Shedrewawayherhandandswiftlyturnedbacktotheroad。
PhilipAmmon，wordless，startedtowardOnabashaonarun。
Elnoracrossedtheroad，climbedthefenceandsoughttheshelteroftheirownwoods。Shechoseadiagonalcourseandfollowedituntilshecametothepathleadingpastthevioletpatch。Shewentdownthishurriedly。
Herhandswereclenchedatherside，hereyesdryandbright，hercheeksred-flushed，andherbreathcomingfast。
Whenshereachedthepatchsheturnedintoitandstoodlookingaroundher。
Themossesweredry，theflowersgone，weedsafoothighcoveredit。Sheturnedawayandwentondownthepathuntilshewasalmostinsightofthecabin。
Mrs。ComstocksmiledandwaitedinthearbouruntilitoccurredtoherthatElnorawasalongtimecoming，soshewenttothegate。TheroadstretchedawaytowardtheLimberlostemptyandlonely。ThensheknewthatElnorahadgoneintotheirownwoodsandwouldcomeinthebackway。Shecouldnotunderstandwhythegirldidnothurrytoherwithwhatshewouldhavetotell。
Shewentoutandwanderedaroundthegarden。Thenshesteppedintothepathandstartedalongthewayleadingtothewoods，pastthepoolnowframedinathicksettingofyellowlilies。Thenshesaw，andstopped，gaspingforbreath。
Herhandsflewupandherlinedfacegrewghastly。
Shestaredattheskyandthenattheprostrategirlfigure。
Overandovershetriedtospeak，butonlyadrybreathcame。
Sheturnedandfledbacktothegarden。
Inthefamiliarenclosureshegazedaroundherlikeacagedanimalseekingescape。Thesunbeatdownonherbareheadmercilessly，andmechanicallyshemovedtotheshadeofahalf-grownhickorytreethatvoluntarilyhadsproutedbesidethemilkhouse。Atherfeetlayanaxewithwhichshemadekindlingsforfires。Shestoopedandpickeditup。Thememoryofthatpronefiguresobbinginthegrasscaughtherwitharenewedspasm。Sheshuthereyesasiftocloseitout。ThatmadehearingsoacuteshefeltcertainsheheardElnoramoaningbesidethepath。
Theeyesflewopen。Theylookedstraightatafewspindlingtomatoplantssettoonearthetreeandstuntedbyitsshade。Mrs。Comstockwhirledonthehickoryandswungtheaxe。Herhairshookdown，herclothingbecamedisarranged，intheheattheperspirationstreamed，butstrokefellonstrokeuntilthetreecrashedover，grazingacornerofthemilkhouseandsmashingthegardenfenceontheeast。
AtthesoundElnorasprangtoherfeetandcamerunningdownthegardenwalk。\"Mother!\"shecried。\"Mother!
Whatintheworldareyoudoing?\"
Mrs。Comstockwipedherghastlyfaceonherapron。
\"I\'velaidouttocutthattreeforyears，\"shesaid。
\"Itshadesthebeetsinthemorning，andthetomatoesintheafternoon!\"
Elnorautteredonewildlittlecryandfledintohermother\'sarms。\"Ohmother!\"shesobbed。\"Willyoueverforgiveme?\"
Mrs。Comstock\'sarmsswepttogetherinatightgriparoundElnora。
\"Thereisn\'tathingonGod\'sfootstoolfromatoizzardIwon\'tforgiveyou，mypreciousgirl!\"shesaid。\"Tellmotherwhatitis!\"
Elnoraliftedherwetface。\"Hetoldme，\"shepanted，\"justassoonashedecentlycould——thatseconddayhetoldme。Almostallhislifehe\'sbeenengagedtoagirlathome。Henevercaredanythingaboutme。Hewasonlyinterestedinthemothsandgrowingstrong。\"
Mrs。Comstock\'sarmstightened。Withashakinghandshestrokedthebrighthair。
\"Tellme，honey，\"shesaid。\"Ishetoblameforasingleoneofthesetears?\"
\"Notone!\"sobbedElnora。\"Ohmother，Iwon\'tforgiveyouifyoudon\'tbelievethat。Notone!Heneversaid，orlooked，ordidanythingalltheworldmightnothaveknown。Helikesmeverymuchasafriend。
Hehatedtogodreadfully!\"
\"Elnora!\"themother\'sheadbentuntilthewhitehairmingledwiththebrown。\"Elnora，whydidn\'tyoutellmeatfirst?\"
Elnoracaughtherbreathinasharpsnatch。\"IknowIshould!\"shesobbed。\"Iwillbearanypunishmentfornot，butIdidn\'tfeelasifIpossiblycould。Iwasafraid。\"
\"Afraidofwhat?\"theshakinghandwasonthehairagain。
\"Afraidyouwouldn\'tlethimcome!\"pantedElnora。
\"Andoh，mother，Iwantedhimso!\"
CHAPTERXVIII
WHEREINMRS。COMSTOCKEXPERIMENTSWITHREJUVENATION，ANDELNORATEACHESNATURALHISTORY
