Hehadnotthoughtofit。Hewaslostinagreaterabstraction。
Thatinfinitetenderness，——faraboveawoman’s，——thetendernessofstrengthandmanlinesstowardsweaknessanddelicacy，thetendernessthatlooksdownandnotup，wasalreadypossessinghim。
Aninstinctofprotectiondrewhimnearerthisbowedbutcharmingfigure，andifhethennoticedthattheshoulderswerepretty，andthecurvesoftheslimwaistsymmetrical，itwasratherwithafeelingoftimidityandahalf—consciousnessofunchivalrousthought。Yetwhyshouldhenottrytokeepthebraveandhonestgirlnearhimalways？Whyshouldhenotclaimtherighttoprotecther？Whyshouldtheynot——theywhowerealoneinastrangeland——
jointheirtwolonelylivesformutualhelpandhappiness？
Asuddenperceptionofdelicacy，thethoughtthatheshouldhavespokenbeforeherfailureattheConservatoirehadmadeherfeelherhelplessness，broughtaslightcolortohischeek。Woulditnotseemtoherthathewastakinganunfairadvantageofhermisfortune？Yetitwouldbesoeasynowtoslipalovingarmaroundherwaist，whilehecouldworkforherandprotectherwiththeother。THEOTHER！Hiseyefellonhisemptysleeve。Ah，hehadforgottenthat！HehadbutONEarm！
Heroseupabruptly，——soabruptlythatHelen，risingtoo，almosttouchedthearmthatwashurriedlywithdrawn。Yetinthataccidentalcontact，whichsentavaguetremorthroughtheyounggirl’sframe，therewasstilltimeforhimtohavespoken。Butheonlysaid：——
\"Perhapswehadbetterdine。\"
Sheassentedquickly，——sheknewnotwhy，——withafeelingofrelief。
Theywalkedveryquietlyandslowlytowardstherestaurant。Notawordoflovehadbeenspoken；notevenaglanceofunderstandinghadpassedbetweenthem。Yettheybothknewbysomemysteriousinstinctthatacrisisoftheirliveshadcomeandgone，andthattheyneveragaincouldbetoeachotherastheywerebutabriefmomentago。Theytalkedverysensiblyandgravelyduringtheirfrugalmeal；thepreviousspectatoroftheirconfidenceswouldhavenowthoughtthemonlysimplefriendsandhavebeenasmistakenasbefore。Theytalkedfreelyoftheirhopesandprospects，——allsaveone！Theyevenspokepleasantlyofrepeatingtheirlittleexpeditionafterhisreturnfromthecountry，whileintheirsecretheartstheyhadbothresolvednevertoseeeachotheragain。Yetbythatsigneachknewthatthiswaslove，andwereproudofeachother’spride，whichkeptitasecret。
Thetrainwaslate，anditwaspastteno’clockwhentheyatlastappearedbeforetheconciergeofHelen’shome。Duringtheirjourney，andwhilepassingthoughthecrowdsatthestationandinthestreets，Ostranderhadexhibitedanewandgraveguardianshipovertheyounggirl，and，onthefirstlanding，afterascrutinizingandanalmostfierceglanceatoneortwoofHelen’soddfellowlodgers，hehadextendedhisprotectionsofarastoaccompanyherupthefourflightstothelandingofherapartment。
Herehetookleaveofherwithagravecourtesythathalfpained，halfpleasedher。Shewatchedhisbroadshouldersanddanglingsleeveashewentdownthestairs，andthenquicklyturned，enteredherroom，andlockedthedoor。Thesmilehadfadedfromherlips。
Goingtothewindow，shepressedherhotforeheadagainstthecoolglassandlookedoutuponthestarsnearlylevelwiththeblackroofsaroundher。Shestoodtheresomemomentsuntilanotherstarappearedhigherupagainsttheroofridge，thestarshewaslookingfor。Butheretheglasspanebeforehereyesbecamepresentlydimwithmoisture；shewasobligedtorubitoutwithherhandkerchief；
