Icallatedhe'drunacrostyousometime。“
Victoriaraisedhereyes，sparklingwithhumour，andtheymetAusten's。
“Wewasjusttalkin'aboutyou，“criedMr。Meader，cordially；“comerightin。“HeturnedtoVictoria。“Iwanttomakeyouacquainted，“hesaid，“withAustenVane。“
“Andwon'tyoutellhimwhoIam，Mr。Meader？“saidVictoria。
“Well，“saidMr。Meader，apologetically，“thatwasstupidofme——wahn'tit？ButIcallatedhe'dknow。She'sthedaughteroftherailrudpresident——the'onethatwasaskin'aboutyou。“
Therewasaninstant'spause，andthecolourstoleintoVictoria'scheeks。ThensheglancedatAustenandbitherlip-andlaughed。Herlaughterwascontagious。
“IsupposeIshallhavetoconfessthatyouhaveinspiredmycuriosity，Mr。Vane，“shesaid。
Austen'sfacewassunburned，butitflushedamorevividredunderthetan。Itisneedlesstopretendthatamanofhisappearanceandqualitieshadreachedtheageofthirty-twowithouthavinglistenedtofemininecommentsofwhichhewastheexclusivesubject。InthisremarkofVictoria's，orratherinthemannerinwhichshemadeit，herecognizedadifference。
“Itisatribute，then，tothehistrionictalentsofMr。Meader，ofwhichyouwerespeaking，“herepliedlaughingly。
VictoriaglancedathimwithinterestashelookeddownatMr。Meader。
“Andhowisitto-day，Zeb？“hesaid。
“Itain'tsobadasitmightbe——withsechfolksasherandyouaraound，“
admittedMr。Meader。“I'dalmostagreetogetrunoveragain。Shewasaskin'aboutyou，andthat'safact，andIdidn'tslanderyou，neither。
ButInevercallatedtocomprehendwimmen-folks。“
“Now，Mr。Meader，“saidVictoria，reprovingly，buttherewerelittlecreasesabouthereyes，“don'tbeafraud。“
“It'strueasgospel，“declaredtheinvalid；“theyalwaysgotthebetterofme。Ihadoneof'emaftermeonce，whenIwasyoungandprosperin'
some。“
“Andyetyouhavesurvivedtriumphant，“sheexclaimed。
“Therewahn'tnoneof'emlikeyou，“saidMr。Meader，“oritmighthavebe'ndifferent。“
AgainhereyesirresistiblysoughtAusten's，——asthoughtosharewithhimthehumourofthisremark，——andtheylaughedtogether。Hercolour，sosensitive，roseagain，butlessperceptiblythistime。Thenshegotup。
“That'sunfair，Mr。Meader！“sheprotested。
“I'llleaveittoAusten，“saidMr。Meader，“ifitain'tprobable。He'doughttoknow。“
Inspiteofasomewhatnaturalembarrassment，AustencouldnotbutacknowledgetohimselfthatMr。Meaderwasright。Withawomanlymovementwhichhethoughtinfinitelygraceful，Victorialeanedoverthebed。
“Mr。Meader，“shesaid，“I'mbeginningtothinkit'sdangerousformetocomeheretwiceaweektoseeyou，ifyoutalkthisway。AndI'mnotabitsurprisedthatthatwomandidn'tgetthebetterofyou。“
“Youhain'ta-goin'！“heexclaimed。“Why，Icallated——“
“Good-by，“shesaidquickly；“I'mgladtoseethatyouaredoingsowell。“SheraisedherheadandlookedatAusteninacurious，inscrutableway。“Good-by，Mr。Vane，“shesaid；“I——IhopeMr。Blodgetthasrecovered。“
Beforehecouldreplyshehadvanished，andhewasstaringattheemptydoorway。ThereferencetotheunfortunateMr。Blodgett，aftertakinghisbreathaway，arousedinhimanintensecuriositybetraying，asitdid，acertainknowledgeofpasteventsinhislifeinthehithertounknowndaughterofAugustusinterestcouldshehaveinhim？SuchaFlint。Whatquestion，fromsimilarsources，hasheightenedthepulseofyoungmenfromtimeimmemorial。
CHAPTERIV
“TIMEODANAOS“
Theproverbiallittlebirdsthatcarrynewsandpropheciesthroughtheairwereevidentlyresponsibleforanofficial-lookingletterwhichAustenreceivedafewmorningslater。Ontheletter-headwasprinted“TheUnitedNortheasternRailroads，“andMr。AustenVanewasinformedthat，bydirectionofthepresident，theenclosedwassenttohiminanentirelycomplimentarysense。“Theenclosed“wasaticketofredcardboard，anditsfaceinformedhimthathemighttravelfreefortherestoftheyear。Thoughtfullyturningitover，hereadonthebackthefollowinginscription:——
“Itisunderstoodthatthispassisacceptedbyitsrecipientasaretainer。“
Austenstaredatitandwhistled。Thenhepushedbackhischair，withthepassinhishand，andhesitated。Heseizedapenandwroteafewlines:“Dearsir，IbegtoreturntheannualpassovertheNortheasternRailroadswithwhichyouhavesokindlyhonouredme“——whenhesuddenlychangedhismindagain，rose，andmadehiswaythroughthecorridorstohisfather'soffice。TheHonourableHilarywasabsorbedinhisdailyperusaloftheGuardian。
“Judge，“heasked，“isMr。Flintupathisplacethisweek？“
TheHonourableHilarycoughed。
“Hearrivedyesterdayonthethree。Er——why？“
“Iwantedtogoupandthankhimforthis，“hissonanswered，holdinguptheredpieceofcardboard。“Mr。Flintisaverythoughtfulman。“
TheHonourableHilarytriedtolookunconcerned，andsucceeded。
“Sentyouanannual，hashe？Er——Idon'tknowasI'dbotherhimpersonally，Austen。Justapleasantnoteofacknowledgment。“
“Idon'tflattermyselfthatmyachievementsinthelawcanberesponsibleforit，“saidAusten。“Thefavourmustbeduetomyrelationshipwithhiseminentchiefcounsel。“
HilaryVane'skeeneyesrestedonhissonforaninstant。Austenwasmorethaneveranenigmatohim。
“Iguessrelationshiphasn'tgotmuchtodowithbusiness，“hereplied。
“Youhavebe'ndoing——er——betterthanIexpected。“
“Thankyou，Judge，“saidAusten，quietly。“Idon'tmindsayingthatI
wouldratherhaveyourapprobationthan——thismoresubstantialrecognitionofmerit。“
TheHonourableHilary'sbusinesswastodealwithmen，andbyreasonofhisabilityinsodoinghehadmadeasuccessinlife。Hecouldjudgemotivesmorethanpassablywell，andplayuponweaknesses。ButheleftAusten'spresencethatmorningvaguelyuneasy，withasenseofhavingreceivedfromhisownsonaninitialdefeatatagameofwhichhewasamaster。Undertheexcuseoflookingupsomeprecedents，helockedhisdoorstoallcomersfortwohours，andpacedhisroom。Atonemomenthereproachedhimselffornothavingbeenfrank；fornothavingtoldAustenroundlythatthissqueamishnessaboutapasswasunworthyofastrongmanofaffairs；yes，fornothavingrevealedtohimthemysteriesofrailroadpracticefromthebeginning。ButfranknesswasnotaningredientoftheHonourableHilary'snature，andAustenwasnotthekindofmanwhowouldacceptahintandawink。HilaryVanehadformlessforebodings，andfoundhimselfforonceinhislifepowerlesstoact。
ThecostoflivinginRiptonwasnotsohighthatAustenVanecouldnotaffordtokeepahorseandbuggy。Thehorse，whichhetendedhimself，wasappropriatelycalledPepper；Austenhadfoundhiminthehills，andhewaseasilythefinestanimalinRipton:sogood，infact，thatMr。
HumphreyCrewe(whobelievedhehadaneyeforhorses)hadperemptorilyhailedAustenfromamotorcaranddemandedtheprice，aswasMr。Crewe'swontwhenhesawathinghedesired。Hehadbeensomewhatsurprisedandnotinconsiderablyoffendedbythebrevityandforceoftheanswerwhichhehadreceived。
