"WhosaysIain’t？"

"There’sbeensomecomplaintsmade，itappears。MissHatchardsentformethismorning————"

Charity’ssmoulderingresentmentbrokeintoablaze。"I

know！OrmaFry，andthattoadofaTargattgirlandBenFry，likeasnot。He’sgoingroundwithher。Thelow—

downsneaks——Ialwaysknewthey’dtrytohavemeout！

Asifanybodyevercametothelibrary，anyhow！"

"Somebodydidyesterday，andyouweren’tthere。"

"Yesterday？"shelaughedatherhappyrecollection。"Atwhattimewasn’tIthereyesterday，I’dliketoknow？"

"Roundaboutfouro’clock。"

Charitywassilent。ShehadbeensosteepedinthedreamyremembranceofyoungHarney’svisitthatshehadforgottenhavingdesertedherpostassoonashehadleftthelibrary。

"Whocameatfouro’clock？"

"MissHatcharddid。"

"MissHatchard？Why，sheain’teverbeenneartheplacesinceshe’sbeenlame。Shecouldn’tgetupthestepsifshetried。"

"Shecanbehelpedup，Iguess。Shewasyesterday，anyhow，bytheyoungfellowthat’sstayingwithher。Hefoundyouthere，Iunderstand，earlierintheafternoon;andhewentbackandtoldMissHatchardthebookswereinbadshapeandneededattendingto。Shegotexcited，andhadherselfwheeledstraightround;

andwhenshegottheretheplacewaslocked。Soshesentforme，andtoldmeaboutthat，andabouttheothercomplaints。Sheclaimsyou’veneglectedthings，andthatshe’sgoingtogetatrainedlibrarian。"

Charityhadnotmovedwhilehespoke。Shestoodwithherheadthrownbackagainstthewindow—frame，herarmshangingagainsthersides，andherhandssotightlyclenchedthatshefelt，withoutknowingwhathurther，thesharpedgeofhernailsagainstherpalms。

OfallMr。Royallhadsaidshehadretainedonlythephrase："HetoldMissHatchardthebookswereinbadshape。"Whatdidshecarefortheotherchargesagainsther？Maliceortruth，shedespisedthemasshedespisedherdetractors。Butthatthestrangertowhomshehadfeltherselfsomysteriouslydrawnshouldhavebetrayedher！Thatattheverymomentwhenshehadfledupthehillsidetothinkofhimmoredeliciouslyheshouldhavebeenhasteninghometodenouncehershort—comings！

Sherememberedhow，inthedarknessofherroom，shehadcoveredherfacetopresshisimaginedkisscloser;

andherheartragedagainsthimforthelibertyhehadnottaken。

"Well，I’llgo，"shesaidsuddenly。"I’llgorightoff。"

"Gowhere？"SheheardthestartlednoteinMr。Royall’svoice。

"Why，outoftheiroldlibrary：straightout，andneversetfootinitagain。Theyneedn’tthinkI’mgoingtowaitroundandletthemsaythey’vedischargedme！"

"Charity——CharityRoyall，youlisten————"hebegan，gettingheavilyoutofhischair;butshewavedhimaside，andwalkedoutoftheroom。

Upstairsshetookthelibrarykeyfromtheplacewhereshealwayshiditunderherpincushion——whosaidshewasn’tcareful？——putonherhat，andsweptdownagainandoutintothestreet。IfMr。Royallheardhergohemadenomotiontodetainher：hissuddenragesprobablymadehimunderstandtheuselessnessofreasoningwithhers。

Shereachedthebricktemple，unlockedthedoorandenteredintotheglacialtwilight。"I’mgladI’llneverhavetositinthisoldvaultagainwhenotherfolksareoutinthesun！"shesaidaloudasthefamiliarchilltookher。Shelookedwithabhorrenceatthelongdingyrowsofbooks，thesheep—nosedMinervaonherblackpedestal，andthemild—facedyoungmaninahighstockwhoseeffigypinedaboveherdesk。Shemeanttotakeoutofthedrawerherrolloflaceandthelibraryregister，andgostraighttoMissHatchardtoannounceherresignation。Butsuddenlyagreatdesolationovercameher，andshesatdownandlaidherfaceagainstthedesk。Herheartwasravagedbylife’scruelestdiscovery：thefirstcreaturewhohadcometowardheroutofthewildernesshadbroughtheranguishinsteadofjoy。Shedidnotcry;tearscamehardtoher，andthestormsofherheartspentthemselvesinwardly。Butasshesatthereinherdumbwoeshefeltherlifetobetoodesolate，toouglyandintolerable。

"WhathaveIeverdonetoit，thatitshouldhurtmeso？"shegroaned，andpressedherfistsagainstherlids，whichwerebeginningtoswellwithweeping。

"Iwon’t——Iwon’tgotherelookinglikeahorror！"shemuttered，springingupandpushingbackherhairasifitstifledher。Sheopenedthedrawer，draggedouttheregister，andturnedtowardthedoor。Asshedidsoitopened，andtheyoungmanfromMissHatchard’scameinwhistling。

