Thebloodrushedtoherface。Hehadhisreasons，then——shewassurenowthathehadhisreasons！Inthetenyearsoftheirmarriage，howoftenhadeitherofthemstoppedtoconsidertheideasonwhichitwasfounded？Howoftendoesamandigaboutthebasementofhishousetoexamineitsfoundation？Thefoundationisthere，ofcourse——thehouserestsonit——butonelivesabovestairsandnotinthecellar。Itwasshe，indeed，whointhebeginninghadinsistedonreviewingthesituationnowandthen，onrecapitulatingthereasonswhichjustifiedhercourse，onproclaiming，fromtimetotime，heradherencetothereligionofpersonalindependence；butshehadlongceasedtofeeltheneedofanysuchidealstandards，andhadacceptedhermarriageasfranklyandnaturallyasthoughithadbeenbasedontheprimitiveneedsoftheheart，andneedednospecialsanctiontoexplainorjustifyit。
　　“OfcourseIstillbelieveinourideas！”sheexclaimed。
　　“ThenIrepeatthatIdon'tunderstand。Itwasapartofyourtheorythatthegreatestpossiblepublicityshouldbegiventoourviewofmarriage。Haveyouchangedyourmindinthatrespect？”
　　Shehesitated。“Itdependsoncircumstances——onthepubliconeisaddressing。ThesetofpeoplethattheVanSiderensgetaboutthemdon'tcareforthetruthorfalsenessofadoctrine。Theyareattractedsimplybyitsnovelty。“
　　“AndyetitwasinjustsuchasetofpeoplethatyouandImet，andlearnedthetruthfromeachother。“
　　“Thatwasdifferent。“
　　“Inwhatway？”
　　“Iwasnotayounggirl，tobeginwith。Itisperfectlyunfittingthatyounggirlsshouldbepresentat——atsuchtimes——
　　shouldhearsuchthingsdiscussed——“
　　“IthoughtyouconsidereditoneofthedeepestsocialwrongsthatsuchthingsneverAREdiscussedbeforeyounggirls；butthatisbesidethepoint，forIdon'trememberseeinganyyounggirlinmyaudienceto-day——“
　　“ExceptUnaVanSideren！”
　　Heturnedslightlyandpushedbackthelampathiselbow。
　　“Oh，MissVanSideren——naturally——“
　　“Whynaturally？”
　　“Thedaughterofthehouse——wouldyouhavehadhersentoutwithhergoverness？”
　　“IfIhadadaughterIshouldnotallowsuchthingstogooninmyhouse！”
　　Westall，strokinghismustache，leanedbackwithafaintsmile。
　　“IfancyMissVanSiderenisquitecapableoftakingcareofherself。“
　　“Nogirlknowshowtotakecareofherself——tillit'stoolate。“
　　“Andyetyouwoulddeliberatelydenyherthesurestmeansofself-defence？”
　　“Whatdoyoucallthesurestmeansofself-defence？”
　　“Somepreliminaryknowledgeofhumannatureinitsrelationtothemarriagetie。“
　　Shemadeanimpatientgesture。“Howshouldyouliketomarrythatkindofagirl？”
　　“Immensely——ifsheweremykindofgirlinotherrespects。“
　　Shetookuptheargumentatanotherpoint。
　　“Youarequitemistakenifyouthinksuchtalkdoesnotaffectyounggirls。Unawasinastateofthemostabsurdexaltation——“
　　Shebrokeoff，wonderingwhyshehadspoken。
　　Westallreopenedamagazinewhichhehadlaidasideatthebeginningoftheirdiscussion。“Whatyoutellmeisimmenselyflatteringtomyoratoricaltalent——butIfearyouoverrateitseffect。IcanassureyouthatMissVanSiderendoesn'thavetohaveherthinkingdoneforher。She'squitecapableofdoingitherself。“
　　“Youseemveryfamiliarwithhermentalprocesses！”flashedunguardedlyfromhiswife。
　　Helookedupquietlyfromthepageshewascutting。
　　“Ishouldliketobe，“heanswered。“Sheinterestsme。“
　　II
　　Iftherebeadistinctioninbeingmisunderstood，itwasonedeniedtoJuliaWestallwhensheleftherfirsthusband。Everyonewasreadytoexcuseandeventodefendher。TheworldsheadornedagreedthatJohnArmentwas“impossible，“andhostessesgaveasighofreliefatthethoughtthatitwouldnolongerbenecessarytoaskhimtodine。
　　Therehadbeennoscandalconnectedwiththedivorce：neithersidehadaccusedtheotheroftheoffenceeuphemisticallydescribedas“statutory。“TheArmentshadindeedbeenobligedtotransfertheirallegiancetoaStatewhichrecognizeddesertionasacausefordivorce，andconstruedthetermsoliberallythattheseedsofdesertionwereshowntoexistineveryunion。EvenMrs。Arment'ssecondmarriagedidnotmaketraditionalmoralitystirinitssleep。Itwasknownthatshehadnotmethersecondhusbandtillaftershehadpartedfromthefirst，andshehad，moreover，replacedarichmanbyapoorone。ThoughClementWestallwasacknowledgedtobearisinglawyer，itwasgenerallyfeltthathisfortuneswouldnotriseasrapidlyashisreputation。TheWestallswouldprobablyalwayshavetolivequietlyandgoouttodinnerincabs。CouldtherebebetterevidenceofMrs。Arment'scompletedisinterestedness？
