TheinterviewwasfillingManniewithexcitementanddelight。Hechuckledwithpleasure。Hisfearofthegreatmanwasrapidlydeparting。Couldthis，heaskedhimself，bethe\"terrortoevil-
doers，\"themanwhosecruelquestionsdrovewitnessestotears，whose\"thirddegree\"sentveteransoftheunderworldstaggeringfromhisconfessionalbox，limpandgasping？
\"Oh，prettywell，\"saidtheboy，\"seemsasifIcouldn\'tkeepawayfromthem。Igotagoodthingfortoday——Pompadour——inthefifth。IputallthemoneyonherIcouldgettogether，\"heannouncedimportantly，andthenaddedfrankly，withalaugh，\"twodollars!\"Thelaughwascontagious，andtheDistrictAttorneylaughedwithhim。
\"Pompadour，\"Winthropobjected，\"she\'soneofthosewintertrackfavorites。\"
\"Iknow，buttoday，\"declaredMannie，\"shewin，sure!\"Carriedawaybyhisenthusiasm，andbythesympathyofhisaudience，herushed，unheeding，tohisfate。\"Ifyou\'dliketoputalittleon，\"hesaid，\"Icantellyouwhereyoucandoit。\"
TheDistrictAttorneystaredandlaughed。\"Youmustn\'ttellmewhereyoucandoit，\"hesaid。
Manniegaveaterrifiedgaspand，foraninstant，clappedhishandsoverhislips。\"That\'sright，\"hecried。\"Gee，that\'sright!I\'msuchacrankonallkindsofsportthatIcleanforgot!\"
Hegazedatthemuch-dreadedDistrictAttorneywiththeaweofthenew-bornhero-worshipper。\"Iguessyouare，too，hey？\"heprotestedadmiringly。\"Verawastellingmeyouusedtobeagreatballtosser。\"
InthefaceoftheDistrictAttorneytherecameasuddeninterest。Hiseyeslightened。
\"Howdidshe——\"
\"SheusedtowatchyouinGeneva，\"saidMannie，\"playingwiththecollegelads。I——I，\"headdedconsciously，\"wasaballplayermyselfonce。UsedtopitchfortheInterstateLeague。\"Hestoppedabruptly。
\"Interstate？\"saidWinthropencouragingly。\"Youmusthavebeengood。\"
Theenthusiasmhaddepartedfromthefaceoftheboy。\"Yes，hesaid，\"but——\"hesmiledshamefacedly，\"butIgottakingcoke，andthey——\"Hefinishedwithadramaticgestureofthehandasofamantossingawayacigarette。
\"Cocaine？\"saidtheDistrictAttorney。
Theboynoddedand，foraninstant，thetwomeneyedeachother，theboysmilingruefully。TheDistrictAttorneyshookhishead。
\"Myyoungfriend，\"hesaid，\"youcanneverbeatthatgame!\"
Manniestaredathim，hiseyesfilledwithsurprise。
\"Don\'tyousuppose，\"hesaidsimply，\"thatIknowthatbetterthanyoudo？\"Withaboy\'sprideinhisownincorrigibilityhewentonboastingly:\"Oh，yes，\"hesaid，\"Iusedtobeawfulbad!
Cocaineandallkindsofdope，andcigarettes，andwhiskey。I
wasnearlyallin——withmorphine，itwasthen——tillshetookholdofme，andstoppedme。\"
\"She？\"saidWinthrop。
\"Vera，\"saidMannie。\"Shemademestop。Ihadtostop。Shestartedtakingitherself。\"
\"What!\"criedWinthrop。
\"Oh!\"exclaimedManniehastily，\"Idon\'tmeanwhatyoumean——I
meanshestartedtakingittomakemestop。Shesaystome，Mannie，you\'rekillingyourself，andyougottoquitit；andifyoudon\'t，everytimeyoutakeagrain，I\'lltaketwo。Andshedid!I\'dcomehome，andshe\'dseewhatI\'dbeendoing，andshe\'dupwithhersleeves，and——\"Inhorriblepantomime，theboyliftedthecuffofhisshirt，andpressedhisrightthumbagainstthewristofhisotherarm。Atthememoryofit，hegaveashiverand，withablow，roughlystruckthecuffintoplace。
\"God!\"hemuttered，\"Icouldn\'tstandit。Ibegged，andbeggedhernot。Icried。Iusedtogetdown，inthisroom，onmyknees。
Andeachtimeshe\'dgetwhiter，andblackundertheeyes。And——
andIhadtostop。Didn\'tI？\"
Winthropmovedhishead。
\"Andnow，\"criedtheboywithahappylaugh，\"I\'mallright!\"Heappealedtotheoldermaneagerly，wistfully。\"Don\'tyouthinkI\'mlookingbetterthanIdidthelasttimeyousawme？\"
Again，withoutventuringtospeak，Winthropnodded。
Manniesmiledwithpride。\"Everybodytellsmeso，\"hesaid。
\"Well，shedidit。That\'swhatshedidforme。And，Icantellyou，\"hesaidsimply，sincerely，\"thereain\'tanythingI
wouldn\'tdoforher。Iguessthat\'sright，hey？\"headded。
Theeyesofthecruelcross-examiner，veiledunderhalf-closedlids，wereregardingtheboywithsocuriousanexpressionthatundertheirscrutinyMannie，inembarrassment，moveduneasily。
\"Iguessthat\'sright，\"herepeated。
Tohissurprise，theDistrictAttorneyrosefromhiscomfortablepositionand，leaningacrossthetable，heldouthishand。
Mannietookitawkwardly。
\"That\'sallright，\"hesaid。
\"Sure，it\'sallright，\"saidtheDistrictAttorney。
Fromthehalltherewasthesoundoflight，quicksteps，andMannie，happytoescapefromasituationhedidnotunderstand，rantothedoor。
\"She\'scoming，\"hesaid。Heopenedthedoorand，asVeraentered，heslippedpastherandcloseditbehindhim。
