saidChristie，withafrankexpressionofreliefsogenuineastoutterlydiscomposeherfather。\"Perhapsyouareright，thoughI
failtodiscoveranythingseriousintheattentionsofyoungKearneytoJessie——or——whoeveritmaybe——tome。Butitwillbeveryeasytoremedyit，andseelessofthem。Indeed，wemightbeginto—daywithsomeexcuse。\"
\"Yes——certainly。Ofcourse!\"saidMr。Carr，fullyconvincedofhisutterfailure，but，likemostweakcreatures，consolinghimselfwiththereflectionthathehadnotshownhishandorcommittedhimself。\"Yes；butitwouldperhapsbejustaswellforthepresenttoletthingsgoonastheywere。We’lltalkofitagain——
I’minahurrynow，\"and，edginghimselfthroughthedoor，heslippedaway。
\"Whatdoyouthinkisfather’slastidea？\"saidChristie，with，I
fear，aslightlackofreverenceinhertone，ashersisterreenteredtheroom。\"HethinksGeorgeKearneyispayingyoutoomuchattention。\"
\"No!\"saidJessie，replyingtohersister’shalf—interrogative，half—amusedglancewithafrank，unconscioussmile。
\"Yes，andhesaysthatFairfax——Ithinkit’sFairfax——isequallyfascinatedwithME。\"
Jessie’sbrowslightlycontractedasshelookedcuriouslyathersister。
\"Ofallthings，\"shesaid，\"Iwonderifanyonehasputthatideaintohisdearoldhead。Hecouldn’thavethoughtithimself。\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidChristiemusingly；\"butperhapsit’sjustaswellifwekeptalittlemoretoourselvesforawhile。\"
\"Didfathersayso？\"saidJessiequickly。
\"No，butthatisevidentlywhathemeant。\"
\"Ye—es，\"saidJessieslowly，\"unless——\"
\"Unlesswhat？\"saidChristiesharply。\"Jessie，youdon’tforamomentmeantosaythatyoucouldpossiblyconceiveofanythingelse？\"
\"Imeantosay，\"saidJessie，stealingherarmaroundhersister’swaistdemurely，\"thatyouareperfectlyright。We’llkeepawayfromthesefascinatingDevil’sForders，andparticularlytheyoungestKearney。Ibelievetherehasbeensomeill—naturedgossip。Irememberthattheotherday，whenwepassedtheshantyofthatPikeCountyfamilyontheslope，therewerethreewomenatthedoor，andoneofthemsaidsomethingthatmadepoorlittleKearneyturnwhiteandpinkalternately，anddancewithsuppressedrage。Isupposetheoldlady——M’Corkle，that’shername——wouldliketohaveashareofourcavaliersforherEuphemyandMamie。I
daresayit’sonlyright；Iwouldlendthemthecheruboccasionally，andyoumightletthemhaveMr。Munroetwiceaweek。\"
Shelaughed，buthereyessoughthersister’swithacertainwatchfulnessofexpression。
Christieshruggedhershoulders，withasuggestionofdisgust。
\"Don’tjoke。Weoughttohavethoughtofallthisbefore。\"
\"Butwhenwefirstknewthem，inthedearoldcabin，therewasn’tanyotherwomanandnobodytogossip，andthat’swhatmadeitsonice。Idon’tthinksoverymuchofcivilization，doyou？\"saidtheyoungladypertly。
Christiedidnotreply。Perhapsshewasthinkingthesamething。
Itcertainlyhadbeenverypleasanttoenjoythespontaneousandchivalroushomageofthesemen，withnofurthersuggestionofrecompenseorresponsibilitythanthepermissiontobeworshipped；
butbeyondthatsherackedherbraininvaintorecallanylookoractthatproclaimedthelover。Thesemen，whomshehadfoundsorelapsedintobarbarismthattheyhadforgottenthemostordinaryformsofcivilization；thesemen，eveninwhoseextravagantadmirationtherewasacertainlossofself—respect，thatasawomanshewouldneverforgive；thesemen，whoseemedtobelongtoanotherrace——impossible!Yetitwasso。
\"Whatconstructionmusttheyhaveputuponherfather’sacceptanceoftheirpresents——oftheircompany——ofherfreedomintheirpresence？No!theymusthaveunderstoodfromthebeginningthatsheandhersisterhadneverlookeduponthemexceptastransienthostsandchanceacquaintances。Anyotherideawaspreposterous。
Andyet——\"
Itwastherecurrenceofthis\"yet\"thatalarmedher。Forsherememberednowthatbutfortheirslavishdevotiontheymightclaimtobeherequal。Accordingtoherfather’saccount，theyhadcomefromhomesasgoodastheirown；theywerecertainlymorethanherequalinfortune；andherfatherhadcometothemasanemployee，untiltheyhadtakenhimintopartnership。Iftherehadonlybeensentimentofanykindconnectedwithanyofthem!Buttheywereallalike，brave，unselfish，humorous——andoftenridiculous。Ifanything，DickMattinglywasfunniestbynature，andmadeherlaughmore。MarylandJoe，hisbrother，toldbetterstories（sometimesofDick），thoughnotsogoodamimicastheotherKearney，whohadafairlysympatheticvoiceinsinging。Theywereallgood—lookingenough；perhapstheysetstoreonthat——menaresovain。
Andasforherownrejectedsuitor，FairfaxMunroe，exceptforakindofgraveandpropermotherlinessabouthisprotectingmanner，heabsolutelywasthemostindistinctiveofthemall。HehadoncebroughthersomerareteafromtheChinesecamp，andhadtaughtherhowtomakeit；hehadcautionedheragainstsittingunderthetreesatnightfall；hehadoncetakenoffhiscoattowraparoundher。Really，ifthisweretheonlyevidenceofdevotionthatcouldbeshown，shewassafe!
