HerrGommissioner，neferwouldIhave——\"
TheCommissionerraisedonewhitehand，silently，Kampferdroppedhispipeandfled。
Withahandateachsideofhisface，andhiselbowsrestinguponthedesk，theCommissionersatstaringatthemapwhichwasspreadandfastenedthere——staringatthesweetandlivingprofileoflittleGeorgiadrawnthereupon——atherface，pensive，delicate，andinfantile，outlinedinaperfectlikeness。
Whenhismindatlengthcametoinquireintotherea-
sonofit，hesawthatitmusthavebeen，asKampferhadsaid，unpremeditated。TheolddraughtsmanhadbeenplattingintheEliasDennysurvey，andGeorgia\'slikeness，strikingthoughitwas，wasformedbynothingmorethanthemeandersofChiquitoRiver。Indeed，Kampfer\'sblotter，whereonhispreliminaryworkwasdone，showedthelaborioustracingsofthecallsandthecountlesspricksofthecompasses。Then，overhisfaintpencilling，KampferhaddrawninIndiainkwithafull，firmpenthesimilitudeofChiquitoRiver，andforthhadblossomedmysteriouslythedainty，patheticprofileofthechild。
TheCommissionersatforhalfanhourwithhisfaceinhishands，gazingdownward，andnonedaredapproachhim。Thenhearoseandwalkedout。InthebusinessofficehepausedlongenoughtoaskthattheDennyfilebebroughttohisdesk。
HefoundHamlinandAverystillrecliningintheirchairs，apparentlyobliviousofbusiness。Theywerelazilydiscussingsummeropera，itbeing，theirhabit——
perhapstheirpridealso——toappearsupernaturallyindifferentwhenevertheystoodwithlargeinterestsimperilled。Andtheystoodtowinmoreonthisstakethanmostpeopleknew。Theypossessedinsideinfor-
mationtotheeffectthatanewrailroadwould，withinayear，splitthisveryChiquitoRivervalleyandsendlandvaluesballooningallalongitsroute。Adollarunderthirtythousandprofitonthislocation，ifitshouldholdgood，wouldbealosstotheirexpectations。So，whiletheychattedlightlyandwaitedfortheCommissionertoopenthesubject，therewasaquick，sidelongsparkleintheireyes，evincingadesiretoreadtheirtitlecleartothosefairacresontheChiquito。
Aclerkbroughtinthefile。TheCommissionerseatedhimselfandwroteuponitinredink。Thenherosetohisfeetandstoodforawhilelookingstraightoutofthewindow。TheLandOfficecappedthesummitofaboldhill。TheeyesoftheCommissionerpassedovertheroofsofmanyhousessetinapackingofdeepgreen，thewholecheckeredbystripsofblindingwhitestreets。Thehorizon，wherehisgazewasfocussed，swelledtoafairwoodedeminencefleckedwithfaintdotsofshiningwhite。
Therewasthecemetery，wherelaymanywhowereforgot-
ten，andafewwhohadnotlivedinvain。Andonelaythere，occupyingverysmallspace，whosechildishhearthadbeenlargeenoughtodesire，whilenearitslastbeats，goodtoothers。TheCommissioner\'slipsmovedslightlyashewhisperedtohimself:\"Itwasherlastwillandtestament，andIhaveneglecteditsolong!\"
ThebigbrowncigarsofHamlinandAverywerefireless，buttheystillgrippedthembetweentheirteethandwaited，whiletheymarvelledattheabsentexpressionupontheCommissioner\'sface。
Byandbyhespokesuddenlyandpromptly。
\"Gentlemen，IhavejustindorsedtheEliasDennysurveyforpatenting。Thisofficewillnotregardyourlocationuponapartofitaslegal。\"Hepausedamoment，andthen，extendinghishandasthosedearold-timeonesusedtodoindebate，heenunciatedthespiritofthatRulingthatsubsequentlydrovetheland-sharkstothewall，andplacedthesealofpeaceandsecurityoverthedoorsoftenthousandhomes。
\"And，furthermore，\"hecontinued，withaclear，softlightuponhisface，\"itmayinterestyoutoknowthatfromthistimeonthisofficewillconsiderthatwhenasurveyoflandmadebyvirtueofacertificategrantedbythisstatetothemenwhowresteditfromthewildernessandthesavage——madeingoodfaith，settledingoodfaith，andleftingoodfaithtotheirchildrenorinnocentpur-
chasers——whensuchasurvey，althoughoverrunningitscomplement，shallcallforanynaturalobjectvisibletotheeyeofman，tothatobjectitshallhold，andbegoodandvalid。Andthechildrenofthisstateshallliedowntosleepatnight，andrumoursofdisturbersoftitleshallnotdisquietthem。For，\"concludedtheCommissioner，\"ofsuchistheKingdomofHeaven。\"
Inthesilencethatfollowed，alaughfloatedupfromthepatent-roombelow。ThemanwhocarrieddowntheDennyfilewasexhibitingitamongtheclerks。
\"Lookhere，\"hesaid，delightedly，\"theoldmanhasforgottenhisname。He\'swritten\'Patenttooriginalgrantee，\'andsignedit\'GeorgiaSummerfield，Comr。\"\'
ThespeechoftheCommissionerreboundedlightlyfromtheimpregnableHamlinandAvery。Theysmiled，rosegracefully，spokeofthebaseballteam，andarguedfeelinglythatquiteaperceptiblebreezehadArisenfromtheeast。Theylitfreshfatbrowncigars，anddriftedcourteouslyaway。Butlatertheymadeanothertiger-
springfortheirquarryinthecourts。Butthecourts，accordingtoreportsinthepapers，\"coollyroastedthem\"(aremarkableperformance，suggestiveofliquid-airdidoes)，andsustainedtheCommissioner\'sRuling。
