\"Hangit，Ibelieveeverymanintownhasanengagementtonight。
Ishallhavethedubtomyself。YouknowhowI’mlivingthiswinter，rattlingroundinthatemptyhouse。Mywifemeanttocometotowntoday，butshe’sputitoffagain，andhowisafellowtodinealoneinaroomwiththelooking-glassescovered，andnothingbutabottleofHarveysauceontheside-board？Isay，Lawrence，chuckyourengagementandtakepityonme——itgivesmethebluedevilstodinealone，andthere’snobodybutthatcantingassWetherallintheclub。\"
\"Sorry，Gus——Ican’tdoit。\"
AsSeldenturnedaway，henoticedthedarkflushonTrenor’sface，theunpleasantmoistureofhisintenselywhiteforehead，thewayhisjewelledringswerewedgedinthecreasesofhisfatredfingers。Certainlythebeastwaspredominating——thebeastatthebottomoftheglass。Andhehadheardthisman’snamecoupledwithLily’s！Bah——thethoughtsickenedhim；allthewaybacktohisroomshewashauntedbythesightofTrenor’sfatcreasedhands——
Onhistablelaythenote:Lilyhadsentittohisrooms。Heknewwhatwasinitbeforehebroketheseal——agreysealwithBEYOND！
beneathaflyingship。Ah，hewouldtakeherbeyond——beyondtheugliness，thepettiness，theattritionandcorrosionofthesoul——
Gerty’slittlesitting-roomsparkledwithwelcomewhenSeldenenteredit。Itsmodest\"effects，\"compactofenamelpaintandingenuity，spoketohiminthelanguagejustthensweetesttohisear。Itissurprisinghowlittlenarrowwallsandalowceilingmatter，whentheroofofthesoulhassuddenlybeenraised。Gertysparkledtoo；oratleastshonewithatemperedradiance。Hehadneverbeforenoticedthatshehad\"points\"——really，somegoodfellowmightdoworse……Overthelittledinnerandhere，again，theeffectswerewonderfulhetoldhersheoughttomarry——hewasinamoodtopairoffthewholeworld。Shehadmadethecaramelcustardwithherownhands？Itwassinfultokeepsuchgiftstoherself。HereflectedwithathrobofpridethatLilycouldtrimherownhats——shehadtoldhimsothedayoftheirwalkatBellomont。
HedidnotspeakofLilytillafterdinner。Duringthelittlerepasthekeptthetalkonhishostess，who，flutteredatbeingthecentreofobservation，shoneasrosyasthecandle-shadesshehadmanufacturedfortheoccasion。Seldenevincedanextraordinaryinterestinherhouseholdarrangements:
complimentedherontheingenuitywithwhichshehadutilizedeveryinchofhersmallquarters，askedhowherservantmanagedaboutafternoonsout，learnedthatonemayimprovisedeliciousdinnersinachafing-dish，andutteredthoughtfulgeneralizationsontheburdenofalargeestablishment。
Whentheywereinthesitting-roomagain，wheretheyfittedassnuglyasbitsinapuzzle，andshehadbrewedthecoffee，andpoureditintohergrandmother’segg-shellcups，hiseye，asheleanedback，baskinginthewarmfragrance，lightedonarecentphotographofMissBart，andthedesiredtransitionwaseffectedwithoutaneffort。Thephotographwaswellenough——buttocatchherasshehadlookedlastnight！Gertyagreedwithhim——neverhadshebeensoradiant。Butcouldphotographycapturethatlight？Therehadbeenanewlookinherface——somethingdifferent；yes，Seldenagreedtherehadbeensomethingdifferent。
Thecoffeewassoexquisitethatheaskedforasecondcup:suchacontrasttothewaterystuffattheclub！Ah，yourpoorbachelorwithhisimpersonalclubfare，alternatingwiththeequallyimpersonalCUISINEofthedinner-party！Amanwholivedinlodgingsmissedthebestpartoflife——hepicturedtheflavourlesssolitudeofTrenor’srepast，andfeltamoment’scompassionfortheman……ButtoreturntoLily——andagainandagainhereturned，questioning，conjecturing，leadingGertyon，drainingherinmostthoughtsoftheirstoredtendernessforherfriend。
Atfirstshepouredherselfoutunstintingly，happyinthisperfectcommunionoftheirsympathies。HisunderstandingofLilyhelpedtoconfirmherownbeliefinherfriend。TheydwelttogetheronthefactthatLilyhadhadnochance。Gertyinstancedhergenerousimpulses——herrestlessnessanddiscontent。Thefactthatherlifehadneversatisfiedherprovedthatshewasmadeforbetterthings。Shemighthavemarriedmorethanonce——theconventionalrichmarriagewhichshehadbeentaughttoconsiderthesoleendofexistence——butwhentheopportunitycameshehadalwaysshrunkfromit。PercyGryce，forinstance，hadbeeninlovewithher——everyoneatBellomonthadsupposedthemtobeengaged，andherdismissalofhimwasthoughtinexplicable。ThisviewoftheGryceincidentchimedtoowellwithSelden’smoodnottobeinstantlyadoptedbyhim，withaflashofretrospectivecontemptforwhathadonceseemedtheobvioussolution。Ifrejectiontherehadbeen——andhewonderednowthathehadeverdoubtedit！——thenheheldthekeytothesecret，andthehillsidesofBellomontwerelitup，notwithsunset，butwithdawn。Itwashewhohadwaveredanddisownedthefaceofopportunity——andthejoynowwarminghisbreastmighthavebeenafamiliarinmateifhehadcaptureditinitsfirstflight。
Itwasatthispoint，perhaps，thatajoyjusttryingitswingsinGerty’sheartdroppedtoearthandlaystill。ShesatfacingSelden，repeatingmechanically:\"No，shehasneverbeenunderstood——\"andallthewhilesheherselfseemedtobesittinginthecentreofagreatglareofcomprehension。Thelittleconfidentialroom，whereamomentagotheirthoughtshadtouchedelbowsliketheirchairs，grewtounfriendlyvastness，separatingherfromSeldenbyallthelengthofhernewvisionofthefuture——andthatfuturestretchedoutinterminably，withherlonelyfiguretoilingdownit，amerespeckonthesolitude。
\"Sheisherselfwithafewpeopleonly；andyouareoneofthem，\"
sheheardSeldensaying。Andagain:\"Begoodtoher，Gerty，won’tyou？\"and:\"Shehasitinhertobecomewhateversheisbelievedtobe——you’llhelpherbybelievingthebestofher？\"
ThewordsbeatonGerty’sbrainlikethesoundofalanguagewhichhasseemedfamiliaratadistance，butonapproachingisfoundtobeunintelligible。HehadcometotalktoherofLily——thatwasall！Therehadbeenathirdatthefeastshehadspreadforhim，andthatthirdhadtakenherownplace。Shetriedtofollowwhathewassaying，toclingtoherownpartinthetalk——butitwasallasmeaninglessastheboomofwavesinadrowninghead，andshefelt，asthedrowningmayfeel，thattosinkwouldbenothingbesidethepainofstrugglingtokeepup。
Seldenrose，andshedrewadeepbreath，feelingthatsoonshecouldyieldtotheblessedwaves。
\"Mrs。Fisher’s？Yousayshewasdiningthere？There’smusicafterward；IbelieveIhadacardfromher。\"Heglancedatthefoolishpink-facedclockthatwasdrummingoutthishideoushour。\"Aquarterpastten？Imightlookintherenow；theFishereveningsareamusing。Ihaven’tkeptyouuptoolate，Gerty？Youlooktired——I’verambledonandboredyou。\"Andintheunwontedoverflowofhisfeelings，heleftacousinlykissuponhercheek。
AtMrs。Fisher’s，throughthecigar-smokeofthestudio，adozenvoicesgreetedSelden。Asongwaspendingasheentered，andhedroppedintoaseatnearhishostess，hiseyesroaminginsearchofMissBart。Butshewasnotthere，andthediscoverygavehimapangoutofallproportiontoitsseriousness；sincethenoteinhisbreast-pocketassuredhimthatatfourthenextdaytheywouldmeet。Tohisimpatienceitseemedimmeasurablylongtowait，andhalf-ashamedoftheimpulse，heleanedtoMrs。Fishertoask，asthemusicceased，ifMissBarthadnotdinedwithher。
\"Lily？She’sjustgone。Shehadtorunoff，Iforgetwhere。
Wasn’tshewonderfullastnight？\"
\"Who’sthat？Lily？\"askedJackStepney，fromthedepthsofaneighbouringarm-chair。\"Really，youknow，I’mnoprude，butwhenitcomestoagirlstandingthereasifshewasupatauction——I
thoughtseriouslyofspeakingtocousinJulia。\"
\"Youdidn’tknowJackhadbecomeoursocialcensor？\"Mrs。FishersaidtoSeldenwithalaugh；andStepneyspluttered，amidthegeneralderision:\"Butshe’sacousin，hangit，andwhenaman’smarried——TOWNTALKwasfullofherthismorning。\"