IV

Hestoppedandliftedhishatwithashysmile。"Ibegyourpardon，"hesaid。"Ithoughttherewasnoonehere。"

Charitystoodbeforehim，barringhisway。"Youcan’tcomein。Thelibraryain’topentothepublicWednesdays。"

"Iknowit’snot;butmycousingavemeherkey。"

"MissHatchard’sgotnorighttogiveherkeytootherfolks，anymore’nIhave。I’mthelibrarianandIknowtheby—laws。Thisismylibrary。"

Theyoungmanlookedprofoundlysurprised。

"Why，Iknowitis;I’msosorryifyoumindmycoming。"

"Isupposeyoucametoseewhatmoreyoucouldsaytosetheragainstme？Butyouneedn’ttrouble：it’smylibrarytoday，butitwon’tbethistimetomorrow。I’monthewaynowtotakeherbackthekeyandtheregister。"

YoungHarney’sfacegrewgrave，butwithoutbetrayingtheconsciousnessofguiltshehadlookedfor。

"Idon’tunderstand，"hesaid。"Theremustbesomemistake。WhyshouldIsaythingsagainstyoutoMissHatchard——ortoanyone？"

TheapparentevasivenessofthereplycausedCharity’sindignationtooverflow。"Idon’tknowwhyyoushould。

IcouldunderstandOrmaFry’sdoingit，becauseshe’salwayswantedtogetmeoutofhereeversincethefirstday。Ican’tseewhy，whenshe’sgotherownhome，andherfathertoworkforher;norIdaTargatt，neither，whenshegotalegacyfromherstep—brotheron’ylastyear。Butanywayweallliveinthesameplace，andwhenit’saplacelikeNorthDormerit’senoughtomakepeoplehateeachotherjusttohavetowalkdownthesamestreeteveryday。Butyoudon’tlivehere，andyoudon’tknowanythingaboutanyofus，sowhatdidyouhavetomeddlefor？Doyousupposetheothergirls’dhavekeptthebooksanybetter’nIdid？

Why，OrmaFrydon’thardlyknowabookfromaflat—

iron！AndwhatifIdon’talwayssitroundheredoingnothingtillitstrikesfiveupatthechurch？Whocaresifthelibrary’sopenorshut？Doyousupposeanybodyevercomeshereforbooks？Whatthey’dliketocomeforistomeetthefellowsthey’regoingwithifI’dlet’em。ButIwouldn’tletBillSollasfromoverthehillhangroundherewaitingfortheyoungestTargattgirl，becauseIknowhim……that’sall……evenifIdon’tknowaboutbooksallIoughtto……"

Shestoppedwithachokinginherthroat。Tremorsofragewererunningthroughher，andshesteadiedherselfagainsttheedgeofthedesklestheshouldseeherweakness。

Whathesawseemedtoaffecthimdeeply，forhegrewredunderhissunburn，andstammeredout："But，MissRoyall，Iassureyou……Iassureyou……"

Hisdistressinflamedheranger，andsheregainedhervoicetoflingback："IfIwasyouI’dhavethenervetosticktowhatIsaid！"

Thetauntseemedtorestorehispresenceofmind。"I

hopeIshouldifIknew;butIdon’t。Apparentlysomethingdisagreeablehashappened，forwhichyouthinkI’mtoblame。ButIdon’tknowwhatitis，becauseI’vebeenuponEagleRidgeeversincetheearlymorning。"

"Idon’tknowwhereyou’vebeenthismorning，butI

knowyouwerehereinthislibraryyesterday;anditwasyouthatwenthomeandtoldyourcousinthebookswereinbadshape，andbroughtherroundtoseehowI’dneglectedthem。"

YoungHarneylookedsincerelyconcerned。"Wasthatwhatyouweretold？Idon’twonderyou’reangry。Thebooksareinbadshape，andassomeareinterestingit’sapity。ItoldMissHatchardtheyweresufferingfromdampnessandlackofair;andIbroughtherheretoshowherhoweasilytheplacecouldbeventilated。I

alsotoldheryououghttohavesomeonetohelpyoudothedustingandairing。IfyouweregivenawrongversionofwhatIsaidI’msorry;butI’msofondofoldbooksthatI’dratherseethemmadeintoabonfirethanlefttomoulderawaylikethese。"

Charityfelthersobsrisingandtriedtostifletheminwords。"Idon’tcarewhatyousayyoutoldher。AllIknowisshethinksit’sallmyfault，andI’mgoingtolosemyjob，andIwanteditmore’nanyoneinthevillage，becauseIhaven’tgotanybodybelongingtome，thewayotherfolkshave。AllIwantedwastoputasidemoneyenoughtogetawayfromheresometime。

D’yousupposeifithadn’tbeenforthatI’dhavekeptonsittingdayafterdayinthisoldvault？"

Ofthisappealherhearertookuponlythelastquestion。"Itisanoldvault;butneeditbe？That’sthepoint。Andit’smyputtingthequestiontomycousinthatseemstohavebeenthecauseofthetrouble。"Hisglanceexploredthemelancholypenumbraofthelongnarrowroom，restingontheblotchedwalls，thediscolouredrowsofbooks，andthesternrosewooddesksurmountedbytheportraitoftheyoungHonorius。

