CHAPTERVI
TheEverUnpracticalFeminineItwasaninvestigatingnegrochildoftenderyears，who，possessedofapettysenseofcauseandeffect，broughtanilluminativesimplicitytobearupontheproblemoftheforce-pump；andamultitudinousagitationgreetedhisdiscoverythattheengineershadforgottentoconnecttheirpipeswiththeriver。
Thisna媣eomissionwasfataltothesecondwarehouse；thewallburstintoflamebelowCraileyGray，whoclungtothetopoftheladder，choking，stifled，anddizzilyfightingthesparksthatcoveredhim，yetstillclutchingthenozzleofthehose-linetheyhadpassedtohim。Whenthestreamatlastleapedforth，makingthenozzlefightinhisgrasp，hesentitstraightupintotheairandletthecataractfallbackuponhimselfanduponthetwomenbeneathhimontheladder。
Therecameamomentofblessedrelief；andhelookedoutoverthebroadrosybluroffacesinthestreet，wherenoonewonderedmorethanhehowthewaterwastoreachtheroof。Suddenlyhestarted，wipedhiseyeswithhiswetsleeve，andpeeredintentlydownfromundertheshadingarm。Hisrovingglancecrossedthesmokeandflametorestuponatall，whitefigurethatstood，full-lengthabovetheheadsofthepeople，uponapedestalwroughtwiththegrotesqueimagesofboys：agirl’sfigure，stillasnoon，enrapt，likethestatueofsomeyounggoddessforwhomweremadethesesacrificialpyres。Mr。Grayrecognizedhisopportunity。
Ablackenedandunrecognizablefacepeereddownfromtheeaves，andthevoicebelongingtoitsaid，angrily："Whydidn’ttheysendupthatlinebeforetheyputthewaterthroughit？"
"Nevermind，Tom，"answeredCraileycheerfully，"I’llbringitup。"
"Youcan’t；I’llcomedownforit。Don’tbeeverykindofafool！"
"Youwantamonopoly，doyou？"AndCrailey，callingtoTappinghamMarsh，nextbelowhim，tocomehigher，leftthewrithingnozzleinthelatter’spossession，swunghimselfoutuponthegrappling-ladder，imitatingthechief’sgymnastics，andimmediately，onehandgraspingthesecondrung，onekneecrookedoverthelowest，leanedheaddownandtookthenozzlefromMarsh。Itwasaheavyweight，andthoughMarshsupportedthelinebeneathit，thegreatstreamhurtlingforthmadeitadifficultthingtomanage，foritwriggled，recoiledandstruggledasifithadbeenalive。
Craileymadethreeattemptstodrawhimselfup；butthestrainwastoomuchforhisgrip，andonthethirdattempthisfingersmeltedfromtherung，andheswungdownfearfully，hangingbyhisknee，butstillclingingtothenozzle。
"Giveitup，Crailey；itisn’tworthit，"Vanrevelcalledfromoverhead，notdaringtheweightofbothonthelightgrappling-ladder。
ButthoughCraileycarednomoreforthesavingofRobertCarewe’spropertythanforabutterfly’swinginChina，hecouldnotgiveupnow，anymorethanasaladbecouldhaveforbornetoturnsomersaultswhentheprettiestlittlegirllookedoutoftheschool-housewindow。HepassedthenozzletoTappingham，caughtthesecondrungwithhislefthand，and，oncemorehangingheaddownward，seizedthenozzle；then，withhiskneehookedtight，asthegushingwaterdescribedahugesemicircleuponthesmokeandhotvapor，hemadeamadlurchthroughtheair，whilewomenshrieked；buthelandedupright，half-sittingonthelowestrung。Heclimbedthegrappling-ladderswiftly，inspiteoftheweightandcontortionsoftheunmanageablebeasthecarriedwithhim；Tomleanedfardownandtookitfromhim；andCrailey，passingtheeaves，fell，exhausted，upontheroof。
Justashereachedthistemporarysecurity，aladywasborne，fainting，outoftheacclaimingcrowd。Fanchonwasthere。
Wordhadbeenpassedtothegentlemenofthe"EngineCompany"toshutoffthewaterinordertoallowthelinetobecarrieduptheladder，andtheyreceivedthecommandatthemomentTomliftedthenozzle，sothatthestreamdriedupinhishands。Thiswasthelaststraw，andtheblackened，singedandscarredchief，settingthetrumpettohislips，gavehimselfentirelytowrath。
ItstruckCrailey，evenasbelay，coughingandweepingwithsmoke，thattherewassomethingsplendidandlargeintheother’srage。Vanrevelwasordinarilysosteadyandcoolthatthiswasworthseeing，thisberserkergesture；worthhearing，thiswonderfulprofanity，likeWashington’sonefitofcursing；andCrailey，knowingTom，knew，too，thatithadnotcomeuponhimbecauseCarewehadadaughterintowhoseeyesTomhadlooked；nordidheragebecausehebelievedthatCrailey’slifeandhiswereinthegreaterhazardforthelackofeverydropofwaterthatshouldhaveissuedfromtheemptynozzle。Theirlungswereburdenedwithsmoke，whiletheintolerablesmartingofthroat，eyes，andnostrilswasliketheincisionofathousandneedlesinthemembranes；theirclotheswereluminouswithglowingcircleswherethesparkswereeating；theblazewidenedonthewallbeneaththem，andMarshwasshoutinghoarselythathecouldnolongerholdhispositionontheladder；yetCraileyknewthatnoneofthiswasinTom’smindashestood，scorched，blistered，andhaggard，ontheedgeoftheroof，shakinghisfistattheworld。Itwasbecausehischanceofsavingthepropertyofamanhedespisedwasbeingendangered。
Craileystretchedforthahandandtouchedhisfriend’sknee。"Yoursideoftheconversationisatrifleloud，Tom，"hesaid。"MissCareweisdownthere，acrossthestreet，onapileofboxes。"
