IfMissSallywasreally——a——a——distractingelementtocontiguousman，itwascertainlysomethingtobeconsideredinamatterofbusinessofwhichshewouldtakeamanagerialpart。ItwastruethatChampneyhadsaidshewas"notthatsortofgirl，"butthiswasthetestimonyofonewhowasclearlyunderherinfluence。HeenteredthehousethroughtheopenFrenchwindow。Theparlorwasdeserted。Hewalkedthroughthefronthallandporch;noonewasthere。Helingeredafewmoments，aslightchagrinbeginningtominglewithhisuneasiness。Shemighthavebeenonthelookoutforhim。SheorSophymusthaveseenhimreturning。HewouldringforSophy，andleavehisthanksandregretsforhermistress。Helookedforabell，touchedit，butonbeingconfrontedwithSophy，changedhismindandaskedtoSEEMissDows。IntheintervalbetweenherdepartureandtheappearanceofMissSallyheresolvedtodotheverythingwhichhehaddismissedfromhisthoughtsbutanhourbeforeasill—timedanddoubtful。Hehadthephotographandletterinhispocket;hewouldmakethemhisexcuseforpersonallytakingleaveofher。
Sheenteredwithherfaireyebrowsliftedinaprettysurprise。
"Ideclaretogoodness，Ithoughtyo’’driddenovertotheredbarnandgonehomefromthere。IgotthroughmyworkonthevinesearlierthanIthought。OneofJudgeGarret’snephewsdroppedinintimetohelpmewiththelastrow。Yo’needn’thavetroubledyo’selftosendupformeformerecompanymanners，butSophysaysyo’lookedsortof’anxiousandparticular’whenyo’askedforme——
soIsupposeyo’wanttoseemeforsomething。"
MentallyobjurgatingSophy，andwithanunpleasantimpressioninhismindoftheunknownneighborwhohadbeenhelpingMissSallyinhisplace，heneverthelesstriedtocollecthimselfgallantly。
"Idon’tknowwhatmyexpressionconveyedtoSophy，"hesaidwithasmile，"butItrustthatwhatIhavetotellyoumaybeinterestingenoughtomakeyouforgetmysecondintrusion。"Hepaused，andstillsmilingcontinued："Formorethanthreeyears，MissDows，youhavemoreorlessoccupiedmythoughts;andalthoughwehaveactuallymetto—dayonlyforthefirsttime，Ihaveduringthattimecarriedyourimagewithmeconstantly。Eventhismeeting，whichwasonlytheresultofanaccident，Ihadbeenseekingforthreeyears。Ifindyouhereunderyourownpeacefulvineandfig—
tree，andyetthreeyearsagoyoucametomeoutofthethunder—
cloudofbattle。"
"Mygoodgracious！"saidMissSally。
Shehadbeenclaspingherkneewithherlinkedfingers，butseparatedthemandleanedbackwardonthesofawithaffectedconsternation，butanexpressionofgrowingamusementinherbrighteyes。Courtlandsawthemistakeofhistone，butitwastoolatetochangeitnow。Hehandedherthelocketandtheletter，andbriefly，andperhapsalittlemoreseriously，recountedtheincidentthathadputhiminpossessionofthem。Butheentirelysuppressedthemoredramaticandghastlydetails，andhisownsuperstitionandstrangeprepossessiontowardsher。
MissSallytookthearticleswithoutatremor，ortheleastdeepeningorpalingofthedelicate，faintsuffusionofhercheek。
Whenshehadglancedovertheletter，whichappearedtobebrief，shesaid，withsmiling，half—pityingtranquillity：——
"Yes！——itWASthatpoorChetBrooks，sure！IheardthathewaskilledatSnakeRiver。Itwasjustlikehimtorushinandgetkilledthefirstpop！Andallfornothing，too，——purefoolishness！"
Shocked，yetrelieved，butuneasyunderbothsensations，Courtlandwentonblindly：
"Buthewasnottheonlyone，MissDows。Therewasanothermanpickedupwhoalsohadyourpicture。"
"Yes——JoyceMasterton。Theysentittome。Butyoudidn’tkillHIM，too？"
"Idon’tknowthatIpersonallykilledeither，"hesaidalittlecoldly。Hepaused，andcontinuedwithagravitywhichhecouldnothelpfeelingveryinconsistentandevenludicrous："Theywerebravemen，MissDows。"
"Tohavewornmypicture？"saidMissSallybrightly。
"TohaveTHOUGHTtheyhadsomuchtolivefor，andyettohavewillinglylaiddowntheirlivesforwhattheybelievedwasright。"
"Yo’didn’tgohuntin’meforthreeyearstotellME，aSo’th’ngirl，thatSo’th’nmenknowhowtofight，didyo’，co’nnle？"
returnedtheyounglady，withtheslightestliftingofherheadanddroopingofherblue—veinedlidsinadivinehauteur。"Theywerealwaysreadyenoughforthat，evenamongthemselves。Itwasmucheasierforthesepooahboystofightathingoutthanthinkitout，orworkitout。Yo’folksintheNo’thlearnedtodoallthree;
that’swhereyougotthegriponus。Yo’looksurprised，co’nnle。"
"Ididn’texpectyouwouldlookatit——quitein——in——thatway，"
saidCourtlandawkwardly。
"IamsorryIdisappointedyo’afteryo’’dtakensuchaheapo’
trouble，"returnedtheyoungladywithapuzzlingassumptionofhumilityassheroseandsmoothedoutherskirts，"butIcouldn’tknowexactlywhatyo’mightbeexpectingafterthreeyears;ifI
HAD，Imighthaveputonmo’ning。"Shestoppedandadjustedastrayingtendrilofherhairwiththesharpcornerofthedeadman’sletter。"ButIthankyo’，allthesame，co’nnle。Itwasrealgoodinyo’tothinkoftotingthesethingsoverhere。"Andsheheldoutherhandfrankly。
Courtlandtookitwiththesickeningconsciousnessthatforthelastfiveminuteshehadbeenanunconscionableass。Hecouldnotprolongtheinterviewaftershehadsosignificantlyrisen。Ifhehadonlytakenhisleaveandkepttheletterandlocketforalatervisit，perhapswhentheywereolderfriends！Itwastoolatenow。
