Thislineofthoughtheabandonedquickly，however;itcoulddonogood.Butwhatcoulddogood，heaskedhimself.Whatcouldhedo？
　　Withblindingforcecametheanswer：hecoulddonothing.Billycaredforhim.Billyhadsaid"yes."Billyexpectedtobehiswife.Asifhecouldsaytohernow："Ibegyourpardon，but’twasallamistake._I_didnotaskyoutomarryme."
　　VeryvaliantlythenWilliamsummonedhiswitsandtriedtoacthispart.Hetoldhimself，too，thatitwouldnotbeahardone;thathelovedBillydearly，andthathewouldtrytomakeherhappy.Hewincedalittleatthisthought，forherememberedsuddenlyhowoldhewas——asifhe，athisage，wereafitmatchforagirloftwenty—one！
　　AndthenhelookedatBilly.Thegirlwasplainlynervous.Therewasadeepflushonhercheeksandabrilliantsparkleinhereyes.
　　Shewastalkingrapidly——almostincoherentlyattimes——andhervoicewastremulous.Frequentlittleembarrassedlaughspunctuatedhersentences，andherfingerstoyedwitheverythingthatcamewithinreach.Sometimebeforeshehadsprungtoherfeetandhadturnedontheelectriclights;andwhenshecamebackshehadnottakenheroldpositionatWilliam’sside，buthadseatedherselfinachairnearby.Allofwhich，accordingtoWilliam’seyes，meantthemaidenlyshynessofagirlwhohasjustsaid"yes"tothemansheloves.
　　Williamwenthomethatnightinadaze.Tohimselfhesaidthathehadgoneoutinsearchofadaughter，andhadcomebackwithawife.
　　CHAPTERXXXVII
　　"WILLIAM’SBROTHER"
　　Itwasdecidedthatforthepresent，theengagementshouldnotbeknownoutsidethefamily.Theweddingwouldnottakeplaceimmediately，Williamsaid，anditwasjustaswelltokeepthemattertothemselvesuntilplanswerealittlemoredefinite.
　　Themembersofthefamilyweretoldatonce.AuntHannahsaid"Oh，mygriefandconscience！"threetimes，andmademattersscarcelybetterbyaddingapologetically："Oh，ofcourseit’sallright，it’sallright，only——"Shedidnotfinishhersentence，andWilliam，whohadtoldherthenews，didnotknowwhetherhewouldhavebeenmoreorlesspleasedifshehadfinishedit.
　　Cyrilreceivedtheinformationmoodily，andlapsedatonceintoafitofabstractionfromwhichherousedhimselfhardlyenoughtoofferperfunctorycongratulationsandbestwishes.
　　BillywasalittlepuzzledatCyril’sbehavior.ShehadbeensureforsometimethatCyrilhadceasedtocarespeciallyforher，evenifheeverdidfancythathelovedher.Shehadhopedtokeephimforafriend，butoflateshehadbeenforcedtoquestionevenhisfriendliness.Hehad，infact，gonebackalmosttohisoldreserveandtaciturnaloofness.
　　FromtheWest，inresponsetoWilliam’snewsoftheengagement，cameacordiallypleasednoteinKate’sscrawlinghandwriting.
　　Kate，indeed，seemedtobetheonlymemberofthefamilywhowasgenuinelydelightedwiththecomingmarriage.AstoBertram——
　　Bertramappearedtohaveagedyearsinasinglenight，sodrawnandwhitewashisfacethemorningafterWilliamhadtoldhimhisplans.
　　WilliamhaddreadedmostofalltotellBertram.HewasverysurethatBertramhimselfcaredforBilly;anditwasdoublyhardbecauseinWilliam’sownmindwasastrongconvictionthattheyoungermanwasdecidedlytheoneforher.Realizing，however，thatBertrammustbetold，WilliamchoseatimeforthetellingwhenBertramwassmokinginhisdeninthetwilight，withhisfacehalfhiddenfromsight.
　　Bertramsaidlittle——verylittle，thatnight;butinthemorninghewentstraighttoBilly.
　　Billywasshocked.Shehadneverseenthesmiling，self—reliant，debonairBertramlikethis.
　　"Billy，isthistrue？"hedemanded.ThedullmiseryinhisvoicetoldBillythatheknewtheanswerbeforeheaskedthequestion.
　　"Yes，yes;but，Bertram，please——pleasedon’ttakeitlikethis！"
　　sheimplored.
　　"Howwouldyouhavemetakeit？"
　　"Why，just——justsensibly.YouknowItoldyouthat——thattheothernevercouldbe——never."
　　"IknowYOUsaidso;butI——believedotherwise."
　　"ButItoldyou——Ididnotloveyou——thatway."
　　Bertramwinced.Herosetohisfeetabruptly.
　　"Iknowyoudid，Billy.I’mafool，ofcourse，tothinkthatI
　　couldever——changeit.Ishouldn’thavecomehere，either，thismorning.ButI——hadto.Good—by！"Hisface，asheheldouthishand，wastragicwithrenunciation.
　　"Why，Bertram，youaren’tgoing——now——likethis！"criedthegirl.
　　"You’vejustcome！"
　　Themanturnedalmostimpatiently.
　　"AnddoyouthinkIcanstay——likethis？Billy，won’tyousaygood—by？"heaskedinasoftervoice，againwithoutstretchedhand.
　　Billyshookherhead.Sheignoredthehand，andresolutelybackedaway.
　　"No，notlikethat.Youareangrywithme，"shegrieved.
　　"Besides，youmakeitsoundasif——ifyouweregoingaway."
　　"Iamgoingaway."
　　"Bertram！"TherewasterroraswellasdismayinBilly’svoice.
　　Againthemanturnedsharply.
　　"Billy，whyareyoumakingthisthingsohardforme？"heaskedindespair."Can’tyouseethatImustgo？"
　　"Indeed，Ican’t.Andyoumustn’tgo，either.Thereisn’tanyreasonwhyyoushould，"urgedBilly，talkingveryfast，andworkingherfingersnervously."Thingsarejustthesameastheywerebefore——foryou.I’mjustgoingtomarryWilliam，butIwasn’tevergoingtomarryyou，sothatdoesn’tchangethingsanyforyou.
