Mrs。Churchgavemeasmilewhichwasequivalenttoaconfession。"I
　　wishtoretainaLITTLE——justalittle。Surely，wehavedonesomuch，wemightrestawhile；wemightpause。Thatisallmyfeeling——
　　justtostopalittle，towait！Ihaveseensomanychanges。Iwishtodrawin，todrawin——toholdback，toholdback。"
　　"Youshouldn’tholdyourdaughterback！"Ianswered，laughingandgettingup。Igotup，notbywayofterminatingourinterview，forI
　　perceivedMrs。Church’sexpositionofherviewstobebynomeanscomplete，butinordertoofferachairtoMissAurora，whoatthismomentdrewnear。Shethankedmeandremainedstanding，butwithoutatfirst，asInoticed，meetinghermother’seye。
　　"Youhavebeenengagedwithyournewacquaintance，mydear？"thisladyinquired。
　　"Yes，mamma，dear，"saidtheyounggirl，gently。
　　"Doyoufindherveryedifying？"
　　Aurorawassilentamoment；thenshelookedathermother。"Idon’tknow，mamma；sheisveryfresh。"
　　Iventuredtoindulgeinarespectfullaugh。"Yourmotherhasanotherwordforthat。ButImustnot，"Iadded，"becrude。"
　　"Ah，vousm’envoulez？"inquiredMrs。Church。"AndyetIcan’tpretendIsaiditinjest。Ifeelittoomuch。Wehavebeenhavingalittlesocialdiscussion，"shesaidtoherdaughter。"Thereisstillsomuchtobesaid。""AndIwish，"shecontinued，turningtome，"thatIcouldgiveyouourpointofview。Don’tyouwish，Aurora，thatwecouldgivehimourpointofview？"
　　"Yes，mamma，"saidAurora。
　　"Weconsiderourselvesveryfortunateinourpointofview，don’twe，dearest？"mammademanded。
　　"Veryfortunate，indeed，mamma。"
　　"YouseewehaveacquiredaninsightintoEuropeanlife，"theelderladypursued。"WehaveourplaceatmanyaEuropeanfireside。Wefindsomuchtoesteem——somuchtoenjoy。Dowenot，mydaughter？"
　　"Soverymuch，mamma，"theyounggirlwenton，withasortofinscrutablesubmissiveness。Iwonderedatit；itofferedsostrangeacontrasttothemockingfreedomofhertonethenightbefore；butwhileIwonderedIwascarefulnottoletmyperplexitytakeprecedenceofmygoodmanners。
　　"Idon’tknowwhatyouladiesmayhavefoundatEuropeanfiresides，"
　　Isaid，"buttherecanbeverylittledoubtwhatyouhaveleftthere。"
　　Mrs。Churchgotup，toacknowledgemycompliment。"Wehavespentsomecharminghours。Andthatremindsmethatwehavejustnowsuchanoccasioninprospect。WearetocalluponsomeGenevesefriends——
　　thefamilyofthePasteurGalopin。TheyaretogowithustotheoldlibraryattheHoteldeVille，wheretherearesomeveryinterestingdocumentsoftheperiodoftheReformation；wearepromisedaglimpseofsomemanuscriptsofpoorServetus，theantagonistandvictim，youknow，ofCalvin。Here，ofcourse，onecanonlyspeakofCalvinunderone’sbreath，butsomeday，whenwearemoreprivate，"andMrs。
　　Churchlookedroundtheroom，"Iwillgiveyoumyviewofhim。I
　　thinkithasatouchoforiginality。Auroraisfamiliarwith，areyounot，mydaughter，familiarwithmyviewofCalvin？"
　　"Yes，mamma，"saidAurora，withdocility，whilethetwoladieswenttopreparefortheirvisittothePasteurGalopin。
　　CHAPTERVI。
　　"Shehasdemandedanewlamp；Itoldyoushewould！"ThiscommunicationwasmademebyMadameBeaurepasacoupleofdayslater。
　　"Andshehasaskedforanewtapisdelit，andshehasrequestedmetoprovideCelestinewithapairoflightshoes。Itoldherthat，asageneralthing，cooksarenotshodwithsatin。ThatpoorCelestine！"
　　"Mrs。Churchmaybeexacting，"Isaid，"butsheisacleverlittlewoman。"
　　"Aladywhopaysbutfivefrancsandahalfshouldn’tbetooclever。
　　C’estdeplace。Idon’tlikethetype。"
　　"WhattypedoyoucallMrs。Church’s？"
　　"MonDieu，"saidMadameBeaurepas，"c’estunedecesmamanscommevousenavez，quipromenentleurfille。"
　　"Sheistryingtomarryherdaughter？Idon’tthinkshe’softhatsort。"
　　ButMadameBeaurepasshrewdlyheldtoheridea。"Sheistryingitinherownway；shedoesitveryquietly。Shedoesn’twantanAmerican；
　　shewantsaforeigner。Andshewantsamariserieux。ButsheistravellingoverEuropeinsearchofone。Shewouldlikeamagistrate。"
　　"Amagistrate？"
　　"Agrosbonnetofsomekind；aprofessororadeputy。"
　　"Iamverysorryforthepoorgirl，"Isaid，laughing。
　　"Youneedn’tpityhertoomuch；she’saslything。"
　　"Ah，forthat，no！"Iexclaimed。"She’sacharminggirl。"
　　MadameBeaurepasgaveanelderlygrin。"Shehashookedyou，eh？Butthemotherwon’thaveyou。"
　　Idevelopedmyidea，withoutheedingthisinsinuation。"She’sacharminggirl，butsheisalittleodd。It’sanecessityofherposition。Sheislesssubmissivetohermotherthanshehastopretendtobe。That’sinself-defence；it’stomakeherlifepossible。"
　　"Shewishestogetawayfromhermother，"continuedMadameBeaurepas。
　　"Shewishestocourirleschamps。"
　　"ShewishestogotoAmerica，hernativecountry。"
　　"Precisely。Andshewillcertainlygo。"
　　"Ihopeso！"Irejoined。
　　"Somefinemorning——orevening——shewillgooffwithayoungman；
　　probablywithayoungAmerican。"
　　"Allonsdonc！"saidI，withdisgust。
　　"ThatwillbequiteAmericaenough，"pursuedmycynicalhostess。"I
　　havekeptaboarding-houseforfortyyears。Ihaveseenthattype。"
　　"Havesuchthingsasthathappenedchezvous？"Iasked。
　　"Everythinghashappenedchezmoi。Butnothinghashappenedmorethanonce。Thereforethiswon’thappenhere。Itwillbeatthenextplacetheygoto，orthenext。Besides，herethereisnoyoungAmericanpourlapartie——noneexceptyou，Monsieur。Youaresusceptible，butyouaretooreasonable。"
　　"It’sluckyforyouIamreasonable，"Ianswered。"It’sthankstothatfactthatyouescapeascolding！"
　　Onemorning，aboutthistime，insteadofcomingbacktobreakfastatthepension，aftermylecturesattheAcademy，Iwenttopartakeofthismealwithafellow-student，atanancienteating-houseinthecollegiatequarter。Onseparatingfrommyfriend，ItookmywayalongthatcharmingpublicwalkknowninGenevaastheTreille，ashadyterrace，ofimmenseelevation，overhangingaportionofthelowertown。Therearespreadingtreesandwell-wornbenches，andoverthetilesandchimneysofthevillebassethereisaviewofthesnow-crestedAlps。Ontheotherside，asyouturnyourbacktotheview，thepromenadeisoverlookedbyarowoftall，sober-facedhotels，thedwellingsofthelocalaristocracy。Iwasveryfondoftheplace，andoftenresortedtoittostimulatemysenseofthepicturesque。Presently，asIlingeredthereonthisoccasion，I
　　becameawarethatagentlemanwasseatednotfarfromwhereIstood，withhisbacktotheAlpinechain，whichthismorningwasbrilliantanddistinct，andanewspaper，unfolded，inhislap。Hewasnotreading，however；hewasstaringbeforehimingloomycontemplation。
