MeanwhiletheagentoftheTenhadyieldedhisplacetoasharp-
　　featuredshabby-lookingfellowinblack，dressedsomewhatlikealawyer'sclerk，wholaidagrimyhandonTony'sarm，andwithmanyapologeticgesturessteeredhimthroughthecrowdtothedoorsofthechurch。TheCountheldhimbytheotherarm，andinthisfashiontheyemergedonthesquare，whichnowlayindarknesssaveforthemanylightstwinklingunderthearcadeandinthewindowsofthegaming-roomsaboveit。
　　Tonybythistimehadregainedvoiceenoughtodeclarethathewouldgowheretheypleased，butthathemustfirstsayawordtothemateoftheHepzibah，whohadnowbeenawaitinghimsometwohoursormoreatthelanding-place。
　　TheCountrepeatedthistoTony'scustodian，butthelattershookhisheadandrattledoffasharpdenial。
　　“Impossible，sir，“saidtheCount。“Ientreatyounottoinsist。
　　Anyresistancewilltellagainstyouintheend。“
　　Tonyfellsilent。Witharapideyehewasmeasuringhischancesofescape。Inwindandlimbhewasmorethanamateforhiscaptors，andboyhood'sruseswerenotsofarbehindhimbuthefelthimselfequaltooutwittingadozengrownmen；buthehadthesensetoseethatatacrythecrowdwouldcloseinonhim。
　　Spacewaswhathewanted：acleartenyards，andhewouldhavelaughedatDogeandCouncil。Butthethrongwasthickasglue，andhewalkedonsubmissively，keepinghiseyealertforanopening。Suddenlythemobswervedasideaftersomenewshow。
　　Tony'sfistshotoutattheblackfellow'schest，andbeforethelattercouldrighthimselftheyoungNewEnglanderwasshowingacleanpairofheelstohisescort。Onhesped，cleavingthecrowdlikeaflood-tideinGloucesterbay，divingunderthefirstarchthatcaughthiseye，dashingdownalanetoanunlitwater-
　　way，andplungingacrossanarrowhump-backbridgewhichlandedhiminablackpocketbetweenwalls。Butnowhispursuerswereathisback，reinforcedbytheyelpingmob。Thewallsweretoohightoscale，andforallhiscourageTony'sbreathcameshortashepacedthemasonrycageinwhichill-luckhadlandedhim。
　　Suddenlyagateopenedinoneofthewalls，andaslipofaservantwenchlookedoutandbeckonedhim。Therewasnotimetoweighchances。Tonydashedthroughthegate，hisrescuerslammedandboltedit，andthetwostoodinanarrowpavedwellbetweenhighhouses。
　　II
　　TheservantpickedupalanternandsignedtoTonytofollowher。
　　Theyclimbedasqualidstairwayofstone，felttheirwayalongacorridor，andenteredatallvaultedroomfeeblylitbyanoil-
　　lamphungfromthepaintedceiling。Tonydiscernedtracesofformersplendourinhissurroundings，buthehadnotimetoexaminethem，forafigurestartedupathisapproachandinthedimlightherecognizedthegirlwhowasthecauseofallhistroubles。
　　Shesprangtowardhimwithoutstretchedhands，butasheadvancedherfacechangedandsheshrankbackabashed。
　　“Thisisamisunderstanding——adreadfulmisunderstanding，“shecriedoutinherprettybrokenEnglish。“Oh，howdoesithappenthatyouarehere？”
　　“Throughnochoiceofmyown，madam，Iassureyou！”retortedTony，notover-pleasedbyhisreception。
　　“Butwhy——how——howdidyoumakethisunfortunatemistake？”
　　“Why，madam，ifyou'llexcusemycandour，Ithinkthemistakewasyours——“
　　“Mine？”——
　　“insendingmealetter——“
　　“YOU——aletter？”——
　　“byasimpletonofalad，whomustneedshandittomeunderyourfather'sverynose——“
　　Thegirlbrokeinonhimwithacry。“What！ItwasYOUwhoreceivedmyletter？”Shesweptroundonthelittlemaid-servantandsubmergedherunderafloodofVenetian。Thelattervolleyedbackinthesamejargon，andasshedidso，Tony'sastonishedeyedetectedinherthedoubletedpagewhohadhandedhimtheletterinSaintMark's。
　　“What！”hecried，“theladwasthisgirlindisguise？”
　　Polixenabrokeoffwithanirrepressiblesmile；butherfacecloudedinstantlyandshereturnedtothecharge。
　　“Thiswicked，carelessgirl——shehasruinedme，shewillbemyundoing！Oh，sir，howcanImakeyouunderstand？Theletterwasnotintendedforyou——itwasmeantfortheEnglishAmbassador，anoldfriendofmymother's，fromwhomIhopedtoobtainassistance——oh，howcanIeverexcusemyselftoyou？”
　　“Noexcusesareneeded，madam，“saidTony，bowing；“thoughIamsurprised，Iown，thatanyoneshouldmistakemeforanambassador。“
　　HereawaveofmirthagainoverranPolixena'sface。“Oh，sir，youmustpardonmypoorgirl'smistake。SheheardyouspeakingEnglish，and——and——Ihadtoldhertohandthelettertothehandsomestforeignerinthechurch。“Tonybowedagain，moreprofoundly。“TheEnglishAmbassador，“Polixenaaddedsimply，“isaveryhandsomeman。“
　　“Iwish，madam，Iwereabetterproxy！”
　　Sheechoedhislaugh，andthenclappedherhandstogetherwithalookofanguish。“FoolthatIam！HowcanIjestatsuchamoment？Iamindreadfultrouble，andnowperhapsIhavebroughttroubleonyoualso——Oh，myfather！Ihearmyfathercoming！”
　　Sheturnedpaleandleanedtremblinglyuponthelittleservant。
　　Footstepsandloudvoiceswereinfactheardoutside，andamomentlaterthered-stockingedSenatorstalkedintotheroomattendedbyhalf-a-dozenofthemagnificoeswhomTonyhadseenabroadinthesquare。Atsightofhim，allclappedhandstotheirswordsandburstintofuriousoutcries；andthoughtheirjargonwasunintelligibletotheyoungman，theirtonesandgesturesmadetheirmeaningunpleasantlyplain。TheSenator，withastartofanger，firstflunghimselfontheintruder；then，snatchedbackbyhiscompanions，turnedwrathfullyonhisdaughter，who，athisfeet，withoutstretchedarmsandstreamingface，pleadedhercausewithalltheeloquenceofyoungdistress。
　　Meanwhiletheothernoblesgesticulatedvehementlyamongthemselves，andone，atruculent-lookingpersonageinruffandSpanishcape，stalkedapart，keepingajealouseyeonTony。Thelatterwasathiswit'sendhowtocomporthimself，forthelovelyPolixena'stearshadquitedrownedherfewwordsofEnglish，andbeyondguessingthatthemagnificoesmeanthimamischiefhehadnonotionwhattheywouldbeat。
　　Atthispoint，luckily，hisfriendCountRialtosuddenlybrokeinonthescene，andwasatonceassailedbyallthetonguesintheroom。HepulledalongfaceatsightofTony，butsignedtotheyoungmantobesilent，andaddressedhimselfearnestlytotheSenator。Thelatter，atfirst，wouldnotdrawbreathtohearhim；butpresently，sobering，hewalkedapartwiththeCount，andthetwoconversedtogetheroutofearshot。
　　“Mydearsir，“saidtheCount，atlengthturningtoTonywithaperturbedcountenance，“itisasIfeared，andyouarefallenintoagreatmisfortune。“
　　“Agreatmisfortune！Agreattrap，Icallit！”shoutedTony，whoseblood，bythistime，wasboiling；butasheutteredthewordthebeautifulPolixenacastsuchastrickenlookonhimthatheblusheduptotheforehead。