ForthefollowingweekMrs。ComstockandElnoraworkedsohardtherewasnotimetotalk，andtheywerecompelledtosleepfromphysicalexhaustion。
Neitherofthemmadeanypretenceofeating，fortheycouldnotswallowwithoutaneffort，sotheydrankmilkandworked。ElnorakeptonsettingbaitforCatacolaeandSphinginae，which，unlikethebigmothsofJune，liveseveralmonths。Shetookallthedragonfliesandbutterfliesshecould，andwhenshewentoverthelistforthemanofIndia，shefound，toheramazement，thatwithPhilip\'shelpsheoncemorehaditcompletesaveapairofYellowEmperors。
ThiscircumstancewassosurprisingshehadafleetingthoughtofwritingPhilipandaskinghimtoseeifhecouldnotsecureherapair。ShedidtelltheBirdWoman，whofromeverysourceathercommandtriedtocompletetheserieswiththesemoths，butcouldnotfindanyforsale。
\"IthinkthemillsoftheGodsaregrindingthisgrist，\"
saidElnora，\"andwemightaswellwaitpatientlyuntiltheychoosetosendaYellowEmperor。\"
Mrs。Comstockinventedwork。Whenshehadnothingmoretodo，shehoedinthegardenalthoughtheearthwashardanddryandtherewerenoplantsthatreallyneededattention。
ThencameanotificationthatElnorawouldbecompelledtoattendaweek\'ssessionoftheTeachers\'InstituteheldatthecountyseattwentymilesnorthofOnabashathefollowingweek。Thatgavethemsomethingofwhichtothinkandrealworktodo。Elnorawasrequestedtobringherviolin。Asshewasontheprogrammeofoneofthemostimportantsessionsforatalkonnatureworkingradeschools，shewasdriventoprepareherspeech，alsotoselectandpractisesomemusic。Hermotherturnedherattentiontoclothing。
TheywenttoOnabashatogetherandpurchasedasimpleandappropriatefallsuitandhat，goodsforadaintylittlecolouredfrock，andadressskirtandseveralfancywaists。
MargaretSintoncamedownandthesewingbegan。Wheneverythingwasfinishedandpacked，Elnorakissedhermothergood-byeatthedepot，andenteredthetrain。Mrs。Comstockwentintothewaiting-roomanddroppedintoaseattorest。Herheartwassosoreherwholeleftsidefelttender。Shewashalfstarvedforthefoodshehadnoappetitetotake。Shehadworkedindoggeddeterminationuntilshewasexhausted。
Foratimeshesimplysatandrested。Thenshebegantothink。
ShewasgladElnorahadgonewhereshewouldbecompelledtofixhermindonothermattersforafewdays。Sherememberedthegirlhadsaidshewantedtogo。
Schoolwouldbeginthefollowingweek。ShethoughtoverwhatElnorawouldhavetodotoaccomplishherworksuccessfully。Shewouldbecompelledtoariseatsixo\'clock，walkthreemilesthroughvaryingweather，leadthehighschoolorchestra，andthenputintheremainderofthedaytravellingfrombuildingtobuildingoverthecity，teachingaspecifiedlengthoftimeeveryweekineachroom。
Shemusthaveherobjectlessonsready，andshemustdoacertainamountofpractisingwiththeorchestra。Thenacoldlunchatnoon，andathree-milewalkatnight。
\"Humph!\"saidMrs。Comstock，\"togetthroughthatthegirlwouldhavetobemadeofcast-iron。IwonderhowIcanhelpherbest?\"
Shethoughtdeeply。
\"Thelesssheseesofwhatshe\'sbeenhavingallsummer，thesoonershe\'llfeelbetteraboutit，\"shemuttered。
Shearose，wenttothebankandinquiredforthecashier。
\"IwanttoknowjusthowIamfixedhere，\"shesaid。
Thecashierlaughed。\"Youhaven\'tbeeninahurry，\"
hereplied。\"Wehavebeenreadyforyouanytimethesetwentyyears，butyoudidn\'tseemtopaymuchattention。
Youraccountisratherflourishing。Interest，whenitgetstocompounding，isquiteamoneybreeder。ComebackheretoatableandIwillshowyouyourbalances。\"
Mrs。Comstocksankintoachairandwaitedwhilethecashierreadajumbleoffigurestoher。Itmeantthatherdepositshadexceededherexpensesfromonetothreehundreddollarsayear，accordingtothecattle，sheep，hogs，poultry，butter，andeggsshehadsold。
Theaggregateofthesesumshadbeencompoundinginterestthroughouttheyears。Mrs。Comstockstaredatthetotalwithdazedandunbelievingeyes。Throughhersickheartrushedtherealization，thatifshemerelyhadstoodbeforethatwicketandaskedonequestion，shewouldhaveknownthatallthosebitteryearsofskimpingforElnoraandherselfhadbeenunnecessary。Shearoseandwentbacktothedepot。
