\"I’mnotsurethatit’stheworstkindofluck，\"returnedDemorest，withpersistentgravity；\"andIsupposehe’ssatisfiedwithit。\"
Butsoheterodoxanopiniononlyirritatedhisantagonistthemore，especiallyashenoticedthatthehandsomewomaninthebackseatappearedtobeinterestedintheconversation，andevensympatheticwithDemorest。Themanwasinthemainagood-naturedfellowandloyaltohisfriends；butthisdidnotprecludeanyvirulentcriticismofothers，andforamomenthehatedthisbronze-facedstranger，andevensawblemishesinthehandsomewoman’sbeauty。
\"ThatmaybeYOURideaofanEasternman，\"hesaidbluntly，\"butI
kintellyethatCalifornyain’trunonthoselines。No，sir。\"
Nevertheless，hiscuriositygotthebetterofhisillhumor，andasthecoachatlastpulledupatthecross-roadforDemoresttodescendhesmiledaffablyathisdepartingcompanion。
\"Youallowedjustnowthatyou’dbinfiveyearsaway。Wharmoutyehavebin？\"
\"InEurope，\"saidDemorestpleasantly。
\"Ireckonedezmuch，\"returnedhisinterrogator，smilingsignificantlyattheotherpassengers。\"Butinwhatplace？\"
\"Oh，many，\"saidDemorest，smilingalso。
\"Butwhatplacewaryelastlivin’at？\"
\"Well，\"saidDemorest，descendingthesteps，butlingeringforamomentwithhishandonthedoorofthecoach，\"oddlyenough，nowyouremindmeofit——atHymettus！\"
Heclosedthedoor，andthecoachrolledon。Thepassengerreddened，glancedindignantlyafterthedepartingfigureofDemorestandsuspiciouslyattheothers。Theladywaslookingfromthewindowwithafaintsmileonherface。
\"Hemighthevgivenmeacivilanswer，\"mutteredthepassenger，andresumedhisnovel。
WhenthecoachdrewupbeforeCarter’sHoteltheladygotdown，andthecuriosityofhersusceptiblecompanionswasgratifiedtotheextentoflearningfromtheregisterthathernamewasHorncastle。
Shewasshowntoaprivatesitting-room，whichchancedtobetheonewhichhadbelongedtoMrs。Barkerinthedaysofhermaidenhood，andwasthesacred，impenetrablebowertowhichsheretiredwhenherdailydutiesofwaitinguponherfather’sguestswereover。Butthebreathofcustomhadpassedthroughitsincethen，andbutlittleremainedofitsformermaidenglories，exceptafewschoolgirlcrayondrawingsonthewallandanunrecognizableportraitofherselfinoil，donebyawanderingartistandstillpreservedasareceiptforhisunpaidbill。OfthesefactsMrs。
Horncastleknewnothing；shewasevidentlypreoccupied，andaftershehadremovedherouterdusterandenteredtheroom，sheglancedattheclockonthemantel-shelfandthrewherselfwithanairofresignedabstractioninanarmchairinthecorner。Hertraveling-
dress，althoughunostentatious，wastastefulandwell-fitting；aslightpallorfromherfatiguingjourney，and，perhaps，fromsomeabsorbingthought，madeherbeautystillmorestriking。Shegaveevenanairofelegancetothefaded，wornadornmentsoftheroom，whichitistobefeareditneverpossessedinMissKitty’soccupancy。Againsheglancedattheclock。Therewasatapatthedoor。
\"Comein。\"
ThedooropenedtoaChineseservantbearingapieceoftornpaperwithanamewrittenonitinlieuofacard。
Mrs。Horncastletookit，glancedatthename，andhandedthepaperback。
\"Theremustbesomemistake，\"shesaid。\"itdonotknowMr。
Steptoe。\"
\"No，butyouknowMEallthesame，\"saidavoicefromthedoorwayasamanentered，coollytooktheChineseservantbytheelbowsandthrusthimintothepassage，closingthedooruponhim。\"SteptoeandHorncastlearethesameman，onlyIprefertocallmyselfSteptoeHERE。AndIseeYOU’REdownontheregisteras’Horncastle。’
Well，it’spluckyofyou，andit’snotabadnametokeep；youmightbethankfulthatIhavealwaysleftittoyou。AndifIcallmyselfSteptoehereit’sagoodblindagainstanyofyourswellfriendsknowingyoumetyourHUSBANDhere。\"
Inthehalf-scornful，half-resignedlookshehadgivenhimwhenheenteredtherewasnodoubtthatsherecognizedhimasthemanshehadcometosee。Hehadchangedlittleinthefiveyearsthathadelapsedsinceheenteredthethreepartners’cabinatHeavyTreeHill。HisshorthairandbeardstillclungtohisheadlikecurledmossorthecrispflocculenceofAstrakhan。Hewasdressedmorepretentiously，butstillgavethesameideaofvulgarstrength。
Shelistenedtohimwithoutemotion，butsaid，withevenadeepeningofscorninhermanner：——
\"Whatnewshameisthis？\"
\"NothingNEW，\"hereplied。\"OnlyfiveyearsagoIwaslivin’overontheBaratHeavyTreeHillunderthenameofSteptoe，andfolksheremightrecognizeme。Iwasherewhenyourparticularfriend，JimStacy，whoonlyknewmeasSteptoe，anddoesn’tknowmeasHorncastle，yourHUSBAND，——forallhe’sboundupmypropertyforyou，——madehisbigstrikewithhistwopartners。Iwasinhiscabinthatverynight，anddrankhiswhiskey。Oh，I’mallrightthere！Ilefteverythingallrightbehindme——onlyit’sjustaswellhedoesn’tknowI’mHorncastle。Andastheboyhappenedtobetherewithme\"——Hestopped，andlookedathersignificantly。
