"But，ifheknowsnothingofhisfather’scompact，ofwhatinterestisthis？"
　　"Oh，nothing！OnlyIthoughtitmightleadtosomething。"
　　Mrs。Rightbodysuspectedthat"something，"andaskedsharply，"AndprayhowdidYOUfinditout？Youdidnotspeakofitinthevalley。"
　　"Oh！Ididn’tfinditouttillto-day，"saidMissAlice，walkingtothewindow。"Hehappenedtobehere，and——toldme。"
　　PARTIV。
　　IfMrs。Rightbody’sfriendshadbeenastoundedbyhersingularandunexpectedpilgrimagetoCaliforniasosoonafterherhusband’sdecease，theywerestillmoreastoundedbytheinformation，ayearlater，thatshewasengagedtobemarriedtoaMr。Ryder，ofwhomonlythescanthistorywasknown，thathewasaCalifornian，andformercorrespondentofherhusband。Itwasundeniablethatthemanwaswealthy，andevidentlynomereadventurer;itwasrumoredthathewascourageousandmanly：buteventhosewhodelightedinhisoddhumorwereshockedathisgrammarandslang。
　　ItwassaidthatMr。Marvinhadbutoneinterviewwithhisfather-
　　in-lawelect，andreturnedsosupremelydisgusted，thatthematchwasbrokenoff。Thehorse-stealingstory，moreorlessgarbled，founditswaythroughlipsthatpretendedtodecryit，yeteagerlyrepeatedit。OnlyonememberoftheRightbodyfamily——andanewone——savedthemfromutterostracism。ItwasyoungMr。Ryder，theadoptedsonoftheprospectiveheadofthehousehold，whoseculture，manners，andgeneralelegance，fascinatedandthrilledBostonwithanewsensation。ItseemedtomanythatMissAliceshould，inthevicinityofthisrareexotic，forgetherformerenthusiasmforaprofessionallife;buttheyoungmanwaspitiedbysociety，andvariousplansfordivertinghimfromanymesalliancewiththeRightbodyfamilywereconcocted。
　　Itwasawintrynight，andthesecondanniversaryofMr。Rightbody’sdeath，thatalightwasburninginhislibrary。Butthedeadman’schairwasoccupiedbyyoungMr。Ryder，adoptedsonofthenewproprietorofthemansion;andbeforehimstoodAlice，withherdarkeyesfixedonthetable。
　　"Theremusthavebeensomethinginit，Joe，believeme。Didyouneverhearyourfatherspeakofmine？"
　　"Never。"
　　"Butyousayhewascollege-bred，andbornagentleman，andinhisyouthhemusthavehadmanyfriends。"
　　"Alice，"saidtheyoungmangravely，"whenIhavedonesomethingtoredeemmyname，andwearitagainbeforethesepeople，beforeYOU，itwouldbewelltorevivethepast。Buttillthen——"
　　ButAlicewasnottobeputdown。"Iremember，"shewenton，scarcelyheedinghim，"that，whenIcameinthatnight，papawasreadingaletter，andseemedtobedisconcerted。"
　　"Aletter？"
　　"Yes;but，"addedAlice，withasigh，"whenwefoundhimhereinsensible，therewasnoletteronhisperson。Hemusthavedestroyedit。"
　　"Didyoueverlookamonghispapers？Iffound，itmightbeaclew。"
　　Theyoungmanglancedtowardthecabinet。Alicereadhiseyes，andanswered，——
　　"Oh，dear，no！Thecabinetcontainedonlyhispapers，allperfectlyarranged，——youknowhowmethodicalwerehishabits，——andsomeoldbusinessandprivateletters，allcarefullyputaway。"
　　"Letusseethem，"saidtheyoungman，rising。
　　Theyopeneddrawerafterdrawer;filesuponfilesoflettersandbusinesspapers，accuratelyfoldedandfiled。SuddenlyAliceutteredalittlecry，andpickedupaquaintivorypaper-knifelyingatthebottomofadrawer。
　　"Itwasmissingthenextday，andnevercouldbefound：hemusthavemislaidithere。Thisisthedrawer，"saidAliceeagerly。
　　Herewasaclew。Butthelowerpartofthedrawerwasfilledwitholdletters，notlabelled，yetneatlyarrangedinfiles。Suddenlyhestopped，andsaid，"Putthemback，Alice，atonce。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Someoftheselettersareinmyfather’shandwriting。"
　　"ThemorereasonwhyIshouldseethem，"saidthegirlimperatively。
　　"Here，youtakepart，andI’lltakepart，andwe’llgetthroughquicker。"
　　Therewasacertaindecisionandindependenceinhermannerwhichhehadlearnedtorespect。Hetooktheletters，andinsilencereadthemwithher。Theywereoldcollegeletters，sofilledwithboyishdreams，ambitions，aspirations，andutopiantheories，thatI
　　fearneitheroftheseyoungpeopleevenrecognizedtheirparentsinthedeadashesofthepast。Theywerebothgrave，untilAliceutteredalittlehystericalcry，anddroppedherfaceinherhands。
　　Joewasinstantlybesideher。
　　"It’snothing，Joe，nothing。Don’treadit，please;please，don’t。
　　It’ssofunny！it’ssoveryqueer！"
　　ButJoehad，afteraslight，half-playfulstruggle，takentheletterfromthegirl。Thenhereadaloudthewordswrittenbyhisfatherthirtyyearsago。
　　"Ithankyou，dearfriend，forallyousayaboutmywifeandboy。
　　Ithankyouforremindingmeofourboyishcompact。Hewillbereadytofulfilit，Iknow，ifhelovesthosehisfatherloves，evenifyoushouldmarryyearslater。Iamgladforyoursake，forbothoursakes，thatitisaboy。Heavensendyouagoodwife，dearAdams，andadaughter，tomakemysonequallyhappy。"
　　JoeSilsbielookeddown，tookthehalf-laughing，half-tearfulfaceinhishands，kissedherforehead，and，withtearsinhisgraveeyes，said，"Amen！"……
　　IaminclinedtothinkthatthissentimentwasechoedheartilybyMrs。Rightbody’sformeracquaintances，when，ayearlater，MissAlicewasunitedtoaprofessionalgentlemanofhonorandrenown，yetwhowasknowntobethesonofaconvictedhorse-thief。AfewrememberedthepreviousCalifornianstory，andfoundcorroborationtherefor;butamajoritybelieveditajustrewardtoMissAliceforherconducttoMr。Marvin，and，asMissAlicecheerfullyaccepteditinthatlight，IdonotseewhyImaynotendmystorywithhappinesstoallconcerned。
　　ALEGENDOFSAMMTSTADT。
　　ItwasthesacredhourofnoonatSammtstadt。Everybodywasatdinner;andtheseriousKellnerof"DerWildemann"glancedinmildreproachatMr。JamesClinch，who，disregardingthatfactandtheinvitatorytabled’hote，steppedintothestreet。ForMr。ClinchhadeatenalatebreakfastatGladbach，wasdyspepticandAmerican，and，moveover，preoccupiedwithbusiness。Hewasconsequentlyindignant，onenteringthegarden-likecourtandcloister-likecounting-houseof"VonBecheret，Sons，Uncles，andCousins，"tofindthecomptoirdesertedevenbytheporter，andwasfuriousatthemaidservant，whoofferedthesacredshibboleth"Mittagsessen"
　　asareasonableexplanationofthesolitude。"Acountry，"saidMr。
　　Clinchtohimself，"thatstopsbusinessatmid-daytogotodinner，andemployswomen-servantstotalktobusiness-men，isplayedout。"
　　HesteppedfromthesilentbuildingintotheequallysilentKronprinzenStrasse。Notasoultobeseenanywhere。Rowsonrowsoftwo-storied，gray-stuccoedbuildingsthatmightbedwellings，ormightbeoffices，allshowingsometracesoffemininetasteandsupervisioninafloweroracurtainthatbeliedthelegended"Comptoir，"or"Direction，"overtheirportals。Mr。ClinchthoughtofBostonandStateStreet，ofNewYorkandWallStreet，andbecamecoldlycontemptuous。
　　YettherewasclearlynothingtodobuttowalkdowntheformalrowsofchestnutsthatlinedthebroadStrasse，andthenwalkbackagain。Atthecornerofthefirstcross-streethewasstruckwiththefactthattwomenwhowerestandinginfrontofadwelling-
　　houseappearedtobeasinconsistent，andoutofproportiontothesilenthouses，asweretheactorsonastagetothepaintedcanvasthoroughfaresbeforewhichtheystrutted。Mr。Clinchusuallyhadnofancies，hadnoeyeforquaintness;besides，thiswasnotaquaintnorromanticdistrict，onlyanentrepotforsilksandvelvets，andMr。Clinchwashere，notasatourist，butasapurchaser。TheguidebookshadignoredSammtstadt，andhewastoogoodanAmericantowastetimeinlookingupuncataloguedcuriosities。Besides，hehadbeenhereoncebefore，——anentireday！
