Frankwentoverinthemorningalittleaheadoftheappointedtime，andwaitedonthebackpiazzauntilhisserviceswererequired。

"Youain’tgwineterbegonelong，isyou，MissRena？"heinquired，whenRenacameoutdressedforthejourneyinherbestfrock，withbroadwhitecollarandcuffs。

Renadidnotknow。Shehadbeenaskingherselfthesamequestion。Allsortsofvaguedreamshadfloatedthroughhermindduringthelastfewhours，astowhatthefuturemightbringforth。

ButshedetectedtheanxiousnoteinFrank’svoice，andhadnowishtogivethisfaithfulfriendofthefamilyunnecessarypain。

"Oh，no，Frank，Ireckonnot。I’msupposedtobejustgoingonashortvisit。Mybrotherhaslosthiswife，andwishesmetocomeandstaywithhimawhile，andlookafterhislittleboy。"

"I’mfearedyou’lllackitbetterdere，MissRena，"repliedFranksorrowfully，droppinghismaskofunconcern，"an’denyouwon’tcomeback，an’noneeryo’frien’swon’tneverseeyounomo’。"

"Youdon’tthink，Frank，"askedRenaseverely，"thatIwouldleavemymotherandmyhomeandallmyfriends，andNEVERcomebackagain？"

"Why，no’ndeed，"interposedMis’Mollywistfully，asshehoveredaroundherdaughter，givingherhairorhergownatouchhereandthere；

"she’llbesohomesickinamonththatshe’llbewillin’towalkhome。"

"Youwouldn’neverhafterdodat，MissRena，"

returnedFrank，withadisconsolatesmile。"Efyoueverwantercomehome，an’can’tgitbacknootherway，jes’letMEknow，an’I’lltakemymulean’mykyartan’fetchyouback，efit’sfromdeeen’erdeworl’。"

"Thankyou，Frank，Ibelieveyouwould，"saidthegirlkindly。"You’reatruefriend，Frank，andI’llnotforgetyouwhileI’mgone。"

TheideaofherbeautifuldaughterridinghomefromtheendoftheworldwithFrank，inacart，behindaone—eyedmule，struckMis’Mollyastheheightoftheridiculous——shewasinastateofexcitementwheretearsorlaughterwouldhavecomewithequalease——andsheturnedawaytohidehermerriment。Herdaughterwasgoingtoliveinafinehouse，andmarryarichman，andrideinhercarriage。Ofcourseanegrowoulddrivethecarriage，butthatwasdifferentfromridingwithoneinacart。

Whenitwastimetogo，Mis’MollyandRenasetoutonfootfortheriver，whichwasonlyashortdistanceaway。Frankfollowedwiththevalise。TherewasnogatheringoffriendstoseeRenaoff，asmighthavebeenthecaseunderdifferentcircumstances。Herdeparturehadsomeofthecharacteristicsofasecretflight；itwasasimportantthatherdestinationshouldnotbeknown，asithadbeenthatherbrothershouldconcealhispresenceinthetown。

Mis’MollyandRenaremainedonthebankuntilthesteamerannounced，witharaucouswhistle，itsreadinesstodepart。Warwickwasseenforamomentontheupperdeck，fromwhichhegreetedthemwithasmileandaslightnod。Hehadbiddenhismotheranaffectionatefarewelltheeveningbefore。RenagaveherhandtoFrank。

"Good—by，Frank，"shesaid，withakindsmile；

"IhopeyouandmammawillbegoodfriendswhileI’mgone。"

Thewhistleblewasecondwarningblast，andthedeckhandspreparedtodrawinthegang—

plank。Renaflewintohermother’sarms，andthen，breakingaway，hurriedonboardandretiredtoherstate—room，fromwhichshedidnotemergeduringthejourney。Thewindow—blindswereclosed，darkeningtheroom，andthestewardesswhocametoaskifsheshouldbringhersomedinnercouldnotseeherfacedistinctly，butperceivedenoughtomakehersurmisethattheyoungladyhadbeenweeping。

"Po’chile，"murmuredthesympatheticcoloredwoman，"Ireckonsomeerherfolksisdead，erhersweetheart’sgonebackonher，ere’seshe’shadsomekin’erbadlucker’nuther。W’itefolkshasdeirtroublesjes’ezwellezblackfolks，an’

sometimesfeels’emmo’，’causedeyain’tezuse’

ter’em。"

Mis’Mollywentbackinsadnesstothelonelyhousebehindthecedars，henceforthtobepeopledforherwithonlythememoryofthoseshehadloved。Shehadpaidwithherheart’sbloodanotherinstallmentontheShylock’sbondexactedbysocietyforherownhappinessofthepastandherchildren’sprospectsforthefuture。

Thejourneydownthesluggishrivertotheseaboardintheflat—bottomed，stern—wheelsteamerlastedalldayandmostofthenight。Duringthefirsthalf—day，theboatgroundednowandthenuponasand—bank，andthehalf—nakednegrodeck—

handstoiledwithropesandpolestoreleaseit。

SeveraltimesbeforeRenafellasleepthatnight，thesteamerwouldtieupatalanding，andbythelightofhugepinetorchesshewatchedtheboathandssendtheyellowturpentinebarrelsdownthesteepbankinalongstring，orpasscord—woodonboardfromhandtohand。Theexcitednegroes，theirwhiteteethandeyeballsglisteninginthesurroundingdarknesstowhichtheirfacesformednorelief；thewhiteofficersinbrownlinen，shouting，swearing，andgesticulating；theyellow，flickeringtorchlightoverall，——madeupasceneofwhichtheweirdinterestwouldhaveappealedtoamoreblasetravelerthanthisgirluponherfirstjourney。

Duringtheday，Warwickhadtakenhismealsinthedining—room，withthecaptainandtheothercabinpassengers。ItwaslearnedthathewasaSouthCarolinalawyer，andnotacarpet—bagger。

Suchcredentialswereunimpeachable，andthepassengersfoundhimaveryagreeabletravelingcompanion。Apparentlysoundonthesubjectofnegroes，Yankees，andtherighteousnessofthelostcause，heyetdiscussedthesethemesinaloftyandimpersonalmannerthatgavehiswordsgreaterweightthanifhehadseemedwarpedbyapersonalgrievance。Hisattitude，infact，piquedthecuriosityofoneortwoofthepassengers。

"Didyourpeopleloseanyniggers？"askedoneofthem。

"Myfatherownedahundred，"herepliedgrandly。

Theirrespectforhisviewswasdoubled。Itiseasytomoralizeaboutthemisfortunesofothers，andtofindgoodintheevilthattheysuffer；——

onlyatruephilosophercouldspeakthuslightlyofhisownlosses。

WhenthesteamertiedupatthewharfatWilmington，intheearlymorning，theyounglawyerandaveiledladypassengerdroveinthesamecarriagetoahotel。Aftertheyhadbreakfastedinaprivateroom，Warwickexplainedtohissistertheplanhehadformedforherfuture。HenceforthshemustbeknownasMissWarwick，droppingtheoldnamewiththeoldlife。Hewouldplaceherforayearinaboarding—schoolatCharleston，afterwhichshewouldtakeherplaceasthemistressofhishouse。Havingimpartedthisinformation，hetookhissisterforadrivethroughthetown。ThereforthefirsttimeRenasawgreatships，which，herbrothertoldher，sailedacrossthemightyoceantodistantlands，whoseflagshepointedoutdroopinglazilyatthemast—

heads。Thebusinessportionofthetownhad"anancientandfishlikesmell，"andmostofthetradeseemedtobeincottonandnavalstoresandproductsofthesea。Thewharveswerepiledhighwithcottonbales，andtherewereacresofbarrelsofresinandpitchandtarandspiritsofturpentine。

