第4章
lookingwoman，——evidentlyMrs。Woods，——andMilly。Thelattermanagedtoreachthesummer-housefirst，withapparentlyyouthfulalacrity，butreallytoexchange，inasingleglance，somemysteriousfemininesignalwithYerba。Thenshesaidwithbreathlessinfelicity:——
"Beforeyoutwogetboredwitheachothernow，Imusttellyouthere"sachanceofyouhavingmoretime。AuntyhaspromisedtosendoffanoteexcusingyoutotheReverendMother，ifshecanpersuadeMr。Hathawaytostayoverto-night。Butheretheyare。
[ToYerba]Auntyismostanxious，andwon"thearofhisgoing。"
Indeed，itseemedasifMrs。Woodswas，afterarefinedfashion，mostconcernedthatadistinguishedvisitorlikeMr。Hathawayshouldhavetouseherhouseasamereaccidentalmeeting-placewithhisward，withoutdeigningtoacceptherhospitality。ShewasreinforcedbyMr。Woods，whoenunciatedthesameideawithmoremasculinevigor；andbytheMayor，whoexpressedhisconvictionthataslightofthiskindtoRosariowouldbefeltintheSantaClaravalley。"Afterdinner，mydearHathaway，"concludedMr。
Woods，"afewofourneighborsmaydropin，whowouldbegladtoshakeyoubythehand——noformalmeeting，myboy——but，hangit!
THEYexpectit。"
PaullookedaroundforYerba。Therewasreallynoreasonwhyheshouldn"taccept，althoughanhouragotheideahadneverenteredhismind。Yet，ifhedid，hewouldlikethegirltoknowthatitwasforHERsake。Unfortunately，farfromexhibitinganyconcerninthematter，sheseemedtobepreoccupiedwithMilly，andonlythecharmingbackofherheadwasvisiblebehindMrs。Woods。Heaccepted，however，withahesitationthattooksomeofthegraciousnessfromhisyielding，andasensethathewasgivingastrangeimportancetoatrivialcircumstance。
Thenecessityofattachinghimselftohishostess，andmakingamoreextendedtourofthegrounds，forawhiledivertedhimfromanuneasyconsiderationofhispastinterview。Mrs。WoodshadknownYerbathroughtheschoolfriendshipofMilly，and，asfarasthereligiousrulesoftheconventwouldallow，hadalwaysbeendelightedtoshowheranyhospitality。Shewasabeautifulgirl——
didnotMr。Hathawaythinkso?——andagirlofgreatcharacter。Itwasapity，ofcourse，thatshehadneverknownamother"scare，andthatthepresentroutineofaboarding-schoolhadusurpedthetenderinfluencesofhome。Shebelieved，too，thatthesingularrotationofguardianshiphadleftthegirlpracticallywithoutacounselingfriendtorelyupon，except，perhaps，ColonelPendleton；
andwhileshe，Mrs。Woods，didnotforamomentdoubtthatthecolonelmightbeagoodfriendandapleasantcompanionofMEN，reallyhe，Mr。Hathaway，mustadmitthat，withhisreputationandhabits，hewashardlyafitassociateforayounglady。Indeed，Mr。WoodswouldhaveneverallowedMillytoinviteYerbahereifColonelPendletonwastohavebeenherescort。Ofcourse，thepoorgirlcouldnotchooseherownguardian，butMr。WoodssaidHEhadarighttochoosewhoshouldbehisniece"scompany。PerhapsMr。
Woodswasprejudiced，——mostmenwere，——yetsurelyMr。Hathaway，althoughaloyalfriendofColonelPendleton"s，mustadmitthatwhenitwasanopenscandalthatthecolonelhadfoughtaduelaboutanotoriouslycommonwoman，andevenblasphemouslydefendedherbeforeapartyofgentlemen，itwashightime，asMr。Woodssaid，thatheshouldberemandedtotheircompanyexclusively。No；
Mrs。Woodscouldnotadmitthatthiswasowingtotheinjusticeofherownsex!Menarereallytheoneswhomakethefussoverthosethings，justasthey，asMr。Hathawaywellknew，madethelaws!
No；itwasagreatpity，assheandherhusbandhadjustagreed，thatMr。Hathaway，ofalltheguardians，couldnothavebeenalwaysthehelpandcounselor——infact，theelderbrother——ofpoorYerba!
Paulwasconsciousthathewincedslightly，consistentlyandconscientiously，attherecollectionofcertainpassagesofhisyouth；inconsistentlyandmeanly，atthissuggestionofajointrelationshipwithYerba"smother。
"Ithink，too，"continuedMrs。Woods，"shehasworriedfoolishlyaboutthisridiculousmysteryofherparentage——asifitcouldmaketheslightestdifferencetoagirlwithaquarterofamillion，orasifthatdidn"tshowquiteconclusivelythatsheWASsomebody!"
"Certainly，"saidPaul，quickly，withareliefthatheneverthelessfeltwasridiculous。
"And，ofcourse，Idaresayitwillallcomeoutwhensheisofage。Isupposeyouknowifanyofthefamilyarestillliving?"
