BOOKI

Seldenpausedinsurprise。IntheafternoonrushoftheGrandCentralStationhiseyeshadbeenrefreshedbythesightofMissLilyBart。

ItwasaMondayinearlySeptember，andhewasreturningtohisworkfromahurrieddipintothecountry；butwhatwasMissBartdoingintownatthatseason？Ifshehadappearedtobecatchingatrain，hemighthaveinferredthathehadcomeonherintheactoftransitionbetweenoneandanotherofthecountry-houseswhichdisputedherpresenceafterthecloseoftheNewportseason；butherdesultoryairperplexedhim。Shestoodapartfromthecrowd，lettingitdriftbyhertotheplatformorthestreet，andwearinganairofirresolutionwhichmight，ashesurmised，bethemaskofaverydefinitepurpose。Itstruckhimatoncethatshewaswaitingforsomeone，buthehardlyknewwhytheideaarrestedhim。TherewasnothingnewaboutLilyBart，yethecouldneverseeherwithoutafaintmovementofinterest:itwascharacteristicofherthatshealwaysrousedspeculation，thathersimplestactsseemedtheresultoffar-reachingintentions。

Animpulseofcuriositymadehimturnoutofhisdirectlinetothedoor，andstrollpasther。Heknewthatifshedidnotwishtobeseenshewouldcontrivetoeludehim；anditamusedhimtothinkofputtingherskilltothetest。

"Mr。Selden——whatgoodluck！"

Shecameforwardsmiling，eageralmost，inherresolvetointercepthim。Oneortwopersons，inbrushingpastthem，lingeredtolook；forMissBartwasafiguretoarresteventhesuburbantravellerrushingtohislasttrain。

Seldenhadneverseenhermoreradiant。Hervividhead，relievedagainstthedulltintsofthecrowd，madehermoreconspicuousthaninaball-room，andunderherdarkhatandveilsheregainedthegirlishsmoothness，thepurityoftint，thatshewasbeginningtoloseafterelevenyearsoflatehoursandindefatigabledancing。Wasitreallyelevenyears，Seldenfoundhimselfwondering，andhadsheindeedreachedthenine-and-twentiethbirthdaywithwhichherrivalscreditedher？

"Whatluck！"sherepeated。"Howniceofyoutocometomyrescue！"

Herespondedjoyfullythattodosowashismissioninlife，andaskedwhatformtherescuewastotake。

"Oh，almostany——eventosittingonabenchandtalkingtome。

Onesitsoutacotillion——whynotsitoutatrain？Itisn’tabithotterherethaninMrs。VanOsburgh’sconservatory——andsomeofthewomenarenotabituglier。"Shebrokeoff，laughing，toexplainthatshehadcomeuptotownfromTuxedo，onherwaytotheGusTrenors’atBellomont，andhadmissedthethree-fifteentraintoRhinebeck。"Andthereisn’tanothertillhalf-pastfive。"Sheconsultedthelittlejewelledwatchamongherlaces。

"Justtwohourstowait。AndIdon’tknowwhattodowithmyself。

Mymaidcameupthismorningtodosomeshoppingforme，andwastogoontoBellomontatoneo’clock，andmyaunt’shouseisclosed，andIdon’tknowasoulintown。"Sheglancedplaintivelyaboutthestation。"ItIShotterthanMrs。VanOsburgh’s，afterall。Ifyoucansparethetime，dotakemesomewhereforabreathofair。"

Hedeclaredhimselfentirelyatherdisposal:theadventurestruckhimasdiverting。Asaspectator，hehadalwaysenjoyedLilyBart；andhiscourselaysofaroutofherorbitthatitamusedhimtobedrawnforamomentintothesuddenintimacywhichherproposalimplied。

"ShallwegoovertoSherry’sforacupoftea？"

Shesmiledassentingly，andthenmadeaslightgrimace。

"SomanypeoplecomeuptotownonaMonday——oneissuretomeetalotofbores。I’masoldasthehills，ofcourse，anditoughtnottomakeanydifference；butifI’Moldenough，you’renot，"

sheobjectedgaily。"I’mdyingfortea——butisn’tthereaquieterplace？"

Heansweredhersmile，whichrestedonhimvividly。Herdiscretionsinterestedhimalmostasmuchasherimprudences:hewassosurethatbothwerepartofthesamecarefully-elaboratedplan。InjudgingMissBart，hehadalwaysmadeuseofthe"argumentfromdesign。"

"TheresourcesofNewYorkarerathermeagre，"hesaid；"butI’llfindahansomfirst，andthenwe’llinventsomething。"Heledherthroughthethrongofreturningholiday-makers，pastsallow-facedgirlsinpreposteroushats，andflat-chestedwomenstrugglingwithpaperbundlesandpalm-leaffans。Wasitpossiblethatshebelongedtothesamerace？Thedinginess，thecrudityofthisaveragesectionofwomanhoodmadehimfeelhowhighlyspecializedshewas。

Arapidshowerhadcooledtheair，andcloudsstillhungrefreshinglyoverthemoiststreet。

"Howdelicious！Letuswalkalittle，"shesaidastheyemergedfromthestation。

TheyturnedintoMadisonAvenueandbegantostrollnorthward。Asshemovedbesidehim，withherlonglightstep，Seldenwasconsciousoftakingaluxuriouspleasureinhernearness:inthemodellingofherlittleear，thecrispupwardwaveofherhair——wasiteversoslightlybrightenedbyart？——andthethickplantingofherstraightblacklashes。Everythingaboutherwasatoncevigorousandexquisite，atoncestrongandfine。Hehadaconfusedsensethatshemusthavecostagreatdealtomake，thatagreatmanydullanduglypeoplemust，insomemysteriousway，havebeensacrificedtoproduceher。Hewasawarethatthequalitiesdistinguishingherfromtheherdofhersexwerechieflyexternal:asthoughafineglazeofbeautyandfastidiousnesshadbeenappliedtovulgarclay。Yettheanalogylefthimunsatisfied，foracoarsetexturewillnottakeahighfinish；andwasitnotpossiblethatthematerialwasfine，butthatcircumstancehadfashioneditintoafutileshape？

Ashereachedthispointinhisspeculationsthesuncameout，andherliftedparasolcutoffhisenjoyment。Amomentortwolatershepausedwithasigh。

"Oh，dear，I’msohotandthirsty——andwhatahideousplaceNewYorkis！"Shelookeddespairinglyupanddownthedrearythoroughfare。"Othercitiesputontheirbestclothesinsummer，butNewYorkseemstositinitsshirtsleeves。"Hereyeswandereddownoneoftheside-streets。"Someonehashadthehumanitytoplantafewtreesoverthere。Letusgointotheshade。"

"Iamgladmystreetmeetswithyourapproval，"saidSeldenastheyturnedthecorner。

"Yourstreet？Doyoulivehere？"

Sheglancedwithinterestalongthenewbrickandlimestonehouse-fronts，fantasticallyvariedinobediencetotheAmericancravingfornovelty，butfreshandinvitingwiththeirawningsandflower-boxes。

"Ah，yes——tobesure:THEBENEDICK。Whatanice-lookingbuilding！

Idon’tthinkI’veeverseenitbefore。"Shelookedacrossattheflat-housewithitsmarbleporchandpseudo-Georgianfacade。

"Whichareyourwindows？Thosewiththeawningsdown？"

"Onthetopfloor——yes。"

"Andthatnicelittlebalconyisyours？Howcoolitlooksupthere！"

Hepausedamoment。"Comeupandsee，"hesuggested。"Icangiveyouacupofteainnotime——andyouwon’tmeetanybores。"

Hercolourdeepened——shestillhadtheartofblushingattherighttime——butshetookthesuggestionaslightlyasitwasmade。

