PARTI。

CHAPTERI。

AsClarenceBrant，PresidentoftheRoblesLandCompany，andhusbandoftherichwidowofJohnPeyton，oftheRoblesRanche，mingledwiththeoutgoingaudienceoftheCosmopolitanTheatre，atSanFrancisco，heelicitedtheusualsmilingnodsandrecognitionduetohisgoodlooksandgoodfortune。Butashehurriedlyslippedthroughthestilllingeringwinter’srainintothesmartcoupethatwasawaitinghim，andgavetheorder"Home，"thewordstruckhimwithapeculiarlyironicalsignificance。Hishomewasahandsomeone，andlackednothinginappointmentandcomfort，buthehadgonetothetheatretoevadeitshollowloneliness。Norwasitbecausehiswifewasnotthere，forhehadamiserableconsciousnessthathertemporaryabsencehadnothingtodowithhishomelessness。

Thedistractionofthetheatreover，thatdull，vague，butachingsenseoflonelinesswhichwasdailygrowinguponhimreturnedwithgreatervigor。

Heleanedbackinthecoupeandgloomilyreflected。

Hehadbeenmarriedscarcelyayear，yetevenintheillusionsofthehoneymoonthewoman，olderthanhimself，andthewidowofhisoldpatron，hadhalfunconsciouslyreassertedherself，andslippedbackintothedominationofheroldposition。Itwasatfirstpleasantenough，——thishalf-maternalprotectoratewhichisapttomingleevenwiththeaffectionsofyoungerwomen，——andClarence，inhiseasy，half-feminineintuitionofthesex，yielded，asthestrongareapttoyield，throughtheveryconsciousnessoftheirownsuperiority。Butthisisaqualitytheweakerarenotapttorecognize，andthewomanwhohasoncetastedequalpowerwithherhusbandnotonlydoesnoteasilyrelegateit，butevenmakesitscontinuanceatestoftheaffections。Theusualtriumphantfeminineconclusion，"Thenyounolongerloveme，"hadinClarence’sbriefexperiencegoneevenfurtherandreacheditsinscrutableclimax，"ThenInolongerloveyou，"althoughshownonlyinamomentaryhardeningoftheeyeandvoice。Andaddedtothiswashissudden，butconfusedremembrancethathehadseenthateyeandheardthatvoiceinmaritalaltercationduringJudgePeyton’slife，andthathehimself，herboypartisan，hadsympathizedwithher。Yet，strangetosay，thishadgivenhimmorepainthanheroccasionalotherreversionstothepast——toheroldsuspiciousofhimwhenhewasayouthfulprotegeofherhusbandandapresumedsuitorofheradopteddaughterSusy。Highnaturesaremoreapttoforgivewrongdonetothemselvesthananyabstractinjustice。Andhercapricioustyrannyoverherdependentsandservants，oranunreasoningenmitytoaneighbororfriend，outragedhisfinersensemorethanherownmisconceptionofhimself。Nordidhedreamthatthiswasathingmostwomenseldomunderstand，or，understanding，everforgive。

Thecouperattledoverthestonesorswirledthroughthemuddypoolsofthemainthoroughfares。Newspaperandtelegraphicofficeswerestillbrilliantlylit，andcrowdsweregatheredamongthebulletinboards。HeknewthatnewshadarrivedfromWashingtonthateveningofthefirstactiveoutbreaksofsecession，andthatthecitywasbreathlesswithexcitement。Hadhenotjustcomefromthetheatre，wherecertaininsignificantallusionsintheplayhadbeensuddenlycaughtupandcheeredorhissedbyhithertounknownpartisans，tothedumbastonishmentofamajorityoftheaudiencecomfortablysettledtomoney-gettingandtheirownaffairsalone？

Hadhenotapplauded，albeithalf-scornfully，theprettyactress——

hisoldplaymateSusy——whohadaudaciouslyandallincongruouslywavedtheAmericanflagintheirfaces？Yes！hehadknownit；hadlivedforthelastfewweeksinanatmosphereelectricallysurchargedwithit——andyetithadchieflyaffectedhiminhispersonalhomelessness。ForhiswifewasaSoutherner，abornslaveholder，andasecessionist，whosenotedprejudicestotheNorthhadevenoutrunherlatehusband’spolitics。Atfirstthepiquancyandrecklessnessofheropinionativespeechamusedhimaspartofhercharacteristicflavor，orasalingeringyouthfulnesswhichthematurerintellectalwayspardons。Hehadnevertakenherpoliticsseriously——whyshouldhe？WithherheadonhisshoulderhehadlistenedtoherextravagantdiatribesagainsttheNorth。Hehadforgivenheroutrageousindictmentofhiscasteandhisassociatesforthesakeoftheimperiousbuthandsomelipsthatutteredit。Butwhenhewascompelledtolistentoherwordsechoedandrepeatedbyherfriendsandfamily；whenhefoundthatwiththeclannishnessofherraceshehaddrawnclosertotheminthiscontroversy，——thatshedependeduponthemforherintelligenceandinformationratherthanuponhim，——hehadawakenedtotherealityofhissituation。Hehadbornetheallusionsofherbrother，whoseoldscornforhisdependentchildhoodhadbeenembitteredbyhissister’smarriageandwasnowscarcelyconcealed。

Yet，whilehehadneveralteredhisownpoliticalfaithandsocialcreedinthisantagonisticatmosphere，hehadoftenwondered，withhisoldconscientiousnessandcharacteristicself-abnegation，whetherhisownpoliticalconvictionswerenotmerelyarevulsionfromhisdomestictyrannyandaliensurroundings。

Inthemidstofthisgloomyretrospectthecoupestoppedwithajerkbeforehisownhouse。Thedoorwasquicklyopenedbyaservant，whoappearedtobeawaitinghim。

"Someonetoseeyouinthelibrary，sir，"saidtheman，"and"——

Hehesitatedandlookedtowardsthecoupe。

"Well？"saidClarenceimpatiently。

"Hesaid，sir，ashowyouwerenottosendawaythecarriage。"

"Indeed，andwhoisit？"demandedClarencesharply。

"Mr。Hooker。HesaidIwastosayJimHooker。"

ThemomentaryannoyanceinClarence’sfacechangedtoalookofreflectivecuriosity。

"Hesaidheknewyouwereatthetheatre，andhewouldwaituntilyoucamehome，"continuedtheman，dubiouslywatchinghismaster’sface。"Hedon’tknowyou’vecomein，sir，and——andIcaneasilygetridofhim。"

"Nomatternow。I’llseehim，and，"addedClarence，withafaintsmile，"letthecarriagewait。"

Yet，asheturnedtowardsthelibraryhewasbynomeanscertainthataninterviewwiththeoldassociateofhisboyhoodunderJudgePeyton’sguardianshipwoulddiverthismind。Yetheletnotraceofhisdoubtsnorofhispastgloomshowinhisfaceasheenteredtheroom。

Mr。Hookerwasapparentlyexaminingtheelegantfurnitureandluxuriousaccommodationwithhisusualresentfulenviousness。