Verawalkeddirectlytothechairatthetopofthecentretable。Shewasnervous，andshewasconsciousthatthatfactwasevident。Toavoidshakinghandswithhervisitor，shecarriedherownclaspedinfrontofher，withthefingersinterlaced。
Shetriedtospeakinherusualsuave，professionaltone。\"Howdoyoudo？\"shesaid。
ButWinthropwouldnotbedenied。Withasmilethatshowedhispleasureatagainseeingher，headvancedeagerly，withhishandoutstretched。\"Howareyou？\"heexclaimed。\"Aren\'tyougoingtoshakehandswithme？\"hedemanded。\"Withanoldfriend？\"
Veragavehimherhandquickly，andthen，seatingherselfatthetable，pickeduptheivorypointer。
\"Ididn\'tknowyouwerecomingasanoldfriend，\"shemurmuredembarrassedly。\"YousaidyouwerecomingtoconsultVera，themedium。\"
\"ButyousaidthatwastheonlywayIcouldcome，\"protestedWinthrop。\"Don\'tyouremember，yousaid——\"
Verainterruptedhim。Shespokedistantly，formally。\"Whatkindofareadingdoyouwant？\"sheasked。\"Ahandreading，oracrystalreading？\"
Winthropleanedforwardinhischair，franklysmilingather。Hemadenoattempttoconcealthepleasurethesightofhergavehim。Hismannerwasthatofaveryoldanddearfriend，who，forthefirsttime，hadmetherafteraseparationofyears。
\"Don\'twantanykindofareading，\"hedeclared。\"Iwantatalking。Youdon\'tseemtounderstand，\"heobjected，\"thatIammakinganafternooncall。\"Hisgoodhumorwasunassailable。
Lookingupwithaperplexedfrown，Veramethiseyesandsawthathewaslaughingather。Shethrewtheivorypointerdownand，leaningbackinherchair，smiledathim。
\"Idon\'tbelieve，\"shesaiddoubtfully，\"thatIknowmuchaboutafternooncalls。WhatwouldIdo，ifwewereonFifthAvenue？
WouldIgiveyoutea？\"sheasked，\"because，\"sheaddedhastily，\"thereisn\'tanytea。\"
\"Inthatcase，itisnotetiquettetoofferany，\"saidWinthropgravely。
\"Then，\"saidVera，\"I\'mdoingitright，sofar？\"
Theybothlaughed；Verabecauseshestillwasinaweofhim，andWinthropbecausehewashappy。
\"You\'redoingitcharmingly，\"Winthropassuredher。
\"Good!\"exclaimedVera。\"Well，now，\"sheinquired，\"nowwetalk，don\'twe？\"
\"Yes，\"assentedWinthroppromptly，\"wetalkaboutyou。\"
\"No，I——Idon\'tthinkwedo，\"declaredVera，inhaste。\"I
thinkwetalkabout——Geneva。\"Sheturnedtohimwithrealinterest。\"Isthetownmuchchanged？\"sheasked。
Asthoughpreparingforalongtalk，Winthropdroppedhishattothefloorandsettledhimselfcomfortably。\"Well，itis，anditisn\'t，\"heanswered。\"Haven\'tyoubeenbacklately？\"heasked。
Veralookedquicklyawayfromhim。
\"Ihaveneverbeenback!\"sheanswered。Therewasapauseandwhensheagainturnedhereyestohis，shewassmiling。\"ButI
alwaystaketheGenevaTimes，\"shesaid，\"andIoftenreadthatyou\'vebeenthere。You\'reagreatmaninGeneva。\"
Winthropnoddedgravely。
\"WheneverIwanttobeagreatman，\"hesaid，\"IgotoGeneva。\"
\"Why，yes，\"exclaimedVera。\"LastJuneyoudeliveredtheorationtothegraduatingclass，\"shelaughed，\"onTheCollegeManinPolitics。Suchanoriginalsubject!Anddidyoupointtoyourself？\"sheaskedmockingly，\"asthe——thebrightexample？\"
\"No，\"protestedWinthrop，\"Iknewthey\'dseethat。\"
Muchtoherrelief，VerafoundthatofWinthropshewasnolongerafraid。
\"Oh!\"sheprotested，\"didn\'tyousay，twelveyearsago，ahumbleboyplayedballforHobartCollege。Thatboynowstandsbeforeyou？Didn\'tyousaythat？\"
\"Somethinglikethat，\"assentedtheDistrictAttorney。\"Oh!\"heexclaimed，\"thatyoungmanwhoshowedmeinhere——yourconfederateorfellow-conspiratororlookoutmanorwhateverheis——toldmeyouusedtobearegularattendantatthosegames。\"
\"Inevermissedone!\"Veracried。Sheleanedforward，hereyesshining，herbrowsknitwiththeeffortofrecollection。
\"IusedtotellAunt，\"shesaid，\"Ihadtodriveinforthemail。Butthatwasonlyanexcuse。Aunthadanoldbuggy，andanoldwhitehorsecalledRoscoeConkling。IcalledhimRocks。Hewasblindinoneeye，andhewouldwalkonthewrongsideoftheroad；youhadtodrivehimononerein。\"Thegirlwasspeakingrapidly，eagerly。Shehadlostallfearofhervisitor。WithsatisfactionWinthroprecognizedthis；andunconsciouslyhewasnowfranklyregardingthefaceofthegirlwithasmileofpleasureandadmiration。
\"AndIusedtotiehimtothefencejustoppositefirstbase，\"
Verawentonexcitedly，\"andshout——foryou!\"
\"Don\'ttellme，\"interruptedWinthrop，inburlesqueexcitement，\"thatyouwerethatveryprettylittlegirl，withshortdressesandlonglegs，whousedtositonthetoprailandkickandcheer。\"
Verashookherheadsternly。
\"Iwas，\"shesaid，\"butyouneversawme。\"
\"Oh，yes，wedid，\"protestedWinthrop。\"Weusedtocallyouourmascot。\"
