ButDonJosewasnotdestinedtoremainlonginpeacefulstudyoftheAmericanConstitution。Hehadbarelytakenupthebookagainandrenewedhisseriouscontemplationofitsexcellenceswhentherewasanotherknockathisdoor。Thistime，inobediencetohisinvitationtoenter，thenewvisitorapproachedwithmoredeliberationandacertainformality。
HewasayoungmanofapparentlythesameageasDonJose，handsomelydressed，andofaquietself—possessionandgravityalmostequaltohishost’s。
\"IbelieveIamaddressingDonJoseSepulvida，\"hesaidwithafamiliaryetcourteousinclinationofhishandsomehead。DonJose，whohadriseninmarkedcontrasttohisreceptionofhisformerguest，answered，——
\"Youaretrulymakingtohimagreathonor。\"
\"Well，you’regoingitblindasfarasI’Mconcernedcertainly，\"
saidtheyoungman，withaslightsmile，\"foryoudon’tknowME。\"
\"Pardon，myfriend，\"saidDonJosegently，\"inthisbook，thisgreatTestamentofyourgloriousnation，Ihavereadthatyouareallequal，onenotabove，onenotbelowtheother。IsaluteinyoutheNation！Itisenough！\"
\"Thankyou，\"returnedthestranger，withafacethat，savingthefaintesttwinkleinthecornerofhisdarkeyes，wasasimmovableashishost’s，\"butforthepurposesofmybusinessIhadbettersayIamJackHamlin，agambler，andamjustnowdealingfarointheFloridasaloonroundthecorner。\"
Hepausedcarelessly，asiftoallowDonJosetheprotesthedidnotmake，andthencontinued，——
\"Thematteristhis。Oneofyourvaqueros，whois，however，anAmerican，wasroundthereanhouragobuckingagainstfaro，andputupandLOST，notonlythemarehewasriding，butahorsewhichI
havejustlearnedisyours。Nowwereckon，overthere，thatwecanmakeenoughmoneyplayingasquaregame，withoutbeingobligedtotakepropertyfromahowlingdrunkard，tosaynothingofitnotbelongingtohim，andI’vecomehere，DonJose，tosaythatifyou’llsendoverandbringawayyourmanandyourhorse，youcanhave’emboth。\"
\"IfIhavecomprehended，honestHamlin，\"saidDonJoseslowly，\"thisRoberto，whowasmyvaqueroandismybrother，hasapproachedthisfarogamebyhimselfunsolicited？\"
\"Hecertainlydidn’tseemshyofit，\"saidMr。Hamlinwithequalgravity。\"Tothebestofmyknowledgehelookedasifhe’dbeentherebefore。\"
\"Andifhehadwon，excellentHamlin，youwouldhavegivenhimtheequalofhismareandhorse？\"
\"Ahundreddollarsforeach，yes，certainly。\"
\"ThenIseenotwhyIshouldsendforthepropertywhichistrulynolongermine，norformybrotherwhowillamusehimselfafterthefashionofhiscountryinthecompanyofsohonorableacaballeroasyourself？Stay！ohimbecilethatIam。Ihavenotremembered。
Youwouldpossiblysaythathehasnolongerofhorses！Playhim;
playhim，admirableyetprudentHamlin。Ihavetwothousandhorses！Ofasuretyhecannotexhausttheminfourhours。
Thereforeplayhim，trusttomeforrecompensa，andhavenofear。\"
Aquickflushcoveredthestranger’scheek，andhiseyebrowsmomentarilycontracted。Hewalkedcarelesslytothewindow，however，glancedout，andthenturnedtoDonJose。
\"MayIask，then，\"hesaidwithalmostsepulchralgravity，\"isanybodytakingcareofyou？\"
\"Truly，\"returnedDonJosecautiously，\"thereismybrotherandfriendRoberto。\"
\"Ah！Roberto，certainly，\"saidMr。Hamlinprofoundly。
\"Whydoyouask，consideratefriend？\"
\"Oh！Ionlythought，withyourkindofopinions，youmustoftenfeellonelyinCalifornia。Good—bye。\"HeshookDonJose’shandheartily，tookuphishat，inclinedhisheadwithgracefulseriousness，andpassedoutoftheroom。Inthehallhemetthelandlord。
\"Well，\"saidJenkinson，withasmilehalfanxious，halfinsinuating，\"yousawhim？Whatdoyouthinkofhim？\"
Mr。HamlinpausedandregardedJenkinsonwithacalmlycontemplativeair，asifheweretryingtorememberfirstwhohewas，andsecondlywhyheshouldspeaktohimatall。\"Thinkofwhom？\"herepeatedcarelessly。
\"Whyhim——youknow——DonJose。\"
\"Ididnotseeanythingthematterwithhim，\"returnedHamlinwithfrigidsimplicity。
\"What？nothingqueer？\"
\"Well，no——exceptthathe’saguestinYOURhouse，\"saidHamlinwithgreatcheerfulness。\"Butthen，asyoukeepahotel，youcan’thelpoccasionallyadmittinga——gentleman。\"
Mr。Jenkinsonsmiledtheuneasysmileofamanwhoknewthathisinterlocutor’splayfulnessoccasionallyextendedtotheuseofaderringer，inwhichhewassingularlypromptandproficient，andMr。Hamlin，equallyconsciousofthatknowledgeonthepartofhiscompanion，descendedthestaircasecomposedly。
Butthedayhaddarkenedgraduallyintonight，andDonJosewasatlastcompelledtoputasidehisvolume。ThesoundofalargebellrungviolentlyalongthehallandpassagesadmonishedhimthattheAmericandinnerwasready，andalthoughtheviandsandthemodeofcookingwerenotentirelytohisfancy，hehad，inhisgraveenthusiasmforthenationalhabits，attendedthetabled’hoteregularlywithRoberto。Onreachingthelowerhallhewasinformedthathishenchmanhadearlysuccumbedtothepotencyofhislibations，andhadalreadybeencarriedbytwomentobed。
Receivingthisinformationwithhisusualstoicalcomposure，heenteredthedining—room，butwassurprisedtofindthataseparatetablehadbeenpreparedforhimbythelandlord，andthatarudeattempthadbeenmadetoservehimwithhisownnativedishes。
\"SenoresySenoritas，\"saidDonJose，turningfromitandwithgravepolitenessaddressingtheassembledcompany，\"ifIseemto—
daytopartakealoneandinareservedfashionofcertainviandsthathavebeenpreparedforme，itistrulyfromnolackofcourtesytoyourdistinguishedcompany，butrather，Iprotest，toavoidtheappearanceofgreaterdiscourtesytoourexcellentJenkinson，whohastakensomepainsandtroubletocomporthisestablishmenttowhatheconceivestobemydesires。Wherefore，myfriends，inGod’snamefallto，thesameasifIwerenotpresent，andgracebewithyou。\"
Afewstaredatthetall，gentle，melancholyfigurewithsomeastonishment;afewwhisperedtotheirneighbors;butwhen，attheconclusionofhisrepast，DonJosearoseandagainsalutedthecompany，oneortwostoodupandsmilinglyreturnedthecourtesy，andPollyJenkinson，thelandlord’syoungestdaughter，tothegreatdelightofhercompanions，blewhimakiss。