Clarencehadgota"softthing。"Thatitwasmoreorlesstheresultofhis"artfulness，"andthathewasunduly"puffedup"byit，was，inHooker’scharacteristicreasoning，equallyclear。Ashishostsmilinglyadvancedwithoutstretchedhand，Mr。Hooker’seffortstoassumeaproperabstractionofmannerandcontemptuousindifferencetoClarence’ssurroundingswhichshouldwoundhisvanityendedinhislollingbackatfulllengthinthechairwithhiseyesontheceiling。But，rememberingsuddenlythathewasreallythebearerofamessagetoClarence，itstruckhimthathissupinepositionwas，fromatheatricalview-point，infelicitous。

Inhisexperiencesofthestagehehadneverdeliveredamessageinthatway。Heroseawkwardlytohisfeet。

"Itwassogoodofyoutowait，"saidClarencecourteously。

"Sawyouinthetheatre，"saidHookerbrusquely。"Thirdrowinparquet。Susysaiditwasyou，andhadsuthin’tosaytoyou。

Suthin’yououghttoknow，"hecontinued，withaslightreturnofhisoldmysteryofmannerwhichClarencesowellremembered。"YousawHER——shefetchedthehousewiththatflagbusiness，eh？Sheknowswhichwaythecatisgoingtojump，youbet。Itellyou，foralltheblowingofthesesecessionists，theUnion’sgoin’topay！

Yes，sir！"Hestopped，glancedroundthehandsomeroom，andaddeddarkly，"Mebbeebetterthanthis。"

WiththememoryofHooker’scharacteristicfondnessformysterystillinhismind，Clarenceoverlookedtheinnuendo，andsaidsmilingly，——

"Whydidn’tyoubringMrs。Hookerhere？Ishouldhavebeenhonoredwithhercompany。"

Mr。Hookerfrownedslightlyatthisseeminglevity。

"Nevergoesoutafteraperformance。Nervousexhaustion。LeftheratourroomsinMarketStreet。Wecandrivethereintenminutes。

That’swhyIaskedtohavethecarriagewait。"

Clarencehesitated。Withoutcaringintheleasttorenewtheacquaintanceofhisoldplaymateandsweetheart，ameetingthatnightinsomevaguewaysuggestedtohimaprovidentialdiversion。

Norwashedeceivedbyanygravityinthemessage。WithhisremembranceofSusy’stheatricaltendencies，hewasquitepreparedforanycapriciousfutileextravagance。

"Youaresurewewillnotdisturbher？"hesaidpolitely。

"No。"

Clarenceledthewaytothecarriage。IfMr。HookerexpectedhimduringthejourneytotrytodivinethepurportofSusy’smessagehewasdisappointed。Hiscompaniondidnotalludetoit。Possiblylookinguponitasacombinedtheatricalperformance，ClarencepreferredtowaitforSusyasthebetteractor。Thecarriagerolledrapidlythroughthenowdesertedstreets，andatlast，underthedirectionsofMr。Hooker，whowasleaninghalfoutofthewindow，itdrewupatamiddle-classrestaurant，abovewhosestilllitandsteamingwindowsweresomeostentatiouslypublicapartments，accessiblefromasideentrance。Astheyascendedthestaircasetogether，itbecameevidentthatMr。Hookerwasscarcelymoreathiseaseinthecharacterofhostthanhehadbeenasguest。Hestaredgloomilyatadescendingvisitor，gruntedaudiblyatawaiterinthepassage，andstoppedbeforeadoor，wherearecentlydepositedtraydisplayedthehalf-eatencarcaseofafowl，anemptychampagnebottle，twohalf-filledglasses，andafadedbouquet。Thewholepassagewasredolentwithasingularblendingofdampcooking，stalecigarettesmoke，andpatchouli。

Puttingthetrayasidewithhisfoot，Mr。Hookeropenedthedoorhesitatinglyandpeeredintotheroom，mutteredafewindistinctwords，whichwerefollowedbyarapidrustlingofskirts，andthen，withhishandstillonthedoor-knob，turningtoClarence，whohaddiscreetlyhaltedonthethreshold，flungthedooropentheatricallyandbadehimenter。

"Sheissomewhereinthesuite，"headded，withalargewaveofthehandtowardsadoorthatwasstilloscillating。"Behereinaminit。"

Clarencetookintheapartmentwithaquietglance。Itsfurniturehadthefrayedanddiscoloredsplendorsofapublicparlorwhichhadbeenprivatelyusedandmaltreated；therewerestainsinthelargemedallionedcarpet；thegildedveneerhadbeenchippedfromaheavycentretable，showingtherough，whitedealbeneath，whichgaveittheappearanceofastage"property；"thewalls，paneledwithgilt-framedmirrors，reflectedeverydomesticdetailorprivaterelaxationwithshamelesspublicity。Adampwaterproof，shawl，andopennewspaperwerelyingacrosstheoncebrilliantsofa；apowder-puff，aplateoffruit，andaplay-bookwereonthecentretable，andonthemarble-toppedsideboardwasMr。Hooker’ssecond-besthat，withasoiledcollar，evidentlybutlatelyexchangedfortheonehehadon，peepingoveritsbrim。Thewholeapartmentseemedtominglethefurtivedisclosuresofthedressing-

roomwiththeopenostentationsofthestage，withevenaslightsuggestionoftheauditoriuminafewscatteredprogrammesonthefloorandchairs。

Theinnerdooropenedagainwithaslighttheatricalstart，andSusy，inanelaboratedressing-gown，movedlanguidlyintotheroom。

Sheapparentlyhadnothadtimetochangeherunderskirt，fortherewasthedustofthestageonitsdelicatelaceedging，asshethrewherselfintoanarmchairandcrossedherprettyslipperedfeetbeforeher。Herfacewaspale，itspallorincautiouslyincreasedbypowder；andasClarencelookedatitsstillyouthful，charmingoutline，hewasnotperhapssorrythattheexquisitepinkandwhiteskinbeneath，whichhehadoncekissed，washiddenfromthatawakenedrecollection。YettherewaslittletraceofthegirlishSusyinthepretty，butprematurelyjaded，actressbeforehim，andhefeltmomentarilyrelieved。Itwasheryouthandfreshnessappealingtohisownyouthandimaginationthathehadloved——notHER。Yetasshegreetedhimwithaslightexaggerationofglance，voice，andmanner，herememberedthatevenasagirlshewasanactress。

Nothingofthis，however，wasinhisvoiceandmannerashegentlythankedherfortheopportunityofmeetingheragain。Andhewasfrank，forthediversionhehadexpectedhehadfound；heevenwasconsciousofthinkingmorekindlyofhiswifewhohadsupplantedher。

"ItoldJimhemustfetchyouifhehadtocarryyou，"shesaid，strikingthepalmofherhandwithherfan，andglancingatherhusband。"IreckonheguessedWHY，thoughIdidn’ttellhim——I

don’ttellJimEVERYTHING。"