\"No，thatwassomeotherlittlegirl，\"saidVerafirmly。\"Youneverlookedatme，andI\"——shelaughed，andthenfrownedathimreproachfully——\"Ithoughtyouweremagnificent!Iusedtohaveyourpicturesinbaseballclothespinnedallaroundmylookingglass，andwheneveryoumadeabasehit，I\'dshoutandshout——andyou\'dneverlookatme!Andoneday——\"shestopped，andasthoughappalledbythememory，claspedherhands。\"Oh，itwasawful!\"sheexclaimed；\"onedayafoulballhitthefence，andIjumpeddownandthrewittoyou，andyousaid，Thankyou，sis!AndI，\"shecried，\"thoughtIwasayounglady!\"
\"Oh!Icouldn\'thavesaidthat，\"protestedWinthrop，\"maybeI
saidsister。\"
\"No，\"declaredVeraenergeticallyshakingherhead，\"notsister，sis。Andyouneverdidlookatme；andIusedtodrivepastyourhouseeveryday。Welivedonlyamilebelowyou。\"
\"Where？\"askedWinthrop。
\"OnthelakeroadfromSyracuse，\"saidVera。\"Don\'tyourememberthefarmamilebelowyours——theonewiththeredbarnrightontheroad？Yes，youdo，\"sheinsisted，\"thecowswerealwayslookingoverthefencerightintotheroad。\"
\"Ofcourse!\"exclaimedWinthropdelightedly。\"Wasthatyourhouse？\"
\"Oh，no，\"protestedVera，\"ourswasthelittlecottageontheotherside——\"
\"Withpoplarsroundit？\"demandedWinthrop。
\"That\'sit!\"criedVeratriumphantly，\"withpoplarsroundit。\"
\"Why，Iknowthathousewell。Weboysusedtocallitthehauntedhouse。\"
\"That\'stheone，\"assentedVera。Shesmiledwithsatisfaction。
\"Well，that\'swhereIliveduntilAuntdied，\"shesaid。
\"Andthen，what？\"askedWinthrop。
Foramomentthegirldidnotanswer。Herfacehadgrowngraveandshesatmotionless，staringbeyondher。Suddenly，asthoughcastingherthoughtsfromher，shegaveasharptossofherhead。
\"Then，\"shesaid，speakingquickly，\"Iwentintothemills，andwasillthere，andIwrotePaulandMabeltoaskifIcouldjointhem，andtheysaidIcould。ButIwastooill，andIhadnomoney——nothing。Andthen，\"sheraisedhereyestohisandregardedhimsteadily，\"thenIstolethatcloaktogetthemoneytojointhem，andyou——youhelpedmetogetaway，and——and\"
Winthropbrokeinhastily。Hedisregardedbothhermannerandthenatureofwhatshehadsaid。
\"AndhowdidyoucometoknowtheVances？\"heasked。
Afterapauseofaninstant，thegirlacceptedthecuehismannergaveher，andansweredasbefore。
\"Throughmyaunt，\"shesaid。\"shewasamediumtoo。\"
\"Ofcourse!\"criedWinthrop。\"Iremembernow。that\'swhywecalleditthehauntedhouse。\"
\"Myaunt，\"saidthegirl，regardinghimsteadilyandwith，inhermanner，acertaindefiance，\"wasagreatmedium。AllthespiritualistsinthatpartoftheStateusedtomeetatourhouse。I\'vewitnessedsomewonderfulmanifestationsinthatfrontparlor。\"SheturnedtoWinthropandsmiled。\"So，yousee，\"
sheexclaimed，\"Iwasbornandbroughtupinthisbusiness。Iamtheseventhdaughterofaseventhdaughter。Mygrandmotherwasamedium，mymotherwasamedium——sheworkedwiththeFoxsistersbeforetheywereexposed。But，myaunt，\"sheaddedthoughtfully，judicially，\"wasthegreatestmediumIhaveeverseen。ShedidcertainthingsIcouldn\'tunderstand，andIknoweverytrickinthetrade——unless，\"sheexplained，\"youbelievethespiritshelpedher。\"
Winthropwasobservingthegirlintently，withanewinterest。
\"Andyoudon\'tbelievethat？\"heasked，quietly。
\"HowcanI？\"Verasaid。\"Iwasbroughtupwiththem。\"Sheshookherheadandsmiled。\"IusedtoplayaroundthekitchenstovewithPocahontasandAlexandertheGreat，andMartinLutherlivedinourchinacloset。Yousee，theneighborswouldn\'tlettheirchildrencometoourhouse；so，theonlyplaymatesIhadwere——ghosts。\"Shelaughedwistfully。\"My!\"sheexclaimed，\"Iwasaqueer，lonelylittlerat。Iusedtohearvoicesandseevisions。
Idostill，\"sheadded。Withherelbowsonthearmsofherchair，sheclaspedherhandsunderherchinandleanedforward。
SheturnedhereyestoWinthropandnoddedconfidentially。
\"Doyouknow，\"shesaid，\"sometimesIthinkpeoplefromtheotherworlddospeaktome。\"
\"Butyousaid，\"Winthropobjected，\"youdidn\'tbelieve。\"
\"Iknow，\"returnedVera。\"Ican\'t!\"Hervoicewasperplexed，impatient。\"Why，Icansitinthischair，\"shedeclaredearnestly，\"andfillthisroomwithspiritvoicesandrappings，andyousittingrighttherecan\'tseehowIdoit。Andyet，inspiteofallthetricks，sometimesIbelievethere\'ssomethinginit。\"
ShelookedatWinthrop，hereyesopenwithinquiry。Heshookhishead。
\"Yes，\"insistedthegirl。\"Whenthesewomencometomeforadvice，Idon\'tinventwhatIsaytothem。It\'sasthoughsomethingtoldmewhattosay。Ihavenevermetthembefore，butassoonasIpassintothetrancestateIseemtoknowalltheirtroubles。AndIseemtobehalfinthisworldandhalfinanotherworld——carryingmessagesbetweenthem。Maybe，\"hervoicehadsunktoalmostawhisper；shecontinuedasthoughspeakingtoherself，\"Ionlythinkthat。Idon\'tknow。I
wonder。\"
Therewasalongpause。
