第4章

Lily’spassinglight-heartednesssankbeneatharenewedsenseoffailure。Lifewastoostupid，tooblundering！WhyshouldPercyGryce’smillionsbejoinedtoanothergreatfortune，whyshouldthisclumsygirlbeputinpossessionofpowersshewouldneverknowhowtouse？

Shewasrousedfromthesespeculationsbyafamiliartouchonherarm，andturningsawGusTrenorbesideher。Shefeltathrillofvexation:whatrighthadhetotouchher？LuckilyGertyFarishhadwanderedofftothenexttable，andtheywerealone。

Trenor，lookingstouterthaneverinhistightfrock-coat，andunbecominglyflushedbythebridallibations，gazedatherwithundisguisedapproval。

"ByJove，Lily，youdolookastunner！"HehadslippedinsensiblyintotheuseofherChristianname，andshehadneverfoundtherightmomenttocorrecthim。Besides，inhersetallthemenandwomencalledeachotherbytheirChristiannames；itwasonlyonTrenor’slipsthatthefamiliaraddresshadanunpleasantsignificance。

"Well，"hecontinued，stilljoviallyimpervioustoherannoyance，"haveyoumadeupyourmindwhichoftheselittletrinketsyoumeantoduplicateatTiffany’stomorrow？I’vegotachequeforyouinmypocketthatwillgoalongwayinthatline！"

Lilygavehimastartledlook:hisvoicewaslouderthanusual，andtheroomwasbeginningtofillwithpeople。Butasherglanceassuredherthattheywerestillbeyondear-shotasenseofpleasurereplacedherapprehension。

"Anotherdividend？"sheasked，smilinganddrawingnearhiminthedesirenottobeoverheard。

"Well，notexactly:IsoldoutontheriseandI’vepulledofffourthou’foryou。Notsobadforabeginner，eh？Isupposeyou’llbegintothinkyou’reaprettyknowingspeculator。Andperhapsyouwon’tthinkpooroldGussuchanawfulassassomepeopledo。"

"Ithinkyouthekindestoffriends；butIcan’tthankyouproperlynow。"

Shelethereyesshineintohiswithalookthatmadeupforthehand-clasphewouldhaveclaimediftheyhadbeenalone——andhowgladshewasthattheywerenot！Thenewsfilledherwiththeglowproducedbyasuddencessationofphysicalpain。Theworldwasnotsostupidandblunderingafterall:nowandthenastrokeofluckcametotheunluckiest。Atthethoughtherspiritsbegantorise:itwascharacteristicofherthatonetriflingpieceofgoodfortuneshouldgivewingstoallherhopes。InstantlycamethereflectionthatPercyGrycewasnotirretrievablylost；andshesmiledtothinkoftheexcitementofrecapturinghimfromEvieVanOsburgh。Whatchancecouldsuchasimpletonhaveagainstherifshechosetoexertherself？Sheglancedabout，hopingtocatchaglimpseofGryce；buthereyeslitinsteadontheglossycountenanceofMr。Rosedale，whowasslippingthroughthecrowdwithanairhalfobsequious，halfobtrusive，asthough，themomenthispresencewasrecognized，itwouldswelltothedimensionsoftheroom。

Notwishingtobethemeansofeffectingthisenlargement，LilyquicklytransferredherglancetoTrenor，towhomtheexpressionofhergratitudeseemednottohavebroughtthecompletegratificationshehadmeantittogive。

"Hangthankingme——Idon’twanttobethanked，butISHOULDlikethechancetosaytwowordstoyounowandthen，"hegrumbled。"I

thoughtyouweregoingtospendthewholeautumnwithus，andI’vehardlylaideyesonyouforthelastmonth。Whycan’tyoucomebacktoBellomontthisevening？We’reallalone，andJudyisascrossastwosticks。Docomeandcheerafellowup。IfyousayyesI’llrunyouoverinthemotor，andyoucantelephoneyourmaidtobringyourtrapsfromtownbythenexttrain。"

Lilyshookherheadwithacharmingsemblanceofregret。"IwishIcould——butit’squiteimpossible。Myaunthascomebacktotown，andImustbewithherforthenextfewdays。"

"Well，I’veseenagooddeallessofyousincewe’vegottobesuchpalsthanIusedtowhenyouwereJudy’sfriend，"hecontinuedwithunconsciouspenetration。

"WhenIwasJudy’sfriend？AmInotherfriendstill？Really，yousaythemostabsurdthings！IfIwerealwaysatBellomontyouwouldtireofmemuchsoonerthanJudy——butcomeandseemeatmyaunt’sthenextafternoonyouareintown；thenwecanhaveanicequiettalk，andyoucantellmehowIhadbetterinvestmyfortune。"

Itwastruethat，duringthelastthreeorfourweeks，shehadabsentedherselffromBellomontonthepretextofhavingothervisitstopay；butshenowbegantofeelthatthereckoningshehadthuscontrivedtoevadehadrolledupinterestintheinterval。

Theprospectofthenicequiettalkdidnotappearasall-sufficingtoTrenorasshehadhoped，andhisbrowscontinuedtolowerashesaid:"Oh，Idon’tknowthatIcanpromiseyouafreshtipeveryday。Butthere’sonethingyoumightdoforme；

andthatis，justtobealittleciviltoRosedale。Judyhaspromisedtoaskhimtodinewhenwegettotown，butIcan’tinducehertohavehimatBellomont，andifyouwouldletmebringhimupnowitwouldmakealotofdifference。Idon’tbelievetwowomenhavespokentohimthisafternoon，andIcantellyouhe’sachapitpaystobedecentto。"

MissBartmadeanimpatientmovement，butsuppressedthewordswhichseemedabouttoaccompanyit。Afterall，thiswasanunexpectedlyeasywayofacquittingherdebt；andhadshenotreasonsofherownforwishingtobeciviltoMr。Rosedale？

"Oh，bringhimbyallmeans，"shesaidsmiling；"perhapsIcangetatipoutofhimonmyownaccount。"

Trenorpausedabruptly，andhiseyesfixedthemselvesonherswithalookwhichmadeherchangecolour。

"Isay，youknow——you’llpleaserememberhe’sabloomingbounder，"hesaid；andwithaslightlaughsheturnedtowardtheopenwindownearwhichtheyhadbeenstanding。

Thethrongintheroomhadincreased，andshefeltadesireforspaceandfreshair。Bothoftheseshefoundontheterrace，whereonlyafewmenwerelingeringovercigarettesandliqueur，whilescatteredcouplesstrolledacrossthelawntotheautumn-tintedbordersoftheflower-garden。

Assheemerged，amanmovedtowardherfromtheknotofsmokers，andshefoundherselffacetofacewithSelden。Thestirofthepulseswhichhisnearnessalwayscausedwasincreasedbyaslightsenseofconstraint。TheyhadnotmetsincetheirSundayafternoonwalkatBellomont，andthatepisodewasstillsovividtoherthatshecouldhardlybelievehimtobelessconsciousofit。Buthisgreetingexpressednomorethanthesatisfactionwhicheveryprettywomanexpectstoseereflectedinmasculineeyes；andthediscovery，ifdistastefultohervanity，wasreassuringtohernerves。BetweenthereliefofherescapefromTrenor，andthevagueapprehensionofhermeetingwithRosedale，itwaspleasanttorestamomentonthesenseofcompleteunderstandingwhichLawrenceSelden’smanneralwaysconveyed。

"Thisisluck，"hesaidsmiling。"IwaswonderingifIshouldbeabletohaveawordwithyoubeforethespecialsnatchesusaway。

IcamewithGertyFarish，andpromisednottolethermissthetrain，butIamsuresheisstillextractingsentimentalsolacefromtheweddingpresents。Sheappearstoregardtheirnumberandvalueasevidenceofthedisinterestedaffectionofthecontractingparties。"

Therewasnottheleasttraceofembarrassmentinhisvoice，andashespoke，leaningslightlyagainstthejambofthewindow，andlettinghiseyesrestonherinthefrankenjoymentofhergrace，shefeltwithafaintchillofregretthathehadgonebackwithoutanefforttothefootingonwhichtheyhadstoodbeforetheirlasttalktogether。Hervanitywasstungbythesightofhisunscathedsmile。Shelongedtobetohimsomethingmorethanapieceofsentientprettiness，apassingdiversiontohiseyeandbrain；andthelongingbetrayeditselfinherreply。

"Ah，"shesaid，"IenvyGertythatpowershehasofdressingupwithromanceallouruglyandprosaicarrangements！Ihaveneverrecoveredmyself-respectsinceyoushowedmehowpoorandunimportantmyambitionswere。"

Thewordswerehardlyspokenwhensherealizedtheirinfelicity。

ItseemedtobeherfatetoappearatherworsttoSelden。

"Ithought，onthecontrary，"hereturnedlightly，"thatIhadbeenthemeansofprovingtheyweremoreimportanttoyouthananythingelse。"

Itwasasiftheeagercurrentofherbeinghadbeencheckedbyasuddenobstaclewhichdroveitbackuponitself。Shelookedathimhelplessly，likeahurtorfrightenedchild:thisrealselfofhers，whichhehadthefacultyofdrawingoutofthedepths，wassolittleaccustomedtogoalone！

Theappealofherhelplessnesstouchedinhim，asitalwaysdid，alatentchordofinclination。Itwouldhavemeantnothingtohimtodiscoverthathisnearnessmadehermorebrilliant，butthisglimpseofatwilightmoodtowhichhealonehadtheclueseemedoncemoretosethiminaworldapartwithher。

