshelves。TherewasinLilyaveinofsentiment，perhapstransmittedfromthissource，whichgaveanidealizingtouchtohermostprosaicpurposes。Shelikedtothinkofherbeautyasapowerforgood，asgivinghertheopportunitytoattainapositionwheresheshouldmakeherinfluencefeltinthevaguediffusionofrefinementandgoodtaste。Shewasfondofpicturesandflowers，andofsentimentalfiction，andshecouldnothelpthinkingthatthepossessionofsuchtastesennobledherdesireforworldlyadvantages。Shewouldnotindeedhavecaredtomarryamanwhowasmerelyrich:shewassecretlyashamedofhermother’scrudepassionformoney。
Lily’spreferencewouldhavebeenforanEnglishnoblemanwithpoliticalambitionsandvastestates；or，forsecondchoice，anItalianprincewithacastleintheApenninesandanhereditaryofficeintheVatican。Lostcauseshadaromanticcharmforher，andshelikedtopictureherselfasstandingalooffromthevulgarpressoftheQuirinal，andsacrificingherpleasuretotheclaimsofanimmemorialtradition……
Howlongagoandhowfaroffitallseemed！ThoseambitionswerehardlymorefutileandchildishthantheearlieroneswhichhadcentredaboutthepossessionofaFrenchjointeddollwithrealhair。WasitonlytenyearssinceshehadwaveredinimaginationbetweentheEnglishearlandtheItalianprince？Relentlesslyhermindtravelledonoverthedrearyinterval……
AftertwoyearsofhungryroamingMrs。Barthaddied——diedofadeepdisgust。Shehadhateddinginess，anditwasherfatetobedingy。HervisionsofabrilliantmarriageforLilyhadfadedafterthefirstyear。
"Peoplecan’tmarryyouiftheydon’tseeyou——andhowcantheyseeyouintheseholeswherewe’restuck？"Thatwastheburdenofherlament；andherlastadjurationtoherdaughterwastoescapefromdinginessifshecould。
"Don’tletitcreepuponyouanddragyoudown。Fightyourwayoutofitsomehow——you’reyoungandcandoit，"sheinsisted。
ShehaddiedduringoneoftheirbriefvisitstoNewYork，andthereLilyatoncebecamethecentreofafamilycouncilcomposedofthewealthyrelativeswhomshehadbeentaughttodespiseforlivinglikepigs。Itmaybethattheyhadaninklingofthesentimentsinwhichshehadbeenbroughtup，fornoneofthemmanifestedaverylivelydesireforhercompany；indeed，thequestionthreatenedtoremainunsolvedtillMrs。Penistonwithasighannounced:"I’lltryherforayear。"
Everyonewassurprised，butoneandallconcealedtheirsurprise，lestMrs。Penistonshouldbealarmedbyitintoreconsideringherdecision。
Mrs。PenistonwasMr。Bart’swidowedsister，andifshewasbynomeanstherichestofthefamilygroup，itsothermembersneverthelessaboundedinreasonswhyshewasclearlydestinedbyProvidencetoassumethechargeofLily。Inthefirstplaceshewasalone，anditwouldbecharmingforhertohaveayoungcompanion。Thenshesometimestravelled，andLily’sfamiliaritywithforeigncustoms——deploredasamisfortunebyhermoreconservativerelatives——wouldatleastenablehertoactasakindofcourier。ButasamatteroffactMrs。Penistonhadnotbeenaffectedbytheseconsiderations。Shehadtakenthegirlsimplybecausenooneelsewouldhaveher，andbecauseshehadthekindofmoralMAUVAISEHONTEwhichmakesthepublicdisplayofselfishnessdifficult，thoughitdoesnotinterferewithitsprivateindulgence。ItwouldhavebeenimpossibleforMrs。
Penistontobeheroiconadesertisland，butwiththeeyesofherlittleworlduponhershetookacertainpleasureinheract。
Shereapedtherewardtowhichdisinterestednessisentitled，andfoundanagreeablecompanioninherniece。ShehadexpectedtofindLilyheadstrong，criticaland"foreign"——forevenMrs。
Peniston，thoughsheoccasionallywentabroad，hadthefamilydreadofforeignness——butthegirlshowedapliancy，which，toamorepenetratingmindthanheraunt’s，mighthavebeenlessreassuringthantheopenselfishnessofyouth。MisfortunehadmadeLilysuppleinsteadofhardeningher，andapliablesubstanceislesseasytobreakthanastiffone。
Mrs。Peniston，however，didnotsufferfromherniece’sadaptability。Lilyhadnointentionoftakingadvantageofheraunt’sgoodnature。Shewasintruthgratefulfortherefugeofferedher:Mrs。Peniston’sopulentinteriorwasatleastnotexternallydingy。Butdinginessisaqualitywhichassumesallmannerofdisguises；andLilysoonfoundthatitwasaslatentintheexpensiveroutineofheraunt’slifeasinthemakeshiftexistenceofacontinentalpension。
Mrs。Penistonwasoneoftheepisodicalpersonswhoformthepaddingoflife。Itwasimpossibletobelievethatshehadherselfeverbeenafocusofactivities。ThemostvividthingaboutherwasthefactthathergrandmotherhadbeenaVanAlstyne。Thisconnectionwiththewell-fedandindustriousstockofearlyNewYorkrevealeditselfintheglacialneatnessofMrs。
Peniston’sdrawing-roomandintheexcellenceofhercuisine。ShebelongedtotheclassofoldNewYorkerswhohavealwayslivedwell，dressedexpensively，anddonelittleelse；andtotheseinheritedobligationsMrs。Penistonfaitfullyconformed。
Shehadalwaysbeenalooker-onatlife，andhermindresembledoneofthoselittlemirrorswhichherDutchancestorswereaccustomedtoaffixtotheirupperwindows，sothatfromthedepthsofanimpenetrabledomesticitytheymightseewhatwashappeninginthestreet。
Mrs。Penistonwastheownerofacountry-placeinNewJersey，butshehadneverlivedtheresinceherhusband’sdeath——aremoteevent，whichappearedtodwellinhermemorychieflyasadividingpointinthepersonalreminiscencesthatformedthestapleofherconversation。Shewasawomanwhoremembereddateswithintensity，andcouldtellatamoment’snoticewhetherthedrawing-roomcurtainshadbeenrenewedbeforeorafterMr。
Peniston’slastillness。
Mrs。Penistonthoughtthecountrylonelyandtreesdamp，andcherishedavaguefearofmeetingabull。Toguardagainstsuchcontingenciesshefrequentedthemorepopulouswatering-places，wheresheinstalledherselfimpersonallyinahiredhouseandlookedonatlifethroughthemattingscreenofherverandah。Inthecareofsuchaguardian，itsoonbecamecleartoLilythatshewastoenjoyonlythematerialadvantagesofgoodfoodandexpensiveclothing；and，thoughfarfromunderratingthese，shewouldgladlyhaveexchangedthemforwhatMrs。Barthadtaughthertoregardasopportunities。Shesighedtothinkwhathermother’sfierceenergieswouldhaveaccomplished，hadtheybeencoupledwithMrs。Peniston’sresources。Lilyhadabundantenergyofherown，butitwasrestrictedbythenecessityofadaptingherselftoheraunt’shabits。ShesawthatatallcostsshemustkeepMrs。Peniston’sfavourtill，asMrs。Bartwouldhavephrasedit，shecouldstandonherownlegs。Lilyhadnomindforthevagabondlifeofthepoorrelation，andtoadaptherselftoMrs。
