第4章

Yourslovingly，ROWENAWARWICK。

Thejudgewasunabletoconnectthisletterwiththetransactionwhichformedthesubjectofhisexamination。Agehaddimmedhisperceptionssomewhat，anditwasnotuntilhehadfinishedtheletter，andreaditoveragain，andnotedthesignatureatthebottomasecondtime，thatheperceivedthatthewritingwasinawoman’shand，thattheinkwascomparativelyfresh，andthattheletterwasdatedonlyacoupleofdaysbefore。

Whilehestillheldthesheetinhishand，itdawneduponhimslowlythatheheldalsooneofthelinksinachainofpossibletragedywhichhehimself，hebecameuncomfortablyaware，hadhadahandinforging。

"ItistheWaldenwoman’sdaughter，assureasfate！HernameisRena。HerbrothergoesbythenameofWarwick。Shehascometovisithersickmother。Myyoungclient，Green’srelation，isherlover——isengagedtomarryher——isintown，andislikelytomeether！"

Thejudgewassoabsorbedinthesituationthussuggestedthathelaidthepapersdownandponderedforamomentthecuriousprobleminvolved。Hewasquiteawarethattworaceshadnotdwelttogether，sidebyside，fornearlythreehundredyears，withoutminglingtheirbloodingreaterorlessdegree；hewasoldenough，andhadseencuriousthingsenough，toknowthatinthisminglingthecurrenthadnotalwaysflowedinonedirection。Certainolddecisionswithwhichhewasfamiliar；oldscandalsthathadcreptalongobscurechannels；oldfactsthathadcometotheknowledgeofanoldpractitioner，whoheldinthehollowofhishandthehonorofmorethanonefamily，madehimknowthattherewasdarkbloodamongthewhitepeople——notagreatdeal，andthatverymuchdiluted，and，solongasitwassedulouslyconcealedorvigorouslydenied，orlostinthemistsoftradition，orascribedtoaforeignoranaboriginalstrain，havingnoperceptibleeffectupontheracialtype。

Suchpeoplewere，forthemostpart，merelyontheraggededgeofthewhiteworld，seldomrisingabovethelevelofoverseers，orslave—catchers，orsheriff’sofficers，whocouldusuallybereliedupontoresentthedropofblackbloodthattaintedthem，andwiththezealoftheproselytetovisittheirhatredofitupontheunfortunateblacksthatfellintotheirhands。Onecurseofnegroslaverywas，andonepartofitsbalefulheritageis，thatitpoisonedthefountainsofhumansympathy。

Underasystemwheremenmightselltheirownchildrenwithoutsocialreprobationorlossofprestige，itwasnotsurprisingthatsomeofthemshouldhatetheirdistantcousins。TherewerenotinPatesvillehalfadozenpersonscapableofthinkingJudgeStraight’sthoughtsuponthequestionbeforehim，andperhapsnotanotherwhowouldhaveadoptedthecoursehenowpursuedtowardthisanomalousfamilyinthehousebehindthecedars。

"Well，hereweareagain，astheclowninthecircusremarks，"murmuredthejudge。"Tenyearsago，inamomentofsentimentalweaknessandofquixoticloyaltytothememoryofanoldfriend，——

who，bytheway，hadnotcaredenoughforhisownchildrentotakethemawayfromtheSouth，ashemighthavedone，ortoprovideforthemhandsomely，asheperhapsmeanttodo，——Iviolatedthetraditionsofmyclassandsteppedfromthebeatenpathtohelpthemisbegottensonofmyoldfriendoutofthesloughofdespond，inwhichhehadlearned，insomestrangeway，thathewasfloundering。Tenyearslater，theghostofmygooddeedreturnstohauntme，andmakesmedoubtwhetherIhavewroughtmoreevilthangood。Iwonder，"hemused，"ifhewillfindherout？"

Thejudgewasamanofimagination；hehadreadmanybooksandhadpersonallyoutlivedsomeprejudices。Helethismindrunonthevariousphasesofthesituation。

"Ifhefoundherout，wouldhebyanypossibilitymarryher？"

"Itisnotlikely，"heansweredhimself。"Ifhemadethediscoveryhere，thefactswouldprobablyleakoutinthetown。Itissomethingthatamanmightdoinsecret，butonlyaheroorafoolwoulddoopenly。"

Thejudgesighedashecontemplatedanotherpossibility。Hehadlivedforseventyyearsundertheoldregime。Theyoungmanwasagentleman——sohadbeenthegirl’sfather。Conditionswerechanged，buthumannaturewasthesame。Wouldtheyoungman’sloveturntodisgustandrepulsion，orwoulditmerelysinkfromthelevelofworshiptothatofdesire？Wouldthegirl，deniedmarriage，acceptanythingless？Hermotherhad，——butconditionswerechanged。Yes，conditionswerechanged，sofarasthegirlwasconcerned；therewasapossiblefutureforherundertheneworderofthings；butwhitepeoplehadnotchangedtheiropinionofthenegroes，exceptfortheworse。Thegeneralbeliefwasthattheywerejustasinferiorasbefore，andhad，moreover，beenspoiledbyadisgustingassumptionofequality，drivenintotheirthickskullsbyYankeemalignitybentuponhumiliatingaproudthoughvanquishedfoe。

Ifthejudgehadhadsonsanddaughtersofhisown，hemightnothavedonewhathenowproceededtodo。Buttheoldman’sattitudetowardsocietywaschieflythatofanobserver，andthenarrowstreamofsentimentleftinhisheartchosetoflowtowardtheweakerpartyinthisunequalconflict，——ayoungwomanfightingforloveandopportunityagainsttherankedforcesofsociety，againstimmemorialtradition，againstprideoffamilyandofrace。

"ItmaybetheunwisestthingIeverdid，"hesaidtohimself，turningtohisdeskandtakingupaquillpen，"andmayresultinmoreharmthangood；butIwasalwaysfromchildhoodinsympathywiththeunderdog。Thereiscertainlyasmuchreasoninmyhelpingthegirlastheboy，forbeingawoman，sheislessabletohelpherself。"

Hedippedhispenintotheinkandwrotethefollowinglines：——

MADAM，——Ifyouvalueyourdaughter’shappiness，keepherathomeforthenextdayortwo。

Thisnotehedriedbysprinklingitwithsandfromaboxnearathand，signedwithhisownname，and，withafinecourtesy，addressedto"Mrs。MollyWalden。"Havingfirstcarefullysealeditinanenvelope，hesteppedtotheopendoor，andspied，playingmarblesonthestreetnearby，agroupofnegroboys，oneofwhomthejudgecalledbyname。

"Here，Billy，"hesaid，handingtheboythenote，"takethistoMis’MollyWalden。Doyouknowwhereshelives——downonFrontStreet，inthehousebehindthecedars？"

"Yas，suh，Iknowsdeplace。"

