点击下载App，搜索"Rose in Bloom",免费读到尾

　　\"Dearlittlesaint,youlookasifyou\'dliketosmashallthepunchbowlsinthecity,andsaveusjollyyoungfellowsfromtomorrow\'sheadache。\"

　　\"Ishould,forsuchheadachessometimesendinheartaches,I\'mafraid。

　　DearCharlie,don\'tbeangry,butyouknowbetterthanIthatthisisadangerousdayforsuchasyou­sodobecarefulformysake,\"sheadded,withanunwontedtouchoftendernessinhervoice,for,lookingatthegallantfigurebeforeher,itwasimpossibletorepressthewomanlylongingtokeepitalwaysasbraveandblitheasnow。

　　Charliesawthatnewsoftnessintheeyesthatneverlookedunkindlyonhim,fanciedthatitmeantmorethanitdid,and,withasuddenfervorinhisownvoice,answeredquickly:\"Mydarling,Iwill！\"

　　Theglowwhichhadrisentohisfacewasreflectedinhers,foratthatmomentitseemedasifitwouldbepossibletolovethiscousinwhowassowillingtobeledbyherandsomuchneededsomehelpfulinfluencetomakeanoblemanofhim。Thethoughtcameandwentlikeaflash,butgaveheraquickheartthrob,asiftheoldaffectionwastremblingonthevergeofsomewarmersentiment,andleftherwithasenseofresponsibilityneverfeltbefore。Obeyingtheimpulse,shesaid,withaprettyblendingofearnestnessandplayfulness,\"IfIwearthebracelettorememberyouby,youmustwearthistoremindyouofyourpromise。\"

　　\"Andyou,\"whisperedCharlie,bendinghisheadtokissthehandsthatputalittlewhiteroseinhisbuttonhole。

　　Justatthatmostinterestingmomenttheybecameawareofanarrivalinthefrontdrawingroom,whitherAuntPlentyhaddiscreetlyretired。

　　Rosefeltgratefulfortheinterruption,because,notbeingatallsureofthestateofherheartasyet,shewasafraidoflettingasuddenimpulseleadhertoofar。ButCharlie,consciousthataverypropitiousinstanthadbeenspoiled,regardedthenewcomerwithanythingbutabenignantexpressionofcountenanceand,whispering,\"Good—bye,myRose,Ishalllookinthiseveningtoseehowyouareafterthefatiguesoftheday,\"hewentaway,withsuchacoolnodtopoorFunSeethattheamiableAsiaticthoughthemusthavemortallyoffendedhim。

　　Rosehadlittleleisuretoanalyzethenewemotionsofwhichshewasconscious,forMr。TokiocameupatoncetomakehiscomplimentswithacomicalminglingofChinesecourtesyandAmericanawkwardness,andbeforehehadgothishatonJamieshoutedwithadmiringenergy:\"Here\'sanother！

　　Oh,suchaswell！\"

　　Theynowcamethickandfastformanyhours,andtheladiesstoodbravelyattheirpoststilllateintotheevening。ThenAuntJessiewenthome,escortedbyaverysleepylittleson,andAuntPlentyretiredtobed,usedup。Dr。Alechadreturnedingoodseason,forhisfriendswerenotfashionableones,butAuntMyrahadsentupforhiminhothasteandhehadgood—naturedlyobeyedthesummons。Infact,hewasquiteusedtothemnow,forMrs。Myra,havingtriedavarietyofdangerousdiseases,hadfinallydecideduponheartcomplaintastheonemostlikelytokeepherfriendsinachronicstateofanxietyandwascontinuallysendingwordthatshewasdying。Onegetsusedtopalpitationsaswellaseverythingelse,sothedoctorfeltnoalarmbutalwayswentandprescribedsomeharmlessremedywiththemostamiablesobrietyandpatience。

　　Rosewastiredbutnotsleepyandwantedtothinkoverseveralthings,soinsteadofgoingtobedshesatdownbeforetheopenfireinthestudytowaitforheruncleandperhapsCharlie,thoughshedidnotexpecthimsolate。

　　AuntMyra\'spalpitationsmusthavebeenunusuallysevere,fortheclockstrucktwelvebeforeDr。Aleccame,andRosewaspreparingtoendherreveriewhenthesoundofsomeonefumblingatthehalldoormadeherjumpup,sayingtoherself:\"Poorman！Hishandsaresocoldhecan\'tgethislatchkeyin。Isthatyou,Uncle？\"sheadded,runningtoadmithim,forJanewasslowandthenightasbitterasitwasbrilliant。

