Harryforgavehim，however，forthesakeofthekindnessintendedbytheadvicehehadgiven；andtheministerhadthesatisfactionofseeinghissecretary，thatevening，ataconcert，quitegallantandattentivetoapartyofladies，severalofwhomwereyoungandpretty，althoughonewasyoungandugly。
“Whoisthat？”heaskedofafriend；“thatladytowhomHazlehurstistalking？Halftheyoungpeopleherehavegrownup，sinceIwaslastathome。“
“ThatisMrs。Creighton。“
“No；notMrs。Creighton；Iknowher——acharmingwoman；theladyontheright。“
“ThatisMissVanAlstyne。Mrs。St。Legerisnexttoher；theyounggirlbeforeherisMissEmmaTaylor。“
“Aprettygirl——butnoisy，itseems。“
“Onthenextbench，withEllsworth，areMrs。TallmanTaylor，thegreatbeauty，andMissWyllys，theheiress。“
“Yes，Iknowthefamilyverywell；butIneversawMr。Wyllys\'sgranddaughterbefore。“
“Sheisquiteplain，“observedonegentleman。
“Veryplain，“repliedtheother，turningaway。
Theeveningprovedverysultry，andafteraccompanyingtheladieshomefromtheconcert，Mr。EllsworthproposedtoHarryastrollintheopenair。Thefriendssetouttogether，takingthedirectionofthespring；and，beingalone，theirconversationgraduallybecameofaconfidentialnature。Theytoucheduponpolitics，Mr。Henley\'scharacterandviews，andvariousothertopics，concludingwiththeirownpersonalaffairs。Atlength，whentheyhadbeenoutsomelittletime，Mr。Ellsworth，afteramoment\'ssilence，turnedtoHarryandsaid：
“Hazlehurst，Ihaveaconfessiontomake；butIdaresayyouwillnotgivememuchcreditforfrankness——youhaveveryprobablyguessedalreadywhatIhavetotell。“
“Icertainlyhavehadsomesuspicionsofmyownforthelastfewdays；butImaybemistaken；Iamnotverygoodatguessing。“
“Icanhavenomotive，“continuedMr。Ellsworth，“inconcealingfromyoumyregardforMissWyllys，andIhopeyouwillwishmesuccess。“
“Certainly，“repliedHarry；whowasevidentlysomewhatpreparedforthedisclosure。
“ItisnowsometimesinceIhavebeenattachedtoher，butitisonlylatelythatIhavebeenabletourgemysuitasIcouldwish。ThebetterIknowElinorWyllys，themoreanxiousIamforsuccess。Inevermetwithawomanofamorelovelycharacter。“
“Youonlydoherjustice。“
“Thereissomethingaboutherthatispeculiar；differentfromthecommon-placesetofyoungladiesonemeetswitheveryday；
andyetsheisperfectlyfeminineandwomanly。“
AndMr。EllsworthhereranovervariousgoodqualitiesofElinor\'s。Itisimpossibletosay，whetherHarrysmiledornot，atthislover-likewarmth：ifhedid，itwastoodarkforhisfriendtoobserveit。
“Inasituationlikemine，withadaughtertoeducate，thechoiceofawifeisparticularlyimportant。OfcourseIfeelmuchanxietyastothedecisionofawomanlikeMissWyllys，onewhosegoodopinionisworththewooing：andyet，ifIdonotdeceivemyself，hermannerisnotdiscouraging。“
“Issheawareofyourfeelings？”askedHarry。
“Yes；Ihaveonlyproposedinformquitelately，however，adayortwoafteryouarrived。MissWyllysscarcelyseemedpreparedformydeclaration，althoughIthoughtIhadspokensufficientlydistinctlytobeunderstood，sometimesince。Shewishedfortimetoconsider：Iwaswillingtowaitaslongasshepleased；withthehopeofeventuallysucceeding。Herfriendsarequitewelldisposedtowardsme，think。Mr。Wyllys\'smannertomehasalwaysbeengratifying，andIhopeherauntisinmyfavour。Tospeakfrankly，therehavebeentimeswhenIhavefeltmuchencouragedasregardsMissWyllysherself。Youwillnotthinkmeacoxcomb，Hazlehurst，foropeningmyhearttoyouinthisway。“
“Certainlynot；youhonourmebyyourconfidence。“
“Ishouldliketohaveyourhonestopinionastomyfutureprospects；for，ofcourse，onecanneverfeelsureuntileverythingissettled。Josephineishardlyafairjudge——sheisverysanguine；butlikemyselfsheisinterestedintheaffair。“
“Mrs。Creightonhassomuchdiscernment，thatIshouldthinkshecouldnotbeeasilydeceived。Ifmykinswomanknowsyourviews，I
shouldsaythatyouhavereasontobeencouragedbyhermanner。
Thereisnothinglikecoquetryabouther；Iamconvincedshethinkshighlyofyou。“
“Thankyou；itgivesmegreatpleasuretohearyousayso。Thequestionmustnowbedecidedbeforelong。Iwasonlypreventedfromexplainingmyselfearlier，bythefearofspeakingtoosoon。
ForthoughIhaveknownMissWyllyssometime，yetwehaveseldommet。IdaresayyouaresurprisedthatIdidnotdeclaremyselfsooner；Iaminclinedtothinkyouwouldhavemanagedanaffairofthekindmoreexpeditiously；foryouaremorerapidinmostofyourmovementsthanmyself。ButalthoughImightimagineloveatfirstsight，Inevercouldfancyadeclarationworthhearing，thefirstday。“
“Doyouinsinuatethatsuchisthepracticeofyourhumbleservant？”askedHazlehurst，smiling。
“Oh，no；butIwasafraidyoumightdisapproveofmydeliberation。MychiefhoperestsuponMissWyllys\'sgoodsenseandthewishesofherfriends，who，Ithink，areevidentlyfavourabletome。Shehasnosilly，high-flownnotions；sheisnowofanage——threeorfour-and-twentyIthink——totakeareasonableviewoftheworld；andIhopeshewillfindthesincereaffectionofarespectableman，whosehabitsandpositionresembleherown，sufficientforher。“
“Youwish，Isuppose，tohearmerepeat，thatsuchwillundoubtedlybetheresult，“saidHarry，smilingagain。
“PerhapsIdo，“repliedMr。Ellsworth，inthesametone。“I
supposeyouarediscerningenoughtobeawarethatIhavearivalinMr。Stryker。“
“StrykerattentivetoElinor？Ithasnotstruckme；IhadfanciedhimratheranadmirerofMrs。Creighton\'s。“
“OfJosephine？Oh，no；shecan\'tendurehim，theyarequarrellinghalfthetimewhentogether。No，itisveryevidentthatStrykeriscourtingMissWyllys\'sfavour。ButIconfessIfeelencouragedbyherconducttowardshim；thereisaquietcivilityinit，whichspeaksanythingbutverydecidedapprobation。“
“IknowElinortoowell，nottofeelassuredshemustdespiseamanofStryker\'scharacter，“saidHarry，withsomeindignation。
“Hecan\'tappreciateher；itcanbenothingmore，onhispart，thandownrightfortune-hunting。“
“Nodoubt；thereyoumentionanothermotiveIhave，fornotbeingtoohastyinmydeclarationtoMissWyllys。Icouldwishtoconvinceherthatmyattachmentissincere。“
“Certainly。Iforgettwentytimesadaythatsheisnowafortune，untilIseesomefellow，likeWilliamHunter，orStryker，payingtheircourttoher。Ihaveneverbeenaccustomedtoconsiderherinthatlight，ofold。InfactIhadnoideaofherreputationasanheiress，untilIfounditsowellestablishedwhenIarrivedhere。ButSaratogaisjusttheplacetomakesuchdiscoveries。Iwasquitebehindtheageineveryrespect，itseems；foralthoughitdidnotrequiremuchpenetrationtofindoutyoursecret，Ellsworth，yetIwastakenentirelybysurprise。Younevermadeanyallusiontoanythingofthekind，inyourletterstome。“
“ItwassoseldomthatImetMissWyllys，thatforatimemymindwasundecided。But，ofcourse，Ishouldhavewrittenyouword，ifanythinghadbeenfinallysettled；evenifyouhadnotcometolookaftermeinpropriapersona。“
Havingreachedtheirhotel，thegentlemenparted。Mr。Ellsworthwould，inallprobability，havebeenlesscommunicativewithhisfriendHazlehurst，onthesubjectoftheirrecentconversation，hadhebeenawareofthestateofthingswhichformerlyexistedbetweenElinorandhimself。Hehadonlyheardsomevaguestoriesofanengagementbetweenthem，buthadalwayssupposeditmeregossip，fromhavingseenHarry\'sattentiontoJane，whentheywereallinParistogether；whileheknew，ontheotherhand，thatHazlehursthadalwaysbeenonthemostintimatetermswiththeWyllyses，asafamilyconnexion。HewasawarethatHarryhadbeenverymuchinlovewithMissGraham，forhehadremarkedithimself；andhesupposedthatiftherehadeverbeenanyfoundationforthereportofanengagementwithElinor，ithadprobablybeenamerechildishcaprice，soonbroken，andwhichhadleftnolastingimpressiononeitherparty。
