第5章

Meantimeherhusband，lounginglazilyalongthehighroad，hadprecipitatedthecatastrophehewishedtoavoid。Forhisslouchingfigure，silhouettedagainstthehorizononthatmonotonouslevel，hadbeentheonlyonedetectedbythedeputysheriffandtheconstable，hiscompanion，andtheyhadchargeddownwithinfiftyyardsofhimbeforetheydiscoveredtheirmistake。TheywerenotslowinmakingthisanexcuseforabandoningtheirquestasfarasLowville：infact，afterquittingthedistractionofMrs。Beasley’spresencetheyhad，withoutintheleastsuspectingtheactualtruth，becomedoubtfulifthefugitivehadproceededsofar。Hemightatthatmomentbesnuglyensconcedbehindsomelowwire—grassridge，watchingtheirownclearlydefinedfigures，andwaitingonlyforthenighttoevadethem。TheBeasleyhouseseemedaproperplaceofoperationinbeatingupthefield。Ira’scoldreceptionofthesuggestionwasdulydisposedofbythedeputy。"IhavetheRIGHT，yeknow，"hesaid，withagrimpleasantry，"tosummonyeasmypossetoaidandassistmeincarryingoutthelaw；butIain’tthemantoberoughonmyfriends，andIreckonitwilldojestaswellifI’requisition’yourhouse。"ThedreadfulrecollectionthatthedeputyhadthepowertodetailhimandtheconstabletoscourtheplainwhileheremainedbehindincompanywithSuestoppedIra’sfurtherobjections。Yet，ifhecouldonlygetridofherwhilethedeputywasinthehouse，——butthenhisnearestneighborwasfivemilesaway！Therewasnothingleftforhimtodobuttoreturnwiththemenandwatchhiswifekeenly。Strangetosay，therewasacertainstimulusinthiswhichstirredhismonotonouspulsesandwasnotwithoutavaguepleasure。Thereisarevelationtosomenaturesinnewlyawakenedjealousythatisareincarnationoflove。

Astheycameintothehouseaslightcircumstance，whichanhouragowouldhavescarcelytouchedhissluggishsensibilities，nowappearedtocorroboratehisfear。Hiswifehadchangedhercuffsandcollar，takenoffherroughapron，andevidentlyredressedherhair。This，withtheenhancedbrightnessofhereyes，whichhehadbeforenoticed，convincedhimthatitwasduetothevisitofthedeputy。Therewasnodoubtthattheofficialwasequallyattractedandfascinatedbyherprettiness，andalthoughheracceptanceofhisreturnwascertainlynotacordialone，therewasakindofdemurerestraintandover—consciousnessinhermannerthatmightbecoquetry。Irahadvaguelyobservedthisqualityinotheryoungwomen，buthadneverexperienceditinhisbriefcourtship。Therehadbeennorivalry，nosexualdiplomacynorinsincerityinhiscaptureofthemotherlessgirlwhohadleapedfromthetail—boardofherfather’swagonalmostintohisarms，andnomanhadsincecomebetweenthem。TheideathatSueshouldcareforanyotherthanhimselfhadbeensimplyinconceivabletohisplacid，matter—

of—factnature。Thattheirsacramentwasfinalhehadneverdoubted。Ifhistwocows，boughtwithhisownmoneyorrearedbyhim，shouldsuddenlyhavedevelopedaninclinationtogivemilktoaneighbor，hewouldnothavebeenmoreastonished。ButTHEYcouldhavebeenbroughtbackwitharope，andwithoutaheartthrob。

Passionofthiskind，whichinalesssinceresocietyrestrictsitsexpressiontoinnuendoorforcedpoliteness，lefttherusticIraonlydumbandlethargic。Hemovedslowlyandabstractedlyaroundtheroom，accentinghisslightlamenessmorethanever，ordroppedhelplesslyintoachair，wherehesat，inanelyconsciousofthecontiguityofhiswifeandthedeputy，andstupidlyexpectantof——

heknewnotwhat。Theatmosphereofthelittlehouseseemedtohimchargedwithsomeunwholesomeelectricity。Itkindledhiswife’seyes，stimulatingthedeputyandhisfollowertocoarseplayfulness，enthralledhisownlimbstotheconvulsivetighteningofhisfingersaroundtherungsofhischair。Yethemanagedtoclingtohisideaofkeepinghiswifeoccupied，andofpreventinganyeyeshotbetweenherandherguests，ortheindulgenceofdangerouslyflippantconversation，byorderinghertobringsomerefreshment。"What’sgoneo’thewhiskeybottle？"hesaid，afterfumblinginthecupboard。

Mrs。Beasleydidnotblench。Sheonlygaveherheadaslighttoss。

"Efyoumencan’tgetalongwiththecoffeeandflapjacksI’mgoingtogiveye，madewithmyownhands，yekinjusttoddlerightalongtothefirstbar，andorderyourtangle—footthere。Efit’sabarkeeperyou’relookingfor，andnotalady，sayso！"

Thenovelaudacityofthisspeech，andthefactthatitsuggestedthatpreoccupationhehopedfor，relievedIraforamoment，whileitenchantedtheguestsasastrokeofcoquettishfascination。

Mrs。Beasleytriumphantlydisappearedinthekitchen，slippedoffhercuffsandsettowork，andinafewmomentsemergedwithatraybearingthecakesandsteamingcoffee。Asneithershenorherhusbandateanything（possiblyowingtoanequalpreoccupation）theguestswereobligedtoconfinetheirattentionstotherepastbeforethem。Thesun，too，wasalreadynearingthehorizon，andalthoughitsnearlylevelbeamsactedlikeapowerfulsearch—lightoverthestretchingplain，twilightwouldsoonputanendtothequest。Yettheylingered。Iranowforesawanewdifficulty：thecowsweretobebroughtupandfoddertakenfromthebarn；todothishewouldbeobligedtoleavehiswifeandthedeputytogether。

IdonotknowifMrs。Beasleydivinedhisperplexity，butshecarelesslyofferedtoperformthateveningfunctionherself。Ira’sheartleapedandsankagainasthedeputygallantlyproposedtoassisther。Buthererusticsimplicityseemedtobeequaltotheoccasion。"EfIproposetodoIra’swork，"saidMrs。Beasley，withprovocativearchness，"it’sbecauseIreckonhe’lldomoregoodhelpin’youcatchyourmanthanyou’lldohelpin’ME！Soclearout，bothofye！"Afeminineaudacitythatrecalledthedeputytohimself，andlefthimnochoicebuttoacceptIra’said。IdonotknowwhetherMrs。Beasleyfeltapangofconscienceasherhusbandarosegratefullyandlimpedafterthedeputy；Ionlyknowthatshestoodlookingatthemfromthedoor，smilingandtriumphant。

Thensheslippedoutofthebackdooragain，andranswiftlytothebarn，fasteningonhercleancuffsandcollarassheran。Thefugitivewasanxiouslyawaitingher，withaslighttouchofbrusquenessinhiseagerness。

"Thoughtyouwerenevercoming！"hesaid。

Shebreathlesslyexplained，andshowedhimthroughthehalf—openeddoorthefiguresofthethreemenslowlyspreadinganddivergingovertheplain，likethenearlylevelsun—raystheywerefollowing。

Thesunlightfellalsoonherpantingbosom，herelectrifiedsandyhair，herred，half—openedmouth，andshortandfreckledupperlip。

