ButDonJosewasnotdestinedtoremainlonginpeacefulstudyoftheAmericanConstitution。Hehadbarelytakenupthebookagainandrenewedhisseriouscontemplationofitsexcellenceswhentherewasanotherknockathisdoor。Thistime，inobediencetohisinvitationtoenter，thenewvisitorapproachedwithmoredeliberationandacertainformality。
HewasayoungmanofapparentlythesameageasDonJose，handsomelydressed，andofaquietself—possessionandgravityalmostequaltohishost’s。
"IbelieveIamaddressingDonJoseSepulvida，"hesaidwithafamiliaryetcourteousinclinationofhishandsomehead。DonJose，whohadriseninmarkedcontrasttohisreceptionofhisformerguest，answered，——
"Youaretrulymakingtohimagreathonor。"
"Well，you’regoingitblindasfarasI’Mconcernedcertainly，"
saidtheyoungman，withaslightsmile，"foryoudon’tknowME。"
"Pardon，myfriend，"saidDonJosegently，"inthisbook，thisgreatTestamentofyourgloriousnation，Ihavereadthatyouareallequal，onenotabove，onenotbelowtheother。IsaluteinyoutheNation！Itisenough！"
"Thankyou，"returnedthestranger，withafacethat，savingthefaintesttwinkleinthecornerofhisdarkeyes，wasasimmovableashishost’s，"butforthepurposesofmybusinessIhadbettersayIamJackHamlin，agambler，andamjustnowdealingfarointheFloridasaloonroundthecorner。"
Hepausedcarelessly，asiftoallowDonJosetheprotesthedidnotmake，andthencontinued，——
"Thematteristhis。Oneofyourvaqueros，whois，however，anAmerican，wasroundthereanhouragobuckingagainstfaro，andputupandLOST，notonlythemarehewasriding，butahorsewhichI
havejustlearnedisyours。Nowwereckon，overthere，thatwecanmakeenoughmoneyplayingasquaregame，withoutbeingobligedtotakepropertyfromahowlingdrunkard，tosaynothingofitnotbelongingtohim，andI’vecomehere，DonJose，tosaythatifyou’llsendoverandbringawayyourmanandyourhorse，youcanhave’emboth。"
"IfIhavecomprehended，honestHamlin，"saidDonJoseslowly，"thisRoberto，whowasmyvaqueroandismybrother，hasapproachedthisfarogamebyhimselfunsolicited？"
"Hecertainlydidn’tseemshyofit，"saidMr。Hamlinwithequalgravity。"Tothebestofmyknowledgehelookedasifhe’dbeentherebefore。"
"Andifhehadwon，excellentHamlin，youwouldhavegivenhimtheequalofhismareandhorse？"
"Ahundreddollarsforeach，yes，certainly。"
"ThenIseenotwhyIshouldsendforthepropertywhichistrulynolongermine，norformybrotherwhowillamusehimselfafterthefashionofhiscountryinthecompanyofsohonorableacaballeroasyourself？Stay！ohimbecilethatIam。Ihavenotremembered。
Youwouldpossiblysaythathehasnolongerofhorses！Playhim;
playhim，admirableyetprudentHamlin。Ihavetwothousandhorses！Ofasuretyhecannotexhausttheminfourhours。
Thereforeplayhim，trusttomeforrecompensa，andhavenofear。"
Aquickflushcoveredthestranger’scheek，andhiseyebrowsmomentarilycontracted。Hewalkedcarelesslytothewindow，however，glancedout，andthenturnedtoDonJose。
"MayIask，then，"hesaidwithalmostsepulchralgravity，"isanybodytakingcareofyou？"
"Truly，"returnedDonJosecautiously，"thereismybrotherandfriendRoberto。"
"Ah！Roberto，certainly，"saidMr。Hamlinprofoundly。
"Whydoyouask，consideratefriend？"
"Oh！Ionlythought，withyourkindofopinions，youmustoftenfeellonelyinCalifornia。Good—bye。"HeshookDonJose’shandheartily，tookuphishat，inclinedhisheadwithgracefulseriousness，andpassedoutoftheroom。Inthehallhemetthelandlord。
"Well，"saidJenkinson，withasmilehalfanxious，halfinsinuating，"yousawhim？Whatdoyouthinkofhim？"
Mr。HamlinpausedandregardedJenkinsonwithacalmlycontemplativeair，asifheweretryingtorememberfirstwhohewas，andsecondlywhyheshouldspeaktohimatall。"Thinkofwhom？"herepeatedcarelessly。
"Whyhim——youknow——DonJose。"
"Ididnotseeanythingthematterwithhim，"returnedHamlinwithfrigidsimplicity。
"What？nothingqueer？"
"Well，no——exceptthathe’saguestinYOURhouse，"saidHamlinwithgreatcheerfulness。"Butthen，asyoukeepahotel，youcan’thelpoccasionallyadmittinga——gentleman。"
Mr。Jenkinsonsmiledtheuneasysmileofamanwhoknewthathisinterlocutor’splayfulnessoccasionallyextendedtotheuseofaderringer，inwhichhewassingularlypromptandproficient，andMr。Hamlin，equallyconsciousofthatknowledgeonthepartofhiscompanion，descendedthestaircasecomposedly。
Butthedayhaddarkenedgraduallyintonight，andDonJosewasatlastcompelledtoputasidehisvolume。ThesoundofalargebellrungviolentlyalongthehallandpassagesadmonishedhimthattheAmericandinnerwasready，andalthoughtheviandsandthemodeofcookingwerenotentirelytohisfancy，hehad，inhisgraveenthusiasmforthenationalhabits，attendedthetabled’hoteregularlywithRoberto。Onreachingthelowerhallhewasinformedthathishenchmanhadearlysuccumbedtothepotencyofhislibations，andhadalreadybeencarriedbytwomentobed。
Receivingthisinformationwithhisusualstoicalcomposure，heenteredthedining—room，butwassurprisedtofindthataseparatetablehadbeenpreparedforhimbythelandlord，andthatarudeattempthadbeenmadetoservehimwithhisownnativedishes。
"SenoresySenoritas，"saidDonJose，turningfromitandwithgravepolitenessaddressingtheassembledcompany，"ifIseemto—
daytopartakealoneandinareservedfashionofcertainviandsthathavebeenpreparedforme，itistrulyfromnolackofcourtesytoyourdistinguishedcompany，butrather，Iprotest，toavoidtheappearanceofgreaterdiscourtesytoourexcellentJenkinson，whohastakensomepainsandtroubletocomporthisestablishmenttowhatheconceivestobemydesires。Wherefore，myfriends，inGod’snamefallto，thesameasifIwerenotpresent，andgracebewithyou。"
Afewstaredatthetall，gentle，melancholyfigurewithsomeastonishment;afewwhisperedtotheirneighbors;butwhen，attheconclusionofhisrepast，DonJosearoseandagainsalutedthecompany，oneortwostoodupandsmilinglyreturnedthecourtesy，andPollyJenkinson，thelandlord’syoungestdaughter，tothegreatdelightofhercompanions，blewhimakiss。
