saidChristie，withafrankexpressionofreliefsogenuineastoutterlydiscomposeherfather。"Perhapsyouareright，thoughI
failtodiscoveranythingseriousintheattentionsofyoungKearneytoJessie——or——whoeveritmaybe——tome。Butitwillbeveryeasytoremedyit，andseelessofthem。Indeed，wemightbeginto—daywithsomeexcuse。"
"Yes——certainly。Ofcourse!"saidMr。Carr，fullyconvincedofhisutterfailure，but，likemostweakcreatures，consolinghimselfwiththereflectionthathehadnotshownhishandorcommittedhimself。"Yes；butitwouldperhapsbejustaswellforthepresenttoletthingsgoonastheywere。We’lltalkofitagain——
I’minahurrynow，"and，edginghimselfthroughthedoor，heslippedaway。
"Whatdoyouthinkisfather’slastidea？"saidChristie，with，I
fear，aslightlackofreverenceinhertone，ashersisterreenteredtheroom。"HethinksGeorgeKearneyispayingyoutoomuchattention。"
"No!"saidJessie，replyingtohersister’shalf—interrogative，half—amusedglancewithafrank，unconscioussmile。
"Yes，andhesaysthatFairfax——Ithinkit’sFairfax——isequallyfascinatedwithME。"
Jessie’sbrowslightlycontractedasshelookedcuriouslyathersister。
"Ofallthings，"shesaid，"Iwonderifanyonehasputthatideaintohisdearoldhead。Hecouldn’thavethoughtithimself。"
"Idon’tknow，"saidChristiemusingly；"butperhapsit’sjustaswellifwekeptalittlemoretoourselvesforawhile。"
"Didfathersayso？"saidJessiequickly。
"No，butthatisevidentlywhathemeant。"
"Ye—es，"saidJessieslowly，"unless——"
"Unlesswhat？"saidChristiesharply。"Jessie，youdon’tforamomentmeantosaythatyoucouldpossiblyconceiveofanythingelse？"
"Imeantosay，"saidJessie，stealingherarmaroundhersister’swaistdemurely，"thatyouareperfectlyright。We’llkeepawayfromthesefascinatingDevil’sForders，andparticularlytheyoungestKearney。Ibelievetherehasbeensomeill—naturedgossip。Irememberthattheotherday，whenwepassedtheshantyofthatPikeCountyfamilyontheslope，therewerethreewomenatthedoor，andoneofthemsaidsomethingthatmadepoorlittleKearneyturnwhiteandpinkalternately，anddancewithsuppressedrage。Isupposetheoldlady——M’Corkle，that’shername——wouldliketohaveashareofourcavaliersforherEuphemyandMamie。I
daresayit’sonlyright；Iwouldlendthemthecheruboccasionally，andyoumightletthemhaveMr。Munroetwiceaweek。"
Shelaughed，buthereyessoughthersister’swithacertainwatchfulnessofexpression。
Christieshruggedhershoulders，withasuggestionofdisgust。
"Don’tjoke。Weoughttohavethoughtofallthisbefore。"
"Butwhenwefirstknewthem，inthedearoldcabin，therewasn’tanyotherwomanandnobodytogossip，andthat’swhatmadeitsonice。Idon’tthinksoverymuchofcivilization，doyou？"saidtheyoungladypertly。
Christiedidnotreply。Perhapsshewasthinkingthesamething。
Itcertainlyhadbeenverypleasanttoenjoythespontaneousandchivalroushomageofthesemen，withnofurthersuggestionofrecompenseorresponsibilitythanthepermissiontobeworshipped；
butbeyondthatsherackedherbraininvaintorecallanylookoractthatproclaimedthelover。Thesemen，whomshehadfoundsorelapsedintobarbarismthattheyhadforgottenthemostordinaryformsofcivilization；thesemen，eveninwhoseextravagantadmirationtherewasacertainlossofself—respect，thatasawomanshewouldneverforgive；thesemen，whoseemedtobelongtoanotherrace——impossible!Yetitwasso。
"Whatconstructionmusttheyhaveputuponherfather’sacceptanceoftheirpresents——oftheircompany——ofherfreedomintheirpresence？No!theymusthaveunderstoodfromthebeginningthatsheandhersisterhadneverlookeduponthemexceptastransienthostsandchanceacquaintances。Anyotherideawaspreposterous。
Andyet——"
Itwastherecurrenceofthis"yet"thatalarmedher。Forsherememberednowthatbutfortheirslavishdevotiontheymightclaimtobeherequal。Accordingtoherfather’saccount，theyhadcomefromhomesasgoodastheirown；theywerecertainlymorethanherequalinfortune；andherfatherhadcometothemasanemployee，untiltheyhadtakenhimintopartnership。Iftherehadonlybeensentimentofanykindconnectedwithanyofthem!Buttheywereallalike，brave，unselfish，humorous——andoftenridiculous。Ifanything，DickMattinglywasfunniestbynature，andmadeherlaughmore。MarylandJoe，hisbrother，toldbetterstories（sometimesofDick），thoughnotsogoodamimicastheotherKearney，whohadafairlysympatheticvoiceinsinging。Theywereallgood—lookingenough；perhapstheysetstoreonthat——menaresovain。
Andasforherownrejectedsuitor，FairfaxMunroe，exceptforakindofgraveandpropermotherlinessabouthisprotectingmanner，heabsolutelywasthemostindistinctiveofthemall。HehadoncebroughthersomerareteafromtheChinesecamp，andhadtaughtherhowtomakeit；hehadcautionedheragainstsittingunderthetreesatnightfall；hehadoncetakenoffhiscoattowraparoundher。Really，ifthisweretheonlyevidenceofdevotionthatcouldbeshown，shewassafe!
