Therewasapauseofreluctantmurmuring。Butthewarningwasenforcedbyacommandfromanothervoice——weak，unheroic，butfamiliar，\"Iorderthisyertostop——rightyer！\"
Aburstofironicallaughterfollowed。ThevoicewasUncleBen’s。
\"Standback！Thisisnotimeforfoolin’，\"saidthesheriffroughly。
\"He’sright，SheriffBriggs，\"saidStacey’svoicehurriedly；
\"you’reactingforHIM；he’stheowneroftheland。\"
\"What？ThatBenDabney？\"
\"Yes；he’sDaubigny，whoboughtthetitlefromus。\"
Therewasamomentaryhush，andthenahurriedmurmur。
\"Whichmeans，gents，\"roseUncleBen’svoicepersuasively，\"thatthisyeryoungman，thoughfair-mindedandwell-intended，hezbinaleetletoochipperandpreviousinorderin’outthelaw。Thisyerain’tnolawmatterwithME，boys。Itain’ttobesettledbylaw-
papers，norshot-gunsandderingers。It’ssuthin’tobechawedoversociable-like，betweendrinks。Efanyharmhezbindone，efanythin’shappened，I’myerto’demnifythesheriff，andmakeitcomf’bleallround。Yerknowme，boys。I’mtalkin’。It’sme——
Dabney，orDaubigny，whicheverwayyoulikeit。\"
Butinthesilencethatfollowed，thepassionshadnotyetevidentlycooled。ItwasbrokenbythesarcasticdrawlofDickMcKinstry：\"IfthemHarrisonsdon’tmindhevenhadtheirmedderstrampledoverbyafewwhitemen，why\"——
\"Thesheriffez’demnifiedforthat，\"interruptedUncleBenhastily。
\"’NefDickMcKinstrydon’tmindthedamagetohispantsincrawlin’outo’gunshotinthetallgrass\"——retortedJoeHarrison。
\"I’myertosettlethat，boys，\"saidUncleBencheerfully。
\"Butwho’llsettleTHIS？\"clamoredthevoiceoftheolderHarrisonfrombehindthebarnwherehehadstumbledincrossingthefallenhay。\"Yer’sSethDavislyin’inthehaywiththetopofhisheadbusted。Who’stopayforthat？\"
Therewasarushtothespot，andaquickcryofreaction。
\"Whoseworkisthis？\"demandedthesheriff’svoice，withofficialseverity。
Themasterutteredaninstinctiveexclamationofdefiance，anddroppingquicklytothebarnfloor，wouldthenextmomenthaveopenedthedooranddeclaredhimself，butMrs。McKinstry，afterasingleglanceathisdeterminedface，suddenlythrewherselfbeforehimwithanimperiousgestureofsilence。Thenhervoicerangclearlyfromthebarn：——
\"Well，ifit’sthehoundthattriedtoforcehiswayinyer，I
reckonyekinputthatdowntoME！\"
CHAPTERX。
ItwasknowntoIndianSpring，thenextday，amidgreatexcitement，thataseriousfracashadbeenpreventedontheill-fatedboundarybythedramaticappearanceofUncleBenDabney，notonlyasapeacemaker，butasMr。Daubignythebonafidepurchaserandowneroftheland。Itwasknownandacceptedwithgreathilaritythat\"oldmarmMcKinstry\"haddefendedthebarnaloneandunaided，with——
asvariouslystated——apitchfork，anoldstable-broom，andapailofdirtywater，againstHarrison，hisparty，andtheentireableposseoftheSheriffofTuolumneCounty，withnofurtherdamagethanascalpwoundwhichtheheadofSethDavisreceivedwhilefallingfromtheloftofthebarnfromwhichhehadbeendislodgedbyMrs。McKinstryandthebroomaforesaid。Itwasknownwithunanimousapprobationthattheacquisitionoftheland-titlebyahithertohumblecitizenofIndianSpringwasatriumphofthesettlementoverforeigninterference。Butitwasnotknownthattheschool-masterwasaparticipantinthefight，orevenpresentonthespot。AtMrs。McKinstry’ssuggestionhehadremainedconcealedintheloftuntilafterthewithdrawalofbothpartiesandthestillunconsciousSeth。WhenFordhadremonstrated，withtheremarkthatSethwouldbesuretodeclarethetruthwhenherecoveredhissenses，Mrs。McKinstrysmiledgrimly：\"IreckonwhenhecomestoknowIwaswithyeallthetime，he’dratherhevitallowedthatIlickedhimthanYOU。Idon’tsayhe’llletitpassezfarezyou’reconcernedorwon’ttrytogetevenwithye，buthewon’tgoroundtellin’WHY。However，\"sheaddedstillmoregrimly，\"ifyouthinkyou’reekultotellin’thehullstory——howyekemtobeyerandthatSethwasn’tlyin’arterallwhenheblurteditoutafore’em——whyIsha’n’thinderye。\"Themastersaidnomore。AndindeedforadayortwonothingtranspiredtoshowthatSethwasnotequallyreticent。
NeverthelessMr。Fordwasfarfrombeingsatisfiedwiththeissueofhisadventure。HisrelationswithCressywereknowntothemother，andalthoughshehadnotagainalludedtothem，shewouldprobablyinformherhusband。Yethecouldnothelpnoticing，withaminglingofunreasoningreliefandequallyunreasoningdistrust，thatsheexhibitedascornfulunconcerninthematter，apartfromthesingularusetowhichshehadputit。HecouldhardlycountuponMcKinstry，withhisheavy，blinddevotiontoCressy，beingasindifferent。Onthecontrary，hehadacquiredtheimpression，withoutcaringtoexamineitclosely，thatherfatherwouldnotbedispleasedathismarryingCressy，foritwouldreallyamounttothat。Buthereagainhewasforcedtocontemplatewhathehadalwaysavoided，thepossiblemeaningandresultoftheirintimacy。
Inthereckless，thoughtless，extravagant——yetthusfarinnocent——
indulgenceoftheirmutualpassion，hehadneverspokenofmarriage，nor——anditstruckhimnowwiththesameincongruousminglingofreliefanduneasiness——hadSHE！PerhapsthismighthavearisenfromsomesuperstitiousorsensitiverecollectiononherpartofherpreviousengagementtoSeth，butherememberednowthattheyhadnotevenexchangedtheusualvowsofeternalconstancy。Itmayseemstrangethat，inthehalf-dozenstolenandrapturousinterviewswhichhadtakenplacebetweentheseyounglovers，therehadbeennosuggestionofthefuture，noranyofthoseglowingprojectsforauniteddestinypeculiartotheiryearsandinexperience。Theyhadlivedentirelyinablissfulpresent，withnoplansbeyondtheirnextrendezvous。Inthatmysteriousandsuddenabsorptionofeachother，notonlythepast，butthefutureseemedtohavebeenforgotten。
