\"IthinkConradhadnobusinessthere，oryou，either，Basil，\"saidhiswife。
\"Oh，Idon\'tdefendmyself，\"saidMarch。\"Iwasthereinthecauseofliterarycuriosityandofconjugaldisobedience。ButConrad——yes，hehadsomebusinessthere:itwashisbusinesstosufferthereforthesinsofothers。Isabel，wecan\'tthrowasidethatolddoctrineoftheAtonementyet。ThelifeofChrist，itwasn\'tonlyinhealingthesickandgoingabouttodogood；itwassufferingforthesinsofothers。That\'sasgreatamysteryasthemysteryofdeath。Whyshouldtherebesuchaprincipleintheworld?Butit\'sbeenfelt，andmoreorlessdumbly，blindlyrecognizedeversinceCalvary。Ifwelovemankind，pitythem，weevenwishtosufferforthem。That\'swhathascreatedthereligiousordersinalltimes——thebrotherhoodsandsisterhoodsthatbelongtoourdayasmuchastothemediaevalpast。That\'swhatisdrivingagirllikeMargaretVance，whohaseverythingthattheworldcanofferheryoungbeauty，ontotheworkofaSisterofCharityamongthepoorandthedying。\"
\"Yes，yes!\"criedMrs。March。\"How——howdidshelookthere，Basil?\"Shehadherfemininemisgivings；shewasnotsurebutthegirlwassomethingofaposeuse，andenjoyedthepicturesqueness，aswellasthepain；andshewishedtobeconvincedthatitwasnotso。
\"Well，\"shesaid，whenMarchhadtoldagainthelittletherewastotell，\"IsupposeitmustbeagreattrialtoawomanlikeMrs。Horntohaveherniecegoingthatway。\"
\"ThewayofChrist?\"askedMarch，withasmile。
\"Oh，Christcameintotheworldtoteachushowtoliverightlyinit，too。Ifwewerealltospendourtimeinhospitals，itwouldberatherdismalforthehomes。Butperhapsyoudon\'tthinkthehomesareworthminding?\"shesuggested，withacertainnoteinhervoicethatheknew。
Hegotupandkissedher。\"Ithinkthegimcrackeriesare。\"Hetookthehathehadsetdownontheparlortableoncomingin，andstartedtoputitinthehall，andthatmadehernoticeit。
\"You\'vebeengettinganewhat!\"
\"Yes，\"hehesitated；\"theoldonehadgot——wasdecidedlyshabby。\"
\"Well，that\'sright。Idon\'tlikeyoutowearthemtoolong。Didyouleavetheoldonetobepressed?\"
\"Well，thehatterseemedtothinkitwashardlyworthpressing，\"saidMarch。Hedecidedthatforthepresenthiswife\'snerveshadquitealltheycouldbear。
XII。
Itwasinamannergrotesque，buttoMarchitwasallthemorenaturalforthatreason，thatDryfoosshouldhaveLindau\'sfuneralfromhishouse。Heknewtheoldmantobedarklygroping，throughthepaymentofthesevainhonorstothedead，forsomeatonementtohisson，andheimaginedhimfindinginthemsuchcomfortascomesfromdoingallonecan，evenwhenallisuseless。
NooneknewwhatLindau\'sreligionwas，andindefaulttheyhadhadtheAnglicanburialservicereadoverhim；itseemssooftentherefugeofthehomelessdead。Mrs。Dryfooscamedownfortheceremony。SheunderstoodthatitwasforCoonrod\'ssakethathisfatherwishedthefuneraltobethere；andsheconfidedtoMrs。MarchthatshebelievedCoonrodwouldhavebeenpleased。\"Coonrodwasamemberofthe\'PiscopalChurch；andfawther\'sdoin\'thewholethingforCoonrodasmuchasforanybody。HethoughttheworldofCoonrod，fawtherdid。Mela，shekindofthoughtitwouldlookqueertohavetwofuneralsfromthesamehouse，hand-runnin\'，asyoumightcallit，andoneof\'emnorelation，either；
butwhenshesawhowfawtherwasbentonit，shegivein。Seemsasifshewastryin\'tomakeuptofawtherforCoonrodasmuchasshecould。
Melaalwayswasagoodchild，butnobodycanevercomeuptoCoonrod。\"
Marchfeltallthegrotesqueness，thehopelessabsurdityofDryfoos\'sendeavoratatonementinthesevainobsequiestothemanforwhomhebelievedhissontohavedied；buttheefforthaditsmagnanimity，itspathos，andtherewasapoetrythatappealedtohiminthereconciliationthroughdeathofmen，ofideas，ofconditions，thatcouldonlyhavegonewarringoninlife。Hethought，asthepriestwentonwiththesolemnliturgy，howalltheworldmustcometogetherinthatpeacewhich，struggleandstriveaswemay，shallclaimusatlast。HelookedatDryfoos，andwonderedwhetherhewouldconsidertheseritesasufficienttribute，orwhethertherewasenoughinhimtomakehimrealizetheirfutility，exceptasameresignofhiswishtoretrievethepast。Hethoughthowwenevercanatoneforthewrongwedo；theheartwehavegrievedandwoundedcannotkindlewithpityforuswhenonceitisstilled；andyetwecanputourevilfromuswithpenitence，andsomehow，somewhere，theorderoflovingkindness，whichourpassionorourwilfulnesshasdisturbed，willberestored。
Dryfoos，throughFulkerson，hadaskedallthemoreintimatecontributorsof\'EveryOtherWeek\'tocome。Beatonwasabsent，butFulkersonhadbroughtMissWoodburn，withherfather，andMrs。LeightonandAlma，tofillup，ashesaid。Melawasmuchpresent，andwasofficialwiththearrangementoftheflowersandthewelcomeoftheguests。SheimpartedthisimpersonalitytoherreceptionofKendricks，whomFulkersonmetintheouterhallwithhisparty，andwhomhepresentedinwhispertothemall。Kendrickssmiledunderhisbreath，asitwere，andwasthenmutelyandseriouslypolitetotheLeightons。Almabroughtalittlebunchofflowers，whichwerelostinthosewhichDryfooshadorderedtobeunsparinglyprovided。
ItwasakindofsatisfactiontoMelatohaveMissVancecome，andreassuringastohowitwouldlooktohavethefuneralthere；MissVancewouldcertainlynothavecomeunlessithadbeenallright；shehadcome，andhadsentsomeEasterlilies。