Tomstoppedinthemiddleofaword，forwhichhemayhavereceivedbuthalfablackstrokefromtherecordingangel。Hewheeledtowardthestreet，and，shieldinghisinflamedeyeswithhishand，gazeddownwardinastrickensilence。FromthatmomentMr。Vanrevel’sinstructionstohisfollowerswereofadecorumatwhichnotthemeekestSunday-schoolscholardarehavecavilled。
Thethreemennowonthelongladder，Marsh，EugeneMadrillon，andWillCummings，foundtheirpositionuntenable；fortheflames，reachingallalongthewall，werelickingattheladderitself，betweenMarshandEugene。"Ican’tstandthisanylonger，"gaspedTappingham，"butIcan’tleavethosetwoupthere，either。"
"Notalone，"shoutedCummingsfrombeneathMadrillon。"Let’sgoup。"
Thusithappened，thatwhenthewatercameagain，andVanrevelletitfallinagratefulcascadeuponCraileyandhimself，threemanlyvoiceswereheardsinging，asthreementoiledthroughthebillowsofrosygray，belowthebeleagueredpair：
"OhthenobleDukeofYork，HehadTenthousandmen；
Hemarchedthemupthesideofahouse，Andmarchedthemdownagain！"
Aheadappearedabovetheeaves，andMarsh，thenEugene，thenCummings，camecrawlingoverthecorniceinturn，tojointheircomrades。Theywereagallantband，thoseyounggentlemenofRouen，andtheycamewiththeironicalsongontheirlips，and，lookingatoneanother，raggedandscarified，burstintohoarsebutindomitablelaughter。
Twoothersmadeanattempttofollow，andwouldnotberestrained。Itwasnoticedthatpartsofthelowerladderhadbeencharring；andtheladder-
menwerepreparingtoremoveittoalessdangerouspoint，whenoldGeneralTrumbleandyoungJeffersonBareaudmadearushtomountit，andwerewellupontheirupwardwaybeforetheladder，weakenedatthemiddle，sagged，splintered，andbroke，TrumbleandBareaudfallingwithit。Andtherewasthegrappling-ladder，danglingfortyfeetabovetheground；andtherewerethefiveupontheroof。
TheDepartmenthadnootherladderofmorethanhalfthelengthoftheshatteredone。NotonlytheDepartment，buteverysoulinRouen，knewthat；andthererosethethick，lowsighofamultitude，asoundfrightfultohear。Itbecameagroan，thenswelledintoadeepcryofalarmandlamentation。
Andnow，almostsimultaneously，thewestwallofthebuilding，andthesouthwall，andallthesouthwesternportionsoftheroof，coveredthem-
selveswithvoluminousmantlesofflame，whichincreasedsohugelyandwithsuchsavagerapiditythattheonestreamontheroofwasseentobebutaridiculousanduselessopposition。
Everybodybegantoshoutadvicetohisneighbor；andnobodylistenedeventohimself。Thefiremenwereinasgreataturmoilaswasthecrowd，whilewomencoveredtheireyes。YoungFrankChenowethwassobbingcursesuponthebruisedandshakingTrumbleandJeffersonBareaud，whocouldonlystandremorseful，impotentlygroaning，andmadenoanswer。
Thewallsofthesouthernmostwarehousefollowedtheroof，crashinginwardoneaftertheother，asacrificialpyrewithitspurposeconsummated；andintheseethandflareofitspassing，TomVanrevelagainshadedhiseyeswithhishand，andlookeddownacrosstheupturnedfaces。Thepedestalwiththegrotesquecarvingswasstillthere；butthecrowningfigurehaddisappeared——theyounggoddesswasgone。Forshe，ofallthatthrong，hadanideainherhead，and，afterscreamingittoeverymanwithinreach，onlytodiscovertheimpossibilityofmakingherselfunderstoodinthatBabel，shewasstrugglingtomakeherwaytowardthesecondwarehouse，throughtheswayingjamofpeople。Itwasadifficulttask，asthefartherinshemanagedtogo，thedenserbecamethepressandthemoretightlyshefoundthepeoplewedged，untilshereceivedinvoluntaryaidfromthefiremen。Inturningtheirsecondstreamtoplayineffectuallyuponthelowerstrataofflame，theyaccidentallydeflectedittowardthecrowd，whoseparatedwildly，leavingabiggap，ofwhichMissBettytookinstantadvantage。Shedartedacross，andthenextmoment，unnoticed，hadenteredthebuildingthroughthedoorwhichCraileyGrayhadopened。
Thefiveyoungmenontheroofwerewellawarethattherewaslittletodobuttowait，andsoontheywouldseewhichwastowin，theyorthefire；
sotheyshiftedtheirlineofhosetotheeasternfrontofthebuilding——
outofharm’sway，foralittletime，atleast——andheldthemuzzlesteady，watchingitswork。Andintruthitwasnotlongbeforetheyunderstoodwhichwouldconquer。ThesouthernandwesternportionsofthebuildinghadflungoutgreatflamesthatflutteredandflaredonthebreezelikeTitanicflags；andsteadily，slowly，atfirst，thenfasterasthesecondsflew，thefiveweredrivenbackward，upthelowslopeoftherooftowardthegable-ridge。TomVanrevelheldthefirstjointofthenozzle，andheretreatedwithasulkyface，liftinghisfootgrudginglyateachstep。Theywereallsilent，now，andnoonespokeuntilWillCummingsfaltered：
"Surelythey’llgetaropeuptoussomeway？"
Willknewaswellasdidtheothersthattherewasnoway；buthisspeechstruckthesullenheartofthechiefwithremorse。Heturned。"Ihopeyou’llallforgivemeforgettingyouuphere。"
