Shesmiledstill。"Sickpeopleareterribly，egotistical，andIsupposeit’smyconceitofhavingbeenthecentreoftheuniversesolatelythatmakesmementionit。"Andhereshelaughedalittleatherself，showingacharminglittlepeculiarityinthecatchofherupperliponherteeth。
"Butthisisdivine——thisairandthissight。"Sheputherheadoutofhersideofthecarryall，anddranktheminwithherlungsandeyes。
Whensheleanedbackagainontheseatshesaid，"Ican’tgetenoughofit。"
"Butisn’tthisoldrattletraprathertooroughforyou？"heasked。
"Ohno，"shesaid，visitinghimwithafurtiveturnofhereyes。"It’squiteideallywhatinvalidsineasycircumstancesareadvisedtotakecarriageexercise。"
"Yes，it’scertainlycarriageexercise，"Verrianadmittedinthesamespirit，ifitwasadrollingspirit。Hecouldnothelpbeingamusedbythesituationinwhichtheyhadbeenbroughttogether，throughthevigorouspromptitudeofMissMacroydinmakingthevictoriaherown，andtheeasyindifferenceofMrs。Westangleastohowtheyshouldgettoherhouse。Ifhehadbeenalonehemighthavefelttheindifferenceasaslight，butasitwashefeltitratherafavor。IfMissShirleywasfeelingitaslight，shewastoosecretortoosweettoletitbeknown，andhethoughtthatwasniceofher。Still，hebelievedhemightrecognizethefactwithoutdeepeningapossiblehurtofhers，andheadded，withnoapparentrelevance，"IfMrs。Westanglewasnotlookingforusonthistrain，shewillfindthatitistheunexpectedwhichhappens。"
"Wearecertainlygoingtohappen，"thegirlsaid，withanacceptanceofthepluralwhichdeepenedtheintimacyofthesituation，andwhichwasnotdispleasingtoVerrianwhensheadded，"Ifourfriend’svehicleholdsout。"Thensheturnedherfacefulluponhim，withwhataffectedhimasaustereresolution，incontinuing，"ButIcan’tletyousupposethatyou’reconveyingasocietyperson，orsomethingofthatsort，toMrs。
Westangle’s。"Hisownfaceexpressedhismystification，andsheconcluded，"I’msimplygoingtheretobeginmywork。"
Hesmiledprovisionallyintemporizingwiththeriddle。"Youwomenarewonderful，nowadays，fortheworkyoudo。"
"Oh，but，"sheprotested，nervously，anxiously，"itisn’tgoodworkthatI’mgoingtodo——Iunderstandwhatyoumean——it’sworkforaliving。
I’venobusinesstobearrivingwithaninvitedguest，butitseemedtobeaquestionofarrivingornotatthetimewhenIwasdue。"
IX。
Verrianstaredathernowfromavisagethatwasanentireblank，thoughbehinditconjecturewasbusy，andhewasaskinghimselfwhetherhiscompanionwassomenewkindofhair-dresser，oruncommonlycultivatedmanicure，oranurserygovernessobeyingahurrycalltotakeaplaceinMrs。Westangle’shousehold，orsomesortofamateurhousekeeperarrivingtosupplantaprofessional。Buthesaidnothing。
MissShirleysaid，withadistresswhichwasgenuine，thoughheperceivedatraceofamusementinit，too，"IseethatIwillhavetogoon。"
"Oh，do！"hemadeouttoutter。
"IamgoingtoMrs。Westangle’sasasortofmistressoftherevels。Thebusinessissonewthatithasn’tgotitsnameyet，butifIfailitwon’tneedany。IinventeditonahintIgotfromagirlwhoundertakesthefloraldecorationsforparties。Ididn’tseewhysomeoneshouldn’tfurnishsuggestionsforamusements，aswellasflowers。Iwasalwaysratherluckyatthatinmyownfam——atmyfather’s——"Shepulledherselfsharplyup，asifdangerlaythatway。"IgotanintroductiontoMrs。
Westangle，andshe’stoletmetry。Iamgoingtohersimplyaspartofthecatering，andI’mnottohaveanyrecognitioninthehospitalities。
Soitwasn’tnecessaryforhertosendformeatthestation，exceptasameansofhavingmeonthegroundingoodseason。Ihavetothankyouforthat，and——Ithankyou。"Sheendedinasigh。
"It’sveryinteresting，"Verriansaid，andhehopedhewasnotsayingitinanyignobleway。
Hewasverypresentlytolearn。Roundaturnoftheroadtherecamealivelyclackingofhorses’shoesonthehardtrack，withthemutedrumbleofrubber-tiredwheels，andMrs。Westangle’svictoriadashedintoview。
ThecoachmanhadmadeasignaltoVerrian’sdriver，andthevehiclesstoppedsidebyside。Thefootmaninstantlycametothedoorofthecarryall，touchinghishattoVerrian。
"GoingtoMrs。Westangle’s，sir？"
"Yes。"
"Mrs。Westangle’scarriage。Goingtothestationforyou，sir。"
"MissShirley，"Verriansaid，"willyouchange？"
"Ohno，"sheanswered，quickly，"it’sbetterformetogoonasIam。
Butthecarriagewassentforyou。Youmust——"
Verrianinterruptedtoaskthefootman，"HowfarisityettoMrs。
Westangle’s？"
"Aboutamile，sir。"
"IthinkIwon’tchangeforsuchashortdistance。I’llkeeponasI
am，"Verriansaid，andheletthegoatskin，whichhehadhalfliftedtofreeMissShirleyfordismounting，fallbackagain。"Goahead，driver。"
Shehadbeenmakingseveralgaspingeffortsatspeech，accompaniedwithentreatingandprotestingglancesatVerrianinthecourseofhisbriefcolloquywiththefootman。Now，asthecarryalllurchedforwardagain，andthevictoriawheeledandpassedthemonitswayback，shecaughtherhandkerchieftoherface，andtoVerrian’sdismaysobbedintoit。Helethercry，ashemust，inthedistressfulsilencewhichhecouldnotbethefirsttobreak。Besides，hedidnotknowhowshewastakingitalltillshesuddenlywiththrewherhandkerchiefandpulleddownherveil。Thenshespokethreeheart-brokenwords，"Howcouldyou！"andhedivinedthathemusthavedonewrong。