Therelievedfugitiveturnedfromthethreeremoterfigurestotheonebesidehim，andsaw，forthefirsttime，thatitwasfair。Atwhichhesmiled，andherfaceflushedandwasirradiated。

Thentheyfelltotalk，——hegrateful，boastful，——asthedistantfiguresgrewdim；shequicklyassenting，butfollowinghisexpressionratherthanhiswords，withherowngirlishfaceandbrighteningeyes。Butwhathesaid，orhowheexplainedhisposition，withwhatspeciousnesshedweltuponhimself，hiswrongs，andhismanifoldmanlyvirtues，isnotnecessaryforustoknow，norwasit，indeed，forhertounderstand。Enoughforherthatshefeltshehadfoundtheonemanofalltheworld，andthatshewasatthatmomentprotectinghimagainstalltheworld！Hewastheunexpected，spontaneousgifttoher，thecompanionherchildhoodhadneverknown，thelovershehadneverdreamedof，eventhechildofherunsatisfiedmaternalyearnings。Ifshecouldnotcomprehendallhisselfishincoherences，shefeltitwasherownfault；ifshecouldnotfollowhisignorantassumptions，sheknewitwasSHEwhowasdeficient；ifshecouldnottranslatehiscoarsespeech，itwasbecauseitwasthelanguageofalargerworldfromwhichshehadbeenexcluded。Tothisworldbelongedthebeautifullimbsshegazedon，——averydifferentworldfromthatwhichhadproducedtherheumaticdeformitiesanduselessmayhemofherhusband，ortheprovinciallyfoppishgarmentsofthedeputy。Sittinginthehaylofttogether，whereshehadmountedforgreatersecurity，theyforgotthemselvesinhismonologueofcheapvaporing，brokenonlybyherassentingsmilesandherhalf—checkedsighs。Thesharpspicesoftheheatedpine—shinglesovertheirheadsandthefragranceoftheclover—scentedhayfilledthecloseairaroundthem。Thesunwasfallingwiththewind，buttheyheededitnot；

untiltheusualfatefulpremonitionstruckthewoman，andsaying"I

mustgonow，"sheonlyhalf—unconsciouslyprecipitatedtheend。

For，assherose，hecaughtfirstherhandandthenherwaist，andattemptedtoraisethefacethatwassuddenlybendingdownasifseekingtohideitselfinthehay。Itwasabriefstruggle，endinginasubmissionassudden，andtheirlipsmetinakiss，soeagerthatitmighthavebeenimpendingfordaysinsteadofminutes。

"Oh，Sue！whereareye？"

Itwasherhusband’svoice，outofadarknessthattheyonlythenrealized。Themanthrewherasidewitharoughnessthatmomentarilyshockedheraboveanysenseofsurpriseorshame：SHE

wouldhaveconfrontedherhusbandinhisarms，——glorifiedandtranslated，——hadhebutkeptherthere。Yetsheanswered，withaquiet，levelvoicethatastonishedherlover，"Here！I’mjustcomingdown！"andwalkedcoollytotheladder。Lookingover，andseeingherhusbandwiththedeputystandinginthebarnyard，shequicklyreturned，putherfingertoherlips，madeagestureforhercompaniontoconcealhimselfinthehayagain，andwasturningaway，when，perhapsshamedbyhersuperiorcalmness，hegraspedherhandtightlyandwhispered，"Comeagaintonight，dear；do！"Shehesitated，raisedherhandsuddenlytoherlips，andthenquicklydisengagingit，slippeddowntheladder。

"Yehaven’tdonemuchworkyetasIkinsee，"saidIrawearily。

"WhiteyandRedTip[thecows]arehangin’overthecorral，justwaitin’。"

"Theyellowhenwereckonedwaslostissittin’inthehayloft，andmustn’tbedisturbed，"saidMrs。Beasley，withdecision；"andye’llhavetotakethehayfromthestackto—night。And，"withanarchglanceatthedeputy，"asIdon’tseethatyoutwohavedonemucheither，you’rejustintimetohelpfodderdown。"

Settingthethreementoworkwiththesamebrightaudacity，thetaskwassooncompleted——particularlyasthedeputyfoundnoopportunityforexclusivedalliancewithMrs。Beasley。Sheshutthebarndoorherself，andledthewaytothehouse，learningincidentallythatthedeputyhadabandonedthechase，wastooccupya"shake—down"onthekitchen—floorthatnightwiththeconstable，anddepartatdaybreak。Thegloomofherhusband’sfacehadsettledintoalookofheavyresignationandalternateglancesofwatchfulness，whichonlyseemedtoinspireherwithrenewedvivacity。Butthecookingofsupperwithdrewherdisturbingpresenceforatimefromtheroom，andgavehimsomerelief。Whenthemealwasreadyhesoughtfurthersurceasefromtroubleincopiousdraughtsofwhiskey，whichsheproducedfromanewbottle，andevenpresseduponthedeputyinmischievouscontritionforherpreviousinhospitality。

"NowIknowthatitwasn’twhiskeyonlyyecamefor，I’llshowyouthatSueBeasleyisnoslouchofabarkeepereither，"shesaid。

Then，rollinghersleevesaboveherprettyarms，shemixedacocktailinsuchdelightfulimitationofthefashionablebarkeeper’sdexteritythatherguestswereconvulsedwithadmiration。EvenIrawasstruckwiththisrevelationofayouthfulnessthatfiveyearsofhouseholdcarehadchecked，butneveryetsubdued。Hehadforgottenthathehadmarriedachild。

Onlyonce，whensheglancedatthecheapclockonthemantel，hadhenoticedanotherchange，moreremarkablestillfromitsveryinconsistencywithherburstofyouthfulspirits。Itwasanotherfacethathesaw，——olderandmaturedwithanintensityofabstractionthatstruckachilltohisheart。ItwasnotHISSuethatwasstandingthere，butanotherSue，wrought，asitseemedtohismorbidextravagance，bysomeoneelse’shand。

Yettherewasanotherintervalofreliefwhenhiswife，declaringshewastired，andevenjocoselyconfessingtosomeeffectoftheliquorshehadpretendedtotaste，wentearlytobed。Thedeputy，notfindingthegloomycompanyofthehusbandtohistaste，presentlyensconcedhimselfonthefloor，beforethekitchenfire，intheblanketsthatshehadprovided。Theconstablefollowedhisexample。Inafewmomentsthehousewassilentandsleeping，saveforIrasittingalone，withhisheadsunkonhischestandhishandsgrippingthearmsofhischairbeforethedyingembersofhishearth。

Hewastrying，withthealternatequicknessandinactionofaninexperiencedintellectandanimaginationmorbidlyawakened，tograspthesituationbeforehim。Thecommonsensethathadhithertogovernedhislifetoldhimthatthedeputywouldgoto—morrow，andthattherewasnothinginhiswife’sconducttoshowthathercoquetryandaberrationwouldnotpassaseasily。ButitrecurredtohimthatshehadnevershownthiscoquetryoraberrationtoHIM

duringtheirownbriefcourtship，——thatshehadneverlookedoractedlikethisbefore。Ifthiswaslove，shehadneverknownit；

ifitwasonly"women’sways，"ashehadheardmensay，andsodangerouslyattractive，whyhadshenotshownittohim？Herememberedthatmatter—of—factwedding，thebridewithouttimidity，withoutblushes，withoutexpectationbeyondthetransferenceofherhometohis。Wouldithavebeendifferentwithanotherman？——withthedeputy，whohadcalledthiscolorandanimationtoherface？

