thatsheinvariablywentonwithherworkheedlessofhispresence，andineverythingtreatedhimasifshehadbeenhisequal。Shepersistedintalkingwithhiminahalfsisterlyfashionabouthisstudiesandhisfuturecareer，warnedhimwithgreatsolicitudeagainstsomeofhisreprobatefriends，ofwhosemerryadventureshehadtoldher;andifheventuredtocomplimentheronherbeautyorheraccomplishments，shewouldlookupgravelyfromhersewing，oranswerhiminawaywhichseemedtobanishtheideaoflove—makingintothelandoftheimpossible。Hewasconstantlytormentedbythesuspicionthatshesecretlydisapprovedofhim，andthatfromameremoralinterestinhiswelfareshewasconscientiouslylaboringtomakehimabetterman。Dayafterdayhepartedfromherfeelinghumiliated，faint—hearted，andsecretlyindignantbothathimselfandher，anddayafterdayhereturnedonlytorenewthesameexperience。Atlastitbecametoointolerable，hecouldendureitnolonger。Letitmakeorbreak，certainty，atallrisks，wasatleastpreferabletothissickeningsuspense。Thathelovedher，hecouldnolongerdoubt;lethisparentsfoamandfretasmuchastheypleased;
　　foroncehewasgoingtostandonhisownlegs。
　　Andintheend，hethought，theywouldhavetoyield，fortheyhadnosonbuthim。
　　Berthawasgoingtoreturntoherhomeonthesea—coastinaweek。Ralphstoodinthelittlelow—ceiledparlor，assheimagined，tobidhergood—bye。Theyhadbeenspeakingofherfather，herbrothers，andthefarm，andshehadexpressedthewishthatifheevershouldcometothatpartofthecountryhemightpaythemavisit。Herwordshadkindledavaguehopeinhisbreast，butintheirveryfranknessandfriendlyregardtherewassomethingwhichslewthehopetheyhadbegotten。Heheldherhandinhis，andherlargeconfidingeyesshonewithanemotionwhichwasbeautiful，butwasyetnotlove。
　　"Ifyouwerebutapeasantbornlikemyself，"
　　saidshe，inavoicewhichsoundedalmosttender，"thenIshouldliketotalktoyouasIwouldtomyownbrother;but——"
　　"No，notbrother，Bertha，"criedhe，withsuddenvehemence;"IloveyoubetterthanIeverlovedanyearthlybeing，andifyouknewhowfirmlythislovehasclutchedattherootsofmyheart，youwouldperhaps——youwouldatleastnotlooksoreproachfullyatme。"
　　Shedroppedhishand，andstoodforamomentsilent。
　　"Iamsorrythatitshouldhavecometothis，Mr。Grim，"saidshe，visiblystrugglingforcalmness。"AndIamperhapsmoretoblamethanyou。"
　　"Blame，"mutteredhe，"whyareyoutoblame？"
　　"BecauseIdonotloveyou;althoughIsometimesfearedthatthismightcome。ButthenagainIpersuadedmyselfthatitcouldnotbeso。"
　　Hetookasteptowardthedoor，laidhishandontheknob，andgazeddownbeforehim。
　　"Bertha，"beganhe，slowly，raisinghishead，"youhavealwaysdisapprovedofme，youhavedespisedmeinyourheart，butyouthoughtyouwouldbedoingagoodworkifyousucceededinmakingamanofme。"
　　"Youusestronglanguage，"answeredshe，hesitatingly;"butthereistruthinwhatyousay。"
　　Againtherewasalongpause，inwhichthetickingoftheoldparlorclockgrewlouderandlouder。
　　"Then，"hebrokeoutatlast，"tellmebeforewepartifIcandonothingtogain——Iwillnotsayyourlove——butonlyyourregard？Whatwouldyoudoifyouwereinmyplace？"
　　"Myadviceyouwillhardlyheed，andIdonotevenknowthatitwouldbewellifyoudid。
　　ButifIwereamaninyourposition，Ishouldbreakwithmywholepast，startoutintotheworldwherenobodyknewme，andwhereI
　　shouldbedependentonlyuponmyownstrength，andthereIwouldconqueraplaceformyself，ifitwereonlyforthesatisfactionofknowingthatIwasreallyaman。Herecushionsaresewedunderyourarms，ahundredinvisiblethreadsbindyoutoalifeofidlenessandvanity，everybodyisreadytocarryyouonhishands，theroadissmoothedforyou，everystonecarefullymovedoutofyourpath，andyouwillprobablygotoyourgravewithouthavingeverharboredoneearnestthought，withouthavingdoneonemanlydeed。"
　　Ralphstoodtransfixed，gazingatherwithopenmouth;hefeltakindofstupidfright，asifsomeonehadsuddenlyseizedhimbytheshouldersandshakenhimviolently。HetriedvainlytoremovehiseyesfromBertha。Sheheldhimasbyapowerfulspell。Hesawthatherfacewaslightedwithanaltogethernewbeauty;henoticedthedeepglowuponhercheek，thebrilliancyofhereye，theslightquiverofherlip。Buthesawallthisasoneseesthingsinahalf—trance，withoutattemptingtoaccountforthem;thedoorbetweenhissoulandhissenseswasclosed。
　　"IknowthatIhavebeenboldinspeakingtoyouinthisway，"shesaidatlast，seatingherselfinachairatthewindow。"Butitwasyourselfwhoaskedme。AndIhavefeltallthetimethatIshouldhavetotellyouthisbeforeweparted。"
　　"And，"answeredhe，makingastrongefforttoappearcalm，"ifIfollowyouradvice，willyouallowmetoseeyouoncemorebeforeyougo？"
　　"Ishallremainhereanotherweek，andshall，duringthattime，alwaysbereadytoreceiveyou。"
　　"Thankyou。Good—bye。"
　　"Good—bye。"