"Ireallydonot。"
"Ibegyourpardon，"saidMrs。Woods，withasmile。"Iforgotit"saprofoundsecretuntilthen。Buthereweareatthehouse；Iseethegirlshavewalkedovertoourneighbors"。Perhapsyouwouldliketohaveafewmomentstoyourselfbeforeyoudressfordinner，andyourportmanteau，whichhasbeensentfor，comesfromyourhotel。Youmustbetiredofseeingsomanypeople。"
Paulwasgladtoacceptanyexcuseforbeingalone，and，thankinghishostess，followedaservanttohisroom——alow-ceilingedbutluxuriouslyfurnishedapartmentonthefirstfloor。Herehethrewhimselfonacushionedloungethatfilledtheangleofthedeepembrasure——thethicknessoftheoldadobewalls——thatformedapartofthewooden-latticedwindow。ACapejessamineclimbingbesideitfilledtheroomwithitssubtle，intoxicatingperfume。Itwassostrong，andhefelthimselfsoirresistiblyoverpoweredandimpelledtowardsamerelyidlereverie，that，inordertothinkmoreclearlyandshutoutsomestrangeandunreasoningenthrallmentofhissenses，heroseandsharplyclosedthewindow。Thenhesatdownandreflected。
Whatwashedoinghere?andwhatwasthemeaningofallthis?Hehadcomesimplytofulfilladutytohispast，andpleaseahelplessandmisunderstoodoldacquaintance。Hehadperformedthatduty。Buthehadincidentallylearnedacertainfactthatmightbeimportanttothisfriend，andclearlyhisdutywassimplytogobackandreportit。Hewouldgainnothingmoreinthewayofcorroborationofitbystayingnow，iffurthercorroborationwererequired。ColonelPendletonhadalreadybeenuselesslyandabsurdlyperplexedaboutthepossiblediscoveryofthegirl"sparentage，anditseffectuponherfortunesandherself。Shehadjustsettledthatofherownaccord，and，withoutcommittingherselforothers，hadsuggestedareallysensibleplanbywhichalltroublewouldbeavoidedinfuture。Thatwasthecommon-sensewayoflookingatit。Hewouldlaytheplanbeforethecolonel，havehimjudgeofitsexpediencyanditsethics——andeventhequestionwhethershealreadyknewtherealtruth，orwasself-
deceived。Thatdone，hewouldreturntohisownaffairsinSacramento。Therewasnothingdifficultinthis，orthatneedworryhim，onlyhecouldhavedoneitjustaswellanhourago。
Heopenedthewindowagain。Thescentofthejessaminecameinasbefore，butmingledwiththecoolerbreathoftheroses。Therewasnothingintoxicatingorunrealinitnow；ratheritseemedagentlearomaticstimulant——ofthought。Longshadowsofunseenpoplarsbeyondbarredthegardenlanesandalleyswithbandsofblackandyellow。Aslantingpencilofsunshinethroughthetreeswasforamomentfocussedonabedofwaxencallasbeforeahedgeofceanothus，andstruckintodazzlingreliefthecoldwhitechalicesoftheflowersandthevividshininggreenoftheirbackground。
Presentlyitslidbeyondtoatinyfountain，beforeinvisible，andwroughtablindingmiracleoutofitsflashingandleapingspray。
Yetevenashegazedthefountainseemedtovanishslowly，thesunbeamslippedon，andbeyonditmovedtheshimmerofwhiteandyellowdresses。ItwasYerbaandMillyreturningtothehouse。
Well，hewouldnotinterrupthisreflectionsbyidlywatchingthem；
hewould，probably，seeagreatdealofYerbathatevening，andbythattimehewouldhavecometosomeconclusioninregardtoher。
Buthehadnottakenintoconsiderationhervoice，which，alwaysmusicalinitsSouthernintonationandquiteaudibleinthequietgarden，struckhimnowasbeingfullofjoyoussweetness。Well，shewascertainlyveryhappy——orverythoughtless。ShewasactuallyrompingwithMilly，andwasnowevidentlybeingchaseddowntherose-alleybythatvolatileyoungwoman。ThentheseswiftCamillasapparentlynearedthehouse，therewastherapidrustleofskirts，theskurryingoflittlefeetontheveranda，astumble，amouse-likeshriekfromMilly，andHERvoice，exhausted，dying，happy，brokenwithhalf-hushedlaughter，rosetohimonthebreathofthejessamineandrose。
SurelysheWASachild，and，ifachild，howhehadmisjudgedher!