"Ofcourseit’sabadjobtodoanythingwithabuildingjammedagainstahilllikethisridiculousmausoleum：youcouldn’tgetagooddraughtthroughitwithoutblowingaholeinthemountain。Butitcanbeventilatedafterafashion，andthesuncanbeletin：

I’llshowyouhowifyoulike……"Thearchitect’spassionforimprovementhadalreadymadehimlosesightofhergrievance，andheliftedhisstickinstructivelytowardthecornice。Buthersilenceseemedtotellhimthatshetooknointerestintheventilationofthelibrary，andturningbacktoherabruptlyheheldoutbothhands。"Lookhere——youdon’tmeanwhatyousaid？

Youdon’treallythinkI’ddoanythingtohurtyou？"

Anewnoteinhisvoicedisarmedher：noonehadeverspokentoherinthattone。

"Oh，whatDIDyoudoitforthen？"shewailed。Hehadherhandsinhis，andshewasfeelingthesmoothtouchthatshehadimaginedthedaybeforeonthehillside。

Hepressedherhandslightlyandletthemgo。"Why，tomakethingspleasanterforyouhere;andbetterforthebooks。I’msorryifmycousintwistedaroundwhatI

said。She’sexcitable，andshelivesontrifles：I

oughttohaverememberedthat。Don’tpunishmebylettingherthinkyoutakeherseriously。"

ItwaswonderfultohearhimspeakofMissHatchardasifshewereaquerulousbaby：inspiteofhisshynesshehadtheairofpowerthattheexperienceofcitiesprobablygave。ItwasthefactofhavinglivedinNettletonthatmadelawyerRoyall，inspiteofhisinfirmities，thestrongestmaninNorthDormer;andCharitywassurethatthisyoungmanhadlivedinbiggerplacesthanNettleton。

ShefeltthatifshekeptupherdenunciatorytonehewouldsecretlyclassherwithMissHatchard;andthethoughtmadehersuddenlysimple。

"Itdon’tmattertoMissHatchardhowItakeher。Mr。

Royallsaysshe’sgoingtogetatrainedlibrarian;andI’dsoonerresignthanhavethevillagesayshesentmeaway。"

"Naturallyyouwould。ButI’msureshedoesn’tmeantosendyouaway。Atanyrate，won’tyougivemethechancetofindoutfirstandletyouknow？ItwillbetimeenoughtoresignifI’mmistaken。"

Herprideflamedintohercheeksatthesuggestionofhisintervening。"Idon’twantanybodyshouldcoaxhertokeepmeifIdon’tsuit。"

Hecolouredtoo。"IgiveyoumywordIwon’tdothat。

Onlywaittilltomorrow，willyou？"Helookedstraightintohereyeswithhisshygreyglance。"Youcantrustme，youknow——youreallycan。"

Alltheoldfrozenwoesseemedtomeltinher，andshemurmuredawkwardly，lookingawayfromhim："Oh，I’llwait。"

V

TherehadneverbeensuchaJuneinEagleCounty。

Usuallyitwasamonthofmoods，withabruptalternationsofbelatedfrostandmid—summerheat;thisyear，dayfolloweddayinasequenceoftemperatebeauty。Everymorningabreezeblewsteadilyfromthehills。Towardnoonitbuiltupgreatcanopiesofwhitecloudthatthrewacoolshadowoverfieldsandwoods;thenbeforesunsetthecloudsdissolvedagain，andthewesternlightraineditsunobstructedbrightnessonthevalley。

OnsuchanafternoonCharityRoyalllayonaridgeaboveasunlithollow，herfacepressedtotheearthandthewarmcurrentsofthegrassrunningthroughher。

Directlyinherlineofvisionablackberrybranchlaiditsfrailwhiteflowersandblue—greenleavesagainstthesky。Justbeyond，atuftofsweet—fernuncurledbetweenthebeadedshootsofthegrass，andasmallyellowbutterflyvibratedoverthemlikeafleckofsunshine。Thiswasallshesaw;butshefelt，aboveherandabouther，thestronggrowthofthebeechesclothingtheridge，theroundingofpalegreenconesoncountlessspruce—branches，thepushofmyriadsofsweet—fernfrondsinthecracksofthestonyslopebelowthewood，andthecrowdingshootsofmeadowsweetandyellowflagsinthepasturebeyond。Allthisbubblingofsapandslippingofsheathsandburstingofcalyxeswascarriedtoheronmingledcurrentsoffragrance。Everyleafandbudandbladeseemedtocontributeitsexhalationtothepervadingsweetnessinwhichthepungencyofpine—sapprevailedoverthespiceofthymeandthesubtleperfumeoffern，andallweremergedinamoistearth—smellthatwaslikethebreathofsomehugesun—warmedanimal。

Charityhadlaintherealongtime，passiveandsun—

warmedastheslopeonwhichshelay，whentherecamebetweenhereyesandthedancingbutterflythesightofaman’sfootinalargewornbootcoveredwithredmud。

