Taylor，shetookoffherhat，andremainedsometimeinthecabin——apieceofgood-naturewhichMr。Ellsworthseemedtothinkill-timed。AstheydrewneartheHighlands，however，shereturnedtoherseatondeck；forthemorningwaslovely，andshedidnotwishtolosethescenery。ShefoundMrs。Hilsonsittingnearheraunt。
“Ah，MissElinor！——howdoyoudo？”exclaimedthecitylady。“ItisthefirsttimeIhavehadachanceofseeingyousinceyoureturnedfromtheWestIndies。YouhavenotbeenmuchinNewYork，Ibelieve，sinceyouarrived？”
“Onlyforadayortwo。“
“AndhowdidyouliketheWestIndies？IstheremucharistocracyatHavana？”
“Wefounditverypleasantthere；andtheclimatewasofsomuchservicetomyaunt，thatIshallalwaysrememberHavanawithgratitude。“
“Youdidnotgointosociety，then？”
“0h，yes；wemademanypleasantacquaintances。“
“Well，ifIgoabroad，IhopeitwillbetoEngland；thoughI
shouldlikeverywelltovisitthestoresofParis。“
“Haveyouseenyourcousin，CharlesHubbard，sincehearrivedfromItaly？”inquiredElinor。
“Yes；hecalledatourboarding-house。HeisatLongbridgenow，butheiscomingtoSaratoga，shortly；forhetoldmehehadengagedtotakeseveralviewsofLakeGeorge。“
“Iamsorrybedidnotcometoseeusintown；butIamdelightedtohearheisgoingtoSaratoga。Grandpapa，Mrs。HilsontellsmeCharlesHubbardwillbeatSaratoga，withus！”
“Iamverygladtohearit，mychild；IwanttoseeCharlie。“
“Hashebroughthomemanypictures？”continuedElinor。
“Ireallydon'tknow；Ididnotthinkofaskinghim。“
“Ishouldsupposeyouwouldbeanxioustoseeyourcousin'spaintings。“
“Oh，no；portraitsaretheonlypicturesthatinterestme。I
alwayshavethe'BookofBeauty，'wheneveritcomesout；youknowtheyarelikenessesofthePeeressesoftheEnglishNobility。“
{“BookofBeauty“=“Heath'sBookofBeauty“anannualvolumewithengravingsoffamousBritishwomen，sponsoredbyCharlesHeath1785-1848London：Longmans，1833-1847}
Elinorbowed。“Yes，Ihaveseenthebook。“
“Ihavethe'ChildrenoftheNobility，'too，boundincrimsonsilk；itisaveryfascinatingcollection。Myfriend，Mrs。
Bagman，tellsmetheyareexcellentlikenesses，particularlythechildrenofhisRoyalHighness，theLord-Mayor。“
{“ChildrenoftheNobility“=“PortraitsoftheChildrenoftheNobility，“Asimilarpublication，alsosponsoredbyCharlesHeathLongmans：London，1838}
Absurdassuchamistakeinheraldrymayseem，onemightvouchforhavingheardothersquiteasextraordinary。
“Theymaybelike，“saidElinor，smilinginspiteofherself；
“butIcannotagreewithyouastotheirbeauty。Ihaveseenthevolume，anditstruckmetheartistsmusthavemadecaricaturesofmanyofthechildren，who，nodoubt，wereprettyinreality。“
“Iwaslookingatthoseengravingsonlyyesterday，“saidMr。
Ellsworth，anxioustoengageElinor'sattention；“theyalmostamounttoalibelonchildhood；theygivetheideaofmincing，affectedlittlecreatures，attheveryagewhenchildrenarealmostinvariablynaturalandinteresting。Ishouldquarrelverymuchwithaportraitofmylittlegirl，inthesamefashion。“
“Butitisveryseldomyouseeportraitsofchildren，thatarereallychild-like，“observedElinor。“Andthenwhatatrial，topaintapretty，innocentlittlecreature，infulldress，starchedandtrim！”
“Childrenarecharmingsubjectswhenproperlytreated；Idelightinsuchpictures，“saidMaryVanAlstyne。
“Youwouldhavebeenoftendelightedthen，inItaly，MissVanAlstyne。Raphael'scherubsareasperfectintheirway，ashismenandwomen。“
{“Raphael'scherubs“=WhilelivinginFlorencein1829，JamesFenimoreCooperandhisfamilyadmiredthe“MadonnadelBaldacchino“sometimescalled“LaMadonnadelTrono“byRaphaelItalianpainter，1483-1520，atthePittiPalace，andespeciallythetwosingingangels“perhapsIshouldcallthemcherubsatthefootofthethrone。HecommissionedtheAmericansculptorHoratioGreenough1805-1852tosculptforhimagroupcalled“TheChantingCherubs，“basedtheangelsorcherubs}
Mrs。Hilson，unwillingtobethrownoutoftheconversation，againaddressedElinor。
“Whenyoujoinedus，MissWyllys，wewerespeakingofthefireoppositeyourhotel。Wereyounotdreadfullyalarmed？Ihearyouwerethere；althoughIdidnotfindyouathomewhenIcalled。“
“Weweredisturbed，ofcourse；butIcan'tsaythatwewerepersonallyalarmed。Thewind，youmayremember，carriedeverythingintheoppositedirection。“
“Didit？Well，Iwastoomuchfrightenedtonoticeanything；youknowitwasinthesameblockasourboarding-house。“
“Yes；youwerenearerthedangerthanwewere。“
“Oh，Iwasdreadfullyfrightened。TherewasoneofourladieswantedtopersuademetolookatTrinityChurch，lightedupbythefire；Ibelieveshereallythoughtitafascinatingsight。
Herecomesagentlemanwhowasstayingatyourhotel，andhasnotgotoverhisfrightyet；itisoneofmyescorts——Ihavetwo，theBaronandthisgentleman；buttheBaronisnotondecknow——letmeintroduceyou；MonsieurBonnet，MissWyllys。Idobelieve，MonsieurBonnet，youwereasmuchalarmedasIwas。“
“Alarm——Ah，Madame，Iwaseblouibythefire。Inallmylife，I
neversawrealincendiebefore；though，ofcourse，IsawthePanoramaoftheincendiedeMoscou——IwasnotinRussiewithl'Empereur。Atthespectaclewehaveincendiessometimes；butneverinthestreet。Ah，Ididnotseethathouseuntiltherooffall，whenlightburstthroughmyvolets，andIspringtothewindow。“
{“ebloui“=dazzled；“incendiedeMoscou“=thefirewhichdestroyedMoscowin1812，whileitwasbeingoccupiedbytheEmperorNapoleon；“spectacle“=theater；“volets“=shuttersFrench}
“Ishouldhavethoughtthenoisewouldhavecalledyououtbeforethat。“
“Dutout；whenIhearcries，andpeoplemarching，Ithinktoutbonnementitwasanemeute，andIturnroundtofinishmysleep；
IthinkmyselfhappynottobelongtotheGardeNationaleofNewYork，andnotbeafraidoftherappel。“
{“dutout“=notatall；“toutbonnement“=simply；“emeute“=
riot；“rappel“=calltoarmsFrench}
“Whatdidyouthinkitwas？”
“Anemeute，sansdoute，sayItomyself。Itwasuntintamarreepouvantable。“
{“untintamarreepouvantable“=afrightfuluproarFrench}
“Emeute；pray，whatisthat？”
“Emeute？Alittlerevolution，aswehaveinParisconstamment。“
“Why，mydearsir，ourrevolutionarywartookplacemorethanfiftyyearsago。Didyouexpecttofindusfightingnow？”
“Certainement；IthoughtthewheelIhearwascannon。ButmonamiEel-SUNtellmenextday，thereisincendieeverynightsomewhereinNewYork。Undrolededivertisement，vraiment。Itisagreatdesagrement，ofacityotherwisesobeautiful，withsomanycharmingladies。“
{“undrolededivertisement，vraiment“=truly，astrangeformofentertainment。“desagrement“=unpleasantfeatureFrench}
“Thankyou，sir；youareverypolite。Ibelieve，MissWyllys，thatFrenchgentlemen，nomatterwhattheytalkabout，alwaysfindanopportunitytopayacompliment。“
“C'esttoutnaturel；celavasansdire；itisonlyourdevoir，Madame，toexprimertotheladiessomeofthemanyagreeablethingstheyinspire。“
{“C'esttoutnaturel……“=it'sonlynatural；itgoeswithoutsaying；itisonlyourduty，Madame，toexpresstotheladies……
French}
“Worseandworse，“saidMrs。Hilson，laughing。“HowdifferentyouarefromCaptainKockney；heneversaidacivilthingtome，allthetimehewasinNewYork。“
“LecapitaineCoquenaiswasanAnglais，whocannotfeelthetruepolitesseFrancaise。“
“Heusedtosayitisnotaristocratictobepolitetootherpeople；hebelongstotheEnglisharistocracy，youknow。“
“L'aristocratie！Oh，thatisavilestateofthings。LavieillearistocratieofFrance，Madame，wasthecauseofourrevolution。
ButinFrancenow，andinAmerica，thosehappycountree，thespiritofaristocracyisextinct。“
“Ibegyourpardon，MonsieurBonnet，“saidMrs。Hilson，quiteindignantly。“Itistruetherearemanyplebeiansinthiscountry；butwehavealsomanypeopleofthehighestaristocracy。“
“Ah，vousplaisantezavectantdegrace，Madame！”
{“vousplaisantez……“=Youjokesogracefully，MadameFrench}
“Itispleasant，certainly，tome；thoughsomepeoplemaynotappreciateit。Iamaveryaristocraticspirit。“
“Ah，sansdoute，Madame；youhavesomuchesprit，youlaughatme，“saidtheFrenchman，whotookMrs。Hilson'sprotestationasajoke。