Theexpressionofherfacechanged。Eagerness，anxiety，andevenfearcameintoitinturn，butalwaysminglingwithsomescornthatdominatedher。\"Theboy！\"shesaidinavoicethathadchangedtoo；\"well，whatabouthim？Youpromisedtotellmeall，——all！\"
\"Where’sthemoney？\"hesaid。\"HusbandandwifeareONE，Iknow，\"
hewentonwithacoarselaugh，\"butIdon’ttrustMYSELFinthesematters。\"
Shetookfromatraveling-reticulethatlaybesideherarollofnotesandachamoisleatherbagofcoin，andlaidthemonthetablebeforehim。Heexaminedbothcarefully。
\"Allright，\"hesaid。\"Iseeyou’vegotthechecksmadeout’tobearer。’Yourhead’slevel，Conny。Pityyouandmecan’tagree。\"
\"IwenttothebankacrossthewayassoonasIarrived，\"shesaid，withcontemptuousdirectness。\"ItoldthemIwasgoingovertoHymettusandmightwantmoney。\"
Hedroppedintoachairbeforeherwithhisbroadheavyhandsuponhisknees，andlookedatherwithanequal，thoughbaser，contempt：
forhiswasmingledwithacertainprideofmasteryandpossession。
\"And，ofcourse，you’llgotoHymettusandcutasplurgeasyoualwaysdo。ThebeautifulMrs。Horncastle！Thehelplessvictimofawretched，dissipated，disgraced，gamblinghusband。Sodreadfullysad，youknow，andsointeresting！Couldgetadivorcefromthebruteifshewanted，butwon’t，onaccountofherreligiousscruples。Andsowhilethebruteisgambling，swindling，disgracinghimself，anddodgingashothereandalynchcommitteethere，twoorthreehundredmilesaway，you’resplurgingroundinfirst-classhotelsandwatering-places，doingtheinjuredandabused，andrunafterbyalotofmenwhoarereadytotakemyplace，and，maybe，someofmyreputationalongwithit。\"
\"Stop！\"shesaidsuddenly，inavoicethatmadetheglasschandelierring。Hehadrisentoo，withaquick，uneasyglancetowardsthedoor。Butheroutbreakpassedassuddenly，andsinkingbackintoherchair，shesaid，withherpreviousscornfulresignation，\"Nevermind。Goon。YouKNOWyou’relying！\"
Hesatdownagainandlookedathercritically。\"Yes，asfarasyou’reconcernedIWASlying！Iknowyourstyle。Butasyouknow，too，thatI’dkillyouandthefirstmanIsuspected，andthereain’tajudgeorajuryinallCalifornythatwouldn’tletmegofreeforit，andevenconsider，too，thatithadwipedoffthewholeslateaginme——it’stomycredit！\"
\"Iknowwhatyoumencallchivalry，\"shesaidcoldly，\"butIdidnotcomeheretobuyaknowledgeofthat。Sonowaboutthechild？\"
sheendedabruptly，leaningforwardagainwiththesamelookofeagersolicitudeinhereyes。
\"Well，aboutthechild——ourchild——though，perhaps，IprefertosayMYchild，\"hebegan，withacertainbrutalfrankness。\"I’lltellyou。Butfirst，Idon’twantyoutotalkaboutBUYINGyourinformationofme。IfIhaven’ttoldyouanythingbefore，it’sbecauseIdidn’tthinkyououghterknow。IfIdidn’ttrustthechildtoYOU，it’sbecauseIdidn’tthinkyoucouldgoshashayingaboutwithachildthatwasthreeyearsoldwhenI\"——hestoppedandwipedhismouthwiththebackofhishand——\"madeanhonestwomanofyou——Ithinkthat’swhattheycallit。\"
\"But，\"shesaideagerly，ignoringtheinsult，\"Icouldhavehiddenitwherenoonebutmyselfwouldhaveknownit。Icouldhavesentittoschoolandvisiteditasarelation。\"
\"Yes，\"hesaidcurtly，\"likeallwomen，andthenblurteditoutsomedayandmadeitworse。\"
\"But，\"shesaiddesperately，\"evenTHEN，supposeIhadbeenwillingtotaketheshameofit！Ihavetakenmore！\"
\"ButIdidn’tintendthatyoushould，\"hesaidroughly。
\"Youareverycarefulofmyreputation，\"shereturnedscornfully。
\"Notbyad————dsight，\"heburstout；\"butIcareforHIS！I’mnotgoin’toletanymancallhimabastard！\"
Callousasshehadbecomeevenunderthislastcruelblow，shecouldnotbutseesomethinginhiscoarseeyesshehadneverseenbefore；couldnotbuthearsomethinginhisbrutalvoiceshehadneverheardbefore！Wasitpossiblethatsomewhereinthedepthsofhissordidnaturehehadhisowncontemptiblesenseofhonor？A
hystericalfeelingcameoverherhithertopassivedisgustandscorn，butitdisappearedwithhisnextsentenceinahazeofanxiety。\"No！\"hesaidhoarsely，\"hehadenoughwrongdonehimalready。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"shesaidimploringly。\"Orareyouagainlying？
Yousaid，fouryearsago，thathehad’gotintotrouble；’thatwasyourexcuseforkeepinghimfromme。Orwasthatalie，too？\"
Hismannerchangedandsoftened，butnotforanypityforhiscompanion，butratherfromsomechangeinhisownfeelings。\"Oh，that，\"hesaid，witharoughlaugh，\"thatwasonlyakindo’
troubleanysassykidlikehimwaslikelytogetinto。Youain’tgotnocalltohearthat，for，\"headded，withamomentaryreturntohispreviousmanner，\"thewrongthatwasdonehimisMYlookout！
YouwanttoknowwhatIdidwithhim，howhe’sbeenlookedarter，andwhereheis？Youwanttheworthofyourmoney。That’ssquareenough。ButfirstIwantyoutoknow，thoughyoumayn’tbelieveit，thateveryredcentyou’vegivenmeto-nightgoestoHIM。Anddon’tyouforgetit。\"
Forallhisvulgarfranknesssheknewhehadliedtohermanytimesbefore，——maliciously，wantonly，complacently，butneverevasively；