　　Don’tyousee？Why，Bertram，youmustn’tgoaway！Therewon’tbeanybodyleft.Cyril’sgoingnextweek，youknow;andifyougotherewon’tbeanybodyleftbutWilliamandme.Bertram，youmustn’tgo;don’tyousee？Ishouldfeellostwithout——you！"
　　Billywasalmostcryingnow.
　　Bertramlookedupquickly.Anoddchangehadcometohisface.
　　ForamomenthegazedsilentlyintoBilly’sagitatedcountenance;
　　thenheaskedinalowvoice：
　　"Billy，didyouthinkthatafteryouandWilliamweremarriedI
　　shouldstillcontinuetoliveat——theStrata？"
　　"Why，ofcourseyouwill！"criedthegirl，indignantly."Why，Bertram，you’llbemybrotherthen——myrealbrother;andoneoftheverychiefestthingsI’manticipatingwhenIgotheretoliveisthegoodtimesyouandIwillhavetogetherwhenI’mWilliam’swife！"
　　Bertramdrewinhisbreathaudibly，andcaughthislowerlipbetweenhisteeth.Withanabruptmovementheturnedhisbackandwalkedtothewindow.Forafullminutehestayedthere，watchedbytheamazed，displeasedeyesofthegirl.WhenhecamebackhesatdownquietlyinthechairfacingBilly.Hiscountenancewasgraveandhiseyeswerealittletroubled;butthehaggardlookofmiserywasquitegone.
　　"Billy，"hebegangently，"youmustforgivemysayingthis，but——
　　areyouquitesureyou——loveWilliam？"
　　Billyflushedwithanger.
　　"Youhavenorighttoasksuchaquestion.OfcourseIloveWilliam."
　　"Ofcourseyoudo——weallloveWilliam.Williamis，infact，amostlovableman.ButWilliam’swifeshould，perhaps，lovehimalittledifferentlyfrom——allofus."
　　"Andshewill，certainly，"retortedthegirl，withaquickliftingofherchin."Bertram，Idon’tthinkyouhaveanyrightto——tomakesuchinsinuations."
　　"AndIwon’tmakethemanymore，"repliedBertram，gravely."I
　　justwantedyoutomakesurethatyou——knew."
　　"Ishallmakesure，andIshallknow，"saidBilly，firmly——sofirmlythatitsoundedalmostasifsheweretryingtoconvinceherselfaswellasothers.
　　Therewasalongpause，thenthemanaskeddiffidently：
　　"Andsoyouareverysurethat——thatyouwantmeto——stay？"
　　"IndeedIdo！Besides，——don’tyouremember？——thereareallmypeopletobeentertained.Theymustbetakentoplaces，andgivenmotorridesandpicnics.Youtoldmelastweekthatyou’dlovetohelpme;but，ofcourse，ifyoudon’twantto——"
　　"ButIdowantto，"criedBertram，heartily，agleamoftheoldcheerfulnessspringingtohiseyes."I’mdyingto！"
　　Thegirllookedupwithquickdistrust.Foramomentsheeyedhimwithbentbrows.Tohermindhehadgonebacktohisoldairy，hopefullight—heartedness.Hewasoncemore"onlyBertram."Shehesitated，thensaidwithsterndecision：
　　"Bertram，youknowIwantyou，andyoumustknowthatI’mdelightedtohaveyoudropthissillynotionofgoingaway.Butifthisquickchangemeansthatyouarestayingwithanyideathat——that_I_shallchange，then——thenyoumustgo.ButifyouwillstayasWILLIAM’SBROTHERthen——I’llbemorethangladtohaveyou."
　　"I’llstay——asWilliam’sbrother，"agreedBertram;andBillydidnotnoticethequickindrawingofhisbreathnorthecloseshuttingofhislipsafterthewordswerespoken.
　　CHAPTERXXXVIII
　　THEENGAGEMENTOFTWO
　　BythemiddleofJulytheroutineofBilly’sdayswaswellestablished.Mariehadbeenforaweekawelcomeadditiontothefamily，andshewasprovingtobeofinvaluableaidinentertainingBilly’sguests.Theoverworkedwidowandthelittlelodging—housekeeperfromtheWestEndwereenjoyingBilly’shospitalitynow;andjusttolookattheirbeamingcountenanceswasaninspiration，Billysaid.
　　Cyrilhadgoneabroad.AuntHannahwasspendingaweekattheNorthShorewithfriends.Bertram，truetohispromise，wasplayingthegallanttoBilly’sguests;andsoassiduouswasheinhisattentionsthatBillyatlastremonstratedwithhim.
　　"ButIdidn’tmeanthemtotakeALLyourtime，"sheprotested.
　　"Don’ttheylikeit？Dotheyseetoomuchofme？"hedemanded.
　　"No，no！Theyloveit，ofcourse.Youmustknowthat.Nobodyelsecouldgivesuchbeautifultimesasyou’vegivenus.Butit’syourselfI’mthinkingof.You’regivingupallyourtime.
　　Besides，Ididn’tmeantokeepyouhereallsummer，ofcourse.Youalwaysgoawaysome，youknow，foravacation."
　　"ButI’mhavingavacationhere，doingthis，"laughedBertram.
　　"I’msureI’mgettingseaairdowntothebeachesandmountainairouttotheBlueHills.Andasforexcitement——ifyoucanfindanythingmorewildlyexcitingthanitwasyesterdaywhenMissMarieandItookthewidowandthespinsterladyontheRoller—coaster——
　　justshowittome;that’sall！"
　　Billylaughed.
　　"Theytoldmeaboutit——Marieinparticular.Shesaidyouwerelovelytothem，andletthemdoeverysinglethingtheywantedto;
　　andthathalfanhouraftertheygottheretheywereliketwochildrenletoutofschool.Dearme，IwishI’dgone.IneverstayathomethatIdon’tmisssomething，"shefinishedregretfully.
