\"Yes，butyouwon\'tbringthemupstairs，please，\"saidWinthrop，\"untilyouhearfromme。\"
Gaylorflushedwithangerandforamomentappeareduponthepointofmutiny。Then，asthoughrefusingtoconsiderhimselfresponsibleforthemannersoftheyoungerman，heshruggedhisshouldersandlefttheroom。
WithevenlessofconsiderationthanhehadshowntoJudgeGaylor，WinthropturneduponRainey。
\"How\'syourpatient？\"heaskedshortly。RaineywassufficientlyinfluencedbytheliquorhehadtakentodaretoresentWinthrop\'speremptorytone。Hisowninreplywasdesignedlyoffensive。
\"Mypatient？\"heinquired。
\"Mr。Hallowell，\"snappedWinthrop，\"he\'ssick，isn\'the？\"
\"Oh，Idon\'tknow，\"returnedtheDoctor。
\"Youdon\'tknow？\"demandedWinthrop。\"Well，Iknow。Iknowifhegoesthroughthisthingtonight，he\'llhaveanothercollapse。I
sawonethismorning。Whydon\'tyouforbidit？You\'rehismedicaladviser，aren\'tyou？\"
Raineyremainedsullenlysilent。
\"Answerme!\"insistedtheDistrictAttorney。\"Youare，aren\'tyou？\"
\"Iam，\"atlastdeclaredRainey。
\"Well，then，\"commandedWinthrop，\"tellhimtostopthis。TellhimIadviseit。\"
ThroughhisglassesRaineyblinkedviolentlyattheDistrictAttorney，andlaughed。\"Ididn\'tknow，\"hesaid，\"thatyouwereamedicalman。\"
WinthroplookedattheDoctorsosteadily，andforsolongatime，thattheeyesoftheyoungmansoughtthefloorandtheceiling；andhissneerchangedtoanexpressionofdiscomfort。
\"Iamnot，\"saidWinthrop。\"IamtheDistrictAttorneyofNewYork。\"Histoneswerecold，precise；theyfelluponthesuperheatedbrainofDr。Raineylikedropsfromanicicle。
\"WhenItookoverthatoffice，\"continuedWinthrop，\"Ifoundacomplaintagainsttwomedicalstudents，afailuretoreportthedeathofanoldmaninaprivatesanitarium。\"
Winthroploweredhiseyes，andbecamedeeplyabsorbedinthetoeofhisboot。\"Ihaven\'tlookedintothepapers，yet，\"hesaid。
Rainey，swayingslightly，jerkedopenthedoorofthebedroom。
\"I\'lltellhim，\"hepantedthickly。\"I\'lltellhimtodoasyousay。\"
\"Thankyou，Iwishyouwould，\"saidWinthrop。
Atthesamemoment，fromthehall，Garrettannounced，\"Mrs。
Vance，sir。\"AndMabelVance，tremulousandfrightened，enteredtheroom。
Winthropapproachedhereagerly。
\"Ah!Mrs。Vance，\"heexclaimed，\"canIseeMissVera？\"
Embarrassedandunhappy，Mrs。Vancemovedrestlesslyfromfoottofoot，andshookherhead。
\"Please，Mr。DistrictAttorney，\"shebegged。\"I\'mafraidnot。
Thisafternoonupsetherso。Andshe\'ssonervousandqueerthattheProfessorthinkssheshouldn\'tseenobody。\"
\"TheProfessor？\"hecommented。Hisvoicewasconsiderate，conciliatory。\"Now，Mrs。Vance，\"hesaid，\"I\'veknownMissVeraeversinceshewasalittlegirl，knownherlongerthanyouhave，and，I\'mherfriend，andyou\'reherfriend，and——\"
\"Iam，\"protestedMabelVancetearfully。\"IndeedIam!\"
\"Iknowyouare，\"Winthropinterruptedhastily。
\"You\'vebeenmorethanafriendtoher，you\'vebeenasister，mother，andyoudon\'twantanytroubletocometoher，doyou？\"
\"Idon\'t，\"criedthewoman。\"Oh!\"sheexclaimedmiserably，\"I
toldthemthere\'dbetrouble!\"
Winthroplaughedreassuringly。
\"Well，therewon\'tbeanytrouble，\"hedeclared，\"ifIcanhelpit。Andifyouwanttohelpher，helpme。Persuadehertoletmetalktoher。Don\'tmindwhattheProfessorsays。\"
\"Iwill，\"declaredMrs。Vancewithdetermination，\"Iwill。\"
Shestartedeagerlytowardthehall，andthenpausedandreturned。Herhandswereclasped；herround，babyeyes，wetwithtears，werefixeduponWinthropappealingly。
\"Oh，please，\"shepleaded，\"you\'renotgoingtohurthim，areyou？Paul，myhusband，\"sheexplained，\"he\'sbeensuchagoodhusbandtome。\"
Winthroplaugheduneasily。
\"Why，that\'llbeallright，\"heprotested。
\"Hedoesn\'tmeananyharm，insistedMrs。\"Vance，\"he\'sonthelevel；true，heis!\"
\"Why，ofcourse，ofcourse，\"Winthropassented。
Unsatisfied，Mrs。Vanceburstintotears。\"It\'sthisspiritbusinessthatmakesthetrouble!\"shecried。\"Itellthemtocutitout。Now，themindreadingatthetheatre，\"shesobbed，\"there\'snoharminthat，isthere？Andthere\'stwicethemoneyinit。Butthisghostraising\"——sheraisedhereyesappealingly，asthoughbeggingtobecontradicted——\"it\'ssuretogethimintotrouble，isn\'tit？\"
Winthropshookhishead，andsmiled。
\"Itmay，\"hesaid。Mrs。Vancebrokeintoafreshoutburstoftears。\"Iknewit，\"shecried，\"Iknewit。\"Winthropplacedhishanduponherarmandturnedherinthedirectionofthedoor。
\"Don\'tworry，:\"hesaidsoothingly。\"GosendMissVerahere。And，\"hecalledafterher，\"don\'tworry。\"
AsMabeldeparteduponhiserrand，Raineyreenteredfromthebedroom。Hecarefullyclosedthedoorandhaltedwithhishandupontheknob，andshookhishead。
\"It\'snouse，\"hesaid，\"hewillgoonwithit。It\'snotmyfault，\"hewhined，\"Itoldhimitwouldkillhim。Icouldn\'tmakeitanystrongerthanthat，couldI？\"
RaineywasnotlookingatWinthrop，but，asthoughfearfulofinterruption，towardthedoor。Hiseyeswereharassed，furtive，filledwithmiserableindecision。ManytimesbeforeWinthrophadseenmeninsuchastate。Heknewthatforthesuffereritforetoldaphysicalbreakdown，orthathewouldseekreliefinfullconfession。Togivethemanconfidence，heabandonedhisattitudeofsuspicion。
