YouthinkImighthavegotitoutofBoyne？PerhapsImight，butyouknowIhavemylittlescruples。Idon’tthinkitwouldhequitefair，orquitenice。"
　　"Youarescrupulous。AndIgiveyoucreditforhavingbeenmoredelicatethanI’vebeen。"
　　"Youdon’tmeanyou’vebeentryingtofinditout！"
　　"Ah，nowI’mnotsureaboutthesuperiordelicacy！"
　　"Oh，howgood！"saidMissRasmith。"Whatapityyoushouldbewastedinacallingthatlimitsyousomuch。"
　　"Youcallitlimiting？Ididn’tknowbutIhadgonetoofar。"
　　"Notatall！Youknowthere’snothingIlikesomuchasthoselittledigs。"
　　"Ihadforgotten。Thenyouwon’tmindmysayingthatthissurveillanceseemstomerathermorethanIhaveanyrighttofromyou。"
　　"Howexquisitelyyouputit！Whoelsecouldhavetoldmetomindmyownbusinesssodelightfully？Well，itisn’tmybusiness。Iacknowledgethat，andIspokeonlybecauseIknewyouwouldbesorryifyouhadgonetoofar。Irememberedourpromisetobefriends。"
　　Shethrewatouchofrealfeelingintohertone，andheresponded，"Yes，andIthankyouforit，thoughitisn’teasy。"
　　Sheputoutherhandtohim，and，ashequestioninglytookit，shepressedhiswithanimation。"Ofcourseitisn’t！Oritwouldn’tbeforanyotherman。Butdon’tyousupposeIappreciatethatsupremecourageofyours？Thereisnobodyelse-nobody！——whocouldstanduptoanimpertinenceandturnittopraisebysuchhumility。"
　　"Don’tgotoofar，orIshallbeturningyourpraisetoimpertinencebymyhumility。You’requiteright，though，aboutthemainmatter。I
　　needn’tsupposeanythingsopreposterousasyousuggest，tofeelthatpeoplearebestleftalonetooutlivetheirtroubles，unlesstheyareofthemostobviouskind。"
　　"Now，ifIthoughtIhaddoneanythingtostopyoufromofferingthatsortofhelpfulnesswhichmakesyouablessingtoeverybody，Ishouldneverforgivemyself。"
　　"Nothingsodireasthat，Ibelieve。Butifyou’vemademequestiontheproprietyofapplyingtheblessinginallcases，youhavedoneaverygoodthing。"
　　MissRasmithwassilentandapparentlyserious。Afteramomentshesaid，"AndI，formypart，promisetoletpoorlittleBoynealone。"
　　Breckonlaughed。"Don’tburlesqueit！Besides，Ihaven’tpromisedanything。"
　　"Thatisverytrue，"saidMissRasmith，andshelaughed，too。
　　XVI。
　　Inoneofthosedramaticreverieswhichweallholdwithourselveswhenfortunehaspressinglyplacedus，EllenKentonhadimagineditpossibleforhertotellherstorytothemanwhohadsogentlyandtrulytriedtobeherfriend。Itwasmostlyinthewayofexplainingtohimhowshewasunworthyofhisfriendshipthatthestorywastold，andshefanciedtellingitwithoutbeingscandalizedatviolatingtheconventionsthatshouldhavekeptherfromevendreamingofsuchathing。Itwasallexaltedtoaplanewheretherewasnoquestionoffitorunfitindoingit，butonlytheoccasion；andhewouldneverhearoftheunworthinesswhichshewishedtoascribetoherself。Sometimeshemournfullyleftherwhenshepersisted，leftherforever，andsometimesherefused，andretainedwithherinasublimekindness，anobleamity，loftyandserene，whichdidnotseektobecomeanythingelse。Inthiscaseshewouldbreakfromherreverieswithself-accusingcries，underherbreath，of"Silly，silly！Oh，howdisgusting！"andifatthatmomentBreckonwerereallycominguptositbyher，shewouldblushtoherhair，andwishtorunaway，andfailingtheforceforthis，wouldsitcoldandblanktohiscivilities，andhavetobeskilfullyandgraduallytalkedbacktoself-
　　respectandself-tolerance。
　　TherecurrenceofthesereveriesandtheirconsequenceinhermadeitdifficultforhimtoputineffectthepromisehehadgivenhimselfinMissRasmith’spresence。IfEllenhadbeeneagertowelcomehiscoming，itwouldhavebeenverysimpletokeepawayfromher，butassheappearedanxioustoescapehim，andhadtobeentreated，asitwere，tosufferhissociety，somethingbetterthanhiscuriositywaspiqued，thoughthatwaspiqued，too。Hebelievedthathesawherlapsingagainintothatmorbidstatefromwhichhehadseemedonceabletosaveher，andhecouldnothelptryingagain。HewasthemoreboundtodosobytheironicalobservanceofMissRasmith，whohadtobedefiedfirst，andthenpropitiated；certainly，whenshesawhimapparentlybreakingfaithwithher，shehadarighttosomesortofexplanation，butcertainlyalsoshehadnorighttoablindandunreasoningsubmissionfromhim。HisembarrassmentwasheightenedbyherinterestinMissKenton，whom，withanadmirableshowofnowfindinghersafefromBreckon’sattractions，shewasalwayswishingtostudyfromhisobservation。Whatwasshereallylike？Thegirlhadaperfectfascinationforher；sheenviedhimhisopportunitiesofknowingher，andhisprivilegesofmakingthatmelancholyfacelightupwiththatheart-breakingsmile，andofbanishingthatdeliciousshynesswithwhichshealwaysseemedtomeethim。MissRasmithhadnoticedit；howcouldshehelpnoticingit？
　　Breckonwishedtohimselfthatshehadbeenabletohelpnoticingit，orweremorecapableofmindingherownbusinessthansheshowedherself，andhisheartclosedaboutEllenwithatendernessthatwasdangerouslyindignant。AtthesametimehefelthimselfwithheldbyMissRasmith’switnessfrombeingalltothegirlthathewishedtobe，andthathenowseemedtohavebeeninthosefirstdaysofstorm，whileMissRasmithandhermotherwerestillkeepingtheircabin。HeforesawthatitwouldendinMissRasmith’ssympatheticnaturenotbeingabletowithholditselffromEllen’sneedofcheerfulcompanionship，andhewassurprised，aslittleashewaspleased，onemorning，whenhecametotakethechairbesidehertofindMissRasmithinit，talkingandlaughingtothegirl，whoperverselyshowedherselfamused。MissRasmithmadeasiftoofferhimtheseat，buthehadtogoawaydisappointed，afterstandinglongenoughbeforethemtobeawarethattheyweresuspendingsometopicwhilehestayed。
　　Henaturallysupposedthetopictobehimself，butitwasnotso，oratleastnotdirectlyso。ItwasonlyhimselfasrelatedtothescoldinghehadgivenMissRasmithfortriflingwiththeinnocenceofBoyne，whichshewishedMissKentontounderstandastheeffectofarealaffectionforherbrother。Shelovedallboys，andBoynewassimplythemostdelightfulcreatureintheworld。Shewentontoexplainhowdelightfulhewas，andshowedasuchanappreciationoftheinfantilesweetnessmingledwiththematureseverityofBoyne’scharacterthatEllencouldnothelpbeingpleasedandwon。ShetoldsomelittlestoriesofBoynethatthrewalightalsotheirhomelifeinTuskingum，andMissRasmithdeclaredherselfperfectlyfascinated，andwishedthatshecouldgoandliveinTuskingum。Sheprotestedthatsheshouldnotfinditdull；Boynealonewouldbeentertainmentenough；andshefiguredacircumstancesoidyllicfromthehintsshehadgathered，thatEllen’sbrowdarkenedinsilentdenial，andMissRasmithfeltherself，asthechildrensayinthegame，veryhotinherproximitytothegirl’ssecret。Shewouldhavelikedtoknowit，butwhethershefeltthatshecouldknowitwhenshelikedenough，orwhethersheshouldnotbesosafewithBreckoninknowingit，sheveeredsuddenlyaway，andsaidthatshewassogladtohaveBoyne’sfamilyknowthepeculiarnatureofherdevotion，whichdidnotnecessarilymeanrunningawaywithhim，thoughitmightcometothat。