　　Oneo’clock。Stillafullhourandahalfbeforehisfriendwouldreturntobusiness。Whatshouldhedo？TheVereinwherehehadoncebeenentertainedwasdesertedevenbyitswaiters;thegarden，withitsostentatiousout-of-doortables，lookedbleakandbare。
　　Mr。Clinchwasnotartisticinhistastes;butevenhewasquicktodetecttheaffrontputuponNaturebythiscontinental，theatricalgardening，andturneddisgustedlyaway。Bornneara"lake"largerthantheGermanOcean，heresentedapoolofwatertwenty-fivefeetindiameterunderthatalluringtitle;and，afrequenteroftheAdirondacks，hecouldscarcecontainhimselfoverabitofrock-
　　worktwelvefeethigh。"Acountry，"saidMr。Clinch，"that——"buthereherememberedthathehadonceseeninaparkinhisnativecityanimitationoftheDrachenfelsinplaster，onascaleoftwoinchestothefoot，andcheckedhisspeech。
　　Heturnedintotheprincipalalleeofthetown。Therewasalongwhitebuildingatoneend，——theBahnhof：attheotherendherememberedadye-house。Hehad，ayearago，metitshospitableproprietor：hewouldcalluponhimnow。
　　Butthesamesolitudeconfrontedhimashepassedtheporter’slodgebesidethegateway。Thecounting-house，halfvilla，halffactory，musthaveconvokeditshumanityinsomeout-of-the-wayrefectory，forthehallsandpassagesweretenantless。Forthefirsttimehebegantobeimpressedwithacertainforeignquaintnessinthesurroundings;hefoundhimselfalsorecallingsomethinghehadreadwhenaboy，aboutanenchantedpalacewhoseinhabitantsawokeonthearrivalofalong-predestinedPrince。Toassurehimselfoftheabsoluteridiculousnessofthisfancy，hetookfromhispocketthebusiness-cardofitsproprietor，asampleofdye，andrecalledhisownpersonalityinaletterofcredit。
　　Havingdismissedthisideafromhismind，heloungedonagainthrougharusticlanethatmighthaveledtoafarmhouse，yetwasstill，absurdlyenough，apartofthefactorygardens。Crossingaditchbyacauseway，hepresentlycametoanotherditchandanothercauseway，andthenfoundhimselfidlycontemplatingamassive，ivy-
　　clad，venerablebrickwall。Asamerewallitmightnothaveattractedhisattention;butitseemedtoenterandburyitselfatrightanglesintheside-wallofaquitemodern-lookingdwelling。
　　Aftersatisfyinghimselfofthisfact，hepassedonbeforethedwelling，butwasamazedtoseethewallreappearontheothersideexactlythesame——old，ivy-grown，sturdy，uncompromising，andridiculous。
　　Coulditactuallybeapartofthehouse？Heturnedback，andrepassedthefrontofthebuilding。Theentrancedoorwashospitablyopen。Therewasahallandastaircase，but——byallthatwaspreposterous！——theywerebuiltOVERandAROUNDthecentralbrickintrusion。Thewallactuallyranthroughthehouse！"A
　　country，"saidMr。Clinchtohimself，"wheretheybuildtheirhousesoverruinstoaccommodatethem，orsavethetroubleofremoval，is，——"butaverypleasantvoiceaddressinghimherestoppedhisusualhastyconclusion。
　　"GutenMorgen！"
　　Mr。Clinchlookedhastilyup。Leaningontheparapetofwhatappearedtobeagardenontheroofofthehousewasayounggirl，red-cheeked，bright-eyed，blond-haired。Thevoicewassoft，subdued，andmellow;itwaspartofthenewimpressionhewasreceiving，thatitseemedtobeinsomesortconnectedwiththeivy-cladwallbeforehim。Hishatwasinhishandasheanswered，——
　　"GutenMorgen！"
　　"WastheHerrseekinganything？"
　　"TheHerrwasonlywaitingalongtime-comingfriend，andhadstrayedheretospeakwiththebefore-knownproprietor。"
　　"So？But，thebefore-knownproprietorsleepingwellatpresentafterdinner，wouldtheHerrontheterracestillawhilelinger？"
　　TheHerrwould，butlookedaroundinvainforthemeanstodoit。
　　Hewasthinkingofascaling-ladder，whentheyoungwomanreappearedattheopendoor，andbadehimenter。
　　Followingtheyouthfulhostess，Mr。Clinchmountedthestaircase，but，passingthemysteriouswall，couldnotforbearanallusiontoit。"Itisold，veryold，"saidthegirl："itwasherewhenI
　　came。"
　　"Thatwasnotverylongago，"saidMr。Clinchgallantly。
　　"No;butmygrandfatherfounditheretoo。"
　　"Andbuiltoverit？"
　　"Whynot？Itisvery，veryhard，andSOthick。"
　　Mr。Clinchhereexplained，withmasculinesuperiority，theexistenceofsuchmodernagentsasnitro-glycerineanddynamite，persuasiveintheireffectsupontime-honoredobstructionsandencumbrances。
　　"Buttherewasnotthenwhatyoucall——this——ni——nitro-glycerine。"
　　"Butsincethen？"
　　Theyounggirlgazedathimintroubledsurprise。"Mygreat-
　　grandfatherdidnottakeitawaywhenhebuiltthehouse：whyshouldwe？"
　　"Oh！"
　　Theyhadpassedthroughahallanddining-room，andsuddenlysteppedoutofawindowuponagravelledterrace。Fromthisafewstonestepsdescendedtoanotherterrace，onwhichtreesandshrubsweregrowing;andyet，lookingovertheparapet，Mr。Clinchcouldseetheroadsometwentyfeetbelow。Itwasnearlyonalevelwith，andpartof，thesecondstoryofthehouse。Hadanearthquakeliftedtheadjacentground？orhadthehouseburrowedintoahill？Mr。Clinchturnedtohiscompanion，whowasstandingclosebesidehim，breathingquiteaudibly，andleavinganimpressiononhissensesasofagentleandfragrantheifer。
　　"Howwasallthisdone？"
　　Themaidendidnotknow。"Itwasalwayshere。"
　　Mr。Clinchreascendedthesteps。Hehadquiteforgottenhisimpatience。Possiblyitwasthegentle，equablecalmofthegirl，who，butforherreadycolor，didnotseemtobemovedbyanything;
　　perhapsitwasthepeacefulreposeofthismausoleumofthedeadandforgottenwallthatsubduedhim，buthewasquitewillingtotaketheold-fashionedchairontheterracewhichsheofferedhim，andfollowhermotionswithnotaltogethermechanicaleyesasshedrewoutcertainbottlesandglassesfromamysteriousclosetinthewall。Mr。Clinchhadtheweaknessofamajorityofhissexinbelievingthathewasagoodjudgeofwineandwomen。Thelatter，asshowninthespecimenbeforehim，hewouldhaveinvoicedasafairsampleofthemiddle-classGermanwoman，——healthy，comfort-
　　loving，home-abiding，theverygeniusofdomesticity。Eveninhervirginoutlinesthefuturewholesomematronwasalreadyforecast，fromthecurvesofherbroadhips，totheflatlinesofherbackandshoulders。Ofthewinehewastojudgelater。THATrequiredanevenmoresubtleandunimpassionedintellect。
　　Sheplacedtwobottlesbeforehimonthetable，——one，thetraditionallong-necked，amber-coloredRheinflasche;theother，anold，quaint，discolored，amphorax-patternedglassjug。Thefirstsheopened。
　　"This，"shesaid，pointingtotheother，"cannotbeopened。"
　　Mr。Clinchpaidhisrespectsfirsttotheopenedbottle，agoodqualityofNiersteiner。Withhisintellectthusclarified，heglancedattheother。
　　"Itisfrommygreat-grandfather。Itisoldasthewall。"
　　Mr。Clinchexaminedthebottleattentively。Itseemedtohavenocork。Formedofsomeobsolete，opaqueglass，itstwistedneckwasapparentlyhermeticallysealedbythesamematerial。Themaidensmiled，asshesaid，——
　　"Itcannotbeopenednowwithoutbreakingthebottle。Itisnotgoodlucktodoso。Mygrandfatherandmyfatherwouldnot。"
　　ButMr。Clinchwasstillexaminingthebottle。Itsneckwasflattenedtowardsthemouth;butacloseinspectionshoweditwasclosedbysomeequallyhardcement，butnotglass。
　　"IfIcanopenitwithoutbreakingthebottle，haveIyourpermission？"
　　AmischievousglancerestedonMr。Clinch，asthemaidenanswered，——
　　"Ishallnotobject;butforwhatwillyoudoit？"
　　"Totasteit，totryit。"
　　"Youarenotafraid？"