Aftervisitingthevaqueroinhisroom，andwithhisownhandapplyingsomenativeointmenttothevariouscontusionsandscratcheswhichrecordedthelateengagementsoftheunconsciousRoberto，DonJoseplacedagoldcoininthehandsoftheIrishchamber—maid，andbiddingherlookafterthesleeper，hethrewhisserapeoverhisshouldersandpassedintotheroad。Theloungersontheverandagazedathimcuriously，yethalfacknowledgedhisusualserioussalutation，andmadewayforhimwithacertainrespect。Avoidingthefewnarrowstreetsofthelittletown，hepursuedhiswaymeditativelyalongthehighroad，returningtothehotelafteranhour’sramble，astheeveningstage—coachhaddepositeditspassengersanddeparted。
"There’saladywaitingtoseeyouupstairs，"saidthelandlordwithapeculiarsmile。"Sheratheralloweditwasn’ttheproperthingtoseeyoualone，orshewasn’tquiteekaltoit，Ireckon，forshegotmyPollytostandbyher。"
"YourPolly，goodJenkinson？"saidDonJoseinterrogatively。
"Mydarter，DonJose。"
"Ah，truly！Iamtwiceblessed，"saidDonJose，gravelyascendingthestaircase。
Onenteringtheroomheperceivedatall，large—featuredwomanwithanextraordinaryquantityofblondhairpartedononesideofherbroadforehead，sittinguponthesofa。BesidehersatPollyJenkinson，herfresh，honest，andratherprettyfacebeamingwithdelightedexpectationandmischief。DonJosesalutedthemwithaformalcourtesy，which，however，hadnotraceofthefactthathereallydidnotrememberanythingofthem。
"Icalled，"saidthelarge—featuredwomanwithavoiceequallypronounced，"inreferencetoarequestfromyou，which，thoughperhapsunconventionalintheextreme，Ihavebeenabletomeetbytheinterventionofthisyounglady’scompany。Mynameonthiscardmaynotbefamiliartoyou——butIam’DorothyDewdrop。’"
AslightmovementofabstractionandsurprisepassedoverDonJose’sface，butasquicklyvanishedasheadvancedtowardsherandgracefullyraisedthetipsofherfingerstohislips。"HaveI
then，atlast，theprivilegeofbeholdingthatmostdistressedanddeeplyinjuredofwomen！Orisitbutadream！"
Itcertainlywasnot，asfarasconcernedthesubstantialpersonofthewomanbeforehim，who，however，seemedsomewhatuneasyunderhiswordsaswellasthedemurescrutinyofMissJenkinson。"I
thoughtyoumighthaveforgotten，"shesaidwithslightacerbity，"thatyoudesiredaninterviewwiththeauthoressof"——
"Pardon，"interruptedDonJose，standingbeforeherinanattitudeofthedeepestsympathizingdejection，"Ihadnotforgotten。ItisnowthreeweekssinceIhavereadinthejournal’GoldenGate’theeloquentandtouchingpoemofyoursufferings，andyouraspirations，andyourmiscomprehensionsbythoseyoulove。I
rememberasyesterdaythatyouhavesaid，thatcruelfatehavelinkedyoutoasoullessstate——that——butIspeaknotwellyourownbeautifullanguage——youareintearsatevenfall’becausethatyouarenotunderstoodofothers，andthatyoursoulrecoiledfromironbonds，until，asinadream，yousoughtsuccorandreleaseinsometrueKnightofequalplight。’"
"Iamtold，"saidthelarge—featuredwomanwithsomesatisfaction，"thatthepoemtowhichyoualludehasbeengenerallyadmired。"
"Admired！Senora，"saidDonJose，withstilldarkersympathy，"itisnottheword;itisFELT。Ihavefeltit。WhenIreadthosewordsofdistress，Iamtouchedofcompassion！Ihavesaid，Thiswoman，sodisconsolate，sooppressed，mustberelieved，protected！
Ihavewrotetoyou，atthe’GoldenGate，’toseemehere。"
"AndIhavecome，asyouperceive，"saidthepoetess，risingwithaslightsmileofconstraint;"andemboldenedbyyourappreciation，I
havebroughtafewtriflesthrownoff"——
"Pardon，unhappySenora，"interruptedDonJose，liftinghishanddeprecatinglywithoutrelaxinghismelancholyprecision，"buttoacavalierfurtherevidenceisnotrequired——andIhavenotyetmakefinish。IhavenotcontentmyselftoWRITEtoyou。IhavesentmytrustyfriendRobertotoinquireatthe’GoldenGate’ofyourcondition。Ihavefoundthere，mostunhappyandpersecutedfriend——
thatwithtrulyangelicforbearanceyouhavenottoldALL——thatyouareMARRIED，andthatofanecessityitisyourhusbandthatiscoldandsoullessandunsympathizing——andallthatyoudescribe。"
"Sir！"saidthepoetess，risinginangryconsternation。
"Ihavewrittentohim，"continuedDonJose，withunheedinggravity;"haveappealedtohimasafriend，Ihaveconjuredhimasacaballero，IhavethreatenedhimevenasachampionoftheRight，Ihavesaidtohim，ineffect——thatthismustnotbeasitis。I
haveinformedhimthatIhavemadeanappointmentwithyouevenatthishouse，andIchallengedhimtomeetyouhere——inthisroom——
evenatthisinstant，and，withGod’shelp，weshouldmakegoodourchargesagainsthim。Itisyetearly;Ihaveallowedtimeforthelatenessofthestageandthefactthathewillcomebyanotherconveyance。Therefore，ODonaDewdrop，tremblenotlikethynamesakeasitwereontheleafofapprehensionandexpectancy。I，DonJose，amheretoprotectthee。Iwilltakethesecharges"——
gentlywithdrawingthemanuscriptsfromherastonishedgrasp——
"thougheven，asIrelatedtotheebefore，Iwantthemnot，yetwewilltogetherconfronthimwiththemandmakethemgoodagainsthim。"
"Areyoumad？"demandedtheladyinalmoststentoriousaccents，"oristhisanunmanlyhoax？"Suddenlyshestoppedinundeniableconsternation。"Goodheavens，"shemuttered，"ifAbnershouldbelievethis。HeisSUCHafool！Hehaslatelybeenqueerandjealous。Ohdear！"shesaid，turningtoPollyJenkinsonwiththefirstindicationoffeminineweakness，"Ishetellingthetruth？ishecrazy？whatshallIdo？"
PollyJenkinson，whohadwitnessedtheinterviewwiththeintensestenjoyment，nowroseequaltotheoccasion。
"Youhavemadeamistake，"shesaid，upliftingherdemureblueeyestoDonJose’sdarkandmelancholygaze。"ThisladyisaPOETESS！
Thesufferingsshedepicts，thesorrowsshefeels，areintheIMAGINATION，inherfancyonly。"
"Ah！"saidDonJosegloomily;"thenitisallfalse。"
"No，"saidPollyquickly，"onlytheyarenotherOWN，youknow。
Theyaresomebodyelses。Sheonlydescribesthemforanother，don’tyousee？"
"Andwho，then，isthisunhappyone？"askedtheDonquickly。
"Well——a——friend，"stammeredPolly，hesitatingly。
"Afriend！"repeatedDonJose。"Ah，Isee，ofpossibilityadearone，even，"hecontinued，gazingwithtendermelancholyintotheuntroubledceruleandepthsofPolly’seyes，"even，butno，child，itcouldnotbe！THOUarttooyoung。"
"Ah，"saidPolly，withanextraordinarygulpandafiercenudgeofthepoetess，"butitWASme。"
"You，Senorita，"repeatedDonJose，fallingbackinanattitudeofmingledadmirationandpity。"You，thechildofJenkinson！"
