\"Yes？\"Hertonewasasquietlycontemptuousasshecouldmakeit。\"Howveryfrankofyou！MayIask：Areyouconvincedthatspeechesofthatsortarealwaystoalady’sliking？\"
\"No，\"heansweredhumbly，andhunghishead。Thenshethrewthequestionathimabruptly：
\"Wasityouwhocametosinginourgarden？\"
Therewasalongpausebeforeaprofoundsighcametremulouslyfromthedarkness，likeasadandtenderconfession。\"Yes。\"
\"Ithoughtso！\"sheexclaimed。\"Mrs。Tanberrythoughtitwassomeoneelse；
butIknewthatitwasyou。\"
\"Yes，youareright，\"hesaid，quietly。\"ItwasI。Itwasmyonlywaytotellyouwhatyouknownow。\"
\"Ofcourse！\"Shesetitallasidewiththosetwowordsandtheslightestgestureofherhand。\"Itwasasongmadeforanothergirl，Ibelieve？\"
sheaskedlightly，andwithanicysmile，inquiredfarther：\"Fortheone——
theonebeforethelast，Iunderstand？\"
Heliftedhishead，surprised。\"Whathasthattodowithit？Themusicwasmadeforyou——butthen，Ithinkallmusicwasmadeforyou。\"
\"Leavethemusicoutofit，ifyouplease，\"shesaid，impatiently。\"Yourtalentsmakeyoumodest！Nodoubtyouconsideritunmaidenlyinmetohavereferredtotheserenadebeforeyouspokeofit；butIamnotonetocastdownmyeyesandletitpass。No，noronetoosweettofacethetruth，either！\"shecriedwithsuddenpassion。\"Tosingthatsonginthewayyoudid，meant-oh，youthoughtIwouldflirtwithyou！Whatrighthadyoutocomewithsuchasongtome？
Tomintendedonlytodisclaimthepresumption，sofarfromhisthoughts，thathissonghadmovedher，forhecouldseethatherattackwaspromptedbyherinexplicableimpressionthathehadassumedtheattitudeofaconqueror，buthisexplanationbeganunfortunately。
\"Forgiveme。Ithinkyouhavecompletelymisunderstood；youthoughtitmeantsomethingIdidnotintend，atall，and——\"
\"What！\"shesaid，andhereyesblazed，fornowshebeheldhimasthearrantsneakoftheworld。He，thelady-killer，withhishypocriticalairofstrengthandmelancholysweetness，theleaderofdrunkenrevels，and，byreputation，thetownLotharioandLight-o’-Love，underpromiseofmarriagetoFanchonBareaud，hadtriedtomakelovetoanothergirl，andnowhiscowardiceintryingtodisclaimwhathehaddonelenthimtheinsolencetosaytothisother：\"Mychild，youarebetrayedbyyouryouthandconceit；youexaggeratemymeaning。Ihadnointentiontodistinguishyoubycoquettingwithyou！\"Thiswasherinterpretationofhim；andherindignationwasnotlessenedbytheinevitableconclusionthathe，whohadbeenthroughsomanysceneswithwomen，secretlyfoundhersimplicitydiverting。MissBettyhadalittleofherfatherinher；whileitwaspartofheryouth，too，that，ofallthingsshecouldleastenduretheshadowofasmileatherownexpense。
\"Oh，oh！\"shecried，hervoiceshakingwithanger。\"Isupposeyourbadheartishalf-chokedwithyourlaughteratme。\"
Sheturnedfromhimswiftly，andlefthim。
Almostrunning，sheenteredthehouse，andhurriedtoaseatbyMrs。
Tanberry，nestlingtoherlikeayoungsaplingonahillside。
Instantaneously，severalgentlemen，whohadhastilyacquittedthemselvesofvariousobligationsinordertoseekher，sprangforwardwitheagergreetings，sothatwhenthestrickenTom，dazedandconfoundedbyhisevilluck，followedherataboutfivepaces，hefoundhimselfconfrontedbyanimpenetrableabbatisformedbythespikedtailsofthecoatsofGeneralTrumble，Madrillon，TappinghamMarsh，CummingsandJeffersonBareaud。
WithinthisfortificationrangoutlaughterandsallyfromMissCarewe；
hercolorwashighandhereyessparklednevermorebrightly。
Flourishandalarumssoundedforaquadrille。Eachofthesemi-circle，firmlyelbowinghisneighbor，beggedthedanceofMissBetty；butTomwashimselfagain，andlaidalong，stronghandonMadrillon’sshoulder，pressedhimgentlyaside，andsaid：
\"Forgiveme；MissCarewehashonoredmebythepromiseofthisquadrille。\"
Hebowed，offeringhisarm，andnoneofthemwastoovaintoenvythatbowandgesture。
Foramomentheremainedwaiting。MissCareweroseslowly，and，directlyfacinghim，saidincomposedandevenvoice：\"Youforcemetobegyounevertoaddressmeagain。\"
SheplacedherhandontheGeneral’sarm，turningherbacksquarelyuponTom。
Inadditiontothosewhoheard，manypersonsinthatpartoftheroomsawtheaffrontandpausedinarrestedattitudes；others，observingthese，turnedinquiringly，sothatsuddensilencefell，brokenonlybythevoiceofMissBettyasshemovedaway，talkingcheerilytotheGeneral。Tomwasleftstandingaloneinthebrokensemicircle。
Alltheeyessweptfromhertohimandback；theneveryonebegantotalkhastilyaboutnothing。Theyoungman’shumiliationwaspublic。