Ontheafternoonofthesummer'sdayinwhichAustenhadtheconversationwithhisfatherjustrelated，PepperwastrottingataroundclipthroughthesoftandshadywoodroadstowardthetownofTunbridge；theword“town“beingusedintheNewEnglandsense，asapieceofterritoryaboutsixmilesbysix。ThefactthatautomobilesfulloflaughingpeoplefromLeithhummedbyoccasionallymadenoapparentdifferencetoPepper，whoknewonlythemasterhandonthereins；therealitythatthewoodroadswereclimbinggreathillsthehorsedidnotseemtofeel。Pepperkneweverylaneandby-pathwithintwentymilesofRipton，andexhibitedsuchsurpriseasawell-bredhorsemaywhenhewassloweddownatlengthandturnedintoahard，blue-stonedrivewayunderastrangegranitearchwiththeword“Fairview“cutinGothiclettersaboveit，andtwogreatlampsinwrought-ironbracketsatthesides。ItwasAustenwhomadeanoteofthegratingsoverthedrains，andoftheacresoforderlyforestinamysteriousandseeminglyenchantedrealm。Intimacywithdomainswasnewtohim，andhebegantoexperienceaninvoluntaryfeelingofrestraintwhichwasnewtohimlikewise，andmadehimchafeinspiteofhimself。
Theestateseemedtobethevisiblesemblanceofapowerwhichtroubledhim。
Shortlyafterpassinganavenueneatlylabelled“Trade'sDrive“theroadwoundupwardsthrougharavinethesidesofwhichwerecoveredwithadenseshrubberywhichhadtheairofhavingalwaysbeenthere，andyetsomehowlookedexpensive。Atthetopoftheravinewasasharpcurve；
andAusten，drawingbreath，foundhimselfswung，asitwere，intospace，lookingoffacrossmilesofforest-coveredlowlandstoanultramarinemountaininthehazysouth，——Sawanec。Asifinobediencetoatelepathiccommandofhismaster，Pepperstopped。
Drinkinghisfillofthisscene，Austenforgotanerrandwhichwasnotonlydisagreeable，butrequiredsomefortitudeforitsaccomplishment。
ThesonhadthisincommonwiththeHonourableHilary——hehatedheroics；
andthefactthatthethingsmackedofheroicswasAusten'sonlydeterrent。Andthentherewasawomaninthisparadise！Thesegradualinsinuationsintohisreveryatlengthmadehimturn。Astraightavenueofpear-shaped，fifteen-year-oldmaplesledtothehouse，amassivecolonialstructureofwoodthatstretchedacrosstheshelf；andhehadtightenedthereinsandstartedcourageouslyuptheavenuewhenheperceivedthatitendedinacircleonwhichtherewasnosignofahitching-post。And，worsethanthis，onthebalconied，uncoveredporchwhichhewouldhavetotraversetoreachthedoorwayhesawthesheenandglimmerofwomen'sgownsgroupedaboutwickertables，andbecameawarethathisapproachwasthesoleobjectofthescrutinyofanafternoonteaparty。
AshereachedthecircleitwasaslightrelieftolearnthatPepperwastheattraction。NohorseknewbetterthanPepperwhenhewasbeingadmired，andhearchedhisneckandliftedhisfeetanddancedinthesheerexhilarationofit。Asmooth-faced，red-cheekedgentlemaningrayflannelsleanedoverthebalustradeandmadeaudiblecommentsinapenetratingvoicewhichbetrayedthefactthathewasMr。HumphreyCrewe。
“SawhimonthestreetinRiptonlastyear。Goodhockaction，hasn'the？——that'srareintrottersaroundhere。Triedtobuyhim。Fellerwouldn'tsell。Hisname'sVane——he'sdrivin'himnow。“
Aladyofasomewhatcommandingpresencewasbesidehim。Shewasperhapsfiveandforty，heriron-grayhairwasdressedtoperfection，herfigureallthatParisianartcouldmakeit，andshewasregardingAustenwithextremedeliberationthroughtheglasseswhichshehadraisedtoahigh-
bridgednose。
“Politicsiscertainlyyourcareer，Humphrey，“sheremarked，“youhavesuchawonderfulmemoryforfaces。Idon'tseehowhedoesit，doyou，Alice？“shedemandedofatallgirlbesideher，whowasevidentlyherdaughter，butlackedherpersonality。
“Idon'tknow，“saidAlice。
“It'sbecauseI'vebeenherelongerthananybodyelse，Mrs。Pomfret，“
answeredMr。Crewe，notverygraciously，“that'sall。Hello。“ThislasttoAusten。
“Hello，“saidAusten。
“Whodoyouwanttosee？“inquiredMr。Crewe，withtheadmirabletactforwhichhewasnoted。
Austenlookedathimforthefirsttime。
“Anybodywhowillholdmyhorse，“heansweredquietly。
Bythistimetheconversationhaddrawntheattentionoftheothersatthetables，andoneortwosmiledatAusten'sanswer。Mrs。Flint，witha“Whoisit？“arosetorepelasocialintrusion。Shewasanoverdressedlady，incliningtoembonpoint，buttracesoftheRoseofSharonwerestillvisible。
“Whydon'tyoudrive'roundtothestables？“suggestedMr。Crewe，unawareofasmile。
Austendidnotanswer。Hewas，infact，lookingtowardsthedoorway，andthegroupontheporchweresurprisedtoseeagleamofmirthfulunderstandingstartinhiseyes。AnansweringgleamwasinVictoria's，whohadatthatmoment，byasingularcoincidence，comeoutofthehouse。
Shecamedirectlydownthestepsandoutonthegravel，andheldherhandtohiminthebuggy，andheflushedwithpleasureashegraspedit。
“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Vane？“shesaid。“Iamsogladyouhavecalled。
Humphrey，justpushthestablebutton，willyou？“
Mr。Creweobeyedwithnoverygoodgrace，whilethetea-partywentbacktotheirseats。Mrs。FlintsupposedhehadcometosellVictoriathehorse；whileMrs。Pomfret，whohadtakenhiminfromcrowntoboots，remarkedthathelookedverymuchlikeagentleman。
“Icametoseeyourfatherforafewmoments——onbusiness，“Austenexplained。
Sheliftedherfacetohiswithasecondsearchinglook。
“I'lltakeyoutohim，“shesaid。
BythistimeanimblegroomhadappearedfromoutoashrubberypathandseizedPepper'shead。AustenalightedandfollowedVictoriaintoagreat，coolhallway，andthroughtwodarkenedrooms，bewilderinglyfurnishedandladenwiththescentofflowers，intoanarrowpassagebeyond。Sheledthewaysimply，notspeaking，andhersilenceseemedtobetokenthecompletenessofanunderstandingbetweenthem，asofalongacquaintance。
Inaplainwhite-washedroom，behindaplainoakendesk，satMr。Flint——aplainman。Austenthoughthewouldhaveknownhimhadheseenhimonthestreet。Theotherthingsintheroomwereletter-files，asafe，along-
distancetelephone，andathinprivatesecretarywithabendinhisback。
Mr。Flintlookedupfromhisdesk，andhisface，previouslybereftofillumination，lightedwhenhesawhisdaughter。Austenlikedthatinhim。
“Well，Vic，whatisitnow？“heasked。
“Mr。AustenVanetoseeyou，“saidVictoria，andwithaquickglanceatAustenshelefthimstandingonthethreshold。Mr。Flintrose。Hiseyesweredeep-setinasquare，hardhead，andheappearedtobetakingAusteninwithoutdirectlylookingathim；likewise，onefeltthatMr。Flint'shandshakewasnotanabsolutegiftofhissoul。
“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Vane？Idon'trememberevertohavehadthepleasureofseeingyou，althoughyourfatherandIhavebeenintimatelyconnectedformanyyears。“