　　TherewasjustenoughobviousadmirationofMr。Clinch’saudacityinthemaiden’smannertoimpelhimtoanyrisk。Hisonlyanswerwastotakefromhispocketasmallsteelinstrument。Holdingtheneckofthebottlefirmlyinonehand，hepassedhisthumbandthesteeltwiceorthricearoundit。Afaintrasping，scratchingsoundwasallthewonderinggirlheard。Then，withasudden，dexteroustwistofhisthumbandfinger，toherutterastonishmenthelaidthetopoftheneck，neatlycutoff，inherhand。
　　"There’sabetterandmoremodernbottlethanyouhadbefore，"hesaid，pointingtothecleanly-dividedneck，"andanycorkwillfititnow。"
　　Butthegirlregardedhimwithanxiety。"Andyoustillwishtotastethewine？"
　　"Withyourpermission，yes！"
　　Helookedupinhereyes。Therewaspermission：therewassomethingmore，thatwasflatteringtohisvanity。Hetookthewine-glass，and，slowlyandinsilence，filleditfromthemysteriousflask。
　　Thewinefellintotheglassclearly，transparently，heavily，butstillandcoldasdeath。Therewasnosparkle，nocheapebullition，noevanescentbubble。Yetitwassoclear，that，butforafaintamber-tinting，theglassseemedempty。Therewasnoaroma，noetherealdiffusionfromitsequablesurface。Perhapsitwasfancy，perhapsitwasfromnervousexcitement;butaslightchillseemedtoradiatefromthestillgoblet，andbringdownthetemperatureoftheterrace。Mr。Clinchandhiscompanionbothinsensiblyshivered。
　　Butonlyforamoment。Mr。Clinchraisedtheglasstohislips。
　　Ashedidso，herememberedseeingdistinctly，asinapicturebeforehim，thesunlitterrace，theprettygirlintheforeground，——
　　anamusedspectatorofhissacrilegiousact，——theoutlyingivy-
　　crownedwall，thegrass-grownditch，thetallfactorychimneysrisingabovethechestnuts，andthedistantpoplarsthatmarkedtheRhine。
　　Thewinewasdelicious;perhapsaTRIFLE，onlyatrifle，heady。Hewasconsciousofaslightexaltation。Therewasalsoasmileuponthegirl’slipandaroguishtwinkleinhereyeasshelookedathim。
　　"Doyoufindthewinetoyourtaste？"sheasked。
　　"Fairenough，Iwarrant，"saidMr。Clinchwithponderousgallantry;
　　"butmethinks’tisnothingcomparedwiththenectarthatgrowsonthoserubylips。Nay，bySt。Ursula，Iswearit！"
　　Nosoonerhadthissolemnlyridiculousspeechpassedthelipsoftheunfortunatemanthanhewouldhavegivenworldstohaverecalledit。Heknewthathemustbeintoxicated;thatthesentimentandlanguagewereutterlyunlikehim，hewasmiserablyaware;thathedidnotevenknowexactlywhatitmeant，hewasalsohopelesslyconscious。Yetfeelingallthis，——feeling，too，theshameofappearingbeforeherasamanwhohadlosthissensesthroughasingleglassofwine，——neverthelessheroseawkwardly，seizedherhand，andbysheerforcedrewhertowardshim，andkissedher。Withanexclamationthatwashalfacryandhalfalaugh，shefledfromhim，leavinghimaloneandbewilderedontheterrace。
　　ForamomentMr。Clinchsupportedhimselfagainsttheopenwindow，leaninghisthrobbingheadonthecoldglass。Shame，mortification，anhystericalhalf-consciousnessofhisutterridiculousness，andyetanodd，undefinedterrorofsomething，byturnspossessedhim。
　　Washeeverbeforeguiltyofsuchperfectfolly？Hadheeverbeforemadesuchaspectacleofhimself？Wasitpossiblethathe，Mr。
　　JamesClinch，thecoolestheadatalatesupper，——he，theAmerican，whohadrepeatedlydrunkFrenchmenandEnglishmenunderthetable——couldbetransformedintoasentimental，stageyidiotbyasingleglassofwine？Hewasconscious，too，ofaskinghimselftheseveryquestionsinastiltedsortofrhetoric，andwitharisingbrutalityofangerthatwasnewtohim。Andtheneverythingswambeforehim，andheseemedtoloseallconsciousness。
　　Butonlyforaninstant。Withastrongeffortofhiswillheagainrecalledhimself，hissituation，hissurroundings，and，aboveall，hisappointment。Herosetohisfeet，hurriedlydescendedtheterrace-steps，and，beforehewellknewhow，foundhimselfagainontheroad。Oncethere，hisfacultiesreturnedinfullvigor;hewasagainhimself。Hestrodebrisklyforwardtowardtheditchhehadcrossedonlyafewmomentsbefore，butwassuddenlystopped。Itwasfilledwithwater。Helookedupanddown。Itwasclearlythesameditch;butaflowingstreamthirtyfeetwidenowseparatedhimfromtheotherbank。
　　Theappearanceofthisunlooked-forobstaclemadeMr。Clinchdoubtthefullrestorationofhisfaculties。Hesteppedtothebrinkofthefloodtobathehisheadinthestream，andwashawaythelastvestigesofhispotations。Butasheapproachedtheplaciddepths，andkneltdownheagainstartedback，andthistimewithafullconvictionofhisownmadness;forreflectedfromitsmirror-likesurfacewasafigurehecouldscarcelycallhisown，althoughhereandtheresometraceofhisformerselfremained。
　　Hisclose-croppedhair，trimmedalamode，hadgivenwaytolong，curlinglocksthatdroppeduponhisshoulders。Hisneatmustachewasfrightfullyprolonged，andcurledupattheendsstiffly。HisPiccadillycollarhadchangedshapeandtexture，andreached——amassoflace——toapointmidwayofhisbreast！Hisboots，——whyhadhenotnoticedhisbootsbefore？——thesetriumphsofhisParisianbootmaker，werelostinhideousleatherncasesthatreachedhalfwayuphisthighs。Inplaceofhisformerhighsilkhat，therelayuponthegroundbesidehimtheawfulthinghehadjusttakenoff，——
　　amassofthickenedfelt，flap，feather，andbucklethatweighedatleastastone。
　　Asingleterribleideanowtookpossessionofhim。Hehadbeen"sold，""takenin，""donefor。"Hesawitall。Inastateofintoxicationhehadlosthisway，hadbeendraggedintosomevileden，strippedofhisclothesandvaluables，andturnedadriftuponthequiettowninthisshamelessmasquerade。Howshouldhekeephisappointment？howinformthepoliceofthisoutrageuponastrangerandanAmericancitizen？howestablishhisidentity？Hadtheysparedhispapers？Hefeltfeverishlyinhisbreast。Ah！——
　　hiswatch？Yes，awatch——heavy，jewelled，enamelled——and，byallthatwasridiculous，FIVEOTHERS！Heranhishandsintohiscapacioustrunkhose。Whatwasthis？Brooches，chains，finger-
　　rings，——onelargeepiscopalone，——ear-rings，andahandfulofbatteredgoldandsilvercoins。Hispapers，hismemorandums，hispassport——allproofsofhisidentity——weregone！Intheirplacewastheunmistakableomniumgatherumofanaccomplishedknightoftheroad。Notonlywashispersonality，buthischaracter，goneforever。
　　ItwasapartofMr。Clinch’ssingularexperiencethatthislaststrokeofillfortuneseemedtoreviveinhimsomethingofthebrutalinstincthehadfeltamomentbefore。Heturnedeagerlyaboutwiththeintentionofcallingsomeone——thefirstpersonhemet——toaccount。Butthehousethathehadjustquittedwasgone。
　　Thewall！Ah，thereitwas，nolongerpurposeless，intrusive，andivy-clad，butpartofthebuttressofanothermassivewallthatroseintobattlementsabovehim。Mr。ClinchturnedagainhopelesslytowardSammtstadt。TherewasthefringeofpoplarsontheRhine，thereweretheoutlyingfieldslitbythesamemeridiansun;butthecharacteristicchimneysofSammtstadtweregone。Mr。
　　Clinchwashopelesslylost。
　　Thesoundofahornbreakingthestillnessrecalledhissenses。Henowforthefirsttimeperceivedthatalittledistancebelowhim，partlyhiddeninthetrees，wasaqueer，tower-shapedstructurewithchainsandpulleys，thatinsomestrangewayrecalledhisboyishreading。Adrawbridgeandportcullis！Andonthebattlementafigureinamasqueradingdressasabsurdashisown，flourishingabannerandtrumpet，andtryingtoattracthisattention。
　　"WaswollenSie？"
　　"Iwanttoseetheproprietor，"saidMr。Clinch，chokingbackhisrage。
