第4章

"I’mnotsurethatit’stheworstkindofluck，"returnedDemorest，withpersistentgravity；"andIsupposehe’ssatisfiedwithit。"

Butsoheterodoxanopiniononlyirritatedhisantagonistthemore，especiallyashenoticedthatthehandsomewomaninthebackseatappearedtobeinterestedintheconversation，andevensympatheticwithDemorest。Themanwasinthemainagood-naturedfellowandloyaltohisfriends；butthisdidnotprecludeanyvirulentcriticismofothers，andforamomenthehatedthisbronze-facedstranger，andevensawblemishesinthehandsomewoman’sbeauty。

"ThatmaybeYOURideaofanEasternman，"hesaidbluntly，"butI

kintellyethatCalifornyain’trunonthoselines。No，sir。"

Nevertheless，hiscuriositygotthebetterofhisillhumor，andasthecoachatlastpulledupatthecross-roadforDemoresttodescendhesmiledaffablyathisdepartingcompanion。

"Youallowedjustnowthatyou’dbinfiveyearsaway。Wharmoutyehavebin？"

"InEurope，"saidDemorestpleasantly。

"Ireckonedezmuch，"returnedhisinterrogator，smilingsignificantlyattheotherpassengers。"Butinwhatplace？"

"Oh，many，"saidDemorest，smilingalso。

"Butwhatplacewaryelastlivin’at？"

"Well，"saidDemorest，descendingthesteps，butlingeringforamomentwithhishandonthedoorofthecoach，"oddlyenough，nowyouremindmeofit——atHymettus！"

Heclosedthedoor，andthecoachrolledon。Thepassengerreddened，glancedindignantlyafterthedepartingfigureofDemorestandsuspiciouslyattheothers。Theladywaslookingfromthewindowwithafaintsmileonherface。

"Hemighthevgivenmeacivilanswer，"mutteredthepassenger，andresumedhisnovel。

WhenthecoachdrewupbeforeCarter’sHoteltheladygotdown，andthecuriosityofhersusceptiblecompanionswasgratifiedtotheextentoflearningfromtheregisterthathernamewasHorncastle。

Shewasshowntoaprivatesitting-room，whichchancedtobetheonewhichhadbelongedtoMrs。Barkerinthedaysofhermaidenhood，andwasthesacred，impenetrablebowertowhichsheretiredwhenherdailydutiesofwaitinguponherfather’sguestswereover。Butthebreathofcustomhadpassedthroughitsincethen，andbutlittleremainedofitsformermaidenglories，exceptafewschoolgirlcrayondrawingsonthewallandanunrecognizableportraitofherselfinoil，donebyawanderingartistandstillpreservedasareceiptforhisunpaidbill。OfthesefactsMrs。

Horncastleknewnothing；shewasevidentlypreoccupied，andaftershehadremovedherouterdusterandenteredtheroom，sheglancedattheclockonthemantel-shelfandthrewherselfwithanairofresignedabstractioninanarmchairinthecorner。Hertraveling-

dress，althoughunostentatious，wastastefulandwell-fitting；aslightpallorfromherfatiguingjourney，and，perhaps，fromsomeabsorbingthought，madeherbeautystillmorestriking。Shegaveevenanairofelegancetothefaded，wornadornmentsoftheroom，whichitistobefeareditneverpossessedinMissKitty’soccupancy。Againsheglancedattheclock。Therewasatapatthedoor。

"Comein。"

ThedooropenedtoaChineseservantbearingapieceoftornpaperwithanamewrittenonitinlieuofacard。

Mrs。Horncastletookit，glancedatthename，andhandedthepaperback。

"Theremustbesomemistake，"shesaid。"itdonotknowMr。

Steptoe。"

"No，butyouknowMEallthesame，"saidavoicefromthedoorwayasamanentered，coollytooktheChineseservantbytheelbowsandthrusthimintothepassage，closingthedooruponhim。"SteptoeandHorncastlearethesameman，onlyIprefertocallmyselfSteptoeHERE。AndIseeYOU’REdownontheregisteras’Horncastle。’

Well，it’spluckyofyou，andit’snotabadnametokeep；youmightbethankfulthatIhavealwaysleftittoyou。AndifIcallmyselfSteptoehereit’sagoodblindagainstanyofyourswellfriendsknowingyoumetyourHUSBANDhere。"

Inthehalf-scornful，half-resignedlookshehadgivenhimwhenheenteredtherewasnodoubtthatsherecognizedhimasthemanshehadcometosee。Hehadchangedlittleinthefiveyearsthathadelapsedsinceheenteredthethreepartners’cabinatHeavyTreeHill。HisshorthairandbeardstillclungtohisheadlikecurledmossorthecrispflocculenceofAstrakhan。Hewasdressedmorepretentiously，butstillgavethesameideaofvulgarstrength。

Shelistenedtohimwithoutemotion，butsaid，withevenadeepeningofscorninhermanner：——

"Whatnewshameisthis？"

"NothingNEW，"hereplied。"OnlyfiveyearsagoIwaslivin’overontheBaratHeavyTreeHillunderthenameofSteptoe，andfolksheremightrecognizeme。Iwasherewhenyourparticularfriend，JimStacy，whoonlyknewmeasSteptoe，anddoesn’tknowmeasHorncastle，yourHUSBAND，——forallhe’sboundupmypropertyforyou，——madehisbigstrikewithhistwopartners。Iwasinhiscabinthatverynight，anddrankhiswhiskey。Oh，I’mallrightthere！Ilefteverythingallrightbehindme——onlyit’sjustaswellhedoesn’tknowI’mHorncastle。Andastheboyhappenedtobetherewithme"——Hestopped，andlookedathersignificantly。

Theexpressionofherfacechanged。Eagerness，anxiety，andevenfearcameintoitinturn，butalwaysminglingwithsomescornthatdominatedher。"Theboy！"shesaidinavoicethathadchangedtoo；"well，whatabouthim？Youpromisedtotellmeall，——all！"

