第5章

"Yes？"Hertonewasasquietlycontemptuousasshecouldmakeit。"Howveryfrankofyou！MayIask：Areyouconvincedthatspeechesofthatsortarealwaystoalady’sliking？"

"No，"heansweredhumbly，andhunghishead。Thenshethrewthequestionathimabruptly：

"Wasityouwhocametosinginourgarden？"

Therewasalongpausebeforeaprofoundsighcametremulouslyfromthedarkness，likeasadandtenderconfession。"Yes。"

"Ithoughtso！"sheexclaimed。"Mrs。Tanberrythoughtitwassomeoneelse；

butIknewthatitwasyou。"

"Yes，youareright，"hesaid，quietly。"ItwasI。Itwasmyonlywaytotellyouwhatyouknownow。"

"Ofcourse！"Shesetitallasidewiththosetwowordsandtheslightestgestureofherhand。"Itwasasongmadeforanothergirl，Ibelieve？"

sheaskedlightly，andwithanicysmile，inquiredfarther："Fortheone——

theonebeforethelast，Iunderstand？"

Heliftedhishead，surprised。"Whathasthattodowithit？Themusicwasmadeforyou——butthen，Ithinkallmusicwasmadeforyou。"

"Leavethemusicoutofit，ifyouplease，"shesaid，impatiently。"Yourtalentsmakeyoumodest！Nodoubtyouconsideritunmaidenlyinmetohavereferredtotheserenadebeforeyouspokeofit；butIamnotonetocastdownmyeyesandletitpass。No，noronetoosweettofacethetruth，either！"shecriedwithsuddenpassion。"Tosingthatsonginthewayyoudid，meant-oh，youthoughtIwouldflirtwithyou！Whatrighthadyoutocomewithsuchasongtome？

Tomintendedonlytodisclaimthepresumption，sofarfromhisthoughts，thathissonghadmovedher，forhecouldseethatherattackwaspromptedbyherinexplicableimpressionthathehadassumedtheattitudeofaconqueror，buthisexplanationbeganunfortunately。

"Forgiveme。Ithinkyouhavecompletelymisunderstood；youthoughtitmeantsomethingIdidnotintend，atall，and——"

"What！"shesaid，andhereyesblazed，fornowshebeheldhimasthearrantsneakoftheworld。He，thelady-killer，withhishypocriticalairofstrengthandmelancholysweetness，theleaderofdrunkenrevels，and，byreputation，thetownLotharioandLight-o’-Love，underpromiseofmarriagetoFanchonBareaud，hadtriedtomakelovetoanothergirl，andnowhiscowardiceintryingtodisclaimwhathehaddonelenthimtheinsolencetosaytothisother："Mychild，youarebetrayedbyyouryouthandconceit；youexaggeratemymeaning。Ihadnointentiontodistinguishyoubycoquettingwithyou！"Thiswasherinterpretationofhim；andherindignationwasnotlessenedbytheinevitableconclusionthathe，whohadbeenthroughsomanysceneswithwomen，secretlyfoundhersimplicitydiverting。MissBettyhadalittleofherfatherinher；whileitwaspartofheryouth，too，that，ofallthingsshecouldleastenduretheshadowofasmileatherownexpense。

"Oh，oh！"shecried，hervoiceshakingwithanger。"Isupposeyourbadheartishalf-chokedwithyourlaughteratme。"

Sheturnedfromhimswiftly，andlefthim。

Almostrunning，sheenteredthehouse，andhurriedtoaseatbyMrs。

Tanberry，nestlingtoherlikeayoungsaplingonahillside。

Instantaneously，severalgentlemen，whohadhastilyacquittedthemselvesofvariousobligationsinordertoseekher，sprangforwardwitheagergreetings，sothatwhenthestrickenTom，dazedandconfoundedbyhisevilluck，followedherataboutfivepaces，hefoundhimselfconfrontedbyanimpenetrableabbatisformedbythespikedtailsofthecoatsofGeneralTrumble，Madrillon，TappinghamMarsh，CummingsandJeffersonBareaud。

WithinthisfortificationrangoutlaughterandsallyfromMissCarewe；

hercolorwashighandhereyessparklednevermorebrightly。

Flourishandalarumssoundedforaquadrille。Eachofthesemi-circle，firmlyelbowinghisneighbor，beggedthedanceofMissBetty；butTomwashimselfagain，andlaidalong，stronghandonMadrillon’sshoulder，pressedhimgentlyaside，andsaid：

"Forgiveme；MissCarewehashonoredmebythepromiseofthisquadrille。"

Hebowed，offeringhisarm，andnoneofthemwastoovaintoenvythatbowandgesture。

Foramomentheremainedwaiting。MissCareweroseslowly，and，directlyfacinghim，saidincomposedandevenvoice："Youforcemetobegyounevertoaddressmeagain。"

SheplacedherhandontheGeneral’sarm，turningherbacksquarelyuponTom。

Inadditiontothosewhoheard，manypersonsinthatpartoftheroomsawtheaffrontandpausedinarrestedattitudes；others，observingthese，turnedinquiringly，sothatsuddensilencefell，brokenonlybythevoiceofMissBettyasshemovedaway，talkingcheerilytotheGeneral。Tomwasleftstandingaloneinthebrokensemicircle。

