第5章

Peniston’sinfrequentdinner-parties？

Mrs。Penistondislikedgivingdinners，butshehadahighsenseoffamilyobligation，andontheJackStepneys’returnfromtheirhoneymoonshefeltitincumbentuponhertolightthedrawing-roomlampsandextractherbestsilverfromtheSafeDepositvaults。Mrs。Peniston’srareentertainmentswereprecededbydaysofheart-rendingvacillationastoeverydetailofthefeast，fromtheseatingofthegueststothepatternofthetable-cloth，andinthecourseofoneofthesepreliminarydiscussionsshehadimprudentlysuggestedtohercousinGracethat，asthedinnerwasafamilyaffair，shemightbeincludedinit。ForaweektheprospecthadlightedupMissStepney’scolourlessexistence；thenshehadbeengiventounderstandthatitwouldbemoreconvenienttohaveheranotherday。MissStepneyknewexactlywhathadhappened。Lily，towhomfamilyreunionswereoccasionsofunalloyeddulness，hadpersuadedherauntthatadinnerof"smart"peoplewouldbemuchmoretothetasteoftheyoungcouple，andMrs。Peniston，wholeanedhelplesslyonhernieceinsocialmatters，hadbeenprevailedupontopronounceGrace’sexile。Afterall，Gracecouldcomeanyotherday；whyshouldshemindbeingputoff？

ItwaspreciselybecauseMissStepneycouldcomeanyotherday——andbecausesheknewherrelationswereinthesecretofherunoccupiedevenings——thatthisincidentloomedgiganticallyonherhorizon。ShewasawarethatshehadLilytothankforit；anddullresentmentwasturnedtoactiveanimosity。

Mrs。Peniston，onwhomshehadlookedinadayortwoafterthedinner，laiddownhercrochet-workandturnedabruptlyfromherobliquesurveyofFifthAvenue。

"GusTrenor？——LilyandGusTrenor？"shesaid，growingsosuddenlypalethathervisitorwasalmostalarmed。

"Oh，cousinJulia……ofcourseIdon’tmean……"

"Idon’tknowwhatyouDOmean，"saidMrs。Peniston，withafrightenedquiverinhersmallfretfulvoice。"Suchthingswereneverheardofinmyday。Andmyownniece！I’mnotsureI

understandyou。Dopeoplesayhe’sinlovewithher？"

Mrs。Peniston’shorrorwasgenuine。Thoughsheboastedanunequalledfamiliaritywiththesecretchroniclesofsociety，shehadtheinnocenceoftheschool-girlwhoregardswickednessasapartof"history，"andtowhomitneveroccursthatthescandalsshereadsofinlesson-hoursmayberepeatingthemselvesinthenextstreet。Mrs。Penistonhadkeptherimaginationshrouded，likethedrawing-roomfurniture。Sheknew，ofcourse，thatsocietywas"verymuchchanged，"andthatmanywomenhermotherwouldhavethought"peculiar"werenowinapositiontobecriticalabouttheirvisiting-lists；shehaddiscussedtheperilsofdivorcewithherrector，andhadfeltthankfulattimesthatLilywasstillunmarried；buttheideathatanyscandalcouldattachtoayounggirl’sname，aboveallthatitcouldbelightlycoupledwiththatofamarriedman，wassonewtoherthatshewasasmuchaghastasifshehadbeenaccusedofleavinghercarpetsdownallsummer，orofviolatinganyoftheothercardinallawsofhousekeeping。

MissStepney，whenherfirstfrighthadsubsided，begantofeelthesuperioritythatgreaterbreadthofmindconfers。ItwasreallypitiabletobeasignorantoftheworldasMrs。Peniston！

Shesmiledatthelatter’squestion。"Peoplealwayssayunpleasantthings——andcertainlythey’reagreatdealtogether。A

friendofminemetthemtheotherafternooninthePark-quitelate，afterthelampswerelit。ItsapityLilymakesherselfsoconspicuous。"

"CONSPICUOUS！"gaspedMrs。Peniston。Shebentforward，loweringhervoicetomitigatethehorror。"Whatsortofthingsdotheysay？Thathemeanstogetadivorceandmarryher？"

GraceStepneylaughedoutright。"Dearme，no！Hewouldhardlydothat。It——it’saflirtation——nothingmore。"

"Aflirtation？Betweenmynieceandamarriedman？Doyoumeantotellmethat，withLily’slooksandadvantages，shecouldfindnobetteruseforhertimethantowasteitonafatstupidmanalmostoldenoughtobeherfather？"ThisargumenthadsuchaconvincingringthatitgaveMrs。Penistonsufficientreassurancetopickupherwork，whileshewaitedforGraceStepneytorallyherscatteredforces。

ButMissStepneywasonthespotinaninstant。"That’stheworstofit——peoplesaysheisn’twastinghertime！Everyoneknows，asyousay，thatLilyistoohandsomeand-andcharming——todevoteherselftoamanlikeGusTrenorunless——"

"Unless？"echoedMrs。Peniston。Hervisitordrewbreathnervously。ItwasagreeabletoshockMrs。Peniston，butnottoshockhertothevergeofanger。MissStepneywasnotsufficientlyfamiliarwiththeclassicdramatohaverecalledinadvancehowbearersofbadtidingsareproverbiallyreceived，butshenowhadarapidvisionofforfeiteddinnersandareducedwardrobeasthepossibleconsequenceofherdisinterestedness。Tothehonourofhersex，however，hatredofLilyprevailedovermorepersonalconsiderations。Mrs。Penistonhadchosenthewrongmomenttoboastofherniece’scharms。

"Unless，"saidGrace，leaningforwardtospeakwithlow-tonedemphasis，"unlesstherearematerialadvantagestobegainedbymakingherselfagreeabletohim。"

Shefeltthatthemomentwastremendous，andrememberedsuddenlythatMrs。Peniston’sblackbrocade，withthecutjetfringe，wouldhavebeenhersattheendoftheseason。

Mrs。Penistonputdownherworkagain。Anotheraspectofthesameideahadpresenteditselftoher，andshefeltthatitwasbeneathherdignitytohavehernervesrackedbyadependentrelativewhoworeheroldclothes。

"Ifyoutakepleasureinannoyingmebymysteriousinsinuations，"

shesaidcoldly，"youmightatleasthavechosenamoresuitabletimethanjustasIamrecoveringfromthestrainofgivingalargedinner。"

ThementionofthedinnerdispelledMissStepney’slastscruples。

"Idon’tknowwhyIshouldbeaccusedoftakingpleasureintellingyouaboutLily。IwassureIshouldn’tgetanythanksforit，"shereturnedwithaflareoftemper。"ButIhavesomefamilyfeelingleft，andasyouaretheonlypersonwhohasanyauthorityoverLily，Ithoughtyououghttoknowwhatisbeingsaidofher。"

"Well，"saidMrs。Peniston，"whatIcomplainofisthatyouhaven’ttoldmeyetwhatISbeingsaid。"

"Ididn’tsupposeIshouldhavetoputitsoplainly。PeoplesaythatGusTrenorpaysherbills。"

"Paysherbills——herbills？"Mrs。Penistonbrokeintoalaugh。"I

can’timaginewhereyoucanhavepickedupsuchrubbish。Lilyhasherownincome——andIprovideforherveryhandsomely——"

"Oh，weallknowthat，"interposedMissStepneydrily。"ButLilywearsagreatmanysmartgowns——"

"Ilikehertobewell-dressed——it’sonlysuitable！"

"Certainly；butthentherearehergamblingdebtsbesides。"

MissStepney，inthebeginning，hadnotmeanttobringupthispoint；butMrs。Penistonhadonlyherownincredulitytoblame。

Shewaslikethestiff-neckedunbelieversofScripture，whomustbeannihilatedtobeconvinced。

"Gamblingdebts？Lily？"Mrs。Peniston’svoiceshookwithangerandbewilderment。ShewonderedwhetherGraceStepneyhadgoneoutofhermind。"Whatdoyoumeanbyhergamblingdebts？"

"SimplythatifoneplaysbridgeformoneyinLily’ssetoneisliabletoloseagreatdeal——andIdon’tsupposeLilyalwayswins。"

"Whotoldyouthatmynieceplayedcardsformoney？"

"Mercy，cousinJulia，don’tlookatmeasifIweretryingtoturnyouagainstLily！Everybodyknowssheiscrazyaboutbridge。

Mrs。GrycetoldmeherselfthatitwashergamblingthatfrightenedPercyGryce——itseemshewasreallytakenwithheratfirst。But，ofcourse，amongLily’sfriendsit’squitethecustomforgirlstoplayformoney。Infact，peopleareinclinedtoexcuseheronthataccount——"

"Toexcuseherforwhat？"

"Forbeinghardup——andacceptingattentionsfrommenlikeGusTrenor——andGeorgeDorset——"

Mrs。Penistongaveanothercry。"GeorgeDorset？Isthereanyoneelse？Ishouldliketoknowtheworst，ifyouplease。"

"Don’tputitinthatway，cousinJulia。LatelyLilyhasbeenagooddealwiththeDorsets，andheseemstoadmireher——butofcoursethat’sonlynatural。AndI’msurethereisnotruthinthehorridthingspeoplesay；butsheHASbeenspendingagreatdealofmoneythiswinter。EvieVanOsburghwasatCeleste’sorderinghertrousseautheotherday——yes，themarriagetakesplacenextmonth——andshetoldmethatCelesteshowedherthemostexquisitethingsshewasjustsendinghometoLily。AndpeoplesaythatJudyTrenorhasquarrelledwithheronaccountofGus；butI’msureI’msorryIspoke，thoughIonlymeantitasakindness。"

