ThesameChenowethwashe，who，maddenedbytheGeneral’striumphantlyfamiliarwayoftoyingwithMissBetty’sfanbetweentwodances，attemptedtoproposetoherduringthesunrisewaltz。Havingsung\"Oh，believeme\"
inherearasloudlyashecould，heexpressedthewish——quiteasloudly——
\"Thatthiswaltzmightlastforalways！\"
ThatwastheseventhtimeithadbeensaidtoBettyduringthenight，andthoughMr。Chenoweth’spredecessorshadrevealedtheirdesiresinaguiselackingthisprodigiousartlessness，shealreadypossessednonovelacquaintancewiththeexclamation。Butshemadenocomment；herpartner’sstylewasnotastimulanttorepartee。\"Itwouldbeheaven，\"heamplifiedearnestly，\"itwouldbeheaventodancewithyouforever——onadesertislewheretheotherscouldn’tcome！\"hefinishedwithsuddenacerbityashiseyecaughttheGeneral’s。
Heproceeded，andonlythecessationofthemusicaidedMissCareweinstoppingthedeclarationbeforeitwasaltogetherout；andatthatpointFrank’sownfathercametoherrescue，thoughinafashionlittlesavingofherconfusion。TheelderChenowethwasoneofthegallantandkindlySoutherncolonythatmadeitnaturalforRouenalwaystospeakofMissCareweas\"MissBetty。Hewasahandsomeoldfellow，whosehair，longmoustacheandimperialwereaswhiteashewasproudofthem，aVirginianwiththeadmirableSouthernfearlessnessofbeingthoughtsentimental。
Mountingachairwithcompletedignity，heliftedaglassofwinehighintheair，and，whenalltheotherglasseshadbeenfilled，proposedthehealthofhisyounghostess。Hemadeaspeechofsomelength，pronouncinghimselfquiteashopelesslyinlovewithhisoldfriend’sdaughterasallcouldseehisownsonwas；andwishingherlonglifeandprosperity，withmanyallusionstofragrantbowersandtheMuses。
ItmadeMissBettyhappy，butitwasrathertrying，too，forshecouldonlystandwithdowncasteyesbeforethemall，tremblingalittle，andreceivingamixedimpressionofMr。Chenoweth’sremarks，catchingfragmentshereandthere：\"Andmaytheblushuponthatgentlecheek，lovelierthantheradiantcloudsatsetofsun，\"and\"Yetthesandsofthehour-glassmustfall，andinthecalmandbeauteousoldagesomedaytobeherlot，whenfondmem’ryleadsherbacktoviewagainthebrilliantsceneabouthernow，wherestand`fairwomenandbravemen，’winecupinhandtodoherhonor，oh，mayshewipethesilenttear\"，andthelike。Astheoldgentlemanfinished，andbeforethetoastwasdrunk，FanchonBareaud，kissingherhandtoBetty，tookupthesongagain；andtheyalljoinedin，liftingtheirglassestotheblushingandhappygirlclingingtoherfather’sarm：
\"Thouwouldststillbeadoredasthismomentthouart，Letthylovelinessfadeasitwill；
Andaroundthedearruin，eachwishofmyheart，Wouldentwineitselfverdantlystill。\"
Theywerehappypeoplewhohadnotlearnedtobeself-consciousenoughtofeardoingaprettythingopenlywithoutmockingthemselvesforit；anditwasabravecircletheymadeaboutBettyCarewe，thecharmingfacesofthewomenandtheirfinefurbelows，handsomemenandtall，allsogay，socheerilysmiling，andyetsoearnestintheirwelcometoher。Noonewasafraidto\"letout\"hisvoice；theirsongwentfullandstrongoverthewakingtown，andwhenitwasfinishedtheballwasover，too。
Theverandaandthepathtothegatebecameliketropicgardens，thefaircolorsofthewomen’sdresses，ballooningintheearlybreeze，makingtheplaceseemstrewnwithgiantblossoms。Theyallwentawayatthesametime，thoseincarriagescallingfarewellstoeachotherandtothelittleprocessionsdepartingonfootindifferentdirectionstohomesnearby。
Thesoundofthevoicesandlaughterdrewaway，slowlydiedoutaltogether，andthesilenceofthestreetwasstrangeandunfamiliartoBetty。Shewenttothehedgeandwatchedthemusicians，whowerethelasttogo，untiltheypassedfromsight：littleblacktoilsomefigures，carryinggrotesqueblackboxes。Whileshecouldstillseethem，itseemedtoherthatherballwasnotquiteover，andshewishedtoholdtheleastspeckofitaslongasshecould；butwhentheyhaddisappeared，shefacedthetruthwithadeepsigh：thelong，gloriousnightwasfinishedindeed。
Whatsheneedednowwasanothergirl：thetwowouldhavegonetoBetty’sroomanddanceditalloveragainuntilnoon；butshehadonlyherfather。
ShefoundhimsmokingaPrincipecigarupontheveranda，sosheseatedherselftimidly，neverthelesswithahopefulglanceathim，onthestepsathisfeet；and，asshedidso，helookeddownuponherwithsomethingmoreakintogenialitythananythingshehadeverseeninhiseyebefore。
Itwasnotgenialityitself，butmightbethirdcousintoit。Indeed，inhisway，hewasalmostproudofher，thoughhehadnowishtoshowit。
Sinceonewascompelledtodisplaythefactthatonepossessedagrowndaughter，itwaswellthatshebelikethisone。
Theydidnotknoweachotherverywell，andsheoftendoubtedthattheywouldeverbecomeintimate。Therewasnosenseofcompanionshipforeitherintheother；shehadbeenunabletobreakthroughhisperfunctory，almostformal，mannerwithher；therefore，becauseheencouragednoaf-
fectioninher，shefeltnone，andwonderedwhy，sincehewasherfather。
Shewasmorecuriousabouthimthaninterested，and，thoughshedidnotknowit，shewaspreparedtojudgehim——shouldoccasionarise——preciselyasshewouldjudgeanyothermereacquaintance。Thismorning，forthefirsttime，shewasconsciousofasenseofwarmthandgratitudetowardhim：theelaboratefashioninwhichhehadintroducedhertohisfriendsmadeitappearpossiblethathelikedher；forhehadforgottennothing，andtoremembereverythinginthiscasewastobelavish，whichhasoftentheappearanceofgenerosity。