{“esprit“=witFrench}
“No，indeed；Ineverwasmoreseriousinmylife。Ishouldsupposeyouwouldhavebeenstruckwiththehighstateofaristocracyatourboarding-house，forinstance。“
MonsieurBonnetcouldonlyshrughisshoulders，beingquiteatalossforthelady'smeaning。
“Yes；Iamthoroughlypatricianandaristocratic；ifweonlyhadadespoticgovernment，totakeawayallprivilegesfromplebeians，Ishouldbeperfectlyhappy。Mylanguagesurprisesyou，Iperceive；butitisquitenaturalthatadescendantofaScotchBaronet，theDukeofPercy，shouldhavesimilarfeelings。“
Moreandmorebewildered，MonsieurBonnetwasreducedtoabow。
Happily，ashethought，thewarningbellwasrung；andtheusualcry，“PassengersforWestPointpleaselookoutfortheirbaggage！”changedthecurrentofMrs。Hilson'sideas，orrathertheflowofherwords。
Inanothermoment，Mrs。HilsonandMonsieurBonnet，withascoreortwoofothers，werelandedatWestPoint，andtheladiesofMr。Wyllys'spartyfeltitnolittlerelieftoberidofsomucharistocracy。
TheboathadsoonreachedPoughkeepsie，andmuchtoMr。
Ellsworth'sregret，Mr。Wyllysandhisfamilywentonshore。Mr。
EllsworthhadbeenintroducedtoElinoratJane'swedding。Hewasamanofthirty，awidower，withanonlychild，andhadforseveralyearsbeenthinkingofmarryingagain。Afterhavingmadeuphismindtotakethestep，henextdeterminedthathewouldnotmarryinahurry。Hewasnotamanofquickpassions，andwassometimesaccusedofbeingfastidiousinhistastes。HethoughtElinor'smannercharming，andsoondiscoveredthatshehadeveryrecommendationbutbeauty，thewantofwhichwasheronlydrawback；helikedherfamily，andprobablywasnotsorrytohearthatshewouldhavealargeproperty。But，unfortunately，heseldommetMissElinorWyllys；shewasagreatpartofhertimeinthecountry，andheknewnobodyintheimmediateneighbourhood。HehadnotbeenaskedtoWyllys-Roof；norwashe，averyrecentacquaintance，ontermssufficientlyintimate，topresenthimselfatthedoor，bagandbaggage，withoutaninvitation。Morethanatwelvemonthintervened，inthemeantime；
buthewasstillthinkingenoughofElinortomakehimwishforameeting，when，accidentally，theypassedafewdaystogetheratOldPointComfort，andafterwardsmetagain，notexactlybyaccidentitisbelieved，attheSulphurSprings，inVirginia。HisgoodopinionofElinorwasnotonlyconfirmedbythisintercourse，buthisadmirationverymuchincreased。Itwasonlynaturalitshouldbeso；themoreoneknewElinor，themoreonelovedher；goodsense，intelligence，sweetnessofdispositionlikeher's，unitedtothesimplegraceofmanner，peculiarlyherown，werebestappreciatedbythosewhosawherdaily。QuiteunawareofMr。Ellsworth'sviews，andunconsciouslyinfluencedatfirst，perhaps，bythefactthathewasanoldfriendofHarry's，shesoonlikedhimasacompanion，andreceivedhimwithsomethingmorethanmerepoliteness。“Itisalwayspleasanttomeetwithanagreeable，gentlemanly，well-informedman，“thoughtElinor：atrainofreflectionwhichhassometimescarriedyoungladiesfartherthantheyatfirstintended。Undersuchcircumstances，someardentspiritswouldhavesettledthequestionduringafortnightpassedwiththeladytheyadmired；
butMr。Ellsworth，thoughhethoughtElinor'smannerencouraging，didnotcaretohazardahastydeclaration；hepreferredwaitingafewweeks，untiltheyshouldmeetagaininPhiladelphia，wheretheWyllysesintendedpassingthewinter。Butunfortunately，shortlyafterthefamilyreturnedhome，MissAgneswastakenill，andonherpartialrecovery，wasorderedtoawarmclimatebeforethecoldweather；andElinormerelypassedthroughPhiladelphiaonherwaytotheWestIndies，withherauntandgrandfather。Mr。
Ellsworthwas，ofcourse，disappointed；heexpressedhisregretsaswarmlyashedared，duringamorningvisit，inaroomhalf-fullofcompany；andhehintedintermssopointedathishopesofahappymeetinginthespring，thatElinor'ssuspicionswereforthefirsttimeexcited，whilethoseofMr。WyllysandMissAgneswereonlyconfirmed。Sincethen，Mr。EllsworthandElinorhadonlyseeneachotheronce，inthestreet，untiltheymetonboardthesteamboat，ontheirwaytoSaratoga。
{“OldPointComfort“=asea-sideresortnearHampton，Virginia}
CHAPTERIII。{XXVI}
“Whocomeshere？”
AsYouLikeIt。
{WilliamShakespeare，“AsYouLikeIt“，II。vii。87orIII。iv。46}
THEREwastobeaTemperancemeetingatLongbridge，oneofmoreimportancethanusual，asaspeakerofnotewastobeheardontheoccasion。
“Areyouready，Catherine？”inquiredMr。Clappofhiswife，appearingattheparlour-door，holdinghishatandcaneinonehand，andrunningtheotherthroughhisbrowncurls。
“Waitoneminute，dear，untilIhaveputacleancollaronWillie。“
LittleWillie，whohadbeenhoppingabouttheroom，delightedwiththeimportanceofsittinguplaterthanhisyoungerbrothersandsisters，waspersuadedtostandstillforafewseconds，whilehismothertiedonthecleancollar；whenMr。Clapp，hiswife，andeldestboysetoutforthemeeting-house，whichtheyfoundalreadyhalf-filled。TheywerebeckonedintoapewneartoonealreadyoccupiedbytheVanHornes，MissPatsey，andCharlie。
Astheeveningwasverypleasant，men，women，andchildrencrowdedin，untilalargeaudiencewasbroughttogether，urged，asusual，bydifferentmotives；somecamefromcuriosity，othersfromalwayspreferringaneveninginpublictoaneveningathome；some，fromsincererespectfortheobjectofthemeeting，manyforthesakeofthespeeches，andmanyothersmerelybecausetheywereeverreadytofollowthegeneralexample。Mr。Clapphadnosoonerfoundseatsforhiswifeandchild，thanhebegantolookabouthim；hiseyewanderedovertheheadsaround，apparentlyinquestofsomeone；atlengthhissearchseemedsuccessful；itrestedonaman，whosewholeappearanceanddressproclaimedhimtobeasailor。
Themeetingwasopenedbyprayer，twodifferentministersofficiatingontheoccasion；one，avenerable-lookingoldman，offeredasimple，fervent，Christianprayer；thesecond，amuchyoungerperson，placingonehandinhiswaistcoatpocket，theotherundertheflapsofhiscoat，advancedtothefrontofthestaging，andcommenced，whatwasafterwardspronouncedoneofthe“mosteloquentprayerseveraddressedtoacongregation。“
Thespeechesthenfollowed。Thefirstspeaker，whoseemedthebusiness-manoftheevening，gavesomeaccountofthestatisticsoftheSociety，concludingwithashortaddresstothosepresent，hopingtheywould，uponthatoccasion，enroltheirnamesasMembersoftheLongbridgeTemperanceSociety。
Theprincipaloratoroftheevening，Mr。Strong，thencameforward；hemadeaspeechofsomelength，andonethatwasveryimpressive。Nothingcouldbemoreclear，morejust，moretrue，thanthepicturehedrewofthemanifoldevilsofintemperance；avicesodeceitfulinitsfirstappearance，sotreacherousinitsgrowth；sodegrading，sobrutalizinginitsenjoyments；soblastingandruinousinitseffects——ruinoustobodyandmind，heartandsoul——blastingallhopesforthislifeandforthenext，solongasitremainsunconquered。Heentreatedhisfriendstocountthecostofindulgenceinthisvice；lossofproperty，lossofhealth，lossofcharacter，lossofintellectandfeeling，lossofconscience，untilrousedinthosefearfulmomentsofterrorandfury，thepeculiarpunishmentofdrunkenness。Hebeggedhishearerstolookatthisevilunderallitsaspects，fromthemomentitdestroysthedailypeaceofitsmiserablevictimsandallconnectedwiththem，untilitleavesthem，indeath，withoutahope，exposedtothefearfulpenaltyofsin。Ashewenton，theheartofmanyawretchedwifeandmotheracknowledgedthebittertruthofhisobservations；manyaguiltyconscienceshrunkundertheprobe。Hethenmadeajustandreasonableestimateofthedifficultiestoberesistedinconqueringthisevil；hedidnotattempttodenythattherewereobstaclestobeovercome；heshowedalltheforceofbadhabit，allthedangeroftemptation——butifthereweredifficultiesintheway，itwasequallytruethatthepowertosubduethemwasfullywithinthereachofeveryman。Hewentontorepresentthehappyeffectsofachangefromeviltogood；arestorationtousefulness，peace，comfort，andrespectability，whichhashappilybeenseeninmanyaninstance。Heconcludedbyappealingtohishearersasmen，toshakeoffadebasingslavery；asChristians，tofleefromaheinoussin；andheentreatedthem，iftheyhadnotdonesobefore，totake，onthatevening，thefirststepinthecheering，honourable，blessedcourseoftemperance。