　　“Becareful，“saidtheCount，inalowtone。“ThoughhisIllustriousnessdoesnotspeakyourlanguage，heunderstandsafewwordsofit，and——“
　　“Somuchthebetter！”brokeinTony；“IhopehewillunderstandmeifIaskhiminplainEnglishwhatishisgrievanceagainstme。“
　　TheSenator，atthis，wouldhaveburstforthagain；buttheCount，steppingbetween，answeredquickly：“Hisgrievanceagainstyouisthatyouhavebeendetectedinsecretcorrespondencewithhisdaughter，themostnoblePolixenaCador，thebetrothedbrideofthisgentleman，themostillustriousMarquessZanipolo——“andhewavedadeferentialhandatthefrowninghidalgoofthecapeandruff。
　　“Sir，“saidTony，“ifthatistheextentofmyoffence，itlieswiththeyoungladytosetmefree，sincebyherownavowal——“
　　butherehestoppedshort，for，tohissurprise，Polixenashotaterrifiedglanceathim。
　　“Sir，“interposedtheCount，“wearenotaccustomedinVenicetotakeshelterbehindalady'sreputation。“
　　“NomoreareweinSalem，“retortedTonyinawhiteheat。“Iwasmerelyabouttoremarkthat，bytheyounglady'savowal，shehasneverseenmebefore。“
　　Polixena'seyessignalledhergratitude，andhefelthewouldhavediedtodefendher。
　　TheCounttranslatedhisstatement，andpresentlypursued：“HisIllustriousnessobservesthat，inthatcase，hisdaughter'smisconducthasbeenallthemorereprehensible。“
　　“Hermisconduct？Ofwhatdoesheaccuseher？”
　　“Ofsendingyou，justnow，inthechurchofSaintMark's，aletterwhichyouwereseentoreadopenlyandthrustinyourbosom。TheincidentwaswitnessedbyhisIllustriousnesstheMarquessZanipolo，who，inconsequence，hasalreadyrepudiatedhisunhappybride。“
　　TonystaredcontemptuouslyattheblackMarquess。“IfhisIllustriousnessissolackingingallantryastorepudiatealadyonsotrivialapretext，itisheandnotIwhoshouldbetheobjectofherfather'sresentment。“
　　“That，mydearyounggentleman，ishardlyforyoutodecide。
　　Youronlyexcusebeingyourignoranceofourcustoms，itisscarcelyforyoutoadviseushowtobehaveinmattersofpunctilio。“
　　ItseemedtoTonyasthoughtheCountweregoingovertohisenemies，andthethoughtsharpenedhisretort。
　　“Ihadsupposed，“saidhe，“thatmenofsensehadmuchthesamebehaviourinallcountries，andthat，hereaselsewhere，agentlemanwouldbetakenathisword。IsolemnlyaffirmthattheletterIwasseentoreadreflectsinnowayonthehonourofthisyounglady，andhasinfactnothingtodowithwhatyousuppose。“
　　Ashehadhimselfnonotionwhattheletterwasabout，thiswasasfarashedaredcommithimself。
　　Therewasanotherbriefconsultationintheopposingcamp，andtheCountthensaid：——“Weallknow，sir，thatagentlemanisobligedtomeetcertainenquiriesbyadenial；butyouhaveatyourcommandthemeansofimmediatelyclearingthelady。Willyoushowthelettertoherfather？”
　　Therewasaperceptiblepause，duringwhichTony，whileappearingtolookstraightbeforehim，managedtodeflectaninterrogatoryglancetowardPolixena。Herreplywasafaintnegativemotion，accompaniedbyunmistakablesignsofapprehension。
　　“Poorgirl！”hethought，“sheisinaworsecasethanIimagined，andwhateverhappensImustkeephersecret。“
　　HeturnedtotheSenatorwithadeepbow。“Iamnot，“saidhe，“inthehabitofshowingmyprivatecorrespondencetostrangers。“
　　TheCountinterpretedthesewords，andDonnaPolixena'sfather，dashinghishandonhishilt，brokeintofuriousinvective，whiletheMarquesscontinuedtonursehisoutragedfeelingsaloof。
　　TheCountshookhisheadfunereally。“Alas，sir，itisasI
　　feared。Thisisnotthefirsttimethatyouthandpropinquityhaveledtofatalimprudence。ButIneedhardly，Isuppose，pointouttheobligationincumbentuponyouasamanofhonour。“
　　Tonystaredathimhaughtily，withalookwhichwasmeantfortheMarquess。“Andwhatobligationisthat？”
　　“Torepairthewrongyouhavedone——inotherwords，tomarrythelady。“
　　Polixenaatthisburstintotears，andTonysaidtohimself：“Whyinheavendoesshenotbidmeshowtheletter？”Thenherememberedthatithadnosuperscription，andthatthewordsitcontained，supposingthemtohavebeenaddressedtohimself，werehardlyofanaturetodisarmsuspicion。Thesenseofthegirl'sgraveplighteffacedallthoughtofhisownrisk，buttheCount'slastwordsstruckhimassopreposterousthathecouldnotrepressasmile。
　　“Icannotflattermyself，“saidhe，“thattheladywouldwelcomethissolution。“
　　TheCount'smannerbecameincreasinglyceremonious。“Suchmodesty，“hesaid，“becomesyouryouthandinexperience；butevenifitwerejustifieditwouldscarcelyalterthecase，asitisalwaysassumedinthiscountrythatayoungladywishestomarrythemanwhomherfatherhasselected。“
　　“ButIunderstoodjustnow，“Tonyinterposed，“thatthegentlemanyonderwasinthatenviableposition。“
　　“Sohewas，tillcircumstancesobligedhimtowaivetheprivilegeinyourfavour。“
　　“Hedoesmetoomuchhonour；butifadeepsenseofmyunworthinessobligesmetodecline——“
　　“Youarestill，“interruptedtheCount，“labouringunderamisapprehension。Yourchoiceinthematterisnomoretobeconsultedthanthelady's。Nottoputtoofineapointonit，itisnecessarythatyoushouldmarryherwithinthehour。“
　　Tony，atthis，forallhisspirit，feltthebloodrunthininhisveins。Helookedinsilenceatthethreateningvisagesbetweenhimselfandthedoor，stoleaside-glanceatthehighbarredwindowsoftheapartment，andthenturnedtoPolixena，whohadfallensobbingatherfather'sfeet。
　　“AndifIrefuse？”saidhe。
　　TheCountmadeasignificantgesture。“Iamnotsofoolishastothreatenamanofyourmettle。Butperhapsyouareunawarewhattheconsequenceswouldbetothelady。“
　　Polixena，atthis，strugglingtoherfeet，addressedafewimpassionedwordstotheCountandherfather；butthelatterputherasidewithanobdurategesture。
　　TheCountturnedtoTony。“Theladyherselfpleadsforyou——atwhatcostyoudonotguess——butasyouseeitisvain。InanhourhisIllustriousness'schaplainwillbehere。MeanwhilehisIllustriousnessconsentstoleaveyouinthecustodyofyourbetrothed。“
　　Hesteppedback，andtheothergentlemen，bowingwithdeepceremonytoTony，stalkedoutonebyonefromtheroom。Tonyheardthekeyturninthelock，andfoundhimselfalonewithPolixena。
　　III
　　Thegirlhadsunkintoachair，herfacehidden，apictureofshameandagony。SomovingwasthesightthatTonyonceagainforgothisownextremityintheviewofherdistress。Hewentandkneeledbesideher，drawingherhandsfromherface。
　　“Oh，don'tmakemelookatyou！”shesobbed；butitwasonhisbosomthatshehidfromhisgaze。Heheldherthereabreathing-
　　space，ashemighthaveclaspedaweepingchild；thenshedrewbackandputhimgentlyfromher。
　　“Whathumiliation！”shelamented。