\"Yes:livelyreadingthatwas，\"saidMr。NedVanAlstyne，strokinghismoustachetohidethesmilebehindit。\"Buythedirtysheet？No，ofcoursenot；somefellowshowedittome——butI’dheardthestoriesbefore。Whenagirl’sasgood-lookingasthatshe’dbettermarry；thennoquestionsareasked。Inourimperfectlyorganizedsocietythereisnoprovisionasyetfortheyoungwomanwhoclaimstheprivilegesofmarriagewithoutassumingitsobligations。\"
\"Well，IunderstandLilyisabouttoassumethemintheshapeofMr。Rosedale，\"Mrs。Fishersaidwithalaugh。
\"Rosedale——goodheavens！\"exclaimedVanAlstyne，droppinghiseye-glass。\"Stepney，that’syourfaultforfoistingthebruteonus。\"
\"Oh，confoundit，youknow，wedon’tMARRYRosedaleinourfamily，\"Stepneylanguidlyprotested；buthiswife，whosatinoppressivebridalfineryattheothersideoftheroom，quelledhimwiththejudicialreflection:\"InLily’scircumstancesit’samistaketohavetoohighastandard。\"
\"IhearevenRosedalehasbeenscaredbythetalklately，\"Mrs。
Fisherrejoined；\"butthesightofherlastnightsenthimoffhishead。WhatdoyouthinkhesaidtomeafterherTABLEAU？
’MyGod，Mrs。Fisher，ifIcouldgetPaulMorpethtopaintherlikethat，thepicture’dappreciateahundredpercentintenyears。’\"
\"ByJove，——butisn’tsheaboutsomewhere？\"exclaimedVanAlstyne，restoringhisglasswithanuneasyglance。
\"No；sheranoffwhileyouwereallmixingthepunchdownstairs。
Wherewasshegoing，bytheway？What’sontonight？Ihadn’theardofanything。\"
\"Oh，notaparty，Ithink，\"saidaninexperiencedyoungFarishwhohadarrivedlate。\"IputherinhercabasIwascomingin，andshegavethedrivertheTrenors’address。\"
\"TheTrenors’？\"exclaimedMrs。JackStepney。\"Why，thehouseisclosed——JudytelephonedmefromBellomontthisevening。\"
\"Didshe？That’squeer。I’msureI’mnotmistaken。Well，comenow，Trenor’sthere，anyhow——I——oh，well——thefactis，I’venoheadfornumbers，\"hebrokeoff，admonishedbythenudgeofanadjoiningfoot，andthesmilethatcircledtheroom。
InitsunpleasantlightSeldenhadrisenandwasshakinghandswithhishostess。Theairoftheplacestifledhim，andhewonderedwhyhehadstayedinitsolong。
Onthedoorstephestoodstill，rememberingaphraseofLily’s:
\"Itseemstomeyouspendagooddealoftimeintheelementyoudisapproveof。\"
Well——whathadbroughthimtherebutthequestofher？Itwasherelement，nothis。Buthewouldliftheroutofit，takeherbeyond！ThatBEYOND！onherletterwaslikeacryforrescue。HeknewthatPerseus’staskisnotdonewhenhehasloosedAndromeda’schains，forherlimbsarenumbwithbondage，andshecannotriseandwalk，butclingstohimwithdraggingarmsashebeatsbacktolandwithhisburden。Well，hehadstrengthforboth——itwasherweaknesswhichhadputthestrengthinhim。Itwasnot，alas，acleanrushofwavestheyhadtowinthrough，butacloggingmorassofoldassociationsandhabits，andforthemomentitsvapourswereinhisthroat。Buthewouldseeclearer，breathefreerinherpresence:shewasatoncethedeadweightathisbreastandthesparwhichshouldfloatthemtosafety。Hesmiledatthewhirlofmetaphorwithwhichhewastryingtobuildupadefenceagainsttheinfluencesofthelasthour。Itwaspitiablethathe，whoknewthemixedmotivesonwhichsocialjudgmentsdepend，shouldstillfeelhimselfsoswayedbythem。HowcouldheliftLilytoafreervisionoflife，ifhisownviewofherwastobecolouredbyanymindinwhichhesawherreflected？
Themoraloppressionhadproducedaphysicalcravingforair，andhestrodeon，openinghislungstothereverberatingcoldnessofthenight。AtthecornerofFifthAvenueVanAlstynehailedhimwithanofferofcompany。
\"Walking？Agoodthingtoblowthesmokeoutofone’shead。Nowthatwomenhavetakentotobaccoweliveinabathofnicotine。
Itwouldbeacuriousthingtostudytheeffectofcigarettesontherelationofthesexes。Smokeisalmostasgreatasolventasdivorce:bothtendtoobscurethemoralissue。\"
NothingcouldhavebeenlessconsonantwithSelden’smoodthanVanAlstyne’safter-dinneraphorisms，butaslongasthelatterconfinedhimselftogeneralitieshislistener’snerveswereincontrol。HappilyVanAlstynepridedhimselfonhissummingupofsocialaspects，andwithSeldenforaudiencewaseagertoshowthesurenessofhistouch。Mrs。FisherlivedinanEastsidestreetnearthePark，andasthetwomenwalkeddownFifthAvenuethenewarchitecturaldevelopmentsofthatversatilethoroughfareinvitedVanAlstyne’scomment。
\"ThatGreinerhouse，now——atypicalrunginthesocialladder！
ThemanwhobuiltitcamefromaMILIEUwhereallthedishesareputonthetableatonce。Hisfacadeisacompletearchitecturalmeal；ifhehadomittedastylehisfriendsmighthavethoughtthemoneyhadgivenout。NotabadpurchaseforRosedale，though:
attractsattention，andawestheWesternsight-seer。Byandbyehe’llgetoutofthatphase，andwantsomethingthatthecrowdwillpassandthefewpausebefore。Especiallyifhemarriesmyclevercousin——\"
Seldendashedinwiththequery:\"AndtheWellingtonBrys’？
Rathercleverofitskind，don’tyouthink？\"
Theywerejustbeneaththewidewhitefacade，withitsrichrestraintofline，whichsuggestedtheclevercorsetingofaredundantfigure。
\"That’sthenextstage:thedesiretoimplythatonehasbeentoEurope，andhasastandard。I’msureMrs。BrythinksherhouseacopyoftheTRIANON；inAmericaeverymarblehousewithgiltfurnitureisthoughttobeacopyoftheTRIANON。Whatacleverchapthatarchitectis，though——howhetakeshisclient’smeasure！HehasputthewholeofMrs。Bryinhisuseofthecompositeorder。NowfortheTrenors，youremember，hechosetheCorinthian:exuberant，butbasedonthebestprecedent。TheTrenorhouseisoneofhisbestthings——doesn’tlooklikeabanqueting-hallturnedinsideout。IhearMrs。Trenorwantstobuildoutanewball-room，andthatdivergencefromGusonthatpointkeepsheratBellomont。ThedimensionsoftheBrys’
ball-roommustrankle:youmaybesuresheknows’emaswellasifshe’dbeentherelastnightwithayard-measure。Whosaidshewasintown，bytheway？ThatFarishboy？Sheisn’t，Iknow；Mrs。
Stepneywasright；thehouseisdark，yousee:IsupposeGuslivesintheback。\"
HehadhaltedoppositetheTrenors’comer，andSeldenperforcestayedhisstepsalso。Thehouseloomedobscureanduninhabited；
onlyanoblonggleamabovethedoorspokeofprovisionaloccupancy。
\"They’veboughtthehouseattheback:itgivesthemahundredandfiftyfeetinthesidestreet。There’swheretheball-room’stobe，withagalleryconnectingit:billiard-roomandsoonabove。Isuggestedchangingtheentrance，andcarryingthedrawing-roomacrossthewholeFifthAvenuefront；youseethefrontdoorcorrespondswiththewindows——\"
Thewalking-stickwhichVanAlstyneswungindemonstrationdroppedtoastartled\"Hallo！\"asthedooropenedandtwofigureswereseensilhouettedagainstthehall-light。Atthesamemomentahansomhaltedatthecurb-stone，andoneofthefiguresfloateddowntoitinahazeofeveningdraperies；whiletheother，blackandbulky，remainedpersistentlyprojectedagainstthelight。
Foranimmeasurablesecondthetwospectatorsoftheincidentweresilent；thenthehouse-doorclosed，thehansomrolledoff，andthewholesceneslippedbyasifwiththeturnofastereopticon。
VanAlstynedroppedhiseye-glasswithalowwhistle。
\"A——hem——nothingofthis，eh，Selden？Asoneofthefamily，I
knowImaycountonyou——appearancesaredeceptive——andFifthAvenueissoimperfectlylighted——\"
\"Goodnight，\"saidSelden，turningsharplydownthesidestreetwithoutseeingtheother’sextendedhand。
