Theysaid"Bueno"altogether，andforthemomentappearedtobeupheldbyareligiousenthusiasm，——ajointconfessionoffaiththatmeantdeath，destruction，andpossiblyforgery，asagainstthemenwhothoughtotherwise。
Thisspiritualharmonydidawaywithallpracticalconsiderationanddoubt。"Ihavealittleniece，"saidVictor，"whoseworkwiththepenismarvellous。Ifonesaystoher，’Carmen，copymethis，ortheotherone，’——evenifitbecopper-plate，——lookyouitisdone，andyoucannotknowofwhichistheoriginal。MadredeDios！
theotherdayshemakesmearubric*oftheGovernor，PioPico，thesame，identical。Thouknowesther，Miguel。Sheaskedconcerningtheeyesterday。"
*TheSpanish"rubric"isthecomplicatedflourishattachedtoasignature，andisasindividualandcharacteristicasthehandwriting。
Withtheembarrassmentofanunderbredman，Migueltriedtoappearunconcerned，butfaileddismally。Indeed，IfearthattheblackeyesofCarmenhadalreadydonetheirperfectandacceptedwork，andhadpartlyinducedtheapplicationforVictor’said。He，however，dissembledsofarastoask：
"Butwillshenotknow？"
"Sheisachild。"
"Butwillshenottalk？"
"NotifIsaynay，andifthou——eh，Miguel？"
Thisbitofflattery（which，bytheway，wasalie，forVictor’sniecedidnotinclinefavorablytoMiguel，haditseffect。Theyshookhandsoverthetable。"But，"saidMiguel，"whatistobedonemustbedonenow。""Atthemoment，"saidVictor，"andthoushaltseeitdone。Eh？Doesitcontentthee？thencome！"
MiguelnoddedtoManuel。"Wewillreturninanhour;waitthouhere。"
Theyfiledoutintothedark，irregularstreet。FateledthemtopasstheofficeofDr。GuildatthemomentthatConchomountedhishorse。Theshadowsconcealedthemfromtheirrival，buttheyoverheardthelastinjunctionsofthePresidenttotheunluckyConcho。
"Thouhearest？"saidMiguel，clutchinghiscompanion’sarm。
"Yes，"saidVictor。"Butlethimride，myfriend;inonehourweshallhavethatthatshallarriveYEARSbeforehim，"andwithacomplacentchuckletheypassedunseenandunhearduntil，abruptlyturningacorner，theystoppedbeforealowadobehouse。
Ithadoncebeenasomewhatpretentiousdwelling，buthadevidentlyfollowedthefortunesofitslateowner，DonJuanBriones，whohadoffereditasalastsoptothethree-headedCerberusthatguardedtheElRefugioPlutoneantreasures，andwhohadswalloweditinasinglegulp。Itwasinverybadcase。Thefurrowsofitsred-
tiledrooflookedasiftheyweretheresultsofageanddecrepitude。
Itsbestroomhadamustysmell;therewasthedampnessofdeliquescenceinitsslowdecay，buttheSpanishCaliforniansweresensiblearchitects，anditsmassivewallsandpartitionsdefiedtheearthquakethrill，andalltheyearroundkeptaneventemperaturewithin。
VictorledMiguelthroughalowanteroomintoaplainly-furnishedchamber，whereCarmensatpainting。
NowMistressCarmenwasabitofapainter，inaprettylittleway，withallthevaguelongingsofanartist，butwithout，Ifear，theartist’ssteadfastsoul。Sherecognizedbeautyandformasachildmight，withoutunderstandingtheirmeaning，andsomehowfailedtomakethemeveninterpretherwoman’smoods，whichsurelywerenature’stoo。Soshepaintedeverythingwiththisinnocentlustoftheeye，——flowers，birds，insects，landscapes，andfigures，——withajoyousfidelity，butnoparticularpoetry。Thebirdneversangtoherbutonesong，theflowersortreesspakebutonelanguage，andherskiesneverbrightenedexceptincolor。ShecameoutstrongontheCatholicsaints，andwouldtossyouupacleanly-shavenAloysius，sweetlydestituteofexpression，oradropsical，lethargicMadonnathatyoucouldn’thavetoldfromanoldmaster，sobaditwas。Herfacultyoffaithfulreproductionevenshoweditselfinfancifullettering，——andlatterlyintheimitationoffabricsandsignatures。Indeed，withhereyeforbeautyofform，shehadalwaysexcelledinpenmanshipattheConvent，——anaccomplishmentwhichthegoodsistersheldingreatrepute。
Inpersonshewaspetite，withastillunformedgirlishfigure，perhapsalittletooflatacrosstheback，andwithpossiblyatoogreattendencytoaboyishstrideinwalking。Herbrow，coveredbyblue-blackhair，waslowandfrankandhonest;hereyes，averydarkhazel，werenotparticularlylarge，butratherheavilyfreightedintheirmelancholylidswithsleepingpassion;hernosewasofthatunimportantcharacterwhichnomanremembers;hermouthwassmallandstraight;herteeth，whiteandregular。Thewholeexpressionofherfacewaspiquancythatmightbesubduedbytendernessormademalevolentbyanger。Atpresentitwasasaladinwhichtheoilandvinegarweredeftlycombined。Theastutefemininereaderwillofcourseunderstandthatthisistheordinarysuperficialmasculinecriticism，andatoncemakeuphermindbothastothecharacteroftheyoungladyandthecompetencyofthecritic。IonlyknowthatIratherlikedher。Andherfunctionsaresomewhatimportantinthisveracioushistory。
Shelookedup，startedtoherfeet，leveledherblackbrowsattheintruder，but，atasignfromheruncle，showedherwhiteteethandspake。
Itwasonlyasentence，andarathercommon-placeoneatthat;butifshecouldhaveputhervoiceuponhercanvas，shemighthaveretrievedtheGarciafortunes。Foritwassomusical，sotender，sosympathizing，somelodious，sorepletewiththegraciousnessofwomanhood，thatsheseemedtohaveinventedthelanguage。Andyetthatsentencewasonlyanexaggeratedformofthe’Howd’yedo，’
whinedout，doledout，lispedout，orshotoutfromtheprettymouthsofmyfaircountrywomen。
Migueladmiredthepaintings。Hewasstruckparticularlywithacrayondrawingofamule。"MotherofGod，itisthemuleitself！
observehowitwillnotgo。"ThenthecraftyVictorbrokeinwith，"Butitisnothingtoherwriting;look，youshalltelltomewhichisthehandwritingofPioPico;"and，fromadrawerinthesecretary，hedrewforthtwosignatures。Onewasaffixedtoayellowishpaper，theotherdrawnonplainwhitefoolscap。OfcourseMigueltookthemoremodernonewithlover-likegallantry。
"Itisthisisgenuine！"Victorlaughedtriumphantly;Carmenechoedthelaughmelodiouslyinchild-likeglee，andadded，withaslighttossofherpiquanthead，"Itismine！"Thebestofthesexwillnotrefuseajustandoverduecomplimentfromeventhemantheydislike。It’stheprinciplethey’reafter，notthesentiment。
ButVictorwasnotsatisfiedwiththisproofofhisniece’sskill。
"Saytoher，"hedemandedofMiguel，"whatnamethoulikest，anditshallbedonebeforetheehere。"MiguelwasnotsomuchinlovebutheperceivedthedriftofVictor’ssuggestion，andremarkedthattherubricofGovernorMicheltorenawasexceedinglycomplicatedanddifficult。"Sheshalldoit！"respondedVictor，withdecision。
