第2章
"Sheisafairwoman；aboutforty-five。Sheisspeaking。Shecallstoyou，Brother，brother。"Vera"svoiceroseexcitedly。
"Itisthewomaninthepicture；yoursister!Catherine!Iseeitwrittenaboveherhead——Catherine。Inlettersoflight。"
Sheturnedsuddenlyandfiercely。"Askheryourquestion!"shecommanded。"Askheryourquestion，now!"
BythesuddenswayingforwardofVanceandRainey，intheintentlookintheireyes，itwasevidentthatacrisishadapproached。
ButMr。Hallowell，terrifiedandtrembling，shrankback。Hisvoicebrokehysterically。"No，no!"hepleaded。BothangeranddisappointmentshowedinthefaceofVanceandRainey；butthegirl，asthoughdetachedfromanyhumanconcerns，continuedunmoved。"Iseeanotherfigure，"sherecited。"Ayounggirl，butsheisofthisworld。IseemtogetanH。Yes。Helen，inlettersoffire。"
"Myniece，Helen!"Hallowellwhisperedhoarsely。
"Yes，yourniece，"chantedthegirl。Hervoiceroseandthrilled。"AndIseemuchgold，"shecried。"Betweenthetwowomen，heapsofgold。EverywhereIlookIseegold。And，now，theotherwoman，yoursister，istryingtospeaktoyou。Listen!
Shecallstoyou，Brother!"
Socenteredwastheinterestofthoseintheroom，socompellingthesoundofthegirl"svoice，that，unnoticed，theslidingdoorstothelibrarywereslippedapart。Unobserved，JudgeGaylorandWinthrophaltedinthedoorway。TotheJudgethemeaningofthescenewasinstantlyapparent。Hisfaceflushedfuriously。Winthrop，uncomprehending，gazedunconcernedoverGaylor"sshoulder。ThevoiceofVerarosehystericallytoherclimax。
"Shebidsmetellyou，"Veracried；"Tellmybrother——"
Gaylorswepttowardher。
"Whatdamnedfarceisthis？"heshouted。
Theeffectoftheinterruptionwasinstantandstartling。Mr。
Hallowell，who，inthelastfewminutes，hadbelievedhewaslisteningtoavoicefromthedead，collapsedupontheshoulderofRainey，whosprangtosupporthim。Likeasomnambulistwrenchedfromsleep，Veragaveascreamoffright，halfgenuine，halfassumed，andswayedasthoughabouttofall。Vancecaughtherinhisarms。HeturnedonGaylor，hiscunningredeyesflashingevilly。
"Youbrute!"hecried，"youmighthavekilledher。"
Betweenhersobs，Vera，herheadupontheshoulderofVance，whisperedaquestion。Asquickly，undercoverofmutteredsympathy，Vanceanswered:"Gaylor。TheJudge。"
Stillslightlyswaying，Verastoodupright。Shepassedherhandvaguelybeforehereyes。"WhereamI？"sheaskedfeebly。"WhereamI？"
Gaylorshookhisfistatthegirl。
"Youknowwhereyouare!"hethundered；"andyouknowwhereyou"regoing——you"regoingtojail!"
InthehushthatfollowedVeradrewherselftoherfullheight。
SheregardedGaylorwonderingly，haughtily，asthoughheweresomedrunkenintruderfromthestreet。
"Areyouspeakingtome？"sheasked。
"Yes，toyou，"shoutedthelawyer。"You"reanimposter，andaswindler，and——and——"
Winthroppushedbetweenthem。
"Yes，andshe"sawoman，"hesaidbriskly。"Ifyouwantarow，talktotheman。"
TothispointthescenehadbroughttoVeranoemotionsavetheexcitementthatisfeltbytheonewhoisstrugglingtoescape。
Theappearanceofachampionaddedanewinterest。Throughnofaultofherown，shehadlearnedbyexperiencethattotheonemanwhoannoyedhertherealwaysweresixtospringtoherprotection。SotheglanceshecovertlyturneduponWinthropwasonelessofgratitudethancuriosity。
Butatthefirstsightofhimthegirlstarted，hereyeslitwithrecognition，herfaceflushed。Andthen，althoughthemanwasinnowayregardingher，hereyesfilled，andinmortificationanddismaysheblushedcrimson。
Hisangerstillunsatisfied，GaylorturneduponVance。
"Andyou，"hecried；"you"regoingtojailtoo。I"lldrive——"
ThevoiceofMr。Hallowell，shakenwithpainanddistress，rosefeebly，beseechingly。"Henry!"hebegged。"Ican"tstandit!"
"JudgeGaylor!"thunderedRainey，"Iwon"tberesponsibleifyoukeepthisup。"
Withanexclamationofremorse，Verarantothesideoftheoldman。WithRaineyonhisotherhand，sheraisedhimuprightuponhisfeet。
"Leanonme，"beggedthegirlbreathlessly。"I"mverystrong。
Leanonme。"
Mr。Hallowellshookhishead。"No，child，"heprotested，"notyou。"Heturnedtohisoldfriend。"Youhelpme，Henry，"hebegged。
Withtheauthorityofthemedicalman，RaineywavedVanceintothebedroom。"Closethosewindows，"heordered。"Youhelpme!"
