I
AgirlcameoutoflawyerRoyall’shouse，attheendoftheonestreetofNorthDormer，andstoodonthedoorstep。
ItwasthebeginningofaJuneafternoon。Thespringliketransparentskyshedarainofsilversunshineontheroofsofthevillage，andonthepasturesandlarchwoodssurroundingit。Alittlewindmovedamongtheroundwhitecloudsontheshouldersofthehills，drivingtheirshadowsacrossthefieldsanddownthegrassyroadthattakesthenameofstreetwhenitpassesthroughNorthDormer。Theplacelieshighandintheopen，andlacksthelavishshadeofthemoreprotectedNewEnglandvillages。Theclumpofweeping—
willowsabouttheduckpond，andtheNorwaysprucesinfrontoftheHatchardgate，castalmosttheonlyroadsideshadowbetweenlawyerRoyall’shouseandthepointwhere，attheotherendofthevillage，theroadrisesabovethechurchandskirtstheblackhemlockwallenclosingthecemetery。
ThelittleJunewind，friskingdownthestreet，shookthedolefulfringesoftheHatchardspruces，caughtthestrawhatofayoungmanjustpassingunderthem，andspunitcleanacrosstheroadintotheduck—pond。
AsherantofishitoutthegirlonlawyerRoyall’sdoorstepnoticedthathewasastranger，thatheworecityclothes，andthathewaslaughingwithallhisteeth，astheyoungandcarelesslaughatsuchmishaps。
Herheartcontractedalittle，andtheshrinkingthatsometimescameoverherwhenshesawpeoplewithholidayfacesmadeherdrawbackintothehouseandpretendtolookforthekeythatsheknewshehadalreadyputintoherpocket。Anarrowgreenishmirrorwithagilteagleoverithungonthepassagewall，andshelookedcriticallyatherreflection，wishedforthethousandthtimethatshehadblueeyeslikeAnnabelBalch，thegirlwhosometimescamefromSpringfieldtospendaweekwitholdMissHatchard，straightenedthesunburnthatoverhersmallswarthyface，andturnedoutagainintothesunshine。
\"HowIhateeverything！\"shemurmured。
TheyoungmanhadpassedthroughtheHatchardgate，andshehadthestreettoherself。NorthDormerisatalltimesanemptyplace，andatthreeo’clockonaJuneafternoonitsfewable—bodiedmenareoffinthefieldsorwoods，andthewomenindoors，engagedinlanguidhouseholddrudgery。
Thegirlwalkedalong，swingingherkeyonafinger，andlookingaboutherwiththeheightenedattentionproducedbythepresenceofastrangerinafamiliarplace。What，shewondered，didNorthDormerlookliketopeoplefromotherpartsoftheworld？Sheherselfhadlivedtheresincetheageoffive，andhadlongsupposedittobeaplaceofsomeimportance。Butaboutayearbefore，Mr。Miles，thenewEpiscopalclergymanatHepburn，whodroveovereveryotherSunday——whentheroadswerenotploughedupbyhauling——
toholdaserviceintheNorthDormerchurch，hadproposed，inafitofmissionaryzeal，totaketheyoungpeopledowntoNettletontohearanillustratedlectureontheHolyLand;andthedozengirlsandboyswhorepresentedthefutureofNorthDormerhadbeenpiledintoafarm—waggon，drivenoverthehillstoHepburn，putintoaway—trainandcarriedtoNettleton。
InthecourseofthatincredibledayCharityRoyallhad，forthefirstandonlytime，experiencedrailway—
travel，lookedintoshopswithplate—glassfronts，tastedcocoanutpie，satinatheatre，andlistenedtoagentlemansayingunintelligiblethingsbeforepicturesthatshewouldhaveenjoyedlookingatifhisexplanationshadnotpreventedherfromunderstandingthem。ThisinitiationhadshownherthatNorthDormerwasasmallplace，anddevelopedinherathirstforinformationthatherpositionascustodianofthevillagelibraryhadpreviouslyfailedtoexcite。ForamonthortwoshedippedfeverishlyanddisconnectedlyintothedustyvolumesoftheHatchardMemorialLibrary;thentheimpressionofNettletonbegantofade，andshefounditeasiertotakeNorthDormerasthenormoftheuniversethantogoonreading。
ThesightofthestrangeroncemorerevivedmemoriesofNettleton，andNorthDormershranktoitsrealsize。Asshelookedupanddownit，fromlawyerRoyall’sfadedredhouseatoneendtothewhitechurchattheother，shepitilesslytookitsmeasure。Thereitlay，aweather—beatensunburntvillageofthehills，abandonedofmen，leftapartbyrailway，trolley，telegraph，andalltheforcesthatlinklifetolifeinmoderncommunities。Ithadnoshops，notheatres，nolectures，no\"businessblock\";onlyachurchthatwasopenedeveryotherSundayifthestateoftheroadspermitted，andalibraryforwhichnonewbookshadbeenboughtfortwentyyears，andwheretheoldonesmoulderedundisturbedonthedampshelves。YetCharityRoyallhadalwaysbeentoldthatsheoughttoconsideritaprivilegethatherlothadbeencastinNorthDormer。Sheknewthat，comparedtotheplaceshehadcomefrom，NorthDormerrepresentedalltheblessingsofthemostrefinedcivilization。Everyoneinthevillagehadtoldhersoeversinceshehadbeenbroughtthereasachild。EvenoldMissHatchardhadsaidtoher，onaterribleoccasioninherlife：\"Mychild，youmustneverceasetorememberthatitwasMr。RoyallwhobroughtyoudownfromtheMountain。\"
