"Itdoesnotseemintheleastasifweweremilesawayfromanytownorhabitation，"saidLadyRunnybroke，complacentlyseatingherselfonastump，"andIshouldn’tbesurprisedtoseeachurchtowerthroughthosetrees。It’sverylikethehazelcopseatLongworth，youknow。NotatallwhatIexpected。"
"ForthematterofthatneitheraretheIndians，"saidtheHon。
EvelynRayne。"Didyoueverseesuchgrotesquecreaturesintheircast—offbootsandtrousers？They’renobetterthangypsies。I
wonderwhatMr。Atherlycanfindinthem。"
"Andhearichman，too，——theysayhe’sgotamineinCaliforniaworthamillion，——totakeupacrazelikethis，"addedthelivelyMrs。CaptainJoyce，"that’swhatgetsme！Youknow，"shewentonconfidentially，"thatcranksandreformersarealwayspoor——it’squitenatural；butIdon’tseewhathe，arichman，expectstomakebyhisreforms，I’msure。"
"He’llgetoveritintime，"saidtheHon。EvelynKayne，"theyalldo。Atleastheexpectstogetthereformshewantsinayear，andthenhe’scomingovertoEnglandagain。"
"Indeed，howverynice，"respondedLadyRunnybrokequickly。"Didhesayso？"
"No。ButFriddysaysheis。"
Thetwoofficers’wivesglancedateachother。LadyRunnybrokeputuphereyeglassindefaultofostrichfeathers，andsaiddidactically，"I’msureMr。Atherlyisverymuchinearnest，andsincerelydevotedtohiswork。Andinamanofhiswealthandpositionhereit’smostestimable。Mydear，"shesaid，gettingupandmovingtowardsMrs。Lascelles，"wewerejustsayinghowgoodandunselfishyourbrotherwasinhisworkforthesepoorpeople。"
ButJennyLascellesmusthavebeeninoneofthoseabstractedmoodswhichsotroubledherhusband，forsheseemedtobestaringstraightbeforeherintotherecessesofthewood。Inhertherewasacertainresemblancetotheattitudeofalisteninganimal。
"IwishMr。AtherlywasalittlemoreunselfishtoUSpoorpeople，"
saidtheHon。EvelynKayne，"forheandFriddyhavebeennearlyanhourlookingforaplacetospreadourluncheonbaskets。Iwishthey’dleavethefutureofthebrownracestolookafteritselfandlookalittlemoreafterus。I’mfamished。"
"Ifancytheyfinditdifficulttoselectaclearspaceforsolargeapartyaswewillbewhenthegentlemencomein，"returnedLadyRunnybroke，glancinginthedirectionofJenny’sabstractedeyes。
"Isupposeyoumustfeellikechickenandsalad，too，LadyRunnybroke，"suggestedMrs。CaptainJoyce。
"Idon’tthinkIquiteknowHOWchickenandsaladfeel，dear，"saidLadyRunnybrokewithapuzzledair，"butifthat’soneofyourhusband’sdelightfulAmericanstories，dotellus。IneverCANgetRunnybroketotellmeany，althoughheroarsoverthemall。AndI
daresayhegetsthemallwrong。Butlook，herecomesourluncheon。"
PeterandLadyElfridawereadvancingtowardsthem。Thescrutinyofadozenpairsofeyes——wondering，mischievous，critical，impertinent，orresentful——wouldhavebeenatryingordealtoanyerrantcouple；buttherewaslittleifanychangeinPeter’sgraveandgentledemeanor，albeithisdarkeyeswereshiningwithapeculiarlight，andLadyElfridahadonlytheanimation，color，andslightexcitabilitythatbecametheresponsibleleaderofthelittleparty。Theyneitherapologizedoralludedtotheirdelay。
Theyhadselectedaspotontheothersideofthecopse，andthebasketscouldbesentaroundbythewagon；theyhadseenaslighthazeontheplaintowardstheeastwhichbetokenedthevicinityoftherestoftheparty，andtheywereabouttoproposethatasthegentlemenweresoneartheyhadbetterpostponethepicnicuntiltheycameup。LadyRunnybrokesmiledaffably；theonlythingshehadnoticedwasthatLadyElfridainjoiningthemhadgonedirectlytothesideoftheabstractedJenny，andplacedherarmaroundherwaist。AtwhichLadyRunnybrokeairilyjoinedthem。
ThesurmisesofPeterandFriddyappearedtobecorrect。Thetransferoftheprovisionsandthepartytotheothersidewasbarelyconcludedbeforetheycouldseethegentlemencoming；theywereridingalittlemorerapidlythanwhentheyhadsetout，andwerearrivingfullythreehoursbeforetheirtime。Theyburstupontheladiesalittleboisterouslybutgayly；theyhadhadaglorioustime，butlittlesport；theyhadhurriedbacktojointheladiessoastobeabletoreturnwiththembetimes。Theywereravenouslyhungry；theywantedtofalltoatonce。Onlytheofficers’wivesnoticedthatthetwofilesoftroopersDIDNOTDISMOUNT，butfiledslowlybeforetheentrancetothewoods。LadyElfridaashostesswasprettilydistressedbyit，butwastoldbyCaptainJoycethatitwas"againstrules，"andthatshecould"feed"thematthefort。
Theofficers’wivesputafewquestionsinwhispers，andwerepromptlyfrowneddown。Nevertheless，theluncheonwasasuccessfulfestivity：thegentlemenwereloudinthepraisesoftheirgracioushostess；thedelicaciesshehadprovidedbyexpressfromdistantstations，andmuchthatwasdistinctlyEnglishanddespoiledfromherownstores，weregratefullyappreciatedbytheofficersofaremotefrontiergarrison。LadyElfrida’shealthwastoastedbythegallantcolonelinaspeechthatwasthesoulofchivalry。LordRunnybrokeresponded，perhapswithouttheAmericanabandon，butwiththesteadyconscientiousnessofanhereditarylegislator，buttheM。P。summedupaslightlyexaggeratedbutwellmeaningepisodebypointingoutthatitwasonoccasionslikethisthatthetwonationsshowedtheircommonancestrybystandingsidebyside。
Onlyonethingtroubledtherosy，excited，butstillclear—headedFriddy；theplateswerewhiskedawaylikemagicaftereachdelicacy，bythemilitaryservants，andvanished；thetableswereinthesamemysteriouswayclearedasrapidlyastheywereset，andanyattempttorecalladishwasmetbythedeclarationthatitwasalreadypackedawayinthewagon。Astheyatlastrosefromtheactuallyemptyboard，andsaweventhetablesdisappear，LadyElfridaplaintivelyprotestedthatshefeltasifshehadbeenpresidingoveranArabianNightsentertainment，servedbygenii，andsheknewthattheywouldallawakenhungrywhentheywerewellontheirwayback。Nevertheless，inspiteofthisexpedition，theofficersloungedaboutsmokinguntileverytraceofthefestivityhadvanished。ReggyfoundhimselfstandingnearPeter。"Youknow，"hesaid，confidentially，"Idon’tthinkthecolonelhasaveryhighopinionofyourpets，——theIndians。And，byJove，ifthe’friendlies’areasnastytowardsyouastheyweretousthismorning，Iwonderwhatyoucallthe’hostile’tribes。"
