Outofsuchalife，inheritedfromaracewhichhadlivedinconditionsnotunlikeherown，beauty，inthecommonsenseoftheterm，couldhardlyfindleisuretodevelopandshapeitself。Foritmustberemembered，thatsymmetryandeleganceoffeaturesandfigure，likeperfectlyformedcrystalsinthemineralworld，arereachedonlybyinsuringacertainnecessaryreposetoindividualsandtogenerations。Humanbeautyisanagriculturalproductinthecountry，growingupinmenandwomenasincornandcattle，wherethesoilisgood。Itisaluxuryalmostmonopolizedbytherichincities，bredunderglassliketheirforcedpine-applesandpeaches。
Bothincityandcountry，theevolutionofthephysicalharmonieswhichmakemusictooureyesrequiresacombinationoffavorablecircumstances，ofwhichalternationsofunburdenedtranquillitywithintervalsofvariedexcitementofmindandbodyareamongthemostimportant。Wheresufficientexcitementiswanting，asoftenhappensinthecountry，thefeatures，howeverrichinredandwhite，getheavy，andthemovementssluggish；whereexcitementisfurnishedinexcess，asisfrequentlythecaseincities，thecontoursandcolorsareimpoverished，andthenervesbegintomaketheirexistenceknowntotheconsciousness，asthefaceverysooninformsus。
HelenDarleycouldnot，inthenatureofthings，havepossessedthekindofbeautywhichpleasesthecommontaste。Hereyewascalm，sad-looking，herfeaturesverystill，exceptwhenherpleasantsmilechangedthemforamoment，allheroutlinesweredelicate，hervoicewasverygentle，butsomewhatsubduedbyyearsofthoughtfullabor，andonhersmoothforeheadonelittlehintedlinewhisperedalreadythatCarewasbeginningtomarkthetracewhichTimesoonerorlaterwouldmakeafurrow。Shecouldnotbeabeauty；ifshehadbeen，itwouldhavebeenmuchharderformanypersonstobeinterestedinher。
For，althoughintheabstractwealllovebeauty，andalthough，ifweweresentnakedsoulsintosomeultramundanewarehouseofsoullessbodiesandtoldtoselectonetoourliking，weshouldeachchooseahandsomeone，andneverthinkoftheconsequences，——itisquitecertainthatbeautycarriesanatmosphereofrepulsionaswellasofattractionwithit，alikeinbothsexes。Wemaybewellassuredthattherearemanypersonswhonomorethinkofspecializingtheirloveoftheothersexupononeendowedwithsignalbeauty，thantheythinkofwantinggreatdiamondsorthousand-dollarhorses。Nomanorwomancanappropriatebeautywithoutpayingforit，——inendowments，infortune，inposition，inself-surrender，orothervaluablestock；andthereareagreatmanywhoaretoopoor，tooordinary，toohumble，toobusy，tooproud，topayanyofthesepricesforit。Sotheunbeautifulgetmanymoreloversthanthebeauties；only，astherearemoreofthem，theirloversarespreadthinneranddonotmakesomuchshow。
TheyoungmasterstoodlookingatHelenDarleywithakindoftenderadmiration。Shewassuchapictureofthemartyrbytheslowsocialcombustiveprocess，thatitalmostseemedtohimhecouldseeapalelambentnimbusroundherhead。
“Ididnotseeyouatthegreatpartylastevening。”hesaid，presently。
Shelookedupandanswered，“No。Ihavenotmuchtasteforsuchlargecompanies。Besides，Idonotfeelasifmytimebelongedtomeafterithasbeenpaidfor。Thereisalwayssomethingtodo，somelessonorexercise，——anditsohappened，Iwasverybusylastnightwiththenewproblemsingeometry。Ihopeyouhadagoodtime。”
“Very。Twoorthreeofourgirlswerethere。RosaMilburn。Whatabeautysheis！Iwonderwhatshefeedson！Wineandmuskandchloroformandcoalsoffire，Ibelieve；Ididn’tthinktherewassuchcolorandflavorinawomanoutsidethetropics。”
MissDarleysmiledratherfaintly；theimagerywasnotjusttohertaste：femineityoftenfindsitveryhardtoacceptthefactofmuliebrity。
“Was“——？
Shestoppedshort；butherquestionhadaskeditself。
“Elsiethere？Shewas，foranhourorso。Shelookedfrightfullyhandsome。Imeanttohavespokentoher，butsheslippedawaybeforeIknewit。”
“Ithoughtshemeanttogototheparty。”saidMissDarley。“Didshelookatyou？“
“Shedid。Why？“
“Andyoudidnotspeaktoher？“
“No。Ishouldhavespokentoher，butshewasgonewhenIlookedforher。Astrangecreature！Isn’tthereanoddsortoffascinationabouther？Youhavenotexplainedallthemysteryaboutthegirl。
Whatdoesshecometothisschoolfor？Sheseemstodoprettymuchasshelikesaboutstudying。”
MissDarleyansweredinverylowtones。“Itwasafancyofherstocome，andtheyletherhaveherway。Idon’tknowwhatthereisabouther，exceptthatsheseemstotakemylifeoutofmewhenshelooksatme。Idon’tliketoaskotherpeopleaboutourgirls。Shesaysverylittletoanybody，andstudies，ormakesbelievetostudy，almostwhatshelikes。Idon’tknowwhatsheis。”MissDarleylaidherhand，trembling，ontheyoungmaster’ssleeve，“butIcantellwhensheisintheroomwithoutseeingorhearingher。Oh，Mr。
Langdon，Iamweakandnervous，andnodoubtfoolish，——but——iftherewerewomennow，asinthedaysofourSaviour，possessedofdevils，I
shouldthinktherewassomethingnothumanlookingoutofElsieVenner’seyes！“
Thepoorgirl’sbreastroseandfelltumultuouslyasshespoke，andhervoicelabored，asifsomeobstructionwererisinginherthroat。
Ascenemightpossiblyhavecomeofit，butthedooropened。Mr。
SilasPeckham。MissDarleygotawayassoonasshewellcould。
“WhydidnotMissDarleygotothepartylastevening？“saidMr。
Bernard。
“Well，thefactis。”answeredMr。SilasPeckham，“MissDarley，she’spootymuchtookupwiththeschool。She’sanindustrisyoung。
woman，——yis，sheisindustris，——butperhapsshea’n’tquitesospryaworkerassome。Maybe，considerin’she’spaidforhertime，sheisn’tfurouto’thewayinoccoopyin’herselfevenin’s，——that——is，ifsobeshea’n’tsmartenoughtofinishupallherworkinthedaytime。EdoocationisthegreatbusinessoftheInstitoot。
Amoosementsareobjec’sofasecondarynatur’，accordin’tomyv’oo。”
[TheunspellablepronunciationofthiswordisthetouchstoneofNewEnglandBrahminism。]
Mr。Bernarddrewadeepbreath，histhinnostrilsdilating，asiftheairdidnotrushinfastenoughtocoolhisblood，whileSilasPeckhamwasspeaking。TheHeadoftheApollineanInstitutedeliveredhimselfofthesejudicioussentimentsinthatpeculiaracid，penetratingtone，thickenedwithanasaltwang，whichnotrarelybecomeshereditaryafterthreeorfourgenerationsraiseduponeastwinds，saltfish，andlarge，white-bellied，pickledcucumbers。Hespokedeliberately，asifweighinghiswordswell，sothat，duringhisfewremarks，Mr。Bernardhadtimeforamentalaccompanimentwithvariations，accentedbycertainbodilychanges，whichescapedMr。
Peckham’sobservation。FirsttherewasafeelingofdisgustandshameathearingHelenDarleyspokenoflikeadumbworkinganimal。
Thatsentthebloodupintohischeeks。Thenthesluruponherprobablewantofforce——herincapacity，whomadethecharacteroftheschoolandleftthismantopocketitsprofits——sentathrilloftheoldWentworthfirethroughhim，sothathismuscleshardened，hishandsclosed，andhetookthemeasureofMr。SilasPeckham，toseeifhisheadwouldstrikethewallincasehewentoverbackwardsallofasudden。Thiswouldnotdo，ofcourse，andsothethrillpassedoffandthemusclessoftenedagain。Thencamethatstateoftendernessintheheart，overlyingwrathinthestomach，inwhichtheeyesgrowmoistlikeawoman’s，andthereisalsoagreatboiling-upofobjectionabletermsoutofthedeep-watervocabulary，sothatPrudenceandProprietyandalltheotherpiousP’shavetojumpuponthelidofspeechtokeepthemfromboilingoverintofiercearticulation。Allthiswasinternal，chiefly，andofcoursenotrecognizedbyMr。SilasPeckham。Theidea，thatanyfull-grown，sensiblemanshouldhaveanyothernotionthanthatofgettingthemostworkfortheleastmoneyoutofhisassistants，hadneversuggesteditselftohim。
Mr。Bernardhadgonethroughthisparoxysm，andcooleddown，intheperiodwhileMr。Peckhamwasutteringthesewordsinhisthin，shallowwhine，twangingupintothefrontalsinuses。Whatwastheuseoflosinghistemperandthrowingawayhisplace，andso，amongtheconsequenceswhichwouldnecessarilyfollow，leavingthepoorlady-teacherwithoutafriendtostandbyherreadytolayhishandonthegrand-inquisitorbeforethewindlassofhisrackhadtakenoneturntoomany？