Shehadbeen\"broughtdownfromtheMountain\";fromthescarredcliffthatlifteditssullenwallabovethelesserslopesofEagleRange，makingaperpetualbackgroundofgloomtothelonelyvalley。TheMountainwasagoodfifteenmilesaway，butitrosesoabruptlyfromthelowerhillsthatitseemedalmosttocastitsshadowoverNorthDormer。Anditwaslikeagreatmagnetdrawingthecloudsandscatteringtheminstormacrossthevalley。Ifever，inthepurestsummersky，theretrailedathreadofvapouroverNorthDormer，itdriftedtotheMountainasashipdriftstoawhirlpool，andwascaughtamongtherocks，tornupandmultiplied，tosweepbackoverthevillageinrainanddarkness。
CharitywasnotveryclearabouttheMountain;butsheknewitwasabadplace，andashametohavecomefrom，andthat，whateverbefellherinNorthDormer，sheought，asMissHatchardhadonceremindedher，torememberthatshehadbeenbroughtdownfromthere，andholdhertongueandbethankful。ShelookedupattheMountain，thinkingofthesethings，andtriedasusualtobethankful。ButthesightoftheyoungmanturninginatMissHatchard’sgatehadbroughtbackthevisionoftheglitteringstreetsofNettleton，andshefeltashamedofheroldsun—hat，andsickofNorthDormer，andjealouslyawareofAnnabelBalchofSpringfield，openingherblueeyessomewherefaroffongloriesgreaterthanthegloriesofNettleton。
\"HowIhateeverything！\"shesaidagain。
Halfwaydownthestreetshestoppedataweak—hingedgate。Passingthroughit，shewalkeddownabrickpathtoaqueerlittlebricktemplewithwhitewoodencolumnssupportingapedimentonwhichwasinscribedintarnishedgoldletters：\"TheHonoriusHatchardMemorialLibrary，1832。\"
HonoriusHatchardhadbeenoldMissHatchard’sgreat—
uncle;thoughshewouldundoubtedlyhavereversedthephrase，andputforward，asheronlyclaimtodistinction，thefactthatshewashisgreat—niece。
ForHonoriusHatchard，intheearlyyearsofthenineteenthcentury，hadenjoyedamodestcelebrity。Asthemarbletabletintheinteriorofthelibraryinformeditsinfrequentvisitors，hehadpossessedmarkedliterarygifts，writtenaseriesofpaperscalled\"TheRecluseofEagleRange，\"enjoyedtheacquaintanceofWashingtonIrvingandFitz—GreeneHalleck，andbeencutoffinhisflowerbyafevercontractedinItaly。SuchhadbeenthesolelinkbetweenNorthDormerandliterature，alinkpiouslycommemoratedbytheerectionofthemonumentwhereCharityRoyall，everyTuesdayandThursdayafternoon，satatherdeskunderafreckledsteelengravingofthedeceasedauthor，andwonderedifhefeltanydeaderinhisgravethanshedidinhislibrary。
Enteringherprison—housewithalistlessstepshetookoffherhat，hungitonaplasterbustofMinerva，openedtheshutters，leanedouttoseeiftherewereanyeggsintheswallow’snestaboveoneofthewindows，andfinally，seatingherselfbehindthedesk，drewoutarollofcottonlaceandasteelcrochethook。Shewasnotanexpertworkwoman，andithadtakenhermanyweekstomakethehalf—yardofnarrowlacewhichshekeptwoundaboutthebuckrambackofadisintegratedcopyof\"TheLamplighter。\"Buttherewasnootherwayofgettinganylacetotrimhersummerblouse，andsinceAllyHawes，thepoorestgirlinthevillage，hadshownherselfinchurchwithenviabletransparenciesabouttheshoulders，Charity’shookhadtravelledfaster。Sheunrolledthelace，dugthehookintoaloop，andbenttothetaskwithfurrowedbrows。
Suddenlythedooropened，andbeforeshehadraisedhereyessheknewthattheyoungmanshehadseengoinginattheHatchardgatehadenteredthelibrary。
Withouttakinganynoticeofherhebegantomoveslowlyaboutthelongvault—likeroom，hishandsbehindhisback，hisshort—sightedeyespeeringupanddowntherowsofrustybindings。Atlengthhereachedthedeskandstoodbeforeher。
\"Haveyouacard—catalogue？\"heaskedinapleasantabruptvoice;andtheoddnessofthequestioncausedhertodropherwork。
\"AWHAT？\"
\"Why，youknow————\"Hebrokeoff，andshebecameconsciousthathewaslookingatherforthefirsttime，havingapparently，onhisentrance，includedherinhisgeneralshort—sightedsurveyaspartofthefurnitureofthelibrary。