　　Ifthereasoningbywhichherfriendsjustifiedhercoursewassomewhatcruderandlesscomplexthanherownelucidationofthematter，bothexplanationsledtothesameconclusion：JohnArmentwasimpossible。Theonlydifferencewasthat，tohiswife，hisimpossibilitywassomethingdeeperthanasocialdisqualification。Shehadoncesaid，inironicaldefenceofhermarriage，thatithadatleastpreservedherfromthenecessityofsittingnexttohimatdinner；butshehadnotthenrealizedatwhatcosttheimmunitywaspurchased。JohnArmentwasimpossible；butthestingofhisimpossibilitylayinthefactthathemadeitimpossibleforthoseabouthimtobeotherthanhimself。Byanunconsciousprocessofeliminationhehadexcludedfromtheworldeverythingofwhichhedidnotfeelapersonalneed：hadbecome，asitwere，aclimateinwhichonlyhisownrequirementssurvived。Thismightseemtoimplyadeliberateselfishness；buttherewasnothingdeliberateaboutArment。Hewasasinstinctiveasananimalorachild。Itwasthischildishelementinhisnaturewhichsometimesforamomentunsettledhiswife'sestimateofhim。Wasitpossiblethathewassimplyundeveloped，thathehaddelayed，somewhatlongerthanisusual，thelaboriousprocessofgrowingup？Hehadthekindofsporadicshrewdnesswhichcausesittobesaidofadullmanthatheis“nofool“；anditwasthisqualitythathiswifefoundmosttrying。Eventothenaturalistitisannoyingtohavehisdeductionsdisturbedbysomeunforeseenaberrancyofformorfunction；andhowmuchmoresotothewifewhoseestimateofherselfisinevitablyboundupwithherjudgmentofherhusband！
　　Arment'sshrewdnessdidnot，indeed，implyanylatentintellectualpower；itsuggested，rather，potentialitiesoffeeling，ofsuffering，perhaps，inablindrudimentaryway，onwhichJulia'ssensibilitiesnaturallydeclinedtolinger。Shesofullyunderstoodherownreasonsforleavinghimthatshedislikedtothinktheywerenotascomprehensibletoherhusband。
　　Shewashaunted，inheranalyticmoments，bythelookofperplexity，tooinarticulateforwords，withwhichhehadacquiescedtoherexplanations。
　　Thesemomentswererarewithher，however。Hermarriagehadbeentooconcreteamiserytobesurveyedphilosophically。Ifshehadbeenunhappyforcomplexreasons，theunhappinesswasasrealasthoughithadbeenuncomplicated。Soulismorebruisablethanflesh，andJuliawaswoundedineveryfibreofherspirit。Herhusband'spersonalityseemedtobeclosinggraduallyinonher，obscuringtheskyandcuttingofftheair，tillshefeltherselfshutupamongthedecayingbodiesofherstarvedhopes。Asenseofhavingbeendecoyedbysomeworld-oldconspiracyintothisbondageofbodyandsoulfilledherwithdespair。Ifmarriagewastheslowlife-longacquittalofadebtcontractedinignorance，thenmarriagewasacrimeagainsthumannature。She，forone，wouldhavenoshareinmaintainingthepretenceofwhichshehadbeenavictim：thepretencethatamanandawoman，forcedintothenarrowestofpersonalrelations，mustremaintheretilltheend，thoughtheymayhaveoutgrownthespanofeachother'snaturesasthematuretreeoutgrowstheironbraceaboutthesapling。
　　ItwasinthefirstheatofhermoralindignationthatshehadmetClementWestall。Shehadseenatoncethathewas“interested，“andhadfoughtoffthediscovery，dreadinganyinfluencethatshoulddrawherbackintothebondageofconventionalrelations。Towardofftheperilshehad，withanalmostcrudeprecipitancy，revealedheropinionstohim。Tohersurprise，shefoundthathesharedthem。Shewasattractedbythefranknessofasuitorwho，whilepressinghissuit，admittedthathedidnotbelieveinmarriage。Herworstaudacitiesdidnotseemtosurprisehim：hehadthoughtoutallthatshehadfelt，andtheyhadreachedthesameconclusion。Peoplegrewatvaryingrates，andtheyokethatwasaneasyfitfortheonemightsoonbecomegallingtotheother。Thatwaswhatdivorcewasfor：thereadjustmentofpersonalrelations。Assoonastheirnecessarilytransitivenaturewasrecognizedtheywouldgainindignityaswellasinharmony。Therewouldbenofartherneedoftheignobleconcessionsandconnivances，theperpetualsacrificeofpersonaldelicacyandmoralpride，bymeansofwhichimperfectmarriageswerenowheldtogether。Eachpartnertothecontractwouldbeonhismettle，forcedtoliveuptothehigheststandardofself-development，onpainoflosingtheother'srespectandaffection。Thelownaturecouldnolongerdragthehigherdown，butmuststruggletorise，orremainaloneonitsinferiorlevel。Theonlynecessaryconditiontoaharmoniousmarriagewasafrankrecognitionofthistruth，andasolemnagreementbetweenthecontractingpartiestokeepfaithwiththemselves，andnottolivetogetherforamomentaftercompleteaccordhadceasedtoexistbetweenthem。Thenewadulterywasunfaithfulnesstoself。
　　Itwas，asWestallhadjustremindedher，onthisunderstandingthattheyhadmarried。Theceremonywasanunimportantconcessiontosocialprejudice：nowthatthedoorofdivorcestoodopen，nomarriageneedbeanimprisonment，andthecontractthereforenolongerinvolvedanydiminutionofself-respect。Thenatureoftheirattachmentplacedthemsofarbeyondthereachofsuchcontingenciesthatitwaseasytodiscussthemwithanopenmind；andJulia'ssenseofsecuritymadeherdwellwithatenderinsistenceonWestall'spromisetoclaimhisreleasewhenheshouldceasetoloveher。Theexchangeofthesevowsseemedtomakethem，inasense，championsofthenewlaw，pioneersintheforbiddenrealmofindividualfreedom：theyfeltthattheyhadsomehowachievedbeatitudewithoutmartyrdom。