Penistonshehad，tosomedegree，toassumethatlady’spassiveattitude。Shehadfanciedatfirstthatitwouldbeeasytodrawherauntintothewhirlofherownactivities，buttherewasastaticforceinMrs。Penistonagainstwhichherniece’seffortsspentthemselvesinvain。Toattempttobringherintoactiverelationwithlifewasliketuggingatapieceoffurniturewhichhasbeenscrewedtothefloor。Shedidnot，indeed，expectLilytoremainequallyimmovable:shehadalltheAmericanguardian’sindulgenceforthevolatilityofyouth。
Shehadindulgencealsoforcertainotherhabitsofherniece’s。
ItseemedtohernaturalthatLilyshouldspendallhermoneyondress，andshesupplementedthegirl’sscantyincomebyoccasional"handsomepresents"meanttobeappliedtothesamepurpose。Lily，whowasintenselypractical，wouldhavepreferredafixedallowance；butMrs。Penistonlikedtheperiodicalrecurrenceofgratitudeevokedbyunexpectedcheques，andwasperhapsshrewdenoughtoperceivethatsuchamethodofgivingkeptaliveinhernieceasalutarysenseofdependence。
Beyondthis，Mrs。Penistonhadnotfeltcalledupontodoanythingforhercharge:shehadsimplystoodasideandlethertakethefield。Lilyhadtakenit，atfirstwiththeconfidenceofassuredpossessorship，thenwithgraduallynarrowingdemands，tillnowshefoundherselfactuallystrugglingforafootholdonthebroadspacewhichhadonceseemedherownfortheasking。Howithappenedshedidnotyetknow。SometimesshethoughtitwasbecauseMrs。Penistonhadbeentoopassive，andagainshefeareditwasbecausesheherselfhadnotbeenpassiveenough。Hadsheshownanundueeagernessforvictory？Hadshelackedpatience，pliancyanddissimulation？Whethershechargedherselfwiththesefaultsorabsolvedherselffromthem，madenodifferenceinthesum-totalofherfailure。Youngerandplainergirlshadbeenmarriedoffbydozens，andshewasnine-and-twenty，andstillMissBart。
Shewasbeginningtohavefitsofangryrebellionagainstfate，whenshelongedtodropoutoftheraceandmakeanindependentlifeforherself。Butwhatmanneroflifewoulditbe？Shehadbarelyenoughmoneytopayherdress-makers’billsandhergamblingdebts；andnoneofthedesultoryinterestswhichshedignifiedwiththenameoftasteswaspronouncedenoughtoenablehertolivecontentedlyinobscurity。Ah，no——shewastoointelligentnottobehonestwithherself。Sheknewthatshehateddinginessasmuchashermotherhadhatedit，andtoherlastbreathshemeanttofightagainstit，draggingherselfupagainandagainaboveitsfloodtillshegainedthebrightpinnaclesofsuccesswhichpresentedsuchaslipperysurfacetoherclutch。
Thenextmorning，onherbreakfasttray，MissBartfoundanotefromherhostess。
"DearestLily，"itran，"ifitisnottoomuchofaboretobedownbyten，willyoucometomysitting-roomtohelpmewithsometiresomethings？"
Lilytossedasidethenoteandsubsidedonherpillowswithasigh。ItWASaboretobedownbyten——anhourregardedatBellomontasvaguelysynchronouswithsunrise——andsheknewtoowellthenatureofthetiresomethingsinquestion。MissPragg，thesecretary，hadbeencalledaway，andtherewouldbenotesanddinner-cardstowrite，lostaddressestohuntup，andothersocialdrudgerytoperform。ItwasunderstoodthatMissBartshouldfillthegapinsuchemergencies，andsheusuallyrecognizedtheobligationwithoutamurmur。
Today，however，itrenewedthesenseofservitudewhichthepreviousnight’sreviewofhercheque-bookhadproduced。
Everythinginhersurroundingsministeredtofeelingsofeaseandamenity。ThewindowsstoodopentothesparklingfreshnessoftheSeptembermorning，andbetweentheyellowboughsshecaughtaperspectiveofhedgesandparterresleadingbydegreesoflesseningformalitytothefreeundulationsofthepark。Hermaidhadkindledalittlefireonthehearth，anditcontendedcheerfullywiththesunlightwhichslantedacrossthemoss-greencarpetandcaressedthecurvedsidesofanoldmarquetrydesk。
Nearthebedstoodatableholdingherbreakfasttray，withitsharmoniousporcelainandsilver，ahandfulofvioletsinaslenderglass，andthemorningpaperfoldedbeneathherletters。
TherewasnothingnewtoLilyinthesetokensofastudiedluxury；but，thoughtheyformedapartofheratmosphere，sheneverlosthersensitivenesstotheircharm。Meredisplayleftherwithasenseofsuperiordistinction；butshefeltanaffinitytoallthesubtlermanifestationsofwealth。
Mrs。Trenor’ssummons，however，suddenlyrecalledherstateofdependence，andsheroseanddressedinamoodofirritabilitythatshewasusuallytooprudenttoindulge。Sheknewthatsuchemotionsleavelinesonthefaceaswellasinthecharacter，andshehadmeanttotakewarningbythelittlecreaseswhichhermidnightsurveyhadrevealed。
Thematter-of-coursetoneofMrs。Trenor’sgreetingdeepenedherirritation。Ifonediddragone’sselfoutofbedatsuchanhour，andcomedownfreshandradianttothemonotonyofnote-writing，somespecialrecognitionofthesacrificeseemedfitting。ButMrs。Trenor’stoneshowednoconsciousnessofthefact。
"Oh，Lily，that’sniceofyou，"shemerelysighedacrossthechaosofletters，billsandotherdomesticdocumentswhichgaveanincongruouslycommercialtouchtotheslendereleganceofherwriting-table。
"Therearesuchlotsofhorrorsthismorning，"sheadded，clearingaspaceinthecentreoftheconfusionandrisingtoyieldherseattoMissBart。
Mrs。Trenorwasatallfairwoman，whoseheightjustsavedherfromredundancy。Herrosyblondnesshadsurvivedsomefortyyearsoffutileactivitywithoutshowingmuchtraceofill-usageexceptinadiminishedplayoffeature。Itwasdifficulttodefineherbeyondsayingthatsheseemedtoexistonlyasahostess，notsomuchfromanyexaggeratedinstinctofhospitalityasbecauseshecouldnotsustainlifeexceptinacrowd。Thecollectivenatureofherinterestsexemptedherfromtheordinaryrivalriesofhersex，andsheknewnomorepersonalemotionthanthatofhatredforthewomanwhopresumedtogivebiggerdinnersorhavemoreamusinghouse-partiesthanherself。Ashersocialtalents，backedbyMr。Trenor’sbank-account，almostalwaysassuredherultimatetriumphinsuchcompetitions，successhaddevelopedinheranunscrupulousgoodnaturetowardtherestofhersex，andinMissBart’sutilitarianclassificationofherfriends，Mrs。Trenorrankedasthewomanwhowasleastlikelyto"goback"onher。
"ItwassimplyinhumanofPraggtogooffnow，"Mrs。Trenordeclared，asherfriendseatedherselfatthedesk。"Shesayshersisterisgoingtohaveababy——asifthatwereanythingtohavingahouse-party！I’msureIshallgetmosthorriblymixedupandtherewillbesomeawfulrows。WhenIwasdownatTuxedoI
