THEREissomuchofmystificationresortedto，atthepresenttime，inthepublicationofbooks，thatithasbecomeproperthattheeditorofElinorWyllysshouldexplainwhathasbeenhisownconnectionwiththisparticularwork。
Thewriterofthisbookisavaluedfemalefriend，whohadarighttoask，anddidask，itseditor'sadviceandassistance，inpresentingittothepublic。Thisadviceandassistancehavebeencheerfullyafforded，thoughneitherhasproperlyextendedtotheliterarycharacterofthework。Astheauthorhasnotwishedtoappear，thenameoftheeditorhasbeenusedinobtainingthecopy-right，andhisassistancegiveninforwardingandreturningproof-sheets。Overafewofthelast，theeditorhascastaneye；
but，believingtheauthorofthebooktobefullycompetentherself，tosuperintendherownwork，asithasgonethroughthepress，thissupervisiononthepartoftheeditorhasbeenveryslight。
Theeditorhasgreatconfidenceintheprinciples，taste，andintelligenceoftherealauthorofElinorWyllys。Shehasseenmuchofthatportionoftheworldwithwhichaladybecomesacquainted，andhasseenthatmuchunderthemostfavorablecircumstances。Asusuallyhappensinsuchcases，herbookwillbefoundfreefromexaggerationsofeverysort；andwillbemorelikelytobewellreceivedbypersonsofherownclass，thanbythosewhoarelessfamiliarwithitsadvantages。Imagination，feeling，soundprinciples，andgoodtaste，arealltobefoundinthisbook，thoughinwhatdegree，thepublicwillnecessarilydecideforitself。
J。FENIMORECOOPER。
Philadelphia，Oct。8，1845。
PREFACE
ITwillbewell，perhaps，thatthereaderbearinmind，whilerunningoverthefollowingpages，thatmanypassingobservations，manytrifles，whichnaturallyfindtheirwayintoanysketchofsociallife，referchieflytothingsandnotionsinfavoursometenyearssince；aperiodwhichiscertainlynotbeyondthememoryofman，butverypossiblybeyondtheclearrecollectionofsomeyoungladyreader，justwithinherteens。Newopinions，newideas，newfashionshaveappearedamongussincethen，andmadetheirwayperceptibly。Twentyyears'possessionconstitutesalegaltitle，ifwemaybelievethelawyers；butasingleseasonisoftensufficientforanewfancy——fanciesofaseriousnaturetoo，sometimes——totakefullpossessionofthepublicmind，andassumearbitrarycontrolofthepremisesforthetimebeing，atleast。
Itwillbemorehonesttoconfess，atonce，beforethereaderundertakesthefirstchapter，thatthetalenowbeforehimisafirstappearanceinprint——afirstappearance，too，ofonewho，evennowthattheformidablestepistaken，feelslittledisposedtoenvythehonoursofauthorship。Writingmaybeaverypleasantpastime；butprintingseemstohavemanydisagreeableconsequencesattendingeverystageoftheprocess；andyet，afterall，readingisoftenthemostirksometaskofthethree。Inthislastcase，however，theremedyisgenerallyeasy；onemaythrowasidethevolume，andabusetheauthor。IftherearebookswhichMUSTberead，stupidornot，owingtotheclaimofsomegreatnameonthebinding，thepresentstoryisnotoneofthenumber；
andperhapstheperfectlibertyenjoyedbythereaderundersuchcircumstances——tolikeordislikeindependentofcritics，tocuteveryleaf，orskipadozenchaptersatatimewithoutfearofreproach——willinclinehimtoanamiablemood。Itistobehopedso；itwillbeunfortunateif，amongmanyagreeablesummerexcursionsbothonterrafirmaandintheregionsoffancy，thehourpassedatLongbridgeshouldproveatediousone：insuchacasethefaultwillbelongentirelytothewriterofthenarrative，fortherearecertainlysomeverypleasantandveryworthypeopleamongthegoodfolkofLongbridge——
，August，1845。
ELINORWYLLYS。
CHAPTERI，“Enterthehouse，pr'ythee。“——
ROGERS。
{SamuelRogersEnglishpoet，1763-1855，“Italy：Genevra“line19。SamuelRogersbefriendedJamesFenimoreCooperandhisfamilyduringtheirvisitstoEnglandin1826-33}
HADtherebeenapredecessorofMr。Downinginthecountry，somefive-and-twentyyearsince，tocriticiseWyllys-Roof，thehomeofourfriendElinor，hisgoodtastewouldnodoubthavesuggestedmanyimprovements，notonlyinthehouseitself，butalsointhegroundswhichsurroundedit。ThebuildinghadbeenerectedlongbeforethefirstTudorcottagewastransported，Loretto-like，acrosstheAtlantic，andwasevenanteriortothedaysofGrecianporticoes。Itwasacomfortable，sensible-lookingplace，however，suchaswereplannedsomeeightyorahundredyearssince，bymenwhohadfortuneenoughtodoastheypleased，andeducationenoughtobequitesuperiortoallpretension。Thehousewasalow，irregular，woodenbuilding，ofamplesizeforthetastesandhabitsofitsinmates，withbroadpiazzas，whichnotonlyincreaseditsdimensions，butaddedgreatlytothecomfortandpleasureofthefamilybywhomitwasoccupied。
{“Downing“=AndrewJacksonDowning1815-1852，notedAmericanruralarchitectandlandscapegardener；“Loretto-like“=afterLoreto，inItaly，where，accordingtotradition，abrickHolyHousewasmiraculouslyconveyedthroughtheairbyangelsin1294}
Thegroundswereofthesimplestkind。Thelawnwhichsurroundedthehousewasmerelyabettersortofmeadow，fromwhichthestonesandbriarshadbeenremovedwithmorecarethanusual，andwhich，onaccountofitsposition，receivedtheattentionofoneadditionalmowinginthecourseofthesummer。Afinewood，ofanaturalgrowth，approachedquiteneartothehouseonthenorthernside，partiallyshelteringitinthatdirection，whileanavenueofweepingelmsledfromthegatetotheprincipalentrance，andarowoflocusts，plantedatequaldistances，linedthelow，rudestonewallwhichshutoutthehighway。Onepiazzawasshadedbynoblewillows，whileanotherwasfacedbyarowofcherrytrees，flankedbypeachandpear。Fruittrees，althoughsocommonandsolavishoftheirblessingsinthisclimate，areoftengatheredaboutAmericancountry-houses，insteadofbeingconfinedtogardensdevotedtothepurpose，asinEurope；ahabitwhichpleasantlyremindsusthatcivilizationhasmadearecentconquestoverthewildernessinthisnewworld，andthatourforefathers，onlyafewgenerationsback，preferredthetreesoftheorchardtothoseoftheforest，evenforornament。Fruittreesareindeedbeautifulobjectswhengaywiththeblossomsofspring，orrichwiththeofferingsofsummer，and，mingledwithothers，arealwaysdesirableaboutadwellingassimpleandunpretendinginitscharacterasWyllys-Roof。Beneaththewindowswererosesandotherfloweringshrubs；andthese，withafewscatterednativesofthesoil——elm，hickory，sycamore，andtuliptrees——fartherfromthehouse，weretheonlyattemptsatembellishmentthathadbeenmade。Thegarden，surroundedbyawhitepaling，wasthoughtanornamentalobject，andlaywithinfullviewofthedrawing-roomwindows；andyetitwasbutamixtureoftheusefulandthebeautiful，inwhichtheformerlargelypredominated。Asakitchen-gardenitwascertainlyexcellent；butthenarrowflower-borders，whichsurroundedtheamplebedsofmelonsandstrawberries，asparagusandcauliflowers，wouldhaveappearedmeanlyfurnishedintheeyesofaflower-fancierofthepresentday。Therewasnotahybridamongthem，norasingleblossombutwhatboreaplain，honestname；