Thefactthat，indiscoveringher，helostthethreadofhisremark，didnotescapeherattention，andshelookeddownandsmiled。Hesmiledalso。
\"No，Idon’tsupposeyoudoknow，\"hecorrectedhimself。\"Infact，itwouldbealmostapity————\"
Shethoughtshedetectedaslightcondescensioninhistone，andaskedsharply：\"Why？\"
\"Becauseit’ssomuchpleasanter，inasmalllibrarylikethis，topokeaboutbyone’sself——withthehelpofthelibrarian。\"
Headdedthelastphrasesorespectfullythatshewasmollified，andrejoinedwithasigh：\"I’mafraidI
can’thelpyoumuch。\"
\"Why？\"hequestionedinhisturn;andsherepliedthatthereweren’tmanybooksanyhow，andthatshe’dhardlyreadanyofthem。\"Thewormsaregettingatthem，\"sheaddedgloomily。
\"Arethey？That’sapity，forIseetherearesomegoodones。\"Heseemedtohavelostinterestintheirconversation，andstrolledawayagain，apparentlyforgettingher。Hisindifferencenettledher，andshepickedupherwork，resolvednottoofferhimtheleastassistance。Apparentlyhedidnotneedit，forhespentalongtimewithhisbacktoher，liftingdown，oneafteranother，thetallcob—webbyvolumesfromadistantshelf。
\"Oh，Isay！\"heexclaimed;andlookingupshesawthathehaddrawnouthishandkerchiefandwascarefullywipingtheedgesofthebookinhishand。Theactionstruckherasanunwarrantedcriticismonhercareofthebooks，andshesaidirritably：\"It’snotmyfaultifthey’redirty。\"
Heturnedaroundandlookedatherwithrevivinginterest。\"Ah——thenyou’renotthelibrarian？\"
\"OfcourseIam;butIcan’tdustallthesebooks。
Besides，nobodyeverlooksatthem，nowMissHatchard’stoolametocomeround。\"
\"No，Isupposenot。\"Helaiddownthebookhehadbeenwiping，andstoodconsideringherinsilence。ShewonderedifMissHatchardhadsenthimroundtopryintothewaythelibrarywaslookedafter，andthesuspicionincreasedherresentment。\"Isawyougoingintoherhousejustnow，didn’tI？\"sheasked，withtheNewEnglandavoidanceofthepropername。Shewasdeterminedtofindoutwhyhewaspokingaboutamongherbooks。
\"MissHatchard’shouse？Yes——she’smycousinandI’mstayingthere，\"theyoungmananswered;adding，asiftodisarmavisibledistrust：\"MynameisHarney——
LuciusHarney。Shemayhavespokenofme。\"
\"No，shehasn’t，\"saidCharity，wishingshecouldhavesaid：\"Yes，shehas。\"
\"Oh，well————\"saidMissHatchard’scousinwithalaugh;andafteranotherpause，duringwhichitoccurredtoCharitythatheranswerhadnotbeenencouraging，heremarked：\"Youdon’tseemstrongonarchitecture。\"
Herbewildermentwascomplete：themoreshewishedtoappeartounderstandhimthemoreunintelligiblehisremarksbecame。Heremindedherofthegentlemanwhohad\"explained\"thepicturesatNettleton，andtheweightofherignorancesettleddownonheragainlikeapall。
\"Imean，Ican’tseethatyouhaveanybooksontheoldhousesabouthere。Isuppose，forthatmatter，thispartofthecountryhasn’tbeenmuchexplored。TheyallgoondoingPlymouthandSalem。Sostupid。Mycousin’shouse，now，isremarkable。Thisplacemusthavehadapast——itmusthavebeenmoreofaplaceonce。\"Hestoppedshort，withtheblushofashymanwhooverhearshimself，andfearshehasbeenvoluble。
\"I’manarchitect，yousee，andI’mhuntingupoldhousesintheseparts。\"
Shestared。\"Oldhouses？Everything’soldinNorthDormer，isn’tit？Thefolksare，anyhow。\"
Helaughed，andwanderedawayagain。
\"Haven’tyouanykindofahistoryoftheplace？
Ithinktherewasonewrittenabout1840：abookorpamphletaboutitsfirstsettlement，\"hepresentlysaidfromthefartherendoftheroom。
Shepressedhercrochethookagainstherlipandpondered。Therewassuchawork，sheknew：\"NorthDormerandtheEarlyTownshipsofEagleCounty。\"Shehadaspecialgrudgeagainstitbecauseitwasalimpweaklybookthatwasalwayseitherfallingofftheshelforslippingbackanddisappearingifonesqueezeditinbetweensustainingvolumes。Sheremembered，thelasttimeshehadpickeditup，wonderinghowanyonecouldhavetakenthetroubletowriteabookaboutNorthDormeranditsneighbours：Dormer，Hamblin，CrestonandCrestonRiver。Sheknewthemall，merelostclustersofhousesinthefoldsofthedesolateridges：
Dormer，whereNorthDormerwentforitsapples;CrestonRiver，wherethereusedtobeapaper—mill，anditsgreywallsstooddecayingbythestream;andHamblin，wherethefirstsnowalwaysfell。Suchweretheirtitlestofame。