　　Avoiceanswered,\"Yes。\"Andasthedoorswungopen,inwalked,notDr。Alec,butCharlie,whoimmediatelytookoneofthehallchairsandsattherewithhishaton,rubbinghisglovelesshandsandblinkingasifthelightdazzledhim,ashesaidinarapid,abruptsortoftone,\"I

　　toldyouI\'dcome­leftthefellowskeepingitupgloriously­goingtoseetheoldyearout,youknow。ButIpromised­neverbreakmyword­andhereIam。Angelinblue,didyouslayyourthousands？\"

　　\"Hush！Thewaitersarestillabout。Cometothestudyfireandwarmyourself,youmustbefrozen,\"saidRose,goingbeforetorolluptheeasychair。

　　\"Notatall­neverwarmer­looksverycomfortable,though。Where\'sUncle？\"askedCharlie,followingwithhishatstillon,hishandsinhispockets,andhiseyefixedsteadilyonthebrightheadinfrontofhim。

　　\"AuntMyrasentforhim,andIwaswaitinguptoseehowshewas,\"answeredRose,busilymendingthefire。

　　Charlielaughedandsatdownuponacornerofthelibrarytable。\"Pooroldsoul！Whatapityshedoesn\'tdiebeforeheisquitewornout。Alittletoomuchethersomeofthesetimeswouldsendheroffquitecomfortably,youknow。\"

　　\"Don\'tspeakinthatway。Unclesaysimaginarytroublesareoftenashardtobearasrealones,\"saidRose,turningarounddispleased。

　　Tillnowshehadnotfairlylookedathim,forrecollectionsofthemorningmadeheralittleshy。Hisattitudeandappearancesurprisedherasmuchashiswords,andthequickchangeinherfaceseemedtoremindhimofhismanners。Gettingup,hehastilytookoffhishatandstoodlookingatherwithacuriouslyfixedyetabsentlookashesaidinthesamerapid,abruptway,asif,whenoncestarted,hefoundithardtostop,\"Ibegpardon­onlyjoking­verybadtasteIknow,andwon\'tdoitagain。

　　Theheatoftheroommakesmealittledizzy,andIthinkIgotachillcomingout。Itiscold­Iamfrozen,Idaresay­thoughIdrovelikethedevil。\"

　　\"Notthatbadhorseofyours,Ihope？Iknowitisdangerous,solateandalone,\"saidRose,shrinkingbehindthebigchairasCharlieapproachedthefire,carefullyavoidingafootstoolinhisway。

　　\"Dangerisexciting­that\'swhyIlikeit。Nomanevercalledmeacoward­lethimtryitonce。Inevergivein­andthathorseshallnotconquerme。I\'llbreakhisneck,ifhebreaksmyspiritdoingit。No­Idon\'tmeanthat­nevermind­it\'sallright,\"andCharlielaughedinawaythattroubledher,becausetherewasnomirthinit。

　　\"Haveyouhadapleasantday？\"askedRose,lookingathimintentlyashestoodponderingoverthecigarandmatchwhichheheld,asifdoubtfulwhichtostrikeandwhichtosmoke。

　　\"Day？Oh,yes,capital。Abouttwothousandcalls,andanicelittlesupperattheClub。Randalcan\'tsinganymorethanacrow,butIlefthimwithaglassofchampagneupsidedown,tryingtogivethemmyoldfavorite:\"\'Tisbettertolaughthanbesighing,\"

　　andCharlieburstforthinthatbacchanalianmelodyatthetopofhisvoice,wavinganallumetteholderoverhisheadtorepresentRandal\'sinvertedwineglass。

　　\"Hush！You\'llwakeAunty,\"criedRoseinatonesocommandingthathebrokeoffinthemiddleofarouladetostareatherwithablanklookashesaidapologetically,\"Iwasmerelyshowinghowitshouldbedone。