　　Idon’tknowwhetherIrecognisedfirstthenewspaperoritsproprietor；one，ineithercase，wouldhavehelpedmetoidentifytheother。OnewastheNewYorkHerald；theother，ofcourse，wasMr。
　　Ruck。AsIdrewnearer，hetransferredhiseyesfromthestony，high-featuredmasksofthegrayoldhousesontheothersideoftheterrace，andIknewbytheexpressionofhisfacejusthowhehadbeenfeelingaboutthesedistinguishedabodes。Hehadmadeuphismindthattheirproprietorswereadusky，narrow-minded，unsociablecompany；plungingtheirrootsintoasuperfluouspast。I
　　endeavoured，therefore，asIsatdownbesidehim，tosuggestsomethingmoreimpersonal。
　　"That’sabeautifulviewoftheAlps，"Iobserved。
　　"Yes，"saidMr。Ruck，withoutmoving，"I’veexaminedit。Finething，initsway——finething。Beautiesofnature——thatsortofthing。Wecameuponpurposetolookatit。"
　　"Yourladies，then，havebeenwithyou？"
　　"Yes；theyarejustwalkinground。They’reawfullyrestless。TheykeepsayingI’mrestless，butI’masquietasasleepingchildtothem。Ittakes，"headdedinamoment，drily，"theformofshopping。"
　　"Aretheyshoppingnow？"
　　"Well，iftheyain’t，they’retryingto。Theytoldmetosithereawhile，andthey’djustwalkround。Igenerallyknowwhatthatmeans。
　　Butthat’stheprincipalinterestforladies，"headded，retractinghisirony。"Wethoughtwe’dcomeuphereandseethecathedral；Mrs。
　　Churchseemedtothinkitadeadlossthatweshouldn’tseethecathedral，especiallyaswehadn’tseenmanyyet。AndIhadtocomeuptothebanker’sanyway。Well，wecertainlysawthecathedral。I
　　don’tknowasweareanythebetterforit，andIdon’tknowasI
　　shouldknowitagain。Butwesawit，anyway。Idon’tknowasI
　　shouldwanttogothereregularly；butIsupposeitwillgiveus，inconversation，akindofholdonMrs。Church，eh？Iguesswewantsomethingofthatkind。Well，"Mr。Ruckcontinued，"Isteppedinatthebanker’stoseeiftherewasn’tsomething，andtheyhandedmeoutaHerald。"
　　"IhopetheHeraldisfullofgoodnews，"Isaid。
　　"Can’tsayitis。D-dbadnews。"
　　"Political，"Iinquired，"orcommercial？"
　　"Oh，hangpolitics！It’sbusiness，sir。Thereain’tanybusiness。
　　It’sallgoneto，"——andMr。Ruckbecameprofane。"Ninefailuresinoneday。Whatdoyousay-tothat？"
　　"Ihopetheyhaven’tinjuredyou，"Isaid。
　　"Well，theyhaven’thelpedmemuch。Somanyhousesonfire，that’sall。Iftheyhappentotakeplaceinyourownstreet，theydon’tincreasethevalueofyourproperty。Whenminecatches，Isupposethey’llwriteandtellme——oneofthesedays，whenthey’vegotnothingelsetodo。Ididn’tgetablessedletterthismorning；I
　　supposetheythinkI’mhavingsuchagoodtimeoverhereit’sapitytodisturbme。IfIcouldattendtobusinessforabouthalfanhour，I’dfindoutsomething。ButIcan’t，andit’snousetalking。Thestateofmyhealthwasneversounsatisfactoryasitwasaboutfiveo’clockthismorning。"
　　"Iamverysorrytohearthat，"Isaid，"andIrecommendyoustronglynottothinkofbusiness。"
　　"Idon’t，"Mr。Ruckreplied。"I’mthinkingofcathedrals；I’mthinkingofthebeautiesofnature。Come，"hewenton，turningroundonthebenchandleaninghiselbowontheparapet，"I’llthinkofthosemountainsoverthere；theyAREpretty，certainly。Can’tyougetoverthere？"
　　"Overwhere？"
　　"Overtothosehills。Don’ttheyrunatrainrightup？"
　　"YoucangotoChamouni，"Isaid。"YoucangotoGrindelwaldandZermattandfiftyotherplaces。Youcan’tgobyrail，butyoucandrive。"
　　"Allright，we’lldrive——andnotinaone-horseconcern，either。
　　Yes，Chamouniisoneoftheplacesweputdown。IhopethereareafewniceshopsinChamouni。"Mr。Ruckspokewithacertainquickenedemphasis，andinatonemoreexplicitlyhumorousthanhecommonlyemployed。Ithoughthewasexcited，andyethehadnottheappearanceofexcitement。Helookedlikeamanwhohassimplytaken，inthefaceofdisaster，asudden，somewhatimaginative，resolutionnotto"worry。"Hepresentlytwistedhimselfaboutonhisbenchagainandbegantowatchforhiscompanions。"Well，theyAREwalkinground，"heresumed；"Iguessthey’vehitonsomething，somewhere。
　　Andthey’vegotacarriagewaitingoutsideofthatarchwaytoo。Theyseemtodoabigbusinessinarchwayshere，don’tthey。Theyliketohaveacarriagetocarryhomethethings——thoseladiesofmine。Thenthey’resurethey’vegotthem。"Theladies，afterthis，todothemjustice，werenotverylonginappearing。Theycametowardus，fromunderthearchwaytowhichMr。Ruckhadsomewhatinvidiouslyalluded，slowlyandwitharatherexhaustedstepandexpression。Mycompanionlookedatthemamoment，astheyadvanced。"They’retired，"hesaidsoftly。"Whenthey’retired，likethat，it’sveryexpensive。"
　　"Well，"saidMrs。Ruck，"I’mgladyou’vehadsomecompany。"Herhusbandlookedather，insilence，throughnarrowedeyelids，andI
　　suspectedthatthisgraciousobservationonthelady’spartwaspromptedbyarestlessconscience。
　　MissSophyglancedatmewithherlittlestraightforwardairofdefiance。"ItwouldhavebeenmoreproperifWEhadhadthecompany。
　　Whydidn’tyoucomeafterus，insteadofsittingthere？"sheaskedofMr。Ruck’scompanion。
　　"Iwastoldbyyourfather，"Iexplained，"thatyouwereengagedinsacredrites。"MissRuckwasnotgracious，thoughIdoubtwhetheritwasbecauseherconsciencewasbetterthanhermother’s。
　　"Well，foragentlemanthereisnothingsosacredasladies’
　　society，"repliedMissRuck，inthemannerofapersonaccustomedtogivingneatretorts。
　　"IsupposeyourefertotheCathedral，"saidhermother。"Well，I
　　mustsay，wedidn’tgobackthere。Idon’tknowwhatitmaybeofaSunday，butitgavemeachill。"
　　"Wediscoveredtheloveliestlittlelace-shop，"observedtheyounggirl，withaserenitythatwassuperiortobravado。
　　Herfatherlookedatherawhile；thenturnedaboutagain，leaningontheparapet，andgazedawayatthe"hills。"
　　"Well，itwascertainlycheap，"saidMrs。Ruck，alsocontemplatingtheAlps。
　　"WearegoingtoChamouni，"saidherhusband。"Youhaven’tanyoccasionforlaceatChamouni。"
　　"Well，I’mgladtohearyouhavedecidedtogosomewhere，"rejoinedhiswife。"Idon’twanttobeafixtureataboarding-house。"
　　"Youcanwearlaceanywhere，"saidMissRuck，"ifyoupatitonright。That’sthegreatthing，withlace。Idon’tthinktheyknowhowtowearlaceinEurope。IknowhowImeantowearmine；butI
　　meantokeepittillIgethome。"
　　Herfathertransferredhismelancholygazetoherelaborately-