"Yes，yes，"joinedinthepoetesshurriedly;"butthatisn’tgoingtostoptheconsequencesofyourwretchedblunder。Myhusbandwillbefurious，andwillbehereatanymoment。Goodgracious！whatisthat？"
Theviolentslammingofadistantdooratthatinstant，thesoundsofquickscufflingonthestaircase，andtheupliftingofaniratevoicehadreachedherearsandthrownherbackinthearmsofPollyJenkinson。Eventheyounggirlherselfturnedananxiousgazetowardsthedoor。DonJosealonewasunmoved。
"Possessyourselvesinpeace，Senoritas，"hesaidcalmly。"Wehavehereonlythecharacteristicconvalescenceofmyfriendandbrother，theexcellentRoberto。Hewilleverrecoverhimselffromdrinkwithviolence，evenasheprecipitateshimselfintoitwithfury。Hehasbeenprematurelyawakened。Iwilldiscoverthecause。"
Withanelaboratebowtothefrightenedwomen，helefttheroom。
ScarcelyhadthedoorclosedwhenthepoetessturnedquicklytoPolly。"Theman’sastarkstaringlunatic，but，thankHeaven，Abnerwillseeitatonce。Andnowlet’sgetawaywhilewecan。
Tothink，"shesaid，snatchingupherscatteredmanuscripts，"thatTHATwasallthebeastwanted。"
"I’msurehe’sverygentleandkind，"saidPolly，recoveringherdimpleswithademurepout;"butstop，he’scomingback。"
ItwasindeedDonJosere—enteringtheroomwiththecomposureofarelievedandself—satisfiedmind。"ItisevenasIsaid，Senora，"
hebegan，takingthepoetess’shand，——"andMORE。YouareSAVED！"
Asthewomenonlystaredateachother，hegravelyfoldedhisarmsandcontinued："Iwillexplain。FortheinstantIhavenotrememberthat，inimitationofyourowndelicacy，Ihavegiventoyourhusbandinmyletter，notthenameofmyself，but，asamereDonFulano，thenameofmybrotherRoberto——’BuckingBob。’Yourhusbandhavethismomentarrive！PenetratingthebedroomoftheexcellentRoberto，hehasindiscreetlyseizehiminhisbed，withoutexplanation，withoutintroduction，withoutfear！TheexcellentRoberto，everreadyforsuchdistractions，haverespond！
Inaword，tousethelanguageofthegoodJenkinson——ourhost，ourfather——whowaspresent，hehave’wipedthefloorwithyourhusband，’andhaveevencarriedhimdownthestaircasetothestreet。Believeme，hewillnotreturn。Youarefree！"
"Fool！Idiot！Crazybeast！"saidthepoetess，dashingpasthimandoutofthedoor。"Youshallpayforthis！"
DonJosedidnotchangehisimperturbableandmelancholycalm。
"Andnow，littleone，"hesaid，droppingononekneebeforethehalf—frightenedPolly，"childofJenkinson，nowthatthyperhapstooexcitablesponsorhas，inapoet’scaprice，abandonedtheeforsomenewerfantasy，confideinmethydistress，tome，thyKnight，andtellthestoryofthysorrows。"
"But，"saidPolly，risingtoherfeetandstrugglingbetweenalaughandacry。"Ihaven’tanysorrows。Ohdear！don’tyousee，it’sonlyherFANCYtomakemeseemso。There’snothingthematterwithme。"
"Nothingthematter，"repeatedDonJoseslowly。"Youhavenodistress？Youwantnosuccor，norelief，noprotector？This，then，isbutanotherdelusion！"hesaid，risingsadly。
"Yes，no——thatis——oh，mygraciousgoodness！"saidPolly，hopelesslydividedbetweenasenseoftheridiculousandsomestrangeattractioninthedark，gentleeyesthatwerefixeduponherhalfreproachfully。"Youdon’tunderstand。"
DonJoserepliedonlywithamelancholysmile，andthengoingtothedoor，openeditwithabowedheadandrespectfulcourtesy。Attheact，Pollypluckedupcourageagain，andwithitaslightdashofheroldaudacity。
"I’msureI’mverysorrythatIain’tgotanylovesorrows，"shesaiddemurely。"AndIsupposeit’sverydreadfulinmenottohavebeenravingandbroken—heartedoversomebodyorotherasthatwomanhassaid。Only，"shewaitedtillshehadgainedthesecurevantageofthethreshold，"IneverknewagentlemantoOBJECTtoitbefore！"
WiththisParthianarrowfromherblueeyessheslippedintothepassageandvanishedthroughthedooroftheoppositeparlor。ForaninstantDonJoseremainedmotionlessandreflecting。Then，recoveringhimselfwithgraveprecision，hedeliberatelypickeduphisnarrowblackglovesfromthetable，drewthemon，tookhishatinhishand，andsolemnlystridingacrossthepassage，enteredthedoorthathadjustclosedbehindher。
III。
ItmustnotbesupposedthatinthemeantimetheflightofDonJoseandhisfollowerwasunattendedbyanycommotionattheranchooftheBlessedInnocents。Attheendofthreehours’deliberation，inwhichtheretainerswereseverallyexamined，thecorralsearched，andthewellinthecourtyardsounded，scoutsweredispatchedindifferentdirections，whoreturnedwiththesurprisinginformationthatthefugitiveswerenotinthevicinity。AtrustworthymessengerwassenttoMontereyfor"custom—housepaper，"onwhichtodrawupaformaldeclarationoftheaffair。ThearchbishopwassummonedfromSanLuis，andDonVictorandDonVincenteSepulvida，withtheDonasCarmenandInezAlvarado，andaformeralcalde，gatheredatafamilycouncilthenextday。InthisseriousconclavethegoodFatherFelipeoncemoreexpoundedthealienatedconditionandthedangerousreadingoftheabsentman。InthemidstofwhichtheordinarypostbroughtaletterfromDonJose，calmlyinvitingthefamilytodinewithhimandRobertoatSanMateoonthefollowingWednesday。Thedocumentwaspassedgravelyfromhandtohand。Wasitafreshevidenceofmentalaberration——
anaudacityoffrenzy——oratrickofthevaquero？Thearchbishopandalcaldeshooktheirheads——itwaswithoutdoubtalawless，evenasacrilegiousandblasphemousfete。ButacertaincuriosityoftheladiesandofFatherFelipecarriedtheday。Withoutformallyacceptingtheinvitationitwasdecidedthatthefamilyshouldexaminetheafflictedman，withaviewoftakingactivemeasureshereafter。Onthedayappointed，thetravelingcarriageoftheSepulvidas，anequipagecoevalwiththebeginningofthecentury，drawnbytwowhitemulesgaudilycaparisoned，haltedbeforethehotelatSanMateoanddisgorgedFatherFelipe，theDonasCarmenandInezAlvaradoandMariaSepulvida，whileDonVictorandDonVincenteSepulvida，theirattendantcavaliersonfierymustangs，likeoutriders，drewreinatthesametime。Aslightthrillofexcitement，asoftheadventofapossiblecircus，hadprecededthemthroughthelittletown;afaintblendingofcigarettesmokeandgarlicannouncedtheirpresenceontheveranda。