　　ShesupposedshewasalittlemorbidaboutitfromwhatMr。Breckonhadbeensaying；hehadaconsciencethatwouldbreakthepeaceofawholecommunity，thoughhewasthegreatestpossiblefavorite，notonlywithhisowncongregation，whichsimplyworshippedhim，butwiththebestsociety，wherehewasinconstantrequest。
　　Itwasnotherfaultifshedidnotoverdothesehistory，butperhapsitwasalltrueaboutthenumberofgirlswhowerereadyandwillingtomarryhim。Itmightevenbetrue，thoughshehadnodirectauthorityforsayingit，thathehadmadeuphismindnevertomarry，andthatwasthereasonwhyhefelthimselfsosafeinbeingthenicestsortoffriend。
　　Hewassafe，MissRasmithphilosophized，butwhetherotherpeopleweresosafewasadifferentquestion。Thereweregirlswhoweresaidtobedyingforhim；butofcoursethosethingswerealwayssaidaboutahandsomeyoungminister。Shehadfranklytakenhimonhisownground，fromthebeginning，andshebelievedthatthiswaswhatheliked。Atanyrate，theyhadagreedthattheywerenevertobeanythingbutthebestoffriends，andtheyalwayshadbeen。
　　Mrs。KentoncameandshylytookthechaironMissRasmith’sotherside，andMissRasmithsaidtheyhadbeentalkingaboutMr。Breckon，andsherepeatedwhatshehadbeensayingtoEllen。Mrs。KentonassentedmoreopenlythanEllencouldtoherpraises，butwhenshewentaway，andherdaughtersatpassive，withoutcommentorapparentinterest，themotherdrewalong，involuntarysigh。
　　"Doyoulikeher，Ellen？"
　　"Shetriestobepleasant，Ithink。"
　　"DoyouthinkshereallyknowsmuchaboutMr。Breckon？"
　　"Ohyes。Whynot？Shebelongstohischurch。"
　　"Hedoesn’tseemtomelikeapersonwhowouldhaveaparcelofgirlstaggingafterhim。"
　　"ThatiswhattheydointheEast，Boynesays。"
　　"IwishshewouldletBoynealone。Sheismakingafoolofthechild。
　　He’sroundwithhereverymoment。Ithinksheoughttobeashamed，suchanoldthing！"
　　Ellenchosetoprotest，orthoughtitfairtodoso。"Idon’tbelievesheisdoinghimanyharm。Shejustletshimtalkout，andeverybodyelsecheckshimupso。Itwasniceofhertocomeandtalkwithme，whenwehadallbeenkeepingawayfromher。Perhapshesenther，though。Shesaystheyhavealwaysbeensuchgoodfriendsbecauseshewouldn’tbeanythingelsefromthebeginning。"
　　"Idon’tseewhysheneedhavetoldyouthat。"
　　"Oh，itwasjusttoshowhewasrunafter。Iwonderifhethinkswearerunningafterhim？Momma，Iamtiredofhim！Iwishhewouldn’tspeaktomeanymore。"
　　"Why！doyoureallydislikehim，Ellen？"
　　"No，notdislikehim。Butittiresmetohavehimtryingtoamuseme。
　　Don’tyouunderstand？"
　　Mrs。Kentonsaidyes，sheunderstood，butshewasclearonlyofthefactthatEllenseemedflushedandweakatthatmoment。ShebelievedthatitwasMissRasmithandnotMr。Breckonwhowastoblame，butshesaid:
　　"Well，youneedn’tworryaboutitlong。ItwillonlybeadayortwonowtillwegettoBoulogne，andthenhewillleaveus。Hadn’tyoubettergodownnow，andrestawhileinyourberth？Iwillbringyourthings。"
　　Ellenrose，pullingherwrapsfromherskirtstogivethemtohermother。
　　Avoicefrombehindsaidbetweentheirmeetingshoulders:"Oh，areyougoingdown？IwasjustcomingtobegMissKentontotakealittlewalkwithme，"andtheylookedroundtogetherandmetBreckon’ssmilingface。
　　"I’mafraid，"Mrs。Kentonbegan，andthen，likeawell-trainedAmericanmother，shestoppedandlefttheaffairtoherdaughter。
　　"Doyouthinkyoucangetdownwiththem，momma？"thegirlasked，andsomehowhermother’sheartwaslightenedbyherevasion，nottocallituncandor。Itwasatleastnotmorbid，itwasatleastlikeothergirls，andMrs。Kentonimpartedwhatcomforttherewasinittothejudge，whenheaskedwhereshehadleftEllen。
　　"Notthatit’sanyuse，"shesighed，whenshehadseenhimshareitwithacertainshamefacedness。"Thatwomanhasgothergriponhim，andshedoesn’tmeantoletgo。"
　　KentonunderstoodMissRasmithbythatwoman；buthewouldnotallowhimselftobesoeasilycastdown。ThiswasoneofthethingsthatprovokedMrs。Kentonwithhim；whenhehadoncetakenhopehewouldnotabandonitwithoutreason。"Idon’tseeanyevidenceofherhavinghergriponhim。I’venoticedhim，andhedoesn’tseemattentivetoher。
　　Ishouldsayhetriedtoavoidher。Hecertainlydoesn’tavoidEllen。"
　　"Whatareyouthinkingof，Rufus？"
　　"Whatareyou？Youknowwe’dbothbegladifhefanciedher。"
　　"Well，supposewewould？Idon’tdenyit。HeisoneofthemostagreeablegentlemenIeversaw；oneofthekindestandnicest。"
　　"He’smorethanthat，"saidthejudge。"I’vebeensoundinghimonvariouspoints，andIdon’tseewherehe’swrong。Ofcourse，Idon’tknowmuchabouthisreligiouspersuasion，ifitisone，butIthinkI’maprettyfairjudgeofcharacter，andthatyoungmanhascharacter。Heisn’talightperson，thoughhelikesjokingandlaughing，andheappreciatesEllen。"
　　"Yes，sodowe。Andthere’saboutasmuchprospectofhismarryingher。
　　Rufus，it’sprettyhard！She’sjustinthemoodtobetakenwithhim，butshewon’tletherself，becausesheknowsit’sofnouse。ThatMissRasmithhasbeentellingherhowmuchheisrunafter，andIcouldseethatthatsettleditforEllenasplainlyasifshesaidso。Moreplainly，forthere’senoughofthegirlinhertomakehersayonethingwhenshemeansanother。Shewasjustsayingshewassickofhim，andneverwantedtospeaktohimagain，whenhecameupandaskedhertowalk，andshewentwithhiminstantly。Iknewwhatshemeant。Shewasn’tgoingtolethimsupposethatanythingMissRasmithhadsaidwasgoingtochangeher。"
　　"Well，then，"saidthejudge，"Idon’tseewhatyou’rescaredat。"
　　I’mnotSCARED。But，oh，Rufus！Itcan’tcometoanything！Thereisn’ttime！"Anhystericalhopetrembledinherasseverationofdespairthatmadehimsmile。
　　"Iguessiftime’sallthat’swanted——"
　　"HeisgoingtogetoffatBoulogne。"
　　"Well，wecangetoffthere，too。"
　　"Rufus，ifyoudaretothinkofsuchathing！"
　　"Idon’t。ButEuropeisn’tsobigbutwhathecanfindusagainifhewantsto。"
　　"Ah，ifhewantsto！"
　　Ellenseemedtohavelethermothertakeherlanguorbelowalongwiththeshawlsshehadgivenher。Buttonedintoaclosejacket，andskirtedshortforthesea，shepushedagainstthebreezeatBreckon’selbowwithavigorthatmadehimlookhissurpriseather。Girl-like，shetookitthatsomethingwaswrongwithherdress，andranherselfoverwithanuneasyeye。
　　Thenheexplained:"IwasjustthinkinghowmuchyouwerelikeMissLottie-ifyou’llexcusemybeingsopersonal。Anditneverstruckmebefore。"
　　"Ididn’tsupposewelookedalike，"saidEllen。
　　"No，certainly。Ishouldn’thavetakenyouforsisters。Andyet，justnow，Ifeltthatyouwerelikeher。Youseemsomuchstrongerthismorning——perhapsit’sthatthevoyageisdoingyougood。Shallyoubesorrytohaveitend？"
　　"Shallyou？That’sthewayLottiewouldanswer。"
　　Breckonlaughed。"Yes，itis。Ishallbeverysorry。Ishouldbewillingtohaveitroughagain，itthatwouldmakeitlonger。Ilikedit’sbeingrough。Wehadittoourselves。"Hehadnotthoughthowthatsounded，butifitsoundedparticular，shedidnotnoticeit。
　　Shemerelysaid，"Iwassurprisednottobeseasick，too。"
　　"Andshouldyoubewillingtohaveitroughagain？"
　　"Youwouldn’tseeanythingmoreofyourfriends，then。"
　　"Ah，yes；MissRasmith。Sheisagreattalker，Didyoufindherinteresting？"
　　"Shewasveryinteresting。"
　　"Yes？Whatdidshetalkabout？"
　　Ellenrealizedthefacttoolatetowithhold"Why，aboutyou。"
　　"Andwasthatwhatmadeherinteresting？"