　　appointedlittleperson；therewasagreatdealofverynew-lookingdetailinMissRuck’sappearance。Then，inatoneofvoicequiteoutofconsonancewithhisfacialdespondency，"Haveyoupurchasedagreatdeal？"heinquired。
　　"Ihavepurchasedenoughforyoutomakeafussabout。"
　　"Hecan’tmakeafussaboutthat，"saidMrs。Ruck。
　　"Well，you’llsee！"declaredtheyounggirlwithalittlesharplaugh。
　　Butherfatherwenton，inthesametone："Haveyougotitinyourpocket？Whydon’tyouputiton——whydon’tyouhangitroundyou？"
　　"I’llhangitroundYOU，ifyoudon’tlookout！"criedMissSophy。
　　"Don’tyouwanttoshowittothisgentleman？"Mr。Ruckcontinued。
　　"Mercy，howyoudotalkaboutthatlace！"saidhiswife。
　　"Well，Iwanttobelively。There’severyreasonforit；we’regoingtoChamouni。"
　　"You’rerestless；that’swhat’sthematterwithyou。"AndMrs。Ruckgotup。
　　"No，Iain’t，"saidherhusband。"Ineverfeltsoquiet；Ifeelaspeacefulasalittlechild。"
　　Mrs。Ruck，whohadnosensewhateverofhumour，lookedatherdaughterandatme。"Well，Ihopeyou’llimprove，"shesaid。
　　"Sendinthebills，"Mr。Ruckwenton，risingtohisfeet。"Don’thesitate，Sophy。Idon’tcarewhatyoudonow。Inforapenny，inforapound。"
　　MissRuckjoinedhermother，withalittletossofherhead，andwefollowedtheladiestothecarriage。"Inyourplace，"saidMissSophytoherfather，"Iwouldn’ttalksomuchaboutpenniesandpoundsbeforestrangers。"
　　PoorMr。Ruckappearedtofeeltheforceofthisobservation，which，intheconsciousnessofamanwhohadneverbeen"mean，"couldhardlyfailtostrikearesponsivechord。Hecolouredalittle，andhewassilent；hiscompanionsgotintotheirvehicle，thefrontseatofwhichwasadornedwithalargeparcel。Mr。Ruckgavetheparcelalittlepokewithhisumbrella，andthen，turningtomewitharathergrimlypenitentialsmile，"Afterall，"hesaid，"fortheladiesthat’stheprincipalinterest。"
　　CHAPTERVII。
　　OldM。Pigeonneauhadmorethanonceproposedtometotakeawalk，butIhadhithertobeenunabletorespondtosoalluringaninvitation。Itbefell，however，oneafternoon，thatIperceivedhimgoingforthuponadesultorystroll，withacertainlonesomenessofdemeanourthatattractedmysympathy。Ihastilyovertookhim，andpassedmyhandintohisvenerablearm，aproceedingwhichproducedinthegoodoldmansojovialasenseofcomradeshipthatheardentlyproposedweshouldbendourstepstotheEnglishGarden；nolocalitylessfestivewasworthyoftheoccasion。TotheEnglishGarden，accordingly，wewent；itlaybeyondthebridge，besidethelake。Itwasveryprettyandveryanimated；therewasabandplayinginthemiddle，andaconsiderablenumberofpersonssittingunderthesmalltrees，onbenchesandlittlechairs，orstrollingbesidethebluewater。Wejoinedthestrollers，weobservedourcompanions，andconversedonobvioustopics。Someoftheselast，ofcourse，weretheprettywomenwhoembellishedthescene，andwho，inthelightofM。
　　Pigeonneau’scomprehensivecriticism，appearedsurprisinglynumerous。
　　Heseemedbentuponourmakingupourmindsastowhichwastheprettiest，andasthiswasaninnocentgameIconsentedtoplayatit。
　　SuddenlyM。Pigeonneaustopped，pressingmyarmwiththeliveliestemotion。"Lavoila，lavoila，theprettiest！"hequicklymurmured，"comingtowardus，inabluedress，withtheother。"ItwasattheotherIwaslooking，fortheother，tomysurprise，wasourinterestingfellow-pensioner，thedaughterofavigilantmother。M。
　　Pigeonneau，meanwhile，hadredoubledhisexclamations；hehadrecognisedMissSophyRuck。"Oh，labellerencontre，nosaimablesconvives；theprettiestgirlintheworld，ineffect！"
　　Weimmediatelygreetedandjoinedtheyoungladies，who，likeourselves，werewalkingarminarmandenjoyingthescene。
　　"IwascitingyouwithadmirationtomyfriendevenbeforeIhadrecognisedyou，"saidM。PigeonneautoMissRuck。
　　"Idon’tbelieveinFrenchcompliments，"remarkedthisyounglady，presentingherbacktothesmilingoldman。
　　"AreyouandMissRuckwalkingalone？"Iaskedofhercompanion。
　　"YouhadbetteracceptofM。Pigeonneau’sgallantprotection，andofmine。"
　　AuroraChurchhadtakenherhandoutofMissRuck’sarm；shelookedatme，smiling，withherheadalittleinclined，while，uponhershoulder，shemadeheropenparasolrevolve。"Whichismostimproper——towalkaloneortowalkwithgentlemen？Iwishtodowhatismostimproper。"
　　"Whatmysteriouslogicgovernsyourconduct？"Iinquired。
　　"Hethinksyoucan’tunderstandhimwhenhetalkslikethat，"saidMissRuck。"ButIdounderstandyou，always！"
　　"SoIhavealwaysventuredtohope，mydearMissRuck。"
　　"Well，ifIdidn’t，itwouldn’tbemuchloss，"rejoinedthisyounglady。
　　"Allons，enmarche！"criedM。Pigeonneau，smilingstill，andundiscouragedbyherinhumanity。"Letasmaketogetherthetourofthegarden。"AndheimposedhissocietyuponMissRuckwitharespectful，elderlygracewhichwasevidentlyunabletoseeanythinginherreluctancebutmodesty，andwassublimelyconsciousofamissiontoplacemodestyatitsease。Thisill-assortedcouplewalkedinfront，whileAuroraChurchandIstrolledalongtogether。
　　"Iamsurethisismoreimproper，"saidmycompanion；"thisisdelightfullyimproper。Idon’tsaythatasacomplimenttoyou，"sheadded。"Iwouldsayittoanyman，nomatterhowstupid。"
　　"Oh，Iamverystupid，"Ianswered，"butthisdoesn’tseemtomewrong。"
　　"Notforyou，no；onlyforme。Thereisnothingthatamancandothatiswrong，isthere？Enmorale，youknow，Imean。Ah，yes，hecansteal；butIthinkthereisnothingelse，isthere？"
　　"Idon’tknow。Onedoesn’tknowthosethingsuntilafteronehasdonethem。Thenoneisenlightened。"
　　"Andyoumeanthatyouhaveneverbeenenlightened？Youmakeyourselfoutverygood。"
　　"Thatisbetterthanmakingone’sselfoutbad，asyoudo。"
　　Theyounggirlglancedatmeamoment，andthen，withhercharmingsmile，"That’soneoftheconsequencesofafalseposition。"
　　"Isyourpositionfalse？"Iinquired，smilingtooatthislargeformula。
　　"Distinctlyso。"
　　"Inwhatway？"
　　"Oh，ineveryway。Forinstance，Ihavetopretendtobeajeunefille。Iamnotajeunefille；noAmericangirlisajeunefille；anAmericangirlisanintelligent，responsiblecreature。Ihavetopretendtobeveryinnocent，butIamnotveryinnocent。"
　　"Youdon’tpretendtobeveryinnocent；youpretendtobe——whatshallIcallit？——verywise。"
　　"That’snopretence。Iamwise。"
　　"YouarenotanAmericangirl，"Iventuredtoobserve。
　　Mycompanionalmoststopped，lookingatme；therewasalittleflushinhercheek。"Voila！"shesaid。"There’smyfalseposition。I
　　wanttobeanAmericangirl，andI’mnot。"