Whatifallthathehadbelievedwasmaturedeliberationwasonlytheinnocentimaginingsofaromanticgirl，allthathehadtakenseriouslyonlyaschool-girl"sfoolishdream!Insteadofcombatingit，insteadofreasoningwithher，insteadoftryingtointerestherinotherthings，hehadevenhelpedonherillusions。Hehadtreatedherasifthetaintofhermother"sworldlinessandknowledgeofevilwasinherpureyoungflesh。Hehadrecognizedherasthedaughterofanadventuress，andnotashisward，appealingtohischivalrythroughherveryignorance——itmightbeherverychildishvanity。Hehadbroughttoaquestionoftenderandpatheticinterestonlyhisselfishopinionoftheworldandtheweaknessesofmankind。Thebloodcametohischeeks——withallhisexperiencedself-control，hehadnotlosttheyouthfultrickofblushing——andheturnedawayfromthewindowasifithadbreathedareproach。
Butoughthehaveevencontentedhimselfwithdestroyingherillusions——oughthenothavegonefartherandtoldherthewholetruth?Oughthenotfirsthavewonherconfidence——herememberedbitterly，now，howshehadintimatedthatshehadnoonetoconfidein——and，afterrevealinghermother"shistory，havestillpledgedhimselftokeepthesecretfromallothers，andassistedherinherplan?Itwouldnothavealteredthestateofaffairs，exceptsofarasshewasconcerned；theycouldhavecombinedtogether；hisreadywitwouldhavehelpedhim；andhissympathywouldhavesustainedher；but——
Howandinwhatwaycouldhehavetoldher?Leavingoutthedelicateanddifficultperiphrasebywhichhermother"sshamewouldhavetobeexplainedtoaninnocentschool-girl——whatrightcouldhehaveassumedtotellit?Astheguardianwhohadnevercounseledorprotectedher?Asanacquaintanceofhardlyanhourago?Whowouldhavesucharight?Alover——onwhoselipsitwouldonlyseematacitappealtohergratitudeorherfears，andwhomnosensitivegirlcouldacceptthereafter?No。Ahusband?Yes!Heremembered，withasuddenstart，whatPendletonhadsaidtohim。
GoodHeavens!HadPendletonthatideainhismind?Andyet——itseemedtheonlysolution。
AknockathisdoorwasfollowedbytheappearanceofMr。Woods。
Mr。Hathaway"sportmanteauhadcome，andMrs。Woodshadsentamessage，sayingthatinviewofthelimitedtimethatMr。Hathawaywouldhavewithhisward，Mrs。Woodswouldforegoherrighttokeephimathersideatdinner，andyieldherplacetoYerba。Paulthankedhimwithagraveinwardsmile。Whatifhemadehisdramaticdisclosuretoherconfidentiallyoverthesoupandfish?
Yet，inhisconstantlyrecurringconvictionofthegirl"sindependence，hemadenodoubtshewouldhavemethisbrutalitywithunflinchingprideandself-possession。Hebegantodressslowly，attimesalmostforgettinghimselfinanewkindofpleasantapathy，whichheattributedtotheodoroftheflowers，andthesofterhushoftwilightthathadcomeonwiththedyingawayofthetradewinds，andtherestfulspiceofthebay-treesnearhiswindow。HepresentlyfoundhimselfnotsomuchthinkingofYerbaasofSEEINGher。Apictureofherinthesummer-housecaressinghercheekwiththerosesseemedtostandoutfromtheshadowsoftheblankwalloppositehim。Whenhepassedintothedressing-roombeyond，itwasnothisownfacehesawintheglass，buthers。Itwaswithastart，asifhehadheardHERvoice，thathefounduponhisdressing-tableasmallvasecontainingaflowerforhiscoat，withthepenciledwordsonacardinaschool-girl"shand，"FromYerba，withthanksforstaying。"Itmusthavebeenplacedtherebyaservantwhilehewasmusingatthewindow。
Halfadozenpeoplewerealreadyinthedrawing-roomwhenPauldescended。ItappearedthatMr。Woodshadinvitedcertainofhisneighbors——amongthemaJudgeBakerandhiswife，andDonCaesarBriones，oftheadjacentRanchoofLosPajaros，andhissister，theDonaAnna。MillyandYerbahadnotyetappeared。DonCaesar，ayoungmanofatoreadorbuild，roundlyblandinfaceandmurkyineye，seemedtonoticetheirabsence，andkepthisglancestowardsthedoor，whilePaulengagedinconversationwithDonaAnna——ifthatwordcouldconveyanimpressionofaconventionalitywhichthatgood-humoredyoungladyconvertedintoananimatedflirtationatthesecondsentencewithasingleglanceandtwoshakesofherfan。AndthenMillyflutteredin——avisionofschool-girlfreshnessandwhitetulle，andamomentlater——withapauseofexpectation——atall，gracefulfigure，thatatfirstPaulscarcelyrecognized。
Itisapopularconceitofoursexthatwearesuperiortoanyeffectoffeminineadornment，andthataprettygirlisequallyprettyinthesimplestfrock。YettherewasnotamanintheroomwhodidnotbelievethatYerbainherpresentattirewasnotonlyfarprettierthanbefore，butthatsheindicatedanewandmoredelicateformofbeauty。Itwasnotthemererevelationofcontourandcolorofanordinarydecolletedress，itwasaperfectpresentmentofpuresymmetryandcarriage。Inthisblackgrenadinedress，trimmedwithjet，notonlywasthedelicatesatinsheenofherskinmadeclearerbycontrast，butshelookedeveryinchherfullheight，withanidealexaltationofbreedingandculture。Sheworenojewelryexceptasmallnecklaceofpearls——sosmallitmighthavebeenachild"s——thatfittedherslenderthroatsotightlythatitcouldscarcelybetoldfromthefleshthatitclasped。Pauldidnotknowthatitwasthegiftofthemothertothechildthatshehadforswornonlyafewweeksbeforeshepartedfromherforever；buthehadavaguefeelingthat，inthatsabledressthatseemedlikemourning，shewalkedatthefuneralofhermother"spast。Afewwhiteflowersinhercorsage，thecompanionsofthesolitaryoneinhisbutton-hole，weretheonlyrelief。
Theireyesmetforasinglemoment，thelookofadmirationinPaul"sbeingansweredbythenaiveconsciousnessinYerba"sofawomanlookingherbest；butthenextmomentsheappearedpreoccupiedwiththeothers，andtheeageradvancesofDonCaesar。
"YourbrotherseemstoadmireMissYerba，"saidPaul。
"Ah，ye——es，"returnedDonaAnna。"Andyou?"
