AsusualatSaratoga，earlythenextmorninggroupsofpeoplewereseenmovingfromthedifferenthotels，towardstheCongressSpring。Itwasapleasantday，andgreatnumbersappeareddisposedtodrinkthewateratthefountain-head，insteadofhavingitbroughttotheirrooms。TheHazlehurstswerenottheonlypartyofouracquaintanceswhohadarrivedthenightbefore。
TheWyllysesfoundMissEmmaTayloralreadyontheground，chatteringinahighkeywithatall，whiskeredyouth。ThemomentshesawElinor，shesprangforwardtomeether。
{“CongressSpring“=principalmineralwatersourceatSaratogaSprings}
“Howdoyoudo，MissWyllys？——Areyounotsurprisedtoseemehere？”
“Onecanhardlybesurprisedatmeetinganybodyinsuchacrowd，“
saidElinor。“Whendidyouarrive？”
“Lastnight，ateleveno\'clock。WemadeaforcedmarchfromSchenectady，whereweweretohaveslept；butIpersuadedAdelineandMr。St。Legertocomeon。Youcan\'tthinkhowdelightedIamtobehere，atlast，“saidtheprettylittlecreature，actuallyskippingaboutwithjoy。
“AndwhereisMrs。St。Leger？”
“Oh，shewillhehereinamoment。ShehasgonetoJane\'sroom。I
lefthertherejustnow。“
Theplatformroundthespringwasquitecrowded。Inoneparty，ElinorremarkedMrs。HilsonandMissEmmelineHubbard，escortedbyMonsieurBonnetandanotherFrenchman。TheyweresoonfollowedbyasetmoreinterestingtoElinor，theHazlehursts，Mrs。
Creighton，andherbrother。
“IhopenoneofyourpartyfromWyllys-Roofareherefromnecessity，“saidHarry，afterwishingElinorgood-morning。
“Notexactlyfromnecessity；butthephysiciansrecommendedtoAuntAgnestopassafortnighthere，thissummer。Youmayhaveheardthatshewasquiteill，ayearago？”
“Yes；Robert，ofcourse，wrotemewordofherillness。ButMissWyllyslooksquitelikeherself，Ithink。AsforMr。Wyllys，hereallyappearsuncommonlywell。“
“Thankyou；grandpapaisverywell，indeed；andAuntAgneshasquiterecoveredherhealth，Itrust。“
“MissWyllys，“saidMr。Stryker，offeringaglassofthewatertoElinor，“can\'tIpersuadeyoutotakeasympatheticcup，thismorning？”
“Ibelievenot，“repliedElinor，shakingherhead。
“Doyouneverdrinkit“\'askedMrs。Creighton。
“No；Ireallydislikeitverymuch。“
“Pray，giveittome，Mr。Stryker，“continuedMrs。Creighton。
“Thankyou：Iamcondemnedtodrinkthreeglasseseverymorning，anditwillbethreehours，atthisrate，beforeIgetthem。“
“Didyoueverhearabettershriekthanthat，MissWyllys？”saidMr。Stryker，loweringhisvoice，andpointingtoEmmaTaylor，whowasstandingontheoppositesideofthespring，engagedinanoisy，rattlingflirtation。Afterdrinkinghalftheglassthathadbeengiventoher，shehadhandedittotheyoungmantowhomshewastalking，biddinghimdrinkitwithoutmakingaface。Ofcourse，theyouthimmediatelyexertedhimselftomakeagrimace。
“Oh，younaughtyboy！”screamedMissTaylor，seizinganotherhalf-emptyglass，andthrowingahandfulofwaterinhisface；
“thisisthewayIshallpunishyou！”
Thereweretwogentlemen，Europeantravellers，standingimmediatelybehindElinoratthismoment，andthecolourroseinhercheeksassheheardtheveryunfavourableobservationstheymadeuponMissTaylor，judgingfromhernoisymannerinapublicplace。Elinor，whounderstoodverywellthelanguageinwhichtheyspoke，wassoshutinbythecrowdthatshecouldnotmove，andwascompelledtohearpartofaconversationthatdeeplymortifiedher，asthesetravellers，apparentlygentlemanlymenthemselves，exchangedopinionsuponthemannersofcertainyoungladiestheyhadrecentlymet。Theybegantocomparenotes，andrelatedseverallittleanecdotes，anythingbutflatteringintheirnature，tothedelicacyoftheladiesalludedto；actuallynamingtheindividualsastheyproceeded。MorethanoneoftheseyounggirlswaswellknowntoElinor，andfromheracquaintancewiththeirusualtoneofmannerandconversation，shehadlittledoubtastothetruthofthestoriesthesetravellershadrecordedfortheamusementofthemselvesandtheirfriends；atthesametime，shefeltperfectlyconvincedthattheinterpretationputuponthesegiddy，thoughtlessactions，wascruellyunjust。Couldtheseyoungladieshaveheardtheobservationstowhichtheyhadlaidthemselvesopenbytheirownfolly，theywouldhavebeensoberedatonce；self-respectwouldhaveputthemmoreontheirguard，ESPECIALLYINTHEIR
INTERCOURSEWITHFOREIGNERS。Itis，nodoubt，delightfultoseeyoungpersonsfreefromeverysuspicion；noonewouldwishtoimposeasinglerestraintbeyondwhatisnecessary；but，surely，ayounggirlshouldnotonlybesanspeur，butalsosansreproche——thefaintestimputationonhernativemodestyisnottobeendured：and，yet，whohasnotseenpretty，delicatecreatures，scarcelyarrivedatwomanhood，actuallyassuminganoisy，forwardpertness，foreigntotheirnature，merelytoqualifythemfortheenviedtitleofbelles？Thereissomethingwrong，certainly，whereversuchapainfulpictureisexhibited；
anditmaybepresumedthatinmostcasesthefaultliesratherwiththeparentsthanthedaughters。Happily，thegiddy，rattlingschooltowhichMissEmmaTaylorbelonged，ismuchlessinfavournow，thanitwassometenorfifteenyearsago，atthedateofourstory。
{“sanspeur，butalsosansreproche“=withoutfear，butalsowithoutreproachFrench；theFrenchnationalheroBayard1476-1524，istraditionallycalled“LeChevaliersanspeuretsansreproche“}
“HowlittledoEmmaTaylor，andgirlslikeher，imaginethecruelremarkstowhichtheyexposethemselvesbytheirfoolishmanners！”thoughtElinor，asshesucceededatlength，withtheassistanceofMr。Ellsworth，inextricatingherselffromthecrowd。
AstheWyllyspartymovedawayfromthespring，towalkintheprettywoodadjoining，theysawayoungmancomingtowardsthemataveryrapidpace。
“Whoisit——anyoneyouknow，MissWyllys？”askedMr。Ellsworth。
“Heisinpursuitofsomeotherparty，Ifancy，“repliedElinor。
“ItisCharlieHubbardcomingtojoinus；didweforgettomentionthathecameuptheriverwithus？”saidHarry，whowasfollowingElinor，withMrs。CreightonandMr。Stryker。
Theyoungpaintersoonreachedthem，astheyimmediatelystoppedtowelcomehim；hewasverykindlyreceivedbyhisoldfriends。
“Well，Charlie，myboy，“saidMr。Wyllys，“ifHarryhadnotbeenheretovouchforyouridentity，IamnotsurebutIshouldhavetakenyouforanexiledItalianbandit。HaveyoushownthosemoustachesatLongbridge？”
“Yes，sir；“repliedCharlie，laughing。“Isurprisedmymotherandsisterbyasightofthem，sometendayssince；itrequiredalltheirgood-nature，Ibelieve，toexcusethem。“
“Idaresaytheywouldhavebeengladtoseeyou，ifyouhadcomebacklookinglikeaTurk，“saidElinor。
“Iamdeterminednottoshaveforsomemonths，outofprinciple；
justtoshowmyfriendsthatIamthesameCharlieHubbardwithmoustachesthatIwasthreeyearsagowithoutthem。“
“Isupposeyouconsideritpartofyourprofessiontolookaspicturesqueasourstiff-cutbroadclothwillpermit，“saidMr。
Wyllys。
“Ifyoureallysuspectmeofdandyism，sir，“saidCharlie，“I
shallhavetoreformatonce。“
“Iamafraid，Mr。Hubbard，thatyouhaveforgottenme，“observedMr。Ellsworth；“thoughIpassedaverypleasantmorningatyourroomsinNewYork，someyearssince。“
Charlierememberedhim，however；andalsomadehisbowtoMrs。
CreightonandMr。Stryker。
“AndhowdidyouleavetheMediterranean，sir？”askedMr。
Stryker，inadrytone。“Wastheseaingoodlooks？”
