ThesetwoyoungladieshadmettwicepreviouslytotheeveningtheyhadpassedtogetheratWyllys-Roof；AdelinehadupononeoccasionbeeninthesameboatwithJane，goingandcoming，betweenNewYorkandLongbridge，andshehadalreadydoneallinherpowertowardsgettingupadesperateintimacy。Hermother，asamatterofcourse，didnotinterferewiththeyounglady\'spreferenceforMrs。G——\'sschool——whyshouldshe？ItwasAdeline\'saffair；shebelongedtothesubmissiveclassofAmericanparents，whothinkitanactofcrueltytoinfluenceorcontroltheirchildren，evenlongbeforetheyhavearrivedatyearsofdiscretion。AsforMr。Taylor，hehaddiscoveredthatthedaughtersofseveralfashionablefamilieswereatMrs。
G——\'s，andwasperfectlysatisfiedwiththechange；allhehadtodowas，tomakeoutthechequesinonenameinsteadofanother。Adelinemanagedthewholeaffairherself；andhavingatlastbeentoayoungparty，forwhichshehadbeenwaiting，andhavingsatisfiedsomelingeringscruplesastothecoloursofthesilkdresseswhichcomposedthewinteruniformoftheschool，andwhichsheatfirstthoughtfrightfullyunbecomingtoherparticularstyleofbeauty，MissTayloronemorningpresentedherselfatMrs。G——\'sdoor，andwasregularlyadmittedasoneoftheyoungbandinfashionabletrainingunderthatlady\'sroof。
Jane，itistrue，didnotshowquiteasmuchraptureatthemeetingasAdelinecouldhavewished；but，then，MissTaylorhadalreadydiscoveredthatthislastbosom-friendwasofacalmerdispositionthanthedozenwhohadprecededher。
HarryhadnotbeenadayinPhiladelphia，beforeheannouncedtohisbrother，hisengagementwithElinor；forhewasmuchtoofrankbynaturetohaveanytasteforunnecessarymystery。
“Ihaveapieceofnewsforyou，Robert，“hesaid，asheenteredthedrawing-roombeforedinner，andfoundhisbrotherlyingonasofa。
“Goodnews，Ihope，“repliedMr。RobertHazlehurst。
“MayInothavemyshareofit？”askedMrs。Hazlehurst，whomHarryhadnotobserved。
“Certainly；itisapieceofgoodfortunetoyourhumbleservant，inwhichIhopeyouwillbothbeinterested。“
“Why，really，Harry，“saidhissister-in-law，“thereisatouchofimportance，withadashofself-complacencyandmysteryinyourexpression，thatlookalittlelover-like。Haveyoucometoannouncethatyouaredeterminedtoofferyourselftosomebelleorotherbeforewesail？”
“Thedeedisalreadydone，“saidHarry，colouringalittle；asmuch，perhaps，fromamischievoussatisfactioninthedisappointmentheforesaw，asfromanyotherfeeling。
“No！”saidhisbrother，turningtowardshimwithsomeanxiety。
“Offeredyourself——andaccepted，then；or，ofcourse，youwouldnotmentionit。“
“Pray，tellus，Harry，whoistobeournewsister，“saidMrs。
Hazlehurst，kindly，andwithsomeinterest。
“Ihavehalfamindtoteaseyou，“hereplied，smiling。
“Inevershouldguess，“saidMrs。Hazlehurst。“Ihadnoideayouwereattachedtoanyone——hadyou，Robert？”
“NotI！ItmustbesomebodyatLongbridge——hehasbeentheremorethanhalfhistimelately。Come，tellus，Harry，likeaman；whoisit？”askedRobertHazlehurst，naturallyfeelinginterestedinhisyoungerbrother\'schoice。
“NoonepreciselyatLongbridge，“saidHarry，smiling。
“Whocanitbe？——Andactuallyengaged？”addedMrs。Hazlehurst，whosawthatHarrywouldnotexplainhimselfwithoutbeingquestioned。
“Engaged，verydecidedly，andpositively，Iamhappytosay。IsthereanythingsoverywonderfulinmyhavingdeclaredanattachmenttoElinor；IamsureIhavelikedherbetterthananyoneelseallmylife。“
“EngagedtoElinor！”exclaimedRobertHazlehurst，muchrelieved。
“Iamdelightedtohearit。Itisawiserstepthanonewouldalwaysexpectfromayounggentlemanofyouryears。“
“EngagedtoElinor！Iwishyoujoywithallmyheart，“repeatedhissister-in-law。“Ithadnotoccurredtometothinkofanyonesonearanddeartousalready；youcouldnothavedonebetter，Harry，“sheadded，withaperfectlyfrank，opensmile。
Totellthetruth，Hazlehurstwasnotalittlesurprised，andrathermortifiedbythisdecidedapprobation——sinceitprovedhehadbeenunjust，andthathehaddeceivedhimselfastowhathehadsupposedthewishesofhisbrother，andtheplansofhissister-in-law。Hedidnot，however，foraninstant，regretthestephehadtaken；hisregardforElinorwastoosinceretoallowofanyotherfeelingthanthatofsatisfaction，inrememberingtheirengagement。ButithadnowbecomeamatterofindifferencewhetherJaneweretojointheEuropeanpartyornot。
Ontheappointedday，theHazlehurstssailed。Theywentabroadwithmoreadvantagesthanmanyothers，fortheycarriedwiththemgoodsense，goodprinciples，andagoodeducation，andwerewellpreparedtoenjoythewidefieldofobservationthatlaybeforethem。Therewaseveryreasontohope，fromtheencouragingopinionsofhisphysicians，thatMr。RobertHazlehurst\'shealthwouldbeentirelyrestoredbytravelling；hiswifelookedforwardtotheexcursionwithmuchpleasure，andHarrywasdelightedwiththeplan。TheyhadanoldfamilyfriendinParis，anexcellentwoman，whowasineverywayqualifiedtoredeemthepromisesshehadgiven，ofsoonmakingthemfeelathomeinFrance。MadamedeBessiereswasthewidowofadistinguishedemigre，andhadpassedalongexilewithherhusbandinAmerica。TheyhadbeenforyearsnearneighboursofMr。Wyllys，andthisgentlemanhadhaditinhispower，atdifferenttimes，torenderservicesofsomeimportancetohisFrenchfriends。MadamedeBessieresandherfamilyweregratefulfortheseactsofkindness：shehadknowntheyoungpeopleatWyllys-Roof，andfeltaninterestinthemall；fortheirownsakes，aswellasfromasincererespectandregardforMr。Wyllysandhisdaughter，thisladywasanxioustoshowtheHazlehurstseveryfriendlyattentioninherpower。Undertheseagreeableauspices，thepartylefthome，expectingtobeabsentforacoupleofyears。
CHAPTERIV。
“Farewell，mylord！Goodwishes，praise，andprayers，ShallSuffolkeverhaveofMargaret。“
HenryVI。
{WilliamShakespeare，“1HenryVI“，V。iii。173-174}
THEarrivaloflettersfromHarry，oftenaccompaniedbysomethingprettyoruseful，asasouvenirforherself，weretheprincipaleventsofthenextwinter，toElinor。Severalmonthsofthecoldweatherwerepassed，asusual，byMr。Wyllysandhisfamily，inPhiladelphia；andMissAgnesthoughtittimethathernieceshouldmakeherappearanceinsociety。ButElinorfoundlesspleasure，thanmostgirls，inthegayworld。Shewasseldomappreciated，inmixedcompany；shewastooyoung，atthattime，andtoomodest，forherintelligencetobegenerallyknownorcaredfor；whileherpersonalappearanceexposedhertobeentirelyoverlookedandneglectedbystrangers；ithadindeedoccasionallybeenthecauseofmortifications，moredeeplyfeltbyMissAgnes，thanbyElinorherself。Peopletalksolightly，inwhatiscalledgeneralsociety；heartlessremarksareutteredwithsomuchcarelessindifferenceonallsides，thatitwasnotsurprisingsomeunkindobservationsshouldhavereachedherear。
Itwasnotuntiltheseasonthatshehadbeenintroducedintoalargercircle，thatElinorbecamebetterawareofherdisadvantagesinthisrespect。Shehadbeensotenderlylovedandwatchedoverbyhergrandfatherandaunt；shewassogenerallylikedbythosewhohadbeenhithertohercompanions，thatshehadnotbeenawareofalltheconsequencesofherposition。Sheknewthatherappearancewasnotattractive，whileheryoungfriendsweremoreorlesspretty；still，shehadthoughtbutlittleonthesubject，untilherintroductionintoalargercircleledhertoremarkthegreatimportancewhichtheworldattachestomerebeauty，inwomen，atleast。But，withthisreflection，camealsothegratifyingrecollectionofHarry\'sregardforher；anditservedindeedtoincreaseverymuchherattachmenttohim，bygivingitanadditionalfeelingofgratitude。
Harry\'sletterswerekindandaffectionate，andElinorthoughtthemveryamusing。Itwasimpossiblethatanintelligent，well-educatedyoungman，suddenlytransportedfromtheNew，totheOldWorld，shouldnotfindagreatdealtosay；andHarrytoldhisadventuresveryagreeably。HisletterstoElinorwerealmostasstraight-forwardandmatter-of-fact，astheymighthavebeenifshehadalreadybecomehiswife。Hisbrother\'shealthwasimproving；somuchso，thattheyweretalkingofleavingMrs。