　　Ralphcarefullyavoidedallthefashionablethoroughfares;hefeltdegradedbeforehimself，andhehadanideathateverymancouldreadhishumiliationinhiscountenance。Nowhewalkedonquickly，strikingthesidewalkwithhisheels;now，again，hefellintoanuneasy，recklesssaunter，accordingasthechangingmoodsinspireddefianceofhissentence，oraqualifiedsurrender。And，ashewalkedon，thebitternessgrewwithinhim，andhepitilesslyreviledhimselfforhavingallowedhimselftobemadeafoolofby"thatlittlecountrygoose，"
　　whenhewaswellawarethattherewerehundredsofwomenofthebestfamiliesofthelandwhowouldfeelhonoredatreceivinghisattentions。
　　Butthissortofreasoningheknewtohebothweakandcontemptible，andhisbetterselfsoonroseinloudrebellion。
　　"Afterall，"hemuttered，"inthemainthingshewasright。Iamamiserablegood—for—
　　nothing，ahot—houseplant，apoorstick，andifI
　　wereawomanmyself，Idon’tthinkIshouldwastemyaffectionsonamanofthatcalibre。"
　　ThenheunconsciouslyfelltoanalyzingBertha’scharacter，wonderingvaguelythatapersonwhomovedsotimidlyinsociallife，appearingsodiffident，fromanever—presentfearofblunderingagainsttheestablishedformsofetiquette，couldjudgesoquickly，andwithsuchamercilesscertainty，wheneveramoralquestion，aquestionofrightandwrong，wasatissue。
　　And，pursuingthesametrainofthought，hecontrastedherwithhimself，whomovedinthehighestspheresofsocietyasinhisnativeelement，heedlessofmoralscruples，andconsciousofnoloftiermotiveforhisactionsthantheimmediatepleasureofthemoment。
　　AsRalphturnedthecornerofastreet，heheardhimselfhailedfromtheothersidewalkbyachorusofmerryvoices。
　　"Ah，mydearBaroness，"criedayoungman，springingacrossthestreetandgraspingRalph’shand（allhisstudentfriendscalledhimtheBaroness），"inthenameofthisillustriouscompany，allowmetosaluteyou。Butwhythedeuce——whatisthematterwithyou？IfyouhavetheKatzenjammer，[7]soda—wateristhething。Comealong，——it’smytreat！"
　　[7]Katzenjammeristhesensationamanhasthemorningafteracarousal。
　　ThestudentsinstantlythrongedaroundRalph，whostooddistractedlyswinginghiscaneandsmilingidiotically。
　　"Iamnotquitewell，"saidhe;"leavemealone。"
　　"No，tobesure，youdon’tlookwell，"criedajollyyouth，againstwhomBerthahadfrequentlywarnedhim;"butaglassofsherrywillsoonrestoreyou。Itwouldbehighlyimmoraltoleaveyouinthisconditionwithouttakingcareofyou。"
　　Ralphagainvainlytriedtoremonstrate;buttheendwas，thathereluctantlyfollowed。
　　Hehadalwaysbeenaconspicuousfigureinthestudentworld;butthatnightheastonishedhisfriendsbyhiseloquence，hisrecklesshumor，andhiscapacityfordrinking。Hemadeaspeechfor"Woman，"whichbristledwithwit，cynicism，andsarcasticepigrams。Oneyoungman，namedVinter，whowasengaged，undertooktoprotestagainsthissweepingcondemnation，anddeclaredthatRalph，whowasaUniversalfavoriteamongtheladies，oughttobethelasttorevilethem。
　　"If，"hewenton，"theBaronessshouldproposetosixwell—knownladieshereinthiscitywhomIcouldmention，IwouldwagersixJohannisbergers，andanequalamountofchampagne，thateveryoneofthemwouldaccepthim。"
　　Theothersloudlyapplaudedthisproposal，andRalphacceptedthewager。Theletterswerewrittenonthespot，andimmediatelydispatched。
　　Towardmorning，themerrycarousalbrokeup，andRalphwasconductedintriumphtohishome。
　　III。
　　Twodayslater，RalphagainknockedonBertha’sdoor。Helookedpalerthanusual，almosthaggard;hisimmaculatelinenwasalittlecrumpled，andhecarriednocane;hislipsweretightlycompressed，andhisfaceworeanairofdesperateresolution。
　　"Itisdone，"hesaid，asheseatedhimselfoppositeher。"Iamgoing。"
　　"Going！"criedshe，startledathisunusualappearance。"How，where？"
　　"ToAmerica。Isailto—night。Ihavefollowedyouradvice，yousee。Ihavecutoffthelastbridgebehindme。"
　　"But，Ralph，"sheexclaimed，inavoiceofalarm。"Somethingdreadfulmusthavehappened。
　　Tellmequick;Imustknowit。"
　　"No;nothingdreadful，"mutteredhe，smilingbitterly。"Ihavemadealittlescandal，thatisall。Myfathertoldmeto—daytogotothedevil，ifIchose，andmymothergavemefivehundreddollarstohelpmealongontheway。
　　Ifyouwishtoknow，hereistheexplanation。"
　　Andhepulledfromhispocketsixperfumedandcarefullyfoldednotes，andthrewthemintoherlap。
　　"Doyouwishmetoreadthem？"sheasked，withgrowingsurprise。
　　"Certainly。Whynot？"
　　Shehastilyopenedonenoteaftertheother，andread。
　　"But，Ralph，"shecried，springingupfromherseat，whilehereyesflamedwithindignation，"whatdoesthismean？Whathaveyoudone？"
　　"Ididn’tthinkitneededanyexplanation，"
　　repliedhe，withfeignedindifference。"I
　　proposedtothemall，and，yousee，theyallacceptedme。Ireceivedalltheselettersto—day。
　　IonlywishedtoknowwhetherthewholeworldregardedmeassuchaworthlessscampasyoutoldmeIwas。"