"Where’sthemoney？"hesaid。"HusbandandwifeareONE，Iknow，"

hewentonwithacoarselaugh，"butIdon’ttrustMYSELFinthesematters。"

Shetookfromatraveling-reticulethatlaybesideherarollofnotesandachamoisleatherbagofcoin，andlaidthemonthetablebeforehim。Heexaminedbothcarefully。

"Allright，"hesaid。"Iseeyou’vegotthechecksmadeout’tobearer。’Yourhead’slevel，Conny。Pityyouandmecan’tagree。"

"IwenttothebankacrossthewayassoonasIarrived，"shesaid，withcontemptuousdirectness。"ItoldthemIwasgoingovertoHymettusandmightwantmoney。"

Hedroppedintoachairbeforeherwithhisbroadheavyhandsuponhisknees，andlookedatherwithanequal，thoughbaser，contempt：

forhiswasmingledwithacertainprideofmasteryandpossession。

"And，ofcourse，you’llgotoHymettusandcutasplurgeasyoualwaysdo。ThebeautifulMrs。Horncastle！Thehelplessvictimofawretched，dissipated，disgraced，gamblinghusband。Sodreadfullysad，youknow，andsointeresting！Couldgetadivorcefromthebruteifshewanted，butwon’t，onaccountofherreligiousscruples。Andsowhilethebruteisgambling，swindling，disgracinghimself，anddodgingashothereandalynchcommitteethere，twoorthreehundredmilesaway，you’resplurgingroundinfirst-classhotelsandwatering-places，doingtheinjuredandabused，andrunafterbyalotofmenwhoarereadytotakemyplace，and，maybe，someofmyreputationalongwithit。"

"Stop！"shesaidsuddenly，inavoicethatmadetheglasschandelierring。Hehadrisentoo，withaquick，uneasyglancetowardsthedoor。Butheroutbreakpassedassuddenly，andsinkingbackintoherchair，shesaid，withherpreviousscornfulresignation，"Nevermind。Goon。YouKNOWyou’relying！"

Hesatdownagainandlookedathercritically。"Yes，asfarasyou’reconcernedIWASlying！Iknowyourstyle。Butasyouknow，too，thatI’dkillyouandthefirstmanIsuspected，andthereain’tajudgeorajuryinallCalifornythatwouldn’tletmegofreeforit，andevenconsider，too，thatithadwipedoffthewholeslateaginme——it’stomycredit！"

"Iknowwhatyoumencallchivalry，"shesaidcoldly，"butIdidnotcomeheretobuyaknowledgeofthat。Sonowaboutthechild？"

sheendedabruptly，leaningforwardagainwiththesamelookofeagersolicitudeinhereyes。

"Well，aboutthechild——ourchild——though，perhaps，IprefertosayMYchild，"hebegan，withacertainbrutalfrankness。"I’lltellyou。Butfirst，Idon’twantyoutotalkaboutBUYINGyourinformationofme。IfIhaven’ttoldyouanythingbefore，it’sbecauseIdidn’tthinkyououghterknow。IfIdidn’ttrustthechildtoYOU，it’sbecauseIdidn’tthinkyoucouldgoshashayingaboutwithachildthatwasthreeyearsoldwhenI"——hestoppedandwipedhismouthwiththebackofhishand——"madeanhonestwomanofyou——Ithinkthat’swhattheycallit。"

"But，"shesaideagerly，ignoringtheinsult，"Icouldhavehiddenitwherenoonebutmyselfwouldhaveknownit。Icouldhavesentittoschoolandvisiteditasarelation。"

"Yes，"hesaidcurtly，"likeallwomen，andthenblurteditoutsomedayandmadeitworse。"

"But，"shesaiddesperately，"evenTHEN，supposeIhadbeenwillingtotaketheshameofit！Ihavetakenmore！"

"ButIdidn’tintendthatyoushould，"hesaidroughly。

"Youareverycarefulofmyreputation，"shereturnedscornfully。

"Notbyad————dsight，"heburstout；"butIcareforHIS！I’mnotgoin’toletanymancallhimabastard！"

Callousasshehadbecomeevenunderthislastcruelblow，shecouldnotbutseesomethinginhiscoarseeyesshehadneverseenbefore；couldnotbuthearsomethinginhisbrutalvoiceshehadneverheardbefore！Wasitpossiblethatsomewhereinthedepthsofhissordidnaturehehadhisowncontemptiblesenseofhonor？A

hystericalfeelingcameoverherhithertopassivedisgustandscorn，butitdisappearedwithhisnextsentenceinahazeofanxiety。"No！"hesaidhoarsely，"hehadenoughwrongdonehimalready。"

"Whatdoyoumean？"shesaidimploringly。"Orareyouagainlying？

Yousaid，fouryearsago，thathehad’gotintotrouble；’thatwasyourexcuseforkeepinghimfromme。Orwasthatalie，too？"

Hismannerchangedandsoftened，butnotforanypityforhiscompanion，butratherfromsomechangeinhisownfeelings。"Oh，that，"hesaid，witharoughlaugh，"thatwasonlyakindo’

troubleanysassykidlikehimwaslikelytogetinto。Youain’tgotnocalltohearthat，for，"headded，withamomentaryreturntohispreviousmanner，"thewrongthatwasdonehimisMYlookout！

YouwanttoknowwhatIdidwithhim，howhe’sbeenlookedarter，andwhereheis？Youwanttheworthofyourmoney。That’ssquareenough。ButfirstIwantyoutoknow，thoughyoumayn’tbelieveit，thateveryredcentyou’vegivenmeto-nightgoestoHIM。Anddon’tyouforgetit。"