AndthisRulingitselfgrewtobeaPrecedent，andtheActualSettlerframedit，andtaughthischildrentospellfromit，andtherewassoundsleepo\'nightsfromthepinestothesage-brush，andfromthechaparraltothegreatbrownriverofthenorth。
ButIthink，andIamsuretheCommissionerneverthoughtotherwise，thatwhetherKampferwasasnuffyoldinstrumentofdestiny，orwhetherthemeandersoftheChiquitoaccidentallyplattedthemselvesintothatmemo-
rablesweetprofileornot，therewasbroughtabout\"some-
thinggoodforawholelotofchildren，\"andtheresultoughttobecalled\"Georgia\'sRuling。\"
BLINDMAN\'SHOLIDAY
Alasforthemanandfortheartistwiththeshiftingpointofperspective!Lifeshallbeaconfusionofwaystotheone；thelandscapeshallriseupandconfoundtheother。TakethecaseofLorison。Atonetimeheappearedtohimselftobethefeeblestoffools；atanotherheconceivedthathefollowedidealssofinethattheworldwasnotyetreadytoacceptthem。Duringonemoodhecursedhisfolly；possessedbytheother，heborehimselfwithaserenegrandeurakintogreatness:inneitherdidheattaintheperspective。
Generationsbefore，thenamehadbeen\"Larsen。\"
Hisracehadbequeathedhimitsfine-strung，melancholytemperament，itssavingbalanceofthriftandindustry。
Fromhispointofperspectivehesawhimselfanoutcastfromsociety，forevertobeashadyskulkeralongtheraggededgeofrespectability；adenizendestrois-quartzdemonde，thatpatheticspheroidlyingbetweenthehautandthedemi，whoseinhabitantsenvyeachoftheirneigh-
bours，andarescornedbyboth。Hewasself-condemnedtothisopinion，ashewasself-exiled，throughit，tothisquaintSoutherncityathousandmilesfromhisformerhome。Herehehaddweltforlongerthanayear，know-
ingbutfew，keepinginasubjectiveworldofshadowswhichwasinvadedattimesbytheperplexingbulksofjarringrealities。Thenhefellinlovewithagirlwhomhemetinacheaprestaurant，andhisstorybegins。
TheRueChartres，inNewOrleans，isastreetofghosts。
ItliesinthequarterwheretheFrenchman，inhisprime，setuphistranslatedprideandglory；where，also，thearrogantdonhadswaggered，anddreamedofgoldandgrantsandladies\'gloves。Everyflagstonehasitsgrooveswornbyfootstepsgoingroyallytothewooingandthefighting。Everyhousehasaprincelyheartbreak；eachdoorwayitsuntoldtaleofgallantpromiseandslowdecay。
BynighttheRueChartresisnowbutamurkyfissure，fromwhichthegropingwayfarersees，flungagainstthesky，thetangledfiligreeofMoorishironbalconies。Thsoldhousesofmonsieurstandyet，indomitableagainstthecentury，buttheiressenceisgone。Thestreetisoneofghoststowhosoevercanseethem。
Afaintheartbeatofthestreet\'sancientglorystillsur-
vivesinacorneroccupiedbytheCaf？Carabined\'Or。
Oncemengatheredtheretoplotagainstkings，andtowarnpresidents。Theydosoyet，buttheyarenotthesamekindofmen。Abrassbuttonwillscatterthese；
thosewouldhavesettheirfacesagainstanarmy。Abovethedoorhangsthesignboard，uponwhichhasbeendepictedavastanimalofunfamiliarspecies。Intheactoffiringuponthismonsterisrepresentedanunobtrusivehumanlevellinganobtrusivegun，oncethecolourofbrightgold。Nowthelegendabovethepictureisfadedbeyondconjecture；thegun\'srelationtothetitleisamatteroffaith；themenacedanimal，weariedofthelongaimofthehunter，hasresolveditselfintoashapelessblot。
Theplaceisknownas\"Antonio\'s，\"asthename，whiteuponthered-littransparency，andgiltuponthewindows，attests。Thereisapromisein\"Antonio\"；ajustifiableexpectancyofsavourythingsinoilandpepperandwine，andperhapsanangel\'swhisperofgarlic。Buttherestofthenameis\"O\'Riley。\"AntonioO\'Riley!
TheCarabined\'OrisanignominiousghostoftheRueChartres。Thecaf？whereBienvilleandContidined，whereaprincehasbrokenbread，isbecomea\"familyristaurant。\"
Itscustomersareworkingmenandwomen，almosttoaunit。Occasionallyyouwillseechorusgirlsfromthecheapertheatres，andmenwhofollowavocationssub-
jecttoquickvicissitudes；butatAntonio\'s——namerichinBohemianpromise，buttameinfulfillment——mannersdebonairandgayaretoneddowntothe\"family\"stand-
ard。Shouldyoulightacigarette，minehostwilltouchyouonthe\"arrum\"andremindyouthattheproprietiesaremenaced。\"Antonio\"enticesandbeguilesfromfierylegendwithout，but\"O\'Riley\"teachesdecorumwithin。
ItwasatthisrestaurantthatLorisonfirstsawthegirl。
Aflashyfellowwithapredatoryeyehadfollowedherin，andhadadvancedtotaketheotherchairatthelittletablewhereshestopped，butLorisonslippedintotheseatbeforehim。Theiracquaintancebegan，andgrew，andhowfortwomonthstheyhadsatatthesametableeachevening，notmeetingbyappointment，butasifbyaseriesoffortuitousandhappyaccidents。Afterdining，theywouldtakeawalktogetherinoneofthelittlecityparks，oramongthepanoramicmarketswhereexhibitsacon-
tinuousvaudevilleofsightsandsounds。Alwaysateighto\'clocktheirstepsledthemtoacertainstreetcorner，wheresheprettilybutfirmlybadehimgoodnightandlefthim。\"Idonotlivefarfromhere，\"shefrequentlysaid，\"andyoumustletmegotherestofthewayalone。\"
