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The Two Vanrevels
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第2章
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ThesameChenowethwashe,who,maddenedbytheGeneral’striumphantlyfamiliarwayoftoyingwithMissBetty’sfanbetweentwodances,attemptedtoproposetoherduringthesunrisewaltz。Havingsung"Oh,believeme"

inherearasloudlyashecould,heexpressedthewish——quiteasloudly——

"Thatthiswaltzmightlastforalways!"

ThatwastheseventhtimeithadbeensaidtoBettyduringthenight,andthoughMr。Chenoweth’spredecessorshadrevealedtheirdesiresinaguiselackingthisprodigiousartlessness,shealreadypossessednonovelacquaintancewiththeexclamation。Butshemadenocomment;herpartner’sstylewasnotastimulanttorepartee。"Itwouldbeheaven,"heamplifiedearnestly,"itwouldbeheaventodancewithyouforever——onadesertislewheretheotherscouldn’tcome!"hefinishedwithsuddenacerbityashiseyecaughttheGeneral’s。

Heproceeded,andonlythecessationofthemusicaidedMissCareweinstoppingthedeclarationbeforeitwasaltogetherout;andatthatpointFrank’sownfathercametoherrescue,thoughinafashionlittlesavingofherconfusion。TheelderChenowethwasoneofthegallantandkindlySoutherncolonythatmadeitnaturalforRouenalwaystospeakofMissCareweas"MissBetty。Hewasahandsomeoldfellow,whosehair,longmoustacheandimperialwereaswhiteashewasproudofthem,aVirginianwiththeadmirableSouthernfearlessnessofbeingthoughtsentimental。

Mountingachairwithcompletedignity,heliftedaglassofwinehighintheair,and,whenalltheotherglasseshadbeenfilled,proposedthehealthofhisyounghostess。Hemadeaspeechofsomelength,pronouncinghimselfquiteashopelesslyinlovewithhisoldfriend’sdaughterasallcouldseehisownsonwas;andwishingherlonglifeandprosperity,withmanyallusionstofragrantbowersandtheMuses。

ItmadeMissBettyhappy,butitwasrathertrying,too,forshecouldonlystandwithdowncasteyesbeforethemall,tremblingalittle,andreceivingamixedimpressionofMr。Chenoweth’sremarks,catchingfragmentshereandthere:"Andmaytheblushuponthatgentlecheek,lovelierthantheradiantcloudsatsetofsun,"and"Yetthesandsofthehour-glassmustfall,andinthecalmandbeauteousoldagesomedaytobeherlot,whenfondmem’ryleadsherbacktoviewagainthebrilliantsceneabouthernow,wherestand`fairwomenandbravemen,’winecupinhandtodoherhonor,oh,mayshewipethesilenttear",andthelike。Astheoldgentlemanfinished,andbeforethetoastwasdrunk,FanchonBareaud,kissingherhandtoBetty,tookupthesongagain;andtheyalljoinedin,liftingtheirglassestotheblushingandhappygirlclingingtoherfather’sarm:

"Thouwouldststillbeadoredasthismomentthouart,Letthylovelinessfadeasitwill;

Andaroundthedearruin,eachwishofmyheart,Wouldentwineitselfverdantlystill。"

Theywerehappypeoplewhohadnotlearnedtobeself-consciousenoughtofeardoingaprettythingopenlywithoutmockingthemselvesforit;anditwasabravecircletheymadeaboutBettyCarewe,thecharmingfacesofthewomenandtheirfinefurbelows,handsomemenandtall,allsogay,socheerilysmiling,andyetsoearnestintheirwelcometoher。Noonewasafraidto"letout"hisvoice;theirsongwentfullandstrongoverthewakingtown,andwhenitwasfinishedtheballwasover,too。

Theverandaandthepathtothegatebecameliketropicgardens,thefaircolorsofthewomen’sdresses,ballooningintheearlybreeze,makingtheplaceseemstrewnwithgiantblossoms。Theyallwentawayatthesametime,thoseincarriagescallingfarewellstoeachotherandtothelittleprocessionsdepartingonfootindifferentdirectionstohomesnearby。

Thesoundofthevoicesandlaughterdrewaway,slowlydiedoutaltogether,andthesilenceofthestreetwasstrangeandunfamiliartoBetty。Shewenttothehedgeandwatchedthemusicians,whowerethelasttogo,untiltheypassedfromsight:littleblacktoilsomefigures,carryinggrotesqueblackboxes。Whileshecouldstillseethem,itseemedtoherthatherballwasnotquiteover,andshewishedtoholdtheleastspeckofitaslongasshecould;butwhentheyhaddisappeared,shefacedthetruthwithadeepsigh:thelong,gloriousnightwasfinishedindeed。

Whatsheneedednowwasanothergirl:thetwowouldhavegonetoBetty’sroomanddanceditalloveragainuntilnoon;butshehadonlyherfather。

ShefoundhimsmokingaPrincipecigarupontheveranda,sosheseatedherselftimidly,neverthelesswithahopefulglanceathim,onthestepsathisfeet;and,asshedidso,helookeddownuponherwithsomethingmoreakintogenialitythananythingshehadeverseeninhiseyebefore。

Itwasnotgenialityitself,butmightbethirdcousintoit。Indeed,inhisway,hewasalmostproudofher,thoughhehadnowishtoshowit。

Sinceonewascompelledtodisplaythefactthatonepossessedagrowndaughter,itwaswellthatshebelikethisone。

Theydidnotknoweachotherverywell,andsheoftendoubtedthattheywouldeverbecomeintimate。Therewasnosenseofcompanionshipforeitherintheother;shehadbeenunabletobreakthroughhisperfunctory,almostformal,mannerwithher;therefore,becauseheencouragednoaf-

fectioninher,shefeltnone,andwonderedwhy,sincehewasherfather。

Shewasmorecuriousabouthimthaninterested,and,thoughshedidnotknowit,shewaspreparedtojudgehim——shouldoccasionarise——preciselyasshewouldjudgeanyothermereacquaintance。Thismorning,forthefirsttime,shewasconsciousofasenseofwarmthandgratitudetowardhim:theelaboratefashioninwhichhehadintroducedhertohisfriendsmadeitappearpossiblethathelikedher;forhehadforgottennothing,andtoremembereverythinginthiscasewastobelavish,whichhasoftentheappearanceofgenerosity。