Forallhisvulgarfranknesssheknewhehadliedtohermanytimesbefore，——maliciously，wantonly，complacently，butneverevasively；

yettherewasagainthatsomethinginhismannerwhichtoldherhewasnowtellingthetruth。

"Well，"hebegan，settlinghimselfbackinhischair，"ItoldyouI

broughthimtoHeavyTreeHill。AfterIleftyouIwasn’tgoingtotrusthimtonoschool；heknewenoughforme；butwhenIleftthosepartswherenobodyknewyou，andgotalittlenearer’Frisco，wherepeoplemighthaveknownusboth，Ithoughtitbetternottotravelroundwithakido’thatsizeashisFATHER。SoIgotayoungfellowheretopasshimoffasHISlittlebrother，andlookafterhimandboardhim；andIpaidhimabigpriceforit，too，youbet！Youwouldn’tthinkitwasamanwho’snowswellingaroundhere，thetopo’thepile，thatevertookmoneyfromabrutelikeme，andforsuchschoolmasterwork，too；buthedid，andhisnamewasVanLoo，aclerkoftheDitchCompany。"

"VanLoo！"saidthewoman，withamovementofdisgust；"THATman！"

"What’sthematterwithVanLoo？"hesaid，withacoarselaugh，enjoyinghiswife’sdiscomfiture。"HespeaksFrenchandSpanish，andyououghterhearthekidrolloffthelingohe’sgotfromhim。

He’sgotstyle，andknowshowtodress，andyououghttoseethekidbowandscrape，andhowhecarrieshimself。Now，VanLoowasn’texactlymystyle，andIreckonIdon’thankerafterhimmuch，butheservedmypurpose。"

"Andthismanknows"——shesaid，withashudder。

"HeknowsSteptoeandtheboy，buthedon’tknowHorncastlenorYOU。Don’tyoubeskeert。He’sthelastmanintheworldwhowouldhankertoseemeorthekidagain，orwoulddaretosaythatheeverhad！Lord！I’dliketoseehisfastidiousmugifmeandEddywalkedinuponhimandhishigh-tonedmotherandsistersomearternoon。"Hethrewhimselfbackandlaughedaderisive，spasmodic，chokinglaugh，whichwassofarfrombeinggenialthatitevenseemedtoindicatealivelyappreciationofpaininothersratherthanofpleasureinhimself。Hehadoftenlaughedatherinthesameway。

"Andwhereishenow？"shesaid，withacompressedlip。

"Atschool。Where，Idon’ttellyou。Youknowwhy。Buthe’slookedafterbyme，andd————dwelllookedafter，too。"

Shehesitated，composedherfacewithaneffort，partedherlips，andlookedoutofthewindowintothegatheringdarkness。Thenafteramomentshesaidslowly，yetwithacertainprecision：——

"Andhismother？DoyouevertalktohimofHER？Does——doesheeverspeakofME？"

"Whatdoyouthink？"hesaidcomfortably，changinghispositioninthechair，andtryingtoreadherfaceintheshadow。"Come，now。

Youdon’tknow，eh？Well——no！NO！Youunderstand。No！He’sMY

friend——MINE！He’sstoodbymethroughthickandthin。Runatmyheelswheneverybodyelsefledme。Dodgedvigilancecommitteeswithme，laidoutinthebrushwithmewithhishandinminewhenthesheriff’sdeputieswerehuntin’me；shuthisjawclosewhen，ifhesquealed，he’dhavebeencalledanothervictimofthebruteHorncastle，andbeenaspettedandcanoodledasyou。"

Itwouldhavebeendifficultforanyonebutthewomanwhoknewthemanbeforehertohaveseparatedhisbrutishdelightinpainingherfromanotherfeelingshehadneverdreamthimcapableof，——anintenseandfierceprideinhisaffectionforhischild。Anditwasthemorehopelesstoherthatitwasnotthemeresentimentofreciprocation，butthematerialinstinctofpaternityinitsmostanimalform。Anditseemedhorribletoherthattheonlyoutcomeofwhathadbeenherownwild，youthfulpassionforthisbrutewasthisloveforthefleshofherflesh，forshewasmoreandmoreconsciousashespokethatheryearningfortheboywastheyearningofanequallydumbandunreasoningmaternity。Theyhadmetagainasanimals——infear，contempt，andangerofeachother；

buttheanimalhadtriumphedinboth。

Whenshespokeagainitwasasthewomanoftheworld，——thewomanwhohadlaughedtwoyearsagoattheirrepressibleBarker。"It’sanewthing，"shesaid，languidlyturningherringsonherfingers，"toseeyouintheroleofadotingfather。AndmayIaskhowlongyouhavehadthisamiableweakness，andhowlongitistolast？"

Tohersurpriseandthekeenretaliatingdelightofhersex，aconsciousflushcoveredhisfacetothecrispedgesofhisblackandmattedbeard。Foramomentshehopedthathehadlied。But，tohergreatersurprise，hestammeredinequalfrankness："It’sgroweduponmeforthelastfiveyears——eversinceIwasalonewithhim。"Hestopped，clearedhisthroat，andthen，standingupbeforeher，saidinhisformervoice，butwithamoresettledandintensedeliberation："Youwanterknowhowlongitwilllast，doye？Well，youknowyourspecialfriend，JimStacy——thebigmillionaire——thegreatJimoftheStockExchange——themanthatpinchesthemoneymarketofCalifornybetweenhisfingerandthumbandmakesitsquealinNewYork——themanwhoshakesthestockmarketwhenhesneezes？Well，itwillgoonuntilthatmanisabeggar；untilhehastoborrowadimeforhisbreakfast，andslumpoutofhislunchwithacent’sworthofratpoisonorabulletinhishead！It’llgoonuntilhisoldpartner——thatsoftyGeorgeBarker——comestothebottomofhisd————dfoolluckandisapenny-a-linerforthepapersandahanger-roundatfreelunches，andhisscatter-brainedwiferunsawaywithanotherman！It’llgoonuntilthehigh-tonedDemorest，thelastofthosethreelittletingodsofHeavyTreeHill，willhavetoclimbdown，andwillknowwhatIfeelandwhathe’smademefeel，andwillwishhimselfinhellbeforeheevermadethebigstrikeonHeavyTree！That’sme！Youhearme！I’mshoutin’！It’lllasttillthen！Itmaybenextweek，nextmonth，nextyear。Butit’llcome。Andwhenitdoescomeyou’llseemeandEddyjustwaltzin’inandtakin’thechiefseatsinthesynagogue！Andyou’llhaveafreepasstotheshow！"