　　“DoyouthinkIblameyouforwhathashappened？”
　　“Alas，wasitnotmyfoolishletterthatbroughtyoutothisplight？Andhownoblyyoudefendedme！Howgenerousitwasofyounottoshowtheletter！IfmyfatherknewIhadwrittentotheAmbassadortosavemefromthisdreadfulmarriagehisangeragainstmewouldbeevengreater。“
　　“Ah——itwasthatyouwrotefor？”criedTonywithunaccountablerelief。
　　“Ofcourse——whatelsedidyouthink？”
　　“ButisittoolatefortheAmbassadortosaveyou？”
　　“FromYOU？”Asmileflashedthroughhertears。“Alas，yes。“
　　Shedrewbackandhidherfaceagain，asthoughovercomebyafreshwaveofshame。
　　Tonyglancedabouthim。“IfIcouldwrenchabaroutofthatwindow——“hemuttered。
　　“Impossible！Thecourtisguarded。Youareaprisoner，alas——
　　Oh，Imustspeak！”Shesprangupandpacedtheroom。“Butindeedyoucanscarcethinkworseofmethanyoudoalready——“
　　“Ithinkillofyou？”
　　“Alas，youmust！Tobeunwillingtomarrythemanmyfatherhaschosenforme——“
　　“Suchabeetle-browedlout！Itwouldbeaburningshameifyoumarriedhim。“
　　“Ah，youcomefromafreecountry。Hereagirlisallowednochoice。“
　　“Itisinfamous，Isay——infamous！”
　　“No，no——Ioughttohaveresignedmyself，likesomanyothers。“
　　“Resignedyourselftothatbrute！Impossible！”
　　“Hehasadreadfulnameforviolence——hisgondolierhastoldmylittlemaidsuchtalesofhim！ButwhydoItalkofmyself，whenitisofyouIshouldbethinking？”
　　“Ofme，poorchild？”criedTony，losinghishead。
　　“Yes，andhowtosaveyou——forICANsaveyou！Buteverymomentcounts——andyetwhatIhavetosayissodreadful。“
　　“Nothingfromyourlipscouldseemdreadful。“
　　“Ah，ifhehadhadyourwayofspeaking！”
　　“Well，nowatleastyouarefreeofhim，“saidTony，alittlewildly；butatthisshestoodupandbentagravelookonhim。
　　“No，Iamnotfree，“shesaid；“butyouare，ifyouwilldoasI
　　tellyou。“
　　Tony，atthis，feltasuddendizziness；asthough，fromamadflightthroughcloudsanddarkness，hehaddroppedtosafetyagain，andthefallhadstunnedhim。
　　“WhatamItodo？”hesaid。
　　“Lookawayfromme，orIcannevertellyou。“
　　Hethoughtatfirstthatthiswasajest，buthereyescommandedhim，andreluctantlyhewalkedawayandleanedintheembrasureofthewindow。Shestoodinthemiddleoftheroom，andassoonashisbackwasturnedshebegantospeakinaquickmonotonousvoice，asthoughshewererecitingalesson。
　　“YoumustknowthattheMarquessZanipolo，thoughagreatnoble，isnotarichman。True，hehaslargeestates，butheisadesperatespendthriftandgambler，andwouldsellhissoulforaroundsumofreadymoney——IfyouturnroundIshallnotgoon！——
　　Hewrangledhorriblywithmyfatherovermydowry——hewantedmetohavemorethaneitherofmysisters，thoughonemarriedaProcuratorandtheotheragrandeeofSpain。Butmyfatherisagamblertoo——oh，suchfortunesasaresquanderedoverthearcadeyonder！Andso——andso——don'tturn，Iimploreyou——oh，doyoubegintoseemymeaning？”
　　Shebrokeoffsobbing，andittookallhisstrengthtokeephiseyesfromher。
　　“Goon，“hesaid。
　　“Willyounotunderstand？Oh，Iwouldsayanythingtosaveyou！
　　Youdon'tknowusVenetians——we'realltobeboughtforaprice。
　　Itisnotonlythebrideswhoaremarketable——sometimesthehusbandssellthemselvestoo。Andtheythinkyourich——myfatherdoes，andtheothers——Idon'tknowwhy，unlessyouhaveshownyourmoneytoofreely——andtheEnglishareallrich，aretheynot？And——oh，oh——doyouunderstand？Oh，Ican'tbearyoureyes！”
　　Shedroppedintoachair，herheadonherarms，andTonyinaflashwasatherside。
　　“Mypoorchild，mypoorPolixena！”hecried，andweptandclaspedher。
　　“YouARErich，areyounot？Youwouldpromisethemaransom？”
　　shepersisted。
　　“ToenableyoutomarrytheMarquess？”
　　“Toenableyoutoescapefromthisplace。Oh，IhopeImayneverseeyourfaceagain。“Shefelltoweepingoncemore，andhedrewawayandpacedthefloorinafever。
　　Presentlyshesprangupwithafreshairofresolution，andpointedtoaclockagainstthewall。“Thehourisnearlyover。
　　Itisquitetruethatmyfatherisgonetofetchhischaplain。
　　Oh，Iimploreyou，bewarnedbyme！Thereisnootherwayofescape。“
　　“AndifIdoasyousay——？”
　　“Youaresafe！Youarefree！Istakemylifeonit。“
　　“Andyou——youaremarriedtothatvillain？”
　　“ButIshallhavesavedyou。Tellmeyourname，thatImaysayittomyselfwhenIamalone。“
　　“MynameisAnthony。Butyoumustnotmarrythatfellow。“
　　“Youforgiveme，Anthony？Youdon'tthinktoobadlyofme？”
　　“Isayyoumustnotmarrythatfellow。“
　　Shelaidatremblinghandonhisarm。“Timepresses，“sheadjuredhim，“andIwarnyouthereisnootherway。“
　　Foramomenthehadavisionofhismother，sittingveryupright，onaSundayevening，readingDr。Tillotson'ssermonsinthebestparlouratSalem；thenheswungroundonthegirlandcaughtbothherhandsinhis。“Yes，thereis，“hecried，“ifyouarewilling。Polixena，letthepriestcome！”
　　Sheshrankbackfromhim，whiteandradiant。“Oh，hush，besilent！”shesaid。
　　“IamnonobleMarquess，andhavenogreatestates，“hecried。
　　“MyfatherisaplainIndiamerchantinthecolonyofMassachusetts——butifyou——“
　　“Oh，hush，Isay！Idon'tknowwhatyourlongwordsmean。ButI
　　blessyou，blessyou，blessyouonmyknees！”Andshekneltbeforehim，andfelltokissinghishands。
　　Hedrewheruptohisbreastandheldherthere。
　　“Youarewilling，Polixena？”hesaid。
　　“No，no！”Shebrokefromhimwithoutstretchedhands。“Iamnotwilling。Youmistakeme。ImustmarrytheMarquess，Itellyou！”
　　“Onmymoney？”hetauntedher；andherburningblushrebukedhim。
　　“Yes，onyourmoney，“shesaidsadly。
　　“Why？Because，muchasyouhatehim，youhatemestillmore？”
　　Shewassilent。
　　“Ifyouhateme，whydoyousacrificeyourselfforme？”hepersisted。
　　“Youtortureme！AndItellyouthehourispast。“
　　“Letitpass。I'llnotacceptyoursacrifice。Iwillnotliftafingertohelpanothermantomarryyou。“
　　“Oh，madman，madman！”shemurmured。
　　Tony，withcrossedarms，facedhersquarely，andsheleanedagainstthewallafewfeetofffromhim。Herbreastthrobbedunderitslaceandfalbalas，andhereyesswamwithterrorandentreaty。
　　“Polixena，Iloveyou！”hecried。
　　Ablushsweptoverherthroatandbosom，bathingherinlighttothevergeofhertroubledbrows。
　　“Iloveyou！Iloveyou！”herepeated。
　　Andnowshewasonhisbreastagain，andalltheiryouthwasintheirlips。Butherembracewasasfleetingasabird'spoiseandbeforeheknewitheclaspedemptyair，andhalftheroomwasbetweenthem。
　　Shewasholdingupalittlecoralcharmandlaughing。“Itookitfromyourfob，“shesaid。“Itisofnovalue，isit？AndI
　　shallnotgetanyofthemoney，youknow。“
　　Shecontinuedtolaughstrangely，andtherougeburnedlikefireinherashenface。
　　“Whatareyoutalkingof？”hesaid。