Aftervisitingthevaqueroinhisroom，andwithhisownhandapplyingsomenativeointmenttothevariouscontusionsandscratcheswhichrecordedthelateengagementsoftheunconsciousRoberto，DonJoseplacedagoldcoininthehandsoftheIrishchamber—maid，andbiddingherlookafterthesleeper，hethrewhisserapeoverhisshouldersandpassedintotheroad。Theloungersontheverandagazedathimcuriously，yethalfacknowledgedhisusualserioussalutation，andmadewayforhimwithacertainrespect。Avoidingthefewnarrowstreetsofthelittletown，hepursuedhiswaymeditativelyalongthehighroad，returningtothehotelafteranhour’sramble，astheeveningstage—coachhaddepositeditspassengersanddeparted。
\"There’saladywaitingtoseeyouupstairs，\"saidthelandlordwithapeculiarsmile。\"Sheratheralloweditwasn’ttheproperthingtoseeyoualone，orshewasn’tquiteekaltoit，Ireckon，forshegotmyPollytostandbyher。\"
\"YourPolly，goodJenkinson？\"saidDonJoseinterrogatively。
\"Mydarter，DonJose。\"
\"Ah，truly！Iamtwiceblessed，\"saidDonJose，gravelyascendingthestaircase。
Onenteringtheroomheperceivedatall，large—featuredwomanwithanextraordinaryquantityofblondhairpartedononesideofherbroadforehead，sittinguponthesofa。BesidehersatPollyJenkinson，herfresh，honest，andratherprettyfacebeamingwithdelightedexpectationandmischief。DonJosesalutedthemwithaformalcourtesy，which，however，hadnotraceofthefactthathereallydidnotrememberanythingofthem。
\"Icalled，\"saidthelarge—featuredwomanwithavoiceequallypronounced，\"inreferencetoarequestfromyou，which，thoughperhapsunconventionalintheextreme，Ihavebeenabletomeetbytheinterventionofthisyounglady’scompany。Mynameonthiscardmaynotbefamiliartoyou——butIam’DorothyDewdrop。’\"
AslightmovementofabstractionandsurprisepassedoverDonJose’sface，butasquicklyvanishedasheadvancedtowardsherandgracefullyraisedthetipsofherfingerstohislips。\"HaveI
then，atlast，theprivilegeofbeholdingthatmostdistressedanddeeplyinjuredofwomen！Orisitbutadream！\"
Itcertainlywasnot，asfarasconcernedthesubstantialpersonofthewomanbeforehim，who，however，seemedsomewhatuneasyunderhiswordsaswellasthedemurescrutinyofMissJenkinson。\"I
thoughtyoumighthaveforgotten，\"shesaidwithslightacerbity，\"thatyoudesiredaninterviewwiththeauthoressof\"——
\"Pardon，\"interruptedDonJose，standingbeforeherinanattitudeofthedeepestsympathizingdejection，\"Ihadnotforgotten。ItisnowthreeweekssinceIhavereadinthejournal’GoldenGate’theeloquentandtouchingpoemofyoursufferings，andyouraspirations，andyourmiscomprehensionsbythoseyoulove。I
rememberasyesterdaythatyouhavesaid，thatcruelfatehavelinkedyoutoasoullessstate——that——butIspeaknotwellyourownbeautifullanguage——youareintearsatevenfall’becausethatyouarenotunderstoodofothers，andthatyoursoulrecoiledfromironbonds，until，asinadream，yousoughtsuccorandreleaseinsometrueKnightofequalplight。’\"
\"Iamtold，\"saidthelarge—featuredwomanwithsomesatisfaction，\"thatthepoemtowhichyoualludehasbeengenerallyadmired。\"
\"Admired！Senora，\"saidDonJose，withstilldarkersympathy，\"itisnottheword;itisFELT。Ihavefeltit。WhenIreadthosewordsofdistress，Iamtouchedofcompassion！Ihavesaid，Thiswoman，sodisconsolate，sooppressed，mustberelieved，protected！
Ihavewrotetoyou，atthe’GoldenGate，’toseemehere。\"
\"AndIhavecome，asyouperceive，\"saidthepoetess，risingwithaslightsmileofconstraint;\"andemboldenedbyyourappreciation，I
havebroughtafewtriflesthrownoff\"——
\"Pardon，unhappySenora，\"interruptedDonJose，liftinghishanddeprecatinglywithoutrelaxinghismelancholyprecision，\"buttoacavalierfurtherevidenceisnotrequired——andIhavenotyetmakefinish。IhavenotcontentmyselftoWRITEtoyou。IhavesentmytrustyfriendRobertotoinquireatthe’GoldenGate’ofyourcondition。Ihavefoundthere，mostunhappyandpersecutedfriend——
thatwithtrulyangelicforbearanceyouhavenottoldALL——thatyouareMARRIED，andthatofanecessityitisyourhusbandthatiscoldandsoullessandunsympathizing——andallthatyoudescribe。\"
\"Sir！\"saidthepoetess，risinginangryconsternation。
\"Ihavewrittentohim，\"continuedDonJose，withunheedinggravity;\"haveappealedtohimasafriend，Ihaveconjuredhimasacaballero，IhavethreatenedhimevenasachampionoftheRight，Ihavesaidtohim，ineffect——thatthismustnotbeasitis。I
haveinformedhimthatIhavemadeanappointmentwithyouevenatthishouse，andIchallengedhimtomeetyouhere——inthisroom——
evenatthisinstant，and，withGod’shelp，weshouldmakegoodourchargesagainsthim。Itisyetearly;Ihaveallowedtimeforthelatenessofthestageandthefactthathewillcomebyanotherconveyance。Therefore，ODonaDewdrop，tremblenotlikethynamesakeasitwereontheleafofapprehensionandexpectancy。I，DonJose，amheretoprotectthee。Iwilltakethesecharges\"——
gentlywithdrawingthemanuscriptsfromherastonishedgrasp——
\"thougheven，asIrelatedtotheebefore，Iwantthemnot，yetwewilltogetherconfronthimwiththemandmakethemgoodagainsthim。\"
\"Areyoumad？\"demandedtheladyinalmoststentoriousaccents，\"oristhisanunmanlyhoax？\"Suddenlyshestoppedinundeniableconsternation。\"Goodheavens，\"shemuttered，\"ifAbnershouldbelievethis。HeisSUCHafool！Hehaslatelybeenqueerandjealous。Ohdear！\"shesaid，turningtoPollyJenkinsonwiththefirstindicationoffeminineweakness，\"Ishetellingthetruth？ishecrazy？whatshallIdo？\"
PollyJenkinson，whohadwitnessedtheinterviewwiththeintensestenjoyment，nowroseequaltotheoccasion。
\"Youhavemadeamistake，\"shesaid，upliftingherdemureblueeyestoDonJose’sdarkandmelancholygaze。\"ThisladyisaPOETESS！
Thesufferingsshedepicts，thesorrowsshefeels，areintheIMAGINATION，inherfancyonly。\"
\"Ah！\"saidDonJosegloomily;\"thenitisallfalse。\"
\"No，\"saidPollyquickly，\"onlytheyarenotherOWN，youknow。
Theyaresomebodyelses。Sheonlydescribesthemforanother，don’tyousee？\"
\"Andwho，then，isthisunhappyone？\"askedtheDonquickly。
\"Well——a——friend，\"stammeredPolly，hesitatingly。
\"Afriend！\"repeatedDonJose。\"Ah，Isee，ofpossibilityadearone，even，\"hecontinued，gazingwithtendermelancholyintotheuntroubledceruleandepthsofPolly’seyes，\"even，butno，child，itcouldnotbe！THOUarttooyoung。\"
\"Ah，\"saidPolly，withanextraordinarygulpandafiercenudgeofthepoetess，\"butitWASme。\"
