第8章
HerrGommissioner，neferwouldIhave——"
TheCommissionerraisedonewhitehand，silently，Kampferdroppedhispipeandfled。
Withahandateachsideofhisface，andhiselbowsrestinguponthedesk，theCommissionersatstaringatthemapwhichwasspreadandfastenedthere——staringatthesweetandlivingprofileoflittleGeorgiadrawnthereupon——atherface，pensive，delicate，andinfantile，outlinedinaperfectlikeness。
Whenhismindatlengthcametoinquireintotherea-
sonofit，hesawthatitmusthavebeen，asKampferhadsaid，unpremeditated。TheolddraughtsmanhadbeenplattingintheEliasDennysurvey，andGeorgia"slikeness，strikingthoughitwas，wasformedbynothingmorethanthemeandersofChiquitoRiver。Indeed，Kampfer"sblotter，whereonhispreliminaryworkwasdone，showedthelaborioustracingsofthecallsandthecountlesspricksofthecompasses。Then，overhisfaintpencilling，KampferhaddrawninIndiainkwithafull，firmpenthesimilitudeofChiquitoRiver，andforthhadblossomedmysteriouslythedainty，patheticprofileofthechild。
TheCommissionersatforhalfanhourwithhisfaceinhishands，gazingdownward，andnonedaredapproachhim。Thenhearoseandwalkedout。InthebusinessofficehepausedlongenoughtoaskthattheDennyfilebebroughttohisdesk。
HefoundHamlinandAverystillrecliningintheirchairs，apparentlyobliviousofbusiness。Theywerelazilydiscussingsummeropera，itbeing，theirhabit——
perhapstheirpridealso——toappearsupernaturallyindifferentwhenevertheystoodwithlargeinterestsimperilled。Andtheystoodtowinmoreonthisstakethanmostpeopleknew。Theypossessedinsideinfor-
mationtotheeffectthatanewrailroadwould，withinayear，splitthisveryChiquitoRivervalleyandsendlandvaluesballooningallalongitsroute。Adollarunderthirtythousandprofitonthislocation，ifitshouldholdgood，wouldbealosstotheirexpectations。So，whiletheychattedlightlyandwaitedfortheCommissionertoopenthesubject，therewasaquick，sidelongsparkleintheireyes，evincingadesiretoreadtheirtitlecleartothosefairacresontheChiquito。
Aclerkbroughtinthefile。TheCommissionerseatedhimselfandwroteuponitinredink。Thenherosetohisfeetandstoodforawhilelookingstraightoutofthewindow。TheLandOfficecappedthesummitofaboldhill。TheeyesoftheCommissionerpassedovertheroofsofmanyhousessetinapackingofdeepgreen，thewholecheckeredbystripsofblindingwhitestreets。Thehorizon，wherehisgazewasfocussed，swelledtoafairwoodedeminencefleckedwithfaintdotsofshiningwhite。
Therewasthecemetery，wherelaymanywhowereforgot-
ten，andafewwhohadnotlivedinvain。Andonelaythere，occupyingverysmallspace，whosechildishhearthadbeenlargeenoughtodesire，whilenearitslastbeats，goodtoothers。TheCommissioner"slipsmovedslightlyashewhisperedtohimself:"Itwasherlastwillandtestament，andIhaveneglecteditsolong!"
ThebigbrowncigarsofHamlinandAverywerefireless，buttheystillgrippedthembetweentheirteethandwaited，whiletheymarvelledattheabsentexpressionupontheCommissioner"sface。
Byandbyhespokesuddenlyandpromptly。
"Gentlemen，IhavejustindorsedtheEliasDennysurveyforpatenting。Thisofficewillnotregardyourlocationuponapartofitaslegal。"Hepausedamoment，andthen，extendinghishandasthosedearold-timeonesusedtodoindebate，heenunciatedthespiritofthatRulingthatsubsequentlydrovetheland-sharkstothewall，andplacedthesealofpeaceandsecurityoverthedoorsoftenthousandhomes。
"And，furthermore，"hecontinued，withaclear，softlightuponhisface，"itmayinterestyoutoknowthatfromthistimeonthisofficewillconsiderthatwhenasurveyoflandmadebyvirtueofacertificategrantedbythisstatetothemenwhowresteditfromthewildernessandthesavage——madeingoodfaith，settledingoodfaith，andleftingoodfaithtotheirchildrenorinnocentpur-
chasers——whensuchasurvey，althoughoverrunningitscomplement，shallcallforanynaturalobjectvisibletotheeyeofman，tothatobjectitshallhold，andbegoodandvalid。Andthechildrenofthisstateshallliedowntosleepatnight，andrumoursofdisturbersoftitleshallnotdisquietthem。For，"concludedtheCommissioner，"ofsuchistheKingdomofHeaven。"
Inthesilencethatfollowed，alaughfloatedupfromthepatent-roombelow。ThemanwhocarrieddowntheDennyfilewasexhibitingitamongtheclerks。
"Lookhere，"hesaid，delightedly，"theoldmanhasforgottenhisname。He"swritten"Patenttooriginalgrantee，"andsignedit"GeorgiaSummerfield，Comr。""
ThespeechoftheCommissionerreboundedlightlyfromtheimpregnableHamlinandAvery。Theysmiled，rosegracefully，spokeofthebaseballteam，andarguedfeelinglythatquiteaperceptiblebreezehadArisenfromtheeast。Theylitfreshfatbrowncigars，anddriftedcourteouslyaway。Butlatertheymadeanothertiger-
springfortheirquarryinthecourts。Butthecourts，accordingtoreportsinthepapers，"coollyroastedthem"(aremarkableperformance，suggestiveofliquid-airdidoes)，andsustainedtheCommissioner"sRuling。
AndthisRulingitselfgrewtobeaPrecedent，andtheActualSettlerframedit，andtaughthischildrentospellfromit，andtherewassoundsleepo"nightsfromthepinestothesage-brush，andfromthechaparraltothegreatbrownriverofthenorth。
