"Youwouldn’twanttomakeGeorgeunhappy，"
Warwickresumedwhenthenurseretired。"Verywell；wouldyounotbewilling，forhissake，tokeepasecret——yoursecretandmine，andthatoftheinnocentchildinyourarms？Wouldyouinvolveallofusindifficultiesmerelytosecureyourownpeaceofmind？Doesn’tsuchacourseseemjusttheleastbitselfish？Thinkthematteroverfromthatpointofview，andwe’llspeakofitlaterintheday。IshallbewithGeorgeallthemorning，andImaybeable，byalittlemanagement，tofindouthisviewsonthesubjectofbirthandfamily，andallthat。Somemenareveryliberal，andloveisagreatleveler。I’llsoundhim，atanyrate。"
HekissedthebabyandleftRenatoherownreflections，towhichhispresentationofthecasehadgivenanewturn。Ithadneverbeforeoccurredtohertoregardsilenceinthelightofself—sacrifice。
Ithadseemedasortofsin；herbrother’sargumentmadeofitavirtue。Itwasnotthefirsttime，northelast，thatrightandwronghadbeenamatterofview—point。
TryonhimselffurnishedtheopeningforWarwick’sproposedexamination。Theyoungermancouldnotlongremainsilentuponthesubjectuppermostinhismind。"Iamanxious，John，"hesaid，"tohaveRowenanamethehappiestdayofmylife——ourweddingday。WhenthetrialinEdgecombeCountyisfinished，Ishallhavenofurtherbusinesshere，andshallbereadytoleaveforhome。
Ishouldliketotakemybridewithme，andsurprisemymother。"
Mothers，thoughtWarwick，arelikelytoproveinquisitiveabouttheirsons’wives，especiallywhentakenunawaresinmattersofsuchimportance。
ThisseemedagoodtimetotesttheliberalityofTryon’sviews，andtoputforwardashieldforhissister’sprotection。
"Areyousure，George，thatyourmotherwillfindthesurpriseagreeablewhenyoubringhomeabrideofwhomyouknowsolittleandyourmothernothingatall？"
Tryonhadfeltthatitwouldbebesttosurprisehismother。ShewouldneedonlytoseeRenatoapproveofher，butshewassofarprejudicedinfavorofBlancheLearythatitwouldbewisesttopresenttheargumentafterhavingannouncedtheirrevocableconclusion。Renaherselfwouldbeacompletejustificationfortheaccomplisheddeed。
"Ithinkyououghttoknow，George，"continuedWarwick，withoutwaitingforareplytohisquestion，"thatmysisterandIarenotofanoldfamily，orarichfamily，oradistinguishedfamily；thatshecanbringyounothingbutherself；thatwehavenoconnectionsofwhichyoucouldboast，andnorelativestowhomweshouldbegladtointroduceyou。Youmusttakeusforourselvesalone——wearenewpeople。"
"MydearJohn，"repliedtheyoungmanwarmly，"thereisagreatdealofnonsenseaboutfamilies。Ifamanisnobleandbraveandstrong，ifawomanisbeautifulandgoodandtrue，whatmattersitabouthisorherancestry？Ifanoldfamilycangivethemthesethings，thenitisvaluable；iftheypossessthemwithoutit，thenofwhatuseisit，exceptasasourceofemptypride，whichtheywouldbebetterwithout？Ifallnewfamilieswerelikeyours，therewouldbenoadvantageinbelongingtoanoldone。AllIcaretoknowofRowena’sfamilyisthatsheisyoursister；
andyou’llpardonme，oldfellow，ifIaddthatshehardlyneedsevenyou，——shecarriesthestampofherdescentuponherfaceandinherheart。"
"Itmakesmegladtohearyouspeakinthatway，"returnedWarwick，delightedbytheyoungman’sbreadthandearnestness。
"Oh，Imeaneverywordofit，"repliedTryon。
"Ancestors，indeed，forRowena！Iwilltellyouafamilysecret，John，toprovehowlittleIcareforancestors。Mymaternalgreat—great—grandfather，ahundredandfiftyyearsago，washanged，drawn，andquarteredforstealingcattleacrosstheScottishborder。Howisthatforapedigree？Beholdinmethelinealdescendantofafelon！"
Warwickfeltmuchrelievedatthisavowal。
Hisownstatementhadnottouchedthevitalpointinvolved；ithadbeenatthebestbutahalf—truth；
butTryon’smagnanimitywoulddoubtlessprotectRenafromanycloseinquiryconcerningherpast。
ItevenoccurredtoWarwickforamomentthathemightsafelydisclosethesecrettoTryon；butanappreciationofcertainfactsofhistoryandcertaintraitsofhumannatureconstrainedhimtoputthemomentarythoughtaside。Itwasagreatrelief，however，toimaginethatTryonmightthinklightlyofthisthingthatheneedneverknow。
"Well，Rena，"hesaidtohissisterwhenhewenthomeatnoon："I’vesoundedGeorge。"
"Whatdidhesay？"sheaskedeagerly。
"Itoldhimwewerepeopleofnofamily，andthatwehadnorelativesthatwewereproudof。
Hesaidhelovedyouforyourself，andwouldneveraskyouaboutyourancestry。"
"Oh，Iamsoglad！"exclaimedRenajoyfully。
Thisreportleftherveryhappyforaboutthreehours，oruntilshebegantoanalyzecarefullyherbrother’saccountofwhathadbeensaid。Warwick’sstatementhadnotbeenspecific，——hehadnottoldTryonTHEthing。George’sreply，inturn，hadbeenameregenerality。Theconcretefactthatoppressedherremainedunrevealed，andherdoubtwasstillunsatisfied。
Renawasoccupiedwiththisthoughtwhenherlovernextcametoseeher。Tryoncameupthesandedwalkfromthegateandspokepleasantlytothenurse，agood—lookingyellowgirlwhowasseatedonthefrontsteps，playingwithlittleAlbert。Hetooktheboyfromherarms，andshewenttocallMissWarwick。
Renacameout，followedbythenurse，whoofferedtotakethechild。
"Nevermind，Mimy，leavehimwithme，"saidTryon。