"Atleastyoucan’tthinkworsethingsofmethanyousay！"sheexclaimedwithatremblinglaugh；butbeforehecouldanswer，theflowofcomprehensionbetweenthemwasabruptlystayedbythereappearanceofGusTrenor，whoadvancedwithMr。

Rosedaleinhiswake。

"Hangit，Lily，Ithoughtyou’dgivenmetheslip:RosedaleandI

havebeenhuntingalloverforyou！"

Hisvoicehadanoteofconjugalfamiliarity:MissBartfanciedshedetectedinRosedale’seyeatwinklingperceptionofthefact，andtheideaturnedherdislikeofhimtorepugnance。

Shereturnedhisprofoundbowwithaslightnod，mademoredisdainfulbythesenseofSelden’ssurprisethatsheshouldnumberRosedaleamongheracquaintances。Trenorhadturnedaway，andhiscompanioncontinuedtostandbeforeMissBart，alertandexpectant，hislipspartedinasmileatwhatevershemightbeabouttosay，andhisverybackconsciousoftheprivilegeofbeingseenwithher。

Itwasthemomentfortact；forthequickbridgingoverofgaps；

butSeldenstillleanedagainstthewindow，adetachedobserverofthescene，andunderthespellofhisobservationLilyfeltherselfpowerlesstoexertherusualarts。ThedreadofSelden’ssuspectingthattherewasanyneedforhertopropitiatesuchamanasRosedalecheckedthetrivialphrasesofpoliteness。

Rosedalestillstoodbeforeherinanexpectantattitude，andshecontinuedtofacehiminsilence，herglancejustlevelwithhispolishedbaldness。Thelookputthefinishingtouchtowhathersilenceimplied。

Hereddenedslowly，shiftingfromonefoottotheother，fingeredtheplumpblackpearlinhistie，andgaveanervoustwisttohismoustache；then，runninghiseyeoverher，hedrewback，andsaid，withaside-glanceatSelden:"Uponmysoul，Ineversawamorerippingget-up。Isthatthelastcreationofthedress-makeryougotoseeattheBenedick？Ifso，Iwonderalltheotherwomendon’tgotohertoo！"

ThewordswereprojectedsharplyagainstLily’ssilence，andshesawinaflashthatherownacthadgiventhemtheiremphasis。Inordinarytalktheymighthavepassedunheeded；butfollowingonherprolongedpausetheyacquiredaspecialmeaning。Shefelt，withoutlooking，thatSeldenhadimmediatelyseizedit，andwouldinevitablyconnecttheallusionwithhervisittohimself。TheconsciousnessincreasedherirritationagainstRosedale，butalsoherfeelingthatnow，ifever，wasthemomenttopropitiatehim，hatefulasitwastodosoinSelden’spresence。

"Howdoyouknowtheotherwomendon’tgotomydress-maker？"shereturned。"YouseeI’mnotafraidtogiveheraddresstomyfriends！"

HerglanceandaccentsoplainlyincludedRosedaleinthisprivilegedcirclethathissmalleyespuckeredwithgratification，andaknowingsmiledrewuphismoustache。

"ByJove，youneedn’tbe！"hedeclared。"Youcouldgive’emthewholeoutfitandwinatacanter！"

"Ah，that’sniceofyou；anditwouldbenicerstillifyouwouldcarrymeofftoaquietcorner，andgetmeaglassoflemonadeorsomeinnocentdrinkbeforeweallhavetorushforthetrain。"

Sheturnedawayasshespoke，lettinghimstrutathersidethroughthegatheringgroupsontheterrace，whileeverynerveinherthrobbedwiththeconsciousnessofwhatSeldenmusthavethoughtofthescene。

Butunderherangrysenseoftheperversenessofthings，andthelightsurfaceofhertalkwithRosedale，athirdideapersisted:

shedidnotmeantoleavewithoutanattempttodiscoverthetruthaboutPercyGryce。Chance，orperhapshisownresolve，hadkeptthemapartsincehishastywithdrawalfromBellomont；butMissBartwasanexpertinmakingthemostoftheunexpected，andthedistastefulincidentsofthelastfewminutes——therevelationtoSeldenofpreciselythatpartofherlifewhichshemostwishedhimtoignore——increasedherlongingforshelter，forescapefromsuchhumiliatingcontingencies。Anydefinitesituationwouldbemoretolerablethanthisbuffetingofchances，whichkeptherinanattitudeofuneasyalertnesstowardeverypossibilityoflife。

Indoorstherewasageneralsenseofdispersalintheair，asofanaudiencegatheringitselfupfordepartureaftertheprincipalactorshadleftthestage；butamongtheremaininggroups，LilycoulddiscoverneitherGrycenortheyoungestMissVanOsburgh。

Thatbothshouldbemissingstruckherwithforeboding；andshecharmedMr。Rosedalebyproposingthattheyshouldmaketheirwaytotheconservatoriesatthefartherendofthehouse。Therewerejustenoughpeopleleftinthelongsuiteofroomstomaketheirprogressconspicuous，andLilywasawareofbeingfollowedbylooksofamusementandinterrogation，whichglancedoffasharmlesslyfromherindifferenceasfromhercompanion’sself-satisfaction。ShecaredverylittleatthatmomentaboutbeingseenwithRosedale:allherthoughtswerecentredontheobjectofhersearch。Thelatter，however，wasnotdiscoverableintheconservatories，andLily，oppressedbyasuddenconvictionoffailure，wascastingaboutforawaytoridherselfofhernowsuperfluouscompanion，whentheycameuponMrs。VanOsburgh，flushedandexhausted，butbeamingwiththeconsciousnessofdutyperformed。

Sheglancedatthemamomentwiththebenignbutvacanteyeofthetiredhostess，towhomherguestshavebecomemerewhirlingspotsinakaleidoscopeoffatigue；thenherattentionbecamesuddenlyfixed，andsheseizedonMissBartwithaconfidentialgesture。"MydearLily，Ihaven’thadtimeforawordwithyou，andnowIsupposeyouarejustoff。HaveyouseenEvie？She’sbeenlookingeverywhereforyou:shewantedtotellyouherlittlesecret；butIdaresayyouhaveguesseditalready。Theengagementisnottobeannouncedtillnextweek——butyouaresuchafriendofMr。Gryce’sthattheybothwishedyoutobethefirsttoknowoftheirhappiness。"

InMrs。Peniston’syouth，fashionhadreturnedtotowninOctober；thereforeonthetenthdayofthemonththeblindsofherFifthAvenueresidenceweredrawnup，andtheeyesoftheDyingGladiatorinbronzewhooccupiedthedrawing-roomwindowresumedtheirsurveyofthatdesertedthoroughfare。

ThefirsttwoweeksafterherreturnrepresentedtoMrs。Penistonthedomesticequivalentofareligiousretreat。She"wentthrough"thelinenandblanketsintheprecisespiritofthepenitentexploringtheinnerfoldsofconscience；shesoughtformothsasthestrickensoulseeksforlurkinginfirmities。Thetopmostshelfofeveryclosetwasmadetoyieldupitssecret，cellarandcoal-binwereprobedtotheirdarkestdepthsand，asafinalstageinthelustralrites，theentirehousewasswathedinpenitentialwhiteanddelugedwithexpiatorysoapsuds。

ItwasonthisphaseoftheproceedingsthatMissBartenteredontheafternoonofherreturnfromtheVanOsburghwedding。Thejourneybacktotownhadnotbeencalculatedtosoothehernerves。ThoughEvieVanOsburgh’sengagementwasstillofficiallyasecret，itwasoneofwhichtheinnumerableintimatefriendsofthefamilywerealreadypossessed；andthetrainfulofreturningguestsbuzzedwithallusionsandanticipations。Lilywasacutelyawareofherownpartinthisdramaofinnuendo:sheknewtheexactqualityoftheamusementthesituationevoked。Thecrudeformsinwhichherfriendstooktheirpleasureincludedaloudenjoymentofsuchcomplications:thezestofsurprisingdestinyintheactofplayingapracticaljoke。Lilyknewwellenoughhowtobearherselfindifficultsituations。Shehad，toashade，theexactmannerbetweenvictoryanddefeat:everyinsinuationwasshedwithoutaneffortbythebrightindifferenceofhermanner。

Butshewasbeginningtofeelthestrainoftheattitude；thereactionwasmorerapid，andshelapsedtoadeeperself-disgust。

Aswasalwaysthecasewithher，thismoralrepulsionfoundaphysicaloutletinaquickeneddistasteforhersurroundings。

SherevoltedfromthecomplacentuglinessofMrs。Peniston’sblackwalnut，fromtheslipperyglossofthevestibuletiles，andthemingledodourofsapolioandfurniture-polishthatmetheratthedoor。

Thestairswerestillcarpetless，andonthewayuptoherroomshewasarrestedonthelandingbyanencroachingtideofsoapsuds。Gatheringupherskirts，shedrewasidewithanimpatientgesture；andasshedidsoshehadtheoddsensationofhavingalreadyfoundherselfinthesamesituationbutindifferentsurroundings。ItseemedtoherthatshewasagaindescendingthestaircasefromSelden’srooms；andlookingdowntoremonstratewiththedispenserofthesoapyflood，shefoundherselfmetbyaliftedstarewhichhadoncebeforeconfrontedherundersimilarcircumstances。Itwasthechar-womanoftheBenedickwho，restingoncrimsonelbows，examinedherwiththesameunflinchingcuriosity，thesameapparentreluctancetoletherpass。Onthisoccasion，however，MissBartwasonherownground。