“Asblueasever。IamonlyafraidmyfriendsinthiscountrywillnotbelievethecolourIhavegivenitinmysketches。“
“Weareboundtobelieveallyourrepresentationsofwater，“
remarkedMr。Wyllys。
“Ihopeyouhavebroughtbackagreatdealforustosee；haveyouanythingwithyouhere？”askedElinor。
“Onlymysketch-book。Iwouldnotbringanythingelse；forImustgetridofmyrecollectionsofItaly。ImustaccustommyeyeagaintoAmericannature；IhaveagreatdealtodowithLakeGeorge，thissummer。“
“ButyoumusthavesomethinginNewYork，“saidMissWyllys。
“Yes；Ihavebroughthomewithmesamplesofwater，fromsomeofthemostcelebratedlakesandriversinEurope。“
“Thatisdelightful，“saidElinor；“andwhencanweseethem？”
“Assoonastheyareunpacked，Ishallbeveryhappytoshowthemtomyfriends。Theywillprobablyinterestyouonaccountofthelocalities；andIhaveendeavouredtobeasfaithfultonatureasIcould，ineveryinstance。Youwillfindseveralviewsfamiliartoyou，amongthenumber，“addedCharlie，addressingHazlehurst。
“Ihavenodoubtthatyouhavedonethemjustice。“
“TheyarefarfrombeingasgoodasIcouldwish；butIdidmybest。Youwillfindsomeimprovement，sir，Ihope，“addedCharlie，turningtoMr。Wyllys，“sincemyfirstattemptatChewattanLake，inthedaysofCompoundInterest。“
“Youhavenotforgottenyouroldenemy，theArithmetic，“saidMr。
Wyllys，smiling。“IamafraidFortunewillneversmileuponyouforhavingdesertedfromtheranksoftrade。“
“Iamnotsureofthat，sir；sheiscapricious，youknow。“
“Ishouldthinkyouwoulddowell，Charlie，totryyourluckjustnow，byanexhibitionofyourpictures。“
“Myunclehasalreadyproposedanexhibition；butIdoubtitssuccess；ourpeopledon\'toftenrunaftergoodpictures，“headded，smiling。“IfIhadbroughtwithmesometrashfromParisorLeghorn，Imighthavemadeamintofmoney。“
Ageneralconversationcontinueduntilthepartyreturnedtowardsthehotels。Theyweremet，astheyapproachedCongressHall，byseveralpersons，twoofwhomprovedtobeMrs。Hilson，andMissEmmelineHubbard。CharliehadalreadyseenhiscousinsinNewYork，andhemerelybowedinpassing。MissEmmelinewasleaningonthearmofM。Bonnet，Mrs。HilsononthatofanotherFrenchman，whosename，asthe“BaronAdolphedeMontbrun，“hadbeenconstantlyonherlipsduringthelastfewweeks，orinotherwords，eversinceshehadmadehisacquaintance。Charliekepthiseyefixedonthisindividual，withasingularexpressionofsurpriseandvexation，untilhehadpassed。Hethoughthecouldnotbemistaken，thathiscousin\'scompanionwasnootherthanamanofverybadcharacter，whohadbeeninRomeatthesametimewithhimself，andhavingmarriedthewidowofanItalianartist，asisterofoneofHubbard\'sfriends，hadobtainedpossessionofherlittleproperty，andthendesertedher。ThewholeaffairhadtakenplacewhileCharliewasinRome；
anditwillreadilybeimaginedthathefeltnolittleindignation，whenhemetapersonwhomhestronglysuspectedofbeingthisverychevalierd\'industrie，flourishingatSaratoga，bythesideofhisuncleJoseph\'sdaughter。
{“chevalierd\'industrie“=conman；swindler；manwholivesbyhiswitsFrench}
CharliehadnosoonerlefttheWyllysesonthepiazzaatCongressHall，thanheproceededtomakesomeinquiryaboutthisFrenchman。Hefoundhisnamedowninthebooksofthehotel，astheBaronAdolphedeMontbrun，whichwiththeexceptionofALPHONSEforthefirstname，wastheappellationoftheverymanwhohadbehavedsobadlyatRome。HewenttoMrs。Hilson，andtoldherhissuspicions；buttheyhadnottheleasteffectonthe“citylady；“shewouldnotbelievethem。Charliehadnopositiveproofofwhatheasserted；hecouldnotbeconfidentbeyondadoubtastotheidentityofthispersonandtheMontbrunoftheRomanstory，forhehadonlyseenthatindividualonceinItaly。
Still，hewasconvincedhimself，andheentreatedhiscousintobeonherguard；theeffectofhisrepresentationsmaybeappreciatedfromthefact，thatMrs。HilsonbecamemoreamiablethaneverwiththeBaron，whileshewaspoutingandsulkywithCharlie，scarcelycondescendingtonoticehimatall。Hubbardonlyremainedtwenty-fourhoursatSaratoga，forhewasonhiswaytoLakeGeorge；beforehelefttheSprings，however，hehintedtoMr。WyllyshissuspicionsofthisMontbrun，inordertopreventthatindividual\'sintrudingupontheladiesoftheWyllysparty；forMrs。Hilsondelightedinintroducinghimrightandleft。Asforherothercompanion，M。Bonnet，hewasknowntobearespectablemerchantinNewYork。
Severaldayspassed，duringwhichourfriendsatSaratoga，liketherestoftheworldthere，walked，androde，anddrankthewaters，andseemedtopasstheirtimeverypleasantly；althoughtheladiesdidnoteitherdressorflirtasmuchasmanyoftheircompanions，whoseemedtolookuponthesetwooccupationsasthepeculiarbusinessoftheplace。Jane\'sspiritsimprovedverymuch；therewasmuchcuriositytoseeher，onaccountofherreputationasabeauty；but，liketherestofherparty，shewasonlyoccasionallyinthepublicrooms。
“HaveyouseenthebeautifulMrs。Taylor？”——“IcaughtaglimpseofMrs。Taylor，thegreatbeauty，thismorning——“What，thebeautifulJaneGrahamthatwas？issheaslovelyasever？”——wereremarksthatwerefrequentlyheardinthecrowd。
Elinoralsocameinforhershareofthepublicnotice，andtheattentionsheattractedwas，ofcourse，ofadirectlyoppositecharacter。TherehappenedtobestayingatCongressHall，justthen，averyprettyyounglady，fromSavannah，whowasalsoconsideredagreatfortune；shewasknownasthe“lovelyheiress，“whileElinor，incontradistinction，wasspokenofasthe“uglyheiress。“
“Doyouknow，“saidayounglady，standingonthepiazzaoneevening，“Ihavenotyetseentheuglyheiress。Ishouldliketogetapeepather；isshereallysoveryugly？”shecontinued，addressingayoungmanatherside。
“MissWyllys，youmean；aperfectfright——uglyassin，“repliedthegentleman。
Elinor，attheverymoment，wasstandingimmediatelybehindthespeakers，andMr。Ellsworth，whowastalkingtoher，wasmuchafraidshehadheardtheremark。Tocutshorttheconversation，heimmediatelyaddressedherhimself，raisinghisvoicealittle，andcallingherbyname。
Theyoungladywasquitefrightened，whenshefoundthe“uglyheiress“washernearneighbour，andeventhedandywasabashed；
butElinorherselfwasratheramusedwiththecircumstance，andshesmiledattheevidentmortificationofthespeakers。NeverwasthereawomanmorefreefrompersonalvanitythanElinorWyllys；andshewasindifferenttoremarksofthiskind，toadegreethatwouldseemscarcelycredibletothatclassofyoungladies，whothinknosoundsodelightfulasthatofacompliment。
Ontheeveninginquestion，thepiazzaswerecrowdedwiththeinmatesofthehotels；thosewhohadfeelingforthebeautiesofnature，andthosewhohadnot，cameoutalike，toadmireanunusualeffectofmoonlightuponafinemassofclouds。ElinorwassoonawarethatshewasintheneighbourhoodofMrs。Hilsonandhersister，bythesillyconversationtheywerekeepingupwiththeircompanions。TheseLongbridgeladiesgenerallykeptwiththeirownparty，whichwasalargeone。TheWyllyseswerenotsorrythattheyseldommet；for，littleastheylikedthesisters，theywishedalwaystotreatthemcivilly，onaccountoftheirfather。TheEnglishartof“cutting“is，indeed，littlepractisedinAmerica；exceptinextremecases；allclassesaretoosocialintheirfeelingsandhabitstoadoptit。Itis，indeed，anhonourablecharacteristicofthosewhooccupythehighestsocialpositioninAmerica——thosewhohavereceived，ineveryrespect，thebesteducationinthecountry——that，asaclass，theyarefreefromthelittle，selfish，ungenerousfeelingofmereexclusiveism。
