Thisnew—borndesiretobeofservicetoherrediscoveredpeoplewasnotlongwithoutanopportunityforexpression。YettheFateswilledthatherfutureshouldbebutanotherlinkinaconnectedchain：shewastobeaspowerlesstoputasideherrecentpastasshehadbeentoescapefromtheinfluenceofherearlierlife。Therearesordidsoulsthateatanddrinkandbreedanddie，andimaginetheyhavelived。ButRena’slifesincehergreatawakeninghadbeenthatoftheemotions，andhertemperamentmadeofitacontinuouslife。Hersuccessivestatesofconsciousnesswerenotdetachable，butunitedtoformasingleifnotanentirelyharmoniouswhole。Tohersensitivespiritto—daywasbornofyesterday，to—morrowwouldbebuttheoffspringoftoday。
Oneday，alongtowardnoon，hermotherreceivedavisitfromMaryB。Pettifoot，asecondcousin，wholivedonBackStreet，onlyashortdistancefromthehousebehindthecedars。Renahadgoneout，sothatthevisitorfoundMis’Mollyalone。
\"Ihearedyousay，CousinMolly，\"saidMaryB。（nooneeverknewwhattheB。inMary’snamestoodfor，——itwasamereornamentalflourish），\"thatRenawastalkin’’boutteachin’school。I’vegotagoodchanceferher，efshekeerstertakeit。MycousinJeffWain’rivedintownthismo’nin’，f’m’waydowninSampsonCounty，tergitateacherfertheniggerschoolinhisdeestric’。
Is’posehemought’a’gotonef’m’roun’Newbern，erGoldsboro，ersomeerthemplaceseas’，buthe’lowedhe’dliketovisitsomeerhiskinan’olefrien’s，an’sokilltwobirdswithonestone。\"
\"Iseedastrangemulatterman，withabayhossan’anewbuggy，drivin’byherethismo’nin’early，fromdownto’dstheriver，\"rejoinedMis’Molly。
\"Iwonderifthatwuzhim？\"
\"Didhehaveonalinenduster？\"askedMaryB。
\"Yas，an’’pearedtobeaverywellsotupman，\"
repliedMis’Molly，\"’boutthirty—fiveyearsold，I
shouldreckon。\"
\"Thatwuzhim，\"assentedMaryB。\"He’sgotafinehossan’buggy，an’agol’watchan’chain，an’abigplantation，an’lotserhossesan’mulesan’cowsan’hawgs。Heraise’fiftybalesercottonlas’year，an’he’sbe’nterthelegislatur’。\"
\"Mygracious！\"exclaimedMis’Molly，struckwithaweatthiscatalogueofthestranger’spossessions——
hewasevidentlyworthmorethanagreatmany\"rich\"whitepeople，——allwhitepeopleinNorthCarolinainthosedayswereeither\"rich\"or\"poor，\"thedistinctionbeingoneofcasteratherthanofwealth。\"Ishemarried？\"sheinquiredwithinterest？
\"No，——single。Youmought’lowitwasquarethatheshouldn’bemarriedathisage；buthewascrossedinloveoncet，\"——MaryB。heavedaself—conscioussigh，——\"an’hasstayedsingleeversence。Thatwuztenyearsago，butassomehusban’sislong—lived，an’thereain’nomo’chancefer’imnowthantherewuzthen，Ireckonsomenicegalmoughtstan’agoodshowerketchin’’im，efshe’dplayherkyardsright。\"
ToMis’Mollythiswasnewsofconsiderableimportance。ShehadnotthoughtagreatdealofRena’splantoteach；sheconsidereditloweringforRena，afterhavingbeenwhite，togoamongthenegroesanymorethanwasunavoidable。Thisopportunity，however，meantmorethanmereemploymentforherdaughter。ShehadfeltRena’sdisappointmentkeenly，fromthepracticalpointofview，and，blamingherselfforit，heldherselfallthemoreboundtoretrievethemisfortuneinanypossibleway。Ifshehadnotbeensick，RenawouldnothavedreamedthefatefuldreamthathadbroughthertoPatesville；fortheconnectionbetweenthevisionandtherealitywasevencloserinMis’Molly’seyesthaninRena’s。Ifthemotherhadnotsenttheletterannouncingherillnessandconfirmingthedream，RenawouldnothaveruinedherpromisingfuturebycomingtoPatesville。Buttheharmhadbeendone，andshewasresponsible，ignorantlyofcourse，butnonethelesstruly，anditonlyremainedforhertomakeamends，asfaraspossible。Herhighestambition，sinceRenahadgrownup，hadbeentoseehermarriedandcomfortablysettledinlife。ShehadnohopethatTryonwouldcomeback。Renahaddeclaredthatshewouldmakenofurtherefforttogetawayfromherpeople；and，furthermore，thatshewouldnevermarry。TothislatterstatementMis’Mollysecretlyattachedbutlittleimportance。ThatawomanshouldgosinglefromthecradletothegravedidnotaccordwithherexperienceinlifeofthecustomsofNorthCarolina。Sherespectedagriefshecouldnotentirelyfathom，yetdidnotforamomentbelievethatRenawouldremainunmarried。
\"You’dbetterfetchhimroun’toseeme，Ma’yB。，\"shesaid，\"an’let’sseewhathelookslike。
I’mpertic’lar’boutmygal。Shesayssheain’tgoin’tomarrynobody；butofco’seweknowthat’sallfoolishness。\"
\"I’llfetchhimroun’thisevenin’’boutthreeo’clock，\"saidthevisitor，rising。\"Imus’hurrybacknowan’keephimcomp’ny。TellRenaterputonherbes’biban’tucker；forMr。Wainispertic’lartoo，an’I’vealreadybe’nbraggin’’boutherlooks。\"
WhenMaryB。，attheappointedhour，knockedatMis’Molly’sfrontdoor，——thevisitbeingoneofceremony，shehadtakenhercousinroundtotheFrontStreetentranceandthroughtheflowergarden，——Mis’Mollywaspreparedtoreceivethem。
Afteradecentinterval，longenoughtosuggestthatshehadnotbeenwatchingtheirapproachandwasnotover—eageraboutthevisit，sheansweredtheknockandadmittedthemintotheparlor。Mr。
Wainwasformallyintroduced，andseatedhimselfontheancienthairclothsofa，undertheframedfashion—plate，whileMaryB。satbytheopendoorandfannedherselfwithapalm—leaffan。
Mis’Molly’simpressionofWainwasfavorable。
Hiscomplexionwasofalightbrown——notquitesofairasMis’Mollywouldhavepreferred；butanydeficiencyinthisregard，orinthematterofthestranger’sfeatures，which，whilenotunpleasing，leanedtowardthebroadmulattotype，wasmorethancompensatedinhereyesbyverystraightblackhair，and，assoonappeared，agreatfacilityofcomplimentaryspeech。OnhisintroductionMr。Wainbowedlow，assumedanairofgreatadmiration，andexpressedhisextremedelightinmakingtheacquaintanceofsodistinguished—lookingalady。
\"You’reflatt’rin’me，Mr。Wain，\"returnedMis’
Molly，withagratifiedsmile。\"Butyouwanttomeetmydaughterbefo’youcommenceth’owin’
bokays。Excusemyleavin’you——I’llgoan’fetchher。\"
Shereturnedinamoment，followedbyRena。
\"Mr。Wain，’lowmetoint’oduceyoutomydaughterRena。Rena，thisisMa’yB。’scousinonherpappy’sside，who’scomeupfromSampsontogitaschool—teacher。\"
Renabowedgracefully。Wainstaredamomentingenuineastonishment，andthenbenthimselfnearlydouble，keepinghiseyesfixedmeanwhileuponRena’sface。Hehadexpectedtoseeaprettyyellowgirl，buthadbeenpreparedfornosuchradiantvisionofbeautyasthiswhichnowconfrontedhim。
\"Does——doesyoumeantersay，Mis’Walden，dat——datdisyoungladyisyo’owndaughter？\"