Mrs。Peniston’sgenuineincredulityenabledhertodismissMissStepneywithadisdainwhichbodedillforthatlady’sprospectofsucceedingtotheblackbrocade；butmindsimpenetrabletoreasonhavegenerallysomecrackthroughwhichsuspicionfilters，andhervisitor’sinsinuationsdidnotglideoffaseasilyasshehadexpected。Mrs。Penistondislikedscenes，andherdeterminationtoavoidthemhadalwaysledhertoholdherselfalooffromthedetailsofLily’slife。Inheryouth，girlshadnotbeensupposedtorequireclosesupervision。Theyweregenerallyassumedtobetakenupwiththelegitimatebusinessofcourtshipandmarriage，andinterferenceinsuchaffairsonthepartoftheirnaturalguardianswasconsideredasunwarrantableasaspectator’ssuddenlyjoininginagame。Therehadofcoursebeen"fast"girlseveninMrs。Peniston’searlyexperience；buttheirfastness，atworst，wasunderstoodtobeamereexcessofanimalspirits，againstwhichtherecouldbenograverchargethanthatofbeing"unladylike。"Themodernfastnessappearedsynonymouswithimmorality，andthemereideaofimmoralitywasasoffensivetoMrs。Penistonasasmellofcookinginthedrawing-room:itwasoneoftheconceptionshermindrefusedtoadmit。

ShehadnoimmediateintentionofrepeatingtoLilywhatshehadheard，orevenoftryingtoascertainitstruthbymeansofdiscreetinterrogation。Todosomightbetoprovokeascene；andascene，intheshakenstateofMrs。Peniston’snerves，withtheeffectsofherdinnernotwornoff，andhermindstilltremulouswithnewimpressions，wasariskshedeemeditherdutytoavoid。

Butthereremainedinherthoughtsasettleddepositofresentmentagainstherniece，allthedenserbecauseitwasnottobeclearedbyexplanationordiscussion。Itwashorribleofayounggirltoletherselfbetalkedabout；howeverunfoundedthechargesagainsther，shemustbetoblamefortheirhavingbeenmade。Mrs。Penistonfeltasiftherehadbeenacontagiousillnessinthehouse，andshewasdoomedtositshiveringamonghercontaminatedfurniture。

MissBarthadinfactbeentreadingadeviousway，andnoneofhercriticscouldhavebeenmorealivetothefactthanherself；

butshehadafatalisticsenseofbeingdrawnfromonewrongturningtoanother，withouteverperceivingtherightroadtillitwastoolatetotakeit。

Lily，whoconsideredherselfabovenarrowprejudices，hadnotimaginedthatthefactoflettingGusTrenormakealittlemoneyforherwouldeverdisturbherself-complacency。Andthefactinitselfstillseemedharmlessenough；onlyitwasafertilesourceofharmfulcomplications。Assheexhaustedtheamusementofspendingthemoneythesecomplicationsbecamemorepressing，andLily，whosemindcouldbeseverelylogicalintracingthecausesofherill-lucktoothers，justifiedherselfbythethoughtthatsheowedallhertroublestotheenmityofBerthaDorset。Thisenmity，however，hadapparentlyexpiredinarenewaloffriendlinessbetweenthetwowomen。Lily’svisittotheDorsetshadresulted，forboth，inthediscoverythattheycouldbeofusetoeachother；andthecivilizedinstinctfindsasubtlerpleasureinmakinguseofitsantagonistthaninconfoundinghim。

Mrs。Dorsetwas，infact，engagedinanewsentimentalexperiment，ofwhichMrs。Fisher’slateproperty，NedSilverton，wastherosyvictim；andatsuchmoments，asJudyTrenorhadonceremarked，shefeltapeculiarneedofdistractingherhusband’sattention。Dorsetwasasdifficulttoamuseasasavage；butevenhisself-engrossmentwasnotproofagainstLily’sarts，orratherthesewereespeciallyadaptedtosootheanuneasyegoism。HerexperiencewithPercyGrycestoodheringoodsteadinministeringtoDorset’shumours，andiftheincentivetopleasewaslessurgent，thedifficultiesofhersituationwereteachinghertomakemuchofminoropportunities。

IntimacywiththeDorsetswasnotlikelytolessensuchdifficultiesonthematerialside。Mrs。DorsethadnoneofJudyTrenor’slavishimpulses，andDorset’sadmirationwasnotlikelytoexpressitselfinfinancial"tips，"evenhadLilycaredtorenewherexperiencesinthatline。Whatsherequired，forthemoment，oftheDorsets’friendship，wassimplyitssocialsanction。Sheknewthatpeoplewerebeginningtotalkofher；butthisfactdidnotalarmherasithadalarmedMrs。Peniston。Inhersetsuchgossipwasnotunusual，andahandsomegirlwhoflirtedwithamarriedmanwasmerelyassumedtobepressingtothelimitofheropportunities。ItwasTrenorhimselfwhofrightenedher。TheirwalkintheParkhadnotbeenasuccess。

Trenorhadmarriedyoung，andsincehismarriagehisintercoursewithwomenhadnottakentheformofthesentimentalsmall-talkwhichdoublesuponitselflikethepathsinamaze。Hewasfirstpuzzledandthenirritatedtofindhimselfalwaysledbacktothesamestarting-point，andLilyfeltthatshewasgraduallylosingcontrolofthesituation。Trenorwasintruthinanunmanageablemood。InspiteofhisunderstandingwithRosedalehehadbeensomewhatheavily"touched"bythefallinstocks；hishouseholdexpensesweighedonhim，andheseemedtobemeeting，onallsides，asullenoppositiontohiswishes，insteadoftheeasygoodluckhehadhithertoencountered。

Mrs。TrenorwasstillatBellomont，keepingthetown-houseopen，anddescendingonitnowandthenforatasteoftheworld，butpreferringtherecurrentexcitementofweek-endpartiestotherestrictionsofadullseason。SincetheholidaysshehadnoturgedLilytoreturntoBellomont，andthefirsttimetheymetintownLilyfanciedtherewasashadeofcoldnessinhermanner。

WasitmerelytheexpressionofherdispleasureatMissBart’sneglect，orhaddisquietingrumoursreachedher？Thelattercontingencyseemedimprobable，yetLilywasnotwithoutasenseofuneasiness。Ifherroamingsympathieshadstruckrootanywhere，itwasinherfriendshipwithJudyTrenor。Shebelievedinthesincerityofherfriend’saffection，thoughitsometimesshoweditselfinself-interestedways，andsheshrankwithpeculiarreluctancefromanyriskofestrangingit。But，asidefromthis，shewaskeenlyconsciousofthewayinwhichsuchanestrangementwouldreactonherself。ThefactthatGusTrenorwasJudy’shusbandwasattimesLily’sstrongestreasonfordislikinghim，andforresentingtheobligationunderwhichhehadplacedher。Tosetherdoubtsatrest，MissBart，soonaftertheNewYear，"proposed"herselfforaweek-endatBellomont。ShehadlearnedinadvancethatthepresenceofalargepartywouldprotectherfromtoogreatassiduityonTrenor’spart，andhiswife’stelegraphic"comebyallmeans"seemedtoassureherofherusualwelcome。

Judyreceivedheramicably。Thecaresofalargepartyalwaysprevailedoverpersonalfeelings，andLilysawnochangeinherhostess’smanner。Nevertheless，shewassoonawarethattheexperimentofcomingtoBellomontwasdestinednottobesuccessful。ThepartywasmadeupofwhatMrs。Trenorcalled"pokypeople"——hergenericnameforpersonswhodidnotplaybridge——and，itbeingherhabittogroupallsuchobstructionistsinoneclass，sheusuallyinvitedthemtogether，regardlessoftheirothercharacteristics。Theresultwasapttobeanirreduciblecombinationofpersonshavingnootherqualityincommonthantheirabstinencefrombridge，andtheantagonismsdevelopedinagrouplackingtheonetastewhichmighthaveamalgamatedthem，wereinthiscaseaggravatedbybadweather，andbytheill-concealedboredomoftheirhostandhostess。Insuchemergencies，JudywouldusuallyhaveturnedtoLilytofusethediscordantelements；andMissBart，assumingthatsuchaservicewasexpectedofher，threwherselfintoitwithheraccustomedzeal。Butattheoutsetsheperceivedasubtleresistancetoherefforts。IfMrs。Trenor’smannertowardherwasunchanged，therewascertainlyafaintcoldnessinthatoftheotherladies。Anoccasionalcausticallusionto"yourfriendstheWellingtonBrys，"orto"thelittleJewwhohasboughttheGreinerhouse——someonetoldusyouknewhim，MissBart，"——showedLilythatshewasindisfavourwiththatportionofsocietywhich，whilecontributingleasttoitsamusement，hasassumedtherighttodecidewhatformsthatamusementshalltake。Theindicationwasaslightone，andayearagoLilywouldhavesmiledatit，trustingtothecharmofherpersonalitytodispelanyprejudiceagainsther。Butnowshehadgrownmoresensitivetocriticismandlessconfidentinherpowerofdisarmingit。Sheknew，moreover，thatiftheladiesatBellomontpermittedthemselvestocriticizeherfriendsopenly，itwasaproofthattheywerenotafraidofsubjectinghertothesametreatmentbehindherback。ThenervousdreadlestanythinginTrenor’smannershouldseemtojustifytheirdisapprovalmadeherseekeverypretextforavoidinghim，andsheleftBellomontconsciousofhavingfailedineverypurposewhichhadtakenherthere。