　　Bertramshruggedhisshoulders.
　　"Ifit’sRoller—coastersandChute—the—chutesthatyouwant，I
　　fancyyou’llgetenoughbeforetheweekisout，"hesighedlaughingly."Theysaidthey’dliketogothereto—morrow，please，whenIaskedthemwhatweshoulddonext.Whatsurprisesmeisthattheylikesuchthings——suchhair—raisingthings.WhenIfirstsawthem，black—gownedandstiff—backed，sittinginyourlittleroomhere，IthoughtIshouldneverdareofferthemanythingmorewildlyexcitingthanachurchserviceoralectureonpsychology，withperhapsabandconcerthintedat，providedthebandcouldbeproperlyinstructedbeforehandastotempoandselections.Butnow——really，Billy，whydoyousupposetheyhavetakensuchafancytothesekiddishstunts——thosetwostaidwomen？"
　　Billylaughed，buthereyessoftened.
　　"Idon’tknowunlessit’sbecausealltheirlivesthey’vebeentiedtosuchdeadmonotonythatjusttheexhilarationofmotionisblisstothem.Butyouwon’talwayshavetoriskyourneckandyourtemperinthisfashion，Bertram.NextweekmylittlecouplefromSouthBostoncomes.Sheadorespicturesandstuffedanimals.
　　You’llhavetodothemuseumswithher.Thenthere’slittlecrippledTommy——he’llbeperfectlycontentedifyou’llputhimdownwherehecanhearthebandplay.Andallyou’llhavetodowhenthatonestopsistopilothimtothenextone.ThisISgoodofyou，Bertram，andIdothankyouforit，"finishedBilly，fervently，justasMarie，thewidow，andthe"spinsterlady"enteredtheroom.
　　Billytoldherselfthesedaysthatshewasveryhappy——veryhappyindeed.Wasshenotengagedtoagoodman，anddidshenotalsohaveitinherpowertomakethelongsummerdaysapleasuretomanypeople？Thefactthatshehadtotellherselfthatshewashappyinordertoconvinceherselfthatshewasso，didnotoccurtoBilly——yet.
　　NotlongafterMariearrived，Billytoldheroftheengagement.
　　Williamwasatthehouseveryfrequently，andowingtotheintimacyofMarie’srelationshipwiththefamilyBillydecidedtotellherhowmattersstood.Marie’sreceptionofthenewswassomewhatsurprising.Firstshelookedfrightened.
　　"ToWilliam？——youareengagedtoWilliam？"
　　"Why——yes."
　　"ButIthought——surelyitwas——don’tyoumean——Mr.Cyril？"
　　"No，Idon’t，"laughedBilly."AndcertainlyIoughttoknow."
　　"Andyoudon’t——careforhim？"
　　"Ihopenot——ifI’mgoingtomarryWilliam."
　　SolightwasBilly’svoiceandmannerthatMariedaredonemorequestion.
　　"Andhe——doesn’tcare——foryou？"
　　"Ihopenot——ifWilliamisgoingtomarryme，"laughedBillyagain.
　　"Oh—h！"breathedMarie，withanoddintonationofrelief."ThenI’mglad——soglad！AndIhopeyou’llbevery，veryhappy，dear."
　　BillylookedintoMarie’sglowingfaceandwaspleased：thereseemedtobesofew，soveryfewfacesintowhichshehadlookedandfoundentireapprobationofherengagementtoWilliam.
　　BillysawagreatdealofWilliamnow.Hewasalwayskindandconsiderate，andhetriedtohelpherentertainherguests;butBilly，gratefulasshewastohimforhisefforts，wasrelievedwhenheresignedhisplacetoBertram.Bertramdid，indeed，knowsomuchbetterhowtodoit.Williamtriedtohelpher，too，abouttraininghervinesandrosebushes;butofcourse，eveninthis，hecouldnotbeexpectedtoshowquitetheinterestthatBertrammanifestedineverygreenshootandopeningbud，forhehadnothelpedherplantthem，asBertramhad.
　　Billywasalittletroubledsometimes，thatshedidnotfeelmoreateasewithWilliam.Shethoughtitnaturalthatsheshouldfeelalittlediffidentwithhim，inthefaceofhissuddenchangefroman"uncle"toanacceptedlover;butshedidnotseewhysheshouldbeafraidofhim——yetshewas.Sheownedthattoherselfunhappily.
　　Andhewassogood！——sheownedthat，too.Heseemednottohaveathoughtintheworldbutforhercomfortandhappiness;andtherewasnoendtothetactfullittlethingshewasalwaysdoingforherpleasure.Heseemed，also，tohavedivinedthatshedidnotliketobekissedandcaressed;andonlyoccasionallydidhekissher，andthenitwasmerelyasortoffatherlysaluteonherforehead——forwhichconsiderationBillywasgrateful：Billydecidedthatshewouldnotliketobekissedonthelips.
　　AftersomedaysofpuzzlingoverthematterBillyconcludedthatitwasself—consciousnessthatcausedallthetrouble.WithWilliamshewasself—conscious.IfshecouldonlyforgetthatshewassomedaytobeWilliam’swife，theolddelightfulcomradeshipwouldreturn，andshewouldbeateaseagainwithhim.Intime，aftershehadbecomeaccustomedtotheideaofmarriage，itwouldnotsoconfuseher，ofcourse.Shelovedhimdearly，andshewantedtomakehimhappy;butforthepresent——justwhileshewas"gettingusedtothings"——shewouldtrytoforget，sometimes，thatshewasgoingtobeWilliam’swife.
　　Billywashappiernow.Shewasalwayshappieraftershehadthoughtthingsouttoherownsatisfaction.Sheturnedwithnewzesttotheentertainmentofherguests;andwithBertramsheplannedmanydelightfultripsfortheirpleasure.Bertramwasagreatcomforttoherthesedays.Never，inwordorlook，couldsheseethatheoversteppedtherolewhichhehadpromisedtoplay——
　　William’sbrother.