Usheredintotheparlorofthehotel，apparentlysetapartfortheirreception，theywereembarrassedatnotfindingtheirhostpresent。Buttheywerestillmoredisconcertedwhenatallfull—
beardedstranger，withashrewdamused—lookingface，rosefromachairbythewindow，andsteppingforward，salutedtheminfluentSpanishwithaslightAmericanaccent。
"Ihavetoaskyou，gentlemenandladies，"hebegan，withacertaininsinuatingeaseandfranknessthatalternatelyarousedandlulledtheirsuspicions，"topardontheabsenceofourfriendDonJoseSepulvidaatthispreliminarygreeting。Fortobeperfectlyfrankwithyou，althoughtheultimateaimandobjectofourgatheringisasocialone，youaredoubtlessawarethatcertaininfelicitiesandmisunderstandings——commontomostfamilies——haveoccurred，andafree，dispassionate，unprejudiceddiscussionanddisposalofthematthebeginningwillonlytendtoaugmentthegoodwillofourgathering。"
"TheSenorwithoutdoubtis"——suggestedthepadre，withapoliteinterrogativepause。
"Pardonme！Iforgottointroducemyself。ColonelParker——
entirelyatyourserviceandthatofthesecharmingladies。"
Theladiesreferredtoallowedtheireyestorestwithevidentprepossessionontheinsinuatingstranger。"Ah，asoldier，"saidDonVincente。
"Formerly，"saidtheAmericanlightly;"atpresentalawyer，thecounselofDonJose。"
Asuddenrigorofsuspicionstiffenedthecompany;theladieswithdrewtheireyes;thepriestandtheSepulvidasexchangedglances。
"Come，"saidColonelParker，withapparentunconsciousnessoftheeffectofhisdisclosure，"letusbeginfrankly。Youhave，I
believe，someanxietyinregardtothementalconditionofDonJose。"
"Webelievehimtobemad，"saidPadreFelipepromptly，"irresponsible，possessed！"
"Thatisyouropinion;good，"saidthelawyerquietly。
"Andourstoo，"clamoredtheparty，"withoutdoubt。"
"Good，"returnedthelawyerwithperfectcheerfulness。"Ashisrelations，youhavenodoubthadsuperioropportunitiesforobservinghiscondition。Iunderstandalsothatyoumaythinkitnecessarytohavehimlegallydeclarednoncompos，aproceedingwhich，youareaware，mightresultintheincarcerationofourdistinguishedfriendinamad—house。"
"Pardon，Senor，"interruptedDonaMariaproudly，"youdonotcomprehendthefamily。WhenaSepulvidaisvisitedofGodwedonotasktheGovernmenttoconfinehimlikeacriminal。Weprotecthiminhisownhousefromtheconsequencesofhisfrenzy。"
"Fromthemachinationsoftheworldlyandheretical，"brokeinthepriest，"andfromthewasteanddispersionofinheritedpossessions。"
"Verytrue，"continuedColonelParker，withunalterablegood—humor;
"butIwasonlyabouttosaythattheremightbeconflictingevidenceofhiscondition。Forinstance，ourfriendhasbeenherethreedays。Inthattimehehashadthreeinterviewswiththreeindividualsundersingularcircumstances。"ColonelParkerthenbrieflyrecountedtheepisodesofthelandlord，thegambler，MissJenkinsonandthepoetess，astheyhadbeenrelatedtohim。"Yet，"
hecontinued，"allbutoneoftheseindividualsarewillingtoswearthattheynotonlybelieveDonJoseperfectlysane，butendowedwithasingularlysoundjudgment。Infact，thetestimonyofMr。HamlinandMissJenkinsonisremarkablyclearonthatsubject。"
Thecompanyexchangedasupercilioussmile。"Doyounotsee，O
SenorAdvocate，"saidDonVincentecompassionately，"thatthisisbutaconspiracytoavailthemselvesofourrelative’sweakness。
Ofanecessitytheyfindhimsanewhobenefitsthem。"
"Ihavethoughtofthat，andamgladtohearyousayso，"returnedthelawyerstillmorecheerfully，"foryourpromptopinionemboldensmetobeatonceperfectlyfrankwithyou。Brieflythen，DonJosehassummonedmeheretomakeafinaldispositionofhisproperty。Inthecarryingoutofcertaintheoriesofhis，whichitisnotmyprovincetoquestion，hehasresolveduponcomparativepovertyforhimselfasbestfittedforhispurpose，andtoemployhiswealthsolelyforothers。Infact，ofallhisvastpossessionsheretainsforhimselfonlyanincomesufficientforthebarenecessariesoflife。"
"Andyouhavedonethis？"theyaskedinonevoice。
"Notyet，"saidthelawyer。
"BlessedSanAntonio，wehavecomeintime！"ejaculatedDonaCarmen。"Anotherdayanditwouldhavebeentoolate;itwasaninspirationoftheBlessedInnocentsthemselves，"saidDonaMaria，crossingherself。"Canyoulongerdoubtthatthisisthewildestmadness？"saidFatherFelipewithflashingeyes。
"Yet，"returnedthelawyer，caressinghisheavybeardwithameditativesmile，"theingeniousfellowactuallyinstancedthevowsofYOUROWNORDER，reverendsir，asanexampleinsupportofhistheory。Buttobebrief。Conceiving，then，thathisholdingofpropertywasamereaccidentofheritage，notadmittedbyhim，unworthyhisacceptance，andarelicofsuperstitiousignorance"——
"ThisistheverysacrilegeofSatanicprepossession，"brokeinthepriestindignantly。
"Hetherefore，"continuedthelawyercomposedly，"makesoverandrevertsthewholeofhispossessions，withtheexceptionsIhavestated，tohisfamilyandtheChurch。"
Abreathlessandstupefyingsilencefelluponthecompany。InthedeadhushthesoundofPollyJenkinson’spiano，playedinadistantroom，couldbedistinctlyheard。Withtheirvacanteyesstaringathimthespeakercontinued：
"ThatdeedofgiftIhavedrawnupashedictatedit。Idon’tmindsayingthatintheopinionofsomehemightbedeclarednoncomposupontheevidenceofthatalone。IneednotsayhowrelievedIamtofindthatyouropinioncoincideswithmyown。"
"But，"gaspedFatherFelipehurriedly，withaquickglanceattheothers，"itdoesnotfollowthatitwillbenecessarytoresorttotheselegalmeasures。Care，counsel，persuasion——"
"Thegeneralministeringofkinship——nursing，awoman’scare——theinstinctsofaffection，"pipedDonaMariainbreathlesseagerness。
"Anylightsocialdistraction——aharmlessflirtation——apossibleattachment，"suggestedDonaCarmenshyly。
"Changeofscene——activeexercise——experiences——evenasthoseyouhaverelated，"brokeinDonVincente。
"IforonehaveeverbeenopposedtoLEGALmeasures，"saidDonVictor。"Amereconsultationoffriends——infact，afetelikethisissufficient。"
"Goodfriends，"saidFatherFelipe，whohadbythistimerecoveredhimself，takingouthissnuff—boxportentously，"itwouldseemtruly，fromthedocumentwhichthisdiscreetcaballerohasspokenof，thattheerrorsofourdearDonJoseareratherofmethodthanintent，andthatwhilewemayfreelyaccepttheone"——