hestammered，rallyinghisforcesforaction。
\"Whynot，Mr。Wain？\"askedMis’Molly，bridlingwithmockresentment。\"Doyoumeanter’lowthatshewuzchangedinhercradle，erisshetoogood—lookin’tobemydaughter？\"
\"MydeahMis’Walden！it’udbewastin’wo’dsfermetersaydatdeyain’noyoungladytoogood—
lookin’terbeyo’daughter；butyou’relookin’
soyoungyo’sefdatI’druthertakeherferyo’
sister。\"
\"Yas，\"rejoinedMis’Molly，withanimation，\"theyain’tmanyyearsbetweenus。Iwuzrutheryoungmyselfwhenshewuzbo’n。\"
\"An’，mo’over，\"Wainwenton，\"ittakesmeaminuteersotergitmymin’use’terthinkin’erMis’Renaasaculludyounglady。Imought’a’
seedherahund’edtimes，an’I’d’a’neverdreamtbutw’atshewuzaw’iteyounglady，f’moneerdebes’families。\"
\"Yas，Mr。Wain，\"repliedMis’Mollycomplacently，\"allthreeermychild’enwuzwhite，an’
oneof’emhasbe’nontheothersidefermanylongyears。Renahasbe’ntoschool，an’hastraveled，an’hashadchances——betterchancesthananybodyroun’hereknows。\"
\"She’sjes’deladyI’mlookin’fer，terteachou’
school，\"rejoinedWain，withemphasis。\"Widherschoolin’an’myriccommen’，shekingitafus’—
classce’tifikitan’drawfo’tydollarsamonth；an’
aladyerhercolorkinkeepaloterlittleniggersstraighter’nadarkerladycould。Wejus’gotterhaveherterteachou’school——efwekingither。\"
Rena’sinterestintheprospectofemploymentatherchosenworkwassogreatthatshepaidlittleattentiontoWain’scompliments。Mis’MollyledMaryB。awaytothekitchenonsomepretext，andleftRenatoentertainthegentleman。Shequestionedhimeagerlyabouttheschool，andhegavethemostglowingaccountsoftheelegantschool—
house，thebrightpupils，andthecongenialsocietyoftheneighborhood。Hespokealmostentirelyinsuperlatives，and，aftermakingdueallowanceforwhatRenaperceivedtobeatemperamentaltendencytoexaggeration，sheconcludedthatshewouldfindintheschoolaworthyfieldofusefulness，andinthispoliteandgood—naturedthoughsomewhatwordymanacoadjutoruponwhomshecouldrelyinherfirstefforts；forshewasnotover—confidentofherpowers，whichseemedtogrowlessasthewayopenedfortheirexercise。
\"DoyouthinkI’mcompetenttoteachtheschool？\"sheaskedofthevisitor，afterstatingsomeofherqualifications。
\"Oh，dere’snodoubtaboutit，MissRena，\"
repliedWain，whohadlistenedwithanairofgreatwisdom，thoughsecretlyawarethathewastooignorantofletterstoformajudgment；\"youkinteachdeschoolallright，an’couldefyoudidn’tknowhalfezmuch。Youwon’thavenotroublemanagin’dechild’en，nuther。Efanyof’emgitsonruly，jes’callonmeferhe’p，an’I’llmake’emwalkSpanish。I’mchuhmanerdeschoolcommittee，an’I’lllamdehideoff’nanyscholardatdon’behave。Youkintrus’meferdat，sho’ezI’ma—settin’here。\"
\"Then，\"saidRena，\"I’llundertakeit，anddomybest。I’msureyou’llnotbetooexacting。\"
\"Yo’bes’，MissRena，’llbedebes’deyis。
Don’youworrynerfret。Demniggerswon’thavenootherteacherafterdey’veoncelaideyesonyou：I’llguaranteedat。Derewon’tbenotrouble，notabit。\"
\"Well，CousinMolly，\"saidMaryB。toMis’
Mollyinthekitchen，\"howdoestheplanstrikeyou？\"
\"EfRena’ssatisfied，Iam，\"repliedMis’Molly。
\"Butyou’dbettersaynothin’aboutketchin’abeau，oranysuchfoolishness，erelseshe’dbejustaslikelynottogonighSampsonCounty。\"
\"Befo’CousinJeffgoesback，\"confidedMaryB。，\"I’dliketergive’imaparty，butmyhouseistoosmall。Iwuzwonderin’，\"sheaddedtentatively，\"efIcouldn’borryyo’house。\"
\"Shorely，Ma’yB。I’mint’restedinMr。
WainonRena’saccount，an’it’saslittleasIkindotoletyouusemyhousean’helpyougitthingsready。\"
ThedateofthepartywassetforThursdaynight，asWainwastoleavePatesvilleonFridaymorning，takingwithhimthenewteacher。ThepartywouldservethedoublepurposeofacomplimenttotheguestandafarewelltoRena，anditmightprovetheprecursor，themothersecretlyhoped，ofotherfestivitiestofollowatsomelaterdate。
XXII
IMPERATIVEBUSINESS
OneWednesdaymorning，aboutsixweeksafterhisreturnhome，TryonreceivedaletterfromJudgeStraightwithreferencetothenoteleftwithhimatPatesvilleforcollection。Thiscommunicationproperlyrequiredananswer，whichmighthavebeenmadeinwritingwithinthecompassoftenlines。Nosooner，however，hadTryonreadtheletterthanhebegantoperceivereasonswhyitshouldbeansweredinperson。HehadleftPatesvilleunderextremelypainfulcircumstances，vowingthathewouldneverreturn；andyetnowthebarestpretext，bywhichnoonecouldhavebeendeceivedexceptwillingly，wassufficienttoturnhisfootstepsthitheragain。Heexplainedtohismother——withavaguenesswhichshefoundsomewhatpuzzling，butascribedtoherownfeminineobtusenessinmattersofbusiness——thereasonsthatimperativelydemandedhispresenceinPatesville。Withanearlystarthecoulddrivethereinoneday，——hehadanexcellentroadster，alightbuggy，andarecentrainhadlefttheroadingoodcondition，——adaywouldsufficeforthetransactionofhisbusiness，andthethirddaywouldbringhimhomeagain。HesetoutonhisjourneyonThursdaymorning，withthisprogrammeveryclearlyoutlined。
TryonwouldnotatfirsthaveadmittedeventohimselfthatRena’spresenceinPatesvillehadanybearingwhateveruponhisprojectedvisit。ThematteraboutwhichJudgeStraighthadwrittenmight，itwasclear，beviewedinseveralaspects。
Thejudgehadwrittenhimconcerningtheoneofimmediateimportance。Itwouldbemucheasiertodiscussthesubjectinallitsbearings，andcleanupthewholematter，inonecomprehensivepersonalinterview。
Theimportanceofthisbusiness，then，seemedveryurgentforthefirstfewhoursofTryon’sjourney。Ordinarilyacarefuldriverandmercifultohisbeast，hiseagernesstoreachPatesvilleincreasedgraduallyuntilitbecamenecessarytoexercisesomeself—restraintinordernottourgehisfaithfulmarebeyondherpowers；andsoonhecouldnolongerpretendobliviousnessofthefactthatsomeattractionstrongerthanthewholeamountofDuncanMcSwayne’snotewasurginghimirresistiblytowardhisdestination。Theoldtownbeyondthedistantriver，hishearttoldhimclamorously，heldtheobjectinalltheworldtohimmostdear。Memorybroughtupinvividdetaileverymomentofhisbriefandjoyouscourtship，eachtenderword，eachenchantingsmile，everyfondcaress。Helivedhispasthappinessoveragaindowntothemomentofthatfataldiscovery。Whathorriblefatewasitthathadinvolvedhim——nay，thathadcaughtthissweetdelicategirlinsuchablindalley？Awildhopeflashedacrosshismind：perhapstheghastlystorymightnotbetrue；perhaps，afterall，thegirlwasnomoreanegrothansheseemed。Hehadheardsadstoriesofwhitechildren，bornoutofwedlock，abandonedbysinfulparentstothecareoradoptionofcoloredwomen，whohadrearedthemastheirown，thechildren’sfuturebaselysacrificedtohidetheparents’shame。Hewouldconfrontthisreputedmotherofhisdarlingandwringthetruthfromher。Hewasinastateofmindwhereanysortofafairytalewouldhaveseemedreasonable。