andalthoughtherewereliliesandroses，pinksandvioletsinabundance，theywouldprobablyhavebeenallrootedoutbyyourexclusive，fashionablegardenerofthelastsummer，fortheywerethecommonestvarietiesonly。Therewerebuttwowalksonthelawn；oneofthesewasgravelled，andledtothegarden-gate；theotherwasacommonfoot-pathleadingtotheriver，wherethegentlemenofthefamilykepttheirboats，andwherethecattle，whooftengrazedonthelawn，wenttodrink。Thegroundswereboundedononesidebyabroadriver，ontheotherbyasufficientlywell-travelledhighway。Whatparticularriverandhighwaythesewere，throughwhatparticularstateandcountytheyran，wedonotthinkitincumbentonustoreveal。Itmayeasilybeinferred，however，thatWyllys-Roofbelongedtooneoftheolderpartsofthecountry，atnogreatdistancefromtheseaboard，forthetreesthatshadedthehousewereofagrowththatcouldnothavebeenreachedbyanynewplantationinawesternsettlement。
{“particularstate……“=Longbridge，welearn，hassteamboatconnectionstoNewYorkCity，whilesteamboatconnectionstoPhiladelphiaarefromnearbyUpperLewiston；inthecourseofthestory，oneofthefirstrailroadsinAmericacomesthroughtown；
thissuggests，ifanywhere，NewJersey。JudicialmatterstakeplaceinPhiladelphia，whichwouldseemtoplaceLongbridgeinPennsylvania。Itisnotclear，however，thattheauthorhadanyspecificlocationinmind}
TheinteriorarrangementsofWyllys-Roofcorrespondedverynaturallywiththeappearanceofthingsoutside。Theceilingswerelow，andtheapartmentssmallandnumerous；muchroomhadbeenthrownintobroad，airypassages，whileclosetsandcupboardsabounded。Thewholeofthelowerfloorhadoriginallybeenwainscoted，butMissAgnesWyllyswasanswerableforseveralinnovationsintheprincipalrooms。WhenMr。Wyllysdecidedtomakehiscountry-placeapermanentresidence，hisdaughter，whowasattheheadofhisestablishment，fanciedthatthefurnituretheyhadbroughtfromtheirhouseintowncouldnotbeadvantageouslydisposedof，withoutcuttingfolding-doorsbetweenthedrawing-rooms。Itwasfortunatethatacoupleofadjoiningroomsadmittedofthisarrangement，foratthatday，twodrawing-roomsofequalsize，unitedbywidefolding-doors，wereconsideredanecessaryoflifetoallAmericanfamilies“onhospitablethoughtintent。“Itseemstohavebeenonlyveryrecentlythatanyotherarrangementhasbeenfoundpossible，animportantdiscovery，which，likemanyothersthathaveprecededit，wasprobablythehappyeffectofnecessity，thatmotherofinvention。Mr。Wyllyshavingcutthroughthepartition，wasnextpersuadedtotakedownthewainscoting，andputupinitsplaceaFrenchpaper，veryprettyinitsway，certainly，butwefearthatMissAgneshadnobetterreasontogiveforthesechangesthanthefactthatshewasdoingasherneighbourshaddonebeforeher。MissWyllyswas，however，littleinfluencedingeneralbymerefashion，andonmoreimportantmatterscouldthinkforherself；thislittleweaknessinfavourofthefolding-doorsmaythereforebeforgiven，andjustlyascribedtothecharacteroftheageinwhichshelivedandgavetea-parties。
{“onhospitablethoughtintent“=JohnMiltonEnglishpoet，1608-1674，“ParadiseLost“，BookV，line332}
ForseveralyearsaftertheyremovedpermanentlytoWyllys-Roof，thefamily，strictlyspeaking，consistedofMr。Wyllys，hisunmarrieddaughter，andtheusualdomestics，only。Theywereseldomalone，however；theyhadgenerallysomefriendorrelativewiththem，andinsummerthehousewasoftenfilledtooverflowing，duringthewholeseason，withpartiesoffriends，orthedifferentbranchesofalargefamilyconnection；fortheWyllyseshadtheirfullshareofthatfreespiritofhospitalitywhichseemscharacteristicofallclassesofAmericans。Afteratime，however，anothermemberwasreceivedintothefamily。ThiswastheorphandaughterofMr。Wyllys'seldestson，anengaginglittlegirl，towhomhergrandfatherandauntwerecalledupontofilltheplaceofthefatherandmothershehadlost。Thelittleorphanwastooyoung，atthetime，tobeaware，eitherofthegreatafflictionwhichhadbefallenher，orofherhappylotinbeingcommittedtosuchkindguardians，inmerelyexchangingonehomeforanother。
ThearrivalofthelittleElinoratWyllys-Roofwastheonlyimportanteventinthefamilyforsometenortwelveyears；theWyllyseswerenotmuchgiventochange，andduringthatperiodthingsaboutthemremainedmuchastheyhavejustbeendescribed。
Wedeferpresentingthefamilymoreespeciallytothereader'snoticeuntilouryoungfriendElinorhadreachedherseventeenthbirth-day，aneventwhichwasdulycelebrated。Therewastobealittlepartyontheoccasion，MissAgneshavinginvitedsomehalf-dozenfamiliesoftheneighbourhoodtopasstheeveningatWyllys-Roof。
Theweatherwasverywarm，asusualatthelastofAugust；andastheexpectedguestswerelateinmakingtheirappearance，Mr。
Wyllyshadundertakeninthemeantimetobeathisdaughteratagameofchess。Elinor，mountedonafootstool，wasintentonarrangingasprigofclematistothebestadvantage，inthebeautifuldarkhairofhercousinJaneGraham，whowasstandingforthatpurposebeforeamirror。Agood-lookingyouth，whomweintroducewithoutfartherceremonyasHarryHazlehurst，waswatchingthechess-playerswithsomeinterest。Therewerealsotwoladiessittingonasofa，andasbothhappenedatthetimetobeinmatesofWyllys-Roof，wemayaswellmentionthattheelderlygentlewomaninacapwasMrs。Stanley，thewidowofaconnectionfromwhomyoungHazlehursthadinheritedalargeproperty。Herneighbour，averyprettywoman，neitheryoungnorold，wasMrs。GeorgeWyllys，theirhost'sdaughter-in-law，and，ashermourning-dressbespokeher，alsoawidow。ThisladywasnowonavisittoWyllys-Roofwithheryoungchildren，whom，asshefrequentlyobserved，shewishedtobeasmuchaspossibleundertheinfluenceoftheirfather'sfamily。
Mr。Wyllys'sgamewasinterruptedforamoment，justashewasabouttomakeaverygoodmove；aservantcametolethimknowthatadrunkenmanhadbeenfoundunderafencenearthehouse。
Thefellow，accordingtoThomas'sstory，couldnotberousedenoughtogiveastraightaccountofhimself，norcouldhebemadetomove。
“Isitanyoneyouknow，Thomas？”askedMr。Wyllys。
“No，sir，it'snoonefromhereabouts。Ishouldn'twonderifhewasasailor，bythelooksofhistrowsersandjacket。IguessitissomeloaferonhiswaytoLongbridge。“
Whatcouldbedonewithhim？wasthequestion。Theladiesdidnotseemtoliketheideaofhavingadrunkenman，whomnooneknew，broughtintothehouseatnight。
“IdaresayitisthesamepersonIheardaskingthewaytoWyllys-Roofthismorning，whenwestoppedattheturnpike-gate，“
observedMrs。Stanley。“Helookedatthetimeasifhehadbeendrinking。“
Elinorsuggestedthatpossiblyitmightbesomeoldsailor，whofanciedhehadaclaimuponMr。Wyllys'skindness——Mr。GeorgeWyllyshavingdiedacommanderinthenavy。
Harryvolunteeredtogooutandtakealookathim，andthepartyinthedrawing-roomawaitedtheresultofthisreconnoitring{sic}。AttheendoffiveminutesHazlehurstreturnedwithhisreport。
“AsfarasIcanjudgebythehelpofmoonlightandalantern，itisnoveryprepossessingpersonage。Hesworeatmeroundlyfordisturbinghim，andItakeitthefellowisreallyasailor。I
askedhimwhathewantedatWyllys-Roof，butwecouldnotmakeanythingoutofhim。Tokeephimfrommischief，welockedhimupinoneoftheout-houses。Itistobehopedinthemorninghewillbesoberenoughtotellhiserrand。“