Andyettherehadbeenalack：somesmallthingshehadmissed，thoughshewasnotentirelysurethatsheidentifiedit；butthelackhadnotbeeninherfatherorinanythinghehaddone。Then，too，therewassomethingsounexpectedlyhumanandpleasantinhisnotgoingtobedatonce，butremainingtosmokeontheverandaatthishour，thatshegavehimcreditforalittleofherownexcitement，innocentlyfancyingthathe，also，mightfeeltheneedofacompanionwithwhomtotalkoverthebrilliantpassagesofthenight。Andamomentensuedwhenshedebatedtakinghishand。Shewastoosoongladthatherintuitionforbadethedemonstration。
\"Itwasallsobeautiful，papa，\"shesaid，timidly。\"IhavenowaytotellyouhowIthankyou。\"
\"Youmaydothat，\"hereplied，evenly，withnounkindness，withnokindness，either，inthelevelofhistone，\"byneverdancingagainmorethantwicewithonemaninoneevening。\"
\"IthinkIshouldmuchprefernot，myself，\"shereturned，liftingherheadtofacehimgravely。\"IbelieveifIcaredtodancemorethanoncewithone，Ishouldliketodanceallofthemwithhim。\"
Mr。Carewefrowned。\"Itrustthatyoudiscoverednonelastnightwhomyouwishedtohonorwithyourentireprogramme？\"
\"No，\"shelaughed，\"notlastnight。\"
Herfathertossedawayhiscigarabruptly\"Isittoomuchtohope，\"heinquired，\"thatwhenyoudiscoveragentlemanwithwhomyoudesiretowaltzallnight，youwillomittomentionthefacttohim？\"
Therewasabriefflashofhereyeassherecalledherimpulsetotakehishand，butsheimmediatelylookedathimwithsuchcompleteseriousnessthathefearedhisironyhadbeenthrownaway。
\"I’llremembernottomentionit，\"sheanswered。\"I’lltellhimyoutoldmenottoo。\"
\"Ithinkyoumayretirenow，\"saidMr。Carewe，sharply。
Sherosefromthesteps，wenttothedoor，thenturnedatthethreshold。
\"Wereallyourfriendshere，papa？\"
\"Doyouthinkthateveryninnywhogabbledinmyhouselastnightwasmyfriend？\"hesaid，angrily。\"Therewasonefriendofmine，Mrs。Tanberry，whowasn’there，becausesheisoutoftown；butIdonotimaginethatyouareinquiringaboutwomen。Youmean：Waseveryunmarriedmaleidiotwhocouldaffordaswallow-tailedcoatandacleanpairofglovescavortingabouttheplace？Yes，miss，theywereallhereexcepttwo，andoneofthoseisafool，theotheraknave。\"
\"Can’tIknowthefool？\"sheasked，eagerly。
\"Irejoicetofindthemsorareinyourexperience！\"heretorted。\"Thisoneisoutoftown，thoughIhavenodoubtyouwillseehimsufficientlyoftenwhenbereturns。HisnameisCraileyGray，andheistomarryFanchonBareaud——ifheremembers！\"
\"Andtheknave？\"
\"Isone！\"Careweshuthisteethwithavenomoussnap，andhiswholefacereddenedsuddenly。\"I’llmentionthisfellowonce——now，\"hesaid，speakingeachwordwithemphasis。\"HisnameisVanrevel。Youseethatgate；youseethelineofmypropertythere：themanhimself，aswellaseveryotherpersoninthetown，rememberswellthatthelasttimeIspoketohim，itwastotellhimthatifheeversetfootongroundofmineI’dshoothimdown，andheknows，andtheyallknow，Ishallkeepmyword！
Elsewhere，Itoldhimthatforthesakeofpublicpeace，Ishouldignorehim。Ido。Youwillseehimeverywhere；butitwillnotbedifficult；noonewillhavethehardihoodtopresenthimtomydaughter。Thequarrelbetweenus——\"Mr。Carewebrokeoffforamoment，hishandsclinchingthearmsofhischair，whileheswallowedwithdifficulty，asthoughhechokeduponsomeacridbolus，andhewassostronglyagitatedbyhisownmentionofhisenemythathecontrolledhimselfbyapainfuleffortofhiswill。
\"Thequarrelbetweenusispolitical——andpersonal。Youwillremember。\"
\"Ishallremember，\"sheansweredinaratherfrightenedvoice……Itwaslongbeforeshefellasleep。\"Ialonemusthoveraboutthegatesorstealintoyourgardenlikeathief，\"theIncroyablehadsaid。
\"ThelasttimeIspoketohimitwastotellhimthatifheeversetfootongroundofmine，I’dshoothimdown！\"hadbeenherfather’sdeclaration。AndMr。Carewehadspokenwiththemostundeniableairofmeaningwhathesaid。YetsheknewthattheIncroyablewouldcomeagain。
Also，withhotcheekspressedintoherpillow，MissBettyhadidentifiedtheyoungmaninthewhitehat，thatdarkpersonwhosehandshehadfartooimpetuouslyseizedinbothofhers。Aha！Itwasthisgentlemanwholookedintopeople’seyesandstammeredsosincerelyoveraprettyspeechthatyoualmostbelievedhim，itwashewhowastomarryFanchonBareaud——
\"ifheremembers！\"NowonderFanchonhadbeeninsuchahurrytogethimaway……\"Ifheremembers！\"Suchwasthatyoungman’scharacter，wasit？MissCarewelaughedaloudtoherpillow：for，wasonetoguessthereason，also，ofhisnothavingcometoherball？Hadthepoormanbeencommandedtobe\"outoftown？\"
Then，rememberingthepiquantandgenerousfaceofFanchon，Bettyclinchedherfingerstightlyandcrushedtheimpwhohadsuggestedtheunworthythought，crushedhimtoawretchedpulpandthrewhimoutoftheopenwindow。Heimmediatelysneakedinbythebackway，for，inspiteofhervictory，shestillfeltalittlesorryforpoorFanchon。
CHAPTERIV
\"ButSpareYourCountry’sFlag\"
Ifitbetruethatloveisthegreatincentivetotheuselessarts，thenumberofgentlemenwhobecamepoetsforthesakeofMissBettyCareweneednotbeconsideredextraordinary。Ofallthatwaswrittenofherdancing，TomVanrevel’slines，\"IDancedwithHerbeneaththeLights\"
（whichhecertainlyhadnotdonewhenhewrotethem）were，perhaps，nexttoCraileyGray’sinmerit，thoughTomburnedhisrhymesafterreadingthemtoCrailey。Othertroubadourswerenotsomodest，andtheRouenJournalfoundnolackoftunefuloffering，thatspring，generouslyprint-