Asound，halfsob，halfgiggle，camefromtheparchedlipsofEugeneMadrillon，ashepattedTomontheshoulderwithoutspeaking，andCraileynoddedquietly，thenleftthegroupandwenttotheeasternedgeoftheroofandlookedoutuponthecrowd。Cummingsdroppedthelineandsatdown，buryinghishotfaceinhisarms，fortheyallsawthatVanrevelthought"itwasnouse，"butaquestionofafewminutes，andtheywouldretreatacrossthegableandeitherjumporgodownwiththeroof。
Sincetheworldbegan，idleandindustriousphilosophershavespeculatedmuchuponthethoughtsofmenabouttodie；yetitcannotbetooingenuoustobelievethatsuchthoughtsvaryasthemen，theircharacters，andconditionsoflifevary。Nevertheless，pursuantwiththetraditionsofminstrelsyandromance，itisconceivablethatyoung，unmarriedmen，calledupontofacedesperatesituations，might，atthecrucialmoment，rushtoacommonexperienceofsummoningthevision，eachofhisheart’sdesire，andtomeet，eachhisdoom，withhernameuponhislips。
Anextraordinarythingoccurredinthepresentinstance，for，bymeansofsomefragmentaryremarksletfallatthetime，andafterwardrecalledsuchasTappinghamMarsh’sgasping："Atleastitwillbeonherfather’sroof！"
andfromotherthingslateroverheard，aninevitabledeductionhasbeenreachedthatfourofthefivegentlemenintheperilouscasehereindescribedwereoccupiedwiththevisionofthesameperson，towit：MissElizabethCarewe，"thelast——theprettiest——tocometotown！"
CraileyGray，alone，spokenotatall；butwhydidhestrainandstrainhiseyestowardthatempty’pedestalwiththegrotesquecarvings？DidheseekFanchonthere，orwasMissCarewethelastsweetapparitioninthefanciesofallfiveoftheunhappyyoungmen？
Thecoincidenceoftheactualappearanceoftheladyamongthem，thereforeseemedthemoremiraculous，when，wanandhopeless，staggeringdesperatelybackwardtothegable-ridge，theyheardaclearcontraltovoicebehindthem：
"Hadn’tyoubetterallcomedownnow？"itsaid。——"Thestairwaywillbeonfirebeforelong。"
Onlyonethingcouldhavebeenmoreshockinglyunexpectedtothefivethanthatthereshouldbeasixthpersonontheroof，andthiswasthatthesixthpersonshouldbeMissBettyCarewe。
Theyturned，aghast，agape，chopfallenwithastonishment，stunned，andincredulous。
Shestoodjustbehindthegable-ridge，smilingamiably，amostincongruouslittlepinkfaninherhand，thesmoke-wreathspartlyobscuringherandcurlingbetweenthefiveandherwhitedress，likemistsfloatingacrossthenewmoon。
Wasitbutakindlyphantasmofthebrain？WasittheincarnationofthelastvisionofthelostVolunteers？WasitaValkyrieassumingthatlovelylikenesstoperchuponthiseyrie，waitingtobeartheirheroicsoulstoValhalla，or——wasitMissBettyCarewe？
Tothechiefshespoke——allofthemagreedtothatafterward——butitwasCraileywhoanswered，whileTomcouldonlystare，andstandwagginghisheadatthelovelyphantom，likeaMandarinonashelf。
"Mymotherinheaven！"gaspedCrailey。"Howdidyoucomeuphere？"
"There’satrapintheroofontheothersideoftheridge，"shesaid，andshebegantofanherselfwiththepinkfan。"Astairwayrunsallthewaydown——oldNelsonshowedmethroughthesebuildingsyesterday——andthatsideisn’tonfireyet。I’msosorryIdidn’tthinkofituntilamomentago，becauseyoucouldhavebroughtthewaterupthatway。Butdon’tyouthinkyou’dbettercomedownnow？"
CHAPTERVII
TheComedianNotsavageHun，nor"barbarousVandyke，"nordemonApache，couldwishtodwelluponthestateofmindoftheChiefoftheRouenVolunteerFireDepartment；therefore，letthecurtainofmercydescend。"Withoutaword，heturnedanddraggedthenozzletotheeasterneaves，whence，afterawarninggesturetothosebelow，hedroppedittotheground。And，outofcompassion，itshouldbelittlemorethanhintedthatthegestureofwarningwasveryslight。
Whentherescuedbandreachedthefootofthelastflightofstairs，theybeheldtheopendoorwayasaframeforagreatpressofintentandcon-
tortedfaces，everyeyestillstrainedtowatchtheroof；noneoftheharrowedspectatorscomprehendingtheappearanceofthegirl’sfigurethere，norabletoseewhithershehadledthefiveyoungmen，untilTappinghamMarshraisedashoutasheleapedoutofthedooranddanceduponthesolidearthagain。
Then，indeed，therewasamightyuproar；cheeraftercheerascendedtotheredvaultofheaven；womenwept，menwhooped，andthepeoplerushedfortheheroeswithwide-open，welcomingarms。JeffersonBareaudandFrankChenowethandGeneralTrumbledashedatTomVanrevelwithincoherentcriesofthanksgiving，shakinghishandsandbeatinghimhystericallyupontheback。Hegreetedthemwithbitterlaughter。
"Helpgetthewaterintothenextwarehouse；thisoneisbeyondcontrol，butwecansavetheothertwo。Takethelinesinthroughthedoor！"Hebrushedtherejoicingfriendsoffabruptly，andwentoninaqueer，hollowvoice："Therearestairs——andI’msosorryIdidn’tthinkofituntilamomentago，becauseyoucouldhavebroughtthewaterupthatway！"
