Elbridgestoppedaminutetothink，afterAbelhadfinished。
“Who’stookcareo’themthingsthatwasonthehoss？“hesaid，gravely。
“Waal，Langden，heseemedtokin’o’thinkI’doughttohave’em，——
’n’theSquire；hedidn’seemtohaveno’bjection；’n’so，——waal，I
calc’lateIsh’lljes’holtonto’emmyself；theya’n’tgoodf’rmuch，butthey’recur’oust’keept’lookat。”
Mr。Veneer’smandidnotappearmuchgratifiedbythisarrangement，especiallyashehadashrewdsuspicionthatsomeoftheornamentsofthebridlewereofpreciousmetal，havingmadeoccasionalexaminationsofthemwiththeedgeofafile。Buthedidnotseeexactlywhattodoaboutit，excepttogetthemfromAbelinthewayofbargain。
“Waal，no，——theya’n’tgoodformuch’xcep’tolookat。’Fy’everridonthatseddleonce，y’wouldn’tryitag’in，veryspry，——not’fy’c’dhaalpy’rsaalf。
Itriedit，——darned’fIsotdaownf’rth’nex’week，——eatallmyvictualsstan’in’。Ish’dliket’hevthemthingswalenoughtohengup’nthestable；’fy’wantt’tradesomeday，fetch’emalongdaown。”
AbelratherexpectedthatElbridgewouldhavelaidclaimtothesaddleandbridleonthestrengthofsomepromiseorotherpresumptivetitle，andthoughthimselfluckytogetoffwithonlyofferingtothinkabaouttradin’。
WhenElbridgereturnedtothehouse，hefoundthefamilyinastateofgreatexcitement。Mr。VennerhadtoldOldSophy，andshehadinformedtheotherservants。Everybodyknewwhathadhappened，exceptingElsie。Herfatherhadchargedthemalltosaynothingaboutittoher；hewouldtellher，whenshecamedown。
Heheardherstepatlast，——alight，glidingstep，——solightthathercomingwasoftenunheard，exceptbythosewhoperceivedthefaintrustlethatwentwithit。Shewaspalerthancommonthismorning，asshecameintoherfather’sstudy。
Afterafewwordsofsalutation，hesaidquietly，“Elsie，mydear，yourcousinRichardhasleftus。”
Shegrewstillpaler，assheasked，“Ishedead？“
DudleyVennerstartedtoseetheexpressionwithwhichElsieputthisquestion。
“Heisliving，——butdeadtousfromthisdayforward。”saidherfather。
Heproceededtotellher，inageneralway，thestoryhehadjustheardfromAbel。Therecouldbenodoubtingit；——herememberedhimastheDoctor’sman；andasAbelhadseenallwithhisowneyes，asDick’schamber，whenunlockedwithasparekey，wasfoundempty，andhisbedhadnotbeensleptin，heacceptedthewholeaccountastrue。
WhenhetoldofDick’sattemptontheyoungschoolmaster，“YouknowMr。Langdonverywell，Elsie，——aperfectlyinoffensiveyoungman，asIunderstand。”Elsieturnedherfaceawayandslidalongbythewalltothewindowwhichlookedoutohthelittlegrass-plotwiththewhitestonestandinginit。Herfathercouldnotseeherface，butheknewbyhermovementsthatherdangerousmoodwasonher。Whensheheardthesequelofthestory，thediscomfitureandcaptureofDick，sheturnedroundforaninstant，withalookofcontemptandofsomethingliketriumphuponherface。Herfathersawthathercousinhadbecomeodioustoher：Heknewwell，byeverychangeofhercountenance，byhermovements，byeveryvaryingcurveofhergracefulfigure，thetransitionsfrontpassiontorepose，fromfierceexcitementtothedulllanguorwhichoftensucceededherthreateningparoxysms。
Sheremainedlookingoutatthewindow。Agroupofwhitefan-tailedpigeonshadlightedonthegreenplotbeforeitandclusteredaboutoneoftheircompanionswholayonhisback，flutteringinastrangeway，withoutspreadwingsandtwitchingfeet。Elsieutteredafaintcry；thesewereherspecialfavoritesandoftenfedfromherhand。
Shethrewopenthelongwindow，sprangout，caughtupthewhitefantail，andheldittoherbosom。Thebirdstretchedhimselfout，andthenlaystill，withopeneyes，lifeless。Shelookedathimamoment，and，slidinginthroughtheopenwindowandthroughthestudy，soughtherownapartment，whereshelockedherselfin，andbegantosobandmoanlikethosethatweep。Butthegracioussolaceoftearsseemedtobedeniedher，andhergrief，likeheranger，wasadullache，longing，likethat，tofinishitselfwithafierceparoxysm，butwantingitsnaturaloutlet。
Thisseeminglytriflingincidentofthedeathofherfavoriteappearedtochangeallthecurrentofherthought。Whetheritwerethesightofthedyingbird，orthethoughtthatherownagencymighthavebeepconcernedinit，orsomedeepergrief，whichtookthisoccasiontodeclareitself，——somedarkremorseorhopelesslonging，——
whateveritmightbe，therewasanunwontedtumultinhersoul。Towhomshouldshegoinhervaguemisery？OnlytoHimwhoknowsallHiscreatures’sorrows，andlistenstothefaintesthumancry。Sheknelt，asshehadbeentaughttokneelfromherchildhood，andtriedtopray。Butherthoughtsrefusedtoflowinthelanguageofsupplication。Shecouldnotpleadforherselfasotherwomenpleadintheirhoursofanguish。Sheroselikeonewhoshouldstooptodrink，andfinddustintheplaceofwater。Partlyfromrestlessness，partlyfromanattractionshehardlyavowedtoherself，shefollowedherusualhabitandstrolledlistlesslyalongtotheschool。
OfcourseeverybodyattheInstitutewasfulloftheterribleadventureoftheprecedingevening。Mr。Bernardfeltpoorlyenough；
buthehadmadeitapointtoshowhimselfthenextmorning，asifnothinghadhappened。HelenDarleyknewnothingofitalluntilshehardrisen，whenthegossipymatronoftheestablishmentmadeheracquaintedwithallitsdetails，embellishedwithsuchadditionalornamentalappendagesasithadcaughtupintransmissionfromliptolip。Shedidnotlovetobetrayhersensibilities，butshewaspaleandtremulousandverynearlytearfulwhenMr。Bernardenteredthesitting-room，showingonhisfeaturestracesoftheviolentshockhehadreceivedandtheheavyslumberfromwhichhehadrisenwiththrobbingbrows。Whatthepoorgirl’simpulsewas，onseeinghim，weneednotinquiretoocuriously。Ifhehadbeenherownbrother，shewouldhavekissedhimandcriedonhisneck；butsomethingheldherback。Thereisnogalvanisminkiss-your-brother；itiscopperagainstcopper：butalienbloodsdevelopstrangecurrents，whentheyflowclosetoeachother，withonlythefilmsthatcoverlipandcheekbetweenthem。Mr。Bernard，assomeofusmayremember，violatedtheproprietiesandlaidhimselfopentoreproachbyhisenterprisewithabouncingvillage-girl，towhoserosycheekanhonestsmackwasnotprobablyanabsolutenovelty。Hemadeitallupbyhisdiscretionandgoodbehaviornow。HesawbyHelen’smoisteyeandtremblinglipthatherwoman’sheartwasoffitsguard，andheknew，bytheinfallibleinstinctofsex，thatheshouldbeforgiven，ifhethankedherforhersisterlysympathiesinthemostnaturalway，——expressive，andatthesametimeeconomicalofbreathandutterance。Hewouldnotgiveafalselooktotheirfriendshipbyanysuchdemonstration。Helenwasalittleolderthanhimself，buttheaureoleofyoungwomanhoodhadnotyetbeguntofadefromaroundher。
Shewassurroundedbythatenchantedatmosphereintowhichthegirlwalkswithdreamyeyes，andoutofwhichthewomanpasseswithastorywrittenonherforehead。Somepeoplethinkverylittleoftheserefinements；theyhavenotstudiedmagnetismandthelawofthesquareofthedistance。
SoMr。BernardthankedHelenforherinterestwithouttheaidofthetwenty-seventhletterofthealphabet，——thelovelabial，——thelimpingconsonantwhichittakestwotospeakplain。Indeed，hescarcelylethersayaword，atfirst；forhesawthatitwashardforhertoconcealheremotion。Nowonder；hehadcomewithinahair’s-breadthoflosinghislife，andhehadbeenaverykindfriendandaverydearcompaniontoher。
Thereweresomecuriousspiritualexperiencesconnectedwithhislastevening’sadventurewhichwereworkingverystronglyinhismind。ItwasborneinuponhimirresistiblythathehadbeendeadsincehehadseenHelen，——asdeadasthesonoftheWidowofNainbeforethebierwastouchedandhesatupandbegantospeak。Therewasanintervalbetweentwoconsciousmomentswhichappearedtohimlikeatemporaryannihilation，andthethoughtsitsuggestedwereworryinghimwithstrangeperplexities。
Herememberedseeingthedarkfigureonhorsebackriseinthesaddleandsomethingleapfromitshand。Herememberedthethrillhefeltasthecoilsettledonhisshoulders，andthesuddenimpulsewhichledhimtofireashedid。Withthereportofthepistolallbecameblank，untilhefoundhimselfinastrange，bewilderedstate，gropingaboutfortheweapon，whichhehadavagueconsciousnessofhavingdropped。But，accordingtoAbel’saccount，theremusthavebeenanintervalofsomeminutesbetweentheserecollections，andhecouldnothelpasking，Wherewasthemind，thesoul，thethinkingprinciple，allthistime？