Sothepresident'smannerwashearty，butnotthesubstance。Itcame，Austenthought，fromararityofmeetingwithmenonadisinterestedfooting；andhecouldnotbutwonderhowMr。Flintwouldtreattheangelsinheavenifheevergotthere，wheretherewerenofranchisestobehad。
Wouldhesuspectthemofdesignsuponhishardwonharpandhalo？AustendidnotdislikeMr。Flint；theman'srise，hisachievements，hisaffectionforhisdaughter，heremembered。ButhewasalsowellawarethatMr。Flinthadthrownuponhimtheonusofthefirstmoveinagamewhichtherailroadpresidentwasusedtoplayingeveryday。Thedragonwasonhishomegroundandhadthechoiceofweapons。
“Idonotwishtobotheryoulong，“saidAusten。
“Nobother，answeredMr。Flint，“nobothertomaketheacquaintanceofthesonofmyoldfriend，HilaryVane。Sitdown——sitdown。AndwhileI
don'tbelieveanymanshoulddependuponhisfathertolaunchhimintheworld，yetitmustbeagreatsatisfactiontoyou，Mr。Vane，tohavesuchafather。HilaryVaneandIhavebeenintimatelyassociatedformanyyears，andmyadmirationforhimhasincreasedwitheveryyear。Itistomenofhistypethattheprosperity，thegreatness，ofthisnationislargelydue，——conservative，upright，able，contenttoconfinehimselftothedifficultworkforwhichheissoeminentlyfitted，withoutspectacularmeddlinginthingsinwhichhecanhavenoconcern。
ThereforeIwelcometheopportunitytoknowyou，sir，forIunderstandthatyouhavesettleddowntofollowinhisfootstepsandthatyouwillmakeanameforyourself。Iknowtheindependenceofyoungmen——Iwasyoungoncemyself。Butafterall，Mr。Vane，experienceisthegreatteacher，andperhapsthereissomelittleadvicewhichanoldmancangiveyouthatmaybeofservice。Asyourfather'sson，itisalwaysatyourdisposal。Haveacigar。“
Thethinsecretarycontinuedtoflitabouttheroom，betweentheletter-
filesandthedesk。AustenhadfounditinfinitelyeasiertoshootMr。
BlodgettthantoengageinaduelwiththepresidentoftheUnitedRailroad。
“Ismokeapipe，“hesaid。
“Toomanyyoungmensmokecigars——andthosedisgustingcigarettes，“saidMr。Flint，withconviction。“Therearealotofworthlessyoungmeninthesedays，anyhow。Theycometomyhouseandloafanddrinkandsmoke，andtalkalotofnonsenseaboutgamesandautomobilesandclubs，andcumbertheearthgenerally。There'sayoungmannamedCreweoveratLeith，forinstance——youmayhaveseenhim。Notthathe'sdissipated——
buthedon'tdoanythingbuttalkaboutrailroadsandthestockmarkettomakeyousick，anddon'tknowanymoreabout'emthanmyfarmer。“
DuringthisdiatribeAustensawhisopeninggrowingsmallerandsmaller。
Ifhedidnotmakeadashforit，itwouldsoonbeclosedentirely。
“Ireceivedaletterthismorning，Mr。Flint，enclosingmeanannualpass——“
“DidUpjohnsendyouone？“Mr。Flintcutin；“heoughttohavedonesolongago。Itwasprobablyanoversightthathedidnot，Mr。Vane。Wetrytoextendthecourtesiesoftheroadtopersonswhoarelookeduptointheircommunities。ThesonofHilaryVaneisatalltimeswelcometoone。“
Mr。Flintpausedtolighthiscigar，andAustensummonedhisresolution。
Secondbyseconditwasbecomingmoreandmoredifficultandseeminglymoreungracioustoreturnagiftsograciouslygiven，agiftofnoinconsiderableintrinsicvalue。Moreover，Mr。Flinthadingeniouslycontrivedalmosttomaketheact，inAusten'seyes，thatofapicayuneupstart。WhowashetoflingbackanannualpassinthefaceofthepresidentoftheNortheasternRailroads？
“Ihadfirstthoughtofwritingyoualetter，Mr。Flint，“hesaid，“butitseemedtomethat，consideringyourrelationswithmyfather，theproperthingtodowastocometoyouandtellyouwhyIcannottakethepass。“
Thethinsecretarypausedinhisfiling，andremainedmotionlesswithhisbodybentoverthedrawer。
“Whyyoucannottakeit，Mr。Vane？“saidtherailroadpresident。“I'mafraidIdon'tunderstand。“
“Iappreciatethe——thekindness，“saidAusten，“andIwilltrytoexplain。“Hedrewtheredcardboardfromhispocketandturneditover。
“Onthebackofthisisprinted，insmallletters，'Itisunderstoodthatthispassisacceptedbytherecipientasaretainer。'“
“Well，“Mr。Flintinterrupted，smilingsomewhatblandly，“howmuchmoneydoyouthinkthatpasswouldsaveanactiveyounglawyerinayear？Isthreehundreddollarstoomuch？Threehundreddollarsisnotaninsignificantsumtoayoungmanonthethresholdofhispractice，isit？“
AustenlookedatMr。Flint。
“Anysumisinsignificantwhenitrestrictsalawyerfromtheacceptanceofjustcauses，Mr。Flint。AsIunderstandthematter，itisthecustomofyourrailroadtosendthesepassestotheyounglawyersoftheStatethemomenttheybegintogivesignsofability。Thispastwouldpreventmefromservingclientswhomighthaverighteousclaimsagainstyourrailroads，and——permitmetospeakfrankly——inmyopinionthepracticetendstomakeitdifficultforpoorpeoplewhohavebeeninjuredtogetefficientlawyers。“
“Yourownfatherisretainedbytherailroad，“saidMr。Flint。
“Astheircounsel，“answeredAusten。“Ihaveaprideinmyprofession，Mr。Flint，asnodoubtyouhaveinyours。IfIshouldeveracquiresufficienteminencetobesoughtascounselforarailroad，Ishouldmakemyowntermswithit。Ishouldnotallowitsmanagementalonetodecideuponthevalueofmyretainer，andmyservicesinitsbehalfwouldbeconfinedstrictlytoprofessionalones。“
Mr。Flintdrummedonthetable。
“Whatdoyoumeanbythat？“hedemanded。
“ImeanthatIwouldnotengage，forafeeorapass，tofightthepoliticalbattlesofarailroad，orundertakeanypoliticalmanipulationinitsbehalfwhatever。“
Mr。Flintleanedforwardaggressively。
“HowlongdoyouthinkarailroadwouldpaydividendsifitdidnotadoptsomemeansofdefendingitselffromtheblackmailpoliticianoftheStatelegislatures，Mr。Vane？TherailroadsofwhichIhavethehonourtobepresidentpayaheavytaginthisandotherStates。Wewouldpayamuchheavieroneifwedidn'ttakeprecautionstoprotectourselves。ButIdonotintendtoquarrelwithyou，Mr。Vane，“hecontinuedquickly，perceivingthatAustenwasabouttoanswerhim，“nordoIwishtoleaveyouwiththeimpressionthattheNortheasternRailroadsmeddleundulyinpolitics。“
Austenknewnothowtoanswer。HehadnotgonetheretodiscussthislastandreallygreatquestionwithMr。Flint，buthewonderedwhetherthepresidentactuallythoughthimthefledglingheproclaimed。AustenlaidhispassonMr。Flint'sdesk，androse。
“Iassureyou，Mr。Flint，thatthespiritwhichpromptedmyvisitwasnotacontentiousone。Icannotacceptthepass，simplybecauseIdonotwishtoberetained。“
Mr。Flinteyedhim。Therewasamarkofdignity，ofsilentpower，onthistallscapegraceofasonofHilaryVanethattherailroadpresidenthadmissedatfirst——probablybecausehehadlookedonlyforthescapegrace。Mr。Flintardentlydesiredtotreatthematterinthetriflingaspectinwhichhebelievedhesawit，tocarryitoffgenially。
Butaninstinctnotyetformulatedtoldthepresidentthathewasfacetofacewithanenemywhosepotentialpowerswerenottobedespised，andhebristledinspiteofhimself。