"Whynot？It’stootempting——I’lltaketherisk，"shedeclared。

"Oh，I’mnotdangerous，"hesaidinthesamekey。Intruth，hehadneverlikedheraswellasatthatmoment。Heknewshehadacceptedwithoutafterthought:hecouldneverbeafactorinhercalculations，andtherewasasurprise，arefreshmentalmost，inthespontaneityofherconsent。

Onthethresholdhepausedamoment，feelingforhislatchkey。

"There’snoonehere；butIhaveaservantwhoissupposedtocomeinthemornings，andit’sjustpossiblehemayhaveputoutthetea-thingsandprovidedsomecake。"

Heusheredherintoaslipofahallhungwitholdprints。Shenoticedthelettersandnotesheapedonthetableamonghisglovesandsticks；thenshefoundherselfinasmalllibrary，darkbutcheerful，withitswallsofbooks，apleasantlyfadedTurkeyrug，alittereddeskand，ashehadforetold，atea-trayonalowtablenearthewindow。Abreezehadsprungup，swayinginwardthemuslincurtains，andbringingafreshscentofmignonetteandpetuniasfromtheflower-boxonthebalcony。

Lilysankwithasighintooneoftheshabbyleatherchairs。

"Howdelicioustohaveaplacelikethisalltoone’sself！Whatamiserablethingitistobeawoman。"Sheleanedbackinaluxuryofdiscontent。

Seldenwasrummaginginacupboardforthecake。

"Evenwomen，"hesaid，"havebeenknowntoenjoytheprivilegesofaflat。"

"Oh，governesses——orwidows。Butnotgirls——notpoor，miserable，marriageablegirls！"

"Ievenknowagirlwholivesinaflat。"

Shesatupinsurprise。"Youdo？"

"Ido，"heassuredher，emergingfromthecupboardwiththesought-forcake。

"Oh，Iknow——youmeanGertyFarish。"Shesmiledalittleunkindly。"ButIsaidMARRIAGEABLE——andbesides，shehasahorridlittleplace，andnomaid，andsuchqueerthingstoeat。Hercookdoesthewashingandthefoodtastesofsoap。Ishouldhatethat，youknow。"

"Youshouldn’tdinewithheronwash-days，"saidSelden，cuttingthecake。

Theybothlaughed，andhekneltbythetabletolightthelampunderthekettle，whileshemeasuredouttheteaintoalittletea-potofgreenglaze。Ashewatchedherhand，polishedasabitofoldivory，withitsslenderpinknails，andthesapphirebraceletslippingoverherwrist，hewasstruckwiththeironyofsuggestingtohersuchalifeashiscousinGertrudeFarishhadchosen。Shewassoevidentlythevictimofthecivilizationwhichhadproducedher，thatthelinksofherbraceletseemedlikemanacleschaininghertoherfate。

Sheseemedtoreadhisthought。"ItwashorridofmetosaythatofGerty，"shesaidwithcharmingcompunction。"Iforgotshewasyourcousin。Butwe’resodifferent，youknow:shelikesbeinggood，andIlikebeinghappy。Andbesides，sheisfreeandIamnot。IfIwere，IdaresayIcouldmanagetobehappyeveninherflat。Itmustbepureblisstoarrangethefurniturejustasonelikes，andgiveallthehorrorstotheash-man。IfIcouldonlydoovermyaunt’sdrawing-roomIknowIshouldbeabetterwoman。"

"Isitsoverybad？"heaskedsympathetically。

Shesmiledathimacrossthetea-potwhichshewasholdinguptobefilled。

"Thatshowshowseldomyoucomethere。Whydon’tyoucomeoftener？"

"WhenIdocome，it’snottolookatMrs。Peniston’sfurniture。"

"Nonsense，"shesaid。"Youdon’tcomeatall——andyetwegetonsowellwhenwemeet。"

"Perhapsthat’sthereason，"heansweredpromptly。"I’mafraidI

haven’tanycream，youknow——shallyoumindasliceoflemoninstead？"

"Ishalllikeitbetter。"Shewaitedwhilehecutthelemonanddroppedathindiskintohercup。"Butthatisnotthereason，"

sheinsisted。

"Thereasonforwhat？"

"Foryournevercoming。"Sheleanedforwardwithashadeofperplexityinhercharmingeyes。"IwishIknew——IwishIcouldmakeyouout。OfcourseIknowtherearemenwhodon’tlikeme——onecantellthatataglance。Andthereareotherswhoareafraidofme:theythinkIwanttomarrythem。"Shesmiledupathimfrankly。

"ButIdon’tthinkyoudislikeme——andyoucan’tpossiblythinkI

wanttomarryyou。"

"No——Iabsolveyouofthat，"heagreed。

"Well，then——？"

Hehadcarriedhiscuptothefireplace，andstoodleaningagainstthechimney-pieceandlookingdownonherwithanairofindolentamusement。Theprovocationinhereyesincreasedhisamusement——hehadnotsupposedshewouldwasteherpowderonsuchsmallgame；butperhapsshewasonlykeepingherhandin；orperhapsagirlofhertypehadnoconversationbutofthepersonalkind。Atanyrate，shewasamazinglypretty，andhehadaskedhertoteaandmustliveuptohisobligations。

"Well，then，"hesaidwithaplunge，"perhapsTHAT’Sthereason。"

"What？"

"Thefactthatyoudon’twanttomarryme。PerhapsIdon’tregarditassuchastronginducementtogoandseeyou。"Hefeltaslightshiverdownhisspineasheventuredthis，butherlaughreassuredhim。

"DearMr。Selden，thatwasn’tworthyofyou。It’sstupidofyoutomakelovetome，anditisn’tlikeyoutobestupid。"Sheleanedback，sippingherteawithanairsoenchantinglyjudicialthat，iftheyhadbeeninheraunt’sdrawing-room，hemightalmosthavetriedtodisproveherdeduction。

"Don’tyousee，"shecontinued，"thattherearemenenoughtosaypleasantthingstome，andthatwhatIwantisafriendwhowon’tbeafraidtosaydisagreeableoneswhenIneedthem？SometimesI

havefanciedyoumightbethatfriend——Idon’tknowwhy，exceptthatyouareneitheraprignorabounder，andthatIshouldn’thavetopretendwithyouorbeonmyguardagainstyou。"Hervoicehaddroppedtoanoteofseriousness，andshesatgazingupathimwiththetroubledgravityofachild。

"Youdon’tknowhowmuchIneedsuchafriend，"shesaid。"Myauntisfullofcopy-bookaxioms，buttheywereallmeanttoapplytoconductintheearlyfifties。Ialwaysfeelthattoliveuptothemwouldincludewearingbook-muslinwithgigotsleeves。

Andtheotherwomen——mybestfriends——well，theyusemeorabuseme；buttheydon’tcareastrawwhathappenstome。I’vebeenabouttoolong——peoplearegettingtiredofme；theyarebeginningtosayIoughttomarry。"

Therewasamoment’spause，duringwhichSeldenmeditatedoneortworepliescalculatedtoaddamomentaryzesttothesituation；

butherejectedtheminfavourofthesimplequestion:"Well，whydon’tyou？"

Shecolouredandlaughed。"Ah，IseeyouAREafriendafterall，andthatisoneofthedisagreeablethingsIwasaskingfor。"

"Itwasn’tmeanttobedisagreeable，"hereturnedamicably。

"Isn’tmarriageyourvocation？Isn’titwhatyou’reallbroughtupfor？"

Shesighed。"Isupposeso。Whatelseisthere？"

"Exactly。Andsowhynottaketheplungeandhaveitover？"

Sheshruggedhershoulders。"YouspeakasifIoughttomarrythefirstmanwhocamealong。"

"Ididn’tmeantoimplythatyouareashardputtoitasthat。Buttheremustbesomeonewiththerequisitequalifications。"

Sheshookherheadwearily。"IthrewawayoneortwogoodchanceswhenIfirstcameout——Isupposeeverygirldoes；andyouknowI

amhorriblypoor——andveryexpensive。Imusthaveagreatdealofmoney。"

