第6章

Thebloodwentfromhischeeksasaswallowfliesdownfromaroof；hestartedbackagainsttheoppositewallwithastifledgroan，whileshestaredathimblankly，andgrewasdeathlypaleashe。

Hewasamanofgreatresourceinallemergencieswhichrequiredaquicktongue，but，forthemoment，thiswasbeyondhim。Hefelthimselflost，topplingbackwardintoanabyss，andtheuselessnessofhisdestructionmadehimphysicallysick。Forheneednothavebeenthere；hehadnotwishedtocome；hehadwellcountedthedangertohimself，andthisonetimeinhislifehadgonetothecupola-roomoutofgood-nature。ButBareaudhadbeenobstinateandCraileyhadcomeawayalone，hopingthatJeffersonmightfollow。Andherehewas，poortrappedrat，convictedandruinedbecauseofagoodaction！Atlastheknewconsistencytobeajewel，andthatagreedyboyshouldnevergiveacrust；thatafoolshouldsticktohisfolly，avillaintohisdeviltry，andeachholdhisown；forthemanwhothrustsagooddeedintoalifeofliesiswoundaboutwithperilouspasses，andinhisdeviouswaysathousandunexpecteddamnationsspring。

Beaten，stunned，hang-jawedwithdespair，hereturnedherlong，dumfoundedgazehopelesslyandtoldthetruthlikeaninspireddunce。

"Icame——Icame——tobringanothermanaway，"hewhisperedbrokenly；and，attheverymoment，severalheavy，half-suppressedvoicesbrokeintoeagertalkoverhead。

Thewhitehandthatheldthecandlewavered，andtheshadowsglidedinahuge，grotesquedance。Twicesheessayedtospeakbeforeshecoulddoso，atthesamemomentmotioninghimback，forhehadmadeavaguegesturetowardher。

"Iamnotfaint。Doyoumean，awayfromupthere？"Shepointedtothecupola-stairs。

"Yes。"

"Have-haveyouseenmyfather？"

Thequestioncameoutofsuchadepthofincredulousnessthatitwasmoreanarticulationofthelipsthanasound，buthecaughtit；and，withitnothope，buttheshadowofashadowofhope，ahandwavingfromthefarshoretotheswimmerwhohasbeendowntwice。Didshefearforhissake？

"No——Ihavenotseenhim。"Hewasgropingblindly。

"Youdidnotcomefromthat"

"Howdidyouenterthehouse？"

Thedraughtthroughthehallwasblowinguponhim；thedoubledoorsupontheverandahadbeenleftopenforcoolness。"There，"hesaid，pointingtothem。

"But——Iheardyoucomefromtheotherdirection。"

Hewasbreathingquickly；hesawhischance——ifJeffersonBareauddidnotcomenow。

"Youdidnothearmecomedownthestairs。"Heleanedtowardher，riskingitallonthat。

"Ah！"AsightoolikeagaspburstfromCrailey。Hisheadliftedalittle，andhiseyeswereluminouswithaneagernessthatwasalmostanguish。Hesethisutmostwillatworktocollecthimselfandtothinkhardandfast。

"Icamehereresolvedtotakeamanaway，comewhatwould！"hesaid。"I

foundthedooropen，wenttothefootofthatstairway；thenIstopped。I

rememberedsomething；Iturned，andwasgoingawaywhenyouopenedthedoor。"

"Yourememberedwhat？"

Herstrainedattitudedidnotrelax，nor，tohisutmostscrutiny，wasthecompleteastonishmentofherdistendedgazealteredonewhit，butahintofheraccustomedhighcolorwasagainuponhercheekandherliptrembledalittle，likethatofachildabouttoweep。Theflickerofhopeinhisbreastincreasedprodigiously，andtherushofittookthebreathfromhisthroatandchokedhim。GoodGod！wasshegoingtobelievehim？

"Iremembered——you！"

"What？"shesaid，wonderingly。

Artreturnedwithasplendidbound，full-pinioned，hisbeautifulandtreacherousFamiliarwhohaddesertedhimatthecrucialinstant；butshemadeupforitnow，foldinghiminprotectivewingsandbreathingthroughhisspirit。Inrapidandvehementwhispershepouredoutthewordsuponthegirlinthedoorway。

"Ihaveafriend，andIwouldlaydownmylifetomakehimwhathecouldbe。Hehasalwaysthrowneverythingaway，hislife，histalents，allhismoneyandallofmine，forthesakeof——throwingthemaway！Someothermusttellyouaboutthatroom；butithasruinedmyfriend。TonightI

discoveredthathehadbeensummonedhere，andImadeupmymindtocomeandtakehimaway。YourfatherhassworntoshootmeifIsetfootinhishouseorongroundofhis。Well，mydutywasclearandIcametodoit。

Andyet——Istoppedatthefootofthestair——because——becauseIrememberedthatyouwereRobertCarewe’sdaughter。Whatofyou，ifIwentupandharmcametomefromyourfather？ForIswearIwouldnothavetouchedhim！Youaskedmenottospeakof`personal’things，andIhaveobeyedyou；butyouseeImusttellyouonethingnow：Ihavecaredforthisfriendofminemorethanforallelseunderheaven，butIturnedandlefthimtohisruin，andwouldathousandtimes，ratherthanbringtroubleuponyou！`Athousandtimes？’Ah！Iswearitshouldbeathousandtimesathousand！"

Hehadparadedinonespeechfromtheprisoner’sdocktoCapulet’sgarden，andhereyeswereshiningintohislikeagreatlightwhenhefinished。

"Goquickly，"shewhispered。"Goquickly！Goquickly！"

"Butdoyouunderstand？"

"Notyet，butIshall。Willyougo？Theymightcome-myfathermightcome-atanymoment。"

"But——-"

