Carrietimidlywaited，standing。Therewerechairs，butnoone，motionedhertobeseated。Theindividualtowhomthemanager，hadbeentalkingwentawayquitecrestfallen。Thatluminary，gazedearnestlyatsomepapersbeforehim，asiftheywereofthe，greatestconcern。
“Didyouseethatinthe’Herald’thismorningaboutNatGoodwin，Harris？”
“No，“saidthepersonaddressed。”Whatwasit？”
“MadequiteacurtainaddressatHooley’slastnight。Better，lookitup。”
Harrisreachedovertoatableandbegantolookforthe，“Herald。”
“Whatisit？”saidthemanagertoCarrie，apparentlynoticingher，forthefirsttime。Hethoughthewasgoingtobeheldupfor，freetickets。
Carriesummonedupallhercourage，whichwaslittleatbest。
Sherealisedthatshewasanovice，andfeltasifarebuffwere，certain。Ofthisshewassosurethatsheonlywishednowto，pretendshehadcalledforadvice。
“Canyoutellmehowtogoaboutgettingonthestage？”
Itwasthebestwayafteralltohavegoneaboutthematter。She，wasinteresting，inamanner，totheoccupantofthechair，and，thesimplicityofherrequestandattitudetookhisfancy。He，smiled，asdidtheothersintheroom，who，however，madesome，slightefforttoconcealtheirhumour。
“Idon’tknow，“heanswered，lookingherbrazenlyover。”Have，youeverhadanyexperienceuponthestage？”
“Alittle，“answeredCarrie。”Ihavetakenpartinamateur，performances。”
Shethoughtshehadtomakesomesortofshowinginorderto，retainhisinterest。
“Neverstudiedforthestage？”hesaid，puttingonanair，intendedasmuchtoimpresshisfriendswithhisdiscretionas，Carrie。
“No，sir。”
“Well，Idon’tknow，“heanswered，tippinglazilybackinhis，chairwhileshestoodbeforehim。”Whatmakesyouwanttogeton，thestage？”
Shefeltabashedattheman’sdaring，butcouldonlysmilein，answertohisengagingsmirk，andsay：
“Ineedtomakealiving。”
“Oh，“heanswered，rathertakenbyhertrimappearance，and，feelingasifhemightscrapeupanacquaintancewithher。
“That’sagoodreason，isn’tit？Well，Chicagoisnotagood，placeforwhatyouwanttodo。YououghttobeinNewYork。
There’smorechancethere。Youcouldhardlyexpecttoget，startedouthere。”Carriesmiledgenially，gratefulthathe，shouldcondescendtoadviseherevensomuch。Henoticedthe，smile，andputaslightlydifferentconstructiononit。He，thoughthesawaneasychanceforalittleflirtation。
“Sitdown，“hesaid，pullingachairforwardfromthesideofhis，deskanddroppinghisvoicesothatthetwomenintheroom，shouldnothear。Thosetwogaveeachotherthesuggestionofa，wink。
“Well，I’llbegoing，Barney，“saidone，breakingawayandso，addressingthemanager。”Seeyouthisafternoon。”
“Allright，“saidthemanager。
Theremainingindividualtookupapaperasiftoread。
“Didyouhaveanyideawhatsortofpartyouwouldliketoget？”
askedthemanagersoftly。
“Oh，no，“saidCarrie。”Iwouldtakeanythingtobeginwith。”
“Isee，“hesaid。”Doyoulivehereinthecity？”
“Yes，sir。”
Themanagersmiledmostblandly。
“Haveyouevertriedtogetinasachorusgirl？”heasked，assumingamoreconfidentialair。
Carriebegantofeelthattherewassomethingexuberantand，unnaturalinhismanner。
“No，“shesaid。
“That’sthewaymostgirlsbegin，“hewenton，“whogoonthe，stage。It’sagoodwaytogetexperience。”
Hewasturningonheraglanceofthecompanionableand，persuasivemanner。
“Ididn’tknowthat，“saidCarrie。
“It’sadifficultthing，“hewenton，“butthere’salwaysa，chance，youknow。”Then，asifhesuddenlyremembered，hepulled，outhiswatchandconsultedit。”I’veanappointmentattwo，“he，said，“andI’vegottogotolunchnow。Wouldyoucaretocome，anddinewithme？Wecantalkitoverthere。”
“Oh，no，“saidCarrie，thewholemotiveofthemanflashingon，heratonce。”Ihaveanengagementmyself。”
“That’stoobad，“hesaid，realisingthathehadbeenalittle，beforehandinhisofferandthatCarriewasabouttogoaway。
“Comeinlater。Imayknowofsomething。”
“Thankyou，“sheanswered，withsometrepidationandwentout。
“Shewasgood-looking，wasn’tshe？”saidthemanager’scompanion，whohadnotcaughtallthedetailsofthegamehehadplayed。
“Yes，inaway，“saidtheother，soretothinkthegamehadbeen，lost。”She’dnevermakeanactress，though。Justanotherchorus，girl——that’sall。”
Thislittleexperiencenearlydestroyedherambitiontocallupon，themanagerattheChicagoOperaHouse，butshedecidedtodoso，afteratime。Hewasofamoresedateturnofmind。Hesaidat，oncethattherewasnoopeningofanysort，andseemedto，considerhersearchfoolish。
“Chicagoisnoplacetogetastart，“hesaid。”Yououghttobe，inNewYork。”
Stillshepersisted，andwenttoMcVickar’s，whereshecouldnot，findanyone。”TheOldHomestead“wasrunningthere，butthe，persontowhomshewasreferredwasnottobefound。
Theselittleexpeditionstookuphertimeuntilquitefour，o’clock，whenshewaswearyenoughtogohome。Shefeltasif，sheoughttocontinueandinquireelsewhere，buttheresultsso，farweretoodispiriting。ShetookthecarandarrivedatOgden，Placeinthree-quartersofanhour，butdecidedtorideontothe，WestSidebranchofthePost-office，whereshewasaccustomedto，receiveHurstwood’sletters。Therewasonetherenow，written，Saturday，whichshetoreopenandreadwithmingledfeelings。
Therewassomuchwarmthinitandsuchtensecomplaintather，havingfailedtomeethim，andhersubsequentsilence，thatshe，ratherpitiedtheman。Thathelovedherwasevidentenough。
Thathehadwishedanddaredtodoso，marriedashewas，wasthe，evil。Shefeltasifthethingdeservedananswer，and，consequentlydecidedthatshewouldwriteandlethimknowthat，sheknewofhismarriedstateandwasjustlyincensedathis，deception。Shewouldtellhimthatitwasalloverbetweenthem。
Atherroom，thewordingofthismissiveoccupiedherforsome，time，forshefelltothetaskatonce。Itwasmostdifficult。
“YoudonotneedtohavemeexplainwhyIdidnotmeetyou，“she，wroteinpart。”Howcouldyoudeceivemeso？Youcannotexpect，metohaveanythingmoretodowithyou。Iwouldn’tunderany，circumstances。Oh，howcouldyouactso？”sheaddedinaburst，offeeling。”Youhavecausedmemoremiserythanyoucanthink。
Ihopeyouwillgetoveryourinfatuationforme。Wemustnot，meetanymore。Good-bye。”
Shetooktheletterthenextmorning，andatthecornerdropped，itreluctantlyintotheletter-box，stilluncertainastowhether，sheshoulddosoornot。Thenshetookthecarandwentdown，town。