Themarket，along，low，woodenstructure，inthemiddleoftheprincipalstreet，wasfilledwithamassofpeopleofallshades，fromblue—

blacktoSaxonblonde，gabblingandgesticulatingoverpilesofoystersandclamsandfreshlycaughtfishofvariedhue。Byteno’clockthesunwasbeatingdownsofiercelythattheglitterofthewhite，sandystreetsdazzledandpainedtheeyesunaccustomedtoit，andRenawasgladtobedrivenbacktothehotel。Thetravelerslefttogetheronanearlyafternoontrain。

ThusforthetimebeingwasseveredthelasttiethatboundRenatohernarrowpast，andforsometimetocometheplacesandthepeoplewhohadknownheronceweretoknowhernomore。

Somefewweekslater，Mis’MollycalleduponoldJudgeStraightwithreferencetothetaxesonherproperty。

"Yoursoncameintoseemetheotherday，"

heremarked。"Heseemstohavegotalong。"

"Oh，yes，judge，he’sdonefine，Johnhas；an’

he’stookhissisterawaywithhim。"

"Ah！"exclaimedthejudge。Thenafterapauseheadded，"Ihopeshemaydoaswell。"

"Thankyou，sir，"shesaid，withacurtsy，assherosetogo。"We’vealwaysknowedthatyouwereourfriendandwisheduswell。"

Thejudgelookedafterherasshewalkedaway。

Herbearinghadatouchoftimidity，ashadeofaffectation，andyetacertainpatheticdignity。

"Itisapity，"hemurmured，withasigh，"thatmencannotselecttheirmothers。MyyoungfriendJohnhasbuilded，whetherwiselyornot，verywell；buthehascomebackintotheoldlifeandcarriedawayapartofit，andIfearthatthisadditionwillweakenthestructure。"

V

THETOURNAMENT

TheannualtournamentoftheClarenceSocialClubwasabouttobegin。Thecountyfairground，whereallwasinreadiness，sparkledwiththeyouthandbeautyofthetown，standinghereandthereunderthetreesinanimatedgroups，ormovingtowardtheseatsfromwhichthepageantmightbewitnessed。Aquarterofamileoftheracetrack，torightandleftofthejudges’stand，hadbeenlaidoffforthelists。Oppositethegrandstand，whichoccupiedaconsiderablepartofthisdistance，adozenuprightshadbeenerectedatmeasuredintervals。Projectingseveralfeetoverthetrackfromeachoftheseuprightswasanironcrossbar，fromwhichanironhookdepended。

Betweentheuprightsstoutpostswereplanted，ofsuchaheightthattheirtopscouldbeeasilyreachedbyaswingingsword—cutfromamountedriderpassinguponthetrack。TheinfluenceofWalterScottwasstrongupontheoldSouth。

TheSouthbeforethewarwasessentiallyfeudal，andScott’snovelsofchivalryappealedforcefullytothefeudalheart。DuringthemonthprecedingtheClarencetournament，thelocalbooksellerhadclosedouthisentirestockof"Ivanhoe，"consistingoffivecopies，andhadtakenordersforsevencopiesmore。Thetournamentsceneinthispopularnovelfurnishedthemodelafterwhichthesebloodlessimitationsoftheancientpassages—at—

armswereconducted，withsuchvariationsaswererequiredtoadaptthemtoadifferentageandcivilization。

Thebestpeoplegraduallyfilledthegrandstand，whilethepoorerwhiteandcoloredfolksfoundseatsoutside，uponwhatwouldnowbeknownasthe"bleachers，"orstoodalongsidethelists。Theknights，masqueradinginfancifulcostumes，inwhichbright—coloredgarments，giltpaper，andcardboardtooktheplaceofknightlyharness，weremountedonspiritedhorses。Mostofthemweregatheredatoneendofthelists，whileotherspracticedtheirsteedsupontheunoccupiedportionoftheracetrack。

Thejudgesenteredthegrandstand，andoneofthem，afterlookingathiswatch，gaveasignal。

Immediatelyaherald，wearingabrightyellowsash，blewaloudblastuponabugle，and，bigwiththeimportanceofhisoffice，gallopedwildlydownthelists。Anattendantonhorsebackbusiedhimselfhanginguponeachofthependenthooksanironring，ofsometwoinchesindiameter，whileanother，onfoot，placedontopofeachoftheshorterpostsawoodenballsomefourinchesthrough。

"It’smyfirsttournament，"observedaladynearthefrontofthegrandstand，leaningoverandaddressingJohnWarwick，whowasseatedinthesecondrow，incompanywithaveryhandsomegirl。"ItissomewhatdifferentfromAshby—de—

la—Zouch。"

"Itistherenaissanceofchivalry，Mrs。

Newberry，"repliedtheyounglawyer，"and，likeanyotherrenaissance，itmustadaptitselftonewtimesandcircumstances。Forinstance，whenwebuildaGreekportico，havingnoPentelicmarblenearathand，weuseapine—tree，oneofnature’scolumns，whichGrecianartatitsbestcouldonlycopyandidealize。Ourknightsarenotweighteddownwithheavyarmor，butmuchmoreappropriatelyattired，foradaylikethis，incostumesthatrecallthepicturesqueness，withoutthediscomfort，oftheoldknightlyharness。Foraniron—

headedlanceweuseawoodensubstitute，withwhichwetransfixringsinsteadofhearts；whileourtrustybladeshewtheirwaythroughwoodenblocksinsteadofthroughfleshandblood。ItisaSouthCarolinarenaissancewhichhaspointsofadvantageoverthetournamentsoftheoldentime。"

"I’mafraid，Mr。Warwick，"saidthelady，"thatyou’retheleastbithereticalaboutourchivalry——orelseyou’realittletoodeepforme。"

"Thelastwouldbeimpossible，Mrs。Newberry；

andI’msureourchivalryhasproveditsvaloronmanyahard—foughtfield。Thespiritofathing，afterall，iswhatcounts；andwhatislackinghere？Wehavethelists，theknights，theprancingsteeds，thetrialofstrengthandskill。IfourknightsdonotrunthephysicalrisksofAshby—

de—la—Zouch，theyhaveallthementalstimulus。

Woundedvanitywilltaketheplaceofwoundedlimbs，andtherewillbebrokenhopesinlieuofbrokenheads。Howmanyheartsinyondergroupofgallanthorsemenbeathighwithhope！HowmanypossibleQueensofLoveandBeautyareinthisgroupoffairfacesthatsurroundus！"

Theladywasabouttoreply，whenthebuglesoundedagain，andtheheralddashedswiftlybackuponhisprancingsteedtothewaitinggroupofriders。Thehorsemenformedthreeabreast，androdedownthelistsinorderlyarray。Astheypassedthegrandstand，eachwasconsciousofthebatteryofbrighteyesturneduponhim，andeachgavebyhisbearingsomeideaofhisabilitytostandfirefromsuchweapons。Onehorseprancedproudly，anothercaracoledwithgrace。Oneriderfidgetednervously，anothertrembledandlookedtheotherway。Eachhorsemancarriedinhishandalongwoodenlanceandworeathissideacavalrysabre，ofwhichtherewereplentytobehadsincethewar，atsmallexpense。Severallefttheranksanddrewupmomentarilybesidethegrandstand，wheretheytookfromfairhandsagloveoraflower，whichwaspinnedupontherider’sbreastorfasteneduponhishat——aribbonoraveil，whichwastiedaboutthelancelikeapennon，butfarenoughfromthepointnottointerferewiththeusefulnessoftheweapon。