CHAPTERIX{XXXII}。
“Norhavetheseeyes，bygreenerhillsBeensoothed，inallmywanderings。“
WORDSWORTH。
{WilliamWordsworthEnglishpoet，1770-1850，“YarrowVisited，September1814“lines11-12}
CHARLIEHUBBARDhadbeenatLakeGeorgeforsomedays；anditwasasettledthing，thatafterhehadestablishedhimselfthere，andfixeduponapointforhispicture，hisfriendsfromSaratogaweretopayhimavisit。Accordingly，theWyllyses，withapartylargeenoughtofillacoach，setoutfortheexcursion，leavingMrs。Stanley，Jane，hersister，Mrs。Hazlehurst，andtheirchildren，attheSprings。Theweatherwasfine，andtheysetoutgaily，withpleasantprospectsbeforethem。
Charliewasverygladtoseethem，andashehadalreadybeensometimeontheground，hethoughthimselfqualifiedtoplaycicerone。Mostofthepartyhadarelishfornaturalscenery，andofcoursetheywerepreparedtoenjoyverymuch，avisittosuchalovelyspot。RobertHazlehurst，itistrue，wasindifferenttoeverythingofthekind；heacknowledgedhimselfathoroughutilitarianintaste，andavowedhispreferenceforamuddycanal，runningbetweenfields，wellcoveredwithcornandpumpkins，turnipsandpotatoes，ratherthanthewildestlake，dottedwithuselessislands，andsurroundedwithinaccessibleAlps；butashefranklyconfessedhiswantoftaste，andassuredhisfriendsthatheaccompaniedthemonlyforthesakeoftheirsociety，theywereboundtooverlookthedefect。Mr。Strykeralsosaidagreatdealabouthisindifferencetowardslesormeaux，lesrameaux，etleshameaux，affectingmuchmorethanhefelt，andaffirmingthattheonlylakesheliked，werethepondsoftheTuileries，andtheparksofLondon；theonlytrees，thoseoftheBoulevards；andasforvillages，hecouldneverendureone，noteventheBigVillageofWashington。Heonlycame，hesaid，becausehemustfollowtheladies，andwasparticularlyanxioustogiveMrs。Creightonanopportunityoffinishinghiseducation，and——tofish。Someofthepartywere：sorryhehadjoinedthem；
butMrs。Creightonhadaskedhim。
{“cicerone“=guideItalian；“lesormeaux，lesrameaux，etleshameaux……“=elms，branches，andhamletsFrench}
“AreMrs。HilsonandhersisterstillatSaratoga？”inquiredCharlieHubbardofHazlehurst，theeveningtheyarrivedatCaldwell。
{“Caldwell“=villageatthesouthernendofLakeGeorgeinNewYorkState；thevillagehassincebeenrenamedLakeGeorge}
“Ibelieveso；theyweretherethedaybefore，yesterday，forMrs。Hilsonaskedmetoapic-nic，atBarkydt\'s{sic}——butIwasengaged。IthinkIsawMissHubbardinthestreet，yesterday。“
{“Barkydt\'s“=Barhydt\'sPond，a“littleear-shapedlake……surroundedbypyramidalfirs，pinesandevergreens，“oncefamousforitstroutfishing，ownedbyJacobusBarhydtoftenspelledBarhyte。ApleasurespottwomileseastofSaratogaSprings，itwas，inthe1830s，thesiteofapopulartavernandrestaurant。JacobusBarhydtdiedin1840，andthepropertywasdispersed；tobereassembledin1881byNewYorkbankerSpencerTraskasasummerestateAftermanychanges，itisnowownedbytheCorporationofYaddo，andrunasaworld-famoussummercenterforcreativeartistsandwriters}
“Hadtheythesamepartywiththemstill？”
“Yes；itseemedtobeverymuchthesameparty。“
Hubbardlookedmortified；buthewassoonbusyansweringinquiriesastotheprojectedmovementsforthenextday。
Thefollowingmorningthewholepartysetout，intwoskiffs，topassthedayonthelake。UnderCharlie\'sguidance，theyrowedaboutamongtheislands，nowcoastingtheshores，nowcrossingfromonepointtoanother，wherevertheviewswerefinest；
generallykeepingnearenough，astheymovedleisurelyalong，forconversationbetweenthetwoboats。
“Howbeautifullyclearthewateris！”exclaimedElinor。
“ThewaterintheSwisslakesislimpidIsuppose，Charlie，likemostmountainstreams？”observedMr。Wyllys。
“Itisclear，sir；andintheheartoftheAlpsithasaverypeculiarcolour——ablueishtinge——fromtheglaciers，likemoltenlapislazuli；entirelydifferentfromthedeep，ultra-marineblueoftheMediterranean。“
“HaveyouanyviewsoftheSwisslakes？”askedElinor。“
“Yes；Icanshowyouseveral——and，asusual，thereisadifferenceintheircolouring：fromLugarn；alittlebitoflapislazuli，lyinglikeajewel，inthegreenpastures，halfwayuptheAlps，justbelowtheiceandsnow，tothereedylakeofMorat，ontheplainsofNeufchatel，morelikeanagate，“addedCharlie，smiling。
“Weshallhopetoseethem，whenwepassthroughNewYork，“saidElinor，listeningwithinterest。
“Iwillshowthemtoyouwithgreatpleasure，fautedemieux，MissElinor；butIhopeyouwillonedayseetheoriginals。“
{“fautedemieux“=forwantofsomethingbetterFrench}
“Inthemeantime，however，weshallbeverygladtoenjoyyourpictures。HaveyouanyItalianviews？”
“Yes，quiteanumber；whereverIwent，Imadesketchesatleast；
thoughIhavenotyethadtimetofinishthemallaspictures。InmyboxesthereareVenetianlagoons，andDutchcanals；aviewoftheSeine，intheheartofParis，andtheThames，atLondon；thedirty，famousTiber，classicArno，andclassicAvon。“
“Youmakeoureyeswater，Charlie，withsuchacatalogue，“saidMr。Wyllys。“Youmustcertainlygetupanexhibition，andaddseveralofyourAmericanpicturestothoseyouhavejustbroughthome。“
“Ireallyhopeyouwilldoso，“saidElinor。“Thetransparentamber-likewateroftheCanada，andtheemeraldcolourofNiagara，wouldappearfinelyinsuchacollection。“
{“Canada“=fromthecontext，probablyTrentonFallsontheWestCanadaCreek，amajortouristattractionduringthe19thcentury}
“IshallneverdareattemptNiagara，“exclaimedCharlie。“Allthebeautiesofalltheotherwatersintheworldareunitedthere。
Itwillnotdotogobeyondtherapids；IshouldbelostifIbutventuredtotheedgeofthewhirlpoolitself。“
“Ihavenodoubtyouwilltryityet，“saidHarry。
Theyoungartistshookhishead。“Iamsometimesdisposedtothrowasidethebrushindisgust，atthetemerityofman，whichcanattempttocopyevenwhatismostnoble，inthemagnificentvariety，andthesimplegrandeurofnature。“
“Youhavebeensufficientlysuccessfulinwhatyouhaveattemptedhitherto，“saidHarry。“IsawyourviewofLakeOntario，inPhiladelphia，justafterIarrived；andIcanneverforgettheimpressionitproducedonme。OfallyourpicturesthatIhaveseen，thatismyfavourite。“
“Itisindeedanoblepicture，“saidMr。Wyllys。
“Andfewmenbutyourself，Charlie，couldhavegivensodeepaninteresttoabroadfieldofwater，withonlyastripofcommon-placeshoreinthefore-ground，andabankofcloudsinthedistance。Acommonpainterwouldhavethrowninsomeprettinessofart，thatwouldhaveruinedit；butyouhavegivenitasimpledignitythatisreallywonderful！”saidHazlehurst。
“Youmortifyme，“saidCharlie；“itissomuchinferiortowhatI
couldwish。“
“CaptainC——，“continuedHarry，“whowasstationedatOswegoforseveralyears，toldmeheshouldhaveknownyourpicturewithoutthename，foraviewofoneofthegreatlakes；therewassomuchtruthinthecolourandmovementofthewater；somuchthatwasdifferentfromtheOcean。“
“Ladiesandgentlemen，itiscruelinyoutoflatterapooryoungartistatthisrate，“saidCharlie。
“Ifitiscriticismyouwant，“saidHazlehurst，“Icangiveyouadose。Youwereveryseverelyhandledinmypresence，adayortwosince，andontheverysubjectofyourpictureofLakeOntario。“
“Pray，letmehearthecriticism；itwillsoberme。“
“Whatwasthefault？”saidElinor；“whatwaswanting？”
“Afewhousesandasteamboat，tomakeitlively。“
