AwagonwaswaitingtocarryMissPatseytoLongbridge，andMissAgnesbeggingthatshemightnotdetainher，shesetoutonherpainfulduty。Onarrivingatheruncle\'shouse，shealmostdreadedtocrossthethreshold。ShefoundMr。Hubbardinthedining-room；hepaidnoattentiontoherassheopenedthedoor，butcontinuedwalkingupanddown。Shescarcelyknewhowtoaddresshim；thecommonphrasesofgreetingthatrosetoherlipsseemedmisplaced。Heeitherdidnotseeher，orwouldnotnoticeher。Shethenwalkedquiteneartohim，andholdingoutherhand，saidinacalmtone：
“Uncle，IhavecometoseeJulianna。“
Themusclesofhisfacemoved，buthemadenoanswer。
“Ihavecometostaywithher，ifyouwishit。“
“Thankyou，“hesaid，inathickvoice。
“IsthereanythingIcandoforyou？”
“Whatcanbedone？”hesaid，bitterly，andalmostroughly。
“Doyouwishmetostay？”
“Yes；Iamobligedtoyouforcomingtoseeawomanofbadreputation。“
Patseylefthimforthepresent。Shefoundhercousinstogether；
Emmeline\'seyeswerered，asifshehadjustbeenweeping；Mrs。
Hilsonwasstretchedonasofa，inaveryelegantmorning-gown，readinganovelofverydoubtfulmorality。Patseyofferedherhand，whichwastakenquitecavalierly。
“Well，Patsey，“shesaid，“Ihopeyouhavenotcometobeaspyuponme。“
“Ihavecometoseeyou，becauseIwishtobeofservicetoyou，Julianna。“
“Then，mydearchild，youmustbringhisHigh-Mightiness，myjealoushusbandtoreason，“saidthelady，smoothingafoldinherdress。Patseymadenoanswer，andMrs。Hilsonlookedup。“Ifyouaregoingtojointherestofthemagainstme，whyIshallhavenothingtodowithyou；alltheprimprudesintheworldwon\'tsubdueme，asmygood-manmighthavefoundoutalready。“
“Whereisyourhusband？”askedMissPatsey，gravely，butquietly。
“IamsureIdon\'tknow；hehasbeenpleasedtoabandonme，fornoreasonwhatever，butbecauseIchosetoenjoythelibertyofallwomenoffortuneinaristocraticcircles。Iwouldnotsubmittobemadeaslave，likemostladiesinthiscountry，asMrs。
Bagmansays。IchoosetoassociatewithwhomIplease，gentlemenorladies。WhatisitmakesthepatricianorderssodelightfulinEurope？——allthosewhoknowanythingaboutit，willtellyouthatitisbecausethemarriedwomenarenotslaves；theyhavefullliberty，anddojustastheyfancy，andhaveasmanyadmirersastheyplease；thisverybookthatIamreadingsaysso。ThatisthewaythingsaremanagedinhighlifeinEurope。“
“Whatsortoflibertyisityouwishfor，Julianna？Thelibertytodowrong？Orthelibertytotriflewithyourreputation？”
Mrs。Hilsonpouted，butmadenoanswer。
“Icannotthinkthekindoflibertyyouspeakofiscommonamonggoodwomenanywhere，“continuedPatsey，“andIdon\'tthinkyoucanknowsomuchaboutwhatyoucallHIGHLIFEinEurope，Julianna，foryouhaveneverbeenthere。Iamsureatleast，thatinthiscountrythesortoflibertyyouseemtobetalkingabout，isonlycommoninveryLOWLIFE；youwillfindenoughofitevenhere，amongthemostignorantandworstsortofpeople，“saidMissPatsey，quietly。
Mrs。Hilsonlookedprovoked。“Well，youarecivil，Imustsay，MissPatseyHubbard；ofallthebrutalspeechesthathavebeenmademeoflate，Imustsaythatyoursistheworst！”
“Ispeakthetruth，thoughIspeakplainly，Julianna。“
“Yesplainlyenough；verydifferentfromtherefinementofMrs。
Bagman，Icanassureyou；shewouldbethelastpersontocomeandtyrannizeoverme，whenIamavictimtomyhusband\'sjealousy。ButIhavenotacreaturenearmetosympathizewithme！”
“Donotsaythat；yourfatherisdown-stairs，grownoldwithgriefduringthelastweek！”
Mrs。Hilsondidnotanswer。
“Youhaveknownmeallyourlife，fromthetimeyouwereachild，“addedMissPatsey，takinghercousin\'spassivehandinherown；“andIask，ifyouhaveeverknownmetodeceiveyoubyanuntruth？”
“IamsureIdon\'tknow，“repliedhercousin，carelessly。
“Yes，youdoknowit，Julianna。Trustme，then；donotshutyourearsandyoureyestothetruth！Youareinaverydangeroussituation；lookuponmeasyourfriend；letmestaywithyou；letmehelpyou！Myonlymotiveisyourowngood；evenifIbelievedyoureallyguilty，Ishouldhavecometoyou；butIdonotbelieveyouguilty！”
“Iammuchobligedtoyou，“saidhercousin，lightly。“ButI
happentoknowmyselfthatIhavecommittednosuchhighcrimeandmisdemeanour。“
“Yes，youhavetrifledsofarwithyourreputation，thattheworldbelievesyouguilty，Julianna。“
“Notfashionablepeople。Imighthavegoneonforyears，enjoyingthefriendshipofanelegantladylikeMrs。Bagman，andreceivingthepoliteattentionsofaFrenchnobleman，haditnotbeenforthecountrifiednotionsofPaandMr。Hilson；andnow，Iamtornfrommyfriends，Iamcalumniated，andtheBaronaccusedofbeinganimpostor！Butthefactis，asMrs。Bagmansays，Mr。Hilsonneverhasunderstoodme！”
Patseyclosedhereyesthatnightwithaheavyheart。ShedidnotseemtohaveproducedtheleastimpressiononMrs。Hilson。
Howfewpeopleareawareofthegreatdangersofthatcommonfoible，vanity！Andyetitisthelightfeatherthatwingsmanyapoisoneddart；itistheharlequinleaderofavilecrewofevils。Generally，vanityislookeduponasmerelyaharmlessweakness，whoseonlypenaltyisridicule；butexamineitstruecharacter，andyouwillfindittobeoneofthemostdangerous，andatthesametimeoneofthemostcontemptiblefailingsofhumanity。Thereisnotavicewithwhichithasnotbeen，timeandagain，connected；thereisnotavirtuethathasnotbeentaintedbyitstouch。Menarevainoftheirvices，vainoftheirvirtues；andalthoughprideandvanityhavebeendeclaredincompatible，probablythereneverlivedaproudman，whowasnotvainofhisverypride。Agenerousaspectis，however，sometimesassumedbypride；butvanityisinalterablycontemptibleinitsselfishlittleness，itsrestlessgreediness。Whoshalltellitsvictims——whoshallsetboundstoitstriumphs？Reasonismoreeasilyblindedbyvanitythanbysophistry；timeandagainhasvanitymisdirectedfeeling；oftenhasvanityrousedthemostviolentpassions。Manyhavebeenenticedontoruin，stepbystep，withtherestlesslureofvanity，untiltheybecameactuallyguiltyofcrimes，attributedtosomemoresudden，andstrongerimpulse。Howmanypeoplerunintoextravagance，andwastetheirmeans，merelyfromvanity！Howmanyyoungmencommenceacareeroffollyandwickedness，impelledbythemiserablevanityofdaringwhatothersdare！Howmanywomenhavetrifledwiththeirownpeace，theirownreputation，merelybecausevanityledthemtoreceivethefirsttreacheroushomageofcriminaladmiration，whenwhisperedinthetonesoffalsesentimentandflattery！Thetriumphsofvanitywouldformamelancholypicture，indeed，butitisonetheworldwillneverpausetolookat。
TheeldestdaughterofMr。Hubbard，theworthyLongbridgemerchant，withoutstrongpassions，withoutstrongtemptations，wascompletelythevictimofpuerilevanity。Thedetailsofherfollyaretoounpleasanttodwellon；butthesillyambitionofplayingthefinelady，afterthepatternofcertainEuropeannovels，themselveschieflyrepresentingtheworstmembersoftheclasstheyclaimtodepict，wasthecauseofherruin。Shehadsorecklesslytrifledwithherreputation，thatalthoughherimmediatefriendsdidnotbelievetheworst，yetwiththeworldhercharacterwasirretrievablylost。Atfive-and-twentyshehadalreadysacrificedherownpeace；shehadbroughtshameonherhusband\'sname，andhadfilledwiththebitterestgrief，theheartofanindulgentfather。Happily，hermotherwasinthegrave，andshehadnochildrentoinjurebyhermisconduct。
