PARTI。
CHAPTERI。
AsClarenceBrant，PresidentoftheRoblesLandCompany，andhusbandoftherichwidowofJohnPeyton，oftheRoblesRanche，mingledwiththeoutgoingaudienceoftheCosmopolitanTheatre，atSanFrancisco，heelicitedtheusualsmilingnodsandrecognitionduetohisgoodlooksandgoodfortune。Butashehurriedlyslippedthroughthestilllingeringwinter’srainintothesmartcoupethatwasawaitinghim，andgavetheorder\"Home，\"thewordstruckhimwithapeculiarlyironicalsignificance。Hishomewasahandsomeone，andlackednothinginappointmentandcomfort，buthehadgonetothetheatretoevadeitshollowloneliness。Norwasitbecausehiswifewasnotthere，forhehadamiserableconsciousnessthathertemporaryabsencehadnothingtodowithhishomelessness。
Thedistractionofthetheatreover，thatdull，vague，butachingsenseoflonelinesswhichwasdailygrowinguponhimreturnedwithgreatervigor。
Heleanedbackinthecoupeandgloomilyreflected。
Hehadbeenmarriedscarcelyayear，yetevenintheillusionsofthehoneymoonthewoman，olderthanhimself，andthewidowofhisoldpatron，hadhalfunconsciouslyreassertedherself，andslippedbackintothedominationofheroldposition。Itwasatfirstpleasantenough，——thishalf-maternalprotectoratewhichisapttomingleevenwiththeaffectionsofyoungerwomen，——andClarence，inhiseasy，half-feminineintuitionofthesex，yielded，asthestrongareapttoyield，throughtheveryconsciousnessoftheirownsuperiority。Butthisisaqualitytheweakerarenotapttorecognize，andthewomanwhohasoncetastedequalpowerwithherhusbandnotonlydoesnoteasilyrelegateit，butevenmakesitscontinuanceatestoftheaffections。Theusualtriumphantfeminineconclusion，\"Thenyounolongerloveme，\"hadinClarence’sbriefexperiencegoneevenfurtherandreacheditsinscrutableclimax，\"ThenInolongerloveyou，\"althoughshownonlyinamomentaryhardeningoftheeyeandvoice。Andaddedtothiswashissudden，butconfusedremembrancethathehadseenthateyeandheardthatvoiceinmaritalaltercationduringJudgePeyton’slife，andthathehimself，herboypartisan，hadsympathizedwithher。Yet，strangetosay，thishadgivenhimmorepainthanheroccasionalotherreversionstothepast——toheroldsuspiciousofhimwhenhewasayouthfulprotegeofherhusbandandapresumedsuitorofheradopteddaughterSusy。Highnaturesaremoreapttoforgivewrongdonetothemselvesthananyabstractinjustice。Andhercapricioustyrannyoverherdependentsandservants，oranunreasoningenmitytoaneighbororfriend，outragedhisfinersensemorethanherownmisconceptionofhimself。Nordidhedreamthatthiswasathingmostwomenseldomunderstand，or，understanding，everforgive。
Thecouperattledoverthestonesorswirledthroughthemuddypoolsofthemainthoroughfares。Newspaperandtelegraphicofficeswerestillbrilliantlylit，andcrowdsweregatheredamongthebulletinboards。HeknewthatnewshadarrivedfromWashingtonthateveningofthefirstactiveoutbreaksofsecession，andthatthecitywasbreathlesswithexcitement。Hadhenotjustcomefromthetheatre，wherecertaininsignificantallusionsintheplayhadbeensuddenlycaughtupandcheeredorhissedbyhithertounknownpartisans，tothedumbastonishmentofamajorityoftheaudiencecomfortablysettledtomoney-gettingandtheirownaffairsalone？
Hadhenotapplauded，albeithalf-scornfully，theprettyactress——
hisoldplaymateSusy——whohadaudaciouslyandallincongruouslywavedtheAmericanflagintheirfaces？Yes！hehadknownit；hadlivedforthelastfewweeksinanatmosphereelectricallysurchargedwithit——andyetithadchieflyaffectedhiminhispersonalhomelessness。ForhiswifewasaSoutherner，abornslaveholder，andasecessionist，whosenotedprejudicestotheNorthhadevenoutrunherlatehusband’spolitics。Atfirstthepiquancyandrecklessnessofheropinionativespeechamusedhimaspartofhercharacteristicflavor，orasalingeringyouthfulnesswhichthematurerintellectalwayspardons。Hehadnevertakenherpoliticsseriously——whyshouldhe？WithherheadonhisshoulderhehadlistenedtoherextravagantdiatribesagainsttheNorth。Hehadforgivenheroutrageousindictmentofhiscasteandhisassociatesforthesakeoftheimperiousbuthandsomelipsthatutteredit。Butwhenhewascompelledtolistentoherwordsechoedandrepeatedbyherfriendsandfamily；whenhefoundthatwiththeclannishnessofherraceshehaddrawnclosertotheminthiscontroversy，——thatshedependeduponthemforherintelligenceandinformationratherthanuponhim，——hehadawakenedtotherealityofhissituation。Hehadbornetheallusionsofherbrother，whoseoldscornforhisdependentchildhoodhadbeenembitteredbyhissister’smarriageandwasnowscarcelyconcealed。
Yet，whilehehadneveralteredhisownpoliticalfaithandsocialcreedinthisantagonisticatmosphere，hehadoftenwondered，withhisoldconscientiousnessandcharacteristicself-abnegation，whetherhisownpoliticalconvictionswerenotmerelyarevulsionfromhisdomestictyrannyandaliensurroundings。
Inthemidstofthisgloomyretrospectthecoupestoppedwithajerkbeforehisownhouse。Thedoorwasquicklyopenedbyaservant，whoappearedtobeawaitinghim。
\"Someonetoseeyouinthelibrary，sir，\"saidtheman，\"and\"——
Hehesitatedandlookedtowardsthecoupe。
\"Well？\"saidClarenceimpatiently。
\"Hesaid，sir，ashowyouwerenottosendawaythecarriage。\"
\"Indeed，andwhoisit？\"demandedClarencesharply。
\"Mr。Hooker。HesaidIwastosayJimHooker。\"
ThemomentaryannoyanceinClarence’sfacechangedtoalookofreflectivecuriosity。
\"Hesaidheknewyouwereatthetheatre，andhewouldwaituntilyoucamehome，\"continuedtheman，dubiouslywatchinghismaster’sface。\"Hedon’tknowyou’vecomein，sir，and——andIcaneasilygetridofhim。\"
\"Nomatternow。I’llseehim，and，\"addedClarence，withafaintsmile，\"letthecarriagewait。\"
Yet，asheturnedtowardsthelibraryhewasbynomeanscertainthataninterviewwiththeoldassociateofhisboyhoodunderJudgePeyton’sguardianshipwoulddiverthismind。Yetheletnotraceofhisdoubtsnorofhispastgloomshowinhisfaceasheenteredtheroom。
Mr。Hookerwasapparentlyexaminingtheelegantfurnitureandluxuriousaccommodationwithhisusualresentfulenviousness。