“Youaremakingupagoodstory，Mr。Hazlehurst，“saidMrs。
Creighton，laughing。
“Igiveyouthecritic\'swordsverbatim。Ireallylookedattheyoungladyinastonishment，thatsheshouldseenothingbutawantoflivelinessinapicture，whichmostofusfeeltobesublime。ButMissL——hadanoldgrudgeagainstyou，fornothavingmadeherpapa\'svillasufficientlyprominentinyourviewofHell-Gate。“
“But，suchavilla！”saidHubbard。“OneoftheugliestwithintenmilesofNewYork。Itispossible，sometimes，bykeepingatadistance，concealingdefects，andpartiallyrevealingcolumnsthroughverdure，tomakeoneofourGrecian-templehousesappeartoadvantageinalandscape；but，really，Mr。D——\'svillawassuchajumble，soentirelyoutofalljustproportion，thatI
coulddonothingwithit；andwasgladtofindthatIcouldputagrovebetweenthespectatorandthebuilding：anybodybutitsinmateswouldhavepreferredthetrees。“
“Notatall；MissD——thoughttheabsenceoftheportico，withitstall，pipe-stemcolumns，therowofdormerwindowsontheroof，andthenon-descriptbelviderecrowningall，alosstothepublic。“
{“belvidere“=asusedhere，araisedturretontopofahouseItalian}
“Themiserablearchitectureofthiscountryisanobstacletoalandscapepainter，quitetooserioustobetrifledwith，Icanassureyou，“saidCharlie。
“Itmustbeconfessed，“saidMr。Ellsworth，“thattheorderofthingshasbeenreversedhere。Architectureisusuallycalledtheparentofthefinearts；butwithussheistheyoungestofthefamily，andasyettheworstendowed。Wehadrespectablepictures，longbeforewehadasinglebuildinginareallygoodstyle；andnowthatwehavesomenoblepaintingsandstatuary，architecturestilllagsbehind。WhatanoisetheymadeinNewYork，onlyafewyearssince，aboutSt。Thomas\'sChurch！”
{St。Thomas\'sChurch“=St。ThomasEpiscopalChurchwaserectedatthecornerofBroadwayandHoustonStreet，inNewYorkCity，in1826，intheGothicstylewhichwasonlybeginningtoreplacetheGreekRevival。SusanFenimoreCoopersharedherfather\'sdislikeofGreekRevivalhousesthatimitatedGreciantemples，andhisloveoftheGothic}
“Yes，“saidMr。Stryker；“thecurseofthegeniusofarchitecture，whichJeffersonsaidhadfallenuponthiscountry，hasnotyetbeenremoved。“
“SomeofthemostludicrousobjectsIhaveeverlaidmyeyeson，“
saidHazlehurst，“havebeenpretendinghouses，and，Iamsorrytosay，churchestoo，intheinteriorofthecountry；chieflyinthewould-beCorinthianandCompositestyles。Theyseteveryruleofgoodtasteandgoodsenseatdefiance，andlook，withal，sounconsciousoftheirabsurdity，thattheeffectisasthoroughlyridiculous，asifithadbeentheobjectofthearchitecttomakethemso。“
“Forreasongood，“observedMr。Wyllys；“becausetheyarewantinginsimplicityandfullofpretension；andpretensionistherootofallabsurdity。“
TheyhadnowreachedthespotCharliehadselectedforhispicture；theyoungartistpointeditouttoMissWyllys，whowasintheotherboat。
“ThisisthespotIhavechosen，“hesaid，“andIhopeyouwillagreewithmeinlikingtheposition；itcommandssomeofthefinestpointsonthelake：thatistheBlackmountainintheback-ground。“
Hisfriendsadmiredhischoice，acknowledgingthattheviewwasoneofthemostbeautifultheyhadseen。
“Itmustbedifficulttochoose，whereeveryviewischarming，“
saidElinor。“Howbeautifulthoselittleislandsare；somuchvariety，andallsopleasing！”
“Youwillseehundredsofthem，MissWyllys，whenyouhavebeenoverthelake，“saidHubbard。
“Therearejustthreehundredandsixty-five，marm，“addedoneoftheboatmen，theguideoftheparty；“oneforeverydayinthe-year。“
“ThismustbeMay-dayisland，“saidElinor，pointingtoanisletquitenearthem。“Thisone，halfwood，halfmeadow，whichshowssomanyflowers。“
“May-dayislanditshallbeforthenextsixweeks，“saidCharlie，smiling。“Ihavechosenitforanotherview。“
“Well，goodpeople！”exclaimedRobertHazlehurst，fromtheotherboat；“youmaybefeastingonthebeautiesofnature；butsomeofushavemoresubstantialappetites！MissWyllysisalittlefatigued，Mr。Strykerallimpatienttogetouthishandsomefishing-rod，andyourhumbleservantveryhungry，indeed！”
Astheyhadbeenloiteringaboutforseveralhours，itwasagreedthattheyshouldnowland，andpreparetolunch。
“WewillputintoportatMay-dayisland，“saidCharlie；“Ihavebeenthereseveraltimes，andthereisapretty，grassybank，wherewemayspreadatable-cloth。“
TheysoonreachedthelittleislandpointedoutbyElinor，andhavinglandedwiththeirbasketsofprovisions，themealwasprepared，andonlywaitingforthefishwhichMr。Strykerhadpromisedtocatch，andforasupplyofsaltwhichoneoftheboatmenhadgonefor，toafarm-houseontheshore；thisnecessaryhavingbeenforgotten，whentheprovisionswerelaidin。Thereneverwasapic-nicyet，wherenothingwasforgotten。
Mr。Strykersoonpreparedhimselfforaction；hewasafamousfisherman，andquiteasproudofhisrodasofhisreputation，whichwerebothDublin-made，hesaid，and，therefore，perfectintheirway。Mr。WyllysandMrs。Creightonadmiredtheapparatuscontainedinhisebonywalking-stick，totheowner\'sfullsatisfaction：hehadagreatdealtosayaboutitsperfections，thebeautyofhisflies，theexcellenceofhishooksandlines，andsoforth；andtheladiesingeneral，Mrs。Creightonespecially，listenedasflatteringlyasthegentlemancoulddesire。Ashewastosupplytheperchforluncheon，however，hewasobligedtobeginhislabours；andtakingaboat，herowedoffastone\'sthrowfromtheshore。Inturningalittlepoint，hewassurprised，bycomingsuddenlyuponabrotherfisherman：inarough，leakyboat，withacommonoldrodinhishand，satouracquaintance，Mr。Hopkins，wearingtheusualrustycoat；hisredsilkhandkerchiefspreadonhisknee，anopensnuff-boxononesideofhim，adirtytinpailontheother。Thepartyonshorewerenotalittleamusedbythecontrastintheappearance，manners，andequipmentsofthetwofishermen；thefastidiousMr。
Stryker，socomplete，fromhisgreyblousetohisfishing-basket；
theoldmerchant，quiteindependentofeverythinglikefashion，whetheraloneonLakeGeorge，oramongthecrowdinWall-Street。
Charlie，whodidnotknowhim，saidthathehadmetthesameindividualonthelake，atallhours，andinallweathers，duringthepastweek；heseemeddevotedtofishing，heartandsoul，havinglefttheSt。LegersatSaratoga，andcomeontoLakeGeorgeimmediately，toenjoyhisfavouritepastime。Itwasapleasuretoseehowhonestlyandearnestlyhewasengagedinhispursuit：asforMr。Stryker，westronglysuspectthathisfancyforfishingwasanacquiredtaste，likemostofthosehecherished；weverymuchdoubtwhetherhewouldeverhavebeenafollowerofIzaakWalton，hadtherenotbeenafashionableaccoutrementforbrothersoftherod，atthepresentday。
{“IsaakWalton“=IsaakWalton1593-1683，authorof“TheCompleatAngler“}
Severaloftheladiesalsofishedforhalfanhour；Mrs。
CreightonbeggingforaseatinMr。Stryker\'sboat，thatshemightprofitbyhisinstructions。Whiletheywereout，asmallincidentoccurred，whichamusedthespectatorsnotalittle。Mrs。
Creightonhadrisen，tolookatafishplayingaboutMr。
Stryker\'sline，whensheaccidentallydroppedalightshawl，whichfellfromherarmintothewater；aninvoluntarymovementshemadeasitfell，alsothrewabasketofhercompanion\'sfliesoverboard，atthesameinstant：hehadjustbeenshowingthemoff。
“Oh，Mr。Stryker，myshawl！”exclaimedthelady。