"Oh，don’t！"sheexclaimed，raisingherselfonherelbowandstretchingoutawarninghand。

"Don’twhat？"ahoarsevoiceaskedaboveherhead。

"Don’tstamponthosebrambleflowers，youdolt！"sheretorted，springingtoherknees。Thefootpausedandthendescendedclumsilyonthefrailbranch，andraisinghereyesshesawaboveherthebewilderedfaceofaslouchingmanwithathinsunburntbeard，andwhitearmsshowingthroughhisraggedshirt。

"Don’tyoueverSEEanything，LiffHyatt？"sheassailedhim，ashestoodbeforeherwiththelookofamanwhohasstirredupawasp’snest。

Hegrinned。"Iseenyou！That’swhatIcomedownfor。"

"Downfromwhere？"shequestioned，stoopingtogatherupthepetalshisfoothadscattered。

Hejerkedhisthumbtowardtheheights。"BeencuttingdowntreesforDanTargatt。"

Charitysankbackonherheelsandlookedathimmusingly。ShewasnotintheleastafraidofpoorLiffHyatt，thoughhe"camefromtheMountain，"andsomeofthegirlsranwhentheysawhim。Amongthemorereasonablehepassedforaharmlesscreature，asortoflinkbetweenthemountainandcivilizedfolk，whooccasionallycamedownanddidalittlewoodcuttingforafarmerwhenhandswereshort。Besides，sheknewtheMountainpeoplewouldneverhurther：Liffhimselfhadtoldhersooncewhenshewasalittlegirl，andhadmethimonedayattheedgeoflawyerRoyall’spasture。"Theywon’tanyof’emtouchyouupthere，f’everyouwastocomeup……ButIdon’ts’poseyouwill，"hehadaddedphilosophically，lookingathernewshoes，andattheredribbonthatMrs。Royallhadtiedinherhair。

Charityhad，intruth，neverfeltanydesiretovisitherbirthplace。ShedidnotcaretohaveitknownthatshewasoftheMountain，andwasshyofbeingseenintalkwithLiffHyatt。Buttodayshewasnotsorrytohavehimappear。AgreatmanythingshadhappenedtohersincethedaywhenyoungLuciusHarneyhadenteredthedoorsoftheHatchardMemorial，butnone，perhaps，sounforeseenasthefactofhersuddenlyfindingitaconveniencetobeongoodtermswithLiffHyatt。Shecontinuedtolookupcuriouslyathisfreckledweather—

beatenface，withfeverishhollowsbelowthecheekbonesandthepaleyelloweyesofaharmlessanimal。"I

wonderifhe’srelatedtome？"shethought，withashiverofdisdain。

"Isthereanyfolkslivinginthebrownhousebytheswamp，upunderPorcupine？"shepresentlyaskedinanindifferenttone。

LiffHyatt，forawhile，consideredherwithsurprise;

thenhescratchedhisheadandshiftedhisweightfromonetatteredsoletotheother。

"There’salwaysthesamefolksinthebrownhouse，"hesaidwithhisvaguegrin。

"They’refromupyourway，ain’tthey？"

"Theirname’sthesameasmine，"herejoineduncertainly。

Charitystillheldhimwithresoluteeyes。"Seehere，Iwanttogotheresomedayandtakeagentlemanwithmethat’sboardingwithus。He’supinthesepartsdrawingpictures。"

Shedidnotoffertoexplainthisstatement。ItwastoofarbeyondLiffHyatt’slimitationsfortheattempttobeworthmaking。"Hewantstoseethebrownhouse，andgoalloverit，"shepursued。

Liffwasstillrunninghisfingersperplexedlythroughhisshockofstraw—coloredhair。"Isitafellowfromthecity？"heasked。

"Yes。Hedrawspicturesofthings。He’sdowntherenowdrawingtheBonnerhouse。"Shepointedtoachimneyjustvisibleoverthedipofthepasturebelowthewood。

"TheBonnerhouse？"Liffechoedincredulously。

"Yes。Youwon’tunderstand——anditdon’tmatter。AllIsayis：he’sgoingtotheHyatts’inadayortwo。"

Lifflookedmoreandmoreperplexed。"Bashisuglysometimesintheafternoons。"

Shethrewherheadback，hereyesfullonHyatt’s。"I’mcomingtoo：youtellhim。"

"Theywon’tnoneofthemtroubleyou，theHyattswon’t。

Whatd’youwantatakeastrangerwithyouthough？"

I’vetoldyou，haven’tI？You’vegottotellBashHyatt。"

Helookedawayatthebluemountainsonthehorizon;

thenhisgazedroppedtothechimney—topbelowthepasture。

"He’sdowntherenow？"

"Yes。"

Heshiftedhisweightagain，crossedhisarms，andcontinuedtosurveythedistantlandscape。"Well，solong，"hesaidatlast，inconclusively;andturningawayheshambledupthehillside。Fromtheledgeaboveher，hepausedtocalldown："Iwouldn’tgothereaSunday";thenheclamberedontillthetreesclosedinonhim。Presently，fromhighoverhead，Charityheardtheringofhisaxe。