\"Well，\"saidJessie，\"itamusesyou，Isee。\"
ChristiecheckedthesmilethathadbeendimplingthecheeknearestJessie，andturneduponherthefaceofaneldersister。
\"Tellme，haveYOUnoticedthisextraordinaryattentionofMr。
Munroetome？\"
\"Candidly？\"askedJessie，seatingherselfcomfortablyonthetablesideways，andendeavoring，topullherskirtoverherlittlefeet。
\"HonestInjun？\"
\"Don’tbeidiotic，and，aboveall，don’tbeslangy!Ofcourse，candidly。\"
\"Well，no。Ican’tsaythatIhave。\"
\"Then，\"saidChristie，\"whyinthenameofallthat’spreposterous，dotheypersistinpairingmeoffwiththeleastinterestingmanofthelot？\"
Jessieleapedfromthetable。
\"Comenow，\"shesaid，withalittlenervouslaugh，\"he’snotsobadasallthat。Youdon’tknowhim。Butwhatdoesitmatternow，aslongaswe’renotgoingtoseethemanymore？\"
\"They’recomingherefortherideto—day，\"saidChristieresignedly。\"Fatherthoughtitbetternottobreakitoffatonce。\"
\"Fatherthoughtso!\"echoedJessie，stoppingwithherhandonthedoor。
\"Yes；whydoyouask？\"
ButJessiehadalreadylefttheroom，andwassinginginthehall。
CHAPTERIV
Theafternoondidnot，however，bringtheirexpectedvisitors。Itbrought，instead，abriefnotebythehandsofWhiskeyDickfromFairfax，apologizingforsomebusinessthatkepthimandGeorgeKearneyfromaccompanyingtheladies。Itaddedthatthehorseswereatthedisposalofthemselvesandanyescorttheymightselect，iftheywouldkindlygivethemessagetoWhiskeyDick。
Thetwogirlslookedateachotherawkwardly；Jessiedidnotattempttoconcealaslightpout。
\"Itlooksasiftheywereanticipatingus，\"shesaid，withahalf—
forcedsmile。\"Iwonder，now，iftherereallyhasbeenanygossip？
Butno!Theywouldn’thavestoppedforthat，unless——\"Shelookedcuriouslyathersister。
\"Unlesswhat？\"repeatedChristie；\"youarehorriblymysteriousthismorning。\"
\"AmI？It’snothing。Butthey’rewantingananswer。Ofcourseyou’lldecline。\"
\"Andintimateweonlycarefortheircompany!No!We’llsaywe’resorrytheycan’tcome，and——accepttheirhorses。Wecandowithoutanescort，wetwo。\"
\"Capital!\"saidJessie，clappingherhands。\"We’llshowthem——\"
\"We’llshowthemnothing，\"interruptedChristiedecidedly。\"Inourplacethere’sonlytheonethingtodo。Whereisthis——WhiskeyDick？\"
\"Intheparlor。\"
\"Theparlor!\"echoedChristie。\"WhiskeyDick？What——ishe——\"
\"Yes；he’sallright，\"saidJessieconfidently。\"He’sbeenherebefore，buthestayedinthehall；hewassoshy。Idon’tthinkyousawhim。\"
\"Ishouldthinknot——WhiskeyDick!\"
\"Oh，youcancallhimMr。Hall，ifyoulike，\"saidJessie，laughing。\"HisrealnameisDickHall。Ifyouwanttobefunny，youcansayAlkyHall，astheothersdo。\"
Christie’sonlyreplytothislevitywasalookofsuperiorresignationasshecrossedthehallandenteredtheparlor。
Thenensuedoneofthosesurprising，mystifying，andutterlyinexplicablechangesthatleavethemasculinebeingsohelplessinthehandsofhisfemininemaster。BeforeChristieopenedthedoorherfaceunderwentarapidtransformation：thegentleglowofarefinedwoman’swelcomesuddenlybeamedinherinterestedeyes；theimpulsivecourtesyofanexpectanthostesseagerlyseizingalong—
looked—foropportunitybrokeinasmileuponherlipsasshesweptacrosstheroom，andstoppedwithhertwowhiteoutstretchedhandsbeforeWhiskeyDick。
Itneededonlytheextravagantcontrastpresentedbythatgentlemantocompletethetableau。Attiredinasuitofshiningblackalpaca，thevisitorhadevidentlypreparedhimselfwithsomecareforapossibleinterview。HewasseatedbytheFrenchwindowopeningupontheveranda，asiftosecurearetreatincaseofanemergency。Scrupulouslywashedandshaven，someofthesoapappearedtohavelingeredinhiseyesandinflamedthelids，evenwhileitlentasleekandshininglustre，notunlikehiscoat，tohissmoothblackhair。Nevertheless，leaningbackinhischair，hehadallowedalargewhitehandkerchieftodependgracefullyfromhisfingers——aposeatoncesuggestingeasyandelegantlangour。
\"Howkindofyoutogivemeanopportunitytomakeupformymisfortunewhenyoulastcalled!Iwassosorrytohavemissedyou。Butitwasentirelymyfault!Youwerehurried，Ithink——youconversedwithothersinthehall——you——\"
Shestoppedtoassisthimtopickupthehandkerchiefthathadfallen，andthePanamahatthathadrolledfromhislaptowardsthewindowwhenhehadstartedsuddenlytohisfeetattheapparitionofgraceandbeauty。Ashestillnervouslyretainedthetwohandshehadgrasped，thiswouldhavebeenadifficultfeat，evenhadhenotendeavoredatthesamemoment，byabackwardfurtivekick，topropelthehatoutofthewindow，atwhichshelaughinglybrokefromhisgraspandflewtotherescue。
\"Don’tmindit，miss，\"hesaidhurriedly。\"Itisnotworthyourdemeaningyourselftotouchit。Leaveitoutsidethar，miss。I
wouldn’thavetoteditin，anyhow，ifsomeofthosehigh—falutin’
fellowshadn’tallowed，theothernight，ezitwerethereg’larthingtodo；asif，miss，anygentlemankalkilatedtoeverputonhishatinthehouseaforealady!\"
ButChristiehadalreadypossessedherselfoftheunluckyobject，andhadplacedituponthetable。ThiscompelledWhiskeyDicktoriseagain，andasanactofcarelessgoodbreedingtodrophishandkerchiefinit。Hethenleanedoneelbowuponthepiano，and，crossingonefootovertheother，remainedstandinginanattitudeherememberedtohaveseeninthepagesofanillustratedpaperasportrayingtheheroinsomedrawing—roomscene。Itwaseasyandeffective，butseemedtobemorefavorabletoreverythanconversation。Indeed，herememberedthathehadforgottentoconsulttheletterpressastowhichitrepresented。
\"Iseeyouagreewithme，thatpolitenessisquiteamatterofintention，\"saidChristie，\"andnotofmerefashionandrules。
Now，forinstance，\"shecontinued，withadazzlingsmile，\"I
suppose，accordingtotherules，IoughttogiveyouanotetoMr。
Munroe，acceptinghisoffer。Thatisallthatisrequired；butitseemssomuchnicer，don’tyouthink，totellittoYOUforHIM，andhavethepleasureofyourcompanyandalittlechatatthesametime。\"
\"That’sit，that’sjustit，MissCarr；you’vehititinthecentrethistime，\"saidWhiskeyDick，nowquiteconvincedthathisattitudewasnotintendedforeloquence，andshiftingbacktohisownseat，hatandall；\"that’stantamounttowhatIsaidtotheboysjustnow。’Youwantanexcuse，’sezI，’fornotgoin’outwiththeyoungladies。So，accorden’torules，youwritesaletterallowin’buzzinessandthatsorterthingdetainsyou。Butwot’sthefacts？You’reagentleman，andasgentlemenyouandGeorgecomestotheopinionthatyou’reratherplayin’itforallit’sworthinthisyerhouse，youknow——comin’herenightandday，offandon，reg’larsociableandfam’lylike，andmakin’peopletalkaboutthingstheyain’tanycalltotalkabout，and，what’sadarnedsightmore，YOUFELLOWSain’tgotanyrightYETtoallow’emtotalkabout，d’yesee？\"hepaused，outofbreath。
ItwasMissChristie’sturntomoveabout。Inchangingherseattothepiano—stool，soastobenearerhervisitor，shebrusheddownsomeloosemusic，whichWhiskeyDickhastenedtopickup。
\"Praydon’tmindit，\"shesaid，\"praydon’t，really——letitbe——\"
ButWhiskeyDick，feelinghimselfonsafegroundinthisattention，persistedtothebitterendofadisintegratedandwell—worn\"Travatore。\"\"SothatiswhatMr。Munroesaid，\"sheremarkedquietly。
\"Notjustthen，incourse，butit’swhat’sbinonhismindandinhistalkfordaysoffandon，\"returnedDick，withaknowingsmileandanodofmysteriousconfidence。\"Blessyoursoul，MissCarr，folkslikeyouandmedon’tneedtohavethemthingsexplained。
That’swhatIsaidtohim，sezI。’Don’tsendnonote，butjustgoupthereandhevitoutfairandsquare，andsaywhatyoudomean。’
Buttheywouldhevthenote，andIkalkilatedtobringit。ButwhenIsetmyeyesonyou，andheardyouexpressyourselfasyoudidjustnow，Iseztomyself，sezI，’Dick，yer’sayounglady，andafash’nableladyatthat，ezdon’tgofoolin’roundonrulesandetiketts’——excusemyfreedom，MissCarr——’andyouandher，sezI，’kinjustdiscussthisyermatterinasociable，off—hand，fash’nableway。’They’reagoodloto’boys，MissCarr，asquarelot——whitemenallof’em；butthey’realittlesoftandgreen，maybe，fromlivin’intheseyerpinewoodsalongo’theothersap。
Theyjustworshipthegroundyouandyoursistertreadon——certain!
