第4章

CHAPTERXIII

HOWITBECAMEFAMOUS

YubaBillwasrightinbelievingthatWileswouldlosenotimeatRawlings。HeleftthereonafleethorsebeforeBillhadreturnedwiththebroken-downcoachtothelaststation，anddistancedthetelegramsenttodetainhimtwohours。Leavingthestageroadanditsdangeroustelegraphicstations，hepushedsouthwardtoDenveroverthearmytrail，incompanywithahalf-breedpacker，crossingtheMissouribeforeThatcherhadreachedJulesburg。WhenThatcherwasatOmaha，WileswasalreadyinSt。Louis;andasthePullmancarcontainingtheheroofthe"BlueMass"minerolledintoChicago，Wileswasalreadywalkingthestreetsofthenationalcapital。Nevertheless，hehadtimeenroutetosinkinthewatersoftheNorthPlatte，withmanyexpressionsofdisgust，thelittleblackportmanteaubelongingtoThatcher，containinghisdressingcase，afewunimportantletters，andanextrashirt，towonderwhysimplemendidnottravelwiththeirimportantdocumentsandvaluables，andtosetonfootsomeprudentandcautiousinquiriesregardinghisownlostcarpetbaganditsimportantcontents。

Butforthesetrifleshehadeveryreasontobesatisfiedwiththeprogressofhisplans。"It’sallright，"saidMrs。Hopkinsonmerrily;"whileyouandGashwilerhavebeenworkingwithyour’stock，’andtreatingthewholeworldasifitcouldbebribed，I’vedonemorewiththatearnest，self-believing，self-deceiving，andperfectlypatheticRoscommonthanallyoufellowsputtogether。

Why，I’vetoldhispitifulstory，anddrawntearsfromtheeyesofSenatorsandCabinetMinisters。Morethanthat，I’veintroducedhimintosociety，puthiminadresscoat，——suchafigure！——andyouknowhowthebestfolkworshipeverythingthatisoutreasthesincerething。I’vemadehimacompletesuccess。Why，onlytheothernight，whenSenatorMisnancyandJudgeFitzdawdlewerehere，aftermakinghimtellhisstory，——whichyouknowIthinkhereallybelieves，——Isang’TherecametothebeachapoorExileofErin，’

andmyhusbandtoldmeafterwardsitwasworthatleastadozenvotes。"

"Butaboutthisrivalofyours，——thisnieceofGarcia’s？"

"Anotherofyourblunders;youmenknownothingofwomen。Firstly，she’saswarthylittlebrunette，withdotsforeyes;andstrideslikeaman，dresseslikeadowdy，don’twearstays，andhasnostyle。Then，she’sasinglewoman，andalone;and，althoughsheaffectstobeanartist，andhasBohemianways，don’tyouseeshecan’tgointosocietywithoutachaperonorsomebodytogowithher？Nonsense。"

"But，"persistedWiles，"shemusthavesomepower;there’sJudgeMasonandSenatorPeabody，whoareconstantlytalkingabouther;

andDinwiddieofVirginiaescortedherthroughtheCapitoltheotherday。"

MistressHopkinsonlaughed。"MasonandPeabodyaspiretobethoughtliteraryandartistic，andDinwiddiewantedtopiqueME！"

"ButThatcherisnofool——"

"IsThatcheralady’sman？"queriedtheladysuddenly。

"Hardly，Ishouldsay，"respondedWiles。"Hepretendstobeabsorbedinhisswindleanddevotedtohismine;andIdon’tthinkthatevenyou——"hestoppedwithaslightsneer。

"There，youaremisunderstandingmeagain，and，whatisworse，youaremisunderstandingyourcase。Thatcherispleasedwithherbecausehehasprobablyseennooneelse。WaittillhecomestoWashingtonandhasanopportunityforcomparison;"andshecastafrankglanceathermirror，whereWiles，withasardonicbow，leftherstanding。

Mr。GashwilerwasquiteasconfidentofhisownsuccesswithCongress。"Wearewithinafewdaysoftheendofthesession。

WewillmanagetohaveittakenupandrushedthroughbeforethatfellowThatcherknowswhatheisabout。"

"Ifitcouldbedonebeforehegetshere，"saidWiles，"it’sareasonablysurething。Heisdelayedtwodays：hemighthavebeendelayedlonger。"HereMr。Wilessighed。Iftheaccidenthadhappenedonamountainroad，andthestagehadbeenprecipitatedovertheabyss，whatvaluabletimewouldhavebeensaved，andsuccessbecomeasurety。ButMr。Wiles’sfunctionsasanadvocatedidnotincludemurder;atleast，hewasdoubtfulifitcouldbetaxedascosts。

"Weneedhavenofears，sir，"resumedMr。Gashwiler;"Thematterisnowinthehandsofthehighesttribunalofappealinthecountry。

Itwillmeet，sir，withinflexiblejustice。Ihavealreadypreparedsomeremarks——"

"Bytheway，"interruptedWilesinfelicitously，"where’syouryoungman，——yourprivatesecretary，——Dobbs？"

TheCongressmanforamomentlookedconfused。"Heisnothere。

AndImustcorrectyourerrorinapplyingthattermtohim。Ihaveneverputmyconfidenceinthehandsofanyone。"

"Butyouintroducedhimtomeasyoursecretary？"

"Amerehonorarytitle，sir。Abrevetrank。Imight，itistrue，havethoughttoreposesuchatrustinhim。ButIwasdeceived，sir，asIfearIamtooapttobewhenIpermitmyfeelingsasamantoovercomemydutyasanAmericanlegislator。Mr。Dobbsenjoyedmypatronageandtheopportunityitgavemetointroducehimintopubliclifeonlytoabuseit。Hebecame，Ifear，deeplyindebted。Hisextravagancewasunlimited，hisambitionunbounded，butwithout，sir，acashbasis。Iadvancedmoneytohimfromtimetotimeuponthelittlepropertyyousogenerouslyextendedtohimforhisservices。Butitwasquicklydissipated。Yet，sir，suchistheingratitudeofmanthathisfamilylatelyappealedtomeforassistance。Ifeltitwasnecessarytobestern，andIrefused。I

wouldnotforthesakeofhisfamilysayanything，butIhavemissed，sir，booksfrommylibrary。Onthedayafterheleft，twovolumesofPatentOfficereportsandaBlueBookofCongress，purchasedthatdaybymeatastoreonPennsylvaniaavenue，wereMISSING，——missing！Ihaddifficulty，sir，greatdifficultyinkeepingitfromthepapers！"

AsMr。WileshadheardthestoryalreadyfromGashwiler’sacquaintances，withmoreorlessfreecommentonthegiftedlegislator’seconomy，hecouldnothelpthinkingthatthedifficultyhadbeengreatindeed。ButheonlyfixedhismalevolenteyeonGashwilerandsaid：

"Soheisgone，eh？"

"Yes。"

"Andyou’vemadeanenemyofhim？That’sbad。"

Mr。Gashwilertriedtolookdignifiedlyunconcerned;butsomethinginhisvisitor’smannermadehimuneasy。

"Isayitisbad，ifyouhave。Listen。BeforeIlefthere，I

foundataboardinghousewherehehadboarded，andstillowedabill，atrunkwhichthelandlordretained。Openingit，Ifoundsomelettersandpaperstoyours，withcertainmemorandaofhis，whichIthoughtoughttobeinYOURpossession。Asanallegedfriendofhis，Iredeemedthetrunkbypayingtheamountofhisbill，andsecuredthemorevaluablepapers。"

Gashwiler，whosefacehadgrownapoplecticallysuffusedasWileswenton，atlastgasped："Butyougotthetrunk，andhavethepapers？"

