“Yourperseverance，undersuchobstacles，wastrulysurprising，MissTaylor；“saidHazlehurst。
“Wasitnot？Wesoonwroteouradvertisements。Minewasveryshort：\'Wanted，anagreeableyouth，asescortbetweenthisandNewYork，applythisevening，atfiveo\'clock。\'Somewereverylongandridiculous；onewasinverse。Well，afterwehadwrittenthem，weopenedthedoorsandwindows，andtheyounggentlemenflockedinagain。Thenwewentinprocession，andpinnedthemuponthecurtains。Suchatimeaswehad——talkingandgiggling——wewereinsuchagale，that，atlast，someofthemarriedladiescameouttoseewhatwasthematter。But，thebestfunofall，waschoosingourescorts；agreatmanyoffered，andthenweexaminedthem。“
“Ihopetheyhadsuitablequalificationsfortheoffice。“
“Oh，yes——ItookMr。Hunter，Anne\'sbrother。Well，sureenough，weallsetouttogether，thenextmorning；staidonedayinthecity；and，Thursdaymorning，were-appearedwiththedresses。Ofcourse，AnneandIhadtakentheopportunitytogetafreshsupply，besidesthewhitebatiste。Wehadamostdelightfulpic-nic。Iforgottosay，thatAnne\'sescort，theMarquisFoletti，wasmissing；shehadtodowithouthim——shegavehimupforlost，orabsconded，andweallowedhertochooseanotherbeau——whensuddenly，justasweweremourningovertheMarquis，heappearedontheground，andthrewhimselfonhisknees，andmadeuslaughmorethanever。Annehadchosenhim，becausehehadthehandsomestmoustachesatSaratoga；buthecouldnotspeakEnglishverywell，andhadgotonboardthewrongboat。Whattimeswehad！Jane，Iwishyouhadbeenthere！”
“Yourfaithfulesquireswererewarded，nodoubt，bythegallantryofthedeeditself，MissTaylor，“saidHarry。
“Ofcourse；butweneverthelessgavethem，besides，fullpermissiontosayanddojustwhattheypleased，allthatday——andyoucan\'tthinkhowmuchnonsensewetalked。Eachgentlemantooktheadvertisementoftheladyhehadescorted，andpinneditoverhisheart。Therewereseveralforeignersthere，andyoucan\'tthinkhowtheyenjoyedit；theyhadneverhadsuchafrolicwithyoungladiesbefore，andtheythoughtitdelightful；though，tobesure，theygotatlasttoberathertoofree；andthenwehadtoputastoptoit。“
ElinorlookedatJane，toseeifsheseemedtosympathizeinAdeline\'sstory；buthercousin\'sbeautifulfacewasstillbrightwiththeglowofpleasurefrommeetingherfriend；nootherthoughtorfeelingwastobetracedthere。
“Idon\'tbelievetheyhaveanysuchfuninParis，Mr。
Hazlehurst。“
“Notexactly——Theyhaveapleasantryoftheirown，however，whichisquiteagreeable。“
“Idon\'tthinkIshouldlikeit。Theysay，ayoungladydaresnotspeaktogentlemen，norwalkwiththem，norhavetheleastbitofaflirtation。Howstupiditmustbe！”
“ButtheFrenchgirlsdotalktogentlemen，Iassureyou，“
repliedJane，“onlytheyarenotintimatewitheverybody。Theyoungmenareveryattentive，too；theytreatyounggirlswithmuchmorerespect，Louisasays，thaninAmerica。“
“Whocaresforrespect！Iwanttolaughandamusemyself，andhavemyownway，“exclaimedAdeline。
“Itisgrowingquitewarmhere——youwillfinditpleasanterinthedrawing-room，MissTaylor；“saidElinor，notcaringtolistenanylongertoJane\'sgiddyfriend。
“Well，ifyouplease，I\'llrunuptoJanesroom，andlookatthefashions——Iamdyingtoseesomeofhercapesandcollars。
By-the-bye，Ihadforgottentwoveryimportantthings。Hereisanoteforyouraunt，MissElinor；someprivatecommunicationfromMa；thecoachmanwilltaketheanswer。Andthen，Icameovertoaskyoualltodrinkteawithus，thisevening，verysociably；
nobodybutyourownfamilyandthreeorfourfriends！”
Theinvitationwasaccepted，asamatterofcourse。
“Goodmorning，Mr。Hazlehurst；IexpecttobeshutupwithJane，forthreehourstocome；Ihavereallytalkedmyselfoutofbreath；butthatisalwaystheway，withme，asyouknow，ofold。“Andthetwogirls，hand-in-hand，ranlightlyupstairs，whereElinor，makinganexcuseofMrs。Taylor\'snote，leftthemtoaconfidentialtete-a-tete。
CHAPTERXI。
“Asoldiermaybeanything，ifbrave；
Somayamerchantifnotquiteaknave。“
COWPER。
“Tradehisdelightandhope；and，ifalive，DoubtIhavenone，thatBarnabywillthrive。“
CRABBE。
{WilliamCowperEnglishpoet，1731-1800，“Hope“lines201-210。
GeorgeCrabbeEnglishpoet，1754-1832，“PosthumousTales：VIII
Barnaby；theShopman“linesII。3-4}
WEhavereallybeenveryremissinomittingsolongtonoticetherapidstrideswithwhichMr。PompeyTaylorhadadvancedontheroadtofameandfortune，duringthetwoyearsinwhichwehavelostsightofhim。Hemighthaveaddressed，tothereader，theremarkthattheEmperorNapoleonappliedtohissecretary，aftertheconquestofPrussiaandAustria：“J\'aifaitdesprogresimmensesdepuisqueBourienne{sic}m\'aquitte！”
{“J\'aifaitdes……“=IhavemadeimmenseprogresssinceBourienneleftme！Louis-AntoineFauveletdeBourrienne1769-1834wasaFrenchdiplomatwhoservedasNapoleon\'sprivatesecretaryduringhisinvasionofEgypt}
Itisarule，incomposition，itwasso，atleast，whenpeoplewrotebyrule，tocomparethelittlewiththegreat。Ifweweretofollowthedirection，itwouldbeeasytoprovethatthesetwoindividuals，theconqueror，Napoleon，andthespeculator，Taylor，werenottoowidelyseparatedformanypointsofresemblancetobetracedbetweenthem。Ambitionwastherulingpassionofboth；
andbothwerealikeinsatiable。Bonaparteaddedkingdomtokingdom；Taylor，housetohouse；theemperormightbelievehimselfequaltorulinghalftheworld；themerchantfeltcapableofowningtheotherhalf。Theoneraisedarmyafterarmy；theotherfittedoutvesselaftervessel。Theenergiesofbothwereinexhaustible，andbothaimedatanever-recedinggoal；whileeach，inhisownway，soonreachedaheightneverdreamedofbythemotherswhorockedtheircradles。NorwoulditbejusticetoMr。Taylor，tosuppose，thattheloveofmoney，alone，wasthemain-springofhisactions；he，too，wasspurredonbytheloveofglory；dollarsandcentswerenottheend，withhim；helookeduponhisthousands，ingoldandpaper，asNapoleondiduponhisthousandsinfleshandblood——theywerebuttheinstrumentswhichweretoopentheroadtofame。Themanofcommerce，andthemanofwar，werealikelavishoftheirtreasures，whentheobjectoftheirliveswasinview。Ifonewastheboldestofgenerals，theotherwasthemostenterprisingofmerchants；andFortunefavouredthedaringofboth。Inshort，Mr。Taylorwasnocommon，ploddingtrader，contentwithmoderategainsandsafeinvestments，andfixinghishopesonprobabilities——hepursuedtrafficwiththepassionofagambler，unitedtotheclosecalculationofamiser；andyet，hespentfreelywhathehadacquiredeasily。
Therearemerchants，who，bytheireducation，theirintegrity，theirtalentsandtheirliberality，areanhonourtotheprofession；butMr。PompeyTaylorwasnotofthenumber。Wehaveallheardtheanecdoteoftheyoungmanaddictedtothesinofswearing，whoseconversation，duringdinner，wastakendowninshort-hand，and，whenreadafterwards，shockedtheindividualhimself。CouldthethoughtsandwordsofMr。Taylor，duringasingleday，havebeenasfairlyregistered，perhapshehimselfwouldhavebeenastonishedtofindhowverylargeaportionofthemweregiventogainandspeculation，insomeshapeorother。