Shelayonthewarmridge，thinkingofmanythingsthatthewoodsman’sappearancehadstirredupinher。Sheknewnothingofherearlylife，andhadneverfeltanycuriosityaboutit：onlyasullenreluctancetoexplorethecornerofhermemorywherecertainblurredimageslingered。Butallthathadhappenedtoherwithinthelastfewweekshadstirredhertothesleepingdepths。

Shehadbecomeabsorbinglyinterestingtoherself，andeverythingthathadtodowithherpastwasilluminatedbythissuddencuriosity。

ShehatedmorethaneverthefactofcomingfromtheMountain;butitwasnolongerindifferenttoher。

Everythingthatinanywayaffectedherwasaliveandvivid：eventhehatefulthingshadgrowninterestingbecausetheywereapartofherself。

"IwonderifLiffHyattknowswhomymotherwas？"shemused;anditfilledherwithatremorofsurprisetothinkthatsomewomanwhowasonceyoungandslight，withquickmotionsofthebloodlikehers，hadcarriedherinherbreast，andwatchedhersleeping。Shehadalwaysthoughtofhermotherassolongdeadastobenomorethananamelesspinchofearth;butnowitoccurredtoherthattheonce—youngwomanmightbealive，andwrinkledandelf—lockedlikethewomanshehadsometimesseeninthedoorofthebrownhousethatLuciusHarneywantedtodraw。

Thethoughtbroughthimbacktothecentralpointinhermind，andshestrayedawayfromtheconjecturesrousedbyLiffHyatt’spresence。Speculationsconcerningthepastcouldnotholdherlongwhenthepresentwassorich，thefuturesorosy，andwhenLuciusHarney，astone’sthrowaway，wasbendingoverhissketch—book，frowning，calculating，measuring，andthenthrowinghisheadbackwiththesuddensmilethathadsheditsbrightnessovereverything。

Shescrambledtoherfeet，butasshedidsoshesawhimcomingupthepastureanddroppeddownonthegrasstowait。Whenhewasdrawingandmeasuringoneof"hishouses，"asshecalledthem，sheoftenstrayedawaybyherselfintothewoodsorupthehillside。Itwaspartlyfromshynessthatshedidso：fromasenseofinadequacythatcametohermostpainfullywhenhercompanion，absorbedinhisjob，forgotherignoranceandherinabilitytofollowhisleastallusion，andplungedintoamonologueonartandlife。Toavoidtheawkwardnessoflisteningwithablankface，andalsotoescapethesurprisedstareoftheinhabitantsofthehousesbeforewhichhewouldabruptlypulluptheirhorseandopenhissketch—book，sheslippedawaytosomespotfromwhich，withoutbeingseen，shecouldwatchhimatwork，oratleastlookdownonthehousehewasdrawing。Shehadnotbeendispleased，atfirst，tohaveitknowntoNorthDormerandtheneighborhoodthatshewasdrivingMissHatchard’scousinaboutthecountryinthebuggyhehadhiredoflawyerRoyall。

Shehadalwayskepttoherself，contemptuouslyalooffromvillagelove—making，withoutexactlyknowingwhetherherfiercepridewasduetothesenseofhertaintedorigin，orwhethershewasreservingherselfforamorebrilliantfate。Sometimessheenviedtheothergirlstheirsentimentalpreoccupations，theirlonghoursofinarticulatephilanderingwithoneofthefewyouthswhostilllingeredinthevillage;butwhenshepicturedherselfcurlingherhairorputtinganewribbononherhatforBenFryoroneoftheSollasboysthefeverdroppedandsherelapsedintoindifference。

Nowsheknewthemeaningofherdisdainsandreluctances。ShehadlearnedwhatshewasworthwhenLuciusHarney，lookingatherforthefirsttime，hadlostthethreadofhisspeech，andleanedreddeningontheedgeofherdesk。Butanotherkindofshynesshadbeenborninher：aterrorofexposingtovulgarperilsthesacredtreasureofherhappiness。Shewasnotsorrytohavetheneighborssuspectherof"goingwith"

ayoungmanfromthecity;butshedidnotwantitknowntoallthecountrysidehowmanyhoursofthelongJunedaysshespentwithhim。WhatshemostfearedwasthattheinevitablecommentsshouldreachMr。Royall。

Charitywasinstinctivelyawarethatfewthingsconcerningherescapedtheeyesofthesilentmanunderwhoseroofshelived;andinspiteofthelatitudewhichNorthDormeraccordedtocourtingcouplesshehadalwaysfeltthat，onthedaywhensheshowedtooopenapreference，Mr。Royallmight，asshephrasedit，makeher"payforit。"How，shedidnotknow;andherfearwasthegreaterbecauseitwasundefinable。Ifshehadbeenacceptingtheattentionsofoneofthevillageyouthsshewouldhavebeenlessapprehensive：Mr。