Hebentoverherhandforamoment，againthankedherforhercourtesy，andwithdrew。Amomentlatersheheardtherecedingbeatofhishorse’shoofsontheroad。
Sheopenedthedrawerofabrass—handledcabinet，andafteramoment’scriticalsurveyofherpictureinthedeadman’slocket，tosseditandtheletterintotherecessesofthedrawer。Thenshestopped，removedherlittleslipperfromherfoot，lookedatTHAT，too，thoughtfully，andcalled"Sophy！"
"MissSally？"saidthegirl，reappearingatthedoor。
"Areyousureyoudidnotmovethatladder？"
"I’claretogoodness，MissSally，Inevertechedit！"
MissSallydirectedacriticalglanceatherhandmaiden’sred—
coifedhead。"No，"shesaidtoherselfsoftly，"itfeltnicerthanwool，anyway！"
CHAPTERIII。
Inspiteoftheawkwardterminationofhisvisit，——orperhapsBECAUSEofit，——Courtlandcalledagainattheplantationwithintheweek。ButthistimehewasaccompaniedbyDrummond，andwasreceivedbyMissMirandaDows，atall，aquiline—nosedspinsteroffifty，whoseold—timepolitenesshadbecomeslightlyaffected，andwhoseoldbeliefshadgivenwaytoahalf—cynicalacceptanceofnewfacts。Mr。Drummond，delightedwiththefarmanditsmanagement，wasnolessfascinatedbyMissSally，whileCourtlandwasnowdiscreetenoughtodividehisattentionsbetweenherandheraunt，withtheresultthathewasfarfromparticipatinginChampney’sconvictionofMissMiranda’sunimportance。Tothefreedmenshestillrepresentedtheoldimplacabletask—mistress，anditwasevidentthattheysuperstitiouslybelievedthatshestillretainedavaguepowerofoverridingtheFourteenthAmendmentatherpleasure，andwasonlytoberestrainedbythemediationofthegood—humoredandsensibleMissSally。Courtlandwasquicktoseethevalueofthisinfluenceinthetransitionstateofthefreedmen，andpointeditouttohisprincipal。Drummond’spreviousdoubtsandskepticism，alreadyweakenedbyMissSally’sfascinations，vanishedentirelyatthisprospectofbeneficiallyutilizingtheselingeringevilsofslavery。Hewasconvinced，hewasevenenthusiastic。Theforeigninvestorswerementobeboughtout;theestateimprovedandenlargedbythecompany，andthefairownersretainedinthemanagementandcontrol。Likemostprejudicedmen，Drummond’sconversionwassuddenandextreme，and，beingapracticalman，wasatonceactedupon。Atasecondandthirdinterviewthepreliminarieswerearranged，andinthreeweeksfromCourtland’sfirstvisit，theDows’plantationandpartofMajorReed’sweremergedinthe"DrummondSyndicate，"andplacedbeyondfinancialuncertainty。CourtlandremainedtorepresentthecompanyassuperintendentatRedlands，andwiththetransferoftheEnglishinvestmentsChampneyretired，ashehadsuggested，toasmallerventureofhisown，onaplantationafewmilesdistantwhichthecompanyhadbeenunabletosecure。
DuringthisintervalCourtlandhadfrequentinterviewswithMissSally，andeasyandunrestrainedaccesstoherpresence。Hehadneveragainerredonthesideofromanceoremotion;hehadneveragainreferredtotheinfelixletterandphotograph;and，withoutbeingobligedtoconfinehimselfstrictlytobusinessaffairs，hehadmaintainedaneven，quiet，neighborlyintercoursewithher。
Muchofthiswastheresultofhisownself—controlandsoldierlytraining，andgavelittleindicationofthedeeperfeelingthathewasconsciouslaybeneathit。Attimeshecaughttheyounggirl’seyesfixeduponhimwithamischievouscuriosity。Astrangethrillwentthroughhim;therearefewsituationssosubtleanddangerousastheaccidentalconfidencesandunderstandingsoftwoyoungpeopleofoppositesex，eventhoughthequestionofanysentimentalinclinationbestillinabeyance。CourtlandknewthatMissSallyrememberedthetooseriousattitudehehadtakentowardsherpast。
Shemightlaughatit，andevenresentit，butsheKNEWit，rememberedit，knewthatHEdid，andthispreciousknowledgewasconfinedtothemselves。Itwasintheirmindswhentherewasapauseintheirmorepracticalandconventionalconversation，andwasevenrevealedintheexcessivecarewhichMissSallylatertooktoavertattherightmomenthermischievouslysmilingeyes。Onceshewentfarther。Courtlandhadjustfinishedexplainingtoheraplanforsubstitutingsmallfarmbuildingsfortheusualhalf—
cultivatedgarden—patchesdeartothenegrofield—hand，andhadlaiddownthedrawingsonthetableintheoffice，whentheyounglady，leaningagainstitwithherhandsbehindher，fixedherbrightgrayeyesonhisseriousface。
"Ivowandprotest，co’nnle，"shesaid，droppingintooneofthequaintsurvivalsofanold—timephraseologypeculiartoherpeople，"Ineverallowedyo’couldjustgiveyo’selfuptobusiness，soulandbody，asyo’do，whenIfirstmetyo’thatday。"
"Why，whatdidyouthinkme？"heaskedquickly。
MissSally，whohadaSouthernaptitudeforgesture，tookonelittlehandfrombehindher，twirleditaboveherheadwithaprettyairofdisposingofsomeairynothinginapresumablymasculinefashion，andsaid，"Oh，THAT。"
"IamafraidIdidnotimpressyouthenasaverypracticalman，"
hesaid，withafaintcolor。
"Ithoughtyouroostedratherhigh，co’nnle，topickupmanywormsinthemo’ning。But，"sheaddedwithadazzlingsmile，"Ireckonfromwhatyo’saidaboutthephotograph，yo’thoughtIwasn’texactlywhatyo’believedIoughttobe，either。"