Mr。Strong'sspeechwas，infact，excellent；allhesaidwasperfectlytrue，itwaswell-expressed，andhismannerwaseasy，natural，anddignified。
HewasfollowedbyWilliamCassiusClapp；thelawyerhadbeenveryanxioustospeakatthismeeting。TemperancesocietieswereverypopularatthattimeinLongbridge，andhewas，ofcourse，desirousofnotlosingsogoodanopportunityofappearingbeforethepubliconsuchanoccasion；hethoughtitwouldhelphimoninhisroadtowardstheAssembly。Runninghisfingersthroughhiscurls，hetookhisplaceonthestage，andcommenced。Hewasveryfluentbynature，andinanimation，infanaticalzealforthecause，hefarsurpassedMr。Strong：anyothercause，by-the-bye，haditbeenpopular，wouldhavesuitedhimjustaswell。Inassertion，indenunciation，hedistinguishedhimselfparticularly；hecalleduponeveryindividualpresenttocomeforwardandsignthepledge，underpenaltyofpublicdisgrace；itwasthewillofthecommunitythatthepledgeshouldbesigned，publicopiniondemandedit，thepublicwillrequiredit；everyindividualpresentwhoneglectedtosignthepledgeoftotalabstinence，hepronouncedtobe“instigatedbyaristocraticpride，“andwouldleavethathouse，stigmatizedas“anti-Christian，andanti-republican；“andinconclusionhethrewinsomethingabout“liberty。“
Mr。Clappsatdownamidmuchapplause；hisspeechwaswarmlyadmiredbyaportionofhishearers。Alldidnotseemtoagreeonthesubject，however，tojudge，atleast，bytheirmannerandexpression；for，duringthedeliveryoftheirbrother-in-law'soration，MissPatseyHubbardseemedtobegenerallylookingdownatthefloor，whileCharliewaslookingupattheceiling：andthereweremanyotherspresent，whothoughtMr。Clapp'sfluencymuchmorestrikingthanhiscommonsense，orhissincerity。Itisalwayspainfultohearagoodcauseinjuredbyabaddefence，toseetruthdisgracedbyunworthyweaponsemployedinhername。ItwouldhavebeenquiteimpossibleforMr。Clapptoprovehalfhisboldassertions，tojustifyhalfhissweepingdenunciations。
Still，inspiteofthefanaticalcharacterofsomeoftheadvocatesofTemperance，whodistortherjustproportionsasavirtue——lovelyinherowntruecharacter——yetdrunkennessisavicesohateful，thatonewouldneverwishtoopposeanysociety，howeverimperfectlymanaged，whoseobjectistoopposethatdangerousandcommonevil。Letitnotbeforgotten，however，thattotalabstinencefromspirituousliquorsisnottheonegreatdutyofman；intemperanceisnottheonlysintowhichhumannatureisinclined。
Mr。Clapp'sspeechwasthelastfortheevening。
“Iwishyoujoy，Mrs。Clapp，“saidMrs。Tibbs，leaningforwardfromtheseatbehindthelawyer'sprettylittlewife，andnoddingasshespoke。
“Ireallycongratulateyou；Mr。Clapphassurpassedhimself；suchanimation，suchaflowofeloquence！”addedMrs。Bibbs。
Katesmiled，andlookedmuchgratified；sheevidentlyadmiredherhusband'sspeechesasmuchasshedidhishair。
Themomentforenrollingnewnameshadnowcome；numbersoftheaudiencewentforwardtosigntheTotalAbstinencePledge。Therewasoneworthywoman，awidow，sittingnearMissPatsey，whoseonlysonhad，duringthelastyearortwo，fallenintohabitsofintemperance；hisattentionhadquitelatelybeenattractedtotheTemperanceSocieties，hehadreadtheirpublications，hadbeenstruckbyashortspeechofMr。Strongonaformeroccasion；
andhismother'sjoymaypossiblybeimagined，asshesawhimriseandaddhisnametothelistofmembersengagingtoabstainfromintoxicatingliquors。Therewereseveralotherswhoseheartswerecheered，onthesameoccasion，byseeingthosetheylovedbest，thoseoverwhomtheyhadoftenmourned，takethissteptowardsreformation。Amongtherest，amandressedasasailorwasseenapproachingthetable；whenhisturncameheputdownhisname，andthiswasnosoonerdone，thanMr。Clappadvancedandshookhimwarmlybythehand。
“Whoisthatman，Catherine，speakingtoMr。Clapp？——helookslikeasailor，“inquiredMissPatsey。
“Idon'tknowwhoitis；someclientIsuppose；Williamseemedverymuchpleasedathissigning。“
Mr。Clapp，aftershakinghandswithhisfriend，thesailor，madehiswaythroughthecrowd，untilhereachedthepewwherehiswifeandlittleboyweresitting。TakingWilliebythehand，heledhimtothetable，placedthepeninhisfingers，andlefthimtowriteWilliamC。Clapp，jr。aswellashecould——noeasymatter，by-the-bye，forthechildwasnotveryexpertincapitalletters。AsWilliewastheyoungestindividualonthelist，hissignaturewasreceivedbyaburstofapplause。Thelittlefellowwasextremelyelatedbybeingmadeofsomuchconsequence；totellthetruth，heunderstoodverylittleofwhathewasabout。
Ifrespectfortemperancewereimplantedinhismindonthatevening，itwasalsoaccompaniedbystillmoredecidedideasofthegreatimportanceoflittleboys，withthegermofaconfusednotionastotheabsolutenecessityoftheapprobationofaregularlyorganizedpublicmeeting，tofostereveryindividualvirtueinhimself，andinthehumanraceingeneral。MissPatseyverymuchdoubtedthewisdomofmakingherlittlenephewplaysuchaprominentpartbeforethepublic；shehadold-fashionednotionsaboutthemodestyofchildhoodandyouth。Themother，hersisterKate，however，wasneverdisposedtofindfaultwithanythingherhusbanddid；itwasallrightinhereyes。Mr。Clapphimselftooktheopportunitytothanktheaudience，inashortbutemphaticburst，fortheirsympathy；concludingbyexpressingthehopethathisboywouldonedaybeasmuchdisposedtogratitudeforanypublicfavours，andasentirelysubmissive，bodyandsoul，tothepublicwillofhisowntime，ashehimself——thefather——wasconsciousofbeingatthatmoment——withinafewweeksofelection。
Themeetingwasshortlyafterconcludedbyatemperancesong，andagoodprayerbytheelderminister。
Astheaudiencecrowdedoutofthedoor，Mr。Clappnoddedagaintothesailor，whenpassingnearhim。
“Whoisthatman，William？”askedMrs。Clapp，astheyreachedthestreet。
“ItisapersoninwhomIamwarmlyinterested——aninjuredman。“
“Indeed！——oneofyourclientsIsuppose。“
“Yes；Iamnowpledgedtoservehimtothebestofmyability。“
“Helookslikeasailor。“
“Heisasailor，justreturnedfromathreeyears'whalingvoyage。Youwillbesurprised，Catherine，whenyouhearthatman'sstory；butthetimehascomewhenitmustberevealedtotheworld。“
“Youquiteexcitemycuriosity；Ihopeyouwilltellmethestory？”
“Yes；youshallhearit。ButwhereareyoursisterandCharles；
aretheygoinghomewithus？”
“No；Iamverysorry；buttheytoldmeatthemeetingtheycouldnotstay，astheyhadcomeoverinMrs。VanHorne'scarriage。Itisapity，forIhadmadesomeice-cream，andgatheredsomeraspberries，expresslyforthem；andwehavehardlyseenCharlessincehearrived。ButPatseywantsustospendthedayatthegreyhouse，to-morrow，childrenandall。“
Mr。Clappassentedtothisarrangement；althoughhesaidheshouldnotbeabletodomorethangooverhimselfforhisfamilyintheevening，onaccountofbusiness。
KatehadonlyherhusbandandWillietoshareherexcellentice-creamandbeautifulraspberries，onthatwarmevening；thetriodidjustice，however，tothesenicerefreshments；andlittleWillieonlywishedhecouldsignatemperancepledgeeveryevening，ifhecouldsituplaterthanusual，andeatanexcellentsupperafterit。
Afterthelittlefellowhadbeensenttobed，andhismotherhadtakenalookatheryoungerchildren，whoweresleepingsweetlyintheirusualplaces，thelawyerandhiswifewereleftaloneintheparlour。Itwasacharmingmoon-lightevening，thoughverywarm；andKatehavingloweredthelamp，threwherselfintoarocking-chairnearthewindow；whileMr。Clapp，whohadhadratherafatiguingday，wasstretchedoutonthesofa。
“Itisearlyyet，William；supposeyoutellthestoryyoupromisedme，aboutyourclient，thesailor。“
“Idon'tmuchliketotellit，Catherine；andyetitistimeyouknewsomethingaboutit，forwemustproceedtoactionimmediately。“