Hewenttothedoorundercoverofthemovementofthevariouscouplestofindplacesinthequadrille，yeteverysidelongglanceintheroomstillresteduponhim，andheknewit。Heremainedintheball，alone，throughthatdance，andatitsconclusion，walkedslowlythroughtherooms，speakingtopeople，hereandthere，asthoughnothinghadhappened，butwhenthemusicsoundedagain，hewenttothedressing-room，foundhishatandcloak，andleftthehouse。Forawhilehestoodontheoppositesideofthestreet，watchingthelightedwindows，andtwicehecaughtsightofthelilacandwhitebrocade，thedarkhair，andthewreathofmarguerites。
Then，withahotpaininhisbreast，andthestepofaGrenadier，hemarcheddownthestreet。
InthecarriageMrs。TanberrytookBetty’shandinhers。\"I’lldoasyouwish，child，\"shesaid，\"andneverspeaktoyouofhimagainaslongasI
live，exceptthisonce。Ithinkitwasbestforhisownsakeaswellasyours，but——\"
\"Heneededalesson，\"interruptedMissBetty，wearily。Shehaddancedlongandhard，andshewasverytired。
Mrs。Tanberry’sstaccatolaughcameoutirrepressibly。\"Allthevagabondsdo，Princess！\"shecried。\"AndIthinktheyaregettingit。\"
\"No，no，Idon’tmean——\"
\"We’veturnedtheirheads，mydear，betweenus，youandI；andwe’llhavetoturn`emagain，orthey’llbreaktheirneckslookingovertheirshoul-
dersatus，theowls！\"Shepressedthegirl’shandaffectionately。\"Butyou’llletmesaysomethingjustonce，andforgivemebecausewe’rethesamefoolishage，youknow。It’sonlythis：Thenextyoungmanyousuppress，takehimoffinacorner！Leadhimawayfromthecrowdwherehewon’thavetostandandletthemlookathimafterward。That’sall，mydear，andyoumustn’tmind。\"
\"I’mnotsorry！\"saidMissBettyhotly。\"I’mnotsorry！\"
\"No，no，\"saidMrs。Tanberry，soothingly。\"Itwasbetterthistimetodojustwhatyoudid。I’dhavedoneitmyself，tomakequitesurehewouldkeepaway——becauseIlikehim。\"
\"I’mnotsorry！\"saidMissBettyagain。
\"I’mnotsorry！\"sherepeatedandreiteratedtoherselfafterMrs。
Tanberryhadgonetobed。Shehadsunkintoachairinthelibrarywithabook，and\"I’mnotsorry！\"shewhisperedastheopenunreadpageblurredbeforeher，\"I’mnotsorry！\"Hehadneededhislesson；butshehadtobeartherecollectionofhowwhitehisfacewentwhenhereceivedit。Heraffronthadputabouthimastrangeloneliness：theonefigurewiththestilledcrowdstaring；ithadmadeapicturefromwhichhermind’seyehadbeenunabletoescape，dancedsheneversohardandlate。Unconsciously，RobertCarewe’sdaughterhadavengedtheotherfigurewhichhadstoodinlonelyhumiliationbeforethestaringeyes。
\"I’mnotsorry！\"Ah，didtheythinkitwasinhertohurtanylivingthingintheworld？Thebookdroppedfromherlap，andshebowedherheaduponherhands。\"I’mnotsorry！\"——andtearsuponthesmalllacegauntlets！
Shesawthem，andwithanincoherentexclamation，halfself-pitying，halfimpatient，ranouttothestarsabovehergarden。
Shewasthereforperhapshalfanhour，andjustbeforeshereturnedtothehouseshedidasingularthing。
Standingwhereallwascleartothesky，whereshehadstoodafterhertalkwiththeIncroyable，whenhehadbidherlooktothestars，sheraisedherarmstothemagain，herface，palewithagreattenderness，uplifted。
\"You，you，you！\"shewhispered。\"Iloveyou！\"
Andyetitwastonothingdefinite，tonoman，noroutlineofaman，tonophantomnordream-lover，thatshespoke；neithertohimshehadaffronted，nortohimwhohadbiddenherlooktothestars。Norwasittothestarsthemselves。
Shereturnedslowlyandthoughtfullytothehouse，wonderingwhatshehadmeant。
CHAPTERXI
AVoiceinaGardenCraileycamehomethenextdaywithanewpoem，butnofish。Heloungedupthestairs，lateintheafternoon，hummingcheerfullytohimself，and，droppinghisrodinacornerofTom’soffice，laidthepoemonthedeskbeforehispartner，producedalarge，newly-replenishedflask，openedit，stretchedhimselfcomfortablyuponacapacioushorse-hairsofa，drankadeepdraught，chuckledsoftly，andrequestedMr。Vanreveltosettherhymestomusicimmediately。
\"Tryitonyourinstrument，\"hesaid。\"It’sasimpleverseaboutnothingbutstars，andyoucanworkitoutintwentyminuteswiththeguitar。\"
\"Itisbroken，\"saidTom，notlookingupfromhiswork。
\"Broken！When？\"
\"Lastnight。\"
\"Whobrokeit？\"
\"Itfellfromthetableinmyroom。\"
\"How？Easilymended，isn’tit？\"
\"IthinkIshallnotplayitsoonagain。\"
Craileyswunghislonglegsoffthesofaandabruptlysatupright。
\"What’sthis？\"heaskedgravely。