"WhatoughtItohavedone？"heasked，withsullenhumility。
"Yououghttohavetakenthevictoria。"
"HowcouldI？"
"Yououghttohavedoneit。"
"Ithinkyououghttohavedoneityourself，MissShirley，"Verriansaid，feelinglikethewormthatturns。Headded，lessresentfully，"Weoughtbothtohavetakenit。"
"No，Mrs。Westanglemighthavefelt，veryproperly，thatitwaspresumptuousinme，whetherIcamealoneinitorwithyou。Nowweshallarrivetogetherinthisthing，andshewillbemortifiedforyouandvexedwithme。Shewillblamemeforit，andshewillberight，foritwouldhavebeenverywellformetodriveupinashabbystationcarryall;butaninvitedguest——"
"No，indeed，sheshallnotblameyou，MissShirley。Iwillmakeapointoftakingthewholeresponsibility。Iwilltellher——"
"Mr。Merriam！"shecried，inanguish。"Willyoupleasedonothingofthekind？Doyouwanttomakebadworse？Leavetheexplainingaltogethertome，please。Willyoupromisethat？"
"Iwillpromisethat——oranything——ifyouinsist，"Verriansulked。
Sheinstantlyrelentedalittle。"Youmustn’tthinkmeunreasonable。
ButIwasdeterminedtocarrymyundertakingthroughonbusinessprinciples，andyouhavespoiledmychance——Iknowyoumeantitkindlyor，ifnotspoiled，madeitmoredifficult。Don’tthinkmeungrateful。
Mr。Merriam——"
"Mynameisn’tMerriam，"heresented，atlast，amisnomerwhichhadannoyedhimfromthefirst。
"Oh，Iamsoglad！Don’ttellmewhatitis！"shesaid，givingalaughwhichhadtogoonalittlebeforeherecognizedthehystericalqualityinit。Whenshecouldcheckitsheexplained："Nowwearenotevenacquainted，andIcanthankastrangerforthekindnessyouhaveshownme。Iamtrulygrateful。Willyoudomeanotherfavor？"
"Yes，"Verrianassented;buthethoughthehadarighttoask，asthoughhehadnotpromised，"Whatisit？"
"NottospeakofmetoMrs。Westangleunlessshespeaksofmefirst。"
"That’ssimple。Idon’tknowthatIshouldhaveanyrighttospeakofyou。"
"Ohyes，youwould。Shewillexpectyou，perhaps，tolaughaboutthelittleadventure，andIwouldrathershebeganthelaughingyouhavebeensogood。"
"Allright。Butwouldn’tmysilencemakeitrathermoreawkward？"
"Iwilltakecareoftheawkwardness，thankyou。Andyoupromise？"
"Yes，Ipromise。"
"Thatisverygoodofyou。"Sheputherhandimpulsivelyacrossthegoat-skin，andgavehis，withwhichhetookitinsomesurprise，aquickclasp。Thentheywerebothsilent，andtheygotoutofthecarryallunderMrs。Westangle’sporte-cocherewithouthavingexchangedanotherword。MissShirleydidnotbowtohimorlookathiminparting。
X。
Verriankeptseeingbeforehisinnereyesthethinfaceofthegirl，dimmedratherthanlightedwithhersickyes。Whensheshouldbestronger，theremightbeapaleflushinit，likesunsetonsnow，butVerrianhadtoimaginethat。Hedidnotfinditdifficulttoimaginemanythingsaboutthegirl，whom，inanothermood，amorejudicialmood，hemighthaveaccusedofprovokinghimtoimaginethem。Asitwas，hecouldnothelpnotingtothatsecondselfwhichweallhaveaboutus，thatherconfidences，suchastheywere，hadperhapsbeentoovoluntary;
certainlytheyhadnotbeenquiteobligatory，andtheycouldnotbequiteaccountedfor，exceptuponthetheoryofnervesnotyetperfectlyunderhercontrol。Tobesure，girlssaidallsortsofthingstoone，ignorantlyandinnocently;butshedidnotseemthekindofgirlwho，indifferentcircumstances，wouldhavesaidanythingthatshedidnotchooseorthatshedidnotmeantosay。Shehadbeensurprisinglyfrank，andyet，atheart，Verrianwouldhavethoughtshewasaveryreticentpersonorasecretperson——thatis，mentallyfrankandsentimentallysecret;
possiblyshewaslikemostwomeninthat。Whathewassureofwasthatthevisualimpressionofherwhichhehadreceivedmusthavebeenveryvividtolastsolonginhisconsciousness;allthroughhispreparationsforgoingdowntoafternoonteaherfaceremainedsubjectivelybeforehim，andwhenhewentdownandfoundhimselfpartofalaughingandchatteringcompanyinthelibraryhestillfoundit，inhisinnersense，here，there，andyonder。
HewasawareofsufferingalittledisappointmentinMrs。Westangle’sentirefailuretomentionMissShirley，thoughhewasawarethathisdisappointmentwasaltogetherunreasonable，andhemorereasonablydecidedthatifsheknewanythingofhisarrival，ortheformofit，shehadtoomuchofthemakingofagrandedametoberecognizantofit。Hedidnotknowfromherwhethershehadmeanttosendforhimatthestationornot，orwhethershehadsenthercarriagebackforhimwhenhedidnotarriveinitatfirst。Nothingwasleftinhermannerofsuchslightspecializationasshehadthrownintoitwhen，attheMacroyds’，sheaskedhimdowntoherhouseparty;sheseemed，iftherewereanydifference，tohaveacquiredanadditionalignoranceofwhoandwhathewas，thoughshetwitteredandflitteredupclosetohiselbow，afterhisimpersonalwelcome，andaskedhimifshemightintroducehimtotheyoungladywhowaspouringteaforher，andwho，afterthebriefdramanecessaryforpossessinghimofacupofit，appearedtohavenomoreuseforhimthanMrs。Westangleherselfhad。Thereweremoreyoungmenthanyoungwomenintheroom，butheimaginedtheusualsuperabundanceofgirlhoodtemporarilyabsentforrepairofthefatiguesofthejourney。