ingallofit，evenattheperiodwhenitbecameepidemic。ThepublichadlittledifficultyinrecognizingtheworkofMr。FrancisChenowethinananonymous\"Sonnet\"（oftwenty-threelines）whichappearedintheissuefollowingMissCarewe’sdebut。Mr。ChenowethwrotethatwhiledancingthemazourkawithaLovelyBeing，thesweetestfeelingsofhissoul，inacelestialstream，borehimawaybeyondcontrol，inaseraphicdream；andheuntruthfullystatedthatatthesametimehesawherwipethesilenttear，omitting，however，toventureanyexplanationofthecauseofheremotion。OldGeneralTrumbleboldlysignedhispoeminfull。Itwascalled\"AnOdeuponMissC——’sWaltzing，\"anditbegan：
\"WhenBettinafoundfairRouen’sshore，AndheragedfathertousboreHerfromthecloisterneat，Shewaltzedupontheball-roomfloor，Andlightlytwirleduponherfeet。\"
Mr。Carewewasrightfullyindignant，andrefusedtoacknowledgetheGeneral’ssalutationattheirnextmeeting：Trumblewasfifteenyearsolderthanhe。
AsCraileyGrayneverdancedwithMissCarewe，itissomewhatsingularthatsheshouldhavebeentheinspirationofhisswingingversesinwaltzmeasure，\"Heart-stringsonaViolin，\"thesenseofwhichwasthatwhenaviolinhadplayedforherdancing，theinstrumentshouldbeshatteredaswine-glassesareafteragreattoast。However，noone，excepttheauthorhimself，knewthatBettywasthesubject；forCraileycertainlydidnotmentionittoMissBareaud，nortohisbestfriend，Vanrevel。
Itwastosomedegreeastrangecomradeshipbetweenthesetwoyoungmen；
theirtastesledthemsoofteninoppositedirections。Theyhadroomsto-
getherovertheirofficesinthe\"MadrillonBlock\"onMainStreet，andthelightsshonelatefromtheirwindowseverynightintheyear。Sometimesthatwouldmeanonlythatthetwofriendsweretalking，fortheyneverreachedasilentintimacy，but，evenafterseveralyearsofcompanionship，wererarelyseentogetherwhennotininterested，ofteneager，conversation，sothatpeoplewonderedwhatintheworldtheystillfoundtosaytoeachother。Butmanyanightthelate-shininglampmeantthatTomsatalone，withabrieforabook，orwooedthelonghourswithhismagicalguitar。Forheneverwenttobeduntiltheothercamehome。
AndifdaylightcamewithoutCrailey，Vanrevelwouldgoout，yawningmightily，tolookforhim；andwhentherewasnofindinghim，Tomwouldcomeback，sleepless，totheday’swork。Craileywascalled\"peculiar\"
andheexplained，withakindofjovialhelplessness，thathewasalwayspreparedfortheunexpectedinhimself，nordidsuchaviewdetractfromhispicturesquenesstohisownperusalofhimself；thoughitwasnotonlytohimselfthathewasinteresting。Tothevisionofthelookers-oninRouen，quietsoulswhohoveredalongthewallsatmerry-makingsandcheerfullycountedthemselvesspectatorsattheplay，CraileyGrayheldthecentreofthestageandwasthechiefcomedianoftheplace。Wit，poet，andscapegrace，thesmallsocietysometimesseemedthemerebackgroundsetforhisperformances，spectacleswhichhe，also，enjoyed，andfromthebestseatinthehouse；forhewasnotcontentastheactor，butmustbethePrinceintheboxaswell。
HisfriendshipforTomVanrevelwas，inameasure，thatofthevinefortheoak。HewasfulloflevitiesatTom’sexpense，whichtheotherborewithagrinofsympatheticcomprehension，or，atlongintervals，returneduponCraileywithdevastatingeffect。Vanrevelwastheonesteadyingthinginhislife，and，atthesametime，theonlyoneoftheyoungmenuponwhomhedidnothaveanalmostmesmericinfluence。Ingoodtruth，Craileywastheringleaderinallthedevilriesofthetown。Manyayouthsworetoavoidtheroisterer’scompanyforalltime，and，withintwohoursofthevow，foundhimself，flagoninhand，engagedinaboutthatwouldlastthenight，withMr。Grayout-bumperingthehardiest，attheheadofthetable。And，thenextmorning，thefevered，scarlet-eyedperjurermightcreepshakingtohiswretchedtasks，onlytobeholdthecauseofhisfollyandheadachetrippingmerrilyalongthestreet，smiling，clean-
shaven，andfreshasadew-bornprimrose，with，perchance，twoorthreeoftheprettiestgirlsintownathiselbowtogreethissallieswithapprovinglaughter。
Craileyhadbeensolonginthehabitoffollowingeveryimpulse，nomatterhowmad，thatheenjoyedanalmostperfectimmunityfromcondemna-
tion，and，whateverhisdeeds，Rouenhadlearnedtosay，withachuckle，thatitwas\"onlyCraileyGrayagain。\"Buthisfollowerswerenotsoprivileged。Thus，whenMr。Gray，whoinhislibationssometimesdevelopedthehumorofanurchin，wenttothePoundatthreeinthemorningofNewYear’sDay，hungsleigh-bellsaboutthenecksofthecattleanddrovethemupanddownthestreets，himselfhideouslyblowingabasshornfromthebackofabigbrownsteer，thoserousedfromslumberceasedtorage，andacceptedtheexploitasararejoke，onlearningthatitwas\"onlyCraileyGray；\"buttheunfortunateyoungChenowethwasheavilyfrowneduponandproperlyupbraidedbecausehehadfollowedinthewakeofthebovineprocession，mildlyattemptingtoplayuponaflageolet。
Craileyneverdeniedafollynordefendedanescapade。Thelatterwasalwaysdoneforhim，becausehetalkedofhis\"gracelessmisdoings\"（sohewaswont，smilingly，tocallthem）overcupsofteaintheafternoonswitholdladies，lamenting，inhismusicalvoice，thelackoffemalerelativestoguidehim。Hewascharminglyattentivetotheelderlywomen，notfrompolicy，butbecausehismannerwasuncontrollablychivalrous；and，everagallantlistener，werethespeakeryoung，old，greatorhumble，heneverforgottocatchthelastwordsofasentence，andseldomsufferedforareply，evenwhenhehaddrowsedthroughaquestion。Moreover，nooneeverheardhimspeakasullenword，norsawhimwearabrowofdepression。Thesinglecreedtowhichhewasconstantwasthatofgoodcheer；hewastheveryapostleofgayety，preachingitinparlorandbar；andmademerryfriendswithbatteredtrampsandhomelessdogsinthestreetsatnight。
NowandthenhewouldspendseveraldaysintheofficesofGray&