"Doyouwanttodrivemequitemad？Pleasego！"Shelaidatrembling，urgenthanduponhissleeve。

"Never，untilyoutellmethatyouunderstand，"repliedCraileyfirmly，listeningkeenlyfortheslightestsoundfromoverhead。"Never——untilthen！"

"WhenIdoIshalltellyou；nowIonlyknowthatyoumustgo。"

"Buttellme-"

"Youmustgo！"

Therewasashufflingofchairsontheflooroverhead，andCraileywent。

Hewentevenmorehastilythanmighthavebeenexpectedfromtheadaman-

tineattitudehehadjustpreviouslyassumed。Realizingthisashereachedthewetpath，heriskedstealingroundtoherwindow：

"Foryoursake！"hebreathed；andhavingthusforestalledanytriflingimperfectionwhichmightariseinherrecollectionofhisexitfromthehouse，hedisappeared，kissinghishandtotherainasherandownthestreet。

MissBettylockedherdoorandpulledclosethecurtainsofherwindow。A

numerousbutcarefulsoundoffootstepscamefromthehall，wentbyherdoorandoutacrosstheveranda。Silentlyshewaiteduntilsheheardherfathergoalonetohisroom。

ShetookthecandleandwentintoMrs。Tanberry。Shesetthelightuponatable，pulledachairclosetothebedside，andplacedhercoolhandlightlyonthegreatlady’sforehead。

"Isn’titverylate，child？Whyareyounotasleep？"

"Mrs。Tanberry，Iwanttoknowwhytherewasalightinthecupola-roomtonight？"

"What？"Mrs。Tanberryrolledherselfasuprightaspossible，andsatwithblinkingeyes。

"IwanttoknowwhatIamsureyouknow，andwhatIamsureeverybodyknows，exceptme。Whatweretheydoingtheretonight，andwhatwasthequarrelbetweenMr。VanrevelandmyfatherthathadtodowithMr。Gray？"

Mrs。Tanberrygazedearnestlyintothegirl’sface。Afteralongtimeshesaidinagentlevoice：

"Child，hasitcometomatterthatmuch？"

"Yes，"saidMissBetty。

CHAPTERXIII

TheTocsinTomVanrevelalwayswenttothepost-officesoonafterthemorningdistributionofthemail；thatistosay，aboutteno’clock，andreturnedwiththelettersforthefirmofGrayandVanrevel，bothpersonalandofficial。Craileyandhesharedeverything，evenaboxatthepost-

office；andinfrontofthisbox，onemorning，afteranightofrain，Tomstoodstaringatawhiteenvelopebearingasmall，blackseal。Theaddresswasinawritinghehadneverseenbefore，buttheinstantitfellunderhiseyehewasstruckwithadistinctlypleasurableexcitement。

Whetherthroughsomespiritualexhalationofthewriterfragrantonanymissive，orbecauseofahundredmicroscopicimpressions，thereareanalystswhoareabletoselect，fromapileofletterswrittenbywomen（forthewritingofwomenexhibitscertainphenomenamoredeterminablythanthatofmen）thoseoftheprettiestorotherwisemostattractive。

Andoutupontheloverwhodoesnotrecognizehismistress’shandatthefirstglimpseeverhehasofit，withoutpost-markorotherinformationtoaidhim！ThusVanrevel，worn，hollow-eyed，andsallow，intheRouenpost-

office，heldtheoneletterseparatefromadozen（thelatternot，indeed，fromwomen），andstaredatituntilalittlecolorcamebacktohisdarkskinandagreatdealofbrightnesstohiseye。Hewasnoanalystofhandwritings，yetitcametohiminstantlythatthisnotewasfromaprettywoman。Toseethatitwasfromawomanwassimple，butthatheknew——andhedidknow——thatshewaspretty，savorsoftheoccult。Morethanthis：therewassomethingaboutitthatthrilledhim。Suddenly，andwithoutreason，heknewthatitcamefromElizabethCarewe。

Hewalkedbackquicklytohisofficewiththeletterintheleftpocketofhiscoat，threwthebundleofgeneralcorrespondenceuponhisdesk，wentuptothefloorabove，andpausedathisowndoortolisten。DeepbreathingfromacrossthehallindicatedthatMr。Gray’ssoulwasstillencasedinslumber，andgreatwasitsneed，asTomhadfoundhispartner，thatmorningatfive，stretcheduponthehorsehairsofaintheoffice，lamentingtheemptinessofabottlewhichhadbeenfilledwithfieryBourbonintheafternoon。

Vanrevelwenttohisownroom，lockedthedoor，andtooktheletterfromhispocket。Hehelditbetweenhisfingerscarefully，asthoughitwerealiveandveryfragile，andhelookedatitalongtime，holdingitfirstinonehand，thenintheother，beforeheopenedit。Atlast，however，afterexaminingallthebladesofhispocketknife，heselectedonebrighterthantheothers，andloosenedtheflapoftheenvelopeasgentlyandcarefullyasifithadbeenthepetalofarose-budthathewasopening。

"DearMr。Vanrevel：

"Ibelievedyoulastnight，thoughIdidnotunderstand。ButI

understand，now——everything——and，bittertomeasthetruthis，ImustshowyouplainlythatIknowallofit，norcanIrestuntilIdoshowyou。Iwantyoutoanswerthisletter——thoughImustnotseeyouagainforalongtime——andinyouransweryoumustsetmerightifIamanywheremistakeninwhatIhavelearned。

"Atfirst，anduntilafterthesecondtimewemet，Ididnotbelieveinyourheart，thoughIdidinyourmindandhumor。Evensincethen，therehavecomestrange，small，inexplicablemistrustingsofyou，butnowI

throwthemallawayandtrustyouwholly，MonsieurCitizenGeorgesMeilbac！——Ishallalwaysthinkofyouinthoseimpossiblegarnishmentsofmypoorgreat-uncle，andIpersuademyselfthathemusthavebeenalittlelikeyou。