　　Shedidnotanswer，butsatmutelystaringathim，fiercelycrumplingarose—colorednoteinherhand。Hebegantofeeluncomfortableunderhergaze，andthrewhimselfaboutuneasilyinhischair。
　　"Well，"saidhe，atlength，rising，"Isupposethereisnothingmore。Good—bye。"
　　"Onemoment，Mr。Grim，"demandedshe，sternly。"SinceIhavealreadysaidsomuch，andyouhaveobliginglyrevealedtomeanewsideofyourcharacter，IclaimtherighttocorrecttheopinionIexpressedofyouatourlastmeeting。"
　　"Iamallattention。"
　　"Ididthink，Mr。Grim，"beganshe，breathinghard，andsteadyingherselfagainstthetableatwhichshestood，"thatyouwereaveryselfishman——anembodimentofselfishness，absoluteandsupreme，butIdidnotbelievethatyouwerewicked。"
　　"AndwhatconvincedyouthatIwasselfish，ifImayask？"
　　"Whatconvincedme？"repeatedshe，inatoneofinexpressiblecontempt。"Whendidyoueveractfromanygenerousregardforothers？Whatgooddidyoueverdotoanybody？"
　　"Youmightask，withequaljustice，whatgoodIeverdidtomyself。"
　　"Inacertainsense，yes;becausetogratifyameremomentarywishishardlydoingone’sselfgood。"
　　"ThenIhave，atallevents，followedtheBiblicalprecept，andtreatedmyneighborverymuchasItreatmyself。"
　　"Ididthink，"continuedBertha，withoutheedingtheremark，"thatyouwereatbottomkind—hearted，buttoohopelesslywell—bredevertocommitanactofanydecidedcomplexion，eithergoodorbad。NowIseethatIhavemisjudgedyou，andthatyouarecapableofoutragingthemostsacredfeelingsofawoman’sheartinmerewantonness，orforthesakeofsatisfyingabasecuriosity，whichnevercouldhaveenteredthemindofanuprightandgenerousman。"
　　Thehard，benumbedlookinRalph’sfacethawedinthewarmthofherpresence，andherwords，thoughstern，touchedasecretspringinhisheart。Hemadetwoorthreevainattemptstospeak，thensuddenlybrokedown，andcried：
　　"Bertha，Bertha，evenifyouscornme，havepatiencewithme，andlisten。"
　　Andhetoldher，inrapid，brokensentences，howhisloveforherhadgrownfromdaytoday，untilhecouldnolongermasterit;andhow，inanunguardedmoment，whenhisprideroseinfierceconflictagainsthislove，hehaddonethisrecklessdeedofwhichhewasnowheartilyashamed。Thefervorofhiswordstouchedher，forshefeltthattheyweresincere。
　　Largemutetearstrembledinhereyelashesasshesatgazingtenderlyathim，andinthedepthofhersoulthewishawokethatshemighthavebeenabletoreturnthisgreatandstrongloveofhis;forshefeltthatinthislovelaythegermofanew，ofastrongerandbetterman。Shenoticed，withahalf—regretfulpleasure，hishandsomefigure，hisdelicatelyshapedhands，andthenoblecastofhisfeatures;anoverwhelmingpityforhimrosewithinher，andshebegantoreproachherselfforhavingspokensoharshly，and，asshenowthought，sounjustly。Perhapshereadinhereyestheunspokenwish。Heseizedherhand，andhiswordsfellwithawarmandalluringcadenceuponherear。
　　"Ishallnotseeyouforalongtimetocome，Bertha，"saidhe，"butif，attheendoffiveorsixyearsyourhandisstillfree，andIreturnanotherman——amantowhomyoucouldsafelyintrustyourhappiness——wouldyouthenlistentowhatImayhavetosaytoyou？ForIpromise，byallthatwebothholdsacred——"
　　"No，no，"interruptedshe，hastily。"Promisenothing。Itwouldbeunjustto——yourself，andperhapsalsotome;forasacredpromiseisaterriblething，Ralph。Letusbothremainfree;
　　and，ifyoureturnandstillloveme，thencome，andIshallreceiveyouandlistentoyou。Andevenifyouhaveoutgrownyourlove，whichis，indeed，moreprobable，comestilltovisitmewhereverImaybe，andweshallmeetasfriendsandrejoiceinthemeeting。"
　　"Youknowbest，"hemurmured。"Letitbeasyouhavesaid。"
　　Hearose，tookherfacebetweenhishands，gazedlongandtenderlyintohereyes，pressedakissuponherforehead，andhastenedaway。
　　ThatnightRalphboardedthesteamerforHull，andthreeweekslaterlandedinNewYork。
　　IV。
　　ThefirstthreemonthsofRalph’ssojourninAmericawerespentinvainattemptstoobtainasituation。DayafterdayhewalkeddownBroadway，callingatvariousplacesofbusinessandnightafternighthereturnedtohischeer—
　　lessroomwithafaintheartanddecliningspirits。
　　Itwas，afterall，amoreseriousthingthanhehadimagined，tocutthecablewhichbindsonetothelandofone’sbirth。Thereahundredsubtileinfluences，theexistenceofwhichnoonesuspectsuntilthemomenttheyarewithdrawn，unitetokeeponeinthestraightpathofrectitude，oratleastofexternalrespectability;andRalph’slifehadbeenallinsociety;theopinionofhisfellow—menhadbeentheoneforcetowhichheimplicitlydeferred，andtheconsciencebywhichhehadbeenwonttotesthisactionshadbeennothingbuttheaggregatejudgmentofhisfriends。Tosuchamantheisolationandtheutterirresponsibilityofalifeamongstrangerswastenfoldmoredangerous;andRalphfound，tohishorror，thathischaractercontainedinnumerablelatentpossibilitieswhichtheeasy—