HereJimrose，andlookingathiswatch，"guessedhe’drunovertotheLickHouseandgetsomecigars。"Ifhewasactinguponsomehintfromhiswife，hissimulationwassobadlydonethatClarencefelthisfirstsenseofuneasiness。ButasHookerclosedthedoorawkwardlyandunostentatiouslybehindhim，Clarencesmilinglysaidhehadwaitedtohearthemessagefromherownlips。

"Jimonlyknowswhathe’sheardoutside：thetalkofmen，youknow，——andhehearsagooddealofthat——more，perhaps，thanYOU

do。Itwasthatwhichputmeuptofindingoutthetruth。AndI

didn’tresttillIdid。I’mnottobefooled，Clarence，——youdon’tmindmycallingyouClarencenowwe’rebothmarriedanddonefor，——

andI’mnotthekindtobefooledbyanybodyfromtheCowcounties——

andthat’stheRoblesRanche。I’maSouthernwomanmyselffromMissouri，butI’mfortheUnionfirst，last，andallthetime，andIcallmyselfamatchforanylazy，dawdling，lash-swingingslaveholderandslaveholderess——whetherthey’remixedblood，Heavenonlyknows，orwhat——ortheirfriendsorrelations，orthedirtyhalf-Spanishgrandeesandtheirmixedhalf-niggerpeonswhotruckletothem。Youbet！"

HisbloodhadstirredquicklyatthementionoftheRoblesRanche，buttherestofSusy’sspeechwastoomuchintheveinofheroldextravagancetotouchhimseriously。Hefoundhimselfonlyconsideringhowstrangeitwasthattheoldpetulanceandimpulsivenessofhergirlhoodwereactuallybringingbackwiththemherpinkcheeksandbrillianteyes。

"Yousurelydidn’taskJimtobringmehere，"hesaidsmilingly，"totellmethatMrs。Peyton"——hecorrectedhimselfhastilyasamalicioussparklecameintoSusy’sblueeyes——"thatmywifewasaSouthernwoman，andprobablysympathizedwithherclass？Well，I

don’tknowthatIshouldblameherforthatanymorethansheshouldblamemeforbeingaNorthernmanandaUnionist。"

"Andshedoesn’tblameyou？"askedSusysneeringly。

ThecolorcameslightlytoClarence’scheek，butbeforehecouldreplytheactressadded，——

"No，shepreferstouseyou！"

"Idon’tthinkIunderstandyou，"saidClarence，risingcoldly。

"No，youdon’tunderstandHER！"retortedSusysharply。"Lookhere，ClarenceBrant，you’reright；Ididn’taskyouheretotellyou——

whatyouandeverybodyknows——thatyourwifeisaSoutherner。I

didn’taskyouheretotellyouwhateverybodysuspects——thatsheturnsyouroundherlittlefinger。ButIdidaskyouheretotellyouwhatnobody，notevenyou，suspects——butwhatIknow！——andthatisthatshe’saTRAITOR——andmore，aSPY！——andthatI’veonlygottosaytheword，orsendthatmanJimtosaytheword，tohaveherdraggedoutofherCopperheaddenatRoblesRancheandshutupinFortAlcatrazthisverynight！"

Stillwiththepinkglowinginherroundingcheek，andeyessnappinglikesplinteredsapphires，sherosetoherfeet，withherprettyshoulderslifted，hersmallhandsandwhiteteethbothtightlyclenched，andtookasteptowardshim。Eveninherattitudetherewasareminiscenceofherwillfulchildhood，althoughstillblendedwiththeprovincialactresswhomhehadseenonthestageonlyanhourago。Thoroughlyalarmedatherthreat，inhiseffortstoconcealhisfeelingshewasnotaboveaweakretaliation。Steppingback，heaffectedtoregardherwithacriticaladmirationthatwasonlyhalfsimulated，andsaidwithasmile，——

"Verywelldone——butyouhaveforgottentheflag。"

Shedidnotflinch。Ratheracceptingthesarcasmasatributetoherart，shewentonwithincreasingexaggeration："No，itisYOU

whohaveforgottentheflag——forgottenyourcountry，yourpeople，yourmanhood——everythingforthathigh-toned，double-dyedoldspyandtraitress！Forwhileyouarestandinghere，yourwifeisgatheringunderherroofatRoblesagangofspiesandtraitorslikeherself——secessionleadersandtheirbloated，drunken’chivalry’！

Yes，youmaysmileyoursuperiorsmile，butItellyou，ClarenceBrant，thatwithallyoursmartnessandbooklearningyouknownomoreofwhatgoesonaroundyouthanachild。Butothersdo！Thisconspiracyisknowntothegovernment，theFederalofficershavebeenwarned；GeneralSumnerhasbeensentouthere——andhisfirstactwastochangethecommandatFortAlcatraz，andsendyourwife’sSouthernfriend——CaptainPinckney——totherightabout！Yes——

everythingisknownbutONEthing，andthatisWHEREandHOWthispreciouscrewmeet！ThatIaloneknow，andthatI’vetoldyou！"

"AndIsuppose，"saidClarence，withanunchangedsmile，"thatthisvaluableinformationcamefromyourhusband——myoldfriend，JimHooker？"

"No，"sheansweredsharply，"itcomesfromCencho——oneofyourownpeons——whoismoretruetoyouandtheoldRanchothanYOUhaveeverbeen。Hesawwhatwasgoingon，andcametome，towarnyou！"

"Butwhynottomedirectly？"askedClarence，withaffectedincredulity。

"Askhim！"shesaidviciously。"Perhapshedidn’twanttowarnthemasteragainstthemistress。PerhapshethoughtWEarestillfriends。Perhaps"——shehesitatedwithalowervoiceandaforcedsmile——"perhapsheusedtoseeustogetherintheoldtimes。"

"Verylikely，"saidClarencequietly。"Andforthesakeofthoseoldtimes，Susy，"hewenton，withasingulargentlenessthatwasquitedistinctfromhispalingfaceandseteyes，"Iamgoingtoforgetallthatyouhavejustsaidofmeandmine，inalltheoldwillfulnessandimpatiencethatIseeyoustillkeep——withallyouroldprettiness。"Hetookhishatfromthetableandgravelyheldouthishand。

Shewasfrightenedforamomentwithhisimpassiveabstraction。Intheolddaysshehadknownit——hadbelieveditwashisdogged"obstinacy"——butsheknewthehopelessnessofopposingit。Yetwithfemininepersistencysheagainthrewherselfagainstit，asagainstawall。

"Youdon’tbelieveme！Well，goandseeforyourself。TheyareatRoblesNOW。IfyoucatchtheearlymorningstageatSantaClarayouwillcomeuponthembeforetheydisperse。Dareyoutryit？"

"WhateverIdo，"hereturnedsmilingly，"IshallalwaysbegratefultoyouforgivingmethisopportunityofseeingyouagainASYOU

WERE。Makemyexcusestoyourhusband。Good-night。"

"Clarence！"