"ItrustyoubecauseIhaveheardthestoryofyourprofoundgoodness。

Thefirstreasonformyfather’sdislikewasyourbeliefinfreedomastherightofallmen。Ah，itisnotyourprettyexaggerationsandflatteries（Ilaughatthem！）thatspeakforyou，butyourcareer，itself，andthebravethingsyouhavedone。Myfather’sdislikeflaredintohatredbecauseyouworstedhimwhenhediscoveredthathecouldnotsuccessfullydefendthewrongagainstyouandfellbackuponsheerinsult。

"HeisamanwhomIdonotknow——strangeasthatseemsasIwriteit。Itisonlytoyou，whohavetaughtmesomuch，thatIcouldwriteit。IhavetriedtoknowhimandtorealizethatIamhisdaughter，butwearethecoldestacquaintances，thatisall；andIcannotseehowachangecouldcome。Idonotunderstandhim；leastofalldoIunderstandwhyheisagambler。Ithasbeenexplainedtomethatitishisgreatpassion，butallIcomprehendinthesewordsisthattheyarefullofshameforhisdaughter。

"Thisiswhatwastoldme：hehasalwaysplayedheavilyandskillfully——

addingmuchtohisestateinthatway——andinRouenalwayswithacertaincoterie，whichwasjoined，severalyearsago，bythemanyoucametosavelastnight。

"YourdevotiontoMr。Grayhasbeenthemostbeautifulthinginyourlife。

Iknowallthatthetownknowsofthat，exceptthethousandhiddensacrificesyouhavemadeforhim，thosethingswhichnoonewilleverknow。（Andyet，yousee，Iknowthemafterall！）Foryoursake，becauseyoulovehim，Iwillnotevencallhimunworthy。

"Ihaveheard——fromonewhotoldunwillingly——thestoryofthenighttwoyearsago，whentheplayransoterriblyhigh；andhow，inthemorningwhentheywentaway，allwerepoorerexceptone，theirhost！——howMr。Grayhadnothingleftintheworld，andowedmyfatheragreatsumwhichwastobepaidintwenty-fourhours；howyoutookeverythingyouhadsavedintheyearsofhardworkatyourprofession，andborrowedtherestonyourword，andbroughtittomyfatherthatafternoon；how，whenyouhadpaidyourfriend’sdebt，youaskedmyfathernottoplaywithMr。Grayagain；andmyfathermadethathisexcusetosendyouachallenge。Youlaughedatthechallenge——andyoucouldaffordtolaughatit。

"Butthisisallshame，shameforRobertCarewe’sdaughter。ItseemstomethatIshouldhideandnotliftmyhead；thatI，beingofmyfather’sblood，couldneverlookyouinthefaceagain。Itissounspeakablypainfulandugly。Ithinkofmyfather’sstiffprideandhislookoftheeagle，——andhestillplayswithyourfriend，almostalways`successfully！’Andyourfriendstillcomestoplay！——butIwillnotspeakofthatsideofit"Mr。Grayhasmadeyoupoor，butIknowitwasnotthatwhichmadeyoucomeseekinghimlastnight，whenIfoundyouthereinthehail。Itwasforhissakeyoucame——andyouwentawayformine。NowthatIknow，atlast——nowthatIhaveheardwhatyourlifehasbeen（andohIheardsomuchmorethanIhavewritten！）——nowthatmyeyeshavebeenopenedtoseeyouasyouare，Iamproud，andgladandhumblethatIcanbelievethatyoufeltafriendshipformestrongenoughtohavemadeyougo`formysake。’Youwillwritetomejustonce，won’tyou？andtellmeiftherewasanyerrorinwhatIlistenedto；butyoumustnotcometothegarden。

NowthatIknowyou，Icannotmeetyouclandestinelyagain。ItwouldhurtthedignitywhichIfeelinyounow，andmyownpoordignity——suchasitis！Ihavebeenearnestlywarnedofthedangertoyou。Besides，youmustletmetestmyself。Iamallflutteringandfrightenedandexcited。Youwillobeyme，won’tyou？——donotcomeuntilIsendforyou。

ElizabethCarewe。"

Mr。Gray，occupiedwithhistoiletaboutnoon，heardhispartnerdescendingtotheofficewithaheavystep，andissuedfromhisroomtocallaheartygreeting。Tomlookedbackoverhisshoulderandrepliedcheerily，thoughwithacertainembarrassment；butCrailey，catchingsightofhisface，utteredasharpejaculationandcamedowntohim。

"Why，what’sthematter，Tom？You’renotgoingtobesick？Youlooklikethedevilandall！"

"I’mallright，neverfear！"Tomlaughed，evadingtheother’seye。"I’mgoingoutinthecountryonsomebusiness，andIdaresayIshallnotbebackforacoupleofdays；itwillbeallupanddownthecounty。"Hesetdownatravelling-baghewascarrying，andofferedtheotherhishand。

"Good-by。"

"Can’tIgoforyou？Youdon’tlookable"

"No，no。It’ssomethingI’llhavetoattendtomyself。"

"Ah，Isuppose，"saidCrailey，gently，"Isupposeit’simportant，andyoucouldn’ttrustmetohandleit。Well——Godknowsyou’reright！I’veshownyouoftenenoughhowincompetentIamtodoanythingbutwritejingles！"

"Youdosomemoreofthem——withoutthewhiskey，Crailey。They’reworthmorethanallthelawingGrayandVanrevelhaveeverdoneoreverwilldo。

Good-by——-andbekindtoyourself。"

Hedescendedtothefirstlanding，andthen，"Oh，Crailey，"hecalled，withtheairofhavingforgottensomethinghehadmeanttosay。

