Thenextthingwastobesurethateverybodyshouldbeintherightplaceatthetea-table，andthistheWidowthoughtshecouldmanagebyafewwordstotheolderguestsandalittleshufflingaboutandshiftingwhentheygottothetable。TosettleeverythingtheWidowmadeoutadiagram，whichthereadershouldhaveachanceofinspectinginanauthenticcopy，ifthesepageswereallowedunderanycircumstancestobethevehicleofillustrations。If，however，heorshereallywishestoseethewaythepiecesstoodastheywereplacedatthebeginningofthegame，theWidow’sgambit，heorshehadbetteratoncetakeasheetofpaper，drawanoval，andarrangethecharactersaccordingtothefollowingschedule。
Attheheadofthetable，theHostess，WidowMarillaRowens。
Oppositeher，attheotherend，Rev。Dr。Honeywood。AttherightoftheHostess，DudleyVeneer，nexthimHelenDarley，nextherDr。
Kittredge，nexthimMrs。BlancheCreamer，thentheReverendDoctor。
AttheleftoftheHostess，BernardLangdon，nexthimLettyForrester，nextLettyMr。RichardVeneer，nexthimElsie，andsototheReverendDoctoragain。
ThecompanycametogetheralittlebeforetheearlyhouratwhichitwascustomarytotaketeainRockland。TheWidowkneweverybody，ofcourse：whowasthereinRocklandshedidnotknow？Butsomeofthemhadtobeintroduced：Mr。RichardVeneertoMr。Bernard，Mr。BernardtoMissLetty，DudleyVeneertoMissHelenDarley，andsoon。Thetwoyoungmenlookedeachotherstraightintheeyes，bothfullofyouthfullife，butoneoffrankandfearlessaspect，theotherwithadangerousfelinebeautyalientotheNewEnglandhalfofhisblood。
Thegueststalked，turnedovertheprints，lookedattheflowers，openedthe“ProverbialPhilosophy“withgiltedges，andthevolumeofPlaysbyW。Shakespeare，examinedthehorse-picturesonthewalls，andsopassedawaythetimeuntilteawasannounced，whentheypairedofffortheroomwhereitwasinreadiness。TheWidowhadmanageditwell；everythingwasjustasshewantedit。DudleyVeneerwasbetweenherselfandthepoortired-lookingschoolmistresswithherfadedcolors。BlancheCreamer，alax，tumble-to-pieces，Greuze-ishlookingblonde，whomtheWidowhatedbecausethementooktoher，waspurgatoriedbetweenthetwooldDoctors，andcouldseeallthelooksthatpassedbetweenDickVennerandhiscousin。TheyoungschoolmastercouldtalktoMissLetty：itwashisbusinesstoknowhowtotalktoschoolgirls。DickwouldamusehimselfwithhiscousinElsie。TheoldDoctorsonlywantedtobewellfedandtheywoulddowellenough。
Itwouldbeverypleasanttodescribethetea-table；butinreality，itdidnotpretendtoofferaplethoricbanquettotheguests。TheWidowhadnotvisitedthemansion-housesfornothing，andshehadlearnedtherethatanoverloadedtea-tablemaydowellenoughforfarm-handswhentheycomeinateveningfromtheirworkandsitdownunwashedintheirshirtsleeves，butthatfordecentlybredpeoplesuchaninsulttothememoryofadinnernotyethalf-assimilatediswhollyinadmissible。Everythingwasdelicate，andalmosteverythingoffaircomplexion：whitebreadandbiscuits，frostedandspongecake，cream，honey，straw-coloredbutter；onlyashadowhereandthere，wherethefirehadcrispedandbrownedthesurfacesofastackofdrytoast，orwhereapreservehadbroughtawaysomeoftheredsunshineofthelastyear’ssummer。TheWidowshallhavethecreditofherwell-orderedtea-table，alsoofherbountifulcream-pitchers；
foritiswellknownthatcity-peoplefindcreamaveryscarceluxuryinagoodmanycountry-housesofmorepretensionsthanHyacinthCottage。Therearenobettermaimsforladieswhogivetea-partiesthanthese：
Creamisthickerthanwater。
Largeheartneverlovedlittlecreampot。
ThereisacommonfeelingingenteelfamiliesthatthethirdmealofthedayisnotsoessentialapartofthedailybreadastorequireanyespecialacknowledgmenttotheProvidencewhichbestowsit。Verydevoutpeople，whowouldneversitdowntoabreakfastoradinnerwithoutthegracebeforemeatwhichhonorstheGiverofit，feelasiftheythankedHeavenenoughfortheirteaandtoastbypartakingofthemcheerfullywithoutaudiblepetitionorascription。ButtheWidowwasnotexactlymansion-house-bred，andsothoughtitnecessarytogivetheReverendDoctorapeculiarlookwhichheunderstoodatonceasinvitinghisprofessionalservices。He，therefore，utteredafewsimplewordsofgratitude，veryquietly，——muchtothesatisfactionofsomeoftheguests，whohadexpectedoneofthoseelaborateeffusions，withrollingupoftheeyesandrhetoricalaccents，sofrequentwitheloquentdivineswhentheyaddresstheirMakeringenteelcompany。
Everybodybegantalkingwiththepersonsittingnextathand。Mr。
BernardnaturallyenoughturnedhisattentionfirsttotheWidow；butsomehoworothertherightsideoftheWidowseemedtobemorewideawakethantheleftside，nexthim，andheresignedhertothecourtesiesofMr。DudleyVenner，directinghimself，notveryunwillingly，totheyounggirlnexthimontheotherside。MissLettyForrester，thegranddaughteroftheReverendDoctor，wascity-
bred，asanybodymightsee，andcity-dressed，asanywomanwouldknowatsight；amanmightonlyfeelthegeneraleffectofclear，well-
matchedcolors，ofharmoniousproportions，ofthecutwhichmakeseverythingclinglikeabather’ssleevewhereanaturaloutlineistobekept，andruffleitselfuplikethehackleofapittedfighting-
cockwherearthasarighttoluxuriateinsilkenexuberance。Howthiscitybredandcity-dressedgirlcametobeinRocklandMr。
Bernarddidnotknow，butheknewatanyratethatshewashisnextneighborandentitledtohiscourtesies。Shewashandsome，too，whenhecametolook，veryhandsomewhenhecametolookagain，——endowedwiththatcitybeautywhichislikethebeautyofwall-fruit，somethingfinerincertainrespectsthancanberearedoffthepavement。
ThemiserableroutinistswhokeeprepeatinginvidiouslyCowper’s“Godmadethecountryandmanmadethetown。”
asifthetownwereaplacetokillouttheracein，donotknowwhattheyaretalkingabout。WherecouldtheyraisesuchSaint-Michaelpears，suchSaint-Germains，suchBrown-Beurres，aswehaduntilwithinafewyearsgrowingwithinthewallsofouroldcity-gardens？
Isthedarkanddampcavernwherearaggedbeggarhideshimselfbetterthanatown-mansionwhichfrontsthesunshineandbacksonitsowncoolshadow，withgasandwaterandallappliancestosuitallneeds？Godmadethecavernandmanmadethehouse！Whatthen？
Thereisnodoubtthatthepavementkeepsadealofmischieffromcomingupoutoftheearth，and，withadashoffofitinsummer，justtocoolthesolesofthefeetwhenitgetstoohot，isthebestplaceformanyconstitutions，assomefewpracticalpeoplehavealreadydiscovered。Andjustsothesebeautiesthatgrowandripenagainstthecity-walls，theseyoungfellowswithcheekslikepeachesandyounggirlswithcheekslikenectarines，showthatthemostperfectformsofartificiallifecandoasmuchforthehumanproductasgarden-cultureforstrawberriesandblackberries。
IfMr。Bernardhadphilosophizedorprosedinthisway，withsopretty，nay，solovelyaneighborasMissLettyForresterwaitingforhimtospeaktoher，hewouldhavetobedroppedfromthisnarrativeasapersonunworthyofhisgood-fortune，andnotdeservingthekindreader’sfurthernotice。Onthecontrary，henosoonersethiseyesfairlyonherthanhesaidtohimselfthatshewascharming，andthathewishedshewereoneofhisscholarsattheInstitute。Sohebegantalkingwithherinaneasyway；forheknewsomethingofyounggirlsbythistime，and，ofcourse，couldadapthimselftoayoungladywholookedasifshemightbenotmorethanfifteenorsixteenyearsold，andthereforecouldhardlybeamatchinintellectualresourcesfortheseventeenandeighteenyear-oldfirst-classscholarsoftheApollineanInstitute。Butcity-wall-fruitripensearly，andhesoonfoundthatthisgirl’straininghadsosharpenedherwitsandstoredhermemory，thatheneednotbeatthetroubletostooppainfullyinordertocomedowntoherlevel。
Thebeautyofgood-breedingisthatitadjustsitselftoallrelationswithouteffort，truetoitselfalwayshoweverthemannersofthosearounditmaychange。Self-respectandrespectforothers，——thesensitiveconsciousnesspoisesitselfintheseasthecompassintheship’sbinnaclebalancesitselfandmaintainsitstruelevelwithinthetwoconcentricringswhichsuspenditontheirpivots。