　　Don\'tbeangry,dearest­lookatmeasyoudidthismorning,andI\'llswearnevertosinganothernoteifyousayso。I\'monlyalittlegay­wedrankyourhealthhandsomely,andtheyallcongratulatedme。Told\'emitwasn\'toutyet。Stop,though­Ididn\'tmeantomentionthat。Nomatter­I\'malwaysinascrape,butyoualwaysforgivemeinthesweetestway。Doitnow,anddon\'tbeangry,littledarling。\"And,droppingthevase,hewenttowardherwithasuddenexcitementthatmadehershrinkbehindthechair。

　　Shewasnotangry,butshockedandfrightened,forsheknewnowwhatthematterwasandgrewsopale,hesawitandaskedpardonbeforeshecouldutterarebuke。

　　\"We\'lltalkofthattomorrow。Itisverylate。Gohomenow,please,beforeUnclecomes,\"shesaid,tryingtospeaknaturallyyetbetrayingherdistressbythetremorofhervoiceandthesadanxietyinhereyes。

　　\"Yes,yes,Iwillgo­youaretired­I\'llmakeitallrighttomorrow。\"

　　Andasifthesoundofhisuncle\'snamesteadiedhimforaninstant,Charliemadeforthedoorwithanunevennessofgaitwhichwouldhavetoldtheshamefultruthifhiswordshadnotalreadydoneso。Beforehereachedit,however,thesoundofwheelsarrestedhimand,leaningagainstthewall,helistenedwithalookofdismaymingledwithamusementcreepingoverhisface。\"Brutushasbolted­nowIaminafix。Can\'twalkhomewiththishorriddizzinessinmyhead。It\'sthecold,Rose,nothingelse,Idoassureyou,andachill­yes,achill。Seehere！Letoneofthosefellowstherelendmeanarm­nousetogoafterthatbrute。

　　Won\'tMotherbefrightenedthoughwhenhegetshome？\"Andwiththatemptylaughagain,hefumbledforthedoorhandle。

　　\"No,no­don\'tletthemseeyou！Don\'tletanyoneknow！StayheretillUnclecomes,andhe\'lltakecareofyou。Oh,Charlie！Howcouldyoudoit！Howcouldyouwhenyoupromised？\"And,forgettingfearinthesuddensenseofshameandanguishthatcameoverher,Roserantohim,caughthishandfromthelock,andturnedthekey;then,asifshecouldnotbeartoseehimstandingtherewiththatvacantsmileonhislips,shedroppedintoachairandcoveredupherface。

　　Thecry,theact,and,morethanall,thesightofthebowedheadwouldhavesoberedpoorCharlieifithadnotbeentoolate。Helookedabouttheroomwithavague,despairinglook,asiftofindreasonfastslippingfromhiscontrol,butheatandcold,excitementandrecklesspledgingofmanyhealthshaddonetheirworktoowelltomakeinstantsobrietypossible,andowninghisdefeatwithagroan,heturnedawayandthrewhimselfface—downwardonthesofa,oneofthesaddestsightsthenewyearlookeduponasitcamein。

　　Asshesattherewithhiddeneyes,Rosefeltthatsomethingdeartoherwasdeadforever。Theideal,whichallwomencherish,lookfor,andtoooftenthinktheyhavefoundwhenloveglorifiesamortalman,ishardtogiveup,especiallywhenitcomesinthelikenessofthefirstloverwhotouchesayounggirl\'sheart。Rosehadjustbeguntofeelthatperhapsthiscousin,despitehisfaults,mightyetbecometheherothathesometimeslooked,andthethoughtthatshemightbehisinspirationwasgrowingsweettoher,althoughshehadnotentertainedituntilverylately。Alas,howshortthetenderdreamhadbeen,howrudetheawakening！Howimpossibleitwouldbeeveragaintosurroundthatfallenfigurewithalltheromanceofaninnocentfancyorgiftitwiththehighattributesbelovedbyanoblenature！

　　Breathingheavilyinthesuddensleepthatkindlybroughtabriefoblivionofhimself,helaywithflushedcheeks,disorderedhair,andathisfeetthelittlerosethatneverwouldbefreshandfairagain­apitifulcontrastnowtothebrave,blitheyoungmanwhowentsogailyoutthatmorningtobesoignominiouslyoverthrownatnight。