Eitherhewastoointoxicatedwithhisvengefulvision，ortheshadowsoftheroomhaddeepened，buthedidnotseethequickflushthathadrisentohiswife’sfacewiththisallusiontoBarker，northeafter-settlingofherhandsomefeaturesintoadoggeddeterminationequaltohisown。Hisblindfuryagainstthethreepartnersdidnottouchhercuriosity；shewasonlystruckwiththeevidentdepthofhisemotion。Hehadneverbeenabraggart；hishostilityhadalwaysbeenlazyandcynical。

Rememberingthis，shehadafaintstirringofrespectfortheundoubtedcourageandconsciousnessofstrengthshowninthiswildbutsingle-handedcrusadeagainstwealthandpower；rather，perhaps，itseemedtohertocondoneherownweaknessinheryouthfulandinexplicablepassionforhim。Nowondershehadsubmitted。

"Thenyouhavenothingmoretotellme？"shesaidafterapause，risingandgoingtowardsthemantel。

"Youneedn’tlightupforme，"hereturned，risingalso。"Iamgoing。Unless，"headded，withhiscoarselaugh，"youthinkitwouldn’tlookwellforMrs。Horncastletohavebeensittinginthedarkwith——astranger！"Hepausedasshecontemptuouslyputdownthecandlestickandthrewtheunlitmatchintothegrate。"No，I’venothingmoretotell。He’safancy-lookingpup。You’dtakehimfortwenty-one，thoughhe’sonlysixteen——clean-limbedandperfect——butforonething"——Hestopped。Hemetherquicklookofinterrogation，however，withaloweringsilencethat，nevertheless，changedagainashesurveyedhererectfigurebythefaintlightofthewindowwithasardonicsmile。"Hefavorsyou，I

think，andinallbutonething，too。"

"Andthat？"shequeriedcoldly，asheseemedtohesitate。

"Heain’tashamedofME，"hereturned，withalaugh。

Thedoorclosedbehindhim；sheheardhisheavystepdescendthecreakingstairs；hewasgone。Shewenttothewindowandthrewitopen，asiftogetridoftheatmospherechargedwithhispresence，——apresencestillsopotentthatshenowknewthatforthelastfiveminutesshehadbeen，toherhorror，strugglingagainstitsmagnetism。Sheevenrecoilednowatthethoughtofherchild，asif，inthesenewconfidencesoverit，ithadrevivedtheoldintimacyinthislinkoftheircommonflesh。Shelookeddownfromherwindowonthesquareshoulders，thickthroat，andcrispmattedhairofherhusbandashevanishedinthedarkness，anddrewabreathoffreedom，——afreedomnotsomuchfromhimasfromherownweaknessthathewasbearingawaywithhimintotheexoneratingnight。

Sheshutthewindowandsankdowninherchairagain，butintheencompassingandcompassionateobscurityoftheroom。Andthiswasthemanshehadlovedandforwhomshehadwreckedheryounglife！

OrWASitlove？and，ifNOT，howwasshebetterthanhe？Worse；

forhewasmoreloyaltothatpassionthathadbroughtthemtogetheranditsresponsibilitiesthanshewas。Shehadsufferedtheperilsandpangsofmaternity，andyethadonlythemereanimalyearningforheroffspring，whilehehadtakenoverthetoilandduty，andeventhedevotion，ofparentagehimself。Butthensherememberedalsohowhehadfascinatedher——asimpleschoolgirl——byhissheerdomineeringstrength，andhowtheobjectionsofherparentstothiscoarseandcommonmanhadforcedherintoaclandestineintimacythatendedinhercompletesubjectiontohim。

Sherememberedthebirthofaninfantwhoseconcealmentfromherparentsandfriendswascompassedbyhislowcunning；sherememberedthelateatonementofmarriagepreferredbythemanshehadalreadybeguntoloatheandfear，andwhoshenowbelievedwaseageronlyforherinheritance。Sherememberedherabjectcompliancethroughthegreaterfearoftheworld，thestormyscenesthatfollowedtheirill-omenedunion，herfinalabandonmentofherhusband，andtheeffortsofherfriendsandfamilywhohadrescuedthelastofherpropertyfromhim。Shewasgladsherememberedit；

shedweltuponit，uponhiscruelty，hiscoarsenessandvulgarity，untilshesaw，asshehonestlybelieved，thehiddenspringsofhisaffectionfortheirchild。ItwasHISchildinnature，howeveritmighthavefavoredherinlooks；itwasHISownbrutalSELFhewasworshipinginhisbrutalprogeny。HowelsecouldithaveignoredHER——itsownmother？Sheneverdoubtedthetruthofwhathehadtoldher——shehadseenitinhisowntriumphanteyes。Andyetshewouldhavemadeakindmother；sherememberedwithasmileandaslightrisingofcolortheaffectionofBarker’sbabyforher；sherememberedwithadeepeningofthatcolorthethrillofsatisfactionshehadfeltinherhusband’sfulminationagainstMrs。Barker，and，morethanall，shefeltinhisblindandfoolishhatredofBarkerhimselfadeliciouscondonationofthestrangefeelingthathadsprungupinherheartforBarker’ssimple，straightforwardnature。