"Well，"saidJessie，"itamusesyou，Isee。"
ChristiecheckedthesmilethathadbeendimplingthecheeknearestJessie，andturneduponherthefaceofaneldersister。
"Tellme，haveYOUnoticedthisextraordinaryattentionofMr。
Munroetome？"
"Candidly？"askedJessie，seatingherselfcomfortablyonthetablesideways，andendeavoring，topullherskirtoverherlittlefeet。
"HonestInjun？"
"Don’tbeidiotic，and，aboveall，don’tbeslangy!Ofcourse，candidly。"
"Well，no。Ican’tsaythatIhave。"
"Then，"saidChristie，"whyinthenameofallthat’spreposterous，dotheypersistinpairingmeoffwiththeleastinterestingmanofthelot？"
Jessieleapedfromthetable。
"Comenow，"shesaid，withalittlenervouslaugh，"he’snotsobadasallthat。Youdon’tknowhim。Butwhatdoesitmatternow，aslongaswe’renotgoingtoseethemanymore？"
"They’recomingherefortherideto—day，"saidChristieresignedly。"Fatherthoughtitbetternottobreakitoffatonce。"
"Fatherthoughtso!"echoedJessie，stoppingwithherhandonthedoor。
"Yes；whydoyouask？"
ButJessiehadalreadylefttheroom，andwassinginginthehall。
CHAPTERIV
Theafternoondidnot，however，bringtheirexpectedvisitors。Itbrought，instead，abriefnotebythehandsofWhiskeyDickfromFairfax，apologizingforsomebusinessthatkepthimandGeorgeKearneyfromaccompanyingtheladies。Itaddedthatthehorseswereatthedisposalofthemselvesandanyescorttheymightselect，iftheywouldkindlygivethemessagetoWhiskeyDick。
Thetwogirlslookedateachotherawkwardly；Jessiedidnotattempttoconcealaslightpout。
"Itlooksasiftheywereanticipatingus，"shesaid，withahalf—
forcedsmile。"Iwonder，now，iftherereallyhasbeenanygossip？
Butno!Theywouldn’thavestoppedforthat，unless——"Shelookedcuriouslyathersister。
"Unlesswhat？"repeatedChristie；"youarehorriblymysteriousthismorning。"
"AmI？It’snothing。Butthey’rewantingananswer。Ofcourseyou’lldecline。"
"Andintimateweonlycarefortheircompany!No!We’llsaywe’resorrytheycan’tcome，and——accepttheirhorses。Wecandowithoutanescort，wetwo。"
"Capital!"saidJessie，clappingherhands。"We’llshowthem——"
"We’llshowthemnothing，"interruptedChristiedecidedly。"Inourplacethere’sonlytheonethingtodo。Whereisthis——WhiskeyDick？"
"Intheparlor。"
"Theparlor!"echoedChristie。"WhiskeyDick？What——ishe——"
"Yes；he’sallright，"saidJessieconfidently。"He’sbeenherebefore，buthestayedinthehall；hewassoshy。Idon’tthinkyousawhim。"
"Ishouldthinknot——WhiskeyDick!"
"Oh，youcancallhimMr。Hall，ifyoulike，"saidJessie，laughing。"HisrealnameisDickHall。Ifyouwanttobefunny，youcansayAlkyHall，astheothersdo。"
Christie’sonlyreplytothislevitywasalookofsuperiorresignationasshecrossedthehallandenteredtheparlor。
Thenensuedoneofthosesurprising，mystifying，andutterlyinexplicablechangesthatleavethemasculinebeingsohelplessinthehandsofhisfemininemaster。BeforeChristieopenedthedoorherfaceunderwentarapidtransformation：thegentleglowofarefinedwoman’swelcomesuddenlybeamedinherinterestedeyes；theimpulsivecourtesyofanexpectanthostesseagerlyseizingalong—
looked—foropportunitybrokeinasmileuponherlipsasshesweptacrosstheroom，andstoppedwithhertwowhiteoutstretchedhandsbeforeWhiskeyDick。
Itneededonlytheextravagantcontrastpresentedbythatgentlemantocompletethetableau。Attiredinasuitofshiningblackalpaca，thevisitorhadevidentlypreparedhimselfwithsomecareforapossibleinterview。HewasseatedbytheFrenchwindowopeningupontheveranda，asiftosecurearetreatincaseofanemergency。Scrupulouslywashedandshaven，someofthesoapappearedtohavelingeredinhiseyesandinflamedthelids，evenwhileitlentasleekandshininglustre，notunlikehiscoat，tohissmoothblackhair。Nevertheless，leaningbackinhischair，hehadallowedalargewhitehandkerchieftodependgracefullyfromhisfingers——aposeatoncesuggestingeasyandelegantlangour。
"Howkindofyoutogivemeanopportunitytomakeupformymisfortunewhenyoulastcalled!Iwassosorrytohavemissedyou。Butitwasentirelymyfault!Youwerehurried，Ithink——youconversedwithothersinthehall——you——"
Shestoppedtoassisthimtopickupthehandkerchiefthathadfallen，andthePanamahatthathadrolledfromhislaptowardsthewindowwhenhehadstartedsuddenlytohisfeetattheapparitionofgraceandbeauty。Ashestillnervouslyretainedthetwohandshehadgrasped，thiswouldhavebeenadifficultfeat，evenhadhenotendeavoredatthesamemoment，byabackwardfurtivekick，topropelthehatoutofthewindow，atwhichshelaughinglybrokefromhisgraspandflewtotherescue。
"Don’tmindit，miss，"hesaidhurriedly。"Itisnotworthyourdemeaningyourselftotouchit。Leaveitoutsidethar，miss。I
wouldn’thavetoteditin，anyhow，ifsomeofthosehigh—falutin’
fellowshadn’tallowed，theothernight，ezitwerethereg’larthingtodo；asif，miss，anygentlemankalkilatedtoeverputonhishatinthehouseaforealady!"