Alonewithhercousin’skiss，Gertystareduponherthoughts。Hehadkissedherbefore——butnotwithanotherwomanonhislips。Ifhehadsparedherthatshecouldhavedrownedquietly，welcomingthedarkfloodasitsubmergedher。Butnowthefloodwasshotthroughwithglory，anditwashardertodrownatsunrisethanindarkness。Gertyhidherfacefromthelight，butitpiercedtothecranniesofhersoul。Shehadbeensocontented，lifehadseemedsosimpleandsufficient——whyhadhecometotroubleherwithnewhopes？AndLily——Lily，herbestfriend！Woman-like，sheaccusedthewoman。Perhaps，haditnotbeenforLily，herfondimaginingmighthavebecometruth。Seldenhadalwayslikedher——hadunderstoodandsympathizedwiththemodestindependenceofherlife。He，whohadthereputationofweighingallthingsinthenicebalanceoffastidiousperceptions，hadbeenuncriticalandsimpleinhisviewofher:hisclevernesshadneveroverawedherbecauseshehadfeltathomeinhisheart。Andnowshewasthrustout，andthedoorbarredagainstherbyLily’shand！Lily，forwhoseadmissiontheresheherselfhadpleaded！Thesituationwaslightedupbyadrearyflashofirony。SheknewSelden——shesawhowtheforceofherfaithinLilymusthavehelpedtodispelhishesitations。Sheremembered，too，howLilyhadtalkedofhim-shesawherselfbringingthetwotogether，makingthemknowntoeachother。OnSelden’spart，nodoubt，thewoundinflictedwasinconscient；hehadneverguessedherfoolishsecret；butLily——Lilymusthaveknown！When，insuchmatters，areawoman’sperceptionsatfault？Andifsheknew，thenshehaddeliberatelydespoiledherfriend，andinmerewantonnessofpower，since，eventoGerty’ssuddenlyflamingjealousy，itseemedincrediblethatLilyshouldwishtobeSelden’swife。Lilymightbeincapableofmarryingformoney，butshewasequallyincapableoflivingwithoutit，andSelden’seagerinvestigationsintothesmalleconomiesofhouse-keepingmadehimappeartoGertyastragicallydupedasherself。
Sheremainedlonginhersitting-room，wheretheemberswerecrumblingtocoldgrey，andthelamppaledunderitsgayshade。
JustbeneathitstoodthephotographofLilyBart，lookingoutimperiallyonthecheapgim-cracks，thecrampedfurnitureofthelittleroom。CouldSeldenpictureherinsuchaninterior？Gertyfeltthepoverty，theinsignificanceofhersurroundings:shebeheldherlifeasitmustappeartoLily。AndthecrueltyofLily’sjudgmentssmoteuponhermemory。Shesawthatshehaddressedheridolwithattributesofherownmaking。WhenhadLilyeverreallyfelt，orpitied，orunderstood？Allshewantedwasthetasteofnewexperiences:sheseemedlikesomecruelcreatureexperimentinginalaboratory。
Thepink-facedclockdrummedoutanotherhour，andGertyrosewithastart。ShehadanappointmentearlythenextmorningwithadistrictvisitorontheEastside。Sheputoutherlamp，coveredthefire，andwentintoherbedroomtoundress。Inthelittleglassaboveherdressing-tableshesawherfacereflectedagainsttheshadowsoftheroom，andtearsblottedthereflection。Whatrighthadshetodreamthedreamsofloveliness？
Adullfaceinvitedadullfate。Shecriedquietlyassheundressed，layingasideherclotheswithherhabitualprecision，settingeverythinginorderforthenextday，whentheoldlifemustbetakenupasthoughtherehadbeennobreakinitsroutine。Herservantdidnotcometilleighto’clock，andshepreparedherowntea-trayandplaceditbesidethebed。Thenshelockedthedooroftheflat，extinguishedherlightandlaydown。
Butonherbedsleepwouldnotcome，andshelayfacetofacewiththefactthatshehatedLilyBart。Itclosedwithherinthedarknesslikesomeformlesseviltobeblindlygrappledwith。
Reason，judgment，renunciation，allthesanedaylightforces，werebeatenbackinthesharpstruggleforself-preservation。Shewantedhappiness——wanteditasfiercelyandunscrupulouslyasLilydid，butwithoutLily’spowerofobtainingit。Andinherconsciousimpotenceshelayshivering，andhatedherfriend——
Aringatthedoor-bellcaughthertoherfeet。Shestruckalightandstoodstartled，listening。Foramomentherheartbeatincoherently，thenshefeltthesoberingtouchoffact，andrememberedthatsuchcallswerenotunknowninhercharitablework。Sheflungonherdressing-gowntoanswerthesummons，andunlockingherdoor，confrontedtheshiningvisionofLilyBart。
Gerty’sfirstmovementwasoneofrevulsion。SheshrankbackasthoughLily’spresenceflashedtoosuddenalightuponhermisery。Thensheheardhernameinacry，hadaglimpseofherfriend’sface，andfeltherselfcaughtandclungto。
\"Lily——whatisit？\"sheexclaimed。
MissBartreleasedher，andstoodbreathingbrokenly，likeonewhohasgainedshelterafteralongflight。
\"Iwassocold——Icouldn’tgohome。Haveyouafire？\"
Gerty’scompassionateinstincts，respondingtotheswiftcallofhabit，sweptasideallherreluctances。Lilywassimplysomeonewhoneededhelp——forwhatreason，therewasnotimetopauseandconjecture:disciplinedsympathycheckedthewonderonGerty’slips，andmadeherdrawherfriendsilentlyintothesitting-roomandseatherbythedarkenedhearth。
\"Thereiskindlingwoodhere:thefirewillburninaminute。\"
Shekneltdown，andtheflameleaptunderherrapidhands。Itflashedstrangelythroughthetearswhichstillblurredhereyes，andsmoteonthewhiteruinofLily’sface。Thegirlslookedateachotherinsilence；thenLilyrepeated:\"Icouldn’tgohome。\"
\"No——no——youcamehere，dear！You’recoldandtired——sitquiet，andI’llmakeyousometea。\"
Gertyhadunconsciouslyadoptedthesoothingnoteofhertrade:
allpersonalfeelingwasmergedinthesenseofministry，andexperiencehadtaughtherthatthebleedingmustbestayedbeforethewoundisprobed。
Lilysatquiet，leaningtothefire:theclatterofcupsbehindhersoothedherasfamiliarnoiseshushachildwhomsilencehaskeptwakeful。ButwhenGertystoodathersidewiththeteashepusheditaway，andturnedanestrangedeyeonthefamiliarroom。
\"IcameherebecauseIcouldn’tbeartobealone，\"shesaid。
Gertysetdownthecupandkneltbesideher。
\"Lily！Somethinghashappened——can’tyoutellme？\"
\"Icouldn’tbeartolieawakeinmyroomtillmorning。IhatemyroomatAuntJulia’s——soIcamehere——\"
Shestirredsuddenly，brokefromherapathy，anddungtoGertyinafreshburstoffear。
\"Oh，Gerty，thefuries……youknowthenoiseoftheirwings——alone，atnight，inthedark？Butyoudon’tknow——thereisnothingtomakethedarkdreadfultoyou——\"
Thewords，flashingbackonGerty’slasthours，struckfromherafaintderisivemurmur；butLily，intheblazeofherownmisery，wasblindedtoeverythingoutsideit。
\"You’llletmestay？Ishan’tmindwhendaylightcomes——Isitlate？Isthenightnearlyover？Itmustbeawfultobesleepless——everythingstandsbythebedandstares——\"
MissFarishcaughtherstrayinghands。\"Lily，lookatme！
Somethinghashappened——anaccident？Youhavebeenfrightened——whathasfrightenedyou？Tellmeifyoucan——awordortwo——sothatIcanhelpyou。\"
Lilyshookherhead。
\"Iamnotfrightened:that’snottheword。Canyouimaginelookingintoyourglasssomemorningandseeingadisfigurement——somehideouschangethathascometoyouwhileyouslept？Well，Iseemtomyselflikethat——Ican’tbeartoseemyselfinmyownthoughts——Ihateugliness，youknow——I’vealwaysturnedfromit——butIcan’texplaintoyou——youwouldn’tunderstand。\"
Sheliftedherheadandhereyesfellontheclock。
\"Howlongthenightis！AndIknowIshan’tsleeptomorrow。Someonetoldmemyfatherusedtoliesleeplessandthinkofhorrors。
Andhewasnotwicked，onlyunfortunate——andIseenowhowhemusthavesuffered，lyingalonewithhisthoughts！ButIambad——abadgirl——allmythoughtsarebad——Ihavealwayshadbadpeopleaboutme。Isthatanyexcuse？IthoughtIcouldmanagemyownlife——Iwasproud——proud！butnowI’montheirlevel——\"
Sobsshookher，andshebowedtothemlikeatreeinadrystorm。
Gertykneltbesideher，waiting，withthepatiencebornofexperience，tillthisgustofmiseryshouldloosenfreshspeech。