　　Billywentbacktohermusic，too.Anewmelodywasrunningthroughherhead，andshelongedtoputitonpaper.Alreadyherfirstlittle"GroupofSongs"hadfoundfriends，andBilly，toaverymodestextent，wasbeginningtotastethesweetsoffame.
　　Thus，byalltheseinterests，didBillytry"togetusedtothings."
　　CHAPTERXXXIX
　　ALITTLEPIECEOFPAPER
　　OfallBilly’sguests，Mariewasveryplainlythehappiest.Shewasapermanentguest，itistrue，whiletheotherscameforonlyaweekortwoatatime;butitwasnotthis，Billydecided，thathadbroughtsobrilliantasparkletoMarie’seyes，sojoyousalaughtoherlips.Thejoyousnesswasallthemorenoticeable，becauseheretoforeMarie，whileverysweet，hadbeenalsosad.Herbigblueeyeshadalwayscarriedahauntingshadow，andherstephadlackedthespringbelongingtoyouthandhappiness.Certainly，Billyhadneverseenherlikethisbefore.
　　"Verily，Marie，"sheteasedoneday，"haveyoufoundanexhaustlesssupplyofstockingstomend，oranever—donepuddingtomake——
　　which？"
　　"Why？Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Oh，nothing.Iwasonlywonderingjustwhathadbroughtthatnewlighttoyoureyes."
　　"Isthereanewlight？"
　　"Therecertainlyis."
　　"ItmustbebecauseI’msohappy，then，"sighedMarie;"becauseyou’resogoodtome."
　　"Isthatall？"
　　"Isn’tthatenough？"Marie’stonewasevasive.
　　"No."Billyshookherheadmischievously."Marie，whatisit？"
　　"It’snothing——really，it’snothing，"protestedMarie，hurryingoutoftheroomwithanervouslaugh.
　　Billyfrowned.Shewassuspiciousbefore;shewassurenow.Inlessthantwelvehours’timecameheropportunity.ShewasaloneagainwithMarie.
　　"Marie，whoishe？"sheaskedabruptly.
　　"He？Who？"
　　"Themanwhoistowearthestockingsandeatthepudding."
　　Thelittlemusicteacherflushedveryred，butshemanagedtodisplaysomethingthatmightpassforsurprise.
　　"BILLY！"
　　"Come，dear，"coaxedBilly，winningly."Tellmeaboutit.I’msointerested！"
　　"Butthereisn’tanythingtotell——reallythereisn’t."
　　"Whoishe？"
　　"Heisn’tanybody——thatis，hedoesn’tknowhe’sanybody，"amendedMarie.
　　Billylaughedsoftly.
　　"Oh，doesn’the！Hasn’theevershown——thathecared？"
　　"No;thatis——perhapshehas，onlyIthoughtthen——thatitwas——
　　anothergirl."
　　"Anothergirl！Sothere’sanothergirlinthecase？"
　　"Yes.Imean，no，"correctedMarie，suddenlybeginningtorealizewhatshewassaying."Really，itwasn’tanything——itisn’tanything！"sheprotested.
　　"Hm—m，"murmuredBilly，archly."Oh，I’mgettingonsome！Hedidshow，once，thathecared;butyouthoughtitwasanothergirl，andyoucoldlylookedtheotherway.Now，thereISN’Tanyothergirl，youfind，and——Marie，tellmetherest！"
　　Marieshookherheademphatically，andpulledherselfgentlyawayfromBilly’sgrasp.
　　"No，no，please！"shebegged."Itreallyisn’tanything.I’msureI’mimaginingitall！"shecried，assheranaway.
　　Duringthedaysthatfollowed，BillyspeculatednotalittleonMarie’shalf—toldstory，andwonderedinterestedlywhothemanmightbe.ShequestionedMarieonceagain，butthegirlwouldtellnothingmore;and，indeed，Billywassooccupiedwithherownperplexitiesthatshehadlittletimeforthoseofotherpeople.
　　ToherselfBillywasforcedtoownthatshewasnot"gettingusedtothings."Shewasstillself—consciouswithWilliam;shecouldnotforgetthatshewasonedaytobehiswife.Shecouldnotbringbackthedearoldfreedomofcomradeshipwithhim.
　　Billywasalarmednow.Shehadbeguntoaskherselfsearchingquestions.Whatshouldshedoifnever，nevershouldshegetusedtotheideaofmarryingWilliam？Howcouldshemarryhimifhewasstill"UncleWilliam，"andneverherdearloverinhereyes？Whyhadshenotbeenwiseenoughandbraveenoughtotellhiminthefirstplacethatshewasnotatallsurethatshelovedhim，butthatshewouldtrytodoso？Thenwhenshehadtried——asshehadnow——andfailed，shecouldhavetoldhimhonestlythetruth，anditwouldnothavebeensogreatashocktohimasitmustbenow，ifsheshouldtellhim.
　　Billyhadremorsefullycometotheconclusionthatshecouldneverloveanymanwellenoughtomarryhim，whenonedaysosmallathingasapieceofpaperflutteredintohervision，andshowedherthefallacyofthatidea.
　　Itwasahalf—sheetofnotepaper，anditblewfromMarie’sbalconytothelawnbelow.Billyfoundittherelater，andasshepickedituphereyesfellonasinglenameinMarie’shandwritinginscribedhalfadozentimesasifthewriterhadmusinglyaccompaniedherthoughtswithherpen;andthenamewas，"MarieHenshaw."
　　ForamomentBillystaredatthenameperplexedly——theninaflashcametheremembranceofMarie’swords;andBillybreathed：
　　"Henshaw！——theman——BERTRAM！"
　　Billydroppedthepaperthenandfled.Inherownroom，behindlockeddoors，shesatdowntothink.
　　Bertram！ItwasheforwhomMariecared——HERBertram！AndthenitcametoBillywithstaggeringforcethathewasnotHERBertramatall.HenevercouldbeherBertramnow.Hewas——Marie’s.