Thiswasthedullseasonwiththedepartmentstores，butshewas，listenedtowithmoreconsiderationthanwasusuallyaccordedto，youngwomenapplicants，owingtoherneatandattractive，appearance。Shewasaskedthesameoldquestionswithwhichshe，wasalreadyfamiliar。
“Whatcanyoudo？Haveyoueverworkedinaretailstorebefore？
Areyouexperienced？”
AtTheFair，SeeandCompany’s，andallthegreatstoresitwas，muchthesame。Itwasthedullseason，shemightcomeina，littlelater，possiblytheywouldliketohaveher。
Whenshearrivedatthehouseattheendoftheday，wearyand，disheartened，shediscoveredthatDrouethadbeenthere。His，umbrellaandlightovercoatweregone。Shethoughtshemissed，otherthings，butcouldnotbesure。Everythinghadnotbeen，taken。
Sohisgoingwascrystallisingintostaying。Whatwasshetodo，now？Evidentlyshewouldbefacingtheworldinthesameoldway，withinadayortwo。Herclotheswouldgetpoor。Sheputher，twohandstogetherinhercustomaryexpressivewayandpressed，herfingers。Largetearsgatheredinhereyesandbrokehot，acrosshercheeks。Shewasalone，verymuchalone。
Drouetreallyhadcalled，butitwaswithaverydifferentmind，fromthatwhichCarriehadimagined。Heexpectedtofindher，to，justifyhisreturnbyclaimingthathecametogettheremaining，portionofhiswardrobe，andbeforehegotawayagaintopatchup，apeace。
Accordingly，whenhearrived，hewasdisappointedtofindCarrie，out。Hetrifledabout，hopingthatshewassomewhereinthe，neighbourhoodandwouldsoonreturn。Heconstantlylistened，expectingtohearherfootonthestair。
Whenhedidso，itwashisintentiontomakebelievethathehad，justcomeinandwasdisturbedatbeingcaught。Thenhewould，explainhisneedofhisclothesandfindouthowthingsstood。
Waitashedid，however，Carriedidnotcome。Frompottering，aroundamongthedrawers，inmomentaryexpectationofherarrival，hechangedtolookingoutofthewindow，andfromthattoresting，himselfintherocking-chair。StillnoCarrie。Hebegantogrow，restlessandlitacigar。Afterthathewalkedthefloor。Then，helookedoutofthewindowandsawcloudsgathering。He，rememberedanappointmentatthree。Hebegantothinkthatit，wouldbeuselesstowait，andgotholdofhisumbrellaandlight，coat，intendingtotakethesethings，anyway。Itwouldscare，her，hehoped。To-morrowhewouldcomebackfortheothers。He，wouldfindouthowthingsstood。
Ashestartedtogohefelttrulysorrythathehadmissedher。
Therewasalittlepictureofheronthewall，showingher，arrayedinthelittlejackethehadfirstboughther——herfacea，littlemorewistfulthanhehadseenitlately。Hewasreally，touchedbyit，andlookedintotheeyesofitwitharatherrare，feelingforhim。
“Youdidn’tdomeright，Cad，“hesaid，asifhewereaddressing，herintheflesh。
Thenhewenttothedoor，tookagoodlookaroundandwentout。
ChapterXXVII
WHENWATERSENGULFUSWEREACHFORASTAR
Itwaswhenhereturnedfromhisdisturbedstrollaboutthe，streets，afterreceivingthedecisivenotefromMcGregor，James，andHay，thatHurstwoodfoundtheletterCarriehadwrittenhim，thatmorning。Hethrilledintenselyashenotedthehandwriting，andrapidlytoreitopen。
“Then，“hethought，“shelovesmeorshewouldnothavewritten，tomeatall。”
Hewasslightlydepressedatthetenorofthenoteforthefirst，fewminutes，butsoonrecovered。”Shewouldn’twriteatallif，shedidn’tcareforme。”
Thiswashisoneresourceagainstthedepressionwhichheldhim。
Hecouldextractlittlefromthewordingoftheletter，butthe，spirithethoughtheknew。
Therewasreallysomethingexceedinglyhuman——ifnotpathetic——in，hisbeingthusrelievedbyaclearlywordedreproof。Hewhohad，forsolongremainedsatisfiedwithhimselfnowlookedoutsideof，himselfforcomfort——andtosuchasource。Themysticcordsof，affection！Howtheybindusall。
Thecolourcametohischeeks。Forthemomentheforgotthe，letterfromMcGregor，JamesandHay。Ifhecouldonlyhave，Carrie，perhapshecouldgetoutofthewholeentanglement——
perhapsitwouldnotmatter。Hewouldn’tcarewhathiswifedid，withherselfifonlyhemightnotloseCarrie。Hestoodupand，walkedabout，dreaminghisdelightfuldreamofalifecontinued，withthislovelypossessorofhisheart。
Itwasnotlong，however，beforetheoldworrywasbackfor，consideration，andwithitwhatweariness！Hethoughtofthe，morrowandthesuit。Hehaddonenothing，andherewasthe，afternoonslippingaway。Itwasnowaquarteroffour。Atfive，theattorneyswouldhavegonehome。Hestillhadthemorrow，untilnoon。Evenashethought，thelastfifteenminutespassed，awayanditwasfive。Thenheabandonedthethoughtofseeing，themanymorethatdayandturnedtoCarrie。
Itistobeobservedthatthemandidnotjustifyhimselfto，himself。Hewasnottroublingaboutthat。Hiswholethoughtwas，thepossibilityofpersuadingCarrie。Nothingwaswronginthat。
Helovedherdearly。Theirmutualhappinessdependeduponit。
WouldthatDrouetwereonlyaway！
Whilehewasthinkingthuselatedly，herememberedthathewanted，somecleanlineninthemorning。
Thishepurchased，togetherwithahalf-dozenties，andwentto，thePalmerHouse。AsheenteredhethoughthesawDrouet，ascendingthestairswithakey。SurelynotDrouet！Thenhe，thought，perhapstheyhadchangedtheirabodetemporarily。He，wentstraightuptothedesk。
“IsMr。Drouetstoppinghere？”heaskedoftheclerk。
“Ithinkheis，“saidthelatter，consultinghisprivateregistry，list。”Yes。”
“Isthatso？”exclaimedHurstwood，otherwiseconcealinghis，astonishment。”Alone？”headded。
“Yes，“saidtheclerk。
Hurstwoodturnedawayandsethislipssoasbesttoexpressand，concealhisfeelings。
“How’sthat？”hethought。”They’vehadarow。”
Hehastenedtohisroomwithrisingspiritsandchangedhis，linen。Ashedidso，hemadeuphismindthatifCarriewas，alone，orifshehadgonetoanotherplace，itbehoovedhimto，findout。Hedecidedtocallatonce。
“IknowwhatI’lldo，“hethought。”I’llgotothedoorandask，ifMr。Drouetisathome。Thatwillbringoutwhetherheis，thereornotandwhereCarrieis。”
Hewasalmostmovedtosomemusculardisplayashethoughtofit。
Hedecidedtogoimmediatelyaftersupper。
Oncomingdownfromhisroomatsix，helookedcarefullyaboutto，seeifDrouetwaspresentandthenwentouttolunch。Hecould，scarcelyeat，however，hewassoanxioustobeabouthiserrand。