Alltheeyessweptfromhertohimandback；theneveryonebegantotalkhastilyaboutnothing。Theyoungman’shumiliationwaspublic。

Hewenttothedoorundercoverofthemovementofthevariouscouplestofindplacesinthequadrille，yeteverysidelongglanceintheroomstillresteduponhim，andheknewit。Heremainedintheball，alone，throughthatdance，andatitsconclusion，walkedslowlythroughtherooms，speakingtopeople，hereandthere，asthoughnothinghadhappened，butwhenthemusicsoundedagain，hewenttothedressing-room，foundhishatandcloak，andleftthehouse。Forawhilehestoodontheoppositesideofthestreet，watchingthelightedwindows，andtwicehecaughtsightofthelilacandwhitebrocade，thedarkhair，andthewreathofmarguerites。

Then，withahotpaininhisbreast，andthestepofaGrenadier，hemarcheddownthestreet。

InthecarriageMrs。TanberrytookBetty’shandinhers。"I’lldoasyouwish，child，"shesaid，"andneverspeaktoyouofhimagainaslongasI

live，exceptthisonce。Ithinkitwasbestforhisownsakeaswellasyours，but——"

"Heneededalesson，"interruptedMissBetty，wearily。Shehaddancedlongandhard，andshewasverytired。

Mrs。Tanberry’sstaccatolaughcameoutirrepressibly。"Allthevagabondsdo，Princess！"shecried。"AndIthinktheyaregettingit。"

"No，no，Idon’tmean——"

"We’veturnedtheirheads，mydear，betweenus，youandI；andwe’llhavetoturn`emagain，orthey’llbreaktheirneckslookingovertheirshoul-

dersatus，theowls！"Shepressedthegirl’shandaffectionately。"Butyou’llletmesaysomethingjustonce，andforgivemebecausewe’rethesamefoolishage，youknow。It’sonlythis：Thenextyoungmanyousuppress，takehimoffinacorner！Leadhimawayfromthecrowdwherehewon’thavetostandandletthemlookathimafterward。That’sall，mydear，andyoumustn’tmind。"

"I’mnotsorry！"saidMissBettyhotly。"I’mnotsorry！"

"No，no，"saidMrs。Tanberry，soothingly。"Itwasbetterthistimetodojustwhatyoudid。I’dhavedoneitmyself，tomakequitesurehewouldkeepaway——becauseIlikehim。"

"I’mnotsorry！"saidMissBettyagain。

"I’mnotsorry！"sherepeatedandreiteratedtoherselfafterMrs。

Tanberryhadgonetobed。Shehadsunkintoachairinthelibrarywithabook，and"I’mnotsorry！"shewhisperedastheopenunreadpageblurredbeforeher，"I’mnotsorry！"Hehadneededhislesson；butshehadtobeartherecollectionofhowwhitehisfacewentwhenhereceivedit。Heraffronthadputabouthimastrangeloneliness：theonefigurewiththestilledcrowdstaring；ithadmadeapicturefromwhichhermind’seyehadbeenunabletoescape，dancedsheneversohardandlate。Unconsciously，RobertCarewe’sdaughterhadavengedtheotherfigurewhichhadstoodinlonelyhumiliationbeforethestaringeyes。

"I’mnotsorry！"Ah，didtheythinkitwasinhertohurtanylivingthingintheworld？Thebookdroppedfromherlap，andshebowedherheaduponherhands。"I’mnotsorry！"——andtearsuponthesmalllacegauntlets！

Shesawthem，andwithanincoherentexclamation，halfself-pitying，halfimpatient，ranouttothestarsabovehergarden。

Shewasthereforperhapshalfanhour，andjustbeforeshereturnedtothehouseshedidasingularthing。

Standingwhereallwascleartothesky，whereshehadstoodafterhertalkwiththeIncroyable，whenhehadbidherlooktothestars，sheraisedherarmstothemagain，herface，palewithagreattenderness，uplifted。

"You，you，you！"shewhispered。"Iloveyou！"

Andyetitwastonothingdefinite，tonoman，noroutlineofaman，tonophantomnordream-lover，thatshespoke；neithertohimshehadaffronted，nortohimwhohadbiddenherlooktothestars。Norwasittothestarsthemselves。

Shereturnedslowlyandthoughtfullytothehouse，wonderingwhatshehadmeant。

CHAPTERXI

AVoiceinaGardenCraileycamehomethenextdaywithanewpoem，butnofish。Heloungedupthestairs，lateintheafternoon，hummingcheerfullytohimself，and，droppinghisrodinacornerofTom’soffice，laidthepoemonthedeskbeforehispartner，producedalarge，newly-replenishedflask，openedit，stretchedhimselfcomfortablyuponacapacioushorse-hairsofa，drankadeepdraught，chuckledsoftly，andrequestedMr。Vanreveltosettherhymestomusicimmediately。

"Tryitonyourinstrument，"hesaid。"It’sasimpleverseaboutnothingbutstars，andyoucanworkitoutintwentyminuteswiththeguitar。"

"Itisbroken，"saidTom，notlookingupfromhiswork。

"Broken！When？"

"Lastnight。"

"Whobrokeit？"

"Itfellfromthetableinmyroom。"

"How？Easilymended，isn’tit？"

"IthinkIshallnotplayitsoonagain。"

