Wednesdaycame。SuchdoingshadneverbeenheardofinRocklandaswentonthatdayatthe“villa。”Thecarpethadbeentakenupinthelongroom，sothattheyoungfolksmighthaveadance。MissMatilda’spianohadbeenmovedin，andtwofiddlersandaclarionet-
playerengagedtomakemusic。Allkindsoflampshadbeenputinrequisition，andevencoloredwax-candlesfiguredonthemantel-
pieces。Thecostumesofthefamilyhadbeentriedonthedaybefore：
theColonel’sblacksuitfittedexceedinglywell；hislady’svelvetdressdisplayedhercontourstoadvantage；MissMatilda’sfloweredsilkwasconsideredsuperb；theeldestsonofthefamily，Mr。T。
JordanSprowle，calledaffectionatelyandelegantly“Geordie。”votedhimself“stunnin’“；andeventhesmallyouthwhohadborneMr。
Bernard’sinvitationwaseffectiveinanewjacketandtrousers，buttonyinfront，andbaggyinthereverseaspect，asiswonttobethecasewiththehome-madegarmentsofinlandyoungsters。
Greatpreparationshadbeenmadefortherefectionwhichwastobepartoftheentertainment。Therewasmuchclinkingofborrowedspoons，whichweretobecarefullycounted，andmuchclickingofborrowedchina，whichwastobetenderlyhandled，fornobodyinthecountrykeepsthosevastclosetsfullofsuchthingswhichonemayseeinrichcity-houses。Notagreatdealcouldbedoneinthewayofflowers，fortherewerenogreenhouses，andfewplantswereoutasyet；buttherewerepaperornamentsforthecandlesticks，andcoloredmatsforthelamps，andallthetasselsofthecurtainsandbellsweretakenoutofthosebrownlinenbags，inwhich，forreasonshithertoundiscovered，theyarehabituallyconcealedinsomehouseholds。Intheremoterapartmentseveryimaginableoperationwasgoingonatonce，——roasting，boiling，baking，beating，rolling，poundinginmortars，frying，freezing；fortherewastobeice-creamto-nightofdomesticmanufacture；——andinthemidstofalltheselabors，Mrs。SprowleandMissMatildaweremovingabout，directingandhelpingastheybestmight，alldaylong。Whentheeveningcame，itmightbefearedtheywouldnotbeinjustthestateofmindandbodytoentertaincompany——
Onewouldliketogiveapartynowandthen，ifonecouldbeabillionnaire——“Antoine，Iamgoingtohavetwentypeopletodineto-
day。”“Biens，Madame。”Notawordorthoughtmoreaboutit，butgethomeinseasontodress，andcomedowntoyourowntable，oneofyourownguests——“Giuseppe，wearetohaveapartyaweekfromto-night，——fivehundredinvitations——thereisthelist。”Thedaycomes。
“Madam，doyourememberyouhaveyourpartytonight？““Why，soI
have！Everythingright？supperandall？““Allasitshouldbe，Madam。”
“SendupVictorine。”“Victorine，fulltoiletforthisevening，——
pink，diamonds，andemeralds。Coiffeuratseven。Allez。”——
Billionism，orevenmillionism，mustbeablessedkindofstate，withhealthandclearconscienceandyouthandgoodlooks，——butmostblessedisthis，thatittakesoffallthemeancareswhichgivepeoplethethreewrinklesbetweentheeyebrows，andleavesthemfreetohaveagoodtimeandmakeothershaveagoodtime，allthewayalongfromthecharitythattipsupunexpectedloadsofwoodbeforewidows’houses，andleavesfoundlingturkeysuponpoormen’sdoor-
steps，andsetsleanclergymencryingatthesightofanonymousfifty-dollarbills，tothetastewhichordersaperfectbanquetinsuchsweetaccordwitheverysensethateverybody’snatureflowersoutfull——blowninitsgolden——glowing，fragrantatmosphere——
Agreatpartygivenbythesmallergentryoftheinteriorisakindofsolemnity，sotospeak。Itinvolvessomuchlaborandanxiety，——
itsspasmodicsplendorsaresoviolentlycontrastedwiththehomelinessofevery-dayfamily-life，——itissuchaformidablemattertobreakintherawsubordinatestothemanegeofthecloak-roomandthetable，——thereissuchaterribleuncertaintyintheresultsofunfamiliarculinaryoperations，——somanyfeudsareinvolvedindrawingthatfatallinewhichdividestheinvitedfromtheuninvitedfractionofthelocaluniverse，——that，ifthenotesrequestedthepleasureoftheguests’companyon“thissolemnoccasion。”theywouldprettynearlyexpressthetruestateofthings。
TheColonelhimselfhadbeenpressedintotheservice。Hehadpoundedsomethinginthegreatmortar。Hehadagitatedaquantityofsweetenedandthickenedmilkinwhatwascalledacream-freezer。Ateleveno’clock，A。M。，heretiredforaspace。Onreturning，hiscolorwasnotedtobesomewhatheightened，andheshowedadispositiontobejocularwiththefemalehelp，——whichtendency，displayingitselfinlivelierdemonstrationsthanwereapprovedathead-quarters，ledtohisbeingdetailedtoout-of-doorduties，suchasrakinggravel，arrangingplacesforhorsestobehitchedto，andassistingintheconstructionofanarchofwintergreenattheporchofthemansion。
AwhifffromMr。Geordie’scigarrefreshedthetoilingfemalesfromtimetotime；forthewindowshadtobeopenedoccasionally，whilealltheseoperationsweregoingon，andtheyouthamusedhimselfwithinspectingtheinterior，encouragingtheoperativesnowandtheninthephrasescommonlyemployedbygenteelyoungmen，——forhehadperusedanoddvolumeof“VerdantGreen。”andwasacquaintedwithaSophomorefromoneofthefresh-watercolleges。“Goitonthefeed！“
exclaimedthisspiritedyoungman。“Nothin’likeagoodspread。
Grubenoughandgoodliquor，that’stheticket。Guv’nor’lldotheheavypolite，andletmealoneforpolishin’offtheyoungcharmers。”
AndMr。Geordielookedexpressivelyatahandmaidwhowasrollinggingerbread，asifhewererehearsingfor“DonGiovanni。”
Eveningcameatlast，andtheladieswereforcedtoleavethesceneoftheirlaborstoarraythemselvesforthecomingfestivities。Thetableshadbeensetinabackroom，themeatswereready，thepicklesweredisplayed，thecakewasbaked，theblanc-mangehadstiffened，andtheice-creamhadfrozen。
Athalfpastseveno’clock，theColonel，incostume，cameintothefrontparlor，andproceededtolightthelamps。Someweregood-
humoredenoughandtookthehintofalightedmatchatonce。Otherswereasviciousastheycouldbe，——wouldnotlightonanyterms，anymorethaniftheywerefilledwithwater，orlightedandsmokedonesideofthechimney，orspatteredafewsparksandsulkedthemselvesout，orkeptupafaintshowofburning，sothattheirgroundglasseslookedasfeeblyphosphorescentassomanyinvalidfireflies。Withmuchcoaxingandscrewingandpricking，atolerableilluminationwasatlastachieved。Ateighttherewasagrandrustlingofsilks，andMrs。andMissSprowledescendedfromtheirrespectivebowersorboudoirs。Ofcoursetheywereprettywelltiredbythistime，andverygladtositdown，——havingtheprospectbeforethemofbeingobligedtostandforhours。TheColonelwalkedabouttheparlor，inspectinghisregimentoflamps。ByandbyMr。Geordieentered。
“Mph！mph！“hesniffed，ashecamein。“Yousmelloflamp-smokehere。”
Thatalwaysgallspeople，——tohaveanew-comeraccusethemofsmokeorcloseair，whichtheyhavegotusedtoanddonotperceive。TheColonelragedatthethoughtofhislamps’smoking，andtonguedafewanathemasinsideofhisshutteeth，butturneddowntwoorthreewicksthatburnedhigherthantherest。
MasterH。Fredericnextmadehisappearance，withquestionablemarksuponhisfingersandcountenance。Hadbeentamperingwithsomethingbrownandsticky。Hiselderbrothergrewplayful，andcaughthimbythebaggyreverseofhismoreessentialgarment。
“Hush！“saidMrs。Sprowle，——“there’sthebell！“
Everybodytookpositionatonce，andbegantolookverysmilingandaltogetheratease——Falsealarm。Onlyaparcelofspoons，——