ofcourse!ofcourse!\"headdedhurriedly，recognizingChristie’shalf—conscious，deprecatinggesturewithmoreexaggerateddeprecation。\"Iunderstand。ButwhatIwantersayisthatthey’dbewillin’tobethatground，andliedownandletyouwalkoverthem——sotospeak，MissCarr，sotospeak——ifitwouldkeepthehemofyourgownfromgettin’soiledinthemudo’thecamp。Butitwouldn’tdoforthemtomakeareg’larcurderoyroado’themselvesforthehoulcamptotrapseover，onthemerechanceofyoursometimepassin’thatway，woulditnow？\"
\"Won’tyouletmeofferyousomerefreshment，Mr。Hall？\"saidChristie，rising，withaslightcolor。\"I’mreallyashamedofmyforgetfulnessagain，butI’mafraidit’spartlyYOURfaultforentertainingmetotheexclusionofyourself。No，thankyou，letmefetchitforyou。\"
Sheturnedtoahandsomesideboardnearthedoor，andpresentlyfacedhimagainwithadecanterofwhiskeyandaglassinherhand，andareturnofthebewitchingsmileshehadwornonentering。
\"Butperhapsyoudon’ttakewhiskey？\"suggestedthearchdeceiver，withasuddenaffectedbutprettyperplexityofeye，brow，andlips。
ForthefirsttimeinhislifeWhiskeyDickhesitatedbetweentwoformsofintoxication。Buthewasstillnervousanduneasy；habittriumphed，andhetookthewhiskey。He，however，wipedhislipswithaslightwaveofhishandkerchief，tosupportacertaineasyelegancewhichhefirmlybelievedrelievedtheactofanyvulgarquality。
\"Yes，ma’am，\"hecontinued，afteranexhilaratedpause。\"EzIsaidafore，thisyer’samatteryouandmecandiscussafterthefashiono’society。MyideaisthattheseyerboysshouldkinderletuponyouandMissJessieforawhile，anddoalittlemorepermiskusattentionroundtheFord。There’soneortwofamiliesyerwithgrown—upgalsezoughterbesquared；thatis——theboysmighterputinafewfancytouchesamongthem——kindertake’embuggyriding——ortochurch——onceinawhile——justtotakethepizenoutertheirtongues，andmakeakindo’blufftotheparents，d’yesee？Thatwouldsorterdiverttheirownminds；andevenifitdidn’t，itwouldkinderget’emaccustomedagintotheoldstyleandtheirownkind。Iwanttowarnyeaginanideathatmightoccurtoyouinaginiralway。Idon’tsayyouhevtheidea，butit’skindo’
nat’ralyoumightbethinkin’ofitsometime，andIthoughtI’dwarnyouaginit。\"
\"Ithinkweunderstandeachothertoowelltodiffermuch，Mr。
Hall，\"saidChristie，stillsmiling；\"butwhatistheidea？\"
ThedelicatecomplimenttotheirconfidentialrelationsandtheslightstimulusofliquorhadtremulouslyexaltedWhiskeyDick。
Affectingtolookcautiouslyoutofthewindowandaroundtheroom，heventuredtodrawnearertheyoungwomanwithahalf—paternal，half—timidfamiliarity。
\"Itmighthaveoccurredtoyou，\"hesaid，layinghishandkerchiefasiftoveilmerevulgarcontact，onChristie’sshoulder，\"thatitwouldbeagoodthingonYOURsidetoinvitedownsomeofyourhigh—tonedgentlemenfriendsfrom’Friscotovisityouandescortyouround。Itseemsquitenat’rallike，andIdon’tsayitain’t，but——theboyswouldn’tstandforit。\"
Inspiteofherself—possession，Christie’seyessuddenlydarkened，andsheinvoluntarilydrewherselfup。ButWhiskeyDick，guiltilyattributingthemovementtohisownindiscreetgesture，said，\"Excuseme，miss，\"recoveredhimselfbylightlydustinghershoulderwithhishandkerchief，asiftoremovetheimpression，andhersmilereturned。
\"Theywouldn’tstandforit，\"saidDick，\"andthere’dbesomeshooting!Notaforeyou，miss——notaforeyou，incourse!Butthey’dadjourntothewoodssomemorningwiththemcityfolks，andhevitoutwithriflesatahundredyards。Or，seein’ezthey’recityfolks，theboyswoulddothesquarethingwithpistolsattwelvepaces。They’regoodboys，asIsaidafore；butthey’requickandtetchy——George，beingtheyoungest，nat’rallyisthetetchiest。Youknowhowitis，MissCarr；hispretty，gal—likefaceandlittlemoustacheshazcosthimhalfadozenscrimmagesalready。He’zhadafightforeveryhairthat’sgrowedinhismoustachesincehekemhere。\"
\"Saynomore，Mr。Hall!\"saidChristie，risingandpressingherhandslightlyonDick’stremulousfingers。\"IfIeverhadanysuchidea，Ishouldabandonitnow；youarequiterightinthisasinyourotheropinions。IshallneverceasetobethankfultoMr。
MunroeandMr。Kearneythattheyintrustedthisdelicatemattertoyourhands。\"
\"Well，\"saidthegratifiedandreddeningvisitor，\"itain’tperhapsthesquarethingtothemormyselftosaythattheyreckonedtohavemediscusstheirdelicateaffairsforthem，but——\"
\"Iunderstand，\"interruptedChristie。\"Theysimplygaveyoutheletterasafriend。Itwasmygoodfortunetofindyouasympathizingandliberalmanoftheworld。\"ThedelightedDick，withconsciousvanitybeamingfromeveryfeatureofhisshiningface，lightlywavedthecomplimentasidewithhishandkerchief，asshecontinued，\"ButIamforgettingthemessage。Weacceptthehorses。OfcourseweCOULDdowithoutanescort；butforgivemyspeakingsofrankly，areYOUengagedthisafternoon？\"
\"Excuseme，miss，Idon’ttake——\"stammeredDick，scarcelybelievinghisears。
\"Couldyougiveusyourcompanyasanescort？\"repeatedChristiewithasmile。
Washeawakeordreaming，orwasthissometrickofliquorinhisoftendistortedfancy？He，WhiskeyDick!thebuttofhisfriends，thecharteredoracleofthebarrooms，eveninwhosewretchedvanitytherewasalwaysthehauntingsuspicionthathewasdespisedandscorned；he，whohaddaredsomuchinspeech，andachievedsolittleinfact!he，whosehabitualweaknesshadevenledhimintothewildestindiscretionhere；he——nowofferedarewardforthatindiscretion!He，WhiskeyDick，thesolicitedescortofthesetwobeautifulandpeerlessgirls!WhatwouldtheysayattheFord？