\"Ain\'tChristinecomingdown?\"FulkersonaskedMela。
\"No，sheain\'tabitwell，andsheain\'tbeen，eversinceCoonroddied。
Idon\'tknow，what\'sgotoverher，\"saidMela。Sheadded，\"Well，I
should\'a\'thoughtMr。Beatonwould\'a\'madeoutto\'a\'come!\"
\"Beaton\'speculiar，\"saidFulkerson。\"Ifhethinksyouwanthimhetakesapleasureinnotlettingyouhavehim。\"
\"Well，goodnessknows，Idon\'twanthim，\"saidthegirl。
Christinekeptherroom，andforthemostpartkeptherbed；butthereseemednothingdefinitelythematterwithher，andshewouldnotletthemcalladoctor。Hermothersaidshereckonedshewasbeginningtofeelthespringweather，thatalwaysperfectlypulledabodydowninNewYork；
andMelasaidifbeingascrossastwostickswasanysignofspring-
fever，Christinehaditbad。Shewasfaithfullykindtoher，andsubmittedtoallherhumors，butsherecompensedherselfbythefreestcriticismofChristinewhennotinactualattendanceonher。ChristinewouldnotsufferMrs。Mandeltoapproachher，andshehadwithherfatherasullensubmissionwhichwasnotresignation。Forher，apparently，Conradhadnotdied，orhaddiedinvain。
\"Pshaw!\"saidMela，onemorningwhenshecametobreakfast，\"IreckonifwewastosendupanoldcardofMr。Beaton\'sshe\'drattledown-stairsfastenough。Ifshe\'ssick，she\'slove-sick。Itmakesmesicktoseeher。\"
MelawastalkingtoMrs。Mandel，butherfatherlookedupfromhisplateandlistened。Melawenton:\"Idon\'tknowwhat\'smadethefellowquitcomun\'。Buthewasanaggravatun\'thing，andnomoredependablethanwater。It\'sjustlikeAir。Fulkersonsaid，ifhethinksyouwanthimhe\'lltakeapleasureinnotlettun\'youhavehim。Ireckonthat\'swhat\'sthematterwithChristine。Ibelieveinmyheartthegirl\'lldieifshedon\'tgithim。\"
Melawentontoeatherbreakfastwithherowngoodappetite。Shenowalwayscamedowntokeepherfathercompany，asshesaid，andshedidherbesttocheerandcomforthim。Atleastshekeptthetalkgoing，andshehaditnearlyalltoherself，forMrs。Mandelwasnowmerelystayingonprovisionally，and，intheabsenceofanyregretsorexcusesfromChristine，waslookingruefullyforwardtothemomentwhenshemustleaveeventhisungentlehomeforthechancesoftheruderworldoutside。
Theoldmansaidnothingattable，but，whenMelawentuptoseeifshecoulddoanythingforChristine，heaskedMrs。MandelagainaboutallthefactsofherlastinterviewwithBeaton。
Shegavethemasfullyasshecouldrememberthem，andtheoldmanmadenocommentonthem。Buthewentoutdirectlyafter，andatthe\'EveryOtherWeek\'officeheclimbedthestairstoFulkerson\'sroomandaskedforBeaton\'saddress。NooneyethadtakenchargeofConrad\'swork，andFulkersonwasrunningthethinghimself，ashesaid，tillhecouldtalkwithDryfoosaboutit。Theoldmanwouldnotlookintotheemptyroomwherehehadlastseenhissonalive；heturnedhisfaceawayandhurriedbythedoor。
XIII。
ThecourseofpubliceventscarriedBeaton\'sprivateaffairsbeyondthereachofhissimplefirstintentiontorenouncehisconnectionwith\'EveryOtherWeek。\'Infact，thiswasnotperhapssosimpleasitseemed，andlongbeforeitcouldbeputineffectitappearedstillsimplertodonothingaboutthematter——toremainpassiveandleavetheinitiativetoDryfoos，tomaintainthedignityofunconsciousnessandletrecognitionofanychangeinthesituationcomefromthosewhohadcausedthechange。Afterall，itwasratherabsurdtoproposemakingapurelypersonalquestionthepivotonwhichhisrelationswith\'EveryOtherWeek\'turned。HetookahintfromMarch\'spositionanddecidedthathedidnotknowDryfoosintheserelations；heknewonlyFulkerson，whohadcertainlyhadnothingtodowithMrs。Mandel\'saskinghisintentions。
AshereflecteduponthishebecamelesseagertolookFulkersonupandmakethemagazineapartnerofhisownsufferings。ThiswasthesoberermoodtowhichBeatontrustedthatnightevenbeforeheslept，andheawokefullyconfirmedinit。Asheexaminedtheoffencedonehiminthecoldlightofday，heperceivedthatithadnotcomeeitherfromMrs。
Mandel，whowasvisiblythefalteringandunwillinginstrumentofit，orfromChristine，whowasaltogetherignorantofit，butfromDryfoos，whomhecouldnothurtbygivinguphisplace。HecouldonlypunishFulkersonbythat，andFulkersonwasinnocent。JusticeandinterestalikedictatedthepassivecoursetowhichBeatoninclined；andhereflectedthathemightsafelyleavethepunishmentofDryfoostoChristine，whowouldfindoutwhathadhappened，andwouldbeabletotakecareofherselfinanyencounteroftemperswithherfather。
Beatondidnotgototheofficeduringtheweekthatfolloweduponthisconclusion；buttheywereusedtheretothesesuddenabsencesofhis，and，ashisworkforthetimewasintrain，nothingwasmadeofhisstayingaway，exceptthesarcasticcommentwhichthethoughtofhimwasapttoexciteintheliterarydepartment。HenolongercamesomuchtotheLeightons，andFulkersonwasinnostateofmindtomissanyonethereexceptMissWoodburn，whomhenevermissed。Beatonwasleft，then，unmolestedlyawaitingthecourseofdestiny，whenhereadinthemorningpaper，overhiscoffeeatMaroni\'s，thedeeplyscare-headedstoryofConrad\'sdeathandtheclubbingofLindau。Heprobablycaredaslittleforeitherofthemasanymanthateversawthem；buthefeltashock，ifnotapang，atConrad\'sfate，sooutofkeepingwithhislifeandcharacter。Hedidnotknowwhattodo；andhedidnothing。Hewasnotaskedtothefuneral，buthehadnotexpectedthat，and，whenFulkersonbroughthimnoticethatLindauwasalsotobeburiedfromDryfoos\'shouse，itwaswithouthisusualsullenvindictivenessthathekeptaway。