“Nodoubt，Mr。Peckham。”hesaid，inagrave，calmvoice，“thereisagreatdealofworktobedoneintheschool；butperhapswecandistributethedutiesalittlemoreevenlyafteratime。Ishalllookoverthegirls’themesmyself，afterthisweek。PerhapstherewillbesomeotherpartsofherlaborthatIcantakeonmyself。Wecanarrangeanewprogrammeofstudiesandrecitations。”
“Wecandothat。”saidMr。SilasPeckham。“ButIdon’tproposemater’llyalterin’MissDarley’sdooties。Idon’tthinksheworkstohurtherself。SomeoftheTrusteeshaveproposedinterdoosin’newbranchesofstudy，andIexpectyouwillbepootymuchoccoopiedwiththedootiesthatbelongtoyourplace。OntheSahbathyouwillbeabletoattenddivineservicethreetimes，whichisexpectedofourteachers。IshallcontinoomyselftogiveSahbathScriptur’readin’stotheyoungladies。ThatisasolemndootyIcan’tmakeupmymindtocommittootherpeople。MyteachersenjoytheLord’sdayasadayofrest。Inittheydonomannerofwork，exceptincasesofnecessityormercy，suchasfillin’outdiplomas，orwhenwegitcrowdedjestattheendofaterm，orwhenthereisanextrynumberofp’oopils，orotherProvidentialcalltodispensewiththeordinance。”
Mr。Bernardhadafineglowinhischeeksbythistime，——doubtlesskindledbythethoughtofthekindconsiderationMr。Peckhamshowedforhissubordinatesinallowingthemthebetweenmeeting-timeonSundaysexceptforsomespecialreason。Butthemorningwaswearingaway；sohewenttotheschoolroom，takingleaveveryproperlyofhisrespectedprincipal，whosoontookhishatanddeparted。
Mr。Peckhamvisitedcertain“stores“orshops，wherehemadeinquiriesaftervariousarticlesintheprovision-line，andeffectedapurchaseortwo。Twoorthreebarrelsofpotatoes，whichhadsproutedinapromisingway，hesecuredatabargain。Asideoffemininebeefwasalsoobtainedatalowfigure。Hewasentirelysatisfiedwithacoupleofbarrelsofflour，which，beinginvoiced“slightlydamaged。”weretobehadatareasonableprice。
Afterthis，SilasPeckhamfeltingoodspirits。Hehaddoneaprettystrokeofbusiness。Itcameintohisheadwhetherhemightnotfollowitupwithastillmorebrilliantspeculation。SoheturnedhisstepsinthedirectionofColonelSprowle’s。
Itwasnoweleveno’clock，andthebattle-fieldoflasteveningwasasweleftit。Mr。Peckham’svisitwasunexpected，perhapsnotverywelltimed，buttheColonelreceivedhimcivilly。
“Beautifullylighted，——theseroomslastnight！“saidMr。Peckham。
“Winter-strained？“
TheColonelnodded。
“Howmuchdoyoupayforyourwinter-strained？“
TheColoneltoldhimtheprice。
“Veryhahnsomesupper，——veryhahnsome。Nothin’everseenlikeitinRockland。Musthavebeenagreatheapofthingsleftover。”
Thecomplimentwasnotungrateful，andtheColonelacknowledgeditbysmilingandsaying，“Ishouldthinkthe’wasatrifle？Comeandlook。”
WhenSilasPeckhamsawhowmanydelicacieshadsurvivedtheevening’sconflict，hiscommercialspiritroseatoncetothepointofaproposal。
“ColonelSprowle。”saidhe，“there’s’meatandcakesandpiesandpicklesenoughonthattabletospreadahahnsomecolation。Ifyou’dliketotradereasonable，IthinkperhapsIshouldbewillin’totake’emoffyourhands。There’sbeenatalkaboutourhavin’acelebrationintheParnassianGrove，andIthinkIcouldworkinwhatyourfolksdon’twantandmakemyselfwholebychargin’asmallsumfortickets。Brokenmeats，ofcourse，a’n’tofthesamevalooasfreshprovisions；soIthinkyoumightbewillin’totradereasonable。”
Mr。Peckhampausedandrestedonhisproposal。Itwouldnot，perhaps，havebeenveryextraordinary，ifColonelSprowlehadentertainedtheproposition。Thereisnotellingbeforehandhowsuchthingswillstrikepeople。Itdidn’thappentostriketheColonelfavorably。Hehadalittlered-bloodedmanhoodinhim。
“Sellyouthemthingstomakeacolationoutof？“theColonelreplied。“Walkuptothattable，Mr。Peckham，andhelpyourself！
Fillyourpockets；Mr。Peckham！Fetchabasket，andourhiredfolksshallfillitfullforye！Sendacart，ify’like，’n’carryoffthemleavin’stomakeacelebrationforyourpupilswith！Onlyletmetellyethis：——assure’smyname’sHezekiahSpraowle，you’llbeknownthroughthetaown’n’throughthecaounty，fromthatdayforrard，asthePrincipaloftheBroken-VictualsInstitoot！“
Evenprovincialhuman-naturesometimeshasatouchofsublimityaboutit。Mr。SilasPeckhamhadgonealittledeeperthanhemeant，andcomeuponthe“hardpan。”asthewell-diggerscallit，oftheColonel’scharacter，beforehethoughtofit。Amilitia-colonelstandingonhissentimentsisnottobedespised。ThatwasshownprettywellinNewEnglandtwoorthreegenerationsago。Therewereagoodmanyplainofficersthattalkedabouttheir“rigiment“andtheir“caounty“whoknewverywellhowtosay“Makeready！““Takeaim！““Fire！——inthefaceofalineofgrenadierswithbulletsintheirgunsandbayonetsonthem。Andthougharusticuniformisnotalwaysunexceptionableinitscutandtrimmings，yettherewasmanyanill-madecoatinthoseoldtimesthatwasgoodenoughtobeshowntotheenemy’sfrontranktoooftentobeleftonthefieldwitharoundholeinitsleftlapelthatmatchedanothergoingrightthroughthebraveheartoftheplaincountrycaptainormajororcolonelwhowasburiedinitunderthecrimsonturf。
Mr。SilasPeckhamsaidlittleornothing。Hissensibilitieswerenotacute，butheperceivedthathehadmadeamiscalculation。Hehopedthattherewasnooffence，——thoughtitmighthavebeenmutooallyagreeable，concloodedhewouldgiveuptheideeofacolation，andbackedhimselfoutasifunwillingtoexposethelessguardedaspectofhispersontotheriskofacceleratingimpulses。
TheColonelshutthedoor，——casthiseyeonthetoeofhisrightboot，asifithadhadastrongtemptation，——lookedathiswatch，thenroundtheroom，and，goingtoacupboard，swallowedaglassofdeep-redbrandyandwatertocomposehisfeelings。
CHAPTERIX。
THEDOCTORORDERSTHEBESTSULKY。
WithaDigressionon“HiredHelp。”
“ABEL！SlipCassiaintothenewsulky，andfetchherround。”
AbelwasDr。Kittredge’shiredman。HewasborninNewHampshire，aqueersortofState，withfatstreaksofsoilandpopulationwheretheybreedgiantsinmindandbody，andleanstreakswhichexportimperfectlynourishedyoungmenwithpromisingbutneglectedappetites，whomaybefoundingreatnumbersinallthelargetowns，orcouldbeuntiloflateyears，whentheyhavebeenhalfdrivenoutoftheirfavoritebasement-storiesbyforeigners，andhalfcoaxedawayfromthembyCalifornia。NewHampshireisinmorethanonesensetheSwitzerlandofNewEngland。The“GraniteState“beingnaturallyenoughdeficientinpudding-stone，itschildrenareapttowandersouthwardinsearchofthatdeposit，——intheunpetrifiedcondition。
AbelStebbinswasagoodspecimenofthatextraordinaryhybridormulebetweendemocracyandchrysocracy，anative-bornNew-Englandserving-man。TheOldWorldhasnothingatalllikehim。Heisatonceanemperorandasubordinate。Inonehandheholdsonefive-
millionthpartbethesamemoreorlessofthepowerthatswaysthedestiniesoftheGreatRepublic。Hisotherhandisinyourboot，whichheisabouttopolish。Itisimpossibletoturnafellowcitizenwhosevotemaymakehismaster——say，rather，employer——
GovernororPresident，orwhomaybeoneorbothhimself，intoaflunky。Thatarticlemustbeimportedready-madefromothercentresofcivilization。WhenaNewEnglanderhaslosthisself-respectasacitizenandasaman，heisdemoralized，andcannotbetrustedwiththemoneytopayforadinner。
Itmaybesupposed，therefore，thatthisfractionalemperor，thiscontinent-shaper，findshispositionawkwardwhenhegoesintoservice，andthathisemployerisapttofinditstillmoreembarrassing。Itisalwaysunderprotestthatthehiredmandoeshisduty。Everyactofserviceissubjecttothedrawback，“Iamasgoodasyouare。”Thisissocommon，atleast，asalmosttobetherule，andpartlyaccountsfortherapiddisappearanceoftheindigenous“domestic“fromthebasementsabovementioned。Paleontologistswillbyandbybeexaminingthefloorsofourkitchensfortracksoftheextinctnativespeciesofserving-man。Thefemaleofthesameraceisfastdyingout；indeed，thetimeisnotfardistantwhenallthevarietiesofyoungwomanwillhavevanishedfromNewEngland，asthedodohasperishedintheMauritius。Theyoungladyisallthatweshallhaveleft，andthemopanddusterofthelastAhniraorLoizywillbestaredatbygenerationsofBridgetsandNorasasthatfamousheadandfootofthelostbirdarestaredatintheAshmoleanMuseum。