BeforestartinghethoughtitwelltodiscoverwhereDrouetwould，be，andreturnedtohishotel。
“HasMr。Drouetgoneout？”heaskedoftheclerk。
“No，“answeredthelatter，“he’sinhisroom。Doyouwishto，sendupacard？”
“No，I’llcallaroundlater，“answeredHurstwood，andstrolled，out。
HetookaMadisoncarandwentdirecttoOgdenPlacethistime，walkingboldlyuptothedoor。Thechambermaidansweredhis，knock。
“IsMr。Drouetin？”saidHurstwoodblandly。
“Heisoutofthecity，“saidthegirl，whohadheardCarrietell，thistoMrs。Hale。
“IsMrs。Drouetin？”
“No，shehasgonetothetheatre。”
“Isthatso？”saidHurstwood，considerablytakenback;then，as，ifburdenedwithsomethingimportant，“Youdon’tknowtowhich，theatre？”
Thegirlreallyhadnoideawhereshehadgone，butnotliking，Hurstwood，andwishingtocausehimtrouble，answered：“Yes，Hooley’s。”
“Thankyou，“returnedthemanager，and，tippinghishatslightly，wentaway。
“I’lllookinatHooley’s，“thoughthe，butasamatteroffact，hedidnot。Beforehehadreachedthecentralportionofthe，cityhethoughtthewholematteroveranddecideditwouldbe，useless。AsmuchashelongedtoseeCarrie，heknewshewould，bewithsomeoneanddidnotwishtointrudewithhispleathere。
Alittlelaterhemightdoso——inthemorning。Onlyinthe，morninghehadthelawyerquestionbeforehim。
Thislittlepilgrimagethrewquiteawetblanketuponhisrising，spirits。Hewassoondownagaintohisoldworry，andreached，theresortanxioustofindrelief。Quiteacompanyofgentlemen，weremakingtheplacelivelywiththeirconversation。Agroupof，CookCountypoliticianswereconferringaboutaroundcherry-wood，tableintherearportionoftheroom。Severalyoungmerrymakers，werechatteringatthebarbeforemakingabelatedvisittothe，theatre。Ashabbily-genteelindividual，witharednoseandan，oldhighhat，wassippingaquietglassofalealoneatoneend，ofthebar。Hurstwoodnoddedtothepoliticiansandwentinto，hisoffice。
Aboutteno’clockafriendofhis，Mr。FrankL。Taintor，alocal，sportandracingman，droppedin，andseeingHurstwoodalonein，hisofficecametothedoor。
“Hello，George！”heexclaimed。
“Howareyou，Frank？”saidHurstwood，somewhatrelievedbythe，sightofhim。”Sitdown，“andhemotionedhimtooneofthe，chairsinthelittleroom。
“What’sthematter，George？”askedTaintor。”Youlookalittle，glum。Haven’tlostatthetrack，haveyou？”
“I’mnotfeelingverywellto-night。Ihadaslightcoldthe，otherday。”
“Takewhiskey，George，“saidTaintor。”Yououghttoknowthat。”
Hurstwoodsmiled。
Whiletheywerestillconferringthere，severalotherof，Hurstwood’sfriendsentered，andnotlongaftereleven，the，theatresbeingout，someactorsbegantodropin——amongthemsome，notabilities。
Thenbeganoneofthosepointlesssocialconversationssocommon，inAmericanresortswherethewould-begildedattempttoruboff，giltfromthosewhohaveitinabundance。IfHurstwoodhadone，leaning，itwastowardnotabilities。Heconsideredthat，if，anywhere，hebelongedamongthem。Hewastooproudtotoady，too，keennottostrictlyobservetheplaneheoccupiedwhenthere，werethosepresentwhodidnotappreciatehim，but，insituations，likethepresent，wherehecouldshineasagentlemanandbe，receivedwithoutequivocationasafriendandequalamongmenof，knownability，hewasmostdelighted。Itwasonsuchoccasions，ifever，thathewould“takesomething。”，Whenthesocialflavour，wasstrongenoughhewouldevenunbendtotheextentofdrinking，glassforglasswithhisassociates，punctiliouslyobservinghis，turntopayasifhewereanoutsiderliketheothers。Ifhe，everapproachedintoxication——orratherthatruddywarmthand，comfortablenesswhichprecedesthemoreslovenstate——itwaswhen，individualssuchastheseweregatheredabouthim，whenhewas，oneofacircleofchattingcelebrities。To-night，disturbedas，washisstate，hewasratherrelievedtofindcompany，andnow，thatnotabilitiesweregathered，helaidasidehistroublesfor，thenonce，andjoinedinrightheartily。
Itwasnotlongbeforetheimbibingbegantotell。Storiesbegan，tocropup——thoseever-enduring，drollstorieswhichformthe，majorportionoftheconversationamongAmericanmenundersuch，circumstances。
Twelveo’clockarrived，thehourforclosing，andwithitthe，companytookleave。Hurstwoodshookhandswiththemmost，cordially。Hewasveryroseatephysically。Hehadarrivedat，thatstatewherehismind，thoughclear，was，nevertheless，warm，initsfancies。Hefeltasifhistroubleswerenotvery，serious。Goingintohisoffice，hebegantoturnovercertain，accounts，awaitingthedepartureofthebartendersandthe，cashier，whosoonleft。
Itwasthemanager’sduty，aswellashiscustom，afterallwere，gonetoseethateverythingwassafelyclosedupforthenight。
Asarule，nomoneyexceptthecashtakeninafterbankinghours，waskeptabouttheplace，andthatwaslockedinthesafebythe，cashier，who，withtheowners，wasjointkeeperofthesecret，combination，but，nevertheless，Hurstwoodnightlytookthe，precautiontotrythecashdrawersandthesafeinordertosee，thattheyweretightlyclosed。Thenhewouldlockhisownlittle，officeandsettheproperlightburningnearthesafe，after，whichhewouldtakehisdeparture。
Neverinhisexperiencehadhefoundanythingoutoforder，but，to-night，aftershuttingdownhisdesk，hecameoutandtriedthe，safe。Hiswaywastogiveasharppull。Thistimethedoor，responded。Hewasslightlysurprisedatthat，andlookingin，foundthemoneycasesasleftfortheday，apparently，unprotected。Hisfirstthoughtwas，ofcourse，toinspectthe，drawersandshutthedoor。
“I’llspeaktoMayhewaboutthisto-morrow，“hethought。
Thelatterhadcertainlyimaginedupongoingoutahalf-hour，beforethathehadturnedtheknobonthedoorsoastospring，thelock。Hehadneverfailedtodosobefore。Butto-night，Mayhewhadotherthoughts。Hehadbeenrevolvingtheproblemof，abusinessofhisown。
“I’lllookinhere，“thoughtthemanager，pullingoutthemoney，drawers。Hedidnotknowwhyhewishedtolookinthere。Itwas，quiteasuperfluousaction，whichanothertimemightnothave，happenedatall。
Ashedidso，alayerofbills，inparcelsofathousand，suchas，banksissue，caughthiseye。Hecouldnottellhowmuchthey，represented，butpausedtoviewthem。Thenhepulledoutthe，secondofthecashdrawers。Inthatwerethereceiptsofthe，day。