Asthetrooppassedthelowerendofthegrandstand，ahorse，excitedbythecrowd，becamesomewhatunmanageable，andintheefforttocurbhim，theriderdroppedhislance。Theprancinganimalreared，broughtoneofhishoofsdownuponthefallenlancewithconsiderableforce，andsentabrokenpieceofitflyingovertherailingoppositethegrandstand，intothemiddleofagroupofspectatorsstandingthere。Theflyingfragmentwasdodgedbythosewhosawitcoming，butbroughtupwitharesoundingthwackagainsttheheadofacoloredmaninthesecondrow，whostoodwatchingthegrandstandwithaneagerandcuriousgaze。Herubbedhisheadruefully，andmadeagood—naturedresponsetothechaffingofhisneighbors，who，seeingnogreatharmdone，madewittyandoriginalremarksabouttheadvantageofbeingblackuponoccasionswhereone’sskullwasexposedtodanger。Findingthattheblowhaddrawnblood，theyoungmantookoutaredbandanahandkerchiefandtieditaroundhishead，meantimelettinghiseyeroamoverthefacesinthegrandstand，asthoughinsearchofsomeonethatheexpectedorhopedtofindthere。

Theknights，havingreachedtheendofthelists，nowturnedandrodebackinopenorder，withsuchskillfulhorsemanshipastoevokeastormofapplausefromthespectators。Theladiesinthegrandstandwavedtheirhandkerchiefsvigorously，andthemenclappedtheirhands。ThebeautifulgirlseatedbyWarwick’ssideaccidentallyletalittlesquareofwhitelace—trimmedlinenslipfromherhand。Itflutteredlightlyovertherailing，and，buoyedupbytheair，settledslowlytowardthelists。Ayoungriderintheapproachingrearranksawthehandkerchieffall，anddartingswiftlyforward，caughtitonthepointofhislanceereittouchedtheground。Hedrewuphishorseandmadeamovementasthoughtoextendthehandkerchieftowardthelady，whowasblushingprofuselyattheattentionshehadattractedbyhercarelessness。Theriderhesitatedamoment，glancedinterrogativelyatWarwick，andreceivingasmileinreturn，tiedthehandkerchiefaroundthemiddleofhislanceandquicklyrejoinedhiscomradesattheheadofthelists。

Theyoungmanwiththebandageroundhishead，onthebenchesacrossthelists，hadforcedhiswaytothefrontrowandwasleaningagainsttherailing。Hisrestlesseyewasattractedbythefallinghandkerchief，andhisface，hithertoanxious，suddenlylitupwithanimation。

"Yas，suh，yas，suh，it’sher！"hemutteredsoftly。"It’sMissRena，sho’syoubawn。Shelookedlacka’angelbefo’，butnow，updere’mongs’alldemrich，finefolks，shelookslackawholeflockerangels。Deyain’oneerdemladiesw’atcouldhol’acandleterher。Iwonderw’atdatman’sgwineterdowidherhandkercher？I

s’posehe’shergent’emannow。Iwonderefshe’dknowmeerspeaktermeefsheseedme？

Ireckonshewould，spiteerhergittin’upsoindeworl’；fershewuzalluzgoodterev’ybody，an’

datletevenMEin，"heconcludedwithasigh。

"Whoisthelady，Tryon？"askedoneoftheyoungmen，addressingtheknightwhohadtakenthehandkerchief。

"AMissWarwick，"repliedtheknightpleasantly，"MissRowenaWarwick，thelawyer’ssister。"

"Ididn’tknowhehadasister，"rejoinedthefirstspeaker。"Ienvyyouyourlady。TherearesixRebeccasandeightRowenasofmyownacquaintanceinthegrandstand，butshethrowsthemallintotheshade。Shehasn’tbeenherelong，surely；Ihaven’tseenherbefore。"

"Shehasbeenawayatschool；shecameonlylastnight，"returnedtheknightofthecrimsonsash，briefly。Hewasalreadybeginningtofeelaproprietaryinterestintheladywhosetokenhewore，anddidnotcaretodiscussherwithacasualacquaintance。

Theheraldsoundedthecharge。Ariderdartedoutfromthegroupandgallopedoverthecourse。

Ashepassedundereachring，hetriedtocatchitonthepointofhislance，——afeatwhichmadethemanagementofthehorsewiththelefthandnecessary，andrequiredatrueeyeandasteadyarm。Theridercapturedthreeofthetwelverings，knockedthreeothersoffthehooks，andleftsixundisturbed。Turningattheendofthelists，hetookthelancewiththereinsinthelefthandanddrewhisswordwiththeright。Hethenrodebackoverthecourse，cuttingatthewoodenballsupontheposts。Ofthesehecloveoneintwain，tousetheparlanceofchivalry，andknockedtwoothersofftheirsupports。Hisperformancewasgreetedwithaliberalmeasureofapplause，forwhichhebowedinsmilingacknowledgmentashetookhisplaceamongtheriders。

Againtheherald’scallsounded，andthetourneywentforward。Riderafterrider，withvaryingskill，essayedhisfortunewithlanceandsword。

Sometookaliberalproportionoftherings；othersmerelyknockedthemovertheboundaries，wheretheywerecollectedbyagilelittlenegroboysandhandedbacktotheattendants。Abalkinghorsecausedthespectatorsmuchamusementandhisridernolittlechagrin。

Theladywhohaddroppedthehandkerchiefkepthereyeupontheknightwhohadbounditroundhislance。"Whoishe，John？"sheaskedthegentlemanbesideher。

"That，mydearRowena，ismygoodfriendandclient，GeorgeTryon，ofNorthCarolina。Ifhehadbeenastranger，Ishouldhavesaidthathetookaliberty；butasthingsstand，weoughttoregarditasacompliment。Theincidentisquiteinaccordwiththecustomsofchivalry。IfGeorgewerebutmaskedandyouwereveiled，weshouldhavearomanticsituation，——youthemysteriousdamselindistress，hetheunknownchampion。Theparallel，mydear，mightnotbesohardtodraw，evenasthingsare。Butlook，itishisturnnow；I’llwagerthathemakesagoodrun。"

"I’lltakeyouuponthat，Mr。Warwick，"saidMrs。Newberryfrombehind，whoseemedtohaveaverykeenearforwhateverWarwicksaid。

Rena’seyeswerefastenedonherknight，sothatshemightlosenosingleoneofhismovements。Asherodedownthelists，morethanonewomanfoundhimpleasanttolookupon。Hewasatall，fairyoungman，withgrayeyes，andafrank，openface。

Heworeaslightmustache，andwhenhesmiled，showedasetofwhiteandeventeeth。Hewasmountedonaveryhandsomeandspiritedbaymare，wascladinapicturesquecostume，ofwhichvelvetknee—breechesandacrimsonscarfwerethemostconspicuousfeatures，anddisplayedamarkedskillinhorsemanship。Attheblastofthebuglehishorsestartedforward，and，afterthefirstfewrods，settledintoanevengallop。Tryon’slance，heldtrulyandattherightangle，capturedthefirstring，thenthesecondandthird。Hiscoolnessandsteadinessseemednotatalldisturbedbytheapplausewhichfollowed，andonebyonetheremainingringsslippedoverthepointofhislance，untilattheendhehadtakeneveryoneofthetwelve。Holdingthelancewithitsbootyofcapturedringsinhislefthand，togetherwiththebridlerein，hedrewhissabrewiththerightandrodebackoverthecourse。

Hishorsemovedlikeclockwork，hiseyewastrueandhishandsteady。Threeofthewoodenballsfellfromtheposts，splitfairlyinthemiddle，whilefromthefourthheslicedoffagoodlypieceandlefttheremainderstandinginitsplace。