"Pardon，"interruptedColonelParkerwithblandpersistence，"butI
mustpointouttoyouthatwhatwecallinlaw’aconsideration’isnecessarytothelegalityofaconveyance，eventhoughthatconsiderationbefrivolousandcalculatedtoimpairthevalidityofthedocument。"
"Truly，"returnedthegoodpadreinsinuatingly;"butifadiscreetadvocateweretosuggestthesubstitutionofsomemorepiousandreasonableconsideration"——
"Butthatwouldbemakingitaperfectlysaneandgratuitousdocument，notonlyglaringlyinconsistentwithyourcharges，mygoodfriends，withDonJose’sattitudetowardsyouandhisflightfromhome，butopentothegravestsuspicioninlaw。Infact，itsapparentproprietyinthefaceofthesefactswouldimplyimproperinfluence。"
Thecountenancesofthecompanyfell。Thelawyer’sface，however，becamestillmoregood—humoredandsympathizing。"Thecaseissimplythis。IfintheopinionofjudgeandjuryDonJoseisdeclaredinsane，thedocumentisworthlessexceptasaproofofthatfactorapossibleindicationoftheundueinfluenceofhisrelations，whichmightcompelthecourttoselecthisguardiansandtrusteeselsewherethanamongthem。"
"FriendAbogado，"saidFatherFelipewithextraordinarydeliberation，"thedocumentthouhastjustdescribedsoeloquentlyconvincesmebeyondalldoubtthatDonJoseisnotonlyperfectlysanebutendowedwithasingulardiscretion。Iconsideritasadelicateandhigh—spiritedintimationtous，hisfriendsandkinsmen，ofhisunalterableandlogicallyjustdevotiontohisfamilyandreligion，whatevermayseemtobehispoeticalandimaginativemannerofdeclaringit。Ithinkthereisnotonehere，"continuedthepadre，lookingaroundhimimpressively，"whoisnotentirelysatisfiedofDonJose’sreasonandcompetencytoarrangehisownaffairs。"
"Entirely，""truly，""perfectly，"eagerlyrespondedtheotherswithaffectingspontaneity。
"Nay，more。Topreventanymisconception，weshalldeemitourdutytotakeeveryopportunityofmakingourbeliefpubliclyknown，"addedFatherFelipe。
ThepadreandColonelParkergazedlongandgravelyintoeachother’seyes。Itmayhavebeenaninnocenttouchofthesunlightthroughthewindow，butafaintgleamseemedtostealintothepupiloftheaffablelawyeratthesamemomentthat，probablyfromthelikecause，therewasaslightnervouscontractionofthelefteyelidofthepiousfather。Butitpassed，andthenextinstantthedooropenedtoadmitDonJoseSepulvida。
Hewasatonceseizedandeffusivelyembracedbytheentirecompanywitheveryprotestofaffectionandrespect。notonlyMr。HamlinandMr。Jenkinson，whoaccompaniedhimasinvitedguests，butRoberto，inanewsuitofclothesandguiltlessofstainortraceofdissipation，sharedinthepronouncedfriendlinessofthekinsmen。PadreFelipetooksnuff，ColonelParkerblewhisnosegently。
Norweretheylessdemonstrativeoftheirnewconvictionslateratthebanquet。DonJose，withJenkinsonandthepadreonhisrightandleft，preservedhisgentleandhalf—melancholydignityinthemidstofthenoisyfraternization。EvenPadreFelipe，inabriefspeechorexhortationproposingthehealthoftheirhost，lenthimselfinhisowntonguetothispolitecongeniality。"Wehavehadalso，myfriendsandbrothers，"hesaidinperoration，"apleasingexampleofthecomplimentofimitationshownbyourbelovedDonJose。NoonewhohasknownhimduringhisfriendlysojourninthiscommunitybutwillbestruckwiththeconvictionthathehasacquiredthatmostmarvelousfacultyofyourgreatAmericannation，theexhibitionofhumorandofthepracticaljoke。"
EveryeyewasturnedupontheimperturbablefaceofDonJoseasheslowlyrosetoreply。"Inbiddingyoutothisfete，myfriendsandkinsmen，"hebegancalmly，"itwaswiththeintentionofformallyembracingthehabits，customs，andspiritofAmericaninstitutionsbycertainmethodsofrenunciationofthepast，asbecameacaballeroofhonorandresolution。Thosemethodsmaypossiblybeknowntosomeofyou。"Hepausedforamomentasiftoallowthemembersofhisfamilytolookunconscious。"Sincethen，inthewisdomofGod，ithasoccurredtomethatmypurposemaybeashonorablyeffectedbyadiscreetblendingofthepastandthepresent——inaword，bythejudiciouscombinationoftheinterestsofmynativepeopleandtheAmericannation。Inconsiderationofthatpurpose，friendsandkinsmen，IaskyoutojoinmeindrinkingthegoodhealthofmyhostSenorJenkinson，myfuturefather—in—
law，fromwhomIhaveto—dayhadthehonortodemandthehandofthepeerlessPolly，hisdaughter，asthefuturemistressoftheRanchooftheBlessedInnocents。"
Themarriagetookplaceshortlyafter。NorwasthefreewillandindependenceofDonJoseSepulvidaintheleastopposedbyhisrelations。Whethertheyfelttheyhadalreadycommittedthemselves，orhadhopesinthefuture，didnottranspire。Enoughthattheescapadeofaweekwastacitlyforgotten。Theonlyallusionevermadetothebridegroom’speculiaritieswasdrawnfromthedemurelipsofthebrideherselfonherinstallationatthe"BlessedInnocents。"
"Andwhat，littleone，didstthoufindinmetoadmire？"DonJosehadaskedtenderly。
"Oh，youseemedtobesomuchlikethatdearoldDonQuixote，youknow，"sheanswereddemurely。
"DonQuixote，"repeatedDonJosewithgentlegravity。"But，mychild，thatwasonlyamerefiction——aromance，ofoneCervantes。
Believeme，ofatruththereneverwasanysuchperson！"
ASECRETOFTELEGRAPHHILL
I。
AsMr。HerbertBlyglancedforthefirsttimeatthehousewhichwastobehisfutureabodeinSanFrancisco，hewassomewhatstartled。Inthatearlyperiodoffeverishcivicimprovementthestreetbeforeithadbeenrepeatedlygradedandlowereduntilthedwelling——originallyapioneersuburbanvillapercheduponaslopeofTelegraphHill——nowstoodsixtyfeetabovethesidewalk，superposedlikesomeSwisschaletonsuccessivegalleriesbuiltinthesand—hill，andconnectedbyahalf—dozendistinctzigzagflightsofwoodenstaircase。Stimulated，however，bythethoughtthattheviewfromthetopwouldbeafineone，andthatexistencetherewouldhaveallthequaintoriginalityofRobinsonCrusoe’stree—dwelling，Mr。Blybegancheerfullytomountthesteps。Itshouldbepremisedthat，althougharecentlyappointedclerkinalargebankinghouse，Mr。Blywassomewhatyouthfulandimaginative，andregardedtheascentaspartofthat"Excelsior"climbingpointedoutbyagreatpoetasapraiseworthyfunctionofambitiousyouth。