"Unfortunately，no;andthat’swhyit’sbad。"

"But，goodGod！whathaveyoudonewiththem？"

"I’velostthemsomewhereontheOverlandRoad。"

Mr。Gashwilersatforafewmomentsspeechless，vacillatingbetweenapurplerageandapallidfear。Thenhesaidhoarsely：

"Theyareallblankforgeries，——everyoneofthem。"

"Oh，no！"saidWiles，smilingblandlyonhisdexterside，andenjoyingthewholescenemalevolentlywithhissinistereye。"YOUR

papersareallgenuine，andIwon’tsayarenotallright，butunfortunatelyIhadinthesamebagsomememorandaofmyownfortheuseofmyclient，that，youunderstand，mightbeputtosomebaduseiffoundbyacleverman。"

Thetworascalslookedateachother。Thereisonthewholereallyverylittle"honoramongthieves，"——atleastgreatones，——andtheinferiorrascalsuccumbedatthereflectionofwhatHEmightdoifhewereintheotherrascal’splace。"Seehere，Wiles，"hesaid，relaxinghisdignitywiththeperspirationthatoozedfromeverypore，andmadethecollarofhisshirtamerelimprag。"Seehere，WE"——thisfirstuseofthepluralwasequivalenttoaconfession——

"wemustgetthempapers。"

"Ofcourse，"saidWilescoolly，"ifweCAN，andifThatcherdoesn’tgetwindofthem。"

"Hecannot。"

"HewasonthecoachwhenIlostthem，comingEast。"

Mr。Gashwilerpaledagain。Intheemergencyhehadrecoursetothesideboardandabottle，forgettingWiles。TenminutesbeforeWileswouldhaveremainedseated;butitisrecordedthatherose，tookthebottlefromthegiftedGashwiler’sfingers，helpedhimselfFIRST，andthensatdown。

"Yes，but，myboy，"saidGashwiler，nowrapidlychangingsituationswiththecoolerWiles;"yes，but，oldfellow，"headded，pokingWileswithafatforefinger，"don’tyouseethewholethingwillbeupbeforehegetshere？"

"Yes，"saidWilesgloomily，"butthoselazy，easy，honestmenhaveawayofpoppingupjustatthenickoftime。Theyneverneedhurry;allthingswaitforthem。Why，don’tyourememberthatontheverydayMrs。HopkinsonandIandyougotthePresidenttosignthatpatent，thatverydayoneofthemd——nfellowsturnsupfromSanFranciscoorAustralia，havingtakenhisowntimetogethere，——

getshereabouthalfanhourafterthePresidenthadsignedthepatentandsentitovertotheoffice，findstherightmantointroducehimtothePresident，hasatalkwithhim，makeshimsignanordercountermandingitsissuance，andundoesallthathasbeendoneinsixyearsinonehour。"

"Yes，butCongressisatribunalthatdoesnotrevokeitsdecrees，"

saidGashwilerwithareturnofhisoldmanner;"atleast，"headded，observinganincredulousshrugintheshoulderofhiscompanion，"atleastDURINGTHESESSION。"

"Weshallsee，"saidWiles，quietlytakinghishat。

"Weshallsee，sir，"saidthememberfromRemuswithdignity。

CHAPTERXIV

WHATCULTUREDIDFORIT

TherewasatthistimeintheSenateoftheUnitedStatesaneminentandrespectedgentleman，scholarly，orderly，honorable，andradical，——thefitrepresentativeofascholarly，orderly，honorable，andradicalCommonwealth。Formanyyearshehadheldhistrustwithconsciousrectitude，andaslightdepreciationofotherformsofmerit;andforasmanyyearshadbeenasregularlyreturnedtohisseatbyhisconstituencywithequallyconsciousrectitudeinthemselvesandanequalskepticismregardingothers。

Removedbyhisnaturebeyondthereachofcertaintemptations，andbycircumstancesbeyondeventheknowledgeofothers，hissocialandpoliticalintegritywasspotless。Anoratorandpracticaldebater，hisrefinedtasteskepthimfrompersonality，andthepublicrecognitionofthecompleteunselfishnessofhismotivesandthemagnitudeofhisdogmasprotectedhimfromscurrility。Hisprincipleshadneverbeenappealedtobyabribe;hehadrarelybeenapproachedbyanemotion。

Amanofpolishedtasteinartandliterature，andpossessingthemeanstogratifyit，hisluxurioushomewasfilledwithtreasureshehadhimselfcollected，andfurtherenhancedbythestampofhisappreciation。Hislibraryhadnotonlytheeleganceofadornmentthathiswealthcouldbringandhistasteapprove，butacertainrefinednegligenceofhabitualuse，andtheeasydisorderoftheartist’sworkshop。AllthiswasquicklynotedbyayounggirlwhostoodonitsthresholdatthecloseofadullJanuaryday。

ThecardthathadbeenbroughttotheSenatorborethenameof"CarmendeHaro";andmodestlyintherighthandcorner，inalmostmicroscopicscript，thefurtherdescriptionofherselfas"Artist。"

Perhapsthepicturesquenessofthename，anditshistoricsuggestioncaughtthescholar’staste，forwhentohisrequest，throughhisservant，thatshewouldbekindenoughtostateherbusiness，sherepliedasfranklythatherbusinesswaspersonaltohimself，hedirectedthatsheshouldbeadmitted。Thenentrenchinghimselfbehindhislibrarytable，overlookingabastionofbooks，andaglacisofpamphletsandpapers，andthrowingintohisforeheadandeyesanexpressionofutterdisqualificationforanythingbutthebusinessbeforehim，becalmlyawaitedtheintruder。

Shecame，andforaninstantstood，hesitatingly，framingherselfasapictureinthedoor。Mrs。Hopkinsonwasright，——shehad"nostyle，"unlessanoriginalandhalf-foreignquaintnesscouldbecalledso。TherewasadesperateattemptvisibletocombineanAmericanshawlwiththehabitsofamantilla，anditwasalwaysslippingfromoneshoulder，thatwassosuppleandvivaciousastobetraythedeficienciesofaneducationinstays。Therewasaclusterofblackcurlsaroundherlowforehead，fittinghersocloselyastoseemtobeapartoftheseal-skincapshewore。

Once，fromtheforceofhabit，sheattemptedtoputhershawloverherheadandtalkthroughthefoldsgatheredunderherchin，butanastonishedlookfromtheSenatorcheckedher。Nevertheless，hefeltrelieved，andrising，motionedhertoachairwithaheartinesshewouldhavescarcelyshowntoaParisiantoilleta。

Andwhen，withtwoorthreequick，longsteps，shereachedhisside，andshowed，afrank，innocent，butstronganddeterminedlittleface，feminineonlyinitsflashofeyeandbeautyoflipandchincurves，heputdownthepamphlethehadtakenupsomewhatostentatiously，andgentlybeggedtoknowherbusiness。

IthinkIhaveoncebeforespokenofhervoice，——anorganmoreoftencultivatedbymyfaircountry-womenforsingingthanforspeaking，which，consideringthatmuchofourpracticalrelationswiththesexarecarriedonwithouttheaidofanoperascore，seemsamistakennotionoftheirs，——andofitssweetness，gentleinflexion，andmusicalemphasis。Shehadtheadvantageofhavingbeentrainedinamusicallanguage，andcameofaracewithwhomcatarrhsandsorethroatswererare。SothatinafewbriefphrasesshesangtheSenatorintoacquiescenceassheimpartedtheplainlibrettoofherbusiness，——namely，a"desiretoseesomeofhisrareengravings。"