Thenursewalkeddiscreetlyoverintothegarden，remainingwithincall，butbeyondthehearingofconversationinanordinarytone。
"Rena，darling，"saidherlover，"whenshallitbe？Surelyyouwon’taskmetowaitaweek。
Why，that’salifetime！"
Renawasstruckbyabrilliantidea。Shewouldtestherlover。Lovewasaverypowerfulforce；shehadfounditthegreatest，grandest，sweetestthingintheworld。Tryonhadsaidthathelovedher；hehadsaidscarcelyanythingelseforseveralweeks，surelynothingelseworthremembering。
Shewouldtesthislovebyahypotheticalquestion。
"Yousayyouloveme，"shesaid，glancingathimwithasadthoughtfulnessinherlargedarkeyes。"Howmuchdoyouloveme？"
"Iloveyouallonecanlove。Truelovehasnodegrees；itisallornothing！"
"Wouldyouloveme，"sheasked，withanairofcoquetrythatmaskedherconcern，pointingtowardthegirlintheshrubbery，"ifIwereAlbert’snurseyonder？"
"IfyouwereAlbert’snurse，"hereplied，withajoyouslaugh，"hewouldhavetofindanotherwithinaweek，forwithinaweekweshouldbemarried。"
Theanswerseemedtofitthequestion，butinfact，Tryon’smindandRena’sdidnotmeet。ThattwointelligentpersonsshouldeachattachadifferentmeaningtososimpleaformofwordsasRena’squestionwasthebestgroundforhermisgivingwithregardtothemarriage。Butloveblindedher。Shewasanxioustobeconvinced。
Sheinterpretedthemeaningofhisspeechbyherownthoughtandbytheardorofhisglance，andwassatisfiedwiththeanswer。
"Andnow，darling，"pleadedTryon，"willyounotfixthedaythatshallmakemehappy？I
shallbereadytogoawayinthreeweeks。Willyougowithme？"
"Yes，"sheanswered，inatumultofjoy。Shewouldneverneedtotellhimhersecretnow。Itwouldmakenodifferencewithhim，sofarasshewasconcerned；andshehadnorighttorevealherbrother’ssecret。Shewaswillingtoburythepastinforgetfulness，nowthatsheknewitwouldhavenointerestforherlover。
X
THEDREAM
Themarriagewasfixedforthethirtiethofthemonth，immediatelyafterwhichTryonandhisbrideweretosetoutforNorthCarolina。WarwickwouldhavelikeditmuchifTryonhadlivedinSouthCarolina；butthelocationofhisNorthCarolinahomewasatsomedistancefromPatesville，withwhichithadnoconnectionbysteamorrail，andindeedlayaltogetheroutofthelineoftraveltoPatesville。RenahadnoacquaintancewithpeopleofsocialstandinginNorthCarolina；andwiththeaddedmaturityandcharmduetoherimprovedopportunities，itwasunlikelythatanyformerresidentofPatesvillewhomightcasuallymeetherwouldseeintheelegantyoungmatronfromSouthCarolinamorethanapassingresemblancetoapoorgirlwhohadoncelivedinanobscurepartoftheoldtown。ItwouldofcoursebenecessaryforRenatokeepawayfromPatesville；
saveforhermother’ssake，shewouldhardlybetemptedtogoback。
Onthetwentiethofthemonth，WarwicksetoutwithTryonforthecountyseatoftheadjoiningcounty，totryoneofthelawsuitswhichhadrequiredTryon’spresenceinSouthCarolinaforsolongatime。Theirdestinationwasaday’sdrivefromClarence，behindagoodhorse，andthetrialwasexpectedtolastaweek。
"Thisweekwillseemlikeayear，"saidTryonruefully，theeveningbeforetheirdeparture，"butI’llwriteeveryday，andshallexpectaletterasoften。"
"Themailgoesonlytwiceaweek，George，"
repliedRena。
"ThenIshallhavethreelettersineachmail。"
WarwickandTryonweretosetoutinthecoolofthemorning，afteranearlybreakfast。Renawasupatdaybreakthatshemightpresideatthebreakfast—tableandbidthetravelersgood—by。
"John，"saidRenatoherbrotherinthemorning，"Idreamedlastnightthatmotherwasill。"
"Dreams，youknow，Rena，"answeredWarwicklightly，"gobycontraries。Yoursundoubtedlysignifiesthatourmother，Godblesshersimplesoul！isatthepresentmomentenjoyingherusualperfecthealth。Shewasneversickinherlife。"
ForafewmonthsafterleavingPatesvillewithherbrother，Renahadsufferedtorturesofhomesickness；thosewhohavefeltitknowthepang。
Theseveranceofoldtieshadbeenabruptandcomplete。Attheschoolwhereherbrotherhadtakenher，therehadbeennothingtorelievethestrangenessofhersurroundings——noschoolmatefromherowntown，norelativeorfriendofthefamilynearby。Eventhecompensationofhumansympathywasinameasuredeniedher，forRenawastoofreshfromherprison—housetodoubtthatsympathywouldfailbeforetherevelationofthesecrettheconsciousnessofwhichoppressedheratthattimelikeanightmare。ItwasnotstrangethatRena，thusisolated，shouldhavebeenprostratedbyhomesicknessforseveralweeksafterleavingPatesville。Whentheparoxysmhadpassed，therefollowedadullpain，whichgraduallysubsidedintoaresignationasprofound，initsway，ashadbeenherlongingforhome。Sheloved，shesuffered，withaquietintensityofwhichheroutwarddemeanorgavenoadequateexpression。
Fromsomeancestralsourceshehadderivedastrainofthepassivefatalismbywhichaloneonecansubmituncomplaininglytotheinevitable。
Bythesametoken，whenonceathinghadbeendecided，itbecamewithherafinality，whichonlysomeextraordinarystressofemotioncoulddisturb。
Shehadacquiescedinherbrother’splan；
forhertherewasnowithdrawing；herhomesicknesswasanincidentalthingwhichmustbeendured，aspatientlyasmightbe，untiltimeshouldhavebroughtameasureofrelief。