Craileyswunghislonglegsoffthesofaandabruptlysatupright。

"What’sthis？"heaskedgravely。

Tompushedhispapersawayfromhim，roseandwenttothedustywindowthatlookedtothewest，where，attheendofthelongstreet，thesunwassettingbehindtheruinofcharredtimbersonthebankoftheshiningriver。

"ItseemsthatIplayedoncetoooften，"hesaid。

Craileywasthoroughlyastonished。Hetookalong，affectionatepullattheflaskandofferedittohispartner。

"No，"saidTom，turningtohimwithatroubledface，"andifIwereyou，I

wouldn’teither。Thesefishingtripsofyours——"

"Fishing！"Craileylaughed。"Tripsofapoetaster！It’sthenIwritebest，andwriteIwill！There’sapoem，andadamnedgoodone，too，oldpreacher，ineverygillofwhiskey，andI’mtheladthatcanextractit！

Lord！what’sbetterthantobeoutintheopen，allbyyourselfinthewoods，orontheriver？Thinkofthelongnightsalonewiththegloryofheavenandagooddemijohn。Why，aman’sthoughtsarelikeactorsperformingintheairandallthecrowdingstarsforaudience！Youknowinyoursoulyou’dratherhavemeoutthere，goingitallbymyself，thanraisingthunderovertown。Andyouknow，too，itdoesn’ttellonme；itdoesn’tshow！Youcouldn’tguess，tosaveyourlife，howmuchI’vehadto-day，now，couldyou？"

"Yes，"returnedtheother，"Icould。"

"Well，well，"saidCrailey，good-naturedly，"weweren’ttalkingofme。"

Hesetdowntheflask，wenttohisfriendanddroppedahandlightlyonhisshoulder。"Whatmadeyoubreaktheguitar？Tellme。"

"WhatmakesyouthinkIbrokeit？"askedhispartnersharply。

"Tellmewhyyoudidit，"saidCrailey。

AndTom，pacingtheroom，toldhim，whileCraileystoodinsilence，lookinghimeagerlyintheeyewheneverTomturnedhisway。Thelistenerinterruptedseldom；onceitwastoexclaim："Butyouhaven’tsaidwhyyoubroketheguitar？"

Ifthineeyeoffendthee，pluckitout！’Ioughttohavecutoffthehandsthatplayedtoher。""Andcutyourthroatforsingingtoher？"

"Shewasright！"theotheranswered，stridingupanddowntheroom。

"Right——athousandtimes！ineverythingshedid。ThatIshouldevenap-

proachher，wasanunspeakableinsolence。Ihadforgotten，andso，possibly，hadshe，butIhadnotevenbeenproperlyintroducedtoher。"

"No，youhadn’t，that’strue，"observedCrailey，reflectively。"Youdon’tseemtohavemuchtoreproachherwith，Tom。"

"Reproachher！"criedtheother。"ThatIshoulddreamshewouldspeaktomeorhaveanythingtodowithme，wastocastadoubtuponherloyaltyasadaughter。Shewasright，Isay！Andshedidtheonlythingshecoulddo：rebukedmebeforethemall。NooneevermeritedwhathegotmoreroundlythanIdeservedthat。WhowasI，inhereyes，thatIshouldbesiegeherwithmyimportunities，whobutherfather’sworstenemy？"

DeepanxietyknittedCrailey’sbrow。"Iunderstoodsheknewofthequarrel，"hesaid，thoughtfully。"Isawthat，theothereveningwhenI

helpedheroutofthecrowd。Shespokeofitonthewayhome，Iremember；

buthowdidsheknowthatyouwereVanrevel？Nooneintownwouldbeapttomentionyoutoher。"

"No，butshedidknow，yousee。"

"Yes，"returnedMr。Grayslowly。"Soitseems！Probablyherfathertoldhertoavoidyou，anddescribedyousothatsherecognizedyouasthemanwhocaughtthekitten。"

Hepaused，pickeduptheflask，andagainappliedhimselftoitscontents，hiseyespeeringovertheup-tiltedvesselatTom，whocontinuedtopaceupanddownthelengthoftheoffice。Afteratime，Crailey，fumblinginhiscoat，foundalongcheroot，and，ashelitit，inquiredcasually：

"Doyourememberifsheaddressedyoubyname？"

"Ithinknot，"Tomanswered，halting。"Whatdoesitmatter？"

Craileydrewadeepbreath。

"Itdoesn’t，"hereturned。

"Sheknewmewellenough，"saidTom，sadly，asheresumedhissentry-go。

"Yes，"repeatedCrailey，deliberately。"Soitseems；soitseems！"Heblewalongstreamofsmokeoutintotheairbeforehim，andsoftlymur-

muredagain："Soitseems，soitseems。"

Silencefell，brokenonlybythesoundofTom’sfootsteps，until，presently，someoneinformallyshoutedhisnamefromthestreetbelow。ItwasonlyWillCummings，passingthetimeofday，butwhenTomturnedfromthewindowafteransweringhim，Crailey，hispoem，andhisflaskweregone。

ThateveningVanrevelsatinthedustyoffice，drivinghimselftohisworkwithasharpgoad，fortherewasafacethatcamebetweenhimandallelseintheworld，andavoicethatsoundedalwaysinhisears。Buttheworkwasdonebeforeherosefromhischair，thoughheshowedahaggardvisageashebentabovehiscandlestoblowthemout。