"Didyouhaveanydifficultywiththem？"saidPeterquickly。
"No，notexactly，don’tyouknow——weweretoomany，Ifancy；but，byJove，thebeggarswheneverwemetthem，——andwemetoneortwogypsybandsofthem，——youknow，theyseemedtolookuponusasTRESPASSERS，don’tyouknow。"
"Andyouwere，inpointoffact，"saidPeter，smilinggrimly。
"Oh，Isay，comenow！"saidReggy，openinghiseyes。Afteramomenthelaughed。"Oh，yes，Isee——ofcourse，lookingatitfromtheirpointofview。ByJove，Idaresaythebeggarswereright，youknow；allthesame，——don’tyousee，——YOURpeoplewerepoachingtoo。"
"Sowewere，"saidPetergravely。
Buthere，atawordfromthemajor，thewholepartydebouchedfromthewoods。Everythingappearedtobeawaitingthem，——thelargecoveredcarryallfortheguests，andthetwosaddlehorsesforMrs。
LascellesandLadyElfrida，whohadriddentheretogether。Peter，alsomounted，accompaniedthecarryallwithtwooftheofficers；
thetroopersandwagonsbroughtuptherear。
Itwasveryhot，withlittleornowind。Onthispartoftheplainthedustseemedlighterandfiner，androsewiththewheelsofthecarryallandthehorsesoftheescort，trailingawhitecloudoverthecavalcadelikethesmokeofanengineoveratrain。Itwaswithdifficultythetrooperscouldbekeptfromopeningoutonbothsidesofthehighwaytoescapeit。Thewholeatmosphereseemedchargedwithit；itevenappearedinalongbanktotheright，risingandobscuringthedecliningsun。Buttheywerealreadywithinsightofthefortandthelittlecopsebesideit。ThentrooperCassidytrotteduptothecolonel，whowasridinginadustycloudbesidethecarryall，"CaptainFleetwood’scompliments，sorr，andtherearetwosthragglers，——Mrs。LascellesandtheEnglishlady。"HepointedtotherapidlyflyingfiguresofJennyandFriddymakingtowardsthewood。
Thecolonelmadeamovementofimpatience。"TellMr。Forsythtobringthembackatonce，"hesaid。
Buthereafemininechorusofexcusesandexpostulationsrosefromthecarryall。"It’sonlyMrs。LascellesgoingtoshowFriddywherethesquawsandchildrenbathe，"saidLadyRunnybroke，"it’snearthefort，andthey’llbethereasquickasweshall。"
"Onemoment，colonel，"saidPeter，withmortifiedconcern。"It’sanotherfollyofmysister’s！prayletmetakeituponmyselftobringthemback。"
"Verywell，butseeyoudon’tlinger，and，"turningtoCassidy，asPetergallopedaway，headded，"youfollowhim。"
Peterkeptthefiguresofthetwowomeninview，butpresentlysawthemdisappearinthewood。Hehadnofearfortheirsafety，buthewasindignantatthislastuntimelycapriceofhissister。Heknewtheideahadoriginatedwithher，andthattheofficersknewit，andyetshehadmadeLadyElfridabearanequalshareoftheblame。Hereachedtheedgeofthecopse，enteredthefirstopening，buthehadscarcelyplungedintoitsshadowandshutouttheplainbehindhimbeforehefelthisarmsandkneesquicklyseizedfrombehind。Sosuddenandunexpectedwastheattackthathefirstthoughthishorsehadstumbledagainstacoilofwildgrapevineandwasentangled，butthenextmomenthesmelledtherankcharacteristicodorandsawthebrownlimbsoftheIndianwhohadleapedonhiscrupper，whileanotherroseathishorse’shead。
Thenawarningvoiceinhisearsaidinthenativetongue：——
"Ifthegreatwhitemedicinemancallstohisfightingmen，thepale—facedgirlandthesquawhecallshissisterdie！Theyarehere，heunderstands。"
ButPeterhadneitherstrugglednorutteredacry。Atthattouch，andwiththeaccentsofthattongueinhisears，allhisownIndianbloodseemedtoleapandtinglethroughhisveins。Hiseyesflashed；pinionedashewashedrewhimselferectandansweredhaughtilyinhiscaptor’sownspeech：——
"Good！Thegreatwhitemedicinemanobeys，forheandhissisterhavenofear。Butifthepale—facegirlisnotsentbacktoherpeoplebeforethesunsets，thentheyellowjacketswillswarmthewoods，andtheywillfollowhertrailtothedeath。Mybrotheriswise；letthegirlgo。Ihavespoken。"
"Mybrotherisverycunningtoo。Hewouldcalltohisfightingmenthroughthelipsofthepale—facegirl。"
"Hewillnot。Thegreatwhitemedicinemandoesnotlietohisredbrother。Hewilltellthepale—facegirltosaytothechiefoftheyellowjacketsthatheandhissisterarewithhisbrothers，andallispeace。Butthepale—facegirlmustnotseethegreatwhitemedicinemaninthesebonds，norasacaptive！Ihavespoken。"
ThetwoIndiansfellback。Therewassomuchofforceanddignityintheman，somuchoftheirownstoiccalmness，thattheyatoncemechanicallyloosenedthethongsofplaiteddeerhidewithwhichtheyhadboundhim，andsidebysideledhimintotherecessesofthewood……
Therewassomeastonishment，althoughlittlealarmatthefort，whenLadyElfridareturnedaccompaniedbytheorderlywhohadfollowedPetertothewood，butwithoutPeterandhissister。Thereasongivenwasperfectlynaturalandconceivable。Mrs。LascelleshadprecededLadyElfridainenteringthewoodandtakenanotheropening，sothatLadyElfridahadfoundherselfsuddenlylost，andsurroundedbytwoorthreewarriorsindreadfulpaint。Theymotionedhertodismount，andsaidsomethingshedidnotunderstand，butshedeclined，knowingthatshehadheardMr。
Atherlyandtheorderlyfollowingher，andfeelingnofear。AndsureenoughMr。Atherlypresentlycameupwithacoupleofbraves，apologizedtoherfortheirmistake，butbeggedhertoreturntothefortatonceandassurethecolonelthateverythingwasright，andthatheandhissisterweresafe。Hewasperfectlycoolandcollectedandlikehimself；sheblushedslightly，asshesaidshethoughtthathewishedtoimpressuponher，forsomereasonshecouldnotunderstand，thathedidnotwantthecoloneltosendanyassistance。Shewaspositiveofthat。Shetoldherstoryunexcitedly；itwasevidentthatshehadnotbeenfrightened，butLadyRunnybrokenoticedthattherewasashadeofanxiousabstractioninherface。