Whatdiditallmean？Wereallmarriedpeoplelikethis？ThereweretheWestons，theirneighbors，——wasMrs。WestonlikeSue？ButherememberedthatMrs。WestonhadrunawaywithMr。Westonfromherfather’shouse。Itwaswhattheycalled"alovematch。"WouldSuehaverunawaywithhim？Wouldshenowrunawaywith——？

Thecandlewasgutteringasherosewithafiercestart——hisfirstimpulseofanger——fromthetable。Hetookanothergulpofwhiskey。

Ittastedlikewater；itsfirewasquenchedinthegreaterheatofhisblood。Hewouldgotobed。Hereanewandindefinabletimiditytookpossessionofhim；herememberedthestrangelookinhiswife’sface。Itseemedsuddenlyasiftheinfluenceofthesleepingstrangerinthenextroomhadnotonlyisolatedherfromhim，butwouldmakehispresenceinherbedroomanintrusionontheirhiddensecrets。Hehadtopasstheopendoorofthekitchen。

TheheadoftheunconsciousdeputywasclosetoIra’sheavyboot。

Hehadonlytolifthisheeltocrushthatruddy，good—looking，complacentface。Hehurriedpasthim，upthecreakingstairs。Hiswifelaystillononesideofthebed，apparentlyasleep，herfacehalf—hiddeninherloosened，fluffyhair。Itwaswell；forinthevagueshynessandrestraintthatwasbeginningtotakepossessionofhimhefelthecouldnothavespokentoher，or，ifhehad，itwouldhavebeenonlytovoicethehorrible，unformulatedthingsthatseemedtochokehim。Hecreptsoftlytotheoppositesideofthebed，andbegantoundress。Ashepulledoffhisbootsandstockings，hiseyefelluponhisbare，malformedfeet。Thiscausedhimtolookathismaimedhand，torise，draghimselfacrossthefloortothemirror，andgazeuponhislaceratedear。She，thisprettilyformedwomanlyingthere，musthaveseenitoften；shemusthaveknownalltheseyearsthathewasnotlikeothermen，——

notlikethedeputy，withhistightriding—boots，hissofthand，andthediamondthatsparkledvulgarlyonhisfatlittlefinger。A

coldsweatbrokeoverhim。Hedrewonhisstockingsagain，liftedtheoutercounterpane，and，halfundressed，creptunderit，wrappingitscorneraroundhismaimedhand，asiftohideitfromthelight。Yethefeltthathesawthingsdimly；therewasamoistureonhischeeksandeyelidshecouldnotaccountfor；itmustbethewhiskey"comingout。"

Hiswifelayverystill；shescarcelyseemedtobreathe。Whatifsheshouldneverbreatheagain，butdieastheoldSueheknew，thelankygirlhehadmarried，unchangedanduncontaminated？Itwouldbebetterthanthis。Yetatthesamemomentthepicturewasbeforehimofherprettysimulationofthebarkeeper，ofherwhitebaredarmsandlaughingeyes，allsonew，sofreshtohim！Hetriedtolistentotheslowtickingoftheclock，theoccasionalstirringofairthroughthehouse，andthemovement，likeadeepsigh，whichwastheregular，inarticulatespeechofthelonelyplainbeyond，andquitedistinctfromtheeveningbreeze。Hehadhearditoften，but，likesomanythingshehadlearnedthatday，heneverseemedtohavecaughtitsmeaningbefore。Then，perhaps，itwashissupineposition，perhapssomecumulativeeffectofthewhiskeyhehadtaken，butallthispresentlybecameconfusedandwhirling。

Outofitsgyrationshetriedtograspsomething，tohearvoicesthatcalledhimto"wake，"andinthemidstofithefellintoaprofoundsleep。

Theclockticked，thewindsighed，thewomanathissidelaymotionlessformanyminutes。

Thenthedeputyonthekitchenfloorrolledoverwithanappallingsnort，struggled，stretchedhimself，andawoke。Ahealthyanimal，hehadshakenoffthefumesofliquorwithadrytongueandathirstforwaterandfreshair。Heraisedhiskneesandrubbedhiseyes。Thewaterbucketwasmissingfromthecorner。Well，heknewwherethespringwas，andaturnoutofthecloseandstiflingkitchenwoulddohimgood。Heyawned，putonhisbootssoftly，openedthebackdoor，andsteppedout。Everythingwasdark，butaboveandaroundhim，totheverylevelofhisfeet，allapparentlyprickedwithbrightstars。Thebulkofthebarnrosedimlybeforehimontheright，totheleftwasthespring。Hereachedit，drank，dippedhisheadandhandsinit，andaroserefreshed。Thedry，wholesomebreaththatblewoverthisflatdiskaroundhim，rimmedwithstars，didtherest。Hebegantosaunterslowlyback，theonlyreminiscenceofhisevening’spotationsbeingthefigureherecalledofhisprettyhostess，withbarearmsandliftedglasses，imitatingthebarkeeper。Acomplacentsmilestraightenedhisyellowmustache。Howshekeptglancingathimandwatchinghim，thelittlewitch！Ha！nowonder！Whatcouldshefindinthesurly，slinking，stupidbruteyonder？（Thegentlemanherealludedtowashishost。）Butthedeputyhadnotbeenwithoutacertainprovincialsuccesswiththefair。Hewastruetomostmen，andfearlesstoall。Onemaynotbetooharduponhimatthismomentofhislife。

Forashewaspassingthehousehestoppedsuddenly。Abovethedry，dusty，herbalodorsoftheplain，abovethescentofthenew—

mownhaywithinthebarn，therewasdistinctlyanotherfragrance，——

thesmellofapipe。Butwhere？Wasithishostwhohadrisentotaketheouterair？ThenitsuddenlyflasheduponhimthatBeasleydidNOTsmoke，northeconstableeither。Thesmellseemedtocomefromthebarn。Hadhefollowedoutthetrainofideasthusawakened，allmighthavebeenwell；butatthismomenthisattentionwasarrestedbyafarmoreexcitingincidenttohim，——thedrapedandhoodedfigureofMrs。Beasleywasjustemergingfromthehouse。Hehaltedinstantlyintheshadow，andheldhisbreathassheglidedquicklyacrosstheinterveningspaceanddisappearedinthehalf—openeddoorofthebarn。Didsheknowhewasthere？A

keenthrillpassedoverhim；hismouthbroadenedintoabreathlesssmile。Itwashislast！for，asheglidedforwardtothedoor，thestarryheavensbrokeintoathousandbrilliantfragmentsaroundhim，theearthgavewaybeneathhisfeet，andhefellforwardwithhalfhisskullshotaway。

Wherehefelltherehelaywithoutanoutcry，withonlyonemovement，——thecurvedandgraspingfingersofthefighter’shandtowardshisguardedhip。Wherehefelltherehelaydead，hisfacedownwards，hisgoodrightarmstillcurvedaroundacrosshisback。