Itwaseleveno’clock；Craileyhadnotcomeback，andTomknewthathislight-heartedfriendwouldnotreturnformanyhours；andso，havingnomindtoread，andnobeliefthathecouldifhetried，hewentouttowalkthestreets。Hewentdowntotheriverfirst，andstoodforalittlewhilegazingattheruinsofthetwowarehouses，andthatwaslikeamanwithaheadachebeatinghisskullagainstawall。Ashestoodontheblackenedwharf，hesawhowthecharredbeamsroseabovehimagainsttheskylikeagallows，anditseemedtohimthatnothingcouldhavebeenabettersymbol，forherehehadhangedhisself-respect。"Reproachher！"

He，whohadsodisplayedhisimbecilitybeforeher！Hadhebeenherfather’sbestfriend，heshouldhavehadtoogreatasenseofshametodaretospeaktoherafterthatnightwhenherquietintelligencehadexhibitedhimtohimself，andtoalltheworld，asnoughtelsethanafool——andanoisyoneatthat！

Suddenlyashudderconvulsedhim；hestruckhisopenpalmacrosshisforeheadandspokealoud，while，fromhorizontohorizon，thenightairgrewthickwiththewhisperedlaughterofobservinghobgoblins：

"Andeveniftherehadbeennostairway，wecouldhavesliddownthehose-

line！"

Heretracedhissteps，atall，grayfiguremovingslowlythroughthebluedarkness，andhislipsformedtheheart-sickshadowofasmilewhenhefoundthathehadunconsciouslyturnedintoCareweStreet。Presentlyhecametoagapinahedge，throughwhichhehadsometimesstolentohearthesoundofaharpandagirl’svoicesinging；buthedidnotentertheretonight，thoughhepausedamoment，hisheadbowedonhisbreast。

Therecameasoundofvoices；theyseemedtobemovingtowardthehedge，towardthegapwherehestood；oneaman’seager，quick，butverymusical；

theother，agirl’s，arichandclearcontraltothatpassedintoTom’ssoullikeapsalmofrejoicingandlikeascimitarofflame。Heshivered，andmovedawayquickly，butnotbeforetheman’svoice，somewhatlouderforthemoment，camedistinctlyfromtheothersideofthehedge：

"Afterall，"saidthevoice，witharippleoflaughter，"afterall，weren’tyoualittlehardonthatpoorMr。Gray？"

Tomdidnotunderstand，butheknewthevoice。ItwasthatofCraileyGray。

Heheardthesamevoiceagainthatnight，andagainstoodunseen。Longaftermidnighthewasstilltrampingthestreetsonhislonelyrounds，whenhechancedtopasstheRouenHouse，whichhostelrybore，totheuninitiatedeye，theappearanceofhavingcloseditsdoorsuponallhospitalitiesforthenight，instrictcompliancewiththelawofthecityfathers，yetaslenderwandofbrightlightmightbediscoveredunderneaththestreetdoorofthebar-room。

>Fromwithinthemerryretreatissuedanuproarofshouting，raucouslaughterandthepoundingofglassesontables，heraldingalltooplainlythehypocrisyofthelandlord，andpossiblythatofthecityfathersalso。

Tomknewwhatcompanywasgatheredthere：gamblers，truckmen，drunkenfarmers，menfromtheriversteamersmakingriotwhiletheirboatslayatthewharf，withamotleygatheringofgood-for-nothingsoftheback-

alleys，andtipplingclerksfromtheMainStreetstores。Therecameloudcriesforasong，and，inanswer，thevoiceofCraileyroseoverthegeneraldin，somewhathoarse，andneversomusicalwhenhesangaswhenhespoke，yetsotouchinginitsdramatictendernessthatsoonthenoisefellaway，andtheroistererssatquietlytolisten。ItwasnotthefirsttimeBenJonson’ssonghadstilledadisreputablecompany。

"Isenttheelatearosywreath，Notsomuchhonoringthee，AsgivingitthehopethatthereItmightnotwitheredbe。"

Perhaps，justthen，Vanrevelwouldhavewishedtohearhimsinganythingintheworldratherthanthat，foronCrailey’slipsitcarriedtoomuchmeaningtonight，afterthevoiceinthegarden。AndTomlingerednomorenearthebetrayingsliveroflightbeneaththedoorthanhehadbythegapinthehedge，butwentsteadilyonhisway。

Notfarfromthehotelhepassedasmallbuildingbrightlylightedandechoingwithunusualclamorsofindustry：theofficeoftheRouenJournal。

Thepresswasgoing，andMr。Cummings’sthinfigurecrossedandrecrossedthewindows，whilehisvoicecouldbeheardenergeticallybiddinghisas-

sistantsto"Lookalive！"sothatTomimaginedthatsomethingmighthavehappenedbetweentheNuecesRiverandtheRioGrande；buthedidnotstoptoaskthejournalist，forhedesiredtobeholdthefaceofnoneofhisfriendsuntilhehadfoughtoutsomethingswithinhimself。Sohestrodeontowardnowhere。