Whentheofficerswerealonethecoloneltookhurriedcounselofthem。"Ithink，"saidCaptainFleetwood，"thatLadyElfrida’sstoryquiteexplainsitself。Ibelievethisaffairispurelyalocalone，andhasnothingwhatevertodowiththesuspiciousappearanceswenoticedthisafternoon，orthepresenceofsolargeabodyofIndiansnearButternut。HadthisbeenahostilemovementtheywouldhavescarcelyallowedsovaluableacaptureasLadyElfridatoescapethem。"
"UnlesstheykeptAtherlyandhissisterasahostage，"saidCaptainJoyce。
"ButAtherlyisoneoftheirfriends；indeedheistheirmediatorandapostle，anon—combatant，andhastheirconfidence，"returnedthecolonel。"ItismuchmorereasonabletosupposethatAtherlyhasnoticedsomedisaffectionamongthese’friendlies，’andhefearsthatoursendingapartytohisassistancemightprecipitateacollision。Orhemayhavereasontobelievethatthisstoppingofthetwowomenundertheverywallsofthefortisonlyafeinttodrawourattentionfromsomethingmoreserious。DidheknowanythingofoursuspicionsoftheconductofthoseIndiansthismorning？"
"NotunlesshegathereditfromwhatLordReginaldfoolishlytoldhim。Wesaidnothing，ofcourse，"returnedCaptainFleetwood，withasoldier’shabitualdistrustofthewisdomofthecivilarm。
"Thatwilldo，gentlemen，"saidthecolonel，astheofficersdispersed；"sendCassidyhere。"
ThecolonelwasaloneontheverandaasCassidycameup。
"YoufollowedMr。Atherlyto—day？"
"Yessorr。"
"Andyousawhimwhenhegavethemessagetotheyounglady？"
"Yessorr。"
"Didyouformanyopinionfromanythingelseyousaw，ofhisobjectinsendingthatmessage？"
"OnlyfromwhatIsawofHIM。"
"Well，whatwasthat？"
"Isawhimlookafthertheyoungleddyassherodeaway，andthenwheelaboutandgostraightbackintothewood。"
"Andwhatdidyouthinkofthat？"saidthecolonel，withahalfsmile。
"Ithoughtitwasshacrifice，sorr。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"saidthecolonelsharply。
"Imane，sorr，"saidCassidystoutly，"thathewasgivin’uphisselfandhissisterforthatyoungleddy。"
Thecolonellookedatthesergeant。"AskMr。Forsythtocometomeprivately，andreturnherewithhim。"
Asdarknessfell，somehalfadozendismountedtroopers，headedbyForsythandCassidy，passedquietlyoutofthelowergateandenteredthewood。Anhourlaterthecolonelwassummonedfromthedinnertable，andtheguestsheardthequickrattleofawagonturningoutoftheroadgate——butthecoloneldidnotreturn。Anindefinableuneasinesscreptoverthelittleparty，whichreacheditsclimaxinthesummoningoftheotherofficers，andthesuddenflashingoutofnews。ThereconnoitringpartyhadfoundthedeadbodiesofPeterAtherlyandhissisterontheplainsattheedgeoftheemptywood。
Thewomenweregatheredinthecommandant’squarters，andforthemomentseemedtohavebeenforgotten。Theofficers’wivestalkedwithprofessionalsympathyanddisciplinedquiet；theEnglishladieswereequallysympathetic，butcollected。LadyElfrida，ratherwhite，butpatient，askedafewquestionsinavoicewhosecontraltowasratherdeepened。Oneandallwishedto"dosomething"——anything"tohelp"——andoneandallrebelledthatthecolonelhadbeggedthemtoremainwithindoors。Therewasanoccasionalquickstepontheveranda，ortheclatterofahoofontheparade，acontinuedbutsubduedmurmurfromthewhitewashedbarracks，buteverywhereasenseofkeenrestraint。
Whentheyemergedontheverandaagain，thewholeaspectofthegarrisonseemedtohavechangedinthatbrieftime。Inthefaintmoonlighttheycouldseemotionlessfilesoftroopersfillingtheparade，theofficersinbeltedtunicsandslouchedhats，——butapparentlynotthesamemen；thehalfloungingeaseandlazydandyismgone，agrimtensioninalltheirfaces，asetabstractioninalltheiracts。Thentherewastherollingofheavywheelsintheroad，andthetwohorsesoftheambulanceappeared。Thesentriespresentedarms；thecoloneltookoffhishat；theofficersuncovered；thewagonwheeledintotheparade；thesurgeonsteppedout。Heexchangedasinglewordwiththecolonel，andliftedthecurtainoftheambulance。
Asthecolonelglancedwithin，adeepbutembarrassedvoicefelluponhisear。Heturnedquickly。ItwasLordReginald，flushedandsympathetic。
"Hewasafriend，——arelationofours，youknow，"hestammered。
"Mysisterwouldlike——tolookathimagain。"
"Notnow，"saidthecolonelinalowvoice。Thesurgeonaddedsomethinginavoicestilllower，whichscarcelyreachedtheveranda。
LordReginaldturnedawaywithawhiteface。
"Fallbackthere！"CaptainFleetwoodrodeup。
"Allready，sir。"
"Onemoment，captain，"saidthecolonelquietly。"Fileyourfirsthalfcompanybeforethatambulance，andbidthemenlookin。"
Thesingularorderwasobeyed。Themenfiledslowlyforward，eachinturnhaltingbeforethemotionlesswagonanditsimmobilefreight。Theyweremeninuredtofrontierbloodshedandsavagewarfare；somehaltedandhurriedon；otherslingered，othersturnedtolookagain。Onemanburstintoashortlaugh，butwhentheothersturnedindignantlyuponhim，theysawthatinhisfacethatheldtheminawe。Whattheysawintheambulancedidnottranspire；
whattheyfeltwasnotknown。Strangelyenough，however，whattheyrepressedthemselveswasmysteriouslycommunicatedtotheirhorses，whosnortedandquiveredwitheagernessandimpatienceastheyrodebackagain。Thehorseofthetrooperwhohadlaughedalmostleapedintotheair。OnlySergeantCassidywascommunicative；hetookalargercircuitinreturningtohisplace，andmanagedtoleanoverandwhisperhoarselyintheearofacampfollowerspectator，"Telltheyoungleddythatthetorturin’divvilscouldn’ttakethesmileoffhim！"
Thelittlecolumnfiledoutofthegatewayintotheroad。AsCaptainFleetwoodpassedColonelCarterthetwomen’seyesmet。
Thecolonelsaidquietly，"Goodnight，captain。Letushaveagoodreportfromyou。"
Thecaptainrepliedonlywithhisgauntletedhandagainstthebrimofhisslouchedhat，butthenextmomenthisvoicewasheardstrongandclearenoughintheroad。Thelittlecolumntrottedawayasevenlyasonparade。Butthosewhoclimbedtheroofofthebarracksaquarterofanhourlatersaw，inthemoonlight，awhiteclouddriftingrapidlyacrosstheplaintowardsthewest。Itwasasmallcloudinthatbare，menacing，cruel，andillimitablewaste；