"Don’tyouseethatIwishtogoby？Pleasemoveyourpail，"shesaidsharply。

Thewomanatfirstseemednottohear；then，withoutawordofexcuse，shepushedbackherpailanddraggedawetfloor-clothacrossthelanding，keepinghereyesfixedonLilywhilethelattersweptby。ItwasinsufferablethatMrs。Penistonshouldhavesuchcreaturesaboutthehouse；andLilyenteredherroomresolvedthatthewomanshouldbedismissedthatevening。

Mrs。Peniston，however，wasatthemomentinaccessibletoremonstrance:sinceearlymorningshehadbeenshutupwithhermaid，goingoverherfurs，aprocesswhichformedtheculminatingepisodeinthedramaofhouseholdrenovation。IntheeveningalsoLilyfoundherselfalone，forheraunt，whorarelydinedout，hadrespondedtothesummonsofaVanAlstynecousinwhowaspassingthroughtown。Thehouse，initsstateofunnaturalimmaculatenessandorder，wasasdrearyasatomb，andasLily，turningfromherbriefrepastbetweenshroudedsideboards，wanderedintothenewly-uncoveredglareofthedrawing-roomshefeltasthoughshewereburiedaliveinthestiflinglimitsofMrs。Peniston’sexistence。

Sheusuallycontrivedtoavoidbeingathomeduringtheseasonofdomesticrenewal。Onthepresentoccasion，however，avarietyofreasonshadcombinedtobringhertotown；andforemostamongthemwasthefactthatshehadfewerinvitationsthanusualfortheautumn。Shehadsolongbeenaccustomedtopassfromonecountry-housetoanother，tillthecloseoftheholidaysbroughtherfriendstotown，thattheunfilledgapsoftimeconfrontingherproducedasharpsenseofwaningpopularity。ItwasasshehadsaidtoSelden——peopleweretiredofher。Theywouldwelcomeherinanewcharacter，butasMissBarttheyknewherbyheart。

Sheknewherselfbyhearttoo，andwassickoftheoldstory。

Thereweremomentswhenshelongedblindlyforanythingdifferent，anythingstrange，remoteanduntried；buttheutmostreachofherimaginationdidnotgobeyondpicturingherusuallifeinanewsetting。Shecouldnotfigureherselfasanywherebutinadrawing-room，diffusingeleganceasaflowershedsperfume。

Meanwhile，asOctoberadvancedshehadtofacethealternativeofreturningtotheTrenorsorjoiningherauntintown。EventhedesolatingdulnessofNewYorkinOctober，andthesoapydiscomfortsofMrs。Peniston’sinterior，seemedpreferabletowhatmightawaitheratBellomont；andwithanairofheroicdevotionsheannouncedherintentionofremainingwithheraunttilltheholidays。

Sacrificesofthisnaturearesometimesreceivedwithfeelingsasmixedasthosewhichactuatethem；andMrs。Penistonremarkedtoherconfidentialmaidthat，ifanyofthefamilyweretobewithheratsuchacrisis(thoughforfortyyearsshehadbeenthoughtcompetenttoseetothehangingofherowncurtains)，shewouldcertainlyhavepreferredMissGracetoMissLily。GraceStepneywasanobscurecousin，ofadaptablemannersandvicariousinterests，who"ranin"tositwithMrs。PenistonwhenLilydinedouttoocontinuously；whoplayedbezique，pickedupdroppedstitches，readoutthedeathsfromtheTimes，andsincerelyadmiredthepurplesatindrawing-roomcurtains，theDyingGladiatorinthewindow，andtheseven-by-fivepaintingofNiagarawhichrepresentedtheoneartisticexcessofMr。

Peniston’stemperatecareer。

Mrs。Peniston，underordinarycircumstances，wasasmuchboredbyherexcellentcousinastherecipientofsuchservicesusuallyisbythepersonwhoperformsthem。ShegreatlypreferredthebrilliantandunreliableLily，whodidnotknowoneendofacrochet-needlefromtheother，andhadfrequentlywoundedhersusceptibilitiesbysuggestingthatthedrawing-roomshouldbe"doneover。"Butwhenitcametohuntingformissingnapkins，orhelpingtodecidewhetherthebackstairsneededre-carpeting，Grace’sjudgmentwascertainlysounderthanLily’s:nottomentionthefactthatthelatterresentedthesmellofbeeswaxandbrownsoap，andbehavedasthoughshethoughtahouseoughttokeepcleanofitself，withoutextraneousassistance。

Seatedunderthecheerlessblazeofthedrawing-roomchandelier——Mrs。Penistonneverlitthelampsunlesstherewas"company"——Lilyseemedtowatchherownfigureretreatingdownvistasofneutral-tinteddulnesstoamiddleagelikeGraceStepney’s。WhensheceasedtoamuseJudyTrenorandherfriendsshewouldhavetofallbackonamusingMrs。Peniston；whicheverwayshelookedshesawonlyafutureofservitudetothewhimsofothers，neverthepossibilityofassertingherowneagerindividuality。

Aringatthedoor-bell，soundingemphaticallythroughtheemptyhouse，rousedhersuddenlytotheextentofherboredom。Itwasasthoughallthewearinessofthepastmonthshadculminatedinthevacuityofthatinterminableevening。Ifonlytheringmeantasummonsfromtheouterworld——atokenthatshewasstillrememberedandwanted！

Aftersomedelayaparlour-maidpresentedherselfwiththeannouncementthattherewasapersonoutsidewhowasaskingtoseeMissBart；andonLily’spressingforamorespecificdescription，sheadded:

"It’sMrs。Haffen，Miss；shewon’tsaywhatshewants。"

Lily，towhomthenameconveyednothing，openedthedooruponawomaninabatteredbonnet，whostoodfirmlyplantedunderthehall-light。Theglareoftheunshadedgasshonefamiliarlyonherpock-markedfaceandthereddishbaldnessvisiblethroughthinstrandsofstraw-colouredhair。Lilylookedatthechar-womaninsurprise。

"Doyouwishtoseeme？"sheasked。

"Ishouldliketosayawordtoyou，Miss。"Thetonewasneitheraggressivenorconciliatory:itrevealednothingofthespeaker’serrand。Nevertheless，someprecautionaryinstinctwarnedLilytowithdrawbeyondear-shotofthehoveringparlour-maid。

ShesignedtoMrs。Haffentofollowherintothedrawing-room，andclosedthedoorwhentheyhadentered。

"Whatisitthatyouwish？"sheenquired。

Thechar-woman，afterthemannerofherkind，stoodwithherarmsfoldedinhershawl。Unwindingthelatter，sheproducedasmallparcelwrappedindirtynewspaper。

"Ihavesomethingherethatyoumightliketosee，MissBart。"

Shespokethenamewithanunpleasantemphasis，asthoughherknowingitmadeapartofherreasonforbeingthere。ToLilytheintonationsoundedlikeathreat。

"Youhavefoundsomethingbelongingtome？"sheasked，extendingherhand。

Mrs。Haffendrewback。"Well，ifitcomestothat，Iguessit’smineasmuchasanybody’s，"shereturned。

Lilylookedatherperplexedly。Shewassure，now，thathervisitor’smannerconveyedathreat；but，expertasshewasincertaindirections，therewasnothinginherexperiencetoprepareherfortheexactsignificanceofthepresentscene。Shefelt，however，thatitmustbeendedaspromptlyaspossible。

"Idon’tunderstand；ifthisparcelisnotmine，whyhaveyouaskedforme？"

Thewomanwasunabashedbythequestion。Shewasevidentlypreparedtoanswerit，butlikeallherclassshehadtogoalongwaybacktomakeabeginning，anditwasonlyafterapausethatshereplied:"MyhusbandwasjanitortotheBenedicktillthefirstofthemonth；sincethenhecan’tgetnothingtodo。"

Lilyremainedsilentandshecontinued:"Itwasn’tnofaultofourown，neither:theagenthadanothermanhewantedtheplacefor，andwewasputout，bagandbaggage，justtosuithisfancy。

Ihadalongsicknesslastwinter，andanoperationthatateupallwe’dputby；andit’shardformeandthechildren，Haffenbeingsolongoutofajob。"

Afterall，then，shehadcomeonlytoaskMissBarttofindaplaceforherhusband；or，moreprobably，toseektheyounglady’sinterventionwithMrs。Peniston。Lilyhadsuchanairofalwaysgettingwhatshewantedthatshewasusedtobeingappealedtoasanintermediary，and，relievedofhervagueapprehension，shetookrefugeintheconventionalformula。

"Iamsorryyouhavebeenintrouble，"shesaid。

"Oh，thatwehave，Miss，andit’son’yjustbeginning。Ifon’ywe’d’agotanothersituation——buttheagent，he’sdeadagainstus。Itain’tnofaultofours，neither，but——"

AtthispointLily’simpatienceovercameher。"Ifyouhaveanythingtosaytome——"sheinterposed。

Thewoman’sresentmentoftherebuffseemedtospurherlaggingideas。

"Yes，Miss；I’mcomingtothat，"shesaid。Shepausedagain，withhereyesonLily，andthencontinued，inatoneofdiffusenarrative:"WhenwewasattheBenedickIhadchargeofsomeofthegentlemen’srooms；leastways，Iswep’’emoutonSaturdays。