　　Therewasapause，andthefigureturnedapparentlytoconsultwithsomeonebehindthebattlements。Afteramomenthereappeared，andinaperfunctorymonotone，withanoccasionalbreathingspellonthetrumpet，began，——
　　"Youdogivewarrantyasagoodknightandtrue，aswellasbythebonesoftheblessedSt。Ursula，thatyoubearnoillwill，secretenmity，wickedmispriseorconspiracy，againstthebodyofournoblelordandmasterVonKolnsche？Andyoubringwithyounoambush，siege，orsurpriseofretainers，neithersecretwarrantnorlettresdecachet，norcarryonyourknightlypersonpoisoneddagger，magicring，witch-powder，norenchantedbullet，andthatyouhaveenteredintonounhallowedalliancewiththePrinceofDarkness，gnomes，hexies，dragons，Undines，Loreleis，northelike？"
　　"Comedownoutofthat，youd————doldfool！"roaredMr。Clinch，nowperfectlybesidehimselfwithrage，——"comedown，andletmein！"
　　AsMr。Clinchshoutedoutthelastwords，confusedcriesofrecognitionandwelcome，notunmixedwithsomeconsternation，rosefromthebattlements："AchGott！""MutterGott——itishe！ItisJann，DerWanderer。Itishimself。"Thechainsrattled，theponderousdrawbridgecreakedanddropped;andacrossitamedleyofmotleyfiguresrushedpellmell。But，foremostamongthem，theverymaidenwhomhehadleftnottenminutesbeforeflewintohisarms，andwithacryofjoyfulgreetingsankuponhisbreast。Mr。Clinchlookeddownuponthefairheadandlongbraids。Itcertainlywasthesamemaiden，hiscruelenchantress;butwheredidshegetthoseabsurdgarments？
　　"Willkommen，"saidastoutfigure，advancingwithsomeauthority，andseizinghisdisengagedhand，"wherehastthoubeensolong？"
　　Mr。Clinch，bynomeansplacated，coldlydroppedtheextendedhand。
　　ItwasNOTtheproprietorhehadknown。ButtherewasasingularresemblanceinhisfacetosomeoneofMr。Clinch’sownkin;butwho，hecouldnotremember。"MayItakethelibertyofaskingyourname？"heaskedcoldly。
　　Thefiguregrinned。"Surely;but，ifthoustandestuponpunctilio，itisforMEtoaskthine，mostnobleFreiherr，"saidhe，winkinguponhisretainers。"WhomhaveIthehonorofentertaining？"
　　"MynameisClinch，——JamesClinchofChicago，Ill。"
　　Ashoutoflaughterfollowed。InthemidstofhisrageandmortificationMr。Clinchfanciedhesawashadeofpainandannoyanceflitacrossthefaceofthemaiden。Hewaspuzzled，butpressedherhand，inspiteofhislateexperiences，reassuringly。
　　Shemadeagestureofsilencetohim，andthenslippedawayinthecrowd。
　　"SchamesK’l’n’schevonSchekargo，"mimickedthefigure，totheunspeakabledelightofhisretainers。"So！THATisthelatestFrenchstyle。HolySt。Ursula！Harkye，nephew！Iamnotatravelledman。SincetheCrusadeswesimpleRhinegentlemenhavestaidathome。ButIcallmyselfKolnscheofKoln，atyourservice。"
　　"Verylikelyyouareright，"saidMr。Clinchhotly，disregardingthecautionofhisfaircompanion;"but，whoeverYOUare，Iamastrangerentitledtoprotection。Ihavebeenrobbed。"
　　IfMr。Clinchhadutteredanexquisitejokeinsteadofaveryangrystatement，itcouldnothavebeenmorehilariouslyreceived。Hepaused，grewconfused，andthenwentonhesitatingly，——
　　"InplaceofmypapersandcredentialsIfindonlythese。"Andheproducedthejewelryfromhispockets。
　　Anothershoutoflaughterandclappingofhandsfollowedthissecondspeech;andthebaron，withawinkathisretainers，prolongedthegeneralmirthbysaying，"Bytheway，nephew，thereislittledoubtbuttherehasbeenrobbery——somewhere。"
　　"Itwasdone，"continuedMr。Clinch，hurryingtomakeanendofhisexplanation，"whileIwasinadvertentlyovercomewithliquor，——
　　druggedliquor。"
　　Thelaughterherewassouproariousthatthebaron，albeitwithtearsoflaughterinhisowneyes，madeaperemptorygestureofsilence。Thegesturewaspeculiartothebaron，efficaciousandsimple。Itconsistedmerelyinknockingdownthenearestlaugher。
　　Havingthusrestoredtranquillity，hestrodeforward，andtookMr。
　　Clinchbythehand。"BySt。Adolph，Ididdoubttheeamomentago，nephew;butthislastfrankconfessionofthineshowsmeIdidtheewrong。WillkommenzuHause，Jann，drunkorsober，willcommenzuCracowen。"
　　Moreandmoremystified，butconvincedofthefollyofanyfurtherexplanation，Mr。Clinchtooktheextendedhandofhisallegeduncle，andpermittedhimselftobeledintothecastle。Theypassedintoalargebanqueting-halladornedwitharmorandimplementsofthechase。Mr。Clinchcouldnothelpnoticing，that，althoughtheappointmentswereliberalandpicturesque，theventilationwasbad，andthesmokefromthehugechimneymadetheairmurky。Theoakentables，massiveincarvingandrichincolor，wereunmistakablygreasy;andMr。Clinchslippedonapieceofmeatthatoneofthedozenhalf-wilddogswhowereoccupyingtheroomwastearingonthefloor。Thedog，yelping，ranbetweenthelegsofaretainer，precipitatinghimuponthebaron，whoinstantly，withthe"equalfoot"offate，kickedhimandthedogintoacorner。
　　"Andwhencecameyoulast？"askedthebaron，disregardingthelittlecontretemps，andthrowinghimselfheavilyonanoakensettle，whilehepushedaqueer，uncomfortable-lookingstool，withlegslikeaSiamese-twin-connecteddoubleX，towardshiscompanion。
　　Mr。Clinch，whohadquitegivenhimselfuptofate，answeredmechanically，——
　　"Paris。"
　　Thebaronwinkedhiseyewithunutterable，elderlywickedness。
　　"AchGott！itisnothingtowhatitwaswhenIwasyourage。Ah！
　　therewasManon，——SieurManonweusedtocallher。Isupposeshe’sgettingoldnow。Howgoesonthefeudbetweenthestudentsandthecitizens？Eh？DidyougotothebalinlaCite？"
　　Mr。ClinchstoppedtheflowofthoseJustice-Shallow-likereminiscencesbyanuneasyexclamation。Hewasthinkingofthemaidenwhohaddisappearedsosuddenly。Thebaronmisinterpretedhisnervousness。"Whatho，withinthere！——Max，Wolfgang，——lazyrascals！Bringsomewine。"
　　AtthebalefulwordMr。Clinchstartedtohisfeet。"Notforme！
　　Bringmenoneofyourbody-and-soul-destroyingpoison！I’veenoughofit！"
　　Thebaronstared。Theservitorsstaredalso。
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"saidMr。Clinch，recallinghimselfslowly;
　　"butIfearthatRhinewinedoesnotagreewithme。"
　　Thebarongrinned。Perceiving，however，thatthethreeservitorsgrinnedalso，hekickedtwoofthemintoobscurity，andfelledthethirdtothefloorwithhisfist。"Harkye，nephew，"hesaid，turningtotheastonishedClinch，"giveoverthisnonsense！BythemitreofBishopHatto，thouartasbigafoolashe！"
　　"Hatto，"repeatedClinchmechanically。"What！heoftheMouseTower？"
　　"Ay，oftheMouseTower！"sneeredthebaron。"Iseeyouknowthestory。"
　　"WhyamIlikehim？"askedMr。Clinchinamazement。
　　Thebarongrinned。"HEpunishedtheRhenishwineasthoudost，withoutjudgment。Hehad——"
　　"Thejim-jams，"saidMr。Clinchmechanicallyagain。
　　Thebaronfrowned。"Iknownotwhatgibberishthousayestby’jim-
　　jams’;buthehad，likethee，thewildestfantasiesandimaginings;
　　sawsnakes，toads，rats，inhisboots，butprincipallyrats;saidtheypursuedhim，cametohisroom，hisbed——achGott！"
　　"Oh！"saidMr。Clinch，withasuddenreturntohisfirmerselfandhisnativeinquiringhabits;"thenTHATisthefactaboutBishopHattoofthestory？"
　　"Hisenemiesmadeitthesubjectofavileslanderofanoldfriendofmine，"saidthebaron;"andthosecursedpoets，whobelieveeverything，andthenpersuadeotherstodoso，——maytheDevilflyawaywiththem！——keptitup。"
　　HerewerefactsquitetoMr。Clinch’sscepticalmind。Heforgothimselfandhissurroundings。
　　"AndthatstoryoftheDrachenfels？"heaskedinsinuatingly，——"thedragon，youknow。Washetoo——"