Hewouldalmosthavebribedsomeonetotellhimthatthewomanhehadloved，thewomanhestillloved（hefeltathrilloflawlesspleasureintheconfession），wasnotthedescendantofslaves，——
thathemightmarryher，andnothavebeforehiseyesthegruesomefearthatsomeoneoftheirchildrenmightshoweventhefaintestmarkofthedespisedrace。
Atnoonhehaltedataconvenienthamlet，fedandwateredhismare，andresumedhisjourneyafteranhour’srest。Bythistimehehadwell—
nighforgottenaboutthelegalbusinessthatformedtheostensibleoccasionforhisjourney，andwasconsciousonlyofawilddesiretoseethewomanwhoseimagewasbeckoninghimontoPatesvilleasfastashishorsecouldtakehim。
Atsundownhestoppedagain，abouttenmilesfromthetown，andcaredforhisnowtiredbeast。
Heknewhercapacity，however，andcalculatedthatshecouldstandtheadditionaltenmileswithoutinjury。Themaresetoutwithreluctance，butsoonsettledresignedlydownintoasteadyjog。
MemoryhadhithertoassailedTryonwiththevisionofpastjoys。Ashenearedthetown，imaginationattackedhimwithstillmoremovingimages。Hehadlefther，thissweetflowerofwomankind——whiteornot，Godhadnevermadeafairer！——hehadseenherfalltothehardpavement，withheknewnotwhatresultinginjury。
Hehadlefthertenderframe——thetouchofherfinger—tipshadmadehimthrillwithhappiness——
tobeliftedbystrangehands，whilehewithheartlesspridehaddrivendeliberatelyaway，withoutawordofsorroworregret。Hehadignoredherascompletelyasthoughshehadneverexisted。Thathehadbeendeceivedwastrue。Buthadhenotaidedinhisowndeception？HadnotWarwicktoldhimdistinctlythattheywereofnofamily，andwasitnothisownfaultthathehadnotfollowedupthecluethusgivenhim？HadnotRenacomparedherselftothechild’snurse，andhadhenotassuredherthatifshewerethenurse，hewouldmarryhernextday？ThedeceptionhadbeenduemoretohisownblindnessthantoanylackofhonestyonthepartofRenaandherbrother。Inthelightofhispresentfeelingstheyseemedtohavebeenabsurdlyoutspoken。Hewasgladthathehadkepthisdiscoverytohimself。
Hehadconsideredhimselfverymagnanimousnottohaveexposedthefraudthatwasbeingperpetrateduponsociety：itwaswithaverycomfortablefeelingthathenowrealizedthatthematterwasasprofoundasecretasbefore。
\"Sheoughttohavebeenbornwhite，\"hemuttered，addingweakly，\"IwouldtoGodthatIhadneverfoundherout！\"
Drawingnearthebridgethatcrossedtherivertothetown，hepicturedtohimselfapalegirl，withsorrowful，tear—stainedeyes，piningawayintheoldgrayhousebehindthecedarsforloveofhim，dying，perhaps，ofabrokenheart。Hewouldhastentoher；hewoulddryhertearswithkisses；
hewouldexpresssorrowforhiscruelty。
ThetiredmarehadcrossedthebridgeandwasslowlytoilingupFrontStreet；shewasnearthelimitofherendurance，andTryondidnoturgeher。
Theymighttalkthematterover，andiftheymustpart，partatleasttheywouldinpeaceandfriendship。Ifhecouldnotmarryher，hewouldnevermarryanyoneelse；itwouldbecruelforhimtoseekhappinesswhileshewasdeniedit，for，havingoncegivenherhearttohim，shecouldnever，hewassure，——soinstinctivelyfinewashernature，——shecouldneverloveanyonelessworthythanhimself，andwouldthereforeprobablynevermarry。HeknewfromaClarenceacquaintance，whohadwrittenhimaletter，thatRenahadnotreappearedinthattown。
Ifheshoulddiscover——thechancewasoneinathousand——thatshewaswhite；orifheshouldfindittoohardtoleaveher——ah，well！hewasawhiteman，oneofaraceborntocommand。Hewouldmakeherwhite；noonebeyondtheoldtownwouldeverknowthedifference。If，perchance，theirsecretshouldbedisclosed，theworldwaswide；amanofcourageandambition，inspiredbylove，mightmakeacareeranywhere。Circumstancesmadeweakmen；strongmenmouldcircumstancestodotheirbidding。Hewouldnotlethisdarlingdieofgrief，whateverthepricemustbepaidforhersalvation。Shewasonlyafewrodsawayfromhimnow。Inamomenthewouldseeher；hewouldtakehertenderlyinhisarms，andhearttohearttheywouldmutuallyforgiveandforget，and，strengthenedbytheirlove，wouldfacethefutureboldlyandbidtheworlddoitsworst。
XXIII
THEGUESTOFHONOR
Theeveningofthepartyarrived。Thehousehadbeenthoroughlycleanedinpreparationfortheevent，anddecoratedwiththechoicesttreasuresofthegarden。Byeighto’clocktheguestshadgathered。
Theywereallmulattoes，——allpeopleofmixedbloodwerecalled\"mulattoes\"inNorthCarolina。Thereweredarkmulattoesandbrightmulattoes。Mis’Molly’sguestsweremostlyofthebrightclass，mostofthemmorethanhalfwhite，andfewofthemless。InMis’Molly’ssmallcircle，straighthairwastheonlypalliativeofadarkcomplexion。Manyoftheguestswouldnothavebeencasuallydistinguishablefromwhitepeopleofthepoorerclass。OthersboreunmistakabletracesofIndianancestry，——forCherokeeandTuscarorabloodwasquitewidelydiffusedamongthefreenegroesofNorthCarolina，thoughwell—nighlostsightofbythecuriouscustomofthewhitepeopletoignoreanythingbutthenegrobloodinthosewhoweretouchedbyitspotentcurrent。Veryfewofthosepresenthadbeenslaves。ThefreecoloredpeopleofPatesvillewerenumerousenoughbeforethewartohavetheirown\"society，\"andhumanenoughtodespisethosewhodidnotpossessadvantagesequaltotheirown；andatthistimetheystilllookeddownuponthosewhohadoncebeenheldinbondage。Theonlyblackmanpresentoccupiedachairwhichstoodonabroadchestinonecorner，andextractedmelodyfromafiddletowhichawholegenerationofthebestpeopleofPatesvillehaddancedandmademerry。UncleNeedhamseldomplayedforcoloredgatherings，butmadeanexceptioninMis’Molly’scase；shewasnotwhite，butheknewherpast；ifshewasnottherose，shehadatleastbeenneartherose。Whenthecompanyhadgathered，MaryB。，asmistressofceremonies，whisperedtoUncleNeedham，whotappedhisviolinsharplywiththebow。
\"Ladiesan’gent’emens，takeyo’pa’dnersferaFuhginnyreel！\"
Mr。Wain，astheguestofhonor，openedtheballwithhishostess。Heworeabroadclothcoatandtrousers，aheavyglitteringchainacrossthespaciousfrontofhiswhitewaistcoat，andalargeredroseinhisbuttonhole。Ifhisbootswereslightlyrundownattheheel，sotrivialadetailpassedunnoticedinthegeneralsplendorofhisattire。Uponacloseorhostileinspectiontherewouldhavebeensomefeaturesofhisostensiblygood—naturedface——theshiftyeye，thefullandslightlydroopinglowerlip——whichmighthavegivenastudentofphysiognomyfoodforreflection。