butinitsbreastwascrammedathunderbolt。
Itfellthirtymilesaway，blastingandscatteringathousandwarriorsandtheircamp，givingandtakingnoquarter，vengeful，exterminating，andcomplete。Laterthereweredifferentopinionsaboutitandthehorriblecrimethathadprovokedit：theopposersofPeter’spolicyjubilantovertheironyoftheassassinationoftheApostleofPeace，Peter’sdisciplesasactivelydeploringthemercilessandindiscriminatingvengeanceofthemilitary；andsotheproblemthatPeterhadvainlyattemptedtosolvewasleftanopenquestion。Therewerethose，too，whobelievedthatPeterhadneversacrificedhimselfandhissisterforthesakeofanother，buthadprovokedandincensedthesavagesbytheblindarroganceofareformer。TherewerewildstoriesbyscoutsandinterpretershowhehadchallengedhisfatebyanIndianbravado；howhimselfandhissisterhadmettorturewithanIndianstoicism，andhowtheIndianbravesthemselvesatlastinaturmoilofrevulsionhaddippedtheirarrowsandlancesintheheroicheart’sbloodoftheirvictims，andworshipedtheirstillpalpitatingflesh。
Buttherewasonehonestloyallittleheartthatcarriedback——
threethousandmiles——toEnglandthemanasithadknownandlovedhim。LadyElfridaRunnybrokenevermarried；neitherdidshegointoretirement，butlivedherlifeandfulfilledherdutiesinherusualclear—eyedfashion。ShewasparticularlykindtoallAmericans，——barring，Ifear，afewpretty—faced，finely—frockedtitle—hunters，——toldstoriesoftheFarWest，andhadtheoriesofapeopleofwhichtheyknewlittle，caredless，andbelievedtobevulgar。ButIthinkshefoundanewpleasureintheoldchurchatAshleyGrange，andlovedtolingerovertheeffigyoftheoldCrusader，——herkinsman，theswashbucklerDeBracy，——withavaguebutprettybeliefthatdevotionandlovedonotdiewithbravemen，butliveandflourisheveninlandsbeyondtheseas。
TWOAMERICANS
PerhapsiftherewasanythingimportantinthemigrationoftheMaynardfamilytoEuropeitrestedsolelyuponthesingularfactthatMr。Maynarddidnotgothereintheexpectationofmarryinghisdaughtertoanobleman。ACharlestonmerchant，whosehouserepresentedtwohonorablegenerations，had，thirtyyearsago，acertainself—respectwhichdidnotrequireextraneousaidandforeignsupport，anditisexceedinglyprobablethathisintentionofspendingafewyearsabroadhadnoulteriormotivethanpleasureseekingandtheobservationofmanythings——principallyofthepast——whichhisowncountrydidnotpossess。Hisfutureandthatofhisfamilylayinhisownland，yetwithpracticalcommonsenseheadjustedhimselftemporarilytohisnewsurroundings。Indoingso，hehadmuchtolearnofothers，andothershadsomethingtolearnofhim；hefoundthatthebestpeoplehadahighsimplicityequaltohisown；hecorrectedtheirimpressionsthataSouthernerhadmoreorlessnegrobloodinhisveins，andthat，althoughaslaveowner，hedidnotnecessarilyrepresentanaristocracy。Withadistinguishingdialectofwhichhewasnotashamed，afrankfamiliarityofapproachjoinedtoaninvinciblecourtesyofmanner，whichmadeevenhisrepublican"Sir"equaltotheordinaryaddresstoroyalty，hewasalwaysrespectedandseldommisunderstood。Whenhewas——itwasunfortunateforthosewhomisunderstoodhim。Histypewasasdistinctiveandoriginalashiscousin’s，theEnglishman，whomitwasnotthefashionthentoimitate。Sothat，whetherinthehotelofacapital，theKursaalofaSpa，orthehumblerpensionofaSwissvillage，hewasalwayscharacteristic。
Lesssowashiswife，who，withthechameleonqualityofhertransplantedcountrywomen，wasalreadyParisianindress；stilllesssohisdaughter，whohadbythistimeabsorbedthepeculiaritiesofherFrench，German，andItaliangovernesses。Yetneitherhadyetlearnedtoevadetheirnationality——orapologizeforit。
Mr。MaynardandhisfamilyremainedforthreeyearsinEurope，hisstayhavingbeenprolongedbypoliticalexcitementinhisownStateofSouthCarolina。Commerceisapttoknocktheinsularityoutofpeople；distancefromone’sowndistinctivelocalitygivesawiderrangetothevision，andtheretiredmerchantforesawruininhisState’spolitics，andfromtheviewpointofallEuropebeheldinsteadoftheusualcollectionofindividualStates——hiswholecountry。Buttheexcitementincreasing，hewasfinallyimpelledtoreturninafainthopeofdoingsomethingtoallayit，takinghiswifewithhim，butleavinghisdaughteratschoolinParis。Ataboutthistime，however，asinglecannonshotfiredatthenationalflagonFortSumtershookthewholecountry，reverberatedeveninEurope，sendingsomeearnestheartsbacktodobattleforStateorcountry，sendingotherslessearnestintoingloriousexile，but，saddestofall！knockingovertheschoolbenchofagirlattheParispensionnat。ForthatshothadalsosunkMaynard’sshipsattheCharlestonwharves，scatteredhispiledCottonbalesawaitingshipmentatthequays，anddrovehim，aruinedman，intothe"HomeGuard"againsthisbetterjudgment。
HelenMaynard，likeagoodgirl，hadimploredherfathertoletherreturnandsharehisrisks。Buttheanswerwas"towait"untilthisninedays’madnessofanuprisingwasover。Thatmadnesslastedsixyears，outlivedMaynard，whosegray，misdoubtingheadbitthedustatBall’sBluff；outlivedhiscolorlesswidow，andleftKellyapennilessorphan。
Yetenoughofhercountrywasleftinhertomakehercourageousandindependentofherpast。Theysaythatwhenshegotthenewsshecriedalittle，andthenlaidtheletterandwhatwasleftofherlastmonthlyallowanceinMadameAblas’lap。Madamewasdevastated。"Butyou，impoverishedanddesolatedangel，whatofyou？""Ishallgetsomeofitback，"saidthedesolatedangelwithingenuouscandor，"forIspeakbetterFrenchandEnglishthantheothergirls，andIshallteachTHEMuntilIcangetintotheConservatoire，forIhaveavoice。Youyourselfhavetoldpapaso。"Fromsuchangelicdirectnesstherewasnoappeal。MadameAblashadaheart，——more，shehadaFrenchmanageress’sdiscriminatinginstinct。TheAmericanschoolgirlwasinstalledinateacher’sdesk；herbosomfriendsandfellowstudentsbecameherpupils。Tosomeoftherichest，andtheyweremainlyofherowncountry，shesoldhersmartest，latestdresses，jewels，andtrinketsataverygoodfigure，andputthemoneyawayagainsttheConservatoireinthefuture。Sheworkedhard，sheenduredpatientlyeverythingbutcommiseration。"I’dhaveyouknow，Miss，"