Amanisstunnedbyablowwithastickonthehead。Hebecomesunconscious。Anothermangetsaharderblowontheheadfromabiggerstick，anditkillshim。Doeshebecomeunconscious，too？Ifso，whendoeshecometohisconsciousness？Themanwhohashadaslightormoderateblowcomestohimselfwhentheimmediateshockpassesoffandtheorgansbegintoworkagain，orwhenabitoftheskullispriedup，ifthathappenstobebroken。Supposetheblowishardenoughtospoilthebrainandstoptheplayoftheorgans，whathappensthem？
ABritishcaptainwasstruckbyacannon-ballonthehead，justashewasgivinganorder，attheBattleoftheNile。FifteenmonthsafterwardshewastrephinedatGreenwichHospital，havingbeeninsensibleallthattime。Immediatelyaftertheoperationhisconsciousnessreturned，andheatoncebegancarryingouttheorderhewasgivingwhentheshotstruckhim。Supposehehadneverbeentrephined，whenwouldhisconsciousnesshavereturned？Whenhisbreathceasedandhisheartstoppedbeating？
WhenMr。BernardsaidtoHelen，“IhavebeendeadsinceIsawyou。”
itstartledhernotalittle；forhisexpressionwasthatofperfectgoodfaith，andshefearedthathismindwasdisordered。Whenheexplained，notashasbeendonejustnow，atlength，butinahurried，imperfectway，themeaningofhisstrangeassertion，andthefearfulSadduceeismswhichithadsuggestedtohismind，shelookedtroubledatfirst，andthenthoughtful。Shedidnotfeelabletoanswerallthedifficultiesheraised，butshemetthemwiththatfaithwhichisthestrengthaswellastheweaknessofwomen，——whichmakesthemweakinthehandsofman，butstronginthepresenceoftheUnseen。
“Itisastrangeexperience。”shesaid；“butIoncehadsomethinglikeit。Ifainted，andlostsomefiveortenminutesoutofmylife，asmuchasifIhadbeendead。ButwhenIcametomyself，I
wasthesamepersoneveryway，inmyrecollectionsandcharacter。SoIsupposethatlossofconsciousnessisnotdeath。AndifIwasbornoutofunconsciousnessintoinfancywithmanyfamily-traitsofmindandbody，Icanbelieve，frommyownreason，evenwithouthelpfromRevelation，thatIshallbebornagainoutoftheunconsciousnessofdeathwithmyindividualtraitsofmindandbody。Ifdeathis，asitshouldseemtobe，alossofconsciousness，thatdoesnotshakemyfaith；forIhavebeenputintoabodyoncealreadytofitmeforlivinghere，andIhopetobeinsomewayfittedafterthislifetoenjoyabetterone。ButitisalltrustinGodandinhisWord。
Theseareenoughforme；Ihopetheyareforyou。”
Helenwasaminister’sdaughter，andfamiliarfromherchildhoodwiththisclassofquestions，especiallywithallthedoubtsandperplexitieswhicharesuretoassaileverythinkingchildbredinanyinorganicornotthoroughlyvitalizedfaith，——asistoooftenthecasewiththechildrenofprofessionaltheologians。ThekindofdisciplinetheyaresubjectedtoislikethatoftheFlat-HeadIndianpappooses。Atfiveortenorfifteenyearsoldtheyputtheirhandsuptotheirforeheadsandask，Whataretheystrappingdownmybrainsinthiswayfor？SotheytearoffthesacredbandagesofthegreatFlat-Headtribe，andtherefollowsamightyrushofbloodtothelong-compressedregion。Thisaccounts，inthemostlucidmanner，forthosesuddenfreakswithwhichcertainchildrenofthisclassastonishtheirworthyparentsattheperiod，oflifewhentheyaregrowingfast，and，thefrontalpressurebeginningtobefeltassomethingintolerable，theytearofftheholycompresses。
Thehourforschoolcame，andtheywenttothegreathallforstudy。
ItwouldnothaveoccurredtoMr。SilasPeckhamtoaskhisassistantwhetherhefeltwellenoughtoattendtohisduties；andMr。Bernardchosetobeathispost。Alittleheadacheandconfusionwereallthatremainedofhissymptoms。
Later，inthecourseoftheforenoon，ElsieVennercameandtookherplace。Thegirlsallstaredather——naturallyenough；foritwashardlytohavebeenexpectedthatshewouldshowherself，aftersuchaneventinthehouseholdtowhichshebelonged。Herexpressionwassomewhatpeculiar，and，ofcourse，wasattributedtotheshockherfeelingshadundergoneonhearingofthecrimeattemptedbyhercousinanddailycompanion。Whenshewaslookingonherbook，oronanyindifferentobject，hercountenancebetrayedsomeinwarddisturbance，whichknittedherdarkbrows，andseemedtothrowadeepershadowoverherfeatures。But，fromtimetotime，shewouldlifthereyestowardMr。Bernard，andletthemrestuponhim，withoutathought，seemingly，thatsheherselfwasthesubjectofobservationorremark。Thentheyseemedtolosetheircoldglitter，andsoftenintoastrange，dreamytenderness。Thedeepinstinctsofwomanhoodwerestrivingtogropetheirwaytothesurfaceofherbeingthroughallthealieninfluenceswhichoverlaidthem。Shecouldbesecretandcunninginworkingoutanyofherdangerousimpulses，butshedidnotknowhowtomasktheunwontedfeelingwhichfixedhereyesandherthoughtsupontheonlypersonwhohadeverreachedthespringofherhiddensympathies。
ThegirlsalllookedatElsie，whenevertheycouldstealaglanceunperceived，andmanyofthemwerestruckwiththissingularexpressionherfeatureswore。Theyhadlongwhispereditaroundamongeachotherthatshehadalikingforthemaster；butthereweretoomanyofthemofwhomsomethinglikethiscouldbesaid，tomakeitveryremarkable。Now，however，whensomanylittleheartswereflutteringatthethoughtoftheperilthroughwhichthehandsomeyoungmasterhadsorecentlypassed，theyweremorealivethanevertothesupposedrelationbetweenhimandthedarkschool-girl。Somehadsupposedtherewasamutualattachmentbetweenthem；therewasastorythattheyweresecretlybetrothed，inaccordancewiththerumorwhichhadbeencurrentinthevillage。Atanyrate，someconflictwasgoingoninthatstill，remote，cloudedsoul，andallthegirlswholookeduponherfacewereimpressedandawedastheyhadneverbeenbeforebytheshadowsthatpassedoverit。
OneofthesegirlswasmorestronglyarrestedbyElsie’slookthantheothers。Thiswasadelicate，pallidcreature，withahighforehead，andwide-openpupils，whichlookedasiftheycouldtakeinalltheshapesthatflitinwhat，tocommoneyes，isdarkness，——agirlsaidtobeclairvoyantundercertaininfluences。Intherecess，asitwascalled，orintervalofsuspendedstudiesinthemiddleoftheforenoon，thisgirlcarriedherautograph-book，——forshehadoneofthoseindispensableappendagesoftheboarding-schoolmissofeverydegree，——andaskedElsietowritehernameinit。Shehadanirresistiblefeeling，that，soonerorlater，andperhapsverysoon，therewouldattachanunusualinteresttothisautograph。Elsietookthepenandwrote，inhersharpItalianhand，ElsieVenner，Infelix。
Itwasaremembrance，doubtless，oftheforlornqueenofthe“AEneid“；butitscomingtoherthoughtinthiswayconfirmedthesensitiveschool-girlinherfearsforElsie，andsheletfallatearuponthepagebeforesheclosedit。
Ofcourse，thekeenandpractisedobservationofHelenDarleycouldnotfailtonoticethechangeofElsie’smannerandexpression。Shehadlongseenthatshewasattractedtotheyoungmaster，andhadthought，astheoldDoctordid，thatanyimpressionwhichacteduponheraffectionsmightbethemeansofawakeninganewlifeinhersingularlyisolatednature。Now，however，theconcentrationofthepoorgirl’sthoughtsupontheoneobjectwhichhadhadpowertoreachherdeepersensibilitieswassopainfullyrevealedinherfeatures，thatHelenbegantofearoncemore，lestMr。Bernard，inescapingthetreacherousviolenceofanassassin，hadbeenlefttotheequallydangerousconsequencesofaviolent，engrossingpassioninthebreastofayoungcreaturewhoseloveitwouldberuintoadmitandmightbedeadlytoreject。Sheknewherownhearttoowelltofearthatanyjealousymightminglewithhernewapprehensions。ItwasunderstoodbetweenBernardandHelenthattheyweretoogoodfriendstotamperwiththesilencesandedgingproximitiesoflovemaking。Sheknew，too，thesimplyhuman，notmasculine，interestwhichMr。BernardtookinElsie；hehadbeenfrankwithHelen，andmorethansatisfiedherthatwithallthepityandsympathywhichoverflowedhissoul，whenhethoughtofthestrickengirl，thereminglednotonedropofsuchloveasayouthmayfeelforamaiden。