Hazlehurst，andherchildren，inParis，whileHarryandtheinvalidmadeasixweeks\'excursiontoEngland。MadamedeBessiereshadbeenallkindness，andtheyweredelightedwiththesocietytheymetatherhouse。“MadamedeBessieresremembersyouperfectly，“saidHarry，inoneofhisletters，“andassheissure，underAuntAgnes\'care，youmusthavegrownupwithallthegoodandagreeablequalitiesthatshelovedyouforwhenachild，sheagreeswithyourhumbleservant，inthinkinghimaveryluckyfellow，andveryprudent，inhavingsecuredyoubeforehelefthome。Sheisreallyamostexcellentandcharmingwoman，askindaspossibletoLouisa。HerAmericanfriendshaveeveryreasontobesatisfiedwithherrecollectionsofthem，especiallyMr。
WyllysandAuntAgnes，whomsheevidentlyappreciates。Hernephew，youngdeGuivres，andI，areverygoodfriendsalready，andoftentakeagalloptogetherintheBoisdeBoulogne。Itisasettledthing，Elinor，dear，thatIamtobringyoutoFrance，oneofthesedays；thatistosay，ifyouhavenoobjections；
which，ofcourse，youwillnothave。TomTaylorisherestill，andhisprogressivestepsincivilizationarequiteamusing，toalooker-on；everytimeIseehim，Iamstruckwithsomenewchange——somefreshgrowthinelegance。Iwasgoingtosay，thathewillturnoutaregulardandy；buthewouldhavetogotoLondonforthat；hewillproveratherasortofsecond-ratepetit-maitrealaParisienne；whichisentirelyadifferentcreature。ItwoulddoyourheartgoodtoseeRobert；heeatslikeaploughman，ifploughmeneverdevourpouletsalaMarengo，orortolansalaProvencale。IwishIcouldgiveasgoodanaccountofCreighton，whoarrivedinthelastpacket；poorfellow，hehasnotrevivedatall，and，Ifear，willneverbebetter。Hiswifeiswithhim；asprettyandagreeableasever。IhopeBrunobehaveswell，andremembersthatitisnowhischiefdutytodevotehimselftoyourservice。“
{“petit-maitrealaParisienne“=aridiculouslypretentiousdandy，Parisian-style；“pouletsalaMarengo“=chickenMarengo，arecipesupposedlyinventedbyNapoleon\'schefaftertheBattleofMarengoin1800；“ortolansalaProvencale“=ortolansavarietyofbuntinginthestyleofsouthernFranceProvence
French}
ThiswasthelastletterElinorreceivedinPhiladelphia，forearlyinthespringthefamilyreturnedtothecountry。ShewasneverhappierthanatWyllys-Roof，andresumedwithdelightoccupationsandamusements，whichwouldhaveappearedveryinsipidtomanyelegantbelleswhomsheleftbehindher——sincethemorningsweretobepassedwithoutvisitingorshopping，theeveningswithoutpartiesorflirtations。Inaquietcountryhouse，withnootheryoungpersoninthefamily，therewasofcourse，atWyllys-Roof，verylittleexcitement——thatnecessaryingredientoflifetomanypeople；andyet，Elinorhadneverpassedatediousdaythere。Onthelongestsummermorning，orwinterevening，shealwaysfoundenoughtooccupyhertimeandattention。
Toher，Wyllys-Roofwashome；andthatisawordofabroaderandmorevariedmeaninginthecountrythaninatown。Thecares，thesympathiesofacountryhome，embraceawidecircle，andbringwiththempleasuresoftheirown。Peopleknowenoughofalltheirneighbours，totakepartinanyinterestingeventthatmaybefallthem；wearesorrytohearthatA。，theshoemaker，isgoingtomoveaway；wearegladtofindthatB。，thebutcher，hasmademoneyenoughtobuildanewhouse。Onehassomeacquaintancewitheverybody，fromtheclergymantotheloafer；fewarethefacesthatonedoesnotknow。Eventhefour-footedanimalsoftheneighbourhoodarenotstrangers：thisistheDoctor\'sNewfoundlanddog；thatissomeoldlady\'stortoise-shellcat。Oneknowsthehorses，aswellasthelittleurchinswhoridethemtowater；thecows，andthosewhomilkthem。Andthen，country-folksarenature\'sfreeholders；theyenjoyafullportionoftheearth，theair，thesky，withthethousandcharmsanever-mercifulCreatorhaslavishedonthem。Everyinanimateobject——thishill，thatwood，thebrook，thebridge，C。\'sfarm-house，andD。\'sbarn——totheveryhighway，asfaraseyecanreach，allformpleasingpartsofacountryhome。Inacity，onthecontrary，welivesurroundedbystrangers。Homeisentirelyrestrictedtoourownfire-side。Oneknowsaneighbour\'scard，perhaps，butnothisface。Theremayhavebeenafuneraloraweddingnext-door，andwelearnitonlyfromthemorningpaper。Then，evenifafixtureoneself，howisitpossibleforhumansensibilitiestoclingverycloselytotherowofbrickhousesopposite，whicharepredestinedtobeburnedorpulleddowninafewyears？Norcanonebesupposedtolookwithmuchpleasureattheomnibushorses，orhalf-starvedpigsthatmaybelongtoone\'sstreet。Nodoubt，thatwithheartswarmandtrue，wemayhaveaFIRESIDEintown；
butHOMEwithitsthousandpleasantaccessories——HOME，initsfullestmeaning，belongsespeciallytothecountry。
Elinorwasacountrygirl，bornandbred。ThoughbanishedfromChesnut{sic}Street，shewouldhavebeenwellsatisfiedwiththeusualoccupationsofacountrylife，variedonlybyquietwalkswithheraunt，rideswithhergrandfather，chattymeetingswithafewyoungcompanions，orlongvisitsfromoldfriends，whosenamesandfaceshadbeenfamiliartoherallherlife。ThefirstfewweeksafterherreturntoWyllys-Roof，shehad，ofcourse，morethanusualtoseeandhear。Elinorhadbeenabsentfromhomebutafewmonths；yet，eveninthatshortspace，shefoundchangeshadoccurredintheneighbourhood——varied，asusual——someofasad，someofapleasantnature。MissAgnesandherniecefoundoneplacevacantamongthosewhomtheywereinthehabitofseeingoften；thefatherofafamilywholivedwithinsightoftheirownwindows，haddiedsuddenly，andleftawidowandchildrentostrugglewiththeworld：buttheywereneitherfriendlessnorrepining，andsubmittedwithhumbleresignationtotheirsevereaffliction，preparedtomeetwithfaithandhopetheadditionalcaresandtoilsallottedtothem。OneofElinor\'syoungfriends，too，waslyingonasick-bedatLongbridge——abeautifulgirlofherownagewastedbyconsumption；butshewascalmandpeaceful，thoughwithouthopethissidethegrave。WeshallscarcelyforgiveourselvesformakingevenadistantallusiontooneportionofElinor\'spleasuresandlabours，althoughmoreespeciallyconnectedwithhome；sincenonecouldperformtheirreligiousdutieswithlessostentation，withmoresingle-heartedsincerity——nonecouldmorecarefullyfollowtheprecept，to“givewithsimplicity，“thanMissWyllys，andthenieceshehadeducated。
{“ChesnutStreet“=ChestnutStreet，afashionablestreetinPhiladelphia}
Ofcourse，theladieshadimmediatelyresumedtheirintercoursewiththeiroldfriends；andtheyhadmanyneighbourlyvisitstopay。Notyourformal，fashionablemorningcalls，lastingjustthreeminutes，whenyouaresounfortunateastofindathometheindividualyouarepayingoff；no，indeed；good，honestvisitsofnearlyanhour\'slength，givingtimetoexchangemanykindlyinquiriesastothehealthofallthemembersofthefamily，theconditionofthegarden，andpromisesofthecrops；andevenoccasionallyallowingMr。Wyllystotakealookatsomeadditiontothelive-stock，intheshapeofcalves，colts，orpigs。Then，Mrs。Bernardhadjustmovedintoanewhouse，whosecomfortsandconveniencesmustcertainlybeshownbyherself，andappreciatedbyherfriends。Then，Elinorhadtokiss，andmakeacquaintancewithseveraltinypiecesofhumanity，inwhitefrocksandlacecaps——littlecreaturesbornduringthepastwinter；ofcourse，thefinestbabiesonecouldwishtosee，andthedelightoftheirparents\'hearts。Then，AlidaVanHornewasgoingtobemarried；
asElinorwastobeherbridesmaid，agreatdealoftalkingandconsultingtookplaceontheoccasion，asmatterofcourse。But，althoughhertimewasfullyoccupiedinmanydifferentways，nodaywastoopleasantortoobusyformorethanonethoughttobegiventoHarryHazlehurst。