"Yes，Tom？"

"Thismorningatthepost-officeIfoundaletteraddressedtome。I

openeditand——"Hehesitated，anduneasilyshiftedhisweightfromonefoottotheother，withafeeble，deprecatorylaugh。

"Yes，whatofit？"

"Well——thereseemedtobeamistake。Ithinkitmusthavebeenmeantforyou。Somehow，she——she’spickedupagoodmanywrongimpressions，and，Lordknowshow，butshe’smixedournamesupand——andI’velefttheletterforyou。It’sonmytable。"

Heturnedandcallingafinalgood-byoverhisshoulder，wentclatteringnoisilydowntothestreetandvanishedfromCrailey’ssight。

NoonfoundTomfaroutontheNationalRoad，creakingalongovertheyellowdustinalightwagon，betweenborderingforeststhatsmeltspicilyofwetunderbrushandMay-apples；and，hereandthere，whentheywouldemergefromthewoodstoclearedfields，liberallyoutlinedbylongsnake-

fencesofblackwalnut，thesteady，jog-trottingoldhorseliftedhisheadandlookedinterestedintheworld，butTomneverdideither。Habituallyupright，walkingorsitting，straight，keen，andalert，thatday’ssunsawhimdrearilyhunchedover，mileaftermile，hisforeheadlacedwithlinesofpain。Hestoppedateveryfarm-houseandcabin，and，wheretheyoungmenworkedinthefields，hailedthemfromtheroad，orhitchedhishorsetothefenceandcrossedthesoftfurrowstotalkwiththem。Atsuchtimeshestooderectagain，andspokestirringly，findingeagerlisteners。

Therewasonequestiontheyaskedhimoverandover：

"Butareyousurethecallwillcome？"

"Assureasthatwestandhere；anditwillcomebeforetheweekisout。

Wemustbeready！"

Often，whenheleftthem，theywouldturnfromtheworkinhand，leavingitasitwas，tolieunfinishedinthefields，andmaketheirwayslowlyandthoughtfullytotheirhomes，whileTomclimbedintohiscreakinglittlewagononcemore，onlytofallintothesamedull，hunched-overattitude。HehadmanythingstothinkoutbeforehefacedRouenandCraileyGrayagain，andmoretofightthroughtotheendwithhimself。

Threedayshetookforit，threedaysdrivingthroughthesoftMayweatherbehindthekind，oldjog-trottinghorse；threedaysontheroad，fromfarm-housetofarm-houseandfromfieldtofield，fromcabinofthewoodstocabinintheclearing。Tossingunhappilyatnight，helaysleeplesstilldawn，thoughnotbecauseofthehardbeds；andwhendaylightcame，journeyedsteadilyonagain，overthevagabondlittlehillsthathadgypsieditsofarintotheprairie-landintheirwanderingsfromtheirrangeontheOhio，and，passingthehills，wentonthroughtheflatforest-land，alwayshunchedoverdismallyinthecreakingwagon。

Butontheeveningofthethirddayhedroveintotown，withthestoopoutofhisshouldersandthelustrebackinhiseyes。Hewashaggard，gray，dusty，buthehadsolvedhispuzzle，andonethingwasclearinhismindasthethingthathewoulddo。Hepattedtheoldhorseaheartyfarewellashelefthimwiththeliverymanfromwhombehadhiredhim，andstrodeupMainStreetwiththeairofamanwhoisgoingsomewhere。Itwaslate，butthereweremorelightsthanusualinthewindowsandmorepeopleonthestreets。Boysranshouting，while，hereandthere，knotsofmenarguedloudly，andinfrontofthelittlecornerdrug-storeanoisilytalkative，widelygesticulativecrowdoffiftyormorehadgathered。Anoldman，acobbler，whohadleftalegatTippecanoeandreplaceditwithawoodenone，chastelydecoratedwithdesignsofhisowncarving，camestumpingexcitedlydownthemiddleofthestreet，wherehewalkedforfearofthecracksinthewoodenpavement，whichweredangeroustohisart-legwhenhecamefromtheRouenHousebar，asonthepresentoccasion。HehailedTombyname。

"You’rethelad，TomVanrevel，"heshouted。"You’rethemantoleadtheboysoutforthegloryoftheState！YougitthewholeblameFireDe-

partmentoutandenlist`embeforemorning！Take`emdowntotheRioGrande，youhearme？

Andyouneedn’tbeafraidoftheirputtin’itout，ifitketchesafire，neither！"

Tomwavedhishandandpassedon；butattheopendoorsoftheCatholicChurchhestoppedandlookedupanddownthestreet，andthen，unnoticed，enteredtothediminterior，wherethefewcandlesshowedonlyabentoldwomaninblackkneelingatthealtar。TomknewwhereElizabethCareweknelteachmorning；hesteppedsoftlythroughtheshadowysilencetoherplace，knelt，andrestedhisheadupontherailofthebenchbeforehim。

Thefigureatthealtarraiseditselfafteratime，andtheoldwomanlimpedslowlyupasideaisle，mumblingherformulas，courtesyingtothepaintedsaints，onherwayout。Theverythinnestlingeringsofincensehungontheair，seemingtoTomlikethefaintodorthatmightexhalefromaheavywreathofmarguerites，wornindark-brownhair。Yet，theplaceheldnothingbutpeaceandgood-will。Andhefoundnothingelseinhisownheart。Thestreetwasquietwhenheemergedfromthatlornvigil；thecornergroupshaddissolved；shoutingyouthsnolongerpatrolledthesidewalks。Onlyonequartershowedsignsoflife：thelittleclubhouse，wherethewindowsstillshownbrightly，andwhencecamethesoundofmanyvoicessettlingthedestiniesoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica。ThitherTombenthissteps，thoughtfully，andwithaquietmind。Therewasasmallverandaatthesideofthehouse；herehestoodunobservedtolookinuponhisnoisyandagitatedfriends。