“Ididn’tknowFitzgeraldandMoyeverleftanymoneythisway，“
hismindsaidtoitself。”Theymusthaveforgottenit。”
Helookedattheotherdrawerandpausedagain。
“Countthem，“saidavoiceinhisear。
Heputhishandintothefirstoftheboxesandliftedthestack，lettingtheseparateparcelsfall。Theywerebillsoffiftyand，onehundreddollarsdoneinpackagesofathousand。Hethought，hecountedtensuch。
“Whydon’tIshutthesafe？”hismindsaidtoitself，lingering。
“Whatmakesmepausehere？”
Foranswertherecamethestrangestwords：
“Didyoueverhavetenthousanddollarsinreadymoney？”
Lo，themanagerrememberedthathehadneverhadsomuch。All，hispropertyhadbeenslowlyaccumulated，andnowhiswifeowned，that。Hewasworthmorethanfortythousand，alltold——butshe，wouldgetthat。
Hepuzzledashethoughtofthesethings，thenpushedinthe，drawersandclosedthedoor，pausingwithhishandupontheknob，whichmightsoeasilylockitallbeyondtemptation。Stillhe，paused。Finallyhewenttothewindowsandpulleddownthe，curtains。Thenhetriedthedoor，whichhehadpreviously，locked。Whatwasthisthing，makinghimsuspicious？Whydidhe，wishtomoveaboutsoquietly。Hecamebacktotheendofthe，counterasiftoresthisarmandthink。Thenhewentand，unlockedhislittleofficedoorandturnedonthelight。Healso，openedhisdesk，sittingdownbeforeit，onlytothinkstrange，thoughts。
“Thesafeisopen，“saidavoice。”Thereisjusttheleast，littlecrackinit。Thelockhasnotbeensprung。”
Themanagerflounderedamongajumbleofthoughts。Nowallthe，entanglementofthedaycameback。Alsothethoughtthathere，wasasolution。Thatmoneywoulddoit。Ifhehadthatand，Carrie。Heroseupandstoodstock-still，lookingatthefloor。
“Whataboutit？”hismindasked，andforanswerheputhishand，slowlyupandscratchedhishead。
Themanagerwasnofooltobeledblindlyawaybysuchanerrant，propositionasthis，buthissituationwaspeculiar。Winewasin，hisveins。Ithadcreptupintohisheadandgivenhimawarm，viewofthesituation。Italsocolouredthepossibilitiesoften，thousandforhim。Hecouldseegreatopportunitieswiththat。
HecouldgetCarrie。Oh，yes，hecould！Hecouldgetridofhis，wife。Thatletter，too，waswaitingdiscussionto-morrow，morning。Hewouldnotneedtoanswerthat。Hewentbacktothe，safeandputhishandontheknob。Thenhepulledthedooropen，andtookthedrawerwiththemoneyquiteout。
Withitonceoutandbeforehim，itseemedafoolishthingto，thinkaboutleavingit。Certainlyitwould。Why，hecouldlive，quietlywithCarrieforyears。
Lord！whatwasthat？Forthefirsttimehewastense，asifa，sternhandhadbeenlaiduponhisshoulder。Helookedfearfully，around。Notasoulwaspresent。Notasound。Someonewas，shufflingbyonthesidewalk。Hetooktheboxandthemoneyand，putitbackinthesafe。Thenhepartlyclosedthedooragain。
Tothosewhohaveneverwaveredinconscience，thepredicamentof，theindividualwhosemindislessstronglyconstitutedandwho，tremblesinthebalancebetweendutyanddesireisscarcely，appreciable，unlessgraphicallyportrayed。Thosewhohavenever，heardthatsolemnvoiceoftheghostlyclockwhichtickswith，awfuldistinctness，“thoushalt，““thoushaltnot，““thoushalt，“
“thoushaltnot，“areinnopositiontojudge。Notalonein，sensitive，highlyorganisednaturesissuchamentalconflict，possible。Thedullestspecimenofhumanity，whendrawnbydesire，towardevil，isrecalledbyasenseofright，whichis，proportionateinpowerandstrengthtohiseviltendency。We，mustrememberthatitmaynotbeaknowledgeofright，forno，knowledgeofrightispredicatedoftheanimal’sinstinctive，recoilatevil。Menarestillledbyinstinctbeforetheyare，regulatedbyknowledge。Itisinstinctwhichrecallsthe，criminal——itisinstinct(wherehighlyorganisedreasoningis，absent)whichgivesthecriminalhisfeelingofdanger，hisfear，ofwrong。
Ateveryfirstadventure，then，intosomeuntriedevil，themind，wavers。Theclockofthoughtticksoutitswishanditsdenial。
Tothosewhohaveneverexperiencedsuchamentaldilemma，the，followingwillappealonthesimplegroundofrevelation。
WhenHurstwoodputthemoneyback，hisnatureagainresumedits，easeanddaring。Noonehadobservedhim。Hewasquitealone。
Noonecouldtellwhathewishedtodo。Hecouldworkthisthing，outforhimself。
Theimbibationoftheeveninghadnotyetwornoff。Moistaswas，hisbrow，trembleasdidhishandonceafterthenamelessfright，hewasstillflushedwiththefumesofliquor。Hescarcely，noticedthatthetimewaspassing。Hewentoverhissituation，onceagain，hiseyealwaysseeingthemoneyinalump，hismind，alwaysseeingwhatitwoulddo。Hestrolledintohislittle，room，thentothedoor，thentothesafeagain。Heputhishand，ontheknobandopenedit。Therewasthemoney！Surelynoharm，couldcomefromlookingatit！
Hetookoutthedraweragainandliftedthebills。Theywereso，smooth，socompact，soportable。Howlittletheymade，after，all。Hedecidedhewouldtakethem。Yes，hewould。Hewould，puttheminhispocket。Thenhelookedatthatandsawthey，wouldnotgothere。Hishandsatchel！Tobesure，hishand，satchel。Theywouldgointhat——allofitwould。Noonewould，thinkanythingofiteither。Hewentintothelittleofficeand，tookitfromtheshelfinthecorner。Nowhesetituponhis，deskandwentouttowardthesafe。Forsomereasonhedidnot，wanttofillitoutinthebigroom。
Firsthebroughtthebillsandthentheloosereceiptsofthe，day。Hewouldtakeitall。Heputtheemptydrawersbackand，pushedtheirondooralmostto，thenstoodbesideitmeditating。
Thewaveringofamindundersuchcircumstancesisanalmost，inexplicablething，andyetitisabsolutelytrue。Hurstwood，couldnotbringhimselftoactdefinitely。Hewantedtothink，aboutit——toponderoverit，todecidewhetheritwerebest。He，wasdrawnbysuchakeendesireforCarrie，drivenbysucha，stateofturmoilinhisownaffairsthathethoughtconstantlyit，wouldbebest，andyethewavered。Hedidnotknowwhatevil，mightresultfromittohim——howsoonhemightcometogrief。
Thetrueethicsofthesituationneveronceoccurredtohim，and，neverwouldhave，underanycircumstances。