Thisthorough-bredschool-girlquiteenchantedMr。Bernard。Hecouldnotunderstandwhereshegotherstyle，herwayofdress，herenunciation，hereasymanners。Theministerwasamostworthygentleman，butthiswasnottheRocklandnative-bornmanner；somenewelementhadcomeinbetweenthegood，plain，worthymanandthisyounggirl，fittobeaCrownPrince’spartnerwheretherewereathousandtochoosefrom。
HelookedacrosstoHelenDarley，forheknewshewouldunderstandtheglanceofadmirationwithwhichhecalledherattentiontotheyoungbeautyathisside；andHelenknewwhatayounggirlcouldbe，ascomparedwithwhattoomanyaoneis，aswellasanybody。
Thispoor，dearHelenofours！HowadmirablethecontrastbetweenherandtheWidowontheothersideofDudleyVenner！But，whatwasveryodd，thatgentlemanapparentlythoughtthecontrastwastotheadvantageofthispoor，dearHelen。Atanyrate，insteadofdevotinghimselfsolelytotheWidow，hehappenedtobejustatthatmomenttalkinginaveryinterestedand，apparently，notuninterestingwaytohisright-handneighbor，who，onherpart，neverlookedmorecharmingly，——asMr。Bernardcouldnothelpsayingtohimself，——but，tobesure，hehadjustbeenlookingattheyounggirlnexthim，sothathiseyeswerebrimfulofbeauty，andmayhavespilledsomeofitonthefirstcomer：foryouknowM。Becquerelhasbeenshowinguslatelyhoweverythingisphosphorescent；thatitsoaksitselfwithlightinaninstant’sexposure，sothatitiswetwithliquidsunbeams，or，ifyouwill，tremulouswithluminousvibrations，whenfirstplungedintothenegativebathofdarkness，andbetraysitselfbythelightwhichescapesfromitssurface。
Whateverwerethereason，thispoor，dearHelenneverlookedsosweetly。Herplainlypartedbrownhair，hermeek，blueeyes，hercheekjustalittletingedwithcolor，thealmostsadsimplicityofherdress，andthatlookheknewsowell，——sofullofcheerfulpatience，sosincere，thathehadtrustedherfromthefirstmomentasthebelieversofthelargerhalfofChristendomtrusttheBlessedVirgin，——Mr。Bernardtookthisallinataglance，andfeltaspleasedasifithadbeenhisownsisterDorotheaElizabeththathewaslookingat。AsforDudleyVeneer，Mr。Bernardcouldnothelpbeingstruckbytheanimatedexpressionofhiscountenance。Itcertainlyshowedgreatkindness，onhispart，topaysomuchattentiontothisquietgirl，whenhehadthethunder-and-lightningWidowontheothersideofhim。
Mrs。MarillaRowensdidnotknowwhattomakeofit。Shehadmadehertea-partyexpresslyforMr。DudleyVeneer。Shehadplacedhimjustasshewanted，betweenherselfandameek，delicatewomanwhodressedingray，woreaplainbreastpinwithhairinit，whotaughtapackofgirlsupthereattheschool，andlookedasifshewerebornforateacher，——theverybestfoilthatshecouldhavechosen；andherewasthisman，politeenoughtoherself，tobesure，butturningroundtothatveryundistinguishedyoungpersonasifheratherpreferredherconversationofthetwo！
ThetruthwasthatDudleyVeneerandHelenDarleymetastwotravellersmightmeetinthedesert，wearied，bothofthem，withtheirlongjourney，onehavingfood，butnowater，theotherwater，butnofood。Eachsawthattheotherhadbeeninlongconflictwithsometrial；fortheirvoiceswerelowandtender，aspatientlybornesorrowandhumblyutteredprayersmakeeveryhumanvoice。Throughthesetones，morethanbywhattheysaid，theycameintonaturalsympatheticrelationswitheachother。Nothingcouldbemoreunstudied。AsforDudleyVenner，nobeautyinalltheworldcouldhavesosoothedandmagnetizedhimastheveryreposeandsubduedgentlenesswhichtheWidowhadthoughtwouldmakethebestpossiblebackgroundforherownmoresalientandeffectiveattractions。Nodoubt，Helen，onherside，wasalmosttooreadilypleasedwiththeconfidencethisnewacquaintanceshewasmakingseemedtoshowherfromtheveryfirst。Sheknewsofewmenofanycondition！Mr。
SilasPeckham：hewasheremployer，andsheoughttothinkofhimaswellasshecould；buteverytimeshethoughtofhimitwaswithashiverofdisgust。Mr。BernardLangdon：anobleyoungman，atruefriend，likeabrothertoher，——Godblesshim，andsendhimsomeyoungheartasfreshashisown！Butthisgentlemanproducedanewimpressionuponher，quitedifferentfromanytowhichshewasaccustomed。Hisrich，lowtoneshadthestrangestsignificancetoher；shefeltsurehemusthavelivedthroughlongexperiences，sorrowfullikeherown。Elsie’sfather！Shelookedintohisdarkeyes，asshelistenedtohim，toseeiftheyhadanyglimmerofthatpeculiarlight，diamond-bright，butcoldandstill，whichsheknewsowellinElsie’s。Anythingbutthat！Neverwastheremoretenderness，itseemedtoher，thaninthewholelookandexpressionofElsie’sfather。Shemusthavebeenagreattrialtohim；yethisfacewasthatofonewhohadbeensaddened，notsoured，byhisdiscipline。KnowingwhatElsiemustbetohim，howhardshemustmakeanyparent’slife，HelencouldnotbutbestruckwiththeinterestMr。DudleyVennershowedinherashisdaughter’sinstructress。Hewastookindtoher；againandagainshemeeklyturnedfromhim，soastoleavehimfreetotalktotheshowyladyathisotherside，whowaslookingallthewhile“likethenightOfcloudlessrealmsandstarryskies；“
butstillMr。DudleyVenner，afterafewcourteouswords，camebacktotheblueeyesandbrownhair；stillhekepthislookfixeduponher，andhistonesgrewsweeterandlowerashebecamemoreinterestedintalk，untilthispoor，dearHelen，whatwithsurprise，andthebashfulnessnaturaltoonewhohadseenlittleofthegayworld，andthestirringofdeep，confusedsympathieswiththissufferingfather，whoseheartseemedsofullofkindness，felthercheeksglowingwithunwontedflame，andbetrayedthepleasingtroubleofhersituationbylookingsosweetlyastoarrestMr。Bernard’seyeforamoment，whenhelookedawayfromtheyoungbeautysittingnexthim。
Elsiemeantimehadbeensilent，withthatsingular，still，watchfullookwhichthosewhoknewherwellhadlearnedtofear。Herheadjustalittleinclinedononeside，perfectlymotionlessforwholeminutes，hereyesseemingto，growsmallandbright，asalwayswhenshewasunderherevilinfluence，shewaslookingobliquelyattheyounggirlontheothersideofhercousinDickandnexttoBernardLangdon。AsforDickhimself，sheseemedtobepayingverylittleattentiontohim。SometimeshereyeswouldwanderofftoMr。
Bernard，andtheirexpression，asoldDr。Kittredge，whowatchedherforawhileprettykeenly，noticed，wouldchangeperceptibly。Onewouldhavesaidthatshelookedwithakindofdullhatredatthegirl，butwithahalf-relentingreproachfulangeratMr。Bernard。
MissLettyForrester，atwhomElsiehadbeenlookingfromtimetotimeinthisfixedway，wasconsciousmeanwhileofsomeunusualinfluence。Firstitwasafeelingofconstraint，——then，asitwere，adiminishedpoweroverthemuscles，asifaninvisibleelasticcobwebwerespinningroundher，——thenatendencytoturnawayfromMr。Bernard，whowasmakinghimselfveryagreeable，andlookstraightintothoseeyeswhichwouldnotleaveher，andwhichseemedtobedrawinghertowardsthem，whileatthesametimetheychilledthebloodinallherveins。
Mr。Bernardsawthisinfluencecomingoverher。Allatoncehenoticedthatshesighed，andthatsomelittlepointsofmoisturebegantoglistenonherforehead。Butshedidnotgrowpaleperceptibly；shehadnoinvoluntaryorhystericmovements；shestilllistenedtohimandsmilednaturallyenough。Perhapsshewasonlynervousatbeingstaredat。Atanyrate，shewascomingundersomeunpleasantinfluenceorother，andMr。BernardhadseenenoughofthestrangeimpressionElsiesometimesproducedtowishthisyounggirltoberelievedfromit，whateveritwas。HeturnedtowardElsieandlookedatherinsuchawayastodrawhereyesuponhim。Thenhelookedsteadilyandcalmlyintothem。Itwasagreateffort，forsomeperfectlyinexplicablereason。Atoneinstanthethoughthecouldnotsitwherehewas；hemustgoandspeaktoElsie。Thenhewantedtotakehiseyesawayfromhers；therewassomethingintolerableinthelightthatcamefromthem。Buthewasdeterminedtolookherdown，andhebelievedhecoulddoit，forhehadseenhercountenancechangemorethanoncewhenhehadcaughthergazesteadilyfixedonhim。Allthistooknotminutes，butseconds。