Theywereallthere，fromtheoldGeneralandMr。Bareaud，tothelatter’sson，Jefferson，andyoungFrankChenoweth。Theyweregatheredaboutabigtableuponwhichstoodapunch-bowlandTrumble，hisbrowasangryredastheliquorinthecupheheld，wasproposingahealthtothePresidentinavoiceoffury。

"InspiteofalltheCraileyGraysandtraitorsthissideofhell！"hefinishedpolitely。

Craileyemergedinstantaneouslyfromthegeneralthrongandmountedachair，tossinghislighthairbackfromhisforehead，hiseyessparklingandhappy。"Youfindyourownfriendsalreadyoccupyingtheplaceyoumentioned，doyou，General？"heasked。

GeneralTrumblestampedandshookhisfist。

"You’reaspawnofAaronBurr！"hevociferated。"There’snotamanheretostandbyyourinfernaldoctrines。YousneeratyourownState，yousneeratyourowncountry，youdefilethesacredground！Whatareyou，bytheAlmighty，whoattackyournativelandinthis，herhourofperil！"

"Periltomynativeland！"laughedCrailey。"FromSantaAnna？"

"TheGeneral’sright，sir，"exclaimedtheelderChenowethindignantly，andmostofthelistenersappearedtoagreewithhim。"It’sapoortimetoabusethePresidentwhenhe’scalledforvolunteersandourcountryisindanger，sir！"

"Whoisindanger？"answeredCrailey，liftinghishandtostilltheclamorofapprobationthatarose。"IsPolkindanger？OrCongress？Butthatwouldbetoomuchtohope！DoyouexpecttoseetheGreasersinWashington？No，youidiots，youdon’t！Yetthere’llbeplentyofmentosufferanddie；andthefirstshouldbethosewhothrustthiswaronusandpoorlittleMexico；butitwon’tbethey；themenwho’lldothefightinganddyingwillbethecountryboysandthelikeofusfromthetowns，whileMr。PolksitsplanningattheWhiteHousehowhecangetelectedagain。IwishTomwerehere，confoundyou！YoulistentohimbecausehealwayshasthefactsandI’mjustanembroiderer，youthink。

What’sbecomeofthegaudycampaigncryyouwereallwearingyourlungsoutwithafewmonthsago？`Fifty-four-fortyorfight！’Bah！Polktwistedthelion’stailwiththatuntilafterelection。Thenhesawhehadtomakeyouforgetit，orfightEnglandandberuined，soheforceswaronMexico，andthecountrydoesforgetit。That’sit：heasksthreeregimentsofvolunteersfromthisStatetodieoffeversandgetshot，sothathecanstealanothercountryandmakehisownelecthimagain。Andyouaskmetodrinkthehealthofthepoliticianwhositsathomeandsendshisfellowmentodietofixhisrottenjobsforhim？"Craileyhadpersuadedhimselfintosuchearnestness，thatthedepthofhisownfeelingalmostchokedhim，buthefinishedroundlyinhisbeautiful，strongvoice：

"I’lldrinkforthegoodpunch’ssake——butthathealth？——I’llseeGeneralTrumbleinheavenbeforeI’lldrinkit！"

Thereroseatoncearoarofangeranddisapproval，andCraileybecameamerestormcentreamidtheupraisedhandsgestulatingmadlyathimashestood，smilingagain，uponhischair。

"ThiscomesoflivingwithTomVanrevel！"shoutedtheGeneralfuriously。

"ThisishisdamnedAbolitionteaching！You’reonlyhisecho；youspendhalfyourlifeplayingatbeingVanrevel！"

"WhereisVanrevel？"saidTappinghamMarsh。

"Ay，whereishe！"ragedTrumble，hammeringthetabletilltheglassesrang。"Lethimcomeandanswerforhisownteaching；it’swastedtimetotalktothisone；he’sonlythepupil。Whereisthetraitor？"

"Here，"answeredavoicefromthedoorway；andthoughthewordwasspokenquietlyitwasnevertheless，atthatjuncture，silencing。EveryoneturnedtowardthedoorasVanrevelentered。ButtheapoplecticGeneral，whomCrailey’sspeechhadstirredtoafurybeyondcontrol，almostleapedatTom’sthoat。

"Here’sthetea-sippingoldGranny，"hebellowedhoarsely。（HewasordinarilyveryfondofTom。）"Here’sthemaster！Here’sthemanwhoseexampleteachesCraileyGraytothrowmudattheflag。He’llstayhereathomewithCrailey，ofcourse，andthrowmore，whiletheothersboysmarchouttodieunderit。"

"Onthecontrary，answeredTom，raisinghisvoice，"Ithinkyou’llfindCraileyGraythefirsttoenlist，andasformyself，I’veraisedsixtymeninthecountry，andIwantfortymorefromRouen，inordertooffertheGovernorafullcompany。Soit’scometo`theKing，nottheman’；Polkisapitifultrickster，butthecountryneedshersons；that’senoughforustoknow；andwhileIwon’tdrinktoJamesPolk"——heplungedacupinthebowlanddrewitoutbrimming——"I’llemptythistothePresident！"

Itwasthenthatfromfiftythroatsthelong，wildshoutwentupthatstirredRouen，andwokethepeoplefromtheirmidnightbedsforhalfamilearound。

CHAPTERXIV

TheFirmofGrayandVanrevelForthefirsttimeitwasCraileywhosatwaitingforTomtocomehome。