Reachingatlasttheleveloftheveranda，heturnedtotheview。
ThedistantwoodedshoreofContraCosta，thetossingwhite—capsanddancingsailsofthebaybetween，andtheforegroundathisfeetofwharvesandpiers，withtheirreed—likejunglesofmastsandcordage，madeupabright，ifsomewhatmaterial，picture。Tohisrightrosethecrestofthehill，historicandmemorableasthesiteoftheoldsemaphorictelegraph，thetossingofwhosegauntarmsformerlythrilledthecitizenswithtidingsfromthesea。
Turningtothehouse，herecognizedtheprevailingstyleoflightcottagearchitecture，althoughincongruouslyconfinedtonarrowbuildingplotsandthecivicregularityofaprecisestreetfrontage。Thusadozenothervillas，formerlyscatteredovertheslope，hadbeenlaboriouslydisplacedandmovedtotherigorousparadelinedrawnbythestreetsurveyor，nomatterhowirregularandindependenttheirdesignandstructure。Happily，thefewscrub—oaksandlowbusheswhichformedthescantvegetationofthisvastsandduneofferednoobstacleandsuggestednoincongruity。
BesidethehousebeforewhichMr。Blynowstood，aprolificMadeiravine，quickenedbythesixmonths’sunshine，hadalonesurvivedthedisplacementofitsfoundations，andinitsuntrimmedluxuriancehalfhidtheupperverandafromhisview。
Stillglowingwithhisexertion，theyoungmanrangthebellandwasadmittedintoafair—sizeddrawing—room，whosetastefulandwell—arrangedfurnitureatonceprepossessedhim。Anopenpiano，asheetofmusiccarelesslyleftonthestool，anovellyingfacedownwardsonthetablebesideaskeinofsilk，andthedistantrustleofavanishedskirtthroughaninnerdoor，gaveasuggestionofrefineddomesticitytotheroomthattouchedthefancyofthehomelessandnomadicBly。Hewasstillenjoying，inhalfembarrassment，thatvagueandindescribableatmosphereofarefinedwoman’shabitualpresence，whenthedooropenedandthemistressofthehouseformallypresentedherself。
Shewasafadedbutstillhandsomewoman。Yetsheworethatpeculiarlong，limp，formlesshouse—shawlwhichincertainphasesofAnglo—Saxonspinsterandwidowhoodassumesthefunctionsoftherecluse’sveilandannouncestherenunciationofworldlyvanitiesandaresignedindifferencetoexternalfemininecontour。Themostaudaciousmasculinearmwouldshrinkfromclaspingthatshapelessvoidinwhichtheflatnessofasceticismortheheavingsofpassionmightalikelieburied。Shehadalsoinsomemysteriouswayimportedintothefreshandpleasantroomacertainbombazinyshadowofthepast，andasuggestionofthatappallingreminiscenceknownas"betterdays。"Thoughwhyitshouldbealwaysrepresentedbyashenmemories，orwhybetterdaysinthepastshouldbesupposedtofixtheirfittingsymbolindepressioninthepresent，Mr。Blywastooyoungandtoopreoccupiedatthemomenttodetermine。Heonlyknewthathewasalittlefrightenedofher，andfixedhisgazewithahopelessfascinationonaletterwhichshesomewhatportentouslycarriedundertheshawl，andwhichseemedalreadytohaveyellowedinitsarcticshade。
"Mr。Carstonehaswrittentomethatyouwouldcall，"saidMrs。
Brookswithlanguidformality。"Mr。Carstonewasavaluedfriendofmylatehusband，andIsupposehastoldyouthecircumstances——
theonlycircumstances——whichadmitofmyentertaininghispropositionoftakinganybody，eventemporarily，undermyroof。
TheabsenceofmydearsonforsixmonthsatPortland，Oregon，enablesmetoplacehisroomatthedisposalofMr。Carstone’syoungprotege，who，Mr。Carstonetellsme，andIhaveeveryreasontobelieve，is，ifperhapsnotsoseriouslyinclinednoryetachurchcommunicant，stillofacharacterandreputationnotunworthytofollowmydearTappingtoninourlittlefamilycircleashehasathisdeskinthebank。"
ThesensitiveBly，strugglingpainfullyoutofanabstractionastohowhewasevertooffertheweeklyrentofhislodgingstosucharemoteandrespectableperson，andalsosomewhatembarrassedatbeingappealedtointhethirdperson，herestartedandbowed。
"ThenameofBlyisnotunfamiliartome，"continuedMrs。Brooks，pointingtoachairandsinkingresignedlyintoanother，whereherbalefulshawlatonceassumedtheappearanceofadust—cover;"someofmydearestfriendswereintimatewiththeBlysofPhiladelphia。
TheywereabranchoftheMarylandBlysoftheeasternshore，ofwhommyUncleJamesmarried。Perhapsyouaredistantlyrelated？"
Mrs。BrookswasperfectlyawarethathervisitorwasofunknownWesternorigin，andapoorbutcleverprotegeoftherichbanker;
butshewasoneofacertainclassofAmericanwomenwho，inthemidstofafiercedemocracy，aremoreorlesscat—likeconservatorsoffamilyprideandlineage，andmoreorlessfelinelyinconsistentandtreacheroustorepublicanprinciples。Bly，whohadjustsettledinhismindtosendhertherentanonymously——asaweeklyvalentine——recoveredhimselfandhisspiritsinhisusualboyishfashion。
"Iamafraid，Mrs。Brooks，"hesaidgayly，"Icannotlayclaimtoanydistinguishedrelationship，eventothat’NellyBly’who，youremember，’winkedhereyewhenshewenttosleep。’"Hestoppedinconsternation。Theterribleconvictionflasheduponhimthatthisquotationfromapopularnegro—minstrelsongcouldnotpossiblyberememberedbyaladyasrefinedashishostess，orevenknowntohersuperiorson。TheconvictionwasintensifiedbyMrs。Brooksrisingwithasmilelessface，slightlysheddingthepossiblevulgaritywithashakeofhershawl，andremarkingthatshewouldshowhimherson’sroom，ledthewayupstairstotheapartmentrecentlyvacatedbytheperfectTappington。
Precededbythesamedistantflutterofunseenskirtsinthepassagewhichhehadfirstnoticedonenteringthedrawing—room，andwhichevidentlydidnotproceedfromhiscompanion，whoseself—
composedcerementswouldhaverepressedanysuchindecorousagitation，Mr。Blysteppedtimidlyintotheroom。Itwasaveryprettyapartment，suggestingthesametouchesoftastefulrefinementinitsfurnitureandappointments，andwithalsofeminineinitsneatnessandregularity，that，consciousofhisfrontierhabitsandexperience，hefeltatoncerepulsivelyincongruous。"Icannotexpect，Mr。Bly，"saidMrs。Brooksresignedly，"thatyoucansharemyson’sextremesensitivenesstodisorderandirregularity;butImustbegyoutoavoidasmuchaspossibledisturbingthearrangementofthebook—shelves，which，youobserve，comprisehisbooksofseriousreference，theBiblicalcommentaries，andthesermonswhichwerehishabitualstudy。I