Royallcouldnotpreventhermarryingwhenshechoseto。Buteverybodyknewthat"goingwithacityfellow"

wasadifferentandlessstraightforwardaffair：almosteveryvillagecouldshowavictimoftheperilousventure。AndherdreadofMr。Royall’sinterventiongaveasharpenedjoytothehoursshespentwithyoungHarney，andmadeher，atthesametime，shyofbeingtoogenerallyseenwithhim。

Asheapproachedsherosetoherknees，stretchingherarmsaboveherheadwiththeindolentgesturethatwasherwayofexpressingaprofoundwell—being。

"I’mgoingtotakeyoutothathouseupunderPorcupine，"sheannounced。

"Whathouse？Oh，yes;thatramshackleplaceneartheswamp，withthegipsy—lookingpeoplehangingabout。

It’scuriousthatahousewithtracesofrealarchitectureshouldhavebeenbuiltinsuchaplace。

Butthepeoplewereasulky—lookinglot——doyousupposethey’llletusin？"

"They’lldowhateverItellthem，"shesaidwithassurance。

Hethrewhimselfdownbesideher。"Willthey？"herejoinedwithasmile。"Well，Ishouldliketoseewhat’sleftinsidethehouse。AndIshouldliketohaveatalkwiththepeople。WhowasitwhowastellingmetheotherdaythattheyhadcomedownfromtheMountain？"

Charityshotasidewardlookathim。ItwasthefirsttimehehadspokenoftheMountainexceptasafeatureofthelandscape。Whatelsedidheknowaboutit，andaboutherrelationtoit？Herheartbegantobeatwiththefierceimpulseofresistancewhichsheinstinctivelyopposedtoeveryimaginedslight。

"TheMountain？Iain’tafraidoftheMountain！"

Hertoneofdefianceseemedtoescapehim。Helaybreast—downonthegrass，breakingoffsprigsofthymeandpressingthemagainsthislips。Faroff，abovethefoldsofthenearerhills，theMountainthrustitselfupmenacinglyagainstayellowsunset。

"Imustgouptheresomeday：Iwanttoseeit，"hecontinued。

Herheart—beatsslackenedandsheturnedagaintoexaminehisprofile。Itwasinnocentofallunfriendlyintention。

"What’dyouwanttogouptheMountainfor？"

"Why，itmustberatheracuriousplace。There’saqueercolonyupthere，youknow：sortofout—laws，alittleindependentkingdom。Ofcourseyou’veheardthemspokenof;butI’mtoldtheyhavenothingtodowiththepeopleinthevalleys——ratherlookdownonthem，infact。Isupposethey’reroughcustomers;buttheymusthaveagooddealofcharacter。"

Shedidnotquiteknowwhathemeantbyhavingagooddealofcharacter;buthistonewasexpressiveofadmiration，anddeepenedherdawningcuriosity。ItstruckhernowasstrangethatsheknewsolittleabouttheMountain。Shehadneverasked，andnoonehadeverofferedtoenlightenher。NorthDormertooktheMountainforgranted，andimplieditsdisparagementbyanintonationratherthanbyexplicitcriticism。

"It’squeer，youknow，"hecontinued，"that，justoverthere，ontopofthathill，thereshouldbeahandfulofpeoplewhodon’tgiveadamnforanybody。"

Thewordsthrilledher。Theyseemedthecluetoherownrevoltsanddefiances，andshelongedtohavehimtellhermore。

"Idon’tknowmuchaboutthem。Havetheyalwaysbeenthere？"

"Nobodyseemstoknowexactlyhowlong。DownatCrestontheytoldmethatthefirstcolonistsaresupposedtohavebeenmenwhoworkedontherailwaythatwasbuiltfortyorfiftyyearsagobetweenSpringfieldandNettleton。Someofthemtooktodrink，orgotintotroublewiththepolice，andwentoff——

disappearedintothewoods。AyearortwolatertherewasareportthattheywerelivingupontheMountain。

ThenIsupposeothersjoinedthem——andchildrenwereborn。Nowtheysaythereareoverahundredpeopleupthere。Theyseemtobequiteoutsidethejurisdictionofthevalleys。Noschool，nochurch——andnosheriffevergoesuptoseewhatthey’reabout。Butdon’tpeopleevertalkofthematNorthDormer？"

"Idon’tknow。Theysaythey’rebad。"

Helaughed。"Dothey？We’llgoandsee，shallwe？"

Sheflushedatthesuggestion，andturnedherfacetohis。"Youneverheard，Isuppose——Icomefromthere。

TheybroughtmedownwhenIwaslittle。"

"You？"Heraisedhimselfonhiselbow，lookingatherwithsuddeninterest。"You’refromtheMountain？Howcurious！Isupposethat’swhyyou’resodifferent……"

Herhappybloodbathedhertotheforehead。Hewaspraisingher——andpraisingherbecauseshecamefromtheMountain！

"AmI……different？"shetriumphed，withaffectedwonder。

"Oh，awfully！"Hepickedupherhandandlaidakissonthesunburntknuckles。

"Come，"hesaid，"let’sbeoff。"Hestoodupandshookthegrassfromhisloosegreyclothes。"Whatagoodday！Whereareyougoingtotakemetomorrow？"