Inachairdrawntohispartner’sdeskinthedustyoffice，hehalf-

reclined，armsonthedesk，hischinonhisclenchedfists。Toredeemthegloomhehadlitasinglecandle，whichpaintedhimdimlyagainstthecompletedarknessofhisownshadow，likeaveryoldportraitwhosebackgroundtimehassolidifiedintoshapelessbrowns；theportraitofafair-hairedgentleman，thecavalier，ortheMarquis，onemighthavesaidatfirstglance；notdescribingitimmediatelyasthatofapoet，fortherewasnomarkofartuponCrailey，noteveninhishair，fortheyallworeitratherlongthen。Yettherewasamarkuponhim，nevermorevividthanashesatwaitinginthelonelinessofthatnightforTomVanrevel；

thoughwhatthemarkwasandwhatitssignificancemighthavebeenpuzzlingtodefine。Perhaps，afterall，FanchonBareaudhaddescribeditbestwhenshetoldCraileyoneday，withasuddenhintofapprehensivetears，thathehada"lookoffate。"

Tomtookhisowntimeincoming；hehadstayedattheclubtogooverhislists——sohehadtoldCrailey——withtheGeneralandoldBareaud。Hiscompanywasalmostcomplete，andCraileyhadbeenthefirsttovolunteer，tothedumfoundingofTrumble，whohadproceededtodrinkhishealthagainandagain。ButthelistscouldnotdetainTomtwohours，Craileyknew，anditwastwohourssincethenewvolunteershadsung"TheStarSpangledBanner"overthelastofthepunch，andhadlefttheclubtoTomandthetwooldmen。OnlyonceortwiceinthattimehadCraileyshiftedhisposition，oralteredthedirectionofhissetgazeatnothing。Butatlastherose，wenttothewindowand，leaningfarout，lookeddownthestreettowardthelittleclubhouse。Itslightswereextinguishedandallwasdarkupanddownthestreet。AbruptlyCraileywentbacktothedeskandblewoutthecandle，afterwhichhesatdownagaininthesameposition。TwentyminuteslaterheheardTom’ssteponthestair，comingupverysoftly。Craileywaitedinsilenceuntilhispartnerreachedthelanding，thenrelitthecandle。

"Tom，"hecalled。"Comein，please，I’vebeenwaitingforyou。"

TherewasapausebeforeTomansweredfromthehall：

"I’mverytired，Crailey。IthinkI’llgouptobed。"

"No，"saidCrailey，"comein。"

Thedoorwasalreadyopen，butTomturnedtowarditreluctantly。Hestoppedatthethresholdandthetwolookedateachother。

"Ithoughtyouwouldn’tcomeaslongasyoubelievedIwasup，"saidCrailey，"soIblewoutthelight。I’msorryIkeptyououtsidesolong。"

"Crailey，I’mgoingawayto-morrow，"theotherbegan。"IamtogooverandseetheGovernorandofferhimthiscompany，andto-nightIneedsleep，soplease-

"No，"interruptedCraileyquietly，"Iwanttoknowwhatyou’regoingtodo。"

"Todoaboutwhat？"

"Aboutme。"

"Oh！"Tom’seyesfellatoncefromhisfriend’sfaceandresteduponthefloor。Slowlyhewalkedtothedeskandstoodinembarrassedcontemplationofthelitteredbooksandpapers，whiletheotherwaited。

"Ithinkit’sbestforyoutotellme，"saidCrailey。

"Youthinkso？"Tom’sembarrassmentincreasedvisibly，andtherewasmingledwithitanoddappearanceofapprehension，probablytorelievewhichheverydeliberatelytooktwolongcherootsfromhispocket，laidoneonthedeskforCraileyandlittheotherhimself，withextremecarefulness，atthecandle。Afterthisceremonialhedraggedachairtothewindow，tiltedbackinitwithhisfeetonthelowsill，hisbacktothethinlightandhisfriend，andsaidinaslow，gentletone：

"Well，Crailey？"

"IsupposeyoumeanthatIoughttooffermyexplanationfirst，"saidtheother，stillstanding。"Well，thereisn’tany。"Hedidnotspeakdog-

gedlyorsullenly，asoneinfault，butmorewiththeairofamancuriouslyreadytothrowallpossiblelightuponacloudyphenomenon。

"It’sverysimple——allthatIknowaboutit。IwenttherefirstontheeveningoftheMadrillonmasqueradeandplayedalittlecomedyforher，sothatsomeofmytheatricalallusions——theyweren’tveryilluminating！——tomyengagementtoFanchon，madeherbelieveIwasVanrevelwhenherfathertoldheraboutthepairofus。Idiscoveredthatthenighthiswarehousesburned——andIsawsomethingmore，becauseIcan’thelpseeingsuchthings：

thatyourswasjustthecharactertoappealtoayounggirlfreshfromtheconventandfullofhonestyandfinedreamsandfire。Nobodycouldarrangeamorefatalfascinationforagirlofnineteenthantohaveadeadlyquarrelwithherfather。Andthat’sespeciallytruewhenthefather’slikethatmadbruteofaBobCarewe！Then，too，you’remoreorlessthetownmodelofvirtueandpopularhero，inspiteoftheAbolitionism，justasIamthetownscamp。SoIletitgoon，andplayedalittleatbeingyou，sayingthethingsthatyouonlythink——thatwasall。Itisn’tstrangethatit’slasteduntilnow，notmorethanthreeweeks，afterall。She’sonlyseenyoufourorfivetimes，andmenotmuchoftener。Noonespeaksofyoutoher，andI’vekeptoutofsightwhenotherswereabout。Mrs。Tanberryisheronlyclosefriend，and，naturally，wouldn’tbeapttomentionthatyouaredarkandIamfair，ortodescribeuspersonally，anymorethanyouandIwouldmentionthegeneralappearanceofpeoplewebothmeetabouttown。Butyouneedn’ttellmethatitcan’tlastmuchlonger。Somepetty，unexpectedtriflewillturnup，ofcourse。AllthatIwanttoknowiswhatyoumeantodo。"