　　Manygirlswouldhavemadelightofatrespasssoreadilyforgivenbytheworld,butRosehadnotyetlearnedtooffertemptationwithasmileandshuthereyestotheweaknessthatmakesamanabrute。Italwaysgrievedordisgustedhertoseeitinothers,andnowitwasveryterribletohaveitbroughtsonear­notinitsworstform,byanymeans,butbadenoughtowringherheartwithshameandsorrowandfillhermindwithdarkforebodingsforthefuture。SoshecouldonlysitmourningfortheCharliethatmighthavebeenwhilewatchingtheCharliethatwaswithanacheinherheartwhichfoundnorelieftill,puttingherhandsthereasiftoeasethepain,theytouchedthepansies,fadedbutstillshowinggoldamongthesomberpurple,andthentwogreattearsdroppedonthemasshesighed:\"Ah,me！

　　Idoneedheart\'s—easesoonerthanIthought！\"

　　Heruncle\'sstepmadeherspringupandunlockthedoor,showinghimsuchanalteredfacethathestoppedshort,ejaculatingindismay,\"Goodheavens,child！What\'sthematter？\"adding,asshepointedtothesofainpatheticsilence,\"Ishehurt？­ill？­dead？\"

　　\"No,Uncle,heis­\"Shecouldnotuttertheuglywordbutwhisperedwithasobinherthroat,\"Bekindtohim,\"andfledawaytoherownroom,feelingasifagreatdisgracehadfallenonthehouse。Chapter10。Chapter10。10THESADANDSOBERPART\"Howwillhelook？Whatwillhesay？Cananythingmakeusforgetandbehappyagain？\"werethefirstquestionsRoseaskedherselfassoonasshewokefromthebriefsleepwhichfollowedalong,sadvigil。Itseemedasifthewholeworldmustbechangedbecauseatroubledarkeneditforher。

　　Shewastooyoungyettoknowhowpossibleitistoforgivemuchgreatersinsthanthis,forgetfarheavierdisappointments,outlivehigherhopes,andburylovescomparedtowhichherswasbutagirlishfancy。Shewishedithadnotbeensobrightaday,wonderedhowherbirdscouldsingwithsuchshrillgaiety,putnoribboninherhair,andsaid,asshelookedatthereflectionofherowntiredfaceintheglass,\"Poorthing！Youthoughtthenewleafwouldhavesomethingpleasantonit。Thestoryhasbeenverysweetandeasytoreadsofar,butthesadandsoberpartiscomingnow。\"

　　Atapatthedoorremindedherthat,inspiteofherafflictions,breakfastmustbeeaten,andthesuddenthoughtthatCharliemightstillbeinthehousemadeherhurrytothedoor,tofindDr。Alecwaitingforherwithhismorningsmile。Shedrewhiminandwhisperedanxiously,asifsomeonelaydangerouslyillnearby,\"Ishebetter,Uncle？Tellmeallaboutit­I

　　canbearitnow。\"

　　Somemenwouldhavesmiledatherinnocentdistressandtoldherthiswasonlywhatwastobeexpectedandendured,butDr。Alecbelievedinthepureinstinctsthatmakeyouthbeautiful,desiredtokeepthemtrue,andhopedhisgirlwouldneverlearntolookunmovedbypainandpityuponanyhumanbeingvanquishedbyavice,nomatterhowtrivialitseemed,howvenialitwasheld。Sohisfacegrewgrave,thoughhisvoicewascheerfulasheanswered:\"Allright,Idaresay,bythistime,forsleepisthebestmedicineinsuchcases。Itookhimhomelastnight,andnooneknowshecamebutyouandI。\"

　　\"Nooneevershall。Howdidyoudoit,Uncle？\"

　　\"Justslippedoutofthelongstudywindowandgothimcannilyoff,fortheairandmotion,afteradashofcoldwater,broughthimaround,andhewasgladtobesafelylandedathome。Hisroomsarebelow,youknow,sonoonewasdisturbed,andIlefthimsleepingnicely。\"

　　\"Thankyousomuch,\"sighedRose。\"AndBrutus？Weren\'ttheyfrightenedwhenhegotbackalone？\"

　　\"Notatall。Thesagaciousbeastwentquietlytothestable,andthesleepygroomaskednoquestions,forCharlieoftensendsthehorseroundbyhimselfwhenitislateorstormy。Resteasy,dear­noeyebutourssawthepoorladcomeandgo,andwe\'llforgiveitforlove\'ssake。\"

　　\"Yes,butnotforgetit。Inevercan,andhewillneverbeagaintometheCharlieI\'vebeensoproudandfondofalltheseyears。Oh,Uncle,suchapity！Suchapity！\"