Tompushedhispapersawayfromhim，roseandwenttothedustywindowthatlookedtothewest，where，attheendofthelongstreet，thesunwassettingbehindtheruinofcharredtimbersonthebankoftheshiningriver。
\"ItseemsthatIplayedoncetoooften，\"hesaid。
Craileywasthoroughlyastonished。Hetookalong，affectionatepullattheflaskandofferedittohispartner。
\"No，\"saidTom，turningtohimwithatroubledface，\"andifIwereyou，I
wouldn’teither。Thesefishingtripsofyours——\"
\"Fishing！\"Craileylaughed。\"Tripsofapoetaster！It’sthenIwritebest，andwriteIwill！There’sapoem，andadamnedgoodone，too，oldpreacher，ineverygillofwhiskey，andI’mtheladthatcanextractit！
Lord！what’sbetterthantobeoutintheopen，allbyyourselfinthewoods，orontheriver？Thinkofthelongnightsalonewiththegloryofheavenandagooddemijohn。Why，aman’sthoughtsarelikeactorsperformingintheairandallthecrowdingstarsforaudience！Youknowinyoursoulyou’dratherhavemeoutthere，goingitallbymyself，thanraisingthunderovertown。Andyouknow，too，itdoesn’ttellonme；itdoesn’tshow！Youcouldn’tguess，tosaveyourlife，howmuchI’vehadto-day，now，couldyou？\"
\"Yes，\"returnedtheother，\"Icould。\"
\"Well，well，\"saidCrailey，good-naturedly，\"weweren’ttalkingofme。\"
Hesetdowntheflask，wenttohisfriendanddroppedahandlightlyonhisshoulder。\"Whatmadeyoubreaktheguitar？Tellme。\"
\"WhatmakesyouthinkIbrokeit？\"askedhispartnersharply。
\"Tellmewhyyoudidit，\"saidCrailey。
AndTom，pacingtheroom，toldhim，whileCraileystoodinsilence，lookinghimeagerlyintheeyewheneverTomturnedhisway。Thelistenerinterruptedseldom；onceitwastoexclaim：\"Butyouhaven’tsaidwhyyoubroketheguitar？\"
Ifthineeyeoffendthee，pluckitout！’Ioughttohavecutoffthehandsthatplayedtoher。\"\"Andcutyourthroatforsingingtoher？\"
\"Shewasright！\"theotheranswered，stridingupanddowntheroom。
\"Right——athousandtimes！ineverythingshedid。ThatIshouldevenap-
proachher，wasanunspeakableinsolence。Ihadforgotten，andso，possibly，hadshe，butIhadnotevenbeenproperlyintroducedtoher。\"
\"No，youhadn’t，that’strue，\"observedCrailey，reflectively。\"Youdon’tseemtohavemuchtoreproachherwith，Tom。\"
\"Reproachher！\"criedtheother。\"ThatIshoulddreamshewouldspeaktomeorhaveanythingtodowithme，wastocastadoubtuponherloyaltyasadaughter。Shewasright，Isay！Andshedidtheonlythingshecoulddo：rebukedmebeforethemall。NooneevermeritedwhathegotmoreroundlythanIdeservedthat。WhowasI，inhereyes，thatIshouldbesiegeherwithmyimportunities，whobutherfather’sworstenemy？\"
DeepanxietyknittedCrailey’sbrow。\"Iunderstoodsheknewofthequarrel，\"hesaid，thoughtfully。\"Isawthat，theothereveningwhenI
helpedheroutofthecrowd。Shespokeofitonthewayhome，Iremember；
buthowdidsheknowthatyouwereVanrevel？Nooneintownwouldbeapttomentionyoutoher。\"
\"No，butshedidknow，yousee。\"
\"Yes，\"returnedMr。Grayslowly。\"Soitseems！Probablyherfathertoldhertoavoidyou，anddescribedyousothatsherecognizedyouasthemanwhocaughtthekitten。\"
Hepaused，pickeduptheflask，andagainappliedhimselftoitscontents，hiseyespeeringovertheup-tiltedvesselatTom，whocontinuedtopaceupanddownthelengthoftheoffice。Afteratime，Crailey，fumblinginhiscoat，foundalongcheroot，and，ashelitit，inquiredcasually：
\"Doyourememberifsheaddressedyoubyname？\"
\"Ithinknot，\"Tomanswered，halting。\"Whatdoesitmatter？\"
Craileydrewadeepbreath。
\"Itdoesn’t，\"hereturned。
\"Sheknewmewellenough，\"saidTom，sadly，asheresumedhissentry-go。
\"Yes，\"repeatedCrailey，deliberately。\"Soitseems；soitseems！\"Heblewalongstreamofsmokeoutintotheairbeforehim，andsoftlymur-
muredagain：\"Soitseems，soitseems。\"
Silencefell，brokenonlybythesoundofTom’sfootsteps，until，presently，someoneinformallyshoutedhisnamefromthestreetbelow。ItwasonlyWillCummings，passingthetimeofday，butwhenTomturnedfromthewindowafteransweringhim，Crailey，hispoem，andhisflaskweregone。
ThateveningVanrevelsatinthedustyoffice，drivinghimselftohisworkwithasharpgoad，fortherewasafacethatcamebetweenhimandallelseintheworld，andavoicethatsoundedalwaysinhisears。Buttheworkwasdonebeforeherosefromhischair，thoughheshowedahaggardvisageashebentabovehiscandlestoblowthemout。