ButIthink，andIamsuretheCommissionerneverthoughtotherwise，thatwhetherKampferwasasnuffyoldinstrumentofdestiny，orwhetherthemeandersoftheChiquitoaccidentallyplattedthemselvesintothatmemo-
rablesweetprofileornot，therewasbroughtabout"some-
thinggoodforawholelotofchildren，"andtheresultoughttobecalled"Georgia"sRuling。"
BLINDMAN"SHOLIDAY
Alasforthemanandfortheartistwiththeshiftingpointofperspective!Lifeshallbeaconfusionofwaystotheone；thelandscapeshallriseupandconfoundtheother。TakethecaseofLorison。Atonetimeheappearedtohimselftobethefeeblestoffools；atanotherheconceivedthathefollowedidealssofinethattheworldwasnotyetreadytoacceptthem。Duringonemoodhecursedhisfolly；possessedbytheother，heborehimselfwithaserenegrandeurakintogreatness:inneitherdidheattaintheperspective。
Generationsbefore，thenamehadbeen"Larsen。"
Hisracehadbequeathedhimitsfine-strung，melancholytemperament，itssavingbalanceofthriftandindustry。
Fromhispointofperspectivehesawhimselfanoutcastfromsociety，forevertobeashadyskulkeralongtheraggededgeofrespectability；adenizendestrois-quartzdemonde，thatpatheticspheroidlyingbetweenthehautandthedemi，whoseinhabitantsenvyeachoftheirneigh-
bours，andarescornedbyboth。Hewasself-condemnedtothisopinion，ashewasself-exiled，throughit，tothisquaintSoutherncityathousandmilesfromhisformerhome。Herehehaddweltforlongerthanayear，know-
ingbutfew，keepinginasubjectiveworldofshadowswhichwasinvadedattimesbytheperplexingbulksofjarringrealities。Thenhefellinlovewithagirlwhomhemetinacheaprestaurant，andhisstorybegins。
TheRueChartres，inNewOrleans，isastreetofghosts。
ItliesinthequarterwheretheFrenchman，inhisprime，setuphistranslatedprideandglory；where，also，thearrogantdonhadswaggered，anddreamedofgoldandgrantsandladies"gloves。Everyflagstonehasitsgrooveswornbyfootstepsgoingroyallytothewooingandthefighting。Everyhousehasaprincelyheartbreak；eachdoorwayitsuntoldtaleofgallantpromiseandslowdecay。
BynighttheRueChartresisnowbutamurkyfissure，fromwhichthegropingwayfarersees，flungagainstthesky，thetangledfiligreeofMoorishironbalconies。Thsoldhousesofmonsieurstandyet，indomitableagainstthecentury，buttheiressenceisgone。Thestreetisoneofghoststowhosoevercanseethem。
Afaintheartbeatofthestreet"sancientglorystillsur-
vivesinacorneroccupiedbytheCaf？Carabined"Or。
Oncemengatheredtheretoplotagainstkings，andtowarnpresidents。Theydosoyet，buttheyarenotthesamekindofmen。Abrassbuttonwillscatterthese；
thosewouldhavesettheirfacesagainstanarmy。Abovethedoorhangsthesignboard，uponwhichhasbeendepictedavastanimalofunfamiliarspecies。Intheactoffiringuponthismonsterisrepresentedanunobtrusivehumanlevellinganobtrusivegun，oncethecolourofbrightgold。Nowthelegendabovethepictureisfadedbeyondconjecture；thegun"srelationtothetitleisamatteroffaith；themenacedanimal，weariedofthelongaimofthehunter，hasresolveditselfintoashapelessblot。
Theplaceisknownas"Antonio"s，"asthename，whiteuponthered-littransparency，andgiltuponthewindows，attests。Thereisapromisein"Antonio"；ajustifiableexpectancyofsavourythingsinoilandpepperandwine，andperhapsanangel"swhisperofgarlic。Buttherestofthenameis"O"Riley。"AntonioO"Riley!
TheCarabined"OrisanignominiousghostoftheRueChartres。Thecaf？whereBienvilleandContidined，whereaprincehasbrokenbread，isbecomea"familyristaurant。"
Itscustomersareworkingmenandwomen，almosttoaunit。Occasionallyyouwillseechorusgirlsfromthecheapertheatres，andmenwhofollowavocationssub-
jecttoquickvicissitudes；butatAntonio"s——namerichinBohemianpromise，buttameinfulfillment——mannersdebonairandgayaretoneddowntothe"family"stand-
ard。Shouldyoulightacigarette，minehostwilltouchyouonthe"arrum"andremindyouthattheproprietiesaremenaced。"Antonio"enticesandbeguilesfromfierylegendwithout，but"O"Riley"teachesdecorumwithin。
ItwasatthisrestaurantthatLorisonfirstsawthegirl。
Aflashyfellowwithapredatoryeyehadfollowedherin，andhadadvancedtotaketheotherchairatthelittletablewhereshestopped，butLorisonslippedintotheseatbeforehim。Theiracquaintancebegan，andgrew，andhowfortwomonthstheyhadsatatthesametableeachevening，notmeetingbyappointment，butasifbyaseriesoffortuitousandhappyaccidents。Afterdining，theywouldtakeawalktogetherinoneofthelittlecityparks，oramongthepanoramicmarketswhereexhibitsacon-
tinuousvaudevilleofsightsandsounds。Alwaysateighto"clocktheirstepsledthemtoacertainstreetcorner，wheresheprettilybutfirmlybadehimgoodnightandlefthim。"Idonotlivefarfromhere，"shefrequentlysaid，"andyoumustletmegotherestofthewayalone。"
ButnowLorisonhaddiscoveredthathewantedtogotherestofthewaywithher，orhappinesswoulddepart，leaving，himonaverylonelycorneroflife。Andatthesametimethathemadethediscovery，thesecretofhisbanishmentfromthesocietyofthegoodlaiditsfingerinhisfaceandtoldhimitmustnotbe。