ItmayhelpthereadertogainsomeunderstandingoftheanomalousnatureofElsieVeneer，ifwelookwithHelenintoMr。Bernard’sopinionsandfeelingswithreferencetoher，astheyhadshapedthemselvesinhisconsciousnessattheperiodofwhichwearespeaking。
Atfirsthehadbeenimpressedbyherwildbeauty，andthecontrastofallherlooksandwayswiththoseofthegirlsaroundher。
Presentlyasenseofsomeill-definedpersonalelement，whichhalf-
attractedandhalf-repelledthosewholookeduponher，andespeciallythoseonwhomshelooked，begantomakeitselfobvioustohim，ashesoonfounditwaspainfullysensibletohismoresusceptiblecompanion，thelady-teacher。Itwasnotmerelyinthecoldlightofherdiamondeyes，butinallhermovements，inhergracefulposturesasshesat，inhercostume，and，hesometimesthought，eveninherspeech，thatthisobscureandexceptionalcharacterbetrayeditself。
WhenHelenhadsaid，that，iftheywerelivingintimeswhenhumanbeingsweresubjecttopossession，sheshouldhavethoughttherewassomethingnothumanaboutElsie，itstruckanunsuspectedveinofthoughtinhisownmind，whichhehatedtoputinwords，butwhichwascontinuallytryingtoarticulateitselfamongthedumbthoughtswhichlieundertheperpetualstreamofmentalwhispers。
Mr。Bernard’sprofessionaltraininghadmadehimslowtoacceptmarvellousstoriesandmanyformsofsuperstition。Yet，asamanofscience，hewellknewthatjustonthevergeofthedemonstrablefactsofphysicsandphysiologythereisanebulousborder-landwhichwhatiscalled“commonsense“perhapsdoeswiselynottoenter，butwhichuncommonsense，orthefineapprehensionofprivilegedintelligences，maycautiouslyexplore，andinsodoingfinditselfbehindthesceneswhichmakeupforthegazingworldtheshowwhichiscalledNature。
Itwaswithsomethingofthisfinerperception，perhapswithsomedegreeofimaginativeexaltation，thathesethimselftosolvingtheproblemofElsie’sinfluencetoattractandrepelthosearoundher。
Hisletteralreadysubmittedtothereaderhintsinwhatdirectionhisthoughtsweredisposedtoturn。Herewasamagnificentorganization，superbinvigorouswomanhood，withabeautysuchasnevercomesbutaftergenerationsofculture；yetthroughallthisrichnaturethereransomealiencurrentofinfluence，sinuousanddark，aswhenacloudedstreakseamsthewhitemarbleofaperfectstatue。
Itwouldbeneedlesstorepeattheparticularsuggestionswhichhadcomeintohismind，astheymustprobablyhavecomeintothatofthereaderwhohasnotedthesingularitiesofElsie’stastesandpersonaltraits。Theimageswhichcertainpoetshaddreamedofseemedtohavebecomearealitybeforehisowneyes。ThencamethatunexplainedadventureofTheMountain，——almostlikeadreaminrecollection，yetassuredlyrealinsomeofitsmainincidents，——withallthatitrevealedorhinted。Thisgirldidnotfeartovisitthedreadedregion，wheredangerlurkedineverynookandbeneatheverytuftofleaves。Didthetenantsofthefatalledgerecognizesomemysteriousaffinitywhichmadethemtributarytothecoldglitterofherdiamondeyes，？Wasshefromherbirthoneofthosefrightfulchildren，suchashehadreadabout，andtheProfessorhadtoldhimof，whoformunnaturalfriendshipswithcold，writhingophidians？Therewasnoneedofsounwelcomeathoughtasthis；shehaddrawnhimawayfromthedarkopeningintherockatthemomentwhenheseemedtobethreatenedbyoneofitsmalignantdenizens；thatwasallhecouldbesureof；thecounter-fascinationmighthavebeenadream，afancy，acoincidence。Allwonderfulthingssoongrowdoubtfulinourownminds，asdoevencommonevents，ifgreatinterestsprovesuddenlytoattachtotheirtruthorfalsehood——
I，whoamtellingoftheseoccurrences，sawafriendinthegreatcity，onthemorningofamostmemorabledisaster，hoursafterthetimewhenthetrainwhichcarrieditsvictimstotheirdoomhadleft。
Italkedwithhim，andwasforsomeminutes，atleast，inhiscompany。WhenIreachedhome，Ifoundthatthestoryhadgonebeforethathewasamongthelost，andIalonecouldcontradictittohisweepingfriendsandrelatives。Ididcontradictit；but，alas！I
begansoontodoubtmyself，penetratedbythecontagionoftheirsolicitude；myrecollectionbegantoquestionitself；theorderofeventsbecamedislocated；andwhenIheardthathehadreachedhomeinsafety，thereliefwasalmostasgreattomeastothosewhohadexpectedtoseetheirownbrother’sfacenomore。
Mr。Bernardwasdisposed，then，nottoacceptthethoughtofanyodiouspersonalrelationshipofthekindwhichhadsuggesteditselftohimwhenhewrotetheletterreferredto。Thatthegirlhadsomethingoftheferalnature，herwild，lawlessramblesinforbiddenandblastedregionsofTheMountainatallhours，herfamiliaritywiththelonelyhauntswhereanyotherhumanfootwassorarelyseen，provedclearlyenough。Butthemorehethoughtofallherstrangeinstinctsandmodesofbeing，themorehebecameconvincedthatwhateveralienimpulseswayedherwillandmodulatedordivertedordisplacedheraffectionscamefromsomeimpressionthatreachedfarbackintothepast，beforethedayswhenthefaithfulOldSophyhadrockedherinthecradle。Hebelievedthatshehadbroughtherrulingtendency，whateveritwas，intotheworldwithher。
Whentheschoolwasoverandthegirlshadallgone，HelenlingeredintheschoolroomtospeakwithMr。Bernard。
“DidyouremarkElsie’swaysthisforenoon？“shesaid。
“No，notparticularly；IhavenotnoticedanythingassharplyasI
commonlydo；myheadhasbeenalittlequeer，andIhavebeenthinkingoverwhatweweretalkingabout，andhownearIcametosolvingthegreatproblemwhicheverydaymakescleartosuchmultitudesofpeople。WhataboutElsie？“
“Bernard，herlikingforyouisgrowingintoapassion。Ihavestudiedgirlsforalongwhile，andIknowthedifferencebetweentheirpassingfanciesandtheirrealemotions。Itoldyou，youremember，thatRosawouldhavetoleaveus；webarelymissedascene，Ithink，ifnotawholetragedy，byhergoingattherightmoment。
ButElsieisinfinitelymoredangeroustoherselfandothers。
Women’sloveisfierceenough，ifitoncegetsthemasteryofthem，always；butthispoorgirldoesnotknowwhattodowithapassion。”
Mr。BernardhadnevertoldHelenthestoryoftheflowerinhisVirgil，orthatotheradventure——whichhewouldhavefeltawkwardlytoreferto；butithadbeenperfectlyunderstoodbetweenthemthatElsieshowedinherownsingularwayawell-markedpartialityfortheyoungmaster。
“Whydon’ttheytakeherawayfromtheschool，ifsheisinsuchastrange，excitablestate？“saidMr。Bernard。
“Ibelievetheyareafraidofher。”Helenanswered。“Itisjustoneofthosecasesthataretenthousandthousandtimesworsethaninsanity。Idon’tthinkfromwhatIhear，thatherfatherhasevergivenuphopingthatshewilloutgrowherpeculiarities。Oh，thesepeculiarchildrenforwhomparentsgoonhopingeverymorninganddespairingeverynight！IfIcouldtellyouhalfthatmothershavetoldme，youwouldfeelthattheworstofalldiseasesofthemoralsenseandthewillarethosewhichalltheBedlamsturnawayfromtheirdoorsasnotbeingcasesofinsanity！“
“Doyouthinkherfatherhastreatedherjudiciously？“saidMr。
Bernard。
“Ithink。”saidHelen，withalittlehesitation，whichMr。Bernarddidnothappentonotice，——“Ithinkhehasbeenverykindandindulgent，andIdonotknowthathecouldhavetreatedherotherwisewithabetterchanceofsuccess。”
“Hemustofcoursebefondofher。”Mr。Bernardsaid；“thereisnothingelseintheworldforhimtolove。”
Helendroppedabooksheheldinherhand，and，stoopingtopickitup，thebloodrushedintohercheeks。
“Itisgettinglate。”shesaid；“youmustnotstayanylongerinthiscloseschoolroom。Pray，goandgetalittlefreshairbeforedinner-
time。”
CHAPTERXXVII。
ASOULINDISTRESS。
Theeventstoldinthelasttwochaptershadtakenplacetowardthecloseoftheweek。OnSaturdayeveningtheReverendChauncyFairweatherreceivedanotewhichwasleftathisdoorbyanunknownpersonwhodepartedwithoutsayingaword。Itswordswerethese：
“OnewhoisindistressofmindrequeststheprayersofthiscongregationthatGodwouldbepleasedtolookinmercyuponthesoulthathehasafflicted。”
Therewasnothingtoshowfromwhomthenotecame，orthesexorageorspecialsourceofspiritualdiscomfortoranxietyofthewriter。