Buthehadalreadyclosedthedoorbehindhim。Hisfacedidnotrelaxitsexpressionnorchangeashelookedagainatthetraywithitsbrokenviandsbeforethedoor，theworn，stainedhallcarpet，orthewaiterwhoshuffledpasthim。Hewasapparentlyascriticallyconsciousofthemandofthecloseodorsofthehall，andtheatmosphereoflistlessdecayandfadedextravagancearoundhim，asbeforetheinterview。Butifthewomanhehadjustpartedfromhadwatchedhimshewouldhavesupposedhestillutterlydisbelievedherstory。Yethewasconsciousthatallthathesawwasapartofhisdegradation，forhehadbelievedeverywordshehaduttered。

Throughallherextravagance，envy，andrevengefulnesshesawthecentraltruth——thathehadbeendeceived——notbyhiswife，butbyhimself！Hehadsuspectedallthisbefore。Thiswaswhathadbeenreallytroublinghim——thiswaswhathehadputaside，ratherthanhisfaith，notinher，butinhisideal。HerememberedlettersthathadpassedbetweenherandCaptainPinckney——lettersthatshehadopenlysenttonotoriousSouthernleaders；hernervousanxietytoremainattheRancho；theinnuendoesandsignificantglancesoffriendswhichhehadputaside——ashehadthiswoman’smessage！

Susyhadtoldhimnothingnewofhiswife——butthetruthofHIMSELF！

Andtherevelationcamefrompeoplewhohewasconsciousweretheinferiorsofhimselfandhiswife。Toanindependent，proud，andself-mademanitwastheculminatingstroke。

Inthesameabstractedvoicehetoldthecoachmantodrivehome。

Thereturnseemedinterminable——thoughhenevershiftedhisposition。Yetwhenhedrewupathisowndoorandlookedathiswatchhefoundhehadbeenabsentonlyhalfanhour。Onlyhalfanhour！Asheenteredthehouseheturnedwiththesameabstractiontowardsamirrorinthehall，asifheexpectedtoseesomeoutwardandvisiblechangeinhimselfinthattime。Dismissinghisservantstobed，hewentintohisdressing-room，completelychangedhisattire，putonapairoflongriding-boots，andthrowingaserapeoverhisshoulders，pausedamoment，tookapairofsmall"Derringer"

pistolsfromabox，puttheminhispockets，andthenslippedcautiouslydownthestaircase。Alackofconfidenceinhisowndomesticshadinvadedhimforthefirsttime。Thelightswereout。

Hesilentlyopenedthedoorandwasinthestreet。

Hewalkedhastilyafewsquarestoaliverystablewhoseproprietorheknew。Hisfirstinquirywasforone"Redskin，"aparticularhorse；thesecondforitsproprietor。Happilybothwerein。TheproprietoraskednoquestionofacustomerofClarence’scondition。

Thehorse，halfSpanish，powerfulandirascible，wasquicklysaddled。AsClarencemounted，themaninanimpulseofsociabilitysaid，——

"Sawyouatthetheatreto-night，sir。"

"Ah，"returnedClarence，quietlygatheringupthereins。

"Ratherasmarttrickofthatwomanwiththeflag，"hewentontentatively。Then，withapossibledoubtofhiscustomer’spolitics，headdedwithaforcedsmile，"Ireckonit’sallpartyfuss，though；thereain’tanyrealdanger。"

ButfastasClarencemightridethewordslingeredinhisears。Hesawthroughtheman’shesitation；he，too，hadprobablyheardthatClarenceBrantweaklysympathizedwithhiswife’ssentiments，anddarednotspeakfully。Andheunderstoodthecowardlysuggestionthattherewas"norealdanger。"IthadbeenClarence’sonefallacy。Hehadbelievedthepublicexcitementwasonlyatemporaryoutbreakofpartisanfeeling，soontosubside。EvennowhewasconsciousthathewaslessdoubtfuloftheintegrityoftheUnionthanofhisownhousehold。Itwasnotthedevotionofthepatriot，buttheindignationofanoutragedhusband，thatwasspurringhimon。

HeknewthatifhereachedWoodvillebyfiveo’clockhecouldgetferriedacrossthebayattheEmbarcadero，andcatchthedowncoachtoFairPlains，whencehecouldridetotheRancho。AsthecoachdidnotconnectdirectlywithSanFrancisco，thechanceofhissurprisingthemwasgreater。Onceclearofthecityoutskirts，hebulliedRedskinintoirasciblespeed，andplungedintotherainydarknessofthehighroad。Thewaywasfamiliar。Forawhilehewascontenttofeelthebuffeting，causedbyhisrapidpace，ofwindandrainagainsthisdepressedheadandshouldersinasheerbrutalsenseofoppositionandpower，ortorelievehispent-upexcitementbydashingthroughoverflowedgulliesintheroadoracrossthequaggy，soddenedgesofmeadowland，untilhehadcontrolledRedskin’srebelliousextravaganceintoalongsteadystride。Thenheraisedhisheadandstraightenedhimselfonthesaddle，tothink。Buttonopurpose。Hehadnoplan；everythingwoulddependuponthesituation；thethoughtofforestallinganyactionoftheconspirators，bywarningorcallingintheaidoftheauthorities，foraninstantcrossedhismind，butwasasinstantlydismissed。Hehadbutaninstinct——toseewithhisowneyeswhathisreasontoldhimwastrue。Daywasbreakingthroughdriftingscudandpewter-coloredcloudsashereachedWoodvilleferry，checkeredwithsplashesofthesoilandthespumeofhishorse，fromwhoseneckandflanksthesweatrolledlikelather。Yethewasnotconscioushowintenthadbeenhispurposeuntilhefeltasuddeninstinctiveshockonseeingthattheferryboatwasgone。

Foraninstanthiswonderfulself-possessionabandonedhim；hecouldonlygazevacantlyattheleaden-coloredbay，withoutathoughtorexpedient。Butinanothermomenthesawthattheboatwasreturningfromthedistance。Hadhelosthisonlychance？Heglancedhurriedlyathiswatch；hehadcomemorequicklythanheimagined；therewouldstillbetime。Hebeckonedimpatientlytotheferryman；theboat——aship’spinnace，withtwomeninit——creptinwithexasperatingslowness。Atlastthetworowerssuddenlyleapedashore。

"Yemighthavecomebefore，withtheotherpassenger。Wedon’treckontorunlightnin’tripsonthisferry。"

ButClarencewashimselfagain。"Twentydollarsfortwomoreoarsinthatboat，"hesaidquietly，"andfiftyifyougetmeoverintimetocatchthedownstage。"

ThemanglancedatClarence’seyes。"RunupandrouseoutJakeandSam，"hesaidtotheotherboatman；thenmoreleisurely，gazingathiscustomer’stravel-stainedequipment，hesaid，"Theremusthavebeenaheapo’passengersgotleftbylastnight’sboat。You’rethesecondmanthattookthisrouteinahurry。"

AtanyothertimethecoincidencemighthavestruckClarence。Butheonlyansweredcurtly，"UnlessweareunderwayintenminutesyouwillfindIamNOTthesecondman，andthatourbargain’soff。"