ButnowLorisonhaddiscoveredthathewantedtogotherestofthewaywithher，orhappinesswoulddepart，leaving，himonaverylonelycorneroflife。Andatthesametimethathemadethediscovery，thesecretofhisbanishmentfromthesocietyofthegoodlaiditsfingerinhisfaceandtoldhimitmustnotbe。
Manistoothoroughlyanegoistnottobealsoanegotist；
ifhelove，theobjectshallknowit。Duringalifetimehemayconcealitthroughstressofexpediencyandhonour，butitshallbubblefromhisdyinglips，thoughitdisruptaneighbourhood。Itisknown，however，thatmostmendonotwaitsolongtodisclosetheirpassion。InthecaseofLorison，hisparticularethicspositivelyforbadehimtodeclarehissentiments，buthemustneedsdallywiththesubject，andwoobyinnuendoatleast。
Onthisnight，aftertheusualmealattheCarabined\'Or，hestrolledwithhiscompaniondownthedimoldstreettowardtheriverTheRueChartresperishesintheoldPlaced\'Armes。
TheancientCabildo，whereSpanishjusticefelllikehail，facesit，andtheCathedral，anotherprovincialghost，overlooksit。Itscentreisalittle，iron-railedparkofflowersandimmaculategravelledwalks，wherecitizenstaketheairofevenings。Pedestalledhighaboveit，thegeneralsitshiscavortingsteed，withhisfaceturnedstonilydowntherivertowardEnglishTurn，whencecomenomoreBritonstobombardhiscottonbales。
Oftenthetwosatinthissquare，butto-nightLorisonguidedherpastthestone-steppedgate，andstillriverward。
Astheywalked，hesmiledtohimselftothinkthatallheknewofher——exceptthatbelovedher——washername，NorahGreenway，andthatshelivedwithherbrother。Theyhadtalkedabouteverythingexceptthemselves。Perhapsherreticencehadbeencausedbyhis。
Theycame，atlength，uponthelevee，andsatuponagreat，prostratebeam。Theairwaspungentwiththedustofcommerce。Thegreatriverslippedyellowlypast。AcrossitAlgierslay，alongitudinousblackbulkagainstavibrantelectrichazesprinkledwithexactstars。
Thegirlwasyoungandofthepiquantorder。Acertainbrightmelancholypervadedher；shepossessedanuntarnished，paleprettinessdoomedtoplease。Hervoice，whenshespoke，dwarfedhertheme。Itwasthevoicecapableofinvestinglittlesubjectswithalargeinterest。Shesatatease，bestowingherskirtswiththelittlewomanlytouch，sereneasifthebegrimedpierwereasummergarden。Lorisonpokedtherottingboardswithhiscane。
Hebeganbytellingherthathewasinlovewithsomeonetowhomhedurstnotspeakofit。\"Andwhynot？\"
sheasked，acceptingswiftlyhisfatuouspresentationofathirdpersonofstraw。\"Myplaceintheworld，\"heanswered，\"isnonetoaskawomantoshare。Iamanoutcastfromhonestpeople；Iamwronglyaccusedofonecrime，andam，Ibelieve，guiltyofanother。\"
Thenceheplungedintothestoryofhisabdicationfromsociety。Thestory，prunedofhismoralphilosophy，deservesnomorethantheslightesttouch。Itisnonewtale，thatofthegambler\'sdeclension。Duringonenight\'ssittinghelost，andthenhadimperilledacertainamountofhisemployer\'smoney，which，byaccident，hecarriedwithhim。Hecontinuedtolose，tothelastwager，andthenbegantogain，leavingthegamewinnertoasomewhatformidablesum。Thesamenighthisemployer\'ssafewasrobbed。Asearchwashad；thewinningsofLorisonwerefoundinhisroom，theirtotalforminganaccusativenearnesstothesumpurloined。
Hewastaken，triedand，throughincompleteevidence，released，smutchedwiththesinisterdevoirsofadis-
agreeingjury。
\"Itisnotintheunjustaccusation，\"hesaidtothegirl，\"thatmyburdenlies，butintheknowledgethatfromthemomentIstakedthefirstdollarofthefirm\'smoneyI
wasacriminal——nomatterwhetherIlostorwon。Youseewhyitisimpossibleformetospeakoflovetoher。\"
\"Itisasadthing，\"saidNorah，afteralittlepause。
\"tothinkwhatverygoodpeoplethereareintheworld。\"
\"Good？\"saidLorison。
\"Iwasthinkingofthissuperiorpersonwhomyousayyoulove。Shemustbeaverypoorsortofcreature。\"
\"Idonotunderstand。\"
\"Nearly，\"shecontinued，\"aspoorasortofcreatureasyourself。\"
\"Youdonotunderstand，\"saidLorison，removinghishatandsweepingbackhisfine，lighthair。\"Supposeshelovedmeinreturn，andwerewillingtomarryme。
Think，ifyoucan，whatwouldfollow。NeveradayWouldpassbutshewouldberemindedofhersacrifice。
Iwouldreadacondescensioninhersmile，apityeveninheraffection，thatwouldmaddenme。No。Thethingwouldstandbetweenusforever。Onlyequalsshouldmate。Icouldneveraskhertocomedownuponmylowerplane。\"
AnarclightfaintlyshoneuponLorison\'sface。Anilluminationfromwithinalsopervadedit。Thegirlsawtherapt，asceticlook；itwasthefaceeitherofSirGalahadorSirFool。
\"Quitestarlike，\"shesaid，\"isthisunapproachableangel。Reallytoohightobegrasped。\"
\"Byme，yes。\"
Shefacedhimsuddenly。\"Mydearfriend，wouldyoupreferyourstarfallen？\"Lorisonmadeawidegesture。
\"Youpushmetothebaldfact，\"hedeclared；\"youarenotinsympathywithmyargument。ButIwillansweryouso。IfIcouldreachmyparticularstar，todragitdown，Iwouldnotdoit；butifitwerefallen，I
wouldpickitup，andthankHeavenfortheprivilege。\"
Theyweresilentforsomeminutes。Norahshivered，andthrustherhandsdeepintothepocketsofherjacket。