ButwhateverthelatentdefectsofWain’scharacter，heprovedhimselfthiseveningamodelofgeniality，presumingnotatalluponhisreputedwealth，butwinninggoldenopinionsfromthosewhocametocriticise，ofwhom，ofcourse，therewereafew，thecompanybeingcomposedofhumanbeings。
Whenthedancebegan，Wainextendedhislarge，softhandtoMaryB。，yellow，buxom，thirty，withwhiteandeventeethglisteningbehindherfullredlips。AyoungersisterofMaryB。’swaspairedwithBillyOxendine，afunnylittletailor，agreatgossip，andthereforeafavoriteamongthewomen。Mis’Mollygraciouslyconsented，aftermanyprotestationsoflackofskillandwantofpractice，tostandupoppositeHomerPettifoot，MaryB。’shusband，atallman，withaslightstoop，abaldcrown，andfull，dreamyeyes，——amanofmuchimaginationandalargefundofanecdote。
Twoothercouplescompletedtheset；otherswererestrainedbybashfulnessorreligiousscruples，whichdidnotyielduntillaterintheevening。
Theperfumedairfromthegardenwithoutandthecutroseswithinmingledincongruouslywiththealienodorsofmuskandhairoil，ofwhichseveralyoungbarbersinthecompanywereespeciallyredolent。Therewasaplayofsparklingeyesandglancingfeet。MaryB。dancedwiththelanguorousgraceofanEasternodalisque，Mis’Mollywiththemincing，hesitatingstepofonelongoutofpractice。Wainperformedsaltatoryprodigies。Thiswasagoldenopportunityforthedisplayinwhichhissoulfounddelight。Heintroducedvariationshithertounknowntothedance。Hisskillandsupplenessbroughtaglowofadmirationintotheeyesofthewomen，andspreadacloudofjealousyoverthefacesofseveraloftheyoungermen，whosawthemselveseclipsed。
Renahadannouncedinadvanceherintentiontotakenoactivepartinthefestivities。\"Idon’tfeellikedancing，mamma——Ishallneverdanceagain。\"
\"Well，now，Rena，\"answeredhermother，\"ofco’seyou’retoodignified，senceyou’vebe’n’sociatin’
withwhitefolks，tobehoppin’roun’an’kickin’
uplikeMa’yB。an’theseotheryallergals；
butofco’se，too，youcan’tslightthecomp’nyentirely，evenefitain’tjestexac’lyourparty，——
you’llhavetopay’emsomelittleattention，’speciallyMr。Wain，senceyou’regoin’downyonderwith’im。\"
Renaconscientiouslydidwhatshethoughtpolitenessrequired。Shewenttheroundoftheguestsintheearlypartoftheeveningandexchangedgreetingswiththem。Toseveralrequestsfordancessherepliedthatshewasnotdancing。Shedidnotholdherselfaloofbecauseofpride；anyinstinctiveshrinkingshemighthavefeltbyreasonofherrecentassociationwithpersonsofgreaterrefinementwasoffsetbyherstillmorenewlyawakenedzealforhumanity；theywereherpeople，shemustnotdespisethem。Buttheoccasionsuggestedpainfulmemoriesofotheranddifferentscenesinwhichshehadlatelyparticipated。Onceortwicethesememoriesweresovividasalmosttooverpowerher。Sheslippedawayfromthecompany，andkeptinthebackgroundasmuchaspossiblewithoutseemingtoslightanyone。
TheguestsaswellweredimlyconsciousofaslightbarrierbetweenMis’Molly’sdaughterandthemselves。Thetimeshehadspentapartfromthesefriendsofheryouthhadrendereditimpossibleforherevertomeetthemagainupontheplaneofcommoninterestsandcommonthoughts。Itwasmuchasthoughone，havingacquiredthevernacularofhisnativecountry，hadlivedinaforeignlandlongenoughtolosethelanguageofhischildhoodwithoutacquiringfullythatofhisadoptedcountry。MissRowenaWarwickcouldneveragainbecomequitetheRenaWaldenwhohadleftthehousebehindthecedarsnomorethanayearandahalfbefore。Uponthisverydifferencewerebasedhernobleaspirationsforusefulness，——onemuststoopinorderthatonemayliftothers。Anyotheryoungwomanpresentwouldhavebeenimportunedbeyondherpowersofresistance。Rena’sreservewasrespected。
Whensupperwasannounced，somewhatearlyintheevening，thedancersfoundseatsinthehalloronthefrontpiazza。AuntZilphy，assistedbyMis’
MollyandMaryB。，passedaroundtherefreshments，whichconsistedoffriedchicken，butteredbiscuits，pound—cake，andeggnog。Whenthefirstedgeofappetitewastakenoff，theconversationwaxedanimated。HomerPettifootrelated，withminutedetail，anold，threadbarehuntinglie，dating，inslightlydifferingforms，fromtheageofNimrod，aboutfindingtwenty—fivepartridgessittinginarowonarail，andkillingthemallwithasinglebuckshot，whichpassedthroughtwenty—fourandlodgedinthebodyofthetwenty—fifth，fromwhichitwasextractedandreturnedtotheshotpouchforfutureservice。
Thisstorywasfollowedbyamurmurofincredulity——ofcourse，thethingwaspossible，butHomer’sfacultyforexaggerationwassowellknownthatanystatementofhiswasviewedwithsuspicion。Homerseemedhurtatthislackoffaith，andwasdisposedtoarguethepoint，butthesonorousvoiceofMr。Wainontheothersideoftheroomcutshorthisprotestations，inmuchthesamewaythattherisingsunextinguishesthelightoflesserluminaries。
\"Iwuzamembererdefus’legislatur’afterdewah，\"Wainwassaying。\"WhenIwentupf’mSampsonindefall，Ihadtopassth’oughSmithfiel’，Igotintownindeafternoon，an’putupatdebes’hotel。Delan’lo’ddidn’havenos’picionbutwhatIwuzawhiteman，an’hegimmearoom，an’Ihadsupperan’breakfas’，an’wentonterRollynex’mornin’。W’endesessionwuzover，Icomealongback，an’w’enIgotterSmithfiel’，I
driv’upterdesamehotel。Inoticed，assoonasI
gotdere，datdeplacehadrundownconsid’able——
derewuzweedsgrowin’indeyard，dewinderswuzdirty，an’ev’ythingroun’derelookedkinderlonesomean’shif’less。Delan’lo’dmetmeatdedo’；
helookedmightydownindemouth，an’sezee：——
\"`Looka—here，w’atmadeyoucomean’stopatmyplacewidouttellin’meyouwuzablackman？
Befo’youcometh’oughdistownIhadafus’—classbusiness。Butw’enfolksfoundoutdataniggerhadputuphere，businessdrappedrightoff，an’I’vehadtershetupmyhotel。Yououghterbe’shamederyo’se’fferruinin’apo’manw’athadn’neverdonenoharmteryou。You’vedoneamean，low—livedthing，an’ajes’God’llpunishyouferit。’
\"Depo’manacshullybustintertears，\"
continuedMr。Wainmagnanimously，\"an’Ifeltsosorryfer’im——hewuzapo’whitemantryin’tergitupindeworl’——datIhauledoutmypursean’gin’imtendollars，an’he’pearedmonst’ousgladtergitit。\"
\"Howgood—hearted！Howkin’！\"murmuredtheladies。\"Itdonecredittoyo’feelin’s。\"