　　Billywasfrightenedthen，sofiercewasthisstrangenewsomethingthatrosewithinher——thisoverpoweringsomethingthatseemedtoblotoutalltheworld，andleaveonly——Bertram.Sheknewthen，thatithadalwaysbeenBertramtowhomshehadturned，thoughshehadbeenblindtothecauseofthatturning.Alwaysherplanshadincludedhim.Alwaysshehadbeenthehappiestinhispresence;
　　neverhadshepicturedhimanywhereelsebutatherside.
　　Certainlyneverhadshepicturedhimasthedevotedloverofanotherwoman！Andshehadnotknownwhatitallmeant——
　　poorblindchildthatshewas！
　　VeryresolutelynowBillysetherselftolookingmatterssquarelyintheface.Sheunderstooditquitewell.AllsummerMarieandBertramhadbeenthrowntogether.NowonderMariehadfalleninlovewithBertram，andthathe——BillythoughtshecomprehendednowwhyBertramhadfounditsoeasyforthelastfewweekstobeWilliam’sbrother.She，ofcourse，hadbeenthe"othergirl"whomMariehadoncefearedthatthemanloved.Itwasallsoclear——sowoefullyclear！
　　WithanachingheartBillyaskedherselfwhatnowwastobedone.
　　Forherself，turnwhicheverwayshecould，shecouldseenothingbutunhappiness.Shedetermined，therefore，withSpartanfortitude，thattonooneelsewouldshebringequalunhappiness.
　　Shewouldbesilent.BertramandMarielovedeachother.Thatmatterwassettled.AstoWilliam——BillythoughtofthestoryWilliamhadtoldherofhislonelylife，——ofthepleahehadmadetoher;andherheartached.Whateverhappened，Williammustbemadehappy.Williammustnotbetold.HerpromisetoWilliammustbekept.
　　CHAPTERXL
　　WILLIAMPAYSAVISIT
　　BeforeSeptemberpassedallBilly’sfriendssaidthathersummer’sself—appointedtaskhadbeentoohardforher.Innootherwaycouldtheyaccountforthesadchangethathadcometoher.
　　UndeniablyBillylookedreallyill.Alwaysslender，shewasshadow—likenow.Hereyeshadfoundagainthewistfulappealofhergirlhood，onlynowtheycarriedsomethingthatwasalmostfear，aswell.Therose—flushhadgonefromhercheeks，andpatheticlittlehollowshadappeared，makingtheroundyoungchinbelowlookalmostpointed.CertainlyBillydidseemtobeill.
　　LateinSeptemberWilliamwentWestonbusiness.Incidentallyhecalledtoseehissister，Kate.
　　"Well，andhowiseverybody？"askedKate，cheerily，afterthegreetingswereover.
　　Williamsighed.
　　"Well，’everybody，’tome，Kate，isprettybadlyoff.We’reworriedaboutBilly."
　　"Billy！Youdon’tmeanshe’ssick？Why，she’salwaysbeenthepictureofhealth！"
　　"Iknowshehas;butsheisn’tnow."
　　"What’sthetrouble？"
　　"That’swhatwedon’tknow."
　　"You’vehadthedoctor？"
　　"Ofcourse;twoorthreeofthem——thoughmuchagainstBilly’swill.
　　But——theydidn’thelpus."
　　"Whatdidtheysay？"
　　"Theycouldfindnothingexceptperhapsalittletemporarystomachtrouble，orsomethingofthatkind，whichtheyallagreedwasnojustcauseforherpresentcondition."
　　"Butwhatdidtheysayitwas？"
　　"Why，theysaiditseemedlikenervousness，orasifsomethingwastroublingher.Theyaskedifsheweren’tundersomesortofstrain."
　　"Well，isshe？Doesanythingtroubleher？"
　　"NotthatIknowof.Anyhow，ifthereisanything，noneofuscanfindoutwhatitis."
　　Katefrowned.Shethrewaquicklookintoherbrother’sface.
　　"William，"shebeganhesitatingly，"forgiveme，but——Billyisquitehappyin——herengagement，Isuppose."
　　Themanflushedpainfully，andsighed.
　　"I’vethoughtofthat，ofcourse.Infact，itwasthefirstthingIdidthinkof.Ievenbegantowatchherratherclosely，andonceI——questionedheralittle."
　　"Whatdidshesay？"
　　"SheseemedsofrightenedanddistressedthatIdidn’tsaymuchmyself.Icouldn’t.Ihadbutjustbegunwhenhereyesfilledwithtears，andsheaskedmeinafrightenedlittlevoiceifshehaddoneanythingtodispleaseme，anythingtomakemeunhappy;andsheseemedsoanxiousandgrievedanddismayedthatIshouldevenquestionher，thatIhadtostop."
　　"Whathasshedonethissummer？Wherehasshebeen？"
　　"Shehasn’tbeenanywhere.Didn’tIwriteyou？She’skeptopenhouseforalotofherlessfortunatefriends——asortofvacationhome，youknow;and——andImustsayshe’sgiventhemaworldofhappiness，too."
　　"Butwasn’tthathardforher？"
　　"Itdidn’tseemtobe.Sheappearedtoenjoyitimmensely，particularlyatfirst.Ofcourseshehadplentyofhelp，andthatwonderfullittleMissHawthornhasbeenahostinherself.They’reallgonenow，anyway，exceptMissHawthorn."
　　"ButBillymusthavehadthecareandtheexcitement."
　　"Perhaps——toacertainextent.Thoughnotmuch，afterall.YouseeBertram，too，hasgivenuphissummertothem，andhasbeenplayingthedevotedescorttothewholebunch.Indeed，forthelastfewweeksofit，sinceBillybegantoseemsoill，heandMissHawthornhaveschemedtotakeallthecarefromBilly，andtheyhavedonethewholethingtogether."