Atsocialmeetings，whetherdinnersoreveningparties，heseldomtalkedlongonanyothersubject：hehasbeenknowntouttertheword\'stocks，\'justasheenteredachurch，onSunday；whileaquestionaboutcertainlotswasthefirstsentencewhichpassedhislips，ashecrossedthethresholdonhiswayout。Eatinghismealsunderhisownroof；walkingdownBroadwaytoWall-Street，everymorning，atnineo\'clock，andbackagaineveryafternoonatthree；stilltheechoofMr。Taylor\'sthoughtsandwordswas\'dollars，\'\'stocks，\'and\'lots\'——\'lots，\'\'stocks，\'and\'dollars。\'Hehadavalueforeverythingindollars——hisjokesturneduponstocks——andhisdreamswerefilledwithlots。Letitnotbesupposed，however，thatMr。PompeyTaylorwasbornwiththephrenologicalorganoftheloveofmoneymorestronglydevelopedthanotherhumanbeings。Bynomeans。Hewasendowedbynaturewithfacultiesandfeelingsasvariedasothermen。But，fromthetimehecouldfirstwalkandtalk，preceptandexamplehadgraduallyturnedallhisfacultiesinonedirection；for，suchhadbeentheopinionsandviewsofhisfatherandelderbrothers；andtherewasnootherimpulseinhisnatureoreducation，sufficientlystrongtogiveadifferentbenttohisenergies。Underothercircumstances，PompeyTaylormighthavebeenaquick-wittedlawyer，asupplepolitician，adaringsoldier，or，withadifferentmoraltraining，hemighthavebeensomethingfarsuperiortoeither；butthefieldofcommercewastheonlyonethatopenedtohim，athisentranceintolife；anditwastoowelladaptedtotheman，suchasnatureandeducationhadmadehim，tobeneglected。Hefoundfullscope，insuchasphere，forallhisenergiesofbodyandmind——hedelightedinitslaboursanditsrewards。
{“phrenological“=fromthepseudo-scienceofphrenology，whichinterpretedcharacterbyfeelingthebulgesonthehumanhead}
Mr。Taylorhadforgotten，ifhehadeverknownthefact，thatthebestpleasuresofthisworldeven，arethosewhichmoneycannotpurchase，theseverestwantsthosewhichitcannotsupply。Hehadnoconceptionofanyconsiderationequaltothatwhichrichesgive。Beautyunadornedwasnobeautyinhiseyes；andhechieflyvaluedtalentasameansofmakinggoodinvestmentsandwilyspeculations。HelookeduponScienceasthehand-maidenofCommerce；ArmiesandNaviesexistedonlytodefendanation\'swealth，notitsliberties，oritshonour。Theseatofhispatriotismwasinhispocket；andtheonlyinternalimprovementinwhichhewasinterested，wasthatwhichopenednewfacilitiesforacquiringmoney。Itissurprisinghowtotallysuchamindbecomesunfittedtoenjoyandadmireanygreatornoblequalityintheabstract；inspiteofaquickwitandkeenorgans，suchmenbecomethemostone-sidedbeings，perhaps，inthewholehumanfamily。TomoralbeautyMr。Taylorseemedquiteblind；hismentalvisionresembledthephysicalsightofthoseindividualswhoseeyes，thoughperfectineveryotherrespect，areincapableofreceivinganyimpressionofanobjecttingedwithblue——thecolouroftheheavens。Eventhefewideashehaduponreligioussubjectspartookofthecharacteroflossandgain；thesimplespiritoftruepietycouldneverenterintoamindinthestateofhis。Andyet，Mr。Taylorwaslookeduponasahappyman。
Fortunatehecertainlywas，forwealthandluxuryhadrisenaroundhimalmostasreadilyasifpossessedofAladdin\'slamp。
Hadhebeenactuallyinpossessionofthisgiftofthegenii，hecouldscarcelyhavefoundawishtogratify，asmoneyhadalreadyprovidedhimwithallitcansupplyinthiscountry，andthepursuitofwealthitselfwashisdelight。Deprivedofthis，Othello\'soccupationweregone。
{“Othello\'soccupationweregone“=WilliamShakespeare，“Othello“，III。iii。358}
JusticetoMr。Taylorwouldrequirethatweshouldfollowhimtothecounting-house，foritwastherethatheappearedinthemostbrilliantlight。Histalentswereundoubted；hissagacity，hisskill，andhisdaringweregreat；andhisundertakingsweregenerallysuccessful。Thusfarallappearedverywell；butthosewholookedcloserintothematterwouldhavefoundthathisintegritywasanythingbutunimpeachable，hisloveofmoneyfarsurpassinghisloveoftruthandjustice。Thispartofhiscareermustbeleft，however，tootherhands；itisonlywhathewasinsocialanddomesticlife，thatthemerchantappearsamongourLongbridgefriends。
ThefirstfewmonthsafterhehadremovedtoNewYork，theutmostextentofMr。Taylor\'sambitiousdreamshadbeenthepossessionofabrickhouseinBroadway，onalotofgroundtwenty-threefeetbyseventy。AccordingtothefavouriteruleofNewYorkarchitecture，theruleofthree，thebuildingwastobethreestorieshigh，andthreewindowswide。ButtheendofthefirstninetydaysinWall-Street，broughtanaccessionofseveralthousands，andthebrilliantpromiseofsomanymore，thatthisplanwasenlargedseveralincheseachway。Aseverysucceedingseasonbroughtanincreaseofwealthandambition，theprojecteddwellinggrewatlasttobetallerandbroaderbyseveralfeet，until，atlength，ithadreachedthelimitswhichmagnificenceusuallyattainsontheislandofManhattan。HadMr。TaylorbuilthishouseinPhiladelphia，oralmostanyotherAmericantown，hemighthavelaidratherabroaderfoundationforhishabitation；
butNewYorkhouses，asarule，arethenarrowestandthetallestintheland。Someofthosethree-storydwellings，however，whatevermaybetheirarchitecturaldefects，containinmateswhoareasmuchtobedesiredforfriendsasanyothersintheworld。
ButtoreturntoMr。Taylor\'snewhouse；wehavesaidthatitwasoneoftheproudfewwhichcouldboastitsfourstoriesanditsfourwindows。Hewasperfectlysatisfiedwiththeresultwhenfinished，forhishousefromthegarrettothecellarwasafaithfulcopyofoneoppositetohim，whichhadbeenbuiltsomemonthsearlier，andwaspronouncedthehouseoftheseason。
TheAmericanpeoplemayhavebeenperfectlyoriginalintheirconstitution，butinmostotherrespectstheyareparticularlyimitative。Anobserver，atafirstglance，wondersthatsomuchclevernessshouldbewastedinmereimitation；butitis，afterall，thesimpleresultofthepositionofthecountry。Anintelligentpeople，wearefurnishedbybookswithmoreideasthanwehavemodelsonwhichtoshapethem。Inanoldstateofsociety，thereisalwaysaclasswholabourafteroriginality，andareproudtobecalledeccentric；butayoungnation，cutofffromtherestofthecivilizedworld，mustnecessarilybeimitativeinitscharacteruntilithasarrivedatmaturity。Thisspiritofimitation，toacertainextentanadvantage，is，tobesure，oftencarriedtoalaughableextentwhenitlosessightofcommonsense。Peopleseemtoforgetthefactthatproprietymustalwaysbethefirststeptotrueelegance。Asaproofofit，weseemenwhoappeartohaveconsultedtheirneighbours\'tastes，habits，andmeans，insteadoftheirown，inbuildingthehousetheythemselvesaretoinhabit；likeMr。Taylor，withoutanyverygoodreason，theyimitatetheiroppositeneighbour。Again，itissurprisingtoseewhattimeandtoilarespentinfollowingeveryvariationoffashionindress，bymanywomenwhocertainlycanillaffordit；wedonotmeanfashioninitsgeneraloutlines，butinitsmosttriflingdetails。Ifonecouldwatchtheprogressofanidlefancyofthisnature，fromthemomentitspringsfromthecapriceofsomeEuropeanelegante，withmoretimeandmoneythansheknowshowtothrowaway，untilitbecomesanecessitytoanAmericanhousemaid，earningadollaraweek——wehavenodoubttheperiodwouldbefoundsurprisinglyshort。
{“elegante“=afashionableladyFrench}
Thehabitofimitationjustalludedto，ismorestrikingperhapsinarchitecturethaninanythingelse，forinthatshapeitisalwaysbeforeoureyes；andnoplaceinthecountryismoremarkedwithitthanNewYork。Innotowninheworldarethereasmanydwellingssomuchalike；andthisfactisnottheresultofnecessity，orofanyplanofarchitecturalunity——itisnotthattheplanfirsthituponprovedtobethemostrational，orbestsuitedtothespotanditsinhabitants——butitischieflytheconsequenceofaspiritofimitation。