\"Thatcertainlywouldbestrongenoughforme，\"hesaidcheerfully。\"DidyoutellhimwhatIadvised？\"
\"Yes，yes，\"mutteredRaineyimpatiently。\"Hesaidyouwereinvitedheretogiveadvicetohisniece，nottohim。\"ForthefirsttimehiseyesmetthoseofWinthropboldly。TheDistrictAttorneyrecognizedthatthemanhadtakenhisfearsbythethroat，andhadarrivedathisdecision。\"
\"Seehere，\"exclaimedRainey，\"couldIgiveyousomeinformation？\"
\"I\'msureyoucould，\"returnedWinthropbriskly。\"Giveittomenow。\"
ButRainey，glancingtowardthedoor，shrankback。Winthrop，followingthedirectionofhiseyes，sawVera。ImpatientlyhewavedRaineyaway。
\"Attheoffice，tomorrowmorning，\"hecommanded。Withasighofreliefatthereprieve，Raineyslippedbackintothebedroom。
WinthrophadpersuadedhimselfthatinseekingtospeakwithVera，hewasmakingonlyanaturalchoicebetweenpreventingthegirlfromperpetratingafraud，or，later，forthatfraud，holdinghertoaccount。Butwhensheactuallystoodbeforehim，herecognizedhowabsurdlyhehaddeceivedhimself。Atthemerephysicalsightofher，therecametohimaswiftrelief，athrillofpeaceanddeepcontent；andwithdelightedcertaintyheknewthatwhatVeramightdoormightnotdoconcernedhimnotatall，thatforhimallthatcountedwasthegirlherself。
Withsomethingofthisshowinginhisface，hecameeagerlytowardher。
\"Vera!\"heexclaimed。Inthewordtherewasdelight，wonder，tenderness；butifthegirlrecognizedthissheconcealedherknowledge。Instead，hereyeslookedintohisfrankly；hermannerwasthatofopenfriendliness。
\"Mabeltellsmeyouwanttotalktome，\"shesaidevenly\"butI
don\'twantyouto。IhavesomethingIwanttosaytoyou。I
couldhavewrittenit，butthis\"——foraninstantthegirlpausedwithherlipspressedtogether；whenshespoke，hervoicecarriedthefirmnessandfinalityofonedeliveringaverdict——
\"butthis，\"sherepeated，\"isthelasttimeyoushallhearfromme，orseemeagain。\"
Winthropgaveanexclamationofimpatience，ofindignation。
\"No，\"returnedthegirl，\"itisquitefinal。Maybeyouwillnotwanttoseeme，but——\"
Winthropagainsharplyinterruptedher。Hisvoicewasfilledwithreproach。
\"Vera!\"heprotested。
\"Well，\"saidthegirlmoregently，\"I\'mgladtothinkyoudo，butthisisthelast，andbeforeIgo，I——\"。
\"Go!\"demandedWinthroproughly。\"Where？\"
\"BeforeIgo，\"continuedthegirl，\"Iwanttotellyouhowmuchyouhavehelpedme——Iwanttothankyou——\"。
\"Youhaven\'tletmethankyou，\"brokeinWinthrop，\"and，now，youpretendthisisourlastmeeting。It\'sabsurd!\"。
\"Itisourlastmeeting，\"repliedthegirl。Ofthetwo，forthemoment，shewastheolder，themorecontained。\"Onthecontrary，\"contradictedtheman。Hespokesharply，inatonehetriedtomakeasdeterminedasherown。\"Ournextmeetingwillbeintenminutes——atmysister\'s。Ihavetoldheraboutthisafternoon，andaboutyou；andshewantsverymuchtomeetyou。
Shehassenthercarforyou。It\'swaitinginfrontofthehouse。Now，\"hecommandedmasterfully，\"youcomewithme，andgetinit，andleaveallthis\"——hegaveanangry，contemptuouswaveofthehandtowardthecabinet——\"behindyou，as，\"headdedearnestly，\"youpromisedmeyouwould。\"
Asthoughclosingfromsightthepossibilityhesuggested，thegirlshuthereyesquickly，andthenopenedthemagaintomeethis。
\"Ican\'tleavethesethingsbehindme，\"shesaidquietly。
\"Itoldyousothisafternoon。Foramoment，youmademethinkI
could，andIdidpromise。Ididn\'tneedtopromise。It\'swhatI\'veprayedfor。Then，yousawwhathappened，yousawIwasright。Withinfiveminutesthatwomancame——\"
\"Thatwomanhadamotive，\"protestedWinthrop。
\"Thatwoman，\"continuedthegirlpatiently，\"orsomeotherwoman。Whatdoesitmatter？Infiveminutes，orfivedays，someonewouldhavetold。\"Sheleanedtowardhimanxiously。\"I\'mnotcomplaining，\"shesaid；\"it\'smyownfault。It\'sthelifeI\'vechosen。\"Shehesitatedandthenasthoughdeterminedtocarryoutaprogrammeshehadalreadylaiddownforherself，continuedrapidly:\"AndwhatIwanttotellyou，is，thatwhat\'sbestinthatlifeIowetoyou。\"
\"Vera!\"criedthemansharply。
\"Listen!\"saidthegirl。Hereyeswerealight，eager。Shespokefrankly，proudly，withoutembarrassment，withoutfearofbeingmisconstrued，asamanmightspeaktoaman。
\"I\'dbeungrateful，I\'dbeacoward，\"saidthegirl，\"ifIwentawayanddidn\'ttellyou。FortenyearsI\'vebeencountingonyou。Imadeyouasortofstandard。Isaid，aslongashekeepstohisideals，I\'mgoingtokeeptomine。Maybeyouthinkmyidealshavenotbeenveryhigh，butanywayyou\'vemadeiteasyforme。BecauseI\'minthisbusiness，becauseI\'mgood-lookingenough，certainmen\"——thevoiceofthegirlgrewhardandcool——\"havedonemethehonortoinsultme，anditwasknowingyou，andthatthereareotherslikeyou，thathelpedmenottocare。\"
Thegirlpaused。Sheraisedhereyestohisfrankly。Thelookinthemwasoneofprideinhim，ofloyalty，ofaffection。\"Andnow，sinceI\'vemetyou，\"shewenton，\"Ifindyou\'rejustasI