“Oh，tellme，byallmeans；youhavereallymademequitecurious。YouknowverywellthatIcankeepasecret。“
“Certainly；andIrequestyouwillnotmentionthefactsIshallrelate，toanyone，forsometime；notuntilwehavetakenthenecessarylegalsteps。“
“Ofcoursenot，ifyouwishit；andnowforthestory。Yousaidthispoormanhadbeeninjured。“
“Grosslyinjured。“
“Inwhatmanner？”
“Hehasbeentreatedinthemostunjustifiablemannerbyhisnearestrelatives。Hisreputationhasbeeninjured，andhehasbeentyrannicallydeprivedofaverylargeproperty。“
“Isitpossible！——poorfellow！Cannothingbedoneforhim？”
“Thatiswhatweshallsee。Yes，Iflattermyselfifthereislawintheland，weshallyetbeabletorestorehimtohisrights！”
“Doeshebelongtothispartofthecountry？”
“Hedoesnothimself；butthosewhoarerevellinginhiswealthdo。“
“Whatishisname？——DoIknowhisfamily？”
“Youwillbedistressed，Catherine，whenyouhearthename；youwillbeastonishedwhenyoulearnthewholestory；butthetimeforconcealmenthasgonebynow。Severalyearsagothatpoorsailorcametome，inraggedclothing，inpovertyanddistress，andfirstlaidhiscomplaintbeforeme。Ididnotbelieveawordofwhathetoldme；Ithoughtthemanmad，andrefusedtohaveanythingtodowiththecause。Hebecamedisgusted，andwenttoseaagain，andforsometimegaveupallhopeofbeingreinstatedinhisrights；theobstaclesseemedtoogreat。Butatlengthaveryimportantwitnessinhisfavourwasaccidentallythrowninhisway：attheendofhiscruisehecametomeagain，andI
confessIwasastoundedattheevidencehethenlaidbeforeme。
Itisconclusive，beyondadoubt，toanyunprejudicedmind，“saidMr。Clapp，rousinghimselffromhisrecumbentposition。
“Butyouhavenottoldmetheman'sname。“
“HisnameisStanley——WilliamStanley。“
“YousaidIknewhim；butIneverheardofhim；Idon'tknowthefamilyatall。“
“Yes，youdo；youknowthemonlytoowell；youwillbeasmuchsurprisedasIwasmyself——asIamstill，wheneverIallowmyselftodwellonthesubject。Mr。Stanleyisthecousin-germanofyourfriend，MissElinorWyllys。Mr。Wyllyshimself，Mrs。Stanley，thestep-mother，andyoungHazlehurst，aretheindividualswhostandbetweenhimandhisrights，“continuedMr。Clapp，rising，andwalkingacrosstheroom，asheranhisfingersthroughhisbrowncurls。
“Impossible！”exclaimedKate，asthefanshehelddroppedfromherhand。
“JustwhatIsaidmyself，atfirst，“repliedMr。Clapp。
“Butsurelyyouaredeceived，William——howcanitbe？”continuedthewife，inamazement。“WealwaysthoughtthatMr。Stanleywaslostatsea，yearsago！”
“Exactly——itwasthoughtso；butitwasnottrue。“
“Butwherehashebeeninthemeantime？——Whydidhewaitsolongbeforehecametoclaimhisinheritance？”
“Thesameunhappy，recklessdispositionthatfirstsenthimtosea，kepthimrovingabout。Hedidnotknowofhisfather'sdeath，untilfouryearsafterithadtakenplace，andheheardatthesametimethathehadbeendisinherited。Whenhecamehome，afterthatevent，hefoundthathewasgenerallybelievedtohavebeenlostintheJefferson，wreckedintheyear18。Hewas，infact，theonlymansaved。“
“Howveryextraordinary！Butwhyhasheneverevenshownhimselfamonghisfriendsandconnexionsuntilnow？”
“Why，mydear，hishabitshavebeenunhappilyverybadineverywayforyears；theywere，indeedthecauseofhisfirstleavinghisfamily。Hehatedeverythinglikerestraint——eventhecommonrestraintsofsociety，andcaredfornothingbutasailor'slife，andthatintheworstshape，itmustbeconfessed。Buthehasnowgrownwiser——hehasdeterminedtoreform。Youobservedhesignedthetemperancepledgethisevening？”
“Itallsoundssostrangely，thatIcannotyetbelieveit，William。“
“Idaresaynot——ittookmefouryearstobelieveit。“
“Butwhatdoyoumeantodo？Ihopeyouarenotgoingtoundertakealaw-suitagainsttwoofourbestfriends，Mr。WyllysandMr。Hazlehurst？”
“ThatmustdependonMr。WyllysandMr。Hazlehurst，themselves。I
haveundertaken，Catherine，todomybesttowardsrestoringthisinjuredmantohisproperty。“
“Oh，William；supposethismanisinthewrong，afterall！Don'tthinkofhavinganythingtodowithhim。“
“Mydear，youtalklikeawoman——youdon'tknowwhatyousay。IfIdon'tactinthepremises，doyousupposehewon'tfindanotherlawyertoundertakehiscause？”
“Lethimhaveanother，then：butitseemstoobadthatweshouldtakesidesagainstourbestfriends；ithardlyseemshonourable，William，todoso。“
“Honour，alone，won'tmakeayounglawyer'spotboil，Icantellyou。“
“ButIhadratherlivepoorly，andworkhardallmylife，thanthatyoushouldundertakeadishonestcause。“
“Itisallveryprettytalking，butIhavenomindtolivepoorly；IintendtoliveaswellasIcan，andIdon'tlookuponthisStanleycauseasabadoneatall。Imustsay，Catherine，youareratherharduponyourhusband，andseemtothinkmoreoftheinterestsofyourfriends，thanofhisown。“
“Howcanyoutalkso，William，whenyouknowyoucan'tthinkit，“
saidthewifereproachfully，tearsspringingtohereyes。
“Well，Ionlyjudgefromwhatyousayyourself。Butinmyopinionthereisnodangerofalaw-suit。AsMr。Stanley'sagent，IshallfirstapplytoMrs。StanleyandMr。Hazlehursttoacknowledgehisclaim；andwhentheevidenceislaidbeforethem，Ihavenokindofdoubtbuttheywillimmediatelygiveuptheproperty；astheyaresomeofyourveryhonourablepeople，ImustsayIthinktheyareboundtodoso。“
“Certainly，iftheevidenceissoclear；butitseemstome，fromallIhaveheardsinceIhavebeenalawyer'swife，thatevidenceneverissoveryclear，William，butthatpeopledisagreeaboutit。“
“Well，Iflattermyselfthatpeoplewillbestaggeredbytheproofswecanbringforward；Ifeelsureofpublicopinion，atleast。“
Katewassilenced；butthoughshecouldthinkofnothingmoretourge，shewasveryfarfromfeelingeasyonthesubject。
“Ihopewithallmyheartitwillbesettledamicably，“sheaddedatlength。
“Thereiseveryprobabilitythatitwill。Thoughthestorysoundssostrangelytoyounow——justasitdidtome，atfirst——yetwhenyoucometohearallthefacts，youwillfindthereisscarcelyroomforashadowofdoubt。“
“HowsorrymotherandPatseywillbewhentheyhearit！”
“Ican'tseewhytheyshouldbesorrytoseeamanreinstatedinhisrights，afterhavingbeendeprivedofthemforeighteenyears。IftheyarenotblindedbytheirpartialityfortheWyllysesandHazlehursts，theycannothelpbeingconvincedbytheevidencewecanshow。“
“Howoldisthisman——thissailor——thisMr。Stanley？”
“Justthirty-six，hetellsme。DidyouremarkhislikenesstoMr。
Stanley'sportraitatWyllys-Roof？thatwasthefirstthingthatstruckme。“
“No；Ihardlylookedathim。“
“Youmustexpecttoseehimoftennow；Ihaveinvitedhimtodinnerforto-morrow。“
“Forto-morrow？Well，UncleDoziehassentmethisafternoonabeautifulmessofgreenpeas，andyouwillhavetogetsomethingnicefrommarket，inthewayofpoultryandfish。Though，I
supposeashehasbeenacommonsailorsolong，hewon'tbeveryparticularabouthisdinner。“
“Heknowswhatisgood，Icantellyou。Youmustgivehimsuchadinnerashewouldhavehadathisfather'sinoldtimes。“
“Well，justasyouplease，William；only，ifyoureallycareforme，donotletthemandeceiveyou；besureyousiftthematterthoroughly——whatyoucallcross-examinehim。“
“Neveryoufear；IknowwhatIamabout，Katie；thoughifIwastofollowyouradviceinlawmatters，Ireckonweshouldallofusstarvetogether。“
“Ihopeitwillallturnoutwell，butIseemtofeelbadlyaboutit，“saidKatewithasigh，assherosetolightacandle；“onlydon'tbetoohasty——taketime。“
“WehavetakentimeenoughIthink，asitis。WeareonlywaitingnowforMr。HazlehursttoarriveinPhiladelphia，whenweshallputforwardourclaim。“
CHAPTERIV。{XXVII}
“Theycalltheerich。“
COWPER。
{WilliamCowperEnglishpoet，1731-1800，“TranslationsofGreekVerses：OnAMiser“line1}
WHENtheWyllysesarrivedatSaratoga，afterhavingpaidtheirpromisedvisittotheirfriendsatPoughkeepsie，thefirstpersonstheysawinthestreet，astheyweredrivingtoCongressHall，wereMrs。Creighton，Mr。Ellsworth，andMr。Stryker，whowereloiteringalongtogether。ItseemedtheexcursiontoNahanthadbeenpostponed，orgivenup。