WarwickhadmadeprovisionforanoccasionalletterfromPatesville，byleavingwithhismotheranumberofenvelopesdirectedtohisaddress。Shecouldhaveherletterswritten，inclosethemintheseenvelopes，anddeposittheminthepost—
officewithherownhand。ThustheplaceofWarwick’sresidencewouldremainwithinherownknowledge，andhissecretwouldnotbeplacedatthemercyofanywanderingPatesvillianwhomightperchancegotothatpartofSouthCarolina。
BythissimplemeansRenahadkeptascloselyintouchwithhermotherasWarwickhadconsideredprudent；anycloserintercoursewasnotconsistentwiththeirpresentstationinlife。
ThenightafterWarwickandTryonhadriddenaway，Renadreamedagainthathermotherwasill。Bettertaughtpeoplethanshe，inregionsmoreenlightenedthantheSouthCarolinaofthatepoch，aredisturbedattimesbydreams。Mis’
Mollyhadaprofoundfaithinthem。IfGod，inancienttimes，hadspokentomeninvisionsofthenight，whateasierwaycouldtherebeforHimtoconveyhismeaningtopeopleofallages？Science，whichhasshatteredmanyanidolanddestroyedmanyadelusion，hasmadebutslightinroadsupontheshadowyrealmofdreams。ForMis’
Molly，towhomsciencewouldhavemeantnothingandpsychologywouldhavebeenameaninglessterm，thelandofdreamswascarefullymappedandbounded。Eachdreamhadsomespecialsignificance，orwasatleastsusceptibleofclassificationundersomesignificanthead。Dreams，asageneralrule，wentbycontraries；butadreamthreetimesrepeatedwasacertainportentofthethingdefined。
Rena’sfewyearsofschoolingatPatesvilleandhermonthsatCharlestonhadscarcelydisturbedthesehoarysuperstitionswhichlurkinthedimcornersofthebrain。NoladyinClarence，perhaps，wouldhaveremainedundisturbedbyavividdream，threetimesrepeated，ofsomeeventbearingmateriallyuponherownlife。
Thefirstrepetitionofadreamwasdecisiveofnothing，fortwodreamsmeantnomorethanone。
Thepowerofthesecondlayinthesuspense，theuncertainty，towhichitgaverise。Twodoubledthechanceofathird。ThedayfollowingthisseconddreamwasananxiousoneforRena。Shecouldnotforaninstantdismisshermotherfromherthoughts，whichwerefilledtoowithacertainself—reproach。Shehadlefthermotheralone；ifhermotherwerereallyill，therewasnooneathometotendherwithlovingcare。Thisfeelinggrewinforce，untilbynightfallRenahadbecomeveryunhappy，andwenttobedwiththemostdismalforebodings。Inthisstateofmind，itisnotsurprisingthatshenowdreamedthathermotherwaslyingatthepointofdeath，andthatshecriedoutwithheart—rendingpathos：——
"Rena，mydarlin’，whydidyouforsakeyo’rporeoldmother？Comebacktome，honey；I’lldieefIdon’tseeyousoon。"
ThestressofsubconsciousemotionengenderedbythedreamwaspowerfulenoughtowakeRena，andhermother’sutteranceseemedtocometoherwiththeforceofafatefulwarningandagreatreproach。Hermotherwassickandneededher，andwoulddieifshedidnotcome。Shefeltthatshemustseehermother，——itwouldbealmostlikemurdertoremainawayfromherundersuchcircumstances。
AfterbreakfastshewentintothebusinesspartofthetownandinquiredatwhattimeatrainwouldleavethatwouldtakehertowardPatesville。
Sinceshehadcomeawayfromthetown，arailroadhadbeenopenedbywhichthelongrivervoyagemightbeavoided，and，makingallowanceforslowtrainsandirregularconnections，thetownofPatesvillecouldbereachedbyanall—railrouteinabouttwelvehours。Callingatthepost—officeforthefamilymail，shefoundtherealetterfromhermother，whichshetoreopeningreatexcitement。
Itwaswritteninanunpracticedhandandbadlyspelled，andwasineffectasfollows：——
MYDEARDAUGHTER，——ItakemypeninhandtoletyouknowthatIamnotverywell。Ihavehadakindofmiseryinmysidefortwoweeks，withpalpitationsoftheheart，andIhavebeeninbedforthreedays。I’mfeelingmightypoorly，butDr。GreensaysthatI’llgetoveritinafewdays。
OldAuntZilphyisstayingwithme，andlookingafterthingstolerablywell。IhopethiswillfindyouandJohnenjoyinggoodhealth。GivemylovetoJohn，andIhopetheLordwillblesshimandyoutoo。CousinBillyOxendinehashadarisingonhisneck，andhashadtohaveitlanced。
MaryB。hasanotheryoungone，aboythistime。
OldmanTomJohnsonwaskilledlastweekwhiletryingtowhipblackJimBrown，wholiveddownontheWilmingtonRoad。Jimhasrunaway。
Therehasbeenabigfreshetintheriver，anditlookedatonetimeasifthenewbridgewouldbewashedaway。
Frankcomesovereverydayortwoandasksaboutyou。Hesaystotellyouthathedon’tbelieveyouarecomingbackanymore，butyouaretorememberhim，andthatfoolishnesshesaidaboutbringingyoubackfromtheendoftheworldwithhismuleandcart。He’sverygoodtome，andbringsovershavingsandkindling—wood，andmademeanewwell—bucketfornothing。It’sacomforttotalktohimaboutyou，thoughI
haven’ttoldhimwhereyouareliving。
IhopethiswillfindyouandJohnbothwell，anddoingwell。Ishouldliketoseeyou，butifit’stheLord’swillthatIshouldn’t，Ishallbethankfulanywaythatyouhavedonewhatwasthebestforyourselvesandyourchildren，andthatIhavegivenyouupforyourowngood。
Youraffectionatemother，MARYWALDEN。