AbelStebbins，theDoctor’sman，tookthetrueAmericanviewofhisdifficultposition。HesoldhistimetotheDoctor，and，havingsoldit，hetookcaretofulfilhishalfofthebargain。TheDoctor，onhispart，treatedhim，notlikeagentleman，becauseonedoesnotorderagentlemantobringuphishorseorrunhiserrands，buthetreatedhimlikeaman。Everyorderwasgivenincourteousterms。
Hisreasonableprivilegeswererespectedasmuchasiftheyhadbeenguaranteedunderhandandseal。TheDoctorlenthimbooksfromhisownlibrary，andgavehimallfriendlycounsel，asifhewereasonorayoungerbrother。
AbelhadRevolutionarybloodinhisveins，andthoughhesawfitto“hireout。”hecouldneverstandtheword“servant。”orconsiderhimselftheinferioroneofthetwohighcontractingparties。WhenhecametolivewiththeDoctor，hemadeuphismindhewoulddismisstheoldgentleman，ifhedidnotbehaveaccordingtohisnotionsofpropriety。ButhesoonfoundthattheDoctorwasoneoftherightsort，andsodeterminedtokeephim。TheDoctorsoonfound，onhisside，thathehadatrustworthy，intelligentfellow，whowouldbeinvaluabletohim，ifheonlylethimhavehisownwayofdoingwhatwastobedone。
TheDoctor’shiredmanhadnotthemannersofaFrenchvalet。Hewasgraveandtaciturnforthemostpart，heneverbowedandrarelysmiled，butwasalwaysatworkinthedaytime，andalwaysreadingintheevening。Hewashostler，anddidallthehouseworkthatamancouldproperlydo，wouldgotothedooror“tendtable。”boughttheprovisionsforthefamily，——inshort，didalmosteverythingforthembutgettheirclothing。Therewasnoofficeinaperfectlyappointedhousehold，fromthatofstewarddowntothatofstable-boy，whichhedidnotcheerfullyassume。Hisroundofworknotconsumingallhisenergies，hemustneedscultivatetheDoctor’sgarden，whichhekeptinoneperpetualbloom，fromtheblowingofthefirstcrocustothefadingofthelastdahlia。
ThisgardenwasAbel’spoem。Itshalf-dozenbedsweresomanycantos。NaturecrowdedthemforhimwithimagerysuchasnoLaureatecouldcopyinthecoldmosaicoflanguage。Therhythmofalternatingdawnandsunset，thestropheandantistrophestillperceptiblethroughallthesuddenshiftsofourdithyrambicseasonsandechoedincorrespondingfloralharmonies，mademelodyinthesoulofAbel，theplainserving-man。Itsoftenedhiswholeotherwiserigidaspect。
HeworshippedGodaccordingtothestrictwayofhisfathers；butaflorist’sPuritanismisalwayscoloredbythepetalsofhisflowers，——andNaturenevershowshimablackcorolla。
Hemayormaynotfigureagaininthisnarrative；butastheremustbesomewhoconfoundtheNewEnglandhiredman，native-born，withtheservantofforeignbirth，andasthereisthedifferenceoftwocontinentsandtwocivilizationsbetweenthem，itdidnotseemfairtoletAbelbringroundtheDoctor’smareandsulkywithouttouchinghisfeaturesinhalf-shadowintoourbackground。
TheDoctor’smare，Cassia，wassocalledbyhermasterfromhercinnamoncolor，cassiabeingoneoftheprofessionalnamesforthatspiceordrug。Shewasoftheshadewecallsorrel，or，asanEnglishmanwouldperhapssay，chestnut，——agenuine“Morgan“mare，withalowforehand，asiscommoninthisbreed，butwithstrongquartersandflathocks，wellribbedup，withagoodeyeandapairoflivelyears，——afirst-ratedoctor’sbeast，wouldstanduntilherharnessdroppedoffherbackatthedoorofatediouscase，andtrotoverhillanddalethirtymilesinthreehours，iftherewasachildinthenextcountywithabeaninitswindpipeandtheDoctorgaveherahintofthefact。Cassiawasnotlarge，butshehadagooddealofaction，andwastheDoctor’sshow-horse。Thereweretwo。
otheranimalsinhisstable：QuassiaorQuashy，theblackhorse，andCaustic，theoldbay，withwhomhejoggedroundthevillage。
“Alongrideto-day？“saidAbel，ashebroughtuptheequipage。
“Justoutofthevillage，——that’sall——There’sakinkinhermane，——pullitout，willyou？“
“Goin’tovisitsomeofthegreatfolks。”Abelsaidtohimself。”
Wonderwhoitis。”——ThentotheDoctor，——“AnybodygetsickatSprowles’s？TheysayDeaconSoperhadafit，aftereatin’someo’
theirfrozenvictuals。”
TheDoctorsmiled。HeguessedtheDeaconwoulddowellenough。HewasonlygoingtorideovertotheDudleymansion-house。
CHAPTERX。
THEDOCTORCALLSONELSIEVENNER。
Ifthatprimitivephysician，Chiron，M。D。，appearsasaCentaur，aswelookathimthroughthelapseofthirtycenturies，themoderncountry-doctor，ifhecouldbeseenaboutthirtymilesoff，couldnotbedistinguishedfromawheel-animalcule。Heinhabitsawheel-
carriage。HethinksofstationarydwellingsasLongTomCoffindidoflandingeneral；ahousemaybewellenoughforincidentalpurposes，butfora“stiddy“residencegivehima“kerridge。”IfheisclassifiedintheLinnaeanscale，hemustbesetdownthus：GenusHomo；SpeciesRotiferinfusorius，thewheel-animalofinfusions。
TheDudleymansionwasnotamilefromtheDoctor’s；butitneveroccurredtohimtothinkofwalkingtoseeanyofhispatients’
families，ifhehadanyprofessionalobjectinhisvisit。Wheneverthenarrowsulkyturnedinatagate，therusticwhowasdiggingpotatoes，orhoeingcorn，orswishingthroughthegrasswithhisscythe，inwave-likecrescents，orsteppingshortbehindaloadedwheelbarrow，ortrudginglazilybythesideoftheswinging，loose-
throated，short-leggedoxen，rockingalongtheroadasiftheyhadjustbeenlandedafterathree-months’voyage，thetoilingnative，whateverhewasdoing，stoppedandlookedupatthehousetheDoctorwasvisiting。
“Somebodysickovertheret’Haynes’s。Guessth’oldman’sailin’
ag’in。Winder’shalf-wayopeninthechamber，——shouldn’wonder’fhewasdeadandlaidaout。Docterin’a’n’tnouse，wheny’seeth’
windersopenlikethat。Wahl，moneya’n’tmuchtospeakoftoth’
oldmannaow！Hedon’wantbuttewcents，——’n’oldWidahPeake，sheknowswhathewantsthemfor！“
Oragain，——
“Measlesraoundpootythick。Briggs’sfolksburiedtwochildrenwith’emlass’week。Th’ofDoctor，he’dh’ker’d’emthreugh。Struckin’n’p’doocedmo’t’f’cation，——sotheysay。”
Thisisonlymeantasasampleofthekindofwaytheyusedtothinkortalk，whenthenarrowsulkyturnedinatthegateofsomehousewheretherewasavisittobemade。
Oh，thatnarrowsulky！Whathopes，whatfears，whatcomfort，whatanguish，whatdespair，intherollofitscomingoritspartingwheels！Inthespring，whentheoldpeoplegetthecoughswhichgivethemafewshakesandtheirlivesdropinpiecesliketheashesofaburnedthreadwhichhavekeptthethreadlikeshapeuntiltheywerestirred，——inthehotsummernoons，whenthestrongmancomesinfromthefields，likethesonoftheShunamite，crying，“Myhead，myhead。”——inthedyingautumndays，whenyouthandmaidenliefever-
strickeninmanyahousehold，still-faced，dull-eyed，dark-flushed，dry-lipped，low-mutteringintheirdaylightdreams，theirfingersmovingsinglylikethoseofslumberingharpers，——inthedeadwinter，whenthewhiteplagueoftheNorthhascageditswastedvictims，shudderingastheythinkofthefrozensoilwhichmustbequarriedlikerocktoreceivethem，iftheirperpetualconvalescenceshouldhappentobeinterferedwithbyanyuntowardaccident，——ateveryseason，thenarrowsulkyrolledroundfreightedwithunmeasuredburdensofjoyandwoe。
TheDoctordrovealongthesouthernfootofTheMountain。The“DudleyMansion“wasneartheeasternedgeofthisdeclivity，whereitrosesteepest，withbaldestcliffsanddensestpatchesofoverhangingwood。Itseemedalmosttoosteeptoclimb，butapractisedeyecouldseefromadistancethezigzaglinesofthesheep-pathswhichscaleditlikeminiatureAlpineroads。AfewhundredfeetupTheMountain’ssidewasadarkdeepdell，unwooded，saveforafewspindling，crazy-lookinghackmatacksornativelarches，withpallidgreentuftsstickingoutfantasticallyalloverthem。Itshelvedsodeeply，that，whilethehemlock-tasselswereswingingonthetreesarounditsborder，allwouldbestillatitsspringybottom，savethatperhapsasinglefernwouldwaveslowlybackwardandforwardlikeasabrewithatwistasofafeatheredoar，——andthiswhennotabreathcouldbefelt，andeveryotherstemandbladeweremotionless。Therewasanoldstoryofonehavingperishedhereinthewinterof’86，andhisbodyhavingbeenfoundinthespring，——whenceitscommonnameof“Dead-Man’sHollow。”Higheruptherewerehugecliffswithchasms，and，itwasthought，concealedcaves，whereinoldtimestheysaidthatTorieslayhid，——somehintednotwithoutoccasionalaidandcomfortfromtheDudleysthenlivinginthemansion-house。Stillhigherandfartherwestlaytheaccursedledge，——shunnedbyall，unlessitwerenowandthenadaringyouth，orawanderingnaturalistwhoventuredtoitsedgeinthehopeofsecuringsomeinfantileCrotalusdurissus，whohadnotyetcuthispoisonteeth。