\"Iwanttosendamessage，\"shesaid。Shepickedupthepencil，andwithrashextravagance，wrote，\"Foundmoneyatbankdidn\'tknowabout。Ifyouwanttogotocollege，comeonfirsttrainandgetready。\"
Shehesitatedasecondandthenshesaidtoherselfgrimly，\"Yes，I\'llpayforthat，too，\"andrecklesslyadded，\"Withlove，Mother。\"Thenshesatwaitingfortheanswer。Itcameinlessthananhour。\"Willteachthiswinter。Withdearestlove，Elnora。\"
Mrs。Comstockheldthemessagealongtime。Whenshearoseshewasravenouslyhungry，butthepaininherheartwasalittleeasier。Shewenttoarestaurantandatesomefood，thentoadressmakerwheresheorderedfourdresses:twoveryplainevery-dayones，aserviceabledarkgrayclothsuit，andasoftlightgraysilkwithtouchesoflavenderandlace。ShemadeaheavylistofpurchasesatBrownlee\'s，andtheremainderofthedayshedidbusinessinherdirectandspiritedway。Atnightshewassotiredshescarcelycouldwalkhome，butshebuiltafireandcookedandateaheartymeal。
Latershewentoutbesidethewestfenceandgatheredanarmfuloftansywhichsheboiledtoathickgreentea。
Thenshestirredinoatmealuntilitwasastiffpaste。
Shespreadasheetoverherbedandbegantearingstripsofoldmuslin。Shebandagedeachhandandarmwiththemixtureandplasteredthesoggy，evil-smellingstuffinathickpoulticeoverherfaceandneck。Shewassotiredshewenttosleep，andwhensheawokeshewashalfskinned。
Shebathedherfaceandhands，didtheworkandwentbacktotown，cominghomeatnighttogothroughthesameprocess。
Bythethirdmorningshewasarawevenred，thefourthshehadfadedtoabrilliantpinkunderthesoothinginfluenceofacreamrecommended。ThatdaycamealetterfromElnorasayingthatshewouldremainwhereshewasuntilSaturdaymorning，andthencometoEllenBrownlee\'satOnabashaandstayfortheSaturday\'ssessionofteacherstoarrangetheiryear\'swork。
SundaywasEllen\'slastdayathome，andshewantedElnoraverymuch。ShehadtocalltogethertheorchestraandpractisethemSunday；andcouldnotcomehomeuntilafterschoolMondaynight。Mrs。Comstockatonceansweredthelettersayingthosearrangementssuitedher。
Thefollowingdayshewasapalepink，lateradelicateporcelainwhite。Thenshewenttoahairdresserandhadtheropeofsnowyhairwhichcoveredherscalpwashed，dressed，andfastenedwithsuchpinsandcombsasweredecidedtobemostbecoming。Shetooksamplesofherdresses，wenttoamilliner，andboughtastreethattomatchhersuit，andagraysatinwithlavenderorchidstowearwiththesilkdress。Herlastinvestmentwasaloosecoatofsoftgraybroadclothwithwhitelining，andtouchesoflavenderontheembroideredcollar，andgrayglovestomatch。
Thenshewenthome，restedandworkedbyturnsuntilMonday。Whenschoolclosedonthatevening，Elnora，sotiredshealmosttrembled，camedownthelongwalkafteralatesessionofteachers\'meeting，tobestoppedbyamessengerboy。
\"There\'saladywantstoseeyoumostimportant。
Iamtotakeyoutotheplace，\"hesaid。
Elnoragroaned。Shecouldnotimaginewhowantedher，buttherewasnothingtodobutfindout；tiredandanxioustoseehermotherasshewas。
\"Thisistheplace，\"saidtheboy，andwenthiswaywhistling。
Elnorawasthreeblocksfromthehighschoolbuildingonthesamestreet。Shewasbeforeaquaintoldhouse，freshwithpaintandcoveredwithvines。Therewasalongwidelot，grass-covered，closelysetwithtrees，andabarnandchickenparkatthebackthatseemedtobeoccupied。Elnorasteppedontheverandawhichwasfurnishedwithstrawrugs，bent-
hickorychairs，hangingbaskets，andatablewithawork-
boxandmagazines，andknockedatthescreendoor。
Insideshecouldseepolishedfloors，wallsfreshlypaperedinlow-tonedharmoniouscolours，strawrugsandmadrascurtains。
Itseemedtobearestful，homelikeplacetowhichshehadcome。
Asecondlaterdownanopenstairwaycameatall，dark-eyedwomanwithcheeksfaintlypinkandacrownoffluffysnow-
whitehair。Sheworealavenderginghamdresswithwhitecollarandcuffs，andshecalledassheadvanced:\"Thatscreenisn\'tlatched!Openitandcomeseeyourbrand-newmother，mygirl。\"