\"Iwish，\"beganWinthropearnestly，\"Iwishyouwereyounger，orIwereolder。\"
\"Why？\"askedVera。
\"Because，\"saidtheyoungman，\"I\'dliketotalktoyou——likeafather。\"
Veraturnedandsmiledonhimsecurely，withfrankfriendliness。
\"Goahead，\"sheassented，\"talktomelikeafather。\"
Winthropsmiledbackather，andthenfrowned。
\"Youshouldn\'tbeinthisbusiness，\"hesaid。
Thegirlregardedhimsteadily。
\"What\'sthematterwiththebusiness？\"sheasked。
Winthropfeltshehadputhimuponthedefensive，buthedidnothesitate。
\"Well，\"hesaid，\"theremaybesometruthinit。Butwedon\'tknowthat。Wedoknowthatthere\'salotoffraudanddeceitinit。Now，\"hedeclaredwarmly，\"there\'snothingdeceitfulaboutyou。You\'refine，\"hecriedenthusiastically，\"you\'rebig!Thatboywhowasinheretoldmeonestoryaboutyouthatshowed——\"
Verastoppedhimsharply。
\"Whatdoyouknowofme？\"sheaskedbitterly。\"ThefirsttimeyoueversawmeIwasinapolicecourt；andthismorning——youheardthatmanthreatentoputmeinjail——\"
Inturn，byabruptlyrisingfromhischair，Winthropinterruptedher。Hepushedthechairoutofhisway，and，shovinghishandsintohistrousers\'pockets，beganpacingwithlong，quickstridesupanddowntheroom。\"WhatdoIcareforthat？\"hecriedcontemptuously。Hetossedthewordsatheroverhisshoulder。\"IputlotsofpeopleinjailmyselfthatarebetterthanIam。Only，theywon\'tplaythegame。\"Hehalted，andturnedonher。\"Now，you\'renotplayingthegame。Thisisameanbusiness，takingmoneyfromsillygirlsandoldmen。You\'retoogoodforthat。\"Hehaltedatthetableandstoodfacingher。
\"I\'vegottwosistersuptown，\"hesaid。Hespokecommandingly，peremptorily。\"AndtomorrowIamgoingtotakeyoutoseethem。
Andwefellowtownsmen，\"hesmiledatherappealingly，\"willtalkthisover，andwe\'llmakeyoucomebacktoyourownpeople。\"
Foramomentthetworegardedeachother。Thenthegirlansweredfirmly，butwithaslighthoarsenessinhervoice，andinatonehardlylouderthanawhisper:
\"YouknowIcan\'tdothat!\"
\"Idon\'t!\"blusteredWinthrop。\"Whynot？\"
\"Because，\"saidthegirlsteadily，\"ofwhatIdidinGeneva。\"Asthoughtheanswerwastheonehehadfeared，themanexclaimedsharply，rebelliously。
\"Nonsense!\"hecried。\"Youdidn\'tknowwhatyouweredoing。Nodecentpersonwouldconsiderthat。\"
\"Theydo，\"saidthegirl，\"theyaretheveryoneswhodo。And——
it\'sbeeninthepapers。EverybodyinGenevaknowsit。Andheretoo。AndwheneverItrytogetawayfromthis\"——shestretchedoutherhandstoincludetheroomabouther——\"Someonetells!
Fivetimes，now。Sheleanedforwardappealingly，notasthoughaskingpityforherself，butaswishinghimtoseeherpointofview。\"Ididn\'tchoosethisbusiness，\"sheprotested，\"Iwassortofborninit，and，\"shebrokeoutloyally，\"Ihatetohaveyoucallitameanbusiness；butIcan\'tgetintoanyother。
WheneverIhave，somemansays，Thatgirlinyourfrontofficeisathief。\"Therestraintsheputuponherself，theairofdisdainwhichatalltimesshehadfoundthemostconvenientdefense，fellfromher。
\"It\'snotfair!\"shecried，\"it\'snotfair。\"Tohermortification，thetearsofself-pitysprangtohereyes，andasshefiercelytriedtobrushthemaway，tohergreateranger，continuedtocreepdownhercheeks。\"Itwasnineyearsago，\"sheprotested，\"Iwasachild。I\'vebeenpunishedenough。\"Sheraisedherfacefranklytohis，speakingswiftly，bitterly。
\"Ofcourse，Iwanttogetaway!\"shecried。\"Ofcourse，Iwantfriends。I\'veneverhadafriend。I\'vealwaysbeenalone。I\'mtired，tired!Ihatethisbusiness。IneverknowhowmuchIhateituntilthechancecomestogetaway——andIcan\'t。\"
Shestopped，butwithoutloweringherheadormovinghereyesfromhis。
\"Thistime，\"saidthemanquietly，\"you\'regoingtogetawayfromit。\"
\"Ican\'t，\"repeatedthegirl。\"youcan\'thelpme!\"
Winthropsmiledatherconfidently。
\"I\'mgoingtotry，\"hesaid。
\"No，please!\"beggedthegirl。Hervoicewasstillshakenwithtears。Shemotionedwithherheadtowardtheroombehindher。
\"Thesearemypeople，\"shedeclareddefiantly，asthoughdaringhimtocontradicther。\"Andtheyaregoodpeople!They\'vetriedtobegoodfriendstome，andthey\'vebeentruetome。\"
Winthropcametowardherandstoodbesideher，soclosethathecouldhaveplacedhishanduponhershoulder。Hewondered，whimsically，ifsheknewhowcruelsheseemedinappealingwithhertears，herhelplessnessandlovelinesstowhatwasgenerousandchivalricinhim；and，atthesametime，byherwords，treatinghimasaninterloperandanenemy。
\"That\'sallright，\"hesaidgently。\"Butthatdoesn\'tpreventmybeingagoodfriendtoyou，too，doesit？Or，\"headded，hisvoicegrowingtenseandconscious——\"mybeingtruetoyou？Mysisterswillbeheretomorrow，\"heannouncedbriskly。