Intownshereturnedtopreoccupationswhich，forthemoment，hadthehappyeffectofbanishingtroublesomethoughts。TheWellyBrys，aftermuchdebate，andanxiouscounselwiththeirnewlyacquiredfriends，haddecidedontheboldmoveofgivingageneralentertainment。Toattacksocietycollectively，whenone’smeansofapproacharelimitedtoafewacquaintances，islikeadvancingintoastrangecountrywithaninsufficientnumberofscouts；butsuchrashtacticshavesometimesledtobrilliantvictories，andtheBryshaddeterminedtoputtheirfatetothetouch。Mrs。Fisher，towhomtheyhadentrustedtheconductoftheaffair，haddecidedthatTABLEAUXVIVANTSandexpensivemusicwerethetwobaitsmostlikelytoattractthedesiredprey，andafterprolongednegotiations，andthekindofwire-pullinginwhichshewasknowntoexcel，shehadinducedadozenfashionablewomentoexhibitthemselvesinaseriesofpictureswhich，byafarthermiracleofpersuasion，thedistinguishedportraitpainter，PaulMorpeth，hadbeenprevailedupontoorganize。

Lilywasinherelementonsuchoccasions。UnderMorpeth’sguidancehervividplasticsense，hithertonurturedonnohigherfoodthandress-makingandupholstery，foundeagerexpressioninthedisposalofdraperies，thestudyofattitudes，theshiftingoflightsandshadows。Herdramaticinstinctwasrousedbythechoiceofsubjects，andthegorgeousreproductionsofhistoricdressstirredanimaginationwhichonlyvisualimpressionscouldreach。Butkeenestofallwastheexhilarationofdisplayingherownbeautyunderanewaspect:ofshowingthatherlovelinesswasnomerefixedquality，butanelementshapingallemotionstofreshformsofgrace。

Mrs。Fisher’smeasureshadbeenwell-taken，andsociety，surprisedinadullmoment，succumbedtothetemptationofMrs。

Bry’shospitality。Theprotestingminoritywereforgotteninthethrongwhichabjuredandcame；andtheaudiencewasalmostasbrilliantastheshow。

LawrenceSeldenwasamongthosewhohadyieldedtotheprofferedinducements。Ifhedidnotoftenactontheacceptedsocialaxiomthatamanmaygowherehepleases，itwasbecausehehadlongsincelearnedthathispleasuresweremainlytobefoundinasmallgroupofthelike-minded。Butheenjoyedspectaculareffects，andwasnotinsensibletothepartmoneyplaysintheirproduction:allheaskedwasthattheveryrichshouldliveuptotheircallingasstage-managers，andnotspendtheirmoneyinadullway。ThistheBryscouldcertainlynotbechargedwithdoing。Theirrecentlybuilthouse，whateveritmightlackasaframefordomesticity，wasalmostaswell-designedforthedisplayofafestalassemblageasoneofthoseairypleasure-hallswhichtheItalianarchitectsimprovisedtosetoffthehospitalityofprinces。Theairofimprovisationwasinfactstrikinglypresent:sorecent，sorapidly-evokedwasthewholeMISE-EN-SCENEthatonehadtotouchthemarblecolumnstolearntheywerenotofcardboard，toseatone’sselfinoneofthedamask-and-goldarm-chairstobesureitwasnotpaintedagainstthewall。

Selden，whohadputoneoftheseseatstothetest，foundhimself，fromanangleoftheball-room，surveyingthescenewithfrankenjoyment。Thecompany，inobediencetothedecorativeinstinctwhichcallsforfineclothesinfinesurroundings，haddressedratherwithaneyetoMrs。Bry’sbackgroundthantoherself。Theseatedthrong，fillingtheimmenseroomwithoutunduecrowding，presentedasurfaceofrichtissuesandjewelledshouldersinharmonywiththefestoonedandgildedwalls，andtheflushedsplendoursoftheVenetianceiling。Atthefartherendoftheroomastagehadbeenconstructedbehindaprosceniumarchcurtainedwithfoldsofolddamask；butinthepausebeforethepartingofthefoldstherewaslittlethoughtofwhattheymightreveal，foreverywomanwhohadacceptedMrs。Bry’sinvitationwasengagedintryingtofindouthowmanyofherfriendshaddonethesame。

GertyFarish，seatednexttoSelden，waslostinthatindiscriminateanduncriticalenjoymentsoirritatingtoMissBart’sfinerperceptions。ItmaybethatSelden’snearnesshadsomethingtodowiththequalityofhiscousin’spleasure；butMissFarishwassolittleaccustomedtoreferherenjoymentofsuchscenestoherownshareinthem，thatshewasmerelyconsciousofadeepersenseofcontentment。

"Wasn’titdearofLilytogetmeaninvitation？OfcourseitwouldneverhaveoccurredtoCarryFishertoputmeonthelist，andIshouldhavebeensosorrytomissseeingitall-andespeciallyLilyherself。SomeonetoldmetheceilingwasbyVeronese——youwouldknow，ofcourse，Lawrence。Isupposeit’sverybeautiful，buthiswomenaresodreadfullyfat。Goddesses？

Well，Icanonlysaythatifthey’dbeenmortalsandhadtowearcorsets，itwouldhavebeenbetterforthem。Ithinkourwomenaremuchhandsomer。Andthisroomiswonderfullybecoming——everyonelookssowell！Didyoueverseesuchjewels？DolookatMrs。

GeorgeDorset’spearls——IsupposethesmallestofthemwouldpaytherentofourGirls’Clubforayear。NotthatIoughttocomplainaboutthedub；everyonehasbeensowonderfullykind。

DidItellyouthatLilyhadgivenusthreehundreddollars？

Wasn’titsplendidofher？Andthenshecollectedalotofmoneyfromherfriends——Mrs。Brygaveusfivehundred，andMr。Rosedaleathousand。IwishLilywerenotsonicetoMr。Rosedale，butshesaysit’snousebeingrudetohim，becausehedoesn’tseethedifference。Shereallycan’tbeartohurtpeople’sfeelings——itmakesmesoangrywhenIhearhercalledcoldandconceited！Thegirlsatthedubdon’tcallherthat。Doyouknowshehasbeentherewithmetwice？——yes，Lily！Andyoushouldhaveseentheireyes！Oneofthemsaiditwasasgoodasadayinthecountryjusttolookather。Andshesatthere，andlaughedandtalkedwiththem——notabitasifshewerebeingCHARITABLE，youknow，butasifshelikeditasmuchastheydid。They’vebeenaskingeversincewhenshe’scomingback；andshe’spromisedme——oh！"

MissFarish’sconfidenceswerecutshortbythepartingofthecurtainonthefirstTABLEAU——agroupofnymphsdancingacrossflower-strewnswardintherhythmicposturesofBotticelli’sSpring。TABLEAUXVIVANTSdependfortheireffectnotonlyonthehappydisposaloflightsandthedelusive-interpositionoflayersofgauze，butonacorrespondingadjustmentofthementalvision。

Tounfurnishedmindstheyremain，inspiteofeveryenhancementofart，onlyasuperiorkindofwax-works；buttotheresponsivefancytheymaygivemagicglimpsesoftheboundaryworldbetweenfactandimagination。Selden’smindwasofthisorder:hecouldyieldtovision-makinginfluencesascompletelyasachildtothespellofafairy-tale。Mrs。Bry’sTABLEAUXwantednoneofthequalitieswhichgototheproducingofsuchillusions，andunderMorpeth’sorganizinghandthepicturessucceededeachotherwiththerhythmicmarchofsomesplendidfrieze，inwhichthefugitivecurvesoflivingfleshandthewanderinglightofyoungeyeshavebeensubduedtoplasticharmonywithoutlosingthecharmoflife。

Thescenesweretakenfromoldpictures，andtheparticipatorshadbeencleverlyfittedwithcharacterssuitedtotheirtypes。

Noone，forinstance，couldhavemadeamoretypicalGoyathanCarryFisher，withhershortdark-skinnedface，theexaggeratedglowofhereyes，theprovocationofherfrankly-paintedsmile。A

brilliantMissSmeddenfromBrooklynshowedtoperfectionthesumptuouscurvesofTitian’sDaughter，liftinghergoldsalverladenwithgrapesabovetheharmonizinggoldofrippledhairandrichbrocade，andayoungMrs。VanAlstyne，whoshowedthefrailerDutchtype，withhighblue-veinedforeheadandpaleeyesandlashes，madeacharacteristicVandyck，inblacksatin，againstacurtainedarchway。ThentherewereKauffmannnymphsgarlandingthealtarofLove；aVeronesesupper，allsheenytextures，pearl-wovenheadsandmarblearchitecture；andaWatteaugroupoflute-playingcomedians，loungingbyafountaininasunlitglade。