Someofthegentlemengotthegreatestsightofletters:Ineversawthelikeofit。Theirwaste-paperbaskets’dbefairlybrimming，andpapersfallingoveronthefloor。Maybehavin’somanyishowtheygetsocareless。Someof’emisworsethanothers。Mr。Selden，Mr。LawrenceSelden，hewasalwaysoneofthecarefullest:burnthislettersinwinter，andtore’eminlittlebitsinsummer。Butsometimeshe’dhavesomanyhe’djustbunch’emtogether，thewaytheothersdid，andtearthelotthroughonce——likethis。"

Whileshespokeshehadloosenedthestringfromtheparcelinherhand，andnowshedrewforthaletterwhichshelaidonthetablebetweenMissBartandherself。Asshehadsaid，theletterwastornintwo；butwitharapidgestureshelaidthetornedgestogetherandsmoothedoutthepage。

AwaveofindignationsweptoverLily。Shefeltherselfinthepresenceofsomethingvile，asyetbutdimlyconjectured——thekindofvilenessofwhichpeoplewhispered，butwhichshehadneverthoughtofastouchingherownlife。Shedrewbackwithamotionofdisgust，butherwithdrawalwascheckedbyasuddendiscovery:undertheglareofMrs。Peniston’schandeliershehadrecognizedthehand-writingoftheletter。Itwasalargedisjointedhand，withaflourishofmasculinitywhichbutslightlydisguiseditsramblingweakness，andthewords，scrawledinheavyinkonpale-tintednotepaper，smoteonLily’searasthoughshehadheardthemspoken。

Atfirstshedidnotgraspthefullimportofthesituation。SheunderstoodonlythatbeforeherlayaletterwrittenbyBerthaDorset，andaddressed，presumably，toLawrenceSelden。Therewasnodate，buttheblacknessoftheinkprovedthewritingtobecomparativelyrecent。ThepacketinMrs。Haffen’shanddoubtlesscontainedmorelettersofthesamekind——adozen，Lilyconjecturedfromitsthickness。Theletterbeforeherwasshort，butitsfewwords，whichhadleaptintoherbrainbeforeshewasconsciousofreadingthem，toldalonghistory——ahistoryoverwhich，forthelastfouryears，thefriendsofthewriterhadsmiledandshrugged，viewingitmerelyasoneamongthecountless"goodsituations"ofthemundanecomedy。NowtheothersidepresenteditselftoLily，thevolcanicnethersideofthesurfaceoverwhichconjectureandinnuendoglidesolightlytillthefirstfissureturnstheirwhispertoashriek。Lilyknewthatthereisnothingsocietyresentssomuchashavinggivenitsprotectiontothosewhohavenotknownhowtoprofitbyit:itisforhavingbetrayeditsconnivancethatthebodysocialpunishestheoffenderwhoisfoundout。Andinthiscasetherewasnodoubtoftheissue。ThecodeofLily’sworlddecreedthatawoman’shusbandshouldbetheonlyjudgeofherconduct:shewastechnicallyabovesuspicionwhileshehadtheshelterofhisapproval，orevenofhisindifference。ButwithamanofGeorgeDorset’stempertherecouldbenothoughtofcondonation——thepossessorofhiswife’sletterscouldoverthrowwithatouchthewholestructureofherexistence。AndintowhathandsBerthaDorset’ssecrethadbeendelivered！ForamomenttheironyofthecoincidencetingedLily’sdisgustwithaconfusedsenseoftriumph。Butthedisgustprevailed——allherinstinctiveresistances，oftaste，oftraining，ofblindinheritedscruples，roseagainsttheotherfeeling。Herstrongestsensewasoneofpersonalcontamination。

Shemovedaway，asthoughtoputasmuchdistanceaspossiblebetweenherselfandhervisitor。"Iknownothingoftheseletters，"shesaid；"Ihavenoideawhyyouhavebroughtthemhere。

"Mrs。Haffenfacedhersteadily。"I’lltellyouwhy，Miss。

Ibrought’emtoyoutosell，becauseIain’tgotnootherwayofraisingmoney，andifwedon’tpayourrentbytomorrownightwe’llbeputout。Ineverdoneanythin’ofthekindbefore，andifyou’dspeaktoMr。SeldenortoMr。RosedaleaboutgettingHaffentakenonagainattheBenedick——IseenyoutalkingtoMr。

RosedaleonthestepsthatdayyoucomeoutofMr。Selden’srooms——"

ThebloodrushedtoLily’sforehead。Sheunderstoodnow——Mrs。

Haffensupposedhertobethewriteroftheletters。Inthefirstleapofherangershewasabouttoringandorderthewomanout；

butanobscureimpulserestrainedher。ThementionofSelden’snamehadstartedanewtrainofthought。BerthaDorset’sletterswerenothingtoher——theymightgowherethecurrentofchancecarriedthem！ButSeldenwasinextricablyinvolvedintheirfate。

Mendonot，atworst，suffermuchfromsuchexposure；andinthisinstancetheflashofdivinationwhichhadcarriedthemeaningoftheletterstoLily’sbrainhadrevealedalsothattheywereappeals——repeatedandthereforeprobablyunanswered——fortherenewalofatiewhichtimehadevidentlyrelaxed。Nevertheless，thefactthatthecorrespondencehadbeenallowedtofallintostrangehandswouldconvictSeldenofnegligenceinamatterwheretheworldholdsitleastpardonable；andthereweregraverriskstoconsiderwhereamanofDorset’sticklishbalancewasconcerned。

Ifsheweighedallthesethingsitwasunconsciously:shewasawareonlyoffeelingthatSeldenwouldwishthelettersrescued，andthatthereforeshemustobtainpossessionofthem。Beyondthatherminddidnottravel。Shehad，indeed，aquickvisionofreturningthepackettoBerthaDorset，andoftheopportunitiestherestitutionoffered；butthisthoughtlitupabyssesfromwhichsheshrankbackashamed。

MeanwhileMrs。Haffen，prompttoperceiveherhesitation，hadalreadyopenedthepacketandrangeditscontentsonthetable。

Allthelettershadbeenpiecedtogetherwithstripsofthinpaper。Somewereinsmallfragments，theothersmerelytominhalf。Thoughtherewerenotmany，thusspreadouttheynearlycoveredthetable。Lily’sglancefellonawordhereandthere——thenshesaidinalowvoice:"Whatdoyouwishmetopayyou？"

Mrs。Haffen’sfacereddenedwithsatisfaction。Itwasclearthattheyoungladywasbadlyfrightened，andMrs。Haffenwasthewomantomakethemostofsuchfears。Anticipatinganeasiervictorythanshehadforeseen，shenamedanexorbitantsum。

ButMissBartshowedherselfalessreadypreythanmighthavebeenexpectedfromherimprudentopening。Sherefusedtopaythepricenamed，andafteramoment’shesitation，metitbyacounter-offerofhalftheamount。

Mrs。Haffenimmediatelystiffened。Herhandtravelledtowardtheoutspreadletters，andfoldingthemslowly，shemadeasthoughtorestorethemtotheirwrapping。

"Iguessthey’reworthmoretoyouthantome，Miss，butthepoorhasgottoliveaswellastherich，"sheobservedsententiously。

Lilywasthrobbingwithfear，buttheinsinuationfortifiedherresistance。

"Youaremistaken，"shesaidindifferently。"IhaveofferedallI

amwillingtogivefortheletters；buttheremaybeotherwaysofgettingthem。"

Mrs。Haffenraisedasuspiciousglance:shewastooexperiencednottoknowthatthetrafficshewasengagedinhadperilsasgreatasitsrewards，andshehadavisionoftheelaboratemachineryofrevengewhichawordofthiscommandingyounglady’smightsetinmotion。

Sheappliedthecornerofhershawltohereyes，andmurmuredthroughitthatnogoodcameofbearingtoohardonthepoor，butthatforherpartshehadneverbeenmixedupinsuchabusinessbefore，andthatonherhonourasaChristianallsheandHaffenhadthoughtofwasthatthelettersmustn’tgoanyfarther。

Lilystoodmotionless，keepingbetweenherselfandthechar-womanthegreatestdistancecompatiblewiththeneedofspeakinginlowtones。Theideaofbargainingfortheletterswasintolerabletoher，butsheknewthat，ifsheappearedtoweaken，Mrs。Haffenwouldatonceincreaseheroriginaldemand。

Shecouldneverafterwardrecallhowlongtheduellasted，orwhatwasthedecisivestrokewhichfinally，afteralapseoftimerecordedinminutesbytheclock，inhoursbytheprecipitatebeatofherpulses，putherinpossessionoftheletters；sheknewonlythatthedoorhadfinallyclosed，andthatshestoodalonewiththepacketinherhand。

Shehadnoideaofreadingtheletters；eventounfoldMrs。

Haffen’sdirtynewspaperwouldhaveseemeddegrading。Butwhatdidsheintendtodowithitscontents？Therecipientofthelettershadmeanttodestroythem，anditwasherdutytocarryouthisintention。Shehadnorighttokeepthem——todosowastolessenwhatevermeritlayinhavingsecuredtheirpossession。Buthowdestroythemsoeffectuallythatthereshouldbenosecondriskoftheirfallinginsuchhands？Mrs。Peniston’sicydrawing-roomgrateshonewithaforbiddinglustre:thefire，likethelamps，wasneverlitexceptwhentherewascompany。