Andyettherehadbeenalack:somesmallthingshehadmissed,thoughshewasnotentirelysurethatsheidentifiedit;butthelackhadnotbeeninherfatherorinanythinghehaddone。Then,too,therewassomethingsounexpectedlyhumanandpleasantinhisnotgoingtobedatonce,butremainingtosmokeontheverandaatthishour,thatshegavehimcreditforalittleofherownexcitement,innocentlyfancyingthathe,also,mightfeeltheneedofacompanionwithwhomtotalkoverthebrilliantpassagesofthenight。Andamomentensuedwhenshedebatedtakinghishand。Shewastoosoongladthatherintuitionforbadethedemonstration。

"Itwasallsobeautiful,papa,"shesaid,timidly。"IhavenowaytotellyouhowIthankyou。"

"Youmaydothat,"hereplied,evenly,withnounkindness,withnokindness,either,inthelevelofhistone,"byneverdancingagainmorethantwicewithonemaninoneevening。"

"IthinkIshouldmuchprefernot,myself,"shereturned,liftingherheadtofacehimgravely。"IbelieveifIcaredtodancemorethanoncewithone,Ishouldliketodanceallofthemwithhim。"

Mr。Carewefrowned。"Itrustthatyoudiscoverednonelastnightwhomyouwishedtohonorwithyourentireprogramme?"

"No,"shelaughed,"notlastnight。"

Herfathertossedawayhiscigarabruptly"Isittoomuchtohope,"heinquired,"thatwhenyoudiscoveragentlemanwithwhomyoudesiretowaltzallnight,youwillomittomentionthefacttohim?"

Therewasabriefflashofhereyeassherecalledherimpulsetotakehishand,butsheimmediatelylookedathimwithsuchcompleteseriousnessthathefearedhisironyhadbeenthrownaway。

"I’llremembernottomentionit,"sheanswered。"I’lltellhimyoutoldmenottoo。"

"Ithinkyoumayretirenow,"saidMr。Carewe,sharply。

Sherosefromthesteps,wenttothedoor,thenturnedatthethreshold。

"Wereallyourfriendshere,papa?"

"Doyouthinkthateveryninnywhogabbledinmyhouselastnightwasmyfriend?"hesaid,angrily。"Therewasonefriendofmine,Mrs。Tanberry,whowasn’there,becausesheisoutoftown;butIdonotimaginethatyouareinquiringaboutwomen。Youmean:Waseveryunmarriedmaleidiotwhocouldaffordaswallow-tailedcoatandacleanpairofglovescavortingabouttheplace?Yes,miss,theywereallhereexcepttwo,andoneofthoseisafool,theotheraknave。"

"Can’tIknowthefool?"sheasked,eagerly。

"Irejoicetofindthemsorareinyourexperience!"heretorted。"Thisoneisoutoftown,thoughIhavenodoubtyouwillseehimsufficientlyoftenwhenbereturns。HisnameisCraileyGray,andheistomarryFanchonBareaud——ifheremembers!"

"Andtheknave?"

"Isone!"Careweshuthisteethwithavenomoussnap,andhiswholefacereddenedsuddenly。"I’llmentionthisfellowonce——now,"hesaid,speakingeachwordwithemphasis。"HisnameisVanrevel。Youseethatgate;youseethelineofmypropertythere:themanhimself,aswellaseveryotherpersoninthetown,rememberswellthatthelasttimeIspoketohim,itwastotellhimthatifheeversetfootongroundofmineI’dshoothimdown,andheknows,andtheyallknow,Ishallkeepmyword!

Elsewhere,Itoldhimthatforthesakeofpublicpeace,Ishouldignorehim。Ido。Youwillseehimeverywhere;butitwillnotbedifficult;noonewillhavethehardihoodtopresenthimtomydaughter。Thequarrelbetweenus——"Mr。Carewebrokeoffforamoment,hishandsclinchingthearmsofhischair,whileheswallowedwithdifficulty,asthoughhechokeduponsomeacridbolus,andhewassostronglyagitatedbyhisownmentionofhisenemythathecontrolledhimselfbyapainfuleffortofhiswill。

"Thequarrelbetweenusispolitical——andpersonal。Youwillremember。"

"Ishallremember,"sheansweredinaratherfrightenedvoice……Itwaslongbeforeshefellasleep。"Ialonemusthoveraboutthegatesorstealintoyourgardenlikeathief,"theIncroyablehadsaid。

"ThelasttimeIspoketohimitwastotellhimthatifheeversetfootongroundofmine,I’dshoothimdown!"hadbeenherfather’sdeclaration。AndMr。Carewehadspokenwiththemostundeniableairofmeaningwhathesaid。YetsheknewthattheIncroyablewouldcomeagain。

Also,withhotcheekspressedintoherpillow,MissBettyhadidentifiedtheyoungmaninthewhitehat,thatdarkpersonwhosehandshehadfartooimpetuouslyseizedinbothofhers。Aha!Itwasthisgentlemanwholookedintopeople’seyesandstammeredsosincerelyoveraprettyspeechthatyoualmostbelievedhim,itwashewhowastomarryFanchonBareaud——

"ifheremembers!"NowonderFanchonhadbeeninsuchahurrytogethimaway……"Ifheremembers!"Suchwasthatyoungman’scharacter,wasit?MissCarewelaughedaloudtoherpillow:for,wasonetoguessthereason,also,ofhisnothavingcometoherball?Hadthepoormanbeencommandedtobe"outoftown?"

Then,rememberingthepiquantandgenerousfaceofFanchon,Bettyclinchedherfingerstightlyandcrushedtheimpwhohadsuggestedtheunworthythought,crushedhimtoawretchedpulpandthrewhimoutoftheopenwindow。Heimmediatelysneakedinbythebackway,for,inspiteofhervictory,shestillfeltalittlesorryforpoorFanchon。

CHAPTERIV

"ButSpareYourCountry’sFlag"

Ifitbetruethatloveisthegreatincentivetotheuselessarts,thenumberofgentlemenwhobecamepoetsforthesakeofMissBettyCareweneednotbeconsideredextraordinary。Ofallthatwaswrittenofherdancing,TomVanrevel’slines,"IDancedwithHerbeneaththeLights"