Inhissort，andasmuchasamancouldwhowasnecessarilysomuchtakenupwithhimself，hewassorryforConrad\'sfather；Beatonhadapeculiartendernessforhisownfather，andheimaginedhowhisfatherwouldfeelifitwerehewhohadbeenkilledinConrad\'splace，asitmightverywellhavebeen；hesympathizedwithhimselfinviewofthepossibility；
andforoncetheyweremistakenwhothoughthimindifferentandmerelybrutalinhisfailuretoappearatLindau\'sobsequies。
Hewouldreallyhavegoneifhehadknownhowtoreconcilehispresenceinthathousewiththetermsofhiseffectivebanishmentfromit；andhewasratherforgivinglyfindinghimselfwrongedinthesituation，whenDryfoosknockedatthestudiodoorthemorningafterLindau\'sfuneral。
Beatonroaredout，\"Comein!\"ashealwaysdidtoaknockifhehadnotamodel；ifhehadamodelhesetthedoorslightlyajar，andwithhispaletteonhisthumbfrownedathisvisitorandtoldhimhecouldnotcomein。Dryfoosfumbledaboutfortheknobinthedimpassagewayoutside，andBeaton，whohadexperienceofpeople\'sdifficultieswithit，suddenlyjerkedthedooropen。Thetwomenstoodconfronted，andatfirstsightofeachothertheirquiescentdislikerevived。Eachwouldhavebeenwillingtoturnawayfromtheother，butthatwasnotpossible。
Beatonsnortedsomesortofinarticulatesalutation，whichDryfoosdidnottrytoreturn；heaskedifhecouldseehimaloneforaminuteortwo，andBeatonbadehimcomein，andsweptsomepaint-blotchedragsfromthechairwhichhetoldhimtotake。Henoticed，astheoldmansanktremulouslyintoit，thathismovementwaslikethatofhisownfather，andalsothathelookedverymuchlikeChristine。Dryfoosfoldedhishandstremulouslyonthetopofhishorn-handledstick，andhewasratherfinelyhaggard，withthedarkhollowsroundhisblackeyesandthefallofthemusclesoneithersideofhischin。Hehadforgottentotakehissoft，wide-brimmedhatoff；andBeatonfeltadesiretosketchhimjustashesat。
Dryfoossuddenlypulledhimselftogetherfromthedrearyabsenceintowhichhefellatfirst。\"Youngman，\"hebegan，\"maybeI\'vecomehereonafool\'serrand，\"andBeatonratherfanciedthatbeginning。
Butitembarrassedhimalittle，andhesaid，withashyglanceaside，\"I
don\'tknowwhatyoumean。\"
\"Ireckon，\"Dryfoosanswered，quietly，\"yougotyournotion，though。
Isetthatwomanontospeaktoyouthewayshedone。Butiftherewasanythingwronginthewayshespoke，orifyoudidn\'tfeellikeshehadanyrighttoquestionyouupasifwesuspectedyouofanythingmean，I
wantyoutosayso。\"
Beatonsaidnothing，andtheoldmanwenton。
\"Iain\'tverywellupinthewaysoftheworld，andIdon\'tpretendtobe。AllIwantistobefairandsquarewitheverybody。I\'vemademistakes，though，inmytime——\"Hestopped，andBeatonwasnotproofagainstthemiseryofhisface，whichwastwistedaswithsomestrongphysicalache。\"Idon\'tknowasIwanttomakeanymore，ifIcanhelpit。Idon\'tknowbutwhatyouhadarighttokeeponcomin\'，andifyouhadIwantyoutosayso。Don\'tyoubeafraidbutwhatI\'lltakeitintherightway。Idon\'twanttotakeadvantageofanybody，andIdon\'taskyoutosayanymorethanthat。\"
Beatondidnotfindthehumiliationofthemanwhohadhumiliatedhimsosweetashecouldhavefancieditmightbe。Heknewhowithadcomeabout，andthatitwasaneffectofloveforhischild；itdidnotmatterbywhatungraciousmeansshehadbroughthimtoknowthathelovedherbetterthanhisownwill，thathiswishforherhappinesswasstrongerthanhispride；itwasenoughthathewasnowsomehowbroughttogiveproofofit。BeatoncouldnotbeawareofallthatdarkcoilofcircumstancethroughwhichDryfoos\'spresentactionevolveditself；
theworstofthiswasburiedinthesecretoftheoldman\'sheart，awormofperpetualtorment。Whatwasapparenttoanotherwasthathewasbrokenbythesorrowthathadfallenuponhim，anditwasthisthatBeatonrespectedandpitiedinhisimpulsetobefrankandkindinhisanswer。
\"No，IhadnorighttokeepcomingtoyourhouseinthewayIdid，unless——unlessImeantmorethanIeversaid。\"Beatonadded:\"Idon\'tsaythatwhatyoudidwasusual——inthiscountry，atanyrate；butI
can\'tsayyouwerewrong。Sinceyouspeaktomeaboutthematter，it\'sonlyfairtomyselftosaythatagooddealgoesoninlifewithoutmuchthinkingofconsequences。That\'sthewayIexcusemyself。\"
\"AndyousayMrs。Mandeldoneright?\"askedDryfoos，asifhewishedsimplytobeassuredofapointofetiquette。
\"Yes，shedidright。I\'venothingtocomplainof。\"
\"That\'sallIwantedtoknow，\"saidDryfoos；butapparentlyhehadnotfinished，andhedidnotgo，thoughthesilencethatBeatonnowkeptgavehimachancetodoso。Hebeganaseriesofquestionswhichhadnorelationtothematterinhand，thoughtheywerestrictlypersonaltoBeaton。\"Whatcountrymanareyou?\"heasked，afteramoment。
\"Whatcountryman?\"Beatonfrownedbackathim。
\"Yes，areyouanAmericanbybirth?\"
\"Yes；IwasborninSyracuse。\"
\"Protestant?\"
\"MyfatherisaScotchSeceder。\"
\"Whatbusinessisyourfatherin?\"
Beatonfalteredandblushed；thenheanswered:
\"He\'sinthemonumentbusiness，ashecallsit。He\'satombstonecutter。\"Nowthathewaslaunched，Beatonsawnoreasonfornotdeclaring，\"Myfather\'salwaysbeenapoorman，andworkedwithhisownhandsforhisliving。\"HehadtooslightesteemsociallyforDryfoostoconcealafactfromhimthathemighthavewishedtoblinkwithothers。
\"Well，that\'sright，\"saidDryfoos。\"Iusedtofarmitmyself。I\'vegotagoodpileofmoneytogether，now。Atfirstitdidn\'tcomeeasy；butnowit\'sgotstarteditpoursinandpoursin；itseemsliketherewasnoendtoit。I\'vegotwellontothreemillion；butitcouldn\'tkeepmefromlosin\'myson。Itcan\'tbuymebackaminuteofhislife；notallthemoneyintheworldcandoit!\"
HegrievedthisoutasiftohimselfratherthantoBeaton，who，scarcelyventuredtosay，\"Iknow——Iamverysorry——\"
\"Howdidyoucome，\"Dryfoosinterrupted，\"totakeuppaintin\'?\"
\"Well，Idon\'tknow，\"saidBeaton，alittlescornfully。\"Youdon\'t。
takeathingofthatkindup，Ifancy。Ialwayswantedtopaint。\"
\"Fathertrytostopyou?\"
\"No。Itwouldn\'thavebeenofanyuse。Why——\"
\"Myson，hewantedtobeapreacher，andIdidstophimorIthoughtI
did。ButIreckonhewasapreacher，allthesame，everyminuteofhislife。Asyousay，itain\'tanyusetotrytostopathinglikethat。
Ireckonifachildhasgotanyparticularbent，itwasgiventoit；
andit\'sgoin\'againstthegrain，it\'sgoin\'againstthelaw，totrytobenditsomeotherway。There\'slotsofgoodbusinessmen，Mr。Beaton，twentyof\'emtoeverygoodpreacher?\"
\"Iimaginemorethantwenty，\"saidBeaton，amusedandtouchedthroughhiscuriosityastowhattheoldmanwasdrivingatbythequaintsimplicityofhisspeculations。
\"Fatherevercometothecity?\"
\"No；heneverhasthetime；andmymother\'saninvalid。\"
\"Oh!Brothersandsisters?\"
\"Yes；we\'realargefamily。\"
\"Ilosttwolittlefellers——twins，\"saidDryfoos，sadly。\"Butwehain\'teverhadbutjustthefive。Evertakeportraits?\"
\"Yes，\"saidBeaton，meetingthiszigzaginthequeriesasseriouslyastherest。\"Idon\'tthinkIamgoodatit。\"
Dryfoosgottohisfeet。\"Iwishyou\'dpaintalikenessofmyson。
You\'veseenhimplentyoftimes。Wewon\'tfightabouttheprice，don\'tyoubeafraidofthat。\"
Beatonwasastonished，andinamistakenwayhewasdisgusted。HesawthatDryfooswastryingtoundoMrs。Mandel\'sworkpractically，andgethimtocomeagaintohishouse；thathenowconceivedoftheoffencegivenhimascondoned，andwishedtorestoretheformersituation。HeknewthathewasattemptingthisforChristine\'ssake，buthewasnotthemantoimaginethatDryfooswastryingnotonlytotoleratehim，buttolikehim；and，infact，Dryfooswasnotwhollyconscioushimselfofthisend。WhattheybothunderstoodwasthatDryfooswasendeavoringtogetatBeatonthroughConrad\'smemory；butwithonethiswasitsdedicationtoapurposeofselfsacrifice，andwiththeotheravulgarandshamelessuseofit。
\"Icouldn\'tdoit，\"saidBeaton。\"Icouldn\'tthinkofattemptingit。\"
\"Whynot?\"Dryfoospersisted。\"Wegotsomephotographsofhim；hedidn\'tliketositverywell；buthismothergothimto；andyouknowhowhelooked。\"
\"Icouldn\'tdoit——Icouldn\'t。Ican\'tevenconsiderit。I\'mverysorry。Iwould，ifitwerepossible。Butitisn\'tpossible。\"
\"Ireckonifyouseethephotographsonce\"
\"Itisn\'tthat，Mr。Dryfoos。ButI\'mnotinthewayofthatkindofthinganymore。\"
\"I\'dgiveanypriceyou\'veamindtoname——\"
\"Oh，itisn\'tthemoney!\"criedBeaton，beginningtolosecontrolofhimself。
Theoldmandidnotnoticehim。Hesatwithhisheadfallenforward，andhischinrestingonhisfoldedhands。Thinkingoftheportrait，hesawConrad\'sfacebeforehim，reproachful，astonished，butallgentleasitlookedwhenConradcaughthishandthatdayafterhestruckhim；heheardhimsay，\"Father!\"andthesweatgatheredonhisforehead。\"Oh，myGod!\"
hegroaned。\"No；thereain\'tanythingIcandonow。\"
BeatondidnotknowwhetherDryfooswasspeakingtohimornot。Hestartedtowardhim。\"Areyouill?\"
\"No，thereain\'tanythingthematter，\"saidtheoldman。\"ButIguessI\'lllaydownonyoursetteeaminute。\"HetotteredwithBeaton\'shelptotheaestheticcouchcoveredwithatiger-skin，onwhichBeatonhadoncethoughtofpaintingaCleopatra；buthecouldnevergettherightmodel。Astheoldmanstretchedhimselfoutonit，paleandsuffering，hedidnotlookmuchlikeaCleopatra，butBeatonwasstruckwithhiseffectiveness，andthelikenessbetweenhimandhisdaughter；shewouldmakeaverygoodCleopatrainsomeways。Allthetime，whilethesethoughtspassedthroughhismind，hewasafraidDryfooswoulddie。
Theoldmanfetchedhisbreathingasps，whichpresentlysmoothedandlengthenedintohisnormalbreathing。Beatongothimaglassofwine，andaftertastingithesatup。
\"You\'vegottoexcuseme，\"hesaid，gettingbacktohischaracteristicgrimnesswithsurprisingsuddenness，whenoncehebegantorecoverhimself。\"I\'vebeenthroughagooddeallately；andsometimesitketchesmeroundtheheartlikeapain。\"
Inhislifeofselfishimmunityfromgrief，Beatoncouldnotunderstandthisexperiencethatpoignantsorrowbrings；hesaidtohimselfthatDryfooswasgoingthewayofanginapectoris；ashebeganshufflingoffthetiger-skinhesaid:\"Hadyoubettergetup?Wouldn\'tyoulikemetocalladoctor?\"
\"I\'mallright，youngman。\"Dryfoostookhishatandstickfromhim，buthemadeforthedoorsouncertainlythatBeatonputhishandunderhiselbowandhelpedhimout，anddownthestairs，tohiscoupe。
\"Hadn\'tyoubetterletmedrivehomewithyou?\"heasked。
