Theyoungpeopleattheothersideofthecompartment，foreverwipingthewindowwiththenapkin，andstrainingtheireyestoseetheinvisible，divertedhisunsettledattention。
　　Anewperceptionofhowmuchhelikedthemandenjoyedhavingthemwithhim，tookholdofhisthoughts。
　　Ithadnotoccurredtohimbefore，withanydefiniteness，thathewouldbeinsupportablylonelywhenthetimecametopartwiththem。
　　Now，whenhedweltuponit，itmadehimfeelsadandold。
　　Hesaidtohimselfatonce，withdecision，thatthereneedbenopartingatall。Hewouldtakeahousewithoutdelay，andtheyshouldlivewithhim。
　　Hecouldnotdoubtthatthiswouldbeagreeabletothem；
　　itwouldsolveeveryproblemforhim。
　　Hisfancysketchedoutthenaturalandlegitimateextensionsofthisproject。Therewouldbe，firstofall，ahouseintown——afurnishedhouseofamodestsort，havingnopretensionsavetoprovideacheerfultemporaryshelterforthreepeoplewholikedoneanother。
　　Herethenewhouseholdwouldtakeshape，andgetitsrightnoteofcharacter。ApparentlyLouisawouldnotbeurgedtoformpartofthishousehold。Hesaidtohimselfwithfranknessthathedidn'twanther，andtherehadbeennothingtoindicatethatherchildrenwouldpineforher。
　　Sheshowedgoodsensewhenshesaidthatherplacewasintheshop，andinherancestralhomeovertheshop。
　　Nodoubttherewouldbeacertainawkwardness，visibletoothersifnottothemselves，aboutherlivinginonepartofLondonandherchildreninanother。
　　Butherealsohergoodsensewouldcomeon；——and，besides，thisfurnishedhouseintownwouldbeamerebriefoverturetotherealthing——thenoblecountrymansionhewasgoingtohave，withgardensandhorsesandhoundsandartificiallakesanddeerparksandeverything。
　　Quitewithintheyearhewouldbeabletorealizethisconsummationofhisdreams。
　　Howtheseniceyoungpeoplewouldrevelinsuchaplace——andhowtheywouldworshiphimforhavinggivenittothemforahome！Hisheartwarmedwithinhimashethoughtofthis。
　　HesmiledaffectionatelyatthepictureJuliamade，polishingtheglasswithvehementcircularmovementsofherslightarm，andthengrimacingincomicvexationatthedeadlyabsenceoflandscapeoutside。Wasthereeverasweeterormorelovablegirlinthisworld？Wouldtherehavetobesomeolderwomantomanagethehouse，atthebeginning？hewondered。Heshouldlikeitimmenselyifthatcouldbeavoided。Julialookedfragileandinexperienced——butshewouldbetwenty-onenextmonth。
　　Surelythatwasamatureenoughagefortheslightresponsibilityofpresidingoverservantswhoshouldbethebestthatmoneycouldbuy。Manygirlsweremarried，andgivenhouseholdsoftheirowntomanage，whentheywereevenyounger。
　　Thisreflectionraisedanobstacleagainstthesmooth-
　　flowingcurrentofhisthoughts。SupposingthatJuliagotthenotionofmarrying——howmiserablethatwouldmakeeverything。Verylikelyshewouldneverdoanysuchthing；hehadobservedinhernoshadowofasignthatathoughtofmatrimonyhadevercrossedherbrain。
　　Yetthatwasasubjectuponwhich，ofcourse，shecouldnotbeaskedtogivepledges，eventoherself。
　　Thorpetriedtotakealiberalviewofthismatter。
　　HearguedtohimselfthattherewouldbenoobjectionatalltoincorporatingJulia'shusbandintothehousehold，assumingthatshewenttothelengthoftakingone，andthathewasagoodfellow。Onthislatterpoint，itwasonlythebarestjusticetoJulia'stastesandjudgmenttotakeitforgrantedthathewouldbeagoodfellow。
　　Yettheunclefeltuneasilythatthiswouldalterthingsfortheworse。Thefamilyparty，withthathypotheticalyoungmaninit，couldneverbequitesoinnocentlyandcompletelyhappyas——forinstance——thefamilypartyinthiscompartmenthadbeenduringthesewonderfulthreemonths。
　　Mechanicallyherubbedthewindowbesidehim，andturnedtolookoutwithacertainfixedness——asifhemightchancetocatchaglimpseofthebridegroomwithwhomJuliawouldhaveitinherpowertodisturbtheserenityoftheirprospectivehome。Asteepwhitecliff，recedingsullenlyagainstthedimgreyskyline；afarmhousegrotesquelylowforitssize，crouchingunderbigshelvinggalleriesheapedwithsnow；anopeninginfront，totheright，wherevaguelythereseemedtobeavalleyintowhichtheywoulddescend——hesawthesethings。
　　Theyremainedinhismindafterwardasapartofsomethingelsethathesaw，withhismentalvision，atthesamemoment——astrikinglyrealandvividpresentmentofLadyCressage，attiredashehadseenherinthesaddle，herlighthairblownaboutalittleunderherhat，aspotofcolourintheexquisitecheek，thecold，impersonaldignityofaqueeninthebeautifulprofile。
　　Thepicturewassoactualfortheinstantthatheutteredaninvoluntaryexclamation——andthenlookedhastilyroundtoseewhetherhiscompanionshadheardit。Seeminglytheyhadnot；helolledagainuponthecomfortlesscushion，andstrovetoconjureuponcemoretheapparition。
　　Nothingsatisfactorycameoftheeffort。Uponconsideration，hegrewuncertainastowhetherhehadseenanythingatall。
　　Atthemostitwasakindofhalf-dreamwhichhadvisitedhim。
　　Heyawnedatthethought，andlightedafreshcigar。
　　Allatonce，hismindhadbecometooindolenttodoanymorethinking。Ashapelessimpressionthattherewouldbeagoodmanythingstothinkoverlateronflittedintohisbrainandoutagain。
　　"Well，howarethemountainsusingyou，now？"hecalledouttohisniece。
　　"Oh，Icouldshakethem！"shedeclared。"Listentothis：
　　'Aviewofsingularbeauty，embracingthegreaterpartoftheLakeofGeneva，andthesurroundingmountains，issuddenlydisclosed。'That'swherewearenow——orwereaminuteago。Youcanseethatthereissomesortofvalleyinfrontofus——butthatisall。IfIcouldonlyseeonemountainwithsnowonit——"
　　"Why，it'sallmountainsandallsnow，whenyoucometothat，"Thorpeinsisted，withjocoseperversity。
　　"You'reonmountainsyourself，allthetime。"
　　"YouknowwhatImean，"sheretorted。"Iwanttoseesomethinglikethecolouredpicturesinthehotels。"
　　"Oh，probablyitwillbebrightsunlighttomorrow，"
　　hesaid，forperhapsthetwentiethtimethatday。
　　"There——thatlookslikewater！"saidAlfred。
　　"See？justbeyondthevillage。Yes，itiswater。
　　There'syourLakeofGeneva，atallevents。"
　　"Butitisn'ttherightcolour，"protestedJulia，peeringthroughtheglass。"It'spreciselylikeeverythingelse：it'sofnocolouratall。Andtheyalwayspaintitsuchalovelyblue！Really，uncle，theSwissGovernmentoughttoreturnyouyourmoney。"
　　"Youwaittillyouseeittomorrow——ornextday，"