Thesethoughtswerepassingthroughhismindthenextafternoontotheprejudiceofthatcalmandstudiousreposewhichthedesertedschool-houseusuallysuperinduced，andwhichhadbeensofondlynotedbyMcKinstryandUncleBen。Thelatterhadnotarrivedforhisusuallesson；itwaspossiblethatundueattentionhadbeenattractedtohismovementsnowthathisgoodfortunewasknown；andthemasterwasalonesavefortheoccasionalswoopingincursionofadepredatoryjayinsearchofcrumbsfromthechildren’sluncheons，whoaddedapparentlyquerulousinsulttothelarcenousact。HeregrettedUncleBen’sabsence，ashewantedtoknowmoreabouthisconnectionwiththeHarrisonattackandhiseventualintentions。Eversincethemasteremergedfromthebarnandregainedhishotelundercoverofthedarkness，hehadheardonlythevaguestrumors，andhepurposelyavoideddirectinquiry。
HehadbeenquitepreparedforCressy’sabsencefromschoolthatmorning——indeedinhispresentvacillatingmoodhehadfeltthatherpresencewouldhavebeenirksomeandembarrassing；butitstruckhimsuddenlyandunpleasantlythathereasydesertionofhimatthatcriticalmomentinthebarnhadnotsincebeenfollowedbytheleastsignofanxietytoknowtheresultofhermother’sinterference。WhatdidsheimaginehadtranspiredbetweenMrs。
McKinstryandhimself？Hadsheconfidentlyexpectedhermother’spromptacceptanceofthesituationandareconciliation？Wasthatthereasonwhyshehadtreatedthatinterruptionaslightlyasifshewerealreadyhisrecognizedbetrothed？Hadsheevencalculateduponit？hadshe——？Hestopped，hischeekglowingfromirritationunderthesuspicion，andshameatthedisloyaltyofentertainingit。
Openinghisdesk，hebegantoarrangehispapersmechanically，whenhediscovered，withaslightfeelingofannoyance，thathehadplacedCressy’sbouquet——nowdriedandwithered——inthesamepigeon-holewiththemysteriousletterswithwhichhehadsooftencommunedinformerdays。Heatonceseparatedthemwithahalfbittersmile，yetafteramoment’shesitation，andwithhisoldsenseofattemptingtoreviveaforgottenassociation，hetriedtore-perusethem。Buttheydidnotevenrestrainhisstrayingthoughts，norpreventhimfromdetectingasingularoccurrence。
Thenearlylevelsunwas，afteritsoldfashion，alreadyhangingtheshadowedtasselsofthepineboughslikeagarlandonthewall。
Buttheshadowseemedtohavesuddenlygrownlargerandmorecompact，andheturned，withaquickconsciousnessofsomeinterposingfigureatthepane。Nothinghoweverwastobeseen。
Yetsoimpressedhadhebeenthathewalkedtothedoorandsteppedfromtheporchtodiscovertheintruder。Theclearingwasdeserted，therewasaslightrustlingintheadjacentlaurels，butnohumanbeingwasvisible。NeverthelesstheoldfeelingofsecurityandisolationwhichhadneverbeenquitethesamesinceMr。McKinstry’sconfession，seemednowtohavefledthesylvanschool-housealtogether，andhesomewhatangrilyclosedhisdesk，lockedit，anddeterminedtogohome。
Hiswaylaythroughthefirstbeltofpinestowardsthemining-
flat，butto-dayfromsomevagueimpulseheturnedandfollowedtheridge。HehadnotproceededfarwhenheperceivedRupertFilgeeloungingbeforehimonthetrail，andatalittledistancefurtheronhisbrotherJohnny。AtthesightofthesetwofavoritepupilsMr。Ford’sheartsmotehimwithaconsciousnessthathehadoflateneglectedthem，possiblybecauseRupert’sloftyscornofthe\"silly\"sexwasnotasamusingtohimasformerly，andpossiblybecauseJohnny’scuriosityhadbeenattimesobtrusive。HehoweverquickenedhispaceandjoinedRupert，layinghishandfamiliarlyasofoldonhisshoulder。Tohissurprisetheboyreceivedhisadvanceswithsomeconstraintandawkwardness，glancinguneasilyinthedirectionofJohnny。AsuddenideacrossedMr。Ford’smind。
\"Wereyoulookingformeattheschoolroomjustnow？\"
\"No，sir。\"
\"Youdidn’tlookinatthewindowtoseeifIwasthere？\"continuedthemaster。
\"No，sir。\"
ThemasterglancedatRupert。Truth-tellingwasapartofRupert’struculenttemper，although，astheboyhadoftenbitterlyremarked，ithadalways\"toldagin’him。\"
\"Allright，\"saidthemaster，perfectlyconvinced。\"Itmusthavebeenmyfancy；butIthoughtsomebodylookedin——orpassedbythewindow。\"
ButhereJohnny，whohadoverheardthedialogueandapproachedthem，suddenlythrewhimselfuponhisbrother’sunoffendinglegsandcommencedtobeatandpullthemaboutwithunintelligibleprotests。Rupert，withoutlookingdown，saidquietly，\"Quitthatnow——Iwon’t，Itellye，\"andwentthroughcertainautomaticmovementsofdislodgingJohnnyasifhewereamereimpedingpuppy。
\"What’sthematter，Johnny？\"saidthemaster，towhomthesegyrationswerenotunfamiliar。
Johnnyonlyrepliedbyanewgripofhisbrother’strousers。
\"Well，sir，\"saidRupert，slightlyrecoveringhisdimplesandhisreadiness，\"Johnny，yer，wantsmetotellyesomething。Efhewasn’tthemostoriginalself-cocking，God-forsakenliarinInjinSpring——efhedidn’tlieawakeinhiscribmornin’stoinventliesfertheday，Iwouldn’tmindtellin’ye，andwouldhevtoldyoubefore。However，sinceyouask，andsinceyouthinkyousawsomebodyaroundtheschool-house，JohnnyyerallowsthatSethDavisisspyin’roundandfollowin’yewhereveryougo，andhedraggedmedownyertoseeit。Hesayshesawhimdoggin’ye。\"
\"Withaknifeandpithtolth，\"addedJohnny’sboundlessimagination，tothedetrimentofhislimitedfacts。
Mr。Fordlookedkeenlyfromtheonetotheother，butratherwithasuspicionthattheywerecognizantofhislatefracasthanbeliefinthetruthofJohnny’sstatement。
\"AndwhatdoYOUthinkofit，Rupert？\"heaskedcarelessly。
Ithink，sir，\"saidRupert，\"thatallowin’——foronct——thatJohnnyain’tlying，mebbeeit’sCressyMcKinstrythatSeth’shuntin’