　　goinglifeinhishomeprobablyneverwouldhaverevealedtohim。Itoftencuthimtothequick，when，onenteringanofficeinhisdailysearchforemployment，hewasmetbyhostileorsuspiciousglances，orwhen，asitoccasionallyhappened，thedoorwasslammedinhisface，asifhewereavagabondoranimpostor。Thenthewolfwasoftenrousedwithinhim，andhefeltamomentarywilddesiretobecomewhatthepeoplehereevidentlybelievedhimtobe。
　　Manyanighthesaunteredirresolutelyaboutthegamblingplacesinobscurestreets，andtheglareoflight，therudeshoutsandclamorsinthesamemomentrepelledandattractedhim。
　　Ifhewenttothedevil，whowouldcare？Hisfatherhadhimselfpointedoutthewaytohim;
　　andnobodycouldblamehimifhefollowedtheadvice。Butthenagainamemoryemergedfromthatchamberofhissoulwhichstillheheldsacred;andBertha’sdeep—blueeyesgazeduponhimwiththeirearnestlookoftenderwarningandregret。
　　Whenthesummerwashalfgone，Ralphhadgainedmanyahardvictoryoverhimself，andlearnedmanyausefullesson;andatlengthheswallowedhispride，divestedhimselfofhisfineclothes，andacceptedapositionasassistantgardeneratavillaontheHudson。Andashestoodperspiringwithaspadeinhishand，andacheapbroad—brimmedstrawhatonhishead，heoftentookagrimpleasureinpicturingtohimselfhowhisaristocraticfriendsathomewouldreceivehim，ifheshouldintroducehimselftotheminthisnewcostume。
　　"Afterall，itwasonlymypositiontheycaredfor，"hereflected，bitterly;"withoutmyfather’snamewhatwouldIbetothem？"
　　Then，again，therewasacertainsatisfactioninknowingthat，forhispresentsituation，humbleasitwas，hewasindebtedtonobodybuthimself;andthethoughtthatBertha’seyes，iftheycouldhaveseenhimnowwouldhavedweltuponhimwithpleasureandapprobation，wentfartoconsolehimforhisachingback，hissunburnedface，andhisswollenandblisteredhands。
　　Oneday，asRalphwasrakingthegravel—
　　walksinthegarden，hisemployer’sdaughter，ayoungladyofseventeen，cameoutandspoketohim。Hiscultureandrefinementofmannerstruckherwithwonder，andsheaskedhimtotellherhishistory;butthenhesuddenlygrewverygrave，andsheforborepressinghim。Fromthattimesheattachedakindofromanticinteresttohim，andfinallyinducedherfathertoobtainhimasituationthatwouldbemoretohistaste。And，beforewintercame，Ralphsawthedawnofanewfutureglimmeringbeforehim。
　　Hehadwrestledbravelywithfate，andhadoncemoregainedavictory。Hebeganthecareerinwhichsuccessanddistinctionawaitedhim，asproof—readeronanewspaperinthecity。
　　HehadfortunatelybeenfamiliarwiththeEnglishlanguagebeforehelefthome，andbythestrengthofhiswillheconqueredalldifficulties。
　　Attheendoftwoyearshebecameattachedtotheeditorialstaff;newambitioushopes，hithertoforeigntohismind，awokewithinhim;
　　andwithjoyoustumultofhearthesawlifeopeningitswidevistasbeforehim，andhelaboredonmanfullytorepairthelossesofthepast，andtopreparehimselfforgreaterusefulnessintimestocome。Hefeltinhimselfastrongerandfullermanhood，asifthegreatarteriesofthevastuniversalworld—lifepulsedinhisownbeing。Thedrowsy，indolentexistenceathomeappearedlikeadullremotedreamfromwhichhehadawaked，andheblessedthedestinywhich，byitsverysternness，hadmercifullysavedhim;heblessedher，too，who，fromtheverywantofloveforhim，had，perhaps，madehimworthieroflove。
　　Theyearsflewrapidly。Societyhadflungitsdoorsopentohim，andwhatwasmore，hehadfoundsomewarmfriends，inwhosehouseshecouldcomeandgoatpleasure。Heenjoyedkeenlytheprivilegeofdailyassociationwithhigh—mindedandrefinedwomen;theireageractivityofintellectstimulatedhim，theirexquisiteetherealgraceandtheirdelicatelychiseledbeautysatisfiedhisaestheticcravings，andtheresponsivevivacityoftheirnaturepreparedhimevernewsurprises。Hefeltastrangefascinationinthepresenceofthesewomen，andtheconvictiongrewuponhimthattheirtypeofwomanhoodwassuperiortoanyhehadhithertoknown。Andbywayofrefutinghisownargument，hewoulddrawfromhispocket—bookthephotographofBertha，whichhadasecretcompartmenttherealltoitself，and，gazingtenderlyatit，wouldeagerlydefendheragainstthedisparagingreflectionswhichtheinvoluntarycomparisonhadprovoked。Andstill，howcouldhehelpseeingthatherfeatures，thoughwellmolded，lackedanimation;thathereye，withitsdeep，trustfulglance，wasnotbrilliant，andthatthecalmearnestnessofherface，whencomparedwiththebright，intellectualbeautyofhispresentfriends，appearedpaleandsimple，likeavioletinabouquetofvividlycoloredroses？
　　Itgavehimaquickpang，when，attimes，hewasforcedtoadmitthis;nevertheless，itwasthetruth。
　　AftersixyearsofresidenceinAmerica，Ralphhadgainedaveryhighreputationasajournalistofrarecultureandability，and，in1867hewassenttotheWorld’sExhibitioninParis，ascorrespondentofthepaperonwhichhehadduringalltheseyearsbeenemployed。