“Oh，hereyouare，MissWyllys！”exclaimedEmmelineHubbardtoElinor，whowastalkingtoMrs。Creighton。“Ihavebeenwishingtoseeyoualltheafternoon——Ioweyouanapology。“
“Anapologytome，MissHubbard？——Iwasnotatallawareofit。“
“Isitpossible？Iwasafraidyouwouldthinkmeveryrudethismorning，whenIspoketoyouinthedrawing-room，fortherewasagentlemanwithyouatthetime。OfcourseIoughtnottohavejoinedyouatsuchamoment，butIwasanxioustogiveyoutheLongbridgenews。“
“Certainly；Iwasverygladtohearit：theconversationyouinterruptedwasaverytriflingone。“
“Oh，IdidnotwishtoinsinuatethatyouwereconversingonaPARTICULARLYinterestingsubject。But，ofcourse，Iamtoowellacquaintedwiththeetiquetteofpolishedcircles，nottoknowthatitiswrongforoneyoungladytointrudeuponanotherwhileconversingwithagentleman。
“Iftherebesuchapointofetiquette，Imusthaveoftenbrokenitveryinnocently，myself。Ihaveneverpractisedit，Iassureyou。“
“Ah，thatisveryimprudent，MissWyllys！”saidthefairEmmeline，shakingherfanatElinor。“Whoknowshowmuchmischiefonemaydo，inthatway？Youmightactuallypreventadeclaration。Andthenayoungladyis，ofcourse，alwaystooagreeablyoccupiedinentertainingabeau，towishtoleavehimforafemalefriend。Itisnoteverybodywhowouldbeasgood-naturedasyourselfatsuchaninterruption。“
“Ihavenomeritwhateverinthematter，Iassureyou；forIwasverygladtofindthat——“
JustatthatmomentoneofMissHubbard\'sadmirersapproachedher，andwithoutwaitingtoheartheconclusionofElinor\'sremark，sheturnedabruptlyfromthelady，tomeetthegentleman，withastrikingincreaseofgrace，andtheexpressionofthegreatestinterestinherwholemanner。
Elinorsmiled，asthethoughtoccurredtoher，thatthislastactofrudenesswasreallytryingtohergood-nature，whileshehadneverdreamedofresentingtheinterruptionofthemorning。ButMissHubbardwasonlyfollowingthecodeofetiquette，tacitlyadoptedbytheclassofyoungladiesshebelongedto，whoneverscrupledtomaketheirmannertomen，muchmoreattentiveandflatteringthantowardsoneofthemselves，oreventowardsanolderpersonoftheirownsex。
Elinor，however，hadseensuchmanoeuvresbefore，andshewouldscarcelyhavenoticeditatthemoment，haditnotbeenforMissEmmeline\'spreviousapology。
Mrs。Hilsonsoonapproachedher。“HasEmmelinebeencommunicatingourLongbridgeintelligence，MissWyllys？Doyouthinkitagoodmatch？”
“Ihopeitwillproveso；wewereverygladtohearofit。MaryVanHorneisagreatfavouriteofmyaunt\'s，andMr。Roberts，I
hear，ishighlyspokenof。“
“Yes；andheisveryrich；too；shehasnothingatallherself；I
believe。\'\'
“DoyouknowwhethertheyaretoliveinNewYork？Ihopetheywillnotgoveryfarfromus。“
“Isupposetheywillliveinthecity，asheissowealthy；Marywillhaveanopportunityoftastingthefascinationsofhighlife。Ishallintroducehertoacliqueofgreatrefinementatonce。Don\'tyouthinkSaratogathemostdelightfulplaceintheworld，MissWyllys？Iamneversohappyaswhenhere。Idelightsomuchinthegayworld；itappearstomethatIbreathemorefreelyinacrowd——solitudeoppressesme；doyoulikeit？”
“Ihavenevertrieditverylong。Ifyoulikeacrowd，youmustbeperfectlysatisfied，justnow。“
\'\'AndsoIam，MissWyllys，perfectlyhappyinthesefashionablescenes。Doyouknow，itisafact，thatIlosemyappetiteunlessIcansitdowntotablewithatleastthirtyorfortyfashionablydressedpeopleaboutme；andIneversleepsounderthanonboardasteamboat，wheretheflooriscoveredwithmattresses。Iamnotmadeforretirement，certainly。Ah，MonsieurBonnet，hereyouareagain，Isee；whathaveyoudonewiththeBaron？——isnottheBaronwithyou？”
“No，Madame；hehasnotfinishhiscigar。AndwhereisMlle。
Emmeline？——Ihopeshehasnotabandonneme！”saidM。Bonnet，who，todohimjustice，wasasufficientlyrespectableman，aFrenchmerchantinNewYork，andnowayconnectedwiththeBaron。
“Oh，no；sheishere；wewerewaitingfortheBaronandyoutoescortustothedrawing-room；butwewillremainuntiltheBaroncomes。Ihaveheardsomethingthatwillputyouingood-humour，anotherofthosemarriagesyouadmiresomuch——oneofthepartiesrollinginwealthandluxury，theotherpoorasJob\'sturkey。“
“Ah，vraiment；thatisindeeddelightful；celaestforttouchant；
thatshowsomuchsensibilite，toappreciatelemerite，thoughsufferingfrompoverty。Amarriagelikethatmustbebeaucommeunreved\'Amour！”
{“vraiment“=truly；“celaestforttouchant“=thatisverytouching；“beaucommeunreved\'Amour“=asbeautifulasadreamofLoveFrench}
“Youarequiteromanticonthesubject；butdon\'tpeoplemakesuchmatchesinFrance？”
“Ah，non，Madame；lefroidcalculdominatesthereatsuchtimes。
IhonourthebeautifulpracticethatiscommoninvotrejeuneAmerique；celarappellelesiecled\'or。Cantherebeatableaumoredelicieuxthanacoupleunisundersuchcirconstances？Thehappyepoux，ayoungmanperhaps，offorty，andlafemmeacreatureangelique；“hereM。BonnetcastaglanceatMissEmmeline；“unecreatureangelique，whoknowsthatheadoresher，andwhosaystohim，\'monamijet\'aime，jeveuxfairetonbonheur，\'andwhobestowsonhimherwholeheart，andherwholefortune；whilehe，ofcourse，oppressedwithgratitude，laboursonlytoincreasethatfortune，thathemayhaveitinhispowertomakethelifeofhisbienaimeebeautifulcommeunjourdefete。“
{“froidcalcul“=coldcalculation；“votrejeune……“=youryoungAmerica；itremindsoneofthegoldenage；“tableaumoredelicieuxthanacoupleunisundersuchcirconstances“=aprettierpicturethanacoupleunitedundersuchcircumstances；
“epoux“=husband。“lafemmeacreatureangelique“=thewifeanangeliccreature；“monami，jet\'aime，jeveuxfairetonbonheur“
=myfriend，Iloveyou，Iwishtomakeyouhappy；“bienaimeebeautifulcommeunjourdefete“=belovedasbeautifulasadayoffestivalmixedFrenchandEnglish}
“Youareeloquent，Mr。Bonnet。“
“N\'estcepasunsujet，Madame，totoucherlecoeurdel\'hommeinamostdelicatepoint；amanwhocouldbeinsensibletosuchdelicacy，tosuchaimabletendresse，wouldbenobetterthanoneofyoursauvages，oneofyourMohicans！”
{“N\'estcepasunsujet，Madame，totoucherlecoeurdel\'homme……“=Isthisnotasubject，Madame，whichtouchestheheartofman……；“tosuchaimabletendresse“=tosuchpleasantaffectionmixedFrenchandEnglish}
“Well，Idon\'tthinksomuchofit，becauseitisverycommonhere；suchmatcheshappeneveryday。“
“Andwhoarethehappycoupleyourefertoatpresent？”
“\'TisayounggentlemanofNewYorkcity，Mr。Roberts，whoisgoingtomarryayounglady，whosefatherisaneighbourofpa\'s。“
“Andwhatisthesumtheyoungladyhasbestoweduponhergratefuladorateur？”
“Oh，theladyhasnotanythingtobestowinthiscase；itisthegentleman，whoisverywealthy，anddoingaveryhandsomebusinessinNewYork。“
“Ah，“saidM。Bonnet，takingapinchofsnuff；“thatisnotsointerestingIthink，aswhenthemariisthefavouredparty。Theheartofmanismoresusceptibleoflastinggratitudeforuntelbienfait。“