round，andknowin’thatshe’salwaysrunnin’afteryou\"——hestopped，andreddeningwithanewbornsensethathisfataltruthfulnesshadledhimintoaglaringindelicacytowardsthemaster，hurriedlyadded：\"Imean，sir，thatmebbeeit’sUncleBenhe’sjealousof，nowthathe’sgotrichenoughforCressytohevhim，andknowin’hecomestoschoolintheafternoonperhaps\"——
\"’Tain’teither！\"brokeinJohnnypromptly。\"Theth’sovertherbeyondthethchool，andCrethy’seatin’ithecreamatthebakerthwithUncleBen。\"
\"Well，supposesheis，Sethdon’tknowit，silly！\"answeredRupert，sharply。Thenmorepolitelytothemaster：\"That’sit！SethhasseenUncleBengallivantingwithCressyandthinkshe’sbringingheroveryer。Don’tyousee？\"
Themasterhoweverdidnotseebutonething。Thegirlwhohadonlytwodaysagocarelesslyleftittohimtoexplainacompromisingsituationtohermother——thisgirlwhohadprecipitatedhimintoafrontierfighttotheperilofhispositionandhergoodname，wascalmlyeatingiceswithanavailablesuitorwithouttheleastconcernofthepast！Theconnectionwasperhapsillogical，butitwasunpleasant。ItwasthemoreawkwardfromthefactthathefanciedthatnotonlyRupert’sbeautifuleyes，buteventheinfantJohnny’sroundones，werefixeduponhimwithanembarrassedexpressionofhesitatingandforebodingsympathy。
\"IthinkJohnnybelieveswhathesays——don’tyou，Johnny？\"hesmiledwithanassumptionofcheerfulease，\"butIseenonecessityjustyetforbindingSethDavisovertokeepthepeace。Tellmeaboutyourself，Rupe。IhopeUncleBendoesn’tthinkofchanginghisyoungtutorwithhisgoodfortune？\"
\"No，sir，\"returnedRupertbrightening；\"hepromisestotakemetoSacramentowithhimashisprivatesecretaryorconfidentialclerk，youknow，ef——ef\"——hehesitatedagainwithveryun-Rupert-likecaution，\"efthingsgoashewants’em。\"Hestoppedawkwardlyandhisbrowneyesbecameclouded。\"Likeeznot，Mr。Ford，he’sonlyfoolin’me——and——HIMSELF。\"Theboy’seyessoughtthemaster’scuriously。
\"Idon’tknowaboutthat，\"returnedMr。Forduneasily，withacertainrecollectionofUncleBen’striumphoverhisownincredulity；\"hesurelyhasn’tshownhimselfafooloraboastersofar。Iconsideryourprospectaveryfairone，andIwishyoujoyofit，myboy。\"HeranhisfingersthroughRupert’scurlsinhisoldcaressingfashion，themoretenderlyperhapsthathefanciedhestillsawsymptomsofstormyandwetweatherintheboy’sbrowneyes。\"Runalonghome，bothofyou，anddon’tworryyourselvesaboutme。\"
Heturnedaway，buthadscarcelyproceededhalfadozenyardsbeforehefeltatugathiscoat。LookingdownhesawthediminutiveJohnny。\"They’llbecomin’homethithway，\"hesaid，reachingupinahoarseconfidentialwhisper。
\"Who？\"
\"Crethyand’im。\"
Butbeforethemastercouldmakeanyresponsetothispresumablygratifyinginformation，Johnnyhadrejoinedhisbrother。Thetwoboyswavedtheirhandstowardshimwiththesamediffidentandmysterioussympathythatlefthimhesitatingbetweenasmileandafrown。Thenheproceededonhisway。Nevertheless，fornootherreasonthanthathefeltasuddendistastetomeetinganyone，whenhereachedthepointwherethetraildescendeddirectlytothesettlement，heturnedintoalongerandmoresolitarydetourbythewoods。
Thesunwasalreadysolowthatitslongrayspiercedtheforestfrombeneath，andsuffusedthedimcolonnadeofstraightpineshaftswithagoldenhaze，whileitleftthedenseintercrossedbranchesfiftyfeetaboveindeepershadow。Walkinginthisyellowtwilight，withhisfeetnoiselesslytreadingdowntheyieldingcarpetofpineneedles，itseemedtothemasterthathewaspassingthroughthewoodsinadream。Therewasnosoundbutthedullintermittentdoubleknockofthewood-pecker，orthedrowsycroakofsomeearlyroostingbird；allsuggestionofthesettlement，withalltracesofhumancontiguity，wereleftfarbehind。Itwasthereforewithastrangeandnervoussenseofbeingsoftlyhailedbysomewoodlandspritethatheseemedtohearhisownnamefaintlywaftedupontheair。Heturnedquickly；itwasCressy，pantingbehindhim！Eventhen，inherwhitecloselygatheredskirts，herbaredheadandgracefularchingneckbentforward，herflyingbraidsfreedfromthestrawhatwhichshehadswungfromherarmsoasnottoimpedeherflight，therewassomuchofthefollowingMaenadaboutherthathewasforaninstantstartled。
Hestopped；sheboundedtohim，andthrowingherarmsaroundhisneckwithalightlaugh，letherselfhangforamomentbreathlessonhisbreast。Thenrecoveringherspeechshesaidslowly：——
\"IstartedonanInjintrotafteryou，justasyouturnedoffthetrail，butyou’dgotsofaraheadwhileIwasshakingmyselfclearofUncleBenthatIhadtojistlopethewholewaythroughthewoodstocatchup。\"Shestopped，andlookingupintohistroubledfacecaughthischeeksbetweenherhands，andbringinghisknitbrowsdowntothelevelofherhumidblueeyessaid，\"Youhaven’tkissedmeyet。What’sthematter？\"
\"Doesn’titstrikeyouthatImightaskthatquestion，consideringthatit’sthreedayssinceI’veseenyou，andthatyouleftme，inaratherawkwardposition，toexplainmatterstoyourmother？\"hesaidcoldly。Hehadformulatedthesentenceinhismindsomemomentsbefore，butnowthatitwasuttered，itappearedsingularlyweakandimpotent。
\"That’sso，\"shesaidwithafranklaugh，buryingherfaceinhiswaistcoat。\"Yousee，dandyboy\"——hispetname——\"Ireckonedforthatreasonwe’dbetterlielowforadayortwo。Well，\"shecontinued，untyinghiscravatandretyingitagain，\"howDIDyoucrawloutofit？\"
\"Doyoumeantosayyourmotherdidnottellyou？\"heaskedindignantly。
\"Whyshouldshe？\"returnedCressylazily。\"Shenevertalkstomeofthesethings，honey。\"
\"Andyouknewnothingaboutit？\"
Cressyshookherhead，andthenwindingoneofherlongbraidsaroundtheyoungman’sneck，offeredtheendofittohismouth，andonhissternlydecliningit，tookitinherown。
Yetevenherignoranceofwhathadreallyhappeneddidnotaccounttothemasterfortheindifferenceofherlongsilence，andalbeitconsciousofsomeinefficiencyinhispresentunheroicattitude，hecontinuedsarcastically，\"MayIaskWHATyouimaginedwouldhappenwhenyouleftme？\"