VI

ThateveningaftersupperCharitysataloneinthekitchenandlistenedtoMr。RoyallandyoungHarneytalkingintheporch。

ShehadremainedindoorsafterthetablehadbeenclearedandoldVerenahadhobbleduptobed。Thekitchenwindowwasopen，andCharityseatedherselfnearit，heridlehandsonherknee。Theeveningwascoolandstill。Beyondtheblackhillsanamberwestpassedintopalegreen，andthentoadeepblueinwhichagreatstarhung。Thesofthootofalittleowlcamethroughthedusk，andbetweenitscallsthemen’svoicesroseandfell。

Mr。Royall’swasfullofasonoroussatisfaction。ItwasalongtimesincehehadhadanyoneofLuciusHarney’squalitytotalkto：Charitydivinedthattheyoungmansymbolizedallhisruinedandunforgottenpast。WhenMissHatchardhadbeencalledtoSpringfieldbytheillnessofawidowedsister，andyoungHarney，bythattimeseriouslyembarkedonhistaskofdrawingandmeasuringalltheoldhousesbetweenNettletonandtheNewHampshireborder，hadsuggestedthepossibilityofboardingattheredhouseinhiscousin’sabsence，CharityhadtrembledlestMr。

Royallshouldrefuse。Therehadbeennoquestionoflodgingtheyoungman：therewasnoroomforhim。ButitappearedthathecouldstillliveatMissHatchard’sifMr。Royallwouldlethimtakehismealsattheredhouse;andafteraday’sdeliberationMr。Royallconsented。

Charitysuspectedhimofbeinggladofthechancetomakealittlemoney。Hehadthereputationofbeinganavariciousman;butshewasbeginningtothinkhewasprobablypoorerthanpeopleknew。Hispracticehadbecomelittlemorethanavaguelegend，revivedonlyatlengtheningintervalsbyasummonstoHepburnorNettleton;andheappearedtodependforhislivingmainlyonthescantproduceofhisfarm，andonthecommissionsreceivedfromthefewinsuranceagenciesthatherepresentedintheneighbourhood。Atanyrate，hehadbeenpromptinacceptingHarney’soffertohirethebuggyatadollarandahalfaday;andhissatisfactionwiththebargainhadmanifesteditself，unexpectedlyenough，attheendofthefirstweek，byhistossingaten—dollarbillintoCharity’slapasshesatonedayretrimmingheroldhat。

"Here——gogetyourselfaSundaybonnetthat’llmakealltheothergirlsmad，"hesaid，lookingatherwithasheepishtwinkleinhisdeep—seteyes;andsheimmediatelyguessedthattheunwontedpresent——theonlygiftofmoneyshehadeverreceivedfromhim——

representedHarney’sfirstpayment。

Buttheyoungman’scominghadbroughtMr。Royallotherthanpecuniarybenefit。Itgavehim，forthefirsttimeinyears，aman’scompanionship。Charityhadonlyadimunderstandingofherguardian’sneeds;butsheknewhefelthimselfabovethepeopleamongwhomhelived，andshesawthatLuciusHarneythoughthimso。

Shewassurprisedtofindhowwellheseemedtotalknowthathehadalistenerwhounderstoodhim;andshewasequallystruckbyyoungHarney’sfriendlydeference。

Theirconversationwasmostlyaboutpolitics，andbeyondherrange;buttonightithadapeculiarinterestforher，fortheyhadbeguntospeakoftheMountain。Shedrewbackalittle，lesttheyshouldseeshewasinhearing。

"TheMountain？TheMountain？"sheheardMr。Royallsay。

"Why，theMountain’sablot——that’swhatitis，sir，ablot。Thatscumupthereoughttohavebeenruninlongago——andwouldhave，ifthepeopledownherehadn’tbeencleanscaredofthem。TheMountainbelongstothistownship，andit’sNorthDormer’sfaultifthere’sagangofthievesandoutlawslivingoverthere，insightofus，defyingthelawsoftheircountry。Why，thereain’tasherifforatax—collectororacoroner’ddurstgoupthere。WhentheyhearoftroubleontheMountaintheselectmenlooktheotherway，andpassanappropriationtobeautifythetownpump。Theonlymanthatevergoesupistheminister，andhegoesbecausetheysenddownandgethimwheneverthere’sanyofthemdies。TheythinkalotofChristianburialontheMountain——butIneverheardoftheirhavingtheministeruptomarrythem。AndtheynevertroubletheJusticeofthePeaceeither。Theyjustherdtogetherliketheheathen。"

Hewenton，explaininginsomewhattechnicallanguagehowthelittlecolonyofsquattershadcontrivedtokeepthelawatbay，andCharity，withburningeagerness，awaitedyoungHarney’scomment;buttheyoungmanseemedmoreconcernedtohearMr。Royall’sviewsthantoexpresshisown。

"Isupposeyou’veneverbeenupthereyourself？"hepresentlyasked。

"Yes，Ihave，"saidMr。Royallwithacontemptuouslaugh。"ThewiseacresdownheretoldmeI’dbedoneforbeforeIgotback;butnobodyliftedafingertohurtme。AndI’djusthadoneoftheirgangsentupforsevenyearstoo。"