Manistoothoroughlyanegoistnottobealsoanegotist；
ifhelove，theobjectshallknowit。Duringalifetimehemayconcealitthroughstressofexpediencyandhonour，butitshallbubblefromhisdyinglips，thoughitdisruptaneighbourhood。Itisknown，however，thatmostmendonotwaitsolongtodisclosetheirpassion。InthecaseofLorison，hisparticularethicspositivelyforbadehimtodeclarehissentiments，buthemustneedsdallywiththesubject，andwoobyinnuendoatleast。
Onthisnight，aftertheusualmealattheCarabined"Or，hestrolledwithhiscompaniondownthedimoldstreettowardtheriverTheRueChartresperishesintheoldPlaced"Armes。
TheancientCabildo，whereSpanishjusticefelllikehail，facesit，andtheCathedral，anotherprovincialghost，overlooksit。Itscentreisalittle，iron-railedparkofflowersandimmaculategravelledwalks，wherecitizenstaketheairofevenings。Pedestalledhighaboveit，thegeneralsitshiscavortingsteed，withhisfaceturnedstonilydowntherivertowardEnglishTurn，whencecomenomoreBritonstobombardhiscottonbales。
Oftenthetwosatinthissquare，butto-nightLorisonguidedherpastthestone-steppedgate，andstillriverward。
Astheywalked，hesmiledtohimselftothinkthatallheknewofher——exceptthatbelovedher——washername，NorahGreenway，andthatshelivedwithherbrother。Theyhadtalkedabouteverythingexceptthemselves。Perhapsherreticencehadbeencausedbyhis。
Theycame，atlength，uponthelevee，andsatuponagreat，prostratebeam。Theairwaspungentwiththedustofcommerce。Thegreatriverslippedyellowlypast。AcrossitAlgierslay，alongitudinousblackbulkagainstavibrantelectrichazesprinkledwithexactstars。
Thegirlwasyoungandofthepiquantorder。Acertainbrightmelancholypervadedher；shepossessedanuntarnished，paleprettinessdoomedtoplease。Hervoice，whenshespoke，dwarfedhertheme。Itwasthevoicecapableofinvestinglittlesubjectswithalargeinterest。Shesatatease，bestowingherskirtswiththelittlewomanlytouch，sereneasifthebegrimedpierwereasummergarden。Lorisonpokedtherottingboardswithhiscane。
Hebeganbytellingherthathewasinlovewithsomeonetowhomhedurstnotspeakofit。"Andwhynot？"
sheasked，acceptingswiftlyhisfatuouspresentationofathirdpersonofstraw。"Myplaceintheworld，"heanswered，"isnonetoaskawomantoshare。Iamanoutcastfromhonestpeople；Iamwronglyaccusedofonecrime，andam，Ibelieve，guiltyofanother。"
Thenceheplungedintothestoryofhisabdicationfromsociety。Thestory，prunedofhismoralphilosophy，deservesnomorethantheslightesttouch。Itisnonewtale，thatofthegambler"sdeclension。Duringonenight"ssittinghelost，andthenhadimperilledacertainamountofhisemployer"smoney，which，byaccident，hecarriedwithhim。Hecontinuedtolose，tothelastwager，andthenbegantogain，leavingthegamewinnertoasomewhatformidablesum。Thesamenighthisemployer"ssafewasrobbed。Asearchwashad；thewinningsofLorisonwerefoundinhisroom，theirtotalforminganaccusativenearnesstothesumpurloined。
Hewastaken，triedand，throughincompleteevidence，released，smutchedwiththesinisterdevoirsofadis-
agreeingjury。
"Itisnotintheunjustaccusation，"hesaidtothegirl，"thatmyburdenlies，butintheknowledgethatfromthemomentIstakedthefirstdollarofthefirm"smoneyI
wasacriminal——nomatterwhetherIlostorwon。Youseewhyitisimpossibleformetospeakoflovetoher。"
"Itisasadthing，"saidNorah，afteralittlepause。
"tothinkwhatverygoodpeoplethereareintheworld。"
"Good？"saidLorison。
"Iwasthinkingofthissuperiorpersonwhomyousayyoulove。Shemustbeaverypoorsortofcreature。"
"Idonotunderstand。"
"Nearly，"shecontinued，"aspoorasortofcreatureasyourself。"
"Youdonotunderstand，"saidLorison，removinghishatandsweepingbackhisfine，lighthair。"Supposeshelovedmeinreturn，andwerewillingtomarryme。
Think，ifyoucan，whatwouldfollow。NeveradayWouldpassbutshewouldberemindedofhersacrifice。
Iwouldreadacondescensioninhersmile，apityeveninheraffection，thatwouldmaddenme。No。Thethingwouldstandbetweenusforever。Onlyequalsshouldmate。Icouldneveraskhertocomedownuponmylowerplane。"
AnarclightfaintlyshoneuponLorison"sface。Anilluminationfromwithinalsopervadedit。Thegirlsawtherapt，asceticlook；itwasthefaceeitherofSirGalahadorSirFool。
"Quitestarlike，"shesaid，"isthisunapproachableangel。Reallytoohightobegrasped。"
"Byme，yes。"
Shefacedhimsuddenly。"Mydearfriend，wouldyoupreferyourstarfallen？"Lorisonmadeawidegesture。
"Youpushmetothebaldfact，"hedeclared；"youarenotinsympathywithmyargument。ButIwillansweryouso。IfIcouldreachmyparticularstar，todragitdown，Iwouldnotdoit；butifitwerefallen，I
wouldpickitup，andthankHeavenfortheprivilege。"
Theyweresilentforsomeminutes。Norahshivered，andthrustherhandsdeepintothepocketsofherjacket。
Lorisonutteredaremorsefulexclamation。
"I"mnotcold，"shesaid。"Iwasjustthinking。I
oughttotellyousomething。Youhaveselectedastrangeconfidante。Butyoucannotexpectachanceacquain-
