第4章

Hehadnotthoughtofit。Hewaslostinagreaterabstraction。

Thatinfinitetenderness，——faraboveawoman’s，——thetendernessofstrengthandmanlinesstowardsweaknessanddelicacy，thetendernessthatlooksdownandnotup，wasalreadypossessinghim。

Aninstinctofprotectiondrewhimnearerthisbowedbutcharmingfigure，andifhethennoticedthattheshoulderswerepretty，andthecurvesoftheslimwaistsymmetrical，itwasratherwithafeelingoftimidityandahalf—consciousnessofunchivalrousthought。Yetwhyshouldhenottrytokeepthebraveandhonestgirlnearhimalways？Whyshouldhenotclaimtherighttoprotecther？Whyshouldtheynot——theywhowerealoneinastrangeland——

jointheirtwolonelylivesformutualhelpandhappiness？

Asuddenperceptionofdelicacy，thethoughtthatheshouldhavespokenbeforeherfailureattheConservatoirehadmadeherfeelherhelplessness，broughtaslightcolortohischeek。Woulditnotseemtoherthathewastakinganunfairadvantageofhermisfortune？Yetitwouldbesoeasynowtoslipalovingarmaroundherwaist，whilehecouldworkforherandprotectherwiththeother。THEOTHER！Hiseyefellonhisemptysleeve。Ah，hehadforgottenthat！HehadbutONEarm！

Heroseupabruptly，——soabruptlythatHelen，risingtoo，almosttouchedthearmthatwashurriedlywithdrawn。Yetinthataccidentalcontact，whichsentavaguetremorthroughtheyounggirl’sframe，therewasstilltimeforhimtohavespoken。Butheonlysaid：——

"Perhapswehadbetterdine。"

Sheassentedquickly，——sheknewnotwhy，——withafeelingofrelief。

Theywalkedveryquietlyandslowlytowardstherestaurant。Notawordoflovehadbeenspoken；notevenaglanceofunderstandinghadpassedbetweenthem。Yettheybothknewbysomemysteriousinstinctthatacrisisoftheirliveshadcomeandgone，andthattheyneveragaincouldbetoeachotherastheywerebutabriefmomentago。Theytalkedverysensiblyandgravelyduringtheirfrugalmeal；thepreviousspectatoroftheirconfidenceswouldhavenowthoughtthemonlysimplefriendsandhavebeenasmistakenasbefore。Theytalkedfreelyoftheirhopesandprospects，——allsaveone！Theyevenspokepleasantlyofrepeatingtheirlittleexpeditionafterhisreturnfromthecountry，whileintheirsecretheartstheyhadbothresolvednevertoseeeachotheragain。Yetbythatsigneachknewthatthiswaslove，andwereproudofeachother’spride，whichkeptitasecret。

Thetrainwaslate，anditwaspastteno’clockwhentheyatlastappearedbeforetheconciergeofHelen’shome。Duringtheirjourney，andwhilepassingthoughthecrowdsatthestationandinthestreets，Ostranderhadexhibitedanewandgraveguardianshipovertheyounggirl，and，onthefirstlanding，afterascrutinizingandanalmostfierceglanceatoneortwoofHelen’soddfellowlodgers，hehadextendedhisprotectionsofarastoaccompanyherupthefourflightstothelandingofherapartment。

Herehetookleaveofherwithagravecourtesythathalfpained，halfpleasedher。Shewatchedhisbroadshouldersanddanglingsleeveashewentdownthestairs，andthenquicklyturned，enteredherroom，andlockedthedoor。Thesmilehadfadedfromherlips。

Goingtothewindow，shepressedherhotforeheadagainstthecoolglassandlookedoutuponthestarsnearlylevelwiththeblackroofsaroundher。Shestoodtheresomemomentsuntilanotherstarappearedhigherupagainsttheroofridge，thestarshewaslookingfor。Butheretheglasspanebeforehereyesbecamepresentlydimwithmoisture；shewasobligedtorubitoutwithherhandkerchief；

yet，somehow，itsoonbecameclouded，atwhichsheturnedsharplyawayandwenttobed。

ButMissHelendidnotknowthatwhenshehadlookedaftertheretreatingfigureofherprotectorashedescendedthestairsthatnightthathewasreallycarryingawayonthosebroadshouldersthecharactershehadsolaboriouslygainedduringherfouryears’

solitude。Forwhenshecamedownthenextmorningtheconciergebowedtoherwithanairofeasy，cynicalabstraction，theresultofalongconversationwithhiswifethenightbefore。HehadtakenHelen’spartwithakindlycynicism。"Ah！whatwouldyou——itwasboundtocome。TheaffairoftheConservatoirehadsettledthat。Thepoorchildcouldnotstarve；penniless，shecouldnotmarry。Onlywhyconsortwithotherswallowsundertheeaveswhenshecouldhavehadagildedcageonthefirstetage？"Butgirlsweresofoolish——intheirfirstaffair；thenitwasalwaysLOVE！

Thesecondtimetheywerewiser。Andthismaimedwarriorandpainterwasaspoorasshe。Acompatriot，too；well，perhapsthatsavedsomescandal；onecouldneverknowwhattheAmericanswereaccustomedtodo。Thefirstfloor，whichhadbeeninclinedtobeciviltotheyoungteacher，wasmoreso，butlessrespectful；oneortwoyoungmenweretentativelyfamiliaruntiltheylookedinhergrayeyesandrememberedthebroadshouldersofthepainter。Oddlyenough，onlyMademoiselleFifine，ofherownlanding，exhibitedanysympathywithher，andforthefirsttimeHelenwasfrightened。

Shedidnotshowit，however，onlyshechangedherlodgingsthenextday。Butbeforesheleftshehadafewmoments’conversationwiththeconciergeandanexchangeofawordortwowithsomeofherfellowlodgers。Ihavealreadyhintedthattheyoungladyhadgreatprecisionofstatement；shehadaprettyturnforhandlingcolloquialFrenchandanincisiveknowledgeofFrenchcharacter。

SheleftNo。34，RuedeFrivole，workingitselfintoawhiterage，bututterlyundecidedastoherrealcharacter。

ButallthisandmuchmorewaspresentlyblownawayinthehotbreaththatswepttheboulevardsattheoutburstoftheFranco—