Clarencehadgota\"softthing。\"Thatitwasmoreorlesstheresultofhis\"artfulness，\"andthathewasunduly\"puffedup\"byit，was，inHooker’scharacteristicreasoning，equallyclear。Ashishostsmilinglyadvancedwithoutstretchedhand，Mr。Hooker’seffortstoassumeaproperabstractionofmannerandcontemptuousindifferencetoClarence’ssurroundingswhichshouldwoundhisvanityendedinhislollingbackatfulllengthinthechairwithhiseyesontheceiling。But，rememberingsuddenlythathewasreallythebearerofamessagetoClarence，itstruckhimthathissupinepositionwas，fromatheatricalview-point，infelicitous。
Inhisexperiencesofthestagehehadneverdeliveredamessageinthatway。Heroseawkwardlytohisfeet。
\"Itwassogoodofyoutowait，\"saidClarencecourteously。
\"Sawyouinthetheatre，\"saidHookerbrusquely。\"Thirdrowinparquet。Susysaiditwasyou，andhadsuthin’tosaytoyou。
Suthin’yououghttoknow，\"hecontinued，withaslightreturnofhisoldmysteryofmannerwhichClarencesowellremembered。\"YousawHER——shefetchedthehousewiththatflagbusiness，eh？Sheknowswhichwaythecatisgoingtojump，youbet。Itellyou，foralltheblowingofthesesecessionists，theUnion’sgoin’topay！
Yes，sir！\"Hestopped，glancedroundthehandsomeroom，andaddeddarkly，\"Mebbeebetterthanthis。\"
WiththememoryofHooker’scharacteristicfondnessformysterystillinhismind，Clarenceoverlookedtheinnuendo，andsaidsmilingly，——
\"Whydidn’tyoubringMrs。Hookerhere？Ishouldhavebeenhonoredwithhercompany。\"
Mr。Hookerfrownedslightlyatthisseeminglevity。
\"Nevergoesoutafteraperformance。Nervousexhaustion。LeftheratourroomsinMarketStreet。Wecandrivethereintenminutes。
That’swhyIaskedtohavethecarriagewait。\"
Clarencehesitated。Withoutcaringintheleasttorenewtheacquaintanceofhisoldplaymateandsweetheart，ameetingthatnightinsomevaguewaysuggestedtohimaprovidentialdiversion。
Norwashedeceivedbyanygravityinthemessage。WithhisremembranceofSusy’stheatricaltendencies，hewasquitepreparedforanycapriciousfutileextravagance。
\"Youaresurewewillnotdisturbher？\"hesaidpolitely。
\"No。\"
Clarenceledthewaytothecarriage。IfMr。HookerexpectedhimduringthejourneytotrytodivinethepurportofSusy’smessagehewasdisappointed。Hiscompaniondidnotalludetoit。Possiblylookinguponitasacombinedtheatricalperformance，ClarencepreferredtowaitforSusyasthebetteractor。Thecarriagerolledrapidlythroughthenowdesertedstreets，andatlast，underthedirectionsofMr。Hooker，whowasleaninghalfoutofthewindow，itdrewupatamiddle-classrestaurant，abovewhosestilllitandsteamingwindowsweresomeostentatiouslypublicapartments，accessiblefromasideentrance。Astheyascendedthestaircasetogether，itbecameevidentthatMr。Hookerwasscarcelymoreathiseaseinthecharacterofhostthanhehadbeenasguest。Hestaredgloomilyatadescendingvisitor，gruntedaudiblyatawaiterinthepassage，andstoppedbeforeadoor，wherearecentlydepositedtraydisplayedthehalf-eatencarcaseofafowl，anemptychampagnebottle，twohalf-filledglasses，andafadedbouquet。Thewholepassagewasredolentwithasingularblendingofdampcooking，stalecigarettesmoke，andpatchouli。
Puttingthetrayasidewithhisfoot，Mr。Hookeropenedthedoorhesitatinglyandpeeredintotheroom，mutteredafewindistinctwords，whichwerefollowedbyarapidrustlingofskirts，andthen，withhishandstillonthedoor-knob，turningtoClarence，whohaddiscreetlyhaltedonthethreshold，flungthedooropentheatricallyandbadehimenter。
\"Sheissomewhereinthesuite，\"headded，withalargewaveofthehandtowardsadoorthatwasstilloscillating。\"Behereinaminit。\"
Clarencetookintheapartmentwithaquietglance。Itsfurniturehadthefrayedanddiscoloredsplendorsofapublicparlorwhichhadbeenprivatelyusedandmaltreated；therewerestainsinthelargemedallionedcarpet；thegildedveneerhadbeenchippedfromaheavycentretable，showingtherough，whitedealbeneath，whichgaveittheappearanceofastage\"property；\"thewalls，paneledwithgilt-framedmirrors，reflectedeverydomesticdetailorprivaterelaxationwithshamelesspublicity。Adampwaterproof，shawl，andopennewspaperwerelyingacrosstheoncebrilliantsofa；apowder-puff，aplateoffruit，andaplay-bookwereonthecentretable，andonthemarble-toppedsideboardwasMr。Hooker’ssecond-besthat，withasoiledcollar，evidentlybutlatelyexchangedfortheonehehadon，peepingoveritsbrim。Thewholeapartmentseemedtominglethefurtivedisclosuresofthedressing-
roomwiththeopenostentationsofthestage，withevenaslightsuggestionoftheauditoriuminafewscatteredprogrammesonthefloorandchairs。
Theinnerdooropenedagainwithaslighttheatricalstart，andSusy，inanelaboratedressing-gown，movedlanguidlyintotheroom。
Sheapparentlyhadnothadtimetochangeherunderskirt，fortherewasthedustofthestageonitsdelicatelaceedging，asshethrewherselfintoanarmchairandcrossedherprettyslipperedfeetbeforeher。Herfacewaspale，itspallorincautiouslyincreasedbypowder；andasClarencelookedatitsstillyouthful，charmingoutline，hewasnotperhapssorrythattheexquisitepinkandwhiteskinbeneath，whichhehadoncekissed，washiddenfromthatawakenedrecollection。YettherewaslittletraceofthegirlishSusyinthepretty，butprematurelyjaded，actressbeforehim，andhefeltmomentarilyrelieved。Itwasheryouthandfreshnessappealingtohisownyouthandimaginationthathehadloved——notHER。Yetasshegreetedhimwithaslightexaggerationofglance，voice，andmanner，herememberedthatevenasagirlshewasanactress。
Nothingofthis，however，wasinhisvoiceandmannerashegentlythankedherfortheopportunityofmeetingheragain。Andhewasfrank，forthediversionhehadexpectedhehadfound；heevenwasconsciousofthinkingmorekindlyofhiswifewhohadsupplantedher。
\"ItoldJimhemustfetchyouifhehadtocarryyou，\"shesaid，strikingthepalmofherhandwithherfan，andglancingatherhusband。\"IreckonheguessedWHY，thoughIdidn’ttellhim——I
don’ttellJimEVERYTHING。\"