CHAPTERV。
“Anch\'iosonpittore！”
CORREGGIO。
{“Anch\'iosonpittore“=“Itoo，amapainter！”Italian。
AntonioAllegridaCorreggioItalianpainter，1494-1534，exclamationonviewingRaphael\'s“St。Cecilia“atBologna1525}
THEREwasonesubject，inwhichthefamilyatWyllys-Rooffeltparticularlyinterestedjustthen，andthatwas，CharlieHubbard\'spicture。Thispiecewastodecidefinallythequestion，whetherCharlieshouldbeanartist，oramerchant\'sclerk；aquestionwhichhehimselfconsideredallimportant，andwhichcausedmuchanxietytohisfriends。
ThehouseinwhichtheHubbardslivedwasagrey，woodencottage，ofthesmallestsize；curiousgossipshad，indeed，oftenwonderedhowithadeverbeenmadetocontainalargefamily；butsomehouses，likecertainpurses，possesscapabilitiesofexpansion，quiteindependentoftheirapparentsize，andconnectedbymysterioussympathieswiththeheadsandheartsoftheirowners。
ThiscottagebelongedtothemostancientandprimitivestyleofAmericanarchitecture；whatmaybecalledthecomfortable，commonsenseorder——farsuperior，onemightsupposetoeitherCorinthianorComposite，forafarm-house。Theroofwaslow，andunequallydivided，stretching，ononeside，withalong，curvingslope，overthesouthernfront；whichwasscarcesevenfeethigh：
towardstheroadthebuildingwasalittlemoreelevated，foradormer-windowgaveitthedignityofastoryandahalf。Notonlytheroof，butthewalls——wehaveclassicalauthorityforwoodenwalls——werecoveredwithroundedshingles，longsincegrey，andinspots，moss-grown。Twicethecottagehadescapedamorebrilliantexterior；upononeoccasionithadbeeninhabitedbyanambitiousfamily，whotalkedofacoatofredpaint；fortunately，theymovedaway，beforeconcludingabargainwiththepainter。
Again，whentheHubbardstookpossessionofthe\'oldgreyhouse，\'
acommitteeofladiesactuallydroveoverfromLongbridge，withtheintentionofhavingitwhitewashed；but，theexperiencedoldnegroengagedtocleangenerally，gaveitashisopinion，thattheshingleswerenotworththecompliment。Thewindowswereverysmall；morethanhalftheglasswasoftheold，bluebull\'s-eyepattern，nolongertobefoundatmodernglaziers，andeachheavywindow-shutterhadahalf-mooncutinitsupperpanel，toletinthedaylight。Whenweadd，thattherewasalowporchbeforethedoor，withasweet-briarononeside，andasnowballontheother，thereaderwillhaveacorrectideaofthehouseinhabitedbyourfriends，theHubbards。
{“CorinthianorComposite“=twooftheclassicalordersofarchitecture，basedonthestyleofcolumnused。The“Compositeorder，“however，wassomethingofaCooperfamilyjoke，firstusedbyJamesFenimoreCooperin“ThePioneers“1823todescribeapretentiousbuildingofnoparticularstyleatall。
TheCoopers，fatheranddaughter，werecontemptuousofbuildingsthatpretendedtobeGreektemples}
Thecottagestoodwithinalittledoor-yard，nearthegatewhichopenedonthelawnofWyllys-Roof；and，immediatelyoppositetheplacerecentlypurchasedbyMr。Taylor。Herethefamilyhadlivedforthelasttwelveyears；and，fromthattime，MissPatseyhadbeenobligedtostruggleagainstpoverty，withalargefamilyofyoungerbrothersandsisters，dependent，inagreatmeasure，uponherprudenceandexertions。
Mr。Hubbard，thefather，arespectablePresbyterianminister，hadbeen，forhalfhislife，inchargeofacongregationinConnecticut，where，by-the-bye，Mr。PompeyTaylor，atthattimeapoorclerk，hadbeenanunsuccessfulsuitorforPatsey\'shand。
Afterawhile，thefamilyhadremovedtoLongbridge，wheretheyhadlivedverycomfortablyandusefully，until，atlength，theministerdied，leavinghiswidowandsevenchildrenentirelyunprovidedfor。Happily，theypossessedwarmfriendsandkindrelatives。Theoldgreyhouse，withagardenandalittlemeadowadjoining，waspurchasedforhisbrother\'sfamilybyMr。JosephHubbard，knowntotheyoungpeopleasUncleJosie：hewasamerchant，ineasycircumstances，andcheerfullygavethethousanddollarsrequired。Thecottagewasfurnishedbytheminister\'scongregation。Manyusefulpresentsweremade，andmanysmalldebtsforgivenbykindneighbours。Withthishumbleoutfitthefamilycommencedtheirnewcareer。Mrs。Hubbard，thesecondwife，andmotherofthethreeyoungerchildren，hadlosttheuseofonehand，byanattackofparalysis。Shehadalwaysbeenawomanofveryfeeblecharacter；andalthoughtreatedwithunvaryingkindnessandrespectbyherstep-children，coulddolittletowardsthegovernmentorassistanceofthefamily。ItwasPatseywhotoiled，andmanaged，andthoughtforthemall。Withtheaidoftwoyoungersisters，merechildren，atfirst，andanoldblackwoman，whocameonceaweektowash，alltheworkwasdonebyherself，includingbaking，ironing，cooking，cleaning，&c。；andyetPatseyfoundtimetogiveupfourhoursadaytoteachingaclassofsomedozenchildren，belongingtoseveralneighbouringfamilies。Thisschoolfurnishedtheonlymoneythatpassedthroughherhands，andcontributedtheonlyregularmeansofsupporttothefamily。Theyreceived，however，muchkindassistance，inmanydifferentways；indeed，otherwise，itwouldhavebeenscarcelypossibletokeepafiresideoftheirown。
Therehadbeen，inall，ninechildren；buttheeldestson，amissionary，diedbeforehisfather；thesecondhadalreadygonetoKentucky，toseekhisfortunesasaphysician；hehadmarriedyoung，and，withchildrenofhisowntosupport，itseemedbutlittlehecoulddoforhisstep-mother；hesentforayoungerbrother，however，engagingtoprovideforhimentirely。AnothersonwaseducatedbyhisrichLongbridgerelative，kindUncleJosie；anotheruncle，apooroldbachelor，knowntotheneighbourhoodasUncleDozie，fromaconstanthabitofnapping，didhisutmost，inpayingtheschool-billsofhisnieceCatherine。Inthecourseofafewyears，UncleJosie\'sprotegebecameanassistantintheschoolwherehehadbeeneducated；
KateHubbard，UncleDozie\'sfavourite，marriedaquick-witted，butpoor，younglawyer，alreadyintroducedtothereader，bythenameofClapp。
Still，thereremainedinthefamilytwoyoungerdaughters，andCharlie，besidesMissPatseyandMrs。Hubbard。BytheexertionsandguidanceofPatsey，theassistanceoffriends，andtheirowngoodconduct，theyoungpeople，induetime，wereallgrowingup，endowedwithgoodprinciples，goodeducations，andwithrespectableprospectsopeningbeforethem。Attheperiodofournarrative，thethirddaughterhopedshortlytobecomeanunder-governessintheschoolwhereshehadbeeneducated；andMary，theyoungestofthefamily，hadsuchadecidedtasteformusic，thatitwasthoughtshewouldhavenodifficultyinsupportingherself，bygivinglessons，inthecourseoftwoorthreeyears。Ofallthefamily，Charliewastheonethatcausedhisfriendsthemostanxiety。Hewasafine，spirited，intelligentboy；andUncleJosiehadpromisedtoprocureasituationforhim，withhisson-in-law，acommission-merchantandauctioneer，inNewYork。ThisplanwasverypleasingtoMrs。
HubbardandMissPatsey；but，unfortunately，Charlieseemedtohavenotasteformakingmoney，andafondnessforpicturesandpencils，thatamountedalmosttoapassion。Herewasanunexpectedobstacle；Charliewasthepetandspoiledchildofthefamily。Alltherestoftheyoungpeoplehadbeenquitesatisfiedwiththedifferentmeansofsupportthathadofferedforeach；
andtheyhadfollowedtheirrespectivecareerswithsomuchquietgoodsense，thatCharlie\'sremonstrancesagainstthecounting-house，andhisstrongfancyforanartist\'slife，wassomethingquitenew，andwhichMissPatseyscarcelyknewhowtoanswer。TherewasnothingintheleastpoeticalorromanticaboutPatseyHubbard，whowasallhonestkindnessandstraight-forwardcommonsense。Shehadnofeelingwhateverforthefinearts；