\"What?\"saidDryfoos，suspiciously。
Beatonrepeatedhisquestion。
\"IguessI\'mabletogohomealone，\"saidDryfoos，inasurlytone，andheputhisheadoutofthewindowandcalledup\"Home!\"tothedriver，whoimmediatelystartedoffandleftBeatonstandingbesidethecurbstone。
XIV。
BeatonwastedtherestofthedayintheemotionsandspeculationswhichDryfoos\'scallinspired。Itwasnotthattheycontinuouslyoccupiedhim，buttheybrokeupthetrainofotherthoughts，andspoiledhimforwork；
averylittlespoiledBeatonforwork；herequiredjusttherightmoodforwork。HecomprehendedperfectlywellthatDryfooshadmadehimthatextraordinaryembassybecausehewishedhimtorenewhisvisits，andheeasilyimaginedthemeansthathadbroughthimtothispass。Fromwhatheknewofthatgirlhedidnotenvyherfatherhismeetingwithherwhenhemusttellherhismissionhadfailed。Buthaditfailed?WhenBeatoncametoaskhimselfthisquestion，hecouldonlyperceivethatheandDryfooshadfailedtofindanygroundofsympathy，andhadpartedinthesamedislikewithwhichtheyhadmet。Butastoanyotherfailure，itwascertainlytacit，anditstillrestedwithhimtogiveiteffect。
HecouldgobacktoDryfoos\'shouse，asfreelyasbefore，anditwasclearthathewasverymuchdesiredtocomeback。Butifhewentbackitwasalsoclearthathemustgobackwithintentionsmoreexplicitthanbefore，andnowhehadtoaskhimselfjusthowmuchorhowlittlehehadmeantbygoingthere。HislikingforChristinehadcertainlynotincreased，butthecharm，ontheotherhand，ofholdingaleopardessinleashhadnotyetpalleduponhim。Inhislifeofinconstancies，itwasapleasuretorestuponsomethingfixed，andthemanwhohadnocontroloverhimselflikedlogicallyenoughtofeelhiscontrolofsomeoneelse。
Thefactcannototherwisebeputinterms，andtheattractionwhichChristineDryfooshadforhim，apartfromthis，escapesfromallterms，asanythingpurelyandmerelypassionalmust。Hehadseenfromthefirstthatshewasacat，andsofarasyouthforecastssuchthings，hefeltthatshewouldbeashrew。Buthehadaperversesenseofherbeauty，andheknewasortoflifeinwhichherpowertomolesthimwithhertempercouldbereducedtothesmallestproportions，andevenbrokentopieces。Thentheconsciousnessofhermoneyentered。Itwasevidentthattheoldmanhadmentionedhismillionsinthewayofahinttohimofwhathemightreasonablyexpectifhewouldturnandbehisson-in-
law。Beatondidnotputittohimselfinthosewords；andinfacthiscogitationswerenotinwordsatall。Itwastheplayofcognitions，ofsensations，formlesslytendingtotheeffectwhichcanonlybeveryclumsilyinterpretedinlanguage。Butwhenhegottothispointinthem，BeatonrosetomagnanimityandinaflashofdramaticreveriedisposedofapartofDryfoos\'srichesinplacinghisfatherandmother，andhisbrothersandsisters，beyondallpecuniaryanxietyforever。Hehadnoshame，noscrupleinthis，forhehadbeenapensioneruponotherseversinceaSyracusanamateuroftheartshaddetectedhistalentandgivenhimthemoneytogoandstudyabroad。Beatonhadalwaysconsideredthemoneyaloan，toberepaidoutofhisfuturesuccess；buthenowneverdreamtofrepayingit；asthemanwasrich，hehadevenacontemptforthenotionofrepayinghim；butthisdidnotpreventhimfromfeelingverykeenlythehardshipsheputhisfathertoinborrowingmoneyfromhim，thoughheneverrepaidhisfather，either。InthisreveriehesawhimselfsacrificedinmarriagewithChristineDryfoos，inakindofadmiringself-pity，andhewasmeltedbythespectacleofthedignitywithwhichhesufferedallthelifelongtrialsensuingfromhisunselfishness。ThefancythatAlmaLeightoncamebitterlytoregrethim，contributedtosootheandflatterhim，andhewasnotsurethatMargaret。
Vancedidnotsufferalikelossinhim。
Therehadbeentimeswhen，ashebelieved，thatbeautifulgirl\'shighthoughtshadtendedtowardhim；therehadbeenlooks，gestures，evenwords，thathadthiseffecttohim，orthatseemedtohavehadit；andBeatonsawthathemighteasilyconstrueMrs。Horn\'sconfidentialappealtohimtogetMargaretinterestedinartagainassomethingbynomeansnecessarilyoffensive，eventhoughithadbeenmadetohimastoamasterofillusion。IfMrs。Hornhadtochoosebetweenhimandthelifeofgoodworkstowhichherniecewasvisiblyabandoningherself，Beatoncouldnotdoubtwhichshewouldchoose；theonlyquestionwashowrealthedangerofalifeofgoodworkswas。
Ashethoughtofthesetwogirls，onesocharmingandtheothersodivine，itbecameindefinitelydifficulttorenouncethemforChristineDryfoos，withhersultrytemperandherearthboundideals。LifehadbeensoflatteringtoBeatonhithertothathecouldnotbelievethembothfinallyindifferent；andiftheywerenotindifferent，perhapshedidnotwisheitherofthemtobeverydefinite。Whathereallylongedforwastheirsympathy；foramanwhoisabletowalkroundquiteruthlesslyonthefeelingsofothersoftenhasverytenderfeelingsofhisown，easilylacerated，andeagerlyresponsivetothecaressesofcompassion。InthisframeBeatondeterminedtogothatafternoon，thoughitwasnotMrs。
Horn\'sday，andcalluponherinthehopeofpossiblyseeingMissVancealone。Ashecontinuedinit，hetookthisforasignandactuallywent。
Itdidnotfalloutatonceashewished，buthegotMrs。Horntotalkingagainaboutherniece，andMrs。HornagainregrettedthatnothingcouldbedonebythefineartstoreclaimMargaretfromgoodworks。