"Makehaste，now。Whenyoucomebackandtellmewhatshesays，I’llgiveyoutencents。Onsecondthoughts，Ishallbegonetolunch，sohere’syourmoney，"headded，handingtheladthebitofsoiledpaperbywhichtheUnitedStatesgovernmentacknowledgeditsindebtednesstothebearerinthesumoftencents。

Justhere，however，thejudgemadehismistake。

Veryfewmortalscansparethespringofhope，themotiveforceofexpectation。Theboykeptthenoteinhishand，winkedathiscompanions，whohadgatheredasnearastheiraweofthejudgewouldpermit，andstarteddownthestreet。Assoonasthejudgehaddisappeared，Billybeckonedtohisfriends，whospeedilyovertookhim。WhenthepartyturnedthecornerofFrontStreetandweresafelyoutofsightofJudgeStraight’soffice，thecapitalistenteredthegrocerystoreandinvestedhisunearnedincrementingingerbread。

Whentheensuingsaturnaliawasover，Billyfinishedthegameofmarbleswhichthejudgehadinterrupted，andthensetouttoexecutehiscommission。Hehadnearlyreachedhisobjectivepointwhenhemetuponthestreetayoungwhitelady，whomhedidnotknow，andforwhom，thepathbeingnarrowatthatpoint，hesteppedoutintothegutter。Hereachedthehousebehindthecedars，wentroundtothebackdoor，andhandedtheenvelopetoMis’Molly，whowasseatedontherearpiazza，proppedupbypillowsinacomfortablerocking—chair。

"Laws—a—massy！"sheexclaimedweakly，"whatisit？"

"It’salettuh，ma’m，"answeredtheboy，whoseexpandingnostrilshadcaughtapleasantodorfromthekitchen，andwhowasthereforeinnohurrytogoaway。

"Who’sitfur？"sheasked。

"It’sfuhyou，ma’m，"repliedthelad。

"An’who’sitfrom？"sheinquired，turningtheenvelopeoverandover，andexaminingitwiththeimpotentcuriosityofonewhocannotread。

"F’moleJedgeStraight，ma’m。Hetolemeterfetchitteryou。Isyougotaroasted’tateryoucouldgimme，ma’m？"

"Shorely，chile。I’llhaveAuntZilphyfetchyouapieceof’taterpone，ifyou’llhol’onaminute。"

ShecalledtoAuntZilphy，whosooncamehobblingoutofthekitchenwithalargesquareofthedelicacy，——aflatcakemadeofmashedsweetpotatoes，mixedwithbeateneggs，sweetenedandflavoredtosuitthetaste，andbakedinaDutchovenupontheopenhearth。

Theboytookthegratuity，thankedher，andturnedtogo。Mis’Mollywasstillscanningthesuperscriptionoftheletter。"Iwonder，"shemurmured，"whatoldJudgeStraightcanbewritin’

tomeabout。Oh，boy！"

"Yas’m，"answeredthemessenger，lookingback。

"Canyoureadwritin’？"

"No’m。"

"Allright。Nevermind。"

Shelaidthelettercarefullyonthechimney—

pieceofthekitchen。"Ireckonit’ssomethin’

mo’’boutthetaxes，"shethought，"ormaybesomebodywantstobuyoneermylots。Rena’llbebackterreckly，an’shekinreaditan’findout。

I’mgladmychild’enhavebe’ntoschool。Theynevercouldhavegotwheretheyarenowiftheyhadn’t。"

XIV

ALOYALFRIEND

MentionhasbeenmadeofcertainaddressedenvelopeswhichJohnWarwick，ontheoccasionofhisvisittoPatesville，hadleftwithhisilliteratemother，bytheuseofwhichshemightcommunicatewithherchildrenfromtimetotime。

Ononeoccasion，Mis’Molly，havinghadaletterwritten，tookoneoftheseenvelopesfromthechestwhereshekepthermostvaluedpossessions，andwasabouttoinclosetheletterwhensomeoneknockedatthebackdoor。Shelaidtheenvelopeandletteronatableinherbedroom，andwenttoanswertheknock。Thewind，blowingacrosstheroomthroughtheopenwindows，pickeduptheenvelopeandboreitintothestreet。Mis’Molly，onherreturn，missedit，lookedforit，andbeingunabletofindit，tookanotherenvelope。Anhourortwolateranothergustofwindliftedthebitofpaperfromthegroundandcarrieditintotheopendoorofthecoopershop。Frankpickeditup，andobservingthatitwascleanandunused，readthesuperscription。InhisconversationswithMis’Molly，whichwereoftenaboutRena，——thesubjectuppermostinboththeirminds，——hehadnotedthemysterymaintainedbyMis’Mollyaboutherdaughter’swhereabouts，andhadoftenwonderedwhereshemightbe。Frankwasanintelligentfellow，andcouldputthisandthattogether。

TheenvelopewasaddressedtoaplaceinSouthCarolina。Hewasaware，fromsomecasualremarkofMis’Molly’s，thatRenahadgonetoliveinSouthCarolina。Herson’snamewasJohn——

thathehadchangedhislastnamewasmorethanlikely。FrankwasnotlonginreachingtheconclusionthatRenawastobefoundnearthetownnamedontheenvelope，whichhecarefullypreservedforfuturereference。

ForawholeyearFrankhadyearnedforasmileorakindwordfromtheonlywomanintheworld。

Peter，hisfather，hadralliedhimsomewhatuponhismoodinessafterRena’sdeparture。

"Now’sdetime，boy，feryouterbelookin’

roun’fersomenicegaleryo’owncolor，w’at’ll’preciateyou，an’won’tbe’shamederyou。You’rewastin’time，boy，wastin’time，shootin’atamarkouteryo’range。"

ButFranksaidnothinginreply，andafterwardstheoldman，whowasnotwithoutdiscernment，respectedhisson’smoodandwassilentinturn；

whileFrankfedhismemorywithhisimagination，andbytheirjointaidkepthopealive。

Lateranopportunitytoseeherpresenteditself。

Businessinthecoopershopwasdull。Abarrelfactoryhadbeenopenedinthetown，andhadwell—nighparalyzedthecooper’strade。Thebestmechaniccouldhardlycompetewithamachine。

OnemancouldnoweasilydotheworkofPeter’sshop。Anagentappearedintownseekinglaborersforoneoftherailroadswhichthenewlyorganizedcarpet—baggovernmentswerepromoting。

UponinquiryFranklearnedthattheirdestinationwasnearthetownofClarence，SouthCarolina。

Hepromptlyengagedhimselffortheservice，andwassoonatworkintheneighborhoodofWarwick’shome。Therehewasemployedsteadilyuntilacertainholiday，uponwhichagrandtournamentwasadvertisedtotakeplaceinaneighboringtown。Workwassuspended，andforemenandlaborersattendedthefestivities。