Shehadfirstimaginedsomephysicalshock，someperilofthecrowdedstreets，sinceLilywaspresumablyonherwayhomefromCarryFisher’s；butshenowsawthatothernerve-centresweresmitten，andhermindtrembledbackfromconjecture。
Lily’ssobsceased，andsheliftedherhead。
\"Therearebadgirlsinyourslums。Tellme——dotheyeverpickthemselvesup？Everforget，andfeelastheydidbefore？\"
\"Lily！youmustn’tspeakso——you’redreaming。\"
\"Don’ttheyalwaysgofrombadtoworse？There’snoturningback——youroldselfrejectsyou，andshutsyouout。\"
Sherose，stretchingherarmsasifinutterphysicalweariness。
\"Gotobed，dear！Youworkhardandgetupearly。I’llwatchherebythefire，andyou’llleavethelight，andyourdooropen。AllIwantistofeelthatyouarenearme。\"ShelaidbothhandsonGerty’sshoulders，withasmilethatwaslikesunriseonaseastrewnwithwreckage。
\"Ican’tleaveyou，Lily。Comeandlieonmybed。Yourhandsarefrozen——youmustundressandbemadewarm。\"Gertypausedwithsuddencompunction。\"ButMrs。Peniston——it’spastmidnight！Whatwillshethink？\"
\"Shegoestobed。Ihavealatch-key。Itdoesn’tmatter——Ican’tgobackthere。\"
\"There’snoneedto:youshallstayhere。Butyoumusttellmewhereyouhavebeen。Listen，Lily——itwillhelpyoutospeak！\"
SheregainedMissBart’shands，andpressedthemagainsther。
\"Trytotellme——itwillclearyourpoorhead。Listen——youwerediningatCarryFisher’s。\"Gertypausedandaddedwithaflashofheroism:\"LawrenceSeldenwentfromheretofindyou。\"
Attheword，Lily’sfacemeltedfromlockedanguishtotheopenmiseryofachild。Herlipstrembledandhergazewidenedwithtears。
\"Hewenttofindme？AndImissedhim！Oh，Gerty，hetriedtohelpme。Hetoldme——hewarnedmelongago——heforesawthatIshouldgrowhatefultomyself！\"
Thename，asGertysawwithaclutchattheheart，hadloosenedthespringsofself-pityinherfriend’sdrybreast，andtearbytearLilypouredoutthemeasureofheranguish。ShehaddroppedsidewaysinGerty’sbigarm-chair，herheadburiedwherelatelySelden’shadleaned，inabeautyofabandonmentthatdrovehometoGerty’sachingsensestheinevitablenessofherowndefeat。
Ah，itneedednodeliberatepurposeonLily’sparttorobherofherdream！Tolookonthatpronelovelinesswastoseeinitanaturalforce，torecognizethatloveandpowerbelongtosuchasLily，asrenunciationandservicearethelotofthosetheydespoil。ButifSelden’sinfatuationseemedafatalnecessity，theeffectthathisnameproducedshookGerty’ssteadfastnesswithalastpang。Menpassthroughsuchsuperhumanlovesandoutlivethem:theyaretheprobationsubduingthehearttohumanjoys。HowgladlyGertywouldhavewelcomedtheministryofhealing:howwillinglyhavesoothedthesuffererbacktotoleranceoflife！ButLily’sself-betrayaltookthislasthopefromher。Themortalmaidontheshoreishelplessagainstthesirenwholovesherprey:suchvictimsarefloatedbackdeadfromtheiradventure。
Lilysprangupandcaughtherwithstronghands。\"Gerty，youknowhim——youunderstandhim——tellme；ifIwenttohim，ifItoldhimeverything——ifIsaid:’Iambadthroughandthrough——Iwantadmiration，Iwantexcitement，Iwantmoney——’yes，MONEY！
That’smyshame，Gerty——andit’sknown，it’ssaidofme——it’swhatmenthinkofme——IfIsaiditalltohim——toldhimthewholestory——saidplainly:’I’vesunklowerthanthelowest，forI’vetakenwhattheytake，andnotpaidastheypay’——oh，Gerty，youknowhim，youcanspeakforhim:ifItoldhimeverythingwouldheloatheme？Orwouldhepityme，andunderstandme，andsavemefromloathingmyself？\"
Gertystoodcoldandpassive。Sheknewthehourofherprobationhadcome，andherpoorheartbeatwildlyagainstitsdestiny。Asadarkriversweepsbyunderalightningflash，shesawherchanceofhappinesssurgepastunderaflashoftemptation。Whatpreventedherfromsaying:\"Heislikeothermen\"？Shewasnotsosureofhim，afterall！Buttodosowouldhavebeenlikeblasphemingherlove。Shecouldnotputhimbeforeherselfinanylightbutthenoblest:shemusttrusthimtotheheightofherownpassion。
\"Yes:Iknowhim；hewillhelpyou，\"shesaid；andinamomentLily’spassionwasweepingitselfoutagainstherbreast。
Therewasbutonebedinthelittleflat，andthetwogirlslaydownonitsidebysidewhenGertyhadunlacedLily’sdressandpersuadedhertoputherlipstothewarmtea。Thelightextinguished，theylaystillinthedarkness，Gertyshrinkingtotheouteredgeofthenarrowcouchtoavoidcontactwithherbed-fellow。KnowingthatLilydislikedtobecaressed，shehadlongagolearnedtocheckherdemonstrativeimpulsestowardherfriend。ButtonighteveryfibreinherbodyshrankfromLily’snearness:itwastorturetolistentoherbreathing，andfeelthesheetstirwithit。AsLilyturned，andsettledtocompleterrest，astrandofherhairsweptGerty’scheekwithitsfragrance。Everythingaboutherwaswarmandsoftandscented:
eventhestainsofhergriefbecameherasrain-dropsdothebeatenrose。ButasGertylaywitharmsdrawndownherside，inthemotionlessnarrownessofaneffigy，shefeltastirofsobsfromthebreathingwarmthbesideher，andLilyflungoutherhand，gropedforherfriend’s，andhelditfast。
\"Holdme，Gerty，holdme，orIshallthinkofthings，\"shemoaned；andGertysilentlyslippedanarmunderher，pillowingherheadinitshollowasamothermakesanestforatossingchild。InthewarmhollowLilylaystillandherbreathinggrewlowandregular。HerhandstilldungtoGerty’sasiftowardoffevildreams，buttheholdofherfingersrelaxed，herheadsankdeeperintoitsshelter，andGertyfeltthatsheslept。
Whenlilywokeshehadthebedtoherself，andthewinterlightwasintheroom。
Shesatup，bewilderedbythestrangenessofhersurroundings；
thenmemoryreturned，andshelookedaboutherwithashiver。Inthecoldslantoflightreflectedfromthebackwallofaneighbouringbuilding，shesawhereveningdressandoperacloaklyinginatawdryheaponachair。Finerylaidoffisasunappetizingastheremainsofafeast，anditoccurredtoLilythat，athome，hermaid’svigilancehadalwayssparedherthesightofsuchincongruities。Herbodyachedwithfatigue，andwiththeconstrictionofherattitudeinGerty’sbed。Allthroughhertroubledsleepshehadbeenconsciousofhavingnospacetotossin，andthelongefforttoremainmotionlessmadeherfeelasifshehadspenthernightinatrain。
Thissenseofphysicaldiscomfortwasthefirsttoassertitself；
thensheperceived，beneathit，acorrespondingmentalprostration，alanguorofhorrormoreinsufferablethanthefirstrushofherdisgust。Thethoughtofhavingtowakeeverymorningwiththisweightonherbreastrousedhertiredmindtofresheffort。Shemustfindsomewayoutofthesloughintowhichshehadstumbled:itwasnotsomuchcompunctionasthedreadofhermorningthoughtsthatpressedonhertheneedofaction。Butshewasunutterablytired；itwaswearinesstothinkconnectedly。Shelayback，lookingaboutthepoorslitofaroomwitharenewalofphysicaldistaste。Theouterair，pennedbetweenhighbuildings，broughtnofreshnessthroughthewindow；steam-heatwasbeginningtosinginacoilofdingypipes，andasmellofcookingpenetratedthecrackofthedoor。
Thedooropened，andGerty，dressedandhatted，enteredwithacupoftea。Herfacelookedsallowandswolleninthedrearylight，andherdullhairshadedimperceptiblyintothetonesofherskin。
SheglancedshylyatLily，askinginanembarrassedtonehowshefelt；Lilyansweredwiththesameconstraint，andraisedherselfuptodrinkthetea。
\"Imusthavebeenover-tiredlastnight；IthinkIhadanervousattackinthecarriage，\"shesaid，asthedrinkbroughtclearnesstohersluggishthoughts。
\"Youwerenotwell；Iamsogladyoucamehere，\"Gertyreturned。
\"ButhowamItogethome？AndAuntJulia——？\"
\"Sheknows；Itelephonedearly，andyourmaidhasbroughtyourthings。Butwon’tyoueatsomething？Iscrambledtheeggsmyself。\"
Lilycouldnoteat；buttheteastrengthenedhertoriseanddressunderhermaid’ssearchinggaze。ItwasarelieftoherthatGertywasobligedtohastenaway:thetwokissedsilently，butwithoutatraceofthepreviousnight’semotion。