　　Whatwonder，then，thathestartedforEuropeafewweeksbeforehispresencewasneededintheimperialcity，andthathesteeredhiscoursedirectlytowardthefjordvalleywhereBerthahadherhome？ItwasshewhohadbiddenhimGodspeedwhenhefledfromthelandofhisbirth，andshe，too，shouldreceivehisfirstgreetingonhisreturn。
　　V。
　　Thesunhadfortifieditselfbehindacitadelofflamingclouds，andtheupperforestregionshonewithastrangeetherealglow，whilethelowerplainswerewrappedinshadow;buttheshadowitselfhadastrongsuffusionofcolor。
　　Themountainpeaksrosecoldandblueinthedistance。
　　Ralph，havinginquiredhiswayoftheboatmanwhohadlandedhimatthepier，walkedrapidlyalongthebeach，withasmallvaliseinhishand，andalightsummerovercoatflungoverhisshoulder。Manyhalf—thoughtsgrazedhismind，anderethefirsthadtakenshape，thesecond，andthethirdcameandchaseditaway。
　　AndstilltheyallinsomefashionhadreferencetoBertha;forinamisty，abstractway，shefilledhiswholemind;butforsomeindefinablereason，hewasafraidtogivefreereintothesentimentwhichlurkedintheremotercornersofhissoul。
　　Onwardhehastened，whilehisheartthrobbedwiththequickeningtempoofmingledexpectationandfear。Nowandthenoneofthosechillgustsofairwhichseemtobecareeringaboutaimlesslyintheatmosphereduringearlysummer，wouldstrikeintohisface，andrecallhimtoakeenerself—consciousness。
　　Ralphconcluded，fromhisincreasingagitation，thathemustbeverynearBertha’shome。
　　Hestoppedandlookedaroundhim。Hesawalargemapleattheroadside，somethirtystepsfromwherehewasstanding，andthegirlwhowassittingunderit，restingherheadinherhandandgazingoutoverthesea，herecognizedinaninstanttobeBertha。Hesprangupontheroad，notcrossing，however，herlineofvision，andapproachedhernoiselesslyfrombehind。
　　"Bertha，"hewhispered。
　　Shegavealittlejoyouscry，sprangup，andmadeagestureasiftothrowherselfinhisarms;
　　thensuddenlycheckedherself，blushedcrimson，andmovedastepbackward。
　　"Youcamesosuddenly，"shemurmured。
　　"But，Bertha，"criedhe（andthefullbassofhisvoicerangthroughherverysoul），"haveI
　　goneintoexileandwaitedthesemanyyearsforsocoldawelcome？"
　　"Youhavechangedsomuch，Ralph，"sheanswered，withthatoldgravesmilewhichheknewsowell，andstretchedoutbothherhandstowardhim。"AndIhavethoughtofyousomuchsinceyouwentaway，andblamedmyselfbecauseIhadjudgedyousoharshly，andwonderedthatyoucouldlistentomesopatiently，andneverbearmeanymaliceforwhatIsaid。"
　　"Ifyouhadsaidawordless，"declaredRalph，seatinghimselfathersideonthegreensward，"orifyouhadvarnisheditoverwithpoliteness，thenyouwouldprobablyhavefailedtoproduceanyeffectandIshouldnothavebeenburdenedwiththatheavydebtofgratitudewhichInowoweyou。Iwasaprettythick—skinnedanimalinthosedays，Bertha。Yousaidtherightwordattherightmoment;yougavemeaholdandagoodpieceofadvice，whichmyowningenuitywouldneverhavesuggestedtome。Iwillnotthankyou，because，insograveacaseasthis，spokenthankssoundlikeameremockery。WhateverIam，Bertha，andwhateverImayhopetobe，Ioweitalltothathour。"
　　Shelistenedwithrapturetothemanlyassuranceofhisvoice;hereyesdweltwithunspeakablejoyuponhisstrong，bronzedfeatures，hisfullthickblondebeard，andthevigorousproportionsofhisframe。Manyandmanyatimeduringhisabsencehadshewonderedhowhewouldlookifheevercameback，andwiththatminuteconscientiousnesswhich，asitwere，pervadedherwholecharacter，shehadheldherselfresponsiblebeforeGodforhisfate，prayedforhim，andtrembledlestevilpowersshouldgaintheascendencyoverhissoul。
　　Ontheirwaytothehousetheytalkedtogetherofmanythings，butinaguarded，cautiousfashion，andwithoutthecheerfulabandonmentofformeryears。Theyboth，asitwere，gropedtheirwaycarefullyineachother’sminds，andeachvaguelyfeltthattherewassomethingintheother’sthoughtwhichitwasnotwelltotouchunbidden。Berthasawthatallherfearsforhimhadbeengroundless，andhisveryappearanceliftedthewholeweightofresponsibilityfromherbreast;andstill，didsherejoiceatherdeliverancefromherburden？Ah，no，inthismomentsheknewthatthatwhichshehadfoolishlycherishedasthebestandnoblestpartofherself，hadbeenbutaselfishneedofherownheart。Shefearedthatshehadonlytakenthatinterestinhimwhichonefeelsinathingofone’sownmaking;andnow，whenshesawthathehadrisenquiteaboveher;thathewasfreeandstrong，andcouldhavenomoreneedofher，shehad，insteadofgenerouspleasureathissuccess，butapainfulsenseofemptiness，asifsomethingverydearhadbeentakenfromher。