Verahadwearilydroppedherarmsuponthetableandloweredherheaduponthem。Fromaplacedowninthedepthsshemurmuredaprotest。
\"No，\"contradictedWinthropcheerfully，\"thistimeyouaregoingtowin。You\'llhavebackofyou，IfIdosayit，twoofthebestwomenGodevermade。Only，now，youmustdoasIsay。\"Therewasapause。\"Willyou？\"hebegged。
Veraraisedherheadslowly，holdingherhandacrosshereyes。
Therewasalongersilence，andthenshelookedupathimandsmiledpathetically，gratefully，andnodded。\"Good!\"criedWinthrop。\"Nomorespooks，\"helaughed，\"nomorespiritrappings。\"
ThroughhertearsVerasmiledupathimawan，brokensmile。Shegaveashudderofdistaste。\"Never!\"shewhispered。\"Ipromise。\"
Theireyesmet；thegirl\'slookingintohisshyly，gratefully；
theman\'ssearchingherseagerly。Andsuddenlytheysaweachotherwithanewandwonderfulsympathyandunderstanding。
Winthropfelthimselfbendingtowardher。Hewasconsciousthattheroomhadgrowndark，andthathecouldseeonlyhereyes。
\"Youmustbejustyourself，\"hecommanded，butsogently，sotenderly，that，thoughhedidnotknowit，eachwordcarriedwithitthetouchofacaress，\"justyoursweet，fine，nobleself!\"
Somethinghereadinthegirl\'supliftedeyesmadehimdrawbackwithashockofwonder，ofdelight，withanupbraidingconscience。Topullhimselftogether，heglancedquicklyabouthim。Thedayhadreallygrowndark。Hefeltasuddendesiretogetaway；togowherehecouldaskhimselfwhathadhappened，whatitwasthathadfilledthisunknown，tawdryroomwithbeautyandgivenitthehappinessofahome。
\"ByJove!\"heexclaimednervously，\"IhadnoideaI\'dstayedsolong。You\'llnotletmecomeagain。Goodbye——untiltomorrow。\"
Heturned，holdingouthishand，andfoundthatagainthegirlhaddroppedherfaceuponherarm，andwassobbingquietly，gently。
\"Oh，whatisit？\"criedWinthrop。\"WhathaveIsaid？\"Thecatchinthegirl\'svoiceasshetriedtocheckthesobswrenchedhisheart。\"Oh，please，\"hebegged，\"I\'vesaidsomethingwrong？I\'vehurtyou？\"Withherfacestillhiddeninherarms，thegirlshookherhead。
\"No，no!\"shesobbed。Hervoice，softwithtears，wasamelodyofsweetandtendertones。\"It\'sonly——thatI\'vebeensolonely——andyou\'vemademehappy，happy!\"
Thesobsbrokeoutafresh，butWinthrop，nowknowingthattheybroughttothegirlpeace，wasnolongerfilledwithdismay。
Herheadwasbentuponherleftarm，herrighthandlightlyclaspedtheedgeofthetable。Withtheintentionofsayingfarewell，Winthroptookherhandinhis。Thegirldidnotmove。
Tohispresencesheseemedutterlyoblivious。Inthegatheringduskhecouldseethebentfigure，couldhearthesoft，irregularbreathingasthegirlweptgently，happily，likeachildsobbingitselftosleep。Thehandheheldinhisneitherrepellednorinvited，andforaninstanthestoodmotionless，holdingituncertainly。Itwassodelicate，sohelpless，soappealing，soaltogetherlovable。Itseemedtoreachup，and，withwarm，clingingfingers，clutchthetendrilsofhisheart。
Winthropbenthisheadsuddenly，andliftingthehand，kissedit；andthen，withoutagainspeaking，walkedquicklyintothehallandshutthedoor。Intheroomtheduskdeepened。ThroughtheopenwindowscametheroaroftheSixthAvenueElevated，theinsistentclamorofanelectrichansom，themurmurofBroadwayatnight。Thetearshadsuddenlyceased，butthegirlhadnotmoved。Atlast，slowly，stiffly，sheraisedherhead。Hereyes，filledwithwonder，withamazement，werefixeduponherhand。
Sheglancedcautiouslyabouther。Assuredshewasalone，withherotherhandsheliftedtheoneWinthrophadkissedandhelditpressedagainstherlips。
Thefoldingdoorswerethrownopen，lettinginafloodoflight，andMabelVance，enteringswiftly，kneltatthetableandbentherheadclosetoVera。
\"Thatwoman\'sinthehall，\"shewhispered，\"thatnieceofHallowell\'s。PaulandManniecan\'tgetridofher。Nowshe\'sgotholdofWinthrop。Shesaysshewillseeyou。Becareful!\"
Verarose。ThatMabelmightnotseeshehadbeenweeping，shewalkedtothepiano，covertlydryinghereyes。
\"What，\"sheaskeddully，\"doesshewantwithme？\"
\"Abouttonight，\"answeredMabel。Sheexclaimedfiercely，\"Itoldthemthere\'dbetrouble!\"
WithVanceuponherheels，HelenCoatescameinquicklyfromthehall。Herfacewasflushed，hereyeslitwithindignationandexcitement。Inherhandsheheldanopenletter。
AsthoughtoprotectVera，bothVanceandhiswifemovedbetweenherandtheirvisitor，but，disregardingthem，MissCoatesatoncesingledoutthegirlasheropponent。
\"YouaretheyoungwomantheycallVera，Ibelieve，\"shesaid。
\"IhaveanoteherefromMr。Hallowelltellingmeyouaregivingaseancetonightathishouse。Thatyouproposetoexhibitthespiritofmymother。Thatisaninsulttothememoryofmymotherandtome。AndIwarnyou，ifyouattemptsuchathing，I
willpreventit。\"