　　This，asJulianowreviewedthepast，sheperceivedtohavebeenhertheoreticalattitudetowardmarriage。Itwasunconsciously，insidiously，thathertenyearsofhappinesswithWestallhaddevelopedanotherconceptionofthetie；areversion，rather，totheoldinstinctofpassionatedependencyandpossessorshipthatnowmadeherbloodrevoltatthemerehintofchange。Change？
　　Renewal？Wasthatwhattheyhadcalledit，intheirfoolishjargon？Destruction，exterminationrather——thisrendingofamyriadfibresinterwovenwithanother'sbeing！Another？Buthewasnotother！Heandshewereone，oneinthemysticsensewhichalonegavemarriageitssignificance。Thenewlawwasnotforthem，butforthedisunitedcreaturesforcedintoamockeryofunion。Thegospelshehadfeltcalledontoproclaimhadnobearingonherowncase……Shesentforthedoctorandtoldhimshewassuresheneededanervetonic。
　　Shetookthenervetonicdiligently，butitfailedtoactasasedativetoherfears。Shedidnotknowwhatshefeared；butthatmadeheranxietythemorepervasive。HerhusbandhadnotrevertedtothesubjectofhisSaturdaytalks。Hewasunusuallykindandconsiderate，withasofteningofhisquickmanner，atouchofshynessinhisconsideration，thatsickenedherwithnewfears。Shetoldherselfthatitwasbecauseshelookedbadly——
　　becauseheknewaboutthedoctorandthenervetonic——thatheshowedthisdeferencetoherwishes，thiseagernesstoscreenherfrommoraldraughts；buttheexplanationsimplyclearedthewayforfreshinferences。
　　Theweekpassedslowly，vacantly，likeaprolongedSunday。OnSaturdaythemorningpostbroughtanotefromMrs。VanSideren。
　　WoulddearJuliaaskMr。Westalltocomehalfanhourearlierthanusual，astherewastobesomemusicafterhis“talk“？
　　Westallwasjustleavingforhisofficewhenhiswifereadthenote。Sheopenedthedrawing-roomdoorandcalledhimbacktodeliverthemessage。
　　Heglancedatthenoteandtosseditaside。“Whatabore！I
　　shallhavetocutmygameofracquets。Well，Isupposeitcan'tbehelped。Willyouwriteandsayit'sallright？”
　　Juliahesitatedamoment，herhandstiffeningonthechair-backagainstwhichsheleaned。
　　“Youmeantogoonwiththesetalks？”sheasked。
　　“I——whynot？”hereturned；andthistimeitstruckherthathissurprisewasnotquiteunfeigned。Thediscoveryhelpedhertofindwords。
　　“Yousaidyouhadstartedthemwiththeideaofpleasingme——“
　　“Well？”
　　“Itoldyoulastweekthattheydidn'tpleaseme。“
　　“Lastweek？Oh——“Heseemedtomakeaneffortofmemory。“I
　　thoughtyouwerenervousthen；yousentforthedoctorthenextday。“
　　“ItwasnotthedoctorIneeded；itwasyourassurance——“
　　“Myassurance？”
　　Suddenlyshefeltthefloorfailunderher。Shesankintothechairwithachokingthroat，herwords，herreasonsslippingawayfromherlikestrawsdownawhirlingflood。
　　“Clement，“shecried，“isn'titenoughforyoutoknowthatI
　　hateit？”
　　Heturnedtoclosethedoorbehindthem；thenhewalkedtowardherandsatdown。“Whatisitthatyouhate？”heaskedgently。
　　Shehadmadeadesperateefforttorallyherroutedargument。
　　“Ican'tbeartohaveyouspeakasif——asif——ourmarriage——wereliketheotherkind——thewrongkind。WhenIheardyouthere，theotherafternoon，beforeallthoseinquisitivegossipingpeople，proclaimingthathusbandsandwiveshadarighttoleaveeachotherwhenevertheyweretired——orhadseensomeoneelse——“
　　Westallsatmotionless，hiseyesfixedonapatternofthecarpet。
　　“YouHAVEceasedtotakethisview，then？”hesaidasshebrokeoff。“YounolongerbelievethathusbandsandwivesARE
　　justifiedinseparating——undersuchconditions？”
　　“Undersuchconditions？”shestammered。“Yes——Istillbelievethat——buthowcanwejudgeforothers？Whatcanweknowofthecircumstances——？”
　　Heinterruptedher。“Ithoughtitwasafundamentalarticleofourcreedthatthespecialcircumstancesproducedbymarriagewerenottointerferewiththefullassertionofindividualliberty。“Hepausedamoment。“IthoughtthatwasyourreasonforleavingArment。“
　　Sheflushedtotheforehead。Itwasnotlikehimtogiveapersonalturntotheargument。
　　“Itwasmyreason，“shesaidsimply。
　　“Well，then——whydoyourefusetorecognizeitsvaliditynow？”
　　“Idon't——Idon't——Ionlysaythatonecan'tjudgeforothers。“
　　Hemadeanimpatientmovement。“Thisismerehair-splitting。
　　Whatyoumeanisthat，thedoctrinehavingservedyourpurposewhenyouneededit，younowrepudiateit。“
　　“Well，“sheexclaimed，flushingagain，“whatifIdo？Whatdoesitmattertous？”
　　Westallrosefromhischair。Hewasexcessivelypale，andstoodbeforehiswifewithsomethingoftheformalityofastranger。
　　“Itmatterstome，“hesaidinalowvoice，“becauseIdoNOT
　　repudiateit。“
　　“Well——？”
　　“AndbecauseIhadintendedtoinvokeitas“——
　　Hepausedanddrewhisbreathdeeply。Shesatsilent，almostdeafenedbyherheart-beats——
　　“asacompletejustificationofthecourseIamabouttotake。“
　　Juliaremainedmotionless。“Whatcourseisthat？”sheasked。
　　Heclearedhisthroat。“Imeantoclaimthefulfilmentofyourpromise。“