ButChristiehadalreadypossessedherselfoftheunluckyobject，andhadplacedituponthetable。ThiscompelledWhiskeyDicktoriseagain，andasanactofcarelessgoodbreedingtodrophishandkerchiefinit。Hethenleanedoneelbowuponthepiano，and，crossingonefootovertheother，remainedstandinginanattitudeherememberedtohaveseeninthepagesofanillustratedpaperasportrayingtheheroinsomedrawing—roomscene。Itwaseasyandeffective，butseemedtobemorefavorabletoreverythanconversation。Indeed，herememberedthathehadforgottentoconsulttheletterpressastowhichitrepresented。
"Iseeyouagreewithme，thatpolitenessisquiteamatterofintention，"saidChristie，"andnotofmerefashionandrules。
Now，forinstance，"shecontinued，withadazzlingsmile，"I
suppose，accordingtotherules，IoughttogiveyouanotetoMr。
Munroe，acceptinghisoffer。Thatisallthatisrequired；butitseemssomuchnicer，don’tyouthink，totellittoYOUforHIM，andhavethepleasureofyourcompanyandalittlechatatthesametime。"
"That’sit，that’sjustit，MissCarr；you’vehititinthecentrethistime，"saidWhiskeyDick，nowquiteconvincedthathisattitudewasnotintendedforeloquence，andshiftingbacktohisownseat，hatandall；"that’stantamounttowhatIsaidtotheboysjustnow。’Youwantanexcuse，’sezI，’fornotgoin’outwiththeyoungladies。So，accorden’torules，youwritesaletterallowin’buzzinessandthatsorterthingdetainsyou。Butwot’sthefacts？You’reagentleman，andasgentlemenyouandGeorgecomestotheopinionthatyou’reratherplayin’itforallit’sworthinthisyerhouse，youknow——comin’herenightandday，offandon，reg’larsociableandfam’lylike，andmakin’peopletalkaboutthingstheyain’tanycalltotalkabout，and，what’sadarnedsightmore，YOUFELLOWSain’tgotanyrightYETtoallow’emtotalkabout，d’yesee？"hepaused，outofbreath。
ItwasMissChristie’sturntomoveabout。Inchangingherseattothepiano—stool，soastobenearerhervisitor，shebrusheddownsomeloosemusic，whichWhiskeyDickhastenedtopickup。
"Praydon’tmindit，"shesaid，"praydon’t，really——letitbe——"
ButWhiskeyDick，feelinghimselfonsafegroundinthisattention，persistedtothebitterendofadisintegratedandwell—worn"Travatore。""SothatiswhatMr。Munroesaid，"sheremarkedquietly。
"Notjustthen，incourse，butit’swhat’sbinonhismindandinhistalkfordaysoffandon，"returnedDick，withaknowingsmileandanodofmysteriousconfidence。"Blessyoursoul，MissCarr，folkslikeyouandmedon’tneedtohavethemthingsexplained。
That’swhatIsaidtohim，sezI。’Don’tsendnonote，butjustgoupthereandhevitoutfairandsquare，andsaywhatyoudomean。’
Buttheywouldhevthenote，andIkalkilatedtobringit。ButwhenIsetmyeyesonyou，andheardyouexpressyourselfasyoudidjustnow，Iseztomyself，sezI，’Dick，yer’sayounglady，andafash’nableladyatthat，ezdon’tgofoolin’roundonrulesandetiketts’——excusemyfreedom，MissCarr——’andyouandher，sezI，’kinjustdiscussthisyermatterinasociable，off—hand，fash’nableway。’They’reagoodloto’boys，MissCarr，asquarelot——whitemenallof’em；butthey’realittlesoftandgreen，maybe，fromlivin’intheseyerpinewoodsalongo’theothersap。
Theyjustworshipthegroundyouandyoursistertreadon——certain!
ofcourse!ofcourse!"headdedhurriedly，recognizingChristie’shalf—conscious，deprecatinggesturewithmoreexaggerateddeprecation。"Iunderstand。ButwhatIwantersayisthatthey’dbewillin’tobethatground，andliedownandletyouwalkoverthem——sotospeak，MissCarr，sotospeak——ifitwouldkeepthehemofyourgownfromgettin’soiledinthemudo’thecamp。Butitwouldn’tdoforthemtomakeareg’larcurderoyroado’themselvesforthehoulcamptotrapseover，onthemerechanceofyoursometimepassin’thatway，woulditnow？"
"Won’tyouletmeofferyousomerefreshment，Mr。Hall？"saidChristie，rising，withaslightcolor。"I’mreallyashamedofmyforgetfulnessagain，butI’mafraidit’spartlyYOURfaultforentertainingmetotheexclusionofyourself。No，thankyou，letmefetchitforyou。"
Sheturnedtoahandsomesideboardnearthedoor，andpresentlyfacedhimagainwithadecanterofwhiskeyandaglassinherhand，andareturnofthebewitchingsmileshehadwornonentering。
"Butperhapsyoudon’ttakewhiskey？"suggestedthearchdeceiver，withasuddenaffectedbutprettyperplexityofeye，brow，andlips。
ForthefirsttimeinhislifeWhiskeyDickhesitatedbetweentwoformsofintoxication。Buthewasstillnervousanduneasy；habittriumphed，andhetookthewhiskey。He，however，wipedhislipswithaslightwaveofhishandkerchief，tosupportacertaineasyelegancewhichhefirmlybelievedrelievedtheactofanyvulgarquality。
"Yes，ma’am，"hecontinued，afteranexhilaratedpause。"EzIsaidafore，thisyer’samatteryouandmecandiscussafterthefashiono’society。MyideaisthattheseyerboysshouldkinderletuponyouandMissJessieforawhile，anddoalittlemorepermiskusattentionroundtheFord。There’soneortwofamiliesyerwithgrown—upgalsezoughterbesquared；thatis——theboysmighterputinafewfancytouchesamongthem——kindertake’embuggyriding——ortochurch——onceinawhile——justtotakethepizenoutertheirtongues，andmakeakindo’blufftotheparents，d’yesee？Thatwouldsorterdiverttheirownminds；andevenifitdidn’t，itwouldkinderget’emaccustomedagintotheoldstyleandtheirownkind。Iwanttowarnyeaginanideathatmightoccurtoyouinaginiralway。Idon’tsayyouhevtheidea，butit’skindo’
nat’ralyoumightbethinkin’ofitsometime，andIthoughtI’dwarnyouaginit。"
"Ithinkweunderstandeachothertoowelltodiffermuch，Mr。
Hall，"saidChristie，stillsmiling；"butwhatistheidea？"
ThedelicatecomplimenttotheirconfidentialrelationsandtheslightstimulusofliquorhadtremulouslyexaltedWhiskeyDick。
Affectingtolookcautiouslyoutofthewindowandaroundtheroom，heventuredtodrawnearertheyoungwomanwithahalf—paternal，half—timidfamiliarity。
"Itmighthaveoccurredtoyou，"hesaid，layinghishandkerchiefasiftoveilmerevulgarcontact，onChristie’sshoulder，"thatitwouldbeagoodthingonYOURsidetoinvitedownsomeofyourhigh—tonedgentlemenfriendsfrom’Friscotovisityouandescortyouround。Itseemsquitenat’rallike，andIdon’tsayitain’t，but——theboyswouldn’tstandforit。"