Butthefashionablefishermanwasalreadycatchingeagerlyathisownpreciousflies；hesucceededinregainingthebasket，andthen，bethinkinghimofhisreputationforgallantry，turnedtoMrs。Creighton，torescuetheshawl；buthehadthemortificationtoseeoldMr。Hopkinsalreadystretchingoutanarmwiththecachemere，whichhehadcaughtalmostassoonasittouchedthewater，andnowofferedtoitsfairowner，withthegood-naturedhopethatithadnotbeeninjured，asitwashardlywet。Theladyreceiveditverygraciously，andbestowedaverysweetsmileontheoldmerchant；whileMr。Stryker，quitenettledathisownflagrantmisdemeanour，hadtofaceafrownfromthecharmingwidow。ItwasdecidedlyanunluckyhourforMr。Stryker：heonlysucceededincatchingasolitaryperch；whileMr。Hopkins，whohadbeeninvitedtojointheparty，contributedafinemess。Thefault，however，wasallthrownonthesunshine；andMr。Hopkinsconfessedthathehadnothadmuchsportsincethecloudshadbrokenaway，earlierinthemorning。Everybodyseemedveryreadyforluncheon，whenhailedfromtheisland，forthatpurpose。Themealwasquiteamerryone；Mrs。Creightonwasthelifeoftheparty，sayingagreatmanyclever，amusingthings。Shelookedcharmingly，too，inalittlecap，whosestraw-colouredribbonswereparticularlybecomingtoherbrowncomplexion。Mr。Strykergraduallyrecoveredfromthedoublemortification，oftheshawl，andthesolitaryperch，andsoonbegantalkingoverdifferentfishingexcursions，withhisfriendA——，inIreland，andhisfriendB——，inGermany。Therestofthepartywereallcheerfulandgood-humoured。Mr。EllsworthwasquitedevotedtoElinor，asusual，oflate。MaryVanAlstyneamusedherselfwithlookingonatMrs。Creighton\'seffortstocharmHarry，piqueMr。
Stryker，andflatterMr。Wyllysintoadmiringher；nordidshedisdaintothrowawayseveralarchsmilesonMr。Hopkins。“Sheseemssuccessfulinallherattempts，“thoughtMary。Harrywasquiteattentivetoher；anditwasevidentthatMr。Stryker\'sadmirationhadverymuchincreasedsincetheyhadbeentogetherattheSprings。HehadsetoutforSaratoga，withthefirmdeterminationtoplaythesuitortoElinor；heresolvedthathewouldnotfallinlovewiththeprettywidow；butaclevercoquetteandamanoftheworld，areadversarieswellmatched；
and，asusualinsuchencounters，feminineartandfeminineflatteryseemedlikelytocarrytheday。Mr。Stryker，inspiteofhimself，oftenforgottobeproperlyattentivetoElinor，whoappearedtogreatdisadvantageinhiseyes，whenplacedinconstantcontrastwithMrs。Creighton。Hescarcelyregrettednow，hislittleprospectoffavourwiththeheiress，forthepoorerwidowhadcompletelyfascinatedhimbyhergracefulflatteries，thepiquancyofherwit，andherworldliness，which，withMr。
Stryker，passedforherwisdom。EvenMaryVanAlstyne，thoughprejudicedagainsther，wasobligedtoconfess，asshewatchedMrs。Creighton，thatsheadmiredher。Theladyhadthrownherselfonthegrassinagracefulposition；excitedbyadmiration，shehadabrilliantcolour；herdresswasalwaysstudiouslyfashionableandbecoming，initsminutestdetails；heramusingremarksflowedfreelyfromaconscienceundernootherrestraintsthanthoseofpolicyorgood-breeding；andhermanner，thoughalwaysstudiedforeffect，wasparticularlywellstudiedandagreeable。Hercompanionsthoughthercharming。Elinor，atthesamemoment，wasstandingbyherside，inasimpledress，withnoattempttodisguiseaplainfaceunderfinery，andinaperfectlyquietposition，whichwasgracefulwithoutherknowingit。Herwholemanner，indeed，wasalwaysnatural；itssimplicitywasitsgreatcharm，foronefeltconfidentthathergraceandsweetness，hereaseandquietdignity，flowedreadilyfromhercharacteritself。WhethertheseideasoccurredtoanyofthepartybesidesMissVanAlstyne，wecannotsay；itiscertain，however，thatMrs。Creightonwasallpreparedforobservation，Elinor，asusual，quiteregardlessofit。
“WemustcarryoffsomeflowersfromMay-dayisland，“saidMr。
Ellsworth，preparingtogatherabouquetforElinor。Hehadsoonsucceededincollectingquiteaprettybunch，composedofwildroses，bluehare-bells，thewhiteblossomsofthewildclematis，thedelicatepinkclustersoftheAlleghanyvine，andthebroad-leavedrose-raspberry，withseveralothervarieties。
{“Alleghanyvine“=afloweringwildvine，whichhadbeenafavoriteofSusanFenimoreCooper\'spaternalgrandmotherElizabethFenimoreCooper}
Mr。StrykerofferedabouquettoMrs。Creighton。
“Itisreallyquitepretty；buttomakeitcomplete，Imusthaveoneofthosescarletlobelias，onthenextisland；theyarethefirstIhaveseenthisseason。Mr。Hazlehurst，dobegood-natured，andstepintothatboat，andbringmeone。“
“Icandothatwithouttheboat，Mrs。Creighton，hereisabridge，“repliedHarry，springingonthetrunkofadeadtree，whichnearlyreachedtheisletshehadpointedout；catchingthebranchofanoakontheoppositeshore，heswunghimselfacross。
Theflowersweresoongathered；and，afteralittledifficultyinreachingthedeadtree，hereturnedtotheladies，justastheywereabouttoembarkagain。PerhapshehadcaughtasparkofthespiritofcoquetryfromMrs。Creighton，andresentedherflirtingsomuchwithMr。Stryker；forhedidnotgiveheralltheflowershehadgathered，butofferedafewtoeachladyassheenteredtheboat。
“Thankyou，Mr。Hazlehurst，verygallantlydone，“saidMrs。
Creighton，placingoneofthelobelias，withasprigofMr。
Stryker\'s，inherbelt。
Astheyrowedleisurelyalong，CharlieHubbardpointedoutsomeofthelocalitiestoMissWyllysandRobertHazlehurst。
“Thesemountainsareverydifferentintheircharacter，Mr。
Hubbard，fromthoseyouhaverecentlybeensketchinginItalyandSwitzerland，“observedMr。Ellsworth。
“Entirelydifferent；theirformsaremuchlessboldanddecided。“
“Yes；allthemountainsinthiscountry，eastoftheMississippi，partake，moreorless，ofthesamecharacter；formingroundedridges，seldombrokenintothoseabrupt，raggedpeaks，commoninotherpartsoftheworld。“
“ButtheelevationofthesemountainsismuchlessthanthatoftheAlps，orhighApennines，“observedMr。Wyllys；“donotthemountainsinEurope，ofthesameheight，resembletheseinformation？”
“No，sir，Ithinknot，“repliedEllsworth。“Theyaregenerallymoreboldandbarren；oftenmeremassesofnakedrock。Iamnogeologist，butitstrikesmethatthewholesurfaceoftheearth，inthispartoftheworld，differsincharacterfromthatoftheeasterncontinent；ononehand，themountainsarelessabruptanddecidedintheirformswithus；andontheother，theplainsarelessmonotonoushere。Ifourmountainsarenotgrand，thegeneralsurfaceofthecountryseemsmorevaried，moreuneven；thereisnotsolargeaproportionofdeadlevelinthiscountryasinFrance，Germany，Russia，forinstance；wehavemuchofwhatwecallarollingcountry——eventheprairies，whicharetheplainsofthisregion，showthesameswellingsurface。“
“Thevarietyofcharacterinthelandscapeofdifferentcountries，mustbeagreatcharmtooneofyourprofession，Hubbard，“observedHarry。“Alandscapepaintermustenjoytravellingmorethananyotherman；nothingislostuponyou——everytimeyoulookaboutyouthereissomethingnewtoobserve。Howyoumusthaveenjoyedthechangefromthegeneralaspectofthiscountry——fresh，fulloflifeandmotion，yethalf-finishedinthedetails——tooldItaly，wherethesceneryandatmosphereareinperfectharmonywiththeluxuriousreposeofagreatantiquity！”
“Ididindeedenjoythechangebeyondexpression！”exclaimedCharlie。“Ihaveoftenfeltthankful，inthebestsenseoftheword，thatIhavebeenenabledtoseethosegreatcountries，ItalyandSwitzerland；ithasfurnishedmewithmaterialsforthoughtanddelight，duringawholelifetime。“
“ItwouldbeagoodplantogetyouappointedpaintingattachetotheLegation，Hubbard，“saidHarry。“AsyouhaveseenthesouthofEurope，wouldyounotliketotakealookatthenorthernregions？”