Hewouldhavelikedtotellherthenandtherethathewouldhavebeencontentifthosebright，beautifuleyeshadneverkindledwithanythingbutloveorwomanlyaspiration;thatthatsoft，lazy，caressingvoicehadneverbeenliftedbeyondthefiresideordomesticcircle;thatthesunny，tendriledhairandpinkearshadneverinclinedtoanythingbutwhisperedadmiration;andthatthegraceful，lithe，erectfigure，soindependentandself—contained，hadbeensatisfiedtoleanonlyuponhisarmforsupport。Hewasconsciousthatthishadbeeninhismindwhenhefirstsawher;hewasequallyconsciousthatshewasmorebewilderinglyfascinatingtohiminherpresentinaccessibleintelligenceandpracticality。
"Iconfess，"hesaid，lookingintohereyeswithavaguesmile，"I
didnotexpectyouwouldbesoforgetfulofsomeonewhohadevidentlycaredforyou。"
"MeaningMr。ChetBrooks，orMr。JoyceMasterton，orboth。That’slikemostyo’men，co’nnle。Yo’reckonbecauseagirlpleasesyo’
sheoughttobegratefulallherlife——andyo’rs，too！Yo’thinkdifferentnow！Butyo’needn’tactuptoitquitesomuch。"Shemadealittledeprecatinggesturewithherdisengagedhandasiftowardoffanyretaliatinggallantry。"Iain’tspeakingformyself，co’nnle。Yo’andmearegoodenoughfriends。Butthegirlsroundherethinkyo’’reatrifletoomuchtakenupwithriceandniggers。Andlookingatiteveninyo’rlight，co’nnle，itain’tBUSINESS。Yo’wanttokeepstraightwithMajorReed，soitwouldbejustaswelltosquarethemajor’swomanfolks。TavyandGussieReedain’texactlypoisonous，co’nnle，andyo’mightseeoneortheotherhomefromchurchnextSunday。TheSundayafterthat，justtoshowyo’ain’tparticular，andthatyo’goinforbeingaregularbeau，yo’mightwalkhomewithME。Don’tbefrightened——I’vegotabettergownthanthis。It’sanewone，justcomehomefromLouisville，andI’llwearitfortheoccasion。"
Hedidnotdaretosaythatthequaintfrockshewasthenwearing——
aplain"checked"householdginghamusedforchildren’spinafores，withitsribbonsofthesamepattern，gatheredinbowsatthesmartapronpockets——hadbecomeapartofherbeauty，forhewasalreadyhopelesslyconsciousthatshewaslovelyinanything，andhemightbeimpelledtosayso。Hethankedhergravelyandearnestly，butwithoutgallantryoreffusion，andhadthesatisfactionofseeingthemischiefinhereyesincreaseinproportiontohisseriousness，andheardhersaywithaffectedconcern："Bearup，co’nnle！Don’tletitworryyo’tillthetimecomes，"andtookhisleave。
OnthefollowingSundayhewaspresentattheRedlandsEpiscopalChurch，andaftertheservicestoodwithoutwardcomposurebutsomeinwardchafingamongthegallantyouthwho，afterthelocalfashion，hadrangedthemselvesoutsidethedoorsofthebuilding。
HewassomewhatsurprisedtofindMr。Champney，evidentlyasmuchoutofplaceashimself，butlessself—contained，waitinginthecrowdofexpectantcavaliers。AlthoughconvincedthattheyoungEnglishmanhadcomeonlytoseeMissSally，hewasgladtosharehisawkwardisolationwithanotherstranger，andgreetedhimpleasantly。TheDows’pew，beingnearertotheentrancethantheReeds’，gaveupitsoccupantsfirst。ColonelCourtlandliftedhishattoMissMirandaandhernieceatthesamemomentthatChampneymovedforwardandrangedhimselfbesidethem。MissSally，catchingCourtland’seye，showedthewhitesofherowninabackwardglanceofmischievoussignificancetoindicatethefollowingReeds。Whentheyapproached，Courtlandjoinedthem，andfindinghimselfbesideMissOctaviaenteredintoconversation。Apparentlythesuppressedpassionandsardonicmelancholyofthatdark—eyedyoungladyspurredhimtoalighter，gayerhumoreveninproportionasMissSally’sgood—naturedlevityandsunnypracticalityalwaysmadehimserious。Theypresentlyfelltotherearwithothercouples，andweresoonquitealone。
Alittlehaughty，buttallanderectinherwell—preservedblackgrenadinedress，whichgavehertheappearanceofayouthfulbutimplacablewidow，MissReeddeclaredshehadnotseentheco’nnlefor"acoon’sage，"andcertainlyhadnotexpectedtohavethehonorofhiscompanyaslongastherewereniggerstobeelevatedorpaintedtolooklikewhitemen。ShehopedthatheandpawandSallyDowswerehappy！Theyhadn’tyetgotsofarastoputupaniggerpreacherintheplaceofMr。Symes，theirrector，butsheunderstoodthattherewassometalkofrunningHannibalJohnson——
MissDows’coachman——forcountyjudgenextyear！No！shehadnotheardthattheco’nnleHIMSELFhadthoughtofrunningfortheoffice！Hemightlaughatherasmuchasheliked——heseemedtobeinbetterspiritsthanwhenshefirstsawhim——onlyshewouldliketoknowifitwas"No’th’nstyle"tolaughcominghomefromchurch？
OfcourseifitWASshewouldhavetoadoptitwiththeFourteenthAmendment。But，justnow，shenoticedthefolkswerestaringatthem，andMissSallyDowshadturnedroundtolook。Nevertheless，MissOctavia’ssallowcheeknearestthecolonel——thesunnyside——
hadtakenafaintbrunette’sflush，andthecornersofherproudmouthwereslightlylifted。
"But，candidly，MissReed，don’tyouthinkthatyouwouldprefertohaveoldHannibal，whomyouknow，ascountyjudge，thanastrangerandaNorthernmanlikeME？"
MissReed’sdarkeyesglancedsidewaysatthehandsomefaceandelegantfigurebesideher。Somethinglikeasaucysmilestruggledtoherthinlips。
"Theremightn’tbemuchtochoose，Co’nnle。"