Lorisonutteredaremorsefulexclamation。
\"I\'mnotcold，\"shesaid。\"Iwasjustthinking。I
oughttotellyousomething。Youhaveselectedastrangeconfidante。Butyoucannotexpectachanceacquain-
ance，pickedupinadoubtfulrestaurant，tobeanangel。\"
\"Norah!\"criedLorison。
\"Letmegoon。Youhavetoldmeaboutyourself。
Wehavebeensuchgoodfriends。ImusttellyounowwhatIneverwantedyoutoknow。Iam——worsethanyouare。Iwasonthestage……Isanginthechorus……Iwasprettybad，Iguess……I
stolediamondsfromtheprimadonna……theyarrestedme……Igavemostofthemup，andtheyletmego……Idrankwineeverynight……agreatdeal……Iwasverywicked，but——\"
Lorisonkneltquicklybyhersideandtookherhands。
\"DearNorah!\"hesaid，exultantly。\"Itisyou，itisyouIlove!Youneverguessedit，didyou？\'TisyouImeantallthetime。NowIcanspeak。Letmemakeyouforgetthepast。Wehavebothsuffered；letusshutouttheworld，andliveforeachother。Norah，doyouhearmesayIloveyou？\"
\"Inspiteof——\"
\"Rathersaybecauseofit。Youhavecomeoutofyourpastnobleandgood。Yourheartisanangel\'s，Giveittome。\"
\"Alittlewhileagoyoufearedthefuturetoomuchtoevenspeak。\"
\"Butforyou；notformyself。Canyouloveme？\"
Shecastherself，wildlysobbing，uponhisbreast。
\"Betterthanlife——thantruthitself——thanevery-
thing。\"
\"Andmyownpast，\"saidLorison，withanoteofsolicitude——\"canyouforgiveand——\"
\"Iansweredyouthat，\"shewhispered，\"whenItoldyouIlovedyou。\"Sheleanedaway，andlookedthought-
fullyathim。\"IfIhadnottoldyouaboutmyself，wouldyouhave——wouldyou——\"
\"No，\"heinterrupted；\"IwouldneverhaveletyouknowIlovedyou。Iwouldneverhaveaskedyouthis——Norah，willyoubemywife？\"
Sheweptagain。
\"Oh，believeme；Iamgoodnow——Iamnolongerwicked!Iwillbethebestwifeintheworld。Don\'tthinkIam——badanymore。IfyoudoIshalldie，I
shalldie!\"
Whilehewasconsoling，her，shebrightenedup，eagerandimpetuous。\"Willvoumarrymeto-night？\"shesaid。\"Willyouproveitthatway。Ihaveareasonforwishingittobeto-night。Willyou？\"
Ofoneoftwothingswasthisexceedingfranknesstheoutcome:eitherofimportunatebrazennessorofutterinnocence。Thelover\'sperspectivecontainedonlytheone。
\"Thesooner，\"saidLorison，\"thehappierIshallbe。\"
\"Whatistheretodo？\"sheasked。\"Whatdoyouhavetoget？Come!Youshouldknow。\"
Herenergystirredthedreamertoaction。
\"Acitydirectoryfirst，\"hecried，gayly，\"tofindwherethemanliveswhogiveslicensestohappiness。Wewillgotogetherandrouthimout。Cabs，cars，policemen，telephonesandministersshallaidus。\"
\"FatherRoganshallmarryus，\"saidthegirl，withardour。\"Iwilltakeyoutohim。\"
Anhourlaterthetwostoodattheopendoorwayofanimmense，gloomybrickbuildinginanarrowandlonelystreet。ThelicensewastightinNorah\'shand。
\"Waithereamoment，\"shesaid，\"tillIfindFatherRogan。\"
Sheplungedintotheblackhallway，andtheloverwasleftstanding，asitwere，ononeleg，outside。Hisimpa-
tiencewasnotgreatlytaxed。GazingcuriouslyintowhatseemedthehallwaytoErebus，hewaspresentlyreassuredbyastreamoflightthatbisectedthedarkness，fardownthepassage。Thenheheardhercall，andflutteredlampward，likethemoth。Shebeckonedhimthroughadoorwayintotheroomwhenceemanatedthelight。Theroomwasbareofnearlyeverythingexceptbooks，whichhadsubjugatedallitsspace。Hereandtherelittlespotsofterritoryhadbeenreconquered。Anelderly，baldman，withasuperlativelycalm，remoteeye，stoodbyatablewithabookinhishand，hisfingerstillmarkingapage。Hisdresswassombreandappertainedtoareligiousorder。Hiseyedenotedanacquaintancewiththeperspective。
\"FatherRogan，\"saidNorah，\"thisishe。\"
\"Thetwoofye，\"saidFatherRogan，\"wanttogetmarried？\"
Theydidnotdenyit。Hemarriedthem。Thecere-
monywasquicklydone。Onewhocouldhavewitnessedit，andfeltitsscope，mighthavetrembledattheterribleinadequacyofittorisetothedignityofitsendlesschainofresults。
Afterwardthepriestspakebriefly，asifbyrote，ofcertainothercivilandlegaladdendathateithermightorshould，atalatertime，captheceremony。Lorisontenderedafee，whichwasdeclined，andbeforethedoorclosedafterthedepartingcoupleFatherRogan\'sbookpoppedopenagainwherehisfingermarkedit。
InthedarkhallNorahwhirledandclungtohercom-
panion，tearful。
\"Willyounever，neverbesorry？\"
Atlastshewasreassured。
Atthefirstlighttheyreacheduponthestreet，sheaskedthetime，justasshehadeachnight。Lorisonlookedathiswatch。Half-pasteight。
Lorisonthoughtitwasfromhabitthatsheguidedtheirstepstowardthecornerwheretheyalwaysparted。But，arrivedthere，shehesitated，andthenreleasedhisarm。
Adrugstorestoodonthecorner；itsbright，softlightshoneuponthem。
\"Pleaseleavemehereasusualto-night，\"saidNorah，sweetly。\"Imust——Iwouldratheryouwould。Youwillnotobject？Atsixto-morroweveningIwillmeetyouatAntonio\'s。Iwanttositwithvouthereoncemore。
Andthen——Iwillgowhereyousay。\"Shegavehimabewildering，brightsmile，andwalkedswiftlyaway。