Everygirlintheroomhadatleastonemantalkingtoher，andthegirlwhowaspouringteahadoneoneachsideofherandwastryingtofixthembothwithaneyeliftedtowardseach，whileshestruggledtokeepherunitedgazewatchfullyuponthetea-urnandthosewhocameupwithcupstobefilledorrefilled。
Verrianthoughthisfellow-guestswereallamiableenoughlooking，thoughhemadehisreflectionthattheydidnotlook，anyofthem，asiftheywouldsettheSoundonfire;andagainhemissedthecompanionofhisarrival。
Afterhehadgothiscupoftea，hestoodsippingitwithahomelessairwhichhetriedtoconceal，andcastafurtiveeyeroundtheroomtillitresteduponthelaughingfaceofMissMacroyd。Ayoungmanwastakingawayherteacup，andVerrianatoncewentupandseizedhisplace。
"Howdidyougethere？"sheasked，rathershamelessly，sinceshehadkepthimfromcominginthevictoria，butamusingly，sincesheseemedtoseeitasajoke，ifshesawitatall。
"Iwalked，"heanswered。
"Truly？"
"No，nottruly。"
"But，truly，howdidyou？BecauseIsentthecarriagebackforyou。"
"Thatwasverythoughtfulofyou。ButIfoundadelightfulpublicvehiclebehindthestation，andIcameinthat。I’msogladtoknowthatitwasn’tMrs。Westanglewhohadthetroubleofsendingthecarriagebackforme。"
MissMacroydlaughedandlaughedathisresentment。"Butsurelyyoumetitontheway？Igavethemanadescriptionofyou。Didn’thestopforyou？"
"Ohyes，butIwastooproudtochangebythattime。OrperhapsIhatedthetrouble。"
MissMacroydlaughedthemore;thenshepurposelydarkenedhercountenancesoastosuitittoherlugubriouswhisper，"Howdidshegethere？"
"Whatshe？"
"Themysteriousfugitive。Wasn’tshecominghere，afterall？"
"Afterallyourtroubleinsupposingso？"Verrianreflectedamoment，andthenhesaid，deliberately，"Idon’tknow。"
MissMacroydwasnotgoingtolethimofflikethat。"Youdon’tknowhowshecame，oryoudon’tknowwhethershewascoming？"
"Ididn’tsay。"
Herlaughresoundedagain。"Nowyouaretryingtobewicked，andthatisverywrongforanovelist。"
"ButwhatobjectcouldIhaveinconcealingthefactfromyou，MissMacroyd？"heentreated，withmockearnestness。
"ThatiswhatIwanttofindout。"
"Whatareyoutwolaughingsoabout？"thevoiceofMrs。WestangletwitteredatVerrian’selbow，and，lookingdown，hefoundheralmosttouchingit。Shehadaverylong，narrowneck，and，sinceitwaslongandnarrow，shehadthegoodsensenottopalliatethefactortrytodresstheeffectofitoutofsight。Shetookherneckinbothhands，asitwere，andputitmoreonshow，sothatyouhadreallytolikeit。Nowitliftedherface，thoughshewasnotatallperson，welltowardsthelevelofhis;tobesure，hewashimselfonlyofthemiddleheightofmen，thoughanaquilineprofilehelpedhimup。
Hestirredtheteawhichhehadceasedtodrink，andsaid，"Iwasn’t’laughingsoabout，’Mrs。Westangle。ItwasMissMacroyd。"
"AndIwaslaughingsoaboutamysteriousstrangerthatcameuponthetrainwithusandgotoutatyourstation。"
"AndIwastryingtomakeoutwhatwassofunnyinamysteriousstranger，oreveninhergettingoutatyourstation。"
Mrs。Westanglewasnotinterestedinthecase，orelseshefailedtoseizethejoke。Atanyrate，sheturnedfromthemwithoutfurtherquestionandwentawaytoanotherpartoftheroom，whereshesemi-
attachedherselfinlikemannertoanothercouple，andagainleftitforstillanother。Thiswaspossiblyherideaoflookingafterherguests;
butwhenshehadlookedafterthemalittlelongerinthatwayshelefttheroomandletthemlookafterthemselvestilldinner。
"Come，Mr。Verrian，"MissMacroydresumed，"whatisthesecret？I’llnevertellifyoutellme。"
"Youwon’tifIdon’t。"
"Nowyouarebecomingmerelytrivial。Youareceasingeventobeprovoking。"MissMacroyd，intokenofherdispleasure，laughednolonger。
"AmI？"hequestioned;thoughtfully。"Well，then，Iamtemptedtoactuponimpulse。"
"Oh，doactuponimpulseforonce，"sheurged。I’msureyou’llenjoyit。"
"DoyoumeanthatI’mneverimpulsive？"
"Idon’tthinkyoulookit。"
"IfyouhadseenmeanhouragoyouwouldhavesaidIwasveryimpulsive。
IthinkImayhaveexhaustedmyselfinthatdirection，however。Ifeeltheimpulsefailingmenow。"
XI。
Hisimpulsereallyhadfailedhim。IthadbeentotellMissMacroydabouthisadventureandfranklytrustherwithit。Hehadlikedheratseveralformermeetingsratherincreasingly，becauseshehadseemedopenandhonestbeyondthemostofwomen，butherpiggishbehavioratthestationhadbeenrathertooopenandhonest，andthesenseofthisnowopportunelyintervenedbetweenhimandthefollyhewasabouttocommit。
Besides，hehadnorighttogiveMissShirley’spartinhisadventureaway，and，sincetheaffairwasmorevitallyhersthanhis，totakeitatalloutofherhands。Theearly-fallingduskhadfavoredanunnoticedadventforthem，andtherewereotherchancesthathadhelpedkeepunknowntheirarrivaltogetheratMrs。Westangle’sinthatsqualidcarryall，suchasMissShirley’shavingmanagedinstantlytoslipindoorsbeforethemancameoutforVerrian’ssuit-case，andofherhavinggottoherownappointedplacelongbeforetherewasanydescentofthecompanytotheafternoontea。
Itwasnotforhimnowtoundoallthatandbeginthelaughingattheaffair，whichshehadpatheticallyintimatedthatshewouldrathersomeoneelseshouldbegin。Herecoiledfromhisimprudencewithashock，buthehadthepleasureofhavingmystifiedMissMacroyd。Hefeltdismissalintherovingeyewhichshecastfromhimroundtheroom，andhewillinglyletanotheryoungmanreplacehimatherside。