ThebrotherandsistersoondiscoveredthattheWyllyseswereamongthatafternoon'sarrivals，andinthecourseofanhourortwocalledattheirrooms。
“HereamI，MissWyllys，“saidMrs。Creighton，“thebestofsisters，givingupmyownprivateplanstogratifythisbrotherofmine，whowouldnotletmerestunlessIpromisedtopassanotherweekhere。“
“Josephinemakesthemostofhercomplaisance；butIdon'tthinkshewassoverymuchaversetogivingupNahant。Iamsureatleast，shedidnotcarehalfsomuchaboutgoing，asIdidaboutstaying。“
Mr。Strykeralsoappeared，tomakehisbowtotheladies。ThisgentlemanhadindeedcometoSaratoga，withtheexpressintentionofmakinghimselfparticularlyagreeabletoMissElinorWyllys。
AslongagoasJane'swedding，hehadhadhiseyeonher，but，likeMr。Ellsworth，hehadseldombeenabletomeether。Mr。
Strykerwasamanbetweenfortyandfifty，possessingsomelittleproperty，averygoodopinionofhimself，andquiteareputationforclevernessandknowledgeoftheworld。Hewasoneofthosemenwhohanglooseonsociety；heseemedtohaveneitherrelationsnorconnexions；nooneknewhisorigin：foryearshehadoccupiedthesamepositioninthegayworldofNewYork，withthisdifference，thatatfive-and-twentyhewasknownasBobStryker；atfive-and-thirtyhewasColonelStryker，thetraveller；andatfive-and-fortyhehadreturnedtoNewYork，afterasecondlongabsence，asMr。Stryker，toutcourt。Hepridedhimselfuponbeingconsideredagentlemanatlarge，amanoftheworld，whoseopiniononallsubjectswasworthhearing。
SincehislastreturnfromEurope，hehadannouncedthathewaslookingaboutforthatnecessaryencumbrance，awife；buthetookgoodcarenottomentionwhathecalledhisfutureintentions，untilhehadactuallycommittedhimselfmorethanonce。Hehadseveraltimeskindlyofferedtorichandbeautifulgirls，totakechargeofthemselvesandtheirfortunes，buthisserviceshadbeenasoftenpolitelydeclined。Hewasnotdiscouraged，however，bytheserepulses；hestilldeterminedtomarry，butexperiencehadtaughthimgreaterprudence——hedecidedthathisnextadvancesshouldbemadewithmorecaution。Hewouldshunthegreatbelles；fortunehemusthave，buthewouldadoptoneoftwocourses；hewouldeitherlookoutforsomeveryyoungandverysillygirl，whocouldbepersuadedintoanything，orhewouldtrytodiscoversomerichwoman，withaplainface，whowouldbeflatteredbytheattentionsoftheagreeableMr。Stryker。WhilehewasmakingthesereflectionshewasintroducedtoElinor，andwearesorrytosayit，sheappearedtohimtopossessthedesirablequalifications。Shewascertainlyveryplain；andhefoundthattherewasnomistakeinthereportofherhavingreceivedtwoimportantlegaciesquitelately。MissElinorWyllys，thankstothesebequests，toherexpectationsfromhergrandfatherandMissAgnes，andtotheLongbridgerailroad，wasnowgenerallyconsideredafortune。Itistrue，commonreporthadaddedverylargelytoherpossessions，bydoublingandquadruplingtheiramount；foratthatprecisemoment，peopleseemedtobegrowingashamedofmentioningsmallsums；thousandswereinvariablycountedbyroundfiftiesandhundreds。ShouldanygentlemanbecuriousastothepreciseamountofthefortuneofMissElinorWyllys，heisrespectfullyreferredtoWilliamCassiusClapp，AttorneyatLaw，Longbridge，consideredexcellentauthorityonallsuchsubjects。LestanyoneshouldbedisposedtomistrustthisstoryofElinor'snewly-acquiredreputationasanheiress，weshallproceedatoncetoproveit，byevidenceofthemostconvincingcharacter。
{“toutcourte“=byitself；“period“French}
Onemorning，shortlyafterthearrivaloftheWyllysesatSaratoga，Mr。WyllysenteredtheroomwhereMissAgnesandElinorweresittingtogether，withahandfulofpapersandlettersfromthemail。SeveraloftheseletterswereforElinor，andasshereadsthemweshalltakethelibertyofpeepingoverhershoulder——theircontentswillspeakforthemselves。Thefirstwhichshetookupwaswrittenonveryhandsomepaper，perfumed，andinanenvelope；butneitherthesealnorthehandwritingwasknowntoElinor。Itranasfollows：
“CHARMINGMISSWYLLYS：——
“Itmayappearpresumptuousinoneunknowntoyou，toaddressyouonasubjectsoimportantasthatwhichisthethemeofthisepistle；butnothavingthehonourofyouracquaintance，Iamcompelledbydirenecessity，andtheardentfeelingsofmyheart，topourforthonpapertheexpressionofthestrongadmirationwithwhichyouhaveinspiredme。LovelyMissWyllys，youarebuttoowellknowntome，althoughIscarcelydaretohopethatyoureyehasrestedforamomentonthefeaturesofyourhumbleadorer。IamaEuropean，onewhohasmovedinthefirstcirclesofhisnativeland，andaftercommencinglifeasamilitaryman，wascompelledbypersecutiontofleetothehospitableshoresofAmerica。Chequeredasmylifehasbeen，happy，thricehappyshallIconsiderit，ifyouwillbutpermitmetodevoteitsremainingyearstoyourservice！Withoutyoursmiles，thelastdaysofmycareerwillbemoregloomythanallthathavegonebefore。ButI
cannotbelieveyousocruel，sohard-hearted，astorefusetoadmittoyourpresence，oneconnectedwithseveralfamiliesofthenobilityandgentryinthenorthofEngland，merelybecausethenameofHoracedeVerehasbeensulliedbyappearingonthestage。Letmehope——“
Elinorreadnofarther：shethrewtheletterasidewithanexpressionofdisgustandmortification。Itwasbutoneofhalf-a-dozenofsimilarcharacter，whichshehadreceivedduringthelastyearortwofromutterstrangers。Shetookupanother，aplain，honest-lookingsheet。
“MADAM：——
“Ifthenewstore，beingerectedonyourlotinMarketStreet，betweenFourthandFifth，isnotalreadyleased，youwillconferanobligationifyouwillletusknowtowhomwemustapplyforterms，&c。，&c。Thelocationandpremisesbeingsuitable，weshouldbegladtorent。Thebestofreferencescanbeofferedonourpart。
“Beggingyouwillexcusethisapplication，asweareignorantofthenameofyouragentinPhiladelphia，wehavethehonourtobe，Madam，“Yourmostobedientservants，“McMUNNY&CO。，“Grocers，Market，betweenFrontandSecond。“
Abusinessletter，itappears，tobeattendedtoaccordingly。Nowforthethird——adelicatelittleenvelopeofsatinpaper，bluewax，andtheseal“sempereadem。“
{“sempereadem“=alwaysthesameLatin}
“MYSWEETMISSELINOR：——
“WhenshallweseeyouatBloomingdale？Youarequitetoocruel，todisappointussooften；wereallydonotdeservesuchshabbytreatment。HereisthemonthofJune，withitsroses，andstrawberries，andtenthousandothersweets，andamongthemyoumustpositivelyallowustohopeforavisitfromourverydearfriendsatWyllys-Roof。Shouldyourvenerablegrandpapa，ormyexcellentfriend，MissWyllysbeunhappilydetainedathome，asyoufeared，donotletthatbethemeansofdeprivingusofyourvisit。IneednotsaythatWilliamwouldbeonlytoohappytodriveyoutoBloomingdale，atanytimeyoumightchoose；butifthatplan，HISplan，shouldfrightenyourpropriety，Ishallbeproudtotakechargeofyoumyself。Anneisnotonlypiningforyourvisit，butverytiredofansweringadozentimesaday，herbrother'squestions，'WhenshallweseeMissWyllys？'——'IsMissWyllysnevercoming？'
“Idonotthink，mysweetyoungfriend，thatyoucanhavethehearttodisappointusanylonger——and，therefore，Ishallcertainlylookforoneofyourcharminglittlenotes，writteninanamiable，complyingmood。
“Annesendsherverybestlove；WilliambegstobeveryPARTICULARLYrememberedtoMissElinorWyllys。
“WithathousandkindmessagestoyourgrandfatherandMissWyllys，Iremainasever，mydearyoungfriend，“Yours，mostdevotedlyandpartially，“ARABELLAHUNTER。“
{“Bloomingdale“=afashionableandstillruralareaofManhattanIsland，thoughtechnicallypartofNewYorkCity}
Elinorreadthisnotewithadoubtfulsmile，whichseemedtosayshewashalf-amused，half-provokedbyit。Throwingitcarelesslyonthesofa，sheopenedthefourthletter；itwasinachildishhand。
“MYDEARMISSWYLLYS：——
“Mymotherwishesmetothankyoumyself，foryourlastactofgoodnesstous——butIcannevertellyouallwefeelonthesubject。Mydearmothercriedwithjoyalltheevening，aftershehadreceivedyourletter。Iamgoingtoschoolaccordingtoyourwish，assoonasmothercanspareme，andIshallstudyveryhard，whichwillbethebestwayofthankingyou。Themusic-mastersayshehasnodoubtbutIcanplaywellenoughtogivelessons，ifIgoonaswellasIhaveinthelastyear；I