FrankhadsurmisedthatRenawouldbepresentonsuchanoccasion。Hehadmorethanguessed，too，thatshemustbelookedforamongthewhitepeopleratherthanamongtheblack。Hencetheinterestwithwhichhehadscannedthegrandstand。

Theresulthasalreadybeenrecounted。Hehadrecognizedhersweetface；hehadseenherenthronedamongtheproudestandbest。Hehadwitnessedandgloriedinhertriumph。Hehadseenhercheekflushedwithpleasure，hereyeslitupwithsmiles。Hehadfollowedhercarriage，hadmadetheacquaintanceofMimythenurse，andhadlearnedallaboutthefamily。WhenfinallyhelefttheneighborhoodtoreturntoPatesville，hehadlearnedofTryon’sattentions，andhadheardtheservants’gossipwithreferencetothemarriage，ofwhichtheyknewthedetailslongbeforetheprincipalshadapproachedthemainfact。FrankwentawaywithouthavingreceivedonesmileorheardonewordfromRena；buthehadseenher：

shewashappy；hewascontentintheknowledgeofherhappiness。Shewasdoubtlesssecureinthebeliefthathersecretwasunknown。Whyshouldhe，byrevealinghispresence，sowtheseedsofdoubtordistrustinthegardenofherhappiness？Hesacrificedthedeepestlongingofafaithfulheart，andwentbacktothecoopershoplestperchanceshemightaccidentallycomeuponhimsomedayandsuffertheshockwhichhehadsedulouslysparedher。

"Iwouldn’wantterskeerher，"hemused，"ermakeherfeelbad，an’dat’sw’atI’dmos’lacklydoefsheseedme。She’llbebetteroffwidmeout’nderoad。She’llmarrydatrichw’itegent’eman，——

hewon’tneverknowdediffe’nce，——an’beaw’itelady，ezshewould’a’be’n，efsomeolewitchhadn’

changedherinhercradle。Butmaybesometimeshe’ll’memberdelittleniggerw’atuse’ternussherw’enshewozachile，an’fishedherout’ndeolecanal，an’would’a’diedferherefitwould’a’doneanygood。"

Verygenerouslytoo，andwithafinedelicacy，hesaidnothingtoMis’Mollyofhishavingseenherdaughter，lestshemightbedisquietedbytheknowledgethathesharedthefamilysecret，——nogreatmysterynow，thispitifulsecret，butmorefar—

reachinginitsconsequencesthananyblood—curdlingcrime。Thetaintofblackbloodwastheunpardonablesin，fromtheunmeritedpenaltyofwhichtherewasnoescapeexceptbyconcealment。Iftherebeadaintyreaderofthistalewhoscornsalie，andwhowritesthestoryofhislifeuponhissleeveforalltheworldtoread，lethimuncurlhisscornfullipandcomedownfromthepedestalofsuperiormorality，towhichassuredpositionandwideopportunityhaveliftedhim，andputhimselfintheplaceofRenaandherbrother，uponwhomGodhadlavishedhisbestgifts，andfromwhomsocietywouldhavewithheldallthatmadethesegiftsvaluable。

Toundertakewhattheytriedtodorequiredgreatcourage。Hadtheypossessedthesneaking，cringing，treacherouscharactertraditionallyascribedtopeopleofmixedblood——thecharacterwhichtheblessedinstitutionsofafreeslave—holdingrepublichadbeenwelladaptedtofosteramongthem；hadtheybeenselfishenoughtosacrificetotheirambitionthemotherwhogavethembirth，societywouldhavebeenplacatedorhumbugged，andthevoyageoftheirlifemighthavebeenoneofunbrokensmoothness。

WhenRenacamebackunexpectedlyatthebehestofherdream，Frankheardagainthemusicofhervoice，feltthejoyofherpresenceandthebenisonofhersmile。Therewas，however，asubtledifferenceinherbearing。Herwordswerenotlesskind，buttheyseemedtocomefromaremotersource。Shewaskind，asthesuniswarmortherainrefreshing；shewasespeciallykindtoFrank，becausehehadbeengoodtohermother。IfFrankfeltthedifferenceinherattitude，heascribedittothefactthatshehadbeenwhite，andhadtakenonsomethingofthewhiteattitudetowardthenegro；

andFrank，withanequalunconsciousness，clothedherwiththeattributesofthesuperiorrace。Onlyherdropofblackblood，heconceived，gavehimtherighttofeeltowardherashewouldneverhavefeltwithoutit；andifRenaguessedherfaithfuldevotee’ssecret，thesamereasonsavedhisworshipfrompresumption。Asmileandakindwordwerelittleenoughtopayforalife’sdevotion。

OnthethirddayofRena’spresenceinPatesville，FrankwasdrivingupFrontStreetintheearlyafternoon，whenhenearlyfelloffhiscartinastonishmentashesawseatedinDr。Green’sbuggy，whichwasstandinginfrontofthePatesvilleHotel，theyounggentlemanwhohadwontheprizeatthetournament，andwho，ashehadlearned，wastomarryRena。FrankwasquitecertainthatshedidnotknowofTryon’spresenceinthetown。

FrankhadbeenovertoMis’Molly’sinthemorning，andhadofferedhisservicestothesickwoman，whohadrapidlybecomeconvalescentuponherdaughter’sreturn。Mis’Mollyhadspokenofsomecamphorthatsheneeded。Frankhadvolunteeredtogetit。Renahadthankedhim，andhadspokenofgoingtothedrugstoreduringtheafternoon。ItwasherintentiontoleavePatesvilleonthefollowingday。

"Efdatmanseesherindistown，"saidFranktohimself，"dere’llbetrouble。Shedon’tknowHE’Shere，an’I’llbethedon’tknowSHE’Shere。"

ThenFrankwasassailedbyaverystrongtemptation。If，ashesurmised，thejointpresenceofthetwoloversinPatesvillewasamerecoincidence，ameetingbetweenthemwouldprobablyresultinthediscoveryofRena’ssecret。

"Ifshe’sfoundout，"arguedthetempter，"she’llcomebacktohermother，andyoucanseehereveryday。"

ButFrank’slovewasnotoftheselfishkind。

Heputtemptationaside，andappliedthewhiptothebackofhismulewithavigorthatastonishedtheanimalandmovedhimtounwontedactivity。InanunusuallyshortspaceoftimehedrewupbeforeMis’Molly’sbackgate，sprangfromthecart，andranuptoMis’Mollyontheporch。

"IsMissRenahere？"hedemandedbreathlessly。

"No，Frank；shewentuptown’boutanhouragotoseethedoctoran’gitmesomecamphorgum。"

Frankutteredagroan，rushedfromthehouse，sprangintothecart，andgoadedtheterrifiedmuleintoagallopthatcarriedhimbacktothemarkethouseinhalfthetimeithadtakenhimtoreachMis’Molly’s。

"Iwonderwhatintheworl’sthematterwithFrank，"musedMis’Molly，invaguealarm。"Efhehadn’tbe’ninsuchahurry，I’d’a’axedhimtoreadJudgeStraight’sletter。ButRena’llbehomesoon。"