Inspiteofherself—possession，Christie’seyessuddenlydarkened，andsheinvoluntarilydrewherselfup。ButWhiskeyDick，guiltilyattributingthemovementtohisownindiscreetgesture，said，"Excuseme，miss，"recoveredhimselfbylightlydustinghershoulderwithhishandkerchief，asiftoremovetheimpression，andhersmilereturned。
"Theywouldn’tstandforit，"saidDick，"andthere’dbesomeshooting!Notaforeyou，miss——notaforeyou，incourse!Butthey’dadjourntothewoodssomemorningwiththemcityfolks，andhevitoutwithriflesatahundredyards。Or，seein’ezthey’recityfolks，theboyswoulddothesquarethingwithpistolsattwelvepaces。They’regoodboys，asIsaidafore；butthey’requickandtetchy——George，beingtheyoungest，nat’rallyisthetetchiest。Youknowhowitis，MissCarr；hispretty，gal—likefaceandlittlemoustacheshazcosthimhalfadozenscrimmagesalready。He’zhadafightforeveryhairthat’sgrowedinhismoustachesincehekemhere。"
"Saynomore，Mr。Hall!"saidChristie，risingandpressingherhandslightlyonDick’stremulousfingers。"IfIeverhadanysuchidea，Ishouldabandonitnow；youarequiterightinthisasinyourotheropinions。IshallneverceasetobethankfultoMr。
MunroeandMr。Kearneythattheyintrustedthisdelicatemattertoyourhands。"
"Well，"saidthegratifiedandreddeningvisitor，"itain’tperhapsthesquarethingtothemormyselftosaythattheyreckonedtohavemediscusstheirdelicateaffairsforthem，but——"
"Iunderstand，"interruptedChristie。"Theysimplygaveyoutheletterasafriend。Itwasmygoodfortunetofindyouasympathizingandliberalmanoftheworld。"ThedelightedDick，withconsciousvanitybeamingfromeveryfeatureofhisshiningface，lightlywavedthecomplimentasidewithhishandkerchief，asshecontinued，"ButIamforgettingthemessage。Weacceptthehorses。OfcourseweCOULDdowithoutanescort；butforgivemyspeakingsofrankly，areYOUengagedthisafternoon？"
"Excuseme，miss，Idon’ttake——"stammeredDick，scarcelybelievinghisears。
"Couldyougiveusyourcompanyasanescort？"repeatedChristiewithasmile。
Washeawakeordreaming，orwasthissometrickofliquorinhisoftendistortedfancy？He，WhiskeyDick!thebuttofhisfriends，thecharteredoracleofthebarrooms，eveninwhosewretchedvanitytherewasalwaysthehauntingsuspicionthathewasdespisedandscorned；he，whohaddaredsomuchinspeech，andachievedsolittleinfact!he，whosehabitualweaknesshadevenledhimintothewildestindiscretionhere；he——nowofferedarewardforthatindiscretion!He，WhiskeyDick，thesolicitedescortofthesetwobeautifulandpeerlessgirls!WhatwouldtheysayattheFord？
Whatwouldhisfriendsthink？ItwouldbeallovertheFordthenextday。Hispastwouldbevindicated，hisfuturesecured。Hegrewerectatthethought。Itwasalmostinothervoice，andwithnotraceofhispreviousexaggeration，thathesaid，"Withpleasure。"
"Then，ifyouwillbringthehorsesatonce，weshallbereadywhenyoureturn。"
Inanotherinstanthehadvanished，asifafraidtotrusttherealityofhisgoodfortunetothedangersofdelay。Attheendofhalfanhourhereappeared，leadingthetwohorses，himselfmountedonahalf—brokenmustang。Apairoflarge，jinglingsilverspursandastiffsombrero，borrowedwiththemustangfromsomemysterioussource，weredonnedtodohonortotheoccasion。
Theyounggirlswerenotyetready，buthewasshownbytheChineseservantintotheparlortowaitforthem。Thedecanterofwhiskeyandglasseswerestillinvitinglythere。Hewashot，trembling，andflushedwithtriumph。Hewalkedtothetableandlaidhishandonthedecanter，whenanoddthoughtflasheduponhim。Hewouldnotdrinkthistime。No，itshouldnotbesaidthathe，theselectedescortoftheeliteofDevil’sFord，hadtofillhimselfupwithwhiskeybeforetheystarted。Theboysmightturntoeachotherintheirastonishment，asheproudlypassedwithhisfaircompanions，andsay，"It’sWhiskeyDick，"buthe’dbed————diftheyshouldadd，"andfullasever。"No，sir!Norwhenhewasridingbesidetheserealladies，andleaningoverthematsomeconfidentialmoment，shouldtheyevenknowitfromhisbreath!
No……Yetathimbleful，takenstraight，onlyathimbleful，wouldn’tbemuch，andmighthelptopullhimtogether。Heagainreachedhistremblinghandforthedecanter，hesitated，andthen，turninghisbackuponit，resolutelywalkedtotheopenwindow。
AlmostatthesameinstanthefoundhimselffacetofacewithChristieontheveranda。
Shelookedintohisbloodshoteyes，andcastaswiftglanceatthedecanter。
"Won’tyoutakesomethingbeforeyougo？"shesaidsweetly。
"I——reckon——not，jestnow，"stammeredWhiskeyDick，withaheroiceffort。
"You’reright，"saidChristie。"Iseeyouarelikeme。It’stoohotforanythingfiery。Comewithme。"
Sheledhimintothedining—room，andpouringoutaglassoficedteahandedittohim。PoorDickwasnotpreparedforthisterribleculmination。WhiskeyDickandicedtea!Butunderpretenceofseeingifitwasproperlyflavored，Christieraisedittoherownlips。
"Tryit，topleaseme。"
Hedrainedthegoblet。
"Now，then，"saidChristiegayly，"let’sfindJessie，andbeoff!"
CHAPTERV
Whatevermighthavebeenhisotherdeficienciesasanescort，WhiskeyDickwasagoodhorseman，and，inspiteofhisfractiousbrute，exhibitedsuchskillandconfidenceastoatoncesatisfytheyounggirlsofhisvaluetotheminthemanagementoftheirownhorses，towhomside—saddleswerestillanalarmingnovelty。
Jessie，whohadprobablyalreadylearnedfromhersisterthepurportofDick’sconfidences，hadreceivedhimwithequalcordialityandperhapsamoreunqualifiedamusement；andnow，whenfairlyliftedintothesaddlebyhistremulousbutrespectfulhands，madeaverycharmingpictureofyouthfulandrosysatisfaction。AndwhenChristie，morefascinatingthaneverinherriding—habit，tookherplaceontheothersideofDick，astheysalliedfromthegate，thatgentlemanfelthiscupofhappinesscomplete。Histriumphalentreeintotheworldofcivilizationandfashionwassecure。Hedidnotregrettheuntastedliquor；herewasanexperienceinafteryearstoleanhisbackagainstcomfortablyinbar—rooms，toentranceordefymankind。Hehadevengotsofarastoformulateinfancythesentence："Iremember，gentlemen，thatoneafternoon，beingonapasearwithtwofash’nableyoungladies，"etc。，etc。