GermanWar，andMissHelenMaynarddisappearedfromPariswithmanyofherfellowcountrymen。TheexcitementreachedevenaquaintoldchateauinBrittanywhereMajorOstranderwaspainting。Thewomanwhowasstandingbyhissideashesatbeforehiseaselonthebroadterraceobservedthathelookeddisturbed。

"Whatmatters？"shesaidgently。"Youhaveprogressedsowellinyourworkthatyoucanfinishitelsewhere。IhavenogreatdesiretostayinFrancewithafrontiergarrisonedbytroopswhileIhaveavillainSwitzerlandwhereyoucouldstillbemyguest。Pariscanteachyounothingmore，myfriend；youhaveonlytocreatenow——

andbefamous。"

"ImustgotoParis，"hesaidquietly。"Ihavefriends——

countrymen——there，whomaywantmenow。"

"IfyoumeantheyoungsingeroftheRuedeFrivole，youhavecompromisedheralready。Youcandohernogood。"

"Madame！"

Theprettyfacewhichhehadbeenfamiliarwithforthepastsixweekssomehowseemedtochangeitscharacter。Underthemaskofdazzlingskinhefanciedhesawthehighcheek—bonesandsquareTartarangle；thebrillianteyeswereevenbrighterthanbefore，buttheyshowedmoreofthewhitethanhehadeverseeninthem。

Neverthelessshesmiled，withanequallystonyrevelationofherwhiteteeth，yetsaid，stillgently，"ForgivemeifIthoughtourfriendshipjustifiedmeinbeingfrank，——perhapstoofrankformyowngood。"

Shestoppedasifhalfexpectinganinterruption；butasheremainedlookingwonderinglyather，shebitherlip，andwenton：

"Youhaveagreatcareerbeforeyou。Thosewhohelpyoumustdosowithoutentanglingyou；achainofrosesmaybeasimpedingaslead。Untilyouareindependent，you——whomayintimecompasseverythingyourself——willneedtobehelped。Youknow，"sheaddedwithasmile，"youhavebutonearm。"

"Inyourkindnessandappreciationyouhavemademeforgetit，"hestammered。YethehadaswiftvisionofthelittlebenchatVersailleswherehehadNOTforgottenit，andasheglancedaroundtheemptyterracewheretheystoodhewasstruckwithafatefulresemblancetoit。

"AndIshouldnotremindyounowofit，"shewenton，"excepttosaythatmoneycanalwaystakeitsplace。Asinthefairystory，theprincemusthaveanewarmmadeofgold。"Shestopped，andthensuddenlycomingclosertohimsaid，hurriedlyandalmostfiercely，"CanyounotseethatIamadvisingyouagainstmyinterests，——againstmyself？Go，then，toParis，andgoquickly，beforeIchangemymind。Onlyifyoudonotfindyourfriendsthere，rememberyouhavealwaysONEhere。"Beforehecouldreply，orevenunderstandthatwhiteface，shewasgone。

HeleftforParisthatafternoon。HewentdirectlytotheRuedeFrivole；hisoldresolutiontoavoidHelenwasblowntothewindsintheprospectoflosingherutterly。Buttheconciergeonlyknewthatmademoisellehadleftadayortwoaftermonsieurhadaccompaniedherhome。And，pointedly，therewasanothergentlemanwhohadinquiredeagerly——andbountifullyasfarasmoneywent——foranytraceoftheyounglady。ItwasaRusse。TheconciergesmiledtohimselfatOstrander’sflushedcheek。Itservedthisone—armed，conceitedAmericanposeurright。MademoisellewaswiserinthisSECONDaffair。

Ostranderdidnotfinishhispicture。Theprincesssenthimacheque，whichhecoldlyreturned。NeverthelesshehadacquiredthroughhisRussianpatronagealocalfamewhichstoodhimwellwiththepicturedealers，——inspiteoftheexcitementofthewar。

Buthisheartwasnolongerinhiswork；afeverofunrestseizedhim，whichatanothertimemighthavewasteditselfinmeredissipation。Someofhisfellowartistshadalreadygoneintothearmy。AfterthefirstgreatreversesheofferedhisonearmandhismilitaryexperiencetothatPariswhichhadgivenhimahome。

Theoldfightinginstinctreturnedtohimwithacertaindesperationhehadneverknownbefore。InthesortiesfromParistheone—armedAmericanbecamefamous，untilafewdaysbeforethecapitulation，whenhewasstruckdownbyabulletthroughthelung，andleftinatemporaryhospital。HereinthewhirlandterrorofCommunedayshewasforgotten，andwhenParisrevivedundertherepublichehaddisappearedascompletelyashiscompatriotHelen。

ButMissHelenMaynardhadbeenonlyobscuredandnotextinguished。

AtthefirstoutbreakofhostilitiesafewAmericanshadstillkeptgiddystateamongtheruinsofthetotteringempire。AdayortwoaftershelefttheRuedeFrivoleshewasinvitedbyoneofherwealthyformerschoolmatestoassistwithhervoiceandtalentatoneoftheirextravagantentertainments。"Youwillunderstand，dear，"saidMissdeLaine，withingeniousdelicacy，assheeyedheroldcomrade’swell—worndress，"thatPoppaexpectstopayyouprofessionalprices，anditmaybeanopeningforyouamongourotherfriends。"

"Ishouldnotcomeotherwise，dear，"saidMissHelenwithequalfrankness。ButsheplayedandsangverycharminglytothefashionableassemblyintheChampsElysees，——socharmingly，indeed，thatMissdeLainepatronizinglyexpatiateduponherworthandherbetterdaysinconfidencetosomeoftheguests。

"Amostdeservingcreature，"saidMissdeLainetothedowagerduchessofSoho，whowaspassingthroughParisonherwaytoEngland；"youwouldhardlybelievethatPoppaknewherfatherwhenhewasoneoftherichestmeninSouthCarolina。"

"Yourfatherseemstohavebeenveryfortunate，"saidtheduchessquietly，"andsoareYOU。Introduceme。"

ThisnotbeingexactlythereplythatMissdeLaineexpected，shemomentarilyhesitated：buttheduchessprofitedbyittowalkovertothepianoandintroduceherself。WhensherosetogosheinvitedHelentoluncheonwithherthenextday。"Comeearly，mydear，andwe’llhavealongtalk。"HelenpointedouthesitatinglythatshewaspracticallyaguestofthedeLaines。"Ah，well，that’strue，mydear；thenyoumaybringoneofthemwithyou。"