{“mari“=husband；“untelbienfait“=suchafavorFrench}
“Thegentlemanhasallthemoney，thistime；Idon\'tthinkMaryVanHornewillhaveacent；doyou，MissWyllys？”
ButElinorwasgone。AstheBaronappeared，however，Mrs。Hilsondidnotregretit。
“Ah，Baron，Ithoughtyouwerenevercoming。Yououghttobemuchobligedtome，forIhadjusttoldMonsieurBonnet，wemustnotmovetilltheBaroncomes；theBaronwillnotknowwheretofindus。“
CHAPTERVII。{XXX}
“Theysitconferring。“
TamingtheShrew。
{WilliamShakespeare，“TheTamingoftheShrew“，V。ii。102}
THEusualeveningcirclehadcollectedinMissWyllys\'sparlour，withtheadditionofMaryVanAlstyne，whohadjustarrivedfromPoughkeepsie，andMrs。St。Leger。MissEmmaTaylorhadgonetoaconcertwithhergood-naturedbrother-in-law，andacoupleofheradmirers。Janeandhersister-in-law，Adeline，weresittingtogetherinacorner，talkingpartlyabouttheirbabies，partlyaboutwhatthesetwoyoungmatronscalled“oldtimes；“thatistosay，eventswhichhadtranspiredasfarbackasthreeorfouryearspreviously。Tothem，however，thosewere“oldtimes；“for，sincethen，thehopesandfears，caresandpleasures，ofthetwofriendsweremuchchanged。
Amongtherestofthepartytheconversationbecamemoregeneral；
forElinorhadjustfinishedasong，andMr。WyllyshadjustbeatenMrs。Creightonatagameofchess。
“Mr。Hazlehurst，praywhathaveyoudonewithmysayaymanto？”
askedtheprettywidow，takingaseatatthesideofElinor，onasofa。“Herehaveyoubeen，three，four，fivedays，andIhavenotevenalludedtoit，which，youmustobserveisagreatactofforbearanceinalady，whenthereisapieceoffineryinquestion。“
{“sayaymanto“=skirtandcloakSpanish}
“IamreallyashamedofmyselffornothavingreporteditsafeatPhiladelphia，before。Iwouldnotsendittoyourhouse，whenI
heardyouwerehere，forIwishedtodeliveritinperson；andI
didnotbringitwithme，becauseMrs。Hazlehursttoldmeitwastoowarmforafashionableladytowearanythingasheavyasblacksilkforthenextthreemonths。“
“Well，ofcourseIamverymuchobligedtoyouforthetroubleyouhavehadwithit；butIshalldeferthankingyouformally，untilIfindoutwhetheritisbecomingornot。“
“DoyouexpecttomakeaverycaptivatingSpaniard？”askedMr。
Stryker。
“Ishalldomybest，certainly；butIshallleaveyoutodecidehowfarIsucceed，Mr。Stryker。AretheBrazilianwomenpretty，Mr。Hazlehurst？——whatdotheylooklike？”
“VerylikePortuguese，“wastheanswer。
“MorethantheAmericanslookliketheEnglish？”inquiredElinor。
“Farmore，“saidHarry；“butyouknowthereislessdifferencebetweentheclimatesofBrazilandPortugal，thanbetweenoursandthatofEngland。“
“Formypart，“observedMr。Ellsworth，“IdonotthinkwelookintheleastliketheEnglish——neithermennorwomen。Wearegettingveryfasttohaveadecidedphysiognomyofourown。IthinkI
couldpickoutanAmericanfromamongacrowdofEuropeans，almostassoonasIcouldaTurk。“
“Youalwayspiquedyourself，Ellsworth，uponhavingaquickeyefornationalcharacteristics。Weusedtotryhimveryoften，whenwewereinEurope，Mrs。Creighton，andImustdohimthejusticetosayheseldomfailed。“
“Oh，yes；IknowallFrank\'sopinionsonthesubject，“repliedMrs。Creighton：“itisquiteahobbywithhim。“
“WhatdoyouthinkarethephysicalcharacteristicsoftheAmericans，ascomparedwithourEnglishkinsmen？”inquiredMr。
Wyllys。
“Weareadarker，athinner，andapalerpeople。ThebestspecimensoftheEnglishhavetheadvantageinmanlinessofformandcarriage；theAmericanissuperiorinactivity，intheexpressionofintelligenceandenergyinthecountenance。TheEnglishpeculiaritiesintheirworstshapeare，coarsenessandheavinessofform；abrutal，dullcountenance；theworstpeculiaritiesamongtheAmericansare，anapparentwantofsubstanceintheform，andacold，cunningexpressionoffeatures。Iusedoftentowonder，whentravellinginEurope，particularlyinFranceandGermany，atthenumberofheavyformsandcoarsefeatures，whichstrikeonesooftenthere，evenamongthewomen，andwhicharesoveryuncommoninAmerica。“
“Yes；thatbrutalcoarsenessoffeatures，whichstoodforthemodeloftheoldSatyrs，isscarcelytobemetinthiscountry，thoughbynomeansuncommoninmanypartsofEurope，“observedHazlehurst。
“Iwasverymuchstrucktheotherevening，atthedance，withtheappearanceofthewomen，“continuedMr。Ellsworth。“Notthattheyaresobrilliantintheirbeauty——oneseesbeautifulwomenineverycountry；buttheyaresopeculiarlyfeminine，andgenerallypretty，asawhole。Byroom-fulls，enmasse，theyappeartomoreadvantageIthink，thananyotherwomen；thegeneraleffectisveryseldombrokenbycoarsenessofface，orunmanageableawkwardnessofform。“
“Yes，youareright，“saidMr。Stryker。“Thereisavastdealofprettiness，andverylittlerepulsiveuglinessamongthewomeninthiscountry。Butitstrikesmetheyareincliningalittletoomuchtotheidea，justnow，thatallthebeautyintheworldiscollectedintheseUnitedStates，which，asweallknowisratheramistakenopinion。“
“Certainly；thatwouldbeanextremelyridiculousnotion。“
“Youthinkdelicacythen，thepeculiarcharacteristicofAmericanbeauty？”saidMr。Wyllys。
“Yes，sir；butIcouldpointoutothers，too。BrownhairandhazeleyesareanothercommonfeatureinAmericanbeauty。Ifyoulookovertheprettywomenofyouracquaintance，youwillfindthatthecaseIthink。“
“LikeMrs。Creighton\'s，“saidElinor，smiling。
“No；Josephine\'sfeaturesarenotsufficientlyregularforabeauty，“saidherbrother，good-naturedly。
“Ishan\'tgetacomplimentfromFrank，MissWyllys，“repliedthewidow，shakingherhead。“Iagreewithhim，though，aboutthebrown-hairedbeauties；for，Ioncetookthetroubletocountovermyacquaintances，andIfoundagreatmanythatansweredhisdescription。Ithinkitthepredominatingcolouramongus。Iamcertainlyincludedinthebrowntribemyself，andsoareyou，MissWyllys。“
“Asfarasthecolourofmyhairgoes，“repliedElinor，withasmilewhichseemedtosay，talkon，Ihavenofeelingonthesubjectofmyplainface。Oneortwopersonspresenthadactuallypaused，thinkingtheconversationwastakinganunfortunateturn，asoneoftheladiespresentwasundeniablywantinginbeauty。Toencouragethenaturalpursuitofthesubject，Elinorremarkedthat，“lighthairanddecidedlyblueeyes，likeMrs。St。Leger\'s，arenotsoverycommon，certainly；nortrueblackhairandeyeslikeyour\'s，Jane。“
“Youarealmostasmuchgiventocompliments，MissWyllys，asI
am，“saidMrs。Creighton；“Ihavetosayasaucythingnowandthen，bywayofvariety。“
“Thesaucyspeechesareforyourownsatisfaction，nodoubt，andthecomplimentsforthatofyourfriends，Isuppose，“repliedElinor，smilingalittlearchly；forshehadverygoodreasonsformistrustingthesincerityofeithermodeofspeechfromthelipsofthegaywidow；whom，forthatveryreason，shelikedmuchlessthanherbrother。
“Doyoureallythinkmetoosevere？——waittillwearebetteracquainted！”
“Ishallalwaysthinkyouverycharming，“repliedElinor，withherusualfranksmile；for，infact，sheadmiredMrs。Creightonquiteasmuchastherestoftheworld。AndthenobservingthatMr。Ellsworthwaslisteningtotheirconversation，sheturnedtohimandasked，ifthetruegoldenhair，somuchadmiredbytheItalianpoets，andsooftensungbythem，werestillcommoninItaly？