　　Foraninstanttheroomwaveredanddarkened；thensherecoveredatorturingacutenessofvision。Everydetailofhersurroundingspresseduponher：thetickoftheclock，theslantofsunlightonthewall，thehardnessofthechair-armsthatshegrasped，wereaseparatewoundtoeachsense。
　　“Mypromise——“shefaltered。
　　“Yourpartofourmutualagreementtoseteachotherfreeifoneortheothershouldwishtobereleased。“
　　Shewassilentagain。Hewaitedamoment，shiftinghispositionnervously；thenhesaid，withatouchofirritability：“Youacknowledgetheagreement？”
　　Thequestionwentthroughherlikeashock。Sheliftedherheadtoitproudly。“Iacknowledgetheagreement，“shesaid。
　　“And——youdon'tmeantorepudiateit？”
　　Alogonthehearthfellforward，andmechanicallyheadvancedandpusheditback。
　　“No，“sheansweredslowly，“Idon'tmeantorepudiateit。“
　　Therewasapause。Heremainednearthehearth，hiselbowrestingonthemantel-shelf。Closetohishandstoodalittlecupofjadethathehadgivenherononeoftheirweddinganniversaries。Shewonderedvaguelyifhenoticedit。
　　“Youintendtoleaveme，then？”shesaidatlength。
　　Hisgestureseemedtodeprecatethecrudenessoftheallusion。
　　“Tomarrysomeoneelse？”
　　Againhiseyeandhandprotested。Sheroseandstoodbeforehim。
　　“Whyshouldyoubeafraidtotellme？IsitUnaVanSideren？”
　　Hewassilent。
　　“Iwishyougoodluck，“shesaid。
　　III
　　Shelookedup，findingherselfalone。Shedidnotrememberwhenorhowhehadlefttheroom，orhowlongafterwardshehadsatthere。Thefirestillsmoulderedonthehearth，buttheslantofsunlighthadleftthewall。
　　Herfirstconsciousthoughtwasthatshehadnotbrokenherword，thatshehadfulfilledtheveryletteroftheirbargain。Therehadbeennocryingout，novainappealtothepast，noattemptattemporizingorevasion。Shehadmarchedstraightuptotheguns。
　　Nowthatitwasover，shesickenedtofindherselfalive。Shelookedabouther，tryingtorecoverherholdonreality。Heridentityseemedtobeslippingfromher，asitdisappearsinaphysicalswoon。“Thisismyroom——thisismyhouse，“sheheardherselfsaying。Herroom？Herhouse？Shecouldalmosthearthewallslaughbackather。
　　Shestoodup，adullacheineverybone。Thesilenceoftheroomfrightenedher。Sheremembered，now，havingheardthefrontdoorclosealongtimeago：thesoundsuddenlyre-echoedthroughherbrain。Herhusbandmusthaveleftthehouse，then——herHUSBAND？
　　Shenolongerknewinwhattermstothink：thesimplestphraseshadapoisonededge。Shesankbackintoherchair，overcomebyastrangeweakness。Theclockstruckten——itwasonlyteno'clock！
　　Suddenlysherememberedthatshehadnotordereddinner……orweretheydiningoutthatevening？DINNER——DININGOUT——theoldmeaninglessphraseologypursuedher！Shemusttrytothinkofherselfasshewouldthinkofsomeoneelse，asomeonedissociatedfromallthefamiliarroutineofthepast，whosewantsandhabitsmustgraduallybelearned，asonemightspyoutthewaysofastrangeanimal……
　　Theclockstruckanotherhour——eleven。Shestoodupagainandwalkedtothedoor：shethoughtshewouldgoupstairstoherroom。HERroom？Againthewordderidedher。Sheopenedthedoor，crossedthenarrowhall，andwalkedupthestairs。Asshepassed，shenoticedWestall'ssticksandumbrellas：apairofhisgloveslayonthehalltable。Thesamestair-carpetmountedbetweenthesamewalls；thesameoldFrenchprint，initsnarrowblackframe，facedheronthelanding。Thisvisualcontinuitywasintolerable。Within，agapingchasm；without，thesameuntroubledandfamiliarsurface。Shemustgetawayfromitbeforeshecouldattempttothink。But，onceinherroom，shesatdownonthelounge，astuporcreepingoverher……
　　Graduallyhervisioncleared。Agreatdealhadhappenedintheinterval——awildmarchingandcountermarchingofemotions，arguments，ideas——afuryofinsurgentimpulsesthatfellbackspentuponthemselves。Shehadtried，atfirst，torally，toorganizethesechaoticforces。Theremustbehelpsomewhere，ifonlyshecouldmastertheinnertumult。Lifecouldnotbebrokenoffshortlikethis，forawhim，afancy；thelawitselfwouldsidewithher，woulddefendher。Thelaw？Whatclaimhadsheuponit？Shewastheprisonerofherownchoice：shehadbeenherownlegislator，andshewasthepredestinedvictimofthecodeshehaddevised。Butthiswasgrotesque，intolerable——amadmistake，forwhichshecouldnotbeheldaccountable！Thelawshehaddespisedwasstillthere，mightstillbeinvoked……
　　invoked，buttowhatend？CouldsheaskittochainWestalltoherside？SHEhadbeenallowedtogofreewhensheclaimedherfreedom——shouldsheshowlessmagnanimitythanshehadexacted？
　　Magnanimity？Thewordlashedherwithitsirony——onedoesnotstrikeanattitudewhenoneisfightingforlife！Shewouldthreaten，grovel，cajole……shewouldyieldanythingtokeepherholdonhappiness。Ah，butthedifficultylaydeeper！Thelawcouldnothelpher——herownapostasycouldnothelpher。Shewasthevictimofthetheoriessherenounced。Itwasasthoughsomegiantmachineofherownmakinghadcaughtherupinitswheelsandwasgrindinghertoatoms……