　　"Doyouwantmetotellyou？"Iwenton。"AnAmericangirlwouldn’ttalkasyouaretalkingnow。"
　　"Pleasetellme，"saidAuroraChurch，withexpressiveeagerness。
　　"Howwouldshetalk？"
　　"Ican’ttellyouallthethingsanAmericangirlwouldsay，butI
　　thinkIcantellyouthethingsshewouldn’tsay。Shewouldn’treasonoutherconduct，asyouseemtometodo。"
　　Auroragavemethemostflatteringattention。"Isee。Shewouldbesimpler。Todoverysimplethingsthatarenotatallsimple——thatistheAmericangirl！"
　　Ipermittedmyselfasmallexplosionofhilarity。"Idon’tknowwhetheryouareaFrenchgirl，orwhatyouare，"Isaid，"butyouareverywitty。"
　　"Ah，youmeanthatIstrikefalsenotes！"criedAuroraChurch，sadly。
　　"That’sjustwhatIwanttoavoid。Iwishyouwouldalwaystellme。"
　　TheconversationalunionbetweenMissRuckandherneighbour，infrontofus，hadevidentlynotbecomeacloseone。Theyoungladysuddenlyturnedroundtouswithaquestion："Don’tyouwantsomeice-cream？"
　　"SHEdoesn’tstrikefalsenotes，"Imurmured。
　　Therewasakindofpavilionorkiosk，whichservedasacafe，andatwhichthedelicaciesprocurableatsuchanestablishmentweredispensed。MissRuckpointedtothelittlegreentablesandchairswhichweresetoutonthegravel；M。Pigeonneau，flutteringwithasenseofdissipation，secondedtheproposal，andwepresentlysatdownandgaveourordertoanimbleattendant。ImanagedagaintoplacemyselfnexttoAuroraChurch；ourcompanionswereontheothersideofthetable。
　　Myneighbourwasdelightedwithoursituation。"Thisisbestofall，"shesaid。"IneverbelievedIshouldcometoacafewithtwostrangemen！Now，youcan’tpersuademethisisn’twrong。"
　　"Tomakeitwrongweoughttoseeyourmothercomingdownthatpath。"
　　"Ah，mymothermakeseverythingwrong，"saidtheyounggirl，attackingwithalittlespoonintheshapeofaspadetheapexofapinkice。Andthenshereturnedtoherideaofamomentbefore：
　　"Youmustpromisetotellme——towarnmeinsomeway——wheneverI
　　strikeafalsenote。Youmustgivealittlecough，likethat——ahem！"
　　"Youwillkeepmeverybusy，andpeoplewillthinkIaminaconsumption。"
　　"Voyons，"shecontinued，"whyhaveyounevertalkedtomemore？Isthatafalsenote？Whyhaven’tyoubeen’attentive？’That’swhatAmericangirlscallit；that’swhatMissRuckcallsit。"
　　Iassuredmyselfthatourcompanionswereoutofearshot，andthatMissRuckwasmuchoccupiedwithalargevanillacream。"Becauseyouarealwaysentwinedwiththatyounglady。Thereisnogettingnearyou。"
　　Auroralookedatherfriendwhilethelatterdevotedherselftoherice。"YouwonderwhyIlikehersomuch，Isuppose。Sodoesmamma；
　　elles’yperd。Idon’tlikeherparticularly；jen’ensuispasfolle。Butshegivesmeinformation；shetellsmeaboutAmerica。
　　Mammahasalwaystriedtopreventmyknowinganythingaboutit，andI
　　amallthemorecurious。AndthenMissRuckisveryfresh。"
　　"ImaynotbesofreshasMissRuck，"Isaid，"butinfuture，whenyouwantinformation，Irecommendyoutocometomeforit。"
　　"OurfriendofferstotakemetoAmerica；sheinvitesmetogobackwithher，tostaywithher。Youcouldn’tdothat，couldyou？"Andtheyounggirllookedatmeamoment。"Bon，afalsenoteIcanseeitbyyourface；youremindmeofamaitredepiano。"
　　"Youoverdothecharacter——thepoorAmericangirl，"Isaid。"Areyougoingtostaywiththatdelightfulfamily？"
　　"Iwillgoandstaywithanyonethatwilltakemeoraskme。It’sarealnostalgie。ShesaysthatinNewYork——inThirty-SeventhStreet——
　　Ishouldhavethemostlovelytime。"
　　"Ihavenodoubtyouwouldenjoyit。"
　　"Absolutelibertytobeginwith。"
　　"Itseemstomeyouhaveacertainlibertyhere，"Irejoined。
　　"Ah，THIS？Oh，Ishallpayforthis。Ishallbepunishedbymamma，andIshallbelecturedbyMadameGalopin。"
　　"Thewifeofthepasteur？"
　　"Hisdigneepouse。MadameGalopin，formamma，istheincarnationofEuropeanopinion。That’swhatvexesmewithmamma，herthinkingsomuchofpeoplelikeMadameGalopin。GoingtoseeMadameGalopin——
　　mammacallsthatbeinginEuropeansociety。Europeansociety！I’msosickofthatexpression；IhavehearditsinceIwassixyearsold。WhoisMadameGalopin——whothinksanythingofherhere？Sheisnobody；sheisperfectlythird-rate。IfIlikeAmericabetterthanmamma，IalsoknowEuropebetter。"
　　"Butyourmother，certainly，"Iobjected，atrifletimidly，formyyoungladywasexcited，andhadacharminglittlepassioninhereye——
　　"yourmotherhasagreatmanysocialrelationsallovertheContinent。"
　　"Shethinksso，buthalfthepeopledon’tcareforus。Theyarenotsogoodaswe，andtheyknowit——I’lldothemthatjustice——andtheywonderwhyweshouldcareforthem。Whenwearepolitetothem，theythinkthelessofus；thereareplentyofpeoplelikethat。Mammathinkssomuchofthemsimplybecausetheyareforeigners。IfI
　　couldtellyouallthedull，stupid，second-ratepeopleIhavehadtotalkto，fornobetterreasonthanthattheyweredeleurpays！——
　　Germans，French，Italians，Turks，everything。WhenIcomplain，mammaalwayssaysthatatanyrateit’spracticeinthelanguage。AndshemakessomuchoftheEnglish，too；Idon’tknowwhatthat’spracticein。"
　　BeforeIhadtimetosuggestanhypothesis，asregardsthislatterpoint，Isawsomethingthatmademerise，withacertainsolemnity，frommychair。ThiswasnothinglessthantheneatlittlefigureofMrs。Church——aperfectmodelofthefemmecommeilfaut——approachingourtablewithanimpatientstep，andfollowedmostunexpectedlyinheradvancebythepre-eminentformofMr。Ruck。Shehadevidentlycomeinquestofherdaughter，andifshehadcommandedthisgentleman’sattendance，ithadbeenonnosoftergroundthanthatofhisunenviedpaternitytoherguiltychild’saccomplice。Mymovementhadgiventhealarm，andAuroraChurchandM。Pigeonneaugotup；MissRuckalonedidnot，inthelocalphrase，derangeherself。Mrs。
　　Church，beneathhermodestlittlebonnet，lookedveryserious，butnotatallfluttered；shecamestraighttoherdaughter，whoreceivedherwithasmile，andthenshelookedallroundattherestofus，veryfixedlyandtranquilly，withoutbowing。Imustdoboththeseladiesthejusticetomentionthatneitherofthemmadetheleastlittle"scene。"
　　"Ihavecomeforyou，dearest，"saidthemother。
　　"Yes，dearmamma。"
　　"Comeforyou——comeforyou，"Mrs。Churchrepeated，lookingdownattherelicsofourlittlefeast。"IwasobligedtoaskMr。Ruck’sassistance。Iwaspuzzled；Ithoughtalongtime。"
　　"Well，Mrs。Church，Iwasgladtoseeyoupuzzledonceinyourlife！"
　　saidMr。Ruck，withfriendlyjocosity。"Butyoucameprettystraightforallthat。Ihadhardworktokeepupwithyou。"