"Iadmitit。Weshouldbothacknowledgeourmistress，andbelikewaxinherhands。"
"Yo’oughttomakethatpootyspeechtoSallyDows，she’sgenerallymistressaroundhere。But，"sheadded，suddenlyfixinghereyesonhim，"howdoesithappenthatyo’ain’twalkingwithherinsteadofthatEnglishman？Yo’knowthatit’sasplainasdaythathetookthatlandovertherejusttobenearher，whenhewasnolongeragent。"
ButCourtlandwasalwaysmasterofhimselfandquiteateaseregardingMissSallywhennotinthatlady’spresence。"Youforget，"hesaidsmilingly，"thatI’mstillastrangerandknewlittleofthelocalgossip;andifIdidknowit，Iamafraidwedidn’tbargaintobuyupwiththeLANDMr。Champney’spersonalinterestintheLANDLADY。"
"Yo’’dhavehadyourhandsfull，forIreckonshe’spootyheavilymortgagedinthatfashion，already，"returnedMissReedwithmerebadinagethanspitefulnessinthesuggestion。"AndMr。ChampneywasrunpootyclosebyaFrenchcousinofherswhenhewashere。
Yo’haven’tgotanyFrenchbookstolendme，co’nnle——haveyo’？
PawsaysyoureadaheapofFrench，andIfinditmightyhardtokeepupMYpracticesinceIlefttheConventatSt。Louis，forpawdon’tknewwhatsortofbookstoorder，andIreckonhemakesawfulmistakessometimes。"
Theconversationhereturninguponpoliteliterature，itappearedthatMissOctavia’sFrenchreading，throughashy，proudinnocenceandanimperfectknowledgeofthewickedsubtletiesofthelanguage，wassomewhatbroadandunconventionalforayounglady。
Courtlandpromisedtosendhersomebooks，andevenventuredtosuggestsomeAmericanandEnglishnovelsnotintensely"No’th’n"
nor"metaphysical"——accordingtotheacceptedSouthernbeliefs。A
newrespectandpityinginterestinthissullen，solitarygirl，crampedbytradition，andbruisedratherthanenlightenedbysadexperiences，cameoverhim。Hefoundhimselftalkingquiteconfidentiallytotheliftedhead，archedeyebrows，andaquilinenosebesidehim，andeventhinkingwhatahandsomehigh—bredBROTHERshemighthavebeentosomeone。Whentheyhadreachedthehouse，incompliancewiththefamiliarcustom，hesatdownononeofthelowerstepsoftheveranda，whileshe，shakingoutherskirt，tookaseatasteportwoabovehim。Thisenabledhim，afterthelanguidlocalfashion，toleanonhiselbowandgazeupintotheeyesoftheyounglady，whileshewithequallanguorlookeddownuponhim。ButinthepresentinstanceMissReedleanedforwardsuddenly，anddartingasharpquickglanceintohisveryconsciousnesssaid：——
"Andyo’meantosay，co’nnle，there’snothingbetweenyo’andSallyDows？"
Courtlandneitherflushed，trembled，grewconfused，norprevaricated。
"Wearegoodfriends，Ithink，"herepliedquietly，withoutevasionorhesitation。
MissReedlookedathimthoughtfully，"Ireckonthatisso——andnomore。Andthat’swhyyo’’vebeensoluckyineverything，"shesaidslowly。
"Idon’tthinkIquiteunderstand，"returnedCourtland，smiling。
"Isthisaparadox——oraconsolation？"
"It’stheTRUTH，"saidMissReedgravely。"ThosewhotrytobeanythingmoretoSallyDowslosetheirluck。"
"Thatis——arerejectedbyher。Isshereallysorelentless？"
continuedCourtlandgayly。
"Imeanthattheylosetheirluckineverything。Somethingissuretohappen。AndSHEcan’thelpiteither。"
"IsthisaSibyllinewarning，MissReed？"
"No。It’sniggersuperstition。ItcamefromMammyJudy，Sally’soldnurse。It’spartoftheirregularHoo—doo。ShebewitchedMissSallywhenshewasababy，sothateverybodyisboundtoHERaslongastheycareforher，andsheisn’tboundtoTHEMinanyway。
Alltheirluckgoestoherassoonasthespellisonthem，"sheaddeddarkly。
"IthinkIknowtherest，"returnedCourtlandwithstillgreatersolemnity。"Yougatherthebudsofthewitch—hazelinAprilwhenthemoonisfull。Youthenpluckthreehairsfromtheyounglady’srighteyebrowwhensheisn’tlooking"——
"Yo’canlaugh，co’nnle，foryo’’relucky——becauseyo’’refree。"
"I’mnotsosureofthat，"hesaidgallantly，"forIoughttoberidingatthismomentovertotheInfirmarytovisitmySundaysick。Ifbeingmadetopleasantlyforgetone’stimeanddutyisasignofwitchcraftIamafraidMammyJudy’senchantmentswerenotconfinedtoonlyoneSouthernyounglady。"
Thesoundofquickfootstepsonthegravelpathcausedthembothtolookup。Asurlylookingyoungfellow，ostentatiouslybootedandspurred，andcarryingaheavyrawhideriding—whipinhisswinginghand，wasapproachingthem。Deliberately，yetwithuneasyself—
consciousness，ignoringthepresenceofCourtland，henoddedabruptlytoMissReed，ascendedthesteps，brushedpastthembothwithoutpausing，andenteredthehouse。
"Isthatyo’rmanners，Mr。Tom？"calledtheyoungladyafterhim，aslightflushrisingtohersallowcheek。TheyoungmanmutteredsomethingfromthehallwhichCourtlanddidnotcatch。"It’sCousinTomHigbee，"sheexplainedhalfdisdainfully。"He’shadsomeuglinesswithhishorse，Ireckon;butpawoughttoteachhimhowtobehave。And——Idon’tthinkhelikesNo’th’nmen，"sheaddedgravely。
Courtland，whohadkepthistemperwithhisfullunderstandingoftheintruder’smeaning，smiledashetookMissReed’shandinparting。"That’squiteenoughexplanation，andIdon’tknowwhyitshouldn’tbeevenanapology。"