HereJimrose，andlookingathiswatch，\"guessedhe’drunovertotheLickHouseandgetsomecigars。\"Ifhewasactinguponsomehintfromhiswife，hissimulationwassobadlydonethatClarencefelthisfirstsenseofuneasiness。ButasHookerclosedthedoorawkwardlyandunostentatiouslybehindhim，Clarencesmilinglysaidhehadwaitedtohearthemessagefromherownlips。
\"Jimonlyknowswhathe’sheardoutside：thetalkofmen，youknow，——andhehearsagooddealofthat——more，perhaps，thanYOU
do。Itwasthatwhichputmeuptofindingoutthetruth。AndI
didn’tresttillIdid。I’mnottobefooled，Clarence，——youdon’tmindmycallingyouClarencenowwe’rebothmarriedanddonefor，——
andI’mnotthekindtobefooledbyanybodyfromtheCowcounties——
andthat’stheRoblesRanche。I’maSouthernwomanmyselffromMissouri，butI’mfortheUnionfirst，last，andallthetime，andIcallmyselfamatchforanylazy，dawdling，lash-swingingslaveholderandslaveholderess——whetherthey’remixedblood，Heavenonlyknows，orwhat——ortheirfriendsorrelations，orthedirtyhalf-Spanishgrandeesandtheirmixedhalf-niggerpeonswhotruckletothem。Youbet！\"
HisbloodhadstirredquicklyatthementionoftheRoblesRanche，buttherestofSusy’sspeechwastoomuchintheveinofheroldextravagancetotouchhimseriously。Hefoundhimselfonlyconsideringhowstrangeitwasthattheoldpetulanceandimpulsivenessofhergirlhoodwereactuallybringingbackwiththemherpinkcheeksandbrillianteyes。
\"Yousurelydidn’taskJimtobringmehere，\"hesaidsmilingly，\"totellmethatMrs。Peyton\"——hecorrectedhimselfhastilyasamalicioussparklecameintoSusy’sblueeyes——\"thatmywifewasaSouthernwoman，andprobablysympathizedwithherclass？Well，I
don’tknowthatIshouldblameherforthatanymorethansheshouldblamemeforbeingaNorthernmanandaUnionist。\"
\"Andshedoesn’tblameyou？\"askedSusysneeringly。
ThecolorcameslightlytoClarence’scheek，butbeforehecouldreplytheactressadded，——
\"No，shepreferstouseyou！\"
\"Idon’tthinkIunderstandyou，\"saidClarence，risingcoldly。
\"No，youdon’tunderstandHER！\"retortedSusysharply。\"Lookhere，ClarenceBrant，you’reright；Ididn’taskyouheretotellyou——
whatyouandeverybodyknows——thatyourwifeisaSoutherner。I
didn’taskyouheretotellyouwhateverybodysuspects——thatsheturnsyouroundherlittlefinger。ButIdidaskyouheretotellyouwhatnobody，notevenyou，suspects——butwhatIknow！——andthatisthatshe’saTRAITOR——andmore，aSPY！——andthatI’veonlygottosaytheword，orsendthatmanJimtosaytheword，tohaveherdraggedoutofherCopperheaddenatRoblesRancheandshutupinFortAlcatrazthisverynight！\"
Stillwiththepinkglowinginherroundingcheek，andeyessnappinglikesplinteredsapphires，sherosetoherfeet，withherprettyshoulderslifted，hersmallhandsandwhiteteethbothtightlyclenched，andtookasteptowardshim。Eveninherattitudetherewasareminiscenceofherwillfulchildhood，althoughstillblendedwiththeprovincialactresswhomhehadseenonthestageonlyanhourago。Thoroughlyalarmedatherthreat，inhiseffortstoconcealhisfeelingshewasnotaboveaweakretaliation。Steppingback，heaffectedtoregardherwithacriticaladmirationthatwasonlyhalfsimulated，andsaidwithasmile，——
\"Verywelldone——butyouhaveforgottentheflag。\"
Shedidnotflinch。Ratheracceptingthesarcasmasatributetoherart，shewentonwithincreasingexaggeration：\"No，itisYOU
whohaveforgottentheflag——forgottenyourcountry，yourpeople，yourmanhood——everythingforthathigh-toned，double-dyedoldspyandtraitress！Forwhileyouarestandinghere，yourwifeisgatheringunderherroofatRoblesagangofspiesandtraitorslikeherself——secessionleadersandtheirbloated，drunken’chivalry’！
Yes，youmaysmileyoursuperiorsmile，butItellyou，ClarenceBrant，thatwithallyoursmartnessandbooklearningyouknownomoreofwhatgoesonaroundyouthanachild。Butothersdo！Thisconspiracyisknowntothegovernment，theFederalofficershavebeenwarned；GeneralSumnerhasbeensentouthere——andhisfirstactwastochangethecommandatFortAlcatraz，andsendyourwife’sSouthernfriend——CaptainPinckney——totherightabout！Yes——
everythingisknownbutONEthing，andthatisWHEREandHOWthispreciouscrewmeet！ThatIaloneknow，andthatI’vetoldyou！\"
\"AndIsuppose，\"saidClarence，withanunchangedsmile，\"thatthisvaluableinformationcamefromyourhusband——myoldfriend，JimHooker？\"
\"No，\"sheansweredsharply，\"itcomesfromCencho——oneofyourownpeons——whoismoretruetoyouandtheoldRanchothanYOUhaveeverbeen。Hesawwhatwasgoingon，andcametome，towarnyou！\"
\"Butwhynottomedirectly？\"askedClarence，withaffectedincredulity。
\"Askhim！\"shesaidviciously。\"Perhapshedidn’twanttowarnthemasteragainstthemistress。PerhapshethoughtWEarestillfriends。Perhaps\"——shehesitatedwithalowervoiceandaforcedsmile——\"perhapsheusedtoseeustogetherintheoldtimes。\"
\"Verylikely，\"saidClarencequietly。\"Andforthesakeofthoseoldtimes，Susy，\"hewenton，withasingulargentlenessthatwasquitedistinctfromhispalingfaceandseteyes，\"Iamgoingtoforgetallthatyouhavejustsaidofmeandmine，inalltheoldwillfulnessandimpatiencethatIseeyoustillkeep——withallyouroldprettiness。\"Hetookhishatfromthetableandgravelyheldouthishand。
Shewasfrightenedforamomentwithhisimpassiveabstraction。Intheolddaysshehadknownit——hadbelieveditwashisdogged\"obstinacy\"——butsheknewthehopelessnessofopposingit。Yetwithfemininepersistencysheagainthrewherselfagainstit，asagainstawall。
\"Youdon’tbelieveme！Well，goandseeforyourself。TheyareatRoblesNOW。IfyoucatchtheearlymorningstageatSantaClarayouwillcomeuponthembeforetheydisperse。Dareyoutryit？\"
\"WhateverIdo，\"hereturnedsmilingly，\"IshallalwaysbegratefultoyouforgivingmethisopportunityofseeingyouagainASYOU
WERE。Makemyexcusestoyourhusband。Good-night。\"
\"Clarence！\"
Buthehadalreadyclosedthedoorbehindhim。Hisfacedidnotrelaxitsexpressionnorchangeashelookedagainatthetraywithitsbrokenviandsbeforethedoor，theworn，stainedhallcarpet，orthewaiterwhoshuffledpasthim。Hewasapparentlyascriticallyconsciousofthemandofthecloseodorsofthehall，andtheatmosphereoflistlessdecayandfadedextravagancearoundhim，asbeforetheinterview。Butifthewomanhehadjustpartedfromhadwatchedhimshewouldhavesupposedhestillutterlydisbelievedherstory。Yethewasconsciousthatallthathesawwasapartofhisdegradation，forhehadbelievedeverywordshehaduttered。