　　Itwasafternoonwhenshefoundherselfout-of-doors。Shewalkedwithanaimlesshaste，fearingtomeetfamiliarfaces。Thedaywasradiant，metallic：oneofthosesearchingAmericandayssocalculatedtorevealtheshortcomingsofourstreet-cleaningandtheexcessesofourarchitecture。Thestreetslookedbareandhideous；everythingstaredandglittered。Shecalledapassinghansom，andgaveMrs。VanSideren'saddress。Shedidnotknowwhathadleduptotheact；butshefoundherselfsuddenlyresolvedtospeak，tocryoutawarning。itwastoolatetosaveherself——butthegirlmightstillbetold。ThehansomrattledupFifthAvenue；shesatwithhereyesfixed，avoidingrecognition。
　　AttheVanSiderens'doorshesprangoutandrangthebell。
　　Actionhadclearedherbrain，andshefeltcalmandself-
　　possessed。Sheknewnowexactlywhatshemeanttosay。
　　Theladieswerebothout……theparlor-maidstoodwaitingforacard。Julia，withavaguemurmur，turnedawayfromthedoorandlingeredamomentonthesidewalk。Thensherememberedthatshehadnotpaidthecab-driver。Shedrewadollarfromherpurseandhandedittohim。Hetouchedhishatanddroveoff，leavingheraloneinthelongemptystreet。Shewanderedawaywestward，towardstrangethoroughfares，whereshewasnotlikelytomeetacquaintances。Thefeelingofaimlessnesshadreturned。
　　OnceshefoundherselfintheafternoontorrentofBroadway，sweptpasttawdryshopsandflamingtheatricalposters，withasuccessionofmeaninglessfacesglidingbyintheoppositedirection……
　　Afeelingoffaintnessremindedherthatshehadnoteatensincemorning。Sheturnedintoasidestreetofshabbyhouses，withrowsofash-barrelsbehindbentarearailings。InabasementwindowshesawthesignLADIES'RESTAURANT：apieandadishofdoughnutslayagainstthedustypanelikepetrifiedfoodinanethnologicalmuseum。Sheentered，andayoungwomanwithaweakmouthandabrazeneyeclearedatableforhernearthewindow。
　　Thetablewascoveredwitharedandwhitecottonclothandadornedwithabunchofceleryinathicktumblerandasalt-
　　cellarfullofgrayishlumpysalt。Juliaorderedtea，andsatalongtimewaitingforit。Shewasgladtobeawayfromthenoiseandconfusionofthestreets。Thelow-ceilingedroomwasempty，andtwoorthreewaitresseswiththinpertfacesloungedinthebackgroundstaringatherandwhisperingtogether。Atlasttheteawasbroughtinadiscoloredmetalteapot。Juliapouredacupanddrankithastily。Itwasblackandbitter，butitflowedthroughherveinslikeanelixir。Shewasalmostdizzywithexhilaration。Oh，howtired，howunutterablytiredshehadbeen！
　　Shedrankasecondcup，blackerandbitterer，andnowhermindwasoncemoreworkingclearly。Shefeltasvigorous，asdecisive，aswhenshehadstoodontheVanSiderens'door-step——
　　butthewishtoreturntherehadsubsided。Shesawnowthefutilityofsuchanattempt——thehumiliationtowhichitmighthaveexposedher……Thepityofitwasthatshedidnotknowwhattodonext。Theshortwinterdaywasfading，andsherealizedthatshecouldnotremainmuchlongerintherestaurantwithoutattractingnotice。Shepaidforherteaandwentoutintothestreet。Thelampswerealight，andhereandthereabasementshopcastanoblongofgas-lightacrossthefissuredpavement。Inthedusktherewassomethingsinisterabouttheaspectofthestreet，andshehastenedbacktowardFifthAvenue。
　　Shewasnotusedtobeingoutaloneatthathour。
　　AtthecornerofFifthAvenueshepausedandstoodwatchingthestreamofcarriages。Atlastapolicemancaughtsightofherandsignedtoherthathewouldtakeheracross。Shehadnotmeanttocrossthestreet，butsheobeyedautomatically，andpresentlyfoundherselfonthefarthercorner。Thereshepausedagainforamoment；butshefanciedthepolicemanwaswatchingher，andthissentherhasteningdownthenearestsidestreet……Afterthatshewalkedalongtime，vaguely……Nighthadfallen，andnowandthen，throughthewindowsofapassingcarriage，shecaughttheexpanseofaneveningwaistcoatortheshimmerofanoperacloak……
　　Suddenlyshefoundherselfinafamiliarstreet。Shestoodstillamoment，breathingquickly。Shehadturnedthecornerwithoutnoticingwhitheritled；butnow，afewyardsaheadofher，shesawthehouseinwhichshehadoncelived——herfirsthusband'shouse。Theblindsweredrawn，andonlyafainttranslucencemarkedthewindowsandthetransomabovethedoor。Asshestoodtheresheheardastepbehindher，andamanwalkedbyinthedirectionofthehouse。Hewalkedslowly，withaheavymiddle-
　　agedgait，hisheadsunkalittlebetweentheshoulders，theredcreaseofhisneckvisibleabovethefurcollarofhisovercoat。
　　Hecrossedthestreet，wentupthestepsofthehouse，drewforthalatch-key，andlethimselfin……
　　Therewasnooneelseinsight。Julialeanedforalongtimeagainstthearea-railatthecorner，hereyesfixedonthefrontofthehouse。Thefeelingofphysicalwearinesshadreturned，butthestrongteastillthrobbedinherveinsandlitherbrainwithanunnaturalclearness。Presentlysheheardanotherstepdrawnear，andmovingquicklyaway，shetoocrossedthestreetandmountedthestepsofthehouse。Theimpulsewhichhadcarriedherthereprolongeditselfinaquickpressureoftheelectricbell——thenshefeltsuddenlyweakandtremulous，andgraspedthebalustradeforsupport。Thedooropenedandayoungfootmanwithafreshinexperiencedfacestoodonthethreshold。