\"You，Senorita，\"repeatedDonJose，fallingbackinanattitudeofmingledadmirationandpity。\"You，thechildofJenkinson！\"
\"Yes，yes，\"joinedinthepoetesshurriedly;\"butthatisn’tgoingtostoptheconsequencesofyourwretchedblunder。Myhusbandwillbefurious，andwillbehereatanymoment。Goodgracious！whatisthat？\"
Theviolentslammingofadistantdooratthatinstant，thesoundsofquickscufflingonthestaircase，andtheupliftingofaniratevoicehadreachedherearsandthrownherbackinthearmsofPollyJenkinson。Eventheyounggirlherselfturnedananxiousgazetowardsthedoor。DonJosealonewasunmoved。
\"Possessyourselvesinpeace，Senoritas，\"hesaidcalmly。\"Wehavehereonlythecharacteristicconvalescenceofmyfriendandbrother，theexcellentRoberto。Hewilleverrecoverhimselffromdrinkwithviolence，evenasheprecipitateshimselfintoitwithfury。Hehasbeenprematurelyawakened。Iwilldiscoverthecause。\"
Withanelaboratebowtothefrightenedwomen，helefttheroom。
ScarcelyhadthedoorclosedwhenthepoetessturnedquicklytoPolly。\"Theman’sastarkstaringlunatic，but，thankHeaven，Abnerwillseeitatonce。Andnowlet’sgetawaywhilewecan。
Tothink，\"shesaid，snatchingupherscatteredmanuscripts，\"thatTHATwasallthebeastwanted。\"
\"I’msurehe’sverygentleandkind，\"saidPolly，recoveringherdimpleswithademurepout;\"butstop，he’scomingback。\"
ItwasindeedDonJosere—enteringtheroomwiththecomposureofarelievedandself—satisfiedmind。\"ItisevenasIsaid，Senora，\"
hebegan，takingthepoetess’shand，——\"andMORE。YouareSAVED！\"
Asthewomenonlystaredateachother，hegravelyfoldedhisarmsandcontinued：\"Iwillexplain。FortheinstantIhavenotrememberthat，inimitationofyourowndelicacy，Ihavegiventoyourhusbandinmyletter，notthenameofmyself，but，asamereDonFulano，thenameofmybrotherRoberto——’BuckingBob。’Yourhusbandhavethismomentarrive！PenetratingthebedroomoftheexcellentRoberto，hehasindiscreetlyseizehiminhisbed，withoutexplanation，withoutintroduction，withoutfear！TheexcellentRoberto，everreadyforsuchdistractions，haverespond！
Inaword，tousethelanguageofthegoodJenkinson——ourhost，ourfather——whowaspresent，hehave’wipedthefloorwithyourhusband，’andhaveevencarriedhimdownthestaircasetothestreet。Believeme，hewillnotreturn。Youarefree！\"
\"Fool！Idiot！Crazybeast！\"saidthepoetess，dashingpasthimandoutofthedoor。\"Youshallpayforthis！\"
DonJosedidnotchangehisimperturbableandmelancholycalm。
\"Andnow，littleone，\"hesaid，droppingononekneebeforethehalf—frightenedPolly，\"childofJenkinson，nowthatthyperhapstooexcitablesponsorhas，inapoet’scaprice，abandonedtheeforsomenewerfantasy，confideinmethydistress，tome，thyKnight，andtellthestoryofthysorrows。\"
\"But，\"saidPolly，risingtoherfeetandstrugglingbetweenalaughandacry。\"Ihaven’tanysorrows。Ohdear！don’tyousee，it’sonlyherFANCYtomakemeseemso。There’snothingthematterwithme。\"
\"Nothingthematter，\"repeatedDonJoseslowly。\"Youhavenodistress？Youwantnosuccor，norelief，noprotector？This，then，isbutanotherdelusion！\"hesaid，risingsadly。
\"Yes，no——thatis——oh，mygraciousgoodness！\"saidPolly，hopelesslydividedbetweenasenseoftheridiculousandsomestrangeattractioninthedark，gentleeyesthatwerefixeduponherhalfreproachfully。\"Youdon’tunderstand。\"
DonJoserepliedonlywithamelancholysmile，andthengoingtothedoor，openeditwithabowedheadandrespectfulcourtesy。Attheact，Pollypluckedupcourageagain，andwithitaslightdashofheroldaudacity。
\"I’msureI’mverysorrythatIain’tgotanylovesorrows，\"shesaiddemurely。\"AndIsupposeit’sverydreadfulinmenottohavebeenravingandbroken—heartedoversomebodyorotherasthatwomanhassaid。Only，\"shewaitedtillshehadgainedthesecurevantageofthethreshold，\"IneverknewagentlemantoOBJECTtoitbefore！\"
WiththisParthianarrowfromherblueeyessheslippedintothepassageandvanishedthroughthedooroftheoppositeparlor。ForaninstantDonJoseremainedmotionlessandreflecting。Then，recoveringhimselfwithgraveprecision，hedeliberatelypickeduphisnarrowblackglovesfromthetable，drewthemon，tookhishatinhishand，andsolemnlystridingacrossthepassage，enteredthedoorthathadjustclosedbehindher。
III。
ItmustnotbesupposedthatinthemeantimetheflightofDonJoseandhisfollowerwasunattendedbyanycommotionattheranchooftheBlessedInnocents。Attheendofthreehours’deliberation，inwhichtheretainerswereseverallyexamined，thecorralsearched，andthewellinthecourtyardsounded，scoutsweredispatchedindifferentdirections，whoreturnedwiththesurprisinginformationthatthefugitiveswerenotinthevicinity。AtrustworthymessengerwassenttoMontereyfor\"custom—housepaper，\"onwhichtodrawupaformaldeclarationoftheaffair。ThearchbishopwassummonedfromSanLuis，andDonVictorandDonVincenteSepulvida，withtheDonasCarmenandInezAlvarado，andaformeralcalde，gatheredatafamilycouncilthenextday。InthisseriousconclavethegoodFatherFelipeoncemoreexpoundedthealienatedconditionandthedangerousreadingoftheabsentman。InthemidstofwhichtheordinarypostbroughtaletterfromDonJose，calmlyinvitingthefamilytodinewithhimandRobertoatSanMateoonthefollowingWednesday。Thedocumentwaspassedgravelyfromhandtohand。Wasitafreshevidenceofmentalaberration——
anaudacityoffrenzy——oratrickofthevaquero？Thearchbishopandalcaldeshooktheirheads——itwaswithoutdoubtalawless，evenasacrilegiousandblasphemousfete。ButacertaincuriosityoftheladiesandofFatherFelipecarriedtheday。Withoutformallyacceptingtheinvitationitwasdecidedthatthefamilyshouldexaminetheafflictedman，withaviewoftakingactivemeasureshereafter。Onthedayappointed，thetravelingcarriageoftheSepulvidas，anequipagecoevalwiththebeginningofthecentury，drawnbytwowhitemulesgaudilycaparisoned，haltedbeforethehotelatSanMateoanddisgorgedFatherFelipe，theDonasCarmenandInezAlvaradoandMariaSepulvida，whileDonVictorandDonVincenteSepulvida，theirattendantcavaliersonfierymustangs，likeoutriders，drewreinatthesametime。Aslightthrillofexcitement，asoftheadventofapossiblecircus，hadprecededthemthroughthelittletown;afaintblendingofcigarettesmokeandgarlicannouncedtheirpresenceontheveranda。