Seldenhadturnedtoreachforacigarette-boxonthemantelpiece。

"What’sbecomeofDillworth？"heasked。

"Oh，hismotherwasfrightened——shewasafraidIshouldhaveallthefamilyjewelsreset。AndshewantedmetopromisethatI

wouldn’tdooverthedrawing-room。"

"Theverythingyouaremarryingfor！"

"Exactly。SoshepackedhimofftoIndia。"

"Hardluck——butyoucandobetterthanDillworth。"

Heofferedthebox，andshetookoutthreeorfourcigarettes，puttingonebetweenherlipsandslippingtheothersintoalittlegoldcaseattachedtoherlongpearlchain。

"HaveItime？Justawhiff，then。"Sheleanedforward，holdingthetipofhercigarettetohis。Asshedidso，henoted，withapurelyimpersonalenjoyment，howevenlytheblacklashesweresetinhersmoothwhitelids，andhowthepurplishshadebeneaththemmeltedintothepurepallourofthecheek。

Shebegantosaunterabouttheroom，examiningthebookshelvesbetweenthepuffsofhercigarette-smoke。Someofthevolumeshadtheripetintsofgoodtoolingandoldmorocco，andhereyeslingeredonthemcaressingly，notwiththeappreciationoftheexpert，butwiththepleasureinagreeabletonesandtexturesthatwasoneofherinmostsusceptibilities。Suddenlyherexpressionchangedfromdesultoryenjoymenttoactiveconjecture，andsheturnedtoSeldenwithaquestion。

"Youcollect，don’tyou——youknowaboutfirsteditionsandthings？"

"Asmuchasamanmaywhohasnomoneytospend。NowandthenI

pickupsomethingintherubbishheap；andIgoandlookonatthebigsales。"

Shehadagainaddressedherselftotheshelves，buthereyesnowswepttheminattentively，andhesawthatshewaspreoccupiedwithanewidea。

"AndAmericana——doyoucollectAmericana？"

Seldenstaredandlaughed。

"No，that’sratheroutofmyline。I’mnotreallyacollector，yousee；IsimplyliketohavegoodeditionsofthebooksIamfondof。"

Shemadeaslightgrimace。"AndAmericanaarehorriblydull，I

suppose？"

"Ishouldfancyso——excepttothehistorian。Butyourrealcollectorvaluesathingforitsrarity。Idon’tsupposethebuyersofAmericanasitupreadingthemallnight——oldJeffersonGrycecertainlydidn’t。"

Shewaslisteningwithkeenattention。"Andyettheyfetchfabulousprices，don’tthey？Itseemssooddtowanttopayalotforanuglybadly-printedbookthatoneisnevergoingtoread！

AndIsupposemostoftheownersofAmericanaarenothistorianseither？"

"No；veryfewofthehistorianscanaffordtobuythem。Theyhavetousethoseinthepubliclibrariesorinprivatecollections。

Itseemstobethemereraritythatattractstheaveragecollector。"

Hehadseatedhimselfonanarmofthechairnearwhichshewasstanding，andshecontinuedtoquestionhim，askingwhichweretherarestvolumes，whethertheJeffersonGrycecollectionwasreallyconsideredthefinestintheworld，andwhatwasthelargestpriceeverfetchedbyasinglevolume。

Itwassopleasanttosittherelookingupather，assheliftednowonebookandthenanotherfromtheshelves，flutteringthepagesbetweenherfingers，whileherdroopingprofilewasoutlinedagainstthewarmbackgroundofoldbindings，thathetalkedonwithoutpausingtowonderathersuddeninterestinsounsuggestiveasubject。Buthecouldneverbelongwithherwithouttryingtofindareasonforwhatshewasdoing，andasshereplacedhisfirsteditionofLaBruyereandturnedawayfromthebookcases，hebegantoaskhimselfwhatshehadbeendrivingat。Hernextquestionwasnotofanaturetoenlightenhim。Shepausedbeforehimwithasmilewhichseemedatoncedesignedtoadmithimtoherfamiliarity，andtoremindhimoftherestrictionsitimposed。

"Don’tyouevermind，"sheaskedsuddenly，"notbeingrichenoughtobuyallthebooksyouwant？"

Hefollowedherglanceabouttheroom，withitswornfurnitureandshabbywalls。

"Don’tIjust？Doyoutakemeforasaintonapillar？"

"Andhavingtowork——doyoumindthat？"

"Oh，theworkitselfisnotsobad——I’mratherfondofthelaw。"

"No；butthebeingtieddown:theroutine——don’tyoueverwanttogetaway，toseenewplacesandpeople？"

"Horribly——especiallywhenIseeallmyfriendsrushingtothesteamer。"

Shedrewasympatheticbreath。"Butdoyoumindenough——tomarrytogetoutofit？"

Seldenbrokeintoalaugh。"Godforbid！"hedeclared。

Sherosewithasigh，tossinghercigaretteintothegrate。

"Ah，there’sthedifference——agirlmust，amanmayifhechooses。"Shesurveyedhimcritically。"Yourcoat’salittleshabby——butwhocares？Itdoesn’tkeeppeoplefromaskingyoutodine。IfIwereshabbynoonewouldhaveme:awomanisaskedoutasmuchforherclothesasforherself。Theclothesarethebackground，theframe，ifyoulike:theydon’tmakesuccess，buttheyareapartofit。Whowantsadingywoman？Weareexpectedtobeprettyandwell-dressedtillwedrop——andifwecan’tkeepitupalone，wehavetogointopartnership。"

Seldenglancedatherwithamusement:itwasimpossible，evenwithherlovelyeyesimploringhim，totakeasentimentalviewofhercase。

"Ah，well，theremustbeplentyofcapitalonthelook-outforsuchaninvestment。Perhapsyou’llmeetyourfatetonightattheTrenors’。"

Shereturnedhislookinterrogatively。

"Ithoughtyoumightbegoingthere——oh，notinthatcapacity！

Buttherearetobealotofyourset——GwenVanOsburgh，theWetheralls，LadyCressidaRaith——andtheGeorgeDorsets。"

Shepausedamomentbeforethelastname，andshotaquerythroughherlashes；butheremainedimperturbable。

"Mrs。Trenoraskedme；butIcan’tgetawaytilltheendoftheweek；andthosebigpartiesboreme。"

"Ah，sotheydome，"sheexclaimed。

"Thenwhygo？"

"It’spartofthebusiness——youforget！Andbesides，ifIdidn’t，IshouldbeplayingbeziquewithmyauntatRichfieldSprings。"

"That’salmostasbadasmarryingDillworth，"heagreed，andtheybothlaughedforpurepleasureintheirsuddenintimacy。

Sheglancedattheclock。

"Dearme！Imustbeoff。It’safterfive。"

Shepausedbeforethemantelpiece，studyingherselfinthemirrorwhilesheadjustedherveil。Theattituderevealedthelongslopeofherslendersides，whichgaveakindofwild-woodgracetoheroutline——asthoughshewereacaptureddryadsubduedtotheconventionsofthedrawing-room；andSeldenreflectedthatitwasthesamestreakofsylvanfreedominhernaturethatlentsuchsavourtoherartificiality。

Hefollowedheracrosstheroomtotheentrance-hall；butonthethresholdsheheldoutherhandwithagestureofleave-taking。

"It’sbeendelightful；andnowyouwillhavetoreturnmyvisit。"

"Butdon’tyouwantmetoseeyoutothestation？"

"No；goodbyehere，please。"