"Oh!"saidPaul，gayly，"I?Iamherguardian——withmeitissimpleegotism，youknow。"
"Ah!"returnedthearchDonaAnna，"youarethenalreadySOcertainofher?Good!Ishallwarnhim。"
Aprecautionthatdidseemnecessary；aslater，whenPaul，atasignalfromhishostess，offeredhisarmtoYerba，theyoungSpaniardregardedhimwithalookofstartledcuriosity。
"Ithankyouforselectingmetowearyourcolors，"saidPaulwithaglanceattheflowersinhercorsage，astheysatattable，"andIthinkIdeservethem，since，butforyou，IshouldhavebeenonmywaytoSanFranciscoatthismoment。ShallIhaveanopportunityoftalkingtoyouafewminuteslaterintheevening?"
headded，inalowertone。
"Whynotnow?"returnedYerba，mischievously。"Wearesethereexpresslyforthatpurpose。"
"Surelynottotalkofourownbusiness——Ishouldsay，ofourFAMILYaffairs，"saidPaul，lookingatherwithequalplayfulness；
"thoughIbelieveyourfriendDonCaesar，opposite，wouldbemorepleasedifheweresurethatwasallwedid。"
"Andyouthinkhissisterwouldshareinthatpleasure?"retortedYerba。"Iwarnyou，Mr。Hathaway，thatyouhavebeenquitejustifyingtheReverendMother"sdoubtsaboutyourvenerablepretensions。Everybodyisstaringatyounow。"
Paullookedupmechanically。Itwastrue。Whetherfromsomeoccultsympathy，fromahumantendencytoadmireobviousfitnessandsymmetry，ortheinnocentlovewithwhichtheworldregardsinnocentlovers，theywereallobservingYerbaandhimselfwithundisguisedattention。Agoodtalker，hequicklyledtheconversationtoothertopics。ItwasthenthathediscoveredthatYerbawasnotonlyaccomplished，butthatthisconvent-bredgirlhadacquiredasingularbreadthofknowledgeapartfromtheordinaryroutineoftheschoolcurriculum。Shespokeandthoughtwithindependentperceptionsandclearness，yetwithoutthetactlessnessandmasculineabruptnessthatisapttodetractfromfeminineoriginalityofreflection。
Bysometacitunderstandingthathadthecharmofmutualconfidence，theybothexertedthemselvestopleasethecompanyratherthaneachother，andPaul，intheinterchangeofsallieswithDonaAnna，hadacertainpleasureinhearingYerbaconverseinSpanishwithDonCaesar。Butinafewmomentsheobserved，withsomeuneasiness，thattheyweretalkingoftheoldSpanishoccupation，andpresentlyoftheoldSpanishfamilies。Wouldsheprematurelyexposeanignorancethatmightbehereafterrememberedagainsther，orinvitesomedreadfulgenealogicalreminiscencethatwoulddestroyherhopesandrazeherSpanishcastles?Orwasshesimplycollectinginformation?Headmiredthedexteritywithwhich，withoutcommittingherself，shemadeDonCaesaropenlyandevenconfidentiallycommunicative。Andyethewasonthorns；attimesitseemedasifhehimselfwereplayingapartinthisimpostureofYerba"s。Hewasawarethathiswanderingattentionwasnoticedbythequick-wittedDonaAnna，whenheregainedhisself-possessionbywhatappearedtobeahappydiversion。ItwasthevoiceofMrs。JudgeBakercallingacrossthetabletoYerba。Byoneofthepeculiaraccidentsofgeneralconversation，itwastheoneapparentlytrivialremarkthatinapausechallengedtheearsofall。
"Wewereadmiringyournecklace，MissYerba。"
Everyeyewasturnedupontheslenderthroatofthehandsomegirl。
Theexcusewassonatural。
Yerbaputherhandtoherneckwithasmile。"Youarejoking，Mrs。
Baker。Iknowitisridiculouslysmall，butitisachild"snecklace，andIwearitbecauseitwasagiftfrommymother。"
Paul"sheartsankagainwithconsternation。Itwasthefirsttimehehadheardthegirldistinctlyconnectherselfwithheractualmother，andforaninstanthefeltasstartledasiftheforgottenOutcastherselfhadreturnedandtakenaseatattheboard。
"Itoldyouitcouldn"tbeso?"remarkedMrs。Baker，toherhusband。
Everybodynaturallylookedinquiringlyuponthecouple，andMrs。
Bakerexplainedwithasmile:"Bobthinkshe"sseenitbefore；menaresoobstinate。"
"Pardonme，MissYerba，"saidtheJudge，blandly，"wouldyoumindshowingittome，ifitisnottoomuchtrouble?"