Yethewasnotaltogethersatisfied。Acertainmeanerselfthattherewasinhimwasnotpleasedwithhisrelegationevenmerelyinhisownconsciousnesstothechampionshipofagirlwhowasgoingtomakeherlivinginasortofmenialway。Ithadbetterbeownedforhimthat，inhisvisionsofliteraryglory，hehadfiguredinsocialtriumphswhich，thoughvague，wereresplendentwiththeglitterofsmartcircles。Hehadbeensoignorantofsuchcirclesastosupposetheywouldhavesomeuseforhimasabrilliantyoungauthor;andthoughhewasoutwearingthisillusion，hestillwouldnothavelikedagirllikeJuliaMacroyd，whosefamily，ifnotsmart，wasatleastchic，toknowthathehadcometothehousewithaprofessionalmistressoftherevels，untilMissShirleyshouldhaveapprovedherselfchic，too。Thenotionofsuchanemploymentasherswasinitselfchic，butthegirlwasmerelyapaidpartoftheentertainment，asyet，andhadnotrisenabovethehirelingstatus。Ifshehadsunktothatlevelfromahigherrankitwouldbeallright，buttherewasnoevidencethatshehadeverbeensmart。Verrianwould，therefore，rathernotbemixedupwithher——atanyrate，intheimaginationofagirllikeJuliaMacroyd;andashelefthersidehedrewalongbreathofreliefandwentandputdownhisteacupwherehehadgotit。
Bythistimethegirlwhowas"pouring"hadexhaustedoneofthetwooriginalguardsonwhomshehadbeendividinghervision，andVerrianmadeapretence，whichshefavored，thathehadcomeuptopushthemanaway。Themangracefullysubmittedtobedislodged，andVerrianremainedintheenjoymentofoneofthegirl’sdistortedeyestill，yetanothermancomingup，sheabruptlygotridofVerrianbypresentinghimtoyetanothergirl。Insuchmanoeuvresthehourofafternoonteawillpass;
andthetimereallyworeontillitwastimetodressfordinner。
Bythetimethattheguestscamedowntodinnertheywereallabletoparticipateintheexchangeofthediscoverywhicheachhadmade，thatitwassnowingoutdoors，andtheykeptthisgoingtillonegirlhadthegood-lucktosay，"Idon’tseeanythingsoastonishinginthatatthistimeofyear。Now，ifitwassnowingindoors，itwouldbedifferent。"
Thisrelievedthetensioninagenerallaugh，andayoungmantriedtocontributefurthertothegayetybydeclaringthatitwouldnotbesurprisingtohaveitsnowin-doors。Hehadonceseenthethingdoneinacrowdedhall，onenight，whensomebodyputupawindow，andthefreezingcurrentofaircongealedtherespirationofthecrowd，whichcamedowninalightfallofsnow-flakes。HeownedthatitwasinBoston。
"Oh，thatexcusesit，then，"MissMacroydsaid。Butshelostthelaughwhichwasherdueintherushwhichsomeoftheothersmadetoopenawindowandseewhetheritcouldbemadetosnowin-doorsthere。
"Oh，itisn’tcrowdedenoughhere，"theyoungmanexplainedwhohadallegedthescientificmarvel。
"Anditisn’tBoston，"MissMacroydtriedagainonthesamestring，andthistimeshegotherlaugh。
Thegirlwhohadfirstspokenremained，attheriskofpneumonia，withherarmprettilyliftedagainsttheopensash，foramomentpeeringout，andthenreported，indashingitdownwithashiver，"Itseemstobeaverysoftsnow。"
"Thenitwillberainbymorning，"anotherpredicted，andthegirltriedhardtothinkofsomethingtosayinsupportofthehitshehadmadealready。Butshecouldnot，andwassilentalmostthroughthewholefirstcourseatdinner。
Inspiteofitsbeingasoftsnow，itcontinuedtofallassnowandnotasrain。Itlentthecharmofstormycoldwithouttothebrightnessandwarmthwithin。Muchlater，whenbetweenwaltzessomeofthedancerswentoutontheverandasforabreathofair，theycamebackreportingthatthewindwasrisingandthesnowwasdrifting。
Uponthewhole，thesnowwasagreatsuccess，andherguestscongratulatedMrs。Westangleonhavingthoughttohaveit。Thefelicitationsincludedrecognitionoftheoriginalityofherwholescheme。ShehaddownedthehoarysuperstitionthatpeoplehadtoomuchofagoodtimeonChristmastowantanygoodtimeatallintheweekfollowing;andinactinguponthewell-knownfactthatyouneverwantedaholidaysomuchasthedayafteryouhadone，shehadmadeamovementofthehighestsocialimportance。TheseweretheideaswhichVerrianandtheyoungmanofthein-doorssnow-stormurgeduponher;hisnamewasBushwick，andheandVerrianfoundthattheywereverygood-fellowsaftertheyhadrathersupposedthecontrary。
Mrs。Westanglereceivedtheirideaswiththetwitteringreticencethatdeceivedsomanypeoplewhentheysupposedsheknewwhattheyweretalkingabout。
XII。
Atbreakfast，wheretheguestswerereasonablypunctual，theywereallabletoobserve，intherapidsuccessioninwhichtheydescendedfromtheirrooms，thatithadstoppedsnowingandthesunwasshiningbrilliantly。
"Thereisn’tenoughforsleighing，"Mrs。Westangleproclaimedfromtheheadofthetableinherhightwitter，"andthereisn’tanycoastinghereinthisflatcountryformiles。"
"Thenwhatarewegoingtodowithit？"oneoftheyoungladieshumorouslypouted。
"That’swhatIwasgoingtosuggest，"Mrs。Westanglereplied。Shepronouncedit’sujjest’，butnoonefeltthatitmattered。"And，ofcourse，"shecontinued，"youneedn’tanyofyoudoitifyoudon’tlike。"