Presentlyshechangedcolorslightly，——liftedherhead，whichwasinclinedalittletooneside，——shutandopenedhereyestwoorthreetimes，asiftheyhadbeenpainedorwearied，——andturnedawaybaffled，andshamed，asitwouldseem，andshornforthetimeofhersingularandformidableoratleastevil-naturedpowerofswayingtheimpulsesofthosearoundher。
Ittakestoolongtodescribethesesceneswhereagooddealoflifeisconcentratedintoafewsilentseconds。Mr。RichardVeneerhadsatquietlythroughitall，althoughthisshortpantomimehadtakenplaceliterallybeforehisface。Hesawwhatwasgoingonwellenough，andunderstooditallperfectlywell。OfcoursetheschoolmasterhadbeentryingtomakeElsiejealous，andhadsucceeded。Thelittleschoolgirlwasadecoy-duck，——thatwasall。
EstatesliketheDudleypropertywerenottobehadeveryday，andnodoubttheYankeeusherwaswillingtotakesomepainstomakesureofElsie。Doesn’tElsielooksavage？Dickinvoluntarilymovedhischairalittleawayfromher，andthoughthefeltaprickinginthesmallwhitescarsonhiswrist。Adare-devilfellow，butsomehoworotherthisgirlhadtakenstrangeholdofhisimagination，andheoftensworetohimself，that，whenhemarriedher，hewouldcarryaloadedrevolverwithhimtohisbridalchamber。
Mrs。BlancheCreamerragedinwardlyatfirsttofindherselfbetweenthetwooldgentlemenoftheparty。Itverysoongavehergreatcomfort，however，toseethatMarilla，Rowenshadjustmisseditinhercalculations，andshechuckledimmenselytofindDudleyVeneerdevotinghimselfchieflytoHelenDarley。IftheRowenswomanshouldhookDudley，shefeltasifsheshouldgnawallhernailsoffforspite。TothinkofseeingherbarouchingaboutRocklandbehindapairoflong-tailedbaysandacoachmanwithabandonhishat，whileshe，BlancheCreamer，wasdrivingherselfaboutinaone-horse“carriage“！Recoveringherspiritsbydegrees，shebeganplayinghersurfacesoffatthetwooldDoctors，justbywayofpractice。Firstsheheavedupaglaringwhiteshoulder，therightone，sothattheReverendDoctorshouldbestunnedbyit，ifsuchathingmightbe。
TheReverendDoctorwashuman，astheApostlewasnotashamedtoconfesshimself。Half-devoutlyandhalf-mischievouslyherepeatedinwardly，“ResisttheDevilandhewillfleefromyou。”AstheReverendDoctordidnotshowanylivelysusceptibility，shethoughtshewouldtrytheleftshoulderonoldDr。Kittredge。Thatworthyandexperiencedstudentofsciencewasnotatalldispleasedwiththemanoeuvre，andliftedhisheadsoastocommandtheexhibitionthroughhisglasses。“Blancheisgoodforhalfadozenyearsorso，ifsheiscareful。”theDoctorsaidtohimself，“andthenshemusttaketoherprayer-book。”AfterthisspasmodicfailureofMrs。
BlancheCreamer’stostiruptheoldDoctors，shereturnedagaintothepleasingtaskofwatchingtheWidowinherevidentdiscomfiture。
ButdarkastheWidowlookedinherhalf-concealedpet，shewasbutasapaleshadow，comparedtoElsieinhersilentconcentrationofshameandanger。
“Well，thereisonegoodthing。”saidMrs。BlancheCreamer；“Dickdoesn’tgetmuchoutofthatcousinofhisthisevening！Doesn’thelookhandsome，though？“
SoMrs。Blanche，beingnowagooddealtakenupwithherobservationsofthosefriendsofhersandours，begantoberathercarelessofhertwooldDoctors，whonaturallyenoughfellintoconversationwitheachotheracrossthewhitesurfacesofthatlady，perhapsnotverypolitely，but，underthe，circumstances，almostasamatterofnecessity。
Whenaministerandadoctorgettalkingtogether，theyalwayshaveagreatdealtosay；andsoithappenedthatthecompanyleftthetablejustasthetwoDoctorswerebeginningtogetateachother’sideasaboutvariousinterestingmatters。Ifwefollowthemintotheotherparlor，wecan，perhaps，pickupsomethingoftheirconversation。
CHAPTERXXII。
WHYDOCTORSDIFFER。
Thecompanyrearrangeditselfwithsomechangesafterleavingthetea-table。DudleyVeneerwasverypolitetotheWidow；butthatladyhavingbeencalledoffforafewmomentsforsomedomesticarrangement，heslidbacktothesideofHelenDarley，hisdaughter’sfaithfulteacher。Elsiehadgotawaybyherself，andwastakenupinstudyingthestereoscopicLaocoon。Dick，beingthussetfree，hadbeenseizeduponbyMrs。BlancheCreamer，whohaddiffusedherselfoverthree-quartersofasofaandbeckonedhimtotheremainingfourth。Mr。BernardandMissLettywerehavingasnugfete-’a-feteintherecessofabay-window。ThetwoDoctorshadtakentwoarm-
chairsandsatsquaredoffagainsteachother。Theirconversationisperhapsaswellworthreportingasthatoftherestofthecompany，and，asitwascarriedoninaloudertone，wasofcoursemoreeasytogatherandputonrecord。
Itwasacurioussightenoughtoseethosetworepresentativesoftwogreatprofessionsbroughtfacetofacetotalkoverthesubjectstheyhadbeenlookingatalltheirlivesfromsuchdifferentpointsofview。Bothwereold；oldenoughtohavebeenmouldedbytheirhabitsofthoughtandlife；oldenoughtohavealltheirbeliefs“frettedin。”asvintnerssay，——thoroughlyworkedupwiththeircharacters。
Eachofthemlookedhiscalling。TheReverendDoctorhadlivedagooddealamongbooksinhisstudy；theDoctor，aswewillcallthemedicalgentleman，hadbeenridingaboutthecountryforbetweenthirtyandfortyyears。Hisfacelookedtoughandweather-worn；
whiletheReverendDoctor’s，heartyasitappeared，wasoffinertexture。TheDoctor’swasthegraverofthetwo；therewassomethingofgrimnessaboutit，partlyowingtothenortheastershehadfacedforsomanyyears，partlytolongcompanionshipwiththatsternpersonagewhoneverdealsinsentimentorpleasantry。Hisspeechwasapttobebriefandperemptory；itwasawayhehadgotbyorderingpatients；buthecoulddiscoursesomewhat，onoccasion，asthereadermayfindout。TheReverendDoctorhadanopen，smilingexpression，acheeryvoice，aheartylaugh，andacordialwaywithhimwhichsomethoughttoolivelyforhiscloth，butwhichchildren，whoaregoodjudgesofsuchmatters，delightedin，sothathewasthefavoriteofallthelittleroguesabouttown。Buthehadtheclericalartofsoberingdowninamoment，whenaskedtosaygracewhilesomebodywasinthemiddleofsomeparticularlyfunnystory；andthoughhisvoicewassocheeryincommontalk，inthepulpit，likealmostallpreachers，hehadawhollydifferentandpeculiarwayofspeaking，supposedtobemoreacceptabletotheCreatorthanthenaturalmanner。Inpointoffact，mostofouranti-papalandanti-prelaticalclergymendoreallyintonetheirprayers，withoutsuspectingintheleastthattheyhavefallenintosuchaRomishpractice。
ThisisthewaytheconversationbetweentheDoctorofDivinityandtheDoctorofMedicinewasgoingonatthepointwherethesenotestakeitup。
“Obitresmedici，duoathei，youknow，Doctor。Yourprofessionhasalwayshadthecreditofbeinglaxindoctrine，——thoughprettystringentinpractice，ha！ha！“
“Somepriestsaidthat。”theDoctoranswered，dryly。“TheyalwaystalkedLatinwhentheyhadabiggerliethancommontogetridof。”
“Good！“saidtheReverendDoctor；“I’mafraidtheywouldliealittlesometimes。Butisn’ttheresometruthinit，Doctor？Don’tyouthinkyourprofessionisapttosee’Nature’intheplaceoftheGodofNature，——tolosesightofthegreatFirstCauseintheirdailystudyofsecondarycauses？“
“I’vethoughtaboutthat。”theDoctoranswered，“andI’vetalkedaboutitandreadaboutit，andI’vecometotheconclusionthatnobodybelievesinGodandtrustsinGodquitesomuchasthedoctors；onlyitisn’tjustthesortofDeitythatsomeofyourprofessionhavewantedthemtotakeupwith。TherewasastudentofminewroteadissertationontheNaturalTheologyofHealthandDisease，andtookthatoldlyingproverbforhismotto。HeknewagooddealmoreaboutbooksthaneverIdid，andhadstudiedinothercountries。I’lltellyouwhathesaidaboutit。HesaidtheoldHeathenDoctor，Galen，praisedGodforhishandiworkinthehumanbody，justasifhehadbeenaChristian，orthePsalmisthimself。
Hesaidtheyhadthissentencesetupinlargelettersinthegreatlecture-roominPariswhereheattended：IdressedhiswoundandGodhealedhim。Thatwasanoldsurgeon’ssaying。AndhegavealonglistofdoctorswhowerenotonlyChristians，butfamousones。I
grantyou，though，ministersanddoctorsareveryapttoseedifferentlyinspiritualmatters。”
“That’sit。”saidtheReverendDoctor；“youareapttosee’Nature’
whereweseeGod，andappealto’Science’wherewearecontentedwithRevelation。”