Toreturntoourstory：thisnewhouseofMr。Taylor，thissuccessfulimitationofhisoppositeneighbour，hadbeenopenedthefirstofMay，thegeneralmovingdayinNewYork。Itwasfittedupintherichestmanner，youngTaylorhavingreceivedcarteblanchefromhisfathertopurchasehandsomefurnitureinParis。Rosewoodandsatin，giltbronzesandSevresvases，wereallofthebestkind——andMr。Taylorwasperfectlysatisfiedwiththeeffectofhistwodrawing-rooms。Itwasdeterminedtheyshouldbeshownoffduringthefollowingwinter，byasuccessionofdinnersandparties。Hehadalreadytriedhishandatentertaining；afterhavingeatenadozengreatdinnerswithdifferentcommercialnotabilities，hehadgivenonehimselfjustbeforeleavingtown。Theaffair，aman-dinner，ofcourse，hadgoneoffbrilliantly——thankstohisbeautifulporcelainedeSevres，hiscandelabrasandhisepergnes，hisEnglishplateandEnglishglass；allofwhichshowedofftogreatadvantagethebestofthegoodthingsaboundingintheNewYorkmarket，cookedbyaFrenchman，andwasheddownbywinesfromthemostfamousvineyardsofFrance，Germany，andSpain。Hisentertainmentwaspronouncedashandsomeasanygiventhatwinterintown；andMr。
Taylordeterminedthatitshouldbeonlythefirstofalongseries。
{“generalmovingday“=inNewYorkCity，atthistime，leasesfortherentalofhousesgenerallyexpiredonMay1；“porcelainedeSevres“=expensivechinawarefromtheFrenchtownofSevres；
“epergne“=anelaboratebowlusedasatablecenterpieceFrench}
Hiscountry-houserivalledhisestablishmentintown。Byhisfirstplan，hehadintendedthatitshouldequalthatofMr。
Hubbard，atLongbridge；buteighteenmonthshadmadeamaterialchangeinhisaffairs，whichproducedcorrespondingalterationsinthebuilding。Firstonelargewingwasadded，thenanother；
Mr。Hubbard\'shousehadbutoneCorinthianportico，Mr。Taylor\'shadtwo。Hewasborninahousewhichhadbeenpaintedonlyononefront，andhewasnowoftheopinionoftheoldtar，whopurchasedahandsomejacketlikehiscommandingofficer，butorderedthebackaswellasthefronttobemadeofsatin，andmeetingtheadmiral，pulleduphiscoat-tailstoshowthattherewas“nosham。“Mr。Taylorcouldnotoutdotheplate-glass，andmahoganydoorsofMr。Hubbard\'shouse，buthehadgreatsatisfactioninshowinghimhisporticoonthesouthfront，andinprovingtherewasnosham。Whenthewingswereadded，theywerecompletelysurroundedonthreesidesbyacolonnade。Mr。
Taylorhavinghappened，justatthemoment，tomakethirtythousanddollarsbyonesuccessfulspeculation，hesentorderstothemaster-builderforadoublesetofcolumns；andasaconsequence，thecolonnadewassoveryconspicuousthatitbecametheprideoftheneighbourhood。Mr。Taylor，himself，wassomuchstruckwiththefirstview，whencompleted，thathedecidedtonametheplace“ColonnadeManor。“Thereisnoaccountingfortasteinnames，wesuppose，anymorethaninothermatters。LikeNo。fivehundredand——Broadway，ColonnadeManorwasfurnishedwithrosewoodandsatinfromParis。
Mrs。Taylor，goodsoul，enteredverylittleintothespiritofthismagnificence。Shestillsatinhernurserywithheryoungerchildrenasmuchaspossible，darningallthestockingsofthefamily；anoccupationwhichAdelinethoughtveryungenteel，forshenevercondescendedtouseherneedleatall。TomakeMrs。
TaylorafineladyhadbeenoneoftheleastsuccessfulofMr。
Taylor\'sefforts；shewasmuchtoohonestbynaturetoassumeacharacterforwhichshewassolittlequalified。TherewasbutonewayinwhichshecouldsucceedininterestingherselfinalltheparadewhichgratifiedMr。Taylor\'staste；shefounditgavepleasuretoherhusbandandchildren，andsheendeavouredtomakethebestofit。SheworethefinedressespurchasedforherbyAdeline，anddroveoutonceinawhileinherhandsomecarriage，topayatleastafewofthemanyvisitsurgedbyMr。Taylor。
Amongthenewacquaintancesshehadmadeinthelasttenyears，therewerefewMrs。TaylorlikedaswellasMissWyllys；andMissAgnes，inherturn，respectedallthatwashonestandstraight-forwardinthecharacterofhernewneighbour；indeed，thewholefamilyatWyllys-Roofverymuchpreferredhertothemorepretendinghusbandanddaughter。Thenote，ofwhichAdelinewasthebearer，wasanapplicationtoMissWyllysforadviceinsomedomesticdifficulty。Itranasfollows：
“MYDEARMISSWYLLYS：——
“Youhavebeensokindtome，eversincewemovedintoyourneighbourhood，thatIhopeyouwillexcusemeforaskingyourassistance，thismorning。Ihavebeenagooddealplaguedinmykitcheneversincewecameintothecountrythisspring。Mycookandchamber-maid，whoaresisters，arealwaysfindingsomeexcuseforwantingtogotothecity；andlastnighttheygotaletter，orpretendedtogetonefromNewYork，sayingthattheirfatherwasverysick；andasIdidn\'tknowbutitmightbetrue，I
couldn\'trefusethem，andtheyhavegoneforaweek——thoughI
won\'tbesureitwasnotforamerefrolic。Asithappened，Mr。
TaylorandAdelinecamebackfromSaratoga，lastnight，andbroughtahouse-fullofcompanywiththem；anoldfriendofminewhomIhadnotseenforyears，andsomenewacquaintancesofAdeline\'s。Tomakemattersworse，mynurse，afaithful，goodgirl，whohaslivedwithmeforyears，wastakensickthismorning；andJohn，thewaiter，hadaquarrelwiththecoachman，andwentoffinahuff。Youknowsuchthingsalwayscometogether。SoIhavenowonlythecoachmanandhisdaughter，alittlegirloftwelve，inthehouse；happilytheyarebothwilling，andcandoalittleofeverything。IfyouknowofanybodythatIcanfindtotaketheplaceofcook，orhousemaid，Ishallbetrulyobligedtoyouforgivingthecoachmantheirnamesanddirections。
“Adelineistohavealittlepartythisevening；shemetseveralofourLongbridgefriendsonboardtheboatyesterday，andtookthatopportunityofaskingthem，assheisveryanxioustomakethehousepleasanttohercompany。Idaresayshehasalreadyinvitedallyourfamily，andIshallbeverysorryifyouarenotabletocome，forwealwaysmissyoumorethananyothersofourneighbours。
“HopingyouwillexcusethetroubleIgiveyou，Iremain，dearMadam，“Veryrespectfullyandtrulyyours，“HESTERTAYLOR。“
MissWyllyshadnosoonerreadthenote，than，fullofsympathyforMrs。Taylor\'sdifficulties，sheheldaconsultationwithherfemalefactotum，Elinor\'snurse，orMammyasshewascalled。Allthemen，women，andchildrenintheneighbourhood，whomightpossiblypossesssomequalificationsforthedutiesofcook，chamber-maid，orfootman，wererunoverinMissAgnes\'mind；andshesucceededatlast，byincludingonesuperannuatedoldwoman，andanotherchildoften，inmakingoutalistofsomedozennamesforherneighbour\'sbenefit。Thewholemorningwasspentbythecoachman，scouringthecountrywiththeTaylorbaroucheandhorses——fornotimewastobespentinchangingharness——inpursuitofDianthyThis，andAramintyThat。Mrs。Taylor，ofcourse，awaitedhisreturnwithtremblinganxiety；theSaratogapartyhadgoneofftofish，escortedbyMr。Taylorandayoungerdaughter；AdelinehavingtakenthatopportunitytogotoseeJane，excusingherselffromaccompanyingthefishingset，onaccountofthearrivalofthisveryintimatefriendofhers。Themistressofthehouse，afterhavingadministeredadoseofmedicinetothesicknurse，andsentthelittlegirloftwelvetomakethebedsandsweep，gaveonemelancholylookatthingsinthekitchen，andthenrememberedthatshecouldnolongerleavethisparticularoldfriendofher\'saloneinthedrawing-room。