"We’llalldoit，Mrs。Westangle，"Bushwicksaid。"Weareunanimousinthat。"
"Perhapsyou’llthinkitratherfunny——odd，"shesaid。
"Theodderthebetter，Ithink，"Verrianventured，andanothermandeclaredthatnothingMrs。Westanglewoulddowasodd，thougheverythingwasoriginal。
"Well，thereissuchathingasbeingtoooriginal，"shereturned。Thensheturnedherheadasideandlookeddownatsomethingbesideherplateandsaid，withoutliftinghereyes，"YouknowthatintheMiddleAgesthereusedtobeflower-fightsamongtheyoungnobilityinItaly。Thewomenheldatower，andthemenattackeditwithrosesandflowersgenerally。"
"Why，isthisaspeech？"MissMacroydinterrupted。
"Aspeechfromthethrone，yes，"Bushwicksolemnlycorrectedher。"Andshe’sgotitwrittendown，likeaqueen——haven’tyou，Mrs。Westangle？"
"Yes，Ithoughtitwouldbemorerespectful。"
"Shecomingout，"BushwicksaidtoVerrianacrossthetable。
"AndifIgotmixedupIcouldgobackandstraightenit，"thehostessdeclared，withagood——humoredcandorthattookthegeneralfancy，"andyoucouldunderstandwithoutsomuchexplaining。Wehaven’tgotflowersenoughatthisseason，"shewenton，lookingdownagainatthepaperbesideherplate，"butwehappentohaveplentyofsnowballs，andthenotionistohavethewomenoccupyasnowtowerandthemenattackthemwithsnowballs。"
"Why，"Bushwicksaid，"thisisthesnow-fortbusinessofourboyhood！
Let’sgooutandfortifytheladiesatonce。"HeappealedtoVerrianandmadeafeintofpushinghischairback。"Mayweusewater-soakedsnowballs，ormusttheyallbesoftandharmless？"heaskedofMrs。
Westangle，whowasnowthecentreofastormofapplauseandquestionfromthewholetable。
Shekeptherheadandreferredagaintoherpaper。"Themissilesoftheassailantsaretobeverysoftsnowballs，hardlymorethanmereclots，sothatnobodycanbehurtintheassault，butthedefendersmayrepeltheassailantswithhardersnowballs。"
"Oh，"MissMacroydprotested，"thisisconsultingtheweaknessofoursex。"
"Inthefuryoftheonsetwe’llforgetit，"Verrianreassuredher。
"Doyouthinkyoureallywill，Mr。Verrian？"sheasked。"Whatisallourathletictrainingtogoforifyoudo？"
Mrs。Westanglereadon：
"Thetermsofcapitulationcanbearrangedontheground，whetherthecastleiscarriedortheassailingpartyaremadeprisonersbyitsdefenders。"
"Hopelesscaptivityineithercase！"Bushwicklamented。
"Isn’titratheracademic？"MissMacroydaskedofVerrian，inalowvoice。
"I’mafraid，rather，"heowned。
"Butwhyareyousoserious？"shepursued。
"AmIserious？"heretorted，withatraceofexasperation;andshelaughed。
TheirparleywasquitelostintheclamorwhichragedupanddownthetabletillMrs。Westangleendeditbysaying，"There’snoobligationonanyonetotakepartinthehostilities。Therewon’tbeanyconscription;it’safreefightthatwillbeopentoeverybody。"Shefoldedthepapershehadbeenreadingfromandputitinherlap，indefaultofapocket。Shewentonimpromptu：
"Youneedn’ttroubleaboutbuildingthefort，Mr。Bushwick。I’vehadthefarmerandhismenworkingatthecastlesincedaybreak，andtheladieswillfinditallreadyforthem，whenthey’rereadytodefendit，downinthemeadowbeyondtheedgeofthebirchlot。Thebattlewon’tbegintilleleveno’clock。"
Sherose，andtheclamorroseagainwithher，andherguestscrushedabouther，demandingtobeallowedatleasttogoandlookatthecastleimmediately。
Oneofthemen’svoicesasked，"MayIbeoneofthedefenders，Mrs。
Westangle？Iwanttobeonthewinningside，sure。"
"Oh，isthisgoingtobeacircuschariot-race？"anotherlamented。
"No，indeed，"agirlcried，"it’stobetherealthing。"
ItfelltoVerrian，intheassortmentofcouplesinwhichMrs。
Westangle’sguestssalliedouttoviewtheproposedsceneofaction，tofindhimself，nottoowillingly，atMissMacroyd’sside。InhisheartandinhismindhewasdefendingtheamusementwhichheinstantlydivinedasnoinventionofMrs。Westangle’s，andbothhisheartandhismindmisgavehimaboutthisfirstessayofMissShirleyinhernewenterprise。
Itwas，asMissMacroydhadsuggested，academic，andatthesametimeithadadangerinitofbeingtomboyish。Golf，tennis，riding，boating，swimming——allthevigoroussportsinwhichwomennowexcel——wereboldlyathletic，andyetyoucouldnotfeelquitethattheyweretomboyish。WasitbecausethebentofMissShirleywassoacademicthatshewasperilingupontomboyishnesswithoutknowingitinthisprimalinspirationofhers？
Inwardlyheresentedthewordacademic，althoughoutwardlyhehadassentedtoitwhenMissMacroydproposedit。TobeacademicwouldbeevenmorefataltoMissShirley’sambitionthantobetomboyish，andhethoughtwithpathosofthattouchabouttheItaliannobilityintheMiddleAges，andhowlittleitcouldhavemovedthetoughfanciesofthatcrowdofwell-groomedyoungpeopleatthebreakfast-tablewhenMrs。
Westanglebroughtitoutwithherignorantacceptanceofitasasocialforce。Afterall，MissMacroydwasabouttheonlyonewhocouldhavefeltitinthewayitwasmeant，andshehadchosentosmileatit。Hewonderedifpossiblyshecouldfeelthesecondarypathosofitashedid。
Buttomaketalkwithherhemerelyasked：
"Doyouintendtotakepartinthefray？"
"NotunlessIcanbeoneofthereservecorpsthatwon’tneedtobebroughtuptillit’sallover。I’venoideaofgettingmyhairdown。"
"Ah，"hesighed，"youthinkit’sgoingtoberude："