　　Thebarongrinned。"AboartransformedbythedrunkenbrainsoftheBauersoftheSiebengebirge。AchGott！Ottefriedhadmanyaheartylaughoverit;anditdidhim，asthouknowest，goodservicewiththenervousmotherofthesillymaiden。"
　　"AndthesevensistersofSchonberg？"askedMr。Clinchpersuasively。
　　"’Schonberg！Sevensisters！’Whatofthem？"demandedthebaronsharply。
　　"Why，youknow，——themaidenswhoweresocoytotheirsuitors，and——
　　don’tyouremember？——jumpedintotheRhinetoavoidthem。"
　　"’Coy？JumpedintotheRhinetoavoidsuitors’？"roaredthebaron，purplewithrage。"Harkye，nephew！Ilikenotthisjesting。
　　ThouknowestImarriedoneoftheSchonberggirls，asdidthyfather。How’coy’theywereisneitherherenorthere;butmayhapWEmighttellanotherstory。Thyfather，asweakafellowasthouartwhereapetticoatisconcerned，couldnotasagentlemandootherthanhedid。AndTHISishisreward？AchGott！’Coy！’AndTHIS，Iwarrant，isthewaythestoryisdeliveredinParis。"
　　Mr。Clinchwouldhaveansweredthatthiswasthewayhereaditinaguidebook，butcheckedhimselfatthehopelessnessoftheexplanation。Besides，hewasontheeveofhistoricinformation;
　　hewas，asitwere，interviewingthepast;and，whetherhewouldeverbeabletoprofitbytheopportunityornot，hecouldnotbeartoloseit。"AndhowabouttheLorelei——isshe，too，afiction？"
　　heaskedglibly。
　　"Itwassaid，"observedthebaronsardonically，"thatwhenthoudisappearedwiththegamekeeper’sdaughteratObercassel——Heavenknowswhere！——thouwastswallowedupinawhirlpoolwithsomecreature。AchGott！Ibelieveit！Butatrucetothisbalderdash。Andsothouwantesttoknowofthe’coy’sistersofSchoenberg？Harkye，Jann，thatcousinofthineisaSchonberg。
　　Callyouher’coy’？DidInotseethygreeting？Eh？BySt。
　　Adolph，knowingtheeasshedoestoberobberandthief，callyouhergreeting’coy’？"
　　FuriousasMr。Clinchinwardlybecameundertheseepithets，hefeltthathisexplanationwouldhardlyrelievethemaidenfromdeceit，orhimselffromweakness。Butoutofhisveryperplexityandturmoilabrightideawasborn。Heturnedtothebaron，——
　　"ThenyouhavenofaithintheRhinelegends？"
　　Thebarononlyrepliedwithacontemptuousshrugofhisshoulders。
　　"ButwhatifItoldyouanewone？"
　　"You？"
　　"Yes;apartofmyexperience？"
　　Thebaronwascurious。Itwasearlyintheafternoon，justafterdinner。Hemightbeworsebored。
　　"I’veonlyonecondition，"addedMr。Clinch："theyounglady——I
　　mean，ofcourse，mycousin——musthearittoo。"
　　"Oh，ay！Isee。Ofcourse——theoldtrick！Well，callthejade。
　　Butmarkye，SirNephew，noenchantedmaidensandknights。Keeptothyself。Beasthouart，vagabondJannKolnische，knightoftheroad。——Whathothere，scoundrels！CalltheLadyWilhemina。"
　　ItwasthefirsttimeMr。Clinchhadheardhisfairfriend’sname;
　　butitwasnot，evidently，thefirsttimeshehadseenhim，astheverydecidedwinkthegentlemaidendroppedhimtestified。
　　Nevertheless，withhandslightlyclaspedtogether，anddowncasteyes，shestoodbeforethem。
　　Mr。Clinchbegan。Withoutheedingthebaron’sscornfulgrin，hegraphicallydescribedhismeeting，twoyearsbefore，withaLorelei，herusualpressinginvitation，andhissubsequentplungeintotheRhine。
　　"Iamfreetoconfess，"addedMr。Clinch，withanaffectingglancetoWilhelmina，"thatIwasnotenamouredofthegracesofthelady，butwasactuatedbymydesiretotravel，andexplorehithertounknownregions。Iwishedtotravel，tovisit——"
　　"Paris，"interruptedthebaronsarcastically。
　　"America，"continuedMr。Clinch。
　　"What？"——"America。"
　　"’Tisagnome-likesoundingname，thisMeriker。Goon，nephew：
　　tellusofMeriker。"
　　Withthecharacteristicfluencyofhisnation，Mr。Clinchdescribedhislandingonthoseenchantedshores，viz，theRhineWhirlpoolandHellGate，EastRiver，NewYork。Hedescribedtherailways，tram-
　　ways，telegraphs，hotels，phonograph，andtelephone。Anoccasionaloathbrokefromthebaron，buthelistenedattentively;andinafewmomentsMr。Clinchhadtheraconteur’ssatisfactionofseeingthevasthallslowlyfillingwithopen-eyedandopen-mouthedretainershanginguponhiswords。Mr。Clinchwentontodescribehisastonishmentatmeetingontheseveryshoressomeofhisownbloodandkin。"Infact，"saidMr。Clinch，"herewerearacecallingthemselves’Clinch，’butallclaimingtohavedescendedfromKolnische。"
　　"Andhow？"sneeredthebaron。
　　"ThroughJamesKolnischeandWilhelminahiswife，"returnedMr。
　　Clinchboldly。"TheyemigratedfromKolnandCrefeldtoPhiladelphia，wherethereisaquarternamedCrefeld。"Mr。Clinchfelthimselfshakyastohischronology，butwiselyrememberedthatitwasachronologyofthefuturetohishearers，andtheycouldnotdetectananachronism。WithhiseyesfixeduponthoseofthegentleWilhelmina，Mr。Clinchnowproceededtodescribehisreturntohisfatherland，buthisastonishmentatfindingtheveryfaceofthecountrychanged，andacitystandingonthosefieldshehadplayedinasaboy;andhowhehadwanderedhopelesslyon，untilheatlastsatwearilydowninahumblecottagebuiltupontheruinsofalordlycastle。"Soutterlytravel-wornandweakhadI
　　become，"saidMr。Clinch，withadroitlysimulatedpathos，"thatasingleglassofwineofferedmebythesimplecottagemaidenaffectedmelikeaprolongeddebauch。"
　　Along-drawnsnorewasallthatfollowedthisaffectingclimax。
　　Thebaronwasasleep;theretainerswerealsoasleep。Onlyonepairofeyesremainedopen，——arch，luminous，blue，——Wilhelmina’s。
　　"ThereisasubterraneanpassagebelowustoLinn。Letusfly！"
　　shewhispered。
　　"Butwhy？"
　　"Theyalwaysdoitinthelegends，"shemurmuredmodestly。
　　"Butyourfather？"
　　"Hesleeps。Doyounothearhim？"
　　Certainlysomebodywassnoring。But，oddlyenough，itseemedtobeWilhelmina。Mr。Clinchsuggestedthistoher。
　　"Fool，itisyourself！"
　　Mr。Clinch，struckwiththeidea，stoppedtoconsider。Shewasright。ItcertainlyWAShimself。
　　Withastruggleheawoke。Thesunwasshining。Themaidenwaslookingathim。Butthecastle——thecastlewasgone！
　　"Youhavesleptwell，"saidthemaidenarchly。"EverybodydoesafterdinneratSammtstadt。Fatherhasjustawakened，andiscoming。"
　　Mr。Clinchstaredatthemaiden，attheterrace，atthesky，atthedistantchimneysofSammtstadt，atthemoredistantRhine，atthetablebeforehim，andfinallyattheemptyglass。Themaidensmiled。"Tellme，"saidMr。Clinch，lookinginhereyes，"isthereasecretpassageundergroundbetweenthisplaceandtheCastleofLinn？"
　　"Anundergroundpassage？"
　　"Ay——whencethedaughterofthehousefledwithastrangerknight。"
　　"Theysaythereis，"saidthemaiden，withagentleblush。
　　"Canyoushowittome？"
　　Shehesitated。"Papaiscoming：I’llaskhim。"
　　Ipresumeshedid。AtleasttheHerrConsulatSammtstadtinformsmeofamarriage-certificateissuedtooneClinchofChicago，andKolnischeofKoln;andthereisanamusingstoryextantintheVereinatSammtstadt，ofanAmericanconnoisseurofRhinewines，whomistookaflaskofCognacandrock-candy，usedfor"craftilyqualifying"lowergradesofwinetotheAmericanstandard，fortherarestRudesheimerberg。
　　VIEWSFROMAGERMANSPION