NowtheengravingsinquestionwerecertainetchingsoftheearlyGreatApprenticesoftheart，andwere，Iamhappytobelieve，extremelyrare。Frommyunprofessionalviewtheywereexceedinglybad，——showingthemeregenesisofsomethingsinceperfected，butdear，ofcourse，tothetruecollector’ssoul。Idon’tbelievethatCarmenreallyadmiredthemeither。ButtheminxknewthattheSenatorpridedhimselfonhavingtheonly"pot-hooks"ofthegreat"A，"orthefirstartisticeffortsof"B，"——Ileavetherealnamestobefilledinbytheconnoisseur，——andtheSenatorbecameinterested。Forthelastyear，twoorthreeoftheseabominationshadbeenhanginginhisstudy，utterlyignoredbythecasualvisitor。Butherewasappreciation！"Shewas，"sheadded，"onlyapooryoungartist，unabletopurchasesuchtreasures，butequallyunabletoresisttheopportunityaffordedher，evenattheriskofseemingbold，orofobtrudinguponagreatman’sprivacy，"&c。&c。

Thisflattery，which，ifofferedintheusuallegaltenderofthecountry，wouldhavebeenlookeduponascounterfeit，deliveredhereinaforeignaccent，withaslightlytropicalwarmth，wasacceptedbytheSenatorasgenuine。ThesechildrenoftheSunaresoimpulsive！We，ofcourse，feelalittlepityforthepersonwhothustranscendsourstandardofgoodtasteandviolatesourconventionalcanon，——buttheyarealwayssincere。ThecoldNewEnglandersawnothingwronginoneortwodirectandextravagantcompliments，thatwouldhaveinsuredhisvisitor’searlydismissaliftenderedintheclippedmetallicphrasesoftheCommonwealthherepresented。

Sothatinafewmomentstheblack，curlyheadofthelittleartistandthewhite，flowinglocksoftheSenatorwereclosetogetherbendingovertherackthatcontainedtheengravings。ItwasthenthatCarmen，listeningtoagraphicdescriptionoftheearlyriseofArtintheNetherlands，forgotherselfandputhershawlaroundherhead，holdingitsfoldsinherlittlebrownhand。Inthissituationtheywere，atdifferenttimesduringthenexttwohours，interruptedbyfiveCongressmen，threeSenators，aCabinetofficer，andaJudgeoftheSupremeBench，——eachofwhomwasquicklybutcourteouslydismissed。Popularsentiment，however，brokeoutinthehall。

"Well，I’mblanked，butthisgetsme。"（ThespeakerwasaTerritorialdelegate。）

"Athistimeo’life，too，lookin’overpictureswithagalyoungenoughtobehisgrandchild。"（Thisfromavenerableofficial，sincesuspectedofvariouseroticirregularities。）

"Shedon’thandsomeany。"（ThehonorablememberfromDakota。）

"Thisaccountsforhisprotractedsilenceduringthesessions。"（A

seriouscolleaguefromtheSenator’sownState。）

"Oh，blankitall！"（Omnes。）

Fourwenthometotelltheirwives。Therearefewthingsmoretouchinginthematrimonialcompactthanthesuperbfranknesswithwhicheachconfidestoeachthevariousirregularitiesoftheirfriends。Itisuponthesesacredconfidencesthatthefirmfoundationsofmarriagerestunshaken。

Ofcoursetheobjectsofthiscomment，atleastONEofthem，werequiteoblivious。"Itrust，"saidCarmen，timidly，whentheyhadforthefourthtimeregardedinraptadmirationanabominablesomethingbysomeDutchwood-chopper，"ItrustIamnotkeepingyoufromyourgreatfriends："——herprettyeyelidswerecastdownintremulousdistress：——"Ishouldneverforgivemyself。PerhapsitisimportantbusinessoftheState？"

"Oh，dear，no！"THEYwillcomeagain，——it’sTHEIRbusiness。"

TheSenatormeantitkindly。ItwasasneartheperilousedgeofacomplimentasyouraveragecultivatedBostonmaneverventures，andCarmenpickeditup，femininely，byitssentimentalend。"AndI

supposeIshallnottroubleyouagain？"

"Ishallalwaysbeproudtoplacetheportfolioatyourdisposal。

Commandmeatanytime，"saidtheSenator，withdignity。

"Youarekind。Youaregood，"saidCarmen，"andI——I’mbut，——lookyou，——onlyapoorgirlfromCalifornia，thatyouknownot。"

"Pardonme，Iknowyourcountrywell。"AndindeedhecouldhavetoldhertheexactnumberofbushelsofwheattotheacreinherowncountyofMonterey，itsvotingpopulation，itspoliticalbias。

Yetofthemoreimportantproductbeforehim，afterthemannerofbook-readmen，heknewnothing。

Carmenwasastonished，butrespectful。Ittranspiredpresentlythatshewasnotawareoftherapidgrowthofthesilkworminherowndistrict，knewnothingoftheChinesequestion，andverylittleoftheAmericanmininglaws。UponthesequestionstheSenatorenlightenedherfully。"Yournameishistoric，bytheway，"hesaidpleasantly。"TherewasaKnightofAlcantara，a"DeHaro，"

oneoftheemigrantswithLasCasas。"

Carmennoddedherheadquickly，"Yes;mygreat-great-great-g-r-e-a-tgrandfather！"

TheSenatorstared。

"Oh，yes。IamthenieceofVictorCastro，whomarriedmyfather’ssister。"

"TheVictorCastroofthe’BlueMass’mine？"askedtheSenatorabruptly。

"Yes，"shesaidquietly。

HadtheSenatorbeenoftheGashwilertype，hewouldhaveexpressedhimself，aftertheaveragemasculinefashion，byalong-drawnwhistle。ButhisonlyperceptibleappreciationofasuddenastonishmentandsuspicioninhismindwasaloweringofthesocialthermometeroftheroomsodecidedthatpoorCarmenlookedupinnocently，chilled，anddrewhershawlcloseraroundhershoulders。

"Ihavesomethingmoretoask，"saidCarmen，hangingherhead，——"itisagreat，oh，averygreatfavor。"

TheSenatorhadretreatedbehindhisbastionofbooksagain，andwasvisiblypreparingforanassault。Hesawitallnow。Hehadbeen，insomevagueway，deluded。HehadgivenconfidentialaudiencetothenieceofoneoftheGreatClaimantsbeforeCongress。Theinevitableaxehadcometothegrindstone。Whatmightnotthiswomandareaskofhim？Hewasthemoreimplacablethathefelthehadalreadybeenprepossessed——andhonestlyprepossessed——inherfavor。Hewasangrywithherforhavingpleasedhim。UndertheicypolishofhismannertherewerecertainPuritancallositiescausedbyearlystraight-lacing。Hewasnotyetquitefreefromhisancestor’scheerfulethicsthatNature，asrepresentedbyanImpulse，wasasmuchtoberestrainedasOrderrepresentedbyaQuaker。

Withoutapparentlynoticinghismanner，Carmenwenton，withacertainpotentialfreedomofstyle，gesture，andmannerscarcelytobeindicatedinhermerewords。"Youknow，then，IamofSpanishblood，andthat，whatwasmyadoptedcountry，ourmottowas，’GodandLiberty。’Itwasofyou，sir，——thegreatEmancipator，——theapostleofthatLiberty，——thefriendofthedown-troddenandoppressed，——thatI，asachild，firstknew。InthehistoriesofthisgreatcountryIhavereadofyou，Ihavelearnedyourorations。Ihavelongedtohearyouinyourownpulpitdeliverthecreedofmyancestors。Tohearyou，ofyourself，speak，ah！MadredeDios！whatshallIsay，——speaktheorationeloquent，——tomakethe——whatyoucall——thedebate，thatiswhatIhaveforsolonghoped。Eh！Pardon，——youarethinkingmefoolish，——wild，eh？——asmallchild，——eh？"