hecommandedofGaylor。"Putyourarmunderhim。"
Mr。Hallowell，protestingfeeblyandleaningheavilyuponthetwomen，stumbledintothebedroom，andthedoorwasshutbehindhim。
Foramomentthegirlandthemanstoodinsilence，andthen，asthoughsuddenlyconsciousofherpresence，Winthropturnedandsmiled。
Thegirldidnotanswerhissmile。Fromundertheshadowofthepicturehatandtheostrichfeathershereyesregardedhimsearchingly，watchfully。
Forthefirsttime，Winthrophadthechancetoobserveher。Hesawthatshewasveryyoung，thatherclothescruellydisguisedher，thatshewasonlyachildmasqueradingasabrigand，thatherfacewasdistractinglylovely。Havingnotedthis，thefactthatshehaddrivenseveralgrownmentoabuseandvituperationstruckhimasbeingextremelyhumorous；nordidhetrytoconcealhisamusement。Butthewatchfulnessintheeyesofthegirldidnotrelax。
"I"mafraidIinterferedwithyourseance，"saidtheDistrictAttorney。
Thegirlregardedhimwarily，likeafencerfixinghereyesonthoseofheropponent。Therewasapausewhichlastedsolongthathadthesilencecontinueditwouldhavebeenrude。"Well，"
thegirlreturnedatlast，timidly，"that"swhatthecityexpectsyoutodo，isitnot？"
Winthroplaughed。"HowdidyouknowwhoIwas？"heasked，andthenaddedquickly，"Ofcourse，you"reamindreader。"
Forthefirsttimethegirlsmiled。Winthropfounditacharmingsmile，wistfulandconfiding。
"Idon"thavetoaskthespiritworld，"shesaid，"totellmewhoisDistrictAttorneyofNewYork。"
"Yes，"saidtheDistrictAttorney；"yes，Isupposeyouhavetobeprettywellacquaintedwithsomeofthelaws——thoseaboutmediums？"
"Ifyouknewasmuchaboutotherlaws，"beganVera，"asIdoaboutthelaw——"Shebrokeoffandagainsmileduponhim。
"Thenyouprobablyknow，"saidWinthrop，"thatwhatourexcitedfriendsaidtoyoujustnowislegallyquitetrue？"
Thesmilepassedfromthefaceofthegirl。Shelookedattheyoungmanwithfinedisdain，asagreatladymightreprovewithaglancethemanwhosnappedacameraather。"Yes？"sheasked。
"Well，whatareyougoingtodoaboutit——arrestme？"Mockinghim，inaburlesqueofmelodrama，sheheldoutherarms。"Don"tputthehandcuffsonme，"shebegged。
Winthropfoundherimpudenceamusing；and，withthecharmofhernovelty，hewasconsciousofagrowingconvictionthat，somewhere，theyhadmetbefore；thatalreadyatacrisisshehadcomeintohislife。
"Iwon"tarrestyou，"hesaidwithapuzzledsmile，"ononecondition。"
"Ah!"mockedVera；"heisgenerous。"
"Andtheconditionis，"Winthropwentonseriously，"thatyoutellmewherewemetbefore？"
Thegirl"sexpressionbecameinstantlymask-like。Tolearnifhesuspectedwhereitwasthattheyhadmet，shesearchedhisfacequickly。Shewasreassuredthatoftheeventhehadnorealrecollection。
"That"sratherdifficult，isn"tit，"shecontinuedlightly，"whenyouconsiderI"vebeengivingexhibitionsofmindreadingsforthelastsixweeksonBroadway，andinthehomesofpeopleyouprobablyknow？"
"No，"Winthropexclaimedeagerly，"itwasn"tinatheatre，anditwasn"tinaprivatehouse。Itwas——"heshookhisheadhelplessly，andlookedatherforassistance。"Youdon"tknow，doyou？"
Thegirlregardedhimsteadily。"HowshouldI？"shesaid。Andthen，asthoughdecideduponacourseofactionofthewisdomofwhichshewasuncertain，shelaugheduneasily。
"Butthespiritswouldknow，"shesaid。"Imightaskthem。"
"Do!"criedWinthrop，delightedly。"Howmuchwouldthatbe？"
Asthoughtoreprovehisflippancy，thegirlfrowned。Withanervoustremor，whichthistimeseemedgenuineenough，shethrewbackherhead，closedhereyes，andlaidherarmacrossherforehead。
Winthrop，unobserved，watchedherwithasmile，partlyofamusement，partlyonaccountofherbeauty，ofadmiration。
"Isee——acourtroom，"saidthegirl。"Itisverymeanandbare。ItissomewhereuptheState；inasmalltown。Outside，therearetrees，andthesunisshining，andpeoplearewalkinginapublicpark。Inside，intheprisoner"sdock，thereisagirl。Shehasbeenarrested——fortheft。Shehaspleadedguilty!AndIsee——thatshehasbeenveryill——thatsheisfaintfromshame——andfear——andlackoffood。Andthereisayounglawyer。Heisdefendingher；heisaskingthejudgetobemerciful，becausethisisherfirstoffence，becauseshestolethecloaktogetmoneytotakeherwhereshehadbeenpromisedwork。Becausethisishisfirstcase。"
Winthropgaveagaspofdisbelief。
"Youdon"tmeantotellme——"hecried。
"Hush!"commandedthegirl。"Andhepersuadesthejudgetolethergo，"shecontinuedquickly，hervoiceshaking，"andheandthegirlwalkoutofthecourthousetogether。Andhetalkstoherkindly，andgiveshermoneytopayherwaytothepeoplewhohavepromisedherwork。"
Veradroppedherarm，andsteppingback，facedWinthrop。Throughhertearshereyeswereflashingproudly，gratefully；thefeelingthatshookhermadehervoicevibrate。Thegirlseemedproudofhertears，proudofherdebtofgratitude。
"AndI"veneverforgottenyou，"shesaid，hervoiceeagerandtrembling，"andwhatyoudidforme。AndI"vewatchedyoucometothiscity，andfightit，andfightit，untilyoumadethemputyouwhereyouare。"Shestoppedtocontrolhervoice，andsmiledathim。"Andthat"swhyIknewyouwereDistrictAttorney，"shesaid；"andplease——"shefumbledinthemeshpurseatherwaistandtakingabillfromit，threwituponthetable。"Andplease，there"sthemoneyIoweyou，and——and——I
thankyou——andgoodbye。"Sheturnedandalmostranfromhimtowardthedoortothehall。
"Stop!"criedWinthrop。
Poisedforflight，thegirlhalted，andlookedback。
"WhencanIseeyouagain？"saidtheman。Thetonemadeitlessaquestionthanacommand。
Inamannerasdeterminedashisown，thegirlshookherhead。
"No!"shesaid。
"Imust!"returnedtheman。
Againthegirlshookherhead，definitely，finally。
"Itwon"thelpyouinyourwork，"shepleaded，"tocometoseeme。"
"Imust!"repeatedWinthropsimply。
Theeyesofthegirlmethis，appealingly，defiantly。
"You"llbesorry，"saidthegirl。
Winthroplaughedaneager，boyishlaugh。Whenhespokethetensenessinhisvoicehadgone。Histonewasconfident，bantering。
"ThenIwillnotcometoseeyou，"hesaid。
Uncertain，puzzled，Veralookedathimindistress。Shethoughthewasmockingher。
"No？"shequestioned。
"I"llcometoseeVera，themedium，"heexplained。
Verafrowned，andthen，inhappyembarrassment，smiledwistfully。
"Oh，well，"shestammered；"ofcourse，ifyou"recomingtoconsultmeprofessionally——myhoursarefromfourtosix。"
"I"llbethere，"criedtheDistrictAttorney。
Veraleanedforwardeagerly。
"Whatdaywillyoucome？"shedemanded。
"Whatday!"exclaimedtheyoungmanindignantly。"Why，thisday!"