Sheletherhandlieinhisamoment，smilingupathimadorably。

"Goodbye，then——andgoodluckatBellomont！"hesaid，openingthedoorforher。

Onthelandingshepausedtolookabouther。Therewereathousandchancestooneagainsthermeetinganybody，butonecouldnevertell，andshealwayspaidforherrareindiscretionsbyaviolentreactionofprudence。Therewasnooneinsight，however，butachar-womanwhowasscrubbingthestairs。HerownstoutpersonanditssurroundingimplementstookupsomuchroomthatLily，topassher，hadtogatherupherskirtsandbrushagainstthewall。Asshedidso，thewomanpausedinherworkandlookedupcuriously，restingherclenchedredfistsonthewetclothshehadjustdrawnfromherpail。Shehadabroadsallowface，slightlypittedwithsmall-pox，andthinstraw-colouredhairthroughwhichherscalpshoneunpleasantly。

"Ibegyourpardon，"saidLily，intendingbyherpolitenesstoconveyacriticismoftheother’smanner。

Thewoman，withoutanswering，pushedherpailaside，andcontinuedtostareasMissBartsweptbywithamurmurofsilkenlinings。Lilyfeltherselfflushingunderthelook。Whatdidthecreaturesuppose？Couldoneneverdothesimplest，themostharmlessthing，withoutsubjectingone’sselftosomeodiousconjecture？Halfwaydownthenextflight，shesmiledtothinkthatachar-woman’sstareshouldsoperturbher。Thepoorthingwasprobablydazzledbysuchanunwontedapparition。ButWERE

suchapparitionsunwontedonSelden’sstairs？MissBartwasnotfamiliarwiththemoralcodeofbachelors’flat-houses，andhercolourroseagainasitoccurredtoherthatthewoman’spersistentgazeimpliedagropingamongpastassociations。Butsheputasidethethoughtwithasmileatherownfears，andhasteneddownward，wonderingifsheshouldfindacabshortofFifthAvenue。

UndertheGeorgianporchshepausedagain，scanningthestreetforahansom。Nonewasinsight，butasshereachedthesidewalksheranagainstasmallglossy-lookingmanwithagardeniainhiscoat，whoraisedhishatwithasurprisedexclamation。

"MissBart？Well——ofallpeople！ThisISluck，"hedeclared；andshecaughtatwinkleofamusedcuriositybetweenhisscrewed-uplids。

"Oh，Mr。Rosedale——howareyou？"shesaid，perceivingthattheirrepressibleannoyanceonherfacewasreflectedinthesuddenintimacyofhissmile。

Mr。Rosedalestoodscanningherwithinterestandapproval。HewasaplumprosymanoftheblondJewishtype，withsmartLondonclothesfittinghimlikeupholstery，andsmallsidelongeyeswhichgavehimtheairofappraisingpeopleasiftheywerebric-a-brac。HeglancedupinterrogativelyattheporchoftheBenedick。

"Beenuptotownforalittleshopping，Isuppose？"hesaid，inatonewhichhadthefamiliarityofatouch。

MissBartshrankfromitslightly，andthenflungherselfintoprecipitateexplanations。

"Yes——Icameuptoseemydress-maker。IamjustonmywaytocatchthetraintotheTrenors’。"

"Ah——yourdress-maker；justso，"hesaidblandly。"Ididn’tknowtherewereanydress-makersintheBenedick。"

"TheBenedick？"Shelookedgentlypuzzled。"Isthatthenameofthisbuilding？"

"Yes，that’sthename:Ibelieveit’sanoldwordforbachelor，isn’tit？Ihappentoownthebuilding——that’sthewayIknow。"

Hissmiledeepenedasheaddedwithincreasingassurance:"Butyoumustletmetakeyoutothestation。TheTrenorsareatBellomont，ofcourse？You’vebarelytimetocatchthefive-forty。

Thedress-makerkeptyouwaiting，Isuppose。"

Lilystiffenedunderthepleasantry。

"Oh，thanks，"shestammered；andatthatmomenthereyecaughtahansomdriftingdownMadisonAvenue，andshehaileditwithadesperategesture。

"You’reverykind；butIcouldn’tthinkoftroublingyou，"shesaid，extendingherhandtoMr。Rosedale；andheedlessofhisprotestations，shesprangintotherescuingvehicle，andcalledoutabreathlessordertothedriver。

Inthehansomsheleanedbackwithasigh。Whymustagirlpaysodearlyforherleastescapefromroutine？Whycouldoneneverdoanaturalthingwithouthavingtoscreenitbehindastructureofartifice？ShehadyieldedtoapassingimpulseingoingtoLawrenceSelden’srooms，anditwassoseldomthatshecouldallowherselftheluxuryofanimpulse！Thisone，atanyrate，wasgoingtocostherrathermorethanshecouldafford。Shewasvexedtoseethat，inspiteofsomanyyearsofvigilance，shehadblunderedtwicewithinfiveminutes。Thatstupidstoryaboutherdress-makerwasbadenough——itwouldhavebeensosimpletotellRosedalethatshehadbeentakingteawithSelden！Themerestatementofthefactwouldhaverendereditinnocuous。But，afterhavingletherselfbesurprisedinafalsehood，itwasdoublystupidtosnubthewitnessofherdiscomfiture。IfshehadhadthepresenceofmindtoletRosedaledrivehertothestation，theconcessionmighthavepurchasedhissilence。Hehadhisrace’saccuracyintheappraisalofvalues，andtobeseenwalkingdowntheplatformatthecrowdedafternoonhourinthecompanyofMissLilyBartwouldhavebeenmoneyinhispocket，ashemighthimselfhavephrasedit。Heknew，ofcourse，thattherewouldbealargehouse-partyatBellomont，andthepossibilityofbeingtakenforoneofMrs。Trenor’sguestswasdoubtlessincludedinhiscalculations。Mr。Rosedalewasstillatastageinhissocialascentwhenitwasofimportancetoproducesuchimpressions。

TheprovokingpartwasthatLilyknewallthis——knewhoweasyitwouldhavebeentosilencehimonthespot，andhowdifficultitmightbetodosoafterward。Mr。SimonRosedalewasamanwhomadeithisbusinesstoknoweverythingabouteveryone，whoseideaofshowinghimselftobeathomeinsocietywastodisplayaninconvenientfamiliaritywiththehabitsofthosewithwhomhewishedtobethoughtintimate。Lilywassurethatwithintwenty-fourhoursthestoryofhervisitingherdress-makerattheBenedickwouldbeinactivecirculationamongMr。Rosedale’sacquaintances。Theworstofitwasthatshehadalwayssnubbedandignoredhim。Onhisfirstappearance——whenherimprovidentcousin，JackStepney，hadobtainedforhim(inreturnforfavourstooeasilyguessed)acardtooneofthevastimpersonalVanOsburgh"crushes"——Rosedale，withthatmixtureofartisticsensibilityandbusinessastutenesswhichcharacterizeshisrace，hadinstantlygravitatedtowardMissBart。Sheunderstoodhismotives，forherowncoursewasguidedbyasnicecalculations。Trainingandexperiencehadtaughthertobehospitabletonewcomers，sincethemostunpromisingmightbeusefullateron，andtherewereplentyofavailableOUBLIETTEStoswallowthemiftheywerenot。Butsomeintuitiverepugnance，gettingthebetterofyearsofsocialdiscipline，hadmadeherpushMr。RosedaleintohisOUBLIETTEwithoutatrial。Hehadleftbehindonlytherippleofamusementwhichhisspeedydespatchhadcausedamongherfriends；andthoughlater(toshiftthemetaphor)hereappearedlowerdownthestream，itwasonlyinfleetingglimpses，withlongsubmergencesbetween。