Surelyitneededallthestrengthofhercharmtocarryoffthisastoundingbehaviour。ItwasnodiscredittoLorison\'sstrengthofmindthathisheadbegantowhirl。
Pocketinghishands，herambledvacuouslyovertothedruggist\'swindows，andbeganassiduouslytospelloverthenamesofthepatentmedicinesthereindisplayed。
Assoonasbehadrecoveredhiswits，heproceededalongthestreetinanaimlessfashion。Afterdriftingfortwoorthreesquares，heflowedintoasomewhatmorepretentiousthoroughfare，awaymuchfrequentedbyhiminhissolitaryramblings。Forherewasarowofslopsdevotedtotrafficingoodsofthewidestrangeofchoice——
handiworksofart，skillandfancy，productsofnatureandlabourfromeveryzone。
Here，foratime，heloiteredamongtheconspicuouswindows，wherewasset，emphasizedbvcongestedfloodsoflight，thecunningestspoiloftheinteriors。Therewerefewpassers，andofthisLorisonwasglad。Hewasnotoftheworld。Foralongtimehehadtouchedhisfellowmanonlyatthegearofalevelledcog-wheel——atrightangles，anduponadifferentaxis。Hehaddroppedintoadistinctlyneworbit。Thestrokeofillfortunehadacteduponhim，ineffect，asablowdeliveredupontheapexofacertainingenioustoy，themusicaltop，which-
whenthusbuffetedwhilespinning，givesforth，withscarcelyretardedmotion，acompletechangeofkeyandchord。
Strollingalongthepacificavenue，heexperiencedsingular，supernaturalcalm，accompaniedbyanunusualaactivityofbrain。Reflectinguponrecentaffairs，beassuredhimselfofhishappinessinhavingwonforabridetheonehehadsogreatlydesired，yethewonderedmildlyathisdearthofactiveemotion。Herstrangebehaviourinabandoninghimwithoutvalidexcuseonhisbridalevearousedinhimonlyavagueandcuriousspeculation。
Again，hefoundhimselfcontemplating，withcomplaisantserenity，theincidentsofhersomewhatlivelycareer。Hisperspectiveseemedtohavebeenqueerlyshifted。
Ashestoodbeforeawindownearacorner，hisearswereassailedbyawaxingclamourandcommotion。Hestoodclosetothewindowtoallowpassagetothecauseofthehubbub——aprocessionofhumanbeings，whichroundedthecorneraidheadedinhisdirection。Heperceivedasalienthueofblueandaglitterofbrassaboutacentralfigureofdazzlingwhiteandsilver，andaraggedwakeofblack，bobbingfigures。
TwoponderouspolicemenWereconductingbetweenthemawomandressedasifforthestage，inashort，white，satinyskirtreachingtotheknees，pinkstockings，andasortofsleevelessbodicebrightwithrelucent，armour-likescales。Uponhercurly，lighthairwasperched，atarollickingangle，ashiningtinhelmet。Thecostumewastobeinstantlyrecognizedasoneofthoseamazingcon-
ceptionstowhichcompetitionhasharriedtheinventorsofthespectacularballet。Oneoftheofficersborealongcloakuponhisaxm，which，doubtless，hadbeenintendedtoveiltheIcandidattractionsoftheireffulgentprisoner，but，forsomereason，ithadnotbeencalledintouse，tothevociferousdelightofthetailoftheprocession。
Compelledbyasuddenandvigorousmovementofthewoman，theparadehaltedbeforethewindowbywhichLorisonstood。Hesawthatshewasyoung，and，atthefirstglance，wasdeceivedbyasophisticalprettinessofherface，whichwanedbeforeamorejudiciousscrutiny。
Herlookwasboldandreckless，anduponhercountenance，whereyetthecontoursofyouthsurvived，werethefinger-
marksofoldage\'scredentialedcourier，LateHours。
TheyoungwomanfixedherunshrinkinggazeuponLorison，andcalledtohiminthevoiceofthewrongedheroineinstraits:
\"Say!Youlooklikeagoodfellow；comeandputupthebail，won\'tyou？I\'vedonenothingtogetpinchedfor。It\'sallamistake。Seehowthey\'retreatingme!
Youwon\'tbesorry，ifyou\'llhelpmeoutofthis。Thinkofyoursisteroryourgirlbeingdraggedalongthestreetsthisway!Isay，comealongnow，likeagoodfellow。\"
ItmaybethatLorison，inspiteoftheunconvincingbathosofthisappeal，showedasympatheticface，foroneoftheofficersleftthewoman\'sside，andwentovertohim。
\"It\'sallright，Sir，\"hesaid，inahusky，confidentialtone；\"she\'stherightparty。WetookherafterthefirstactattheGreenLightTheatre，onawirefromthechiefofpoliceofChicago。It\'sonlyasquareortwotothestation。Herrig\'sprettybad，butsherefusedtochangeclothes——or，rather，\"addedtheofficer，withasmile，\"toputonsome。IthoughtI\'dexplainmatterstoyousoyouwouldn\'tthinkshewasbeingimposedupon。\"
\"Whatisthecharge？\"askedLorison。
\"Grandlarceny。Diamonds。HerhusbandisajewellerinChicago。Shecleanedhisshowcaseofthesparklers，andskippedwithacomic-operatroupe。\"
Thepoliceman，perceivingthattheinterestoftheentiregroupofspectatorswascentreduponhimselfandLorison——theirconferencebeingregardedasapossiblenewcom-
plication——wasfaintoprolongthesituation——whichreflectedhisownimportance——byalittleafterpieceofphilosophicalcomment。
\"Agentlemanlikeyou，Sir，\"hewentonaffably，\"wouldnevernoticeit，butitcomesinmylinetoobservewhatanimmenseamountoftroubleismadebythatcom-
bination——Imeanthestage，diamondsandlight-headedwomenwhoaren\'tsatisfiedwithgoodhomes。Itellyou，Sir，amanthesedaysandnightswantstoknowwhathiswomenfolksareupto。\"