"Youwentupafterthat？"

"Yes，sir：rightafterit。ThefellowcamedowntoNettletonandranamuck，thewaytheysometimesdo。

Afterthey’vedoneawood—cuttingjobtheycomedownandblowthemoneyin;andthismanendedupwithmanslaughter。Igothimconvicted，thoughtheywerescaredoftheMountainevenatNettleton;andthenaqueerthinghappened。Thefellowsentformetogoandseehimingaol。Iwent，andthisiswhathesays：

’Thefoolthatdefendedmeisachicken—liveredsonofa——andalltherestofit，’hesays。’I’vegotajobtobedoneformeupontheMountain，andyou’retheonlymanIseenincourtthatlooksasifhe’ddoit。’

Hetoldmehehadachildupthere——orthoughthehad——

alittlegirl;andhewantedherbroughtdownandrearedlikeaChristian。Iwassorryforthefellow，soIwentupandgotthechild。"Hepaused，andCharitylistenedwithathrobbingheart。"That’stheonlytimeIeverwentuptheMountain，"heconcluded。

Therewasamoment’ssilence;thenHarneyspoke。"Andthechild——hadshenomother？"

"Oh，yes：therewasamother。Butshewasgladenoughtohavehergo。She’dhavegivenhertoanybody。Theyain’thalfhumanupthere。Iguessthemother’sdeadbynow，withthelifeshewasleading。Anyhow，I’veneverheardofherfromthatdaytothis。"

"MyGod，howghastly，"Harneymurmured;andCharity，chokingwithhumiliation，sprangtoherfeetandranupstairs。Sheknewatlast：knewthatshewasthechildofadrunkenconvictandofamotherwhowasn’t"halfhuman，"andwasgladtohavehergo;andshehadheardthishistoryofheroriginrelatedtotheonebeinginwhoseeyesshelongedtoappearsuperiortothepeopleabouther！ShehadnoticedthatMr。Royallhadnotnamedher，hadevenavoidedanyallusionthatmightidentifyherwiththechildhehadbroughtdownfromtheMountain;andsheknewitwasoutofregardforherthathehadkeptsilent。Butofwhatusewashisdiscretion，sinceonlythatafternoon，misledbyHarney’sinterestintheout—lawcolony，shehadboastedtohimofcomingfromtheMountain？Noweverywordthathadbeenspokenshowedherhowsuchanoriginmustwidenthedistancebetweenthem。

Duringhistendays’sojournatNorthDormerLuciusHarneyhadnotspokenawordoflovetoher。Hehadintervenedinherbehalfwithhiscousin，andhadconvincedMissHatchardofhermeritsasalibrarian;

butthatwasasimpleactofjustice，sinceitwasbyhisownfaultthatthosemeritshadbeenquestioned。HehadaskedhertodrivehimaboutthecountrywhenhehiredlawyerRoyall’sbuggytogoonhissketchingexpeditions;butthattoowasnaturalenough，sincehewasunfamiliarwiththeregion。Lastly，whenhiscousinwascalledtoSpringfield，hehadbeggedMr。

Royalltoreceivehimasaboarder;butwhereelseinNorthDormercouldhehaveboarded？NotwithCarrickFry，whosewifewasparalysed，andwhoselargefamilycrowdedhistabletoover—flowing;notwiththeTargatts，wholivedamileuptheroad，norwithpooroldMrs。Hawes，who，sincehereldestdaughterhaddesertedher，barelyhadthestrengthtocookherownmealswhileAllypickedupherlivingasaseamstress。

Mr。Royall’swastheonlyhousewheretheyoungmancouldhavebeenofferedadecenthospitality。Therehadbeennothing，therefore，intheoutwardcourseofeventstoraiseinCharity’sbreastthehopeswithwhichittrembled。ButbeneaththevisibleincidentsresultingfromLuciusHarney’sarrivalthererananundercurrentasmysteriousandpotentastheinfluencethatmakestheforestbreakintoleafbeforetheiceisoffthepools。

ThebusinessonwhichHarneyhadcomewasauthentic;

CharityhadseentheletterfromaNewYorkpublishercommissioninghimtomakeastudyoftheeighteenthcenturyhousesinthelessfamiliardistrictsofNewEngland。Butincomprehensibleasthewholeaffairwastoher，andhardasshefoundittounderstandwhyhepausedenchantedbeforecertainneglectedandpaintlesshouses，whileothers，refurbishedand"improved"bythelocalbuilder，didnotarrestaglance，shecouldnotbutsuspectthatEagleCountywaslessrichinarchitecturethanheaverred，andthatthedurationofhisstay（whichhehadfixedatamonth）wasnotunconnectedwiththelookinhiseyeswhenhehadfirstpausedbeforeherinthelibrary。Everythingthathadfollowedseemedtohavegrownoutofthatlook：hiswayofspeakingtoher，hisquicknessincatchinghermeaning，hisevidenteagernesstoprolongtheirexcursionsandtoseizeoneverychanceofbeingwithher。

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