Shegotupandbegantomoveaboutvaguelybeforetheshelves。Butshehadnoideawhereshehadlastputthebook，andsomethingtoldherthatitwasgoingtoplayheritsusualtrickandremaininvisible。Itwasnotoneofherluckydays。
\"Iguessit’ssomewhere，\"shesaid，toproveherzeal;
butshespokewithoutconviction，andfeltthatherwordsconveyednone。
\"Oh，well————\"hesaidagain。Sheknewhewasgoing，andwishedmorethanevertofindthebook。
\"Itwillbefornexttime，\"headded;andpickingupthevolumehehadlaidonthedeskhehandedittoher。
\"Bytheway，alittleairandsunwoulddothisgood;
it’srathervaluable。\"
Hegaveheranodandsmile，andpassedout。
II
ThehoursoftheHatchardMemoriallibrarianwerefromthreetofive;andCharityRoyall’ssenseofdutyusuallykeptheratherdeskuntilnearlyhalf—pastfour。
ButshehadneverperceivedthatanypracticaladvantagetherebyaccruedeithertoNorthDormerortoherself;andshehadnoscrupleindecreeing，whenitsuitedher，thatthelibraryshouldcloseanhourearlier。AfewminutesafterMr。Harney’sdeparturesheformedthisdecision，putawayherlace，fastenedtheshutters，andturnedthekeyinthedoorofthetempleofknowledge。
Thestreetuponwhichsheemergedwasstillempty：andafterglancingupanddownitshebegantowalktowardherhouse。Butinsteadofenteringshepassedon，turnedintoafield—pathandmountedtoapastureonthehillside。Sheletdownthebarsofthegate，followedatrailalongthecrumblingwallofthepasture，andwalkedontillshereachedaknollwhereaclumpoflarchesshookouttheirfreshtasselstothewind。Thereshelaydownontheslope，tossedoffherhatandhidherfaceinthegrass。
Shewasblindandinsensibletomanythings，anddimlyknewit;buttoallthatwaslightandair，perfumeandcolour，everydropofbloodinherresponded。Shelovedtheroughnessofthedrymountaingrassunderherpalms，thesmellofthethymeintowhichshecrushedherface，thefingeringofthewindinherhairandthroughhercottonblouse，andthecreakofthelarchesastheyswayedtoit。
Sheoftenclimbedupthehillandlaytherealoneforthemerepleasureoffeelingthewindandofrubbinghercheeksinthegrass。Generallyatsuchtimesshedidnotthinkofanything，butlayimmersedinaninarticulatewell—being。Todaythesenseofwell—beingwasintensifiedbyherjoyatescapingfromthelibrary。Shelikedwellenoughtohaveafrienddropinandtalktoherwhenshewasonduty，butshehatedtobebotheredaboutbooks。Howcouldsherememberwheretheywere，whentheyweresoseldomaskedfor？OrmaFryoccasionallytookoutanovel，andherbrotherBenwasfondofwhathecalled\"jography，\"andofbooksrelatingtotradeandbookkeeping;butnooneelseaskedforanythingexcept，atintervals，\"UncleTom’sCabin，\"or\"OpeningofaChestnutBurr，\"orLongfellow。
Shehadtheseunderherhand，andcouldhavefoundtheminthedark;butunexpecteddemandscamesorarelythattheyexasperatedherlikeaninjustice……
Shehadlikedtheyoungman’slooks，andhisshort—
sightedeyes，andhisoddwayofspeaking，thatwasabruptyetsoft，justashishandsweresun—burntandsinewy，yetwithsmoothnailslikeawoman’s。Hishairwassunburnt—lookingtoo，orratherthecolourofbrackenafterfrost;hiseyesgrey，withtheappealinglookoftheshortsighted，hissmileshyyetconfident，asifheknewlotsofthingsshehadneverdreamedof，andyetwouldn’tfortheworldhavehadherfeelhissuperiority。Butshedidfeelit，andlikedthefeeling;foritwasnewtoher。Poorandignorantasshewas，andknewherselftobe——humblestofthehumbleeveninNorthDormer，wheretocomefromtheMountainwastheworstdisgrace——yetinhernarrowworldshehadalwaysruled。Itwaspartly，ofcourse，owingtothefactthatlawyerRoyallwas\"thebiggestmaninNorthDormer\";somuchtoobigforit，infact，thatoutsiders，whodidn’tknow，alwayswonderedhowitheldhim。Inspiteofeverything——andinspiteevenofMissHatchard——lawyerRoyallruledinNorthDormer;andCharityruledinlawyerRoyall’shouse。Shehadneverputittoherselfinthoseterms;butsheknewherpower，knewwhatitwasmadeof，andhatedit。
Confusedly，theyoungmaninthelibraryhadmadeherfeelforthefirsttimewhatmightbethesweetnessofdependence。
Shesatup，brushedthebitsofgrassfromherhair，andlookeddownonthehousewheresheheldsway。Itstoodjustbelowher，cheerlessanduntended，itsfadedredfrontdividedfromtheroadbya\"yard\"withapathborderedbygooseberrybushes，astonewellovergrownwithtraveller’sjoy，andasicklyCrimsonRamblertiedtoafan—shapedsupport，whichMr。RoyallhadoncebroughtupfromHepburntopleaseher。Behindthehouseabitofunevengroundwithclothes—linesstrungacrossitstretcheduptoadrywall，andbeyondthewallapatchofcornandafewrowsofpotatoesstrayedvaguelyintotheadjoiningwildernessofrockandfern。