“loaned。”astheinlandfolkssaywhentheymeanlent，byaneighbor。
“Betterlatethannever！“saidtheColonel，“letmeheftthemspoons。”
Mrs。Sprowlecamedownintoherchairagainasifallherboneshadbeenbewitchedoutofher。
“I’mprettynighbeatouta’ready。”saidshe，“beforeanyofthefolkshascome。”
Theysatsilentawhile，waitingforthefirstarrival。Hownervoustheygot！andhowtheirsensesweresharpened！
“Hark！“saidMissMatilda，——“what’sthatrumblin’？“
Itwasacartgoingoverabridgemorethanamileoff，whichatanyothertimetheywouldnothaveheard。Afterthistherewasalull，andpoorMrs。Sprowle’sheadnoddedonceortwice。Presentlyacracklingandgrindingofgravel；——howmuchthatmeans，whenwearewaitingforthosewhomwelongordreadtosee！Thenachangeinthetoneofthegravel-crackling。
“Yes，theyhaveturnedinatourgate。They’recomin’！Mother！
mother！“
Everybodyinposition，smilingandatease。Bellrings。Enterthefirstsetofvisitors。TheEventoftheSeasonhasbegun。
“Law！it’snothin’buttheCranes’folks！IdobelieveMahala’scomeinthatoldgreende-lainesheworeattheSurpriseParty！“
MissMatildahadpeepedthroughacrackofthedoorandmadethisobservationandtheremarkfoundedthereon。Continuingherattitudeofattention，sheoverheardMrs。Craneandhertwodaughtersconversingintheattiring-room，uponeflight。
“Howfineeverythingisinthegreathouse！“saidMrs。Crane，——“jestlookatthepicters！“
“MatildySprowle’sdrawin’s。”saidAdaAzuba，theeldestdaughter。
“Ishouldthinkso。”saidMahalaCrane，heryoungersister，——awide-
awakegirl，whohadn’tbeentoschoolfornothing，andperformedalittleontheleadpencilherself。“Ishouldliketoknowwhetherthat’sahay-cockoramountain！“
MissMatildawinced；forthismustrefertoherfavoritemonochrome，executedbylayingonheavyshadowsandstumpingthemdownintomellowharmony，——thestyleofdrawingwhichistaughtinsixlessons，andthekindofspecimenwhichisexecutedinsomethinglessthanonehour。Parentsandotherverynearrelativesaresometimesgratifiedwiththeseproductions，andcausethemtobeframedandhungup，asinthepresentinstance。
“Iguesswewon’tgodownjestyet。”saidMrs。Crane，“asfolksdon’tseemtohavecome。”
Soshebeganasystematicinspectionofthedressing-roomanditsconveniences。
“Mahoganyfour-poster；——comefromtheJordans’，Ical’la，te。
Marseillesquilt。Rufflesallroundthepiller。Chintzcurtings，——
jestputup，——o’purposefortheparty，I’lllayyeadollar——Whatanicewashbowl！“Tapsitwithawhiteknucklebelongingtoaredfinger。“Stonechaney——Here’sabran’-newbrushandcomb，——andhere’sascent-bottle。Comehere，girls，andfixyourselvesintheglass，andscentyourpocket-handkerchers。”
AndMrs。CranebedewedherownkerchiefwithsomeoftheeaudeCologneofnativemanufacture，——saidonitslabeltobemuchsuperiortotheGermanarticle。
ItwasarelieftoMrs。andtheMissCraneswhenthebellrangandthenextguestswereadmitted。DeaconandMrs。Soper，——DeaconSoperoftheRev。Mr。Fairweather’schurch，andhislady。Mrs。DeaconSoperwasdirected，ofcourse，totheladies’dressing-room，andherhusbandtotheotherapartment，wheregentlemenweretoleavetheiroutsidecoatsandhats。ThencameMr。andMrs。Briggs，andthenthethreeMissSpinneys，thenSilasPeckham，HeadoftheApollineanInstitute，andMrs。Peckham，andmoreafterthem，untilatlasttheladies’dressing-roomgotsofullthatonemighthavethoughtitwasatrapnoneofthemcouldgetoutof。Intruth，theyallfeltalittleawkwardly。Nobodywantedtobefirsttoventuredown-stairs。
AtlastMr。SilasPeckhamthoughtitwastimetomakeamovefortheparlor，andforthispurposepresentedhimselfatthedooroftheladies’dressing-room。
“Lorindy，mydear！“heexclaimedtoMrs。Peckham，——“Ithinktherecanbenoimproprietyinourjoiningthefamilydown-stairs。”
Mrs。Peckhamlaidherlarge，flaccidarminthesharpanglemadebytheblacksleevewhichheldthebonylimbherhusbandoffered，andthetwotookthestairandstruckoutfortheparlor。Theicewasbroken，andthedressing-roombegantoemptyitselfintothespacious，lightedapartmentsbelow。
Mr。SilasPeckhamslidintotheroomwithMrs。Peckhamalongside，likeashadconvoyingajelly-fish。
“Good-evenin’，Mrs。Sprowle！IhopeIseeyouwellthisevenin’。
How’syourhaalth，ColonelSprowle？“
“Verywell，muchobleegedtoyou。Hopeyouandyourgoodladyarewell。Muchpleasedtoseeyou。Hopeyou’llenjoyyourselves。We’velaidouttohaveeverythingingoodshape，——sparednotroublenorex“——
“pence。”——saidSilasPeckham。
Mrs。ColonelSprowle，who，youremember，wasaJordan，hadnippedtheColonel’sstatementinthemiddleofthewordMr。Peckhamfinished，withalookthatjerkedhimlikeoneofthosesharptwitcheswomenkeepgivingahorsewhentheygetachancetodriveone。
Mr。andMrs。Crane，MissAdaAzuba，andMissMahalaCranemadetheirentrance。Therehadbeenadiscussionaboutthenecessityandproprietyofinvitingthisfamily，theheadofwhichkeptasmallshopforhatsandbootsandshoes。TheColonel’scastingvotehadcarrieditintheaffirmative——Howterriblythepooroldgreende-lainedidcutupintheblazeofsomanylampsandcandles——
Deludedlittlewretch，maleorfemale，intownorcountry，goingtoyourfirstgreatparty，howlittleyouknowthenatureoftheceremonyinwhichyouaretobearthepartofvictim！What！arenotthesegarlandsandgauzymistsandmany-coloredstreamerswhichadornyou，isnotthismusicwhichwelcomesyou，thisradiancethatglowsaboutyou，meantsolelyforyourenjoyment，youngmissofseventeenoreighteensummers，nowforthefirsttimeswimminguntothefrothy，chatoyant，sparkling，undulatingseaoflacesandsilksandsatins，andwhite-armed，flower-crownedmaidensstrugglingintheirwavesbeneaththelustresthatmakethefalsesummerofthedrawing-room？
Stopatthethreshold！Thisisahallofjudgmentyouareentering；
thecourtisinsession；andifyoumovefivestepsforward，youwillbeatitsbar。
TherewasatribunalonceinFrance，asyoumayremember，calledtheChambreArdente，theBurningChamber。Itwashungallroundwithlamps，andhenceitsname。Theburningchamberforthetrialofyoungmaidensistheblazingball-room。Whathavetheyfull-dressedyou，orratherhalf-dressedyoufor，doyouthink？Tomakeyoulookpretty，ofcourse！Whyhavetheyhungachandelieraboveyou，flickeringalloverwithflames，sothatitsearchesyoulikethenoondaysun，andyourdeepestdimplecannotholdashadow？Togivebrilliancytothegayscene，nodoubt！——No，myclear！Societyisinspectingyou，anditfindsundisguisedsurfacesandstronglightsaconvenienceintheprocess。Thedanceanswersthepurposeoftherevolvingpedestaluponwhichthe“WhiteCaptive“turns，toshowusthesoft，kneadedmarble，whichlooksasifithadneverbeenhard，inallitsmanifoldaspectsoflivingloveliness。Nomercyforyou，mylove！Justice，strictjustice，youshallcertainlyhave，——neithermorenorless。For，lookyou，therearedozens，scores，hundreds，withwhomyoumustbeweighedinthebalance；andyouhavegottolearnthatthe“struggleforlife“Mr。CharlesDarwintalksaboutreachestovertebratescladincrinoline，aswellastomollusksinshells，orarticulatesinjointedscales，oranythingthatfightsforbreathing-roomandfoodandloveinanycoatoffurorfeather！
Happytheywhocanflashdefiancefrombrighteyesandsnowyshouldersbackintothependantsoftheinsolentlustres！——