"Thatisoneofthechances。Butyouseemtobesufferingaboutit，Mr。
Verrian！"shesaid，and，ofcourse，shelaughed。
"Who？I？"hereturned，inthetemptationtodenyit。Butheresisted。
"Ialwayssufferwhenthere’sanythingsillyhappening，asifIweredoingitmyself。Don’tyou？"
"No，thankyou，Ibelievenot。Butperhapsyouaredoingthis？Onecan’tsupposeMrs。Westangleimaginedit。"
"No，Ican’tpleadguilty。Butwhyisn’titpredicableofMrs。
Westangle？"
"Youmustn’tasktoomuchofme，Mr。Verrian。Somehow，Iwon’tsayhow，it’sbeenimaginedforher。She’sheardofitsbeingdonesomewhere。Itcan’tbesupposedshe’sreadofit，anywhere。"
"No，Idaresaynot。"
MissMacroydcameoutwithherlaugh。"Ishouldliketoknowwhatshemakesofyou，Mr。Verrian，whensheisalonewithherself。Shemusthavelookedyouupandauthenticatedyouinherownway，butitwouldbeasfarfromyourwayas——well，say——theMilkyWay。"
"Youdon’tthinksheaskedmebecauseshemetmeatyourhouse？"
"No，thatwouldn’tbeenough，fromherpointofview。Shemeanstogomuchfurtherthanwe’veevergot。"
"Thenayearfromnowshewouldn’taskme？"
"Itdependsuponwhoasksyouinthemeantime。
Youmightgettobeafad，andthenshewouldfeelthatshewouldhavetohaveyou。"
"You’renotflatteringme？"
"Doyoufinditflattering？"
"Itisn’texactlymyideaoftherewardI’vebeenworkingfor。WhatshallIdotobeafad？"
"Well，ratherdegradingstunts，ifyoumeaninthesmartset。Jumpaboutonallfoursandpickupawoman’sumbrellawithyourteeth，andbark。
Anythingelsewouldbeeasierforyouamongchicpeople，whereyourbrilliancywouldcount。"
"Brilliancy？Oh，thankyou！Goon。"
"Now，agirl——ifyouwereagirl——"
"Ohyes，ifIwereagirl！Thatwillbesomuchmoreinteresting。"
"Agirl，"MissMacroydcontinued，"mightdoitbyposingeffectivelyforamateurphotography。Ordoingsomethingoriginalindramaticsorpantomimicsorrecitation——butveryoriginal，becausechicpeoplearecritical。Orifshehadagiftforgettingupthingsthatwouldshowothergirlsoff;orsuggestingamusements;butthatwouldberatherinthelineofswellpeople，whoarenotgoodatgettingupthingsandaregladofhelp。"
"Isee，Isee！"Verriansaid，eagerly。Buthewalkedalonglookingdownatthesnow，andnotmeetingthelaughingglancethatMissMacroydcastathisface。"Well？"
"Ibelievethat’sall，"shesaid，sharply。Sheadded，lesssharply：
"Shecouldn’taffordtofail，though，atanypoint。Thefadthatfailsisextinguishedforever。Willthesesimplefactsdoforfiction？Orisitforsomebodyinreallifeyou’reasking，Mr。Verrian？"
"Oh，forfiction。Andthankyouverymuch。Oh，that’sratherpretty！"
XIII。
Theyhadcomeintothemeadowwherethesnowbattlewastobe，andonitsslope，againstthedarkweftoftheyoungbirch-trees，therewasamimiccastleoutlinedinthemasonryofwhiteblocksquarriedfromthedriftsandbuiltupincourseslikeroughblocksofmarble。Adecorationofgreenfromthepinesthatmixedwiththebircheshadbeensuggestedratherthanexecuted，andwasperhapsthemoreeffectiveforitssketchiness。
"Yes，it’sreallybeautiful，"MissMacroydowned，andthoughshedidnotjoinhercriestothoseoftheothergirls，whostoodscatteredaboutadmiringit，andlaughingandchatteringwiththemenwhoseapplause，ofcourse，tookthejocoseform，therewasnodoubtbutsheadmiredit。
"WhatIcan’tunderstandishowMrs。Westanglegotthenotionofthis。
There’sthesopranonoteinit，andsomewomanmusthavegivenittoher。"
"Notcontralto，possibly？"Verrianasked。
"Iinsistuponthesoprano，"shesaid。
Buthedidnotnoticewhatshesaid。Hiseyeswerefollowingafigurewhichseemedtobeescapingupthroughthebirchesbehindthesnowcastleandploughingitswaythroughthedrifts;infrontofthestructuretheyhadbeenlevelledtomakeaneasierbattle-field。HeknewthatitwasMissShirley，andheinferredthatshehadbeeninthecastledirectingthefarm——handsbuildingit，andnow，beingcaughtbytheprematurearrivalofthecontestingforces，hadfledbeforethemandlefthersubordinatestofinishthework。Hefelt，withathroeofhelplesssympathy，thatshewasundertakingtoomuch。Itwashazardousenoughtoattemptthepracticeofhernovelprofessionunderthebestofcircumstances，buttokeepherselfinabeyancesofarasnottobeknownatallinit，and，atthesametime，togivewaytoherinterestinittotheextentofcomingout，withherinfirmlyestablishedhealth，intothatwintryweather，andsuperintendingthepreparationsforthefirstfollyshehadplanned，wasariskaltogethertoogreatforher。
Whointheworld，"MissMacroydsuddenlydemanded，"isthepersonflounderingaboutinthebirchwoods？"
"Perhapsthesoprano，"Verrianreturned，hardily。
BushwickdetachedhimselffromagroupofgirlsnearbyandinterceptedanyresponsefromMissMacroydtoVerrianbycallingtoherbeforehecameup，"Areyougoingtobeoneoftheenemy，MissMacroyd？"
"No，IthinkIwillbeneutral。"Sheadded，"Istheregoingtobeanysuchthingasanumpire？"
"Wehadn’tthoughtofthat。Therecouldbe。Theofficecouldbecreated;but，youknow，it’sthepostofdanger。"