shesaidtoMissdeLaine，daughterofthefamoushouseofMusslin，deLaine&Co。，ofNewYork，"thatwhatevermypositionHEREmaybe，itisnotonetobepatronizedbyatapeseller’sdaughter。Mycaseisnotsuchavery’sadone，’thankyou，andIprefernottobespokenofashavingseen’betterdays’bypeoplewhohaven’t。
There！Don’trapyourdeskwithyourpencilwhenyouspeaktome，orIshallcallout’Cash！’beforethewholeclass。"Soregrettableanexhibitionoftempernaturallyalienatedcertainofhercompatriotswhowereundulysensitiveoftheirorigin，andastheyformedaconsiderablecolonywhowerethenrevelinginthedregsoftheEmpireandthelastorgiesofatotteringcourt，eventuallycostherherplace。Arepublicansoaristocraticwasnottobetoleratedbythetrue—bornAmericanswhopaidcourttoDeMornyforthephosphorescentsplendorsofSt。CloudandtheTuileries，andMissHelenlosttheirfavor。ButshehadalreadysavedenoughmoneyfortheConservatoireandalittleatticinaverytallhouseinanarrowstreetthattrickledintotheceaselessflowoftheRueLafayette。Hereforfouryearsshetrottedbackwardsandforwardsregularlytoworkwiththefreshnessofyouthandtheinflexiblesetpurposeofmaturity。Here，rainorshine，summerorwinter，inthemellowseasonwhenthelargecafesexpandedunderthewhitesunshineintoanoverflowoflittletablesonthepavement，orwhentheredglowoftheBrasserieshonethroughfrostypanesontheturned—upcollarsofpinchedParisianswhohurriedby，shewasalwaystobeseen。
HalfParishadlookedintoherclear，grayeyesandpassedon；asmallerandnotveryyouthfulportionofParishadturnedandfollowedherwithsmalladvantagetoitselfandhappilynofeartoher。Foreveninheryoungwomanhoodshekeptherchild’slovingknowledgeofthatgreatcity；sheevenhadaninnocentcamaraderiewithstreetsweepers，kioskkeepers，andlemonadevenders，andthesternnessofconciergedommeltedbeforeher。Inthiswholesome，practicalchild’sexperienceshenaturallyavoidedoroverlookedwhatwouldnothaveinterestedachild，andsokeptherfreshnessandacertainnationalshrewdsimplicityinvincible。Thereisastorytoldofhergirlhoodthat，onedayplayingintheTuileriesgardens，shewasapproachedbyagentlemanwithawaxedmustacheandastillmorewaxencheekbeneathhisheavy—liddedeyes。Therewasanexchangeofpoliteamenities。
"Andyourname，mapetite？"
"Helen，"respondedtheyounggirlnaively。"What’syours？"
"Ah，"saidthekindgentleman，gallantlypullingathismustache，"ifyouareHelenIamParis。"
Theyounggirlraisedhercleareyestohisandsaidgravely，"I
reckonyourmajestyisFRANCE！"
SheretainedthischildishfearlessnessasthepoorstudentoftheConservatoire；wentalonealloverPariswithhermaidenskirtsuntarnishedbythegildeddustoftheboulevardsorthefilthofby—ways；knewallthebestshopsforherfriends，andthecheapestforherownscantpurchases；discoveredbreakfastsforafewsouswithpalesempstresses，whosesadnesssheunderstood，andrecklesschorusgirls，whosegayetyshedidn’t；sheknewwheretheearliestchestnutbudsweretobefoundintheBois，whentheslopesoftheButtesChaumontweregreen，andwhichwastheoldwomanwhosoldthecheapestflowersbeforetheMadeleine。Aloneandindependent，sheearnedtheaffectionofMadameBibelot，theconcierge，and，whatwasmore，herconfidence。Heroutgoingsandincomingswereneverquestioned。ThelittleAmericancouldtakecareofherself。
Ah，ifhersonJacqueswereonlyasreasonable！MissMaynardmighthavemademorefriendshadshecared；shemighthavejoinedhandswiththeinnocentandlight—heartedpovertyofthecoterieofherownartisticcompatriots，butsomethinginherbloodmadeherdistrustBohemianism；herpovertywassomethingtohertoosacredforjestorcompanionship；herownartisticaimwastoolongandearnestformeretemporaryenthusiasms。Shemighthavefoundfriendsinherownprofession。HerprofessoropenedthesacreddoorsofhisfamilycircletotheyoungAmericangirl。Sheappreciatedthedelicacy，refinement，andcheerfulequalresponsibilitiesofthathousehold，sowidelydifferentfromtheacceptedAnglo—Saxonbelief，buttherewerecertainrestrictionsthatrightlyorwronglygalledherAmericanhabitsofgirlishfreedom，andsheresolutelytrippedpastthefirstetagefourorfiveflightshighertoherattic，thefreesky，andindependence！
HereshesometimesmetanotherkindofindependenceinMonsieurAlphonse，agedtwentytwo，andshewhooughttohavebeenMadameAlphonse，agedseventeen，andtheyoftenexchangedgreetingsonthelandingwithgreatrespecttowardseachother，and，oddlyenough，noconfusionordistrait。Latertheyevenborrowedeachother’smatcheswithoutfearandwithoutreproach，untilonedayMonsieurAlphonse’sparentstookhimaway，andthedesolatedsoi—disantMadameAlphonse，inacheerfulburstofconfidence，gaveHelenherprivateopinionofmonsieur，andfromherseventeenyears’
experiencewarnedtheAmericaninfantoftwentyagainstpossiblesimilarcomplications。
Oneday——itwasneartheexaminationforprizes，andherfundswererunninglow——shewasobligedtoseekoneofthosehumblerrestaurantssheknewofforherfrugalbreakfast。Butshewasnothungry，andafterafewmouthfulslefthermealunfinishedasayoungmanenteredandhalfabstractedlytookaseatathertable。
Shehadalreadymovedtowardsthecomptoirtopayherfewsous，when，chancingtolookupinamirrorwhichhungabovethecounter，reflectingtheinteriorofthecafe，shesawthestranger，aftercastingahurriedglancearoundhim，removefromherplatethebrokenrollandeventhecrumbsshehadleft，andashurriedlysweepthemintohispocket—handkerchief。Therewasnothingverystrangeinthis；shehadseensomethinglikeitbeforeinthesehumblercafes，——itwasacribforthebirdsintheTuileriesGardens，orthepoorartist’ssubstituteforrubberincorrectinghiscrayondrawing！Buttherewasasingularflushingofhishandsomefaceintheactthatstirredherwithastrangepity，madeherowncheekhotwithsympathy，andcompelledhertolookathimmoreattentively。Thebackthatwasturnedtowardsherwasbroad—