Vanrevel，AttorneysandCounsellors-at-Law，wearinganairofunassailablevirtue；thoughhedidnotfaroverstatethecasewhenhesaid，\"Tomdoesalltheworkandgivesmeallthemoneynottobotherhimwhenhe’sgettingupacase。\"
Theworkingmemberofthefirmgotupcasestonotableeffect，andfewlawyersintheStateenjoyedhavingTomVanrevelontheotherside。Therewasnothingabouthimofthefloridityprevalentatthattime；hewithered\"oratory\"beforethecourt；hewasthefoeofjurypathos；and，despisingnoiseandthehabitualvoice-dipattheendofasentence，was，nevertheless，attimesanalmostfearfullyeffectiveorator。So，bydegreesthefirmofGray&Vanrevel，youngasitwas，andinspiteoftheidleapprentice，hadgrowntobethemostprosperousinthedistrict。ForthiseminenceCraileywasneveraccusedofassumingthecredit。Nordidheevermissanopportunityofmakingknownhowmuchheowedtohispartner。Whatheowed，inbrief，waseverything。HowwellVanrevelworkedwasdemonstratedeveryday，buthowhardheworked，onlyCraileyknew。Thelatterhadgrowntodependuponhimforevenhispoliticalbeliefs，andlightlyfollowedhispartnerintoAbolitionism；thoughthatwastoriskunpopularity，bitterhatred，andworse。Fortunately，oncertainoccasions，Vanrevelhadmadehimself（ifnothiscreed）respected，atleastsofarthattherewasnolongerdangerofmob-violenceforanAbolitionistinRouen。Hewasacool-headedyoungmanordinarily，andpossessedofanelusiveforcefulnessnottobetrifledwith，thoughhewasaquietman，andhadwhattheycalleda\"finemanner。\"And，notinthelatter，butinhisdress，therewasanechooftheBeau，whichaffordedMr。Grayapointofattackforsalliesofwit；therewasatouchofthedandyaboutVanrevel；hehadalargeandversatilewardrobe，andhisclothesalwaysfithimnotonlyinlinebutincolor；evenwomensawhownoblytheywerefashioned。
Thesetwoyoungmenweremembersofacheerfulband，whofeasted，laughed，wrangledoverpolitics，danced，madelove，andsangterriblechordsonsummerevenings，together，asyoungmenwill。WillCummings，editoroftheRouenJournal，wasoneofthese；atall，sallowman，verythin，veryawkwardandverygentle。Mr。Cummingsprovedhimselfalwaysreadywithaloudandfriendlylaughforthepoorestjokeintheworld，hiscountenanceshiningwithsuchkindnessthatnooneeverhadthehearttoreproachhimwiththeevilsofhisjournalisticperformances，orforthethingshebrokewhenhedanced。AnotherwasTappinghamMarsh，anexceedinglyhandsomeperson，somewhatlanguidinappearance，daintyinmannerwithwomen，offhandwithmen；almostasrecklessasCrailey，andoftenthelatter’scompanionandassistantindissipation。YoungFrancisChenowethneverfailedtofollowbothintowhatevertheyplanned；hewasshortandpink，andtheuptiltofhisnosewascoherentwiththeappealingearnest-
nesswhichwashabitualwithhim。EugeneMadrillonwasthesixthoftheseintimates；adarkman，whoseLatineyesandcoloradvertisedhisFrenchancestryasplainlyashisemotionlessmouthandlackofgesturebetrayedtheminglingofanotherstrain。
Allthese，andothersofthetown，werewontto\"talkpolitics\"agreatdealatthelittleclubonMainStreetandallwereapttofallfoulofTomVanrevelorCraileyGraybeforetheendofanydiscussion。ForthosewerethedayswhentheytwistedtheLion’stailinvehementandbitterearnest；whentheeaglescreamedinmixedfigures；whenfewmenknewhowtotalk，andmanyorated；whenpartystrifewassavagelypersonal；whenintolerancewascalledthe\"purefireofpatriotism；\"whencriticismoftheexistingorderofthingssurelyincurredfieryanathemaandblackinvective；andbravewashe，indeed，whodaredtohintthathiscountry，asawholeandpolitically，didlacksometwoorthreeparticularvirtues，andthatthefirststeptowardobtainingthemwouldbetohelpittorealizetheirabsence。
Thislatterpoint-of-viewwasthatofthefirmofGray&Vanrevel，whichwasaunitinsuchmatters。Craileydidmostofthetalking——quitebeautifully，too——andbothhadtostandagainstoddsinmanyasourargument，fortheywerenotonlyAbolitionists，butopposedtheattitudeoftheircountryinitsdifficultywithMexico；and，incommonwithothermenofthetimewhotooktheirstand，theyhadtogrowaccustomedtobeingcalledDisloyalTraitors，ForeignToadies，Malignants，andTraducersoftheFlag。Tomhadlongbeenusedtoepithetsofthissort，sufferingtheirstinginquiet，andwasgladwhenhecouldkeepCraileyoutofworseemploymentthanstandingfirmforanunpopularbelief。
TherewasoneplacetowhichVanrevel，seekinghisfriendandpartner，whenthelatterdidnotcomehomeatnight，couldnotgo；thiswastheTowerChamber，anditwasinthatmysteriousapartmentoftheCarewecupolathatCraileywasapttobedeeplyoccupiedwhenheremainedawayuntildaylight。Strangeasitappears，Mr。GraymaintainedpeculiarrelationsofintimacywithRobertCarewe，inspiteofthefeudbetweenCareweandhisownbestfriend。Thisintimacy，whichdidnotnecessarilyimplyanymutualfondness（thoughCraileyseemedtodislikenobody），wasbetokenedbyafurtiveunderstanding，ofasort，betweenthem。Theyheldbrief，earnestconversationsonthestreet，orincornerswhentheymetatotherpeople’shouses，alwaysspeakinginvoicestoolowtobeoverheard；
andtheyexercisedamysterioussymbolism，somewhatinthemanneroffellowmembersofasecretsociety：theyhadbeenobservedtocommunicateacrosscrowdedrooms，byliftedeyebrow，nodofhead，orasurreptitiousturnofthewrist：sothatthosewhoobservedthemknewthataquestionhadbeenaskedandanswered。
Itwasnoticed，also，thattherewerefiveotherinitiatestothismasonry：EugeneMadrillon，theelderChenoweth，GeneralTrumble，TappinghamMarsh，andJeffersonBareaud。Thus，ontheafternoonfollowingMissBetty’sintroductiontoRouen’sfavoritesonsanddaughters，Mr。