Therewasapause。WhenVeraspokeitwasinthetoneofevery-
daypoliteness。Hervoicewasevenandsteady。
\"Youhavebeenmisinformed，\"shesaid，\"therewillbenoseancetonight。\"
VanceturnedtoVera，and，inavoicelowerthanherown，butsufficientlyloudtoincludeMissCoates，said:\"Idon\'tthinkwetoldyouthatMr。Hallowellhimselfinsiststhatthisladyandherfriendsbepresent。\"
\"Herpresencemakesnodifference，\"saidVeraquietly。\"Therewillbenoseancetonight。Iwilltellyouaboutitlater，Paul，\"sheadded。Shestartedtowardthedoor，butMissCoatesmovedasthoughtointercepther。
\"Ifyouthink，\"shecriedeagerly，\"youcangiveaseancetoMr。
Hallowellwithoutmyknowingit，youaremistaken。\"
Verapaused，andmadeaslightinclinationofherhead。
\"Thatwasnotmyidea，\"shesaid。ShelookedappealinglytoVance。\"Isthatnotenough，Paul？\"sheasked。
\"Quiteenough!\"exclaimedtheman。Heturnedtothevisitorandmadeacurtmovementofthehandtowardtheopendoor。
\"Therewillbeaseancetonight，\"hedeclared。\"AtMr。
Hallowell\'s。Ifyouwishtoprotestagainstit，youcandosothere。Thisismyhouse。Ifyouhavefinished——\"Herepeatedthegesturetowardtheopendoor。
\"Ihavenotfinished，\"saidMissCoatessharply；\"andifyoutakemyadvice，youwillfollowherexample。\"WithanodoftheheadshesignifiedVera。\"Whensheseesshe\'sindanger，sheknowsenoughtostop。Thisisnotaquestionofafewmedium\'stricks，\"shecried，contemptuously。\"Iknowallthatyouplannedtodo，andIintendthattomorroweveryoneinNewYorkshallknowittoo。\"
LikeacloakVera\'sself-possessionfellfromher。Inalarmshemovedforward。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"shedemanded。
\"Ihavehadyoupeoplefollowedprettyclosely，\"saidMissCoates。Hertonewasassured。Shewasconfidentthatofthosebeforehershewasthemaster，andthatofthatfacttheywereaware。
\"Iknow，\"shewenton，\"justhowyoutriedtoimposeuponmyuncle——howyoutriedtorobme，andtonightIhaveinvitedthereporterstomyhousetogivethemthefacts。\"
WithacryVerarantoher。
\"No!\"shebegged，\"youwon\'tdothat。Youmustnotdothat!\"
\"Lethertalk!\"growledVance。\"Lethertalk!She\'sfunny。\"
\"No!\"commandedVera。Hervoicerangwiththedistress。\"Shecannotdothat!\"SheturnedtoMissCoates。\"Wehaven\'thurtyou，\"shepleaded；\"wehaven\'ttakenyourmoney。Ipromiseyou，\"
shecried，\"wewillneverseeMr。Hallowellagain。Ibegofyou——\"
Vanceindignantlycaughtherbythearmanddrewherback。\"Youdon\'tbegnothingofher!\"hecried。
\"Ido，\"Veraansweredwildly。ShecaughtVance\'shandinbothofhers。\"Ihaveachance，Paul，\"sheentreated，\"don\'tforcemethroughitagain。Ican\'tstandtheshameofitagain。\"Oncemoresheappealedtothevisitor。\"Don\'t!\"shebegged。\"Don\'tshameme。\"
Buttheeyesoftheoldergirl，blindtoeverythingsavewhat，asshesawit，washerduty，showednoconsideration。
Vera\'shands，tremblingonhisarm，droveVancetodeeperanger。
HeturnedsavagelyuponMissCoates。
\"Youhaven\'tlostanythingyet，haveyou？\"hedemanded。\"Shehasn\'thurtyou，hasshe？Ifit\'srevengeyouwant，\"hecriedinsolently，\"whydon\'tyouthrowvitriolonthegirl？\"
\"Revenge!\"exclaimedMissCoatesindignantly。\"Itismyduty。Mypublicduty。I\'mnotaloneinthis；IamactingwiththeDistrictAttorney。Itisourduty。\"Sheturnedsuddenlyandcalled，\"Mr。Winthrop，Mr。Winthrop!\"
ForthefirsttimeVerasaw，underthegasjet，atthefartherendofthehall，thefiguresofMannieandWinthrop。
\"No，no!\"sheprotested，\"Ibegofyou，\"shecriedhysterically。
\"I\'vegotachance。Ifyouprintthisthingtomorrow，I\'llneverhaveachanceagain。Don\'ttakeitawayfromme。\"Impulsivelyherarmsreachedoutinaneagerfinalappeal。\"I\'mdown，\"shesaidsimply，\"givemeachancetogetup。\"
WhenMissCoatescametogivebattletotheVances，sheforesawtheinterviewmightbeunpleasant。Itwasprovingevenmoreunpleasantthanshehadexpected，butherdutyseemednonethelessobvious。
\"Youshouldhavethoughtofthat，\"shesaid，\"beforeyouwerefoundout。\"
ForaninstantVerastoodmotionless，staring，unconsciouslyholdingtheattitudeofappeal。Butwhen，bytheselastwords，sherecognizedthatherhumiliationcouldgonofurther，withaninarticulateexclamationsheturnedaway。
\"Thepublichastherighttoknow，\"declaredMissCoates，\"thesortofpeopleyouare。Ihavetherecordofeachofyou——\"
FromthehallWinthrophadenteredquickly，but，disregardinghim，Vancebrokeinuponthespeaker，savagely，defiantly。
\"Printem，then!\"heshouted，\"printem!\"
\"Imeanto，\"declaredMissCoates，\"yours，andhers，she——\"
Winthropplacedhimselfinfrontofher，shuttingherofffromtheothers。Hespokeinanearnestwhisper。
\"Don\'t!\"hebegged。\"Shehasaskedforachance。Giveherachance。\"