“ThereisnostatuteIknowofbywhichalawyercanbecompelledtoacceptaretaineragainsthiswill，Mr。Vane，“hereplied，andovercamehimselfwithaneffort。“ButIhopethatyouwillpermitme，“headdedinanothertone，“asanoldfriendofyourfather'sandasamanofsomelittleexperienceintheworld，toremarkthatintoleranceisacharacteristicofyouth。IhaditinthedaysofMr。IsaacD。
Worthington，whomyoudonotremember。Iamnotaddictedtoflattery，butIhopeandbelieveyouhaveacareerbeforeyou。Talktoyourfather。Studythequestiononbothsides，——fromthepointofviewofmenwhoarehonestlytrying，inthefaceoftremendousdifficulties，toprotectinnocentstockholdersaswellastoconductacorporationintheinterestsofthepeopleatlarge，andfortheirgeneralprosperity。Becharitable，youngman，andjudgenothastily。“
Yearsbefore，whenpoorSarahAustenhadadornedtheendofhistable，HilaryVanehadraisedhisheadafterthepronouncementofgracetosurprisealookinhiswife'seyeswhichstrangelythrewhimintoawhiteheatofanger。Thatlook(andheatintervalshadbehelditafterwards)
wasthetruepresentmentofthesoulofthewomanwhosebodywashis。Itwasnot——asHilaryVanethoughtit——acontemptforthepracticeofthankingone'sMakerfordailybread，butacontemptforcantofonewhoseesthehumourincant。AmasculineversionofthatlookMr。FlintnowbeheldintheeyesofAustenVane，andtheenragingeffectonthepresidentoftheUnitedRailroadswasmuchthesameasithadbeenonhischiefcounsel。Whowasthisyoungmanofthreeandthirtytoagitatehimso？Hetrembled，thoughnotvisibly，yettookAusten'shandmechanically。
“Goodday，Mr。Vane，“hesaid；Mr。Freemanwillhelpyoutofindyourhorse。“
Thethinsecretarybowed，andbeforehereachedthedoorintothepassageMr。Flinthadopenedanotheratthebackoftheroomandsteppedoutonaclose-croppedlawnfloodedwithafternoonsunlight。InthepassageAustenperceivedachair，andinthechairwasseatedpatientlynoneotherthanMr。BrushBascom——politicalDukeofPutnam。Mr。Bascom'slittleagateeyesglitteredinthedimlight。
“Hello，Austen，“hesaid，“sincewhenhaveyoutooktocomin'here？“
“It'salongertripfromPutnamthanfromRipton，Brush，“saidAusten，andpassedon，leavingMr。Bascomwithapuzzledmind。SomethingverylikeasmilepassedoverMr。Freeman'sfaceasheledthewaysilentlyoutofasideentranceandaroundthehouse。Thecircleofthedrivewasempty，thetea-partyhadgone——andVictoria。Austenassuredhimselfthatherdisappearancerelievedhim:havingvirtuallyquarrelledwithherfather，conversationwouldhavebeenawkward；andyethelookedforher。
TheyfoundthebuggyandPepperinthepavedcourtyardofthestables。
AsAustentookthereinsthesecretarylookedupathim，hismildblueeyesburningwithanunsuspectedfire。Heheldouthishand。
“Iwanttocongratulateyou，“hesaid。
“Whatfor？“askedAusten，takingthehandinsomeembarrassment。
“Forspeakinglikeaman，“saidthesecretary，andheturnedonhisheelandlefthim。
Thisstrangeaction，capping，asitdid，astrangerexperience，gaveAustenfoodforthoughtasheletPeppertakehisownpacedownthetrade'sroad。Presentlyhegotbackintothemaindrivewhereitclungtoasteep，forest-coveredsidehill，whenhisattentionwasdistractedbythesightofastraightfigureinwhitedescendingamidstthefoliageahead。HisinstinctiveactionwastopullPepperdowntoawalk，scarcelyanalyzinghismotives；thenhehadtime，beforereachingthespotwheretheirpathswouldcross，toconsiderandcharacteristicallytoenjoytheunpropitiouselementsarrayedagainstafriendshipwithVictoriaFlint。
Shehaltedonaflagstoneofthedescendingpathsomesixfeetabovetheroadway，andstoodexpectant。TheRoseofSharon，fiveandtwentyyearsbefore，wouldhavebeencoy——wouldhavemadebelievetohavedoneitbyaccident。ButtheRoseofSharon，withallherbeauty，wouldhavehadnoattractionforAustenVane。Victoriahadmuchofhermother'sgoodlooks，thefigureofaDiana，andherclotheswereofaseverityandcorrectnessinkeepingwithherstyle；theymerelyaddedtothesumtotaloftheeffectuponAusten。Ofcoursehestoppedthebuggyimmediatelybeneathher，andherfirstquestionlefthimwithoutanybreath。Nowomanhehadeverknownseizedtheessentialsasshedid。
“Whathaveyoubeendoingtomyfather？“sheasked。
“Why？“exclaimedAusten。
“Becausehe'sinsuchabadtemper，“saidVictoria。“Youmusthaveputhiminit。Itcan'tbepossiblethatyoucameallthewayupheretoquarrelwithhim。Nobodyeverdarestoquarrelwithhim。“
“Ididn'tcomeuptoquarrelwithhim，“saidAusten。
“What'sthetrouble？“askedVictoria。
Thehumourofthisquestionwastoomuchforhim，andhelaughed。
Victoria'seyeslaughedalittle，buttherewasapuckerinherforehead。
“Won'tyoutellme？“shedemanded，“ormustIgetitoutofhim？“
“Iamafraid，“saidAusten，slowly，“thatyoumustgetitoutofhim——ifhehasn'tforgottenit。“
“Forgottenit，dearoldsoul！“criedVictoria。“ImethimjustnowandtriedtomakehimlookatthenewGuernseys，andhemusthavebeendisturbedquiteagooddealwhenhe'scrossasabeartome。Hereallyoughtn'ttobeupsetlikethat，Mr。Vane，whenhecomesupheretorest。
Iamafraidthatyouareratheraterribleperson，althoughyoulooksonice。Won'tyoutellmewhatyoudidtohim？“
Austenwasnon-plussed。
“Nothingintentional，“heansweredearnestly，“butitwouldn'tbefairtoyourfatherifIgaveyoumyversionofabusinessconversationthatpassedbetweenus，wouldit？“
“Perhapsnot，“saidVictoria。Shesatdownontheflagstonewithherelbowonherkneeandherchininherhand，andlookedathimthoughtfully。Heknewwellenoughthatawisegeneralwouldhaveretreated——horse，foot，andbaggage；butPepperdidnotstir。
“Doyouknow，“saidVictoria，“IhaveanideayoucameuphereaboutZebMeader。“
“ZebMeader！“
“Yes。Itoldmyfatherabouthim，——howyourescuedhim，andhowyouwenttoseehiminthehospital，andwhatagoodmanheis，andhowpoor。“
“Oh，didyou！“exclaimedAusten。
“Yes。AndItoldhimtheaccidentwasn'tZeb'sfault，thatthetraindidn'twhistleorring，andthatthecrossingwasablindone。“
“Andwhatdidhesay？“askedAusten，curiously。
“Hesaidthatonarailroadasbigashissomethingofthekindmusthappenoccasionally。AndhetoldmeifZebdidn'tmakeafussandactfoolishly，hewouldhavenocausetoregretit。“
“AnddidyoutellZeb？“askedAusten。
“Yes，“Victoriaadmitted，“butI'msorryIdid，now。“
“WhatdidZebsay？“
Victorialaughedinspiteofherself，andgaveamoreorlessexactthoughkindlyimitationofMr。Meader'smanner。
“Hesaidthatwimmen-folkshadbettersticktotheneedleandtheduster，andnotgopokin'aboutlawbusinessthatdidn'tconcern'em。Buttheworstofitwas，“addedVictoria，withsomedistress，“hewon'tacceptanymorefruit。Isn'thesilly？Hewon'tgetitintohisheadthatI
givehimthefruit，andnotmyfather。Isuspectthatheactuallybelievesmyfathersentmedowntheretotellhimthat。“