(whichhecertainlyhadnotdonewhenhewrotethem)were,perhaps,nexttoCraileyGray’sinmerit,thoughTomburnedhisrhymesafterreadingthemtoCrailey。Othertroubadourswerenotsomodest,andtheRouenJournalfoundnolackoftunefuloffering,thatspring,generouslyprint-

ingallofit,evenattheperiodwhenitbecameepidemic。ThepublichadlittledifficultyinrecognizingtheworkofMr。FrancisChenowethinananonymous"Sonnet"(oftwenty-threelines)whichappearedintheissuefollowingMissCarewe’sdebut。Mr。ChenowethwrotethatwhiledancingthemazourkawithaLovelyBeing,thesweetestfeelingsofhissoul,inacelestialstream,borehimawaybeyondcontrol,inaseraphicdream;andheuntruthfullystatedthatatthesametimehesawherwipethesilenttear,omitting,however,toventureanyexplanationofthecauseofheremotion。OldGeneralTrumbleboldlysignedhispoeminfull。Itwascalled"AnOdeuponMissC——’sWaltzing,"anditbegan:

"WhenBettinafoundfairRouen’sshore,AndheragedfathertousboreHerfromthecloisterneat,Shewaltzedupontheball-roomfloor,Andlightlytwirleduponherfeet。"

Mr。Carewewasrightfullyindignant,andrefusedtoacknowledgetheGeneral’ssalutationattheirnextmeeting:Trumblewasfifteenyearsolderthanhe。

AsCraileyGrayneverdancedwithMissCarewe,itissomewhatsingularthatsheshouldhavebeentheinspirationofhisswingingversesinwaltzmeasure,"Heart-stringsonaViolin,"thesenseofwhichwasthatwhenaviolinhadplayedforherdancing,theinstrumentshouldbeshatteredaswine-glassesareafteragreattoast。However,noone,excepttheauthorhimself,knewthatBettywasthesubject;forCraileycertainlydidnotmentionittoMissBareaud,nortohisbestfriend,Vanrevel。

Itwastosomedegreeastrangecomradeshipbetweenthesetwoyoungmen;

theirtastesledthemsoofteninoppositedirections。Theyhadroomsto-

getherovertheirofficesinthe"MadrillonBlock"onMainStreet,andthelightsshonelatefromtheirwindowseverynightintheyear。Sometimesthatwouldmeanonlythatthetwofriendsweretalking,fortheyneverreachedasilentintimacy,but,evenafterseveralyearsofcompanionship,wererarelyseentogetherwhennotininterested,ofteneager,conversation,sothatpeoplewonderedwhatintheworldtheystillfoundtosaytoeachother。Butmanyanightthelate-shininglampmeantthatTomsatalone,withabrieforabook,orwooedthelonghourswithhismagicalguitar。Forheneverwenttobeduntiltheothercamehome。

AndifdaylightcamewithoutCrailey,Vanrevelwouldgoout,yawningmightily,tolookforhim;andwhentherewasnofindinghim,Tomwouldcomeback,sleepless,totheday’swork。Craileywascalled"peculiar"

andheexplained,withakindofjovialhelplessness,thathewasalwayspreparedfortheunexpectedinhimself,nordidsuchaviewdetractfromhispicturesquenesstohisownperusalofhimself;thoughitwasnotonlytohimselfthathewasinteresting。Tothevisionofthelookers-oninRouen,quietsoulswhohoveredalongthewallsatmerry-makingsandcheerfullycountedthemselvesspectatorsattheplay,CraileyGrayheldthecentreofthestageandwasthechiefcomedianoftheplace。Wit,poet,andscapegrace,thesmallsocietysometimesseemedthemerebackgroundsetforhisperformances,spectacleswhichhe,also,enjoyed,andfromthebestseatinthehouse;forhewasnotcontentastheactor,butmustbethePrinceintheboxaswell。

HisfriendshipforTomVanrevelwas,inameasure,thatofthevinefortheoak。HewasfulloflevitiesatTom’sexpense,whichtheotherborewithagrinofsympatheticcomprehension,or,atlongintervals,returneduponCraileywithdevastatingeffect。Vanrevelwastheonesteadyingthinginhislife,and,atthesametime,theonlyoneoftheyoungmenuponwhomhedidnothaveanalmostmesmericinfluence。Ingoodtruth,Craileywastheringleaderinallthedevilriesofthetown。Manyayouthsworetoavoidtheroisterer’scompanyforalltime,and,withintwohoursofthevow,foundhimself,flagoninhand,engagedinaboutthatwouldlastthenight,withMr。Grayout-bumperingthehardiest,attheheadofthetable。And,thenextmorning,thefevered,scarlet-eyedperjurermightcreepshakingtohiswretchedtasks,onlytobeholdthecauseofhisfollyandheadachetrippingmerrilyalongthestreet,smiling,clean-

shaven,andfreshasadew-bornprimrose,with,perchance,twoorthreeoftheprettiestgirlsintownathiselbowtogreethissallieswithapprovinglaughter。

Craileyhadbeensolonginthehabitoffollowingeveryimpulse,nomatterhowmad,thatheenjoyedanalmostperfectimmunityfromcondemna-

tion,and,whateverhisdeeds,Rouenhadlearnedtosay,withachuckle,thatitwas"onlyCraileyGrayagain。"Buthisfollowerswerenotsoprivileged。Thus,whenMr。Gray,whoinhislibationssometimesdevelopedthehumorofanurchin,wenttothePoundatthreeinthemorningofNewYear’sDay,hungsleigh-bellsaboutthenecksofthecattleanddrovethemupanddownthestreets,himselfhideouslyblowingabasshornfromthebackofabigbrownsteer,thoserousedfromslumberceasedtorage,andacceptedtheexploitasararejoke,onlearningthatitwas"onlyCraileyGray;"buttheunfortunateyoungChenowethwasheavilyfrowneduponandproperlyupbraidedbecausehehadfollowedinthewakeofthebovineprocession,mildlyattemptingtoplayuponaflageolet。

Craileyneverdeniedafollynordefendedanescapade。Thelatterwasalwaysdoneforhim,becausehetalkedofhis"gracelessmisdoings"(sohewaswont,smilingly,tocallthem)overcupsofteaintheafternoonswitholdladies,lamenting,inhismusicalvoice,thelackoffemalerelativestoguidehim。Hewascharminglyattentivetotheelderlywomen,notfrompolicy,butbecausehismannerwasuncontrollablychivalrous;and,everagallantlistener,werethespeakeryoung,old,greatorhumble,heneverforgottocatchthelastwordsofasentence,andseldomsufferedforareply,evenwhenhehaddrowsedthroughaquestion。Moreover,nooneeverheardhimspeakasullenword,norsawhimwearabrowofdepression。Thesinglecreedtowhichhewasconstantwasthatofgoodcheer;hewastheveryapostleofgayety,preachingitinparlorandbar;andmademerryfriendswithbatteredtrampsandhomelessdogsinthestreetsatnight。