VerrianjoinedthegroupthatBushwickhasleft。Hefoundagreatscepticismastothecombat，mixedwithsomeadmirationforthecastle，andhesethimselftocontesttheprevalentfeeling。Whatwasthematterwithasnow-fight？hedemanded。Itwouldbegreatfun。Decidedlyhewasgoinginforit。Herevivedthedroopingsentimentinitsfavor，andthen，flownwithhissuccess，hewentfromgrouptogroupandcoupletocouple，andanimatedallwithhiszeal，whichcame，hehardlyknewwhence;whathepretendedtotheotherswasthattheywereratherboundnottoletMrs。Westangle’sschemefallthrough。Theirdoubtsvanishedbeforehim，andthetermsofthebattlewerequicklyarranged。Hesaidhehadreadofoneofthosemediaevalflower-fights，andhecouldtellthemhowthatwasdone。Whereitwouldnotfitintothesnow-fight，theycouldtrusttoinspiration;everyrealbattlewastheeffectofinspiration。
Hecameout，andsomeoftheyoungwomenandmostoftheyoungmen，whohaddimlyknownofhimasasortofcelebrity，andsuspectedhimofbeingaprig，werereconciled，andacceptedhimforanicefellow，andbecameofhisopinionastothedetailsoftheamusementbeforethem。
ItwasnotveryHomeric，whenitcameoff，orverymediaeval，butitwasreallylotsoffun，orfarmorefunthanonewouldhavethought。Thestormingofthecastlewasverysincere，andthefortresswashonestlydefended。MissMacroydwasmadeumpire，asshewished，andprovidedwithalargesnowballtositonatasafedistance;asshewaschosenbythemen，thegirlswantedtohaveanumpireoftheirown，whowouldbereallyfair，andtheyvotedVerrianintotheoffice。Butherefused，partlybecausehedidnotcareaboutbeingpairedoffwithMissMacroydsoconspicuously，andpartlybecausehewishedtohelpthefightalong。
Attacksweremadeandrepelled，andtherewerefeatsofindividualandcollectivedaringonthesideofthedefenderswhichwerenonethelessdaringbecausetheassailantsstoppedtocheerthem，andtodisablethemselvesbylaughingatthefuryofthefoe。Adetachmentoftheyoungmenatlaststormedthecastleandsoweakeneditswallsthattheytoppledinward;thenthedefenders，tosavethemselvesfrombeingburiedundertheavalanche，swarmedoutintotheopenandmadetheentireforceoftheenemyprisoners。
Themenpretendedthatthiswaswhatmighthavebeenexpectedfromthebeginning，butbythistimetheBerserkermadnesshadpossessedMissMacroyd，too;sheleftherthroneofsnowandcameforwardshoutingthatithadbeenperfectlyfair，andthatthemenhadbeenreallybeaten，andtheyhadnorighttopretendthattheyhadgiventhemselvesuppurposely。
Thesex-partisanship，whichissuchadrollfactinwomenwhenthereisanyquestionoftheirgeneraloppositiontomen，possessedthemall，andtheystoodas，onegirlfortherealityoftheirtriumph。Thisdidnotpreventthemfromdeclaringthatthemenhadbehavedwithoutrageousunfairness，andthattheonlyonewhofoughtwithabsolutesincerityfromfirsttolastwasMr。Verrian。
NeithertheirunityofconvictionconcerningthegeneralfactnorthesurprisingdeductionfromitinVerrian’scaseoperatedtomakethemrefusethehelpoftheircaptivesingettinghome。Whentheyhadbounduptheirtumbledhair，insomecases，andrepairedtheravagesofwaramongtheirfeathersandfursanddraperies，inothercases，theyacceptedthehandsofthelateenemyatdifficultpointsofthepath。
Buttheyranforwardwhentheynearedthehouse，andtheywereprompttoscreamuponMrs。Westanglethatthereneverhadbeensuchasuccessorsuchfun，andthattheywerealmostdead，andsoonastheyhadsomethingtoeattheyweregoingtobedandnevergoingtogetupagain。
Inthedetailswhichtheywereabletogiveatluncheon，theydidjusticetoVerrian’snoblepartinthewholeaffair，whichhadsavedtheday，notonlyinkeepingthemuptotheworkwhentheyhadgotthinkingitcouldn’tbecarriedthrough，butingivingthecombatavaliditywhichitwouldnothavehadwithouthim。Theyhadtothankhim，nexttoMrs。
Westangleherself，whomtheypraisedbeyondanyarticulateexpression，forthinkingupsuchadelightfulthing。Theywonderedhowshecouldeverhavethoughtofit——suchasimplethingtoo;andtheyweresurethatwhenpeopleheardofittheywouldallbewantingtohavesnowbattles。
Mrs。Westangletookherpraisesaspassively，ifnotasmodestly，asVerrianreceivedhis。Shemadenoshowofdisclaimingthem，butshehadtheart，invaluableinawomanwhomeanttogofarinthelineshehadchosen，ofnotseemingtohavedoneanything，orofnotcaringwhetherpeoplelikeditornot。Verrianaskedhimself，ashewatchedhertwitteringbackatthosegirls，andsheddingequallytheirthanksandpraisesfromherimpermeableplumage，howshewouldhavebehavedifMissShirley’sattempthadbeenanentirefailure。Hedecidedthatshewouldhaveignoredthefailurewiththesameimpersonalityasthatwithwhichshenowignoredthesuccess。Itappearedthatinonepointhedidherinjustice，forwhenhewentuptodressfordinnerafterthelongstrollhetooktowardsnighthefoundanoteunderhisdoor，bywhichhemustinferthatMrs。Westanglehadnotkepttherealfactsofhertriumphfromthemistressoftherevels。
"DEARMR。VERRIAN，Iamnotlikelytoseeyou，butImustthankyou。
M。SHIRLEY。
"P。S。Don’ttrytoanswer，please。"
Verrianliked，thenote，heevenlikedtheimpulsewhichhaddictatedit，andheunderstoodtheimpulse;buthedidnotlikegettingthenote。IfMissShirleymeantbusinessintakingupthelineoflifeshehadprofessedtohaveentereduponseriously，shehadbetter，inthecaseofayoungmanwhoseacquaintanceshehadchancedtomake，lethergratitudewait。Butwhendidawomanevermeanbusiness，exceptintheonegreatbusiness？