Nothingofhimmovedbuthisblood，——broadeningslowlyroundhiminvividcolor，andthensluggishlythickeninganddarkeninguntilitstoppedtoo，andsankintotheearth，adullbrownstain。Foraninstantthestillnessofdeathfollowedtheecholessreport，thentherewasaquickandfeverishrustlingwithinthebarn，thehurriedopeningofawindowintheloft，scurryingfootsteps，anotherintervalofsilence，andthenoutofthefartherdarknessthesoundsofhorse—hoofsinthemuffleddustoftheroad。Butnotasoundormovementinthesleepinghousebeyond。

Thestarsatlastpaledslowly，thehorizonlinescameback，——athinstreakofopalfire。Asolitarybirdtwitteredinthebushbesidethespring。Thenthebackdoorofthehouseopened，andtheconstablecameforth，half—awakenedandapologetic，andwiththebewilderedhasteofabelatedman。Hiseyeswerelevel，lookingforhismissingleaderashewenton，untilatlasthestumbledandfelloverthenowcoldandrigidbody。Hescrambledtohisfeetagain，castahurriedglancearoundhim，——atthehalf—openeddoorofthebarn，atthefloorlitteredwithtrampledhay。Inonecornerlaytheraggedblouseandtrousersofthefugitive，whichtheconstableinstantlyrecognized。Hewentbacktothehouse，andreappearedinafewmomentswithIra，white，stupefied，andhopelesslybewildered；clearonlyinhisstatementthathiswifehadjustfaintedatthenewsofthecatastrophe，andwasequallyhelplessinherownroom。Theconstable——amanofnarrowideasbutquickaction——sawitall。Themysterywasplainwithoutfurtherevidence。Thedeputyhadbeenawakenedbytheprowlingofthefugitivearoundthehouseinsearchofahorse。Sallyingout，theyhadmet，andIra’sgun，whichstoodinthekitchen，andwhichthedeputyhadseized，hadbeenwrestedfromhimandusedwithfataleffectatarm’slength，andthenowdoubleassassinhadescapedonthesheriff’shorse，whichwasmissing。TurningthebodyovertothetremblingIra，hesaddledhishorseandgallopedtoLowvilleforassistance。

Thesefactswerefullyestablishedatthehurriedinquestwhichmetthatday。Therewasnoneedtogobehindtheevidenceoftheconstable，theonlycompanionofthemurderedmanandfirstdiscovererofthebody。Thefactthathe，onthegroundfloor，hadsleptthroughthestruggleandthereport，madetheobliviousnessofthecoupleintheroomabovearationalsequence。ThedazedIrawassetaside，afterhalfadozencontemptuousquestions；thechivalryofaCalifornianjuryexcusedtheattendanceofafrightenedandhystericalwomanconfinedtoherroom。Bynoontheyhaddepartedwiththebody，andthelongafternoonshadowssettledoverthelonelyplainandsilenthouse。AtnightfallIraappearedatthedoor，andstoodforsomemomentsscanningtheplain；hewasseenlaterbytwopackers，whohadglancedfurtivelyatthesceneofthelatetragedy，sittingoutsidehisdoorway，amereshadowinthedarkness；andamountedpatrollaterinthenightsawalightinthebedroomwindowwheretheinvalidMrs。Beasleywasconfined。

Butnoonesawherafterwards。Later，Iraexplainedthatshehadgonetovisitarelativeuntilherhealthwasrestored。Havingfewfriendsandfewerneighbors，shewasnotmissed；andeventheconstable，thesolesurvivingguestwhohadenjoyedherbriefeminenceofarchnessandbeautythatfatalnight，hadquiteforgottenherinhisvengefulquestofthemurderer。Sothatpeoplebecameaccustomedtoseethislonelymanworkinginthefieldsbyday，oratnightfallgazingfixedlyfromhisdoorway。Attheendofthreemonthshewasknownastherecluseor"hermit"ofBolinasPlain；intherapidhistory—makingofthatepochitwasforgottenthathehadeverbeenanythingelse。

ButJustice，whichinthosedayswasapttonodovertheaffairsoftheaveragecitizen，waskeenlyawaketooffensesagainstitsownofficers；anditchancedthattheconstable，onedaywalkingthroughthestreetsofMarysville，recognizedthemurdererandapprehendedhim。HewasremovedtoLowville。Here，probablythroughsomemodestdoubtoftheabilityoftheCountyCourt，whichtheconstablerepresented，todealwithpurelycircumstantialevidence，hewasnotabovedroppingahinttothelocalVigilanceCommittee，who，singularlyenough，inspiteofhisresistance，gotpossessionoftheprisoner。Itwastherainyseason，andbusinesswasslack；thecitizensofLowvillewerethusenabledtogivesonotoriousacasetheirfullestconsideration，andtoassistcheerfullyattheultimatehangingoftheprisoner，whichseemedtobeaforegoneconclusion。

Buthereintheyweremistaken。Forwhentheconstablehadgivenhisevidence，alreadyknowntothecounty，therewasadisturbanceinthefringeofhumanitythatlinedthewallsoftheassemblyroomwherethecommitteewassitting，andthehermitofBolinasPlainlimpedpainfullyintotheroom。Hehadevidentlywalkedthere：hewassoakedwithrainandplasteredwithmud；hewasexhaustedandinarticulate。Butashestaggeredtothewitness—bench，andelbowedtheconstableaside，hearrestedtheattentionofeveryone。Afewlaughed，butwerepromptlysilencedbythecourt。Itwasareflectionuponitsonlyvirtue，——sincerity。

"Doyouknowtheprisoner？"askedthejudge。

IraBeasleyglancedatthepalefaceoftheacrobat，andshookhishead。

"Neversawhimbefore，"hesaidfaintly。

"Thenwhatareyoudoinghere？"demandedthejudgesternly。

Iracollectedhimselfwithevidenteffort，androsetohishaltingfeet。Firsthemoistenedhisdrylips，thenhesaid，slowlyanddistinctly，"BecauseIkilledthedeputyofBolinas。"

Withthethrillwhichranthroughthecrowdedroom，andthereliefthatseemedtocomeuponhimwiththatutterance，hegainedstrengthandevenacertaindignity。

"Ikilledhim，"hewenton，turninghisheadslowlyaroundthecircleofeagerauditorswiththerigidityofawaxfigure，"becausehemadelovetomywife。Ikilledhimbecausehewantedtorunawaywithher。IkilledhimbecauseIfoundhimwaitingforheratthedoorofthebarnatthedeado’night，whenshe’dgotouterbedtojinehim。Hehadn’tnogun。Hehadn’tnofight。I

killedhiminhistracks。Thatman，"pointingtotheprisoner，"wasn’tinitatall。"Hestopped，loosenedhiscollar，and，baringhisruggedthroatbelowhisdisfiguredear，said："Nowtakemeoutandhangme！"

"Whatproofhaveweofthis？Where’syourwife？Doesshecorroborateit？"

Aslighttremorranoverhim。

"Sheranawaythatnight，andnevercamebackagain。Perhaps，"headdedslowly，"becauseshelovedhimandcouldn’tbearme；perhaps，asI’vesometimesallowedtomyself，gentlemen，itwasbecauseshedidn’twanttobearevidenceaginme。"

Inthesilencethatfollowedtheprisonerwasheardspeakingtoonethatwasnearhim。Thenherose。AlltheaudacityandconfidencethatthehusbandhadlackedwereinHISvoice。Nay，therewasevenacertainchivalryinhismannerwhich，forthemoment，therascalreallybelieved。