shoulderedandsymmetrical，andshowedaframethatseemedtorequirestrongernourishmentthanthesimplecoffeeandrollhehadorderedandwasdevouringslowly。Hisclothes，wellmadethoughworn，fittedhiminasmart，soldier—likeway，andaccentuatedhisdecidedmilitarybearing。Thesingularuseofhislefthandinliftinghiscupmadeheruneasy，untilaslightmovementrevealedthefactthathisrightsleevewasemptyandpinnedtohiscoat。
Hewasone—armed。Sheturnedhercompassionateeyesaside，yetlingeredtomakeafewpurchasesatthecounter，ashepaidhisbillandwalkedaway。Butshewassurprisedtoseethathetenderedthewaitertheunexampledgratuityofasou。PerhapshewassomeeccentricEnglishman；hecertainlydidnotlooklikeaFrenchman。
Shehadquiteforgottentheincident，andintheafternoonhadstrolledwithafewfellowpupilsintothegalleriesoftheLouvre。
Itwas"copying—day，"andasherfriendsloiteredaroundtheeaselsofthedifferentstudentswiththeeasyconsciousnessofbeingthemselves"artists，"shestrolledonsomewhatabstractedlybeforethem。Herownartwastooserioustopermithermuchsympathywithanother，andinthechatterofhercompanionswiththeyoungpaintersacertainlevitydisturbedher。Suddenlyshestopped。
Shehadreachedalessfrequentedroom；therewasasingleeaselatoneside，butthestoolbeforeitwasempty，anditslateoccupantwasstandinginarecessbythewindow，withhisbacktowardsher。
Hehaddrawnasilkhandkerchieffromhispocket。Sherecognizedhissquareshoulders，sherecognizedthehandkerchief，andasheunrolleditsherecognizedthefragmentsofhermorning’sbreakfastashebegantoeatthem。Itwastheone—armedman。
Sheremainedsomotionlessandbreathlessthathefinishedhisscantmealwithoutnoticingher，andevenresumedhisplacebeforetheeaselwithoutbeingawareofherpresence。Thenoiseofapproachingfeetgaveafreshimpulsetoherown，andshemovedtowardshim。
Buthewasevidentlyaccustomedtotheseinterruptions，andworkedonsteadilywithoutturninghishead。Astheotherfootstepspassedhershewasemboldenedtotakeapositionbehindhimandglanceathiswork。ItwasanarchitecturalstudyofoneofCanaletto’spalaces。Evenherinexperiencedeyeswerestruckwithitsvigorandfidelity。Butshewasalsoconsciousofasenseofdisappointment。
Whywashenot——liketheothers——copyingoneofthemasterpieces？
Becomingatlastawareofamotionlesswomanbehindhim，herose，andwithaslightgestureofcourtesyandahalf—hesitating"Vousverrezmieuxla，mademoiselle，"movedtooneside。
"Thankyou，"saidMissMaynardinEnglish，"butIdidnotwanttodisturbyou。"
Heglancedquicklyatherfaceforthefirsttime。"Ah，youareEnglish！"hesaid。
"No。IamAmerican。"
Hisfacelightened。"SoamI。"
"Ithoughtso，"shesaid。
"FrommybadFrench？"
"No。Becauseyoudidnotlookuptoseeifthewomanyouwerepolitetowasoldoryoung。"
Hesmiled。"Andyou，mademoiselle，——youdidnotmurmuracomplimenttothecopyovertheartist’sback。"
Shesmiled，too，yetwithalittlepangoverthebread。Butshewasrelievedtoseethatheevidentlyhadnotrecognizedher。"Youaremodest，"shesaid；"youdonotattemptmasterpieces。"
"Oh，no！ThegiantslikeTitianandCorregiomustbeservedwithbothhands。Ihaveonlyone，"hesaidhalflightly，halfsadly。
"Butyouhavebeenasoldier，"shesaidwithquickintuition。
"Notmuch。Onlyduringourwar，——untilIwascompelledtohandlenothinglargerthanapaletteknife。ThenIcamehometoNewYork，and，asIwasnousethere，Icameheretostudy。"
"IamfromSouthCarolina，"shesaidquietly，witharisingcolor。
Heputhispalettedown，andglancedatherblackdress。"Yes，"
shewentondoggedly，"myfatherlostallhisproperty，andwaskilledinbattlewiththeNortherners。Iamanorphan，——apupiloftheConservatoire。"Itwasneverhercustomtoalludetoherfamilyorherlostfortunes；sheknewnotwhyshediditnow，butsomethingimpelledhertoridhermindofittohimatonce。Yetshewaspainedathisgraveandpityingface。
"Iamverysorry，"hesaidsimply。Then，afterapause，headded，withagentlesmile，"AtalleventsyouandIwillnotquarrelhereunderthewingsoftheFrencheaglesthatshelterusboth。"
"IonlywantedtoexplainwhyIwasaloneinParis，"shesaid，alittlelessaggressively。
Herepliedbyunhookinghispalette，whichwasingeniouslyfastenedbyastrapoverhisshoulderunderthemissingarm，andopenedaportfolioofsketchesathisside。"Perhapstheymayinterestyoumorethanthecopy，whichIhaveattemptedonlytogetatthisman’smethod。TheyaresketchesIhavedonehere。"
TherewasabuttressofNotreDame，ablackarchofthePontNeuf，partofanoldcourtyardintheFaubourgSt。Germain，——allveryfreshandstriking。Yet，withtherecollectionofhispovertyinhermind，shecouldnothelpsaying，"Butifyoucopiedoneofthosemasterpieces，youknowyoucouldsellit。Thereisalwaysademandforthatwork。"
"Yes，"hereplied，"butthesehelpmeinmyline，whichisarchitecturalstudy。Itis，perhaps，notveryambitious，"headdedthoughtfully，"but，"brighteningupagain，"Isellthesesketches，too。Theyarequitemarketable，Iassureyou。"
Helen’sheartsankagain。Sherememberednowtohaveseensuchsketches——shedoubtednottheywerehis——inthecheapshopsintheRuePoissoniere，ticketedatafewfrancseach。Shewassilentashepatientlyturnedthemover。Suddenlysheutteredalittlecry。
Hehadjustuncoveredalittlesketchofwhatseemedatfirstsightonlyaconfusedclusterofrooftops，dormerwindows，andchimneys，levelwiththesky—line。ButitwasbathedinthewhitesunshineofParis，againsttheblueskysheknewsowell。There，too，werethegrittycrystalsandrustofthetiles，thered，brown，andgreenishmossesofthegutters，andlowerdownthemorevividcolorsofgeraniumsandpansiesinflower—potsunderthewhitedimitycurtainswhichhidthesmallpanesofgarretwindows；yeteverysordiddetailtouchedandtransfiguredwiththepoetryandromanceofyouthandgenius。
"Youhaveseenthis？"shesaid。
