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。