NowandthenhewouldspendseveraldaysintheofficesofGray&

Vanrevel,AttorneysandCounsellors-at-Law,wearinganairofunassailablevirtue;thoughhedidnotfaroverstatethecasewhenhesaid,"Tomdoesalltheworkandgivesmeallthemoneynottobotherhimwhenhe’sgettingupacase。"

Theworkingmemberofthefirmgotupcasestonotableeffect,andfewlawyersintheStateenjoyedhavingTomVanrevelontheotherside。Therewasnothingabouthimofthefloridityprevalentatthattime;hewithered"oratory"beforethecourt;hewasthefoeofjurypathos;and,despisingnoiseandthehabitualvoice-dipattheendofasentence,was,nevertheless,attimesanalmostfearfullyeffectiveorator。So,bydegreesthefirmofGray&Vanrevel,youngasitwas,andinspiteoftheidleapprentice,hadgrowntobethemostprosperousinthedistrict。ForthiseminenceCraileywasneveraccusedofassumingthecredit。Nordidheevermissanopportunityofmakingknownhowmuchheowedtohispartner。Whatheowed,inbrief,waseverything。HowwellVanrevelworkedwasdemonstratedeveryday,buthowhardheworked,onlyCraileyknew。Thelatterhadgrowntodependuponhimforevenhispoliticalbeliefs,andlightlyfollowedhispartnerintoAbolitionism;thoughthatwastoriskunpopularity,bitterhatred,andworse。Fortunately,oncertainoccasions,Vanrevelhadmadehimself(ifnothiscreed)respected,atleastsofarthattherewasnolongerdangerofmob-violenceforanAbolitionistinRouen。Hewasacool-headedyoungmanordinarily,andpossessedofanelusiveforcefulnessnottobetrifledwith,thoughhewasaquietman,andhadwhattheycalleda"finemanner。"And,notinthelatter,butinhisdress,therewasanechooftheBeau,whichaffordedMr。Grayapointofattackforsalliesofwit;therewasatouchofthedandyaboutVanrevel;hehadalargeandversatilewardrobe,andhisclothesalwaysfithimnotonlyinlinebutincolor;evenwomensawhownoblytheywerefashioned。

Thesetwoyoungmenweremembersofacheerfulband,whofeasted,laughed,wrangledoverpolitics,danced,madelove,andsangterriblechordsonsummerevenings,together,asyoungmenwill。WillCummings,editoroftheRouenJournal,wasoneofthese;atall,sallowman,verythin,veryawkwardandverygentle。Mr。Cummingsprovedhimselfalwaysreadywithaloudandfriendlylaughforthepoorestjokeintheworld,hiscountenanceshiningwithsuchkindnessthatnooneeverhadthehearttoreproachhimwiththeevilsofhisjournalisticperformances,orforthethingshebrokewhenhedanced。AnotherwasTappinghamMarsh,anexceedinglyhandsomeperson,somewhatlanguidinappearance,daintyinmannerwithwomen,offhandwithmen;almostasrecklessasCrailey,andoftenthelatter’scompanionandassistantindissipation。YoungFrancisChenowethneverfailedtofollowbothintowhatevertheyplanned;hewasshortandpink,andtheuptiltofhisnosewascoherentwiththeappealingearnest-

nesswhichwashabitualwithhim。EugeneMadrillonwasthesixthoftheseintimates;adarkman,whoseLatineyesandcoloradvertisedhisFrenchancestryasplainlyashisemotionlessmouthandlackofgesturebetrayedtheminglingofanotherstrain。

Allthese,andothersofthetown,werewontto"talkpolitics"agreatdealatthelittleclubonMainStreetandallwereapttofallfoulofTomVanrevelorCraileyGraybeforetheendofanydiscussion。ForthosewerethedayswhentheytwistedtheLion’stailinvehementandbitterearnest;whentheeaglescreamedinmixedfigures;whenfewmenknewhowtotalk,andmanyorated;whenpartystrifewassavagelypersonal;whenintolerancewascalledthe"purefireofpatriotism;"whencriticismoftheexistingorderofthingssurelyincurredfieryanathemaandblackinvective;andbravewashe,indeed,whodaredtohintthathiscountry,asawholeandpolitically,didlacksometwoorthreeparticularvirtues,andthatthefirststeptowardobtainingthemwouldbetohelpittorealizetheirabsence。

Thislatterpoint-of-viewwasthatofthefirmofGray&Vanrevel,whichwasaunitinsuchmatters。Craileydidmostofthetalking——quitebeautifully,too——andbothhadtostandagainstoddsinmanyasourargument,fortheywerenotonlyAbolitionists,butopposedtheattitudeoftheircountryinitsdifficultywithMexico;and,incommonwithothermenofthetimewhotooktheirstand,theyhadtogrowaccustomedtobeingcalledDisloyalTraitors,ForeignToadies,Malignants,andTraducersoftheFlag。Tomhadlongbeenusedtoepithetsofthissort,sufferingtheirstinginquiet,andwasgladwhenhecouldkeepCraileyoutofworseemploymentthanstandingfirmforanunpopularbelief。

TherewasoneplacetowhichVanrevel,seekinghisfriendandpartner,whenthelatterdidnotcomehomeatnight,couldnotgo;thiswastheTowerChamber,anditwasinthatmysteriousapartmentoftheCarewecupolathatCraileywasapttobedeeplyoccupiedwhenheremainedawayuntildaylight。Strangeasitappears,Mr。GraymaintainedpeculiarrelationsofintimacywithRobertCarewe,inspiteofthefeudbetweenCareweandhisownbestfriend。Thisintimacy,whichdidnotnecessarilyimplyanymutualfondness(thoughCraileyseemedtodislikenobody),wasbetokenedbyafurtiveunderstanding,ofasort,betweenthem。Theyheldbrief,earnestconversationsonthestreet,orincornerswhentheymetatotherpeople’shouses,alwaysspeakinginvoicestoolowtobeoverheard;

andtheyexercisedamysterioussymbolism,somewhatinthemanneroffellowmembersofasecretsociety:theyhadbeenobservedtocommunicateacrosscrowdedrooms,byliftedeyebrow,nodofhead,orasurreptitiousturnofthewrist:sothatthosewhoobservedthemknewthataquestionhadbeenaskedandanswered。