Veragaveaguilty，frightenedlaugh。
"Oh，willyou？"sheexclaimeddelightedly。Sheclaspedherfingersinagestureofdismay。"Oh，Ihopeyouwon"tbesorry!"
shecried。
ForsomemomentstheDistrictAttorneyofNewYorkstoodlookingatthedoorthroughwhichshehaddisappeared。
PartII
ThehomeoftheVanceswasinThirty-fifthStreet，nearlyoppositetheGarrickTheatre。Itwasoneofarowofold-
fashionedbrickhouseswithhighsteps。Astheseekeraftertruthenteredthefronthall，hesawbeforehimthestairstothesecondstory；onhisright，thefoldingdoorsofthe"frontparlor，"andatthefarendofthehall，asingledoorthatledtowhatwas，intheolddays，beforethisrowofhouseshadbeenconvertedintooffices，thefamilydiningroom。ToVeratheVanceshadgiventheuseofthisroomasa"receptionparlor。"
Thevisitorfirstenteredtheroomonhisright，fromitpassedthroughanotherpairoffoldingdoorstothereceptionparlor，andthen，whenhisaudiencewasatanend，departedbythesingledoortothehall，andso，tothestreet。
Thereceptionparlorborebutlittlelikenesstoacaveofmystery。Therewerenoshadedlights，nostuffedalligator，noIndiandraperies，noblackcat。Onatable，inthecentre，underaheavyandhideouschandelierwithbronzegasjets，wasagreenvelvetcushion。Onthisnestledaninnocentballofcrystal。
BesideitlaytheivoryknittingneedlewithwhichVerapointedout，inthehandofthevisitor，thoselinesthatshowedhewouldbetwicemarried，wasofanambitioustemperament，andwouldmakeasuccessuponthestage。Inacornerstoodawoodencabinetthatresembledasentryboxonwheels。Itwasfromthis，oncertainevenings，beforeaselectcircleofspiritualists，thatVeraprojectedtheghostsofthedeparted。Hanginginsidethecabinetwasasilver-giltcrownandacloakofblackvelvet，linedwithpurplesilkandcoveredingoldthreadwithsignsofthezodiac。
SavethatthesestagepropertiesillustratedthetasteofMabelVance，theroomwasofnointerest。Itheldarubberplant，aredvelvetrockingchair，acrossthebackofwhichMrs。VancehaddrapedaNeapolitanscarf；anuprightpiano，uponwhichEmmanuelDay，or，ashewasknowntothecross-roadsofBroadwayandForty-secondstreet，"Mannie"Day，provokedthemostmarvelousrag-time，anenlargedphotographincrayon，ofProfessorVance，inafrockcoatandlawntie，achinabulldog，coquettishlydecoratedwithabluebow，and，onthemantelpiece，twotallbeersteinsandahandtelephone。FromthelongwindowsoneobtainedaviewoftheironshuttersofthenewdepartmentstoreinThirty-fourthStreet，andofagarden，justlargeenoughtocontainasumachtree，arefrigerator，andthepacking-caseinwhichthepianohadarrived。
AfterleavingWinthrop，withoutwaitingforVance，VerahadreturneddirectlytothehouseinThirty-fifthStreet，andlockedherselfinherroom。Andalthough"Mannie"Dayhadalreadyusheredtwovisitorsintothefrontroom，Verahadnotyetcomedownstairs。Inconsequence，MabelVancewasinpossessionofthereceptionparlor。
Mrs。Vancewasplump，pink-and-blonde，credulousandvulgar，butatalltimesoftheutmostgoodhumor。HeradmirationforVerawasequaledonlybyheraweofher。Onthisparticularafternoon，althoughitalreadywasafterfiveo"clock，Mrs。
Vancestillworeashortdressingsack，openatthethroat，andheavywithsomewhatsoiledlace。Butherblondehairwasfreshly"marcelled，"andhernailspinkandshining。IntheabsenceofVera，shewasmakingasurreptitiousandguiltyuseofthetelephone。Fromthefactthatinherlefthandsheheldthemorningtelegraphopenatthe"previousperformances"ofthehorses，andthatthepagehadbeencruellylaceratedbyahatpin，itwasfairtosupposethatwhoeverwasattheotherendofthewire，wastemptingherwiththeclosingoddsattheraces。
Inherspeculations，shewasinterruptedby"Mannie"Day，whoenteredsoftythroughthedoorfromthehall。
"Mannie"Daywasayouthoftwenty-four。Itwashisheart"sdesiretobea"Broadwayard。"Hewantedtoknowallofthose，andtobeknownonlybythose，whomovedbetweenthegiantpillarsthatNewYorkthrewintotheskytomarkherprogressNorth。
HeknewthesoiledWhiteWayastheoldestinhabitantknowsthesinglestreetofthevillage。HeknewitfromtheRathskellersunderground，totheroofgardensinthesky；inhisfirmamentthestarsweretheelectricadvertisementsoverLongAcreSquare，hismotherearthwasasphalt，thebreathofhisnostrilsgasolene，thetelegraphwashisBible。HisgriefwasthatnooneintheTenderloinwouldtakehimseriously；wouldbelievehimwicked，wise，predatory。Theymightlovehim，theymightlaughwithhim，theymightclamorforhiscompany，innoflatthatcouldboastapiano，washenot，onhisentrance，greetedwithashout；buttherealKnightsoftheHighwaytreatedhimalwaysasthequestioning，wide-eyedchild。Inspiteofhisafter-midnightpallor，inspiteofhishonorablescarsofdissipation，itwashismisfortunetobecursedwithasmilethatwasaperpetualpleaof"notguilty。"