yettherewasagainthatsomethinginhismannerwhichtoldherhewasnowtellingthetruth。
\"Well，\"hebegan，settlinghimselfbackinhischair，\"ItoldyouI
broughthimtoHeavyTreeHill。AfterIleftyouIwasn’tgoingtotrusthimtonoschool；heknewenoughforme；butwhenIleftthosepartswherenobodyknewyou，andgotalittlenearer’Frisco，wherepeoplemighthaveknownusboth，Ithoughtitbetternottotravelroundwithakido’thatsizeashisFATHER。SoIgotayoungfellowheretopasshimoffasHISlittlebrother，andlookafterhimandboardhim；andIpaidhimabigpriceforit，too，youbet！Youwouldn’tthinkitwasamanwho’snowswellingaroundhere，thetopo’thepile，thatevertookmoneyfromabrutelikeme，andforsuchschoolmasterwork，too；buthedid，andhisnamewasVanLoo，aclerkoftheDitchCompany。\"
\"VanLoo！\"saidthewoman，withamovementofdisgust；\"THATman！\"
\"What’sthematterwithVanLoo？\"hesaid，withacoarselaugh，enjoyinghiswife’sdiscomfiture。\"HespeaksFrenchandSpanish，andyououghterhearthekidrolloffthelingohe’sgotfromhim。
He’sgotstyle，andknowshowtodress，andyououghttoseethekidbowandscrape，andhowhecarrieshimself。Now，VanLoowasn’texactlymystyle，andIreckonIdon’thankerafterhimmuch，butheservedmypurpose。\"
\"Andthismanknows\"——shesaid，withashudder。
\"HeknowsSteptoeandtheboy，buthedon’tknowHorncastlenorYOU。Don’tyoubeskeert。He’sthelastmanintheworldwhowouldhankertoseemeorthekidagain，orwoulddaretosaythatheeverhad！Lord！I’dliketoseehisfastidiousmugifmeandEddywalkedinuponhimandhishigh-tonedmotherandsistersomearternoon。\"Hethrewhimselfbackandlaughedaderisive，spasmodic，chokinglaugh，whichwassofarfrombeinggenialthatitevenseemedtoindicatealivelyappreciationofpaininothersratherthanofpleasureinhimself。Hehadoftenlaughedatherinthesameway。
\"Andwhereishenow？\"shesaid，withacompressedlip。
\"Atschool。Where，Idon’ttellyou。Youknowwhy。Buthe’slookedafterbyme，andd————dwelllookedafter，too。\"
Shehesitated，composedherfacewithaneffort，partedherlips，andlookedoutofthewindowintothegatheringdarkness。Thenafteramomentshesaidslowly，yetwithacertainprecision：——
\"Andhismother？DoyouevertalktohimofHER？Does——doesheeverspeakofME？\"
\"Whatdoyouthink？\"hesaidcomfortably，changinghispositioninthechair，andtryingtoreadherfaceintheshadow。\"Come，now。
Youdon’tknow，eh？Well——no！NO！Youunderstand。No！He’sMY
friend——MINE！He’sstoodbymethroughthickandthin。Runatmyheelswheneverybodyelsefledme。Dodgedvigilancecommitteeswithme，laidoutinthebrushwithmewithhishandinminewhenthesheriff’sdeputieswerehuntin’me；shuthisjawclosewhen，ifhesquealed，he’dhavebeencalledanothervictimofthebruteHorncastle，andbeenaspettedandcanoodledasyou。\"
Itwouldhavebeendifficultforanyonebutthewomanwhoknewthemanbeforehertohaveseparatedhisbrutishdelightinpainingherfromanotherfeelingshehadneverdreamthimcapableof，——anintenseandfierceprideinhisaffectionforhischild。Anditwasthemorehopelesstoherthatitwasnotthemeresentimentofreciprocation，butthematerialinstinctofpaternityinitsmostanimalform。Anditseemedhorribletoherthattheonlyoutcomeofwhathadbeenherownwild，youthfulpassionforthisbrutewasthisloveforthefleshofherflesh，forshewasmoreandmoreconsciousashespokethatheryearningfortheboywastheyearningofanequallydumbandunreasoningmaternity。Theyhadmetagainasanimals——infear，contempt，andangerofeachother；
buttheanimalhadtriumphedinboth。
Whenshespokeagainitwasasthewomanoftheworld，——thewomanwhohadlaughedtwoyearsagoattheirrepressibleBarker。\"It’sanewthing，\"shesaid，languidlyturningherringsonherfingers，\"toseeyouintheroleofadotingfather。AndmayIaskhowlongyouhavehadthisamiableweakness，andhowlongitistolast？\"
Tohersurpriseandthekeenretaliatingdelightofhersex，aconsciousflushcoveredhisfacetothecrispedgesofhisblackandmattedbeard。Foramomentshehopedthathehadlied。But，tohergreatersurprise，hestammeredinequalfrankness：\"It’sgroweduponmeforthelastfiveyears——eversinceIwasalonewithhim。\"Hestopped，clearedhisthroat，andthen，standingupbeforeher，saidinhisformervoice，butwithamoresettledandintensedeliberation：\"Youwanterknowhowlongitwilllast，doye？Well，youknowyourspecialfriend，JimStacy——thebigmillionaire——thegreatJimoftheStockExchange——themanthatpinchesthemoneymarketofCalifornybetweenhisfingerandthumbandmakesitsquealinNewYork——themanwhoshakesthestockmarketwhenhesneezes？Well，itwillgoonuntilthatmanisabeggar；untilhehastoborrowadimeforhisbreakfast，andslumpoutofhislunchwithacent’sworthofratpoisonorabulletinhishead！It’llgoonuntilhisoldpartner——thatsoftyGeorgeBarker——comestothebottomofhisd————dfoolluckandisapenny-a-linerforthepapersandahanger-roundatfreelunches，andhisscatter-brainedwiferunsawaywithanotherman！It’llgoonuntilthehigh-tonedDemorest，thelastofthosethreelittletingodsofHeavyTreeHill，willhavetoclimbdown，andwillknowwhatIfeelandwhathe’smademefeel，andwillwishhimselfinhellbeforeheevermadethebigstrikeonHeavyTree！That’sme！Youhearme！I’mshoutin’！It’lllasttillthen！Itmaybenextweek，nextmonth，nextyear。Butit’llcome。Andwhenitdoescomeyou’llseemeandEddyjustwaltzin’inandtakin’thechiefseatsinthesynagogue！Andyou’llhaveafreepasstotheshow！\"