　　“TheynevergivemeanythingbuttheclothesIwear。AndIshallneverseeyouagain，Anthony！”Shegavehimadreadfullook。
　　“Oh，mypoorboy，mypoorlove——'ILOVEYOU，ILOVEYOU，POLIXENA！'“
　　Hethoughtshehadturnedlight-headed，andadvancedtoherwithsoothingwords；butsheheldhimquietlyatarm'slength，andashegazedhereadthetruthinherface。
　　Hefellbackfromher，andasobbrokefromhimashebowedhisheadonhishands。
　　“Only，forGod'ssake，havethemoneyready，ortheremaybefoulplayhere，“shesaid。
　　Asshespoketherewasagreattrampingofstepsoutsideandaburstofvoicesonthethreshold。
　　“Itisallalie，“shegaspedout，“aboutmymarriage，andtheMarquess，andtheAmbassador，andtheSenator——butnot，oh，notaboutyourdangerinthisplace——oraboutmylove，“shebreathedtohim。Andasthekeyrattledinthedoorshelaidherlipsonhisbrow。
　　Thekeyrattled，andthedoorswungopen——buttheblack-cassockedgentlemanwhosteppedin，thoughapriestindeed，wasnovotaryofidolatrousrites，butthatsoundorthodoxdivine，theReverendOziasMounce，lookingverymuchperturbedathissurroundings，andverymuchonthealertfortheScarletWoman。Hewassupported，tohisevidentrelief，bythecaptainoftheHepzibahB。，andtheprocessionwasclosedbyanescortofstern-lookingfellowsincockedhatsandsmall-swords，wholedbetweenthemTony'slatefriendsthemagnificoes，nowassorryalookingcompanyasthelaweverlandedinhernet。
　　Thecaptainstrodebrisklyintotheroom，utteringagruntofsatisfactionasheclappedeyesonTony。
　　“So，Mr。Bracknell，“saidhe，“youhavebeenseeingtheCarnivalwiththispackofmummers，haveyou？Andthisiswhereyourpleasuringhaslandedyou？H'm——aprettyestablishment，andaprettyladyattheheadofit。“HeglancedabouttheapartmentanddoffedhishatwithmockceremonytoPolixena，whofacedhimlikeaprincess。
　　“Why，mygirl，“saidhe，amicably，“IthinkIsawyouthismorninginthesquare，onthearmofthePantaloonyonder；andasforthatCaptainSpavent——“andhepointedaderisivefingerattheMarquess——“I'vewatchedhimdrivehisbully'stradeunderthearcadeeversinceIfirstdroppedanchorinthesewaters。Well，well，“hecontinued，hisindignationsubsiding，“all'sfairinCarnival，Isuppose，butthisgentlemanhereisundersailingorders，andIfearwemustbreakupyourlittleparty。“
　　AtthisTonysawCountRialtostepforward，lookingverysmallandexplanatory，anduncoveringobsequiouslytothecaptain。
　　“Icanassureyou，sir，“saidtheCountinhisbestEnglish，“thatthisincidentistheresultofanunfortunatemisunderstanding，andifyouwillobligeusbydismissingthesemyrmidons，anyofmyfriendsherewillbehappytooffersatisfactiontoMr。Bracknellandhiscompanions。“
　　Mr。Mounceshrankvisiblyatthis，andthecaptainburstintoaloudguffaw。
　　“Satisfaction？”sayshe。“Why，mycock，that'sveryhandsomeofyou，consideringtherope'satyourthroats。Butwe'llnottakeadvantageofyourgenerosity，forIfearMr。Bracknellhasalreadytrespassedonittoolong。Youpackofgalley-slaves，you！”hesplutteredsuddenly，“decoyingyounginnocentswiththatdevil'sbaitofyours——“HiseyefellonPolixena，andhisvoicesoftenedunaccountably。“Ah，well，wemustallseetheCarnivalonce，Isuppose，“hesaid。“All'swellthatendswell，asthefellowsaysintheplay；andnow，ifyouplease，Mr。Bracknell，ifyou'lltakethereverendgentleman'sarmthere，we'llbidadieutoourhospitableentertainers，andrightaboutfacefortheHepzibah。“
　　TheEndofAVenetianNight'sEntertainmentXINGU
　　December，1911
　　Mrs。BallingerisoneoftheladieswhopursueCultureinbands，asthoughitweredangeroustomeetalone。TothisendshehadfoundedtheLunchClub，anassociationcomposedofherselfandseveralotherindomitablehuntressesoferudition。TheLunchClub，afterthreeorfourwintersoflunchinganddebate，hadacquiredsuchlocaldistinctionthattheentertainmentofdistinguishedstrangersbecameoneofitsacceptedfunctions；inrecognitionofwhichitdulyextendedtothecelebrated“OsricDane，“onthedayofherarrivalinHillbridge，aninvitationtobepresentatthenextmeeting。
　　TheClubwastomeetatMrs。Ballinger's。Theothermembers，behindherback，wereofonevoiceindeploringherunwillingnesstocedeherrightsinfavorofMrs。Plinth，whosehousemadeamoreimpressivesettingfortheentertainmentofcelebrities；
　　while，asMrs。Leveretobserved，therewasalwaysthepicture-
　　gallerytofallbackon。
　　Mrs。Plinthmadenosecretofsharingthisview。ShehadalwaysregardeditasoneofherobligationstoentertaintheLunchClub'sdistinguishedguests。Mrs。Plinthwasalmostasproudofherobligationsasshewasofherpicture-gallery；shewasinfactfondofimplyingthattheonepossessionimpliedtheother，andthatonlyawomanofherwealthcouldaffordtoliveuptoastandardashighasthatwhichshehadsetherself。Anall-roundsenseofduty，roughlyadaptabletovariousends，was，inheropinion，allthatProvidenceexactedofthemorehumblystationed；butthepowerwhichhadpredestinedMrs。Plinthtokeepfootmenclearlyintendedhertomaintainanequallyspecializedstaffofresponsibilities。ItwasthemoretoberegrettedthatMrs。Ballinger，whoseobligationstosocietywereboundedbythenarrowscopeoftwoparlour-maids，shouldhavebeensotenaciousoftherighttoentertainOsricDane。
　　Thequestionofthatlady'sreceptionhadforamonthpastprofoundlymovedthemembersoftheLunchClub。Itwasnotthattheyfeltthemselvesunequaltothetask，butthattheirsenseoftheopportunityplungedthemintotheagreeableuncertaintyoftheladywhoweighsthealternativesofawell-stockedwardrobe。
　　IfsuchsubsidiarymembersasMrs。Leveretwereflutteredbythethoughtofexchangingideaswiththeauthorof“TheWingsofDeath，“noforebodingsofthekinddisturbedtheconsciousadequacyofMrs。Plinth，Mrs。BallingerandMissVanVluyck。
　　“TheWingsofDeath“had，infact，atMissVanVluyck'ssuggestion，beenchosenasthesubjectofdiscussionatthelastclubmeeting，andeachmemberhadthusbeenenabledtoexpressherownopinionortoappropriatewhateverseemedmostlikelytobeofuseinthecommentsoftheothers。Mrs。Robyalonehadabstainedfromprofitingbytheopportunitythusoffered；butitwasnowopenlyrecognisedthat，asamemberoftheLunchClub，Mrs。Robywasafailure。“Itallcomes，“asMissVanVluyckputit，“ofacceptingawomanonaman'sestimation。“Mrs。Roby，returningtoHillbridgefromaprolongedsojourninexoticregions——theotherladiesnolongertookthetroubletorememberwhere——hadbeenemphaticallycommendedbythedistinguishedbiologist，ProfessorForeland，asthemostagreeablewomanhehadevermet；andthemembersoftheLunchClub，awedbyanencomiumthatcarriedtheweightofadiploma，andrashlyassumingthattheProfessor'ssocialsympathieswouldfollowthelineofhisscientificbent，hadseizedthechanceofannexingabiologicalmember。Theirdisillusionmentwascomplete。AtMissVanVluyck'sfirstoff-handmentionofthepterodactylMrs。Robyhadconfusedlymurmured：“Iknowsolittleaboutmetres——“andafterthatpainfulbetrayalofincompetenceshehadprudentlywithdrawnfromfartherparticipationinthementalgymnasticsoftheclub。