MissMahalaCranedidnothavethesereflections；andnoyounggirleverdid，oreverwill，thankHeaven！Herkeeneyessparkledunderherplainlypartedhairandthegreende-lainemouldeditselfinthoseunmistakablelinesofnaturalsymmetryinwhichNatureindulgesasmallshopkeeper’sdaughteroccasionallyaswellasawholesaledealer’syoungladies。Shewouldhavelikedanewdressasmuchasanyothergirl，butshemeanttogoandhaveagoodtimeatanyrate。
Theguestswerenowarrivinginthedrawing-roomprettyfast，andtheColonel’shandbegantoburnagooddealwiththesharpsqueezeswhichmanyofthevisitorsgaveit。Conversation，whichhadbegunlikeasummer-shower，inscatteringdrops，wasfastbecomingcontinuous，andoccasionallyrisingintogustyswells，withnowandthenabroad-chestedlaughfromsomeCaptainorMajororothermilitarypersonage，——foritmaybenotedthatalllargeandloudmenintheunpaveddistrictsbearmilitarytitles。
DeaconSopercameuppresently，andenteredintoconversationwithColonelSprowle。
“Ihopetoseeourpastorpresentthisevenin’。”saidtheDeacon。
“Idon’tfeelquitesure。”theColonelanswered。“Hisdyspepsyhasbeenbadonhimlately。Hewrotetosay，that，Providencepermittin’，itwouldbeagreeabletohimtotakeapartintheexercisesoftheevenin’；butImistrustedhedidn’tmeantocome。
Totellthetruth，DeaconSoper，Iratherguesshedon’tliketheideeofdancin’，andsomeoftheotherlittlearrangements。”
“Well。”saidtheDeacon，“Iknowthere’ssomecondemnsdancin’。I’veheerdagooddealoftalkaboutitamongthefolksround。Somehaveitthatitneverbringsablessin’onahousetohavedancin’init。
JudgeTilestondied，youremember，withinamonthafterhehadhisgreatball，twelveyearago，andsomethoughtitwasinthenatur’ofajudgment。Idon’tbelieveinanyofthemnotions。Ifamanhappenedtobestruckdeadthenightafterhe’dbeengivin’aball。”
theColonelloosenedhisblackstockalittle，andwinkedandswallowedtwoorthreetimes，“Ishouldn’tcallitajudgment，——I
shouldcallitacoincidence。ButI’malittleafraidourpastorwon’tcome。Somethin’orother’sthematterwithMr。Fairweather。I
shouldsoonerexpecttoseetheoldDoctorcomeoveroutoftheOrthodoxparsonage-house。”
“I’veaskedhim。”saidtheColonel。
“Well？“saidDeaconSoper。
“Hesaidheshouldliketocome，buthedidn’tknowwhathispeoplewouldsay。Forhispart，helovedtoseeyoungfolkshavin’theirsportstogether，andveryoftenfeltasifheshouldliketobeoneof’emhimself。’But，’saysI，’Doctor，Idon’tsaytherewon’tbealittledancin’。’’Don’t！’sayshe，’forIwantLettytogo，’she’shisgranddaughterthat’sbeenstayin’withhim，’andLetty’smightyfondofdancin’。Youknow，’saystheDoctor，’itisn’tmybusinesstosettlewhetherotherpeople’schildrenshoulddanceornot。’AndtheDoctorlookedasifheshouldliketorigadoonandsashyacrossaswellastheyoungonehewastalkin’about。He’sgotbloodinhim，theoldDoctorhas。Iwishourlittlemanandhimwouldswoppulpits。”
DeaconSoperstartedandlookedupintotheColonel’sface，asiftoseewhetherhewasinearnest。
Mr。SilasPeckhamandhisladyjoinedthegroup。
“IsthistobeaTemperanceCelebration，Mrs。Sprowle？“askedMr。
SilasPeckham。
Mrs。Sprowlereplied，“thattherewouldbelemonadeandsrubforthosethatpreferredsuchdrinks，butthattheColonelhadgivenfolkstounderstandthathedidn’tmeantosetinjudgmentonthemarriageinCanaan，andthatthosethatdidn’tlikesrubandsuchthingswouldfindsomethin’thatwouldsuitthembetter。”
DeaconSoper’scountenanceassumedacertainairofrestrainedcheerfulness。Theconversationroseintooneofitsgustyparoxysmsjustthen。MasterH。Fredericgotbehindadoorandbeganperformingtheexperimentofstoppingandunstoppinghisearsinrapidalternation，greatlyrejoicinginthesingulareffectofmixedconversationchoppedverysmall，likethecontentsofamince-pie，ormeat-pie，asitismoreforciblycalledinthedeep-ruttedvillageslyingalongtheunsaltedstreams。Allatonceitgrewsilentjustroundthedoor，whereithadbeenloudest，——andthesilencespreaditselflikeastain，tillithushedeverythingbutafewcorner-
duets。Adark，sad-looking，middle-agedgentlemanenteredtheparlor，withayoungladyonhisarm，——hisdaughter，asitseemed，forshewasnotwhollyunlikehiminfeature，andofthesamedarkcomplexion。
“DudleyVenner。”exclaimedadozenpeople，instartled，buthalf-
suppressedtones。
“WhatcanhavebroughtDudleyoutto-night？“saidJeffersonBuck，ayoungfellow，whohadbeeninterruptedinoneofthecorner-duetswhichhewasexecutinginconcertwithMissSusyPettingill。
“HowdoIknow，Jeff？“wasMissSusy’sanswer。Then，afterapause，——“Elsiemadehimcome，Iguess。GoaskDr。Kittredge；heknowsallabout’emboth，theysay。”
Dr。Kittredge，theleadingphysicianofRockland，wasashrewdoldman，wholookedprettykeenlyintohispatientsthroughhisspectacles，andprettywidelyatmen，women，andthingsingeneraloverthem。Sixty-threeyearsold，——justtheyearofthegrandclimacteric。Abaldcrown，aseverydoctorshouldhave。A
consultingpractitioner’smouth；thatis，movableroundthecornerswhilethecaseisunderexamination，butbothcornerswelldrawndownandkeptsowhenthefinalopinionismadeup。Infact，theDoctorwasoftensentfortoactas“caounsel。”alloverthecounty，andbeyondit。Hekeptthreeorfourhorses，sometimesridinginthesaddle，commonlydrivinginasulky，prettyfast，andlookingstraightbeforehim，sothatpeoplegotoutofthewayofbowingtohimashepassedontheroad。Therewassometalkabouthisnotbeingsolong-sightedasotherfolks，buthisoldpatientslaughedandlookedknowingwhenthiswasspokenof。
TheDoctorknewagoodmanythingsbesideshowtodroptincturesandshakeoutpowders。Thus，heknewahorse，and，whatishardertounderstand，ahorse-dealer，andwasamatchforhim。Heknewwhatanervouswomanis，andhowtomanageher。Hecouldtellataglancewhensheisinthatconditionofunstableequilibriuminwhicharoughwordislikeablowtoher，andthetouchofunmagnetizedfingersreversesallhernervouscurrents。ItisnoteverybodythatentersintothesoulofMozart’sorBeethoven’sharmonies；andtherearevitalsymphoniesinBflat，andotherlow，sadkeys，whichadoctormayknowaslittleofasahurdy-gurdyplayeroftheessenceofthosedivinemusicalmysteries。TheDoctorknewthedifferencebetweenwhatmensayandwhattheymeanaswellasmostpeople。Whenhewaslisteningtocommontalk，hewasinthehabitoflookingoverhisspectacles；ifheliftedhisheadsoastolookthroughthematthepersontalking，hewasbusierwiththatperson’sthoughtsthanwithhiswords。
JeffersonBuckwasnotboldenoughtoconfronttheDoctorwithMissSusy’squestion，forhedidnotlookasifhewereinthemoodtoanswerqueriesputbycuriousyoungpeople。Hiseyeswerefixedsteadilyonthedarkgirl，everymovementofwhomheseemedtofollow。
Shewas，indeed，anapparitionofwildbeauty，sounlikethegirlsaboutherthatitseemednothingmorethannatural，that，whenshemoved，thegroupsshouldparttoletherpassthroughthem，andthatsheshouldcarrythecentreofalllooksandthoughtswithher。Shewasdressedtopleaseherownfancy，evidently，withsmallregardtothemodesdeclaredcorrectbytheRocklandmillinersandmantua-
makers。Herheavyblackhairlayinabraidedcoil，withalonggoldpinshatthroughitlikeajavelin。Roundherneckwasagoldentorque，around，cord-likechain，suchastheGaolsusedtowear；the“DyingGladiator“hasit。Herdresswasagrayishwateredsilk；hercollarwaspinnedwithaflashingdiamondbrooch，thestoneslookingasfreshasmorningdew-drops，butthesilversettingofthepastgeneration；herarmswerebare，round，butslenderratherthanlarge，inkeepingwithherlitheroundfigure。Onherwristssheworebracelets：onewasacircletofenamelledscales；theotherlookedasifitmighthavebeenCleopatra’sasp，withitsbodyturnedtogoldandits，eyestoemeralds。