Thematterthussettled，nothingfartherwasthoughtofitatthetime，andinanothermomentthegameofchesswaswon，andtheflowersecuredinabecomingposition。Mrs。StanleyhadbeenwatchingElinor'smovementswithasmile。
“Youareanexperthair-dresser；theflowersaremuchprettierasyouhavearrangedthem，“saidtheladytoheryoungfriend。
“Isitnotagreatimprovement？TheylookedheavyasJanehadarrangedthembefore——Ihavetakenoutmorethanhalf，“repliedElinor。
Mrs。GeorgeWyllyslookedupfromthenewspapershewasreading，andsuggestedachange。
“Ithinktheclematiswouldlookbetterontheotherside。“
“Doyoureallythinkso，AuntHarriet？IflatteredmyselfIhadbeenverysuccessful：itstrikesmethatitlooksverywell。“
“Whatisitthatlookssowell，ladies？”saidMr。Wyllys，risingfromthechess-tableanddrawingneartheyoungpeople。“Theflower？Yes，theflowerandthefacearebothverypretty，mydear。Whatisit？ahoneysuckle？”
“Noindeed，grandpapa，“answeredElinor，“itisaclematis——thisisahoneysuckle，amonthlyhoneysuckle，whichJanehadtwistedwithit；buttomyfancytheclematisisprettieralone，especiallyasitissoprecious——theverylastonewecouldfind。“
“Whydon'tyouputthehoneysuckleinyourownhair，Nelly？itisaveryprettyflower。Beingqueenoftheevening，youshouldcertainlywearoneyourself。“
“Oh，Ineverwearflowers，grandpapa；Icannotmakethemlookwellinmyhair。Thisbouquetmustproclaimmydignityto-night。“
“Itisprettyenough，certainly，mychild，foranydignity——“
“Isitnotratherlarge？”saidHarry。“Why，Elinor，youhavesmotheredmyhumbleofferinginawholewildernessofsweets！”
“Notquiteasbadasthat，“saidElinor，smiling——“Ionlyputwithyours，afewAuntAgnesandMissPatseygaveme——lookatJane'sifyouwishtoseeabouquetofareasonablyfashionablesize。“
“Bouquetsarewornverylargethissummer，“saidJaneGraham，inalanguidtone，restingherbeautifuleyesonthebunchinherhand。
“Fashioneveninflowers！”exclaimedMr。Wyllys。
“Soitwouldseem，“repliedElinor，smiling。
“And，pray，“saidHarry，takingarosefromavasenearhim，“ifafriendweretoofferaflowerforyourbelt，sinceyouwillnotplaceoneinyourhair，wouldfashionpermitittobeworn？”
“Idon'tbelieveitwould，Nelly，“saidhergrandfather。
Elinorlookedjustalittleembarrassed，andalittlepleased。
“Thankyou，“shesaid，takingtheroseHarryoffered；andwhilesecuringitinhersash，shefeltthatshecoloured。Buttheflushwasscarcelyobservedonacheekasdarkashers。
“Well，Agnes，itishightimeyourfriendscame，unlesstheyexpectarout，“saidMr。Wyllys，steppingtowardsawindowtolookout。“Whoarewetohave？”
{“rout“=alargeeveningparty}
“Yournewneighbours，sir，theTaylors；youroldfriends，theHubbards，VanHornes，Bernards——“
“IhopeyouwillliketheTaylors，Agnes；butIdon'tknowmuchaboutthem。Iamgladyouthoughtofaskingthemthisevening，forhebroughtmealetter，youremember，fromNewYork。“
{“letter“=aletterofintroduction}
“Asthereisayoungladyinthefamily，andasonjustgrownup，Ithoughttheymightliketodance，“repliedMissAgnes。ShethenturnedtoMrs。Stanley，andaskedthatlady，wholivedinNewYork，ifsheknewanythingofthesenewneighboursoftheirs。
“Ineverheardofthem，“repliedMrs。Stanley。“Buttheymaybeveryimportantpeople，andmakeagreatdealofnoise，forallthat；asIonlyseemyoldfriends，andlivesoquietlymyself，I
don'tevenknowthenamesofhalfthepeoplewhopassforfashionable。“
“Ineversuspectedournewneighboursofbeingfashionable，“
repliedMr。Wyllys；“butIhopetheywillturnoutpleasant，sensiblepeople，foryoursake，ladies；and，then，ifTaylorisachess-player，thatwillleavenothingfarthertobedesired。“
“Herecomessomebody，atlast！”exclaimedMrs。GeorgeWyllys，hearingacarriage。“TheVanHornes，Isuppose。“
“Ibegyourpardon，“saidHazlehurst，whowasstandingnearthewindow，“thatistheTaylorequipage；whythe'tastiness'oftheTaylorbaroucheisvisibleevenbymoonlight。“
{“barouche“=four-wheeledcarriagewithroomforfourpassengersinside}
Thepartyinthecarriage，consistingoffatherandmother，sonanddaughter，soonalighted，andappearedinthedrawing-room。
TheywereintroducedbyMr。Wyllys，andreceivedpolitelybyhisdaughterandherniece。
“Iamgratified，sir，“saidthetallandthinMr。Taylor，withapompoustone，“inhavingsoearlyanopportunityofmakingourladiesmutuallyacquainted。“
“Weshallhopetoseeyourfamilyoften，Mr。Taylor，“repliedhishost。“Youmustnotforgetthatwearenearneighbours；andwecountryfolkthinkagreatdealofneighbourhood，Iassureyou。“
“Yes；ofcoursetherestraintsofsocietymustbemuchgreaterinacity，thaninamoresparselysettledsection。“
“Ihopeyournewpurchasesuitsyouonfartherexamination。Thefarmiscertainlyaverygoodone；butthehouse，Ishouldthink，mustwantrepairs。“
“Itdoes，sir；Icalculatetobuild，however，nextyear。Thepresentdwellingismuchtoosmall。“
“Thehousemightsuitus，Ithink，“observedMrs。Taylor，who，withMissAgnes，hadtakenaseat，whiletheyoungpeoplewerestanding，chatting，nearthem。“Ifhusbandwouldputupaback-building，weshouldhaveroomenough。“
MissWyllysremarked，thatevenasmalladdition，oftenincreasedverymuchtheconvenienceofahouse。
“Certainly，madam；butIapprehend，ifIhadaddedwingsandaback-buildingtothepremises，asIfirstintended，Mrs。Taylorwouldstillhavefoundthehousenotsufficientlyspacious。Nowouryoungladiesandgentlemenaregrowingup，wemusthave，moreroomforcompany。“
“Well，“addedhiswife，“Iexpecttoseeagooddealofteaanddinnercompany，nextsummer，withthehouseasitis。“
“Theyoungpeoplewillbemuchobligedtoyouforyourkindintentions，Mrs。Taylor；oursisnotaverygayneighbourhood，“
saidMissWyllys。
“SoIshouldconclude，“remarkedMr。Taylor。
“Idon'tknow，Agnes，“saidherfather；“ifyouincludeLongbridgeintheneighbourhood，Ithinkwemaycallourselvesagayset。“
“True，sir，“saidMissAgnes；“butasweseldomgothereourselvesintheevening，ithadnotstruckmeinthatlight。Butverypossibly，Mrs。TaylorandheryoungladiesmaybemoreenterprisingthanElinorandmyself。“
“Fourmiles，madam，“interposedMr。Taylor，“withagoodvehicleandgoodhorses，isnogreatdistance。Longbridgeseemstobeinaveryflourishingcondition，sir；“turningtoMr。Wyllys。
“Yes，theplaceislookingup；theyareverybusyjustnow。Theyarebuildingagooddeal，thissummer。“
“Iobservedseveraltastymansions，inwhatmaybecalledthesuburbs；inparticularabrickedifice，beingerected，I
understand，byJosephP。Hubbard。“
“Thebrickhousenearthebridge？Yes，itwillbethelargestabouthere。Hubbardisbuildingitmoretopleasehisdaughtersthanhimself，Ifancy。“
“Itpromisesagreatdisplayoftaste——Iobservehehasreservedhalfhislot，infrontofthemansion，forapark。“
“Hem——Yes，therewillbejusthalfanacreinit。DoesHubbardcallitapark？”askedMr。Wyllys，withanamusedexpressionabouthiseyes。
“Iappliedthetermmyself，“repliedtheknowingMr。Taylor。“I
wasaltogethermuchpleasedwiththeappearanceofyourvillage，sir。Ithasalivelybusinessforsuchasmallplace——thingsreallylookquitecitifiedthere。IfIhadseenMr。Hubbard'smansion，beforeconcludingmybargainformypresentlocation，I
thinkIshouldhavemadehimanoffer。“