　　“Isupposesheflatteredhim，“MissVanVluycksummedup——“orelseit'sthewayshedoesherhair。“
　　ThedimensionsofMissVanVluyck'sdining-roomhavingrestrictedthemembershipoftheclubtosix，thenon-conductivenessofonememberwasaseriousobstacletotheexchangeofideas，andsomewonderhadalreadybeenexpressedthatMrs。Robyshouldcaretolive，asitwere，ontheintellectualbountyoftheothers。Thisfeelingwasaugmentedbythediscoverythatshehadnotyetread“TheWingsofDeath。“SheownedtohavingheardthenameofOsricDane；butthat——incredibleasitappeared——wastheextentofheracquaintancewiththecelebratednovelist。Theladiescouldnotconcealtheirsurprise，butMrs。Ballinger，whoseprideintheclubmadeherwishtoputevenMrs。Robyinthebestpossiblelight，gentlyinsinuatedthat，thoughshehadnothadtimetoacquaintherselfwith“TheWingsofDeath，“shemustatleastbefamiliarwithitsequallyremarkablepredecessor，“TheSupremeInstant。“
　　Mrs。Robywrinkledhersunnybrowsinaconscientiouseffortofmemory，asaresultofwhichsherecalledthat，oh，yes，sheHAD
　　seenthebookatherbrother's，whenshewasstayingwithhiminBrazil，andhadevencarrieditofftoreadonedayonaboatingparty；buttheyhadallgottoshyingthingsateachotherintheboat，andthebookhadgoneoverboard，soshehadneverhadthechance——
　　ThepictureevokedbythisanecdotedidnotadvanceMrs。Roby'screditwiththeclub，andtherewasapainfulpause，whichwasbrokenbyMrs。Plinth'sremarking：“Icanunderstandthat，withallyourotherpursuits，youshouldnotfindmuchtimeforreading；butIshouldhavethoughtyoumightatleasthaveGOTUP
　　'TheWingsofDeath'beforeOsricDane'sarrival。“
　　Mrs。Robytookthisrebukegood-humouredly。Shehadmeant，sheownedtoglancethroughthebook；butshehadbeensoabsorbedinanovelofTrollope'sthat——
　　“NoonereadsTrollopenow，“Mrs。Ballingerinterruptedimpatiently。
　　Mrs。Robylookedpained。“I'monlyjustbeginning，“sheconfessed。
　　“Anddoesheinterestyou？”Mrs。Plinthinquired。
　　“Heamusesme。“
　　“Amusement，“saidMrs。Plinthsententiously，“ishardlywhatI
　　lookforinmychoiceofbooks。“
　　“Oh，certainly，'TheWingsofDeath'isnotamusing，“venturedMrs。Leveret，whosemannerofputtingforthanopinionwaslikethatofanobligingsalesmanwithavarietyofotherstylestosubmitifhisfirstselectiondoesnotsuit。
　　“WasitMEANTtobe？”enquiredMrs。Plinth，whowasfondofaskingquestionsthatshepermittednoonebutherselftoanswer。
　　“Assuredlynot。“
　　“Assuredlynot——thatiswhatIwasgoingtosay，“assentedMrs。
　　Leveret，hastilyrollingupheropinionandreachingforanother。
　　“Itwasmeantto——toelevate。“
　　MissVanVluyckadjustedherspectaclesasthoughtheyweretheblackcapofcondemnation。“Ihardlysee，“sheinterposed，“howabooksteepedinthebitterestpessimismcanbesaidtoelevate，howevermuchitmayinstruct。“
　　“Imeant，ofcourse，toinstruct，“saidMrs。Leveret，flurriedbytheunexpecteddistinctionbetweentwotermswhichshehadsupposedtobesynonymous。Mrs。Leveret'senjoymentoftheLunchClubwasfrequentlymarredbysuchsurprises；andnotknowingherownvaluetotheotherladiesasamirrorfortheirmentalcomplacencyshewassometimestroubledbyadoubtofherworthinesstojoinintheirdebates。Itwasonlythefactofhavingadullsisterwhothoughthercleverthatsavedherfromasenseofhopelessinferiority。
　　“Dotheygetmarriedintheend？”Mrs。Robyinterposed。
　　“They——who？”theLunchClubcollectivelyexclaimed。
　　“Why，thegirlandman。It'sanovel，isn'tit？Ialwaysthinkthat'stheonethingthatmatters。Ifthey'reparteditspoilsmydinner。“
　　Mrs。PlinthandMrs。Ballingerexchangedscandalisedglances，andthelattersaid：“Ishouldhardlyadviseyoutoread'TheWingsofDeath，'inthatspirit。Formypart，whentherearesomanybooksthatoneHAStoread，Iwonderhowanyonecanfindtimeforthosethataremerelyamusing。“
　　“Thebeautifulpartofit，“LauraGlydemurmured，“issurelyjustthis——thatnoonecantellHOW'TheWingsofDeath'ends。OsricDane，overcomebythedreadsignificanceofherownmeaning，hasmercifullyveiledit——perhapsevenfromherself——asApelles，inrepresentingthesacrificeofIphigenia，veiledthefaceofAgamemnon。“
　　“What'sthat？Isitpoetry？”whisperedMrs。LeveretnervouslytoMrs。Plinth，who，disdainingadefinitereply，saidcoldly：“Youshouldlookitup。Ialwaysmakeitapointtolookthingsup。“
　　Hertoneadded——“thoughImighteasilyhaveitdoneformebythefootman。“
　　“Iwasabouttosay，“MissVanVluyckresumed，“thatitmustalwaysbeaquestionwhetherabookCANinstructunlessitelevates。“
　　“Oh——“murmuredMrs。Leveret，nowfeelingherselfhopelesslyastray。
　　“Idon'tknow，“saidMrs。Ballinger，scentinginMissVanVluyck'stoneatendencytodepreciatethecoveteddistinctionofentertainingOsricDane；“Idon'tknowthatsuchaquestioncanseriouslyberaisedastoabookwhichhasattractedmoreattentionamongthoughtfulpeoplethananynovelsince'RobertElsmere。'“
　　“Oh，butdon'tyousee，“exclaimedLauraGlyde，“thatit'sjustthedarkhopelessnessofitall——thewonderfultone-schemeofblackonblack——thatmakesitsuchanartisticachievement？ItremindedmesowhenIreaditofPrinceRupert'smanierenoire……
　　thebookisetched，notpainted，yetonefeelsthecolourvaluessointensely……“
　　“WhoisHE？”Mrs。Leveretwhisperedtoherneighbour。“Someoneshe'smetabroad？”
　　“Thewonderfulpartofthebook，“Mrs。Ballingerconceded，“isthatitmaybelookedatfromsomanypointsofview。IhearthatasastudyofdeterminismProfessorLuptonranksitwith'TheDataofEthics。'“
　　“I'mtoldthatOsricDanespenttenyearsinpreparatorystudiesbeforebeginningtowriteit，“saidMrs。Plinth。“Shelooksupeverything——verifieseverything。Ithasalwaysbeenmyprinciple，asyouknow。Nothingwouldinduceme，now，toputasideabookbeforeI'dfinishedit，justbecauseIcanbuyasmanymoreasIwant。“
　　“AndwhatdoYOUthinkof'TheWingsofDeath'？”Mrs。Robyabruptlyaskedher。
　　Itwasthekindofquestionthatmightbetermedoutoforder，andtheladiesglancedateachotherasthoughdisclaiminganyshareinsuchabreachofdiscipline。TheyallknewthattherewasnothingMrs。Plinthsomuchdislikedasbeingaskedheropinionofabook。Bookswerewrittentoread；ifonereadthemwhatmorecouldbeexpected？TobequestionedindetailregardingthecontentsofavolumeseemedtoherasgreatanoutrageasbeingsearchedforsmuggledlacesattheCustomHouse。