Throughallherextravagance，envy，andrevengefulnesshesawthecentraltruth——thathehadbeendeceived——notbyhiswife，butbyhimself！Hehadsuspectedallthisbefore。Thiswaswhathadbeenreallytroublinghim——thiswaswhathehadputaside，ratherthanhisfaith，notinher，butinhisideal。HerememberedlettersthathadpassedbetweenherandCaptainPinckney——lettersthatshehadopenlysenttonotoriousSouthernleaders；hernervousanxietytoremainattheRancho；theinnuendoesandsignificantglancesoffriendswhichhehadputaside——ashehadthiswoman’smessage！
Susyhadtoldhimnothingnewofhiswife——butthetruthofHIMSELF！
Andtherevelationcamefrompeoplewhohewasconsciousweretheinferiorsofhimselfandhiswife。Toanindependent，proud，andself-mademanitwastheculminatingstroke。
Inthesameabstractedvoicehetoldthecoachmantodrivehome。
Thereturnseemedinterminable——thoughhenevershiftedhisposition。Yetwhenhedrewupathisowndoorandlookedathiswatchhefoundhehadbeenabsentonlyhalfanhour。Onlyhalfanhour！Asheenteredthehouseheturnedwiththesameabstractiontowardsamirrorinthehall，asifheexpectedtoseesomeoutwardandvisiblechangeinhimselfinthattime。Dismissinghisservantstobed，hewentintohisdressing-room，completelychangedhisattire，putonapairoflongriding-boots，andthrowingaserapeoverhisshoulders，pausedamoment，tookapairofsmall\"Derringer\"
pistolsfromabox，puttheminhispockets，andthenslippedcautiouslydownthestaircase。Alackofconfidenceinhisowndomesticshadinvadedhimforthefirsttime。Thelightswereout。
Hesilentlyopenedthedoorandwasinthestreet。
Hewalkedhastilyafewsquarestoaliverystablewhoseproprietorheknew。Hisfirstinquirywasforone\"Redskin，\"aparticularhorse；thesecondforitsproprietor。Happilybothwerein。TheproprietoraskednoquestionofacustomerofClarence’scondition。
Thehorse，halfSpanish，powerfulandirascible，wasquicklysaddled。AsClarencemounted，themaninanimpulseofsociabilitysaid，——
\"Sawyouatthetheatreto-night，sir。\"
\"Ah，\"returnedClarence，quietlygatheringupthereins。
\"Ratherasmarttrickofthatwomanwiththeflag，\"hewentontentatively。Then，withapossibledoubtofhiscustomer’spolitics，headdedwithaforcedsmile，\"Ireckonit’sallpartyfuss，though；thereain’tanyrealdanger。\"
ButfastasClarencemightridethewordslingeredinhisears。Hesawthroughtheman’shesitation；he，too，hadprobablyheardthatClarenceBrantweaklysympathizedwithhiswife’ssentiments，anddarednotspeakfully。Andheunderstoodthecowardlysuggestionthattherewas\"norealdanger。\"IthadbeenClarence’sonefallacy。Hehadbelievedthepublicexcitementwasonlyatemporaryoutbreakofpartisanfeeling，soontosubside。EvennowhewasconsciousthathewaslessdoubtfuloftheintegrityoftheUnionthanofhisownhousehold。Itwasnotthedevotionofthepatriot，buttheindignationofanoutragedhusband，thatwasspurringhimon。
HeknewthatifhereachedWoodvillebyfiveo’clockhecouldgetferriedacrossthebayattheEmbarcadero，andcatchthedowncoachtoFairPlains，whencehecouldridetotheRancho。AsthecoachdidnotconnectdirectlywithSanFrancisco，thechanceofhissurprisingthemwasgreater。Onceclearofthecityoutskirts，hebulliedRedskinintoirasciblespeed，andplungedintotherainydarknessofthehighroad。Thewaywasfamiliar。Forawhilehewascontenttofeelthebuffeting，causedbyhisrapidpace，ofwindandrainagainsthisdepressedheadandshouldersinasheerbrutalsenseofoppositionandpower，ortorelievehispent-upexcitementbydashingthroughoverflowedgulliesintheroadoracrossthequaggy，soddenedgesofmeadowland，untilhehadcontrolledRedskin’srebelliousextravaganceintoalongsteadystride。Thenheraisedhisheadandstraightenedhimselfonthesaddle，tothink。Buttonopurpose。Hehadnoplan；everythingwoulddependuponthesituation；thethoughtofforestallinganyactionoftheconspirators，bywarningorcallingintheaidoftheauthorities，foraninstantcrossedhismind，butwasasinstantlydismissed。Hehadbutaninstinct——toseewithhisowneyeswhathisreasontoldhimwastrue。Daywasbreakingthroughdriftingscudandpewter-coloredcloudsashereachedWoodvilleferry，checkeredwithsplashesofthesoilandthespumeofhishorse，fromwhoseneckandflanksthesweatrolledlikelather。Yethewasnotconscioushowintenthadbeenhispurposeuntilhefeltasuddeninstinctiveshockonseeingthattheferryboatwasgone。
Foraninstanthiswonderfulself-possessionabandonedhim；hecouldonlygazevacantlyattheleaden-coloredbay，withoutathoughtorexpedient。Butinanothermomenthesawthattheboatwasreturningfromthedistance。Hadhelosthisonlychance？Heglancedhurriedlyathiswatch；hehadcomemorequicklythanheimagined；therewouldstillbetime。Hebeckonedimpatientlytotheferryman；theboat——aship’spinnace，withtwomeninit——creptinwithexasperatingslowness。Atlastthetworowerssuddenlyleapedashore。
\"Yemighthavecomebefore，withtheotherpassenger。Wedon’treckontorunlightnin’tripsonthisferry。\"
ButClarencewashimselfagain。\"Twentydollarsfortwomoreoarsinthatboat，\"hesaidquietly，\"andfiftyifyougetmeoverintimetocatchthedownstage。\"
ThemanglancedatClarence’seyes。\"RunupandrouseoutJakeandSam，\"hesaidtotheotherboatman；thenmoreleisurely，gazingathiscustomer’stravel-stainedequipment，hesaid，\"Theremusthavebeenaheapo’passengersgotleftbylastnight’sboat。You’rethesecondmanthattookthisrouteinahurry。\"
AtanyothertimethecoincidencemighthavestruckClarence。Butheonlyansweredcurtly，\"UnlessweareunderwayintenminutesyouwillfindIamNOTthesecondman，andthatourbargain’soff。\"
Butheretwomenemergedfromtheshantybesidetheferryhouse，andtumbledsleepilyintotheboat。Clarenceseizedanextrapairofscullsthatwerestandingagainsttheshed，andthrewthemintothestern。\"Idon’tmindtakingahandmyselfforexercise，\"hesaidquietly。