Becomingmoreandmoredialecticalasshewenton，shesaidsuddenly，"Ihaveyouofmyselfoffended。Youaremadofmeasabold，badchild？Itisso？"

TheSenator，asvisiblybecominglimpandweakagainbehindhisentrenchments，managedtosay，"Oh，no！"then，"really！"andfinally，"Tha-a-nks！"

"Iamherebutforaday。IreturntoCaliforniainaday，asitwereto-morrow。Ishallnever，neverhearyouspeakinyourplaceintheCapitolofthisgreatcountry？"

TheSenatorsaidhastilythathefeared——heinfactwasconvinced——

thathisdutyduringthissessionwasrequiredmoreathisdesk，inthecommitteework，thaninspeaking，&c。，&c。

"Ah，"saidCarmensadly，"itistrue，then，allthisthatIhaveheard。Itistruethatwhattheyhavetoldme，——thatyouhavegivenupthegreatparty，——thatyourvoiceisnotlongerheardintheold——whatyoucallthis——eh——theoldISSUES？"

"Ifanyonehastoldyouthat，MissDeHaro，"respondedtheSenatorsharply，"hehasspokenfoolishly。Youhavebeenmisinformed。MayIaskwho——"

"Ah！"saidCarmen，"Iknownot！Itisintheair！Iamastranger。

PerhapsIamde-ceived。Butitisofall。Isaytothem，WhenshallIhearhimspeak？IgodayafterdaytotheCapitol，Iwatchhim，——thegreatEmancipator，——butitisofbusiness，eh？——itistheclaimofthatone，itisthetax，eh？itistheimpost，itisthepost-office，butitisthegreatspeechofhumanrights——never，NEVER。Isay，’Howarrivesallthis？’Andsomesay，andshaketheirheads，’neveragainhespeaks。’Heiswhatyoucall’played——

yes，itisso，eh？——playedout。’Iknowitnot，——itisawordfromBos-ton，perhaps？Theysayhehas——eh，IspeaknottheEnglishwell——thepartyhehasshaken，’shook，’——yes，——hehastheparty’shaken，’eh？Itisright，——itisthelanguageofBos-ton，eh？"

"Permitmetosay，MissDeHaro，"returnedtheSenator，risingwithsomeasperity，"thatyouseemtohavebeenunfortunateinyourselectionofacquaintances，andstillmoresoinyourideasofthederivationsoftheEnglishtongue。The——er——the——er——expressionsyouhavequotedarenotcommontoBoston，butemanate，Ibelieve，fromtheWest。"

CarmendeHarocontritelyburiedeverythingbutherblackeyesinhershawl。

"Noone，"hecontinued，moregently，sittingdownagain，"hastherighttoforecastfrommypastwhatIintendtodointhefuture，ordesignatethemeansImaychoosetoservetheprinciplesIholdorthepartyIrepresent。ThoseareMYfunctions。Atthesametime，shouldoccasion——oropportunity——forwearewithinadayortwoofthecloseoftheSession——"

"Yes，"interruptedCarmen，sadly，"Isee，——itwillbesomebusiness，someclaim，somethingforsomebody，——ah！MadredeDios，——youwillnotspeak，andI——"

"Whendoyouthinkofreturning？"askedtheSenator，withgravepoliteness;"whenarewetoloseyou？"

"Ishallstaytothelast，——totheendoftheSession，"saidCarmen。"AndNOWIshallgo。"Shegotupandpulledhershawlviciouslyoverhershoulders，withaprettypettishness，perhapsthemostfemininethingshehaddonethatevening。Possibly，themostgenuine。

TheSenatorsmiledaffably："Youdonotdeservetobedisappointedineithercase;butitislaterthanyouimagine;letmehelpyouontheshorterdistanceinmycarriage;itisatthedoor。"

Heaccompaniedhergravelytothecarriage。Asitrolledaway，sheburiedherlittlefigureinitsamplecushionsandchuckledtoherself，albeitalittlehysterically。Whenshehadreachedherdestination，shefoundherselfcrying，andhastily，andsomewhatangrily，driedhereyesasshedrewupatthedoorofherlodgings。

"Howhaveyouprospered？"askedMr。Harlowe，ofcounselforRoyalThatcher，ashegallantlyassistedherfromthecarriage。"Ihavebeenwaitingherefortwohours;yourinterviewmusthavebeenprolonged，——thatwasagoodsign。"

"Don’taskmenow，"saidCarmen，alittlesavagely，"I’mwornoutandtired。"

Mr。Harlowebowed。"Itrustyouwillbebetterto-morrow，forweexpectourfriend，Mr。Thatcher。"

Carmen’sbrowncheekflushedslightly。"Heshouldhavebeenherebefore。Whereishe？Whatwashedoing？"

"Hewassnowedupontheplains。Heiscomingasfastassteamcancarryhim;buthemaybetoolate。"

Carmendidnotreply。

Thelawyerlingered。"HowdidyoufindthegreatNew-EnglandSenator？"heaskedwithaslightprofessionallevity。

Carmenwastired，Carmenwasworried，Carmenwasalittleself-

reproachful，andshekindledeasily。Consequentlyshesaidicily：

"IfoundhimAGENTLEMAN！"

CHAPTERXV

HOWITBECAMEUNFINISHEDBUSINESS

Theclosingofthe————CongresswasnotunliketheclosingoftheseveralprecedingCongresses。Therewasthesameunbusiness-like，impracticalhaste;thesamehurried，unjust，andutterlyinadequateadjustmentofunfinished，ill-digestedbusiness，thatwouldnothavebeentoleratedforamomentbythesovereignpeopleinanyprivateinteresttheycontrolled。Therewerefraudsrushedthrough;therewerelong-suffering，righteousdemandsshelved;therewerehonest，unpaiddebtsdishonoredbyscantappropriations;therewereclosingsceneswhichonlythesavingsenseofAmericanhumorkeptfrombeingutterlyvile。Theactors，thelegislatorsthemselves，knewit，andlaughedatit;thecommentators，thePress，knewitandlaughedatit;theaudience，thegreatAmericanpeople，knewitandlaughedatit。Andnobodyforaninstantconceivedthatitever，underanycircumstances，mightbeotherwise。

TheclaimofRoscommonwasamongtheUnfinishedBusiness。Theclaimanthimself，haggard，pathetic，importunate，andobstinate，wasamongtheUnfinishedBusiness。VariousCongressmen，moreorlessinterestedinthesuccessoftheclaim，wereamongtheUnfinishedBusiness。ThememberfromFresno，whohadchangedhisderringerforaspeechagainsttheclaimant，wasamongtheUnfinishedBusiness。ThegiftedGashwiler，uneasyinhissoulovercertainotherUnfinishedBusinessintheshapeofhismissingletters，butdroppingoilandhoneyashemingledwithhisbrothers，wasKingofMisruleandLordoftheUnfinishedBusiness。

PrettyMrs。Hopkinson，prudentlyescortedbyherhusband，butimprudentlyogledbyadmiringCongressmen，lentthecharmofherpresencetothefinishingofUnfinishedBusiness。Oneortwoeditors，whohaddreamsofafinishedfinancialbusiness，arisingoutofUnfinishedBusiness，weretherealso，likeancientbards，torecordwithpaeanorthrenodythecompletionofUnfinishedBusiness。Variousuncleanbirds，scentingcarrioninUnfinishedBusiness，hoveredinthehallsorroostedintheLobby。