MissBartwasturningtocarrythelettersupstairswhensheheardtheopeningoftheouterdoor，andherauntenteredthedrawing-room。Mrs。Penistonwasasmallplumpwoman，withacolourlessskinlinedwithtrivialwrinkles。Hergreyhairwasarrangedwithprecision，andherclotheslookedexcessivelynewandyetslightlyold-fashioned。Theywerealwaysblackandtightlyfitting，withanexpensiveglitter:shewasthekindofwomanwhoworejetatbreakfast。Lilyhadneverseenherwhenshewasnotcuirassedinshiningblack，withsmalltightboots，andanairofbeingpackedandreadytostart；yetsheneverstarted。

Shelookedaboutthedrawing-roomwithanexpressionofminutescrutiny。"IsawastreakoflightunderoneoftheblindsasI

droveup:it’sextraordinarythatIcanneverteachthatwomantodrawthemdownevenly。"

Havingcorrectedtheirregularity，sheseatedherselfononeoftheglossypurplearm-chairs；Mrs。Penistonalwayssatonachair，neverinit。

ThensheturnedherglancetoMissBart。"Mydear，youlooktired；Isupposeit’stheexcitementofthewedding。CorneliaVanAlstynewasfullofit:Mollywasthere，andGertyFarishraninforaminutetotellusaboutit。Ithinkitwasodd，theirservingmelonsbeforetheCONSOMME:aweddingbreakfastshouldalwaysbeginwithCONSOMME。Mollydidn’tcareforthebridesmaids’dresses。ShehaditstraightfromJuliaMelsonthattheycostthreehundreddollarsapieceatCeleste’s，butshesaystheydidn’tlookit。I’mgladyoudecidednottobeabridesmaid；thatshadeofsalmon-pinkwouldn’thavesuitedyou。"

Mrs。Penistondelightedindiscussingtheminutestdetailsoffestivitiesinwhichshehadnottakenpart。NothingwouldhaveinducedhertoundergotheexertionandfatigueofattendingtheVanOsburghwedding，butsogreatwasherinterestintheeventthat，havingheardtwoversionsofit，shenowpreparedtoextractathirdfromherniece。Lily，however，hadbeendeplorablycarelessinnotingtheparticularsoftheentertainment。ShehadfailedtoobservethecolourofMrs。VanOsburgh’sgown，andcouldnotevensaywhethertheoldVanOsburghSevreshadbeenusedatthebride’stable:Mrs。Peniston，inshort，foundthatshewasofmoreserviceasalistenerthanasanarrator。

"Really，Lily，Idon’tseewhyyoutookthetroubletogotothewedding，ifyoudon’trememberwhathappenedorwhomyousawthere。WhenIwasagirlIusedtokeeptheMENUofeverydinnerIwentto，andwritethenamesofthepeopleontheback；andI

neverthrewawaymycotillionfavourstillafteryouruncle’sdeath，whenitseemedunsuitabletohavesomanycolouredthingsaboutthehouse。Ihadawholecloset-full，Iremember；andIcantelltothisdaywhatballsIgotthemat。MollyVanAlstyneremindsmeofwhatIwasatthatage；it’swonderfulhowshenotices。Shewasabletotellhermotherexactlyhowthewedding-dresswascut，andweknewatonce，fromthefoldintheback，thatitmusthavecomefromPaquin。"

Mrs。Penistonroseabruptly，and，advancingtotheormoluclocksurmountedbyahelmetedMinerva，whichthronedonthechimney-piecebetweentwomalachitevases，passedherlacehandkerchiefbetweenthehelmetanditsvisor。

"Iknewit——theparlour-maidneverduststhere！"sheexclaimed，triumphantlydisplayingaminutespotonthehandkerchief；then，reseatingherself，shewenton:"MollythoughtMrs。Dorsetthebest-dressedwomanatthewedding。I’venodoubtherdressDID

costmorethananyoneelse’s，butIcan’tquiteliketheidea——acombinationofsableandPOINTDEMILAN。ItseemsshegoestoanewmaninParis，whowon’ttakeanordertillhisclienthasspentadaywithhimathisvillaatNeuilly。Hesayshemuststudyhissubject’shomelife——amostpeculiararrangement，Ishouldsay！ButMrs。DorsettoldMollyaboutitherself:shesaidthevillawasfullofthemostexquisitethingsandshewasreallysorrytoleave。Mollysaidsheneversawherlookingbetter；shewasintremendousspirits，andsaidshehadmadeamatchbetweenEvieVanOsburghandPercyGryce。Shereallyseemstohaveaverygoodinfluenceonyoungmen。IhearsheisinterestingherselfnowinthatsillySilvertonboy，whohashadhisheadturnedbyCarryFisher，andhasbeengamblingsodreadfully。Well，asIwassaying，Evieisreallyengaged:Mrs。

DorsethadhertostaywithPercyGryce，andmanageditall，andGraceVanOsburghisintheseventhheaven——shehadalmostdespairedofmarryingEvie。"

Mrs。Penistonagainpaused，butthistimeherscrutinyaddresseditself，nottothefurniture，buttoherniece。

"CorneliaVanAlstynewassosurprised:shehadheardthatyouweretomarryyoungGryce。ShesawtheWetherallsjustaftertheyhadstoppedwithyouatBellomont，andAliceWetherallwasquitesuretherewasanengagement。ShesaidthatwhenMr。Gryceleftunexpectedlyonemorning，theyallthoughthehadrushedtotownforthering。"

Lilyroseandmovedtowardthedoor。

"IbelieveIAMtired:IthinkIwillgotobed，"shesaid；andMrs。Peniston，suddenlydistractedbythediscoverythattheeaselsustainingthelateMr。Peniston’scrayon-portraitwasnotexactlyinlinewiththesofainfrontofit，presentedanabsent-mindedbrowtoherkiss。

InherownroomLilyturnedupthegas-jetandglancedtowardthegrate。Itwasasbrilliantlypolishedastheonebelow，buthereatleastshecouldburnafewpaperswithlessriskofincurringheraunt’sdisapproval。Shemadenoimmediatemotiontodoso，however，butdroppingintoachairlookedwearilyabouther。Herroomwaslargeandcomfortably-furnished——itwastheenvyandadmirationofpoorGraceStepney，whoboarded；but，contrastedwiththelighttintsandluxuriousappointmentsoftheguest-roomswheresomanyweeksofLily’sexistencewerespent，itseemedasdrearyasaprison。ThemonumentalwardrobeandbedsteadofblackwalnuthadmigratedfromMr。Peniston’sbedroom，andthemagenta"flock"wall-paper，ofapatterndeartotheearly’sixties，washungwithlargesteelengravingsofananecdoticcharacter。Lilyhadtriedtomitigatethischarmlessbackgroundbyafewfrivoloustouches，intheshapeofalace-deckedtoilettableandalittlepainteddesksurmountedbyphotographs；butthefutilityoftheattemptstruckherasshelookedabouttheroom。Whatacontrasttothesubtleeleganceofthesettingshehadpicturedforherself——anapartmentwhichshouldsurpassthecomplicatedluxuryofherfriends’

surroundingsbythewholeextentofthatartisticsensibilitywhichmadeherfeelherselftheirsuperior；inwhicheverytintandlineshouldcombinetoenhanceherbeautyandgivedistinctiontoherleisure！Oncemorethehauntingsenseofphysicaluglinesswasintensifiedbyhermentaldepression，sothateachpieceoftheoffendingfurnitureseemedtothrustforthitsmostaggressiveangle。

Heraunt’swordshadtoldhernothingnew；buttheyhadrevivedthevisionofBerthaDorset，smiling，flattered，victorious，holdingheruptoridiculebyinsinuationsintelligibletoeverymemberoftheirlittlegroup。Thethoughtoftheridiculestruckdeeperthananyothersensation:Lilykneweveryturnoftheallusivejargonwhichcouldflayitsvictimswithoutthesheddingofblood。Hercheekburnedattherecollection，andsheroseandcaughtuptheletters。Shenolongermeanttodestroythem:thatintentionhadbeeneffacedbythequickcorrosionofMrs。

Peniston’swords。

Instead，sheapproachedherdesk，andlightingataper，tiedandsealedthepacket；thensheopenedthewardrobe，drewoutadespatch-box，anddepositedtheletterswithinit。Asshedidso，itstruckherwithaflashofironythatshewasindebtedtoGusTrenorforthemeansofbuyingthem。

Theautumndraggedonmonotonously。MissBarthadreceivedoneortwonotesfromJudyTrenor，reproachingherfornotreturningtoBellomont；butsherepliedevasively，allegingtheobligationtoremainwithheraunt。Intruth，however，shewasfastwearyingofhersolitaryexistencewithMrs。Peniston，andonlytheexcitementofspendinghernewly-acquiredmoneylightenedthedulnessofthedays。

AllherlifeLilyhadseenmoneygooutasquicklyasitcamein，andwhatevertheoriesshecultivatedastotheprudenceofsettingasideapartofhergains，shehadunhappilynosavingvisionoftherisksoftheoppositecourse。Itwasakeensatisfactiontofeelthat，forafewmonthsatleast，shewouldbeindependentofherfriends’bounty，thatshecouldshowherselfabroadwithoutwonderingwhethersomepenetratingeyewoulddetectinherdressthetracesofJudyTrenor’srefurbishedsplendour。Thefactthatthemoneyfreedhertemporarilyfromallminorobligationsobscuredhersenseofthegreateroneitrepresented，andhavingneverbeforeknownwhatitwastocommandsolargeasum，shelingereddelectablyovertheamusementofspendingit。