Thisperformance，byfarthebestuptothispoint，andbarelyescapingperfection，elicitedastormofapplause。Theriderwasnotsowellknowntothetownspeopleassomeoftheotherparticipants，andhisnamepassedfrommouthtomouthinanswertonumerousinquiries。Thegirlwhosetokenhehadwornalsobecameanobjectofrenewedinterest，becauseoftheresulttoherincasetheknightshouldprovevictorinthecontest，ofwhichtherecouldnowscarcelybeadoubt；forbutthreeridersremained，anditwasveryimprobablethatanyoneofthemwouldexcelthelast。

Wagersfortheremainderofthetourneystoodanywherefromfive，andevenfromtentoone，infavoroftheknightofthecrimsonsash，andwhenthelastcoursehadbeenrun，hisbackerswerejubilant。Nooneofthosefollowinghimhaddisplayedanythinglikeequalskill。

Theheraldnowblewhisbugleanddeclaredthetournamentclosed。Thejudgesputtheirheadstogetherforamoment。Thebuglesoundedagain，andtheheraldannouncedinaloudvoicethatSirGeorgeTryon，havingtakenthegreatestnumberofringsandsplitthelargestnumberofballs，wasproclaimedvictorinthetournamentandentitledtotheflowerychapletofvictory。

Tryon，havingbowedrepeatedlyinresponsetotheliberalapplause，advancedtothejudges’standandreceivedthetrophyfromthehandsofthechiefjudge，whoexhortedhimtowearthegarlandworthily，andtoyielditonlytoabetterman。

"Itwillbeyourprivilege，SirGeorge，"

announcedthejudge，"asthechiefrewardofyourvalor，toselectfromtheassembledbeautyofClarencetheladywhomyouwishtohonor，towhomwewillalldohomageastheQueenofLoveandBeauty。"

Tryontookthewreathandbowedhisthanks。

Thenplacingthetrophyonthepointofhislance，hespokeearnestlyforamomenttotheherald，androdepastthegrandstand，fromwhichtherewasanotheroutburstofapplause。Returninguponhistracks，theknightofthecrimsonsashpausedbeforethegroupwhereWarwickandhissistersat，andloweredthewreaththricebeforetheladywhosetokenhehadwon。

"Oyez！Oyez！"criedtheherald；"SirGeorgeTryon，thevictorinthetournament，haschosenMissRowenaWarwickastheQueenofLoveandBeauty，andshewillbecrownedatthefeastto—nightandreceivethedevoirsofalltrueknights。"

Thefair—groundwassooncoveredwithscatteredgroupsofthespectatorsofthetournament。Inonegroupavanquishedknightexplainedinelaboratedetailwhyitwasthathehadfailedtowinthewreath。Morethanoneyoungwomanwonderedwhysomeoneofthehomeyoungmencouldnothavetakenthehonors，or，ifthestrangermustwinthem，whyhecouldnothaveselectedsomebelleofthetownasQueenofLoveandBeautyinsteadofthisupstartgirlwhohadblownintothetownovernight，asonemightsay。

Warwickandhissister，standingunderaspreadingelm，heldalittlecourtoftheirown。AdozengentlemenandseveralladieshadsoughtanintroductionbeforeTryoncameup。

"IsupposeJohnwouldhavearighttocallmeout，MissWarwick，"saidTryon，whenhehadbeenformallyintroducedandhadshakenhandswithWarwick’ssister，"fortakinglibertieswiththepropertyandnameofaladytowhomIhadnothadanintroduction；butIknowJohnsowellthatyouseemedlikeanoldacquaintance；andwhenIsawyou，andrecalledyourname，whichyourbrotherhadmentionedmorethanonce，Ifeltinstinctivelythatyououghttobethequeen。I

enteredmynameonlyyesterday，merelytoswellthenumberandmaketheoccasionmoreinteresting。

Thesefellowshavebeenpracticingforamonth，andIhadnohopeofwinning。Ishouldhavebeensatisfied，indeed，ifIhadn’tmademyselfridiculous；butwhenyoudroppedyourhandkerchief，Ifeltasuddeninspiration；andassoonasIhadtiedituponmylance，victorypercheduponmysaddle—bow，guidedmylanceandsword，andringsandballswentdownbeforemelikechaffbeforethewind。Oh，itwasagreatinspiration，MissWarwick！"

Rena，foritwasourPatesvilleacquaintancefreshfromboarding—school，coloreddeeplyatthisfrankandfervidflattery，andcouldonlymurmuraninarticulatereply。Heryearofinstruction，whiledistinctlyimprovinghermindandmanners，hadscarcelypreparedherforsosuddenanelevationintoagradeofsocietytowhichshehadhithertobeenastranger。Shewasnotwithoutacertaincourage，however，andherbrother，whoremainedatherside，helpedheroverthemostdifficultsituations。

"We’llforgiveyou，George，"repliedWarwick，"ifyou’llcomehometoluncheonwithus。"

"I’mmightysorry——awfullysorry，"returnedTryon，withevidentregret，"butIhaveanotherengagement，whichIcanscarcelybreak，evenbythecommandofroyalty。AtwhattimeshallI

callforMissWarwickthisevening？Ibelievethatprivilegeismine，alongwiththeotherhonorsandrewardsofvictory，——unlesssheisboundtosomeoneelse。"

"Sheisentirelyfree，"repliedWarwick。"Comeasearlyasyoulike，andI’lltalktoyouuntilshe’sready。"

Tryonbowedhimselfaway，andafteranumberofgentlemenandafewladieshadpaidtheirrespectstotheQueenofLoveandBeauty，andreceivedanintroductiontoher，Warwicksignaledtotheservantwhohadhiscarriageincharge，andwassoondrivinghomewardwithhissister。Nooneofthepartynoticedayoungnegro，withahandkerchiefboundaroundhishead，whofollowedthemuntilthecarriageturnedintothegateandsweptupthewidedrivethatledtoWarwick’sdoorstep。

"Well，Rena，"saidWarwick，whentheyfoundthemselvesalone，"youhavearrived。YourdebutintosocietyisalittlemorespectacularthanIshouldhavewished，butwemustrisetotheoccasionandmakethemostofit。Youarewinningthefirstfruitsofyouropportunity。YouarethemostenviedwomaninClarenceatthisparticularmoment，and，unlessIammistaken，willbethemostadmiredattheballto—night。"

VI

THEQUEENOFLOVEANDBEAUTY

Shortlyafterluncheon，RenahadavisitorinthepersonofMrs。Newberry，avivaciousyoungwidowofthetown，whoprofferedherservicestoinstructRenaintheetiquetteoftheannualball。

"Now，mydear，"saidMrs。Newberry，"thefirstthingtodoistogetyourcoronationrobeready。Itsimplymeansagownwithalongtrain。

Youhavealovelywhitewaist。Getrightintomybuggy，andwe’llgodowntowntogetthecloth，takeitovertoMrs。Marshall’s，andhaveherrunyouupaskirtthisafternoon。"

RenaplacedherselfunreservedlyinthehandsofMrs。Newberry，whointroducedhertothebestdressmakerofthetown，awomanofmuchexperienceinsuchaffairs，whoimprovisedduringtheafternoonagownsuitedtotheoccasion。Mrs。

Marshallhadmademorethanadozenballdressesduringtheprecedingmonth；beingawisewomanandunderstandingherbusinessthoroughly，shehadmadeeachoneofthemsothatwithafewadditionaltouchesitmightservefortheQueenofLoveandBeauty。Thiswasherfirstdirectorderforthespecificgarment。

TryonescortedRenatotheball，whichwasheldintheprincipalpublichallofthetown，andattendedbyallthebestpeople。Thechampionstillworethecostumeofthemorning，inplaceofeveningdress，savethatlongstockingsanddancing—pumpshadtakentheplaceofriding—boots。