　　TheclubhadalwaysrespectedthisidiosyncrasyofMrs。Plinth's。
　　Suchopinionsasshehadwereimposingandsubstantial：hermind，likeherhouse，wasfurnishedwithmonumental“pieces“thatwerenotmeanttobesuddenlydisarranged；anditwasoneoftheunwrittenrulesoftheLunchClubthat，withinherownprovince，eachmember'shabitsofthoughtshouldberespected。Themeetingthereforeclosedwithanincreasedsense，onthepartoftheotherladies，ofMrs。Roby'shopelessunfitnesstobeoneofthem。
　　II
　　Mrs。Leveret，ontheeventfulday，hadarrivedearlyatMrs。
　　Ballinger's，hervolumeofAppropriateAllusionsinherpocket。
　　ItalwaysflusteredMrs。LeverettobelateattheLunchClub：
　　shelikedtocollectherthoughtsandgatherahint，astheothersassembled，oftheturntheconversationwaslikelytotake。To-day，however，shefeltherselfcompletelyataloss；
　　andeventhefamiliarcontactofAppropriateAllusions，whichstuckintoherasshesatdown，failedtogiveheranyreassurance。Itwasanadmirablelittlevolume，compiledtomeetallthesocialemergencies；sothat，whetherontheoccasionofAnniversaries，joyfulormelancholyastheclassificationran，ofBanquets，socialormunicipal，orofBaptisms，ChurchofEnglandorsectarian，itsstudentneedneverbeatalossforapertinentreference。Mrs。Leveret，thoughshehadforyearsdevoutlyconneditspages，valuedit，however，ratherforitsmoralsupportthanforitspracticalservices；forthoughintheprivacyofherownroomshecommandedanarmyofquotations，theseinvariablydesertedheratthecriticalmoment，andtheonlylinesheretained——CANSTTHOUDRAWOUTLEVIATHANWITHA
　　HOOK？——wasoneshehadneveryetfoundtheoccasiontoapply。
　　To-dayshefeltthateventhecompletemasteryofthevolumewouldhardlyhaveinsuredherself-possession；forshethoughtitprobable，evenifsheDID，insomemiraculousway，rememberanAllusion，itwouldbeonlytofindthatOsricDaneusedadifferentvolumeMrs。Leveretwasconvincedthatliterarypeoplealwayscarriedthem，andwouldconsequentlynotrecogniseherquotations。
　　Mrs。Leveret'ssenseofbeingadriftwasintensifiedbytheappearanceofMrs。Ballinger'sdrawing-room。Toacarelesseyeitsaspectwasunchanged；butthoseacquaintedwithMrs。
　　Ballinger'swayofarrangingherbookswouldinstantlyhavedetectedthemarksofrecentperturbation。Mrs。Ballinger'sprovince，asamemberoftheLunchClub，wastheBookoftheDay。
　　Onthat，whateveritwas，fromanoveltoatreatiseonexperimentalpsychology，shewasconfidently，authoritatively“up。“Whatbecameoflastyear'sbooks，orlastweek'seven；
　　whatshedidwiththe“subjects“shehadpreviouslyprofessedwithequalauthority；noonehadeveryetdiscovered。Hermindwasanhotelwherefactscameandwentliketransientlodgers，withoutleavingtheiraddressbehind，andfrequentlywithoutpayingfortheirboard。ItwasMrs。Ballinger'sboastthatshewas“abreastwiththeThoughtoftheDay，“andherpridethatthisadvancedpositionshouldbeexpressedbythebooksonherdrawing-roomtable。Thesevolumes，frequentlyrenewed，andalmostalwaysdampfromthepress，borenamesgenerallyunfamiliartoMrs。Leveret，andgivingher，asshefurtivelyscannedthem，adishearteningglimpseofnewfieldsofknowledgetobebreathlesslytraversedinMrs。Ballinger'swake。Butto-
　　dayanumberofmaturer-lookingvolumeswereadroitlymingledwiththeprimeursofthepress——KarlMarxjostledProfessorBergson，andthe“ConfessionsofSt。Augustine“laybesidethelastworkon“Mendelism“；sothateventoMrs。Leveret'sflutteredperceptionsitwasclearthatMrs。Ballingerdidn'tintheleastknowwhatOsricDanewaslikelytotalkabout，andhadtakenmeasurestobepreparedforanything。Mrs。Leveretfeltlikeapassengeronanoceansteamerwhoistoldthatthereisnoimmediatedanger，butthatshehadbetterputonherlife-belt。
　　ItwasarelieftoberousedfromtheseforebodingsbyMissVanVluyck'sarrival。
　　“Well，mydear，“thenew-comerbrisklyaskedherhostess，“whatsubjectsarewetodiscussto-day？”
　　Mrs。BallingerwasfurtivelyreplacingavolumeofWordsworthbyacopyofVerlaine。“Ihardlyknow，“shesaidsomewhatnervously。“Perhapswehadbetterleavethattocircumstances。“
　　“Circumstances？”saidMissVanVluyckdrily。“Thatmeans，I
　　suppose，thatLauraGlydewilltakethefloorasusual，andweshallbedelugedwithliterature。“
　　PhilanthropyandstatisticswereMissVanVluyck'sprovince，andshenaturallyresentedanytendencytodiverttheirguest'sattentionfromthesetopics。
　　Mrs。Plinthatthismomentappeared。
　　“Literature？”sheprotestedinatoneofremonstrance。“Butthisisperfectlyunexpected。IunderstoodweweretotalkofOsricDane'snovel。“
　　Mrs。Ballingerwincedatthediscrimination，butletitpass。
　　“Wecanhardlymakethatourchiefsubject——atleastnotTOO
　　intentionally，“shesuggested。“OfcoursewecanletourtalkDRIFTinthatdirection；butweoughttohavesomeothertopicasanintroduction，andthatiswhatIwantedtoconsultyouabout。
　　Thefactis，weknowsolittleofOsricDane'stastesandintereststhatitisdifficulttomakeanyspecialpreparation。“
　　“Itmaybedifficult，“saidMrs。Plinthwithdecision，“butitisabsolutelynecessary。Iknowwhatthathappy-go-luckyprincipleleadsto。AsItoldoneofmyniecestheotherday，therearecertainemergenciesforwhichaladyshouldalwaysbeprepared。
　　It'sinshockingtastetowearcolourswhenonepaysavisitofcondolence，oralastyear'sdresswhentherearereportsthatone'shusbandisonthewrongsideofthemarket；andsoitiswithconversation。AllIaskisthatIshouldknowbeforehandwhatistobetalkedabout；thenIfeelsureofbeingabletosaytheproperthing。“
　　“Iquiteagreewithyou，“Mrs。Ballingeranxiouslyassented；
　　“but——“
　　Andatthatinstant，heraldedbytheflutteredparlour-maid，OsricDaneappeareduponthethreshold。
　　Mrs。Leverettoldhersisterafterwardthatshehadknownataglancewhatwascoming。ShesawthatOsricDanewasnotgoingtomeetthemhalfway。Thatdistinguishedpersonagehadindeedenteredwithanairofcompulsionnotcalculatedtopromotetheeasyexerciseofhospitality。Shelookedasthoughshewereabouttobephotographedforaneweditionofherbooks。