LilyfoundMrs。Penistoninastateofagitation。ShehadsentforGraceStepneyandwastakingdigitalis。Lilybreastedthestormofenquiriesasbestshecould，explainingthatshehadhadanattackoffaintnessonherwaybackfromCarryFisher’s；that，fearingshewouldnothavestrengthtoreachhome，shehadgonetoMissFarish’sinstead；butthataquietnighthadrestoredher，andthatshehadnoneedofadoctor。
ThiswasarelieftoMrs。Peniston，whocouldgiveherselfuptoherownsymptoms，andLilywasadvisedtogoandliedown，heraunt’spanaceaforallphysicalandmoraldisorders。Inthesolitudeofherownroomshewasbroughtbacktoasharpcontemplationoffacts。Herdaylightviewofthemnecessarilydifferedfromthecloudyvisionofthenight。Thewingedfurieswerenowprowlinggossipswhodroppedinoneachotherfortea。
Butherfearsseemedtheuglier，thusshornoftheirvagueness；
andbesides，shehadtoact，notrave。ForthefirsttimesheforcedherselftoreckonuptheexactamountofherdebttoTrenor；andtheresultofthishatefulcomputationwasthediscoverythatshehad，inall，receivedninethousanddollarsfromhim。Theflimsypretextonwhichithadbeengivenandreceivedshrivelledupintheblazeofhershame:sheknewthatnotapennyofitwasherown，andthattorestoreherself-respectshemustatoncerepaythewholeamount。Theinabilitythustosolaceheroutragedfeelingsgaveheraparalyzingsenseofinsignificance。Shewasrealizingforthefirsttimethatawoman’sdignitymaycostmoretokeepupthanhercarriage；andthatthemaintenanceofamoralattributeshouldbedependentondollarsandcents，madetheworldappearamoresordidplacethanshehadconceivedit。
Afterluncheon，whenGraceStepney’spryingeyeshadbeenremoved，Lilyaskedforawordwithheraunt。Thetwoladieswentupstairstothesitting-room，whereMrs。Penistonseatedherselfinherblacksatinarm-chairtuftedwithyellowbuttons，besideabead-worktablebearingabronzeboxwithaminiatureofBeatriceCenciinthelid。Lilyfeltfortheseobjectsthesamedistastewhichtheprisonermayentertainforthefittingsofthecourt-room。Itwasherethatherauntreceivedherrareconfidences，andthepink-eyedsmirkoftheturbanedBeatricewasassociatedinhermindwiththegradualfadingofthesmilefromMrs。Peniston’slips。Thatlady’sdreadofascenegaveheraninexorablenesswhichthegreateststrengthofcharactercouldnothaveproduced，sinceitwasindependentofallconsiderationsofrightorwrong；andknowingthis，Lilyseldomventuredtoassailit。Shehadneverfeltlesslikemakingtheattemptthanonthepresentoccasion；butshehadsoughtinvainforanyothermeansofescapefromanintolerablesituation。
Mrs。Penistonexaminedhercritically。\"You’reabadcolour，Lily:thisincessantrushingaboutisbeginningtotellonyou，\"
shesaid。
MissBartsawanopening。\"Idon’tthinkit’sthat，AuntJulia；
I’vehadworries，\"shereplied。
\"Ah，\"saidMrs。Peniston，shuttingherlipswiththesnapofapurseclosingagainstabeggar。
\"I’msorrytobotheryouwiththem，\"Lilycontinued，\"butI
reallybelievemyfaintnesslastnightwasbroughtonpartlybyanxiousthoughts——\"
\"IshouldhavesaidCarryFisher’scookwasenoughtoaccountforit。ShehasawomanwhowaswithMariaMelsonin1891——thespringoftheyearwewenttoAix——andIrememberdiningtheretwodaysbeforewesailed，andfeelingSUREthecoppershadn’tbeenscoured。\"
\"Idon’tthinkIatemuch；Ican’teatorsleep。\"Lilypaused，andthensaidabruptly:\"Thefactis，AuntJulia，Iowesomemoney。\"
Mrs。Peniston’sfacecloudedperceptibly，butdidnotexpresstheastonishmentherniecehadexpected。Shewassilent，andLilywasforcedtocontinue:\"Ihavebeenfoolish——\"
\"Nodoubtyouhave:extremelyfoolish，\"Mrs。Penistoninterposed。
\"Ifailtoseehowanyonewithyourincome，andnoexpenses——nottomentionthehandsomepresentsI’vealwaysgivenyou——\"
\"Oh，you’vebeenmostgenerous，AuntJulia；Ishallneverforgetyourkindness。Butperhapsyoudon’tquiterealizetheexpenseagirlisputtonowadays——\"
\"Idon’trealizethatYOUareputtoanyexpenseexceptforyourclothesandyourrailwayfares。Iexpectyoutobehandsomelydressed；butIpaidCeleste’sbillforyoulastOctober。\"
Lilyhesitated:heraunt’simplacablememoryhadneverbeenmoreinconvenient。\"Youwereaskindaspossible；butIhavehadtogetafewthingssince——\"
\"Whatkindofthings？Clothes？Howmuchhaveyouspent？Letmeseethebill——Idaresaythewomanisswindlingyou。\"
\"Oh，no，Ithinknot:clotheshavegrownsofrightfullyexpensive；andoneneedssomanydifferentkinds，withcountryvisits，andgolfandskating，andAikenandTuxedo——\"
\"Letmeseethebill，\"Mrs。Penistonrepeated。
Lilyhesitatedagain。Inthefirstplace，Mme。Celestehadnotyetsentinheraccount，andsecondly，theamountitrepresentedwasonlyafractionofthesumthatLilyneeded。
\"Shehasn’tsentinthebillformywinterthings，butIKNOW
it’slarge；andthereareoneortwootherthings；I’vebeencarelessandimprudent——I’mfrightenedtothinkofwhatIowe——\"
SheraisedthetroubledlovelinessofherfacetoMrs。Peniston，vainlyhopingthatasightsomovingtotheothersexmightnotbewithouteffectuponherown。ButtheeffectproducedwasthatofmakingMrs。Penistonshrinkbackapprehensively。
\"Really，Lily，youareoldenoughtomanageyourownaffairs，andafterfrighteningmetodeathbyyourperformanceoflastnightyoumightatleastchooseabettertimetoworrymewithsuchmatters。\"Mrs。Penistonglancedattheclock，andswallowedatabletofdigitalis。\"IfyouoweCelesteanotherthousand，shemaysendmeheraccount，\"sheadded，asthoughtoendthediscussionatanycost。
\"Iamverysorry，AuntJulia；Ihatetotroubleyouatsuchatime；butIhavereallynochoice——Ioughttohavespokensooner——Ioweagreatdealmorethanathousanddollars。\"
\"Agreatdealmore？Doyouowetwo？Shemusthaverobbedyou！\"
\"ItoldyouitwasnotonlyCeleste。I——thereareotherbills——morepressing——thatmustbesettled。\"
\"Whatonearthhaveyoubeenbuying？Jewelry？Youmusthavegoneoffyourhead，\"saidMrs。Penistonwithasperity。\"Butifyouhaverunintodebt，youmustsuffertheconsequences，andputasideyourmonthlyincometillyourbillsarepaid。Ifyoustayquietlyhereuntilnextspring，insteadofracingaboutalloverthecountry，youwillhavenoexpensesatall，andsurelyinfourorfivemonthsyoucansettletherestofyourbillsifIpaythedress-makernow。\"
Lilywasagainsilent。SheknewshecouldnothopetoextractevenathousanddollarsfromMrs。PenistononthemerepleaofpayingCeleste’sbill:Mrs。Penistonwouldexpecttogooverthedress-maker’saccount，andwouldmakeoutthechequetoherandnottoLily。Andyetthemoneymustbeobtainedbeforethedaywasover！
\"ThedebtsIspeakofare——different——notliketradesmen’sbills，\"shebeganconfusedly；butMrs。Peniston’slookmadeheralmostafraidtocontinue。Coulditbethatherauntsuspectedanything？TheideaprecipitatedLily’savowal。
\"Thefactis，I’veplayedcardsagooddeal——bridge；thewomenalldoit；girlstoo——it’sexpected。SometimesI’vewon——wonagooddeal——butlatelyI’vebeenunlucky——andofcoursesuchdebtscan’tbepaidoffgradually——\"
Shepaused:Mrs。Peniston’sfaceseemedtobepetrifyingasshelistened。
\"Cards——you’veplayedcardsformoney？It’strue，then:whenI
wastoldsoIwouldn’tbelieveit。Iwon’taskiftheotherhorrorsIwastoldweretruetoo；I’veheardenoughforthestateofmynerves。WhenIthinkoftheexampleyou’vehadinthishouse！ButIsupposeit’syourforeignbringing-up——nooneknewwhereyourmotherpickedupherfriends。AndherSundayswereascandal——thatIknow。\"
Mrs。Penistonwheeledroundsuddenly。\"YouplaycardsonSunday？\"
LilyflushedwiththerecollectionofcertainrainySundaysatBellomontandwiththeDorsets。