HithertoLilyhadbeenundisturbedbyscruples。InherlittlesetMr。Rosedalehadbeenpronounced"impossible，"andJackStepneyroundlysnubbedforhisattempttopayhisdebtsindinnerinvitations。EvenMrs。Trenor，whosetasteforvarietyhadledherintosomehazardousexperiments，resistedJack’sattemptstodisguiseMr。Rosedaleasanovelty，anddeclaredthathewasthesamelittleJewwhohadbeenservedupandrejectedatthesocialboardadozentimeswithinhermemory；andwhileJudyTrenorwasobduratetherewassmallchanceofMr。Rosedale’spenetratingbeyondtheouterlimbooftheVanOsburghcrushes。Jackgaveupthecontestwithalaughing"You’llsee，"and，stickingmanfullytohisguns，showedhimselfwithRosedaleatthefashionablerestaurants，incompanywiththepersonallyvividifsociallyobscureladieswhoareavailableforsuchpurposes。Buttheattempthadhithertobeenvain，andasRosedaleundoubtedlypaidforthedinners，thelaughremainedwithhisdebtor。

Mr。Rosedale，itwillbeseen，wasthusfarnotafactortobefeared——unlessoneputone’sselfinhispower。AndthiswaspreciselywhatMissBarthaddone。Herclumsyfibhadlethimseethatshehadsomethingtoconceal；andshewassurehehadascoretosettlewithher。Somethinginhissmiletoldherhehadnotforgotten。Sheturnedfromthethoughtwithalittleshiver，butithungonherallthewaytothestation，anddoggedherdowntheplatformwiththepersistencyofMr。Rosedalehimself。

Shehadjusttimetotakeherseatbeforethetrainstarted；buthavingarrangedherselfinhercornerwiththeinstinctivefeelingforeffectwhichneverforsookher，sheglancedaboutinthehopeofseeingsomeothermemberoftheTrenors’party。Shewantedtogetawayfromherself，andconversationwastheonlymeansofescapethatsheknew。

Hersearchwasrewardedbythediscoveryofaveryblondyoungmanwithasoftreddishbeard，who，attheotherendofthecarriage，appearedtobedissemblinghimselfbehindanunfoldednewspaper。Lily’seyebrightened，andafaintsmilerelaxedthedrawnlinesofhermouth。ShehadknownthatMr。PercyGrycewastobeatBellomont，butshehadnotcountedontheluckofhavinghimtoherselfinthetrain；andthefactbanishedallperturbingthoughtsofMr。Rosedale。Perhaps，afterall，thedaywastoendmorefavourablythanithadbegun。

Shebegantocutthepagesofanovel，tranquillystudyingherpreythroughdowncastlasheswhilesheorganizedamethodofattack。Somethinginhisattitudeofconsciousabsorptiontoldherthathewasawareofherpresence:noonehadeverbeenquitesoengrossedinaneveningpaper！Sheguessedthathewastooshytocomeuptoher，andthatshewouldhavetodevisesomemeansofapproachwhichshouldnotappeartobeanadvanceonherpart。

ItamusedhertothinkthatanyoneasrichasMr。PercyGryceshouldbeshy；butshewasgiftedwithtreasuresofindulgenceforsuchidiosyncrasies，andbesides，histimiditymightserveherpurposebetterthantoomuchassurance。Shehadtheartofgivingself-confidencetotheembarrassed，butshewasnotequallysureofbeingabletoembarrasstheself-confident。

Shewaitedtillthetrainhademergedfromthetunnelandwasracingbetweentheraggededgesofthenorthernsuburbs。Then，asitlowereditsspeednearYonkers，sherosefromherseatanddriftedslowlydownthecarriage。AsshepassedMr。Gryce，thetraingavealurch，andhewasawareofaslenderhandgrippingthebackofhischair。Herosewithastart，hisingenuousfacelookingasthoughithadbeendippedincrimson:eventhereddishtintinhisbeardseemedtodeepen。Thetrainswayedagain，almostflingingMissBartintohisarms。

Shesteadiedherselfwithalaughanddrewback；buthewasenvelopedinthescentofherdress，andhisshoulderhadfeltherfugitivetouch。

"Oh，Mr。Gryce，isityou？I’msosorry——Iwastryingtofindtheporterandgetsometea。"

Sheheldoutherhandasthetrainresumeditslevelrush，andtheystoodexchangingafewwordsintheaisle。Yes——hewasgoingtoBellomont。Hehadheardshewastobeoftheparty——heblushedagainasheadmittedit。Andwashetobethereforawholeweek？

Howdelightful！

Butatthispointoneortwobelatedpassengersfromthelaststationforcedtheirwayintothecarriage，andLilyhadtoretreattoherseat。

"Thechairnexttomineisempty——dotakeit，"shesaidoverhershoulder；andMr。Gryce，withconsiderableembarrassment，succeededineffectinganexchangewhichenabledhimtotransporthimselfandhisbagstoherside。

"Ah——andhereistheporter，andperhapswecanhavesometea。"

Shesignalledtothatofficial，andinamoment，withtheeasethatseemedtoattendthefulfilmentofallherwishes，alittletablehadbeensetupbetweentheseats，andshehadhelpedMr。

Grycetobestowhisencumberingpropertiesbeneathit。

Whentheteacamehewatchedherinsilentfascinationwhileherhandsflittedabovethetray，lookingmiraculouslyfineandslenderincontrasttothecoarsechinaandlumpybread。Itseemedwonderfultohimthatanyoneshouldperformwithsuchcarelesseasethedifficulttaskofmakingteainpublicinalurchingtrain。Hewouldneverhavedaredtoorderitforhimself，lestheshouldattractthenoticeofhisfellow-passengers；but，secureintheshelterofherconspicuousness，hesippedtheinkydraughtwithadelicioussenseofexhilaration。

Lily，withtheflavourofSelden’scaravanteaonherlips，hadnogreatfancytodrownitintherailwaybrewwhichseemedsuchnectartohercompanion；but，rightlyjudgingthatoneofthecharmsofteaisthefactofdrinkingittogether，sheproceededtogivethelasttouchtoMr。Gryce’senjoymentbysmilingathimacrossherliftedcup。

"Isitquiteright——Ihaven’tmadeittoostrong？"sheaskedsolicitously；andherepliedwithconvictionthathehadnevertastedbettertea。

"Idaresayitistrue，"shereflected；andherimaginationwasfiredbythethoughtthatMr。Gryce，whomighthavesoundedthedepthsofthemostcomplexself-indulgence，wasperhapsactuallytakinghisfirstjourneyalonewithaprettywoman。

Itstruckherasprovidentialthatsheshouldbetheinstrumentofhisinitiation。Somegirlswouldnothaveknownhowtomanagehim。Theywouldhaveover-emphasizedthenoveltyoftheadventure，tryingtomakehimfeelinitthezestofanescapade。

ButLily’smethodsweremoredelicate。SherememberedthathercousinJackStepneyhadoncedefinedMr。Gryceastheyoungmanwhohadpromisedhismothernevertogooutintherainwithouthisovershoes；andactingonthishint，sheresolvedtoimpartagentlydomesticairtothescene，inthehopethathercompanion，insteadoffeelingthathewasdoingsomethingrecklessorunusual，wouldmerelybeledtodwellontheadvantageofalwayshavingacompaniontomakeone’steainthetrain。

Butinspiteofherefforts，conversationflaggedafterthetrayhadbeenremoved，andshewasdriventotakeafreshmeasurementofMr。Gryce’slimitations。Itwasnot，afterall，opportunitybutimaginationthathelacked:hehadamentalpalatewhichwouldneverlearntodistinguishbetweenrailwayteaandnectar。

Therewas，however，onetopicshecouldrelyon:onespringthatshehadonlytotouchtosethissimplemachineryinmotion。Shehadrefrainedfromtouchingitbecauseitwasalastresource，andshehadreliedonotherartstostimulateothersensations；

butasasettledlookofdulnessbegantocreepoverhiscandidfeatures，shesawthatextrememeasureswerenecessary。

"Andhow，"shesaid，leaningforward，"areyougettingonwithyourAmericana？"

Hiseyebecameadegreelessopaque:itwasasthoughanincipientfilmhadbeenremovedfromit，andshefelttheprideofaskilfuloperator。