"Whatcanyouexpect？"anoutspokenfriend，whomadealivingasawirelesswiretapper，hadoncepointedouttohim。"Thatsmileofyourscouldopenasafe。Itcouldmakeashowgirlgiveupmoney!It"sanalibiforeverythingfromoverspeedingtomurder。"
Mannie，ashelistened，flushedwithmortification。Fromthatmomenthedeterminedthathislifeshouldbedevotedtogivingthelietothatsmile，tothatoutwardandvisiblesignofkindness，goodwill，andinnateinnocence。Asyet，hehadnotsucceeded。
HeinterruptedMabelatthetelephonetoinquirethewhereaboutsofVera。"There"stwogirlsinthere，now，"hesaid，"waitingtohavetheirfortunesdoped。"
"Let"emwait!"exclaimedMabel。"Vera"supstairsdressing。"Inhereyeswasthebalefulglareoftheplunger。"Whatwasthatyougivemeinthethirdrace？"
Atthefirsttouchoftherulingpassion，whatinterestManniemayhavefeltfortheimpatientvisitorsvanished。"Notinthethird，"hecorrectedbriskly。"Keeneentrywinthethird。"
Mabelappealedbreathlesslytothetelephone。"WhatpricetheKeeneentryinthethird？"SheturnedtoManniewithreproachfuleyes。"Evenmoney!"shecomplained。
"That"swhatItoldyou，"retortedMannie。Heloweredhisvoice，andgazedapprehensivelytowardthefrontparlor。"Ifyouwantareallygoodthing，"hewhisperedhoarsely，"askJoewhatPompadourisinthefifth!"Mabellaughedscornfully，disappointedly。
"Pompadour!"shemocked。
"That"sright!"criedtheexpert。"That"stheonedailyhintfromParistoday。Joewillgiveyouthirtytoone。"
Uponthedefenselesswomanheturnedthefullforceofhisaccursedsmile。"Putfiveonforme，Mabel？"hebegged。
WithunexpecteddeterminationofcharacterMabeldeclaredsharplythatshewoulddonothingofthesort。
"Two，then？"entreatedtheboy。
"Where，"demandedMabelunfeelingly，"isthetwentyyouowemenow？"
TheabruptnessofthisunsportsmanlikeblowbelowthebeltcausedMannietowince。
"HowdoIknowwhereitis？"heprotested。"Aslongasyouhaven"tgotit，whydoyoucarewhereitis？"Heheardthedoorfromthehallopenand，turning，sawVera。Heappealedtoher。
"Vera，"hecried，"You"llloanmetwodollars？Istandtowinsixty。I"llgiveyouthirty。"
VeralookedinquiringlyatMabel。"Whatisit，Mabel，:"sheasked，"ahandbook？"
Mrs。Vancenoddedguiltily。
"Mannie!"exclaimedVeragentlybutreproachfully，"ItoldyouI
wouldn"tloanyouanymoremoneytillyoupaidMabelwhatyou"veborrowed。"
"HowcanIpayMabelwhatIborrowed，"demandedMannie，ifI
can"tborrowthemoneyfromyoutopayher？Onlytwodollars，Vera!"
VeranoddedtoMabel。
Mabel，atthephone，called，"TwodollarsonPompadour——to——
win——forMannieDay，"andrangoff。
"Thatmakesthirtyforyou，"exclaimedMannieenthusiastically，"andtwentyIowetoMabel，andthatleavesmeten。"
Mrs。Vance，nolongeroccupiedinthewhirlpoolofspeculation，forthefirsttimeobservedthatVerahadchangedhermatronlyrobeofblacklaceforashortwhiteskirtandawhiteshirtwaist。ShenotedalsothattherewasachangeinVera"sfaceandmanner。Shegaveanimpressionofnervouseagerness，ofunrest。Hersmileseemedmoreappealing，wistful，girlish。Shelookedlikeachildoffourteen。
ButMabelwasconcernedmoreespeciallywiththerobeofvirginwhite。
Forthemonth，whichwasJuly，thecostumewasappropriate，but，intheopinionofMabel，innowaysuitedtothepriestessoftheoccultandthemysterious。
"Why，Vera!"exclaimedMrs。Vance，"whateverhaveyougoton？
Ain"tyougoingtoreceivevisitors？There"stendollarswaitingintherenow。"
Insuddenapprehension，Veralookeddownatherspotlessgarments。
"Don"tIlooknice？"shebegged。
"Ofcourseyoulooknice，dearie，"Mabelassuredher，"butyoudon"tlooklikenofortuneteller。"
"Ifyouwanttoknowwhatyoulooklike，"saidManniesternly，"youlooklikeoneofthewaitergirlsatChilds"s——that"swhatyoulooklike。"
"Andyourcrown!"exclaimedMabel，"andyourkimono。Ain"tyougoingtowearyourkimono？"
Shehastenedtothecabinetandproducedthecloakofblackvelvetandspangles，andthesilver-giltcrown。
"No，Iamnot!"declaredVera。Sheworethefrightenedlookofamutinouschild。"I——Ilookso——foolishinthem!"
SuchheresycausedMannietogaspaloud；"Youlookgrandinthem，"heprotested；"don"tshe，Mabel？"
"Sureshedoes，"assentedthatlady。
"Andyourjunk？"demandedMannie，referringtothejadenecklaceandthegold-platedbracelets。Hiseyesopenedinsympathy。
"Youhaven"tpawnedthem，haveyou？"
"Pawnedthem？"laughedVera；"Icouldn"tgetanythingonthem!"