\"You’rehardonme，AuntJulia:Ihaveneverreallycaredforcards，butagirlhatestobethoughtpriggishandsuperior，andonedriftsintodoingwhattheothersdo。I’vehadadreadfullesson，andifyou’llhelpmeoutthistimeIpromiseyou——\"
Mrs。Penistonraisedherhandwarningly。\"Youneedn’tmakeanypromises:it’sunnecessary。WhenIofferedyouahomeIdidn’tundertaketopayyourgamblingdebts。\"
\"AuntJulia！Youdon’tmeanthatyouwon’thelpme？\"
\"IshallcertainlynotdoanythingtogivetheimpressionthatI
countenanceyourbehaviour。Ifyoureallyoweyourdress-maker，I
willsettlewithher——beyondthatIrecognizenoobligationtoassumeyourdebts。\"
Lilyhadrisen，andstoodpaleandquiveringbeforeheraunt。
Pridestormedinher，buthumiliationforcedthecryfromherlips:\"AuntJulia，Ishallbedisgraced——I——\"Butshecouldgonofarther。Ifherauntturnedsuchastonyeartothefictionofthegamblingdebts，inwhatspiritwouldshereceivetheterribleavowalofthetruth？
\"IconsiderthatyouAREdisgraced，Lily:disgracedbyyourconductfarmorethanbyitsresults。Yousayyourfriendshavepersuadedyoutoplaycardswiththem；well，theymayaswelllearnalessontoo。Theycanprobablyaffordtolosealittlemoney——andatanyrate，Iamnotgoingtowasteanyofmineinpayingthem。AndnowImustaskyoutoleaveme——thisscenehasbeenextremelypainful，andIhavemyownhealthtoconsider。
Drawdowntheblinds，please；andtellJenningsIwillseenoonethisafternoonbutGraceStepney。\"
Lilywentuptoherownroomandboltedthedoor。Shewastremblingwithfearandanger——therushofthefuries’wingswasinherears。Shewalkedupanddowntheroomwithblindirregularsteps。Thelastdoorofescapewasclosed——shefeltherselfshutinwithherdishonourSuddenlyherwildpacingbroughtherbeforetheclockonthechimney-piece。Itshandsstoodathalf-pastthree，andsherememberedthatSeldenwastocometoheratfour。Shehadmeanttoputhimoffwithaword——butnowherheartleapedatthethoughtofseeinghim。Wastherenotapromiseofrescueinhislove？AsshehadlainatGerty’ssidethenightbefore，shehadthoughtofhiscoming，andofthesweetnessofweepingoutherpainuponhisbreast。Ofcourseshehadmeanttoclearherselfofitsconsequencesbeforeshemethim——shehadneverreallydoubtedthatMrs。Penistonwouldcometoheraid。Andshehadfelt，eveninthefullstormofhermisery，thatSelden’slovecouldnotbeherultimaterefuge；onlyitwouldbesosweettotakeamoment’sshelterthere，whileshegatheredfreshstrengthtogoon。
Butnowhislovewasheronlyhope，andasshesatalonewithherwretchednessthethoughtofconfidinginhimbecameasseductiveastheriver’sflowtothesuicide。Thefirstplungewouldbeterrible——butafterward，whatblessednessmightcome！SherememberedGerty’swords:\"Iknowhim——hewillhelpyou\"；andhermindclungtothemasasickpersonmightclingtoahealingrelic。Oh，ifhereallyunderstood——ifhewouldhelphertogatherupherbrokenlife，andputittogetherinsomenewsemblanceinwhichnotraceofthepastshouldremain！Hehadalwaysmadeherfeelthatshewasworthyofbetterthings，andshehadneverbeeningreaterneedofsuchsolace。Onceandagainsheshrankatthethoughtofimperillinghislovebyherconfession:forlovewaswhatsheneeded——itwouldtaketheglowofpassiontoweldtogethertheshatteredfragmentsofherself-esteem。ButsherecurredtoGerty’swordsandheldfasttothem。ShewassurethatGertyknewSelden’sfeelingforher，andithadneverdawneduponherblindnessthatGerty’sownjudgmentofhimwascolouredbyemotionsfarmoreardentthanherown。
Fouro’clockfoundherinthedrawing-room:shewassurethatSeldenwouldbepunctual。Butthehourcameandpassed——itmovedonfeverishly，measuredbyherimpatientheart-beats。Shehadtimetotakeafreshsurveyofherwretchedness，andtofluctuateanewbetweentheimpulsetoconfideinSeldenandthedreadofdestroyinghisillusions。Butastheminutespassedtheneedofthrowingherselfonhiscomprehensionbecamemoreurgent:shecouldnotbeartheweightofhermiseryalone。Therewouldbeaperilousmoment，perhaps:butcouldshenottrusttoherbeautytobridgeitover，tolandhersafeintheshelterofhisdevotion？
ButthehourspedonandSeldendidnotcome。Doubtlesshehadbeendetained，orhadmisreadherhurriedlyscrawlednote，takingthefourforafive。Theringingofthedoor-bellafewminutesafterfiveconfirmedthissupposition，andmadeLilyhastilyresolvetowritemorelegiblyinfuture。Thesoundofstepsinthehall，andofthebutler’svoiceprecedingthem，pouredfreshenergyintoherveins。Shefeltherselfoncemorethealertandcompetentmoulderofemergencies，andtheremembranceofherpoweroverSeldenflushedherwithsuddenconfidence。Butwhenthedrawing-roomdooropeneditwasRosedalewhocamein。
Thereactioncausedherasharppang，butafterapassingmovementofirritationattheclumsinessoffate，andatherowncarelessnessinnotdenyingthedoortoallbutSelden，shecontrolledherselfandgreetedRosedaleamicably。ItwasannoyingthatSelden，whenhecame，shouldfindthatparticularvisitorinpossession，butLilywasmistressoftheartofriddingherselfofsuperfluouscompany，andtoherpresentmoodRosedaleseemeddistinctlynegligible。
Hisownviewofthesituationforceditselfuponherafterafewmoments’conversation。ShehadcaughtattheBrys’entertainmentasaneasyimpersonalsubject，likelytotidethemovertheintervaltillSeldenappeared，butMr。Rosedale，tenaciouslyplantedbesidethetea-table，hishandsinhispockets，hislegsalittletoofreelyextended，atoncegavethetopicapersonalturn。
\"Prettywelldone——well，yes，Isupposeitwas:WellyBry’sgothisbackupanddon’tmeantoletgotillhe’sgotthehangofthething。Ofcourse，therewerethingshereandthere——thingsMrs。Fishercouldn’tbeexpectedtoseeto——thechampagnewasn’tcold，andthecoatsgotmixedinthecoat-room。Iwouldhavespentmoremoneyonthemusic。Butthat’smycharacter:ifIwantathingI’mwillingtopay:Idon’tgouptothecounter，andthenwonderifthearticle’sworththeprice。Iwouldn’tbesatisfiedtoentertainliketheWellyBrys；I’dwantsomethingthatwouldlookmoreeasyandnatural，moreasifItookitinmystride。Andittakesjusttwothingstodothat，MissBart:money，andtherightwomantospendit。\"
Hepaused，andexaminedherattentivelywhilesheaffectedtorearrangethetea-cups。
\"I’vegotthemoney，\"hecontinued，clearinghisthroat，\"andwhatIwantisthewoman——andImeantohavehertoo。\"
Heleanedforwardalittle，restinghishandsontheheadofhiswalking-stick。HehadseenmenofNedVanAlstyne’stypebringtheirhatsandsticksintoadrawing-room，andhethoughtitaddedatouchofelegantfamiliaritytotheirappearance。
Lilywassilent，smilingfaintly，withhereyesabsentlyrestingonhisface。Shewasinrealityreflectingthatadeclarationwouldtakesometimetomake，andthatSeldenmustsurelyappearbeforethemomentofrefusalhadbeenreached。Herbroodinglook，asofamindwithdrawnyetnotaverted，seemedtoMr。Rosedalefullofasubtleencouragement。Hewouldnothavelikedanyevidenceofeagerness。
\"Imeantohavehertoo，\"herepeated，withalaughintendedtostrengthenhisself-assurance。\"IgenerallyHAVEgotwhatI
wantedinlife，MissBart。Iwantedmoney，andI’vegotmorethanIknowhowtoinvest；andnowthemoneydoesn’tseemtobeofanyaccountunlessIcanspenditontherightwoman。That’swhatI
wanttodowithit:Iwantmywifetomakealltheotherwomenfeelsmall。I’dnevergrudgeadollarthatwasspentonthat。Butitisn’teverywomancandoit，nomatterhowmuchyouspendonher。Therewasagirlinsomehistorybookwhowantedgoldshields，orsomething，andthefellowsthrew’emather，andshewascrushedunder’em:theykilledher。Well，that’strueenough:
somewomenlookedburiedundertheirjewelry。WhatIwantisawomanwho’llholdherheadhigherthemorediamondsIputonit。