Eitherhewastoointoxicatedwithhisvengefulvision，ortheshadowsoftheroomhaddeepened，buthedidnotseethequickflushthathadrisentohiswife’sfacewiththisallusiontoBarker，northeafter-settlingofherhandsomefeaturesintoadoggeddeterminationequaltohisown。Hisblindfuryagainstthethreepartnersdidnottouchhercuriosity；shewasonlystruckwiththeevidentdepthofhisemotion。Hehadneverbeenabraggart；hishostilityhadalwaysbeenlazyandcynical。
Rememberingthis，shehadafaintstirringofrespectfortheundoubtedcourageandconsciousnessofstrengthshowninthiswildbutsingle-handedcrusadeagainstwealthandpower；rather，perhaps，itseemedtohertocondoneherownweaknessinheryouthfulandinexplicablepassionforhim。Nowondershehadsubmitted。
\"Thenyouhavenothingmoretotellme？\"shesaidafterapause，risingandgoingtowardsthemantel。
\"Youneedn’tlightupforme，\"hereturned，risingalso。\"Iamgoing。Unless，\"headded，withhiscoarselaugh，\"youthinkitwouldn’tlookwellforMrs。Horncastletohavebeensittinginthedarkwith——astranger！\"Hepausedasshecontemptuouslyputdownthecandlestickandthrewtheunlitmatchintothegrate。\"No，I’venothingmoretotell。He’safancy-lookingpup。You’dtakehimfortwenty-one，thoughhe’sonlysixteen——clean-limbedandperfect——butforonething\"——Hestopped。Hemetherquicklookofinterrogation，however，withaloweringsilencethat，nevertheless，changedagainashesurveyedhererectfigurebythefaintlightofthewindowwithasardonicsmile。\"Hefavorsyou，I
think，andinallbutonething，too。\"
\"Andthat？\"shequeriedcoldly，asheseemedtohesitate。
\"Heain’tashamedofME，\"hereturned，withalaugh。
Thedoorclosedbehindhim；sheheardhisheavystepdescendthecreakingstairs；hewasgone。Shewenttothewindowandthrewitopen，asiftogetridoftheatmospherechargedwithhispresence，——apresencestillsopotentthatshenowknewthatforthelastfiveminutesshehadbeen，toherhorror，strugglingagainstitsmagnetism。Sheevenrecoilednowatthethoughtofherchild，asif，inthesenewconfidencesoverit，ithadrevivedtheoldintimacyinthislinkoftheircommonflesh。Shelookeddownfromherwindowonthesquareshoulders，thickthroat，andcrispmattedhairofherhusbandashevanishedinthedarkness，anddrewabreathoffreedom，——afreedomnotsomuchfromhimasfromherownweaknessthathewasbearingawaywithhimintotheexoneratingnight。
Sheshutthewindowandsankdowninherchairagain，butintheencompassingandcompassionateobscurityoftheroom。Andthiswasthemanshehadlovedandforwhomshehadwreckedheryounglife！
OrWASitlove？and，ifNOT，howwasshebetterthanhe？Worse；
forhewasmoreloyaltothatpassionthathadbroughtthemtogetheranditsresponsibilitiesthanshewas。Shehadsufferedtheperilsandpangsofmaternity，andyethadonlythemereanimalyearningforheroffspring，whilehehadtakenoverthetoilandduty，andeventhedevotion，ofparentagehimself。Butthensherememberedalsohowhehadfascinatedher——asimpleschoolgirl——byhissheerdomineeringstrength，andhowtheobjectionsofherparentstothiscoarseandcommonmanhadforcedherintoaclandestineintimacythatendedinhercompletesubjectiontohim。
Sherememberedthebirthofaninfantwhoseconcealmentfromherparentsandfriendswascompassedbyhislowcunning；sherememberedthelateatonementofmarriagepreferredbythemanshehadalreadybeguntoloatheandfear，andwhoshenowbelievedwaseageronlyforherinheritance。Sherememberedherabjectcompliancethroughthegreaterfearoftheworld，thestormyscenesthatfollowedtheirill-omenedunion，herfinalabandonmentofherhusband，andtheeffortsofherfriendsandfamilywhohadrescuedthelastofherpropertyfromhim。Shewasgladsherememberedit；
shedweltuponit，uponhiscruelty，hiscoarsenessandvulgarity，untilshesaw，asshehonestlybelieved，thehiddenspringsofhisaffectionfortheirchild。ItwasHISchildinnature，howeveritmighthavefavoredherinlooks；itwasHISownbrutalSELFhewasworshipinginhisbrutalprogeny。HowelsecouldithaveignoredHER——itsownmother？Sheneverdoubtedthetruthofwhathehadtoldher——shehadseenitinhisowntriumphanteyes。Andyetshewouldhavemadeakindmother；sherememberedwithasmileandaslightrisingofcolortheaffectionofBarker’sbabyforher；sherememberedwithadeepeningofthatcolorthethrillofsatisfactionshehadfeltinherhusband’sfulminationagainstMrs。Barker，and，morethanall，shefeltinhisblindandfoolishhatredofBarkerhimselfadeliciouscondonationofthestrangefeelingthathadsprungupinherheartforBarker’ssimple，straightforwardnature。