neverreadaworkofimagination；scarcelyknewonetunefromanother；andhadneverlookedwithpleasureatanypicture，butone，aportraitofherownrespectedfather，whichstilloccupiedtheplaceofhonourintheirlittleparlour，nearlycoveringonesideofthewall。Thispainting，tospeakfrankly，wasanythingbutavaluableworkofart，oragoodlikenessoftheworthyminister。Thefacewasflatandunmeaning，entirelydevoidofexpressionorrelief；thebodywasstiffandhard，likesheet-iron，having，also，muchthecolorofthatmaterial，sofarasitwascoveredbytheblackministerialcoat。Onearmwasstretchedacrossatable，conspicuousfromacarrot-colouredcloth，andthehandwasextendedoverapileoffolios；butitlookedquiteunequaltothetaskofopeningthem。Theotherarmwasdisposedofinsomemannersatisfactorytotheartist，nodoubt，butbynomeanseasyforthespectatortodiscover，sincethebrick-coloureddraperywhichformedtheback-groundtothewhole，certainlyencroachedonthesidewherenaturehadplacedit。Suchasitwas，however，MissPatseyadmiredthispaintingmorethananyshehadeverseen，anditsgiltframewasalwayscarefullycoveredwithgreengauze，nolongernecessarytopreservethegilding，butrathertoconcealitsblackenedlustre；
butCharlie\'ssisterbelongedtothatclassofamateurswhoconsidertheframeasanintegralpartoftheworkofart。Itwas，perhaps，themostpromisingfactregardinganyfuturehopesofyoungHubbard\'s，asanartist，thatthissameportraitwasfarfromsatisfyinghistaste，uncultivatedasitwas。Charliewas，foralongtime，somuchashamedofhispassionfordrawing，thathecarefullyconcealedthelittlebitsofpaperonwhichhemadehissketches，aswellasthefewold，coarseengravingshehadpickeduptocopy。But，oneday，MissPatseyaccidentallydiscoveredthesetreasuresbetweentheleavesofanumberoftheLongbridgeFreeman，carefullystowedawayinanoldchestofdrawersinthelittlegarret-roomwhereCharlieslept。ShefoundthereaheadofWashington；oneofDr。Blair；aviewofBoston；
andanoldFrenchprintcalledL\'Ete，representingashepherdessmakinghayinhigh-heeledshoesandahoop；therewerecopiesoftheseonbitsofpaperofallsizes，donewiththepenorlead-pencil；andlastly，anumberofodd-lookingsketchesofCharlie\'sowninvention。Thesightoftheselaboursofart，wasfarfromgivingMissPatseypleasure，althoughitaccountedforthesurprisingdisappearanceofherwriting-paper，andtheextraordinaryclipping，shehadremarked，oflate，onallnotesandlettersthatwereleftlyingabout，fromwhicheveryscrapofwhitepaperwassuretobecutoff。ShespoketoCharlieonthesubject，and，ofcourse，hehadtoconfess。Buthedidnotreform；onthecontrary，matterssoongrewworse，forhebegantoneglecthisstudies。Ithappenedthathepassedthewholesummerathome，astheschoolwherehisbrotherhadbeenassistant，andhehimselfapupil，wasbrokenup。Atlast，MissPatseytalkedtohimsoseriously，aboutwastingtimeontrifles，thatCharlie，whowasasensible，warm-heartedboy，andwellawareoftheexertionshissisterhadmadeforhim，promisedamendment，andactuallyburntallhisownsketches，thoughthepreciousengravingswerestillpreserved。Thisimprovementonlylastedawhile，however，whenheagaintooktodrawing。ThistimeheresolutelyrespectedMissPatsey\'spaper，butthatonlymademattersworse，forhebecamemoreambitious；hebegantosketchfromnature；and，havingaspecialfancyforlandscape，heusedtocarryhisslateandarithmeticintothefields；and，insteadofbecomingmoreexpertincompoundinterest，hewouldsitforhourscomposingpictures，andattemptingeverypossiblevarietyintheviewsofthesamelittlemill-pond，withinashortdistanceofthehouse。Hesoonbecamequiteexpertinthemanagementofhisslateandpencil，andshowedagooddealofingenuityinrubbinginandoutthewhiteshadingontheblackground，somethinginthemannerofastump-drawing；but，ofcourse，thesesketchesalldisappearedbeforeCharliewenttotakehisregularlessoninbook-keeping，fromtheneighbourwhohadpromisedtokeephiminpracticeuntilthewinter，whenhewastoenterthecounting-house。
{“Dr。Blair“=possiblyRobertBlairScottishpoet，1699-1747，authorof“TheGrave“；orJamesBlair1656-1743，founderoftheCollegeofWilliamandMaryinWilliamsburg，Virginia。“L\'Ete“=
summertimeFrench；“stumpdrawing“=probablyfrom“stump“，apencil-likedrawingimplementofrolledpaperorofrubber，usedtosmoothorrubindarklines}
Atlast，however，Charliedeterminedtohaveanexplanationwithhismotherandsister；hemadeacleanbreastastothemisdoingsontheslate，andboldlycomingtothepoint，suggestedthepossibilityofhisbeingabletosupporthimself，oneday，asanartist，insteadofacommissionmerchant。PoorMissPatsey，thiswasasadblowtoher！IthadbeenhercherishedambitiontoseeCharlieanupright，prosperousmerchant；andnowthathisprospectswerebrightening，andasituationwasprovidedforhim，thatheshouldbeonlyapainter！Shehadaverylowopinionofartists，asaclass，andshewouldalmostassoonhaveexpectedCharlietobecomeaplay-actor，oracircus-rider。WhentheboyfoundthatbothUncleJosieandUncleDoziethoughthisideaaveryfoolishone，thatMissPatseywasverymuchdistressed，andMrs。Hubbardcouldnotbemadetocomprehendthedifferencebetweenanartistandahouse-painter，heagainabandonedhisowncherishedplans，andresumedhiscommercialstudies。
Unfortunately，oneday，Elinorwaschoosingabookasapresentforheroldplay-fellow，atabookstoreinPhiladelphia，whenshelaidherhandontheLivesofthePainters。ThesevolumesfinallyupsetCharlie\'sphilosophy；heimmediatelysettoworktoconvinceMissPatseyandUncleJosie，byextractsfromthedifferentlives，thatitwasverypossibletobeagoodandrespectableman，andnotonlysupporthimself，butmakeafortune，asanartist。Ofcourse，hetookcaretoskipoverallunpleasantpoints，andbadexamples；butwhenhecametoanythingcreditable，hemadeanoteofit——and，oneday，pursuedMissPatseyintothecellar，toreadtoherthefactthatReubenshadbeenanambassador。
{“Reubens“=PeterPaulRubens1577-1640，famousFlemishpainter，whoservedasadiplomatinSpainfrom1626-30}
MissPatseyconfidedheranxietiestoMr。Wyllys，whowasalreadyawareofCharlie\'spropensities，and，indeed，thoughtthempromising。HeadvisedMrs。HubbardandPatsey，nottoopposetheboy\'swishessostrongly，buttogivehimanopportunityoftryingwhathereallycoulddo；andastheexpensewasaveryimportantconsiderationwiththeHubbards，hemadeCharlieapresentofapaletteandcolours，andkindlytookhim，oneday，toPhiladelphia，toseeMr。S——，whogavehimsomeadviceastothewayinwhichheshouldgotowork。ThisassistanceCharliereceived，uponconditionthatheshouldalso，atthesametime，continuehisotherstudies；andincaseanytwoartiststhathisfriendmightconsult，shoulddeclare，onseeinghiswork，thathedidnotshowtalentenoughtopromisereasonablesuccess，hewas，fromthattime，todevotehimselftobusiness。Forawhile，Charliewasagreatdealhappierthanaking。Heimmediatelybeganaviewofhisbelovedlittlemill-pond，andthenattemptedoneofasmallsheetofwaterintheneighbourhood，calledChewattanLake。These，afterhavingbeentouchedandre-touched，hecarried，withaportfolioofdrawings，toNewYork，andwithaflutteringheartandtremblinghandslaidthembeforetwodistinguishedartists，Mr。C——andMr。I——，towhomMr。
Wyllyshadgivenhimletters。Thedecisionofthesegentlemenwasnotdiscouraging，uponthewhole；buttheyfoundthathehadsetoutwronginthearrangementofhiscolours，andhavingcorrectedthemistake，theyproposedhispaintinganotherpieceinoils，todeterminewhetherthefaultsinthefirstweretheresultofignorance，orofafalseeyeforcolour；foronthispointhisjudgesdisagreed。ItmustbeconfessedthatCharlie\'scloudsmightgivesomeideaofsuchvapoursastheymayexistinthemoon；butcertainlythetintstheyouthhadgiventhemwereveryremarkableforanearthlyatmosphere。