"It’strue！"hesaid。"AfterIstolethehorsetogetaway，I

foundthatwomanrunningwilddowntheroad，cryin’andsobbin’。

AtfirstIthoughtshe’ddonetheshooting。Itwasariskythingformetodo，gentlemen；butItookheruponthehorseandgotherawaytoLowville。Itwasthatmuchdeadweightaginmychances，butItookit。Shewasawomanand——Iain’tadog！"

Hewassoexaltedandsublimatedbyhisfictionthatforthefirsttimethejurywasimpressedinhisfavor。AndwhenIraBeasleylimpedacrosstheroom，and，extendinghismaimedhandtotheprisoner，said，"Shake！"therewasanotherdeadsilence。

Itwasbrokenbythevoiceofthejudgeaddressingtheconstable。

"Whatdoyouknowofthedeputy’sattentionstoMrs。Beasley？Weretheyenoughtojustifythehusband’sjealousy？Didhemakelovetoher？"

Theconstablehesitated。Hewasanarrowman，withacrudesenseoftheprinciplesratherthanthemethodsofjustice。Herememberedthedeputy’sadmiration；henowremembered，evenmorestrongly，theobjectofthatadmiration，simulatingwithherprettyarmsthegesturesofthebarkeeper，andthedelightitgavethem。

Hewasloyaltohisdeadleader，buthelookedupanddown，andthensaid，slowlyandhalf—defiantly："Well，judge，hewasaMAN。"

Everybodylaughed。Thatthestrongestandmostmagicofallhumanpassionsshouldalwaysawakelevityinanypublicpresentmentoforallusiontoitwasoneoftheinconsistenciesofhumannaturewhichevenalynchjudgehadtoadmit。Hemadenoattempttocontrolthetitteringofthecourt，forhefeltthattheelementoftragedywasnolongerthere。Theforemanofthejuryaroseandwhisperedtothejudgeamidanothersilence。Thenthejudgespoke：——

"Theprisonerandhiswitnessarebothdischarged。Theprisonertoleavethetownwithintwenty—fourhours；thewitnesstobeconductedtohisownhouseattheexpenseof，andwiththethanksof，theCommittee。"

Theysaythatoneafternoon，whenalowmistofrainhadsettledoverthesoddenBolinasPlain，ahaggard，bedraggled，andworn—outwomansteppeddownfromacommon"freightingwagon"beforethedoorwaywhereBeasleystillsat；that，comingforward，hecaughtherinhisarmsandcalledher"Sue；"andtheysaythattheylivedhappilytogethereverafterwards。Buttheysay——andthisrequiressomecorroboration——thatmuchofthathappinesswasduetoMrs。

Beasley’skeepingforeverinherhusband’smindherownheroicsacrificeindisappearingasawitnessagainsthim，herownforgivenessofhisfruitlesscrime，andthegratitudeheowedtothefugitive。

THESTRANGEEXPERIENCEOFALKALIDICK

Hewasa"cowboy。"Arecklessanddashingrider，yetmindfulofhishorse’sneeds；good—humoredbynature，butquickinquarrel；

independentofcircumstance，yetshyandsensitiveofopinion；

abstemiousbyeducationandgeneralhabit，yetintemperateinamusement；self—centred，yetpossessedofachildishvanity，——takenaltogether，acharacteristicproductoftheWesternplains，whichhenevershouldhaveleft。

Butrecklessadventureafteradventurehadbroughthimintodifficulties，fromwhichtherewasonlyoneequallyadventurousescape：hejoinedacompanyofIndiansengagedbyBuffaloBilltosimulatebeforecivilizedcommunitiesthesportsandcustomsoftheuncivilized。IndiversChristianarenasofthenineteenthcenturyherodeasanorthernbarbarianofthefirstmighthavedisportedbeforetheRomanpopulace，butharmlessly，ofhisownfreewill，andofsomelittleprofittohimself。Hethrewhislassounderthecuriouseyesoflanguidmenandwomenoftheworld，eagerforsomenewsensation，withadmiringplauditsfromthemandahalfcontemptuousegotismofhisown。Butoutsideofthearenahewaslonely，lost，andimpatientforexcitement。

Aningeniousattemptto"paintthetownred"didnotcommenditselfasaspectacletothehouseholderswholivedinthevicinityofEarl’sCourt，London，andAlkaliDickwashaledbeforearespectablemagistratebyaseriouspoliceman，andfinedasifhehadbeenonlyadrunkencoster。AlaterattemptatParisto"incarnadine"theneighborhoodoftheChampsdeMars，and"roundup"anumberofboulevardiers，metwithamoredisastrousresult，——

thegleamofsteelfrommountedgendarmes，andamandatetohisemployers。

Soitcamethatonenight，aftertheconclusionoftheperformance，AlkaliDickrodeoutofthecorralgateoftheHippodromewithhislastweek’ssalaryinhispocketandanimprecationonhislips。

Hehadshakenthesawdustoftheshamarenafromhishigh，tight—

fittingboots；hewouldshakeoffthewhitedustofFrance，andtheeffeminatesoilofallEuropealso，andembarkatonceforhisowncountryandtheFarWest！

AmorepracticalandexperiencedmanwouldhavesoldhishorseatthenearestmarketandtakentraintoHavre，butAlkaliDickfelthimselfincompleteonterrafirmawithouthismustang，——itwouldbehardenoughtopartfromitonembarking，——andhehaddeterminedtoridetotheseaport。

Thespectacleofalithehorseman，cladinaRembrandtsombrero，velvetjacket，turnovercollar，almostVanDykeinitsproportions，whitetrousersandhighboots，withlongcurlinghairfallingoverhisshoulders，andapointedbeardandmustache，wasapicturesqueone，butstillnotanoveltytothelate—suppingParisianswholookedupunderthemidnightgasashepassed，andonlyrecognizedoneofthosemenwhomParishadagreedtodesignateas"Booflo—

bils，"goinghome。

Atthreeo’clockhepulledupatawaysidecabaret，preferringittothepublicityofalargerhotel，andlaytheretillmorning。

Theslightconsternationofthecabaret—keeperandhiswifeoverthislong—hairedphantom，withglittering，deep—seteyes，wassoothedbyaroyally—flunggoldcoin，andafewwordsofFrenchslangpickedupinthearena，which，withthenameofHavre，comprisedDick’swholeknowledgeofthelanguage。Buthewastouchedwiththeirreadyandintelligentcomprehensionofhisneeds，andtheirgenialifnotsocomprehensiveloquacity。Luckilyforhisquicktemper，hedidnotknowthattheyhadtakenhimforatravelingquack—doctorgoingtotheFairofYvetot，andthatmadamehadbeenonthepointofaskinghimforamagicbalsamtopreventmigraine。

Hewasupbetimesandaway，givingawideberthtothelargertowns；

takingbywaysandcut—offs，yetalwayswiththeWesternpathfinder’sinstinct，evenamongthesealien，poplar—hauntedplains，low—bankedwillow—fringedrivers，andcloverlessmeadows。Thewhitesunshiningeverywhere，——ondazzlingarbors，summer—houses，andtrellises；onlightgreenvinesanddelicatepea—rows；onthewhitetrousers，jackets，andshoesofsmartshopkeepersorholidaymakers；onthewhiteheaddressesofnursesandthewhite—wingedcapsoftheSistersofSt。Vincent，——allthisgrewmonotonoustothisnativeofstillmoremonotonouswastes。Thelong，blackshadowsofshort，blue—skirted，sabottedwomenandshort，blue—bloused，sabottedmenslowlyworkinginthefields，withslowoxen，orstillslowerheavyNormanhorses；thesamehorsesgaylybedecked，draggingslowlynotonlyheavywagons，buttheirownapparentlymoremonstrousweightoverthewhiteroad，frettedhisnervousWesternenergy，andmadehimimpatienttogeton。