imaginedyou\'dbe，justasI\'dhopedyou\'dbe。\"Shereachedoutherhandwarningly，appealingly。\"AndIdon\'twantyoutochange，toletdown，togrowdiscouraged。Youcan\'ttellhowmanymorepeoplearecountingonyou。\"Shehesitatedand，asthoughatlastconsciousofherownboldness，flusheddeprecatingly，likeoneaskingpardon。\"Youmeninhighplaces，\"
shestammered，\"you\'relikelighthousesshowingtheway。Youdon\'tknowhowmanypeopleyouarehelping。Youcan\'tseethem。
Youcan\'ttellhowmanyboatsarefollowingyourlight，butifyourlightgoesout，theyarewrecked。\"Shegaveasighofrelief。\"That\'swhatIwantedtotellyou，\"shesaid，\"and，sothankyou。\"Sheheldoutherhand。\"And，goodby。\"
Winthrop\'sanswerwastoclaspherhandquicklyinbothofhis，anddrawhertowardhim。
\"Vera，\"hebegged，\"comewithmenow!\"
Thegirlwithdrewherhandandmovedawayfromhim，frowning。
\"No，\"shesaid，\"no，youdonotwanttounderstand。Ihavemyworktodotonight。\"
Winthropgaveanexclamationofanger。
\"Youdon\'tmeantotellme，\"hecried，\"thatyou\'regoingonwiththis？\"
\"Yes，\"shesaid，Andtheninsuddenalarmcried:\"Butnotifyou\'rehere!I\'llfailifyou\'rehere。Promiseme，youwillnotbehere。\"
\"Indeed，\"criedthemanindignantly，\"Iwillnot!ButI\'llbedownstairswhenyouneedme。And，\"headdedwarningly，\"you\'llneedme。\"\"No，\"saidthegirl。\"Nomatterwhathappens，Itellyou，betweenus，thisistheend。\"
\"Then，\"beggedtheman，\"ifthisistheend，forGod\'ssake，Vera，asmylastrequest，donotdoit!\"
Thegirlshookherhead。\"No，\"sherepeatedfirmly。\"I\'vetriedtogetawayfromit，andeachtimethey\'veforcedmeback。Now，I\'llgoonwithit。I\'vepromisedPaul，andtheothers。Andyouheardmepromisethatwoman。\"
\"Butyoudidn\'tmeanthat!\"protestedtheman。\"Sheinsultedyou；youwereangry。You\'reangrynow，piqued——\"
\"Mr。Winthrop，\"interruptedthegirl，\"todayyoutoldmeIwasnotplayingthegame。Youtoldthetruth。Whenyousaidthiswasameanbusiness，youwereright。But\"——forthefirsttimesinceshehadspokenhertoneswereshaken，uncertain——\"I\'vebeendrivenoutofeveryotherbusiness。\"Shewaiteduntilhervoicewasagainundercontrol，andthensaidslowly，definitely，\"and，tonight，IamgoingtoshowMr。Hallowellthespiritofhissister。\"
IntheeyesofWinthropthelookofpain，ofdisappointment，ofreproach，wassokeen，thatthegirlturnedherownaway。
\"No，\"saidthemangently，\"youwillnotdothat。\"
\"Youcanstopmydoingittonight，\"returnedthegirl，\"butatsomeothertime，atsomeotherplace，Iwilldoit。\"
\"Youyourselfwillstopit，\"saidWinthrop。\"Youaretoohonest，toofine，toactsuchalie。Whynotbeyourself？\"hebegged。
\"Whynotdisappointtheseotherpeoplewhodonotknowyou？Whydisappointthemanwhoknowsyoubest，whotrustsyou，whobelievesinyou——\"。
\"Youaretheveryone，\"interruptedthegirl，\"whodoesn\'tknowme。Iamnotfine；Iamnothonest。Iamacharlatanandacheat；Iamallthatwomancalledme。Andthatiswhyyoucan\'tknowme。That\'swhy。Itoldyou，ifyoudid，youwouldbesorry。\"
\"Iamnotsorry，\"saidWinthrop。
\"Youwillbe，\"returnedthegirl，\"beforethenightisover。\"
\"Onthecontrary，\"answeredthemanquietly，\"Ishallwaitheretocongratulateyou——onyourfailure。\"
\"Ishallnotfail，\"saidthegirl。Avoidinghiseyes，sheturnedfromhimand，foramoment，stoodgazingbeforehermiserably。
Herlipsweretrembling，hereyesmoistwithrisingtears。Thenshefacedhim，herheadraiseddefiantly。
\"Ihavebeenhoundedoutofeverydecentwayofliving，\"sheprotestedhysterically。\"Icanmakethousandsofdollarstonight，\"shecried，\"outofthisone。\"
Winthroplookedstraightintohereyes。Hisownwerepleading，fulloftendernessandpity；soeloquentwithmeaningthatthoseofthegirlfellbeforethem。
\"Thatisnoanswer，\"saidtheman。\"Youknowit\'snot。Itellyou——youwillfail。\"
FromthehallJudgeGaylorenterednoisily。Instinctivelythemanandgirlmovednearertogether，andupontheintruderWinthropturnedangrily。
\"Well？\"hedemandedsharply。\"Ithoughtyouhadfinishedyourtalk，\"protestedtheJudge。\"Mr。Hallowellisanxioustobegin。\"
WinthropturnedandlookedatVerasteadily。Foraninstanttheeyesofthegirlfaltered，andthenshereturnedhisglancewithoneasresoluteashisown。Asthoughacceptingherverdictasfinal，Winthropwalkedquicklytothedoor。\"Ishallbedownstairs，\"hesaid，\"whenthisisover，letmeknow。\"
Gaylorstruggledtoconcealhissurpriseandsatisfaction。\"Youwon\'tbeherefortheseance？\"heexclaimed。
\"Certainlynot，\"criedWinthrop。\"I——\"Hebrokeoffsuddenly。
WithoutagainlookingtowardVera，ortryingtohidehisdispleasure，helefttheroom。
Gaylorturnedtothegirl。Hewassmilingwithrelief。
\"Excellent!\"hemuttered。\"Excellent!Whatwashesayingtoyou，:\"heaskedeagerly，\"asIcamein——thatyouwouldfail？\"
Thegirlmovedpasthimtothedoor。\"Yes，\"sheanswereddully。
\"Butyouwillnot!\"criedtheman。\"We\'reallcountingonyou，youknow。Destroytheoldwill。Signthenewwill，\"hequoted。
Hecameclosetoherandwhispered。\"ThatmeansthousandsofdollarstoyouandVance，\"heurged。
Thegirlturnedandregardedhimwithunhappy，angryeyes。
\"Youneednotbefrightened，:\"sheanswered。Forthemanbeforeherandforherself，hervoicewasbitterwithcontemptandself-accusation。\"Mr。Winthropismistaken。Hedoesnotknowme，\"shesaidmiserably。\"Ishallnotfail。\"