　　Juliaknewinaninstantthathewouldadmither。
　　“IsawMr。Armentgoinginjustnow，“shesaid。“Willyouaskhimtoseemeforamoment？”
　　Thefootmanhesitated。“IthinkMr。Armenthasgoneuptodressfordinner，madam。“
　　Juliaadvancedintothehall。“Iamsurehewillseeme——Iwillnotdetainhimlong，“shesaid。Shespokequietly，authoritatively，inthetonewhichagoodservantdoesnotmistake。Thefootmanhadhishandonthedrawing-roomdoor。
　　“Iwilltellhim，madam。Whatname，please？”
　　Juliatrembled：shehadnotthoughtofthat。“Merelysayalady，“shereturnedcarelessly。
　　Thefootmanwaveredandshefanciedherselflost；butatthatinstantthedooropenedfromwithinandJohnArmentsteppedintothehall。Hedrewbacksharplyashesawher，hisfloridfaceturningsallowwiththeshock；thenthebloodpouredbacktoit，swellingtheveinsonhistemplesandreddeningthelobesofhisthickears。
　　ItwaslongsinceJuliahadseenhim，andshewasstartledatthechangeinhisappearance。Hehadthickened，coarsened，settleddownintotheenclosingflesh。Butshenotedthisinsensibly：
　　heroneconsciousthoughtwasthat，nowshewasfacetofacewithhim，shemustnotlethimescapetillhehadheardher。Everypulseinherbodythrobbedwiththeurgencyofhermessage。
　　Shewentuptohimashedrewback。“Imustspeaktoyou，“shesaid。
　　Armenthesitated，redandstammering。Juliaglancedatthefootman，andherlookactedasawarning。Theinstinctiveshrinkingfroma“scene“predominatedovereveryotherimpulse，andArmentsaidslowly：“Willyoucomethisway？”
　　Hefollowedherintothedrawing-roomandclosedthedoor。
　　Julia，assheadvanced，wasvaguelyawarethattheroomatleastwasunchanged：timehadnotmitigateditshorrors。Thecontadinastilllurchedfromthechimney-breast，andtheGreekslaveobstructedthethresholdoftheinnerroom。Theplacewasalivewithmemories：theystartedoutfromeveryfoldoftheyellowsatincurtainsandglidedbetweentheanglesoftherosewoodfurniture。Butwhilesomesubordinateagencywascarryingtheseimpressionstoherbrain，herwholeconsciouseffortwascentredintheactofdominatingArment'swill。Thefearthathewouldrefusetohearhermountedlikefevertoherbrain。Shefeltherpurposemeltbeforeit，wordsandargumentsrunningintoeachotherintheheatofherlonging。Foramomenthervoicefailedher，andsheimaginedherselfthrustoutbeforeshecouldspeak；
　　butasshewasstrugglingforaword，Armentpushedachairforward，andsaidquietly：“Youarenotwell。“
　　Thesoundofhisvoicesteadiedher。Itwasneitherkindnorunkind——avoicethatsuspendedjudgment，rather，awaitingunforeseendevelopments。Shesupportedherselfagainstthebackofthechairanddrewadeepbreath。“ShallIsendforsomething？”hecontinued，withacoldembarrassedpoliteness。
　　Juliaraisedanentreatinghand。“No——no——thankyou。Iamquitewell。“
　　Hepausedmidwaytowardthebellandturnedonher。“ThenmayI
　　ask——？”
　　“Yes，“sheinterruptedhim。“IcameherebecauseIwantedtoseeyou。ThereissomethingImusttellyou。“
　　Armentcontinuedtoscrutinizeher。“Iamsurprisedatthat，“hesaid。“Ishouldhavesupposedthatanycommunicationyoumaywishtomakecouldhavebeenmadethroughourlawyers。“
　　“Ourlawyers！”Sheburstintoalittlelaugh。“Idon'tthinktheycouldhelpme——thistime。“
　　Arment'sfacetookonabarricadedlook。“Ifthereisanyquestionofhelp——ofcourse——“
　　Itstruckher，whimsically，thatshehadseenthatlookwhensomeshabbydevilcalledwithasubscription-book。Perhapshethoughtshewantedhimtoputhisnamedownforsomuchinsympathy——oreveninmoney……Thethoughtmadeherlaughagain。Shesawhislookchangeslowlytoperplexity。Allhisfacialchangeswereslow，andsheremembered，suddenly，howithadoncedivertedhertoshiftthatlumberingscenerywithaword。Forthefirsttimeitstruckherthatshehadbeencruel。“ThereISaquestionofhelp，“shesaidinasofterkey：“youcanhelpme；butonlybylistening……Iwanttotellyousomething……“
　　Arment'sresistancewasnotyielding。“Woulditnotbeeasierto——write？”hesuggested。
　　Sheshookherhead。“Thereisnotimetowrite……anditwon'ttakelong。“Sheraisedherheadandtheireyesmet。“Myhusbandhasleftme，“shesaid。
　　“Westall——？”hestammered，reddeningagain。
　　“Yes。Thismorning。JustasIleftyou。Becausehewastiredofme。“
　　Thewords，utteredscarcelyaboveawhisper，seemedtodilatetothelimitoftheroom。Armentlookedtowardthedoor；thenhisembarrassedglancereturnedtoJulia。
　　“Iamverysorry，“hesaidawkwardly。
　　“Thankyou，“shemurmured。
　　“ButIdon'tsee——“
　　“No——butyouwill——inamoment。Won'tyoulistentome？
　　Please！”Instinctivelyshehadshiftedherpositionputtingherselfbetweenhimandthedoor。“Ithappenedthismorning，“
　　shewentoninshortbreathlessphrases。“Ineversuspectedanything——Ithoughtwewere——perfectlyhappy……Suddenlyhetoldmehewastiredofme……thereisagirlhelikesbetter……