PatseyHubbardcontinuedunweariedinherkindendeavourstobeofservicetoherkinswoman；anxioustoawakenhertoasenseofherfolly，andtowithdrawherfromtheinfluenceofbadassociates。
“ItisrightthatsocietyshoulddiscountenanceawomanwhobehavesasJuliannahasdone，“saidsheoneday，toMrs。Hubbard，onreturninghome；“but，oh，mother，herownfamilysurely，shouldnevergiveherupwhilethereisbreathinherbody！”
CHAPTERXVI。{XXXIX}
“Thatwhichyouhear，you\'llswearyousee，Thereissuchunityintheproofs。“
Winter\'sTale。
{WilliamShakespeare，“AWinter\'sTale“，V。ii。31-32}
WHENHazlehurstarrivedatthelittlevillageintheneighbourhoodofGreatwood，hewassofortunateastofindthatmanypersonsamongtheoldermembersofthecommunity，hadaperfectrecollectionofWilliamStanley，andwerereadytotestify，tothebestoftheirknowledge，astoanyparticularsthatmightbeofserviceinthecase。
Hisfirstinquirywas，fortheyoungman\'snurse。Hediscoveredthatshehadrecentlyremovedintoaneighbouringstate，withtheson，inwhosefamilyshehadlivedsinceleavingtheStanleys。AssoonasHarryhadaccompaniedMrs。StanleytoGreatwood，hesetoutinpursuitofthisperson，fromwhomhehopedtoobtainimportantevidence。Onarrivingattheplacewhereshewasnowtobefound，hewasmuchdisappointed，forherfacultieshadbeensomuchimpairedbyasevereattackofparalysis，thathecouldlearnbutlittlefromher。SheseemedtohavecherishedawarmaffectionforthememoryofWilliamStanley，whoselossatseashehadneverdoubted。Wheneverhisnamewasmentionedshewept，andshespokewithfeelingandrespectoftheyoungman\'sparents。Buthermindwasmuchconfused，anditwasimpossibletomakeanyuseofhertestimonyinacourtofjustice。
Thusthrownbackuponthosewhohadalessintimatepersonalknowledgeoftheyoungman，HarrypursuedhisinquiriesamongthefamiliesaboutGreatwood，andthevillageofFranklinCross-Roads。Withtheexceptionofafewnewcomers，andthosewhoweretooyoungtorecollecteighteenyearsback，almosteverybodyintheneighbourhoodhadhadsomeacquaintancewithWilliamStanley。Hehadbeentoschoolwiththisone；hehadsatinchurch，inthepewnexttothatfamily；hehadbeentheconstantplayfellowofA——；andhehaddrawnB——intomorethanonescrape。Numerousstoriesspranguprightandleft，astohisdoingswhenaboy；oldsceneswereactedoveragain，andpastevents，meretriflesperhapsatthetime，butgainingimportancefromtheactualstateofthings，weredailybroughttolight；
thereseemednolackofinformationconnectedwiththesubject。
Wemustobserve，however，beforeweproceedfarther，thatHazlehursthadnosoonerarrivedatGreatwood，thanhewenttolookafterthesetoftheSpectator，towhichthevolumeproducedattheinterviewhadbelonged。Hefoundthebooksintheirusualplaceonanuppershelf，withothersseldomused；everyvolumehadthedoublenamesofMr。Stanleyandhisson，butthesetwasnotcomplete；therewasnotonlyonevolumemissing，buttwowerewanting！Hazlehurstsprangfromthestepsonwhichhewasstanding，whenhemadethisdiscovery，andwentimmediatelyinpursuitofMrs。Stanley，toinquireifsheknewwhichvolumewasoriginallymissing。Shecouldnotbesure，butshebelieveditwastheeighth。Suchwasthefact；theeighthvolumewasnotinitsplace，neitherwasthesixth，thatwhichMr。Clapphadinhispossession；yetMrs。Stanleywasconvinced，thatonlytwoyearspreviously，therehadbeenbutonevolumelost。Harrytriedtorevivehisrecollectionofthetimeandplace，whenandwhere，hehadreadthatvolume，withtheportraitofSteele，andAddison\'spapersontheParadiseLost；heshouldhavefeltsureitwasatGreatwood，notlongbeforegoingabroadwithMr。Henley，haditnotbeen，thathefoundhisbrotherhadtheverysameeditioninPhiladelphia，andhemighthavereaditthere。Healsoendeavouredtodiscoverwhenandhowthesecondmissingvolumehadbeenremovedfromitsusualplaceontheshelf。Butthiswasnoeasytask；neitherthehousekeeper——arespectablewoman，inwhomMrs。Stanleyandhimselfhadperfectconfidence——northeservants，couldformevenasurmiseuponthesubject。AtlastHarrythoughthehadobtainedacluetoeverything；hefoundthattwostrangershadbeenatGreatwoodinthemonthofMarch，thatyear，andhadgoneoverthewholehouse，representingthemselvesasfriendsofthefamily。Thehousekeeperhadforgottentheirvisit，untilHarry\'sinquiriesremindedherofthefact；shethengavehimthenameoftheyoungwomanwhohadgoneoverthehousewiththesetwoindividuals。ThisgirlwasnolongeratGreatwood，butintheneighbouringvillage；atMrs。Stanley\'srequest，however，shecametogiveareportofthecircumstance。
{“Spectator“=SusanFenimoreCooperhasbeenforgetful；thesailor，itwasstatedinChapter12，hadacopyofVolumethree；
Addison\'sessaysonParadiseLost，thatHarryrememberedreading，areinfactcontainedinVolumesfourandfive；butwearenowtoldthatitisVolumessixandeightthataremissingfromtheshelf！}
“ItwasinMarchthesetwostrangerswerehere，yousay，Malvina？”observedMrs。Stanley。
“Yes，ma\'am；itwasinMarch，whentheroadswereverybad。“
“Whatsortoflookingpersonswerethey，andhowoldshouldyouhavecalledthem？”askedHazlehurst。
“Onewasatallandslimgentleman，withcurlyhair；theotherlookedkindo\'rough，hewasstout，andhadaredface；theywasn\'tveryyoung，norveryold。“
“Tellus，ifyouplease，allyourememberabouttheirvisit，justasitpassed，“saidHarry。
“Well，ithappenedMrs。Joneswassickinherroomwhentheycalled；theywantedtoseethehouse，sayingtheyknewthefamilyverywell。Iaskedthemtositdowninthehall，whileIwenttotellMrs。Jones；shehadn\'tanyobjections，andtoldmetoshowthemtheroomstheywantedtosee。SoItookthemoverthehouse——firsttheparlours，thentheotherrooms。“
“Didtheyasktoseethebed-rooms？”
“Yes，sir；theywentoverallthehousebutthegarret；theywentintothekitchenandthepantry。“
“Didtheystaysometime？”
“Yes，sir；Mrs。Joneswonderedtheystaidsolong。“
“Didtheygointothelibrary？”
“Yes，sir。“
“Doyourememberwhethertheylookedatthebooks？”
“No；theydidn\'tstaymorethanaminuteinthelibrary。“
“Areyousuretheydidnotlookatanyofthebooks？”repeatedHarry。
“Iamquitesuretheydidn\'t，fortheroomwastoodark，andtheyonlystaidhalf-a-minute。IaskedthemifIshouldopentheshutters；butoneofthemsaidtheydidn\'tcare；hesaidhewasneverover-fondofbooks。“
Mrs。StanleyandHarryhereexchangedlooksofsomesurprise。
“Didtheytalkmuchtoeachother？——doyourememberwhattheysaid？”continuedHarry。
“Yes，theytalkedconsiderable。Ireckontheyhadbeenherebefore，fortheyseemedtoknowagooddealaboutthehouse。WhenIshowedthemthesouthparlour，thegentlemanwiththeredfacesaideverythinglookednaturaltohim，butthatroommostofall；
thenhepointedtothelargechairbythefire-place，andsaid：