Whatwouldhisfriendsthink？ItwouldbeallovertheFordthenextday。Hispastwouldbevindicated，hisfuturesecured。Hegrewerectatthethought。Itwasalmostinothervoice，andwithnotraceofhispreviousexaggeration，thathesaid，\"Withpleasure。\"
\"Then，ifyouwillbringthehorsesatonce，weshallbereadywhenyoureturn。\"
Inanotherinstanthehadvanished，asifafraidtotrusttherealityofhisgoodfortunetothedangersofdelay。Attheendofhalfanhourhereappeared，leadingthetwohorses，himselfmountedonahalf—brokenmustang。Apairoflarge，jinglingsilverspursandastiffsombrero，borrowedwiththemustangfromsomemysterioussource，weredonnedtodohonortotheoccasion。
Theyounggirlswerenotyetready，buthewasshownbytheChineseservantintotheparlortowaitforthem。Thedecanterofwhiskeyandglasseswerestillinvitinglythere。Hewashot，trembling，andflushedwithtriumph。Hewalkedtothetableandlaidhishandonthedecanter，whenanoddthoughtflasheduponhim。Hewouldnotdrinkthistime。No，itshouldnotbesaidthathe，theselectedescortoftheeliteofDevil’sFord，hadtofillhimselfupwithwhiskeybeforetheystarted。Theboysmightturntoeachotherintheirastonishment，asheproudlypassedwithhisfaircompanions，andsay，\"It’sWhiskeyDick，\"buthe’dbed————diftheyshouldadd，\"andfullasever。\"No，sir!Norwhenhewasridingbesidetheserealladies，andleaningoverthematsomeconfidentialmoment，shouldtheyevenknowitfromhisbreath!
No……Yetathimbleful，takenstraight，onlyathimbleful，wouldn’tbemuch，andmighthelptopullhimtogether。Heagainreachedhistremblinghandforthedecanter，hesitated，andthen，turninghisbackuponit，resolutelywalkedtotheopenwindow。
AlmostatthesameinstanthefoundhimselffacetofacewithChristieontheveranda。
Shelookedintohisbloodshoteyes，andcastaswiftglanceatthedecanter。
\"Won’tyoutakesomethingbeforeyougo？\"shesaidsweetly。
\"I——reckon——not，jestnow，\"stammeredWhiskeyDick，withaheroiceffort。
\"You’reright，\"saidChristie。\"Iseeyouarelikeme。It’stoohotforanythingfiery。Comewithme。\"
Sheledhimintothedining—room，andpouringoutaglassoficedteahandedittohim。PoorDickwasnotpreparedforthisterribleculmination。WhiskeyDickandicedtea!Butunderpretenceofseeingifitwasproperlyflavored，Christieraisedittoherownlips。
\"Tryit，topleaseme。\"
Hedrainedthegoblet。
\"Now，then，\"saidChristiegayly，\"let’sfindJessie，andbeoff!\"
CHAPTERV
Whatevermighthavebeenhisotherdeficienciesasanescort，WhiskeyDickwasagoodhorseman，and，inspiteofhisfractiousbrute，exhibitedsuchskillandconfidenceastoatoncesatisfytheyounggirlsofhisvaluetotheminthemanagementoftheirownhorses，towhomside—saddleswerestillanalarmingnovelty。
Jessie，whohadprobablyalreadylearnedfromhersisterthepurportofDick’sconfidences，hadreceivedhimwithequalcordialityandperhapsamoreunqualifiedamusement；andnow，whenfairlyliftedintothesaddlebyhistremulousbutrespectfulhands，madeaverycharmingpictureofyouthfulandrosysatisfaction。AndwhenChristie，morefascinatingthaneverinherriding—habit，tookherplaceontheothersideofDick，astheysalliedfromthegate，thatgentlemanfelthiscupofhappinesscomplete。Histriumphalentreeintotheworldofcivilizationandfashionwassecure。Hedidnotregrettheuntastedliquor；herewasanexperienceinafteryearstoleanhisbackagainstcomfortablyinbar—rooms，toentranceordefymankind。Hehadevengotsofarastoformulateinfancythesentence：\"Iremember，gentlemen，thatoneafternoon，beingonapasearwithtwofash’nableyoungladies，\"etc。，etc。
Atpresent，however，hewasobligedtoconfinehimselftothefunctionsofanelegantguideandcicerone——whennotengagedin\"havingitout\"withhishorse。Theirwaylayalongtheslope，crossingthehigh—roadatrightangles，toreachthedeeperwoodsbeyond。Dickwouldhavelingeredonthehighway——ostensiblytopointouttohiscompanionsthenewflumethathadtakentheplaceofthecondemnedditch，butreallyinthehopeofexposinghimselfinhisglorytothecuriouseyesofthewayfaringworld。
Unhappilytheroadwasdesertedinthestillpowerfulsunlight，andhewasobligedtoseekthecoverofthewoods，withapassingcomplimenttotheparentofhischarges。Wavinghishandstowardstheflume，hesaid，\"Lookatthatworkofyourfather’s；thereain’tnoothermaninCalifornybutPhilipCarrezwouldhevthegrittoholdupsuchabluffaginnaturandaginluckezthatyerflumestandsfor。Idon’tsayit’causeyou’rehisdaughters，ladies!Thatain’tthestyle，ezYOUknow，insassiety，MissCarr，\"headded，turningtoChristieasthemoresociallyexperienced。\"No!butthereain’tanothermantobefoundezcoulddoit。Itcostalreadytwohundredthousand；it’llcostfivehundredthousandaforeit’sdone；andeverycentofitisgotoutoftheyearthbeneathit，orHEZgottobeoutofit。’Tain’tev’ryman，MissCarr，ezhevgottheplucktopledgenotonlywhathe’sgot，butwhathereckonstogit。\"
\"Butsupposehedon’tgetit？\"saidChristie，slightlycontractingherbrows。
\"Thenthere’stheflumetoshowforit，\"saidDick。
\"Butofwhatuseistheflume，ifthereisn’tanymoregold？\"
continuedChristie，almostangrily。
\"That’sgoodfromYOU，miss，\"saidDick，givingwaytoafitofhilarity。\"That’sgoodforafash’nableyounglady——owndaughterofPhilipCarr。Shesez，saysshe，\"continuedDick，appealingtothesedatepinesforappreciationofChristie’srarehumor，\"’Wot’stheuseofaflume，whengoldain’tthere？’Imusttellthattotheboys。\"