\"Well，\"saidCressyconfidently，\"Ireckoned，chile，youcouldlieaswellasthenextman，andthat，beinggifted，you’dslingMawsomethingnewandpurty。Why，Iain’tgotnofancy，butIfixedupsomethingagainstPaw’squestioningME。ImadethatconceitedMasterspromisetoswearthatHEwasinthebarnwithme。ThenI
calculatedtotellPawthatyoucamemeanderingalongjustbeforeMawpoppedin，andthatIskedaddledtojoinMasters。Ofcourse，\"
sheaddedquickly，tighteningherholdofthemasterashemadeasuddenattemptatwithdrawal，\"Ididn’tletontoMastersWHYI
wantedhimtopromise，orthatyouwerethere。\"
\"Cressy，\"saidFord，irritatedbeyondmeasure，\"areyoumad，ordoyouthinkIam？\"
Thegirl’sfacechanged。Shecastahalffrightened，halfquestioningglanceathiseyesandthenaroundthedarkeningaisle。
\"Ifwe’regoingtoquarrel，Jack，\"shesaidhurriedly，\"don’tlet’sdoitBEFOREFOLKS。\"
\"InthenameofHeaven，\"hesaid，followinghereyesindignantly，\"whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Imean，\"shesaid，withaslightshiverofresignationandscorn，\"ifyou——ohdear！ifIT’SALLgoingtobelikeTHEM，let’skeepittoourselves。\"
Hegazedatherinhopelessbewilderment。Didshereallymeanthatshewasmorefrightenedatthepossiblerevelationoftheirdisagreementthanoftheirintimacy？
\"Come，\"shecontinuedtenderly，stillglancing，however，uneasilyaroundher，\"come！We’llbemorecomfortableinthehollow。It’sonlyastep。\"Stillholdinghimbyherbraidshehalfled，halfdraggedhimaway。Totherightwasoneofthosesuddendepressionsinthegroundcausedbythesubsidenceoftheearthfromhiddenspringsandtheuprootingofoneortwoofthelargertrees。Whenshehadforcedhimdownthisdeclivitybelowtheleveloftheneedle-strewnforestfloor，sheseatedhimuponamossyroot，andshakingoutherskirtsinahalfchildlike，halfcoquettishway，comfortablyseatedherselfinhislap，withherarmsupplementingtheclingingbraidaroundhisneck。
\"Nowharktome，anddon’thollersoloud，\"shesaidturninghisfacetoherquestioningeyes。\"What’sgoneofyouanyway，niggerboy？\"ItshouldbepremisedthatCressy’stermsofendearmentweremainlynegro-dialectical，reminiscencesofherbriefbabyhood，herslave-nurse，andtheonlyplaymatesshehadeverknown。
Stillimplacable，themastercoldlyrepeatedthecountsofhisindictmentagainstthegirl’sstrangeindifferenceandstillstrangerentanglements，windingupbysettingforththewholestoryofhisinterviewwithhermother，hisforceddefenceofthebarn，Seth’soutspokenaccusation，andtheirsilentandfuriousstruggleintheloft。ButifhehadexpectedthatthisdaughterofaSouthwesternfighterwouldbetrayanyenthusiasmoverherlover’sparticipationinoneoftheircharacteristicfeuds——ifhelookedforanyfondpraiseforhisownprowess，hewasbitterlymistaken。
Sheloosenedherarmfromhisneckofherownaccord，unwoundthebraid，andputtinghertwolittlehandsclaspedbetweenherknees，crossedhersmallfeetbeforeher，and，albeitstillinhislap，lookedthepictureoflanguiddejection。
\"Mawoughttohavemoresense，andyououghttohavelitoutofthewindowafterme，\"shesaidwithalazysigh。\"Fightin’ain’tinyourline——it’stoomuchlikeTHEM。ThatSeth’ssuretogetevenwithyou。\"
\"Icanprotectmyself，\"hesaidhaughtily。Neverthelesshehadadepressingconsciousnessthathislitheandgracefulburdenwassomewhatinthewayofanyheroicexpression。
\"Sethcanlickyououtofyourboots，chile，\"shesaidwithnaiveabstraction。Then，ashestruggledtosecureanuprightposition，\"Don’tgitriled，honey。Ofcourseyou’dletthemkillyoubeforeYOU’Dgivein。Butthat’stheirbestholt——that’stheirtrade！
That’salltheycando——don’tyousee？That’swhereYOU’REnotlikeTHEM——that’swhyyou’renottheirlowdownkind！That’swhyyou’remyboy——that’swhyIloveyou！\"
Shehadthrownherwholeweightagainuponhisshouldersuntilshehadforcedhimbacktohisseat。Then，withherlockedhandsagainaroundhisneck，shelookedintentlyintohisface。Thevaryingcolordroppedfromhercheeks，hereyesseemedtogrowlarger，thesamelookofraptabsorptionandpossessionthathadsotransfiguredheryoungfaceattheballwasfixeduponitnow。Herlipspartedslightly，sheseemedtomurmurratherthanspeak：——
\"Whatarethesepeopletous？WhatareSeth’sjealousies，UncleBen’sandMasters’sfoolishness，PawandMaw’squarr’lsandtantrumstoyouandme，dear？WhatisitwhatTHEYthink，whattheyreckon，whattheyplanout，andwhattheysetthemselvesagainst——tous？Weloveeachother，webelongtoeachother，withouttheirhelportheirhindrance。Fromthetimewefirstsaweachotheritwasso，andfromthattimePawandMaw，andSethandMasters，andevenYOUandME，dear，hadnothingelsetodo。ThatwasloveasIknowit；notSeth’ssneakingrages，andUncleBen’ssneakingfooleries，andMasters’ssneakingconceit，butonlylove。
Andknowingthat，IletSethrage，andUncleBendawdle，andMasterstrifle——andforwhat？Tokeepthemfrommeandmyboy。
Theyweresatisfied，andwewerehappy。\"
Vagueandunreasoningasheknewherspeechtobe，theraptandperfectconvictionwithwhichitwasutteredstaggeredhim。
\"Buthowisthistoend，Cressy？\"hesaidpassionately。
Theabstractedlookpassed，andtheslightcoloranddelicatemobilityofherfacereturned。\"Toend，dandyboy？\"sherepeatedlazily。\"Youdidn’tthinkofmarryingme——didyou？\"
Heblushed，stammered，andsaid\"Yes，\"albeitwithallhispastvacillationandhispresentdistrustofher，transparentonhischeekandaudibleinhisvoice。
\"No，dear，\"shesaidquietly，reachingdown，untyingherlittleshoeandshakingthedustandpineneedlesfromitsrecesses，\"no！
Idon’tknowenoughtobeawifetoyou，justnow，andyouknowit。