Carewe，drivingdownMainStreet，helduponeforefingertoMadrillonashesawtheyoungmanturninginattheclub。Eugenenoddedgravely，and，ashewentin，discoveringMarsh，theGeneral，andothers，listeningtoMr。Gray’sexplanationofhisreturnfromtheriverwithnofish，stealthilyhelduponefingerinhisturn。Trumblerepliedwithawink，Tappinghamnodded，butCraileyslightlyshookhishead。MarshandtheGeneralstartedwithsurprise，andstaredincredulously。ThatCraileyshouldshakehishead！Ifthesignalhadbeenforachurch-meetingtheymighthaveunderstood。
Mr。Gray’sconductwassurprisingtwootherpeopleataboutthesametime：
TomVanrevelandFanchonBareaud；theformerbyhissuddendevotiontothelaw；thelatterbyhersuddendevotiontoherself。Inabreath，hebecamealmostadomesticcharacter。NomoredidhespendhisafternoonsbetweentheclubandtheRouenHousebar，norwashisbaymaresooftenseenstampingdownthegroundaboutMrs。McDougal’shitching-postwhileMcDougalwasoutontheprairiewithhisengineeringsquad。Theidleapprenticewasathisdesk，andinthedaytimehedisplayedanaversionforthestreets，whichwasmorethanhispartnerdid，fortheindustriousTom，undergoingquiteasremarkableanalterationofhabit，became，allatonce，littlebetterthanacorner-loafer。Hisfavoritelounging-placewasasmalldrug-storewhereCareweStreetdeboucheduponMain；nevertheless，soadhesiveisareputationoncefastened，hisairofbeingthereuponbusinessdeceivedeveryoneexceptMr。Gray。
MissBareaudwasevenhappierthanshewasastonished（andshewasmightilyastonished）tofindherbetrotheddevelopingatasteforhersocietyalone。Formerly，shehadcounteduponthegayetiesofherhometokeepCraileynearher；now，however，hetoldhertenderlyhewishedtohaveheralltohimself。Thiswasnotlikehim，butFanchondidnotquestion；anditwasverysweettoherthatbebegantomakeithiscustomtocomeinbyasidegateandmeetherunderanapple-treeinthedusk，wheretheywouldsitquietlytogetherthroughtheevening，listeningtothenoiseandlaughterfromthelightedhouse。
ThathousewasthemosthospitableinRouen。Alwayscheerfully\"fullofcompany，\"astheysaid，itwasthesortofhousewhereacarpet-dancecouldbearrangedinhalfanhour；ahousewithasideboardlikethewidow’scruse；theyoungmenalwaysfoundmore。Mrs。Bareaud，aSoutherner，lovingtopersuadethevisitorthatherhomewashis，nothers，livedonlyforherart，whichwasthatofthetable。Evilcooks，takingservicewithher，becamevirtuous，dealtwithnectarandambrosia，andgrewfittopandertoOlympus，learningoftheirmistresssecretstomaketheill-disposedasgenialgodseretheydeparted。Mr。Bareaudatfiftyhadlivedsowellthathegaveupwalking，whichdidnottroublehim；butatsixtyhegaveupdancing，whichdidtroublehim。Hisonlyhope，hedeclared，wasinCraileyGray’spromisetoinventforhim：aconcavepartner。
Therewasathin，quizzingshankofason，Jefferson，wholiveduponquinine，agueanddeviltry；andtherewerethetwodaughters，FanchonandVirginia。ThelatterwasthreeyearsolderthanFanchon，asdarkasFanchonwasfair，thoughnotnearlysopretty：asmall，good-natured，rompingspriteofagirl，whohadhandeddowntheheartandhandofCraileyGraytohersisterwiththebestgraceintheworld。ForshehadbeentheheroineofoneofMr。Gray’shalf-dozenorsomostseriousaffairs，and，afterafuriousrivalrywithMr。Carewe，thevictorywasgenerallyconcededtoCrailey。Histriumphhadbeenofaboutafort-
night’sdurationwhenFanchonreturnedfromSt。Mary’s；and，withtheadventoftheyoungersister，theelder，whohaddecidedthatCraileywastheincomparableshehaddreamedofsinceinfancy，wasgenerouslyallowedtodiscoverthathewasnotthatvision——thatshehadfalleninlovewithherownideaofhim；whereasFanchoncaredonlythathebeCraileyGray，whateverkindofvisionthatwas。AndFanchondiscoveredthatitwasagreatmanykinds。
Thetransferwasmadecomfortably，withnicejudgmentofarespectableinterregnum，andtothegreaterhappinessofeachofthethreeyoungpeo-
ple；noobjectionensuingfromtheeasy-goingparents，whoweredevotedlyfondofCrailey，whilethetownlaughedandsaiditwasonlythatabsurdCraileyGrayagain。HeandVirginiawerethebestoffriends，andacceptedtheirnewrelationwithapreposterouslackofembarrassment。
TobeinlovewithCraileybecameFanchon’svocation；shespentallhertimeatit，andproducedablurredeffectuponstrangers。TheonlymanwithwhomsheseemedquitealivewasVanrevel：alittlebecauseTomtalkedofCrailey，andagreatdealbecauseshecouldtalkofCraileytoTom；
couldtellhimfreely，asshecouldtellnooneelse，howwonderfulCraileywas，andexplaintohimherlover’svagariesonthegroundthatitwasanecessityofgeniusestobeunlikethelessgifted。NorwasshealoneinsuspectingMr。Grayofgenius：inthefirstplace，hewassoodd；
inthesecond，hispoemswere\"alreadyattractingmorethanlocalattention，\"astheJournalremarked，generously，forCraileyhadceasedtopresenthisrhymestothatvaluablepaper。Ay！Boston，noless，washismart。