WhenFrankreachedthedoctor’soffice，hesawTryonseatedinthedoctor’sbuggy，whichwasstandingbythewindowofthedrugstore。Frankranupstairsandaskedthedoctor’smanifMissWaldenhadbeenthere。

"Yas，"repliedDave，"shewuzherealittlew’ileago，an’saidshewuzgwinedownstairsterdedrugsto’。Iwouldn’bes’prise’efyou’dfin’herderenow。"

XV

MINEOWNPEOPLE

ThedrivebywhichDr。GreentookTryontohisownhouseledupFrontStreetaboutamile，tothemostaristocraticportionofthetown，situatedonthehillknownasHaymount，or，morebriefly，"TheHill。"TheHillhadlostsomeofitsformerglory，however，fortheblightofafouryears’warwaseverywhere。Afterreachingthetopofthiswoodedeminence，theroadskirtedforsomelittledistancethebrowofthehill。Belowthemlaythepicturesqueoldtown，amassofvividgreen，dottedhereandtherewithgrayroofsthatroseabovethetree—tops。TwolongribbonsofstreetsstretchedawayfromtheHilltothefaintredlinethatmarkedthehighbluffbeyondtheriveratthefarthersideofthetown。Themarket—housetowerandtheslenderspiresofhalfadozenchurchesweresharplyoutlinedagainstthegreenbackground。Thefaceoftheclockwasvisible，butthehourscouldhavebeenreadonlybyeyesofphenomenalsharpness。

Aroundthemstretchedruinedwalls，dismantledtowers，andcrumblingearthworks——footprintsofthegodofwar，oneofwhosetempleshadcrownedthisheight。FormanyyearsbeforetherebellionaFederalarsenalhadbeenlocatedatPatesville。

SeizedbythestatetroopsuponthesecessionofNorthCarolina，ithadbeenheldbytheConfederatesuntiltheapproachofSherman’svictoriousarmy，whereuponitwasevacuatedandpartiallydestroyed。Theworkofdestructionbegunbytheretreatinggarrisonwascompletedbytheconquerors，andnowonlyruinedwallsandbrokencannonremainedofwhathadoncebeenthechiefornamentandprideofPatesville。

ThefrontofDr。Green’sspaciousbrickhouse，whichoccupiedanideallypicturesquesite，wasovergrownbyanetworkofclingingvines，contrastingmostagreeablywiththemellowredbackground。Alowbrickwall，alsooverrunwithcreepers，separatedthepremisesfromthestreetandshutinawell—keptflowergarden，inwhichTryon，whoknewsomethingofplants，noticedmanyrareandbeautifulspecimens。

Mrs。GreengreetedTryoncordially。Hedidnothavethedoctor’smemorywithwhichtofilloutthelady’scheeksorrestorethelustreofherhairorthesparkleofhereyes，andtherebyjustifyherhusband’sclaimtobeajudgeofbeauty；butherkind—heartedhospitalitywasobvious，andmighthavemadeevenaplainwomanseemhandsome。

Sheandhertwofairdaughters，towhomTryonwasdulypresented，lookedwithmuchfavorupontheirhandsomeyoungkinsman；foramongthepeopleofPatesville，perhapsbyvirtueoftheprevalenceofScottishblood，thetiesofbloodwerecherishedasthingsofvalue，andneverforgottenexceptincaseoftheunworthy——anexception，bytheway，whichoneneedhardlygosofartoseek。

ThePatesvillepeoplewerenotexceptionalintheweaknessesandmeannesseswhicharecommontoallmankind，butforsomeofthefinersocialqualitiestheywereconspicuouslyabovetheaverage。

Kindness，hospitality，loyalty，achivalrousdeferencetowomen，——allthesethingsmightbefoundinlargemeasurebythosewhosawPatesvillewiththeeyesofitsbestcitizens，andacceptedtheirstandardsofpolitics，religion，manners，andmorals。

Thedoctor，aftertheintroductions，excusedhimselfforamoment。Mrs。GreensoonleftTryonwiththeyoungladiesandwenttolookafterluncheon。Herfirsterrand，however，wastofindthedoctor。

"Ishewelloff，Ed？"sheaskedherhusband。

"Lotsofland，andplentyofmoney，ifheiseverabletocollectit。Hehasinheritedtwoestates。"

"He’sagood—lookingfellow，"shemused。"Ishemarried？"

"Thereyougoagain，"repliedherhusband，shakinghisforefingeratherinmockreproach。

"Toawomanwithmarriageabledaughtersallroadsleadtomatrimony，thecentreofawoman’suniverse。Allmenmustbesizedupbytheirmatrimonialavailability。No，heisn’tmarried。"

"That’snice，"sherejoinedreflectively。"I

thinkweoughttoaskhimtostaywithuswhileheisintown，don’tyou？"

"He’snotmarried，"rejoinedthedoctorslyly，"butthenextbestthing——he’sengaged。"

"Cometothinkofit，"saidthelady，"I’mafraidwewouldn’thavetheroomtospare，andthegirlswouldhardlyhavetimetoentertainhim。

Butwe’llhavehimupseveraltimes。Ilikehislooks。Iwishyouhadsentmewordhewascoming；

I’dhavehadabetterluncheon。"

"Makehimasalad，"rejoinedthedoctor，"andgetoutabottleofthebestclaret。ThankGod，theYankeesdidn’tgetintomywinecellar！TheyoungmanmustbetreatedwithgenuineSouthernhospitality，——evenifhewereaMormonandmarriedtentimesover。"

"Indeed，hewouldnot，Ed，——theidea！I’mashamedofyou。Hurrybacktotheparlorandtalktohim。Thegirlsmaywanttoprimpalittlebeforeluncheon；wedon’thaveayoungmaneveryday。"

"Beautyunadorned，"repliedthedoctor，"isadornedthemost。Myprofessionqualifiesmetospeakuponthesubject。TheyarethetwohandsomestyoungwomeninPatesville，andthedaughtersofthemostbeautiful"——

"Don’tyoudaretosaytheword，"interruptedMrs。Green，withplacidgoodnature。"IshallnevergrowoldwhileIamlivingwithabigboylikeyou。ButImustgoandmakethesalad。"

Atdinnertheconversationranonthefamilyconnectionsandtheirvaryingfortunesinthelatewar。Somehaddieduponthebattlefield，andsleptinunknowngraves；somehadbeenfinanciallyruinedbytheirfaithinthe"lostcause，"

havinginvestedtheirallinthesecuritiesoftheConfederateGovernment。Fewhadanythingleftbutland，andlandwithoutslavestoworkitwasadruginthemarket。

"Iwasofferedathousandacres，theotherday，attwenty—fivecentsanacre，"remarkedthedoctor。