Thelowerhouse，underthetutelageofthegiftedGashwiler，drankdeeplyofRoscommonandhisintoxicatingclaim，andpassedthehalf-emptybottletotheSenateasUnfinishedBusiness。But，alas！

intheveryrush，andstorm，andtempestoftheunfinishingbusiness，anunlooked-forinterruptionaroseinthepersonofagreatSenatorwhosepowernonecouldoppose，whoserighttofreeandextendedutteranceatalltimesnonecouldgainsay。Aclaimforpoultry，violentlyseizedbythearmyofShermanduringhismarchthroughGeorgia，fromthehen-coopofanallegedloyalIrishman，openedaconstitutionalquestion，andwithitthelipsofthegreatSenator。

Forsevenhourshespokeeloquently，earnestly，convincingly。Forsevenhourstheoldissuesofpartyandpolicywereseverallytakenupanddismissedintheoldforciblerhetoricthathadearlymadehimfamous。InterruptionsfromotherSenators，nowforgetfulofUnfinishedBusiness，andwildwithreanimatedpartyzeal;

interruptionsfromcertainSenatorsmindfulofUnfinishedBusiness，andunabletopasstheRoscommonbottle，onlyspurredhimtofreshexertion。ThetocsinsoundedintheSenatewasheardinthelowerhouse。Highly-excitedmemberscongregatedatthedoorsoftheSenate，andleftUnfinishedBusinesstotakecareofitself。

Lefttoitselfforsevenhours，UnfinishedBusinessgnasheditsfalseteethandtoreitswiginimpotentfuryincorridorandhall。

ForsevenhoursthegiftedGashwilerhadcontinuedthemanufactureofoilandhoney，whosesweetness，however，wasslowlypallinguponthecongressionallip;forsevenhoursRoscommonandfriendsbeatwithimpatientfeetthelobby，andshookfists，moreorlessdiscolored，atthedistinguishedSenator。Forsevenhourstheoneortwoeditorswereobligedtositandcalmlycomplimentthegreatspeechwhichthatnightflashedoverthewiresofacontinentwiththeoldelectricthrill。And，worsethanall，theywereobligedtorecordwithittheclosingofthe————Congress，withmorethantheusualamountofUnfinishedBusiness。

AlittlegroupoffriendssurroundedthegreatSenatorwithhymnsofpraiseandcongratulations。Oldadversariessalutedhimcourteouslyastheypassedbywiththerespectofstrongmen。A

littlewomanwithashawldrawnoverhershoulders，andheldwithonesmallbrownhand，approachedhimtimidly：

"IspeaknottheEnglishwell，"shesaidgently，"butIhavereadmuch。IhavereadintheplaysofyourShakspeare。IwouldliketosaytoyouthewordsofRosalindtoOrlandowhenhedidfight：

’Siryouhavewrestledwell，andhaveoverthrownmorethanyourenemies。’"Andwiththesewordsshewasgone。

YetnotsoquicklybutthatprettyMrs。Hopkinson，coming，——asVictrixalwayscomestoVictor，tothankthegreatSenator，albeitthefacesofherescortswereshroudedingloom，——sawtheshawledfiguredisappear。

"There，"shesaid，pinchingWilesmischievously，"there！that’sthewomanyouwereafraidof。Lookather。Lookatthatdress。Ah，Heavens！lookatthatshawl。Didn’tItellyoushehadnostyle？"

"Whoisshe？"saidWilessullenly。

"CarmendeHaro，ofcourse，"saidtheladyvivaciously。"Whatareyouhurryingawaysofor？You’reabsolutelypullingmealong。"

Mr。Wileshadjustcaughtsightofthetravel-wornfaceofRoyalThatcheramongthecrowdthatthrongedthestair-case。Thatcherappearedpaleanddistrait：Mr。Harlowe，hiscounsel，athisside，ralliedhim。

"Noonewouldthinkyouhadjustgotanewleaseofyourproperty，andescapedagreatswindle。What’sthematterwithyou？MissDeHaropassedusjustnow。ItwasshewhospoketotheSenator。Whydidyounotrecognizeher？"

"Iwasthinking，"saidThatchergloomily。

"Well，youtakethingscoolly！Andcertainlyyouarenotverydemonstrativetowardsthewomanwhosavedyouto-day。For，assureasyoulive，itwasshewhodrewthatspeechoutoftheSenator。"

Thatcherdidnotreply，butmovedaway。HeHADnoticedCarmendeHaro，andwasabouttogreetherwithmingledpleasureandembarrassment。ButhehadheardhercomplimenttotheSenator，andthisstrong，preoccupied，automaticman，whoonlytendaysbeforehadnothoughtbeyondhisproperty，wasnowthinkingmoreofthatcomplimenttoanotherthanofhissuccess;andwasbeginningtohatetheSenatorwhohadsavedhim，thelawyerwhostoodbesidehim，andeventhelittlefigurethathadtrippeddownthestepsunconsciousofhim。

CHAPTERXVI

ANDWHOFORGOTIT

ItwassomewhatinconsistentwithRoyalThatcher’sembarrassmentandsensitivenessthatheshould，onleavingtheCapitol，orderacarriageanddrivedirectlytothelodgingsofMissDeHaro。Thatonfindingshewasnotathome，heshouldbecomeagainsulkyandsuspicious，andevenbeashamedofthehonestimpulsethatledhimthere，was，Isuppose，manlikeandnatural。Hefeltthathehaddoneallthecourtesyrequired;hehadpromptlyansweredherdispatchwithhispresence。Ifshechosetobeabsentatsuchamoment，HEhadatleastdoneHISduty。Inshort，therewasscarcelyanyabsurdityoftheimaginationwhichthisoncepracticalmandidnotpermithimselftoindulgein，yetalwayswithacertainconsciousnessthathewasallowinghisfeelingstorunawaywithhim，——afactthatdidnottendtomakehimbetterhumored，andratherinclinedhimtoplacetheresponsibilityoftheelopementonsomebodyelse。IfMissDeHarohadbeenhome，&c。&c。，andnotgoingintoecstasiesoverspeeches，&c。&c。，andhadattendedtoherbusiness，i。e。，beingexactlywhathehadsupposedhertobe，——

allthiswouldnothavehappened。

Iamawarethatthiswillnotheightenthereader’srespectformyhero。ButIfancythattheimperceptibleprogressofasincerepassioninthematuredstrongmanisapttobemarkedwithevenmorethantheusualhasteandabsurdityofcallousyouth。

Thefeverthatrunsriotintheveinsoftherobustisapttopassyourailingweaklingby。Possiblytheremaybesomeimmunityininoculation。ItisLothariowhoisalwaysself-possessedanddoesandsaystherightthing，whilepoorhonestCoelebsbecomesridiculouswithgenuineemotion。

Herejoinedhislawyerinnoverygraciousmood。ThechambersoccupiedbyMr。HarlowewereinthebasementofaprivatedwellingonceoccupiedandmadehistoricbyanHonorableSomebody，who，however，wasrememberedonlybythelandlordandthelasttenant。

Therewerevariousshelvesinthewallsdividedintocompartments，sarcasticallyknownas"pigeonholes，"inwhichthedoveofpeacehadneverrested，butwhichstillperpetuated，intheirlegends，thefeudsandanimositiesofsuitorsnowbutcommondusttogether。

Therewasaportrait，apparentlyofacherub，whichonnearerinspectionturnedouttobeafamousEnglishLordChancellorinhisflowingwig。