Foramoment，aftershehadlefthim，Gaylorstoodmotionless，hiseyesfilledwithconcern，andthen，withashrug，asthoughacceptingeithergoodorevilfortune，hecalledfromthebedroomMr。Hallowell，and，fromthefloorbelow，theguestsofHallowellandofVance。
AsHallowell，supportedbyRainey，sankintotheinvalid\'schairinthecentreofthesemicircle，Gaylormadehisfinalappeal。
\"Stephen，\"hebegged，\"areyousureyou\'refeelingstrongenough？Won\'tsomeothernight——\"Theoldmaninterruptedhimquerulously。
\"No，now!\"Iwantitover，\"hecommanded。\"Whoknows，\"hecomplained，\"howsoonitmaybebefore——\"
ThesightofMannieenteringtheroomwithVancecausedhimtointerrupthimselfabruptly。Hegreetedtheshowmanwithacurtnod。
\"Andwhoisthis？\"hedemanded。Mannie，towhomalivingmillionairewasmuchmoreofadisturbingspectaclethantheghostofAlexandertheGreat，retreatedhastilybehindVance。
\"Heismyassistant，\"Vanceexplained。\"Hefurnishesthemusic。\"
HepushedMannietowardtheorgan。
\"Music!\"growledHallowell。\"Musttherebemusic？\"
\"Itisindispensable，\"protestedVance。\"Music，sir，isoneofthestrongestpsychicinfluences。It\"
\"Nonsense!\"criedHallowell。
\"Tricks，\"hemuttered，\"tricks!\"
Vanceshruggedhisshoulders，andsmiledindeprecation。\"Iamsorrytofindyouinaskepticalmood，Mr。Hallowell，\"hemurmuredreprovingly\"Itwillhardlyhelptoproducegoodresults。Allowme，\"hebegged，\"topresenttwotruebelievers。\"
Withawaveofthehandhebeckonedforwardastout，gray-hairedwomanwithbulging，near-sightedeyesthatrolledmeaninglesslybehindheavygoldspectacles。
\"Mrs。MarshofLynn，Massachusetts，\"proclaimedVance，\"ofwhomyouhaveheard。Mrs。Marsh，\"headded，\"isprobablythefirstmediuminAmerica。Theresultsshehasobtainedarequitewonderful。ShealoneforetoldtheSanFranciscoearthquake，andtherunontheLongAcreSquareBank。\"
\"Iamgladtoknowyou，\"saidMr。Hallowell。\"Pardonmynotrising。\"
Theoldladycurtsiedobsequiously。
\"Oh，certainly，Mr。Hallowell，\"sheprotested。\"Mr。Hallowell，\"
shewenton，rollingthenamedelightedlyonhertongue，\"Ineednottellyouhowgreatlywespiritualistsrejoiceoveryourjoiningtheranksofthebelievers。\"
Hallowellnodded。Hewasnotaltogetherunimpressed。\"Thanks，\"
hecommenteddryly。\"ButIamnotquitethereyet，madam。\"
\"Wehope，\"saidVancesententiously，\"toconvinceMr。Hallowelltonight。\"
\"AndIamsure，Mr。Hallowell，\"criedtheoldlady，\"ifanyonecandoit，littleMissVeracan。Hersisawonderfulgift，sir，awonderfulgift!\"
\"Iamgladtohearyousayso，\"returnedHallowell。
Henoddedtoherindismissal，andturnedtothenextvisitor。
\"Andthisgentleman？\"heasked。
\"ProfessorStrombergk，\"announcedVance，\"thedistinguishedwriteronpsychicandoccultsubjects，editorofTheWorldBeyond。\"
Atall，full-beardedGerman，inatoo-shortfrockcoat，bowedawkwardly。Uponhim，asuponMannie，hadfallenthespelloftheHallowellfortune。He，whochattedfamiliarlywithdepartedpopesandemperors，whodailywasincommunicationwithGoethe，Caesar，andEpictetus，thrilledwithembarrassmentbeforethemanwhohadmademillionsfromacouplingpin。
\"AndHelen!\"Mr。Hallowellcried，asMissCoatesfollowedtheProfessor。\"Thatisall，isitnot？\"heasked。
MissCoatesmovedasidetodisclosethepersonofthereporterfromtheRepublic，HomerLee。
\"Ihavetakenyouatyourword，uncle，\"shesaid。，\"andhavebroughtafriendwithme。\"Insometrepidationsheadded；\"HeisMr。Lee，areporterfromtheRepublic。\"
\"Areporter!\"exclaimedMr。Hallowell。Disturbedandyetamusedattheaudacityofhisniece，heshookhisheadreprovingly。\"I
don\'tthinkImeantreporters，\"heremonstrated。
\"Yousaidinyournote，\"returnedhisniece，\"thatasIhadsomuchatstake，IcouldbringanyoneIpleased，andthelesshebelievedinspiritualism，thebetter。Mr。Lee，\"sheaddeddryly，\"believesevenlessthanIdo。\"
\"Thenitwillbeallthemoreofatriumph，ifweconvincehim，\"
declaredHallowell。\"Understand，youngman，\"heproclaimedloudly，\"Iamnotaspiritualist。Iammerelyconductinganinvestigation。Iwantthetruth。Ifyou，ormyniece，detectanyfraudtonight，Iwanttoknowit。\"Includinginhisspeechtheothersintheroom，heglaredsuspiciouslyinturnateach。
\"Keepyoureyesopen，\"heordered，\"youwillbeservingmequiteasmuchasyouwillMissCoates。\"
MissCoatesandLeethankedhimand，recognizingthemselvesastheoppositionandintheminority，withdrewforconsultationintoacornerofthebaywindow。
VanceapproachedMr。Hallowell。
\"Ifyouareready，\"hesaid，\"wewillexaminethecabinet。ShallIwheelitoverhere，orwillyoulookatitwhereitis？\"
\"Ifitistobeinthatcornerduringtheseance，\"declaredMr。
Hallowell，\"I\'lllookatitwhereitis。\"
Ashestruggledfromhischair，heturnedtoMrs。Marsh，andnoddedhisheadknowingly。\"Yousee，Mrs。Marsh，\"hesaid，\"Iamtakingnochances。\"
\"Thatisquiteright，Mr。Hallowell，\"purredtheoldlady。\"Iftherebeanydoubtinyourmind，youmustgetridofit，orwewillhavenoresults。\"
Withadramaticgesture，Vancesweptasidefromtheopeninginthecabinettheblackvelvetcurtain。\"It\'sasimpleaffair，\"hesaidindifferently。\"Asyousee，it\'sopenatthetopandbottom。Themediumsitsinsideonthatchair，boundhandandfoot。\"