mustbegyoutoexercisethesamecareinreferencetothevaluableofferingsfromhisSabbath—schoolscholarswhichareuponthemantel。Theembroideredbook—marker，thegiftoftheyoungladiesofhisBible—classinDr。Stout’schurch，isalso，youperceive，keptforornamentandaffectionateremembrance。Theharmonium——
evenifyouarenotyourselfgiventosacredsong——Itrustyouwillnotfindinyourway，norobjecttomydaughtercontinuingherpracticeduringyourdailyabsence。Thankyou。Thedooryouarelookingatleadsbyaflightofstepstothesidestreet。"
"Averyconvenientarrangement，"saidBlyhopefully，whosawachanceforanoccasionalunostentatiousescapefromatooprotractedcontemplationofTappington’sperfections。"Imean，"headdedhurriedly，"toavoiddisturbingyouatnight。"
"Ibelievemysonhadneitherthenecessitynordesiretouseitforthatpurpose，"returnedMrs。Brooksseverely;"althoughhefounditsometimesaconvenientshortcuttochurchonSabbathwhenhewaslate。"
Bly，whoinhisboyishsensitivenesstoexternalimpressionshadbythistimeconcludedthatalifedividedbetweenthepastperfectionsofTappingtonandthepresentrenunciationsofMrs。
Brookswouldbeintolerable，andwasagainabstractedlyinventingsomedelicateexcuseforwithdrawingwithoutcommittinghimselffurther，washeresuddenlyattractedbyarepetitionoftherustlingoftheunseenskirt。Thistimeitwasnearer，andthistimeitseemedtostrikeevenMrs。Brooks’sremotepreoccupation。
"Mydaughter，whoisdeeplydevotedtoherbrother，"shesaid，slightlyraisinghervoice，"willtakeuponherselfthecareoflookingafterTappington’spreciousmementoes，andspareyouthetrouble。Cherry，dear！thisway。ThisistheyounggentlemanspokenofbyMr。Carstone，yourpapa’sfriend。MydaughterCherubina，Mr。Bly。"
Thefairowneroftherustlingskirt，whichturnedouttobeaprettyFrenchprint，hadappearedatthedoorway。Shewasatall，slimblonde，withashy，startledmanner，asofapenitentnunwhowassufferingforsomeconventualtransgression——aresemblancethatwasheightenedbyhershort—cuthair，thatmighthavebeencroppedasifforpunishment。Acertainlikenesstohermothersuggestedthatshewasqualifyingforthatsaint’sasceticshawl——subject，however，torebelliousintervals，indicatedintheoccasionalsidelongfiresofhergrayeyes。Yetthevagueimpressionthatsheknewmoreoftheworldthanhermother，andthatshedidnotlookatallasifhernamewasCherubina，struckBlyinthesamemomentaryglance。
"Mr。BlyisnaturallypleasedwithwhathehasseenofourdearTappington’sappointments;andasIgatherfromMr。Carstone’sletterthatheisanxioustoenteratonceandmakethemostofthedearboy’sabsence，youwillsee，mydearCherry，thatEllenhaseverythingreadyforhim？"
BeforetheunfortunateBlycouldexplainorprotest，theyounggirlliftedhergrayeyestohis。Whethershehadperceivedandunderstoodhisperplexityhecouldnottell;buttheswiftshyglancewasatonceappealing，assuring，andintelligent。Shewascertainlyunlikehermotherandbrother。Actingwithhisusualimpulsiveness，heforgothispreviousresolution，andbeforehelefthadengagedtobeginhisoccupationoftheroomonthefollowingday。
Thenextafternoonfoundhiminstalled。Yet，afterhehadunpackedhismodestpossessionsandputthemaway，afterhehadplacedhisfewbooksontheshelves，wheretheylookedglaringlytrivialandfrivolousbesidethelatetenant’sseverestudies;afterhehadsetouthisscantytreasuresinthewayofphotographsandsomecuriousmementoesofhiswanderinglife，andthenquicklyputthembackagainwithasuddenangryprideatexposingthemtotheunsympatheticincongruityoftheotherornaments，he，nevertheless，feltillatease。Heglancedinvainaroundtheprettyroom。Itwasnotthedelicatelyfloweredwall—paper;itwasnotthewhiteandbluemuslinwindow—curtainsgracefullytiedupwithblueandwhiteribbons;itwasnotthespotlessbed，withitsblueandwhitefestoonedmosquito—netandflouncedvalances，anditsmedallionportraitofanunknownbishopattheback;itwasnotthefewtastefullyframedengravingsofcertaincardinalvirtues，"TheRockofAges，"and"TheGuardianAngel";itwasnotthecastsinreliefof"Night"and"Morning";itwascertainlynotthecosydimity—
coveredarm—chairsandsofa，noryettheclean—sweptpolishedgratewithitscheerfulfiresparklingagainstthechillafternoonsea—
fogswithout;neitherwasitthemerefemininesuggestion，forthattouchedasympatheticchordinhisimpulsivenature;northereligiousandasceticinfluence，forhehadoccupiedamonasticcellinaschoolofthepadresatanoldmission，andsleptprofoundly;——itwasnoneofthose，andyetapartofall。Mosthabitationsretainacastorshelloftheirprevioustenantthat，fittingtightlyorloosely，isstillabletoadjustitselftothenewcomer;inmostoccupiedapartmentsthereisstillashadowysuggestionoftheowner’sindividuality;therewasnothingherethatfittedBly——norwasthereeither，strangetosay，anyevidenceofthepastproprietorinthisinhospitalityofsensation。ItdidnotstrikehimatthetimethatitwasthisveryLACKofindividualitywhichmadeitweirdandunreal，thatitwasstrangeonlybecauseitwasARTIFICIAL，andthataREALTappingtonhadneverinhabitedit。
Hewalkedtothewindow——thatnever—failingresourceoftheunquietmind——andlookedout。Hewasalittlesurprisedtofind，that，owingtothegradingofthehouse，thescrub—oaksandbushesofthehillwerenearlyonthelevelofhiswindow，asalsowastheadjoiningsidestreetonwhichhisseconddooractuallygave。
Openingthis，thesuddeninvasionofthesea—fogandthefigureofapedestriancasuallypassingalongthedisusedandabandonedpavementnotadozenfeetfromwherehehadbeencomfortablyseated，presentedsuchastrikingcontrasttothestudiousquietandcosinessofhissecludedapartmentthathehurriedlyclosedthedooragainwithasenseofindiscreetexposure。Returningtothewindow，heglancedtotheleft，andfoundthathewasoverlookedbythesideverandaofanothervillaintherear，evidentlyonitswaytotakepositiononthelineofthestreet。Althoughinactualanddeliberatetransitonrollersacrossthebackyardandstilloccultingapartoftheview，itremained，aftertherecklessfashionoftheperiod，inhabited。Certainly，withadoorfrontingathoroughfare，andaneighborgraduallyapproachinghim，hewouldnotfeellonelyorlackexcitement。