　　"Wewilltakeacab，Aurora，"Mrs。Churchwenton，withoutheedingthispleasantry——"aclosedone。Come，mydaughter。"
　　"Yes，dearmamma。"Theyounggirlwasblushing，yetshewasstillsmiling；shelookedroundatusall，and，ashereyesmetmine，I
　　thoughtshewasbeautiful。"Good-bye，"shesaidtous。"IhavehadaLOVELYTIME。"
　　"Wemustnotlinger，"saidhermother；"itisfiveo’clock。Wearetodine，youknow，withMadameGalopin。"
　　"Ihadquiteforgotten，"Auroradeclared。"Thatwillbecharming。"
　　"Doyouwantmetoassistyoutocarryherback，maam？"askedMr。
　　Ruck。
　　Mrs。Churchhesitatedamoment，withherserenelittlegaze。"Doyouprefer，then，toleaveyourdaughtertofinishtheeveningwiththesegentlemen？"
　　Mr。Ruckpushedbackhishatandscratchedthetopofhishead。
　　"Well，Idon’tknow。Howwouldyoulikethat，Sophy？"
　　"Well，Inever！"exclaimedSophy，asMrs。Churchmarchedoffwithherdaughter。
　　CHAPTERVIII。
　　IhadhalfexpectedthatMrs。ChurchwouldmakemefeeltheweightofherdisapprovalofmyownshareinthatlittleactofrevelryintheEnglishGarden。Butshemaintainedherclaimtobeingahighlyreasonablewoman——Icouldnotbutadmirethejusticeofthispretension——byrecognisingmyirresponsibility。IhadtakenherdaughterasIfoundher，whichwas，accordingtoMrs。Church’sview，inaveryequivocalposition。Thenaturalinstinctofayoungman，insuchasituation，isnottoprotestbuttoprofit；anditwascleartoMrs。ChurchthatIhadhadnothingtodowithMissAurora’sappearinginpublicundertheinsufficientchaperonageofMissRuck。
　　Besides，shelikedtoconverse，andsheapparentlydidmethehonourtobelievethatofallthemembersofthePensionBeaurepasIhadthemostcultivatedunderstanding。IfoundherinthesalonacoupleofeveningsaftertheincidentIhavejustnarrated，andIapproachedherwithaviewofmakingmypeacewithher，ifthisshouldprovenecessary。ButMrs。ChurchwasasgraciousasIcouldhavedesired；
　　sheputhermarkerintoherbook，andfoldedherplumplittlehandsonthecover。ShemadenospecificallusiontotheEnglishGarden；
　　sheembarked，rather，uponthosegeneralconsiderationsinwhichherrefinedintellectwassomuchathome。
　　"Alwaysatyourstudies，Mrs。Church，"Iventuredtoobserve。
　　"Quevoulez-vous？Tosaystudiesistosaytoomuch；onedoesn’tstudyintheparlourofaboarding-house。ButIdowhatIcan；I
　　havealwaysdonewhatIcan。ThatisallIhaveeverclaimed。"
　　"Noonecandomore，andyouseemtohavedoneagreatdeal。"
　　"Doyouknowmysecret？"sheasked，withanairofbrighteningconfidence。Andshepausedamomentbeforesheimpartedhersecret——
　　"TocareonlyfortheBEST！Todothebest，toknowthebest——tohave，todesire，torecognise，onlythebest。That’swhatIhavealwaysdone，inmyquietlittleway。IhavegonethroughEuropeonmydevotedlittleerrand，seeking，seeing，heeding，onlythebest。
　　Andithasnotbeenformyselfalone；ithasbeenformydaughter。
　　Mydaughterhashadthebest。Wearenotrich，butIcansaythat。"
　　"Shehashadyou，madam，"Irejoinedfinely。
　　"Certainly，suchasIam，Ihavebeendevoted。Wehavegotsomethingeverywhere；alittlehere，alittlethere。That’stherealsecret——
　　togetsomethingeverywhere；youalwayscanifyouaredevoted。
　　Sometimesithasbeenalittlemusic，sometimesalittledeeperinsightintothehistoryofart；everylittlecountsyouknow。
　　Sometimesithasbeenjustaglimpse，aview，alovelylandscape，animpression。Wehavealwaysbeenonthelook-out。Sometimesithasbeenavaluedfriendship，adelightfulsocialtie。"
　　"Herecomesthe’Europeansociety，’thepoordaughter’sbugbear，"I
　　saidtomyself。"Certainly，"Iremarkedaloud——Iadmit，ratherperversely——"ifyouhavelivedagreatdealinpensions，youmusthavegotacquaintedwithlotsofpeople。"
　　Mrs。Churchdroppedhereyesamoment；andthen，withconsiderablegravity，"IthinktheEuropeanpensionsysteminmanyrespectsremarkable，andinsomesatisfactory。Butofthefriendshipsthatwehaveformed，fewhavebeencontractedinestablishmentsofthiskind。"
　　"Iamsorrytohearthat！"Isaid，laughing。
　　"Idon’tsayitforyou，thoughImightsayitforsomeothers。WehavebeeninterestedinEuropeanhomes。"
　　"Oh，Isee！"
　　"WehavetheentreeoftheoldGenevesesocietyIlikeitstone。I
　　preferittothatofMr。Ruck，"addedMrs。Church，calmly；"tothatofMrs。RuckandMissRuck——ofMissRuckespecially。"
　　"Ah，thepoorRuckshaven’tanytoneatall，"Isaid"Don’ttakethemmoreseriouslythantheytakethemselves。"
　　"Tellmethis，"mycompanionrejoined，"aretheyfairexamples？"
　　"Examplesofwhat？"
　　"OfourAmericantendencies。"
　　"’Tendencies’isabigword，dearlady；tendenciesaredifficulttocalculate。Andyoushouldn’tabusethosegoodRucks，whohavebeenverykindtoyourdaughter。TheyhaveinvitedhertogoandstaywiththeminThirty-SeventhStreet。"
　　"Aurorahastoldme。Itmightbeveryserious。"
　　"Itmightbeverydroll，"Isaid。
　　"Tome，"declaredMrs。Church，"itissimplyterrible。IthinkweshallhavetoleavethePensionBeaurepas。IshallgobacktoMadameChamousset。"
　　"OnaccountoftheRucks？"Iasked。
　　"Pray，whydon’ttheygothemselves？Ihavegiventhemsomeexcellentaddresses——writtendowntheveryhoursofthetrains。TheyweregoingtoAppenzell；Ithoughtitwasarranged。"
　　"TheytalkofChamouninow，"Isaid；"buttheyareveryhelplessandundecided。"
　　"IwillgivethemsomeChamouniaddresses。Mrs。Ruckwillsendachaiseaporteurs；Iwillgiveherthenameofamanwholetsthemlowerthanyougetthematthehotels。AfterthattheyMUSTgo。"
　　"Well，Idoubt，"Iobserved，"whetherMr。RuckwilleverreallybeseenontheMerdeGlace——inahighhat。He’snotlikeyou；hedoesn’tvaluehisEuropeanprivileges。Hetakesnointerest。HeregretsWallStreet，acutely。Ashiswifesays，heisveryrestless，buthehasnocuriosityaboutChamouni。Soyoumustnotdependtoomuchontheeffectofyouraddresses。"
　　"Isitafrequenttype？"askedMrs。Church，withanairofself-
　　control。
　　"Iamafraidso。Mr。Ruckisabroken-downmanofbusiness。Heisbrokendowninhealth，andIsuspectheisbrokendowninfortune。
　　Hehasspenthiswholelifeinbuyingandselling；heknowshowtodonothingelse。Hiswifeanddaughterhavespenttheirlives，notinselling，butinbuying；andthey，ontheirside，knowhowtodonothingelse。Togetsomethinginashopthattheycanputontheirbacks——thatistheironeidea；theyhaven’tanotherintheirheads。
　　Ofcoursetheyspendnoendofmoney，andtheydoitwithanimplacablepersistence，withamixtureofaudacityandofcunning。