“Iamverygladyoudidnot，husband。Iwasbroughtuponafarm，MissWyllys，andIamveryhappythatwehavegotintheopencountry。Besides，Mr。Hubbard'shousewillbetoolargeforcomfort。“
“Ha，ha！”faintlylaughedMr。Taylor；“youseemtolikeroomoutofdoorsbetterthanwithin，Mrs。Taylor。“
Atthismomenttwopersonswalkedquietlyintotheroom，andwerereceivedverykindlybyMissWyllysandElinor。Onewasawomanofaboutforty，plainly，butneatlydressed，withapleasingface，remarkableforasimpleexpressionofcommonsenseandgoodness。Hermannerscorrespondedperfectlywithherappearance；
theywerequietandpleasant。Theladwhoaccompaniedherwasaboyofsixteen，small，andslightlymade，withgoodfeatures，andanuncommonlyspiritedandintelligentcountenance。Theymightverynaturallyhavebeentakenformotherandson；buttheywere，infact，brotherandsister。
“Well，Charlie，mylad，“saidMr。Wyllys，placingahandontheboy'sshoulder，“Iheartheimportantmatterisatlastunderfullconsideration。“
“Yes，sir；myfriendshaveallbutconsented；evensisterPatseyiscominground。Itwillbeallsettlednextweek，Ihope。“
“Iwishyoujoyofyoursuccess，Charlie，“criedHazlehurst。
“Notyet，ifyouplease，Mr。Hazlehurst，“saidMissPatseyHubbard，smilinggood-naturedly。“Itisonlyaconditionalconsent，Charles，youmustremember。“ThenturningtoMr。Wyllys，sheadded——“Allourfriendsseemtoagreewithyou，sir，andMissWyllys：myunclesthinkCharlesoughttoshowwhathehasdonetosomeexperiencedpainters，andhavetheiropinions。Wefeelveryanxiousonthesubject。“
“Remembertopersevere，youngman，ifyouoncebegin，“saidMr。
Wyllys。
“NodangerbutIshall，sir，“saidtheboyratherproudly。
“Ifear，Charles，thathalfthefaultofyourobstinacyisthrownuponmyshoulders，“saidElinor。“ThoseLivesofthePainterswereanunfortunatepresent；theyseemquitetohaveturnedyourhead；IamafraidMissPatseywillnotsoonforgiveme。“
{“LivesofthePainters“=probablyGiorgioVasariItalianwriter，1511-1574，“LivesoftheMostExcellentArchitects，PaintersandSculptors“1550，rev。1568，afamousandoftenreprintedseriesofbiographiesofItalianartists，alsofrequentlycitedas“LivesoftheArtists。“}
“Ican'tthankyouenoughforthem，MissElinor——youdon'tknowwhatpleasureIhavehadwiththem。“
CHAPTERII。
“We'llmeasurethemameasure，andbegone。“
{WilliamShakespeare，“RomeoandJuliet“，I。iv。10}
Thearrivalofguestsagaincalledtheladiesaway；theywerefollowedbyothers，untilthedrawing-roomwashalf-filledwiththeyoungpeopleoftheneighbourhood，andtheirparents。Mrs。
StanleywassoontalkingwithPatseyHubbard，whomshelikedparticularly。ThetallandthinMrs。Bernard，andherfriend，theshortandfatMrs。VanHorne，wereregrettingwithMrs。GeorgeWyllys，thatsheshouldthinktheairofLongbridgedidnotagreewithherchildren；andlamentingthatsheshouldnotremainatWyllys-RoofuntilNovember，accordingtoherfirstintention。
Charliewasdeepinavolumeoffineengravings。YoungTaylorwasstanding；inacorner，lookinghandsome，butawkward，andoutofplace。Mr。Taylor，thefather，wasaimingatmakinghimself'affable'toeverybodyheknew；helikedtobecalledthe'affable'Mr。Taylor。Thelastofthepartytoarrive，wereMr。
andMrs。Clapp；acouple，whowerebynomeansequallylikedbytheirhosts。ThehusbandwasaLongbridgelawyer，whoseviewsandmannerswerenotmuchadmiredatWyllys-Roof；andhewouldprobablyneverhavefoundhiswaythere，hadhenotmarriedoneoftheiroldfriendsandfavourites，KateHubbard，ayoungersisterofMissPatsey's——onewhofromchildhoodhadalwaysbeenwelcomeamongthem。WilliamCassiusClapphadcurlyhair，brightblackeyes，andpinkcheeks——and，consequently，wasgenerallythoughtanAdonis：hiswifewasadiminutivelittlecreature，quitepretty，andveryamiable；asortofmixtureofMissPatseyandCharlie，withoutthemorestrikingqualitiesofeither。SomeofherfriendshadthoughtherthrownawayuponClapp；butsheseemedperfectlysatisfiedafterfiveyears'experience，andevidentlybelievedherhusbandsuperiorineverywaytothecommonrunofmen。Holdingittobegrossinjusticetowardstheindividualswhomwebringbeforethereader，toexciteaprejudiceagainstthemintheveryfirstchapter，weshallleaveallthepartytospeakandactforthemselves；merelyendeavouringtofillthepartofa'faithfulchronicler，'
ourselves。
Mr。Taylorhadbeenlooking，withamixedexpressionofsurpriseandcuriosity，atthepersonhehadheardaddressedasMissPatseyHubbard，whentheladyremarkedhismanner，and，smilingquietly，shebowedtohim。Thebowwasreturned；andMr。Taylorcrossedtheroom，torenewanacquaintancewiththewoman，who，three-and-twentyyearsbefore，hadrefusedtobecomehiswife。
Mr。PompeyTaylorhad，however，risentoomuchintheworld，sincethen——accordingtohisownestimation，atleast——hehadbecometoorichandtooprosperous，nottolookbackwithgreatequanimity，onwhathenowconsideredasaverytriflingoccurrence。WhilehewasaddressingMissPatseyinhismostpolishedmanner，justmarkedwithanextra-touchof'affability，'
forherespecialbenefit，hecouldnotbutwonderthathercountenanceshouldstillwearthesameplacid，contentedairasofold；itseemed，indeed，asifthisexpressionhadonlybeenconfirmedbytimeandtrials。Hebegantothinktheaccountshehadoccasionallyheard，ofhisoldflame，musthavebeenincorrect；itwasscarcelypossiblesheshouldlooksocalm，andevencheerful，ifherfather，thePresbyterianminister，hadactuallylefthernotonlypenniless，butburdenedwiththesupportofabed-riddenstep-mother，andahousefullofyoungerbrothersandsisters。Weleavehimtosatisfyhiscuriosityaswellashecould。
Whenwasthereeveraneveningtoowarmforyoungpeopletodance！Elinor'sfriendshadnotbeenintheroomhalfanhour，beforetheydiscoveredthattheywerejusttherightnumbertomakeaquadrilleagreeable。Theywereenoughtoformadoubleset；and，whiletheyweredancing，theelderpartofthecompanyweresittingingroupsnearthewindows，tocatchtheeveningair，andtalkingoverneighbourlymatters，orlookingonattheiryoungfriends。
“Don'tyouthinkElinorverygraceful？”exclaimedMrs。VanHornetoherfriend，Mrs。Bernard。“Iliketowatchher，whilesheisdancing；hermovementsareallsopleasingandeasy，never，intheleast，exaggerated——but，itisinherverynature；shehasalwaysbeenthesame，fromalittlecreature。“
“Yes，“repliedMrs。Bernard；“butitisapityherfaceshouldbesougly；forshehasratheraprettyfigure——“
“Doyouthinkherreallyugly？Shedoesnotstrikeme，assoveryplain——thereisnothingrepulsiveinherface。Ihaveknowngirlscalledpretty，whohadsomethingfarnearercoarsenessintheirfeatures。Itistrue，Ihavebeenaccustomedtoseeherfromthetimeshewasfouryearsold；and，Iknow，sheisalwaysthoughtveryplainbystrangers。“
“Why，mydearMrs。VanHorne，shehasnotonefeaturethatcanbecalledgood；andhereye-browsaresoheavy，andhercomplexionissothickanddark，too！”
“Yes，itistrue，sheisverydark；andthatisapity；ifshewereonlyfairer，herfeatureswouldappeartogreateradvantage。“
“Justlookathernow，“saidMrs。Bernard，“assheisstandingbyhercousin，JaneGraham，whoisdancingwithyourson。Wasthereeveragreatercontrast？”
“ButJaneissoremarkablypretty——“
“Certainly，sheisaperfectlittlebeauty；andthatisonereason，perhaps，whyElinorstrikesusassoplain；sheissomuchwithhercousin——“