Renashedtearsoverthissimpleletter，which，toherexcitedimagination，merelyconfirmedthewarningofherdream。Atthedateofitswritinghermotherhadbeensickinbed，withthesymptomsofaseriousillness。Shehadnonursebutapurblindoldwoman。Threedaysofprogressiveillnesshadevidentlybeenquitesufficienttoreduceherparenttotheconditionindicatedbythethirddream。ThethoughtthathermothermightdiewithoutthepresenceofanyonewholovedherpiercedRena’sheartlikeaknifeandlentwingstoherfeet。Shewishedfortheenchantedhorseofwhichherbrotherhadreadtohersomanyyearsbeforeonthefrontpiazzaofthehousebehindthecedars，thatshemightflythroughtheairtoherdyingmother’sside。ShedeterminedtogoatoncetoPatesville。
Returninghome，shewrotealettertoWarwickinclosingtheirmother’sletter，andstatingthatshehaddreamedanalarmingdreamforthreenightsinsuccession；thatshehadleftthehouseinchargeoftheservantsandgonetoPatesville；andthatshewouldreturnassoonashermotherwasoutofdanger。
Toherlovershewrotethatshehadbeencalledawaytovisitasick—bed，andwouldreturnverysoon，perhapsbythetimehegotbacktoClarence。
TheselettersRenapostedonherwaytothetrain，whichshetookatfiveo’clockintheafternoon。
ThiswouldbringhertoPatesvilleearlyinthemorningofthefollowingday。
XI
ALETTERANDAJOURNEY
Warhasbeencalledthecourtoflastresort。
Alawsuitmaywithequalaptnessbecomparedtoabattle——theparallelmightbedrawnverycloselyallalongtheline。Firstwehavethecasusbelli，thecauseofaction；thenthevariousprotocolsandproclamationsandgeneralorders，bywayofpleas，demurrers，andmotions；thenthepreliminaryskirmishesatthetrialtable；andthenthefinalstruggle，inwhichmightisquiteaslikelytoprevailasright，victorymostoftenrestingwiththestrongestbattalions，andtruthandjusticenotseldomoverbornebytheweightofoddsupontheotherside。
ThelawsuitwhichWarwickandTryonhadgonetotrydidnot，however，reachthisultimatestage，but，afterathreedays’engagement，resultedinatreatyofpeace。Thecasewascompromisedandsettled，andTryonandWarwicksetoutontheirhomewarddrive。Theystoppedatafarm—
houseatnoon，andwhileattablesawthestage—
coachfromthetowntheyhadjustleft，boundfortheirowndestination。Inthemail—bagunderthedriver’sseatwereRena’stwoletters；theyhadbeendeliveredatthetowninthemorning，andimmediatelyremailedtoClarence，inaccordancewithordersleftatthepost—officetheeveningbefore。TryonandWarwickdroveleisurelyhomewardthroughthepines，allunconsciousofthefatefulsquaresofwhitepapermovingalongtheroadafewmilesbeforethem，whichamother’syearningandadaughter’slovehadthrown，liketheappleofdiscord，intothenarrowcircleoftheirhappiness。
TheyreachedClarenceatfouro’clock。Warwickgotdownfromthebuggyathisoffice。Tryondroveontohishotel，tomakeahastytoiletbeforevisitinghissweetheart。
Warwickglancedathismail，toreopentheenvelopeaddressedinhissister’shandwriting，andreadthecontentswithsomethinglikedismay。
Shehadgoneawayontheeveofherwedding，herloverknewnotwhere，tobegonenooneknewhowlong，onamissionwhichcouldnotbefranklydisclosed。Adimforebodingofdisasterflashedacrosshismind。Hethrusttheletterintohispocket，withothersyetunopened，andstartedtowardhishome。Reachingthegate，hepausedamomentandthenwalkedonpastthehouse。Tryonwouldprobablybethereinafewminutes，andhedidnotcaretomeethimwithoutfirsthavinghadtheopportunityforsomemomentsofreflection。
Hemustfixuponsomelineofactioninthisemergency。
MeanwhileTryonhadreachedhishotelandopenedhismail。TheletterfromRenawasreadfirst，withprofounddisappointment。Hehadreallymadeconcessionsinthesettlementofthatlawsuit——hadyieldedseveralhundreddollarsofhisjustdues，inorderthathemightgetbacktoRenathreedaysearlier。Nowhemustcoolhisheelsinidlenessforatleastthreedaysbeforeshewouldreturn。Itwasannoying，tosaytheleast。
Hewishedtoknowwhereshehadgone，thathemightfollowherandstaynearheruntilsheshouldbereadytocomeback。HemightaskWarwick——
no，shemighthavehadsomegoodreasonfornothavingmentionedherdestination。Shehadprobablygonetovisitsomeofthepoorrelationsofwhomherbrotherhadspokensofrankly，andshewoulddoubtlesspreferthatheshouldnotseeheramidanysurroundingsbutthebest。Indeed，hedidnotknowthathewouldhimselfcaretoendanger，bysuggestivecomparisons，thefineaureoleofsuperioritythatsurroundedher。SherepresentedinheradorablepersonandherpureheartthefinestflowerofthefinestracethatGodhadevermade——thesupremeeffortofcreativepower，thanwhichtherecouldbenofiner。Theflowerwouldsoonbehis；whyshouldhecaretodigupthesoilinwhichitgrew？
Tryonwentonopeninghisletters。Therewereseveralbillsandcirculars，andthenaletterfromhismother，ofwhichhebroketheseal：——
MYDEARESTGEORGE，——Thisleavesuswell。
Blancheisstillwithme，andweareimpatientlyawaitingyourreturn。Inyourabsencesheseemsalmostlikeadaughtertome。Shejoinsmeinthehopethatyourlawsuitsareprogressingfavorably，andthatyouwillbewithussoon……
Onyourwayhome，ifitdoesnotkeepyouawayfromustoolong，woulditnotbewellforyoutocomebywayofPatesville，andfindoutwhetherthereisanyprospectofourbeingabletocollectourclaimagainstoldMr。DuncanMcSwayne’sestate？Youmusthavetakenthepaperswithyou，alongwiththerest，forIdonotfindthemhere。Thingsoughttobesettledenoughnowforpeopletorealizeonsomeoftheirsecurities。