　　\"Don\'tbreakyourtenderheartaboutit,child,foritisnotincurable,thankGod！Idon\'tmakelightofit,butIamsurethatunderbetterinfluencesCharliewillredeemhimselfbecausehisimpulsesaregoodandthishisonlyvice。Icanhardlyblamehimforwhatheis,becausehismotherdidtheharm。Ideclaretoyou,Rose,IsometimesfeelasifImustbreakoutagainstthatwomanandthunderinherearsthatsheisruiningtheimmortalsoulforwhichsheisresponsibletoheaven！\"

　　Dr。Alecseldomspokeinthisway,andwhenhediditwasratherawful,forhisindignationwasoftherighteoussortandsuchthunderoftenrousesupadrowsysoulwhensunshinehasnoeffect。Roselikedit,andsincerelywishedAuntClarahadbeentheretogetthebenefitoftheoutbreak,forsheneededjustsuchanawakeningfromtheself—indulgentdreaminwhichshelived。

　　\"Doit,andsaveCharliebeforeitistoolate！\"shecried,kindlingherselfasshewatchedhim,forhelookedlikearousedlionashewalkedabouttheroomwithhishandclenchedandasparkinhiseye,evidentlyindesperateearnestandreadytodoalmostanything。

　　\"Willyouhelp？\"heasked,stoppingsuddenlywithalookthatmadeherstandupstraightandstrongassheansweredwithaneagervoice:\"Iwill。\"

　　\"Thendon\'tlovehim­yet。\"

　　Thatstartledher,butsheaskedsteadily,thoughherheartbegantobeatandhercolortocome:\"Whynot？\"

　　\"Firstly,becausenowomanshouldgiveherhappinessintothekeepingofamanwithoutfixedprinciples;secondly,becausethehopeofbeingworthyofyouwillhelphimmorethananyprayersorpreachingofmine。

　　Thirdly,becauseitwillneedallourwitandpatiencetoundotheworkofnearlyfourandtwentyyears。YouunderstandwhatImean？\"

　　\"Yes,sir。\"

　　\"Canyousay\'no\'whenheasksyoutosay\'yes\'andwaitalittleforyourhappiness？\"

　　\"Ican。\"

　　\"Andwillyou？\"

　　\"Iwill。\"

　　\"ThenI\'msatisfied,andagreatweighttakenoffmyheart。Ican\'thelpseeingwhatgoeson,ortremblingwhenIthinkofyousettingsailwithnobetterpilotthanpoorCharlie。NowyouanswerasIhopedyouwould,andIamproudofmygirl！\"

　　Theyhadbeenstandingwiththewidthoftheroombetweenthem,Dr。

　　Aleclookingverymuchlikeacommanderissuingorders,Roselikeawell—drilledprivateobedientlyreceivingthem,andbothworetheairofsoldiersgettingreadyforabattle,withthebracingofnervesandquickeningofthebloodbravesoulsfeelastheyputontheirarmor。Atthelastwordshewenttoher,brushedbackthehair,andkissedherontheforeheadwithatendersortofgravityandalookthatmadeherfeelasifhehadendowedherwiththeVictoriaCrossforcourageonthefield。

　　Nomorewassaidthen,forAuntPlentycalledthemdownandtheday\'sdutiesbegan。ButthatbrieftalkshowedRosewhattodoandfittedhertodoit,foritsethertothinkingofthedutyoneowesone\'sselfinlovingasinalltheothergreatpassionsorexperienceswhichmakeormaralife。

　　Shehadplentyoftimeforquietmeditationthatdaybecauseeveryonewasrestingafteryesterday\'sfestivity,andshesatinherlittleroomplanningoutanewyearsofullofgoodworks,grandsuccesses,andbeautifulromancesthatifitcouldhavebeenrealized,theMillenniumwouldhavebegun。Itwasagreatcomforttoher,however,andlightenedthelonghourshauntedbyasecretdesiretoknowwhenCharliewouldcomeandasecretfearofthefirstmeeting。Shewassurehewouldbeboweddownwithhumiliationandrepentance,andastruggletookplaceinhermindbetweenthepityshecouldnothelpfeelingandthedisapprobationsheoughttoshow。Shedecidedtobegentle,butveryfrank;toreprove,butalsotoconsole;

　　andtotrytoimprovethesoftenedmomentbyinspiringtheculpritwithawishforallthevirtueswhichmakeaperfectman。