Elnorasteppedinsidethedoor。\"Mother!\"shecried。
\"Youmymother!Idon\'tbelieveit!\"
\"Well，youbetter!\"saidMrs。Comstock，\"becauseit\'strue!YousaidyouwishedIwereliketheothergirls\'mothers，andI\'veshotasclosethemarkasIcouldwithoutanypractice。Ithoughtthatwalkwouldbetoomuchforyouthiswinter，soIjustrentedthishouseandmovedin，tobenearyou，andhelpmoreincaseI\'mneeded。
I\'veonlylivedhereaday，butIlikeitsowellI\'veamortalbignotiontobuytheplace。\"
\"Butmother!\"protestedElnora，clingingtoherwonderingly。
\"Youareperfectlybeautiful，andthishouseisalittleparadise，buthowwillweeverpayforit?Wecan\'taffordit!\"
\"Humph!HaveyouforgottenItelegraphedyouI\'dfoundsomemoneyIdidn\'tknowabout?AllI\'vedoneispaidfor，andplentymoretosettleforallI
proposetodo。\"
Mrs。Comstockglancedaroundwithsatisfaction。
\"Imaygethomesickasapupbeforespring，\"shesaid，\"butifIdoIcangoback。IfIdon\'t，I\'llsellsometimberandputafewoilwellswheretheydon\'tshowmuch。
Icanhavelandenoughclearedforafewfieldsandputatenantonourfarm，andwewillbuythisandsettlehere。
It\'sforsale。\"
\"Youdon\'tlookit，butyou\'vesurelygonemad!\"
\"Justthereverse，mygirl，\"saidMrs。Comstock，\"I\'vegonesane。Ifyouaregoingtoundertakethiswork，youmustbeconvenienttoit。Andyourmothershouldbewhereshecanseethatyouareproperlydressed，fed，andcaredfor。Thisisour——letmethink——reception-room。
Howdoyoulikeit?Thisdoorleadstoyourworkroomandstudy。
Ididn\'tdomuchtherebecauseIwasn\'tsureofmyway。
ButIknewyouwouldwantarug，curtains，table，shelvesforbooks，andacaseforyourspecimens，soIhadacarpentershelveandenclosethatendofit。Looksprettyneattome。Thedining-roomandkitchenareback，oneofthecowsinthebarn，andsomechickensinthecoop。
Iunderstandthatnoneoftheothergirls\'mothersmilkacow，soaneighbourboywilltendtooursforathirdofthemilk。Therearethreebedrooms，andabathupstairs。
Gotakeone，putonsomefreshclothes，andcometosupper。
Youcanfindyourroombecauseyourthingsareinit。\"
Elnorakissedhermotheroverandover，andhurriedupstairs。
Sheidentifiedherroombythedressing-case。Therewereaprettyrug，andcurtains，whiteironbed，plainandrockingchairstomatchhercase，ashirtwaistchest，andthebigclosetwasfilledwithheroldclothingandseveralnewdresses。Shefoundthebathroom，bathed，dressedinfreshlinenandwentdowntoasupperthatwasanevidenceofMrs。Comstock\'shighestartincooking。
Elnorawassohungrysheateherfirstrealmealintwoweeks。
Butthebiteswentdownslowlybecausesheforgotabouttheminwatchinghermother。
\"Howonearthdidyoudoit?\"sheaskedatlast。\"Ialwaysthoughtyouwerenaturallybrownasanut。\"
\"Oh，thatwastanandsunburn!\"explainedMrs。Comstock。
\"IalwaysknewIwaswhiteunderneathit。IhatedtoshademyfacebecauseIhadn\'tanythingbutasunbonnet，andIcouldn\'tstandforittotouchmyears，soIwentbareheadedandtookallthecolourIaccumulated。
ButwhenIbegantothinkofmovingyouintoyourwork，IsawImustputupanappearancethatwouldn\'tdisgraceyou，soIthoughtI\'dbestremovethecrust。Ittooksometime，andIhopeImaydiebeforeIeverendurethefeelandthesmellofthestuffIusedagain，butitskinnedmenicely。Whatyounowseeismyownwithalittledustofricepowder，forprotection。I\'msortoftenderyet。\"
\"Andyourlovely，lovelyhair?\"breathedElnora。
\"Hairdresserdidthat!\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"Itcostlikesmoke。ButIwatchedher，andwithalittlehelpfromyouIcanwashitalonenexttime，thoughitwillbehardwork。Ilethermonkeywithituntilshesaidshehadfound`mystyle。\'ThenItoreitdownandhadhershowmehowtobuilditupagainthreetimes。
Ithoughtmyarmswoulddrop。WhenIpaidthebillforherwork，thetimeI\'dtaken，thepins，andcombsshe\'dused，Inearlyhadheartfailure，butIdidn\'tturnahairbeforeher。Ijustsmiledathersweetlyandsaid，`Howreasonableyouare!\'Cometothinkofit，shewas!Shemighthavechargedmetendollarsforwhatshedidquiteaswellasnineseventy-five。Icouldn\'thavehelpedmyself。