Yourgrandfatheralwaysbelievedthenotewasgood，andmeanttotrytocollectit，butthewarinterfered。Hesaidtome，beforehedied，thatifthenotewasevercollected，hewouldusethemoneytobuyaweddingpresentforyourwife。Poorfather！heisdeadandgonetoheaven；butIamsurethateventherehewouldbehappierifheknewthenotewaspaidandthemoneyusedasheintended。
IfyougotoPatesville，callonmycousin，Dr。
Ed。Green，andtellhimwhoyouare。Givehimmylove。Ihaven’tseenhimfortwentyyears。
Heusedtobeveryfondoftheladies，averygallantman。Hecandirectyoutoagoodlawyer，nodoubt。Hopingtoseeyousoon，Yourlovingmother，ELIZABETHTRYON。
P。S。Blanchejoinsmeinlovetoyou。
ThisaffectionateandmotherlyletterdidnotgiveTryonunalloyedsatisfaction。Hewasgladtohearthathismotherwaswell，buthehadhopedthatBlancheLearymighthavefinishedhervisitbythistime。ThereasonableinferencefromtheletterwasthatBlanchemeanttoawaithisreturn。Herpresencewouldspoilthefineromanticflavorofthesurprisehehadplannedforhismother；itwouldneverdotoexposehisbridetoanunannouncedmeetingwiththewomanwhomhehadtacitlyrejected。Therewouldbeoneadvantageinsuchameeting：thecomparisonofthetwowomenwouldbesomuchinRena’sfavorthathismothercouldnothesitateforamomentbetweenthem。Thesituation，however，wouldhaveelementsofconstraint，andhedidnotcaretoexposeeitherRenaorBlanchetoanydisagreeablecontingency。Itwouldbebettertotakehiswifeonaweddingtrip，andnotifyhismother，beforehereturnedhome，ofhismarriage。Intheextremelyimprobablecasethatsheshoulddisapprovehischoiceafterhavingseenhiswife，theicewouldatleasthavebeenbrokenbeforehisarrivalathome。
"ByJove！"heexclaimedsuddenly，strikinghiskneewithhishand，"whyshouldn’tIrunuptoPatesvillewhileRena’sgone？Icanleavehereatfiveo’clock，andgettheresometimeto—morrowmorning。Icantransactmybusinessduringtheday，andgetbackthedayafterto—morrow；forRenamightreturnaheadoftime，justaswedid，andIshallwanttobeherewhenshecomes；I’dratherwaitayearforalegalopiniononadoubtfuloldnotethantoloseonedaywithmylove。Thetraingoesintwentyminutes。Mybagisalreadypacked。I’lljustdropalinetoGeorgeandtellhimwhereI’vegone。"
HeputRena’sletterintohisbreastpocket，andturningtohistrunk，tookfromitahandfulofpapersrelatingtotheclaiminreferencetowhichhewasgoingtoPatesville。ThesehethrustintothesamepocketwithRena’sletter；hewishedtoreadbothletterandpaperswhileonthetrain。Itwouldbeapleasuremerelytoholdtheletterbeforehiseyesandlookatthelinestracedbyherhand。
Thepapershewishedtostudy，forthemorepracticalpurposeofexaminingintothemeritsofhisclaimagainsttheestateofDuncanMcSwayne。
WhenWarwickreachedhome，heinquiredifMr。Tryonhadcalled。
"No，suh，"answeredthenurse，towhomhehadputthequestion；"heain’tbe’nhereyet，suh。"
Warwickwassurprisedandmuchdisturbed。
"Debaby’sbe’ncryin’forMissRena，"
suggestedthenurse，"an’Is’pec’he’dliketoseeyou，suh。ShallIfetch’im？"
"Yes，bringhimtome。"
Hetookthechildinhisarmsandwentoutuponthepiazza。Severalporchpillowslayinvitinglynear。Hepushedthemtowardthestepswithhisfoot，satdownuponone，andplacedlittleAlbertuponanother。Hewasscarcelyseatedwhenamessengerfromthehotelcameupthewalkfromthegateandhandedhimanote。Atthesamemomentheheardthelongshriekoftheafternoontrainleavingthestationontheoppositesideofthetown。
Hetoretheenvelopeopenanxiously，readthenote，smiledasicklysmile，andclenchedthepaperinhishandunconsciously。Therewasnothinghecoulddo。Thetrainhadgone；therewasnotelegraphtoPatesville，andnolettercouldleaveClarencefortwenty—fourhours。Thebestlaidschemesgowrongattimes——thestanchestshipsaresometimeswrecked，orskirtthebreakersperilously。Lifeisasea，fullofstrangecurrentsandunchartedreefs——whoeverleavesthetraveledpathmustrunthedangerofdestruction。Warwickwasalawyer，however，andaccustomedtobalanceprobabilities。
"HemayeasilybeinPatesvilleadayortwowithoutmeetingher。Shewillspendmostofhertimeatmother’sbedside，andhewillbeoccupiedwithhisownaffairs。"
IfTryonshouldmeether——well，hewasverymuchinlove，andhehadspokenverynoblyofbirthandblood。Warwickwouldhavepreferred，nevertheless，thatTryon’stheoriesshouldnotbeputtothisparticulartest。Rena’sscrupleshadsofarbeensuccessfullycombated；thequestionwouldbeopenedagain，andthesituationunnecessarilycomplicated，ifTryonshouldmeetRenainPatesville。
"Willheorwillhenot？"heaskedhimself。
Hetookacoinfromhispocketandspunituponthefloor。"Heads，heseesher；tails，hedoesnot。"
Thecoinspunswiftlyandsteadily，leavingupontheeyetheimpressionofarevolvingsphere。LittleAlbert，leftforamomenttohisowndevices，hadcreptbehindhisfatherandwaswatchingthewhirlingdiskwithgreatpleasure。Hefeltthathewouldliketopossessthisinterestingobject。Thecoinbegantomovemoreslowly，andwaswabblingtoitsfall，whenthechildstretchedforthhischubbyfistandcaughtitereittouchedthefloor。
XII