Charitycouldnotrecallherfirstsightofthehouse。
ShehadbeentoldthatshewasillofafeverwhenshewasbroughtdownfromtheMountain;andshecouldonlyrememberwakingonedayinacotatthefootofMrs。
Royall’sbed，andopeninghereyesonthecoldneatnessoftheroomthatwasafterwardtobehers。
Mrs。Royalldiedsevenoreightyearslater;andbythattimeCharityhadtakenthemeasureofmostthingsabouther。SheknewthatMrs。Royallwassadandtimidandweak;sheknewthatlawyerRoyallwasharshandviolent，andstillweaker。SheknewthatshehadbeenchristenedCharity（inthewhitechurchattheotherendofthevillage）tocommemorateMr。Royall’sdisinterestednessin\"bringingherdown，\"andtokeepaliveinherabecomingsenseofherdependence;sheknewthatMr。Royallwasherguardian，butthathehadnotlegallyadoptedher，thougheverybodyspokeofherasCharityRoyall;andsheknewwhyhehadcomebacktoliveatNorthDormer，insteadofpractisingatNettleton，wherehehadbegunhislegalcareer。
AfterMrs。Royall’sdeaththerewassometalkofsendinghertoaboarding—school。MissHatchardsuggestedit，andhadalongconferencewithMr。
Royall，who，inpursuanceofherplan，departedonedayforStarkfieldtovisittheinstitutionsherecommended。Hecamebackthenextnightwithablackface;worse，Charityobserved，thanshehadeverseenhim;andbythattimeshehadhadsomeexperience。
Whensheaskedhimhowsoonshewastostartheansweredshortly，\"Youain’tgoing，\"andshuthimselfupintheroomhecalledhisoffice;andthenextdaytheladywhokepttheschoolatStarkfieldwrotethat\"underthecircumstances\"shewasafraidshecouldnotmakeroomjustthenforanotherpupil。
Charitywasdisappointed;butsheunderstood。Itwasn’tthetemptationsofStarkfieldthathadbeenMr。
Royall’sundoing;itwasthethoughtoflosingher。Hewasadreadfully\"lonesome\"man;shehadmadethatoutbecauseshewasso\"lonesome\"herself。Heandshe，facetofaceinthatsadhouse，hadsoundedthedepthsofisolation;andthoughshefeltnoparticularaffectionforhim，andnottheslightestgratitude，shepitiedhimbecauseshewasconsciousthathewassuperiortothepeopleabouthim，andthatshewastheonlybeingbetweenhimandsolitude。Therefore，whenMissHatchardsentforheradayortwolater，totalkofaschoolatNettleton，andtosaythatthistimeafriendofherswould\"makethenecessaryarrangements，\"
CharitycuthershortwiththeannouncementthatshehaddecidednottoleaveNorthDormer。
MissHatchardreasonedwithherkindly，buttonopurpose;shesimplyrepeated：\"IguessMr。Royall’stoolonesome。\"
MissHatchardblinkedperplexedlybehindhereye—
glasses。Herlongfrailfacewasfullofpuzzledwrinkles，andsheleantforward，restingherhandsonthearmsofhermahoganyarmchair，withtheevidentdesiretosaysomethingthatoughttobesaid。
\"Thefeelingdoesyoucredit，mydear。\"
Shelookedaboutthepalewallsofhersitting—room，seekingcounselofancestraldaguerreotypesanddidacticsamplers;buttheyseemedtomakeutterancemoredifficult。
\"Thefactis，it’snotonly——notonlybecauseoftheadvantages。Thereareotherreasons。You’retooyoungtounderstand————\"
\"Oh，no，Iain’t，\"saidCharityharshly;andMissHatchardblushedtotherootsofherblondecap。Butshemusthavefeltavaguereliefathavingherexplanationcutshort，forsheconcluded，againinvokingthedaguerreotypes：\"OfcourseIshallalwaysdowhatIcanforyou;andincase……incase……youknowyoucanalwayscometome……\"
LawyerRoyallwaswaitingforCharityintheporchwhenshereturnedfromthisvisit。Hehadshaved，andbrushedhisblackcoat，andlookedamagnificentmonumentofaman;atsuchmomentsshereallyadmiredhim。
\"Well，\"hesaid，\"isitsettled？\"
\"Yes，it’ssettled。Iain’tgoing。\"
\"NottotheNettletonschool？\"
\"Notanywhere。\"
Heclearedhisthroatandaskedsternly：\"Why？\"
\"I’drathernot，\"shesaid，swingingpasthimonherwaytoherroom。ItwasthefollowingweekthathebroughtheruptheCrimsonRambleranditsfanfromHepburn。Hehadnevergivenheranythingbefore。
Thenextoutstandingincidentofherlifehadhappenedtwoyearslater，whenshewasseventeen。LawyerRoyall，whohatedtogotoNettleton，hadbeencalledthereinconnectionwithacase。Hestillexercisedhisprofession，thoughlitigationlanguishedinNorthDormeranditsoutlyinghamlets;andforoncehehadhadanopportunitythathecouldnotaffordtorefuse。