Long，longago，inoldColonialtimes，theHonorableThomasDudley，Esquire，amanofnoteandnameandgreatresources，alliedbydescenttothefamilyof“TomDudley。”astheearlyGovernorissometimesirreverentlycalledbyourmostvenerable，butstillyouthfulantiquary，——andtotheotherpublicDudleys，ofcourse，——ofallofwhomhemadesmallaccount，asbeinghimselfanEnglishgentleman，withlittletasteforthesplendorsofprovincialoffice，earlyinthelastcentury，ThomasDudleyhadbuiltthismansion。Forseveralgenerationsithadbeendweltinbydescendantsofthesamename，butsoonaftertheRevolutionitpassedbymarriageintothehandsoftheVenners，bywhomithadeversincebeenheldandtenanted。
Asthedoctorturnedanangleintheroad，allatoncethestatelyoldhouserosebeforehim。Itwasaskilfullymanagedeffect，asitwellmightbe，foritwasnovulgarEnglisharchitectwhohadplannedthemansionandarrangeditspositionandapproach。TheoldhouserosebeforetheDoctor，crowningaterracedgarden，flankedattheleftbyanavenueoftallelms。Theflower-bedswereedgedwithbox，whichdiffusedarounditthatdreamybalsamicodor，fullofante-
natalreminiscencesofalostParadise，dimlyfragrantasmightbethebdelliumofancientHavilah，thelandcompassedbytheriverPisonthatwentoutofEden。Thegardenwassomewhatneglected，butnotindisgrace，——andinthetimeoftulipsandhyacinths，ofroses，of“snowballs。”ofhoneysuckles，oflilacs，ofsyringas，itwasrichwithblossoms。
>Fromthefront-windowsofthemansiontheeyereachedafarbluemountain-summit，——noroundedheap，suchasoftenshutsinavillage-
landscape，butasharppeak，clean-angledasAscutneyfromtheDartmouthgreen。Awidegapthroughmilesofwoodshadopenedthisdistantview，andshowedmore，perhaps，thanallthelaborsofthearchitectandthelandscape-gardenerthelargestyleoftheearlyDudleys。
Thegreatstone-chimneyofthemansion-housewasthecentrefromwhichalltheartificialfeaturesofthesceneappearedtoflow。Theroofs，thegables，thedormer-windows，theporches，theclusteredofficesintherear，allseemedtocrowdaboutthegreatchimney。Tothiscentralpillarthepathsallconverged。Thesinglepoplarbehindthehouse，——Natureisjealousofproudchimneys，andalwayslovestoputapoplarnearone，sothatitmayflingaleafortwodownitsblackthroateveryautumn，——theonetallpoplarbehindthehouseseemedtonodandwhispertothegravesquarecolumn，theelmstoswaytheirbranchestowardsit。Andwhenthebluesmokerosefromitssummit，itseemedtobewaftedawaytojointheazurehazewhichhungaroundthepeakinthefardistance，sothatbothshouldbatheinacommonatmosphere。
Behindthehousewereclumpsoflilacswithacentury’sgrowthuponthem，andlookingmoreliketreesthanlikeshrubs。Shadedbyagroupofthesewastheancientwell，ofhugecircuit，andwithalowarchopeningoutofitswallabouttenfeetbelowthesurface，——
whetherthedoorofacryptfortheconcealmentoftreasure，orofasubterraneanpassage，ormerelyofavaultforkeepingprovisionscoolinhotweather，opinionsdiffered。
Onlookingatthehouse，itwasplainthatitwasbuiltwithOld-
Worldnotionsofstrengthanddurability，and，sofarasmightbe，withOld-Worldmaterials。Thehingesofthedoorsstretchedoutlikearms，insteadoflikehands，aswemakethem。Theboltsweremassiveenoughforadonjon-keep。Thesmallwindow-paneswereactuallyinclosedinthewoodofthesashesinsteadofbeingstucktothemwithputty，asinourmodernwindows。Thebroadstaircasewasofeasyascent，andwasguardedbyquaintlyturnedandtwistedbalusters。Theceilingsofthetworoomsofstateweremouldedwithmedallion-portraitsandrusticfigures，suchasmayhavebeenseenbymanyreadersinthefamousoldPhilipsehouse，——Washington’shead-
quarters，——inthetownofYorkers。Thefire-places，worthyofthewide-throatedcentralchimney，wereborderedbypicturedtiles，someofthemwithScripturestories，somewithWatteau-likefigures，——talldamselsinslimwaistsandwithspreadenoughofskirtforamodernballroom，withbowing，reclining，ormusicalswainsofwhateverybodycallsthe“conventional“sort，——thatis，theswainadaptedtogenteelsocietyratherthantoaliteralsheep-compellingexistence。
Thehousewasfurnished，soonafteritwascompleted，withmanyheavyarticlesmadeinLondonfromararewoodjustthencomeintofashion，notsorarenow，andcommonlyknownasmahogany。Timehadturneditverydark，andthestatelybedsteadsandtallcabinetsandclaw-
footedchairsandtableswereinkeepingwiththesoberdignityoftheancientmansion。Theold“hangings“wereyetpreservedinthechambers，faded，butstillshowingtheirrichpatterns，——properlyentitledtotheirname，fortheywereliterallyhunguponflatwoodenframesliketrellis-work，whichagainweresecuredtothenakedpartitions。
Therewereportraitsofdifferentdateonthewallsofthevariousapartments，oldpaintedcoats-of-arms，bevel-edgedmirrors，andinonesleeping-roomaglasscaseofwax-workflowersandspanglysymbols，withalegendsignifyingthatE。M。supposedtobeElizabethMascarenewishednottobe“forgot“
“WhenIamdeadandlay’dindustAndallmybonesare“——
PoorE。M。！Pooreverybodythatsighsforearthlyremembranceinaplanetwithacoreoffireandacrustoffossils！
SuchwastheDudleymansion-house，——foritkeptitsancientnameinspiteofthechangeinthelineofdescent。Itsspaciousapartmentslookeddrearyanddesolate；forhereDudleyVennerandhisdaughterdweltbythemselves，withsuchservantsonlyastheirquietmodeofliferequired。Healmostlivedinhislibrary，thewesternroomontheground-floor。Itswindowlookeduponasmallplatofgreen，inthemidstofwhichwasasinglegravemarkedbyaplainmarbleslab。
Exceptthisroom，andthechamberwhereheslept，andtheservants’
wing，therestofthehousewasallElsie’s。Shewasalwaysarestless，wanderingchildfromherearlyyears，andwouldhaveherlittlebedmovedfromonechambertoanother，——flittingroundasthefancytookher。Sometimesshewoulddragamatandapillowintooneofthegreatemptyrooms，and，wrappingherselfinashawl，coilupandgotosleepinacorner。Nothingfrightenedher；the“haunted“
chamber，withthetornhangingsthatflappedlikewingswhentherewasairstirring，wasoneofherfavoriteretreats。Shehadbeenaveryhardcreaturetomanage。Herfathercouldinfluence，butnotgovernher。OldSophy，bornofaslavemotherinthehouse，coulddomorewithherthananybody，knowingherbylonginstinctivestudy。
Theotherservantswereafraidofher。Herfatherhadsentforgovernesses，butnoneofthemeverstayedlong。Shemadethemnervous；oneofthemhadastrangefitofsickness；notoneofthemevercamebacktothehousetoseeher。AyoungSpanishwomanwhotaughtherdancingsucceededbestwithher，forshehadapassionforthatexercise，andhadmasteredsomeofthemostdifficultdances。
Longbeforethisperiod，shehadmanifestedsomemostextraordinarysingularitiesoftasteorinstinct。Theextremesensitivenessofherfatheronthispointpreventedanyallusiontothem；buttherewerestoriesfloatinground，someofthemevengettingintothepapers，——
withouthername，ofcourse，——whichwereofakindtoexciteintensecuriosity，ifnotmoreanxiousfeelings。Thisthingwascertain，thatattheageoftwelveshewasmissedonenight，andwasfoundsleepingintheopenairunderatree，likeawildcreature。Veryoftenshewouldwanderoffbyday，alwayswithoutacompanion，bringinghomewithheranest，aflower，orevenamorequestionabletrophyofherramble，suchasshowedthattherewasnoplacewhereshewasafraidtoventure。Onceinawhileshehadstayedoutovernight，inwhichcasethealarmwasspread，andmenwentinsearchofher，butneversuccessfully，——so——thatsomesaidshehidherselfintrees，andothersthatshehadfoundoneoftheoldTorycaves。