“Notmuch，“repliedCharlie。“Ishouldhavenothingbuticetopaintthere，forhalftheyear。“
“Well，IsupposethereissomethingselfishinmywishtocarryyoutotheNorthPole；butwhenIwasinBrazil，IhadaverydisinteresteddesirethatyoushouldseetheBayofRio。“
“Isitreallysobeautiful？”askedElinor。
“Yes；finereventhanNaples，asregardsscenery；thoughitwants，ofcourse，allthecharmofrecollectionwhichbelongstotheoldworld。“
“YoumustforgeteverythinglikefinescenerywhenyougotoSt。
Petersburg，“saidRobertHazlehurst。
“Notatall；IhopetotakeatriptotheCrimeawhileIaminRussia。IshalldomybesttoingratiatemyselfwiththeownerofsomefinevillaontheBlackSea。“
“Andhaveyoureallymadeupyourmindtobearegulardiplomatist？”askedMr。Wyllys。
“Foratime，sir；solongasIcanserveunderMr。Henley，oramanlikehim。“
“IusedtoseeagooddealofHenley，sometwentyyearssince，“
observedMr。Wyllys。“Ishouldthinkhimparticularlywellfittedforhisduties。“
“Ihavethehighestrespectforhim，“repliedHarry。
“HeisagoodmodelforanAmericandiplomatist，“addedRobertHazlehurst。“Amanofability，goodeducation，andjustprinciples，withsimple，gentlemanlymanners；alwaysmanlyinhistone，andfirmasarockonallessentialpoints。“
“Butthoseareonlyasmallportionofthequalificationsofadiplomatist，“saidMr。Stryker。“Accordingtothemostapprovedmodels，thelargesthalfshouldbecunning。“
“Mr。Henleyisparticularlyclear-sighted——noteasilydeceivedeitherbyhimselforbyothers；andthatisallthatAmericandiplomacyrequires，“saidHarry。“Iamproudtosaythatourgovernmentdoesnotgiveusanydirtyworktodo；wehavechieflytoactonthedefensive。“
“Setathieftocatchathief，“saidMr。Stryker，withhisusualdrymanner。“Idon\'tbelieveinthefullsuccessofyourvirtuousdiplomatist。Howisamantoknowalltheturningsandwindingsoftheroadthatleadstotreaties，unlesshehasgoneoverithimself？”
“Butanhonestman，ifheisreallyclear-headedandfirm，hasnoneedoftheseturningsandwindings；hegoesmoredirectlytothepoint，andsavesavastdealoftimeandprinciple，bytakingamorehonourableroad。“
“Supposeamanhastomakeblacklookwhite，Ishouldliketoseeyourhonourablediplomatistmanagesuchajob，“saidMr。Stryker。
“Butourgovernmenthasneveryethadsuchjobstomanage。Wehaveneveryetmadeademandfromaforeignpowerthatwehavenotbelievedjust。IntrigueisunpardonableinAmericandiplomacy，foritisgratuitous；amanneednotresorttoit，unlesshisowntasteinclineshimthatway。Itisanhonourabledistinctionofourgovernment，ASAGOVERNMENT，thatithasnevercommittedasingleactofinjusticeagainstanyotherpower，eitherbyopenforce，orunderhandmanoeuvres。Wehavebeenwrongedsometimes，andomittedtodemandjusticeasfirmlyaswemighthavedone；butthereis，probably，noothergovernmentamongthegreatpowersofChristendom，thathasbeensofreefromOFFENSIVEguilt，duringthelastsixtyyears，asthatofthiscountry。“
{Thiswas，ofcourse，beforetheMexican-AmericanWar，whichtheCooperfamilyviewedwithconsiderablemisgivings。JamesFenimoreCooperwasincensedthattheUnitedStatesdidnotpursuewithgreatervigorAmericanclaimsagainstFrancefordamagescausedtoAmericanshippingduringtheNapoleonicwars}
ItwasevidentthatMr。StrykerwasnotintheleastconvincedbyHarry\'sdefenceofhonestdiplomacy。
“TheladiesmustfindgreatfaultwithWashingtondiplomacy，“headded，turningtoMrs。CreightonandElinor：“theyareneveremployed；notasinglefairAmericanhaseverfiguredamonglesbellesdiplomatsofEuropeansaloons，Ibelieve。“
“Perhapstheladiesinthiscountrywouldnotcondescendtobeemployed，“saidElinor。
“Don\'tsayso，MissWyllys！”exclaimedMrs。Creighton，laughing；
“Ishoulddelightinhavingsomedelicatemissiontomanage：whenMr。Strykergetsintothecabinet，hemaysendmeasspecialenvoytoanycountrywhereIcanfindaFrenchmilliner。“
“YouhadbettergotoRussiawithMr。HenleyandMr。Hazlehurst；
Ihavenottheleastdoubtbuttheywouldfindyourfinesseofgreatservice，“saidthegentleman。Mrs。Creightonblushed；andHarrycoloured，too。
“TheveryideaofsuchanallywouldfrightenMr。Henleyoutofhiswits，“saidthelady，recoveringherself；“heisanincorrigibleoldbachelor；that，youmustallow，isagreatfaultofhis，Mr。Hazlehurst。“
“Ifhebeincorrigible，“saidHarry。
“Butthatisnotclear，“saidMr。Strykertothelady；“heisagreatadmirerofyours。“
“Come，atrucetodiplomacy，Josephine；IamgoingtobegMissWyllysforasong，“saidEllsworth。
Elinorsangveryreadily，andverysweetly；theSwissairssoundedcharminglyamongthehills；andshewasaccompaniedbyMaryVanAlstyne，whileCharlie，withthetwoHazlehursts，madeuparespectablesecondforseveralsongs。
Somegatheringcloudsatlengthwarnedthepartytoturninn-wardagain。
“Itistobehopedtheshowerwon\'treachus，foryoursake，ladies，“saidRobertHazlehurst。
“Ihopenot，forthesakeofmybibi！”saidMrs。Creighton。“ItistheprettiestlittlehatIhavehadthesethreeyears；itwouldbedistressingtohaveitspoiltbeforeithaslostitsfreshness。“
{“bibi“=astylishhatofthe1830s}
“Thereisnodanger，marm，“saidoneoftheboatmen，withagood-naturedgravity，thatmadeMrs。Creightonsmile。“Them\'erekindofcloudsoftengoesoverthelake，withoutcomingupthisway。“
Andsoitproved；thepartyreachedthehotelsafely，allagreeingthattheyhadhadaverypleasantday，andwerenotatallmoretiredthanwasdesirableaftersuchanexcursion。
CHAPTERX。{XXXIII}
“……Sebastianareyou？
Ifspiritscanassumebothformandsuit，Youcometofrightus！”
SHAKSPEARE。{sic}
{WilliamShakespeare，“TwelfhNight“，V。i。221，235-236}
ONtheirreturntoSaratoga，theWyllysesandHazlehurstsfoundstartlingintelligenceawaitingthem。LettershadjustarrivedforHarry，forMrs。Stanley，andforMr。Wyllys，allofasimilarnature，andallofacharacterthatwasastoundingtothosewhoreceivedthem。Theycouldscarcelycredittheirsensesastheyreadthefact，thattheexecutorsofthelateJohnWilliamStanley，Esquire，werecalledupontoaccountforallpastproceedings，toWilliamStanley，hissonandheir。Hazlehurstwasalsosummonedtoresignthatportionofthepropertyofwhichhehadtakenpossessiontwoyearssince，whenhehadreachedtheageoftwenty-five。
TheletterswereallwrittenbyMr。Clapp，CharlieHubbard\'sbrother-in-law，whoannouncedhimselfastheattorneyofWilliamStanley，Esquire。
“Herearethelettersaddressedtomyself，“saidMrs。Stanley，whohadimmediatelysentforMr。WyllysandHazlehurst，assoonastheyreturnedfromLakeGeorge：shehadnotyetrecoveredfromthefirstagitationcausedbythisextraordinarydisclosure。
“Thisistheletterpurportingtocomefrommyhusband\'sson，andthisisfromthelawyer，“sheadded，extendingbothtoHazlehurst。Harryreadthemaloud。Thefirstranasfollows：
“MADAM：——
“Ihavenotthehonourofbeingacquaintedwithyou，asmylatefatherwasnotmarriedtoyouwhenIwenttosea，notlongbeforehisdeath。ButImakenodoubtthatyouwillnotrefusememyrights，nowthatIstepforwardtodemandthem，afterleavingotherstoenjoythemfornearlyeighteenyears。Thingslookdifferenttoamannearforty，andtoayoungchapoftwenty；I