\"Don’tb’lieveaworderdemlies，\"mutteredoneyoungmantoanothersarcastically。\"Hecouldn’passferwhite，’less’nitwuzamightydarknight。\"
Uponthisgloriouseveningofhislife，Mr。
JeffersonWainhadonedistinctlyhostilecritic，ofwhosepresencehewasblissfullyunconscious。
FrankFowlerhadnotbeeninvitedtotheparty，——
hisfamilydidnotgowithMaryB。’sset。Renahadsuggestedtohermotherthathebeinvited，butMis’Mollyhaddemurredonthegroundthatitwasnotherparty，andthatshehadnorighttoissueinvitations。ItisquitelikelythatshewouldhavesoughtaninvitationforFrankfromMaryB。；butFrankwasblack，andwouldnotharmonizewiththerestofthecompany，whowouldnothaveMis’Molly’sreasonsfortreatinghimwell。ShehadcompromisedthematterbysteppingacrossthewayintheafternoonandsuggestingthatFrankmightcomeoverandsitonthebackporchandlookatthedancingandshareinthesupper。
Frankwasnotwithoutacertainhonestpride。
Hewassensitiveenough，too，nottocaretogowherehewasnotwanted。Hewouldhavecurtlyrefusedanysuchmaimedinvitationtoanyotherplace。ButwouldhenotseeRenainherbestattire，andmightshenotperhaps，inpassing，speakawordtohim？
\"Thanky’，Mis’Molly，\"hereplied，\"I’llprob’lycomeover。\"
\"You’reabigfool，boy，\"observedhisfatherafterMis’Mollyhadgonebackacrossthestreet，\"terbestickin’roun’demyallerniggers’crossdestreet，an’slobb’rin’an’slav’rin’over’em，an’hangin’
roun’deirbackdo’wuss’nefdeywuzw’itefolks。
I’dsee’emdeadfus’！\"
Frankhimselfresistedthetemptationforhalfanhourafterthemusicbegan，butatlengthhemadehiswayacrossthestreetandstationedhimselfatthewindowopeninguponthebackpiazza。
WhenRenawasintheroom，hehadeyesforheronly，butwhenshewasabsent，hefixedhisattentionmainlyuponWain。WithjealousclairvoyanceheobservedthatWain’seyesfollowedRenawhenshelefttheroom，andlitupwhenshereturned。FrankhadheardthatRenawasgoingawaywiththisman，andhewatchedWainclosely，likinghimlessthelongerhelookedathim。Tohisfancy，Wain’sstyleandskillwereaffectation，hisgood—naturemerehypocrisy，andhisglanceatRenatheeyeofthehawkuponhisquarry。HehadheardthatWainwasunmarried，andhecouldnotseehow，thisbeingso，hecouldhelpwishingRenaforawife。Frankwouldhavebeencontenttoseehermarryawhiteman，whowouldhaveraisedhertoaplaneworthyofhermerits。Inthisman’sshiftyeyehereadtheliar——hiswealthandstandingwereprobablyasfalseashisseeminggood—humor。
\"Isthatyou，Frank？\"saidasoftvoicenearathand。
Helookedupwithajoyfulthrill。Renawaspeeringintentlyathim，asiftryingtodistinguishhisfeaturesinthedarkness。Itwasabrightmoonlightnight，butFrankstoodintheshadowofthepiazza。
\"Yas’m，it’sme，MissRena。Yo’mammysaidIcouldcomeoveran’seeyou—alldance。Youain’
be’noutondeflo’atall，ter—night。\"
\"No，Frank，Idon’tcarefordancing。Ishallnotdanceto—night。\"
ThisanswerwaspleasingtoFrank。Ifhecouldnothopetodancewithher，atleastthemeninside——atleastthissnakeinthegrassfromdownthecountry——shouldnothavethatprivilege。
\"Butyoumusthavesomesupper，Frank，\"saidRena。\"I’llbringitmyself。\"
\"No，MissRena，Idon’keerfernothin’——I
didn’comeovertereat——r’al’yIdidn’t。\"
\"Nonsense，Frank，there’splentyofit。Ihavenoappetite，andyoushallhavemyportion。\"
Shebroughthimasliceofcakeandaglassofeggnog。WhenMis’Molly，aminutelater，cameoutuponthepiazza，Franklefttheyardandwalkeddownthestreettowardtheoldcanal。Renahadspokensoftlytohim；shehadfedhimwithherowndaintyhands。Hemightneverhopethatshewouldseeinhimanythingbutafriend；buthelovedher，andhewouldwatchoverherandprotecther，wherevershemightbe。HedidnotbelievethatshewouldevermarrythegrinninghypocritemasqueradingbackthereinMis’Molly’sparlor；butthemanwouldbearwatching。
Mis’Mollyhadcometocallherdaughterintothehouse。\"Rena，\"shesaid，\"Mr。Wainwantsterknowifyouwon’tdancejustonedancewithhim。\"
\"Yas，Rena，\"pleadedMaryB。，whofollowedMissMollyouttothepiazza，\"jes’onedance。I
don’tthinkyou’retreatin’mycomp’nyjes’right，CousinRena。\"
\"You’regoin’downtherewith’im，\"addedhermother，\"an’it’dbejustaswelltobeonfriendlytermswith’im。\"
Wainhimselfhadfollowedthewomen。\"Sho’ly，MissRena，you’regwineterhonahmewidonedance？I’dgo’wayf’mdispa’tysadathea’tefIhadn’stooduponcetwiddeyoungladyerdehouse。\"
AsRena，weaklypersuaded，placedherhandonWain’sarmandenteredthehouse，abuggy，comingupFrontStreet，pausedamomentatthecorner，andthenturningslowly，drovequietlyupthenamelessby—street，concealedbytheinterveningcedars，untilitreachedapointfromwhichtheoccupantcouldview，throughtheopenfrontwindow，theinterioroftheparlor。
XXIV
SWINGYOURPARTNERS
Movedbytendernessandthoughtsofself—sacrifice，whichhadoccupiedhismindtothemomentaryexclusionofallelse，Tryonhadscarcelynoticed，asbeapproachedthehousebehindthecedars，astrainoflivelymusic，towhichwasadded，ashedrewstillnearer，theaccompanimentofotherfestivesounds。Hesuddenlyawoke，however，tothefactthatthesesignsofmerrimentcamefromthehouseatwhichhehadintendedtostop；——
hehadnotmeantthatRenashouldpassanothersleeplessnightofsorrow，orthatheshouldhimselfendureanotherneedlesshourofsuspense。
Hedrewreinatthecorner。Shockedsurprise，anascentanger，avaguealarm，aninsistentcuriosity，urgedhimnearer。Turningthemareintothesidestreetandkeepingclosetothefence，hedroveaheadintheshadowofthecedarsuntilhereachedagapthroughwhichhecouldseeintotheopendoorandwindowsofthebrightlylightedhall。
Therewasevidentlyaballinprogress。Thefiddlewassqueakingmerrilysoatunethatherememberedwell，——itwasassociatedwithoneofthemostdelightfuleveningsofhislife，thatofthetournamentball。Amellownegrovoicewascallingwitharhymingaccompanimentthefiguresofaquadrille。Tryon，withpartedlipsandslowlyhardeningheart，leanedforwardfromthebuggy—
seat，grippingthereinsotightlythathisnailscutintotheopposingpalm。Abovetheclatterofnoisyconversationrosethefiddler’svoice：——
\"Swingyo’pa’dners；doanbeshy，Lookyo’ladyindeeye！
Th’owyo’ahmaroun’huhwais’；
Takeyo’time——deyain’nohas’e！\"
Tothemiddleofthefloor，infullviewthroughanopenwindow，advancedthewomanwhoalldaylonghadbeentheburdenofhisthoughts——notpalewithgriefandhollow—eyedwithweeping，butflushedwithpleasure，aroundherwaistthearmofaburly，grinningmulatto，whosefacewasoffensivelyfamiliartoTryon。