"Theownerissoland—poorthathecan’tpaythetaxes。Theyhavetakenournegroesandourliberties。Itmaybebetterforourgrandchildrenthatthenegroesarefree，butit’sconfoundedlyhardonustotakethemwithoutpayingforthem。Theymayexaltourslavesoverustemporarily，buttheyhavenotbrokenourspirit，andcannottakeawayoursuperiorityofbloodandbreeding。Intimeweshallregaincontrol。Thenegroisaninferiorcreature；Godhasmarkedhimwiththebadgeofservitude，andhasadjustedhisintellecttoaservilecondition。Wewillnotlongsubmittohisdomination。Igiveyouatoast，sir：TheAnglo—Saxonrace：mayitremainforever，asnow，theheadandfrontofcreation，neveryieldingitsrights，andreadyalwaystodie，ifneedbe，indefenseofitsliberties！"

"Withallmyheart，sir，"repliedTryon，whofeltinthiscompanyathrillofthatpleasurewhichaccompaniesconscioussuperiority，——"withallmyheart，sir，iftheladieswillpermitme。"

"Wewilljoinyou，"theyreplied。Thetoastwasdrunkwithgreatenthusiasm。

"Andnow，mydearGeorge，"exclaimedthedoctor，"tochangeonegoodsubjectforanother，telluswhoisthefavoredlady？"

"AMissRowenaWarwick，sir，"repliedTryon，vividlyconsciousoffourpairsofeyesfixeduponhim，but，apartfromthemomentaryembarrassment，welcomingthesubjectastheonehewouldmostliketospeakupon。

"Agood，strongoldEnglishname，"observedthedoctor。

"Theheroineof`Ivanhoe’！"exclaimedMissHarriet。

"WarwicktheKingmaker！"saidMissMary。

"Isshetallandfair，anddignifiedandstately？"

"Sheistall，darkratherthanfair，andfulloftendergraceandsweethumility。"

"SheshouldhavebeennamedRebeccainsteadofRowena，"rejoinedMissMary，whowaswellupinherScott。

"Tellussomethingaboutherpeople，"askedMrs。Green，——towhichinquirytheyoungladieslookedassent。

InthismeetingoftheelectofhisownclassandkinWarwickfeltacertainstrongilluminationuponthevalueofbirthandblood。FindingRenaamongpeopleofthebestsocialstanding，thesubsequentintimationthatshewasagirlofnofamilyhadseemedasmallmattertoonesomuchinlove。

Nevertheless，inhispresentcompanyhefeltadecidedsatisfactioninbeingabletopresentforhisfuturewifeacleanbillofsocialhealth。

"HerbrotheristhemostprominentlawyerofClarence。Theyliveinafineoldfamilymansion，andareamongthebestpeopleofthetown。"

"Quiteright，myboy，"assentedthedoctor。

"Nonebutthebestaregoodenoughforthebest。

YoumustbringhertoPatesvillesomeday。Butblessmylife！"heexclaimed，lookingathiswatch，"Imustbegoing。Willyoustaywiththeladiesawhile，orgobackdowntownwithme？"

"IthinkIhadbettergowithyou，sir。IshallhavetoseeJudgeStraight。"

"Verywell。Butyoumustcomebacktosupper，andwe’llhaveafewfriendsintomeetyou。

Youmustseesomeofthebestpeople。"

Thedoctor’sbuggywaswaitingatthegate。

Astheywerepassingthehotelontheirdrivedowntown，theclerkcameouttothecurbstoneandcalledtothedoctor。

"There’samanhere，doctor，who’sbeentakensuddenlyill。Canyoucomeinaminute？"

"IsupposeI’llhaveto。Willyouwaitformehere，George，orwillyoudrivedowntotheoffice？Icanwalktherestoftheway。"

"IthinkI’llwaithere，doctor，"answeredTryon。"I’llstepuptomyroomamoment。I’llbebackbythetimeyou’reready。"

Itwaswhiletheywerestandingbeforethehotel，beforealightingfromthebuggy，thatFrankFowler，passingonhiscart，sawTryonandsetoutasfastashecouldtowarnMis’Mollyandherdaughterofhispresenceinthetown。

Tryonwentuptohisroom，returnedafterawhile，andresumedhisseatinthebuggy，wherehewaitedfifteenminuteslongerbeforethedoctorwasready。Whentheydrewupinfrontoftheoffice，thedoctor’smanDavewasstandinginthedoorway，lookingupthestreetwithananxiousexpression，asthoughstrugglinghardtokeepsomethinguponhismind。

"Anythingwanted，Dave？"askedthedoctor。

"Datyoung’oman’sbe’nheahag’in，suh，an’

wantsterseeyoubad。She’sindedrugstorederenow，suh。BlessGawd！"headdedtohimselffervently，"I’membereddat。Disyerrecommemb’anceermineisgwinetergitmeintertroubleefIdon’lookout，an’dat’safac’，sho’。"

Thedoctorsprangfromthebuggywithanagilityremarkableinamanofsixty。"Justkeepyourseat，George，"hesaidtoTryon，"untilI

havespokentotheyoungwoman，andthenwe’llgoacrosstoStraight’s。Or，ifyou’lldrivealongalittlefarther，youcanseethegirlthroughthewindow。She’sworththetrouble，ifyoulikeaprettyface。"

Tryonlikedoneprettyface；moreover，tintedbeautyhadneverappealedtohim。Moretoshowaproperregardforwhatinterestedthedoctorthanfromanycuriosityofhisown，hedroveforwardafewfeet，untilthesideofthebuggywasoppositethedrugstorewindow，andthenlookedin。

Betweenthecoloredglassbottlesinthewindowhecouldseeayoungwoman，atallandslendergirl，likealilyonitsstem。Shestoodtalkingwiththedoctor，whoheldhishatinhishandwithasmuchdeferenceasthoughsheweretheproudestdameintown。Herfacewaspartlyturnedawayfromthewindow，butasTryon’seyefelluponher，hegaveagreatstart。Surely，notwowomencouldbesomuchalike。Theheight，thegracefuldroopoftheshoulders，theswan—likepoiseofthehead，thewell—

turnedlittleear，——surely，notwowomencouldhavethemallidentical！But，pshaw！thenotionwasabsurd，itwasmerelythereflexinfluenceofhismorning’sdream。

Shemovedslightly；itwasRena’smovement。

Surelyheknewthegown，andthestyleofhair—

dressing！Sherestedherhandlightlyonthebackofachair。Theringthatglitteredonherfingercouldbenoneotherthanhisown。

Thedoctorbowed。Thegirlnoddedinresponse，and，turning，leftthestore。Tryonleanedforwardfromthebuggy—seatandkepthiseyefixedonthefigurethatmovedacrossthefloorofthedrugstore。

Asshecameout，sheturnedherfacecasuallytowardthebuggy，andtherecouldnolongerbeanydoubtastoheridentity。