TRYONGOESTOPATESVILLE
TryonarrivedintheearlymorningandputupatthePatesvilleHotel，averycomfortableinn。
Afterabath，breakfast，andavisittothebarbershop，heinquiredofthehotelclerkthewaytotheofficeofDr。Green，hismother’scousin。
"Onthecorner，sir，"answeredtheclerk，"bythemarket—house，justoverthedrugstore。Thedoctordrovepasthereonlyhalfanhourago。You’llprobablycatchhiminhisoffice。"
Tryonfoundtheofficewithoutdifficulty。Heclimbedthestair，butfoundnooneinexceptayoungcoloredmanseatedintheouteroffice，whorosepromptlyasTryonentered。
"No，suh，"repliedthemantoTryon’squestion，"heain’thyuhnow。He’sgoneouttoseeapatient，suh，buthe’llbebacksoon。Won’tyousetdownindeprivateofficean’waitfer’im，suh？"
Tryonhadnotsleptwellduringhisjourney，andfeltsomewhatfatigued。Throughtheopendoorofthenextroomhesawaninvitingarmchair，withawindowatoneside，andupontheotheratablestrewnwithpapersandmagazines。
"Yes，"heanswered，"I’llwait。"
Heenteredtheprivateoffice，sankintothearmchair，andlookedoutofthewindowuponthesquarebelow。Theviewwasmildlyinteresting。Theoldbrickmarket—housewiththetowerwasquitepicturesque。Onawagon—scaleatoneendthepublicweighmasterwasweighingaloadofhay。Intheboothsunderthewidearchesseveraloldnegrowomenwerefryingfishonlittlecharcoalstoves——
theodorwouldhavebeenappetizingtoonewhohadnotbreakfasted。Ontheshadysidestoodhalfadozentwo—wheeledcarts，loadedwithlightwoodanddrawnbydiminutivesteers，orsuperannuatedarmymulesbrandedontheflankwiththecabalisticletters"C。S。A。，"whichrepresentedavanisheddream，or"U。S。A。，"which，asanynegroaboutthemarket—housewouldhavebornewitness，signifiedaveryconcretefact。Nowandthenaladyorgentlemanpassedwithleisurelystep——nooneeverhurriedinPatesville——orsomepoorwhitesandhillerslouchedlistlesslyalongtowardstoreorbar—room。
Tryonmechanicallycountedtheslabsofgingerbreadonthenearestmarket—stall，andcalculatedthecubicalcontentsofseveralofthemeagreloadsofwood。Havingexhaustedtheview，heturnedtothetableathiselbowandpickedupamedicaljournal，inwhichhereadfirstanaccountofamarveloussurgicaloperation。Turningtheleavesidly，hecameuponanarticlebyaSouthernwriter，upontheperennialraceproblemthathasvexedthecountryforacentury。Thewritermaintainedthatowingtoaspecialtendencyofthenegroblood，howeverdiluted，toreverttotheAfricantype，anyfutureamalgamationofthewhiteandblackraces，whichfoolishandwickedNorthernnegrophilespredictedastheultimateresultofthenewconditionsconfrontingtheSouth，wouldthereforebeanethnologicalimpossibility；forthesmallesttraceofnegrobloodwouldinevitablydragdownthesuperiorracetotheleveloftheinferior，andreducethefairSouthland，alreadydevastatedbythehandoftheinvader，tothefrightfullevelofHayti，theawfulexampleofnegroincapacity。Toforefendtheirbelovedland，nowdoublysanctifiedbythebloodofherdevotedsonswhohadfalleninthestruggletomaintainherlibertiesandpreserveherproperty，itbehoovedeverytrueSouthrontostandfirmagainsttheabhorrenttideofradicalism，tomaintainthesupremacyandpurityofhisall—
pervading，all—conqueringrace，andtoresistbyeveryavailablemeansthethreateneddominationofaninferioranddegradedpeople，whoweresettorulehereditaryfreemeneretheyhadthemselvesscarceceasedtobeslaves。
WhenTryonhadfinishedthearticle，whichseemedtohimawell—consideredargument，albeitatriflebombastic，hethrewthebookuponthetable。
Findingthearmchairwonderfullycomfortable，andfeelingthefatigueofhisjourney，heyieldedtoadrowsyimpulse，leanedhisheadonthecushionedbackofthechair，andfellasleep。Accordingtothehabitofyouth，hedreamed，andpursuanttohisownindividualhabit，hedreamedofRena。Theywerewalkinginthemoonlight，alongthequietroadinfrontofherbrother’shouse。Theairwasredolentwiththeperfumeofflowers。Hisarmwasaroundherwaist。Hehadaskedherifshelovedhim，andwasawaitingheranswerintremulousbutconfidentexpectation。Sheopenedherlipstospeak。Thesoundthatcamefromthemseemedtobe：——
"IsDr。Greenin？No？Askhim，whenhecomesback，please，tocallatourhouseassoonashecan。"
Tryonwasinthatstateofsomnolenceinwhichonemaydreamandyetbeawarethatoneisdreaming，——thestatewhereone，duringadream，dreamsthatonepinchesone’sselftobesurethatoneisnotdreaming。Hewasthereforeawareofaringingqualityaboutthewordshehadjustheardthatdidnotcomportwiththeshadowyconverseofadream——anincongruityintheremark，too，whichmarredtheharmonyofthevision。TheshockwassufficienttodisturbTryon’sslumber，andhestruggledslowlybacktoconsciousness。
Whenfullyawake，hethoughtheheardalightfootfalldescendingthestairs。
"Wastheresomeonehere？"heinquiredoftheattendantintheouteroffice，whowasvisiblethroughtheopendoor。
"Yas，suh，"repliedtheboy，"ayoungcullud’omanwuzinjes’now，axin’ferdedoctuh。"
Tryonfeltamomentarytouchofannoyancethatanegrowomanshouldhaveintrudedherselfintohisdreamatitsmostinterestingpoint。Nevertheless，thevoicehadbeensoreal，hisimaginationhadreproducedwithsuchexactnessthedulcettonessodeartohim，thatheturnedhisheadinvoluntarilyandlookedoutofthewindow。Hecouldjustseetheflutterofawoman’sskirtdisappearingaroundthecorner。