“Well，“saidMrs。VanHorne，“ifyouaregoingtoquarrelsomuch，withmylittlefriend'sface，wehadbetterfindsomethingelsetotalkabout；forsheisaverygreatfavouriteofmine。“
“Andjustly——Idaresay——But，Iamagreatadmirerofbeauty，youknow；andIcannotkeepmyeyesoffJane'slovelyface。“
TheconversationthenturnedupontheHubbards。
“Charlie，itseems，isactuallygoingtobeapainter，“observedMrs。Bernard。“MissPatseytellsme，heissobentonit，thatshethinksthereisnouseinopposingitanylonger；though，Mr。
Clappsays，itisawretchedplan。“
“IhopeCharlesmaysucceed；heisafineboy；andIshallbeverysorry，forPatsey'ssake，ifheturnsoutbadly。Sheisveryanxiousabouthim，Iknow。“
“Theyhavebeensofortunate，withtherestofthefamily，that，Ihope，theywillbeabletokeepCharliestraight。IseeMissPatseyistalkingtoMrs。Taylor；theyareoldfriends，perhaps。
DoyouknowanythingabouttheseTaylors？”
“Nothingbutwhatmyhusbandtoldme。HeisamerchantinNewYork，andveryrich；——madehismoneyquitelately；andthebusiness-menthinkagooddealofhim。“
“Heseemstohaveagreatdealtosayforhimself。HaveyoucalledonMrs。Taylor？”
“Wewerethereyesterday。Sheisaquiet，plainwoman。Theyoungmanisgood-looking，butveryshyandawkward。Thedaughterseemsverylively。“
“Yes，andsheisquitepretty，too。Shewillbeabelle，Idaresay。“
“IhopeMrs。TaylorwillsendheryoungerchildrentoPatsey'sschool。“
“Iwishshemay；itwillbeagoodthingforMissPatsey，andmakeupherdozen。Youknow，shewillnottakemorethantwelve，asshekeepsthelargestroominthehouseforhermother。“
“HowkindandfaithfulPatseyhasbeentoherstep-mother！Justassheis，though，toeverybodyelse；andshedoesitallinsuchaquiet，consistentway。Iamgladtoseeherhereto-night——sheenjoysalittlesociety，onceinawhile；andyetnoonecanpersuadehertogoout，exceptMissWyllys。“
“Shehascomeinhonourofherpupil'sbirthday，Isuppose。Youknow，ElinorWyllyswasherfirstscholar。By-the-bye，doyouknowwhatIheard，theotherday？Theysay，inLongbridge，thatMr。Hazlehurstisengagedtooneoftheyoungladieshere；
though，towhich，myinformantdidnotsay。“
“Thereisnotruthinit，youmaybesure——theyaretoomuchlikebrotherandsister，tothinkofit。Besides，Mr。Hazlehurstisgoingabroad，shortly。“
“Ididnotknowthat。Whereishegoing？”
“Hetoldmyson，yesterday，thathewasgoingtoEurope，fortwoyears，totakecareofhisbrother，Mr。RobertHazlehurst，whohasneverrecoveredfromthefallhehadlastwinter；andthephysicianshaveorderedhimtotravel。“
AtthatmomenttheladieswerejoinedbyMissAgnes。
“Ihear，MissWyllys，“saidMrs。Bernard，“thatMr。HazlehurstisgoingtoEurope。Hewillbeverymuchmissed，atLongbridge。“
“Yes，weshallmisshim，here，verymuch，“repliedMissWyllys；
“Harryhasbeenwithusmorethanever，thissummer。But，hisbrotherisnotinastatetotravelalone，norfittotakecareofhiswifeandchildren，whogowithhim；and，althoughtheplanisasuddenone，andinterfereswithHarry'slaw-studies，yethisfriendsallthinkavisittoEuropemaybeagreatadvantagetohim。“
Theladiesagreedthatitwasaverygoodarrangement，andsomeinquiriesweremadeastoMr。RobertHazlehurst'shealth；andadiscussionofbruisesandfalls，nervesanddyspepsia，followed。
Soonafter，thequadrillebrokeup。
“Well，MissJane，“criedMrs。Bernard，asseveralyoungpeopledrewnear，“Ihearthatyoursister，Mrs。RobertHazlehurst，isgoingtoEurope；ifIwereyou，Iwouldnotbeleftbehind。“
“Ishouldliketogoverywell，“saidthebeauty，inalanguidtone；“but，Ishallbeatschool，inNewYork，nextwinter。“
“Oh，thatisapity！Iamsure，youcouldlearnallyouwanttoknow，muchbetter，inParis。Don'tyouthinksheoughttogo，Mr。
Hazlehurst？”
“Certainly，ma'am；everybodyshouldgotoParis，iftheyhaveachance。“
“MissJanewouldbesuchacharmingadditiontoyourparty——Twoyoungpeopletogether，youwouldenjoyyourselvesmore，andmakeitpleasanterforyourfriends。“
YoungHazlehurstmadeacivilbowtothelady；buthelookedasifhehadanopinionofhisownonthesubject，forcomicalexpressioncrossedhisfaceatthemoment。Janehadturnedinanotherdirection，andwasslowlylispingananswertoaveryanimatedquestionofMissAdelineTaylor's。
“Yes；IwasatMrs。G——'sschool，lastyear；and，Iamgoingthereagain。“
“Well，IpositivelythinkImustgothere，too，formylastwinter。Mrs。G——'sschoolisallthefashion，now。Alltheyoungladiessheturnsout，areverylively。MissHubbard，thegreatbelle，wasthere，youknow，beforeshecameout。Don'tyouthinkitwouldbeanexcellentplan，Mr。Hazlehurst，foryourcousinandmetobechums？Ideclare，Iwishyouweregoing，too，MissWyllys。“
“Thankyou。Ihaveneverbeentoschool，inmylife；anditisratherlate，tobeginnow。“
“Neverbeentoschool！Whatdulltimesyoumusthavehadathome！
Youdon'tknowwhatfinefunwehave，atschool；itisnexttogoingintocompany。Iwouldn'tstayathome，fortheworld。Whydidn'tyougo？”
“Well，Ireallydon'tknowwhy。Perhaps，Ishouldhavewishedtogo，ifIhadthoughtitaspleasantasyouseemtodo，MissTaylor。“
“Andpray，ifImayask，whatmadeitsoverypleasant？”askedHarryHazlehurst。“Ishouldliketobeinitiatedintothedelightsofayoungladies'boarding-school。Ofcourse，theymustbeverydifferentfromtherudeenjoymentsofcollegians。“
“Oh！itwouldtakemeayear，totellyouallaboutit。“
“Ishallbemosthappytolistenalltheevening。But，letmefindyouachair，beforeyoucommence；youmustbetiredofstanding，“saidHarry，withaviewtotakingaseathimself。
“Me？Oh，no；Ineversitdown，ataparty；Ialwaysstand。Youlosehalfthefun，bysittingdown。“And，havingsecuredHarry'sattention，thehalf-fledgedbelleturnedtoanotheryouth，withinhailingdistance。“Now，whatdoyouthinkMr。Hazlehursthasgivenmetodo，forthenexthour，Mr。VanHorne？”
“Iamsure，Idon'tknow。Isitsomethingverydifficult？
Listeningtohisprettyspeeches，perhaps，“saidtheother。
“Ohdear，no！Idon'tbelieveMr。Hazlehurstcanmakeatenderspeech；Idon'tbelievehehasgotanyheart，“saidMissAdeline，lookinganattemptatarchness。
“And，pray，whatmakesyouthinkso，MissTaylor？Doyoujudgefrommysavageexpression？”
“Well，perhaps，youhaveone；“saidtheyounglady，lookingupbewitchingly。“Isuspect，though，youtakeverygoodcareofit，“
“Butthisisnotfair；youareabusingme，insteadofgivingusthedelightsofyourschool，asyoupromised。“
“Oh，Ihadforgottenthat。But，Ishouldthink，youmightguesswhatfunwehave——asetofwildgirlstogether。“
“HowshouldIknowanythingaboutit？Pray，bemoreexplicit。“
“Well，inthefirstplace，wemakeapointofgettingupanexcitement，atleastonceaweek。“
“Likeourunrulyspiritsatcollege，youbreakthewindows，androllcannon-balls，Isuppose。“
“Howyoutalk！No，indeed。OurlastexcitementwasaboutthecoatofourProfessorofMathematics。Itwassuchaquizzicalcut，wetoldMrs。A。，itwasmorallyimpossibleforustoattendtothelesson，andstudytheproblems，aslongasthemanworeit。“
“Itwasunpardonable，inaprofessorofmathematics，towearacoatthatwasnotcutaccordingtorule。“
“Nowwasn'tit？Well，youmaybesure，wecanalwayspitchuponsomethingforanexcitement，wheneverwe'reinthehumourforit。
Andthen，wehavesecretstotellaboutourbeaux——andwequizthenewscholars——andweeatcandy——andwetormentMrs。A——；