　　"ButwhatHASBillydonetomakeherlikethis？"
　　"Idon’tknow.She’sdonelotsforme，inallsortsofways——
　　cataloguingmycurios，youknow，andgoingwithmetohuntupthings.Infact，sheseemsthehappiestwhensheISdoingsomethingforme.It’scometobeasortofmaniawithher，I’mafraid——todosomethingforme.Kate，I’mreallyworried.Whatdoyousupposeisthematter？"
　　Kateshookherhead.Thepuzzledfrownhadcomebacktoherface.
　　"Ican’timagine，"shebeganslowly."Ofcourse，whenItoldheryoulovedherand——"
　　"Whenyoutoldherwha—at？"explodedtheusuallylow—voicedWilliam，withsuddensharpness.
　　"WhenItoldherthatyoulovedher，William.Yousee，I——"
　　Williamsprangtohisfeet.
　　"ToldherthatIlovedher！"hecried，aghast."Goodheavens，Kate，doyoumeantosaythatYOUtoldherTHAT."
　　"Why，y—yes."
　　"AndmayIaskwhereyougotyourinformation？"
　　"Why，WilliamHenshaw，whataquestion！Igotitfromyourself，ofcourse，"defendedKate.
　　"FromME！"William’sfaceexpressedsheeramazement.
　　"Certainly;onthatdrivewhenIwasEastinJune，"returnedKate，withdignity."YOUevidentlyhaveforgottenit，butIhavenot.
　　Youtoldmeveryfranklyhowmuchyouthoughtofher，andhowyoulongedtohaveherbacktherewithyou，butthatshedidn’tseemtobereadytocome.Iwassorryforyou，andIwantedtodosomethingtohelp，particularlyasitmighthavebeenmyfault，partly，thatshewentaway，inthefirstplace."
　　Williamliftedhishead.
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Why，nothing，onlythatI——Itoldheralittleofhow——howupsettingherarrivalhadbeentoeverything，andofhowmuchyouhaddoneforher，andputyourselfout.Isaiditsoshe’dappreciatethings，ofcourse，butshetookitquitedifferentlyfromwhatIhadintendedsheshouldtakeit，andseemedquitecutupaboutit.Thenshewentawayinthatwily，impulsivefashion."
　　Williambithislip，buthedidnotspeak.Katewasplungingonfeverishly，andinthefaceofthegreaterrevelationheletthelesseronedrop.
　　"Andsothat’swhyIwasparticularlyanxioustobringthingsaroundrightagain，"continuedKate."Andthat’swhyIspoke.I
　　thoughtI’dseenhowthingswere，andonthedriveIsaidso.TheniswhenIadvisedyoutospeaktoBilly;butyoudeclaredthatBillywasn’tready，andthatyoucouldn’tmakeagirlmarryagainstherwill.NOWdon’tyourecollectit？"
　　AgreatlightofunderstandingbrokeoverWilliam’sface.Hestartedtospeak，butsomethingevidentlystayedthewordsonhislips.Withcontrolleddeliberationheturnedandsatdown.Thenhesaid：
　　"Kate，willyoukindlytellmejustwhatyouDIDdo？"
　　"Why，Ididn’tdosoverymuch.Ijusttriedtohelp，that’sall.
　　AfterItalkedwithyou，andadvisedyoutoaskBillyrightawaytomarryyou，Iwenttoher.Ithoughtshecaredforyoualready，anyway;butIjustwantedtotellherhowverymuchitwastoyou，andsosortofpavetheway.AndnowcomesthepartthatIstartedtotellyoualittlewhileagowhenyoucaughtmeupsosharply.I
　　wasgoingtosaythatwhenItoldBillythis，sheappearedtobesurprised，andalmostfrightened.Yousee，shehadn’tknownyoucaredforher，afterall，andsoIhadachancetohelpandmakeitplaintoherhowyoudidloveher，sothatwhenyouspokeeverythingwouldbeallright.There，that’sall.YouseeIdidn’tdosoverymuch."
　　"’Soverymuch’！"groanedWilliam，startingtohisfeet."GreatScott！"
　　"Why，William，whatdoyoumean？Whereareyougoing？"
　　"I’mgoing——to——Billy，"retortedWilliamwithslowdistinctness.
　　"AndI’mgoingtotrytogetthere——before——you——CAN！"Andwiththisextraordinaryshot——forWilliam——heleftthehouse.
　　WilliamwenttoBillyasfastassteamcouldcarryhim.Hefoundherinherlittledrawing—roomlistlesslywatchingwithAuntHannahthegameofchessthatBertramandMariewereplaying.
　　"Billy，youpoor，dearchild，comehere，"hesaidabruptly，assoonastheexcitementofhisunexpectedarrivalhadpassed."Iwanttotalktoyou."Andheledthewaytotheverandawhichheknewwouldbesilentanddeserted.
　　"Totalkto——me？"murmuredBilly，asshewonderinglycametohisside，astartledquestioninginherwidedarkeyes.
　　CHAPTERXLI
　　THECROOKEDMADESTRAIGHT
　　Williamdidnotre—enterthehouseafterhistalkwithBillyontheveranda.
　　"Iwillgodownthestepsandaroundbytherosegardentothestreet，dear，"hesaid."I’drathernotgoinnow.Justmakemyadieus，please，andsaythatIcouldn’tstayanylonger.Andnow——
　　good—by."Hiseyesastheylookeddownather，weremoistandverytender.Hislipstrembledalittle，buttheysmiled，andtherewasalookofnew—bornpeaceandjoyonhisface.
　　Billy，too，wassmiling，thoughwistfully.Thefrightenedquestioninghadgonefromhereyes，leavingonlyinfinitetenderness.
　　"Youaresureit——itisallright——now？"shestammered.
　　"Verysure，littlegirl;andit’sthefirsttimeithasbeenrightforweeks.Billy，thatwasverydearofyou，andIloveyouforit;butthinkhownear——howperilouslynearyoucametolifelongmisery！"
　　"ButIthought——youwantedme——somuch，"shesmiledshyly.