Helenwenttotheluncheon，butwasunaccompanied。Shehadalongtalkwiththedowager。"Iamnotrich，mydear，likeyourfriends，andcannotaffordtopaytennapoleonsforasong。LikeyouIhaveseen’betterdays。’Butthisisnoplaceforyou，child，andifyoucanbearwithanoldwoman’scompanyforawhileIthinkIcanfindyousomethingtodo。"ThateveningHelenleftforEnglandwiththeduchess，apieceof"ingratitude，indelicacy，andshamelesssnobbery，"whichMissdeLainewasneverwearyofdilatingupon。"AndtothinkIintroducedher，thoughshewasaprofessional！"……

Itwasthreeyearsafter。Paris，revivingundertherepublic，hadforgottenHelenandtheAmericancolony；andtheAmericancolony，emigratingtomorecongenialcourts，hadforgottenParis。

ItwasableakdayofEnglishsummerwhenHelen，standingbythewindowofthebreakfast—roomatHamleyCourt，andlookingoverthewonderfullawn，keptperenniallygreenbyhumidEnglishskies，heardthepractical，masculinevoiceoftheduchessinherearatthesamemomentthatshefeltthegentlewomanlytouchofherhandonhershoulder。

"WearegoingtoluncheonatMorelandHallto—day，mydear。"

"Why，wewerethereonlylastweek！"saidHelen。

"Undoubtedly，"returnedtheduchessdryly，"andwemayluncheontherenextweekandthenextfollowing。And，"sheadded，lookingintohercompanion’sgrayeyes，"itrestswithYOUtostaythereifyouchoose。"

Helenstaredatherprotector。

"Mydear，"continuedtheduchess，slippingherarmaroundHelen’swaist，"SirJameshashonoredME——asbecamemyrelationstoYOU——

withhisconfidences。Asyouhaven’tgivenmeYOURSIsupposeyouhavenone，andthatIamtellingyounewswhenIsaythatSirJameswishestomarryyou。"

Theunmistakableastonishmentinthegirl’seyesatisfiedtheduchessevenbeforehervoice。

"Buthescarcelyknowsmeoranythingofme！"saidtheyounggirlquickly。

"Onthecontrary，mydear，heknowsEVERYTHINGaboutyou。IhavebeenparticularintellinghimallIknow——andsomethingsevenYOU

don’tknowandcouldn’ttellhim。Forinstance，thatyouareaveryniceperson。Come，mydear，don’tlooksostupefied，orI

shallreallythinkthere’ssomethinginitthatIdon’tknow。It’snotalaughingnoracryingmatteryet——atpresentit’sonlyluncheonagainwithacivilmanwhohasthreedaughtersandaplaceinthecounty。Don’tmakethemistake，however，ofrefusinghimbeforeheoffers——whateveryoudoafterwards。"

"But"——stammeredHelen。

"But——youaregoingtosaythatyoudon’tlovehimandhaveneverthoughtofhimasahusband，"interruptedtheduchess；"Ireaditinyourface，——andit’saveryproperthingtosay。"

"Itissounexpected，"urgedHelen。

"Everythingisunexpectedfromamaninthesematters，"saidtheduchess。"Wewomenaretheonlyonesthatareprepared。"

"But，"persistedHelen，"ifIdon’twanttomarryatall？"

"Ishouldsay，then，thatitisasignthatyouought；ifyouwereeager，mydear，Ishouldcertainlydissuadeyou。"Shepaused，andthendrawingHelenclosertoher，said，withacertainmasculinetenderness，"AslongasIlive，dear，youknowthatyouhaveahomehere。ButIamanoldwomanlivingonthesmallestofsettlements。

Deathisasinevitabletomeasmarriageshouldbetoyou。"

Nevertheless，theydidnotrenewtheconversation，andlaterreceivedthegreetingsoftheirhostatMorelandHallwithasimplicityandfranknessthatwere，however，perfectlynaturalandunaffectedinbothwomen。SirJames，——atall，well—preservedmanofmiddleage，withtheunmistakablebearingoflongyearsofrecognizedandunchallengedposition，——however，exhibitedonthisoccasionthatslightconsciousnessofweaknessandsusceptibilitytoridiculewhichisapttoindicatetheinvasionofthetenderpassionintheheartoftheaverageBriton。Hisdutyashosttowardstheelderwomanofsuperiorrank，however，coveredhisembarrassment，andforamomentleftHelenquiteundisturbedtogazeagainuponthetreasuresofthelongdrawing—roomofMorelandHallwithwhichshewasalreadyfamiliar。Therewerethehalf—

dozenoldmasters，whoserespectabilityhadbeenasrecognizedthroughcenturiesastheirowner’sancestors；thereweretheancestorsthemselves，——wigged，ruffled，andwhite—handed，byVandyke，Lely，Romney，andGainsborough；thereweretheuniform，expressionlessancestressesinstiffbrocadeorshort—waisted，clingingdraperies，butallpossessingthatbrilliantcoloringwhichthegrayskiesoutsidelacked，andwhichseemedtohavedepartedfromthedressesoftheirdescendants。TheAmericangirlhadsometimesspeculateduponwhatmighthavebeentheappearanceofthelime—treewalk，dottedwiththesegaylyplumagedfolk，andwonderedifthetyrannyofenvironmenthadatlastsubduedtheirbrilliantcolors。Andanewfeelingtouchedher。Likemostofhercountrywomen，shewasstronglyaffectedbythefurnitureoflife；

thethoughtthatallthatshesawthereMIGHTBEHERS；thatshemightyetstandinsuccessiontothesestrangecourtiersandstrangershepherdesses，and，likethem，lookdownfromthecanvasupontheintrudingforeigner，thrilledherforamomentwithahalf—proud，half—passivesenseofyieldingtowhatseemedtobeherfate。Anarrow—eyed，stiff—hairedDutchmaidofhonorbeforewhomshewasstandinggazedatherwithstaringvacancy。Suddenlyshestarted。Beforetheportraituponafancifuleaselstoodasmallelaboratelyframedsketchinoils。Itwasevidentlysomerecentlyimportedtreasure。Shehadnotseenitbefore。Asshemovedquicklyforward，sherecognizedataglancethatitwasOstrander’ssketchfromtheParisgrenier。