\"Issheathome?Willyouletmeseeher?\"askedBeacon，withsomethingofthescientificinterestofaphysicianinquiringforapatientwhosesymptomshavebeenrehearsedtohim。Hehadnotaskedforherbefore。
\"Yes，certainly，\"saidMrs。Horn，andshewentherselftocallMargaret，andshedidnotreturnwithher。Thegirlenteredwiththegentlegracepeculiartoher；andBeaton，bentashewasonhisownconsolation，couldnothelpbeingstruckwiththespiritualexaltationofherlook。
Atsightofher，thevaguehopehehadneverquiterelinquished，thattheymightbesomethingmorethanaestheticfriends，diedinhisheart。
Sheworeblack，assheoftendid；butinspiteofitsfashionherdressreceivedanun-likeeffectfromthepensiveabsenceofherface。
\"Decidedly，\"thoughtBeaton，\"sheisfargoneingoodworks。\"
Butherose，allthesame，tomeetherontheoldlevel，andhebeganatoncetotalktoherofthesubjecthehadbeendiscussingwithheraunt。
Hesaidfranklythattheybothfeltshehadunjustifiablyturnedherbackuponpossibilitieswhichsheoughtnottoneglect。
\"Youknowverywell，\"sheanswered，\"thatIcouldn\'tdoanythinginthatwayworththetimeIshouldwasteonit。Don\'ttalkofit，please。
Isupposemyaunthasbeenaskingyoutosaythis，butit\'snouse。
I\'msorryit\'snouse，shewishesitsomuch；butI\'mnotsorryotherwise。Youcanfindthepleasureatleastofdoinggoodworkinit；
butIcouldn\'tfindanythinginitbutabarrenamusement。Mr。Wetmoreisright；forme，it\'slikeenjoyinganopera，oraball。\"
\"That\'soneofWetmore\'sphrases。He\'dsacrificeanythingtothem。\"
Sheputasidethewholesubjectwithalook。\"YouwerenotatMr。
Dryfoos\'stheotherday。Haveyouseenthem，anyofthem，lately?\"
\"Ihaven\'tbeenthereforsometime，no，\"saidBeaton，evasively。
Buthethoughtifhewastogetontoanything，hehadbetterbecandid。
\"Mr。Dryfooswasatmystudiothismorning。He\'sgotaqueernotion。
Hewantsmetopainthisson\'sportrait。\"
Shestarted。\"Andwillyou——\"
\"No，Icouldn\'tdosuchathing。Itisn\'tinmyway。Itoldhimso。
Hissonhadabeautifulfaceanantiqueprofile；asortofearlyChristiantype；butI\'mtoomuchofapaganforthatsortofthing。\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Yes，\"Beatoncontinued，notquitelikingherassentafterhehadinvitedit。Hehadhisprideinbeingapagan，aGreek，butitfailedhiminherpresence，now；andhewishedthatshehadprotestedhewasnone。\"Hewasasingularcreature；akindofsurvival；anexileinourtimeandplace。
Idon\'tknow:wedon\'tquiteexpectasainttoberustic；butwithallhisgoodnessConradDryfooswasacountryperson。Ifhewerenotdyingforacauseyoucouldimaginehimmilking。\"Beatonintendedacontemptthatcamefromthebitternessofhavinghimselfoncemilkedthefamilycow。
HiscontemptdidnotreachMissVance。\"Hediedforacause，\"shesaid。
\"Theholiest。\"
\"Oflabor?\"
\"Ofpeace。Hewastheretopersuadethestrikerstobequietandgohome。\"
\"Ihaven\'tbeenquitesure，\"saidBeaton。\"Butinanycasehehadnobusinessthere。Thepolicewereonhandtodothepersuading。\"
\"Ican\'tletyoutalkso!\"criedthegirl。\"It\'sshocking!Oh，Iknowit\'sthewaypeopletalk，andtheworstisthatinthesightoftheworldit\'stherightway。Buttheblessingonthepeacemakersisnotforthepolicemenwiththeirclubs。\"
Beatonsawthatshewasnervous；hemadehisreflectionthatshewasaltogethertoofargoneingoodworksforthefineartstoreachher；
hebegantothinkhowhecouldturnherprimitiveChristianitytotheaccountofhismodernheathenism。Hehadnodeeperdesignthantogetflatteredbackintohisownfavorfarenoughtofindcourageforsomesortofdecisivestep。InhishearthewastryingtowillwhetherheshouldorshouldnotgobacktoDryfoos\'shouse。Itcouldnotbefromthecapricethathadformerlytakenhim；itmustbefromadefinitepurpose；againherealizedthis。\"Ofcourse；youareright，\"hesaid。
\"IwishIcouldhaveansweredthatoldmandifferently。Ifancyhewasboundupinhisson，thoughhequarrelledwithhim，andcrossedhim。ButIcouldn\'tdoit；itwasn\'tpossible。\"Hesaidtohimselfthatifshesaid\"No，\"now，hewouldberuledbyheragreementwithhim；andifshedisagreedwithhim，hewouldberuledstillbythechance，andwouldgonomoretotheDryfooses\'。Hefoundhimselfembarrassedtothepointofblushingwhenshesaidnothing，andlefthim，asitwere，onhisownhands。\"Ishouldliketohavegivenhimthatcomfort；Ifancyhehasn\'tmuchcomfortinlife；butthereseemsnocomfortinme。\"
Hedroppedhisheadinafitattitudeforcompassion；butshepourednopityuponit。
\"Thereisnocomfortforusinourselves，\"shesaid。\"It\'shardtogetoutside；butthere\'sonlydespairwithin。Whenwethinkwehavedonesomethingforothers，bysomegreateffort，wefindit\'sallforourownvanity。\"
\"Yes，\"saidBeaton。\"IfIcouldpaintpicturesforrighteousness\'sake，IshouldhavebeengladtodoConradDryfoosforhisfather。Ifeltsorryforhim。Didtherestseemverymuchbrokenup?Yousawthemall?\"
\"Notall。MissDryfooswasill，hersistersaid。It\'shardtotellhowmuchpeoplesuffer。Hismotherseemedbewildered。Theyoungersisterisasimplecreature；shelookslikehim；Ithinkshemusthavesomethingofhisspirit。\"
\"Notmuchspiritofanykind，Iimagine，\"saidBeaton。\"Butshe\'samiablymaterial。DidtheysayMissDryfooswasseriouslyill?\"
\"No。Isupposedshemightbeprostratedbyherbrother\'sdeath。\"
\"Doessheseemthatkindofpersontoyou，MissVance?\"askedBeaton。