AndIcouldn’tkeepahousefitforyou，andyoucouldn’taffordtokeepMEwithoutit。Andthenitwouldbeallknown，anditwouldn’tbeustwo，dear，andourlonelymeetingsanymore。Andwecouldn’tbeengaged——thatwouldbetoomuchlikemeandSethoveragain。That’swhatyoumean，dandyboy——foryou’reonlyadandyboy，youknow，andtheydon’tgetmarriedtobackwoodSoutherngirlswhohaven’taniggertoblessthemselveswithsincethewar！
No，\"shecontinued，liftingherproudlittleheadsopromptlyafterFordhadrecoveredfromhissurpriseastomaketheruseofemptyinghershoeperfectlypalpable，\"no，that’swhatwe’vebothallowed，dear，allalong。Andnow，honey，it’sneartimeformetogo。Tellmesomethinggood——beforeIgo。Tellmethatyoulovemeasyouusedto——tellmehowyoufeltthatnightattheballwhenyoufirstknewwelovedeachother。Butstop——kissmefirst——
there，oncemore——forkeeps。\"
CHAPTERXI。
WhenUncleBen，or\"BenjaminDaubigny，Esq。，\"ashewasalreadyknowninthecolumnsofthe\"Star，\"accompaniedMissCressyMcKinstryonherwayhomeafterthefirstdisplayofattentionandhospitalitysincehisaccessiontowealthandposition，heremainedforsomemomentsinastateofbewilderedandsmilingidiocy。Itwastruethattheirmeetingwaschanceandaccidental；itwastruethatCressyhadacceptedhisattentionwithlazyamusement；itwastruethatshehadsuddenlyandaudaciouslylefthimonthebordersoftheMcKinstrywoodsinawaythatmighthaveseemedrudeandabrupttoanyescortlessinvinciblygood-humoredthanUncleBen，butnoneofthesethingsmarredhisfatuousfelicity。Itisevenprobablethatinhisgratuitousbeliefthathistimidattentionshadbeentoomarkedandimpulsive，heattributedCressy’sflighttoamaidenlycoynessthatpleasurablyincreasedhisadmirationforherandhisconfidenceinhimself。Inhisabstractionofenjoymentandinthegatheringdarknessheranagainstafir-treeverymuchashehaddonewhilewalkingwithher，andheconfusedlyapologizedtoitashehadtoher，andbyherownappellation。Inthiswayheeventuallyoverranhistrailandfoundhimselfunexpectedlyandapologeticallyintheclearingbeforetheschool-house。
\"Efthisain’tthesinglerestthing，miss，\"hesaid，andthenstoppedsuddenly。Afaintnoiseintheschool-houselikethesoundofsplinteredwoodattractedhisattention。Themasterwasevidentlythere。Ifhewasalonehewouldspeaktohim。
Hewenttothewindow，lookedin，andinaninstanthisamiableabstractionlefthim。Hecreptsoftlytothedoor，triedit，andthenputtinghispowerfulshoulderagainstthepanel，forcedthelockfromitsfastenings。HeenteredtheroomasSethDavis，frightenedbutfurious，liftedhimselffrombeforethemaster’sdeskwhichhehadjustbrokenopen。HehadbarelytimetoconcealsomethinginhispocketandclosethelidagainbeforeUncleBenapproachedhim。
\"Whatmouutyebedoin’here，SethDavis？\"heaskedwiththeslowdeliberationwhichinthatlocalitymeantmischief。
\"AndwhatmouutYOUbedoin’here，MisterBenDabney？\"saidSeth，resuminghiseffrontery。
\"Well，\"returnedUncleBen，plantinghimselfintheaislebeforehisopponent，\"Iain’tdoin’nosheriff’spossebusinessjestnow，butIreckontokeepmyhandinfarenufftopurtectotherfolks’
property，\"headded，withasignificantglanceatthebrokenlockofthedesk。
\"BenDabney，\"saidSethinsnarlingexpostulation，\"Ihain’tgotnoquar’llwithye！\"
\"Thenhandmeoverwhateveryoutookjustnowfromteacher’sdeskandwe’lltalkaboutthatafterwards，\"saidUncleBenadvancing。
\"ItellyeIhain’tgotnoquar’llwithye，UncleBen，\"continuedSeth，retreatingwithamalignantsneer；\"andwhenyoutalkofprotectin’otherfolks’property，mebbeye’dbetterprotectYOUR
OWN——orwhatye’dliketocallso——insteadofquar’llin’withthemanthat’shelpin’ye。I’vegotyertheproofsthatthatsneakin’
houndofaYankeeschool-masterthatCressMcKinstry’shellbenton，andthattheoldmanandoldwomanarejustchuckin’intoherarms，isalyin’，black-hearted，hypocriticalseducer\"——
\"Stop！\"saidUncleBeninavoicethatmadethecrazycasementrattle。
HestrodetowardsSethDavis，nolongerwithhishabitualcareful，hesitatingstep，butwithatreadthatseemedtoshakethewholeschool-room。Asingledominantclutchofhispowerfulrighthandontheyoungman’sbreastforcedhimbackwardsintothevacantchairofthemaster。Hisusuallyfloridfacehadgrownasgrayasthetwilight；hismenacingforminamomentfilledthelittleroomanddarkenedthewindows。Theninsomeinexplicablereactionhisfigureslightlydrooped，helaidoneheavyhandtremblinglyonthedesk，andwiththeotheraffectedtowipehismouthafterhisoldembarrassedfashion。
\"What’sthatyouweresayin’o’Cressy？\"hesaidhuskily。
\"Woteverybodysays，\"saidthefrightenedSeth，gainingacowardlyconfidenceunderhisadversary’semotion。\"Woteverycubthatsetsyerunderhiscantin’teachin’，andsees’emtogether，knows。It’swotyou’dhevknowedefheandRoopFilgeehadn’tplayedyeferasoftyallthetime。Andwhileyou’vebinhangin’roundyerferaflickerofCressy’sgowndassheprancesouto’school，he’sbinlyin’lowandlaffin’atye，andwhilehe’sturnedRoopovertokeepyouhere，pretendin’togiveyelessons，he’sbingallivantin’
roundwithherandhuggin’andkissin’herinbarnsandinthebrush——andnowYOUwanttoquar’llwithme。\"
Hestopped，pantingforbreath，andstaredmalignantlyinthegrayfaceofhishearer。ButUncleBenonlyliftedhisheavyhandmildlywithanawkwardgestureofwarning，steppedsoftlyinhisoldcautioushesitatingmannertotheopendoor，closedit，andreturnedgently：——
\"Ireckonyegotinthroughthewinder，didn’tye，Seth？\"hesaid，withalaboredaffectationofunemotionalease，\"akindo’onelegover，andone，two，andthenyou’rein，eh？\"
\"NeveryoumindHOWIgotin，BenDabney，\"returnedSeth，hishostilityandinsolenceincreasingwithhisopponent’sevidentweakness，\"ezlongezIgotyerandgot，byG-d！whatIkemherefer！Forwhilesallthiswasgoin’on，andwhilestheoldfoolmanandoldfoolwomanwasswallowin’whattheydidseeandblinkin’atwhattheydidn’t，andhuggin’themselvesthatthey’dgothigh-tonedkempanyfertheirdarter，thathigh-tonedkempanywasplayin’THEM