TheferrymanglancedagainatClarence’stravel-wornfigureanddeterminedeyeswithmingledapprovalandsurprise。Helingeredamomentwithhisoarslifted，lookingathispassenger。\"Itain’tnobusinesso’mine，youngman，\"hesaiddeliberately，\"butI
reckonyouunderstandmewhenIsaythatI’vejusttakenanothermanoverthere。\"
\"Ido，\"saidClarenceimpatiently。
\"Andyoustillwanttogo？\"
\"Certainly，\"repliedClarence，withacoldstare，takinguphisoars。
Themanshruggedhisshoulders，benthimselfforthestroke，andtheboatsprungforward。Theothersrowedstronglyandrapidly，thetoughashenbladesspringinglikesteelfromthewater，theheavyboatseemingtoleapinsuccessiveboundsuntiltheywerefairlybeyondthecurvinginshorecurrentandclearingtheplacid，mistysurfaceofthebay。Clarencedidnotspeak，butbentabstractedlyoverhisoar；theferrymanandhiscrewrowedinequalpantingsilence；afewstartledduckswhirredbeforethem，butdroppedagaintorest。InhalfanhourtheywereattheEmbarcadero。Thetimewasfairlyup。Clarence’seyeswereeagerlybentforthefirstappearanceofthestage-coacharoundthelittlepromontory；theferrymanwasaseagerlyscanningthebare，emptystreetofthestillsleepingsettlement。
\"Idon’tseehimanywhere，\"saidtheferrymanwithaglance，halfofastonishmentandhalfofcuriosity，athissolitarypassenger。
\"Seewhom？\"askedClarencecarelessly，ashehandedthemanhispromisedfee。
\"TheothermanIferriedovertocatchthestage。Hemusthavegoneonwithoutwaiting。You’reinluck，youngfellow！\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyou，\"saidClarenceimpatiently。\"Whathasyourpreviouspassengertodowithme？\"
\"Well，Ireckonyouknowbest。He’sthekindofman，gin’rallyspeaking，thatothermen，inapow’fulhurry，don’tcaretomeet——
and，azarule，don’tFOLLERarter。It’sgin’rallytheotherway。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"inquiredClarencesternly。\"Ofwhomareyouspeaking？\"
\"TheChiefofPoliceofSanFrancisco！\"
CHAPTERII。
ThelaughthatinstinctivelybrokefromClarence’slipswassosincereandunaffectedthatthemanwasdisconcerted，andatlastjoinedinit，alittleshamefacedly。ThegrotesqueblunderofbeingtakenasafugitivefromjusticerelievedClarence’smindfromitsacutetension，——hewasmomentarilydiverted，——anditwasnotuntiltheboatmanhaddeparted，andhewasagainalone，thatitseemedtohaveanycollateralsignificance。ThenanuneasyrecollectionofSusy’sthreatthatshehadthepowertoputhiswifeinFortAlcatrazcameacrosshim。Couldshehavealreadywarnedthemunicipalauthoritiesandthisman？ButhequicklyrememberedthatanyactionfromsuchawarningcouldonlyhavebeentakenbytheUnitedStatesMarshal，andnotbyacivicofficial，anddismissedtheidea。
Nevertheless，whenthestagewithitshalf-spentlampsstillburningdimlyagainstthemorninglightsweptroundthecurveandrolledheavilyuptotherudeshantywhichservedascoach-office，hebecamewatchful。Asingleyawningindividualinitsdoorwayreceivedafewlettersandparcels，butClarencewasevidentlytheONLYwaitingpassenger。Anyhopethathemighthaveentertainedthathismysteriouspredecessorwouldemergefromsomeseclusionatthatmomentwasdisappointed。Asheenteredthecoachhemadearapidsurveyofhisfellow-travelers，butsatisfiedhimselfthatthestrangerwasnotamongthem。Theyweremainlysmalltradersorfarmers，aminerortwo，andapparentlyaSpanish-Americanofbetterdegreeandpersonality。Possiblythecircumstancethatmenofthisclassusuallypreferredtotravelonhorsebackandwererarelyseeninpublicconveyancesattractedhisattention，andtheireyesmetmorethanonceinmutualcuriosity。PresentlyClarenceaddressedaremarktothestrangerinSpanish；herepliedfluentlyandcourteously，butatthenextstopping-placeheaskedaquestionoftheexpressmaninanunmistakableMissouriaccent。
Clarence’scuriositywassatisfied；hewasevidentlyoneofthoseearlyAmericansettlerswhohadbeensolongdomiciledinSouthernCaliforniaastoadoptthespeechaswellasthehabilimentsoftheSpaniard。
Theconversationfelluponthepoliticalnewsofthepreviousnight，orratherseemedtobelazilycontinuedfromsomeprevious，moreexciteddiscussion，inwhichoneofthecontestants——ared-
beardedminer——hadsubsidedintoanoccasionalgrowlofsurlydissent。ItstruckClarencethattheMissourianhadbeenanamusedauditorandeven，judgingfromatwinkleinhiseye，amischievousinstigatorofthecontroversy。Hewasnotsurprised，therefore，whenthemanturnedtohimwithacertaincourtesyandsaid，——
\"Andwhat，sir，isthepoliticalfeelinginYOURdistrict？\"
ButClarencewasinnomoodtobedrawnout，andreplied，almostcurtly，thatashehadcomeonlyfromSanFrancisco，theywereprobablyaswellinformedonthatsubjectashimself。Aquickandsearchingglancefromthestranger’seyemadehimregrethisanswer，butinthesilencethatensuedthered-beardedminer，evidentlystillranklingatheart，sawhisopportunity。Slappinghishugehandsonhisknees，andleaningfarforwarduntilheseemedtoplungehisflamingbeard，likeafirebrand，intothecontroversy，hesaidgrimly，——
\"Well，Ikintellyou，gen’l’men，THIS。Itain’tgoin’tobenomatterwot’sthePOLITICALFEELINGhereorthar——itain’tgoin’tobenomatterwot’stheState’srightsandwot’sFed’ralrights——itain’tgoin’tobenoquestionwhetherthegov’ment’sgottherighttorelieveitsownsoldiersthatthoseSeceshisbesieginginFortSumterorwhethertheyhaven’t——butthefirstgunthat’sfiredattheflagblowsthechainsoffeveryd——nniggersouthofMasonandDixon’sline！Youhearme！I’mshoutin’！Andwhetheryoucallyourselves’Secesh’or’Union’or’Copperhead’or’Peacemen，’
you’vegottofaceit！\"
Therewasanangrystartinoneortwooftheseats；onemancaughtattheswingingside-strapandhalfrose，ahuskyvoicebegan，\"It’sad————d\"——andthenallassuddenlysubsided。Everyeyewasturnedtoaninsignificantfigureinthebackseat。Itwasawoman，holdingachildonherlap，andgazingoutofthewindowwithhersex’sprofoundunconcerninpolitics。Clarenceunderstoodtherudechivalryoftheroadwellenoughtocomprehendthatthisunconsciousbutomnipotentfigurehadmorethanoncethatdaycontrolledthepassionsofthedisputants。Theydroppedbackweaklytotheirseats，andtheirmutteringsrolledoffintherattleofthewheels。ClarenceglancedattheMissourian；hewasregardingthered-beardedminerwithasingularcuriosity。