Eachevanescentpicturetouchedthevision-buildingfacultyinSelden，leadinghimsofardownthevistasoffancythatevenGertyFarish’srunningcommentary——"Oh，howlovelyLuluMelsonlooks！"or:"ThatmustbeKateCorby，totherightthere，inpurple"——didnotbreakthespelloftheillusion。Indeed，soskilfullyhadthepersonalityoftheactorsbeensubduedtothescenestheyfiguredinthateventheleastimaginativeoftheaudiencemusthavefeltathrillofcontrastwhenthecurtainsuddenlypartedonapicturewhichwassimplyandundisguisedlytheportraitofMissBart。

Heretherecouldbenomistakingthepredominanceofpersonality——theunanimous"Oh！"ofthespectatorswasatribute，nottothebrush-workofReynolds’s"Mrs。Lloyd"buttothefleshandbloodlovelinessofLilyBart。Shehadshownherartisticintelligenceinselectingatypesolikeherownthatshecouldembodythepersonrepresentedwithoutceasingtobeherself。Itwasasthoughshehadstepped，notoutof，butinto，Reynolds’scanvas，banishingthephantomofhisdeadbeautybythebeamsofherlivinggrace。Theimpulsetoshowherselfinasplendidsetting——shehadthoughtforamomentofrepresentingTiepolo’sCleopatra——hadyieldedtothetruerinstinctoftrustingtoherunassistedbeauty，andshehadpurposelychosenapicturewithoutdistractingaccessoriesofdressorsurroundings。

Herpaledraperies，andthebackgroundoffoliageagainstwhichshestood，servedonlytorelievethelongdryad-likecurvesthatsweptupwardfromherpoisedfoottoherliftedarm。Thenoblebuoyancyofherattitude，itssuggestionofsoaringgrace，revealedthetouchofpoetryinherbeautythatSeldenalwaysfeltinherpresence，yetlostthesenseofwhenhewasnotwithher。ItsexpressionwasnowsovividthatforthefirsttimeheseemedtoseebeforehimtherealLilyBart，divestedofthetrivialitiesofherlittleworld，andcatchingforamomentanoteofthateternalharmonyofwhichherbeautywasapart。

"Deucedboldthingtoshowherselfinthatget-up；but，gad，thereisn’tabreakinthelinesanywhere，andIsupposeshewantedustoknowit！"

Thesewords，utteredbythatexperiencedconnoisseur，Mr。NedVanAlstyne，whosescentedwhitemoustachehadbrushedSelden’sshoulderwheneverthepartingofthecurtainspresentedanyexceptionalopportunityforthestudyofthefemaleoutline，affectedtheirhearerinanunexpectedway。ItwasnotthefirsttimethatSeldenhadheardLily’sbeautylightlyremarkedon，andhithertothetoneofthecommentshadimperceptiblycolouredhisviewofher。Butnowitwokeonlyamotionofindignantcontempt。

Thiswastheworldshelivedin，thesewerethestandardsbywhichshewasfatedtobemeasured！DoesonegotoCalibanforajudgmentonMiranda？

Inthelongmomentbeforethecurtainfell，hehadtimetofeelthewholetragedyofherlife。Itwasasthoughherbeauty，thusdetachedfromallthatcheapenedandvulgarizedit，hadheldoutsupplianthandstohimfromtheworldinwhichheandshehadoncemetforamoment，andwherehefeltanovermasteringlongingtobewithheragain。

Hewasrousedbythepressureofecstaticfingers。"Wasn’tshetoobeautiful，Lawrence？Don’tyoulikeherbestinthatsimpledress？

ItmakesherlookliketherealLily——theLilyIknow。"

HemetGertyFarish’sbrimminggaze。"TheLilyweknow，"hecorrected；andhiscousin，beamingattheimpliedunderstanding，exclaimedjoyfully:"I’lltellherthat！Shealwayssaysyoudislikeher。"

Theperformanceover，Selden’sfirstimpulsewastoseekMissBart。DuringtheinterludeofmusicwhichsucceededtheTABLEAUX，theactorshadseatedthemselveshereandthereintheaudience，diversifyingitsconventionalappearancebythevariedpicturesquenessoftheirdress。Lily，however，wasnotamongthem，andherabsenceservedtoprotracttheeffectshehadproducedonSelden:itwouldhavebrokenthespelltoseehertoosooninthesurroundingsfromwhichaccidenthadsohappilydetachedher。TheyhadnotmetsincethedayoftheVanOsburghwedding，andonhissidetheavoidancehadbeenintentional。

Tonight，however，heknewthat，soonerorlater，heshouldfindhimselfatherside；andthoughheletthedispersingcrowddrifthimwhitheritwould，withoutmakinganimmediateefforttoreachher，hisprocrastinationwasnotduetoanylingeringresistance，buttothedesiretoluxuriateamomentinthesenseofcompletesurrender。

Lilyhadnotaninstant’sdoubtastothemeaningofthemurmurgreetingherappearance。Noothertableauhadbeenreceivedwiththatprecisenoteofapproval:ithadobviouslybeencalledforthbyherself，andnotbythepicturesheimpersonated。Shehadfearedatthelastmomentthatshewasriskingtoomuchindispensingwiththeadvantagesofamoresumptuoussetting，andthecompletenessofhertriumphgaveheranintoxicatingsenseofrecoveredpower。Notcaringtodiminishtheimpressionshehadproduced，sheheldherselfalooffromtheaudiencetillthemovementofdispersalbeforesupper，andthushadasecondopportunityofshowingherselftoadvantage，asthethrongpouredslowlyintotheemptydrawing-roomwhereshewasstanding。

Shewassoonthecentreofagroupwhichincreasedandreneweditselfasthecirculationbecamegeneral，andtheindividualcommentsonhersuccesswereadelightfulprolongationofthecollectiveapplause。Atsuchmomentsshelostsomethingofhernaturalfastidiousness，andcaredlessforthequalityoftheadmirationreceivedthanforitsquantity。Differencesofpersonalityweremergedinawarmatmosphereofpraise，inwhichherbeautyexpandedlikeaflowerinsunlight；andifSeldenhadapproachedamomentortwosoonerhewouldhaveseenherturningonNedVanAlstyneandGeorgeDorsetthelookhehaddreamedofcapturingforhimself。

Fortunewilled，however，thatthehurriedapproachofMrs。

Fisher，aswhoseaide-de-campVanAlstynewasacting，shouldbreakupthegroupbeforeSeldenreachedthethresholdoftheroom。Oneortwoofthemenwanderedoffinsearchoftheirpartnersforsupper，andtheothers，noticingSelden’sapproach，gavewaytohiminaccordancewiththetacitfreemasonryoftheball-room。Lilywasthereforestandingalonewhenhereachedher；

andfindingtheexpectedlookinhereye，hehadthesatisfactionofsupposinghehadkindledit。Thelookdidindeeddeepenasitrestedonhim，foreveninthatmomentofself-intoxicationLilyfeltthequickerbeatoflifethathisnearnessalwaysproduced。

Sheread，too，inhisansweringgazethedeliciousconfirmationofhertriumph，andforthemomentitseemedtoherthatitwasforhimonlyshecaredtobebeautiful。

Seldenhadgivenherhisarmwithoutspeaking。Shetookitinsilence，andtheymovedaway，nottowardthesupper-room，butagainstthetidewhichwassettingthither。Thefacesaboutherflowedbylikethestreamingimagesofsleep:shehardlynoticedwhereSeldenwasleadingher，tilltheypassedthroughaglassdoorwayattheendofthelongsuiteofroomsandstoodsuddenlyinthefragranthushofagarden。Gravelgratedbeneaththeirfeet，andaboutthemwasthetransparentdimnessofamidsummernight。Hanginglightsmadeemeraldcavernsinthedepthsoffoliage，andwhitenedthesprayofafountainfallingamonglilies。Themagicplacewasdeserted:therewasnosoundbutthesplashofthewateronthelily-pads，andadistantdriftofmusicthatmighthavebeenblownacrossasleepinglake。

SeldenandLilystoodstill，acceptingtheunrealityofthesceneasapartoftheirowndream-likesensations。Itwouldnothavesurprisedthemtofeelasummerbreezeontheirfaces，ortoseethelightsamongtheboughsreduplicatedinthearchofastarrysky。Thestrangesolitudeaboutthemwasnostrangerthanthesweetnessofbeingaloneinittogether。AtlengthLilywithdrewherhand，andmovedawayastep，sothatherwhite-robedslimnesswasoutlinedagainsttheduskofthebranches。Seldenfollowedher，andstillwithoutspeakingtheyseatedthemselvesonabenchbesidethefountain。

Suddenlysheraisedhereyeswiththebeseechingearnestnessofachild。"Youneverspeaktome——youthinkhardthingsofme，"shemurmured。

"Ithinkofyouatanyrate，Godknows！"hesaid。

"Thenwhydoweneverseeeachother？Whycan’twebefriends？

Youpromisedoncetohelpme，"shecontinuedinthesametone，asthoughthewordsweredrawnfromherunwillingly。

"TheonlywayIcanhelpyouisbylovingyou，"Seldensaidinalowvoice。

Shemadenoreply，butherfaceturnedtohimwiththesoftmotionofaflower。Hisownmetitslowly，andtheirlipstouched。Shedrewbackandrosefromherseat。Seldenrosetoo，andtheystoodfacingeachother。Suddenlyshecaughthishandandpresseditamomentagainsthercheek。

"Ah，loveme，loveme——butdon’ttellmeso！"shesighedwithhereyesinhis；andbeforehecouldspeakshehadturnedandslippedthroughthearchofboughs，disappearinginthebrightnessoftheroombeyond。