Astheonlymasculinepointofviewavailable，sheappealedtoManniewistfully。"Don"tyoulikemebetterthisway，Mannie？"
shebegged。
Butthatcriticprotestedviolently。
"Notabitlikeit，"hecried。"Now，inthegoldtiaraandthespangledoperacloak，"hedifferentiated，"youlooklikeapicturepostalcard!YougotLottaFaust"sblueskirtbacktoLevey"s。Butnotinthewhitegoods!"Heshookhisheadsadly，firmly。"Youlook，now，likeyouwasmadeupforaMay-daypicnicintheBronx，andthey"dpickedonyoutobeQueenoftheMay。"
Mabelcarriedthemuch-admiredoperacloaktoVera，andhelditout，temptingher。"You"llwearit，justtopleasemeandMannie，won"tyou，dearie？"shebegged。Veraretreatedbeforeitasthoughitheldthegermsofcontagion。
"Iwillnot，"sherebelled。"Ihateit!WhenIhavethaton，I
feel——mean。IfeelasmeanasthoughIwerepickingpenniesoutofablindman"shat。"Mannieroaredwithdelight。
"Gee!"heshouted，"butthat"sahotone。"
"Besides，"saidVeraconsciously，"I"m——I"mexpectingsomeone。"
ThemannermorethanthewordsthrilledMabelwiththemostjoyfulexpectations。
Sheexclaimedexcitedly。"Agentlemanfriend，Vera？"sheasked。
ThatVerashunnedallyoungmenhadbeentoMabelasourceofwonderandofpride。Evenwhentheyoungmenwerethefriendsofherhusbandandofherself，thepreoccupiedmannerwithwhichVerareceivedthemdidnotprovokeinMabelanyresentment。Itratherincreasedherapprobation。Althoughhorrifiedattherecklessnessofthegirl，shehadapprovedevenwhenVerarejectedanofferofmarriagefromawineagent。
Secretly，foraproperallianceforher，Mabelreadthesocietycolumnsinsearchofeligible，richyoungmen。Findingthattheyinvariablymarriedeligible，richyoungwomen，shehadlatelydeterminedthatVera"sdestinymustbeanEnglishduke。
Stillif，asshehoped，Verahadchosenforherself，Mabelfeltassuredthatthemanwouldproveworthy，andagoodmatch。A
goodmatchmeantonewhoownednotonlyarunabout，butatouringcar。
"It"samanfromhome，"saidVera。"Home？"queriedMannie。
"FromuptheState，"explainedVera，"fromGeneva。It"s——Mr。
Winthrop。"
Withanexclamationofalarm，Manniestartedupright。
"Winthrop!"hecried；thenwithalaughofreliefhesankback。
"Gee!Yougivemeascare，"hecried。"IthoughtyoumeanttheDistrictAttorney。"
Mabellaughedsympathetically。
"Ithoughtsotoo，"sheadmitted。
"IdomeantheDistrictAttorney，"saidthegirl。
"Vera!"criedMabel。
"Winthrop——cominghere？"demandedMannie。
"ImethimatMr。Hallowell"sthismorning，"saidVera。"Didn"tPaultellyou？"
"Paulain"tbackyet，"saidMannie。"Iwishhewas!"Hislowerjawdroppedindazedbewilderment。"Winthrop——cominghere？"herepeated。"Andthey"reallcominghere!"heexclaimedexcitedly。
"Pauljustphonedme。They"vetakenGaylorinwiththem，andwe"reallworkingtogethernowonsomegamefortonight。AndWinthrop"scominghere!"Heshookhisheaddecidedly，importantly。Astheonlymanofthefamilypresent，hefelthemustmeetthiscrisis。"Paulwon"tstandforit!"hedeclared。
"Well，Paulwilljusthavetostandforit!"retortedMrs。
Vance。
WithamurmurofsympathyshecrossedtoVera。"I"mnotgoingtoseeourVeradisappointed，"sheannounced。"Sheneverseesnocompany。Vera，ifMr。Winthropcomeswhenthatbunchishere，I"llshowhimintothefrontparlor。"
Verasatdowninfrontofthepianoandletherfingersdropuponthekeys。Thelookofeagernessandanticipationhadlefthereyes。
"Oh，Idon"tknow，"shesaid，"thatIwanttoseehim——now。"
Withcompletemisunderstanding，Manniedemandedtruculently，"Whynot？"HisloyaltytoVeragavehimcourage，inherbehalf，tofaceevenaDistrictAttorney。"Hedoesn"tthinkhe"scomingheretomaketroubleforyou，doeshe？"
Verashookherheadand，bendingoverthepiano，struckafewdetachedchords。
"Oh，no，"shesaidconsciously；"justtoseeme——
professionally——likeeverybodyelse。"
Mabelcouldnolongerwithholdherindignationattheobtusenessofthemasculineintellect。
"Mygracious，Mannie!"sheexclaimed，"can"tyouunderstandhe"scomingheretomakeacallonVera——likeagentleman——notlikenoDistrictAttorney。"
Mannieprecipitatelyretreatedfromhispositionaschampion。
"Sure，Iunderstand，"heprotested。
Withthejoythatamatch-makingmothertakesinthehunt，Mabelsankintotheplushrockingchairand，rockingviolently，turneduponVeraaneagerandexcitedsmile。
"ThinkofourVeraknowingMr。Winthropsocially？"sheexclaimed。"It"sgrand!Andtheysayhissistersareelegantladies。LastwinterIreadaboutthemattheopera，anditalwaysprintedwhattheyhadon。Whydidn"tyoutellmeyouknowedhim，Vera？"shecriedreproachfully。"Itellyoueverything!"