Renawentthroughtheordealverycreditably。

Hershynesswaspalpable，butitwassavedfromawkwardnessbyhernativegraceandgoodsense。

Shemadeupinmodestywhatshelackedinaplomb。Hermonthsinschoolhadnoteradicatedacertainself—consciousnessbornofhersecret。

Thebrain—cellsneverlosetheimpressionsofyouth，andRena’sPatesvillelifewasnotfarenoughremovedtohavelostitsdistinctnessofoutline。

Ofthetwo，thepresentwasmoreofadream，thepastwasthemorevividreality。Atschoolshehadlearnedsomethingfrombooksandnotalittlefromobservation。Shehadbeenabletocompareherselfwithothergirls，andtoseewhereinsheexcelledorfellshortofthem。Withasinceredesireforimprovement，andawishtopleaseherbrotheranddohimcredit，shehadsoughttomakethemostofheropportunities。Buildinguponafoundationofinnatetasteandintelligence，shehadacquiredmuchoftheself—possessionwhichcomesfromaknowledgeofcorrectstandardsofdeportment。

Shehadmoreoverlearnedwithoutdifficulty，foritsuitedherdisposition，tokeepsilencewhenshecouldnotspeaktoadvantage。Acertainnecessaryreticenceaboutthepastaddedstrengthtoanaturalreserve。Thusequipped，sheheldherownverywellinthesomewhattryingordealoftheball，atwhichthefictionofqueenshipandtheattendantceremonies，whichwereprettyandgraceful，madeherthemostconspicuousfigure。Fewofthosewhowatchedhermovewitheasygracethroughthemeasuresofthedancecouldhaveguessedhownearlyherheartwasinhermouthduringmuchofthetime。

"You’redoingsplendidly，mydear，"saidMrs。

Newberry，whohadconstitutedherselfRena’schaperone。

"ItrustyourGraciousMajestyispleasedwiththehomageofyourdevotedsubjects，"saidTryon，whospentmuchofhistimebyhersideandkeptupthecharacterofknightinhisspeechandmanner。

"Verymuch，"repliedtheQueenofLoveandBeauty，withasomewhattiredsmile。Itwaspleasant，butshewouldbeglad，shethought，whenitwasallover。

"Keepupyourcourage，"whisperedherbrother。

"Youarenotonlyqueen，butthebelleoftheball。Iamproudofyou。Adozenwomenherewouldgiveayearoffthelatterendoflifetobeinyourshoesto—night。"

Renafeltimmenselyrelievedwhenthehourarrivedatwhichshecouldtakeherdeparture，whichwastobethesignalforthebreaking—upoftheball。ShewasdrivenhomeinTryon’scarriage，herbrotheraccompanyingthem。Thenightwaswarm，andthedrivehomewardunderthestarlight，intheopencarriage，hadasoothingeffectuponRena’sexcitednerves。Thecalmrestfulnessofthenight，thecoolbluedepthsoftheuncloudedsky，thesolemncroakingofthefrogsinadistantswamp，weremuchmoreinharmonywithhernaturethanthecrowdedbrilliancyoftheball—room。

Sheclosedhereyes，and，leaningbackinthecarriage，thoughtofhermother，whoshewishedmighthaveseenherdaughterthisnight。Amomentarypangofhomesicknesspiercedhertenderheart，andshefurtivelywipedawaythetearsthatcameintohereyes。

"Good—night，fairQueen！"exclaimedTryon，breakingintoherreverieasthecarriagerolleduptothedoorstep，"andletyourloyalsubjectkissyourhandintokenofhisfealty。MayyourMajestyneverabdicateherthrone，andmaysheevercountmeherhumbleservantanddevotedknight。"

"Andnow，sister，"saidWarwick，whenTryonhadbeendrivenaway，"nowthatthemasqueradeisover，letustosleep，andto—morrowtakeuptheseriousbusinessoflife。Yourdayhasbeenaglorioussuccess！"

Heputhisarmaroundherandgaveherakissandabrotherlyhug。

"Itisadream，"shemurmuredsleepily，"onlyadream。IamCinderellabeforetheclockhasstruck。Good—night，dearJohn。"

"Good—night，Rowena。"

VII

’MIDNEWSURROUNDINGS

Warwick’sresidencewassituatedintheoutskirtsofthetown。Itwasafineoldplantationhouse，builtincolonialtimes，withastatelycolonnade，wideverandas，andlongwindowswithVenetianblinds。Itwaspaintedwhite，andstoodbackseveralrodsfromthestreet，inacharmingsettingofpalmettoes，magnolias，andfloweringshrubs。Renahadalwaysthoughthermother’shouselarge，butnowitseemedcrampedandnarrow，incomparisonwiththisroomymansion。Thefurniturewasold—fashionedandmassive。Thegreatbrassandironsonthewidehearthstoodlikesentinelsproclaimingandguardingthedignityofthefamily。Thespreadingantlersonthewalltestifiedtoamightyhunterinsomepastgeneration。

TheportraitsofWarwick’swife’sancestors——

highfeatured，proudmenandwomen，dressedinthefashionsofabygoneage——lookeddownfromtarnishedgiltframes。Itwasallverynoveltoher，andveryimpressive。Whensheateoffchina，withsilverknivesandforksthathadcomedownasheirlooms，escapingsomehowtheravagesandexigenciesofthewartime，——Warwicktoldherafterwardshowhehadburiedthemoutofreachoffriendorfoe，——shethoughtthatherbrothermustbewealthy，andshefeltveryproudofhimandofheropportunity。Theservants，ofwhomtherewereseveralinthehouse，treatedherwithadeferencetowhichhereightmonthsinschoolhadonlypartlyaccustomedher。Atschoolshehadbeenoneofmanytobeserved，andhadherselfbeenheldtoobedience。Here，forthefirsttimeinherlife，shewasmistress，andtastedthesweetsofpower。

Thehouseholdconsistedofherbrotherandherself，acook，acoachman，anurse，andherbrother’slittlesonAlbert。Thechild，withafineinstinct，hadputouthispunyarmstoRenaatfirstsight，andshehadclaspedthelittlemantoherbosomwithamotherlycaress。Shehadalwayslovedweakcreatures。KittensandpuppieshadeverfoundawelcomeandamealatRena’shands，onlytobechasedawaybyMis’Molly，whohadhadawiderexperience。Noshiftlesspoorwhite，nohalf—wittedorhungrynegro，hadevergoneunfedfromMis’Molly’skitchendoorifRenaweretheretohearhisplaint。LittleAlbertwaspaleandsicklywhenshecame，butsoonbloomedagaininthesunshineofhercare，andwashappyonlyinherpresence。Warwickfoundpleasureintheirgrowingloveforeachother，andwasgladtoperceivethatthechildformedalivinglinktoconnectherwithhishome。

"Datchilesutt’nlydolubMissRena，an’

dat’safac’，sho’syoubawn，"remarked’LissathecooktoMimythenurseoneday。"You’llgetyo’noseputouterj’int，efyoudon’tmin’。"

"Iain’tfrettin’，honey，"laughedthenursegood—naturedly。Shewasnotatalljealous。Shehadthesamewagesasbefore，andherlaborsweremateriallylightenedbytheaunt’sattentiontothechild。ThisgaveMimymuchmoretimetoflirtwithTomthecoachman。