Therainhadceased，buttheafternoonshadowsweredeepeningwhentheyatlastreachedFairPlains，whereClarenceexpectedtotakehorsetotheRancho。Hewasastonished，however，tolearnthatallthehorsesinthestablewereengaged，butrememberingthatsomeofhisownstockwereinpasturagewithatenantatFairPlains，andthatheshouldprobablyhaveabetterselection，heturnedhisstepsthither。Passingoutofthestable-yardherecognizedtheMissourian’svoiceinwhisperedconversationwiththeproprietor，butthetwomenwithdrewintotheshadowasheapproached。Anill-
defineduneasinesscameoverhim；heknewtheproprietor，whoalsoseemedtoknowtheMissourian，andthisevidentavoidanceofhimwassignificant。PerhapshisreputationasadoubtfulUnionisthadprecededhim，butthiswouldnotaccountfortheirconductinadistrictsostronglySoutherninsympathyasFairPlains。Moreimpressedbytheoccurrencethanhecaredtoadmit，whenatlast，aftersomedelay，hehadsecuredhishorse，andwasoncemoreinthesaddle，hekeptasharplookoutforhisquondamcompanion。Buthereanothercircumstanceaddedtohissuspicions：therewasamainroadleadingtoSantaInez，thenexttown，andtheRancho，andthisClarencehadpurposelytakeninordertowatchtheMissourian；buttherewasalsoacutoffdirectlytotheRancho，knownonlytothehabituesoftheRancho。Afterafewmoments’rapidridingonamustangmuchsuperiortoanyinthehotelstables，hewassatisfiedthatthestrangermusthavetakenthecut-off。PuttingspurstohishorsehetrustedstilltoprecedehimtotheRancho——ifthatwerehisdestination。
Ashedashedalongthefamiliarroad，byastrangeperversityoffancy，insteadofthinkingofhispurpose，hefoundhimselfrecallingthefirsttimehehadriddenthatwayintheflushofhisyouthandhopefulness。Thegirl-sweethearthewasthengoingtorejoinwasnowthewifeofanother；thewomanwhohadbeenherguardianwasnowhisownwife。Hehadacceptedwithoutapangtheyounggirl’sdereliction，butitwasthroughherrevelationthathewasnowabouttoconfrontthederelictionofhisownwife。Andthiswastherewardofhisyouthfultrustandloyalty！Abitterlaughbrokefromhislips。Itwaspartofhisstillyouthfulself-
delusionthathebelievedhimselfwiserandstrongerforit。
ItwasquitedarkwhenhereachedtheupperfieldorfirstterraceoftheRancho。Hecouldseethewhitewallsofthecasarisingdimlyoutofthegreenseaofearlywildgrasses，likeaphantomisland。Itwasherethatthecut-offjoinedthemainroad——nowtheonlyonethatledtothecasa。HewassatisfiedthatnoonecouldhaveprecededhimfromFairPlains；butitwastruethathemusttakeprecautionsagainsthisowndiscovery。Dismountingnearaclumpofwillows，heunsaddledandunbridledhishorse，andwithacutoftheriataoveritshaunchessentitflyingacrossthefieldinthedirectionofabandoffeedingmustangs，whichitpresentlyjoined。Then，keepingwellintheshadowofabeltofshrub-oaks，heskirtedthelonglesserterracesofthecasa，intendingtoapproachthehousebywayoftheoldgardenandcorral。Adrizzlingrain，occasionallydrivenbythewindintolong，misty，curtain-likewaves，obscuredtheprospectandfavoredhisdesign。Hereachedthelowadobewallofthecorralinsafety；lookingoverhecoulddetect，inspiteofthedarkness，thatanumberofthehorseswereofalienbrands，andevenrecognizedoneortwofromtheSantaInezdistrict。Thevagueoutlineofbuggiesandcarryallsfilledthelongshedbesidethestables。ThereWAScompanyatthecasa——sofarSusywasright！
Nevertheless，lingeringstillbythewalloftheoldgardenforthedeepeningofnight，hisnervousfeverishnesswasagaininvadedandbenumbedbysullenmemories。Therewastheopeningleftbytheoldgrilleinthewall，behindwhichMrs。Peytonstoodonthemorningwhenhethoughthewasleavingtheranchforever；wherehehadfirstclaspedherinhisarms，andstayed。Aturnofthehead，amoment’sindecision，asingleglanceofalanguorouseye，hadbroughtthisculmination。Andnowhestoodagainbeforethatruinedgrille，hishouseandlands，evenhisNAME，misusedbyamad，schemingenthusiast，andhimselfacreepingspyofhisowndishonor！Heturnedwithabittersmileagaintothegarden。A
fewdarkredCastilianrosesstillleanedforwardandswayedinthewindwithdrippingleaves。ItwasherethatthefirstmorningofhisarrivalhehadkissedSusy；theperfumeandcolorofherpinkskincamebacktohimwithasuddenshockashestoodthere；hecaughtataflower，drewittowardshim，inhaleditsodorinalongbreaththatlefthimfaintandleaningagainstthewall。Thenagainhesmiled，butthistimemorewickedly——inwhathebelievedhiscynicismhadsprungupthefirstinstinctofrevenge！
Itwasnowdarkenoughforhimtoventureacrossthecarriageroadandmakehiswaytotherearofthehouse。Hisfirstcharacteristicinstincthadbeentoenteropenlyathisownfrontgate，buttheterribletemptationtooverhearandwatchtheconspiracyunobserved——
thatfascinationcommontodeceivedhumanitytowitnessitsownshame——hadnowgrownuponhim。Heknewthatawordorgestureofexplanation，apology，appeal，oreventerrorfromhiswifewouldcheckhisrageandweakenhispurpose。Hisperfectknowledgeofthehouseandthesecurityofitsinmateswouldenablehimfromsomeobscurelandingorgallerytoparticipateinanysecretconclavetheymightholdinthepatio——theonlyplacesuitableforsonumerousarendezvous。Theabsenceoflightinthefewexternalwindowspointedtothiscentralgathering。Andhehadalreadyconceivedhisplanofentrance。