WhenRena’seyesfellupontheyoungmaninthebuggy，shesawafaceaspaleasdeath，withstartingeyes，inwhichlove，whichoncehadreignedthere，hadnowgivenplacetoastonishmentandhorror。Shestoodamomentasifturnedtostone。Oneappealingglanceshegave，——alookthatmighthavesoftenedadamant。Whenshesawthatitbroughtnoansweringsignofloveorsorroworregret，thecolorfadedfromhercheek，thelightfromhereye，andshefellfaintingtotheground。

XVI

THEBOTTOMFALLSOUT

ThefirsteffectofTryon’sdiscoverywas，figurativelyspeaking，toknockthebottomoutofthingsforhim。Itwasmuchasifaboatonwhichhehadbeenfloatingsmoothlydownthestreamofpleasurehadsunksuddenlyandlefthimstrugglingindeepwaters。Thefullrealizationofthetruth，whichfollowedspeedily，hadforthemomentreversedhismentalattitudetowardher，andloveandyearninghadgivenplacetoangeranddisgust。Hisagitationcouldhardlyhaveescapednoticehadnotthedoctor’sattention，andthatofthecrowdthatquicklygathered，beenabsorbedbytheyoungwomanwhohadfallen。Duringthetimeoccupiedincarryingherintothedrugstore，restoringhertoconsciousness，andsendingherhomeinacarriage，Tryonhadtimetorecoverinsomedegreehisself—possession。WhenRenahadbeentakenhome，heslippedawayforalongwalk，afterwhichhecalledatJudgeStraight’sofficeandreceivedthejudge’sreportuponthematterpresented。JudgeStraighthadfoundtheclaim，inhisopinion，agoodone；hehaddiscoveredpropertyfromwhich，incasetheclaimwereallowed，theamountmightberealized。Thejudge，whohadalreadybeeninformedoftheincidentatthedrugstore，observedTryon’spreoccupationandguessedshrewdlyatitscause，butgavenosign。Tryonleftthematterofthenoteunreservedlyinthelawyer’shands，withinstructionstocommunicatetohimanyfurtherdevelopments。

Returningtothedoctor’soffice，Tryonlistenedtothatgenialgentleman’scommentsontheaccident，hisownconcerninwhichhe，byagreateffort，wasabletoconceal。ThedoctorinsisteduponhisreturningtotheHillforsupper。Tryonpleadedillness。Thedoctorwassolicitous，felthispulse，examinedhistongue，pronouncedhimfeverish，andprescribedasedative。Tryonsoughtrefugeinhisroomatthehotel，fromwhichhedidnotemergeagainuntilmorning。

Hisemotionswerevariedandstormy。Atfirsthecouldseenothingbutthefraudofwhichhehadbeenmadethevictim。Anegrogirlhadbeenfoisteduponhimforawhitewoman，andhehadalmostcommittedtheunpardonablesinagainsthisraceofmarryingher。Suchastep，hefelt，wouldhavebeencriminalatanytime；itwouldhavebeenthemostodioustreacheryatthisepoch，whenhispeoplehadbeensubjugatedandhumiliatedbytheNortherninvaders，whohadpreachednegroequalityandabolishedthewholesomelawsdecreeingtheseparationoftheraces。ButnoSouthernerwholovedhispoor，downtroddencountry，orhisrace，theproudAnglo—SaxonracewhichtracedtheclearstreamofitsbloodtothecavaliersofEngland，couldtoleratetheideathatevenindistantgenerationsthatunsulliedcurrentcouldbepollutedbythebloodofslaves。TheverythoughtwasaninsulttothewhitepeopleoftheSouth。

ForTryon’sliberality，ofwhichhehadspokensonoblyandsosincerely，hadbeenconfinedunconsciously，andasamatterofcourse，withintheboundariesofhisownrace。TheSouthernmind，indiscussingabstractquestionsrelativetohumanity，makesalways，consciouslyorunconsciously，thementalreservationthattheconclusionsreacheddonotapplytothenegro，unlesstheycanbemadetoharmonizewiththecustomsofthecountry。

Butreasoningthuswasnotwithouteffectuponamindbynaturereasonableabovetheaverage。

Tryon’sraceimpulseandsocialprejudicehadcarriedhimtoofar，andtheswingofthementalpendulumbroughthisthoughtsrapidlybackintheoppositedirection。Tossinguneasilyonthebed，wherehehadthrownhimselfdownwithoutundressing，theairoftheroomoppressedhim，andhethrewopenthewindow。Thecoolnightaircalmedhisthrobbingpulses。Themoonlight，streamingthroughthewindow，floodedtheroomwithasoftlight，inwhichheseemedtoseeRenastandingbeforehim，asshehadappearedthatafternoon，gazingathimwitheyesthatimploredcharityandforgiveness。Heburstintotears，——

bittertears，thatstrainedhisheartstrings。Hewasonlyayouth。Shewashisfirstlove，andhehadlostherforever。Shewasworsethandeadtohim；forifhehadseenherlyinginhershroudbeforehim，hecouldatleasthavecherishedhermemory；now，eventhisconsolationwasdeniedhim。

Thetownclock——whichsolongasitwaswoundupregularlyreckednothingofloveorhate，joyorsorrow——solemnlytolledoutthehourofmidnightandsoundedtheknellofhislostlove。Lostshewas，asthoughshehadneverbeen，asshehadindeedhadnorighttobe。Heresolutelydeterminedtobanishherimagefromhismind。Seeheragainhecouldnot；itwouldbepainfultothemboth；itcouldbeproductiveofnogoodtoeither。Hehadfeltthepowerandcharmoflove，andnoordinaryshookcouldhavelooseneditshold；butthiscatastrophe，whichhadsorudelysweptawaythegroundworkofhispassion，hadstirredintonewlifealltheslumberingprideofraceandancestrywhichcharacterizedhiscaste。

Howmuchofthissensitivesuperioritywasessentialandhowmuchaccidental；howmuchofitwasduetotheever—suggestedcomparisonwithaservilerace；howmuchofitwasignoranceandself—conceit；towhatextenttheboastedpurityofhisracewouldhavebeencontaminatedbythefairwomanwhoseimagefilledhismemory，——ofthesethingsheneverthought。Hewasnotinfluencedbysordidconsiderations；hewouldhavedeniedthathiscoursewascontrolledbyanynarrowprudence。IfRenahadbeenwhite，purewhite（forinhiscreedtherewasnocompromise），hewouldhavebravedanydangerforhersake。Hadshebeenmerelyofillegitimatebirth，hewouldhaveoverlookedthebarsinister。Hadherpeoplebeensimplypoorandoflowestate，hewouldhavebrushedasidemereworldlyconsiderations，andwouldhavebravelysacrificedconventionforlove；

forhisliberalitywasnotamereformofwords。

Buttheoneobjectionwhichhecouldnotoverlookwas，unhappily，theonethatappliedtotheonlywomanwhohadasyetmovedhisheart。Hetriedtobeangrywithher，butafterthefirsthourhefounditimpossible。Hewasamanoftoomuchimaginationnottobeabletoputhimself，insomemeasureatleast，inherplace，——toperceivethatforherthestepwhichhadplacedherinTryon’sworldwastheworkingoutofnature’sgreatlawofself—

preservation，forwhichhecouldnotblameher。

Butforthesheerestaccident，——no，rather，butforaprovidentialinterference，——hewouldhavemarriedher，andmighthavegonetothegraveunconsciousthatshewasotherthansheseemed。