Usheredintotheparlorofthehotel，apparentlysetapartfortheirreception，theywereembarrassedatnotfindingtheirhostpresent。Buttheywerestillmoredisconcertedwhenatallfull—
beardedstranger，withashrewdamused—lookingface，rosefromachairbythewindow，andsteppingforward，salutedtheminfluentSpanishwithaslightAmericanaccent。
\"Ihavetoaskyou，gentlemenandladies，\"hebegan，withacertaininsinuatingeaseandfranknessthatalternatelyarousedandlulledtheirsuspicions，\"topardontheabsenceofourfriendDonJoseSepulvidaatthispreliminarygreeting。Fortobeperfectlyfrankwithyou，althoughtheultimateaimandobjectofourgatheringisasocialone，youaredoubtlessawarethatcertaininfelicitiesandmisunderstandings——commontomostfamilies——haveoccurred，andafree，dispassionate，unprejudiceddiscussionanddisposalofthematthebeginningwillonlytendtoaugmentthegoodwillofourgathering。\"
\"TheSenorwithoutdoubtis\"——suggestedthepadre，withapoliteinterrogativepause。
\"Pardonme！Iforgottointroducemyself。ColonelParker——
entirelyatyourserviceandthatofthesecharmingladies。\"
Theladiesreferredtoallowedtheireyestorestwithevidentprepossessionontheinsinuatingstranger。\"Ah，asoldier，\"saidDonVincente。
\"Formerly，\"saidtheAmericanlightly;\"atpresentalawyer，thecounselofDonJose。\"
Asuddenrigorofsuspicionstiffenedthecompany;theladieswithdrewtheireyes;thepriestandtheSepulvidasexchangedglances。
\"Come，\"saidColonelParker，withapparentunconsciousnessoftheeffectofhisdisclosure，\"letusbeginfrankly。Youhave，I
believe，someanxietyinregardtothementalconditionofDonJose。\"
\"Webelievehimtobemad，\"saidPadreFelipepromptly，\"irresponsible，possessed！\"
\"Thatisyouropinion;good，\"saidthelawyerquietly。
\"Andourstoo，\"clamoredtheparty，\"withoutdoubt。\"
\"Good，\"returnedthelawyerwithperfectcheerfulness。\"Ashisrelations，youhavenodoubthadsuperioropportunitiesforobservinghiscondition。Iunderstandalsothatyoumaythinkitnecessarytohavehimlegallydeclarednoncompos，aproceedingwhich，youareaware，mightresultintheincarcerationofourdistinguishedfriendinamad—house。\"
\"Pardon，Senor，\"interruptedDonaMariaproudly，\"youdonotcomprehendthefamily。WhenaSepulvidaisvisitedofGodwedonotasktheGovernmenttoconfinehimlikeacriminal。Weprotecthiminhisownhousefromtheconsequencesofhisfrenzy。\"
\"Fromthemachinationsoftheworldlyandheretical，\"brokeinthepriest，\"andfromthewasteanddispersionofinheritedpossessions。\"
\"Verytrue，\"continuedColonelParker，withunalterablegood—humor;
\"butIwasonlyabouttosaythattheremightbeconflictingevidenceofhiscondition。Forinstance，ourfriendhasbeenherethreedays。Inthattimehehashadthreeinterviewswiththreeindividualsundersingularcircumstances。\"ColonelParkerthenbrieflyrecountedtheepisodesofthelandlord，thegambler，MissJenkinsonandthepoetess，astheyhadbeenrelatedtohim。\"Yet，\"
hecontinued，\"allbutoneoftheseindividualsarewillingtoswearthattheynotonlybelieveDonJoseperfectlysane，butendowedwithasingularlysoundjudgment。Infact，thetestimonyofMr。HamlinandMissJenkinsonisremarkablyclearonthatsubject。\"
Thecompanyexchangedasupercilioussmile。\"Doyounotsee，O
SenorAdvocate，\"saidDonVincentecompassionately，\"thatthisisbutaconspiracytoavailthemselvesofourrelative’sweakness。
Ofanecessitytheyfindhimsanewhobenefitsthem。\"
\"Ihavethoughtofthat，andamgladtohearyousayso，\"returnedthelawyerstillmorecheerfully，\"foryourpromptopinionemboldensmetobeatonceperfectlyfrankwithyou。Brieflythen，DonJosehassummonedmeheretomakeafinaldispositionofhisproperty。Inthecarryingoutofcertaintheoriesofhis，whichitisnotmyprovincetoquestion，hehasresolveduponcomparativepovertyforhimselfasbestfittedforhispurpose，andtoemployhiswealthsolelyforothers。Infact，ofallhisvastpossessionsheretainsforhimselfonlyanincomesufficientforthebarenecessariesoflife。\"
\"Andyouhavedonethis？\"theyaskedinonevoice。
\"Notyet，\"saidthelawyer。
\"BlessedSanAntonio，wehavecomeintime！\"ejaculatedDonaCarmen。\"Anotherdayanditwouldhavebeentoolate;itwasaninspirationoftheBlessedInnocentsthemselves，\"saidDonaMaria，crossingherself。\"Canyoulongerdoubtthatthisisthewildestmadness？\"saidFatherFelipewithflashingeyes。
\"Yet，\"returnedthelawyer，caressinghisheavybeardwithameditativesmile，\"theingeniousfellowactuallyinstancedthevowsofYOUROWNORDER，reverendsir，asanexampleinsupportofhistheory。Buttobebrief。Conceiving，then，thathisholdingofpropertywasamereaccidentofheritage，notadmittedbyhim，unworthyhisacceptance，andarelicofsuperstitiousignorance\"——
\"ThisistheverysacrilegeofSatanicprepossession，\"brokeinthepriestindignantly。
\"Hetherefore，\"continuedthelawyercomposedly，\"makesoverandrevertsthewholeofhispossessions，withtheexceptionsIhavestated，tohisfamilyandtheChurch。\"
Abreathlessandstupefyingsilencefelluponthecompany。InthedeadhushthesoundofPollyJenkinson’spiano，playedinadistantroom，couldbedistinctlyheard。Withtheirvacanteyesstaringathimthespeakercontinued：
\"ThatdeedofgiftIhavedrawnupashedictatedit。Idon’tmindsayingthatintheopinionofsomehemightbedeclarednoncomposupontheevidenceofthatalone。IneednotsayhowrelievedIamtofindthatyouropinioncoincideswithmyown。\"
\"But，\"gaspedFatherFelipehurriedly，withaquickglanceattheothers，\"itdoesnotfollowthatitwillbenecessarytoresorttotheselegalmeasures。Care，counsel，persuasion——\"
\"Thegeneralministeringofkinship——nursing，awoman’scare——theinstinctsofaffection，\"pipedDonaMariainbreathlesseagerness。
\"Anylightsocialdistraction——aharmlessflirtation——apossibleattachment，\"suggestedDonaCarmenshyly。
\"Changeofscene——activeexercise——experiences——evenasthoseyouhaverelated，\"brokeinDonVincente。
\"IforonehaveeverbeenopposedtoLEGALmeasures，\"saidDonVictor。\"Amereconsultationoffriends——infact，afetelikethisissufficient。\"