HowcouldHEunderstand，howcouldTHEYunderstand（bythepluralshemeantMrs。BarkerandHorncastle），acharactersoinnatelynoble。Inherstrangeattractiontowardshimshehadfeltacharmingsenseofwhatshebelievedwasasuperiorandevenmatronlyprotection；intheutterisolationofherlifenow——andwithherhusband’sfoolishabuseofhimringinginherears——itseemedasacredduty。Shehadlostason。Providencehadsentheranidealfriendtoreplacehim。Andthiswasquiteconsistent，too，withafaintsmilethatbegantoplayabouthermouthassherecalledsomeinstancesofBarker’sdelightfulandirresistibleyouthfulness。

Therewasaclatterofhoofsandthesoundofmanyvoicesfromthestreet。Mrs。Horncastleknewitwasthedowncoachchanginghorses；itwouldbeoffagaininafewmoments，and，nodoubt，bearingherhusbandawaywithit。Anewfeelingofreliefcameoverherassheatlastheardthewarning"Allaboard！"andthegreatvehicleclatteredandrolledintothedarkness，trailingitsburninglightsacrossherwallsandceiling。Butnowsheheardstepsonthestaircase，apausebeforeherroom，awhisperofvoices，theopeningofthedoor，therustleofaskirt，andalittlefemininecryofprotestasamanapparentlytriedtofollowthefigureintotheroom。"No，no！ItellyouNO！"remonstratedthewoman’svoiceinahurriedwhisper。"Itwon’tdo。Everybodyknowsmehere。Youmustnotcomeinnow。Youmustwaittobeannouncedbytheservant。Hush！Go！"

Therewasaslightstruggle，thesoundofakiss，andthewomansucceededinfinallyshuttingthedoor。Thenshewalkedslowly，butwithacertainfamiliaritytowardsthemantel，struckamatchandlitthecandle。ThelightshoneuponthebrighteyesandslightlyflushedfaceofMrs。Barker。Butthemotionlesswomaninthechairhadrecognizedhervoiceandthevoiceofhercompanionatonce。Andthentheireyesmet。

Mrs。Barkerdrewback，butdidnotutteracry。Mrs。Horncastle，witheyesevenbrighterthanhercompanion’s，smiled。ThereddeepenedinMrs。Barker’scheek。

"Thisismyroom！"shesaidindignantly，withasweepinggesturearoundthewalls。

"Ishouldjudgeso，"saidMrs。Horncastle，followingthegesture；

"but，"sheaddedquietly，"theyputMEintoit。Itappears，however，theydidnotexpectyou。"

Mrs。Barkersawhermistake。"No，no，"shesaidapologetically，"ofcoursenot。"Thensheadded，withnervousvolubility，sittingdownandtuggingathergloves，"Yousee，IjustrandownfromMarysvilletotakealookatmyfather’soldhouseonmywaytoHymettus。IhopeIhaven’tdisturbedyou。Perhaps，"shesaid，withsuddeneagerness，"youwereasleepwhenIcamein！"

"No，"saidMrs。Horncastle，"Iwasnotsleepingnordreaming。I

heardyoucomein。"

"Someofthesemenaresuchidiots，"saidMrs。Barker，withahalf-

hystericallaugh。"Theyseemtothinkifawomanacceptstheleastcourtesyfromthemthey’vearighttobefamiliar。ButIfancythatfellowwasalittleastonishedwhenIshutthedoorinhisface。"

"IfancyheWAS，"returnedMrs。Horncastledryly。"ButIshouldn’tcallMr。VanLooanidiot。Hehasthereputationofbeingacautiousbusinessman。"

Mrs。Barkerbitherlip。Hercompanionhadbeenrecognized。Sherosewithaslightflirtofherskirt。"IsupposeImustgoandgetaroom；therewasnobodyintheofficewhenIcame。EverythingisbadlymanagedheresincemyfathertookawaythebestservantstoHymettus。"Shemovedwithaffectedcarelessnesstowardsthedoor，whenMrs。Horncastle，withoutrisingfromherseat，said：——

"Whynotstayhere？"

Mrs。Barkerbrightenedforamoment。"Oh，"shesaid，withpolitedeprecation，"Icouldn’tthinkofturningyouout。"

"Idon’tintendyoushall，"saidMrs。Horncastle。"WewillstayheretogetheruntilyougowithmetoHymettus，oruntilMr。VanLooleavesthehotel。HewillhardlyattempttocomeinhereagainifIremain。"

Mrs。Barker，withahalf-laugh，satdownirresolutely。Mrs。

Horncastlegazedathercuriously；shewasevidentlyanoviceinthissortofthing。But，strangetosay，——andIleavetheethicsofthisforthesextosettle，——thefactdidnotsoftenMrs。

Horncastle’sheart，norintheleastqualifyherattitudetowardstheyoungerwoman。AfteranawkwardpauseMrs。Barkerroseagain。

"Well，it’sverygoodofyou，and——and——-I’lljustrunoutandwashmyhandsandgetthedustoffme，andcomeback。"

"No，Mrs。Barker，"saidMrs。Horncastle，risingandapproachingher，"youwillfirstwashyourhandsofthisMr。VanLoo，andgetsomeofthedustoftherendezvousoffyoubeforeyoudoanythingelse。YouCANdoitbysimplytellinghim，SHOULDYOUMEETHIMIN

THEHALL，thatIwassittingherewhenhecamein，andheardEVERYTHING！Dependuponit，hewon’ttroubleyouagain。"

ButMrs。Barker，thoughinexperiencedinlove，wasagoodfighter。

Thebestofthesexare。Shedroppedintotherocking-chair，andbeganrockingbackwardsandforwardswhilestilltuggingathergloves，andsaid，inagraduallywarmingvoice，"IcertainlyshallnotmagnifyMr。VanLoo’ssillinesstothatimportance。AndIhaveyettolearnwhatyoumeanbytalkingaboutarendezvous！AndI

wanttoknow，"shecontinued，suddenlystoppingherrockingandtiltingtherockersimpertinentlybehindher，as，withherelbowssquaredonthechairarms，shetiltedherownfacedefiantlyupintoMrs。Horncastle’s，"howawomaninyourposition——whodoesn’tlivewithherhusband——darestotalktoME！"