Afterhehadallthemoneyinthehandbag，arevulsionoffeeling，seizedhim。Hewouldnotdoit——no！Thinkofwhatascandalit，wouldmake。Thepolice！Theywouldbeafterhim。Hewouldhave，tofly，andwhere？Oh，theterrorofbeingafugitivefrom，justice！Hetookoutthetwoboxesandputallthemoneyback。
Inhisexcitementheforgotwhathewasdoing，andputthesums，inthewrongboxes。Ashepushedthedoorto，hethoughthe，remembereddoingitwrongandopenedthedooragain。Therewere，thetwoboxesmixed。
Hetookthemoutandstraightenedthematter，butnowtheterror，hadgone。Whybeafraid？
Whilethemoneywasinhishandthelockclicked。Ithadsprung！
Didhedoit？Hegrabbedattheknobandpulledvigorously。It，hadclosed。Heavens！hewasinforitnow，sureenough。
Themomentherealisedthatthesafewaslockedforasurety，the，sweatburstoutuponhisbrowandhetrembledviolently。He，lookedabouthimanddecidedinstantly。Therewasnodelaying，now。
“SupposingIdolayitonthetop，“hesaid，“andgoaway，they’llknowwhotookit。I’mthelasttocloseup。Besides，otherthingswillhappen。”
Atoncehebecamethemanofaction。
“Imustgetoutofthis，“hethought。
Hehurriedintohislittleroom，tookdownhislightovercoatand，hat，lockedhisdesk，andgrabbedthesatchel。Thenheturned，outallbutonelightandopenedthedoor。Hetriedtoputon，hisoldassuredair，butitwasalmostgone。Hewasrepenting，rapidly。
“IwishIhadn’tdonethat，“hesaid。”Thatwasamistake。”
Hewalkedsteadilydownthestreet，greetinganightwatchman，whomheknewwhowastryingdoors。Hemustgetoutofthecity，andthatquickly。
“Iwonderhowthetrainsrun？”hethought。
Instantlyhepulledouthiswatchandlooked。Itwasnearly，half-pastone。
Atthefirstdrugstorehestopped，seeingalong-distance，telephoneboothinside。Itwasafamousdrugstore，andcontained，oneofthefirstprivatetelephoneboothsevererected。
“Iwanttouseyour’phoneaminute，“hesaidtothenightclerk。
Thelatternodded。
“Giveme1643，“hecalledtoCentral，afterlookingupthe，MichiganCentraldepotnumber。Soonhegottheticketagent。
“HowdothetrainsleavehereforDetroit？”heasked。
Themanexplainedthehours。
“Nomoreto-night？”
“Nothingwithasleeper。Yes，thereis，too，“headded。”There，isamailtrainoutofhereatthreeo’clock。”
“Allright，“saidHurstwood。”Whattimedoesthatgetto，Detroit？”
Hewasthinkingifhecouldonlygetthereandcrosstheriver，intoCanada，hecouldtakehistimeaboutgettingtoMontreal。
Hewasrelievedtolearnthatitwouldreachtherebynoon。
“Mayhewwon’topenthesafetillnine，“hethought。”Theycan’t，getonmytrackbeforenoon。”
ThenhethoughtofCarrie。Withwhatspeedmusthegether，if，hegotheratall。Shewouldhavetocomealong。Hejumpedinto，thenearestcabstandingby。
“ToOgdenPlace，“hesaidsharply。”I’llgiveyouadollarmore，ifyoumakegoodtime。”
Thecabbybeathishorseintoasortofimitationgallopwhich，wasfairlyfast，however。OnthewayHurstwoodthoughtwhatto，do。Reachingthenumber，hehurriedupthestepsanddidnot，sparethebellinwakingtheservant。
“IsMrs。Drouetin？”heasked。
“Yes，“saidtheastonishedgirl。
“Tellhertodressandcometothedooratonce。Herhusbandis，inthehospital，injured，andwantstoseeher。”
Theservantgirlhurriedupstairs，convincedbytheman’s，strainedandemphaticmanner。
“What！”saidCarrie，lightingthegasandsearchingforher，clothes。
“Mr。Drouetishurtandinthehospital。Hewantstoseeyou。
Thecab’sdownstairs。”
Carriedressedveryrapidly，andsoonappearedbelow，forgetting，everythingsavethenecessities。
“Drouetishurt，“saidHurstwoodquickly。”Hewantstoseeyou。
Comequickly。”
Carriewassobewilderedthatsheswallowedthewholestory。
“Getin，“saidHurstwood，helpingherandjumpingafter。
Thecabbybegantoturnthehorsearound。
“MichiganCentraldepot，“hesaid，standingupandspeakingso，lowthatCarriecouldnothear，“asfastasyoucango。”
ChapterXXVIII
APILGRIM，ANOUTLAW——THESPIRITDETAINED
ThecabhadnottravelledashortblockbeforeCarrie，settling，herselfandthoroughlywakinginthenightatmosphere，asked：
“What’sthematterwithhim？Ishehurtbadly？”
“Itisn’tanythingveryserious，“Hurstwoodsaidsolemnly。He，wasverymuchdisturbedoverhisownsituation，andnowthathe，hadCarriewithhim，heonlywantedtogetsafelyoutofreachof，thelaw。Thereforehewasinnomoodforanythingsavesuch，wordsaswouldfurtherhisplansdistinctly。
Carriedidnotforgetthattherewassomethingtobesettled，betweenherandHurstwood，butthethoughtwasignoredinher，agitation。Theonethingwastofinishthisstrangepilgrimage。
“Whereishe？”
“WayoutontheSouthSide，“saidHurstwood。”We’llhavetotake，thetrain。It’sthequickestway。”
Carriesaidnothing，andthehorsegambolledon。Theweirdness，ofthecitybynightheldherattention。Shelookedatthelong，recedingrowsoflampsandstudiedthedark，silenthouses。
“Howdidhehurthimself？”sheasked——meaningwhatwasthenature，ofhisinjuries。Hurstwoodunderstood。Hehatedtolieanymore，thannecessary，andyethewantednoprotestsuntilhewasoutof，danger。
“Idon’tknowexactly，“hesaid。”Theyjustcalledmeuptogo，andgetyouandbringyouout。Theysaidtherewasn’tanyneed，foralarm，butthatIshouldn’tfailtobringyou。”
Theman’sseriousmannerconvincedCarrie，andshebecamesilent，wondering。
Hurstwoodexaminedhiswatchandurgedthemantohurry。Forone，insodelicateapositionhewasexceedinglycool。Hecouldonly，thinkofhowneedfulitwastomakethetrainandgetquietly，away。Carrieseemedquitetractable，andhecongratulated，himself。
Induetimetheyreachedthedepot，andafterhelpingherouthe，handedthemanafive-dollarbillandhurriedon。
“Youwaithere，“hesaidtoCarrie，whentheyreachedthe，waiting-room，“whileIgetthetickets。”
“HaveImuchtimetocatchthattrainforDetroit？”heaskedof，theagent。
“Fourminutes，“saidthelatter。
Hepaidfortwoticketsascircumspectlyaspossible。
“Isitfar？”saidCarrie，ashehurriedback。
“Notvery，“hesaid。”Wemustgetrightin。”
Hepushedherbeforehimatthegate，stoodbetweenherandthe，ticketmanwhilethelatterpunchedtheirtickets，sothatshe，couldnotsee，andthenhurriedafter。
Therewasalonglineofexpressandpassengercarsandoneor，twocommondaycoaches。Asthetrainhadonlyrecentlybeenmade，upandfewpassengerswereexpected，therewereonlyoneortwo，brakemenwaiting。Theyenteredthereardaycoachandsatdown。