Aremarkablecaseofdesertionhadoccurred，thepreviousinstant，underhiseyes。Asthepartyemergedfromthewarehouseintothestreet，TomheardCraileysayhurriedlytoMissCarewe："Letmegetyouawaycomequickly！"sawhimsuddenlyseizeherband，and，eludingtheonrushingcrowd，runwithherroundthecornerofthebuilding。Andsomehow，throughwhatinspiration，orthroughwhatknowledgeofhispartner’s"temperament，"heavenknows，thepropheticsoulofthechiefwasunhappilyassuredthatCraileywouldofferhimselfasescorttoherhome，andfindacceptance。Butwhynot？WasitCraileywhohadpubliclycalledhisfellow-manfool，idiot，imbecile，atthetopofhislungs，onlytofindhimselftheprovennumskulloftheuniverse！Tomstoodforamomentstaringafterthevanishingpair，whileoverhisfacestolethestrangestexpressionthatevermansawthere；then，withmeeklybowedshoulders，beturnedagaintohiswork。
Atthecornerofthewarehouse，MissCarewedetachedherhandfromCrailey’s，yetstillfollowedhimashemadeaquickdetourroundthenextbuilding。Aminuteortwolatertheyfoundthemselves，undetected，uponMainStreetintherearofthecrowd。ThereCraileypaused。
"Forgiveme，"hesaid，breathlessly，"fortakingyourhand。Ithoughtyouwouldliketogetaway。"
Sheregardedhimgravely，sothathefounditdifficulttoreadherlook，exceptthatitwasseriouslyquestioning；butwhethertheinterrogationwasaddressedtohimortoherselfhecouldnotdetermine。Afterasilenceshesaid：
"Idon’tknowwhyIfollowedyou。Ibelieveitmusthavebeenbecauseyoudidn’tgivemetimetothink。"
This，ofcourse，madehimevenquickerwithherthanbefore。"It’sallover，"hesaidbriskly。"Thefirstwarehouseisgone；thesecondwillgo，butthey’llsavetheotherseasilyenough，nowthatyouhavepointedoutthatthelinesmaybeutilizedotherwisethanasadjunctsofperformancesonthehightrapeze！"Theywerestandingbyapicket-fence，andheleanedagainstit，overcomebymirthinwhichshedidnotjoin。Hergravityreacteduponhimatonce，andhislaughterwasstoppedshort。"Willyounotacceptmeasanescorttoyourhome？"hesaidformally。"Idonotknow，"shereturnedsimply，thesortofhonesttroubleinherglancethatisseenonlyinveryyoungeyes。
"`Whatreasonintheworld！"hereturned，withacraftysharpnessofastonishment。
Shecontinuedtogazeuponhimthoughtfully，whilehetriedtolookintohereyes，butwasbaffledbecausetheradiantbeamsfromthelady’sorbs（astheelderChenowethmighthavesaid）restedsomewheredangerouslynearhischin，whichworriedhim，for，thoughhischinmadenoretreatandwasfarfromill-looking，itwas，nevertheless，thatfeaturewhichhemostdistrusted。"Won’tyoutellmewhynot？"herepeated，uneasily。
"Because，"sheansweredatlast，speakinghesitatingly，"becauseitisn’tsoeasyamatterformeasyouseemtothink。Youhavenotbeenintroducedtome，andIknowyouneverwillbe，andthatwhatyoutoldmewastrue。"
"WhichpartofwhatItoldyou？"Thequestionescapedfromhiminstantly。
"Thattheothersmightcomewhentheyliked，butthatyoucouldnot。"
"Ohyes，yes。"Hisexpressionalteredtoasinceredejection；hisshouldersdrooped，andhisvoiceindicatedsupremeannoyance。"Imighthaveknownsomeonewouldtellyou！Whowasit？DidtheysaywhyI——"
"Onaccountofyourquarrelwithmyfather。"
"Myquarrelwithyourfather！"heexclaimed；andhisfacelitwithanelatedsurprise；hisshouldersstraightened。Hetookastepnearerher，andasked，eagerly："Whotoldyouthat？"
"Myfatherhimself。HespokeofaMr。Vanrevelwhomhe——disliked，andwhomImustnotmeet；and，rememberingwhatyouhadsaid，ofcourseIknewthatyouwerehe。"
"Oh！"Crailey’slipsbegantoformasmileofsuchappealingandinimitablesweetnessthatVoltairewouldhavetrustedhim；asmilealto-
getherrose-leaves。"ThenIloseyou，"hesaid，"formyonlychancetoknowyouwasinkeepingithiddenfromyou。Andnowyouunderstand！"
"No，"sheanswered，gravely，"Idon’tunderstand；thatiswhattroublesme。IfIdid，andbelievedyouhadtherightofthedifference，Icouldbelieveitnosinthatyoushouldspeaktome，shouldtakemehomenow。I
thinkitiswrongnottoactfromyourownunderstandingofthings。"
Theyoungmansethisexpressionasoneindomitablyfixeduponthecourseofhonor，costwhatitmight；and，intheveryaction，hislurkingpleasureindoingithoppedoutintheflickerofatwinkleinhiseyes，andasinstantlysoughtcoveragain——thefleaintherose-jar。
"Thenyoumustasksomeother，"hesaid，firmly。"Adisinterestedpersonshouldtellyou。Thedifferencewaspoliticalinthebeginning，butbecamepersonalafterward；anditisnowaquarrelwhichcanneverbepatchedup，though，formypart，Iwishthatitcouldbe。Icansaynomore，becauseapartytoitshouldnotspeak。"
Shemethislevellooksquarelyatlast；andnomaneverhadamoretruthfulpairofeyesthanCraileyGray，foritwashisgreataccomplishmentthathecouldadjusthisemotion，hisreason，andsomethingthatmightbecalledhisfaith，tofitanysituationinanycharacter。
"Youmaytakemehome，"sheanswered。"Imaybewrong，andevendisloyal；
butIdonotfeelitso，now。Youdidaverybravethingtonighttosavehimfromloss，andIthinkthatwhatyouhavesaidwasjustwhatyoushouldhavesaid。"