\'ThatiswhereIlastsawmyfather，inthatverychair；hewasagoodoldgentleman，anddeservedtohaveabetterson。\'“
“Isitpossible！”exclaimedMrs。Stanley。
“But，mydearmadam，itwasallactingnodoubt；theywishedtopassforthecharacterstheyhavesinceassumed；itonlyprovesthattheplothasbeengoingonforsometime。““Doyourememberanythingelsethatwassaid？”addedHazlehurst，turningagaintothegirl。
“Theytalkedconsiderable，butIdidn\'tpaymuchattention。TheyinquiredwhenMr。Hazlehurstwascominghome；IsaidIdidn\'tknow。TheonewiththecurlyhairsaidheguessedtheyknewmoreaboutthefamilythanIdid；andhelookedqueerwhenhesaidso。“
Nothingfurtherwasgatheredfromthisgirl，whoboreanexcellentcharacterfortruthandhonesty，thoughratherstupid。
ThevolumeoftheSpectatorstillremainedasmuchamysteryasever。Nordidasecondconversationwiththisyoungwomanbringtolightanythingnew；heranswersonbothoccasionscorrespondedexactly；andbeyondprovingthefactofClapp\'shavingbeenoverthehousewiththesailor，nothingwasgainedfromherreport。Atthesecondconversation，Harryaskedifsheknewwhetherthesestrangershadremainedlongintheneighbourhood？
“Isawthemthenextdayatmeeting，“shereplied，“andJabeztoldmehemetthemwalkingabouttheplace；thatisallIknowaboutit，sir。“
Jabez，oneofthemenonthefarm，wasquestioned：hehadseenthesetwostrangerswalkingabouttheplace，lookingatthebarnsandstables，thesamedaytheyhadbeenatthehouse；buthehadnotspokentothem；andthiswastheamountofhisstory。
Harrytheninquiredatthetavernsintheneighbourhood；andhefoundthattwopersons，answeringtothesamedescription，hadstaidacoupleofdays，aboutthemiddleofMarch，atasmallinn，withinhalfamilefromGreatwood。Theirbillhadbeenmadeoutinthenameof“Mr。Clappandfriend。“Thiswassatisfactoryasfarasitwent，andaccountedforthesailor\'sknowledgeofthehouse；thoughMrs。Stanleycouldnotcomprehendatfirst，howthismanshouldhavepointedoutsoexactly，herhusband\'sfavouriteseat。Harryremindedher，however，thatClapphadpassedseveralyearsofhisyouthatFranklinCross-Roads，inalawyer\'soffice，andhadveryprobablybeenatGreatwoodduringMr。Stanley\'slife-time。
Hazlehursthaddrawnuparegularplanofactionforhisinquiries；andafterhavingdiscoveredwhocouldassisthim，andwhocouldnot，heportionedofftheneighbourhoodintoseveraldivisions，intendingtodevoteadaytoeach——callingateveryhousewherehehopedtogaininformationonthesubjectofWilliamStanley。
Hesetoutonhorsebackearlyinthemorning，forhisfirstday\'scircuit，takinganote-bookinhispocket，torecordfactsashewentalong，andfirstturninghishorse\'sheadtowardsthehouseofMrs。Lawson，whohadbeenaconstantplayfellowofWilliamStanley\'s，whenbothwerechildren。Thisladywasoneofalargefamily，whohadbeennearneighboursoftheStanleysforyears，andontermsofdailyintimacywiththem；andshehadalreadytoldHarry，onedaywhenshemethiminthevillage，thatsheheldherselfinreadinesstoanswer，tothebestofherability，anyquestionsaboutherformerplaymate，thathemightthinkitworthwhiletoask。Onknockingatthislady\'sdoor，hewassofortunateastofindMrs。Lawsonathome；and，byespecialluck，Dr。Lewis，abrotherofher\'s，whohadremovedfromthatpartofthecountry，happenedjustthentobeonavisitathissister\'s。
Afteralittlepreliminarychat，Hazlehurstmadeknowntheparticularobjectofhiscall。
“DoIrememberWilliamStanley\'spersonalappearanceandhabits？
Perfectly；quiteaswellasIdomyownbrother\'s，“repliedthedoctor，toHarry\'sfirstinquiry。
“Mrs。Lawsontoldmethatheusedtopasshalfhistimeatyourfather\'shouse，andkindlyofferedtoassistme，asfaraslayinherpower；andIlookuponmyselfasdoublyfortunateinfindingyouhereto-day。Wewish，ofcourse，tocollectasmanyminutedetailsaspossible，regardingMr。Stanley\'sson，aswefeelconfident，fromevidencealreadyinourpower，thatthisnew-comerisanimpostor。“
“Nodoubtofit，“repliedthedoctor；“anextravagantstory，indeed！Nearlyeighteenyearsasstillasamouse，andthencoollysteppingin，andclaimingapropertyworthsomehundredsofthousands。Aclearcaseofconspiracy，withoutdoubt。“
“PoorWilliamwasnosaint，certainly，“addedMrs。Lawson；“butthissailormustbeaverybadman。“
“Pray，whendidyoulastseeyoungStanley！”askedHarry，ofthelady。
“Whenhewasathome，notlongbeforehisfather\'sdeath。Heheldoutsomepromiseofreforming，then。Billings，whofirstledhimintomischief，wasnotintheneighbourhoodatthattime，andhisfatherhadhopesofhim；butsomeofhisoldcompanionsledhimoffagain。“
“Hemusthavebeenaboyofstrangetemper，toleavehomeundersuchcircumstances；anonlyson，withsuchprospectsbeforehim。“
“Yes，histemperwasveryunpleasant；butthen，Mr。Stanley，thefather，didnotknowhowtomanagehim。“
“Hecouldscarcelyhavehadmuchsenseeither，tohavebeensoeasilyledastraybyadesigningyoungfellow，asthatBillingsseemstohavebeen。“
“Flattery；flatterydiditall，“observedthedoctor。“SomepeoplethoughtyoungStanleylittlemorethanhalf-witted；butI
havealwaysmaintainedthathewasnotwantinginsense。“
“Idon\'tseehowyoucansayso，doctor，“observedthesister。“I
amsureitwasasettledthingamonguschildren，thathewasaverystupid，disagreeableboy。Henevertookmuchinterestinourplays，Iremember。“
“Notinplayingdoll-baby，perhaps；butIhavehadmanyaholidaywithhimthatIenjoyedverymuch，Icantellyou。Heneverhadafancyforabook，thatistrue；butotherwisebewasnotsoverydullassomepeoplemakeout。“
“Hehadthereputationofbeingadullboy，hadhe？”
“Oh，certainly，“saidMrs。Lawson。“atonetime，whenwewerequitechildren，wealltookarithmeticlessonstogether，andhewasalwaysatthefootoftheclass。“
“Hehadnoheadforfigures，perhaps；itismorelikely，though，thathewouldn\'tlearnoutofobstinacy；hewasasobstinateasamule，thatIallow。“
“Whatsortofgamesandplaysdidhelikebest？”
“Idon\'tknowthathelikedonebetterthananother，solongashecouldchoosehimself，“repliedDr。Lewis。
“Washeastrong，activeboy？”
“Notparticularlyactive，butastout，healthylad。“
“Disposedtobetall？”
“Tallish；thelasttimehewashere，hemusthavemeasuredaboutfivefeetten。“
“Oh，morethanthat，“interposedMrs。Lawson；“hewastallerthanoureldestbrother，Iknow——fullsixfeetone，Ishouldsay。“
“No，no，Sophia；certainlynotmorethanfivefeetnineorten。
Remember，youwerealittlethingyourselfatthetime。“
“Doyourememberthecolourofhiseyes，Mrs。Lawson？”
“Yes，perfectly；theywereblue。“
“Brown，Ishouldsay，“addedthedoctor。
“No，John，youarequitemistaken；hiseyeswereblue，Mr。
Hazlehurst——verydarkblue。“
“Icouldhavetakenmyoaththeywerebrown，“saidthedoctor。
Hazlehurstlookedfromonetotheotherindoubt。
“Youwereawayfromhome，doctor，morethanIwas，andprobablydonotrememberWilliam\'sfaceasdistinctlyasIdo。Iamquiteconfidenthiseyeswereaclear，deepblue。“
“Well，Ishouldhavecalledthemalightbrown。“
“Weretheylarge？”askedHarry。
“Ofacommonsize，Ithink，“saidthebrother。
“Remarkablysmall，Ishouldsay，“addedthesister。