Therewerebookswithdreary，unenliveningtitles，——egostisticalways，asrecordingSmith’sopinionsonthis，andJones’scommentariesonthat。Therewasahandbilltackedonthewall，whichatfirstofferedhilarioussuggestionsofacircusorasteamboatexcursion，butwhichturnedoutonlytobeasheriff’ssale。Therewereseveraloddly-shapedpackagesinnewspaperwrappings，mysteriousandawfulindarkcorners，thatmighthavecontainedforgottenlawpapersorthepreviousweek’swashingoftheeminentcounsel。Therewereoneortwonewspapers，whichatfirstofferedentertainingprospectstothewaitingclient，butalwaysprovedtobealawrecordoraSupremeCourtdecision。

Therewasthebustofalatedistinguishedjurist，whichapparentlyhadneverbeendustedsincehehimselfbecamedust，andhadalreadygrownaperceptiblydustymoustacheonhisseverely-judicialupperlip。Itwasacheerlessplaceinthesunshineofday;atnight，whenitought，byeverysuggestionofitsdustypast，tohavebeenlefttothevengefulghosts，thegreaterpartofwhosehopesandpassionswererecordedandgatheredthere;wheninthedarkthedeadhandsofforgottenmenwerestretchedfromtheirdustygravestofumbleoncemorefortheiroldtitledeeds;atnight，whenitwaslitupbyflaringgaslight，thehollowmockeryofthisdissipationwassoapparentthatpeopleinthestreets，lookingthroughtheilluminatedwindows，feltasiftheprivacyofafamilyvaulthadbeenintrudeduponbybody-snatchers。

RoyalThatcherglancedaroundtheroom，tookinallitsdrearysuggestionsinahalf-weary，half-indifferentsortofway，anddroppedintothelawyer’sownrevolvingchairasthatgentlemanenteredfromtheadjacentroom。

"Well，yougotbacksoon，Isee，"saidHarlowebriskly。

"Yes，"saidhisclient，withoutlookingup，andwiththisnotabledistinctionbetweenhimselfandallotherpreviousclients，thatheseemedabsolutelylessinterestedthanthelawyer。"Yes，I’mhere;

and，uponmysoul，Idon’texactlyknowwhy。"

"Youtoldmeofcertainpapersyouhaddiscovered，"saidthelawyersuggestively。

"Oh，yes，"returnedThatcherwithaslightyawn。"I’vegotheresomepaperssomewhere;"——hebegantofeelinhiscoatpocketlanguidly;——"but，bytheway，thisisaratherdrearyandGod-

forsakensortofplace！Let’sgouptoWelker’s，andyoucanlookatthemoverabottleofchampagne。"

"AfterI’velookedatthem，I’vesomethingtoshowyou，myself，"

saidHarlowe;"andasforthechampagne，we’llhavethatintheotherroom，byandby。AtpresentIwanttohavemyheadclear，andyourstoo，——ifyou’llobligemebybecomingsufficientlyinterestedinyourownaffairstotalktomeaboutthem。"

Thatcherwasgazingabstractedlyatthefire。Hestarted。"Idaresay，"hebegan，"I’mnotveryinteresting;yetit’spossiblethatmyaffairshavetakenupalittletoomuchofmytime。However，——"

hestopped，tookfromhispocketanenvelope，andthrewitonthedesk，——"therearesomepapers。Idon’tknowwhatvaluetheymaybe;thatisforyoutodetermine。Idon’tknowthatI’veanylegalrighttotheirpossession，——thatisforyoutosay，too。Theycametomeinaqueerway。OntheoverlandjourneyhereIlostmybag，containingmyfewtrapsandsomelettersandpapers’ofnovalue，’

astheadvertisementssay，’toanybuttheowner。’Well，thebagwaslost，butthestagedriverdeclaresthatitwasstolenbyafellow-passenger，——amanbythenameofGiles，orStiles，orPiles——"

"Wiles，"saidHarloweearnestly。

"Yes，"continuedThatcher，suppressingayawn;"yes，Iguessyou’reright，——Wiles。Well，thestagedriver，finallybelievingthis，goestoworkandquietlyandunostentatiouslysteals——Isay，haveyougotacigar？"

"I’llgetyouone。"

Harlowedisappearedintheadjoiningroom。ThatcherdraggedHarlowe’sheavy，revolvingdeskchair，whichneverbeforehadbeenremovedfromitssacredposition，tothefire，andbegantopokethecoalsabstractedly。

Harlowereappearedwithcigarsandmatches。Thatcherlitonemechanically，andsaid，betweenthepulls：

"Doyou——ever——talk——toyourself？"

"No！——why？"

"IthoughtIheardyourvoicejustnowintheotherroom。Anyhow，thisisanawfulspookyplace。IfIstayedherealonehalfanhour，I’dfancythattheLordChancelloruptherewouldstepdowninhisrobes，outofhisframe，tokeepmecompany。"

"Nonsense！WhenI’mbusy，Ioftensithereandwriteuntilaftermidnight。It’ssoquiet！"

"D——mnablyso！"

"Well，togobacktothepapers。Somebodystoleyourbag，oryoulostit。YOUstole——"

"Thedriverstole，"suggestedThatcher，solanguidlythatitcouldhardlybecalledaninterruption。

"Well，we’llsaythedriverstole，andpassedovertoyouashisaccomplice，confederate，orreceiver，certainpapersbelonging——"

"Seehere，Harlowe，Idon’tfeellikejokinginaghostlylawofficeaftermidnight。Hereareyourfacts。YubaBill，thedriver，stoleabagfromthispassenger，Wiles，orSmiles，andhandedittometoinsurethereturnofmyown。Ifoundinitsomepapersconcerningmycase。Theretheyare。Dowiththemwhatyoulike。"

Thatcherturnedhiseyesagainabstractedlytothefire。

Harlowetookoutthefirstpaper：

"A-w，thisseemstobeatelegram。Yes，eh？’CometoWashingtonatonce。——CarmendeHaro。’"

Thatcherstarted，blushedlikeagirl，andhurriedlyreachedforthepaper。

"Nonsense。That’samistake。AdispatchImislaidintheenvelope。"

"Isee，"saidthelawyerdryly。

"IthoughtIhadtornitup，"continuedThatcher，afteranawkwardpause。Iregrettosaythatherethatusuallytruthfulmanelaboratedafiction。Hehadconsulteditadozentimesadayonthejourney，anditwasquiteworninitsenfoldings。Harlowe’squickeyehadnoticedthis，buthespeedilybecameinterestedandabsorbedintheotherpapers。Thatcherlapsedintocontemplationofthefire。

"Well，"saidHarlowe，finallyturningtohisclient，"here’senoughtounseatGashwiler，orclosehismouth。Astotherest，it’sgoodreading——butIneedn’ttellyou——noLEGALevidence。Butit’sproofenoughtostopthemfromevertryingitagain，——whentheexistenceofthisrecordismadeknown。Briberyisahardthingtofixonaman;theonlywitnessisnaturallyparticepscriminis;——butitwouldnotbeeasyforthemtoexplainawaythisrascal’srecord。

OneortwothingsIdon’tunderstand：What’sthisoppositetheHon。

X’sname，’Tookthemedicinenicely，andfeelsbetter？’andhere，justinthemargin，afterY’s，’Mustbelaboredwith？’"

"IsupposeourCaliforniaslangborrowslargelyfromthemedicalandspiritualprofession，"returnedThatcher。"Butisn’titoddthatamanshouldkeepaconscientiousrecordofhisownvillainy？"

Harlowe，alittleabashedathiswantofknowledgeofAmericanmetaphor，nowfelthimselfathome。"Well，no。It’snotunusual。