HespentthreedaysinNettleton，wonhiscase，andcamebackinhighgood—humour。Itwasararemoodwithhim，andmanifesteditselfonthisoccasionbyhistalkingimpressivelyatthesupper—tableofthe\"rousingwelcome\"hisoldfriendshadgivenhim。Hewoundupconfidentially：\"IwasadamnfoolevertoleaveNettleton。ItwasMrs。Royallthatmademedoit。\"
Charityimmediatelyperceivedthatsomethingbitterhadhappenedtohim，andthathewastryingtotalkdowntherecollection。Shewentuptobedearly，leavinghimseatedinmoodythought，hiselbowsproppedonthewornoilclothofthesuppertable。Onthewayupshehadextractedfromhisovercoatpocketthekeyofthecupboardwherethebottleofwhiskeywaskept。
Shewasawakenedbyarattlingatherdoorandjumpedoutofbed。SheheardMr。Royall’svoice，lowandperemptory，andopenedthedoor，fearinganaccident。
Nootherthoughthadoccurredtoher;butwhenshesawhiminthedoorway，arayfromtheautumnmoonfallingonhisdiscomposedface，sheunderstood。
Foramomenttheylookedateachotherinsilence;
then，asheputhisfootacrossthethreshold，shestretchedoutherarmandstoppedhim。
\"Yougorightbackfromhere，\"shesaid，inashrillvoicethatstartledher;\"youain’tgoingtohavethatkeytonight。\"
\"Charity，letmein。Idon’twantthekey。I’malonesomeman，\"hebegan，inthedeepvoicethatsometimesmovedher。
Herheartgaveastartledplunge，butshecontinuedtoholdhimbackcontemptuously。\"Well，Iguessyoumadeamistake，then。Thisain’tyourwife’sroomanylonger。\"
Shewasnotfrightened，shesimplyfeltadeepdisgust;
andperhapshedivineditorreaditinherface，forafterstaringatheramomenthedrewbackandturnedslowlyawayfromthedoor。Withhereartoherkeyholesheheardhimfeelhiswaydownthedarkstairs，andtowardthekitchen;andshelistenedforthecrashofthecupboardpanel，butinsteadsheheardhim，afteraninterval，unlockthedoorofthehouse，andhisheavystepscametoherthroughthesilenceashewalkeddownthepath。Shecrepttothewindowandsawhisbentfigurestridinguptheroadinthemoonlight。Thenabelatedsenseoffearcametoherwiththeconsciousnessofvictory，andsheslippedintobed，coldtothebone。
AdayortwolaterpoorEudoraSkeff，whofortwentyyearshadbeenthecustodianoftheHatchardlibrary，diedsuddenlyofpneumonia;andthedayafterthefuneralCharitywenttoseeMissHatchard，andaskedtobeappointedlibrarian。TherequestseemedtosurpriseMissHatchard：sheevidentlyquestionedthenewcandidate’squalifications。
\"Why，Idon’tknow，mydear。Aren’tyourathertooyoung？\"shehesitated。
\"Iwanttoearnsomemoney，\"Charitymerelyanswered。
\"Doesn’tMr。Royallgiveyouallyourequire？NooneisrichinNorthDormer。\"
\"Iwanttoearnmoneyenoughtogetaway。\"
\"Togetaway？\"MissHatchard’spuzzledwrinklesdeepened，andtherewasadistressfulpause。\"YouwanttoleaveMr。Royall？\"
\"Yes：orIwantanotherwomaninthehousewithme，\"
saidCharityresolutely。
MissHatchardclaspedhernervoushandsaboutthearmsofherchair。Hereyesinvokedthefadedcountenancesonthewall，andafterafaintcoughofindecisionshebroughtout：\"The……thehousework’stoohardforyou，I
suppose？\"
Charity’sheartgrewcold。SheunderstoodthatMissHatchardhadnohelptogiveherandthatshewouldhavetofightherwayoutofherdifficultyalone。A
deepersenseofisolationovercameher;shefeltincalculablyold。\"She’sgottobetalkedtolikeababy，\"shethought，withafeelingofcompassionforMissHatchard’slongimmaturity。\"Yes，that’sit，\"shesaidaloud。\"Thehousework’stoohardforme：I’vebeencoughingagooddealthisfall。\"
Shenotedtheimmediateeffectofthissuggestion。MissHatchardpaledatthememoryofpoorEudora’staking—
off，andpromisedtodowhatshecould。Butofcoursetherewerepeopleshemustconsult：theclergyman，theselectmenofNorthDormer，andadistantHatchardrelativeatSpringfield。\"Ifyou’donlygonetoschool！\"shesighed。ShefollowedCharitytothedoor，andthere，inthesecurityofthethreshold，saidwithaglanceofevasiveappeal：\"IknowMr。Royallis……tryingattimes;buthiswifeborewithhim;andyoumustalwaysremember，Charity，thatitwasMr。
RoyallwhobroughtyoudownfromtheMountain。\"CharitywenthomeandopenedthedoorofMr。Royall’s\"office。\"
HewassittingtherebythestovereadingDanielWebster’sspeeches。Theyhadmetatmealsduringthefivedaysthathadelapsedsincehehadcometoherdoor，andshehadwalkedathissideatEudora’sfuneral;buttheyhadnotspokenawordtoeachother。