Austenwassilent，forthetruesignificanceofthisapparentlyobscuredamagecasetotheNortheasternRailroadswasbeginningtodawnonhim。
Thepublicwasnotinthebestofhumourstowardsrailroads:therewastroubleaboutgradecrossings，andMr。Meader'smishapandthemannerofhisrescuebythesonofthecorporationcounselhadgiventheaccidentadeplorablepublicity。Moreover，ifithaddawnedonAugustusFlintthatthesonofHilaryVanemightprosecutethesuit，itwasworthwhiletakingalittlepainswithMr。MeaderandMr。AustenVane。Certainsmallfireshavebeenknowntolightworld-wideconflagrations。
“Whatareyouthinkingabout？“askedVictoria。“Itisn'tatallpolitetoforgetthepersonyouaretalkingto。“
“Ihaven'tforgottenyou，“saidAusten，withasmile。Howcouldhe——
sittingunderherinthismanner？
“Besides，“saidVictoria，mollified，“youhaven'tanansweredmyquestion。“
“Whichquestion？
Shescrutinizedhimthoughtfully，andwithfeminineartmadethekindofanattackthatrarelyfails。
“Whyareyousuchanenigma，Mr。Vane？“shedemanded。“Isitbecauseyou'realawyer，orbecauseyou'vebeenoutWestandseensomuchoflifeandshotsomanypeople？“
Austenlaughed，yethehadtinglingsymptomsbecausesheshowedenoughinterestinhimtopronouncehimariddle。Butheinstantlybecameseriousasthepurportofthelastchargecamehometohim。
“IsupposeIamlookeduponasasortofJesseJames，“hesaid。“Asithappens，Ihavenevershotbutoneman，andIdidn'tcareverymuchforthat。“
Victoriagotupandcamedownastepandgavehimherhand。Hetookit，norwashethefirsttorelinquishthehold；andacolourrosedelicatelyinherfaceasshedrewherfingersaway。
“Ididn'tmeantooffendyou，“shesaid。
“Youdidn'toffendme，“herepliedquickly。“ImerelywishedyoutoknowthatIwasn'tabrigand。“
Victoriasmiled。
“Ireallydidn'tthinkso——youaremuchtoosolemn。Ihavetogonow，and——youhaven'ttoldmeanything。“
Shecrossedtheroadandbegantodescendthepathontheotherside。
Twiceheglancedback，afterhehadstarted，andoncesurprisedherpoisedlightlyamongtheleaves，lookingoverhershoulder。
CHAPTERV
THEPARTINGOFTHEWAYS
ThenexttimeAustenvisitedthehospitalMr。Meaderhadasurpriseinstoreforhim。Afterpassingthetimeofday，aswashiscustom，thepatientfreelydiscussedthemotiveswhichhadledhimtorefuseanymoreofVictoria'sfruit。
“Ihain'tgotnothingagainsther，“hedeclared；“Itriedtomakethatplain。She'sasniceandcommonayoungladyasIeversee，andIdon'tbelieveshehadathingtodowithit。ButIsuspicionedtheywasuptosomethin'whenshebroughtthembaskets。AndwhenshegivemethemessagefromoldFlint，Iwassureofit。“
“MissFlintwasentirelyinnocent，I'msure，“saidAusten，emphatically。
“IfIcouldseeoldFlint，I'dtellhimwhatIthoughtofhimusin'
wimmen-folkstosave'emmoney，“saidMr。Meader。“Iknowedshewahn'tthatkind。Andthenthatotherthingcomerightontopofit。“
“Whatotherthing？“
“Say，“demandedMr。Meader，“don'tyouknow？“
“Iknownothing，“saidAusten。
“Didn'tknowHilaryVane'sbe'nhere？“
“Myfather！“Austenejaculated。
“Gittin'aftermeprettywarm，sotheybe。Wanttoknowwhatmypriceisnow。Butsay，Ididn'tsupposeyourfayther'dcomeherewithoutlettin'
youknow。“
Austenwassilent。Thetruthwasthatforafewmomentshecouldnotcommandhimselfsufficientlytospeak。
“Heisthechiefcounselfortheroad，“hesaidatlength；“Iamnotconnectedwithit。“
“Iguessyou'reontherighttrack。He'saprettysmoothtalker，yourfayther。JustdroppedintoseehowIbe，sincehissonwasinterested。
TalkedasightoflawgibberishIdidn'tunderstand。ToldmeIdidn'thavemuchofacase；saidthepolicyoftherailrudwastobeliberal，andwantedtoknowwhatIthoughtIoughttohave。“
“Well？“saidAusten，shortly。
“Well，“saidMr。Mender，“hedidn'tgitamiteofsatisfactionoutofme。
I'veseenenoughofhiskindoffolkstoknowhowtodealwith'em，andI
toldhimso。IaskedhimwhattheymeantbysendingthatslickMr。
Tooting'raoundtooffermefivehundreddollars。IsaidIwaswillin'
totrustmycaseonthatcrossin'toajury。“
Austensmiled，inspiteofhismingledemotions。
“WhatelsedidMr。Vanesay？“heasked。
Notagreatsightmore。Saidagoodmanyfolkswerefoolishenoughtospendmoneyandgotolawwhenthey'ddonebettertotrusttotheliberalityoftherailrud。Liberality！Adams'widowdonewelltotrusttheirliberality，didn'tshe？Hewantedtoknowonemorething，butI
didn'tgivehimanysatisfaction。“
“Whatwasthat？“
“Icouldn'ttellyouhowhegot'raoundtoit。Guessheneverdid，quite。Hewantedtoknowwhatlawyerwastohavemycase。Wahn'tnoneofhisaffair，andIcallatedifyou'dwantedhimtoknowjustyet，you'dhavetoadhim。“
Austenlaidhishandonthefarmer's，asherosetogo。
“Zeb，“hesaid，“Ineverexpecttohaveamoreexemplaryclient。“
Mr。Mendershotaglanceathim。
“MebbeIspokeamitetoofreeaboutyourfayther，Austen，“hesaid；“youandhimseemkindofdifferent。“
“TheJudgeandIunderstandeachother，“answeredAusten。
Hehadgotasfarasthedoor，whenhestopped，swungonhisheel，andcamebacktothebedside。
“It'smydutytotellyou，Zeb，thatinordertohushthisthinguptheymayofferyoumorethanyoucangetfromajury。InthatcaseIshouldhavetoadviseyoutoaccept。“
Hewasawarethat，whilehemadethisstatement，ZebMeader'seyeswererivetedonhim，andheknewthatthefarmerwasweighinghiminthebalance。
“Sellout？“exclaimedMr。Meader。“Youadvisemetosellout？“
Austendidnotgetangry。Heunderstoodthismanandthepeoplefromwhichhesprang。
“Thequestionisforyoutodecide——whetheryoucangetmoremoneybyasettlement。“
“Money！“criedZebMeader，“Ihavefounditprettyhardtogit，butthere'ssomethingsIwon'tdoforit。There'sareasonwhytheywantthiscasehushedup，thewaythey'vebe'nactin'。Iain'tlivedinMercerandPutnamCountyallmylifefornothin'。Hain'tIseen'emruntheirdirtypoliticsthereunderBrushBascomforthelasttwenty-fiveyears？There'snomanhasanofficeorapassinthatcountybutwhatBascomgivesittohim，andBascom'stherailrudtool。“SuddenlyZebraisedhimselfinbed。“Hev'theybe'ntamperin'withyou？“hedemanded。
“Yes，“answeredAusten，dispassionately。HehadhardlyheardwhatZebhadsaid；hismindhadbeengoingonward。“Yes。Theysentmeanannualpass，andItookitback。“
ZebMeaderdidnotspeakforafewmoments。
“IguessIwasalittlehasty，Austen，“hesaidatlength。
“Imighthaveknownyouwouldn'tsellout。Ifyou're'willin'totaketherisk，youtell'emtenthousanddollarswouldn'ttemptme。“
“Allright，Zeb，“saidAusten。
HeleftthehospitalandstruckoutacrossthecountrytowardstheslopesofSawanec，climbedthem，andstoodbareheadedintheeveninglight，gazingoverthestill，widevalleynorthwardtothewoodedridgeswhereLeithandFairviewlayhidden。Hehadcometothepartingofthewaysoflife，andwhilehedidnothesitatetochoosehispath，aVaneinheritance，thoughnotdominant，couldnotfailatsuchajuncturetopointoutthepleasantnessofconformity。Austen'saffectionforHilaryVanewasreal；thelonelinessoftheeldermanappealedtotheson，whoknewthathisfatherlovedhiminhisownway。Hedreadedthewrenchthere。