Inoneofthosebooksyonderthereistherecordofacasewhereaman，whohadcommittedaseriesofnamelessatrocities，extendingoveraperiodofyears，absolutelykeptamemorandumoftheminhispocketdiary。ItwasproducedinCourt。Why，mydearfellow，onehalfourbusinessarisesfromthefactthatmenandwomenareinthehabitofkeepinglettersanddocumentsthattheymight——Idon’tsay，youknow，thattheyOUGHT，that’saquestionofsentimentorethics——butthattheyMIGHTdestroy。"

Thatcherhalf-mechanicallytookthetelegramofpoorCarmenandthrewitinthefire。Harlowenoticedtheactandsmiled。

"I’llventuretosay，however，thatthere’snothinginthebagthatYOUlostthatneedgiveyouamoment’suneasiness。It’sonlyyourrascalorfoolwhocarrieswithhimthatwhichmakeshimhisowndetective。"

"Ihadafriend，"continuedHarlowe，"acleverfellowenough，butwhowassofoolishastoseriouslycomplicatehimselfwithawoman。

Hewashimselfthesoulofhonor，andatthebeginningoftheircorrespondenceheproposedthattheyshouldeachreturntheother’sletterswiththeiranswer。Theydidsoforyears，butitcosthimtenthousanddollarsandnoendoftroubleafterall。"

"Why？"askedThatchersimply。

"BecausehewassuchanegotisticalassasTOKEEPTHELETTER

PROPOSINGIT，whichshehaddulyreturned，amonghispapersasasentimentalrecord。Ofcoursesomebodyeventuallyfoundit。"

"Goodnight，"saidThatcher，risingabruptly。"IfIstayedheremuchlongerIshouldbegintodisbelievemyownmother。"

"Ihaveknownofsuchhereditarytraits，"returnedHarlowewithalaugh。"Butcome，youmustnotgowithoutthechampagne。"Heledthewaytotheadjacentroom，whichprovedtobeonlytheante-

chamberofanother，onthethresholdofwhichThatcherstoppedwithgenuinesurprise。Itwasanelegantlyfurnishedlibrary。

"Sybarite！WhywasIneverherebefore？"

"Becauseyoucameasaclient;to-nightyouaremyguest。Allwhoenterhereleavetheirbusiness，withtheirhats，inthehall。

Look;thereisn’talawbookonthoseshelves;thattableneverwasdefacedbyatitledeedorparchment。Youlookpuzzled？Well，itwasawhimofminetoputmyresidenceandmywork-shopunderthesameroof，yetsodistinctthattheywouldneverinterferewitheachother。Youknowthehouseaboveisletouttolodgers。I

occupythefirstfloorwithmymotherandsister，andthisismyparlor。Idomyworkinthatsevereroomthatfrontsthestreet：

hereiswhereIplay。Amanmusthavesomethingelseinlifethanmerebusiness。Ifinditlessharmfulandexpensivetohavemypleasurehere。"

Thatcherhadsunkmoodilyintheembracingarmsofaneasychair。

Hewasthinkingdeeply;hewasfondofbookstoo，and，likeallmenwhohavefaredhardandledwanderinglives，heknewthevalueofcultivatedrepose。Likeallmenwhohavebeenobligedtosleepunderblanketsandintheopenair，heappreciatedtheluxuriesoflinensheetsandafrescoedroof。Itis，bytheway，onlyyoursickcityclerkoryourdyspepticclergymanwhofancythattheyhavefoundinthebadbread，friedsteaks，andfrowzyflannelsofmountainpicknickingthetrueartofliving。Anditisasomewhatnotablefactthatyourtruemountaineeroryourgentlemanwhohasbeenobligedtohonestly"roughit，"doesnot，asageneralthing，writebooksaboutitsadvantages，orimploretheirfellowmortalstocomeandsharetheirsolitudeandtheirdiscomforts。

ThoroughlyappreciatingthetasteandcomfortofHarlowe’slibrary，yethalf-enviousofitsowner，andhalf-suspiciousthathisownearnestlifeforthepastfewyearsmighthavebeendifferent，Thatchersuddenlystartedfromhisseatandwalkedtowardsaparloreasel，whereonstoodapicture。ItwasCarmendeHaro’sfirstsketchofthefurnaceandthemine。

"Iseeyouaretakenwiththatpicture，"saidHarlowe，pausingwiththechampagnebottleinhishand。"Youshowyourgoodtaste。It’sbeenmuchadmired。Observehowsplendidlythatfirelightplaysoverthesleepingfaceofthatfigure，yetbringsoutbyverycontrastitsalmostdeath-likerepose。Thoserocksarepowerfullyhandled;whatasuggestionofmysteryinthoseshadows！Youknowthepainter？"

Thatchermurmured，"MissDeHaro，"withanewandratheroddself-

consciousnessinspeakinghername。

"Yes。Andyouknowthestoryofthepictureofcourse？"

Thatcherthoughthedidn’t。Well，no;infact，hedidnotremember。

"Why，thisrecumbentfigurewasanoldSpanishloverofhers，whomshebelievedtohavebeenmurderedthere。It’saghastlyfancy，isn’tit？"

TwothingsannoyedThatcher：firsttheepithet"lover，"asappliedtoConchobyanotherman;second，thatthepicturebelongedtohim：

andwhatthed——-ldidshemeanby——

"Yes，"hebrokeoutfinally，"buthowdidYOUgetit？"

"Oh，Iboughtitofher。I’vebeenasortofpatronofhereversinceIfoundouthowshestoodtowardsus。AsshewasquitealonehereinWashington，mymotherandsisterhavetakenherup，andhavebeendoingthesocialthing。"

"Howlongsince？"askedThatcher。

"Oh，notlong。Thedayshetelegraphedyou，shecameheretoknowwhatshecoulddoforus，andwhenIsaidnothingcouldbedoneexcepttokeepCongressoff，why，shewentandDIDIT。ForSHE，andshealone，gotthatspeechoutoftheSenator。But，"headded，alittlemischievously，"youseemtoknowverylittleabouther？"

"No！——I——thatis——I’vebeenverybusylately，"returnedThatcher，staringatthepicture。"Doesshecomehereoften？"

"Yes，lately，quiteoften;shewasherethiseveningwithmother;

washere，Ithink，whenyoucame。"

ThatcherlookedintentlyatHarlowe。Butthatgentleman’sfacebetrayednoconfusion。Thatcherrefilledhisglassalittleawkwardly，tossedofftheliquoratadraught，androsetohisfeet。

"Come，oldfellow，you’renotgoingnow。Ishan’tpermitit，"saidHarlowe，layinghishandkindlyonhisclient’sshoulder。"You’reoutofsorts！Stayherewithmeto-night。Ouraccommodationsarenotlarge，butareelastic。Icanbestowyoucomfortablyuntilmorning。WaithereamomentwhileIgivethenecessaryorders。"

Thatcherwasnotsorrytobeleftalone。InthelasthalfhourhehadbecomeconvincedthathisloveforCarmendeHarohadbeeninsomewaymostdreadfullyabused。WhileHEwashardatworkinCalifornia，shewasbeingintroducedinWashingtonsocietybypartieswitheligiblebrotherswhoboughtherpaintings。Itisarelieftothetrulyjealousmindtoindulgeinplurals。Thatcherlikedtothinkthatshewasalreadybesetbyhundredsofbrothers。

Hestillkeptstaringatthepicture。Byandbyitfadedawayinpart，andaveryvividrecollectionofthemisty，midnight，moonlitwalkhehadoncetakenwithhercameback，andrefilledthecanvaswithitsmagic。Hesawtheruinedfurnace;thedark，overhangingmassesofrock，thetremblingintricaciesoffoliage，and，aboveall，theflashofdarkeyesunderamantillaathisshoulder。Whatafoolhehadbeen！HadhenotreallybeenassenselessandstupidasthisveryConcho，lyingherelikealog？Andshehadlovedthatman。Whatafoolshemusthavethoughthimthatevening！Whatasnobshemustthinkhimnow！