Atpresent，however，hewasobligedtoconfinehimselftothefunctionsofanelegantguideandcicerone——whennotengagedin"havingitout"withhishorse。Theirwaylayalongtheslope，crossingthehigh—roadatrightangles，toreachthedeeperwoodsbeyond。Dickwouldhavelingeredonthehighway——ostensiblytopointouttohiscompanionsthenewflumethathadtakentheplaceofthecondemnedditch，butreallyinthehopeofexposinghimselfinhisglorytothecuriouseyesofthewayfaringworld。
Unhappilytheroadwasdesertedinthestillpowerfulsunlight，andhewasobligedtoseekthecoverofthewoods，withapassingcomplimenttotheparentofhischarges。Wavinghishandstowardstheflume，hesaid，"Lookatthatworkofyourfather’s；thereain’tnoothermaninCalifornybutPhilipCarrezwouldhevthegrittoholdupsuchabluffaginnaturandaginluckezthatyerflumestandsfor。Idon’tsayit’causeyou’rehisdaughters，ladies!Thatain’tthestyle，ezYOUknow，insassiety，MissCarr，"headded，turningtoChristieasthemoresociallyexperienced。"No!butthereain’tanothermantobefoundezcoulddoit。Itcostalreadytwohundredthousand；it’llcostfivehundredthousandaforeit’sdone；andeverycentofitisgotoutoftheyearthbeneathit，orHEZgottobeoutofit。’Tain’tev’ryman，MissCarr，ezhevgottheplucktopledgenotonlywhathe’sgot，butwhathereckonstogit。"
"Butsupposehedon’tgetit？"saidChristie，slightlycontractingherbrows。
"Thenthere’stheflumetoshowforit，"saidDick。
"Butofwhatuseistheflume，ifthereisn’tanymoregold？"
continuedChristie，almostangrily。
"That’sgoodfromYOU，miss，"saidDick，givingwaytoafitofhilarity。"That’sgoodforafash’nableyounglady——owndaughterofPhilipCarr。Shesez，saysshe，"continuedDick，appealingtothesedatepinesforappreciationofChristie’srarehumor，"’Wot’stheuseofaflume，whengoldain’tthere？’Imusttellthattotheboys。"
"Andwhat’stheuseofthegoldinthegroundwhentheflumeisn’ttheretoworkitout？"saidJessietohersister，withacautioningglancetowardsDick。
ButDickdidnotnoticethelookthatpassedbetweenthesisters。
ThericherhumorofJessie’sretorthadthrownhimintoconvulsionsoflaughter。
"AndnowSHEsays，wot’stheuseo’thegoldwithouttheflume？
’Xcuseme，ladies，butthat’sjustputtin’thehullquestionthat’sagitatin’thisyercampintertwospeechesasclearascrystal。
There’sthehullcrowdoutside——andsomeon’eminside，likeFairfax，heztheirdoubts——ezsayswithMissChristie；andthere’sallofusinside，ezholdsMissJessie’sviews。"
"IneverheardMr。Munroesaythattheflumewaswrong，"saidJessiequickly。
"Nottoyou，nat’rally，"saidDick，withaconfidentiallookatChristie；"butIreckonhe’dlikesomeofthemoneyitcostlaidoutforsuthin’else。Butwhat’stheodds？Thegoldisthere，andWE’REboundtogetit。"
Dickwastheforemanofagangofpaidworkmen，whohadreplacedthemillionairesinmeremanuallabor，andtheWEwasapolitefigureofspeech。
Theconversationseemedtohavetakenanunfortunateturn，andboththegirlsexperiencedafeelingofreliefwhentheyenteredthelonggulchordefilethatledtoIndianSpring。Thetracknowbecomingnarrow，theywereobligedtopassinsinglefilealongtheprecipitoushillside，ledbythisescort。Thiseffectuallyprecludedanyfurtherspeech，andChristieatoncesurrenderedherselftothecalm，obliteratinginfluencesoftheforest。Thesettlementanditsgossipwerefarbehindandforgotten。Intheabsorptionofnature，hercompanionspassedoutofhermind，evenastheysometimespassedoutofhersightinthewindingsoftheshadowytrail。Assherodealone，thefrondsofbreast—highfernsseemedtocaressherwithoutstretchedandgently—detaininghands；
strangewildflowerssprangupthroughthepartingunderbrush；eventhegraniterocksthatattimespressedcloselyuponthetrailappearedasifcushionedtohercontactwithstar—rayedmosses，orlightlyflungafterherlonglassoesofdelicatevines。Sherecalledtheabsolutefreedomoftheiral—frescolifeintheolddoublecabin，whenshespentthegreaterpartofherwakinghoursunderthemutetreesintheencompassingsolitude，and，halfregrettingthemorecivilizedrestraintsofthisnewerandmoreambitiousabode，forgotthatshehadeverrebelledagainstit。Thesocialcomplicationthatthreatenedhernowseemedtoherrathertheoutcomeofherhalf—civilizedparlorthanofthesylvanglade。
Howeasyitwouldhavebeentohavekeptthecabin，andthentohavegoneawayentirely，thanforherfathertohaveallowedthemtobecompromisedwiththegrowingfortunesofthesettlement!ThesuspicionsanddistrustthatshehadalwaysfeltoftheirfortunesseemedtogrowwiththeinvoluntaryadmissionofWhiskeyDickthattheyweresharedbyotherswhowerepracticalmen。Shewasfaintohaverecoursetotheprospectagaintobanishthesethoughts，andthisopenedhereyestothefactthathercompanionshadbeenmissingfromthetrailaheadofherforsometime。Shequickenedherpaceslightlytoreachaprojectingpointofrockthatgaveheramoreextendedprospect。Buttheyhadevidentlydisappeared。
Shewasneitheralarmednorannoyed。Shecouldeasilyovertakethemsoon，fortheywouldmissher，andreturnorwaitforheratthespring。Attheworstshewouldhavenodifficultyinretracingherstepshome。Inherpresentmood，shecouldreadilysparetheircompany；indeedshewasnotsorrythatnootherbeingshouldinterruptthatsympathywiththefreewoodswhichwasbeginningtopossessher。
Shewasdestined，however，tobedisappointed。Shehadnotproceededahundredyardsbeforeshenoticedthemovingfigureofamanbeyondherinthehillsidechaparralabovethetrail。Heseemedtobegoinginthesamedirectionasherself，and，asshefancied，endeavoringtoavoidher。Thisexcitedhercuriositytothepointofurgingherhorseforwarduntilthetrailbroadenedintothelevelforestagain，whichshenowrememberedwasapartoftheenvironsofIndianSpring。Thestrangerhesitated，pausingonceortwicewithhisbacktowardsher，asifengagedincarefullyexaminingthedwarfwillowstoselectaswitch。Christieslightlycheckedherspeedasshedrewnearer；when，asifobedienttoasuddenresolution，heturnedandadvancedtowardsher。ShewasrelievedandyetsurprisedtorecognizetheboyishfaceandfigureofGeorgeKearney。Hewasquitepaleandagitated，althoughattempting，byajauntyswingingoftheswitchhehadjustcut，toassumetheappearanceofeaseandconfidence。