Sotheywentdownthestreet，thehubbubandconfusionofthefiregrowingmoreandmoreindistinctbehindthem。Theywalkedslowly，and，foratime，neitherspoke；yetthesilencewasofakindwhichtheadeptrejoicedtohaveproducedthussoon——theirsecondmeeting。ForhebelievedthereweremorestrangethingsinheavenandearththanHoratiowot；andoneofthestrangestwasthatwheneverhewasnearanattractivewomanduringasilencesuchasthis，somethingnottobedefined，butaseffectiveasitwasindefinite，alwayswentoutfromhimtoher。Itwaslikeawordoftenderness，awordtoogentle，toocompelling，toosweet，tobepartofanytongue，spokenorwritten。Andmore：thisineffablewordhadanecho，andcamebacktohimfromthewoman。
Ashispartnerhadindress，soCraileyhadwithwomen，somecoloroftheBeau；butitwasnotinwhatexperiencehadgivenhimtorecognizeasafact：thattheywereapttofallinlovewithhim。（Thattheywereapttoremaininlovewithhim——heunderstoodperfectly——wasanothermatter。）
Andheknewwhentheyweredoingit；couldhavetoldthemaccurately，ateachstep，whattheywerefeeling，thinking，dreaming，duringtheprocess，becausehewasusuallyexhibitingthesamesymptomstohimselfatthesametime。
Thus，hisownbreastoccupiedwiththatdizzyelationwhichfolloweditsreceptionoftheinsaneyounggod’sarrows，andhisheartwarmwiththeriseoftheoldemotionthatheknewsowell，hewasneverthelessabletowalkwithhisfingeronthepulseoftheexquisitemoment，countingherheartbeatsandhisown。
So，tohisfancy，astheywalked，thelittlespacebetweenthemwashungwithbrilliantstrands，likegossamerchainsofgold，alreadylinkingthemtogether；everysecondfixinganotherslender，preciousfetter，bindingthemcloser，drawinghernearer。HewaiteduntiltheypassedintotheshadowsofthedesertedCareweStreetbeforehespoke。Therebestoppedabruptly；atwhichsheturned，astonished。
"Nowthatyouhavesavedmylife，"hesaid，inalow，tremuloustone，"whatareyougoingtodowithit？"
Hereyesopenedalmostaswidelyastheyhadatherfirstsightofhiminhergarden。Therewasalongpausebeforeshereplied，andwhenshedid，itwastohisconsiderablesurprise。
"Ihaveneverseenaplay，exceptthefunnylittleonesweactedattheconvent，"shesaid，"butisn’tthatthewaytheyspeakonthestage？"
Craileyrealizedthathisjudgmentofthesilencebadbeenmistaken，andyetitwaswithathrillofdelightthatherecognizedherclearreadingofhim。Hehadbeentoofloridagain。
"Letusgo。"Hisvoicewassoftwithrestrainedforgiveness。"Youmockedmeoncebefore。
"Mockedyou？"sherepeated，astheywenton。
"Mockedme，"hesaid，firmly。"Mockedmeforseemingtheatrical，andyetyouhavelearnedthatwhatIsaidwastrue；asyouwillagain。"
Shemuseduponthis；then，asinwhimsicalindulgencetoanimportunatechild：
"Well，tellmewhatyoumeanwhenyousayIsavedyourlife。"
"Youcamealone，"bebegan，hastily，"tostanduponthatburningroof——"
"Whenceallbuthimhadfled！"Herlaughterrangout，interruptinghim。
"MyroomwasonthefourthflooratSt。Mary’s，andIdidn’tmindclimbingthreeflightsthisevening。"
Crailey’sgood-naturewasalwaysperfect。"Youmockmeandyoumockme！"
hecried，andmadeherlaughterbutpartofagayduet。"IknowIhavegonetoofast，havesaidthingsIshouldhavewaitedtosay；but，ah！
rememberthesmallchanceIhaveagainsttheotherswhocanseeyouwhentheylike。Don’tfloutmebecauseItrytomakethemostofarare，stolenmomentwithyou。"
"Do！"sheexclaimed，graveupontheinstant。"Domakethemostofit！I
havenothingbutinexperience。Makethemostbytreatingmeseriously。
Won’tyou？Iknowyoucan，andI——I——"Shefalteredtoafullstop。Shewasearnestandquiet，andtherehadbeensomethinginhertone，too——asveryoftentherewas——thatshowedhowyoungshewas。"Oh！"shebeganagain，turningtohimimpulsively，"Ihavethoughtaboutyousincethateveninginthegarden，andIhavewishedIcouldknowyou。Ican’tbequiteclearhowithappened，buteventhosefewminutesleftanumberofstrongimpressionsaboutyou。AndthestrongestwasthatyouwereonewithwhomIcouldtalkofagreatmanythings，ifyouwouldonlyberealwithme。Ibelieve——thoughI’mnotsurewhyIdo——thatitisverydifficultforyoutobereal；perhapsbecauseyouaresodifferentatdifferenttimesthatyouaren’tsure，yourself，whichtherealyouis。
Butthepersonthatyouarebeginningtobeformybenefitmustbethemosttriflingofallyourselves，lighterandeasiertoputonthanthelittlemaskyoucarriedtheothernight。Iftherewerenothingbetterunderneaththemask，Imightplay，too。"
"Didyoulearnthisattheconvent？"gaspedCrailey。
"Therewasaworldthereinminiature，"sheanswered，speakingveryquickly。"Ithinkallpeoplearemadeofthesamematerials，onlyinsuchdifferentproportions。Ithinkalittleworldmightholdasmuchasthelargest，ifyouthoughtitallouthardenough，andyourexperiencemightbejustasbroadanddeepinasmallcorneroftheearthasanywhereelse。
ButIdon’tknow！Iwanttounderstand——Iwanttounderstandeverything！
Ireadbooks，andtherearepeople——butnoonewhotellsmewhatIwant——
I——"
"Stop。"Heliftedhishand。"Iwon’tact；Ishallnever`play’foryouagain。"Hewasbreathless；thewitchingsilencewasnothingtowhatstirredhimnow。Asingularexaltationroseinhim，togetherwiththerecklessimpulsetospeakfromthemoodhervehementconfidencehadin-
spired。Hegavewaytoit。