Inturn，Mr。Hallowell，Mrs。Marsh，Gaylor，Rainey，ProfessorStrombergkenteredthecabinet。Withtheirknucklestheybeatuponitssides。Theymovedittoandfro。Theydroppedtotheirknees，andwiththeirfingerstuggedatthecarpetuponwhichitstood。
Undercoveroftheirquestions，inthecornerofthebaywindow，MissCoateswhisperedtoLee；\"Don\'tlooknow，\"shewarned，\"butlater，youwillseeontheleftofthatdoortheswitchthatthrowsonthelights。WhenIamsuresheisoutsidethecabinet，whenshehastoldhimnottogivethemoneytome，I\'llcrynow!\'andwhicheveroneofusisseatednearertheswitchwillturnonallthelights。Ithink，\"MissCoatesaddedwith，inhervoice，athrilloftriumphnotaltogetherfreefromatouchofvindictiveness，\"whenmyuncleseeshercaughtinthemiddleoftheroom，disguisedashissister——wewillhavecuredhim。\"
\"Itmaybe，\"saidtheman。
ThepossibilityofsuccessasMissCoatespointeditoutdidnotappeartostirinhimanygreatdelight。Heglancedunwillinglyoverhisshoulder。\"Iseetheswitch，\"hesaid。
LeaningonthearmofGaylor，Mr。Hallowellreturnedfromthecabinettohischair。Whathehadseenapparentlystrengthenedhisfaithand，inlikedegree，inspiredhimtogreaterenthusiasm。
\"Well，\"heexclaimed，\"therearenotrapdoorsorfalsebottomsaboutthat!Iftheycanprojectaspiritfromthatsentrybox，itwillbeamiracle。Forwhomarewewaiting？\"heaskedimpatiently。\"WhereisWinthrop？\"
JudgeGaylorexplainedthatWinthroppreferredtowaitdownstairs，andthathehadsaidhewouldremainthereuntiltheseancewasfinished。
\"Afraidofcompromisinghisposition，\"commentedtheoldman。
\"I\'msorry。I\'dliketohavehimhere。\"HemotionedGaylortobendnearer。Inavoicethattrembledwitheagernessandexcitement，hewhispered:\"Henry，Ihaveafeelingthatwearegoingtowitnessaremarkablephenomenon。\"
Gaylor\'scountenancegrewpreternaturallygrave。Henoddedheavily。
\"Ihavethesamefeeling，Stephen，\"hereturned。
Vanceraisedhishandtocommandsilence。
\"Everyone，\"hecalled，\"exceptthecommittee，whoaretobindandtiethemedium，willtaketheplaceIgivehim，andremaininit。Mr。DaywillpleaseacquaintMissVeraandMrs。Vancewiththefactthatweareready。\"
UptothispointVancehadappearedonlyasastagemanager。Hehadbeenconcernedwithhisgroupings，hislights，inassigningtohisconfederatesthepartstheyweretoplay。Nowthatthecurtainwastorise，asanactorputsonawigandgreasepaint，Vanceassumedacertainvoiceandmanner。Onthestagethecriticswouldhavecalledhimaconvincingactor。Hemadehisaudiencebelievewhathebelieved。Heknewtheeloquenceofapause，thevalueofasurprised，unintelligibleexclamation。Onemomenthewasasprofessionallysolemnasa\"funeraldirector；\"
thenext，hisvoice，hiswholeframe，wouldshakewithexcitement，inanoutburstoffanaticfervor。AsitpleasedhimhecouldplayHamlet，tenderlyshockedatthesightofhisdeadfather，orMacbeth，retreatinginhorrorbeforetheghostofBanquo。Forthemomenthismannerwasthatoftheundertaker。
\"Now，Mr。Hallowell，\"hesaidhoarsely，\"pleasetonamethoseyouwishtoserveonthecommittee。\"
Mr。Hallowellwavedhisarmtoincludeeveryoneintheroom。
\"Everybodywillserveonthecommittee，\"hedeclared。
\"Everythingistobeopenandabove-board。Thewholecityiswelcomeonthecommittee。Iwantthistobeabovesuspicion。\"
\"Thatismywish，also，sir，\"saidVancestiffly。\"Butacommitteeofmorethanthreeisunwieldy。SupposeyounametwogentlemenandIone？Or，\"heshruggedhisshoulders，\"youcannameallthree。\"
AfteramomentofconsiderationMr。HallowellpointedatLee。\"I
chooseMr——thatyoungman，\"heannounced，\"andJudgeGaylor。\"
\"Iwouldmuchrathernot，Stephen，\"JudgeGaylorwhispered。
\"Iknow，Henry，\"answeredtheother。\"ButIaskitofyou。Itwillgivemeconfidence。\"HeturnedtoVance。\"Youselectsomeone，\"hecommanded。
Withabow，VancedesignatedthetallGerman。
\"WillProfessorStrombergkbeacceptable？\"heasked。Mr。
Hallowellnodded。
\"Then，thethreegentlemenchosenwillpleasecometothecabinet。\"
Vance，hismannernowthatofamasterofceremonies，assignedtoeachpersontheseatheorshewastooccupy。MissCoateswithsatisfactionnotedthatonlyMrs。VanceseparatedLeefromtheelectricswitch。
\"Imustaskyou，\"saidVance，\"tokeepthesearsIhaveassignedtoyou。Withustonightarebothfavorableandunfavorableinfluences。AndwhatIhavetriedtodoinplacingyou，istoobtainthebestpsychicresults。\"Hemovedtothedoorandlookedintothehall，thenturned，andwithupliftedarmsilentlydemandedattention。
\"MissVera，\"heannounced。Followedclosely，likerespectfulcourtiers，byMannieandMrs。Vance，Veraappearedinthedoorway，walkedafewfeetintotheroom，andstoodmotionless。
Asthoughalreadyinatrance，shemovedslowly，withoutvolition，likeasomnambulist。Herheadwasheldhigh，buthereyesweredullandunseeing。Herarmshunglimply。Sheworeaneveninggownofsoftblackstuff，thatclungtoherlikealaceshawl，andwhichleftherthroatandarmsbare。Inspiteoftheclashofinterests，ofantagonism，ofmutualdistrust，therewasnoonepresenttowhomthesightoftheyounggirldidnotbringanuneasythrill。Thenatureofthethingsheproposedtodo，contrastedwiththelovelinessofherface，whichseemedtomockatthepossibilityofdeceit；somethinginherrapt，distantgaze，inthedignityofherupliftedhead，inherairofcompletedetachmentfromhersurroundings，causedeventhemostskepticaltoquestionifshemightnotpossessthepowersheclaimed，tofeelforamomenttheapproachofthesupernatural。