\"Andwhat’stheuseofthegoldinthegroundwhentheflumeisn’ttheretoworkitout？\"saidJessietohersister，withacautioningglancetowardsDick。
ButDickdidnotnoticethelookthatpassedbetweenthesisters。
ThericherhumorofJessie’sretorthadthrownhimintoconvulsionsoflaughter。
\"AndnowSHEsays，wot’stheuseo’thegoldwithouttheflume？
’Xcuseme，ladies，butthat’sjustputtin’thehullquestionthat’sagitatin’thisyercampintertwospeechesasclearascrystal。
There’sthehullcrowdoutside——andsomeon’eminside，likeFairfax，heztheirdoubts——ezsayswithMissChristie；andthere’sallofusinside，ezholdsMissJessie’sviews。\"
\"IneverheardMr。Munroesaythattheflumewaswrong，\"saidJessiequickly。
\"Nottoyou，nat’rally，\"saidDick，withaconfidentiallookatChristie；\"butIreckonhe’dlikesomeofthemoneyitcostlaidoutforsuthin’else。Butwhat’stheodds？Thegoldisthere，andWE’REboundtogetit。\"
Dickwastheforemanofagangofpaidworkmen，whohadreplacedthemillionairesinmeremanuallabor，andtheWEwasapolitefigureofspeech。
Theconversationseemedtohavetakenanunfortunateturn，andboththegirlsexperiencedafeelingofreliefwhentheyenteredthelonggulchordefilethatledtoIndianSpring。Thetracknowbecomingnarrow，theywereobligedtopassinsinglefilealongtheprecipitoushillside，ledbythisescort。Thiseffectuallyprecludedanyfurtherspeech，andChristieatoncesurrenderedherselftothecalm，obliteratinginfluencesoftheforest。Thesettlementanditsgossipwerefarbehindandforgotten。Intheabsorptionofnature，hercompanionspassedoutofhermind，evenastheysometimespassedoutofhersightinthewindingsoftheshadowytrail。Assherodealone，thefrondsofbreast—highfernsseemedtocaressherwithoutstretchedandgently—detaininghands；
strangewildflowerssprangupthroughthepartingunderbrush；eventhegraniterocksthatattimespressedcloselyuponthetrailappearedasifcushionedtohercontactwithstar—rayedmosses，orlightlyflungafterherlonglassoesofdelicatevines。Sherecalledtheabsolutefreedomoftheiral—frescolifeintheolddoublecabin，whenshespentthegreaterpartofherwakinghoursunderthemutetreesintheencompassingsolitude，and，halfregrettingthemorecivilizedrestraintsofthisnewerandmoreambitiousabode，forgotthatshehadeverrebelledagainstit。Thesocialcomplicationthatthreatenedhernowseemedtoherrathertheoutcomeofherhalf—civilizedparlorthanofthesylvanglade。
Howeasyitwouldhavebeentohavekeptthecabin，andthentohavegoneawayentirely，thanforherfathertohaveallowedthemtobecompromisedwiththegrowingfortunesofthesettlement!ThesuspicionsanddistrustthatshehadalwaysfeltoftheirfortunesseemedtogrowwiththeinvoluntaryadmissionofWhiskeyDickthattheyweresharedbyotherswhowerepracticalmen。Shewasfaintohaverecoursetotheprospectagaintobanishthesethoughts，andthisopenedhereyestothefactthathercompanionshadbeenmissingfromthetrailaheadofherforsometime。Shequickenedherpaceslightlytoreachaprojectingpointofrockthatgaveheramoreextendedprospect。Buttheyhadevidentlydisappeared。
Shewasneitheralarmednorannoyed。Shecouldeasilyovertakethemsoon，fortheywouldmissher，andreturnorwaitforheratthespring。Attheworstshewouldhavenodifficultyinretracingherstepshome。Inherpresentmood，shecouldreadilysparetheircompany；indeedshewasnotsorrythatnootherbeingshouldinterruptthatsympathywiththefreewoodswhichwasbeginningtopossessher。
Shewasdestined，however，tobedisappointed。Shehadnotproceededahundredyardsbeforeshenoticedthemovingfigureofamanbeyondherinthehillsidechaparralabovethetrail。Heseemedtobegoinginthesamedirectionasherself，and，asshefancied，endeavoringtoavoidher。Thisexcitedhercuriositytothepointofurgingherhorseforwarduntilthetrailbroadenedintothelevelforestagain，whichshenowrememberedwasapartoftheenvironsofIndianSpring。Thestrangerhesitated，pausingonceortwicewithhisbacktowardsher，asifengagedincarefullyexaminingthedwarfwillowstoselectaswitch。Christieslightlycheckedherspeedasshedrewnearer；when，asifobedienttoasuddenresolution，heturnedandadvancedtowardsher。ShewasrelievedandyetsurprisedtorecognizetheboyishfaceandfigureofGeorgeKearney。Hewasquitepaleandagitated，althoughattempting，byajauntyswingingoftheswitchhehadjustcut，toassumetheappearanceofeaseandconfidence。
Herewasanopportunity。Christieresolvedtoprofitbyit。Shedidnotdoubtthattheyoungfellowhadalreadypassedhersisteronthetrail，but，frombashfulness，hadnotdaredtoapproachher。
Byinvitinghisconfidence，shewoulddoubtlessdrawsomethingfromhimthatwoulddenyorcorroborateherfather’sopinionofhissentiments。IfhewasreallyinlovewithJessie，shewouldlearnwhatreasonshehadforexpectingaseriousculminationofhissuit，andperhapsshemightbeabledelicatelytoopenhiseyestothetruth。If，asshebelieved，itwasonlyaboyishfancy，shewouldlaughhimoutofitwiththatcamaraderiewhichhadalwaysexistedbetweenthem。Ahalfmotherlysympathy，albeitbornquiteasmuchfromacontemplationofhisbeautifulyearningeyesasfromhisinterestingposition，lightenedthesmilewithwhichshegreetedhim。
\"Soyoucontrivedtothrowoveryourstupidbusinessandjoinus，afterall，\"shesaid；\"orwasitthatyouchangedyourmindatthelastmoment？\"sheaddedmischievously。\"Ithoughtonlywewomenwerepermittedthat!\"Indeed，shecouldnothelpnoticingthattherewasreallyastrongfemininesuggestionintheshiftingcolorandslightlyconsciouseyelidsoftheyoungfellow。