MissCoatesscornedtospeakinwhispers。
\"Shehashadachance，\"sheprotestedloudly。\"She\'shadachancefornineyears；andshe\'schosentobeacharlatanandacheat，and——\"Theangrywomanhesitated，andthenflungtheword——\"andathief!\"
InthesilencethatfollowednooneturnedtowardVera；butasitcontinuedunbrokeneachraisedhiseyesandlookedather。
Theysawherdrawntoherfullheight；thecolorflownfromherface，herdeep，broodingeyesflashing。Shewaslikeonebysomereligiousfervorliftedoutofherself，exalted。Whenshespokehervoicewaslow，tense。Itvibratedwithtremendous，wonderingindignation。
\"DoyouknowwhoIam？\"sheasked。Shespokelikeoneinatrance。\"Doyouknowwhoyouarethreateningwithyourpoliceandyourlaws？Iamapriestess!Iamamediumbetweenthesoulsofthisworldandthenext。IamVera——theTruth!AndImean，\"
thegirlcriedsuddenly，harshly，flingingoutherarm，\"thatyoushallhearthetruth!TonightIwillbringyourmotherfromthegravetospeakittoyou!\"
Withaswift，sweepinggestureshepointedtothedoor。\"Takethosepeopleaway!\"shecried。
TheeyesofWinthropwerefilledwithpity。\"Vera!\"hesaid，\"Vera!\"
Foraninstant，againstthetendernessandreproachinhisvoicethegirlheldherselfmotionless；andthen，fallingupontheshoulderofMrs。Vance，burstintogirlish，heart-brokentears。
\"Takethemaway，\"shesobbed，\"takethemaway!\"
MannieDayandVanceclosedinuponthevisitors，andmotioningthembeforethem，drovethemfromtheroom。
PartIII
ThedepartureoftheDistrictAttorneyandMissCoatesleftVerafreetoconsiderhowserious，ifshecarriedoutherthreat，theconsequencesmightbe。Butofthischanceshedidnotavailherself。Instead，withnervouszealshebegantoprepareforhermasquerade。ItwasasthoughherpromisetoWinthroptoabandonheroldfriendshadfilledherwithremorse，andthatshenow，byanextravaganceofloyalty，wasendeavoringtomakeamends。
Atnineo\'clock，withtheVances，shearrivedatthehouseofMr。Hallowell。Already，tothesameplace，awagonhadcarriedthecabinet，aparlororgan，andadozenofthosecampchairsthatareassociatedwithhouseweddingsandfunerals；andwhile，inthelibrary，VanceandManniearrangedthesetotheirliking，onthethirdfloorVera，withMrs。Vance，waitedforthatmomenttoarrivewhenVanceconsideredherentrancewouldbethemosteffective。
Thisentrancewastobemadethroughthedoorwaythatopenedfromthehallonthesecondstoryintothelibrary。Totherightofthisdoor，inanangleoftwowalls，wasthecabinet，andontheleft，thefirstofthecampchairs。Thesehadbeenplacedinasemicirclethatstretchedacrosstheroom，andendedattheparlororgan。ThedoorfromMr。Hallowell\'sbedroomopeneddirectlyuponthesemicircleatthepointmostdistantfromthecabinet。InthecentreofthesemicircleVancehadplacedtheinvalid\'sarmchair。
Vance，inhismannerasprofessionalandundisturbedasaphotographerfocussinghiscameraandarranginghisscreens，wasexplainingtoJudgeGaylorthesettingofhisstage。Thejudgewasanunwillingaudience。Unliketheshowman，forhimtheoccasionheldonlyterrors。Hewasdrivenbymisgivings，sweptbysuddenpanics。Hescowledatthecabinet，intrudingupontheprivacyoftheroomwhereforyears，withouttheaidofaccessories，byhisbrainsalone，hehadbroughtMr。Hallowellalmosttothepointofabjectsubmissiontohiswishes。HeturneduponVancewithbitterself-disgust。
\"So，I\'vegotdownaslowasthis，haveI？\"hedemanded。
Vanceheardhim，undisturbed。
\"Imustaskyou，\"hesaid，briskly，\"tohelpmekeepthepeoplejustasIseatthem。Theywillbeinthishalf-circlefacingthecabinetandholdinghands。Thoseweknowareagainstus，\"heexplained，\"willhaveoneofmyfriends，ProfessorStrombergk，orMrs。Marsh，ormywife，oneachsideofhim。Ifthereshouldbeanyattempttorushthecabinet，wemustgettherefirst。I
willbeoutsidethecabinetworkingtherappings，thefloatingmusic，andtheastralbodies。\"AtthesightoftheexpressionthesewordsbroughttothefaceofGaylor，Vancepermittedhimselftheshadowofasmile。\"Icantakecareofmyself，\"hewenton，\"butremember——Veramustnotbecaughtoutsidethecabinet!Whenthelightsgoup，shemustbefoundwiththeropesstilltied。\"
Gaylorturnedfromhimwithanexclamationofdisgust。
\"Pah!\"hemuttered。\"It\'sahellofabusiness!\"
Vancecontinuedunmoved。\"And，anotherthing，\"hesaid，\"abouttheselights；thisswitchthrowsthemalloff，doesn\'tit？\"Hepressedabuttonontheleftofthedoor，andtheelectriclightsinthewallsandunderagreenshadeonthelibrarytablefadedanddisappeared，leavingtheroom，saveforthelightfromthehall，indarkness。
\"That\'sthewaywewantit，\"saidtheshowman。
FromthehallMannieappearedbetweenthecurtainsthathungacrossthedoorway。\"Whatareyoudoingwiththelights？\"hedemanded。\"Youwanttobreakmyneck？Allourpeoplearedownstairs，\"heannounced。