FromafileofolddepartmentalpaperstheGovernor’ssignatureandthatinvolvedrubric，whichmusthavecosthislateExcellencymanyyouthfuldaysofanxiety，wasproducedandlaidbeforeCarmen。
Carmentookherpeninherhand，lookedatthebrownish-lookingdocument，andthenatthevirginwhitenessofthefoolscapbeforeher。"But，"shesaid，poutingprettily，"Ishouldhavetofirstpaintthiswhitepaperbrown。Anditwillabsorbtheinkmorequicklythanthat。WhenIpaintedtheSanAntoniooftheMissionSanGabrielforFatherAcolti，IhadtoputthedecayinwithmyoilsandbrushesbeforethegoodPadrewouldacceptit。"
Thetwoscampslookedateachother。Itwastheirsuprememoment。
"IthinkIhave，"saidVictor，withassumedcarelessness，"IthinkI
havesomeoftheoldCustom-Housepaper。"Heproducedfromthesecretaryasheetofbrownpaperwithastamp。"Tryitonthat。"
Carmensmiledwithchildishdelight，triedit，andproducedamarvel！"Itisasmagic，"saidMiguel，feigningtocrosshimself。
Victor’srolewasmoreserious。Heaffectedtobedeeplytouched，tookthepaper，foldedit，andplaceditinhisbreast。"IshallmakeagoodfoolofDonJoseCastro，"hesaid;"hewilldeclareitistheGovernor’sownsignature，forhewashisfriend;buthaveacare，Carmen！thatyouspoilitnotbytheopeningofyourredlips。Whenheisfooled，Iwilltellhimofthismarvel，——thisnieceofmine，andheshallbuyherpictures。Eh，littleone？"andhegavehertheavuncularcaress，i。e。，apatofthehandoneithercheek，andakiss。Miguelenviedhim，butcupidityoutgeneraledCupid，andpresentlytheconversationflagged，untilaconvenientrecollectionofVictor’s——thathimselfandcomradeweredueatthePosadadelTorosat10o’clock——gavethemtheopportunitytoretire。ButnotwithoutachanceshotfromCarmen。
"Telltome，"shesaid，halftoVictorandhalftoMiguel，"whathaschancedwithConcho？Hewaseverreadytobringtomeflowersfromthemountain，andinsectsandbirds。Thouknowesthowhewouldsit，oh，myuncle，andtalktomeoftherarerockshehadseen，andthebearsandtheevilspirits，andnowhecomesnolonger，myConcho！Howisthis？Nothingevilhasbefallenhim，surely？"andherdroopinglidsclosedhalf-pathetically。
Miguel’sjealousytookfire。"Heisdrunk，Senorita，doubtless，andhasforgottennotonlytheebut，mayhap，hismuleandpack！Itishiscustom，ha！ha！"
ThereddiedoutofCarmen’sripelips，andsheshutthemtogetherwithasnaplikeasteelpurse。Thedovehadsuddenlychangedtoahawk;thechild-girlintoanantiquevirago;thespirithithertodimlyoutlinedinherface，ofsomeshrewishGarciaancestress，cametothefore。Shedartedaquicklookatheruncle，andthen，withherlittlehandsonherrigidlips，strodewithtwostepsuptoMiguel。
"Possibly，OSenorMiguelDominguezPerez（aprofoundcourtesyhere），itisasthousayest。DrunkardConchomaybe;but，drunkorsober，heneverturnedhisbackonhisfriend——or——（thewordsgratedalittlehere）——hisenemy。"
Miguelwouldhavereplied，butVictorwasready。"Fool，"hesaid，pinchinghisarm，"’tisanoldfriend。And——and——theapplicationisstilltobefilledup。Areyoucrazy？"
ButonthispointMiguelwasnot，andwiththerevengeofarivaladdedtohisotherinstincts，hepermittedVictortoleadhimaway。
Ontheirreturntothefonda，theyfoundMasterManueltoofargonewithaguardiente，andageneralanimositytotheaverageAmericano，tobeofanyservice。Sotheyworkedalone，withpen，ink，andpaper，inthestuffy，cigarrito-cloudedbackroomofthefonda。Itwasmidnight，twohoursafterConchohadstarted，thatMiguelclappedspurstohishorseforthevillageofTresPinos，withanapplicationtoGovernorMicheltorenaforagranttothe"RanchooftheRedRocks"comfortablybestowedinhispocket。
CHAPTERVII
WHOPLEADFORIT
Therecanbelittledoubtthecoroner’sjuryofFresnowouldhavereturnedaverdictof"deathfromalcoholism，"astheresultoftheirinquestintothecauseofConcho’sdeath，hadnotDr。Guildfoughtnoblyinsupportofthelawandhisownconvictions。A
majorityofthejuryobjectedtotherebeinganyinquestatall。A
sincerejurymanthoughtithardthatwheneveraGreaserpeggedoutinasneakin’kindo’way，Americancitizensshouldbetakenfromtheirbusinesstofindoutwhatailedhim。"S’posehewaskilled，"
saidanother，"tharain’tnotimethisthirtyyearheweren’t，sotospeak，justsufferin’forit，ezhisnat’ralrightezaMexican。"Thejuryatlastcompromisedbybringinginaverdictofhomicideagainstcertainpartiesunknown。YetitwasunderstoodtacitlythattheseunknownpartieswereseverallyWilesandPedro;
Manuel，Miguel，andRoscommonprovinganunmistakablealibi。WilesandPedrohadfledtolowerCalifornia，andManuel，Miguel，andRoscommondeemeditadvisable，inthethenexcitedstateofthepublicmind，towithholdtheforgedapplicationandclaimfromthecourtsandthepubliccomment。SothatforayearafterthemurderofConchoandtheflightofhisassassins"TheBlueMassMiningCompany"remainedinundisturbedandactualpossessionofthemine，andreignedintheirstead。
ButthespiritofthemurderedConchowouldnotdownanymorethanthatofthemurderedBanquo，andsowrought，nodoubt，inaquiet，Concho-likeway，soretroublewiththe"BlueMassCompany。"ForagreatCapitalistandMasterofAvaricecamedowntothemineandfounditfair，andtakingoneoftheCompanyaside，offeredtolendhisnameandacertainamountofcoinforacontrollinginterest，accompanyingthegenerousofferwithasuggestionthatifitwerenotaccededtohewouldbecompelledtobuyupvariousMexicanminesandfloodthemarketwithquicksilvertothegreatdetrimentofthe"BlueMassCompany，"whichthoughtfulsuggestion，offeredbyamanfrequentlyalludedtoasoneof"California’sgreatminingprinces，"andasonewhohad"donemuchtodeveloptheresourcesoftheState，"wasnottobelightlyconsidered;andso，afteracautiousnon-consultationwiththeCompany，andacommendablesecrecy，thestockholdersoldout。WhereatitwasspeedilyspreadabroadthatthegreatCapitalisthadtakenholdof"BlueMass，"andthestockwentup，andtheotherstockholdersrejoiced——untilthegreatCapitalistfoundthatitwasnecessarytoputupexpensivemills，toemployahighsalariedSuperintendent，infact，todeveloptheminebythespendingofitsearnings，sothatthestockquotedat112wasfinallysaddledwithanassessmentof$50pershare。Anotherassessmentof$50toenabletheSuperintendenttoproceedtoRussiaandSpainandexamineintotheworkingsofthequicksilverminesthere，andalsoageneralcommissiontothegiftedandscientificPillagemantoexamineintothevariouscomponentpartsofquicksilver，andreportifitcouldnotbemanufacturedfromordinarysand-stonebysteamorelectricity，speedilybroughttheotherstockholderstotheirsenses。Itwasatthistimethegoodfellow"Tom，"theserious-minded"Dick，"andthespeculativebutfortunate"Harry，"brokersoftheGreatCapitalist，founditconvenienttobuyup，fortheGreatCapitalistaforesaid，thevariousothersharesatgreatsacrifice。