YettheincidentleftlittleimpressiononhimashestrolledbacktoRedlands。Itwasnotthefirsttimehehadtastedthedregsofformersectionalhatredinincivilityanddiscourtesy，butasitseldomcamefromhisoldpersonalantagonists——thesoldiers——andwasconfinedtothecallowyouth，previousnon—combatantsandpoliticians，hecouldaffordtooverlookit。HedidnotseeMissSallyduringthefollowingweek。
CHAPTERIV。
OnthenextSundayhewasearlyatchurch。Buthehadperhapsaccentedtheoccasionbydrivingthereinalightbuggybehindafastthoroughbred，possiblyselectedmoretothetasteofasmartcavalryofficerthananagriculturalsuperintendent。Hewasalreadyinasidepew，hiseyesdreamilyfixedontheprayer—bookledgebeforehim，whentherewasarustleatthechurchdoor，andathrillofcuriosityandadmirationpassedovertheexpectantcongregation。ItwastheentranceoftheDowsparty，MissSallywelltothefore。Shewasinhernewclothes，thelatestfashioninLouisville，thelatestbuttwoinParisandNewYork。
Itwasovertwentyyearsago。Ishallnotimperiltheeffectofthatlovelyvisionbyrecallingtotheeyeofto—dayafashionofyesterday。Enough，thatitenabledhertosethersweetfaceandvaporygoldenhairinahorseshoeframeofdelicateflowers，andtoliftherovalchinoutofabewilderingmistoftulle。Nordidacertainlightpolonaiseconcealtheoutlinesofhercharmingfigure。Eventhosewhowereconstrainedtowhispertoeachotherthat"MissSally"must"benowgoingontwenty—five，"didsobecauseshestillcarriedtheslendergracesofseventeen。Theorganswelledasiftowelcomeher;asshetookherseatarayofsunlight，thatwouldhavebeencruelandsearchingtoanyothercomplexion，driftedacrossthefaintpinkofhercheeks，andnestlinginhernebuloushairbecameitselftransfigured。Afewstained—glassVirtuesonthewindowsdidnotcomeoutofthiseffulgenceastriumphantly，anditwassmallwonderthatthedevotionaleyesoftheworshiperswanderedfromthemtothefaceofSallyDows。
Whentheservicewasover，asthecongregationfiledslowlyintotheaisle，Courtlandslippedmutelybehindher。Asshereachedtheporchhesaidinanundertone：
"Ibroughtmyhorseandbuggy。Ithoughtyoumightpossiblyallowmetodrive"——Buthewasstoppedbyadistressfulknittingofhergoldenbrows。"No，"shesaidquickly，butfirmly，"youmustnot——
itwon’tdo。"AsCourtlandhesitatedinmomentaryperplexity，shesmiledsweetly："We’llwalkroundbythecemetery，ifyoulike;itwilltakeaboutaslongasadrive。"Courtlandvanished，gavehurriedinstructionsandadollartoaloungingnegro，andrejoinedMissSallyasthedelightedandproudfreedmandroveoutofthegate。MissSallyheavedaslightsighasthegallantequipagepassed。"Itwasamightypootyturnout，co’nnle，andI’dhavejustadmiredtogo，butitwouldhavebeenratherhardontheotherfolks。There’stheReedsandMaxwellsandRobertsonsthataretoopooahtokeepbloodhorses，andtooproudtoridebehindanythingelse。Itwouldn’tbetherightthingforustogowhirlingby，scatteringourdustoverthem。"Therewassomethingsosubtlypleasantinthisimpliedpartnershipofresponsibility，thatCourtlandforgottheabruptrefusalandthoughtonlyofthetactthatpromptedit。Nevertheless，hereaspellseemedtofalluponhisusuallyreadyspeech。Nowthattheyweretogetherforthefirsttimeinadistinctlysocialfashion，hefoundhimselfvacantly，meaninglesslysilent，contenttowalkbesidethischarming，summerypresence，brushedbyitsdelicatedraperies，andinhalingitsfreshness。Presentlyitspoke。
"ItwouldtakemorethanathousandfeetoflumbertopatchupthecowshedsbeyondtheMoseleypasture，andanentirelynewbuildingwithanimproveddairywouldrequireonlyabouttwothousandmore。
Alltheoldmaterialwouldcomeingoodforfencing，andcouldbeusedwiththenewpostandrails。Don’tyo’thinkitwouldbebettertohaveanout—and—outnewbuilding？"
"Yes，certainly，"returnedCourtlandalittleconfusedly。Hehadnotcalculateduponthispracticalconversation，andwasthemoredisconcertedastheywerepassingsomeoftheothercouples，whohadpurposelylingeredtooverhearthem。
"And，"continuedtheyounggirlbrightly，"thefreightquestionisgettingtobeaprettyseriousone。AuntMirandaholdssomesharesintheBriggsvillebranchline，andthinkssomethingcouldbedonewiththedirectorsforanewtariffofchargesifsheputapressureonthem;Tylersaysthattherewassometalkoftheirreducingitonesixteenthpercent。beforewemovethisyear’scrop。"
Courtlandglancedquicklyathiscompanion’sface。Itwasgrave，buttherewasthefaintestwrinklingofthecorneroftheeyelidnearesthim。"Hadwenotbetterleavetheseseriousquestionsuntilto—morrow？"hesaid，smiling。
MissSallyopenedhereyesdemurely。"Why，yo’seemedSOquiet，I
reckonedyo’mustbefullofbusinessthismorning;butifyo’
prefercompanytalk，we’llchangethesubject。Theysaythatyo’
andMissReeddidn’thavemuchtroubletofindonelastSunday。
Shedon’tusuallytalkmuch，butshekeepsupapowerofthinking。
Ishouldreckon，"sheadded，suddenlyeyinghimcritically，"thatyo’andshemighthaveaheapo’thingstosaytoeachother。
She’sagooddealinyo’fashion，co’nnle，shedon’tforget，but"——
moreslowly——"Idon’tknowthatTHAT’SaltogetherthebestthingforYO’！"
Courtlandliftedhiseyeswithaffectedconsternation。"Ifthisisinthelightofanothermysteriouswarning，MissDows，Iwarnyouthatmyintellectisalreadytotteringwiththem。LastSundayMissReedthrilledmeforanhourwithsuperstitionandCassandra—likeprophecy。Don’tthingseverhappenaccidentallyhere，andwithoutwarning？"