　　Outsideofmywindow，twonarrowperpendicularmirrors，parallelwiththecasement，projectintothestreet，yetwithacertainunobtrusivenessofanglethatenablesthemtoreflectthepeoplewhopass，withoutanyreciprocaldisclosureoftheirown。Themenandwomenhurryingbynotonlydonotknowtheyareobserved，but，whatisworse，donotevenseetheirownreflectioninthishypocriticalplane，andareconsequentlyunable，throughitsaid，tocorrectanycarelessnessofgarb，gait，ordemeanor。Atfirstthisseemstobetakinganunfairadvantageofthehumananimal，whoinvariablyassumesanattitudewhenheisconsciousofbeingunderhumanfocus。ButIobservethatmyneighbors’windows，rightandleft，haveasimilarapparatus，thatthiscustomisevidentlyalocalone，andthelocalityisGerman。BeinganAmericanstranger，Iamquitewillingtoleavethemoralityofthetransactionwiththelocality，andadaptmyselftothecustom：indeed，Ihadthoughtofofferingit，figuratively，asanexcuseforanyunfairnessofobservationImightmakeinthesepages。ButmyGermanmirrorsreflectwithoutprejudice，selection，orcomment;andtheAmericaneye，Ifear，isbutmortal，andlikeallmortaleyes，figurativelyaswellasinthatliteralfactnotedbyaneminentscientificauthority，infinitelyinferiortotheworkofthebestGermanopticians。
　　Andthisleadsmetomyfirstobservation，namely，thatamajorityofthosewhopassmymirrorhaveweakeyes，andhavealreadyinvokedtheaidoftheoptician。Whyarethesepeople，physicallyinallelsesomuchstrongerthanmycountrymen，deficientineyesight？Or，toomitthepassingtestimonyofmySpion，andtakemyownpersonalexperience，whydoesmyyoungfriendMax，brightestofallschoolboys，whoalreadywearsthecapthatdenotesthehighestclass，——whydoesheshockmebysuddenlydrawingforthapairofspectacles，thatuponhisfresh，rosyfacewouldbeanobviousmockingimitationoftheHerrPapa——ifGermanchildrencouldever，byanypossibility，beirreverent？OrwhydoestheFrauleinMarie，hissister，pinkasAurora，roundasHebe，suddenlyveilherblueeyeswithagoldenlorgnetteinthemidstofourpolyglotconversation？Isittoevadethedirect，admiringglanceoftheimpulsiveAmerican？DareIsayNO？DareIsaythatthatfrank，clear，honest，earnestreturnoftheeye，whichhasontheContinentmostunfairlybroughtmyfaircountrywomenundercriticism，isquiteascommontohermorecarefully-guarded，tradition-hedgedGermansisters？No，itisnotthat。Isitanythingintheseemeraldandopaltintedskies，whichseemsounrealtotheAmericaneye，andforthefirsttimeexplainwhatseemedtheunrealityofGermanart？inthesemysteriousyetrestfulRhinefogs，whichprolongthetwilight，andhangthecurtainofromanceevenovermid-day？Surelynot。Isitnotrather，OHerrProfessorprofoundinanalogyandphilosophy！——isitnotratherthisabominableblack-letter，thiselsewhere-discarded，uncouth，slowly-
　　decayingtextknownastheGermanAlphabet，thatplucksoutthebrighteyesofyouth，andbristlesthegatewaysofyourlanguagewithachevauxdefriseofsplinteredrubbish？WhymustIhesitatewhetheritisanaccidentoftheprinter’spress，orthepoorqualityofthepaper，thatmakesthislettera"k"ora"t"？WhymustIhaltinanemotionorathoughtbecause"s"and"f"aresonearlyalike？IsitnotenoughthatI，animpulsiveAmerican，accustomedtodoathingfirst，andreflectuponitafterwards，mustgropemywaythroughablindalleyofsubstantivesandadjectives，onlytofindtheverbofactioninanobscurecorner，withoutruiningmyeyesightinthegroping？
　　ButIdismisstheseabstractreflectionsforafreshandactiveresentment。ThisisthefifthorsixthdogthathaspassedmySpion，harnessedtoasmallbarrow-likecart，andtuggingpainfullyataburdensoludicrouslydisproportionatetohissize，thatitwouldseemaburlesque，butforthepoordog’ssadsincerity。
　　PerhapsitisbecauseIhavethebarbarian’sfondnessfordogs，andfortheirlawless，gentle，lovinguselessness，thatIrebelagainstthisunnaturalservitude。Itseemsasmonstrousasifachildwereputbetweentheshafts，andmadetocarryburdens;andIhavecometoregardthosemenandwomen，whointheweakestperfunctorywayaffecttoaidthepoorbrutebylayingidlehandsonthebarrowbehind，asIwouldunnaturalparents。PegasusharnessedtotheThracianherdsman’sploughwasnomoreofadesecration。Ifancythepoordogseemstofeelthemonstrosityoftheperformance，and，insheershameforhismaster，forgivinglytriestoassumeitisPLAY;andIhaveseenalittle"colley"runningalong，barking，andendeavoringtoleapandgambolintheshafts，beforealoadthatanyoneoutofthislocalitywouldhavethoughtthedirestcruelty。
　　Nordotheolderormorepowerfuldogsseemtobecomeaccustomedtoit。Whenhiscrueltaskmasterhaltswithhiswares，instantlythedog，eitherbysittingdowninhisharness，orcrawlingovertheshafts，orbysomeunmistakabledog-liketrick，utterlyscattersanysuchdelusionofeventhehabitofservitude。Thefewofhisracewhodonotworkinthisducalcityseemtohavelosttheirdemocraticcaninesympathies，andlookuponhimwithsomethingofthatindifferentcalmwithwhichyonderofficereyestheroad-
　　menderintheditchbelowhim。Heloseseventhecharacteristicsofspecies。Thecommoncurandmastifflookalikeinharness。Theburdenlevelsalldistinctions。Ihavesaidthathewasgenerallysincereinhisefforts。Irecallbutoneinstancetothecontrary。
　　Irememberayoungcolleywhofirstattractedmyattentionbyhispersistentbarking。Whetherhedidthis，astheplough-boywhistled，"forwantofthought，"orwhetheritwasarunningprotestagainsthisoccupation，Icouldnotdetermine，untilonedayInoticed，that，inbarking，heslightlythrewuphisneckandshoulders，andthatthetwo-wheeledbarrow-likevehiclebehindhim，havingitsweightevenlypoisedonthewheelsbythetrucksinthehandsofitsdriver，enabledhimbythismovementtocunninglythrowthecenterofgravityandthegreaterweightontheman，——afactwhichthatlesssagaciousbruteneverdiscerned。PerhapsIamusingastrongexpressionregardinghisdriver。Itmaybethatthepurelyanimalwantsofthedog，inthewayoffood，care，andshelter，aremorebountifullysuppliedinservitudethaninfreedom;becomingavaluableandusefulproperty，hemaybecaredforandprotectedassuch（anoddrecollectionthatthisargumenthadbeenusedforciblyinregardtohumanslaveryinmyowncountrystrikesmehere）;buthispicturesquenessandpoetryaregone，andIcannothelpthinkingthatthepeoplewhohavelostthisgentle，sympathetic，characteristicfigurefromtheirdomesticlifeandsurroundingshavenotacquiredanequalgainthroughhisharshlabors。
　　TotheAmericaneyethereis，throughoutthelengthandbreadthofthisforeigncity，nomorenotableandstrikingobjectthantheaverageGermanhouse-servant。ItisnotthatshehaspassedmySpionadozentimeswithinthelasthour，——forheresheismessenger，porter，andcommissionnaire，aswellashousemaidandcook，——butthatsheisalwaysaphenomenontotheAmericanstranger，accustomedtobeabusedinhisowncountrybyhisforeignIrishhandmaiden。Herpresenceisasrefreshingandgratefulasthemorninglight，andasinevitableandregular。WhenIaddthatwiththenoveltyofbeingwellservediscombinedthesatisfactionofknowingthatyouhaveinyourhouseholdanintelligentbeingwhoreadsandwriteswithfluency，andyetdoesnotabstractyourbooks，norcriticiseyourliterarycomposition;whoiscleanlyclad，andneatinherperson，withoutthesuspicionofhavingborrowedhermistress’sdresses;whomaybegood-lookingwithouttheleastimputationofcoquetryoradditiontoherfollowers;whoisobedientwithoutservility，politewithoutflattery，willingandrepletewithsupererogatoryperformance，withouttheexpectationofimmediatepecuniaryreturn，whatwonderthattheAmericanhouseholdertranslatedintoGermanlifefeelshimselfinanewEdenofdomesticpossibilitiesunrealizedinanyothercountry，andbeginstobelieveinapresentandfutureofdomestichappiness！
　　WhatwonderthattheAmericanbachelorlivinginGermanlodgingsfeelshalftheterrorsoftheconjugalfutureremoved，andrushesmadlyintolove——andhousekeeping！WhatwonderthatI，along-