Seldenstoodwhereshehadlefthim。Heknewtoowellthetransiencyofexquisitemomentstoattempttofollowher；butpresentlyhereenteredthehouseandmadehiswaythroughthedesertedroomstothedoor。Afewsumptuously-cloakedladieswerealreadygatheredinthemarblevestibule，andinthecoat-roomhefoundVanAlstyneandGusTrenor。

Theformer，atSelden’sapproach，pausedinthecarefulselectionofacigarfromoneofthesilverboxesinvitinglysetoutnearthedoor。

"Hallo，Selden，goingtoo？You’reanEpicureanlikemyself，I

see:youdon’twanttoseeallthosegoddessesgobblingterrapin。

Gad，whatashowofgood-lookingwomen；butnotoneof’emcouldtouchthatlittlecousinofmine。Talkofjewels——what’sawomanwantwithjewelswhenshe’sgotherselftoshow？Thetroubleisthatallthesefal-balstheywearcoveruptheirfigureswhenthey’vegot’em。IneverknewtilltonightwhatanoutlineLilyhas。"

"It’snotherfaultifeverybodydon’tknowitnow，"growledTrenor，flushedwiththestruggleofgettingintohisfur-linedcoat。"Damnedbadtaste，Icallit——no，nocigarforme。Youcan’ttellwhatyou’resmokinginoneofthesenewhouses——likelyasnottheCHEFbuysthecigars。Stayforsupper？NotifIknowit！Whenpeoplecrowdtheirroomssothatyoucan’tgetnearanyoneyouwanttospeakto，I’dassoonsupintheelevatedattherushhour。Mywifewasdeadrighttostayaway:shesayslife’stooshorttospenditinbreakinginnewpeople。"

Lilywokefromhappydreamstofindtwonotesatherbedside。

OnewasfromMrs。Trenor，whoannouncedthatshewascomingtotownthatafternoonforaflyingvisit，andhopedMissBartwouldbeabletodinewithher。TheotherwasfromSelden。HewrotebrieflythatanimportantcasecalledhimtoAlbany，whencehewouldbeunabletoreturntilltheevening，andaskedLilytolethimknowatwhathouronthefollowingdayshewouldseehim。

Lily，leaningbackamongherpillows，gazedmusinglyathisletter。ThesceneintheBrys’conservatoryhadbeenlikeapartofherdreams；shehadnotexpectedtowaketosuchevidenceofitsreality。Herfirstmovementwasoneofannoyance:thisunforeseenactofSelden’saddedanothercomplicationtolife。Itwassounlikehimtoyieldtosuchanirrationalimpulse！Didhereallymeantoaskhertomarryhim？Shehadonceshownhimtheimpossibilityofsuchahope，andhissubsequentbehaviourseemedtoprovethathehadacceptedthesituationwithareasonablenesssomewhatmortifyingtohervanity。Itwasallthemoreagreeabletofindthatthisreasonablenesswasmaintainedonlyatthecostofnotseeingher；but，thoughnothinginlifewasassweetasthesenseofherpoweroverhim，shesawthedangerofallowingtheepisodeofthepreviousnighttohaveasequel。Sinceshecouldnotmarryhim，itwouldbekindertohim，aswellaseasierforherself，towritealineamicablyevadinghisrequesttoseeher:hewasnotthemantomistakesuchahint，andwhennexttheymetitwouldbeontheirusualfriendlyfooting。

Lilysprangoutofbed，andwentstraighttoherdesk。Shewantedtowriteatonce，whileshecouldtrusttothestrengthofherresolve。Shewasstilllanguidfromherbriefsleepandtheexhilarationoftheevening，andthesightofSelden’swritingbroughtbacktheculminatingmomentofhertriumph:themomentwhenshehadreadinhiseyesthatnophilosophywasproofagainstherpower。Itwouldbepleasanttohavethatsensationagain……nooneelsecouldgiveittoherinitsfulness；andshecouldnotbeartomarhermoodofluxuriousretrospectionbyanactofdefiniterefusal。Shetookupherpenandwrotehastily:"TOMORROWATFOUR；"murmuringtoherself，assheslippedthesheetintoitsenvelope:"Icaneasilyputhimoffwhentomorrowcomes。"

JudyTrenor’ssummonswasverywelcometoLily。ItwasthefirsttimeshehadreceivedadirectcommunicationfromBellomontsincethecloseofherlastvisitthere，andshewasstillvisitedbythedreadofhavingincurredJudy’sdispleasure。Butthischaracteristiccommandseemedtoreestablishtheirformerrelations；andLilysmiledatthethoughtthatherfriendhadprobablysummonedherinordertohearabouttheBrys’

entertainment。Mrs。Trenorhadabsentedherselffromthefeast，perhapsforthereasonsofranklyenunciatedbyherhusband，perhapsbecause，asMrs。Fishersomewhatdifferentlyputit，she"couldn’tbearnewpeoplewhenshehadn’tdiscoveredthemherself。"Atanyrate，thoughsheremainedhaughtilyatBellomont，Lilysuspectedinheradevouringeagernesstohearofwhatshehadmissed，andtolearnexactlyinwhatmeasureMrs。

WellingtonBryhadsurpassedallpreviouscompetitorsforsocialrecognition。Lilywasquitereadytogratifythiscuriosity，butithappenedthatshewasdiningout。Shedetermined，however，toseeMrs。Trenorforafewmoments，andringingforhermaidshedespatchedatelegramtosaythatshewouldbewithherfriendthateveningatten。

ShewasdiningwithMrs。Fisher，whohadgatheredataninformalfeastafewoftheperformersofthepreviousevening。Therewastobeplantationmusicinthestudioafterdinner-forMrs。

Fisher，despairingoftherepublic，hadtakenupmodelling，andannexedtohersmallcrowdedhouseaspaciousapartment，which，whateveritsusesinherhoursofplasticinspiration，servedatothertimesfortheexerciseofanindefatigablehospitality。

Lilywasreluctanttoleave，forthedinnerwasamusing，andshewouldhavelikedtoloungeoveracigaretteandhearafewsongs；

butshecouldnotbreakherengagementwithJudy，andshortlyaftertensheaskedherhostesstoringforahansom，anddroveupFifthAvenuetotheTrenors’。

ShewaitedlongenoughonthedoorsteptowonderthatJudy’spresenceintownwasnotsignalizedbyagreaterpromptnessinadmittingher；andhersurprisewasincreasedwhen，insteadoftheexpectedfootman，pushinghisshouldersintoatardycoat，ashabbycare-takingpersonincalicoletherintotheshroudedhall。Trenor，however，appearedatonceonthethresholdofthedrawing-room，welcomingherwithunusualvolubilitywhileherelievedherofhercloakanddrewherintotheroom。

"Comealongtotheden；it’stheonlycomfortableplaceinthehouse。Doesn’tthisroomlookasifitwaswaitingforthebodytobebroughtdown？Can’tseewhyJudykeepsthehousewrappedupinthisawfulslipperywhitestuff——it’senoughtogiveafellowpneumoniatowalkthroughtheseroomsonacoldday。Youlookalittlepinchedyourself，bytheway:it’sratherasharpnightout。Inoticeditwalkingupfromtheclub。Comealong，andI’llgiveyouanipofbrandy，andyoucantoastyourselfoverthefireandtrysomeofmynewEgyptians——thatlittleTurkishchapattheEmbassyputmeontoabrandthatIwantyoutotry，andifyoulike’emI’llgetoutalotforyou:theydon’thave’emhereyet，butI’llcable。"

Heledherthroughthehousetothelargeroomattheback，whereMrs。Trenorusuallysat，andwhere，eveninherabsence，therewasanairofoccupancy。Here，asusual，wereflowers，newspapers，alitteredwriting-table，andageneralaspectoflamp-litfamiliarity，sothatitwasasurprisenottoseeJudy’senergeticfigurestartupfromthearm-chairnearthefire。

ItwasapparentlyTrenorhimselfwhohadbeenoccupyingtheseatinquestion，foritwasoverhungbyacloudofcigarsmoke，andnearitstoodoneofthoseintricatefoldingtableswhichBritishingenuityhasdevisedtofacilitatethecirculationoftobaccoandspirits。Thesightofsuchappliancesinadrawing-roomwasnotunusualinLily’sset，wheresmokinganddrinkingwereunrestrictedbyconsiderationsoftimeandplace，andherfirstmovementwastohelpherselftooneofthecigarettesrecommendedbyTrenor，whileshecheckedhisloquacitybyasking，withasurprisedglance:"Where’sJudy？"

Trenor，alittleheatedbyhisunusualflowofwords，andperhapsbyprolongedpropinquitywiththedecanters，wasbendingoverthelattertodeciphertheirsilverlabels。

"Here，now，Lily，justadropofcognacinalittlefizzywater——youdolookpinched，youknow:Isweartheendofyournoseisred。I’lltakeanotherglasstokeepyoucompany——Judy？——Why，yousee，Judy’sgotadevilofaheadache——quiteknockedoutwithit，poorthing——sheaskedmetoexplain——makeitallright，youknow——Docomeuptothefire，though；youlookdead-beat，really。Nowdoletmemakeyoucomfortable，there’sagoodgirl。"

Hehadtakenherhand，half-banteringly，andwasdrawinghertowardalowseatbythehearth；butshestoppedandfreedherselfquietly。