Andnature，persuasiveinthatquarter，wasnottobestilledinafieldmorecompletelyherown。ThememoryandsupplianceofaminutewillscarcesufficeoneofAusten'stemperamentforalifetime；andhiseyes，flyingwiththeeaglehighacrossthevalley，searchedthevelvetfoldsoftheridges，astheylayininfiniteshadesofgreeninthelevellight，fortheplacewheretheenchantedrealmmightbe。JustwhatthestateofhisfeelingswereatthistimetowardsVictoriaFlintistoovague——accuratelytobepainted，buthewascertainlynotreadytogivewaytotheattractionhefeltforher。Hissenseofhumourintervenedifheallowedhimselftodream；therewasacertainfollyinpursuingtheacquaintance，allthegreaternowthathewaschoosingthepathofoppositiontothedragon。Ayoungwoman，surroundedasshewas，couldbeexpectedtoknowlittleofthesubtletiesofbusinessandpoliticalmorality:lethimtakeZebMeader'scase，andherloyaltywouldnaturallybewithherfather，——ifshethoughtofAustenVaneatall。
Andyettheverycontradictionofhername，VictoriajoinedwithFlint，seemedtoproclaimthatshedidnotbelongtoherfatherortotheRoseofSharon。Austenpermittedhimselftodwell，ashedescendedthemountaininthegatheringdarkness，uponthefancyofthespringingofagenerationofidealsfromagenerationofcommercewhichbodedwellfortheRepublic。AndAustenVane，incommonwiththatyoungerandtravelledgeneration，thoughtlargelyintermsoftheRepublic。PepperCountyandPutnamCountywereallonetohim——piecesofhisnativeland。Andassuch，redeemable。
ItwaslongpastthesupperhourwhenhereachedthehouseinHanoverStreet；butEuphrasia，whomanyatimeindaysgonebyhadfaredforthintothewoodstofindSarahAusten，hadhissupperhotforhim。
Afterwardshelightedhispipeandwentoutintothedarkness，andpresentlyperceivedablackfigureseatedmeditativelyonthegranitedoorstep。
“Isthatyou，Judge？“saidAusten。
TheHonourableHilarygruntedinresponse。
“Be'nonanotherwildexpedition，Isuppose。“
“IwentupSawanectostretchmylegsalittle，“Austenanswered，sittingdownbesidehisfather。
“Funny，“remarkedtheHonourableHilary，“Ineverhadthismaniaforstretchin'mylegsafterIwasgrown。“
“Well，“saidAusten，“Iliketogointothewoodsandclimbthehillsandgetairedoutonceinawhile。“
“Iheardofyourgettin'airedoutyesterday，upTunbridgeway，“saidtheHonourableHilary。
“Isupposedyouwouldhearofit，“answeredAusten。
“Iwasupthereto-day。GaveMr。Flintyourpassdidyou？“
“Yes。“
“Didn'tseefittomentionittomefirst——didyou？Saidyouweregoinguptothankhimforit。“
Austenconsideredthis。
“Youhaveputmeinthewrong，Judge，“herepliedafteralittle。“I
madethatremarkironically。IIamafraidwecannotagreeonthemotivewhichpromptedme。“
“Yourconsciencealittlefinerthanyourfather's——isit？“
“No，“saidAusten，“Idon'thonestlythinkitis。I'vethoughtagooddealinthelastfewyearsaboutthedifferenceinourwaysoflookingatthings。Ibelievethattwomenwhotrytobehonestmayconscientiouslydiffer。ButIalsobelievethatcertaincustomshavegraduallygrownupinrailroadpracticewhicharemoreorlesstobedeploredfromthepointofviewofthehonouroftheprofession。Ithinktheyarenotperhaps——
realizedevenbytheeminentmeninthelaw。“
“Humph！“saidtheHonourableHilary。Buthedidnotpresshissonfortheenumerationofthesecustoms。AfteralltheyearshehaddisapprovedofAusten'sdeedsitseemedstrangeindeedtobecalledtoaccountbytheprodigalforhisown。Coulditbethatthisboywhomhehadsooftenchastisedtookaclearerviewofpracticalmoralitythanhimself？Itwaspreposterous。Butwhytheuneasinessofthepastfewyears？Whyhadhemorethanonceduringthatperiod，forthefirsttimeinhislife，questionedahithertoabsolutesatisfactioninhispositionofchiefcounselfortheNortheasternRailroads？Whyhadhehesitatedtoinitiatehissonintomanyoftheso-calleddutiesofarailroadlawyer？Austenhadneververballyarraignedthosedutiesuntilto-night。
Contradictoryasitmayseem，irritatingasitwastotheHonourableHilaryVane，heexperiencedagainthecertainfainttinglingofprideaswhenAustenhadgivenhimthedispassionateaccountoftheshootingofMr。Blodgett；andthistinglingonlyservedtostiffenHilaryVanemorethanever。Alifelonghabitofadmittingnothingandalifelongpridemadetheacknowledgmentofpossibleprofessionallapsesforthebenefitofhisemployernottobethoughtof。HethereforeassumedthesameattitudeashadMr。Flint，andforcedtheburdenofexplanationuponAusten，relyingsurelyonthedisinclinationofhissontobespecific。
AndAusten，consideringhisrelationship，couldnotbeexpectedtofathomthesementalprocesses。
“Seehere，Judge，“hesaid，greatlyembarrassedbytherealaffectionhefelt，“Idon'twanttoseemlikeaprigandappeartobesittinginjudgmentuponamanofyourexperienceandpositionespeciallysinceI
havethehonourtobeyourson，andhavemadeagooddealoftroublebyanotirreproachableexistence。Sincewehavebegunonthesubject，however，IthinkIoughttotellyouthatIhavetakenthecaseofZebMeaderagainsttheNortheasternRailroads。“
“Wahn'tmuchneedoftellingme，wasthere？“remarkedtheHonourableHilary，dryly。“I'dhavefounditoutassoonasanybodyelse。“
“Therewasthisneedoftellingyou，“answeredAusten，steadily，“althoughIamnotinpartnershipwithyou，Ibearyourname。Andin-as-
muchasIamtohaveasuitagainstyourclient，ithasoccurredtomethatyouwouldlikemetomove——elsewhere。“
TheHonourableHilarywassilentforalongtime。
“Wanttomove——doYOU？Isthatit？“
“Onlybecausemypresencemayembarrassyou。“
“Thatwahn'tinthecontract，“saidtheHonourableHilary；“you'vegotarighttotakeanyfoolcasesyou'veamindto。FolksknowprettywellI'mnotmixedupin'em。“
Austendidnotsmile；hecouldwellunderstandhisfather'sanimusinthismatter。Ashelookedupatthegableofhisoldhomeagainstthestars，hedidnotfindthenextsentenceanyeasier。
“Andthen，“hecontinued，“intaking，acoursesoobviouslyagainstyourwishesandjudgmentitoccurredtome——well，thatIwaseatingatyourtableandsleepinginyourhouse。“
Tohisson'sastonishment，HilaryVaneturnedonhimalmosttruculently。
“Ithoughtthetime'dcomewhenyou'dwanttogooffagain，——gypsying，“
hecried。
“I'dstayrighthereinRipton，Judge。IbelievemyworkisinthisState。
TheHonourcouldseethroughamillstonewithaholeinit。TheeffectofAusten'sassertiononhimwasadeclarationthatthemissionoftheonewastoteardownwhattheotherhadsolaboriouslybuiltup。AndyetagrowingdreadofHilaryVane'shadbeenthelonelinessofdecliningyearsinthathouseshouldAustenleaveitagain，nevertoreturn。