Thehandwritingwasdelicateandmightwellbeawoman’s。Theclergymanwasnotawareofanyparticularafflictionamonghisparishionerswhichwaslikelytobemadethesubjectofarequestofthiskind。SurelyneitheroftheVennerswouldadvertisetheattemptedcrimeoftheirrelativeinthisway。Butwhoelsewasthere？Themorehethoughtaboutit，themoreitpuzzledhim，andashedidnotliketoprayinthedark，withoutknowingforwhomhewaspraying，hecouldthinkofnothingbetterthantostepintooldDoctorKittredge’sandseewhathehadtosayaboutit。
TheoldDoctorwassittingaloneinhisstudywhentheReverendMr。
Fairweatherwasusheredin。Hereceivedhisvisitorverypleasantly，expecting，asamatterofcourse，thathewouldbeginwithsomenewgrievance，dyspeptic，neuralgic，bronchitic，orother。Theminister，however，beganwithquestioningtheoldDoctoraboutthesequeloftheothernight’sadventure；forhewasalreadygettingalittleJesuitical，andkeptbacktheobjectofhisvisituntilitshouldcomeupasifaccidentallyinthecourseofconversation。
“Itwasaprettyboldthingtogooffalonewiththatreprobate，asyoudid。”saidtheminister。
“Idon’tknowwhattherewasboldaboutit。”theDoctoranswered。
“Allhewantedwastogetaway。Hewasnotquiteareprobate，yousee；hedidn’tlikethethoughtofdisgracinghisfamilyorfacinghisuncle。Ithinkhewasashamedtoseehiscousin，too，afterwhathehaddone。”
“Didhetalkwithyouontheway？“
“Notmuch。Forhalfanhourorsohedidn’tspeakaword。ThenheaskedwhereIwasdrivinghim。Itoldhim，andheseemedtobesurprisedintoasortofgratefulfeeling。Badenough，nodoubt，butmightbeworse。Hassomehumanityleftinhimyet。Lethimgo。Godcanjudgehim，——Ican’t。”
“Youaretoocharitable，Doctor。”theministersaid。“Icondemnhimjustasifhehadcarriedouthisproject，which，theysay，wastomakeitappearasiftheschoolmasterhadcommittedsuicide。That’swhatpeoplethinktheropefoundbyhimwasfor。Hehassavedhisneck，——buthissoulisalostone，Iamafraid，beyondquestion。”
“Ican’tjudgemen’ssouls。”theDoctorsaid。“Icanjudgetheiracts，andholdthemresponsibleforthose，——butIdon’tknowmuchabouttheirsouls。IfyouorIhadfoundoursoulinahalf-breedbody；andbeenturnedloosetorunamongtheIndians，wemighthavebeenplayingjustsuchtricksasthisfellowhasbeentrying。WhatifyouorIhadinheritedallthetendenciesthatwerebornwithhiscousinElsie？“
“Oh，thatremindsme。”——theministersaid，inasuddenway，——“Ihavereceivedanote，whichIamrequestedtoreadfromthepulpittomorrow。Iwishyouwouldjusthavethekindnesstolookatitandseewhereyouthinkitcamefrom。”
TheDoctorexamineditcarefully。Itwasawoman’sorgirl’snote，hethought。Mightcomefromoneoftheschool-girlswhowasanxiousaboutherspiritualcondition。Handwritingwasdisguised；lookedalittlelikeElsieVeneer’s，butnotcharacteristicenoughtomakeitcertain。Itwouldbeanewthing，ifshehadaskedpublicprayersforherself，andaveryfavorableindicationofachangeinhersingularmoralnature。ItwasjustpossibleElsiemighthavesentthatnote。Nobodycouldforetellheractions。Itwouldbewelltoseethegirlandfindoutwhetheranyunusualimpressionhadbeenproducedonhermindbytherecentoccurrenceorbyanyothercause。
TheReverendMr。Fairweatherfoldedthenoteandputitintohispocket。
“Ihavebeenagooddealexercisedinmindlately，myself。”hesaid。
TheoldDoctorlookedathimthroughhisspectacles，andsaid，inhisusualprofessionaltone，“Putoutyourtongue。”
Theministerobeyedhiminthatfeeblewaycommonwithpersonsofweakcharacter，——forpeopledifferasmuchintheirmodeofperformingthistriflingactasGideon’ssoldiersintheirwayofdrinkingatthebrook。TheDoctortookhishandandplacedafingermechanicallyonhiswrist。
“Itismorespiritual，Ithink，thanbodily。”saidtheReverendMr。
Fairweather。
“Isyourappetiteasgoodasusual？“theDoctorasked。
“Prettygood。”theministeranswered；“butmysleep，mysleep，Doctor，——Iamgreatlytroubledatnightwithlyingawakeandthinkingofmyfuture，Iamnotateaseinmind。”
Helookedroundatallthedoors，tobesuretheywereshut，andmovedhischairupclosetotheDoctor’s。
“YoudonotknowthementaltrialsIhavebeengoingthroughforthelastfewmonths。”
“IthinkIdo。”theoldDoctorsaid。“Youwanttogetoutofthenewchurchintotheoldone，don’tyou？“
Theministerblusheddeeply；hethoughthehadbeengoingoninaveryquietway，andthatnobodysuspectedhissecret。AstheoldDoctorwashiscounsellorinsickness，andalmosteverybody’sconfidantintrouble，hehadintendedtoimpartcautiouslytohimsomehintsofthechangeofsentimentsthroughwhichhehadbeenpassing。Hewastoolatewithhisinformation，itappeared，andtherewasnothingtobedonebuttothrowhimselfontheDoctor’sgoodsenseandkindness，whicheverybodyknew，andgetwhathintshecouldfromhimastothepracticalcourseheshouldpursue。Hebegan，afteranawkwardpause，“YouwouldnothavemestayinacommunionwhichIfeeltobealientothetruechurch，wouldyou？“
“Haveyoustay，myfriend？“saidtheDoctor，withapleasant，friendlylook，——“haveyoustay？Notamonth，noraweek，noraday，ifIcouldhelpit。Youhavegotintothewrongpulpit，andIhaveknownitfromthefirst。Thesooneryougowhereyoubelong，thebetter。AndI’mverygladyoudon’tmeantostophalf-way。Don’tyouknowyou’vealwayscometomewhenyou’vebeendyspepticorsickanyhow，andwantedtoputyourselfwhollyintomyhands，sothatI
mightorderyoulikeachildjustwhattodoandwhattotake？That’sexactlywhatyouwantinreligion。Idon’tblameyouforit。Youneverlikedtotaketheresponsibilityofyourownbody；Idon’tseewhyyoushouldwanttohavethechargeofyourownsoul。ButI’mgladyou’regoingtotheOldMotherofall。Youwouldn’thavebeencontentedshortofthat。”
TheReverendMr。Fairweatherbreathedwithmorefreedom。TheDoctorsawintohissoulthroughthoseawfulspectaclesofhis，——intoitandbeyondit，asoneseesthroughathinfog。Butitwaswitharealhumankindness，afterall。Hefeltlikeachildbeforeastrongman；
butthestrongmanlookedonhimwithafather’sindulgence。Manyandmanyatime，whenhehadcomedespondingandbemoaninghimselfonaccountofsomecontemptiblebodilyinfirmity，theoldDoctorhadlookedathimthroughhisspectacles，listenedpatientlywhilehetoldhisailments，andthen，inhislargeparentalway，givenhimafewwordsofwholesomeadvice，andcheeredhimupsothathewentoffwithalightheart，thinkingthattheheavenhewassomuchafraidofwasnotsoverynear，afterall。Itwasthesamethingnow。Hefelt，asfeeblenaturesalwaysdointhepresenceofstrongones，overmastered，circumscribed，shutin，humbled；butyetitseemedasiftheoldDoctordidnotdespisehimanymoreforwhatheconsideredweaknessofmindthanheusedtodespisehimwhenhecomplainedofhisnervesorhisdigestion。
Menwhoseeintotheirneighborsareveryapttobecontemptuous；butmenwhoseethroughthemfindsomethinglyingbehindeveryhumansoulwhichitisnotforthemtositinjudgmenton，ortoattempttosneeroutoftheorderofGod’smanifolduniverse。
LittleastheDoctorhadsaidoutofwhichcomfortcouldbeextracted，hisgenialmannerhadsomethinggratefulinit。Afilmofgratitudecameoverthepoorman’scloudy，uncertaineye，andalookoftremulousreliefandsatisfactionplayedabouthisweakmouth。Hewasgravitatingtothemajority，wherehehopedtofind“rest“；buthewasdreadfullysensitivetotheopinionsoftheminorityhewasonthepointofleaving。
TheoldDoctorsawplainlyenoughwhatwasgoingoninhismind。
“Isha’n’tquarrelwithyou。”hesaid，——“youknowthatverywell；butyoumustn’tquarrelwithme，ifItalkhonestlywithyou；itisn’teverybodythatwilltakethetrouble。Youflatteryourselfthatyouwillmakeagoodmanyenemiesbyleavingyouroldcommunion。Notsomanyasyouthink。Thisisthewaythecommonsortofpeoplewilltalk：——’Youhavegotyourtickettothefeastoflife，asmuchasanyothermanthateverlived。Protestantismsays，——“Helpyourself；
here’sacleanplate，andaknifeandforkofyourown，andplentyoffreshdishestochoosefrom。”TheOldMothersays，——“Givemeyourticket，mydear，andI’llfeedyouwithmygoldspoonoffthesebeautifuloldwoodentrenchers。Suchnicebitsasthosegoodoldgentlemenhaveleftforyou！“Thereisnoquarrellingwithamanwhoprefersbrokenvictuals。’That’swhattheroughersortwillsay；andthen，whereonescolds，tenwilllaugh。But，mindyou，Idon’teitherscoldorlaugh。Idon’tfeelsurethatyoucouldverywellhavehelpeddoingwhatyouwillsoondo。Youknowyouwerenevereasywithoutsomemedicinetotakewhenyoufeltillinbody。I’mafraidI’vegivenyoutrashystuffsometimes，justtokeepyouquiet。