Some，ofcourse，saidshewasacrazygirl，andoughttobesenttoanAsylum。ButoldDr。Kittredgehadshakenhishead，andtoldthemtobearwithher，andletherhaveherwayasmuchastheycould，butwatchher，asfaraspossible，withoutmakinghersuspiciousofthem。
Hevisitedhernowandthen，underthepretextofseeingherfatheronbusiness，orofonlymakingafriendlycall。
TheDoctorfastenedhishorseoutsidethegate，andwalkedupthegarden-alley。Hestoppedsuddenly，withastart。Astrangesoundhadjarreduponhisear。Itwasasharpprolongedrattle，continuous，butrisingandfallingasifinrhythmicalcadence。Hemovedsoftlytowardstheopenwindowfromwhichthesoundseemedtoproceed。
Elsiewasaloneintheroom，dancingoneofthosewildMoorishfandangos，suchasamatadorhotfromthePlazadeTorosofSevilleorMadridmightlovetolieandgazeat。Shewasafiguretolookuponinsilence。Thedancingfrenzymusthaveseizeduponherwhileshewasdressing；forshewasinherbodice，bare-armed，herhairfloatingunboundfarbelowthewaistofherbarredorbandedskirt。
Shehadcaughtuphercastanets，andrattledthemasshedancedwithakindofpassionatefierceness，herlithebodyundulatingwithflexuousgrace，herdiamondeyesglittering，herroundarmswreathingandunwinding，aliveandvibranttothetipsoftheslenderfingers。
Somepassionseemedtoexhaustitselfinthisdancingparoxysm；forallatonceshereeledfromthemiddleofthefloor，andflungherself，asitwereinacarelesscoil，uponagreattiger’s-skinwhichwasspreadoutinonecorneroftheapartment。
TheoldDoctorstoodmotionless，lookingatherasshelaypantingonthetawny，black-linedrobeofthedeadmonsterwhichstretchedoutbeneathher，itsrudeflattenedoutlinerecallingtheTerroroftheJungleashecrouchedforhisfatalspring。Inafewmomentsherheaddroopeduponherarm，andherglitteringeyesclosed，——shewassleeping。Hestoodlookingatherstill，steadily，thoughtfully，tenderly。Presentlyheliftedhishandtohisforehead，asifrecallingsomefadingremembranceofotheryears。
“PoorCatalina！“
Thiswasallhesaid。Heshookhishead，——implyingthathisvisitwouldbeinvainto-day，——returnedtohissulky，androdeaway，asifinadream。
CHAPTERXI。
COUSINRICHARD’SVISIT。
TheDoctorwasrousedfromhisreverybytheclatterofapproachinghoofs。Helookedforwardandsawayoungfellowgallopingrapidlytowardshim。
AcommonNew-Englandriderwithhistoesturnedout，hiselbowsjerkingandthedaylightshowingunderhimateverystep，bestridingacanteringbeastoftheplebeianbreed，thickateverypointwhereheshouldbethin，andthinateverypointwhereheshouldbethick，isnotoneofthosenobleobjectsthatbewitchtheworld。Thebesthorsemenoutsideofthecitiesaretheunshodcountryboys，whoride“bareback。”withonlyahalterroundthehorse’sneck，diggingtheirbrownheelsintohisribs，andslantingoverbackwards，butstickingonlikeleeches，andtakingthehardesttrotasiftheylovedit——
ThiswasadifferentsightonwhichtheDoctorwaslooking。Thestreamingmaneandtailoftheunshorn，savage-looking，blackhorse，thedashinggracewithwhichtheyoungfellowintheshadowysombrero，andarmedwiththehugespurs，satinhishigh-peakedsaddle，couldbelongonlytothemustangofthePampasandhismaster。Thisboldriderwasayoungmanwhosesuddenapparitioninthequietinlandtownhadremindedsomeofthegoodpeopleofabright，curly-hairedboytheyhadknownsomeeightortenyearsbeforeaslittleDickVenner。
ThisboyhadpassedseveralofhisearlyyearsattheDudleymansion，theplaymateofElsie，beinghercousin，twoorthreeyearsolderthanherself，thesonofCaptainRichardVenner，aSouthAmericantrader，who，ashechangedhisresidenceoften，wasgladtoleavetheboyinhisbrother’scharge。TheCaptain’swife，thisboy’smother，wasaladyofBuenosAyres，ofSpanishdescent，andhaddiedwhilethechildwasinhiscradle。Thesetwomotherlesschildrenwereasstrangeapairasoneroofcouldwellcover。Bothhandsome，wild，impetuous，unmanageable，theyplayedandfoughttogetherliketwoyoungleopards，beautiful，butdangerous，theirlawlessinstinctsshowingthroughalltheirgracefulmovements。
TheboywaslittleelsethanayoungGauchowhenhefirstcametoRockland；forhehadlearnedtoridealmostassoonastowalk，andcouldjumponhisponyandtripuparunawaypigwiththebolasornoosehimwithhisminiaturelassoatanagewhensomecity-childrenwouldhardlybetrustedoutofsightofanursery-maid。Itmakesmenimperioustositahorse；nomangovernshisfellowssowellasfromthislivingthrone。Andso，fromMarcusAureliusinRomanbronze，downtothe“manonhorseback“inGeneralCushing’spropheticspeech，thesaddlehasalwaysbeenthetrueseatofempire。Theabsolutetyrannyofthehumanwilloveranobleandpowerfulbeastdevelopstheinstinctofpersonalprevalenceanddominion；sothathorse-
subduerandherowerealmostsynonymousinsimplertimes，andarecloselyrelatedstill。AnancestryofwildridersnaturallyenoughbequeathsalsothoseothertendencieswhichweseeintheTartars，theCossacks，andourownIndianCentaurs，andaswell，perhaps，intheold-fashionedfox-huntingsquireasinanyofthese。Sharpalternationsofviolentactionandself-indulgentrepose；ahardrun，andalongrevelafterit；thisiswhatover-muchhorsetendstoanimalizeamaninto。SuchantecedentsmayhavehelpedtomakelittleDickVenneraself-willed，capriciousboy，andaroughplaymateforElsie。
Elsiewasthewilderofthetwo。OldSophy，whousedtowatchthemwiththosequick，animal-lookingeyesofhers，——shewassaidtobethegranddaughterofacannibalchief，andinheritedthekeensensesbelongingtoallcreatureswhicharehuntedasgame，OldSophy，whowatchedthemintheirplayandtheirquarrels，alwaysseemedtobemoreafraidfortheboythanthegirl。“MasseDick！MasseDick！
don’youbetooroughwi’datgal！Shescratchyoulas’week，’n’
somedayshebiteyou；’n’ifshebiteyou，MasseDick！“OldSophynoddedherheadominously，asifshecouldsayagreatdealmore；
while，ingratefulacknowledgmentofhercaution，MasterDickputhistwolittlefingersintheanglesofhismouth，andhisforefingersonhislowereyelids，drawinguponthesefeaturesuntilhisexpressionremindedherofsomethingshevaguelyrecollectedinherinfancy，——
thefaceofafavoritedeityexecutedinwoodbyanAfricanartistforhergrandfather，broughtoverbyhermother，andburnedwhenshebecameaChristian。
Thesetwowildchildrenhadmuchincommon。Theylovedtorambletogether，tobuildhuts，toclimbtreesfornests，toridethecolts，todance，torace，andtoplayatboys’rudegamesasifbothwereboys。Butwherevertwonatureshaveagreatdealincommon，theconditionsofafirst-ratequarrelarefurnishedready-made。
Relationsareveryapttohateeachotherjustbecausetheyaretoomuchalike。Itissofrightfultobeinanatmosphereoffamilyidiosyncrasies；toseeallthehereditaryuncomelinessorinfirmityofbody，allthedefectsofspeech，allthefailingsoftemper，intensifiedbyconcentration，sothateveryfaultofourownfindsitselfmultipliedbyreflections，likeourimagesinasaloonlined。
withmirrors！Natureknowswhatsheisabout。Thecentrifugalprinciplewhichgrowsoutoftheantipathyofliketolikeisonlytherepetitionincharacterofthearrangementweseeexpressedmateriallyincertainseed-capsules，whichburstandthrowtheseedtoallpointsofthecompass。Ahouseisalargepodwithahumangermortwoineachofitscellsorchambers；itopensbydehiscenceofthefront-doorbyandby，andprojectsoneofitsgermstoKansas，anothertoSanFrancisco，anothertoChicago，andsoon；andthisthatSmithmaynotbeSmithedtodeathandBrownmaynotbeBrownedintoamad-house，butmixinwiththeworldagainandstrugglebacktoaveragehumanity。
Elsie’sfather，whosefaultwastoindulgeherineverything，foundthatitwouldneverdotoletthesechildrengrowuptogether。Theywouldeitherloveeachotherastheygotolder，andpairlikewildcreatures，ortakesomefierceantipathy，whichmightendnobodycouldtellwhere。Itwasnotsafetotry。Theboymustbesentaway。Asharperquarrelthancommondecidedthispoint。MasterDickforgotOldSophy’scaution，andvexedthegirlintoaparoxysmofwrath，inwhichshesprangathimandbithisarm。Perhapstheymadetoomuchofit；fortheysentfortheoldDoctor，whocameatoncewhenheheardwhathadhappened。Hehadagooddealtosayaboutthedangertherewasfromtheteethofanimalsorhumanbeingswhenenraged；andasheemphasizedhisremarksbytheapplicationofapenciloflunarcaustictoeachofthemarksleftbythesharpwhiteteeth，theywereliketoberememberedbyatleastoneofhishearers。