Itwasuponthislastpicture——anotherviewofChewattanLake——thatCharleswasengaged，heartandsoul，whentheWyllysesreturnedhome。Oneafternoon，Mr。WyllysproposedtoMissAgnesandElinor，towalkoverandcalluponMissPatsey，andseewhattheiryoungfriendhaddone。
“Hereweare，Charlie，mylad；youpromisedusalookatyourworkthisweek，youknow；“saidMr。Wyllys，ashewalkedintotheneatlittledoor-yardbeforetheHubbards\'house，accompaniedbytheladies。
Charliewasatworkinthevegetablegardenadjoiningthedoor-yard，weedingtheradishes。
“Everythinglooksinverygoodorderhere，Charles，“observedMissWyllys。“Youhavenotgivenupthegarden，Isee，althoughyouhavesomuchtodonow。“
“Yourbedsandyourflowerslookasneataspossible，“saidElinor；“justasusual。Youdon\'tseemtohavegonefarenoughinyourcareertohavelearnedthat，unbeaudesordreistheeffectofart，“sheadded，smiling。
{“unbeaudesordre“=apleasinglackoforderFrench}
“No，indeed；itistobehopedInevershall，forthatwouldthrowmymotherandsisterintodespair，atonce！”
MissPatsey，whohadheardthevoicesoftheparty，nowcamefromthelittlekitchen，whereshehadbeenbaking，toreceiveherfriends。
“Elinorhasjustremarkedthatthingsdonotlookasifyouhadanartistinthehouse；everythingisneataswax，“saidMr。
Wyllys，steppingintothelittleparlour。
MissPatseywasbeginningtoresignherselftohearingCharliecalledanartist，althoughthewordhadstillanunpleasantsoundtoherear。
“Charlesisverygood，“shereplied，“aboutkeepinghisthingsintheirplace；hedoesnotmakemuchlitter。“
AftersomeinquiriesaboutMrs。Hubbard——who，itseems，wastakingherafternoonnap——Mr。WyllysaskedtoseeCharlie\'swork。
“Youmustletuslookatit，Charles，“saidMissAgnes；“wehavebeenwaiting，youknow，quiteimpatientlyforthelastweek。“
“IfwemustgouptoyourSTUDIOforit，we\'llrestawhilefirst，“saidMr。Wyllystakingaseat。
“Youmortifyme，sir，“saidCharlie，“byusingsuchgreatwordsaboutmylittledoings，eveninpleasantry。Iamhalfafraidtoshowmywork；butIwillbringitdown。“
“Ihopeweshallfindsomeimprovement——thatisallwecanexpectatpresent，myboy。Wedon\'tlookforaClaudeyet。“
{“Claude“=ClaudeLorrain1600-1662，Frenchpainterfamousforhislandscapes，whowasanimportantinfluenceontheAmericanHudsonRiverSchool}
Charlieblushed，intheexcessofhismodesty。
“Pray，bringallyoursketches，too，“saidElinor。“Marywrotemeyouweredrawingallwinter；youmusthaveagreatdealthatwehavenotseen。“
“Theyarecertainlynotworthlookingat；butsuchastheyare，youshallseethem。“
“Anddon\'tforgettheArithmetic，too，“saidMr。Wyllys，smiling；
“wehadbetterlookalittleintoCompoundInterest，ofcourse。“
Charlielookedasifthatwereratherasoresubject，ashelefttheroom。
Whilehewasgone，acarriagestoppedatthelittlegate。ItprovedtobetheTaylors；andMr。Taylor，withhiswife，andacoupleofchildren，walkedin。Afterageneralsalutationhadbeenexchanged，andtwoadditionalchairshadbeenbroughtfromabed-room，toaccommodatesuchanunusualnumberofvisiters，Mr。
TaylorturnedtoMissPatsey，andobserved，inajocularway：
“Itisnotetiquette，Ibelieve，tocalltwiceinthesameday；
butIhopeyouwillexcuseus；foronthisoccasion，Mrs。Taylorhascometotransactalittlebusiness。“
“Asyouseemtobeengaged，MissHubbard，wewillputitoffuntilanothertime，“saidMrs。Taylor。
“
“Justasyouplease，“repliedMissPatsey。“Iamalwaysgladtoseemyfriends。“
Mr。Taylor，however，likedquickmeasures，andneverpostponedbusinessifhecouldhelpit。
“Wecametoseeyou，thisafternoon，aboutourtwoyoungestchildren；ifyoucanconvenientlytakethemintoyourschool，itwouldsuitusverywell。“
Charlie，atthatmoment，returnedwithhispictureinonehand，andaportfoliointheother。HewasrathersorrytofindtheTaylorsthere，forhewasfarfromadmiringthegentleman。Mr。
Wyllyswasreallyanxioustoseethepiece，andaskedtolookatitatonce。Thecanvasswasplacednearawindow，intheproperlight，andthecoveringremoved。TheWyllyseswereimmediatelystruckwithCharlie\'srapidimprovement；therewasindeed，nocomparisonbetweentheyoungman\'sfirstattemptsattheart，andthislastpiece。Hisfriendsallcongratulatedhimonhissuccess，andCharliewasdelighted。
“Thissettlesthequestion，Ithink，MissPatsey，“saidMr。
Wyllys。
“Isupposeso，“saidMissPatsey，withashakeofthehead，andasmile。“IthinkIcanseemyselfthatthispicturelooksmorenaturalthanthefirst。“
“Quiteatastypainting，“saidMr。Taylor，steppingupwithadecidedairtowardsthecanvass。“Ishouldconclude，however，thatyouwouldfindportraitsamoreadvantageousbusiness。“
“Ilikelandscapesbest，sir，“repliedtheyouth；andturningtoMr。Wyllys，headded：“Mr。S——advisedmetopleasemyselfastothesubjectsIworkedupon。“
“Certainly，“answeredMr。Wyllys；“andyouseemtoprefermymill-pond，Charlie，tothehumanfacedivine。“
“But，herearesketchesoffaces，“saidElinor，lookingovertheportfolio；“verygood，too；——thisisexcellent——grandpapa，doyouknowyourself？andMissPatsey——verygood——AuntAgnes，too！Why，Charles，youmusthavedrawnallthesefrommemory。“
ThesketchesElinorwaslookingat，wereroughlydoneininkorlead-pencil；butweregenerallygoodlikenesses。Mr。Wyllystookupone，thathadnotyetbeenobservedbytherestoftheparty；
hesmiled，andpassedittohisgranddaughter。Elinorcoloured，andherheartbeatasshelookedatit，foritwasasketchofHarry。Mr。Taylorwasstandingbehindher，andrecogniseditimmediately。
“ThatisMr。Hazlehurst，ifIamnotmistaken；andaverygoodlikeness，MissWyllys。“
“Isuppose，yoursonandHarryhavemet，inParis，Mr。Taylor，“
saidMissAgnes，bywayofturninghisattentionfromElinor。
“Yes，madam，ThomasmentionshavinghadsomeintercoursewithMr。
Hazlehurst，andobserves，thatheseeshim，almosteveryday，intheTULLYREES；which，Thomassays，istheRENDY-VUSSofthefashionableworld，inParis。“
“Willyoursonreturnhomesoon？”
“Why，no；Ithinknot。Hewentforsixmonths；buthecalculates，now，tostaysometimelonger。Iamtold，Mr。Hazlehurstwillnotreturnuntilnextyear；——theymightmaketheEuropeanTOWER
together。ButThomasseemstoliketheCAFFIESandtheBULLY-VARDSofParis，toomuchtomovefromthatcity。“
Elinorwasgoingtotakeanothersketchfromthetable，whenCharliequicklypassedhishandbetweenMr。Taylorandherself，anddrewthepaperaway。
“Ibegyourpardon——butitisawretchedthing；Ididnotknowitwasthere，“saidtheyouth，hastily。
“Pray，letmelookatit，“saidElinor，“for，Ithought，I
recognisedafriend。“
“Youmustnotseeit，indeed，MissElinor；Idaresay，youtookitforanybodybuttherightperson；“saidCharlie，agooddealembarrassed，andhurriedlyhandingElinorsomethingelsetolookat。
Shewassurprisedathisnervousmanner，butsaidnothingmore。
“Ihonestlythink，Charlie，“saidMr。Wyllys，whohadbeenexaminingthelandscape，thatMr。C——，andMr。I——，willtellyoutopersevere，afterthis。Thereissomethingaboutthewater，inyourpicture，thatstrikesmeasunusuallygood。“
“Iamverygladtohearyousayso；forthereisnothingIliketopaintsomuchaswater。Itookgreatpainswiththatpartofmypiece；butitdoesnotsatisfymeyet。“
“Doyouintendtomakeuseofwater-coloursaltogether，inyourpaintings？”askedMr。Taylor。
Charlielookedpuzzled，andthemerchantrepeatedhisquestion。
“Ishouldthink，youwouldfindwater-colourscheaper；butoilsmustbemoredurable。Whicharemostgenerallyinuseamongpainters？”
Charlie，understandingthepoint，atlast，explainedthatwater-colours，andoils，weretwoentirelydistinctbranchesoftheart。
“Whichisyourpicture，there，donein？”
“Iamlearningtopaintinoils，sir。“
“AndthatporTRATE，overhead，whichisyourfather，Ipresume；isthatinoils，too？”
“Yes，sir——Thereareveryfewpictures，ofthatsize，inwater-colours，Ibelieve。Hereisaminiature，inwater-colours，whichMrs。VanHornelentme；Iamtakingalargepicture，inoils，fromit。“
Mr。Taylorexaminedtheminiature。“Ithaspuzzledmeconsiderably，“heobserved，“toknowhowpainterscouldchangethesizeofanobject，andbecorrect，withoutmeasuringitoffinfeetandinches；but，Isuppose，thatiswhatyoutermperspective。“