Itwasnoticed,also,thattherewerefiveotherinitiatestothismasonry:EugeneMadrillon,theelderChenoweth,GeneralTrumble,TappinghamMarsh,andJeffersonBareaud。Thus,ontheafternoonfollowingMissBetty’sintroductiontoRouen’sfavoritesonsanddaughters,Mr。

Carewe,drivingdownMainStreet,helduponeforefingertoMadrillonashesawtheyoungmanturninginattheclub。Eugenenoddedgravely,and,ashewentin,discoveringMarsh,theGeneral,andothers,listeningtoMr。Gray’sexplanationofhisreturnfromtheriverwithnofish,stealthilyhelduponefingerinhisturn。Trumblerepliedwithawink,Tappinghamnodded,butCraileyslightlyshookhishead。MarshandtheGeneralstartedwithsurprise,andstaredincredulously。ThatCraileyshouldshakehishead!Ifthesignalhadbeenforachurch-meetingtheymighthaveunderstood。

Mr。Gray’sconductwassurprisingtwootherpeopleataboutthesametime:

TomVanrevelandFanchonBareaud;theformerbyhissuddendevotiontothelaw;thelatterbyhersuddendevotiontoherself。Inabreath,hebecamealmostadomesticcharacter。NomoredidhespendhisafternoonsbetweentheclubandtheRouenHousebar,norwashisbaymaresooftenseenstampingdownthegroundaboutMrs。McDougal’shitching-postwhileMcDougalwasoutontheprairiewithhisengineeringsquad。Theidleapprenticewasathisdesk,andinthedaytimehedisplayedanaversionforthestreets,whichwasmorethanhispartnerdid,fortheindustriousTom,undergoingquiteasremarkableanalterationofhabit,became,allatonce,littlebetterthanacorner-loafer。Hisfavoritelounging-placewasasmalldrug-storewhereCareweStreetdeboucheduponMain;nevertheless,soadhesiveisareputationoncefastened,hisairofbeingthereuponbusinessdeceivedeveryoneexceptMr。Gray。

MissBareaudwasevenhappierthanshewasastonished(andshewasmightilyastonished)tofindherbetrotheddevelopingatasteforhersocietyalone。Formerly,shehadcounteduponthegayetiesofherhometokeepCraileynearher;now,however,hetoldhertenderlyhewishedtohaveheralltohimself。Thiswasnotlikehim,butFanchondidnotquestion;anditwasverysweettoherthatbebegantomakeithiscustomtocomeinbyasidegateandmeetherunderanapple-treeinthedusk,wheretheywouldsitquietlytogetherthroughtheevening,listeningtothenoiseandlaughterfromthelightedhouse。

ThathousewasthemosthospitableinRouen。Alwayscheerfully"fullofcompany,"astheysaid,itwasthesortofhousewhereacarpet-dancecouldbearrangedinhalfanhour;ahousewithasideboardlikethewidow’scruse;theyoungmenalwaysfoundmore。Mrs。Bareaud,aSoutherner,lovingtopersuadethevisitorthatherhomewashis,nothers,livedonlyforherart,whichwasthatofthetable。Evilcooks,takingservicewithher,becamevirtuous,dealtwithnectarandambrosia,andgrewfittopandertoOlympus,learningoftheirmistresssecretstomaketheill-disposedasgenialgodseretheydeparted。Mr。Bareaudatfiftyhadlivedsowellthathegaveupwalking,whichdidnottroublehim;butatsixtyhegaveupdancing,whichdidtroublehim。Hisonlyhope,hedeclared,wasinCraileyGray’spromisetoinventforhim:aconcavepartner。

Therewasathin,quizzingshankofason,Jefferson,wholiveduponquinine,agueanddeviltry;andtherewerethetwodaughters,FanchonandVirginia。ThelatterwasthreeyearsolderthanFanchon,asdarkasFanchonwasfair,thoughnotnearlysopretty:asmall,good-natured,rompingspriteofagirl,whohadhandeddowntheheartandhandofCraileyGraytohersisterwiththebestgraceintheworld。ForshehadbeentheheroineofoneofMr。Gray’shalf-dozenorsomostseriousaffairs,and,afterafuriousrivalrywithMr。Carewe,thevictorywasgenerallyconcededtoCrailey。Histriumphhadbeenofaboutafort-

night’sdurationwhenFanchonreturnedfromSt。Mary’s;and,withtheadventoftheyoungersister,theelder,whohaddecidedthatCraileywastheincomparableshehaddreamedofsinceinfancy,wasgenerouslyallowedtodiscoverthathewasnotthatvision——thatshehadfalleninlovewithherownideaofhim;whereasFanchoncaredonlythathebeCraileyGray,whateverkindofvisionthatwas。AndFanchondiscoveredthatitwasagreatmanykinds。

Thetransferwasmadecomfortably,withnicejudgmentofarespectableinterregnum,andtothegreaterhappinessofeachofthethreeyoungpeo-

ple;noobjectionensuingfromtheeasy-goingparents,whoweredevotedlyfondofCrailey,whilethetownlaughedandsaiditwasonlythatabsurdCraileyGrayagain。HeandVirginiawerethebestoffriends,andacceptedtheirnewrelationwithapreposterouslackofembarrassment。

TobeinlovewithCraileybecameFanchon’svocation;shespentallhertimeatit,andproducedablurredeffectuponstrangers。TheonlymanwithwhomsheseemedquitealivewasVanrevel:alittlebecauseTomtalkedofCrailey,andagreatdealbecauseshecouldtalkofCraileytoTom;

couldtellhimfreely,asshecouldtellnooneelse,howwonderfulCraileywas,andexplaintohimherlover’svagariesonthegroundthatitwasanecessityofgeniusestobeunlikethelessgifted。NorwasshealoneinsuspectingMr。Grayofgenius:inthefirstplace,hewassoodd;

inthesecond,hispoemswere"alreadyattractingmorethanlocalattention,"astheJournalremarked,generously,forCraileyhadceasedtopresenthisrhymestothatvaluablepaper。Ay!Boston,noless,washismart。