Itwasononeoftheseoccasionsthat，leavingashopwhereshehadspentanhourofdeliberationoveradressing-caseofthemostcomplicatedelegance，sheranacrossMissFarish，whohadenteredthesameestablishmentwiththemodestobjectofhavingherwatchrepaired。Lilywasfeelingunusuallyvirtuous。Shehaddecidedtodeferthepurchaseofthedressing-casetillsheshouldreceivethebillforhernewopera-cloak，andtheresolvemadeherfeelmuchricherthanwhenshehadenteredtheshop。Inthismoodofself-approvalshehadasympatheticeyeforothers，andshewasstruckbyherfriend’sairofdejection。

MissFarish，itappeared，hadjustleftthecommittee-meetingofastrugglingcharityinwhichshewasinterested。Theobjectoftheassociationwastoprovidecomfortablelodgings，withareading-roomandothermodestdistractions，whereyoungwomenoftheclassemployedindowntownofficesmightfindahomewhenoutofwork，orinneedofrest，andthefirstyear’sfinancialreportshowedsodeplorablysmallabalancethatMissFarish，whowasconvincedoftheurgencyofthework，feltproportionatelydiscouragedbythesmallamountofinterestitaroused。Theother-regardingsentimentshadnotbeencultivatedinLily，andshewasoftenboredbytherelationofherfriend’sphilanthropicefforts，buttodayherquickdramatizingfancyseizedonthecontrastbetweenherownsituationandthatrepresentedbysomeofGerty’s"cases。"Thesewereyounggirls，likeherself；someperhapspretty，somenotwithoutatraceofherfinersensibilities。Shepicturedherselfleadingsuchalifeastheirs——alifeinwhichachievementseemedassqualidasfailure——andthevisionmadehershuddersympathetically。Thepriceofthedressing-casewasstillinherpocket；anddrawingoutherlittlegoldpursesheslippedaliberalfractionoftheamountintoMissFarish’shand。

Thesatisfactionderivedfromthisactwasallthatthemostardentmoralistcouldhavedesired。Lilyfeltanewinterestinherselfasapersonofcharitableinstincts:shehadneverbeforethoughtofdoinggoodwiththewealthshehadsooftendreamedofpossessing，butnowherhorizonwasenlargedbythevisionofaprodigalphilanthropy。Moreover，bysomeobscureprocessoflogic，shefeltthathermomentaryburstofgenerosityhadjustifiedallpreviousextravagances，andexcusedanyinwhichshemightsubsequentlyindulge。MissFarish’ssurpriseandgratitudeconfirmedthisfeeling，andLilypartedfromherwithasenseofself-esteemwhichshenaturallymistookforthefruitsofaltruism。

AboutthistimeshewasfarthercheeredbyaninvitationtospendtheThanksgivingweekatacampintheAdirondacks。Theinvitationwasonewhich，ayearearlier，wouldhaveprovokedalessreadyresponse，fortheparty，thoughorganizedbyMrs。

Fisher，wasostensiblygivenbyaladyofobscureoriginandindomitablesocialambitions，whoseacquaintanceLilyhadhithertoavoided。Now，however，shewasdisposedtocoincidewithMrs。Fisher’sview，thatitdidn’tmatterwhogavetheparty，aslongasthingswerewelldone；anddoingthingswell(undercompetentdirection)wasMrs。WellingtonBry’sstrongpoint。Thelady(whoseconsortwasknownas"Welly"BryontheStockExchangeandinsportingcircles)hadalreadysacrificedonehusband，andsundryminorconsiderations，toherdeterminationtogeton；and，havingobtainedaholdonCarryFisher，shewasastuteenoughtoperceivethewisdomofcommittingherselfentirelytothatlady’sguidance。Everything，accordingly，waswelldone，fortherewasnolimittoMrs。

Fisher’sprodigalitywhenshewasnotspendingherownmoney，andassheremarkedtoherpupil，agoodcookwasthebestintroductiontosociety。IfthecompanywasnotasselectastheCUISINE，theWellyBrysatleasthadthesatisfactionoffiguringforthefirsttimeinthesocietycolumnsincompanywithoneortwonoticeablenames；andforemostamongthesewasofcourseMissBart’s。Theyoungladywastreatedbyherhostswithcorrespondingdeference；andshewasinthemoodwhensuchattentionsareacceptable，whatevertheirsource。Mrs。Bry’sadmirationwasamirrorinwhichLily’sself-complacencyrecovereditslostoutline。Noinsecthangsitsnestonthreadsasfrailasthosewhichwillsustaintheweightofhumanvanity；

andthesenseofbeingofimportanceamongtheinsignificantwasenoughtorestoretoMissBartthegratifyingconsciousnessofpower。Ifthesepeoplepaidcourttoheritprovedthatshewasstillconspicuousintheworldtowhichtheyaspired；andshewasnotaboveacertainenjoymentindazzlingthembyherfineness，indevelopingtheirpuzzledperceptionofhersuperiorities。

Perhaps，however，herenjoymentproceededmorethanshewasawarefromthephysicalstimulusoftheexcursion，thechallengeofcrispcoldandhardexercise，theresponsivethrillofherbodytotheinfluencesofthewinterwoods。Shereturnedtotowninaglowofrejuvenation，consciousofaclearercolourinhercheeks，afreshelasticityinhermuscles。Thefutureseemedfullofavaguepromise，andallherapprehensionsweresweptoutofsightonthebuoyantcurrentofhermood。

AfewdaysafterherreturntotownshehadtheunpleasantsurpriseofavisitfromMr。Rosedale。Hecamelate，attheconfidentialhourwhenthetea-tablestilllingersbythefireinfriendlyexpectancy；andhismannershowedareadinesstoadaptitselftotheintimacyoftheoccasion。

Lily，whohadavaguesenseofhisbeingsomehowconnectedwithherluckyspeculations，triedtogivehimthewelcomeheexpected；buttherewassomethinginthequalityofhisgenialitywhichchilledherown，andshewasconsciousofmarkingeachstepintheiracquaintancebyafreshblunder。

Mr。Rosedale——makinghimselfpromptlyathomeinanadjoiningeasy-chair，andsippinghisteacritically，withthecomment:

"Yououghttogotomymanforsomethingreallygood"——appearedtotallyunconsciousoftherepugnancewhichkeptherinfrozenerectnessbehindtheurn。Itwasperhapsherverymannerofholdingherselfaloofthatappealedtohiscollector’spassionfortherareandunattainable。Hegave，atanyrate，nosignofresentingitandseemedpreparedtosupplyinhisownmanneralltheeasethatwaslackinginhers。

Hisobjectincallingwastoaskhertogototheoperainhisboxontheopeningnight，andseeingherhesitatehesaidpersuasively:"Mrs。Fisheriscoming，andI’vesecuredatremendousadmirerofyours，who’llneverforgivemeifyoudon’taccept。"

AsLily’ssilencelefthimwiththisallusiononhishands，headdedwithaconfidentialsmile:"GusTrenorhaspromisedtocometotownonpurpose。Ifancyhe’dgoagooddealfartherforthepleasureofseeingyou。"

MissBartfeltaninwardmotionofannoyance:itwasdistastefulenoughtohearhernamecoupledwithTrenor’s，andonRosedale’slipstheallusionwaspeculiarlyunpleasant。

"TheTrenorsaremybestfriends——Ithinkweshouldallgoalongwaytoseeeachother，"shesaid，absorbingherselfinthepreparationoffreshtea。

Hervisitor’ssmilegrewincreasinglyintimate。"Well，Iwasn’tthinkingofMrs。Trenoratthemoment——theysayGusdoesn’talways，youknow。"Then，dimlyconsciousthathehadnotstrucktherightnote，headded，withawell-meanteffortatdiversion:

"How’syourluckbeengoinginWallStreet，bytheway？IhearGuspulledoffanicelittlepileforyoulastmonth。"

Lilyputdownthetea-caddywithanabruptgesture。Shefeltthatherhandsweretrembling，andclaspedthemonherkneetosteadythem；butherliptrembledtoo，andforamomentshewasafraidthetremormightcommunicateitselftohervoice。Whenshespoke，however，itwasinatoneofperfectlightness。

"Ah，yes——Ihadalittlebitofmoneytoinvest，andMr。Trenor，whohelpsmeaboutsuchmatters，advisedmyputtingitinstocksinsteadofamortgage，asmyaunt’sagentwantedmetodo；andasithappened，Imadealucky’turn’——isthatwhatyoucallit？Foryoumakeagreatmanyyourself，Ibelieve。"

Shewassmilingbackathimnow，relaxingthetensionofherattitude，andadmittinghim，byimperceptiblegradationsofglanceandmanner，astepfarthertowardintimacy。Theprotectiveinstinctalwaysnervedhertosuccessfuldissimulation，anditwasnotthefirsttimeshehadusedherbeautytodivertattentionfromaninconvenienttopic。

WhenMr。Rosedaletookleave，hecarriedwithhim，notonlyheracceptanceofhisinvitation，butageneralsenseofhavingcomportedhimselfinawaycalculatedtoadvancehiscause。Hehadalwaysbelievedhehadalighttouchandaknowingwaywithwomen，andthepromptmannerinwhichMissBart(ashewouldhavephrasedit)had"comeintoline，"confirmedhisconfidenceinhispowersofhandlingthisskittishsex。HerwayofglossingoverthetransactionwithTrenorheregardedatonceasatributetohisownacuteness，andaconfirmationofhissuspicions。Thegirlwasevidentlynervous，andMr。Rosedale，ifhesawnoothermeansofadvancinghisacquaintancewithher，wasnotabovetakingadvantageofhernervousness。

