than directly, from the things which he tells
us of himself. His statement that he comes from Akron, Ohio, is less
suggestive than his fondness for Bull Durham. Any direct statement
made by a character concerning himself is of no more artistic value
than if it were made about him by the author, unless his manner of
making it gives at the same time an indirect evidence of his nature.

The subtlest phase of indirect delineation through speech is a
conveyance to the reader, through a character's remarks about himself,
of a sense of him different from that which his statement literally
expresses. Sir Willoughby Patterne, in "The Egoist," talks about
himself frequently and in detail; but the reader soon learns from the
tone and manner of his utterance to discount the high esteem in which
he holds himself. By saying one thing directly, the egoist conveys
another and a different thing indirectly to the reader.

=2. By Action.=--But in fiction, as in life, actions speak louder than
words: and the most convincing way of delineating character indirectly
is by exhibiting a person in the performance of a characteristic
action. If the action be visualized with sufficient clearness and if
its dominant details be presented to the reader with adequate
emphasis, a more vivid impression of character will be conveyed than
through any sort of direct statement by the author. As an instance of
characterization through action only, without comment or direct
portrayal, let us consider the following passage from the duel scene
of "The Master of Ballantrae." Two brothers, Mr. Henry and the Master,
hate each other; they fall to altercation over a game of cards; and
the scene is narrated by Mackellar, a servant of Mr. Henry's:--

"Mr. Henry laid down his cards. He rose to his feet very softly, and
seemed all the while like a person in deep thought. 'You coward!' he
said gently, as if to himself. And then, with neither hurry nor any
particular violence, he struck the Master in the mouth.

"The Master sprang to his feet like one transfigured; I had never seen
the man so beautiful. 'A blow!' he cried. 'I would not take a blow
from God Almighty.'

"'Lower your voice,' said Mr. Henry. 'Do you wish my father to
interfere for you again?'

"'Gentlemen, gentlemen.' I cried, and sought to come between them.

"The Master caught me by the shoulder, held me at arm's length, and
still addressing his brother: 'Do you know what this means?' said he.

"'I