“Wedon’tseparateGodandNature，perhaps，asyoudo。”theDoctoranswered。“WhenwesaythatGodisomnipresentandomnipotentandomniscient，wearealittlemoreapttomeanitthanyourfolksare。
Wethink，whenawoundheals，thatGod’spresenceandpowerandknowledgearethere，healingit，justasthatoldsurgeondid。Wethinkagoodmanytheologians，workingamongtheirbooks，don’tseethefactsoftheworldtheylivein。Whenwetell’emofthesefacts，theyareapttocallusmaterialistsandatheistsandinfidels，andallthat。Wecan’thelpseeingthefacts，andwedon’tthinkit’swickedtomention’em。”
“Dotellme。”theReverendDoctorsaid，“someofthesefactsweareinthehabitofoverlooking，andwhichyourprofessionthinksitcanseeandunderstand。”
“That’sveryeasy。”theDoctorreplied。“Forinstance：youdon’tunderstandordon’tallowforidiosyncrasiesaswelearnto。Weknowthatfoodandphysicactdifferentlywithdifferentpeople；butyouthinkthesamekindoftruthisgoingtosuit，oroughttosuit，allminds。Wedon’tfightwithapatientbecausehecan’ttakemagnesiaoropium；butyouareallthetimequarrellingoveryourbeliefs，asifbeliefdidnotdependverymuchonraceandconstitution，tosaynothingofearlytraining。”
“Doyoumeantosaythateverymanisnotabsolutelyfreetochoosehisbeliefs？“
“Themenyouwriteaboutinyourstudiesare，butnotthemenweseeintherealworld。ThereissomeapparentlycongenitaldefectintheIndians，forinstance，thatkeepsthemfromchoosingcivilizationandChristianity。SowiththeGypsies，verylikely。EverybodyknowsthatCatholicismorProtestantismisagooddealamatterofrace。
Constitutionhasmoretodowithbeliefthanpeoplethinkfor。I
wenttoaUniversalistchurch，whenIwasinthecityoneday，tohearafamousmanwhomalltheworldknows，andIneversawsuchpews-fullofbroadshouldersandfloridfaces，andsubstantial，wholesome-lookingpersons，maleandfemale，inallmylife。Why，itwasastonishing。Eithertheircreedmadethemhealthy，ortheychoseitbecausetheywerehealthy。Yourfolkshavenevergotthehangofhumannature。”
“Iamafraidthiswouldbeconsideredadegradinganddangerousviewofhumanbeliefsandresponsibilityforthem。”theReverendDoctorreplied。“Provetoamanthathiswillisgovernedbysomethingoutsideofhimself，andyouhavelostallholdonhismoralandreligiousnature。Thereisnothingbadmenwanttobelievesomuchasthattheyaregovernedbynecessity。Nowthatwhichisatoncedegradinganddangerouscannotbetrue。”
“Nodoubt。”theDoctorreplied，“alllargeviewsofmankindlimitourestimateoftheabsolutefreedomofthewill。ButIdon’tthinkitdegradesorendangersus，forthisreason，that，whileitmakesuscharitabletotherestofmankind，ourownsenseoffreedom，whateveritis，isneveraffectedbyargument。Consciencewon’tbereasonedwith。Wefeelthatwecanpracticallydothisofthat，andifwechoosethewrong，weknowweareresponsible；butobservationteachesusthatthisorthatotherraceorindividualhasnotthesamepracticalfreedomofchoice。Idon’tseehowwecanavoidthisconclusionintheinstanceoftheAmericanIndians。ThescienceofEthnologyhasupsetagoodmanytheoreticalnotionsabouthumannature。”
“Science！“saidtheReverendDoctor，“science！thatwasawordtheApostlePauldidnotseemtothinkmuchof，ifwemayjudgebytheEpistletoTimothy：’Oppositionsofsciencefalselysocalled。’
IownthatIamjealousofthatwordandthepretensionsthatgowithit。Sciencehasseemedtometobeveryoftenonlythehandmaidofskepticism。”
“Doctor！“thephysiciansaid，emphatically，“scienceisknowledge。
Nothingthatisnotknownproperlybelongstoscience。Wheneverknowledgeobligesustodoubt，wearealwayssafeindoubting。
Astronomersforetelleclipses，sayhowlongcometsaretostaywithus，pointoutwhereanewplanetistobefound。Weseetheyknowwhattheyassert，andthepooroldRomanCatholicChurchhasatlasttoknockunder。SoGeologyprovesacertainsuccessionofevents，andthebestChristianintheworldmustmaketheearth’shistorysquarewithit。Besides，Idon’tthinkyourememberwhatgreatrevelationsofhimselftheCreatorhasmadeinthemindsofthemenwhohavebuiltupscience。Youseemtometoholdhishumanmasterpiecesverycheap。Don’tyouthinkthe’inspirationoftheAlmighty’gaveNewtonandCuvier’understanding’？“
TheReverendDoctorwasnotarguingforvictory。Infact，whathewantedwastocallouttheopinionsoftheoldphysicianbyashowofopposition，beingalreadypredisposedtoagreewithmanyofthem。Hewasrathertryingthecommonarguments，asonetriestricksoffencemerelytolearnthewayofparrying。Butjustherehesawatemptingopening，andcouldnotresistgivingahome-thrust。
“Yes；butyousurelywouldnotconsideritinspirationofthesamekindasthatofthewritersoftheOldTestament？“
ThatcorneredtheDoctor，andhepausedamomentbeforehereplied。
Thenheraisedhishead，soastocommandtheReverendDoctor’sfacethroughhisspectacles，andsaid，“Ididnotsaythat。Youareclear，Isuppose，thattheOmniscientspokethroughSolomon，butthatShakespearewrotewithouthishelp？“
TheReverendDoctorlookedverygrave。Itwasabold，bluntwayofputtingthequestion。Heturneditasidewiththeremark，thatShakespeareseemedtohimattimestocomeasnearinspirationasanyhumanbeingnotincludedamongthesacredwriters。
“Doctor。”thephysicianbegan，asfromasuddensuggestion，“youwon’tquarrelwithme，ifItellyousomeofmyrealthoughts，willyou？“
“Sayon，mydearSir，sayon。”theministeranswered，withhismostgenialsmile；“yourrealthoughtsarejustwhatIwanttogetat。A
man’srealthoughtsareagreatrarity。IfIdon’tagreewithyou，I
shallliketohearyou。”
TheDoctorbegan；andinordertogivehisthoughtsmoreconnectedly，wewillomittheconversationalbreaks，thequestionsandcommentsoftheclergyman，andallaccidentalinterruptions。
“Whentheoldecclesiasticssaidthatwheretherewerethreedoctorsthereweretwoatheists，theylied，ofcourse。Theycalledeverybodywhodifferedfromthematheists，untiltheyfoundoutthatnotbelievinginGodwasn’tnearlysouglyacrimeasnotbelievinginsomeparticulardogma；thentheycalledthemheretics，untilsomanygoodpeoplehadbeenburnedunderthatnamethatitbegantosmelltoostrongofroastingflesh，——andafterthatinfidels，whichproperlymeanspeoplewithoutfaith，ofwhomtherearenotagreatmanyinanyplaceortime。Butthen，ofcourse，therewassomereasonwhydoctorsshouldn’tthinkaboutreligionexactlyasministersdid，ortheyneverwouldhavemadethatproverb。It’sverylikelythatsomethingofthesamekindistruenow；whetheritissoornot，Iamgoingtotellyouthereasonswhyitwouldnotbestrange，ifdoctorsshouldtakeratherdifferentviewsfromclergymenaboutsomemattersofbelief。Idon’t，ofcourse，meanalldoctorsnorallclergymen。SomedoctorsgoasfarasanyoldNewEnglanddivine，andsomeclergymenagreeverywellwiththedoctorsthatthinkleastaccordingtorule。
“TobeginwiththeirideasoftheCreatorhimself。Theyalwaysseehimtryingtohelphiscreaturesoutoftheirtroubles。Amannosoonergetsacut，thantheGreatPhysician，whoseagencyweoftencallNature，goestowork，firsttostoptheblood，andthentohealthewound，andthentomakethescarassmallaspossible。Ifaman’spainexceedsacertainamount，hefaints，andsogetsrelief。
Ifitlaststoolong，habitcomesintomakeittolerable。Ifitisaltogethertoobad，hedies。Thatisthebestthingtobedoneunderthecircumstances。Soyousee，thedoctorisconstantlyinpresenceofabenevolentagencyworkingagainstasettledorderofthings，ofwhichpainanddiseasearetheaccidents，sotospeak。Well，nodoubttheyfinditharderthanclergymentobelievethattherecanbeanyworldorstatefromwhichthisbenevolentagencyiswhollyexcluded。Thismaybeverywrong；butitisnotunnatural。
Theycanhardlyconceiveofapermanentstateofbeinginwhichcutswouldnevertrytoheal，norhabitrendersufferingendurable。Thisisoneeffectoftheirtraining。
“Then，again，theirattentionisverymuchcalledtohumanlimitations。Ministersworkoutthemachineryofresponsibilityinanabstractkindofway；theyhaveasortofalgebraofhumannature，inwhichfrictionandstrengthorweaknessofmaterialareleftout。Yousee，adoctorisinthewayofstudyingchildrenfromthemomentofbirthupwards。ForthefirstyearorsoheseesthattheyarejustasmuchpupilsoftheirMakerastheyoungofanyotheranimals。Well，theirMakertrainsthemtopureselfishness。Why？