Herfather——forDudleyVennerwasherfather——lookedlikeamanofcultureandbreeding，butmelancholyandwithadistractedair，asonewhoselifehadmetsomefatalcrossorblight。HesalutedhardlyanybodyexcepthisentertainersandtheDoctor。Onewouldhavesaid，tolookathim，thathewasnotatthepartybychoice；anditwasnaturalenoughtothink，withSusyPettingill，thatitmusthavebeenafreakofthedarkgirl’swhichbroughthimthere，forhehadtheairofashyandsad-heartedrecluse。
ItwashardtosaywhatcouldhavebroughtElsieVennertotheparty。
Hardlyanybodyseemedtoknowher，andsheseemednotatalldisposedtomakeacquaintances。HereandtherewasoneoftheoldergirlsfromtheInstitute，butsheappearedtohavenothingincommonwiththem。Evenintheschoolroom，itmayberemembered，shesatapartbyherownchoice，andnowinthemidstofthecrowdshemadeacircleofisolationroundherself。Drawingherarmoutofherfather’s，shestoodagainstthewall，andlooked，withastrange，coldglitterinhereyes，atthecrowdwhichmovedandbabbledbeforeher。
TheoldDoctorcameuptoherbyandby。
“Well，Elsie，Iamquitesurprisedtofindyouhere。Dotellmehowyouhappenedtodosuchagood-naturedthingastoletusseeyouatsuchagreatparty。”
“It’sbeendullatthemansion-house。”shesaid，“andIwantedtogetoutofit。It’stoolonelythere，——there’snobodytohatesinceDick’sgone。”
TheDoctorlaughedgood-naturedly，asifthiswereanamusingbitofpleasantry，——butheliftedhisheadanddroppedhiseyesalittle，soastoseeherthroughhisspectacles。Shenarrowedherlidsslightly，asoneoftenseesasleepycatnarrowhers，——somewhatasyoumayrememberourfamousMargaretusedto，ifyourememberheratall，——sothathereyeslookedverysmall，butbrightasthediamondsonherbreast。TheoldDoctorfeltveryoddlyasshelookedathim；
bedidnotlikethefeeling，sohedroppedhisheadandliftedhiseyesandlookedatheroverhisspectaclesagain。
“Andhowhaveyouallbeenatthemansionhouse？“saidtheDoctor。
“Oh，wellenough。ButDick’sgone，andthere’snobodyleftbutDudleyandIandthepeople。I’mtiredofit。Whatkillsanybodyquickest，Doctor？“Then，inawhisper，“Iranawayagaintheotherday，youknow。”
“Wheredidyougo？“TheDoctorspokeinalow，serioustone。
“Oh，totheoldplace。Here，Ibroughtthisforyou。”
TheDoctorstartedasshehandedhimafloweroftheAtrageneAmericana，forheknewthattherewasonlyonespotwhereitgrew，andthatnotonewhereanyrashfoot，leastofallathin-shodwoman’sfoot，shouldventure。
“Howlongwereyougone？“saidtheDoctor。
“Onlyonenight。Youshouldhaveheardthehornsblowingandthegunsfiring。Dudleywasfrightenedoutofhiswits。OldSophytoldhimshe’dhadadream，andthatIshouldbefoundinDead-Man’sHollow，withagreatrocklyingonme。Theyhuntedalloverit，buttheydidn’tfindme，——Iwasfartherup。”
DoctorKittredgelookedcloudyandworriedwhileshewasspeaking，butforcedapleasantprofessionalsmile，ashesaidcheerily，andasifwishingtochangethesubject，“Haveagooddancethisevening，Elsie。Thefiddlersaretuningup。
Where’stheyoungmaster？hashecomeyet？orishegoingtobelate，withtheothergreatfolks？“
Thegirlturnedawaywithoutanswering，andlookedtowardthedoor。
The“greatfolks。”meaningthemansion-housegentry，werejustbeginningtocome；DudleyVennerandhisdaughterhadbeenthefirstofthem。JudgeThornton，white-headed，fresh-faced，asgoodatsixtyashewasatforty，withayoungishsecondwife，andonenobledaughter，Arabella，who，theysaid，knewasmuchlawasherfather，astately，Portialikegirl，fitforapremier’swife，notliketofindhermatcheveninthegreatcitiesshesometimesvisited；theTrecothicks，thefamilyofamerchant，inthelargersense，who，havingmadehimselfrichenoughbythetimehehadreachedmiddlelife，threwdownhisledgerasSylladidhisdagger，andretiredtomakealittleparadisearoundhiminoneofthestateliestresidencesofthetown，afamilyinheritance；theVaughans，anoldRocklandrace，descendedfromitsfirstsettlers，ToryishintendencyinRevolutionarytimes，andbarelyescapingconfiscationorworse；theDunhams，anewfamily，datingitsgentilityonlyasfarbackastheHonorableWashingtonDunham，M。C。，butturningoutacleverboyortwothatwenttocollege；andsomeshowygirlswithwhitenecksandfatarmswhohadpickedupprofessionalhusbands：theseweretheprincipalmansion-housepeople。Allofthemhadmadeitapointtocome；andaseachofthementered，itseemedtoColonelandMrs。
Sprowlethatthelampsburnedupwithamorecheerfullight，andthatthefiddleswhichsoundedfromtheuncarpetedroomwereallhalfatonehigherandhalfabeatquicker。
Mr。Bernardcameinlaterthananyofthem；hehadbeenbusywithhisnewduties。Helookedwellandthatissayingagooddeal；fornothingbutagentlemanisendurableinfulldress。Hairthatmasseswell，aheadsetonwithanair，aneckerchieftiedcleverlybyaneasy，practisedhand，close-fittinggloves，feetwellshapedandwellcovered，——theseadvantagescanmakeusforgivetheodioussablebroadclothsuit，whichappearstohavebeenadoptedbysocietyonthesameprinciplethatcondemnedalltheVenetiangondolastoperpetualanduniformblackness。Mr。Bernard，introducedbyMr。Geordie，madehisbowtotheColonelandhisladyandtoMissMatilda，fromwhomhegotaparticularlygraciouscurtsy，andthenbeganlookingabouthimforacquaintances。Hefoundtwoorthreefacesheknew，——manymorestrangers。TherewasSilasPeckham，——therewasnomistakinghim；
therewastheinelasticamplitudeofMrs。Peckham；fewoftheApollineangirls，ofcourse，theynotbeingrecognizedmembersofsociety，——butthereisonewiththeflameinhercheeksandthefireinhereyes，thegirlofvigoroustintsandemphaticoutlines，whomwesawenteringtheschoolroomtheotherday。OldJudgeThorntonhashiseyesonher，andtheColonelstealsalookeverynowandthenattheredbroochwhichliftsitselfsosuperblyintothelight，asifhethoughtitawonderfullybecomingornament。Mr。Bernardhimselfwasnotdispleasedwiththegeneraleffectoftherich-bloodedschoolgirl，asshestoodunderthebrightlamps，fanningherselfinthewarm，languidair，fixedinakindofpassionatesurpriseatthenewlifewhichseemedtobefloweringoutinherconsciousness。
Perhapshelookedathersomewhatsteadily，assomeothershaddone；
atanyrate，sheseemedtofeelthatshewaslookedat，aspeopleoftendo，and，turninghereyessuddenlyonhim，caughthisownonherface，gavehimahalf-bashfulsmile，andthrewinablushinvoluntarilywhichmadeitmorecharming。
“WhatcanIdobetter。”hesaidtohimself，“thanhaveadancewithRosaMilburn？“Sohecarriedhishandsomepupilintothenextroomandtookhisplacewithherinacotillon。WhetherthebreathoftheGoddessofLovecouldintoxicatelikethecupofCirce，——whetherawomaniseverphosphorescentwiththeluminousvaporoflifethatsheexhales，——theseandotherquestionswhichrelatetooccultinfluencesexercisedbycertainwomenwewillnotnowdiscuss。ItisenoughthatMr。Bernardwassensibleofastrangefascination，notwhollynewtohim，norunprecedentedinthehistoryofhumanexperience，butalwaysarevelationwhenitcomesoverusforthefirstorthehundredthtime，sopaleisthemostrecentmemorybythesideofthepassingmomentwiththeflushofanynew-bornpassiononitscheek。
RememberthatNaturemakeseverymanloveallwomen，andtruststhetrivialmatterofspecialchoicetothecommonestaccident。