Thewall，theroom，theparkbeyond，eventhegraysky，seemedtofadeawaybeforeher。ShewasstandingoncemoreatheratticwindowlookingacrosstheroofsandchimneystacksupwardtotheblueskyofParis。Throughagapintheroofsshecouldseethechestnut—treestrillinginthelittlesquare；shecouldheartheswallowstwitteringintheleadentroughsofthegutterbeforeher；

thecallofthechocolatevenderorthecryofagaminfloateduptoherfromthestreetbelow，orthelatestsongofthecafechantantwaswhistledbytheblue—blousedworkmanonthescaffoldinghardby。ThebreathofParis，ofyouth，ofblendedworkandplay，ofambition，ofjoyousfreedom，againfilledherandmingledwiththescentofthemignonettethatusedtostandontheoldwindow—ledge。

"Iamgladyoulikeit。Ihaveonlyjustputitup。"

ItwasthevoiceofSirJames——avoicethathadregainedalittleofitsnaturalness——acalm，evenlazyEnglishvoice——confidentfromtheexperienceofyearsofrespectfullisteners。Yetitsomehowjarreduponhernerveswithitscomplacencyanditsutterincongruousnesstoherfeelings。Nevertheless，theimpulsetoknowmoreaboutthesketchwasthestronger。

"Doyoumeanyouhavejustboughtit？"askedHelen。"It’snotEnglish？"

"No，"saidSirJames，gratifiedwithhiscompanion’sinterest。"I

boughtitinParisjustaftertheCommune。"

"Fromtheartist？"continuedHelen，inaslightlyconstrainedvoice。

"No，"saidSirJames，"althoughIknewthepoorchapwellenough。

Youcaneasilyseethathewasonceapainterofgreatpromise。I

ratherthinkitwasstolenfromhimwhilehewasinhospitalbythoseincendiarywretches。Irecognizedit，however，andboughtforafewfrancsfromthemwhatIwouldhavepaidHIMathousandfor。"

"Inhospital？"repeatedHelendazedly。

"Yes，"saidSirJames。"ThefactisitwastheendingoftheusualBohemianartist’slife。Thoughinthiscasethemanwasarealartist，——andIbelieve，bytheway，wasacountrymanofyours。"

"Inhospital？"againrepeatedHelen。"Thenhewaspoor？"

"Reckless，Ishouldrathersay；hethrewhimselfintothefightingbeforeParisandwasbadlywounded。Butitwasalltheresultoftheusualloveaffair——thegirl，theysay，ranoffwiththeusualricherman。Atallevents，itruinedhimforpainting；heneverdidanythingworthhavingafterwards。"

"Andnow？"saidHeleninthesameunmovedvoice。

SirJamesshruggedhisshoulders。"Hedisappeared。Probablyhe’llturnupsomedayontheLondonpavement——withchalks。Thatsketch，bytheway，wasonethathadalwaysattractedmetohisstudio——

thoughheneverwouldpartwithit。Iratherfancy，don’tyouknow，thatthegirlhadsomethingtodowithit。It’sawonderfullyrealisticsketch，don’tyousee；andIshouldn’twonderifitwasthegirlherselfwholivedbehindoneofthosequeerlittlewindowsintheroofthere。"

"Shedidlivethere，"saidHeleninalowvoice。

SirJamesutteredavaguelaugh。Helenlookedaroundher。Theduchesshadquietlyandunostentatiouslypassedintothelibrary，andinfullview，thoughoutofhearing，wasexamining，withherglasstohereye，somebooksupontheshelves。

"Imean，"saidHelen，inaperfectlyclearvoice，"thattheyounggirldidNOTrunawayfromthepainter，andthathehadneithertherightnorthecausetobelieveherfaithlessorattributehismisfortunestoher。"Shehesitated，notfromanysenseofherindiscretion，buttorecoverfromamomentarydoubtifthegirlwerereallyherownself——butonlyforamoment。

"Thenyouknewthepainter，asIdid？"hesaidinastonishment。

"NotasYOUdid，"respondedHelen。Shedrewnearerthepicture，and，pointingaslimfingertothecanvas，said：——

"Doyouseethatsmallwindowwiththemignonette？"

"Perfectly。"

"ThatwasMYroom。Hiswasopposite。HetoldmesowhenIfirstsawthesketch。Iamthegirlyouspeakof，forheknewnoother，andIbelievehimtohavebeenatruthful，honorableman。"

"Butwhatwereyoudoingthere？Surelyyouarejoking？"saidSirJames，withaforcedsmile。

"IwasapoorpupilattheConservatoire，andlivedwhereIcouldaffordtolive。"

"Alone？"

"Alone。"

"Andthemanwas"——

"MajorOstranderwasmyfriend。IeventhinkIhaveabetterrighttocallhimthatthanyouhad。"

SirJamescoughedslightlyandgraspedthelapelofhiscoat。"Ofcourse；Idaresay；Ihadnoideaofthis，don’tyouknow，whenI

spoke。"Helookedaroundhimasiftoevadeascene。"Ah！supposeweasktheduchesstolookatthesketch；Idon’tthinkshe’sseenit。"Hebegantomoveinthedirectionofthelibrary。

"Shehadbetterwait，"saidHelenquietly。

"Forwhat？"

"Until"——hesitatedHelensmilingly。

"Until？IamafraidIdon’tunderstand，"saidSirJamesstiffly，coloringwithaslightsuspicion。

"UntilyouhaveAPOLOGIZED。"

"Ofcourse，"saidSirJames，withahalf—hystericlaugh。"Ido。

YouunderstandIonlyrepeatedastorythatwastoldme，andhadnoideaofconnectingYOUwithit。Ibegyourpardon，I’msure。I

er——er——infact，"headdedsuddenly，theembarrassedsmilefadingfromhisfaceashelookedatherfixedly，"Iremembernowitmusthavebeentheconciergeofthehouse，ortheoppositeone，whotoldme。HesaiditwasaRussianwhocarriedoffthatyounggirl。Ofcourseitwassomemade—upstory。"

"IleftPariswiththeduchess，"saidHelenquietly，"beforethewar。"

"Ofcourse。Andsheknowsallaboutyourfriendshipwiththisman。"

"Idon’tthinkshedoes。Ihaven’ttoldher。WhyshouldI？"

returnedHelen，raisinghercleareyestohis。

"Really，Idon’tknow，"stammeredSirJames。"Butheresheis。Ofcourseifyoupreferit，Iwon’tsayanythingofthistoher。"