Almostimmediately，“Allaboard，“resoundedfaintlyfromthe，outside，andthetrainstarted。
Carriebegantothinkitwasalittlebitcurious——thisgoingto，adepot——butsaidnothing。Thewholeincidentwassooutofthe，naturalthatshedidnotattachtoomuchweighttoanythingshe，imagined。
“Howhaveyoubeen？”askedHurstwoodgently，forhenowbreathed，easier。
“Verywell，“saidCarrie，whowassodisturbedthatshecouldnot，bringaproperattitudetobearinthematter。Shewasstill，nervoustoreachDrouetandseewhatcouldbethematter。
Hurstwoodcontemplatedherandfeltthis。Hewasnotdisturbed，thatitshouldbeso。Hedidnottroublebecauseshewasmoved，sympatheticallyinthematter。Itwasoneofthequalitiesin，herwhichpleasedhimexceedingly。Hewasonlythinkinghowhe，shouldexplain。Eventhiswasnotthemostseriousthinginhis，mind，however。Hisowndeedandpresentflightwerethegreat，shadowswhichweigheduponhim。
“WhatafoolIwastodothat，“hesaidoverandover。”Whata，mistake！”
Inhissobersenses，hecouldscarcelyrealisethatthethinghad，beendone。Hecouldnotbegintofeelthathewasafugitive，fromjustice。Hehadoftenreadofsuchthings，andhadthought，theymustbeterrible，butnowthatthethingwasuponhim，he，onlysatandlookedintothepast。Thefuturewasathingwhich，concernedtheCanadianline。Hewantedtoreachthat。Asfor，theresthesurveyedhisactionsfortheevening，andcounted，thempartsofagreatmistake。
“Still，“hesaid，“whatcouldIhavedone？”
Thenhewoulddecidetomakethebestofit，andwouldbeginto，dosobystartingthewholeinquiryoveragain。Itwasa，fruitless，harassinground，andlefthiminaqueermoodtodeal，withthepropositionhehadinthepresenceofCarrie。
Thetrainclackedthroughtheyardsalongthelakefront，andran，ratherslowlytoTwenty-fourthStreet。Brakesandsignalswere，visiblewithout。Theenginegaveshortcallswithitswhistle，andfrequentlythebellrang。Severalbrakemencamethrough，bearinglanterns。Theywerelockingthevestibulesandputting，thecarsinorderforalongrun。
Presentlyitbegantogainspeed，andCarriesawthesilent，streetsflashingbyinrapidsuccession。Theenginealsobegan，itswhistle-callsoffourparts，withwhichitsignalleddanger，toimportantcrossings。
“Isitveryfar？”askedCarrie。
“Notsovery，“saidHurstwood。Hecouldhardlyrepressasmile，athersimplicity。Hewantedtoexplainandconciliateher，but，healsowantedtobewelloutofChicago。
Inthelapseofanotherhalf-houritbecameapparenttoCarrie，thatitwasquitearuntowhereverhewastakingher，anyhow。
“IsitinChicago？”sheaskednervously。Theywerenowfar，beyondthecitylimits，andthetrainwasscuddingacrossthe，Indianalineatagreatrate。
“No，“hesaid，“notwherewearegoing。”
Therewassomethinginthewayhesaidthiswhicharousedherin，aninstant。
Herprettybrowbegantocontract。
“WearegoingtoseeCharlie，aren’twe？”sheasked。
Hefeltthatthetimewasup。Anexplanationmightaswellcome，nowaslater。Therefore，heshookhisheadinthemostgentle，negative。
“What？”saidCarrie。Shewasnonplussedatthepossibilityof，theerrandbeingdifferentfromwhatshehadthought。
Heonlylookedatherinthemostkindlyandmollifyingway。
“Well，whereareyoutakingme，then？”sheasked，hervoice，showingthequalityoffright。
“I’lltellyou，Carrie，ifyou’llbequiet。Iwantyoutocome，alongwithmetoanothercity，“
“Oh，“saidCarrie，hervoicerisingintoaweakcry。”Letme，off。Idon’twanttogowithyou。”
Shewasquiteappalledattheman’saudacity。Thiswassomething，whichhadneverforamomententeredherhead。Heronethought，nowwastogetoffandaway。Ifonlytheflyingtraincouldbe，stopped，theterribletrickwouldbeamended。
Shearoseandtriedtopushoutintotheaisle——anywhere。She，knewshehadtodosomething。Hurstwoodlaidagentlehandon，her。
“Sitstill，Carrie，“hesaid。”Sitstill。Itwon’tdoyouany，goodtogetuphere。ListentomeandI’lltellyouwhatI’ll，do。Waitamoment。”
Shewaspushingathisknees，butheonlypulledherback。No，onesawthislittlealtercation，forveryfewpersonswereinthe，car，andtheywereattemptingtodoze。
“Iwon’t，“saidCarrie，whowas，nevertheless，complyingagainst，herwill。”Letmego，“shesaid。”Howdareyou？”andlarge，tearsbegantogatherinhereyes。
Hurstwoodwasnowfullyarousedtotheimmediatedifficulty，and，ceasedtothinkofhisownsituation。Hemustdosomethingwith，thisgirl，orshewouldcausehimtrouble。Hetriedtheartof，persuasionwithallhispowersaroused。
“Lookherenow，Carrie，“hesaid，“youmustn’tactthisway。I
didn’tmeantohurtyourfeelings。Idon’twanttodoanything，tomakeyoufeelbad。”
“Oh，“sobbedCarrie，“oh，oh——oo——o！”
“There，there，“hesaid，“youmustn’tcry。Won’tyoulistento，me？Listentomeaminute，andI’lltellyouwhyIcametodo，thisthing。Icouldn’thelpit。IassureyouIcouldn’t。Won’t，youlisten？”
Hersobsdisturbedhimsothathewasquitesureshedidnothear，awordhesaid。
“Won’tyoulisten？”heasked。
“No，Iwon’t，“saidCarrie，flashingup。”Iwantyoutotakeme，outofthis，orI’lltelltheconductor。Iwon’tgowithyou。
It’sashame，“andagainsobsoffrightcutoffherdesirefor，expression。
Hurstwoodlistenedwithsomeastonishment。Hefeltthatshehad，justcauseforfeelingasshedid，andyethewishedthathe，couldstraightenthisthingoutquickly。Shortlytheconductor，wouldcomethroughforthetickets。Hewantednonoise，no，troubleofanykind。Beforeeverythinghemustmakeherquiet。
“Youcouldn’tgetoutuntilthetrainstopsagain，“said，Hurstwood。”Itwon’tbeverylonguntilwereachanother，station。Youcangetoutthenifyouwantto。Iwon’tstopyou。
AllIwantyoutodoistolistenamoment。You’llletmetell，you，won’tyou？”
Carrieseemednottolisten。Sheonlyturnedherheadtowardthe，window，whereoutsideallwasblack。Thetrainwasspeedingwith，steadygraceacrossthefieldsandthroughpatchesofwood。The，longwhistlescamewithsad，musicaleffectasthelonely，woodlandcrossingswereapproached。
Nowtheconductorenteredthecarandtookuptheoneortwo，faresthathadbeenaddedatChicago。HeapproachedHurstwood，whohandedoutthetickets。Poisedasshewastoact，Carrie，madenomove。Shedidnotlookabout。
WhentheconductorhadgoneagainHurstwoodfeltrelieved。
“You’reangryatmebecauseIdeceivedyou，“hesaid。”Ididn’t，meanto，Carrie。AsIliveIdidn’t。Icouldn’thelpit。I