“IknewyouhadthisMeaderbusinessinmind，“hesaid。“Iknewyouhadfancifulnotionsabout——somethings。NevertoldyouIdidn'twantyouhere，didI？“
“No，“saidAusten，“but——“
WouldhavetoldyouifIhadn'twantedyou——wouldn'tI？“
“Ihopeso，Judge，“saidAusten，whounderstoodsomethingofthefeelingwhichunderlaythisbrusquenees。Thatknowledgemademattersalltheharderforhim。
“Itwasyourmother'shouse——you'reentitledtothat，anyway，“saidtheHonourableHilary，“butwhatIwanttoknowis，whyyoudidn'tadvisethateternalfoolofaMeadertoacceptwhatweofferedhim。You'llnevergetacountyjurytogiveasmuch。“
“Ididadvisehimtoacceptit，“answeredAusten。
“What'sthematterwithhim？“theHonourableHilarydemanded。
“Well，judge，ifyoureallywantmyopinion，anhonestfarmerlikeMeaderissuspiciousofanycorporationwhichhassuchzealousandloyalretainersasHamTootingandBrushBascom。“AndAustenthoughtwithareturnofthepangwhichhadhauntedhimatintervalsthroughouttheafternoon，thathemightalmosthaveaddedtothesenamesthatofHilaryVane。CertainlyZebMeaderhadnotsparedhisfather。
“Life，“observedtheHonourableHilary，unconsciouslyusingaphrasefromthe'BookofArguments，'“isasurvivalofthefittest。“
“Howdoyoudefine'thefittest？'“askedAusten。“Aretheythemenwhohavethenotunusualandcertainlynotexaltedgiftofgettingmoneyfromtheirfellowcreaturesbytheuseofanyandallweaponsthatmaybeathand？whobelievetheacquisitionofwealthtobeexemptfromthepracticeofmorality？IsMr。Flintyourexampleofthefittesttypetoexistandsurvive，orGladstoneorWilberforceorEmersonorLincoln？“
“Emerson！“criedtheHonourableHilary，thenamestandingoutinredlettersbeforehiseyes。Hehadneverreadalineofthephilosopher'swritings，noteventhechargeto“hitchyourwagontoastar“(notinthe“BookofArguments“)。SarahAustenhadreadEmersoninthewoods，andherson'squestionsoundedsoliketheunintelligiblebutunanswerableflasheswithwhichthewifehadonrareoccasionsopposedthehusband'sauthoritythatHilaryVanefoundhistempergettingthebestofhim——ThenameofEmersonwasimmutablyfixedinhismindasthesynonymforincomprehensible，foolishhabitsandbeliefs。“Don'ttalkEmersontome，“heexclaimed。“AndasforBrushBascom，I'veknownhimforthirtyyears，andhe'sdoneasmuchfortheRepublicanpartyasanymaninthisState。“
ThisvindicationofMr。Bascomnaturallybroughttoacloseaconversationwhichhadalreadycontinuedtoolong。TheHonourableHilaryretiredtorest；but——ifAustenhadknownit——nottosleepuntilthesmallhoursofthemorning。
ItwasnotuntiltheensuingspringthatthecaseofMr。ZebulunMeaderagainsttheUnitedNortheasternRailroadscameupfortrialinBradford，thecounty-seatofPutnamCounty，andwedonotwishtoappeartogiveittoogreataweightintheannalsoftheState。Foronething，theweeklynewspapersdidnotmentionit；andMr。PaulPardriff，whenurgedtogiveanaccountoftheproceedingsintheRiptonRecord，saiditwasamatterofnoimportance，andspenttheafternoonwritinganeditorialaboutthedomestichabitsoftheAztecs。Mr。Pardriff，however，hadthoughtthematterofsufficientinterestpersonallytoattendthetrial，andforthejourneyhemadeuseofapieceofgreencardboardwhichhehabituallycarriedinhispocket。TheeditoroftheBradfordChampiondidnothavetousehisyellowcardboard，yethiscolumnsmaybesearchedinvainfortheevent。
Notthatitwassuchagreatevent，oneofhundredsofrailroadaccidentsthatcometocourt。ThesonofHilaryVanewastheplaintiff'scounsel；
andMr。Meader，althoughhehadnotbeenabletoworksincehisreleasefromthehospital，hadbeenabletotalk，andtheinteresttakeninthecasebytheaverageneglectedcitizeninPutnamprovedthattheweeklynewspaperisnottheonlydisseminatorofnews。
Therailroad'ssideofthecasewaspresentedbythatgenialandablepractitionerofPutnamCounty，Mr。NathanielBillings，whotravelledfromhishomeinWilliamstownbytheexhibitionofaredticket。AustenVanehadtopayhisownwayfromRipton，butashehandedbackthemileagebook，theconductorleanedoverandwhisperedsomethinginhisearthatmadehimsmile，andAustenthoughthewouldratherhavethatlittledropofencouragementthanapass。AndasheleftthecaratBradford，twogrizzledandhard-handedindividualsaroseandwishedhimgoodluck。
Heneededencouragement，——whatyounglawyerdoesnotonhisfirstimportantcase？Andhedidnotliketothinkofthefutureifhelostthis。Butinthismatterhepossessedacertainself-confidencewhicharosefromajustandrighteousangeragainsttheforcesopposinghimandaknowledgeoftheirtactics。TohismindhisclientwasnotZebMeaderalone，butthehostofvictimswhohadbeenmaimedandboughtoffbecauseitwascheaperthantogivethepublicaproperprotection。
Thecourtroomwascrowded。Mr。ZebMeader，palebutdetermined，wassurroundedbyaknotofMercerneighbours，manyofwhomwerewitnesses。
TheagateeyesofMr。BrushBascomflashedfromtheaudience，andMr。NatBillingsbustledforwardtoshakeAusten'shand。NatwasoneofthosewhocallednotinfrequentlyupontheHonourableHilaryinRipton，andhadsatonAusten'slittletable。
“Gladtoseeyou，Austen，“hecried，sothatthepeoplemighthear；andadded，inaconfidentiallylowertone，“Welawyersunderstandthattheselittlethingsmakenodifference，eh？“
“I'mwillingtoagreetothatifyouare，Nat，“Austenanswered。Helookedatthelawyer'sfleshyface，blue-blackwhereitwasshaven，andatMr。Billings'shiftyeyesandmouth，whichitsmusclescouldnotquitekeepinplace。Mr。Billingsalsohadnickedteeth。ButhedidhisbesttohidetheseobviousdisadvantagesbyaFalstaffianbonhomie，——forMr。
Billingswasgrowingstout。
“Itrieditonceortwice，myfriend，whenIwasyounger。It'snoble，butitdon'tpay，“saidMr。Billings，stillconfidential。“Brushissour——lookathim。ButIunderstandhowyoufeel。I'mthekindoffellerthatspeaksout，andwhatIcan'tunderstandis，whytheoldmanletyougetintoit。“
“Heknewyouweregoingtobeontheotherside，Nat，andwantedtoteachmealesson。IsupposeitisfollytocontestacasewheretheRailroadCommissionhascompletelyexoneratedyourclient，“Austenaddedthoughtfully。
Mr。Billings'answerwastowink，veryslowly，withoneeye；andshortlyafterthesepleasantrieswereover，thecasewascalled。Afragrantwindblewinattheopenwindows，andNatureoutsidewasbeginningtoarrayherselfinmyriadhuesofgreen。Austenstudiedthejury，andwonderedhowmanypointsofhisargumenthecouldremember，butwhenhehadgottohisfeetthewordscametohim。IfweshouldseekanemblemforKingDavid'ssmooth，roundstonewhichheflungatGoliath，weshouldcallitthetruth——forthetruthneverfailstoreachthemark。Austen'sopeningwasnotlong，hiswordssimpleandnotdramatic，butheseemedtochargethemwithsomethingofthesamemagneticforcethatcompelledpeopletoreadandbelieve“UncleTon'sCabin“andthe“SongoftheShirt。“