"Notatall，"saidYerba，smiling，anddetachingthecircletfromherneck。"I"mafraidyou"llfinditratherold-fashioned。"
"That"sjustwhatIhopetofindit，"saidJudgeBaker，withatriumphantglanceathiswife。"ItwaseightyearsagowhenIsawitinTucker"sjewelryshop。IwantedtobuyitformylittleMinnie，butasthepricewassteepIhesitated，andwhenIdidmakeupmymindhehaddisposedofittoanothercustomer。Yes，"headded，examiningthenecklacewhichYerbahadhandedtohim。"Iamcertainitisthesame:itwasunique，likethis。Odd，isn"tit?"
EverybodysaiditWASodd，andlookedupontheoccurrencewiththatunreasoningsatisfactionwithwhichaveragehumanityreceivesthemosttrivialandunmeaningcoincidences。ItwaslefttoDonCaesartogiveitagallantapplication。
"Ihavenot-athepleasureofknowing-atheMissMinnie，butthejewelry，whenshearrives，tothethroat-aofMissYerba，shehasnotlostthevalue——thebeauty——thecharm。"
"No，"saidWoods，cheerily。"Thefactis，Baker，youweretooslow。MissYerba"sfolksgobbledupthenecklacewhileyouwerethinking。Youwereanew-comer。Old"forty-niners"didnothesitateoverathingtheywanted。"
"Youneverknewwhowasyoursuccessfulrival，eh?"saidDonaAnna，turningtoJudgeBakerwithacuriousglanceatPaul"spalefaceinpassing。
"No，"saidBaker，"but"——hestoppedwithahesitatinglaughandsomelittleconfusion。"No，I"vemixeditupwithsomethingelse。
It"ssolongago。Ineverknew，orifIdidI"veforgotten。ButthenecklaceIremember。"HehandeditbacktoYerbawithabow，andtheincidentended。
PaulhadnotlookedatYerbaduringthisconversation，anunreasoninginstinctthathemightconfuseher，anequallyunreasoningdreadthathemightseeherconfusedbyothers，possessinghim。Andwhenhedidglanceathercalm，untroubledface，thatseemedonlyalittlesurprisedathisownsingularcoldness，hewasbynomeansrelieved。Hewasonlyconvincedofonething。Inthelastfiveminuteshehadsettledupontheirrevocabledeterminationthathispresentrelationswiththegirlcouldexistnolonger。Hemusteithertellhereverything，orseehernomore。Therewasnomiddlecourse。Shewasonthebrinkofanexposureatanymoment，eitherthroughherignoranceorherunhappypretension。Inhisintolerableposition，hewasequallyunabletocontemplateherperil，acceptherdefense，orhimselfdefendher。
Asif，withsomefeminineinstinct，shehadattributedhissilencetosomejealousyofDonCaesar"sattentions，shemorethanonceturnedfromtheSpaniardtoPaulwithanassuringsmile。Inhisanxiety，hehalfacceptedtheratherhumiliatingsuggestion，andmanagedtosaytoher，inalowertone:——
"OnthislastvisitofyourAmericanguardian，onewouldthink，youneednotalreadyanticipateyourSpanishrelations。"
Hewasthrilledwiththemischievousyetfaintlytenderpleasurethatsparkledinhereyesasshesaid，——
"YouforgetitismyAmericanguardian"sFIRSTvisit，aswellashislast。"
"Andasyourguardian，"hewenton，withhalf-veiledseriousness，"Iprotestagainstyourallowingyourtreasures，thepropertyoftheTrust，"hegazeddirectlyintoherbeautifuleyes，"beinghandledandcommenteduponbyeverybody。"
Whentheladieshadleftthetable，hewas，foramoment，relieved。
Butonlyforamoment。JudgeBakerdrewhischairbesidePaul"s，and，takinghiscigarfromhislips，said，withaperfunctorylaugh:——
"Isay，Hathaway，Ipulledupjustintimetosavemyselffrommakinganawfulspeech，justnow，toyourward。"
Paullookedathimwithcoldcuriosity。
"Yes。Gad!DoyouknowWHOwasmyrivalinthatnecklacetransaction?"
"No，"saidPaul，withfrigidcarelessness。
"Why，KateHoward!Fact，sir。Sheboughtitrightundermynose——
andoverbidme，too。"
Pauldidnotlosehisself-possession。ThankstothefactthatYerbawasnotpresent，andthatDonCaesar，whohadoverheardthespeech，movedforwardwithasuggestiveandunpleasantsmile，hisagitationcongealedintoacoldlyplacidfury。
"AndIsuppose，"hereturned，withperfectcalmness，"that，aftertheusualhabitofthisclassofwomen，thenecklaceverysoonfounditswayback，throughthepawnbroker，tothejeweleragain。
It"sacommonfate。"
"Yes，ofcourse，"saidJudgeBaker，cheerfully。"You"requiteright。That"sundoubtedlythesolutionofit。But，"withalaugh，"Ihadanarrowescapefromsayingsomething——eh?"