Therewasalullbeforethestorm。Mrs。Horncastleapproachednearer，and，layingherhandonthebackofthechair，leanedoverher，and，withawhitefaceandametallicringinhervoice，said：

"ItisjustbecauseIamawomanINMYPOSITIONthatIdo！ItisbecauseIdon’tlivewithmyhusbandthatIcantellyouwhatitwillbewhenyounolongerlivewithyours——whichwillbetheinevitableresultofwhatyouarenowdoing。ItisbecauseIWAS

inthispositionthattheverymanwhoispursuingyou，becausehethinksyouarediscontentedwithYOURhusband，oncethoughthecouldpursuemebecauseIhadleftMINE。Youareherewithhimalone，withouttheknowledgeofyourhusband；callitfolly，caprice，vanity，orwhatyoulike，itcanhavebutoneend——toputyouinmyplaceatlast，tobeconsideredthefairgameafterwardsforanymanwhomaysucceedhim。YoucantesthimandthetruthofwhatIsaybytellinghimnowthatIheardall。"

"Supposehedoesn’tcarewhatyouhaveheard，"saidMrs。Barkersharply。"Supposehesaysnobodywouldbelieveyou，if’telling’

isyourgame。Supposeheisafriendofmyhusbandandhethinkshimamuchbetterguardianofmyreputationthanawomanlikeyou。

Supposeheshouldbethefirstonetotellmyhusbandofthefoulslanderinventedbyyou！"

ForaninstantMrs。Horncastlewastakenabackbytheaudacityofthewomanbeforeher。SheknewthesimpleconfidenceandboyishtrustofBarkerinhiswifeinspiteoftheirsometimesstrainedrelations，andsheknewhowdifficultitwouldbetoshakeit。AndshehadnoideaofbetrayingMrs。Barker’ssecrettohim，thoughshehadmadethissceneinhisinterest。ShehadwishedtosaveMrs。Barkerfromacompromisingsituation，eveniftherewasacertainvindictivenessinherexposinghertoherself。Yetsheknewitwasquitepossiblenow，ifMrs。Barkerhadimmediateaccesstoherhusband，thatshewouldconvincehimofherperfectinnocence。Nevertheless，shehadstillgreatconfidenceinVanLoo’sfearofscandalandhisutterunmanliness。SheknewhewasnotinlovewithMrs。Barker，andthispuzzledherwhensheconsideredtheevidentriskhewasrunningnow。Herface，however，betrayednothing。ShedrewbackfromMrs。Barker，and，withanindifferentandgracefulgesturetowardsthedoor，said，assheleanedagainstthemantel，"Go，then，andseethismuch-abusedgentleman，andthengotogetherwithhimandmakepeacewithyourhusband——evenonthoseterms。IfIhavesavedyoufromtheconsequencesofyourfollyIshallbewillingtobearevenHIS

blame。"

"WhateverIdo，"saidMrs。Barker，risinghotly，"Ishallnotstayhereanylongertobeinsulted。"Sheflouncedoutoftheroomandsweptdownthestaircaseintotheoffice。Hereshefoundanoverworkedclerk，andwithcrimsoncheeksandflashingeyeswantedtoknowwhyinherownfather’shotelshehadfoundherownsitting-roomengaged，andhadbeenobligedtowaithalfanhourbeforeshecouldbeshownintoadecentapartmenttoremoveherhatandcloakin；andhowitwasthateventhegentlemanwhohadkindlyescortedherhadevidentlybeenunabletoprocureheranyassistance。Shesaidthisinasomewhathighvoice，whichmighthavereachedtheearsofthatgentlemanhadhebeeninthevicinity。Buthewasnot，andshewasforcedtomeetthesomewhatdazedapologiesoftheclerkalone，andtoaccompanythechambermaidtoaroomonlyafewpacesdistantfromtheoneshehadquitted。Hereshehastilyremovedherouterdusterandhat，washedherhands，andconsultedherexcitedfaceinthemirror，withthedoorajarandanearsensitivelyattunedtoanystepinthecorridor。Butallthiswaseffectedsorapidlythatshewasatlastobligedtositdowninachairnearthehalf-openeddoor，andwait。Shewaitedfiveminutes——ten——butstillnofootstep。Thenshewentoutintothecorridorandlistened，andthen，smoothingherface，sheslippeddownstairs，pastthedoorofthathatefulroom，andreappearedbeforetheclerkwithasmilingbutsomewhatpaleandlanguidface。Shehadfoundtheroomverycomfortable，butitwasdoubtfulwhethershewouldstayovernightorgoontoHymettus。Hadanybodybeeninquiringforher？Sheexpectedtomeetfriends。No！Andherescort——thegentlemanwhocamewithher——waspossiblyinthebilliard-roomorthebar？

"Ohno！Hewasgone，"saidtheclerk。

"Gone！"echoedMrs。Barker。"Impossible！Hewas——hewashereonlyamomentago。"

Theclerkrangabellsharply。Thestablemanappeared。

"Thattall，smooth-facedman，inahighhat，whocamewiththelady，"saidtheclerkseverelyandconcisely，——"didn’tyoutellmehewasgone？"

"Yes，sir，"saidthestableman。

"Areyousure？"interruptedMrs。Barker，withadazzlingsmilethat，however，maskedasuddentighteningroundherheart。

"Quitesure，miss，"saidthestableman，"forhewasintheyardwhenSteptoecame，aftermissingthecoach。HewantedabuggytotakehimovertotheDivide。Wehadn’tone，sohewentovertotheotherstables，andhedidn’tcomeback，soIreckonhe’sgone。I

rememberit，becauseSteptoecamebyaminuteafterhe’dgone，inanotherbuggy，andashewasgoingtotheDivide，too，Iwonderedwhythegentlemanhadn’tgonewithhim。"