Hewasratherradicalinhisliterarypreferences,andhurttheelderChenoweth’sfeelingsbylaughingheartilyatsomepoemsofthelateLordByron;offendedmanypeoplebydislikingthestyleofSirEdwardBulwer,andevenrefusedtoadmitthatJamesFenimoreCooperwasthegreatestnovelistthateverlived。ButthesethingswereasnothingcomparedwithhisunpatrioticdefenceofCharlesDickens。ManyAmericanshadfallenintoagreatrageoverthevivaciousassaultupontheUnitedStatesin"MartinChuzzlewit;"nevertheless,Craileystillboldlyhailedhim(aseveryonehadheretoforeagreed)themostdexterouswriterofhisdayandthemostnotablehumoristofanyday。OfcoursetheEnglishmanhadnotvisitedandthoroughlystudiedsuchacityasRouen,Craileyconfessed,twinklingly;but,afterall,wasn’ttheresometruthin"MartinChuzzlewit?"Mr。Dickensmighthavebeenfarfromaclearunderstandingofourpeople;butdidn’titargueaprettyticklishvanityinourselvesthatweweresofiercelyresentfulofsatire;andwasnotthisveryheatover"MartinChuzzlewit"aconfirmationofoneofthepointsthebookhadpresentedagainstus?GeneralTrumblerepliedtothissuggestionwithapersonalonetotheeffectthatamancapableofsayingagoodwordforsomonstrousaslander,thataman,sir,capableofdeclaringhisnativecountrytobevainorsensitiveoughttobehorsewhipped,andatthisCraileylaughedconsumedly。

TrumbleretortedwiththenamesofBenedictArnoldandAaronBurr。"AndifitcomestoawarwiththeseGreasers,"hesplutteredapoplectically,"anditiscoming,mightysoon,we’llfindMr。GraydowninMexico,throwingmudontheStarsandStripesandcheeringforthatone-leggedhorse-thief,SantaAnna!Anythingtoseekoutsomethingfoolishamongstyourownpeople!"

"Don’thavetoseekfar,sometimes,General,"murmuredCrailey,fromthedepthsofthebestchairintheclub,whereuponTrumble,nottrustinghimselftoanswer,wentouttothestreet。

Andyet,beforethatsameeveningwasover,theGeneralhadshedhonesttearsofadmirationandpityforCraileyGray;andMissBettysawherIncroyableagain,forthatnight(thesecondaftertheCarewedance)Rouenbeheldthegreatwarehousetire。

CHAPTERV

NeronottheLastViolinistofhisKindMissCarewewasatherdesk,writingtoSisterCecilia,whomshemostlovedofalltheworld,whenthebellsstartledherwiththeirsuddenclangor。Thequilldroppedfromherhand;shestartedtoherfeet,wide-

eyed,notunderstanding;whilethewholetown,drowsingpeacefullyamomentago,resoundedimmediatelywithaloudconfusion。Sherantothefrontdoorandlookedout,herheartbeatingwildly。

Thewesternskywastouchedwithasoftrose-color,whichquicklybecameawarmglow,fluctuated,and,intheinstant,shotuplikethecomingofafullAurora。Thenthroughthebrokenfoliageofthetreetopscouldbeseentheorangecurlsofflames,three-quartersofamileawaythoughtheywere。

People,callingloudlythat"itwasCarewe’swarehouses,"wererunningdownthestreet。Fromthestable,oldNelson,onherfather’sbesthorse,camegalloping,andseeingthewhitefigureinthedoorway,criedoutinaquaveringvoice,withoutcheckinghissteed。

"Igoin’tellyo’pa,MissBetty,heindekentryonlan’bus’ness。Gobackindehouse,Missy!"

Theotherservants,likeraggedsketchesinthenight,flittedby,withexcitedejaculations,tojointherunners,andMissBettyfollowedthemacrossthedew-strewnturfinhernightslippers,butatthegateshestopped。

>Fromupthestreetcamethesoundofabellsmallerthanthoseofthechurchesandcourthouse,yetonethatoutdidallothersinthemadnessofitsappealtocleartheway。Itwasbornealongbywhatseemedatfirstanindefiniteblackmass,butwhich——astheAuroragrewkeener,producingevenhereafaint,yellowtwilight——resolveditselfintoamobofhoarsely-shoutingmenandboys,whowererunningandtuggingatropes,whichdrewalongthreeextraordinaryvehicles。TheycamerapidlydownthestreetandpassedMissBettywithahubbubanddinbeyondallunderstanding;onelineofmen,mostoftheminredshirtsandoil-clothhelmets,atadeadrunwiththehose-cart;asecondlinewiththehand-

engine;thethirddraggingtheladder-wagon。Onemanwasriding,atall,straightgentlemanineveningclothesandwithoutahat,whostoodpre-

cariouslyinthehose-cart,callinginanannoyedtonethroughabrazentrumpet。MissBettyrecognizedhimatonce;itwashewhocaughtherkitten;andshethoughtthatifshebadbeenFanchonBareaudshemusthavescreamedawarning,forhisbalanceappearedathingofmereluck,and,ifhefell,hewouldbetrampledunderfootandprobablyrunoverbytheengine。But,happily(sheremembered),shewasnotFanchonBareaud!

Before,behind,andbesidetheDepartment,racedathrongofboys,wildwiththejoyexperiencedbytheirspecieswhenpropertyisbeinghandsomelydestroyed;afterthemcamepantingwomen,holdingtheirsidesandgaspingwiththeefforttokeepupwiththeflyingprocession。

MissBettytrembled,forshehadneverseenthelikeinherlife;shestoodclosetothehedgeandletthemgoby;thensheturnedinafterthemandranlikeafleetyoungdeer。Shewasgoingtothefire。

Overalltheuproarcouldbeheardtheangryvoicethroughthetrumpet,callingtheturnsofthestreetstothemeninthevan,upbraidingthemandthoseoftheothertwocompaniesimpartially;andfewofhishearersdeniedthechiefhisrighttoexpresssomechagrin;sincetheDepartment(organizedahalf-year,hard-drilled,andthisitsfirstfireworththename)waslateonaccountoftherefusalofthememberstomoveuntiltheyhaddonnedtheirnewuniforms;fortheuniformshadarrivedfromPhiladelphiatwomonthsago,andtonightofferedthefirstopportunitytodisplaytheminpublic。

"HailVanrevel!"pantedTappinghamMarshtoEugeneMadrillon,asthetwo,runninginthevanofthe"HoseCompany,"splatteredthroughamud-puddle。

"You’dthinkhewasCarewe’sonlysonandheirinsteadofhisworstenemy。

Harktotheman!"