　　"Now，whatwouldLottiesaytosuchathingasthat？"askedEllen，gayly。
　　"Somethingterriblycutting，I’mafraid。Butdon’tyou！FromyouI
　　don’twanttobelieveIdeserveit，nomatterwhatMissRasmithsaidme。"
　　"Oh，shedidn’tsayanythingverybad。Unlessyoumindbeingauniversalfavorite。"
　　"Well，itmakesamanoutrathersilly。"
　　"Butyoucan’thelpthat。"
　　"NowyouremindmeofMissLottieagain！"
　　"ButIdidn’tmeanthat，"saidEllen，blushingandlaughing。"Ihopeyouwouldn’tthinkIcouldbesopert。"
　　"Iwouldn’tthinkanythingthatwasn’ttoyourpraise，"saidBreckon，andapauseensued，afterwhichthewordsheaddedseemedtameandflat。
　　"IsuspectMissRasmithhasbeenidealizingthesituation。Atanyrate，Ishouldn’tadviseyoutotrustherreportimplicitly。I’mattheheadofasociety，youknow，ethicalorsociological，oraltruistic，whateveryouchoosetocallit，whichhasn’tanyverydefiniteobjectofworship，andyetmeetseverySundayforasortofworship；andIhavetobeinthepulpit。Soyousee？"
　　Ellensaid，"IthinkIunderstand，"withatemptationtosmileattheruefulnessofhisappeal。
　　Breckonlaughedforher。"That’sthemischiefandtheabsurdityofit。
　　Butitisn’tsobadasitseems。They’rereallymostofthemhard-headedpeople；andthosethatarenotcouldn’tmakeafoolofamanthatnaturehadn’tbegunwith。Still，I’mnotverywellsatisfiedwithmyworkamongthem——thatis，I’mnotsatisfiedwithmyself。"Hewastalkingsoberlyenough，andhedidnotfindthatshewaslisteningtooseriously。"I’mgoingawaytoseewhetherIshallcomeback。"Helookedathertomakesurethatshehadtakenhismeaning，andseemedsatisfiedthatshehad。
　　"I’mnotsurethatI’mfitforanysortofministry，andImayfindthewinterinEnglandtryingtofindout。IwasatschoolinEngland，youknow。"
　　Ellenconfessedthatshehadnotknownthat。
　　"Yes；Isupposethat’swhatmademeseem’soEnglishy’thefirstdaytoMissLottie，asshecalledit。ButI’mstraightenoughAmericanasfarasparentagegoes。DoyouthinkyouwillbeinEngland-later？"
　　"Idon’tknow。Ifpoppagetstoohomesickwewillgobackinthefall。"
　　"MissKenton，"saidtheyoungman，abruptly，"willyouletmetellyouhowmuchIadmireandrevereyourfather？"
　　Tearscameintohereyesandherthroatswelled。"Butyoudon’tknow，"
　　shebegun；andthenshestopped。
　　"Ihavebeenwantingtosubmitsomethingtohisjudgment；butI’vebeenafraid。Imightseemtobefishingforhisfavor。"
　　"Poppawouldn’tthinkanythingthatwasunjust，"saidEllen，gravely。
　　"Ah，"Breckonlaughed，"IsuspectthatIshouldratherhavehimunjust。
　　Iwishyou’dtellmewhathewouldthink。"
　　"ButIdon’tknowwhatitis，"sheprotested，withareflectedsmile。
　　"IwasinhopesMissRasmithmighthavetoldyou。Well，itissimplythis，andyouwillseethatI’mnotquitetheuniversalfavoriteshe’sbeenmakingyoufancyme。Thereisariftinmylute，aschisminmylittlesociety，whichissolittlethatIcouldnothavesupposedtherewasenoughofittobreakintwo。Therearesomewhothinktheirlecturer——forthat’swhatIamountto——oughttobeanolder，ifnotagraverman。Theyareintheminority，butthey’reintheright，I’mafraid；andthat’swhyIhappentobeheretellingyouallthis。It’saquestionofwhetherIoughttogobacktoNewYorkorstayinLondon，wherethere’sbeenafaintcallforme。"Hesawthegirllisteningdevoutly，withthatflatteredlookwhichaseriousgirlcannotkeepoutofherfacewhenamanconfidesaseriousmattertoher。"Imightsafelypromisetobeolder，butcouldIkeepmywordifIpromisedtobegraver？
　　That’sthepoint。IfIwereaCalvinistImightholdfastbyfaith，andfightitoutwiththat；orifIwereaCatholicIcouldcastmyselfuponthestrengthoftheChurch，andtriumphinspiteoftemperament。Thenitwouldn’tmatterwhetherIwasgraveorgay；itmightbeevenbetterifI
　　weregay。But，"hewenton，intermswhich，doubtless，werenotthenforthefirsttimeformulatedinhismind，"beingmerelytheleaderofasortofforlornhopeintheDivineGoodness，perhapsIhavenorighttobesocheerful。"
　　ThenoteofasadironyinhiswordsappealedtosuchindignationforhiminEllenassheneverfeltforherself。Butsheonlysaid，"Idon’tbelievePoppacouldtakethatinthewrongwayifyoutoldhim。"
　　Breckonstared。"Yesyourfather！Whatwouldhesay？"
　　"Ican’ttellyou。ButI’msurehewouldknowwhatyoumeant。"
　　"Andyou，"hepursued，"whatshouldYOUsay？"
　　"I？Ineverthoughtaboutsuchathing。Youmustn’taskme，ifyou’reserious；andifyou’renot——"
　　"ButIam；Iamdeeplyserious。Iwouldlike，toknowhowthecasestrikesyou。Ishallbesogratefulifyouwilltellme。"
　　"I’msorryIcan’t，Mr。Breckon。Whydon’tyouaskpoppa？"
　　"No，IseenowIsha’n’tbeable。Ifeeltoomuch，aftertellingyou，asifIhadbeenposing。Therealityhasgoneoutofitall。AndI’mashamed。"
　　"Youmustn’tbe，"shesaid，quietly；andsheadded，"Isupposeitwouldbelikeakindofdefeatifyoudidn’tgoback？"
　　"Ishouldn’tcarefortheappearanceofdefeat，"hesaid，courageously。
　　"Thegreatquestionis，whethersomebodyelsewouldn’tbeofmoreuseinmyplace。"
　　"Nobodycouldbe，"saidshe，inasortofimpassionedabsence，andthencomingtoherself，"Imean，theywouldn’tthinkso，Idon’tbelieve。"
　　"Thenyouadvise——"
　　"No，no！Ican’t；Idon’t。I’mnotfittohaveanopinionaboutsuchathing；itwouldbecrazy。Butpoppa——"
　　Theywereatthedoorofthegangway，andsheslippedwithinandlefthim。Hisnervestingled，andtherewasaglowinhisbreast。Itwassweettohavesurprisedthatpraisefromher，thoughhecouldnothavesaidwhyheshouldvaluethepraiseoragirlofheropenignoranceandinexperienceineverythingthatwouldhavequalifiedhertojudgehim。
　　Buthefoundhimselfvaluingitsupremely，andwonderinglywishingtobeworthyofit。
　　XVII。
　　Ellendiscoveredherfatherwithabookinadistantcornerofthedining-saloon，whichhepreferredtothedeckorthelibraryforhisreading，insuchintervalsasthestewards，layingandcleaningthetables，lefthimunmolestedinit。Sheadvancedprecipitatelyuponhim，andstoodbeforehiminanexcitementwhich，thoughheliftedhisdazedeyestoitfromhispage，hewasnotentirelyawareoftillafterwards。
　　Thenherealizedthathercheekswerefullofcolor，andhereyesoflight，andthatshepantedasifshehadbeenrunningwhenshespoke。
　　"Poppa，"shesaid，"thereissomethingthatMr。Breckonwantstospeaktoyou——toaskyouabout。Hehasaskedme，butIwantyoutoseehim，forI
　　thinkhehadbettertellyouhimself。"
　　Whilehestillstaredathershewasassuddenlygoneasshehadcome，andheremainedwithhisbook，whichthemeaninghadassuddenlyleft。
　　Therewasnomeaninginherwords，exceptasheputitintothem，andafterhehadgotitinhestruggledwithitinasortofperfunctoryincredulity。Itwasnotimpossible；itchieflyseemedsobecauseitseemedtoogoodtobetrue；andthemorehepondereditthemorepossible，ifnotprobable，itbecame。Hecouldnotbesafewithittillhehadsubmittedittohiswife；andhewenttoherwhilehewassureofrepeatingEllen’swordswithoutvaryingfromthemasyllable。
　　Tohisastonishment，Mrs。Kentonwasinstantlyconvinced。"Why，ofcourse，"shesaid，"itcan’tpossiblymeananythingelse。Whyshoulditbesoverysurprising？Thetimehasn’tbeenverylong，butthey’vebeentogetheralmosteverymoment；andhewastakenwithherfromtheverybeginning——Icouldseethat。Putonyourothercoat，"shesaid，asshedustedthecollarofthecoatthejudgewaswearing。"He’llbelookingyouup，atonce。Ican’tsaythatit’sunexpected，"andsheclaimedaprescienceinthematterwhichallherwordshadhithertodenied。