Now，letmetellyou，thereisjustthesamedifferenceinspiritualpatientsthatthereisinbodilyones。Onesetbelievesinwholesomewaysofliving，andanothermusthaveagreatlistofspecificsforallthesoul’scomplaints。Youbelongwiththelast，andgotaccidentallyshuffledinwiththeothers。”
Theministersmiledfaintly，butdidnotreply。Ofcourse，heconsideredthatwayoftalkingastheresultoftheDoctor’sprofessionaltraining。Itwouldnothavebeenworthwhiletotakeoffenceathisplainspeech，ifhehadbeensodisposed；forhemightwishtoconsulthimthenextdayasto“whatheshouldtake“forhisdyspepsiaorhisneuralgia。
HelefttheDoctorwithahollowfeelingatthebottomofhissoul，asifagoodpieceofhismanhoodhadbeenscoopedoutofhim。Hishollowachingdidnotexplainitselfinwords，butitgrumbledandworrieddownamongtheunshapedthoughtswhichliebeneaththem。Heknewthathehadbeentryingtoreasonhimselfoutofhisbirthrightofreason。Heknewthattheinspirationwhichgavehimunderstandingwaslosingitsthroneinhisintelligence，andthealmightyMajority-
Votewasproclaimingitselfinitsstead。Heknewthatthegreatprimaltruths，whicheachsuccessiverevelationonlyconfirmed，werefastbecominghiddenbeneaththemechanicalformsofthought，which，aswithallnewconverts，engrossedsolargeashareofhisattention。The“peace。”the“rest。”whichhehadpurchasedweredearlyboughttoonewhohadbeentrainedtothearmsofthought，andwhosenobleprivilegeitmighthavebeentoliveinperpetualwarfarefortheadvancingtruthwhichthenextgenerationwillclaimasthelegacyofthepresent。
TheReverendMr。Fairweatherwasgettingcarelessabouthissermons。
Hemustwaitthefittingmomenttodeclarehimself；andinthemeantimehewaspreachingtoheretics。Itdidnotmattermuchwhathepreached，undersuchcircumstances。Hepulledouttwooldyellowsermonsfromaheapofsuch，andbeganlookingoverthatfortheforenoon。Naturallyenough，hefellasleepoverit，and，sleeping，hebegantodream。
Hedreamedthathewasunderthehigharchesofanoldcathedral，amidstathrongofworshippers。Thelightstreamedinthroughvastwindows，darkwiththepurplerobesofroyalsaints，orblazingwithyellowgloriesaroundtheheadsofearthlymartyrsandheavenlymessengers。Thebillowsofthegreatorganroaredamongtheclusteredcolumns，astheseabreaksamidstthebasalticpillarswhichcrowdthestormycavernoftheHebrides。Thevoiceofthealternatechoirsofsingingboysswungbackandforward，asthesilvercenserswunginthehandsofthewhiterobedchildren。Thesweetcloudofincenseroseinsoft，fleecymists，fullofpenetratingsuggestionsoftheEastanditsperfumedaltars。Thekneesoftwentygenerationshadwornthepavement；theirfeethadhollowedthesteps；theirshouldershadsmoothedthecolumns。Deadbishopsandabbotslayunderthemarbleofthefloorintheircrumbledvestments；deadwarriors，inrustedarmor，werestretchedbeneaththeirsculpturedeffigies。Andallatoncealltheburiedmultitudeswhohadeverworshippedtherecamethronginginthroughtheaisles。Theychokedeveryspace，theyswarmedintoallthechapels，theyhunginclustersovertheparapetsofthegalleries，theyclungtotheimagesineveryniche，andstillthevastthrongkeptflowingandflowingin，untilthelivingwerelostintherushofthereturningdeadwhohadreclaimedtheirown。Then，ashisdreambecamemorefantastic，thehugecathedralitselfseemedtochangeintothewreckofsomemightyantediluvianvertebrate；itsflying-buttressesarchedroundlikeribs，itspiersshapedthemselvesintolimbs，andthesoundoftheorgan-blastchangedtothewindwhistlingthroughitsthousand-jointedskeleton。
Andpresentlythesoundlulled，andsoftenedandsoftened，untilitwasasthemurmurofadistantswarmofbees。Aprocessionofmonkswoundalongthroughanoldstreet，chanting，astheywalked。Inhisdreamheglidedinamongthemandborehispartintheburdenoftheirsong。Heenteredwiththelongtrainunderalowarch，andpresentlyhewaskneelinginanarrowcellbeforeanimageoftheBlessedMaidenholdingtheDivineChildinherarms，andhislipsseemedtowhisper，SanctaMaria，orapronobis！
Heturnedtothecrucifix，and，prostratinghimselfbeforethespare，agonizingshapeoftheHolySufferer，fellintoalongpassionoftearsandbrokenprayers。Heroseandflunghimself，worn-out，uponhishardpallet，and，seemingtoslumber，dreamedagainwithinhisdream。Oncemoreinthevastcathedral，withthrongsofthelivingchokingitsaisles，amidstjubilantpealsfromthecavernousdepthsofthegreatorgan，andchoralmelodiesringingfromtheflutythroatsofthesingingboys。Adayofgreatrejoicings，——foraprelatewastobeconsecrated，andthebonesofthemightyskeleton-
minsterwereshakingwithanthems，asiftherewerelifeofitsownwithinitsbuttressedribs。Helookeddownathisfeet；thefoldsofthesacredrobewereflowingaboutthem：heputhishandtohishead；
itwascrownedwiththeholymitre。Alongsigh，asofperfectcontentintheconsummationofallhisearthlyhopes，breathedthroughthedreamer’slips，andshapeditself，asitescaped，intotheblissfulmurmur，EgosumEpiscopus！
Onegrinninggargoylelookedinfrombeneaththeroofthroughanopeninginastainedwindow。Itwasthefaceofamockingfiend，suchastheoldbuilderslovedtoplaceundertheeavestospouttherainthroughtheiropenmouths。Itlookedathim，ashesatinhismitredchair，withitshideousgringrowingbroaderandbroader，untilitlaughedoutaloud，suchahard，stony，mockinglaugh，thatheawokeoutofhisseconddreamthroughhisfirstintohiscommonconsciousness，andshivered，asheturnedtothetwoyellowsermonswhichhewastopickoverandweedofthelittlethoughttheymightcontain，forthenextday’sservice。
TheReverendChauncyFairweatherwastoomuchtakenupwithhisownbodilyandspiritualconditiontobedeeplymindfulofothers。Hecarriedthenoterequestingtheprayersofthecongregationinhispocketallday；andthesoulindistress，whichasingletenderpetitionmighthavesoothed，andperhapshavesavedfromdespairorfatalerror，foundnovoiceinthetempletopleadforitbeforetheThroneofMercy！
CHAPTERXXVIII。
THESECRETISWHISPERED。
TheReverendChauncyFairweather’scongregationwasnotlarge，butselect。Thelinesofsocialcleavagerunthroughreligiouscreedsasiftheywereofapiecewithpositionandfortune。Itisexpectedofpersonsofacertainbreeding，insomepartsofNewEngland，thattheyshallbeeitherEpiscopaliansorUnitarians。Themansion-housegentryofRocklandwereprettyfairlydividedbetweenthelittlechapel，withthestainedwindowandthetrainedrector，andthemeeting-housewheretheReverendMr。Fairweatherofficiated。
ItwasinthelatterthatDudleyVennerworshipped，whenheattendedserviceanywhere，——whichdependedverymuchonthecapriceofElsie。
Hesawplainlyenoughthatagenerousandliberallycultivatednaturemightfindarefugeandcongenialsoulsineitherofthesetwopersuasions，butheobjectedtosomepointsoftheformalcreedoftheolderchurch，andespeciallytothemechanismwhichrendersithardtogetfreefromitsoutwornandoffensiveformulae，——
rememberinghowArchbishopTillotsonwishedinvainthatitcouldbe“wellridof“theAthanasianCreed。This，andthefactthatthemeeting-housewasnearerthanthechapel，determinedhim，whenthenewrector，whowasnotquiteuptohismarkineducation，wasappointed，totakeapewinthe“liberal“worshippers’edifice。
Elsiewasveryuncertaininherfeelingaboutgoingtochurch。Insummer，shelovedrathertostrolloverTheMountain，onSundays。
Therewasevenastory，thatshehadoneofthecavesbeforementionedfittedupasanoratory，andthatshehadherownwildwayofworshippingtheGodwhomshesoughtinthedarkchasmsofthedreadedcliffs。Merefables，doubtless；buttheyshowedthecommonbelief，thatElsie，withallherstrangeanddangerouselementsofcharacter，hadyetstrongreligiousfeelingmingledwiththem。Thehymn-bookwhichDickhadfound，inhismidnightinvasionofherchamber，openedtofavoritehymns，especiallysomeoftheMethodistandQuietistcharacter。Manyhadnoticed，thatcertaintunes，assungbythechoir，seemedtoimpressherdeeply；andsomesaid，thatatsuchtimesherwholeexpressionwouldchange，andherstormylookwouldsoftensoastoremindthemofherpoor，sweetmother。