Heglancedupinsurpriseassheentered，andshenoticedthathewasunshaved，andthathelookedunusuallyold;butasshehadalwaysthoughtofhimasanoldmanthechangeinhisappearancedidnotmoveher。ShetoldhimshehadbeentoseeMissHatchard，andwithwhatobject。Shesawthathewasastonished;
buthemadenocomment。
\"Itoldherthehouseworkwastoohardforme，andI
wantedtoearnthemoneytopayforahiredgirl。ButIain’tgoingtopayforher：you’vegotto。Iwanttohavesomemoneyofmyown。\"
Mr。Royall’sbushyblackeyebrowsweredrawntogetherinafrown，andhesatdrummingwithink—stainednailsontheedgeofhisdesk。
\"Whatdoyouwanttoearnmoneyfor？\"heasked。
\"So’stogetawaywhenIwantto。\"
\"Whydoyouwanttogetaway？\"
Hercontemptflashedout。\"Doyousupposeanybody’dstayatNorthDormeriftheycouldhelpit？Youwouldn’t，folkssay！\"
Withloweredheadheasked：\"Where’dyougoto？\"
\"AnywherewhereIcanearnmyliving。I’lltryherefirst，andifIcan’tdoithereI’llgosomewhereelse。I’llgouptheMountainifIhaveto。\"Shepausedonthisthreat，andsawthatithadtakeneffect。\"IwantyoushouldgetMissHatchardandtheselectmentotakemeatthelibrary：andIwantawomanhereinthehousewithme，\"sherepeated。
Mr。Royallhadgrownexceedinglypale。Whensheendedhestoodupponderously，leaningagainstthedesk;andforasecondortwotheylookedateachother。
\"Seehere，\"hesaidatlengthasthoughutteranceweredifficult，\"there’ssomethingI’vebeenwantingtosaytoyou;I’doughttohavesaiditbefore。Iwantyoutomarryme。\"
Thegirlstillstaredathimwithoutmoving。\"Iwantyoutomarryme，\"herepeated，clearinghisthroat。
\"Theminister’llbeupherenextSundayandwecanfixitupthen。OrI’lldriveyoudowntoHepburntotheJustice，andgetitdonethere。I’lldowhateveryousay。\"Hiseyesfellunderthemercilessstareshecontinuedtofixonhim，andheshiftedhisweightuneasilyfromonefoottotheother。Ashestoodtherebeforeher，unwieldy，shabby，disordered，thepurpleveinsdistortingthehandshepressedagainstthedesk，andhislongorator’sjawtremblingwiththeeffortofhisavowal，heseemedlikeahideousparodyofthefatherlyoldmanshehadalwaysknown。
\"Marryyou？Me？\"sheburstoutwithascornfullaugh。
\"Wasthatwhatyoucametoaskmetheothernight？
What’scomeoveryou，Iwonder？Howlongisitsinceyou’velookedatyourselfintheglass？\"Shestraightenedherself，insolentlyconsciousofheryouthandstrength。\"Isupposeyouthinkitwouldbecheapertomarrymethantokeepahiredgirl。Everybodyknowsyou’retheclosestmaninEagleCounty;butIguessyou’renotgoingtogetyourmendingdoneforyouthatwaytwice。\"
Mr。Royalldidnotmovewhileshespoke。Hisfacewasash—colouredandhisblackeyebrowsquiveredasthoughtheblazeofherscornhadblindedhim。Whensheceasedhehelduphishand。
\"That’lldo——that’llaboutdo，\"hesaid。Heturnedtothedoorandtookhishatfromthehat—peg。Onthethresholdhepaused。\"Peopleain’tbeenfairtome——
fromthefirsttheyain’tbeenfairtome，\"hesaid。
Thenhewentout。
AfewdayslaterNorthDormerlearnedwithsurprisethatCharityhadbeenappointedlibrarianoftheHatchardMemorialatasalaryofeightdollarsamonth，andthatoldVerenaMarsh，fromtheCrestonAlmshouse，wascomingtoliveatlawyerRoyall’sanddothecooking。
III
ItwasnotintheroomknownattheredhouseasMr。
Royall’s\"office\"thathereceivedhisinfrequentclients。Professionaldignityandmasculineindependencemadeitnecessarythatheshouldhavearealoffice，underadifferentroof;andhisstandingastheonlylawyerofNorthDormerrequiredthattheroofshouldbethesameasthatwhichshelteredtheTownHallandthepost—office。
Itwashishabittowalktothisofficetwiceaday，morningandafternoon。Itwasonthegroundfloorofthebuilding，withaseparateentrance，andaweatheredname—plateonthedoor。Beforegoinginhesteppedintothepost—officeforhismail——usuallyanemptyceremony——saidawordortwotothetown—clerk，whosatacrossthepassageinidlestate，andthenwentovertothestoreontheoppositecorner，whereCarrickFry，thestorekeeper，alwayskeptachairforhim，andwherehewassuretofindoneortwoselectmenleaningonthelongcounter，inanatmosphereofrope，leather，tarandcoffee—beans。Mr。Royall，thoughmonosyllabicathome，wasnotaverse，incertainmoods，toimpartinghisviewstohisfellow—townsmen;perhaps，also，hewasunwillingthathisrareclientsshouldsurprisehimsitting，clerklessandunoccupied，inhisdustyoffice。