Hewasratherradicalinhisliterarypreferences，andhurttheelderChenoweth’sfeelingsbylaughingheartilyatsomepoemsofthelateLordByron；offendedmanypeoplebydislikingthestyleofSirEdwardBulwer，andevenrefusedtoadmitthatJamesFenimoreCooperwasthegreatestnovelistthateverlived。ButthesethingswereasnothingcomparedwithhisunpatrioticdefenceofCharlesDickens。ManyAmericanshadfallenintoagreatrageoverthevivaciousassaultupontheUnitedStatesin\"MartinChuzzlewit；\"nevertheless，Craileystillboldlyhailedhim（aseveryonehadheretoforeagreed）themostdexterouswriterofhisdayandthemostnotablehumoristofanyday。OfcoursetheEnglishmanhadnotvisitedandthoroughlystudiedsuchacityasRouen，Craileyconfessed，twinklingly；but，afterall，wasn’ttheresometruthin\"MartinChuzzlewit？\"Mr。Dickensmighthavebeenfarfromaclearunderstandingofourpeople；butdidn’titargueaprettyticklishvanityinourselvesthatweweresofiercelyresentfulofsatire；andwasnotthisveryheatover\"MartinChuzzlewit\"aconfirmationofoneofthepointsthebookhadpresentedagainstus？GeneralTrumblerepliedtothissuggestionwithapersonalonetotheeffectthatamancapableofsayingagoodwordforsomonstrousaslander，thataman，sir，capableofdeclaringhisnativecountrytobevainorsensitiveoughttobehorsewhipped，andatthisCraileylaughedconsumedly。
TrumbleretortedwiththenamesofBenedictArnoldandAaronBurr。\"AndifitcomestoawarwiththeseGreasers，\"hesplutteredapoplectically，\"anditiscoming，mightysoon，we’llfindMr。GraydowninMexico，throwingmudontheStarsandStripesandcheeringforthatone-leggedhorse-thief，SantaAnna！Anythingtoseekoutsomethingfoolishamongstyourownpeople！\"
\"Don’thavetoseekfar，sometimes，General，\"murmuredCrailey，fromthedepthsofthebestchairintheclub，whereuponTrumble，nottrustinghimselftoanswer，wentouttothestreet。
Andyet，beforethatsameeveningwasover，theGeneralhadshedhonesttearsofadmirationandpityforCraileyGray；andMissBettysawherIncroyableagain，forthatnight（thesecondaftertheCarewedance）Rouenbeheldthegreatwarehousetire。
CHAPTERV
NeronottheLastViolinistofhisKindMissCarewewasatherdesk，writingtoSisterCecilia，whomshemostlovedofalltheworld，whenthebellsstartledherwiththeirsuddenclangor。Thequilldroppedfromherhand；shestartedtoherfeet，wide-
eyed，notunderstanding；whilethewholetown，drowsingpeacefullyamomentago，resoundedimmediatelywithaloudconfusion。Sherantothefrontdoorandlookedout，herheartbeatingwildly。
Thewesternskywastouchedwithasoftrose-color，whichquicklybecameawarmglow，fluctuated，and，intheinstant，shotuplikethecomingofafullAurora。Thenthroughthebrokenfoliageofthetreetopscouldbeseentheorangecurlsofflames，three-quartersofamileawaythoughtheywere。
People，callingloudlythat\"itwasCarewe’swarehouses，\"wererunningdownthestreet。Fromthestable，oldNelson，onherfather’sbesthorse，camegalloping，andseeingthewhitefigureinthedoorway，criedoutinaquaveringvoice，withoutcheckinghissteed。
\"Igoin’tellyo’pa，MissBetty，heindekentryonlan’bus’ness。Gobackindehouse，Missy！\"
Theotherservants，likeraggedsketchesinthenight，flittedby，withexcitedejaculations，tojointherunners，andMissBettyfollowedthemacrossthedew-strewnturfinhernightslippers，butatthegateshestopped。
>Fromupthestreetcamethesoundofabellsmallerthanthoseofthechurchesandcourthouse，yetonethatoutdidallothersinthemadnessofitsappealtocleartheway。Itwasbornealongbywhatseemedatfirstanindefiniteblackmass，butwhich——astheAuroragrewkeener，producingevenhereafaint，yellowtwilight——resolveditselfintoamobofhoarsely-shoutingmenandboys，whowererunningandtuggingatropes，whichdrewalongthreeextraordinaryvehicles。TheycamerapidlydownthestreetandpassedMissBettywithahubbubanddinbeyondallunderstanding；onelineofmen，mostoftheminredshirtsandoil-clothhelmets，atadeadrunwiththehose-cart；asecondlinewiththehand-
engine；thethirddraggingtheladder-wagon。Onemanwasriding，atall，straightgentlemanineveningclothesandwithoutahat，whostoodpre-
cariouslyinthehose-cart，callinginanannoyedtonethroughabrazentrumpet。MissBettyrecognizedhimatonce；itwashewhocaughtherkitten；andshethoughtthatifshebadbeenFanchonBareaudshemusthavescreamedawarning，forhisbalanceappearedathingofmereluck，and，ifhefell，hewouldbetrampledunderfootandprobablyrunoverbytheengine。But，happily（sheremembered），shewasnotFanchonBareaud！
Before，behind，andbesidetheDepartment，racedathrongofboys，wildwiththejoyexperiencedbytheirspecieswhenpropertyisbeinghandsomelydestroyed；afterthemcamepantingwomen，holdingtheirsidesandgaspingwiththeefforttokeepupwiththeflyingprocession。
MissBettytrembled，forshehadneverseenthelikeinherlife；shestoodclosetothehedgeandletthemgoby；thensheturnedinafterthemandranlikeafleetyoungdeer。Shewasgoingtothefire。
Overalltheuproarcouldbeheardtheangryvoicethroughthetrumpet，callingtheturnsofthestreetstothemeninthevan，upbraidingthemandthoseoftheothertwocompaniesimpartially；andfewofhishearersdeniedthechiefhisrighttoexpresssomechagrin；sincetheDepartment（organizedahalf-year，hard-drilled，andthisitsfirstfireworththename）waslateonaccountoftherefusalofthememberstomoveuntiltheyhaddonnedtheirnewuniforms；fortheuniformshadarrivedfromPhiladelphiatwomonthsago，andtonightofferedthefirstopportunitytodisplaytheminpublic。
\"HailVanrevel！\"pantedTappinghamMarshtoEugeneMadrillon，asthetwo，runninginthevanofthe\"HoseCompany，\"splatteredthroughamud-puddle。
\"You’dthinkhewasCarewe’sonlysonandheirinsteadofhisworstenemy。
Harktotheman！\"
\"I’dletitburn，ifIwerehe，\"returnedtheother。
\"ItwasallCrailey’sfault，\"saidTappingham，swinginganarmfreetowipethespatteredmudfromhisface。\"Hesworehewouldn’tbudgewithouthisuniform，andtherestonlybackedhimup；thatwasall。CraileysaidCarewecouldbetteraffordtolosehisshantiesthantheoverworkedDepartmentitsfirstchancetolookbeautifulandearnest。Tomaskedhimwhyhedidn’tsendforafiddle，\"Marshfinishedwithachuckle。