"DoyoumeantosaythatJudy’snotwellenoughtoseeme？

Doesn’tshewantmetogoupstairs？"

Trenordrainedtheglasshehadfilledforhimself，andpausedtosetitdownbeforeheanswered。

"Why，no——thefactis，she’snotuptoseeinganybody。Itcameonsuddenly，youknow，andsheaskedmetotellyouhowawfullysorryshewas——ifshe’dknownwhereyouwerediningshe’dhavesentyouword。"

"ShedidknowwhereIwasdining；Imentioneditinmytelegram。

Butitdoesn’tmatter，ofcourse。Isupposeifshe’ssopoorlyshewon’tgobacktoBellomontinthemorning，andIcancomeandseeherthen。"

"Yes:exactly——that’scapital。I’lltellheryou’llpopintomorrowmorning。Andnowdositdownaminute，there’sadear，andlet’shaveanicequietjawtogether。Youwon’ttakeadrop，justforsociability？Tellmewhatyouthinkofthatcigarette。Why，don’tyoulikeit？Whatareyouchuckingitawayfor？"

"IamchuckingitawaybecauseImustgo，ifyou’llhavethegoodnesstocallacabforme，"Lilyreturnedwithasmile。

ShedidnotlikeTrenor’sunusualexcitability，withitstooevidentexplanation，andthethoughtofbeingalonewithhim，withherfriendoutofreachupstairs，attheotherendofthegreatemptyhouse，didnotconducetoadesiretoprolongtheirTETE-A-TETE。

ButTrenor，withapromptnesswhichdidnotescapeher，hadmovedbetweenherselfandthedoor。

"Whymustyougo，Ishouldliketoknow？IfJudy’dbeenhereyou’dhavesatgossipingtillallhours——andyoucan’tevengivemefiveminutes！It’salwaysthesamestory。LastnightI

couldn’tgetnearyou——Iwenttothatdamnedvulgarpartyjusttoseeyou，andtherewaseverybodytalkingaboutyou，andaskingmeifI’deverseenanythingsostunning，andwhenItriedtocomeupandsayaword，younevertookanynotice，butjustwentonlaughingandjokingwithalotofasseswhoonlywantedtobeabletoswaggeraboutafterward，andlookknowingwhenyouwerementioned。"

Hepaused，flushedbyhisdiatribe，andfixingonheralookinwhichresentmentwastheingredientsheleastdisliked。Butshehadregainedherpresenceofmind，andstoodcomposedlyinthemiddleoftheroom，whileherslightsmileseemedtoputaneverincreasingdistancebetweenherselfandTrenor。

Acrossitshesaid:"Don’tbeabsurd，Gus。It’spasteleven，andImustreallyaskyoutoringforacab。"

Heremainedimmovable，withtheloweringforeheadshehadgrowntodetest。

"AndsupposingIwon’tringforone——what’llyoudothen？"

"IshallgoupstairstoJudyifyouforcemetodisturbher。"

Trenordrewastepnearerandlaidhishandonherarm。"Lookhere，Lily:won’tyougivemefiveminutesofyourownaccord？"

"Nottonight，Gus:you——"

"Verygood，then:I’lltake’em。AndasmanymoreasIwant。"Hehadsquaredhimselfonthethreshold，hishandsthrustdeepinhispockets。Henoddedtowardthechaironthehearth。

"Goandsitdownthere，please:I’vegotawordtosaytoyou。"

Lily’squicktemperwasgettingthebetterofherfears。Shedrewherselfupandmovedtowardthedoor。

"Ifyouhaveanythingtosaytome，youmustsayitanothertime。

IshallgouptoJudyunlessyoucallacabformeatonce。"

Heburstintoalaugh。"Goupstairsandwelcome，mydear；butyouwon’tfindJudy。Sheain’tthere。"

Lilycastastartledlookuponhim。"DoyoumeanthatJudyisnotinthehouse——notintown？"sheexclaimed。

"That’sjustwhatIdomean，"returnedTrenor，hisblustersinkingtosullennessunderherlook。

"Nonsense——Idon’tbelieveyou。Iamgoingupstairs，"shesaidimpatiently。

Hedrewunexpectedlyaside，lettingherreachthethresholdunimpeded。

"Goupandwelcome；butmywifeisatBellomont。"

ButLilyhadaflashofreassurance。"Ifshehadn’tcomeshewouldhavesentmeword——"

"Shedid；shetelephonedmethisafternoontoletyouknow。"

"Ireceivednomessage。"

"Ididn’tsendany。"

Thetwomeasuredeachotherforamoment，butLilystillsawheropponentthroughablurofscornthatmadeallotherconsiderationsindistinct。

"Ican’timagineyourobjectinplayingsuchastupidtrickonme；butifyouhavefullygratifiedyourpeculiarsenseofhumourImustagainaskyoutosendforacab。"

Itwasthewrongnote，andsheknewitasshespoke。Tobestungbyironyitisnotnecessarytounderstandit，andtheangrystreaksonTrenor’sfacemighthavebeenraisedbyanactuallash。

"Lookhere，Lily，don’ttakethathighandmightytonewithme。"

Hehadagainmovedtowardthedoor，andinherinstinctiveshrinkingfromhimshelethimregaincommandofthethreshold。

"IDIDplayatrickonyou；Iownuptoit；butifyouthinkI’mashamedyou’remistaken。LordknowsI’vebeenpatientenough——I’vehungroundandlookedlikeanass。Andallthewhileyouwerelettingalotofotherfellowsmakeuptoyou……

letting’emmakefunofme，Idaresay……I’mnotsharp，andcan’tdressmyfriendsuptolookfunny，asyoudo……butI

cantellwhenit’sbeingdonetome……IcantellfastenoughwhenI’mmadeafoolof……"

"Ah，Ishouldn’thavethoughtthat！"flashedfromLily；butherlaughdroppedtosilenceunderhislook。

"No；youwouldn’thavethoughtit；butyou’llknowbetternow。That’swhatyou’reherefortonight。I’vebeenwaitingforaquiettimetotalkthingsover，andnowI’vegotitImeantomakeyouhearmeout。"

HisfirstrushofinarticulateresentmenthadbeenfollowedbyasteadinessandconcentrationoftonemoredisconcertingtoLilythantheexcitementprecedingit。Foramomentherpresenceofmindforsookher。Shehadmorethanoncebeeninsituationswhereaquicksword-playofwithadbeenneedfultocoverherretreat；

butherfrightenedheart-throbstoldherthatheresuchskillwouldnotavail。

Togaintimesherepeated:"Idon’tunderstandwhatyouwant。"

Trenorhadpushedachairbetweenherselfandthedoor。Hethrewhimselfinit，andleanedback，lookingupather。

"I’lltellyouwhatIwant:IwanttoknowjustwhereyouandI

stand。Hangit，themanwhopaysforthedinnerisgenerallyallowedtohaveaseatattable。"

Sheflamedwithangerandabasement，andthesickeningneedofhavingtoconciliatewhereshelongedtohumble。

"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean——butyoumustsee，Gus，thatIcan’tstayheretalkingtoyouatthishour——"

"Gad，yougotomen’shousesfastenoughinbroaddaylight——strikesmeyou’renotalwayssodeucedcarefulofappearances。"

Thebrutalityofthethrustgaveherthesenseofdizzinessthatfollowsonaphysicalblow。Rosedalehadspokenthen——thiswasthewaymentalkedofher——Shefeltsuddenlyweakanddefenceless:therewasathrobofself-pityinherthroat。Butallthewhileanotherselfwassharpeninghertovigilance，whisperingtheterrifiedwarningthateverywordandgesturemustbemeasured。

"Ifyouhavebroughtmeheretosayinsultingthings——"shebegan。

Trenorlaughed。"Don’ttalkstage-rot。Idon’twanttoinsultyou。Butaman’sgothisfeelings——andyou’veplayedwithminetoolong。Ididn’tbeginthisbusiness——keptoutoftheway，andleftthetrackclearfortheotherchaps，tillyourummagedmeoutandsettoworktomakeanassofme——andaneasyjobyouhadofit，too。That’sthetrouble——itwastooeasyforyou——yougotreckless——thoughtyoucouldturnmeinsideout，andchuckmeinthegutterlikeanemptypurse。But，bygad，thatain’tplayingfair:that’sdodgingtherulesofthegame。OfcourseIknownowwhatyouwanted——itwasn’tmybeautifuleyesyouwereafter——butItellyouwhat，MissLily，you’vegottopayupformakingmethinkso——"

Herose，squaringhisshouldersaggressively，andsteppedtowardherwithareddeningbrow；butsheheldherfooting，thougheverynervetoreathertoretreatasheadvanced。

"Payup？"shefaltered。"DoyoumeanthatIoweyoumoney？"

Helaughedagain。"Oh，I’mnotaskingforpaymentinkind。Butthere’ssuchathingasfairplay——andinterestonone’smoney——andhangmeifI’vehadasmuchasalookfromyou——"

"Yourmoney？WhathaveItodowithyourmoney？Youadvisedmehowtoinvestmine……youmusthaveseenIknewnothingofbusiness……youtoldmeitwasallright——"

"ItWASallright——itis，Lily:you’rewelcometoallofit，andtentimesmore。I’monlyaskingforawordofthanksfromyou。"

Hewascloserstill，withahandthatgrewformidable；andthefrightenedselfinherwasdraggingtheotherdown。