IfearthatIhaveboredmyreadersinthusgivingthetiresomedetailsofthatingenuousAmericanpastimewhichmycountrymendismissintheirepigrammaticwayasthe"freezing-outprocess。"
Andlestanyreadershouldquestiontheethicsoftheproceeding，I
beghimtorememberthatonegentlemanaccomplishedinthisartwasalwaysasincereanddirectopponentofthelateMr。JohnOakhurst，gambler。
ButforoncetheGreatMasterofAvaricehadnottakenintosufficientaccounttheavariceofothers，andwassuddenlyandvirtuouslyshockedtolearnthatanapplicationforapatentforcertainlands，knownasthe"Red-RockRancho，"wasabouttobeofferedbeforetheUnitedStatesLandCommission。Thisclaimcoveredhisminingproperty。Buttheinformationcamequietlyandsecretly，asalloftheGreatMaster’sinformationwasobtained，andhetooktheopportunitytosellouthiscloudedtitleandhisproprietorshiptotheonlyremainingmemberoftheoriginal"BlueMassCompany，"ayoungfellowofpith，beforemany-tonguedrumorhadvoicedthenewsfarandwide。Theblowwasaheavyonetothepartyleftinpossession。SaddledbytheenormousdebtsandexpensesoftheGreatCapitalist，withacreditnowfurtherinjuredbythedefectionofthisluckymagnate，whowasadmiredforhisskillinanticipatingaloss，andwhoserelinquishmentofanyprojectmeantruintoit，thesingle-handed，impoverishedpossessorofthemine，whosetitlewascontested，andwhosereputationwasyettobemade，——poorBiggs，firstsecretaryandonlyremainingofficerofthe"BlueMassCompany，"lookedruefullyoverhisbooksandhislasttransfer，andsighed。ButIhavebeforeintimatedthathewasbuiltofgoodstuff，andthathebelievedinhiswork，——
whichwaswell，——andinhimself，whichwasbetter;andso，havingfaithevenasagrainofmustardseed，Idoubtnothewouldhavebeenabletoremovethatmountainofquicksilverbeyondtheoverlappingoffraudulentgrants。And，again，Providence——havingdisposedoftheseseveralscamps——raiseduptohimafriend。Butthatfriendisofsufficientimportancetothisveracioushistorytodeserveaparagraphtohimself。
ThePyladesofthisOresteswasknownofordinarymortalsasRoyalThatcher。Hisgenealogy，birth，andeducationare，Itakeit，oflittleaccounttothischronicle，whichisonlyconcernedwithhisfriendshipforBiggsandtheresultthereof。HehadknownBiggsayearortwopreviously;theyhadsharedeachother’spurses，bunks，cabins，provisions，andoftenfriends，withthatperfectfreedomfromobligationwhichbelongedtothepioneerlife。ThevaryingtideoffortunehadjustthenstrandedThatcheronadesertsandhillinSanFrancisco，withanuninsuredcargoofExpectations，whiletoThatcher’sactivebutnotcuriousfancyithadapparentlyliftedhisfriend’sbarkoverthebarintheMontereymountainsintoanopenquicksilversea。SothathewasconsiderablysurprisedonreceivinganotefromBiggstothispurport：
"DEARROY——Rundownhereandhelpafellow。I’vetoomuchofaloadforone。Maybewecanmakeateamandpull’BlueMass’outyet。BIGGSEY。"
Thatcher，sittinginhisscantilyfurnishedlodgings，doubtfulofhisnextmealandinarrearsforrent，heardthisMacedoniancryasSt。Pauldid。Hewroteapromissoryandsoothingnotetohislandlady，butfearingthe"sweetsorrow"ofpersonalparting，lethiscollapsedvalisedownfromhiswindowbyacord，and，bymeansofaneconomicalcombinationofstageridingandpedestrianism，hepresentedhimself，atthecloseofthethirdday，atBiggs’sdoor。
Inafewmomentshewasinpossessionofthestory;halfanhourlaterinpossessionofhalfthemine，itsinfelixpastanditsdoubtfulfuture，equallywithhisfriend。
Businessover，Biggsturnedtolookathispartner。"You’veagedsomesinceIsawyoulast，"hesaid。"Starvationluck，Is’pose。
I’dknowyoureyes，oldfellow，ifIsawthemamongtenthousand;
butyourlipsareparched，andyourmouth’sgrimmerthanitusedtobe。"Thatchersmiledtoshowthathecouldstilldoso，butdidnotsay，ashemighthavesaid，thatself-control，suppressedresentment，disappointment，andoccasionalhungerhaddonesomethinginthewayofcorrectingNature’sobviousmistakes，andshuttingupakindlymouth。Heonlytookoffhisthreadbarecoat，rolleduphissleeves，andsaying，"We’vegotlotsofworkandsomefightingbeforeus，"pitchedintothe"affairs"ofthe"BlueMassCompany"ontheinstant。
CHAPTERVIII
OFCOUNSELFORIT
MeanwhileRoscommonhadwaited。Then，inGarcia’sname，andbackedbyhim，helaidhiscasebeforetheLandCommissioner，filingtheapplication（withforgedindorsements）toGovernorMicheltorena，andallegingthattheoriginalgrantwasdestroyedbyfire。Andwhy？
ItseemedtherewasalimittoMissCarmen’simitativetalent。
Admirableasitwas，itdidnotreachtothereproductionofthatofficialseal，whichwouldhavebeenanecessaryappendagetotheGovernor’sgrant。ButtherewereletterswrittenonstampedpaperbyGovernorMicheltorenatohimself，Garcia，andtoMiguel，andtoManuel’sfather，allofwhichweredulysignedbythesignmanualandrubricofMrs-Governor-Micheltorena-Carmen-de-Haro。Andthentherewas"parol"evidence，andplentyofit;witnesseswhorememberedeverythingaboutit，——namely，Manuel，Miguel，andtheall-recollectingDeHaro;hereweredetails，poeticalandsuggestive;andDame-Quicklyish，aswhenhislateExcellency，sittingnot"byasea-coalfire，"butwithaguardienteandcigarros，hadsworntohim，theex-ecclesiasticMiguel，thatheshouldgrant，andhadgranted，Garcia’srequest。Therewerecloudsofwitnesses，conversations，letters，andrecords，glibandpattotheoccasion。Inbrief，therewasnothingwantedbutthesealofhisExcellency。Theonlycopyofthatwasinthepossessionofarivalschoolofrenaissantartandtherestorationofantiques，thendoingbusinessbeforetheLandCommission。
Andyettheclaimwasrejected！Havinglatelyrecommendedtwoseparateclaimantstoapatentforthesameland，theLandCommissionbecamecautiousandconservative。
Roscommonwasatfirstastounded，thenindignant，andthenwarlike，——hewasforan"appaletoonst！"