　　Hehasgonetoher……“Asshespoke，thelurkinganguishroseuponher，possessingheroncemoretotheexclusionofeveryotheremotion。Hereyesached，herthroatswelledwithit，andtwopainfultearsburntawaydownherface。
　　Arment'sconstraintwasincreasingvisibly。“This——thisisveryunfortunate，“hebegan。“ButIshouldsaythelaw——“
　　“Thelaw？”sheechoedironically。“Whenheasksforhisfreedom？”
　　“Youarenotobligedtogiveit。“
　　“Youwerenotobligedtogivememine——butyoudid。“
　　Hemadeaprotestinggesture。
　　“Yousawthatthelawcouldn'thelpyou——didn'tyou？”shewenton。“ThatiswhatIseenow。Thelawrepresentsmaterialrights——itcan'tgobeyond。Ifwedon'trecognizeaninnerlaw……
　　theobligationthatlovecreates……beinglovedaswellasloving……thereisnothingtopreventourspreadingruinunhindered……isthere？”Sheraisedherheadplaintively，withthelookofabewilderedchild。“ThatiswhatIseenow……
　　whatIwantedtotellyou。Heleavesmebecausehe'stired……
　　butIwasnottired；andIdon'tunderstandwhyheis。That'sthedreadfulpartofit——thenotunderstanding：Ihadn'trealizedwhatitmeant。ButI'vebeenthinkingofitallday，andthingshavecomebacktome——thingsIhadn'tnoticed……whenyouandI……“Shemovedclosertohim，andfixedhereyesonhiswiththegazethattriestoreachbeyondwords。“IseenowthatYOU
　　didn'tunderstand——didyou？”
　　Theireyesmetinasuddenshockofcomprehension：aveilseemedtobeliftedbetweenthem。Arment'sliptrembled。
　　“No，“hesaid，“Ididn'tunderstand。“
　　Shegavealittlecry，almostoftriumph。“Iknewit！Iknewit！Youwondered——youtriedtotellme——butnowordscame……
　　Yousawyourlifefallinginruins……theworldslippingfromyou……andyoucouldn'tspeakormove！”
　　Shesankdownonthechairagainstwhichshehadbeenleaning。
　　“NowIknow——nowIknow，“sherepeated。
　　“Iamverysorryforyou，“sheheardArmentstammer。
　　Shelookedupquickly。“That'snotwhatIcamefor。Idon'twantyoutobesorry。Icametoaskyoutoforgiveme……fornotunderstandingthatYOUdidn'tunderstand……That'sallI
　　wantedtosay。“Sherosewithavaguesensethattheendhadcome，andputoutagropinghandtowardthedoor。
　　Armentstoodmotionless。Sheturnedtohimwithafaintsmile。
　　“Youforgiveme？”
　　“Thereisnothingtoforgive——“
　　“Thenwillyoushakehandsforgood-by？”Shefelthishandinhers：itwasnerveless，reluctant。
　　“Good-by，“sherepeated。“Iunderstandnow。“
　　Sheopenedthedoorandpassedoutintothehall。Asshedidso，Armenttookanimpulsivestepforward；butjustthenthefootman，whowasevidentlyalivetohisobligations，advancedfromthebackgroundtoletherout。SheheardArmentfallback。Thefootmanthrewopenthedoor，andshefoundherselfoutsideinthedarkness。
　　TheEndofTheReckoningVerseBOTTICELLI'SMADONNAINTHELOUVRE。
　　WHATstrangepresentiment，OMother，liesOnthywastebrowandsadly-foldedlips，ForefeelingtheLight'sterribleeclipseOnCalvary，asiflovemadetheewise，AndthoucouldstreadinthosedearinfanteyesThesorrowthatbeneaththeirsmilingsleeps，AndguesswhatbittertearsamotherweepsWhenthecrossdarkensheruncloudedskies？
　　SadLady，ifsomemother，passingthee，Shouldfeelathrobofthyforebodingpain，Andthink——“Mychildathomeclingssotome，Withthesamesmile……andyetinvain，invain，SinceeventhisJesusdiedonCalvary“——
　　Saytoherthen：“Healsoroseagain。“
　　THETOMBOFILARIAGIUNIGI。
　　ILARIA，thouthatwertsofairanddearThatdeathwouldfaindisownthee，griefmadewiseWithprophecythyhusband'swidowedeyesAndbadehimcallthemaster'sarttorearThyperfectimageonthesculpturedbier，Withdreaminglids，handslaidinpeacefulguiseBeneaththebreastthatseemstofallandrise，Andlipsthatatlove'scallshouldanswer，“Here！”
　　First-bornoftheRenascence，whenthysoulCastthesweetrobingofthefleshaside，Intotheseloveliermarblelimbsitstole，Regenerateinart'ssunriseclearandwideAssaintswho，havingkeptfaith'sraimentwhole，Changeitaboveforgarmentsglorified。
　　THESONNET。
　　PUREform，thatlikesomechaliceofoldtimeContain'sttheliquidofthepoet'sthoughtWithinthycurvinghollow，gem-enwroughtWithinterwoventraceriesofrhyme，Whileo'erthybrimthebubblingfanciesclimb，WhatthingamI，thatundismayedhavesoughtTopourmyversewithtremblinghanduntaughtIntoashapesosmallyetsosublime？
　　Becauseperfectionhauntstheheartsofmen，BecausethysacredchalicegatheredupThewineofPetrarch，Shakspere，Shelley——thenReceivethesetearsoffailureastheydropSolevintageofmylife，sinceIamfainTopourtheminaconsecratedcup。
　　TWOBACKGROUNDS。
　　I。
　　LAVIERGEAUDONATEUR。
　　HEREbytheampleriver'sargentsweep，Bosomedintilthandvintagetoherwalls，Atower-crownedCybeleinarmoredsleepThecitylies，fatplentyinherhalls，Withcalm，parochialspiresthatholdinfeeThefriendlygablesclusteredattheirbase，And，equipoisedo'ertowerandmarket-place，TheGothicminster'swingedimmensity；