　　Ralph，too，wasloathtoanalyzetheimpressionhisoldlovemadeuponhim。Hisfeelingswereofsocomplexanature，hewasanxioustokeephismoremagnanimousimpulsesactive，andhestrovehardtoconvincehimselfthatshewasstillthesametohimasshehadbeenbeforetheyhadeverparted。But，alas！thoughtheheartbewarmandgenerous，theeyeisamercilesscritic。Andthemanwhohadmovedonthewidearenaoftheworld，whosemindhadhousedthelargethoughtsofthiscentury，andexpandedwithitsinvigoratingbreath，——washetoblamebecausehehadunconsciouslyoutgrownhisoldprovincialself，andcouldnomorejudgebyitsstandards？
　　Bertha’sfatherwasapeasant，buthehad，byhislumbertrade，acquiredwhatinNorwaywascalledaveryhandsomefortune。Hereceivedhisguestwithdignifiedreserve，andRalphthoughthedetectedinhiseyesalurkinglookofdistrust。"Iknowyourerrand，"thatlookseemedtosay，"butyouhadbettergiveitupatonce。Itwillbeofnouseforyoutotry。"
　　Andaftersupper，asRalphandBerthasattalkingconfidinglywitheachotheratthewindow，hesenthisdaughteraquick，sharpglance，andthen，withoutceremony，commandedhertogotobed。Ralph’sheartgaveagreatthumpwithinhim;notbecausehefearedtheoldman，butbecausehiswords，aswellashisglances，revealedtohimthesadhistoryoftheselong，patientyears。Hedoubtednolongerthatthelovewhichhehadoncesoardentlydesiredwashisatlast;andhemadeasilentvowthat，comewhatmight，hewouldremainfaithful。
　　Ashecamedowntobreakfastthenextmorning，hefoundBerthasittingatthewindow，engagedinhemmingwhatappearedtobearoughkitchentowel。Shebenteagerlyoverherwork，andonlyavividflushuponhercheektoldhimthatshehadnoticedhiscoming。Hetookachair，seatedhimselfoppositeher，andbadeher"good—morning。"Sheraisedherhead，andshowedhimasweet，troubledcountenance，whichtheearlysunlightilluminedwithahighspiritualbeauty。Itremindedhimforciblyofthosepale，sweet—facedsaintsofFraAngelico，withwhomthefrailfleshseemseveronthepointofyieldingtotheardentaspirationsofthespirit。Andstill，eveninthismomenthecouldnotpreventhiseyesfromobservingthatonesideofherforefingerwasroughfromsewing，andthatthewhitenessofherarm，whichtheloosesleevesdisplayed，contrastedstronglywiththebrownedandsun—burnedcomplexionofherhands。
　　Afterbreakfasttheyagainwalkedtogetheronthebeach，andRalph，havingonceformedhisresolution，nowtalkedfreelyoftheNewWorld——ofhissphereofactivitythere;ofhisfriendsandofhisplansforthefuture;andshelistenedtohimwithamild，perplexedlookinhereyes，asiftryingvainlytofollowtheflightofhisthoughts。Andhewondered，withsecretdismay，whethershewasstillthesamestrong，brave—heartedgirlwhomhehadonceaccountedalmostbold;whetherthelifeinthisnarrowvalley，amidahundredpettyanddepressingcares，hadnotcrampedherspiritualgrowth，andnarrowedthesphereofherthought。Orwasshestillthesame，andwasitonlyhewhohadchanged？Atlasthegaveutterancetohiswonder，andsheansweredhiminthosegrave，earnesttoneswhichseemedinthemselvestobehalfarefutationofhisdoubts。
　　"Itwaseasyformetogiveyoudaringadvice，then，Ralph，"shesaid。"Likemostschool—
　　girls，Ithoughtthatlifewasagreatandgloriousthing，andthathappinesswasafruitwhichhungwithinreachofeveryhand。NowIhavelivedforsixyearstryingsingle—handedtorelievethewantandsufferingoftheneedypeoplewithwhomIcomeincontact，andtheirsqualorandwretchednesshavesickenedme，and，whatisstillworse，IfeelthatallIcandoisasadropintheocean，andafterall，amountstonothing。
　　IknowIamnolongerthesamerecklessgirl，who，withtheverybestintention，sentyouwanderingthroughthewideworld;andIthankGodthatitprovedtobeforyourgood，althoughthewholenowappearsquiteincredibletome。Mythoughtshavemovedsolongwithinthenarrowcircleofthesemountainsthattheyhavelosttheiryouthfulelasticity，andcannomoreriseabovethem。"
　　Ralphdetected，inthemidstofherdespondency，asparkofherformerfire，andgreweloquentinhisendeavorstopersuadeherthatshewasunjusttoherself，andthattherewasbutawidersphereoflifeneededtodevelopallthelatentpowersofherrichnature。
　　Atthedinner—table，herfatheragainsateyeinghisguestwiththatsamecoldlookofdistrustandsuspicion。Andwhenthemealwasatanend，heroseabruptlyandcalledhisdaughterintoanotherroom。PresentlyRalphheardhisangryvoiceresoundingthroughthehouse，interruptednowandthenbyawoman’ssobs，andasubdued，passionatepleading。WhenBerthaagainenteredtheroom，hereyeswereveryred，andhesawthatshehadbeenweeping。
　　Shethrewashawloverhershoulders，beckonedtohimwithherhand，andhearoseandfollowedher。Sheledthewaysilentlyuntiltheyreachedathickcopseofbirchandaldernearthestrand。Shedroppeddownuponabenchbetweentwotrees，andhetookhisseatatherside。
　　"Ralph，"beganshe，withavisibleeffort，"I
　　hardlyknowwhattosaytoyou;butthereissomethingwhichImusttellyou——myfatherwishesyoutoleaveusatonce。"
　　"AndYOU，Bertha？"
　　"Well——yes——Iwishittoo。"