HowcouldHEunderstand，howcouldTHEYunderstand（bythepluralshemeantMrs。BarkerandHorncastle），acharactersoinnatelynoble。Inherstrangeattractiontowardshimshehadfeltacharmingsenseofwhatshebelievedwasasuperiorandevenmatronlyprotection；intheutterisolationofherlifenow——andwithherhusband’sfoolishabuseofhimringinginherears——itseemedasacredduty。Shehadlostason。Providencehadsentheranidealfriendtoreplacehim。Andthiswasquiteconsistent，too，withafaintsmilethatbegantoplayabouthermouthassherecalledsomeinstancesofBarker’sdelightfulandirresistibleyouthfulness。
Therewasaclatterofhoofsandthesoundofmanyvoicesfromthestreet。Mrs。Horncastleknewitwasthedowncoachchanginghorses；itwouldbeoffagaininafewmoments，and，nodoubt，bearingherhusbandawaywithit。Anewfeelingofreliefcameoverherassheatlastheardthewarning\"Allaboard！\"andthegreatvehicleclatteredandrolledintothedarkness，trailingitsburninglightsacrossherwallsandceiling。Butnowsheheardstepsonthestaircase，apausebeforeherroom，awhisperofvoices，theopeningofthedoor，therustleofaskirt，andalittlefemininecryofprotestasamanapparentlytriedtofollowthefigureintotheroom。\"No，no！ItellyouNO！\"remonstratedthewoman’svoiceinahurriedwhisper。\"Itwon’tdo。Everybodyknowsmehere。Youmustnotcomeinnow。Youmustwaittobeannouncedbytheservant。Hush！Go！\"
Therewasaslightstruggle，thesoundofakiss，andthewomansucceededinfinallyshuttingthedoor。Thenshewalkedslowly，butwithacertainfamiliaritytowardsthemantel，struckamatchandlitthecandle。ThelightshoneuponthebrighteyesandslightlyflushedfaceofMrs。Barker。Butthemotionlesswomaninthechairhadrecognizedhervoiceandthevoiceofhercompanionatonce。Andthentheireyesmet。
Mrs。Barkerdrewback，butdidnotutteracry。Mrs。Horncastle，witheyesevenbrighterthanhercompanion’s，smiled。ThereddeepenedinMrs。Barker’scheek。
\"Thisismyroom！\"shesaidindignantly，withasweepinggesturearoundthewalls。
\"Ishouldjudgeso，\"saidMrs。Horncastle，followingthegesture；
\"but，\"sheaddedquietly，\"theyputMEintoit。Itappears，however，theydidnotexpectyou。\"
Mrs。Barkersawhermistake。\"No，no，\"shesaidapologetically，\"ofcoursenot。\"Thensheadded，withnervousvolubility，sittingdownandtuggingathergloves，\"Yousee，IjustrandownfromMarysvilletotakealookatmyfather’soldhouseonmywaytoHymettus。IhopeIhaven’tdisturbedyou。Perhaps，\"shesaid，withsuddeneagerness，\"youwereasleepwhenIcamein！\"
\"No，\"saidMrs。Horncastle，\"Iwasnotsleepingnordreaming。I
heardyoucomein。\"
\"Someofthesemenaresuchidiots，\"saidMrs。Barker，withahalf-
hystericallaugh。\"Theyseemtothinkifawomanacceptstheleastcourtesyfromthemthey’vearighttobefamiliar。ButIfancythatfellowwasalittleastonishedwhenIshutthedoorinhisface。\"
\"IfancyheWAS，\"returnedMrs。Horncastledryly。\"ButIshouldn’tcallMr。VanLooanidiot。Hehasthereputationofbeingacautiousbusinessman。\"
Mrs。Barkerbitherlip。Hercompanionhadbeenrecognized。Sherosewithaslightflirtofherskirt。\"IsupposeImustgoandgetaroom；therewasnobodyintheofficewhenIcame。EverythingisbadlymanagedheresincemyfathertookawaythebestservantstoHymettus。\"Shemovedwithaffectedcarelessnesstowardsthedoor，whenMrs。Horncastle，withoutrisingfromherseat，said：——
\"Whynotstayhere？\"
Mrs。Barkerbrightenedforamoment。\"Oh，\"shesaid，withpolitedeprecation，\"Icouldn’tthinkofturningyouout。\"
\"Idon’tintendyoushall，\"saidMrs。Horncastle。\"WewillstayheretogetheruntilyougowithmetoHymettus，oruntilMr。VanLooleavesthehotel。HewillhardlyattempttocomeinhereagainifIremain。\"
Mrs。Barker，withahalf-laugh，satdownirresolutely。Mrs。
Horncastlegazedathercuriously；shewasevidentlyanoviceinthissortofthing。But，strangetosay，——andIleavetheethicsofthisforthesextosettle，——thefactdidnotsoftenMrs。
Horncastle’sheart，norintheleastqualifyherattitudetowardstheyoungerwoman。AfteranawkwardpauseMrs。Barkerroseagain。
\"Well，it’sverygoodofyou，and——and——-I’lljustrunoutandwashmyhandsandgetthedustoffme，andcomeback。\"
\"No，Mrs。Barker，\"saidMrs。Horncastle，risingandapproachingher，\"youwillfirstwashyourhandsofthisMr。VanLoo，andgetsomeofthedustoftherendezvousoffyoubeforeyoudoanythingelse。YouCANdoitbysimplytellinghim，SHOULDYOUMEETHIMIN
THEHALL，thatIwassittingherewhenhecamein，andheardEVERYTHING！Dependuponit，hewon’ttroubleyouagain。\"
ButMrs。Barker，thoughinexperiencedinlove，wasagoodfighter。
Thebestofthesexare。Shedroppedintotherocking-chair，andbeganrockingbackwardsandforwardswhilestilltuggingathergloves，andsaid，inagraduallywarmingvoice，\"IcertainlyshallnotmagnifyMr。VanLoo’ssillinesstothatimportance。AndIhaveyettolearnwhatyoumeanbytalkingaboutarendezvous！AndI