askedalotofpeoplefornextweek，andI’vemislaidthelistandcan’trememberwhoiscoming。Andthisweekisgoingtobeahorridfailuretoo——andGwenVanOsburghwillgobackandtellhermotherhowboredpeoplewere。IdidmeantoasktheWetheralls——thatwasablunderofGus’s。TheydisapproveofCarryFisher，youknow。AsifonecouldhelphavingCarryFisher！ItWASfoolishofhertogetthatseconddivorce——Carryalwaysoverdoesthings——butshesaidtheonlywaytogetapennyoutofFisherwastodivorcehimandmakehimpayalimony。AndpoorCarryhastoconsidereverydollar。It’sreallyabsurdofAliceWetheralltomakesuchafussaboutmeetingher，whenonethinksofwhatsocietyiscomingto。Someonesaidtheotherdaythattherewasadivorceandacaseofappendicitisineveryfamilyoneknows。Besides，CarryistheonlypersonwhocankeepGusinagoodhumourwhenwehaveboresinthehouse。HaveyounoticedthatALLthehusbandslikeher？All，Imean，exceptherown。It’srathercleverofhertohavemadeaspecialtyofdevotingherselftodullpeople——thefieldissuchalargeone，andshehasitpracticallytoherself。Shefindscompensations，nodoubt——IknowsheborrowsmoneyofGus——butthenI’dPAYhertokeephiminagoodhumour，soIcan’tcomplain，afterall。
"Mrs。TrenorpausedtoenjoythespectacleofMissBart’seffortstounravelhertangledcorrespondence。
"ButitisonlytheWetherallsandCarry，"sheresumed，withafreshnoteoflament。"Thetruthis，I’mawfullydisappointedinLadyCressidaRaith。"
"Disappointed？Hadyouknownherbefore？"
"Mercy，no——neversawhertillyesterday。LadySkiddawsentheroverwithletterstotheVanOsburghs，andIheardthatMariaVanOsburghwasaskingabigpartytomeetherthisweek，soI
thoughtitwouldbefuntogetheraway，andJackStepney，whoknewherinIndia，manageditforme。Mariawasfurious，andactuallyhadtheimpudencetomakeGweninviteherselfhere，sothattheyshouldn’tbeQUITEoutofit——ifI’dknownwhatLadyCressidawaslike，theycouldhavehadherandwelcome！ButI
thoughtanyfriendoftheSkiddaws’wassuretobeamusing。YourememberwhatfunLadySkiddawwas？ThereweretimeswhenI
simplyhadtosendthegirlsoutoftheroom。Besides，LadyCressidaistheDuchessofBeltshire’ssister，andInaturallysupposedshewasthesamesort；butyounevercantellinthoseEnglishfamilies。Theyaresobigthatthere’sroomforallkinds，anditturnsoutthatLadyCressidaisthemoralone——marriedaclergy-mananddoesmissionaryworkintheEastEnd。Thinkofmytakingsuchalotoftroubleaboutaclergyman’swife，whowearsIndianjewelryandbotanizes！ShemadeGustakeherallthroughtheglass-housesyesterday，andbotheredhimtodeathbyaskinghimthenamesoftheplants。FancytreatingGusasifhewerethegardener！
"Mrs。TrenorbroughtthisoutinaCRESCENDOofindignation。
"Oh，well，perhapsLadyCressidawillreconciletheWetherallstomeetingCarryFisher，"saidMissBartpacifically。
"I’msureIhopeso！Butsheisboringallthemenhorribly，andifshetakestodistributingtracts，asIhearshedoes，itwillbetoodepressing。Theworstofitisthatshewouldhavebeensousefulattherighttime。YouknowwehavetohavetheBishoponceayear，andshewouldhavegivenjusttherighttonetothings。IalwayshavehorridluckabouttheBishop’svisits，"
addedMrs。Trenor，whosepresentmiserywasbeingfedbyarapidlyrisingtideofreminiscence；"lastyear，whenhecame，Gusforgotallabouthisbeinghere，andbroughthometheNedWintonsandtheFarleys——fivedivorcesandsixsetsofchildrenbetweenthem！"
"WhenisLadyCressidagoing？"Lilyenquired。
Mrs。Trenorcastuphereyesindespair。"Mydear，ifoneonlyknew！IwasinsuchahurrytogetherawayfromMariathatI
actuallyforgottonameadate，andGussaysshetoldsomeoneshemeanttostophereallwinter。"
"Tostophere？Inthishouse？"
"Don’tbesilly——inAmerica。Butifnooneelseasksher——youknowtheyNEVERgotohotels。"
"PerhapsGusonlysaidittofrightenyou。"
"No——IheardhertellBerthaDorsetthatshehadsixmonthstoputinwhileherhusbandwastakingthecureintheEngadine。YoushouldhaveseenBerthalookvacant！Butit’snojoke，youknow——ifshestaysherealltheautumnshe’llspoileverything，andMariaVanOsburghwillsimplyexult。
"AtthisaffectingvisionMrs。Trenor’svoicetrembledwithself-pity。"Oh，Judy——asifanyonewereeverboredatBellomont！"
MissBarttactfullyprotested。"Youknowperfectlywellthat，ifMrs。VanOsburghweretogetalltherightpeopleandleaveyouwithallthewrongones，you’dmanagetomakethingsgooff，andshewouldn’t。"
SuchanassurancewouldusuallyhaverestoredMrs。Trenor’scomplacency；
butonthisoccasionitdidnotchasethecloudfromherbrow。
"Itisn’tonlyLadyCressida，"shelamented。"Everythinghasgonewrongthisweek。IcanseethatBerthaDorsetisfuriouswithme。"
"Furiouswithyou？Why？"
"BecauseItoldherthatLawrenceSeldenwascoming；buthewouldn’t，afterall，andshe’squiteunreasonableenoughtothinkit’smyfault。"
MissBartputdownherpenandsatabsentlygazingatthenoteshehadbegun。
"Ithoughtthatwasallover，"shesaid。
"Soitis，onhisside。AndofcourseBerthahasbeenidlesince。
ButIfancyshe’soutofajobjustatpresent——andsomeonegavemeahintthatIhadbetteraskLawrence。Well，IDIDaskhim——butIcouldn’tmakehimcome；andnowIsupposeshe’lltakeitoutofmebybeingperfectlynastytoeveryoneelse。"
"Oh，shemaytakeitoutofHIMbybeingperfectlycharming——tosomeoneelse。
"Mrs。Trenorshookherheaddolefully。"Sheknowshewouldn’tmind。Andwhoelseisthere？AliceWetherallwon’tletLuciusoutofhersight。NedSilvertoncan’ttakehiseyesoffCarryFisher——poorboy！GusisboredbyBertha，JackStepneyknowshertoowell——and——well，tobesure，there’sPercyGryce！"
Shesatupsmilingatthethought。
MissBart’scountenancedidnotreflectthesmile。
"Oh，sheandMr。Grycewouldnotbelikelytohititoff。"
"Youmeanthatshe’dshockhimandhe’dboreher？Well，that’snotsuchabadbeginning，youknow。ButIhopeshewon’ttakeitintoherheadtobenicetohim，forIaskedhimhereonpurposeforyou。"
Lilylaughed。"MERCIDUCOMPLIMENT！IshouldcertainlyhavenoshowagainstBertha。"
"DoyouthinkIamuncomplimentary？I’mnotreally，youknow。
Everyoneknowsyou’reathousandtimeshandsomerandclevererthanBertha；butthenyou’renotnasty。Andforalwaysgettingwhatshewantsinthelongrun，commendmetoanastywoman。"
MissBartstaredinaffectedreproval。"IthoughtyouweresofondofBertha。"
"Oh，Iam——it’smuchsafertobefondofdangerouspeople。ButsheISdangerous——andifIeversawheruptomischiefit’snow。
IcantellbypoorGeorge’smanner。Thatmanisaperfectbarometer——healwaysknowswhenBerthaisgoingto——"
"Tofall？"MissBartsuggested。
"Don’tbeshocking！Youknowhebelievesinherstill。AndofcourseIdon’tsaythere’sanyrealharminBertha。Onlyshedelightsinmakingpeoplemiserable，andespeciallypoorGeorge。"
"Well，heseemscutoutforthepart——Idon’twondershelikesmorecheerfulcompanionship。"
"Oh，Georgeisnotasdismalasyouthink。IfBerthadidworryhimhewouldbequitedifferent。Orifshe’dleavehimalone，andlethimarrangehislifeashepleases。Butshedoesn’tdareloseherholdofhimonaccountofthemoney，andsowhenHEisn’tjealousshepretendstobe。"
MissBartwentonwritinginsilence，andherhostesssatfollowinghertrainofthoughtwithfrowningintensity。