AndwhenIlookedatyoutheothernightattheBrys’，inthatplainwhitedress，lookingasifyouhadacrownon，Isaidtomyself:’Bygad，ifshehadoneshe’dwearitasifitgrewonher。’\"
StillLilydidnotspeak，andhecontinued，warmingwithhistheme:\"Tellyouwhatitis，though，thatkindofwomancostsmorethanalltherestof’emputtogether。Ifawoman’sgoingtoignoreherpearls，theywanttobebetterthananybodyelse’s——andsoitiswitheverythingelse。YouknowwhatI
mean——youknowit’sonlytheshowythingsthatarecheap。Well，I
shouldwantmywifetobeabletotaketheearthforgrantedifshewantedto。Iknowthere’sonethingvulgaraboutmoney，andthat’sthethinkingaboutit；andmywifewouldneverhavetodemeanherselfinthatway。\"Hepaused，andthenadded，withanunfortunatelapsetoanearliermanner:\"IguessyouknowtheladyI’vegotinview，MissBart。\"
Lilyraisedherhead，brighteningalittleunderthechallenge。
Eventhroughthedarktumultofherthoughts，theclinkofMr。
Rosedale’smillionshadafaintlyseductivenote。Oh，forenoughofthemtocancelheronemiserabledebt！ButthemanbehindthemgrewincreasinglyrepugnantinthelightofSelden’sexpectedcoming。Thecontrastwastoogrotesque:shecouldscarcelysuppressthesmileitprovoked。Shedecidedthatdirectnesswouldbebest。
\"Ifyoumeanme，Mr。Rosedale，Iamverygrateful——verymuchflattered；butIdon’tknowwhatIhaveeverdonetomakeyouthink——\"
\"Oh，ifyoumeanyou’renotdeadinlovewithme，I’vegotsenseenoughlefttoseethat。AndIain’ttalkingtoyouasifyouwere——IpresumeIknowthekindoftalkthat’sexpectedunderthosecircumstances。I’mconfoundedlygoneonyou——that’saboutthesizeofit——andI’mjustgivingyouaplainbusinessstatementoftheconsequences。You’renotveryfondofme——YET——butyou’refondofluxury，andstyle，andamusement，andofnothavingtoworryaboutcash。Youliketohaveagoodtime，andnothavetosettleforit；andwhatIproposetodoistoprovideforthegoodtimeanddothesettling。\"
Hepaused，andshereturnedwithachillingsmile:\"Youaremistakeninonepoint，Mr。Rosedale:whateverIenjoyIampreparedtosettlefor。\"
Shespokewiththeintentionofmakinghimseethat，ifhiswordsimpliedatentativeallusiontoherprivateaffairs，shewaspreparedtomeetandrepudiateit。Butifherecognizedhermeaningitfailedtoabashhim，andhewentoninthesametone:
\"Ididn’tmeantogiveoffence；excusemeifI’vespokentooplainly。Butwhyain’tyoustraightwithme——whydoyouputupthatkindofbluff？Youknowthere’vebeentimeswhenyouwerebothered——damnedbothered——andasagirlgetsolder，andthingskeepmovingalong，why，beforesheknowsit，thethingsshewantsareliabletomovepastherandnotcomeback。Idon’tsayit’sanywherenearthatwithyouyet；butyou’vehadatasteofbothersthatagirllikeyourselfoughtnevertohaveknownabout，andwhatI’mofferingyouisthechancetoturnyourbackonthemonceforall。\"
ThecolourburnedinLily’sfaceasheended；therewasnomistakingthepointhemeanttomake，andtopermitittopassunheededwasafatalconfessionofweakness，whiletoresentittooopenlywastoriskoffendinghimataperilousmoment。
Indignationquiveredonherlip；butitwasquelledbythesecretvoicewhichwarnedherthatshemustnotquarrelwithhim。Heknewtoomuchabouther，andevenatthemomentwhenitwasessentialthatheshouldshowhimselfathisbest，hedidnotscrupletoletherseehowmuchheknew。Howthenwouldheusehispowerwhenherexpressionofcontempthaddispelledhisonemotiveforrestraint？Herwholefuturemighthingeonherwayofansweringhim:shehadtostopandconsiderthat，inthestressofherotheranxieties，asabreathlessfugitivemayhavetopauseatthecross-roadsandtrytodecidecoollywhichturntotake。
\"Youarequiteright，Mr。Rosedale。IHAVEhadbothers；andIamgratefultoyouforwantingtorelievemeofthem。Itisnotalwayseasytobequiteindependentandself-respectingwhenoneispoorandlivesamongrichpeople；Ihavebeencarelessaboutmoney，andhaveworriedaboutmybills。ButI
shouldbeselfishandungratefulifImadethatareasonforacceptingallyouoffer，withnobetterreturntomakethanthedesiretobefreefrommyanxieties。Youmustgivemetime——timetothinkofyourkindness——andofwhatIcouldgiveyouinreturnforit——\"
Sheheldoutherhandwithacharminggestureinwhichdismissalwasshornofitsrigour。ItshintoffutureleniencymadeRosedaleriseinobediencetoit，alittleflushedwithhisunhoped-forsuccess，anddisciplinedbythetraditionofhisbloodtoacceptwhatwasconceded，withoutunduehastetopressformore。Somethinginhispromptacquiescencefrightenedher；shefeltbehinditthestoredforceofapatiencethatmightsubduethestrongestwill。Butatleasttheyhadpartedamicably，andhewasoutofthehousewithoutmeetingSelden——Selden，whosecontinuedabsencenowsmoteherwithanewalarm。Rosedalehadremainedoveranhour，andsheunderstoodthatitwasnowtoolatetohopeforSelden。Hewouldwriteexplaininghisabsence，ofcourse；therewouldbeanotefromhimbythelatepost。Butherconfessionwouldhavetobepostponed；andthechillofthedelaysettledheavilyonherfaggedspirit。
Itlayheavierwhenthepostman’slastringbroughtnonoteforher，andshehadtogoupstairstoalonelynight——anightasgrimandsleeplessashertorturedfancyhadpicturedittoGerty。Shehadneverlearnedtolivewithherownthoughts，andtobeconfrontedwiththemthroughsuchhoursoflucidmiserymadetheconfusedwretchednessofherpreviousvigilseemeasilybearable。
Daylightdisbandedthephantomcrew，andmadeitcleartoherthatshewouldhearfromSeldenbeforenoon；butthedaypassedwithouthiswritingorcoming。Lilyremainedathome，lunchinganddiningalonewithheraunt，whocomplainedofflutteringsoftheheart，andtalkedicilyongeneraltopics。Mrs。Penistonwenttobedearly，andwhenshehadgoneLilysatdownandwroteanotetoSelden。Shewasabouttoringforamessengertodespatchitwhenhereyefellonaparagraphintheeveningpaperwhichlayatherelbow:
\"Mr。LawrenceSeldenwasamongthepassengerssailingthisafternoonforHavanaandtheWestIndiesontheWindwardLinerAntilles。\"
Shelaiddownthepaperandsatmotionless，staringathernote。Sheunderstoodnowthathewasnevercoming——thathehadgoneawaybecausehewasafraidthathemightcome。
Sherose，andwalkingacrossthefloorstoodgazingatherselfforalongtimeinthebrightly-litmirrorabovethemantel-
piece。Thelinesinherfacecameoutterribly——shelookedold；andwhenagirllooksoldtoherself，howdoesshelooktootherpeople？Shemovedaway，andbegantowanderaimlesslyabouttheroom，fittingherstepswithmechanicalprecisionbetweenthemonstrousrosesofMrs。Peniston’sAxminster。SuddenlyshenoticedthatthepenwithwhichshehadwrittentoSeldenstillrestedagainsttheuncoveredinkstand。Sheseatedherselfagain，andtakingoutanenvelope，addresseditrapidlytoRosedale。Thenshelaidoutasheetofpaper，andsatoveritwithsuspendedpen。Ithadbeeneasyenoughtowritethedate，and\"DearMr。Rosedale\"——butafterthatherinspirationflagged。Shemeanttotellhimtocometoher，butthewordsrefusedtoshapethemselves。Atlengthshebegan:\"Ihavebeenthinking——\"thenshelaidthependown，andsatwithherelbowsonthetableandherfacehiddeninherhands。
Suddenlyshestartedupatthesoundofthedoor-bell。Itwasnotlate——barelyteno’clock——andtheremightstillbeanotefromSelden，oramessage——orhemightbetherehimself，ontheothersideofthedoor！Theannouncementofhissailingmighthavebeenamistake——itmightbeanotherLawrenceSeldenwhohadgonetoHavana——allthesepossibilitieshadtimetoflashthroughhermind，andbuilduptheconvictionthatshewasafteralltoseeorhearfromhim，beforethedrawing-roomdooropenedtoadmitaservantcarryingatelegram。
Lilytoreitopenwithshakinghands，andreadBerthaDorset’snamebelowthemessage:\"Sailingunexpectedlytomorrow。WillyoujoinusonacruiseinMediterranean？\"