wanttoknow，\"shecontinued，suddenlystoppingherrockingandtiltingtherockersimpertinentlybehindher，as，withherelbowssquaredonthechairarms，shetiltedherownfacedefiantlyupintoMrs。Horncastle’s，\"howawomaninyourposition——whodoesn’tlivewithherhusband——darestotalktoME！\"
Therewasalullbeforethestorm。Mrs。Horncastleapproachednearer，and，layingherhandonthebackofthechair，leanedoverher，and，withawhitefaceandametallicringinhervoice，said：
\"ItisjustbecauseIamawomanINMYPOSITIONthatIdo！ItisbecauseIdon’tlivewithmyhusbandthatIcantellyouwhatitwillbewhenyounolongerlivewithyours——whichwillbetheinevitableresultofwhatyouarenowdoing。ItisbecauseIWAS
inthispositionthattheverymanwhoispursuingyou，becausehethinksyouarediscontentedwithYOURhusband，oncethoughthecouldpursuemebecauseIhadleftMINE。Youareherewithhimalone，withouttheknowledgeofyourhusband；callitfolly，caprice，vanity，orwhatyoulike，itcanhavebutoneend——toputyouinmyplaceatlast，tobeconsideredthefairgameafterwardsforanymanwhomaysucceedhim。YoucantesthimandthetruthofwhatIsaybytellinghimnowthatIheardall。\"
\"Supposehedoesn’tcarewhatyouhaveheard，\"saidMrs。Barkersharply。\"Supposehesaysnobodywouldbelieveyou，if’telling’
isyourgame。Supposeheisafriendofmyhusbandandhethinkshimamuchbetterguardianofmyreputationthanawomanlikeyou。
Supposeheshouldbethefirstonetotellmyhusbandofthefoulslanderinventedbyyou！\"
ForaninstantMrs。Horncastlewastakenabackbytheaudacityofthewomanbeforeher。SheknewthesimpleconfidenceandboyishtrustofBarkerinhiswifeinspiteoftheirsometimesstrainedrelations，andsheknewhowdifficultitwouldbetoshakeit。AndshehadnoideaofbetrayingMrs。Barker’ssecrettohim，thoughshehadmadethissceneinhisinterest。ShehadwishedtosaveMrs。Barkerfromacompromisingsituation，eveniftherewasacertainvindictivenessinherexposinghertoherself。Yetsheknewitwasquitepossiblenow，ifMrs。Barkerhadimmediateaccesstoherhusband，thatshewouldconvincehimofherperfectinnocence。Nevertheless，shehadstillgreatconfidenceinVanLoo’sfearofscandalandhisutterunmanliness。SheknewhewasnotinlovewithMrs。Barker，andthispuzzledherwhensheconsideredtheevidentriskhewasrunningnow。Herface，however，betrayednothing。ShedrewbackfromMrs。Barker，and，withanindifferentandgracefulgesturetowardsthedoor，said，assheleanedagainstthemantel，\"Go，then，andseethismuch-abusedgentleman，andthengotogetherwithhimandmakepeacewithyourhusband——evenonthoseterms。IfIhavesavedyoufromtheconsequencesofyourfollyIshallbewillingtobearevenHIS
blame。\"
\"WhateverIdo，\"saidMrs。Barker，risinghotly，\"Ishallnotstayhereanylongertobeinsulted。\"Sheflouncedoutoftheroomandsweptdownthestaircaseintotheoffice。Hereshefoundanoverworkedclerk，andwithcrimsoncheeksandflashingeyeswantedtoknowwhyinherownfather’shotelshehadfoundherownsitting-roomengaged，andhadbeenobligedtowaithalfanhourbeforeshecouldbeshownintoadecentapartmenttoremoveherhatandcloakin；andhowitwasthateventhegentlemanwhohadkindlyescortedherhadevidentlybeenunabletoprocureheranyassistance。Shesaidthisinasomewhathighvoice，whichmighthavereachedtheearsofthatgentlemanhadhebeeninthevicinity。Buthewasnot，andshewasforcedtomeetthesomewhatdazedapologiesoftheclerkalone，andtoaccompanythechambermaidtoaroomonlyafewpacesdistantfromtheoneshehadquitted。Hereshehastilyremovedherouterdusterandhat，washedherhands，andconsultedherexcitedfaceinthemirror，withthedoorajarandanearsensitivelyattunedtoanystepinthecorridor。Butallthiswaseffectedsorapidlythatshewasatlastobligedtositdowninachairnearthehalf-openeddoor，andwait。Shewaitedfiveminutes——ten——butstillnofootstep。Thenshewentoutintothecorridorandlistened，andthen，smoothingherface，sheslippeddownstairs，pastthedoorofthathatefulroom，andreappearedbeforetheclerkwithasmilingbutsomewhatpaleandlanguidface。Shehadfoundtheroomverycomfortable，butitwasdoubtfulwhethershewouldstayovernightorgoontoHymettus。Hadanybodybeeninquiringforher？Sheexpectedtomeetfriends。No！Andherescort——thegentlemanwhocamewithher——waspossiblyinthebilliard-roomorthebar？
\"Ohno！Hewasgone，\"saidtheclerk。
\"Gone！\"echoedMrs。Barker。\"Impossible！Hewas——hewashereonlyamomentago。\"
Theclerkrangabellsharply。Thestablemanappeared。
\"Thattall，smooth-facedman，inahighhat，whocamewiththelady，\"saidtheclerkseverelyandconcisely，——\"didn’tyoutellmehewasgone？\"
\"Yes，sir，\"saidthestableman。
\"Areyousure？\"interruptedMrs。Barker，withadazzlingsmilethat，however，maskedasuddentighteningroundherheart。
\"Quitesure，miss，\"saidthestableman，\"forhewasintheyardwhenSteptoecame，aftermissingthecoach。HewantedabuggytotakehimovertotheDivide。Wehadn’tone，sohewentovertotheotherstables，andhedidn’tcomeback，soIreckonhe’sgone。I