　　sufferingandpatientmaster，whohavebeenservedbythereticentbuttooimitativeChinaman;whohavebeen"Massa"tothechildlikebutuntruthfulnegro;whohavebeentherecipientofthebrotherlybutuncertainministrationsoftheSouth-SeaIslander，andhavebeenproudlydisregardedbytheAmericanaborigine，onlyinduetimetomeetthefateofmycountrymenatthehandsofBridgettheCelt，——whatwonderthatIgladlyseizethisopportunitytosingthepraisesofmyGermanhandmaid！Honortothee，Lenchen，whereverthougoest！Heavenblesstheeinthywalksabroad！whetherwiththattightly-bootedcavalrymaninthySundaygownandbest，orinbluepolka-dottedapronandbareheadasthoutrottestnimblyonmineerrands，——errandswhichBridgeto’Flahertywouldscorntoundertake，or，undertaking，wouldhopelesslyblunderin。Heavenblessthee，child，inthyearlyrisingsandinthylatersittings，atthyfestiveboardoverflowingwithEssigandFett，inthemysteriesofthyKuchen，inthefulnessofthyBier，andinthynightlysuffocationsbeneathmountainousandmultitudinousfeathers！Good，honest，simple-minded，cheerful，duty-lovingLenchen！Havenotthybrothers，stronganddutifulasthou，lenttheirgravityandearnestnesstosweetenandstrengthenthefierceyouthoftheRepublicbeyondtheseas？andshallnotthychildreninheritthebroadprairiesthatstillwaitforthem，anddiscoverthefatnessthereof，andsendaportiontransmutedinglitteringshekelsbacktothee？
　　AlmostasnotablearethechildrenwhoseroundfaceshaveasfrequentlybeenreflectedinmySpion。WhetheritisonlyafancyofminethattheaverageGermanretainslongerthananyotherracehischildishsimplicityandunconsciousness，orwhetheritisbecauseIammoreaccustomedtotheextremeself-assertionandearlymaturityofAmericanchildren，Iknownot;butIaminclinedtobelievethatamongnootherpeopleischildhoodasperennial，andtobestudiedinsuchcharacteristicandquaintandsimplephasesashere。ThepicturesquenessofSpanishandItalianchildhoodhasafaintsuspicionofthepantomimeandtheconsciousattitudinizingoftheLatinraces。Germanchildrenarenotexuberantorvolatile：theyareserious，——aseriousness，however，nottobeconfoundedwiththegravereflectivenessofage，butonlytheabstractwondermentofchildhood;forallthosewhohavemadealovingstudyoftheyounghumananimalwill，Ithink，admitthatitsdominantexpressionisGRAVITY，andnotplayfulness，andwillbesatisfiedthatheerredpitifullywhofirstascribed"light-
　　heartedness"and"thoughtlessness"aspartofitsphenomena。TheselittlecreaturesImeetuponthestreet，——whetherinquaintwoodenshoesandshortwoollenpetticoats，orneatlybootedandfurred，withschoolknapsacksjauntilyborneuponlittlesquareshoulders，——
　　allcarrylikewiseintheirroundchubbyfacestheirprofoundwondermentandastonishmentatthebigbusyworldintowhichtheyhavesolatelystrayed。IfIstoptospeakwiththislittlemaidwhoscarcelyreachestothetop-bootsofyondercavalryofficer，thereislessofbashfulself-consciousnessinhersweetlittlefacethanofgravewonderattheforeignaccentandstrangewaysofthisnewfigureobtrudeduponherlimitedhorizon。Sheanswershonestly，frankly，prettily，butgravely。ThereisaremotepossibilitythatImightbite;and，withthissuspicionplainlyindicatedinherroundblueeyes，shequietlyslipsherlittleredhandfrommine，andmovessolemnlyaway。Irememberoncetohavestoppedinthestreetwithafaircountrywomanofminetointerrogatealittlefigureinsabots，——theonequaintobjectinthelong，formalperspectiveofnarrow，graybastard-ItalianfacadedhousesofaRhenishGermanStrasse。Thesweetlittlefigureworeadark-bluewoollenpetticoatthatcametoitsknees;
　　graywoollenstockingscoveredtheshapelylittlelimbsbelow;anditsveryblondehair，thecolorofabrightdandelion，wastiedinapatheticlittleknotatthebackofitsroundhead，andgarnishedwithanabsurdgreenribbon。Now，althoughthisgentlewoman’ssympathieswerecatholicanduniversal，unfortunatelytheirexpressionwaslimitedtoherownmother-tongue。Shecouldnothelppouringoutuponthechildthematernallovethatwasinherownwomanlybreast，norcouldshewithholdthe"baby-talk"throughwhichitwasexpressed。But，alas！itwasinEnglish。Henceensuedacolloquy，tenderandextravagantonthepartoftheelder，graveandwonderingonthepartofthechild。Buttheladyhadanaturalfemininedesireforreciprocity，particularlyinthepresenceofouremotion-scorningsex，andasalastresourcesheemptiedthesmallsilverofherpurseintothelapofthecoymaiden。Itwasadeclarationoflove，susceptibleoftranslationatthenearestcake-shop。Butthelittlemaid，whosedressandmannercertainlydidnotbetrayanhabitualdisregardofgiftsofthiskind，lookedatthecointhoughtfully，butnotregretfully。
　　Someinnatesenseofduty，equallystrongwiththatofbeingpolitetostrangers，filledherconsciousness。Withtheutterlyunexpectedremarkthatherfather’didnotallowhertotakemoney’，thequeerlittlefiguremovedaway，leavingthetwoAmericanscoveredwithmortification。TherareAmericanchildwhocouldhavedonethiswouldhavedoneitwithanattitude。ThislittleGermanbourgeoisediditnaturally。IdonotintendtorushtothedeductionthatGermanchildrenofthelowerclasseshabituallyrefusepecuniarygratuities：indeed，Iremembertohavewickedlysuggestedtomycompanion，that，toavoidimpoverishmentinaforeignland，sheshouldnotrepeatthestorynortheexperiment。
　　ButIsimplyofferitasafact，andtoanAmerican，athomeorabroad，anovelone。
　　Iowetotheselittlefiguresanotherexperiencequiteasstrange。
　　Itwasatthecloseofadullwinter’sday，——adayfromwhichallout-of-doorfestivityseemedtobenaturallyexcluded：therewasabalefulpromiseofsnowintheairandadismalreminiscenceofitunderfoot，whensuddenly，instrikingcontrastwiththedreadfulbleaknessofthestreet，ahalfdozenchildren，maskedandbedizenedwithcheapribbons，spangles，andembroidery，flashedacrossmySpion。Iwasquicktounderstandthephenomenon。ItwastheCarnivalseason。OnlythenightbeforeIhadbeentothegreatopeningmasquerade，——afamousaffair，forwhichthisart-lovingcityisnoted，andtowhichstrangersaredrawnfromallpartsoftheContinent。Iremembertohavewonderedifthepleasure-lovingGermaninAmericahadnotbrokensomeofhisconventionalshacklesinemigration;forcertainlyIhadfoundtheCarnivalballsofthe"LiederKranzSociety"inNewYork，althoughdecorousandfashionabletotheAmericantaste，tobewilddissipationscomparedwiththepracticalseriousnessofthisnativeperformance，andI
　　hailedthepresenceofthesechildrenintheopenstreetasapromiseofsomeextravagance，real，untrammelled，andcharacteristic。
　　Iseizedmyhatand——OVERCOAT，——adreadfulincongruitytothespanglesthathadwhiskedby，andfollowedthevanishingfiguresroundthecorner。Heretheywerere-enforcedbyadozenmenandwomen，fantastically，butnotexpensivelyarrayed，lookingnotunlikethesupernumerariesofsomeprovincialoperatroupe。
　　Followingthecrowd，whichalreadybegantopourinfromtheside-streets，inafewmomentsIwasinthebroad，grove-likeallee，andinthemidstofthemasqueraders。
　　Iremembertohavebeentoldthatthiswasacharacteristicannualcelebrationofthelowerclasses，anticipatedwitheagerness，andachievedwithdifficulty，indeed，oftenonlythroughthealternativeofpawningclothingandfurnituretoprovidethemeansforthisephemeraltransformation。Irememberbeingwarned，also，thatthebuffoonerywascoarse，andsomeoftheslanghardlyfitfor"earspolite。"ButIamafraidthatIwasnotshockedattheprodigalityofthesepoorpeople，whopurchasedaholidayonsuchhardconditions;and，astothecoarsenessoftheperformance，I