"Imean，"returnedtheyoungladywithherusualpracticaldirectness，"thatTaveReedremembersagoodmanyhorridthingsaboutthewahthatsheoughttoforget，butdon’t。But，"shecontinued，lookingathimcuriously，"sheallowsshewasmightycutupbyhercousin’smannertoyo’。"
"IamafraidthatMissReedwasmoreannoyedthanIwas，"saidCourtland。"Ishouldbeverysorryifsheattachedanyimportancetoit，"headdedearnestly。
"AndYO’don’t？"continuedMissSally。
"No。WhyshouldI？"Shenoticed，however，thathehadslightlydrawnhimselfupalittlemoreerect，andshesmiledashecontinued，"IdaresayIshouldfeelashedoesifIwereinhisplace。"
"ButYO’wouldn’tdoanythingunderhanded，"shesaidquietly。Asheglancedatherquicklysheaddeddryly："Don’ttrusttoomuchtopeoplealwaysactinginyo’fashion，co’nnle。Anddon’tthinktoomuchnortoolittleofwhatyo’hearhere。Yo’’rejustthekindofmantomakeagoodmanysillyenemies，andasmanyfoolishfriends。AndIdon’tknowwhichwillgiveyo’themosttrouble。
Onlydon’tyo’underrateEITHER，orholdyo’headsohigh，yo’
don’tseewhat’scrawlin’aroundyo’。That’swhy，inacopperheadswamp，ahorseisbittenoftenerthanahog。"
Shesmiled，yetwithknittedbrowsandsuchaprettyaffectationofconcernforhercompanionthathesuddenlytookheart。
"IwishIhadONEfriendIcouldcallmyown，"hesaidboldly，lookingstraightintohereyes。"I’dcarelittleforotherfriends，andfearnoenemies。"
"Yo’’reright，co’nnle，"shesaid，ostentatiouslyslantingherparasolinamarveloussimulationofhidingapurelyimaginativeblushonacheekthatwasperfectlyinfantineinitsunchangedpink;"companytalkismuchpootierthanwhatwe’vebeensaying。
And——meaningme——forIreckonyo’wouldn’tsaythatofanyothergirlbuttheoneyo’’rewalkingwith——what’sthematterwithme？"
Hecouldnothelpsmiling，thoughhehesitated。"Nothing！butothershavebeendisappointed。"
"AndthatbothersYO’？"
"ImeanIhaveasyethadnorighttoputyourfeelingstoanytest，while"——
"PoorChethad，yo’weregoingtosay！Well，hereweareatthecemetery！Ireckonedyo’wereboundtogetbacktothedeadagainbeforewe’dgonefar，andthat’swhyIthoughtwemighttakethecemeteryonourway。Itmayputmeinamoreproperframeofmindtopleaseyo’。"
Asheraisedhiseyeshecouldnotrepressaslightstart。Hehadnotnoticedbeforethattheyhadpassedthroughasmallgatewayondivergingfromtheroad，andwasquiteunpreparedtofindhimselfontheedgeofagentleslopeleadingtoabeautifulvalley，andbeforehimalongvistaoftombs，whitehead—stonesandlowcrosses，edgedbydroopingcypressandtrailingfeatheryvines。
Somevineshadfallenandbeencaughtinlongloopsfromboughtobough，likefuneralgarlands，andhereandtherethetopsofisolatedpalmettosliftedaclusterofhearse—likeplumes。Yetinspiteofthisdominanceofsombrebutgracefulshadow，thedroopingdelicacyofdark—tasseledfoliageandleafyfringes，andthewavingmourningveilsofgray，translucentmoss，agloriousvivifyingSouthernsunsmiledandglitteredeverywhereasthroughtears。Thebalmofbay，southernwood，pine，andsyringabreathedthroughthelongalleys;thestimulatingscentofrosesmovedwitheveryzephyr，andthecloserodorsofjessamine，honeysuckle，andorangeflowershungheavilyinthehollows。ItseemedtoCourtlandlikethemourningofbeautifulandyouthfulwidowhood，seductiveeveninitsdissemblingtrappings，provocativeinthecontrastofitsownstillstrongvirility。Everywherethegrassgrewthickandluxuriant;thequickearthwasteemingwiththegerminationofthedeadbelow。
Theymovedslowlyalongsidebyside，speakingonlyofthebeautyofthespotandthegloryofthatsummerday，whichseemedtohavecompleteditsperfectionhere。Perhapsfromtheheat，theoverpoweringperfume，orsomeunsuspectedsentiment，theyoungladybecamepresentlyassilentandpreoccupiedashercompanion。Shebegantolingerandloiterbehind，hoveringlikeabutterflyoversomefloweringshruborclusteredsheafoflilies，until，encounteredsuddenlyinherfloatingdraperies，shemighthavebeentakenforasomewhatearlyandfartoobecomingghost。Itseemedtohim，also，thatherbrighteyeswereslightlyshadowedbyagentlethoughtfulness。Hemovedclosetohersidewithanirresistibleimpulseoftenderness，butsheturnedsuddenly，andsaying，"Come！"movedataquickerpacedownanarrowsidepath。
Courtlandfollowed。Hehadnotgonefarbeforehenoticedthatthegravesseemedtofallintoregularlines，theemblemsbecamecheaperandmorecommon;woodenheadandfootstonesofonemonotonouspatterntooktheplaceofcarvedfreestoneormarble，andheknewthattheyhadreachedthatpartofthecemeteryreservedforthosewhohadfalleninthewar。Thelonglinesdrawnwithmilitaryprecisionstretchedthroughthelittlevalley，andagainuptheoppositehillinanoddsemblanceofhollowsquares，ranks，andcolumns。AvaguerecollectionofthefatefulslopeofSnakeRivercameoverhim。ItwasintensifiedasMissSally，whowasstillprecedinghim，suddenlystoppedbeforeanisolatedmoundbearingabrokenmarbleshaftandapedestalwiththeinscription，"ChesterBrooks。"Afewwitheredgarlandsandimmortelleswerelyingatitsbase，butencirclingthebrokenshaftwasaperfectlyfresh，unfadedwreath。