“Judgingfrombooksandpictures，Ishouldthinkitmusthavebeenmuchmorecommonsomecenturiesagothanatthepresentday；
for，certainly，thereisnotoneItalianwomaninahundred，whohasnotverydecidedlyblackhairandeyes。IrememberonceinatranslationfromEnglishintoItalian，Iusedtheexpression\'greyeyes，\'whichdivertedmymasterverymuch：heinsisteduponit，therewasno\'suchthinginnature；\'andevenafterIhadremindedhimofNapoleon，hewouldnotbelievetheEmperor\'seyeswerenotblack。HewasathoroughItalian，ofcourse，andknewnothingofthenorthernlanguages，orhewouldhavemetwiththeexpressionbefore。“
“Letmetellyou，Ellsworth，“saidHarry，afterashortpauseintheconversation，“thatitisverypleasanttopassanagreeableeveninginthisway，chattingwitholdfriends。YouhavenoideahowmuchIenjoyitafterathreeyears\'exile！”
“Icanreadilybelieveit。“
“No，Idon\'tthinkyouunderstanditatall。Itistrueyouwererovingabouttheworldseveralyears，butyouwerenotalone，mydearsir。Youhadindeedtheadvantageofparticularlyagreeablecompanionswithyou：inParisyouhadMrs。Creighton，andinEgyptyouhadyourhumbleservant。Andthen，inthenextplace，yourmindwasconstantlyoccupied；youlivedwiththepastwhileinItalyandGreece，andwiththepresentinParis。Now，atRio，thereisnopastatall，andnotmuchofapresent。“
“IstherenogeneralsocietyatRio？”inquiredMissWyllys。
“Oh，yes；societyenough，intheusualmeaningoftheword。Iwasveryfortunateinmeetingwithsomeveryagreeablepeople，andhavereallyastrongregardforManezes{sic}——agoodfellowheis，andIhopetoseehimhereoneofthesedays。Buttheywereallnewacquaintances。YoucannotthinkhowmuchIwantedtoseeafaceIhadknownallmylife；Iwaspositivelyatonetimeonthevergeofbeinghome-sick。“
“Youfoundoutthatyouweremoretender-heartedthanyouhadbelievedyourself，“saidMr。Ellsworth。
“Soitseems，“repliedHarry；ashadeofembarrassmentcrossinghisfaceashespoke。
“IshouldhavethoughtsomeoldacquaintanceorotherwouldhavegonestragglingtowardsRio，inthesetravellingdays，“observedMr。Ellsworth。
“No，Iwasparticularlyunfortunate：oncewhentheAmericansquadronlayatRioforsomeweeks，andIhadseveralfriendsonboardtheMacedonian，Ihappenedatthatverytimetobeabsentonanexcursionintheinterior。Forsixmonths，orsoitdidverywell；ittakesoneaslongasthattoenjoythelovelyscenery，tosaynothingofthenovelty；butafteradmiringthebayandtheCorcovadoundereverypossibleaspect，IgotatlasttobeheartilytiredofRio。Ishouldhaverunaway，ifwehadnotbeenrecalledthissummer。“
{“Macedonian“=aUnitedStateswarship，commandedduringtheearly1840sbyCommodoreWilliamBranfordShubrick1790-1874，alife-longclosefriendofJamesFenimoreCooper。SusanFenimoreCooperwroteabiographyofhimin1876；“Corcovado“=afamousmountainpeakoverlookingthebayofRiodeJaneiro}
“Youshouldhavefalleninlove，“saidMrs。Creighton。
“Idon\'tthinkIsucceededinthat；perhapsIdidnottryveryhard。“
“ButisnotthestateofsocietypleasantatRio？”inquiredMr。
Wyllys。
“Notparticularly，sir；itistoomuchlikeourownforthat；
somethingprovinciallingeringaboutit，althoughtheyhaveanemperoroftheirown。Wecannotdowithouttheotherhemisphereyet，inspiteofourself-importantairs。WeYankeeshavecoaxedTimeoutofagreatdeal，butheisnottobecheatedforallthat。PeoplewerenotbusyforthousandsofyearsintheOldWorld，merelytoqualifythemfordiscoveringAmerica，whateversomeofourpatriotsmaysayonthesubject。“
“Yes，youareright，Harry；Ihaveoftenwishedthatourpeoplewouldrememberwhattheyseemtoforget，thatTimehasaprerogativebeyondtheirreach。ThereisawidedifferencebetweenablindreverenceforTime，andaninfatuateddenialofhispower；andItakeittobeoneofthedutiesofyourgenerationtofindoutthedividinglineinthisandotherpoints，andshapeyourpracticeaccordingly。“
“Yes，sir；itappearstomehightimethatthecivilizedworldsetaboutmarkingmoredistinctlyagreatmanyboundarylines，onimportantmoralquestions；anditistobepresumed，thatwithsomuchexperienceatourcommand，weshallatlastdosomethingtowardsit。Itistobehopedthatmankindwillatlengthlearnnotalwaystorushoutofoneextremeintotheother；andwhentheyfeeltheevilofonemeasure，nottoflyforrelieftoitsveryopposite，butsetaboutlookingforthetrueremedy，whichisgenerallynotsofaroff。“
“Youdon\'tbelieveinmoralhomoeopathy？”saidMrs。Stanley。
“Notintheleast。“
“Well，weareverymuchobligedtoyouforgettingtiredofRio，“
saidMrs。Creighton；“andthinkingthatthegayworldofPhiladelphiawasquiteasagreeableastheImperialCourt。“
“Itakeitforgranted，however，thatitwasnotexactlythegayworldthatyouregretted，“saidEllsworth。
“Notexactly，no；generalsocietyisnotsufficientlyperfectinitswayamongus，foramantopineafter。“
“Ihaveoftenthought，“observedElinor，“thatthespiritofmeredissipationmustbelessexcusableinthiscountrythaninEurope。Societymusthavesomanyattractionsthere——moregeneralfinish——morehighaccomplishment。“
“Yes；wewantmoreoftherealthing；wehavesmatterersenoughasitis，“repliedMr。Ellsworth。
“AndthenthedecorationsaresowellgotupinEurope！”
exclaimedMrs。Creighton。“Imustconfessmyselfenoughofawoman，tobecharmedwithgooddecorations。“
“Somethingfarbetterthanmeredecoration；however，isrequisitetomakesocietyatallagreeable，“continuedMr。Ellsworth。
“Thereisluxuryenoughamongus，ineatinganddrinking，dressingandfurniture，forinstance；andyetwhatcanwellbemoresilly，morepuerile，thanthegeneraltoneofconversationatcommonpartiesamongus？AndhowmanyofthemostdelightfulsoireesinParis，arecollectedinplainrooms，ausecond，orautroisieme，withabrickfloortostandon，andaglassoforgeat，withabitofbriochetoeat！”
{“ausecond，orautroisieme“=onthethirdorfourthfloor；
“orgeat“=asyrupflavoreddrink；“brioche“=asimplepastryFrench}
“LotsandLove——SpeculationandFlirtation，aretooentirelytheorderoftheday，andoftheevening，withus，“saidHarry；
“whetherfiguringonChange，oronaBrusselscarpet。“
{“onChange“=atthestockmarket}
“Ihaveoftenbeenstruck，myself，withtheexcessivesillinessoftheconversationatcommonparties，especiallywhatarecalledyoungparties；thoughIhaveneverseenanythingbetter，“saidElinor。
“Thoseyoungpartiesareenoughtospoilanysociety，“saidHarry。
“Perhaps，however，youhavetoohighanideaofsuchscenesinEurope，preciselybecauseyouhavenotseenthem，MissWyllys，“
observedMr。Ellsworth。
“Thatmayverypossiblybethecase。“
“Therearealwayssillyandignorantpeopletobemetwitheverywhere，“remarkedHarry；“butthedifferenceliesinthegeneralcharacterofthecircle，whichisnotoftensoinsipidandsopuerileinEurope。“
“Itisthedifference，Isuppose，betweenapuppet-showandgenteelcomedy，“saidElinor。
“Precisely，MissWyllys，“saidMr。Ellsworth，smiling。
“Wehaveveryprettypuppets，though，“observedMrs。Creighton；
“quitewell-dressed，andsufficientlygraceful，too；thatistosay，theyoungladypuppets。Asforthegentlemen，Ishallnotattempttodefendthem，enmasse，neithertheirgracenortheircoats。“
“Youwon\'tallowustobeeitherprettyorwell-dressed？”saidMr。Stryker。