"Doyouknow，"sheexclaimedafteralongpause，"IbelieveI’llcallupLawrenceonthetelephoneandtellhimhesimplyMUST
come？"
"Oh，don’t，"saidLily，withaquicksuffusionofcolour。Theblushsurprisedheralmostasmuchasitdidherhostess，who，thoughnotcommonlyobservantoffacialchanges，satstaringatherwithpuzzledeyes。
"Goodgracious，Lily，howhandsomeyouare！Why？Doyoudislikehimsomuch？"
"Notatall；Ilikehim。ButifyouareactuatedbythebenevolentintentionofprotectingmefromBertha——Idon’tthinkIneedyourprotection。
"Mrs。Trenorsatupwithanexclamation。"Lily！——PERCY？Doyoumeantosayyou’veactuallydoneit？"
MissBartsmiled。"IonlymeantosaythatMr。GryceandIaregettingtobeverygoodfriends。"
"H’m——Isee。"Mrs。Trenorfixedarapteyeuponher。"Youknowtheysayhehaseighthundredthousandayear——andspendsnothing，exceptonsomerubbishyoldbooks。Andhismotherhasheart-diseaseandwillleavehimalotmore。OH，LILY，DOGO
SLOWLY，"herfriendadjuredher。
MissBartcontinuedtosmilewithoutannoyance。"Ishouldn’t，forinstance，"sheremarked，"beinanyhastetotellhimthathehadalotofrubbishyoldbooks。"
"No，ofcoursenot；Iknowyou’rewonderfulaboutgettinguppeople’ssubjects。Buthe’shorriblyshy，andeasilyshocked，and——and——"
"Whydon’tyousayit，Judy？Ihavethereputationofbeingonthehuntforarichhusband？"
"Oh，Idon’tmeanthat；hewouldn’tbelieveitofyou——atfirst，"
saidMrs。Trenor，withcandidshrewdness。"Butyouknowthingsareratherlivelyhereattimes——ImustgiveJackandGusahint——andifhethoughtyouwerewhathismotherwouldcallfast——oh，well，youknowwhatImean。Don’twearyourscarletCREPE-DE-CHINEfordinner，anddon’tsmokeifyoucanhelpit，Lilydear！"
Lilypushedasideherfinishedworkwithadrysmile。"You’reverykind，Judy:I’lllockupmycigarettesandwearthatlastyear’sdressyousentmethismorning。Andifyouarereallyinterestedinmycareer，perhapsyou’llbekindenoughnottoaskmetoplaybridgeagainthisevening。"
"Bridge？Doeshemindbridge，too？Oh，Lily，whatanawfullifeyou’lllead！ButofcourseIwon’t——whydidn’tyougivemeahintlastnight？There’snothingIwouldn’tdo，youpoorduck，toseeyouhappy！"
AndMrs。Trenor，glowingwithhersex’seagernesstosmooththecourseoftruelove，envelopedLilyinalongembrace。
"You’requitesure，"sheaddedsolicitously，asthelatterextricatedherself，"thatyouwouldn’tlikemetotelephoneforLawrenceSelden？"
"Quitesure，"saidLily。
ThenextthreedaysdemonstratedtoherowncompletesatifactionMissBart’sabilitytomanageheraffairswithoutextraneousaid。
Asshesat，ontheSaturdayafternoon，ontheterraceatBellomont，shesmiledatMrs。Trenor’sfearthatshemightgotoofast。Ifsuchawarninghadeverbeenneedful，theyearshadtaughtherasalutarylesson，andsheflatteredherselfthatshenowknewhowtoadaptherpacetotheobjectofpursuit。InthecaseofMr。Gryceshehadfounditwelltoflutterahead，losingherselfelusivelyandluringhimonfromdepthtodepthofunconsciousintimacy。Thesurroundingatmospherewaspropitioustothisschemeofcourtship。Mrs。Trenor，truetoherword，hadshownnosignsofexpectingLilyatthebridge-table，andhadevenhintedtotheothercard-playersthattheyweretobetraynosurpriseatherunwonteddefection。Inconsequenceofthishint，Lilyfoundherselfthecentreofthatfemininesolicitudewhichenvelopsayoungwomaninthematingseason。AsolitudewastacitlycreatedforherinthecrowdedexistenceofBellomont，andherfriendscouldnothaveshownagreaterreadinessforself-effacementhadherwooingbeenadornedwithalltheattributesofromance。InLily’ssetthisconductimpliedasympatheticcomprehensionofhermotives，andMr。Gryceroseinheresteemasshesawtheconsiderationheinspired。
TheterraceatBellomontonaSeptemberafternoonwasaspotpropitioustosentimentalmusings，andasMissBartstoodleaningagainstthebalustradeabovethesunkengarden，atalittledistancefromtheanimatedgroupaboutthetea-table，shemighthavebeenlostinthemazesofaninarticulatehappiness。Inreality，herthoughtswerefindingdefiniteutteranceinthetranquilrecapitulationoftheblessingsinstoreforher。FromwhereshestoodshecouldseethemembodiedintheformofMr。
Gryce，who，inalightovercoatandmuffler，satsomewhatnervouslyontheedgeofhischair，whileCarryFisher，withalltheenergyofeyeandgesturewithwhichnatureandarthadcombinedtoendowher，pressedonhimthedutyoftakingpartinthetaskofmunicipalreform。
Mrs。Fisher’slatesthobbywasmunicipalreform。Ithadbeenprecededbyanequalzealforsocialism，whichhadinturnreplacedanenergeticadvocacyofChristianScience。Mrs。Fisherwassmall，fieryanddramatic；andherhandsandeyeswereadmirableinstrumentsintheserviceofwhatevercauseshehappenedtoespouse。Shehad，however，thefaultcommontoenthusiastsofignoringanyslacknessofresponseonthepartofherhearers，andLilywasamusedbyherunconsciousnessoftheresistancedisplayedineveryangleofMr。Gryce’sattitude。Lilyherselfknewthathismindwasdividedbetweenthedreadofcatchingcoldifheremainedoutofdoorstoolongatthathour，andthefearthat，ifheretreatedtothehouse，Mrs。Fishermightfollowhimupwithapapertobesigned。Mr。Grycehadaconstitutionaldisliketowhathecalled"committinghimself，"
andtenderlyashecherishedhishealth，heevidentlyconcludedthatitwassafertostayoutofreachofpenandinktillchancereleasedhimfromMrs。Fisher’stoils。MeanwhilehecastagonizedglancesinthedirectionofMissBart，whoseonlyresponsewastosinkintoanattitudeofmoregracefulabstraction。Shehadlearnedthevalueofcontrastinthrowinghercharmsintorelief，andwasfullyawareoftheextenttowhichMrs。Fisher’svolubilitywasenhancingherownrepose。
ShewasrousedfromhermusingsbytheapproachofhercousinJackStepneywho，atGwenVanOsburgh’sside，wasreturningacrossthegardenfromthetenniscourt。
ThecoupleinquestionwereengagedinthesamekindofromanceinwhichLilyfigured，andthelatterfeltacertainannoyanceincontemplatingwhatseemedtoheracaricatureofherownsituation。MissVanOsburghwasalargegirlwithflatsurfacesandnohighlights:JackStepneyhadoncesaidofherthatshewasasreliableasroastmutton。Hisowntastewasinthelineoflesssolidandmorehighly-seasoneddiet；buthungermakesanyfarepalatable，andtherehadbeentimeswhenMr。Stepneyhadbeenreducedtoacrust。
Lilyconsideredwithinteresttheexpressionoftheirfaces:thegirl’sturnedtowardhercompanion’slikeanemptyplatehelduptobefilled，whilethemanloungingathersidealreadybetrayedtheencroachingboredomwhichwouldpresentlycrackthethinveneerofhissmile。
"Howimpatientmenare！"Lilyreflected。"AllJackhastodotogeteverythinghewantsistokeepquietandletthatgirlmarryhim；whereasIhavetocalculateandcontrive，andretreatandadvance，asifIweregoingthroughanintricatedance，whereonemisstepwouldthrowmehopelesslyoutoftime。"