Whiletalkingoverpasttimes，Mrs。Taylorchosearocking-chaircommandingaviewoftheapproachtothehouse：justatthemomentwhenshebegantofearthehorseshadrunaway，killedthecoachman，andbrokenthecarriage，shesawthebarouchedrivinguptheavenue，but，alas，sanscook！Shekeptherseatwomanfully，andheardouttheendofalongstorywhichtheoldfriendwasrelatingaboutafamilyofrelations。ButatlengthMrs。Taylorfoundthatthemomentforactionhadcome；andgivingherfriendthechoiceofherownknitting-work，orawalkinthegardenwithheryoungestchild，aprettyprattlinglittleboy，sheexcusedherselfforafewmoments，underpretextoflookingafterthesicknurse。Theoldfriendwasquiteatalkativeperson，andonetowhomalistenerwasverynecessary；shepreferredthelittleboytotheknitting-work，andsetouttolookat-thegarden。
Mrs。Taylorinstantlydisappearedinthedirectionofthekitchen。
“Well，John！”
“Well，marm，Icouldn\'tpickupnobody，forloveormoney。“
“Didn\'tMissWyllysknowofanyoneintheneighbourhood？”
“Yes，marm；Ihavegotalisthere；butsomeof\'emhadgotplacesalready；therewastwothatwassick；one，AramintyCarpenter，Iguess，wouldhavesuitedMrs。Taylorverywell，for，Iknowtheyoungwoman\'sfather；butshehasgoneovertoLongbridge，toworkattheUnionHotel，foraweek。TherewasonenamewrittensoIcouldn\'tmakeitout；andtwoof\'emIcouldn\'tfind；folkscouldn\'ttellmewheretheylived。ThereisayoungthingdownattheMill，wholookshandy，butdoesn\'tknowanythingofcooking；but，Iengagedhertocometo-morrow，andMrs。Taylorcanseeifshesuits。“
“Whydidn\'tyoubringherwithyouatonce，John？”
“Shecouldn\'tcome，noways，tillto-morrow；shewaswashing；
and，ifsheleftthework，therewasnoonetodoit。“
LetitnotbesupposedthatMrs。Taylorsunkunderthesedifficulties。Thefishing-partyreturned；and，bymeansknownonlytoherself，thecoachman，andthelittlegirloftwelve，adinner，muchasusual，wasprovidedforherguests，whowereleftinhappyignoranceofthedesertioninthekitchen。
Itmustbesurprising，tothoseunaccustomedtosuchthings，toobservewithwhatcourageandcheerfulnessthemistressofanAmericanfamilyencountersthepeculiarevilsofherlot——evilsundreamtofbypersonsinthesamestationinanyotherpartoftheworld。Herenergiesseemtorisewiththeobstaclesthatcallthemout；sheisfullofexpedients——fullofactivity；and，unlessfairlywornoutbyexertionforwhichshehasnotthephysicalstrength，alwaysmanagestokeepupappearances，andprovideforthecomfortofherhousehold，untilhertroublesaresurmounted，forthetimebeing，andshegathersstrength，inamomentofrespite，forfreshdifficulties，whentheypresentthemselves。Evenherhusbandandsonsareseldomawareofhertoilsandvexations。Manypeopleareignorantofthenumberofvirtuesthatareincluded，atsuchmoments，inthatofhospitality；couldaplain，unvarnishedaccount，bemadeout，ofthedifficultiessurmounted，atsometimeorother，bymostAmericanmatrons，theworldwouldwonderattheirfortitudeandperseverance。Notthatdifficultieslikethoseofourfriend，Mrs。Taylor，areofconstantduration，buttheyoccuroftenerthantheuninitiatedareawareof。Yetevenobstaclesliketheseseemnevertointerferewiththatconstantintercourse，fromtea-partiestovisitsofweeks，whichareexchangedbetweenallAmericanfamiliesandtheirfriends。Butthennopeopleintheworldaremoretrulyhospitable——nonearemoresocialintheirfeelings，thantheinhabitantsoftheseUnitedStates。
CHAPTERXII。
“Come，come；dealjustlywithme；come，Come；nay，speak！”
Hamlet。
“Madam，theguestsarecome，supperservedup，youcalled，myyoungladyaskedfor，thenursecursedinthepantry，andeverythinginextremity。“
RomeoandJuliet。
{WilliamShakespeare，“Hamlet“，II。ii。275-276；“RomeoandJuliet“，I。iii。100-102}
OFcourse，nothinginterferedwiththepartyatColonnadeManor。
ThankstoMrs。Taylor，thecoachmanandthelittlegirloftwelve——quiteawomanly，precocious，littlething，by-the-way——allwentoffverywell。Somecuriousperson，uninitiatedinsimilardomesticmysteries，maywishtoknowhowthingsweremanagedatsuchatryingcrisis。Well，inthefirstplace，Mrs。Taylorcongratulatedherselfthatherguestshadbeenaskedto\'spendtheevening，\'andnotinvited\'totea。\'Thiswasapieceofgoodluck，whichdiminishedhercares，andpreventedthedeepmortificationshemusthavefelthadtheteaandcoffeebeencold。Thecoachman，ofcourse，officiatedasfootman；adutytowhichhewasalreadysomewhataccustomed。Thelittlegirloftwelvebegantheeveningasladies\'-maid，appearinginthedressing-roominthatcapacity，helpingtheladiestotakeofftheirshawlsandsmooththefoldsoftheirdresses，beforetheymadetheirentranceinthedrawing-rooms。Thecompanysooncollected——aboutfiftyorsixtypersons，altogether——andinpartydress；eachhavingbeeninvitedquitesociably，byMissAdeline。
Theywerenotatallsurprisedtoseeeachother，however，fortheyhadoftenalreadypractisedthesameagreeabledeception，themselves。Thecompanyonceassembled，thelittlegirloftwelverolleduphersleeves，andtookherstationinthepantry，whereshereplenishedthecake-baskets，thelemonadeandsangaree-glasseshandedaboutbyherfather，thecoachman。A
suppertablewasalreadyspreadinthedining-room；ithadbeenveryprettilyornamentedwithflowersbyAdeline，andherSaratogafriends；andaplentifulsupplyoffruits，ices，jellies，syllabubs，creams，andotherdelicaciesforalightsupper，hadbeenprepared，inthecourseofthemorning，byMrs。
Taylorandhercoadjutors，thecoachmanandthelittlegirloftwelve。Thetalkativeoldfriendhadbeenadmittedbehindthescenessofar，astolearnthatthemistressofthehousewouldbeobligedtomakeallthegoodthingsherself；andshehadshownthat，besidestellingalongstory，shecouldmakeveryexcellentsponge-cake；for，unfortunately，itwasdiscoveredthatitwouldbenecessarytoincreasethesupplyofthatdelicacy。Adelinedidhershare；whileherSaratogafriendsweretakingamorningsiesta，withanovelintheirhands，shehadmadethesyllabub，andpreparedthefruit。Thesearrangementshavingbeenmade，thelittlegirloftwelvehadreceivedorderstostationherselfnearathand，whereshecouldbesentof{sic}errandsupanddownstairs。Thecoachmanwastoldtotakehisplacebytheside-table，readytobecalledupon，ifnecessary。Mrs。Taylorherself——alas！thatweshouldbeobligedtorevealthefact，expectedtoslipoutofthedrawing-roomatabouthalf-pastten，andsuperintendthedelicateoperationofremovingthejelliesfromtheirmoulds；thiswouldrequiretenminutestodo，andshehopedtomakeherexitandingressunnoticed；amattereasilymanaged，insummer，whenthedoorsandwindowsareallopen，andcouplesarm-in-arm，areloiteringabout，inandoutinalldirections。Thistaskperformed，whenshehadreturnedtothepublicnotice，sometenminutesafterhavingseeneverythinginitsplace，thecoachmanwasexpectedtoappearatthedrawing-roomdoor，withcomposedmanner，toannouncethatsupperwasready——afactshewaspreparedtohearwiththeexpressionofsublimeindifference，requiredbyetiquette。Fromthatmoment，everythingwouldbecomeeasy；for，ofcourse，thegentlemenwould，asusual，takecareoftheladiesfirst，andthenhelpthemselves。Thegallantwayinwhichtheselight，standingsuppersarealwaysmanaged，amongus，is，by-the-bye，apleasantandsensiblearrangement；nothingbettercouldbedevised，underthecircumstances。Theplanofoperationsthussketched，wemayaswellsay，atonce，thateverythingsucceededtoadmiration。