Oneissometimessurprisedbytheexcessiveignorance，onallmattersconcerningthefinearts，betrayedinthiscountry，bymenofsomeeducation；veryclever，intheirway，andquiteequaltomakingaspeechorafortune，anyday。InEurope，justnotions，onsuchmatters，aremuchmorewidelyspread。But，afterall，suchastateofthingsisperfectlynatural；wehavehithertohadnomeansofcultivatingthegeneraltaste，inAmerica，havingfewgalleriesorevensingleworksofart，opentothepublic。Withthemeans，itisprobable，thataswegrowolder，weshallimprove，inthisrespect。Thatthereistalent，ay，genius，inthecountry，sufficienttoproducenobleworksofart，hasbeenalreadyproved。Norcanitbedoubted，thatthereislatentfeeling，andtasteenough，amongthepeople，toappreciatethem，ifitwerecalledforthbycultivation。Itisonlyabrutalandsluggishnation，whocannotbemadetofeel，aswellasthink。Thecultivationnecessary，however，isnotthatwhichconsistsinforcingthewholebodyofthepeopletobecomeconceitedsmatterers；butthatwhichprovidesafullsupplyofmodelsformediocritytocopy，andfortalenttorival。Itisevident，thatcommonsenserequiresustopursueoneoftwocourses；eithertogivetruetalent，ineveryfield——inliterature，inmusic，painting，sculpture，architecture——someshareofthehonourableencouragementwhichisitsdue，orelsehonestlytoresignallclaimtonationalmerit，inthesebranchesofcivilization；leavingthehonourtotheindividual。Asneitherthegovernment，normensingly，candomuchtowardencouragingthearts，thiswouldseemtobetheveryfieldinwhichsocietiesmighthopetoproducegreatresults。Woulditnotbeagoodinnovation，ifthosewhooftenunitetopresentsomepublictestimonialofrespecttoanindividual，shouldselect，insteadofthepieceofplate，usualonsuchoccasions，apictureorworkofsculpture？Either，itistobesupposed，ifrespectableinitsway，wouldbeamoreagreeableoffering，toapersonofeducation，thangoldorsilverintheshapemostmodernworkmengivethem。Undersuchcircumstances，whowouldnotpreferapicturebyColeorWier{sic}，astatuelikeGreenough\'sMedora，Power\'sEve，orCrawford\'sOrpheus，toallthesilversalversinNewYork？Whowouldnotpreferevenacopyfromsomefinebustorheadofantiquity，fromsomecelebratedcabinetpicture，tothebestmedalthathasyetbeenstruckinthiscountry？
{“Cole“=ThomasCole1801-1848，Americanpainterandfounderoftheso-calledHudsonRiverSchooloflandscapepainting；
“Wier“=RobertWeir1803-1889，anotherAmericanlandscapepainter；“Greenough“=HoratioGreenough1805-1852，Americansculptor，andaclosefriendofSusanFenimoreCooper\'sfather；
“Power“=HiramPowers1805-1873，anotherfamousAmericansculptor；“Crawford“=ThomasCrawford1813-1857，anotherAmericansculptor，whosestatueofOrpheuswaspurchasedbytheBostonAthenaeum；“cabinetpicture“=pictureexhibitedinagalleryormuseum}
ThoughtslikethesewerepassingthroughMr。Wyllys\'smind，ashesatlookingatCharlie\'spicture。Mrs。Taylorhad，inthemeantime，beenmakingarrangementsforheryoungerchildrentoenterMissPatsey\'sschoolforthesummer。Mr。Taylorhavingjoinedtheladies，somethingwasheardabout\'terms，\'andtheaffairappearedsettled。MissAgneshavingmentionedtoMrs。Taylorthatshehadintendedcallingonher，butwouldnowpostponeituntilanotherday，shewassostronglyurgedtoaccompanythemhome，thatsheconsentedtodoso，awarethatthevisitshouldhavebeenpaidsometimebefore。Accordingly，theyalllefttheHubbardstogether。
ItwasnotoftenthatMissPatsey\'slittleparlourwassofull，andsomuchlittered，asithadbeenthatafternoon；itgenerallylookedcrowded，ifitcontainedtwoorthreepersonsbesidestheminister\'sportrait，andwasthoughtoutoforder，ifthelargerocking-chair，ortheclumsy，old-fashionedtea-tabledidnotstandintheverypositionstheyhadoccupiedforthelasttwelveyears。
VerydifferentwastheaspectofthingsatMr。Taylor\'s。Notthattheroomswereimposing，insize，buttheeleganceofthefurniturewassoverystriking。Ofcourse，thereweretwodrawing-rooms，withfolding-doorsandBrusselscarpets；whileeverythingcorrespondedtoafashionablemodel。Mrs。Taylor，goodsoul，caredverylittleforthesevanitiesoflife。Thewindow-blinds，inhertwodrawing-rooms，wereneveropened，exceptforsomeoccasionalmorningvisiteroreveningtea-party；
sheherselfusedwhatshecalledthe\'livingroom，\'whereshecouldhaveheryoungerchildrenabouther，anddarnasmanystockingsasshechose。Thedrawing-roomswereopened，however，fortheWyllyses，whowereurgedtostaytotea。MissAgnesdeclinedtheinvitation，thoughMr。Wyllysandherselfremainedlongenoughtolookattheplanofanewhouse，whichMr。Taylorwastobuildshortly；itwastobesomethingquitegrand，farsurpassinganythingofthekindintheneighbourhood，forMr。
Taylorhadmadeamintofmoneyduringthepastwinter。
CHAPTERVI。
“Whatsay\'stthou？Wiltthougoalong？”
HenryVI。
{WilliamShakespeare，“3HenryVI“，IV。v。25}
JANEGRAHAMjoinedElinoratWyllys-Roof，afterhavingmadeherpartingcurtseytoMrs。G。HerparentslivedatCharleston；
butasherconstitutionwasdelicate，andrequiredamorebracingairthanthatofCarolina，Janehadbeenmorethanonce，foratwelvemonthatatime，entirelyunderMissWyllys\'scharge，andwasseldomabsentfromLongbridgeformorethanafewmonthstogether。ItwasnowsettledthatshewastoremainwithElinoruntiltheautumn，whenherparents，whowerecomingnorthforacoupleofmonths，weretocarryherbacktoCharleston。MissAdelineTaylor，ofcourse，founditimpossibletoremainlongeratschool，whenJane，herbosom-friend，hadleftit。She，too，returnedtoherfamilyinthecountry，preparedtoenliventheneighbourhoodtothebestofherability。Theintimacybetweenthesetwoyoungladieswasonlyrivetedmorecloselybythenecessityoflivingunderdifferentroofs；Adeline，indeed，protestedthatshefoundtheseparationsodistressing，thatshethoughtitwouldbeanexcellentplan，todividethewintertogether，betweenCharlestonandNewYork；Janetopassthefirstthreemonthswithher，andshe，inherturn，toaccompanyherfriendtoCharleston，laterintheseason。ButJanethoughthermotherwouldnowwishtohaveherreturnhomeassoonaspossible，asitwasalreadynearlyayearsinceshehadseenherfamily。Thisaffair，however，wasnotquitedecided；Adelinedeclaringthatshecouldnotbeartogiveuptheidea，hintingthattherewereall-importantreasonsfortheirremainingtogetherduringthenextwinter。
ElinoroftenwonderedthathercousinshouldfindsomuchpleasureinthisintimacywithMissTaylor，whomshewasfarfromlikingherself；andshecouldnothelpthinkingthatAdelinewasmoreperseveringinpursuitofJane，thanwasagreeable。Thedislikesofyounggirlsofseventeenareseldomviolent，however，whatevertheirlikingsmaybe。Shemadethebestofit，andthethreegirlswereoftentogether。
Oneevening，whentheyhadbeendrinkingteaatMrs。Taylor\'s，ElinorwasmuchstruckwithachangeinJane\'smanner，whichshehadalreadyobservedseveraltimesoflate，whentheyhadbeeninsocietytogether。Astheywerecominghome，andalonetogetherinthecarriage，shespoketohercousinonthesubject。
“Howgayyouwereto-night，Jane！Ineversawyouinbetterspirits。“
“WasI？Well，I\'mverytirednow；itisalmosttoomuchforme，Elinor，tobesolively。“
“Wasitaneffort？Didyounotfeelwell？”inquiredElinor。
“Ifeltverywell，indeed，beforewewent；butittiresmesotobeanimated。“
“Ifitfatiguesyoutogoout，mydearJane，wehadbetterstayathomenexttimeweareasked；butIthoughtyouwishedtogothisevening。“
“SoIdid。Itdoesnottiremeatalltogoout；thereisnothingIlikesomuchasgoingtoparties。Ifonecouldonlydoastheypleased——justsitstill，andlookon；notlaughingandtalkingallthetime，itwouldbedelightful。“