"Todo？"repeatedTomsoftly，andblewalongscarfofsmokeoutofthewindow。

"Ah！"Crailey’svoicegrewsharpandloud。"Therearemanythingsyouneedn’ttellme！YouneednottellmewhatI’vedonetoyou——norwhatyouthinkofme！Youneednottellmethatyouhaveotherstoconsider，thatyouhaveMissCarewetothinkof。Don’tyousupposeIknowthat？AndyouneednottellmethatyouhaveadutytoFanchon——"

"Yes，"Tombrokein，histonenotquitesteady。"Yes，I’vethoughtofthat。"

"Well？"

"Haveyou——didyou——"hehesitated，butCraileyunderstoodimmediately。

"No；Ihaven’tseenheragain。"

"Butyou——"

"Yes——Iwrote。Iansweredtheletter。"

"As-"

"Yes；Isignedyourname。ItoldyouthatIhadjustletthingsgoon，"

Craileyanswered，withanimpatientmovementofhishands。"Whatareyougoingtodo？"

"I’mgoingovertoseetheGovernorinthemorning。I’llbeawaytwoorthreedays，Iimagine。"

"Vanrevel！"exclaimedCraileyhotly，"Willyougivemeananswerandnotbeataboutthebushanylonger？Ordoyoumeanthatyourefusetoanswer？"

Tomdroppedhiscigaruponthebrickwindow-ledgewithanabysmalsigh。

"Oh，no，itisn’tthat，"heansweredmildly"I’vebeenthinkingitalloverforthreedaysinthecountry，andwhenIgotbacktonightIfoundthatIhadcometoadecisionwithoutknowingit，andthatIhadcometoitevenbeforeIstarted；myleavingtheletterforyouprovedit。It’salittlelikethisMexicanwar，amixed-upproblemandonlyonethingclear。

Afewschemershaveledthecountryintoittoincreasetheslave-powerandmakeusforgetthatwethreatenedEnglandwhenwecouldn’tcarryoutthethreat。Andyet，ifyoulookatitbroadly，thesearethesmallerthingsandtheydonotlast。Themeansbywhichthecountrygrowsmaybewrong，butitsgrowthisright；itisonlydestiny，workingoutthroughliesandblood，buttheendwillbegood。Itisboundtohappenandyoucan’tstopit。Ibelievethemenwhomakethiswarfortheirownuseswillsufferinhell-fireforit；butitismade，andthere’sonlyonethingIcanseeasthethingformetodo。They’vecalledmeeverynameonearth——andthesamewithyou，too，Crailey——becauseI’manAbolitionist，butnow，whetherthecountryhassinnedornot，agoodmanythousandmenhavegottodothebleedingforher，andIwanttobeoneofthem。That’stheonethingthatisplaintome。"

"Yes，"returnedCrailey。"YouknowI’mwithyou；andIthinkyou’realwaysright。Yes；we’llallbeonthewayinafortnightorso。Doyoumeanyouwon’tquarrelwithmebecauseofthat？Doyoumeanitwouldbeapoortimenow，whenwe’reallgoingouttotakeourchancestogether？"

"Quarrelwithyou！"Tomroseandcametothedesk，lookingacrossitathisfriend。"DidyouthinkImightdothat？"

"Yes——Ithoughtso。"

"Crailey！"AndnowTom’sexpressionshoweddesperation；itwasthatofamanwhoseapprehensionshaveculminatedandwhoisforcedtofaceacrisislongexpected，longaverted，butimminentatlast。HiseyesfellfromCrailey’scleargazeandhishandfidgetedamongthepapersonthedesk。

"No，"hebeganwithapainfullamenessandhesitation。"Ididnotmeanit——no；Imeant，that，inthesameway，onlyonethinginthisother——thisotheraffairthatseemssoconfusedandissuchaproblem——onlyonethinghasgrownclear。Itdoesn’tseemtomethat——that——"herehedrewadeepbreath，beforehewentonwithincreasingnervousness——"thatifyoulikeamanandhavelivedwithhimagoodmanyyears；thatistosay，ifyou’rereallymuchofafriendtohim，Idon’tbelieveyousitonahighseatandjudgehim。Judging，andallthat，haven’tmuchpartinit。Anditseemstomethatyou’vegotyourselfintoaprettybadmix-up，Crailey。"

"Yes，"saidCrailey。"It’sprettybad。"

"Well，"Tomlookedupnow，withanalmosttremuloussmile，"IbelievethatisaboutallIcanmakeofit。Doyouthinkit’sthepartofyourbestfriendtoexposeyou？ItseemstomethatifthereeverwasatimewhenI

oughttostandbyyou，it’snow。"

Therewasasilencewhiletheylookedateachotheracrossthedeskinthefaintlight。Tom’seyefellagainasCraileyopenedhislips。

"Andinspiteofeverything，"Craileysaidbreathlessly，"youmeanthatyouwon’ttell？"

"HowcouldI，Crailey？"saidTomVanrevelasbeturnedaway。

CHAPTERXV

WhenJuneCame"MethoughtImetaDamselFairAndtearswereinhereyes；

Herheadandarmswerebare，Iheardherburstingsighs。

"Istopp’dandlookedherintheface，`Twasthenshesweetlysmiled。

Herfeaturesshonewithmournfulgrace，FarmorethanNature’schild。

"Withdiffidentanddowncasteye，Inmodesttonesshespoke；

Shewipedatearandgaveasigh，Andthenhersilencebroke——"