DaywasbreakingwhenMr。Grayclimbedthestairstohisroom。Thereweretwoflights，theascentofthefirstofwhichoccupiedabouthalfanhourofCrailey’sinvaluabletime；andthesecondmighthavetakenmoreofit，orpossiblyconsumedthegreaterpartofthemorning，hadhereceivednoassistance。But，ashereclinedtomeditateuponthefirstlanding，anothermanenteredthehallwayfromwithout，ascendedquickly，andCraileybecamepleasantlyconsciousthattwostronghandshadliftedhimtohisfeet；and，presently，thathewasbeingbornealoftuponthenew-

comer’sback。Itseemedquiteajourney，yetthemotionwassoothing，sohemadenoefforttoopenhiseyes，untilhefoundhimselfgentlydepositeduponthecouchinhisownchamber，whenhesmiledamiably，and，lookingup，discoveredhispartnerstandingoverhim。

Tomwasverypaleandthereweredeep，violetscrawlsbeneathhiseyes。

ForonceinhislifehebadcomehomelaterthanCrailey。

"Firsttime，youknow，"saidCrailey，withdifficulty。"You’lladmitfirsttimecompletelyincapable？Oftenneededguidinghand，butnever——

quite——before。"

"Yes，"saidTom，quietly，"itisthefirsttimeIeversawyouquitefinished。"

"ThinkImustbegrowingoldandconstitutionrefusesbearit。

Disgracefultobeseenincondition，yetcelebrationjustified。H’rahforthenews！"Hewavedhishandwildly。"Oldred，white，andblue！

Americaneaglenowkindlyproceedtoscream！Starspangledbannerintendsstreamingtoallthetradewinds！Seatosea！Gloriousvictoriesonpoliticalthievingexhibition——no，expedition！Everybodynotresponsibleforthetroubletogoandgethimselfpatrioticallykilled！"

"Whatdoyoumean？"

"Water！"saidtheother，feebly。Tombroughtthepitcher，andCrailey，settinghishotlipstoit，dranklonganddeeply；then，withhisfriend’sassistance，hetiedaheavilymoistenedtowelroundhishead。"Allrightverysoonandsoberagain，"hemuttered，andlaybackuponthepillowwitheyestightlyclosedinanintenseefforttoconcentratehiswill。Whenheopenedthemagain，fourorfiveminuteslater，theyhadmarvellouslyclearedandhislookwasself-containedandsane。

"Haven’tyouheardthenews？"Hespokemuchmoreeasilynow。"ItcameatmidnighttotheJournal。"

"No；I’vebeenwalkinginthecountry。"

"TheMexicanscrossedtheRioGrandeonthetwenty-sixthoflastmonth，capturedCaptainThorntonandmurderedColonelCrook。Thatmeanswariscertain。"

"Ithasbeencertainforalongtime，"saidTom。"Polkhasforceditfromthefirst。"

"Thenit’sadevilofapityhecan’tbetheonlymantodie！"

"Havetheycalledforvolunteers？"askedTom，goingtowardthedoor。

"No；butifthenewsistrue，theywill。"

"Yes，"saidTom；andashereachedthehallwayhepaused。"CanIhelpyoutoundress？"

"Certainlynot！"Craileysatup，indignantly。"Can’tyouseethatI’mperfectlysober？Itwasthemeresttemporaryfit，andI’veshakenitoff。

Don’tyousee？"Hegotuponhisfeet，staggered，butshookhimselflikeadogcomingoutofthewater，andcametothedoorwithinfirmsteps。

"You’regoingtobed，aren’tyou？"askedTom。"You’dmuchbetter。"

"No，"answeredCrailey。"Areyou？

"No。I’mgoingtowork。"

"You’vebeenallupnight，too，haven’tyou？"Craileyputhishandontheother’sshoulder。"Wereyouhuntingforme？"

"No；notlastnight。"

Craileylurchedsuddenly，andTomcaughthimaboutthewaisttosteadyhim。

"Sweethearting，tippling，vingt-et-un，orpoker，eh，Tom？"heshouted，thickly，withawildlaugh。"Ha，ha，oldsmug-face，uptomybadtricksatlast！"But，recoveringhimselfimmediately，hepushedtheotheroffatarm’slength，andslappedhimselfsmartlyonthebrow。"Nevermind；allright，allright——onlyabadwave，nowandthen。Awalkwillmakememoreamanthanever。"

"You’dmuchbettergotobed，Crailey。"

"Ican’t。I’mgoingtochangemyclothesandgoout。"

"Why？"

Craileydidnotanswer，butatthatmomenttheCatholicchurch-bell，summoningthefaithfultomass，pealedloudlyonthemorningair；andthesteadyglanceofTomVanrevelrestedupontherecklesseyesofthemanbesidehimastheylistenedtogethertoitsinsistentcall。Tomsaid，gently，almosttimidly：

"Youhavean——engagement？"

Thistimetheanswercamebriskly。"Yes；IpromisedtotakeFanchontothecemeterybeforebreakfast，toplacesomeflowersonthegraveofthelittlebrotherwhodied。Thishappenstobehisbirthday。"

ItwasTomwhoavertedhiseyes，notCrailey。

"Thenyou’dbesthurry，"hesaid，hesitatingly；"Imustn’tkeepyou，"andwentdownstairstohisofficewithflushedcheeks，ahanginghead，andanexpressionwhichwouldhaveledastrangertobelievethathehadjustbeencaughtinalie。