Hedrewhisarm—chairtothefireandtriedtorealizetheall—
pervadingyetevasiveTappington。Therewasnoportraitofhiminthehouse，andalthoughMrs。Brookshadsaidthathe"favored"hissister，Blyhad，withoutknowingwhy，instinctivelyresentedit。
Hehadeventimidlyaskedhisemployer，andhadreceivedthevaguereplythathewas"good—lookingenough，"andthepracticalbutdiscomposingretort，"Whatdoyouwanttoknowfor？"Ashereallydidnotknowwhy，theinquiryhaddropped。Hestaredatthemonumentalcrystalink—standhalffullofink，yetspotlessandfreefromstains，thatstoodonthetable，andtriedtopictureTappingtondaintilydippingintoittothankthefairdonors——
"daughtersofRebecca。"Whowerethey？andwhatsortofmanwouldtheynaturallyfeelgratefulto？
Whatwasthat？
Heturnedtothewindow，whichhadjustresoundedtoaslighttaporblow，asifsomethingsofthadstruckit。Withaninstinctivesuspicionofthepropinquityoftheadjoiningstreetherose，butasingleglancefromthewindowsatisfiedhimthatnomissilewouldhavereacheditfromthence。Hescannedthelowbushesonthelevelbeforehim;certainlynoonecouldbehidingthere。Heliftedhiseyestowardthehouseontheleft;thecurtainsofthenearestwindowappearedtobedrawnsuddenlyatthesamemoment。
Couldithavecomefromthere？Lookingdownuponthewindow—ledge，therelaythemysteriousmissile——alittlemisshapenball。Heopenedthewindowandtookitup。Itwasasmallhandkerchieftiedintoasoftknot，anddampenedwithwatertogiveitthenecessaryweightasaprojectile。
Wasitapparentlythetrickofamischievouschild？or——
Buthereafaintknockonthedoorleadingintothehallcheckedhisinquiry。Heopeneditsharplyinhisexcitement，andwasembarrassedtofindthedaughterofhishostessstandingthere，shy，startled，andevidentlyequallyembarrassedbyhisabruptresponse。
"MotheronlywantedmetoaskyouifEllenhadputeverythingtorights，"shesaid，makingastepbackwards。
"Oh，thankyou。Perfectly，"saidHerbertwitheffusion。"Nothingcouldbebetterdone。Infact"——
"You’requitesureshehasn’tforgottenanything？orthatthereisn’tanythingyouwouldlikechanged？"shecontinued，withhereyesleveledonthefloor。
"Nothing，Iassureyou，"hesaid，lookingatherdowncastlashes。
Asshestillremainedmotionless，hecontinuedcheerfully，"Wouldyou——wouldyou——caretolookroundandsee？"
"No;Ithankyou。"
Therewasanawkwardpause。Hestillcontinuedtoholdthedooropen。Suddenlyshemovedforwardwithaschool—girlstride，enteredtheroom，andgoingtotheharmonium，satdownuponthemusic—stoolbesideit，slightlybendingforward，withonelong，slim，whitehandontopoftheother，restingoverhercrossedknees。
Herbertwasalittlepuzzled。Itwastheawkwardandbrusqueactofaveryyoungperson，andyetnothingnowcouldbemoregentleandself—composedthanherfigureandattitude。
"Yes，"hecontinued，smilingly;"IamonlyafraidthatImaynotbeabletolivequiteuptotheneatnessandregularityoftheexampleIfindhereeverywhere。YouknowIamdreadfullycarelessandnotatallorderly。Ishuddertothinkwhatmayhappen;butyouandyourmother，MissBrooks，Itrust，willmakeupyourmindstooverlookandforgiveagooddeal。IshalldomybesttobeworthyofMr。Tap——ofmypredecessor——buteventhenIamafraidyou’llfindmeagreatbother。"
Sheraisedhershyeyelids。Thefaintestghostofalong—burieddimplecameintoherpalecheekasshesaidsoftly，tohisutterconsternation：
"Rats！"
HadsheutteredanoathhecouldnothavebeenmorestartledthanhewasbythischoicegemofWesternsaloon—slangfromthepurelipsofthisEvangeline—likefigurebeforehim。Hesatgazingatherwithawildhystericdesiretolaugh。Sheliftedhereyesagain，swepthimwithaslightlyterrifiedglance，andsaid：
"Tapsaysyouallsaythatwhenanyonemakes—believepolitenesstoyou。"
"Oh，yourBROTHERsaysthat，doeshe？"saidHerbert，laughing。
"Yes，andsometimes’Oldrats。’But，"shecontinuedhurriedly，"HE
doesn’tsayit;hesaysYOUalldo。Mybrotherisveryparticular，andverygood。DoctorStoutloveshim。HeisthoughtverymuchofinallChristiancircles。Thatbook—markwasgiventohimbyoneofhisclasses。"
Everytraceofherdimpleshadvanished。Shelookedsosweetlygrave，andwithalsomaidenly，sittingthereslightlysmoothingthelengthsofherpinkfingers，thatHerbertwassomewhatembarrassed。
"ButIassureyou，MissBrooks，Iwasnotmaking—believe。Iamreallyverycareless，andeverythingissoproper——Imeansoneatandpretty——here，thatI"——hestopped，and，observingthesamebackwardwanderingofhereyeasofafillyabouttoshy，quicklychangedthesubject。"Youhave，orareabouttohave，neighbors？"
hesaid，glancingtowardsthewindowsasherecalledtheincidentofamomentbefore。
"Yes;andthey’renotatallnicepeople。TheyarefromPikeCounty，andveryqueer。Theycameacrosstheplainsin’50。Theysay’Stranger’;themenarevulgar，andthegirlsveryforward。
Tapforbidsmyevergoingtothewindowandlookingatthem。
They’requitewhatyouwouldcall’offcolor。’"
Herbert，whodidnotdaretosaythatheneverwouldhavedreamedofusingsuchanexpressioninanyyounggirl’spresence，wasplungedinsilentconsternation。
"Thenyourbrotherdoesn’tapproveofthem？"hesaid，atlast，awkwardly。
"Oh，notatall。Heeventalkedofhavingground—glassputinallthesewindows，onlyitwouldmakethelightbad。"
Herbertfeltveryembarrassed。Ifthemysteriousmissilecamefromtheseobjectionableyoungpersons，itwasevidentlybecausetheythoughttheyhaddetectedamoreaccessibleandsympathizingindividualinthestrangerwhonowoccupiedtheroom。Heconcludedhehadbetternotsayanythingaboutit。
MissBrooks’sgoldeneyelasheswerebenttowardsthefloor。"Doyouplaysacredmusic，Mr。Bly？"shesaid，withoutraisingthem。
"Iamafraidnot。"
"Perhapsyouknowonlynegro—minstrelsongs？"
"Iamafraid——yes。"
"Iknowone。"Thedimplesfaintlycamebackagain。"It’scalled’TheHam—fatMan。’Somedaywhenmotherisn’tinI’llplayitforyou。"
Thenthedimplesfledagain，andsheimmediatelylookedsodistressedthatHerbertcametoherassistance。
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