"Andheleftnomessageforme？Hesaidnothing？"askedMrs。

Barker，quitebreathless，butstillsmiling。

"Hesaidnothin’tomebut’Isn’tthatSteptoeoverthere？’whenSteptoecamein。AndIrememberhesaiditkindersuddent——asifhewasremindedo’suthin’he’dforgot；andthenheaskedforabuggy。Yesee，miss，"addedtheman，withacertainroughconsiderationforherdisappointment，"that’smebbewhyhecleanforgottoleaveamessage。"

Mrs。Barkerturnedaway，andascendedthestairs。Selfishnessisquicktorecognizeselfishness，andshesawinaflashthereasonofVanLoo’sabandonmentofher。Somefearofdiscoveryhadalarmedhim；perhapsSteptoeknewherhusband；perhapshehadheardofMrs。Horncastle’spossessionofthesitting-room；perhaps——forshehadnotseenhimsincetheirplayfulstruggleatthedoor——hehadrecognizedthewomanwhowasthere，andtheselfishcowardhadrunaway。Yes；Mrs。Horncastlewasright：shehadbeenonlyamiserabledupe。

Hercheeksblazedassheenteredtheroomshehadjustquitted，andthrewherselfinachairbythewindow。ShebitherlipassherememberedhowforthelastthreemonthsshehadbeenslowlyyieldingtoVanLoo’scautiousbutinsinuatingsolicitation，fromaflirtationintheSanFranciscohoteltoaclandestinemeetinginthestreet；fromarideinthesuburbstoasupperinafastrestaurantafterthetheatre。Otherwomendiditwhowerefashionableandrich，asVanLoohadpointedouttoher。Otherfashionablewomenalsogambledinstocks，andhadtheirprivatebrokerina"Charley"ora"Jack。"WhyshouldnotMrs。Barkerhavebusinesswitha"Paul"VanLoo，particularlyasthisfastcrazepermittedsecretmeetings？——forbusinessofthiskindcouldnotbeconductedinpublic，andpermittedthefairgamblertocallatprivateofficeswithoutfearandwithoutreproach。Mrs。Barker’svanity，Mrs。Barker’sloveofceremonyandform，Mrs。Barker’ssnobbishness，wereflatteredbytheattentionsofthispolishedgentlemanwithaforeignname，whichevenhadtheflavorofnobility，whoneverpickedupherfanandhandedittoherwithoutbowing，andalwaysrosewhensheenteredtheroom。Mrs。Barker’sscantschoolgirlknowledgewastouchedbythisgentleman，whospokeFrenchfluently，anddelicatelyexplainedtoherthelibrettoofariskyoperabouffe。AndnowshehadfinallyyieldedtoameetingoutofSanFrancisco——andanostensiblevisit——stillasaspeculator——tooneortwominingdistricts——withHERBROKER。Thiswastheboldestofhersteps——anoriginalideaofthefashionableVanLoo——which，nodoubt，intimewouldbecomeacraze，too。Butitwasalongstep——andtherewasastreakofrusticdecoruminMrs。Barker’snature——theinstinctthatmadeKittyCarterkeepaperfectlysecludedanddistinctsitting-roominthedayswhensheservedherfather’sguests——thatnowhadimpelledhertomakeitaprovisothatthefirststepofherjourneyshouldbefromheroldhomeinherfather’shotel。Itwasthisinstinctoftheproprietiesthathadrevivedinhersuddenlyatthedooroftheoldsitting-room。

Thenanewphaseofthesituationflasheduponher。ItwashardforhervanitytoacceptVanLoo’sdesertionasvoluntaryandfinal。Whatifthathatefulwomanhadluredhimawaybysometrickorartfullydesignedmessage？Shewascapableofsuchmeannesstoinsurethefulfillmentofherprophecy。Or，moredreadfulthought，whatifshehadsomeholdonhisaffections——shehadsaidthathehadpursuedher；or，moreinfamousstill，thereweresomesecretunderstandingbetweenthem，andthatshe——Mrs。Barker——wasthedupeofthemboth！Whatwasshedoinginthehotelatsuchamoment？

WhatwasherstoryofgoingtoHymettusbutalieastransparentasherown？Thetorturesofjealousy，whichisasoftentheincentiveasitistheresultofpassion，begantorackher。Shehadprobablyyetknownnorealpassionforthisman；butwiththethoughtofhisabandoningher，andtheconceptionofhisfaithlessness，camethewishtoholdandkeephimthatwasdangerouslynearit。Whatifhewereeventheninthatroom，theroomwhereshehadsaidshewouldnotstaytobeinsulted，andthey，thussecuredagainstherintrusion，werelaughingathernow？

Shehalfroseatthethought，butasoundofahorse’shoofsinthestable-yardarrestedher。Sherantothewindowwhichgaveuponit，and，crouchingdownbesideit，listenedeagerly。Theclatterofhoofsceased；thestablemanwastalkingtosomeone；suddenlysheheardthestablemansay，"Mrs。Barkerishere。"Herheartleaped，——VanLoohadreturned。

Butherethevoiceoftheothermanwhichshehadnotyetheardaroseforthefirsttimeclearanddistinct。"Areyouquitesure？

Ididn’tknowsheleftSanFrancisco。"

Theroomreeledaroundher。ThevoicewasGeorgeBarker’s，herhusband！"Verywell，"hecontinued。"Youneedn’tputupmyhorseforthenight。Imaytakeherbackalittlelaterinthebuggy。"

Inanothermomentshehadsweptdownthepassage，andburstintotheotherroom。Mrs。Horncastlewassittingbythetablewithabookinherhand。Shestartedasthehalf-maddenedwomanclosedthedoor，lockeditbehindher，andcastherselfonherkneesatherfeet。