"I’dletitburn,ifIwerehe,"returnedtheother。

"ItwasallCrailey’sfault,"saidTappingham,swinginganarmfreetowipethespatteredmudfromhisface。"Hesworehewouldn’tbudgewithouthisuniform,andtherestonlybackedhimup;thatwasall。CraileysaidCarewecouldbetteraffordtolosehisshantiesthantheoverworkedDepartmentitsfirstchancetolookbeautifulandearnest。Tomaskedhimwhyhedidn’tsendforafiddle,"Marshfinishedwithachuckle。

"Carewemightaffordtolosealittle,evenawarehouseortwo,ifonlyoutofwhathe’stakenfromCraileyandtherestofus,thesethreeyears!"

"TakenfromVanrevel,youmean。Whodoesn’tknowwhereCrai1ey’s——

Here’sMainStreet;lookoutfortheturn!"

TheyswungoutofthethickshadowsofCareweStreetintofullviewofthefire,andtheirfaceswereilluminatedasbysunrise。

Thewarehousesstoodontheriver-bank,atthefootofthestreet,justsouthofthenew"coveredbridge。"Therewerefourofthem,huge,bare-

sidedbuildings;thetwonearerthebridgeofbrick,theothersofwood,andallofthemrichwithstoresofeverykindofriver-merchandiseandcostlyfreight:furniturethathadvoyagedfromNewEnglanddownthelongcoast,acrosstheMexicanGulf,throughtheflatDelta,andhadmadethewindingjourneyupthegreatriverathousandmiles,andalmostathousandmore,followingthegreaterandlessertributaries;clothfromConnecticutthathadbeensoldinPhiladelphia,thencarriedovermountainsandthroughforestsbysteam,bycanal,bystage,andsix-mulefreight-wagons,toPittsburg,downtheOhio,andthenceuptoRouenonthepacket;

Tennesseecotton,onitswaytoMassachusettsandRhodeIslandspindles,laytherebesidehugemoundsofrawwoolfromIllinois,readytobefedtotheRouenmill;datesandnutsfromtheCaribbeanSea;lemonsfromgrovesofthefarawaytropics;cigarsfromtheAntilles;tobaccofromVirginiaandKentucky;mostpreciousofall,thegreatgranaryofthefarmers’

wheatfromthelevelfieldsathome;andalltherichstoresandthehousesthatheldthem,aswellasthewharvesuponwhichtheyhadbeenlanded,andthesteamersthatbroughtthemuptheRouenRiver,belongedtoRobertCarewe。

Thatitwasherfather’spropertywhichwasimperilledattestedtothejustificationofMissBettyinrunningtoafire;and,asshefollowedthecrowdintoMainStreet,shefeltanotunpleasantproprietaryinterestinthespectacle。Veryoppositesensationsanimatedthebreastofthemanwiththetrumpet,whowasmoreacutelyconsciousthananyotherthatthesewereRobertCarewe’spossessionswhichwereburningsohandsomely。Norwashetheonlyoneamongthefiremenwhogroundhisteethoverthefollyoftheuniforms;fornowtheycouldplainlyseetheruinbeingwrought,thedevastationthreatened。Thetwoupperstoriesofthesouthernmostwarehousehadswathedthemselvesinonegreatflame;thebuildingnextonthenorth,alsoofframe,wassmokingheavily;andtherewasawindfromthesouthwest,which,continuingwiththefireunchecked,threatenedthetownitself。TherewasworkfortheVolunteerBrigadethatnight。

TheycamedownMainStreetwitharush,thefigureoftheirchiefswayingoverthemonhishighperch,whiletheirshoutingwasdrownedinthelouderroarofgreetingfromthecrowd,intowhichtheyplungedasadiverintothewater,swirlsandeddiesofpeoplemarkingthewake。Amomentlaterasectionoftheroofoftheburningwarehousefellin,withasonorousandreverberatingcrash。

The"EngineCompany"rantheforce-pumpouttotheendofoneofthelowerwharves;twolinesofpipewereattached;tworowsofmenmountedtheplanksforthepumpers,and,atthewordofcommand,begantheup-and-downofthehand-machinewithadmirablevim。Nothinghappened;thewaterdidnotcome;somethingappearedtobewrongwiththemechanism。Aseveryonefeltthecrucialneedofhaste,nothingcouldhavebeenmorenaturalthanthatallthemembersofthe"EngineCompany"shouldsimultaneouslyendeavortorepairthedefect;thereforeensueduponthespotaspeciesofriotwhichputtheengineoutofitssphereofusefulness。

Inthemeantime,fiftyorsixtymenandboyswhoranwiththemachines,butwhohadnoplaceintheiroperation,beingtheBucketBrigade,hadformedalineandwerethrowinglargepailsofwaterinthegeneraldirectionofthesouthernmostwarehouse,whichitwasnowimpossibletosave;whilethegentlemenofthe"Hook-and-LadderCompany,"abandoningtheirwagons,andarmedwithaxes,heroicallyassaultedthebigdoorofthegranary,thesecondbuilding,whencetheyweredrivenbytheexasperatedchief,whoinformedthemthattheonlywaytosavethewheatwastosavethebuilding。CraileyGray,oneoftheberatedaxemen,remainedbytheshattereddooraftertheothershadgone,and,struckbyasuddenthought,sethishandupontheironlatchandopenedthedoorbythissimpleprocess。Itwasnotlocked。Craileyleanedagainstthecasementandlaughedwithhiswholesoulandbody。

Meanwhile,bydintofshoutinginmen’searswhennearthem,throughthetrumpetwhendistant,tearingaxesfromtheirhands,imperiouslygesticulatingtosubordinatecommanders,andlingeringinnoonespotformorethanasecond,Mr。Vanrevelreducedhisforcestoasemblanceoforderinaremarkablyshorttime,consideringtheconfusionintowhichtheyhadfallen。

Thespacebetweentheburningwarehouseandthatnextitwasnotmorethanfiftyfeetinwidth,butfiftyfeetsohotnoonetookthoughtofenteringthere;anareaasdiscomfitinginappearanceasitwasbeautifulwiththethickrainofsparksandfirebrandsthatfelluponit。Butthechiefhaddecidedthatthisspacemustbeoccupied,andmore:mustbeheld,sinceitwastheonlypointofdefenceforthesecondwarehouse。Theroofofthisbuildingwouldburn,whichwouldmeanthedestructionofthewarehouse,unlessitcouldbemounted,becausethestreamsofwatercouldnotplayuponitfromtheground,nor,fromtheladders,domuchmorethanwettheprojectingeaves。Itwasagableroof,theeavestwentyfeetloweronthesouthsidethanonthenorth,wheretheladderscouldnothopetoreachthem。Vanrevelswunghislineofbucketeersroundtothrowwater,notupontheflames,butupontheladder-men。