　　saidtheuncle，vaguely。Heclosedhiseyes，andwelcomedadrowsymood。Ashewentofftosleep，thejoltingracketofthetrainmelloweditselfintoamurmurof"tomorrowornextday，tomorrowornextday，"inhisears。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　FROMtheirwindows，highupandatthefrontofthebighotel，JulialookeddownupontheLakeofGeneva。
　　Shewasinsuchhastetobeholditthatshehadnotsomuchasunbuttonedhergloves；sheheldhermuffstillinherhand。Afteronebriefglance，shegroanedaloudwithvexation。
　　Beyondtheroadway，andthedesertedminiaturepierofTerritet，bothdishevelledundermeltingandmud-stainedsnow，therelayapatchofwater——motionless，inconspicuous，ofafadeddrabcolour——whichatsomesmalldistanceoutvaguelyceasedtolooklikewaterand，yetalittlefurtherout，becamepartandparcelofthedullgreymist。
　　Savefortheforlornmastsofacoupleoffishingboats，beachedundertheshelterofthepier，therewasnoproofinsightthatthiswasalakeatall。Itwasasuninspiringtotheeyeasapoolofdrippingsfromumbrellasinaporch。
　　Whileheruncleandbrotheroccupiedthemselveswiththeluggagebeingbroughtupbytheporters，sheopenedawindowandsteppedoutuponthetinybalcony。
　　AflaringsignontheinnerframeworkofthisbalconybesoughtherinSwiss-French，intheinterestsoforder，nottofeedthebirds。Theinjunctionseemedmeaninglesstoheruntilsheperceived，overbythewater，severalgullslazilywheelingabout。Theywerealmostasgreyasthefogtheycircledin。Suddenlytheyseemedtoperceiveherinturn，and，swervingsharply，camefloatingtowardthehotel，withharsh，almostmenacingcries。
　　Shehurriedin，andshutthewindowwithdecision。
　　Itseemedtoherthatthesmilewithwhich，assheturned，shewasabletomeetheruncle'slook，wasaproductoftrueheroism。
　　Apparentlythissmiledidnotaltogetherdeludehim。
　　"Oh，now，youmustn'tgetdownonyourluck，"
　　headjuredher。"We'regoingtobeawfullycozyhere。
　　Haveyouseenyourroom？It'sjustthere，inalittlealleytotherightofthedoor。Theysayithasanevenfinerviewthanthesewindows。Oh，youneedn'tlaugh——thisisthebestviewintheworld，I'mtoldbythosewhoknow。
　　Andasawinter-resort，why——"
　　"Isay，lookhere！"TheinterruptioncamefromAlfred，who，havinggoneoutononeofthebalconies，putinhisheadnowtosummonthem。"Comehere！Here'ssomefun。"
　　HepointedouttoThorpethemeaningoftheinscriptiononthesign，andthenpulledhimforwardtoobserveitspracticaldefiance。Ascoreofbiggullswereflappinganddodginginexcitedconfusionclosebeforethem，fillingtheirearswithapainfulclamour。Everynowandagain，oneofthebirds，recoveringitssensesinthehurly-burly，wouldmakeacurvingswoopdownwardpasttherowsofwindowsbelow，andtriumphantlycatchinitsbeaksomethingthathadbeenthrownintotheair。
　　Thorpe，leaningoverhisrailing，sawthataladyonabalconyonefloorbelow，andsomeyardstotheleft，wasfeedingthebirds。Shelaughedaloudasshedidso，andsaidsomethingoverhershouldertoacompanionwhowasnotvisible。
　　"Well，that'sprettycool，"heremarkedtohisniece，whohadcometostandbesidehim。"She'sgotthesamesigndowntherethatwe'vegot。Icanseeitfromhere。
　　Orperhapsshecan'treadFrench。"
　　"Orperhapssheisn'tfrightenedofthehotelpeople，"
　　suggestedthegirl。Sheadded，afteralittle，"IthinkI'llfeedthemmyselfinthemorning。Icertainlyshallifthesuncomesout——asasortofThanksgivingfestival，youknow。"
　　Heruncleseemednottohearher。Hehadbeenstruckbytheexceptionalgraceofthegestureswithwhichthepiecesofbreadwereflungforth。Thehandsandwristsofthisladywereverywhiteandshapely。Themovementswhichshemadewiththem，allunawareofobservationasshewas，andviewedasheviewedthemfromabove，weresingularlybeautifulintheirunconstraint。Itwasinitswaylikewatchingsomeremarkablefinedancing，hethought。
　　Hecouldnotseemuchofherface，fromhisperch，butshewastallandfashionablyclad。Therewasaloosecoveringofblacklacethrownoverherhead，butonce，assheturned，hecouldseethatherhairwasred。
　　Eveninthisfleetingglimpse，theunusualtintattractedhisattention：therewasabrilliancyasoffireinit。
　　Somehowitseemedtomakeaclaimuponhismemory。
　　Hecontinuedtostaredownatthestrangerwithanindefinablesensethatheknewsomethingabouther。
　　Suddenlyanotherfigureappeareduponthebalcony——andinaflashhecomprehendedeverything。Theseidiotic，fightinggluttonsofgullshadactuallypointedouttohimtheobjectofhissearch。ItwasLadyCressagewhostoodinthedoorway，therejustbelowhim——andhercompanion，thered-hairedladywholaughedhotel-rulestoscorn，wastheAmericanheiresswhohadcrossedtheoceaninhisship，andwhomhehadmetlateronatHadlow。
　　Whatwashername——Martin？No——Madden。Heconfrontedtheswiftimpressionthattherewassomethingoddaboutthesetwowomenbeingtogether。AtHadlowhehadimaginedthattheydidnotlikeeachother。Thenhereflectedasswiftlythatwomenprobablyhadtheirownrulesaboutsuchmatters。
　　Heseemedtohaveheard，orread，perhaps，thatfemaleslikedanddislikedeachotherwiththemostcapriciousalternationsandontheleasttangibleofgrounds。
　　Atallevents，heretheyweretogethernow。Thatwasquiteenough。
　　Thetwoladieshadgonein，andclosedtheirwindow。
　　Thesophisticatedbirds，withafewungratefulcroaksofremonstrance，haddriftedawayagaintothewater。
　　Hisniecehaddisappearedfromhiselbow。StillThorperemainedwithhisarmsfoldedontherailing，hiseyesfixedonthevacantbalcony，belowtotheleft。
　　Whenatlasthewentinside，theyoungpeoplewerewaitingforhimwiththeprojectofastrollbeforedinner。
　　Thelightwasfailing，buttherewasplentyoftime。
　　TheyhadascertainedthedirectioninwhichChillonlay；
　　aservanthadassuredthemthatitwasonlyafewminutes'
　　walk，andAlfredwasalmostcertainthathehadseenitfromthewindow。
　　Thorpeassentedwithacertainlistlessness，whichtheyhadnevernotedinhismannerbefore，butwhenJuliabeggedhimnottostirifhewereintheslightestdegreetired，herepliedhonestlyenoughthathewoulddoanythingratherthanbeleftalone。Then，ofcourse，theysaid，thereshouldbenowalk，buttothishewouldnotlisten。
　　Thepartytroopeddownstairs，accordingly，andoutintothestreet。Thewalkingwasvile，but，asJuliahadlongagosaid，iftheyweretobedeterredbyslushtheywouldnevergetanywhereorseeanything。
　　Itprovedtobetoolateandtoodarktoeitherenterthecastleorgetmuchofanideaofitsexterior。
　　Returning，theypausedagaintolookintothelightedwindowofthenicelittlebook-shop。Thenumerousphotographsofwhattheywereentitledtobeholdfromthewindowsoftheirhotelseemedmoreconvincingthanphotographsusuallywere。Astheyoungpeopleinspectedthem，theybecamereassured。Itwasnotcrediblethatsuchanoblevistawouldforeverdenyitselftosuchearnestpilgrims。