Thevoicesofthecommittee，consultingtogether，droppedsuddenlytoawhisper；theotherswereinstantlysilent。
InhisarmsManniecarriedsilkenscarfs，cords，andropes。Ineachhandheheldateacup。Onecontainedflour，theothershot。
Vancetookthesefromhim，andManniehurriedlyslippedintohischairinfrontoftheorgan。
\"Gentlemen，\"explainedVance，\"youwillusetheseropesandscarfstotiethemedium。Also，asafurtherprecautionagainsttheleastsuspicionoffraud，wewillsubjecthertothemostseveretestknown。Inonehandshewillholdthisflour；theotherwillbefilledwithshot。Thiswillmakeitimpossibleforhertotamperwiththeropes。
HegavethetwocupstoGaylor，andturnedtoVera。
\"Areyouready？\"heasked。Afterapause，thegirlslightlyinclinedherhead。Lee，withoneofthescarfsinhishand，approachedherdiffidently。Helookedunhappilyattheslight，girlishfigure，atthefairwhitearms。InhisembarrassmentheappealedtoVance。
\"Howwouldyousuggest？\"heasked。
Vance，apparentlyshocked，hastilydrewaway。\"Thatwouldbemostirregular，\"heprotested。
ApologeticallyLeeturnedtothegirl。
\"Wouldyoumindputtingyourarmsbehindyou？\"heasked。Helacedthescarfaroundherarms，anddrewittightlytoherwrists。
\"TellmeifIhurtyou，\"hemurmured，butthegirlmadenoanswer。Towhatwasgoingforwardsheappearedasunmindfulasthoughshewereanartist\'smanikin。
\"Willyoutakethesenow？\"askedGaylor，andintoheropenpalmshepouredtheflourandshot。\"And，now，\"continuedLee，\"willyougointothecabinet？\"Assheseatedherself，hekneltinfrontofherandboundherankles。FrombehindherStrombergkdeftlywoundtheropesaboutherbodyandthroughtherungsandbackofthechair。
\"Wouldyoumindseeingifyoucanwithdrawyourarms？\"Leeasked。Thegirlraisedhershoulders，struggledtofreeherhands，andtriedtorise。Buttheeffortswerefutile。
\"Arethegentlemensatisfied？\"demandedVance。Thethreemen，whohadshownbutlittleheartinthework，andwhowerenowredandembarrassed，hastilyansweredintheaffirmative。
\"Ifyouaresatisfiedtheropesaresecurelyfastened，\"Vancecontinued，\"youwilltakeyourseats。\"ProfessorStrombergk，ashemovedtohischair，announcedindevout，solemntones；
\"Nothingbutspirithandscanmovethoseropesnow。\"
FromtheorganrosesoftlythepreludetoaMoodyandSankeyhymn，and，inkeepingwiththemusic，thevoiceofVancesanktoalowtone。
\"Wewillnow，\"hesaid，\"establishthemagneticchain。Eachpersonwilltakewithhisrighthandtheleftwristofthepersononhisorherright。\"Hepausedwhilethisorderwasbeingcarriedintoeffect。
\"BeforeIturnoutthelights，\"hecontinued，\"Iwishtosayalastwordtoanyskepticwhomaybepresent。Iwarnhimthatanyattempttolayviolenthandsupontheapparition，orspirit，maycostthemediumherlife。Fromthecabinetthemediumprojectsthespiritintothecircle。Anattackuponthespirit，isanattackuponthemedium。Therearethreeorfourwell-authenticatedcaseswherethedisembodiedspiritwascutofffromthecabinet，andthemediumdied。\"
Hedrewthevelvetcurtainsacrossthecabinet，andshutVerafromview。\"Areyouready，Mr。Hallowell？\"heasked。Mr。
Hallowell，hiseyesstaring，hislipsparted，noddedhishead。
Themusicgrewlouder。Vanceswitchedoffthelights。
Forsomeminutes，exceptforthecreakingofthepedalsoftheorganandthelowthrobofthemusic，therewasnosound。Then，fromhispositionattheopendoor，thevoiceofVancecommandedsternly:\"Nowhispering，please。Themediumissusceptibletotheleastsound。\"Therewasanotherlongerpause，untilinhushedexpectanttonesVancespokeagain。\"Theairisveryheavilychargedwithelectricitytonight，\"hesaid，\"you，Mrs。
Marsh，shouldfeelthat？\"
\"Ido，Professor，\"murmuredthemedium，\"Ido。Weshallhavesomewonderfulresults!\"
Vanceagreedwithhersolemnly。\"Ifeelinfluencesallaboutme，\"hemurmured。
Therecamesuddenlyfromthecabinetthreesharpraps。Thesewereinstantlyansweredbyotherquickrappingsuponthelibrarytable。\"Theyarebeginning!\"chantedthevoiceofVance。Themusicoftheorganceased。Itwasatoncefollowedbythenotesofaguitarthatseemedtofloatinspace，thestringsvibrating，notasthoughtouchedbyhumanhands，butinfitful，meaninglesschordslikethoseofanAeolianharp。
\"ThatisKiowa，yourcontrol，Mrs。Marsh，\"announcedVanceeagerly。\"Doyoudesiretospeaktohim？\"
\"Nottonight，\"Mrs。Marshanswered。Sheraisedhervoice。\"Nottonight，Kiowa，\"sherepeated。\"Thankyouforcoming。Goodnight。\"
Indeep，gutturalaccents，aman\'svoicecamefromtheceiling。
\"Goodnight，\"itcalled。Withafinal，ringingwail，themusicoftheguitarsuddenlyceased。
Againrosetheswellinglownotesoftheorgan。Aboveitcamethequickpatteringoffootsteps。
ThevoiceofRainey，filledwithalarm，cried，\"someonetouchedme!\"
\"Areyousureyourhandsareheld？\"demandedVancereprovingly。