Vanceturnedonthelights。AtthesamemomentRaineycamefromthebedroomintothelibrary。Itwasevidentthattosustainhiscouragehehadbeendrinking。Hemadenoefforttogreetthoseintheroom，butstood，glaringresentfullyatthecabinetandtherowofchairs。
\"Well，\"exclaimedVancecheerfully，\"ifourfolksareallhere，we\'reallright。\"
Glancingbehindhim，MannietookVancebythesleeve，andledhimtothecentreoftheroom。
\"No，we\'renotallright，\"saidtheboy，\"thatMissCoateshasbroughtafriendwithher。ShesaysHallowelltoldhershecouldbringafriend。Shesaysthisyoungfellowisherfriend。I
thinkhe\'saPink!\"
\"Whatnonsense，\"exclaimedGaylorinalarm。\"Nodetectivewouldforcehiswayintothishouse。\"
\"Shesays，\"continuedMannie，disregardingGaylor，andstilladdressingVance，\"he\'saseekeraftertheTruth。I\'llbet，\"
declaredtheboyviolently，\"he\'saseekerafterthetruth!\"
Garrettcamehastilyandnoiselesslyintotheroom。HenoddedtowardMannie。
\"Hashetoldyou？\"heasked。
\"Yes，\"Gayloranswered，\"whoishe？\"
\"Thereporterwhowasherethismorning，\"Garrettreturned。\"Theonewhothreatened——\"
\"That\'lldo，\"commandedGaylor。Inthefaceofthisnewcomplicationheagainbecamehimself。SuavelyandpolitelyheturnedtoVance。\"WillyouandyourfriendjoinMissVera，\"heasked，\"andtellherthatwebegininafewminutes？\"
Forthefirsttime，aggressivelyandoffensivelyRaineybrokehissilence。
\"No，wewon\'tbegininafewminutes，\"heannounced，\"notbyadamnedsight!\"
Theexplosionwassounexpectedthat，foraninstant，whiletheeyesofallwerefixedinastonishmentuponthespeaker，therewascompletesilence。Gaylor，stillsuave，stillpolite，lookedtowardVance，andmotionedhimtothedoor。
\"WillyoukindlydoasIask？\"hesaid。WithMannieathisside，Vancewalkedquicklyfromtheroom。Onceinthehall，theboylaidadetaininghanduponthearmoftheolderman。
\"Ifyou\'lltakemyadvice，whichyouwon\'t，\"hesaid，\"we\'llallcutandrunnow，whilewegotthechance!\"
Inthelibrary，Gaylorturnedsavagelyuponhisfellowconspirator。
\"Well!\"hedemanded。
Raineyfrownedathimsulkily。\"Iwashmyhandsofthewholething!\"hecried。
Gaylordroppedhisvoicetoawhisper。
\"Whatareyouafraidofnow？:hedemanded。\"Ifyou\'renotafraidofadistrictattorney，whyareyouafraidofareporter？\"
\"I\'mnotafraidofanybody，\"returnedRainey，thickly。\"But，I
don\'tmeantobeapartytonomurder!\"Hepaused，shakinghisheadportentously。\"Thatmaninthere，\"hewhispered，noddingtowardthebedroom，\"isinnoconditiontogothroughthis。
Afterthatshockthismorning，andlastnight——it\'llkillhim。
Hisheart\'srotten，Itellyou，rotten!\"
Garrettsnarledcontemptuously。
\"Howdoyouknow？\"hedemanded。
\"HowdoIknow？\"returnedRainey，fiercely。\"Iwasfouryearsinamedicalcollege，whenyouwereinjail，you——\"\"Stopthat!\"
criedGaylor。Glancingfearfullytowardtheopendoor，heinterposedbetweenthem。
\"Don\'ttakemyadvice，then，\"criedRainey。\"Goon!Killhim!
Andhewon\'tsignyourwill。Only，don\'tsayIdidn\'ttellyou。\"
\"Haveyoutoldhim？\"demandedGaylor。
\"Yes，\"Raineyansweredstoutly。\"Toldhimifhedidn\'tstopthis，hewouldn\'tlivetillmorning。\"
\"Areweforcinghimtodothis？\"demandedGaylor。\"No!He\'sforcingitonus。MyGod!\"heexclaimed，\"doyouthinkIwantthisfarce？Yousay，yourself，youtoldhimitwouldkillhim，andhewillgoonwithit。Thenwhydoyoublameus？Canwehelpourselves？\"
Thebutlerhaddistinguishedthesoundsoffootstepsinthehall。Hefellhastilytorearrangingthecampchairs。
\"Hush!\"hewarned。\"Lookout!\"GaylorandRaineyhadbuttimetomoveapart，whenWinthropentered。Heregardedthethreemenwithasmileofunderstanding。
\"Ibegpardon，\"heexclaimed，\"Iaminterrupting？\"
Gaylorgreetedhimwithexaggeratedheartiness。
\"Ah，itisMr。Winthrop!\"hecried。\"Haveyoucometohelpusfindoutthetruththisevening？\"
\"Icertainlyhopenot!\"saidWinthropbrusquely。\"Iknowthetruthabouttoomanypeoplealready。\"HeturnedtoGarrett，who，unobtrusively，wasendeavoringtomakehisescape。
\"IwanttoseeMissVera，\"hesaid。
\"MissVera，\"interposedGaylor。\"I\'mafraidthat\'snotpossible。
Sheespeciallyaskednottobedisturbedbeforetheseance。I\'msorry。\"
Winthrop\'smannerbecamesuspiciouslypolite。
\"Yes？\"heinquired。\"Well，neverthelessIthinkI\'llaskher。
TellMissVera，please，\"hesaidtoGarrett，\"thatMr。Winthropwouldlikeawordwithherhere，\"withsignificanceheadded，\"inprivate。\"
Inoffendeddignity，JudgeGaylormovedtowardthedoor。\"Dr。
Rainey，\"hesaidstiffly，\"willyoupleaseinformMr。Hallowellthathisguestsarenowhere，andthatIhavegonetobringthemupstairs。\"