"I’vegotafewnewthings，"hesaid，suffusedwithpleasure，butloweringhisvoiceasthoughhefearedhisfellow-passengersmightbeinleaguetodespoilhim。

Shereturnedasympatheticenquiry，andgraduallyhewasdrawnontotalkofhislatestpurchases。Itwastheonesubjectwhichenabledhimtoforgethimself，orallowedhim，rather，torememberhimselfwithoutconstraint，becausehewasathomeinit，andcouldassertasuperioritythattherewerefewtodispute。HardlyanyofhisacquaintancescaredforAmericana，orknewanythingaboutthem；andtheconsciousnessofthisignorancethrewMr。Gryce’sknowledgeintoagreeablerelief。Theonlydifficultywastointroducethetopicandtokeepittothefront；mostpeopleshowednodesiretohavetheirignorancedispelled，andMr。Grycewaslikeamerchantwhosewarehousesarecrammedwithanunmarketablecommodity。

ButMissBart，itappeared，reallydidwanttoknowaboutAmericana；andmoreover，shewasalreadysufficientlyinformedtomakethetaskoffartherinstructionaseasyasitwasagreeable。

Shequestionedhimintelligently，sheheardhimsubmissively；

and，preparedforthelookoflassitudewhichusuallycreptoverhislisteners’faces，hegreweloquentunderherreceptivegaze。

The"points"shehadhadthepresenceofmindtogleanfromSelden，inanticipationofthisverycontingency，wereservinghertosuchgoodpurposethatshebegantothinkhervisittohimhadbeentheluckiestincidentoftheday。Shehadoncemoreshownhertalentforprofitingbytheunexpected，anddangeroustheoriesastotheadvisabilityofyieldingtoimpulseweregerminatingunderthesurfaceofsmilingattentionwhichshecontinuedtopresenttohercompanion。

Mr。Gryce’ssensations，iflessdefinite，wereequallyagreeable。

Hefelttheconfusedtitillationwithwhichthelowerorganismswelcomethegratificationoftheirneeds，andallhissensesflounderedinavaguewell-being，throughwhichMissBart’spersonalitywasdimlybutpleasantlyperceptible。

Mr。Gryce’sinterestinAmericanahadnotoriginatedwithhimself:itwasimpossibletothinkofhimasevolvinganytasteofhisown。Anunclehadlefthimacollectionalreadynotedamongbibliophiles；theexistenceofthecollectionwastheonlyfactthathadevershedgloryonthenameofGryce，andthenephewtookasmuchprideinhisinheritanceasthoughithadbeenhisownwork。Indeed，hegraduallycametoregarditassuch，andtofeelasenseofpersonalcomplacencywhenhechancedonanyreferencetotheGryceAmericana。Anxiousashewastoavoidpersonalnotice，hetook，intheprintedmentionofhisname，apleasuresoexquisiteandexcessivethatitseemedacompensationforhisshrinkingfrompublicity。

Toenjoythesensationasoftenaspossible，hesubscribedtoallthereviewsdealingwithbook-collectingingeneral，andAmericanhistoryinparticular，andasallusionstohislibraryaboundedinthepagesofthesejournals，whichformedhisonlyreading，hecametoregardhimselfasfiguringprominentlyinthepubliceye，andtoenjoythethoughtoftheinterestwhichwouldbeexcitedifthepersonshemetinthestreet，orsatamongintravelling，weresuddenlytobetoldthathewasthepossessoroftheGryceAmericana。

Mosttimiditieshavesuchsecretcompensations，andMissBartwasdiscerningenoughtoknowthattheinnervanityisgenerallyinproportiontotheouterself-depreciation。Withamoreconfidentpersonshewouldnothavedaredtodwellsolongononetopic，ortoshowsuchexaggeratedinterestinit；butshehadrightlyguessedthatMr。Gryce’segoismwasathirstysoil，requiringconstantnurturefromwithout。MissBarthadthegiftoffollowinganundercurrentofthoughtwhilesheappearedtobesailingonthesurfaceofconversation；andinthiscasehermentalexcursiontooktheformofarapidsurveyofMr。PercyGryce’sfutureascombinedwithherown。TheGryceswerefromAlbany，andbutlatelyintroducedtothemetropolis，wherethemotherandsonhadcome，afteroldJeffersonGryce’sdeath，totakepossessionofhishouseinMadisonAvenue——anappallinghouse，allbrownstonewithoutandblackwalnutwithin，withtheGrycelibraryinafire-proofannexthatlookedlikeamausoleum。

Lily，however，knewallaboutthem:youngMr。Gryce’sarrivalhadflutteredthematernalbreastsofNewYork，andwhenagirlhasnomothertopalpitateforhershemustneedsbeonthealertforherself。Lily，therefore，hadnotonlycontrivedtoputherselfintheyoungman’sway，buthadmadetheacquaintanceofMrs。Gryce，amonumentalwomanwiththevoiceofapulpitoratorandamindpreoccupiedwiththeiniquitiesofherservants，whocamesometimestositwithMrs。Penistonandlearnfromthatladyhowshemanagedtopreventthekitchen-maid’ssmugglinggroceriesoutofthehouse。Mrs。Grycehadakindofimpersonalbenevolence:casesofindividualneedsheregardedwithsuspicion，butshesubscribedtoInstitutionswhentheirannualreportsshowedanimpressivesurplus。Herdomesticdutiesweremanifold，fortheyextendedfromfurtiveinspectionsoftheservants’bedroomstounannounceddescentstothecellar；butshehadneverallowedherselfmanypleasures。Once，however，shehadhadaspecialeditionoftheSarumRuleprintedinrubricandpresentedtoeveryclergymaninthediocese；andthegiltalbuminwhichtheirlettersofthankswerepastedformedthechiefornamentofherdrawing-roomtable。

Percyhadbeenbroughtupintheprincipleswhichsoexcellentawomanwassuretoinculcate。Everyformofprudenceandsuspicionhadbeengraftedonanatureoriginallyreluctantandcautious，withtheresultthatitwouldhaveseemedhardlyneedfulforMrs。

Grycetoextracthispromiseabouttheovershoes，solittlelikelywashetohazardhimselfabroadintherain。Afterattaininghismajority，andcomingintothefortunewhichthelateMr。Grycehadmadeoutofapatentdeviceforexcludingfreshairfromhotels，theyoungmancontinuedtolivewithhismotherinAlbany；butonJeffersonGryce’sdeath，whenanotherlargepropertypassedintoherson’shands，Mrs。Grycethoughtthatwhatshecalledhis"interests"demandedhispresenceinNewYork。SheaccordinglyinstalledherselfintheMadisonAvenuehouse，andPercy，whosesenseofdutywasnotinferiortohismother’s，spentallhisweekdaysinthehandsomeBroadStreetofficewhereabatchofpalemenonsmallsalarieshadgrowngreyinthemanagementoftheGryceestate，andwherehewasinitiatedwithbecomingreverenceintoeverydetailoftheartofaccumulation。

AsfarasLilycouldlearn，thishadhithertobeenMr。Gryce’sonlyoccupation，andshemighthavebeenpardonedforthinkingitnottoohardatasktointerestayoungmanwhohadbeenkeptonsuchlowdiet。Atanyrate，shefeltherselfsocompletelyincommandofthesituationthatsheyieldedtoasenseofsecurityinwhichallfearofMr。Rosedale，andofthedifficultiesonwhichthatfearwascontingent，vanishedbeyondtheedgeofthought。

ThestoppingofthetrainatGarrisonswouldnothavedistractedherfromthesethoughts，hadshenotcaughtasuddenlookofdistressinhercompanion’seye。Hisseatfacedtowardthedoor，andsheguessedthathehadbeenperturbedbytheapproachofanacquaintance；afactconfirmedbytheturningofheadsandgeneralsenseofcommotionwhichherownentranceintoarailway-carriagewasapttoproduce。