Herewasanopportunity。Christieresolvedtoprofitbyit。Shedidnotdoubtthattheyoungfellowhadalreadypassedhersisteronthetrail，but，frombashfulness，hadnotdaredtoapproachher。
Byinvitinghisconfidence，shewoulddoubtlessdrawsomethingfromhimthatwoulddenyorcorroborateherfather’sopinionofhissentiments。IfhewasreallyinlovewithJessie，shewouldlearnwhatreasonshehadforexpectingaseriousculminationofhissuit，andperhapsshemightbeabledelicatelytoopenhiseyestothetruth。If，asshebelieved，itwasonlyaboyishfancy，shewouldlaughhimoutofitwiththatcamaraderiewhichhadalwaysexistedbetweenthem。Ahalfmotherlysympathy，albeitbornquiteasmuchfromacontemplationofhisbeautifulyearningeyesasfromhisinterestingposition，lightenedthesmilewithwhichshegreetedhim。
"Soyoucontrivedtothrowoveryourstupidbusinessandjoinus，afterall，"shesaid；"orwasitthatyouchangedyourmindatthelastmoment？"sheaddedmischievously。"Ithoughtonlywewomenwerepermittedthat!"Indeed，shecouldnothelpnoticingthattherewasreallyastrongfemininesuggestionintheshiftingcolorandslightlyconsciouseyelidsoftheyoungfellow。
"Doyounggirlsalwayschangetheirminds？"askedGeorge，withanembarrassedsmile。
"Not，always；butsometimestheydon’tknowtheirownmind——
particularlyiftheyareveryyoung；andwhentheydoatlast，youclevercreaturesofmen，whohaveinterpretedtheirignorancetopleaseyourselves，abusethemforbeingfickle。"ShestoppedtoobservetheeffectofwhatshebelievedaratherclearandsignificantexpositionofJessie’sandGeorge’spossiblesituation。
Butshewasnotpreparedforthelookofblankresignationthatseemedtodrivethecolorfromhisfaceandmoistenthefireofhisdarkeyes。
"Ireckonyou’reright，"hesaid，lookingdown。
"Oh!we’renotaccusingyouoffickleness，"saidChristiegayly；
"althoughyoudidn’tcome，andwewereobligedtoaskMr。Halltojoinus。IsupposeyoufoundhimandJessiejustnow？"
ButGeorgemadenoreply。Thecolorwasslowlycomingbacktohisface，which，assheglancedcovertlyathim，seemedtohavegrownsomucholderthathisreturningbloodmighthavebroughttwoorthreeyearswithit。
"Really，Mr。Kearney，"shesaiddryly，"onewouldthinkthatsomesilly，conceitedgirl"——shewasquiteearnestinherepithets，forasudden，angryconvictionofsomecoquetryanddisingenuousnessinJessiehadcometoherincontemplatingitseffectsupontheyoungfellowatherside——"somecountryjilt，hadbeentryingherrustichanduponyou。"
"Sheisnotsilly，conceited，norcountrified，"saidGeorge，slowlyraisinghisbeautifuleyestotheyounggirlhalfreproachfully。
"ItisIwhoamallthat。No，sheisright，andyouknowit。"
MuchasChristieadmiredandvaluedhersister’scharms，shethoughtthiswasreallygoingtoofar。WhathadJessieeverdone——
whatwasJessie——toprovokeandremaininsensibletosuchablinddevotionasthis？Andreally，lookingathimnow，hewasnotsoVERYYOUNGforJessie；whetherhisunfortunatepassionhadbroughtoutallhislatentmanliness，orwhetherhehadhithertokepthisseriousnatureinthebackground，certainlyhewasnotaboy。Andcertainlyhiswasnotapassionthathecouldbelaughedoutof。
Itwasgettingverytiresome。Shewishedshehadnotmethim——atleastuntilshehadhadsomeclearerunderstandingwithhersister。
Hewasstillwalkingbesideher，withhishandonherbridlerein，partlytoleadherhorseoversomebouldersinthetrail，andpartlytoconcealhisfirstembarrassment。Whentheyhadfairlyreachedthewoods，hestopped。
"Iamgoingtosaygood—by，MissCarr。"
"Areyounotcomingfurther？WemustbenearIndianSpring，now；
Mr。Halland——andJessie——cannotbefaraway。Youwillkeepmecompanyuntilwemeetthem？"
"No，"herepliedquietly。"Ionlystoppedyoutosaygood—by。I
amgoingaway。"
"NotfromDevil’sFord？"sheasked，inhalf—incredulousastonishment。
"Atleast，notforlong？"
"Iamnotcomingback，"hereplied。
"Butthisisveryabrupt，"shesaidhurriedly，feelingthatinsomeridiculouswayshehadprecipitatedanequallyridiculouscatastrophe。"Surelyyouarenotgoingawayinthisfashion，withoutsayinggood—bytoJessieand——andfather？"
"Ishallseeyourfather，ofcourse——andyouwillgivemyregardstoMissJessie。"
Heevidentlywasinearnest。Wasthereeveranythingsoperfectlypreposterous？Shebecameindignant。
"Ofcourse，"shesaidcoldly，"Iwon’tdetainyou；yourbusinessmustbeurgent，andIforgot——atleastIhadforgottenuntilto—
day——thatyouhaveotherdutiesmoreimportantthanthatofsquireofdames。Iamafraidthisforgetfulnessmademethinkyouwouldnotpartfromusinquitesuchabusinessfashion。Ipresume，ifyouhadnotmetmejustnow，weshouldnoneofushaveseenyouagain？"
Hedidnotreply。
"Willyousaygood—by，MissCarr？"
Heheldouthishand。
"Onemoment，Mr。Kearney。IfIhavesaidanythingwhichyouthinkjustifiesthisveryabruptleave—taking，Ibegyouwillforgiveandforgetit——or，atleast，letithavenomoreweightwithyouthantheidlewordsofanywoman。Ionlyspokegenerally。Youknow——I——
Imightbemistaken。"
Hiseyes，whichhaddilatedwhenshebegantospeak，darkened；hiscolor，whichhadquicklycome，asquicklysankwhenshehadended。
"Don’tsaythat，MissCarr。Itisnotlikeyou，and——itisuseless。YouknowwhatImeantamomentago。Ireaditinyourreply。YoumeantthatI，likeothers，haddeceivedmyself。Didyounot？"
Shecouldnotmeetthosehonesteyeswithlessthanequalhonesty。
SheknewthatJessiedidnotlovehim——wouldnotmarryhim——
whatevercoquetryshemighthaveshown。
"Ididnotmeantooffendyou，"shesaidhesitatingly；"IonlyhalfsuspecteditwhenIspoke。"
"Andyouwishtosparemetheavowal？"hesaidbitterly。
"Tome，perhaps，yes，byanticipatingit。IcouldnottellwhatideasyoumighthavegatheredfromsomeindiscreetfranknessofJessie——ormyfather，"sheadded，withalmostequalbitterness。
"Ihaveneverspokentoeither，"herepliedquickly。Hestopped，andadded，afteramoment’smortifyingreflection，"I’vebeenbroughtupinthewoods，MissCarr，andIsupposeIhavefollowedmyfeelings，insteadoftheetiquetteofsociety。"
ChristiewastoorelievedattherehabilitationofJessie’struthfulnesstonoticethefullsignificanceofhisspeech。
"Good—by，"hesaidagain，holdingouthishand。
"Good—by!"