"Averynarrowescapefromanapparentlygratuitousinsult，"saidPaul，gravely，butfixinghiseyes，nowmoreluminousthaneverwithanger，notonthespeakersbutonthefaceofDonCaesar，whowasstandingathisside。"youwereabouttosay，"——
"Eh——oh——ah!thisKateHoward?So!Ihaveheardofher——yees!
AndMissYerba——ah——sheisofmycountry——Ithink。Yes——weshallclaimher——ofatruth——yes。"
"Yourcountrymen，Ibelieve，areinthehabitofmakingclaimsthataremoreoftenfoundedonprofitthanverity，"saidPaul，withsmilelessandinsultingdeliberation。Heknewperfectlywhathewassaying，andtheresultheexpected。Onlytwenty-fourhoursbeforehehadsmiledatPendleton"sideaofavertingscandalanddiscoverybyfighting，yethewasendeavoringtopickaquarrelwithaman，merelyonsuspicion，forthesamepurpose，andhesawnothingstrangeinit。Avagueidea，too，thatthiswouldirrevocablyconfirmhiminoppositiontoYerba"sillusionsprobablydeterminedhim。
ButDonCaesar，albeitsmilinglividly，didnotseeminclinedtopickupthegauntlet，andWoodsinterferedhastily。"DonCaesarmeansthatyourwardhassomeideaherselfthatsheisofSpanishorigin——atleast，Millysaysso。Butofcourse，asoneoftheoldesttrustees，YOUknowthefacts。"
InanothermomentPaulwouldhavecommittedhimself。"Ithinkwe"llleaveMissYerbaoutofthequestion，"hesaid，coldly。"Myremarkwasageneralone，although，ofcourse，Iamresponsibleforanypersonalapplicationofit。"
"Spokenlikeapolitician，Hathaway，"saidJudgeBaker，withaneffusiveenthusiasm，whichhehopedwouldatoneforthealarmingresultsofhisinfelicitousspeech。"That"sright，gentlemen!Youcan"tgetthefactsfromhimbeforeheisreadytogivethem。Keepyoursecret，Mr。Hathaway，thecourtiswithyou。"
Nevertheless，astheypassedoutoftheroomtojointheladies，theMayorlingeredalittlebehindwithWoods。"It"seasytoseetheinfluenceofthatPendletononouryoungfriend，"hesaid，significantly。"Somebodyoughttotellhimthatit"splayedoutdownhere——asPendletonis。It"squiteenoughtoruinhiscareer。"
Paulwastooobservantnottonoticethis，butitbroughthimnosenseofremorse；andhisyouthfulbeliefinhimselfandhispowerkepthimfromconcern。Hefeltasifhehaddonesomething，ifonlytoshowDonCaesarthatthegirl"sweaknessorignorancecouldnotbetradeduponwithimpunity。Buthewasstillundecidedastothecourseheshouldpursue。Butheshoulddeterminethatto-
night。Atpresentthereseemednochanceoftalkingtoheralone——
shewasunconcernedlyconversingwithMillyandMrs。Woods，andalreadythevisitorswhohadbeeninvitedtothishurriedleveeinhishonorwerearriving。Inviewofhislateindiscretion，henervouslyexertedhisfullestpowers，andinaveryfewminuteswassurroundedbyabreathlessandadmiringgroupofworshipers。A
ludicrousresemblancetothesceneintheGoldenGateHotelpassedthroughhismind；heinvoluntarilyturnedhiseyestoseekYerbainthehalf-fear，half-expectationofmeetinghermischievoussmile。
Theirglancesmet；tohissurpriseherswassmileless，andinstantlywithdrawn，butnotuntilhehadbeenthrilledbyanunconsciousprepossessioninitsluminousdepthsthathescarcelydaredtodwellupon。WhatmatterednowthispassagewithDonCaesarortheplauditsofhisfriends?SHEwasproudofhim!