"Idon"tknowhim，"protestedthegirl。"Iusedtoseehimwhenhelivedinthesametown。"
Mabel，invitingfurtherconfidences，ceasedrockingandnoddedencouragingly。"UpinGeneva？"sheprompted。
"Yes，"saidVera，"Iusedtoseehimeveryafternoonthen，whenheplayedballonthecollegenine——"
"Who？"demandedMannieincredulously。
"Winthrop，"saidVera。
"Didhe？"exclaimedMannie。Histonesuggestedthathemightstillbepersuadedthattherewasgoodintheman。
"What"dheplay？"hedemandedsuspiciously。
"First，"saidVera。
"Didhe!"exclaimedMannie。Histonenowwasofopenapprobation。
Verahadraisedhereyesandturnedthemtowardthewindows。
Beyondthesoot-stainedsumachtree，thefireescapesofthedepartmentstore，shesawthesun-drenchedcampus，thebuttressedchapel，theancient，droopingelms；andonacanvasbag，poisedlikeawingedMercury，atallstraightfigureingray，dustyflannels。
"Hewasawfullygood-looking，"murmuredthegirl，"andawfullytall。Hecouldstopaballashighas——that!"Sheraisedherarmintheair，andthen，suddenlyconscious，flushed，andturnedtothepiano。
"Goon，tellus，"urgedMabel。"SoyoufirstmethiminGeneva，didyou？"
"No，"correctedVera，"sawhimthere。I——onlymethimonce。"
Mannieinterruptedhilariously。
"Ionlysawhimonce，too，"hecried，"thatwasenoughforme。"
Veraswiftlyspunthepianostoolsothatshefacedhim。Hereyeswerefilledwithconcern。
"You，Mannie!"shedemandedanxiously。"Whathadyoudone？"
"Done!"exclaimedMannieindignantly，"nothing!What"dyouthinkI"ddone？DidyouthinkIwasacrook？"
Verabowedhershouldersandshiveredasthoughtheboyhadcursedather。Sheshookherheadvehementlyandagainswungbacktothepiano。Stumblingawkwardly，herfingersranoverthekeysinaswiftclatterofbrokenchords。"No，"shewhispered，"no，Mannie，no。"
Withalaughofdelightedrecollection，MannieturnedtoMabel。
"HeraidedapoolroomIwasworkingat，"heexplained。"HepickedmeoutasasheetwriterbecauseIhadmycoatoff，see？
ItoldhimIhaditoffbecauseitwastoohotforme，andhesays，Youngman，ifyoulietome，I"llmakeIadamnsighthotter!"Manniethrewbackhisheadandshouteduproariously。
"He"sallright，Winthrop!"hedeclared。
Mabel，havingalreadymarriedWinthroptoVerainGraceChurch，withherselfinthefrontpew，inabluesilkdress，receivedthisunexpectedevidenceofhisrarewitwithdelight。Inecstasyofappreciationsheslappedherknees。
"Didhesaythat，Mannie？"shecried。"Wasn"tthatquickofhim!
DidyouhearwhathesaidtoMannie，Vera？"shedemanded。
Theirmirthwasinterruptedbytheopeningandclosingofthefrontdoorand，inthehall，themurmurofmen"svoices。
Vanceopenedthedoorfromthehallandentered，followedbyJudgeGaylorandRainey。Withevidentprideinherappearance，Vanceintroducedthetwomentohiswife，andthensentherandManniefromtheroom——thelatterwithorderstodismissthevisitorsinthefrontparlorandtoadmitnoothers。
AtthedoorMrs。VanceturnedtoVeraandnoddedmysteriously。
"Ifthatpartycalls，"shesaidwithsignificance，"I"llputhiminthefrontparlor。"Withalookofdismay，Veravehementlyshookherheadbut，toforestallanyopposition，Mrs。Vancehastilyslammedthedoorbehindher。
InhismostcourteousmannerJudgeGaylorofferedthechairattheheadofthecentretabletoVera，andatthesametableseatedhimself。Vancetookaplaceonthepianostool；Raineystoodwithhisbacktothemantelpiece。
"MissVera，"Gaylorbeganimpressively，"Idesiretoapologizeformylanguagethismorning。AsRaineynodoubthastoldyou，I
haveopposedyouandProfessorVance。ButI——IknowwhenI"mbeaten。YourinfluencewithMr。Hallowelltoday——isgreaterthanmine。Itisparamount。Icongratulateyou。"Hesmiledingratiatingly。"Andnow，"headded，"weareallworkinginunison。"
"You"vegivenupyourideaofsendingmetojail，"saidVera。
"Vera!"exclaimedVancereprovingly。JudgeGaylorhasapologized。We"reallinharmonynow。"
"Isthatdoorlocked？"askedGaylor。Vancetoldhim，saveMrs。
Vance，Mannie，andthemselves，therewasnoneinthehouse；andthathemightspeakfreely。
"MissVera，"begantheJudge，"weleftMr。Hallowellverymuchimpressedwiththemessageyougavehimthismorning。Themessagefromhisdeadsister。Hewantsanothermessagefromher。
Hewantshertodecidehowheshalldisposeofaverylargesumofmoney——hisentirefortune。"
"Hisentirefortune!"exclaimedVera。"Doyouimagine，"sheasked，"thatMr。Hallowellwilltakeadvicefromthespiritworldaboutthat？Idon"t!"