yet，somehow，itsoonbecameclouded，atwhichsheturnedsharplyawayandwenttobed。
ButMissHelendidnotknowthatwhenshehadlookedaftertheretreatingfigureofherprotectorashedescendedthestairsthatnightthathewasreallycarryingawayonthosebroadshouldersthecharactershehadsolaboriouslygainedduringherfouryears’
solitude。Forwhenshecamedownthenextmorningtheconciergebowedtoherwithanairofeasy，cynicalabstraction，theresultofalongconversationwithhiswifethenightbefore。HehadtakenHelen’spartwithakindlycynicism。\"Ah！whatwouldyou——itwasboundtocome。TheaffairoftheConservatoirehadsettledthat。Thepoorchildcouldnotstarve；penniless，shecouldnotmarry。Onlywhyconsortwithotherswallowsundertheeaveswhenshecouldhavehadagildedcageonthefirstetage？\"Butgirlsweresofoolish——intheirfirstaffair；thenitwasalwaysLOVE！
Thesecondtimetheywerewiser。Andthismaimedwarriorandpainterwasaspoorasshe。Acompatriot，too；well，perhapsthatsavedsomescandal；onecouldneverknowwhattheAmericanswereaccustomedtodo。Thefirstfloor，whichhadbeeninclinedtobeciviltotheyoungteacher，wasmoreso，butlessrespectful；oneortwoyoungmenweretentativelyfamiliaruntiltheylookedinhergrayeyesandrememberedthebroadshouldersofthepainter。Oddlyenough，onlyMademoiselleFifine，ofherownlanding，exhibitedanysympathywithher，andforthefirsttimeHelenwasfrightened。
Shedidnotshowit，however，onlyshechangedherlodgingsthenextday。Butbeforesheleftshehadafewmoments’conversationwiththeconciergeandanexchangeofawordortwowithsomeofherfellowlodgers。Ihavealreadyhintedthattheyoungladyhadgreatprecisionofstatement；shehadaprettyturnforhandlingcolloquialFrenchandanincisiveknowledgeofFrenchcharacter。
SheleftNo。34，RuedeFrivole，workingitselfintoawhiterage，bututterlyundecidedastoherrealcharacter。
ButallthisandmuchmorewaspresentlyblownawayinthehotbreaththatswepttheboulevardsattheoutburstoftheFranco—
GermanWar，andMissHelenMaynarddisappearedfromPariswithmanyofherfellowcountrymen。TheexcitementreachedevenaquaintoldchateauinBrittanywhereMajorOstranderwaspainting。Thewomanwhowasstandingbyhissideashesatbeforehiseaselonthebroadterraceobservedthathelookeddisturbed。
\"Whatmatters？\"shesaidgently。\"Youhaveprogressedsowellinyourworkthatyoucanfinishitelsewhere。IhavenogreatdesiretostayinFrancewithafrontiergarrisonedbytroopswhileIhaveavillainSwitzerlandwhereyoucouldstillbemyguest。Pariscanteachyounothingmore，myfriend；youhaveonlytocreatenow——
andbefamous。\"
\"ImustgotoParis，\"hesaidquietly。\"Ihavefriends——
countrymen——there，whomaywantmenow。\"
\"IfyoumeantheyoungsingeroftheRuedeFrivole，youhavecompromisedheralready。Youcandohernogood。\"
\"Madame！\"
Theprettyfacewhichhehadbeenfamiliarwithforthepastsixweekssomehowseemedtochangeitscharacter。Underthemaskofdazzlingskinhefanciedhesawthehighcheek—bonesandsquareTartarangle；thebrillianteyeswereevenbrighterthanbefore，buttheyshowedmoreofthewhitethanhehadeverseeninthem。
Neverthelessshesmiled，withanequallystonyrevelationofherwhiteteeth，yetsaid，stillgently，\"ForgivemeifIthoughtourfriendshipjustifiedmeinbeingfrank，——perhapstoofrankformyowngood。\"