rememberit，becauseSteptoecamebyaminuteafterhe’dgone，inanotherbuggy，andashewasgoingtotheDivide，too，Iwonderedwhythegentlemanhadn’tgonewithhim。\"
\"Andheleftnomessageforme？Hesaidnothing？\"askedMrs。
Barker，quitebreathless，butstillsmiling。
\"Hesaidnothin’tomebut’Isn’tthatSteptoeoverthere？’whenSteptoecamein。AndIrememberhesaiditkindersuddent——asifhewasremindedo’suthin’he’dforgot；andthenheaskedforabuggy。Yesee，miss，\"addedtheman，withacertainroughconsiderationforherdisappointment，\"that’smebbewhyhecleanforgottoleaveamessage。\"
Mrs。Barkerturnedaway，andascendedthestairs。Selfishnessisquicktorecognizeselfishness，andshesawinaflashthereasonofVanLoo’sabandonmentofher。Somefearofdiscoveryhadalarmedhim；perhapsSteptoeknewherhusband；perhapshehadheardofMrs。Horncastle’spossessionofthesitting-room；perhaps——forshehadnotseenhimsincetheirplayfulstruggleatthedoor——hehadrecognizedthewomanwhowasthere，andtheselfishcowardhadrunaway。Yes；Mrs。Horncastlewasright：shehadbeenonlyamiserabledupe。
Hercheeksblazedassheenteredtheroomshehadjustquitted，andthrewherselfinachairbythewindow。ShebitherlipassherememberedhowforthelastthreemonthsshehadbeenslowlyyieldingtoVanLoo’scautiousbutinsinuatingsolicitation，fromaflirtationintheSanFranciscohoteltoaclandestinemeetinginthestreet；fromarideinthesuburbstoasupperinafastrestaurantafterthetheatre。Otherwomendiditwhowerefashionableandrich，asVanLoohadpointedouttoher。Otherfashionablewomenalsogambledinstocks，andhadtheirprivatebrokerina\"Charley\"ora\"Jack。\"WhyshouldnotMrs。Barkerhavebusinesswitha\"Paul\"VanLoo，particularlyasthisfastcrazepermittedsecretmeetings？——forbusinessofthiskindcouldnotbeconductedinpublic，andpermittedthefairgamblertocallatprivateofficeswithoutfearandwithoutreproach。Mrs。Barker’svanity，Mrs。Barker’sloveofceremonyandform，Mrs。Barker’ssnobbishness，wereflatteredbytheattentionsofthispolishedgentlemanwithaforeignname，whichevenhadtheflavorofnobility，whoneverpickedupherfanandhandedittoherwithoutbowing，andalwaysrosewhensheenteredtheroom。Mrs。Barker’sscantschoolgirlknowledgewastouchedbythisgentleman，whospokeFrenchfluently，anddelicatelyexplainedtoherthelibrettoofariskyoperabouffe。AndnowshehadfinallyyieldedtoameetingoutofSanFrancisco——andanostensiblevisit——stillasaspeculator——tooneortwominingdistricts——withHERBROKER。Thiswastheboldestofhersteps——anoriginalideaofthefashionableVanLoo——which，nodoubt，intimewouldbecomeacraze，too。Butitwasalongstep——andtherewasastreakofrusticdecoruminMrs。Barker’snature——theinstinctthatmadeKittyCarterkeepaperfectlysecludedanddistinctsitting-roominthedayswhensheservedherfather’sguests——thatnowhadimpelledhertomakeitaprovisothatthefirststepofherjourneyshouldbefromheroldhomeinherfather’shotel。Itwasthisinstinctoftheproprietiesthathadrevivedinhersuddenlyatthedooroftheoldsitting-room。
Thenanewphaseofthesituationflasheduponher。ItwashardforhervanitytoacceptVanLoo’sdesertionasvoluntaryandfinal。Whatifthathatefulwomanhadluredhimawaybysometrickorartfullydesignedmessage？Shewascapableofsuchmeannesstoinsurethefulfillmentofherprophecy。Or，moredreadfulthought，whatifshehadsomeholdonhisaffections——shehadsaidthathehadpursuedher；or，moreinfamousstill，thereweresomesecretunderstandingbetweenthem，andthatshe——Mrs。Barker——wasthedupeofthemboth！Whatwasshedoinginthehotelatsuchamoment？
WhatwasherstoryofgoingtoHymettusbutalieastransparentasherown？Thetorturesofjealousy，whichisasoftentheincentiveasitistheresultofpassion，begantorackher。Shehadprobablyyetknownnorealpassionforthisman；butwiththethoughtofhisabandoningher，andtheconceptionofhisfaithlessness，camethewishtoholdandkeephimthatwasdangerouslynearit。Whatifhewereeventheninthatroom，theroomwhereshehadsaidshewouldnotstaytobeinsulted，andthey，thussecuredagainstherintrusion，werelaughingathernow？
Shehalfroseatthethought，butasoundofahorse’shoofsinthestable-yardarrestedher。Sherantothewindowwhichgaveuponit，and，crouchingdownbesideit，listenedeagerly。Theclatterofhoofsceased；thestablemanwastalkingtosomeone；suddenlysheheardthestablemansay，\"Mrs。Barkerishere。\"Herheartleaped，——VanLoohadreturned。
Butherethevoiceoftheothermanwhichshehadnotyetheardaroseforthefirsttimeclearanddistinct。\"Areyouquitesure？
Ididn’tknowsheleftSanFrancisco。\"
Theroomreeledaroundher。ThevoicewasGeorgeBarker’s，herhusband！\"Verywell，\"hecontinued。\"Youneedn’tputupmyhorseforthenight。Imaytakeherbackalittlelaterinthebuggy。\"