Withamutteredcurseofconcentratedbitterness，Tryonstruckthemareasharpblowwiththewhip。Thesensitivecreature，spiritedeveninhergreatweariness，resentedthelashandstartedoffwiththebitinherteeth。Perceivingthatitwouldbedifficulttoturninthenarrowroadwaywithoutrunningintotheditchattheleft，Tryongavethemarereinanddasheddownthestreet，scarcelymissing，asthebuggycrossedthebridge，amanstandingabstractedlybytheoldcanal，whosprangasidebarelyintimetoavoidbeingrunover。
MeantimeRenawaspassingthroughatryingordeal。Afterthefirstfewbars，thefiddlerplungedintoawell—knownair，inwhichRena，keenlysusceptibletomusicalimpressions，recognizedthetunetowhich，asQueenofLoveandBeauty，shehadopenedthedanceatherentranceintotheworldoflifeandlove，foritwasthereshehadmetGeorgeTryon。Thecombinationofmusicandmovementbroughtupthescenewithgreatdistinctness。Tryon，peeringangrilythroughthecedars，hadnotbeenmoreconsciousthansheoftheexternalcontrastbetweenherpartnersonthisandtheformeroccasion。Sheperceived，too，asTryonfromtheoutsidehadnot，thedifferencebetweenWain’swordyflattery（onlysavedbyhiscousin’swarningfrompointedandfulsomeadulation），andthetenderlygracefulcompliment，couchedintheromantictermsofchivalry，withwhichtheknightofthehandkerchiefhadcharmedherear。Itwasonlybyanimmenseeffortthatshewasabletokeepheremotionsundercontroluntiltheendofthedance，whenshefledtoherchamberandburstintotears。ItwasnotthecruelTryonwhohadblastedherlovewithhisdeadlylookthatshemourned，butthegallantyoungknightwhohadwornherfavoronhislanceandcrownedherQueenofLoveandBeauty。
Tryon’sstayinPatesvillewasverybrief。Hedrovetothehotelandputupforthenight。Duringmanysleeplesshourshismindwasinaturmoilwithaverydifferentsetofthoughtsfromthosewhichhadoccupieditonthewaytotown。Nottheleastofthemwasaprofoundself—contemptforhisownlackofdiscernment。Howhadhebeensoblindasnottohavereadlongagothecharacterofthiswretchedgirlwhohadbewitchedhim？
To—nighthiseyeshadbeenopened——hehadseenherwiththemaskthrownoff，atruedaughterofaraceinwhichthesensuousenjoymentofthemomenttookprecedenceoftasteorsentimentoranyofthehigheremotions。Herfewmonthsofboarding—
school，herbriefassociationwithwhitepeople，hadevidentlybeenamereveneerovertheunderlyingnegro，andtheireffectshadslippedawayassoonastheintercoursehadceased。Withthemonkey—likeimitativenessofthenegroshehadcopiedthemannersofwhitepeoplewhileshelivedamongthem，andhaddroppedthemwithequalfacilitywhentheyceasedtoserveapurpose。Whobutanegrocouldhaverecoveredsosoonfromwhathadseemedaterriblebereavement？——sheherselfmusthavefeltitatthetime，forotherwiseshewouldnothaveswooned。Awomanofsensibility，asthisonehadseemedtobe，shouldnaturallyfeelmorekeenly，andforalongertimethanaman，aninjurytotheaffections；buthe，asonoftherulingrace，hadbeenmiserableforsixweeksaboutagirlwhohadsofarforgottenhimasalreadytoplungeheadlongintothechildishamusementsofherownignorantanddegradedpeople。Whatmore，indeed，heaskedhimselfsavagely，——whatmorecouldbeexpectedofthebase—bornchildoftheplaythingofagentleman’sidlehour，whotothisignobleoriginaddedthebloodofaservilerace？Andhe，GeorgeTryon，hadhonoredherwithhislove；hehadverynearlylinkedhisfateandjoinedhisbloodtohersbythesolemnsanctionsofchurchandstate。Tryonwasnotadevoutman，buthethankedGodwithreligiousfervorthathehadbeensavedasecondtimefromamistakewhichwouldhavewreckedhiswholefuture。
Ifhehadyieldedtothemomentaryweaknessofthepastnight，——theoutcomeofasicklysentimentalitytowhichherecognizednow，inthelightofreflection，thathewasentirelytooprone，——hewouldhaveregretteditsoonenough。Theblackstreakwouldhavebeensuretocomeoutinsomeform，soonerorlater，ifnotinthewife，theninherchildren。Hesawclearlyenough，inthishourofrevulsion，thatwithhistemperamentandtrainingsuchaunioncouldneverhavebeenhappy。
Ifalltheworldhadbeenignorantofthedarksecret，itwouldalwayshavebeeninhisownthoughts，oratleastneverfaraway。Eachfaultofhersthattheclosedailyassociationofhusbandandwifemightreveal，——themostflawlessofsweetheartsdonotpassscathlessthroughthelongtestofmatrimony，——everywaywardimpulseofhischildren，everydefectofmind，morals，temper，orhealth，wouldhavebeenascribedtothedarkancestralstrain。Happinessundersuchconditionswouldhavebeenimpossible。
WhenTryonlayawakeintheearlymorning，afterafewbriefhoursofsleep，thebusinesswhichhadbroughthimtoPatesvilleseemed，inthecoldlightofreason，soridiculouslyinadequatethathefeltalmostashamedtohavesetupsuchapretextforhisjourney。Theprospect，too，ofmeetingDr。Greenandhisfamily，ofhavingtoexplainhisformersuddendeparture，andofrunningagauntletofinquiryconcerninghismarriagetothearistocraticMissWarwickofSouthCarolina；
thefearthatsomeoneatPatesvillemighthavesuspectedaconnectionbetweenRena’sswoonandhisownflight，——theseconsiderationssomovedthisimpressionableandimpulsiveyoungmanthathecalledabell—boy，demandedanearlybreakfast，orderedhishorse，paidhisreckoning，andstarteduponhishomewardjourneyforthwith。Acertaindistrustofhisownsensibility，whichhefelttobecuriouslyinconsistentwithhismostpositiveconvictions，ledhimtoseektheriverbridgebyaroundaboutroutewhichdidnottakehimpastthehousewhere，afewhoursbefore，hehadseenthelastfragmentofhisidolshatteredbeyondthehopeofrepair。
Thepartybrokeupatanearlyhour，sincemostoftheguestswereworking—people，andthetravelersweretomakeanearlystartnextday。Aboutnineinthemorning，WaindroveroundtoMis’
Molly’s。Rena’strunkwasstrappedbehindthebuggy，andshesetout，inthecompanyofWain，forhernewfieldoflabor。Theschooltermwasonlytwomonthsinlength，andshedidnotexpecttoreturnuntilitsexpiration。Justbeforetakingherseatinthebuggy，Renafeltasuddensinkingoftheheart。
\"Oh，mother，\"shewhispered，astheystoodwrappedinacloseembrace，\"I’mafraidtoleaveyou。Ileftyouonce，anditturnedoutsomiserably。\"
\"It’llturnoutbetterthistime，honey，\"repliedhermothersoothingly。\"Good—by，child。Takecareofyo’selfan’yo’rmoney，andwritetoyo’rmammy。\"
Onekissallround，andRenawasliftedintothebuggy。Wainseizedthereins，andunderhisskillfultouchtheprettymarebegantopranceandcurvetwithrestrainedimpatience。Waincouldnotresisttheopportunitytoshowoffbeforetheparty，whichincludedMaryB。’sentirefamilyandseveralotherneighbors，whohadgatheredtoseethetravelersoff。