Yet，afterthatglance，shewasshy，preoccupyingherselfwithMilly，orevenlisteningsweetlytoJudgeBaker"ssomewhatpracticalandunromanticreminiscencesofthedeprivationsandthehardshipsofCaliforniaearlydays，asiftocondonehispastinfelicity。ShewaspleasantlyunaffectedwithDonCaesar，althoughshemanagedtodrawDonaAnnaintotheconversation；shewasunconventional，Paulfancied，toallbuthimself。Onceortwice，whenhehadartfullydrawnhertowardstheopenFrenchwindowthatledtothemoonlitgardenandshadowedveranda，shehadmanagedtolinkMilly"sarminherown，andhewasconfidentthatasuggestiontostrollwithhimintheopenairwouldbefollowedbyherinvitationtoMillytoaccompanythem。Disappointedandmortifiedashewas，hefoundsomesolaceinhermanner，whichhestillbelievedsuggestedthehopethatshemightbemadeaccessibletohispersuasions。Persuasionstowhat?Hedidnotknow。
Thelastguesthaddeparted；helingeredontheverandawithacigar，begginghishostandhostessnottotroublethemselvestokeephimcompany。MillyandYerbahadretiredtotheformer"sboudoir，but，astheyhadnotyetformallybadehimgoodnight，therewasachanceoftheirreturning。Hestillstayedoninthishopeforhalfanhour，andthen，acceptingYerba"scontinuedabsenceasatacitrefusalofhisrequest，heturnedabruptlyaway。
Butasheglancedaroundthegardenbeforereenteringthehouse，hewasstruckbyasingularcircumstance——awhitepatch，likeaforgottenshawl，whichhehadobservedonthedistantceanothushedge，andwhichhadatfirstthrilledhimwithexpectation，hadcertainlyCHANGEDITSPOSITION。Before，itseemedtobenearthesummer-house；nowitwas，undoubtedly，fartheraway。Couldthey，orSHEalone，haveslippedfromthehouseandbeawaitinghimthere?Withamutteredexclamationathisstupidityhesteppedhastilyfromtheverandaandwalkedtowardsit。Buthehadscarcelyproceededadozenyardsbeforeitdisappeared。Hereachedthesummer-house——itwasempty；hefollowedthelineofhedge——noonewasthere。Itcouldnothavebeenher，orshewouldhavewaited，unlesshewerethevictimofapracticaljoke。Heturnedimpatientlybacktothehouse，reenteredthedrawing-roombytheFrenchwindow，andwascrossingthehalf-litapartment，whenheheardaslightrustleintheshadowofthewindow。Helookedaroundquickly，andsawthatitwasYerba，inawhite，loosegown，forwhichshehadalreadyexchangedherblackeveningdress，leaningbackcomposedlyonthesofa，herhandsclaspedbehindhershapelyhead。
"IamwaitingforMilly，"shesaid，withafaintsmileonherlips。
Hefancied，inthemoonlightthatstreameduponher，thatherbeautifulfacewaspale。"Shehasgonetotheotherwingtoseeoneoftheservantswhoisill。WethoughtyouwereontheverandasmokingandIshouldhavecompany，untilIsawyoustartoff，andrushupanddownthehedgelikemad。"
Paulfeltthathewaslosinghisself-possession，andbecomingnervousinherpresence。"IthoughtitwasYOU，"hestammered。
"Me!Outinthegardenatthishour，alone，andinthebroadmoonlight?Whatareyouthinkingof，Mr。Hathaway?Doyouknowanythingofconventrules，oristhatyourideaofyourward"seducation?"
Hefanciedthat，thoughshesmiledfaintly，hervoicewasastremulousashisown。
"Iwanttospeakwithyou，"hesaid，withawkwarddirectness。"I
eventhoughtofaskingyoutostrollwithmeinthegarden。"
"Whynottalkhere?"shereturned，changingherposition，pointingtotheotherendofthesofa，anddrawingthewholeoverflowofherskirttooneside。"Itisnotsoverylate，andMillywillreturninafewmoments。"
Herfacewasinshadownow，buttherewasaglow-wormlightinherbeautifuleyesthatseemedfaintlytoilluminateherwholeface。
Hesankdownonthesofaatherside，nolongerthebrilliantandambitiouspolitician，but，itseemedtohim，ashopelesslyadreaming，inexperiencedboyaswhenhehadgivenherthenamethatnowwasallhecouldthinkof，andtheonlywordthatrosetohisfeverishlips。
"Yerba!"
"Iliketohearyousayit，"shesaidquickly，asiftoglossoverhisfirstomissionofherformalprefix，andleaningalittleforward，withhereyesonhis。"Onewouldthinkyouhadcreatedit。Youalmostmakemeregrettoloseit。"
Hestopped。Hefeltthatthelastsentencehadsavedhim。"ItisofthatIwanttospeak，"hebrokeoutsuddenlyandalmostrudely。
"Areyousatisfiedthatitmeansnothing，andcanmeannothing，toyou?Doesitawakennomemoryinyourmind——recallnothingyoucaretoknow?Think!Ibegyou，Iimploreyoutobefrankwithme!"