practiseregularlyeveryday。Motherbidsmesay，thatnowshefeelssureofmyeducationforthenextthreeyears，oneofherheaviestcareshasbeentakenaway：shesaystoo，thatalthoughmanyfriendsintheparishhavebeenverygoodtous，sincemydearfatherwastakenawayfromus，yet'noactofkindnesshasbeensoimportanttous，nonesocheeringtotheheartofthewidowandthefatherless，asyourgenerousgoodnesstohereldestchild；'theseareherownwords。Motherwillwritetoyouherselfto-morrow。Ithankyouagain，dearMissWyllys，formyself，andI
remain，veryrespectfullyandverygratefully，“Yourobligedservantandfriend，“MARYSMITH。“
ThislastletterseemedtorestoreallElinor'sgoodhumour，actingasanantidotetothethreewhichhadprecededit。Thecorrespondencewhichwehavetakenthelibertyofreading，willtestifymoreclearlythananyassuranceofours，tothefactthatourfriendElinornowstandsinvestedwiththedignityofanheiress，accompaniedbythedangers，pleasures，andannoyances，usuallysurroundinganunmarriedwoman，possessingthereputationofafortune。WhereverElinornowappeared，thenameofafortuneprocuredherattention；theplainfacewhichsomeyearsbeforehadcausedhertobeneglectedwhereshewasnotintimatelyknown，wasnolongeranobstacletothegallantryoftheveryclasswhohadshunnedherbefore。Indeed，thewantofbeauty，whichmighthavebeencalledhermisfortune，wasnowtheverygroundonwhichseveralofhersuitorsfoundedtheirhopesofsuccess；asshewaspronouncedsoveryplain，thedandiesthoughtitimpossibleshecouldresistthecharmoftheirownpersonaladvantages。Elinorhad，inshort，herfullshareofthosepersecutionswhicharesuretobefallallheiresses。Thepeculiarevilsofsuchapositionaffectyoungwomenverydifferently，accordingtotheirvariousdispositions。HadElinorbeenweakandvain，shewouldhavefallenintothehandsofafortune-hunter。
Hadshebeenofagloomytemper，disgustatthecoarseplotsandmanoeuvres，soeasilyunravelledbyaclear-sightedperson，mighthavemadeherapreytosuspicion，andallbutmisanthropic。Hadshebeenvulgar-minded，shewouldhavebeenpurse-proud；ifcold-hearted，shewouldhavebecomeonlythemoreselfish。Vanitywouldhavemadeherridiculouslyostentatiousandconceited；ajealoustemperwouldhavebecomeself-willedanddomineering。
Changeofpositionoftenproducesanapparentchangeofcharacter；sometimestheeffectisinjurious，sometimesitisadvantageous。Butwetrustthatthereader，onrenewinghisacquaintancewithElinorWyllys，willfindher，whileflatteredbytheworldasanheiress，essentiallythesameincharacterandmanner，asshewaswhenoverlookedandneglectedonaccountofanunusuallyplainface。Ifashadeofdifferenceisperceptible，itisonlythenaturalresultoffourorfiveyearsofadditionalexperience，andshehasmerelyexchangedthefirstretiringmodestyofearlyyouth，foragreaterportionofself-possession。
Inthefirstmonthsofhernewreputationasanheiress，Elinorhadbeenastonishedattheboldnessofsomeattacksuponher；
then，astherewasmuchthatwasridiculousconnectedwiththeseproceedings，shehadbeendiverted；but，atlength，whenshefoundthemrapidlyincreasing，shebecameseriouslyannoyed。
“Whatamiserablepuppettheseadventurersmustthinkme——itiscruellymortifyingtoseehowconfidentofsuccesssomeofthemappear！”sheexclaimedtoheraunt。
“Iamverysorry，mychild，thatyoushouldbeannoyedinthisway——butitseemsyoumustmakeupyourmindtotheseimpertinences——itisonlywhateverywomanwhohaspropertymustexpect。“
“Itisreallyintolerable！ButIamdeterminedatleastthattheyshallnotfillmyheadwithsuspicions——andInevercanenduretobeperpetuallyonmyguardagainstthesesortofpeople。Itwillnotdotothinkofthem；thatistheonlywaytokeepone'stemper。IfIknowmyself，therenevercanbeanydangertomefrommenofthatkind，eventhemostagreeable。“
“Takecare，“saidMissAgnes，smiling，andshakingherhead。
“Well，Iknowatleastthereisnodangeratpresent；butasweallhavemomentsofweakness，Ishallthereforeveryhumblybegthatifyoueverseemeintheleastdanger，youwillgivemewarning，dearAunt；averysharpwarning，ifyouplease。“
“InsuchacaseIshouldcertainlywarnyou，mydear。Itstrikesmethatseveralofyourmostdisagreeableadmirers——“
“HowcallyoucallthemADMIRERS，AuntAgnes？”
“Well，severalofyourpursuers，then，arebeginningtodiscoverthatyouarenotayoungladyeasilypersuadedintobelievingherselfanangel，andcapableoffancyingthemthemostchivalrousanddisinterestedofmen。“
Thiswasquitetrue；therewasaquietdignity，withanoccasionaltouchofdecisioninElinor'smanner，thathadalreadyconvincedseveralgentlementhatshehadmorefirmnessofcharacterthansuitedtheirviews；andtheyhadaccordinglywithdrawnfromthefield。
“Suppose，Elinor，thatIbeginbygivingyouawarning，thismorning？”continuedMissAgnes，smiling。
“Youarenotserious，surely，Aunt？”repliedElinor，turningfromsomemusicshewasunpacking，tolookatMissWyllys。
“Yes，indeed；Iamserious，sofarasbelievingthatyouareatthismomentexposedtothemanoeuvresofagentlemanwhomyoudonotseemintheleasttosuspect，andwhoisdecidedlyagreeable。“
“Whomcanyoumean？”saidElinor，runningoverinherheadthenamesofseveralpersonswhomshehadseenlately。“Yousurelydonotsuspect——No；Iamsureyouhavetoogoodanopinionofhim。“
“IamveryfarfromhavingaparticularlygoodopinionofthepersonIreferto，“saidMissAgnes；“Ithinkhimatleast，nothingbetterthanafortune-hunter；andalthoughitisverypossibletodomanyworsethingsthanmarryingformoney，yetI
hopeyouwillneverbecomethewifeofamanwhoseprinciplesarenotabovesuspicionineveryway。“
“Iamdisposedjustatpresent，Icanassureyou，dearAunt，tohaveaparticularlypooropinionofamerefortune-hunter。“
“Yes；youdonotseemtofeelveryamiablytowardstheclass，justnow，“saidMissAgnes，smiling。
“Butwhoistheindividualwhostandssolowinyouropinion？”
“Itisyouropinion，andnotmine，whichistheimportantone，“
repliedMissAgnes。
“Ah，Iseeyouarejoking，Aunt；youhalffrightenedmeatfirst。
Asfarashavingnofearsformyself，Iamreallyinanalarmingstate。“
“Soitwouldseem。Buthaveyoureallynosuspicionsofoneofourvisitersoflastevening？”
Elinorlookeduneasy。
“Isitpossible，“shesaid，loweringhervoicealittle，“thatyoubelieveMr。Ellsworthtobeacommonfortune-hunter？I
thoughtyouhadaverydifferentopinionofhim。“
“Youareright，mychild，“saidMissAgnes，apparentlypleasedbythisallusiontotheirfriend；“Ihave，indeed，ahighopinionofMr。Ellsworth；buthewasnotouronlyvisiterlastevening，“
“IsitMr。Stryker？Ihavehalf-suspectedsomesuchthingmyself，lately；Icannottakecreditforsomuchinnocenceasyougaveme。ButitisnotworthwhiletotroubleoneselfaboutMr。
Stryker；heiscertainlyoldenough，andworldly-wiseenoughtotakecareofhimself。Ifheactuallyhasanysuchviews，histimewillbesadlythrownaway。ButitismuchmoreprobablethatheisreallyinlovewithMrs。Creighton；anditwouldbeveryridiculousinme，toimaginethatheisevenpretendingtocareforme，whenheisattachedtosomeoneelse。“
“HemayflirtwithMrs。Creighton，but，ifIamnotmistaken，heintendstoofferhimselfbeforelongtoMissWyllys；andI
thoughtyouhadnotremarkedhisadvances。“
“Ifancy，dearAunt，thatmenlikeMr。Strykerseldomcommitthemselvesunlesstheyfeelprettysureofsuccess。“
Theconversationwashereinterrupted，ElinorwasengagedtoridewithMr。Wyllys，whonowreturnedfromthereading-roomforhisgrand-daughter。Mrs。Creightonwasalsogoingoutwithherbrother，andproposedthetwopartiesjoining；aninvitationwhichMr。Wyllyshadveryreadilyaccepted。Thehorseswereordered，Elinorwassoonequipped，andonjoiningMrs。Creightonatthedoor，shewasassistedtomountbyMr。Ellsworth。Mr。
Strykerhadalsobeeninvitedtoridewiththembytheprettywidow。