　　Theydoitinhisteethandtheydoitbehindhisback；themotherprotectsthedaughter，andthedaughtereggsonthemother。Betweenthemtheyarebleedinghimtodeath。"
　　"Ah，whatapicture！"murmuredMrs。Church。"Iamafraidtheyarevery-uncultivated。"
　　"Ishareyourfears。Theyareperfectlyignorant；theyhavenoresources。Thevisionoffineclothesoccupiestheirwholeimagination。Theyhavenotanidea——evenaworseone——tocompetewithit。PoorMr。Ruck，whoisextremelygood-naturedandsoft，seemstomeareallytragicfigure。Heisgettingbadnewseverydayfromhome；hisbusinessisgoingtothedogs。Heisunabletostopit；hehastostandandwatchhisfortunesebb。Hehasbeenusedtodoingthingsinabigway，andhefeelsmean，ifhemakesafussaboutbills。Sotheladieskeepsendingthemin。"
　　"Buthaven’ttheycommonsense？Don’ttheyknowtheyareruiningthemselves？"
　　"Theydon’tbelieveit。ThedutyofanAmericanhusbandandfatheristokeepthemgoing。Ifheasksthemhow，that’shisownaffair。
　　So，bywayofnotbeingmean，ofbeingagoodAmericanhusbandandfather，poorRuckstandsstaringatbankruptcy。"
　　Mrs。Churchlookedatmeamoment，inquickenedmeditation。"Why，ifAuroraweretogotostaywiththem，shemightnotevenbeproperlyfed！"
　　"Idon’t，onthewhole，recommend，"Isaid，laughing，"thatyourdaughtershouldpayavisittoThirty-SeventhStreet。"
　　"WhyshouldIbesubjectedtosuchtrials——sosadlyeprouvee？Whyshouldadaughterofminelikethatdreadfulgirl？"
　　"DOESshelikeher？"
　　"Pray，doyoumean，"askedmycompanion，softly，"thatAuroraisahypocrite？"
　　Ihesitatedamoment。"Alittle，sinceyouaskme。Ithinkyouhaveforcedhertobe。"
　　Mrs。Churchansweredthispossiblypresumptuouschargewithatranquil，candidexultation。"Ineverforcemydaughter！"
　　"Sheisneverthelessinafalseposition，"Irejoined。"Shehungersandthirststogobacktoherowncountry；shewants’tocome’outinNewYork，whichiscertainly，sociallyspeaking，theElDoradoofyoungladies。Shelikesanyone，forthemoment，whowilltalktoherofthat，andserveasaconnecting-linkwithhernativeshores。
　　MissRuckperformsthisagreeableoffice。"
　　"Yourideais，then，thatifsheweretogowithMissRucktoAmericashewoulddropherafterwards。"
　　IcomplimentedMrs。Churchuponherlogicalmind，butIrepudiatedthiscynicalsupposition。"Ican’timagineher——whenitshouldcometothepoint——embarkingwiththefamilleRuck。ButIwishshemightgo，nevertheless。"
　　Mrs。Churchshookherheadserenely，andsmiledatmyinappropriatezeal。"Itrustmypoorchildmayneverbeguiltyofsofatalamistake。Sheiscompletelyinerror；sheiswhollyunadaptedtothepeculiarconditionsofAmericanlife。Itwouldnotpleaseher。Shewouldnotsympathise。Mydaughter’sidealisnottheidealoftheclassofyoungwomentowhichMissRuckbelongs。Ifeartheyareverynumerous；theygivethetone——theygivethetone。"
　　"Itisyouthataremistaken，"Isaid；"gohomeforsixmonthsandsee。"
　　"Ihavenot，unfortunately，themeanstomakecostlyexperiments。Mydaughterhashadgreatadvantages——rareadvantages——andIshouldbeverysorrytobelievethataufondshedoesnotappreciatethem。Onethingiscertain：Imustremoveherfromthisperniciousinfluence。
　　Wemustpartcompanywiththisdeplorablefamily。IfMr。RuckandhisladiescannotbeinducedtogotoChamouni——ajourneythatnotravellerwiththesmallestself-respectwouldomit——mydaughterandIshallbeobligedtoretire。WeshallgotoDresden。"
　　"ToDresden？"
　　"ThecapitalofSaxony。Ihadarrangedtogotherefortheautumn，butitwillbesimplertogoimmediately。Thereareseveralworksinthegallerywithwhichmydaughterhasnot，Ithink，sufficientlyfamiliarisedherself；itisespeciallystrongintheseventeenthcenturyschools。"
　　AsmycompanionofferedmethisinformationIperceivedMr。Ruckcomeloungingin，withhishandsinhispockets，andhiselbowsmakingacuteangles。Hehadhisusualanomalousappearanceofbothseekingandavoidingsociety，andhewanderedobliquelytowardMrs。Church，whoselastwordshehadoverheard。"Theseventeenthcenturyschools，"hesaid，slowly，asifhewereweighingsomeverysmallobjectinaverylarge-pairofscales。"Now，doyousupposetheyHAD
　　schoolsatthatperiod？"
　　Mrs。Churchrosewithagooddealofprecision，makingnoanswertothisincongruousjest。Sheclaspedherlargevolumetoherneatlittlebosom，andshefixedagentle，seriouseyeuponMr。Ruck。
　　"IhadaletterthismorningfromChamouni，"shesaid。
　　"Well，"repliedMr。Ruck，"Isupposeyou’vegotfriendsallover。"
　　"IhavefriendsatChamouni，buttheyareleaving。Totheirgreatregret。"Ihadgotup，too；Ilistenedtothisstatement，andI
　　wondered。Iamalmostashamedtomentionthesubjectofmyagitation。Iaskedmyselfwhetherthiswasasuddenimprovisation，consecratedbymaternaldevotion；butthispointhasneverbeenelucidated。"Theyaregivingupsomecharmingrooms；perhapsyouwouldlikethem。Iwouldsuggestyourtelegraphing。Theweatherisglorious，"continuedMrs。Church，"andthehighestpeaksarenowperceivedwithextraordinarydistinctness。"
　　Mr。Rucklistened，ashealwayslistened，respectfully。"Well，"hesaid，"Idon’tknowasIwanttogoupMountBlank。That’stheprincipalattraction，isn’tit？"
　　"Therearemanyothers。IthoughtIwouldofferyouan——anexceptionalopportunity。"
　　"Well，"saidMr。Ruck，"you’rerightdownfriendly。ButIseemtohavemoreopportunitiesthanIknowwhattodowith。Idon’tseemabletotakehold。"
　　"Itonlyneedsalittledecision，"remarkedMrs。Church，withanairwhichwasanadmirableexampleofthisvirtue。"Iwishyougood-
　　night，sir。"Andshemovednoiselesslyaway。
　　Mr。Ruck，withhislonglegsapart，stoodstaringafterher；thenhetransferredhisperfectlyquieteyestome。"Doessheownahoteloverthere？"heasked。"HasshegotanystockinMountBlank？"
　　CHAPTERIX。
　　ThenextdayMadameBeaurepashandedme，withherownelderlyfingers，amissive，whichprovedtobeatelegram。Afterglancingatit，Iinformedherthatitwasapparentlyasignalformydeparture；
　　mybrotherhadarrivedinEngland，andproposedtometomeethimthere；hehadcomeonbusiness，andwastospendbutthreeweeksinEurope。"Butmyhouseemptiesitself！"criedtheoldwoman。"ThefamilleRucktalksofleavingme，andMadameChurchnousfaitlareverence。"
　　"Mrs。Churchisgoingaway？"
　　"Sheispackinghertrunk；sheisaveryextraordinaryperson。Doyouknowwhatsheaskedmethismorning？ToinventsomecombinationbywhichthefamilleRuckshouldmoveaway。IinformedherthatI