"Ido，"Gayloransweredstoutly，"IknowIwould。"
"You？"askedVeraincredulously。
"IfIcouldbelievemysistercamefromthedeadtotellmewhattodo，"saidthelawyer，"ofcourse，I"ddoit。I"dbeafraidnotto。ButIdon"tbelievehedoes。Andhebelievesyoucanbringhissisterherselfbeforehim。Heinsiststhattonightyouholdaseanceinhishouse，andthatyoumaterializethespiritofhisdeadsister。Sothathecanseehissister，andtalkwithhissister。Vancesaysyoucandothat。Canyou？"
FromVera"sfacethelookofgirlishness，ofhappyanticipation，hadalreadydisappeared。
"Itismybusinesstodothat，"thegirlanswered。SheturnedtoVanceand，inamatter-of-factvoice，inquired，"Whatdoeshissisterlooklike——thatphotographweusedthismorning。？"
"No，"Vanceanswered。"I"veabetterone，Raineygaveme。Takenwhenshewasolder。Haswhitehairandacapandakerchiefcrossed——so。"Hedrewhishandsacrosshisshoulders。"Rainey，showMissVerathatpicture。"
"Notnow，"Gaylorcommanded。"TheimportantthingnowisthatMissVeraunderstandsthemessageMr。Hallowellistoreceivefromhissister。"
Thetwoothermennoddedquicklyinassent。GaylorturnedtoVera。Hespokeslowly，earnestly。
"MissVera，"hesaid，"Mr。Hallowell"spresentwillleaveshisfortunetohisniece。Hehasmadeanotherwill，whichhehasnotsigned，leavinghisfortunetotheHallowellInstitute。Hewillaskhissistertowhichoftheseheshouldleavehismoney。Youwilltellhim——"hecorrectedhimselfinstantly。"Shewilltellhimtogiveitwhereitwillbeofthegreatestgoodtothemostpeople——totheInstitute。"Therewasapause。"Doyouunderstand？"heasked。
"TotheInstitute。Nottotheniece，"Veraanswered。Gaylornoddedgravely。
"What，"askedVera，"arethefewestwordsinwhichthatmessagecouldbedelivered？Imean——shouldshesay，YouaretoendowtheHallowellInstitute，orBrother，youaretogive——Signthenewwill？"Withsatisfactionthegirlgaveasharpshakeofherhead，andnoddedtoVance。"Destroytheoldwill。Signthenewwill。Thatisthebest，"shesaid。
"That"sitexactly，"Gaylorexclaimedeagerly；"that"sexcellent!"Thenhisfaceclouded。"Ithink，"hesaidinatroubledvoice，"weshouldwarnMissVera，thattoguardhimselffromanytrickery，Mr。Hallowellinsistsonsubjectinghertothemostseveretests。He——"
"Thatwillbeallright，"saidthegirl。SheturnedtoVanceand，inalowertonebutwithoutinterest，asked:"What，forinstance？"Vancemerelylaughedandshruggedhisshoulders。Thegirlsmiled。Nettled，andalarmedatwhatappearedtobetheiroverconfidence，Gaylorobjectedwarmly。
"That"sallverywell，"hecried，"butforinstance，heinsiststhattheentiretimeyouareinthecabinet，youholdahandfulofflourinonehandandofshotintheother"——heillustratedwithclenchedfists——"whichmakesitimpossible，"heprotested，"foryoutouseyourhands。"
Thefaceofthegirlshowedcompleteindifference。
"Notnecessarily，"shesaid。
"Butyouaretobetiedhandandfoot，"criedtheJudge。"Andontopofthat，"heburstforthindignantly，pointingaggrievedlyatVance，"hehimselfproposedthisflour-and-shottest。Itwassilly，senselessbravado!"
"Notnecessarily，"repeatedthegirl。"HeknewthatIinventedit。"Raineylaughed。Gaylorgaveanexclamationofenlightenment。
"Ifitwillbeofanycomforttoyou，Judge，"saidVance，"I"lltellyouonething；everytestthateverwasputtoamedium——
wasinventedbyamedium。"
Verarose。"Ifthereisnothingmore，"shesaid，"Iwillgoandgetthethingsreadyforthisevening。Destroytheoldwill。
Signthenewwill。"sherepeated。SheturnedsuddenlytoVance，herbrowdrawninconsideration。"Isupposebythisnewwill，"
sheasked，"thegirlgetsnothing？""Notatall!"exclaimedGayloremphatically。"Wedon"twanthertofightthewill。Shegetsamillion。"
"Amilliondollars？"demandedVera。Foraninstant，asthoughtryingtograspthepossibilitiesofsuchasum，shestoodstaringaheadofher。Withdoubtinhereyes，andshakingherhead，sheturnedtoVance。
"Howcanonewomanspendamilliondollars？"sheprotested。
"Well，yousee，wedon"tintendtostarveher，"exclaimedGayloreagerly，"andatthesametimetheInstitutewillbebenefitingallhumanity。Doinggoodto——"
Verainterruptedhimwithasharp，peremptorymovementofthehand。
"Wewon"tgointothat，please，"shebegged。
TheJudgeinclinedhishead。"Ionlymeanttopointout，"hesaidstiffly，"thatyouaregivingMr。Hallowellthebestadvice，anddoinggreatgood。"
Foramomentthegirllookedathimsteadily。Onherlipswasafaintsmileofdisdain，butwhetherforhimorforherself，theJudgecouldnotdetermine。
"Idon"tknowthat，"thegirlsaidfinally。"Idon"task。"SheturnedtoRainey。"Haveyouthatphotograph？"Hegaveheraphotographandafter，foraninstant，studyingitinsilence，shereturnedittohim。
"Itwillbequiteeasy，"shesaidtoVance。Shewalkedtothedoor，andinstinctivelythetwomen，whowereseated，rose。
"IwillseeyoutonightatMr。Hallowell"s，"shesaid，and，withanod，leftthem。
"Well，"exclaimedRainey，"youdidn"ttellher!"
"Iknow，"Vanceanswered。"Idecidedwe"dbewisertotakeadvicefrommywife。SheunderstandsVerabetterthanIdo。"Heopenedthedoortothehall，andcalled"Mannie!TellMabel——Oh，Mabel，"hecorrected，"comehereaminute。"Hereturnedtohisseatonthepianostool。"Shecantellus，"hesaid。
InexpectationofthearrivalofWinthrop，Mrs。Vancehadarrayedherselfinalightbluefrock，and，asthoughshehadjustcomeinfromthestreet，insuchahatassheconsideredwoulddocreditnotonlytoVerabuttoherself。
"Mabel，"herhusbandbegan，"we"reupagainstahardproposition。HallowellinsiststhatWinthropandMissCoatesmustcometotheseancetonight。"
"WinthropandMissCoates!"criedMabel。InastonishmentsheglancedfromherhusbandtoRaineyandGaylor。"Then，it"salloff!"sheexclaimed。
"That"swhatIsay，"growledRainey。
"Wewantyoutotellus，"continuedVance，unmoved，"whetherVerashouldknowthatnow，orwaituntiltonight？"
"PaulVance!"almostshriekedhiswife，"doyoumeantotellmeyou"rethinkingofgivingamaterializationinfrontoftheDistrictAttorney!You"recrazy!"