SoMasterDickwentoffonhistravels，whichledhimintostrangeplacesandstrangercompany。Elsiewashalfpleasedandhalfsorrytohavehimgo；thechildrenhadakindofmingledlikingandhateforeachother，justsuchasisverycommonamongrelations。Whetherthegirlhadmostsatisfactionintheplaystheyshared，orinteasinghim，ortakinghersmallrevengeuponhimforteasingher，itwouldhavebeenhardtosay。Atanyrate，shewaslonelywithouthim。Shehadmorefondnessfortheoldblackwomanthananybody；butSophycouldnotfollowherfarbeyondherownoldrocking-chair。Asforherfather，shehadmadehimafraidofher，notforhissake，butforherown。Sometimesshewouldseemtobefondofhim，andtheparent’sheartwouldyearnwithinhimasshetwinedhersupplearmsabouthim；andthensomelookshegavehim，somehalf-articulatedexpression，wouldturnhischeekpaleandalmostmakehimshiver，andhewouldsaykindly，“Nowgo，Elsie，dear。”andsmileuponherasshewent，andcloseandlockthedoorsoftlyafterher。Thenhisforeheadwouldknotandfurrowitself，andthedropsofanguishstandthickuponit。Hewouldgotothewesternwindowofhisstudyandlookatthesolitarymoundwiththemarbleslabforitshead-stone。
Afterhisgriefhadhaditsway，hewouldkneeldownandprayforhischildasonewhohasnohopesaveinthatspecialgracewhichcanbringthemostrebelliousspiritintosweetsubjection。Allthismightseemlikeweaknessinaparenthavingthechargeofonesoledaughterofhishouseandheart；buthehadtriedauthorityandtendernessbyturnssolongwithoutanygoodeffect，thathehadbecomesoreperplexed，and，surroundingherwithcautiouswatchfulnessashebestmight，leftherinthemaintoherownguidanceandthemercifulinfluenceswhichHeavenmightsenddowntodirectherfootsteps。
Meantimetheboygrewuptoyouthandearlymanhoodthroughastrangesuccessionofadventures。HehadbeenatschoolatBuenosAyres，——
hadquarrelledwithhismother’srelatives，——hadrunofftothePampas，andlivedwiththeGauchos；——hadmadefriendswiththeIndians，andriddenwiththem，itwasrumored，insomeoftheirsavageforays，——hadreturnedandmadeuphisquarrel，——hadgotmoneybyinheritanceorotherwise，——hadtroubledthepeaceofcertainmagistrates，——hadfounditconvenienttoleavetheCityofWholesomeBreezesforatime，andhadgallopedoffonafasthorseofhis，soitwassaid，withsomeofficersridingafterhim，whotookgoodcarebutthiswasonlythepopularstorynottocatchhim。AfewdaysafterthishewastakinghisiceontheAlamedaofMendoza，andaweekortwolatersailedfromValparaisoforNewYork，carryingwithhimthehorsewithwhichhehadscamperedoverthePlains，atrunkortwowithhisnewlypurchasedoutfitof，clothingandotherconveniences，andabeltheavywithgoldandwithafewBraziliandiamondssewedinit，enoughinvaluetoservehimforalongjourney。
DickVennerhadseenlifeenoughtowearouttheearliersensibilitiesofadolescence。Hewastiredofworshippingortyrannizingoverthebistredorumberedbeautiesofmingledbloodamongwhomhehadbeenliving。EventhatpiquantexhibitionwhichtheRiodeMendozapresentstotheamateurofbreathingsculpturefailedtointeresthim。Hewasthinkingofafar-offvillageontheothersideoftheequator，andofthewildgirlwithwhomheusedtoplayandquarrel，acreatureofadifferentracefromthesedegeneratemongrels。
“Agamelittledevilshewas，sureenough！“——AndasDickspoke，hebaredhiswristtolookforthemarksshehadleftonit：twosmallwhitescars，wherethetwosmallsharpupperteethhadstruckwhensheflashedathimwithhereyessparklingasbrightasthoseglitteringstonessewedupinthebelthewore。“That’safillyworthnoosing！“saidDicktohimself，ashelookedinadmirationatthesignofherspiritandpassion。“Iwonderifshewillbiteateighteenasshedidateight！Sheshallhaveachancetotry，atanyrate！“
Suchwastheself-sacrificingdispositionwithwhichRichardVenner，Esq。，apassengerbytheCondorfromValparaiso，setfootuponhisnativeshore，andturnedhisfaceinthedirectionofRockland，TheMountain，andthemansion-house。Hehadheardsomething，fromtimetotime，ofhisNew-Englandrelatives，andknewthattheywerelivingtogetherasheleftthem。Andsoheheraldedhimselfto“MydearUncle“byalettersigned“Yourlovingnephew，RichardVenner。”inwhichletterhetoldaveryfrankstoryoftravelandmercantileadventure，expressedmuchgratitudefortheexcellentcounselandexamplewhichhadhelpedtoformhischaracterandpreservehiminthemidstoftemptation，inquiredaffectionatelyafterhisuncle’shealth，wasmuchinterestedtoknowwhetherhislivelycousinwhousedtobehisplaymatehadgrownupashandsomeasshepromisedtobe，andannouncedhisintentionofpayinghisrespectstothembothatRockland。NotlongafterthiscamethetrunksmarkedR。V。whichhehadsentbeforehim，forerunnersofhisadvent：hewasnotgoingtowaitforareplyoraninvitation。
Whatasoundthatis，——thebangingdownofthepreliminarytrunk，withoutitsclaimanttogiveitthelifewhichisborrowedbyallpersonalappendages，solongastheowner’shandoreyeisonthem！
Ifitannouncethecomingofonelovedandlongedfor，howwedelighttolookatit，tositdownonit，tocaressitinourfancies，asaloneexilewalkingoutonawindypieryearnstowardsthemerchantmanlyingalongside，withthecolorsofhisownnativelandatherpeak，andthenameoftheporthesailedfromlongagouponherstern！Butifittellthenearapproachoftheundesired，inevitableguest，whatsoundshortofthemufflednoisesmadebytheundertakersastheyturnthecornersinthedim-lightedhouse，withlowshuffleoffeetandwhisperedcautions，carriessuchasenseofknocking-kneedcollapsewithitasthethumpingdowninthefrontentryoftheheavyportmanteau，rammedwiththechangesofuncountedcomingweeks？
WhethertheR。V。portmanteausbroughtoneortheotheroftheseemotionstothetenantsoftheDudleymansion，itmightnotbeeasytosettle。Elsieprofessedtobepleasedwiththethoughtofhavinganadventurousyoungstranger，withstoriestotell，aninmateoftheirquiet，nottosaydull，family。Underalmostanyothercircumstances，herfatherwouldhavebeenunwillingtotakeayoungfellowofwhomheknewsolittleunderhisroof；butthiswashisnephew，andanythingthatseemedliketoamuseorpleaseElsiewasagreeabletohim。Hehadgrownalmostdesperate，andfeltasifanychangeinthecurrentofherlifeandfeelingsmightsaveherfromsomestrangeparoxysmofdangerousmentalexaltationorsullenperversionofdisposition，fromwhichsomefearfulcalamitymightcometoherselforothers。
DickhadbeenseveralweeksattheDudleymansion。Afewdaysbefore，hehadmadeasuddendashforthenearestlargecity，——andwhentheDoctormethim，hewasjustreturningfromhisvisit。
Ithadbeenacuriousmeetingbetweenthetwoyoungpersons，whohadpartedsoyoungandaftersuchstrangerelationswitheachother。
WhenDickfirstpresentedhimselfatthemansion，notoneinthehousewouldhaveknownhimfortheboywhohadleftthemallsosuddenlyyearsago。Hewassodark，partlyfromhisdescent，partlyfromlonghabitsofexposure，thatElsielookedalmostfairbesidehim。Hehadsomethingofthefamilybeautywhichbelongedtohiscousin，buthiseyehadafiercepassioninit，veryunlikethecoldglitterofElsie’s。Likemanypeopleofstrongandimperioustemper，hewassoft-voicedandverygentleinhisaddress，whenhehadnospecialreasonforbeingotherwise。Hesoonfoundreasonsenoughtobeasamiableashecouldforcehimselftobewithhisuncleandhiscousin。Elsiewastohisfancy。Shehadastrangeattractionforhim，quiteunlikeanythinghehadeverknowninotherwomen。Therewassomething，too，inearlyassociations：whenthosewhopartedaschildrenmeetasmanandwoman，thereisalwaysarenewalofthatearlyexperiencewhichfollowedthetasteoftheforbiddenfruit，——anaturalblushofconsciousness，notwithoutitscharm。
Nothingcouldbemorebecomingthanthebehaviorof“RichardVenner，Esquire，theguestofDudleyVenner，Esquire，athisnoblemansion。”