　　wasnotaninventor。ThatpoorfamilleRuck！’Obligemebygettingridofthem，’saidMadameChurch，asshewouldhaveaskedCelestinetoremoveadishofcabbage。ShespeaksasiftheworldweremadeforMadameChurch。Iintimatedtoherthatifsheobjectedtothecompanytherewasaverysimpleremedy；andatpresentellefaitsespaquets。"
　　"ShereallyaskedyoutogettheRucksoutofthehouse？"
　　"Sheaskedmetotellthemthattheirroomshadbeenlet，threemonthsago，toanotherfamily。ShehasanAPLOMB！"
　　Mrs。Church’saplombcausedmeconsiderablediversion；Iamnotsurethatitwasnot，insomedegree，tolaughoveritatmyleisurethatIwentoutintothegardenthateveningtosmokeacigar。Thenightwasdarkandnotparticularlybalmy，andmostofmyfellow-
　　pensioners，afterdinner，hadremainedin-doors。AlongstraightwalkconductedfromthedoorofthehousetotheancientgrillethatIhavedescribed，andIstoodhereforsometime，lookingthroughtheironbarsatthesilentemptystreet。Theprospectwasnotentertaining，andIpresentlyturnedaway。AtthismomentIsaw，inthedistance，thedoorofthehouseopenandthrowashaftoflamplightintothedarkness。Intothelamplighttheresteppedthefigureofafemale，whopresentlyclosedthedoorbehindher。Shedisappearedintheduskofthegarden，andIhadseenherbutforaninstant，butIremainedundertheimpressionthatAuroraChurch，ontheeveofherdeparture，hadcomeoutforameditativestroll。
　　Ilingerednearthegate，keepingtheredtipofmycigarturnedtowardthehouse，andbeforelongayoungladyemergedfromamongtheshadowsofthetreesandencounteredthelightofalampthatstoodjustoutsidethegate。ItwasinfactAuroraChurch，butsheseemedmorebentuponconversationthanuponmeditation。Shestoodamomentlookingatme，andthenshesaid，-
　　"OughtItoretire——toreturntothehouse？"
　　"Ifyouought，Ishouldbeverysorrytotellyouso，"Ianswered。
　　"Butweareallalone；thereisnooneelseinthegarden。"
　　"ItisnotthefirsttimethatIhavebeenalonewithayounglady。
　　Iamnotatallterrified。"
　　"Ah，butI？"saidtheyounggirl。"Ihaveneverbeenalone——"then，quickly，sheinterruptedherself。"Good，there’sanotherfalsenote！"
　　"Yes，Iamobligedtoadmitthatoneisveryfalse。"
　　Shestoodlookingatme。"Iamgoingawayto-morrow；afterthattherewillbenoonetotellme。"
　　CHAPTERX。
　　"Thatwillmatterlittle，"Ipresentlyreplied。"Tellingyouwilldonogood。"
　　"Ah，whydoyousaythat？"murmuredAuroraChurch。
　　Isaiditpartlybecauseitwastrue；butIsaiditforotherreasonsaswell，whichitwashardtodefine。Standingtherebare-headed，inthenightair，inthevaguelight，thisyoungladylookedextremelyinteresting；andtheinterestofherappearancewasnotdiminishedbyasuspiciononmyownpartthatshehadcomeintothegardenknowingmetobethere。Ithoughtheracharminggirl，andIfeltverysorryforher；but，asIlookedather，thetermsinwhichMadameBeaurepashadventuredtocharacteriseherrecurredtomewithacertainforce。
　　Ihadprofessedacontemptforthematthetime，butitnowcameintomyheadthatperhapsthisunfortunatelysituated，thisinsidiouslymutinousyoungcreature，waslookingoutforapreserver。Shewascertainlynotagirltothrowherselfataman’shead，butitwaspossiblethatinherintense——heralmostmorbid-desiretoputintoeffectanidealwhichwasperhapsafterallchargedwithasmanyfallaciesashermotheraffirmed，shemightdosomethingrecklessandirregular——somethinginwhichasympatheticcompatriot，asyetunknown，wouldfindhisprofit。Theimage，unshapedthoughitwas，ofthissympatheticcompatriot，filledmewithasortofenvy。ForsomemomentsIwassilent，consciousofthesethings，andthenI
　　answeredherquestion。"Becausesomethings——somedifferencesarefelt，notlearned。Toyoulibertyisnotnatural；youarelikeapersonwhohasboughtarepeater，and，inhissatisfaction，isconstantlymakingitsound。ToarealAmericangirlherlibertyisaveryvulgarly-tickingoldclock。"
　　"Ah，youmean，then，"saidthepoorgirl，"thatmymotherhasruinedme？"
　　"Ruinedyou？"
　　"Shehassopervertedmymind，thatwhenItrytobenaturalIamnecessarilyimmodest。"
　　"Thatagainisafalsenote，"Isaid，laughing。
　　Sheturnedaway。"Ithinkyouarecruel。"
　　"Bynomeans，"Ideclared；"because，formyowntaste，Ipreferyouas——as——"
　　Ihesitated，andsheturnedback。"Aswhat？"
　　"Asyouare。"
　　Shelookedatmeawhileagain，andthenshesaid，inalittlereasoningvoicethatremindedmeofhermother’s，onlythatitwasconsciousandstudied，"IwasnotawarethatIamunderanyparticularobligationtopleaseyou！"Andthenshegaveaclearlaugh，quiteatvariancewithhervoice。
　　"Oh，thereisnoobligation，"Isaid，"butonehaspreferences。Iamverysorryyouaregoingaway。"
　　"Whatdoesitmattertoyou？Youaregoingyourself。"
　　"AsIamgoinginadifferentdirectionthatmakesallthegreaterseparation。"
　　Sheanswerednothing；shestoodlookingthroughthebarsofthetallgateattheempty，duskystreet。"Thisgrilleislikeacage，"shesaid，atlast。
　　"Fortunately，itisacagethatwillopen。"AndIlaidmyhandonthelock。
　　"Don’topenit，"andshepressedthegateback。"IfyoushouldopenitIwouldgoout——andneverreturn。"
　　"Whereshouldyougo？"
　　"ToAmerica。"
　　"Straightaway？"
　　"Somehoworother。IwouldgototheAmericanconsul。Iwouldbeghimtogivememoney——tohelpme。"
　　Ireceivedthisassertionwithoutasmile；Iwasnotinasmilinghumour。Onthecontrary，Ifeltsingularlyexcited，andIkeptmyhandonthelockofthegate。Ibelieved（orIthoughtIbelieved）
　　whatmycompanionsaid，andIhad——absurdasitmayappear——anirritatedvisionofherthrowingherselfuponconsularsympathy。Itseemedtome，foramoment，thattopassoutofthatgatewiththisyearning，straining，youngcreature，wouldbetopassintosomemysteriousfelicity。IfIwereonlyaheroofromance，Iwouldoffer，myself，totakehertoAmerica。
　　Inamomentmore，perhaps，IshouldhavepersuadedmyselfthatIwasone，butatthisjunctureIheardasoundthatwasnotromantic。ItprovedtobetheveryrealistictreadofCelestine，thecook，whostoodgrinningatusasweturnedaboutfromourcolloquy。
　　"Iaskbienpardon，"saidCelestine。"ThemotherofMademoiselledesiresthatMademoiselleshouldcomeinimmediately。M。lePasteurGalopinhascometomakehisadieuxtocesdames。"
　　Auroragavemeonlyoneglance，butitwasatouchingone。ThensheslowlydepartedwithCelestine。
　　Thenextmorning，oncomingintothegarden，IfoundthatMrs。Churchandherdaughterhaddeparted。IwasinformedofthisfactbyoldM。