　　Thefonddelusiongrewquiteabsorbing,andhermindwasfullofitasshesatwatchingthesunsetfromherwesternwindowandadmiringwithdreamyeyesthefineeffectofthedistanthillsclearanddarkagainstadaffodilskywhenthebangofadoormadehersitsuddenlyerectinherlowchairandsaywithacatchinherbreath:\"He\'scoming！ImustrememberwhatIpromisedUncleandbeveryfirm。\"

　　UsuallyCharlieannouncedhisapproachwithmusicofsomesort。Nowheneitherwhistled,hummed,norsang,butcamesoquietlyRosewassurethathedreadedthismeetingasmuchasshedidand,compassionatinghisnaturalconfusion,didnotlookaroundasthestepsdrewnear。Shethoughtperhapshewouldgodownuponhisknees,asheusedtoafteraboyishoffense,buthopednot,fortoomuchhumilitydistressedher,soshewaitedforthefirstdemonstrationanxiously。

　　Itwasratherashockwhenitcame,however,foragreatnosegaydroppedintoherlapandavoice,boldandgayasusual,saidlightly:\"Heresheis,asprettyandpensiveasyouplease。Istheworldhollow,ourdollstuffedwithsawdust,anddowewanttogointoanunnerytoday,Cousin？\"

　　Rosewassotakenabackbythisunexpectedcoolnessthattheflowerslayunnoticedasshelookedupwithafacesofullofsurprise,reproach,andsomethinglikeshamethatitwasimpossibletomistakeitsmeaning。

　　Charliedidnot,andhadthegracetoreddendeeply,andhiseyesfellashesaidquickly,thoughinthesamelighttone:\"Ihumblyapologizefor­comingsolatelastnight。Don\'tbeharduponme,Cousin。YouknowAmericaexpectseverymantodohisdutyonNewYear\'sDay。\"

　　\"Iamtiredofforgiving！Youmakeandbreakpromisesaseasilyasyoudidyearsago,andIshallneveraskyouforanother,\"answeredRose,puttingthebouquetaway,fortheapologydidnotsatisfyherandshewouldnotbebribedtosilence。

　　\"But,mydeargirl,youaresoveryexacting,sopeculiarinyournotions,andsoangryabouttriflesthatapoorfellowcan\'tpleaseyou,tryashewill,\"beganCharlie,illatease,buttooproudtoshowhalfthepenitencehefelt,notsomuchforthefaultasforherdiscoveryofit。

　　\"Iamnotangry­Iamgrievedanddisappointed,forIexpecteverymantodohisdutyinanotherwayandkeephiswordtotheuttermost,asItrytodo。Ifthatisexacting,I\'msorry,andwon\'ttroubleyouwithmyold—fashionednotionsanymore。\"

　　\"Blessmysoul！Whataroutaboutnothing！IownthatIforgot­I

　　knowIactedlikeafoolandIbegpardon。WhatmorecanIdo？\"

　　\"Actlikeaman,andneverletmebesoterriblyashamedofyouagainasIwaslastnight。\"AndRosegavealittleshiverasshethoughtofit。

　　ThatinvoluntaryacthurtCharliemorethanherwords,anditwashisturnnowtofeel\"terriblyashamed,\"fortheeventsofthepreviouseveningwereveryhazyinhismindandfearmagnifiedthemgreatly。Turningsharplyaway,hewentandstoodbythefire,quiteatalosshowtomakehispeacethistime,becauseRosewassounlikeherself。Usuallyawordofexcusesufficed,andsheseemedgladtopardonandforget;now,thoughveryquiet,therewassomethingalmoststernaboutherthatsurprisedanddauntedhim,forhowcouldheknowthatallthewhileherpitifulheartwaspleadingforhimandtheveryefforttocontrolitmadeheralittlehardandcold？

　　Ashestoodthere,restlesslyfingeringtheornamentsuponthechimneypiece,hiseyebrightenedsuddenlyand,takinguptheprettybraceletlyingthere,hewentslowlybacktoher,sayinginatonethatwashumbleandseriousenoughnow:\"Iwillactlikeaman,andyoushallneverbeashamedagain。Onlybekindtome。Letmeputthison,andpromiseafresh­thistimeIswearI\'llkeepit。Won\'tyoutrustme,Rose？\"