Itwaseleveno’clock；Craileyhadnotcomeback，andTomknewthathislight-heartedfriendwouldnotreturnformanyhours；andso，havingnomindtoread，andnobeliefthathecouldifhetried，hewentouttowalkthestreets。Hewentdowntotheriverfirst，andstoodforalittlewhilegazingattheruinsofthetwowarehouses，andthatwaslikeamanwithaheadachebeatinghisskullagainstawall。Ashestoodontheblackenedwharf，hesawhowthecharredbeamsroseabovehimagainsttheskylikeagallows，anditseemedtohimthatnothingcouldhavebeenabettersymbol，forherehehadhangedhisself-respect。\"Reproachher！\"
He，whohadsodisplayedhisimbecilitybeforeher！Hadhebeenherfather’sbestfriend，heshouldhavehadtoogreatasenseofshametodaretospeaktoherafterthatnightwhenherquietintelligencehadexhibitedhimtohimself，andtoalltheworld，asnoughtelsethanafool——andanoisyoneatthat！
Suddenlyashudderconvulsedhim；hestruckhisopenpalmacrosshisforeheadandspokealoud，while，fromhorizontohorizon，thenightairgrewthickwiththewhisperedlaughterofobservinghobgoblins：
\"Andeveniftherehadbeennostairway，wecouldhavesliddownthehose-
line！\"
Heretracedhissteps，atall，grayfiguremovingslowlythroughthebluedarkness，andhislipsformedtheheart-sickshadowofasmilewhenhefoundthathehadunconsciouslyturnedintoCareweStreet。Presentlyhecametoagapinahedge，throughwhichhehadsometimesstolentohearthesoundofaharpandagirl’svoicesinging；buthedidnotentertheretonight，thoughhepausedamoment，hisheadbowedonhisbreast。
Therecameasoundofvoices；theyseemedtobemovingtowardthehedge，towardthegapwherehestood；oneaman’seager，quick，butverymusical；
theother，agirl’s，arichandclearcontraltothatpassedintoTom’ssoullikeapsalmofrejoicingandlikeascimitarofflame。Heshivered，andmovedawayquickly，butnotbeforetheman’svoice，somewhatlouderforthemoment，camedistinctlyfromtheothersideofthehedge：
\"Afterall，\"saidthevoice，witharippleoflaughter，\"afterall，weren’tyoualittlehardonthatpoorMr。Gray？\"
Tomdidnotunderstand，butheknewthevoice。ItwasthatofCraileyGray。
Heheardthesamevoiceagainthatnight，andagainstoodunseen。Longaftermidnighthewasstilltrampingthestreetsonhislonelyrounds，whenhechancedtopasstheRouenHouse，whichhostelrybore，totheuninitiatedeye，theappearanceofhavingcloseditsdoorsuponallhospitalitiesforthenight，instrictcompliancewiththelawofthecityfathers，yetaslenderwandofbrightlightmightbediscoveredunderneaththestreetdoorofthebar-room。
>Fromwithinthemerryretreatissuedanuproarofshouting，raucouslaughterandthepoundingofglassesontables，heraldingalltooplainlythehypocrisyofthelandlord，andpossiblythatofthecityfathersalso。
Tomknewwhatcompanywasgatheredthere：gamblers，truckmen，drunkenfarmers，menfromtheriversteamersmakingriotwhiletheirboatslayatthewharf，withamotleygatheringofgood-for-nothingsoftheback-
alleys，andtipplingclerksfromtheMainStreetstores。Therecameloudcriesforasong，and，inanswer，thevoiceofCraileyroseoverthegeneraldin，somewhathoarse，andneversomusicalwhenhesangaswhenhespoke，yetsotouchinginitsdramatictendernessthatsoonthenoisefellaway，andtheroistererssatquietlytolisten。ItwasnotthefirsttimeBenJonson’ssonghadstilledadisreputablecompany。
\"Isenttheelatearosywreath，Notsomuchhonoringthee，AsgivingitthehopethatthereItmightnotwitheredbe。\"
Perhaps，justthen，Vanrevelwouldhavewishedtohearhimsinganythingintheworldratherthanthat，foronCrailey’slipsitcarriedtoomuchmeaningtonight，afterthevoiceinthegarden。AndTomlingerednomorenearthebetrayingsliveroflightbeneaththedoorthanhehadbythegapinthehedge，butwentsteadilyonhisway。
Notfarfromthehotelhepassedasmallbuildingbrightlylightedandechoingwithunusualclamorsofindustry：theofficeoftheRouenJournal。
Thepresswasgoing，andMr。Cummings’sthinfigurecrossedandrecrossedthewindows，whilehisvoicecouldbeheardenergeticallybiddinghisas-
sistantsto\"Lookalive！\"sothatTomimaginedthatsomethingmighthavehappenedbetweentheNuecesRiverandtheRioGrande；buthedidnotstoptoaskthejournalist，forhedesiredtobeholdthefaceofnoneofhisfriendsuntilhehadfoughtoutsomethingswithinhimself。Sohestrodeontowardnowhere。
DaywasbreakingwhenMr。Grayclimbedthestairstohisroom。Thereweretwoflights，theascentofthefirstofwhichoccupiedabouthalfanhourofCrailey’sinvaluabletime；andthesecondmighthavetakenmoreofit，orpossiblyconsumedthegreaterpartofthemorning，hadhereceivednoassistance。But，ashereclinedtomeditateuponthefirstlanding，anothermanenteredthehallwayfromwithout，ascendedquickly，andCraileybecamepleasantlyconsciousthattwostronghandshadliftedhimtohisfeet；and，presently，thathewasbeingbornealoftuponthenew-