“Oh，everybodyknowsthatMr。Stryker\'scoatandbowarebothunexceptionable。“
“Whydon\'tyougotowork，goodpeople，andimprovetheworld，insteadoffindingfaultwithit？”saidMr。Wyllys，whowaspreparingforanothergameofchesswithMrs。RobertHazlehurst。
“AlabourofHercules，sir！”exclaimedMr。Stryker，shrugginghisshoulders。“Thepositionofareformerisnotsufficientlygracefultosuitmyfancy。“
“Itisfatiguing，too；itismucheasiertositstillandfindfault，sir，“observedRobertHazlehurst，smiling。
“Sauvequipeut，ismymotto，“continuedMr。Stryker。“Ishalltakecareofmyself；thoughIhavenoobjectionthattherestoftheworldshouldprofitbymyexcellentexample；theymayimproveonmymodel，iftheyplease。“
{“sauvequipeut“=everyoneforhimselfFrench}
“Thefactis，thatmanners，andallothermattersoftaste，oughttocomebyinstinct，“saidMrs。RobertHazlehurst；“onesoonbecomestiredofbeingsregularlytutoredonsuchpoints。“
“Nodoubtofthat，“repliedHarry；“butunfortunately，thoughreadingandwritingcomebynature，asDogberrysays，inthiscountry，yetitisbynomeanssoclearthatgoodtastefollowsasaconsequence。“
{“Dogberry“=aconstableinShakespeare\'scomedy，“MuchAdoAboutNothing“：“Tobeawell-favor\'dmanisthegiftoffortune，buttowriteandreadcomesbynature。“III。iii。14-16}
“Goodtastenevercamebynature，anywherebutinoldGreece，I
takeit，“saidEllsworth。“Inanewstateofsociety，suchthingsmustforcethemselvesuponone。“
“Certainly，“saidMr。Wyllys；“andyouyoungpeople，whohavehadsomanyadvantagesofeducationandleisure，areveryrighttogivethesubjectsomeattention，forthesakeofthecommunityinwhichyoulive。Mannersintheirbestmeaning，asapartofcivilization，arecloselyconnectedatmanydifferentpoints，withthecharacterandmoralsofanation。Hithertointhiscountry，thesubjecthasbeentoomuchlefttoitself；butinmanyrespectsthereisagoodfoundationtoworkupon——someofournationaltraitsareverycreditable。“
“Thatistrue，sir，“repliedMr。Ellsworth；“andAmericansarenaturallyveryquickintakingahint，andinfittingittotheirownuses。Theyareagood-natured，sociablerace，too，neithercoarsenorunwieldyinbodyormind。Alltheywantis，alittlemorereflectiononthesubject，andasufficientlylargenumberofmodels，toobserve，andcomparetogether；fortheyaretooquickandclever，nottopreferthegoodtothebad，whenthechoiceliesbeforethem。“
“Remembertoo，“saidMr。Wyllys，“thatifyoucannotdoeverything，youmustnotsupposeyoucandonothing。“
“ThereisonepointinAmericanmanners，thatisverygood，“saidHarry：“amongourverybestpeoplewefindagreatdealoftruesimplicity；simplicityoftherightsort；real，notfactitious。“
“Sweetsimplicity，oh，la！”exclaimedMr。Stryker。“Well，Iamabadsubjecttodealwith，myself。Iamtoooldtogotoschool，andIamtooyoungyet，Iflattermyself，togivemuchweighttomyadvice。Notquiteincorrigible，however，Itrust，“headded，endeavouringtosmileinanaturalway，asheturnedtowardsElinorandMrs。Creighton。“Ishallbemosthappytolearnfromtheladies，andtrytoimproveundertheiradvice。Haveyounosuggestionstomake，MissWyllys？”
“IamafraidIcouldnotbeofmuchuseinthatway。“
“Thereareonlyathousand-and-onehintsthatIshouldgiveyou，“
saidMrs。Creighton，laughing。
“Youmustbefrightfullyparticular！”exclaimedMr。Stryker；
“pray，whatishintNo。1？”
“Oh，Ishouldnothavetimetomakeevenabeginning；itisgrowingverylate，andIshalldeferyoureducationuntilthenexttimewemeet。Mr。Hazlehurst，thatismyscarf，Ibelieve，onyourchair。“
Thepartyseparated；HarryofferinghisarmtoMrs。Creighton。
CHAPTERVIII。{XXXI}
“VerilyYoushallnotgo——alady\'sverilyisAspotentasalord\'s。Willyougoyet？”
Winter\'sTale。
{WilliamShakespeare，“AWinter\'sTale“，I。ii。50-51}
MRS。STANLEYhadjoinedtheWyllysesatSaratoga，afewdaysaftertheyarrived，andthemeetingbetweenHazlehurstandherselfhadbeenverycordial。ShehadalwaysfeltawarminterestinHarry，lookinguponhimasherhusband\'schosenrepresentative，andallbutanadoptedson；theintercoursebetweenthemhadinvariablybeenofthemostfriendlyandintimatenature。
Mr。Stanley\'swillhadplacedtheentirecontrolofhislargeestateinthehandsofhiswidow，andhisoldfriend，Mr。Wyllys。
Mrs。Stanley，herself，wastoretainonehalfoftheproperty，forlife；atherdeathitwastobedividedindifferentlegacies，torelativesofherown，andtocharitableinstitutions，accordingtoherowndiscretion。Theotherhalfwasalsotobekeptinthehandsoftheexecutorsuntilhisownsonreturned，andhadreachedtheageoffive-and-twenty；or，incasethereportofWilliamStanley\'sdeath，whichhadjustreachedhisfamily，weretobeconfirmed，thenHarryHazlehurstwastotakehisplace，andreceivehisson\'sportion，onconditionthathis，Hazlehurst\'s，secondsonshouldtakethenameofStanley。
Hazlehurstwasanephewbymarriage；thatistosay，hisfather，afterthedeathofafirstwife，Harry\'smother，hadmarriedMr。
Stanley\'sonlysister：thisladydiedbeforeherbrother，leavingnochildren。Atthetimethiswillwasmade，Mr。Stanleyhadgivenupall，butthefaintest，hopeofhisson\'sbeingalive；
still，heleftlettersforhim，containinghislastblessing，andforgiveness，incasetheyoungmanweretoreturn。Healsoexpressedawishthataneasyallowance，accordingtoMrs。
Stanley\'sdiscretion，shouldbegiven，aftertheageofone-and-twenty，tohisson，ortoHarry，whicheverweretoprovehisheir；onconditionthattherecipientshouldpursuesomeregularprofessionoroccupation，ofarespectablecharacter。
Hazlehurstwastoreceivealegacyofthirtythousanddollars，incaseofWilliamStanley\'sreturn。
SuchwasMr。Stanley\'swill；andcircumstanceshavingsoonshowedthatthereportofhisson\'sdeathwasscarcelytobedoubted，Hazlehursthadbeenforyearsconsideredashisheir。AsHarrygrewup，andhischaracterbecameformed，hisprinciplesproving，ineveryrespect，suchashisfriendscouldwish，Mrs。Stanleyhadmadeveryampleprovisionforhim。Theallowancehehadreceivedforhiseducationwasveryliberal，andduringhisvisittoEuropeithadbeenincreased。Atdifferenttimesconsiderablesumshadbeenadvanced，toenablehimtomakedesirablepurchases：upononeoccasion，aportionofthepropertyuponwhichhisancestorshadfirstsettled，ascolonists，wasofferedforsalebyadistantrelative，andHarrywishedtoobtainpossessionofit；twentythousanddollarswereadvancedforthispurpose。Then，Hazlehurstwasverydesirousofcollectingarespectablelibrary，and，asdifferentopportunitiesoffered，hehadbeenenabled，whileinEurope，tomakevaluableacquisitionsofthiskind，thankstoMrs。Stanley\'sliberality。Aseverycollectorhasafavouritebranchofhisown，Harry\'stasteshadledhimtolookforbotanicalworks，inwhichhewasparticularlyinterested；andhehadoftenpaidlargesumsforrareorexpensivevolumesconnectedwiththisscience。Sincehehadreachedtheageoffive-and-twenty，or，duringthelasttwoyears，hehadbeeninfullpossessionoftheentirehalfofMr。
Stanley\'sproperty，amounting，itwasgenerallysupposed，tosometenthousandayear。Accordingtoacodicilofthewill，HazlehurstwasalsototakepossessionofGreatwood，athismarriage：thiswasapleasantcountry-house，surroundedbyaplaceinfineorder；butMrs。Stanley，whopreferredlivingintown，hadalreadygivenhimpossession。