Ihadmadenobargaintobeginon。\"
ThenElnoraleanedbackinherchairandshouted，inagustofheartylaughter，soalittleoftheacheceasedinherbreast。Therewasnotimetothink，theremainderofthatevening，shewassotiredshehadtosleep，whilehermotherdidnotawakenheruntilshebarelyhadtimetodress，breakfastandreachschool。Therewasnothinginthenewlifetoremindheroftheold。Itseemedasiftherenevercameaminuteforretrospection，buthermotherappearedonthescenewithmorework，orsomeentertainingthingtodo。
Mrs。ComstockinvitedElnora\'sfriendstovisither，andprovedherselfabrightandinterestinghostess。
Shedigestedasubjectbeforeshespoke；andwhensheadvancedaview，herpointwassuretobeoriginalandterselyexpressed。Beforethreemonthspeoplewaitedtohearwhatshehadtosay。Shekeptherappearancesoinmindthatshemadeahandsomeandadistinguishedfigure。
ElnoranevermentionedPhilipAmmon，neitherdidMrs。Comstock。EarlyinDecembercameanoteandabigboxfromhim。Itcontainedseveralbooksonnaturesubjectswhichwouldbeofmuchhelpinschoolwork，anumberofconveniencesElnoracouldnotafford，andapairofglass-coveredplastercasts，foreachlargemothshehad。Inthesetheupperandunderwingsofmaleandfemaleshowed。Heexplainedthatshewouldbreakherspecimenseasily，carryingthemaroundinboxes。Hehadseentheseandthoughttheywouldbeofuse。Elnorawasdelightedwiththem，andatoncebeganthetediousprocessofsofteningthemountedmothsandfittingthemtothecastsmouldedtoreceivethem。Hertimewassotakeninschool，sheprogressedslowly，sohermotherundertookthiswork。Aftertryingoneortwoverycommononesshelearnedtohandlethemostdelicatewithease。Shetookkeenprideinrelaxingthetensemoths，fittingthemtothecases，polishingtheglasscoverstothelastdegreeandsealingthem。Theresultswerebeautifultobehold。
SoonafterElnorawrotetoPhilip:
DEARFRIEND:
Iamwritingtothankyouforthebooks，andtheboxofconveniencessentmeformywork。Icanuseeverythingwithfineresults。
HopeIamgivinggoodsatisfactioninmyposition。Youwillbeinterestedtolearnthatwhenthesummer\'sworkwasclassifiedandpinned，IagainhadmycompletecollectionforthemanofIndia，saveaYellowEmperor。IhavetriedeverywhereIknow，sohastheBirdWoman。Wecannotfindapairforsale。Fateisagainstme，atleastthisseason。Ishallhavetowaituntilnextyearandtryagain。
Thankyouverymuchforhelpingmewithmycollectionandforthebooksandcases。
Sincerelyyours，ELNORACOMSTOCK。
Philipwasdisappointedoverthatnoteandinsteadofkeepingithetoreitintobitsanddroppedthemintothewastebasket。
ThatwaspreciselywhatElnorahadintendedheshoulddo。
ChristmasbroughtbeautifulcardsofgreetingtoMrs。ComstockandElnora，Easterothers，andtheyearranrapidlytowardspring。Elnora\'spositionhadbeenintenselyabsorbing，whileshehadworkedwithallherpower。
Shehadmadeawonderfulsuccessandwonnewfriends。
Mrs。Comstockhadhelpedineverywayshecould，soshewasverypopularalso。
Throughoutthewintertheyhadenjoyedthecitythoroughly，andthechangeoflifeitafforded，butsignsofspringdidwonderfulthingstotheheartsofthecountry-bredwomen。
ArestlessnessbeganonbrightFebruarydays，calmedduringMarchstormsandattackedfullforceinApril。Whenneithercouldbearitanylongertheywereforcedtodiscussthematterandadmittheyweregrowingillwithpurehomesickness。
Theydecidedtokeepthecityhouseduringthesummer，buttoreturntothefarmtoliveassoonasschoolclosed。
SoMrs。Comstockwouldpreparebreakfastandlunchandthenslipawaytothefarmtomakeupbedsinherploughedgarden，plantseeds，trimandtendherflowers，andpreparethecabinforoccupancy。ThenshewouldgohomeandmaketheeveningascheerfulaspossibleforElnora；inthesedaysshelivedonlyforthegirl。
BothofthemweregladwhenthelastofMaycameandtheschoolsclosed。Theypackedthebooksandclothingtheywishedtotakeintoawagonandwalkedacrossthefieldstotheoldcabin。Astheyapproachedit，Mrs。ComstocksaidtoElnora:\"Youaresureyouwon\'tbelonelyhere?\"