\"Doyounggirlsalwayschangetheirminds？\"askedGeorge，withanembarrassedsmile。
\"Not，always；butsometimestheydon’tknowtheirownmind——
particularlyiftheyareveryyoung；andwhentheydoatlast，youclevercreaturesofmen，whohaveinterpretedtheirignorancetopleaseyourselves，abusethemforbeingfickle。\"ShestoppedtoobservetheeffectofwhatshebelievedaratherclearandsignificantexpositionofJessie’sandGeorge’spossiblesituation。
Butshewasnotpreparedforthelookofblankresignationthatseemedtodrivethecolorfromhisfaceandmoistenthefireofhisdarkeyes。
\"Ireckonyou’reright，\"hesaid，lookingdown。
\"Oh!we’renotaccusingyouoffickleness，\"saidChristiegayly；
\"althoughyoudidn’tcome，andwewereobligedtoaskMr。Halltojoinus。IsupposeyoufoundhimandJessiejustnow？\"
ButGeorgemadenoreply。Thecolorwasslowlycomingbacktohisface，which，assheglancedcovertlyathim，seemedtohavegrownsomucholderthathisreturningbloodmighthavebroughttwoorthreeyearswithit。
\"Really，Mr。Kearney，\"shesaiddryly，\"onewouldthinkthatsomesilly，conceitedgirl\"——shewasquiteearnestinherepithets，forasudden，angryconvictionofsomecoquetryanddisingenuousnessinJessiehadcometoherincontemplatingitseffectsupontheyoungfellowatherside——\"somecountryjilt，hadbeentryingherrustichanduponyou。\"
\"Sheisnotsilly，conceited，norcountrified，\"saidGeorge，slowlyraisinghisbeautifuleyestotheyounggirlhalfreproachfully。
\"ItisIwhoamallthat。No，sheisright，andyouknowit。\"
MuchasChristieadmiredandvaluedhersister’scharms，shethoughtthiswasreallygoingtoofar。WhathadJessieeverdone——
whatwasJessie——toprovokeandremaininsensibletosuchablinddevotionasthis？Andreally，lookingathimnow，hewasnotsoVERYYOUNGforJessie；whetherhisunfortunatepassionhadbroughtoutallhislatentmanliness，orwhetherhehadhithertokepthisseriousnatureinthebackground，certainlyhewasnotaboy。Andcertainlyhiswasnotapassionthathecouldbelaughedoutof。
Itwasgettingverytiresome。Shewishedshehadnotmethim——atleastuntilshehadhadsomeclearerunderstandingwithhersister。
Hewasstillwalkingbesideher，withhishandonherbridlerein，partlytoleadherhorseoversomebouldersinthetrail，andpartlytoconcealhisfirstembarrassment。Whentheyhadfairlyreachedthewoods，hestopped。
\"Iamgoingtosaygood—by，MissCarr。\"
\"Areyounotcomingfurther？WemustbenearIndianSpring，now；
Mr。Halland——andJessie——cannotbefaraway。Youwillkeepmecompanyuntilwemeetthem？\"
\"No，\"herepliedquietly。\"Ionlystoppedyoutosaygood—by。I
amgoingaway。\"
\"NotfromDevil’sFord？\"sheasked，inhalf—incredulousastonishment。
\"Atleast，notforlong？\"
\"Iamnotcomingback，\"hereplied。
\"Butthisisveryabrupt，\"shesaidhurriedly，feelingthatinsomeridiculouswayshehadprecipitatedanequallyridiculouscatastrophe。\"Surelyyouarenotgoingawayinthisfashion，withoutsayinggood—bytoJessieand——andfather？\"
\"Ishallseeyourfather，ofcourse——andyouwillgivemyregardstoMissJessie。\"
Heevidentlywasinearnest。Wasthereeveranythingsoperfectlypreposterous？Shebecameindignant。
\"Ofcourse，\"shesaidcoldly，\"Iwon’tdetainyou；yourbusinessmustbeurgent，andIforgot——atleastIhadforgottenuntilto—
day——thatyouhaveotherdutiesmoreimportantthanthatofsquireofdames。Iamafraidthisforgetfulnessmademethinkyouwouldnotpartfromusinquitesuchabusinessfashion。Ipresume，ifyouhadnotmetmejustnow，weshouldnoneofushaveseenyouagain？\"
Hedidnotreply。
\"Willyousaygood—by，MissCarr？\"
Heheldouthishand。
\"Onemoment，Mr。Kearney。IfIhavesaidanythingwhichyouthinkjustifiesthisveryabruptleave—taking，Ibegyouwillforgiveandforgetit——or，atleast，letithavenomoreweightwithyouthantheidlewordsofanywoman。Ionlyspokegenerally。Youknow——I——
Imightbemistaken。\"
Hiseyes，whichhaddilatedwhenshebegantospeak，darkened；hiscolor，whichhadquicklycome，asquicklysankwhenshehadended。
\"Don’tsaythat，MissCarr。Itisnotlikeyou，and——itisuseless。YouknowwhatImeantamomentago。Ireaditinyourreply。YoumeantthatI，likeothers，haddeceivedmyself。Didyounot？\"
Shecouldnotmeetthosehonesteyeswithlessthanequalhonesty。
SheknewthatJessiedidnotlovehim——wouldnotmarryhim——
whatevercoquetryshemighthaveshown。
\"Ididnotmeantooffendyou，\"shesaidhesitatingly；\"IonlyhalfsuspecteditwhenIspoke。\"
\"Andyouwishtosparemetheavowal？\"hesaidbitterly。
\"Tome，perhaps，yes，byanticipatingit。IcouldnottellwhatideasyoumighthavegatheredfromsomeindiscreetfranknessofJessie——ormyfather，\"sheadded，withalmostequalbitterness。
\"Ihaveneverspokentoeither，\"herepliedquickly。Hestopped，andadded，afteramoment’smortifyingreflection，\"I’vebeenbroughtupinthewoods，MissCarr，andIsupposeIhavefollowedmyfeelings，insteadoftheetiquetteofsociety。\"
ChristiewastoorelievedattherehabilitationofJessie’struthfulnesstonoticethefullsignificanceofhisspeech。
\"Good—by，\"hesaidagain，holdingouthishand。
\"Good—by!\"
Sheextendedherown，ungloved，withafranksmile。Hehelditforamoment，withhiseyesfixeduponhers。Thensuddenly，asifobeyinganuncontrollableimpulse，hecrusheditlikeafloweragainandagainagainsthisburninglips，anddartedaway。
Christiesankbackinhersaddlewithalittlecry，halfofpainandhalfoffrightenedsurprise。Hadthepoorboysuddenlygonemad，orwasthisvicariousfarewellapartofthecourtshipofDevil’sFord？Shelookedatherlittlehand，whichhadreddenedunderthepressure，andsuddenlyfelttheflushextendingtohercheeksandtherootsofherhair。Thiswasintolerable。