Butheretwomenemergedfromtheshantybesidetheferryhouse，andtumbledsleepilyintotheboat。Clarenceseizedanextrapairofscullsthatwerestandingagainsttheshed，andthrewthemintothestern。"Idon’tmindtakingahandmyselfforexercise，"hesaidquietly。

TheferrymanglancedagainatClarence’stravel-wornfigureanddeterminedeyeswithmingledapprovalandsurprise。Helingeredamomentwithhisoarslifted，lookingathispassenger。"Itain’tnobusinesso’mine，youngman，"hesaiddeliberately，"butI

reckonyouunderstandmewhenIsaythatI’vejusttakenanothermanoverthere。"

"Ido，"saidClarenceimpatiently。

"Andyoustillwanttogo？"

"Certainly，"repliedClarence，withacoldstare，takinguphisoars。

Themanshruggedhisshoulders，benthimselfforthestroke，andtheboatsprungforward。Theothersrowedstronglyandrapidly，thetoughashenbladesspringinglikesteelfromthewater，theheavyboatseemingtoleapinsuccessiveboundsuntiltheywerefairlybeyondthecurvinginshorecurrentandclearingtheplacid，mistysurfaceofthebay。Clarencedidnotspeak，butbentabstractedlyoverhisoar；theferrymanandhiscrewrowedinequalpantingsilence；afewstartledduckswhirredbeforethem，butdroppedagaintorest。InhalfanhourtheywereattheEmbarcadero。Thetimewasfairlyup。Clarence’seyeswereeagerlybentforthefirstappearanceofthestage-coacharoundthelittlepromontory；theferrymanwasaseagerlyscanningthebare，emptystreetofthestillsleepingsettlement。

"Idon’tseehimanywhere，"saidtheferrymanwithaglance，halfofastonishmentandhalfofcuriosity，athissolitarypassenger。

"Seewhom？"askedClarencecarelessly，ashehandedthemanhispromisedfee。

"TheothermanIferriedovertocatchthestage。Hemusthavegoneonwithoutwaiting。You’reinluck，youngfellow！"

"Idon’tunderstandyou，"saidClarenceimpatiently。"Whathasyourpreviouspassengertodowithme？"

"Well，Ireckonyouknowbest。He’sthekindofman，gin’rallyspeaking，thatothermen，inapow’fulhurry，don’tcaretomeet——

and，azarule，don’tFOLLERarter。It’sgin’rallytheotherway。"

"Whatdoyoumean？"inquiredClarencesternly。"Ofwhomareyouspeaking？"

"TheChiefofPoliceofSanFrancisco！"

CHAPTERII。

ThelaughthatinstinctivelybrokefromClarence’slipswassosincereandunaffectedthatthemanwasdisconcerted，andatlastjoinedinit，alittleshamefacedly。ThegrotesqueblunderofbeingtakenasafugitivefromjusticerelievedClarence’smindfromitsacutetension，——hewasmomentarilydiverted，——anditwasnotuntiltheboatmanhaddeparted，andhewasagainalone，thatitseemedtohaveanycollateralsignificance。ThenanuneasyrecollectionofSusy’sthreatthatshehadthepowertoputhiswifeinFortAlcatrazcameacrosshim。Couldshehavealreadywarnedthemunicipalauthoritiesandthisman？ButhequicklyrememberedthatanyactionfromsuchawarningcouldonlyhavebeentakenbytheUnitedStatesMarshal，andnotbyacivicofficial，anddismissedtheidea。

Nevertheless，whenthestagewithitshalf-spentlampsstillburningdimlyagainstthemorninglightsweptroundthecurveandrolledheavilyuptotherudeshantywhichservedascoach-office，hebecamewatchful。Asingleyawningindividualinitsdoorwayreceivedafewlettersandparcels，butClarencewasevidentlytheONLYwaitingpassenger。Anyhopethathemighthaveentertainedthathismysteriouspredecessorwouldemergefromsomeseclusionatthatmomentwasdisappointed。Asheenteredthecoachhemadearapidsurveyofhisfellow-travelers，butsatisfiedhimselfthatthestrangerwasnotamongthem。Theyweremainlysmalltradersorfarmers，aminerortwo，andapparentlyaSpanish-Americanofbetterdegreeandpersonality。Possiblythecircumstancethatmenofthisclassusuallypreferredtotravelonhorsebackandwererarelyseeninpublicconveyancesattractedhisattention，andtheireyesmetmorethanonceinmutualcuriosity。PresentlyClarenceaddressedaremarktothestrangerinSpanish；herepliedfluentlyandcourteously，butatthenextstopping-placeheaskedaquestionoftheexpressmaninanunmistakableMissouriaccent。

Clarence’scuriositywassatisfied；hewasevidentlyoneofthoseearlyAmericansettlerswhohadbeensolongdomiciledinSouthernCaliforniaastoadoptthespeechaswellasthehabilimentsoftheSpaniard。

Theconversationfelluponthepoliticalnewsofthepreviousnight，orratherseemedtobelazilycontinuedfromsomeprevious，moreexciteddiscussion，inwhichoneofthecontestants——ared-

beardedminer——hadsubsidedintoanoccasionalgrowlofsurlydissent。ItstruckClarencethattheMissourianhadbeenanamusedauditorandeven，judgingfromatwinkleinhiseye，amischievousinstigatorofthecontroversy。Hewasnotsurprised，therefore，whenthemanturnedtohimwithacertaincourtesyandsaid，——

"Andwhat，sir，isthepoliticalfeelinginYOURdistrict？"

ButClarencewasinnomoodtobedrawnout，andreplied，almostcurtly，thatashehadcomeonlyfromSanFrancisco，theywereprobablyaswellinformedonthatsubjectashimself。Aquickandsearchingglancefromthestranger’seyemadehimregrethisanswer，butinthesilencethatensuedthered-beardedminer，evidentlystillranklingatheart，sawhisopportunity。Slappinghishugehandsonhisknees，andleaningfarforwarduntilheseemedtoplungehisflamingbeard，likeafirebrand，intothecontroversy，hesaidgrimly，——

"Well，Ikintellyou，gen’l’men，THIS。Itain’tgoin’tobenomatterwot’sthePOLITICALFEELINGhereorthar——itain’tgoin’tobenomatterwot’stheState’srightsandwot’sFed’ralrights——itain’tgoin’tobenoquestionwhetherthegov’ment’sgottherighttorelieveitsownsoldiersthatthoseSeceshisbesieginginFortSumterorwhethertheyhaven’t——butthefirstgunthat’sfiredattheflagblowsthechainsoffeveryd——nniggersouthofMasonandDixon’sline！Youhearme！I’mshoutin’！Andwhetheryoucallyourselves’Secesh’or’Union’or’Copperhead’or’Peacemen，’

you’vegottofaceit！"