{“sangaree“=acolddrinkofflavored，dilutedwine；“syllabub“
=adrinkofmilkandwine}
Theeveningwaspronouncedverypleasant；and，asseveralofourfriendswerepresent，weshallfollowthem。Therewasagreatdealoftalkingandlaughing；areasonablequantityofflirtation；and，onceortwice，somerompinginthecorneroftheroomwhereMissAdelinehappenedtobeatthetime。Amongthosewhohadexcusedthemselvesfromacceptingtheinvitation，wereMr。andMrs。RobertHazlehurst，whodislikedtheideaofgoingsofar，andMr。andMrs。Graham，theladybeingdetainedathomebyaheadach{sic}，thegentlemanbyaparticulardisliketoMr。
Taylor，who，hethought，hadbehavedinanungentlemanlymanneraboutamortgage，inwhichtheybothhappenedtobeinterested。
Mr。Grahamwasamanofaviolenttemper，andunsocialhabits，generallytakinglittlepainstoconcealhisfeelings；andaccordingly，hismannertoMr。Taylorwasanythingbutflattering，thoughtheiracquaintance，atbest，wasbuttrifling。
Mrs。Grahamalsodislikedthewholefamily；andyettheintimacybetweenJaneandAdelinewasallowedtocontinue，asasortofmatterofcourse，betweenschoolcompanions。
MissWyllysaccompaniedherniecetotheparty——shegenerallymadeitapointtogowithElinor；for，shehadold-fashionednotionsonthesubject，andthoughtthatthepresenceoftheirelderswasanadvantageandaprotectionthatwell-educatedyounggirlshavearighttoexpectfromtheirfriends。Sheseldomspokeonthematter，however，butcontentedherselfwithgiving，whatshethought，agoodexample。BothMissAgnesandElinorwererathersurprisedtofindthatJane\'spartialityforhergiddyfriendAdeline，hadnotbeenintheleastdiminished，byhervisittoEurope。MissWyllysdisapprovedoftheintimacy；but，asJane\'smotherhadnoobjections，sheherselfcouldsaynothing。
Thetwoyoungladieswereagreatdealtogether，inthecourseoftheevening，asbecamebosom-friendsafteralongseparation。
Mrs。Taylor\'soldfriend，thetalkativelady，wasintroducedtoseveraloftheelderportionofthecompany，andwasthushappilyprovidedwithlisteners。MissAdeline\'sfashionableacquaintancesfromSaratoga，werealsosupplied，eachwithacoupleofattendantbeaux，uponwhomtotrytheeffectoftheircharms。
Everythingthushappilyarranged，MissAdelineproposeda\'march\'
whichwasmanagedasusual。YoungVanHorne，whohadsomemusicalcapabilities，wasplacedatthepiano，andplayedWashington\'sMarch，whentheyoungpeoplepairedoffinaline，andbegantowalk，movingintimeupanddownthetwodrawing-rooms，throughthefolding-doors——eachgentleman，ofcourse，offeringhisarmtoalady；chaquechacun，avecsachacune。Adelinewasnotquitesatisfiedwithhercavalier，CharlieHubbard；shedidnotcaremuchabouthim，atanytime；and，onthepresentoccasion，heseemedlessinterestedinlisteningtoherownconversation，thaninwatchingthemovementsofsomeoneelse；whoitwas，shecouldnotsay。Shereproachedhimwiththisinattention。
{“chaquechacun，avecsachacune“=eachonewithhisownFrench}
“Ideclare，Idon\'tbelieveyouhearhalfIsay。Ineversawanybodylikeyou。“
“Charlieblushedalittle，rallied，anddevotedhimselfmoreexclusivelytothedutyofbeingentertained。Afterthesecondorthirdturninthemarch，AdelinediscoveredHazlehurst，who，insteadofbeinginmotionwiththerest，wasleaninginadoor-way。Asshepassedhim，shesnappedherembroideredhandkerchiefinthatdirection，andsummonedhimtojointhe\'promenade。\'Harryexcusedhimselfbysaying，hewasafraidhecouldnotfindanyonetowalkwithhim。
“Howcanyoutalkso！ThereisMissWyllys，Ideclare；Ihadnotseenherbefore。“——AndAdelinecrossedtheroomtoawindowwhereElinorwassittingquietlyasalooker-on，havingjustescapedfromalongconversationwiththetalkativeoldfriend。
“Now，MissWyllys，Iamsureyoumustwishtopromenade！”
“Wouldyouliketowalk？”quietlyaskedHazlehurst，whohadfollowedMissTaylor。
“No，indeed，“saidElinor，smilingandshakingherheadgood-naturedly。“Ihavehadonelongwalk，already，thisafternoon，andmuchprefersittingstill，justnow。“
“YoushouldfollowJane\'sexample；yousee，sheispromenading，and，Idaresay，shetookthewalkwithyou，too，“saidAdeline。
“DidyoueverknowJanetakealongwalk，whenshecouldhelpit？”askedElinor，smiling。“Ihadreallyrathersitstill，MissTaylor。“
Adeline，findingthatonthisoccasionshecouldnotsucceedinsettingallherfriendsinmotion，whichshegenerallyendeavouredtodo，returnedtotheranks；leavingElinortodoasshechose。Hazlehursttookaseatbyher，andmadesomeinquiriesaboutseveraloftheiroldacquaintancesintheroom。
“Don\'tyouthinkthosetwoyoungladiesbothverypretty，Mr。
Hazlehurst，“saidDr。VanHorne，approachingthespotwhereHarrywasstandingnearElinor，afterhavinggivenuphischairtooneoftheSaratogabelles，whenthemarchwasfinished。
“Whichdoyoumean，sir？”askedHarry。
“MissTaylorandMissGraham，whoarestandingtogethernearthepiano。“
“Yes，“repliedHazlehurst，“MissTaylorisevenprettierthanI
hadsupposedshewouldbe。“
“Shewillnotcompare，however，withMissJane。Tomymind，MissGrahamanswerstheideaofperfectbeauty。Inallyourtravels，didyoumeetwithafacethatyouthoughtmorebeautiful？”
“Ibelievenot，“saidHarry，laconically，andslowlycolouringatthesametime。
“IsitJaneyouwerespeakingof，Doctor？”inquiredElinor，turningtowardshim。“Don\'tyouthinkshehascomebacktwiceasbeautifulasshewaslastyear？Itisreallyapleasuretolookatafacelikehers。“
“Iamafraid，itwillproveratheradangerouspleasure，MissElinor，tosomeofthebeaux，thiswinter。“
“Nodoubtshewillbeverymuchadmired；butshetakesitallveryquietly。Idon\'tbelieveyourgreatbeautiesasmuchdisposedtovanityasotherpeople。“
“Perhapsnot；“repliedthedoctor，drawingnearher。“Agreatdealdependsoneducation。Butwhatdothetravellerstellyouaboutthesightstheyhaveseen，MissElinor？”
“Oh，wehaveonlygoneasfarasthefirstchapteroftheirtravels，“shereplied。“Theyhavenothalfsaidtheirsayyet。“
“Well，Ishouldliketohaveatalkwithyouonthesubject，Mr。
Hazlehurst。Iwasinhopesofmeetingyourbrotherhere，to-night，buthehasnotcome，Ifind；Ishallhavetoboreyouwithmyquestions，unlessyouwanttodancethisjig，orwhateveritis，theyarebeginning。“
“Notatall，mydearsir；Ishallbegladtoansweranyquestionsofyours。“
“Thankyou。Supposeweimprovetheopportunity，MissElinor，andgivehimasharpcross-examination；doyouthinkhewouldbearit？”
“Ihopeso，“saidElinor，smilingquietly，asifshefeltveryeasyonthesubject。
“Don\'ttrusthimtoofar。Idaresayyouhavenotbeenhalfsevereenoughuponhim，“saidDr。VanHorne，whohadaveryhighopinionofHarry。“Buttospeakseriously，Mr。Hazlehurst，I
don\'tatalllikeanotionmysonBenhasofgoingtoEurope。“
“Whatisyourobjection？”
“IdoubtifitisatallanadvantagetosendmostyoungmentoEurope。I\'veseensomanycomebackconceited，anddissatisfied，andgood-for-nothing，thatIcan\'tmakeupmymindtospoilBenbythesameprocess。Hetriesveryhardtopersuademe，thatnow-a-days，nodoctorisfittobetrustedwhohasnotfinishedoffinParis；butwemanagedwithoutitthirtyyearsago。“
“YoumustknowmuchmorethanIdoonthatsubject，doctor，“saidHazlehurst，takingaseatontheothersideofElinor。
“Ofcourse，Iknowmoreaboutthehospitals。ButasIhaveneverbeenabroadmyself，Idon\'tknowwhateffectasightoftheOldWorldhasonone。Itseemstomeitruinsagreatmanyyoungfellows。“
“Anditimprovesagreatmany，“saidHazlehurst。