“Iwish，Harry，wecouldkeepyouathome，now，“saidMrs。
Stanleytoheryoungfriend，onemorning，ashewassittingwithherself，MaryVanAlstyne，andElinor，inherroomsatCongressHall。“IthinkMr。Henleycouldspareyoubetterthanwecan。IsitquitedecidedthatyougotoRussia？”
“Youareverykindtoexpresssomuchinterestinmymovements。
ButyoumustpermitmetoremindyouofapieceofadviceIhaveoftenreceived，asayoungster，fromyourownlips，dearMrs。
Stanley；andthatis，nevertoabandonmerelyfromcaprice，thepathoflifeImightchoose。“
“Certainly；butIthinkyoumightfindverygoodreasonsforstayingathome，now；youraffairswouldgoonallthebetterforsomepersonalattention；Ishouldbesorrytohaveyouaroverallyourlife，Harry。“
“Ihaveno，intention，Ma\'am，Iassureyou，ofbeingavagrantallmydays。Andifthereisnothingelsetokeepmeathome，itishighlyprobablethatIshallbethrownontheshelfbeforelongbyUncleSam。Whenamanhasservedhisapprenticeship，andisfullyqualifiedtofillhisofficecreditably，hemaypreparetobeturnedout；and，verylikely，somerawbackwoodsman，whoknowsnothingoftheworldingeneral，orofdiplomacyinparticular，willbeputinhisplace。Thatisoftenthewaythingsaremanagedamongus，youknow。
{SusanFenimoreCooperisreflectingtheviewsofherfather，basedonhisexperiencewithAmericandiplomacyinEuropefrom1826-33。TheUnitedStatesForeignServicedidnotbecomeafullyprofessional，careerorganizationuntil1946}
“Forthatveryreason，Iwouldnothaveanythingtodowithpubliclife，ifIwereayoungman！”exclaimedMrs。Stanley，earnestly。“Somanymenwhoareill-qualifiedforeitherpublicorprivateconfidence，getintooffice，thatIshouldthinknomanofhighprinciplesandhonourableviews，wouldcaretobelongtothebodyofpublicservants。“
“Thereisallthemoreneed，then，thateveryhonestman，whohasanopportunityofservinghiscountry，shoulddoso，“observedHarry。“Idonotbelieve，however，thatasregardsprinciples，thepublicmenamongusareanyworsethanthepublicmenelsewhere，“headded。
“Whereallarechosen，theyoughttobebetter，“saidMaryVanAlstyne。
“ThatIgrant，“saidHazlehurst；“thechoicebyelection，orbyappointment，mightoftenbemorecreditable；wheneveritisbad，itisdisgracefultothecommunity。“
“LookatA——，B——，andC——，whomyouandIhappentoknow！”exclaimedMrs。Stanley。
“Nodoubttheyarelittlefitfortheofficestheyhold，“repliedHarry。
“Theworstofitisthis，Harry：thattheveryqualitieswhichoughttorecommendyou，willprobablykeepyoubackinthecareeryouhavechosen，“saidMrs。Stanley。“Yourprinciplesaretoofirmforpubliclife。“
“Ishalltrytheexperiment，atleast，“saidHarry。“Mr。Henleyurgesmetopersevere，andwithhisexamplebeforeme，Ioughtnottobediscouraged；heisaproofthatapublicmanisnotnecessarilyrequiredtobeasycophant，andatime-server；thatheisnotalwaysneglectedbecauseheisanuprightman，andagentleman。Ishallfollowhisexample；andIamconvincedtheexperimentwouldsucceedmuchoftener，provideditwerefairlytried。“
“Mrs。Stanleyshookherhead。Shewasawomanofratherapeculiarcharacter，thoughverywarminherfeelings，andfirminherprinciples。Shehadbecomedisgustedwiththeworld，fromseeingmuchthatwasevilanddisgracefulgoingonabouther；
forgettingtoobservethegoodaswellasthebad。Oflateyears，shehadwithdrawnentirelywithinanarrowcircleofoldfriends，amongwhomtheWyllysesandHazlehurstsheldaconspicuousplace。
Shewasdisposedtomistrustrepublicaninstitutions，merelybecausesheattributedeveryevilofthesocietyabouther，tothisonecause：heropinionsonthissubjectwere，however，ofnovaluewhatever；forsheknewnothingofothercountries，theirevilsandabuses。Ifwarmlyattachedtoherfriends，shewascertainlytooindifferenttothecommunityinwhichshelived。
Shewasverydecidedinallheractionsandopinions：thus，forinstance，shewouldneverallowanewspaper，ofanycharacterwhatever，toappearinherhouse——sheheldeverysheetalike，tobelooseinprinciples，andvulgarintone；because，unfortunately，therearemanytobefoundwhichanswersuchadescription。Anoffice-holder，andaspeculator，shewouldnevertrust，andavoidedeveryindividualofeitherclassasmuchaspossible。Herfriendswouldhavewishedhermorediscriminatinginheropinions，butsheneverobtrudedtheseuponothers。
Personally，nowomancouldbemorerespectedbyherintimates；
therewasnothinglowortrivialinhercharacterandturnofmind——noshadowofvacillationinherprinciplesorherfeelings。
Mrs。StanleyandheryoungfriendHazlehurst，muchastheyesteemedandrespectedeachother，disagreedonmanysubjects。
Harrymadeapointoflookingatbothsidesofaquestion；hewasloyaltohiscountry，andwillingtoserveittothebestofhisability——notatallinclinedtobeanidler，andplaythedroneinthebee-hive，whethersocialorpolitical。Mrs。Stanleyhadmuchregrettedhisbeinginanywayconnectedwithpubliclife，butsheseldomattemptedtoinfluencehim。
“Whatdoyousay，youngladies？”askedHarry，atlength，turningtowardsElinorandMaryVanAlstyne，whohadhithertothoughttheconversationoftoopersonalanature，tospeakmuchthemselves。
“DoyouthinkIhadbetterstayathome，andlookafterthestockatGreatwood，orgotoSt。Petersburg，andsetupmydroschky？”
{“droschky“=afour-wheeledopencarriageusedinRussia}
“IshouldneverhavetheleastfancyforgoingtoRussia，“
repliedMary；“and，therefore，IamnotmuchdisposedtoadmireyourconstancyinadheringtoMr。Henley。“
“Oh，go，byallmeans，“saidElinor；“youwillseesomuch！AndbesureyougototheCrimeabeforeyoucomehome。“
“TheCrimeaiscertainlyatemptation，“observedHarry。“Ibeg，ladies，youwillhonourmewithyourcommandsforSt。Petersburg，sometimeduringthenextthreemonths。IreferyoutoMrs。
Creightonforacertificateofgoodtaste；hersayaymantoisperfectinitsway，Iamtold。“
“PerhapsIoughttohaveengagedMrs。Creightononmyside，beforeItriedtocoaxyouintostayingathome，“saidMrs。
Stanley，smiling。
WeareobligedtoconfessthatHarrycolouredatthisremark，inspiteofadeterminationnottodoso；andagreatmisdemeanouritwasinadiplomatist，tobeguiltyofblushing；itclearlyprovedthatHazlehurstwasstillinhisnoviciate。Happily，however，iftheDepartmentofState，atWashington，besometimesmoreparticularininvestigatingthepartypoliticsofitsagentsinforeigncountries，thanotherqualifications，itisalsocertain，ontheotherhand，thattheydonotrequirebyanymeans，asmuchbronzeofcountenanceasmostEuropeancabinets。
{“bronzeofcountenance“=unblushingness，brazenlying}
“Oh，Mrs。Creightonstronglyrecommendsmetopersevereindiplomacy，“saidHarry。
Justatthatmoment，anotewasbroughtinfromthisverylady。
“WithMrs。Creighton\'scompliments，“saidthemanwhobroughtit。
Harry\'scolourroseagain，andforasecondhelookedalittleembarrassed。Mrs。Stanleysmiled，andsodidtheyoungladies，justalittle。
“Iwilllookforthebookimmediately，\'\'wasHarry\'sreply；andturningtotheladies，hecommunicatedthefact，thatMrs。
CreightonhadaskedforthevolumeofengravingswhichhehadshowntoMr。Wyllys，twoorthreeeveningsbefore。ThebookwasinMissWyllys\'sroom，andElinorwentforit。
“Willyoudinewithusto-day，Harry，orattheotherhouse？”