Inorderthattheymaybesuretotakecareofthemselves。Soyousee，whenachildcomestobe，wewillsayayearandadayold，andmakeshisfirstchoicebetweenrightandwrong，heisatadisadvantage；forhe，hasthatvisatergo，aswedoctorscallit，thatforcefrombehind，ofawholeyear’slifeofselfishness，forwhichheisnomoretoblamethanacalfistoblameforhavinglivedinthesameway，purelytogratifyhisnaturalappetites。Thenweseethatbabygrowuptoachild，and，ifheisfatandstoutandredandlively，weexpecttofindhimtroublesomeandnoisy，and，perhaps，sometimesdisobedientmoreorless；that’sthewayeachnewgenerationbreaksitsegg-shell；butifheisveryweakandthin，andisoneofthekindthatmaybeexpectedtodieearly，hewillverylikelysitinthehousealldayandreadgoodbooksaboutotherlittlesharp-facedchildrenjustlikehimself，whodiedearly，havingalwaysbeenperfectlyindifferenttoalltheout-dooramusementsofthewickedlittlered-cheekedchildren。
Someofthelittlefolkswewatchgrowuptobeyoungwomen，andoccasionallyoneofthemgetsnervous，whatwecallhysterical，andthenthatgirlwillbegintoplayallsortsofpranks，——tolieandcheat，perhaps，inthemostunaccountableway，sothatshemightseemtoaministeragoodexampleoftotaldepravity。Wedon’tseeherinthatlight。Wegiveherironandvalerian，andgetheronhorseback，ifwecan，andsoexpecttomakeherwillcomeallrightagain。Byandbywearecalledintoseeanoldbaby，threescoreyearsandtenormoreold。Wefindthisoldbabyhasnevergotridofthatfirstyear’steachingwhichledhimtofillhisstomachwithallhecould。
pumpintoit，andhishandswitheverythinghecouldgrab。Peoplecallhimamiser。Wearesorryforhim；butwecan’thelprememberinghisfirstyear’straining，andthenaturaleffectofmoneyonthegreatmajorityofthosethathaveit。Sowhiletheministerssayhe’shallhardlyenterintothekingdomofheaven，’weliketoremindthemthat’withGodallthingsarepossible。’
“Oncemore，weseeallkindsofmonomaniaandinsanity。Welearnfromthemtorecognizeallsortsofqueertendenciesinmindssupposedtobesane，sothatwehavenothingbutcompassionforalargeclassofpersonscondemnedassinnersbytheologians，butconsideredbyusasinvalids。Wehaveconstantreasonsfornoticingthetransmissionofqualitiesfromparentstooffspring，andwefindithardtoholdachildaccountableinanymoralpointofviewforinheritedbadtemperortendencytodrunkenness，——ashardasweshouldtoblamehimforinheritinggoutorasthma。Isupposewearemorelenientwithhumannaturethantheologiansgenerallyare。Weknowthatthespiritsofmenandtheirviewsofthepresentandthefuturegoupanddownwiththebarometer，andthatapermanentdepressionofoneinchinthemercurialcolumnwouldaffectthewholetheologyofChristendom。
“Ministerstalkaboutthehumanwillasifitstoodonahighlook-
out，withplentyoflight，andelbowroomreachingtothehorizon。
Doctorsareconstantlynoticinghowitistiedupanddarkenedbyinferiororganization，bydisease，andallsortsofcrowdinginterferences，untiltheygettolookuponHottentotsandIndians——
andagoodmanyoftheirownraceasakindofself-consciousblood-
clockswithverylimitedpowerofself-determination。That’sthetendency，Isay，ofadoctor’sexperience。Butthepeopletowhomtheyaddresstheirstatementsoftheresultsoftheirobservationbelongtothethinkingclassofthehighestraces，andtheyareconsciousofagreatdealoflibertyofwill。Sointhefaceofthefactthatcivilizationwithallitoffershasprovedadeadfailurewiththeaboriginalracesofthiscountry，——onthewhole，Isay，adeadfailure，——theytalkasiftheyknewfromtheirownwillallaboutthatofaDiggerIndian！Wearemoreapttogobyobservationofthefactsinthecase。Weareconstantlyseeingweaknesswhereyouseedepravity。Idon’tsaywe’reright；Ionlytellwhatyoumustoftenfindtobethefact，rightorwrong，intalkingwithdoctors。Yousee，too，ournotionsofbodilyandmoraldisease，orsin，areapttogotogether。Weusedtobeashardonsicknessasyouwereonsin。Weknowbetternow。Wedon’tlookatsicknessasweusedto，andtrytopoisonitwitheverythingthatisoffensive，burnttoadsandearth-wormsandviper-broth，andworsethingsthanthese。Weknowthatdiseasehassomethingbackofitwhichthebodyisn’ttoblamefor，atleastinmostcases，andwhichveryoftenitistryingtogetridof。Justsowithsin。Iwillagreetotakeahundrednew-bornbabesofacertainstockandreturnseventy-fiveoftheminadozenyearstrueandhonest，ifnot’pious’children。AndIwilltakeanotherhundred，ofadifferentstock，andputtheminthehandsofcertainAnn-StreetorFive-Pointsteachers，andseventy-
fiveofthemwillbethievesandliarsattheendofthesamedozenyears。Ihaveheardofanoldcharacter，ColonelJaques，Ibelieveitwas，afamouscattle-breeder，whousedtosayhecouldbreedtoprettymuchanypatternhewantedto。Well，wedoctorsseesomuchoffamilies，howthetricksofthebloodkeepbreakingout，justasmuchincharacterastheydoinlooks，thatwecan’thelpfeelingasifagreatmanypeoplehadn’tafairchancetobewhatiscalled’good，’andthatthereisn’tatextintheBiblebetterworthkeepingalwaysinmindthanthatone，’Judgenot，thatyebenotjudged。’
“Asforourgettinganyquarteratthehandsoftheologians，wedon’texpectit，andhavenorightto。Youdon’tgiveeachotheranyquarter。Ihavehadtworeligiousbookssentmebyfriendswithinaweekortwo。OneisMr。Brownson’s；heisasfairandsquareasEuclid；arealhonest，strongthinker，andonethatknowswhatheistalkingabout，——forhehastriedallsortsofreligions，prettymuch。
HetellsusthattheRomanCatholicChurchistheone’throughwhichalonewecanhopeforheaven。’TheotherisbyaworthyEpiscopalrector，whoappearstowriteasifhewereinearnest，andhecallsthePapacythe’Devil’sMasterpiece，’andtalksaboutthe’Satanicscheme’ofthatveryChurch’throughwhichalone，’asMr。Brownsontellsus，’wecanhopeforheaven’
What’stheuseinourcaringabouthardwordsafterthis，——
’atheists，’heretics，infidels，andthelike？They’re，afterall，onlythecinderspickedupoutofthoseheapsofashesroundthestumpsoftheoldstakeswheretheyusedtoburnmen，women，andchildrenfornotthinkingjustlikeotherfolks。They’ll’crock’
yourfingers，buttheycan’tburnus。
“Doctorsarethebest-naturedpeopleintheworld，exceptwhentheygetfightingwitheachother。Andtheyhavesomeadvantagesoveryou。Youinherityournotionsfromasetofprieststhathadnowivesandnochildren，ornonetospeakof，andsolettheirhumanitydieoutofthem。Itdidn’tseemmuchtothemtocondemnafewthousandmillionsofpeopletopurgatoryorworseforamistakeofjudgment。Theydidn’tknowwhatitwastohaveachildlookupintheirfacesandsay’Father！’Itwilltakeyouahundredortwomoreyearstogetdecentlyhumanized，aftersomanycenturiesofde-
humanizingcelibacy。
“Besides，thoughourlibrariesare，perhaps，notcommonlyquitesobigasyours，Godopensonebooktophysiciansthatagoodmanyofyoudon’tknowmuchabout，——theBookofLife。Thatisnoneofyourdustyfolioswithblacklettersbetweenpasteboardandleather，butitisprintedinbrightredtype，andthebindingofitiswarmandtendertoeverytouch。TheyreverencethatbookasoneoftheAlmighty’sinfalliblerevelations。Theywillinsistonreadingyoulessonsoutofit，whetheryoucallthemnamesornot。Thesewillalwaysbelessonsofcharity。Nodoubt，nothingcanbemoreprovokingtolistento。ButdobegyourfolkstorememberthattheSmithfieldfiresareallout，andthatthecindersareverydirtyandnotintheleastdangerous。They’dagreatdealbetterbecivil，andnotbethrowingoldproverbsinthedoctors’faces，whentheysaythatthemanoftheoldmonkishnotionsisonethingandthemantheywatchfromhiscradletohiscoffinissomethingverydifferent。”
IthascostagooddealoftroubletoworktheDoctor’stalkupintothisformalshape。Someofhissentenceshavebeenroundedoffforhim，andthewholebroughtintoamorerhetoricalformthanitcouldhavepretendedto，iftakenasitfellfromhislips。Buttheexactcourseofhisremarkshasbeenfollowed，andasfaraspossiblehisexpressionshavebeenretained。Thoughgivenintheformofadiscourse，itmustberememberedthatthiswasaconversation，muchmorefragmentaryandcolloquialthanitseemsasjustread。