“Whatcolourwashishair？”askedHarry，givinguptheeyes。
“Black，“saidthedoctor。
“Notblack，John——darkperhaps，butmoreofanauburn，likehisfather\'sportrait，“saidMrs。Lawson。
“Why，thatisblack，certainly。“
“Oh，no；auburn——arich，darkauburn。“
“Thereisagreyishcastinthatportrait，Ithink，“saidHarry。
“Grey，oh，no；Mr。Stanley\'shairwasinperfectcolourwhenhedied；Irememberhimdistinctly，seeinghimasoftenasIdid，“
saidthelady。“ThehairoftheStanleyfamilyisgenerallyauburn，“sheadded。
“Whatdoyoucallauburn？”saidthedoctor。
“Adark，richbrown，likeWilliamStanley\'s。“
“NowIcallMr。RobertHazlehurst\'shairauburn。“
“Mybrother\'shair！Whythatissometimespronouncedsandy，andevenred，occasionally，“saidHarry。
“Notred；Lawson\'shairisred。“
“Mr。Lawson\'shairismoreofaflaxenshade，“saidthewife，alittlequickly。
Despairingofsettlingtheparticularshadeofthehair，HarrytheninquirediftherewasanystronglymarkedpeculiarityoffaceorpersonaboutWilliamStanley？
Herebothagreedthattheyhadneverremarkedanythingofthekind；itappearedthattheyoungmanwasmademoreliketherestoftheworld，thanbecametheheroofsuchasingularcareer。
“Doyouthinkyoushouldknowhim，ifyouweretoseehimagain，aftersuchalonginterval？”
“Well，Idon\'tknow，“saidthedoctor；“somepeoplechangeverymuch，fromboystomiddle-agedmanhood，othersalterbutlittle。“
“IhavenodoubtthatIcouldtellinamoment，ifthispersonisWilliamStanleyoranimpostor，“saidMrs。Lawson。“Thinkhowmuchweweretogether，aschildren；fortenyearsofhislife，hewashalfthetimeatourhouse。IamsureifthissailorwereWilliamStanley，hewouldhavecometoseesomeofus，longsince。“
“DidhevisityouwhenhewaslastatGreatwood？”
“No，hedidnotcomeatthattime；butIsawhimveryofteninthevillage，andridingabout。“
“Doyourememberhisstutteringatall？”
“No；IneverheardhimthatIknowof；Idon\'tbelieveheeverstuttered。“
“Hedidstutteronceinawhile，Sophia，whenhewasinapassion。“
“Ineverheardhim。“
“YoungStanleyhadonegoodquality，Mr。Hazlehurst，withallhisfaults；hespokethetruth——youcouldbelievewhathesaid。“
“Mygoodbrother，youaremistakenthere，Icanassureyou。TimeandagainhaveIknownhimtellfalsehoodswhenhegotintoascrape；manyisthetimehehascoaxedandteased，tillhegotuschildrenintomischief——hewasagreattease，youknow——“
“Notmoresothanmostboys，“interposedthedoctor。
“Andafterhehadgotusintotrouble，Irememberperfectly，thathewouldnotacknowledgeitwashisfault。Oh，no；youcouldnotbyanymeansdependuponwhathesaid。“
“Washemuchofatalker？”
“No，rathersilent。“
“Quitesilent：“bothbrotherandsisterwereinunisonhere，atlast。
“Hewasgood-looking，youthink，Mrs。Lawson？”
“Oh，yes，good-looking，certainly，“repliedthelady。
“Rathergood-looking；butwhenhewaslastathome，hisfeatureshadgrownsomewhatcoarse，andhisexpressionwasalteredfortheworse，“saidthedoctor。
“Hewasfreewithhismoney，Ibelieve？”
“Veryextravagant，“saidMrs。Lawson。
“Hedidn\'tcareafigformoney，unlessitwasrefusedhim，“saidthedoctor。
“Wasthereanythingparticularabouthisteeth？”
“Hehadfineteeth，“saidMrs。Lawson；“buthedidnotshowthemmuch。“
“Agoodsetofteeth，ifIrememberright，“addedthedoctor。
“Hiscomplexionwasratherdark，Ibelieve？”saidHarry。
“Moresallowthandark，“saidthelady。
“Notsoverysallow，“saidthegentleman。
“Youaskedjustnowabouthiseyes，Mr。Hazlehurst；itstrikesmetheyweremuchthecolourofyours。“
“Butminearegrey，“saidHarry。
“Moreofahazel，Ithink。“
“Oh，no；WilliamStanley\'seyeswereasdifferentaspossiblefromMr。Hazlehurst\'s，incolourandshape！”exclaimedthelady。
Theconversationcontinuedsometimelonger，butthespecimenjustgivenwillsufficetoshowitscharacter；nothingofimportancewaselicited，andnotonepointdecidedlysettled，whichhadnotbeenalreadyknowntoHarry。Hecontinuedhisroundofvisitsthroughouttheday，withmuchthesameresult。ThememoriesofthepeopleaboutGreatwoodseemedtobeplayingatcross-purposes；andyettherewasnodoubt，thatallthosepersonstowhomHazlehurstapplied，hadknownyoungStanleyforyears；andtherewaseveryreasontobelievetheywerewelldisposedtogivealltheevidenceintheirpower。
>FromMrs。Lawson\'s，Harrywenttothehouseofanotheracquaintance，aCaptainJohnson；andthefollowingistheamountofwhathegatheredhere，asitwashastilyenteredinhisnote-book：
“Eyesgrey；hairblack；ratherstoutforhisage；sullentemper；
verydull；badcompanycauseofhisruin；notcold-hearted；
stutteredalittlewhenexcited；expressiongoodwhenaboy，butmuchchangedwhenfirstcamehomefromsea；Billingsthecauseofhisruin。“
SomuchforCaptainJohnson。Thenextstopping-placewasataman\'s，bythenameofHill，whohadbeencoachmanatMr。
Stanley\'sforseveralyears；hisaccountfollows：
“Hillsays：\'Wouldgetinapassionwhencouldn\'thavehisownway；haveheardhimstutter；alwaysinsomescrapeorotherafterfirstwenttocollege；eyesblue；hairbrown；sharpenoughwhenhepleased，butalwaysheardhehatedbooks；shortforhisagewhenfirstwenttosea，andthin；hadgrownthreeorfourincheswhenhecameback；shouldhavethoughthimfivefeeteightornine，whenlastsawhim；facegrownfullerandred，whencamehome。\'“
>FromHill\'s，HarrywenttoseeMr。Anderson，whohadkepttheprincipaltavernatFranklinCross-Roads，duringWilliamStanley\'sboyhood；buthewasnotathome。
HethencalledatJudgeStone\'s：“Mrs。S。thoughthimhandsomeyoungman；judge，quiteugly；husbandsayseyesagreenishcolour；wifethinksweredarkbrown；heightaboutmyown，saidjudge；notnearsotall，saysMrs。S。：bothagreedhewasmoroseintemper，anddullatlearning。“
AtseveralotherplaceswhereHarrycalled，hefoundthatWilliamStanleyhadbeenmerelyknownbysight。Othersrelatedcapitalstoriesofscrapes，inwhichtheyhadbeenimplicatedwiththeboy，butcouldtellHarryverylittletothepurpose，whereitcametoparticularquestions。Threeindividualspronouncedhimtall，fourthoughthewasmiddlesized，twodeclaredhewasshort。Twoinferences，however，mightbedrawnfromallthathadbeensaid：WilliamStanleymusthavebeenofanunpleasanttemper；whilegeneralevidencepronouncedhimrathermoredullthanmostboys。Withthesetwofactsatleastsufficientlywellestablished，whilehisheadwasfilledwithcontradictoryvisions，ofhair，eyes，andcomplexion，ofvariousshadesandcolours，Harryreturnedintheevening，quitejadedandworn-outwithhisday\'sexertions；nottheleastofwhichhadbeen，toreconciletotallyoppositeaccountsonadozendifferentpoints。
Mrs。Stanleywasawaitinghisreturnwithmuchanxiety；andwhileHarrywasdrinkinganexcellentcupoftea——themostrefreshingthingintheworldtoapersonwhoisfatigued，eveninwarmweather——hereportedhisday\'swork。Hisfriendseemedtothinktheaccountanythingbutencouraging；thoughHarrydeclared，thatitwaswellworththelabourandvexationtoestablishthetwofacts，regardingtheyoungman\'scapacityandtemper，inwhichrespectshecertainlydifferedfromtheclaimant。
“Whatmiserablehypocritesboththismanandhislawyermustbe！”
exclaimedMrs。Stanley。