but，Ishan'ttellyouanymore，now；forImustgooutonthepiazza，andhaveawalk——itlookssosweet，outthere。Youshallhavetherestofthestory，ifyou'llcome。“
Andawaytrippedtheyounglady，followed，ofcourse，bythegentlemen。
Mr。Taylor，whohadbeenmovingabouttheroom，makinghimselfpopularbyaveryblandsmile，and，whatheconsideredverycourtlymanners，stillhadtimetokeeponeeyeuponhisson，whoafteranawkwardfashion，seemeddevotinghimselftooneortwooftheladies，andtheother，uponhisdaughter。“Adelinewillmakeherselfconspicuous，“thoughtthegratifiedfather。
“Linyseemstoenjoyherself，“wastheobservationofhermother，whohadbeensittingquietlyatherdaughter'selbow，listeningtotheconversationjustrelated。
“Twoconquests！”thoughttheyoungladyherself。
“Alivelygirl！”wastheopinionofyoungVanHorne。
“Fairgame！”saidHarrytohimself。
Whilesomeoftheyoungpeoplewereflirting，othersdancing，Mr。
TaylorandMr。Clapp，whoseacquaintancehadcommencedonboardasteamboatthatverymorning，werewalkingtogetherupanddownthehall，whichtheyhadprettymuchtothemselves。Theytouchedonbusiness，whichwaspronouncedveryactive；andonpolitics，whichweredeclaredtobeparticularlydull，justthen：Mr。
Clapp，indeed，thoughtthepeoplemuchtooquiet——shamefullyblindtotheirowninterests，whichalwaysdemandedwhathecalledastateofhealthfulexcitement——meaninganunreasonableexcitementuponanysubjectwhatever。TherecanbenodoubtthatMr。Clapphonestlybelievedsuchastateofagitationfarmoreconducivethanquiettohisowninterest；forhewasquiteafluentspeaker，andveryambitiousofaseatintheStateAssembly。Hebelongedtothatschoolofrepublicanism，whichsocompletelyidentifiestheindividualwiththemass，thatitcannotconceiveofanyindependentopinions，tastes，orprinciples；and，verypossibly，hepersuadedhimselfthegoodofthenation，aswellashispersonaladvantage，requiredafreshbrandtobethrownupontheLongbridgecouncil-fire。HavingexchangedopinionswithMr。Clappuponpoliticsandthemarket，Mr。Taylorproceededtomakesomeobservationsandinquiriesaboutthecompany；heevidentlyfeltsomecuriosityregardinghisnewneighbours，whilehiscompanionseemedwelldisposedtogivehimalltheinformationhedesired。
“Mr。Wyllysisamanoflargeproperty，Iconclude，“saidthemerchant。
Mr。Clappnamedthenumberofthousandsusuallygiventotheirhost；theamountwasmuchlowerthanMr。Taylorhadsupposed。HehadalreadydiscoveredthatMr。WyllyswashighlyrespectedbytheLongbridgecommunityingeneral，andhehadtakenitforgrantedthathemustbetherichestmanintheneighbourhood；buthenowfoundthatthiswasfarfrombeingthecase。Mr。Wyllys，thoughineasycircumstances，couldnotcommandhalfasmuchmoneyasseveralbusinessmenabouthim。
“THEREisagoodfortuneforyou，“saidMr。Clapp；“theladyonthesofa；herpropertydoesnotliehere，though。TherealestateismostlyinCarolinaandPhiladelphia。Didyouseetheyounggentlemanwhohasjustgoneoutonthepiazzawithyourdaughter——Mr。Hazlehurst？Atthedemiseofthewidow，itallgoestohim；butinthemeantimehehasonlytwothousandayear——itwillbefulltwenty，altogether，ifwellmanaged，“saidMr。
Clapp，runninghisfingersthroughtheblacklockswhichhiswifethoughtsohandsome。
{“fortune“=shortforawomanoffortune；anheiress}
“Mrs。Stanleyistheoldlady'sname，isitnot？Theyounggentlemanishergrandson，Iconclude。“
“Notatall；onlyanephewbymarriage，“repliedthelawyer，pullinguphiscollar。“HemayfeelmuchobligedtoMr。Stanleyforfeatheringhisnestsowell。ButHazlehurstisaverygoodfellow；Ialwayslikedhimfromthetimehewasalittleshaver。“
“Thetestatorhadnochildrenofhisowntoinherit，Isuppose，“
remarkedMr。Taylor。
“Nosir；theonlychildofthefirstwifediedjustbeforehisfather——theladyintheotherroomhadnofamily。Mr。Stanleyhadnotasinglenearrelationintheworld；hebequeathedfiftythousanddollarstoanOrphanAsylum，andlefthiswidowalife-estateinone-halftheremainder；which，atherdeath，goesinalump，realestateandpersonals，toyoungHazlehurst，whoisthesonofanoldfriend，andanephewbymarriage。“
{“personals“=personalproperty}
“Somefourhundredthousanddollars，Ithinkyousaid；thatwouldmakeafinecapitalforayoungmantoopenbusinesswith！”
“Butshowmetheyoungmanwho，withfourhundredthousandtobeginwith，willnotspenditinsteadofmakingmore！No，sir；
givemeamanwithsmallmeansandasharpwitforhisstockintrade，ratherthanahundredthousanddown；tentoonethefirstwindsupthebettermanbyagoodroundsum。IshouldnotwonderatalltofindmyselfarichermanthanHarryHazlehurstbythetimeIamfifty。“
“Whatsplendidoperationshemightengagein，though！”
“Ifhewantedto，hecouldnottouchthemoneynow；itisallinthewidow'shandsuntilheisfive-and-twenty，exceptingtheallowanceoftwothousandayearwhichshegiveshim，nowheisofage。“
Afteralittlemoreconversationofthesamenature——inwhichtheVanHornesandtheBernardscameinfortheirshareoftheappraisal，Mr。Clappconcludedbytheofferofanintroduction。
“ShallIintroduceMrs。Stanleytoyou？Iamverywellacquainted。Iwasraisedinthesamepartofthecountryshecamefrom。Sheisaveryagreeableladyinconversation。“
Mr。Taylorhadnottheleastobjectiontomaketheacquaintanceofanyhumanbeingenjoyinganestateoffourhundredthousanddollars。Heassented，andfollowingMr。Clappintothedrawing-room，theintroductiontookplacewithoutfartherpreface。Mrs。StanleyhadbeenconversingwithMissPatseyandElinor；shewasrathertakenbysurprisewhenMr。Clapp，advancingbeforeher，said，withaflourish，“Mr。Taylor，Mrs。
Stanley。“Boththegentlemenwerereceivedbyherwithasmuchquietcoolnessaswasconsistentwithcivilitytoherfriend'sguests。ShehadlatelybeenoftenannoyedbyMr。Clapp'sofficiousattentions，andwasatalosstoaccountforthem，untilsherememberedhemightbewishingtoobtainashareinthemanagementofheraffairs。
Havingsucceededinbringingabouttheintroduction，Mr。ClappturnedtoElinor。
“IhearstrangestoriesinLongbridgeaboutyou，MissWyllys，“
saidMr。Clapp。
TherewasasyetnoindividualinthelittleworldknowntoElinor，moretryingtohertemperthanthehusbandofherfriend，KateHubbard。TherewasasmirkingimpertinenceinMr。Clapp'smanner，ofwhichitseemedimpossibleforhimtodivesthimself，foritwasoftenmostconspicuouswhenhewishedtomakehimselfmostagreeable；andnowonderthiswasthecase，foritwasaqualitynaturaltohim。Thesimplefeelingofgenuinerespectanddeference，sogratefultotheheartwheresincerelyfelt，wasonehehadneverhadthehappinesstoknow。OnthepresentoccasionElinorwasnotalittleprovokedwithhim，andsomethingofthefeelingmighthavebeentracedinherexpression。Wehaveheardofbrilliantblackeyes，thatneverappearedmorebeautifulthanwhenflashingwithpassion。ThoseofourfriendElinorweresmallandgrey；indignation，therefore，maynothavebeensobecomingtothem。
“Scarcelyworthremembering，Ifancy，“shereplied；andthenmadesomeobservationaboutMrs。Hubbard，toturntheconversation。
Therailleryandpleasantryofamanwithnomoretact，ortruedelicacy，thanWilliamCassiusClapp，wasmorethanevenElinor'ssweettempercouldhaveborne。
Mr。WyllyshadtakenaseatnearMrs。Taylor。