　　Kentondidnotnoticeherinconsistency。"IfitwerenotsoexactlywhatIwished，"hesaid，"Idon’tknowthatIshouldbesurprisedatitmyself。Sarah，ifIhadbeentryingtoimagineanyoneforEllen，I
　　couldn’thavedreamedofapersonbettersuitedtoherthanthisyoungman。He’severythingthatIcouldwishhimtobe。I’veseenthepleasureandcomfortshetookinhiswayfromthefirstmoment。Heseemedtomakeherforget——DoyousupposeshehasforgottenthatmiserablewretchDoyouthink——"
　　"Ifshehadn’t，couldshebelettinghimcometospeaktoyou？Idon’tbelievesheeverreallycaredforBittridge——ornotafterhebeganflirtingwithMrs。Uphill。"ShehadnoshrinkingfromthenameswhichKentonavoidedwithdisgust。"TheonlyquestionforyouistoconsiderwhatyoushallsaytoMr。Breckon。"
　　"Saytohim？Why，ofcourse，ifEllenhasmadeuphermind，there’sonlyonethingIcansay。"
　　"Indeedthereis！HeoughttoknowallaboutthatdisgustingBittridgebusiness，andyouhavegottotellhim。"
　　"Sarah，Icouldn’t。Itistoohumiliating。Howwoulditdotoreferhimto——Youcouldmanagethatpartsomuchbetter。Idon’tseehowIcouldkeepitfromseeminganindelicatebetrayalofthepoorchild——"
　　"Perhapsshe’stoldhimherself，"Mrs。Kentonprovisionallysuggested。
　　Thejudgeeagerlycaughtatthenotion。"Doyouthinkso？Itwouldbelikeher！Ellenwouldwishhimtoknoweverything。"
　　Hestopped，andhiswifecouldseethathewastremblingwithexcitement。
　　"Wemustfindout。IwillspeaktoEllen——"
　　"And——youdon’tthinkI’dbetterhavethetalkwithhimfirst？"
　　"Certainlynot！"
　　"Why，Rufus！Youwerenotgoingtolookhimup？"
　　"No，"hehesitated；butshecouldseethatsomesuchthinghadbeenonhismind。
　　"Surely，"shesaid，"youmustbecrazy！"Butshehadnotthehearttoblighthisjoywithsarcasm，andperhapsnosarcasmwouldhaveblightedit。
　　"ImerelywonderedwhatIhadbettersayincasehespoketomebeforeyousawEllen——that’sall。Sarah！Icouldn’thavebelievedthatanythingcouldpleasemesomuch。ButitdoesseemasifitweretheassuranceofEllen’shappiness；andshehasdeservedit，poorchild！Ifevertherewasadutifulandlovingdaughter——atleastbeforethatwretchedaffair——shewasone。"
　　"Shehasbeenagoodgirl，"Mrs。Kentonstoicallyadmitted。
　　"Andtheyareverywellmatched。Ellenisacultivatedwoman。Henevercouldhavecausetoblushforher，eitherhermindorhermanners，inanycircleofsociety；shewoulddohimcreditunderanyandallcircumstances。IfitwereLottie——"
　　"Lottieisallright，"saidhermother，inresentmentofhispreference；
　　butshecouldnothelpsmilingatit。"Don’tyoubefoolishaboutEllen。
　　IapproveofMr。Breckonasmuchasyoudo。Butit’sherprettinessandsweetnessthat’stakenhisfancy，andnotherwisdom，ifshe’sgothim。"
　　"Ifshe’sgothim？"
　　"Well，youknowwhatImean。I’mnotsayingshehasn’t。Dearknows，I
　　don’twantto！Ifeeljustasyoudoaboutit。Ithinkit’sthegreatestpieceofgoodfortune，comingontopofallourtroublewithher。Icouldn’thaveimaginedsuchathing。"
　　Hewasinstantlyappeased。"AreyougoingtospeakwithEllen"heradiantlyinquired。
　　"Iwillsee。There’snoespecialhurry，isthere？"
　　"Only，ifheshouldhappentomeetme——"
　　"Youcankeepoutofhisway，Ireckon。OrYoucanputhimoff，somehow。"
　　"Yes，"Kentonreturned，doubtfully。"Don’t，"headded，"betoobluntwithEllen。Youknowshedidn’tsayanythingexplicittome。"
　　"IthinkIwillknowhowtomanage，Mr。Kenton。"
　　"Yes，ofcourse，Sarah。I’mnotsayingthat。"
　　Breckondidnotapparentlytrytofindthejudgebeforelunch，andattablehedidnotseemespeciallydevotedtoElleninherfather’sjealouseyes。HejokedLottie，andexchangedthosepassagesorreparteewithherinwhichshedidnotmindusingabludgeonwhenshehadnotarapierathand；itisdoubtfulifshewasverysensibleofthedifference。Ellensatbyinpassivecontent，smilingnowandthen，andBoynecarriedonadignifiedconversationwithMr。Pogis，whomhehadaskedtolunchathistable，andwholistenedwithoneeartothevigorousretortsofLottieinhercombatwithBreckon。
　　Thejudgewitnesseditallwithagravedispleasure，moreandmorepainfullyapparenttohiswife。Shecouldseetheimpatience，thegatheringmisgiving，inhisface，andsheperceivedthatshemustnotletthiscometoconsciousdissatisfactionwithBreckon；sheknewherhusbandcapableofindignationwithtriflingwhichwouldcomplicatethesituation，ifitcametothat。ShedecidedtospeakwithEllenassoonaspossible，andshemeanttofollowhertoherstate-roomwhentheyleftthetable。Butfateassortedthepiecesinthegamedifferently。BoynewalkedovertotheplacewhereMissRasmithwassittingwithhermother；
　　LottieandMr。Pogiswentofftopractiseduetstogether，terrible，four——
　　handedtormentsunderwhichthepianopresentlyclamored；andEllenstoodforamomenttalkedtobyMr。Breckon，whochallengedherthenforawalkondeck，andwithwhomshewentawaysmiling。
　　Mrs。Kentonappealedwiththereflectionofthegirl’shappinessinherfacetothefrowningcensureinherhusband’s；butKentonspokefirst。
　　"Whatdoeshemean？"hedemanded，darkly。"Ifheismakingafoolofherhe’llfindthatthatgamecan’tbeplayedtwice，withimpunity。
　　Sarah，IbelieveIshouldchokehim。"
　　"Mr。Kenton！"shegasped，andshetrembledinfearofhim，evenwhileshekeptherselfwithdifficultyfromshakinghimforhisfolly。"Don’tsaysuchathing！Can’tyouseethattheywanttotalkitover？Ifhehasn’tspokentoyouit’sbecausehewantstoknowhowyoutookwhatshesaid。"Seeingtheeffectofthesearguments，shepursued:"Willyouneverhaveanysense？IwillspeaktoEllentheveryminuteIgetheralone，andyouhavejustgottowait。Don’tyousupposeit’shardforme，too？HaveIgotnothingtobear？"
　　Kentonwentsilentlybacktohisbook，whichhetookwithhimtothereading-room，wherefromtimetotimehiswifecametohimandreportedthatEllenandBreckonwerestillwalkingupanddowntogether，orthattheyweresittingdowntalking，orwereforward，lookingoverattheprow，orwerewatchingthedeck-passengersdancing。Herhusbandreceivedhersuccessiveadviceswithrelaxinginterest，andwhenshehadbroughtthelastshewasawarethattheaffairwasentirelyinherhandswithalltheresponsibility。AfterthegaypartingbetweenEllenandBreckon，whichtookplacelateintheafternoon，shesufferedanintervaltoelapsebeforeshefollowedthegirldowntoherstate-room。Shefoundherlyinginherberth，withshiningeyesandglad，redcheeks；shewassmilingtoherself。
　　"Thatisright，Ellen，"hermothersaid。"Youneedrestafteryourlongtramp。"
　　"I’mnottired。Weweresittingdownagooddeal。Ididn’tthinkhowlateitwas。I’meversomuchbetter。Where’sLottie？"
　　"OffsomewherewiththatyoungEnglishman，"saidMrs。Kenton，asifthatwereofnosortofconsequence。"Ellen，"sheadded，abruptly，tryingwithinatremuloussmiletohidehereagerness，"whatisthisthatMr。
　　Breckonwantstotalkwithyourfatherabout？"
　　"Mr。Breckon？Withpoppa？"
　　"Yes，certainly。YoutoldhimthismorningthatMr。Breckon——"
　　"Oh！Ohyes！"saidEllen，asifrecollectingsomethingthathadslippedhermind。"HewantspoppatoadvisehimwhethertogobacktohiscongregationinNewYorkornot。"