comer’sback。Itseemedquiteajourney，yetthemotionwassoothing，sohemadenoefforttoopenhiseyes，untilhefoundhimselfgentlydepositeduponthecouchinhisownchamber，whenhesmiledamiably，and，lookingup，discoveredhispartnerstandingoverhim。
Tomwasverypaleandthereweredeep，violetscrawlsbeneathhiseyes。
ForonceinhislifehebadcomehomelaterthanCrailey。
\"Firsttime，youknow，\"saidCrailey，withdifficulty。\"You’lladmitfirsttimecompletelyincapable？Oftenneededguidinghand，butnever——
quite——before。\"
\"Yes，\"saidTom，quietly，\"itisthefirsttimeIeversawyouquitefinished。\"
\"ThinkImustbegrowingoldandconstitutionrefusesbearit。
Disgracefultobeseenincondition，yetcelebrationjustified。H’rahforthenews！\"Hewavedhishandwildly。\"Oldred，white，andblue！
Americaneaglenowkindlyproceedtoscream！Starspangledbannerintendsstreamingtoallthetradewinds！Seatosea！Gloriousvictoriesonpoliticalthievingexhibition——no，expedition！Everybodynotresponsibleforthetroubletogoandgethimselfpatrioticallykilled！\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Water！\"saidtheother，feebly。Tombroughtthepitcher，andCrailey，settinghishotlipstoit，dranklonganddeeply；then，withhisfriend’sassistance，hetiedaheavilymoistenedtowelroundhishead。\"Allrightverysoonandsoberagain，\"hemuttered，andlaybackuponthepillowwitheyestightlyclosedinanintenseefforttoconcentratehiswill。Whenheopenedthemagain，fourorfiveminuteslater，theyhadmarvellouslyclearedandhislookwasself-containedandsane。
\"Haven’tyouheardthenews？\"Hespokemuchmoreeasilynow。\"ItcameatmidnighttotheJournal。\"
\"No；I’vebeenwalkinginthecountry。\"
\"TheMexicanscrossedtheRioGrandeonthetwenty-sixthoflastmonth，capturedCaptainThorntonandmurderedColonelCrook。Thatmeanswariscertain。\"
\"Ithasbeencertainforalongtime，\"saidTom。\"Polkhasforceditfromthefirst。\"
\"Thenit’sadevilofapityhecan’tbetheonlymantodie！\"
\"Havetheycalledforvolunteers？\"askedTom，goingtowardthedoor。
\"No；butifthenewsistrue，theywill。\"
\"Yes，\"saidTom；andashereachedthehallwayhepaused。\"CanIhelpyoutoundress？\"
\"Certainlynot！\"Craileysatup，indignantly。\"Can’tyouseethatI’mperfectlysober？Itwasthemeresttemporaryfit，andI’veshakenitoff。
Don’tyousee？\"Hegotuponhisfeet，staggered，butshookhimselflikeadogcomingoutofthewater，andcametothedoorwithinfirmsteps。
\"You’regoingtobed，aren’tyou？\"askedTom。\"You’dmuchbetter。\"
\"No，\"answeredCrailey。\"Areyou？
\"No。I’mgoingtowork。\"
\"You’vebeenallupnight，too，haven’tyou？\"Craileyputhishandontheother’sshoulder。\"Wereyouhuntingforme？\"
\"No；notlastnight。\"
Craileylurchedsuddenly，andTomcaughthimaboutthewaisttosteadyhim。
\"Sweethearting，tippling，vingt-et-un，orpoker，eh，Tom？\"heshouted，thickly，withawildlaugh。\"Ha，ha，oldsmug-face，uptomybadtricksatlast！\"But，recoveringhimselfimmediately，hepushedtheotheroffatarm’slength，andslappedhimselfsmartlyonthebrow。\"Nevermind；allright，allright——onlyabadwave，nowandthen。Awalkwillmakememoreamanthanever。\"
\"You’dmuchbettergotobed，Crailey。\"
\"Ican’t。I’mgoingtochangemyclothesandgoout。\"
\"Why？\"
Craileydidnotanswer，butatthatmomenttheCatholicchurch-bell，summoningthefaithfultomass，pealedloudlyonthemorningair；andthesteadyglanceofTomVanrevelrestedupontherecklesseyesofthemanbesidehimastheylistenedtogethertoitsinsistentcall。Tomsaid，gently，almosttimidly：
\"Youhavean——engagement？\"
Thistimetheanswercamebriskly。\"Yes；IpromisedtotakeFanchontothecemeterybeforebreakfast，toplacesomeflowersonthegraveofthelittlebrotherwhodied。Thishappenstobehisbirthday。\"
ItwasTomwhoavertedhiseyes，notCrailey。
\"Thenyou’dbesthurry，\"hesaid，hesitatingly；\"Imustn’tkeepyou，\"andwentdownstairstohisofficewithflushedcheeks，ahanginghead，andanexpressionwhichwouldhaveledastrangertobelievethathehadjustbeencaughtinalie。