Helengavehimherfirstglanceofgenuineemotion；ithappened，however，tobescorn。

"Howodd！"shesaid，astheduchessleisurelyapproachedthem，herglassstillinhereye。"SirJames，quiteunconsciously，hasjustbeenshowingmeasketchofmydearoldmansardeinParis。Look！

Thatlittlewindowwasmyroom。And，onlythinkofit，SirJamesboughtitofanoldfriendofmine，whopainteditfromtheoppositeattic，wherehelived。Andquiteunconsciously，too。"

"Howverysingular！"saidtheduchess；"indeed，quiteromantic！"

"Very！"saidSirJames。

"Very！"saidHelen。

Thetoneoftheirvoiceswassodifferentthattheduchesslookedfromonetotheother。

"Butthatisn’tall，"saidHelenwithasmile，"SirJamesactuallyfancied"——

"Willyouexcusemeforamoment？"saidSirJames，interrupting，andturninghastilytotheduchesswithaforcedsmileandasomewhatheightenedcolor。"IhadforgottenthatIhadpromisedLadyHarriettodriveyouovertoDeepHillafterluncheontomeetthatSouthAmericanwhohastakensuchafancytoyourplace，andI

mustsendtothestables。"

AsSirJamesdisappeared，theduchessturnedtoHelen。"Iseewhathashappened，dear；don’tmindme，forIfranklyconfessIshallnoweatmyluncheonlessguiltilythanIfeared。Buttellme，HOW

didyourefusehim？"

"Ididn’trefusehim，"saidHelen。"Ionlypreventedhisaskingme。"

"How？"

ThenHelentoldherall，——everythingexceptherfirstmeetingwithOstranderattherestaurant。Atruewomanrespectstheprideofthoseshelovesmoreeventhanherown，andwhileHelenfeltthatalthoughthatincidentmightsomewhatcondonehersubsequentromanticpassionintheduchess’seyes，shecouldnottellit。

Theduchesslistenedinsilence。

"Thenyoutwoincompetentshaveneverseeneachothersince？"sheasked。

"No。"

"Butyouhopeto？"

"IcannotspeakforHIM，"saidHelen。

"Andyouhaveneverwrittentohim，anddon’tknowwhetherheisaliveordead？"

"No。"

"ThenIhavebeennursinginmybosomforthreeyearsatoneandthesametimeabrave，independent，matter—of—factyoungpersonandthemostidiotic，sentimentalheroinethateverfiguredinaromanticoperaoracountryballad。"Helendidnotreply。"Well，mydear，"saidtheduchessafterapause，"Iseethatyouarecondemnedtopassyourdayswithmeinsomecheaphotelonthecontinent。"Helenlookedupwonderingly。"Yes，"shecontinued，"I

supposeImustnowmakeupmymindtosellmyplacetothisgildedSouthAmerican，whohastakenafancytoit。ButIamnotgoingtospoilmydaybyseeinghimNOW。No；wewillexcuseourselvesfromgoingtoDeepHillto—day，andwewillgobackhomequietlyafterluncheon。ItwillbeamercytoSirJames。"

"But，"saidHelenearnestly，"Icangobacktomyoldlife，andearnmyownliving。"

"NotifIcanhelpit，"saidtheduchessgrimly。"Yourindependencehasmadeyouacharmingcompaniontome，Iadmit；butIshallseethatitdoesnotagainspoilyourchancesofmarrying。HerecomesSirJames。Really，mydear，Idon’tknowwhichoneofyoulooksthemorerelieved。"

OntheirwaybackthroughtheparkHelenagainurgedtheduchesstogiveuptheideaofsellingHamleyCourt，andtoconsenttohertakingupheroldfreedomandindependenceoncemore。"Ishallnever，neverforgetyourlovingkindnessandprotection，"continuedtheyounggirl，tenderly。"Youwillletmecometoyoualwayswhenyouwantme；butyouwillletmealsoshapemylifeanew，andworkformyliving。"Theduchessturnedhergrave，halfhumorousfacetowardsher。"ThatmeansyouhavedeterminedtoseekHIM。Well！

Perhapsifyougiveupyourotherabsurdideaofindependence，I

mayassistyou。AndnowIreallybelieve，dear，thatthereisthatdreadfulSouthAmerican，"pointingtoafigurethatwascrossingthelawnatHamleyCourt，"hoveringroundlikeavulture。Well，I

can’tseehimto—dayifhecalls，butYOUmay。Bytheway，theysayheisnotbad—looking，wasafamousgeneralintheSouthAmericanWar，andisrollinginmoney，andcomeshereonasecretmissionfromhisgovernment。ButIforget——therestofourlifeistobedevotedtoseekingANOTHER。AndIbegintothinkIamnotagoodmatchmaker。"

Helenwasinnomoodforaninterviewwiththestranger，whom，liketheduchess，shewasinclinedtoregardasaportentoffateandsacrifice。Sheknewherfriend’sstraitenedcircumstances，whichmightmakesuchasacrificenecessarytoinsureacompetencyforheroldage，and，asHelenfearedalso，aprovisionforherself。

Sheknewthestrangetendernessofthismasculinewoman，whichhadsurvivedahusband’sinfidelitiesandason’sforgetfulness，tobegiventoher，andherheartsankattheprospectofseparation，evenwhileherpridedemandedthatsheshouldreturntoheroldlifeagain。Thenshewonderediftheduchesswasright；didshestillcherishthehopeofmeetingOstranderagain？Thetearsshehadkeptbackallthatdayassertedthemselvesassheflungopenthelibrarydoorandranacrossthegardenintothemyrtlewalk。

"Inhospital！"ThewordshadbeenringinginherearsthoughSirJames’scomplacentspeech，throughtheoddlyconstrainedluncheon，throughthehalf—tender，half—masculinereasoningofhercompanion。

HeHADlovedher——hehadsufferedandperhapsthoughtherfalse。

Suddenlyshestopped。Atthefurtherendofthewalktheominousstrangerwhomshewishedtoavoidwasstandinglookingtowardsthehouse。

Howprovoking！Sheglancedagain；hewasleaningagainstatreeandwasobviouslyaspreoccupiedasshewasherself。Hewasactuallysketchingtheivy—coveredgableofthelibrary。Whatpresumption！Andhewassketchingwithhislefthand。Asuddenthrillofsuperstitioncameoverher。Shemovedeagerlyforwardforabetterviewofhim。No！hehadtwoarms！