Gainingtherearwallofthecasahebegancautiouslytoskirtitsbramblybaseuntilhehadreachedalong，oven-likewindowhalfobliteratedbyamonstrouspassionvine。ItwasthewindowofwhathadoncebeenMrs。Peyton’sboudoir；thewindowbywhichhehadonceforcedanentrancetothehousewhenitwasinthehandsofsquatters，thewindowfromwhichSusyhadsignaledherSpanishlover，thewindowwhosegratinghadbrokentheneckofJudgePeyton’spresumedassassin。Buttheserecollectionsnolongerdelayedhim；themomentforactionhadarrived。Heknewthatsincethetragedytheboudoirhadbeendismantledandshunned；theservantsbelievedittobehauntedbytheassassin’sghost。Withtheaidofthepassionvinetheingresswaseasy；theinteriorwindowwasopen；therustleofdeadleavesonthebarefloorasheentered，andthewhirofafrightenedbirdbyhisear，toldthestoryofitsdesolationandthesourceofthestrangenoisesthathadbeenheardthere。Thedoorleadingtothecorridorwaslightlybolted，merelytokeepitfromrattlinginthewind。Slippingtheboltwiththebladeofhispocket-knifehepeeredintothedarkpassage。Thelightstreamingunderadoortotheleft，andthesoundofvoices，convincedhimthathisconjecturewasright，andthemeetingwasgatheredonthebroadbalconiesaroundthepatio。
Heknewthatanarrowgallery，facedwithVenetianblindstoexcludethesun，lookeddownuponthem。Hemanagedtogainitwithoutdiscovery；luckilytheblindswerestilldown；betweentheirslats，himselfinvisible，hecouldhearandseeeverythingthatoccurred。
Yetevenatthissuprememomentthefirstthingthatstruckhimwasthealmostludicrouscontrastbetweentheappearanceofthemeetinganditstremendousobject。Whetherhewasinfluencedbyanypreviousboyishconceptionofacloudedandgloomyconspiracyhedidnotknow，buthewasforaninstantalmostdisconcertedbytheapparentlevityandfestivityoftheconclave。Decantersandglassesstoodonsmalltablesbeforethem；nearlyallweredrinkingandsmoking。Theycomprisedfifteenortwentymen，someofwhosefaceswerefamiliartohimelsewhereasSouthernpoliticians；afew，hewasshockedtosee，werewell-knownNorthernDemocrats。
OccupyingacharacteristicallycentralpositionwasthefamousColonelStarbottle，ofVirginia。Jauntyandyouthful-lookinginhismask-like，beardlessface，expansiveanddignifiedinhismiddle-agedportandcarriage，healoneretainedsomeoftheimportance——albeitslightlytheatricalandaffected——oftheoccasion。Clarenceinhisfirsthurriedglancehadnotobservedhiswife，andforamomenthadfeltrelieved；butasColonelStarbottlearoseatthatmoment，andwithastudiouslychivalrousandcourtlymannerturnedtohisright，hesawthatshewassittingatthefurtherendofthebalcony，andthatamanwhomherecognizedasCaptainPinckneywasstandingbesideher。Thebloodquicklytightenedaroundhisheart，butlefthimcoldandobservant。
\"Itwasseldom，indeed，\"remarkedColonelStarbottle，placinghisfatfingersinthefrillofhisshirtfront，\"thatamovementlikethiswasgracedwiththeactualpresenceofalofty，inspiring，yetdelicatespirit——aBoadicea——indeed，hemightsayaJoanofArc——inthepersonoftheircharminghostess，Mrs。Brant。Notonlyweretheyfavoredbyhersocialandhospitableministration，butbyheractiveandenthusiasticcooperationinthegloriousworktheyhadinhand。Itwasthroughhercorrespondenceandearnestadvocacythattheyweretobefavoredto-nightwiththeaidandcounselofoneofthemostdistinguishedandpowerfulmenintheSoutherndistrictofCalifornia，JudgeBeeswinger，ofLosAngeles。Hehadnotthehonorofthatgentleman’spersonalacquaintance；hebelievedhewasnotfarwronginsayingthatthiswasalsothemisfortuneofeverygentlemanpresent；butthenameitselfwasatowerofstrength。Hewouldgofurther，andsaythatMrs。Brantherselfwaspersonallyunacquaintedwithhim，butitwasthroughthefervor，poetry，grace，andgeniusofhercorrespondencewiththatgentlemanthattheyweretohavethehonorofhispresencethatveryevening。Itwasunderstoodthatadviceshadbeenreceivedofhisdeparture，andthathemightbeexpectedatRoblesatanymoment。\"
\"ButwhatproofhaveweofJudgeBeeswinger’ssoundness？\"saidalazySouthernvoiceattheconclusionofColonelStarbottle’speriods。\"Nobodyhereseemstoknowhimbysight：isitnotriskytoadmitamantoourmeetingwhomweareunabletoidentify？\"
\"IreckonnobodybutafoolorsomepryingmudsillofaYankeewouldtrusthisskinhere，\"returnedanother；\"andifhedidwe’dknowwhattodowithhim。\"
ButClarence’sattentionwasrivetedonhiswife，andthesignificantspeechpassedhimasunheededashadthecolonel’srhetoric。Shewaslookingveryhandsomeandslightlyflushed，withaproudlightinhereyesthathehadneverseenbefore。Absorbedinthediscussion，sheseemedtobepayinglittleattentiontoCaptainPinckneyassherosesuddenlytoherfeet。
\"JudgeBeeswingerwillbeattendedherebyMr。MacNiel，oftheFairPlainsHotel，whowillvouchforhimandintroducehim，\"shesaidinaclearvoice，whichrangwithanimperiousnessthatClarencewellremembered。\"ThejudgewastoarrivebythecoachfromMartineztoFairPlains，andisduenow。\"
\"IstherenoGENTLEMANtointroducehim？Mustwetakehimonthewordofacommontrader——byJove！awhiskey-seller？\"continuedthepreviousvoicesneeringly。
\"Onthewordofalady，Mr。Brooks，\"saidCaptainPinckney，withaslightgesturetowardsMrs。Brant——\"whoanswersforboth。\"
Clarencehadstartedslightlyathiswife’svoiceandtheinformationitconveyed。Hisfellow-passenger，andtheconfidantofMacNiel，wasthemantheywereexpecting！Iftheyhadrecognizedhim，Clarence，wouldtheynotwarnthecompanyofhisproximity？Heheldhisbreathasthesoundofvoicescamefromtheoutergateofthecourtyard。Mrs。Brantrose；atthesamemomentthegateswungopen，andamanentered。ItWAStheMissourian。
Heturnedwithold-fashionedcourtesytothesinglewomanstandingonthebalcony。
\"Myfaircorrespondent，Ibelieve！IamJudgeBeeswinger。Youragent，MacNiel，passedmethroughyourguardsatthegate，butI
didnotdeemitadvisabletobringhimintothisassemblyofgentlemenwithoutyourfurtherconsideration。ItrustIwasright。\"
Thequietdignityandself-possession，thequaint，old-fashionedcolonialprecisionofspeech，modifiedbyasoftVirginianintonation，and，aboveall，somesingularindividualityofthemanhimself，producedaprofoundsensation，andseemedtosuddenlygivethegatheringanimpressivenessithadlackedbefore。ForaninstantClarenceforgothimselfandhispersonalwrongsintheshockofindignationhefeltatthispotentadditiontotheranksofhisenemies。Hesawhiswife’seyessparklewithprideoverheracquisition，andnoticedthatPinckneycastadisturbedglanceatthenewcomer。
ThestrangerascendedthefewstepstothebalconyandtookMrs。