Atthecloseoftheseconddayhefoundsomereliefonenteringatracklesswood，——nottheusualformalavenueofequidistanttrees，leadingtonowhere，andstoppingupontheopenfield，——butapparentlyagenuineforestaswildasoneofhisown"oakbottoms。"Gnarledrootsandtwistedbranchesflungthemselvesacrosshispath；hismustang’shoofssankindeeppitsofmossandlastyear’switheredleaves；trailingvinescaughthisheavy—

stirrupedfeet，orbrushedhisbroadsombrero；thevistabeforehimseemedonlytoendlesslyrepeatthesamesylvanglade；hewasinfancyoncemoreintheprimevalWesternforest，andencompassedbyitsvast，dimsilences。Hedidnotknowthathehadinfactonlypenetratedanancientparkwhichinformerdaysresoundedtothewindingfanfareofthechase，andwasstill，onstatedoccasions，sweptoverbyaccuratelygreen—coatedParisiansandgreen—plumedDianes，whohadcomedownbytrain！Tohimitmeantonlyunfetteredandunlimitedfreedom。

Heroseinhisstirrups，andsentacharacteristicyellringingdownthedimaislesbeforehim。But，alas！atthesamemoment，hismustang，accustomedtothefirmergripoftheprairie，inlashingout，steppeduponaslimyroot，andfellheavily，rollingoverhisclingingandstillunlodgedrider。Forafewmomentsbothlaystill。ThenDickextricatedhimselfwithanoath，rosegiddily，draggeduphishorse，——who，afterthefashionofhisrace，wasmeeklysuccumbingtohisrecliningposition，——andthenbecameawarethattheunfortunatebeastwasbadlysprainedintheshoulder，andtemporarilylame。Thesuddenrecollectionthathewassomemilesfromtheroad，andthatthesunwassinking，concentratedhisscatteredfaculties。Theprospectofsleepingoutinthatsummerwoodlandwasnothingtothepioneer—bredDick；hecouldmakehishorseandhimselfcomfortableanywhere——buthewasdelayinghisarrivalatHavre。Hemustregainthehighroad，——orsomewaysideinn。Heglancedaroundhim；thewesteringsunwasaguideforhisgeneraldirection；theroadmustfollowitnorthorsouth；hewouldfinda"clearing"somewhere。ButhereDickwasmistaken；thereseemednointerruptionof，noencroachmentuponthissylvantract，asinhiswesternwoods。Therewasnotrackortrailtobefound；

hemissedeventheordinarywoodlandsignsthatdenotedthepathofanimalstowater。Forthepark，fromthetimeaNorthernDukehadfirstalienateditfromthevirginforest，hadbeenrigidlypreserved。

Suddenly，risingapparentlyfromthegroundbeforehim，hesawthehighroof—ridgesandtourellesofalong，irregular，gloomybuilding。Afewstepsfurthershowedhimthatitlayinacup—likedepressionoftheforest，andthatitwasstillalongdescentfromwherehehadwanderedtowhereitstoodinthegatheringdarkness。

Hismustangwasmovingwithgreatdifficulty；heuncoiledhislariatfromthesaddle—horn，and，selectingthemostopenspace，tiedoneendtothetrunkofalargetree，——thefortyfeetofhorsehairropegivingtheanimalasufficientdegreeofgrazingfreedom。

Thenhestrodemorequicklydowntheforestsidetowardsthebuilding，whichnowrevealeditsaustereproportions，thoughDickcouldseethattheyweremitigatedbyastrange，formalflower—

garden，withquaintstatuesandfountains。Thereweregrimblackalleesofclippedtrees，acuriouslywroughtirongate，andtwistedironespaliers。Ononesidetheedificewassupportedbyagreatstoneterrace，whichseemedtohimasbroadasaParisianboulevard。Yeteverywhereitappearedsleepinginthedesertionandsilenceofthesummertwilight。Theeveningbreezeswayedthelacecurtainsatthetallwindows，butnothingelsemoved。TotheunsophisticatedWesternmanitlookedlikeasceneonthestage。

Hisprogresswas，however，presentlycheckedbythefirstsightofpreservationhehadmetintheforest，——athickhedge，whichinterferedbetweenhimandaslopinglawnbeyond。Itwasuptohiswaist，yethebegantobreakhiswaythroughit，whensuddenlyhewasarrestedbythesoundofvoices。Beforehim，onthelawn，amanandwoman，evidentlyservants，wereslowlyadvancing，peeringintotheshadowsofthewoodwhichhehadjustleft。Hecouldnotunderstandwhattheyweresaying，buthewasabouttospeakandindicatebysignshisdesiretofindtheroadwhenthewoman，turningtowardshercompanion，caughtsightofhisfaceandshouldersabovethehedge。Tohissurpriseandconsternation，hesawthecolordropoutofherfreshcheeks，herroundeyesfixintheirsockets，andwithadespairingshrieksheturnedandfledtowardsthehouse。Themanturnedathiscompanion’scry，gavethesamehorrifiedglanceatDick’sface，utteredahoarse"Sacre！"

crossedhimselfviolently，andfledalso。

Amazed，indignant，andforthefirsttimeinhislifehumiliated，Dickgazedspeechlesslyafterthem。Theman，ofcourse，wasasneakingcoward；butthewomanwasratherpretty。IthadnotbeenDick’sexperiencetohavewomenrunfromhim！Shouldhefollowthem，knockthesillyfellow’sheadagainstatree，anddemandanexplanation？Alas，heknewnotthelanguage！Theyhadalreadyreachedthehouseanddisappearedinoneoftheoffices。Well！letthemgo——foramean"lowdown"pairofcountrybumpkins：——HEwantednofavorsfromthem！

Heturnedbackangrilyintotheforesttoseekhisunluckybeast。

Thegurgleofwaterfellonhisear；hardbywasaspring，whereatleasthecouldwaterthemustang。Hestoopedtoexamineit；therewasyetlightenoughinthesunsetskytothrowbackfromthatlittlemirrorthereflectionofhisthin，ovalface，hislong，curlinghair，andhispointedbeardandmustache。Yes！thiswashisface，——thefacethatmanywomeninParishadagreedwasromanticandpicturesque。Hadthosewretchedgreenhornsneverseenarealmanbefore？Weretheyidiots，orinsane？Asuddenrecollectionofthesilenceandseclusionofthebuildingsuggestedcertainlyanasylum，——butwherewerethekeepers？

Itwasgettingdarkerinthewood；hemadehastetorecoverhishorse，todragittothespring，andtherebatheitsshoulderinthewatermixedwithwhiskeytakenfromhisflask。Hissaddle—bagcontainedenoughbreadandmeatforhisownsupper；hewouldcampforthenightwherehewas，andwiththefirstlightofdawnmakehiswaybackthroughthewoodwhencehecame。Asthelightslowlyfadedfromthewoodherolledhimselfinhissaddle—blanketandlaydown。