Therewasanangrystartinoneortwooftheseats；onemancaughtattheswingingside-strapandhalfrose，ahuskyvoicebegan，"It’sad————d"——andthenallassuddenlysubsided。Everyeyewasturnedtoaninsignificantfigureinthebackseat。Itwasawoman，holdingachildonherlap，andgazingoutofthewindowwithhersex’sprofoundunconcerninpolitics。Clarenceunderstoodtherudechivalryoftheroadwellenoughtocomprehendthatthisunconsciousbutomnipotentfigurehadmorethanoncethatdaycontrolledthepassionsofthedisputants。Theydroppedbackweaklytotheirseats，andtheirmutteringsrolledoffintherattleofthewheels。ClarenceglancedattheMissourian；hewasregardingthered-beardedminerwithasingularcuriosity。

Therainhadceased，buttheafternoonshadowsweredeepeningwhentheyatlastreachedFairPlains，whereClarenceexpectedtotakehorsetotheRancho。Hewasastonished，however，tolearnthatallthehorsesinthestablewereengaged，butrememberingthatsomeofhisownstockwereinpasturagewithatenantatFairPlains，andthatheshouldprobablyhaveabetterselection，heturnedhisstepsthither。Passingoutofthestable-yardherecognizedtheMissourian’svoiceinwhisperedconversationwiththeproprietor，butthetwomenwithdrewintotheshadowasheapproached。Anill-

defineduneasinesscameoverhim；heknewtheproprietor，whoalsoseemedtoknowtheMissourian，andthisevidentavoidanceofhimwassignificant。PerhapshisreputationasadoubtfulUnionisthadprecededhim，butthiswouldnotaccountfortheirconductinadistrictsostronglySoutherninsympathyasFairPlains。Moreimpressedbytheoccurrencethanhecaredtoadmit，whenatlast，aftersomedelay，hehadsecuredhishorse，andwasoncemoreinthesaddle，hekeptasharplookoutforhisquondamcompanion。Buthereanothercircumstanceaddedtohissuspicions：therewasamainroadleadingtoSantaInez，thenexttown，andtheRancho，andthisClarencehadpurposelytakeninordertowatchtheMissourian；buttherewasalsoacutoffdirectlytotheRancho，knownonlytothehabituesoftheRancho。Afterafewmoments’rapidridingonamustangmuchsuperiortoanyinthehotelstables，hewassatisfiedthatthestrangermusthavetakenthecut-off。PuttingspurstohishorsehetrustedstilltoprecedehimtotheRancho——ifthatwerehisdestination。

Ashedashedalongthefamiliarroad，byastrangeperversityoffancy，insteadofthinkingofhispurpose，hefoundhimselfrecallingthefirsttimehehadriddenthatwayintheflushofhisyouthandhopefulness。Thegirl-sweethearthewasthengoingtorejoinwasnowthewifeofanother；thewomanwhohadbeenherguardianwasnowhisownwife。Hehadacceptedwithoutapangtheyounggirl’sdereliction，butitwasthroughherrevelationthathewasnowabouttoconfrontthederelictionofhisownwife。Andthiswastherewardofhisyouthfultrustandloyalty！Abitterlaughbrokefromhislips。Itwaspartofhisstillyouthfulself-

delusionthathebelievedhimselfwiserandstrongerforit。

ItwasquitedarkwhenhereachedtheupperfieldorfirstterraceoftheRancho。Hecouldseethewhitewallsofthecasarisingdimlyoutofthegreenseaofearlywildgrasses，likeaphantomisland。Itwasherethatthecut-offjoinedthemainroad——nowtheonlyonethatledtothecasa。HewassatisfiedthatnoonecouldhaveprecededhimfromFairPlains；butitwastruethathemusttakeprecautionsagainsthisowndiscovery。Dismountingnearaclumpofwillows，heunsaddledandunbridledhishorse，andwithacutoftheriataoveritshaunchessentitflyingacrossthefieldinthedirectionofabandoffeedingmustangs，whichitpresentlyjoined。Then，keepingwellintheshadowofabeltofshrub-oaks，heskirtedthelonglesserterracesofthecasa，intendingtoapproachthehousebywayoftheoldgardenandcorral。Adrizzlingrain，occasionallydrivenbythewindintolong，misty，curtain-likewaves，obscuredtheprospectandfavoredhisdesign。Hereachedthelowadobewallofthecorralinsafety；lookingoverhecoulddetect，inspiteofthedarkness，thatanumberofthehorseswereofalienbrands，andevenrecognizedoneortwofromtheSantaInezdistrict。Thevagueoutlineofbuggiesandcarryallsfilledthelongshedbesidethestables。ThereWAScompanyatthecasa——sofarSusywasright！

Nevertheless，lingeringstillbythewalloftheoldgardenforthedeepeningofnight，hisnervousfeverishnesswasagaininvadedandbenumbedbysullenmemories。Therewastheopeningleftbytheoldgrilleinthewall，behindwhichMrs。Peytonstoodonthemorningwhenhethoughthewasleavingtheranchforever；wherehehadfirstclaspedherinhisarms，andstayed。Aturnofthehead，amoment’sindecision，asingleglanceofalanguorouseye，hadbroughtthisculmination。Andnowhestoodagainbeforethatruinedgrille，hishouseandlands，evenhisNAME，misusedbyamad，schemingenthusiast，andhimselfacreepingspyofhisowndishonor！Heturnedwithabittersmileagaintothegarden。A

fewdarkredCastilianrosesstillleanedforwardandswayedinthewindwithdrippingleaves。ItwasherethatthefirstmorningofhisarrivalhehadkissedSusy；theperfumeandcolorofherpinkskincamebacktohimwithasuddenshockashestoodthere；hecaughtataflower，drewittowardshim，inhaleditsodorinalongbreaththatlefthimfaintandleaningagainstthewall。Thenagainhesmiled，butthistimemorewickedly——inwhathebelievedhiscynicismhadsprungupthefirstinstinctofrevenge！

Itwasnowdarkenoughforhimtoventureacrossthecarriageroadandmakehiswaytotherearofthehouse。Hisfirstcharacteristicinstincthadbeentoenteropenlyathisownfrontgate，buttheterribletemptationtooverhearandwatchtheconspiracyunobserved——

thatfascinationcommontodeceivedhumanitytowitnessitsownshame——hadnowgrownuponhim。Heknewthatawordorgestureofexplanation，apology，appeal，oreventerrorfromhiswifewouldcheckhisrageandweakenhispurpose。Hisperfectknowledgeofthehouseandthesecurityofitsinmateswouldenablehimfromsomeobscurelandingorgallerytoparticipateinanysecretconclavetheymightholdinthepatio——theonlyplacesuitableforsonumerousarendezvous。Theabsenceoflightinthefewexternalwindowspointedtothiscentralgathering。Andhehadalreadyconceivedhisplanofentrance。