"IHAVEthankedyou；I’veshownIwasgrateful。Whatmorehaveyoudonethananyfriendmightdo，oranyoneacceptfromafriend？"

Trenorcaughtherupwithasneer。"Idon’tdoubtyou’veacceptedasmuchbefore——andchuckedtheotherchapsasyou’dliketochuckme。Idon’tcarehowyousettledyourscorewiththem——ifyoufooled’emI’mthatmuchtothegood。Don’tstareatmelikethat——IknowI’mnottalkingthewayamanissupposedtotalktoagirl——but，hangit，ifyoudon’tlikeityoucanstopmequickenough——youknowI’mmadaboutyou——damnthemoney，there’splentymoreofit——ifTHATbothersyou……Iwasabrute，Lily——Lily！——justlookatme——"

Overandoverhertheseaofhumiliationbroke——wavecrashingonwavesoclosethatthemoralshamewasonewiththephysicaldread。Itseemedtoherthatself-esteemwouldhavemadeherinvulnerable——thatitwasherowndishonourwhichputafearfulsolitudeabouther。

Histouchwasashocktoherdrowningconsciousness。Shedrewbackfromhimwithadesperateassumptionofscorn。

"I’vetoldyouIdon’tunderstand——butifIoweyoumoneyyoushallbepaid——"

Trenor’sfacedarkenedtorage:herrecoilofabhorrencehadcalledouttheprimitiveman。

"Ah——you’llborrowfromSeldenorRosedale——andtakeyourchancesoffoolingthemasyou’vefooledme！Unless——unlessyou’vesettledyourotherscoresalready——andI’mtheonlyoneleftoutinthecold！"

Shestoodsilent，frozentoherplace。Thewords——thewordswereworsethanthetouch！Herheartwasbeatingalloverherbody——inherthroat，herlimbs，herhelplessuselesshands。Hereyestravelleddespairinglyabouttheroom——theylitonthebell，andsherememberedthathelpwasincall。Yes，butscandalwithit——ahideousmusteringoftongues。No，shemustfightherwayoutalone。ItwasenoughthattheservantsknewhertobeinthehousewithTrenor——theremustbenothingtoexciteconjectureinherwayofleavingit。

Sheraisedherhead，andachievedalastclearlookathim。

"Iamherealonewithyou，"shesaid。"Whatmorehaveyoutosay？"

Tohersurprise，Trenoransweredthelookwithaspeechlessstare。Withhislastgustofwordstheflamehaddiedout，leavinghimchillandhumbled。Itwasasthoughacoldairhaddispersedthefumesofhislibations，andthesituationloomedbeforehimblackandnakedastheruinsofafire。Oldhabits，oldrestraints，thehandofinheritedorder，pluckedbackthebewilderedmindwhichpassionhadjoltedfromitsruts。Trenor’seyehadthehaggardlookofthesleep-walkerwakedonadeathlyledge。

"Gohome！Goawayfromhere"——hestammered，andturninghisbackonherwalkedtowardthehearth。

ThesharpreleasefromherfearsrestoredLilytoimmediatelucidity。ThecollapseofTrenor’swillleftherincontrol，andsheheardherself，inavoicethatwasherownyetoutsideherself，biddinghimringfortheservant，biddinghimgivetheorderforahansom，directinghimtoputherinitwhenitcame。Whencethestrengthcametohersheknewnot；butaninsistentvoicewarnedherthatshemustleavethehouseopenly，andnervedher，inthehallbeforethehoveringcaretaker，toexchangelightwordswithTrenor，andchargehimwiththeusualmessagesforJudy，whileallthewhilesheshookwithinwardloathing。Onthedoorstep，withthestreetbeforeher，shefeltamadthrobofliberation，intoxicatingastheprisoner’sfirstdraughtoffreeair；buttheclearnessofbraincontinued，andshenotedthemuteaspectofFifthAvenue，guessedatthelatenessofthehour，andevenobservedaman’sfigure——wastheresomethinghalf-familiarinitsoutline？——which，assheenteredthehansom，turnedfromtheoppositecornerandvanishedintheobscurityofthesidestreet。

Butwiththeturnofthewheelsreactioncame，andshudderingdarknessclosedonher。"Ican’tthink——Ican’tthink，"shemoaned，andleanedherheadagainsttherattlingsideofthecab。

Sheseemedastrangertoherself，orratherthereweretwoselvesinher，theoneshehadalwaysknown，andanewabhorrentbeingtowhichitfounditselfchained。Shehadoncepickedup，inahousewhereshewasstaying，atranslationoftheEUMENIDES，andherimaginationhadbeenseizedbythehighterrorofthescenewhereOrestes，inthecaveoftheoracle，findshisimplacablehuntressesasleep，andsnatchesanhour’srepose。Yes，theFuriesmightsometimessleep，buttheywerethere，alwaysthereinthedarkcorners，andnowtheywereawakeandtheironclangoftheirwingswasinherbrain……Sheopenedhereyesandsawthestreetspassing——thefamiliaralienstreets。Allshelookedonwasthesameandyetchanged。Therewasagreatgulffixedbetweentodayandyesterday。Everythinginthepastseemedsimple，natural，fullofdaylight——andshewasaloneinaplaceofdarknessandpollution——Alone！Itwasthelonelinessthatfrightenedher。Hereyesfellonanilluminatedclockatastreetcorner，andshesawthatthehandsmarkedthehalfhouraftereleven。Onlyhalf-pasteleven——therewerehoursandhoursleftofthenight！Andshemustspendthemalone，shudderingsleeplessonherbed。Hersoftnaturerecoiledfromthisordeal，whichhadnoneofthestimulusofconflicttogoadherthroughit。Oh，theslowcolddripoftheminutesonherhead！Shehadavisionofherselflyingontheblackwalnutbed——andthedarknesswouldfrightenher，andifsheleftthelightburningthedrearydetailsoftheroomwouldbrandthemselvesforeveronherbrain。

ShehadalwayshatedherroomatMrs。Peniston’s——itsugliness，itsimpersonality，thefactthatnothinginitwasreallyhers。

Toatornheartuncomfortedbyhumannearnessaroommayopenalmosthumanarms，andthebeingtowhomnofourwallsmeanmorethananyothers，is，atsuchhours，expatriateeverywhere。

Lilyhadnohearttoleanon。Herrelationwithherauntwasassuperficialasthatofchancelodgerswhopassonthestairs。Butevenhadthetwobeeninclosercontact，itwasimpossibletothinkofMrs。Peniston’smindasofferingshelterorcomprehensiontosuchmiseryasLily’s。Asthepainthatcanbetoldisbuthalfapain，sothepitythatquestionshaslittlehealinginitstouch。WhatLilycravedwasthedarknessmadebyenfoldingarms，thesilencewhichisnotsolitude，butcompassionholdingitsbreath。

Shestartedupandlookedforthonthepassingstreets。

Gerty！——theywerenearingGerty’scorner。Ifonlyshecouldreachtherebeforethislabouringanguishburstfromherbreasttoherlips——ifonlyshecouldfeeltheholdofGerty’sarmswhilesheshookintheague-fitoffearthatwascominguponher！Shepushedupthedoorintheroofandcalledtheaddresstothedriver。Itwasnotsolate——Gertymightstillbewaking。Andevenifshewerenot，thesoundofthebellwouldpenetrateeveryrecessofhertinyapartment，androusehertoanswerherfriend’scall。

GertyFarish，themorningaftertheWellingtonBrys’

entertainment，wokefromdreamsashappyasLily’s。Iftheywerelessvividinhue，moresubduedtothehalf-tintsofherpersonalityandherexperience，theywereforthatveryreasonbettersuitedtohermentalvision。SuchflashesofjoyasLilymovedinwouldhaveblindedMissFarish，whowasaccustomed，inthewayofhappiness，tosuchscantlightasshonethroughthecracksofotherpeople’slives。

Nowshewasthecentreofalittleilluminationofherown:amildbutunmistakablebeam，compoundedofLawrenceSelden’sgrowingkindnesstoherselfandthediscoverythatheextendedhislikingtoLilyBart。Ifthesetwofactorsseemincompatibletothestudentoffemininepsychology，itmustberememberedthatGertyhadalwaysbeenaparasiteinthemoralorder，livingonthecrumbsofothertables，andcontenttolookthroughthewindowatthebanquetspreadforherfriends。Nowthatshewasenjoyingalittleprivatefeastofherown，itwouldhaveseemedincrediblyselfishnottolayaplateforafriend；andtherewasnoonewithwhomshewouldratherhavesharedherenjoymentthanMissBart。

AstothenatureofSelden’sgrowingkindness，Gertywouldnomorehavedaredtodefineitthanshewouldhavetriedtolearnabutterfly’scoloursbyknockingthedustfromitswings。Toseizeonthewonderwouldbetobrushoffitsbloom，andperhapsseeitfadeandstiffeninherhand:betterthesenseofbeautypalpitatingoutofreach，whilesheheldherbreathandwatchedwhereitwouldalight。YetSelden’smannerattheBrys’hadbroughttheflutterofwingssoclosethattheyseemedtobebeatinginherownheart。Shehadneverseenhimsoalert，soresponsive，soattentivetowhatshehadtosay。Hishabitualmannerhadanabsent-mindedkindlinesswhichsheaccepted，andwasgratefulfor，astheliveliestsentimentherpresencewaslikelytoinspire；butshewasquicktofeelinhimachangeimplyingthatforonceshecouldgivepleasureaswellasreceiveit。