HewenttotheMainStreetwindow，andseatedhimselfupontheledge，theonlyoneintheroomnottoodustyforoccupation；forhere，atthishour，TomhadtakenhisplaceeverymorningsinceElizabethCarewehadcomefromtheconvent。Thewindowwasacoignofvantage，commandingthecornerofCareweandMainstreets。Somedistancewestofthecorner，theCatholicchurchcastitslongshadowacrossMainStreet，and，inordertoenterthechurch，apersonwholiveduponCareweStreetmustpassthecorner，orelsemakeahalf-miledetourandapproachfromtheotherdirection——whichthepersonneverdid。TomhadthoughtitoutthefirstnightthattheimageofMissBettyhadkepthimawake——andthatwasthefirstnightMissCarewespentinRouen——theSt。Mary’sgirlwouldbesuretogotomasseveryday，whichwaswhythewindow-ledgewasdustedthenextmorning。

Theglassdoorsofthelittlecornerdrug-storecaughttheearlysunofthehotMaymorningandbecamelikesheets0fpolishedbrass；afarmer’swagonrattleddownthedustystreet；agroupofIrishwaitressesfromthehotelmadetheboardwalkrattleundertheirhurriedstepsastheywenttowardthechurch，talkingbusilytooneanother；andablinkingyouthinhisshirt-sleeves，whoworetheairofonenewly，butnotgladly，risen，begantostrugglemournfullywiththeshuttersofMadrillon’sbank。A

momentlater，TomheardCraileycomedownthestairs，sureoffootandhumminglightlytohimself。Thedooroftheofficewasclosed；Craileydidnotlookin，butpresentlyappeared，smiling，trim，immaculate，allinwhitelinen，ontheoppositesideofthestreet，andofferedbadinagetotheboywhotoiledattheshutters。

Thebellhadalmostceasedtoringwhenalady，dressedplainlyinblack，butgracefulandtall，camerapidlyoutofCareweStreet，turnedatthecornerbythelittledrug-store，andwenttowardthechurch。Theboywasleftstaring，forCrailey’sbanterbrokeoffinthemiddleofaword。

Heovertookheronthechurchsteps，andtheywentintogether。

ThatafternoonFanchonBareaudtoldTomhowbeautifulherbetrothedhadbeentoher；hehadbroughtheragreatbouquetofvioletsandlilies-of-

the-valley，andhadtakenhertothecemeterytoplacethemonthegraveofherbabybrother，whosebirthdayitwas。TearscametoFanchon’seyesasshespokeofherlover’sgoodness，andofhowwonderfullyhehadtalkedastheystoodbesidethelittlegrave。

"HewastheonlyonewhorememberedthatthiswaspoortinyJean’sbirthday！"shesaid，andsobbed。"Hecamejustafterbreakfastandaskedmetogoouttherewithhim。"

CHAPTERXII

TheRoomintheCupolaMr。Carewereturned，onewarmMayafternoon，bythesixo’clockboat，whichwassometimesadaylateandsometimesafewhoursearly；thelattercontingencyarising，asinthepresentinstance，whentheownerwasaboard。Nelsondrovehimfromthewharftothebank，whereheconferredbriefly，inanundertone，withEugeneMadrillon；afterwhichEugenesentanotecontainingthreewordstoTappinghamMarsh。Marshtoreupthenote，andsaunteredovertotheclub，wherehefoundGeneralTrumbleandJeffersonBareaudamicablydiscussingapitcherofcherrybounce。

"Hehascome，"saidTappingham，pleasedtofindthepairtheonlyoccupantsoftheplace。"HesawMadrillon，andthere’sasessionto-

night。"

"PraisetheLord！"exclaimedthestoutGeneral，risingtohisfeet。"I’llseeoldChenowethatonce。Myfingershavetheitch。"

"Andmine，too，"saidBareaud。"I’dbeguntothinkwe’dneverhaveagowithhimagain。"

"YoumustseethatCraileycomes。Wewantafulltable。Draghim，ifyoucan’tgethimanyotherway。"

"Hewon’tneedurging，"saidJefferson。

"Buthecutuslasttime。"

"Hewon’tcuttonight。Whathour？"

"Nine，"answeredTappingham。"It’stobeafullsitting，remember。"

"Don’tfearforus，"laughedTrumble。

"NorforCrailey，"Jeffersonadded。"Aftersolongavacationyoucouldn’tkeephimawayifyouchainedhimtothecourt-housepillars；he’dtear`emintwo！"

"Here’stoourbetterfortunes，then！saidtheoldsoldier，fillingaglassforTappingham；and，"Here’stoourbetterfortunes！"echoedtheyoungmen，pouringoffthegentleliquorheartily。Havingthusmadelibationtotheirparticulargod，thetrioseparated。ButJeffersondidnotencounterthealacrityofacceptanceheexpectedfromCrailey，whenhefoundhim，halfanhourlater，atthehotelbar。Indeed，atfirst，Mr。

Graynotoniyrefusedoutrighttogo，butseriouslyurgedthesamecourseuponJefferson；moreover，hisremonstrancewasofferedinsuchevidentgoodfaiththatBareaud，intheactofswallowingoneofhislargedosesofquinine，pausedwithonlyhalfthepowderdownhisthroat，gazing，nonplussed，athisprospectivebrother-in-law。

"Myimmortalsoul！"hegasped。"IsthisCraileyGray？What’sthetrouble？"

"Nothing，"repliedCrailey，quietly。"Onlydon’tgo，you’velostenough。"