\"Good—byterPatesville！Good—by，folksesall！\"
hecried，withawaveofhisdisengagedhand。
\"Good—by，mother！Good—by，all！\"criedRena，aswithtearsinherheartandabravesmileonherfacesheleftherhomebehindherforthesecondtime。
Whentheyhadcrossedtheriverbridge，thetravelerscametoalongstretchofrisingground，fromthesummitofwhichtheycouldlookbackoverthewhitesandyroadfornearlyamile。
NeitherRenanorhercompanionsawFrankFowlerbehindthechinquapinbushatthefootofthehill，northegazeofmuteloveandlongingwithwhichhewatchedthebuggymountthelongincline。Hehadnotbeenabletotrusthimselftobidherfarewell。Hehadseenhergoawayoncebeforewitheveryprospectofhappiness，andcomeback，adovewithawoundedwing，totheoldnestbehindthecedars。Shewasgoingawayagain，withamanwhomhedislikedanddistrusted。Ifshehadmetmisfortunebefore，whatwereherprospectsforhappinessnow？
Thebuggypausedatthetopofthehill，andFrank，shadinghiseyeswithhishand，thoughthecouldseeherturnandlookbehind。Lookback，dearchild，towardsyourhomeandthosewholoveyou！ForwhoknowsmorethanthisfaithfulworshiperwhatthreadsofthepastFateisweavingintoyourfuture，orwhetherhappinessormiseryliesbeforeyou？
XXV
BALANCEALL
TheroadtoSampsonCountylayforthemostpartoverthepine—cladsandhills，——analternationofgentlerisesandgradualdescents，withnowandthenaswampofgreaterorlessextent。Longstretchesofthehighwayledthroughthevirginforest，formilesunbrokenbyaclearingorsignofhumanhabitation。
Theytraveledslowly，withfrequentpausesinshadyplaces，fortheweatherwashot。Thejourney，madeleisurely，requiredmorethanaday，andmightwithslighteffortbeprolongedintotwo。Theystoppedforthenightatasmallvillage，whereWainfoundlodgingforRenawithanacquaintanceofhis，andforhimselfwithanother，whileathirdtookchargeofthehorse，theaccommodationfortravelersbeinglimited。Rena’sappearanceandmannerswerethesubjectofmuchcomment。ItwasnecessarytoexplaintoseveralcuriouswhitepeoplethatRenawasawomanofcolor。AwhitewomanmighthavedrivenwithWainwithoutattractingremark，——mostwhiteladieshadnegrocoachmen。ThatawomanofRena’scomplexionshouldeatatanegro’stable，orsleepbeneathanegro’sroof，wasaseemingbreachofcastewhichonlyblackbloodcouldexcuse。Theexplanationwasneverquestioned。Nowhitepersonofsoundmindwouldeverclaimtobeanegro。
Theyresumedtheirjourneysomewhatlateinthemorning。Renawouldwillinglyhavehastened，forshewasanxioustoplungeintohernewwork；butWainseemeddisposedtoprolongthepleasantdrive，andbeguiledthewayforatimewithstoriesofwonderfulthingshehaddoneandstrangeexperiencesofasomewhatcheckeredcareer。Hewasshrewdenoughtoavoidanysubjectwhichwouldoffendamodestyoungwoman，buttooobtusetoperceivethatmuchofwhathesaidwouldnotcommendhimtoapersonofrefinement。Hemadelittlereferencetohispossessions，concerningwhichsomuchhadbeensaidatPatesville；andthisreticencewasapointinhisfavor。IfhehadnotbeensomuchuponhisguardandRenasomuchabsorbedbythoughtsofherfuturework，suchadrivewouldhavefurnishedapersonofherdiscernmentaveryfairmeasureoftheman’scharacter。
TothesedistractionsmustbeaddedtheentireabsenceofanyideathatWainmighthaveamorousdesignsuponher；andanyshortcomingsofmannersorspeechwereexcusedbythebroadmantleofcharitywhichRenainhernew—foundzealforthewelfareofherpeoplewaswillingtothrowoveralltheirfaults。Theywerethevictimsofoppression；theywerenotresponsibleforitsresults。
Towardtheendofthesecondday，whilenearingtheirdestination，thetravelerspassedalargewhitehousestandingbackfromtheroadatthefootofalane。Arounditgrewwidespreadingtreesandwell—keptshrubbery。Thefenceswereingoodrepair。Behindthehouseandacrosstheroadstretchedextensivefieldsofcottonandwavingcorn。Theyhadpassednootherplacethatshowedsuchsignsofthriftandprosperity。
\"Oh，whatalovelyplace！\"exclaimedRena。
\"Thatisyours，isn’tit？\"
\"No；weain’tgottomyhouseyet，\"heanswered。\"Dathouseb’longsterderiches’peopleroun’here。Dathouseisoverindenex’county。
We’rerightclosetodelinenow。\"
Shortlyafterwardstheyturnedofffromthemainhighwaytheyhadbeenpursuing，andstruckintoanarrowerroadtotheleft。
\"Demainroad，\"explainedWain，\"goesontoClinton，’boutfivemilesermo’away。Disonewe’returnin’internowwilltakeustomyplace，whichis’boutthreemilesfu’theron。We’llgitderenowinanhourerso。\"
Wainlivedinanoldplantationhouse，somewhatdilapidated，andsurroundedbyanairofneglectandshiftlessness，butstillpreservingaremnantofdignityinitsoutlinesandcomfortinitsinteriorarrangements。Renawasassignedalargeroomonthesecondfloor。Shewassomewhatsurprisedatthemake—upofthehousehold。Wain’smother——
anoldwoman，muchdarkerthanherson——kepthouseforhim。Asisterwithtwochildrenlivedinthehouse。TheelementofsurpriselayinthepresenceoftwosmallchildrenleftbyWain’swife，ofwhomRenanowheardforthefirsttime。Hehadlosthiswife，heinformedRenasadly，acoupleofyearsbefore。
\"Yas，MissRena，\"shesighed，\"deLawdgiveher，an’deLawdtuckheraway。BlessedbedenameerdeLawd。\"Heaccompaniedthissententiousquotationwithawickedlookfromunderhishalf—closedeyelidsthatRenadidnotsee。
ThefollowingmorningWaindroveherinhisbuggyovertothecountytown，whereshetooktheteacher’sexamination。Shewasgivenaseatinaroomwithanumberofothercandidatesforcertificates，butthefactleakingoutfromsomeremarkofWain’sthatshewasacoloredgirl，objectionwasquietlymadebyseveralofthewould—beteacherstoherpresenceintheroom，andshewasrequestedtoretireuntilthewhiteteachersshouldhavebeenexamined。Anhourortwolatershewasgivenaseparateexamination，whichshepassedwithoutdifficulty。Theexaminer，agentlemanoflocalstanding，wasdimlyconsciousthatshemightnothavefoundherexclusionpleasant，andwasespeciallypolite。Itwouldhavebeenstrange，indeed，ifhehadnotbeenimpressedbyhersweetfaceandairofmodestdignity，whichwereallthemorestrikingbecauseofhersocialdisability。Hefellintoconversationwithher，becameinterestedinherhopesandaims，andverycordiallyofferedtobeofservice，ifatanytimehemight，inconnectionwithherschool。
\"Youhavethesatisfaction，\"hesaid，\"ofreceivingtheonlyfirst—gradecertificateissuedto—day。
YoumightteachahighergradeofpupilsthanyouwillfindatSandyRun，butletushopethatyoumayintimeraisethemtoyourownlevel。\"