"Younevertoldmehewasburiedhere！"saidCourtlandquickly，halfshockedattheunexpectedrevelation。"WashefromthisState？"
"No，buthisregimentwas，"saidMissSally，eyingthewreathcritically。
"Andthiswreath，isitfromyou？"continuedCourtlandgently。
"Yes，Ithoughtyo’’dliketoseesomethingfreshandpooty，insteadofthosestaleones。"
"Andweretheyalsofromyou？"heaskedevenmoregently。
"Dearno！Theywereleftoverfromlastanniversarydaybysomeoftheveterans。That’stheonlyoneIputthere——thatis——IgotMr。
Champneytoleaveithereonhiswaytohishouse。Helivesjustyonder，yo’know。"
Itwasimpossibletoresistthisinvinciblenaivete。CourtlandbithislipasthevisionarosebeforehimofthisstillmorenaifEnglishadmirerbringinghither，atMissSally’sbidding，thetributewhichshewishedtoplaceonthegraveofanoldlovertopleaseaTHIRDman。Meantime，shehadputhertwolittlehandsbehindherbackinthesimulatedattitudeof"agoodgirl，"andwassayinghalfsmilingly，andheeventhoughthalfwistfully：——
"Areyo’satisfied？"
"Perfectly。"
"Thenlet’sgoaway。It’smightyhothere。"
Theyturnedaway，anddescendingtheslopeagainre—enteredthethickershadeofthemainavenue。HeretheyseemedtohaveleftthesterneraspectofDeath。Theywalkedslowly;theairwasheavywiththehotincenseofflowers;theroadsinkingalittleleftagrassybankononeside。HereMissSallyhaltedandlistlesslyseatedherself，motioningCourtlandtodothesame。Heobeyedeagerly。Theincidentofthewreathhadtroubledhim，albeitwithcontendingsensations。ShehadgivenittopleaseHIM;whyshouldHEquestionthemanner，ortormenthimselfwithanyretrospectivethought？Hewouldhavegivenworldstohavebeenabletoacceptitlightlyorgallantly，——withanyothergirlhecould;butheknewhewastremblingonthevergeofapassionatedeclaration;themagnitudeofthestakewastoogreattobeimperiledbyalevityofwhichshewasmoreamistressthanhimself，andheknewthathissentimenthadfailedtoimpressher。Hispridekepthimfromappealingtoherstrangelypracticalnature，althoughhehadrecognizedandacceptedit，andhadevenbeguntobelieveitanessentialpartofthestrongfascinationshehadoverhim。Butbeingneitheracowardnoraweak，hesitatingidealist，whenhedeliberatelytookhisseatbesideherheasdeliberatelymadeuphismindtoaccepthisfate，whateveritmightbe，thenandthere。
Perhapstherewassomethingofthisinhisface。"Ithoughtyo’
werelookingalittlewhite，co’nnle，"shesaidquietly，"andI
reckonedwemightsitdownaspell，andthentakeitslowlyhome。
Yo’ain’taccustomedtotheSo’th’nsun，andtheairinthehollowWASswampy。"Ashemadeaslightgestureofdenial，shewentonwithaprettysisterlysuperiority："That’sthewayofyo’No’th’nmen。Yo’thinkyo’candoeverythingjustasifyo’wererearedtoit，andyo’nevermakeallowancefordifferentclimates，differentblood，anddifferentcustoms。That’swhereyo’slipup。"
Buthewasalreadyleaningtowardsherwithhisdarkearnesteyesfixeduponherinawayshecouldnolongermistake。"Attheriskofslippingupagain，MissDows，"hesaidgently，droppingintoherdialectwithutterlyunconsciousflattery，"IamgoingtoaskyoutoteachmeeverythingYOUwish，tobeallthatYOUdemand——whichwouldbefarbetter。Youhavesaidweweregoodfriends;Iwantyoutoletmehopetobemore。IwantyoutooverlookmydeficienciesandthedifferencesofmyraceandletmemeetyouontheonlylevelwhereIcanclaimtobetheequalofyourownpeople——thatoflovingyou。Givemeonlythesamechanceyougavetheotherpoorfellowwhosleepsyonder——thesamechanceyougavetheluckiermanwhocarriedthewreathforyoutoputuponhisgrave。"
Shehadlistenedwithdelicatelyknittedbrows，thefaintesttouchofcolor，andahalf—laughing，half—superiordisapprobation。Whenhehadfinished，sheutteredaplaintivelittlesigh。"Yo’
oughtn’ttohavesaidthat，co’nnle，butyo’andmearetoogoodfriendstoletevenTHATstandbetweenus。Andtoproveittoyo’
I’mgoingtoforgetitrightaway——andsoareyo’。"
"ButIcannot，"hesaidquickly;"ifIcouldIshouldbeunworthyofevenyourfriendship。Ifyoumustrejectit，donotmakemefeeltheshameofthinkingyoubelievemecapableofwantontrifling。Iknowthatthisavowalisabrupttoyou，butitisnottome。Youhaveknownmeonlyforthreemonths，butthesethreemonthshavebeentometherealizationofthreeyears’dreaming！"
Assheremainedlookingathimwithbright，curiouseyes，butstillshakingherfairheaddistressedly，hemovednearerandcaughtherhandinthelittlepalelilacthreadglovethatwas，nevertheless，toowideforhersmallfingers，andsaidappealingly："ButwhyshouldYOUforgetit？Whymustitbeaforbiddentopic？Whatisthebarrier？Areyounolongerfree？Speak，MissDows——givemesomehope。MissDows！——Sally！"
Shehaddrawnherselfaway，distressed，protesting，herfairheadturnedaside，untilwithaslighttwistandnarrowingofherhandshesucceededinslippingitfromtheglovewhichsheleftaprisonerinhiseagerclasp。"There！Yo’cankeeptheglove，co’nnle，"shesaid，breathingquickly。"Sitdown！Thisisnottheplacenortheweatherforhuskingfrolics！Well！——yo’wanttoknowWHYyo’mustn’tspeaktomeinthatway。Bestill，andI’lltellyo’。"
Shesmootheddownthefoldsofherfrock，sittingsidewaysonthebank，onelittlefoottouchingtheroad。"Yo’mustn’tspeakthatwaytome，"shewentonslowly，"becauseit’sasmuchasyo’