“Wehavenotseenallyouryoungpeopleyet，Ibelieve，Mrs。
Taylor。“
“Oh，no，sir——Ihavesixathome，besidesthetwohere。ThomasandAdelinearemyeldest；therestarehardlyoldenoughtogoout；toparties——thoughPompeyisnearlyfifteen。“
“YoumustbringMr。Pompey，too，nexttime。YoureldestsontellsmehehasjustleftYale。“
“Hegraduatedlastmonth。Iwanthimtostayathomenowuntilwinter，andthengointobusiness。ButhisfatherhastakenanationofhavinghimgotoEuropeforsixmonths。Thomasdoesnotcaresomuchaboutit；buthusbandhasagreatopinionofaEuropeanjourney——hetalkssomeofgoinghimself。Someyoungmengoawhalingtoseetheworld；butMr。TaylorthinksThomashadbetterhaveachancetogotoParis。“
“HewillprobablyfindParisthepleasantesttripofthetwo，“
saidMr。Wyllys，smiling。“YoungHazlehurstisgoingabroad，too；
hesailsnextweek，withhisbrother。WhatisthenameofHarry'spacket，Nelly？”askedhergrandfather，takingtheyounggirl'shandaffectionately，asshepassed。
Elinornamedthevessel；and，fromMrs。Taylor'sanswer，itappeared，theyoungmenweretosailinthesameship。
“IamgladtohearthatyourgrandsonisgoingtoFrance，sir；itwillbemoresociable，forThomastohavesomebodyheknows，inParis。“
“Theywillprobablymeetthere。Harryisnotmygrandson，however。“
“Ibegyourpardon；but，Iunderstood，thattheprettyyounglady，withthewhiteflowerinherhair，andtheyounggentlemantalkingtomydaughterAdeline，wereyourgrandchildren。“
“Oh，no；MissGrahamismygreat-niece；and，asforHarry，ifI
rememberright，heisnorelationatall；though，wecallhimcousin。Ihaveahousefulloflittlegrandchildren，here，justnow，fromBaltimore；buttheyaretooyoungtobeoutofthenursery，atthishour。DoesMissTaylorsing？”
“No，sir；Adelineperformsonthepiano；butshehasnotanyvoiceformusic；which，Iamverysorryfor，asIliketohearyoungpeoplesing。“
“Perhaps，then，youwouldliketohearmygrand-daughter；shesingsmeasongeveryevening，aftertea，“saidMr。Wyllys，who，indeed，seemedtothinksomethingwaswantingtoanevening，inhisownhouse，unlessElinorgavehimalittlemusic，ofwhichhewaspassionatelyfond；though，likemostAmericangentlemen，ofhisage，hehadnoknowledgeoftheart，andnootherguidethanagoodear，andgoodnaturaltaste。Elinor'svoicewasafull，sweetcontralto，whichhadbeencultivatedunderthebestmastersinPhiladelphia；and，assheneverattemptedwhatshecouldnotperformwitheaseandgrace，hermusicalwaysgavepleasure。Oneortwooftheotherladiesfollowedher，atthepiano——MaryVanHorne，andafriendwhohadcomewithher；buttheirperformancewasveryindifferent。Itwasrarelythatoneheardanythingapproachingtoreallygoodamateurmusic，inthiscountry，fifteenyearsago，atthedateofElinor'sseventeenthbirthday。
Alightsupper，andaVirginiareel，concludedtheevening；whenthepartybrokeup。
“Ihopeyouarejealous，Elinor，“saidHarryHazlehurst，ashereturnedintothehouse，afterhavingattendedMissAdelineTaylortothecarriage。
“Jealous！——Ofwhat，pray？”
“Oftheheartandaffectionsofyourhumbleservant，tobesure——YoumusthaveobservedthesnarethatMissTaylorlaidforthem。“
“Nonsense——Goodnight！”andElinoraccompaniedherauntandcousinupstairs。
CHAPTERIII。
“Herplaymatefromheryouth。“
ROGERS。
{SamuelRogersEnglishpoet，1763-1855，“Italy：Genevra“line55}
ELINORhadbeeninherroomforsomeminutes，andwasstandinginthought，beforeanopenwindow，whensheturnedtowardalittletablenearher，and，openingaBible，drewfromitaletter。Sheraisedittoherlips，and，movingtowardalightunfoldedthesheet。Tearssoonblindedhersight；shewasmuchagitated；then，becomingcalmer，shecontinuedtoread。Itwasaletterofsomelength，andeverylineseemeddeeplyinterestingtothereader。
Onceshepaused，asifstruckbysomenewthought，andthen，again，shereadwithsomeanxiety。Shehadjustfinishedthelastwords，whenherdooropened，andMissAgnesenteredtheroom。
“Becalm，mydearchild，“saidheraunt；“itisindeedapreciousletter，andonewhichwebothvaluehighly；yourfeelingsareonlynatural，dearest；butdonotindulgethemtoexcess。“MissWyllys，byhergentle，caressingmanner，succeededincalmingElinor，when，urginghernottosituplater，shelefthernieceforthenight。
WhenMissAgneswasgone，Elinorfellonherknees，withtheletterstillinherhand。Sheremainedsometime，apparentlyinprayer，andthenrisingcalmly，shefoldedthesheet，andlaiditontheBible；and，beforeherheadtouchedherpillow，theletterwasagainremoved，andplacedbeneathit。
WehavenottheslightestwishtobeguilethereaderintobelievingthatElinorhadamysteriouslover，oraclandestinecorrespondence；andweshallatoncemention，thatthisletterwasonewrittenyearspreviously，bythemothershehadlost；andhergoodaunt，accordingtothedirection，hadplaceditinherniece'shands，onthemorningofherseventeenthbirthday。
WhenMr。Wyllyswentdowntobreakfast，thenextmorning，heinquirediftheirdrunkenvisiter{sic——theCooperfamily'susualspellingoftheword}，ofthepreviousnight，hadshownhimselfagain。
“Ihavejustbeenout，sir，tolookafterhim，“saidHarry，“andthefellowdoesnotseemtohavelikedhisnight'slodgings。Hebrokejail，andwasoffbeforeanyofthemenwereupthismorning；theyfoundthedooropen，andthestapleoff——hemusthavekickedhiswayout；whichcouldeasilyhedone，asthelockwasold。“
Elinorsuggestedthatitwas，perhaps，someonewhowasashamedofthesituationinwhichhehadbeenfound。
“Moreprobablyhewastoomuchaccustomedtoalock-uphouse，tofinditpleasant。Butifhereallyhadanybusinesshere，weshallhearofhimagain，nodoubt，“saidMr。Wyllys。Theaffairthusdisposedof，theconversationtookanotherturn。
Mr。Wyllys，Elinor'sgrandfather，wasdecidedlyacleverman。Hehadheldahighposition，inhisprofession，untilhewithdrewfromit，andhad，atonetime，honourablydistinguishedhimselfasapolitician。Hewaswelleducated，andwellread；hislibrary，atWyllys-Roof，was，indeed，oneofthebestinthecountry。Moreover，Mr。Wyllyswasaphilosopher，amemberofthePhilosophicalSocietyofPhiladelphia；andthepapersheread，beforethathonourableassociation，weregenerallymuchadmiredbyhisaudience。ItisevenprobablethatMr。Wyllysbelievedhimselfendowedwithagoodstockofobservationandexperienceinhumannature；but，inspiteofalltheseadvantages，wecannothelpthinkingthat，althoughwell-versedinnaturalphilosophy，thisexcellentgentlemanprovedhimselfquiteignorantofboyandgirlnature。Evenhisdaughter，MissAgnes，fearedherfatherhadbeenunwiseandimprudentonanoccasionwhichsheconsideredofgreatimportance。
AgreatdealmightbesaidinfavourofHarryHazlehurst。Fewyoungmen，ofhisage，weremorepromisingincharacterandabilities。Hewasclever，andgood-tempered；and，withallthetemptationsofaneasyfortunewithinhisreach，hehadalwaysshownhimselffirminprinciples。Therewasonetraitinhischaracter，however，whichhadalreadymorethanoncebroughthimintoboyishscrapes，andwhichthreatened，ifnotcorrected，tobeinjurioustohiscareerthroughlife。Hewasnaturallyhigh-spirited；and，havingbeenindulgedbyhismother，andseldomcontrolledbyhismaleguardian，abrothersometenyearsolderthanhimself，Harrywasratherdisposedtobeself-willed，andcherishedsomefalsenotionsregardingindependenceofcharacter。Hisfriendshoped，however，thatashegrewolder，hewouldbecomewiser。Somethingofthisfeelinghadbeenmixedupwiththemotiveswhichhadlatelyledhimtotakeadecidedstepforthefuture。