"Yes；itisastudyfrommywindow。Onemustgohighforsucheffects。Youwouldbesurprisedifyoucouldseehowdifferenttheairandsunshine"——
"No，"sheinterruptedgently，"IHAVEseenit。"
"You？"herepeated，gazingathercuriously。
Helenranthepointofherslimfingeralongthesketchuntilitreachedatinydormerwindowintheleft—handcorner，half—hiddenbyanirregularchimney—stack。Thecurtainswerecloselydrawn。
Keepingherfingeruponthespot，shesaid，interrogatively，"AndyousawTHATwindow？"
"Yes，quiteplainly。Irememberitwasalwaysopen，andtheroomseemedemptyfromearlymorningtoevening，whenthecurtainsweredrawn。"
"Itismyroom，"shesaidsimply。
Theireyesmetwiththissuddenconfessionoftheirequalpoverty。
"Andmine，"hesaidgayly，"fromwhichthisviewwastaken，isintherearandstillhigherupontheotherstreet。"
Theybothlaughedasifsomesingularrestrainthadbeenremoved；
Helenevenforgottheincidentofthebreadinherrelief。Thentheycomparednotesoftheirexperiences，oftheirdifferentconcierges，oftheirhousekeeping，ofthecheapstoresandthecheaperrestaurantsofParis，——exceptone。Shetoldhimhername，andlearnedthathiswasPhilip，or，ifshepleased，MajorOstrander。Suddenlyglancingathercompanions，whowereostentatiouslylingeringatalittledistance，shebecameconsciousforthefirsttimethatshewastalkingquiteconfidentiallytoaveryhandsomeman，andforabriefmomentwished，sheknewnotwhy，thathehadbeenplainer。Thismomentaryrestraintwasaccentedbytheentranceofaladyandgentleman，ratherdistingueindressandbearing，whohadstoppedbeforethem，andwereeyingequallytheartist，hiswork，andhiscompanionwithsomewhatinsolentcuriosity。Helenfeltherselfstiffening；hercompaniondrewhimselfupwithsoldierlyrigidity。Foramomentitseemedasif，underthatbanalinfluence，theywouldpartwithceremoniouscontinentalpoliteness，butsuddenlytheirhandsmetinanationalhandshake，andwithafranksmiletheyseparated。
Helenrejoinedhercompanions。
"SoyouhavemadeaconquestoftherecentlyacquiredbutunknownGreekstatue？"saidMademoiselleReneelightly。"Youshouldtakeupasubscriptiontorestorehisarm，mapetite，ifthereisamodernsculptorwhocandoit。YoumightsuggestittothetwoRussiancognoscenti，whohavebeenhoveringaroundhimasiftheywantedtobuyhimaswellashiswork。MadameLaPrincesseisrichenoughtoindulgeherartistictaste。"
"Itisacountrymanofmine，"saidHelensimply。
"HecertainlydoesnotspeakFrench，"saidmademoisellemischievously。
"Northinkit，"respondedHelenwithequalvivacity。Nevertheless，shewishedshehadseenhimalone。
Shethoughtnothingmoreofhimthatdayinherfinishingexercises。
Butthenextmorningasshewenttoopenherwindowafterdressing，shedrewbackwithanewconsciousness，andthen，makingapeepholeinthecurtain，lookedovertheoppositeroofs。Shehadseenthemmanytimesbefore，butnowtheyhadacquiredanewpicturesqueness，whichasherviewwas，ofcourse，thereverseofthepoorpainter’ssketch，musthavebeenatransfiguredmemoryofherown。Thensheglancedcuriouslyalongthelineofwindowslevelwithhers。Allthese，however，withtheiroccasionalrevelationsofthemenagebehindthem，werealsofamiliartoher，butnowshebegantowonderwhichwashis。Asingularinstinctatlastimpelledhertolifthereyes。Higherinthecornerhouse，andsoneartheroofthatitscarcelyseemedpossibleforagrownmantostanduprightbehindit，wasanoeildeboeuflookingdownupontheotherroofs，andframedinthatcircularopeninglikeavignettewasthehandsomefaceofMajorOstrander。Hiseyesseemedtobeturnedtowardsherwindow。
Herfirstimpulsewastoopenitandrecognizehimwithafriendlynod。Butanoddminglingofmischiefandshynessmadeherturnawayquickly。
Nevertheless，shemethimthenextmorningwalkingslowlysonearherhousethattheirencountermighthavebeenscarcelyaccidentalonhispart。ShewalkedwithhimasfarastheConservatoire。Inthelightoftheopenstreetshethoughthelookedpaleandhollow—
cheeked；shewonderedifitwasfromhisenforcedfrugality，andwastryingtoconceivesomeelaborateplanofobliginghimtoacceptherhospitalityatleastforasinglemeal，whenhesaid：——
"Ithinkyouhavebroughtmeluck，MissMaynard。"
Helenopenedhereyeswonderingly。
"ThetwoRussianconnoisseurswhostaredatussorudelywerepleased，however，toalsostareatmywork。Theyofferedmeafabuloussumforoneortwoofmysketches。Itdidn’tseemtomequitethesquarethingtooldFavelthepicture—dealer，whomIhadforcedtotakealotatonefifteenththeprice，soIsimplyreferredthemtohim。"
"No！"saidMissHelenindignantly；"youwerenotsofoolish？"
Ostranderlaughed。
"I’mafraidwhatyoucallmyfollydidn’tavail，fortheywantedwhattheysawinmyportfolio。"
"Ofcourse，"saidHelen。"Why，thatsketchofthehousetopalonewasworthahundredtimesmorethanwhatyou"——Shestopped；shedidnotliketorevealwhathegotforhispictures，andadded，"morethanwhatanyofthoseusurerswouldgive。"
"Iamgladyouthinksowellofit，forIdonotmeantosellit，"
hesaidsimply，yetwithasignificancethatkepthersilent。
Shedidnotseehimagainforseveraldays。Thepreparationforherexaminationlefthernotime，andherearnestconcentrationinherworkfullypreoccupiedherthoughts。Shewassurprised，butnotdisturbed，onthedayoftheawardstoseehimamongtheaudienceofanxiousparentsandrelations。MissHelenMaynarddidnotgetthefirstprize，noryetthesecond；anaccessitwasheronlyaward。Shedidnotknowuntilafterwardsthatthishadlongbeenaforegoneconclusionofherteachersonaccountofsomeintrinsicdefectinhervoice。Shedidnotknowuntillongafterwardsthatthehandsomepainter’snervousnessonthatoccasionhadattractedeventhesympathyofsomeofthosewhowerenearhim。
Forsheherselfhadbeencalmandcollected。Nooneelseknewhowcrushingwastheblowwhichshatteredherhopesandmadeherthreeyearsoflaborandprivationauselessstruggle。Yetthoughnolongerapupilshecouldstillteach；hermasterhadfoundherasmallpatronagethatsavedherfromdestitution。Thatnightshecircledupquitecheerfullyinherusualswallowflighttohernestundertheeaves，andeventwitteredonthelandingalittleoverthecondolencesoftheconcierge——whoknew，monDieu！whatabeastthedirectoroftheConservatoirewasandhowhecouldbebribed；