couldn’tstayawayfromyouafterthefirsttimeIsawyou。”
Hewasignoringthelastdeceptionassomethingthatmightgoby，theboard。Hewantedtoconvinceherthathiswifecouldno，longerbeafactorintheirrelationship。Themoneyhehad，stolenhetriedtoshutoutofhismind。
“Don’ttalktome，“saidCarrie，“Ihateyou。Iwantyoutogo，awayfromme。Iamgoingtogetoutattheverynextstation。”
Shewasinatrembleofexcitementandoppositionasshespoke。
“Allright，“hesaid，“butyou’llhearmeout，won’tyou？After，allyouhavesaidaboutlovingme，youmighthearme。Idon’t，wanttodoyouanyharm。I’llgiveyouthemoneytogobackwith，whenyougo。Imerelywanttotellyou，Carrie。Youcan’tstop，mefromlovingyou，whateveryoumaythink。”
Helookedathertenderly，butreceivednoreply。
“YouthinkIhavedeceivedyoubadly，butIhaven’t。Ididn’tdo，itwillingly。I’mthroughwithmywife。Shehasn’tanyclaims，onme。I’llneverseeheranymore。That’swhyI’mhereto-
night。That’swhyIcameandgotyou。”
“YousaidCharliewashurt，“saidCarrie，savagely。”You，deceivedme。You’vebeendeceivingmeallthetime，andnowyou，wanttoforcemetorunawaywithyou。”
Shewassoexcitedthatshegotupandtriedtogetbyhimagain。
Helether，andshetookanotherseat。Thenhefollowed。
“Don’trunawayfromme，Carrie，“hesaidgently。”Letme，explain。IfyouwillonlyhearmeoutyouwillseewhereI
stand。Itellyoumywifeisnothingtome。Shehasn’tbeen，anythingforyearsorIwouldn’thaveevercomenearyou。I’m，goingtogetadivorcejustassoonasIcan。I’llneverseeher，again。I’mdonewithallthat。You’retheonlypersonIwant。
IfIcanhaveyouIwon’teverthinkofanotherwomanagain。”
Carrieheardallthisinaveryruffledstate。Itsounded，sincereenough，however，despiteallhehaddone。Therewasa，tensenessinHurstwood’svoiceandmannerwhichcouldbuthave，someeffect。Shedidnotwantanythingtodowithhim。Hewas，married，hehaddeceivedheronce，andnowagain，andshethought，himterrible。Stillthereissomethinginsuchdaringandpower，whichisfascinatingtoawoman，especiallyifshecanbemadeto，feelthatitisallpromptedbyloveofher。
Theprogressofthetrainwashavingagreatdealtodowiththe，solutionofthisdifficultsituation。Thespeedingwheelsand，disappearingcountryputChicagofartherandfartherbehind。
Carriecouldfeelthatshewasbeingbornealongdistanceoff——
thattheenginewasmakinganalmostthroughruntosomedistant，city。Shefeltattimesasifshecouldcryoutandmakesucha，rowthatsomeonewouldcometoheraid;atothertimesitseemed，analmostuselessthing——sofarwasshefromanyaid，nomatter，whatshedid。AllthewhileHurstwoodwasendeavouringto，formulatehispleainsuchawaythatitwouldstrikehomeand，bringherintosympathywithhim。
“IwassimplyputwhereIdidn’tknowwhatelsetodo。”
Carriedeignednosuggestionofhearingthis。
“WhenIsayyouwouldn’tcomeunlessIcouldmarryyou，Idecided，toputeverythingelsebehindmeandgetyoutocomeawaywith，me。I’mgoingoffnowtoanothercity。IwanttogotoMontreal，forawhile，andthenanywhereyouwantto。We’llgoandlivein，NewYork，ifyousay。”
“I’llnothaveanythingtodowithyou，“saidCarrie。”Iwantto，getoffthistrain。Wherearewegoing？”
“ToDetroit，“saidHurstwood。
“Oh！”saidCarrie，inaburstofanguish。Sodistantand，definiteapointseemedtoincreasethedifficulty。
“Won’tyoucomealongwithme？”hesaid，asiftherewasgreat，dangerthatshewouldnot。”Youwon’tneedtodoanythingbut，travelwithme。I’llnottroubleyouinanyway。Youcansee，MontrealandNewYork，andthenifyoudon’twanttostayyoucan，goback。Itwillbebetterthantryingtogobackto-night。”
ThefirstgleamoffairnessshoneinthispropositionforCarrie。
Itseemedaplausiblethingtodo，muchasshefearedhis，oppositionifshetriedtocarryitout。MontrealandNewYork！
Evennowshewasspeedingtowardthosegreat，strangelands，and，couldseethemifsheliked。Shethought，butmadenosign。
Hurstwoodthoughthesawashadeofcomplianceinthis。He，redoubledhisardour。
“Think，“hesaid，“whatI’vegivenup。Ican’tgobackto，Chicagoanymore。I’vegottostayawayandlivealonenow，if，youdon’tcomewithme。Youwon’tgobackonmeentirely，will，you，Carrie？”
“Idon’twantyoutotalktome，“sheansweredforcibly。
Hurstwoodkeptsilentforawhile。
Carriefeltthetraintobeslowingdown。Itwasthemomentto，actifshewastoactatall。Shestirreduneasily。
“Don’tthinkofgoing，Carrie，“hesaid。”Ifyouevercaredfor，meatall，comealongandlet’sstartright。I’lldowhatever，yousay。I’llmarryyou，orI’llletyougoback。Giveyourself，timetothinkitover。Iwouldn’thavewantedyoutocomeifI
hadn’tlovedyou。Itellyou，Carrie，beforeGod，Ican’tlive，withoutyou。Iwon’t！”
Therewasthetensityoffiercenessintheman’spleawhich，appealeddeeplytohersympathies。Itwasadissolvingfire，whichwasactuatinghimnow。Hewaslovinghertoointenselyto，thinkofgivingherupinthis，hishourofdistress。He，clutchedherhandnervouslyandpresseditwithalltheforceof，anappeal。
Thetrainwasnowallbutstopped。Itwasrunningbysomecars，onasidetrack。Everythingoutsidewasdarkanddreary。Afew，sprinklesonthewindowbegantoindicatethatitwasraining。
Carriehunginaquandary，balancingbetweendecisionand，helplessness。Nowthetrainstopped，andshewaslisteningto，hisplea。Theenginebackedafewfeetandallwasstill。
Shewavered，totallyunabletomakeamove。Minuteafterminute，slippedbyandstillshehesitated，hepleading。
“WillyouletmecomebackifIwantto？”sheasked，asifshe，nowhadtheupperhandandhercompanionwasutterlysubdued。
“Ofcourse，“heanswered，“youknowIwill。”
Carrieonlylistenedasonewhohasgrantedatemporaryamnesty。
Shebegantofeelasifthematterwereinherhandsentirely。
Thetrainwasagaininrapidmotion。Hurstwoodchangedthe，subject。
“Aren’tyouverytired？”hesaid。
“No，“sheanswered。
“Won’tyouletmegetyouaberthinthesleeper？”
Sheshookherhead，thoughforallherdistressandhistrickery，shewasbeginningtonoticewhatshehadalwaysfelt——his，thoughtfulness。
“Oh，yes，“hesaid，“youwillfeelsomuchbetter。”
Sheshookherhead。
“Letmefixmycoatforyou，anyway，“andhearoseandarranged，hislightcoatinacomfortablepositiontoreceiveherhead。
“There，“hesaidtenderly，“nowseeifyoucan’trestalittle。”