Shestoppedasifhalfexpectinganinterruption；butasheremainedlookingwonderinglyather，shebitherlip，andwenton：
\"Youhaveagreatcareerbeforeyou。Thosewhohelpyoumustdosowithoutentanglingyou；achainofrosesmaybeasimpedingaslead。Untilyouareindependent，you——whomayintimecompasseverythingyourself——willneedtobehelped。Youknow，\"sheaddedwithasmile，\"youhavebutonearm。\"
\"Inyourkindnessandappreciationyouhavemademeforgetit，\"hestammered。YethehadaswiftvisionofthelittlebenchatVersailleswherehehadNOTforgottenit，andasheglancedaroundtheemptyterracewheretheystoodhewasstruckwithafatefulresemblancetoit。
\"AndIshouldnotremindyounowofit，\"shewenton，\"excepttosaythatmoneycanalwaystakeitsplace。Asinthefairystory，theprincemusthaveanewarmmadeofgold。\"Shestopped，andthensuddenlycomingclosertohimsaid，hurriedlyandalmostfiercely，\"CanyounotseethatIamadvisingyouagainstmyinterests，——againstmyself？Go，then，toParis，andgoquickly，beforeIchangemymind。Onlyifyoudonotfindyourfriendsthere，rememberyouhavealwaysONEhere。\"Beforehecouldreply，orevenunderstandthatwhiteface，shewasgone。
HeleftforParisthatafternoon。HewentdirectlytotheRuedeFrivole；hisoldresolutiontoavoidHelenwasblowntothewindsintheprospectoflosingherutterly。Buttheconciergeonlyknewthatmademoisellehadleftadayortwoaftermonsieurhadaccompaniedherhome。And，pointedly，therewasanothergentlemanwhohadinquiredeagerly——andbountifullyasfarasmoneywent——foranytraceoftheyounglady。ItwasaRusse。TheconciergesmiledtohimselfatOstrander’sflushedcheek。Itservedthisone—armed，conceitedAmericanposeurright。MademoisellewaswiserinthisSECONDaffair。
Ostranderdidnotfinishhispicture。Theprincesssenthimacheque，whichhecoldlyreturned。NeverthelesshehadacquiredthroughhisRussianpatronagealocalfamewhichstoodhimwellwiththepicturedealers，——inspiteoftheexcitementofthewar。
Buthisheartwasnolongerinhiswork；afeverofunrestseizedhim，whichatanothertimemighthavewasteditselfinmeredissipation。Someofhisfellowartistshadalreadygoneintothearmy。AfterthefirstgreatreversesheofferedhisonearmandhismilitaryexperiencetothatPariswhichhadgivenhimahome。
Theoldfightinginstinctreturnedtohimwithacertaindesperationhehadneverknownbefore。InthesortiesfromParistheone—armedAmericanbecamefamous，untilafewdaysbeforethecapitulation，whenhewasstruckdownbyabulletthroughthelung，andleftinatemporaryhospital。HereinthewhirlandterrorofCommunedayshewasforgotten，andwhenParisrevivedundertherepublichehaddisappearedascompletelyashiscompatriotHelen。
ButMissHelenMaynardhadbeenonlyobscuredandnotextinguished。
AtthefirstoutbreakofhostilitiesafewAmericanshadstillkeptgiddystateamongtheruinsofthetotteringempire。AdayortwoaftershelefttheRuedeFrivoleshewasinvitedbyoneofherwealthyformerschoolmatestoassistwithhervoiceandtalentatoneoftheirextravagantentertainments。\"Youwillunderstand，dear，\"saidMissdeLaine，withingeniousdelicacy，assheeyedheroldcomrade’swell—worndress，\"thatPoppaexpectstopayyouprofessionalprices，anditmaybeanopeningforyouamongourotherfriends。\"