Elnoraknewwhatshereallymeant。
\"Quitesure，\"shesaid。\"ForatimelastfallIwasgladtobeaway，butthatallworeoutwiththewinter。
SpringmademehomesickasIcouldbe。Icanscarcelywaituntilwegetbackagain。\"
Sotheybeganthatsummerastheyhadbegunallothers——withwork。Butbothofthemtookanewjoyineverything，andtheviolinsangbythehourinthetwilight。
CHAPTERXIX
WHEREINPHILIPAMMONGIVESABALLINHONOUROFEDITHCARR，ANDHARTHENDERSONAPPEARSONTHESCENE
EdithCarrstoodinavine-enclosedsideverandaoftheLakeShoreClubHousewaitingwhilePhilipAmmongavesomeimportantorders。InafewdaysshewouldsailforParistoselectawonderfultrousseaushehadplannedforhermarriageinOctober。To-nightPhilipwasgivingaclubdanceinherhonour。Hehadspentdaysindevisingnewandexquisiteeffectsindecorations，entertainment，andsupper。Weeksbeforethefavouredguestshadbeennotified。DaysbeforetheyhadreceivedtheinvitationsaskingthemtoparticipateinthisentertainmentbyPhilipAmmoninhonourofMissCarr。
Theyspokeofitas\"Phil\'sdanceforEdith!\"
Shecouldheartherumbleofcarriagesandthepantingofautomobilesasinasteadystreamtheyrolledtothefrontentrance。Shecouldcatchglimpsesoffloatingdraperiesofgauzeandlace，theflashofjewels，andthepassingofexquisitecolour。Everyonewasnewlyarrayedinherhonourintheloveliestclothing，andthemostexpensivejewelstheycouldcommand。Asshethoughtofitsheliftedherheadatriflehigherandhereyesflashedproudly。
ShewasrobedinaFrenchcreationsuggestedanddesignedbyPhilip。Hehadsaidtoher:\"IknowacompetentjudgewhosaysthedistinctivefeatureofJuneisherexquisitebignightmoths。IwantyoutobetheveryessenceofJunethatnight，asyouwillbetheembodimentoflove。Beamoth。Themostbeautifulofthemiseitherthepale-greenLunaortheYellowImperialis。Bemymoonlady，ormygoldEmpress。\"
Hetookhertothemuseumandshowedherthemoths。
Sheinstantlydecidedontheyellow。Becausesheknewtheshadeswouldmakehermorestartlinglybeautifulthananyothercolour。Tohimshesaid:\"Amoonladyseemssofarawayandcold。Iwouldbeofearthandverynearonthatnight。IchoosetheEmpress。\"
Soshematchedthecoloursexactly，wroteouttheideaandforwardedtheordertoPaquin。To-nightwhenPhilipAmmoncameforher，hestoodspeechlessaminuteandthensilentlykissedherhands。
Forshestoodtall，lithe，ofgraceinborn，herdarkwavinghairhighpiledandcrossedbygoldbandsstuddedwithamethystandatonesideanenamelledlavenderorchidrimmedwithdiamonds，whichflashedandsparkled。Thesoftyellowrobeoflightestweightvelvetfittedherformperfectly，whilefromeachshoulderfellagreatvelvetwinglinedwithlavender，andfleckedwithembroideryofthatcolourinimitationofthemoth。Aroundherthroatwasawonderfulnecklaceandonherarmswerebraceletsofgoldsetwithamethystandrimmedwithdiamonds。Philiphadsaidthathergloves，fan，andslippersmustbelavender，becausethefeetofthemothwerethatcolour。Theseaccessorieshadbeenmadetoorderandembroideredwithgold。Ithadbeenarrangedthathermother，Philip\'s，andafewbestfriendsshouldreceivehisguests。ShewastoappearwhensheledthegrandmarchwithPhilipAmmon。MissCarrwaspositivethatshewouldbethemostbeautiful，andmostexquisitelygownedwomanpresent。Inherheartshethoughtofherselfas\"ImperialisRegalis，\"astheYellowEmpress。
InafewmomentsshewouldstunherworldintofeelingitasPhilipAmmonhaddone，forshehadtakenpainsthatthehistoryofhercostumeshouldbewhisperedtoafewwhowouldgiveitcirculation。Sheliftedherheadproudlyandwaited，forwasnotPhilipplanningsomethingunusualandunsurpassedinherhonour?Thenshesmiled。
ButofallthefragmentarythoughtscrossingherbraintheonethatnevercamewasthatofPhilipAmmonastheEmperor。
Philipthekingofherheart；atleastherequalinallthings。
ShewastheEmpress——yes，Philipwasbutamereman，todeviseentertainments，toprovideluxuries，tohumourwhims，tokisshands!