　　Thedesiretopropitiateadivinityisgenerallyininverseratiotoitsresponsiveness，andthesenseofdiscouragementproducedbyOsricDane'sentrancevisiblyincreasedtheLunchClub'seagernesstopleaseher。Anylingeringideathatshemightconsiderherselfunderanobligationtoherentertainerswasatoncedispelledbyhermanner：asMrs。Leveretsaidafterwardtohersister，shehadawayoflookingatyouthatmadeyoufeelasiftherewassomethingwrongwithyourhat。ThisevidenceofgreatnessproducedsuchanimmediateimpressionontheladiesthatashudderofaweranthroughthemwhenMrs。Roby，astheirhostessledthegreatpersonageintothedining-room，turnedbacktowhispertotheothers：“Whatabrutesheis！”
　　Thehouraboutthetabledidnottendtocorrectthisverdict。
　　ItwaspassedbyOsricDaneinthesilentdeglutitionofMrs。
　　Ballinger'smenu，andbythemembersoftheClubintheemissionoftentativeplatitudeswhichtheirguestseemedtoswallowasperfunctorilyasthesuccessivecoursesoftheluncheon。
　　Mrs。Ballinger'sdeplorabledelayinfixingatopichadthrowntheClubintoamentaldisarraywhichincreasedwiththereturntothedrawing-room，wheretheactualbusinessofdiscussionwastoopen。Eachladywaitedfortheothertospeak；andtherewasageneralshockofdisappointmentwhentheirhostessopenedtheconversationbythepainfullycommonplaceinquiry：“IsthisyourfirstvisittoHillbridge？”
　　EvenMrs。Leveretwasconsciousthatthiswasabadbeginning；
　　andavagueimpulseofdeprecationmadeMissGlydeinterject：“Itisaverysmallplaceindeed。“
　　Mrs。Plinthbristled。“Wehaveagreatmanyrepresentativepeople，“shesaid，inthetoneofonewhospeaksforherorder。
　　OsricDaneturnedtoherthoughtfully。“Whatdotheyrepresent？”
　　sheasked。
　　Mrs。Plinth'sconstitutionaldisliketobeingquestionedwasintensifiedbyhersenseofunpreparedness；andherreproachfulglancepassedthequestionontoMrs。Ballinger。
　　“Why，“saidthatlady，glancinginturnattheothermembers，“asacommunityIhopeitisnottoomuchtosaythatwestandforculture。“
　　“Forart——“MissGlydeeagerlyinterjected。
　　“Forartandliterature，“Mrs。Ballingeremended。
　　“Andforsociology，Itrust，“snappedMissVanVluyck。
　　“Wehaveastandard，“saidMrs。Plinth，feelingherselfsuddenlysecureonthevastexpanseofageneralisation：andMrs。Leveret，thinkingtheremustberoomformorethanoneonsobroadastatement，tookcouragetomurmur：“Oh，certainly；wehaveastandard。“
　　“Theobjectofourlittleclub，“Mrs。Ballingercontinued，“istoconcentratethehighesttendenciesofHillbridge——tocentraliseandfocusitscomplexintellectualeffort。“
　　Thiswasfelttobesohappythattheladiesdrewanalmostaudiblebreathofrelief。
　　“Weaspire，“thePresidentwenton，“tostandforwhatishighestinart，literatureandethics。“
　　OsricDaneagainturnedtoher。“Whatethics？”sheasked。
　　Atremorofapprehensionencircledtheroom。Noneoftheladiesrequiredanypreparationtopronounceonaquestionofmorals；
　　butwhentheywerecalledethicsitwasdifferent。Theclub，whenfreshfromthe“EncyclopaediaBritannica，“the“Reader'sHandbook“orSmith's“ClassicalDictionary，“coulddealconfidentlywithanysubject；butwhentakenunawaresithadbeenknowntodefineagnosticismasaheresyoftheEarlyChurchandProfessorFroudeasadistinguishedhistologist；andsuchminormembersasMrs。Leveretstillsecretlyregardedethicsassomethingvaguelypagan。
　　EventoMrs。Ballinger，OsricDane'squestionwasunsettling，andtherewasageneralsenseofgratitudewhenLauraGlydeleanedforwardtosay，withhermostsympatheticaccent：“Youmustexcuseus，Mrs。Dane，fornotbeingable，justatpresent，totalkofanythingbut'TheWingsofDeath。'“
　　“Yes，“saidMissVanVluyck，withasuddenresolvetocarrythewarintotheenemy'scamp。“Wearesoanxioustoknowtheexactpurposeyouhadinmindinwritingyourwonderfulbook。“
　　“Youwillfind，“Mrs。Plinthinterposed，“thatwearenotsuperficialreaders。“
　　“Weareeagertohearfromyou，“MissVanVluyckcontinued，“ifthepessimistictendencyofthebookisanexpressionofyourownconvictionsor——“
　　“Ormerely，“MissGlydehastilythrustin，“asombrebackgroundbrushedintothrowyourfiguresintomorevividrelief。AREyounotprimarilyplastic？”
　　“Ihavealwaysmaintained，“Mrs。Ballingerinterposed，“thatyourepresentthepurelyobjectivemethod——“
　　OsricDanehelpedherselfcriticallytocoffee。“Howdoyoudefineobjective？”shetheninquired。
　　TherewasaflurriedpausebeforeLauraGlydeintenselymurmured：
　　“InreadingYOUwedon'tdefine，wefeel。“
　　OsricDanesmiled。“Thecerebellum，“sheremarked，“isnotinfrequentlytheseatoftheliteraryemotions。“Andshetookasecondlumpofsugar。
　　Thestingthatthisremarkwasvaguelyfelttoconcealwasalmostneutralisedbythesatisfactionofbeingaddressedinsuchtechnicallanguage。
　　“Ah，thecerebellum，“saidMissVanVluyckcomplacently。“TheClubtookacourseinpsychologylastwinter。“
　　“Whichpsychology？”askedOsricDane。
　　Therewasanagonisingpause，duringwhicheachmemberoftheClubsecretlydeploredthedistressinginefficiencyoftheothers。OnlyMrs。Robywentonplacidlysippingherchartreuse。
　　AtlastMrs。Ballingersaid，withanattemptatahightone：
　　“Well，really，youknow，itwaslastyearthatwetookpsychology，andthiswinterwehavebeensoabsorbedin——“
　　Shebrokeoff，nervouslytryingtorecallsomeoftheClub'sdiscussions；butherfacultiesseemedtobeparalysedbythepetrifyingstareofOsricDane。WhatHADtheclubbeenabsorbedinlately？Mrs。Ballinger，withavaguepurposeofgainingtime，repeatedslowly：“We'vebeensointenselyabsorbedin——“
　　Mrs。Robyputdownherliqueurglassanddrewnearthegroupwithasmile。
　　“InXingu？”shegentlyprompted。
　　Athrillranthroughtheothermembers。Theyexchangedconfusedglances，andthen，withoneaccord，turnedagazeofmingledreliefandinterrogationontheirunexpectedrescuer。Theexpressionofeachdenotedadifferentphaseofthesameemotion。
　　Mrs。Plinthwasthefirsttocomposeherfeaturestoanairofreassurance：afteramoment'shastyadjustmentherlookalmostimpliedthatitwasshewhohadgiventhewordtoMrs。Ballinger。
　　“Xingu，ofcourse！”exclaimedthelatterwithheraccustomedpromptness，whileMissVanVluyckandLauraGlydeseemedtobeplumbingthedepthsofmemory，andMrs。Leveret，feelingapprehensivelyforAppropriateAllusions，wassomehowreassuredbytheuncomfortablepressureofitsbulkagainstherperson。
　　OsricDane'schangeofcountenancewasnolessstrikingthanthatofherentertainers。Shetooputdownhercoffee-cup，butwithalookofdistinctannoyance：shetoowore，forabriefmoment，whatMrs。Robyafterwarddescribedasthelookoffeelingforsomethinginthebackofherhead；andbeforeshecoulddissemblethesemomentarysignsofweakness，Mrs。Roby，turningtoherwithadeferentialsmile，hadsaid：“Andwe'vebeensohopingthatto-dayyouwouldtellusjustwhatyouthinkofit。“