too，byG-d！Yes，Sir！thathigh-toned，cantin’school-teacherwaskeepin’amarriedwomanin’Frisco，allthewhilehewasherehoney-foglin’withCressy，andI’vegotthepapersyertoproveit。\"Hetappedhisbreast-pocketwithacoarselaughandthrusthisfaceforwardintothegrayshadowofhisadversary’s。
\"An’yousorterspottedtheirbein’inthisyerdeskandburstedit？\"saidUncleBen，gravelyexaminingthebrokenlockinthedarknessasifitwerethemostimportantfeatureoftheincident。
Sethnodded。\"Youbetyourlife。Isawhimthroughthewinderonlythisafternoonlookinover’emalone，andIreckonedtolaymyhandson’emifIhadtobusthimorhisdesk。AndIdid！\"headdedwithatriumphantchuckle。
\"Andyoudid——surepop！\"saidUncleBenwithslowdeliberateadmiration，passinghisheavyhandalongthesplinteredlid。\"Andyoureckon，Seth，thatthisyershowin’ofhimupwillbreakoffenythin’betwixthimandthisyer——thisyerMiss——MissMcKinstry？\"
hecontinuedwithlaboredformality。
\"IreckoneftheoldfoolMcKinstrydon’tshoothiminhistracksthar’llbewhitemenenoughinInjinSpringstoridethishigh-
toned，pizenoushypocritonarailouterthesettlement！\"
\"That’sso！\"saidUncleBenmusingly，afterathoughtfulpause，inwhichhestillseemedtobemoreoccupiedwiththebrokendeskthanhiscompanion’sremark。Thenhewentoncautiously：\"Andezthisthingorterbeworkedmightyfine，Seth，p’r’aps，onthehull，you’dbetterletmehavethempapers。\"
\"What！YOU？\"snarledSeth，drawingbackwithaglanceofangrysuspicion；\"notifIknowit！\"
\"Seth，\"saidUncleBen，restinghiselbowsonthedeskconfidentially，andspeakingwithpainfulandheavydeliberation，\"whenyoufirstinterdoosedthisyersubjectyouelludedtomyhevin’，sotospeak，rightso’preemptionandinterferencewiththisyounglady，andthatinyouropinion，Iwasn’tpurtectin’themrights。It’pearstomethat，allowin’thattobegospeltruth，themtherpapersorterbeinMYpossession——youhevin’sotospeaknorightstopurtect，bein’offtheboardwiththisyeryounglady，andbein’movedgin’rallybyfreeandindependentcussedness。AndezIsedafore，thissorto’thinghavin’tobeworkedmightyfine，andthempapersmanniperlatedwithjudgment，Ireckon，Seth，ifyoudon’tobjeck，I’llhev——hev——totroubleyou。\"
Sethstartedtohisfeetwitharapidglanceatthedoor，butUncleBenhadrisenagainwiththesamealarmingexpressionofcompletelyfillingthedarkenedschool-room，andofshakingthefloorbeneathhimattheslightestmovement。AlreadyhefanciedhesawUncleBen’spowerfularmhoveringabovehimreadytodescend。ItsuddenlyoccurredtohimthatifhelefttheexecutionofhisschemeofexposureandvengeancetoUncleBen，theonusofstealingtheletterswouldfallequallyupontheirpossessor。ThisadvantageseemedmoreprobablethanthedangerofUncleBen’sweaklyyieldingthemuptothemaster。Inthelattercasehe，Seth，couldstillcirculatethereportofhavingseentheletterswhichUncleBenhadhimselfstoleninafitofjealousy——ahypothesisthemorereadilyacceptedfromthelatter’sfamiliarknowledgeoftheschoolhouseandhispresumedambitiousjealousyofCressyinhispresentattitudeasamanofposition。Withaffectedreluctanceandhesitationheputhishandtohisbreast-pocket。
\"Ofcourse，\"hesaid，\"ifyou’rekalkilatin’totakeupthequar’llonYOURrights，andezCressyain’tanythin’moretome，YOUorterhevtheproofs。Onlydon’ttrustthemintothathound’shands。
Oncehegets’emagainhe’llsecureawarrantaginyouforstealin’。
That’llbehisgame。I’dshow’emtoHERfirst——don’tyesee？——andIreckonefshe’soldMa’amMcKinstry’sdarter，she’llmakeitlivelyforhim。\"
Hehandedtheletterstotheloomingfigurebeforehim。Itseemedtobecomeagainayieldingmortal，andsaidinahesitatingvoice，\"P’r’apsyou’dbettermaketracksouterthis，Seth，andleavemeyertoputthingstorightsandfixupthatdoorandthedeskaginto-morrowmornin’。He’dbetternotknowittoonct，andsostartarowaboutbein’brokeninto。\"
ThepropositionseemedtopleaseSeth；heevenextendedhishandinthedarkness。Buthemetonlyanirresponsivevoid。Withaslightshrugofhisshouldersandagruntingfarewell，hefelthiswaytothedooranddisappeared。ForafewmomentsitseemedasifUncleBenhadalsodesertedtheschoolhouse，soprofoundandquietwasthehushthatfelluponit。Butastheeyebecameaccustomedtotheshadowagrayishbulkappearedtogrowoutofitoverthemaster’sdeskandshapeditselfintothebroadfigureofUncleBen。
Later，whenthemoonroseandlookedinatthewindow，itsawhimasthemasterhadseenhimonthefirstdayhehadbegunhislessonsintheschool-house，withhisfacebentforwardoverthedeskandthesamelookofchild-likeperplexityandstrugglethathehadwornathisallottedtask。Unheroic，ridiculous，andnodoubtblunderingandidioticasthen，butstillvaguelypersistentinhisthought，heremainedforsomemomentsinthisattitude。
Thenrisingandtakingadvantageofthemoonlightthatfloodedthedesk，hesethimselftomendthebrokenlockwithalargemechanicalclasp-knifeheproducedfromhispocket，andtheaidofhisworkmanlikethumbandfinger。Presentlyhebegantowhistlesoftly，atfirstalittleartificiallyandwithrelapsesofreflectivesilence。Thelockofthedeskrestored，hesecuredintopositionagainthatpartofthedoor-lockwhichhehadburstoffinhisentrance。Thisdone，heclosedthedoorgentlyandoncemoresteppedoutintothemoonlitclearing。Inreplacinghisknifeinhispockethetookouttheletterswhichhehadnottouchedsincetheywerehandedtohiminthedarkness。Hisfirstglanceatthehandwritingcausedhimtostop。Thenstillstaringatit，hebegantomoveslowlyandautomaticallybackwardstotheporch。Whenhereachedithesatdown，unfoldedtheletter，andwithoutattemptingtoreadit，turneditspagesoverandoverwiththeunfamiliarityofanilliteratemaninsearchofthesignature。Thiswhenfoundapparentlyplungedhimagainintomotionlessabstraction。Onlyoncehechangedhispositiontopullupthelegsofhistrousers，openhisknees，andextendthedistancebetweenhisfeet，andthenwiththeunfoldedpagescarefullylaidinthemoonlitspacethusopenedbeforehim，regardedthemwithdubiousspeculation。Attheendoftenminutesherosewithasighofphysicalandmentalrelaxation，refoldedtheletter，putitinhispocket，andmadehiswaytothetown。