Buthisquickeyehadalreadycaughtsightofher，andbeforeshecouldretreatshecouldseethathehadthrownawayhissketch—bookandwashasteningeagerlytowardher。Amazedandconfoundedshewouldhaveflown，butherlimbssuddenlyrefusedtheiroffice，andasheatlastcamenearherwiththecryof"Helen！"uponhislips，shefeltherselfstaggering，andwascaughtinhisarms。

"ThankGod，"hesaid。"ThensheHASletyoucometome！"

Shedisengagedherselfslowlyanddazedlyfromhimandstoodlookingathimwithwonderingeyes。Hewasbronzedandworn；therewasthesecondarm：butstillitwasHE。Andwiththelove，whichshenowknewhehadfelt，lookingfromhishonesteyes！

"SHEhasletmecome！"sherepeatedvacantly。"Whomdoyoumean？"

"Theduchess。"

"Theduchess？"

"Yes。"Hestoppedsuddenly，gazingatherblankface，whilehisowngrewashywhite。"Helen！ForGod’ssaketellme！Youhavenotacceptedhim？"

"Ihaveacceptednoone，"shestammered，withafaintcolorrisingtohercheeks。"Idonotunderstandyou。"

Alookofreliefcameoverhim。"But，"hesaidamazedly，"hasnottheduchesstoldyouhowIhappentobehere？How，whenyoudisappearedfromParislongago——withmyambitioncrushed，andnothinglefttomebutmyoldtradeofthefighter——IjoinedasecretexpeditiontohelptheChilianrevolutionists？HowI，whomighthavestarvedasapainter，gaineddistinctionasapartisangeneral，andwasrewardedwithanenvoyshipinEurope？HowIcametoParistoseekyou？HowIfoundthateventhepicture——yourpicture，Helen——hadbeensold。How，intracingithere，ImettheduchessatDeepHill，andlearningyouwerewithher，inamomentofimpulsetoldhermywholestory。Howshetoldmethatthoughshewasyourbestfriend，youhadneverspokenofme，andhowshebeggedmenottospoilyourchanceofagoodmatchbyrevealingmyself，andsoawakeningapast——whichshebelievedyouhadforgotten。Howsheimploredmeatleasttolethermakeafairtestofyouraffectionsandyourmemory，anduntilthentokeepawayfromyou——andtospareyou，Helen；andforyoursake，I

consented。Surelyshehastoldthis，NOW！"

"Notaword，"saidHelenblankly。

"ThenyoumeantosaythatifIhadnothauntedtheparkto—day，inthehopeofseeingyou，believingthatasyouwouldnotrecognizemewiththisartificialarm，Ishouldnotbreakmypromisetoher，——

youwouldnothaveknownIwasevenliving。"

"No！——yes！——stay！"Asmilebrokeoverherpalefaceandleftitrosy。"Iseeitallnow。Oh，Philip，don’tyouunderstand？Shewantedonlytotryus！"

Therewasasilenceinthelonelywood，brokenonlybythetrillsofafrightenedbirdwhoseretreatwasinvaded。

"Notnow！Please！Wait！Comewithme！"

ThenextmomentshehadseizedPhilip’slefthand，and，dragginghimwithher，wasflyingdownthewalktowardsthehouse。Butastheynearedthegardendooritsuddenlyopenedontheduchess，withherglassestohereyes，smiling。

TheGeneralDonFelipeOstranderdidnotbuyHamleyCourt，butheandhiswifewerealwayswelcomegueststhere。AndSirJames，asbecameanEnglishgentleman，——amazedthoughhewasatPhilip’ssingularreturn，andmoresingularincognito，——afterwardsgallantlypresentedPhilip’swifewithPhilip’sfirstpicture。

THEJUDGMENTOFBOLINASPLAIN

ThewindwasgettingupontheBolinasPlain。Ithadstartedthefinealkalinedustalongthelevelstageroad，sothateventhatfainttrack，theonlybreakinthemonotonyofthelandscape，seemedfainterthanever。Butthedustcloudwasotherwisearelief；ittookthesemblanceofdistantwoodswheretherewasnotimber，ofmovingteamswheretherewasnolife。AndasSueBeasley，standinginthedoorwayofOneSpringHousethatafternoon，shadinghersandylasheswithhersmallredhand，glancedalongthedesolatetrack，evenHEReyes，trainedtothedrearyprospect，wereonceortwicedeceived。

"Sue！"

Itwasaman’svoicefromwithin。Suetooknonoticeofit，butremainedwithherhandshadinghereyes。

"Sue！Wotyeryawpin’atthar？"

"Yawpin’"wouldseemtohavebeenthelocalexpressionforherabstraction，since，withoutturningherhead，sheansweredslowlyandlanguidly："ReckonedIsee’dsom’unonthestageroad。But’tain’tnothin’nornobody。"

Bothvoiceshadintheiraccentsanddeliverysomethingofthesadnessandinfiniteprotractionoftheplain。Butthewoman’shadamusicalpossibilityinitslong—drawncadence，whiletheman’swasonlymonotonousandwearying。Andassheturnedbackintotheroomagain，andconfrontedhercompanion，therewasthelikedifferenceintheirappearance。IraBeasley，herhusband，hadsufferedfromthecombinedeffectsofindolence，carelessness，misadventure，anddisease。Twoofhisfingershadbeencutoffbyascythe，histhumbandpartofhisleftearhadbeenblownawaybyanoverchargedgun；hiskneeswerecrippledbyrheumatism，andonefootwaslamefromingrowingnails，——deviationsthat，however，didnottendtocorrecttheoriginalangularitiesofhisframe。Hiswife，ontheotherhand，hadaprettyfigure，whichstillretained——

theywerechildless——theroundedfreshnessofmaidenhood。Herfeatureswereirregular，yetnotwithoutacertainpiquancyofoutline；herhairhadthetwoshadessometimesseeninimperfectblondes，andhercomplexionthesallownessofcombinedexposureandalkalineassimilation。

Shehadlivedtheresince，anangulargirloffifteen，shehadbeenawkwardlyhelpedbyIrafromthetail—boardoftheemigrantwagoninwhichhermotherhaddiedtwoweeksbefore，andwhichwasmakingitsfirsthaltontheCalifornianplains，beforeIra’sdoor。OntheseconddayoftheirhaltIrahadtriedtokissherwhileshewasdrawingwater，andhadreceivedthecontentsofthebucketinstead，——thegirlknowingherownvalue。OnthethirddayIrahadsomeconversationwithherfatherregardinglocationsandstock。