Inanothermomentshehadsweptdownthepassage，andburstintotheotherroom。Mrs。Horncastlewassittingbythetablewithabookinherhand。Shestartedasthehalf-maddenedwomanclosedthedoor，lockeditbehindher，andcastherselfonherkneesatherfeet。
\"Myhusbandishere，\"shegasped。\"WhatshallIdo？Inheaven’snamehelpme！\"
\"IsVanLoostillhere？\"saidMrs。Horncastlequickly。
\"No；gone。HewentwhenIcame。\"
Mrs。Horncastlecaughtherhandandlookedintentlyintoherfrightenedface。\"Thenwhathaveyoutofearfromyourhusband？\"
shesaidabruptly。
\"Youdon’tunderstand。Hedidn’tknowIwashere。HethoughtmeinSanFrancisco。\"
\"Doesheknowitnow？\"
\"Yes。Iheardthestablemantellhim。Couldn’tyousayIcameherewithyou；thatwewereheretogether；thatitwasjustalittlefreakofours？Oh，do！\"
Mrs。Horncastlethoughtamoment。\"Yes，\"shesaid，\"we’llseehimheretogether。\"
\"Ohno！no！\"saidMrs。Barkersuddenly，clingingtoherdressandlookingfearfullytowardsthedoor。\"Icouldn’t，COULDN’Tseehimnow。SayI’msick，tiredout，gonetomyroom。\"
\"Butyou’llhavetoseehimlater，\"saidMrs。Horncastlewonderingly。
\"Yes，buthemaygofirst。Iheardhimtellthemnottoputuphishorse。\"
\"Good！\"saidMrs。Horncastlesuddenly。\"Gotoyourroomandlockthedoor，andI’llcometoyoulater。Stop！WouldMr。BarkerbelikelytodisturbyouifItoldhimyouwouldliketobealone？\"
\"No，heneverdoes。Ioftentellhimthat。\"
Mrs。Horncastlesmiledfaintly。\"Come，quick，then，\"shesaid，\"forhemaycomeHEREfirst。\"
Openingthedoorshepassedintothehalf-darkandemptyhall。
\"Nowrun！\"SheheardthequickrustleofMrs。Barker’sskirtdieawayinthedistance，theopeningandshuttingofadoor——silence——
andthenturnedbackintoherownroom。
Shewasnonetoosoon。PresentlysheheardBarker’svoicesaying，\"Thankyou，Icanfindtheway，\"hisstillbuoyantsteponthestaircase，andthensawhisbrowncurlsrisingabovetherailing。
Thelightstreamingthroughtheopendoorofthesittingroomintothehalf-lithallhadpartiallydazzledhim，and，alreadybewildered，hewasstillmoredazzledattheunexpectedapparitionofthesmilingfaceandbrighteyesofMrs。Horncastlestandinginthedoorway。
\"Youhavefairlycaughtus，\"shesaid，withcharmingcomposure；
\"butIhadhalfamindtoletyouwanderroundthehotelalittlelonger。Comein。\"Barkerfollowedherinmechanically，andsheclosedthedoor。\"Now，sitdown，\"shesaidgayly，\"andtellmehowyouknewwewerehere，andwhatyoumeanbysurprisingusatthishour。\"
Barker’sreadycoloralwaysroseonmeetingMrs。Horncastle，forwhomheentertainedarespectfuladmiration，notwithoutsomefearofherworldlysuperiority。Heflushed，bowed，andstaredsomewhatblanklyaroundtheroom，atthefamiliarwalls，atthechairfromwhichMrs。Horncastlehadjustrisen，andfinallyathiswife’sglove，whichMrs。Horncastlehadamomentbeforeostentatiouslythrownonthetable。Seeingwhichshepounceduponitwithassumedarchness，andpretendedtoconcealit。
\"Ihadnoideamywifewashere，\"hesaidatlast，\"andIwasquitesurprisedwhenthemantoldme，forshehadnotwrittentomeaboutit。\"Ashisfacewasbrightening，sheforthefirsttimenoticedthathisfrankgrayeyeshadanabstractedlook，andtherewasafaintlineofcontractiononhisyouthfulforehead。\"Stillless，\"
headded，\"didIlookforthepleasureofmeetingyou。ForIonlycameheretoinquireaboutmyoldpartner，Demorest，whoarrivedfromEuropeafewdaysago，andwhoshouldhavereachedHymettusearlythisafternoon。ButnowIhearhecameallthewaybycoachinsteadofbyrail，andgotoffatthecross-road，andwemusthavepassedeachotheronthedifferenttrails。Somyjourneywouldhavegonefornothing，onlythatInowshallhavethepleasureofgoingbackwithyouandKitty。Itwillbealovelydrivebymoonlight。\"
Relievedbythisrevelation，itwaseasyworkforMrs。Horncastletolaunchoutintoaplayful，tantalizing，witty——but，Igrievetosay，entirelyimaginative——accountofherescapadewithMrs。
Barker。How，leftaloneattheSanFranciscohotelwhiletheirgentlemenfriendswereenjoyingthemselvesatHymettus，theyresolveduponalittletrip，partlyforthepurposeoflookingintosomesmallinvestmentsoftheirown，andpartlyforthefunofthething。Whatfunnyexperiencestheyhad！How，inparticular，onehorridinquisitive，vulgarwretchhadbeenboringaEuropeanfellowpassengerwhowasgoingtoHymettus，finallyaskinghimwherehehadcomefromlast，andwhenheanswered\"Hymettus，\"thoughtthemanwasinsultinghim——
\"But，\"interruptedthelaughingBarker，\"thatpassengermayhavebeenDemorest，whohasjustcomefromGreece，andsurelyKittywouldhaverecognizedhim。\"
Mrs。Horncastleinstantlysawherblunder，andnotonlyretrievedit，butturnedittoaccount。Ah，yes！butbythattimepoorKitty，unusedtolongjourneysandtheheat，wasutterlyfaggedout，wasasleep，andperfectlyunrecognizableinveilsanddustersonthebackseatofthecoach。Andthisbroughthertothepoint——
whichwas，thatshewassorrytosay，onarriving，thepoorchildwasnearlywildwithaheadachefromfatigueandhadgonetobed，andshehadpromisednottodisturbher。