Theclockstruckthehouroftwo。Withashiverheclosedthewindow，undressedbythemoonlight，drewdowntheshade，andwenttobed。

Hefellintoanunquietslumber，anddreamedagainofRena。Hemustlearntocontrolhiswakingthoughts；hisdreamscouldnotbecurbed。

InthatrealmRena’simagewasformanyadaytoremainsupreme。Hedreamedofhersweetsmile，hersofttouch，hergentlevoice。Inallherfairyoungbeautyshestoodbeforehim，andthenbysomehellishmagicshewasslowlytransformedintoahideousblackhag。Withagonizedeyeshewatchedherbeautifultressesbecomemerewispsofcoarsewool，wrappedroundwithdingycottonstrings；hesawhercleareyesgrowbloodshot，herivoryteethturntounwholesomefangs。Withashudderheawoke，tofindthecoldgraydawnofarainydaystealingthroughthewindow。

Herose，dressedhimself，wentdowntobreakfast，thenenteredthewriting—roomandpennedaletterwhich，afterreadingitover，hetoreintosmallpiecesandthrewintothewastebasket。A

secondsharedthesamefate。Givingupthetask，heleftthehotelandwalkeddowntoDr。Green’soffice。

"Isthedoctorin？"heaskedofthecoloredattendant。

"No，suh，"repliedtheman；"he’sgoneterseedeyoungculludgalw’atfaintedw’endedoctahwaswidyouyistiddy。"

Tryonsatdownatthedoctor’sdeskandhastilyscrawledanote，statingthatbusinesscompelledhisimmediatedeparture。Hethankedthedoctorforcourtesiesextended，andlefthisregardsfortheladies。Returning。tothehotel，hepaidhisbillandtookahackforthewharf，fromwhichaboatwasduetoleaveatnineo’clock。

AsthehackdrovedownFrontStreet，Tryonnotedidlythehousesthatlinedthestreet。Whenhereachedthesordiddistrictinthelowerpartofthetown，therewasnothingtoattracthisattentionuntilthecarriagecameabreastofarowofcedar—trees，beyondwhichcouldbeseentheupperpartofalargehousewithdormerwindows。Beforethegatestoodahorseandbuggy，whichTryonthoughtherecognizedasDr。Green’s。Heleanedforwardandaddressedthedriver。

"Canyoutellmewholivesthere？"Tryonasked，pointingtothehouse。

"Acallud’oman，suh，"themanreplied，touchinghishat。"Mis’MollyWaldenan’herdaughterRena。"

Thevividimpressionhereceivedofthishouse，andthespectrethatrosebeforehimofapale，broken—heartedgirlwithinitsgraywalls，weepingforalostloverandavanisheddreamofhappiness，didnotarguewellforTryon’sfuturepeaceofmind。Rena’simagewasnottobeeasilyexpelledfromhisheart；forthelawsofnaturearehigherandmorepotentthanmerelyhumaninstitutions，anduponanythinglikeafairfieldarelikelytowininthelongran。

XVII

TWOLETTERS

Warwickawaitedeventswithsomecalmnessandsomephilosophy，——hecouldhardlyhavehadtheonewithouttheother；anditrequiredmuchphilosophytomakehimwaitaweekinpatienceforinformationuponasubjectinwhichhewassovitallyinterested。Thedelaypointedtodisaster。

Badnewsbeingexpected，delayatleastputofftheevilday。Attheendoftheweekhereceivedtwoletters，——oneaddressedinhisownhandwritingandpostmarkedPatesville，N。C。；theotherinthehandwritingofGeorgeTryon。HeopenedthePatesvilleletter，whichranasfollows：——

MYDEARSON，——Frankiswritingthisletterforme。Iamnotwell，but，thanktheLord，I

ambetterthanIwas。

Renahashadaheapoftroubleonaccountofmeandmysickness。IfIcouldofdreamtthatI

wasgoingtodosomuchharm，IwouldofdiedandgonetomeetmyGodwithoutwritingonewordtospoilmygirl’schancesinlife；butIdidn’tknowwhatwasgoingtohappen，andIhopetheLordwillforgiveme。

Frankknowsallaboutit，andsoIamhavinghimwritethisletterforme，asRenaisnotwellenoughyet。FrankhasbeenverygoodtomeandtoRena。HewasdowntoyourplaceandsawRenathere，andneversaidawordaboutittonobody，noteventome，becausehedidn’twanttodoRenanoharm。FrankisthebestfriendI

havegotintown，becausehedoessomuchformeanddon’twantnothinginreturn。（Hetellsmenottoputthisinabouthim，butIwantyoutoknowit。）

AndnowaboutRena。Shecometoseeme，andIgotbetterrightaway，foritwaslongingforherasmuchasanythingelsethatmademesick，andIwasmightymizzable。Whenshehadbeenherethreedaysandwasgoingbacknextday，shewentuptowntoseethedoctorforme，andwhileshewasupthereshefaintedandfelldowninthestreet，andDr。Greensentherhomeinhisbuggyandcomedowntoseeher。Hecouldn’ttellwhatwasthematterwithher，butshehasbeensickeversinceandoutofherheadsomeofthetime，andkeepsoncallingonsomebodybythenameofGeorge，whichwastheyoungwhitemanshetoldmeshewasgoingtomarry。ItseemshewasintownthedayRenawastooksick，forFranksawhimupstreetandrunallthewaydownheretotellme，sothatshecouldkeepoutofhisway，whileshewasstilluptownwaitingforthedoctorandgettingmesomecamphorgumformycamphorbottle。OldJudgeStraightmusthaveknowedsomethingaboutit，forhesentmeanotetokeepRenainthehouse，butthelittleboyhesentitbydidn’tbringittillRenawasalreadygoneuptown，and，asIcouldn’tread，ofcourseIdidn’tknowwhatitsaid。Dr。

GreenheardRenarunningonwhileshewasoutofherhead，andIreckonhemusthavesuspicionedsomething，forhelookedkindofqueerandwentawaywithoutsayingnothing。Franksaysshemetthismanonthestreet，andwhenhefoundoutshewasn’twhite，hesaidordonesomethingthatbrokeherheartandshefaintedandfelldown。