Itwasalovelymorning，andtheymovedoffgailyononeoftheroadsleadingtoSaratogaLake；Elinorenjoyingtheairandtheexercise，Mr。Ellsworthatherside，doinghisbesttomakehissocietyagreeable，Mrs。Creightonengagedinmakingaconquestofthetwogentlemenbetweenwhomsherode。Yes，weareobligedtoconfessthefact；onherpartatleast，therewasnothingwantingtomakeupaflirtationwithMr。Wyllys。Thewidowbelongedtothatclassofladies，whosethirstforadmirationreallyseemsinsatiable，andwhoappearanxioustocompelallwhoapproachthemtofeeltheeffectoftheircharms。Elinorwouldhavebeenfrightened，hadshebeenawareoftheattackmadethatmorningbyMrs。Creighton，onthepeaceofherexcellentgrandfather，nowinhisseventy-thirdyear。NotthattheladyneglectedMr。
Stryker——bynomeans；shewasverycapableofmanagingtwoaffairsofthekindatthesamemoment。AlltheremarkssheaddressedparticularlytoMr。Wyllys，weresensibleandlady-like；thoseshemadetoMr。Stryker，wereclever，worldly，andpiquant；whilethegeneraltoneofherconversationwasalwaysawell-bredmedleyofmuchfashionablelevity，withsomegoodsenseandpropriety。Mr。Strykerscarcelyknewwhethertobepleased，ortoregretthathewasobligedtorideatherside。HehadlatelybecomeparticularlyanxioustoadvanceinthegoodgracesofMissElinorWyllys，fortworeasons；hehadlostmoney，andwasverydesirousofappropriatingsomeofElinor'stohisownuse；andhehadalsofelthimselftobeinimminentdangeroffallinginlovewithMrs。Creighton，andhewishedtoputitoutofhisownpowertoofferhimselftoherinamomentofweakness。
Muchasheadmiredthebeauty，thewit，andtheworldlyspiritoftheprettywidow，hewashalf-afraidofher；hejudgedherbyhimself；heknewthatshewasartful，andheknewthatshewaspoor；forherlatehusband，Mr。Creighton，duringashortmarriedlife，hadrunthroughallhiswife'sproperty，aswellashisown，andhiswidowwasnowentirelydependentuponherbrother。
Theattentionofthetwogentlemenwasnot，however，entirelyengrossedbyMrs。Creighton。Mr。Strykerwasbynomeanswillingtoresignthefieldtohisrival，Mr。Ellsworth；andMr。Wyllyswasnotsomuchcharmedbytheconversationofhisfaircompanion，butthathiseyecouldrestwithpleasureonthecouplebeforehim，ashethoughttherewaseveryprobabilitythatElinorwouldatlengthgratifyhislong-cherishedwish，andbecomethewifeofamanhebelievedworthyofher。AsthepartyhaltedforafewmomentsonthebankoftheLake，Mr。WyllyswasparticularlystruckwiththeexpressionofspiritandinterestwithwhichElinorwaslisteningtoMr。Ellsworth'sdescriptionofthelakesofKillarney，whichhehadseenduringhislastvisittoEurope；andwhenthegentlemanhadaddedaludicrousaccountofsomePaddyismofhisguide，shelaughedsogailythatthesoundrejoicedhergrandfather'sheart。
Elinorhadlongsinceregainedherformercheerfulness。Foratime，Harry'sdesertionhadmadehersad，butshesoonfeltitadutytoshakeoffeveryappearanceofgloom，forthesakeofhergrandfatherandaunt，whosehappinesswassodeeplyinterwovenwithherown。Religiousmotivesalsostrengthenedherdeterminationtoresisteveryrepiningfeeling。Thetruespiritofcheerfulnessis，infact，thefruitoftwoofthegreatestvirtuesofChristianity——steadfastfaith，andunfeignedhumility；
anditisakintothankfulness，whichisonlythenaturalconsequenceofasenseofourownimperfections，andoftheunmeritedgoodnessofProvidence。
“Wehavehadacharmingride，MissWyllys！”saidMrs。Creighton，asthepartyreturnedtothehotel。
“Verypleasant，“saidElinor。
“Delightful！”exclaimedMr。Ellsworth。“Ihopeweshallhavesuchanothereveryday。“
“ThenImusttryandfindananimal，withratherbetterpacesthantheonewhichhasthehonourofcarryingmeatpresent，“
saidMr。Stryker。
“ButMrs。Creightonhasbeensoveryagreeable，thatIshouldthinkyouwouldhavebeenhappytoaccompanyherontheworsthorseinSaratoga，“observedMr。Wyllys。
“Onlytooagreeable，“repliedMr。Stryker，ashehelpedtheladytodismount，whileMr。EllsworthperformedthesameservicetoElinor。
CHAPTERV。{XXVIII}
“Idobeseechyourgrace，forcharity，IfeveranymaliceinyourheartWerehidagainstme，nowtoforgivemefrankly。“
HenryVIII。
{WilliamShakespeare，“HenryVIII“，II。i。79-81}
ONEevening，aboutaweekafterthearrivaloftheWyllyses，therewasadanceatCongressHall，wheretheywerestaying。Mrs。
Creighton，withherbrother，whowerealreadyengagedtomeetsomefriendsthere，urgedElinorverymuchtojointhem；butshedeclined，notwishingtoleaveJane。Mr。Ellsworth，whohadbeenverydevoted，oflate，seemedparticularlyanxioussheshouldgo。
ButalthoughElinor'smannerbetrayedsomelittleembarrassment，ifnotindecision，asthegentlemanurgedherdoingso，stillshepersistedinremainingwithhercousin。
{“CongressHall“=themostfashionablehotelinSaratogaSprings——builtin1811，theoriginalbuildingburnedin1866}
“Well，Iamsorrywecannotpersuadeyou，MissWyllys；thoughI
daresayyouwillhaveaverypleasanteveninginyourownparlour。“
“Wemustput，offourgameofchessuntilto-morrow，Mrs。
Creighton，“saidMr。Wyllys。
“Yes，unfortunatelyforme；forIhavefullydeterminedtobeatyou，sir，atournexttrial。Well，Frank，wecannotstayherealltheevening；Idaresay，ourfriends，theStevensons，arelookingforusintheball-roomalready。“
“Mrs。Creightonisaveryprettywoman，“observedMr。Wyllys，asheseatedhimselfatthechess-board，oppositehisdaughter，afterthebrotherandsisterhadlefttheroom。
“Yes，averyprettywoman；andshealwayslookswellinherevening-dress，“repliedMissAgnes。
ElinordevotedherselftoJane'samusement。Eversincetheyhadbeentogether，shehadgivenupagreatpartofhertimetoMrs。
Taylor，whomshewasveryanxioustocheerandenliven，thatshemightpersuadehertothrowoffthemelancholyandlowspirits，whichhercousinseemedpurposelytoencourage。Thesickbabywasbetter，andElinorwasinhopesthatbeforetheyparted，sheshouldsucceedinawakeningJanetoasomewhatbetterframeofmind。Shewasverydesirousthatthetimetheyweretogethershouldnotbelost；andherkindnesswassounwearied，hermannerwassoaffectionateandsoothing，andtheadviceshesometimesallowedherselftogive，wassoclearandsensible，thatatlastJaneseemedtofeelthegoodeffectsofhercousin'sefforts。
AfterMr。Ellsworthandhissisterhadlefttheroomtojointhedancers，JanesuddenlyturnedtoElinor，withtearsinhereyes。
“Howkindyouare！”shesaid。“Idaresayyouwouldliketogodown-stairs；——butyouaretoogoodtome，Elinor！”
“Nonsense，Jenny；Ican'thelpitifIwould。DoyouthinkI
shouldenjoydancing，ifIknewyouweresittingaloneinthisdarkcorner，whilegrandpapaandAuntAgnesareplayingchess！
Youarelookingagreatdealmorewoe-begonethanyououghtto，nowbabyissomuchbetter。“
“Youspoilme，“saidJane，shakingherhead，andsmilingwithmorefeelingthanusualinherunexpressiveface。
“Ishallspoilyouagreatdealmorebeforewegetthrough。Nextweek，whenMr。Taylorcomes，IintendtotalkhimintobringingyouovertoWyllys-Roof，topayagoodlongvisit，likeoldtimes。“
“Ihadmuchratherthinkofoldtimes，thanofwhatistocome。
Thereisnothingpleasantformetolookforwardto！”
“Howcanyouknowthat，Jane？Ihavelearnedonelessonbyexperience，thoughIamonlyayearolderthanyou，dear——anditis，thatifweareoftendeceivedbyhope，sowearequiteasoftenmisledbyfear。“
“Ibelieve，Elinor，youaremybestfriend，“saidJane，holdingoutherhandtohercousin。
“Oh，youhavemoregoodfriendsthanyouthinkfor，andmuchgoodofeverykind，thoughyouwillshutyoureyestothefact。“
“Itmaybeso，“saidJane；“Iwilltrytofollowyouradvice，ifIcan。“
“Tryhard，then，“saidElinor，“andallwillgowell。Andnow，shallIsingyouthesongMrs。Creightoncutshort？”
Shebegantosing“AuldLangSyne；“butthesongwasinterruptedbeforeshehadfinishedthesecondverse。Severalpersonswereheardapproachingtheirroom，whichwasinaretired，quietpartofthehouse；thedoorsoonopened，andinwalkedRobertHazlehurst。
“Well，goodpeople，“heexclaimed，“youtaketheworldasquietlyasanybodyIknow！Wesupposed，ofcourse，youwereattheball，butElinor'svoicebetrayedyou。Thisway，Louisa，“hesaid，returningtothedoor，afterhavingshakenhandswithMr。WyllysandMissAgnes。