AstheydrewnearershewaswhimsicallystruckbyakindoffamilylikenessbetweenMissVanOsburghandPercyGryce。Therewasnoresemblanceoffeature。Grycewashandsomeinadidacticway——helookedlikeacleverpupil’sdrawingfromaplaster-cast——whileGwen’scountenancehadnomoremodellingthanafacepaintedonatoyballoon。Butthedeeperaffinitywasunmistakable:thetwohadthesameprejudicesandideals，andthesamequalityofmakingotherstandardsnon-existentbyignoringthem。ThisattributewascommontomostofLily’sset:theyhadaforceofnegationwhicheliminatedeverythingbeyondtheirownrangeofperception。GryceandMissVanOsburghwere，inshort，madeforeachotherbyeverylawofmoralandphysicalcorrespondence——"Yettheywouldn’tlookateachother，"Lilymused，"theyneverdo。Eachofthemwantsacreatureofadifferentrace，ofJack’sraceandmine，withallsortsofintuitions，sensationsandperceptionsthattheydon’tevenguesstheexistenceof。Andtheyalwaysgetwhattheywant。"
ShestoodtalkingwithhercousinandMissVanOsburgh，tillaslightcloudonthelatter’sbrowadvisedherthatevencousinlyamenitiesweresubjecttosuspicion，andMissBart，mindfulofthenecessityofnotexcitingenmitiesatthiscrucialpointofhercareer，droppedasidewhilethehappycoupleproceededtowardthetea-table。
Seatingherselfontheupperstepoftheterrace，Lilyleanedherheadagainstthehoneysuckleswreathingthebalustrade。Thefragranceofthelateblossomsseemedanemanationofthetranquilscene，alandscapetutoredtothelastdegreeofruralelegance。Intheforegroundglowedthewarmtintsofthegardens。
Beyondthelawn，withitspyramidalpale-goldmaplesandvelvetyfirs，slopedpasturesdottedwithcattle；andthroughalonggladetheriverwidenedlikealakeunderthesilverlightofSeptember。Lilydidnotwanttojointhecircleaboutthetea-table。Theyrepresentedthefutureshehadchosen，andshewascontentwithit，butinnohastetoanticipateitsjoys。ThecertaintythatshecouldmarryPercyGrycewhenshepleasedhadliftedaheavyloadfromhermind，andhermoneytroublesweretoorecentfortheirremovalnottoleaveasenseofreliefwhichalessdiscerningintelligencemighthavetakenforhappiness。Hervulgarcareswereatanend。Shewouldbeabletoarrangeherlifeasshepleased，tosoarintothatempyreanofsecuritywherecreditorscannotpenetrate。ShewouldhavesmartergownsthanJudyTrenor，andfar，farmorejewelsthanBerthaDorset。Shewouldbefreeforeverfromtheshifts，theexpedients，thehumiliationsoftherelativelypoor。Insteadofhavingtoflatter，shewouldbeflattered；insteadofbeinggrateful，shewouldreceivethanks。Therewereoldscoresshecouldpayoffaswellasoldbenefitsshecouldreturn。Andshehadnodoubtsastotheextentofherpower。SheknewthatMr。
Grycewasofthesmallcharytypemostinaccessibletoimpulsesandemotions。Hehadthekindofcharacterinwhichprudenceisavice，andgoodadvicethemostdangerousnourishment。ButLilyhadknownthespeciesbefore:shewasawarethatsuchaguardednaturemustfindonehugeoutletofegoism，andshedeterminedtobetohimwhathisAmericanahadhithertobeen:theonepossessioninwhichhetooksufficientpridetospendmoneyonit。Sheknewthatthisgenerositytoselfisoneoftheformsofmeanness，andsheresolvedsotoidentifyherselfwithherhusband’svanitythattogratifyherwisheswouldbetohimthemostexquisiteformofself-indulgence。Thesystemmightatfirstnecessitatearesorttosomeoftheveryshiftsandexpedientsfromwhichsheintendeditshouldfreeher；butshefeltsurethatinashorttimeshewouldbeabletoplaythegameinherownway。Howshouldshehavedistrustedherpowers？Herbeautyitselfwasnotthemereephemeralpossessionitmighthavebeeninthehandsofinexperience:herskillinenhancingit，thecareshetookofit，theuseshemadeofit，seemedtogiveitakindofpermanence。Shefeltshecouldtrustittocarryherthroughtotheend。
Andtheend，onthewhole，wasworthwhile。Lifewasnotthemockeryshehadthoughtitthreedaysago。Therewasroomforher，afterall，inthiscrowdedselfishworldofpleasurewhence，soshortatimesince，herpovertyhadseemedtoexcludeher。
Thesepeoplewhomshehadridiculedandyetenviedweregladtomakeaplaceforherinthecharmedcircleaboutwhichallherdesiresrevolved。Theywerenotasbrutalandself-engrossedasshehadfancied——orrather，sinceitwouldnolongerbenecessarytoflatterandhumourthem，thatsideoftheirnaturebecamelessconspicuous。Societyisarevolvingbodywhichisapttobejudgedaccordingtoitsplaceineachman’sheaven；andatpresentitwasturningitsilluminatedfacetoLily。
Intherosyglowitdiffusedhercompanionsseemedfullofamiablequalities。Shelikedtheirelegance，theirlightness，theirlackofemphasis:eventheself-assurancewhichattimeswassolikeobtusenessnowseemedthenaturalsignofsocialascendency。Theywerelordsoftheonlyworldshecaredfor，andtheywerereadytoadmithertotheirranksandletherlorditwiththem。Alreadyshefeltwithinherastealingallegiancetotheirstandards，anacceptanceoftheirlimitations，adisbeliefinthethingstheydidnotbelievein，acontemptuouspityforthepeoplewhowerenotabletoliveastheylived。
Theearlysunsetwasslantingacrossthepark。Throughtheboughsofthelongavenuebeyondthegardensshecaughttheflashofwheels，anddivinedthatmorevisitorswereapproaching。Therewasamovementbehindher，ascatteringofstepsandvoices:itwasevidentthatthepartyaboutthetea-tablewasbreakingup。
Presentlysheheardatreadbehindherontheterrace。ShesupposedthatMr。Grycehadatlastfoundmeanstoescapefromhispredicament，andshesmiledatthesignificanceofhiscomingtojoinherinsteadofbeatinganinstantretreattothefire-side。
Sheturnedtogivehimthewelcomewhichsuchgallantrydeserved；
buthergreetingwaveredintoablushofwonder，forthemanwhohadapproachedherwasLawrenceSelden。
"YouseeIcameafterall，"hesaid；butbeforeshehadtimetoanswer，Mrs。Dorset，breakingawayfromalifelesscolloquywithherhost，hadsteppedbetweenthemwithalittlegestureofappropriation。
TheobservanceofSundayatBellomontwaschieflymarkedbythepunctualappearanceofthesmartomnibusdestinedtoconveythehouseholdtothelittlechurchatthegates。Whetheranyonegotintotheomnibusornotwasamatterofsecondaryimportance，sincebystandingthereitnotonlyborewitnesstotheorthodoxintentionsofthefamily，butmadeMrs。Trenorfeel，whenshefinallyhearditdriveaway，thatshehadsomehowvicariouslymadeuseofit。