Brant’shandwithprofoundcourtesy。\"Introducemetomycolleagues——distinctlyandseparately。Itbehoovesamanatsuchamomenttoknowtowhomheentrustshislifeandhonor，andthelifeandhonorofhiscause。\"
Itwasevidentlynomereformalcourtesytothestranger。Ashesteppedforwardalongthebalcony，andunderMrs。Brant’sgracefulguidancewasintroducedtoeachofthemembers，henotonlylistenedwithscrupulouscareandattentiontothenameandprofessionofeachman，butbentuponhimaclear，searchingglancethatseemedtophotographhiminhismemory。Withtwoexceptions。
HepassedColonelStarbottle’sexpandingshirtfrillwithabowofelaborateprecision，andsaid，\"ColonelStarbottle’sfamerequiresneitherintroductionnorexplanation。\"HestoppedbeforeCaptainPinckneyandpaused。
\"AnofficeroftheUnitedStatesarmy，Ibelieve，sir？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"EducatedatWestPoint，Ithink，bythegovernment，towhomyouhavetakentheoathofallegiance？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Verygood，sir，\"saidthestranger，turningaway。
\"Youhaveforgottenoneotherfact，sir，\"saidPinckney，withaslightlysuperciliousair。
\"Indeed！Whatisit？\"
\"Iam，firstofall，anativeoftheStateofSouthCarolina！\"
Amurmurofapplauseandapprovalranroundthebalcony。CaptainPinckneysmiledandexchangedglanceswithMrs。Brant，butthestrangerquietlyreturnedtothecentraltablebesideColonelStarbottle。\"Iamnotonlyanunexpecteddelegatetothisaugustassembly，gentlemen，\"hebegangravely，\"butIamthebearerofperhapsequallyunexpectednews。BymypositionintheSoutherndistrictIaminpossessionofdispatchesreceivedonlythismorningbyponyexpress。FortSumterhasbeenbesieged。TheUnitedStatesflag，carryingrelieftothebeleagueredgarrison，hasbeenfireduponbytheStateofSouthCarolina。\"
Aburstofalmosthystericapplauseandenthusiasmbrokefromtheassembly，andmadethedim，vault-likepassagesandcorridorsofthecasaring。Cheeraftercheerwentuptotheveiledgalleryandthemistyskybeyond。Menmountedonthetablesandwavedtheirhandsfrantically，andinthemidstofthisbewilderingturbulenceofsoundandmotionClarencesawhiswifemountedonachair，withburningcheeksandflashingeyes，wavingherhandkerchieflikeaninspiredpriestess。Onlythestranger，stillstandingbesideColonelStarbottle，remainedunmovedandimpassive。Then，withanimperativegesture，hedemandedasuddensilence。
\"Convincingandunanimousasthisdemonstrationis，gentlemen，\"hebeganquietly，\"itismyduty，nevertheless，toaskyouifyouhaveseriouslyconsideredthemeaningofthenewsIhavebrought。Itismydutytotellyouthatitmeanscivilwar。Itmeanstheclashofarmsbetweentwosectionsofamightycountry；itmeansthedisruptionoffriends，thebreakingoffamilyties，theseparationoffathersandsons，ofbrothersandsisters——even，perhaps，tothedissevermentofhusbandandwife！\"
\"ItmeansthesovereigntyoftheSouth——andthebreakingofacovenantwithlowborntradersandabolitionists，\"saidCaptainPinckney。
\"Ifthereareanygentlemenpresent，\"continuedthestranger，withoutheedingtheinterruption，\"whohavepledgedthisStatetothesupportoftheSouthinthisemergency，ortotheestablishmentofaPacificrepublicinaidandsympathywithit，whosenamesareonthispaper\"——heliftedasheetofpaperlyingbeforeColonelStarbottle——\"butwhonowfeelthatthegravityofthenewsdemandsamoreseriousconsiderationofthepurpose，theyareatlibertytowithdrawfromthemeeting，givingtheirhonor，asSoutherngentlemen，tokeepthesecretintact。\"
\"NotifIknowit，\"interruptedastalwartKentuckian，asherosetohisfeetandstrodedownthestepstothepatio。\"For，\"headded，placinghisbackagainstthegateway，\"I’llshootthefirstcowardthatbacksoutnow。\"
Aroaroflaughterandapprovalfollowed，butwassilencedagainbythequiet，unimpassionedvoiceofthestranger。\"If，ontheotherhand，\"hewentoncalmly，\"youallfeelthatthisnewsisthefittingculminationandconsecrationofthehopes，wishes，andplansofthismeeting，youwillassertitagain，overyourownsignatures，toColonelStarbottleatthistable。\"
WhentheKentuckianhadrisen，Clarencehadstartedfromhisconcealment；whenhenowsawtheeagerfigurespressingforwardtothetablehehesitatednolonger。Slippingalongthepassage，hereachedthestaircasewhichledtothecorridorintherearofthebalcony。Descendingthisrapidly，henotonlycameuponthebacksoftheexcitedcrowdaroundthetable，butevenelbowedoneoftheconspiratorsasidewithoutbeingnoticed。Hiswife，whohadrisenfromherchairattheendofthebalcony，wasalreadymovingtowardsthetable。Withaquickmovementheseizedherwrist，andthrewherbackinthechairagain。Acrybrokefromherlipsassherecognizedhim，butstillholdingherwrist，hesteppedquicklybetweenherandtheastonishedcrowd。Therewasamomentofsilence，thenthecryof\"Spy！\"and\"Seizehim！\"rosequickly，butaboveallthevoiceandfigureoftheMissourianwasheardcommandingthemtostandback。TurningtoClarence，hesaidquietly，——
\"Ishouldknowyourface，sir。Whoareyou？\"
\"Thehusbandofthiswomanandthemasterofthishouse，\"saidClarenceasquietly，butinavoicehehardlyrecognizedashisown。
\"Standasidefromher，then——unlessyouarehopingthatherdangermayprotectYOU！\"saidtheKentuckian，significantlydrawinghisrevolver。
ButMrs。BrantsprangsuddenlytoherfeetbesideClarence。
\"Weareneitherofuscowards，Mr。Brooks——thoughhespeaksthetruth——and——moreshametome\"——sheadded，withalookofsavagescornatClarence——\"ISMYHUSBAND！\"
\"Whatisyourpurposeincominghere？\"continuedJudgeBeeswinger，withhiseyesfixedonClarence。
\"Ihavegivenyoualltheinformation，\"saidClarencequietly，\"thatisnecessarytomakeyou，asagentleman，leavethishouseatonce——andthatismypurpose。Itisalltheinformationyouwillgetfrommeaslongasyouandyourfriendsinsultmyroofwithyouruninvitedpresence。WhatImayhavetosaytoyouandeachofyouhereafter——whatImaychoosetodemandofyou，accordingtoyourowncodeofhonor，\"——hefixedhiseyesonCaptainPinckney’s，——
\"isanotherquestion，andonenotusuallydiscussedbeforealady。\"
\"Pardonme。Amoment——asinglemoment。\"