Gainingtherearwallofthecasahebegancautiouslytoskirtitsbramblybaseuntilhehadreachedalong，oven-likewindowhalfobliteratedbyamonstrouspassionvine。ItwasthewindowofwhathadoncebeenMrs。Peyton’sboudoir；thewindowbywhichhehadonceforcedanentrancetothehousewhenitwasinthehandsofsquatters，thewindowfromwhichSusyhadsignaledherSpanishlover，thewindowwhosegratinghadbrokentheneckofJudgePeyton’spresumedassassin。Buttheserecollectionsnolongerdelayedhim；themomentforactionhadarrived。Heknewthatsincethetragedytheboudoirhadbeendismantledandshunned；theservantsbelievedittobehauntedbytheassassin’sghost。Withtheaidofthepassionvinetheingresswaseasy；theinteriorwindowwasopen；therustleofdeadleavesonthebarefloorasheentered，andthewhirofafrightenedbirdbyhisear，toldthestoryofitsdesolationandthesourceofthestrangenoisesthathadbeenheardthere。Thedoorleadingtothecorridorwaslightlybolted，merelytokeepitfromrattlinginthewind。Slippingtheboltwiththebladeofhispocket-knifehepeeredintothedarkpassage。Thelightstreamingunderadoortotheleft，andthesoundofvoices，convincedhimthathisconjecturewasright，andthemeetingwasgatheredonthebroadbalconiesaroundthepatio。

Heknewthatanarrowgallery，facedwithVenetianblindstoexcludethesun，lookeddownuponthem。Hemanagedtogainitwithoutdiscovery；luckilytheblindswerestilldown；betweentheirslats，himselfinvisible，hecouldhearandseeeverythingthatoccurred。

Yetevenatthissuprememomentthefirstthingthatstruckhimwasthealmostludicrouscontrastbetweentheappearanceofthemeetinganditstremendousobject。Whetherhewasinfluencedbyanypreviousboyishconceptionofacloudedandgloomyconspiracyhedidnotknow，buthewasforaninstantalmostdisconcertedbytheapparentlevityandfestivityoftheconclave。Decantersandglassesstoodonsmalltablesbeforethem；nearlyallweredrinkingandsmoking。Theycomprisedfifteenortwentymen，someofwhosefaceswerefamiliartohimelsewhereasSouthernpoliticians；afew，hewasshockedtosee，werewell-knownNorthernDemocrats。

OccupyingacharacteristicallycentralpositionwasthefamousColonelStarbottle，ofVirginia。Jauntyandyouthful-lookinginhismask-like，beardlessface，expansiveanddignifiedinhismiddle-agedportandcarriage，healoneretainedsomeoftheimportance——albeitslightlytheatricalandaffected——oftheoccasion。Clarenceinhisfirsthurriedglancehadnotobservedhiswife，andforamomenthadfeltrelieved；butasColonelStarbottlearoseatthatmoment，andwithastudiouslychivalrousandcourtlymannerturnedtohisright，hesawthatshewassittingatthefurtherendofthebalcony，andthatamanwhomherecognizedasCaptainPinckneywasstandingbesideher。Thebloodquicklytightenedaroundhisheart，butlefthimcoldandobservant。

"Itwasseldom，indeed，"remarkedColonelStarbottle，placinghisfatfingersinthefrillofhisshirtfront，"thatamovementlikethiswasgracedwiththeactualpresenceofalofty，inspiring，yetdelicatespirit——aBoadicea——indeed，hemightsayaJoanofArc——inthepersonoftheircharminghostess，Mrs。Brant。Notonlyweretheyfavoredbyhersocialandhospitableministration，butbyheractiveandenthusiasticcooperationinthegloriousworktheyhadinhand。Itwasthroughhercorrespondenceandearnestadvocacythattheyweretobefavoredto-nightwiththeaidandcounselofoneofthemostdistinguishedandpowerfulmenintheSoutherndistrictofCalifornia，JudgeBeeswinger，ofLosAngeles。Hehadnotthehonorofthatgentleman’spersonalacquaintance；hebelievedhewasnotfarwronginsayingthatthiswasalsothemisfortuneofeverygentlemanpresent；butthenameitselfwasatowerofstrength。Hewouldgofurther，andsaythatMrs。Brantherselfwaspersonallyunacquaintedwithhim，butitwasthroughthefervor，poetry，grace，andgeniusofhercorrespondencewiththatgentlemanthattheyweretohavethehonorofhispresencethatveryevening。Itwasunderstoodthatadviceshadbeenreceivedofhisdeparture，andthathemightbeexpectedatRoblesatanymoment。"

"ButwhatproofhaveweofJudgeBeeswinger’ssoundness？"saidalazySouthernvoiceattheconclusionofColonelStarbottle’speriods。"Nobodyhereseemstoknowhimbysight：isitnotriskytoadmitamantoourmeetingwhomweareunabletoidentify？"

"IreckonnobodybutafoolorsomepryingmudsillofaYankeewouldtrusthisskinhere，"returnedanother；"andifhedidwe’dknowwhattodowithhim。"

ButClarence’sattentionwasrivetedonhiswife，andthesignificantspeechpassedhimasunheededashadthecolonel’srhetoric。Shewaslookingveryhandsomeandslightlyflushed，withaproudlightinhereyesthathehadneverseenbefore。Absorbedinthediscussion，sheseemedtobepayinglittleattentiontoCaptainPinckneyassherosesuddenlytoherfeet。

"JudgeBeeswingerwillbeattendedherebyMr。MacNiel，oftheFairPlainsHotel，whowillvouchforhimandintroducehim，"shesaidinaclearvoice，whichrangwithanimperiousnessthatClarencewellremembered。"ThejudgewastoarrivebythecoachfromMartineztoFairPlains，andisduenow。"

"IstherenoGENTLEMANtointroducehim？Mustwetakehimonthewordofacommontrader——byJove！awhiskey-seller？"continuedthepreviousvoicesneeringly。

"Onthewordofalady，Mr。Brooks，"saidCaptainPinckney，withaslightgesturetowardsMrs。Brant——"whoanswersforboth。"

Clarencehadstartedslightlyathiswife’svoiceandtheinformationitconveyed。Hisfellow-passenger，andtheconfidantofMacNiel，wasthemantheywereexpecting！Iftheyhadrecognizedhim，Clarence，wouldtheynotwarnthecompanyofhisproximity？Heheldhisbreathasthesoundofvoicescamefromtheoutergateofthecourtyard。Mrs。Brantrose；atthesamemomentthegateswungopen，andamanentered。ItWAStheMissourian。

Heturnedwithold-fashionedcourtesytothesinglewomanstandingonthebalcony。

"Myfaircorrespondent，Ibelieve！IamJudgeBeeswinger。Youragent，MacNiel，passedmethroughyourguardsatthegate，butI

didnotdeemitadvisabletobringhimintothisassemblyofgentlemenwithoutyourfurtherconsideration。ItrustIwasright。"

Thequietdignityandself-possession，thequaint，old-fashionedcolonialprecisionofspeech，modifiedbyasoftVirginianintonation，and，aboveall，somesingularindividualityofthemanhimself，producedaprofoundsensation，andseemedtosuddenlygivethegatheringanimpressivenessithadlackedbefore。ForaninstantClarenceforgothimselfandhispersonalwrongsintheshockofindignationhefeltatthispotentadditiontotheranksofhisenemies。Hesawhiswife’seyessparklewithprideoverheracquisition，andnoticedthatPinckneycastadisturbedglanceatthenewcomer。