\"Ishouldnotcomeotherwise，dear，\"saidMissHelenwithequalfrankness。ButsheplayedandsangverycharminglytothefashionableassemblyintheChampsElysees，——socharmingly，indeed，thatMissdeLainepatronizinglyexpatiateduponherworthandherbetterdaysinconfidencetosomeoftheguests。
\"Amostdeservingcreature，\"saidMissdeLainetothedowagerduchessofSoho，whowaspassingthroughParisonherwaytoEngland；\"youwouldhardlybelievethatPoppaknewherfatherwhenhewasoneoftherichestmeninSouthCarolina。\"
\"Yourfatherseemstohavebeenveryfortunate，\"saidtheduchessquietly，\"andsoareYOU。Introduceme。\"
ThisnotbeingexactlythereplythatMissdeLaineexpected，shemomentarilyhesitated：buttheduchessprofitedbyittowalkovertothepianoandintroduceherself。WhensherosetogosheinvitedHelentoluncheonwithherthenextday。\"Comeearly，mydear，andwe’llhavealongtalk。\"HelenpointedouthesitatinglythatshewaspracticallyaguestofthedeLaines。\"Ah，well，that’strue，mydear；thenyoumaybringoneofthemwithyou。\"
Helenwenttotheluncheon，butwasunaccompanied。Shehadalongtalkwiththedowager。\"Iamnotrich，mydear，likeyourfriends，andcannotaffordtopaytennapoleonsforasong。LikeyouIhaveseen’betterdays。’Butthisisnoplaceforyou，child，andifyoucanbearwithanoldwoman’scompanyforawhileIthinkIcanfindyousomethingtodo。\"ThateveningHelenleftforEnglandwiththeduchess，apieceof\"ingratitude，indelicacy，andshamelesssnobbery，\"whichMissdeLainewasneverwearyofdilatingupon。\"AndtothinkIintroducedher，thoughshewasaprofessional！\"……
Itwasthreeyearsafter。Paris，revivingundertherepublic，hadforgottenHelenandtheAmericancolony；andtheAmericancolony，emigratingtomorecongenialcourts，hadforgottenParis。
ItwasableakdayofEnglishsummerwhenHelen，standingbythewindowofthebreakfast—roomatHamleyCourt，andlookingoverthewonderfullawn，keptperenniallygreenbyhumidEnglishskies，heardthepractical，masculinevoiceoftheduchessinherearatthesamemomentthatshefeltthegentlewomanlytouchofherhandonhershoulder。
\"WearegoingtoluncheonatMorelandHallto—day，mydear。\"
\"Why，wewerethereonlylastweek！\"saidHelen。
\"Undoubtedly，\"returnedtheduchessdryly，\"andwemayluncheontherenextweekandthenextfollowing。And，\"sheadded，lookingintohercompanion’sgrayeyes，\"itrestswithYOUtostaythereifyouchoose。\"
Helenstaredatherprotector。
\"Mydear，\"continuedtheduchess，slippingherarmaroundHelen’swaist，\"SirJameshashonoredME——asbecamemyrelationstoYOU——
withhisconfidences。Asyouhaven’tgivenmeYOURSIsupposeyouhavenone，andthatIamtellingyounewswhenIsaythatSirJameswishestomarryyou。\"
Theunmistakableastonishmentinthegirl’seyesatisfiedtheduchessevenbeforehervoice。
\"Buthescarcelyknowsmeoranythingofme！\"saidtheyounggirlquickly。
\"Onthecontrary，mydear，heknowsEVERYTHINGaboutyou。IhavebeenparticularintellinghimallIknow——andsomethingsevenYOU
don’tknowandcouldn’ttellhim。Forinstance，thatyouareaveryniceperson。Come，mydear，don’tlooksostupefied，orI
shallreallythinkthere’ssomethinginitthatIdon’tknow。It’snotalaughingnoracryingmatteryet——atpresentit’sonlyluncheonagainwithacivilmanwhohasthreedaughtersandaplaceinthecounty。Don’tmakethemistake，however，ofrefusinghimbeforeheoffers——whateveryoudoafterwards。\"
\"But\"——stammeredHelen。