　　Whentheiruncleintroducedthistimehisancientformulaaboutthecertaintyofbrilliantsunshineinthemorning，theysomehowfeltlikebelievinghim。
　　"Yes——Ireallythinkitmustchange，"Juliadeclared，withherfascinatedglanceuponthephotographs。
　　Alfredlookedathiswatch。"We'dbettergetalongtothehotel，hadn'twe？"hesuggested。
　　"Bytheway"——Thorpebegan，withacertainuneasinessofmanner——"speakingofdinner，wouldn'tyouliketodineatthebigtabled'hote，insteadofupinoursitting-room？"
　　"Ifyou'retiredofourdiningalone——byallmeans，"
　　answeredJulia，readily。Therewasobvioussurprise，however，inbothherlookandtone。
　　"Tirednothing！"heassuredher。"Ilikeitbetterthananythingelseintheworld。ButwhatImeanis——I
　　wasthinking，seeingthatthisissuchagreatwinter-
　　resort，andalltheswaggerpeopleofEuropecomehere——
　　thatprobablyyouyoungsterswouldenjoyseeingthecrowd。"
　　Julia'sglance，fullofaffectionateappreciation，showedhowwhollyshedivinedhisspiritofself-sacrifice。
　　"Wewouldn'tcareintheleastforit，"shedeclared。
　　"Weenjoybeingalittlepartybyourselveseverywhitasmuchasyoudo——andwebothhatethepeopleyougetattabled'hotes——andbesides，forthatmatter，ifthereareanyrealswellshere，youmaybesuretheydineintheirownrooms。"
　　"Why，ofcourse！"Thorpeexclaimedswiftly，inpalpableself-rebuke。"Idon'tknowwhatIcouldhavebeenthinkingof。
　　Ofcoursetheywoulddineintheirrooms。"
　　Nextmorning，Thorperoseearlierthanever——withtheimpressionofapeculiarlyrestlessanduncomfortablenightbehindhim。Itwasnotuntilhehadshavedanddressedthathenotedthealteredcharacteroftheairoutside。
　　Althoughitwasnotfullydaylightyet，hecouldseetheoutlinesofthetreesandvinerowsonthebig，snow-cladhill，whichmonopolizedtheprospectfromhiswindow，allsharpandclearcut，asifhewerelookingatthemthroughanopera-glass。Hewentatoncetothesitting-room，andthrustthecurtainsasidefromoneofthewindows。
　　Amiraclehadbeenwroughtinthenight。Theskyoverheadwasserenelycloudless；thelakebeneath，stirringsoftlyundersomefaintpassingbreeze，revealeditsfullbreadthwithcrystallinedistinctness。
　　Betweenskyandwatertherestretchedacrossthepictureabroad，looming，dimly-definedbandofshadow，markedhereandthereatthetopbylittleslantingpatchesofanintenselyglowingwhite。Helookedatthisdarklingmiddledistanceforamomentortwowithoutcomprehension。
　　ThenheturnedandhurriedlymovedtothedoorofJulia'sroomandbeatuponit。
　　"Getup！"hecalledthroughthepanels。"Here'syoursunrise——here'syourAlpineview。Gotoyourwindowandseeit！"
　　Aclearvoice，notunmirthful，replied："I'vebeenwatchingitforhalfanhour，thanks。Isn'titglorious？"
　　Hewasmorefortunateattheoppositedoor，forAlfredwasstillasleep。Theyoungman，uponhearingthenews，however，madeatoiletofunexampledbrevity，andcamebreathlesslyforth。Thorpefollowedhimtothebalcony，wherehestoodcollarlessanduncombed，withthefreshmorningbreezeblowinghishairawry，hislipsparted，hiseyesstaringwithwhattheunclefelttobeapainfulfixednessbeforehim。
　　Thorpehadseenmanymountainsinmanylands。Theydidnotinteresthimverymuch。Hethought，however，thathecouldseenowwhypeoplewhohadnomountainsoftheirownshouldgetexcitedaboutSwitzerland。Heunderstoodanumberofthesesentimentalthingsnow，forthatmatter，whichhadbeenGreektohimthreemonthsbefore。
　　Unreceptiveashisphilistinismmayhaveseemedtothesedelightfulyoungsters，itwasapparentenoughtohimthattheyhadtaughthimagreatdeal。Ifhecouldnothopetosharetheirever-bubblingrapturesandenthusiasms，atleasthehadcometocomprehendthemafterafashion，andeventodiscernsometimeswhatitwasthatstirredthem。
　　Hewatchedhisnephewnow——havingfirstassuredhimselfbyacomprehensivedownwardglancethatnootherwindowsofthehotel-frontwereopen。Theyoungmanseemedtremendouslymoved，fartoomuchsototalk。
　　ThorpeventuredoncesomeremarksabouttheMexicanmountains，whichwereeversomuchbigger，asherememberedthem，butAlfredpaidnoheed。Hecontinuedtogazeacrossthelake，watchinginraptsilenceonefacetafteranothercatchthelight，andstandoutfromthemurkygloom，radiantlywhite，tillatlastthewholehorizonwasamassofshiningminaretsanddomes，andthesunfellfullonhisface。Then，withalong-drawnsigh，heturned，re-enteredtheroom，andthrewhimselfintoachair。
　　"It'stoogood！"hedeclared，withahalf-groan。"I
　　didn'tknowitwouldbelikethat。"
　　"Whynothing'stoogoodforus，man，"hisuncletoldhim。
　　"THATis，"saidtheboy，simply，andThorpe，afterstaringforamoment，smiledandrangthebellforbreakfast。
　　WhenJuliamadeherappearance，afewminuteslater，thetablewasalreadylaid，andthewaiterwascominginwiththecoffee。
　　"Ithoughtwe'dhurryupbreakfast，"heruncleexplained，aftershehadkissedhimandthankedhimforthesunrisehehadsosuccessfullypredicted——"becauseIknewyou'dbothbecrazytogetout。"
　　Hehadnotover-estimatedtheireagerness，whichwassogreat，indeed，thattheyfailedtonotetheexcessivetranquilityofhisowndemeanour。Heatewithsuchunusualdeliberation，onthisexcitingmorning，thattheyfoundthemselvesattheendoftheirrepastwhen，apparently，hehadbutmadeabeginning。
　　"Nowyoumustn'twaitformeatall，"heannouncedtothemthen。"I'malittletiredthismorning——andI
　　thinkI'djustliketoliearoundandsmoke，andperhapsreadoneofyournovels。Butyoutwomustgetyourthingsonandlosenotimeingettingout。Thisistheverybesttimeofday，youknow——forAlpinescenery。
　　I'dhatetohaveyoumissanyofit。"
　　Underhiskindlyifsomewhatstrenuousinsistence，theywenttotheirroomstoprepareforanimmediateexcursion。
　　Hewassoanxioustohavethemseealltherewastobeseenthat，whenJuliareturned，properlycloakedandbefurred，andstoodwaitingatthewindow，hescoldedalittle。
　　"Whatonearthisthatboydoing？"heexclaimed，withalatentsnarlinhistonewhichwasnoveltoherear。
　　"He'llkeepyouheretillnoon！"
　　"He'sshaving，Ithink。Hewon'tbelong，"shereplied，withgreatgentleness。Afteramoment'spause，sheturnedfromthewindowandcamegaylyforward。
　　"Oh，Iforgot：Iwasgoingtofeedthebirds。
　　Thereareseveralofthemouttherenow。"Asshespoke，shebusilybrokeupsomeoftherollsonthetable。
　　Herfacewasbrightwiththepleasureofthethought。