“Iambynomeanssosureofthat。Itimprovessome，Igrantyou；
butIthinkthechancesarethatitisaninjury。Wehavehappenedtoseeagreatdeal，lately，oftwoyoungchaps，nephewsofmine，whocamehomelastspring。Threeyearsagotheywentabroad，sober，sensible，well-behavedladsenough，andnowtheyhavebothcomeback，worsethangood-for-nothing。TherewasRockwell，heusedtobeaplain，straight-forward，smooth-facedfellow；andnowhehascomehomebristlingwithwhiskers，andbeard，andmoustaches，andacutacrosstheforehead，thathegotinaduelinBerlin。Worsethanall，hisbrainissobefogged，andmystified，thathecan\'tseeanythingstraighttosavehislife；andyet，forsooth，mygentlemanisgoingtosetthenationtorightswithsomenewsystemofhisown。“
“IknownothingoftheGermanUniversities，doctor，frommyownobservation；butIshouldthinkitmightbeadangerousthingtosendayoungmanthereunlesshewaswellsuppliedwithsoundcommonsenseofhisown。“
“Well，thereisBillHartley，again，whostaidallthetimeinParis。Hehascomebackaregulargrumbler。Ifyouwouldbelievehim，thereisnotasinglethingworthhaving，fromoneendoftheUniontotheother。Heisdisgustedwitheverything，andonlylastnightsaidthatourclimatewantsfog！Now，Ithinkitismuchbettertogoploddingonathome，thantotravelforthesakeofbringingbacksuchenlargedviewsasmakeyourselfandyourfriendsuncomfortablefortherestofyourdays。“
“Butitisaman\'sownfault，mydearsir，ifhebringsbackmorebadthangoodwithhim。Thefactis，youwillgenerallyfindthegoodamanbringshome，inproportiontothegoodhetookabroad。“
“I\'mnotsosureofthat。IusedtothinkRockwellwasquiteapromisingyoungmanatonetime。Butthatisnotthequestion。
If，afterall，thoughitdoessharpenaman\'swits，itonlymakeshimdiscontentedfortherestofhislife，Imaintainthatsuchastateofimprovementisnottobedesired。IfthingsarereallybetterandpleasanterinEurope，Idon\'twanttoknowit。Itwouldmakemedissatisfied，unlessIwastobearenegade，andgiveupthecountryIwasbornin；wouldyouhaveamandothat？”
“Never！”saidHarry。“Iholdthatitisasortofdesertion，togiveupthepostwhereProvidencehasplacedus，unlessinextremecases；andIbelieveamancanliveamoreusefulandmorehonourablelifetherethanelsewhere。ButIthinktravellingaverygreatadvantage，nevertheless。Theverypowerofcomparison，ofwhichyoucomplain，isasourceofgreatintellectualpleasure，andmustbeusefulifproperlyemployed，sinceithelpsustoreachthetruth。“
Thedoctorshookhishead。“Iwantyoujusttotellmehowmuchofthisgrumblingandfault-findingisconceit，andhowmuchisthenaturalconsequenceoftravelling？IseverythingreallysuperiorinEuropetowhatwehavehere？”
“Everything？No；“saidHarry，laughing。Butyouwouldseemtothinkamandissatisfied，doctor，ifhedidnot，onthecontrary，proclaimthateverythingisimmeasurablybetterinthiscountrythaninanyotherontheglobe。Now，confess，isnotthatyourstandardofpatriotism？”
“Ah，youareshiftingyourground，younggentleman。Butweshallbringyoutothepointpresently。Nowtellushonestly，wereyounotdisappointedwiththelooksofthingswhenyoucameback？”
“Ifbydisappointed，youmeanthatmanythingsasIseethemnow，strikemeasveryinferiortoobjectsofthesamedescriptioninEurope，Idonotscrupletosaytheydo。WhenIlanded，Isaidtomyself，“\'Thestreetsarenarrowandthebuildingsmean；
DidI，orfancy，havethembroadandclean？\'“
{GeorgeCrabbeEnglishpoet，1754-1832，“PosthumousTales：TaleVI——TheFarewellandReturn“，PartII，lines79-80}
“Ifearedso！”andthedoctorlookedmuchasapiousMahometanmightbesupposedtodo，ifheweretoseeaFrankseizetheGrandTurkbythebeard。“Ishouldhavethoughtbetterofyou，“
headded。
{“Frank“=aEuropeanChristian；“GrandTurk“=OttomanEmperor}
“Mydearsir，“saidHarry，laughing，“howcouldIhelpit！Imustdefendmyselffromanydesiretobedisappointed，Iassureyou。
Onthecontrary，Iwishverysincerelythateverythinginmynativecountrywereasgoodaspossibleinitsway；thatthearchitectureofthepublicbuildingswereofthenoblestkind；
theprivatehousesthemostpleasantandconvenient；thestreetsthebestpaved，andbestlightedintheworld。ButIdon\'tconceivethatthewaytobringthisaboutistomaintainlepistoletalagorge，thatperfectionhasalreadybeenattainedinalltheseparticulars。Tospeakfrankly，itstrikesmeastheheightofpuerilitytowishtodeceiveoneselfuponsuchsubjects。Onthecontrary，Ithinkitisthedutyofeveryman，sofarashehastheopportunity，toaimatcorrectnotionsoneverythingwithinhisreach。“
{“lepistoletalagorge“=thepistoltothethroatFrench}
“Well，“remarkedthedoctor，“youonlyconfirmmeinmyopinion。
IshallbemoreunwillingthanevertoletBengo；sinceevenyou，HarryHazlehurst，whoareagooddealbetterthanmostyoungmen，confesstheharmtravellinghasdoneyou。“
“But，mydearsir，Iconfessnosuchthing。I\'mconsciousthattravellinghasbeenagreatbenefittomeinmanyways。IshallbeahappierandbettermanforwhatIhaveseen，allmylife，I
trust，sincemanyofmyopinionsarebuiltonabetterfoundationthantheywerebefore。“
“IfIwereyou，Iwouldnotlethimsayso，MissElinor。Hisfriendswon\'tliketohearit；andI，forone，amverysorrythatyouarenotasgoodanAmericanasItookyoufor。“
“Itisquiteanewideatome，doctor，“saidHazlehurst，“thatmentalblindnessandvanityarenecessarypartsoftheAmericancharacter。We，whoclaimtobesoenlightened！Ishouldbesorrytobeconvincedthatyourviewiscorrect。Ihavealwaysbelievedthattruepatriotismconsistedinservingone\'scountry，notinservingoneselfbyflatteringone\'scountrymen。Imustgivemytestimonyonthesesubjects，whencalledfor，aswellasonanyother，honestly，andtothebestofmyability。“
“Doyouknow，doctor，“saidElinor，“poorHarryhashadtofightseveralbattlesonthissubjectalready。Mrs。Bernardattackedhimtheotherevening，becausehesaidthemountainsinSwitzerlandwerehigherthantheWhiteMountains。Nowwehaveonlytolookinageographytoseethattheyareso。“
“Butonedon\'tliketohearsuchthings，MissElinor。“
“Mrs。BernardaskedhimifhehadseenanythingfinerthantheWhiteMountains；whatcouldhesay！Itseemstomejustaspossibleforamantolovehiscountry，andseefaultsinit，asitdoesforhimtolovehiswifeandchildren，withoutbelievingthemtobethemostperfectspecimensofthehumanfamily，inbodyandmind，thateverexisted。Youwillallowthatamanmaybeaverygoodandkindhusbandandfather，withoutmaintainingeverywherethathiswifeanddaughterssurpassalltheirsex，ineverypossibleparticular？”
“Youwillnot，surely，deny，doctor，“saidHazlehurst，“thatitisreasonabletosupposethatEuropepossessessomeadvantagesofanadvancedstateofcivilization，thatwehavenotyetattainedto？Wehavedonemuchforayoungpeople，butwehavethemeansofdoingmuchmore；anditwillbeourownfaultifwedon\'timprove。“
“Weshallimprove，Idaresay。“
“Doyouexpectustogobeyondperfection，then？”
“Ican\'tseetheuseoftalkingaboutdisagreeablesubjects。“
“Buteventhemostdisagreeabletruthshavetheiruses。“
“Thatmaybe；andyetIbelieveyouwouldhavebeenhappierifyouhadstaidathome。Whilehewasawayfromyou，MissElinor，I
amafraidhelearnedsomeofthosedisagreeabletruthswhichitwouldhavebeenbetterforhimnottohavediscovered。“
Harrystoopedtopickupaglove，andremainedsilentforamoment。
Shortlyafter，supperwasannounced；and，althoughthecoachmanwasnotquiteasmuchathomeinthepantryasinthestable，yeteverythingwasverysuccessfullymanaged。