“Hypocrisyfiguresoftenenoughincourtsofjustice，ma\'am，andisonlytoooftensuccessfulforatime。“
“Iamafraid，mydearHarry，theywillgiveyouagreatdealoftrouble！”
“Ihavenodoubtofit，“repliedHazlehurst；“butstillIhopetodefeatthem，andintheend，topunishtheirvileconspiracy。“
“AdefeatwouldhedistressingtobothMr。Wyllysandmyself；buttoyou，mydearyoungfriend，itwouldbeseriousindeed！”sheobserved，withfeeling。
“Weshallyetgaintheday，Itrust，“saidHarry。“Theconsequencesofdefeatwouldindeedbeveryserioustome，“headded。“InsuchacaseIshouldloseeverything，andalittlemore，asPaddywouldsay。Imadeadeliberatecalculationtheotherday，andIfind，aftereverythingIownhasbeengivenup，thattherewouldstillbeadebtofsomethirtythousanddollarstopayoff。“
“Itiswise，Isuppose，tobepreparedfortheworst，“saidMrs。
Stanley，sadly；“butinsuchacase，Harry，youmustlooktoyourfriends。Remember，thatIshouldconsideritadutytoassistyou，inanypecuniarydifficultieswhichmightresultfromadefeat。“
“Youareverygood，ma\'am；Iamgratefulfortheoffer。Incaseofourfailure，Ishouldcertainlyapplytomyimmediatefriends，forIcouldneverbearthethoughtofbeingindebttothoserascals。Butiftheaffairturnsoutinthatway，Imuststayathomeandworkhard，toclearmyselfentirely。Iamyoung，andifwefailtorepelthisclaim，stillIshallhopebyindustryandprudence，todischargeallobligationsbeforeIammanyyearsolder。“
“Ihaveneverdoubted，Harry，thatineithercaseyouwoulddowhatisjustandhonourable；butImournthatthereshouldbeanydangerofsuchasacrifice。“
“Itwouldbeasacrifice，indeed；includingmuchthatIhavevaluedheretofore——tastes，habits，partialities，prospects，fortune，hopes——allmustundergoachange，allmusthesacrificed。“
“Andhopesareoftenapreciouspartofayoungman\'sportion，“
saidMrs。Stanley。
Hazlehursthappenedtoraisehiseyesasshespoke，and，fromtheexpressionofherface，hefanciedthatshewasthinkingofMrs。
Creighton。Hechangedcolour，andremainedsilentamoment。
“YouwouldbecompelledtogiveupyourconnexionwithMr。
Henley，“sheobserved，bywayofrenewingtheconversation。
“Yes，ofcourse；Ishouldhavetoabandonthat，Icouldnotaffordit；Ishouldhavetodevotemyselftomyprofession。I
havenonotion，however，ofstrikingmycolourstotheseland-piratesuntilafterahardbattle，Iassureyou，“hesaid，morecheerfully。“Greatgeneralsalwaysprepareforaretreat，andsoshallI，butonlyasthelastextremity。Indeed，Ithinkouraffairslookmoreencouragingjustnow。Itseemsnexttoimpossible，forsuchaplottoholdtogetherinallitsparts；weshallbeableprobably，tofindoutmorethanoneweakpointwhichwillnotbearanattack。“
“Itiscertainlyimportanttoestablishthedifferenceintemperandcapacity，betweentheclaimantandWilliamStanley，“saidMrs。Stanley。
“Highlyimportant；Ellsworthishardatwork，too，intracingthepastlifeofthesailor，andbyhislastletters，IfindhehadwrittentoyoungStanley\'sschool-master，andtothefamilyphysician。Hehadseenthesailor，andinadditiontoMr。
Wyllys\'sremarksuponhisgait，whichisdifferentfromthatofWilliamwhenaboy，Ellsworthwrites，thathewasverymuchstruckwiththeshapeoftheman\'slimbs，sodifferentfromthoseoftheportraitofMr。Stanley\'sson，whenalad，whichtheyhaveatWyllys-Roof；hethinksthefamilyphysicianmayhelphimthere；fortunately，heisstillliving。“
“Itisagreatpitythenurse\'sfacultiesshouldhavefailed！”
exclaimedMrs。Stanley。
“Yes，it\'sapity，indeed；herevidencewouldhavebeenveryimportant。Butweshalldowithouther，Ihope。“
“AreyougoingtoWyllys-Roofagain，beforethetrial？”
“No；Ishallhavetoomuchtodo，hereandinPhiladelphia。Mr。
Wyllyshaskindlyaskedme，however，togothere，assoonasthematterissettled，whetherforgoodorforevil。“
“IthoughtIheardyoutalkingoverwithMr。deVaux，someboatingexcursion，totakeplaceinAugust，fromLongbridge；hasitbeengivenup？”
“Notgivenup；butdeVauxverygood-naturedlyproposedpostponingit，untilaftermyaffairsweresettled。ItistotakeplaceassoonasIamready；whetherIshalljoinitwithflyingcolours，orasaworstedman，timealonecandecide。“
Themailwasjustthenbroughtin；asusualtherewasaletterforHarry，fromEllsworth。
“Wyllys-Roof，August，183。
“Ourapplicationtothefamilyphysicianprovesentirelysuccessful，mydearHazlehurst；myphysiologicalpropensitieswerenotatfault。IhadaletterlasteveningfromDr。H——，whonowlivesinBaltimore，andheprofesseshimselfreadytosweartotheformationofyoungStanley\'shandsandfeet，whichhesaysresembledthoseofMr。Stanley，thefather，andthethreechildren，whodiedbeforeWilliamS。grewup。Hisaccountagreesentirelywiththeportraitoftheboy，asitnowexistsatWyllys-Roof；thearmsandhandsarelong，thefingersslender，nailselongated；asyouwellknow，Mr。Clapp\'sclientistheveryreverseofthis——hishandsareshortandthick，hisfingerswhat，incommonparlance，wouldbecalleddumpy。IwasstruckwiththefactwhenIfirstsawhiminthestreet。Now，whatstrongerevidencecouldwehave？Aslenderladofseventeenmaybecomeaheavy，corpulentmanofforty，buttochangetheformationofhands，fingers，andnails，isbeyondthereachofevenClapp\'scunning。Wearemuchobligedtotheartist，forhisaccuracyinrepresentingthehandsoftheboyexactlyastheywere。ThistestimonyIlookuponasquiteconclusive。AstotheRev。Mr。
G——，whosepupilyoungStanleywasforseveralyears，wefindthatheisnolongerliving；butIhaveobtainedthenamesofseveraloftheyoung\'sman\'scompanions，whowillbeabletoconfirmthefactofhisdullness；severaloftheprofessorsattheUniversityarealsoliving，andwillnodoubtbeabletoassistus。Ihavewrittenadozenlettersonthesepoints，butreceivednoanswersasyet。Sofarsogood；weshallsucceed，I
trust。Mr。WyllysbidsyounotforgettofindoutifClapphasreallybeenatGreatwood，aswesuspected。Theladiessendyoumanykindandencouragingmessages。Josephine，asusual，sympathizesinallourmovements。Shesays：\'GiveMr。Hazlehurstallsortsofkindgreetingsfromme；anythingyoupleaseshortofmylove，whichwouldnotbeproper，Isuppose。\'Ihadacharmingrowontheriverlastevening，withtheladies。Inevermanagedalaw-suitinsuchagreeablequartersbefore。
“Faithfullyyours，“F。E。“
CHAPTERXVII。{XL}
“Whatsayyou，canyoulovethisgentleman？”
RomeoandJuliet。
{WilliamShakespeare，“RomeoandJuliet“，I。iii。79}
JANE\'Sstrengthandspiritsweregraduallyimproving。Shehadbeenpersuadedtotakeadailyairingandhadconsentedtoseeoneortwooftheladiesinherroom。Mr。Wyllysalwayspassedhalfanhourwithher，everyafternoon；andatlengthshecamedownstairs，andjoinedthefamilyinthedrawing-room，forashorttimeintheevening。Mr。andMrs。RobertHazlehurst，whocamefromPhiladelphiatopassadayortwowithher，foundhermuchbetterthantheyhadexpected。