OntheSundaymorningafterthetalkrecordedinthelastchapter，Elsiemadeherselfreadytogotomeeting。Shewasdressedmuchasusual，exceptingthatsheworeathickveil，turnedaside，butreadytoconcealherfeatures。Itwasnaturalenoughthatsheshouldnotwishtobelookedinthefacebycuriouspersonswhowouldbestaringtoseewhateffecttheoccurrenceofthepastweekhadhadonherspirits。Herfatherattendedherwillingly；andtheytooktheirseatsinthepew，somewhattothesurpriseofmany，whohadhardlyexpectedtoseethem，aftersohumiliatingafamilydevelopmentastheattemptedcrimeoftheirkinsmanhadjustbeenfurnishingfortheastonishmentofthepublic。
TheReverendMr。Fairweatherwasnowinhiscoldestmood。Hehadpassedthroughtheperiodoffeverishexcitementwhichmarksachangeofreligiousopinion。Atfirst，whenhehadbegantodoubthisowntheologicalpositions，hehaddefendedthemagainsthimselfwithmoreingenuityandinterest，perhaps，thanhecouldhavedoneagainstanother；becausemenrarelytakethetroubletounderstandanybody’sdifficultiesinaquestionbuttheirown。Afterthis，ashebegantodrawofffromdifferentpointsofhisoldbelief，thecautiousdisentanglingofhimselffromonemeshafteranothergavesharpnesstohisintellect，andthetremulouseagernesswithwhichheseizeduponthedoctrinewhich，piecebypiece，undervariouspretextsandwithvariousdisguises，hewasappropriating，gaveinterestandsomethinglikepassiontohiswords。Butwhenhehadgraduallyaccustomedhispeopletohisnewphraseology，andwasreallyadjustinghissermonsandhisservicetodisguisehisthoughts，helostatonceallhisintellectualacutenessandallhisspiritualfervor。
Elsiesatquietlythroughthefirstpartoftheservice，whichwasconductedinthecold，mechanicalwaytobeexpected。Herfacewashiddenbyherveil；butherfatherknewherstateoffeeling，aswellbyhermovementsandattitudesasbytheexpressionofherfeatures。
Thehymnhadbeensung，theshortprayeroffered，theBibleread，andthelongprayerwasabouttobegin。Thiswasthetimeatwhichthe“notes“ofanywhowereinafflictionfromlossoffriends，thesickwhoweredoubtfulofrecovery，thosewhohadcausetobegratefulforpreservationoflifeorothersignalblessing，werewonttoberead。
JustthenitwasthatDudleyVeneernoticedthathisdaughterwastrembling，——athingsorare，sounaccountable，indeed，underthecircumstances，thathewatchedherclosely，andbegantofearthatsomenervousparoxysm，orothermalady，mighthavejustbeguntoshowitselfinthiswayuponher。
Theministerhadinhispockettwonotes。One，inthehandwritingofDeaconSoper，wasfromamemberofthiscongregation，returningthanksforhispreservationthroughaseasonofgreatperil，supposedtobetheexposurewhichhehadsharedwithothers，whenstandinginthecirclearoundDickVeneer。Theotherwastheanonymousone，inafemalehand，whichhehadreceivedtheeveningbefore。Heforgotthemboth。Histhoughtswerealtogethertoomuchtakenupwithmoreimportantmatters。Heprayedthroughallthefrozenpetitionsofhisexpurgatedformofsupplication，andnotasingleheartwassoothedorlifted，orremindedthatitssorrowswerestrugglingtheirwayuptoheaven，borneonthebreathfromahumansoulthatwaswarmwithlove。
Thepeoplesatdownasifrelievedwhenthedrearyprayerwasfinished。Elsiealoneremainedstandinguntilherfathertouchedher。Thenshesatdown，liftedherveil，andlookedathimwithablank，sadlook，asifshehadsufferedsomepainorwrong，butcouldnotgiveanynameorexpressiontohervaguetrouble。Shedidnottrembleanylonger，butremainedominouslystill，asifshehadbeenfrozenwhereshesat——
Canamanlovehisownsoultoowell？Who，onthewhole，constitutethenoblerclassofhumanbeings？thosewhohavelivedmainlytomakesureoftheirownpersonalwelfareinanotherandfutureconditionofexistence，ortheywhohaveworkedwithalltheirmightfortheirrace，fortheircountry，fortheadvancementofthekingdomofGod，andleftallpersonalarrangementsconcerningthemselvestothesolechargeofHimwhomadethemandisresponsibletohimselffortheirsafe-keeping？Isananchoritewhohaswornthestonefloorofhiscellintobasinswithhiskneesbentinprayer，moreacceptablethanthesoldierwhogiveshislifeforthemaintenanceofanysacredrightortruth，withoutthinkingwhatwillspeciallybecomeofhiminaworldwheretherearetwoorthreemillioncolonistsamonth，fromthisoneplanet，tobecaredfor？
Thesearegravequestions，whichmustsuggestthemselvestothosewhoknowthattherearemanyprofoundlyselfishpersonswhoaresincerelydevoutandperpetuallyoccupiedwiththeirownfuture，whilethereareotherswhoareperfectlyreadytosacrificethemselvesforanyworthyobjectinthisworld，butarereallytoolittleoccupiedwiththeirexclusivepersonalitytothinksomuchasmanydoaboutwhatistobecomeoftheminanother。
TheReverendChauncyFairweatherdidnot，mostcertainly，belongtothislatterclass。Thereareseveralkindsofbelievers，whosehistorywefindamongtheearlyconvertstoChristianity。
Therewasthemagistrate，whosesocialpositionwassuchthathepreferredaprivateinterviewintheeveningwiththeTeachertofollowinghim——withthestreet-crowd。HehadseenextraordinaryfactswhichhadsatisfiedhimthattheyoungGalileanhadadivinecommission。Butstillhecross-questionedtheTeacherhimself。Hewasnotreadytoacceptstatementswithoutexplanation。Thatwastherightkindofman。SeehowhestoodupforthelegalrightsofhisMaster，whenthepeoplewereforlayinghandsonhim！
Andagain，therewasthegovernmentofficial，intrustedwithpublicmoney，which，inthosedays，impliedthathewassupposedtobehonest。Asinglelookofthatheavenlycountenance，andtwowordsofgentlecommand，wereenoughforhim。Neitherofthesemen，theearlydisciple，northeevangelist，seemstohavebeenthinkingprimarilyabouthisownpersonalsafety。
Butnowlookatthepoor，miserableturnkey，whoseoccupationshowswhathewasliketobe，andwhohadjustbeenthrustingtworespectablestrangers，takenfromthehandsofamob，coveredwithstripesandstrippedofclothing，intotheinnerprison，andmakingtheirfeetfastinthestocks。Histhought，inthemomentofterror，isforhimself：first，suicide；then，whatheshalldo，——nottosavehishousehold，——nottofulfilhisdutytohisoffice，——nottorepairtheoutragehehasbeencommitting，——buttosecurehisownpersonalsafety。Truly，charactershowsitselfasmuchinaman’swayofbecomingaChristianasinanyother！——
Elsiesat，statue-like，throughthesermon。Itwouldnotbefairtothereadertogiveanabstractofthat。Whenamanwhohasbeenbredtofreethoughtandfreespeechsuddenlyfindshimselfsteppingabout，likeadanceramidsthiseggs，amongtheoldaddledmajority-
voteswhichhemustnottreadupon，heisaspectacleformenandangels。Submissiontointellectualprecedentandauthoritydoesverywellforthosewhohavebeenbredtoit；weknowthattheundergroundcoursesoftheirmindsarelaidintheRomancementoftradition，andthatstatelyandsplendidstructuresmayberearedonsuchafoundation。Buttoseeonelayingaplatformoverhereticalquicksands，thirtyorfortyorfiftyyearsdeep，andthenbeginningtobuilduponit，isasorrysight。Anewconvertfromthereformedtotheancientfaithmaybeverystronginthearms，buthewillalwayshaveweaklegsandshakyknees。Hemayusehishandswell，andhithardwithhisfists，buthewillneverstandonhislegsinthewaythemandoeswhoinheritshisbelief。
Theserviceswereoveratlast，andDudleyVennerandhisdaughterwalkedhometogetherinsilence。Healwaysrespectedhermoods，andsawclearlyenoughthatsomeinwardtroublewasweighinguponher。
Therewasnothingtobesaidinsuchcases，forElsiecouldnevertalkofhergriefs。Anhour，oraday，oraweekofbrooding，withperhapsasuddenflashofviolence：thiswasthewayinwhichtheimpressionswhichmakeotherwomenweep，andtelltheirgriefsbywordorletter，showedtheireffectsinhermindandacts。