\"Goodfriends，\"saidFatherFelipe，whohadbythistimerecoveredhimself，takingouthissnuff—boxportentously，\"itwouldseemtruly，fromthedocumentwhichthisdiscreetcaballerohasspokenof，thattheerrorsofourdearDonJoseareratherofmethodthanintent，andthatwhilewemayfreelyaccepttheone\"——
\"Pardon，\"interruptedColonelParkerwithblandpersistence，\"butI
mustpointouttoyouthatwhatwecallinlaw’aconsideration’isnecessarytothelegalityofaconveyance，eventhoughthatconsiderationbefrivolousandcalculatedtoimpairthevalidityofthedocument。\"
\"Truly，\"returnedthegoodpadreinsinuatingly;\"butifadiscreetadvocateweretosuggestthesubstitutionofsomemorepiousandreasonableconsideration\"——
\"Butthatwouldbemakingitaperfectlysaneandgratuitousdocument，notonlyglaringlyinconsistentwithyourcharges，mygoodfriends，withDonJose’sattitudetowardsyouandhisflightfromhome，butopentothegravestsuspicioninlaw。Infact，itsapparentproprietyinthefaceofthesefactswouldimplyimproperinfluence。\"
Thecountenancesofthecompanyfell。Thelawyer’sface，however，becamestillmoregood—humoredandsympathizing。\"Thecaseissimplythis。IfintheopinionofjudgeandjuryDonJoseisdeclaredinsane，thedocumentisworthlessexceptasaproofofthatfactorapossibleindicationoftheundueinfluenceofhisrelations，whichmightcompelthecourttoselecthisguardiansandtrusteeselsewherethanamongthem。\"
\"FriendAbogado，\"saidFatherFelipewithextraordinarydeliberation，\"thedocumentthouhastjustdescribedsoeloquentlyconvincesmebeyondalldoubtthatDonJoseisnotonlyperfectlysanebutendowedwithasingulardiscretion。Iconsideritasadelicateandhigh—spiritedintimationtous，hisfriendsandkinsmen，ofhisunalterableandlogicallyjustdevotiontohisfamilyandreligion，whatevermayseemtobehispoeticalandimaginativemannerofdeclaringit。Ithinkthereisnotonehere，\"continuedthepadre，lookingaroundhimimpressively，\"whoisnotentirelysatisfiedofDonJose’sreasonandcompetencytoarrangehisownaffairs。\"
\"Entirely，\"\"truly，\"\"perfectly，\"eagerlyrespondedtheotherswithaffectingspontaneity。
\"Nay，more。Topreventanymisconception，weshalldeemitourdutytotakeeveryopportunityofmakingourbeliefpubliclyknown，\"addedFatherFelipe。
ThepadreandColonelParkergazedlongandgravelyintoeachother’seyes。Itmayhavebeenaninnocenttouchofthesunlightthroughthewindow，butafaintgleamseemedtostealintothepupiloftheaffablelawyeratthesamemomentthat，probablyfromthelikecause，therewasaslightnervouscontractionofthelefteyelidofthepiousfather。Butitpassed，andthenextinstantthedooropenedtoadmitDonJoseSepulvida。
Hewasatonceseizedandeffusivelyembracedbytheentirecompanywitheveryprotestofaffectionandrespect。notonlyMr。HamlinandMr。Jenkinson，whoaccompaniedhimasinvitedguests，butRoberto，inanewsuitofclothesandguiltlessofstainortraceofdissipation，sharedinthepronouncedfriendlinessofthekinsmen。PadreFelipetooksnuff，ColonelParkerblewhisnosegently。
Norweretheylessdemonstrativeoftheirnewconvictionslateratthebanquet。DonJose，withJenkinsonandthepadreonhisrightandleft，preservedhisgentleandhalf—melancholydignityinthemidstofthenoisyfraternization。EvenPadreFelipe，inabriefspeechorexhortationproposingthehealthoftheirhost，lenthimselfinhisowntonguetothispolitecongeniality。\"Wehavehadalso，myfriendsandbrothers，\"hesaidinperoration，\"apleasingexampleofthecomplimentofimitationshownbyourbelovedDonJose。NoonewhohasknownhimduringhisfriendlysojourninthiscommunitybutwillbestruckwiththeconvictionthathehasacquiredthatmostmarvelousfacultyofyourgreatAmericannation，theexhibitionofhumorandofthepracticaljoke。\"
EveryeyewasturnedupontheimperturbablefaceofDonJoseasheslowlyrosetoreply。\"Inbiddingyoutothisfete，myfriendsandkinsmen，\"hebegancalmly，\"itwaswiththeintentionofformallyembracingthehabits，customs，andspiritofAmericaninstitutionsbycertainmethodsofrenunciationofthepast，asbecameacaballeroofhonorandresolution。Thosemethodsmaypossiblybeknowntosomeofyou。\"Hepausedforamomentasiftoallowthemembersofhisfamilytolookunconscious。\"Sincethen，inthewisdomofGod，ithasoccurredtomethatmypurposemaybeashonorablyeffectedbyadiscreetblendingofthepastandthepresent——inaword，bythejudiciouscombinationoftheinterestsofmynativepeopleandtheAmericannation。Inconsiderationofthatpurpose，friendsandkinsmen，IaskyoutojoinmeindrinkingthegoodhealthofmyhostSenorJenkinson，myfuturefather—in—
law，fromwhomIhaveto—dayhadthehonortodemandthehandofthepeerlessPolly，hisdaughter，asthefuturemistressoftheRanchooftheBlessedInnocents。\"
Themarriagetookplaceshortlyafter。NorwasthefreewillandindependenceofDonJoseSepulvidaintheleastopposedbyhisrelations。Whethertheyfelttheyhadalreadycommittedthemselves，orhadhopesinthefuture，didnottranspire。Enoughthattheescapadeofaweekwastacitlyforgotten。Theonlyallusionevermadetothebridegroom’speculiaritieswasdrawnfromthedemurelipsofthebrideherselfonherinstallationatthe\"BlessedInnocents。\"
\"Andwhat，littleone，didstthoufindinmetoadmire？\"DonJosehadaskedtenderly。
\"Oh，youseemedtobesomuchlikethatdearoldDonQuixote，youknow，\"sheanswereddemurely。
\"DonQuixote，\"repeatedDonJosewithgentlegravity。\"But，mychild，thatwasonlyamerefiction——aromance，ofoneCervantes。
Believeme，ofatruththereneverwasanysuchperson！\"
ASECRETOFTELEGRAPHHILL
I。
AsMr。HerbertBlyglancedforthefirsttimeatthehousewhichwastobehisfutureabodeinSanFrancisco，hewassomewhatstartled。Inthatearlyperiodoffeverishcivicimprovementthestreetbeforeithadbeenrepeatedlygradedandlowereduntilthedwelling——originallyapioneersuburbanvillapercheduponaslopeofTelegraphHill——nowstoodsixtyfeetabovethesidewalk，superposedlikesomeSwisschaletonsuccessivegalleriesbuiltinthesand—hill，andconnectedbyahalf—dozendistinctzigzagflightsofwoodenstaircase。Stimulated，however，bythethoughtthattheviewfromthetopwouldbeafineone，andthatexistencetherewouldhaveallthequaintoriginalityofRobinsonCrusoe’stree—dwelling，Mr。Blybegancheerfullytomountthesteps。Itshouldbepremisedthat，althougharecentlyappointedclerkinalargebankinghouse，Mr。Blywassomewhatyouthfulandimaginative，andregardedtheascentaspartofthat\"Excelsior\"climbingpointedoutbyagreatpoetasapraiseworthyfunctionofambitiousyouth。