ance，pickedupinadoubtfulrestaurant，tobeanangel。"
"Norah!"criedLorison。
"Letmegoon。Youhavetoldmeaboutyourself。
Wehavebeensuchgoodfriends。ImusttellyounowwhatIneverwantedyoutoknow。Iam——worsethanyouare。Iwasonthestage……Isanginthechorus……Iwasprettybad，Iguess……I
stolediamondsfromtheprimadonna……theyarrestedme……Igavemostofthemup，andtheyletmego……Idrankwineeverynight……agreatdeal……Iwasverywicked，but——"
Lorisonkneltquicklybyhersideandtookherhands。
"DearNorah!"hesaid，exultantly。"Itisyou，itisyouIlove!Youneverguessedit，didyou？"TisyouImeantallthetime。NowIcanspeak。Letmemakeyouforgetthepast。Wehavebothsuffered；letusshutouttheworld，andliveforeachother。Norah，doyouhearmesayIloveyou？"
"Inspiteof——"
"Rathersaybecauseofit。Youhavecomeoutofyourpastnobleandgood。Yourheartisanangel"s，Giveittome。"
"Alittlewhileagoyoufearedthefuturetoomuchtoevenspeak。"
"Butforyou；notformyself。Canyouloveme？"
Shecastherself，wildlysobbing，uponhisbreast。
"Betterthanlife——thantruthitself——thanevery-
thing。"
"Andmyownpast，"saidLorison，withanoteofsolicitude——"canyouforgiveand——"
"Iansweredyouthat，"shewhispered，"whenItoldyouIlovedyou。"Sheleanedaway，andlookedthought-
fullyathim。"IfIhadnottoldyouaboutmyself，wouldyouhave——wouldyou——"
"No，"heinterrupted；"IwouldneverhaveletyouknowIlovedyou。Iwouldneverhaveaskedyouthis——Norah，willyoubemywife？"
Sheweptagain。
"Oh，believeme；Iamgoodnow——Iamnolongerwicked!Iwillbethebestwifeintheworld。Don"tthinkIam——badanymore。IfyoudoIshalldie，I
shalldie!"
Whilehewasconsoling，her，shebrightenedup，eagerandimpetuous。"Willvoumarrymeto-night？"shesaid。"Willyouproveitthatway。Ihaveareasonforwishingittobeto-night。Willyou？"
Ofoneoftwothingswasthisexceedingfranknesstheoutcome:eitherofimportunatebrazennessorofutterinnocence。Thelover"sperspectivecontainedonlytheone。
"Thesooner，"saidLorison，"thehappierIshallbe。"
"Whatistheretodo？"sheasked。"Whatdoyouhavetoget？Come!Youshouldknow。"
Herenergystirredthedreamertoaction。
"Acitydirectoryfirst，"hecried，gayly，"tofindwherethemanliveswhogiveslicensestohappiness。Wewillgotogetherandrouthimout。Cabs，cars，policemen，telephonesandministersshallaidus。"
"FatherRoganshallmarryus，"saidthegirl，withardour。"Iwilltakeyoutohim。"
Anhourlaterthetwostoodattheopendoorwayofanimmense，gloomybrickbuildinginanarrowandlonelystreet。ThelicensewastightinNorah"shand。
"Waithereamoment，"shesaid，"tillIfindFatherRogan。"
Sheplungedintotheblackhallway，andtheloverwasleftstanding，asitwere，ononeleg，outside。Hisimpa-
tiencewasnotgreatlytaxed。GazingcuriouslyintowhatseemedthehallwaytoErebus，hewaspresentlyreassuredbyastreamoflightthatbisectedthedarkness，fardownthepassage。Thenheheardhercall，andflutteredlampward，likethemoth。Shebeckonedhimthroughadoorwayintotheroomwhenceemanatedthelight。Theroomwasbareofnearlyeverythingexceptbooks，whichhadsubjugatedallitsspace。Hereandtherelittlespotsofterritoryhadbeenreconquered。Anelderly，baldman，withasuperlativelycalm，remoteeye，stoodbyatablewithabookinhishand，hisfingerstillmarkingapage。Hisdresswassombreandappertainedtoareligiousorder。Hiseyedenotedanacquaintancewiththeperspective。
"FatherRogan，"saidNorah，"thisishe。"
"Thetwoofye，"saidFatherRogan，"wanttogetmarried？"
Theydidnotdenyit。Hemarriedthem。Thecere-
monywasquicklydone。Onewhocouldhavewitnessedit，andfeltitsscope，mighthavetrembledattheterribleinadequacyofittorisetothedignityofitsendlesschainofresults。
Afterwardthepriestspakebriefly，asifbyrote，ofcertainothercivilandlegaladdendathateithermightorshould，atalatertime，captheceremony。Lorisontenderedafee，whichwasdeclined，andbeforethedoorclosedafterthedepartingcoupleFatherRogan"sbookpoppedopenagainwherehisfingermarkedit。
InthedarkhallNorahwhirledandclungtohercom-
panion，tearful。
"Willyounever，neverbesorry？"
Atlastshewasreassured。
Atthefirstlighttheyreacheduponthestreet，sheaskedthetime，justasshehadeachnight。Lorisonlookedathiswatch。Half-pasteight。
Lorisonthoughtitwasfromhabitthatsheguidedtheirstepstowardthecornerwheretheyalwaysparted。But，arrivedthere，shehesitated，andthenreleasedhisarm。
Adrugstorestoodonthecorner；itsbright，softlightshoneuponthem。
"Pleaseleavemehereasusualto-night，"saidNorah，sweetly。"Imust——Iwouldratheryouwould。Youwillnotobject？Atsixto-morroweveningIwillmeetyouatAntonio"s。Iwanttositwithvouthereoncemore。
Andthen——Iwillgowhereyousay。"Shegavehimabewildering，brightsmile，andwalkedswiftlyaway。
Surelyitneededallthestrengthofhercharmtocarryoffthisastoundingbehaviour。ItwasnodiscredittoLorison"sstrengthofmindthathisheadbegantowhirl。
Pocketinghishands，herambledvacuouslyovertothedruggist"swindows，andbeganassiduouslytospelloverthenamesofthepatentmedicinesthereindisplayed。