ItwasasourceofmuchgratificationtoWarwickthathissisterseemedtoadaptherselfsoeasilytothenewconditions。Hergracefulmovements，thequietelegancewithwhichsheworeeventhesimplestgown，theeasyauthoritativenesswithwhichshedirectedtheservants，weretohimproofsofsuperiorquality，andhefeltcorrespondinglyproudofher。Hisfeelingforherwassomethingmorethanbrotherlylove，——hewasquiteconsciousthatthereweredegreesinbrotherlylove，andthatifshehadbeenhomelyorstupid，hewouldneverhavedisturbedherinthestagnantlifeofthehousebehindthecedars。Therehadcometohimfromsomesource，downthestreamoftime，arilloftheGreeksenseofproportion，offitness，ofbeauty，whichisindeedbutproportionembodied，theperfectadaptationofmeanstoends。Hehadperceived，moreclearlythanshecouldhaveappreciateditatthattime，theundevelopedelementsofdiscordbetweenRenaandherformerlife。Hehadimaginedherlendinggraceandcharmtohisownhousehold。Stillanothermotive，apurelypsychologicalone，hadmoreorlessconsciouslyinfluencedhim。Hehadnofearthatthefamilysecretwouldeverbediscovered，——

hehadtakenhisprecautionstoothoroughly，hethought，forthat；andyethecouldnotbutfeel，attimes，thatifperadventure——itwasaconceivablehypothesis——itshouldbecomeknown，hisfinesocialpositionwouldcollapselikeahouseofcards。Becauseofthisknowledge，whichtheworldaroundhimdidnotpossess，hehadfeltnowandthenacertainsenseofloneliness；andtherewasameasureofreliefinhavingabouthimonewhoknewhispast，andyetwhoseknowledge，becauseoftheircommoninterest，wouldnotinterferewithhispresentorjeopardizehisfuture。

Forhehadalwaysbeen，inafigurativesense，anaturalizedforeignerintheworldofwideopportunity，andRenawasoneofhisoldcompatriots，whomhewasgladtowelcomeintothepopulouslonelinessofhisadoptedcountry。

VIII

THECOURTSHIP

Inafewweekstheechoesofthetournamentdiedaway，andRena’slifesettleddownintoapleasantroutine，whichshefoundmuchmorecomfortablethanherrecentspectacularprominence。

Herqueenship，whilenotentirelyforgivenbytheladiesofthetown，hadgainedforheratemporarysocialprominence。Amongherownsex，Mrs。Newberryprovedawarmandenthusiasticfriend。RumorwhisperedthatthelivelyyoungwidowwouldnotbeunwillingtoconsoleWarwickinthelonelinessoftheoldcolonialmansion，towhichhissisterwasamostexcellentmediumofapproach。Whetherthiswastrueornotitisunnecessarytoinquire，foritisnopartofthisstory，exceptasperhapsindicatingwhyMrs。Newberryplayedthepartofthefemalefriend，withoutwhomnowomaniseverlaunchedsuccessfullyinasmallandconservativesociety。Herbrother’sstandinggavehertherightofsocialentry；thetournamentopenedwidethedoor，andMrs。Newberryperformedtheceremonyofintroduction。Renahadmanyvisitorsduringthemonthfollowingthetournament，andmighthavemadeherchoicefromamongadozensuitors；butamongthemall，herknightofthehandkerchieffoundmostfavor。

GeorgeTryonhadcometoClarenceafewmonthsbeforeuponbusinessconnectedwiththesettlementofhisgrandfather’sestate。Arathercomplicatedlitigationhadgrownuparoundtheaffair，variousphasesofwhichhadkeptTryonalmostconstantlyinthetown。HehadplacedmattersinWarwick’shands，andhadformedadecidedfriendshipforhisattorney，forwhomhefeltafrankadmiration。Tryonwasonlytwenty—three，andhisfriend’sadditionalfiveyears，supplementedbyacertainprofessionalgravity，commandedagreatdealofrespectfromtheyoungerman。WhenTryonhadknownWarwickforaweek，hehadbeenreadytoswearbyhim。Indeed，Warwickwasamanforwhommostpeopleformedalikingatfirstsight。Tothispowerofattractionheowedmostofhissuccess——firstwithJudgeStraight，ofPatesville，thenwiththelawyerwhoseofficehehadenteredatClarence，withthewomanwhobecamehiswife，andwiththeclientsforwhomhetransactedbusiness。TryonwouldhavemaintainedagainstallcomersthatWarwickwasthefinestfellowintheworld。WhenhemetWarwick’ssister，thefoundationforadmirationhadalreadybeenlaid。IfRenahadprovedtobeamaidenladyofuncertainageanddoubtfulpersonalattractiveness，Tryonwouldprobablyhavefoundinheramostexcellentlady，worthyofallrespectandesteem，andwouldhavetreatedherwithprofounddeferenceandsedulouscourtesy。

Whensheprovedtobeayoungandhandsomewoman，ofthetypethatheadmiredmost，hewascapableofanydegreeofinfatuation。Hismotherhadforalongtimewantedhimtomarrytheorphandaughterofanoldfriend，avivaciousblonde，whoworshipedhim。Hehadfeltfriendlytowardsher，buthadshrunkfrommatrimony。

Hedidnotwantherbadlyenoughtogiveuphisfreedom。Thewarhadinterferedwithhiseducation，andthoughfairlywellinstructed，hehadneverattendedcollege。Inhisownopinion，heoughttoseesomethingoftheworld，andhavehisyouthfulfling。Lateron，whenhegotreadytosettledown，ifBlanchewerestillinthehumor，theymightmarry，andsinktothehumdrumlevelofotheroldmarriedpeople。ThefactthatBlancheLearywasvisitinghismotherduringhisunexpectedlylongabsencehadnotoperatedatalltohastenhisreturntoNorthCarolina。HehadbeenhavingaverygoodtimeatClarence，and，atthedistanceofseveralhundredmiles，wassafeforthetimebeingfromanyimmediatedangerofmarriage。

WithRena’sadvent，however，hehadseenlifethroughdifferentglasses。Hishearthadthrilledatfirstsightofthistallgirl，withtheivorycomplexion，theripplingbrownhair，andtheinscrutableeyes。Whenhebecamebetteracquaintedwithher，helikedtothinkthatherthoughtscentredmainlyinhimself；andinthishewasnotfarwrong。Hediscoveredthatshehadashortupperlip，andwhatseemedtohimaneminentlykissablemouth。AfterhehaddinedtwiceatWarwick’s，subsequentlytothetournament，——hisluckychoiceofRenahadputhimatonceuponahouseholdfootingwiththefamily，——hisviewsofmarriagechangedentirely。Itnowseemedtohimtheduty，aswellasthehighandholyprivilegeofayoungman，tomarryandmanfullytopayhisdebttosociety。WheninRena’spresence，hecouldnotimaginehowhehadevercontemplatedthepossibilityofmarriagewithBlancheLeary，——shewasutterly，entirely，andhopelesslyunsuitedtohim。Forafairmanofvivacioustemperament，thisstatelydarkgirlwastheidealmate。Evenhismotherwouldadmitthis，ifshecouldonlyseeRena。Towinthisbeautifulgirlforhiswifewouldbeaworthytask。HehadcrownedherQueenofLoveandBeauty；sincethenshehadascendedthethroneofhisheart。

Hewouldmakeherqueenofhishomeandmistressofhislife。

ToRenathisbriefmonth’scourtshipcameasaneweducation。Notonlyhadthisfairyoungmancrownedherqueen，andhonoredherabovealltheladiesintown；butsincethenhehadwaitedassiduouslyuponher，hadspokensoftlytoher，hadlookedatherwithshiningeyes，andhadsoughttobealonewithher。Thetimesooncamewhentotouchhishandingreetingsentathrillthroughherframe，——atimewhenshelistenedforhisfootstepandwashappyinhispresence。Hehadbeenboldenoughatthetournament；hehadsincebecomesomewhatbashfulandconstrained。Hemustbeinlove，shethought，andwonderedhowsoonhewouldspeak。Ifitweresosweettowalkwithhiminthegarden，oralongtheshadedstreets，tositwithhim，tofeelthetouchofhishand，whathappinesswoulditnotbetohearhimsaythathelovedher——tobearhisname，tolivewithhimalways。Tobethuslovedandhonoredbythishandsomeyoungman，——shecouldhardlybelieveitpossible。Hewouldneverspeak——hewoulddiscoverhersecretandwithdraw。Sheturnedpaleatthethought，——ah，God！somethingwouldhappen，——itwastoogoodtobetrue。ThePrincewouldnevertryontheglassslipper。