HeleftLilytoapassionofdisgustandfear。ItseemedincrediblethatGusTrenorshouldhavespokenofhertoRosedale。

Withallhisfaults，Trenorhadthesafeguardofhistraditions，andwasthelesslikelytooverstepthembecausetheyweresopurelyinstinctive。ButLilyrecalledwithapangthattherewereconvivialmomentswhen，asJudyhadconfidedtoher，Gus"talkedfoolishly":inoneofthese，nodoubt，thefatalwordhadslippedfromhim。AsforRosedale，shedidnot，afterthefirstshock，greatlycarewhatconclusionshehaddrawn。Thoughusuallyadroitenoughwhereherowninterestswereconcerned，shemadethemistake，notuncommontopersonsinwhomthesocialhabitsareinstinctive，ofsupposingthattheinabilitytoacquirethemquicklyimpliesageneraldulness。Becauseablue-bottlebangsirrationallyagainstawindow-pane，thedrawing-roomnaturalistmayforgetthatunderlessartificialconditionsitiscapableofmeasuringdistancesanddrawingconclusionswithalltheaccuracyneedfultoitswelfare；andthefactthatMr。

Rosedale’sdrawing-roommannerlackedperspectivemadeLilyclasshimwithTrenorandtheotherdullmensheknew，andassumethatalittleflattery，andtheoccasionalacceptanceofhishospitality，wouldsufficetorenderhiminnocuous。However，therecouldbenodoubtoftheexpediencyofshowingherselfinhisboxontheopeningnightoftheopera；andafterall，sinceJudyTrenorhadpromisedtotakehimupthatwinter，itwasaswelltoreaptheadvantageofbeingfirstinthefield。

ForadayortwoafterRosedale’svisit，Lily’sthoughtsweredoggedbytheconsciousnessofTrenor’sshadowyclaim，andshewishedshehadaclearernotionoftheexactnatureofthetransactionwhichseemedtohaveputherinhispower；buthermindshrankfromanyunusualapplication，andshewasalwayshelplesslypuzzledbyfigures。MoreovershehadnotseenTrenorsincethedayoftheVanOsburghwedding，andinhiscontinuedabsencethetraceofRosedale’swordswassooneffacedbyotherimpressions。

Whentheopeningnightoftheoperacame，herapprehensionshadsocompletelyvanishedthatthesightofTrenor’sruddycountenanceinthebackofMr。Rosedale’sboxfilledherwithasenseofpleasantreassurance。LilyhadnotquitereconciledherselftothenecessityofappearingasRosedale’sguestonsoconspicuousanoccasion，anditwasarelieftofindherselfsupportedbyanyoneofherownset——forMrs。Fisher’ssocialhabitsweretoopromiscuousforherpresencetojustifyMissBart’s。

ToLily，alwaysinspiritedbytheprospectofshowingherbeautyinpublic，andconscioustonightofalltheaddedenhancementsofdress，theinsistencyofTrenor’sgazemergeditselfinthegeneralstreamofadmiringlooksofwhichshefeltherselfthecentre。Ah，itwasgoodtobeyoung，toberadiant，toglowwiththesenseofslenderness，strengthandelasticity，ofwell-poisedlinesandhappytints，tofeelone’sselfliftedtoaheightapartbythatincommunicablegracewhichisthebodilycounterpartofgenius！

Allmeansseemedjustifiabletoattainsuchanend，orrather，byahappyshiftingoflightswithwhichpracticehadfamiliarizedMissBart，thecauseshranktoapin-pointinthegeneralbrightnessoftheeffect。Butbrilliantyoungladies，alittleblindedbytheirowneffulgence，areapttoforgetthatthemodestsatellitedrownedintheirlightisstillperformingitsownrevolutionsandgeneratingheatatitsownrate。IfLily’spoeticenjoymentofthemomentwasundisturbedbythebasethoughtthathergownandoperacloakhadbeenindirectlypaidforbyGusTrenor，thelatterhadnotsufficientpoetryinhiscompositiontolosesightoftheseprosaicfacts。HeknewonlythathehadneverseenLilylooksmarterinherlife，thattherewasn’tawomaninthehousewhoshowedoffgoodclothesasshedid，andthathithertohe，towhomsheowedtheopportunityofmakingthisdisplay，hadreapednoreturnbeyondthatofgazingatherincompanywithseveralhundredotherpairsofeyes。

ItcametoLilythereforeasadisagreeablesurprisewhen，inthebackofthebox，wheretheyfoundthemselvesalonebetweentwoacts，Trenorsaid，withoutpreamble，andinatoneofsulkyauthority:"Lookhere，Lily，howisafellowevertoseeanythingofyou？I’mintownthreeorfourdaysintheweek，andyouknowalinetotheclubwillalwaysfindme，butyoudon’tseemtoremembermyexistencenowadaysunlessyouwanttogetatipoutofme。"

Thefactthattheremarkwasindistinctlybadtastedidnotmakeitanyeasiertoanswer，forLilywasvividlyawarethatitwasnotthemomentforthatdrawingupofherslimfigureandsurprisedliftingofthebrowsbywhichsheusuallyquelledincipientsignsoffamiliarity。

"I’mverymuchflatteredbyyourwantingtoseeme，"shereturned，essayinglightnessinstead，"but，unlessyouhavemislaidmyaddress，itwouldhavebeeneasytofindmeanyafternoonatmyaunt’s——infact，Iratherexpectedyoutolookmeupthere。"

Ifshehopedtomollifyhimbythislastconcessiontheattemptwasafailure，forheonlyreplied，withthefamiliarloweringofthebrowsthatmadehimlookhisdullestwhenhewasangry:"Hanggoingtoyouraunt’s，andwastingtheafternoonlisteningtoalotofotherchapstalkingtoyou！YouknowI’mnotthekindtositinacrowdandjaw——I’dalwaysratherclearoutwhenthatsortofcircusisgoingon。Butwhycan’twegooffsomewhereonalittlelarktogether——anicequietlittleexpeditionlikethatdriveatBellomont，thedayyoumetmeatthestation？"

Heleanedunpleasantlycloseinordertoconveythissuggestion，andshefanciedshecaughtasignificantaromawhichexplainedthedarkflushonhisfaceandtheglisteningdampnessofhisforehead。

Theideathatanyrashanswermightprovokeanunpleasantoutbursttemperedherdisgustwithcaution，andsheansweredwithalaugh:"Idon’tseehowonecanverywelltakecountrydrivesintown，butIamnotalwayssurroundedbyanadmiringthrong，andifyouwillletmeknowwhatafternoonyouarecomingIwillarrangethingssothatwecanhaveanicequiettalk。"

"Hangtalking！That’swhatyoualwayssay，"returnedTrenor，whoseexpletiveslackedvariety。"YouputmeoffwiththatattheVanOsburghwedding——buttheplainEnglishofitisthat，nowyou’vegotwhatyouwantedoutofme，you’dratherhaveanyotherfellowabout。"

Hisvoicehadrisensharplywiththelastwords，andLilyflushedwithannoyance，butshekeptcommandofthesituationandlaidapersuasivehandonhisarm。

"Don’tbefoolish，Gus；Ican’tletyoutalktomeinthatridiculousway。Ifyoureallywanttoseeme，whyshouldn’twetakeawalkintheParksomeafternoon？Iagreewithyouthatit’samusingtoberusticintown，andifyoulikeI’llmeetyouthere，andwe’llgoandfeedthesquirrels，andyoushalltakemeoutonthelakeinthesteam-gondola。"

Shesmiledasshespoke，lettinghereyesrestonhisinawaythattooktheedgefromherbanterandmadehimsuddenlymalleabletoherwill。

"Allright，then:that’sago。Willyoucometomorrow？Tomorrowatthreeo’clock，attheendoftheMall。I’llbetheresharp，remember；youwon’tgobackonme，Lily？"

ButtoMissBart’srelieftherepetitionofherpromisewascutshortbytheopeningoftheboxdoortoadmitGeorgeDorset。

Trenorsulkilyyieldedhisplace，andLilyturnedabrilliantsmileonthenewcomer。ShehadnottalkedwithDorsetsincetheirvisitatBellomont，butsomethinginhislookandmannertoldherthatherecalledthefriendlyfootingonwhichtheyhadlastmet。Hewasnotamantowhomtheexpressionofadmirationcameeasily:hislongsallowfaceanddistrustfuleyesseemedalwaysbarricadedagainsttheexpansiveemotions。But，whereherowninfluencewasconcerned，Lily’sintuitionssentoutthread-likefeelers，andasshemaderoomforhimonthenarrowsofashewassurehefoundadumbpleasureinbeingnearher。FewwomentookthetroubletomakethemselvesagreeabletoDorset，andLilyhadbeenkindtohimatBellomont，andwasnowsmilingonhimwithadivinerenewalofkindness。

"Well，hereweare，inforanothersixmonthsofcaterwauling，"

hebegancomplainingly。"Notashadeofdifferencebetweenthisyearandlast，exceptthatthewomenhavegotnewclothesandthesingershaven’tgotnewvoices。Mywife’smusical，youknow——putsmethroughacourseofthiseverywinter。Itisn’tsobadonItaliannights——thenshecomeslate，andthere’stimetodigest。

