whole long page to get to Maggie after she has
heard his "_quick_ footstep on the stairs." Furthermore, this
expedient tends to destroy the illusion of reality by forcing the
reader into a mental attitude which he seldom assumes in looking on at
actual life. During actual occurrences people almost never pause to
analyze each other and seldom even analyze themselves. They act, and
watch other people act, without a microscopic insight into motives.
And surely the purpose of narrative should be to represent events as
they seem to occur in actuality, rather than to present a dissertation
on their causes in the manner of an essay.

An important point, however, remains to be considered. Events are of
two kinds, external and internal; things happen subjectively as well
as objectively: and in representing the sort of occurrence which takes
place only inside a person's mind, the expedient of analysis is by far
the most serviceable means of making clear the elements of character
that contribute to it. But if the same expedient be employed
habitually in the depiction of external events as well, it is likely
to give the impression of unwarrantable vivisection. There is a
certain falsity of mood in giving an objective event a subjective
rendering.

=4. By Reports from Other Characters.=--When, therefore, it is desired
to depict a character by direct comment on his actions or his
personality, there is a great advantage in allowing the comment to be
made by one of the other characters in the story, instead of by the
author himself in an attitude of assumed omniscience. Jane Austen
deftly exhibits this subtler phase of the expedient in many admirable
passages. For instance, in Chapter XXXIII of "Emma," Mrs. Elton thus
chatters to Emma Woodhouse:--

"'Jane Fairfax is absolutely charming, Miss Woodhouse. I quite rave
about Jane Fairfax--a sweet, interesting creature. So mild and
lady-like--and with such talents! I assure you I think she has very
extraordinary talents. I do not scruple to say that she plays
extremely well. I know enough of music to speak decidedly on that
point. Oh! she is absolutely charming! You will laugh at my
warmth--but upon my word, I talk of nothing but Jane Fairfax.'"

In Chapter XXI the same character has been thus commented on by Emma
Woodhouse and Mr. Knightley. Emma speaks first:--

"'Miss Fairfax is reserved.'

"'I always told you she was--a little; but you will soon overcome all
that part of her re