Sheextendedherown，ungloved，withafranksmile。Hehelditforamoment，withhiseyesfixeduponhers。Thensuddenly，asifobeyinganuncontrollableimpulse，hecrusheditlikeafloweragainandagainagainsthisburninglips，anddartedaway。
Christiesankbackinhersaddlewithalittlecry，halfofpainandhalfoffrightenedsurprise。Hadthepoorboysuddenlygonemad，orwasthisvicariousfarewellapartofthecourtshipofDevil’sFord？Shelookedatherlittlehand，whichhadreddenedunderthepressure，andsuddenlyfelttheflushextendingtohercheeksandtherootsofherhair。Thiswasintolerable。
"Christie!"
Itwashersisteremergingfromthewoodtoseekher。Inanothermomentshewasatherside。
"Wethoughtyouwerefollowing，"saidJessie。"Goodheavens!howyoulook!Whathashappened？"
"Nothing。ImetMr。Kearneyamomentagoonthetrail。Heisgoingaway，and——and——"Shestopped，furiousandflushing。
"And，"saidJessie，withaburstofmerriment，"hetoldyouatlasthelovedyou。Oh，Christie!"
CHAPTERVI
TheabruptdepartureofGeorgeKearneyfromDevil’sFordexcitedbutlittleinterestinthecommunity，andwassoonforgotten。Itwasgenerallyattributedtodifferencesbetweenhimselfandhispartnersonthequestionoffurtheroutlayoftheirearningsonminingimprovements——heandPhilipCarralonerepresentingasanguineminoritywhosefaithinthefutureofthemineacceptedanyrisks。Itwasallegedbysomethathehadsoldouttohisbrother；itwasbelievedbyothersthathehadsimplygonetoSacramentotoborrowmoneyonhisshare，inordertocontinuetheimprovementsonhisownresponsibility。Thepartnersthemselveswereuncommunicative；evenWhiskeyDick，whosincehisremarkablesocialelevationhadbecomelessoracular，muchtohisownastonishment，contributednothingtothegossipexceptasuggestionthatasthefierytemperofGeorgeKearneybrookednoopposition，evenfromhisbrother，itwasbettertheyshouldseparatebeforetheestrangementbecameserious。
Mr。Carrdidnotdisguisehisannoyanceatthelossofhisyoungdiscipleandfirmally。ButanunluckyallusiontohispreviousremarksonKearney’sattentionstoJessie，andaquerulousregretthathehadpermittedadisruptionoftheirsocialintimacy，broughtsuchanominousandfrigidopposition，notonlyfromChristie，buteventhefrivolousJessieherself，thatCarrsankbackinacrushedandterrifiedsilence。"Ionlymeanttosay，"hestammeredafterapause，inwhichhe，however，resumedhisaggrievedmanner，"thatFAIRFAXseemstocomeherestill，andHEisnotsuchaparticularfriendofmine。"
"Butsheis——andhasyourinterestentirelyatheart，"saidJessie，stoutly，"andheonlycomesheretotellushowthingsaregoingonattheworks。"
"Andcriticiseyourfather，Isuppose，"saidMr。Carr，withanattemptatjocularitythatdidnot，however，disguiseanirritatedsuspiciousness。"HereallyseemstohavesupplantedMEashehaspoorKearneyinyourestimation。"
"Now，father，"saidJessie，suddenlyseizinghimbytheshouldersinaffectedindignation，butreallytoconcealacertainembarrassmentthatsprangquiteasmuchfromhersister’squietlyobservanteyeasherfather’sspeech，"youpromisedtoletthisridiculousdiscussiondrop。YouwillmakemeandChristiesonervousthatwewillnotdaretoopenthedoortoavisitor，untilhedeclareshisinnocenceofanymatrimonialintentions。Youdon’twanttogivecolortothegossipthatagreementwithyourviewsabouttheimprovementsisnecessarytogettingonwithus。"
"Whodarestalksuchrubbish？"saidCarr，reddening；"isthatthekindofgossipthatFairfaxbringshere？"
"Hardly，whenit’sknownthathedon’tquiteagreewithyou，andDOEScomehere。That’sthebestdenialofthegossip。"
Christie，whohadoflateloftilyignoredthesediscussions，waiteduntilherfatherhadtakenhisdeparture。
"ThenthatisthereasonwhyyoustillseeMr。Munroe，afterwhatyousaid，"sheremarkedquietlytoJessie。
Jessie，whowouldhavelikedtoescapewithherfather，wasobligedtopauseonthethresholdofthedoor，withaprettyassumptionofblankforgetfulnessinherblueeyesandliftedeyebrows。
"Saidwhat？when？"sheaskedvacantly。
"When——whenMr。Kearneythatday——inthewoods——wentaway，"saidChristie，faintlycoloring。
"Oh!THATday，"saidJessiebriskly；"thedayhejustglovedyourhandwithkisses，andthenfledwildlyintotheforesttoconcealhisemotion。"
"Thedayhebehavedveryfoolishly，"saidChristie，withreproachfulcalmness，thatdidnot，however，preventasuspicionofindignantmoistureinhereyes——"whenyouexplained"——
"Thatitwasn’tmeantforME，"interruptedJessie。
"ThatitwastoyouthatMR。MUNROE’Sattentionsweredirected。
Andthenweagreedthatitwasbettertopreventanyfurtheradvancesofthiskindbyavoidinganyfamiliarrelationswitheitherofthem。"
"Yes，"saidJessie，"Iremember；butyou’renotconfoundingmyseeingFairfaxoccasionallynowwiththatsortofthing。HE
doesn’tkissmyhandlikeanything，"sheadded，asifinabstractreflection。
"Norrunaway，either，"suggestedthetroddenworm，turning。
Therewasanominoussilence。
"Doyouknowwearenearlyoutofcoffee？"saidJessiechoking，butmovingtowardsthedoorwithSpartan—likecalmness。
"Yes。Andsomethingmustbedonethisverydayaboutthewashing，"
saidChristie，withsuppressedemotion，goingtowardstheoppositeentrance。
Tearsstoodineachother’seyeswiththisterribleexchangeofdomesticconfidences。Nevertheless，afteramoment’spause，theydeliberatelyturnedagain，and，facingeachotherwithfrightfulcalmness，lefttheroombypurposelessanddeliberateexitsotherthanthosetheyhadcontemplated——acrushingabnegationofself，that，tosomeextent，relievedtheirsurchargedfeelings。