\"Ah，myluck!\"criedavoicebehindher。
EdithCarrturnedandsmiled。
\"Ithoughtyouwereontheocean，\"shesaid。
\"Ionlyreachedthedock，\"repliedtheman，\"whenIhadaletterthatrecalledmebythefirstlimited。\"
\"Oh!Importantbusiness?\"
\"Theonlybusinessofanyimportanceinalltheworldtome。I\'mtriumphantthatIcame。Edith，youarethemostsuperbwomanineveryrespectthatIhaveeverseen。
Oneglimpseisworththewholejourney。\"
\"Youlikemydress?\"Shemovedtowardhimandturned，liftingherarms。\"Doyouknowwhatitisintendedtorepresent?\"
\"Yes，PollyAmmontoldme。IknewwhenIheardaboutithowyouwouldlook，soIstartedasleuthhunt，togetthefirstpeep。Edith，Icanbecomeintoxicatedmerelywithlookingatyouto-night。\"
Hehalf-closedhiseyesandsmilinglystaredstraightather。
Hewastallerthanshe，aleanman，withclose-croppedlighthair，steel-grayeyes，asquarechinand\"manoftheworld\"
writtenalloverhim。
EdithCarrflushed。\"Ithoughtyourealizedwhenyouwentawaythatyouweretostopthat，HartHenderson，\"
shecried。
\"Idid，butthisletterofwhichItellyoucalledmebacktostartitalloveragain。\"
Shecameastepcloser。\"Whowrotethatletter，andwhatdiditcontainconcerningme?\"shedemanded。
\"Oneofyourmostintimatechumswroteit。ItcontainedthehazardthatpossiblyIhadgivenuptoosoon。ItsaidthatinafitofpetulanceyouhadbrokenyourengagementwithAmmontwicethiswinter，andhehadcomebackbecauseheknewyoudidnotreallymeanit。IthoughtdeeplythereonthedockwhenIreadthat，andmyboatsailedwithoutme。
Iarguedthatanythingsoweakasanengagementtwicebrokenandpatchedupagainwasamightyfrailaffairindeed，andlikelytosmashcompletelyatanytime，soIcameontherun。
IsaidonceIwouldnotseeyoumarryanyotherman。
BecauseIcouldnotbearit，Iplannedtogointoexileofanysorttoescapethat。Ihavechangedmymind。Ihavecomebacktohauntyouuntiltheceremonyisover。ThenIgo，notbefore。Iwasinsane!\"
Thegirllaughedmerrily。\"Nothalfsoinsaneasyouarenow，Hart!\"shecriedgaily。\"YouknowthatPhilipAmmonhasbeendevotedtomeallmylife。NowI\'lltellyousomethingelse，becausethislooksseriousforyou。
Ilovehimwithallmyheart。Notwhilehelivesshallheknowit，andIwilllaughathimifyoutellhim，butthefactremains:Iintendtomarryhim，butnodoubtIshallteasehimconstantly。It\'sgoodforamantobeuncertain。
IfyoucouldseePhilip\'sfaceatthequarterlyreturnofhisring，youwouldunderstandthefunofit。Youhadbetterhavetakenyourboat。\"
\"Possibly，\"saidHendersoncalmly。\"Butyouaretheonlywomanintheworldforme，andwhileyouarefree，asInowseemylight，Iremainnearyou。Youknowtheoldadage。\"
\"ButI\'mnot`free!\'\"criedEdithCarr。\"I\'mtellingyouIamnot。ThisnightismypublicacknowledgmentthatPhilandIarepromised，asourworldhassurmisedsincewewerechildren。Thatpromiseisanactualfact，becauseofwhatIjusthavetoldyou。Mylittlefitsoftemperdon\'tcountwithPhil。He\'sbeenrearedonthem。
Infact，Iofteninventoneinaperfectcalmtoseehimperform。Heisthemostamusingspectacle。But，please，please，dounderstandthatIlovehim，andalwaysshall，andthatweshallbemarried。\"
\"Justthesame，I\'llwaitandseeitanaccomplishedfact，\"saidHenderson。\"AndEdith，becauseIloveyou，withthesortofloveitisworthawoman\'swhiletoinspire，Iwantyourhappinessbeforemyown。SoI
amgoingtosaythistoyou，forIneverdreamedyouwerecapableofthefeelingyouhavedisplayedforPhil。
Ifyoudolovehim，andhavelovedhimalways，adisappointmentwouldcutyoudeeperthanyouknow。
Gocarefulfromnowon!Don\'tstrainthatpatchedengagementofyoursanyfurther。I\'veknownPhilipallmylife。I\'veknownhimthroughboyhood，incollege，andsince。Allmenrespecthim。Wheretherestofusconfessoursins，hestandsclean。Youcangotohisarmswithnothingtoforgive。Markthisthing!Ihaveheardhimsay，`Edithismyslogan，\'andIhaveseenhimmarchhomestronginthestrengthofhisloveforyou，inthefaceoftemptationsbeforewhicheveryothermanofusfell。
Beforethegods!thatoughttobeworthsomethingtoagirl，ifshereallyisthedelicate，sensitive，refinedthingshewouldhavemanbelieve。Itwouldtakeawomanwiththeorganismofanostrichtoenduresomeofthemenhereto-night，ifsheknewthemasIdo；butPhilissoundtothecore。SothisiswhatIwouldsaytoyou:first，yourinstinctsarerightinlovinghim，whynotlethimfeelitinthewaysawomanknows?