　　"Ifyoudon'tmuchmind，Julia，"herunclebegan，withalmostpleadingintonations，"IratherthinkIwouldn'tfeedthosebirds。Theruleistherebeforeoureyes，youknow——andit'salwaysbeenmyideathatifyou'reatahotelit'sthecorrectthingtoabidebyitsrules。
　　It'sjustanideaofmine——andIdaresay，ifyouthinkaboutit，you'llfeelthesameway。"
　　Thegirlfreedthelastremainingbread-crumbfromhergloves。
　　"Why，ofcourse，uncle，"shesaid，withpromptitude。
　　Althoughtherewasnohintofprotestinhertoneormanner，hefeltimpelledtosoftenstillfurtherthissolitarydemonstrationofhisauthority。
　　"YouseeI'vebeenallroundtheworld，mylittlegirl，"
　　heexplained，haltingly，"andwhenaman'sdonethat，andknockedabouteverywhere，he'sapttogetfinickingandnotionalabouttrifleseveryonceinawhile。"
　　"You'relesssothananybodyIeverknew，"shegenerouslyinterposed。
　　"Oh，noI'mnot。Youdon'tknowmewellenoughyet；
　　that'swhat'sthematter。Andyousee，Julia——anotherthingjustbecauseyousawthatladythrowingoutbread，thataintaverygoodreasonwhyyoushoulddoit。
　　Youdon'tknowwhatkindofapersonshemaybe。
　　Girlshavegottobesofrightfullycarefulaboutallthatsortofthing。"
　　Juliaofferedaconstrainedlittlelaughincomment。
　　"Oh，youdon'tknowhowcarefulIcanbe，"shesaid。
　　"Butyou'renotannoyed？"heentreatedher——andforanswershecamebehindhim，andrestedanarmonhisshoulder，andpattedit。Hestrokedherhandwithhisown。
　　"That'ssomethinglikethenicestnieceintheworld！"
　　heexclaimed，withfervour。
　　Whenatlastsheandherbrotherhadgone，hemadeshortworkofhisbreakfast，anddrankhiscoffeeatagulp。
　　Arestlessactivitysuddenlyinformedhismovements。
　　Helitacigar，andbeganpacingupanddowntheroom，bitinghislipsinpreoccupationashewent。Afteralittle，heopenedawindow，andventuredcautiouslyasfaroutonthebalconyaswasnecessarytoobtainaviewofthestreetbelow。Eventually，heidentifiedhisnephewandnieceamongthepedestriansbeneathhim，andhekepttheminsighttill，aftermorethanonetiresomehaltatashopwindow，theydisappearedroundabendintheroad。
　　Thenheturnedandcamebackintotheroomwiththebuoyantairofamanwhoseaffairsareprospering。
　　Hesmiledgeniallytohimselfashegatheredfromthetableinonecapacioushandallthepiecesofbreadhisbelovedniecehadbrokenup，andadvancedagaintotheopenwindow。
　　Waitingheretilloneofthedingygullsmovingaimlesslyaboutwasheadedtowardhim，hetossedoutafragment。
　　Thebirddashedatitwithascream，andontheinstantthewholesquawkingflockwereonwing。Hesufferedthehubbubtoproceedunappeasedforalittlewhilehekeptawatchfulthoughfurtiveeyeonthatbalconytotheleft，below。Unhappilyhecouldnotgetoutfarenoughtoseewhethertheinnercurtainsofitswindowweredrawn。Hethrewanotherbitofbread，andthenlookedathiswatch。Itwasafewminutespastnine。
　　Surelypeopletravellingtoseescenerywouldbeupbythishour。
　　Thestrategyofissuingjustenoughbreadtokeepthefeatheredconcourseinmotioncommendeditselftohismind。
　　Asaprecautionarymeasure，hetookalltherollsremainingonthetable，andputtheminthedrawerofadeskbythewindow。
　　Itevenoccurredtohimtoringformorebread，butuponconsiderationthatseemedtoodaring。Thewaiterwouldbesufficientlysurprisedattheparty'sappetitesasitwas。
　　Halfanhourlater，hisplanofcampaignsuddenlyyieldedavictory。LadyCressageappearedonherbalcony，cladinsomecharmingsortofmorninggown，andbareheaded。
　　Shehadnothinginherhands，andseemedindifferenttothebirds，butwhenThorpeflungforthahandfuloffragmentsintothecentreoftheirwhirlingflock，shelookedupathim。Itwastheanxiousinstant，andheventureduponwhathehopedwasadecorouscompromisebetweenabowandalookofrecognition。
　　Shewasinnohastetoanswereither。Hecouldseeratherthanhearthatshesaidsomethingtoherinvisiblecompanionwithin，thewhilesheglancedserenelyinthegeneraldirectionofhisbalcony。Itseemedtohimthattheanswertoherremark，whateveritwas，musthaveexertedadirectinfluenceuponhisdestiny，forLadyCressageallatoncefocussedhervagueregarduponhim，andnoddedwithareasonablygracioussmile。
　　"It'swonderfullucktofindyouhere，"hecalleddowntoher。Havingplayedtheirpart，hewishednowthatthebirdswereatJericho。Theirobstreperousracketmadeconversationverydifficult。Apparentlyshemadehimananswer，buthecouldcatchnothingofit。
　　"I'mherewithmynieceandnephew，"heshouteddown。
　　"Idon'thearwhatyousay。MayIcomedownandpaymyrespects——lateron？Whatisyournumber，andwhenmayIcome？"
　　Thesequestions，asheflashedtheminreviewthroughhismind，seemedtobeallrightfromthemostexactingsocialpointofview。Doubtlessitwasequallyallrightthat，beforereplying，sheshouldconsulthercompanion，asshedidatsomelength。Thenshereplied——andhehadnodifficultynowinhearingherabovethebirds——thatitwouldbeveryniceofhimtocome，say，inanhour'stime。
　　Shetoldhimthenumber——andthenalmostabruptlywentin。
　　Thorpe，duringthishourthatensued，smokedwithvolcanicenergy。HetriedtointeresthimselfinoneafteranotherofhalfadozenTauchnitznovelshisniececarriedabout，withapreposterousabsenceofsuccess。
　　Hestrovetoarrangeinsomekindofsequencethethingsthatheshouldsay，whenthismomentousinterviewshouldbegin，buthecouldthinkofnothingwhichdidnotsoundsilly。Itwouldbeallright，hearguedtohimselfinthefaceofthispresentmentalbarrenness；
　　healwaystalkedwellenoughonthespurofthemoment，whenthetimecame——andstillwasnotreassured。
　　Hewonderedifbothladieswouldbetheretoreceivehim，anddecidedthattheywouldprobablyregardthatasindispensabletotheproprieties。Inthatcase，theirconversationwouldnecessarilybeofthemostcasualandgeneralcharacter。
　　Hewouldtellthemagooddealabouthisniece，heforesaw。
　　Amantravellingaboutwithaniece——andsuchadelightfullylady-likeandengaginglittleniece——wouldtakeonsomeaddedinterestanddignity，heperceived，intheeyesofladiestravellingalone。HeessayedtoestimatejusthowmuchtheywouldprobablylikeJulia。Ofcoursehewouldsaynothingabouthermotherandthebook-shop；avagueallusiontoawidowedsisterwouldbeampleonthathead。
　　ButtherecouldbeconfidentreferencestoCheltenham；
　　heknewfromwhatJuliahadsaidthatitsuggestedthemostsatisfactorysocialguarantees，iftakenstrictlybyitself。AndthensomuchwoulddependuponJuliaherself！Ifshesucceededinstrikingupafriendshipwiththem——ah，theneverythingwouldbeallright。
　　PerhapstheywouldtakeafancytoAlfredtoo！Hewasaboy，ofcourse，butconceivablythefactthathewantedtopaint，andknewaboutpictures，wouldappealtothem。