HewenttotheMainStreetwindow，andseatedhimselfupontheledge，theonlyoneintheroomnottoodustyforoccupation；forhere，atthishour，TomhadtakenhisplaceeverymorningsinceElizabethCarewehadcomefromtheconvent。Thewindowwasacoignofvantage，commandingthecornerofCareweandMainstreets。Somedistancewestofthecorner，theCatholicchurchcastitslongshadowacrossMainStreet，and，inordertoenterthechurch，apersonwholiveduponCareweStreetmustpassthecorner，orelsemakeahalf-miledetourandapproachfromtheotherdirection——whichthepersonneverdid。TomhadthoughtitoutthefirstnightthattheimageofMissBettyhadkepthimawake——andthatwasthefirstnightMissCarewespentinRouen——theSt。Mary’sgirlwouldbesuretogotomasseveryday，whichwaswhythewindow-ledgewasdustedthenextmorning。
Theglassdoorsofthelittlecornerdrug-storecaughttheearlysunofthehotMaymorningandbecamelikesheets0fpolishedbrass；afarmer’swagonrattleddownthedustystreet；agroupofIrishwaitressesfromthehotelmadetheboardwalkrattleundertheirhurriedstepsastheywenttowardthechurch，talkingbusilytooneanother；andablinkingyouthinhisshirt-sleeves，whoworetheairofonenewly，butnotgladly，risen，begantostrugglemournfullywiththeshuttersofMadrillon’sbank。A
momentlater，TomheardCraileycomedownthestairs，sureoffootandhumminglightlytohimself。Thedooroftheofficewasclosed；Craileydidnotlookin，butpresentlyappeared，smiling，trim，immaculate，allinwhitelinen，ontheoppositesideofthestreet，andofferedbadinagetotheboywhotoiledattheshutters。
Thebellhadalmostceasedtoringwhenalady，dressedplainlyinblack，butgracefulandtall，camerapidlyoutofCareweStreet，turnedatthecornerbythelittledrug-store，andwenttowardthechurch。Theboywasleftstaring，forCrailey’sbanterbrokeoffinthemiddleofaword。
Heovertookheronthechurchsteps，andtheywentintogether。
ThatafternoonFanchonBareaudtoldTomhowbeautifulherbetrothedhadbeentoher；hehadbroughtheragreatbouquetofvioletsandlilies-of-
the-valley，andhadtakenhertothecemeterytoplacethemonthegraveofherbabybrother，whosebirthdayitwas。TearscametoFanchon’seyesasshespokeofherlover’sgoodness，andofhowwonderfullyhehadtalkedastheystoodbesidethelittlegrave。
\"HewastheonlyonewhorememberedthatthiswaspoortinyJean’sbirthday！\"shesaid，andsobbed。\"Hecamejustafterbreakfastandaskedmetogoouttherewithhim。\"
CHAPTERXII
TheRoomintheCupolaMr。Carewereturned，onewarmMayafternoon，bythesixo’clockboat，whichwassometimesadaylateandsometimesafewhoursearly；thelattercontingencyarising，asinthepresentinstance，whentheownerwasaboard。Nelsondrovehimfromthewharftothebank，whereheconferredbriefly，inanundertone，withEugeneMadrillon；afterwhichEugenesentanotecontainingthreewordstoTappinghamMarsh。Marshtoreupthenote，andsaunteredovertotheclub，wherehefoundGeneralTrumbleandJeffersonBareaudamicablydiscussingapitcherofcherrybounce。
\"Hehascome，\"saidTappingham，pleasedtofindthepairtheonlyoccupantsoftheplace。\"HesawMadrillon，andthere’sasessionto-
night。\"
\"PraisetheLord！\"exclaimedthestoutGeneral，risingtohisfeet。\"I’llseeoldChenowethatonce。Myfingershavetheitch。\"
\"Andmine，too，\"saidBareaud。\"I’dbeguntothinkwe’dneverhaveagowithhimagain。\"
\"YoumustseethatCraileycomes。Wewantafulltable。Draghim，ifyoucan’tgethimanyotherway。\"
\"Hewon’tneedurging，\"saidJefferson。
\"Buthecutuslasttime。\"
\"Hewon’tcuttonight。Whathour？\"
\"Nine，\"answeredTappingham。\"It’stobeafullsitting，remember。\"
\"Don’tfearforus，\"laughedTrumble。
\"NorforCrailey，\"Jeffersonadded。\"Aftersolongavacationyoucouldn’tkeephimawayifyouchainedhimtothecourt-housepillars；he’dtear`emintwo！\"
\"Here’stoourbetterfortunes，then！saidtheoldsoldier，fillingaglassforTappingham；and，\"Here’stoourbetterfortunes！\"echoedtheyoungmen，pouringoffthegentleliquorheartily。Havingthusmadelibationtotheirparticulargod，thetrioseparated。ButJeffersondidnotencounterthealacrityofacceptanceheexpectedfromCrailey，whenhefoundhim，halfanhourlater，atthehotelbar。Indeed，atfirst，Mr。
Graynotoniyrefusedoutrighttogo，butseriouslyurgedthesamecourseuponJefferson；moreover，hisremonstrancewasofferedinsuchevidentgoodfaiththatBareaud，intheactofswallowingoneofhislargedosesofquinine，pausedwithonlyhalfthepowderdownhisthroat，gazing，nonplussed，athisprospectivebrother-in-law。
\"Myimmortalsoul！\"hegasped。\"IsthisCraileyGray？What’sthetrouble？\"
\"Nothing，\"repliedCrailey，quietly。\"Onlydon’tgo，you’velostenough。\"
\"Well，you’reabeautifulone！\"Jeffersonexclaimed，withanincredulouslaugh。\"You’reamasterhand；you，totalkaboutlosingenough！\"