\"Idon\'tknow。Ihaven\'ttriedtoseesomuchofthemasImight，thepastwinter。IwasnotsureaboutherwhenImether；I\'veneverseenmuchofpeople，exceptinmyownset，andthe——verypoor。IhavebeenafraidIdidn\'tunderstandher。Shemayhaveakindofpridethatwouldnotletherdoherselfjustice。\"
Beatonfelttheunconsciousdislikeintheendeavorofpraise。\"Thensheseemstoyoulikeapersonwhoselife——itstrials，itschances——wouldmakemoreofthansheisnow?\"
\"Ididn\'tsaythat。Ican\'tjudgeofheratall；butwherewedon\'tknow，don\'tyouthinkweoughttoimaginethebest?\"
\"Ohyes，\"saidBeaton。\"Ididn\'tknowbutwhatIoncesaidofthemmighthaveprejudicedyouagainstthem。Ihaveaccusedmyselfofit。\"Healwaystookatoneofconscientiousness，ofself-censure，intalkingwithMissVance；hecouldnothelpit。
\"Ohno。AndIneverallowedmyselftoformanyjudgmentofher。Sheisverypretty，don\'tyouthink，inakindofway?\"
\"Very。\"
\"Shehasabeautifulbrunettecoloring:thatflourywhiteandthedelicatepinkinit。Hereyesarebeautiful。\"
\"She\'sgraceful，too，\"saidBeaton。\"I\'vetriedherincolor；butI
didn\'tmakeitout。\"
\"I\'vewonderedsometimes，\"saidMissVance，\"whetherthatelusivequalityyoufindinsomepeopleyoutrytopaintdoesn\'tcharacterizethemallthrough。MissDryfoosmightbeeversomuchfinerandbetterthanwewouldfindoutinthesocietywaythatseemstheonlyway。\"
\"Perhaps，\"saidBeaton，gloomily；andhewentawayprofoundlydiscouragedbythislastanalysisofChristine\'scharacter。TheangelicimperviousnessofMissVancetopropertiesofwhichhisownwickednesswassokeenlyawareinChristinemighthavemadehimlaugh，ifithadnotbeensuchaseriousaffairwithhim。Asitwas，hesmiledtothinkhowverydifferentlyAlmaLeightonwouldhavejudgedherfromMissVance\'spremises。HelikedthatclearvisionofAlma\'sevenwhenitpiercedhisowndisguises。Yes，thatwasthelighthehadletdieout，anditmighthaveshoneuponhispaththroughlife。Beatonneverfeltsopoignantlythedisadvantageofhavingonanygivenoccasionbeenwantingtohisownintereststhroughhisself-loveasinthis。Hehadnoonetoblamebuthimselfforwhathadhappened，butheblamedAlmaforwhatmighthappeninthefuturebecausesheshutoutthewayofretrievalandreturn。Whenbethoughtoftheattitudeshehadtakentowardhim，itseemedincredible，andhewasalwayslongingtogiveherafinalchancetoreverseherfinaljudgment。Itappearedtohimthatthetimehadcomeforthisnow，ifever。
XV。
Whilewearestillyoungwefeelakindofpride，asortoffiercepleasure，inanyimportantexperience，suchaswehavereadoforheardofinthelivesofothers，nomatterhowpainful。Itwasthispride，thispleasure，whichBeatonnowfeltinrealizingthatthetoilsoffatewereabouthim，thatbetweenhimandafutureofwhichChristineDryfoosmustbethegeniustherewasnothingbutthewill，themood，thefancyofagirlwhohadnotgivenhimthehopethateithercouldeveragainbeinhisfavor。Hehadnothingtotrustto，infact，buthisknowledgethathehadoncehadthemall；shedidnotdenythat；butneitherdidsheconcealthathehadflungawayhispoweroverthem，andshehadtoldhimthattheynevercouldbehisagain。Amanknowsthathecanloveandwhollyceasetolove，notoncemerely，butseveraltimes；herecognizesthefactinregardtohimself，boththeoreticallyandpractically；butinregardtowomenhecherishesthesuperstitionoftheromancesthatloveisonceforall，andforever。ItwasbecauseBeatonwouldnotbelievethatAlmaLeighton，beingawoman，couldputhimoutofherheartaftersufferinghimtostealintoit，thathenowhopedanythingfromher，andshehadbeensoexplicitwhentheylastspokeofthataffairthathedidnothopemuch。Hesaidtohimselfthathewasgoingtocasthimselfonhermercy，totakewhateverchanceoflife，love，andworktherewasinherhavingthesmallestpityonhim。Ifshewouldhavenone，thentherewasbutonethinghecoulddo:marryChristineandgoabroad。HedidnotseehowhecouldbringthisalternativetobearuponAlma；evenifsheknewwhathewoulddoincaseofafinalrejection，hehadgroundsforfearingshewouldnotcare；buthebroughtittobearuponhimself，anditnervedhimtoadesperatecourage。Hecouldhardlywaitforeveningtocome，beforehewenttoseeher；whenitcame，itseemedtohavecometoosoon。Hehadwroughthimselfthoroughlyintotheconvictionthathewasinearnest，andthateverythingdependeduponheranswertohim，butitwasnottillhefoundhimselfinherpresence，andalonewithher，thatherealizedthetruthofhisconviction。Thentheinfluencesofhergrace，hergayety，herarchbeauty，aboveall，hergoodsense，penetratedhissoullikeasubtleintoxication，andhesaidtohimselfthathewasright；hecouldnotlivewithouther；theseattributesofherswerewhatheneededtowinhim，tocheerhim，tocharmhim，toguidehim。Helongedsotopleaseher，toingratiatehimselfwithher，thatheattemptedtobelightlikeherinhistalk，butlapsedintoabysmalabsencesandgloomyrecessesofintrospection。
\"Whatareyoulaughingat?\"heasked，suddenlystartingfromoneofthese。
\"Whatyouarethinkingof。\"
\"It\'snothingtolaughat。DoyouknowwhatI\'mthinkingof?\"
\"Don\'ttell，ifit\'sdreadful。\"
\"Oh，Idaresayyouwouldn\'tthinkit\'sdreadful，\"hesaid，withbitterness。\"It\'ssimplythecaseofamanwhohasmadeafoolofhimselfandseesnohelpofretrievalinhimself。\"