Amomentlaterthedoctorcamebustlingin，——
aplump，rosymanoffiftyormore，withafrank，opencountenanceandanairofgenialgoodnature。
Suchadoctor，Tryonfancied，oughttoenjoyawidepopularity。Hismerepresencewouldsuggestlifeandhopeandhealthfulness。
"Mydearboy，"exclaimedthedoctorcordially，afterTryonhadintroducedhimself，"I’mdelightedtomeetyou——oranyoneoftheoldblood。
YourmotherandIweresweethearts，longago，whenwebothworepinafores，andwenttoseeourgrandfatheratChristmas；andImethermorethanonce，andpaidhermorethanonecompliment，aftershehadgrowntobeafineyoungwoman。
You’relikeher！too，butnotquitesohandsome——
you’vemoreofwhatIsupposetobetheTryonfavor，thoughInevermetyourfather。SooneofoldDuncanMcSwayne’snoteswentsofarasthat？
Well，well，Idon’tknowwhereyouwon’tfindthem。OneofthemturnedupheretheotherdayfromNewYork。
"Themanyouwanttosee，"headdedlaterintheconversation，"isoldJudgeStraight。He’sgettingsomewhatstiffinthejoints，butheknowsmorelaw，andmoreabouttheMcSwayneestate，thananyothertwolawyersintown。Ifanybodycancollectyourclaim，JudgeStraightcan。I’llsendmyboyDaveovertohisoffice。Dave，"hecalledtohisattendant，"runovertoJudgeStraight’sofficeandseeifhe’sthere。
"Therewasafreshethereafewweeksago，"
hewanton，whenthecoloredmanhaddeparted，"andtheyhadtoopentheflood—gatesandletthewateroutofthemillpond，forifthedamhadbroken，asitdidtwentyyearsago，itwouldhavewashedthepillarsfromunderthejudge’sofficeandletitdowninthecreek，and"——
"JedgeStraightain’tindeofficejes’now，suh，"reportedthedoctor’smanDave，fromtheheadofthestairs。
"Didyouaskwhenhe’dbeback？"
"No，suh，youdidn’ttellmeter，suh。"
"Well，now，gobackandinquire。
"Theniggers，"heexplainedtoTryon，"aregettingmightytriflingsincethey’vebeenfreed。
Beforethewar，thatboywouldhavebeenaroundthereandbackbeforeyoucouldsayJackRobinson；
now，thelazyrascaltakeshistimejustlikeawhiteman。"
Davereturnedmorepromptlythanfromhisfirsttrip。"JedgeStraight’sderenow，suh，"hesaid。"He’sdonecomein。"
"I’lltakeyourightaroundandintroduceyou，"
saidthedoctor，runningonpleasantly，likeababblingbrook。"Idon’tknowwhetherthejudgeevermetyourmotherornot，butheknowsagentlemanwhenheseesone，andwillbegladtomeetyouandlookafteryouraffair。Seetothepatients，Dave，andsayI’llbebackshortly，anddon’tforgetanymessagesleftforme。Looksharp，now！Youknowyourfailing！"
TheyfoundJudgeStraightinhisoffice。Hewasseatedbytherearwindow，andhadfallenintoagentledoze——theairofPatesvillewasconducivetoslumber。Avisitorfromsomebustlingcitymighthaverubbedhiseyes，onanybutamarket—day，andimaginedthewholetownasleep——thatthepeopleweresomnambulistsanddidnotknowit。Thejudge，anoldhand，rousedhimselfsoskillfully，atthesoundofapproachingfootsteps，thathisvisitorscouldnotguessbutthathehadbeenwideawake。Heshookhandswiththedoctor，andacknowledgedtheintroductiontoTryonwitharareold—fashionedcourtesy，whichtheyoungmanthoughtaverycharmingsurvivalofthemannersofapastandhappierage。
"No，"repliedthejudge，inanswertoaquestionbyDr。Green，"Inevermethismother；Iwasagenerationaheadofher。Iwasatschoolwithherfather，however，fiftyyearsago——fiftyyearsago！
Nodoubtthatseemstoyoualongtime，younggentleman？"
"Itisalongtime，sir，"repliedTryon。"I
mustlivemorethantwiceaslongasIhaveinordertocoverit。"
"Alongtime，andatroubledtime，"sighedthejudge。"IcouldwishthatImightseethisunhappylandatpeacewithitselfbeforeIdie。
Thingsareinasadtangle；Ican’tseethewayout。Buttheworstenemyhasbeenslain，inspiteofus。Wearewellridofslavery。"
"Butthenegrowestillhavewithus，"
remarkedthedoctor，"forherecomesmymanDave。Whatisit，Dave？"heaskedsharply，asthenegrostuckhisheadinatthedoor。
"DoctuhGreen，"hesaid，"Ifuhgottertellyou，suh，datdatyoung’omanwuzatdeofficeaginjes’befo’youcomein，an’saidferyoutogorightdownan’seehermammyezsoonezyoucould。"
"Ah，yes，andyou’vejustrememberedit！I’mafraidyou’reentirelytooforgetfulforadoctor’soffice。YouforgotaboutoldMrs。Latimer，theotherday，andwhenIgotthereshehadalmostchokedtodeath。Nowgetbacktotheoffice，andremember，thenexttimeyouforgetanything，I’llhireanotherboy；rememberthat！Thatboy’shead，"heremarkedtohiscompanions，afterDavehadgone，"remindsmeofnothingsomuchasadriedgourd，withahandfulofcowpeasrattlingaroundit，inlieuofgraymatter。AnoldwomanoutinRedbankgotafishboneinherthroat，theotherday，andnearlychokedtodeathbeforeIgotthere。Awhitewoman，sir，cameverynearlosingherlifebecauseofalazy，triflingnegro！"
"Ishouldthinkyouwoulddischargehim，sir，"
suggestedTryon。
"Whatwouldbetheuse？"rejoinedthedoctor。
"Allnegroesarealike，exceptthatnowandthenthere’saprettywomanalongtheborder—line。
Takethispatientofmine，forinstance，——I’llcallonherafterdinner，hercaseisnotserious，——thirtyyearsagoshewouldhavemadeanymanturnhisheadtolookather。YouknowwhoImean，don’tyou，judge？"