Assoonasbehadrecoveredhiswits，heproceededalongthestreetinanaimlessfashion。Afterdriftingfortwoorthreesquares，heflowedintoasomewhatmorepretentiousthoroughfare，awaymuchfrequentedbyhiminhissolitaryramblings。Forherewasarowofslopsdevotedtotrafficingoodsofthewidestrangeofchoice——
handiworksofart，skillandfancy，productsofnatureandlabourfromeveryzone。
Here，foratime，heloiteredamongtheconspicuouswindows，wherewasset，emphasizedbvcongestedfloodsoflight，thecunningestspoiloftheinteriors。Therewerefewpassers，andofthisLorisonwasglad。Hewasnotoftheworld。Foralongtimehehadtouchedhisfellowmanonlyatthegearofalevelledcog-wheel——atrightangles，anduponadifferentaxis。Hehaddroppedintoadistinctlyneworbit。Thestrokeofillfortunehadacteduponhim，ineffect，asablowdeliveredupontheapexofacertainingenioustoy，themusicaltop，which-
whenthusbuffetedwhilespinning，givesforth，withscarcelyretardedmotion，acompletechangeofkeyandchord。
Strollingalongthepacificavenue，heexperiencedsingular，supernaturalcalm，accompaniedbyanunusualaactivityofbrain。Reflectinguponrecentaffairs，beassuredhimselfofhishappinessinhavingwonforabridetheonehehadsogreatlydesired，yethewonderedmildlyathisdearthofactiveemotion。Herstrangebehaviourinabandoninghimwithoutvalidexcuseonhisbridalevearousedinhimonlyavagueandcuriousspeculation。
Again，hefoundhimselfcontemplating，withcomplaisantserenity，theincidentsofhersomewhatlivelycareer。Hisperspectiveseemedtohavebeenqueerlyshifted。
Ashestoodbeforeawindownearacorner，hisearswereassailedbyawaxingclamourandcommotion。Hestoodclosetothewindowtoallowpassagetothecauseofthehubbub——aprocessionofhumanbeings，whichroundedthecorneraidheadedinhisdirection。Heperceivedasalienthueofblueandaglitterofbrassaboutacentralfigureofdazzlingwhiteandsilver，andaraggedwakeofblack，bobbingfigures。
TwoponderouspolicemenWereconductingbetweenthemawomandressedasifforthestage，inashort，white，satinyskirtreachingtotheknees，pinkstockings，andasortofsleevelessbodicebrightwithrelucent，armour-likescales。Uponhercurly，lighthairwasperched，atarollickingangle，ashiningtinhelmet。Thecostumewastobeinstantlyrecognizedasoneofthoseamazingcon-
ceptionstowhichcompetitionhasharriedtheinventorsofthespectacularballet。Oneoftheofficersborealongcloakuponhisaxm，which，doubtless，hadbeenintendedtoveiltheIcandidattractionsoftheireffulgentprisoner，but，forsomereason，ithadnotbeencalledintouse，tothevociferousdelightofthetailoftheprocession。
Compelledbyasuddenandvigorousmovementofthewoman，theparadehaltedbeforethewindowbywhichLorisonstood。Hesawthatshewasyoung，and，atthefirstglance，wasdeceivedbyasophisticalprettinessofherface，whichwanedbeforeamorejudiciousscrutiny。
Herlookwasboldandreckless，anduponhercountenance，whereyetthecontoursofyouthsurvived，werethefinger-
marksofoldage"scredentialedcourier，LateHours。
TheyoungwomanfixedherunshrinkinggazeuponLorison，andcalledtohiminthevoiceofthewrongedheroineinstraits:
"Say!Youlooklikeagoodfellow；comeandputupthebail，won"tyou？I"vedonenothingtogetpinchedfor。It"sallamistake。Seehowthey"retreatingme!
Youwon"tbesorry，ifyou"llhelpmeoutofthis。Thinkofyoursisteroryourgirlbeingdraggedalongthestreetsthisway!Isay，comealongnow，likeagoodfellow。"
ItmaybethatLorison，inspiteoftheunconvincingbathosofthisappeal，showedasympatheticface，foroneoftheofficersleftthewoman"sside，andwentovertohim。
"It"sallright，Sir，"hesaid，inahusky，confidentialtone；"she"stherightparty。WetookherafterthefirstactattheGreenLightTheatre，onawirefromthechiefofpoliceofChicago。It"sonlyasquareortwotothestation。Herrig"sprettybad，butsherefusedtochangeclothes——or，rather，"addedtheofficer，withasmile，"toputonsome。IthoughtI"dexplainmatterstoyousoyouwouldn"tthinkshewasbeingimposedupon。"
"Whatisthecharge？"askedLorison。
"Grandlarceny。Diamonds。HerhusbandisajewellerinChicago。Shecleanedhisshowcaseofthesparklers，andskippedwithacomic-operatroupe。"
Thepoliceman，perceivingthattheinterestoftheentiregroupofspectatorswascentreduponhimselfandLorison——theirconferencebeingregardedasapossiblenewcom-
plication——wasfaintoprolongthesituation——whichreflectedhisownimportance——byalittleafterpieceofphilosophicalcomment。
"Agentlemanlikeyou，Sir，"hewentonaffably，"wouldnevernoticeit，butitcomesinmylinetoobservewhatanimmenseamountoftroubleismadebythatcom-
bination——Imeanthestage，diamondsandlight-headedwomenwhoaren"tsatisfiedwithgoodhomes。Itellyou，Sir，amanthesedaysandnightswantstoknowwhathiswomenfolksareupto。"
Thepolicemansmiledagoodnight，andreturnedtothesideofhischarge，whohadbeenintentlywatchingLorison"sfaceduringtheconversation，nodoubtforsomeindicationofhisintentiontorendersuccour。Now，atthefailureofthesign，andatthemovementmadetocontinuetheignominiousprogress，sheabandonedhope，andaddressedhimthus，pointedly:
"Youdamnchalk-facedquitter!Youwasthinkingofgivingmeahand，butyouletthecoptalkyououtofitthefirstword。You"readandytotieto。Say，ifyouevergetagirl，she"llhaveapicnic。Won"tsheworkyoutothequeen"staste!Oh，my!"Sheconcludedwithataunting，shrilllaughthatraspedLorisonlikeasaw。Thepolicemenurgedherforward；thedelightedtrainofgapingfollowerscloseduptherear；andthecaptiveAmazon，acceptingherfate，extendedthescopeofhermaledictionssothatnoneinhearingmightseemtobeslighted。
ThentherecameuponLorisonanoverwhelmingrevulsionofhisperspective。Itmaybethathehadbeenripeforit，thattheabnormalconditionofmindinwhichhehadforsolongexistedwasalreadyabouttoreverttoitsbalance；however，itiscertainthattheeventsofthelastfewminuteshadfurnishedthechannel，ifnottheimpetus，forthechange。
Theinitialdetermininginfluencehadbeensosmallathingasthefactandmannerofhishavingbeenapproachedbytheofficer。Thatagenthad，bythestyleofhisaccost，restoredtheloiterertohisformerplaceinsociety。Inaninstanthehadbeentransformedfromasomewhatrancidprowleralongthefishysidestreetsofgentilityintoanhonestgentleman，withwhomevensolordlyaguardianofthepeacemightagreeablyexchangethecompliments。
This，then，firstbrokethespell，andsetthrillinginhimaresurrectedlongingforthefellowshipofhiskind，andtherewardsofthevirtuous。Towhatend，hevehementlyaskedhimself，wasthisfancifulself-accusation，thisemptyrenunciation，thismoralsqueamishnessthroughwhichhehadbeenledtoabandonwhatwashisheritageinlife，andnotbeyondhisdeserts？Technically，hewasuncondemned；hissoleguiltyspotwasinthoughtratherthandeed，andcognizanceofitunsharedbyothers。Forwhatgood，moralorsentimental，didheslink，retreatinglikethehedgehogfromhisownshadow，toandfrointhismustyBohemiathatlackedeventhepicturesque？
ButthethingthatstruckhomeandsethimragingwasthepartplayedbytheAmazonianprisoner。Tothecounterpartofthatastoundingbelligerent——identicalatleast，inthewayofexperience——toone，byherownconfession，thusfarfallen，hadhe，notthreehourssince，beenunitedinmarriage。Howdesirableandnaturalithadseemedtohimthen，andhowmonstrousitseemednow!Howthewordsofdiamondthiefnumbertwoyetburnedinhisears:"Ifyouevergetacirl，she"llhaveapicnic。Whatdidthatthatthiswomeninstinc-
tivelyknewhimforonetheycouldhoodwink？Stillagain，therereverberatedthepoliceman"ssapientcontributiontohisagony:"Amanthesedaysandnightswantstoknowwhathiswomenfolksareupto。"Oh，yes，hehadbeenafool；hehadlookedatthingsfromthewrongstandpoint。
Butthewildestnoteinalltheclamourwasstruckbypain"sforefinger，jealousy。Now，atleast，hefeltthatkeeneststing——amountingloveunworthilybestowed。
Whatevershemightbe，helovedher；heboreinhisownbreasthisdoom。Agrating，comicflavourtohispre-
dicamentstruckhimsuddenly，andhelaughedcreakinglyasheswungdowntheechoingpavement。Animpetuousdesiretoact，tobattlewithhisfate，seizedhim。Hestoppeduponhisheel，andsmotehispalmstogethertriumphantly。Hiswifewas——where？Buttherewasatangiblelink；anoutletmoreorlessnavigable，throughwhichhisderelictshipofmatrimonymightyetbesafelytowed——thepriest!
Likeallimaginativemenwithpliablenatures，Lorisonwas，whenthoroughlystirred，apttobecometempest-
uous。Withahighandstubbornindignationuponhim，beretracedhisstepstotheintersectingstreetbywhichhehadcome。Downthishehurriedtothecornerwherehehadpartedwith——anastringentgrimacetincturedthethought——hiswife。Thencestillbackheharked，follow-
ingthroughanunfamiliardistricthisstimulatedrecollec-
tionsofthewaytheyhadcomefromthatpreposterouswedding。Manytimeshewentabroad，andnosedhiswaybackto，thetrail，furious。
Atlast，whenhereachedthedark，calamitousbuildinginwhichhismadnesshadculminated，andfoundtheblackhallway，hedasheddownit，perceivingnolightorsound。Butheraisedhisvoice，hailingloudly；recklessofeverythingbutthatheshouldfindtheoldmischief-
makerwiththeeyesthatlookedtoofarawavtoseethedisasterhehadwrought。Thedooropened，andinthestreamoflightFatherRoganstood，hisbookinhand，withhisfingermarkingtheplace。
"Ah!"criedLorison。"YouarethemanIwant。I
hadawifeofyouafewhoursago。Iwouldnottroubleyou，butIneglectedtonotehowitwasdone。Willyouobligemewiththeinformationwhetherthebusinessisbeyondremedy？"
"Comeinside，"saidthepriest；"thereareotherlodgersinthehouse，whomightprefersleeptoevenagratifiedcuriosity。"
Lorisonenteredtheroomandtookthechairofferedhim。Thepriest"seyeslookedacourteousinterrogation。
"Imustapologizeagain，"saidtheyoungman，"forsosoonintrudinguponyouwithmymaritalinfelicities，but，asmywifehasneglectedtofurnishmewithheraddress，Iamdeprivedofthelegitimaterecourseofafamilyrow。"
"Iamquiteaplainman，"saidFatherRogan，pleas-
antly；"butIdonotseehowIamtoaskyouquestions。"