\"Cananyoneelsehelpamanunmakeafoolofhimself?\"sheasked，withasmile。
\"Yes。Inacaselikethis。\"
\"Dearme!Thisisveryinteresting。\"
Shedidnotaskhimwhatthecasewas，buthewaslaunchednow，andhepressedon。\"Iamthemanwhohasmadeafoolofhimself——\"
\"Oh!\"
\"Andyoucanhelpmeoutifyouwill。Alma，IwishyoucouldseemeasI
reallyam。\"
\"Doyou，Mr。Beacon?PerhapsIdo。\"
\"No；youdon\'t。Youformulatedmeinacertainway，andyouwon\'tallowforthechangethattakesplaceineveryone。Youhavechanged；whyshouldn\'tI?\"
\"Hasthistodowithyourhavingmadeafoolofyourself?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Oh!ThenIdon\'tseehowyouhavechanged。\"
Shelaughed，andhetoo，ruefully。\"You\'recruel。NotbutwhatI
deserveyourmockery。Butthechangewasnotfromthecapacityofmakingafoolofmyself。IsupposeIshallalwaysdothatmoreorless——unlessyouhelpme。Alma!Whycan\'tyouhavealittlecompassion?YouknowthatImustalwaysloveyou。\"
\"Nothingmakesmedoubtthatlikeyoursayingit，Mr。Beaton。Butnowyou\'vebrokenyourword——\"
\"Youaretoblameforthat。YouknewIcouldn\'tkeepit!\"
\"Yes，I\'mtoblame。Iwaswrongtoletyoucome——afterthat。AndsoI
forgiveyouforspeakingtomeinthatwayagain。Butit\'sperfectlyimpossibleandperfectlyuselessformetohearyouanymoreonthatsubject；andso-good-bye!\"
Sherose，andheperforcewithher。\"Anddoyoumeanit?\"heasked。
\"Forever?\"
\"Forever。ThisistrulythelasttimeIwilleverseeyouifIcanhelpit。Oh，Ifeelsorryenoughforyou!\"shesaid，withaglanceathisface。\"Idobelieveyouareinearnest。Butit\'stoolatenow。Don\'tletustalkaboutitanymore!Butweshall，ifwemeet，andso，——\"
\"Andsogood-bye!Well，I\'venothingmoretosay，andImightaswellsaythat。Ithinkyou\'vebeenverygoodtome。Itseemstomeasifyouhadbeen——shallIsayit?——tryingtogivemeachance。Isthatso?\"
Shedroppedhereyesanddidnotanswer。
\"Youfounditwasnouse!Well，Ithankyoufortrying。It\'scurioustothinkthatIoncehadyourtrust，yourregard，andnowIhaven\'tit。Youdon\'tmindmyrememberingthatIhad?It\'llbesomelittleconsolation，andIbelieveitwillbesomehelp。IknowIcan\'tretrievethepastnow。Itistoolate。Itseemstoopreposterous——perfectlylurid——thatI
couldhavebeengoingtotellyouwhatatangleI\'dgotmyselfin，andtoaskyoutohelpuntangleme。Imustchokeintheinfernalcoil，butI\'dliketohavethesweetnessofyourpityinit——whateveritis。\"
Sheputoutherhand。\"Whateveritis，Idopityyou；Isaidthat。\"
\"Thankyou。\"Hekissedthebandshegavehimandwent。
Hehadgoneonsomesuchtermsbefore；wasitnowforthelasttime?Shebelieveditwas。Shefeltinherselfasatiety，afatigue，inwhichhisgoodlooks，hisinventedairsandposes，hisrealtrouble，wereallalikerepulsive。Shedidnotacquitherselfofthewrongofhavinglethimthinkshemightyethavelikedhimassheoncedid；butshehadbeenhonestlywillingtoseewhethershecould。IthadmystifiedhertofindthatwhentheyfirstmetinNewYork，aftertheirsummerinSt。Barnaby，shecarednothingforhim；shehadexpectedtopunishhimforhisneglect，andthenfancyhimasbefore，butshedidnot。Moreandmoreshesawhimselfishandmean，weak-willed，narrow-minded，andhard-
hearted；andaimless，withallhistalent。Sheadmiredhistalentinproportionasshelearnedmoreofartists，andperceivedhowuncommonitwas；butshesaidtoherselfthatifsheweregoingtodevoteherselftoart，shewoulddoitatfirst-hand。ShewasperfectlysereneandhappyinherfinalrejectionofBeaton；hehadwornoutnotonlyherfancy，buthersympathy，too。
ThiswaswhathermotherwouldnotbelievewhenAlmareportedtheinterviewtoher；shewouldnotbelieveitwasthelasttimetheyshouldmeet；deathitselfcanhardlyconvinceusthatitisthelasttimeofanything，ofeverythingbetweenourselvesandthedead。\"Well，Alma，\"
shesaid，\"Ihopeyou\'llneverregretwhatyou\'vedone。\"
\"YoumaybesureIshallnotregretit。IfeverI\'mlow-spiritedaboutanything，I\'llthinkofgivingMr。Beatonhisfreedom，andthatwillcheermeup。\"
\"Anddon\'tyouexpecttogetmarried?Doyouintendtobeanoldmaid?\"
demandedhermother，inthebondsofthesuperstitionwomenhavesolongbeenundertotheeffectthateverywomanmustwishtogetmarried，iffornootherpurposethantoavoidbeinganoldmaid。
\"Well，mamma，\"saidAlma，\"Iintendbeingayoungoneforafewyearsyet；andthenI\'llsee。IfImeettherightperson，allwellandgood；
ifnot，not。ButIshallpickandchoose，asamandoes；Iwon\'tmerelybepickedandchosen。\"
\"Youcan\'thelpyourself；youmaybeverygladifyouarepickedandchosen。\"
\"Whatnonsense，mamma!Agirlcangetanymanshewants，ifshegoesabout。ittherightway。Andwhenmy\'fatedfairyprince\'comesalong，Ishalljustsimplymakefuriouslovetohimandgrabhim。Ofcourse，Ishallmakeadecentpretenceoftalkinginmysleep。Ibelieveit\'sdonethatwaymorethanhalfthetime。Thefatedfairyprincewouldn\'tseetheprincessinninecasesoutoftenifshedidn\'tsaysomething；
hewouldgomooningalongafterthemaidsofhonor。\"
Mrs。Leightontriedtolookunspeakablehorror；butshebrokedownandlaughed。\"Well，youareastrangegirl，Alma。\"
\"Idon\'tknowaboutthat。ButonethingIdoknow，mamma，andthatisthatPrinceBeatonisn\'ttheF。F。P。forme。Howstrangeyouare，mamma!Don\'tyouthinkitwouldbeperfectlydisgustingtoacceptapersonyoudidn\'tcarefor，andlethimgoonandloveyouandmarryyou?