MissCarewestoodinthecrowdupontheoppositesideofthebroadstreet。

Eventherehercheekswereuncomfortablyhot,andsometimesshehadtobrushasparkfromhershoulder,thoughshewastoomuchexcitedtomindthis。Shewaswatchingthebeautifulfieryfurnacebetweenthenorthwalloftheburningwarehouseandthesouthwallofitsneighbor,thefiftyfeetbrilliantandmistywithvaporousrose-color,dottedwiththemyriadredstars,hereyesshiningwiththereflectionoftheirfiercebeauty。

Shesawhowthevaporsmovedthere,likemenwalkinginfire,andshewasvaguelyrecallingShadrach,Meshach,andAbed-nego,when,overthesilhouettedheadsofthecrowdbeforeher,alongblackladderrose,wobbled,tiltedcrazily,thenlamelyadvancedandrangeditselfagainstthesouthwallofthesecondwarehouse,itstoprungstrikingtenfeetshortoftheeaves。Shehopedthatnoonehadanynotionofmountingthatladder。

Afigureappeareduponitimmediately,thatofagentleman,bareheadedandineveningdress,withabrasstrumpetswingingfromacordabouthisshoulders;thenoisegrewless;theshoutingdiedaway,andthecrowdbecamealmostsilent,asthefigure,climbingslowlydrewupabovetheirheads。Twoorthreerungsbeneath,cameasecond——amaninhelmetanduniform。Theclothesofbothmen,drenchedbythebucketeers,clungtothem,steaming。Asthesecondfiguremounted,athirdappeared;butthiswasthelast,fortheladderwasfrail,andsaggedtowardthesmokingwallwiththeweightofthethree。

Thechief,three-fourthsofthewaytothetop,shouteddownastifledcommand,andashortgrappling-ladder,fittedatoneendwithapairofspikedironhooks,waspassedtohim。Thenhetoiledupwarduntilhisfeetrestedonthethirdrungfromthetop;hereheturned,settinghisbacktothewall,liftedthegrappling-ladderhighoverhisheadsothatitrestedagainsttheeavesabovehim,andbroughtitdownsharply,fasteningthespikedhooksintheroof。Astheeavesprojectedfullythreefeet,thisleftthegrappling-ladderhangingthatdistanceoutfromthewall,itslowestrungalittleabovethelevelofthechief’sshoulders。

MissBettydrewinherbreathwithalittlechokedcry。Therewasasmallterracedhillofpiled-uppacking-boxesnearher,possessionofwhichhadbeentakenbyacompanyofraggamuffinishboys,andshefoundherselfstandingonthehighestboxandsharingthesummitwiththesequestionableyouths,almostwithoutnotingheractioninmountingthither,sostrainedwastheconcentrationofherattentionuponthefigurehighupintherose-glowagainstthewarehousewall。Theman,surely,surely,wasnotgoingtotrusthimselftothatbitofwoodenwebhangingfromtheroof!

WherewasMissBareaudthatshepermittedit?Ah,ifBettyhadbeenFanchonandmadwomanenoughtohaveacceptedthismadman,shewouldhavecompelledhimtocomedownatonce,andthereafterwouldlockhimupinthehousewheneverthebellsrang!

ButtheroofwastobemountedorRobertCarewe’spropertylost。Alreadylittleflamesweredancingupfromtheshingles,wherefirebrandshadfallen,theirnumberincreasingwitheachsecond。SoVanrevelraisedhisarms,tookahardgripuponthelowestrungofthegrappling-ladderandtrieditwithhisweight;theironhooksbitdeeperintotheroof;theyheld。Heswunghimselfoutintotheairwithnothingbeneathhim,caughttherungunderhisknee,andforamomenthungtherewhilethecrowdwithheldfrombreathing;thenacloudofsmoke,swirlingthatway,madehimthemereghostlynucleusofhimself,blottedhimoutaltogether,and,asitroseslowlyupward,showedtheladderfreeandempty,sothatatfirsttherewasaninstantwhentheythoughtthathehadfallen。But,asthesmokecleared,therewasthetallfigureontheroof。

Itwasanagileanddaringthingtodo,andthemanwhodiditwasmightilyapplauded。Thecheeringbotheredhim,however,forhewastryingtomakethemunderstand,below,whatwouldhappentothe"EngineCompany"

incasethewaterwasnotsentthroughthelinesdirectly;andwhathesaidshouldbedonetotheengineersincludedthingsthatwouldhaveblanchedthecheekofthemostinventiveSpanishInquisitorthateverlived。

MissBettymadeagestureasiftoapersonwithinwhisperingdistance。

"Yourcoatisonfire,"shesaidinanordinaryconversationaltone,withoutknowingshehadspokenaloud,andMr。Vanrevel,morethanonehundredfeetaway,seemedparticularlyconsciousofthepertinenceofherremark。Heremovedthegarmentwithalacrity,and,forthelackofthetardywater,begantouseitasaflailuponthefirebrandsandlittleflamesabouthim;thesheerdesperatebestofamaninarage,doingwhathecouldwhenothersfailedhim。Showersofsparksfelluponhim;thesmokewasrisingeverywherefromtheroofandthewallsbelow;and,growingdenseranddenser,shroudedhiminheavyveils,sothat,asheranhitherandthither,nowvisible,nowunseen,stampingandbeatingandsweepingawaythebrandsthatfell,heseemedbuttheredandghostlycaricatureofaXerxes,ineffectuallylashingthesea。Theywerecallingtohimimploringlytocomedown,inheaven’snametocomedown!

Thesecondmanhadfollowedtothetopoftheladderagainstthewall,andtherehepaused,waitingtopassupthelineofhosewhenthewordshouldcomethattheforce-pumphadbeenrepaired;butthepeoplethoughtthathewaitedbecausehewasafraidtotrusthimselftothegrappling-ladder。Hewasafraid,exceedinglyafraid;thoughthatwasnotwhyhewaited;andhewasstillchucklingovertheassaultoftheaxes。

Hissituationhadnotmuchtheadvantageofthatofthechief:hisredshirtmighthavebeensetwithorangejewels,sostuddeditwaswiththeflyingsparks;and,alargebranddroppinguponhishelmet,hethrewuphishandtodislodgeitandlostthehelmet。Thegreatlightfelluponhisfairhairandsmilingface,anditwasthenthatMissBettyrecognizedtheIncroyableofhergarden。

【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

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