\"Carewemightaffordtolosealittle，evenawarehouseortwo，ifonlyoutofwhathe’stakenfromCraileyandtherestofus，thesethreeyears！\"
\"TakenfromVanrevel，youmean。Whodoesn’tknowwhereCrai1ey’s——
Here’sMainStreet；lookoutfortheturn！\"
TheyswungoutofthethickshadowsofCareweStreetintofullviewofthefire，andtheirfaceswereilluminatedasbysunrise。
Thewarehousesstoodontheriver-bank，atthefootofthestreet，justsouthofthenew\"coveredbridge。\"Therewerefourofthem，huge，bare-
sidedbuildings；thetwonearerthebridgeofbrick，theothersofwood，andallofthemrichwithstoresofeverykindofriver-merchandiseandcostlyfreight：furniturethathadvoyagedfromNewEnglanddownthelongcoast，acrosstheMexicanGulf，throughtheflatDelta，andhadmadethewindingjourneyupthegreatriverathousandmiles，andalmostathousandmore，followingthegreaterandlessertributaries；clothfromConnecticutthathadbeensoldinPhiladelphia，thencarriedovermountainsandthroughforestsbysteam，bycanal，bystage，andsix-mulefreight-wagons，toPittsburg，downtheOhio，andthenceuptoRouenonthepacket；
Tennesseecotton，onitswaytoMassachusettsandRhodeIslandspindles，laytherebesidehugemoundsofrawwoolfromIllinois，readytobefedtotheRouenmill；datesandnutsfromtheCaribbeanSea；lemonsfromgrovesofthefarawaytropics；cigarsfromtheAntilles；tobaccofromVirginiaandKentucky；mostpreciousofall，thegreatgranaryofthefarmers’
wheatfromthelevelfieldsathome；andalltherichstoresandthehousesthatheldthem，aswellasthewharvesuponwhichtheyhadbeenlanded，andthesteamersthatbroughtthemuptheRouenRiver，belongedtoRobertCarewe。
Thatitwasherfather’spropertywhichwasimperilledattestedtothejustificationofMissBettyinrunningtoafire；and，asshefollowedthecrowdintoMainStreet，shefeltanotunpleasantproprietaryinterestinthespectacle。Veryoppositesensationsanimatedthebreastofthemanwiththetrumpet，whowasmoreacutelyconsciousthananyotherthatthesewereRobertCarewe’spossessionswhichwereburningsohandsomely。Norwashetheonlyoneamongthefiremenwhogroundhisteethoverthefollyoftheuniforms；fornowtheycouldplainlyseetheruinbeingwrought，thedevastationthreatened。Thetwoupperstoriesofthesouthernmostwarehousehadswathedthemselvesinonegreatflame；thebuildingnextonthenorth，alsoofframe，wassmokingheavily；andtherewasawindfromthesouthwest，which，continuingwiththefireunchecked，threatenedthetownitself。TherewasworkfortheVolunteerBrigadethatnight。
TheycamedownMainStreetwitharush，thefigureoftheirchiefswayingoverthemonhishighperch，whiletheirshoutingwasdrownedinthelouderroarofgreetingfromthecrowd，intowhichtheyplungedasadiverintothewater，swirlsandeddiesofpeoplemarkingthewake。Amomentlaterasectionoftheroofoftheburningwarehousefellin，withasonorousandreverberatingcrash。
The\"EngineCompany\"rantheforce-pumpouttotheendofoneofthelowerwharves；twolinesofpipewereattached；tworowsofmenmountedtheplanksforthepumpers，and，atthewordofcommand，begantheup-and-downofthehand-machinewithadmirablevim。Nothinghappened；thewaterdidnotcome；somethingappearedtobewrongwiththemechanism。Aseveryonefeltthecrucialneedofhaste，nothingcouldhavebeenmorenaturalthanthatallthemembersofthe\"EngineCompany\"shouldsimultaneouslyendeavortorepairthedefect；thereforeensueduponthespotaspeciesofriotwhichputtheengineoutofitssphereofusefulness。
Inthemeantime，fiftyorsixtymenandboyswhoranwiththemachines，butwhohadnoplaceintheiroperation，beingtheBucketBrigade，hadformedalineandwerethrowinglargepailsofwaterinthegeneraldirectionofthesouthernmostwarehouse，whichitwasnowimpossibletosave；whilethegentlemenofthe\"Hook-and-LadderCompany，\"abandoningtheirwagons，andarmedwithaxes，heroicallyassaultedthebigdoorofthegranary，thesecondbuilding，whencetheyweredrivenbytheexasperatedchief，whoinformedthemthattheonlywaytosavethewheatwastosavethebuilding。CraileyGray，oneoftheberatedaxemen，remainedbytheshattereddooraftertheothershadgone，and，struckbyasuddenthought，sethishandupontheironlatchandopenedthedoorbythissimpleprocess。Itwasnotlocked。Craileyleanedagainstthecasementandlaughedwithhiswholesoulandbody。
Meanwhile，bydintofshoutinginmen’searswhennearthem，throughthetrumpetwhendistant，tearingaxesfromtheirhands，imperiouslygesticulatingtosubordinatecommanders，andlingeringinnoonespotformorethanasecond，Mr。Vanrevelreducedhisforcestoasemblanceoforderinaremarkablyshorttime，consideringtheconfusionintowhichtheyhadfallen。
Thespacebetweentheburningwarehouseandthatnextitwasnotmorethanfiftyfeetinwidth，butfiftyfeetsohotnoonetookthoughtofenteringthere；anareaasdiscomfitinginappearanceasitwasbeautifulwiththethickrainofsparksandfirebrandsthatfelluponit。Butthechiefhaddecidedthatthisspacemustbeoccupied，andmore：mustbeheld，sinceitwastheonlypointofdefenceforthesecondwarehouse。Theroofofthisbuildingwouldburn，whichwouldmeanthedestructionofthewarehouse，unlessitcouldbemounted，becausethestreamsofwatercouldnotplayuponitfromtheground，nor，fromtheladders，domuchmorethanwettheprojectingeaves。Itwasagableroof，theeavestwentyfeetloweronthesouthsidethanonthenorth，wheretheladderscouldnothopetoreachthem。Vanrevelswunghislineofbucketeersroundtothrowwater，notupontheflames，butupontheladder-men。