IfMr。Bernardhadhadnothingtodistracthisattention，hemighthavethoughttoomuchabouthishandsomepartner，andthengonehomeanddreamedabouther，whichisalwaysdangerous，andwakedupthinkingofherstill，andthenbeguntobedeeplyinterestedinherstudies，andsoon，throughthewholesyllogismwhichendsinNature’ssupremequoderatdemonstrandum。Whatwastheretodistracthimordisturbhim？Hedidnotknow，——buttherewassomething。Thissumptuouscreature，thisEvejustwithinthegateofanuntriedParadise，untutoredinthewaysoftheworld，butontiptoetoreachthefruitofthetreeofknowledge，——alivetothemoistvitalityofthatwarmatmospherepalpitatingwithvoicesandmusic，astheflowerofsomedioeciousplantwhichhasgrowninalonecornerandsuddenlyunfoldingitscorollaonsomehot-breathingJuneevening，feelsthattheairisperfumedwithstrangeodorsandloadedwithgoldendustwaftedfromthoseotherblossomswithwhichitsdoublelifeisshared，——thisalmostover-womanizedwomanmightwellhavebewitchedhim，butthathehadavaguesenseofacounter-charm。Itwas，perhaps，onlythesameconsciousnessthatsomeonewaslookingathimwhichhehimselfhadjustgivenoccasiontoinhispartner。
Presently，inoneoftheturnsofthedance，hefelthiseyesdrawntoafigurehehadnotdistinctlyrecognized，thoughhehaddimlyfeltitspresence，andsawthatElsieVennerwaslookingathimasifshesawnothingelsebuthim。Hewasnotanervousperson，likethepoorlady-teacher，yettheglitterofthediamondeyesaffectedhimstrangely。Itseemedtodisenchanttheair，sofullamomentbeforeofstrangeattractions。Hebecamesilent，anddreamy，asitwere。
Theround-limbedbeautyathissidecrushedhergauzydraperiesagainsthim，astheytrodthefigureofthedancetogether，butitwasnomoretohimthanifanoldnursehadlaidherhandonhissleeve。Theyounggirlchafedathisseemingneglect，andherimperiousbloodmountedintohercheeks；butheappearedunconsciousofit。
“ThereisoneofouryoungladiesImustspeakto。”hesaid，——andwasjustleavinghispartner’sside。
“Fourhandsallround？“shoutedthefirstviolin，——andMr。Bernardfoundhimselfseizedandwhirledinacircleoutofwhichhecouldnotescape，andthenforcedto“crossover。”andthento“dozydo。”
asthemaestrohadit，——andwhen，ongettingbacktohisplace，helookedforElsieVenner，shewasgone。
Thedancingwentonbriskly。Someoftheoldfolkslookedon，othersconversedingroupsandpairs，andsotheeveningworealong，untilalittleafterteno’clock。Aboutthistimetherewasnoticedanincreasedbustleinthepassages，withaconsiderableopeningandshuttingofdoors。Presentlyitbegantobewhisperedaboutthattheyweregoingtohavesupper。Many，whohadneverbeentoanylargepartybefore，heldtheirbreathforamomentatthisannouncement。Itwasratherwithatremulousinterestthanwithopenhilaritythattherumorwasgenerallyreceived。
OnepointtheColonelhadentirelyforgottentosettle。Itwasapointinvolvingnotmerelypropriety，butperhapsprinciplealso，oratleastthegoodreportofthehouse，——andhehadneverthoughttoarrangeit。HetookJudgeThorntonasideandwhisperedtheimportantquestiontohim，——inhisdistressofmind，mistakingpocketsandtakingouthisbandannainsteadofhiswhitehandkerchieftowipehisforehead。
“Judge。”hesaid，“doyouthink，that，beforewecommencerefreshingourselvesatthetables，itwouldbetheproperthingto——cravea——torequestDeaconSoperorsomeotherelderlyperson——toaskablessing？“
TheJudgelookedasgraveasifhewereaboutgivingtheopinionoftheCourtinthegreatIndia-rubbercase。
“Onthewhole。”heanswered，afterapause，“Ishouldthinkitmight，perhaps，bedispensedwithonthisoccasion。Youngfolksarenoisy，anditisawkwardtohavetalkingandlaughinggoingonwhileblessingisbeingasked。Unlessaclergymanispresentandmakesapointofit，Ithinkitwillhardlybeexpected。”
TheColonelwasinfinitelyrelieved。“Judge，willyoutakeMrs。
Sprowleintosupper？“AndtheColonelreturnedthecomplimentbyofferinghisarmtoMrs。JudgeThornton。
Thedoorofthesupper-roomwasnowopen，andthecompany，followingtheleadofthehostandhostess，begantostreamintoit，untilitwasprettywellfilled。
Therewasanawfulkindofpause。Manywerebeginningtodroptheirheadsandshuttheireyes，inanticipationoftheusualpetitionbeforeameal；someexpectedthemusictostrikeup，——others，thatanorationwouldnowbedeliveredbytheColonel。
“Makeyourselvesathome，ladiesandgentlemen。”saidtheColonel；
“goodthingsweremadetoeat，andyou’rewelcometoallyouseebeforeyou。”
Sosayingheattackedahugeturkeywhichstoodattheheadofthetable；andhisexamplebeingfollowedfirstbythebold，thenbythedoubtful，andlastlybythetimid，theclattersoonmadethecircuitofthetables。Somewereshocked，however，astheColonelhadfearedtheywouldbe，atthewantofthecustomaryinvocation。WidowLeech，akindofrelation，whohadtobeinvited，andwhocamewithherold，back-country-lookingstringofgoldbeadsroundherneck，seemedtofeelveryseriousaboutit。
“Ifshe’dha’knownthatfolkswouldbegrutchcravin’ablessin’oversechaheapo’provisions，she’dratherha’staidt’home。Itwasabadsign，whenfolkswasn’tgratefulforthebaountiesofProvidence。”
TheelderMissSpinney，towhomshemadethisremark，assentedtoit，atthesametimeoglingapieceoffrostedcake，whichshepresentlyappropriatedwithgreatrefinementofmanner，——takingitbetweenherthumbandforefinger，keepingtheotherswellspreadandthelittlefingerinextremedivergence，withagracefulundulationoftheneck，andaqueerlittlesoundinherthroat，asofanMthatwantedtogetoutandperishedintheattempt。
Thetablesnowpresentedananimatedspectacle。Youngfellowsofthemoredashingsort，withhighstand-upcollarsandvoluminousbowstotheirneckerchiefs，distinguishedthemselvesbycuttingupfowlsandofferingportionsthereoftothebuxomgirlstheseknowingoneshadcommonlyselected。
“Abitofthewing，Roxy，orofthe——underlimb？“
Thefirstlaughbrokeoutatthis，butitwaspremature，asporadiclaugh，asDr。Kittredgewouldhavesaid，whichdidnotbecomeepidemic。Peoplewereverysolemnasyet，manyofthembeingnewtosuchsplendidscenes，andcrushed，asitwere，inthepresenceofsomuchcrockeryandsomanysilverspoons，andsuchavarietyofunusualviandsandbeverages。WhenthelaughrosearoundRoxyandhersaucybeau，severallookedinthatdirectionwithananxiousexpression，asifsomethinghadhappened，aladyfainted，forinstance，oracoupleoflivelyfellowscometohighwords。
“Youngfolkswillbeyoungfolks。”saidDeaconSoper。“Noharmdone。
Leastsaidsoonestmended。”
“Havesomeoftheseshell-oysters？“saidtheColoneltoMrs。
Trecothick。
AdelicateemphasisonthewordshellimpliedthattheColonelknewwhatwaswhat。TotheNewEnglandinlandnative，beyondthereachoftheeastwinds，theoysterunconditioned，theoysterabsolute，withoutaqualifyingadjective，isthepickledoyster。Mrs。
Trecothick，whoknewverywellthatanoysterlongoutofhisshellasisapttobethecasewiththeruralbivalvegetshomesickandloseshissprightliness，replied，withthepleasantestsmileintheworld，thatthechickenshehadbeenhelpedtowastoodelicatetobegivenupevenforthegreaterrarity。Buttheword“shell-oysters“
hadbeenoverheard；andtherewasaperceptiblecrowdingmovementtowardstheirnewlydiscoveredhabitat，alargesoup-tureen。
SilasPeckhamhadmeantimefallenuponanotherlocalityoftheserecentmollusks。Hesaidnothing，buthelpedhimselffreely，andmadeasigntoMrs。Peckham。