Withthereader’spreviousknowledgeofRoscommon’sdispositionthismayseemsomewhatinconsistent;buttherearecertainnaturestowhomlitigationhasalltheexcitementofgambling，anditshouldbeborneinmindthatthiswashisfirstlawsuit。Sothathislawyer，Mr。SaponaceousWood，foundhiminthatbelligerentmoodtowhichcounselareobligedtohypocriticallybringallthesophistriesoftheirprofession。
"Ofcourseyouhaveyourrighttoanappeal，butcalmyourself，mydearsir，andconsider。Thecasewaspresentedstrongly，theevidenceoverwhelmingonourside，butwehappenedtobefightingpreviousdecisionsoftheLandCommissionthathadbroughtthemintotrouble;sothatifMicheltorenahadhimselfappearedinCourtandtestifiedtohisgivingyouthegrant，itwouldhavemadenodifference，——noSpanishgranthadashowthen，norwillithaveforthenextsixmonths。Yousee，mydearsir，theGovernmentsentoutoneofitsbigWashingtonlawyerstolookintothisbusiness，andhereportedfrauds，sir，frauds，inamajorityoftheSpanishclaims。Andwhy，sir？why？Hewasbought，sir，bought——bodyandsoul——bytheRing！"
"Andfwhot’stheRing？"askedhisclientsharply。
"TheRingis——ahem！acombinationofunprincipledbutwealthypersonstodefeattheendsofjustice。"
"Andsure，fwhot’stheRingtodowidmegrantasthatthavingMexicangavemeasthecollatheralsforthebourdhewasowin’me？
Eh，mindthatnow！"
"TheRing，mydearsir，istheotherside。Itis——ahem！alwaystheOtherSide。"
"Andwhythedivelhaven’tweaRingtoo？Andain’tIpayin’yefivehundreddollars，——andthedivelofRingyehave，atall，atall？FwhotamIpayin’yefur，eh？"
"Thatajudiciousexpenditureofmoney，"beganMr。Wood，"outsideofactualdisbursements，maynotbeofinfiniteservicetoyouIamnotpreparedtodeny，——but——"
"Lookye，Mr。SappyWood，it’sthe’appale’Iwant，andthegrantI’llhave，morebetokenastheoldwoman’shar-rutandmeownissetonitentoirely。GetmethelandandI’llgiveyethehalfofit，——andit’sabargain！"
"Butmydearsir，therearesomerulesinourprofession，——
technicalthoughtheymaybe——"
"Thedivelflyawaywidyerprofession。Sureisitbetternormeown？IfI’veriskedmeprovisionsandmewhisky，thatcostmesolidgooldinFrisco，onthatthafeGarcia’sclaim，bedad！theloikesofyecanriskyerlaw。"
"Well，"saidWood，withanawkwardsmile，"Isupposethatadeedforonehalf，ontheconsiderationoffriendship，mydearsir，andadollarinhandpaidbyme，mightbereconcilable。"
"Nowit’stalkin’yeare。Butwho’sthefellywe’refoighten，that’sgottheRing？"
"Ah，mydearsir，it’stheUnitedStates，"saidthelawyerwithgravity。
"TheStates！theGovernmentisit？Andis’tthatye’reafearedof？
Sureit’stheGovernmentthatIfoughtinmeowncounthree，itwastheGovernmentthatdruvmetoAmeriky，andisitnowthatI’mgoingbackonmeprinciples？"
"Yourpoliticalsentimentsdoyougreatcredit，"beganMr。Wood。
"Butfwhot’stheGovernmenttodowidtheappale？"
"TheGovernment，"saidMr。Woodsignificantly，"willberepresentedbytheDistrictAttorney。"
"Andwho’sthespalpeen？"
"Itisrumored，"saidMr。Wood，slowly，"thatanewoneistobeappointed。I，myself，havehadsomeambitionthatway。"
Hisclientbentapairofcunningbutnotover-wisegreyeyesonhisAmericanlawyer。Butheonlysaid，"Yehave，eh？"
"Yes，"saidWood，answeringthelookboldly;"andifIhadthesupportofanumberofyourprominentcountrymen，whoaresopowerfulwithALLparties，——menlikeYOU，mydearsir，——why，I
thinkyoumightintimebecomeaconservative，atleastmoreresignedtotheGovernment。"
Thenthelesserandthegreaterscamplookedateachother，andforamomentortwofeltawarm，sympathetic，friendlyemotionforeachother，andquietlyshookhands。
Dependuponitthereisagreatdealmorekindlyhumansympathybetweentwoopenly-confessedscampsthanthereisinthatcalm，respectablerecognitionthatyouandI，dearreader，exhibitwhenwehappentoopposeeachotherwithourrespectivevirtues。
"Andye’llgettheappale？"
"Iwill。"
AndheDID！AndbyasingularcoincidencegottheDistrictAttorneyshipalso。Andwithadeedforonehalfofthe"Red-RockRancho"inhispocket，sentabrotherlawyerincourttoappearforhisclient，theUnitedStates，asagainstHIMSELF，Roscommon，Garcia，etal。Wildhorsescouldnothavetornhimfromthisnobleresolution。Thereisanindescribabledelicacyinthelegalprofessionwhichweliteraryfolkoughttoimitate。
TheUnitedStateslost！Whichmeantruinanddestructiontothe"BlueMassCompany，"whohadboughtfromapaternalandbeneficentGovernmentlandswhichdidn’tbelongtoit。TheMexicangrant，ofcourse，antedatedtheoccupationoftheminebyConcho，Wiles，Pedro，etal。，aswellasbythe"BlueMassCompany，"andthesolitarypartners，BiggsandThatcher。Morethanthat，itswalloweduptheirimprovements。ItmadeBiggsandThatcherresponsibletoGarciaforallthemoneytheGrandMasterofAvaricehadmadeoutofit。Mr。DistrictAttorneywasapparentlydistressed，butresigned。
Messrs。BiggsandThatcherwerereallydistressedandcombative。
Andthen，toadvanceafewyearsinthischronicle，beganreallitigationwithearnestness，vigor，courage，zeal，andbeliefonthepartofBiggsandThatcher，andtechnicalities，delay，equivocation，andageneralFabian-likepolicyonthepartofGarcia，Roscommon，etal。OfallthesetediousprocessesInotebutone，whichfororiginalityandaudacityofconceptionappearstometoindicatemoreclearlythetemperandcivilizationoftheepoch。AsubordinateofficeroftheDistrictCourtrefusedtoobeythemandateorderingatranscriptoftherecordtobesentuptotheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt。ItistoberegrettedthatthenameofthisEphesianyouth，whothusfiredthedomeofourconstitutionalliberties，shouldhavebeenotherwisesounimportantastobeconfinedtothedustyrecordsofthatdoubtfulcourtofwhichhewasadoubtfulservitor，andthathisclaimtoimmortalityceasedwithhisdouble-feedservice。Buttherestillstandsonrecordaletterbythisyounggentleman，arraigningthelegalwisdomoftheland，whichisnotentirelydevoidofamusementoreveninstructiontoyoungmendesirousofobtainingpublicityandcapital。Howbeit，theSupremeCourtwasobligedtoprotectitselfbyprocuringthelegislationofhisfunctionsoutofhislocalfingersintothelargerpalmofitsownattorney。