　　Itwasveryhardtoresistthepleadingvoiceandeyes,forthishumilitywasdangerous;and,butforUncleAlec,Rosewouldhaveanswered\"yes。\"

　　Theblueforget—me—notsremindedherofherownpromise,andshekeptitwithdifficultynow,tobegladalwaysafterward。Puttingbacktheofferedtrinketwithagentletouch,shesaidfirmly,thoughshedarednotlookupintotheanxiousfacebendingtowardher:\"No,Charlie­Ican\'twearit。MyhandsmustbefreeifI\'mtohelpyouasIought。Iwillbekind,Iwilltrustyou,butdon\'tswearanything,onlytrytoresisttemptation,andwe\'llallstandbyyou。\"

　　Charliedidnotlikethatandlostthegroundhehadgainedbysayingimpetuously:\"Idon\'twantanyonebutyoutostandbyme,andImustbesureyouwon\'tdesertme,else,whileI\'mmortifyingsoulandbodytopleaseyou,somestrangerwillcomeandstealyourheartawayfromme。Icouldn\'tbearthat,soIgiveyoufairwarning,insuchacaseI\'llbreakthebargain,andgostraighttothedevil。\"

　　Thelastsentencespoileditall,foritwasbothmasterfulanddefiant。

　　RosehadtheCampbellspiritinher,thoughitseldomshowed;asyetshevaluedherlibertymorethananyloveofferedher,andsheresentedtheauthorityheassumedtoosoon­resenteditallthemorewarmlybecauseoftheeffortshewasmakingtoreinstateherhero,whowouldinsistonbeingaveryfaultyandungratefulman。Sherosestraightoutofherchair,sayingwithalookandtonewhichratherstartledherhearerandconvincedhimthatshewasnolongeratenderheartedchildbutawomanwithawillofherownandaspiritasproudandfieryasanyofherrace:\"Myheartismyown,todisposeofasIplease。Don\'tshutyourselfoutofitbypresumingtoomuch,foryouhavenoclaimonmebutthatofcousinship,andyouneverwillhaveunlessyouearnit。Rememberthat,andneitherthreatennordefymeanymore。\"

　　ForaminuteitwasdoubtfulwhetherCharliewouldanswerthisflashwithanother,andageneralexplosionensue,orwiselyquenchtheflamewiththemildanswerwhichturnethawaywrath。Hechosethelattercourseandmadeitveryeffectivebythrowinghimselfdownbeforehisoffendedgoddess,ashehadoftendoneinjest。Thistimeitwasnotacting,butserious,earnest,andtherewasrealpassioninhisvoiceashecaughtRose\'sdressinbothhands,sayingeagerly:\"No,no！Don\'tshutyourheartagainstmeorIshallturndesperate。I\'mnothalfgoodenoughforsuchasaintasyou,butyoucandowhatyouwillwithme。Ionlyneedamotivetomakeamanofme,andwherecanIfindastrongeronethanintryingtokeepyourlove？\"

　　\"Itisnotyoursyet,\"beganRose,muchmoved,thoughallthewhileshefeltasifshewereonastageandhadaparttoplay,forCharliehadmadelifesolikeamelodramathatitwashardforhimtobequitesimpleevenwhenmostsincere。

　　\"Letmeearnit,then。Showmehow,andI\'lldoanything,foryouaremygoodangel,Rose,andifyoucastmeoff,IfeelasifIshouldn\'tcarehowsoontherewasanendofme,\"criedCharlie,gettingtragicinhisearnestnessandputtingbotharmsaroundher,asifhisonlysafetylayinclingingtothisbelovedfellowcreature。

　　Behindfootlightsitwouldhavebeenirresistible,butsomehowitdidnottouchtheonespectator,thoughshehadneithertimenorskilltodiscoverwhy。Foralltheirardorthewordsdidnotringquitetrue。Despitethegraceoftheattitude,shewouldhavelikedhimbettermanfullyerectuponhisfeet,andthoughthegesturewasfulloftenderness,asubtleinstinctmadehershrinkawayasshesaidwithacomposurethatsurprisedherselfevenmorethanitdidhim:\"Pleasedon\'t。No,Iwillpromisenothingyet,forImustrespectthemanIlove。\"