TheReverendDoctorwasveryfarfromtakingoffenceattheoldphysician’sfreedomofspeech。Heknewhimtobehonest，kind，charitable，self-denying，whereveranysorrowwastobealleviated，alwaysreverential，withacheerfultrustinthegreatFatherofallmankind。Tobesure，hisseniordeacon，oldDeaconShearer，——whoseemedtohavegothisScripture-teachingsoutofthe“VinegarBible。”theonewhereVineyardismisprintedVinegar；whichagoodmanypeopleseemtohaveadoptedasthetruereading，——hisseniordeaconhadcalledDr。Kittredgean“infidel。”ButtheReverendDoctorcouldnothelpfeeling，that，unlessthetext，“Bytheirfruitsyeshallknowthem。”wereaninterpolation，theDoctorwasthebetterChristianofthetwo。Whateverhisseniordeaconmightthinkaboutit，hesaidtohimselfthatheshouldn’tbesurprisedifhemettheDoctorinheavenyet，inquiringanxiouslyafteroldDeaconShearer。
HewasonthepointofexpressinghimselfveryfranklytotheDoctor，withthatbenevolentsmileonhisfacewhichhadsometimescomeneargivingoffencetothereadersofthe“Vinegar“edition，buthesawthatthephysician’sattentionhadbeenarrestedbyElsie。Helookedinthesamedirectionhimself，andcouldnothelpbeingstruckbyherattitudeandexpression。Therewassomethingsingularlygracefulinthecurvesofherneckandtherestofherfigure，butshewassoperfectlystillthatitseemedasifshewerehardlybreathing。HereyeswerefixedontheyounggirlwithwhomMr。Bernardwastalking。
Hehadoftennoticedtheirbrilliancy，butnowitseemedtohimthattheyappeareddull，andthelookonherfeatureswasasofsomepassionwhichhadmisseditsstroke。Mr。Bernard’scompanionseemedunconsciousthatshewastheobjectofthisattention，andwaslisteningtotheyoungmasterasifhehadsucceededinmakinghimselfveryagreeable。
OfcourseDickVeneerhadnotmistakenthegamethatwasgoingon。
TheschoolmastermeanttomakeElsiejealous，——andhehaddoneit。
That’sit：gethersavagefirst，andthencomewheedlingroundher，——asuretrick，ifheisn’theadedoffsomehow。ButDicksawwellenoughthathehadbetterletElsiealonejustnow，andthoughtthebestwayofkillingtheeveningwouldbetoamusehimselfinalittlelivelytalkwithMrs。BlancheCreamer，andincidentallytoshowElsiethathecouldmakehimselfacceptabletootherwomen，ifnottoherself。
TheDoctorpresentlywentuptoElsie，determinedtoengageherinconversationandgetheroutofherthoughts，whichhesaw，byherlook，weredangerous。HerfatherhadbeenonthepointofleavingHelenDarleytogotoher，butfelteasyenoughwhenhesawtheoldDoctoratherside，andsowentontalking。TheReverendDoctor，beingnowleftalone，engagedtheWidowRowens，whoputthebestfaceonhervexationshecould，butwasdevotingherselftoalltheundergrounddeitiesforhavingbeensuchafoolastoaskthatpale-
facedthingfromtheInstitutetofillupherparty。
Thereisnospacelefttoreporttherestoftheconversation。Iftherewasanythingofanysignificanceinit，itwillturnupbyandby，nodoubt。Atteno’clocktheReverendDoctorcalledMissLetty，whohadnoideaitwassolate；Mr。BernardgavehisarmtoHelen；
Mr。RichardsawtoMrs。BlancheCreamer；theDoctorgaveElsieacautioninglook，andwentoffalone，thoughtful；DudleyVennerandhisdaughtergotintotheircarriageandwerewhirledaway。TheWidow’sgambitwasplayed，andshehadnotwonthegame。
CHAPTERXXIII。
THEWILDHUNTSMAN。
TheyoungmasterhadnotforgottentheoldDoctor’scautions。
Withoutattributinganygreatimportancetothewarninghehadgivenhim，Mr。Bernardhadsofarcompliedwithhisadvicethathewasbecomingaprettygoodshotwiththepistol。Itwasanamusementasgoodasmanyotherstopractise，andhehadtakenafancytoitafterthefirstfewdays。
ThepoppingofapistolatoddhoursinthebackyardoftheInstitutewasaphenomenonmorethansufficientlyremarkabletobetalkedaboutinRockland。Theviscousintelligenceofacountry-villageisnoteasilystirredbythewindswhichripplethefluentthoughtofgreatcities，butitholdseverystrawandentangleseveryinsectthatlightsuponit。Itsoonbecamerumoredinthetownthattheyoungmasterwasawonderfulshotwiththepistol。Somesaidhecouldhitafo’pence-ha’pennyatthreerod；some，thathehadshotaswallow，flying，withasingleball；some，thathesnuffedacandlefivetimesoutofsixattenpaces，andthathecouldhitanybuttoninaman’scoathewantedto。Inotherwords，asinallsuchcases，allthecommonfeatswereascribedtohim，asthecurrentjokesofthedayarelaidatthedoorofanynotedwit，howeverinnocenthemaybeofthem。
Inthenaturalcourseofthings，Mr。RichardVenner，whohadbythistimemadesomeacquaintances，aswehaveseen，amongthatclassofthepopulationleastlikelytoallowalivecinderofgossiptogooutforwantofair，hadheardincidentallythatthemasterupthereattheInstitutewasallthetimepractisingwithapistol，thattheysayhecansnuffacandleattenrods，thatwasMrs。BlancheCreamer’sversion，andthathecouldhitanybodyhewantedtorightintheeye，asfarashecouldseethewhiteofit。
Dickdidnotlikethesoundofallthisanytoowell。Withoutbelievingmorethanhalfofit，therewasenoughtomaketheYankeeschoolmastertoounsafetobetrifledwith。However，shootingatamarkwaspleasantworkenough；hehadnoparticularobjectiontoithimself。Onlyhedidnotcaresomuchforthoselittlepopgunaffairsthatamancarriesinhispocket，andwithwhichyoucouldn’tshootafellow，——arobber，say，——withoutgettingthemuzzleunderhisnose。Pistolsforboys；long-rangeriflesformen。Therewassuchagunlyinginaclosetwiththefowling-pieces。Hewouldgooutintothefieldsandseewhathecoulddoasamarksman。
ThenatureofthemarkwhichDickchoseforexperimentinguponwassingular。Hehadfoundsomepanesofglasswhichhadbeenremovedfromanoldsash，andheplacedthesesuccessivelybeforehistarget，arrangingthematdifferentangles。Hefoundthatabulletwouldgothroughtheglasswithoutglancingorhavingitsforcemateriallyabated。Itwasaninterestingfactinphysics，andmightproveofsomepracticalsignificancehereafter。Nobodyknowswhatmayturnuptorendertheseout-of-the-wayfactsuseful。AllthiswasdoneinaquietwayinoneofthebarespotshighupthesideofTheMountain。
Hewasverythoughtfulintakingtheprecautiontogetsofaraway；
rifle-bulletsareapttoglanceandcomewhizzingaboutpeople’sears，iftheyarefiredintheneighborhoodofhouses。Dicksatisfiedhimselfthathecouldbetolerablysureofhittingapaneofglassatadistanceofthirtyrods，moreorless，andthat，iftherehappenedtobeanythingbehindit，theglasswouldnotmateriallyaltertheforceordirectionofthebullet。
Aboutthistimeitoccurredtohimalsothattherewasanoldaccomplishmentofhiswhichhewouldbeindangeroflosingforwantofpractice，ifhedidnottakesomeopportunitytotryhishandandregainitscunning，ifithadbeguntobediminishedbydisuse。Forhisfirsttrial，hechoseaneveningwhenthemoonwasshining，andafterthehourwhentheRocklandpeoplewereliketobestirringabroad。Hewassofarestablishednowthathecoulddomuchashepleasedwithoutexcitingremark。
Theprairiehorseherode，themustangofthePampas，wildashewas，hadbeentrainedtotakepartinatleastoneexercise。ThiswastheaccomplishmentinwhichMr。Richardnowproposedtotryhimself。Forthispurposehesoughttheimplementofwhich，asitmayberemembered，hehadoncemadeanincidentaluse，——thelasso，orlongstripofhidewithaslip-nooseattheendofit。Hehadbeenaccustomedtoplayingwithsuchathongfromhisboyhood，andhadbecomeexpertinitsuseincapturingwildcattleinthecourseofhisadventures。Unfortunately，therewerenowildbullslikelytobemetwithintheneighborhood，tobecomethesubjectsofhisskill。A
straycowintheroad，anoxorahorseinapasture，mustservehisturn，——dullbeasts，butmovingmarkstoaimat，atanyrate。