　　Pigeonneau，whosatthereunderatree，havinghiscoffeeatalittlegreentable。
　　"Ihavenothingtoenvyyou，"hesaid；"IhadthelastglimpseofthatcharmingMissAurora。"
　　"Ihadaverylateglimpse，"Ianswered，"anditwasallIcouldpossiblydesire。"
　　"Ihavealwaysnoticed，"rejoinedM。Pigeonneau，"Thatyourdesiresaremoremoderatethanmine。Quevoulez-vous？Iamoftheoldschool。Jecroisquelaraceseperd。Iregretthedepartureofthatyounggirl：shehadanenchantingsmile。Ceseraunefemmed’esprit。Forthemother，Icanconsolemyself。IamnotsurethatSHEwasafemmed’esprit，thoughshewishedtopassforone。Round，rosy，potelee，sheyethadnotthetemperamentofherappearance；shewasafemmeaustere。IhaveoftennoticedthatcontradictioninAmericanladies。Youseeaplumplittlewoman，withaspeakingeye，andthecontourandcomplexionofaripepeach，andifyouventuretoconductyourselfinthesmallestdegreeinaccordancewiththeseindices，youdiscoveraspeciesofMethodist——ofwhatdoyoucallit？——ofQuakeress。Ontheotherhand，youencounteratall，lean，angularperson，withoutcolour，withoutgrace，allelbowsandknees，andyoufindit’sanatureofthetropics！Thewomenofdutylooklikecoquettes，andtheotherslooklikealpenstocks！However，wehavestillthehandsomeMadameRuck——arealfemmedeRubens，celle-
　　la。ItisverytruethattotalktoheronemustknowtheFlemishtongue！"
　　Ihaddetermined，inaccordancewithmybrother’stelegram，togoawayintheafternoon；sothat，havingvariousdutiestoperform，I
　　leftM。Pigeonneautohisinternationalcomparisons。Amongotherthings，Iwentinthecourseofthemorningtothebanker’s，todrawmoneyformyjourney，andthereIfoundMr。Ruck，withapileofcrumpledlettersinhislap，hischairtippedback，andhiseyesgloomilyfixedonthefringeofthegreenplushtable-cloth。I
　　timidlyexpressedthehopethathehadgotbetternewsfromhome；
　　whereuponhegavemealookinwhich，consideringhisprovocation，theabsenceofirritationwasconspicuous。
　　Hetookuphislettersinhislargehand，andcrushingthemtogether，helditouttome。"Thatepistolarymatter，"hesaid，"isworthaboutfivecents。ButIguess，"headded，rising，"Ihavetakenitinbythistime。"WhenIhaddrawnmymoneyIaskedhimtocomeandbreakfastwithmeatthelittlebrasserie，muchfavouredbystudents，towhichIusedtoresortintheoldtown。"Icouldn’teat，sir，"hesaid，"I——couldn’teat。Badnewstakesawaytheappetite。ButI
　　guessI’llgowithyou，sothatIneedn’tgototabledownthereatthepension。Theoldwomandownthereisalwaysaccusingmeofturningupmynoseatherfood。Well，IguessIshan’tturnupmynoseatanythingnow。"
　　Wewenttothelittlebrasserie，wherepoorMr。Ruckmadethelightestpossiblebreakfast。Butifheateverylittle，hetalkedagreatdeal；hetalkedaboutbusiness，goingintoahundreddetailsinwhichIwasquiteunabletofollowhim。Histalkwasnotangrynorbitter；itwasalong，meditative，melancholymonologue；ifithadbeenatriflelessincoherentIshouldalmosthavecalleditphilosophic。Iwasverysorryforhim；Iwantedtodosomethingforhim，buttheonlythingIcoulddowas，whenwehadbreakfasted，toseehimsafelybacktothePensionBeaurepas。WewentacrosstheTreilleanddowntheCorraterie，outofwhichweturnedintotheRueduRhone。Inthislatterstreet，asalltheworldknows，aremanyofthosebrilliantjewellers’shopsforwhichGenevaisfamous。I
　　alwaysadmiredtheirglitteringwindows，andneverpassedthemwithoutalingeringglance。Evenonthisoccasion，pre-occupiedasI
　　waswithmyimpendingdeparture，andwithmycompanion’stroubles，I
　　sufferedmyeyestowanderalongtheprecioustiersthatflashedandtwinkledbehindthehugeclearplatesofglass。Thankstothisinveteratehabit，Imadeadiscovery。InthelargestandmostbrilliantoftheseestablishmentsIperceivedtwoladies，seatedbeforethecounterwithanairofabsorption，whichsufficientlyproclaimedtheiridentity。Ihopedmycompanionwouldnotseethem，butaswecameabreastofthedoor，alittlebeyond，wefounditopentothewarmsummerair。Mr。Ruckhappenedtoglancein，andheimmediatelyrecognisedhiswifeanddaughter。Heslowlystopped，lookingatthem；Iwonderedwhathewoulddo。Thesalesmanwasholdingupabraceletbeforethem，onitsvelvetcushion，andflashingitaboutinanirresistiblemanner。
　　Mr。Rucksaidnothing，buthepresentlywentin，andIdidthesame。
　　"Itwillbeanopportunity，"Iremarked，ascheerfullyaspossible，"formetobidgood-byetotheladies。"
　　TheyturnedroundwhenMr。Ruckcamein，andlookedathimwithoutconfusion。"Well，youhadbettergohometobreakfast，"remarkedhiswife。MissSophymadenoremark，butshetookthebraceletfromtheattendantandgazedatitveryfixedly。Mr。Ruckseatedhimselfonanemptystoolandlookedroundtheshop。
　　"Well，youhavebeenherebefore，"saidhiswife；"youwereherethefirstdaywecame。"
　　MissRuckextendedthepreciousobjectinherhandstowardsme。
　　"Don’tyouthinkthatsweet？"sheinquired。
　　Ilookedatitamoment。"No，Ithinkit’sugly。"
　　Sheglancedatmeamoment，incredulous。"Well，Idon’tbelieveyouhaveanytaste。"
　　"Why，sir，it’sjustlovely，"saidMrs。Ruck。
　　"You’llseeitsomedayonme，anyway，"herdaughterdeclared。
　　"No，hewon’t，"saidMr。Ruck，quietly。
　　"Itwillbehisownfault，then，"MissSophyobserved。
　　"Well，ifwearegoingtoChamouniwewanttogetsomethinghere，"
　　saidMrs。Ruck。"Wemaynothaveanotherchance。"
　　Mr。Ruckwasstilllookingroundtheshop，whistlinginaverylowtone。"Weain’tgoingtoChamouni。WearegoingtoNewYorkcity，straight。"
　　"Well，I’mgladtohearthat，"saidMrs。Ruck。"Don’tyousupposewewanttotakesomethinghome？"
　　"IfwearegoingstraightbackImusthavethatbracelet，"herdaughterdeclared，"OnlyIdon’twantavelvetcase；Iwantasatincase。"
　　"Imustbidyougood-bye，"Isaidtotheladies。"IamleavingGenevainanhourortwo。"
　　"Takeagoodlookatthatbracelet，soyou’llknowitwhenyouseeit，"saidMissSophy。
　　"She’sboundtohavesomething，"remarkedhermother，almostproudly。
　　Mr。Ruckwasstillvaguelyinspectingtheshop；hewasstillwhistlingalittle。"Iamafraidheisnotatallwell，"Isaid，softly，tohiswife。
　　Shetwistedherheadalittle，andglancedathim。
　　"Well，Iwishhe’dimprove！"sheexclaimed。
　　"Asatincase，andaniceone！"saidMissRucktotheshopman。
　　IbadeMr。Ruckgood-bye。"Don’twaitforme，"hesaid，sittingthereonhisstool，andnotmeetingmyeye。"I’vegottoseethisthingthrough。"
　　IwentbacktothePensionBeaurepas，andwhen，anhourlater，Ileftitwithmyluggage，thefamilyhadnotreturned。