　　"AndIdid，andIdo——foradaughter.Youdon’tdoubtthatNOW？"
　　"No，oh，no，"laughedBilly，softly;andtoherfacecameahappylookofreliefasshefinished："AndI’llbesogladtobe——thedaughter！"
　　Forsomeminutesafterthemanhadgone，Billystoodbythestepswherehehadlefther.ShewasstilltherewhenBertramcametotheverandadoorandspoketoher.
　　"Billy，IsawWilliamgobythewindow，soIknewyouwerealone.
　　MayIspeaktoyou？"
　　Thegirlturnedwithastart.
　　"Why，ofcourse！Whatisit？——butIthoughtyouwereplaying.
　　WhereisMarie？"
　　"Thegameisfinished;besides——Billy，whyareyoualwaysaskingmelatelywhereMarieis，asifIwereherkeeper，orshemine？"hedemanded，withatouchofnervousirritation.
　　"Why，nothing，Bertram，"smiledBilly，alittlewearily;"onlythatyouwereplayingtogetherafewminutesago，andIwonderedwhereshehadgone."
　　"’Afewminutesago’！"echoedBertramwithsuddenbitterness.
　　"Evidentlythetimepassedswiftlywithyou，Billy.WilliamwasouthereMOREthananhour."
　　"Why——Bertram！"
　　"Yes，Iknow.I’venobusinesstosaythat，ofcourse，"sighedtheman;"but，Billy，that’swhyIcameout——becauseImustspeaktoyouthisonce.Won’tyoucomeandsitdown，please？"heimploreddespairingly.
　　"Why，Bertram，"murmuredBillyagain，faintly，assheturnedtowardthevine—shadedcornerandsatdown.Hereyeswerestartled.A
　　swiftcolorhadcometohercheeks.
　　"Billy，"begantheman，inasternlycontrolledvoice，"pleaseletmespeakthisonce，anddon’ttrytostopme.Youmaythink，foramoment，thatit’sdisloyaltoWilliamifyoulisten;butitisn’t.
　　There’sthismuchduetome——thatyouletmespeaknow.Billy，I
　　can’tstandit.I’vetried，butit’snouse.I’vegottogoaway，andit’srightthatIshould.I’mnottheonlyonethatthinksso，either.Mariedoes，too."
　　"MARIE！"
　　"Yes.Italkeditalloverwithher.She’sknownforalongtimehowit’sbeenwithme;howIcared——foryou."
　　"Marie！You’vetoldMariethat？"gaspedBilly.
　　"Yes.Surelyyoudon’tmindMarie’sknowing，"wentonBertram，dejectedly."Andshe’sbeensogoodtome，andtriedto——helpme."
　　BertramwasnotlookingatBillynow.Ifhehadbeenhewouldhaveseentheincredulousjoycomeintoherface.Hiseyesweremoodilyfixedonthefloor.
　　"Andso，Billy，I’vecometotellyou.I’mgoingaway，"hecontinued，afteramoment."I’vegottogo.Ithoughtonce，whenIfirsttalkedwithyouofWilliam，thatyoudidn’tknowyourownheart;thatyoudidn’treallycareforhim.Iwasevenfoolenoughtothinkthat——thatitwouldbeItowhomyou’dturn——someday.
　　AndsoIstayed.ButIstayedhonorably，Billy！YOUknowthat！
　　YouknowthatIhaven’tonceforgotten——notonce，thatIwasonlyWilliam’sbrother.IpromisedyouI’dbethat——andIhavebeen;
　　haven’tI？"
　　Billynoddedsilently.Herfacewasturnedaway.
　　"But，Billy，Ican’tdoitanylonger.I’vegottoaskformypromiseback，andthen，ofcourse，Ican’tstay."
　　"Butyou——youdon’thavetogo——away，"murmuredthegirl，faintly.
　　Bertramsprangtohisfeet.Hisfacewaswhite.
　　"Billy，"hecried，standingtallandstraightbeforeher，"Billy，I
　　loveeverytouchofyourhand，everyglanceofyoureye，everywordthatfallsfromyourlips.DoyouthinkIcanstay——now？Iwantmypromiseback！WhenI’mnolongerWilliam’sbrother——thenI’llgo！"
　　"Butyoudon’thavetohaveitback——thatis，youdon’thavetohaveitatall，"stammeredBilly，flushingadorably.She，too，wasonherfeetnow.
　　"Billy，whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Don’tyousee？I——IHAVEturned，"shefalteredbreathlessly，holdingoutbothherhands.
　　Eventhen，inspiteofthegreatlightthatleapedtohiseyes，Bertramadvancedonlyasinglestep.
　　"But——William？"hequestioned，unbelievingly.
　　"ItWASamistake，justasyouthought.Weknownow——bothofus.
　　Wedon’teitherofuscarefortheother——thatway.And——Bertram，IthinkitHASbeenyou——allthetime，onlyIdidn’tknow！"
　　"Billy，Billy！"chokedBertraminavoiceshakenwithemotion.Heopenedhisarmsthen，wide——andBillywalkedstraightintothem.
　　CHAPTERXLII
　　THE"ENDOFTHESTORY"
　　ItwastwodaysafterBilly’snewhappinesshadcometoherthatCyrilcamehome.HewentverysoontoseeBilly.
　　Thegirlwassurprisedatthechangeinhisappearance.Hehadgrownthinandhaggardlooking，andhiseyesweresomber.Hemovedrestlesslyabouttheroomforatime，finallyseatinghimselfatthepianoandlettinghisfingersslipfromonemournfullittlemelodytoanother.Then，withadiscordantcrash，heturned.
　　"Billy，doyouthinkanygirlwouldmarry——me？"hedemanded.
　　"Why，Cyril！"
　　"There，now，pleasedon’tbeginthat，"hebeggedfretfully."I
　　realize，ofcourse，thatI’maveryunlikelysubjectformatrimony.
　　Youmademeunderstandthatclearlyenoughlastwinter！"
　　"Last——winter？"
　　Cyrilraisedhiseyebrows.
　　"Oh，Icametoyouforalittleencouragement，andtomakeaconfession，"hesaid."Imadetheconfession——butIdidn’tgettheencouragement."