　　ThatbroughtCharlietohisfeet,palewithsomethingdeeperthananger,fortherecoiltoldhimmoreplainlythanthewordshowmuchhehadfalleninherregardsinceyesterday。Thememoryofthehappymomentwhenshegavetherosewiththatnewsoftnessinhereyes,theshycolor,thesweet\"formysake\"camebackwithsuddenvividness,contrastingsharplywiththenowavertedface,thehandoutstretchedtoputhimback,theshrinkingfigure,andinthatinstant\'ssilence,poorCharlierealizedwhathehadlost,foragirl\'sfirstthoughtofloveisasdelicateathingastherosymorningglory,whichabreathofaircanshatter。Onlyahintofevil,onlyanhour\'sdebasementforhim,amoment\'sglimpseforherofthecoarserpleasuresmenknow,andtheinnocentheart,justopeningtoblessandtobeblessed,closedagainlikeasensitiveplantandshuthimoutperhapsforever。

　　Theconsciousnessofthisturnedhimpalewithfear,forhislovewasdeeperthansheknew,andheprovedthiswhenhesaidinatonesofullofmingledpainandpatiencethatittouchedhertotheheart:\"YoushallrespectmeifIcanmakeyou,andwhenI\'veearnedit,mayIhopeforsomethingmore？\"

　　Shelookedupthen,sawinhisfacethenobleshame,thehumblesortofcouragethatshowsrepentancetobegenuineandgivespromiseofsuccess,and,withahopefulsmilethatwasacordialtohim,answeredheartily:

　　\"Youmay。\"

　　\"Blessyouforthat！I\'llmakenopromises,I\'llaskfornone­onlytrustme,Rose,andwhileyoutreatmelikeacousin,rememberthatnomatterhowmanyloversyoumayhaveyou\'llneverbetoanyofthemasdearasyouaretome。\"

　　AtraitorousbreakinhisvoicewarnedCharlietostopthere,andwithnoothergood—bye,heverywiselywentaway,leavingRosetoputtheneglectedflowersintowaterwithremorsefulcareandlayawaythebracelet,sayingtoherself:\"I\'llneverwearittillIfeelasIdidbefore。ThenheshallputitonandI\'llsay\'yes。\'\"Chapter11。Chapter11。11SMALLTEMPTATIONS\"Oh,Rose,I\'vegotsomethingsoexcitingtotellyou！\"criedKittyVanTassel,skippingintothecarriagenextmorningwhenherfriendcalledforhertogoshopping。

　　Kittyalwaysdidhavesome\"perfectlythrilling\"communicationtomakeandRosehadlearnedtotakethemquietly,butthenextdemonstrationwasanewone,for,regardlessalikeofcuriousobserversoutsideanddisorderedhatswithin,KittycaughtRosearoundtheneck,exclaiminginarapturouswhisper:\"Mydearestcreature,I\'mengaged！\"

　　\"I\'msoglad！OfcourseitisSteve？\"

　　\"Dearfellow,hediditlastnightinthenicestway,andMamaissodelighted。NowwhatshallIbemarriedin？\"AndKittycomposedherselfwithafacefullofthedeepestanxiety。

　　\"Howcanyoutalkofthatsosoon？Why,Kit,youunromanticgirl,yououghttobethinkingofyourloverandnotyourclothes,\"saidRose,amusedyetratherscandalizedatsuchwantofsentiment。

　　\"Iamthinkingofmylover,forhesayshewillnothavealongengagement,soImustbegintothinkaboutthemostimportantthingsatonce,mustn\'tI？\"

　　\"Ah,hewantstobesureofyou,foryouaresuchaslipperycreatureheisafraidyou\'lltreathimasyoudidpoorJacksonandtherest,\"interruptedRose,shakingherfingeratherprospectivecousin,whohadtriedthispastimetwicebeforeandwasratherproudthanotherwiseofherbriefengagements。

　　\"Youneedn\'tscold,forIknowI\'mright,andwhenyou\'vebeeninsocietyaslongasIhaveyou\'llfindthattheonlywaytoreallyknowamanistobeengagedtohim。Whiletheywantyoutheyarealldevotion,butwhentheythinkthey\'vegotyou,thenyoufindoutwhatwretchestheyare,\"

　　answeredKittywithanairofworldlywisdomwhichcontrastedoddlywithheryouthfulfaceandgiddymanners。