"Iknow，Iknow，"hesaidhuskily。"Iunderstandallyoumean，allyoufeel，allyouwish。Itisallechoinghere，andhere，andhere！"Hetouchedhisbreast，hiseyes，andhisforeheadwiththefingersofhislongandslenderhand。"Wesighandstrainoureyesandstretchoutourarmsinthedark，gropingalwaysforthestrangeblessingthatisjustbeyondourgrasp，seekingforthepreciousunknownthatliesjustoverthehorizon！It’swhattheymeantbythepotofgoldwheretherainbowends——
only，itmaybethere，afterall！"
Theystoppedunconsciously，andremainedstandingatthelowerendoftheCarewehedge。Thewesternglowhadfaded，andshewasgazingathimthroughthedarkness，leaningforward，neverdreamingthathertightgrasphadbrokenthesticksofthelittlepinkfan。
"Yes，"shewhispered，eagerly。"Youareright：youunderstand！"
Hewenton，thewordscomingfasterandfaster："Wearehaunted——youandI——bythewishtoknowallthings，andbythequestionthatliesundereverythoughtwehave：theagonizingWhither？Isn’titlikethat？Itisreallydeaththatmakesusthink。YouareagoodCatholic：yougotomass；butyouwishtoknow。DoesGodreign，ordiditallhappen？
Sometimesitseemssodeadlyprobablethattheuniversejustwas，noGodtoplanit，nothingbutthings；thatwedieassparrowsdie，andthebrainisallthesoulwehave，athingthatbecomescloggedandstopssomeday。
Andisthatall？"
Sheshiveredslightly，buthersteadfasteyesdidnotshiftfromhim。Hethrewbackhishead，andhisface，upliftedtothejewelledskyofthemoonlessnight，wasbeatificinitspeacefulness，ashecontinuedinanalteredtone，gentleandlow：
"Ithinkallquestionsareansweredthere。Thestarstellitall。Whenyoulookatthemyouknow！Theyhaveputthemonourflag。Therearetimeswhenthisseemsbutapoornation：boastful，corrupt，violent，andpreparing，asitisnow，tostealanothercountrybyfraudandwar；yetthestarsontheflagalwaysmakemehappyandconfident。Doyouseetheconstellationsswingingaboveus，suchunimaginablevastnesses，notrovingorcrashingthroughtheillimitableathaphazard，butmovinginmoreexcellentmeasure，andtoafinerrhythm，thanthemostdelicateclockworkmanevermade？Thegreatocean-linesmarkourseaswiththeirpathsthroughthewater；thefinebrainsoftheeartharebehindtheshipsthatsailfromporttoport，yethowawrythesystemgoes！Whendoesashipcometoherharboratanhourdeterminedwhenshesailed？Whatisashipbesidethesmallestmoonofthesmallestworld？But，thereaboveus，moons，worlds，suns，alltheinfiniteclusterofcolossi，moveintoplacetotheexactnessofahairatthepreciseinstant。Thatinstanthasbeenplanned，yousee；itispartofasystem——andcanasystemexistthatnomindmade？ThinkoftheMindthatmadethisone！DoyoubelievesoinconceivablymajesticanIntelligenceasthatcouldbeanythingbutgood？
Ah，whenyouwonder，lookaboveyou；lookaboveyouinthenight，Isay，"
hecried，hishandupraisedlikehistransfiguredface。"Lookaboveyouandyouwillneverfearthatasparrow’sfallcouldgounmarked！"
Itwasnottothestarsthatshelooked，buttotheorator，aslongasheheldthatpose，whichlasteduntilahard-riddenhorsecamegallopingdownthestreet。Asitdashedby，thoughtheriderlookedneithertorightnorleft，MissBettyunconsciouslymadeafeverishclutchathercompanion’ssleeve，drawinghimclosertothehedge。
"Itismyfather，"shesaidhurriedlyinalowvoice。"Hemustnotseeyou。Youmustnevercomehere。Perhaps——"Shepaused，thenquicklywhispered："Youhavebeenverykindtome。Good-night。"
Helookedatherkeenly，andthroughthedimnesssawthatherfacewasshiningwithexcitement。Hedidnotspeakagain，but，takingastepback-
ward，smiledfaintly，benthisheadinhumbleacquiescence，andmadeaslightgestureofhishandforhertoleavehim。Shesethereyesuponhisoncemore，thenturnedswiftlyandalmostranalongthehedgetothegate；butthereshestoppedandlookedback。Hewasstandingwhereshehadlefthim，hisfaceagainupliftedtothesky。
Shewavedhimanuncertainfarewell，andranintothegarden，bothpalmsagainstherburningcheeks。
Nightisthegreatnecromancer，andstrangearethefabricsheweaves；helaysqueerspells；breathessoeerieanintoxicationthroughthedusk；hecancastsuchglamoursaboutavoice！Heistheverykingoffairyland。
MissBettybegantowalkrapidlyupanddownthegardenpaths，herheadbentandherbandsstillpressedtohercheeks；nowandthenanunconsciousexclamationburstfromher，incoherent，morelikeagaspthanaword。Alongtimeshepacedthevigilwithherstirringheart，herskirtssweepingthedewfromtheleaningflowers。Herlipsmovedoften，butonlytheconfused，vehement"Oh，oh！"camefromthem，untilatlastshepausedinthemiddleofthegarden，awayfromthetrees，whereallwasopentothesparklingfirmament，andextendedherarmsoverherhead。
"O，strangeteacher，"shesaidaloud，"Itakeyourbeautifulstars！I
shallknowhowtolearnfromthem！"
Shegazedsteadilyupward，enrapt，hereyesresplendentwiththeirownstarlight。
"Oh，stars，stars，stars！"shewhispered。
Intheteethofallwizardry，Night’sspellsdopassatsunrise；
marvellouspoemssinktodoggerel，mightydreamstoblownashesandsolidsregainweight。MissBetty，wakingatdaybreak，sawthemotesdancinginthesunatherwindow，andwatchedthemwithaplacid，unrememberingeye。