butwhenatlastherbrownheadsankonherpillowshecried——justalittle。
Butwhatwasallthistothatnextmorning——thegloriousspringmorningwhichbathedalltheroofsofPariswithwarmthandhope，rekindlingenthusiasmandambitioninthebreastofyouth，andgildingevenmuchofthesordiddirtbelow。ItseemedquitenaturalthatsheshouldmeetMajorOstrandernotmanyyardsawayasshesalliedout。Inthatbrightspringsunshineandthehopefulspringoftheiryouththeyevenlaughedatthepreviousday’sdisappointment。Ah！whataclaqueitwas，afterall！Forhimself，he，Ostrander，wouldmuchratherseethatsatin—facedParisiangirlwhohadgottheprizesmirkingatthecriticsfromtheboardsoftheGrandOperathanhiscountrywoman！TheConservatoiresettledthingsforParis，butPariswasn’ttheworld！Americawouldcometotheforeyetinartofallkinds——therewasafreeacademytherenow——thereshouldbeaConservatoireofitsown。Ofcourse，ParisschoolingandParisexperienceweren’ttobedespisedinart；but，thankheaven！shehadTHAT，andnodirectorscouldtakeitfromher！Thisandmuchmore，until，comparingnotes，theysuddenlyfoundthattheywerebothfreeforthatday。Whyshouldtheynottakeadvantageofthatrareweatherandrareropportunitytomakealittlesuburbanexcursion？Butwhere？TherewastheBois，butthatwasstillParis。Fontainebleau？Toofar；therewerealwaysartistssketchingintheforest，andhewouldlikeforthatdayto"sinktheshop。"Versailles？Ah，yes！Versailles！
Thithertheywent。Itwasnotnewtoeitherofthem。OstranderknewitasanartistandasanAmericanreaderofthatFrenchhistoricromance——areaderwhohurriedovertheshamintriguesoftheOeildeBoeuf，theshampastoralsofthePetitTrianon，andtheshamheroicsofashiftycourt，togettoLafayette。Helenknewitasachildwhohaddodgedtheselessonsfromherpatrioticfather，buthadenjoyedthewoods，theparks，theterraces，andparticularlytherestaurantattheparkgates。Thatdaytheytookitlikeaboyandgirl，——withtheamused，omniscienttoleranceofyouthforapastsoinferiortothepresent。Ostranderthoughtthisgray—eyed，independentAmerican—Frenchgirlfarsuperiortotheobsequiousfillesd’honneur，whosebrocadeshadrustledthroughthosequinquonces，andHelenvaguelyrealizedthetruthofherfellowpupil’smischievouscriticismofhercompanionthatdayattheLouvre。Surelytherewasnoclassicalstatueherecomparabletotheone—armedsoldier—painter！
Allthiswasasyetfreefromeithersentimentorpassion，andwasonlythefrankprideoffriendship。But，oddlyenough，theirmerepresenceandcompanionshipseemedtoexciteinothersthattendernesstheyhadnotyetfeltthemselves。Familygroupswatchedthehandsomepairintheirinnocentconfidences，and，withFrenchexuberantrecognitionofsentiment，thoughtthemtheincarnationofLove。Somethingintheirmanifestequalityofconditionkepteventhevainestandmostsusceptibleofspectatorsfromattemptedrivalryorcynicalinterruption。Andwhenatlasttheydroppedsidebysideonasun—warmedstonebenchontheterrace，andHelen，incliningherbrownheadtowardshercompanion，informedhimofthedifficultyshehadexperiencedingettinggumbosoup，riceandchicken，corncakes，oranyofherfavoritehomedishesinParis，anexhaustedbutgallantboulevardierrosefromacontiguousbench，and，politelyliftinghishattothehandsomecouple，turnedslowlyawayfromwhathebelievedweretenderconfidenceshewouldnotpermithimselftohear。
Buttheshadowofthetreesbegantolengthen，castingbroadbarsacrossthealle，andthesunsanklowertotheleveloftheireyes。
Theywerequitesurprised，onlookingaroundafewmomentslater，todiscoverthatthegardenswerequitedeserted，andOstrander，onconsultinghiswatch，foundthattheyhadjustlostatrainwhichtheotherpleasure—seekershadevidentlyavailedthemselvesof。Nomatter；therewasanothertrainanhourlater；theycouldstilllingerforafewmomentsinthebriefsunsetandthendineatthelocalrestaurantbeforetheyleft。Theybothlaughedattheirforgetfulness，andthen，withoutknowingwhy，suddenlylapsedintosilence。Afaintwindblewintheirfacesandtrilledthethinleavesabovetheirheads。Nothingelsemoved。ThelongwindowsofthepalaceinthatsunsetlightseemedtoglistenagainwiththeincendiaryfiresoftheRevolution，andthenwentoutblanklyandabruptly。Thetwocompanionsfeltthattheypossessedtheterraceandallitsmemoriesascompletelyastheshadowswhohadlivedanddiedthere。
"Iamsogladwehavehadthisdaytogether，"saidthepainter，withaveryconsciousbreakingofthesilence，"forIamleavingParisto—morrow。"
Helenraisedhereyesquicklytohis。
"Forafewdaysonly，"hecontinued。"MyRussiancustomers——
perhapsIoughttosaymypatrons——havegivenmeacommissiontomakeastudyofanoldchateauwhichtheprincesslatelybought。"
Aswiftrecollectionofherfellowpupil’srailleryregardingtheprincess’spossibleattitudetowardsthepaintercameoverherandgaveastrangeartificialitytoherresponse。
"Isupposeyouwillenjoyitverymuch，"shesaiddryly。
"No，"hereturnedwiththefranknessthatshehadlacked。"I’dmuchratherstayinParis，but，"headdedwithafaintsmile，"it’saquestionofmoney，andthatisnottobedespised。YetI——I——
somehowfeelthatIamdesertingyou，——leavingyouhereallaloneinParis。"
"I’vebeenallaloneforfouryears，"shesaid，withabitternessshehadneverfeltbefore，"andIsupposeI’maccustomedtoit。"
Neverthelesssheleanedalittleforward，withherfawn—coloredlashesdroppedoverhereyes，whichwerebentuponthegroundandthepointoftheparasolshewasholdingwithherlittleglovedhandsbetweenherknees。Hewonderedwhyshedidnotlookup；hedidnotknowthatitwaspartlybecausethereweretearsinhereyesandpartlyforanotherreason。Asshehadleanedforwardhisarmhadquiteunconsciouslymovedalongthebackofthebenchwherehershouldershadrested，andshecouldnothaveresumedherpositionexceptinhishalfembrace。
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