\"Iknow，Iknow，\"Craileybegan，shakinghishead，\"but——\"
\"You’vepromisedFanchonnevertogoagain，andyou’reafraidMissBettywillseeorhearus，andtellheryouwerethere。\"
\"Idon’tknowMissCarewe。\"
\"Thenyouneedn’tfear；besides，she’llbeoutwhenwecome，andasleepwhenwego。Shewillneverknowwe’vebeeninthehouse。\"
\"Thathasnothingtodowithit，\"saidCrailey，impatiently；andhewasthemoreearnestbecauseherememberedthedangerousgeographyoftheCarewehouse，whichmadeitimpossibleforanyonetoleavethecupola-roomexceptbythelonghallwhichpassedcertaindoors。\"Iwillnotgo，andwhat’smore，IpromisedFanchonI’dtrytokeepyououtofithereafter。\"
\"Lord，butwe’revirtuous！\"laughedtheincredulousJefferson。\"I’llcomeforyouataquartertonine。\"
\"Iwillnotgo，Itellyou。\"
Jeffersonroared。\"Yes，youwill。Youcouldn’tkeepfromitifyoutried！\"Andhetookhimselfoff，laughingviolently，againpromisingtocallforCraileyonhiswaytothetryst，andleavinghimstillwarmlyprotestingthatitwouldbeagreatfollyforeitherofthemtogo。
Craileylookedafterthelad’slong，thinfigurewithanexpressionasnearangerasheeverwore。\"He’llgo，\"hesaidtohimself。
\"And——ah，well——I’llhavetoriskit！I’llgowithhim，butonlytotryandbringhimawayearly——thatis，asearlyasit’ssafetobesurethattheyareasleepdownstairs。AndIwon’tplay。No，I’llnotplay；I’llnotplay。\"
Hepaidhisscoreandwentoutofthehotelbyasidedoor。Somedistanceupthestreet，Bareaudwasstilltobeseen，lounginghomewardinthepleasantafternoonsunshine，hestoppedonacornerandserenelypouredanotherquininepowderintohimselfandthrewthepapertoacoupleofpigswholookedupfromtheguttermaliciously。
\"Confoundhim！\"saidCrailey，laughingruefully。\"Hemakesmeamissionary——forI’llkeepmywordtoFanchoninthat，atleast！I’lllookafterJeffersontonight。Ah，ImightaswellbeoldTomVanrevel，indeed！\"
Meanwhile，Mr。Carewehadtakenpossessionofhisownagain。Hisdaughterrantothedoortomeethim；shewastremblingalittle，and，blushingandsmiling，heldoutbothherhandstohim，sothatMrs。Tanberryvowedthiswastheloveliestcreatureintheworld，andthekindest。
Mr。Carewebowedslightly，astoanacquaintance，anddisregardedtheextendedhands。
Atthat，theblushfadedfromMissBetty’scheeks；shetremblednomore，andasalutationasicyasherfather’swasreturnedtohim。Hebenthisheavybrowsuponher，andshotablackglanceherway，being，ofcourse，immediatelyenragedbyherreflectionofhisownmanner，buthedidnotspeaktoher。
Nordidheonceaddressherduringtheeveningmeal，preferringtohonorMrs。Tanberrywithhisconversation，tothatdiplomaticlady’ssecretanger，butoutwardamusement。Shecheerfullyneglectedtoanswerhimattimes，havingnottheslightestaweofhim，andturnedtothegirlinstead；indeed，shewasonlypreventedfromratinghimsoundlyathisowntablebythefearthatshemightmakethesituationmoredifficultforheryoungcharge。Assoonasitwaspossible，shemadeherescapewithMissBetty，andtheydroveawayinthetwilighttopayvisitsofduty，leavingMr。Carewefrowningathiscoffeeontheveranda。
Whentheycamehome，threehourslater，MissBettynoticedthatafringeofilluminationborderedeachoftheheavilycurtainedwindowsinthecupola，andsheutteredanexclamation，forshehadneverknownthatroomtobelighted。
\"Look！\"shecried，touchingMrs。Tanberry’sarm，asthehorsestrottedthroughthegatesunderadrizzleofrain，\"Ithoughttheroominthecupolawasempty。It’salwayslocked，andwhenIcamefromSt。Mary’shetoldmethatoldfurniturewasstoredthere。\"
Mrs。Tanberrywasgratefulforthedarkness。\"Hemayhavegonetheretoread，\"sheanswered，inaqueervoice。\"Letusgoquietlytobed，child，soasnottodisturbhim。\"
Bettyhadaslittledesiretodisturbherfatherasshehadtoseehim；
thereforesheobeyedherfriend’sinjunction，andwenttoherroomontip-
toe。Thehousewasverysilentasshelitthecandlesonherbureau。
Outside，thegentledrizzleandthesoothingtinklefromtheeavesweretheonlysounds；within，therewasbutthefaintrustleofgarmentsfromMrs。Tanberry’sroom。Presentlythelatterceasedtobeheard，andawoodenmoanofprotestfromthefour-posteruponwhichthegoodladyreposed，announcedthatshehaddrawnthecurtainsandwooedtherulersofNod。