Thepolicemansmiledagoodnight，andreturnedtothesideofhischarge，whohadbeenintentlywatchingLorison\'sfaceduringtheconversation，nodoubtforsomeindicationofhisintentiontorendersuccour。Now，atthefailureofthesign，andatthemovementmadetocontinuetheignominiousprogress，sheabandonedhope，andaddressedhimthus，pointedly:
\"Youdamnchalk-facedquitter!Youwasthinkingofgivingmeahand，butyouletthecoptalkyououtofitthefirstword。You\'readandytotieto。Say，ifyouevergetagirl，she\'llhaveapicnic。Won\'tsheworkyoutothequeen\'staste!Oh，my!\"Sheconcludedwithataunting，shrilllaughthatraspedLorisonlikeasaw。Thepolicemenurgedherforward；thedelightedtrainofgapingfollowerscloseduptherear；andthecaptiveAmazon，acceptingherfate，extendedthescopeofhermaledictionssothatnoneinhearingmightseemtobeslighted。
ThentherecameuponLorisonanoverwhelmingrevulsionofhisperspective。Itmaybethathehadbeenripeforit，thattheabnormalconditionofmindinwhichhehadforsolongexistedwasalreadyabouttoreverttoitsbalance；however，itiscertainthattheeventsofthelastfewminuteshadfurnishedthechannel，ifnottheimpetus，forthechange。
Theinitialdetermininginfluencehadbeensosmallathingasthefactandmannerofhishavingbeenapproachedbytheofficer。Thatagenthad，bythestyleofhisaccost，restoredtheloiterertohisformerplaceinsociety。Inaninstanthehadbeentransformedfromasomewhatrancidprowleralongthefishysidestreetsofgentilityintoanhonestgentleman，withwhomevensolordlyaguardianofthepeacemightagreeablyexchangethecompliments。
This，then，firstbrokethespell，andsetthrillinginhimaresurrectedlongingforthefellowshipofhiskind，andtherewardsofthevirtuous。Towhatend，hevehementlyaskedhimself，wasthisfancifulself-accusation，thisemptyrenunciation，thismoralsqueamishnessthroughwhichhehadbeenledtoabandonwhatwashisheritageinlife，andnotbeyondhisdeserts？Technically，hewasuncondemned；hissoleguiltyspotwasinthoughtratherthandeed，andcognizanceofitunsharedbyothers。Forwhatgood，moralorsentimental，didheslink，retreatinglikethehedgehogfromhisownshadow，toandfrointhismustyBohemiathatlackedeventhepicturesque？
ButthethingthatstruckhomeandsethimragingwasthepartplayedbytheAmazonianprisoner。Tothecounterpartofthatastoundingbelligerent——identicalatleast，inthewayofexperience——toone，byherownconfession，thusfarfallen，hadhe，notthreehourssince，beenunitedinmarriage。Howdesirableandnaturalithadseemedtohimthen，andhowmonstrousitseemednow!Howthewordsofdiamondthiefnumbertwoyetburnedinhisears:\"Ifyouevergetacirl，she\'llhaveapicnic。Whatdidthatthatthiswomeninstinc-
tivelyknewhimforonetheycouldhoodwink？Stillagain，therereverberatedthepoliceman\'ssapientcontributiontohisagony:\"Amanthesedaysandnightswantstoknowwhathiswomenfolksareupto。\"Oh，yes，hehadbeenafool；hehadlookedatthingsfromthewrongstandpoint。
Butthewildestnoteinalltheclamourwasstruckbypain\'sforefinger，jealousy。Now，atleast，hefeltthatkeeneststing——amountingloveunworthilybestowed。
Whatevershemightbe，helovedher；heboreinhisownbreasthisdoom。Agrating，comicflavourtohispre-
dicamentstruckhimsuddenly，andhelaughedcreakinglyasheswungdowntheechoingpavement。Animpetuousdesiretoact，tobattlewithhisfate，seizedhim。Hestoppeduponhisheel，andsmotehispalmstogethertriumphantly。Hiswifewas——where？Buttherewasatangiblelink；anoutletmoreorlessnavigable，throughwhichhisderelictshipofmatrimonymightyetbesafelytowed——thepriest!
Likeallimaginativemenwithpliablenatures，Lorisonwas，whenthoroughlystirred，apttobecometempest-
uous。Withahighandstubbornindignationuponhim，beretracedhisstepstotheintersectingstreetbywhichhehadcome。Downthishehurriedtothecornerwherehehadpartedwith——anastringentgrimacetincturedthethought——hiswife。Thencestillbackheharked，follow-
ingthroughanunfamiliardistricthisstimulatedrecollec-
tionsofthewaytheyhadcomefromthatpreposterouswedding。Manytimeshewentabroad，andnosedhiswaybackto，thetrail，furious。
Atlast，whenhereachedthedark，calamitousbuildinginwhichhismadnesshadculminated，andfoundtheblackhallway，hedasheddownit，perceivingnolightorsound。Butheraisedhisvoice，hailingloudly；recklessofeverythingbutthatheshouldfindtheoldmischief-
makerwiththeeyesthatlookedtoofarawavtoseethedisasterhehadwrought。Thedooropened，andinthestreamoflightFatherRoganstood，hisbookinhand，withhisfingermarkingtheplace。
\"Ah!\"criedLorison。\"YouarethemanIwant。I
hadawifeofyouafewhoursago。Iwouldnottroubleyou，butIneglectedtonotehowitwasdone。Willyouobligemewiththeinformationwhetherthebusinessisbeyondremedy？\"
\"Comeinside，\"saidthepriest；\"thereareotherlodgersinthehouse，whomightprefersleeptoevenagratifiedcuriosity。\"
Lorisonenteredtheroomandtookthechairofferedhim。Thepriest\'seyeslookedacourteousinterrogation。