"Well，you’reabeautifulone！"Jeffersonexclaimed，withanincredulouslaugh。"You’reamasterhand；you，totalkaboutlosingenough！"

"Iknow，Iknow，"Craileybegan，shakinghishead，"but——"

"You’vepromisedFanchonnevertogoagain，andyou’reafraidMissBettywillseeorhearus，andtellheryouwerethere。"

"Idon’tknowMissCarewe。"

"Thenyouneedn’tfear；besides，she’llbeoutwhenwecome，andasleepwhenwego。Shewillneverknowwe’vebeeninthehouse。"

"Thathasnothingtodowithit，"saidCrailey，impatiently；andhewasthemoreearnestbecauseherememberedthedangerousgeographyoftheCarewehouse，whichmadeitimpossibleforanyonetoleavethecupola-roomexceptbythelonghallwhichpassedcertaindoors。"Iwillnotgo，andwhat’smore，IpromisedFanchonI’dtrytokeepyououtofithereafter。"

"Lord，butwe’revirtuous！"laughedtheincredulousJefferson。"I’llcomeforyouataquartertonine。"

"Iwillnotgo，Itellyou。"

Jeffersonroared。"Yes，youwill。Youcouldn’tkeepfromitifyoutried！"Andhetookhimselfoff，laughingviolently，againpromisingtocallforCraileyonhiswaytothetryst，andleavinghimstillwarmlyprotestingthatitwouldbeagreatfollyforeitherofthemtogo。

Craileylookedafterthelad’slong，thinfigurewithanexpressionasnearangerasheeverwore。"He’llgo，"hesaidtohimself。

"And——ah，well——I’llhavetoriskit！I’llgowithhim，butonlytotryandbringhimawayearly——thatis，asearlyasit’ssafetobesurethattheyareasleepdownstairs。AndIwon’tplay。No，I’llnotplay；I’llnotplay。"

Hepaidhisscoreandwentoutofthehotelbyasidedoor。Somedistanceupthestreet，Bareaudwasstilltobeseen，lounginghomewardinthepleasantafternoonsunshine，hestoppedonacornerandserenelypouredanotherquininepowderintohimselfandthrewthepapertoacoupleofpigswholookedupfromtheguttermaliciously。

"Confoundhim！"saidCrailey，laughingruefully。"Hemakesmeamissionary——forI’llkeepmywordtoFanchoninthat，atleast！I’lllookafterJeffersontonight。Ah，ImightaswellbeoldTomVanrevel，indeed！"

Meanwhile，Mr。Carewehadtakenpossessionofhisownagain。Hisdaughterrantothedoortomeethim；shewastremblingalittle，and，blushingandsmiling，heldoutbothherhandstohim，sothatMrs。Tanberryvowedthiswastheloveliestcreatureintheworld，andthekindest。

Mr。Carewebowedslightly，astoanacquaintance，anddisregardedtheextendedhands。

Atthat，theblushfadedfromMissBetty’scheeks；shetremblednomore，andasalutationasicyasherfather’swasreturnedtohim。Hebenthisheavybrowsuponher，andshotablackglanceherway，being，ofcourse，immediatelyenragedbyherreflectionofhisownmanner，buthedidnotspeaktoher。

Nordidheonceaddressherduringtheeveningmeal，preferringtohonorMrs。Tanberrywithhisconversation，tothatdiplomaticlady’ssecretanger，butoutwardamusement。Shecheerfullyneglectedtoanswerhimattimes，havingnottheslightestaweofhim，andturnedtothegirlinstead；indeed，shewasonlypreventedfromratinghimsoundlyathisowntablebythefearthatshemightmakethesituationmoredifficultforheryoungcharge。Assoonasitwaspossible，shemadeherescapewithMissBetty，andtheydroveawayinthetwilighttopayvisitsofduty，leavingMr。Carewefrowningathiscoffeeontheveranda。

Whentheycamehome，threehourslater，MissBettynoticedthatafringeofilluminationborderedeachoftheheavilycurtainedwindowsinthecupola，andsheutteredanexclamation，forshehadneverknownthatroomtobelighted。

"Look！"shecried，touchingMrs。Tanberry’sarm，asthehorsestrottedthroughthegatesunderadrizzleofrain，"Ithoughttheroominthecupolawasempty。It’salwayslocked，andwhenIcamefromSt。Mary’shetoldmethatoldfurniturewasstoredthere。"

Mrs。Tanberrywasgratefulforthedarkness。"Hemayhavegonetheretoread，"sheanswered，inaqueervoice。"Letusgoquietlytobed，child，soasnottodisturbhim。"

Bettyhadaslittledesiretodisturbherfatherasshehadtoseehim；

thereforesheobeyedherfriend’sinjunction，andwenttoherroomontip-

toe。Thehousewasverysilentasshelitthecandlesonherbureau。

Outside，thegentledrizzleandthesoothingtinklefromtheeavesweretheonlysounds；within，therewasbutthefaintrustleofgarmentsfromMrs。Tanberry’sroom。Presentlythelatterceasedtobeheard，andawoodenmoanofprotestfromthefour-posteruponwhichthegoodladyreposed，announcedthatshehaddrawnthecurtainsandwooedtherulersofNod。