Whenhereachedthehotelheturnedintothebar-room，andobservingthatithappenedtobecomparativelydeserted，askedforaglassofwhiskey。Inresponsetothebarkeeper’sglanceofcuriosity——asUncleBenseldomdrank，andthenonlyasasocialfunctionwithothers——heexplained：——
\"Ireckonstraightwhiskeyisaboutezgoodezthenextthingforblindchills。\"
Thebar-keeperhereinterposedthatinhislargermedicalexperiencehehadfoundtheexhibitionofgingerincombinationwithginattendedwitheffect，althoughitwasevidentthatinhisbusinesscapacityheregardedUncleBen，asadrinker，withdistrust。
\"Yeain’tseenMr。Fordhangingroundyerlately？\"continuedUncleBenwithlaboriousease。
Thebar-keeper，withhiseyestillscornfullyfixedonhiscustomer，buthishandswhichwereengagedinwashinghisglassesunderthecountergivinghimtheairofhumorouslycommunicatingwithahiddenconfederate，hadnotseentheschool-masterthatafternoon。
UncleBenturnedawayandslowlymountedthestaircasetothemaster’sroom。Afteramoment’spauseonthelanding，whichmusthavebeenpainfullyobvioustoanyonewhoheardhisheavyascent，hegavetwotimidrapsonthedoorwhichwereequallyridiculousincontrastwithhispowerfultread。Thedoorwasopenedpromptlybythemaster。
\"Oh，it’syou，isit？\"hesaidshortly。\"Comein。\"
UncleBenenteredwithoutnoticingthesomewhatungraciousformofinvitation。\"Itwarme，\"hesaid，\"droppedin，notfindingyedownstairs。Let’shaveadrink。\"
ThemastergazedatUncleBen，who，owingtohisabstraction，hadnotyetwipedhismouthoftheliquorhehadimperfectlyswallowed，andwasinconsequencemoreredolentofwhiskeythanaconfirmedtoper。Herangthebellforthedesiredrefreshmentwithaslightlycynicalsmile。Hewassatisfiedthathisvisitor，likemanyothersofhumbleposition，wassuccumbingtohisgoodfortune。
\"Iwantedtoseeye，Mr。Ford，\"hebegan，takinganunprofferedchairanddepositinghishataftersomehesitationoutsidethedoor，\"inregardtowhatIoncttoldyeaboutmywifeinMizzouri。
P’r’apsyoudisremember？\"
\"Iremember，\"returnedthemasterresignedly。
\"YouknowitwasthatarternoonthatfoolStaceysentthesheriffandtheHarrisonsovertoMcKinstry’sbarn。\"
\"Goon！\"petulantlysaidthemaster，whohadhisownreasonsfornotcaringtorecallit。
\"Itwasthatarternoon，youknow，thatyouhadn’ttimetoharktome——hevin’togooffonanengagement，\"continuedUncleBenwithprotracteddeliberation，\"and\"——
\"Yes，yes，Iremember，\"interruptedthemasterexasperatedly，\"andreallyunlessyougetonfaster，I’llhavetoleaveyouagain。\"
\"Itwasthatarternoon，\"saidUncleBenwithoutheedinghim，\"whenItoldyouIhadn’tanyideawhathadbecomeo’mywifeezIleftinMizzouri。\"
\"Yes，\"saidthemastersharply，\"andItoldyouitwasyourboundendutytolookforher。\"
\"That’sso，\"saidUncleBennoddingcomfortably，\"them’syourverywords；on’yaleetlemorestrongthanthat，efIdon’tdisremember。
Well，IreckonI’vegotanidee！\"Themasterassumedasuddenexpressionofinterest，butUncleBendidnotvaryhismonotonoustone。
\"Ikemacrossthatidee，sotospeak，onthetrail。Ikemacrossitinsomelettersezwaslyingwideopeninthebrush。IpickedemupandI’vegot’emhere。\"
Heslowlytookthelettersfromhispocketwithonehand，whilehedraggedthechaironwhichhewassittingbesidethemaster。ButwithaquickflushofindignationMr。Fordroseandextendedhishand。
\"TheseareMYletters，Dabney，\"hesaidsternly，\"stolenfrommydesk。Whohasdaredtodothis？\"
ButUncleBenhad，asifaccidentally，interposedhiselbowbetweenthemasterandSeth’sspoils。
\"Thenit’sallright？\"hereturneddeliberately。\"Ibrought’emherebecauseIthoughttheymightgiveanideewheremywifewas。
Forthemlettersisinherownhandwrite。YourememberezItoldezhowshewasascollard。\"
Themastersatbackinhischairwhiteanddumb。Incredible，extraordinary，andutterlyunlookedforaswasthisrevelation，hefeltinstinctivelythatitwastrue。
\"Icouldn’treaditmyself——ezyouknow。Ididn’tkeertoaxanyoneelsetoreaditforme——youkinreckonwhy，too。Andthat’swhyI’mtroublin’youto-night，Mr。Ford——ezafriend。\"
Themasterwithadesperateeffortrecoveredhisvoice。\"Itisimpossible。Theladywhowrotethoselettersdoesnotbearyourname。Morethanthat，\"headdedwithhastyirrelevance，\"sheissofreethatsheisabouttobemarried，asyoumighthaveread。Youhavemadeamistake，thehandwritingmaybelike，butitcannotbereallyyourwife’s。\"
UncleBenshookhisheadslowly。\"It’sher’n——there’snomistake。
Whenaman，Mr。Ford，hezstudiedthathandwrite——havin’，sotospeak，knowediton’yfromtheOUTSIDE——fromseein’itpassin’likebetweenfriends——thatman’schanceso’bein’mistookain’tezgreateztheman’swhoon’ytakesinthesenseofthewordsthatmightb’longtoeverybody。Andhernamenotbein’thesameezmine，don’tfoller。Efshegotadivorceshe’dtakeheroldgal’sname——
thenameofherfammerly。AndthatwouldseemtoallowsheDIDgetadivorce。Whatmowtshehevcalledherselfwhenshewritthis？\"
Themastersawhisopportunityandrosetoitwithachivalrousindignation，thatforthemomentimposedevenuponhimself。\"I
declinetoanswerthatquestion，\"hesaidangrily。\"Irefusetoallowthenameofanywomanwhohonorsmewithherconfidencetobedraggedintotheinfamousoutragethathasbeencommitteduponmeandcommondecency。AndIshallholdthethiefandscoundrel——