“HowgladIamtoseeyou！”exclaimedElinor——“youareasgoodasyourword；butwedidnotexpectyouforseveraldays；“andJaneandherselfwenttothedoortomeetMrs。Hazlehurst。
“And，pray，whatreasonhadyoutosupposethatweshouldnotkeepourword？”saidthelatter，assheappeared。
“WethoughtHarrywouldprobablydetainyou，“saidElinor。
“Notatall；webroughthimalongwithus。“
“Thatwasagoodarrangementwehadnotthoughtof，“observedMissAgnes。
Harryenteredtheroom。Hewasnotentirelyfreefromembarrassmentatfirst；butwhenMr。Wyllysmethimwithsomethingofthecordialmannerofoldtimes，heimmediatelyrecoveredhimself。HekissedthehandofMissAgnes，asinformerdays，andsalutedElinorinthesameway，insteadofthemorebrotherlygreetingswithwhichheusedtomeetherofold。
“AndhereisJane，too，Harry，“saidMrs。Hazlehurst，whohadjustembracedhersister。“Youhavebeensolongaway，thatI
daresayyouhaveforgottenhalfyouroldfriends。“
“Notatall，“saidHarry，crossingtheroomtoJane。“Ithinkmyselfaveryluckyfellow，atfindingthemallcollectedheretogether，formyespecialbenefit。ImetMr。TaylorforamomentinNewYork，“hecontinued，addressingJane。
“Didhesaywhenhewascomingforme？”repliedMrs。Taylor，offeringherhandtoherkinsman。
“HetoldmethatheshouldbeatSaratogaveryshortly。“
“Ihavealetterforyouinmytrunk，Jane，“saidMrs。RobertHazlehurst。
“Don'tyouthinkourinvalidmuchbetter，already，Louisa？”askedElinor。
“Yes；shedoescredittoyournursing。“
“Nowonder，“saidJane；“forduringthelastmonthIhavebeenpettedallthetime——firstbyMrs。Taylor，thenbyAuntAgnesandElinor。“
“It'sverypleasanttobepetted，“saidHarry；“that'spreciselywhatIcamehomefor。Igiveyoumynotice，Louisa，Iexpectagreatdealfromyouinthenextthreemonths。“
“Isthatthelengthofyourholiday？”inquiredMissAgnes。
“Sosaysmymaster，Mr。Henley。Iunderstand，“headded，turningtoElinor，“thatyouhavealltheagreeablepeopleinthecountrycollectedhere。“
“Therearesomethousandsofus，agreeableanddisagreeable，altogether。Theysaytheplacehasneverbeenmorecrowdedsoearlyintheseason。“
“SoI'mtold。IwaswarnedthatifIcame，Ishouldhavetomakemybedinthecellar，orontheroof。AreEllsworthandMrs。
Creightonatthishouse，orattheother？”
“TheyarestayingattheUnitedStates。Theyareherethisevening，however，atthedance。“
{“UnitedStates“=theothermajorhotelinSaratogaSprings，lessfashionableatthistimethanCongressHall}
“Indeed！——IhavehalfamindtotakeEllsworthbysurprise。Willtheyadmitagentlemanintravellingcostume，doyouthink？”
“Idaresaytheywill；buthereareyourfriends，comingtolookforyou。“
Atthesamemoment，Mr。EllsworthandMrs。Creightonjoinedtheparty。
“Howd'yedo，Ellsworth？——Gladtoseeyou，mydearfellow！”criedtheyoungmen，shakingeachotherviolentlybythehand。
“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Hazlehurst？”addedthelady，“Welcomebackagain。Butwhathaveyoudonewithyoursister-in-law？——forIdidnotcometocalluponyoualone。Ah，hereyouare，Mrs。
Hazlehurst。Mybrotherobservedyoupassingthroughthehall，asyouarrived，andwedeterminedthatitwouldbemuchpleasantertopasshalfanhourwithyou，thantofinishthedance。Wehavebeenwishingforyoueveryday。“
“Thankyou。Weshouldhavesetoutbefore，ifwehadnotwaitedforHarry。ElinortellsmehalfPhiladelphiaishere，already。“
“Yes；thehouseshavefilledupverymuchsinceIfirstcame；forIamashamedtosayhowlongIhavebeenhere。“
“Why，yes：IunderstoodyouweregoingtoNahant。“
“Weoughttohavebeentherelongago；butIcouldnotmovethisobstinatebrotherofmine。HehasneverfoundSaratogasodelightful，Mrs。Hazlehurst，“addedthelady，withanexpressivesmile，andalooktowardsElinor。“Ican'tsay，however，thatI
atallregretbeingforcedtostay，formanyofourfriendsarehere，now。Mr。Hazlehurst，Ihopeyouhavecomehomemoreagreeablethanever。“
“Ihopesotoo，Mrs。Creighton；foritisoneofourchiefdutiesasdiplomatists，'totellliesforthegoodofourcountry，'inanagreeableway。ButIamafraidIhavenotimprovedmyopportunities。Ihavebeenverymuchoutofhumourforthelastsixmonths，atleast。“
“Andwhy，pray？”
“BecauseIwantedtocomehome，andMr。Henley，myboss，insisteduponprovingtomeitwouldbethemostfoolishthingIcoulddo。
Hewassomuchintheright，thatIresenteditbybeingcross。“
“Butnowhehascomehimself，andbroughtyouwithhim。“
“Nothankstohim，though。ItwasallUncleSam'sdoings，whowantstosendusfromtheEquatortotheNorthPole。“
“AreyoureallygoingtoRussia，Hazlehurst？”askedMr。
Ellsworth。
“Certainly；youwouldnothavemedesert，wouldyou？”
“Oh，no；don'tthinkofit，Mr。Hazlehurst；itmustbeaverypleasantlife！”exclaimedMrs。Creighton。“Ionlywish，Frank，thatyouwereenoughofapoliticiantobesentasministersomewhere；Ishoulddelightindoingthehonoursforyou；thoughIdaresayyouwouldratherhavesomeoneelseinmyplace。“
“WewillwaituntilIamsentasambassadortoTimbuctoo，beforeIanswerthequestion。“
“Youhavegrownhalf-a-dozenshadesdarkerthanyouusedtobeasayoungster，Harry；orelsethislampdeceivesme，“observedMr。
Wyllys。
“IdaresayImayhaveafreshtingeoftheolive。ButIamjustfromsea，sir，andthatmayhavegivenmeanadditionalcoat。“
“Didyousuffermuchfromheat，onthevoyage？”askedMissWyllys。
“NothalfasmuchasIhavesinceIlanded。ItappearedtomePhiladelphiawasthewarmestspotIhadeverbreathedin；worsethanRio。IwasdelightedwhenLouisaproposedmycomingtoSaratogatoseemyfriends。“
“Youwillfinditquitewarmenoughhere，“saidMr。Wyllys。“Thethermometerwas92{degrees}intheshade，yesterday。“
“Idon'texpecttobewellcooled，sir，untilwegettoSt。
Petersburgh。Afterasea-voyage，Ibelieveonealwaysfeelsthecoldless，andtheheatmorethanusual。ButwhereisMrs。
Stanley？——wehopedtofindherwithyou。Isshenotstayingatthishouse？”
“Yes；butsheleftusearly，thisevening，notfeelingverywell；
youwillnotbeabletoseeheruntilto-morrow，“saidMissAgnes。
“Iamsorrysheisnotwell；howisshelooking？”
“Particularlywell，Ithink；shemerelycomplainedofahead-achefromridinginthesun。“
“Mrs。Stanleyhasbeenveryanxiousforyourreturn；butshewillbeasagreeablysurprisedastherestofus，tofindyouhere，“
saidElinor。
“Thankyou。Ilookuponmyselfasparticularlyfortunate，tofindsomanyoldfriendscollectedinonespot，insteadofhavingtorunabout，andhuntforeachinadifferentplace，justnowthatIamlimitedfortime。“
“YououghttobegreatlyindebtedtoFrankandmyself，forbreakingourwordandstayinghere；insteadofkeepingourpromiseandgoingtoNahant，aswehadengagedtodo，“saidMrs。
Creighton。
“Certainly；Ilookuponitaspartofmygoodluck；butIshouldhavemademyappearanceatNahant，ifyouhadactuallyrunawayfromme。“
“Ishallbelieveyou；forImakeitapointofalwaysbelievingwhatisagreeable。“
“AsIknewMrs。Hazlehurstandyourbrotherhadengagedroomshere，Ihopedyouwouldjoinus，soonafteryourarrival，“saidMr。Ellsworth。
“Itwasmuchthebestplanforyou，“saidMr。Wyllys。
Harrylookedgratifiedbythisfriendlyremark。
Itwasalreadylate；andMrs。Hazlehurst，whohadbeenconversinginacornerwithJane，complainedofbeingfatiguedbyherday'sjourney，whichbrokeuptheparty。TheHazlehursts，likeMrs。
Creightonandherbrother，werestayingattheUnitedStates，andtheyallwentofftogether。
WhenElinor，asusual，kissedMr。Wyllysbeforeretiringtoherownroom，shehesitatedamoment，andthensaid：
“Imustthankyou，grandpapa，forhavinggrantedmyrequest，andreceivedHarryasofold。Itismuchbetterthatthepastshouldbeentirelyforgotten。Self-respectseemstorequirethatweshouldnotshowresentmentunderthecircumstances，“sheadded，colouringslightly。
“Icannotforgetthepast，Elinor。Harrydoesnotstandwithmewhereheoncedid，bythesideofmybelovedgrandchild；butwewillnotthinkofthatanylonger，asyousay。Ihopeforbetterthingsfromthefuture。Blessyou，dear！”
CHAPTERVI。{XXIX}
“Thefoamuponthewaters，notsolight。“
COWPER。
{WilliamCowperEnglishpoet，1731-1800，“Truth“line43}