　　Heseemedtohaveheardsomewherethatartistsweretheverydevilamongwomen。
　　Atlastthewearytimeofwaitinghadwornitselfout，somehow，and，afterafinalpolishingbeforehisglass，hewentdown，andfoundhisrightcorridor，andknockedatthedoor。Apleasantvoicebadehimenter，and，hatandglovesinhand，hewentin。
　　Ashehadimagined，bothladieswerepresent。
　　Hehadnotbeenprepared，however，forthefactthatitwastheAmericanwhoplayedthepartofhostess。
　　Itwasshewhoreceivedhim，andinvitedhimtositdown，andgenerallymadehimfreeoftheapartment。WhenheshookhandswithLadyCressage，therewassomehowaneffectoftheincidentalintheceremony，asifshewerealsoaguest。
　　Nothingcouldhavebeensimplerormorepleasingthanthelittlevisitturnedouttobe。MissMaddenhadsuddenlygrowntiredofthesnowlessanddrippingEnglishwinter，andhadaspromptlydecidedtocometoSwitzerland，wherethedriftsoughttobehighenough，andthefrostssearchingenough，inallconscience。
　　TheyhadselectedTerritet，becauseitwasfamiliartoher，andbecauseitwasonthewaytoMartignyandBrieg，andshehadhadanotionofcrossingeithertheSimplonortheSt。Bernardinwinter。Asshefoundnow，theSt。Bernardwasquiteimpracticable，butadmittedlyapostroadwaskeptopenovertheSimplon。Itwassaidnowthatshewouldnotbeallowedtoproceedbythis，butitoftenhappenedthatshedidthethingsthatshewasnotallowedtodo。Thehotel-peopleatbothBriegandBerisalhadwrittenrefusingtolettheirhorsesattempttheSimplonjourney，andtheywereofcoursequitewithintheirrights，buttherewereotherhorsesinSwitzerland。
　　Onesurelycouldbuyhorses——andsoon。
　　Thorpealsohadhisturnatautobiography。Hetoldratherwhimsicallyofhisthreemonths'experiencesatthetailofthejuvenilewhirligigs，andhisauditorslistenedtothemwithmildsmiles。HeventureduponnumerousglowingparenthesesaboutJulia，andtheyatleastdidnotsaythattheydidnotwanttoknowher。
　　Theyheardwithpoliteness，too，whathecouldcontrivetodraginabouthisartist-nephew，andsaiditmustbeverypleasantforhimtohavesuchnicecompany。AtleastMissMaddensaidthis：hercompanion，ashethoughtitoverafterward，seemedhardlytohavesaidanythingatall。
　　Sheansweredthefewremarkswhichhefounditpossibletodirecttoher，buttheresponsestooknoholduponhismemory。Hefanciedthatshewasbored，orunhappy，orboth。
　　Finally，inthemidstofcommonplaceswhich，tohisapprehension，wereverginguponflatness，aboldinspirationdiscloseditself——assplendidastheDentduMidirevealingitsglaciersabovethemountingsunrise——inhisbrain。
　　"Weshouldallbecharmedifyouwouldcomeupanddinewithustonight，"hesaid，undertheabruptimpulsionofthisidea。"It'sbeensuchanagesincewewanderershavehadtheprivilegeofcompanyatourtable！"
　　Thefelicityofthesephrasesfromhislipsattractedhisadmiringattention，evenwhilehewaitedinsuspenseforananswertothem。
　　Theladiesexchangedalook。"Yes，"saidMissMadden，aftertheslightestofpauses，"weshallbeveryhappy。"
　　ShortlythereafterThorpetookhisleave，andwentdownstairsandout。Hewanderedabouttillluncheontime，observingthemountainsacrossthelakefromvariousstandpoints，and，asitwere，withneweyes。
　　Hewasinterestedintheminacuriousnewfashion；
　　theyseemedtosaythingstohim。HislipcurledonceattheconceitthathewasoneoftheAlpshimself。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　ITdidnothappenuntilthreedayslaterthatThorpe'sopportunitytospeakalonewithLadyCressagecame。
　　Inthisbriefperiod，thetwopartiesseemedtohavebecomefusedinaremarkableintimacy。Thiswasclearlyduetothepresenceoftheyoungpeople，andThorpecongratulatedhimselfmanytimeseachdayuponthestrikingpresciencehehadshowninbringingthem。
　　BoththeladiesunaffectedlylikedJulia；somuchsothattheyseemedunwillingtomakeanyplanswhichdidnotincludeher。Thenitwasonlyamatterofcoursethatwhereshewentherbrothershouldgo——andafurtherlogicalstepquitenaturallybroughtintheirwillinguncle。
　　Ifhehadplannedeverything，andnowwasorderingeverything，itcouldnothavegonemoretohisliking。
　　Certainsidespeculationslentasavourtothesatisfactionwithwhichheviewedthisstateofaffairs。HefoundmanylittlesignstoconfirmthesuspicionthatthetwoladieshadbeenthereadiertomakemuchofJuliabecausetheywerenotoverkeenabouteachother'ssociety。Thebright，sweet-naturedgirlhadcomeasawelcomediversiontoacouplewhoinseclusiondidbattlewithtendenciestoyawn。Hewasnotquiteconvinced，forthatmatter，thattheAmericanladyalwayswenttothattrouble。
　　Sheseemedtohisobservationawilfulsortofperson，whowouldnotberestrainedbysmallordinaryconsiderationsfromdoingthethingsshewantedtodo。Herrelationswithhercompanionaffordedhimfoodformuchthought。
　　Withoutanyovertdemonstrations，sheproducedtheeffectoforderingLadyCressageabout。This，sofarasitwent，tendedtoprejudicehimagainsther。
　　Ontheotherhand，however，shewassogoodtoJulia，inapeculiarlyfrankandbuoyantwaywhichfascinatedthegirl，thathecouldnotbutlikeher。AndshewasverygoodtoAlfredtoo。
　　Therewas，indeed，heperceived，agreatdealofindividualityaboutthefriendshipwhichhadsprungupbetweenMissMaddenandhisnephew。Shewasyearshissenior——hesettleditwithhimselfthattheAmericancouldnotbelessthanseven-and-twenty，——yetAlfredstolecovertglancesofadmirationather，andseemedtothinkofnothingbutopportunitiesforbeinginhercompanyasif——asif——Thorpehardlylikedtocompletethecomparisoninhisownthoughts。Alfred，ofcourse，saiditwasallonaccountofherwonderfulhair；heratherwentoutofhiswaytodilateupontheenthusiasmher"colourscheme"——whateverthatmightmean——excitedinhimasanartist。Theunclehadmomentsofprofoundskepticismaboutthis——momentswhenheuneasilywonderedwhetheritwasnotgoingtobehisdutytospeaktotheyoungman。
　　Forthemostpart，however，heextractedreassurancefromMissMadden'sdemeanourtowardthelad。Sheknew，itseemed，avastdealaboutpictures；atleastshewasabletotalkavastdealaboutthem，andshediditinsuchacalmlydogmaticfashion，layingdownthelawalways，thatsheputAlfredinthepositionoflisteningasapupilmightlistentoamaster。ThehumilitywithwhichhisnephewacceptedthispositionannoyedThorpeuponoccasion，buthereasonedthatitwasafaultontherightside。
　　Verylikelyitwouldhelptokeepthefactofthelady'ssenioritymoreclearlybeforetheyoungster'smind，andthatwouldbesomuchgained。