　　Mrs。Kentonsatinthecornerofthesofanextthedoor，lookingintothegirl’sfaceonthepillowasshelaywithherarmsunderherhead。Tearsofdefeatandshamecameintohereyes，andshecouldnotseethegirl’slightnonchalanceinadding:
　　"Buthehasn’tgotuphiscourageyet。Hethinkshe’llaskhimafterdinner。Hesayshedoesn’twantpoppatothinkhe’sposing。Idon’tknowwhathemeans。"
　　Mrs。Kentondidnotspeakatonce。Herbitterestmortificationwasnotforherself，butforthesimpleandtenderfather-soulwhichhadbeensotriedalready。Shedidnotknowhowhewouldbearit，thedisappointment，andthecruelhurttohispride。Butshewantedtofallonherkneesinthankfulnessthathehadbetrayedhimselfonlytoher。
　　Shestartedinsuddenalarmwiththethought。"Whereishenow——
　　Mr。Breckon？"
　　"He’sgonewithBoynedownintothebaggage-room。"
　　Mrs。Kentonsankbackinhercorner，awarenowthatshewouldnothavehadthestrengthtogotoherhusbandeventosavehimfromtheawfuldisgraceofgivinghimselfawaytoBreckon。"Andwasthatall？"shefaltered。
　　"All？"
　　"Thathewantedtospeaktoyourfatherabout？"
　　Shemustmakeirrefragablysure，forKenton’ssake，thatshewasnotmisunderstanding。
　　"Why，ofcourse！Whatelse？Why，momma！whatareyoucryingabout？"
　　"I’mnotcrying，child。Justsomefoolishnessofyourfather’s。Heunderstood——hethought——"Mrs。Kentonbegantolaughhysterically。"Butyouknowhowridiculousheis；andhesupposed——No，Iwon’ttellyou！"
　　Itwasnotnecessary。Thegirl’smind，perhapsbecauseitwasimbuedalreadywiththesubject，hadpossesseditselfofwhatfilledhermother’s。Shedroppedfromtheelbowonwhichshehadliftedherself，andturnedherfaceintothepillow，withalongwailofshame。
　　XVIII。
　　Mrs。Kenton’sdifficultiesinsettingherhusbandrightwereindefinitelyheightenedbythesuspicionthatthemostunsuspiciousofmenfellintoconcerningBreckon。DidBreckonsupposethatthemattercouldbeturnedoffinthatway？hestupidlydemanded；andwhenhewasextricatedfromthiserrorbyhiswife’srepresentationthatBreckonhadnotchangedatall，buthadnevertoldEllenthathewishedtospeakwithhimofanythingbuthisreturningtohissociety，Kentonstillcouldnotacceptthefact。HewouldhavecontendedthatatleasttheothermattermusthavebeeninBreckon’smind；andwhenhewasbeatenfromthisposition，andconvincedthatthemeaningtheyhadtakenfromEllen’swordshadneverbeeninanymindbuttheirown，hefellintohumiliationsoabjectthathecouldhideitonlybythehauteurwithwhichhecarriedhimselftowardsBreckonwhentheymetatdinner。Hewouldscarcelyspeaktotheyoungman；Ellendidnotcometothetable；LottieandBoyneandtheirfriendMr。PogiswerediningwiththeRasmiths，andMrs。Kentonhadtobe，asshefelt，cringinglykindtoBreckoninexplainingjustthesortoftemporaryheadachethatkepthereldestdaughteraway。Hewasmorethanordinarilysympatheticandpolite，buthewasmanifestlybewilderedbyKenton’sbehavior。HerefusedanhilariousinvitationfromMrs。
　　Rasmith，whenherosefromtable，tostopandhavehiscoffeewithheronhiswayoutofthesaloon。HisoldadorerexplainedthatshehadorderedasmallbottleofchampagneinhonorofitsbeingthenightbeforetheyweretogetintoBoulogne，andthatheoughttositdownandhelpherkeeptheyoungpeoplestraight。Julia，shebrokenlysyllabled，withthegaybeveragebubblingbackintoherthroat，wasnottheleastuse；shewasworsethanany。Juliadidnotlookit，inthedemureregardwhichshebentuponheramusingmother，andBreckonpersistedinrefusing。HesaidhethoughthemightsafelyleavethemtoBoyne，andMrs。Rasmithsaidintoherhandkerchief，"Ohyes！Boyne！"andpressedBoyne’ssleevewithherknobbedandjewelledfingers。
　　Itwasevidentwheremostofthesmallbottlehadgone，butBreckonwasnonethecheerfullerforthespectacleofMrs。Rasmith。Hecouldnothaveamoment’sdoubtastothesortofworkhehadbeendoinginNewYorkifshewereaneffectofit，andheturnedhismindfromthesadcertaintybacktothemoreimportantinquiryastowhatoffencehiswishtoadvisewithJudgeKentoncouldhaveconveyed。Ellenhadtoldhimintheafternoonthatshehadspokenwithherfatheraboutit，andshehadnotintimatedanydispleasureorreluctanceonhim；butapparentlyhehaddecidednottosufferhimselftobeapproached。
　　Itmightbeaswell。BreckonhadnotbeenabletoconvincehimselfthathisproposaltoconsultJudgeKentonwasnotapose。HehadflashesofowningthatitwascontemplatedmerelyasameansofingratiatinghimselfwithEllen。Now，ashefoundhiswayupanddownamongtheemptysteamer-chairs，hewasaware，atthebottomofhisheart，ofnotcaringintheleastforJudgeKenton’srepellentbearing，exceptasitpossibly，orimpossibly，reflectedsomemoodofhers。Hecouldnotmakeouthernotcomingtodinner；theheadachewasclearlyanexcuse；forsomereasonshedidnotwishtoseehim，heargued，withtheegotismofhiscondition。
　　Thelogicofhisconclusionwasstrengthenedatbreakfastbyhercontinuedabsence；andthistimeMrs。Kentonmadenoapologiesforher。
　　Thejudgewasashadelesssevere；orelseBreckondidnotputhimselfsomuchinthewaytobewithheldashehadthenightbefore。BoyneandLottiecarriedonasortofmutedscrap，unrebukedbytheirmother，whoseemedtoomuchdistractedinsometacittroubletomindthem。FromtimetotimeBreckonfoundhereyesdwellinguponhimwonderingly，entreatingly；shedroppedthem，ifshecaughthis，andcolored。
　　IntheafternoonitwasearlyevidentthattheywereapproachingBoulogne。Thehatchwasopenedandthesailorsbegangettingupthebaggageofthepassengerswhoweregoingtodisembark。Itseemedalongtimeforeverybodytillthesteamergotin；thosegoingashoresatontheirhand-baggageforanhourbeforethetugcameuptotake，themoff。
　　Mr。Pogiswasamongthem；hehadbegunintheforenoontomarktheapproachingseparationbetweenLottieandhimselfbyintervalsofunmistakablewithdrawal。Anothergirlmighthavecared，butLottiedidnotcare，forherfailuretogetariseoutofhimbyhermockinglyvaried"Oh，Isay！"and"Well，rather！"InthegrowthofhisdignifiedreserveMr。Pogiswasindifferenttojeers。Bywhatevertraditionofwhatwouldorwouldnotdohewascontrolledinrelinquishingheracquaintance，orwhetheritwasinobediencetosomeimperativeideal，orsomefearfuldomesticinfluencesubtlymakingitselffeltfromthecoastsofhisnativeisland，orsomefinedespairofequallingtheimaginedgrandeurofLottie’ssocialstateinTuskingumbyanythinghecouldshowherinEngland，itwascertainthathewasendingwithLottiethenandthere。AtthesametimehewascarefullydefininghimselffromtheRasmiths，withwhomhemustland。Hehadhisstate-roomthingsputatanappreciabledistance，wherehedidnotescapeafinalstabfromLottie。
　　"Oh，dogivemearoseoutofthat，"sheentreated，intravestiedimploring，ashestoodlookingatawitheredbouquetwhichthestewardhadbroughtupwithhisrugs。
　　"I’mtakin’ithome，"heexplained，coldly。
　　"AndIwanttotakearosebacktoNewYork。Iwanttogiveittoafriendofminethere。"
　　Mr。Pogishesitated。Thenheasked，"Aman？""Well，rather！"saidLottie。
　　Heanswerednothing，butlookeddefinitivelydownattheflowersinhishand。
　　"Oh，Isay！"Lottieexulted。