　　Shesawthepainfulshockwhichherwordsgavehim，andshestrovehardtospeak。Herlipstrembled，hereyesbecamesuffusedwithtears，whichgrewandgrew，butneverfell;shecouldnotutteraword。
　　"Well，Bertha，"answeredhe，withalittlequiverinhisvoice，"ifyou，too，wishmetogo，Ishallnottarry。Good—bye。"
　　Herosequickly，and，withavertedface，heldouthishandtoher;butasshemadenomotiontograspthehand，hebegandistractedlytobuttonhiscoat，andmovedslowlyaway。
　　"Ralph。"
　　Heturnedsharply，and，beforeheknewit，shelaysobbinguponhisbreast。
　　"Ralph，"shemurmured，whilethetearsalmostchokedherwords，"Icouldnothaveyouleavemethus。Itishardenough——itishardenough——"
　　"Whatishard，beloved？"
　　Sheraisedherheadabruptly，andturneduponhimagazefullofhopeanddoubt，andsweetperplexity。
　　"Ah，no，youdonotloveme，"shewhispered，sadly。
　　"WhyshouldIcometoseekyou，afterthesemanyyears，dearest，ifIdidnotwishtomakeyoumywifebeforeGodandmen？WhyshouldI——"
　　"Ah，yes，Iknow，"sheinterruptedhimwithafreshfitofweeping，"youaretoogoodandhonesttowishtothrowmeaway，nowwhenyouhaveseenhowmysoulhashungeredforthesightofyouthesemanyyears，howevennowIclingtoyouwithadespairingclutch。
　　Butyoucannotdisguiseyourself，Ralph，andI
　　sawfromthefirstmomentthatyoulovedmenomore。"
　　"Donotbesuchanunreasonablechild，"heremonstrated，feebly。"Idonotloveyouwiththewild，irrationalpassionofformeryears;
　　butIhavethetenderestregardforyou，andmyheartwarmsatthesightofyoursweetface，andIshalldoallinmypowertomakeyouashappyasanymancanmakeyouwho——"
　　"Whodoesnotloveme，"shefinished。
　　Asuddenshudderseemedtoshakeherwholeframe，andshedrewherselfmoretightlyuptohim。
　　"Ah，no，"shecontinued，afterawhile，sinkingbackuponherseat。"Itisahopelessthingtocompelareluctantheart。Iwillacceptnosacrificefromyou。Youowemenothing，foryouhaveactedtowardmehonestlyanduprightly，andIshallbeastronger，or——atleast——
　　abetterwomanforwhatyougaveme——and——
　　forwhatyoucouldnotgiveme，eventhoughyouwould。"
　　"But，Bertha，"exclaimedhe，lookingmournfullyather，"itisnottruewhenyousaythatI
　　oweyounothing。Sixyearsago，whenfirstI
　　wooedyou，youcouldnotreturnmylove，andyousentmeoutintotheworld，andevenrefusedtoacceptanypledgeorpromiseforthefuture。"
　　"Andyoureturned，"sheresponded，"aman，suchasmyhopehadpicturedyou;but，whileI
　　hadalmostbeenstandingstill，youhadoutgrownme，andoutgrownyouroldself，and，withyouroldself，outgrownitsloveforme，foryourlovewasnotofyournewself，butoftheold。Alas！itisasadtale，butitistrue。"
　　Shespokegravelynow，andwithasteadiervoice，buthereyeshunguponhisfacewithaneagerlookofexpectation，asifyearningtodetecttheresomegleamofhope，somecontradictionofthedismaltruth。Hereadthatlookaright，anditpiercedhimlikeasharpsword。
　　Hemadeabraveefforttorespondtoitsappeal，buthisfeaturesseemedhardasstone，andhecouldonlycryoutagainsthisdestiny，andbewailhismisfortuneandhers。
　　Towardevening，Ralphwassittinginanopenboat，listeningtothemeasuredoar—strokesoftheboatmenwhowererowinghimouttotheneareststopping—placeofthesteamer。Themountainsliftedtheirgreatplacidheadsupamongthesun—bathedclouds，andthefjordopeneditscooldepthsasiftomakeroomfortheirvastreflections。Ralphfeltasifhewerefloatinginthemidstoftheblueinfinitespace，and，withthestrengthwhichthisfeelinginspired，hetriedtofaceboldlythethoughtfromwhichhehadbutamomentagoshrunkasfromsomethinghopelesslysadandperplexing。
　　AndinthathourhelookedfearlesslyintothegulfwhichseparatestheNewWorldfromtheOld。Hehadhopedtobridgeit;but，alas！itcannotbebridged。
　　ASCIENTIFICVAGABOND。
　　I。
　　THEsteamerwhichasfarbackas1860
　　passedeveryweekonitsnorthwardwayupalongthecoastofNorway，wasofaverysociableturnofmind。Itranwithmuchshriekingandneedlessblusterinandoutthecalm，windingfjords，paidunceremoniouslittlevisitsineveryout—of—the—waynookandbay，droppednowandthenablackheapofcoalintotheshiningwater，andsentthickvolleysofsmokeandshrilllittleechoescareeringaimlesslyamongthemountains。Itseemed，onthewhole，fromanaestheticpointofview，anobjectionablephenomenon——ablotupontheperfectsummerday。Bytheinhabitants，however，oftheseremoteregions（withtheexceptionofafewobstinateindividuals，whohadatfirstlookeduponitasthesureheraldofdooms—
　　day，andstillwerevaguelywonderingwhattheworldwascomingto，）itwasregardedinaverydifferentlight。Thischolericlittlemonsterwastothemafriendlyandwelcomevisitor，whichestablishedtheirconnectionwiththeoutsideworld，andgavethemaproudconsciousnessoflivingintheveryheartofcivilization。