ashewasannouncedintheCourtcolumnofthe“RocklandWeeklyUniverse。”Hewaspleasedtofindhimselftreatedwithkindnessandattentionasarelative。Hemadehimselfveryagreeablebyabundantdetailsconcerningthereligious，political，social，commercial，andeducationalprogressoftheSouthAmericancitiesandstates。HewashimselfmuchinterestedineverythingthatwasgoingonabouttheDudleymansion，walkedalloverit，noticeditsvaluablewood-lotswithspecialapprobation，wasdelightedwiththegrandoldhouseanditsfurniture，andwouldnotbeeasyuntilhehadseenallthefamilysilverandhearditshistory。Inreturn，hehadmuchtotellofhisfather，nowdead，——theonlyoneoftheVenners，besidethemselves，inwhosefatehisunclewasinterested。WithElsie，hewassubduedandalmosttenderinhismanner；withthefewvisitorswhomtheysaw，shyandsilent，——perhapsalittlewatchful，ifanyyoungmanhappenedtobeamongthem。
Youngfellowsplacedontheirgoodbehaviorareapttogetrestlessandnervous，allreadytoflyoffintosomemischieforother。DickVennerhadhishalf-tamedhorsewithhimtoworkoffhissuppressedlifewith。Whenthesavagepassionofhisyoungbloodcameoverhim，hewouldfetchoutthemustang，screamingandkickingastheseamiablebeastsarewonttodo，straptheSpanishsaddletighttohisback，vaultintoit，and，aftergettingawayfromthevillage，strikethelongspursintohissidesandwhirlawayinawildgallop，untiltheblackhorsewasfleckedwithwhitefoam，andthecruelsteelpointswereredwithhisblood。Whenhorseandriderwerealikefired，hewouldflingthebridleonhisneckandsaunterhomeward，alwayscontrivingtogettothestableinaquietway，andcomingintothehouseascalmasabishopafterasobertrotonhissteady-
goingcob。
Afterafewweeksofthiskindoflife，hebegantowantsomemorefierceexcitement。HehadtriedmakingdownrightlovetoElsie，withnogreatsuccessasyet，inhisownopinion。Thegirlwascapriciousinhertreatmentofhim，sometimesscowlingandrepellent，sometimesfamiliar，veryoften，assheusedtobeofold，teasingandmalicious。Allthis，perhaps，madehermoreinterestingtoayoungmanwhowastiredofeasyconquests。Therewasastrangefascinationinhereyes，too，whichattimeswasquiteirresistible，sothathewouldfeelhimselfdrawntoherbyapowerwhichseemedtotakeawayhiswillforthemoment。Itmayhavebeennothingbutthecommoncharmofbrighteyes；buthehadneverbeforeexperiencedthesamekindofattraction。
Perhapsshewasnotsoverydifferentfromwhatshehadbeenasachild，afterall。Atanyrate，soitseemedtoDickVenner，who，aswassaidbefore，hadtriedmakinglovetoher。Theyweresittingaloneinthestudyoneday；Elsiehadroundherneckthatsomewhatpeculiarornament，thegoldentorque，whichshehadworntothegreatparty。Youthisadventurousandverycuriousaboutnecklaces，brooches，chains，andothersuchadornments，solongastheyarewornbyyoungpersonsofthefemalesex。Dickwasseizedwithagreatpassionforexaminingthiscuriouschain，and，aftersomepreliminaryquestions，wasrashenoughtoleantowardsherandputouthishandtowardtheneckthatlayinthegoldencoil。
Shethrewherheadback，hereyesnarrowingandherforeheaddrawingdownsothatDickthoughtherheadactuallyflatteneditself。Hestartedinvoluntarily；forshelookedsolikethelittlegirlwhohadstruckhimwiththosesharpflashingteeth，thatthewholescenecameback，andhefeltthestrokeagainasifithadjustbeengiven，andthetwowhitescarsbegantostingastheydidaftertheoldDoctorhadburnedthemwiththatstickofgraycaustic，whichlookedsolikeaslatepencil，andfeltsomuchliketheendofared-hotpoker。
Ittooksomethingmorethanagalloptosethimrightafterthis。
Thenextdayhementionedhavingreceivedaletterfromamercantileagentwithwhomhehaddealings。Whathisbusinesswasis，perhaps，noneofourbusiness。Atanyrate，itrequiredhimtogoatoncetothecitywherehiscorrespondentresided。
Independentlyofthis“business“whichcalledhim，theremayhavebeenothermotives，suchashavebeenhintedat。Peoplewhohavebeenlivingforalongtimeindrearycountry-places，withoutanyemotionbeyondsuchasareoccasionedbyatrivialpleasureorannoyance，oftengetcrazyatlastforavitalparoxysmofsomekindorother。Inthisstatetheyrushtothegreatcitiesforaplungeintotheirturbidlife-baths，withafranticthirstforeveryexcitingpleasure，whichmakesthemthewillingandeasyvictimsofallthosewhoselltheDevil’swaresoncommission。Thelessintelligentandinstructedclassofunfortunates，whoventurewiththeirignoranceandtheirinstinctsintowhatissometimescalledthe“life“ofgreatcities，areputthrougharapidcourseofinstructionwhichentitlesthemverycommonlytoadiplomafromthepolicecourt。
Buttheyonlyillustratetheworkingofthesametendencyinmankindatlargewhichhasbeenoccasionallynoticedinthesonsofministersandothereminentlyworthypeople，bymanyascribedtothatintensecongenitalhatredforgoodnesswhichdistinguisheshumannaturefromthatofthebrute，butperhapsasreadilyaccountedforbyconsideringitastheyawningandstretchingofayoungsoulcrampedtoolonginonemoralposture。
RichardVeneerwasayoungmanofremarkableexperienceforhisyears。Heranlessrisk，therefore，inexposinghimselftothetemptationsanddangersofagreatcitythanmanyoldermen，who，seekingthelivelierscenesofexcitementtobefoundinlargetownsasarelaxationafterthemonotonousroutineoffamilylife，aretoooftentakenadvantageofandmadethevictimsoftheirsentimentsortheirgenerousconfidenceintheirfellow-creatures。Suchwasnothisdestiny。Therewassomethingabouthimwhichlookedasifhewouldnottakebullyingkindly。Hehadalsotheadvantageofbeingacquaintedwithmostofthoseingeniousdevicesbywhichtheproverbialinconstancyoffortuneissteadiedtosomethingmorenearlyapproachingfixedlaws，andthedangerousriskswhichhavesooftenledyoungmentoruinandsuicidearepracticallyreducedtosomewhatlessthannothing。SothatMr。RichardVeneerworkedoffhisnervousenergieswithoutanytroublesomeadventure，andwasreadytoreturntoRocklandinlessthanaweek，withouthavinglightenedthemoney-beltheworeroundhisbody，ortarnishedthelongglitteringknifehecarriedinhisboot。
Dickhadsenthistrunktothenearesttownthroughwhichtherailroadleadingtothecitypassed。Herodeoffonhisblackhorseandlefthimattheplacewherehetookthecars。Onarrivingatthecitystation，hetookacoachanddrovetooneofthegreathotels。
Thitherdrovealsoasagacious-looking，middle-agedman，whoenteredhisnameas“W。Thompson“inthebookattheofficeimmediatelyafterthatof“R。Venner。”Mr。“Thompson“keptacarelesslyobservanteyeuponMr。Vennerduringhisstayatthehotel，andfollowedhimtothecarswhenheleft，lookingoverhisshoulderwhenheboughthisticketatthestation，andseeinghimfairlyoffwithoutobtrudinghimselfinanyoffensivewayuponhisattention。
Mr。Thompson，knowninotherquartersasDetectivePolicemanTerry，gotverylittlebyhistrouble。RichardVennerdidnotturnouttobethewife-poisoner，thedefaultingcashier，theriver-pirate，orthegreatcounterfeiter。Hepaidhishotel-billasagentlemanshouldalwaysdo，ifhehasthemoneyandcanspareit。ThedetectivehadprobablyoverratedhisownsagacitywhenheventuredtosuspectMr。Venner。Hereportedtohischiefthattherewasaknowing-lookingfellowhehadbeenroundafter，butheratherguessedhewasnothingmorethan“oneo’themSouthernsportsmen。”
ThepoorfellowsatthestablewhereDickhadlefthishorsehadhadtroubleenoughwithhim。Oneoftheostlerswaslimpingaboutwithalameleg，andanotherhadlostamouthfulofhiscoat，whichcameverynearcarryingapieceofhisshoulderwithit。WhenMr。Vennercamebackforhisbeast，hewasaswildasifhehadjustbeenlassoed，screaming，kicking，rollingovertogetridofhissaddle，andwhenhisriderwasatlastmounted，jumpingaboutinawaytodislodgeanycommonhorseman。ToallthisDickrepliedbystickinghislongspursdeeperanddeeperintohisflanks，untilthecreaturefoundhewasmastered，anddashedoffasifallthethistlesofthePampaswereprickinghim。
“Onemoregallop，Juan？“Thiswasinthelastmileoftheroadbeforehecametothetownwhichbroughthiminsightofthemansion-
house。ItwasinthislastgallopthatthefierymustangandhisriderflashedbytheoldDoctor。Cassiapointedhersharpearsandshiedtoletthempass。TheDoctorturnedandlookedthroughthelittleroundglassinthebackofhissulky。