"Myhusbandishere，"shegasped。"WhatshallIdo？Inheaven’snamehelpme！"

"IsVanLoostillhere？"saidMrs。Horncastlequickly。

"No；gone。HewentwhenIcame。"

Mrs。Horncastlecaughtherhandandlookedintentlyintoherfrightenedface。"Thenwhathaveyoutofearfromyourhusband？"

shesaidabruptly。

"Youdon’tunderstand。Hedidn’tknowIwashere。HethoughtmeinSanFrancisco。"

"Doesheknowitnow？"

"Yes。Iheardthestablemantellhim。Couldn’tyousayIcameherewithyou；thatwewereheretogether；thatitwasjustalittlefreakofours？Oh，do！"

Mrs。Horncastlethoughtamoment。"Yes，"shesaid，"we’llseehimheretogether。"

"Ohno！no！"saidMrs。Barkersuddenly，clingingtoherdressandlookingfearfullytowardsthedoor。"Icouldn’t，COULDN’Tseehimnow。SayI’msick，tiredout，gonetomyroom。"

"Butyou’llhavetoseehimlater，"saidMrs。Horncastlewonderingly。

"Yes，buthemaygofirst。Iheardhimtellthemnottoputuphishorse。"

"Good！"saidMrs。Horncastlesuddenly。"Gotoyourroomandlockthedoor，andI’llcometoyoulater。Stop！WouldMr。BarkerbelikelytodisturbyouifItoldhimyouwouldliketobealone？"

"No，heneverdoes。Ioftentellhimthat。"

Mrs。Horncastlesmiledfaintly。"Come，quick，then，"shesaid，"forhemaycomeHEREfirst。"

Openingthedoorshepassedintothehalf-darkandemptyhall。

"Nowrun！"SheheardthequickrustleofMrs。Barker’sskirtdieawayinthedistance，theopeningandshuttingofadoor——silence——

andthenturnedbackintoherownroom。

Shewasnonetoosoon。PresentlysheheardBarker’svoicesaying，"Thankyou，Icanfindtheway，"hisstillbuoyantsteponthestaircase，andthensawhisbrowncurlsrisingabovetherailing。

Thelightstreamingthroughtheopendoorofthesittingroomintothehalf-lithallhadpartiallydazzledhim，and，alreadybewildered，hewasstillmoredazzledattheunexpectedapparitionofthesmilingfaceandbrighteyesofMrs。Horncastlestandinginthedoorway。

"Youhavefairlycaughtus，"shesaid，withcharmingcomposure；

"butIhadhalfamindtoletyouwanderroundthehotelalittlelonger。Comein。"Barkerfollowedherinmechanically，andsheclosedthedoor。"Now，sitdown，"shesaidgayly，"andtellmehowyouknewwewerehere，andwhatyoumeanbysurprisingusatthishour。"

Barker’sreadycoloralwaysroseonmeetingMrs。Horncastle，forwhomheentertainedarespectfuladmiration，notwithoutsomefearofherworldlysuperiority。Heflushed，bowed，andstaredsomewhatblanklyaroundtheroom，atthefamiliarwalls，atthechairfromwhichMrs。Horncastlehadjustrisen，andfinallyathiswife’sglove，whichMrs。Horncastlehadamomentbeforeostentatiouslythrownonthetable。Seeingwhichshepounceduponitwithassumedarchness，andpretendedtoconcealit。

"Ihadnoideamywifewashere，"hesaidatlast，"andIwasquitesurprisedwhenthemantoldme，forshehadnotwrittentomeaboutit。"Ashisfacewasbrightening，sheforthefirsttimenoticedthathisfrankgrayeyeshadanabstractedlook，andtherewasafaintlineofcontractiononhisyouthfulforehead。"Stillless，"

headded，"didIlookforthepleasureofmeetingyou。ForIonlycameheretoinquireaboutmyoldpartner，Demorest，whoarrivedfromEuropeafewdaysago，andwhoshouldhavereachedHymettusearlythisafternoon。ButnowIhearhecameallthewaybycoachinsteadofbyrail，andgotoffatthecross-road，andwemusthavepassedeachotheronthedifferenttrails。Somyjourneywouldhavegonefornothing，onlythatInowshallhavethepleasureofgoingbackwithyouandKitty。Itwillbealovelydrivebymoonlight。"

Relievedbythisrevelation，itwaseasyworkforMrs。Horncastletolaunchoutintoaplayful，tantalizing，witty——but，Igrievetosay，entirelyimaginative——accountofherescapadewithMrs。

Barker。How，leftaloneattheSanFranciscohotelwhiletheirgentlemenfriendswereenjoyingthemselvesatHymettus，theyresolveduponalittletrip，partlyforthepurposeoflookingintosomesmallinvestmentsoftheirown，andpartlyforthefunofthething。Whatfunnyexperiencestheyhad！How，inparticular，onehorridinquisitive，vulgarwretchhadbeenboringaEuropeanfellowpassengerwhowasgoingtoHymettus，finallyaskinghimwherehehadcomefromlast，andwhenheanswered"Hymettus，"thoughtthemanwasinsultinghim——

"But，"interruptedthelaughingBarker，"thatpassengermayhavebeenDemorest，whohasjustcomefromGreece，andsurelyKittywouldhaverecognizedhim。"

Mrs。Horncastleinstantlysawherblunder，andnotonlyretrievedit，butturnedittoaccount。Ah，yes！butbythattimepoorKitty，unusedtolongjourneysandtheheat，wasutterlyfaggedout，wasasleep，andperfectlyunrecognizableinveilsanddustersonthebackseatofthecoach。Andthisbroughthertothepoint——

whichwas，thatshewassorrytosay，onarriving，thepoorchildwasnearlywildwithaheadachefromfatigueandhadgonetobed，andshehadpromisednottodisturbher。