MissCarewestoodinthecrowdupontheoppositesideofthebroadstreet。
Eventherehercheekswereuncomfortablyhot，andsometimesshehadtobrushasparkfromhershoulder，thoughshewastoomuchexcitedtomindthis。Shewaswatchingthebeautifulfieryfurnacebetweenthenorthwalloftheburningwarehouseandthesouthwallofitsneighbor，thefiftyfeetbrilliantandmistywithvaporousrose-color，dottedwiththemyriadredstars，hereyesshiningwiththereflectionoftheirfiercebeauty。
Shesawhowthevaporsmovedthere，likemenwalkinginfire，andshewasvaguelyrecallingShadrach，Meshach，andAbed-nego，when，overthesilhouettedheadsofthecrowdbeforeher，alongblackladderrose，wobbled，tiltedcrazily，thenlamelyadvancedandrangeditselfagainstthesouthwallofthesecondwarehouse，itstoprungstrikingtenfeetshortoftheeaves。Shehopedthatnoonehadanynotionofmountingthatladder。
Afigureappeareduponitimmediately，thatofagentleman，bareheadedandineveningdress，withabrasstrumpetswingingfromacordabouthisshoulders；thenoisegrewless；theshoutingdiedaway，andthecrowdbecamealmostsilent，asthefigure，climbingslowlydrewupabovetheirheads。Twoorthreerungsbeneath，cameasecond——amaninhelmetanduniform。Theclothesofbothmen，drenchedbythebucketeers，clungtothem，steaming。Asthesecondfiguremounted，athirdappeared；butthiswasthelast，fortheladderwasfrail，andsaggedtowardthesmokingwallwiththeweightofthethree。
Thechief，three-fourthsofthewaytothetop，shouteddownastifledcommand，andashortgrappling-ladder，fittedatoneendwithapairofspikedironhooks，waspassedtohim。Thenhetoiledupwarduntilhisfeetrestedonthethirdrungfromthetop；hereheturned，settinghisbacktothewall，liftedthegrappling-ladderhighoverhisheadsothatitrestedagainsttheeavesabovehim，andbroughtitdownsharply，fasteningthespikedhooksintheroof。Astheeavesprojectedfullythreefeet，thisleftthegrappling-ladderhangingthatdistanceoutfromthewall，itslowestrungalittleabovethelevelofthechief’sshoulders。
MissBettydrewinherbreathwithalittlechokedcry。Therewasasmallterracedhillofpiled-uppacking-boxesnearher，possessionofwhichhadbeentakenbyacompanyofraggamuffinishboys，andshefoundherselfstandingonthehighestboxandsharingthesummitwiththesequestionableyouths，almostwithoutnotingheractioninmountingthither，sostrainedwastheconcentrationofherattentionuponthefigurehighupintherose-glowagainstthewarehousewall。Theman，surely，surely，wasnotgoingtotrusthimselftothatbitofwoodenwebhangingfromtheroof！
WherewasMissBareaudthatshepermittedit？Ah，ifBettyhadbeenFanchonandmadwomanenoughtohaveacceptedthismadman，shewouldhavecompelledhimtocomedownatonce，andthereafterwouldlockhimupinthehousewheneverthebellsrang！
ButtheroofwastobemountedorRobertCarewe’spropertylost。Alreadylittleflamesweredancingupfromtheshingles，wherefirebrandshadfallen，theirnumberincreasingwitheachsecond。SoVanrevelraisedhisarms，tookahardgripuponthelowestrungofthegrappling-ladderandtrieditwithhisweight；theironhooksbitdeeperintotheroof；theyheld。Heswunghimselfoutintotheairwithnothingbeneathhim，caughttherungunderhisknee，andforamomenthungtherewhilethecrowdwithheldfrombreathing；thenacloudofsmoke，swirlingthatway，madehimthemereghostlynucleusofhimself，blottedhimoutaltogether，and，asitroseslowlyupward，showedtheladderfreeandempty，sothatatfirsttherewasaninstantwhentheythoughtthathehadfallen。But，asthesmokecleared，therewasthetallfigureontheroof。
Itwasanagileanddaringthingtodo，andthemanwhodiditwasmightilyapplauded。Thecheeringbotheredhim，however，forhewastryingtomakethemunderstand，below，whatwouldhappentothe\"EngineCompany\"
incasethewaterwasnotsentthroughthelinesdirectly；andwhathesaidshouldbedonetotheengineersincludedthingsthatwouldhaveblanchedthecheekofthemostinventiveSpanishInquisitorthateverlived。
MissBettymadeagestureasiftoapersonwithinwhisperingdistance。
\"Yourcoatisonfire，\"shesaidinanordinaryconversationaltone，withoutknowingshehadspokenaloud，andMr。Vanrevel，morethanonehundredfeetaway，seemedparticularlyconsciousofthepertinenceofherremark。Heremovedthegarmentwithalacrity，and，forthelackofthetardywater，begantouseitasaflailuponthefirebrandsandlittleflamesabouthim；thesheerdesperatebestofamaninarage，doingwhathecouldwhenothersfailedhim。Showersofsparksfelluponhim；thesmokewasrisingeverywherefromtheroofandthewallsbelow；and，growingdenseranddenser，shroudedhiminheavyveils，sothat，asheranhitherandthither，nowvisible，nowunseen，stampingandbeatingandsweepingawaythebrandsthatfell，heseemedbuttheredandghostlycaricatureofaXerxes，ineffectuallylashingthesea。Theywerecallingtohimimploringlytocomedown，inheaven’snametocomedown！
Thesecondmanhadfollowedtothetopoftheladderagainstthewall，andtherehepaused，waitingtopassupthelineofhosewhenthewordshouldcomethattheforce-pumphadbeenrepaired；butthepeoplethoughtthathewaitedbecausehewasafraidtotrusthimselftothegrappling-ladder。Hewasafraid，exceedinglyafraid；thoughthatwasnotwhyhewaited；andhewasstillchucklingovertheassaultoftheaxes。
Hissituationhadnotmuchtheadvantageofthatofthechief：hisredshirtmighthavebeensetwithorangejewels，sostuddeditwaswiththeflyingsparks；and，alargebranddroppinguponhishelmet，hethrewuphishandtodislodgeitandlostthehelmet。Thegreatlightfelluponhisfairhairandsmilingface，anditwasthenthatMissBettyrecognizedtheIncroyableofhergarden。