“DickTurpin，there，willfindmorethanhismatch！“saidtheDoctor。
CHAPTERXII。
THEAPOLLINEANINSTITUTE。
WithExtractsfromthe“Reportofthecommittee。”
ThereadersofthisnarrativewillhardlyexpectanyelaboratedetailsoftheeducationalmanagementoftheApollineanInstitute。
TheycannotbesupposedtotakethesameinterestinitsaffairsaswasshownbytheAnnualCommitteeswhoreporteduponitsconditionandprospects。AstheseCommitteeswere，however，animportantpartofthemechanismoftheestablishment，somegeneralaccountoftheirorganizationandafewextractsfromtheReportoftheonelastappointedmaynotbeoutofplace。
WhetherMr。SilasPeckhamhadsomecontrivanceforpackinghisCommittees，whethertheyhappenedalwaystobemadeupofoptimistsbynature，whethertheywerecajoledintogood-humorbypoliteattentions，orwhethertheywerealwaysreallydelightedwiththewonderfulacquirementsofthepupilsandtheadmirableorderoftheschool，itiscertainthattheirAnnualReportswerecouchedinlanguagewhichmightwarmtheheartofthemostcold-bloodedandcalculatingfatherthateverhadafamilyofdaughterstoeducate。
Infact，theseAnnualReportswereconsideredbyMr。Peckhamashismosteffectiveadvertisements。
Thefirstthing，therefore，wastoseethattheCommitteewasmadeupofpersonsknowntothepublic。
Someworn-outpolitician，inthatleisurelyandamiabletransition-
statewhichcomesbetweenofficialextinctionandtheparalysiswhichwillfinishhimassoonashisbraingetsalittlesofter，madeanadmirableChairmanforMr。Peckham，whenhehadthelucktopickupsuchanarticle。Oldreputations，likeoldfashions，aremoreprizedinthegrassythaninthestonydistricts。Aneffetecelebrity，whowouldneverbeheardofagaininthegreatplacesuntilthefuneralsermonwakeduphismemoryforonepartingspasm，findshimselfinfullflavorofrenownalittlefartherbackfromthechangingwindsofthesea-coast。Ifsuchapubliccharacterwasnottobehad，sothattherewasnochanceofheadingtheReportwiththenameoftheHonorableMr。Somebody，thenextbestthingwastogettheReverendDr。Somebodytotakethatconspicuousposition。ThenwouldfollowtwoorthreelocalworthieswithEsquireaftertheirnames。Ifanystrayliterarypersonagefromoneofthegreatcitieshappenedtobewithinreach，hewaspounceduponbyMr。SilasPeckham。Itwasahardcaseforthepoorman，whohadtravelledahundredmilesortwototheoutsidesuburbsafterpeaceandunwateredmilk，tobepumpedforaspeechinthisunexpectedway。Itwasharderstill，ifhehadbeeninducedtoventureafewtremulousremarks，tobeobligedtowritethemoutforthe“RocklandWeeklyUniverse。”withthechanceofseeingthemusedasanadvertisingcertificateaslongashelived，ifhelivedaslongasthelateDr。WaterhousedidaftergivinghiscertificateinfavorofWhitwell’scelebratedCephalicSnuff。
TheReportofthelastCommitteehadbeensignedbytheHonorable，___________late__________of____________，asChairman。Itiswithreluctancethatthenameandtitlesareleftinblank；butourpubliccharactersaresofamiliarlyknowntothewholecommunitythatthisreservebecomesnecessary。TheothermembersoftheCommitteeweretheReverendMr。Butters，ofaneighboringtown，whowastomaketheprayerbeforetheExercisesoftheExhibition，andtwoorthreenotabilitiesofRockland，withgeoponiceyes，andglabrous，bumplessforeheads。AfewextractsfromtheReportaresubjoined：
“TheCommitteehavegreatpleasureinrecordingtheirunanimousopinion，thattheInstitutionwasneverinsoflourishingacondition……
“Thehealthofthepupilsisexcellent；theadmirablequalityoffoodsuppliedshowsitselfintheirappearance；theirbloomingaspectexcitedtheadmirationoftheCommittee，andbearstestimonytotheassiduityoftheexcellentMatron。
“……moralandreligiousconditionmostencouraging，whichtheycannotbutattributetothepersonaleffortsandinstructionofthefaithfulPrincipal，whoconsidersreligiousinstructionasolemndutywhichhecannotcommittootherpeople。
“……greatprogressintheirstudies，undertheintelligentsuperintendenceoftheaccomplishedPrincipal，assistedbyMr。
Badger，[Mr。Langdon’spredecessor，]MissDarley，theladywhosuperintendstheEnglishbranches，MissCrabs，herassistantandteacherofModernLanguages，andMr。Schneider，teacherofFrench，German，Latin，andMusic……
“EducationisthegreatbusinessoftheInstitute。Amusementsareobjectsofasecondarynature；butthesearebynomeansneglected……
“……Englishcompositionsofgreatoriginalityandbeauty，creditablealiketotheheadandheartoftheiraccomplishedauthors……severalpoemsofaveryhighorderofmerit，whichwoulddohonortotheliteratureofanyageorcountry……life-likedrawings，showinggreatproficiency……Manyconversefluentlyinvariousmodernlanguages……performthemostdifficultairswiththeskillofprofessionalmusicians……
“……advantagesunsurpassed，ifequalledbythoseofanyInstitutioninthecountry，andreflectingthehighesthonoronthedistinguishedHeadoftheEstablishment，SILASPECKHAM，Esquire，andhisadmirableLady，theMATRON，withtheirworthyassistants……”
TheperusalofthisReportdidMr。Bernardmoregoodthanaweek’svacationwouldhavedone：Itgavehimsuchalaughashehadnothadforamonth。ThewayinwhichSilasPeckhamhadmadehisCommitteesaywhathewantedthemto——forherecognizedanumberofexpressionsintheReportascomingdirectlyfromthelipsofhisprincipal，andcouldnothelpthinkinghowcleverlyhehadforcedhisphrases，asjugglersdotheparticularcardtheywishtheirdupetotake——struckhimasparticularlyneatandpleasing。
Hehadpassedthroughthesympatheticandemotionalstagesinhisnewexperience，andhadarrivedatthephilosophicalandpracticalstate，whichtakesthingscoolly，andgoestoworktosetthemright。Hehadbreadthenoughofviewtoseethattherewasnothingsoveryexceptionalinthiseducationaltrader’sdealingswithhissubordinates，buthehadalsomanlyfeelingenoughtoattacktheparticularindividualinstanceofwrongbeforehim。Thereareplentyofdealer’sinmorals，asinordinarytraffic，whoconfinethemselvestowholesalebusiness。Theyleavethesmallnecessityoftheirnext-
doorneighbortotheretailers，whoarepoorerinstatisticsandgeneralfacts，butricherintheevery-daycharities。Mr。Bernardfelt，atfirst，asonedoeswhoseesagrayratstealoutofadrainandbegingnawingatthebarkofsometreeloadedwithfruitorblossoms，whichhewillsoongirdle，ifheisletalone。Thefirstimpulseistomurderhimwiththenearestraggedstone。Thenoneremembersthatheisarodent，actingafterthelawofhiskind，andcoolsdownandiscontentedtodrivehimoffandguardthetreeagainsthisteethforthefuture。Assoonasthisisdone，onecanwatchhisattemptsatmischiefwithacertainamusement。
ThiswasthekindofprocessMr。Bernardhadgonethrough。First，theindignantsurpriseofagenerousnature，whenitcomesunexpectedlyintorelationswithameanone。Thentheimpulseofextermination，——adivineinstinct，intendedtokeepdownverminofallclassestotheirworkingaveragesintheeconomyofNature。Thenareturnofcheerfultolerance，——afeeling，that，iftheDeitycouldbearwithratsandsharpers，hecould；withaconfidenttrust，that，inthelongrun，terriersandhonestmenwouldhavetheupperhand，andagratefulconsciousnessthathehadbeensentjustattherighttimetocomebetweenapatientvictimandthemasterwhoheldherinpeonage。
Havingoncemadeuphismindwhattodo，Mr。Bernardwasasgood-
naturedandhopefulasever。Hehadthegreatadvantage，fromhisprofessionaltraining，ofknowinghowtorecognizeanddealwiththenervousdisturbancestowhichovertaskedwomenaresoliable。HesawwellenoughthatHelenDarleywouldcertainlykillherselforloseherwits，ifhecouldnotlightenherlaborsandliftoffalargepartofherweightofcares。Theworstofitwas，thatshewasoneofthosewomenwhonaturallyoverworkthemselves，likethosehorseswhowillgoatthetopoftheirpaceuntiltheydrop。Suchwomenaredreadfullyunmanageable。ItisashardreasoningwiththemasitwouldhavebeenreasoningwithIo，whenshewasflyingoverlandandsea，drivenbythestingofthenever-sleepinggadfly。