\"WhichIdoubtverymuch，\"hemutteredtohimself，asshewentawaywithWain。\"Whatapitythatsuchawomanshouldbeanigger！Ifshewereanythingtome，though，Ishouldhatetotrustheranywherenearthatsaddle—coloredscoundrel。He’sathoroughlybadlot，andwillbearwatching。\"
Rena，however，wasserenelyignorantofanydangerfromtheaccommodatingWain。Absorbedinherownthoughtsandplans，shehadnotsoughttolookbeneaththesurfaceofhissomewhatoverdonepoliteness。Inafewdaysshebeganherworkasteacher，andsoughttoforgetintheserviceofothersthedullsorrowthatstillgnawedatherheart。
XXVI
THESCHOOLHOUSEINTHEWOODS
BlancheLeary，closelyobservantofTryon’smoods，markedadecidedchangeinhismannerafterhisreturnfromhistriptoPatesville。Hisformermorosenesshadgivenwaytoacertaindefiantlightness，brokennowandthenbyaninvoluntarysigh，butmaintainedsowell，onthewhole，thathismotherdetectednolapseswhatever。
Thechangewascharacterizedbyanotherfeatureagreeabletoboththewomen：TryonshoweddecidedlymoreinterestthaneverbeforeinMissLeary’ssociety。Withinaweekheaskedherseveraltimestoplayaselectiononthepiano，displaying，asshenoticed，adecidedpreferenceforgayandcheerfulmusic，andseveraltimessuggestingachangewhenshechosepiecesofasentimentalcast。Morethanonce，duringthesecondweekafterhisreturn，hewentoutridingwithher；shewasagracefulhorsewoman，perfectlyathomeinthesaddle，andappearingtoadvantageinariding—
habit。ShewasawarethatTryonwatchedhernowandthen，withaneyerathercriticalthanindulgent。
\"Heiscomparingmewithsomeothergirl，\"
shesurmised。\"Iseemtostandthetestverywell。
Iwonderwhotheotheris，andwhatwasthetrouble？\"
MissLearyexertedallherpowerstointerestandamusethemanshehadsetouttowin，andwhoseemednearerthaneverbefore。Tryon，tohispleasedsurprise，discoveredinherminddepthsthathehadneversuspected。Shedisplayedasingularaffinityforthetastesthatwerehis——hecouldnot，ofcourse，knowhowcarefullyshehadstudiedthem。Theoldwound，recentlyreopened，seemedtobehealingrapidly，underconditionsmoreconducivethanbeforetoperfectrecovery。
Nolonger，indeed，washepursuedbythepictureofRenadiscoveredandunmasked——thishehaddefinitelybanishedfromtherealmofsentimenttothatofreason。ThehauntingimageofRenalovingandbeloved，amidtheharmonioussurroundingsofherbrother’shome，wasnotsoreadilydisplaced。
Nevertheless，hereachedinseveralweeksapointfromwhichhecouldconsiderherasonethinksofadearoneremovedbythehandofdeath，orsmittenbysomeincurableailmentofmindorbody。
Erelong，hefondlybelieved，therecoverywouldbesofarcompletethathecouldconsigntothetombofpleasantmemorieseventhemostthrillingepisodesofhisill—starredcourtship。
\"George，\"saidMrs。Tryononemorningwhilehersonwasinthischeerfulmood，\"I’msendingBlancheovertoMajorMcLeod’stodoanerrandforme。Wouldyouminddrivingherover？Theroadmayberoughafterthestormlastnight，andBlanchehasanideathatnoonedrivessowellasyou。\"
\"Why，yes，mother，I’llbegladtodriveBlancheover。Iwanttoseethemajormyself。\"
Theyweresoonbowlingalongbetweenthepines，behindthehandsomemarethathadcarriedTryonsowellattheClarencetournament。Presentlyhedrewupsharply。
\"Atreehasfallensquarelyacrosstheroad，\"heexclaimed。\"Weshallhavetoturnbackalittlewayandgoaround。\"
Theydrovebackaquarterofamileandturnedintoaby—roadleadingtotherightthroughthewoods。Thesolemnsilenceofthepineforestissoothingoroppressive，accordingtoone’smood。
Beneaththecoolarcadeofthetall，overarchingtreesadeeppeacestoleoverTryon’sheart。Hehadputasideindefinitelyandforeveranunhappyandimpossiblelove。Theprettyandaffectionategirlbesidehimwouldmakeanidealwife。Ofherfamilyandbloodhewassure。Shewashismother’schoice，andhismotherhadsetherheartupontheirmarriage。Whynotspeaktohernow，andthusgivehimselfthebestpossibleprotectionagainststrayflamesoflove？
\"Blanche，\"hesaid，lookingatherkindly。
\"Yes，George？\"Hervoicewasverygentle，andslightlytremulous。Couldshehavedivinedhisthought？Loveisagreatclairvoyant。
\"Blanche，dear，I\"——
AclatterofvoicesbrokeuponthestillnessoftheforestandinterruptedTryon’sspeech。A
suddenturntotheleftbroughtthebuggytoalittleclearing，inthemidstofwhichstoodasmalllogschoolhouse。Outoftheschoolhouseaswarmofcoloredchildrenwereemerging，thesuppressedenergyoftheschoolhourfindingventinvocalexerciseofvarioussorts。Agrouphadalreadyformedaring，andweresingingwithgreatvolumeandvigor：——
\"MissJane，shelovessugaran’tea，MissJane，shelovescandy。
MissJane，shecanwhirlallaroundAn’kissherlovequitehandy。
\"Deoakgrowstall，Depinegrowsslim，Soriseyouup，mytruelove，An’letmecomein。\"
\"Whatafunnylittledarkey！\"exclaimedMissLeary，pointingtoadiminutiveladwhowaswalkingonhishands，withhisfeetbalancedintheair。
Atsightofthebuggyanditsoccupantsthissableacrobat，stillretaininghisinvertedposition，movedtowardthenewcomers，and，reversinghimselfwithasuddenspring，broughtupstandingbesidethebuggy。
\"Hoddy，MarsGeo’ge！\"heexclaimed，bobbinghisheadandkickinghisheeloutbehindinapprovedplantationstyle。
\"Hello，Plato，\"repliedtheyoungman，\"whatareyoudoinghere？\"
\"Gwineterschool，MarsGeo’ge，\"repliedthelad；\"larnin’terreadan’write，suh，lackdew’itefolks。\"
\"Watyoucallin’datw’itemanmarsterfur？\"
whisperedatallyellowboytotheacrobataddressedasPlato。\"Youdon’b’longterhimnomo’；you’refree，an’ain’gotsenseernuffterknowit。\"
TryonthrewasmallcointoPlato，andholdinganotherinhishandsuggestively，smiledtowardthetallyellowboy，wholookedregretfullyatthecoin，butstoodhisground；hewouldcallnomanmaster，notevenforapieceofmoney。
Duringthislittlecolloquy，MissLearyhadkeptherfaceturnedtowardtheschoolhouse。
\"Whataprettygirl！\"sheexclaimed。\"There，\"
sheadded，asTryonturnedhisheadtowardher，\"youaretoolate。Shehasretiredintohercastle。
Oh，Plato！\"
\"Yas，missis，\"repliedPlato，whowasprancingroundthebuggyingreatglee，onthestrengthofhisacquaintancewiththewhitefolks。
\"Isyourteacherwhite？\"
\"No，ma’m，sheain’tw’ite；she’sblack。Shelookslackshe’sw’ite，butshe’sblack。\"
Tryonhadnotseentheteacher’sface，buttheincidenthadjarredtheoldwound；MissLeary’sdescriptionoftheteacher，togetherwithPlato’scharacterization，hadstirredlightlysleepingmemories。Hewasmoreorlessabstractedduringtheremainderofthedrive，anddidnotrecurtotheconversationthathadbeeninterruptedbycomingupontheschoolhouse。