TryonfirsttoldhisloveforRenaonesummereveningontheirwayhomefromchurch。Theywerewalkinginthemoonlightalongthequietstreet，which，butfortheirpresence，seemedquitedeserted。

"MissWarwick——Rowena，"hesaid，claspingwithhisrighthandthehandthatrestedonhisleftarm，"Iloveyou！Doyou——loveme？"

ToRenathissimpleavowalcamewithmuchgreaterforcethanamoreformaldeclarationcouldhavehad。Itappealedtoherownsimplenature。

Indeed，fewwomenatsuchamomentcriticisetheforminwhichthemostfatefulwordsoflife——butone——arespoken。Words，whilepleasant，arereallysuperfluous。Herwhispered"Yes"spokevolumes。

Theywalkedonpastthehouse，alongthecountryroadintowhichthestreetsoonmerged。Whentheyreturned，anhourlater，theyfoundWarwickseatedonthepiazza，inarocking—chair，smokingafragrantcigar。

"Well，children，"heobservedwithmockseverity，"youarelateingettinghomefromchurch。Thesermonmusthavebeenextremelylong。"

"Wehavebeenattendinganafter—meeting，"

repliedTryonjoyfully，"andhavebeendiscussinganoldtext，`Littlechildren，loveoneanother，’

anditscorollary，`Itisnotgoodformantolivealone。’John，Iamthehappiestmanalive。Yoursisterhaspromisedtomarryme。Ishouldliketoshakemybrother’shand。"

Neverdoesonefeelsostronglytheuniversalbrotherhoodofmanaswhenonelovessomeotherfellow’ssister。WarwicksprangfromhischairandclaspedTryon’sextendedhandwithrealemotion。

HeknewofnomanwhomhewouldhavepreferredtoTryonasahusbandforhissister。

"MydearGeorge——mydearsister，"heexclaimed，"Iamvery，veryglad。Iwishyoueveryhappiness。Mysisteristhemostfortunateofwomen。"

"AndIamtheluckiestofmen，"criedTryon。

"Iwishyoueveryhappiness，"repeatedWarwick；

adding，withatouchofsolemnity，asacertainthought，neverfardistant，occurredtohim，"Ihopethatneitherofyoumayeverregretyourchoice。"

Thusplaceduponthefootingofanacceptedlover，Tryon’svisitstothehousebecamemorefrequent。Hewishedtofixatimeforthemarriage，butatthispointRenadevelopedastrangereluctance。

"Canwenotloveeachotherforawhile？"sheasked。"Tobeengagedisapleasurethatcomesbutonce；itwouldbeapitytocutittooshort。"

"ItisapleasurethatIwouldcheerfullydispensewith，"hereplied，"forthecertaintyofpossession。

Iwantyoualltomyself，andallthetime。Thingsmighthappen。IfIshoulddie，forinstance，beforeImarriedyou"——

"Oh，don’tsupposesuchawfulthings，"shecried，puttingherhandoverhismouth。

Hehelditthereandkissedituntilshepulleditaway。

"Ishouldconsider，"heresumed，completingthesentence，"thatmylifehadbeenafailure。"

"IfIshoulddie，"shemurmured，"Ishoulddiehappyintheknowledgethatyouhadlovedme。"

"Inthreeweeks，"hewenton，"IshallhavefinishedmybusinessinClarence，andtherewillbebutonethingtokeepmehere。Whenshallitbe？

Imusttakeyouhomewithme。"

"Iwillletyouknow，"shereplied，withatroubledsigh，"inaweekfromto—day。"

"I’llcallyourattentiontothesubjecteverydayinthemeantime，"heasserted。"Ishouldn’tlikeyoutoforgetit。"

Rena’sshrinkingfromtheirrevocablestepofmarriagewasduetoasimpleandyetcomplexcause。Statedbaldly，itwastheconsciousnessofhersecret；thecomplexityaroseoutofthevariouswaysinwhichitseemedtobearuponherfuture。Ourlivesaresoboundupwiththoseofourfellowmenthattheslightestdeparturefromthebeatenpathinvolvesamultiplicityofsmalladjustments。IthadnotbeendifficultforRenatoconformherspeech，hermanners，andinameasurehermodesofthought，tothoseofthepeoplearoundher；butwhenthisreadjustmentwentbeyondmereexternalsandconcernedthevitalissuesoflife，thesecretthatoppressedhertookonamoreseriousaspect，withtragicpossibilities。

Adiscursiveimaginationwasnotoneofhercharacteristics，orthedangerofamarriageofwhichperfectfranknesswasnotaconditionmightwellhavepresenteditselfbeforeherhearthadbecomeinvolved。Undertheinfluenceofdoubtandfearactinguponlove，theinvisiblebartohappinessglowedwithalambentflamethatthreateneddiredisaster。

"Wouldhehavelovedmeatall，"sheaskedherself，"ifhehadknownthestoryofmypast？

Or，havinglovedme，couldheblamemenowforwhatIcannothelp？"

Thereweretwoshoalsinthechannelofherlife，uponeitherofwhichherhappinessmightgotoshipwreck。Sinceleavingthehousebehindthecedars，whereshehadbeenbroughtintotheworldwithoutherownknowledgeorconsent，andhadfirstdrawnthebreathoflifebytheinvoluntarycontractionofcertainmuscles，Renahadlearned，inashorttime，manythings；butshewasyettolearnthattheinnocentsufferwiththeguilty，andfeelthepunishmentthemorekeenlybecauseunmerited。ShehadyettolearnthattheoldMosaicformula，"Thesinsofthefathersshallbevisiteduponthechildren，"wasgravenmoreindeliblyupontheheartoftheracethanuponthetablesofSinai。

Butwouldherloverstillloveher，ifheknewall？Shehadreadsomeofthenovelsinthebookcaseinhermother’shall，andothersatboarding—

school。Shehadreadthatlovewasaconqueror，thatneitherlifenordeath，norcreednorcaste，couldstayhistriumphantcourse。Hersecretwasnolegalbartotheirunion。IfRenacouldforgetthesecret，andTryonshouldneverknowit，itwouldbenoobstacletotheirhappiness。ButRenafelt，withasinkingoftheheart，thathappinesswasnotamatteroflaworoffact，butlayentirelywithinthedomainofsentiment。Wearehappywhenwethinkourselveshappy，andwithastrangeperversityweoftendifferfromotherswithregardtowhatshouldconstituteourhappiness。

Rena’ssecretwastheworminthebud，theskeletoninthecloset。

"Hesaysthathelovesme。HeDOESloveme。

Wouldheloveme，ifheknew？"ShestoodbeforeanovalmirrorbroughtfromFrancebyoneofWarwick’swife’sancestors，andregardedherimagewithacoldlycriticaleye。Shewasaslittlevainasanyofhersexwhoareendowedwithbeauty。Shetriedtoplaceherself，inthuspassinguponherownclaimstoconsideration，inthehostileattitudeofsocietytowardherhiddendisability。Therewasnomarkuponherbrowtobrandheraslesspure，lessinnocent，lessdesirable，lessworthytobeloved，thantheseproudwomenofthepastwhohadadmiredthemselvesinthisoldmirror。

"Ithinkamanmightlovemeformyself，"shemurmuredpathetically，"andifhelovedmetruly，thathewouldmarryme。Ifhewouldnotmarryme，thenitwouldbebecausehedidn’tloveme。