　　BoyneremainedfixedinfealtytotheRasmiths，withwhomBreckonwasalsotalkingasMrs。Kentoncameupwiththejudge。SheexplainedhowsorryherdaughterEllenwasatnotbeingabletosaygoodbye；shewasstillnotatallwell；andtheladiesreceivedherexcuseswithpolitepatience。Mrs。RasmithsaidshedidnotknowwhattheyshoulddowithoutBoyne，andMissRasmithputherarmacrosshisshouldersandpulledhimuptoher，andimplored，"Oh，givehimtome，Mrs。Kenton！"
　　Boynestoleanashamedlookathismother，andhisfathersaid，withanunbendingtoBreckonwhichmusthavebeentheeffectofsevereexpostulationfromMrs。Kenton，"IsupposeyouandtheladieswillgotoParistogether。"
　　"Why，no，"Breckonsaid，andheadded，withmountingconfusion，"I——IhadarrangedtokeepontoRotterdam。Iwasgoingtomentionit。"
　　"KeepontoRotterdam！"Mrs。Rasmith’seyesexpressedthegreatestastonishment。
　　"Why，ofcourse，mother！"saidherdaughter。"Don’tyouknow？Boynetoldus。"
　　Boyne，aftertheirparting，seizedthefirstchanceofassuringhismotherthathehadnottoldMissRasmiththat，forhehadnotknownit，andhewentsofarinhercondemnationtowonderhowshecouldsaysuchathing。Hismothersaiditwasnotverynice，andthensuggestedthatperhapsshehadhearditfromsomeoneelse，andthoughtitwashe。SheacquittedhimofcomplicitywithMissRasmithinforbearingtocontradicther；anditseemedtoherafittingtimetofindoutfromBoynewhatshehonestlycouldabouttherelationoftheRasmithstoMr。Breckon。Itwasverylittlebeyondtheirsupposition，whicheveryoneelsehadshared，thathewasgoingtolandwiththematBoulogne，andhemusthavechangedhismindverysuddenly。BoynehadnotheardtheRasmithsspeakofit。
　　MissRasmithneverspokeofMr。Breckonatall；butsheseemedtowanttotalkofEllen；shewasalwaysaskingabouther，andwhatwasthematterwithher，andhowlongshehadbeensick。
　　"Boyne，"saidhismother，withapang，"youdidn’ttellheranythingaboutEllen？"
　　"Momma！"saidtheboy，insuchevidentabhorrenceoftheideathatsherestedtranquilconcerningit。ShepaidlittleattentiontowhatBoynetoldherotherwiseoftheRasmiths。HerownhorizonweresolimitedthatshecouldnothavebroughthometoherselfwithinthemthatwanderinglifetheRasmithsledfromclimatetoclimateandsensationtosensation，withnostaysolongastheannuallymadeinNewYork，wheretheysometimespassedmonthsenoughtoestablishthemselvesingivingandtakingteainacircleofkindrednomads。SheconjecturedasignorantlyasBoynehimselfthattheywereveryrich，anditwouldnothaveenlightenedhertoknowthatthemotherwasthewidowofaCaliforniapolitician，whomshehadmarriedinthesortofmiddleperiodfollowinguponherlessmortuarysurvivalofMissRasmith’sfather，whosenamewasnotRasmith。
　　WhatMrs。KentondivinedwasthattheyhadwantedtogetBreckon，andthatsofarasconcernedherowninterestinhimtheyhadwantedtogethimawayfromEllen。Inherinnermostself-confidencesshedidnotpermitherselfthenotionthatEllenhadanyrighttohim；butstillitwasarelieftohavethemofftheship，andtohavehimleft。Ofallthewitnessesofthefact，shealonedidnotfinditawkward。Breckonhimselffounditveryawkward。HedidnotwishtobewiththeRasmiths，buthefoundituncomfortablenotbeingwiththem，underthecircumstances，andhefollowedthemashoreintinglingreveriesofexplanationandapology。HehadcertainlymeanttogetoffatBoulogne，andwhenhehadsuddenlyandtardilymadeuphismindtokeepontoRotterdam，hehadmeanttotellthemassoonashehadthelabelsonhisbaggagechanged。Hehadnotmeanttotellthemwhyhehadchangedhismind，andhedidnottellthemnowinthesetinglingreveries。Hedidnotownthereasoninhissecretthoughts，foritnolongerseemedareason；itnolongerseemedacause。HeknewwhattheRasmithswouldthink；buthecouldeasilymakethatrightwithhisconscience，atleast，bypartingwiththeKentonsatRotterdam，andleavingthemtofindtheirunconductedwaytoanypointtheychosebeyond。Heseparatedhimselfuncomfortablyfromthemwhenthetenderhadputoffwithherpassengersandtheshiphadgotunderwayagain，andwenttothesmoking-room，whilethejudgereturnedtohisbookandMrs。KentonabandonedLottietoherowndevices，andtookBoyneasideforherapparentlyfruitlessinquiries。
　　Theywerenotreallysofruitlessbutthatattheendofthemshecouldgowithdueauthoritytolookupherhusband。Shegentlytookhisbookfromhimandshutitup。"Now，Mr。Kenton，"shebegan，"ifyoudon’tgorightstraightandfindMr。Breckonandtalkwithhim，I——Idon’tknowwhatIwilldo。Youmusttalktohim——"
　　"AboutEllen？"thejudgefrowned。
　　"No，certainlynot。Talkwithhimaboutanythingthatinterestsyou。Bepleasanttohim。Can’tyouseethathe’sgoingontoRotterdamonouraccount？"
　　"ThenIwishhewasn’t。There’snouseinit。"
　　"Nomatter！It’spoliteinhim，andIwantyoutoshowhimthatyouappreciateit。"
　　"Nowseehere，Sarah，"saidthejudge，"ifyouwanthimshownthatweappreciatehispolitenesswhydon’tyoudoityourself？"
　　"I？Becauseitwouldlookasifyouwereafraidto。Itwouldlookasifwemeantsomethingbyit。"
　　"Well，Iamafraid；andthat’sjustwhatI’mafraidof。Ideclare，myheartcomesintomymouthwheneverIthinkwhatanescapewehad。I
　　thinkofitwheneverIlookathim，andIcouldn’ttalktohimwithouthavingthatinmymindallthetime。No，womencanmanagethosethingsbetter。Ifyoubelieveheisgoingalongonouraccount，soastohelpusseeHolland，andtokeepusfromgettingintoscrapes，you’retheonetomakeituptohim。Idon’tcarewhatyousaytoshowhimourgratitude。Ireckonwewillgetintoallsortsoftroubleifwe’relefttoourselves。Butifyouthinkhe’sstayedbecausehewantstobewithEllen，and——"
　　"Oh，Idon’tKNOWwhatIthink！Andthat’ssillyIcan’ttalktohim。
　　I’mafraidit’llseemasifwewantedtoflatterhim，andgoodnessknowswedon’twantto。Or，yes，wedo！I’dgiveanythingifitwastrue。
　　Rufus，doyousupposehedidstayonheraccount？My，oh，my！IfI
　　couldonlythinkso！Wouldn’titbethebestthingintheworldforthepoorchild，andforallofus？IneversawanybodythatIlikedsomuch。
　　Butit’stoogoodtobetrue。"
　　"He’sanicefellow，butIdon’tthinkhe’sanytoogoodforEllen。"
　　"I’mnotsayingheis。Thegreatthingisthathe’sgoodenough，andgraciousknowswhatwillhappenifshemeetssomeotherworthlessfellow，andgetsbefooledwithhim！Orifshedoesn’ttakeafancytosomeone，andgoesbacktoTuskingumwithoutseeinganyoneelseshelikes，thereisthatawfulwretch，andwhenshehearswhatDickdidtohim——she’sjustwrong-headedenoughtotakeupwithhimagaintomakeamendstohim。Oh，dearoh，dear！IknowLottiewillletitouttoheryet！"
　　Thejudgebeganthreateningly，"YoutellLottiefromme——"
　　"What？"saidthegirlherself，whohadseenherfatherandmothertalkingtogetherinaremotecornerofthemusic-roomandhadstolenlight-footedlyuponthemjustatthismoment。
　　"Lottie，child，"saidhermother，undismayedatLottie’sarrivalinherlargeranxiety，"IwishyouwouldtryandbeagreeabletoMr。Breckon。
　　Nowthathe’sgoingonwithustoHolland，Idon’twanthimtothinkwe’reavoidinghim。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Oh，because。"
　　"BecauseyouwanttogethimforEllen？"
　　"Don’tbeimpudent，"saidherfather。"Youdoasyourmotherbidsyou。"