　　OsricDanereceivedthehomageofthesmileasamatterofcourse；buttheaccompanyingquestionobviouslyembarrassedher，anditbecamecleartoherobserversthatshewasnotquickatshiftingherfacialscenery。Itwasasthoughhercountenancehadsolongbeensetinanexpressionofunchallengedsuperioritythatthemuscleshadstiffened，andrefusedtoobeyherorders。
　　“Xingu——“shemurmured，asifseekinginherturntogaintime。
　　Mrs。Robycontinuedtopressher。“Knowinghowengrossingthesubjectis，youwillunderstandhowithappensthattheClubhasleteverythingelsegotothewallforthemoment。SincewetookupXinguImightalmostsay——wereitnotforyourbooks——thatnothingelseseemstousworthremembering。“
　　OsricDane'ssternfeaturesweredarkenedratherthanlitupbyanuneasysmile。“Iamgladtohearthereisoneexception，“shegaveoutbetweennarrowedlips。
　　“Oh，ofcourse，“Mrs。Robysaidprettily；“butasyouhaveshownusthat——soverynaturally！——youdon'tcaretotalkaboutyourownthings，wereallycan'tletyouofffromtellingusexactlywhatyouthinkaboutXingu；especially，“sheadded，withapersuasivesmile，“assomepeoplesaythatoneofyourlastbookswassimplysaturatedwithit。“
　　ItwasanIT，then——theassurancespedlikefirethroughtheparchedmindsoftheothermembers。IntheireagernesstogaintheleastlittlecluetoXingutheyalmostforgotthejoyofassistingatthediscomfitureofMrs。Dane。
　　Thelatterreddenednervouslyunderherantagonist'sdirectassault。“MayIask，“shefalteredoutinanembarrassedtone，“towhichofmybooksyourefer？”
　　Mrs。Robydidnotfalter。“That'sjustwhatIwantyoutotellus；because，thoughIwaspresent，Ididn'tactuallytakepart。“
　　“Presentatwhat？”Mrs。Danetookherup；andforaninstantthetremblingmembersoftheLunchClubthoughtthatthechampionProvidencehadraisedupforthemhadlostapoint。ButMrs。
　　Robyexplainedherselfgaily：“Atthediscussion，ofcourse。Andsowe'redreadfullyanxioustoknowjusthowitwasthatyouwentintotheXingu。“
　　Therewasaportentouspause，asilencesobigwithincalculabledangersthatthememberswithoneaccordcheckedthewordsontheirlips，likesoldiersdroppingtheirarmstowatchasinglecombatbetweentheirleaders。ThenMrs。Danegaveexpressiontotheirinmostdreadbysayingsharply：“Ah——yousayTHEXingu，doyou？”
　　Mrs。Robysmiledundauntedly。“ItISashadepedantic，isn'tit？
　　Personally，Ialwaysdropthearticle；butIdon'tknowhowtheothermembersfeelaboutit。“
　　Theothermemberslookedasthoughtheywouldwillinglyhavedispensedwiththisdeferentialappealtotheiropinion，andMrs。
　　Roby，afterabrightglanceaboutthegroup，wenton：“Theyprobablythink，asIdo，thatnothingreallymattersexceptthethingitself——exceptXingu。“
　　NoimmediatereplyseemedtooccurtoMrs。Dane，andMrs。
　　Ballingergatheredcouragetosay：“SurelyeveryonemustfeelthataboutXingu。“
　　Mrs。Plinthcametohersupportwithaheavymurmurofassent，andLauraGlydebreathedemotionally：“Ihaveknowncaseswhereithaschangedawholelife。“
　　“Ithasdonemeworldsofgood，“Mrs。Leveretinterjected，seemingtoherselftorememberthatshehadeithertakenitorreaditinthewinterbefore。
　　“Ofcourse，“Mrs。Robyadmitted，“thedifficultyisthatonemustgiveupsomuchtimetoit。It'sverylong。“
　　“Ican'timagine，“saidMissVanVluycktartly，“grudgingthetimegiventosuchasubject。“
　　“Anddeepinplaces，“Mrs。Robypursued；sothenitwasabook！
　　“Anditisn'teasytoskip。“
　　“Ineverskip，“saidMrs。Plinthdogmatically。
　　“Ah，it'sdangerousto，inXingu。Evenatthestartthereareplaceswhereonecan't。Onemustjustwadethrough。“
　　“IshouldhardlycallitWADING，“saidMrs。Ballingersarcastically。
　　Mrs。Robysentheralookofinterest。“Ah——youalwaysfounditwentswimmingly？”
　　Mrs。Ballingerhesitated。“Ofcoursetherearedifficultpassages，“sheconcededmodestly。
　　“Yes；somearenotatallclear——even，“Mrs。Robyadded，“ifoneisfamiliarwiththeoriginal。“
　　“AsIsupposeyouare？”OsricDaneinterposed，suddenlyfixingherwithalookofchallenge。
　　Mrs。Robymetitbyadeprecatingsmile。“Oh，it'sreallynotdifficultuptoacertainpoint；thoughsomeofthebranchesareverylittleknown，andit'salmostimpossibletogetatthesource。“
　　“Haveyouevertried？”Mrs。Plinthenquired，stilldistrustfulofMrs。Roby'sthoroughness。
　　Mrs。Robywassilentforamoment；thensherepliedwithloweredlids：“No——butafriendofminedid；averybrilliantman；andhetoldmeitwasbestforwomen——notto……“
　　Ashudderranaroundtheroom。Mrs。Leveretcoughedsothattheparlour-maid，whowashandingthecigarettes，shouldnothear；
　　MissVanVluyck'sfacetookonanauseatedexpression，andMrs。
　　Plinthlookedasifshewerepassingsomeoneshedidnotcaretobowto。ButthemostremarkableresultofMrs。Roby'swordswastheeffecttheyproducedontheLunchClub'sdistinguishedguest。
　　OsricDane'simpassivefeaturessuddenlymeltedtoanexpressionofthewarmesthumansympathy，andedgingherchairtowardMrs。
　　Roby'ssheasked：“Didhereally？And——didyoufindhewasright？”
　　Mrs。Ballinger，inwhomannoyanceatMrs。Roby'sunwontedassumptionofprominencewasbeginningtodisplacegratitudefortheaidshehadrendered，couldnotconsenttoherbeingallowed，bysuchdubiousmeans，tomonopolisetheattentionoftheirguest。IfOsricDanehadnotenoughself-respecttoresentMrs。
　　Roby'sflippancy，atleasttheLunchClubwoulddosointhepersonofitsPresident。
　　Mrs。BallingerlaidherhandonMrs。Roby'sarm。“Wemustnotforget，“shesaidwithafrigidamiability，“thatabsorbingasXinguistoUS，itmaybelessinterestingto——“
　　“Oh，no，onthecontrary，Iassureyou，“OsricDaneenergeticallyintervened。
　　“——toothers，“Mrs。Ballingerfinishedfirmly；“andwemustnotallowourlittlemeetingtoendwithoutpersuadingMrs。Danetosayafewwordstousonasubjectwhich，to-day，ismuchmorepresentinallourthoughts。Irefer，ofcourse，to'TheWingsofDeath。'“
　　Theothermembers，animatedbyvariousdegreesofthesamesentiment，andencouragedbythehumanisedmienoftheirredoubtableguest，repeatedafterMrs。Ballinger：“Oh，yes，youreallyMUSTtalktousalittleaboutyourbook。“
　　OsricDane'sexpressionbecameasbored，thoughnotashaughty，aswhenherworkhadbeenpreviouslymentioned。ButbeforeshecouldrespondtoMrs。Ballinger'srequest，Mrs。Robyhadrisenfromherseat，andwaspullingherveildownoverherfrivolousnose。
　　“I'msosorry，“shesaid，advancingtowardherhostesswithoutstretchedhand，“butbeforeMrs。DanebeginsIthinkI'dbetterrunaway。Unluckily，asyouknow，Ihaven'treadherbooks，soIshouldbeataterribledisadvantageamongyouall；
　　andbesides，I'veanengagementtoplaybridge。“