Second，don\'tbreakyourengagementagain。Asmenknowtheman，anyofuswouldbeafraidtothesoul。
Helovesyou，yes!Heislong-sufferingforyou，yes!
Butmenknowhehasalimit。Whenthelimitisreached，hewillstandfast，andallthepowerscan\'tmovehim。Youdon\'tseemtothinkit，butyoucangotoofar!\"
\"Isthatall?\"laughedEdithCarrsarcastically。
\"No，thereisonethingmore，\"saidHenderson。\"Hereorhere-after，nowandsolongasIbreathe，Iamyourslave。
YoucandoanythingyouchooseandknowthatIwillkneelbeforeyouagain。Socarrythisinthedepthsofyourheart；noworatanytime，inanyplaceorcondition，merelyliftyourhand，andIwillcome。Anythingyouwantofme，thatthingwillIdo。Iamgoingtowait；ifyouneedme，itisnotnecessarytospeak；onlygivemethefaintestsign。AllyourlifeIwillbesomewherenearyouwaitingforit。\"
\"Idjit!Yourave!\"laughedEdithCarr。\"Howyouwouldfrightenme!Whatabugbearyouwouldraise!
BesensibleandgofindwhatkeepsPhil。Iwaswaitingpatiently，butmypatienceisgoing。Iwon\'tlooknearlysowellasIdonowwhenitisgone。\"
AtthatinstantPhilipAmmonentered。Hewasinfulleveningdressandexceptionallyhandsome。
\"Everythingisready，\"hesaid；\"theyarewaitingforustoleadthemarch。Itisformed。\"
EdithCarrsmiledentrancingly。\"DoyouthinkIamready?\"
Philiplookedwhathethought，andofferedhisarm。
EdithCarrnoddedcarelesslytoHartHenderson，andmovedaway。AttendantspartedthecurtainsandtheYellowEmpressbowingrightandleft，sweptthelengthoftheballroomandtookherplaceattheheadoftheformedprocession。Thelargeopendancingpavilionwasdrapedwithyellowsilkcaughtupwithlilacflowers。
Everycornerwasfilledwithbloomofthosecolours。
Themusicwasplayedbyharpersdressedinyellowandviolet，sotheballopened。
Themidnightsupperwasservedwiththesamecoloursandthelasthalfoftheprogrammewasbeingdanced。
NeverhadgirlbeenmorecomplimentedandpettedinthesamelengthoftimethanEdithCarr。Everyminutesheseemedtogrowmoreworthyofpraise。Apartners\'
dancewascalledandthefloorwasfilledwithcoupleswaitingforthemusic。PhilipstoodwhisperingdelightfulthingstoEdithfacinghim。Fromoutofthenight，inatthewidefrontentrancetothepavilion，theresweptinslowwaveringflightalargeyellowmothandflutteredtowardthecentreclusterofglaringelectriclights。
PhilipAmmonandEdithCarrsawitatthesameinstant。
\"Why，isn\'tthat——?\"shebeganexcitedly。
\"It\'saYellowEmperor!Thisisfate!\"criedPhilip。
\"ThelastoneElnoraneedsforhercollection。Imusthaveit!Excuseme!\"
Herantowardthelight。\"Hats!Handkerchiefs!Fans!
Anything!\"hepanted。\"Everyoneholdupsomethingandstopthat!It\'samoth；I\'vegottocatchit!\"
\"It\'syellow!HewantsitforEdith!\"raninamurmuraroundthehall。Thegirl\'sfaceflushed，whileshebitherlipsinvexation。
Instantlyeveryonebeganholdingupsomethingtokeepthemothfromflyingbackintothenight。Onefanheldstraightbeforeitserved，andthemothgentlysettledonit。
\"Holdsteady!\"criedPhilip。\"Don\'tmoveforyourlife!\"
Herushedtowardthemoth，madeaquicksweepandhelditupbetweenhisfingers。\"Allright!\"hecalled。\"Thanks，everyone!Excusemeaminute。\"
Herantotheoffice。