CharlieHubbardreturnedtothegreycottage，withhisportfoliofullofsketches，intendingtopassseveralmonthsathome，infinishinghispicturesofLakeGeorge；theschool-roomhavingbeenconvertedintoapainting-roomforhisuse。MissPatsey\'slittleflockweredispersedforatime；andCharliewaseveninhopesofpersuadinghismotherandsistertoaccompanyhimtoNewYork，whereMaryHubbard，theyoungestsister，wasnowengagedingivingmusiclessons。Hefelthimselfquitearichman，anddrewupaplausibleplanforhiringasmallhouseinsomecheapsituation，wheretheymightalllivetogether；butMissPatseyshookherhead，shethoughttheycouldnotaffordit。Still，itwasdelightfultoher，tolistentoplansdevisedbyCharlie\'swarmheart；sheseemedtolovehimmorethanever，sincehehadevensacrificedhismoustachestohismother\'sprejudiceagainstsuchforeignfashions。
“Keepyourmoney，Charles；wecanmakeoutverywellintheoldcottage；morecomfortablythanwehaveeverdonebefore。Youwillwantallyoucanmakeoneofthesedays，whenyoumarry，“saidMissPatsey。
Tohersurprise，Charlieshowedsomeemotionatthisallusiontohismarrying，andremainedperfectlysilentforaninstant，insteadofgivingtheplayfulanswerthathissisterhadexpectedtohear。
Mrs。Hubbardthenobserved，thatsheshouldnotwishtomove；shehopedtoendherlifeintheoldgreycottage。TheyhadlivedsolongintheneighbourhoodofLongbridge，thatanewplacewouldnotseemlikehometoPatseyandherself。Charliemustcometoseethemasoftenashecould；perhapshewouldbeabletospendhissummersthere。
“Well，weshallsee，mother；atanyrate，MaryandItogether，weshallbeabletomakeyourlifeeasy，Itrust。“
Mrs。Hubbardobserved，thatalthoughtheyhadbeenpoorforthelastseventeenyears，yettheyhadneverreallyseemedtofeeltheweightofpoverty；theyhadmetwithsomuchkindness，fromsomanyrelationsandfriends。
“Butkindnessfromourownchildren，mother，isthemostblessedofall，“saidPatsey。
Charliedidnotgiveuphisplan，however，butheforboretopressitforthepresent，ashewasengagedtodrivehissister，Mrs。Clapp，toherownhouseatLongbridge。Hubbardhadkeptalooffromhisbrother-in-lawwheneverhecould，sincetheStanleysuithadbeencommenced；anyallusiontothisaffairwaspainfultohim；hehadneverrespectedMr。Clapp，andnowstronglysuspectedhimofunfairdealing。HepitiedhissisterKatefromthebottomofhisheart；butitseemedpityquitethrownaway。Tojudgefromherconversation，asCharliewasdrivingherhome，shehadimplicitconfidenceinherhusband；ifshehadatfirstdoubtedtheidentityofthesailor，shehadneverforasecondsupposed，thatWilliamhimselfwasnotfirmlyconvincedofit。Ontheotherhand，shebegantohavesomemisgivingsastothecharacterandintegrityofMr。Wyllys，whomhitherto，allherlifelong，shehadbeenusedtoconsiderasthemodelofagentleman，andanuprightman。ShesoongotupquiteaprejudiceagainstMrs。Stanley；andasforHazlehurst，hefellverylowindeedinherestimation。
“Youdon\'tknowwhattroublepoorWilliamhaswiththissuit，“
shesaidtoherbrother。“Iamsometimesafraiditwillmakehimsick。Itdoesseemverystrange，thatMr。Stanley\'sexecutorsshouldbesoobstinateinrefusingtoacknowledgehisson。Atfirstitwasnaturaltheyshouldhesitate；Imistrustedthissailoratfirst，myself；butnowthatWilliamhasmadeeverythingsoclear，theycannothaveanyexcusefortheirconduct。“
Charliewhippedthefliesfromhishorse，withoutansweringthisremark。
“IhopeWilliamwillcomehometo-night。HeandMr。Stanleyhavegoneofftogether，togetpossessionofsomeveryimportantpapers；theyreceivedaletterofferingthesepapers，onlythenightbeforelast，andWilliamsaystheywillestablishMr。
Stanley\'sclaim，beyondthepossibilityofadenial。Mr。WyllysandMr。Hazlehurstwillfeelverybadly，Ishouldthink，whentheyfindthatafterall，theyhavebeenkeepingtheirfriend\'ssonfromhisrights。“
“Theybelievetheyaredoingtheirduty，“saidCharlie，laconically。
“Itseemsastrangeviewofduty，toactastheydo。“
“Strangeviewsofdutyareverycommon，“saidCharlie，gladtotakerefugeingeneralities。
“Commonsenseandcommonhonestywillhelpusalltodoourduty，“observedKate。
“Nodoubt；butbotharemoreuncommonqualitiesthanonewouldthink，amongrationalbeings，“saidCharlie。
“Well，youknow，Charles，Patseyusedtotelluswhenwewerechildren，thataplain，honestheart，andplain，goodsensewerethebestthingsintheworld。“
“Thatisthereason，Isuppose，whyweloveoursisterPatseysomuch，becauseshehassomuchofthosebestthingsintheworld，“
saidCharlie，warmly。“Ineversawawomanlikeher，fordownright，plaingoodness。TheolderIgrow，thebetterIknowher；andIloveyou，Kate，forthesamereason——youarestraightforwardandhonest，too，“headded，smiling。
“Williamoftenlaughsatme，though，andsaysmyopinionisnotgoodformuch，“saidthesister，shakingherhead，butsmilingprettilyatthesametime。
“Iamsurenoonecancomplainofyouractions，Kate，whateveryouropinionsmaybe，“repliedCharlie；andwhatevermighthavebeenhisestimateofClapp\'sviews，heforboretoutterasyllableonthesubject；forherespectedthewife\'saffection，andknewthathisbrother-in-lawhadatleastonegoodquality——hewaskindandfaithfulasahusbandandfather，accordingtocommon-placeideasoffaithfulnessatleast；forhewouldanydayrisktheircharacterandpeace，tomakealittlemoney。
Theconversationoftheyoungpeoplesoonturnedupontheirtrifling，foolish，unfortunatecousin，Mrs。Hilson；andthiswasasubject，uponwhichbothbrotherandsisteragreedentirely。
Beforelong，theydroveuptoMr。Clapp\'sdoor，andwerereceivedbythelawyerhimself，whohadjustreturnedwithhisclient；
thislatterindividualwasalsoseenloungingintheoffice。Mr。
Clappprofessedhimselfentirelysatisfiedwiththeresultofhisjourney；anddeclaredthattheywerenowquitereadyforMr。
Hazlehurst——sureofavictory，beyondalldoubt。
ThetimehadnotbeenlostbyHarryandhisfriends，however；
theytoo，thoughtthemselvesreadyforthetrial。Astheimportantdaywasdrawingnear，Mr。EllsworthwasobligedtoleaveWyllys-Roof；hehaddoneallhecouldatLongbridge，andtherewerestillvariousmatterstobelookedafterinPhiladelphia。Mrs。Creightonaccompaniedherbrother，andtheywerenottoreturntoWyllys-Roofuntilaftertheimportantquestionwasdecided。Hazlehurstwasthentocomewiththem；
whetherdefeatedortriumphantcouldnotyetbeknown。Harry\'sfriends，however，weregenerallysanguine；andMrs。Creightonwasfullofsympathy，andinexcellentspirits。
Thereremainedanotheraffair，whichmustalsobefinallysettledinafewweeks。WhenMr。EllsworthreturnedtoWyllys-Roof，theappointedthreemonthsofprobationwouldhaveexpired，andhewouldeitherremainthereastheaffiancedhusbandofElinor，orleaveLongbridgeherrejectedsuitor。