\"Yes，\"pantedRainey，\"bothofthem。Butsomethingputitshandonmyforehead。Itwascold。\"
Inanexcitedwhisper，avoiceinthecirclecried，\"Look，look!\"andbeforetheeyesofall，astarroseinthedarkness。
ForamomentitwaveredoverthecabinetandthenflutteredswiftlyacrosstheroomandremainedstationaryabovetheheadoftheGermanProfessor。
\"Thereisyourstar，Professor，\"criedVance。\"WhentheProfessorisinthecircle，\"heannouncedproudly，\"thatstaralwaysappears。\"
HewasinterruptedbyastartledexclamationfromLee。
\"Somethingtouchedmyface，\"explainedtheyoungmanapologetically，\"andspoketome。\"
Themusicsanktoamurmur，andtheroombecamealivewithswift，rushingsoundsandsoftwhisperings。
ThevoiceofMrs。Marsh，lowandeager，couldbeheardappealingtoaninvisiblepresence。
\"Theresultsaremarvelous，\"chantedVance，\"marvelous!Themediumisshowingwonderfulpower。Ifanyonedesirestoaskaquestion，heshoulddosonow。Theconditionswillneverbebetter。\"Hepausedexpectantly。\"Mr。Hallowell，\"heprompted，\"isityourwishtocommunicatewithanyoneinthespiritworld？\"
Therewasalongpause，andthenthevoiceofMr。Hallowell，harshandshaken，answered，\"Yes。\"
\"Withwhom？\"demandedVance。
Therewasagainanotherlongerpause，andthen，abovetheconfusionofsoftwhisperings，thevoiceoftheoldmanroseinsharpstaccato；\"Mysister，CatherineCoates。\"Histonehardened，becameobdurate，final。\"But，Imustseeher，andhearherspeak!\"
NotforaninstantdidVancehesitate。Intense，sepulchraltones，hedemandedofthedarkness，\"IsthespiritofCatherineCoatespresent？\"
Thewhisperingsandmurmursceased。Thesilenceoftheroomwasbrokensharplybythreequickraps。\"Yes，\"intonedVance，\"sheispresent。\"
ThevoiceofHallowellprotestedfiercely。\"Iwon\'thavethat!I
wanttoseeher!\"
Inthetoneofanincantation，Vancespokeagain。\"Willthespiritshowherselftoherbrother？\"Therapscamequickly，firmly。
\"Sheanswersshewillappearbeforeyou。\"
Therewasamomentthatseemedtostretchinterminably，andthen，theeyesofall，straininginthedarkness，sawagainsttheblackvelvetcurtainasplashofwhite。
Abovethesobbingoftheorgan，thevoiceofMr。Hallowellrangoutinasharpexclamationofterror。\"Whoisthat!\"hedemanded。Hespokeasthoughhedreadedtheanswer。Hethrewhimselfforwardinhischair，peeringintothedarkness。
\"Isthatyou，Kate？，hewhispered。Hisvoicewasbothincredulousandpleading。
Theanswercameinfeeble，tremblingtones。\"Yes。\"
ThevoiceofHallowellshookwitheagerness。\"Doyouknowme，yourbrother，Stephen？\"
\"Yes。\"
Withacrytheoldmanfellback，gropingblindly。HefoundGaylor\'sarmandclutcheditwithbothhands。
\"MyGod!It\'sKate!\"hegasped。\"Itellyou，Henry，itisKate!\"
ThevoiceofVance，deepandhollowlikeabell，soundedanoteofwarning。\"Speakquickly，\"hecommanded。\"Hertimeonearthisbrief。\"Mr。Hallowell\'sholduponthearmofhisfriendrelaxed。
Fearfullyandslowly，hebentforward。
\"Kate!\"hepleaded；\"Imustaskyouaquestion。Nooneelsecantellme。\"Asthoughgatheringcourage，hepaused，and，withafrightenedsigh，againbegan。\"Iamanoldman，\"hemurmured，\"asickman。Iwillbejoiningyouverysoon。whatamItodowithmymoney？Ihavemadegreatplanstogiveittothepoor。Or，mustIgiveit，asIhavegivenitinmywill，toHelen？PerhapsIdidnotactfairlytoyouandHelen。YouknowwhatImean。Shewouldberich，butthenthepoorwouldbethatmuchthepoorer。\"
Theconfidenceofthespeakerwasincreasing；asthoughtoalivingbeing，hearguedandpleaded。\"AndIwanttodosomegoodbeforeIgo。WhatshallIdo？Tellme。\"
Therewasapausethatlastedsolongthatthosewhohadheldtheirbreathtolisten，againbreatheddeeply。Whentheanswercame，itwasstrangelydeprecatory，uncertain，unassured。
\"You，\"stammeredthevoice，\"youmusthavecouragetodowhatyouknowtobejust!\"
Forabriefmoment，asthoughsurprised，Mr。Hallowellapparentlyconsideredthis，andthengaveanexclamationofdisappointmentanddistress。
\"ButIdon\'tknow，\"heprotested，\"thatiswhyIcalledonyou。
Iwanttogointothenextworld，Kate，\"hepleaded，\"withcleanhands!\"
\"Youcannotbribeyourwayintothenextworld，\"intonedthevoice。\"Ifyoupitythepoor，youmusthelpthepoor，notthatyoumaycheatyourwayintoheaven，butthattheymaysufferless。Searchyourconscience。Havethecourageofyourconscience。\"
\"Idon\'twanttoconsultmyconscience，\"criedtheoldman。\"I
wantyoutotellme。\"Hepaused，hesitating。Eagertopresshisquestion，hisaweoftheapparitionstillrestrainedhim。
\"Whatdoyoumean，Kate？\"hebegged。AmItogivethemoneywhereitwilldothemostgood——totheHallowellInstitute，oramItogiveittoHelen？WhichamItodo？\"
Therewasanotherlongsilence，andthenthevoicestammered；
\"If——ifyouhavewrongedme，ormydaughter，orthepoor，youmustmakerestitution。\"
Thehandoftheoldmanwasheardtofallheavilyuponthearmofhischair。Hisvoiceroseunhappily。
\"Thatisnoanswer，Kate!\"hecried。\"Didyoucomefromthedeadtopreachtome？Tellme——whatamItodo——leavemymoneytoHelen，ortotheInstitute？\"