"That"swhatItellthem，"chorusedRainey。
Gaylorraisedhishandforsilence。
"No，Mrs。Vance，"hesaidwearily。"Wearenotcrazy，but，"headdedbitterly，"wecan"thelpourselves。YoumediumshavegotMr。Hallowellinsuchastatethathe"llonlydowhathissister"sspirittellshim。Hesays，ifhe"srobbinghisniece，hissisterwilltellhimso；ifhe"stogivethemoneytotheInstitute，hissisterwilltellhimthat。Hesays，ifVanceisfairandabove-board，heshouldn"tbeafraidtohavehisnieceandanyfriendsofherspresent。Wecan"thelpourselves。"
"Ihelpedalittle，"saidVance，"byinsistingonhavingourownfriendsthere——toldhimthespiritcouldnotmaterializeunlesstherewerebelieverspresent。"
"Didhestandforthat？"askedMabel。
"Gladtohavethem，"herhusbandassuredher。"Theyliketothinkthereareothersasfoolishastheyare。AndI"mgoingtoplaceMr。DistrictAttorney，"hebrokeoutsuddenlyandfiercely，"betweentwomediums。They"llholdhishands!"
Alreadyfrightenedbythepossibleresultoftheplot，Rainey，withavehemencebornoffear，retortedsharply:"Holdhishands!How"reyougoingtomakehimholdhistongue，afterward？"
Gaylorturneduponhimsavagely。
"MyGod，man!"hecried，"we"renottryingtopersuadetheDistrictAttorneythathe"sseenaghost。IfyourfriendscanpersuadeStephenHallowellthathe"sseenone，theDistrictAttorneycangotothedevil!"
"Well，hewon"t!"returnedRainey，"he"llgotolaw!"
"Lethim!"criedGaylordefiantly。"GetHallowelltosignthatwill，andI"llgointocourtwithhim。"
Hisbravadowassuddenlyattackedfromanunexpectedsource。
"You"llgointocourtwithhim，allright，"declaredMrs。Vance，"allofyou!Andifyoudon"twanthimtocatchyou，"shecried，"you"llclearout，now!He"scominghereanyminute。"
"Who"scominghere？"demandedherhusband。
"Winthrop，"returnedhiswife，"toseeVera。"
"ToseeVera!"criedVanceeagerly。"Whatabout？Aboutthismorning？"
"No，"protestedMabel，"tocallonher。He"sanoldfriend——"
InalarmRaineypushedintothegroupofnowthoroughlyexcitedpeople。"Don"tyoubelieveit!"hecried。"Ifhe"scominghere，he"scomingtogiveherthethirddegree——"
Thedoorfromthehallsuddenlyopened，wasassuddenlyclosed，andMannieslippedintotheroom。Onehandheheldupforsilence；withtheotherhepointedatthefoldingdoors。
"Hush!"hewarnedthem。"He"sinthere!Hesayshe"scometocallonVera。Shesayshe"scomeprofessionally，andImustbringhiminhere。I"veshutthedoorintotheparlor，andyoucanslipupstairswithouthisseeingyou。"
"Upstairs!"gaspedRainey，"notforme!"HeappealedtoGaylorinaccentsofrealalarm。"Wemustgetawayfromthishouse，"hedeclared。"Ifhefindsushere——"Withagestureofdismayhetossedhishandsintheair。Gaylornodded。Insilenceall，saveMannie，movedintothehall，andhaltedbetweentheouterandinnerdoorsofthevestibule。GaylorturnedtoVance。"Areyougoingtotellher，"heasked，"thatheistobetheretonight？"
"He"lltellherhimself，now!"
"No，"correctedRainey，"hedoesn"tknowyetthere"stobeaseance。Hallowellwaswritingthenotewhenheleft。"
"Then，"instructedGaylor，"donotletherknowuntilshearrives——untilitwillbetoolateforhertobackout。"
Vancenoddedand，waitinguntilfromthebackroomheheardthevoicesofMannieandWinthrop，heopenedthefrontdoorandthetwomenrandownthestepsintothestreet。
Whiletheconspiratorswerehiddeninthevestibule，Manniehadopenedthefoldingdoors，andinvitedWinthroptoenterthereceptionparlor。
"MissVerawillbedowninaminute，"hesaid。"Ifyouwantyourhandread，"headded，pointing，"yousitoverthere。"
AsWinthropapproachedthecentretable，Manniebackedagainstthepiano。ThepresenceoftheDistrictAttorneyatsuchshortrangearousedinhimmanyemotions。Alternatelyhewastornwithalarm，withadmiration，withcuriosity。Heregardedhimapprehensively，withanervousandunhappysmile。
AboutthesmiletherewassomethingthatWinthropfoundfamiliar，and，withonealmostasattractive，heansweredit。
"Ithinkwe"vemetbefore，haven"twe？"heaskedpleasantly。
Mannienodded。"Yes，sir，"heansweredpromptly。"AtSamHepner"soldplace，onWestForty-fourthstreet。"
"Why，ofcourse!"exclaimedtheDistrictAttorney。
"Don"tyou——don"tyouremember？"stammeredMannieeagerly。Hewasdeeplyconcernedlestthedistinguishedcross-examinershouldthink，thatfromhimofhisluridpasthecouldwithholdanything。"Ihadmycoatoff——andyousaidyou"dmakeithotforme。"
"DidI？"askedWinthropwithaneffortatrecollection。
"No，youdidn"t!"Manniehastenedtoreassurehim。"Imean，youdidn"tmakeithotforme。"
Winthroplaughed，andseatedhimselfcomfortablybesidethecentretable。WellI"mgladofthat，"hesaid。"Soourrelationsarestillpleasant，then？"heasked。
"Sure!"exclaimedMannieheartily。"Imean——yes，sir。"
Winthropmechanicallyreachedforhiscigarettecase，andthen，recollecting，withdrewhishand。
"Andhowaretheponiesrunning？"heasked。