\"Imustapologizeagain，\"saidtheyoungman，\"forsosoonintrudinguponyouwithmymaritalinfelicities，but，asmywifehasneglectedtofurnishmewithheraddress，Iamdeprivedofthelegitimaterecourseofafamilyrow。\"
\"Iamquiteaplainman，\"saidFatherRogan，pleas-
antly；\"butIdonotseehowIamtoaskyouquestions。\"
\"Pardonmyindirectness，\"saidLorison；\"Iwillaskone。Inthisroomto-nightyoupronouncedmetobeahusband。Youafterwardspokeofadditionalritesorperformancesthateithershouldorcouldbeeffected。I
paidlittleattentiontoyourwordsthen，butIamhungrytohearthemrepeatednow。Asmattersstand，amI
marriedpastallhelp？\"
\"Youareaslegallyandasfirmlybound，\"saidthepriest，\"asthoughithadbeendoneinacathedral，inthepresenceofthousands。TheadditionalobservancesI
referredtoarenotnecessarytothestrictestlegalityoftheact，butwereadvisedasaprecautionforthefuture——
forconvenienceofproofinsuchcontingenciesaswills，inheritancesandthelike。\"
Lorisonlaughedharshly。
\"Manythanks，\"hesaid。\"Thenthereisnomistake，andIamthehappybenedict。IsupposeIshouldgostanduponthebridalcorner，andwhenmywifegetsthroughwalkingthestreetsshewilllookmeup。\"
FatherRoganregardedhimcalmly。
\"Myson，\"hesaid，\"whenamanandwomancometometobemarriedIalwaysmarrythem。Idothisforthesakeofotherpeoplewhomtheymightgoawayandmarryiftheydidnotmarryeachother。Asyousee，Idonotseekyourconfidence；butyourcaseseemstometobeonenotaltogetherdevoidofinterest。Veryfewmarriagesthathavecometomynoticehavebroughtsuchwell-
expressedregretwithinsoshortatime。Iwillhazardonequestion:wereyounotundertheimpressionthatyoulovedtheladyyoumarried，atthetimeyoudidso；\"
\"Lovedher!\"criedLorison，wildly。\"Neversowellasnow，thoughshetoldmeshedeceivedandsinnedandstole。Nevermorethannow，when，perhaps，sheislaughingatthefoolshecajoledandleft，withscarcelyaword，toreturntoGodonlyknowswhatparticularlineofherformerfolly。\"
FatherRooananswerednothing。Duringthesilencethatsucceeded，hesatwithaquietexpectationbeaminginhisfull，lambenteye。
\"Ifyouwouldlisten——\"beganLorison。Thepriesthelduphishand。
\"AsIhoped，\"hesaid。\"Ithoughtyouwouldtrustme。Waitbutamoment。\"Hebroughtalongclaypipe，filledandlightedit。
\"Now，myson，\"hesaid。
Lorisonpouredatwelvemonth\'saccumulatedcon-
fidenceintoFatherRogan\'sear。Hetoldall；notsparinghimselforomittingthefactsofhispast，theeventsofthenight，orhisdisturbingconjecturesandfears。
\"Themainpoint，\"saidthepriest，whenhehadcon-
cluded，\"seemstometobethis——areyoureasonablysurethatyoulovethiswomanwhomyouhavemarried？\"
\"Why，\"exclaimedLorisoii，risingimpulsivelytohisfeet-\"whyshouldIdenyit？Butlookatme——amfish，fleshorfowl？Thatisthemainpointtome，assureyou。\"
\"Iunderstandyou，\"saidthepriest，alsorisino，，andlayingdownhispipe。\"Thesituationisonethathastaxedtheenduranceofmucholdermenthanyou——infact，especiallymucholdermenthanyou。Iwilltrytorelieveyoufromit，andthisnight。Youshallseeforyourselfintoexactlywhatpredicamentyouhavefallen，andhowyoushall，possibly，beextricated。Thereisnoevidencesocredibleasthatoftheeyesight。\"
FatherRoganmovedabouttheroom，anddonnedasoftblackhat。Buttoninghiscoattohisthroat，helaidhishandonthedoorknob。\"Letuswalk，\"
hesaid。
Thetwowentoutuponthestreet。Thepriestturnedhisfacedownit，andLorisonwalkedwithhimthroughasqualiddistrict，wherethehousesloomed，awryanddesoiate-looking，highabovethem。Presentlytheyturnedintoalessdismalsidestreet，wherethehousesweresmaller，and，thoughhintingofthemostmeagrecomfort，lackedtheconcentratedwretchednessofthemorepopulousbyways。
Atasegregated，two-storyhouseFatherRoganhalted，andmountedthestepswiththeconfidenceofafamiliarvisitor。HeusheredLorisonintoanarrowhallway，faintlylightedbyacobwebbedhanginglamp。AlmostimmediatelyadoortotherightopenedandadingyIrish-
womanprotrudedherhead。
\"Goodeveningtoye，MistressGeehan，\"saidthepriest，unconsciously，itseemed，fallingintoadelicatelyflavouredbrogue。\"AndisityourselfcantellmeifNorahhasgoneoutagain，thenight，maybe？\"
\"Oh，it\'syerblissidreverence!SureandIcantellyethesame。Thepurtydarlin\'wintout，asusual，butabitlater。Andshesays:\'MotherGeehan，\'saysshe，\'it\'smelastnoightout，praisethesaints，thisnoightis!\'And，oh，yerreverence，theswate，beautifuldrameofadressshehadthistoime!Whitesatinandsilkandribbons，andlaceabouttheneckandarrums——\'twasasin，yerreverence，thegoldwasspintuponit。\"
ThepriestheardLorisoncatchhisbreathpainfully，andafaintsmileflickeredacrosshisownclean-cutmouth。
\"Well，then，MistressGeehan，\"saidhe，\"I\'lljuststepupstairsandseethebitboyforaminute，andI\'lltakethisGentlemanupwithme。\"
\"He\'sawake，thin，\"saidthewoman。\'I\'vejustcomedownfromsittingwidhimthelasthour，tillinghimfineshtoriesofouldCountyTyrone。\'Tisagreedygos-
soon，itis，yerriverence，formeshtories。\"