Shebegantostareattheminapuzzledway，whilealookofwonderslowlyspreadoverherface。Suddenlyshesatupright，asthoughsomethinghadstartledher。Herfingersclenchedtightly。
"Ah，ifthatwasplaying！"
CHAPTERVIII
ATaleofaPoliticalDifferenceMr。Carewewasalreadyatthebreakfast-table，butthelightofhiscountenance，hiddenbehindtheRouenJournal，wasnotvouchsafedtohisdaughterwhenshetookherplaceoppositehim，nordidheseefittoreturnhermorninggreeting，fromwhichshegenerouslyconcludedthattheburningofthetwowarehouseshadmeantaseverelosstohim。
"Iamsosorry，father，"shesaidgently。（Shehadnotcalledhim"papa"
sincethemorningafterherball。）"Ihopeitisn’ttobeagreattroubletoyou。"Therewasnoresponse，and，afterwaitingforsometime，shespokeagain，rathertremulously，yetnottimidly："Father？"
Herose，anduponhisbrowweremarkedtheblackestlinesofangershehadeverseen，sothatsheleanedbackfromhim，startled；buthethrewdowntheopenpaperbeforeheronthetable，andstruckitwithhisclenchedfist。
"Readthat！"hesaid。Andhestoodoverherwhilesheread。
Thereweresomegrandiloquentheadlines："MissElizabethCareweanAngelofMercy！CharmingBelleSavestheLivesofFiveProminentCitizens！HerPresenceofMindPreventsConflagrationfromWipingOuttheCity！"ItmaybenotedthatWillCummings，editorandproprietoroftheJournal，hadwrittenthesetributes，aswellasthewholeaccountoftheevening’stransactions，andMissBettyloomedaslargeinWill’snarrativeasinhisgoodandlovelornheart。TherewasverylittleconcerningthefireintheJournal；itwasnearlyallaboutBetty。Thatisoneofthemisfortuneswhichpursuealadywhoallowsaneditortofallinlovewithher。
However，therewasascantmentionofthearrivaloftheVolunteers"uponthescene"（thoughnoneatallatthecauseoftheirdelay）andanelo-
quentparagraphwasdevotedtotheirhandsomeappearance，Mr。Cummingshavingbeenoneofthosewhoinsistedthatthenewuniformsshouldbeworn。"Soon，"saidtheJournal，"throughthedaringoftheChiefoftheDepartment，andtheCaptainoftheHook-and-LadderCompany，oneofwhomplacedandmountedthegrappling-ladder，overwhichhewasimmediatelyfollowedbytheothercarryingthehose，astreamwassenttoplayuponthedevouringelement，afeatofderring-dopersonallywitnessedbyamajorityofourreaders。Mr。VanrevelandMr。GraywerejoinedbyEugeneMadrillon，TappinghamMarsh，andtheeditorofthispaper，afterwhichoccurredtheunfortunateaccidenttothelongladder，leavingthefivenamedgentlemenintheirterriblepredicament，facetofacewithdeathinitsmostawfulform。Atthisfrightfulmoment"——andalltherestwasaboutMissCarewe。
AsWillhimselfadmitted，hehad"laidhimselfoutonthatdescription。"
Oneparagraphwascomposedofshortsentences，eachbeginningwiththeword"alone。""Alonesheenteredtheshattereddoor！Aloneshesetfootuponthefirstflightofstairs！Alonesheascendedthesecond！Aloneshemountedthethird。Alonesheliftedherhandtothetrap！Alonesheopenedit！"Shewasdeclaredtohavemadeherappearancetotheunfortunateprisonersontheroof，evenas"thepalm-ladendovetothedespairingNoah，"andWillalsoassertedrepeatedlythatshewasthe"HeroineoftheHour。"
MissBettyblushedtoseehernamesoblazonedforthinprint；butshelackedonekindofvanity，andfailedtofindgoodreasonformorethanasomewhattroubledlaughter，thewriter’spurposewassomanifestlykindinspiteofthebizarreresult。
"Oh，IwishMr。Cummingshadn’t！"sheexclaimed。"Itwouldhavebeenbetternottospeakofmeatall，ofcourse；butIcan’tseethatthereisanythingtoresent——itissofunny！"
"Funny！"Mr。Carewerepeatedthewordinacrackedfalsetto，withtheevidentintentionofmockingher，andatthesametimehideouslycontortedhisfaceintoagrotesqueidiocyofexpression，pursinghislipssoextremely，andsettinghisbrowssoawry，thathisotherfeatureswerecartoonedoutofallfamiliarlikeness，effectinganalterationasshockingtobehold，inamanofhisseverecastofcountenance，aswashisfalsettomimicrytohear。Sheroseinakindofterror，perceivingthatthiscontortionwasproducedinburlesqueofherownexpression，and，ashepressednearerher，steppedback，overturningherchair。Shehadlittlerecollectionofherfatherduringherchildhood；andaslongasshecouldremember，noonehadspokentoherangrily，orevenroughly。
Assheretreatedfromhim，heleanedforward，thrustingthehideousmaskclosertoherwhiteandhorror-strickenface。
"Youcan’tseeanythingtoresentinthat！"hegibbered。"It’ssofunny，isit？Funny！Funny！Funny！I’llshowyouwhetherit’sfunnyornot，I’llshowyou！"Hisvoicerosealmosttoashriek。"Youhangaroundfires，doyou，onthepublicstreetsatnight？You’reaniceoneformetoleaveinchargeofmyhousewhileI’maway，youtrollop！Whatdidyoumeanbygoinguponthatroof？YouknewthatdamnedVanrevelwasthere！Youdid，Isay，youknewit！"
Sherantowardthedoorwithafrightenedcry；buthegotbetweenitandher，menacingherwithhisupraisedopenhands，shakingthemoverher。