ButwhentheygiveWagnerwehavetorushdinner，andIpayupforit。Andthedraughtsaredamnable——asphyxiainfrontandpleurisyintheback。There’sTrenorleavingtheboxwithoutdrawingthecurtain！Withahidelikethatdraughtsdon’tmakeanydifference。DidyoueverwatchTrenoreat？Ifyoudid，you’dwonderwhyhe’salive；Isupposehe’sleatherinsidetoo——ButI

cametosaythatmywifewantsyoutocomedowntoourplacenextSunday。Doforheaven’ssakesayyes。She’sgotalotofborescoming——intellectualones，Imean；that’shernewline，youknow，andI’mnotsureitain’tworsethanthemusic。Someof’emhavelonghair，andtheystartanargumentwiththesoup，anddon’tnoticewhenthingsarehandedtothem。Theconsequenceisthedinnergetscold，andIhavedyspepsia。ThatsillyassSilvertonbringsthemtothehouse——hewritespoetry，youknow，andBerthaandhearegettingtremendouslythick。Shecouldwritebetterthananyof’emifshechose，andIdon’tblameherforwantingcleverfellowsabout；allIsayis:’Don’tletmesee’emeat！’"

ThegistofthisstrangecommunicationgaveLilyadistinctthrillofpleasure。Underordinarycircumstances，therewouldhavebeennothingsurprisinginaninvitationfromBerthaDorset；

butsincetheBellomontepisodeanunavowedhostilityhadkeptthetwowomenapart。Now，withastartofinnerwonder，Lilyfeltthatherthirstforretaliationhaddiedout。IFYOUWOULD

FORGIVEYOURENEMY，saystheMalayproverb，FIRSTINFLICTAHURT

ONHIM；andLilywasexperiencingthetruthoftheapothegm。

IfshehaddestroyedMrs。Dorset’sletters，shemighthavecontinuedtohateher；butthefactthattheyremainedinherpossessionhadfedherresentmenttosatiety。

Sheutteredasmilingacceptance，hailingintherenewalofthetieanescapefromTrenor’simportunities。

Meanwhiletheholidayshadgonebyandtheseasonwasbeginning。

FifthAvenuehadbecomeanightlytorrentofcarriagessurgingupwardtothefashionablequartersaboutthePark，whereilluminatedwindowsandoutspreadawningsbetokenedtheusualroutineofhospitality。Othertributarycurrentscrossedthemainstream，bearingtheirfreighttothetheatres，restaurantsoropera；andMrs。Peniston，fromthesecludedwatch-towerofherupperwindow，couldtelltoanicetyjustwhenthechronicvolumeofsoundwasincreasedbythesuddeninfluxsettingtowardaVanOsburghball，orwhenthemultiplicationofwheelsmeantmerelythattheoperawasover，orthattherewasabigsupperatSherry’s。

Mrs。Penistonfollowedtheriseandculminationoftheseasonaskeenlyasthemostactivesharerinitsgaieties；and，asalooker-on，sheenjoyedopportunitiesofcomparisonandgeneralizationsuchasthosewhotakepartmustproverbiallyforego。Noonecouldhavekeptamoreaccuraterecordofsocialfluctuations，orhaveputamoreunerringfingeronthedistinguishingfeaturesofeachseason:itsdulness，itsextravagance，itslackofballsorexcessofdivorces。Shehadaspecialmemoryforthevicissitudesofthe"newpeople"whorosetothesurfacewitheachrecurringtide，andwereeithersubmergedbeneathitsrushorlandedtriumphantlybeyondthereachofenviousbreakers；andshewasapttodisplayaremarkableretrospectiveinsightintotheirultimatefate，sothat，whentheyhadfulfilledtheirdestiny，shewasalmostalwaysabletosaytoGraceStepney——therecipientofherprophecies——thatshehadknownexactlywhatwouldhappen。

ThisparticularseasonMrs。Penistonwouldhavecharacterizedasthatinwhicheverybody"feltpoor"excepttheWellyBrysandMr。

SimonRosedale。IthadbeenabadautumninWallStreet，wherepricesfellinaccordancewiththatpeculiarlawwhichprovesrailwaystocksandbalesofcottontobemoresensitivetotheallotmentofexecutivepowerthanmanyestimablecitizenstrainedtoalltheadvantagesofself-government。Evenfortunessupposedtobeindependentofthemarketeitherbetrayedasecretdependenceonit，orsufferedfromasympatheticaffection:

fashionsulkedinitscountryhouses，orcametotownincognito，generalentertainmentswerediscountenanced，andinformalityandshortdinnersbecamethefashion。

Butsociety，amusedforawhileatplayingCinderella，soonweariedofthehearthsiderole，andwelcomedtheFairyGodmotherintheshapeofanymagicianpowerfulenoughtoturntheshrunkenpumpkinbackagainintothegoldencoach。Themerefactofgrowingricheratatimewhenmostpeople’sinvestmentsareshrinking，iscalculatedtoattractenviousattention；andaccordingtoWallStreetrumours，WellyBryandRosedalehadfoundthesecretofperformingthismiracle。

Rosedale，inparticular，wassaidtohavedoubledhisfortune，andtherewastalkofhisbuyingthenewly-finishedhouseofoneofthevictimsofthecrash，who，inthespaceoftwelveshortmonths，hadmadethesamenumberofmillions，builtahouseinFifthAvenue，filledapicture-gallerywitholdmasters，entertainedallNewYorkinit，andbeensmuggledoutofthecountrybetweenatrainednurseandadoctor，whilehiscreditorsmountedguardovertheoldmasters，andhisguestsexplainedtoeachotherthattheyhaddinedwithhimonlybecausetheywantedtoseethepictures。Mr。Rosedalemeanttohavealessmeteoriccareer。Heknewheshouldhavetogoslowly，andtheinstinctsofhisracefittedhimtosufferrebuffsandputupwithdelays。Buthewasprompttoperceivethatthegeneraldulnessoftheseasonaffordedhimanunusualopportunitytoshine，andhesetaboutwithpatientindustrytoformabackgroundforhisgrowingglory。

Mrs。Fisherwasofimmenseservicetohimatthisperiod。Shehadsetoffsomanynewcomersonthesocialstagethatshewaslikeoneofthosepiecesofstockscenerywhichtelltheexperiencedspectatorexactlywhatisgoingtotakeplace。ButMr。Rosedalewanted，inthelongrun，amoreindividualenvironment。HewassensitivetoshadesofdifferencewhichMissBartwouldneverhavecreditedhimwithperceiving，becausehehadnocorrespondingvariationsofmanner；anditwasbecomingmoreandmorecleartohimthatMissBartherselfpossessedpreciselythecomplementaryqualitiesneededtoroundoffhissocialpersonality。

SuchdetailsdidnotfallwithintherangeofMrs。Peniston’svision。Likemanymindsofpanoramicsweep，herswasapttooverlooktheMINUTIAEoftheforeground，andshewasmuchmorelikelytoknowwhereCarryFisherhadfoundtheWellyBrys’CHEF

forthem，thanwhatwashappeningtoherownniece。Shewasnot，however，withoutpurveyorsofinformationreadytosupplementherdeficiencies。GraceStepney’smindwaslikeakindofmoralfly-paper，towhichthebuzzingitemsofgossipweredrawnbyafatalattraction，andwheretheyhungfastinthetoilsofaninexorablememory。LilywouldhavebeensurprisedtoknowhowmanytrivialfactsconcerningherselfwerelodgedinMissStepney’shead。Shewasquiteawarethatshewasofinteresttodingypeople，butsheassumedthatthereisonlyoneformofdinginess，andthatadmirationforbrilliancyisthenaturalexpressionofitsinferiorstate。SheknewthatGertyFarishadmiredherblindly，andthereforesupposedthatsheinspiredthesamesentimentsinGraceStepney，whomsheclassifiedasaGertyFarishwithoutthesavingtraitsofyouthandenthusiasm。

Inreality，thetwodifferedfromeachotherasmuchastheydifferedfromtheobjectoftheirmutualcontemplation。MissFarish’sheartwasafountainoftenderillusions，MissStepney’sapreciseregisteroffactsasmanifestedintheirrelationtoherself。Shehadsensibilitieswhich，toLily，wouldhaveseemedcomicinapersonwithafrecklednoseandredeyelids，wholivedinaboarding-houseandadmiredMrs。Peniston’sdrawing-room；butpoorGrace’slimitationsgavethemamoreconcentratedinnerlife，aspoorsoilstarvescertainplantsintointenserefflorescence。Shehadintruthnoabstractpropensitytomalice:

shedidnotdislikeLilybecausethelatterwasbrilliantandpredominant，butbecauseshethoughtthatLilydislikedher。Itislessmortifyingtobelieveone’sselfunpopularthaninsignificant，andvanitypreferstoassumethatindifferenceisalatentformofunfriendliness。EvensuchscantcivilitiesasLilyaccordedtoMr。RosedalewouldhavemadeMissStepneyherfriendforlife；buthowcouldsheforeseethatsuchafriendwasworthcultivating？How，moreover，canayoungwomanwhohasneverbeenignoredmeasurethepangwhichthisinjuryinflicts？And，lastly，howcouldLily，accustomedtochoosebetweenapressureofengagements，guessthatshehadmortallyoffendedMissStepneybycausinghertobeexcludedfromoneofMrs。