Duringthepastthreemonths，Elinorhadtakenanimportantstepinlife；shehadreachedapointinexperience，whereshehadneverstoodbefore。Thewholeresponsibilityofdecidinguponasubject，highlyimportanttoherself，andtothoseconnectedwithher，hadbeenthrownentirelyuponheralone。Thefateofherwholelifewouldbemuchinvolvedinthepresentdecision。Duringthelasttwoorthreeyears，orinotherwords，sinceshehadfirstdiscoveredthatHarrylovedJane，shehadintendedtoremainsingle。Itseemedveryimprobabletoher，thatanyonewouldseektogainheraffections，unlesswiththeviewofenjoyingthefortunewhichshehadnowthereputationofpossessing；itwasonlynaturalthatsheshouldexaggeratethosepersonaldisadvantages，whichhadlosttheheartofhimwhomshehadoncelovedsotruly。ShehadbeensomuchattachedtoHazlehurst，thatsheshrunkfromtheideaofeverbecomingthewifeofanother；andsheconsideredherselfashavingtacitlymadechoiceofasinglelife，whichhermother\'sletterseemedtosuggest。Butassheneverspokeofherviews，oralludedtothem，hergrandfatherandauntwereignorantofthisintention；andshesoonbegantoobservewithregretthattheywishedhertomarry，andwereindeedanxiousthatsheshouldacceptMr。Ellsworth。
Thiswasthefirstoccasionofanyimportance，onwhichtheirwishesandherownhadbeenatvariance；itwasanewpositionforElinortobeplacedin。WhenMr。Ellsworthmadehisproposal，itwasowingtothestrong，butaffectionaterepresentationsofMr。WyllysandMissAgnes，thathewasnotimmediatelyrejected。
Elinorwas，infact，thelastpersontobeconvincedofhisregardforher；butshehadknownhischaracterandstandingtoowelltobelievehimamerefortune-hunter；andafterhehadonceofferedhimself，couldnotdoubthissincerity。ShementionedtoMissWyllysherpreviousintentionofremainingsingle。
“Makenorashdecision，mylove，“wasthereplyatthetime。“Youaretooreasonable，formetobelievethatyouwilldoso；lookatyourownposition，Elinor；youwillbealoneintheworld，moresothanmostwomen。Yourgrandfatherisadvancedinyears，andmyhealthwarnsmenottoexpectalonglife。Idonotwishtodistressyou，buttoplacethetruthplainlybeforeyou，myElinor。Youhaveneitherbrothernorsister；JaneandHarry，yourintimatecompanionsinchildhood，willbeseparatedfromyoubytiesanddutiesoftheirown。Whatwillyoudo，mychild？Anaffectionatedispositionlikeyourscannotbehappyalone。Ontheotherhand，hereisMr。Ellsworth，whoiscertainlyattachedtoyou；amanofexcellentcharacter，witheveryimportantqualitythatcanbedesired。Yousayyouwishtobereasonable；judgeforyourselfwhatisthewisestcourseunderthesecircumstances。“
Elinorwassilentforamoment；atlengthshespoke。
“Ithasalwaysbeenoneofyourownlessonstome，dearestaunt，toprofitbythepast，toimprovethepresent，andleavethefuturetoProvidence。Yet，now，youwouldhavemethinkofthefutureonly；andyouurgemetomarry，whileyouaresingle，andhappy，yourself！”
“Yes，mychild；butIhavehadyourgrandfatherandyou，tomakemehappyanduseful。Mostsinglewomenhavenearrelatives，towhomtheycanattachthemselves，whomitisadutyandapleasuretoloveandserve；butthatisnotyourcase。Elinor，yourgrandfatherisveryanxiousyoushouldacceptMr。Ellsworth。“
“Iknowit，“saidElinor；“hehastoldmesohimself。“
“Heisanxious，dear，becausefromwhatheknowsofMr。Ellsworthandyourself，heisconvincedyouwouldeventuallybehappy；hefearsyouhesitatefromsomefeelingofgirlishromance。Still，wehaveneitherofusanywishtourgeyoutoofar。Appealtoyourowngood，commonsense，thatisallthatcanbedesired；donotberomantic，dear，forthefirsttimeinyourlife，“
continuedherauntsmiling。“Iknowthewishesofyourfriendswillhavesomeweightwithyou；donotletthemcontrolyou，however。Judgeforyourself，buttaketimetoreflect；acceptMr。
Ellsworth\'sownproposition——waitsometimebeforeyougiveafinalanswer；thatisallthatyourgrandfatherandmyselfcanask。“
Andsuchhadbeenthedecision；threemonthsbeingthetimeappointed。Sincethen，bothMr。WyllysandMissAgneshadcarefullyrefrainedfromexpressinganyfartheropinion——theyneverevenalludedtothesubject，butleftElinortoherownreflections。Suchatleastwastheirintention；buttheirwisheswerewellknowntoher，andverypossibly，unconsciouslyinfluencedtheirconductandmanner，inmanydailytrifles，inawayveryevidenttoElinor。Inthemeantime，Septemberhadcome，andthemomentforfinaldecisionwasathand。Mr。Ellsworth\'sconductthroughouthadbeenverymuchinhisfavour；hehadbeenperseveringandmarkedinhisattentions，withoutannoyingbyhispertinacity。Elinorhadlikedhim，inthecommonsenseoftheword，fromthefirst；andthebettersheknewhim，themorecauseshefoundtorespecthisprinciples，andamiablecharacter。Andyet，iflefttoherownunbiassedjudgment，shewouldprobablyhaverefusedhimatfirst，withnootherreluctancethanthatofwoundingforatimethefeelingsofamanshesincerelyesteemed。
ThemorningthatMrs。CreightonandMr。EllsworthleftWyllys-Roof，Elinorsetouttotakeastrollinthefield，withnoothercompanionthanherfriendBruno。Thedogseemedawarethathismistresswasabsentandthoughtful，moreindifferentthanusualtohiscaressesandgambols；and，afterhavingmadethisobservation，thesagaciousanimalseemeddeterminednottoannoyher，butwalkedsoberlyatherside，oroccasionallytrottingonbefore，hewouldstop，turntowardsher，andsitinthepath，lookingatherassheslowlyapproached。Shehadleftthehouse，inordertoavoidanyintrusiononherthoughts，atamomentwhichwasanimportantonetoher；forshehaddetermined，thatafteronemorethoroughexaminationofherownfeelings，herownviews，andthecircumstancesinwhichshewasplaced，thequestionshouldbeirrevocablysettled——whethersheweretobecamethewifeofMr。Ellsworth，ortoremainsingle。Manypersonsmayfancythisaveryinsignificantmattertodecide，andonethatrequirednosuchseriousattention。Buttoeveryindividual，thatisahighlyimportantpoint，whichmustnecessarilyaffectthewholefuturecourseoflife；thechoicewhichinvolvessointimateandindissolublearelation，whereeveryinterestinlifeisidenticalwithone\'sown，issurelynotriflingconcern。Itmaywellbedoubted，indeed，ifevenwithmenitbenotamatterofhigherimportancethaniscommonlybelieved；observation，wethink，wouldleadtotheopinion，thatawife\'scharacterandconducthaveadeeperandmoregeneraleffectonthehusband\'scareer，forgoodorforevil，throughhisopinionsandactions，thantheworldisawareof。ThischoicecertainlyappearedamuchmoreformidablesteptoElinor，whenMr。Ellsworthwastheindividualtobeacceptedorrejected，thanithadwhenHarrystoodinthesameposition。Inonecaseshehadtoreflect，andponder，andweighallthedifferentcircumstances；intheother，thenaturalbentofheraffectionshaddecidedthequestionbeforeitwasasked。ButElinorhad，quitelately，settledhalf-a-dozensimilaraffairs，withverylittlereflectionindeed，andwithoutamoment\'sanxietyorregret；shehadjustrefused，withpoliteindifference，severalproposals，frompersonswhomshehadeveryreasontobelieve，caredagreatdealforherfortune，andverylittleforherself。
Ifthoughtweremoreactivethanfeeling，inbehalfofMr。
Ellsworth，still，thoughtsaidagreatdealinhisfavour。Shehadalwayslikedandrespectedhim；shebelievedhimattachedtoher；hernearestfriendswereanxioussheshouldgiveafavourableanswer；therecouldnotbeadoubtthathepossessedmanyexcellentanddesirablequalities。Shewouldnotberomantic，neitherwouldshebeunjusttoMr。Ellsworthandherself；shewouldnotaccepthim，unlessshecoulddosofrankly，andwithoutreluctance。This，then，wasthequestiontobedecided——couldsheloveMr。Ellsworth？Thefree，spontaneouslove，naturaltoearlyyouth，shehadoncegiventoHazlehurst；