company’swo’th，asmuchasOURproperty’swo’th，asmuchmaybeasyo’life’swo’th！Don’tliftyo’comb，co’nnle;ifyoudon’tcareforTHAT，othersmay。Sitstill，Itellyo’！Well，yo’comeherefromtheNo’thtorunthispropertyformoney——that’ssquareandfairbusiness;THATanyfoolherecanunderstand——it’sNo’th’nstyle;itdon’tinterferewiththesefools’familyaffairs;itdon’tbringintotheirbloodanyNo’th’ntaint;itdon’tdividetheirclannishness;itdon’tseparatefatherandson，sisterandbrother;andevenifyo’gotafootholdhereandsettleddown，theyknowtheycanalwaysoutvoteyo’fivetoone！Butletthesesamefoolsknowthatyo’’recourtin’aSo’th’ngirlknowntobe’Union’
duringthewah，thatgirlwhohaslaughedattheirfoolishness;letthemevenTHINKthathewantsthatgirltomixupthefamilyandtheraceandthepropertyforhim，andthereain’tayoungoroldfoolthatbelievesinSo’th’nisolationasthepriceofSo’th’nsalvationthatwouldn’triseagainstyo’！Thereisn’tonethatwouldn’tmakeshipwreckofyo’rsyndicateandyo’rcapitalandtheprosperityofRedlandsforthenextfouryearstocome，andthinktheyweredoingright！Theybegantosuspectyo’fromthefirst！
Theysuspectedyo’whenyo’neverwentanywhere，butstuckclosetothefahmandme。That’swhyIwantedyo’toshowyourselfamongthegirls;theywouldn’thavemindedyo’flirtingwiththemwiththechanceofyo’breakingyo’heartoverTaveReedorLympyMorris！They’refoolsenoughtobelievethatasnuborajiltfromaSo’th’ngirlwouldpaythembackforalostbattleoraruinedplantation！"
ForthefirsttimeMissSallysawCourtland’scalmbloodflytohischeekandkindleinhiseye。"YousurelydonotexpectMEtotoleratethisblindandinsolentinterference！"hesaid，risingtohisfeet。
Sheliftedherunglovedhandindeprecation。"Sitstill，co’nnle。
Yo’’vebeenasoldier，andyo’knowwhatdutyis。Well！what’syo’dutytoyo’company？"
"Itneitherincludesmyprivateaffairsnorregulatesthebeatingofmyheart。Iwillresign。"
"AndleavemeandAuntMirandaandtheplantation？"
"No！Thecompanywillfindanothersuperintendenttolookafteryouraunt’saffairsandcarryoutourplans。Andyou，Sally——youwillletmefindyouahomeandfortuneNorth？Thereisworkformethere;thereisroomforyouamongmypeople。"
Sheshookherheadslowlywithasweetbutsuperiorsmile。"No，co’nnle！Ididn’tbelieveinthewah，buttheleastIcoulddowastostandbymyfolksandsharethepunishmentthatIknewwascomingfromit。Idespisethisfoolishnessasmuchasyo’，butI
can’trunawayfromit。Come，co’nnle，Iwon’taskyo’toforgetthis;mo’，I’llevenbelieveyo’MEANTit，butyo’’llpromisemeyo’won’tspeakofitagainaslongasyo’arewiththecompanyandAuntMirandaandme！Theremustn’tbemore——theremustn’tevenSEEMtobemore——betweenus。"
"ButthenImayhope？"hesaid，eagerlygraspingherhand。
"Ipromisenothing，foryo’mustnotevenhaveTHATexcuseforspeakingofthisagain，eitherfromanythingIdoormayseemtodo。"Shestopped，releasedherhand，ashereyesweresuddenlyfixedonthedistance。Thenshesaidwithaslightsmile，butwithouttheleastembarrassmentorimpatience："There’sMr。
Champneycomingherenow。Ireckonhe’slookingtoseeifthatwreathissafe。"
Courtlandlookedupquickly。HecouldseethestrawhatoftheyoungEnglishmanjustabovethemyrtlebushesinapathintersectingtheavenue。Afaintshadowcrossedhisface。"Letmeknowonethingmore，"hesaidhurriedly。"IknowIhavenorighttoaskthequestion，buthas——has——hasMr。Champneyanythingtodowithyourdecision？"
Shesmiledbrightly。"Yo’askedjustnowifyo’couldhavethesamechanceheandChetBrookshad。Well，poorChetisdead，andMr。Champney——well！——waitandsee。"Sheliftedhervoiceandcalled，"Mr。Champney！"Theyoungfellowcamebrisklytowardsthem;hisfacebetrayedaslightsurprise，butnodiscomfiture，asherecognizedhercompanion。
"Oh，Mr。Champney，"saidMissSallyplaintively，"I’velostmyglovesomewherenearpooahBrooks’stombinthehollow。Won’tyougoandfetchit，andcomebackheretotakemehome？Theco’nnlehasgottogoandseehissickniggersinthehospital。"Champneyliftedhishat，noddedgeniallytoCourtland，anddisappearedbelowthecypressesontheslope。"Yo’mustn’tbemad，"shesaid，turninginexplanationtohercompanion，"butwehavebeenheretoolongalready，andit’sbetterthatIshouldbeseencominghomewithhimthanyo’。"
"Thenthissectionalinterferencedoesnottouchhim？"saidCourtlandbitterly。
"No。He’sanEnglishman;hisfatherwasaknownfriendoftheConfederacy，andboughttheircottonbonds。"
Shestopped，gazingintoCourtland’sfacewithaprettyvagueimpatienceandaslightpoutingofherlip。
"Co’nnle！"
"MissSally。"
"Yo’sayyo’hadknownmeforthreeyearsbeforeyo’sawme。Well，wemetoncebeforeweeverspoketoeachother！"
Courtlandlookedinherlaughingeyeswithadmiringwonder。
"When？"heasked。
"Thefirstdayyo’came！Yo’movedtheladderwhenIwasonthecornice，andIwalkedalleveryo’head。And，likeagentleman，yo’neversaidawordaboutit。IreckonIstoodonyo’headforfiveminutes。"
"Notaslongasthat，"saidCourtlandlaughing，"ifIrememberrightly。"
"Yes，"saidMissSallywithdancingeyes。"I，aSo’th’ngirl，actuallysetmyfootontheheadofaNo’th’nscumofaco’nnle！
My！"
"Letthatsatisfyyourfriendsthen。"
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