　　Andtheseapprehensions，afterall，werescarcelytobecountedinthebalanceagainstthesenseofachievedhappinesswithwhichthesehalcyondayskeptThorpefilled。
　　Theinitiatorydinnerhadgoneoffperfectly。Hecouldhavewished，indeed，thatJuliahadasmarterfrock，andmorerings，whenhesawtheimposingcostumesandjewelledthroatsandhandsofhisguests——butshewasayounggirl，bycomparison，hereflected，andtherecouldbenodoubtthattheyfoundhercharming。AsforAlfred，hewasnotablyfine-lookinginhisevening-clothes——infinitelymorelikethesonofanobleman，thegratifiedunclekeptsayingtohimself，thanthatbigdullard，theHonourableBalder。
　　ItfilledhimwithanewpleasuretorememberthatAlfredhadvisitingcardspresentinghisnameasD'Aubigny，whicheverybodyofeducationknewwaswhatthedegenerateDabneyreallystoodfor。TheladandhissisterhaduniteduponthisexcellentchangelongagoatCheltenham，andoddlyenoughtheyhadconfessedittotheiruncle，atthebeginningofthetrip，withashowoftrepidation，asiftheyfearedhisanger。Withradiantgayetyhehadrelievedtheirmindsbyshowingthemhiscard，with"Mr。
　　StormontThorpe"aloneuponit。Atthedinnertable，intheproudestmomentofhislife，hehadmadehimselfprouderstillbythinkinghowdistinguishedanappearancehisandAlfred'scardswouldmaketogetherintheapartmentbelownextday。
　　Butnextday，therelationsbetweenthetwopartieshadalreadybecometooinformalforcards。Juliawentdowntoseethem；theycameuptoseeJulia。Thentheyallwentforalongwalk，withluncheonatVevey，andbeforeeveningAlfredwastalkingconfidentlyofpaintingMissMadden。
　　NextdaytheywentbytraintoSt。Maurice，and，returningafterdark，dinedwithoutceremonytogether。
　　Thisthirdday——theweatherstillremainingbright——theyhadascendedbythefunicularroadtoGlion，andwalkedonamongtheswarmingluegers，uptoCaux。Here，afterluncheon，theyhadwanderedaboutforatime，regardingthepanoramaoflakeandmountains。Now，asthehomewarddescentbegan，chanceledthetwoyoungpeopleandMissMaddenonahead。
　　ThorpefoundhimselfwalkingbesideLadyCressage。
　　Hehaduponhisarmherouterwrap，whichshesaidshewouldputonpresently。Tolookattheviewhemustglancepastherface：theprofile，underthegracefulfurcap，wassoenrichedbyglowingcolourthatitwas，tohisthought，asifshewereblushing。
　　"HowlittleIthought，afewmonthsago，"hesaid，"thatweshouldbemountaineeringtogether！"
　　"Oh，nooneknowsadayahead，"sheresponded，vaguely。
　　"IhadprobablylessnotionofcomingtoSwitzerlandthenthanyouhad。"
　　"Thenyoudon'tcomeregularly？"
　　"IhaveneverseeneitherGermanyorSwitzerlandbefore。
　　IhavescarcelybeenoutofEnglandbefore。"
　　"Whynow"——hepaused，tothinkbrieflyuponhiswords——"I
　　tookitforgrantedyouwereshowingMissMaddenaround。"
　　"It'squitetheotherwayabout，"sheanswered，withacoldlittlelaugh。"Itisshewhoisshowingmearound。
　　Itishertour。Iamthechaperone。"Thorpedweltuponthewordinhismind。Heunderstoodwhatitmeantonlyinaway，buthewasluminouslyclearastothebitternessofthetoneinwhichithadbeenuttered。
　　"No——itdidn'tseemasifitwerealtogether——whatI
　　mightcall——YOURtour，"heventured。Theyhadseenmuchofeachotherthesepastfewdays，butitwasstillhardforhimtomakesurewhethertheirfreedomofintercoursehadbeenenlarged。
　　Theslightshrugoftheshoulderswithwhich，insilence，shecommenteduponhisremark，embarrassedhim。Foramomenthesaidnothing。Hewentonthenwitharenewedconsciousnessofrisk。
　　"Youmustn'tbeannoyedwithme，"heurged。"I'vebeentravellingwiththatdearlittlenieceofmineandherbrother，solong，thatI'vegotintoahabitofwatchingtonoticeifthefacesIseeroundmearehappy。Andwhenthey'renot，thenIhaveakindoffatherlynotionofinterfering，andseeingwhat'swrong。"
　　Shesmiledfaintlyatthis，butwhenheadded，upondoubtfulinspiration——"Bytheway，speakingoffathers，Ididn'tknowatHadlowthatyouwerethedaughterofoneofmyDirectors"——thissmilefrozeupontheinstant。
　　"TheDentduMidiismoreimpressivefromthehotel，don'tyouthink？"sheremarked，"thanitisfromhere。"
　　Uponconsideration，heresolvedtogoforward。
　　"IhavetakenagreatinterestinGeneralKervick，"
　　hesaid，almostdefiantly。"Iamseeingtoitthathehasacomfortableincome——anincomesuitabletoagentlemanofhisposition——fortherestofhislife。"
　　"Hewillbeverygladofit，"sheremarked。
　　"ButIhopedthatyouwouldbegladofittoo，"
　　hetoldher，bluntly。Acurioussenseofrelianceuponhissuperiorityinyearshadcometohim。Ifhecouldmakehisairelderlyandpaternalenough，itseemedlikelythatshewoulddefertoit。"I'mtalkingtoyouasIwouldtomyniece，youknow，"headded，plausibly。
　　Sheturnedherheadtomakeafleetingsurveyofhisface，asifthepointofviewtookherbysurprise。
　　"Idon'tunderstand，"shesaid。"Youareprovidinganincomeformyfather，becauseyouwishtospeaktomelikeanuncle。Isthatit？"
　　Helaughed，somewhatdisconsolately。"No——thatisn'tit，"
　　hesaid，andlaughedagain。"Icouldn'ttell，youknow，thatyouwouldn'twanttotalkaboutyourfather。"
　　"Why，there'snoreasonintheworldfornottalkingofhim，"
　　shemadehastetodeclare。"Andifhe'sgotsomethinggoodintheCity，I'msureI'masgladasanyone。Heisthesortthatoughtalwaystohaveagooddealofmoney。
　　Imean，itwillbringouthismoreamiablequalities。
　　Hedoesnotshinemuchinadversity——anymorethanIdo。"
　　Thorpefeltkeenlythattherewerefinethingstobesaidhere——buthehadconfidenceinnothingthatcametohistongue。"I'vebeenapoormanallmylife——tillnow，"
　　washiseventualremark。
　　"Pleasedon'ttellmethatyouhavebeenveryhappyinyourpoverty，"sheadjuredhim，withthedimflickerofareturningsmile。"Verylikelytherearepeoplewhoaresoconstituted，buttheyarenotmykind。
　　Idon'twanttohearthemtellaboutit。Tomepovertyisthehorror——theunmentionablehorror！"
　　"ThereneverwasadaythatIdidn'tfeelTHAT！"
　　Thorpeputfervourintohisvoice。"Iwasneverreconciledtoitforaminute。IneverceasedswearingtomyselfthatI'dpullmyselfoutofit。Andthat'swhatmakesmesortofsoft-heartednowtowardthose——
　　towardthosewhohaven'tpulledthemselvesoutofit。"
　　"Yourniecesaysyouaresoft-heartedbeyondexample，"
　　remarkedLadyCressage。
　　"Whocouldhelpbeing，tosuchasweetlittlegirlassheis？"
　　demandedtheuncle，fondly。
　　"Sheisverynice，"saidtheother。"Ifonemaysaysuchathing，Ifancythesethreemonthswithherhavehadanappreciableeffectuponyou。I'msureInoteadifference。"
　　"That'sjustwhatI'vebeensayingtomyself！"hetoldher。