“Lorindy。”hewhispered，“shell-oysters“
Andladledthemouttoherlargely，withoutbetrayinganyemotion，justasiftheyhadbeenthenaturalinlandorpickledarticle。
Afterthemoresolidportionofthebanquethadbeendulyhonored，thecakesandsweetpreparationsofvariouskindsbegantogettheirshareofattention。Thereweregreatcakesandlittlecakes，cakeswithraisinsinthem，cakeswithcurrants，andcakeswithouteither；
therewerebrowncakesandyellowcakes，frostedcakes，glazedcakes，heartsandrounds，andjumbles，whichplayfulyouthslipovertheforefingerbeforespoilingtheirannularoutline。Thereweremoundsofblo’monje，ofthearrowrootvariety，——thatbeingundistinguishablefromsuchasismadewithRussiaisinglass。Therewerejellies，whichhadbeenshaking，allthetimetheyoungfolksweredancinginthenextroom，asiftheywerebalancingtopartners。Therewerebuilt-upfabrics，calledCharlottes，cakyexternally，pulpywithin；
therewerealsomarangs，andlikewisecustards，——someoftheindolent-fluidsort，othersfirm，inwhicheverystrokeoftheteaspoonleftasmooth，conchoidalsurfacelikethefractureofchalcedony，withhereandtherealittleeyelikewhatoneseesincheeses。Norwasthatmostwonderfulobjectofdomesticartcalledtriflewanting，withitscharmingconfusionofcreamandcakeandalmondsandjamandjellyandwineandcinnamonandfroth；noryetthemarvellousfloating-island，——namesuggestiveofallthatisromanticintheimaginationsofyouthfulpalates。
“Itmusthavecostyouasightofwork，tosaynothin’ofmoney，togetallthisbeautifulconfectionerymadefortheparty。”saidMrs。
CranetoMrs。Sprowle。
“Well，itcostsomeconsid’ablelabor，nodoubt。”saidMrs。Sprowle。
“MatildaandourgirlsandImade’mostallthecakewithourownhands，andweallfeelsometired；butiffolksgetwhatsuits’em，wedon’tbegrudgethetimenorthework。ButIdofeelthirsty。”
saidthepoorlady，“andIthinkaglassofsrubwoulddomythroatgood；it’sdreadfuldry。Mr。Peckham，wouldyoubesopoliteastopassmeaglassofsrub？“
SilasPeckhambowedwithgreatalacrity，andtookfromthetableasmallglasscup，containingafluidreddishinhueandsubacidintaste。Thiswassrub，abeverageinlocalrepute，ofquestionablenature，butsuspectedofowingitstintandsharpnesstosomekindofsyrupderivedfromthemaroon-coloredfruitofthesumac。Thereweresimilarsmallcupsonthetablefilledwithlemonade，andhereandthereadecanterofMadeirawine，oftheMarsalakind，whichsomepreferto，andmanymorecannotdistinguishfrom，thatwhichcomesfromtheAtlanticisland。
“Takeaglassofwine，Judge。”said，theColonel；“hereisanarticlethatIratherthink’llsuityou。”
TheJudgeknewsomethingofwines，andcouldtellallthefamousoldMadeirasfromeachother，“Eclipse。”“Juno。”thealmostfabulouslyscarceandprecious“White-top。”andtherest。HestruckthenativityoftheMediterraneanMadeirabeforeithadfairlymoistenedhislip。
“Asoundwine，Colonel，andIshouldthinkofagenuinevintage。
Yourverygoodhealth。”
“DeaconSoper。”saidtheColonel，“hereissomeMadaryJudgeThorntonrecommends。Letmefillyouaglassofit。”
TheDeacon’seyesglistened。HewasoneofthoseconsistentChristianswhostickfirmlybythefirstmiracleandPaul’sadvicetoTimothy。
“Alittlegoodwinewon’thurtanybody。”saidtheDeacon。“Plenty，——
plenty，——plenty。There！“Hehadnotwithdrawnhisglass，whiletheColonelwaspouring，forfearitshouldspill，andnowitwasrunningover——
Itisveryoddhowallaman’sphilosophyandtheologyareatthemercyofafewdropsofafluidwhichthechemistssayconsistsofnothingbutC4，O2，H6。TheDeacon’stheologyfelloffseveralpointstowardslatitudinarianisminthecourseofthenexttenminutes。Hehadadeepinwardsensethateverythingwasasitshouldbe，humannatureincluded。Thelittleaccidentsofhumanity，knowncollectivelytomoralistsassin，lookedveryvenialtohisgrowingsenseofuniversalbrotherhoodandbenevolence。
“Itwillallcomeright。”theDeaconsaidtohimself，——“Ifeelajoyfulconvictionthateverythingisforthebest。Iamfavoredwithablessedpeaceofmind，andaverypreciousseasonofgoodfeelin’
towardmyfellow-creturs。”
Alustyyoungfellowhappenedtomakeaquickstepbackwardjustatthatinstant，andputhisheel，withhisweightontopofit，upontheDeacon’stoes。
“Aigh！Whatthed’d’didosarey’abaoutwiththemgreathuffso’
yourn？“saidtheDeacon，withanexpressionuponhisfeaturesnotexactlythatofpeaceandgood-willtomen。Thelustyyoungfellowapologized；buttheDeacon’sfacedidnotcomeright，andhistheologybackedroundseveralpointsinthedirectionoftotaldepravity。
Someofthedashingyoungmeninstand-upcollarsandextensiveneckties，encouragedbyMr。Geordie，madequitefreewiththe“Ma，dary。”andeveninducedsomeofthemorestylishgirls——notofthemansion-houseset，butofthetip-toptwo-storyfamilies——totastealittle。Mostoftheseyoungladiesmadefacesatit，anddeclareditwas“perfectlyhorrid。”withthataspectofveracitypeculiartotheirageandsex。
Aboutthistimeamovementwasmadeonthepartofsomeofthemansion-housepeopletoleavethesupper-table。MissJaneTrecothickhadquietlyhintedtohermotherthatshehadhadenoughofit。MissArabellaThorntonhadwhisperedtoherfatherthathehadbetteradjournthiscourttothenextroom。Thereweresignsofmigration，——alooseningofpeopleintheirplaces，——alookingaboutforarmstohitchonto。
“Stop！“saidtheColonel。“There’ssomethingcomingyet——
Ice-cream！“
Thegreatfolkssawthattheplaywasnotoveryet，andthatitwasonlypolitetostayandseeitout。Theword“ice-cream“wasnosoonerwhisperedthanitpassedfromonetoanotheralldownthetables。Theeffectwaswhatmighthavebeenanticipated。Manyoftheguestshadneverseenthiscelebratedproductofhumanskill，andtoallthetwo-storypopulationofRocklanditwasthelastexpressionoftheartofpleasingandastonishingthehumanpalate。
Itsappearancehadbeendeferredforseveralreasons：first，becauseeverybodywouldhaveattackedit，ifithadcomeinwiththeotherluxuries；secondly，becauseundueapprehensionswereentertainedowingtowantofexperienceofitstendencytodeliquesceandresolveitselfwithalarmingrapidityintopuddlesofcreamyfluid；
and，thirdly，becausethesurprisewouldmakeagrandclimaxtofinishoffthebanquet。
Thereissomethingsoaudaciousintheconceptionofice-cream，thatitisnotstrangethatapopulationundebauchedbytheluxuryofgreatcitieslooksuponitwithakindofaweandspeaksofitwithacertainemotion。Thisdefianceoftheseasons，forcingNaturetodoherworkofcongelationinthefaceofhersultriestnoon，mightwellinspireatimidmindwithfearlesthumanartwererevoltingagainsttheHigherPowers，andraisethesamescrupleswhichresistedtheuseofetherandchloroformincertaincontingencies。Whatevermaybethecause，itiswellknownthattheannouncementatanyprivateruralentertainmentthatthereistobeice-creamproducesanimmediateandprofoundimpression。Itmayberemarked，asaidingthisimpression，thatexaggeratedideasareentertainedastothedangerouseffectsthiscongealedfoodmayproduceonpersonsnotinthemostrobusthealth。
Therewassilenceasthepyramidsoficewereplacedonthetable，everybodylookingoninadmiration。TheColoneltookaknifeandassailedtheoneattheheadofthetable。Whenhetriedtocutoffaslice，itdidn’tseemtounderstandit，however，andonlytipped，asifitwantedtoupset。TheColonelattackeditontheotherside，andittippedjustasbadlytheotherway。ItwasawkwardfortheColonel。“Permitme。”saidtheJudge，——andhetooktheknifeandstruckasharpslantingstrokewhichslicedoffapiecejustoftherightsize，andofferedittoMrs。Sprowle。Thisactofdexteritywasmuchadmiredbythecompany。