askedMrs。Stanley。
{“otherhouse“=i。e。，otherhotel，CongressHallandtheUnitedStatesbeingthetwofashionablehotelsinSaratogaSprings}
“Thankyou，ma\'am；IamengagedtodinewithMr。Henley，whoisonlyherefortheday，andwishestohavealittlebusiness-talkwithme。Wearetoeatabachelor\'sdinnertogether，inhisroom。“
Elinorreturnedwiththebook，andHarrymadehisbow。
Ashelefttheroom，MaryVanAlstyneobservedthatMr。
Hazlehurstseemedquiteattentivetohisfriend\'ssister。“Headmirestheprettywidow，Ifancy，“shesaid。
“Nowonder，“saidElinor；“Mrs。Creightonissoverypretty，andverycharming。“
“Yes；sheisverypretty，withthosespiritedbrowneyes，andbeautifulteeth。Sheisanadeptintheartofdressing，too，andmakesthemostofeveryadvantage。Butthoughsheissopretty，andsoclever，andsoagreeable，yetIdonotlikeher。“
“Peopleseemtolovesometimes，menespecially，wheretheydonotlike，“saidMrs。Stanley。“Ishouldnotbesurprised，atanytime，tohearthatHarryandMrs。Creightonareengaged。Iwishhemaymarrysoon。“
“Theladyis，atleast，well-disposedforconquest，Ithink，“
saidMaryVanAlstyne。
“Shewillprobablysucceed，“repliedElinor，inaquiet，naturalvoice。
MissAgnes，whohadjustenteredtheroom，heardtheremark，andwasgratifiedbytheeasytoneinwhichElinorhadspoken。SinceHazlehurst\'sreturn，Elinor\'smannertowardshimhadbeenjustwhatherauntthoughtproperunderthecircumstances；itwasquiteunembarrassedandnatural，though，ofcourse，therewasmorereservethanduringtheyearstheyhadlivedsomuchtogether，almostasbrotherandsister。Weareobligedtoleavetheladiesforthepresent，andfollowHazlehursttohistete-a-tetedinnerwithMr。Henley。
Wepassoverthemealitself，whichwasverygoodinitsway；norshallwedaretoraisethecurtain，andrevealcertaincommunicationsrelatingtoaffairsofstate，politicalanddiplomatic，whichwerediscussedbytheministerandhissecretary。HarryheardsomeRioJaneironewstoo，whichseemedtoamusehim，butwouldscarcelyhaveanyinterestforthereader。
Atlength，asMr。HenleyandHarrywerepickingtheirnuts，theministerhappenedtoenquirethedayofthemonth。
“Itisthetwentieth，Ibelieve，sir；andbythesametoken，to-morrowwillbemybirth-day，“
“Yourbirth-day，willit？——Howoldmayyoube？”
“Twenty-seven，ifIrememberright。“
“Ihadthoughtyoutwoorthreeyearsyounger。Well，Iwishyoualonglifeandahappy！”
“Thankyou，sir；Iammuchobligedtoyoufortheinterestyouhavealwaysshownme。“
“Noneedofthanks，Harry；itisonlywhatyourfather\'ssonhadarighttoexpectfromme。“
Asilenceofamomentensued，whenMr。Henleyagainspoke。
“Youareseven-and-twenty，yousay，Hazlehurst？——letmegiveyouapieceofadvice——don\'tletthenexttenyearspasswithoutmarrying。“
“Iwasjustaboutmakingupmymind，atRio，tobeagaybachelor，mydearsir，“saidHarry。
“Yes；Iremembertohaveheardyousaysomethingofthekind；buttakemyadvice，andmarry，unlessyouhavesomeverygoodreasonfornotdoingso。“
Hazlehurstmadenoanswer，buthelpedhimselftoanothersupplyofnuts。“Moreeasilysaidthandone，perhaps，“heobserved。
“Nonsense！——Therearemanyamiableyoungwomenwhowouldsuityou；anditwouldbestrangeifyoucouldnotmeetwithonethatwouldhaveyou。Somepretty，lady-likegirl。Idaresayyouknowtwentysuch，inPhiladelphia，orevenhere，atSaratoga。“
“Fivehundred，nodoubt，“repliedHarry；“butsupposetheverywomanIshouldfancy，wouldnotfancyme。“WhetherhewasthinkingofhispastexperiencewithJane，ornot，wecannotsay。
“Idon\'tseethatawomancanfindanyreasonablefaultwithyou——youdowellenough，mygoodfellow，astheworldgoes；andI
amsurethereare，asyousay，fivehundredyoungwomentochoosefrom。Inthatpointamanhasthebestofit；younggirlsofacertainclass，ifnotangels，areatleastgenerallyunexceptionable；buttherearemanymen，unhappily，whosemoralreputationsare，andshouldbeobstaclesinawoman\'seyes。“
\'Aregularoldbachelor\'snotion，ameremarriageofconvenience，\'thoughtHarry，whoratherresentedtheideaofthefivehundredcongenialspirits，intheshapeofsuitableyoungladies。
“Youaresurprised，perhaps，tohearthisfromme，“continuedMr。
Henley。
“No，sir：forIoncebeforeheardyouexpressmuchthesameopinion。“
“Didyou？——Idon\'toftenthinkorspeakonsuchmatters；butI
remembertohaveheardyoutalkaboutasinglelifeoccasionally，atRio；andIalwaysintendedtogivethispieceofadvicetomynephews，andtoyou，Harry。IfIweretolivemylifeoveragain，Ishouldmarrymyself；foroflateyearsIhavefeltthewantofahome，andonecan\'thaveapleasanthomewithoutthewomen。“
“ThereIagreewithyou，sir，entirely。“
“Thatismorethansomegay，rattlingyoungfellowswouldadmit。
Sinceyouthinkso，“continuedMr。Henley，smiling，“perhapsyouhavealsofixeduponsomeamiableyounggirl，whowouldbeapleasantcompanionforyou。“
Hazlehurstwassilent。
“Idaresayyouhave，andImighthavesparedyoutheadvice。Ifthatisthecase，youmustmakethemostofthenextthreemonths；persuadehertomarryyou，andwecantakehertoRussia，todothehonoursforus。“
“Thingshavenotgonequitesofarasthat，yet，“saidHarry，justalittleembarrassed。
“Well，mygoodfellow，settlethematteryourownway；Ihaveatleastsatisfiedmyconscience，bytellingyounottofollowmyownbadexample，“saidtheminister，asherosefromtable。
ItseemedthatMr。Henley，likemostoldbachelors，regrettednothavingmarried；thoughhethoughtthathishabitshadallbecometooconfirmed，tomakeitworthwhiletoattemptachange。Asageneralrule，itwillbefoundthatyourdecidedlyoldmaidiscontentedwithherlot，whileyourveryoldbachelorisdissatisfiedwithhis。Thepeculiarevilsofasinglelife——foreverylifemusthaveitsown——aremostfeltbywomenearlyintheday；bymen，inoldage。Theworldbeginsverysoontolaughattheoldmaid，andcontinuestolaugh，untilshamedoutofthehabitbyhergoodnature，andherrespectablelife。Thebachelor，onthecontrary，foralongtimefindsanallyintheworld；hegoesonenjoyingthepleasuresitoffers，untiloldagemakeshimwearyofthem——andthen，ashisheadgrowsgrey，whenhefindshimselfgoingoutoffavour，hebeginstofeelthewantofsomethingbetter——ahometoretreatto。Helooksabouthim，andhefindsthathisfemalecontemporaryhasoutlivedherpeculiarannoyances；“theworldforgetting，bytheworldforgot；“shehaslongsincefoundsomecollateralhome；or，inherrightasawoman，hasmadeahomeforherself，whereshelivesaspleasantlyasherneighbours。Perhapshesetsaboutimitatingherexample；
but，poorfellow，hefindsitanawkwardtask；hecanneversucceedinmakinghishouseholdgodssmilewithagoodwill，onahomewherenofemalevoiceisheardatthefire-side。
{“theworldforgetting……“=AlexanderPopeEnglishpoet，1688-1744，“EloisatoAbelard“I。207-208：“HowhappyistheblamelessVestal\'slot！Theworldforgetting，bytheworldforgot。“}
SothoughtMr。Henley，andhehadbeenintendingtorecommendtoHarrytolookoutforawife，forsometimepast。Theminister\'sideasonthesubjectofloveandmatrimonywere，tobesure，rathermatteroffact，andstatesmanlike；hewouldhavebeenquitesatisfiedifHazlehursthadmarriedthefirstyounggirl，ofarespectablefamily，thathemetwith；thehundredthpartofMrs。Creighton\'sattractionshewouldhavethoughtsufficient。