Reachingatlasttheleveloftheveranda，heturnedtotheview。
ThedistantwoodedshoreofContraCosta，thetossingwhite—capsanddancingsailsofthebaybetween，andtheforegroundathisfeetofwharvesandpiers，withtheirreed—likejunglesofmastsandcordage，madeupabright，ifsomewhatmaterial，picture。Tohisrightrosethecrestofthehill，historicandmemorableasthesiteoftheoldsemaphorictelegraph，thetossingofwhosegauntarmsformerlythrilledthecitizenswithtidingsfromthesea。
Turningtothehouse，herecognizedtheprevailingstyleoflightcottagearchitecture，althoughincongruouslyconfinedtonarrowbuildingplotsandthecivicregularityofaprecisestreetfrontage。Thusadozenothervillas，formerlyscatteredovertheslope，hadbeenlaboriouslydisplacedandmovedtotherigorousparadelinedrawnbythestreetsurveyor，nomatterhowirregularandindependenttheirdesignandstructure。Happily，thefewscrub—oaksandlowbusheswhichformedthescantvegetationofthisvastsandduneofferednoobstacleandsuggestednoincongruity。
BesidethehousebeforewhichMr。Blynowstood，aprolificMadeiravine，quickenedbythesixmonths’sunshine，hadalonesurvivedthedisplacementofitsfoundations，andinitsuntrimmedluxuriancehalfhidtheupperverandafromhisview。
Stillglowingwithhisexertion，theyoungmanrangthebellandwasadmittedintoafair—sizeddrawing—room，whosetastefulandwell—arrangedfurnitureatonceprepossessedhim。Anopenpiano，asheetofmusiccarelesslyleftonthestool，anovellyingfacedownwardsonthetablebesideaskeinofsilk，andthedistantrustleofavanishedskirtthroughaninnerdoor，gaveasuggestionofrefineddomesticitytotheroomthattouchedthefancyofthehomelessandnomadicBly。Hewasstillenjoying，inhalfembarrassment，thatvagueandindescribableatmosphereofarefinedwoman’shabitualpresence，whenthedooropenedandthemistressofthehouseformallypresentedherself。
Shewasafadedbutstillhandsomewoman。Yetsheworethatpeculiarlong，limp，formlesshouse—shawlwhichincertainphasesofAnglo—Saxonspinsterandwidowhoodassumesthefunctionsoftherecluse’sveilandannouncestherenunciationofworldlyvanitiesandaresignedindifferencetoexternalfemininecontour。Themostaudaciousmasculinearmwouldshrinkfromclaspingthatshapelessvoidinwhichtheflatnessofasceticismortheheavingsofpassionmightalikelieburied。Shehadalsoinsomemysteriouswayimportedintothefreshandpleasantroomacertainbombazinyshadowofthepast，andasuggestionofthatappallingreminiscenceknownas\"betterdays。\"Thoughwhyitshouldbealwaysrepresentedbyashenmemories，orwhybetterdaysinthepastshouldbesupposedtofixtheirfittingsymbolindepressioninthepresent，Mr。Blywastooyoungandtoopreoccupiedatthemomenttodetermine。Heonlyknewthathewasalittlefrightenedofher，andfixedhisgazewithahopelessfascinationonaletterwhichshesomewhatportentouslycarriedundertheshawl，andwhichseemedalreadytohaveyellowedinitsarcticshade。
\"Mr。Carstonehaswrittentomethatyouwouldcall，\"saidMrs。
Brookswithlanguidformality。\"Mr。Carstonewasavaluedfriendofmylatehusband，andIsupposehastoldyouthecircumstances——
theonlycircumstances——whichadmitofmyentertaininghispropositionoftakinganybody，eventemporarily，undermyroof。
TheabsenceofmydearsonforsixmonthsatPortland，Oregon，enablesmetoplacehisroomatthedisposalofMr。Carstone’syoungprotege，who，Mr。Carstonetellsme，andIhaveeveryreasontobelieve，is，ifperhapsnotsoseriouslyinclinednoryetachurchcommunicant，stillofacharacterandreputationnotunworthytofollowmydearTappingtoninourlittlefamilycircleashehasathisdeskinthebank。\"
ThesensitiveBly，strugglingpainfullyoutofanabstractionastohowhewasevertooffertheweeklyrentofhislodgingstosucharemoteandrespectableperson，andalsosomewhatembarrassedatbeingappealedtointhethirdperson，herestartedandbowed。
\"ThenameofBlyisnotunfamiliartome，\"continuedMrs。Brooks，pointingtoachairandsinkingresignedlyintoanother，whereherbalefulshawlatonceassumedtheappearanceofadust—cover;\"someofmydearestfriendswereintimatewiththeBlysofPhiladelphia。
TheywereabranchoftheMarylandBlysoftheeasternshore，ofwhommyUncleJamesmarried。Perhapsyouaredistantlyrelated？\"
Mrs。BrookswasperfectlyawarethathervisitorwasofunknownWesternorigin，andapoorbutcleverprotegeoftherichbanker;
butshewasoneofacertainclassofAmericanwomenwho，inthemidstofafiercedemocracy，aremoreorlesscat—likeconservatorsoffamilyprideandlineage，andmoreorlessfelinelyinconsistentandtreacheroustorepublicanprinciples。Bly，whohadjustsettledinhismindtosendhertherentanonymously——asaweeklyvalentine——recoveredhimselfandhisspiritsinhisusualboyishfashion。
\"Iamafraid，Mrs。Brooks，\"hesaidgayly，\"Icannotlayclaimtoanydistinguishedrelationship，eventothat’NellyBly’who，youremember，’winkedhereyewhenshewenttosleep。’\"Hestoppedinconsternation。Theterribleconvictionflasheduponhimthatthisquotationfromapopularnegro—minstrelsongcouldnotpossiblyberememberedbyaladyasrefinedashishostess，orevenknowntohersuperiorson。TheconvictionwasintensifiedbyMrs。Brooksrisingwithasmilelessface，slightlysheddingthepossiblevulgaritywithashakeofhershawl，andremarkingthatshewouldshowhimherson’sroom，ledthewayupstairstotheapartmentrecentlyvacatedbytheperfectTappington。
Precededbythesamedistantflutterofunseenskirtsinthepassagewhichhehadfirstnoticedonenteringthedrawing—room，andwhichevidentlydidnotproceedfromhiscompanion，whoseself—
composedcerementswouldhaverepressedanysuchindecorousagitation，Mr。Blysteppedtimidlyintotheroom。Itwasaveryprettyapartment，suggestingthesametouchesoftastefulrefinementinitsfurnitureandappointments，andwithalsofeminineinitsneatnessandregularity，that，consciousofhisfrontierhabitsandexperience，hefeltatoncerepulsivelyincongruous。\"Icannotexpect，Mr。Bly，\"saidMrs。Brooksresignedly，\"thatyoucansharemyson’sextremesensitivenesstodisorderandirregularity;butImustbegyoutoavoidasmuchaspossibledisturbingthearrangementofthebook—shelves，which，youobserve，comprisehisbooksofseriousreference，theBiblicalcommentaries，andthesermonswhichwerehishabitualstudy。I