Thesevariousprocessesoflawandequity，which，whenexercisedpracticallyintheaffairsofordinarybusiness，mighthaveoccupiedafewmonths’time，dragged，clung，retrograded，oradvancedslowlyduringaperiodofeightornineyears。ButthestrongarmsofBiggsandThatcherheldPOSSESSION，andpossibly，bythesametacticsemployedontheotherside，arrestedordelayedejectment，andsomadeandsoldquicksilver，whiletheiropponentswerespendinggold，untilBiggs，sorelyhitintheinterlacingsofhisarmor，fellinthelists，hischeekgrowingwaxenandhisstrongarmfeeble，andfindinghimselfinthissorecondition，andpassing，asitwere，madeoverhisshareintrusttohiscomrade，anddied。Whereat，fromthattimehenceforward，RoyalThatcherreignedinhisstead。
Andso，havinganticipatedthelegalrecord，wewillgobacktothevarioushumanintereststhathelpedtomakeitup。
TobeginwithRoscommon：Todojusticetohislaterconductandexpressions，itmustberememberedthatwhenheacceptedtheclaimforthe"Red-RockRancho，"yetunquestioned，fromthehandsofGarcia，hewascareless，oratleastunsuspiciousoffraud。Itwasnotuntilhehadexperiencedtheintoxicationoflitigationthathefelt，somehow，thathewasawrongedanddefraudedman，butwiththeobstinacyofdefraudedmen，preferredtoarraignsomeonefactorindividualastheimpellingcauseofhiswrong，ratherthanthevariouscircumstancesthatledtoit。Tohissimpleminditwasmadepatentthatthe"BlueMassCompany"weremakingmoneyoutofaminewhichheclaimed，andwhichwasnotyetadjudgedtothem。
Everydollartheytookoutwasafreshcountinthisgeneralindictment。Everydelaytowardsthisadjustmentofrights——
althoughmadebyhisownlawyer——wasapersonalwrong。Themerefactthatthereneverwasnorhadbeenanyquidproquoforthisimmenseproperty——thatithadfallentohimforameresong——onlyaddedzesttohisstruggle。Thepossibilityofhislosingthismerespeculationaffectedhimmorestronglythanifhehadalreadypaiddownthemillionheexpectedtogetfromthemine。Idon’tknowthatIhaveindicatedasplainlyasImightthatuniversalpreferenceonthepartofmankindtogetsomethingfromnothing，andtoacquirethelargestreturnfortheleastpossibleexpenditure，butIquestionmyrighttosaythatRoscommonwasmuchmorereprehensiblethanhisfellows。
ButittolduponhimasitdiduponalloverwhomthespiritofthemurderedConchobrooded，——uponallwhomavaricealternatelyflatteredandtortured。Fromhisquietgainsinhislegitimatebusiness，fromthelittlecapitalaccumulatedthroughindustryandeconomy，helavishedthousandsonthischimeraofhisfancy。Hegrewgrizzledandwornoverhisself-imposeddelusion;henolongerjestedwithhiscustomers，regardlessofqualityorstationorimportance;hehadcliquestomollify，enemiestoplacate，friendstoreward。Thegrocerysuffered;throughgivingfoodandlodgmenttocloudsofunimpeachablewitnessesbeforetheLandCommissionandtheDistrictCourt，"Mrs。Ros。"foundherselflosingmoney。Eventhebarfailed;therewasapartyof"BlueMass"employeeswhodrankattheoppositefonda，andcursedtheRoscommonclaimovertheliquor。Thecalm，mechanicalindifferencewithwhichRoscommonhadservedhiscustomerswasgone。Thetowelwasnolongerusedafteritsperfunctoryfashion;thecounterremainedunwiped;thedisksofcountlessglassesmarkeditssurface，andindicatedotherpreoccupationonthepartoftheproprietor。Thekeengreyeyesoftheclaimantofthe"Red-RockRancho"werealwaysonthelookoutforfriendorenemy。
Garciacomesnext。Thatgentleman’sinborntalentforhistoricmisrepresentationculminatedunpleasantlythroughadefectivememory;ayearortwoafterhehadsworninhisapplicationforthe"Rancho，"beingengagedinanothercase，sometriflinginconsistencywasdiscoveredinhisstatements，whichhadtheeffectofthrowingtheweightofevidencetothepartywhohadpaidhimmost，butwasinstantlydetectedbytheweakerparty。Garcia’spreeminenceasawitness，anexpertandgeneralhistorianbegantodecline。Hewasobligedtobecorroborated，andthisrequiredaliberaloutlayofhisfee。Withthelossofhiscredibilityasawitnessbadhabitssupervened。Hewasfrequentlydrunk，helosthisposition，helosthishouse，andCarmen，removedtoSanFrancisco，supportedhimwithherbrush。
Andthisbringsusoncemoretothatprettypainterandinnocentforgerwhoseunconsciousactboresuchbalefulfruitonthebarrenhill-sidesofthe"Red-RockRancho，"andalsotoalaterblossomofherlife，thatopened，however，inkindliersunshine。
CHAPTERIX
WHATTHEFAIRHADTODOABOUTIT
ThehousethatRoyalThatchersoinformallyquittedinhisexodustothepromisedlandofBiggswasoneofthoseoversized，under-
calculateddwellingsconceivedanderectedintheextravaganceoftheSanFranciscobuilder’shopes，andoccupiedfinallyinhisdespair。IntendedoriginallyasthepalaceofsomeinchoateCaliforniaAladdin，itusuallyendedasalodginghouseinwhichsomehelplesswidoworhopelessspinstermanagedtocombinerespectabilitywiththehardtaskofbreadgetting。
Thatcher’slandladywasoneoftheformerclass。Shehadunfortunatelysurvivednotonlyherhusbandbuthisproperty，and，livinginsomedesertedchamber，had，afterthefashionoftheItaliannobility，letouttherestoftheruin。Atendencytodwelluponthesefactsgaveherconversationapeculiarsignificanceonthefirstofeachmonth。Thatcherhadnoticedthiswiththesensitivenessofanimpoverishedgentleman。Butwhen，afewdaysafterherlodger’ssuddendisappearance，anotecamefromhimcontainingadraftinnobleexcessofallarrearsandcharges，thewidow’sheartwaslifted，andtherocksmittenwiththegoldenwandgushedbeneficencethatshoneinanewgownforthewidowandanewsuitfor"Johnny，"herson，anewoilclothinthehall，betterservicetothelodgers，and，letusbethankful，akindlierconsiderationforthepoorlittleblack-eyedpainterfromMonterey，thendreadfullybehindinherroomrent。For，totellthetruth，thecallsuponMissDeHaro’sscantpursebyherunclehadlatelybeenfrequent，perjuryhavingdeclinedintheMontereymarket，throughexcessiveandinjudicioussupply，untilthelineofdemarcationbetweenitandabsoluteveritywassofinelydrawnthatVictorGarciahadremarkedthat"hemightaswelltellthetruthatonceandsavehissoul，sincethedevilwasinthemarket。"
MistressPlodgitt，thelandlady，couldnotresistthedesiretoacquaintCarmenDeHarowithhergoodfortune。"Hewasalwaysafriendofyours，mydear，——andIknowhimtobeagentlemanthatwouldneverletapoorwidowsuffer;andseewhathesaysaboutyou！"HeresheproducedThatcher’snoteandread："TellmylittleneighborthatIshallcomebacksoontocarryherandhersketchingtoolsoffbyforce，andIshallnotletherreturnuntilshehascaughttheblackmountainsandtheredrockssheusedtotalkabout，andputthe’BlueMass’millintheforegroundofthepictureIshallorder。"