\"Smallthedoubt，\"saidFatherRogan。\"There\'snorockingwouldputhimtoslapethequicker，I\'mthinking。\"
Amidthewoman\'sshrillprotestagainsttheretort，thetwomenascendedthesteepstairway。Thepriestpushedopenthedoorofaroomnearitstop。
\"Isthatyoualready，sister？\"drawledasweet，childishvoicefromthedarkness。
\"It\'sonlyouldFatherDennycometoseeye，darlin\'；
andafoinegentlemanI\'vebroughttomakeyeagr-r-andcall。Andyeresavesusfastaslapeinbed!Shameonyezmanners!\"
\"Oh，FatherDenny，isthatyou？I\'mglad。Andwillyoulightthelamp，please？It\'sonthetablebythedoor。AndquittalkinglikeMotherGeehan，FatherDenny。\"
Thepriestlitthelamp，andLorisonsawatiny，towsled-
hairedboy，withathin，delicateface，sittingupinasmallbedinacorner。Quickly，also，hisrapidglancecon-
sideredtheroomanditscontents。Itwasfurnishedwithmorethancomfort，anditsadornmentsplainlyindicatedawoman\'sdiscerningtaste。Anopendoorbeyondrevealedtheblacknessofanadjoiningroom\'sinterior。
TheboyclutchedbothofFatherRogan\'shands。\"I\'msogladyoucame，\"hesaid；\"butwhydidyoucomeinthenight？Didsistersendyou？\"
\"Offwidye!AmItobesintabout，atmeage，aswasTerenceMcShane，ofBallymahone？Icomeonmeownr-r-responsibility。\"
Lorisonhadalsoadvancedtotheboy\'sbedside。Hewasfondofchildren；andtheweefellow，lavinghimselfdowntosleepaloneillthatdarkroom，stirred-hisheart。
\"Aren\'tyouafraid，littleman？\"heasked，stoopingdownbesidehim。
\"Sometimes，\"answeredtheboy，withashysmile，\"whentheratsmaketoomuchnoise。Butnearlyeverynight，whensistergoesout，Molt-herGeehanstaysawhilewithme，andtellsmefunnystories。I\'mnotoftenafraid，sir。\"
\"Thisbravelittlegentleman，\"saidFatherRogan，\"isascholarofmine。Everydayfromhalf-pastsixtohalf-
pasteight——whensistercomesforhim——hestopsinmystudy，andwefindoutwhat\'sintheinsideofbooks。
Heknowsmultiplication，divisionandfractions；andhe\'stroublingmetobeginwidthechroniclesofCiaranofClonmaciioise，CoruracMcCullenanandCuanO\'Loc-
hain，thegr-r-reatIrishhisthorians。\"Theboywasevidentlyaccustomedtothepriest\'sCelticpleasantries。
Alittle，appreciativegrinwasalltheattentiontheinsin-
nationofpedantryreceived。
Lorison，tohavesavedhislife，couldnothaveputtothechildoneofthosevitalquestionsthatwerewildlybeatingabout，unanswered，inhisownbrain。ThelittlefellowwasverylikeNorah；hehadthesameshininghairandcandideyes。
\"Oh，FatherDenny，\"criedtheboy，suddenly，\"I
forgottotellyou!Sisterisnotgoingawayatnightanymore!Shetoldmesowhenshekissedmegoodnightasshewasleaving。Andshesaidshewassohappy，andthenshecried。Wasn\'tthatqueer？ButI\'mglad；
aren\'tyou？\"
\"Yes，lad。Andnow，yeomadhaun，gotosleep，andsaygoodnight；wemustbegoing。\"
\"WhichshallIdofirst，FatherDenny？\"
\"Faith，he\'scaughtmeagain!WaittillIgetthesassenachintotheannalsofTageruach，thehagiographer；
I\'llgivehimenoughoftheIrishidiomtomakehimmorerespectful。\"
Thelightwasout，andthesmall，bravevoicebiddingthemgoodnightfromthedarkroom。Theygropeddownstairs，andtoreawayfromthegarrulityofMotherGeehan。
Againtheprieststeeredthemthroughthedimways，butthistimeinanotherdirection。Hisconductorwasserenelysilent，andLorisonfollowedhisexampletotheextentofseldomspeaking。Serenehecouldnotbe。Hisheartbeatsuffocatinglyinhisbreast。Thefollowingofthisblind，menacingtrailwaspregnantwithheknewnotwhathumiliatingrevelationtobedeliveredatitsend。
Theycameintoamorepretentiousstreet，wheretrade，itcouldbesurmised，flourishedbyday。Andagainthepriestpaused；thistimebeforealoftybuilding，whosegreatdoorsandwindowsinthelowestfloorwerecarefullyshutteredandbarred。Itshigheraperturesweredark，saveinthethirdstory，thewindowsofwhichwerebril-
liantlylighted。Lorison\'searcaughtadistant，regular，pleasingthrumming，asofmusicabove。Theystoodatanangleofthebuilding。Up，alongthesidenearestthem，mountedanironstairway。Atitstopwasanupright，illuminatedparallelogram。FatherRoganhadstopped，andstood，musing。
\"Iwillsaythismuch，\"heremarked，thoughtfully:
\"Ibelieveyoutobeabettermanthanyouthinkyourselftobe，andabettermanthanIthoughtsomehoursago。
Butdonottakethis，\"headded，withasmile，\"asmuchpraise。Ipromisedyouapossibledeliverancefromanunhappyperplexity。Iwillhavetomodifythatpromise。
Icanonlyremovethemysterythatenhancedthatper-
plexity。Yourdeliverancedependsuponyourself。
Come。\"
Heledhiscompanionupthestairway。Halfwayup，Lorisoncaughthimbythesleeve。\"Remember，\"hegasped，\"Ilovethatwoman。\"
\"Youdesiredtoknow。
\"I——Goon。\"
Thepriestreachedthelandingatthetopofthestairway。
Lorison，behindhim，sawthattheilluminatedspacewastheglassupperhalfofadooropeningintothelightedroom。Therhythmicmusicincreasedastheynearedit；thestairsshookwiththemellowvibrations。
Lorisonstoppedbreathingwhenhesetfootuponthehigheststep，fortheprieststoodaside，andmotionedhimtolookthroughtheglassofthedoor。