>Fromaboy，Harryhadbeenmoreorlessthecompanionandplay-fellowofElinorWyllysandJaneGraham，whomhelookeduponascousins，owingtoanearfamilyconnexion。Hehadalwaysfeltverydifferently，however，towardsthetwogirls。Jane，alittlebeautyfromherbirth，hadbeenanindolentandpeevishchild，oftenannoyingHarrybyselfishinterferencewiththeirplansandamusements。Elinor，onthecontrary，hadalwaysbeenafavouriteplaymate。Shewasanintelligent，generouschild，ofanuncommonlyfinetemperandhappydisposition。Asforherplainface，theboyseldomrememberedit。Theywerebothgay，cleverchildren，whosuitedeachotherremarkablywell，inalltheirlittlewaysandfancies。Now，withinthelastyear，ithadstruckHarrythathisbrotherRobertandhissister-in-law，Mrs。
Hazlehurst，wereverydesirousofmakingamatchbetweenJaneGrahamandhimself。Hehadoverheardsometriflingremarkonthesubject，andhadsufferedanafternoon'sverystupidteasingandjoking，aboutJane，fromatalkativeoldbachelorrelation。Thiswasquitesufficienttorousethespiritofindependence，inayouthofhisyearsanddisposition。When，atlength，heheardapropositionthatJaneshouldaccompanythemabroad，hewentsofarastolookuponitassomethingverylikemanoeuvring{sic}。
HEwasnotamantobeledbyothers，inthechoiceofawife。
Janemightbeabeauty——nodoubtshewas——buthehadnosuchextravagantadmirationformerebeauty。TherewasElinor，forinstance；shewasaverydifferentgirl，thoughwithoutanybeauty；shewasjustthekindofpersonheliked。Shewassowarm-heartedandgenerousinherfeelings——withoutabitofnonsense；shewassoclever——couldcatchathoughtinamoment，andalwaysunderstoodandenjoyedagoodthing。Thenhermanners，too，werecharming，sosimpleandnatural；whileJanehadnomannersatall。Then，everybodysaidshewasremarkablygraceful，inaperfectlynaturalway；——howwellsherode！Janewasevenafraidtomount。AndhowpleasantlyElinorsang——andhewassofondofmusic。Janewoulddoverywelltositandlookatalldaylong；but，forwalking，talking，riding，singing——ay，forthinkingandfeeling，Elinorwouldmakepreciselysuchacompanionasamanofsensewouldwishfor。BydintofdwellingonElinor'sgoodqualities，andonwhathefanciedtheplansofhisbrotherandsister-in-law，hecametotheconclusionthattheonlythingtobedone，underthecircumstances，byamanofanycharacter——byamanwhohadanopinionofhisown，wastogoimmediatelytoMr。Wyllys，andrequesthispermissiontoaddressElinor。
Harrywasagreatfavouritewithhisuncle——fromachildtheyoungmanhadalwaysgiventhistitletoMr。Wyllys——andhehadmorethanonceexpressedtohisdaughter，awishthatHazlehurstandElinormight，someyearsthence，takeafancyforeachother。
Inthemeantimeheseemedtolookuponthemaschildren，andleftmatterstotakecareofthemselves。Harry'sproposalwas，therefore，quiteunexpectedatthemoment，andtookhimbysurprise；heseemedtothinkHazlehurstdecidedlytooyoung，atpresent——hehadnotyetacquiredhisprofession。Thislittledifficultyintheopeningoftheaffair，merelyservedtorouseHarry'seloquence；andashisyouthwasreallytheonlyobjectionagainsthim，hesucceeded，beforelong，inobtainingMr。Wyllys'scheerfulconsenttohisendeavouring，duringthenexttwomonths，tointerestElinorinhisbehalf。
MissAgnes，wheninformedofwhathadpassed，wasquitestartled；
shethoughtbothpartiestooyoungtotakesodecidedastep。Butherfatherhadgivenhisformalconsent，andshecouldnotseriouslyopposeit；especiallywhensherememberedthatshe，also，hadmorethanonceindulgedtheideathatsomefiveorsixyearslater，Harrywouldmakeaverygoodhusbandforheradopteddaughter。
NooneinthefamilywasmoresurprisedatHarry'sadvancesthanElinorherself。Theyhadbeensomuchtogether，eversinceshecouldremember，andhadalwaysbeensuchgoodfriends，inanopen，brother-and-sisterlyway，thateveninthelastyearortwo，whenindistinctideasofloveandmatrimonyhadoccasionally，likedistantevents，casttheirshadowsbefore，Harryhadneveroncepresentedhimselftoherfancyinthelightofasuitor。ItrequiredadayortwoforhertocomprehendthefullmeaningofHarry'sproceedings；shecouldsayneitheryes，norno。Thishesitation，verymuchincreasedHazlehurst'sperseverance；butheraunt，wholookedonanxiously，hadstipulatedthatnothingdecidedshouldberequiredofher，untilHarryleftthem。
Inthemeantime，adayortwohadbeensufficientforMr。Wyllystobecomenotonlyreconciledtotheidea，butsowellpleasedwiththeappearanceofthings，thatheamusedhimselfwithlookingonatHarryinhisnewcharacterofalover；andgenerallyonceaday，hadsomelittlejokeattheexpenseofElinor'sembarrassment。Butnow，thetwomonthshadpassed；HarrywastosailthenextweekforFrance——andElinor，themorningafterherbirth-day，wastogiveadecidedanswer。
Itwasnolongerverydifficulttoforeseethatthisanswerwouldbefavourable。Infact，Harry，whowasthoroughlygentlemanlybynatureandhabit，hadmadehisattentionsjustwhattheyoughttohavebeenunderthecircumstances；and，withthefullapprobationofherownfriends，andallHarry'sgoodqualitiesappearingintheirbestlight，thetwomonthshadprovedsufficienttodirectElinor'schildishaffectionforhimintoanotherandadeeperchannel。Thelettershehadreceivedonthenightofherbirth-day，causedamoment'sindecisionwhen，thenextmorning，afterbreakfast，asMrs。StanleyandMrs。GeorgeWyllyslefttheroom，hergrandfatherplayfullyaskedher“whattheyshoulddowithHarry？”
Butshescarcelyknewinwhatshapetoexpressthethoughtthataroseinhermind，andthefeelingmerelygaveanadditionaltouchofembarrassmenttohermanner，whichwasonlylookeduponasquitenaturalatthemoment。
“Ishallthinkmyselfverybadlytreated，Elinor，“saidHarry，observingherhesitation，“ifyouturnmeofflikeacommonacquaintance，afterwehavebeenthebestfriendsintheworldfornobodyknowshowlong。“
“Well，Nelly，“saidhergrandfather，“whatisit，mychild？ShallwetellHarrytogotoParisandcultivatehismoustaches，andforgeteverythingelse？”
“Oh，no；“saidElinor，smilingassheheldoutherhandtoHazlehurst，thoughwithoutlookingup：“pray，don'tcomebackadandy！”
Theaffairwassettled。TheyoungpeoplepartedwiththeunderstandingthatwhenHazlehurstreturnedfromEurope，andhadacquiredhisprofession，theyweretobemarried；andHarrywenttoPhiladelphia，tojoinhisbrother，andmakethelastarrangementsfortheirvoyage。
Jane，too，leftElinorafewdayslater；andMissWyllys，whohadchargeofher——asMr。andMrs。GrahamlivedinCharleston——placedheratoneofthefashionableboardingschoolsofNewYork。MissAdelineTaylorhad，inthemeantime，informedherparentsthatshehadchangedhermindastotheschoolwhichwastohavethehonourofcompletinghereducation：sheshouldnotreturntoMrs。
A——'s，butgotoMrs。G——'s，whichwasamorefashionableestablishment。NotthatshehadanythingtocomplainofatMrs。
A——'s；butshethoughttheyoungladiesatMrs。G——'sdressedmoreelegantly，andbesides，shefelttheimpossibilityofremainingseparatedfromJaneGraham，hernewbosomfriend。