ShewanderedoffupintotheremoterpartsofTheMountain，thatday，aftertheirreturn。Noonesawjustwhereshewent，——indeed，nooneknewitsforest-recessesandrockyfastnessesasshedid。Shewasgoneuntillateatnight；andwhenOldSophy，whohadwatchedforher，boundupherlonghairforhersleep，itwasdampwiththecolddews。
Theoldblackwomanlookedatherwithoutspeaking，butquestioningherwitheveryfeatureastothesorrowthatwasweighingonher。
SuddenlysheturnedtoOldSophy。
“Youwanttoknowwhatthereistroublingme；“shesaid。“Nobodylovesme。Icannotloveanybody。Whatislove，Sophy？“
“It’swhatpoorOl’Sophy’sgotforherElsie。”theoldwomananswered。“Tellme，darlin’，——don’youlovesomebody？——don’youlove？youknow，——oh，tellme，darlin’，don’youlovetoseethegen’l’manthatkeepsupattheschoolwhereyougo？Theysayhe’sthepootiestgen’l’manthatwaseverinthetownhere。Don’be’fraidofpoorOl’Sophy，darlin’，——shelovedamanonce，——seehere！
Oh，I’veshowedyouthisoftenenough！“
ShetookfromherpocketahalfofoneoftheoldSpanishsilvercoins，suchaswerecurrentintheearlierpartofthiscentury。Theotherhalfofithadbeenlyinginthedeepsea-sandformorethanfiftyyears。
Elsielookedherintheface，butdidnotanswerinwords。Whatstrangeintelligencewasthatwhichpassedbetweenthemthroughthediamondeyesandthelittlebeadyblackones？——whatsubtileintercommunication，penetratingsomuchdeeperthanarticulatespeech？ThiswasthenearestapproachtosympatheticrelationsthatElsieeverhad：akindofdumbintercourseoffeeling，suchasoneseesintheeyesofbrutemotherslookingontheiryoung。But，subtileasitwas，itwasnarrowandindividual；whereasanemotionwhichcanshapeitselfinlanguageopensthegateforitselfintothegreatcommunityofhumanaffections；foreverywordwespeakisthemedalofadeadthoughtorfeeling，struckinthedieofsomehumanexperience，wornsmoothbyinnumerablecontacts，andalwaystransferredwarmfromonetoanother。Bywordswesharethecommonconsciousnessoftherace，whichhasshapeditselfinthesesymbols。
Bymusicwereachthosespecialstatesofconsciousnesswhich，beingwithoutform，cannotbeshapedwiththemosaicsofthevocabulary。
Thelanguageoftheeyesrunsdeeperintothepersonalnature，butitispurelyindividual，andperishesintheexpression。
Ifweconsiderthemallasgrowingoutoftheconsciousnessastheirroot，languageistheleaf，musicistheflower；butwhentheeyesmeetandsearcheachother，itistheuncoveringoftheblanchedstemthroughwhichthewholeliferuns，butwhichhasnevertakencolororformfromthesunlight。
ForthreedaysElsiedidnotreturntotheschool。Muchofthetimeshewasamongthewoodsandrocks。Theseasonwasnowbeginningtowane，andtheforesttoputonitsautumnalglory。Thedreamyhazewasbeginningtosoftenthelandscape，andthemastdeliciousdaysoftheyearwerelendingtheirattractiontothesceneryofTheMountain。ItwasnotverysingularthatElsieshouldbelingeringinheroldhaunts，fromwhichthechangeofseasonmustsoondriveher。
ButOldSophysawclearlyenoughthatsomeinternalconflictwasgoingon，andknewverywellthatitmusthaveitsownwayandworkitselfoutasitbestcould。AsmuchaslookscouldtellElsiehadtoldher。Shehadsaidinwords，tobesure，thatshecouldnotlove。Somethingwarpedandthwartedtheemotionwhichwouldhavebeenloveinanother，nodoubt；butthatsuchanemotionwasstrivingwithheragainstallmaligninfluenceswhichinterferedwithittheoldwomanhadaperfectcertaintyinherownmind。
Everybodywhohasobservedtheworkingofemotionsinpersonsofvarioustemperamentsknowswellenoughthattheyhaveperiodsofincubation，whichdifferwiththeindividual，andwiththeparticularcauseanddegreeofexcitement，yetevidentlygothroughastrictlyself-limitedseriesofevolutions，attheendofwhich，theirresult——anactofviolence，aparoxysmoftears，agradualsubsidenceintorepose，orwhateveritmaybe——declaresitself，likethelaststageofanattackoffeverandague。Noonecanobservechildrenwithoutnoticingthatthereisapersonalequation，tousetheastronomer’slanguage，intheirtempers，sothatonesulksanhouroveranoffencewhichmakesanotherafuryforfiveminutes，andleaveshimorheranangelwhenitisover。
Attheendofthreedays，Elsiebraidedherlong，glossy，blackhair，andshotagoldenarrowthroughit。Shedressedherselfwithmorethanusualcare，andcamedowninthemorningsuperbinherstormybeauty。Thebroodingparoxysmwasover，oratleastherpassionhadchangeditsphase。Herfathersawitwithgreatrelief；hehadalwaysmanyfearsforherinherhoursanddaysofgloom，but，forreasonsbeforeassigned，hadfeltthatshemustbetrustedtoherself，withoutappealingtoactualrestraint，oranyothersupervisionthansuchasOldSophycouldexercisewithoutoffence。
Shewentoffattheaccustomedhourtotheschool。Allthegirlshadtheireyesonher。Nonesokeenastheseyoungmissestoknowaninwardmovementbyanoutwardsignofadornment：iftheyhavenotasmanysignalsastheshipsthatsailthegreatseas，thereisnotanendofribbonoraturnofaringletwhichisnotahieroglyphicwithahiddenmeaningtotheselittlecruisersovertheoceanofsentiment。
ThegirlsalllookedatElsiewithanewthought；forshewasmoresumptuouslyarrayedthanperhapseverbeforeattheschool；andtheysaidtothemselvesthatshehadcomemeaningtodrawtheyoungmaster’seyesuponher。Thatwasit；whatelsecoulditbe？Thebeautifulcoldgirlwiththediamondeyesmeanttodazzlethehandsomeyounggentleman。Hewouldbeafraidtoloveher；itcouldn’tbetrue，thatwhichsomepeoplehadsaidinthevillage；shewasn’tthekindofyoungladytomakeMr。Langdonhappy。Thosedarkpeopleareneversafe：sooneoftheyoungblondessaidtoherself。
Elsiewasnotliteraryenoughforsuchascholar：sothoughtMissCharlotteAnnWood，theyoungpoetess。Shecouldn’thave，agoodtemper，withthosescowlingeyebrows：thiswastheopinionofseveralbroad-faced，smilinggirls，whothought，eachinherownsnuglittlementalsanctum，that，if，etc。，etc。，shecouldmakehimsohappy！
Elsiehadnoneofthestill，wickedlightinhereyes，thatmorning。
Shelookedgentle，butdreamy；playedwithherbooks；didnottroubleherselfwithanyoftheexercises，——whichinitselfwasnotveryremarkable，asshewasalwaysallowed，undersomepretextorother，tohaveherownway。
Theschool-hourswereoveratlength。Thegirlswentout，butshelingeredtothelast。ShethencameuptoMr。Bernard，withabookinherhand，asiftoaskaquestion。
“Willyouwalktowardsmyhomewithmetoday？“shesaid，inaverylowvoice，littlemorethanawhisper。
Mr。Bernardwasstartledbytherequest，putinsuchaway。Hehadapresentimentofsomepainfulsceneorother。Buttherewasnothingtobedonebuttoassureherthatitwouldgivehimgreatpleasure。
SotheywalkedalongtogetherontheirwaytowardtheDudleymansion。
“Ihavenofriend。”Elsiesaid，allatonce。“Nothinglovesmebutoneoldwoman。Icannotloveanybody。Theytellmethereissomethinginmyeyesthatdrawspeopletomeandmakesthemfaint：
Lookintothem，willyou？“
Sheturnedherfacetowardhim。Itwasverypale，andthediamondeyeswereglitteringwithafilm，suchasbeneathotherlidswouldhaveroundedintoatear。
“Beautifuleyes，Elsie。”hesaid，——“sometimesverypiercing，——butsoftnow，andlookingasifthereweresomethingbeneaththemthatfriendshipmightdrawout。Iamyourfriend，Elsie。TellmewhatI
candotorenderyourlifehappier。”
“Loveme！“saidElsieVenner。
Whatshallamando，whenawomanmakessuchademand，involvingsuchanavowal？Itwasthetenderest，cruellest，humblestmomentofMr。
Bernard’slife。Heturnedpale，hetrembledalmost，asifhehadbeenawomanlisteningtoherlover’sdeclaration。
“Elsie。”hesaid，presently，“Isolongtobeofsomeusetoyou，tohaveyourconfidenceandsympathy，thatImustnotletyousayordoanythingtoputusinfalserelations。Idoloveyou，Elsie，asasufferingsisterwithsorrowsofherown，——asonewhomIwouldsaveattheriskofmyhappinessandlife，——asonewhoneedsatruefriendmorethan——anyofalltheyounggirlsIhaveknown。Morethanthisyouwouldnotaskmetosay。Youhavebeenthroughexcitementandtroublelately，andithasmadeyoufeelsuchaneedmorethanever。
Givemeyourhand，dearElsie，andtrustmethatIwillbeastrueafriendtoyouasifwewerechildrenofthesamemother。”
Elsiegavehimherhandmechanically。Itseemedtohimthatacoldaurashotfromitalonghisarmandchilledthebloodrunningthroughhisheart。Hepresseditgently，lookedatherwithafacefullofgravekindnessandsadinterest，thensoftlyrelinquishedit。