　　Andinthatnarrowburgh，withequalmood，Twoplacidhearts，toalllife'sgoodresigned，Might，fromthealtartothelych-gate，findLongyearsofpeaceanddreamlessplenitude。
　　II。
　　MONALISA。
　　YonstrangebluecitycrownsascarpedsteepNomortalfoothathbloodlesslyessayed；
　　Dreamsandillusionsbeaconfromitskeep，ButatthegateanAngelbareshisblade；
　　AndtalesaretoldofthosewhothoughttogainAtdawnitsramparts；butwheneveningfellFarofftheysaweachfadingpinnacleLitwithwildlightningsfromtheheavenofpain；
　　Yettheretwosouls，whomlife'sperversitiesHadmockedwithwantinplenty，tearsinmirth，Mightmeetindreams，ungarmentedofearth，AnddrainJoy'sawfulchalicetothelees。
　　EXPERIENCE。
　　I。
　　LIKECrusoewiththebootlessgoldwestandUponthedesertvergeofdeath，andsay：
　　“WhatshallavailthewoesofyesterdayTobuyto-morrow'swisdom，inthelandWhosecurrencyisstrangeuntoourhand？
　　Inlife'ssmallmarkettheyhaveservedtopaySomelate-foundrapture，couldwebutdelayTillTimehathmatchedourmeanstoourdemand。“
　　ButotherwiseFatewillsit，for，behold，Ourgatheredstrengthofindividualpain，WhenTime'slongalchemyhathmadeitgold，Dieswithus——hoardedalltheseyearsinvain，SincethosethatmightbeheirtoitthemouldRenew，andcointhemselvesnewgriefsagain。
　　II。
　　O，Death，wecomefull-handedtothygate，Richwithstrangeburdenofthemingledyears，Gainsandrenunciations，mirthandtears，Andlove'soblivion，andrememberinghate，NorknowwewhatcompulsionlaidsuchfreightUponoursouls——andshallourhopesandfearsBuynothingofthee，Death？Beholdourwares，Andsellustheonejoyforwhichwewait。
　　Hadwelivedlonger，lifehadsuchforsale，Withthelastcoinofsorrowpurchasedcheap，Butnowwestandbeforethyshadowypale，Andallourlongingsliewithinthykeep——
　　Death，canitbetheyearsshallnaughtavail？
　　“Notso，“Deathanswered，“theyshallpurchasesleep。“
　　CHARTRES。
　　I。
　　IMMENSE，august，likesomeTitanicbloom，Themightychoirunfoldsitslithiccore，Petalledwithpanesofazure，gulesandor，SplendidlylambentintheGothicgloom，AndstamenedwithkeenflameletsthatillumeThepalehigh-altar。Ontheprayer-wornfloor，Bysurgingworshippersthick-throngedofyore，Afewbrowncrones，familiarsofthetomb，ThestrandeddriftwoodofFaith'sebbingsea——
　　Forthesealonethefinialsfrettheskies，Thetopmostbossesshaketheirblossomsfree，Whilefromthetripleportals，withgraveeyes，Tranquil，andfixeduponeternity，Thecloudofwitnessesstilltestifies。
　　II。
　　Thecrimsonpaneslikeblood-dropsstigmatizeThewesternfloor。Theaislesaremuteandcold。
　　ArigidfetichinherrobeofgoldTheVirginofthePillar，withblankeyes，Enthronedbeneathhervotivecanopies，Gathersameagreremnanttoherfold。
　　Therestissolitude；thechurch，grownold，Standsstarkandgraybeneaththeburningskies。
　　Wellnighagainitsmightyframe-workgrowsTobeapartofnature'sself，withdrawnFromhothumanity'simpatientwoes；
　　Thefloorisridgedlikesomerudemountainlawn，AndintheeastonegiantwindowshowsTheroseatecoldnessofanAlpatdawn。
　　LIFE。
　　LIFE，likeamarbleblock，isgiventoall，Ablank，inchoatemassofyearsanddays，WhenceonewithardentchiselswiftessaysSomeshapeofstrengthorsymmetrytocall；
　　Oneshattersitinbitstomendawall；
　　Oneinacraftierhandthechisellays，Andone，towakethemirthinLesbia'sgaze，Carvesitapaceintoysfantastical。
　　Butleastishewho，withenchantedeyesFilledwithhighvisionsoffairshapestobe，MuseswhichgodheshallimmortalizeIntheproudParian'sperpetuity，TilltwilightwarnshimfromthepunctualskiesThatthenightcomethwhereinnoneshallsee。
　　ANAUTUMNSUNSET
　　I
　　LEAGUEREDinfireThewildblackpromontoriesofthecoastextendTheirsavagesilhouettes；
　　Thesuninuniversalcarnagesets，And，haltinghigher，Themotionlessstorm-cloudsmasstheirsullenthreats，Likeanadvancingmobinsword-pointspenned，That，balked，yetstandsatbay。
　　Mid-zenithhangsthefascinateddayInwind-lustratedhollowscrystalline，AwanvalkyriewhosewidepinionsshineAcrosstheensanguinedruinsofthefray，Andinherliftedhandswingshigho'erhead，Abovethewasteofwar，Thesilvertorch-lightoftheeveningstarWherewithtosearchthefacesofthedead。
　　II
　　Lagoonedingold，SeemnotthosejettypromontoriesratherTheoutpostsofsomeancientlandforlorn，Uncomfortedofmorn，Whereoldoblivionsgather，Themelancholy，unconsolingfoldOfallthingsthatgoutterlytodeathAndmixnomore，nomoreWithlife'sperpetuallyawakeningbreath？
　　ShallTimenotferrymetosuchashore，Oversuchsaillessseas，Towalkwithhope'sslainimportunitiesInmiserablemarriage？Nay，shallnotAllthingsbethereforgot，Savethesea'sgoldenbarrierandtheblackClosecrouchingpromontories？
　　Deadtoallshames，forgottenofallglories，ShallInotwanderthere，ashadow'sshade，Aspectreself-destroyed，SopurgedofallremembranceandsuckedbackIntotheprimalvoid，ThatshouldweonthatshorephantasmalmeetIshouldnotknowthecomingofyourfeet？
　　End