MeantimethematerialprosperityofDevil’sFordincreased，ifaprosperitybaseduponnovisiblefoundationbuttheconfidencesandhopesofitsinhabitantscouldbecalledmaterial。Few，ifany，stoppedtoconsiderthattheimprovements，buildings，andbusinessweresimplytheoutlayofcapitalbroughtfromelsewhere，andasyetthesettlementortown，asitwasnowcalled，hadneitherproducednorexportedcapitalofitselfequaltohalftheamountexpended。Itwastruethatsomelandwascultivatedonthefurtherslope，somemillserectedandlumberfurnishedfromtheinexhaustibleforest；buttheconsumersweretheinhabitantsthemselves，whopaidfortheirproduceinborrowedcapitalorunlimitedcredit。ItwasneverdiscoveredthatwhileallroadsledtoDevil’sFord，Devil’sFordledtonowhere。Thedifficultiesovercomeingettingthingsintothesettlementwereneversurmountedforgettingthingsoutofit。Thelumberwaspracticallyvaluelessforexporttoothersettlementsacrossthemountainroads，whichwereequallyrichintimber。Thetheorysoenthusiasticallyheldbytheoriginallocators，thatDevil’sFordwasavastsinkthathad，throughages，exhaustedandabsorbedthetricklingwealthoftheadjacenthillsandvalleys，wassufferinganironicalcorroboration。
OnemorningitwasknownthatworkwasstoppedattheDevil’sFordDitch——temporarilyonly，itwasalleged，andmanyoftheoldworkmensimplyhadtheirlaborforthepresenttransferredtoexcavatingtheriverbanks，andthecollectionofvastheapsof"paygravel。"Specimensfromthesemounds，takenfromdifferentlocalities，andatdifferentlevels，weresenttoSanFranciscoformorerigidassayandanalysis。Itwasbelievedthatthiswouldestablishthefactofthepermanentrichnessofthedrifts，andnotonlyjustifypastexpenditure，butarenewedoutlayofcreditandcapital。ThesuspensionofengineeringworkgaveMr。CarranopportunitytovisitSanFranciscoongeneralbusinessofthemine，whichcouldnot，however，preventhimfromarrangingfurthercombinationswithcapital。Histwodaughtersaccompaniedhim。Itofferedanadmirableopportunityforashoppingexpedition，achangeofscene，andapeacefulsolutionoftheirperplexingandanomaloussocialrelationswithDevil’sFord。Inthefirstflushofgratitudetotheirfatherforthisopportuneholiday，somethingofharmonyhadbeenrestoredtothefamilycirclethathadoflatebeenshakenbydiscord。
Buttheirsanguinehopesofenjoymentwerenotentirelyfulfilled。
BothJessieandChristiewereobligedtoconfesstoacertaindisappointmentintheaspectofthecivilizationtheywerenowreentering。Theyatfirstattributedittothechangeintheirownhabitsduringthelastthreemonths，andtheirhavingbecomebarbarousandcountrifiedintheirseclusion。CertainlyinthematterofdresstheywerebehindthefashionsasrevealedinMontgomeryStreet。Butwhenthebriefsolaceaffordedthembythemodisteanddressmakerwaspast，thereseemedlittleelsetobegained。Theymissedatfirst，Ifear，thechivalrousandloyaldevotionthathadonlyamusedthematDevil’sFord，andwerethemoreinclined，Ithink，todistrusttheconsciousandmorecivilizedgallantryofthebetterdressedandmorecarefullypresentedmentheymet。Foritmustbeadmittedthat，forobviousreasons，theircriticismswereatfirstconfinedtothesextheyhadbeenmostincontactwith。Theycouldnothelpnoticingthatthemenweremoreeager，annoyinglyfeverish，andself—assertingintheirsuperioreleganceandexternalshowthantheiroldassociateswereintheirfrank，unrestrainedhabits。ItseemedtothemthatthefivemillionairesofDevil’sFord，intheirradicalsimplicityandthoroughness，wereperhapsnearerthetypeoftruegentlemanhoodthanthesecitizenswhoimitatedacivilizationtheywereunableyettoreach。
Thewomensimplyfrightenedthem，asbeing，evenmorethanthemen，demonstrativeandexcessiveintheirfinelooks，theirfinedresses，theirextravagantdemandforexcitement。Inlessthanaweektheyfoundthemselvesregretting——notthenewvillaontheslopeofDevil’sFord，whicheveninitsownbizarrefashionwasexceededbythebarbarousostentationofthevillasandprivatehousesaroundthem——butthedoublecabinunderthetrees，whichnowseemedtothemalmostaristocraticinitsgravesimplicityandabstention。Inthemysteriousforestsofmaststhatthrongedthecity’squaystheyrecalledthestraightshaftsofthepinesonDevil’sslopes，onlytomissthesedatereposeandinfinitecalmthatusedtoenvironthem。Inthefeverish，pulsatinglifeoftheyoungmetropolistheyoftenstoppedoppressed，giddy，andchoking；
theroarofthestreetsandthoroughfareswasmeaninglesstothem，excepttorevivestrangememoriesofthedeep，unvaryingmonotoneoftheeveningwindovertheirhumblerroofontheSierranhillside。Civicbredandnurturedastheywere，therecurrenceofthesesensationsperplexedandalarmedthem。
"Itseemssoperfectlyridiculous，"saidJessie，"forustofeelasoutofplacehereasthatPikeCountyservantgirlinSacramentowhohadneverseenasteamboatbefore；doyouknow，IquitehadaturntheotherdayatseeingamanontheStocktonwharfinaredshirt，witharifleonhisshoulder。"
"Andyouwantedtogoandspeaktohim？"saidChristie，withasadsmile。
"No，that’sjustit；IfeltawfullyhurtandinjuredthathedidnotcomeupandspeaktoME!Iwonderifwegotanyfeverorthatsortofthingupthere；itmakesonequitesuperstitious。"
Christiedidnotreply；morethanoncebeforeshehadfeltthatinexplicablemisgiving。Ithadsometimesseemedtoherthatshehadneverbeenquiteherselfsincethatmemorablenightwhenshehadslippedoutoftheirsleeping—cabin，andstoodaloneinthegraciousandcommandingpresenceofthewoodsandhills。Inthesolitudeofnight，withthehumofthegreatcityrisingbelowher——
attimesevenintheatresorcrowdedassembliesofmenandwomen——
sheforgotherself，andagainstoodintheweirdbrilliancyofthatmoonlightnightinmuteworshipatthefootofthatslowly—risingmysticaltarofpiledterraces，hangingforests，andliftedplateausthatclimbedforevertothelonelyskies。Againshefeltbeforehertheexpandingandopeningarmsoftheprotectingwoods。
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