Althoughitwasoneofthosenightsofwhichtheysay，\"Itisagoodnighttosleep，\"MissBettywasnotdrowsy。Shehadhalf-unfastenedonesmallsandal，butshetiedtheribbonsagain，andseatedherselfbytheopenwindow。Theledgeandcasementframedadimoblongofthinlightfromthecandlesbehindher，alonelylustre，whichcrossedtheverandatomeltshapelesslyintodarknessonthesoggylawn。Shefeltamelancholyinthesoftlyfallingrainandwet，blackfoliagethatchimedwiththesadnessofherownspirit。Thenightsuitedherverywell，forherfather’scominghadbroughtaweightofdepressionwithit。Whycouldhenothavespokenonewordtoher，evenacrossone？Sheknewthathedidnotloveher，yet，merelyasafellow-being，shewasentitledtoameasureofcourtesy；
andthefactthatshewashisdaughtercouldnotexcusehisfailuretorenderit。Wasshetocontinuetolivewithhimontheirpresentterms？
Shehadnointentiontomakeanotherefforttoalterthem；buttoremainastheywerewouldbeintolerable，andMrs。Tanberrycouldnotstayforever，toactasabufferbetweenherandherfather。Peeringoutintothedismalnight，shefoundherownfutureasblack，anditseemednowonderthattheSisterslovedtheconventlife；thatthepalenunsforsooktheworldwhereintherewassomuchuselessunkindness；wherewomenwerepettyandjealous，likethatcowardlyFanchon，andmenwholookedgreatweretricksters，likeFanchon’sbetrothed。MissBettyclenchedherdelicatefingers。Shewouldnotrememberthatwhite，startledfaceagain！
Anotherfacehelpedhertoshutouttherecollection：thatofthemanwhohadcometomasstomeetheryesterdaymorning，andwithwhomshehadtakenalongwalkafterward。HehadshownheraquaintoldEnglishgardenerwholivedonthebankoftheriver，hadboughtherabouquet，andshehadhelpedhimtoselectanothertosendtoasickfriend。Howbeautifultheflowerswere，andhowhappyhehadmadethemorningforher，withhisgayety，hislightness，andhisoddwisdom！Wasitonlyyesterday？
Herfather’scominghadmadeyesterdayafortnightold。
Butthecontinuouslypatteringrainandthesoftdrip-dropfromtheroof，thoughasmournfulasshechosetofindthem，began，afterwhile，toweavetheirsomnolentspells，andsheslowlydriftedfromreveriesofunhappysorts，intohalf-dreams，inwhichshewasstillawareshewasawake；yetslumber，heavy-eyed，stirringfromthecurtainsbesideherwiththesmallnightbreeze，breathedstrangedistortionsuponfamiliarthings，anddrowsyimpossibilitiesmoveduponthesurfaceofherthoughts。Herchin，restinguponherhand，sankgently，untilherheadalmostlayuponherrelaxedarms。
\"Thatismine，CraileyGray！\"
Shesprangtoherfeet，immeasurablystartled，onehandclutchingthebackofherchair，theothertremulouslypressedtohercheek，convincedthatherfatherhadstoopedoverherandshoutedthesentenceinherear。Foritwashisvoice，andthehouserangwiththewords；alltherooms，halls，andeventhewalls，seemedstillmurmurouswiththesuddensound，likethetinglingofabellafterithadbeenstruck。Andyet——everythingwasquiet。
Shepressedherfingerstoherforehead，tryingtountanglethemazeofdreamswhichhadevolvedthisshockforher，thesuddenclamorinherfather’svoiceofanameshehatedandhopednevertohearagain，anameshewastryingtoforget。Butasshewasunabletotraceanythingwhichhadledtoit，thereremainedonlytheconclusionthathernerveswerenotwhattheyshouldbe。Thevaporshavingbecomeobsoleteforyoungladiesasanexplanationforallunpleasantsensations，theywereinstructedtohave\"nerves。\"ThiswasMissBetty’sfirstconsciousnessofherown，and，desiringnogreateracquaintancewiththem，shetoldherselfitwasunwholesometofallasleepinachairbyanopenwindowwhenthenightwasassadasshe。
Turningtoachairinfrontofthesmallovalmirrorofherbureau，sheunclaspedthebrooch。whichheldherlacecollar，and，seatingherself，begantounfastenherhair。Suddenlyshepaused，herupliftedarmsfallingmechanicallytohersides。
Someonewascomingthroughthelonghallwithasoft，almostinaudiblestep，astepwhichwasnotherfather’s。Sheknewatonce，withinstinctivecertainty，thatitwasnothe。NorwasitNelson，whowouldhaveshuffled；norcoulditbethevainMamie，noroneoftheotherservants，fortheydidnotsleepinthehouse。Itwasastepmorelikeawoman’s，thoughcertainlyitwasnotMrs。Tanberry’s。
Bettyrose，tookacandle，andstoodsilentforamoment，theheavytressesofherhair，half-unloosed，fallinguponherneckandleftshoulderlikethefoldsofadarkdrapery。
Attheslightrustleofherrising，thestepsceasedinstantly。Herheartsetupawildbeatingandthecandleshookinherhand。Butshewasbraveandyoung，and，followinganirresistibleimpulse，sheranacrosstheroom，flungopenthedoor，andthrewthelightofthecandleintothehall，holdingitatarm’slengthbeforeher。
ShecamealmostfacetofacewithCraileyGray。