mustbegyoutoexercisethesamecareinreferencetothevaluableofferingsfromhisSabbath—schoolscholarswhichareuponthemantel。Theembroideredbook—marker，thegiftoftheyoungladiesofhisBible—classinDr。Stout’schurch，isalso，youperceive，keptforornamentandaffectionateremembrance。Theharmonium——
evenifyouarenotyourselfgiventosacredsong——Itrustyouwillnotfindinyourway，norobjecttomydaughtercontinuingherpracticeduringyourdailyabsence。Thankyou。Thedooryouarelookingatleadsbyaflightofstepstothesidestreet。\"
\"Averyconvenientarrangement，\"saidBlyhopefully，whosawachanceforanoccasionalunostentatiousescapefromatooprotractedcontemplationofTappington’sperfections。\"Imean，\"headdedhurriedly，\"toavoiddisturbingyouatnight。\"
\"Ibelievemysonhadneitherthenecessitynordesiretouseitforthatpurpose，\"returnedMrs。Brooksseverely;\"althoughhefounditsometimesaconvenientshortcuttochurchonSabbathwhenhewaslate。\"
Bly，whoinhisboyishsensitivenesstoexternalimpressionshadbythistimeconcludedthatalifedividedbetweenthepastperfectionsofTappingtonandthepresentrenunciationsofMrs。
Brookswouldbeintolerable，andwasagainabstractedlyinventingsomedelicateexcuseforwithdrawingwithoutcommittinghimselffurther，washeresuddenlyattractedbyarepetitionoftherustlingoftheunseenskirt。Thistimeitwasnearer，andthistimeitseemedtostrikeevenMrs。Brooks’sremotepreoccupation。
\"Mydaughter，whoisdeeplydevotedtoherbrother，\"shesaid，slightlyraisinghervoice，\"willtakeuponherselfthecareoflookingafterTappington’spreciousmementoes，andspareyouthetrouble。Cherry，dear！thisway。ThisistheyounggentlemanspokenofbyMr。Carstone，yourpapa’sfriend。MydaughterCherubina，Mr。Bly。\"
Thefairowneroftherustlingskirt，whichturnedouttobeaprettyFrenchprint，hadappearedatthedoorway。Shewasatall，slimblonde，withashy，startledmanner，asofapenitentnunwhowassufferingforsomeconventualtransgression——aresemblancethatwasheightenedbyhershort—cuthair，thatmighthavebeencroppedasifforpunishment。Acertainlikenesstohermothersuggestedthatshewasqualifyingforthatsaint’sasceticshawl——subject，however，torebelliousintervals，indicatedintheoccasionalsidelongfiresofhergrayeyes。Yetthevagueimpressionthatsheknewmoreoftheworldthanhermother，andthatshedidnotlookatallasifhernamewasCherubina，struckBlyinthesamemomentaryglance。
\"Mr。BlyisnaturallypleasedwithwhathehasseenofourdearTappington’sappointments;andasIgatherfromMr。Carstone’sletterthatheisanxioustoenteratonceandmakethemostofthedearboy’sabsence，youwillsee，mydearCherry，thatEllenhaseverythingreadyforhim？\"
BeforetheunfortunateBlycouldexplainorprotest，theyounggirlliftedhergrayeyestohis。Whethershehadperceivedandunderstoodhisperplexityhecouldnottell;buttheswiftshyglancewasatonceappealing，assuring，andintelligent。Shewascertainlyunlikehermotherandbrother。Actingwithhisusualimpulsiveness，heforgothispreviousresolution，andbeforehelefthadengagedtobeginhisoccupationoftheroomonthefollowingday。
Thenextafternoonfoundhiminstalled。Yet，afterhehadunpackedhismodestpossessionsandputthemaway，afterhehadplacedhisfewbooksontheshelves，wheretheylookedglaringlytrivialandfrivolousbesidethelatetenant’sseverestudies;afterhehadsetouthisscantytreasuresinthewayofphotographsandsomecuriousmementoesofhiswanderinglife，andthenquicklyputthembackagainwithasuddenangryprideatexposingthemtotheunsympatheticincongruityoftheotherornaments，he，nevertheless，feltillatease。Heglancedinvainaroundtheprettyroom。Itwasnotthedelicatelyfloweredwall—paper;itwasnotthewhiteandbluemuslinwindow—curtainsgracefullytiedupwithblueandwhiteribbons;itwasnotthespotlessbed，withitsblueandwhitefestoonedmosquito—netandflouncedvalances，anditsmedallionportraitofanunknownbishopattheback;itwasnotthefewtastefullyframedengravingsofcertaincardinalvirtues，\"TheRockofAges，\"and\"TheGuardianAngel\";itwasnotthecastsinreliefof\"Night\"and\"Morning\";itwascertainlynotthecosydimity—
coveredarm—chairsandsofa，noryettheclean—sweptpolishedgratewithitscheerfulfiresparklingagainstthechillafternoonsea—
fogswithout;neitherwasitthemerefemininesuggestion，forthattouchedasympatheticchordinhisimpulsivenature;northereligiousandasceticinfluence，forhehadoccupiedamonasticcellinaschoolofthepadresatanoldmission，andsleptprofoundly;——itwasnoneofthose，andyetapartofall。Mosthabitationsretainacastorshelloftheirprevioustenantthat，fittingtightlyorloosely，isstillabletoadjustitselftothenewcomer;inmostoccupiedapartmentsthereisstillashadowysuggestionoftheowner’sindividuality;therewasnothingherethatfittedBly——norwasthereeither，strangetosay，anyevidenceofthepastproprietorinthisinhospitalityofsensation。ItdidnotstrikehimatthetimethatitwasthisveryLACKofindividualitywhichmadeitweirdandunreal，thatitwasstrangeonlybecauseitwasARTIFICIAL，andthataREALTappingtonhadneverinhabitedit。
Hewalkedtothewindow——thatnever—failingresourceoftheunquietmind——andlookedout。Hewasalittlesurprisedtofind，that，owingtothegradingofthehouse，thescrub—oaksandbushesofthehillwerenearlyonthelevelofhiswindow，asalsowastheadjoiningsidestreetonwhichhisseconddooractuallygave。
Openingthis，thesuddeninvasionofthesea—fogandthefigureofapedestriancasuallypassingalongthedisusedandabandonedpavementnotadozenfeetfromwherehehadbeencomfortablyseated，presentedsuchastrikingcontrasttothestudiousquietandcosinessofhissecludedapartmentthathehurriedlyclosedthedooragainwithasenseofindiscreetexposure。Returningtothewindow，heglancedtotheleft，andfoundthathewasoverlookedbythesideverandaofanothervillaintherear，evidentlyonitswaytotakepositiononthelineofthestreet。Althoughinactualanddeliberatetransitonrollersacrossthebackyardandstilloccultingapartoftheview，itremained，aftertherecklessfashionoftheperiod，inhabited。Certainly，withadoorfrontingathoroughfare，andaneighborgraduallyapproachinghim，hewouldnotfeellonelyorlackexcitement。