Onthefourthdaythisconversationwascontinuedinthepresenceofthegirl；onthefifthdaythethreewalkedtoParsonDavies’

house，fourmilesaway，whereIraandSueweremarried。Theromanceofaweekhadtakenplacewithintheconfinesofherpresentviewfromthedoorway；theepisodeofherlifemighthavebeenshutininthatlastsweepofhersandylashes。

Nevertheless，atthatmomentsomeinstinct，sheknewnotwhat，impelledherwhenherhusbandlefttheroomtoputdownthedishshewaswashing，and，withthetowellappedoverherbareprettyarms，toleanoncemoreagainstthedoorpost，lazilylookingdowntheplain。Acylindricalcloudofdusttrailingitstatteredskirtalongthestageroadsuddenlyassaultedthehouse，andforaninstantenvelopedit。Asitwhirledawayagainsomethingemerged，orratherdroppedfromitsskirtsbehindthelittleclusteroflowbusheswhichencircledthe"OneSpring。"Itwasaman。

"Thar！Iknewitwassuthin’，"shebeganaloud，butthewordssomehowdieduponherlips。Thensheturnedandwalkedtowardstheinnerdoor，whereinherhusbandhaddisappeared，——butherestoppedagainirresolutely。Thenshesuddenlywalkedthroughtheouterdoorintotheroadandmadedirectlyforthespring。Thefigureofamancrouching，coveredwithdust，halfrosefromthebusheswhenshereachedthem。Shewasnotfrightened，forheseemedutterlyexhausted，andtherewasasingularmixtureofshame，hesitation，andentreatyinhisbrokenvoiceashegaspedout：——

"Lookhere！——Isay！hidemesomewhere，won’tyou？Justforalittle。Yousee——thefactis——I’mchased！They’rehuntingmenow，——they’rejustbehindme。Anywherewilldotilltheygoby！

Tellyouallaboutitanothertime。Quick！Pleasedo！"

Inallthistherewasnothingdramaticnorevenstartlingtoher。

Nordidthereseemtobeanypresentdangerimpendingtotheman。

Hedidnotlooklikeahorse—thiefnoracriminal。Andhehadtriedtolaugh，half—apologetically，half—bitterly，——theconsciousnessofamanwhohadtoaskhelpofawomanatsuchamoment。

Shegaveaquickglancetowardsthehouse。Hefollowedhereyes，andsaidhurriedly："Don’ttellonme。Don’tletanyoneseeme。

I’mtrustingyou。

"Come，"shesaidsuddenly。"GetonTHISside。"

Heunderstoodher，andslippedtoherside，half—creeping，half—

crouchinglikeadogbehindherskirts，butkeepingherfigurebetweenhimandthehouseasshemoveddeliberatelytowardsthebarn，scarcefiftyyardsaway。Whenshereacheditsheopenedthehalf—doorquickly，said："Inthere——atthetop——amongthehay"——

closedit，andwasturningaway，whentherecameafaintrappingfromwithin。Sheopenedthedooragainimpatiently；themansaidhastily："Wantedtotellyou——itwasamanwhoinsultedaWOMAN！I

wentforhim，yousee——and"——

Butsheshutthedoorsharply。Thefugitivehadmadeablunder。

Theimportationofherownuncertainsexintotheexplanationdidnothelphim。Shekeptontowardsthehouse，however，withouttheleasttraceofexcitementoragitationinhermanner，enteredthefrontdooragain，walkedquietlytothedooroftheinnerroom，glancedin，sawthatherhusbandwasabsorbedinsplicingariata，andhadevidentlynotmissedher，andreturnedquietlytoherdish—

washing。Withthissingulardifference：afewmomentsbeforeshehadseemedinattentiveandcarelessofwhatshewasdoing，asiffromsomeabstraction；now，whenshewasactuallyabstracted，hermovementsweremechanicallyperfectanddeliberate。Shecarefullyheldupadishandexamineditminutelyforcracks，rubbingitcautiouslywiththetowel，butseeingallthewhileonlythemanshehadleftinthebarn。Afewmomentselapsed。Thentherecameanotherrushofwindaroundthehouse，adriftingcloudofdustbeforethedoor，theclatterofhoofs，andaquickshout。

Herhusbandreachedthedoor，fromtheinnerroom，almostasquicklyasshedid。Theybothsawintheroadtwoarmedmountedmen——oneofwhomIrarecognizedasthesheriff’sdeputy。

"Hasanybodybeenhere，justnow？"heaskedsharply。

"No。"

"Seenanybodygoby？"hecontinued。

"No。What’sup？"

"OneofthemcircusjumpersstabbedHalDudleyoverthetableinDoloresmonteshoplastnight，andgotawaythismorning。Wehuntedhimintotheplainandlosthimsomewhereinthisd————ddust。"

"Why，Suereckonedshesawsuthin’justnow，"saidIra，withaflashofrecollection。"Didn’tye，Sue？"

"Whytheh—lldidn’tshesayitbefore？——Ibegyourpardon，ma’am；

didn’tseeyou；you’llexcusehaste。"

Boththemen’shatswereintheirhands，embarrassedyetgratifiedsmilesontheirfaces，asSuecameforward。Therewasthefaintestofcolorinhersallowcheek，akeenbrilliancyinhereyes；shelookedsingularlypretty。EvenIrafeltaslightantenuptialstirringthroughhismonotonouslyweddedyears。

Theyoungwomanwalkedout，foldingthetowelaroundherredhandsandforearms——leavingtheroundedwhitenessofbaredelbowandupperarmincharmingcontrast——andlookedgravelypasttheadmiringfiguresthatnearlytouchedherown。"Itwassomewharoverthar，"shesaidlazily，pointinguptheroadintheoppositedirectiontothebarn，"butIain’tsureitWASanyone。"

"Thenhe’dalreadyPASSEDthehouseaforeyousawhim？"saidthedeputy。

"Ireckon——ifitWAShim，"returnedSue。

"Hemusthavegoton，"saidthedeputy；"butthenherunslikeadeer；it’shistrade。"

"Wottrade？"

"Acrobat。"

"Wot’sthat？"

Thetwomenweredelightedatthisdivinesimplicity。"Amanwhoruns，jumps，climbs——andallthatsort，inthecircus。"

"Butisn’therunnin’，jumpin’，andclimbin’awayfromyenow？"shecontinuedwithadorablenaivete。