Whatisthis，littleone？Surely，Carmen，thouneedstnotblushatthis，thyfirstgrandoffer。HolyVirgin！isitofanecessitythatthoushouldststickthewrongendofthybrushinthymouth，andthendropitinthylap？OrwasittaughttheebythegoodSistersattheconventtostrideinthatboyishfashiontothesideofthyeldersandsnatchfromtheirhandsthemissivethouwouldstread？Moreofthiswewouldknow，OCarmen，——smallestofbrunettes，——speak，littleone，eveninthineownmelodiousspeech，thatImaycommendtheeandthyrarediscretiontomyownfaircountrywomen。
Alas，neitherthepresentchroniclernorMistressPlodgittgotanyfurtherinformationfromtheprudentCarmen，andmustfainspeculateuponcertainfactsthatwerealreadyknown。
MistressCarmen’slittleroomwasoppositetoThatcher’s，andonceortwice，thedoorsbeingopen，Thatcherhadaglimpseacrossthepassageofablack-hairedandasturdy，boyishlittlefigureinagreatblueapron，perchedonastoolbeforeaneasel，andontheotherhand，Carmenhadoftenbeenconsciousofthefumesofatobaccopipepenetratinghercloisteredseclusion，andhadseenacrossthepassage，vaguelyenvelopedinthesamenicotinecloud，anAmericanOlympian，inarockingchair，withhisfeetonthemantelshelf。Theyhadonceortwicemetonthestaircase，onwhichoccasionThatcherhadgreetedherwithawordortwoofrespectfulyethalf-humorouscourtesy，——acourtesywhichneverreallyoffendsatruewoman，althoughitoftenpiquesherself-
aplombbytheslightassumptionofsuperiorityinthehumorist。
AwomanisquicktorecognizethefactthatthegreatandmoredangerouspassionsarealwaysSERIOUS，andmaybeexcusedifinself-respectsheisofteninducedtotryiftherebenotsomewhereundertheskinofthislaughingMercutiothefleshandbloodofaRomeo。Thatcherwasbynatureadefenderandprotector;weakness，andweaknessalone，stirredthedepthsofhistenderness，——often，I
fear，onlythroughitshalf-humorousaspects，——andonthisplanehewaspleasedtoplacewomenandchildren。Imentionthisfactforthebenefitofthemoreyouthfulmembersofmyspecies，andamsatisfiedthatanunconditionalsurrenderandthecompletelayingdownatthefeetofBeautyofallstrongmasculinityisacheapGallicismthatisuntranslatabletomostwomenworthythewinning。
ForawomanMUSTalwayslookuptothemanshetrulyloves，——evenifshehastogodownonherkneestodoit。
OnlythemasculinereaderwillinferfromthisthatCarmenwasinlovewithThatcher;themorecriticalandanalyticalfeminineeyewillseenothinghereinthatmightnothavehappenedconsistentlywithfriendship。ForThatcherwasnosentimentalist;hehadhardlypaidacomplimenttothegirl，——evenintheunspokenbutmostdelicateformofattention。Thereweredayswhenhisroomdoorwasclosed;thereweredayssucceedingtheseblankswhenhemetherasfranklyandnaturallyasifhehadseenheryesterday。Indeed，onthosedaysfollowinghisflightthesimple-mindedCarmen，beingaware——heavenknowshow——thathehadnotopenedhisdoorduringthatperiod，andfearingsickness，suddendeath，orperhapssuicide，byherappealstothelandlady，assistedunwittinglyindiscoveringhisflightanddefection。AsshewasforafewmomentsasindignantasMrs。Plodgitt，itisevidentthatshehadbutlittlesympathywiththedelinquent。Andbesides，hithertoshehadknownonlyConcho，herearliestfriend，andwastruetohismemory，asagainstallAmericanos，whomshefirmlybelievedtobehismurderers。
Soshedismissedtheofferandthemanfromhermind，andwentbacktoherpainting，——afancyportraitofthegoodPadreJuniperoSerra，agreatmissionary，who，haplyfortheintegrityofhisbonesandcharacter，diedsomehundredyearsbeforetheAmericanstookpossessionofCalifornia。Thepicturewasfairbutunsaleable，andshebegantothinkseriouslyofsignpainting，whichwasthenmuchmorepopularandmarketable。AnunfinishedheadofSanJuandeBautista，artificiallyframedinclouds，shedisposedoftoaprominentdruggistfor$50，whereitdidgoodserviceasexhibitingtheeffectoffourbottlesof"Jones’sFreckleEradicator，"andinapleasantandunobtrusivewayrevivedthememoryofthesaint。Still，shefeltwearyandwasgrowingdespondent，andhadalongingforthegoodSistersandtheblamelesslethargyofconventuallife，andthen——
Hecame！
ButnotasthePrinceshouldcome，onawhitecharger，tocarryawaythiscruelly-abusedandenchanteddamsel。Hewassunburned，hewasbeardedlike"thepard";hewasalittlecarelessastohisdress，andpre-occupiedinhisways。Buthismouthandeyeswerethesame;andwhenherepeatedinhisoldfrank，half-mischievouswaytheinvitationofhisletter，poorlittleCarmencouldonlyhesitateandblush。
Athoughtstruckhimandsentthecolortohisface。Yourgentlemanbornisalwaysasmodestasawoman。Herandownstairs，andseizingthewidowedPlodgitt，saidhastily：
"You’rejustkillingyourselfhere。Takeachange。ComedowntoMontereyforadayortwowithme，andbringmissDeHarowithyouforcompany。"
Theoldladyrecognizedthesituation。Thatcherwasnowamanofvastpossibilities。InallmaternaldaughtersofEvethereistheslightestbitofthechaperoneandmatch-maker。Itisthelastwayofrevivingthepast。
Sheconsented，andCarmenDeHarocouldnotwellrefuse。
Theladiesfoundthe"BlueMass"millsverymuchasThatcherhadpreviouslydeliveredittothem，"atrifleroughandmannish。"Buthemadeovertothemtheonetenementreservedforhimself，andsleptwithhismen，ormorelikelyunderthetrees。AtfirstMrs。
Plodgittmissedgasandrunningwater，andtheseseveralconveniencesofcivilization，amongwhichIfearmaybementionedsheetsandpillowcases;butthebalsamofthemountainairsoothedherneuralgiaandhertemper。AsforCarmen，sheriotedintheunlimitedlicenseofherabsolutefreedomfromconventionalrestraintandtheindulgenceofherchild-likeimpulses。Shescouredtheledgesfarandwidealone;shedippedintodarkcopses，andscrambledoversterilepatchesofchemisal，andcamebackladenwiththespoilofbuckeyeblossoms，manzanitaberriesandlaurel。