　　"BeagreeabletothatoldBreckon？IthinkIseemyself！I’dsoonerread！I’mgoingtogetabooknow。"Sheleftthemasabruptlyasshehadcomeuponthem，andranacrosstothebookcase，wheresheremainedtwosteppingandpeeringthroughtheglassdoorsattheliteraturewithin，inunaccustomedquestionconcerningit。
　　"She’sacase，"saidthejudge，lookingathernotonlywithrelenting，butwiththeprideinhersufficiencyforalltheexigenciesoflifewhichhecouldnotfeelinEllen。"Shecantakecareofherself。"
　　"Ohyes，"Mrs。Kentonsadlyassented，Idon’tthinkanybodywillevermakeafoolofLottie。"
　　"It’sagreatdealmorelikelytobetheotherway，"herfathersuggested。
　　"IthinkLottieisconscientious，"Mrs。Kentonprotested。"Shewouldn’treallyfoolwithaman。"
　　"No，she’sagoodgirl，"thejudgeowned。
　　"It’sgirlslikeEllenwhomakethetroubleandthecare。Theyaretoogood，andyouhavetothinksomeevilinthisworld。Well！"Sheroseandgaveherhusbandbackhisbook。
　　"DoyouknowwhereBoyneis？"
　　"No。DoyouwanthimtobepleasanttoMr。Breckon？"
　　"Somebodyhasgotto。ButitwouldberidiculousifnobodybutBoynewas。"
　　ShedidnotfindBoyne，afternoveryexhaustivesearch，andtheboywaslefttoformhisbearingtowardsBreckononthebehavioroftherestofhisfamily。Asthiscontinuedhelplesslyconstrainedbothinhisfatherandmother，andvoluntarilyrepellentinLottie，BoynedecideduponablendofconductwhichleftBreckoningreaterandgreaterdoubtofhiswisdominkeepingontoRotterdam。Therewasnogoodreasonwhichhewouldhavebeenwillingtogivehimself，fromthebeginning。Ithadbeenanimpulse，suddenlycominguponhiminthebaggage-roomwherehehadgonetogetsomethingoutofhistrunk，andwherehehaddecidedtohavethelabelofhisbaggagechangedfromtheoriginaldestinationatBoulognetothefinalportofthesteamer’sarrival。Whenthiswasoncedonehewassorry，buthewasashamedtohavethelabelchangedback。
　　ThemostassignablemotiveforhisactwashisreluctancetogoontoPariswiththeRasmiths，orratherwithMrs。Rasmith；forwithherdaughter，whowasnotabadfellow，onecouldalwaysmanage。HewasquiteawareofbeingsafelyinhisownhandsagainstanydesignofMrs。
　　Rasmith’s，buthermachinationshumiliatedhimforher；hehatedtoseehergoingthroughhermanoeuvres，andhecouldnothelpgrievingforherfailures，withasortofimpersonalsympathy，allthemorebecausehedislikedheraslittleasherespectedher。
　　Themotivewhichhedidnotassigntohimselfwasthatwhichprobablyprevailedwithhim，thoughinthelastanalysisitwasasselfish，nodoubt，astheoneheacknowledged。EllenKentonstillpiquedhiscuriosity，stilltouchedhiscompassion。Hehadsofarfromexhaustedhiswishorhispowertobefriendher，tohelpher，thathehadstillawhollyunsatisfiedlongingtoconsoleher，especiallywhenshedroopedintothatlistlessattitudeshewasapttotake，withherfacefallenandherhandsletlie，thebackofoneinthepalmoftheother，inherlap。
　　Itwaspossiblythevisionofthisfollowinghimtothebaggage-room，whenhewenttoopenhistrunk，thatasmuchasanythingdecidedhimtohavethelabelchangedonhisbaggage，buthedidnotownitthen，andstilllessdidheownitnow，whenhefoundhimselfquiteonhisownhandsforhispains。
　　HefeltthatforsomereasontheKentonswereallavoidinghim。Ellen，indeed，didnottakepart，againsthim，unlessnegatively，forshehadappearedneitheratlunchnoratdinnerasthevesselkeptonitswayafterleavingBoulogne；andwhenheventuredtoaskforherMrs。Kentonansweredwithembarrassmentthatshewasnotfeelingverywell。Heaskedforheratlunch，butnotatdinner，andwhenhehadfinishedthatmealhewentonthepromenade-deck，andwalkedforlornlyupanddown，feelingthathehadbeenafool。
　　Mrs。Kentonwentbelowtoherdaughter’sroom，andfoundEllenthereonthesofa，withherbookshutonherthumbattheplacewherethetwilighthadfailedher。
　　"Ellen，dear，"hermothersaid，"aren’tyoufeelingwell？"
　　"Yes，I’mwellenough，"saidthegirl，sensibleofaleadinginthequestion。"Why？"
　　"Oh，nothing。Only——onlyIcan’tmakeyourfatherbehavenaturallywithMr。Breckon。He’sgothismindsofullofthatmistakewebothcamesonearmakingthathecan’tthinkofanythingelse。He’ssosheepishaboutitthathecanhardlyspeaktohimorevenlookathim；andImustconfessthatIdon’tdomuchbetter。YouknowIdon’tliketoputmyselfforwardwhereyourfatheris，andifIdid，reallyIdon’tbelieveI
　　couldmakeupmymouthtosayanything。IdidwantLottietobenicetohim，butLottiedislikeshimso！AndevenBoyne——well，itwouldn’tmatteraboutBoyne，ifhedidn’tseemtobecarryingoutasortoffamilyplan——Boynebarelyanswershimwhenhespeakstohim。Idon’tknowwhathecanthink。"Ellenwasagoodlistener，andMrs。Kenton，havingbegun，didnotstoptillshehademptiedthebag。"Ijustknowthathedidn’tgetoffatBoulognebecausehewantedtostayonwithus，andthoughthecouldbeusefultousatTheHague，andeverywhere；andherewe’reactingasungratefully！Why，we’renotevencommonlypolitetohim，andIknowhefeelsit。Iknowthathe’shurt。"
　　Ellenroseandstoodbeforetheglass，intowhichheaskedofhermother’sreflectedface，whilesheknottedafallencoilofhairintoitsplace，"Whereishe？"
　　"Idon’tknow。Hewentondecksomewhere。"
　　Ellenputonherhatandpinnedit，andputonherjacketandbuttonedit。Thenshestartedtowardsthedoor。Hermothermadewayforher，faltering，"Whatareyougoingtodo，Ellen？"
　　"Iamgoingtodoright。"
　　"Don’t-catchcold！"hermothercalledafterherfigurevanishingdownthecorridor，butthewarningcouchedinthesetermshadreallynoreferencetotheweather。
　　Thegirl’simpulsewasoneofthoseeffectsoftheweakwillinherwhichwereapttoleavehershortofthefulfilmentofapurpose。Itcarriedherasherasthepromenade，whichshefoundempty，andshewentandleanedupontherail，andlookedoutoverthesorrowfulNorthSea，whichwaswashingdarklyawaytowardswherethegloomysunsethadbeen。
　　Stepsfromtheothersideoftheshipapproached，hesitatedtowardsher，andthenarrestedthemselves。Shelookedround。
　　"Why，MissKenton！"saidBreckon，stupidly。
　　"Thesunsetisover，isn’tit？"sheanswered。
　　"Thetwilightisn’t。"Breckonstopped；thenheasked，"Wouldn’tyouliketotakealittlewalk？"
　　"Yes，"sheanswered，andsmiledfullyuponhim。Hehadneverknownbeforehowradiantasmileshelead。
　　"Betterhavemyarm。It’sgettingratherdark。"
　　"Well。"Sheputherhandonhisarmandhefeltittremblethere，whileshepalpitated，"WeareallsogladyoucouldgoontoRotterdam。Mymotherwantedmetotellyou。"
　　"Oh，don’tspeakofthat，"saidBreckon，notveryappositely。Presentlyheforcedalaugh，inordertoadd，withlightness，"IwasafraidperhapsIhadgivenyouallsomereasontoregretit！"
　　Shesaid，"Iwasafraidyouwouldthinkthat——ormommawas——andI
　　couldn’tbeartohaveyou。"
　　"Well，then，Iwon’t。"
　　XIX。