havebeenthinkingofclaimingmypropertyforsometime，butwastoldbylawyersthattherewastoomanydifficultiesintheway，owingpartlytomyownfault，partlytothefaultofothers。AslongasIwasayoungster，Ididn\'tcareforanythingbuthavingmyownway——Isnappedmyfingersatalltheworld；butnowIamtiredofasea-faringlife，andhavehadhardshipsenoughforoneman：sincethereisahandsomepropertymine，byright，Iamresolvedtoclaimit，throughthickandthin。Ihaveleftoffthebottle，andintendtodomybesttoberespectablefortherestofmydays。Imakenodoubtbutweshallbeabletocometosomeagreement；norwouldIobjecttoacompromiseforthepast，thoughmylawyersadvisemetomakenosuchoffer。Ishallbepleased，Madam，topaymyrespectstoyou，thatwemaysettleouraffairsatapersonalmeeting，ifitsuitsyoutodoso。
“Yourobedientservant，andstep-son，“WILLIAMSTANLEY。“
“Canthatbemyhusband\'sson！”exclaimedMrs。Stanley，inanagitatedvoice，asHarryfinishedreadingtheletter，andhandedittoMr。Wyllys。
“Itwilltakemorethanthistoconvinceme，“saidMr。Wyllys，whohadbeenlisteningattentively。ThehandwritingwasthencarefullyexaminedbyMrs。StanleyandMr。Wyllys，andbothwerecompelledtoadmitthatitwasatleastagoodimitationofthatofWilliamStanley。
“Amostextraordinaryproceedingineithercase！”exclaimedHarry，pacingtheroom。
Mr。Clapp\'sletterwasthenread：itbeganwiththefollowingwords：
“MADAM：——
“IregretthatIamcompelledbytheinterestsofmyclient，Mr。
WilliamStanley，Esquire，toaddressaladyIrespectsohighly，uponasubjectthatmustnecessarilyprovedistressingtoher，inmanydifferentways。“
ThenfollowedabriefstatementofhisfirstacquaintancewithMr。Stanley；hisrefusingtohaveanythingtodowiththeaffair；
hissubsequentconvictionthattheraggedsailorwastheindividualherepresentedhimselftobe；hisreluctancetoproceed，&c。，&c。Butsincehewasnowconvinced，bythestrongestproofs，ofthejusticeofMr。Stanley\'sdemand，andhadatlengthundertakentoassisthimwithhisadvice，hewas，therefore，compelledbydutytogivetheregularlegalnotice，thatMrs。Stanley，asexecutrix，wouldberequiredtoaccountforherproceedingssinceherhusband\'sdeath。Hisclient，hesaid，wouldmuchpreferanamicablearrangement，but，ifnecessary，wouldproceedtolawimmediately。HewishedtoknowwhatcourseMrs。Stanleywasdisposedtotake，ashisclient\'sstepswouldnecessarilybeguidedbyherown，andthoseofMr。WyllysandMr。
Hazlehurst。Heconcludedwithacivilhopethatthecasemightbeprivatelyadjusted。
“Clappallover，“saidHarry，ashefinishedreadingtheletter。
“Amostbare-facedimposition，dependuponit！”exclaimedMr。
Wyllys，withstrongindignation。
Mrs。Stanleywaslisteningwithanxiouseagernessfortheopinionofthetwogentlemen。
“IamstronglydisposedtomistrustanythingthatcomesthroughClapp\'shands，“saidHarry，pacingtheroomthoughtfully，withthelettersinhishand。“Still，Ithinkitbehoovesus，sir，toactwithdeliberation；theideathatitisnotimpossiblethatthisindividualshouldbethesonofMr。Stanley，mustnotbeforgotten——thatpossibilityalonewouldmakemesiftthemattertothebottomatonce。“
“Certainly；itmustbelookedintoimmediately。“
“Whathasthelawyerwrittentoyou？”askedMrs。Stanley。
TheletterstoMr。WyllysandHarrywerethenreadaloud；theywerealmostidenticalintheircontentswiththattoMrs。
Stanley。Thetoneofeachwascivilandrespectful；thougheachcontainedatechnicallegalnotice，thattheywouldberequiredtosurrendertoWilliamStanley，thepropertyofhislatefather，accordingtothewillofthesaidJohnWilliamStanley；whichthesaidWilliam，hisson，hadhithertoneglectedtoclaim，thoughlegallyentitledtoit。
“There：iscertainlyanairofconfidenceaboutthoselettersofClapp\'s，“saidHarry，“asifhefelthimselfonafirmfoothold。
Itisveryextraordinary！”
“Ofcourse：hewouldnevermoveinsuchacase，withoutsomeplausibleproof，“saidMr。Wyllys。
“Buthowcouldhegetanyproofwhatever，onthisoccasion？”saidMrs。Stanley。“Fortheseeighteenyears，nearly，WilliamStanleyhasbeenlyingatthebottomoftheocean。Wehavebelievedso，atleast。“
“Proofshavebeenmanufacturedbylawyersbeforenow，“saidMr。
Wyllys。“DoyousupposethatifWilliamStanleyhadbeenliving，wenevershouldhaveheardonetraceofhimduringeighteenyears？——atatime，too，whenhisfather\'sdeathhadlefthimalargeproperty。“
“WhatsortofamanisthisMr。Clapp？”askedMrs。Stanley。“Hismannersandappearance，wheneverIhaveaccidentallyseenhimwiththeHubbards，struckmeasveryunpleasant：butisitpossiblehecanbesoutterlydevoidofallprinciple，aswilfullytocountenanceanimpostor？”
“HeisamanwhomIdonotbelievetopossessonejustprinciple！”saidMr。Wyllys。“Withinthelastyearortwo，Ihavelostallconfidenceinhishonesty，fromfactsknowntome。“
“Ihavealwayshadapooropinionofhim，butIhaveneverhadmuchtodowithhim，“saidHarry；“still，Ishouldnothavethoughthimcapableofenteringintoaconspiracysoatrociousasthismustbe，ifthestorybenottrue。“
“Hewoulddoanydirtyworkwhatever，formoney。IKNOWtheman，“
saidMr。Wyllys，withemphasis。
“Itispossiblehemaybedeceivedhimself，“observedMrs。
Stanley。
“Veryimprobable，“repliedMr。Wyllys，shakinghishead。
“Ashrewd，cunning，quick-wittedfellow，asIrememberhim，wouldnotbelikelytoundertakesuchacase，unlesshehadsomeprospectofsuccess，“saidHarry，pacingtheroomagain。“Hemustknowperfectlywellthatitismakeorbreakwithhim。Ifhedoesnotsucceed，hewillbeutterlyruined。“
“Hewillgiveustrouble，nodoubt，“saidMr。Wyllys。“Hemusthavegotthemeansofputtingtogetheraplausiblestory。Andyethisaudacityconfoundsme！”
“Eighteenyears，isitnot，sinceWilliamStanley\'sdeath？”askedHarry，turningtoMrs。Stanley。
“ItwillbeeighteenyearsnextOctober，sincehesailed。IwasmarriedinNovember；andfromthattimewehaveneverheardanythingfromthepoorboy，exceptingthereportthattheJefferson，theshipinwhichhesailed，hadbeenshipwreckedonthecoastofAfrica，thefollowingwinter，andallhandslost。
Thatreportreachedusnotlongbeforemyhusband\'sdeath，andcausedhimtowordhiswillinthewayitisnowexpressed；
givingtothesonofhiskinsmanandoldfriend，halfhisproperty，incasehisson\'sdeathshouldbeconfirmed。ThereportWASconfirmed，somemonthslater，bythearrivalofanAmericanvessel，whichhadriddenoutthestormthatwreckedtheJefferson：shesawthewreckitself，sentaboattoexamineit，butcouldfindnooneliving；althoughseveralbodieswerepickedup，withthehopeofrevivingthem。Butyouhaveheardthewholesadstorybefore，Harry。“
“Certainly；Imerelywishedtohearthefactsagain，ma\'am，fromyourownlips，lestImighthaveforgottensomeimportantpoint。“
“Althoughyouwerequiteachildatthetime，Harry，“saidMr。
Wyllys，“eightortenIbelieve，still，IshouldthinkyoumustremembertheanxietytodiscovertherealfateofWilliamStanley。Ihavenumbersoflettersinmyhands，answerstothoseIhadwrittenwiththehopeoflearningsomethingmorepositiveonthesubject。Wesentseveralagents，atdifferenttimes，totheprincipalsea-ports，tomakeinquiriesamongthesailors；itallresultedinconfirmingthefirststory，thelossoftheJefferson，andallonboard。Everyyear，ofcourse，madethepointmorecertain。“
“Still，wecannotsaythatisnotimpossible{sic}heshouldhaveescaped，“observedHarry。
“Whyshouldhehavewaitedeighteenyears，beforeheappearedtoclaimhisproperty？——andwhyshouldhenotcomedirectlytohisfather\'sexecutors，insteadofseekingoutsuchafellowasClapp？Itbearsontheveryfaceeveryappearanceofagrossimposture。Surely，Harry，youdonotthinkthereisashadeofprobabilityastothetruthofthisstory？”
“Onlyapossibility，sir；almosteverythingisagainstit，andyetIshallnotrestsatisfiedwithoutgoingtothebottomofthematter。“
“That，youmaybesure，weshallbeforcedtodo。Clappwillgiveustroubleenough，Iwarrant；hewillleavenostoneunturnedthatadirtylawyercanmove。Itwillbevexatious，buttherecannotbeadoubtastotheresult。“