Hedrewhisarm—chairtothefireandtriedtorealizetheall—
pervadingyetevasiveTappington。Therewasnoportraitofhiminthehouse，andalthoughMrs。Brookshadsaidthathe\"favored\"hissister，Blyhad，withoutknowingwhy，instinctivelyresentedit。
Hehadeventimidlyaskedhisemployer，andhadreceivedthevaguereplythathewas\"good—lookingenough，\"andthepracticalbutdiscomposingretort，\"Whatdoyouwanttoknowfor？\"Ashereallydidnotknowwhy，theinquiryhaddropped。Hestaredatthemonumentalcrystalink—standhalffullofink，yetspotlessandfreefromstains，thatstoodonthetable，andtriedtopictureTappingtondaintilydippingintoittothankthefairdonors——
\"daughtersofRebecca。\"Whowerethey？andwhatsortofmanwouldtheynaturallyfeelgratefulto？
Whatwasthat？
Heturnedtothewindow，whichhadjustresoundedtoaslighttaporblow，asifsomethingsofthadstruckit。Withaninstinctivesuspicionofthepropinquityoftheadjoiningstreetherose，butasingleglancefromthewindowsatisfiedhimthatnomissilewouldhavereacheditfromthence。Hescannedthelowbushesonthelevelbeforehim;certainlynoonecouldbehidingthere。Heliftedhiseyestowardthehouseontheleft;thecurtainsofthenearestwindowappearedtobedrawnsuddenlyatthesamemoment。
Couldithavecomefromthere？Lookingdownuponthewindow—ledge，therelaythemysteriousmissile——alittlemisshapenball。Heopenedthewindowandtookitup。Itwasasmallhandkerchieftiedintoasoftknot，anddampenedwithwatertogiveitthenecessaryweightasaprojectile。
Wasitapparentlythetrickofamischievouschild？or——
Buthereafaintknockonthedoorleadingintothehallcheckedhisinquiry。Heopeneditsharplyinhisexcitement，andwasembarrassedtofindthedaughterofhishostessstandingthere，shy，startled，andevidentlyequallyembarrassedbyhisabruptresponse。
\"MotheronlywantedmetoaskyouifEllenhadputeverythingtorights，\"shesaid，makingastepbackwards。
\"Oh，thankyou。Perfectly，\"saidHerbertwitheffusion。\"Nothingcouldbebetterdone。Infact\"——
\"You’requitesureshehasn’tforgottenanything？orthatthereisn’tanythingyouwouldlikechanged？\"shecontinued，withhereyesleveledonthefloor。
\"Nothing，Iassureyou，\"hesaid，lookingatherdowncastlashes。
Asshestillremainedmotionless，hecontinuedcheerfully，\"Wouldyou——wouldyou——caretolookroundandsee？\"
\"No;Ithankyou。\"
Therewasanawkwardpause。Hestillcontinuedtoholdthedooropen。Suddenlyshemovedforwardwithaschool—girlstride，enteredtheroom，andgoingtotheharmonium，satdownuponthemusic—stoolbesideit，slightlybendingforward，withonelong，slim，whitehandontopoftheother，restingoverhercrossedknees。
Herbertwasalittlepuzzled。Itwastheawkwardandbrusqueactofaveryyoungperson，andyetnothingnowcouldbemoregentleandself—composedthanherfigureandattitude。
\"Yes，\"hecontinued，smilingly;\"IamonlyafraidthatImaynotbeabletolivequiteuptotheneatnessandregularityoftheexampleIfindhereeverywhere。YouknowIamdreadfullycarelessandnotatallorderly。Ishuddertothinkwhatmayhappen;butyouandyourmother，MissBrooks，Itrust，willmakeupyourmindstooverlookandforgiveagooddeal。IshalldomybesttobeworthyofMr。Tap——ofmypredecessor——buteventhenIamafraidyou’llfindmeagreatbother。\"
Sheraisedhershyeyelids。Thefaintestghostofalong—burieddimplecameintoherpalecheekasshesaidsoftly，tohisutterconsternation：
\"Rats！\"
HadsheutteredanoathhecouldnothavebeenmorestartledthanhewasbythischoicegemofWesternsaloon—slangfromthepurelipsofthisEvangeline—likefigurebeforehim。Hesatgazingatherwithawildhystericdesiretolaugh。Sheliftedhereyesagain，swepthimwithaslightlyterrifiedglance，andsaid：
\"Tapsaysyouallsaythatwhenanyonemakes—believepolitenesstoyou。\"
\"Oh，yourBROTHERsaysthat，doeshe？\"saidHerbert，laughing。
\"Yes，andsometimes’Oldrats。’But，\"shecontinuedhurriedly，\"HE
doesn’tsayit;hesaysYOUalldo。Mybrotherisveryparticular，andverygood。DoctorStoutloveshim。HeisthoughtverymuchofinallChristiancircles。Thatbook—markwasgiventohimbyoneofhisclasses。\"
Everytraceofherdimpleshadvanished。Shelookedsosweetlygrave，andwithalsomaidenly，sittingthereslightlysmoothingthelengthsofherpinkfingers，thatHerbertwassomewhatembarrassed。
\"ButIassureyou，MissBrooks，Iwasnotmaking—believe。Iamreallyverycareless，andeverythingissoproper——Imeansoneatandpretty——here，thatI\"——hestopped，and，observingthesamebackwardwanderingofhereyeasofafillyabouttoshy，quicklychangedthesubject。\"Youhave，orareabouttohave，neighbors？\"
hesaid，glancingtowardsthewindowsasherecalledtheincidentofamomentbefore。
\"Yes;andthey’renotatallnicepeople。TheyarefromPikeCounty，andveryqueer。Theycameacrosstheplainsin’50。Theysay’Stranger’;themenarevulgar，andthegirlsveryforward。
Tapforbidsmyevergoingtothewindowandlookingatthem。
They’requitewhatyouwouldcall’offcolor。’\"
Herbert，whodidnotdaretosaythatheneverwouldhavedreamedofusingsuchanexpressioninanyyounggirl’spresence，wasplungedinsilentconsternation。
\"Thenyourbrotherdoesn’tapproveofthem？\"hesaid，atlast，awkwardly。
\"Oh，notatall。Heeventalkedofhavingground—glassputinallthesewindows，onlyitwouldmakethelightbad。\"
Herbertfeltveryembarrassed。Ifthemysteriousmissilecamefromtheseobjectionableyoungpersons，itwasevidentlybecausetheythoughttheyhaddetectedamoreaccessibleandsympathizingindividualinthestrangerwhonowoccupiedtheroom。Heconcludedhehadbetternotsayanythingaboutit。
MissBrooks’sgoldeneyelasheswerebenttowardsthefloor。\"Doyouplaysacredmusic，Mr。Bly？\"shesaid，withoutraisingthem。
\"Iamafraidnot。\"
\"Perhapsyouknowonlynegro—minstrelsongs？\"
\"Iamafraid——yes。\"
\"Iknowone。\"Thedimplesfaintlycamebackagain。\"It’scalled’TheHam—fatMan。’Somedaywhenmotherisn’tinI’llplayitforyou。\"
Thenthedimplesfledagain，andsheimmediatelylookedsodistressedthatHerbertcametoherassistance。