Butnottosleep。Hisstrangeposition，theaccidenttohishorse，anunusualirritationovertheincidentofthefrightenedservants，——trivialasitmighthavebeentoanyotherman，——and，aboveall，anincreasingchildishcuriosity，kepthimawakeandrestless。Presentlyhecouldseealsothatitwasgrowinglighterbeyondtheedgeofthewood，andthattheraysofayoungcrescentmoon，whileitplungedtheforestintodarknessandimpassableshadow，evidentlywasilluminatingthehollowbelow。Hethrewasidehisblanket，andmadehiswaytothehedgeagain。Hewasright；hecouldseethequaint，formallinesoftheoldgardenmoredistinctly，——thebroadterrace，thequeer，darkbulkofthehouse，withlightsnowgleamingfromafewofitsopenwindows。

Beforeoneofthesewindowsopeningontheterracewasasmall，white，drapedtablewithfruits，cups，andglasses，andtwoorthreechairs。Ashegazedcuriouslyatthesenewsignsoflifeandoccupation，hebecameawareofaregularandmonotonoustapuponthestoneflagsoftheterrace。Suddenlyhesawthreefiguresslowlyturnthecorneroftheterraceatthefurtherendofthebuilding，andwalktowardsthetable。Thecentralfigurewasthatofanelderlywoman，yettallandstatelyofcarriage，walkingwithastick，whoseregulartaphehadheard，supportedontheonesidebyanelderlyCureinblacksoutaine，andontheotherbyatallandslendergirlinwhite。

Theywalkedleisurelytotheotherendoftheterrace，asifperformingaregularexercise，andreturned，stoppingbeforetheopenFrenchwindow；where，afterremaininginconversationafewmoments，theelderlyladyandherecclesiasticalcompanionentered。

Theyounggirlsaunteredslowlytothestepsoftheterrace，andleaningagainstahugevaseasshelookedoverthegarden，seemedlostincontemplation。Herfacewasturnedtowardsthewood，butinquiteanotherdirectionfromwherehestood。

Therewassomethingsogentle，refined，andgracefulinherfigure，yetdominatedbyagirlishyouthfulnessofmovementandgesture，thatAlkaliDickwassingularlyinterested。Hehadprobablyneverseenaningenuebefore；hehadcertainlynevercomeincontactwithagirlofthatcasteandseclusioninhisbriefParisianexperience。

Hewassorelytemptedtoleavehishedgeandtrytoobtainanearerviewofher。Therewasafringeoflilacbushesrunningfromthegardenuptheslope；ifhecouldgaintheirshadows，hecoulddescendintothegarden。Whatheshoulddoafterhisarrivalhehadnotthought；buthehadoneidea——heknewnotwhy——thatifheventuredtospeaktoherhewouldnotbemetwiththeabruptrusticterrorhehadexperiencedatthehandsoftheservants。SHEwasnotofthatkind！Hecreptthroughthehedge，reachedthelilacs，andbeganthedescentsoftlyandsecurelyintheshadow。Butatthesamemomentshearose，calledinayouthfulvoicetowardstheopenwindow，andbegantodescendthesteps。Ahalf—expostulatingreplycamefromthewindow，buttheyounggirlanswereditwiththelaughing，capriciousconfidenceofaspoiledchild，andcontinuedherwayintothegarden。Hereshepausedamomentandhungoverarose—tree，fromwhichshegatheredaflower，afterwardsthrustintoherbelt。Dickpaused，too，half—crouching，half—leaningoveralichen—stained，crackedstonepedestalfromwhichthestatuehadlongbeenoverthrownandforgotten。

Tohissurprise，however，theyounggirl，followingthepathtothelilacs，beganleisurelytoascendthehill，swayingfromsidetosidewithayouthfulmovement，andswingingthelongstalkofalilyatherside。Inanothermomenthewouldbediscovered！Dickwasfrightened；hisconfidenceofthemomentbeforehadallgone；

hewouldfly，——andyet，anexquisiteandfearfuljoykepthimmotionless。Shewasapproachinghim，fullandclearinthemoonlight。Hecouldseethegraceofherdelicatefigureinthesimplewhitefrockdrawnatthewaistwithbroadsatinribbon，anditslove—knotsofpaleblueribbonsonhershoulders；hecouldseethecoilsofherbrownhair，thepale，olivetintofherovalcheek，thedelicate，swellingnostrilofherstraight，clear—cutnose；hecouldevensmellthelilyshecarriedinherlittlehand。

Then，suddenly，sheliftedherlonglashes，andherlargegrayeyesmethis。

Alas！thesamelookofvacanthorrorcameintohereyes，andfixedanddilatedtheirclearpupils。Butsheutterednooutcry，——therewassomethinginherbloodthatcheckedit；somethingthatevengaveadignitytoherrecoilingfigure，andmadeDickflushwithadmiration。Sheputherhandtoherside，asiftheshockoftheexertionofherascenthadsetherhearttobeating，butshedidnotfaint。Thenherfixedlookgavewaytooneofinfinitesadness，pity，andpatheticappeal。Herlipswereparted；theyseemedtobemoving，apparentlyinprayer。Atlasthervoicecame，wonderingly，timidly，tenderly："MonDieu！c’estdoncvous？Ici？

C’estvousqueMarieacruevoir！Quevenez—vousfaireici，ArmanddeFontonelles？Repondez！"

Alas，notawordwascomprehensibletoDick；norcouldhethinkofawordtosayinreply。Hemadeanuncouth，half—irritated，half—

despairinggesturetowardsthewoodhehadquitted，asiftoindicatehishelplesshorse，butheknewitwasmeaninglesstothefrightenedyetexaltedgirlbeforehim。Herlittlehandcrepttoherbreastandclutchedarosarywithinthefoldsofherdress，ashersoftvoiceagainarose，lowbutappealingly：

"Voussouffrez！Ah，monDieu！Peutonvoussecourir？Moi—meme——

mesprierespourraientellesintercederpourvous？Jesupplierailecieldeprendreenpitiel’amedemonancetre。MonsieurleCureestla，——jeluiparlerai。Luietmamerevousviendrontenaide。"

Sheclaspedherhandsappealinglybeforehim。

Dickstoodbewildered，hopeless，mystified；hehadnotunderstoodaword；hecouldnotsayaword。Foraninstanthehadawildideaofseizingherhandandleadinghertohishelplesshorse，andthencamewhathebelievedwashissalvation，——asuddenflashofrecollectionthathehadseenthewordhewanted，theonewordthatwouldexplainall，inaplacardednoticeattheCirqueofabraceletthathadbeenLOST，——yes，thesingleword"PERDU。"Hemadeasteptowardsher，andinavoicealmostasfaintasherown，stammered，"PERDU！"

Withalittlecry，thatwasmorelikeasighthananoutcry，thegirl’sarmsfelltoherside；shetookastepbackwards，reeled，andfaintedaway。

Dickcaughtherasshefell。Whathadhesaid！——but，morethanall，whatshouldhedonow？Hecouldnotleaveheraloneandhelpless，——yethowcouldhejustifyanotherdisconcertingintrusion？Hetouchedherhands；theywerecoldandlifeless；hereyeswerehalfclosed；herfaceaspaleanddroopingasherlily。