ItwasMrs。Trenor’stheorythatherdaughtersactuallydidgotochurcheverySunday；buttheirFrenchgoverness’sconvictionscallinghertotherivalfane，andthefatiguesoftheweekkeepingtheirmotherinherroomtillluncheon，therewasseldomanyonepresenttoverifythefact。Nowandthen，inaspasmodicburstofvirtue——whenthehousehadbeentoouproariousovernight——GusTrenorforcedhisgenialbulkintoatightfrock-coatandroutedhisdaughtersfromtheirslumbers；buthabitually，asLilyexplainedtoMr。Gryce，thisparentaldutywasforgottentillthechurchbellswereringingacrossthepark，andtheomnibushaddrivenawayempty。
LilyhadhintedtoMr。Grycethatthisneglectofreligiousobservanceswasrepugnanttoherearlytraditions，andthatduringhervisitstoBellomontsheregularlyaccompaniedMurielandHildatochurch。Thistalliedwiththeassurance，alsoconfidentiallyimparted，that，neverhavingplayedbridgebefore，shehadbeen"draggedintoit"onthenightofherarrival，andhadlostanappallingamountofmoneyinconsequenceofherignoranceofthegameandoftherulesofbetting。Mr。GrycewasundoubtedlyenjoyingBellomont。Helikedtheeaseandglitterofthelife，andthelustreconferredonhimbybeingamemberofthisgroupofrichandconspicuouspeople。
Buthethoughtitaverymaterialisticsociety；thereweretimeswhenhewasfrightenedbythetalkofthemenandthelooksoftheladies，andhewasgladtofindthatMissBart，forallhereaseandself-possession，wasnotathomeinsoambiguousanatmosphere。Forthisreasonhehadbeenespeciallypleasedtolearnthatshewould，asusual，attendtheyoungTrenorstochurchonSundaymorning；andashepacedthegravelsweepbeforethedoor，hislightovercoatonhisarmandhisprayer-bookinonecarefully-glovedhand，hereflectedagreeablyonthestrengthofcharacterwhichkepthertruetoherearlytraininginsurroundingssosubversivetoreligiousprinciples。
ForalongtimeMr。Gryceandtheomnibushadthegravelsweeptothemselves；but，farfromregrettingthisdeplorableindifferenceonthepartoftheotherguests，hefoundhimselfnourishingthehopethatMissBartmightbeunaccompanied。Thepreciousminuteswereflying，however；thebigchestnutspawedthegroundandfleckedtheirimpatientsideswithfoam；thecoachmanseemedtobeslowlypetrifyingonthebox，andthegroomonthedoorstep；
andstilltheladydidnotcome。Suddenly，however，therewasasoundofvoicesandarustleofskirtsinthedoorway，andMr。
Gryce，restoringhiswatchtohispocket，turnedwithanervousstart；butitwasonlytofindhimselfhandingMrs。Wetherallintothecarriage。
TheWetherallsalwayswenttochurch。Theybelongedtothevastgroupofhumanautomatawhogothroughlifewithoutneglectingtoperformasingleoneofthegesturesexecutedbythesurroundingpuppets。ItistruethattheBellomontpuppetsdidnotgotochurch；butothersequallyimportantdid——andMr。andMrs。
Wetherall’scirclewassolargethatGodwasincludedintheirvisiting-list。Theyappeared，therefore，punctualandresigned，withtheairofpeopleboundforadull"AtHome，"andafterthemHildaandMurielstraggled，yawningandpinningeachother’sveilsandribbonsastheycame。TheyhadpromisedLilytogotochurchwithher，theydeclared，andLilywassuchadearoldduckthattheydidn’tminddoingittopleaseher，thoughtheycouldn’tfancywhathadputtheideainherhead，andthoughfortheirownparttheywouldmuchratherhaveplayedlawntenniswithJackandGwen，ifshehadn’ttoldthemshewascoming。TheMissesTrenorwerefollowedbyLadyCressidaRaith，aweather-beatenpersoninLibertysilkandethnologicaltrinkets，who，onseeingtheomnibus，expressedhersurprisethattheywerenottowalkacrossthepark；butatMrs。Wetherall’shorrifiedprotestthatthechurchwasamileaway，herladyship，afteraglanceattheheightoftheother’sheels，acquiescedinthenecessityofdriving，andpoorMr。Grycefoundhimselfrollingoffbetweenfourladiesforwhosespiritualwelfarehefeltnottheleastconcern。
ItmighthaveaffordedhimsomeconsolationcouldhehaveknownthatMissBarthadreallymeanttogotochurch。Shehadevenrisenearlierthanusualintheexecutionofherpurpose。Shehadanideathatthesightofherinagreygownofdevotionalcut，withherfamouslashesdroopedaboveaprayer-book，wouldputthefinishingtouchtoMr。Gryce’ssubjugation，andrenderinevitableacertainincidentwhichshehadresolvedshouldformapartofthewalktheyweretotaketogetherafterluncheon。Herintentionsinshorthadneverbeenmoredefinite；butpoorLily，forallthehardglazeofherexterior，wasinwardlyasmalleableaswax。Herfacultyforadaptingherself，forenteringintootherpeople’sfeelings，ifitservedhernowandtheninsmallcontingencies，hamperedherinthedecisivemomentsoflife。Shewaslikeawater-plantinthefluxofthetides，andtodaythewholecurrentofhermoodwascarryinghertowardLawrenceSelden。Whyhadhecome？WasittoseeherselforBerthaDorset？
Itwasthelastquestionwhich，atthatmoment，shouldhaveengagedher。Shemightbetterhavecontentedherselfwiththinkingthathehadsimplyrespondedtothedespairingsummonsofhishostess，anxioustointerposehimbetweenherselfandtheill-humourofMrs。Dorset。ButLilyhadnotrestedtillshelearnedfromMrs。TrenorthatSeldenhadcomeofhisownaccord。
"Hedidn’tevenwireme——hejusthappenedtofindthetrapatthestation。Perhapsit’snotoverwithBerthaafterall，"Mrs。
Trenormusinglyconcluded；andwentawaytoarrangeherdinner-cardsaccordingly。
Perhapsitwasnot，Lilyreflected；butitshouldbesoon，unlessshehadlosthercunning。IfSeldenhadcomeatMrs。Dorset’scall，itwasatherownthathewouldstay。Somuchthepreviouseveninghadtoldher。Mrs。Trenor，truetohersimpleprincipleofmakinghermarriedfriendshappy，hadplacedSeldenandMrs。
Dorsetnexttoeachotheratdinner；but，inobediencetothetime-honouredtraditionsofthematch-maker，shehadseparatedLilyandMr。Gryce，sendingintheformerwithGeorgeDorset，whileMr。GrycewascoupledwithGwenVanOsburgh。
GeorgeDorset’stalkdidnotinterferewiththerangeofhisneighbour’sthoughts。Hewasamournfuldyspeptic，intentonfindingoutthedeleteriousingredientsofeverydishanddivertedfromthiscareonlybythesoundofhiswife’svoice。Onthisoccasion，however，Mrs。Dorsettooknopartinthegeneralconversation。ShesattalkinginlowmurmurswithSelden，andturningacontemptuousanddenudedshouldertowardherhost，who，farfromresentinghisexclusion，plungedintotheexcessesoftheMENUwiththejoyousirresponsibilityofafreeman。ToMr。
Dorset，however，hiswife’sattitudewasasubjectofsuchevidentconcernthat，whenhewasnotscrapingthesaucefromhisfish，orscoopingthemoistbread-crumbsfromtheinteriorofhisroll，hesatstraininghisthinneckforaglimpseofherbetweenthelights。