“ItisreallymortifyingtohearamanlikeDr。VanHorne，fancyitpatriotictofosterconceitedignoranceandchildishvanity，onallnationalsubjects，“exclaimedHarry，ashetookhisseatinthecarriage，afterhandingtheladiesin。“Andthatisnottheworstofit；for，ofcourse，ifrespectable，independentmentalkinthattone，therewillbenoendtothefulsome，nauseating，vulgarflatteriesthatwillbepoureduponusbythosewhoseinterestitistoflatter！”
“Iheardpartofyourconversation，and，Imustconfess，thedoctordidnotshowhisusualgoodsense，“observedMissAgnes。
“Youarereallyquiteindignantagainstthedoctor，“saidElinor。
“Notonlyagainsthim，butagainstallwhoarewilling，likehim，toencouragesuchamiserableperversionoftruth。Believethem，andyoumakepatriotismanything，andeverything，butavirtue。“
CHAPTERXIII。
“Why，hownow，count？Whereforeareyousosad？”
SHAKSPEARE。{sic——thisistheCooperfamily\'susualspellingofthename}
{WilliamShakespeare，“MuchAdoAboutNothing“，II。i。289}
“WELL，Jenny，youaregoingtoleaveusto-day，itseems，“saidMr。Wyllys，thenextmorning，atbreakfast。“Iamsorryforit；
but，Isupposeyourmotherhasabetterrighttoyouthanwehave。“
“IpromisedmammaIwouldnotstayafterto-day，sir。AuntAgnesistocarrymeovertoLongbridge，beforedinner。“
“Youmustcomebackagain，asoftenasyoucan，child。Italwaysseemstome，thatHarryandyoubelonghere，asmuchasyoudoanywhereelse。HowlongdoyousupposeyourmotherwillstayatLongbridge？”
“WearegoingtoNewYorknextweek。FatherwishestobeinCharlestonearlyinOctober。“
“Ican\'tbeartothinkofyourgoingsosoon。IfyouareonceinCarolina，Isuppose，weshan\'tseeyouagainuntilnextJune；
but，mind，youaretopassallnextsummerwithus，“saidElinor。
“Thatistosay，Nelly，ifshehasnomoreimportantengagement，“
addedMr。Wyllys，smiling。
“Evenaveryimportantengagementneednotinterfere，“saidMissAgnes。“Weshallbeveryhappy，Jane，toseeanyCharlestonfriendyoumayseefittobringwithyou。“
“Idon\'tthinkthereistheleastdangerthatanyCharlestonfriendwillcomewithme；“saidJane，blushingalittle。
“Haveyouselectedafriendfromsomeotherplace，Jenny？”askedheruncle。
“Oh，no，sir！”wastheanswer；buthercolourcontinuedtorise，andsheappearedalittleuneasy。AsforHarry，hehadtakennopartintheconversation，butseemedverybusywithhisknifeandfork。
“Prayremember，Jane，“saidElinor，“Iamtohavetimelynoticeofawedding，inmycapacityofbridesmaid。“
“Whoknows，Nelly，butyoumaycalluponJanefirst。Youhavefixeduponyourfriend，Itakeit；eh，Harry？”
“Ihopeso；“Hazlehurstreplied，inalowvoice，andhedrankoffacupofhotcoffeewithsuchrapidity，thatMissWyllyslookedathimwithastonishment。
Elinormadenoanswer，forshewasalreadyattheotherendoftheroom，talkinggailytoherbirds。
AsHarryrosefromtableandwalkedintothenextroom，hetriedtofeelverygladthatJanewastoleavethemthatday；hesatdown，andtookupapaper；but，insteadofreadingit，silentlyfollowedatrainofthoughtbynomeansagreeable。
Inthecourseofthemorning，accordingtothearrangementwhichhadbeenmade，HarrydrovetheladiestoLongbridge。Hethoughthehadneverpassedamoreunpleasantmorninginhislife。HefeltrelievedwhenElinor，insteadoftakingaseatwithhim，choseoneinside，withherauntandJane；thoughhisheartsmotehimwheneverhersweet，cheerfulvoicefelluponhisear。Hetriedtobelieve，however，thatitwasinspiteofhimselfhehadbeencaptivatedbyJune\'sbeauty。Washenot，atthatverymoment，carryingher，atfullspeed，towardsherfather\'s，anddoinghisbesttohopethattheyshouldmeetbutonceortwiceagain，formonthstocome？Undersuchcircumstances，wasnotamaninlovetobepitied？Forsomeweeks，Hazlehursthadnotbeenabletoconcealfromhimself，thatifheoccupiedthepositionoftheloverofElinor，hefeltliketheloverofJane。
Ashedroveon，inmoodysilence，thepartyinthecarriageatlengthremarked，thathehadnotjoinedintheirconversationatall。
“Harrydoesnottalksomuchasheusedto；“observedMissWyllys；“don\'tyouthinkhehasgrownsilent，Jane？”
“Perhapshehas，“shereplied；“butitneverstruckme，before。“
“Doyouhear，Harry？”saidElinor；“AuntAgnesthinkstheairofParishasmadeyousilent。Itoughtsurelytohavehadaverydifferenteffect。“
“Thisdetestableroadrequiresallaman\'sattentiontokeepoutoftheruts；“hereplied。“Iwishwehadgonetheotherway。“
“IfAuntAgneshasnoobjection，wecancomebackbytheriverroad，“saidElinor。“Butyourcoachmanshipissogood，youhavecarriedusalongverysmoothly；iftheroadisbad，wehavenotfeltit。“
Harrymutteredsomethingaboutholesandruts，whichwasnotheardverydistinctly。
“Outofhumour，too；veryunusual！”thoughtMissAgnes。Therewasasomethingunnaturalinhismanner，whichbegantogiveheralittleuneasiness；forshesawnogoodwayofaccountingforit。
TheladiesweredriventothedooroftheBellevueHotel，wheretheGrahamshadrooms。TheyfoundseveralvisiterswithMrs。
Graham，amongwhom，themostconspicuous，andtheleastagreeable，wereMrs。Hilsonandhersister，bothredolentofBroadway，elegantandfashionableintheextreme；looking，itistrue，verypretty，buttalking，asusual，veryabsurdly。
Mrs。Grahamhadscarcelykissedherdaughter，beforeMrs。HilsongaveElinoranimportantpieceofinformation。
“Iamsodelighted，MissWyllys，tohearthisgoodnews——“
“Mycousins\'return，doyoumean？Didyounotknowtheyhadarrived？”
“Oh，yes；weheardthat，ofcourse，lastweek；butIalludetothismorning\'sgoodnews，whichIhavejustheardfromthisfascinatinglittlecreature；“addedthelady，catchingoneofMrs。Graham\'syoungerchildren，asitslippedpasther。
Elinorlookedsurprised，whenMrs。Hilsoncondescendedtoexplain。
“Mrs。GrahamistopassthewinterinNewYork，Ihear。“
“Indeed！”exclaimedElinor，turningwithjoyfuleagernesstowardsMrs。Graham。“Areyoureallygoingtostaysonearus？”
Mrs。Grahamwasthusobligedtoinformherfriendsofthechangeinherplans；shewould，ofcourse，havepreferredwaitinguntilalonewithMissAgnesandElinor，todoso；but，Mrs。Hilson\'sofficiousnessobligedhertosaysomethingimmediately。One，ofherchildren，alittleboy，hadbeensufferingwithsomediseaseofthespine，duringthelastyear，andaconsultationofphysicians，heldthedaybefore，inNewYork，haddecidedthatasea-voyage，oralongjourney，wasmorethanthepoorlittlefellowcouldbear，inthepresentstateofhishealth，ashehadbeenmuchworse，duringthelastthreemonths，sincetheGrahamshadbeenatLongbridge。ItwasthereforesettledthatMrs。
Graham，Jane，andtheyoungerchildren，weretoremaininNewYork，whiletheboywasunderthecareofDr。S——，inwhomhisparentshadgreatconfidence。Mr。Grahamandhisoldestboyweretopasspartofthewinterontheirplantation，andthenreturntohisfamily。
MissWyllysandElinor，thoughregrettingthecause，were，ofcourse，muchpleasedwiththisarrangement；Jane，too，appearedperfectlysatisfied。
“Ishouldnotbesurprised，MissGraham，“continuedMrs。Hilson，“ifsomeofyourNewYorkadmirershadbribedDr。S——；I\'msure，weareverymuchobligedtohimforhavingdetainedyou。I
hopeyouwillbesomewherenearus，inthecity。Emmelineistopasspartofthewinterwithme；and，Idaresay，youwillbeveryintimate。Iwish，Mrs。Grahamwecouldpersuadeyoutocometoourboarding-house。Mrs。Stoneisreallyafascinatinglady，herself；andshealwaysmanagestohaveacharmingcliqueatherhouse——Quiteexclusive，Iassureyou。“
“Ihopetofindmoreprivatelodgings——Ihavetoomanylittlepeopleforaboarding-house。“