Thetableswereallaliveagain。
“Lorindy，here’saplateofice-cream。”saidSilasPeckham。
“Come，Mahaly。”saidafresh-lookingyoung-fellowwithasaucerfulineachhand，“here’syourice-cream；——let’sgointhecornerandhaveacelebration，ustwo。”Andtheoldgreende-lame，withtheyoungcurvesunderittomakeitsitwell，movedoffaspleasedapparentlyasifithadbeensilkvelvetwiththousand-dollarlacesoverit。
“Oh，now，MissGreen！doyouthinkit’ssafetoputthatcoldstuffintoyourstomick？“saidtheWidowLeechtoayoungmarriedlady，who，findingtheairratherwarm，thoughtalittleicewouldcoolherdownverynicely。“It’sjestlikeeatin’snowballs。Youdon’tlookveryrugged；andIshouldbedreadfulafeard，ifIwasyou“
“Carrie。”saidoldDr。Kittredge，whohadoverheardthis，——“howwellyou’relookingthisevening！Butyoumustbetiredandheated；——sitdownhere，andletmegiveyouagoodsliceofice-cream。Howyouyoungfolksdogrowup，tobesure！Idon’tfeelquitecertainwhetherit’syouoryouroldersister，butIknowit’ssomebodyI
callCarrie，andthatI’veknowneversince“
AsoundsomethingbetweenahowlandanoathstartledthecompanyandbrokeofftheDoctor’ssentence。Everybody’seyesturnedinthedirectionfromwhichitcame。Agroupinstantlygatheredroundthepersonwhohadutteredit，whowasnootherthanDeaconSoper。
“He’schokin’！he’schokin’！“wasthefirstexclamation，——“slaphimontheback！“
SeveralheavyfistsbeatsuchatattooonhisspinethattheDeaconfeltasifatleastoneofhisvertebraewouldcomeup。
“He’sblackintheface。”saidWidowLeech，“he’sswalleredsomethin’thewrongway。Where’stheDoctor？——lettheDoctorgettohim，can’tye？“
“Ifyouwillmove，mygoodlady，perhapsIcan。”saidDoctorKittredge，inacalmtoneofvoice。“He’snotchoking，myfriends。”
theDoctoraddedimmediately，whenhegotsightofhim。
“It’sapoplexy，——Itoldyouso，——don’tyouseehowredheisintheface？“saidoldMrs。Peake，afamouswomanfor“nussin“sickfolks，——determinedtobealittleaheadoftheDoctor。
“It’snotapoplexy。”saidDr。Kittredge。
“Whatisit，Doctor？whatisit？Willhedie？Ishedead？——Here’shispoorwife，theWidowSoperthatistobe，ifshea’n’ta’ready“
“Dobequiet，mygoodwoman。”saidDr。Kittredge——“Nothingserious，Ithink，Mrs。Soper。Deacon！“
ThesuddenattackofDeaconSoperhadbegunwiththeextraordinarysoundmentionedabove。Hisfeatureshadimmediatelyassumedanexpressionofintensepain，hiseyesstaringwildly，and，clappinghishandstohisface，hehadrockedhisheadbackwardandforwardinspeechlessagony。
AttheDoctor’ssharpappealtheDeaconliftedhishead。
“It’sallright。”saidtheDoctor，assoonashesawhisface。“TheDeaconhadasmartattackofneuralgicpain。That’sall。Verysevere，butnotatalldangerous。”
TheDoctorkepthiscountenance，buthisdiaphragmwasshakingthechangeiniriswaistcoat-pocketswithsubterraneanlaughter。Hehadlookedthroughhisspectaclesandseenatoncewhathadhappened。
TheDeacon，notbeinginthehabitoftakinghisnourishmentinthecongealedstate，hadtreatedtheice-creamasapuddingofararespecies，and，tomakesureofdoinghimselfjusticeinitsdistribution，hadtakenalargemouthfulofitwithouttheleastprecaution。Theconsequencewasasensationasifadentistwerekillingthenervesoftwenty-fiveteethatoncewithhotirons，orcoldones，whichwouldhurtratherworse。
TheDeaconswallowedsomethingwithaspasmodiceffort，andrecoveredprettysoonandreceivedthecongratulationsofhisfriends。Thereweredifferentversionsoftheexpressionshehadusedattheonsetofhiscomplaint，——someofthereportedexclamationsinvolvingabreachofpropriety，tosaytheleast，——butitwasagreedthatamaninanattackofneuralgywasn’ttobejudgedofbytherulesthatappliedtootherfolks。
Thecompanysoonafterthisretiredfromthesupper-room。Themansion-housegentrytooktheirleave，andthetwo-storypeoplesoonfollowed。Mr。Bernardhadstayedanhourortwo，andleftsoonafterhefoundthatElsieVennerandherfatherhaddisappeared。AshepassedbythedormitoryoftheInstitute，hesawalightglimmeringfromoneofitsupperrooms，wherethelady-teacherwasstillwaking。
Hisheartached，whenheremembered，that，throughallthesehoursofgayety，orwhatwasmeantforit，thepatientgirlhadbeenatworkinherlittlechamber；andhelookedupatthesilentstars，asiftoseethattheywerewatchingoverher。TheplanetMarswasburninglikearedcoal；thenorthernconstellationwasslantingdownwardaboutitscentralpointofflame；andwhilehelooked，afallingstarslidfromthezenithandwaslost。
HereachedhischamberandwassoondreamingovertheEventoftheSeason。
CHAPTERVIII。
THEMORNINGAFTER。
ColonelSprowle’sfamilyaroselatethenextmorning。Thefatiguesandexcitementsoftheeveningandthepreparationforitwerefollowedbyanaturalcollapse，ofwhichsomnolencewasaleadingsymptom。ThesunshoneintothewindowataprettywellopenedanglewhentheColonelfirstfoundhimselfsufficientlyawaketoaddresshisyetslumberingspouse。
“Sally！“saidtheColonel，inavoicethatwasalittlehusky，——forhehadfinishedofftheeveningwithanextraglassortwoof“Madary。”andhadasomewhatrustyandheadachysenseofrenewedexistence，ongreetingtheratheradvanceddawn，——“Sally！“
“Takecareo’themcustard-cups！Theretheygo！“
PoorMrs。Sprowlewasfightingthepartyoverinherdream；andasthevisionarycustard-cupscrasheddownthroughonelobeofherbrainintoanother，shegaveastartasifaninchoflightningfromaquartLeydenjarhadjumpedintooneofherknuckleswithitssuddenandlivelypoonk！
“Sally！“saidtheColonel，——“wakeup，wakeup。What’r’y’dreamin’
abaout？“
Mrs。Sprowleraisedherself，byasortofspasm，sursonseant，astheysayinFrance，——uponend，aswehaveitinNewEngland。Shelookedfirsttotheleft，thentotheright，thenstraightbeforeher，apparentlywithoutseeinganything，andatlastslowlysettleddown，withhertwoeyes，blankofanyparticularmeaning，directedupontheColonel。
“Whattimeis’t？“shesaid。
“Teno’clock。Whaty’beendreamin’abaout？Y’givajumplikeahopper-grass。Wakeup，wakeUP！Th’party’sover，andy’beenasleepallthemornin’。Theparty’sover，Itellye！Wakeup！“
“Over！“saidMrs。Sprowle，whobegantodefineherpositionatlast，——“over！Ishouldthink’twastime’twasover！It’slastedahundudyear。I’vebeenworkin’forthatpartylonger’nMethuselah’slifetime，senceIbeenasleep。Thepieswouldn’bake，andtheblo’monjewouldn’set，andtheice-creamwouldn’freeze，andallthefolkskep’comin’’n’comin’’n’comin’，——everybodyIeverknewinallmylife，——someof’em’sbeendeadthistwentyyear’n’more，——’n’nothin’for’emtoeatnordrink。Thefirewouldn’burntocookanything，allwecoulddo。Weblowedwiththebelluses，’n’westuffedinpaper’n’pitch-pinekindlin’s，butnothin’couldmakethatfireburn；’n’allthetimethefolkskep’comin’，asifthey’dneverstop，——’n’nothin’for’embutemptydishes，’n’alltheborrowedchaneyslippin’roundonthewaiters’n’chippin’’n’
crackin’，——Iwouldn’gothroughwhatIbeenthrought’-nightforallth’moneyinth’Bank，——Idobelieveit’shardert’haveapartythant’“——
Mrs。Sprowlestatedthecasestrongly。