AnditwassodelightfulthatthishigherdegreeofsympathyshouldbereachedthroughtheirinterestinLilyBart！

Gerty’saffectionforherfriend——asentimentthathadlearnedtokeepitselfaliveonthescantiestdiet——hadgrowntoactiveadorationsinceLily’srestlesscuriosityhaddrawnherintothecircleofMissFarish’swork。Lily’stasteofbeneficencehadwakenedinheramomentaryappetiteforwell-doing。HervisittotheGirls’Clubhadfirstbroughtherincontactwiththedramaticcontrastsoflife。Shehadalwaysacceptedwithphilosophiccalmthefactthatsuchexistencesasherswerepedestalledonfoundationsofobscurehumanity。Thedrearylimboofdinginesslayallaroundandbeneaththatlittleilluminatedcircleinwhichlifereacheditsfinestefflorescence，asthemudandsleetofawinternightencloseahot-housefilledwithtropicalflowers。Allthiswasinthenaturalorderofthings，andtheorchidbaskinginitsartificiallycreatedatmospherecouldroundthedelicatecurvesofitspetalsundisturbedbytheiceonthepanes。

Butitisonethingtolivecomfortablywiththeabstractconceptionofpoverty，anothertobebroughtincontactwithitshumanembodiments。Lilyhadneverconceivedofthesevictimsoffateotherwisethaninthemass。Thatthemasswascomposedofindividuallives，innumerableseparatecentresofsensation，withherowneagerreachingsforpleasure，herownfiercerevulsionsfrompain——thatsomeofthesebundlesoffeelingwereclothedinshapesnotsounlikeherown，witheyesmeanttolookongladness，andyounglipsshapedforlove——thisdiscoverygaveLilyoneofthosesuddenshocksofpitythatsometimesdecentralizealife。Lily’snaturewasincapableofsuchrenewal:

shecouldfeelotherdemandsonlythroughherown，andnopainwaslongvividwhichdidnotpressonanansweringnerve。Butforthemomentshewasdrawnoutofherselfbytheinterestofherdirectrelationwithaworldsounlikeherown。ShehadsupplementedherfirstgiftbypersonalassistancetooneortwoofMissFarish’smostappealingsubjects，andtheadmirationandinterestherpresenceexcitedamongthetiredworkersattheclubministeredinanewformtoherinsatiabledesiretoplease。

GertyFarishwasnotacloseenoughreaderofcharactertodisentanglethemixedthreadsofwhichLily’sphilanthropywaswoven。Shesupposedherbeautifulfriendtobeactuatedbythesamemotiveasherself——thatsharpeningofthemoralvisionwhichmakesallhumansufferingsonearandinsistentthattheotheraspectsoflifefadeintoremoteness。Gertylivedbysuchsimpleformulasthatshedidnothesitatetoclassherfriend’sstatewiththeemotional"changeofheart"towhichherdealingswiththepoorhadaccustomedher；andsherejoicedinthethoughtthatshehadbeenthehumbleinstrumentofthisrenewal。NowshehadananswertoallcriticismsofLily’sconduct:asshehadsaid，sheknew"therealLily，"andthediscoverythatSeldensharedherknowledgeraisedherplacidacceptanceoflifetoadazzledsenseofitspossibilities——asensefartherenlarged，inthecourseoftheafternoon，bythereceiptofatelegramfromSeldenaskingifhemightdinewithherthatevening。

WhileGertywaslostinthehappybustlewhichthisannouncementproducedinhersmallhousehold，SeldenwasatonewithherinthinkingwithintensityofLilyBart。ThecasewhichhadcalledhimtoAlbanywasnotcomplicatedenoughtoabsorballhisattention，andhehadtheprofessionalfacultyofkeepingapartofhismindfreewhenitsserviceswerenotneeded。Thispart——whichatthemomentseemeddangerouslylikethewhole——wasfilledtothebrimwiththesensationsofthepreviousevening。

Seldenunderstoodthesymptoms:herecognizedthefactthathewaspayingup，astherehadalwaysbeenachanceofhishavingtopayup，forthevoluntaryexclusionsofhispast。Hehadmeanttokeepfreefrompermanentties，notfromanypovertyoffeeling，butbecause，inadifferentway，hewas，asmuchasLily，thevictimofhisenvironment。TherehadbeenagermoftruthinhisdeclarationtoGertyFarishthathehadneverwantedtomarrya"nice"girl:theadjectiveconnoting，inhiscousin’svocabulary，certainutilitarianqualitieswhichareapttoprecludetheluxuryofcharm。NowithadbeenSelden’sfatetohaveacharmingmother:hergracefulportrait，allsmilesandCashmere，stillemittedafadedscentoftheundefinablequality。Hisfatherwasthekindofmanwhodelightsinacharmingwoman:whoquotesher，stimulatesher，andkeepsherperenniallycharming。Neitheroneofthecouplecaredformoney，buttheirdisdainofittooktheformofalwaysspendingalittlemorethanwasprudent。Iftheirhousewasshabby，itwasexquisitelykept；ifthereweregoodbooksontheshelvestherewerealsogooddishesonthetable。Seldenseniorhadaneyeforapicture，hiswifeanunderstandingofoldlace；andbothweresoconsciousofrestraintanddiscriminationinbuyingthattheyneverquiteknewhowitwasthatthebillsmountedup。

ThoughmanyofSelden’sfriendswouldhavecalledhisparentspoor，hehadgrownupinanatmospherewhererestrictedmeanswerefeltonlyasacheckonaimlessprofusion:wherethefewpossessionsweresogoodthattheirraritygavethemameritedrelief，andabstinencewascombinedwitheleganceinawayexemplifiedbyMrs。Selden’sknackofwearingheroldvelvetasifitwerenew。Amanhastheadvantageofbeingdeliveredearlyfromthehomepointofview，andbeforeSeldenleftcollegehehadlearnedthatthereareasmanydifferentwaysofgoingwithoutmoneyasofspendingit。Unfortunately，hefoundnowayasagreeableasthatpractisedathome；andhisviewsofwomankindinespecialweretingedbytheremembranceoftheonewomanwhohadgivenhimhissenseof"values。"Itwasfromherthatheinheritedhisdetachmentfromthesumptuarysideoflife:

thestoic’scarelessnessofmaterialthings，combinedwiththeEpicurean’spleasureinthem。Lifeshornofeitherfeelingappearedtohimadiminishedthing；andnowherewastheblendingofthetwoingredientssoessentialasinthecharacterofaprettywoman。

IthadalwaysseemedtoSeldenthatexperienceofferedagreatdealbesidesthesentimentaladventure，yethecouldvividlyconceiveofalovewhichshouldbroadenanddeepentillitbecamethecentralfactoflife。Whathecouldnotaccept，inhisowncase，wasthemakeshiftalternativeofarelationthatshouldbelessthanthis:thatshouldleavesomeportionsofhisnatureunsatisfied，whileitputanunduestrainonothers。Hewouldnot，inotherwords，yieldtothegrowthofanaffectionwhichmightappealtopityyetleavetheunderstandinguntouched:

sympathyshouldnomoredeludehimthanatrickoftheeyes，thegraceofhelplessnessthanacurveofthecheek。

Butnow——thatlittleBUTpassedlikeaspongeoverallhisvows。

Hisreasoned-outresistancesseemedforthemomentsomuchlessimportantthanthequestionastowhenLilywouldreceivehisnote！Heyieldedhimselftothecharmoftrivialpreoccupations，wonderingatwhathourherreplywouldbesent，withwhatwordsitwouldbegin。Astoitsimporthehadnodoubt——hewasassureofhersurrenderasofhisown。Andsohehadleisuretomuseonallitsexquisitedetails，asahardworker，onaholidaymorning，mightliestillandwatchthebeamoflighttravelgraduallyacrosshisroom。Butifthenewlightdazzled，itdidnotblindhim。Hecouldstilldiscerntheoutlineoffacts，thoughhisownrelationtothemhadchanged。HewasnolessconsciousthanbeforeofwhatwassaidofLilyBart，buthecouldseparatethewomanheknewfromthevulgarestimateofher。

HismindturnedtoGertyFarish’swords，andthewisdomoftheworldseemedagropingthingbesidetheinsightofinnocence。

BLESSEDARETHEPUREINHEART，FORTHEYSHALLSEEGOD——eventhehiddengodintheirneighbour’sbreast！Seldenwasinthestateofimpassionedself-absorptionthatthefirstsurrendertoloveproduces。Hiscravingwasforthecompanionshipofonewhosepointofviewshouldjustifyhisown，whoshouldconfirm，bydeliberateobservation，thetruthtowhichhisintuitionshadleaped。Hecouldnotwaitforthemiddayrecess，butseizedamoment’sleisureincourttoscribblehistelegramtoGertyFarish。

Reachingtown，hewasdrivendirecttohisclub，wherehehopedanotefromMissBartmightawaithim。ButhisboxcontainedonlyalineofrapturousassentfromGerty，andhewasturningawaydisappointedwhenhewashailedbyavoicefromthesmokingroom。

"Hallo，Lawrence！Dininghere？Takeabitewithme-I’veorderedacanvas-back。"

HediscoveredTrenor，inhisdayclothes，sitting，withatallglassathiselbow，behindthefoldsofasportingjournal。

Seldenthankedhim，butpleadedanengagement。