ItwasalloverwithpoorElsie。Theywalkedalmostinsilencetherestoftheway。Mr。Bernardleftheratthegateofthemansion-
house，andreturnedwithsadforebodings。Elsiewentatoncetoherownroom，anddidnotcomefromitattheusualhours。AtlastOldSophybegantobealarmedabouther，wenttoherapartment，and，findingthedoorunlocked，enteredcautiously。ShefoundElsielyingonherbed，herbrowsstronglycontracted，hereyesdull，herwholelookthatofgreatsuffering。Herfirstthoughtwasthatshehadbeendoingherselfaharmbysomedeadlymeansorother。ButElsie，sawherfear，andreassuredher。
“No。”shesaid，“thereisnothingwrong，suchasyouarethinkingof；
Iamnotdying。YoumaysendfortheDoctor；perhapshecantakethepainfrommyhead。ThatisallIwanthimtodo。Thereisnouseinthepain，thatIknowof；ifhecanstopit，lethim。”
SotheysentfortheoldDoctor。ItwasnotlongbeforethesolidtrotofCaustic，theoldbayhorse，andthecrashingofthegravelunderthewheels，gavenoticethatthephysicianwasdrivinguptheavenue。
TheoldDoctorwasamodelforvisitingpractitioners。Healwayscameintothesick-roomwithaquiet，cheerfullook，asifhehadaconsciousnessthathewasbringingsomesurereliefwithhim。Thewayapatientsnatcheshisfirstlookathisdoctor’sface，toseewhetherheisdoomed，whetherheisreprieved，whetherheisunconditionallypardoned，hasreallysomethingterribleaboutit。Itisonlytobemetbyanimperturbablemaskofserenity，proofagainstanythingandeverythinginapatient’saspect。Thephysicianwhosefacereflectshispatient’sconditionlikeamirrormaydowellenoughtoexaminepeopleforalife-insuranceoffice，butdoesnotbelongtothesickroom。TheoldDoctordidnotkeeppeoplewaitingindreadsuspense，whilehestayedtalkingaboutthecase，——thepatientallthetimethinkingthatheandthefriendsarediscussingsomealarmingsymptomorformidableoperationwhichhehimselfisby-
and-by——tohearof。
HewasinElsie’sroomalmostbeforesheknewhewasinthehouse。
Hecametoherbedsideinsuchanatural，quietway，thatitseemedasifhewereonlyafriendwhohaddroppedinforamomenttosayapleasantword。YethewasveryuneasyaboutElsieuntilhehadseenher；heneverknewwhatmighthappentoherorthoseabouther，andcamepreparedfortheworst。
“Sick，mychild？“hesaid，inaverysoft，lowvoice。
Elsienodded，withoutspeaking。
TheDoctortookherhand，——whetherwithprofessionalviews，oronlyinafriendlyway，itwouldhavebeenhardtotell。Sohesatafewminutes，lookingatherallthetimewithakindoffatherlyinterest，butwithitallnotinghowshelay，howshebreathed，hercolor，herexpression，allthatteachesthepractisedeyesomuchwithoutasinglequestionbeingasked。Hesawshewasinsuffering，andsaidpresently，“Youhavepainsomewhere；whereisit？“
Sheputherhandtoherhead。
Asshewasnotdisposedtotalk，hewatchedherforawhile，questionedOldSophyshrewdlyafewminutes，andsomadeuphismindastotheprobablecauseofdisturbanceandtheproperremediestobeused。
SomeverysillypeoplethoughttheoldDoctordidnotbelieveinmedicine，becausehegavelessthancertainpoorhalf-taughtcreaturesinthesmallerneighboringtowns，whotookadvantageofpeople’ssicknesstodisgustanddisturbthemwithallmannerofill-
smellingandill-behavingdrugs。Intruth，hehatedtogiveanythingnoxiousorloathsometothosewhowereuncomfortableenoughalready，unlesshewasverysureitwoulddogood，——inwhichcase，heneverplayedwithdrugs，butgavegood，honest，efficientdoses。Sometimeshelostafamilyofthemoreboorishsort，becausetheydidnotthinktheygottheirmoney’sworthoutofhim，unlesstheyhadsomethingmorethanatasteofeverythinghecarriedinhissaddlebags。
HeorderedsomeremedieswhichhethoughtwouldrelieveElsie，andlefther，sayinghewouldcallthenextday，hopingtofindherbetter。Butthenextdaycame，andthenext，andstillElsiewasonherbed，feverish，restless，wakeful，silent。Atnightshetossedaboutandwandered，anditbecameatlengthapparentthattherewasasettledattack，somethinglikewhattheycalled，formerly，a“nervousfever。”
Onthefourthdayshewasmorerestlessthancommon。Oneofthewomenofthehousecameintohelptotakecareofher；butsheshowedanaversiontoherpresence。
“SendmeHelenDarley。”shesaid，atlast。
TheoldDoctortoldthem，that，ifpossible，theymustindulgethisfancyofhers。Thecapricesofsickpeoplewerenevertobedespised，leastofallofsuchpersonsasElsie，whenrenderedirritableandexactingbypainandweakness。
SoamessagewassenttoMr。SilasPeckhamattheApollineanInstitute，toknowifhecouldnotspareMissHelenDarleyforafewdays，ifrequired，togiveherattentiontoayoungladywhoattendedhisschoolandwhowasnowlyingill，——nootherpersonthanthedaughterofDudleyVenner。
Ameanmanneveragreestoanythingwithoutdeliberatelyturningitover，sothathemayseeitsdirtyside，and，ifhecan，sweatingthecoinhepaysforit。Ifanarchangelshouldoffertosavehissoulforsixpence，hewouldtrytofindasixpencewithaholeinit。A
gentlemansaysyestoagreatmanythingswithoutstoppingtothink：
ashabbyfellowisknownbyhiscautioninansweringquestions，forfearof，compromisinghispocketorhimself。
Mr。SilasPeckhamlookedverygraveattherequest。ThedootiesofMissDarleyattheInstitootwereimportant，veryimportant。Hepaidherlargesumsofmoneyforhertime，——morethanshecouldexpecttogetinanyotherinstitootionfortheedoocationoffemaleyouth。A
deductionfromherselarywouldbenecessary，incasesheshouldretirefromthesphereofherdootiesforaseason。Heshouldbeputtoextryexpense，andhavetoperformadditionallaborshimself。Hewouldconsiderofthematter。Ifanyarrangementcouldbemade，hewouldsendwordtoSquireVenner’sfolks。
“MissDarley。”saidSilasPeckham，“the’’samessagefromSquireVenner’sthathisdaughterwantsyoudownatthemansion-housetoseeher。She’sgotafever，sotheyinformme。Ifit’sanykindofketchin’fever，ofcourseyouwon’tthinkofgoin’nearthemansion-
house。IfDoctorKittredgesaysit’ssafe，perfec’lysafe，Ican’tobjecttoyourgoin’，onsechconditionsasseemtobefairtoall’
concerned。Youwillgiveupyourpayforthewholetimeyouare。
absent，——portionsofdaystobecaountedaswholedays。Youwillbechargedwithboardthesameasifyoueatyourvictualswiththehousehold。Thevictualsareofnouseafterthey’recookedbuttobeeat，andyourbein’awayisnosavin’toourfolks。Ishallchargeyouareasonablecompensationforthedemagetotheschoolbytheabsenceofateacher。IfMissCrabsundertakesanydootiesbelongin’
toyourdepartmentofinstruction，shewilllooktoyouforsechpecooniaryconsiderationsasyoumayagreeuponbetweenyou。OntheseconditionsIamwillin’togivemyconsenttoyourtemporaryabsencefromthepostofdooty。IwillstepdowntoDoctorKittredge’smyself，andmakeinquiriesastothenatur’ofthecomplaint。”
Mr。Peckhamtookuparustyandverynarrow-brimmedhat，whichhecockedupononesideofhishead，withanairpeculiartotheruralgentry。ItwasthehourwhentheDoctorexpectedtobeinhisoffice，unlesshehadsomespecialcallwhichkepthimfromhome。
HefoundtheReverendChauncyFairweatherjusttakingleaveoftheDoctor。Hishandwasonthepitofhisstomach，andhiscountenancewasexpressiveofinwarduneasiness。
“Shakeitbeforeusing。”saidtheDoctor；“andthesooneryoumakeupyourmindtospeakrightout，thebetteritwillbeforyourdigestion。”
“Oh，Mr。Peckham！Walkin，Mr。Peckham！Nobodysickupattheschool，Ihope？“
“Thehaalthoftheschoolisfust-rate。”repliedMr。Peckham。“Thesitooationisuncommonlyfavorabletosaloobrity。”TheselastwordswerefromtheAnnualReportofthepastyear。“Providencehassparedourfemaleyouthinaremarkablemeasure。I’vecomewithreferencetoanotherconsideration。Dr。Kittredge，isthereanyketchin’
complaintgoin’aboutinthevillage？“
“Well，yes。”saidtheDoctor，“Ishouldsaytherewassomethingofthatsort。Measles。Mumps。AndSin，——that’salwayscatching。”
TheoldDoctor’seyetwinkled；onceinawhilehehadhislittletouchofhumor。
SilasPeckhamslantedhiseyeupsuspiciouslyattheDoctor，asifhewasgettingsomekindofadvantageoverhim。Thatisthewaypeopleofhisconstitutionareapttotakeabitofpleasantry。