　　Breckonhadansweredwithgayety，buthishappinesswassomethingbeyondgayety。HehadreallyfelttheexclusionfromtheKentonsinwhichhehadpassedtheday，andhehadfeltitthemorepainfullybecausehelikedthemall。ItmaybeownedthathelikedEllenbestfromthebeginning，andnowhelikedherbetterthanever，butevenintheday’sexilehehadnotceasedtolikeeachofthem。Theywere，intheirfamilyaffection，aslovableasthatsortofselfishnesscanmakepeople。Theywereveryunitedandgoodtooneanother。Lottieherself，exceptinhermostluridmoments，wasgoodtoherbrotherandsister，andalmostinvariablykindtoherparents。Shewouldnot，Breckonsaw，havebrookedmuchmeddlingwithherflirtationsfromthem，butastheydidnotoffertomeddle，shehadnooccasiontogrumbleonthatscore。ShegrumbledwhentheyaskedhertodothingsforEllen，butshedidthem，andthoughsheneverdidthemwithoutgrumbling，shesometimesdidthemwithoutbeingasked。ShewasreallyverywatchfulofEllenwhenitwouldleasthavebeenexpected，andsometimesshewassweet。SheneverwassweetwithBoyne，butshewasoftenhisfriend，thoughthisdidnotkeepherfromturninguponhimatthefirstchancetogivehimalittledig，oralargeone，forthatmatter。AsforBoyne，hewasamassofhelplesssweetness，thoughhedidnotknowit，andsometimestookhimselfforanicebergwhenhewasmerelyanice-creamofheroicmould。HewasashelplesslysweetwithLottieaswithanyone，andifhesufferedkeenlyfromhertreacheries，andseizedeveryoccasiontorepaytheminkind，itwasclearlyamatterofconsciencewithhim，andalwaysforthegood。
　　Theirfatherandmothertreatedtheirsquabblesverywisely，Breckonthought。Theyignoredthemasmuchaspossible，andtheyrecognizedthemwithoutattemptingtodothatjusticebetweenthemwhichwouldhaverankledinboththeirbreasts。
　　Toaspectatorwhohadbeencriticalatfirst，Mr。andMrs。KentonseemedanexemplaryfatherandmotherwithEllenaswellaswiththeirotherchildren。Itiseasytobeexemplarywithasickgirl，buttheyincreasinglyaffectedBreckonasexemplarywithEllen。Hefanciedthattheyacteduponeachotherbeneficiallytowardsher。Atfirsthehadforebodedsometiresomeboastingfromthefather’stenderness，andsomeweakindulgenceofthedaughter’swhimsfromhermother；buttherewaseitherneveranygroundforthis，orelseMrs。Kenton，inkeepingherhusbandfromboasting，hadbeenobligedinmereconsistencytosetaguarduponherownfondness。
　　Itwasnotthat。Ellen，hewasmoreandmoredecided，wouldhaveabusedtheweaknessofeither；iftherewasanythingmoreangelicthanherpatience，itwasherwishtobeacomforttothem，and，betweenthecapricesofherinvalidism，tobeaservice。ItwaspathetictoseeherrememberingtodothingsforthemwhichBoyneandLottiehadforgotten，orplainlyshirkeddoing，andtokeepthefactoutofsight。Shereallykeptitoutofsightwiththem，andifshedidnothideitfromsocloseanobserverasBreckon，thatwasmorehisfaultthanhers。Whenherfatherfirstlaunchedoutinherpraise，orthepraiseofherreading，theyoungmanhaddreadedarusticprig；yetshehadneverbeenaprig，butsimplygladofwhatbookshehadknown，andmeeklysubmissivetohisknowledgeifnothistaste。Heownedthatshehadarighttohertaste，whichhefoundalmostalwaysgood，andaccountedforasinstinctiveintheabsenceofanimaginablecultureinherimaginableambient。Sofarashehadglimpsesofthis，hefounditsodifferentfromanythinghehadknownthatthemodestadequacyofMrs。KentoninthepoliticalexperiencesofmodernEurope，aswellastheclearjudgmentsofKentonhimselfinmatterssometimesbeyondBreekonhimself，mystifiedhimnolessthanEllen’staste。
　　Evenwiththegrowthofhisrespectfortheirintelligenceandhisloveoftheirkindliness，hehadnotbeenabletokeepacertainpatronagefrommingling，anditwasnottilltheyevincednotonlyentireability，butanapparentwishtogetonwithouthisapproval，withouthisacquaintanceeven，thathehadconceivedajustsenseofthem。Thelikeisapttohappenwiththebestofus，whenwearealsothefinest，andBreckonwasnotsingularincomingtoadueconsciousnessofsomethingvaluableonlyinthehourofitsloss。Hedidnotknowthatthelosswasonlyapparent。Heknewthathehadmadeadistinctsacrificeforthesepeople，andthat，whenhehadpreparedhimselftobefriendthemlittleshortofself-devotion，theyshowedthemselvesindifferent，andalmostrepellent。Intherevulsionoffeeling，whenEllengavehimhermother’smessage，andfranklyofferedhimreparationonbehalfofherwholefamily，hemayhaveoverdonehisgratitude，buthedidnotoverdoittoherperception。TheywalkedupanddownthepromenadeoftheAmstel，inthewateryNorthSeamoon，whilebellsafterbellsnotedthehourunheeded，andwhentheypartedforthenightitwaswithaninvoluntarypressureofhands，fromwhichshesuddenlypulledhers，andrandownthecorridorofherstate-roomandLottie’s。
　　Hestoodwatchingthenarrowspaceinwhichshehadvanished，andthinkinghowgentleshewas，andhowshehadcontrivedsomehowtomakehimfeelthatnowitwasshewhohadbeenconsolinghim，andtryingtointeresthimandamusehim。Hehadnotrealizedthatbefore；hehadbeenusedtointerestingandamusingher，buthecouldnotresentit；hecouldnotresenttheimplicationofsuperiority，ifsuchathingwerepossible，whichherkindnessconveyed。ThequestionwithBreckonwaswhethershehadwalkedwithhimsolongbecauseshewished，inthehour，tomakeupasfullyaspossiblefortheday’sneglect，orbecauseshehadlikedtowalkupanddownwithhim。Itwasaquestionhefoundkeepingitselfpoignantly，yetpleasantly，inhismind，afterhehadgotintohisberthunderthesolidlyslumberousBoyne，andincliningnowtoonesolutionandnowtotheother，withadelicateoscillationthatwascharming。
　　TheAmsteltookhertimetogetintoRotterdam，andwhenherpassengershadgoneashorethenextforenoonthetrainthatcarriedBreckontoTheHagueinthesamecompartmentwiththeKentonswasinnogreaterhurry。
　　ItarrivedwithadeliberationwhichkeptitfromcarryingthemontoAmsterdambeforetheyknewit，andMrs。KentonhadtimetoplacesuchpartsofthewarsintheRiseoftheDutchRepublicasshecouldattachtothenamesofthestationsandthegeneralfeaturesofthelandscape。
　　Boynewasoccupiedwithimprovementsforthewindmillsandthecanal-
　　boats，whichdidnotseemtohimofthequalityoftheMichiganaerometers，orthecraftwithwhichhewasfamiliarontheHudsonRiverandonthecanalthatpassedthroughTuskingum。Lottie，withrespecttothecanals，offeredthefrankobservationthattheysmelt，andinrecognizingafactwhichtravelalmostuniversallyignoresinHolland，shewatchedherchanceofpoppingupthewindowbetweenherselfandBoyne，whichBoyneputdownwithmountingrage。Theagriculturewhichtriumphedeverywhereonthelittlehalf——acreplotsliftedfifteeninchesabovethewatersoftheenvironingditches，andtheblackandwhitecattleeverywhereattestingtheimmemorialDutchidealofacow，werewhatatfirstoccupiedKenton，andhewastardilywonfromthemtothequestionoffightingoveracountrylikethat。Itwasaconcessiontohiswife’simpassionedinterestintheoverthrowoftheSpaniardsinalandscapewhichhadevidentlynotchangedsince。ShesaiditwashardtorealizethatHollandwasnotstillarepublic，andshewasnotverypatientwithBreckon’sdefenceofthemonarchyonthegroundthattheyoungQueenwasaveryprettygirl。
　　"Andsheisonlysixteen，"Boyneurged。
　　"Thensheistwoyearstoooldforyou，"saidLottie。
　　"Nosuchthing！"Boyneretorted。"IwasfifteeninJune。"
　　"Dearme！Ishouldneverhavethoughtit，"saidhissister。
　　Ellenseemedhardlytolookoutofthewindowatanythingdirectly，butwhenherfatherbadeherseethisthingandthat，itseemedthatshehadseenitalready。Shesaidatlast，withaquietsigh，"Ineverwanttogoaway。"