Hewasstartledbyaslightrustlinginthepassage，thatceasedalmostasheturned。Thatcherlookedtowardsthedooroftheouteroffice，asifhalfexpectingthattheLordChancellor，likethecommanderinDonJuan，mighthaveacceptedhisthoughtlessinvitation。Helistenedagain;everythingwasstill。Hewasconsciousoffeelingillateaseandatriflenervous。WhatalongtimeHarlowetooktomakehispreparations。Hewouldlookoutinthehall。Todothisitwasnecessarytoturnupthegas。Hedidso，andinhisconfusionturneditout！

Wherewerethematches？Herememberedthattherewasabronzesomethingonthetablethat，intheironyofmoderndecorativetaste，mightholdashesormatches，oranythingofanunpicturesquecharacter。Heknockedsomethingover，evidentlytheink，——

somethingelse，——thistimeachampagneglass。Becomingreckless，andnowgropingatrandomintheruins，heoverturnedthebronzeMercuryonthecentertable，andthensatdownhopelesslyinhischair。Andthenapairofvelvetfingersslidintohis，withthematches，andthisaudible，musicalstatement：

"Itisamatchyouareseeking？Hereisofthem。"

Thatcherflushed，embarrassed，nervous，——feelingtheridiculousnessofsaying，"Thankyou"toadarksomebody，——struckthematch，beheldbyitsbrief，uncertainglimmerCarmendeHarobesidehim，burnedhisfingers，coughed，droppedthematch，andwascastagainintoouterdarkness。

"Letmetry！"

Carmenstruckamatch，jumpedbrisklyonthechair，litthegas，jumpedlightlydownagain，andsaid："Youdoliketositinthedark，——eh？SoamI——sometimes——alone。"

"MissDeHaro，"saidThatcher，withsudden，honestearnestness，advancingwithoutstretchedhands，"believemeIamsincerelydelighted，overjoyed，againtomeet——"

Shehad，however，quicklyretreatedasheapproached，ensconcingherselfbehindthehighbackofalargeantiquechair，onthecushionofwhichsheknelt。Iregrettoaddalsothatsheslappedhisoutstretchedfingersalittlesharplywithherinevitableblackfanashestilladvanced。

"WearenotinCalifornia。ItisWashington。Itisaftermidnight。

Iamapoorgirl，andIhavetolose——whatyoucall——’acharacter。’

Youshallsitoverthere，"——shepointedtothesofa，——"andIshallsithere;"sherestedherboyishheadonthetopofthechair;"andweshalltalk，forIhavetospeaktoyou，DonRoyal。"

Thatchertooktheseatindicated，contritely，humbly，submissively。

Carmen’slittleheartwastouched。Butshestillwentonoverthebackofthechair。

"DonRoyal，"shesaid，emphasizingeachwordathimwithherfan，"beforeIsawyou，——everknewofyou，——Iwasachild。Yes，Iwasbutachild！Iwasabold，badchild;——andIwaswhatyoucalla——

a——’forgaire’！"

"Awhat？"askedThatcher，hesitatingbetweenasmileandasigh。

"Aforgaire！"continuedCarmendemurely。"Ididofmyselfwritethenamesofozzerpeoples;"whenCarmenwasexcitedshelostthecontroloftheEnglishtongue;"Ididwritejusttopleasemyself;——

itwasmyonklethatdidmakeofitmoney;——youunderstand，eh？

Shallyounotspeak？MustIagainhityou？"

"Goon，"saidThatcherlaughing。

"Ididfindout，whenIcametoyouatthemine，thatIhadforgedagainstyouthenameofMicheltorena。Itothelawyerwent，andfoundthatitwasso——ofaverity——so！so！allthetime。Lookatmenotnow，DonRoyal;——itisa’forgaire’youstareat。"

"Carmen！"

"Hoosh！ShallIhavetohityouagain？Ididoverlookallthepapers。Ifoundtheapplication：itwaswrittenbyme。There。"

ShetossedoverthebackofherchairanenvelopetoThatcher。Heopenedit。

"Isee，"hesaidgently，"yourepossessedyourselfofit！"

"Whatisthat——’r-r-r-e——possess’？"

"Why！"——Thatcherhesitated——"yougotpossessionofthispaper，——

thisinnocentforgery，——again。"

"Oh！Youthinkmeathiefaswellasa’forgaire。’Goaway！Getup。Getout。"

"Mydeargirl——"

"Lookatthepaper！Willyou？Oh，yousilly！"

Thatcherlookedatthepaper。Inpaper，handwriting，age，andstampitwasidenticalwiththeformal，clericalapplicationofGarciaforthegrant。TheindorsementofMicheltorenawasunquestionablygenuine。BUTTHEAPPLICATIONWASMADEFORROYAL

THATCHER。Andhisownsignaturewasimitatedtothelife。

"Ihadbutoneletterofyourswizyourname，"saidCarmenapologetically;"anditwasthebestpoormecoulddo。"

"Why，youblessedlittlegooseandangel，"saidThatcher，withthebold，mixedmetaphorofamatorygenius，"don’tyousee——"

"Ah，youdon’tlikeit，——itisnotgood？"

"Mydarling！"

"Hoosh！Thereisalsoan’oldcat’upstairs。AndnowIhavehereacharacter。WILLyousitdown？Isitofanecessitythatupanddownyoushouldwalkandawakenthewholehouse？There！"——shehadgivenhimaviciousdabwithherfanashepassed。Hesatdown。

"Andyouhavenotseenmenorwrittentomeforayear？"

"Carmen！"

"Sitdown，youbold，badboy。Don’tyouseeitisofbusinessthatyouandItalkdownhere;anditisofbusinessthatozzerpeopleupstairsarethinking。Eh？"

"D——nbusiness！Seehere，Carmen，mydarling，tellme"——IregrettosayhehadbythistimegotholdofthebackofCarmen’schair——

"tellme，myownlittlegirl，——about——aboutthatSenator。Yourememberwhatyousaidtohim？"

"Oh，theoldman？Oh，THATwasbusiness。Andyousayofbusiness，’d——n。’"

"Carmen！"

"DonRoyal！"……

AlthoughMissCarmenhadrecoursetoherfanfrequentlyduringthisinterview，theairmusthavebeenchilly，foramomentlater，onhiswaydownstairs，poorHarlowe，asuffererfrombronchitis，wasattackedwithaviolentfitofcoughing，whichtroubledhimallthewaydown。

"Well，"hesaid，asheenteredtheroom，"IseeyouhavefoundMr。

Thatcher，andshownthosepapers。Itrustyouhave，foryou’vecertainlyhadtimeenough。Iamsentbymothertodismissyoualltobed。"

Carmenstillinthearmchair，coveredwithhermantilla，didnotspeak。

"Isupposeyouarebythistimelawyerenoughtoknow，"continuedHarlowe，"thatMissDeHaro’spapers，thoughingenious，arenotlegallyavailable，unless——"

"Ichosetomakeherawitness。Harlowe！you’reagoodfellow！I

don’tmindsayingtoyouthatthesearepapersIpreferthatmyWIFEshouldnotuse。We’llleaveitforthepresent——UnfinishedBusiness。"

Theydid。ButoneeveningourherobroughtMrs。RoyalThatcherapapercontainingatouchingandbeautifultributetothedeadSenator。

"There，Carmen，love，readthat。Don’tyoufeelalittleashamedofyour——your——yourlobbying——"

"No，"saidCarmenpromptly。"Itwasbusiness，——andifalllobbyingbusinesswasashonest，——well？——"