Spectatorsandjurylistenedintently。
Sometwentywitnessesappearedfortheplaintiff，allofwhomdeclaredthattheyhadheardneitherbellnorwhistle。Mostofthesewitnesseshadbeeninthegrove，twoorthreeinthetrain；two，residentsofthevicinity，testifiedthattheyhadcomplainedtotheRailroadCommissionaboutthatcrossing，andhadreceivedevasiveanswerstotheeffectthatitwasthedutyofcitizenstolookoutforthemselves。Oncross-
examinationtheydeclaredtheyhadnoobjectiontogradecrossingswhichwereproperlysafeguarded；thiscrossingwasadeath-trap。(Strickenout。)Mr。Billingsmadethemistakeoftryingtoprovethatoneofthesefarmers——aclear-eyed，full-chestedmanwithadeepvoice——hadananimusagainsttherailroaddatingfromacontroversyconcerningtheshippingofmilk。
“Ihaveananimus，yourHonour，“saidthewitness，quietly。“WhentherailrudisrepresentedbythekindofpoliticianswehaveinPutnam，it'snaturalIshouldhain'tit？“
Thisanswer，althoughstrickenout，wasgleefullyreceived。
InmarkedcontrasttotheearnestnessofyoungMr。Vane，whothenrested，Mr。Billingstreatedtheaffairfromthestandpointofamanoflargepracticewhousuallyhasmoreweightymatterstoattendto。Thiswassocomparativelytrivialasnottobedignifiedbyaseriousmien。Hequotedfreelyfromthe“BookofArguments，“remindingthejuryofthedebtofgratitudetheStateowedtotheNortheasternRailroadsfordoingsomuchforitspeople；andiftheyweretoeliminateallgradecrossings，therewouldbenodividendsforthestockholders。Besides，thelawwasthattheStateshouldpayhalfwhenacrossingwaseliminated，andtheStatecouldnotaffordit。Austenhadsuggested，inhisopening，thatitwascheaperfortherailroadaswellastheStatetokillcitizens。HeaskedpermissiontoinquireofthelearnedcounselforthedefencebywhatauthorityhedeclaredthattheStatecouldnotaffordtoenterintoapolicybywhichgradecrossingswouldgraduallybeeliminated。
“Why，“saidMr。Billings，“thefactthatallbillsintroducedtothisendnevergetoutofcommittee。“
“MayIask，“saidAusten，innocently，“whohasbeenchairmanofthatparticularcommitteeinthelowerHouseforthelastfivesessions？“
Mr。Billingswassavedtheembarrassmentofansweringthisquestionbyaloudvoiceintherearcallingout:——
“BrushBascom！“
Aroaroflaughtershookthecourtroom，andalleyeswereturnedonBrush，whocontinuedtositunconcernedlywithhislegscrossedandhisarmoverthebackoftheseat。Theoffenderwasputout，orderwasrestored，andMr。Billingsdeclared，withaninjuredair，thathefailedtoseewhythecounselfortheplaintiffsawfittoimpugnMr。Bascom。
“Imerelyaskedaquestion，“saidAustere；“farbeitfrommetoimpugnanymanwhohasheldofficesinthegiftofthepeopleforthelasttwentyyears。“
Anothergaleoflaughterfollowedthis，duringwhichMr。Billingswriggledhismouthandgaveastrongimpressionthatsuchtacticsandsuchlevityweretobedeplored。
Forthedefence，theengineerandfiremanbothsworethatthebellhadbeenrungbeforethecrossingwasreached。AustenmerelyinquiredwhetherthiswasnotwhentheyhadleftthestationatNorthMercer，twomilesaway。No，itwasnearer。Pressedtonametheexactspot，theycouldonlyconjecture，butnearenoughtobeheardonthecrossing。
Otherwitnesses——amongthemseveralpicnickersinthegrove——sworethattheyhadheardthebell。OneoftheseAustenaskedifhewasnotthememberfromMercerinthelastLegislature，andMr。Billings，nolongergenial，sprangtohisfeetwithanobjection。
“Imerelywishtoshow，yourHonour，“saidAusten，“thatthiswitnessacceptedapassfromtheNortheasternRailroadswhenhewenttotheLegislature，andthathehashadseveraltrippassesforhimselfandhisfamilysince。“
Theobjectionwasnotsustained，andMr。Billingsnotedanexception。
Anotherwitness，uponwhoseappearancetheaudiencetitteredaudibly，wasDaveSkinner，bossofMercer。Hehadlived，hesaid，inthetownofMercerallhislife，andmaintainedthathewaswithinahundredyardsofthetrackwhentheaccidentoccurred，andheardthebellring。
Isitnotafact，“saidAustentothiswitness，“thatMr。BrushBascomhasamortgageonyourfarm？“
“Icanshow，yourHonour，“Austencontinued，whenMr。Billingshadfinishedhisprotest，“thatthismanwasonhiswaytoRiversidetopayhisquarterlyinstalment。“
Mr。Bascomwasnotpresentattheafternoonsession。Mr。Billings'
summingupwassomewhatimpassioned，andcontainedmorequotationsfromthe“BookofArguments。“Heregretted，hesaid，theobviousappealstoprejudiceagainstarailroadcorporationthatwashonestlytryingtodoitsduty-yes，andmorethanitsduty。
Misjudged，misused，eventhoughfriendless，itwouldcontinuetoservethepeople。Sonoble，indeed，wasthepicturewhichMr。Billings'
eloquenceraisedupthathisvoiceshookwithemotionashefinished。
IntheopinionofmanyofthespectatorsAustenVanehadyettolearntheartoforatory。Hemightwithproprietyhaveportrayedthesufferingandlossofthepoorfarmerwhowashisclient；hemerelyquotedfromthedoctor'stestimonytotheeffectthatMr。Meaderwouldneveragainbeabletodophysicallabourofthesortbywhichhehadsupportedhimself，andendedupbycallingtheattentionofthejurytothephotographsandplansofthecrossinghehadobtainedtwodaysaftertheaccident，requestingthemtonotethefactsthatthepublichighway，approachingthroughadenseforestandunderbrushatanangleofthirty-threedegrees，climbedtherailroadembankmentatthatpoint，andatraincouldnotbeseenuntilthehorsewasactuallyonthetrack。
Thejurywasoutfiveminutesafterthejudge'scharge，andgaveMr。
ZebulunMeaderaverdictofsixthousanddollarsandcosts，——apopularverdict，fromtheevidentapprovalwithwhichitwasreceivedinthecourtroom。Quietbeingrestored，Mr。Billingsrequested，somewhatvehemently，thatthecasebetransferredontheexceptionstotheSupremeCourt，thatthestenographerwriteouttheevidence，andthathemighthavethreeweeksinwhichtoprepareadraft。Thiswasgranted。
ZebMeader，truetohisnature，wasself-containedthroughoutthecongratulationshereceived，buthisjoywasneverthelessintense。
“Youshook'emupgood，Austen，“hesaid，makinghiswaytowherehiscounselstood。“Isuspicionedyou'ddoit。Buthowaboutthishereappeal？“
“Billingsismerelytryingtosavethefaceofhisrailroad，“Austenanswered，smiling。“Hehasn'ttheleastnotionofallowingthiscasetocomeupagain——takemywordforit。“
“Iguessyourword'sgood，“saidZeb。“AndIwanttotellyouonething，asanoldman。I'vebeentalkin'toPutnamCountyfolkssome，andyouhain'tlostnothin'bythis。“
“HowamItogetalongwithoutthefriendshipofBrushBascom？“askedAusten，soberly。
Mr。Meader，whohadbecomeusedtothismildsortofhumour，relaxedsufficientlytolaugh。
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