　　Hewasvisiblydelightedwiththiscorroboration。
　　"I'vebeenalonepracticallyallmylife。Ihadnofriendstospeakof——Ihadnofitcompany——Ihadn'tanythingbutthedeterminationtoclimboutofthehole。
　　Well，I'vedonethat——andI'vegotamongthekindofpeoplethatInaturallylike。Butthentherecamethequestionofwhethertheywouldlikeme。Itellyoufrankly，thatwaswhatwasworryingtheheartoutofmewhenI
　　firstmetyou。Iliketobeconfessingittoyounow——butyoufrightenedmewithinaninchofmylife。Wellnow，yousee，I'mnotscaredofyouatall。Andofcourseit'sbecauseJulia'sbeenputtingmethroughacourseofsprouts。"
　　ThefigurewaslostuponLadyCressage，butthespiritoftheremarksseemednotunpleasanttoher。"I'msureyou'refullofkindness，"shesaid。"YoumustforgetthatI
　　snappedatyou——aboutpapa。""AllIrememberaboutthatis，"
　　hebegan，hiseyelightingupwiththethoughtthatthistimetheopportunityshouldnotpassunimproved，"thatyousaidhedidn'tshinemuchinadversity——anymorethanyoudid。
　　NowonthatlastpointIdisagreewithyou，straight。
　　Therewouldn'tbeanyplaceinwhichyouwouldn'tshine。"
　　"Isthatthewayonetalkstoone'sniece？"sheaskedhim，almostlistlessly。"Suchflatterymustsurelybebadfortheyoung。"Herwordsweresprightlyenough，butherfacehadcloudedover。Shehadnoheartforthebanter。
　　"Ah"——hehalf-groaned。"IonlywishIknewwhatwastherightwaytotalktoyou。TherealthingisthatI
　　seeyou'reunhappy——andthatgetsonmynerve——andI
　　shouldliketoaskyouiftherewasn'tsomethingIcoulddo——andaskitinsuchawaythatyou'dhavetoadmittherewas——andIdon'tknowenoughtodoit。"
　　Hehadawansmileforthanks。"Butofcoursethereisnothing，"shereplied，gently。
　　"Oh，theremustbe！"heinsisted。Hehadnolongeranyclearnotionsastowherehistonguemightnotleadhim。
　　"Theremustbe！YousaidImighttalktoyouasIwouldtoJulia"DidI？"
　　"Well，I'mgoingto，anyway，"hewentonstoutly，ignoringthenoteofdefinitedissentinherinterruption。
　　"YouAREunhappy！Youspokeaboutbeingachaperone。
　　Wellnow，tospeakplainly，ifitisn'tentirelypleasantforyouwithMissMadden——whywouldn'tyoubeachaperoneforJulia？ImustbegoingtoLondonverysoon——butshecanstayhere，orgotoEgypt，orwherevershelikes——andofcourseyouwoulddoeverything，andhaveeverything——whateveryouliked，too。"
　　"Theconversationisgettinguponratherimpossiblegrounds，I'mafraid，"shesaid，andthenbitherlipstogether。
　　Halting，shefrownedalittleintheeffortofconsideringherfurtherwords，buttherewasnothingsevereintheglancewhichsheliftedtohimasshebegantospeak。
　　"Letuswalkon。Imusttellyouthatyoumisconceivethesituationentirely。NobodycouldpossiblybekinderormoreconsideratethanMissMadden。OfcoursesheisAmerican——orratherIrish-American，andI'mEnglish，andournotionsandwaysarenotalwaysalike。Butthathasnothingtodowithit。Anditisnotsomuchthatshehasmanythousandsayear，andIonlyafewhundreds。
　　Thatinitselfwouldsignifynothing——andifImusttakehelpfromsomebodyIwouldrathertakeitfromCeliaMaddenthananybodyelseIknow——butthisisthepoint，Mr。Thorpe。
　　Idonoteatthebreadofdependencegracefully。Ipullwryfacesoverit，andIdon'ttryverymuchtodisguisethem。
　　Thatismyfault。Yes——ohyes，Iknowitisafault——butIamasIam。AndifMissMaddendoesn'tmind——why"——sheconcludedwithamirthless，uncertainlaugh——"whyonearthshouldyou？"
　　"Ah，whyshouldI？"heechoed，reflectively。"Ishouldlikedesperatelytotellyouwhy。SometimeIwilltellyou。"
　　Theywalkedoninsilenceforabriefspace。Thensheputoutherhandforherwrap，andasshepaused，hespreaditoverhershoulders。
　　"Iamamazedtothinkwhatwehavebeensayingtoeachother，"
　　shesaid，buttoningthefurastheymovedonagain。
　　"Iamvexedwithmyself。"
　　"Andmorestillwithme，"hesuggested。
　　"No-o——butIoughttobe。You'vemademetalkthemostshockingrubbish。"
　　"Therewedisagreeagain，youknow。Everythingyou'vesaid'sbeenperfect。Whatyou'rethinkingofnowisthatI'mnotanoldenoughfriendtohavebeenallowedtohearit。ButifI'mnotasoldafriendassome，IwishIcouldmakeyoufeelthatI'massolidafriendasany——assolidandasstaunchandastrue。IwishI
　　couldhearyousayyoubelievedthat。"
　　"Butyoutalkof'friends，'"shesaid，inatonenotatallresponsive——"whatismeantby'friends'？We'vechancedtomeettwice——andoncewebarelyexchangedcivilities，andthistimewe'vebeenhotelacquaintances——hardlymore，isit？——andyouandyouryoungpeoplehavebeenverypolitetome——andIinasillymomenthavetalkedtoyoumoreaboutmyaffairsthanIshould——Isupposeitwasbecauseyoumentionedmyfather。But'friends'isratherabigwordforthat，isn'tit？"
　　Thorpepoutedforadubiousmoment。"Icanthinkofabiggerwordstill，"hesaid，daringly。"It'sbeenonthetipofmytonguemorethanonce。"
　　Shequickenedherpace。Theairhadgrownperceptiblycolder。
　　Thedistantmountains，visibleeverandagainthroughthebarebranches，wereofadarkandcheerlessblue，andsharplydefinedagainstthesky。Itwasnotyetthesunsethour，andtherewerenomists，butthelightofdayseemedtobegoingoutoftheheavens。
　　Hehurriedonbesideherindepressedsilence。
　　Theircompanionswerehiddenfromviewinaconvolutionofthewindingroad，buttheyweresonearthattheirvoicescouldbeheardastheytalked。Frequentlythesoundoflaughtercamebackwardfromthem。
　　"They'rejollyenoughdownthere，"hecommentedatlast，moodily。
　　"That'sagoodreasonforourjoiningthem，isn'tit？"
　　Hertonewasatoncecasualandpointed。
　　"ButIdon'twanttojointhem！"heprotested。"Whydon'tyoustaywithme——andtalk？""Butyoubullymeso，"
　　sheofferedinexplanation。
　　Thephrasecaughthisattention。Coulditbethatitexpressedherrealfeeling？Shehadsaid，herecalled，thathehadmadehertalk。Hercomplaintwaslikeanadmissionthathecouldoverpowerherwill。
　　Ifthatweretrue——thenhehadresourcesofmasterfulnessstillinreservesufficienttowinanyvictory。
　　"No——notbullyyou，"hesaidslowly，asifobjectingtothewordratherthantheidea。"Thatwouldn'tbepossibletome。
　　Butyoudon'tknowmewellenoughtounderstandme。
　　Iamthekindofmanwhogetsthethingshewants。
　　Letmetellyousomething：WhenIwasatHadlow，Ihadnevershotapheasantinmylife。Iusedtodotolerablywellwitharifle，butIhardlyknewanythingaboutashot-gun，andIdon'tsupposeI'deverkilledmorethantwoorthreebirdsonthewing——andthatwasagesago。
　　ButItookthenotionthatIwouldshootbetterthananybodyelsethere。Imadeupmymindtoit——andIsimplydidit，that'sall。Idon'tknowifyouremember——butIkilledagooddealmorethanboththeothersputtogether。