Sheknewthesymptomsatonce，andwasnotsurprisedtobehailedbythehighnotesofaprettywoman，whoenteredthetrainaccompaniedbyamaid，abull-terrier，andafootmanstaggeringunderaloadofbagsanddressing-cases。

"Oh，Lily——areyougoingtoBellomont？Thenyoucan’tletmehaveyourseat，Isuppose？ButIMUSThaveaseatinthiscarriage——porter，youmustfindmeaplaceatonce。Can’tsomeonebeputsomewhereelse？Iwanttobewithmyfriends。Oh，howdoyoudo，Mr。Gryce？DopleasemakehimunderstandthatImusthaveaseatnexttoyouandLily。"

Mrs。GeorgeDorset，regardlessofthemildeffortsofatravellerwithacarpet-bag，whowasdoinghisbesttomakeroomforherbygettingoutofthetrain，stoodinthemiddleoftheaisle，diffusingaboutherthatgeneralsenseofexasperationwhichaprettywomanonhertravelsnotinfrequentlycreates。

ShewassmallerandthinnerthanLilyBart，witharestlesspliabilityofpose，asifshecouldhavebeencrumpledupandrunthrougharing，likethesinuousdraperiessheaffected。Hersmallpalefaceseemedthemeresettingofapairofdarkexaggeratedeyes，ofwhichthevisionarygazecontrastedcuriouslywithherself-assertivetoneandgestures；sothat，asoneofherfriendsobserved，shewaslikeadisembodiedspiritwhotookupagreatdealofroom。

HavingfinallydiscoveredthattheseatadjoiningMissBart’swasatherdisposal，shepossessedherselfofitwithafartherdisplacementofhersurroundings，explainingmeanwhilethatshehadcomeacrossfromMountKiscoinhermotor-carthatmorning，andhadbeenkickingherheelsforanhouratGarrisons，withouteventhealleviationofacigarette，herbruteofahusbandhavingneglectedtoreplenishhercasebeforetheypartedthatmorning。

"AndatthishourofthedayIdon’tsupposeyou’veasingleoneleft，haveyou，Lily？"sheplaintivelyconcluded。

MissBartcaughtthestartledglanceofMr。PercyGryce，whoseownlipswereneverdefiledbytobacco。

"Whatanabsurdquestion，Bertha！"sheexclaimed，blushingatthethoughtofthestoreshehadlaidinatLawrenceSelden’s。

"Why，don’tyousmoke？Sincewhenhaveyougivenitup？What——younever——Andyoudon’teither，Mr。Gryce？Ah，ofcourse——howstupidofme——Iunderstand。"

AndMrs。DorsetleanedbackagainsthertravellingcushionswithasmilewhichmadeLilywishtherehadbeennovacantseatbesideherown。

BridgeatBellomontusuallylastedtillthesmallhours；andwhenLilywenttobedthatnightshehadplayedtoolongforherowngood。

Feelingnodesirefortheself-communionwhichawaitedherinherroom，shelingeredonthebroadstairway，lookingdownintothehallbelow，wherethelastcard-playersweregroupedaboutthetrayoftallglassesandsilver-collareddecanterswhichthebutlerhadjustplacedonalowtablenearthefire。

Thehallwasarcaded，withagallerysupportedoncolumnsofpaleyellowmarble。Tallclumpsoffloweringplantsweregroupedagainstabackgroundofdarkfoliageintheanglesofthewalls。

Onthecrimsoncarpetadeer-houndandtwoorthreespanielsdozedluxuriouslybeforethefire，andthelightfromthegreatcentrallanternoverheadshedabrightnessonthewomen’shairandstrucksparksfromtheirjewelsastheymoved。

ThereweremomentswhensuchscenesdelightedLily，whentheygratifiedhersenseofbeautyandhercravingfortheexternalfinishoflife；therewereotherswhentheygaveasharperedgetothemeagrenessofherownopportunities。Thiswasoneofthemomentswhenthesenseofcontrastwasuppermost，andsheturnedawayimpatientlyasMrs。GeorgeDorset，glitteringinserpentinespangles，drewPercyGryceinherwaketoaconfidentialnookbeneaththegallery。

ItwasnotthatMissBartwasafraidoflosinghernewly-acquiredholdoverMr。Gryce。Mrs。Dorsetmightstartleordazzlehim，butshehadneithertheskillnorthepatiencetoeffecthiscapture。

Shewastooself-engrossedtopenetratetherecessesofhisshyness，andbesides，whyshouldshecaretogiveherselfthetrouble？Atmostitmightamusehertomakesportofhissimplicityforanevening——afterthathewouldbemerelyaburdentoher，andknowingthis，shewasfartooexperiencedtoencouragehim。Butthemerethoughtofthatotherwoman，whocouldtakeamanupandtosshimasideasshewilled，withouthavingtoregardhimasapossiblefactorinherplans，filledLilyBartwithenvy。ShehadbeenboredalltheafternoonbyPercyGryce——themerethoughtseemedtowakenanechoofhisdroningvoice——butshecouldnotignorehimonthemorrow，shemustfollowuphersuccess，mustsubmittomoreboredom，mustbereadywithfreshcompliancesandadaptabilities，andallonthebarechancethathemightultimatelydecidetodoherthehonourofboringherforlife。

Itwasahatefulfate——buthowescapefromit？Whatchoicehadshe？Tobeherself，oraGertyFarish。Assheenteredherbedroom，withitssoftly-shadedlights，herlacedressing-gownlyingacrossthesilkenbedspread，herlittleembroideredslippersbeforethefire，avaseofcarnationsfillingtheairwithperfume，andthelastnovelsandmagazineslyinguncutonatablebesidethereading-lamp，shehadavisionofMissFarish’scrampedflat，withitscheapconveniencesandhideouswall-papers。No；shewasnotmadeformeanandshabbysurroundings，forthesqualidcompromisesofpoverty。Herwholebeingdilatedinanatmosphereofluxury；itwasthebackgroundsherequired，theonlyclimateshecouldbreathein。Buttheluxuryofotherswasnotwhatshewanted。Afewyearsagoithadsufficedher:shehadtakenherdailymeedofpleasurewithoutcaringwhoprovidedit。Nowshewasbeginningtochafeattheobligationsitimposed，tofeelherselfamerepensioneronthesplendourwhichhadonceseemedtobelongtoher。Therewereevenmomentswhenshewasconsciousofhavingtopayherway。

Foralongtimeshehadrefusedtoplaybridge。Sheknewshecouldnotaffordit，andshewasafraidofacquiringsoexpensiveataste。Shehadseenthedangerexemplifiedinmorethanoneofherassociates——inyoungNedSilverton，forinstance，thecharmingfairboynowseatedinabjectraptureattheelbowofMrs。Fisher，astrikingdivorceewitheyesandgownsasemphaticasthehead-linesofher"case。"LilycouldrememberwhenyoungSilvertonhadstumbledintotheircircle，withtheairofastrayedArcadianwhohaspublishedchamungsonnetsinhiscollegejournal。SincethenhehaddevelopedatasteforMrs。Fisherandbridge，andthelatteratleasthadinvolvedhiminexpensesfromwhichhehadbeenmorethanoncerescuedbyharassedmaidensisters，whotreasuredthesonnets，andwentwithoutsugarintheirteatokeeptheirdarlingafloat。Ned’scasewasfamiliartoLily:shehadseenhischarmingeyes——whichhadagooddealmorepoetryinthemthanthesonnets——changefromsurprisetoamusement，andfromamusementtoanxiety，ashepassedunderthespelloftheterriblegodofchance；andshewasafraidofdiscoveringthesamesymptomsinherowncase。