Never，sincehehadgallopedinthechaseoverthePampas，hadDickVennerfeltsuchasenseoflifeandpoweraswhenhestruckthelongspursintohiswildhorse’sflanks，anddashedalongtheroadwiththelassolyinglikeacoiledsnakeatthesaddle-bow。Inskilfulhands，thesilent，bloodlessnoose，flyinglikeanarrow，butnotlikethatleavingawoundbehindit，——suddenasapistol-shot，butwithoutthetelltaleexplosion，——isoneofthemostfearfulandmysteriousweaponsthatarmthehandofman。TheoldRomansknewhowformidable，evenincontestwithagladiatorequippedwithsword，helmet，andshield，wasthealmostnakedretiarius，withhisnetinonehandandhisthree-prongedjavelinintheother。Oncegetanetoveraman’shead，oracordroundhisneck，or，whatismorefrequentlydonenowadays，bonnethimbyknockinghishatdownoverhiseyes，andheisatthemercyofhisopponent。OursoldierswhoservedagainsttheMexicansfoundthisouttoowell。Manyapoorfellowhasbeenlassoedbythefierceridersfromtheplains，andfallenaneasyvictimtothecaptorwhohadsnaredhiminthefatalnoose。
But，imposingasthesightofthewildhuntsmenofthePampasmighthavebeen，Dickcouldnothelplaughingatthemocksublimityofhissituation，ashetriedhisfirstexperimentonanunhappymilkymotherwhohadstrayedfromherherdandwaswanderingdisconsolatelyalongtheroad，layingthedust，assluewent，withthreadystreamsfromherswollen，swingingudders。“HeregoestheDonatthewindmill！“saidDick，andtiltedfullspeedather，whirlingthelassoroundhisheadasherode。Thecreatureswervedtoonesideoftheway，asthewildhorseandhisridercamerushingdownuponher，andpresentlyturnedandran，asonlycowsanditwouldn’tbesafetosayit——canrun。Justbeforehepassed，——attwentyorthirtyfeetfromher，——thelassoshotfromhishand，uncoilingasitflew，andinaninstantitsloopwasroundherhorns。“Wellcast！“saidDick，ashegallopeduptohersideanddexterouslydisengagedthelasso。
“Nowforahorseontherun！“
Hehadthegoodlucktofindone，presently，grazinginapastureattheroad-side。Takingdowntherailsofthefenceatonepoint，hedrovethehorseintotheroadandgavechase。Itwasalivelyyounganimalenough，andwaseasilyrousedtoaprettyfastpace。Ashisgallopgrewmoreandmorerapid，Dickgavethereinstothemustang，untilthetwohorsesstretchedthemselvesoutintheirlongeststrides。Ifthefirstfeatlookedlikeplay，theonehewasnowtoattempthadagooddealtheappearanceofrealwork。Hetouchedthemustangwiththespur，andinafewfierceleapsfoundhimselfnearlyabreastofthefrightenedanimalhewaschasing。Oncemorehewhirledthelassoroundandroundoverhishead，andthenshotitforth，astherattlesnakeshootshisheadfromtheloopsagainstwhichitrests。Thenoosewasroundthehorse’sneck，andinanotherinstantwastightenedsoasalmosttostophisbreath。Theprairiehorseknewthetrickofthecord，andleanedawayfromthecaptive，soastokeepthethongtenselystretchedbetweenhisneckandthepeakofthesaddletowhichitwasfastened。Strugglingwasofnousewithahalterroundhiswindpipe，andheverysoonbegantotrembleandstagger，——blind，nodoubt，andwitharoaringinhisearsasofathousandbattle-trumpets，——atanyrate，subduedandhelpless。
Thatwasenough。Dickloosenedhislasso，wounditupagain，laiditlikeapetsnakeinacoilathissaddle-bow，turnedhishorse，androdeslowlyalongtowardsthemansion-house。
Theplacehadneverlookedmorestatelyandbeautifultohimthanashenowsawitinthemoonlight。Theundulationsoftheland，——thegrandmountainscreenwhichshelteredthemansionfromthenorthernblasts，risingwithallitshangingforestsandparapetsofnakedrockhightowardstheheavens，——theancientmansion，withitssquarechimneys，andbodyguardofoldtrees，andcinctureoflowwallswithmarble-pillaredgateways，——thefields，withtheirvariouscoverings，——thebedsofflowers，——theplotsofturf，onewithagraycolumninitscentrebearingasundialonwhichtheraysofthemoonwereidlyshining，anotherwithawhitestoneandanarrowridgeofturf，——overalltheseobjects，harmonizedwithalltheirinfinitedetailsintoonefairwholebythemoonlight，theprospectiveheir，ashedeemedhimself，lookedwithadmiringeyes。
Butwhilehelooked，thethoughtroseupinhismindlikewatersfromapoisonedfountain，thattherewasadeepplotlaidtocheathimoftheinheritancewhichbyadoubleclaimhemeanttocallhisown。
Everydaythisice-coldbeauty，thisdangerous，handsomecousinofhis，wentuptothatplace，——thatusher’sgirl-trap。Everyday，——
regularlynow，——itusedtobedifferent。Didshegoonlytogetoutofhis，hercousin’s，reach？WasshenotratherbecomingmoreandmoreinvolvedinthetoilsofthisplottingYankee？
IfMr。Bernardhadshownhimselfatthatmomentafewrodsinadvance，thechancesarethatinlessthanoneminutehewouldhavefoundhimselfwithanooseroundhisneck，attheheelsofamountedhorseman。Providencesparedhimforthepresent。Mr。Richardrodehishorsequietlyroundtothestable，puthimup，andproceededtowardsthehouse。Hegottohisbedwithoutdisturbingthefamily，butcouldnotsleep。TheideahadfullytakenpossessionofhismindthatadeepintriguewasgoingonwhichwouldendbybringingElsieandtheschoolmasterintorelationsfataltoallhisownhopes。Withthatingenuitywhichalwaysaccompaniesjealousy，hetorturedeverycircumstanceofthelastfewweekssoastomakeitsquarewiththisbelief。Fromthisveinofthoughthenaturallypassedtoaconsiderationofeverypossiblemethodbywhichtheissuehefearedmightbeavoided。
Mr。Richardtalkedveryplainlanguagewithhimselfinalltheseinwardcolloquies。Supposingitcametotheworst，whatcouldbedonethen？First，anaccidentmighthappentotheschoolmasterwhichshouldputacompleteandfinalcheckuponhisprojectsandcontrivances。Theparticularaccidentwhichmightinterrupthiscareermust，evidently，bedeterminedbycircumstances；butitmustbeofanaturetoexplainitselfwithoutthenecessityofanyparticularperson’sbecominginvolvedinthematter。Itwouldbeunpleasanttogointoparticulars；buteverybodyknowswellenoughthatmensometimesgetinthewayofastraybullet，andthatyoungpersonsoccasionallydoviolencetothemselvesinvariousmodes，——byfirearms，suspension，andothermeans，——inconsequenceofdisappointmentinlove，perhaps，oftenerthanfromothermotives。
Therewasstillanotherkindofaccidentwhichmightservehispurpose。IfanythingshouldhappentoElsie，itwouldbethemostnaturalthingintheworldthathisuncleshouldadopthim，hisnephewandonlynearrelation，ashisheir。Unless，indeed，uncleDudleyshouldtakeitintohisheadtomarryagain。Inthatcase，wherewouldhe，Dick，be？Thiswasthemostdetestablecomplicationwhichhecouldconceiveof。Andyethehadnoticed——hecouldnothelpnoticing——thathisunclehadbeenveryattentiveto，and，asitseemed，verymuchpleasedwith，thatyoungwomanfromtheschool。
Whatdidthatmean？Wasitpossiblethathewasgoingtotakeafancytoher？
Itmadehimwildtothinkofalltheseveralcontingencieswhichmightdefraudhimofthatgood-fortunewhichseemedbutjustnowwithinhisgrasp。Heglaredinthedarknessatimaginaryfaces：
sometimesatthatofthehandsome，treacherousschoolmaster；
sometimesatthatofthemeek-looking，butnodoubt，scheming，lady-
teacher；sometimesatthatofthedarkgirlwhomhewasreadytomakehiswife；sometimesatthatofhismuchrespecteduncle，who，ofcourse，couldnotbeallowedtoperilthefortunesofhisrelativesbyforminganewconnection。Itwasafrightfulperplexityinwhichhefoundhimself，becausetherewasnoonesinglelifeanaccidenttowhichwouldbesufficienttoinsurethefittingandnaturalcourseofdescenttothegreatDudleyproperty。Ifithadbeenasimplequestionofhelpingforwardacasualtytoanyoneperson，therewasnothinginDick’shabitsofthoughtandlivingtomakethataseriousdifficulty。Hehadbeensomuchwithlawlesspeople，thatalifebetweenhiswishandhisobjectseemedonlyasanobstacletoberemoved，providedtheobjectwereworththeriskandtrouble。Butifthereweretwoorthreelivesintheway，manifestlythatalteredthecase。
HisSouthernbloodwasgettingimpatient。TherewasenoughoftheNew-Englanderabouthimtomakehimcalculatehischancesbeforehestruck；buthisplanswereliabletobedefeatedatanymomentbyapassionateimpulsesuchasthedark-huedracesofSouthernEuropeandtheirdescendantsareliableto。Helayinhisbed，sometimesarrangingplanstomeetthevariousdifficultiesalreadymentioned，sometimesgettingintoaparoxysmofblindrageintheperplexityofconsideringwhatobjectheshouldselectastheonemostclearlyinhisway。Onthewhole，therecouldbenodoubtwherethemostthreateningofallhisembarrassmentslay。ItwasintheprobablegrowingrelationbetweenElsieandtheschoolmaster。Ifitshouldprove，asitseemedlikely，thattherewasspringingupaseriousattachmenttendingtoaunionbetweenthem，heknewwhatheshoulddo，ifhewasnotquitesosurehowheshoulddoit。