　　Igiveyouthatasanexample。IwantedyoutothinkthatIwasacrackshot——andsoImademyselfbeacrackshot。"
　　"Thatisveryinteresting，"shemurmured。Theydidnotseemtobewalkingquitesofast。
　　"Don'tthinkIwanttobragaboutmyself，"hewenton。
　　"Idon'tfancymyself——inthatway。I'mnotspeciallyproudofdoingthings——it'sthethingsthemselvesthatIcarefor。Ifsomemenhadmadeagreatfortune，theywouldbeconceitedaboutit。Well，I'mnot。
　　WhatI'mkeenaboutisthewaytousethatfortunesothatIwillgetthemostoutofit——themosthappiness，Imean。Thethingtodoistomakeupyourmindcarefullywhatitisthatyouwant，andtoputallyourpowerandresolutionintogettingit——andtherestiseasyenough。
　　Idon'tthinkthere'sanythingbeyondastrongman'sreach，ifheonlybelievesenoughinhimself。"
　　"Butaren'tyouconfusingtwothings？"shequeried。
　　Thesubjectapparentlyinterestedher。"Towinone'sobjectsbysheerpersonalforceisonething。Tomerelysecurethembecauseone'spurseislongerthanotherpeople's——that'squiteanothermatter。"
　　Hesmiledgrimlyather。"Well，I'llcombinethetwo，"
　　hesaid。
　　"ThenIsupposeyouwillbealtogetherirresistible，"
　　shesaid，lightly。"Therewillbenopheasantsleftforotherpeopleatall。"
　　"Idon'tmindbeingchaffed，"hetoldher，withgravity。
　　"Solongasyou'regood-natured，youcanmakegameofmeallyoulike。ButI'minearnest，allthesame。
　　I'mnotgoingtoplaythefoolwithmymoneyandmypower。
　　Ihavegreatprojects。SometimeI'lltellyouaboutthem。
　　Theywillallbeputthrough——everyoneofthem。Andyouwouldn'tobjecttotalkingthemoverwithme——wouldyou？"
　　"Myopinionon'projects'isofnoearthlyvalue——tomyselforanyoneelse。"
　　"Butstillyou'dgivemeyouradviceifIaskedit？"
　　hepersisted。"Especiallyifitwasaprojectinwhichyouwereconcerned？"
　　Afteramoment'sconstrainedsilenceshesaidtohim，"Youmusthavenoprojects，Mr。Thorpe，inwhichI
　　amconcerned。Thistalkisallverywideofthemark。
　　YouarenotentitledtospeakasifIweremixedupwithyouraffairs。Thereisnothingwhatevertowarrantit。"
　　"ButhowcanyouhelpbeinginmyprojectsifIputyouthere，andkeepyouthere？"heaskedher，withgleefulboldness。
　　"Andjustaskyourselfwhetheryoudoreallywanttohelpit。Whyshouldyou？You'veseenenoughofmetoknowthatIcanbeagoodfriend。AndI'mthekindoffriendwhoamountstosomething——whocanandwilldothingsforthosehelikes。Whatobligationareyouundertoturnawaythatkindofafriend，whenheoffershimselftoyou？Putthatquestionplainlytoyourself。"
　　"ButyouarenotinapositiontonominatethequestionsthatIamtoputtomyself，"shesaid。Theefforttoimportdecisionintohertoneandmannerwasapparent。
　　"ThatiswhatIdesireyoutounderstand。Wemustnottalkanymoreaboutme。Iamnotthetopicofconversation。"
　　"ButfirstletmefinishwhatIwantedtosay，"heinsisted。
　　"Mytalkwon'tbreakanybones。You'dbewrongnottolistentoit——becauseit'smeanttohelpyou——tobeofusetoyou。Thisisthething，LadyCressage：
　　You'reinaparticularlyhardandunpleasantposition。
　　LikemyfriendPlowden"——hewatchedherfacenarrowlybutinvain，inthedulllight，foranychangeatmentionofthename——"likemyfriendPlowdenyouhaveapositionandtitletokeepup，andnexttonothingtokeepitupon。ButhecangodownintotheCityandmakemoney——ortryto。HecanacceptDirectorshipsandtipsaboutthemarketandsoon，frommenwhoaredisposedtobegoodtohim，andwhoseehowhecanbeofusetothem——andinthatwayhecandosomethingforhimself。
　　Butthereisthedifference：youcan'tdothesethings，oryouthinkyoucan't，whichisthesamething。
　　You'reallfencedin；you'resurroundedbynotice-boards，tellingyouthatyoumustn'twalkthiswayorlookthatway；
　　thatyoumustn'tsaythisthingordotheother。
　　Nowyourfrienddownaheadthere——MissMadden——shedoesn'ttakemuchstockinnotice-boards。Infact，shefeedsthegulls，simplybecauseshe'sforbiddentodoit。
　　Butyou——youdon'tfeedanygulls，andyetyou'reannoyedwithyourselfthatyoudon't。Isn'tthatthecase？Haven'tIreadyouright？"
　　Sheseemedtohavesubmittedtohischoiceofatopic。
　　Therewasnotouchofexpostulationinthevoicewithwhichsheansweredhim。"Iseewhatyouthinkyoumean，"
　　shesaid。
　　"Think！"heresponded，withself-confidentemphasis。
　　"I'mnot'thinking。'I'mreadinganopenbook。AsIsay，you'renotcontented——you'renothappy；youdon'ttrytopretendthatyouare。Butallthesame，thoughyouhateit，youacceptit。Youthinkthatyoureallymustobeyyournotice-boards。NowwhatItellyouyououghttodoistotakeadifferentview。Whyshouldyouputupallthisbarbedwirebetweenyourselfandyourfriends？Itdoesn'tdoanybodyelseanygood——anditdoesyouharm。
　　Why，forexample，shouldPlowdenbefreetotakethingsfromme，andyounot？"
　　Sheglancedathim，withacoldhalf-smileinhereye。
　　"UnfortunatelyIwasnotaskedtojoinyourBoard。"
　　Hepressedhislipstightlytogether，andregardedhermeditativelyasheturnedthesewordsoverinhismind。
　　"WhatI'mdoingforPlowden，"hesaidwithslowvaguenessmeanwhile，"itisn'tsomuchbecausehe'sontheBoard。
　　He'sofnospecialusetomethere。Buthewasnicetomeatatimewhenthatmeanteverythingintheworldtome——andIdon'tforgetthingsofthatsort。Besides，Ilikehim——anditpleasesmetolethiminforashareofmygoodfortune。See？It'smywayofenjoyingmyself。
　　Wellnow，Ilikeyoutoo，andwhyshouldn'tIbeallowedtoletyouinalsoforashareofthatgoodfortune？
　　Youthinkthere'sadifference，butItellyouit'simaginary——puremoonshine。Why，theverypeoplewhoseopinionyou'reafraidof——whatdidtheydothemselveswhentheSouthAfricancrazewason？I'mtoldthatthescumoftheearthhadonlytoownsomeCharteredshares，andpretendtobe'intheknow'aboutthem——andtheycoulddinewithasmanyduchessesastheyliked。
　　Iknewoneortwoofthemenwhowereinthatdeal——I
　　wouldn'thavetheminmyhouse——butitseemstherewasn'tanyotherhousetheycouldn'tgotoinLondon。"
　　"Ohyes，thereweremanyhouses，"sheinterposed。
　　"Itwasn'taniceexhibitionthatsocietymadeofitself——
　　oneadmitsthat，——butitwasonlyonesetthatquitelosttheirheads。Thereareallkindsofsets，youknow。
　　And——Idon'tthinkIseeyourapplication，inanyevent。
　　Thecraze，asyoucallit，wasallonabusinessbasis。
　　Peopleranafterthosewhocouldtellthemwhichsharesweregoingup，andtheygambledinthoseshares。Thatwasall，wasn'tit？"
　　Stilllookingintentlyather，hedismissedherquerywithalittleshakeofthehead。"'Onabusinessbasis，'"
　　herepeated，asiftalkingtohimself。"Theyliketohavethings'onabusinessbasis。'"