Atanyrate，hishourstherewerenotmuchlongerormoreregularthanCharity’satthelibrary;therestofthetimehespenteitheratthestoreorindrivingaboutthecountryonbusinessconnectedwiththeinsurancecompaniesthatherepresented，orinsittingathomereadingBancroft’sHistoryoftheUnitedStatesandthespeechesofDanielWebster。
SincethedaywhenCharityhadtoldhimthatshewishedtosucceedtoEudoraSkeff’sposttheirrelationshadundefinablybutdefinitelychanged。LawyerRoyallhadkepthisword。Hehadobtainedtheplaceforheratthecostofconsiderablemaneuvering，assheguessedfromthenumberofrivalcandidates，andfromtheacerbitywithwhichtwoofthem，OrmaFryandtheeldestTargattgirl，treatedherfornearlyayearafterward。AndhehadengagedVerenaMarshtocomeupfromCrestonanddothecooking。Verenawasapooroldwidow，dodderingandshiftless：Charitysuspectedthatshecameforherkeep。Mr。Royallwastoocloseamantogiveadollaradaytoasmartgirlwhenhecouldgetadeafpauperfornothing。Butatanyrate，Verenawasthere，intheatticjustoverCharity，andthefactthatshewasdeafdidnotgreatlytroubletheyounggirl。
Charityknewthatwhathadhappenedonthathatefulnightwouldnothappenagain。Sheunderstoodthat，profoundlyasshehaddespisedMr。Royalleversince，hedespisedhimselfstillmoreprofoundly。Ifshehadaskedforawomaninthehouseitwasfarlessforherowndefensethanforhishumiliation。Sheneedednoonetodefendher：hishumbledpridewashersurestprotection。Hehadneverspokenawordofexcuseorextenuation;theincidentwasasifithadneverbeen。
Yetitsconsequenceswerelatentineverywordthatheandsheexchanged，ineveryglancetheyinstinctivelyturnedfromeachother。Nothingnowwouldevershakeherruleintheredhouse。
OnthenightofhermeetingwithMissHatchard’scousinCharitylayinbed，herbarearmsclaspedunderherroughhead，andcontinuedtothinkofhim。ShesupposedthathemeanttospendsometimeinNorthDormer。Hehadsaidhewaslookinguptheoldhousesintheneighbourhood;andthoughshewasnotveryclearastohispurpose，orastowhyanyoneshouldlookforoldhouses，whentheylayinwaitforoneoneveryroadside，sheunderstoodthatheneededthehelpofbooks，andresolvedtohuntupthenextdaythevolumeshehadfailedtofind，andanyothersthatseemedrelatedtothesubject。
Neverhadherignoranceoflifeandliteraturesoweighedonherasinrelivingtheshortsceneofherdiscomfiture。\"It’snousetryingtobeanythinginthisplace，\"shemutteredtoherpillow;andsheshrivelledatthevisionofvaguemetropolises，shiningsuper—Nettletons，wheregirlsinbetterclothesthanBelleBalch’stalkedfluentlyofarchitecturetoyoungmenwithhandslikeLuciusHarney’s。Thensherememberedhissuddenpausewhenhehadcomeclosetothedeskandhadhisfirstlookather。Thesighthadmadehimforgetwhathewasgoingtosay;sherecalledthechangeinhisface，andjumpingupsheranoverthebareboardstoherwashstand，foundthematches，litacandle，andliftedittothesquareoflooking—glassonthewhite—washedwall。Hersmallface，usuallysodarklypale，glowedlikearoseinthefaintorboflight，andunderherrumpledhairhereyesseemeddeeperandlargerthanbyday。Perhapsafterallitwasamistaketowishtheywereblue。Aclumsybandandbuttonfastenedherunbleachednight—gownaboutthethroat。Sheundidit，freedherthinshoulders，andsawherselfabrideinlow—neckedsatin，walkingdownanaislewithLuciusHarney。Hewouldkissherastheyleftthechurch……Sheputdownthecandleandcoveredherfacewithherhandsasiftoimprisonthekiss。AtthatmomentsheheardMr。Royall’sstepashecameupthestairstobed，andafiercerevulsionoffeelingsweptoverher。Untilthenshehadmerelydespisedhim;nowdeephatredofhimfilledherheart。Hebecametoherahorribleoldman……
Thenextday，whenMr。Royallcamebacktodinner，theyfacedeachotherinsilenceasusual。Verena’spresenceatthetablewasanexcusefortheirnottalking，thoughherdeafnesswouldhavepermittedthefreestinterchangeofconfidences。Butwhenthemealwasover，andMr。Royallrosefromthetable，helookedbackatCharity，whohadstayedtohelptheoldwomanclearawaythedishes。
\"Iwanttospeaktoyouaminute，\"hesaid;andshefollowedhimacrossthepassage，wondering。
Heseatedhimselfinhisblackhorse—hairarmchair，andsheleanedagainstthewindow，indifferently。Shewasimpatienttobegonetothelibrary，tohuntforthebookonNorthDormer。
\"Seehere，\"hesaid，\"whyain’tyouatthelibrarythedaysyou’resupposedtobethere？\"
Thequestion，breakinginonhermoodofblissfulabstraction，deprivedherofspeech，andshestaredathimforamomentwithoutanswering。