Therewasonethingatleastwhichmightfavorhisprojects，andwhich，atanyrate，wouldservetoamusehim。Hecould，byalittlequietobservation，findoutwhatweretheschoolmaster’shabitsoflife：whetherhehadanyroutinewhichcouldbecalculatedupon；andunderwhatcircumstancesastrictlyprivateinterviewofafewminuteswithhimmightbereckonedon，incaseitshouldbedesirable。HecouldalsoveryprobablylearnsomefactsaboutElsie。
whethertheyoungmanwasinthehabitofattendingheronherwayhomefromschool；whethershestayedabouttheschoolroomaftertheothergirlshadgone；andanyincidentalmattersofinterestwhichmightpresentthemselves。
Hewasgettingmoreandmorerestlessforwantofsomeexcitement。A
madgallop，avisittoMrs。BlancheCreamer，whohadtakensuchafancytohim，orachatwiththeWidowRowens，whowasverylivelyinhertalk，forallhersombrecolors，and，remindedhimagooddealofsameofhisearlierfriends，thesenoritas，——alltheseweredistractions，tobesure，butnotenoughtokeephisfieryspiritfromfrettingitselfinlongingsformoredangerousexcitements。ThethoughtofgettingaknowledgeofallMr。Bernard’sways，sothathewouldbeinhispoweratanymoment，wasahappyone。
ForsomedaysafterthishefollowedElsieatalongdistancebehind，towatchheruntilshegottotheschoolhouse。OnedayhesawMr。
Bernardjoinher：amereaccident，veryprobably，foritwasonlyoncethishappened。Shecameonherhomewardwayalone，——quiteapartfromthegroupsofgirlswhostrolledoutoftheschoolhouseyardincompany。Sometimesshewasbehindthemall，——whichwassuggestive。
Couldshehavestayedtomeettheschoolmaster？
Ifhecouldhavesmuggledhimselfintotheschool，hewouldhavelikedtowatchherthere，andseeiftherewasnotsomeunderstandingbetweenherandthemasterwhichbetrayeditselfbylookorword。
Butthiswasbeyondthelimitsofhisaudacity，andhehadtocontenthimselfwithsuchcautiousobservationsascouldbemadeatadistance。Withtheaidofapocket-glasshecouldmakeoutpersonswithouttheriskofbeingobservedhimself。
Mr。SilosPeckham’scorpsofinstructorswasnotexpectedtobeoffdutyortostandateaseforanyconsiderablelengthoftime。
SometimesMr。Bernard，whohadmorefreedomthantherest，wouldgooutforarambleinthedaytime，butmorefrequentlyitwouldbeintheevening，afterthehourof“retiring。”asbedtimewaselegantlytermedbytheyoungladiesoftheApollineanInstitute。Hewouldthennotunfrequentlywalkoutaloneinthecommonroads，orclimbupthesidesofTheMountain，whichseemedtobeoneofhisfavoriteresorts。Here，ofcourse，itwasimpossibletofollowhimwiththeeyeatadistance。Dickhadahideous，gnawingsuspicionthatsomewhereinthesedeepshadestheschoolmastermightmeetElsie，whoseeveningwanderingsheknewsowell。Butofthishewasnotabletoassurehimself。Secrecywasnecessarytohispresentplans，andhecouldnotcompromisehimselfbyover-eagercuriosity。Onethinghelearnedwithcertainty。Themasterreturned，afterhiswalkoneevening，andenteredthebuildingwherehisroomwassituated。
Presentlyalightbetrayedthewindowofhisapartment。Fromawoodedbank，somethirtyorfortyrodsfromthisbuilding，DickVennercouldseetheinteriorofthechamber，andwatchthemasterashesatathisdesk，thelightfallingstronglyuponhisface，intentuponthebookormanuscriptbeforehim。Dickcontemplatedhimverylonginthisattitude。Thesenseofwatchinghiseverymotion，himselfmeanwhileutterlyunseen，wasdelicious。Howlittlethemasterwasthinkingwhateyeswereonhim！
Well，——thereweretwothingsquitecertain。Onewas，that，ifhechose，hecouldmeettheschoolmasteralone，eitherintheroadorinamoresolitaryplace，ifhepreferredtowatchhischanceforaneveningortwo。Theotherwas，thathecommandedhisposition，ashesatathisdeskintheevening，insuchawaythattherewouldbeverylittledifficulty，——sofarasthatwent；ofcourse，however，silenceisalwayspreferabletonoise，andthereisagreatdifferenceinthemarksleftbydifferentcasualties。Verylikelynothingwouldcomeofallthisespionage；but，atanyrate，thefirstthingtobedonewithamanyouwanttohaveinyourpoweristolearnhishabits。
Sincethetea-partyattheWidowRowens’s，Elsiehadbeenmorefitfulandmoodythanever。Dickunderstoodallthiswellenough，youknow。
ItwastheworkingofherjealousyagainstthatyoungschoolgirltowhomthemasterhaddevotedhimselfforthesakeofpiquingtheheiressoftheDudleymansion。Wasitpossible，inanyway，toexasperateherirritablenatureagainsthim，andinthiswaytorenderhermoreaccessibletohisownadvances？Itwasdifficulttoinfluenceheratall。Sheenduredhiscompanywithoutseemingtoenjoyit。Shewatchedhimwiththatstrangelookofhers，sometimesasifshewereonherguardagainsthim，sometimesasifshewouldliketostrikeathimasinthatfitofchildishpassion。Sheorderedhimaboutwithahaughtyindifferencewhichremindedhimofhisownwaywiththedark-eyedwomenwhomhehadknownsowellofold。Allthisaddedasecretpleasuretotheothermotiveshehadforworryingherwithjealoussuspicions。Heknewshebroodedsilentlyonanygriefthatpoisonedhercomfort，——thatshefedonit，asitwere，untilitranwitheverydropofbloodinherveins，——andthat，exceptinsomeparoxysmofrage，ofwhichhehimselfwasnotlikelythesecondtimetobetheobject，orinsomedeadlyvengeancewroughtsecretly，againstwhichhewouldkeepasharplookout，sofarashewasconcerned，shehadnooutletforherdangerous，smoulderingpassions。
Bewareofthewomanwhocannotfindfreeutteranceforallherstormyinnerlifeeitherinwordsorsong！Solongasawomancantalk，thereisnothingshecannotbear。Ifshecannothaveacompaniontolistentoherwoes，andhasnomusicalutterance，vocalorinstrumental，——then，ifsheisoftherealwomansort，andhasafewheartfulsofwildbloodinher，andyouhavedoneherawrong，——
double-boltthedoorwhichshemayenteronnoiselessslipperatmidnight，——looktwicebeforeyoutasteofanycupwhosedraughttheshadowofherhandmayhavedarkened！
Butlethertalk，and，aboveall，cry，or，ifsheisoneofthecoarser-grainedtribe，givehertherunofallthered-hotexpletivesinthelanguage，andletherblisterherlipswiththemuntilsheistired，shewillsleeplikealambafterit，andyoumaytakeacupofcoffeefromherwithoutstirringituptolookforitssediment。
So，ifshecansing，orplayonanymusicalinstrument，allherwickednesswillrunoffthroughherthroatorthetipsofherfingers。Howmanytragediesfindtheirpeacefulcatastropheinfiercerouladesandstrenuousbravuras！Howmanymurdersareexecutedindouble-quicktimeuponthekeyswhichstabtheairwiththeirdagger-strokesofsound！Whatwouldourcivilizationbewithoutthepiano？ArenotErardandBroadwoodandChickeringthetruehumanizersofourtime？ThereforedoIlovetoheartheall-
pervadingtumtumjarringthewallsoflittleparlorsinhouseswithdoubledoor-platesontheirportals，lookingoutonstreetsandcourtswhichtoknowistobeunknown，andwheretoexistisnottolive，accordingtoanytruedefinitionofliving。ThereforecomplainInotofmoderndegeneracy，when，evenfromtheopenwindowofthesmallunlovelyfarmhouse，tenantedbythehard-handedmanofbovineflavorsandtheflat-patternedwomanofbroken-downcountenance，issuethesamefamiliarsounds。ForwhoknowsthatAlmira，butforthesekeys，whichthrobawayherwildimpulsesinharmlessdiscordswouldnothavebeenfloating，dead，inthebrownstreamwhichslidesthroughthemeadowsbyherfather’sdoor，——orliving，withthatothercurrentwhichrunsbeneaththegas-lightsovertheslimypavement，chokingwithwretchedweedsthatwereonceinspotlessflower？
PoorElsie！Sheneversangnorplayed。Shenevershapedherinnerlifeinwords：suchutterancewasasmuchdeniedtohernatureascommonarticulatespeechtothedeafmute。Heronlylanguagemustbeinaction。Watchherwellbydayandbynight，oldSophy！watchherwell！orthelonglineofherhonorednamemaycloseinshame，andthestatelymansionoftheDudleysremainahissingandareproachtillitsroofisburiedinitscellar！