Mrs。Trenor，asitchanced，hadplacedthehusbandandwifeonoppositesidesofthetable，andLilywasthereforeabletoobserveMrs。Dorsetalso，andbycarryingherglanceafewfeetfarther，tosetuparapidcomparisonbetweenLawrenceSeldenandMr。Gryce。Itwasthatcomparisonwhichwasherundoing。WhyelsehadshesuddenlygrowninterestedinSelden？Shehadknownhimforeightyearsormore:eversinceherreturntoAmericahehadformedapartofherbackground。Shehadalwaysbeengladtositnexttohimatdinner，hadfoundhimmoreagreeablethanmostmen，andhadvaguelywishedthathepossessedtheotherqualitiesneedfultofixherattention；buttillnowshehadbeentoobusywithherownaffairstoregardhimasmorethanoneofthepleasantaccessoriesoflife。MissBartwasakeenreaderofherownheart，andshesawthathersuddenpreoccupationwithSeldenwasduetothefactthathispresenceshedanewlightonhersurroundings。Notthathewasnotablybrilliantorexceptional；
inhisownprofessionhewassurpassedbymorethanonemanwhohadboredLilythroughmanyawearydinner。Itwasratherthathehadpreservedacertainsocialdetachment，ahappyairofviewingtheshowobjectively，ofhavingpointsofcontactoutsidethegreatgiltcageinwhichtheywereallhuddledforthemobtogapeat。HowalluringtheworldoutsidethecageappearedtoLily，asshehearditsdoorclangonher！Inreality，assheknew，thedoorneverclanged:itstoodalwaysopen；butmostofthecaptiveswerelikefliesinabottle，andhavingonceflownin，couldneverregaintheirfreedom。ItwasSelden’sdistinctionthathehadneverforgottenthewayout。
Thatwasthesecretofhiswayofreadjustinghervision。Lily，turninghereyesfromhim，foundherselfscanningherlittleworldthroughhisretina:itwasasthoughthepinklampshadbeenshutoffandthedustydaylightletin。Shelookeddownthelongtable，studyingitsoccupantsonebyone，fromGusTrenor，withhisheavycarnivorousheadsunkbetweenhisshoulders，ashepreyedonajelliedplover，tohiswife，attheoppositeendofthelongbankoforchids，suggestive，withherglaringgood-looks，ofajeweller’swindowlitbyelectricity。Andbetweenthetwo，whatalongstretchofvacuity！Howdrearyandtrivialthesepeoplewere！Lilyreviewedthemwithascornfulimpatience:CarryFisher，withhershoulders，hereyes，herdivorces，hergeneralairofembodyinga"spicyparagraph"；youngSilverton，whohadmeanttoliveonproof-readingandwriteanepic，andwhonowlivedonhisfriendsandhadbecomecriticaloftruffles；AliceWetherall，ananimatedvisiting-list，whosemostfervidconvictionsturnedonthewordingofinvitationsandtheengravingofdinner-cards；Wetherall，withhisperpetualnervousnodofacquiescence，hisairofagreeingwithpeoplebeforeheknewwhattheyweresaying；JackStepney，withhisconfidentsmileandanxiouseyes，halfwaybetweenthesheriffandanheiress；GwenVanOsburgh，withalltheguilelessconfidenceofayounggirlwhohasalwaysbeentoldthatthereisnoonericherthanherfather。
Lilysmiledatherclassificationofherfriends。Howdifferenttheyhadseemedtoherafewhoursago！Thentheyhadsymbolizedwhatshewasgaining，nowtheystoodforwhatshewasgivingup。
Thatveryafternoontheyhadseemedfullofbrilliantqualities；
nowshesawthattheyweremerelydullinaloudway。Undertheglitteroftheiropportunitiesshesawthepovertyoftheirachievement。Itwasnotthatshewantedthemtobemoredisinterested；butshewouldhavelikedthemtobemorepicturesque。Andshehadashamedrecollectionofthewayinwhich，afewhourssince，shehadfeltthecentripetalforceoftheirstandards。Sheclosedhereyesaninstant，andthevacuousroutineofthelifeshehadchosenstretchedbeforeherlikealongwhiteroadwithoutdiporturning:itwastrueshewastorolloveritinacarriageinsteadoftrudgingitonfoot，butsometimesthepedestrianenjoysthediversionofashortcutwhichisdeniedtothoseonwheels。
ShewasrousedbyachucklewhichMr。Dorsetseemedtoejectfromthedepthsofhisleanthroat。
"Isay，dolookather，"heexclaimed，turningtoMissBartwithlugubriousmerriment——"Ibegyourpardon，butdojustlookatmywifemakingafoolofthatpoordeviloverthere！Onewouldreallysupposeshewasgoneonhim——andit’salltheotherwayround，Iassureyou。"
Thusadjured，LilyturnedhereyesonthespectaclewhichwasaffordingMr。Dorsetsuchlegitimatemirth。Itcertainlyappeared，ashesaid，thatMrs。Dorsetwasthemoreactiveparticipantinthescene:herneighbourseemedtoreceiveheradvanceswithatemperatezestwhichdidnotdistracthimfromhisdinner。ThesightrestoredLily’sgoodhumour，andknowingthepeculiardisguisewhichMr。Dorset’smaritalfearsassumed，sheaskedgaily:"Aren’tyouhorriblyjealousofher？"
Dorsetgreetedthesallywithdelight。"Oh，abominably——you’vejusthitit——keepsmeawakeatnight。Thedoctorstellmethat’swhathasknockedmydigestionout——beingsoinfernallyjealousofher——Ican’teatamouthfulofthisstuff，youknow，"headdedsuddenly，pushingbackhisplatewithacloudedcountenance；andLily，unfailinglyadaptable，accordedherradiantattentiontohisprolongeddenunciationofotherpeople’scooks，withasupplementarytiradeonthetoxicqualitiesofmeltedbutter。
Itwasnotoftenthathefoundsoreadyanear；and，beingamanaswellasadyspeptic，itmaybethatashepouredhisgrievancesintoithewasnotinsensibletoitsrosysymmetry。AtanyrateheengagedLilysolongthatthesweetswerebeinghandedwhenshecaughtaphraseonherotherside，whereMissCorby，thecomicwomanofthecompany，wasbanteringJackStepneyonhisapproachingengagement。MissCorby’srolewasjocularity:shealwaysenteredtheconversationwithahandspring。
"Andofcourseyou’llhaveSimRosedaleasbestman！"Lilyheardherflingoutastheclimaxofherprognostications；andStepneyresponded，asifstruck:"Jove，that’sanidea。WhatathumpingpresentI’dgetoutofhim！"
SIMROSEDALE！Thename，mademoreodiousbyitsdiminutive，obtrudeditselfonLily’sthoughtslikealeer。Itstoodforoneofthemanyhatedpossibilitieshoveringontheedgeoflife。IfshedidnotmarryPercyGryce，thedaymightcomewhenshewouldhavetobeciviltosuchmenasRosedale。IFSHEDIDNOTMARRY
HIM？Butshemeanttomarryhim——shewassureofhimandsureofherself。Shedrewbackwithashiverfromthepleasantpathsinwhichherthoughtshadbeenstraying，andsetherfeetoncemoreinthemiddleofthelongwhiteroad……Whenshewentupstairsthatnightshefoundthatthelateposthadbroughtherafreshbatchofbills。Mrs。Peniston，whowasaconscientiouswoman，hadforwardedthemalltoBellomont。
MissBart，accordingly，rosethenextmorningwiththemostearnestconvictionthatitwasherdutytogotochurch。Shetoreherselfbetimesfromthelingeringenjoymentofherbreakfast-tray，rangtohavehergreygownlaidout，anddespatchedhermaidtoborrowaprayer-bookfromMrs。Trenor。