ThestrangerascendedthefewstepstothebalconyandtookMrs。

Brant’shandwithprofoundcourtesy。"Introducemetomycolleagues——distinctlyandseparately。Itbehoovesamanatsuchamomenttoknowtowhomheentrustshislifeandhonor，andthelifeandhonorofhiscause。"

Itwasevidentlynomereformalcourtesytothestranger。Ashesteppedforwardalongthebalcony，andunderMrs。Brant’sgracefulguidancewasintroducedtoeachofthemembers，henotonlylistenedwithscrupulouscareandattentiontothenameandprofessionofeachman，butbentuponhimaclear，searchingglancethatseemedtophotographhiminhismemory。Withtwoexceptions。

HepassedColonelStarbottle’sexpandingshirtfrillwithabowofelaborateprecision，andsaid，"ColonelStarbottle’sfamerequiresneitherintroductionnorexplanation。"HestoppedbeforeCaptainPinckneyandpaused。

"AnofficeroftheUnitedStatesarmy，Ibelieve，sir？"

"Yes。"

"EducatedatWestPoint，Ithink，bythegovernment，towhomyouhavetakentheoathofallegiance？"

"Yes。"

"Verygood，sir，"saidthestranger，turningaway。

"Youhaveforgottenoneotherfact，sir，"saidPinckney，withaslightlysuperciliousair。

"Indeed！Whatisit？"

"Iam，firstofall，anativeoftheStateofSouthCarolina！"

Amurmurofapplauseandapprovalranroundthebalcony。CaptainPinckneysmiledandexchangedglanceswithMrs。Brant，butthestrangerquietlyreturnedtothecentraltablebesideColonelStarbottle。"Iamnotonlyanunexpecteddelegatetothisaugustassembly，gentlemen，"hebegangravely，"butIamthebearerofperhapsequallyunexpectednews。BymypositionintheSoutherndistrictIaminpossessionofdispatchesreceivedonlythismorningbyponyexpress。FortSumterhasbeenbesieged。TheUnitedStatesflag，carryingrelieftothebeleagueredgarrison，hasbeenfireduponbytheStateofSouthCarolina。"

Aburstofalmosthystericapplauseandenthusiasmbrokefromtheassembly，andmadethedim，vault-likepassagesandcorridorsofthecasaring。Cheeraftercheerwentuptotheveiledgalleryandthemistyskybeyond。Menmountedonthetablesandwavedtheirhandsfrantically，andinthemidstofthisbewilderingturbulenceofsoundandmotionClarencesawhiswifemountedonachair，withburningcheeksandflashingeyes，wavingherhandkerchieflikeaninspiredpriestess。Onlythestranger，stillstandingbesideColonelStarbottle，remainedunmovedandimpassive。Then，withanimperativegesture，hedemandedasuddensilence。

"Convincingandunanimousasthisdemonstrationis，gentlemen，"hebeganquietly，"itismyduty，nevertheless，toaskyouifyouhaveseriouslyconsideredthemeaningofthenewsIhavebrought。Itismydutytotellyouthatitmeanscivilwar。Itmeanstheclashofarmsbetweentwosectionsofamightycountry；itmeansthedisruptionoffriends，thebreakingoffamilyties，theseparationoffathersandsons，ofbrothersandsisters——even，perhaps，tothedissevermentofhusbandandwife！"

"ItmeansthesovereigntyoftheSouth——andthebreakingofacovenantwithlowborntradersandabolitionists，"saidCaptainPinckney。

"Ifthereareanygentlemenpresent，"continuedthestranger，withoutheedingtheinterruption，"whohavepledgedthisStatetothesupportoftheSouthinthisemergency，ortotheestablishmentofaPacificrepublicinaidandsympathywithit，whosenamesareonthispaper"——heliftedasheetofpaperlyingbeforeColonelStarbottle——"butwhonowfeelthatthegravityofthenewsdemandsamoreseriousconsiderationofthepurpose，theyareatlibertytowithdrawfromthemeeting，givingtheirhonor，asSoutherngentlemen，tokeepthesecretintact。"

"NotifIknowit，"interruptedastalwartKentuckian，asherosetohisfeetandstrodedownthestepstothepatio。"For，"headded，placinghisbackagainstthegateway，"I’llshootthefirstcowardthatbacksoutnow。"

Aroaroflaughterandapprovalfollowed，butwassilencedagainbythequiet，unimpassionedvoiceofthestranger。"If，ontheotherhand，"hewentoncalmly，"youallfeelthatthisnewsisthefittingculminationandconsecrationofthehopes，wishes，andplansofthismeeting，youwillassertitagain，overyourownsignatures，toColonelStarbottleatthistable。"

WhentheKentuckianhadrisen，Clarencehadstartedfromhisconcealment；whenhenowsawtheeagerfigurespressingforwardtothetablehehesitatednolonger。Slippingalongthepassage，hereachedthestaircasewhichledtothecorridorintherearofthebalcony。Descendingthisrapidly，henotonlycameuponthebacksoftheexcitedcrowdaroundthetable，butevenelbowedoneoftheconspiratorsasidewithoutbeingnoticed。Hiswife，whohadrisenfromherchairattheendofthebalcony，wasalreadymovingtowardsthetable。Withaquickmovementheseizedherwrist，andthrewherbackinthechairagain。Acrybrokefromherlipsassherecognizedhim，butstillholdingherwrist，hesteppedquicklybetweenherandtheastonishedcrowd。Therewasamomentofsilence，thenthecryof"Spy！"and"Seizehim！"rosequickly，butaboveallthevoiceandfigureoftheMissourianwasheardcommandingthemtostandback。TurningtoClarence，hesaidquietly，——

"Ishouldknowyourface，sir。Whoareyou？"

"Thehusbandofthiswomanandthemasterofthishouse，"saidClarenceasquietly，butinavoicehehardlyrecognizedashisown。

"Standasidefromher，then——unlessyouarehopingthatherdangermayprotectYOU！"saidtheKentuckian，significantlydrawinghisrevolver。

ButMrs。BrantsprangsuddenlytoherfeetbesideClarence。

"Weareneitherofuscowards，Mr。Brooks——thoughhespeaksthetruth——and——moreshametome"——sheadded，withalookofsavagescornatClarence——"ISMYHUSBAND！"

"Whatisyourpurposeincominghere？"continuedJudgeBeeswinger，withhiseyesfixedonClarence。

"Ihavegivenyoualltheinformation，"saidClarencequietly，"thatisnecessarytomakeyou，asagentleman，leavethishouseatonce——andthatismypurpose。Itisalltheinformationyouwillgetfrommeaslongasyouandyourfriendsinsultmyroofwithyouruninvitedpresence。WhatImayhavetosaytoyouandeachofyouhereafter——whatImaychoosetodemandofyou，accordingtoyourowncodeofhonor，"——hefixedhiseyesonCaptainPinckney’s，——

"isanotherquestion，andonenotusuallydiscussedbeforealady。"

"Pardonme。Amoment——asinglemoment。"

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读