"Pardonmyindirectness，"saidLorison；"Iwillaskone。Inthisroomto-nightyoupronouncedmetobeahusband。Youafterwardspokeofadditionalritesorperformancesthateithershouldorcouldbeeffected。I
paidlittleattentiontoyourwordsthen，butIamhungrytohearthemrepeatednow。Asmattersstand，amI
marriedpastallhelp？"
"Youareaslegallyandasfirmlybound，"saidthepriest，"asthoughithadbeendoneinacathedral，inthepresenceofthousands。TheadditionalobservancesI
referredtoarenotnecessarytothestrictestlegalityoftheact，butwereadvisedasaprecautionforthefuture——
forconvenienceofproofinsuchcontingenciesaswills，inheritancesandthelike。"
Lorisonlaughedharshly。
"Manythanks，"hesaid。"Thenthereisnomistake，andIamthehappybenedict。IsupposeIshouldgostanduponthebridalcorner，andwhenmywifegetsthroughwalkingthestreetsshewilllookmeup。"
FatherRoganregardedhimcalmly。
"Myson，"hesaid，"whenamanandwomancometometobemarriedIalwaysmarrythem。Idothisforthesakeofotherpeoplewhomtheymightgoawayandmarryiftheydidnotmarryeachother。Asyousee，Idonotseekyourconfidence；butyourcaseseemstometobeonenotaltogetherdevoidofinterest。Veryfewmarriagesthathavecometomynoticehavebroughtsuchwell-
expressedregretwithinsoshortatime。Iwillhazardonequestion:wereyounotundertheimpressionthatyoulovedtheladyyoumarried，atthetimeyoudidso；"
"Lovedher!"criedLorison，wildly。"Neversowellasnow，thoughshetoldmeshedeceivedandsinnedandstole。Nevermorethannow，when，perhaps，sheislaughingatthefoolshecajoledandleft，withscarcelyaword，toreturntoGodonlyknowswhatparticularlineofherformerfolly。"
FatherRooananswerednothing。Duringthesilencethatsucceeded，hesatwithaquietexpectationbeaminginhisfull，lambenteye。
"Ifyouwouldlisten——"beganLorison。Thepriesthelduphishand。
"AsIhoped，"hesaid。"Ithoughtyouwouldtrustme。Waitbutamoment。"Hebroughtalongclaypipe，filledandlightedit。
"Now，myson，"hesaid。
Lorisonpouredatwelvemonth"saccumulatedcon-
fidenceintoFatherRogan"sear。Hetoldall；notsparinghimselforomittingthefactsofhispast，theeventsofthenight，orhisdisturbingconjecturesandfears。
"Themainpoint，"saidthepriest，whenhehadcon-
cluded，"seemstometobethis——areyoureasonablysurethatyoulovethiswomanwhomyouhavemarried？"
"Why，"exclaimedLorisoii，risingimpulsivelytohisfeet-"whyshouldIdenyit？Butlookatme——amfish，fleshorfowl？Thatisthemainpointtome，assureyou。"
"Iunderstandyou，"saidthepriest，alsorisino，，andlayingdownhispipe。"Thesituationisonethathastaxedtheenduranceofmucholdermenthanyou——infact，especiallymucholdermenthanyou。Iwilltrytorelieveyoufromit，andthisnight。Youshallseeforyourselfintoexactlywhatpredicamentyouhavefallen，andhowyoushall，possibly，beextricated。Thereisnoevidencesocredibleasthatoftheeyesight。"
FatherRoganmovedabouttheroom，anddonnedasoftblackhat。Buttoninghiscoattohisthroat，helaidhishandonthedoorknob。"Letuswalk，"
hesaid。
Thetwowentoutuponthestreet。Thepriestturnedhisfacedownit，andLorisonwalkedwithhimthroughasqualiddistrict，wherethehousesloomed，awryanddesoiate-looking，highabovethem。Presentlytheyturnedintoalessdismalsidestreet，wherethehousesweresmaller，and，thoughhintingofthemostmeagrecomfort，lackedtheconcentratedwretchednessofthemorepopulousbyways。
Atasegregated，two-storyhouseFatherRoganhalted，andmountedthestepswiththeconfidenceofafamiliarvisitor。HeusheredLorisonintoanarrowhallway，faintlylightedbyacobwebbedhanginglamp。AlmostimmediatelyadoortotherightopenedandadingyIrish-
womanprotrudedherhead。
"Goodeveningtoye，MistressGeehan，"saidthepriest，unconsciously，itseemed，fallingintoadelicatelyflavouredbrogue。"AndisityourselfcantellmeifNorahhasgoneoutagain，thenight，maybe？"
"Oh，it"syerblissidreverence!SureandIcantellyethesame。Thepurtydarlin"wintout，asusual，butabitlater。Andshesays:"MotherGeehan，"saysshe，"it"smelastnoightout，praisethesaints，thisnoightis!"And，oh，yerreverence，theswate，beautifuldrameofadressshehadthistoime!Whitesatinandsilkandribbons，andlaceabouttheneckandarrums——"twasasin，yerreverence，thegoldwasspintuponit。"
ThepriestheardLorisoncatchhisbreathpainfully，andafaintsmileflickeredacrosshisownclean-cutmouth。
"Well，then，MistressGeehan，"saidhe，"I"lljuststepupstairsandseethebitboyforaminute，andI"lltakethisGentlemanupwithme。"
"He"sawake，thin，"saidthewoman。"I"vejustcomedownfromsittingwidhimthelasthour，tillinghimfineshtoriesofouldCountyTyrone。"Tisagreedygos-
soon，itis，yerriverence，formeshtories。"
"Smallthedoubt，"saidFatherRogan。"There"snorockingwouldputhimtoslapethequicker，I"mthinking。"
Amidthewoman"sshrillprotestagainsttheretort，thetwomenascendedthesteepstairway。Thepriestpushedopenthedoorofaroomnearitstop。
"Isthatyoualready，sister？"drawledasweet，childishvoicefromthedarkness。
"It"sonlyouldFatherDennycometoseeye，darlin"；
andafoinegentlemanI"vebroughttomakeyeagr-r-andcall。Andyeresavesusfastaslapeinbed!Shameonyezmanners!"