Buthercoursewastoopurelyreasonablenottocontainthegermsofrebellion。Nosoonerwereherpreparationsmadethantheyrousedasmotheredsenseofresistance。AsmallsparkwasenoughtokindleLily’simagination，andthesightofthegreydressandtheborrowedprayer-bookflashedalonglightdowntheyears。ShewouldhavetogotochurchwithPercyGryceeverySunday。TheywouldhaveafrontpewinthemostexpensivechurchinNewYork，andhisnamewouldfigurehandsomelyinthelistofparishcharities。Inafewyears，whenhegrewstouter，hewouldbemadeawarden。Onceinthewintertherectorwouldcometodine，andherhusbandwouldbeghertogooverthelistandseethatnoDIVORCEESwereincluded，exceptthosewhohadshowedsignsofpenitencebybeingre-marriedtotheverywealthy。Therewasnothingespeciallyarduousinthisroundofrelgiousobligations；butitstoodforafractionofthatgreatbulkofboredomwhichloomedacrossherpath。Andwhocouldconsenttobeboredonsuchamorning？Lilyhadsleptwell，andherbathhadfilledherwithapleasantglow，whichwasbecominglyreflectedintheclearcurveofhercheek。Nolineswerevisiblethismorning，orelsetheglasswasatahappierangle。
Andthedaywastheaccompliceofhermood:itwasadayforimpulseandtruancy。Thelightairseemedfullofpowderedgold；
belowthedewybloomofthelawnsthewoodlandsblushedandsmouldered，andthehillsacrosstheriverswaminmoltenblue。
EverydropofbloodinLily’sveinsinvitedhertohappiness。
Thesoundofwheelsrousedherfromthesemusings，andleaningbehindhershuttersshesawtheomnibustakeupitsfreight。Shewastoolate，then——butthefactdidnotalarmher。AglimpseofMr。Gryce’screstfallenfaceevensuggestedthatshehaddonewiselyinabsentingherself，sincethedisappointmenthesocandidlybetrayedwouldsurelywhethisappetitefortheafternoonwalk。Thatwalkshedidnotmeantomiss；oneglanceatthebillsonherwriting-tablewasenoughtorecallitsnecessity。Butmeanwhileshehadthemorningtoherself，andcouldmusepleasantlyonthedisposalofitshours。ShewasfamiliarenoughwiththehabitsofBellomonttoknowthatshewaslikelytohaveafreefieldtillluncheon。ShehadseentheWetheralls，theTrenorgirlsandLadyCressidapackedsafelyintotheomnibus；JudyTrenorwassuretobehavingherhairshampooed；CarryFisherhaddoubtlesscarriedoffherhostforadrive；NedSilvertonwasprobablysmokingthecigaretteofyoungdespairinhisbedroom；andKateCorbywascertaintobeplayingtenniswithJackStepneyandMissVanOsburgh。Oftheladies，thisleftonlyMrs。Dorsetunaccountedfor，andMrs。Dorsetnevercamedowntillluncheon:herdoctors，sheaverred，hadforbiddenhertoexposeherselftothecrudeairofthemorning。
TotheremainingmembersofthepartyLilygavenospecialthought；wherevertheywere，theywerenotlikelytointerferewithherplans。These，forthemoment，tooktheshapeofassumingadresssomewhatmorerusticandsummerlikeinstylethanthegarmentshehadfirstselected，andrustlingdownstairs，sunshadeinhand，withthedisengagedairofaladyinquestofexercise。Thegreathallwasemptybutfortheknotofdogsbythefire，who，takinginataglancetheoutdooraspectofMissBart，wereuponheratoncewithlavishoffersofcompanionship。
Sheputasidetherammingpawswhichconveyedtheseoffers，andassuringthejoyousvolunteersthatshemightpresentlyhaveausefortheircompany，saunteredonthroughtheemptydrawing-roomtothelibraryattheendofthehouse。Thelibrarywasalmosttheonlysurvivingportionoftheoldmanor-houseofBellomont:alongspaciousroom，revealingthetraditionsofthemother-countryinitsclassically-caseddoors，theDutchtilesofthechimney，andtheelaboratehob-gratewithitsshiningbrassurns。Afewfamilyportraitsoflantern-jawedgentlemenintie-wigs，andladieswithlargehead-dressesandsmallbodies，hungbetweentheshelveslinedwithpleasantly-shabbybooks:
booksmostlycontemporaneouswiththeancestorsinquestion，andtowhichthesubsequentTrenorshadmadenoperceptibleadditions。ThelibraryatBellomontwasinfactneverusedforreading，thoughithadacertainpopularityasasmoking-roomoraquietretreatforflirtation。IthadoccurredtoLily，however，thatitmightonthisoccasionhavebeenresortedtobytheonlymemberofthepartyintheleastlikelytoputittoitsoriginaluse。Sheadvancednoiselesslyoverthedenseoldrugscatteredwitheasy-chairs，andbeforeshereachedthemiddleoftheroomshesawthatshehadnotbeenmistaken。LawrenceSeldenwasinfactseatedatitsfartherend；butthoughabooklayonhisknee，hisattentionwasnotengagedwithit，butdirectedtoaladywhoselace-dadfigure，assheleanedbackinanadjoiningchair，detacheditselfwithexaggeratedslimnessagainsttheduskyleatherupholstery。
Lilypausedasshecaughtsightofthegroup；foramomentsheseemedabouttowithdraw，butthinkingbetterofthis，sheannouncedherapproachbyaslightshakeofherskirtswhichmadethecoupleraisetheirheads，Mrs。Dorsetwithalookoffrankdispleasure，andSeldenwithhisusualquietsmile。ThesightofhiscomposurehadadisturbingeffectonLily；buttobedisturbedwasinhercasetomakeamorebrillianteffortatself-possession。
"Dearme，amIlate？"sheasked，puttingahandinhisasheadvancedtogreether。
"Lateforwhat？"enquiredMrs。Dorsettartly。"Notforluncheon，certainly——butperhapsyouhadanearlierengagement？"
"Yes，Ihad，"saidLilyconfidingly。
"Really？PerhapsIamintheway，then？ButMr。Seldenisentirelyatyourdisposal。"Mrs。Dorsetwaspalewithtemper，andherantagonistfeltacertainpleasureinprolongingherdistress。
"Oh，dear，no——dostay，"shesaidgood-humouredly。"Idon’tintheleastwanttodriveyouaway。"
"You’reawfullygood，dear，butIneverinterferewithMr。
Selden’sengagements。"
Theremarkwasutteredwithalittleairofproprietorshipnotlostonitsobject，whoconcealedafaintblushofannoyancebystoopingtopickupthebookhehaddroppedatLily’sapproach。
Thelatter’seyeswidenedcharminglyandshebrokeintoalightlaugh。
"ButIhavenoengagementwithMr。Selden！Myengagementwastogotochurch；andI’mafraidtheomnibushasstartedwithoutme。
HASitstarted，doyouknow？"
SheturnedtoSelden，whorepliedthathehadhearditdriveawaysometimesince。
"Ah，thenIshallhavetowalk；IpromisedHildaandMurieltogotochurchwiththem。It’stoolatetowalkthere，yousay？Well，Ishallhavethecreditoftrying，atanyrate——andtheadvantageofescapingpartoftheservice。I’mnotsosorryformyself，afterall！"
Andwithabrightnodtothecoupleonwhomshehadintruded，MissBartstrolledthroughtheglassdoorsandcarriedherrustlinggracedownthelongperspectiveofthegardenwalk。
Shewastakingherwaychurchward，butatnoveryquickpace；afactnotlostononeofherobservers，whostoodinthedoorwaylookingafterherwithanairofpuzzledamusement。Thetruthisthatshewasconsciousofasomewhatkeenshockofdisappointment。AllherplansforthedayhadbeenbuiltontheassumptionthatitwastoseeherthatSeldenhadcometoBellomont。Shehadexpected，whenshecamedown
womenneverlearntodispensewiththesentimentalmotiveintheirjudgmentsofmen。ButLilywasnoteasilydisconcerted；
competitionputheronhermettle，andshereflectedthatSelden’scoming，ifitdidnotdeclarehimtobestillinMrs。