TheColonelsaidhedidn’tknowhowthatmightbe。Shewasabetterjudgethanhewas。Itwasbotherenough，anyhow，andhewasgladthatitwasover。Afterthis，theworthypaircommencedpreparationsforrejoiningthewakingworld，andinduetimeproceededdownstairs。
Everybodywaslatethatmorning，andnothinghadgotputtorights。
Thehouselookedasifasmallarmyhadbeenquarteredinitovernight。Thetableswereofcourseinhugedisorder，aftertheprotractedassaulttheyhadundergone。Therehadbeenagreatbattleevidently，andithadgoneagainsttheprovisions。Somepointshadbeenstormed，andalltheirdefencesannihilated，buthereandtherewerecentresofresistancewhichhadheldoutagainstallattacks，——
largeroundsofbeef，andsolidloavesofcake，againstwhichtheinexperiencedhadwastedtheirenergiesintheenthusiasmofyouthoruninformedmaturity，whilethelonger-headedguestsweremakingdiscoveriesof“shell-oysters“and“patridges“andsimilardelicacies。
Thebreakfastwasnaturallyofasomewhatfragmentarycharacter。A
chickenthathadlosthislegsintheserviceoftheprecedingcampaignwasoncemoreputonduty。Agreathamstuckwithcloves，asSaintSebastianwaswitharrows，wasagainofferedformartyrdom。
ItwouldhavebeenapleasantsightforamedicalmanofaspeculativeturntohaveseentheprospectbeforetheColonel’sfamilyofthenextweek’sbreakfasts，dinners，andsuppers。Thetrailthatoneofthesegreatruralpartiesleavesafteritisoneofitsmostformidableconsiderations。Everydoor-handleinthehouseissuggestiveofsweetmeatsforthenextweek，atleast。Themostunnaturalarticlesofdietdisplacethefrugalbutnutritiousfoodofunconvulsedperiodsofexistence。Ifthereisawalkinginfantaboutthehouse，itwillcertainlyhaveamoreorlessfatalfitfromovermuchofsomeindigestibledelicacy。Beforetheweekisout，everybodywillbetiredtodeathofsugaryformsofnourishmentandlongtoseethelastoftheremnantsofthefestival。
Thefamilyhadnotyetarrivedatthiscondition。Onthecontrary，thefirstinspectionofthetablessuggestedtheprospectofdaysofunstintedluxury；andtheyoungerportionofthehousehold，especially，wereinastateofgreatexcitementastheaccountofstockwastakenwithreferencetofutureinternalinvestments。Somecuriousfactscametolightduringtheseresearches。
“Where’salltheorangesgoneto？“saidMrs。Sprowle。“Iexpectedthere’dbeeversomanyof’emleft。Ididn’tseemanyofthefolkseatin’oranges。Where’stheskinsof’em？Thereoughttobesixdozenorange-skinsroundontheplates，andtherea’n’tonedozen。
Andallthesmallcakes，too，andallthesugarthingsthatwasstuckonthebigcakes。Hasanybodycountedthespoons？Someof’emgotswallered，perhaps。Ihopetheywasplatedones，iftheydid！“
Thefailureofthemorning’sorange-cropandthedeficitinotherexpectedresidualdelicacieswerenotverydifficulttoaccountfor。
Inmanyofthetwo-storyRocklandfamilies，andinthosefavoredhouseholdsoftheneighboringvillageswhosemembershadbeeninvitedtothegreatparty，therewasaverygeneralexcitementamongtheyoungerpeopleonthemorningafterthegreatevent。“Didy’bringhomesomethin’fromtheparty？Whatisit？Whatisit？Isitfrut-
cake？Isitnutsandorangesandapples？Givemesome！Givemesome！“SuchaconcertoftreblevoicesutteringaccentslikethesehadnotbeenheardsincethegreatTemperanceFestivalwiththecelebrated“colation“intheopenairunderthetreesoftheParnassianGrove，——astheplacewaschristenedbytheyoungladiesoftheInstitute。Thecryofthechildrenwasnotinvain。Fromthepocketsofdemurefathers，fromthebagsofsharp-eyedspinsters，fromthefoldedhandkerchiefsoflight-fingeredsisters，fromthetallhatsofsly-winkingbrothers，therewasaresurrectionofthemissingorangesandcakesandsugar-thingsinmanyarejoicingfamily-circle，enoughtoastonishthemosthardened“caterer“thatevercontractedtofeedathousandpeopleundercanvas。
Thetenderrecollectionsofthosedearlittleoneswhomextremeyouthorotherpressingconsiderationsdetainfromscenesoffestivity——atraitofaffectionbynomeansuncommonamongourthoughtfulpeople——
dignifiesthosesocialmeetingswhereitismanifested，andshedsarayofsunshineonourcommonnature。Itis“anoasisinthedesert。”——tousethestrikingexpressionofthelastyear’s“Valedictorian“oftheApollineanInstitute。Inthemidstofsomuchthatispurelyselfish，itisdelightfultomeetsuchdisinterestedcareforothers。Whenalargefamilyofchildrenareexpectingaparent’sreturnfromanentertainment，itwilloftenrequiregreatexertionsonhisparttofreighthimselfsoastomeettheirreasonableexpectations。AfewrulesareworthrememberingbyallwhoattendanniversarydinnersinFaneuilHallorelsewhere。Thus：
Lobsters’clawsarealwaysacceptabletochildrenofallages。
Orangesandapplesaretobetakenoneatatime，untilthecoat-
pocketsbegintobecomeinconvenientlyheavy。Cakesareinjuredbysittinguponthem；itis，therefore，welltocarryastouttinboxofasizetoholdasmanypiecesastherearechildreninthedomesticcircle。Averypleasantamusement，atthecloseofoneofthesebanquets，isgrabbingfortheflowerswithwhichthetableisembellished。Thesewillpleasetheladiesathomeverygreatly，and，ifthechildrenareatthesametimeabundantlysuppliedwithfruits，nuts，cakes，andanylittleornamentalarticlesofconfectionerywhichareofanaturetobeunostentatiouslyremoved，thekind-
heartedparentwillmakeawholehouseholdhappy，withoutanyadditionalexpensebeyondtheoutlayforhisticket。
Therewerefragmentarydelicaciesenoughleft，ofonekindandanother，atanyrate，tomakealltheColonel’sfamilyuncomfortableforthenextweek。Itbidfairtotakeaslongtogetridoftheremainsofthegreatpartyasithadtakentomakereadyforit。
InthemeantimeMr。Bernardhadbeendreaming，asyoungmendream，ofglidingshapeswithbrighteyesandburningcheeks，strangelyblendedwithredplanetsandhissingmeteors，and，shiningoverall，thewhite，un-wanderingstaroftheNorth，girtwithitstetheredconstellations。
Afterbreakfasthewalkedintotheparlor，wherehefoundMissDarley。Shewasalone，and，holdingaschool-bookinherhand，wasatworkwithoneofthemorning’slessons。Shehardlynoticedhimasheentered，beingverybusywithherbook，——andhepausedamomentbeforespeaking，andlookedatherwithakindofreverence。Itwouldnothavebeenstrictlytruetocallherbeautiful。Foryears，——sinceherearliestwomanhood，——thoseslenderhandshadtakenthebreadwhichrepaidthetoilofheartandbrainfromthecoarsepalmswhichoffereditintheworld’srudemarket。Itwasnotforherselfalonethatshehadbarteredawaythelifeofheryouth，thatshehadbreathedthehotairofschoolrooms，thatshehadforcedherintelligencetoposturebeforeherwill，astheexigenciesofherplacerequired，——wakingtomentallabor，——sleepingtodreamofproblems，——rollingupthestoneofeducationforanendlesstwelvemonth’sterm，tofinditatthebottomofthehillagainwhenanotheryearcalledhertoitsrenewedduties，schoolinghertemperinunendinginwardandoutwardconflicts，untilneitherdulnessnorobstinacynoringratitudenorinsolencecouldreachhersereneself-
possession。Notforherselfalone。Poorlyasherprodigallaborswererepaidinproportiontothewasteoflifetheycost，hervaluewastoowellestablishedtoleaveherwithoutwhat，underothercircumstances，wouldhavebeenamorethansufficientcompensation。
Buttherewereotherswholookedtoherintheirneed，andsothemodestfountainwhichmighthavebeenfilledtoitsbrimwascontinuallydrainedthroughsilent-flowing，hiddensluices。