Shelookedathimwithsurprise。
"Ihavetoldyoualreadythatmypresentnamemustbesomeabsurdblunder，orsomeintentionalconcealment。ButwhydoyouwanttoknowNOW?"shecontinued，addingherfaintsmiletotheemphasis。
"Tohelpyou!"hesaid，eagerly。"Forthatalone!TodoallIcantoassistyou，ifyoureallybelieve，andwanttobelieve，thatyouhaveanother。Toaskyoutoconfideinme；totellmeallyouhavebeentold，allthatyouknow，thinkyouknow，orWANTtoknowaboutyourrelationshiptotheArguellos——orto——anyone。Andthentodevotemyselfentirelytoprovingwhatyoushallsayisyourdesire。Yousee，Iamfrankwithyou，Yerba。Ionlyaskyoutobeasfrankwithme；toletmeknowyourdoubts，thatImaycounselyou；yourfears，thatImaygiveyoucourage。"
"Isthatallyoucameheretotellme?"sheaskedquietly。
"No，Yerba，"hesaid，eagerly，takingherunresistingbutindifferenthand，"notall；butallthatImustsay，allthatI
havetherighttosay，allthatyou，Yerba，wouldpermitmetotellyouNOW。ButletmehopethatthedayisnotfardistantwhenI
cantellyouALL，whenyouwillunderstandthatthissilencehasbeenthehardestsacrificeofthemanwhonowspeakstoyou。"
"Andyetnotunworthyofarisingpolitician，"sheadded，quicklywithdrawingherhand。"Iagree，"shewenton，lookingtowardsthedoor，yetwithoutappearingtoavoidhiseagereyes，"andwhenI
havesettledupon"alocalhabitationandaname"weshallrenewthisinterestingconversation。Untilthen，asmyfourthofficialguardianusedtosay——hewasalawyer，Mr。Hathaway，likeyourself——
whenhewaswindinguphisconjecturesonthesubject——allthathaspassedistobeconsidered"withoutprejudice。""
"ButYerba"——beganPaul，bitterly。
Sheslightlyraisedherhandasiftocheckhimwithawarninggesture。"Yes，dear，"shesaidsuddenly，liftinghermusicalvoice，withamischievousside-glanceatPaul，asiftoindicateherconceptionoftheironyofapossibleapplication，"thisway。
Herewearewaitingforyou。"HerlisteningearhaddetectedMilly"sstepinthepassage，andinanothermomentthatcheerfulyoungwomandiscreetlystoppedonthethresholdoftheroom，witheveryexpressionofapologeticindiscretioninherface。
"Wehavefinishedourtalk，andMr。Hathawayhasbeensoconcernedaboutmyhavingnorealnamethathehasbeenpromisingmeeverything，buthisown，forasuitableone。Haven"tyou，Mr。
Hathaway?"Sheroseslowlyand，goingovertoMilly，putherarmaroundherwaistandstoodforoneinstantgazingathimbetweenthecurtainsofthedoorway。"Goodnight。Myveryproperchaperonisdreadfullyshockedatthismidnightinterview，andistakingmeaway。Onlythinkofit，Milly；heactuallyproposedtometowalkinthegardenwithhim!Goodnight，or，asmyancestors——don"tforget，MYANCESTORS——usedtosay:"Buenanoche——hastamanana!""
ShelingeredovertheSpanishsyllableswithanimitationofDonaAnna"slisp，andwithanothersmile，butmorefaintandmoreghostlikethanbefore；vanishedwithhercompanion。
Ateighto"clockthenextmorningPaulwasstandingbesidehisportmanteauontheveranda。
"Butthisisasuddenresolutionofyours，Hathaway，"saidMr。
Woods。"Canyounotpossiblywaitforthenexttrain?Thegirlswillbedownthen，andyoucanbreakfastcomfortably。"
"Ihavemuchtodo——morethanIimagined——inSanFranciscobeforeI
return，"saidPaul，quickly。"Youmustmakemyexcusestothemandtoyourwife。"
"Ihope，"saidWoods，withanuneasylaugh，"youhavehadnomorewordswithDonCaesar，orhewithyou?"
"No，"saidPaul，withareassuringsmile，"nothingmore，Iassureyou。"
"Foryouknowyou"readevilishquickfellow，Hathaway，"continuedWoods，"quiteasquickasyourfriendPendleton。And，bytheway，Bakerisawfullycutupaboutthatabsurdspeechofhis，youknow。
Cametomelastnightandwonderedifanybodycouldthinkitwasintentional。Itoldhimitwasd——dstupid，thatwasall。Iguesshiswifehadbeenathim。Ha!ha!Yousee，herememberstheoldtimes，wheneverybodytalkedofthesethings，andthatwomanHowardwasquiteacharacter。I"mtoldshewentofftotheStatesyearsago。"
"Possibly，"saidPaul，carelessly。Afterapause，asthecarriagedroveuptothedoor，heturnedtohishost。"Bytheway，Woods，haveyouaghosthere?"
"Thehouseisoldenoughforone。Butno。Why?"
"I"llswearIsawafiguremovingyonder，intheshrubbery，latelastevening；andwhenIcameuptoit，itmostunaccountablydisappeared。"
"OneofDonCaesar"sservants，Idaresay。Thereisoneofthem，anIndian，prowlingabouthere，I"vebeentold，atallhours。I"llputastoptoit。Well，youmustgothen?Dreadfullysorryyoucouldn"tstoplonger!Good-by!"
CHAPTERIV。
ItwastwomonthslaterthatMr。TonyShear，ofMarysville，butlatelyconfidentialclerktotheHon。PaulHathaway，enteredhisemployer"schambersinSacramento，andhandedthelatteraletter。
"IonlygotbackfromSanFranciscothismorning；butMr。SlatesaidIwastogiveyouthat，andifitsatisfiedyou，andwaswhatyouwanted，youwouldsenditbacktohim。"