“Youencourageme，“saidMrs。Stanley；“andyettheideaofenteringintoasuitofthiskindisverypainful！”
“Ifitbeaconspiracy，thereisnotreatmenttoobadforthosewhohaveputtheplottogether！”exclaimedHarry。“Whatadouble-dyedvillainClappmustbe！”
“HewillendhiscareerintheState-Prison，“saidMr。Wyllys。
“TheHubbards，too；thatisanotherdisagreeablepartofthebusiness，“saidHarry。
“Iamtrulysorryforthem，“repliedMr。Wyllys。“Itwillgivethemgreatpain。“
“Whatstepsshallwefirsttake，sir？”inquiredHarry。
“Wemustlookintothematterimmediately，ofcourse，andfindoutuponwhatgroundstheyareatwork。“
“Iamutterlyatalosstocomprehendit！”exclaimedMrs。
Stanley。“Suchapieceofbare-facedaudacity！”
“ClappmustrestallhishopeofsuccessonourwantofpositiveproofastothedeathofWilliamStanley，“observedHarry。“Buthishavingdaredtobringforwardanindividualtopersonatethedeadman，isreallyaheightofimpudencethatIshouldneverhaveconceivedof。“
“IfIdidnotknowhimtobeanincarnationofcunning，Ishouldthinkhehadlosthissenses，“repliedMr。Wyllys；“buthappilyforhonestmen，roguesgenerallyoverreachthemselves；aftertheyhavespreadtheirnets，madethemeshasintricateaspossible，theyalmostinvariablyfallintotheirownsnare。Suchwill，undoubtedly，betheresultinthiscase。“
“HadyounotbetterreturntoLongbridgeatonce，“saidMrs。
Stanley，“inordertoinquireintothematter？”
“Certainly；wehadbetterallbeonthespot；thoughIamconfidentweshallunmasktheroguesveryspeedily。Youwerealreadypledgedtoreturnwithus，Mrs。Stanley；andIshallbegladtoseeyouatWyllys-Roof，again，Harry。“
“Thankyou，sir；youareverygood，“repliedHazlehurst，withsomethingmorethanthecommonmeaninginthewords；forhecolouredalittleonrememberingtheoccurrencesofhislastvisittoLongbridge，morethanthreeyearssince。
“Weshallfinditdifficult，“continuedMr。Wyllys，“togetaninsightintoClapp\'sviewsandplans。Hewill，nodoubt，beverywaryinallhedoes；thoughvolubleaseverinwhathesays。I
knowhispolicyofold；hereversesthesayingofthecunningItalian，voltosciolto，boccastretta。“
{“voltosciolto，boccastretta“=opencountenance，tightlipsItalian}
“Buthisfirststephasnotbeenacautiousone，“observedHarry。
“ItissingularheshouldhaveallowedhisclienttowritetoMrs。Stanley。DoyourememberWilliamStanley\'shandwritingdistinctly？”headded，againhandingthelettertoMr。Wyllys。
“Yes；anditmustbeconfessedthishandresembleshis；theymusthavegotpossessionofsomeofyoungStanley\'shandwriting。“
“Buthowcouldtheypossiblyhavedoneso？”saidMrs。Stanley。
“Thatiswhatwemusttrytofindout，mydearmadam。“
“Hemusthavebeenveryconfidentthatitwasagoodimitation，“
saidHazlehurst；“for，ofcourse，heknewyoumustpossesslettersofWilliamStanley\'s。Idon\'tremembertohaveseenanythingbuthissignature，myself。“
“Yes；itisagoodimitation——verygood；ofcourseClappwasawareofit，ortheletterwouldneverhavebeensent。“
“Williamwasverylikehisfatherinappearance，thoughnotincharacter，“observedMrs。Stanley，thoughtfully。“Hewasverylikehim。“
“Shouldthismanlooklikemypoorhusband，Imighthavesomemisgivings，“saidMrs。Stanley。“Wemustrememberatleast，mydearMr。Wyllys，thatitisnotimpossiblethatWilliammaybeliving。“
“Onlyoneofthemostimprobablecircumstancesyoucouldname，mydearfriend。Iwishtoseetheman，however，myself；forIhavelittledoubtthatIshallbeableatoncetodiscovertheimposture，entirelytoourownsatisfactionatleast——andthatisthemostimportantpoint。“
“Shouldthecasepresentanappearanceoftruth，sufficienttosatisfyajury，thoughweourselveswerenotconvinced，itwouldstillproveaveryseriousthingtoyou，mydearHarry，“observedMrs。Stanley。
“Nodoubt：veryserioustoHazlehurst，andalosstoallthree。
ButIcannotconceiveitpossiblethatsuchadaringimposturecansucceedsofar。Weshallbeobliged，however，toproceedwithprudence，inordertocounteractthecunningofClapp。“
Afteraconversationofsomelengthbetweenthefriends，itwasagreedthatHazlehurstshouldanswertheletters，inthenameofMrs。StanleyandMr。Wyllys，aswellashisown。ItwasalsodecidedthattheyshouldreturntoLongbridgeimmediately，andnottakeanydecidedstepsuntiltheyhadseentheindividualpurportingtobeWilliamStanley。ThebarepossibilitythatMr。
Stanley\'ssonmightbeliving，determinedMrs。StanleyandHazlehursttopursuethiscourse；althoughMr。Wyllys，whohadnotadoubtonthesubjectfromthefirst，hadfeltnoscrupleinconsideringtheclaimantasanimpostor。WegiveHarry\'slettertoMr。Clapp。
“Saratoga，June，18。
“SIR：——
“ThelettersaddressedbyyoutoMrs。Stanley，Mr。Wyllysandmyself，ofthedateoflastTuesday，havejustreachedus。I
shallnotdwellontheamazementwhichwenaturallyfeltinreceivingacommunicationsoextraordinary，whichcallsuponustocredittheexistenceofanindividual，whomwehaveeveryreasontobelievehaslainfornearlyeighteenyearsatthebottomofthedeep：itwillbesufficientthatIdeclare，whatyouareprobablyalreadypreparedtohear，thatweseenocauseforchangingourpastopinionsonthissubject。Webelieveto-day，aswehavebelievedforyears，thatWilliamStanleywasdrownedinthewreckoftheJefferson，duringthewinterof181。
Wecancommandto-day，thesameproofswhichproducedconvictionatthetimewhenthisquestionwasfirstcarefullyexamined。Wehavelearnednonewfacttochangethecharacteroftheseproofs。
“Thenatureofthecaseissuch，however，astoadmitthepossibility——anditisabarepossibilityonly——oftheexistenceofWilliamStanley。ItisnotnecessarilyimpossiblethathemayhaveescapedfromthewreckoftheJefferson；althoughtheweightofprobabilityagainstsuchanescape，hasmorethanahundred-foldtheforceofthatwhichwouldfavouracontrarysupposition。Suchbeingthecircumstances，Mr。Stanley\'sexecutors，andhislegatee，actuatedbythesamemotiveswhichhaveconstantlyguidedthemsincehisdeath，arepreparedinthepresentinstancetodischargetheirduty，atwhatevercostitmaybe。Theyarepreparedtoreceiveandexamineanyproofs，inthepossessionofyourselfandyourclient，astotheidentityoftheindividualpurportingtobeWilliamStanley，onlysonofthelateJohnWilliamStanley，of——county，Pennsylvania。Theydemandtheseproofs。But，theyarealsoprepared，sir，topursuewiththefullforceofjustice，andthelawoftheland，anyindividualwhoshallattempttoadvanceafalseclaimtothenameandinheritanceofthedead。Thismatter，oncetouched，mustbeentirelylaidbare：weredutyoutofthequestion，indignationalonewouldbesufficienttourgethem，atanycostoftimeandvexation，tounmaskonewho，ifnotWilliamStanley，mustbeamiserableimpostor——tounravelwhatmusteitherproveanextraordinarycombinationofcircumstances，orabaseconspiracy。
“Prepared，then，topursueeithercourse，asjusticeshalldictate，Mrs。StanleyandMr。Wyllys，executorsofthelateMr。
Stanley，andmyself，hislegatee，demand：First，aninterviewwiththeindividualclaimingtobeWilliamStanley。Secondly，whateverproofsoftheidentityoftheclaimantyoumayhaveinyourpossession。Andweherepledgeourselvestoacknowledgethejusticeoftheclaimadvanced，iftheevidenceshallprovesufficienttoestablishit；orintheeventofawantoftruthandconsistencyintheevidencesupportingthisremarkableclaim，weshallholditadutytobringtolegalpunishment，thosewhomwemustthenbelievetheguiltypartiesconnectedwithit。