“ThatiswhatIhaveoftendoneatparties，“saidElinor，smiling；“andnotfromchoiceeither，butfromnecessity。“
“Doyoureallythinkthatapersonwhoisengagedoughtnottotalk？”
“No，indeed；“saidElinor，colouringalittle，asshelaughedattheinquiry。“Imeanttosay，thatIhadoftensatstill，withouttalking，atparties，becausenoonetookthetroubletocomeandspeaktome。Nothere，athome，whereeverybodyknowsme，butatlargepartiesintown，lastwinter。“
“Oh，butyounevercaredaboutbeingabelle。Adelinesayseverybodyknowsyouareengaged，anditisnomatterwhatyoudoorsay。ButAdelinesays，tobeabelle，youmustlaughandtalkallthetime，whetheryoufeellikeitornot；andshethinksyouneednotbeparticularwhatyoutalkabout，onlyyoumustbeallthetimelively。Theyoungmenwon\'tdancewithyou，orhandyouintosupper，unlessyouentertainthem。Adelinesayssheistoohigh-spiritedtositby，moping；andsoamI，too，I\'msure！”
“ButJane，youaresoverypretty，thereisnodangerofyourbeingoverlooked。“
“No，indeed，youaremistaken，“saidJane，withperfectnaivete。
“Iwasattwoorthreesmallparties，youknow，inNewYork，whileIwasstayingwithMrs。Stanley，thisspring；well，I
missedmorethanhalfthequadrilles，whilethosefatMissGrants，andtheHowardgirls，weredancingalltheevening。
AdelinesaysitisallbecauseIwasnotlively。Theydon\'tthinkanythingofyouunlessyouareallthetimetalking，andlaughing，andmovingabout；anditdoestiremeso——I\'malmostsickofitalready。I\'msureIshallneverbeabletobelivelyatCharleston，inwarmweather。Ishan\'tbeabelle，Elinor，I\'mafraid！”saidtheyoungbeauty，withsomethinglikeasigh。
“PoorJane！”saidElinor，laughing，thoughshereallyfeltprovokedwithAdelineforgivinghercousinsuchnotions；Janelookedhalfworn-outwiththeevening\'sexertions。“AndI
believed，allthetime，thatyouwereinsuchgoodspirits！
CharlieandIwerelookingatyouwithsurprise；wethoughtMr。
VanHorne，andJohnBernardmustbetellingyousomethingveryamusing，youwerelaughingandtalkingsomuch。“
“No，indeed；itwasI，whowastryingtoamusethegentlemen。“
ButJanewasnotdestinedtotrytheeffectoftheCharlestonclimateupontheenergiesofabelle。HerparentsarrivedinNewYork，whereshemetthem。Shefoundletterstherefromhersister，Mrs。RobertHazlehurst，tohermotherandherself，stronglyurgingtheproprietyofJanejoiningtheirparty，forthelastyearoftheirEuropeanvisit。Mrs。Hazlehurstthoughttravellingwouldbeofgreatservicetohersister，ineveryrespect；itwould，probably，restoreherhealthentirety；inParisshewouldtakelessonsfromthebestmasters，ifshewishedit——besidesenjoyingtheadvantagesofseeingtheOldWorld；atthesametimethat，inhersister\'sfamily，shewouldbeaswelltakencareof，asifatherfather\'shouse，oratWyllys-Roof。Itwasanopportunitywhichmightnotoccuragain，andMrs。
Hazlehurstwrotesourgently，thatherparentsconsentedtothearrangement，providedJane，herself，likedtheidea。Anoldfriendofthefamily，Mrs。Howard，wastosailnextmonthforFrance，andwouldwillinglytakechargeofMrs。Graham\'sdaughterduringthevoyage：everythingwassettled，itonlyremainedforJane，herself，todecide。Shewasfarlessanxious，however，toseethewondersofEurope，thanmanyotheryoungpersonswouldhavebeen。Elinorcongratulatedherwarmlyuponhergoodfortune，anddweltuponthepleasureshewould，nodoubt，enjoy；still，Janeappearedratherindifferenttotheplan，anditwouldprobablyhavebeenabandoned，haditnotbeenfortwocircumstances。Herfatherthoughtthevoyageandchangeofairmighthaveahappyeffectonherhealth，andimproveitpermanently；and，atthesametime，MissAdelineTaylorthrewthewholeweightofherinfluenceintothescales；shehadalongprivateinterviewwithJane，whichseemedtodecidethematter。
Thearrangementsweremade，andthefirstofSeptember，Jane，accompaniedbyherparents，MissAgnes，andElinor，wentonboardtheHavrepacket，andwasplacedunderthecareofMr。andMrs。
Howard。Thoughtheseparationtookplaceundersuchhappyauspices，thereweresometearsshed，ofcourse。Elinorfeltquitesadatpartingfromheryoungfriend，towhomshewaswarmlyattached；buttimeandtidesoonseparatedthecousins，andthelastfarewell，andwavingofhandkerchiefs，wereexchanged。
{“Havrepacket“=scheduledpassengershiptoLeHavre，theprincipalAtlanticportofarrivalinFrance}
ElinorhadplacedinJane\'shandsasmallpackage，andaletter，forHarry。Thelastwedonotthinkourselvesprivilegedtoopen；
butthelittleboxweknowtohavecontainedapurseofherownknitting，andalockofhair，whichwassentatthespecialrequestofHarry，asheintendedtohaveitplacedinaringbyaParisjeweller。Jane\'sbaggagecontained，moreover，inadditiontoherownparaphernalia，severalarticlesthatonewouldnotexpecttofindamongayounglady\'strunksandhat-boxes。She，carriedwithherabarrelofbuckwheat，akegofcranberries，andacoupleofjarsofginger-daintiesforwhich，itappeared，someAmericanfriendsoftheHazlehurstshadsighed，evenamidallthedelicaciesofParis。
Inafewweeks，thefamilyatWyllys-RoofhadthepleasureofhearingofJane\'ssafearrivalinParis。ThegoodnewscamethroughHarry，andweshallgivehisletter，sinceitwasthelastElinorreceivedfromhiminsomemonths。
“PlaceVendome，October，18。
“MYDEARESTELINOR：——
“YouwillbegladtohearthatJanepassedthebarriers，thismorning，withtheHowards。ShehasjustfinishedalettertoMrs。
Graham；and，asshedislikeswritingsomuch，hasgivenmeleavetoannounceherarrivaltoallatWyllys-Roof。AsJaneentersParisononeside，Ileaveitintheoppositedirection，for，thedayafterto-morrow，IamoffforConstantinople；amovementwhichwill，nodoubt，astonishyou，though，Iamsure，youwillwishmejoyofsuchpleasantprospects。Thisletterwillprobablybethelastyouwillhearofme，forsometime；notbutwhatI
shallwriteasusual，buttheselongoverlandmails，throughcountrieswheretheysuspectrevolutionorplague，ineveryletter，oftenfailtodotheirduty。Infact，Idelayedmyjourneyaweekortwo，expresslytoseeJane，andhaveagoodsupplyofLongbridgenewsbeforesettingout。Everybodytellsme，Imustexpecttolosemorethanhalfmyletters，bothways。Thisisbadenough，tobesure；butajourneytoGreeceandConstantinople，wouldbetoofullofdelights，withoutsomeseriousdrawback。IbelieveJaneismoretiredbyansweringourquestions，andhearingwhatwehavetotellher，thanbyhervoyage。Icannothelpwishing，mydearElinor，thatitwereyouwhohadarrivedinParis，insteadofourprettylittlecousin。
HowIshoulddelightinshowingyoumyfavouriteview，thequaisandtheisland，fromthePontRoyal——theLouvre，too，andtheMadeleine。AsforJane，shewill，doubtless，findherchiefpleasuresatDelilles\'，andtheTuileries——buyingfinery，andshowingitoff：ithasoftenpuzzledmetofindoutwhichsomeladiesmostenjoy。
{“barriers“=gatewaysleadingintoParis，wheretravellers\'
paperswereexamined}
“Wearetobeapartyoffourofus，onoureasternexpedition。
Inthefirstplace，Ellsworth，whomyoumayhaveseen；averycleverfellow，andbrother-in-lawtopoorCreighton。By-the-bye，Mrs。Creightonisstillhere，andhasbeenliving，veryquietly，withherbrother，sinceherhusband\'sdeath；sheisnowgoingtotheHowards，whoareherconnexions，Ibelieve；sosaysLouisa，atleast。Ellsworth，youknow，poorfellow，losthiswifeaboutayearago；hehaslefthislittlegirlwithhermother\'sfriends，andhascomeabroadforayearortwo。HavingbeeninEuropebefore，hewasverygladtomakeone，inourpartytotheEast，wherehehasnotyetbeen。Imentionhimfirst，forheisthemostagreeableofourset。ThereisnotmuchtobesaidonthechapterofyoungBrown；and，Imustconfess，thatIdon\'tquiteagreewithCol。Stryker，intheverygoodopinionheevidentlyentertainsofhimself。By-the-bye，AmericanColonelsareasplenty，now-a-days，asthe\'Marquis\'usedtobe，atVersailles，inthetimeoftheGrandLouis。SomesimpleEuropeanfolk，actuallybelievethateachofthesegentryhashisregiment——inthegarrisonof\'NieuYorck，\'Isuppose；itwouldpuzzlethem，tofindthearmy，iftheyweretocrosstheAtlantic；Idon\'tremembertohaveseenoneofUncleSam\'ssoldiersforfiveyearsbeforeIlefthome。