Althoughitwasoneofthosenightsofwhichtheysay，"Itisagoodnighttosleep，"MissBettywasnotdrowsy。Shehadhalf-unfastenedonesmallsandal，butshetiedtheribbonsagain，andseatedherselfbytheopenwindow。Theledgeandcasementframedadimoblongofthinlightfromthecandlesbehindher，alonelylustre，whichcrossedtheverandatomeltshapelesslyintodarknessonthesoggylawn。Shefeltamelancholyinthesoftlyfallingrainandwet，blackfoliagethatchimedwiththesadnessofherownspirit。Thenightsuitedherverywell，forherfather’scominghadbroughtaweightofdepressionwithit。Whycouldhenothavespokenonewordtoher，evenacrossone？Sheknewthathedidnotloveher，yet，merelyasafellow-being，shewasentitledtoameasureofcourtesy；

andthefactthatshewashisdaughtercouldnotexcusehisfailuretorenderit。Wasshetocontinuetolivewithhimontheirpresentterms？

Shehadnointentiontomakeanotherefforttoalterthem；buttoremainastheywerewouldbeintolerable，andMrs。Tanberrycouldnotstayforever，toactasabufferbetweenherandherfather。Peeringoutintothedismalnight，shefoundherownfutureasblack，anditseemednowonderthattheSisterslovedtheconventlife；thatthepalenunsforsooktheworldwhereintherewassomuchuselessunkindness；wherewomenwerepettyandjealous，likethatcowardlyFanchon，andmenwholookedgreatweretricksters，likeFanchon’sbetrothed。MissBettyclenchedherdelicatefingers。Shewouldnotrememberthatwhite，startledfaceagain！

Anotherfacehelpedhertoshutouttherecollection：thatofthemanwhohadcometomasstomeetheryesterdaymorning，andwithwhomshehadtakenalongwalkafterward。HehadshownheraquaintoldEnglishgardenerwholivedonthebankoftheriver，hadboughtherabouquet，andshehadhelpedhimtoselectanothertosendtoasickfriend。Howbeautifultheflowerswere，andhowhappyhehadmadethemorningforher，withhisgayety，hislightness，andhisoddwisdom！Wasitonlyyesterday？

Herfather’scominghadmadeyesterdayafortnightold。

Butthecontinuouslypatteringrainandthesoftdrip-dropfromtheroof，thoughasmournfulasshechosetofindthem，began，afterwhile，toweavetheirsomnolentspells，andsheslowlydriftedfromreveriesofunhappysorts，intohalf-dreams，inwhichshewasstillawareshewasawake；yetslumber，heavy-eyed，stirringfromthecurtainsbesideherwiththesmallnightbreeze，breathedstrangedistortionsuponfamiliarthings，anddrowsyimpossibilitiesmoveduponthesurfaceofherthoughts。Herchin，restinguponherhand，sankgently，untilherheadalmostlayuponherrelaxedarms。

"Thatismine，CraileyGray！"

Shesprangtoherfeet，immeasurablystartled，onehandclutchingthebackofherchair，theothertremulouslypressedtohercheek，convincedthatherfatherhadstoopedoverherandshoutedthesentenceinherear。Foritwashisvoice，andthehouserangwiththewords；alltherooms，halls，andeventhewalls，seemedstillmurmurouswiththesuddensound，likethetinglingofabellafterithadbeenstruck。Andyet——everythingwasquiet。

Shepressedherfingerstoherforehead，tryingtountanglethemazeofdreamswhichhadevolvedthisshockforher，thesuddenclamorinherfather’svoiceofanameshehatedandhopednevertohearagain，anameshewastryingtoforget。Butasshewasunabletotraceanythingwhichhadledtoit，thereremainedonlytheconclusionthathernerveswerenotwhattheyshouldbe。Thevaporshavingbecomeobsoleteforyoungladiesasanexplanationforallunpleasantsensations，theywereinstructedtohave"nerves。"ThiswasMissBetty’sfirstconsciousnessofherown，and，desiringnogreateracquaintancewiththem，shetoldherselfitwasunwholesometofallasleepinachairbyanopenwindowwhenthenightwasassadasshe。

Turningtoachairinfrontofthesmallovalmirrorofherbureau，sheunclaspedthebrooch。whichheldherlacecollar，and，seatingherself，begantounfastenherhair。Suddenlyshepaused，herupliftedarmsfallingmechanicallytohersides。

Someonewascomingthroughthelonghallwithasoft，almostinaudiblestep，astepwhichwasnotherfather’s。Sheknewatonce，withinstinctivecertainty，thatitwasnothe。NorwasitNelson，whowouldhaveshuffled；norcoulditbethevainMamie，noroneoftheotherservants，fortheydidnotsleepinthehouse。Itwasastepmorelikeawoman’s，thoughcertainlyitwasnotMrs。Tanberry’s。

Bettyrose，tookacandle，andstoodsilentforamoment，theheavytressesofherhair，half-unloosed，fallinguponherneckandleftshoulderlikethefoldsofadarkdrapery。

Attheslightrustleofherrising，thestepsceasedinstantly。Herheartsetupawildbeatingandthecandleshookinherhand。Butshewasbraveandyoung，and，followinganirresistibleimpulse，sheranacrosstheroom，flungopenthedoor，andthrewthelightofthecandleintothehall，holdingitatarm’slengthbeforeher。

ShecamealmostfacetofacewithCraileyGray。