whoeverhemaybe——answerabletomyselfintheabsenceofhernaturalprotector。\"
UncleBensurveyedtheherooftheseglitteringgeneralitieswithundisguisedadmiration。Heextendedhishandtohimgravely。
\"Shake！Efanotherproofwaswantin’，Mr。Ford，ofthatbein’mywife’sletter，\"hesaid，\"thathigh-tonedstyleofyourswouldsettleit。For，eftharwasonethingsheDIDlike，itwasthatsortofpo’try。Andonereasonwhyherandmedidn’tgeton，andwhyIskedaddled，wasbecauseitwasn’tinmyline。Et’sallintrainin’！On’yamanezhadtheFourthReaderathisfingers’endscouldtalklikethat。Bein’broughtuponDobell——ezisnowhere——
itsorterletsmeouteryou，ezitdidouterHER。Butallowin’itain’tthesquarethingforYOUtomentionhername，thatwouldn’tbenothin’agin’MYdoin’it，andcallin’her，well——LouPriceinakeerlesssorto’way，eh？\"
\"Ideclinetoanswerfurther，\"repliedthemasterquickly，althoughhiscolorhadchangedatthename。\"Ideclinetosayanotherwordonthematteruntilthismysteryisclearedup——untilIknowwhodaredtobreakintomydeskandstealmyproperty，andthepurposeofthisunheard-ofoutrage。AndIdemandpossessionofthoselettersatonce。\"
UncleBenwithoutawordputtheminthemaster’shand，tohisslightsurprise，anditmustbeaddedtohisfaintdiscomfiture，norwasitdecreasedwhenUncleBenadded，withgravenaiveteandapatronizingpressureofhishandonhisshoulder，——\"Incourseezyou’retaken’itontoyourself，andezLouPriceain’tgotnofurthercallonME，theyorterbeyours。Eztowhogot’emouterthedesk，Ireckonyouain’tgotnosuspicionofanyonespyin’
roundye——hevye？\"
InaninstanttherecollectionofSethDavis’sfaceatthewindowandthecorroborationofRupert’swarningflashedacrossFord’smind。ThehypothesisthatSethhadimaginedthattheywereCressy’sletters，andhadthrownthemdownwithoutreadingthemwhenhehadfoundouthismistake，seemednatural。ForifhehadreadthemhewouldundoubtedlyhavekeptthemtoshowtoCressy。
ThecomplexemotionsthathaddisturbedthemasteronthediscoveryofUncleBen’srelationshiptothewriteroftheletterswereresolvingthemselvesintoafuriousrageatSeth。ButbeforehedaredrevengehimselfhemustbefirstassuredthatSethwasignorantoftheircontents。HeturnedtoUncleBen。
\"Ihaveasuspicion，buttomakeitcertainImustaskyouforthepresenttosaynothingofthistoanyone。\"
UncleBennodded。\"Andwhenyouhevfoundoutandyou’resettledinyourmindthatyoukinmakemymindeasyaboutthisyerLouPrice，ezwe’llcallher，bein’divorcedsquarely，andbein’，sotospeak，inthewayo’gettin’marriedagin，yemightletmeknowezafriend。IreckonIwon’ttroubleyouanymoreto-night——onlessyouandmetakesanothersociabledrinktogetherinthebar。No？
Well，then，good-night。\"Hemovedslowlytowardsthedoor。Withhishandonthelockheadded：\"Efyerwritin’toheragin，youmightsayezhowyoufoundMElookin’wellandcomf’able，andhopin’she’senjyin’thesameblessin’。’Solong。\"
Hedisappeared，leavingthemasterinahopelesscollapseofconflicting，and，itistobefeared，notveryheroicemotions。
Thesituation，whichhadbegunsodramatically，hadbecomesuddenlyunromanticallyludicrous，without，however，losinganyofitsembarrassingquality。Hewasconsciousthatheoccupiedthesingularpositionofbeingmoreridiculousthanthehusband——whoseinvincibleandcomplacentsimplicitystunghimlikethemostexquisiteirony。Foraninstanthewasalmostgoadedintothefuryofdeclaringthathehadbrokenofffromthewriterofthelettersforever，butitsinconsistencywiththechivalrousattitudehehadjusttakenoccurredtohimintimetopreventhimfrombecomingdoublyabsurd。HisragewithSethDavisseemedtohimtheonlyfeelingleftthatwasgenuineandrational，andyet，nowthatUncleBenhadgone，eventhathadaspuriousring。ItwasnecessaryforhimtolashhimselfintoafuryoverthehypothesisthatthelettersMIGHThavebeenCressy’s，anddesecratedbythatscoundrel’stouch。Perhapshehadreadthemandleftthemtobepickedupbyothers。Helookedoverthemcarefullytoseeiftheirmeaningwould，totheordinaryreader，appearobviousandcompromising。
Hiseyefellonthefirstparagraph。
\"Ishouldnotbequitefairwithyou，Jack，ifIaffectedtodisbelieveinyourfaithinyourloveformeanditsendurance，butIshouldbestillmoreunfairifIdidn’ttellyouwhatIhonestlybelieve，thatatyourageyouareapttodeceiveyourself，and，withoutknowingit，todeceiveothers。Youconfessyouhavenotyetdecideduponyourcareer，andyouarealwayslookingforwardsohopefully，dearJack，forachangeinthefuture，butyouarewillingtobelievethatfarmoreseriousthingsthanthatwillsuffernochangeinthemeantime。Ifwecontinuedaswewere，I，whoamolderthanyouandhavemoreexperience，mightlearnthemiseryofseeingyouchangetowardsMEasIhavechangedtowardsanother，andforthesamereason。IfIweresureIcouldkeeppacewithyouinyourdreamsandyourambition，ifIweresurethatI
alwaysknewWHATtheywere，wemightstillbehappy——butIamnotsure，andIdarenotagainriskmyhappinessonanuncertainty。IncomingtomypresentresolutionIdonotlookforhappiness，butatleastIknowIshallnotsufferdisappointment，norinvolveothersinit。IconfessIamgrowingtoooldnottofeelthevaluetoawoman——anecessitytoherinthiscountry——ofsecurityinherpresentandfutureposition。Anothercangivemethat。Andalthoughyoumaycallthisaselfishviewofourrelations，I
believethatyouwillsoon——ifyoudonot，evenasyoureadthisnow——feelthejusticeofit，andthankmefortakingit。\"
Withasmileofscornhetoreuptheletter，inwhathefondlybelievedwasthebitternessofanoutragedtrustfulnature，forgettingthatformanyweekshehadscarcelythoughtofitswriter，andthathehimselfinhisconducthadalreadyanticipateditstruths。