Hecouldhavekissedherforhercompliance。Hetookhisseat，besideherandthoughtamoment。
“Ibelievewe’reinforaheavyrain，“hesaid。
“Soitlooks，“saidCarrie，whosenerveswerequietingunderthe，soundoftheraindrops，drivenbyagustywind，asthetrain，sweptonfranticallythroughtheshadowtoanewerworld。
ThefactthathehadinameasuremollifiedCarriewasasource，ofsatisfactiontoHurstwood，butitfurnishedonlythemost，temporaryrelief。Nowthatheroppositionwasoutoftheway，he，hadallofhistimetodevotetotheconsiderationofhisown，error。
Hisconditionwasbitterintheextreme，forhedidnotwantthe，miserablesumhehadstolen。Hedidnotwanttobeathief。
Thatsumoranyothercouldnevercompensateforthestatewhich，hehadthusfoolishlydoffed。Itcouldnotgivehimbackhis，hostoffriends，hisname，hishouseandfamily，norCarrie，as，hehadmeanttohaveher。HewasshutoutfromChicago——fromhis，easy，comfortablestate。Hehadrobbedhimselfofhisdignity，hismerrymeetings，hispleasantevenings。Andforwhat？The，morehethoughtofitthemoreunbearableitbecame。Hebeganto，thinkthathewouldtryandrestorehimselftohisoldstate。He，wouldreturnthemiserablethievingsofthenightandexplain。
PerhapsMoywouldunderstand。Perhapstheywouldforgivehimand，lethimcomeback。
BynoontimethetrainrolledintoDetroitandhebegantofeel，exceedinglynervous。Thepolicemustbeonhistrackbynow。
Theyhadprobablynotifiedallthepoliceofthebigcities，and，detectiveswouldbewatchingforhim。Herememberedinstancesin，whichdefaultershadbeencaptured。Consequently，hebreathed，heavilyandpaledsomewhat。Hishandsfeltasiftheymusthave，somethingtodo。Hesimulatedinterestinseveralsceneswithout，whichhedidnotfeel。Herepeatedlybeathisfootuponthe，floor。
Carrienoticedhisagitation，butsaidnothing。Shehadnoidea，whatitmeantorthatitwasimportant。
Hewonderednowwhyhehadnotaskedwhetherthistrainwenton，throughtoMontrealorsomeCanadianpoint。Perhapshecould，havesavedtime。Hejumpedupandsoughttheconductor。
“DoesanypartofthistraingotoMontreal？”heasked。
“Yes，thenextsleeperbackdoes。”
Hewouldhaveaskedmore，butitdidnotseemwise，sohedecided，toinquireatthedepot。
Thetrainrolledintotheyards，clangingandpuffing。
“IthinkwehadbettergorightonthroughtoMontreal，“hesaid，toCarrie。”I’llseewhattheconnectionsarewhenwegetoff。”
Hewasexceedinglynervous，butdidhisbesttoputonacalm，exterior。Carrieonlylookedathimwithlarge，troubledeyes。
Shewasdriftingmentally，unabletosaytoherselfwhattodo。
ThetrainstoppedandHurstwoodledthewayout。Helooked，warilyaroundhim，pretendingtolookafterCarrie。Seeing，nothingthatindicatedstudiedobservation，hemadehiswayto，theticketoffice。
“ThenexttrainforMontrealleaveswhen？”heasked。
“Intwentyminutes，“saidtheman。
HeboughttwoticketsandPullmanberths。Thenhehastenedback，toCarrie。
“Wegorightoutagain，“hesaid，scarcelynoticingthatCarrie，lookedtiredandweary。
“IwishIwasoutofallthis，“sheexclaimedgloomily。
“You’llfeelbetterwhenwereachMontreal，“hesaid。
“Ihaven’tanearthlythingwithme，“saidCarrie;“notevena，handkerchief。”
“Youcanbuyallyouwantassoonasyougetthere，dearest，“he，explained。”Youcancallinadressmaker。”
Nowthecriercalledthetrainreadyandtheygoton。Hurstwood，breathedasighofreliefasitstarted。Therewasashortrun，totheriver，andtheretheywereferriedover。Theyhadbarely，pulledthetrainofftheferry-boatwhenhesettledbackwitha，sigh。
“Itwon’tbesoverylongnow，“hesaid，rememberingherinhis，relief。”Wegettherethefirstthinginthemorning。”
Carriescarcelydeignedtoreply。
“I’llseeifthereisadining-car，“headded。”I’mhungry。”
ChapterXXIX
THESOLACEOFTRAVEL——THEBOATSOFTHESEA
Totheuntravelled，territoryotherthantheirownfamiliarheath，isinvariablyfascinating。Nexttolove，itistheonething，whichsolacesanddelights。Thingsnewaretooimportanttobe，neglected，andmind，whichisamerereflectionofsensory，impressions，succumbstothefloodofobjects。Thusloversare，forgotten，sorrowslaidaside，deathhiddenfromview。Thereis，aworldofaccumulatedfeelingbackofthetritedramatic，expression——“Iamgoingaway。”
AsCarrielookedoutupontheflyingsceneryshealmostforgot，thatshehadbeentrickedintothislongjourneyagainstherwill，andthatshewaswithoutthenecessaryapparelfortravelling。
ShequiteforgotHurstwood’spresenceattimes，andlookedaway，tohomelyfarmhousesandcoseycottagesinvillageswith，wonderingeyes。Itwasaninterestingworldtoher。Herlife，hadjustbegun。Shedidnotfeelherselfdefeatedatall。
Neitherwassheblastedinhope。Thegreatcityheldmuch。
Possiblyshewouldcomeoutofbondageintofreedom——whoknows？
Perhapsshewouldbehappy。Thesethoughtsraisedherabovethe，leveloferring。Shewassavedinthatshewashopeful。
ThefollowingmorningthetrainpulledsafelyintoMontrealand，theysteppeddown，Hurstwoodgladtobeoutofdanger，Carrie，wonderingatthenovelatmosphereofthenortherncity。Long，before，Hurstwoodhadbeenhere，andnowherememberedthename，ofthehotelatwhichhehadstopped。Astheycameoutofthe，mainentranceofthedepothehearditcalledanewbyabusman。
“We’llgorightupandgetrooms，“hesaid。
Attheclerk’sofficeHurstwoodswungtheregisteraboutwhile，theclerkcameforward。Hewasthinkingwhatnamehewouldput，down。Withthelatterbeforehimhefoundnotimefor，hesitation。Anamehehadseenoutofthecarwindowcame，swiftlytohim。Itwaspleasingenough。Withaneasyhandhe，wrote，“G。W。Murdockandwife。”Itwasthelargestconcessionto，necessityhefeltlikemaking。Hisinitialshecouldnotspare。
WhentheywereshowntheirroomCarriesawatoncethathehad，securedheralovelychamber。
“Youhaveabaththere，“saidhe。”Nowyoucancleanupwhenyou，getready。”
Carriewentoverandlookedoutthewindow，whileHurstwood，lookedathimselfintheglass。Hefeltdustyandunclean。He，hadnotrunk，nochangeoflinen，notevenahair-brush。
“I’llringforsoapandtowels，“hesaid，“andsendyouupa，hair-brush。Thenyoucanbatheandgetreadyforbreakfast。
I’llgoforashaveandcomebackandgetyou，andthenwe’llgo，outandlookforsomeclothesforyou。”
Hesmiledgood-naturedlyashesaidthis。