　　feltthatIcertainlymightgowherethesechildrencould。
　　Atfirstthemasqueradingfiguresappearedtobemainlycomposedofyounggirlsofagesvaryingfromninetoeighteen。Theircostumes——
　　ifwhatwasoftenonlytheadditionofabroad，bright-coloredstripetothehemofashortdresscouldbecalledaCOSTUME——wereplain，andseemedtoindicatenoparticularhistoricalepochorcharacter。Ageneralsuggestionofthepeasant’sholidayattirewasdominantinallthecostumes。Everybodywascloselymasked。
　　Allcarriedashort，gayly-stripedbatonofsplitwood，calledaPritsche，which，whenstrucksharplyonthebackorshouldersofsomespectatororsister-masker，emittedaclattering，raspingsound。Towanderhandinhanddownthisbroadallee，tostrikealmostmechanically，andoftenmonotonously，ateachotherwiththeirbatons，seemedtobetheextentofthatwilddissipation。
　　Thecrowdthickened。Youngmenwithfalsenoses，hideousmasks，cheapblackorredcottondominoes，soldiersinuniform，crowdedpasteachother，upanddownthepromenade，allcarryingaPritsche，andexchangingblowswitheachother，butalwayswiththesameslowseriousnessofdemeanor，which，withtheirsilence，gavetheperformancetheeffectofareligiousrite。Occasionallysomeoneshouted：perhapsadozenyoungfellowsbrokeoutinsong;buttheshoutwasprovocativeofnothing，thesongfalteredasifthesingerswerefrightenedattheirownvoices。Oneblithefellow，withabear’sheadonhisfur-cappedshoulders，begantodance;
　　but，onthecrowdstoppingtoobservehimseriously，heapparentlythoughtbetterofit，andslippedaway。Nevertheless，thesolemnbeatingofPritschenovereachother’sbackswenton。IrememberthatIwasfollowedthewholelengthofthealleebyalittlegirlscarcelytwelveyearsold，inabrightstripedskirtandblackmask，whofromtimetotimestruckmeovertheshoulderswitharegularityandsadpersistencythatwaspeculiarlyirresistibletome;themoreso，asIcouldnothelpthinkingthatitwasnothalfasamusingtoherself。OnceonlydidtheordinarybrusquegallantryoftheCarnivalspiritshowitself。Amanwithanenormouspairofhorns，likeahalf-civilizedsatyr，suddenlyseizedayounggirlandendeavoredtokissher。Aslightstruggleensued，inwhichIfanciedIdetectedinthegirl’sfaceandmannertheconfusionandembarrassmentofonewhowasobligedtooverlook，orseemtoaccept，afamiliaritythatwasdistasteful，ratherthanbelaughedatforprudishnessorignorance。Buttheincidentwasexceptional。Indeed，itwasparticularlynotabletomyAmericaneyestofindsuchdecorumwheretheremighteasilyhavebeenthegreatestlicense。IamafraidthatanAmericanmobofthisclasswouldhavescarcelybeenasorderlyandcivilunderthecircumstances。Theymighthaveshownmorehumor;buttherewouldhaveprobablybeenmoreeffrontery：theymighthavebeenmoreexuberant;theywouldcertainlyhavebeendrunker。Ididnotnoticeasinglemasqueraderundulyexcitedbyliquor：therewasnotawordormotionfromthelightersexthatcouldhavebeenconstruedintoanimpropriety。Therewassomethingalmostpathetictomeinthisattempttowrestgayetyandexcitementoutofthesedullmaterials;tofightagainsttheblacknessofthatwintrysky，andthestubbornhardnessofthefrozensoil，withthesepaintedsticksofwood;tomockthedrearinessoftheirpovertywiththeseflauntingraiments。Itdidnotseemlikethem，orrather，consistentwithmyideaofthem。Therewasincongruitydeeperthantheirbizarreexternals;ahalf-melancholy，half-crazyabsurdityintheiraction，thesubstitutionofagrimspasmodicfrenzyforlevity，thatrightlyorwronglyimpressedme。Whentheincreasinggloomoftheeveningmadetheirfiguresundistinguishable，Iturnedintothefirstcross-street。AsIliftedmyhattomypersistentyoungfriendwiththePritsche，Ifanciedshelookedasrelievedasmyself。If，however，Iwasmistaken;ifthatchild’spathwaythroughlifebestrewnwithrosyrecollectionsoftheunresistingbackofthestrangerAmerican;ifanyburden，OGretchen！laiduponthyyoungshoulders，belighterforthetriflingonethoudidstlayuponmine，——know，then，thatI，too，amcontent。
　　Andso，daybyday，hasmySpionreflectedthevariouschangingformsoflifebeforeit。Ithasseenthefirstflushofspringinthebroadallee，whentheshadowsoftinyleafletsoverheadwerebeginningtocheckerthecool，squareflagstones。Ithasseentheglareandfulnessofsummersunshineandshadow，theflyingofNovembergoldthroughtheair，thegauntlimbs，andstark，rigid，death-likewhitenessofwinter。Ithasseenchildrenintheirqueer，wickerbaby-carriages，oldmenandwomen，andoccasionallythatgrimusherofdeath，insablecloakandcockedhat，——abalefulfigureforthewanderinginvalidtouristtomeet，——whoactsasundertakerforthisducalcity，andmarshalsthelastmelancholyprocession。Iwellremembermyfirstmeetingwiththisominousfunctionary。Itwasanearlyautumnalmorning;soearly，thatthelongformalperspectiveoftheallee，andthedecorous，smoothvanishing-linesofcream-and-grayfrontedhouses，wereunrelievedbyasinglehumanfigure。Suddenlyatallblackspectre，astheatricalandasunrealasthepaintedscenicdistance，turnedthecornerfromacross-street，andmovedslowlytowardsme。Alongblackcloak，fallingfromitsshoulderstoitsfeet，floatedoutoneithersidelikesablewings;acockedhattrimmedwithcrape，andsurmountedbyahearse-likefeather，coveredapassionlessface;
　　anditseyes，lookingneitherleftnorright，werefixedfatefullyuponsomedistantgoal。StrangerasIwastothisContinentalceremonialfigure，therewasnomistakinghisfunctionsasthegrimmessenger，knocking"withequalfoot"oneverydoor;and，indeed，soperfectlydidheactandlookhisrole，thattherewasnothingludicrousintheextraordinaryspectacle。Facialexpressionanddignityofbearingwereperfect;thewholemanseemedsaturatedwiththeacceptedsentimentofhisoffice。Recallingthehalf-
　　confusedandhalf-consciousostentatioushypocrisyoftheAmericansexton，theshamelessabsurditiesoftheEnglishmutesandmourners，Icouldnothelpfeeling，that，ifitweredemandedthatGriefandFateshouldbepersonified，itwerebetterthatitshouldbewelldone。AnditisoneobservationofmySpion，thatthissincerityandbeliefisthecharacteristicofallContinentalfunctionaries。
　　ItispossiblethatmySpionhasshownmelittlethatisreallycharacteristicofthepeople，andthefewobservationsIhavemadeIofferonlyasanillustrationoftheimpressionsmadeupontwo-
　　thirdsofAmericanstrangersinthelargertownsofGermany。
　　Assimilationgoesonmorerapidlythanweareledtoimagine。AsI
　　haveseenmyfriendKarl，freshandawkwardinhisfirstuniform，lounginglaterdownthealleewiththeblaselistlessnessofafull-blownmilitaire，soIhaveseenAmericanandEnglishresidentsgraduallylosetheirpeculiarities，andmeltandmergeintothegeneralmass。ReturningtomySpionafteraflyingtripthroughBelgiumandFrance，asIlookdownthelongperspectiveoftheStrasse，IamconsciousofrecallingthesamestyleofarchitectureandhumanityatAachen，Brussels，Lille，andParis，andaminclinedtobelievethat，evenasIwouldhavemet，inajourneyofthesamedistancethroughaparallelofthesamelatitudeinAmerica，agreaterdiversityoftypeandcharacter，andamoredistinctflavoroflocality，evensowouldIhavemetamoreheterogeneousandpicturesquedisplayfromaclubwindowonFifthAvenue，NewYork，orMontgomeryStreet，SanFrancisco。