"You’realovelydaughter，aren’tyou！"heshoutedhoarsely。"Youknewperfectlywellwhowasonthatroof，andyouwent！Didn’tyougo？Answermethat！IfI’dhadarmsaboutmewhenIgotthere，I’dhaveshotthatmandead！Hewasonmyproperty，givingorders，theblackhound！AndwhenIorderedhimout，hetoldmeifIinterferedwithhisworkbeforeitwasfinished，he’dhavemethrownout——methatownedthewholeplace；andtherewasn’tamanthatwouldlendmeapistol！`Rescue！’You’dbetterrescuehimfromme，youpalm-ladendove，forI’llshoothim，Iwill！I’llkillthatdog；andheknowsit。Hecanblusterinacrowd，buthe’llhidenow！He’sacowardand——"
"Hecamehomewithme；hebroughtmehomelastnight！"Hervoicerangoutintheroomlikethatofsomeotherperson，andshehardlyknewthatitwasherselfwhospoke。
"Youlie！"hescreamed，andfellbackfromher，hisfaceworkingasthoughunderthedominanceofsomephysicaldisorder，thefleshofitplasticbeyondconception，sothatshecriedoutandcoveredherfacewithherarm。"Youlie！IsawyouatthehedgewithCraileyGray，thoughyouthoughtIdidn’t。Whatdoyouwanttolielikethatfor？Vanreveldidn’tevenspeaktoyou。IaskedMadrillon。Youlie！"
Hechokeduponthewords；arackingcoughshookhimfromheadtofoot；hestaggeredbackanddroppeduponheroverturnedchair，hisarmsbeatingthetableinfrontofhim，hisheadjerkingspasmodicallybackwardandforwardashegaspedforbreath。
"Ringthebell，"bepantedthickly，withanincoherentgesture。"Nelsonknows。Ring！"
Nelsonevidentlyknew。Hebroughtbrandyandwaterfromthesideboardwithnostintinghand，andwithintenminutesMr。Carewewasinhisaccustomedseat，competenttofinishhisbreakfast。Insolitude，however，hesat，andnooneguessedhisthoughts。
ForMissBettyhadfledtoherownroom，andhadboltedthedoor。Shelayuponthebed，shudderingandshiveringwithnauseaandcold，thoughthedaywaswarm。Then，likeahotpaininherbreast，cameahomesicknessforSt。Mary’s，andtheflood-tideoftears，asshethoughtofthequietconventinthesunshineovertothewest，thepeaceofit，andthegoodnessofeverybodythere。
"SisterCecilia！"Hershouldersshookwiththegreatsobthatfollowedthisname，dearesttoherintheworld，convulsivelywhisperedtothepil-
low"DearSisterCecilia！"Shepattedthewhitepillowwithherhand，asthoughitwerethecoolcheekagainstwhichsheyearnedtolayherown。
"Ah，youwouldknow——youwouldknow！"WiththethoughtoftheserenefaceofthegoodSister，andofthekindarmsthatwouldhavegoneroundherinhertrouble，hersobbinggrewloudanduncontrollable。Butshewouldnothaveherfatherhearit，andburiedherfacedeepinthepillow。Afteratime，shebegantogrowquieter，turned，andlaywithweteyesstaringunseeinglyatthewall，herunderlipquiveringwiththedeepintakeofeachbrokensigh。
"Oh，stars，stars，stars！"shewhispered。
"Missy？"Therecameasoftknockuponthedoorandtheclinkofsilveruponchina。"Missy？
"Whatisit？"
SoquickwasMissBettythat，althoughsheansweredalmostatonce，thetearswerewashedaway，andshewaspassingacool，wettoweloverhereyesatthemomentshespoke。
"Jassme。Ibrungyo’breakfas’，honey。"
OldNelson’svoicewasalwayslowandgentle，withaquaverandhesitancyintheutterance；nowitwastenderandcomfortingwiththecomprehensionofoneinsuffering，theextraordinarytact，whichtheoldofhisracenearlyallcometopossess。"Li’lchicken-wingonpiecebrowntoast，honey。"
Whensheopenedthedoorhecamein，bendingattentivelyoverhistray，and，withoutaglancetowardhisyoungmistress，madesomeshowoffussandbustle，asheplacedituponatablenearthewindowanddrewupachairforhersothatshecouldsitwithherbacktothelight。
"Dahnow！"heexclaimedsoftly，removingthewhitenapkinanddisplayingotherdaintiesbesidesthechickenwing。"Dassdeway！DatoleMamieindekitchen，shegotherfailin’san’hergrievin’sins；butdewayshedohan’lechickenan’biscuitsutneyain’tnoneon`em！Shepleadfo’metoaxyouhowyoulikedembiscuit。"
Hekepthisheadbentlowoverthetable，settingaforkclosertoBetty’shand；arrangingtheplates，thenrearrangingthem，butneverturninghiseyesinherdirection。
"DatoleMamiemightyvain，yessuh！"Hesufferedaveryquietchuckletoescapehim。"Shedidmostsutney`sistdatIaxyouain’tyoulikedembiscuit。Shedeve’yvaines’womanindisState，datoleMamie，yessuh！"
AndnowhecastonequickglanceoutofthecornerofhiseyeatMissBetty，beforeventuringalouderchuckle。"Shereckondembiscuitgoin’
githerbySain’Petuhwhenshe`proachdehevumlygates！Uhuh！Itellhershegotgitredemptionfo’deaigsshedoneruindesemanyyeahs；
`causesheasuselesswidanommelickasatwo-daycalfondeslickice！"
Herehelaughedloudandlong。"YoujassgoandtalkwiddatMamie，someday，Missy；you’llseehowvaindatwomanis。"
"Hasfathergoneout，Nelson？"askedBettyinalowvoice。
"Yes’m；heuptown。"Theoldman’stonesankatoncetothelevelofherown；becameconfidential，asonespeakstoanotherinaroomwheresomebodyisill。"Hemekkin’perpetrationtogodownderivuhdisaft’noon。Hesayhedonebrokedenewstoyoudathegoin’`way。Deygoin’buil’demwa’houserightup，an’yo’pahenecistatego`way`countdecontrack。Hebegonetwoweek’，honey，"Nelsonfinished，withouttoomuchtheairofimpartingcheerytidings，butwithjustenough。
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