{“GrandLouis“=FrenchKingLouisXIV1638-1715，knownas“LouistheGreat“}
“Manythanks，dearestElinor，forthecontentsofyourbox；youcannotdoubtbuttheywillaccompanyyourpreuxchevalieronhispilgrimage。ThisEasternmovementhasbeensuchasuddenone，thatIhavestillathousandthingstodo，whichwillobligemetomakemylettershorterthanIwish。Ellsworthiswaitingforme，atthismoment。Weexpecttobegonesix，or，possibly，eightmonths。IshallwriteagainfromMarseilles；and，Ihope，theletterfromthencewillreachyou。PullBruno\'searsforme，anddon\'tlethimforgethismaster；whichwillbeoneway，mydear，kind，Elinor，ofobligingyoutorememberthatindividualalso。
BestrespectstoMr。WyllysandAuntAgnes，withmuchloveforyourself，dearestElinor，fromYouraffectionate，presentandFUTUR，H。H。
P。S——ManyremembrancesforMrs。Stanley，ifsheiswithyou；I
wrotetoherlastmonth。“
{“preuxchevalier“=valiantknight；“FUTUR“=futureFrench}
CHAPTERVII。
“Whattidingssendourscouts？Ipr\'ythee，speak。“
HenryVI。
{WilliamShakespeare，“1HenryVI“，V。ii。10}
ABOUTthemiddleofthefollowingMarch，theseason，bycourtesycalledspring，butwhenwintersometimesreignsdefacto，intheneighbourhoodtowhichWyllys-Roofbelonged，Mr。Wyllysproposed，onemorning，todrivehisgranddaughtertoLongbridge，withthedoubleobject，ofmakingthemostofalatefallofsnow，andprocuringthemailanhourearlierthanusual。
Thelightcutterslippedthroughatrackinwhichtherewasquiteasmuchmudassnow，and，itseemed，asifmostpeoplepreferredstayingathome，tomovingoverroadsinthathalf-and-halfcondition：theymetnoonetheyknew，exceptingDr。VanHorne。
“Iwassureyouwouldbeoutthismorning，Mr。Wyllys，“criedtheDoctor，astheymet，“yoursleighisalwaysthefirstandthelastontheroad。“
“Yougenerallykeepmecompany，Ifind，doctor。Iamgoingforthemail。Howfarhaveyoubeen，thismorning？”
“ToLongbridge，sir；but，withthissun，thesnowwillhardlycarryyouthereandhomeagain；andyet，Idaresay，youwillfindsomethingworthhaving，inthemail，forIsawlettersinyourbox；andthereisaFrenchpacketin。“
“Indeed！We\'llmakethebestofourway，then，atonce；“and，wishingthedoctorgoodmorning，Mr。Wyllysdroveoff。“WeshallhavelettersfromParis，Ihope，Nelly，“saidhergrandfather。
“Certainly，Ihopeso，“repliedElinor；“Jane\'slastletterwasshamefullyshort。Ihadhalfamindnottoanswerit；andsoI
toldher；butmyscoldinghasnothadtimetoreachheryet。“
“Jennyisnogreatletter-writer；andsheisverybusyenjoyingheryearinParis，Isuppose。ButIshallbegladtohaveasightofHarry\'shandwritingagain。Wherewasithewrotefromlast，inDecember？”
“FromBeyroot{sic}，sir。HewastobeinParisearlyinthespring。“
“Well，Ihopeweshallhearsomethingfromhimto-day。Beforelong，Isuppose，weshallhavetheyounggentlemanatWyllys-Roof，tryingtopersuadeyouthathewantsyourhelpinreadingBlackstone。But，don\'tbelievehim，Nelly；Ishan\'tgiveyouupforayeartocome。“
{“Blackstone“=SirWilliamBlackstone1723-1780，Britishjuristwhose“CommentariesontheLawsofEngland“wastheprincipaltextforaspiringyounglawyers}
“Thereistimeenoughtothinkofallthat，“saidElinor，blushingalittle。
“Yes，timeenough！andwecanjudgewhatsortofalawyerhewillmake，bythewayinwhichhehandlesthesubject。Asitisabadcause，heoughttofindagreatdealtosayontheoccasion。
Supposehemanagesthemattersowell，astobringyourauntandmyselfovertohisside，whatwouldyousay？”
“Icanonlysaynow，grandpapa，thatIcannotbeartothinkofthetimewhenIshallhavetoleaveAuntAgnesandyourself，“
repliedElinor，withfeeling。“Pray，don\'tletustalkaboutityet；Ishallbeverywellsatisfiedwiththingsastheyare，foralongtimetocome。“
“Well，youmaybesatisfiedtohaveHarryinEgypt；butIshouldliketoseehimhere，onceinawhile。Whenisittheyaretobehome？”
“Thelastofthesummer，sir。TheysailinAugust，thatLouisamayseeMrs。Grahambeforeshegoessouth。“
“Youhavehadadifferentsortofawinter，mychild，fromHarryandJane。“
“Ithasbeenapleasantwintertome，andtoallthree，Ihope。“
“Yes；Jennyhashadallthegaiety——Harryalltheadventure——andyou，allthesobriety。Butitwasyourownwish，mydear，thathaskeptusinthecountry，thiswinter。“
Thelastsixmonthshad，indeed，passedverydifferentlytotheyoungpeople。JanehadbeendancingawayhereveningsontheparquetsofParis；anddividinghermorningsbetweenwalkstotheTuileries，drivestotheBoisdeBoulogne，andvisitstotheshops。Asforthelessonswhichhad，atonetime，enteredintotheplan，theyhadneverbeenevencommenced。Janewastooindolenttotakepleasureinanythingofthekind；andhercompanions，thedaughtersofMrs。Howard，ledherintosomuchgaiety，thatshereallyseemedtohavelittletimeforanythingelse。Mrs。RobertHazlehurstthought，indeed，thathersisterwasquitetoodissipated；still，Janeseemedtoenjoyitsomuch，shelookedsowellandhappy，andMrs。Howardwassuchanobligingchaperon，thatthesamecoursewaspursued，weekafterweek；
althoughMrs。Hazlehurst，herself，whohadaninfantafewweeksold，seldomaccompaniedher。
Elinor，inthemeantime，waspassingthequietestofcountrylivesatWyllys-Roof，wherethefamilyremainedallwinter。Eventheletters，whichthepreviousyearhadgivenhersomuchpleasure，hadbeenwantingduringthepastseason。Janeneverwroteoftenerthanwasabsolutelynecessary；andonlytwoofHurry\'slettersreachedtheirdestination。TherewasapackagefromEurope，however，intheLongbridgePost-Office，onthemorningofthesleigh-drivewehavealludedto。ItcontainedalongletterfromHarry，writtenatSmyrna，announcingthathehopedtobeinParissometimeinMarch；andonefromMrs。
Hazlehurst，informingherfriendsoftheirplansforthesummer——includinganexcursiontoSwitzerland——afterwhichtheyweretoreturnhomelateinAugust。
TheverydayElinorreceivedtheseletters，HarryreturnedtoParis。AfterpitchinghistentamongGrecianruins，andridingoncamelsoverthesandsofEgyptandSyria，hehadreturnedtoFrancethroughTurkeyandAustria；thinkinghimselfaveryluckyfellowtohaveseensomuchofwhattheworldcontains，worthseeing。
Hefoundhisbrotherentirelyrecovered，aswellashehadbeenbeforetheaccidentwhichhadinjuredhim。Hewascalledupontoadmirethelittleniecebornduringhisabsence；shewasasweetlittlebaby，andMrs。HazlehursthadnamedherElinor，afterherfuturesister-in-law——akindattentionforwhichHarrywasmuchobligedtoher，andwhich，hedeclared，wouldmakethechildafavouritewithhim。
Janewasthere，ofcourse，andgladtoseeHarry，ofcourse。
Hazlehursthadscarcelytakenpossessionofacomfortablefauteuilinhisbrother\'sdrawing-room，beforethethoughtoccurredtohim，thatallthepartylookedmuchasusual，exceptingJane。Duringthefirstevening，hebecameconvincedthatshewascertainlyalteredbytheairofParis。Howverymuchshehadimprovedinappearanceandmanner！Hehadneverbeforethoughthersoverybeautifulasmanyothershaddone——buthemustnowretractallhehadeversaidonthesubject。Hesupposedthegoodtastewithwhichshewasdressedmusthavesomeeffect；
butitseemedasifherbeautywerenowinitsperfection。Whenhelastsawher，therewassomethingalmostchildishinherappearanceandexpression，whichshehadnowlostentirely。Hewasstruckwiththeairoffinishaboutherwholeperson，fromtherichglossylustreonherdarkhair，tothepearlytintofhercomplexion。Shewas，indeed，abeautifulcreature。WhatasensationsuchafacemustcreateamongtheenthusiasticParisians！Then，shemusthavemorefeelingthanhehadgivenhercreditfor；shehadreceivedhimquitekindly，andseemedreallygladtoseehimagain。
{“fauteuil“=armchairFrench}