Thedeputysmiled，butstraightenedinthesaddle。"We’reboundtocomeupwithhimaforehereachesLowville；andbetweenthatandthishouseit’sadeadlevel，whereagophercouldn’tleavehisholewithoutyourspottin’himamileoff！Good—by！"ThewordswereaddressedtoIra，butthepartingglancewasdirectedtotheprettywifeasthetwomengallopedaway。

Anodduneasinessatthissuddenrevelationofhiswife’sprettinessanditsevidenteffectuponhisvisitorscameoverIra。

Itresultedinhisaddressingtheemptyspacebeforehisdoorwith，"Well，yewon’tketchmuchifyegoonyawpin’anddawdlin’withwomen—folkslikethis；"andhewasunreasonablydelightedattheprettyassentofdisdainandscornwhichsparkledinhiswife’seyesassheadded：——

"Notmuch，Ireckon！"

"That’sthekindofofficialtrashwehavetopaytaxestokeepup，"saidIra，whosomehowfeltthatifpublicpolicywasnotamenabletoprivatesentimenttherewasnovalueinfreegovernment。Mrs。Beasley，however，complacentlyresumedherdish—

washing，andIrareturnedtohisriataintheadjoiningroom。Forquiteanintervaltherewasnosoundbuttheoccasionalclickofadishlaiduponitspile，withfingersthat，however，werefirmanduntremulous。PresentlySue’slowvoicewasheard。

"Wonderifthatdeputycaughtanythingyet。I’veagoodmindtomeanderuptheroadandsee。"

ButthequestionbroughtIratothedoorwithaslightreturnofhisformeruneasiness。Hehadnoideaofsubjectinghiswifetoanotheradmiringinterview。"IreckonI’llgomyself，"hesaiddubiously；"YOU’Dbetterstayandlookafterthehouse。"

Hereyesbrightenedasshecarriedapileofplatestothedresser；

itwaspossibleshehadforeseenthiscompromise。"Yes，"shesaidcheerfully，"youcouldgofartherthanme。"

Irareflected。Hecouldalsosendthemabouttheirbusinessiftheythoughtofreturning。Heliftedhishatfromthefloor，tookhisrifledowncarefullyfromitspegs，andslouchedoutintotheroad。Suewatchedhimuntilhewaswellaway，thenflewtothebackdoor，stoppingonlyaninstanttolookatherfaceinasmallmirroronthewall，——yetwithoutnoticinghernewprettiness，——thenrantothebarn。Castingabackwardglanceatthediminishingfigureofherhusbandinthedistance，shethrewopenthedoorandshutitquicklybehindher。Atfirsttheabruptchangefromthedazzlingouterplaintothedeepshadowsofthebarnbewilderedher。Shesawbeforeherabuckethalffilledwithdirtywater，andaquantityofwetstrawlitteringthefloor；thenliftinghereyestothehay—loft，shedetectedthefigureofthefugitive，unclothedfromthewaistupward，emergingfromtheloosehayinwhichhehadevidentlybeendryinghimself。Whetheritwastheexcitementofhisperiloussituation，orwhethertheperfectsymmetryofhisbaredbustandarms——unlikeanythingshehadeverseenbefore——

clothedhimwiththecoldidealityofastatue，shecouldnotsay，butshefeltnoshockofmodesty；whiletheman，accustomedtothepublichalf—exposureintightsandspangles，wasmoreconsciousofdetectedunreadinessthanofshame。

"Gettin’thedustoffme，"hesaid，inhurriedexplanation；"bedowninasecond。"Indeed，inanothermomenthehadresumedhisshirtandflannelcoat，andswunghimselftothefloorwithalikegraceanddexterity，thatwastohertherevelationofadescendinggod。Shefoundherselffacetofacewithhim，——hisfeaturescleansedofdirtandgrime，hishairplasteredinwetcurlsonhislowforehead。Itwasafaceofcheapadornment，notuncommoninhisprofession——unintelligent，unrefined，andevenunheroic；butshedidnotknowthat。Overcomingasuddentimidity，sheneverthelesstoldhimbrieflyandconciselyofthearrivalanddepartureofhispursuers。

Hislowforeheadwrinkled。"Thar’snogettingawayuntiltheycomeback，"hesaidwithoutlookingather。"Couldyekeepmeinhereto—night？"

"Yes，"shereturnedsimply，asiftheideahadalreadyoccurredtoher；"butyoumustlielowintheloft。"

"Andcouldyou"——hehesitated，andwentonwithaforcedsmile——

"yousee，I’veeatennothingsincelastnight。Couldyou"——

"I’llbringyousomething，"shesaidquickly，noddingherhead。

"Andifyouhad"——hewentonmorehesitatingly，glancingdownathistravel—tornandfrayedgarments——"anythinglikeacoat，oranyotherclothing？Itwoulddisguisemealso，yousee，andput’emoffthetrack。"

Shenoddedherheadagainrapidly：shehadthoughtofthattoo；

therewasapairofdoeskintrousersandavelvetjacketleftbyaMexicanvaquerowhohadboughtstockfromthemtwoyearsago。

Practicalasshewas，asuddenconvictionthathewouldlookwellinthevelvetjackethelpedherresolve。

"Didtheysay"——hesaid，withhisforcedsmileanduneasyglance——

"didthey——tellyouanythingaboutme？"

"Yes，"shesaidabstractedly，gazingathim。

"Yousee，"hebeganhurriedly，"I’lltellyouhowitwas。"

"No，don’t！"shesaidquickly。Shemeantit。Shewantednofactstostandbetweenherandthissingleromanceofherlife。"Imustgoandgetthethings，"sheadded，turningaway，"beforehegetsback。"

"Who’sHE？"askedtheman。

Shewasabouttoreply，"Myhusband，"butwithoutknowingwhystoppedandsaid，"Mr。Beasley，"andthenranoffquicklytothehouse。

Shefoundthevaquero’sclothes，tooksomeprovisions，filledaflaskofwhiskeyinthecupboard，andranbackwiththem，hermouthexpandedtoavaguesmile，andpulsatinglikeaschoolgirl。Sheevenrepressedwithdifficultytheejaculation"There！"asshehandedthemtohim。Hethankedher，butwitheyesfixedandfascinatedbytheprovisions。Sheunderstooditwithanewsenseofdelicacy，andsaying，"I’llcomeagainwhenhegetsback，"ranoffandreturnedtothehouse，leavinghimalonetohisrepast。