\"Christie!\"
Itwashersisteremergingfromthewoodtoseekher。Inanothermomentshewasatherside。
\"Wethoughtyouwerefollowing，\"saidJessie。\"Goodheavens!howyoulook!Whathashappened？\"
\"Nothing。ImetMr。Kearneyamomentagoonthetrail。Heisgoingaway，and——and——\"Shestopped，furiousandflushing。
\"And，\"saidJessie，withaburstofmerriment，\"hetoldyouatlasthelovedyou。Oh，Christie!\"
CHAPTERVI
TheabruptdepartureofGeorgeKearneyfromDevil’sFordexcitedbutlittleinterestinthecommunity，andwassoonforgotten。Itwasgenerallyattributedtodifferencesbetweenhimselfandhispartnersonthequestionoffurtheroutlayoftheirearningsonminingimprovements——heandPhilipCarralonerepresentingasanguineminoritywhosefaithinthefutureofthemineacceptedanyrisks。Itwasallegedbysomethathehadsoldouttohisbrother；itwasbelievedbyothersthathehadsimplygonetoSacramentotoborrowmoneyonhisshare，inordertocontinuetheimprovementsonhisownresponsibility。Thepartnersthemselveswereuncommunicative；evenWhiskeyDick，whosincehisremarkablesocialelevationhadbecomelessoracular，muchtohisownastonishment，contributednothingtothegossipexceptasuggestionthatasthefierytemperofGeorgeKearneybrookednoopposition，evenfromhisbrother，itwasbettertheyshouldseparatebeforetheestrangementbecameserious。
Mr。Carrdidnotdisguisehisannoyanceatthelossofhisyoungdiscipleandfirmally。ButanunluckyallusiontohispreviousremarksonKearney’sattentionstoJessie，andaquerulousregretthathehadpermittedadisruptionoftheirsocialintimacy，broughtsuchanominousandfrigidopposition，notonlyfromChristie，buteventhefrivolousJessieherself，thatCarrsankbackinacrushedandterrifiedsilence。\"Ionlymeanttosay，\"hestammeredafterapause，inwhichhe，however，resumedhisaggrievedmanner，\"thatFAIRFAXseemstocomeherestill，andHEisnotsuchaparticularfriendofmine。\"
\"Butsheis——andhasyourinterestentirelyatheart，\"saidJessie，stoutly，\"andheonlycomesheretotellushowthingsaregoingonattheworks。\"
\"Andcriticiseyourfather，Isuppose，\"saidMr。Carr，withanattemptatjocularitythatdidnot，however，disguiseanirritatedsuspiciousness。\"HereallyseemstohavesupplantedMEashehaspoorKearneyinyourestimation。\"
\"Now，father，\"saidJessie，suddenlyseizinghimbytheshouldersinaffectedindignation，butreallytoconcealacertainembarrassmentthatsprangquiteasmuchfromhersister’squietlyobservanteyeasherfather’sspeech，\"youpromisedtoletthisridiculousdiscussiondrop。YouwillmakemeandChristiesonervousthatwewillnotdaretoopenthedoortoavisitor，untilhedeclareshisinnocenceofanymatrimonialintentions。Youdon’twanttogivecolortothegossipthatagreementwithyourviewsabouttheimprovementsisnecessarytogettingonwithus。\"
\"Whodarestalksuchrubbish？\"saidCarr，reddening；\"isthatthekindofgossipthatFairfaxbringshere？\"
\"Hardly，whenit’sknownthathedon’tquiteagreewithyou，andDOEScomehere。That’sthebestdenialofthegossip。\"
Christie，whohadoflateloftilyignoredthesediscussions，waiteduntilherfatherhadtakenhisdeparture。
\"ThenthatisthereasonwhyyoustillseeMr。Munroe，afterwhatyousaid，\"sheremarkedquietlytoJessie。
Jessie，whowouldhavelikedtoescapewithherfather，wasobligedtopauseonthethresholdofthedoor，withaprettyassumptionofblankforgetfulnessinherblueeyesandliftedeyebrows。
\"Saidwhat？when？\"sheaskedvacantly。
\"When——whenMr。Kearneythatday——inthewoods——wentaway，\"saidChristie，faintlycoloring。
\"Oh!THATday，\"saidJessiebriskly；\"thedayhejustglovedyourhandwithkisses，andthenfledwildlyintotheforesttoconcealhisemotion。\"
\"Thedayhebehavedveryfoolishly，\"saidChristie，withreproachfulcalmness，thatdidnot，however，preventasuspicionofindignantmoistureinhereyes——\"whenyouexplained\"——
\"Thatitwasn’tmeantforME，\"interruptedJessie。
\"ThatitwastoyouthatMR。MUNROE’Sattentionsweredirected。
Andthenweagreedthatitwasbettertopreventanyfurtheradvancesofthiskindbyavoidinganyfamiliarrelationswitheitherofthem。\"
\"Yes，\"saidJessie，\"Iremember；butyou’renotconfoundingmyseeingFairfaxoccasionallynowwiththatsortofthing。HE
doesn’tkissmyhandlikeanything，\"sheadded，asifinabstractreflection。
\"Norrunaway，either，\"suggestedthetroddenworm，turning。
Therewasanominoussilence。
\"Doyouknowwearenearlyoutofcoffee？\"saidJessiechoking，butmovingtowardsthedoorwithSpartan—likecalmness。
\"Yes。Andsomethingmustbedonethisverydayaboutthewashing，\"
saidChristie，withsuppressedemotion，goingtowardstheoppositeentrance。
Tearsstoodineachother’seyeswiththisterribleexchangeofdomesticconfidences。Nevertheless，afteramoment’spause，theydeliberatelyturnedagain，and，facingeachotherwithfrightfulcalmness，lefttheroombypurposelessanddeliberateexitsotherthanthosetheyhadcontemplated——acrushingabnegationofself，that，tosomeextent，relievedtheirsurchargedfeelings。