Well，hemustbravetheworstnow，andcarryhertothehouse，evenattheriskofmeetingtheothersandterrifyingthemashehadher。Hecaughtherup，——hescarcelyfeltherweightagainsthisbreastandshoulder，——andranhurriedlydowntheslopetotheterrace，whichwasstilldeserted。Ifhehadtimetoplaceheronsomebenchbesidethewindowwithintheirreach，hemightstillflyundiscovered！Butashepantedupthestepsoftheterracewithhisburden，hesawthattheFrenchwindowwasstillopen，butthelightseemedtohavebeenextinguished。ItwouldbesaferforherifhecouldplaceherINSIDEthehouse，——ifhebutdaredtoenter。

Hewasdesperate，andhedared！

Hefoundhimselfalone，inalongsalonofrichbutfadedwhiteandgoldhangings，litatthefurtherendbytwotallcandlesoneithersideofthehighmarblemantel，whoserays，however，scarcelyreachedthewindowwherehehadentered。Helaidhisburdenonahigh—backedsofa。Insodoing，therosefellfromherbelt。Hepickeditup，putitinhisbreast，andturnedtogo。Buthewasarrestedbyavoicefromtheterrace：——

"Renee！"

Itwasthevoiceoftheelderlylady，who，withtheCureatherside，hadjustappearedfromtherearofthehouse，andfromthefurtherendoftheterracewaslookingtowardsthegardeninsearchoftheyounggirl。Hisescapeinthatwaywascutoff。Toaddtohisdismay，theyounggirl，perhapsrousedbyhermother’svoice，wasbeginningtoshowsignsofrecoveringconsciousness。Dicklookedquicklyaroundhim。Therewasanopendoor，oppositethewindow，leadingtoahallwhich，nodoubt，offeredsomeexitontheothersideofthehouse。Itwashisonlyremainingchance！Hedartedthroughit，closeditbehindhim，andfoundhimselfattheendofalonghallorpicture—gallery，strangelyilluminatedthroughhighwindows，reachingnearlytotheroof，bythemoon，whichonthatsideofthebuildingthrewnearlylevelbarsoflightandshadowsacrossthefloorandthequaintportraitsonthewall。

Buttohisdelighthecouldseeattheotherendanarrow，lance—

shapedopenposterndoorshowingthemoonlitpavementwithout——

evidentlythedoorthroughwhichthemotherandtheCurehadjustpassedout。Heranrapidlytowardsit。Ashedidsoheheardthehurriedringingofbellsandvoicesintheroomhehadquitted——theyounggirlhadevidentlybeendiscovered——andthiswouldgivehimtime。Hehadnearlyreachedthedoor，whenhestoppedsuddenly——

hisbloodchilledwithawe！Itwashisturntobeterrified——hewasstanding，apparently，beforeHIMSELF！

Hisfirstrecoveringthoughtwasthatitwasamirror——soaccuratelywaseverylineanddetailofhisfaceandfigurereflected。Butasecondscrutinyshowedsomediscrepanciesofcostume，andhesawitwasapanelledportraitonthewall。Itwasofamanofhisownage，height，beard，complexion，andfeatures，withlongcurlslikehisown，fallingoveralaceVanDykecollar，which，however，againsimulatedtheappearanceofhisownhunting—shirt。Thebroad—

brimmedhatinthepicture，whosedroopingplumewaslostinshadow，wasscarcelydifferentfromDick’ssombrero。ButthelikenessofthefacetoDickwasmarvelous——convincing！Ashegazedatit，thewickedblackeyesseemedtoflashandkindleathisown，——itslipcurledwithDick’sownsardonichumor！

Hewasrecalledtohimselfbyastepinthegallery。ItwastheCurewhohadenteredhastily，evidentlyinsearchofoneoftheservants。Partlybecauseitwasamanandnotawoman，partlyfromafeelingofbravado——andpartlyfromastrangesense，excitedbythepicture，thathehadsomeclaimtobethere，heturnedandfacedthepalepriestwithaslightdashofimpatientdevilrythatwouldhavedonecredittotheportrait。Buthewassorryforitthenextmoment！

Thepriest，lookingupsuddenly，discoveredwhatseemedtohimtobetheportraitstandingbeforeitsownframeandglaringathim。

Throwinguphishandswithanavertedheadandan"EXORCIS——！"hewheeledandscuffledaway。Dickseizedtheopportunity，dartedthroughthenarrowdoorontotherearterrace，andran，undercoveroftheshadowofthehouse，tothestepsintothegarden。

Luckilyforhim，thisnewandunexpecteddiversionoccupiedtheinmatestoomuchwithwhatwasgoingoninthehousetogivethemtimetosearchoutside。Dickreachedthelilachedge，toreupthehill，andinafewmomentsthrewhimself，panting，onhisblanket。

Inthesinglelookhehadcastbehind，hehadseenthatthehalf—

darksalonwasnowbrilliantlylighted——wherenodoubtthewholeterrifiedhouseholdwasnowassembled。Hehadnofearofbeingfollowed；sincehisconfrontationwithhisownlikenessinthemysteriousportrait，heunderstoodeverything。Theapparentlysupernaturalcharacterofhisvisitationwasmadeplain；hisruffledvanitywassoothed——hisvindicationwascomplete。Helaughedtohimselfandrolledabout，untilinhissuppressedmerrimenttherosefellfromhisbosom，and——hestopped！Itsfreshnessandfragrancerecalledtheinnocentyounggirlhehadfrightened。Herememberedhergentle，pleadingvoice，andhischeekflushed。Well，hehaddonethebesthecouldinbringingherbacktothehouse——attheriskofbeingtakenforaburglar——andshewassafenow！IfthatstupidFrenchparsondidn’tknowthedifferencebetweenalivingmanandadeadandpaintedone，itwasn’thisfault。Buthefellasleepwiththeroseinhisfingers。

Hewasawakeatthefirststreakofdawn。Heagainbathedhishorse’sshoulder，saddled，butdidnotmounthim，asthebeast，althoughbetter，wasstillstiff，andDickwishedtosparehimforthejourneytostilldistantHavre，althoughhehaddeterminedtolieoverthatnightatthefirstwaysideinn。Luckilyforhim，thedisturbanceatthechateauhadnotextendedtotheforest，forDickhadtoleadhishorseslowlyandcouldnothaveescaped；butnosuspicionofexternalintrusionseemedtohavebeenawakened，andthewoodlandwas，evidently，seldominvaded。

Bydintoflayinghiscoursebythesunandtheexerciseofalittlewoodcraft，inthecourseoftwohoursheheardthecreakingofahay—cart，andknewthathewasnearatraveledroad。Buttohisdiscomfiturehepresentlycametoahighwall，whichhadevidentlyguardedthisportionofthewoodsfromthepublic。Time，however，hadmadefrequentbreachesinthestones；thesehadbeenroughlyfilledinwitharudeabatisoflogsandtreetopspointingtowardstheroad。Butastheseweremainlydesignedtopreventintrusionintotheparkratherthanegressfromit，Dickhadnodifficultyinrollingthemasideandemergingatlastwithhislimpingsteeduponthewhitehigh—road。Thecreakingcarthadpassed；itwasyetearlyfortraffic，andDickpresentlycameuponawine—shop，abakery，ablacksmith’sshop，laundry，andasomewhatpretentiouscafeandhotelinabroaderspacewhichmarkedthejunctionofanotherroad。