SosangMrs。Tanberryatthepiano，relievingthemelancholywhichpossessedher；butNelson，pausinginthehailtolisten，andexceedinglycuriousconcerningthepromisedutteranceoftheDamselFair，wastosufferdisappointment，astheballadwasbrokenoffabruptlyandthesongstressclosedthepianowithamonstrousclatter。LittledoubtmaybeentertainedthatthenoisewasdesignedtodisturbMr。Carewe，whosatupontheverandaconsultingabrownPrincipe，andlessthattheintendedinsultwasaccomplished。Foranexpressionofavindictivenaturewasprecipitatedinthatquartersosimultaneouslythatthebangofthepiano-

lidandthecursewereevenasthereportofamusketandtheimmediatecryofthewounded。

Mrs。Tanberryatoncedeboucheduponthepiazza，showingavast，cloudedcountenance。"AndIhopetoheavenyoualreadyhadaheadache！"sheexclaimed。

"Thecourtesyofyourwish，madam，"Carewereplied，withanangryflashofhiseye，"isonlyequaledbythekindnessofheaveninansweringit。I

have，infact，aheadache。Ialwayshave，nowadays。"

"That’sgoodnews，"returnedtheladyheartily。

"Ithankyou，"retortedherhost。

"PerhapsifyoutreatedyourdaughterevenadecentIndian’skindofpoliteness，you’denjoybetterhealth。"

"Ah！AndinwhatfailuretoperformmydutytowardherhaveIincurredyourdispleasure？"

"Whereisshenow？"exclaimedtheotherexcitably。"Whereisshenow？"

"Icannotsay。"

"Yes，youcan，RobertCarewe！"Mrs。Tanberryretorted，withawrathfulgesture。"Youknowwellenoughshe’sinherownroom，andsodoI——forI

triedtogetintocomfortherwhenIheardhercrying。She’sintherewiththedoorbolted，whereyoudroveher！"

"Idroveher！"hesneered。

"Yes，youdid，andIheardyou。DoyouthinkIcouldn’thearyouragingandstormingatherlikeacrazyman？Whenyougetinatemperdoyoudreamthere’sasoulintheneighborhoodwhodoesn’tknowit？You’reafoolifyoudo，becausetheycouldhaveheardyouswearingdownonMainStreet，ifthey’dlistened。Whatareyoutryingtodotoher？——breakherspirit？——orwhat？Becauseyou’lldoit，orkillher。Ineverheardanybodycrysoheart-brokenly。"Herethegoodwoman’sowneyesfilled。

"What’stheuseofpretending？"shewentonsorrowfully。"Youhaven’tspokentoherkindlysinceyoucamehome。DoyousupposeI’mblindtothat？Youweren’tabadhusbandtothepoorchild’smother；whycan’tyoubeagoodfathertoher？"

"Perhapsyoumightbeginbyaskinghertobeagooddaughtertome。"

"Whathasshedone？"

"ThenightbeforeIwentawaysherantoafireandbehavedtherelikeacommonstreethoyden。TheladiesoftheCarewefamilyhavenotformerlyacquiredanotorietyofthatkind。"

"Bah！"saidMrs。Tanberry。

"Thenextmorning，whenItaxedherwithit，shedutifullydefiedandinsultedme。"

"Icanimaginethedelicacywithwhichyou`taxed’her。Whathasthattodowithyourdevilishtantrumsofthisafternoon，RobertCarewe？"

"Iamobligedtoyoufortheexpression，"hereturned。"WhenIcamehome，thisafternoon，Ifoundherreadingthatthing。"HepointedtomanyverysmallfragmentsofMr。Cummings’snewspaper，whichwerescatteredaboutthelawnneartheveranda。"Shewasouthere，readinganarticlewhichI

hadreaddowntownandwhichappearedinaspecialeditionofthatrottensheet，sentouttwohoursago。"

"Well？"

"Doyouknowwhatthatarticlewas，madam，doyouknowwhatitwas？"

Althoughbreathingheavily，Mr。Carewehadcompelledhimselftoacertainoutwardcalmness，butnow，intheuncontrollableagitationofhisanger，hesprangtohisfeetandstruckoneofthewoodenpillarsoftheporchashockingblowwiththebareknucklesofhisclenchedhand。"Doyouknowwhatitwas？ItwasaeulogyofthatdamnedVanrevel！Itpretendedtobeanaccountoftheenrollmentofhisinfernalcompany，butitwasnothingmorethanaglorificationofthatnigger-lovinghound！Hiscompany——alotofsneaks，who’llrunlikesheepfromthefirstGreaser——electedhimcaptainyesterday，andtodayhereceivedanappointmentasmajor！Itdriesthebloodinmyveinstothinkofit！——thatblackdogamajor！GoodGod！amInevertohearthelastofhim？Cummingswroteit，thefool，thelying，fawning，slobberingfool；heoughttobeshotforit！Neitherhenorhispapereverentermydoorsagain！AndItookthedirtysheetfromherhandsandtoreittopieces——"

"Yes，"interposedMrs。Tanberry，"itlooksasifyouhaddoneitwithyourteeth。"

"——Andstampeditintotheground！"

"Oh，Iheardyou！"shesaid。

Carewecameclosetoher，andgaveheralonglookfromsuchbittereyesthatherownfellbeforethem。"Ifyou’vebeentreacheroustome，JaneTanberry，"hesaid，"thenGodpunishyou！Ifthey’vemet——mydaughterandthatman——whileIwasaway，itisonyourhead。Idon’taskyou，becauseI

believeifyouknewanythingyou’dlieforhersake。ButItellyouthatasshereadthatpaper，shedidnothearmysteponthewalknorknowthatIwasthereuntilIleanedoverhershoulder。AndIswearthatIsuspecther。"

Heturnedandwalkedtothedoor，whiletheindomitableMrs。Tanberry，silencedforonce，sankintothechairhehadvacated。Beforehedisap-

pearedwithinthehouse，hepaused。