Forinthelastyearshehadfoundthatherhostessesexpectedhertotakeaplaceatthecard-table。Itwasoneofthetaxesshehadtopayfortheirprolongedhospitality，andforthedressesandtrinketswhichoccasionallyreplenishedherinsufficientwardrobe。Andsinceshehadplayedregularlythepassionhadgrownonher。Onceortwiceoflateshehadwonalargesum，andinsteadofkeepingitagainstfuturelosses，hadspentitindressorjewelry；andthedesiretoatoneforthisimprudence，combinedwiththeincreasingexhilarationofthegame，drovehertoriskhigherstakesateachfreshventure。Shetriedtoexcuseherselfonthepleathat，intheTrenorset，ifoneplayedatallonemusteitherplayhighorbesetdownaspriggishorstingy；butsheknewthatthegamblingpassionwasuponher，andthatinherpresentsurroundingstherewassmallhopeofresistingit。

Tonighttheluckhadbeenpersistentlybad，andthelittlegoldpursewhichhungamonghertrinketswasalmostemptywhenshereturnedtoherroom。Sheunlockedthewardrobe，andtakingoutherjewel-case，lookedunderthetrayfortherollofbillsfromwhichshehadreplenishedthepursebeforegoingdowntodinner。

Onlytwentydollarswereleft:thediscoverywassostartlingthatforamomentshefanciedshemusthavebeenrobbed。Thenshetookpaperandpencil，andseatingherselfatthewriting-table，triedtoreckonupwhatshehadspentduringtheday。Herheadwasthrobbingwithfatigue，andshehadtogooverthefiguresagainandagain；butatlastitbecamecleartoherthatshehadlostthreehundreddollarsatcards。Shetookouthercheque-booktoseeifherbalancewaslargerthansheremembered，butfoundshehaderredintheotherdirection。Thenshereturnedtohercalculations；butfigureasshewould，shecouldnotconjurebackthevanishedthreehundreddollars。Itwasthesumshehadsetasidetopacifyherdress-maker——unlesssheshoulddecidetouseitasasoptothejeweller。Atanyrate，shehadsomanyusesforitthatitsveryinsufficiencyhadcausedhertoplayhighinthehopeofdoublingit。Butofcourseshehadlost——shewhoneededeverypenny，whileBerthaDorset，whosehusbandshoweredmoneyonher，musthavepocketedatleastfivehundred，andJudyTrenor，whocouldhaveaffordedtoloseathousandanight，hadleftthetableclutchingsuchaheapofbillsthatshehadbeenunabletoshakehandswithherguestswhentheybadehergoodnight。

AworldinwhichsuchthingscouldbeseemedamiserableplacetoLilyBart；butthenshehadneverbeenabletounderstandthelawsofauniversewhichwassoreadytoleaveheroutofitscalculations。

Shebegantoundresswithoutringingforhermaid，whomshehadsenttobed。Shehadbeenlongenoughinbondagetootherpeople’spleasuretobeconsiderateofthosewhodependedonhers，andinherbittermoodsitsometimesstruckherthatsheandhermaidwereinthesameposition，exceptthatthelatterreceivedherwagesmoreregularly。

Asshesatbeforethemirrorbrushingherhair，herfacelookedhollowandpale，andshewasfrightenedbytwolittlelinesnearhermouth，faintflawsinthesmoothcurveofthecheek。

"Oh，Imuststopworrying！"sheexclaimed。"Unlessit’stheelectriclight——"shereflected，springingupfromherseatandlightingthecandlesonthedressing-table。

Sheturnedoutthewall-lights，andpeeredatherselfbetweenthecandle-flames。Thewhiteovalofherfaceswamoutwaveringlyfromabackgroundofshadows，theuncertainlightblurringitlikeahaze；butthetwolinesaboutthemouthremained。

Lilyroseandundressedinhaste。

"ItisonlybecauseIamtiredandhavesuchodiousthingstothinkabout，"shekeptrepeating；anditseemedanaddedinjusticethatpettycaresshouldleaveatraceonthebeautywhichwasheronlydefenceagainstthem。

Buttheodiousthingswerethere，andremainedwithher。ShereturnedwearilytothethoughtofPercyGryce，asawayfarerpicksupaheavyloadandtoilsonafterabriefrest。Shewasalmostsureshehad"landed"him:afewdays’workandshewouldwinherreward。Buttherewarditselfseemedupalatablejustthen:shecouldgetnozestfromthethoughtofvictory。Itwouldbearestfromworry，nomore——andhowlittlethatwouldhaveseemedtoherafewyearsearlier！Herambitionshadshrunkgraduallyinthedesiccatingairoffailure。Butwhyhadshefailed？Wasitherownfaultorthatofdestiny？

Sherememberedhowhermother，aftertheyhadlosttheirmoney，usedtosaytoherwithakindoffiercevindictiveness:"Butyou’llgetitallback——you’llgetitallback，withyourface。"……Theremembrancerousedawholetrainofassociation，andshelayinthedarknessreconstructingthepastoutofwhichherpresenthadgrown。

Ahouseinwhichnooneeverdinedathomeunlesstherewas"company"；adoor-bellperpetuallyringing；ahall-tableshoweredwithsquareenvelopeswhichwereopenedinhaste，andoblongenvelopeswhichwereallowedtogatherdustinthedepthsofabronzejar；aseriesofFrenchandEnglishmaidsgivingwarningamidachaosofhurriedly-ransackedwardrobesanddress-closets；

anequallychangingdynastyofnursesandfootmen；quarrelsinthepantry，thekitchenandthedrawing-room；precipitatetripstoEurope，andreturnswithgorgedtrunksanddaysofinterminableunpacking；semi-annualdiscussionsastowherethesummershouldbespent，greyinterludesofeconomyandbrilliantreactionsofexpense——suchwasthesettingofLilyBart’sfirstmemories。

Rulingtheturbulentelementcalledhomewasthevigorousanddeterminedfigureofamotherstillyoungenoughtodanceherball-dressestorags，whilethehazyoutlineofaneutral-tintedfatherfilledanintermediatespacebetweenthebutlerandthemanwhocametowindtheclocks。Eventotheeyesofinfancy，Mrs。HudsonBarthadappearedyoung；butLilycouldnotrecallthetimewhenherfatherhadnotbeenbaldandslightlystooping，withstreaksofgreyinhishair，andatiredwalk。Itwasashocktohertolearnafterwardthathewasbuttwoyearsolderthanhermother。

Lilyseldomsawherfatherbydaylight。Alldayhewas"downtown"；andinwinteritwaslongafternightfallwhensheheardhisfaggedsteponthestairsandhishandontheschool-roomdoor。Hewouldkissherinsilence，andaskoneortwoquestionsofthenurseorthegoverness；thenMrs。Bart’smaidwouldcometoremindhimthathewasdiningout，andhewouldhurryawaywithanodtoLily。Insummer，whenhejoinedthemforaSundayatNewportorSouthampton，hewasevenmoreeffacedandsilentthaninwinter。Itseemedtotirehimtorest，andhewouldsitforhoursstaringatthesea-linefromaquietcorneroftheverandah，whiletheclatterofhiswife’sexistencewentonunheededafewfeetoff。Generally，however，Mrs。BartandLilywenttoEuropeforthesummer，andbeforethesteamerwashalfwayoverMr。Barthaddippedbelowthehorizon。SometimeshisdaughterheardhimdenouncedforhavingneglectedtoforwardMrs。Bart’sremittances；butforthemostparthewasnevermentionedorthoughtoftillhispatientstoopingfigurepresenteditselfontheNewYorkdockasabufferbetweenthemagnitudeofhiswife’sluggageandtherestrictionsoftheAmericancustom-house。

InthisdesultoryyetagitatedfashionlifewentonthroughLily’steens:azig-zagbrokencoursedownwhichthefamilycraftglidedonarapidcurrentofamusement，tuggedatbytheunderflowofaperpetualneed——theneedofmoremoney。Lilycouldnotrecallthetimewhentherehadbeenmoneyenough，andinsomevaguewayherfatherseemedalwaystoblameforthedeficiency。