“Notatall。Mrs。Stonecouldgiveyouanexcellentnursery。Shehasseverallovelylittledarlings，herself。HerlittleAlgernonwouldmakeaverygoodbeauforyouryoungestlittleMiss。Whatdoyousay，mydear，“catchingthechildagain；“won\'tyousetyourcapforAlgernon？”
Thelittlegirlopenedherlarge，darkeyeswithoutanswering。
Mrs。Hilson，andhersisternowrosetotakeleaveofMrs。
Graham，repeating，however，beforetheywent，theinvitationtheyhadalreadygiven，toaballforthenextweek。Itwastobeahouse-warming，andagrandaffair。Theladiesthenflittedawayontip-toe。
Thedoorhadscarcelyclosedbehindthem，beforeMrs。GeorgeWyllys，whohadbeensittingasfarfromthemaspossible，begantoexclaimupontheabsurdityofthewholeHubbardfamily。
“Theyarereallyintolerable，Agnes；“shesaidtohersister-in-law。“Theyattackmeuponalloccasions。TheybroughtMrs。BibbsandMrs。Tibbstoseeme，andjoinedmeinthestreet，yesterday：theyarealmostenoughtodrivemeawayfromLongbridge。Ican\'timaginewhatmakesthemsoattentivetome——plain，soberbody，asIam——whatcantheyaimat？”
“Theyaimatuniversalfascination，Isuppose；“saidElinor，laughing。
“Andmustwereallygotothishouse-warming？”askedMrs。Wyllys。
“ElinorandIhavealreadyacceptedtheinvitation；“saidMissAgnes。“Myfatherwishedustogo，forhereallyhasagreatrespectforMr。Hubbard。“
“Well，Ican\'tsaythatthegentlemenstrikemeassomuchsuperiortotheladiesofthefamily。\'UncleJosie\'seemstoadmirehisdaughter\'snonsense；and\'UncleDozie\'neveropenshislips。“
“Thereisnotashadeoffascinationaboutthem，however，“saidElinor。
“Igrantyouthat，“saidMrs。Wyllys，smiling。“Ishalldeclinetheinvitation，though，Ithink。“
“Thatyoucandoveryeasily；“saidMissAgnes。
TheladiesthenfollowedMrs。Grahamtoanadjoiningroom，toseethelittleinvalid，andtalkoverthenewarrangementforthewinter。
ItwasfortunateforHarry，thattheyhadleftthedrawing-roombeforeheenteredit；forhenosoonerappearedatthedoor，thanthesamelittlechatter-box，whohadbetrayedthechangeinhermother\'splanstoMrs。Hilson，ranuptohimtotellthegreatnewsthattheywerenotgoingbacktoCharleston，butweretostayinNewYorkallwinter，\'mamma，andJane，andallofthem，exceptpapaandEdward。\'Thevaryingexpressionofsurprise，pleasure，anddistress，thatpassedoverHazlehurst\'sface，ashereceivedtheintelligence，wouldhaveastonishedandperplexedMissAgnes，hadsheseenit。HehaddependeduponJane\'sabsencetolightenthecoursewhichhefeltitwashisdutytopursue；
andnowshewastobeinNewYork！Ofcourse，shewouldbehalfhertimewithElinor，asusual。And，ifhehadalreadyfounditsodifficult，sincetheyhadallbeentogether，toconcealthetruestateofhisfeelings，howshouldhesucceedinperseveringinthesametaskformonths？
Hedetermined，atleast，toleaveLongbridge，foratime，andremaininPhiladelphia，untiltheGrahamsweresettledinNewYork。
Thesameevening，asthefamilyatWyllys-Roof，andhimself，weresittingtogether，heannouncedhisintention。
“CanIdoanythingforyou，inPhiladelphia，Elinor？”heasked；
“Ishallhavetogototown，to-morrow，andmaybedetainedaweekortendays。“
“Areyoureallygoingtotown？——Ididnotknowyouwerethinkingofit。IwishIhadknownitthismorning，forIamverymuchinwantofworstedsforthechair-patternJanebroughtme；but，unfortunately，IleftitatAuntWyllys\'s。Didyousayyouweregoingto-morrow？”
“Yes，Imustbeoffinthemorning。“
“ThenImustgiveupmypattern，forthepresent。“
“IstherenothingelseIcandoforyou？”
“Nothing，thankyou——unlessyoubringsomenewbooks；which，wewillleavetoyourtaste，tochoose。“
“Isnotthisratherasuddenmove，Harry？”saidMr。Wyllys，whohadjustfinishedagameofchesswithMissAgnes。“Ihaven\'theardyoumentionitbefore？”
“Iintendedtoputitoff；sir；but，onthinkingthematterover，IfindIhadbettergoatonce。“
“Iwishyouwouldlookaboutyoualittle，forlodgingsforus；
itistimewesecuredthem。Isuppose，youwillwantustogototownearly，thiswinter，Nelly，won\'tyou？ItwillnotdoforMasterHarrytobewastinghalfhistimehere，afterhehasoncetakenseriouslytolaw；youknowhewillhavetwomistressestowaitupon，thiswinter。“
“Itistobehopedtheywillnotinterferewitheachother，“saidMissAgnes，smiling。
“Thatiswhattheygenerallydo，mydear。By-the-bye，Nelly，I
supposeLouisawillhaveJaneinPhiladelphia，withher，partofthewinter。“
“Yes，sir，afterChristmas；itisalreadysettled，muchtomyjoy。“
“Somuchthebetter！”saidhergrandfather。
“Somuchtheworse！”thoughtHazlehurst。
“YourParispartywillbealltogetheragain，Harry？”continuedMr。Wyllys。
“Yes，sir；“wasHazlehurst\'slaconicreply。\'IwishIcouldforgetit，\'thoughthe。Somuchhadhebeenannoyed，throughouttheday，thathesoonaftertookupacandle，and，wishingthefamilygood-night，wenttohisownroom。
“IamafraidHarryisnotwell，“saidMissWyllys，afterhehadleftthem。“Heseemsoutofspirits。“
Elinorlookedupfromherwork。
“Nowyouspeakofit，“repliedMr。Wyllys，“Ithinkhedoesseemratheroutofsorts。“
Nothingmorewassaidonthesubject；butsomeunpleasantthoughtssuggestedthemselvestoMissWyllys；for，duringthelastdayortwo，Hazlehurst\'smannerhadrepeatedlystruckherasunnatural，andshefearedthatsomethingweigheduponhismind。
AsforElinor，hernaturewasasfaraspossiblefrombeingsuspicious；and，leastofall，wouldshehavemistrustedHarry；
shemerelyreproachedherselfforhavinglaughedonceortwice，duringtheday，athisexpense，whenhehadbeenveryabsent。Sherememberedheseemedalittleannoyed，atthetime，thoughheneverusedtomindsuchthings——\'Iamafraidhethoughtitunkind，ifhewasnotwell，\'shesaidtoherself，anddeterminedtomakeamends，thenextmorning，bypresidingathisearlybreakfast，beforehesetout。
CHAPTERXIV。
“Whatlouduproar，burstsfromthatdoor？”
COLERIDGE。
{SamuelTaylorColeridgeEnglishpoet，1772-1834，“RimeoftheAncientMariner“VIIline592}
WEshallfollowtheexampleofthegoodpeopleofLongbridge，itsparty-goinginhabitants，atleast，anddiscard，forthemoment，allothertopics，inordertogiveduejusticetotheexpectedballattheHubbards。Itwasunderstoodthatthishouse-warmingwastobethemostbrilliantaffair，ofitskind，thathadtakenplace，intheneighbourhood，withinthememoryofman。Mrs。
HilsonandMissEmmelineHubbardhadstakedtheirreputations，foreleganceandfashion，upontheoccasion。ThelistofinvitationswaslargerthananyyetissuedatLongbridge，andallthepreparationswereonaproportionatescaleofgrandeur。
Abouttendaysbeforetheeventfulevening，Mrs。HilsonandMissEmmelinewereclosetedwiththeirintimatefriends，Mrs。BibbsandMrs。Tibbs，engagedindrawingupaplanofoperationsfortheoccasion。Probablythe\'city-lady，\'asMrs。Hilsonalwayscalledherself，hadinvitedthetwofriendsascounsellors，morewithaviewofastonishingthembyadisplayofherownviewsofmagnificence，thanfromanyideathattheirsuggestionswouldbeofimportance。
MissEmmelinewasseated，pencilinhand，withseveralsheetsofpaperbeforeher，allready，totakenotesofthedirectionsastheyweresettled。Mrs。BibbsandMrs。Tibbswereplacedonasofa；andMrs。Hilsonthrewherselfintoarocking-chair。
“Inthefirstplace，Emmeline，“saidthe\'city-lady，\'“wemusthavebonedturkey：putdownbonedturkey。“
“Ithoughtyouweregoingtomakeoutthelistofinvitationsfirst，“saidthesister。
“Justputdownthebonedturkey，forthatisabsolutelynecessary；andthenwecanrunoverthenames。“