"Yes。Ithinkso，"saidthejudgepromptly。
"I’vetransactedalittlebusinessforhernowandthen。"
"Idon’tknowwhetheryou’veseenthedaughterornot——I’msureyouhaven’tforthepastyearorso，forshe’sbeenaway。Butshe’sintownnow，and，byJove，thegirlisreallybeautiful。
AndI’majudgeofbeauty。Doyouremembermywifethirtyyearsago，judge？"
"Shewasaveryhandsomewoman，Ed，"repliedtheotherjudicially。"IfIhadbeentwentyyearsyounger，Ishouldhavecutyouout。"
"Youmeanyouwouldhavetried。ButasI
wassaying，thisgirlisabeauty；Ireckonwemightguesswhereshegotsomeofit，eh，Judge？
Humannatureishumannature，butit’sad——dshamethatamanshouldbegetachildlikethatandleaveittolivethelifeopenforanegro。Ifshehadbeenbornwhite，theyoungfellowswouldbetumblingoveroneanothertogether。Hermotherwouldhavetolookafterherprettycloselyasthingsare，ifshestayedhere；butshedisappearedmysteriouslyayearortwoago，andhasbeenattheNorth，I’mtold，passingforwhite。
She’llprobablymarryaYankee；hewon’tknowanybetter，anditwillservehimright——she’sonlytoowhiteforthem。Shehasaverystrikingfigure，somethingontheGreekorder，statelyandslow—moving。Shehasthemannersofalady，too——abeautifulwoman，ifsheisanigger！"
"Iquiteagreewithyou，Ed，"remarkedthejudgedryly，"thatthemotherhadbetterlookcloselyafterthedaughter。"
"Ah，no，judge，"repliedtheother，withaflatteredsmile，"myadmirationforbeautyispurelyabstract。Twenty—fiveyearsago，whenIwasyounger"——
"Whenyouwereyoung，"correctedthejudge。
"WhenyouandIwereyounger，"continuedthedoctoringeniously，——"twenty—fiveyearsago，I
couldnothaveansweredformyself。ButIwouldadvisethegirltostayattheNorth，ifshecan。
She’scertainlyoutofplacearoundhere。"
Tryonfoundthesubjectalittletiresome，andthedoctor’senthusiasmnotatallcontagious。Hecouldnotpossiblyhavebeeninterestedinacoloredgirl，underanycircumstances，andhewasengagedtobemarriedtothemostbeautifulwhitewomanonearth。TomentionanegrowomaninthesameroomwherehewasthinkingofRenaseemedlittleshortofprofanation。Hisfriendthedoctorwasajovialfellow，butitwassurelydoubtfultastetorefertohiswifeinsuchaconversation。
HewasverygladwhenthedoctordroppedthesubjectandpermittedhimtogomoreintodetailaboutthematterwhichformedhisbusinessinPatesville。HetookoutofhispocketthepapersconcerningtheMcSwayneclaimandlaidthemonthejudge’sdesk。
"You’llfindeverythingthere，sir，——thenote，thecontract，andsomecorrespondencethatwillgiveyouthehangofthething。Willyoubeabletolookoverthemto—day？Ishouldlike，"headdedalittlenervously，"togobackto—morrow。"
"What！"exclaimedDr。Greenvivaciously，"insultourtownbystayingonlyoneday？Itwon’tbelongenoughtogetacquaintedwithouryoungladies。Patesvillegirlsarefamousfortheirbeauty。Butperhapsthere’saloadstoneinSouthCarolinatodrawyouback？Ah，youchangecolor！
Tomymindthere’snothingfinerthantheingenuousblushofyouth。Butwe’llspareyouifyou’llansweronequestion——isitserious？"
"I’mtobemarriedintwoweeks，sir，"answeredTryon。Thestatementsoundedverypleasant，inspiteoftheslightembarrassmentcausedbytheinquiry。
"Goodboy！"rejoinedthedoctor，takinghisarmfamiliarly——theywerebothstandingnow。
"YououghttohavemarriedaPatesvillegirl，butyoupeopledowntowardstheeasterncountiesseldomcomethisway，andweareevidentlytoolatetocatchyou。"
"I’lllookyourpapersoverthismorning，"saidthejudge，"andwhenIcomefromdinnerwillstopatthecourthouseandexaminetherecordsandseewhetherthere’sanythingwecangetholdof。Ifyou’lldropinaroundthreeorfouro’clock，Imaybeabletogiveyouanopinion。"
"Now，George，"exclaimedthedoctor，"we’llgobacktotheofficeforaspell，andthenI’lltakeyouhomewithmetoluncheon。"
Tryonhesitated。
"Oh，youmustcome！Mrs。GreenwouldneverforgivemeifIdidn’tbringyou。Strangersarerarebirdsinoursociety，andwhentheycomewemakethemwelcome。Ourenemiesmayoverturnourinstitutions，andtrytoputthebottomrailontop，buttheycannotdestroyourSouthernhospitality。
Therearesomanycarpet—baggersandothersocialvermincreepingintotheSouth，withtheYankeestryingtoforcetheniggersonus，thatit’sagenuinepleasuretogetacquaintedwithanotherrealSoutherngentleman，whomonecaninviteintoone’shousewithoutfearofcontamination，andbeforewhomonecanexpresshisfeelingsfreelyandbesureofperfectsympathy。"
XIII
ANINJUDICIOUSPAYMENT
WhenJudgeStraight’svisitorshaddeparted，hetookupthepaperswhichhadbeenlaidlooselyonthetableastheyweretakenoutofTryon’sbreast—
pocket，andcommencedtheirperusal。Therewasanoteforfivehundreddollars，manyyearsoverdue，butnotyetoutlawedbylapseoftime；acontractcoveringthetransactionoutofwhichthenotehadgrown；andseverallettersandcopiesoflettersmodifyingthetermsofthecontract。Thejudgehadglancedovermostofthepapers，andwasgettingwellintothemeritsofthecase，whenheunfoldedaletterwhichreadasfollows：——
MYDEARESTGEORGE，——Iamgoingawayforaboutaweek，tovisitthebedsideofanoldfriend，whoisveryill，andmaynotlive。Donotbealarmedaboutme，forIshallverylikelybebackbythetimeyouare。
返回顶部