MeantimethematerialprosperityofDevil’sFordincreased，ifaprosperitybaseduponnovisiblefoundationbuttheconfidencesandhopesofitsinhabitantscouldbecalledmaterial。Few，ifany，stoppedtoconsiderthattheimprovements，buildings，andbusinessweresimplytheoutlayofcapitalbroughtfromelsewhere，andasyetthesettlementortown，asitwasnowcalled，hadneitherproducednorexportedcapitalofitselfequaltohalftheamountexpended。Itwastruethatsomelandwascultivatedonthefurtherslope，somemillserectedandlumberfurnishedfromtheinexhaustibleforest；buttheconsumersweretheinhabitantsthemselves，whopaidfortheirproduceinborrowedcapitalorunlimitedcredit。ItwasneverdiscoveredthatwhileallroadsledtoDevil’sFord，Devil’sFordledtonowhere。Thedifficultiesovercomeingettingthingsintothesettlementwereneversurmountedforgettingthingsoutofit。Thelumberwaspracticallyvaluelessforexporttoothersettlementsacrossthemountainroads，whichwereequallyrichintimber。Thetheorysoenthusiasticallyheldbytheoriginallocators，thatDevil’sFordwasavastsinkthathad，throughages，exhaustedandabsorbedthetricklingwealthoftheadjacenthillsandvalleys，wassufferinganironicalcorroboration。
OnemorningitwasknownthatworkwasstoppedattheDevil’sFordDitch——temporarilyonly，itwasalleged，andmanyoftheoldworkmensimplyhadtheirlaborforthepresenttransferredtoexcavatingtheriverbanks，andthecollectionofvastheapsof\"paygravel。\"Specimensfromthesemounds，takenfromdifferentlocalities，andatdifferentlevels，weresenttoSanFranciscoformorerigidassayandanalysis。Itwasbelievedthatthiswouldestablishthefactofthepermanentrichnessofthedrifts，andnotonlyjustifypastexpenditure，butarenewedoutlayofcreditandcapital。ThesuspensionofengineeringworkgaveMr。CarranopportunitytovisitSanFranciscoongeneralbusinessofthemine，whichcouldnot，however，preventhimfromarrangingfurthercombinationswithcapital。Histwodaughtersaccompaniedhim。Itofferedanadmirableopportunityforashoppingexpedition，achangeofscene，andapeacefulsolutionoftheirperplexingandanomaloussocialrelationswithDevil’sFord。Inthefirstflushofgratitudetotheirfatherforthisopportuneholiday，somethingofharmonyhadbeenrestoredtothefamilycirclethathadoflatebeenshakenbydiscord。
Buttheirsanguinehopesofenjoymentwerenotentirelyfulfilled。
BothJessieandChristiewereobligedtoconfesstoacertaindisappointmentintheaspectofthecivilizationtheywerenowreentering。Theyatfirstattributedittothechangeintheirownhabitsduringthelastthreemonths，andtheirhavingbecomebarbarousandcountrifiedintheirseclusion。CertainlyinthematterofdresstheywerebehindthefashionsasrevealedinMontgomeryStreet。Butwhenthebriefsolaceaffordedthembythemodisteanddressmakerwaspast，thereseemedlittleelsetobegained。Theymissedatfirst，Ifear，thechivalrousandloyaldevotionthathadonlyamusedthematDevil’sFord，andwerethemoreinclined，Ithink，todistrusttheconsciousandmorecivilizedgallantryofthebetterdressedandmorecarefullypresentedmentheymet。Foritmustbeadmittedthat，forobviousreasons，theircriticismswereatfirstconfinedtothesextheyhadbeenmostincontactwith。Theycouldnothelpnoticingthatthemenweremoreeager，annoyinglyfeverish，andself—assertingintheirsuperioreleganceandexternalshowthantheiroldassociateswereintheirfrank，unrestrainedhabits。ItseemedtothemthatthefivemillionairesofDevil’sFord，intheirradicalsimplicityandthoroughness，wereperhapsnearerthetypeoftruegentlemanhoodthanthesecitizenswhoimitatedacivilizationtheywereunableyettoreach。
Thewomensimplyfrightenedthem，asbeing，evenmorethanthemen，demonstrativeandexcessiveintheirfinelooks，theirfinedresses，theirextravagantdemandforexcitement。Inlessthanaweektheyfoundthemselvesregretting——notthenewvillaontheslopeofDevil’sFord，whicheveninitsownbizarrefashionwasexceededbythebarbarousostentationofthevillasandprivatehousesaroundthem——butthedoublecabinunderthetrees，whichnowseemedtothemalmostaristocraticinitsgravesimplicityandabstention。Inthemysteriousforestsofmaststhatthrongedthecity’squaystheyrecalledthestraightshaftsofthepinesonDevil’sslopes，onlytomissthesedatereposeandinfinitecalmthatusedtoenvironthem。Inthefeverish，pulsatinglifeoftheyoungmetropolistheyoftenstoppedoppressed，giddy，andchoking；
theroarofthestreetsandthoroughfareswasmeaninglesstothem，excepttorevivestrangememoriesofthedeep，unvaryingmonotoneoftheeveningwindovertheirhumblerroofontheSierranhillside。Civicbredandnurturedastheywere，therecurrenceofthesesensationsperplexedandalarmedthem。
\"Itseemssoperfectlyridiculous，\"saidJessie，\"forustofeelasoutofplacehereasthatPikeCountyservantgirlinSacramentowhohadneverseenasteamboatbefore；doyouknow，IquitehadaturntheotherdayatseeingamanontheStocktonwharfinaredshirt，witharifleonhisshoulder。\"
\"Andyouwantedtogoandspeaktohim？\"saidChristie，withasadsmile。
\"No，that’sjustit；IfeltawfullyhurtandinjuredthathedidnotcomeupandspeaktoME!Iwonderifwegotanyfeverorthatsortofthingupthere；itmakesonequitesuperstitious。\"
Christiedidnotreply；morethanoncebeforeshehadfeltthatinexplicablemisgiving。Ithadsometimesseemedtoherthatshehadneverbeenquiteherselfsincethatmemorablenightwhenshehadslippedoutoftheirsleeping—cabin，andstoodaloneinthegraciousandcommandingpresenceofthewoodsandhills。Inthesolitudeofnight，withthehumofthegreatcityrisingbelowher——
attimesevenintheatresorcrowdedassembliesofmenandwomen——
sheforgotherself，andagainstoodintheweirdbrilliancyofthatmoonlightnightinmuteworshipatthefootofthatslowly—risingmysticaltarofpiledterraces，hangingforests，andliftedplateausthatclimbedforevertothelonelyskies。Againshefeltbeforehertheexpandingandopeningarmsoftheprotectingwoods。