I’lltellGeorgemysecret。Ifheleavesme，thenhedoesnotloveme。"

Butthisresolutionvanishedintothinairbeforeitwasfullyformulated。Thesecretwasnothersalone；itinvolvedherbrother’sposition，towhomsheowedeverything，andinlessdegreethefutureofherlittlenephew，whomshehadlearnedtolovesowell。Shehadthechoiceofbuttwocoursesofaction，tomarryTryonortodismisshim。Thethoughtthatshemightlosehimmadehimseemonlymoredear；tothinkthathemightleavehermadehersickatheart。Inoneweekshewasboundtogivehimananswer；hewasmorelikelytoaskforitattheirnextmeeting。

IX

DOUBTSANDFEARS

Rena’sheartwastooheavywiththesemisgivingsforhertokeepthemtoherself。OnthemorningaftertheconversationwithTryoninwhichshehadpromisedhimananswerwithinaweek，shewentintoherbrother’sstudy，whereheusuallyspentanhourafterbreakfastbeforegoingtohisoffice。Helookedupamiablyfromthebookbeforehimandreadtroubleinherface。

"Well，Rena，dear，"heaskedwithasmile，"what’sthematter？Isthereanythingyouwant——money，orwhat？IshouldliketohaveAladdin’slamp——thoughI’dhardlyneedit——

thatyoumighthavenowishunsatisfied。"

Hehadfoundherverybackwardinaskingforthingsthatsheneeded。Generouswithhismeans，hethoughtnothingtoogoodforher。Hersuccesshadgratifiedhispride，andjustifiedhiscourseintakingherunderhisprotection。

"Thankyou，John。YougivemealreadymorethanIneed。Itissomethingelse，John。GeorgewantsmetosaywhenIwillmarryhim。Iamafraidtomarryhim，withouttellinghim。Ifheshouldfindoutafterwards，hemightcastmeoff，orceasetoloveme。Ifhedidnotknowit，I

shouldbeforeverthinkingofwhathewoulddoifheSHOULDfinditout；or，ifIshoulddiewithouthishavinglearnedit，IshouldnotresteasyinmygraveforthinkingofwhathewouldhavedoneifheHADfounditout。"

Warwick’ssmilegaveplacetoagraveexpressionatthissomewhatcomprehensivestatement。Heroseandclosedthedoorcarefully，lestsomeoneoftheservantsmightoverheartheconversation。

MoreliberallyendowedthanRenawithimagination，andnotwithoutaveinofsentiment，hehadneverthelessapracticalsidethatoutweighedthemboth。Withhim，theproblemthatoppressedhissisterhadbeeninthemainamatterofargument，ofself—conviction。Oncepersuadedthathehadcertainrights，oroughttohavethem，byvirtueofthelawsofnature，indefianceofthecustomsofmankind，hehadpromptlysoughttoenjoythem。

Thishehadbeenabletodobysimplyconcealinghisantecedentsandmakingthemostofhisopportunities，withnotroublesomequalmsofconsciencewhatever。Buthehadalreadyperceived，intheirbriefintercourse，thatRena’semotions，whilelesseasilystirred，touchedadeepernotethanhis，anddweltuponitwithgreaterintensitythaniftheyhadbeenspreadoverthelargerfieldtowhichamorereadysympathywouldhavesuppliedsomanypointsofaccess；——herswasadeepandsilentcurrentflowingbetweenthenarrowwallsofaself—

containedlife，histhespreadingriverthatranthroughapleasantlandscape。Warwick’simagination，however，enabledhimtoputhimselfintouchwithhermoodandrecognizeitsbearingsuponherconduct。Hewouldhavepreferredhertakingthepracticalpointofview，tobringherroundtowhichheperceivedwouldbeamatterofdiplomacy。

"Howlonghavetheseweightythoughtsbeentroublingyoursmallhead？"heaskedwithassumedlightness。

"Sinceheaskedmelastnighttonameourweddingday。"

"Mydearchild，"continuedWarwick，"youtaketootragicaviewoflife。Marriageisareciprocalarrangement，bywhichthecontractingpartiesgiveloveforlove，careforkeeping，faithforfaith。Itisamatterofthefuture，notofthepast。Whatapoorsoulitisthathasnotsomesecretchamber，sacredtoitself；whereonecanfileawaythethingsothershavenorighttoknow，aswellasthingsthatonehimselfwouldfainforget！Weareundernomoralobligationtoinflictuponothersthehistoryofourpastmistakes，ourwaywardthoughts，oursecretsins，ourdesperatehopes，orourheartbreakingdisappointments。Stilllessareweboundtobringoutfromthissecretchamberthedustyrecordofourancestry。

`Letthedeadpastburyitsdead。’

GeorgeTryonlovesyouforyourselfalone；itisnotyourancestorsthatheseekstomarry。"

"Butwouldhemarrymeifheknew？"shepersisted。

Warwickpausedforreflection。Hewouldhavepreferredtoarguethequestioninageneralway，butfeltthenecessityofsatisfyingherscruples，asfarasmightbe。HehadlikedTryonfromtheverybeginningoftheiracquaintance。Inalltheirintercourse，whichhadbeenverycloseforseveralmonths，hehadbeenimpressedbytheyoungman’ssunnytemper，hisstraightforwardness，hisintellectualhonesty。Tryon’sdeferencetoWarwickastheeldermanhadverynaturallyprovedanattraction。WhetherthisfriendshipwouldhavestoodthetestofutterfranknessabouthisownpastwasamerelyacademicspeculationwithwhichWarwickdidnottroublehimself。Withhissisterthequestionhadevidentlybecomeamatterofconscience，——adifficultsubjectwithwhichtodealinapersonofRena’stemperament。

"Mydearsister，"hereplied，"whyshouldheknow？Wehaven’taskedhimforhispedigree；

wedon’tcaretoknowit。Ifhecaresforours，heshouldaskforit，anditwouldthenbetimeenoughtoraisethequestion。Youlovehim，Iimagine，andwishtomakehimhappy？"

Itisthehighestwishofthewomanwholoves。

Theenamoredmanseekshisownhappiness；thelovingwomanfindsnosacrificetoogreatforthelovedone。Thefictionofchivalrymademanservewoman；thefactofhumannaturemakeswomanhappiestwhenservingwheresheloves。

"Yes，oh，yes，"Renaexclaimedwithfervor，claspingherhandsunconsciously。"I’mafraidhe’dbeunhappyifheknew，anditwouldmakememiserabletothinkhimunhappy。"

"Well，then，"saidWarwick，"supposeweshouldtellhimoursecretandputourselvesinhispower，andthatheshouldthenconcludethathecouldn’tmarryyou？Doyouimaginehewouldbeanyhappierthanheisnow，orthanifheshouldneverknow？"

Ah，no！shecouldnotthinkso。Onecouldnottearloveoutofone’sheartwithoutpainandsuffering。

Therewasaknockatthedoor。Warwickopenedittothenurse，whostoodwithlittleAlbertinherarms。

"Please，suh，"saidthegirl，withacurtsy，"debaby’sbe’noryin’an’frettin’ferMissRena，an’

I’lowedshemoughtwantmeterfetch’im，efitwouldn’t’sturbher。"

"Givemethedarling，"exclaimedRena，comingforwardandtakingthechildfromthenurse。"Itwantsitsauntie。Cometoitsauntie，blessitslittleheart！"

LittleAlbertcrowedwithpleasureandputuphisprettymouthforakiss。Warwickfoundthesightapleasantone。Ifhecouldbutquiethissister’stroublesomescruples，hemighterelongseeherfondlingbeautifulchildrenofherown。EvenifRenawerewillingtoriskherhappiness，andhetoendangerhisposition，byaquixoticfrankness，thefutureofhischildmustnotbecompromised。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读