IamwritingyouthisletterbecauseIknowyouwillbeworryingaboutRenanotcomingback。Ifitwasn’tforFrank，IhardlyknowhowIcouldwritetoyou。FrankisnotgoingtosaynothingaboutRena’spassingforwhiteandmeetingthisman，andneitheramI；andIdon’tsupposeJudgeStraightwillsaynothing，becauseheisourgoodfriend；andDr。Greenwon’tsaynothingaboutit，becauseFranksaysDr。Green’scookNancysaysthisyoungmannamedGeorgestoppedwithhimandwassomecousinorrelationtothefamily，andtheywouldn’twantpeopletoknowthatanyoftheirkinwasthinkingaboutmarryingacoloredgirl，andthewhitefolkshaveallbeenmadsinceJ。B。

Thompsonmarriedhisblackhousekeeperwhenshegotreligionandwouldn’tlivewithhimnomore。

Alltherestoftheconnectionarewell。IhavejustbeenintoseehowRenais。Sheisfeelingsomebetter，Ithink，andsaysgiveyouherloveandshewillwriteyoualetterinafewdays，assoonassheiswellenough。Shebustoutcryingwhileshewastalking，butIreckonthatisbetterthanbeingoutofherhead。Ihopethismayfindyouwell，andthatthismanofRena’swon’tsaynordonothingdowntheretohurtyou。HehasnotwrotetoRenanorsenthernoword。Ireckonheisverymad。

Youraffectionatemother，MARYWALDEN。

Thisletter，whileconfirmingWarwick’sfears，relievedhissuspense。Heatleastknewtheworst，unlessthereshouldbesomethingstillmoredisturbinginTryon’sletter，whichhenowproceededtoopen，andwhichranasfollows：——

JOHNWARWICK，ESQ。

DearSir，——WhenIinformyou，asyouaredoubtlessinformederethereceiptofthis，thatI

sawyoursisterinPatesvillelastweekandlearnedthenatureofthoseantecedentsofyoursandhersatwhichyouhintedsoobscurelyinarecentconversation，youwillnotbesurprisedtolearnthatItakethisopportunityofrenouncinganypretensionstoMissWarwick’shand，andrequestyoutoconveythismessagetoher，sinceitwasthroughyouthatIformedheracquaintance。Ithinkperhapsthatfewwhitemenwoulddeemitnecessarytomakeanexplanationunderthecircumstances，andIdonotknowthatIneedsaymorethanthatnoone，consideringwhereandhowImetyoursister，wouldhavedreamedofeventhepossibilityofwhatIhavelearned。Imightwithjusticereproachyoufortriflingwiththemostsacredfeelingsofaman’sheart；butIrealizethehardshipofyourpositionandhers，andcanmakeallowances。

Iwouldneverhavesoughttoknowthisthing；I

woulddoubtlesshavebeenhappierhadIgonethroughlifewithoutfindingitout；buthavingtheknowledge，Icannotignoreit，asyoumustunderstandperfectlywell。Iregretthatsheshouldbedistressedordisappointed，——shehasnotsufferedalone。

IneedscarcelyassureyouthatIshallsaynothingaboutthisaffair，andthatIshallkeepyoursecretasthoughitweremyown。Personally，Ishallneverbeabletothinkofyouasotherthanawhiteman，asyoumaygatherfromthetoneofthisletter；andwhileIcannotmarryyoursister，Iwishhereveryhappiness，andremain，Yoursverytruly，GEORGETRYON。

WarwickcouldnotknowthatthisformalepistlewasthelastofadozenthatTryonhadwrittenanddestroyedduringtheweeksincethemeetinginPatesville，——hot，blisteringletters，cold，cuttingletters，scornful，crushingletters。Thoughnoneofthemwassent，exceptthislast，theyhadfurnishedasafety—valveforhisemotions，andhadlefthiminastateofmindthatpermittedhimtowritetheforegoing。

Andnow，whileRenaisrecoveringfromherillness，andTryonfromhislove，andwhileFateisshufflingthecardsforanotherdeal，afewwordsmaybesaidaboutthepastlifeofthepeoplewholivedintherearoftheflowergarden，inthequaintoldhousebeyondthecedars，andhowtheirlivesweremingledwiththoseofthemenandwomenaroundthemandothersthatweregone。Forconnectedwithourkindwemustbe；ifnotbyourvirtues，thenbyourvices，——ifnotbyourservices，atleastbyourneeds。

XVIII

UNDERTHEOLDREGIME

Formanyyearsbeforethecivilwartherehadlived，intheoldhousebehindthecedars，afreecoloredwomanwhowentbythenameofMollyWalden——herrightfulname，forherparentswerefree—bornandlegallymarried。Shewasatallwoman，straightasanarrow。Hercomplexioninyouthwasofanoldivorytint，whichattheperiodofthisstory，timehaddarkenedmeasurably。Herblackeyes，nowfaded，hadoncesparkledwiththefireofyouth。Highcheek—bones，straightblackhair，andacertaindignifiedreposefulnessofmannerpointedtoanaboriginaldescent。Traditiongavehertothenegrorace。Doubtlessshehadastrainofeach，withwhitebloodveryvisiblypredominatingoverboth。InLouisianaortheWestIndiesshewouldhavebeencalledaquadroon，ormoreloosely，acreole；inNorthCarolina，wherefinedistinctionswerenottheruleinmattersofcolor，shewassufficientlydifferentiatedwhendescribedasabrightmulatto。

Molly’sfreebirthcarriedwithitcertainadvantages，evenintheSouthbeforethewar。Thoughdegradedfromitshighestate，andshornofitschoicestattributes，theword"freedom"hadneverthelessacheerfulsound，anddescribedaconditionthatlefteventocoloredpeoplewhocouldclaimitsomelibertyofmovementandsomecontroloftheirownpersons。Theywerenotcitizens，yettheywerenotslaves。Nonegro，saveinbooks，everrefusedfreedom；manyofthemranfrightfulriskstoachieveit。Molly’sparentswereoftheclass，morenumerousinNorthCarolinathanelsewhere，knownas"oldissuefreenegroes，"whichtookitsriseinthemistycolonialperiod，whenracelineswerenotsocloselydrawn，andthepopulationofNorthCarolinacomprisedmanyIndians，runawaynegroes，andindenturedwhiteservantsfromtheseaboardplantations，whomingledtheirbloodwithgreatfreedomandsmallformality。FreecoloredpeopleinNorthCarolinaexercisedtherightofsuffrageaslateas1835，andsomeofthem，inspiteofgallingrestrictions，attainedtoaconsiderabledegreeofprosperity，anddreamedofastillbrighterfuture，whenthegrowingtyrannyoftheslavepowercrushedtheirhopesandcrowdedthefreepeoplebackupontheblackmassjustbeneaththem。Mis’Molly’sfatherhadbeenatonetimeamanofsomemeans。Inanevilhour，withanoverweeningconfidenceinhisfellowmen，heindorsedanoteforawhitemanwho，inamomentoffinancialhardship，clappedhiscoloredneighboronthebackandcalledhimbrother。Notpoverty，butwealth，isthemostpotentleveler。