“Mrs。StanleyandMr。Wyllyswishyou，sir，tounderstandthisletterasananswertothoseaddressedbyyoutothemselves。TheyareonthepointofreturningtoLongbridge，whereIshallalsojointhem；andwerequestthatyourfarthercommunicationstous，onthissubject，maybeaddressedtoWyllys-Roof。
“HENRYHAZLEHURST“
Thisletterwaswritten，andapprovedbyMrs。StanleyandMr。
Wyllys，beforetheconsultationbrokeup；itwasalsosignedbythem，aswellasbyHarry。
TheamazementofMissWyllysandElinor，onhearingthepurportofMr。Clapp\'sletters，wasboundless。HadtheyseenWilliamStanleyrisefromthegroundbeforethem，theycouldscarcelyhavebeenmoreastonished；notashadowofdoubtastohisdeathintheJefferson，hadcrossedtheirmindsforyears。Liketheirfriends，theybelieveditaplotofMr。Clapp\'s；andyethisdaringtotakesoboldastepseemedallbutincredible。
Whensomehours\'considerationhadmadetheidearathermorefamiliartothemindsofourfriends，theybegantolookattheconsequences，andtheyclearlysawmanydifficultiesandvexationsbeforethemattercouldbeevenfavourablysettled；butifthisclientofMr。Clapp\'sweretosucceedinestablishingalegalclaimtotheStanleyestate，theresultwouldproducemuchinconveniencetoMrs。Stanley，stillgreaterdifficultiestoMr。
Wyllys，whileHarrywouldbeentirelyruinedinapecuniarysense；sincethesmallpropertyhehadinheritedfromhisfather，wouldnotsufficetomeethalfthearrearshewouldbeobligedtodischarge，inrestoringhisshareoftheStanleyestatetoanother。Hazlehursthaddecided，fromtheinstanttheclaimwaslaidbeforehim，thattheonlyquestionwithhimselfwouldregardhisownopiniononthesubject；thepointmustfirstbeclearlysettledtohisownjudgment。Hewouldseethemanwhoclaimedtobethesonofhisbenefactor，hewouldexaminethematterasimpartiallyashecould，andthendetermineforhimself。HadheanygoodreasonwhateverforbelievingthisindividualtobeWilliamStanley，hewouldinstantlyresignthepropertytohim，ateverycost。
Allprobabilitywas，however，thusfar，againsttheidentityoftheclaimant；andunlessHazlehurstcouldbelieveinhisgoodfaithandhonesty，everyinchofthegroundshouldbedisputedtothebestofhisability。Mr。Wyllyswasveryconfidentofdefeatingonewhomheseriouslybelievedanimpostor：itwasadirty，disagreeablejobtoundertake，buthewassanguineastotheresult。Mrs。Stanleywasatfirstquiteovercomebyagitationandastonishment；shehadsomedoubtsandanxieties；misgivingswouldoccasionallycrosshermind，inspiteofherself，inspiteofMr。Wyllys\'sopinion；andthebareideaofopposingonewhomightpossiblybeherhusband\'sson，affectedallherfeelings。
LikeHazlehurst，shewasverydesiroustoexaminefartherintothematter，withoutdelay；scarcelyknowingyetwhattohopeandwhattofear。
EllsworthandMrs。CreightonsoonlearnedtheextraordinarysummonswhichHarryhadreceived；heinformedthemofthefactshimself。
“Themanisanimpostor，dependuponit，Mr。Hazlehurst！”
exclaimedMrs。Creighton，withmuchwarmth。
“Ihavelittledoubtofit，“repliedHarry；“forIdonotseehowhecanwellbeanythingelse。“
“Youknow，Hazlehurst，thatIamentirelyatyourserviceinanywayyouplease，“saidEllsworth。
“Thankyou，Ellsworth；Ihaveahabitoflookingtoyouinanydifficulty，asyouknowalready。“
“ButIcannotconceivethatitshouldbeatalladifficultmattertounravelsocoarseaplotasthismustbe！”criedMrs。
Creighton。“Whatpossiblefoundationcanthesemenhavefortheirstory？Tellmeallaboutit，Mr。Hazlehurst，pray！”continuedthelady，whohadbeenstandingwhenHarryenteredtheroom，preparedtoaccompanyherbrotherandhimselftoMissWyllys\'sroom。“Sitdown，Ibeg，andtellmeatonceallyouchoosetotrustmewith，“shecontinued，takingaseatonthesofa。
Harryfollowedherexample。“YouareonlylikelytohearagreatdealtoomuchofitIfear，ifyoupermitEllsworthandmyselftotalkthematteroverbeforeyou。“Hethenproceededtogivesomeofthemostimportantfacts，asfarasheknewthemhimself，atleast。Judgingfromthisaccount，Mr。EllsworthpronouncedhimselfdecidedlyinclinedtothinkwithMr。Wyllys，thatthisclaimwasafabricationofClapp\'s。Mrs。Creightonwasverywarmintheexpressionofherindignationandhersympathy。Afteralongandanimatedconversation，Mr。EllsworthproposedthattheyshouldjointheWyllyses：hissisterprofessedherselfquitereadytodoso；and，accompaniedbyHarry，theywenttotheusualrendezvousoftheirparty，atCongressHall。
RobertHazlehursthadalreadyleftSaratogawithhisfamily，havingreturnedfromLakeGeorgeforthatpurpose，adayearlierthanhisfriends；andwhenMrs。CreightonandthetwogentlemenenteredMissWyllys\'sparlour，theyonlyfoundtheretheWyllysesthemselvesandMaryVanAlstyne，allofwhomhadalreadyheardofHarry\'sthreateneddifficulties。NeitherMissAgnesnorElinorhadseenhimsincehehadreceivedtheletters，andtheybothcordiallyexpressedtheirgoodwishesinhisbehalf；fortheybothseemedinclinedtoMr。Wyllys\'sopinionofthenewclaimant。
“Wehaveeveryreasontowishthatthetruthmaysoonbediscovered，“saidMissAgnes。
“Iamsorryyoushouldhavesuchapainful，vexatioustaskbeforeyou，“saidElinor，franklyofferingherhandtoHarry。
“Haveyounosympathiesforthisnewsailorcousinofyours，MissWyllys？——ImustsayIhaveaverypooropinionofhimmyself，“
saidMrs。Creighton。
“Whoeverhebe，Ihopehewillonlyreceivewhatisjustlyhisdue，“repliedElinor。
“Iamhappy，MissWyllys，thatyouseemfavourablyinclinedtowardsHazlehurst，“saidMr。Ellsworth。“OnthepresentoccasionIconsiderhimnotonlyasafriendbutasaclient，andthatisthedearesttiewelawyersaresupposedtofeel。“
“Onewouldnaturallyinclinerathermoretoaclientofyoursexofficio，Mr。Ellsworth，thantooneofMr。Clapp\'s，thatverydisagreeablebrother-in-lawofMissPatseyHubbard\'s，“saidMaryVanAlstyne，smiling。
Itwassoondecidedthatthepartyshouldbreakupthenextday。
TheWyllyses，withMrs。StanleyandMaryVanAlstyne，weretoreturntoLongbridge。Mrs。CreightonandMr。EllsworthwereobligedtopaytheirlongdeferredvisittoNahant，thegentlemanhavingsomebusinessofimportanceintheneighbourhood；butitwasexpectedthattheyalsoshouldjointhefamilyatWyllys-Roofasearlyaspossible。JanewastoreturntoNewYorkwithhersister-in-law，Mrs。St。Leger，leavingMissEmmaTaylorflirtingatSaratoga，underthechargeofafashionablechaperon；whileMr。HopkinswasstillfishingatLakeGeorge。
CHAPTERXI。{XXXIV}
“\'Whencethisdelay？——AlongthecrowdedstreetAfuneralcomes，andwithunusualpomp。\'“
ROGERS。
{SamuelRogersEnglishpoet，1763-1855，“Italy：AFuneral“
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ITisacommonremark，thatimportanteventsseldomoccursingly；
andtheyseemindeedoftentofolloweachotherwithstartlingrapidity，likethesharpestflashesoflightningandtheloudestpealsofthunderfromthedarkcloudsofasummershower。OnarrivinginNewYork，theWyllysesfoundthatTallmanTaylorhadbeentakensuddenlyanddangerouslyill，duringthepreviousnight，theconsequenceofastrokeofthesun；havingexposedhimselfimprudently，bycrossingthebaytoStaten-Islandforadinnerparty，inanopenboat，whenthethermometerstoodat95
{degrees}intheshade。Hewasbelievedinimminentdanger，andwastooilltorecognizehiswifewhenshearrived。MissWyllysandElinorremainedintown，attheurgentrequestofJane，whowasingreatdistress；whileMr。WyllysreturnedhomewithMrs。
StanleyandMaryVanAlstyne。
{Susan\'sfather，JamesFenimoreCooper，twicesufferedfromsunstroke，in1823and1825，whilesailingasmallboatnearNewYorkCity，andshelaterwroteoftheattacksofdeliriumthatfollowed}