　　Billychangedcolor.Shethoughtsheknewwhathemeant，butatthesametimeshecouldn’tunderstandwhyheshouldwishtorefertothatconversationnow.
　　"A——confession？"sherepeated，hesitatingly.
　　"Yes.ItoldyouthatI’dbeguntodoubtmybeingsuchawoman—
　　hater，afterall.IintimatedthatYOU’Dbegunthesofteningprocess，andthatthenI’dfoundacertainotheryoungwomanwhohad——well，whohadkeptupthegoodwork."
　　"Oh！"criedBillysuddenly，withapeculiarintonation."Oh—h！"
　　Thenshelaughedsoftly.
　　"Well，thatwastheconfession，"resumedCyril."ThenIcameoutflat—footedandsaidthatIwantedtomarryher——butthereiswhereIdidn’tgettheencouragement！"
　　"Indeed！I’mafraidIwasn’tveryconsiderate，"stammeredBilly.
　　"No，youweren’t，"agreedCyril，moodily."Ididn’tknowbutnow——"
　　hisvoicesoftenedalittle——"withthisnewhappinessofyoursandBertram’sthat——youmightfindalittleencouragementforme."
　　"AndIwill，"criedBilly，promptly."Tellmeabouther."
　　"Idid——lastwinter，"reproachedtheman，"andyouweresureIwasdeceivingmyself.YoudrewthegloomiestsortofpictureofthemiseryIwouldtakewithawife."
　　"Idid？"Billywaslaughingverymerrilynow.
　　"Yes.Yousaidshe’dalwaysbetalkingandlaughingwhenIwantedtobequiet，andthatshe’dwanttodragmeouttopartiesandplayswhenIwantedtostayathome;and——oh，lotsofthings.I
　　triedtomakeitcleartoyouthat——thatthislittlewomanwasn’tthatsort.ButIcouldn’t，"finishedCyril，gloomily.
　　"Butofcoursesheisn’t，"declaredBilly，withquicksympathy.
　　"I——Ididn’tknow——WHAT——Iwas——talkingabout，"sheaddedwithemphaticdistinctness.ThenshesmiledtothinkhowlittleCyrilknewhowverytruethosewordswere."Tellmeabouther，"shebeggedagain."Iknowshemustbeverylovelyandbrilliant，andofcourseawonderfulmusician.YOUcouldn’tchooseanyoneelse！"
　　TohersurpriseCyrilturnedabruptlyandbegantoplayagain.A
　　nervouslittlestaccatoscherzofellfromhisfingers，butitdroppedalmostatonceintoaquietermelody，andendedwithsomethingthatsoundedverymuchlikethelaststrainof"Home，SweetHome."Thenhewheeledaboutonthepianostool.
　　"Billy，that’sexactlywhereyou’rewrong——IDON’Twantthatkindofwife.Idon’twantabrilliantone，and——now，Billy，thissoundslikehorribleheresy，Iknow，butit’strue——Idon’tcarewhethershecanplay，ornot;butIshouldpreferthatsheshouldn’tplay——much！"
　　"Why，CyrilHenshaw！——andyou，withyourmusic！Asifyoucouldbecontentedwithawomanlikethat！"
　　"Oh，Iwanthertolikemusic，ofcourse，"modifiedCyril;"butI
　　don’tcaretohaveherMAKEit.Billy，doyouknow？You’lllaugh，ofcourse，butmypictureofawifeisalwaysonething：aroomwithatableandashadedlamp，andalittlewomanbesideitwiththelightonherhair，andagreat，basketofsewingbesideher.
　　YouseeIAMdomestic！"hefinishedalittledefiantly.
　　"Ishouldsayyouwere，"laughedBilly."Andhaveyoufoundher？——
　　thislittlewomanwhoistodonothingbutsitandsewinthecircleoftheshadedlamp？"
　　"Yes，I’vefoundher，butI’mnotatallsureshe’sfoundme.
　　That’swhereIwantyourhelp.Oh，Idon’tmean，ofcourse，"headded，"thatshe’sgottositunderthatlampallthetime.It’sonlythat——thatIhopeshelikesthatsortofthing."
　　"And——doesshe？"
　　"Yes;thatis，Ithinkshedoes，"smiledCyril."Anyhow，shetoldmeoncethat——thatthethingsshelikedbesttodoinalltheworldweretomendstockingsandtomakepuddings."
　　Billysprangtoherfeetwithalittlecry.Now，indeed，hadCyrilkepthispromiseandmade"manythingsclear"toher.
　　"Cyril，comehere，"shecriedtremulously，leadingthewaytotheopenverandadoor.ThenextmomentCyrilwaslookingacrossthelawntothelittlesummerhouseinthemidstofBilly’srosegarden.
　　InfullviewwithinthesummerhousesatMarie——sewing.
　　"Go，Cyril;she’swaitingforyou，"smiledBilly，mistily."Thelight’sonlythesun，tobesure，andmaybethereisn’tawholebasketofsewingthere.But——SHE’Sthere！"
　　"You’ve——guessed，then！"breathedCyril.
　　"I’venotguessed——Iknow.And——it’sallright."
　　"Youmean——？"OnlyCyril’spleadingeyesfinishedthequestion.
　　"Yes，I’msureshedoes，"noddedBilly.Andthensheaddedunderherbreathasthemanpassedswiftlydownthesteps："’MarieHenshaw’indeed！So’twasCyrilallthetime——andneverBertram——
　　whowastheinspirationofthatbitofpapergive—away！"
　　WhensheturnedbackintotheroomshecamefacetofacewithBertram.
　　"Ispoke，dear，butyoudidn’thear，"hesaid，ashehurriedforwardwithoutstretchedhands.
　　"Bertram，"greetedBilly，withsurprisingirrelevance，"’andtheyalllivedhappilyeverafter’——theyDID！Isn’tthatalwaystheendingtothestory——alovestory？"
　　"Ofcourse，"saidBertramwithemphasis;——"OURlovestory！"
　　"Andtheirs，"supplementedBilly，softly;butBertramdidnothearthat.