Butshewouldnotmakeasketchofthe"BlueMassCompany’s"millsonaMercator’sprojection——somethingthatcouldbeafterwardslithographedorchromoed，withthemillsturningouttonsofquicksilverthroughtheenergiesofahappyandpicturesqueassemblageofminers——eventopleaseherpadrone，DonRoyalThatcher。Onthecontrary，shemadeastudyoftheruinsofthecrumbledanddecayedred-rockfurnace，withtheblackmountainaboveit，andthelightofadyingcampfireshininguponit，andthedull-redexcavationsintheledge。Buteventhisdidnotsatisfyheruntilshehadmadesomealterations;andwhenshefinallybroughtherfinishedstudytoDonRoyal，shelookedathimalittledefiantly。Thatcheradmiredhonestly，andthencriticisedalittlehumorouslyanddishonestly。"Butcouldn’tyou，foraconsideration，putupasign-boardonthatrockwiththeinscription，’RoadtotheBlueMassCompany’snewmillstotheright，’andcombinebusinesswithart？That’sthefaultofyougeniuses。Butwhat’sthisblanketedfiguredoinghere，lyingbeforethefurnace？Youneversawoneofmyminersthere，——andaMexican，too，byhisserape。""That，"quothMistressCarmen，coolly，"wasputintofilluptheforeground，——Iwantedsomethingtheretobalancethepicture。""But，"continuedThatcher，droppingintounconsciousadmirationagain，"it’sdrawntothelife。Tellme，MissDeHaro，beforeIasktheaidandcounselofMrs。
Plodgitt，whoismyhatedrival，andyourlayfigureandmodel？"
"Oh，"saidCarmen，withalittlesigh，"It’sonlypoorCoucho。"
"AndwhereisConcho？"（alittleimpatiently。）"He’sdead，DonRoyal。""Dead？""Ofaverity，——verydead，——murderedbyyourcountrymen。""Isee，——andyouknowhim？""Hewasmyfriend。"
"Oh！"
"Truly。"
"But"（wickedly），"isn’tthisaratherghastlyadvertisement——
outsideofanillustratednewspaper——ofmyproperty？"
"Ghastly，DonRoyal。Lookyou，hesleeps。"
"Ay"（inSpanish），"asthedead。"
Carmen（crossingherselfhastily），"Afterthefashionofthedead。"
Theywerebothfeelinguncomfortable。Carmenwasshivering。But，beingawoman，andtactful，sherecoveredherheadfirst。"Itisastudyformyself，DonRoyal;Ishallmakeyouanother。"
Andsheslippedaway，asshethought，outofthesubjectandhispresence。
Butshewasmistaken;intheeveningherenewedtheconversation。
Carmenbegantofence，notfromcowardiceordeceit，asthemasculinereaderwouldreadilyinfer，butfromsomewonderfulfeminineinstinctthattoldhertobecautious。Buthegotfromherthefact，tohimbeforeunknown，thatshewasthenieceofhismainantagonist，and，beingagentleman，soredoubledhisattentionsandhiscourtesythatMrs。Plodgittmadeuphermindthatitwasaforegoneconclusion，andseriouslyreflectedastowhatsheshouldwearonthemomentousoccasion。ButthatnightpoorCarmencriedherselftosleep，resolvingthatshewouldhereaftercastasideherwickeduncleforthisgood-heartedAmericano，yetneveronceconnectedherinnocentpenmanshipwiththedeadlyfeudbetweenthem。Women——thebestofthem——arestrongastocollateralfacts，swiftofdeduction，butvagueaschildrenaretotheexactstatementorrecognitionofpremises。ItishardlynecessarytosaythatCarmenhadneverthoughtofconnectinganyactofherswiththeclaimsofheruncle，andthecircumstanceofthesignatureshehadtotallyforgotten。
ThemasculinereaderwillnowunderstandCarmen’sconfusionandblushes，andbelievehimselfanasstohavethoughtthemaconfessionoforiginalaffection。Thefemininereaderwill，bythistime，becomesatisfiedthatthedeceitfulminx’ssoleideawastogaintheaffectionsofThatcher。AndreallyIdon’tknowwhoisright。
NeverthelessshepaintedasketchofThatcher，——whichnowadornstheCompany’sofficeinSanFrancisco，——inwhichthepropertyislaidoutinpleasinggeometricallines，andtherosypromiseofthefutureinstinctineverytouchofthebrush。Then，havingearnedher"wage，"asshebelieved，shebecamesomewhatcoldandshytoThatcher。Whereatthatgentlemanredoubledhisattentions，seeingonlyinherpresenceacertainmeprise，whichconcernedhermorethanhimself。Thenieceofhisenemymeantnothingmoretohimthananinterestinggirl，——tobeprotectedalways，——tobefeared，never。Butevensuspicionmaybeinsidiouslyplacedinnobleminds。
MistressPlodgitt，thusearlyestoppedofmatchmaking，ofcourseputtheblameonherownsex，andwentovertothestrongerside——
theman’s。
"It’sagreatpitygalsshouldbesocurious，"shesaid，sottovoce，toThatcher，whenCarmenwasinoneofhersullenmoods。
"YetIs’poseit’sinherblood。ThemSpaniardsisalwaysrevengeful，——liketheEyetalians。"
Thatcherhonestlylookedhissurprise。
"Why，don’tyousee，she’sthinkinghowalltheselandsmighthavebeenheruncle’sbutforyou。Andinsteadoftryingtobesweetand——"hereshestoppedtocough。
"GoodGod！"saidThatcheringreatconcern，"Ineverthoughtofthat。"Hestoppedforamoment，andthenaddedwithdecision，"I
can’tbelieveit;itisn’tlikeher。"
Mrs。P。waspiqued。Shewalkedaway，delivering，however，thisParthianarrow："Well，Ihope’TAINTNOTHINGWORSE。"
Thatcherchuckled，thenfeltuneasy。WhenhenextmetCarmen，shefoundhisgreyeyesfixedonherswithacurious，half-
inquisitoriallookshehadnevernoticedbefore。Thisonlyaddedfueltothefire。Forgettingtheirrelationsofhostandguest，shewasabsolutelyrude。Thatcherwasquietbutwatchful;gotthePlodgitttobedearly，and，undercoverofshowingamoonlightviewofthe"LostChanceMill，"decoyedCarmenoutofear-shot，asfarasthedismantledfurnace。
"Whatisthematter，MissDeHaro;haveIoffendedyou？"
MissCarmenwasnotawarethatanythingwasthematter。IfDonRoyalpreferredoldfriends，whoseloyaltyofcourseheknew，andwhowereabovespeakingillagainstagentlemaninhisadversity——
（oh，Carmen！fie！）ifhepreferredTHEIRcompanytoLATERFRIENDS——
why——（themasculinereaderwillobservethistremendousclimaxandtremble）——whyshedidn’tknowwhyHEshouldblameHER。
Theyturnedandfacedeachother。Theconditionsforaperfectmisunderstandingcouldnothavebeenbetterarrangedbetweentwopeople。Thatcherwasamasculinereasoner，Carmenafemininefeeler，——ifImaybepardonedtheexpression。Thatcherwantedtogetatcertainfacts，andarguetherefrom。Carmenwantedtogetatcertainfeelings，andthenfitthefactstoTHEM。
"ButIamNOTblamingyou，MissCarmen，"hesaidgravely。"ItWAS
stupidinmetoconfrontyouherewiththepropertyclaimedbyyouruncleandoccupiedbyme，butitwasamistake，——no！"headdedhastily，"itwasnotamistake。Youknewit，andIdidn’t。Youoverlookeditbeforeyoucame，andIwastoogladtooverlookitafteryouwerehere。"
"Ofcourse，"saidCarmenpettishly，"Iamtheonlyonetobeblamed。It’slikeyouMEN！"（Mem。Shewasjustfifteen，andutteredthisawful’resume’ofexperiencejustasifithadn’tbeentaughttoherinhercradle。）
Femininegeneralitiesalwaysstaggeraman。Thatchersaidnothing。
Carmenbecamemoreenraged。
"WhydidyouwanttotakeUncleVictor’sproperty，then？"sheaskedtriumphantly。
"Idon’tknowthatitisyouruncle’sproperty。"
"You——don’t——know？HaveyouseentheapplicationwithGovernorMicheltorena’sindorsement？Haveyouheardthewitnesses？"shesaidpassionately。