couldshenowoffertoMr。Ellsworthsincereaffectionofanotherkind，lessengrossingatfirst，lessmingledwiththecharmsoffancy，butoften，perhapsonthataccount，morevaluable，moreenduring？Sincereaffectionofanysort，isthatonlywhichimproveswithage，gainingstrengthamidthewearandtearoflife。Itwastodecidethisquestionclearly，thatElinorhaddesiredthreemonths\'delay。Thesethreemonthshadnearlypassed；whensheagainmetMr。Ellsworth，inwhatcharactershouldshereceivehim？
TheprecisetrainofthoughtpursuedbyElinor，duringthismorningstroll，weshallnotattempttofollow；butthatshewasfullyawareoftheimportanceofthedecisionwasevident，bytheunusualabsenceofmanner，whichseemedtohavestruckevenherfour-footedfriendBruno。Shehad，indeed，madeanimportantdiscoverylately，onewhichwasstartling，andevenpainfultoher。Shefoundthattherearemomentsinlife，wheneachindividualiscalledupontothinkandtoactalone。Itisatruthwhichmostofusareforcedtofeel，aswegothroughthisworld；though，happily，itisbutseldomthatsuchhoursoccur。
Ingeneral，thesympathy，thecounseloffriends，isoftheveryhighestvalue；andyet，therearemomentswhenneithercanavail。
Atsuchtimes，weareforcedtolookhigher，toacknowledgethathumanwisdomdoesnotreachfarenoughtoguideus，thatourwoundsneedapurerbalmthananyofferedbyhumansympathy。
Untilrecently，Elinorhadalwaysbeensoothedandsupportedbytheaffectionandguidanceofheraunt，butshemustnowdependuponherselfalone。Toayoungperson，calleduponforthefirsttimetotakeanimportantstep，withnootherguidethanindividualjudgmentandconscience，theresponsibilityofactionmaywellbestartling；evenawiseandexperiencedmanwilloftenpauseatsuchmoments，doubtfulofthecourseheshallpursue。Itisaneasymattertosettleaquestion，whenpassion，feeling，interest，orprejudicegivesthebias；butwheretheseareallsilent，andcooljudgmentisleftalonetodecide，thegreatestmenfeel，toapainfuldegree，howlimitedaretheirpowers；thehighresponsibilitywhichisattachedtofree-willrisesbeforethem，andtheyshrinkfromtheideaoftrustingtheirownwelfaretotheirownshort-sightedreasonalone。Mostmen，atsuchtimes，takerefugeinasortoffatalism；theystandinactive，untilurgedinthisorthatdirectionbythepressofoutwardcircumstances；ortheyrushblindlyforward，underimpatienceofsuspense，preferringrisktoinaction。
Theoccasionofouryoungfriend\'sanxietyandthoughtfulnesswas，nodoubt，atriflingonetoallbutherself；thecauseofherhesitation，however，washonourable；theopinions，feelings，andmotivesunderwhichsheeventuallyacted，werealikenaturalandcreditable。
CHAPTERXVIII。{XLI}
“AreyouacquaintedwiththedifferenceThatholdsthispresentquestion，inthecourt？”
MerchantofVenice。
{WilliamShakespeare，“TheMerchantofVenice“，IV。i。171-172}
ASthetimeforthetrialapproached，thepartiescollectedinPhiladelphia。Harryandhisfriendswereoftenseeninthestreets，lookingbusyandthoughtful。Mr。Reedalsoappeared，andtookuphisquartersatoneofthegreathotels，incompanywithMr。Clappandhisclient，whogenerallyreceivedthenameofWilliamStanley，althoughhehadnotyetestablishedalegalclaimtoit。Therewasmuchcuriositytoseethisindividual，asthecasehadimmediatelyattractedgeneralattentioninthetown，wherethefamiliesinterestedweresowellknown，andthesingularcircumstancesofthesuitnaturallyexcitedadditionalinterest。
Afterthecourtopeneditssession，itbecamedoubtfulatonemoment，whetherthecausewouldhetriedatthatterm；butotherswhichprecededithavingbeendisposedof，theStanleysuitwasatlengthcalled。
OnonesideappearedWilliamStanley，theplaintiff，withMessrs。
ReedandClappascounsel；anumberofwitnesseshadbeensummonedbythem，andwerenowpresent，mingledwiththeaudience。Ontheotherhandwerethedefendants，Mr。Wyllys，Hazlehurst，Ellsworth，andMr。Grant，adistinguishedlawyerofPhiladelphia，appearingmoreparticularlyforMrs。Stanley；theywerealsosupportedbywitnessesoftheirown。
Whilethepreliminarystepsweregoingon，thejuryforming，andthepartiesinterestedmakingtheirarrangements，thecourt-roomfilledrapidlywiththefriendsofHazlehurst，andacrowdofcuriousspectators。Amongtheindividualsknowntous，wereRobertHazlehurst，Mr。Stryker，andCharlieHubbard，theyoungartist，whofoundthathiswantofinchesinterferedwithhisviewofthescene，andspringingonabench，heremainedthere，andcontrivedtokeepmuchthesamestationthroughoutthetrial，hisfine，intelligentcountenancefollowingtheproceedingswiththeliveliestinterest：Harrysoonperceivedhim，andtheyoungmenexchangedfriendlysmiles。Mr。Strykerwaslookingonwithcold，worldlycuriosity；whileRobertHazlehurstwatchedoverhisbrother\'sinterestwithmuchanxiety。Inonesensetheaudiencewasunequallydividedatfirst，forwhileHarryhadmanywarm，personalfriendspresent，thesailorwasastrangertoall；theaspectofthingspartiallychanged，however，foramongthatportionofthecrowdwhohadnoparticularsympathieswiththedefendants，anumbersoontooksideswiththeplaintiff。Thecuriositytoseethesailorwasverygreat；atonemoment，intheopeningofthetrial，alleyeswerefixedonhim；nordidHarryescapehisshareofscrutiny。
Itwasimmediatelyobserved，bythosewhohadknownthelateMr。
Stanley，thattheplaintiffcertainlyresembledhisfamily。Hewasdressedlikeaseaman，andappearedquiteeasyandconfident；
seldomabsentfromcourt，speakinglittle，butfollowingtheproceedingsattentively。Hiscounsel，Mr。Reed，boreacalmandbusiness-likeaspect。Clappwasflushed，hiseyewaskeenandrestless，thoughhelookedsanguineandhopeful；runninghishandthroughhisdarkcurls，hewouldleanbackandmakeanobservationtohisclient，turntotherightandwhispersomethingintheearofMr。Reed，orbendoverhispapers，engrossedinthought。
Thedefendants，ontheirside，werecertainlythreeasrespectablemenintheirappearance，asonewouldwishtosee；
theylooked，moved，andspokelikegentlemen；inmannerandexpressiontheywereallthreeperfectlynatural；simple，easy，butfirm；likemenawarethatimportantinterestswereatstake，andpreparedtomakeagooddefence。Mr。Grant，theircolleague，wasaninsignificant-lookingmanwhensilent，butheneverrosetospeak，withoutcommandingthewholeattentionofhisaudiencebytheforceofhistalent。
Thejudgeswere-wellknowntoberespectablemen，asAmericanmagistratesofthehighergradeareusuallyfoundtobe。Intheappearanceofthejurytherewasnothingremarkable；theforemanwasashrewd-lookingman，hisneighbouronthelefthadanopen，honestcountenance，twoothersshoweddecidedlystupidfaces，andonehadaveryobstinateexpression，asifthefirstideathatenteredhishead，onanysubjectwhatever，wasseldomallowedtobedislodged。
Suchwastheappearanceofthingswhenthetrialcommenced。