Thecryoftheoldmanvibratedintheair。Novoicerosetoanswer。\"Kate!\"heentreated。Stilltherewassilence。\"Speaktome!\"hecommanded。Thesilencebecameeloquentwithmomentouspossibilities。Solongdiditendure，thatthepainofthesuspensewasactual。ThevoiceofRainey，chokedandhoarsewithfear，brokeitwithanexclamationthatheldthesoundofanoath。Hemutteredthickly，\"Whatinthenameof——\"
Hewashushedbyaswiftchorusofhisses。ThevoiceofHallowellwasagainuplifted。
\"Whywon\'tsheanswerme？\"hebeggedhystericallyofVance。
\"Can\'tyou——can\'tthemediummakeherspeak？\"
Duringthelastfewmomentsthemusicfromtheorganhadcomebrokenly。Thehandsuponthekeysmovedunsteadily，drunkenly。
Nowtheyhaltedaltogetherandinthemiddleofachordthemusicsankanddied。UponthenowabsolutesilencethevoiceofVance，whenhespoke，soundedstrangelyunfamiliar。Ithadlostthepriest-likeintonation。Itsconfidencehaddeparted。Itshowedbewildermentandalarm。
\"I——Idon\'tunderstand，\"stammeredtheshowman。\"Askheragain。Putyourquestiondifferently。\"
Carefully，slowly，givingeachworditsvalue，Mr。Hallowellraisedhisvoiceinentreaty。
\"Kate，\"hecried，\"Ihavemadeanewwill，leavingthemoneytothepoor。TheoldwillgivesittoHelen。ShallIsignthenewwillornot？ShallIgivethemoneytoHelen，ortheInstitute？
Answerme!Yesorno。\"
Beforetheeyesofall，theapparition，asthoughretreatingtothecabinet，swayedbackward，thenstaggeredforward。Therewasasob，human，heart-broken，acry，thrillingwithdistress；atumultofweeping，fierceanduncontrollable。
Theysawthefiguretearawaythewhitekerchiefandcap，andtramplethemuponthefloor。Theysawthefigureholditselferect。Fromit，thevoiceofVeracriedaloud，indespair。
\"Ican\'t!Ican\'t!\"shesobbed。\"It\'salie!Iamnotyoursister!Turnonthelights，\"thegirlcried。\"Turnonthelights!\"
Therewasacrashofupturnedchairs，thesoundofmenstruggling，andtheroomwassweptwithlight。InthedoorwayWinthropwasholdingapartVanceandthereporter。
InthecentreoftheroomstoodVera，herheadbentinshame，herbodyshakenandtrembling，herhairstreamingtoherwaist。
Asthoughtopunishherself，byputtingaclimaxtoherhumiliation，sheheldoutherarmstoHelenCoates。\"Yousee，\"
shecried，\"Iamacheat。Iamafraud!\"ShesanksuddenlytoherkneesinfrontofMr。Hallowell。\"Forgiveme，\"shesobbed，\"forgiveme!\"
Withacryofangryprotest，Winthroprantoherandliftedhertoherfeet。Hiseyeswerefilledwithpity。ButintheeyesofMr。Hallowelltherewasnopromiseofpardon。Withsuddenstrengthhestruggledtohisfeetandstoodswaying，challengingthosebeforehim。Hisfacewaswhitewithanger，hisjawclosedagainstmercy。
\"You\'veliedtome!\"hecried。\"You\'vetriedtorobme!\"Heswepttheroomwithhiseyes。Withaflashofintuition，hesawthetraptheyhadlaidforhim。\"Allofyou!\"hescreamed。\"It\'saplot!\"Heshookhisfistattheweepinggirl。\"Andyou!\"heshoutedhysterically，\"thelawshallpunishyou!\"
Winthropdrewthegirltohimandputhisarmabouther。
\"I\'lldothepunishinghere，\"hesaid。
Withaglad，welcomingcry，theoldmanturnedtohimappealingly，wildly。
\"Yes，you!\"heshouted。\"youpunishthem!Sheplottedtogetmymoney。\"
ThegirlatWinthrop\'ssideshivered，andshrankfromhim。Hedrewherbackroughlyandheldherclose。Thesobsthatshookhertoreathisheart；thetouchofthesinking，tremblingbodyinhisarmsfilledhimwithfierce，jubilantthoughtsofkeepingthegirltherealways，ofgivingbattleforher，ofshelteringheragainsttheworld。Inwhatshehaddonehesawonlyasacrifice。Inherhebeheldonlyapenitent，whowasself-accusedandself-convicted。
Heheardthevoiceoftheoldmanscreamingvindictively，\"Sheplottedtogetmymoney!\"
Winthropturneduponhimsavagely。
\"Howdidsheplottogetit？\"heretortedfiercely。\"Youknow，andIknow。Iknowhowyourlawyer，yourdoctor，yourservantplottedtogetit!\"Hisvoiceroseandrangwithindignation。
\"Youallplotted，andyouallschemed——andtowhatend——whatwastheresult？\"——heheldbeforethemthefaintingfigureofthegirl——\"Thatonepoorchildcouldproveshewashonest!\"
Withhisarmsstillabouther，andherhandsclingingtohim，hemovedwithherquicklytothedoor。Whentheyhadreachedthesilenceofthehall，hetookherhandsinhis，andlookedintohereyes。\"Now，\"hecommanded，\"youshallcometomysisters!\"
Thewaitingcarcarriedthemswiftlyuptheavenue。Theirwaylaythroughthepark，andthewarm，mid-summerairwasheavywiththeodorofplantsandshrubs。Abovethemthetreesdroopeddeepwithleaves。Vera，crouchedinacorner，hadnotspoken。
Hereyeswerehiddeninherhands。ButwhentheyhadenteredthesilentreachesoftheparksheloweredthemandthefacesheliftedtoWinthropwaspaleandwetwithtears。Themanthoughtneverbeforehadheseenitmorelovelyormorelovable。Verashookherheaddumblyandlookedupathimwithatroubledsmile。
\"Itoldyou，\"shemurmuredremorsefully，\"you\'dbesorry。\"
Wedon\'tknowthatyet，\"saidWinthropgently，\"we\'llhavealltherestofourlivestofindthatout。\"
Startled，thegirldrewback。Inherfacewaswonder，amazement，adawninghappiness。
Withoutspeaking，Winthroplookedather，entreatingly，pitifully，beseechingherwithhiseyes。
Slowlythegirlbentforwardand，ashethrewouthisarms，withalittlesighofrestandcontentshecreptintothemandpressedherfacetohis。