"Signaturesmaybeforgedandwitnesseslie，"saidThatcherquietly。
"Whatisityoucall’forged’？"
ThatcherinstantlyrecalledthefactthattheSpanishlanguageheldnosynonymfor"forgery。"TheactwasapparentlyaninventionofelDiabloAmericano。Sohesaid，withaslightsmileinhiskindlyeyes：
"Anybodywickedenoughanddexterousenoughcanimitateanother’shandwriting。Whenthisisusedtobenefitfraud，wecallit’forgery。’Ibegyourpardon，——MissDeHaro，MissCarmen，——whatisthematter？"
Shehadsuddenlylapsedagainstatree，quitehelpless，nerveless，andwithstaringeyesfixedonhis。Asyetanembryowoman，inexperiencedandignorant，thesex’sinstinctwaspotential;shehadinoneplungefathomedallthathisreasonhadbeenyearsgropingfor。
Thatchersawonlythatshewaspained，thatshewashelpless：thatwasenough。"Itispossiblethatyourunclemayhavebeendeceived，"hebegan;"manyhonestmenhavebeenfooledbycleverbutdeceitfultricksters，menandwomen——"
"Stop！MadredeDios！WILLYOUSTOP？"
Thatcherforaninstantrecoiledfromtheflashingeyesandwhitefaceofthelittlefigurethathad，withmenacingandclenchedbabyfingers，strodetohisside。Hestopped。"Whereisthisapplication，——thisforgery？"sheasked。"Showittome！"
Thatcherfeltrelieved，andsmiledthesuperiorsmileofoursexoverfeminineignorance。"Youcouldhardlyexpectmetobetrustedwithyouruncle’svouchers。Hispapersofcourseareinthehandsofhiscounsel。"
"AndwhencanIleavethisplace？"sheaskedpassionately。
"Ifyouconsultmywishesyouwillstay，ifonlylongenoughtoforgiveme。ButifIhaveoffendedyouunknowingly，andyouareimplacable——"
"Icangoto-morrowatsunriseifIlike？"
"Asyouwill，"returnedThatchergravely。
"Gracias，Senor。"
Theywalkedslowlybacktothehouse，Thatcherwithamasculinesenseofbeingunreasonablyafflicted，Carmenwithawoman’sinstinctofbeinghopelesslycrushed。Nowordwasspokenuntiltheyreachedthedoor。ThenCarmensuddenly，inherold，impulsiveway，andinachildliketreble，sangoutmerrily，"Goodnight，O
DonRoyal，andpleasantdreams。Hastamanana。"
Thatcherstooddumbandastoundedatthiscapriciousgirl。Shesawhismystificationinstantly。"ItisfortheoldCat！"shewhispered，jerkingherthumboverhershoulderinthedirectionofthesleepingMrs。P。"Goodnight，——go！"
Hewenttogiveordersforapeontoattendtheladiesandtheirequipagethenextday。HeawoketofindMissDeHarogone，withherescort，towardsMonterey。AndwithoutthePlodgitt。
Hecouldnotconcealhissurprisefromthelatterlady。She，leftalone，——anotaltogetherunavailablevictimtothewilesofoursex，——wasembarrassed。ButnotsomuchthatshecouldnotsaytoThatcher："Itoldyouso，——gonetoheruncle……TotellhimALL！"
"All。D——nit，WHATcanshetellhim？"roaredThatcher，stungoutofhisself-control。
"Nothing，Ihope，thatsheshouldnot，"saidMrs。P。，andchastelyretired。
Shewasright。MissCarmenpostedtoMonterey，runningherhorsenearlyoffitslegstodoit，andthensentbackherbeastandescort，sayingshewouldrejoinMrs。PlodgittbysteameratSanFrancisco。ThenshewentboldlytothelawofficeofSaponaceousWood，DistrictAttorneyandwhilomsolicitorofheruncle。
WiththemajorityofmasculineMontereyMissCarmenwasknownandrespectfullyadmired，despitetheinfelixreputationofherkinsman。Mr。Woodwasgladtoseeher，andawkwardlygallant。
MissCarmenwascoolandbusiness-like;shehadcomefromheruncleto"regard"thepapersinthe"Red-RockRancho"case。Theywereinstantlyproduced。Carmenturnedtotheapplicationforthegrant。Hercheekpaledslightly。Withherclearmemoryandwonderfulfidelityofperceptionshecouldnotbemistaken。THE
SIGNATUREOFMICHELTORENAWASINHEROWNHANDWRITING！"
Yetshelookeduptothelawyerwithasmile："MayItakethesepapersforanhourtomyuncle？"
EvenanolderandbettermanthantheDistrictAttorneycouldnothaveresistedthosedroopinglidsandthatgentlevoice。
"Certainly。"
"Iwillreturntheminanhour。"
Shewasasgoodasherword，andwithinthehourdroppedthepapersandalittlecourtesytoheruncle’slegaladvocate，andthatnighttookthesteamertoSanFrancisco。
ThenextmorningVictorGarcia，alittletheworseforthepreviousnight’sdissipation，reeledintoWood’soffice。"IhavefearsformynieceCarmen。Sheiswiththeenemy，"hesaidthickly。"Lookyouatthis。"
Itwasananonymousletter（inMrs。Plodgitt’sownawkwardfist）
advisinghimofthefactthathisniecewasboughtbytheenemy，andcautioninghimagainsther。
"Impossible，"saidthelawyer;"itwasonlylastweekshesentthee$50。"
Victorblushed，eventhroughhisensanguinedcheeks，andmadeanimpatientgesturewithhishand。
"Besides，"addedthelawyercoolly，"shehasbeenheretoexaminethepapersatthyrequest，andreturnedthemofyesterday。"
Victorgasped："And-you-you-gavethemtoher？"
"Ofcourse！"
"All？Eventheapplicationandthesignature？"
"Certainly，——yousenther。"
"Senther？Thedevil’sowndaughter？"shriekedGarcia。"No！A
hundredmilliontimes，no！Quick，beforeitistoolate。Givetomethepapers。"
Mr。Woodreproducedthefile。Garciaranoveritwithtremblingfingersuntilatlastheclutchedthefatefuldocument。Notcontentwithopeningitandglancingatitstextandsignature，hetookittothewindow。
"Itisthesame，"hemutteredwithasighofrelief。
"Ofcourseitis，"saidMr。Woodsharply。"Thepapersareallthere。You’reafool，VictorGarcia！"
Andsohewas。And，forthematterofthat，sowasMr。SaponaceousWood，ofcounsel。
MeanwhileMissDeHaroreturnedtoSanFranciscoandresumedherwork。Adayortwolatershewasjoinedbyherlandlady。Mrs。P。
hadtoolargeanaturetopermitananonymousletter，writtenbyherownhand，tostandbetweenherandherdemeanortoherlittlelodger。SoshecoddledherandflatteredheranddepictedinslightlyexaggeratedcolorsthegriefofDonRoyalathersuddendeparture。AllofwhichMissCarmenreceivedinademure，kitten-
likeway，butstillkeptquietlyatherwork。InduetimeDonRoyal’sorderwascompleted;stillshehadleisureandinclinationenoughtoaddcertaintouchestoherghastlysketchofthecrumblingfurnace。
Nevertheless，asDonRoyaldidnotreturn，throughexcessofbusiness，Mrs。Plodgittturnedanhonestpennybylettinghisroom，temporarily，totwoquietMexicans，who，butforabeastlyhabitofcigarritosmokingwhichtaintedthewholehouse，werefairenoughlodgers。Iftheyfailedinmakingtheacquaintanceoftheirfaircountrywoman，MissDeHaro，itwasthroughthelady’spre-
occupationinherownwork，andnotthroughtheirostentatiousendeavors。
返回顶部