XIV。
TohavegotthatsillilysuperfluousnotetoVerrianwithoutanyone’sknowingbesides，MissShirleymusthavestolentohisdoorherselfandslippeditunder。Inordertodothisunsuspectedandunseen，shemusthavefoundoutinsomesortthatwouldnotgiveherawaywhichhisroomwas，andthenwatchedherchance。Itallarguedapervasivenessinher，aftersuchabriefsojourninthehouse，andamasteryoffinessethathedidnotlike，though，hereflected，hewasnotauthorizedtolikeordislikeanythingabouther。Hewasthirty-sevenyearsold，andhehadnotlivedthroughthattime，withhismotherathiselbowtosuggestinferencesfromfacts，withoutbeingversedinwileswhich，evenwhentheywerehonest，werealwayswiles，andinlureswhich，whentheywereofthemostgossamertenuity，wereyetoftexturecloseenoughtomakethemanwhoblunderedthroughthemawarethattheyhadbeenthrownacrosshispath。Heunderstood，ofcourse，thattheyweresometimeshelplesslythrownacrossit，andweremereexpressionsofabstractwomanwithrelationtoabstractman，butthatdidnotchangetheirnature。Hedidnotabhorthem，buthebelievedheknewthem，andhebelievednowthathedetectedoneoftheminMissShirley’snote。Ofcourse，onecouldtakeanotherviewofit。Onecouldsaytoone’sselfthatshewasreallysoferventlygratefulthatshecouldnottrustsomeaccidenttobringthemtogetherinaplacewhereshewasmerelyapartofthecatering，asshesaid，andhewasaguest，andthatshewasexcusable，oratleastmercifullyexplicable，inherwishtohavehimknowthatsheappreciatedhisgoodness。Verrianhadbeenverygood，heknewthat;hehadsavedthedayforthepoorthingwhenitwasindangerofthedreariestkindofslump。Shewasapoorthing，asanywomanwaswhohadtomakeherownway，andshehadbeensickandwascharming。Besides，shehadfoundouthisnameandhadprobablyrecognizedaqualityofcelebrityinit，unknowntotheotheryoungpeoplewithwhomhefoundhimselfsostrangelyassortedunderMrs。Westangle’sroof。
Intheend，anduponthewhole，Verrianwouldratherhaveliked，ifthethingcouldhavebeenmadetohappen，meetingMissShirleylongenoughtodisclaimmeritingherthanks，andtoascribetotheintrinsicvalueofherschemethebrilliantsuccessithadachieved。Thiswouldnothavebeentrue，butitwouldhavebeenencouragingtoher;andinthereverywhichfolloweduponhisconditionaldesirehehadalongimaginaryconversationwithher，anddiscussedallherotherplansfortherevelsoftheweek。Thesehadnotthetroubleofdefiningthemselvesverydistinctlyintheconversationinordertowinhisapplause，andtheirconsiderationdidnotcarryhimwithMissShirleybeyondthestrictlyprofessionalgroundonwhichtheymet。
Shehadapparentlyinventednothingforthatevening，andthehousepartywaslefttoitsownresourcesindancingandsittingoutdances，whichapparentlyfullysufficedit。Theywerealltired，andbrokeupearly。
Thewomentooktheircandlesandwentofftobed，andthemenwenttothebilliard-roomtosmoke。Onthewaydownfromhisroom，wherehehadgonetoputonhissmoking-jacket，VerrianmetMissMacroydcomingup，candleinhand，andreceivedfromheratacitintimationthathemightstopherforajokinggood-night。
"Ihopeyou’llsleepwellonyourlaurelsasumpire，"hesaid。
"Oh，thankyou，"shereturned，"andIhopeyourlaurelswon’tkeepyouawake。Itmustseemtoyouasifitwasblowingaperfectgaleinthem。"
"Whatdoyoumean？Ididnothing。"
"Oh，Idon’tmeanyourpromotionofthesnowbattle。Buthaven’tyouheard？"Hestared。"You’vebeenfoundout！"
"Foundout？"Verrian’ssoulwasfilledwiththejoyofliteraryfame。
"Yes。Youcan’tconcealyourselfnow。You’reVerriantheactor。"
"Theactor？"Verrianfrownedblacklyinhisdisgust，soblacklythatMissMacroydlaughedaloud。
"Yes，thecomingmatineeidol。Oneofthegirlsrecognizedyouassoonasyoucameintothehouse，andthenamesettledit，though，ofcourse，you’resupposedtobehereincognito。"
ThementionofthatnamewhichheenjoyedincommonwiththeactormadeVerrianfurious，forwhentheactorfirstappearedwithitinNewYorkVerrianhadbeenatthepainstofindoutthatitwasnothisrealname，andthathehadmerelytakenitbecauseoftheweakqualityofromanceinit，whichVerrianhimselfhadalwaysdisliked。But，ofcourse，hecouldnotventhisfuryonMissMacroyd。Allhecoulddowastoask，"Thentheyhavegotmyphotographontheirdressing-tables，withcandlesburningbeforeit？"
"No，Idon’tbelieveIcangiveyouthatcomfort。Thefactis，youractingisnotmuchadmiredamongthegirlshere，buttheythinkyouareunexpectedlyniceasaprivateperson。"
"That’ssomething。AnddoesMrs。WestanglethinkI’mtheactor，too？"
"HowshouldMrs。Westangleknowwhatshethinks？Andifshedoesn’t，howshouldI？"
"That’strue。Andareyougoingtogivemeaway？"
"Ihaven’tdoneityet。Butisn’titbesttobehonest？"
"Itmightn’tbeasuccess。"
"Thehonesty？"
"Myliterarycelebrity。"
"There’sthat，"MissMacroydrejoiced。"Well，sofarI’vemerelysaidI
wassureyouwerenotVerriantheactor。I’llthinktheotherpartover。"Shewentonup-stairs，withthesoundofherlaughfollowingher，andVerrianwentgloomilybacktothebilliard-room，wherehefoundmostofthesmokersconspicuouslyyawning。Helightedafreshcigar，andwhilehesmokedtheydroppedawayonebyonetillonlyBushwickwasleft。