"Oh，FatherDenny，isthatyou？I"mglad。Andwillyoulightthelamp，please？It"sonthetablebythedoor。AndquittalkinglikeMotherGeehan，FatherDenny。"
Thepriestlitthelamp，andLorisonsawatiny，towsled-
hairedboy，withathin，delicateface，sittingupinasmallbedinacorner。Quickly，also，hisrapidglancecon-
sideredtheroomanditscontents。Itwasfurnishedwithmorethancomfort，anditsadornmentsplainlyindicatedawoman"sdiscerningtaste。Anopendoorbeyondrevealedtheblacknessofanadjoiningroom"sinterior。
TheboyclutchedbothofFatherRogan"shands。"I"msogladyoucame，"hesaid；"butwhydidyoucomeinthenight？Didsistersendyou？"
"Offwidye!AmItobesintabout，atmeage，aswasTerenceMcShane，ofBallymahone？Icomeonmeownr-r-responsibility。"
Lorisonhadalsoadvancedtotheboy"sbedside。Hewasfondofchildren；andtheweefellow，lavinghimselfdowntosleepaloneillthatdarkroom，stirred-hisheart。
"Aren"tyouafraid，littleman？"heasked，stoopingdownbesidehim。
"Sometimes，"answeredtheboy，withashysmile，"whentheratsmaketoomuchnoise。Butnearlyeverynight，whensistergoesout，Molt-herGeehanstaysawhilewithme，andtellsmefunnystories。I"mnotoftenafraid，sir。"
"Thisbravelittlegentleman，"saidFatherRogan，"isascholarofmine。Everydayfromhalf-pastsixtohalf-
pasteight——whensistercomesforhim——hestopsinmystudy，andwefindoutwhat"sintheinsideofbooks。
Heknowsmultiplication，divisionandfractions；andhe"stroublingmetobeginwidthechroniclesofCiaranofClonmaciioise，CoruracMcCullenanandCuanO"Loc-
hain，thegr-r-reatIrishhisthorians。"Theboywasevidentlyaccustomedtothepriest"sCelticpleasantries。
Alittle，appreciativegrinwasalltheattentiontheinsin-
nationofpedantryreceived。
Lorison，tohavesavedhislife，couldnothaveputtothechildoneofthosevitalquestionsthatwerewildlybeatingabout，unanswered，inhisownbrain。ThelittlefellowwasverylikeNorah；hehadthesameshininghairandcandideyes。
"Oh，FatherDenny，"criedtheboy，suddenly，"I
forgottotellyou!Sisterisnotgoingawayatnightanymore!Shetoldmesowhenshekissedmegoodnightasshewasleaving。Andshesaidshewassohappy，andthenshecried。Wasn"tthatqueer？ButI"mglad；
aren"tyou？"
"Yes，lad。Andnow，yeomadhaun，gotosleep，andsaygoodnight；wemustbegoing。"
"WhichshallIdofirst，FatherDenny？"
"Faith，he"scaughtmeagain!WaittillIgetthesassenachintotheannalsofTageruach，thehagiographer；
I"llgivehimenoughoftheIrishidiomtomakehimmorerespectful。"
Thelightwasout，andthesmall，bravevoicebiddingthemgoodnightfromthedarkroom。Theygropeddownstairs，andtoreawayfromthegarrulityofMotherGeehan。
Againtheprieststeeredthemthroughthedimways，butthistimeinanotherdirection。Hisconductorwasserenelysilent，andLorisonfollowedhisexampletotheextentofseldomspeaking。Serenehecouldnotbe。Hisheartbeatsuffocatinglyinhisbreast。Thefollowingofthisblind，menacingtrailwaspregnantwithheknewnotwhathumiliatingrevelationtobedeliveredatitsend。
Theycameintoamorepretentiousstreet，wheretrade，itcouldbesurmised，flourishedbyday。Andagainthepriestpaused；thistimebeforealoftybuilding，whosegreatdoorsandwindowsinthelowestfloorwerecarefullyshutteredandbarred。Itshigheraperturesweredark，saveinthethirdstory，thewindowsofwhichwerebril-
liantlylighted。Lorison"searcaughtadistant，regular，pleasingthrumming，asofmusicabove。Theystoodatanangleofthebuilding。Up，alongthesidenearestthem，mountedanironstairway。Atitstopwasanupright，illuminatedparallelogram。FatherRoganhadstopped，andstood，musing。
"Iwillsaythismuch，"heremarked，thoughtfully:
"Ibelieveyoutobeabettermanthanyouthinkyourselftobe，andabettermanthanIthoughtsomehoursago。
Butdonottakethis，"headded，withasmile，"asmuchpraise。Ipromisedyouapossibledeliverancefromanunhappyperplexity。Iwillhavetomodifythatpromise。
Icanonlyremovethemysterythatenhancedthatper-
plexity。Yourdeliverancedependsuponyourself。
Come。"
Heledhiscompanionupthestairway。Halfwayup，Lorisoncaughthimbythesleeve。"Remember，"hegasped，"Ilovethatwoman。"
"Youdesiredtoknow。
"I——Goon。"
Thepriestreachedthelandingatthetopofthestairway。
Lorison，behindhim，sawthattheilluminatedspacewastheglassupperhalfofadooropeningintothelightedroom。Therhythmicmusicincreasedastheynearedit；thestairsshookwiththemellowvibrations。
Lorisonstoppedbreathingwhenhesetfootuponthehigheststep，fortheprieststoodaside，andmotionedhimtolookthroughtheglassofthedoor。