　　Therefore，onsteamboatdaystheyflockedenmassedownonthepiers，and，withanever—freshsenseofnovelty，greetedtheapproachingboatwithlivelycheers，withfiringofmusketsandwavingofhandkerchiefs。Themenofcondition，asthejudge，thesheriff，andtheparson，whosedignityforbadethemtoreceivethesteamerinperson，contentedthemselveswithwatchingitthroughanopera—glassfromtheirbalconies;andifahighofficialwasknowntobeonboard，theyperhapsdisplayedthenationalbannerfromtheirflag—poles，asadelicatecomplimenttotheirsuperior。
　　ButtheRev。Mr。Oddson，theparsonofwhomIhavetospeak，hadthisdayyieldedtothegentleurgingsofhisdaughters（as，indeed，healwaysdid），andhadwiththemboardedthesteamertoreceivehisnephew，ArnfinnVording，whowasreturningfromtheuniversityforhissummervacation。Andnowtheyhadhimbetweenthemintheirprettywhite—paintedpar—
　　sonageboat，withthebluelinealongthegunwale，beleagueringhimwitheagerquestionsaboutfriendsandrelativesinthecapital，chums，universitysports，andamedleyofotherthingsinterestingtoyoungladieswhohaveacollegianforacousin。Hisunclewascharitableenoughtocheckhisowncuriosityaboutthenephew’sprogressintheartsandsciences，andtheresultofhisrecentexaminations，tillheshouldhavebecomefairlysettledunderhisroof;andArnfinn，who，inspiteofhisnaturalbrightnessandreadyhumor，wasanythingbuta"dig，"wasgratefulfortherespite。
　　Theparsonagelaysnuglynestledattheendofthebay，shiningcontentedlythroughthegreenfoliagefromamultitudeofsmallsun—
　　smittenwindows。Itspinkishwhitewash，whichwaspeelingofffromlongexposuretotheweather，wasincheerfulcontrasttothebroadblacksurfaceoftheroof，withitsglazedtiles，andthestarlings’nestsunderthechimney—tops。
　　Thethick—leavedmaplesandwalnut—treeswhichgrewinrandomclustersaboutthewallsseemedloftilyconsciousofstandingthereforpurposesofprotection;for，wherevertheirlong—fingeredbrancheshappenedtograzetheroof，itwasalwayswithatouch，light，graceful，andairilycaressing。Theirregularlypavedyardwasinclosedontwosidesbythemainbuilding，andonthethirdbyaspeciesoflogcabin，which，inNorway，iscalledabrew—house;buttowardthewesttheviewwasbutslightlyobscuredbyanelevatedpigeoncotandaclumpofbirches，throughwhosesparseleavesthefjordbeneathsentitsrapidjetsandgleamsoflight，anditsstrangesuggestionsofdistance，peaceandunaccountablegladness。
　　ArnfinnVording’scareerhadpresentedthatsubtlecombinationoffarceandtragedywhichmosthumanlivesareapttobe;andifthetragicelementhadduringhisearlyyearsbeenpreponderating，hewashardlyhimselfawareofit;forhehadbeentooyoungatthedeathofhisparentstofeelthatkeennessofgriefwhichthesameprivationwouldhavegivenhimatalaterperiodofhislife。Itmighthavebeenhumiliatingtoconfessit，butitwasneverthelesstruethattheterrorhehadoncesustainedonbeingpursuedbyafuriousbullwasmuchmorevividinhismemorythanthevaguewonderanddepressionwhichhadfilledhismindatseeinghismothersosuddenlystrickenwithage，asshelaymotionlessinherwhiterobesinthefrontparlor。
　　Sincethenhisuncle，whowashisguardianandnearestrelative，hadtakenhimintohisfamily，hadinstructedhimwithhisowndaughters，andfinallysenthimtotheUniversity，leavingthelittlefortunewhichhehadinheritedtoaccumulateforfutureuse。ArnfinnhadapainfullydistinctrecollectionofhisearlyhardshipsintryingtoacquirethatsoftpronunciationoftherwhichispeculiartothewesternfjorddistrictsofNorway，andwhichheadmiredsomuchinhiscousins;forthemerry—eyedInga，whowaslessscrupulousbyagooddealthanheroldersister，Augusta，hadfromthebeginningpersistedininterpretingtheirrelationofcousinshipasanunboundedprivilegeonherparttoridiculehimforhispersonalpeculiarities，andespeciallyforhisharshrandhisbroadeasternaccent。Herridiculewasalwaysverygood—natured，tobesure，butthereforenolessannoying。
　　But——suchistheperversenessofhumannature——
　　inspiteofaseriesofapparentrebuffs，interruptednowandthenbyfitsofviolentattachment，Arnfinnhadearlyselectedthisdimpledandyellow—hairedyounggirl，withherpiquantlittlenose，forhisfavoritecousin。Itwastheprospectofseeingherwhich，aboveallelse，hadlent，inanticipation，analtogethernewradiancetothedaywhenheshouldpresenthim—
　　selfinhishomewiththelong—tasseledstudentcaponhishead，theunnecessary"pinchers"onhisnose，andwiththeothertraditionalparaphernaliaoftheNorwegianstudent。Thatgreatdayhadnowcome;ArnfinnsatatInga’ssideplayingwithherwhitefingers，whichlayrestingonhisknee，andcoveringthedepthofhisfeelingwithharmlessbanterabouther"amusinglyunclassicallittlenose。"Hehadoncedetectedher，whenachild，standingbeforeamirror，andpinchingthisunhappyfeatureinthemiddle，inthehopeofmakingit"likeAugusta’s;"andsincethenhehadnolongerfeltsoutterlydefenselesswheneverhisownfoibleswereattacked。