BOOKII
ItcamevividlytoSeldenontheCasinostepsthatMonteCarlohad，morethananyotherplaceheknew，thegiftofaccommodatingitselftoeachman’shumour。Hisown，atthemoment，lentitafestivereadinessofwelcomethatmightwell，inadisenchantedeye，haveturnedtopaintandfacility。Sofrankanappealforparticipation-sooutspokenarecognitionoftheholidayveininhumannature——struckrefreshinglyonamindjadedbyprolongedhardworkinsurroundingsmadeforthedisciplineofthesenses。
Ashesurveyedthewhitesquaresetinanexoticcoquetryofarchitecture，thestudiedtropicalityofthegardens，thegroupsloiteringintheforegroundagainstmauvemountainswhichsuggestedasublimestage-settingforgotteninahurriedshiftingofscenes——ashetookinthewholeoutspreadeffectoflightandleisure，hefeltamovementofrevulsionfromthelastfewmonthsofhislife。
TheNewYorkwinterhadpresentedaninterminableperspectiveofsnow-burdeneddays，reachingtowardaspringofrawsunshineandfuriousair，whentheuglinessofthingsraspedtheeyeasthegrittywindgroundintotheskin。Selden，immersedinhiswork，hadtoldhimselfthatexternalconditionsdidnotmattertoamaninhisstate，andthatcoldanduglinesswereagoodtonicforrelaxedsensibilities。WhenanurgentcasesummonedhimabroadtoconferwithaclientinParis，hebrokereluctantlywiththeroutineoftheoffice；anditwasonlynowthat，havingdespatchedhisbusiness，andslippedawayforaweekinthesouth，hebegantofeeltherenewedzestofspectatorshipthatisthesolaceofthosewhotakeanobjectiveinterestinlife。
Themultiplicityofitsappeals——theperpetualsurpriseofitscontrastsandresemblances！AllthesetricksandturnsoftheshowwereuponhimwithaspringashedescendedtheCasinostepsandpausedonthepavementatitsdoors。Hehadnotbeenabroadforsevenyears——andwhatchangestherenewedcontactproduced！
Ifthecentraldepthswereuntouched，hardlyapin-pointofsurfaceremainedthesame。Andthiswastheveryplacetobringoutthecompletenessoftherenewal。Thesublimities，theperpetuities，mighthavelefthimashewas:butthistentpitchedforaday’srevelryspreadaroofofoblivionbetweenhimselfandhisfixedsky。
Itwasmid-April，andonefeltthattherevelryhadreacheditsclimaxandthatthedesultorygroupsinthesquareandgardenswouldsoondissolveandre-forminotherscenes。Meanwhilethelastmomentsoftheperformanceseemedtogainanaddedbrightnessfromthehoveringthreatofthecurtain。Thequalityoftheair，theexuberanceoftheflowers，theblueintensityofseaandsky，producedtheeffectofaclosingTABLEAU，whenallthelightsareturnedonatonce。Thisimpressionwaspresentlyheightenedbythewayinwhichaconsciouslyconspicuousgroupofpeopleadvancedtothemiddlefront，andstoodbeforeSeldenwiththeairofthechiefperformersgatheredtogetherbytheexigenciesofthefinaleffect。Theirappearanceconfirmedtheimpressionthattheshowhadbeenstagedregardlessofexpense，andemphasizeditsresemblancetooneofthose\"costume-plays\"inwhichtheprotagonistswalkthroughthepassionswithoutdisplacingadrapery。Theladiesstoodinunrelatedattitudescalculatedtoisolatetheireffects，andthemenhungaboutthemasirrelevantlyasstageheroeswhosetailorsarenamedintheprogramme。ItwasSeldenhimselfwhounwittinglyfusedthegroupbyarrestingtheattentionofoneofitsmembers。
\"Why，Mr。Selden！\"Mrs。Fisherexclaimedinsurprise；andwithagesturetowardMrs。JackStepneyandMrs。WellingtonBry，sheaddedplaintively:\"We’restarvingtodeathbecausewecan’tdecidewheretolunch。\"
Welcomedintotheirgroup，andmadetheconfidantoftheirdifficulty，Seldenlearnedwithamusementthattherewereseveralplaceswhereonemightmisssomethingbynotlunching，orforfeitsomethingbylunching；sothateatingactuallybecameaminorconsiderationontheveryspotconsecratedtoitsrites。
\"OfcourseonegetsthebestthingsattheTERRASSE——butthatlooksasifonehadn’tanyotherreasonforbeingthere:theAmericanswhodon’tknowanyonealwaysrushforthebestfood。
AndtheDuchessofBeltshirehastakenupBecassin’slately，\"
Mrs。Bryearnestlysummedup。
Mrs。Bry，toMrs。Fisher’sdespair，hadnotprogressedbeyondthepointofweighinghersocialalternativesinpublic。Shecouldnotacquiretheairofdoingthingsbecauseshewantedto，andmakingherchoicethefinalsealoftheirfitness。
Mr。Bry，ashortpaleman，withabusinessfaceandleisureclothes，metthedilemmahilariously。
\"IguesstheDuchessgoeswhereit’scheapest，unlessshecangethermealpaidfor。IfyouofferedtoblowheroffattheTERRASSE
she’dturnupfastenough。\"
ButMrs。JackStepneyinterposed。\"TheGrandDukesgotothatlittleplaceattheCondamine。LordHubertsaysit’stheonlyrestaurantinEuropewheretheycancookpeas。\"
LordHubertDacey，aslendershabby-lookingman，withacharmingwornsmile，andtheairofhavingspenthisbestyearsinpilotingthewealthytotherightrestaurant，assentedwithgentleemphasis:\"It’squitethat。\"
\"PEAS？\"saidMr。Brycontemptuously。\"Cantheycookterrapin？Itjustshows，\"hecontinued，\"whattheseEuropeanmarketsare，whenafellowcanmakeareputationcookingpeas！\"
JackStepneyintervenedwithauthority。\"Idon’tknowthatI
quiteagreewithDacey:there’salittleholeinParis，offtheQuaiVoltaire——butinanycase，Ican’tadvisetheCondamineGARGOTE；atleastnotwithladies。\"
Stepney，sincehismarriage，hadthickenedandgrownprudish，astheVanOsburghhusbandswereapttodo；buthiswife，tohissurpriseanddiscomfiture，haddevelopedanearth-shakingfastnessofgaitwhichlefthimtrailingbreathlesslyinherwake。
\"That’swherewe’llgothen！\"shedeclared，withaheavytossofherplumage。\"I’msotiredoftheTERRASSE:it’sasdullasoneofmother’sdinners。AndLordHuberthaspromisedtotelluswhoalltheawfulpeopleareattheotherplace——hasn’the，Carry？
Now，Jack，don’tlooksosolemn！\"
\"Well，\"saidMrs。Bry，\"allIwanttoknowiswhotheirdress-makersare。\"
\"NodoubtDaceycantellyouthattoo，\"remarkedStepney，withanironicintentionwhichtheotherreceivedwiththelightmurmur，\"IcanatleastFINDOUT，mydearfellow\"；andMrs。Bryhavingdeclaredthatshecouldn’twalkanotherstep，thepartyhailedtwoorthreeofthelightphaetonswhichhoverattentivelyontheconfinesofthegardens，andrattledoffinprocessiontowardtheCondamine。
TheirdestinationwasoneofthelittlerestaurantsoverhangingtheboulevardwhichdipssteeplydownfromMonteCarlotothelowintermediatequarteralongthequay。Fromthewindowinwhichtheypresentlyfoundthemselvesinstalled，theyoverlookedtheintensebluecurveoftheharbour，setbetweentheverdureoftwinpromontories:totheright，thecliffofMonaco，toppedbythemediaevalsilhouetteofitschurchandcastle，tothelefttheterracesandpinnaclesofthegambling-house。Betweenthetwo，thewatersofthebaywerefurrowedbyalightcomingandgoingofpleasure-craft，throughwhich，justattheculminatingmomentofluncheon，themajesticadvanceofagreatsteam-yachtdrewthecompany’sattentionfromthepeas。
\"ByJove，Ibelievethat’stheDorsetsback！\"Stepneyexclaimed；
andLordHubert，droppinghissingleeye-glass，corroborated:
\"It’stheSabrina——yes。\"
\"Sosoon？TheyweretospendamonthinSicily，\"Mrs。Fisherobserved。
\"Iguesstheyfeelasiftheyhad:there’sonlyoneup-to-datehotelinthewholeplace，\"saidMr。Brydisparagingly。
\"ItwasNedSilverton’sidea——butpoorDorsetandLilyBartmusthavebeenhorriblybored。\"Mrs。FisheraddedinanundertonetoSelden:\"Idohopetherehasn’tbeenarow。\"
\"It’smostawfullyjollyhavingMissBartback，\"saidLordHubert，inhismilddeliberatevoice；andMrs。Bryaddedingenuously:\"IdaresaytheDuchesswilldinewithus，nowthatLily’shere。\"