\"But——youaregoingtosaythatyoudon’tlovehimandhaveneverthoughtofhimasahusband，\"interruptedtheduchess；\"Ireaditinyourface，——andit’saveryproperthingtosay。\"
\"Itissounexpected，\"urgedHelen。
\"Everythingisunexpectedfromamaninthesematters，\"saidtheduchess。\"Wewomenaretheonlyonesthatareprepared。\"
\"But，\"persistedHelen，\"ifIdon’twanttomarryatall？\"
\"Ishouldsay，then，thatitisasignthatyouought；ifyouwereeager，mydear，Ishouldcertainlydissuadeyou。\"Shepaused，andthendrawingHelenclosertoher，said，withacertainmasculinetenderness，\"AslongasIlive，dear，youknowthatyouhaveahomehere。ButIamanoldwomanlivingonthesmallestofsettlements。
Deathisasinevitabletomeasmarriageshouldbetoyou。\"
Nevertheless，theydidnotrenewtheconversation，andlaterreceivedthegreetingsoftheirhostatMorelandHallwithasimplicityandfranknessthatwere，however，perfectlynaturalandunaffectedinbothwomen。SirJames，——atall，well—preservedmanofmiddleage，withtheunmistakablebearingoflongyearsofrecognizedandunchallengedposition，——however，exhibitedonthisoccasionthatslightconsciousnessofweaknessandsusceptibilitytoridiculewhichisapttoindicatetheinvasionofthetenderpassionintheheartoftheaverageBriton。Hisdutyashosttowardstheelderwomanofsuperiorrank，however，coveredhisembarrassment，andforamomentleftHelenquiteundisturbedtogazeagainuponthetreasuresofthelongdrawing—roomofMorelandHallwithwhichshewasalreadyfamiliar。Therewerethehalf—
dozenoldmasters，whoserespectabilityhadbeenasrecognizedthroughcenturiesastheirowner’sancestors；thereweretheancestorsthemselves，——wigged，ruffled，andwhite—handed，byVandyke，Lely，Romney，andGainsborough；thereweretheuniform，expressionlessancestressesinstiffbrocadeorshort—waisted，clingingdraperies，butallpossessingthatbrilliantcoloringwhichthegrayskiesoutsidelacked，andwhichseemedtohavedepartedfromthedressesoftheirdescendants。TheAmericangirlhadsometimesspeculateduponwhatmighthavebeentheappearanceofthelime—treewalk，dottedwiththesegaylyplumagedfolk，andwonderedifthetyrannyofenvironmenthadatlastsubduedtheirbrilliantcolors。Andanewfeelingtouchedher。Likemostofhercountrywomen，shewasstronglyaffectedbythefurnitureoflife；
thethoughtthatallthatshesawthereMIGHTBEHERS；thatshemightyetstandinsuccessiontothesestrangecourtiersandstrangershepherdesses，and，likethem，lookdownfromthecanvasupontheintrudingforeigner，thrilledherforamomentwithahalf—proud，half—passivesenseofyieldingtowhatseemedtobeherfate。Anarrow—eyed，stiff—hairedDutchmaidofhonorbeforewhomshewasstandinggazedatherwithstaringvacancy。Suddenlyshestarted。Beforetheportraituponafancifuleaselstoodasmallelaboratelyframedsketchinoils。Itwasevidentlysomerecentlyimportedtreasure。Shehadnotseenitbefore。Asshemovedquicklyforward，sherecognizedataglancethatitwasOstrander’ssketchfromtheParisgrenier。
Thewall，theroom，theparkbeyond，eventhegraysky，seemedtofadeawaybeforeher。ShewasstandingoncemoreatheratticwindowlookingacrosstheroofsandchimneystacksupwardtotheblueskyofParis。Throughagapintheroofsshecouldseethechestnut—treestrillinginthelittlesquare；shecouldheartheswallowstwitteringintheleadentroughsofthegutterbeforeher；
thecallofthechocolatevenderorthecryofagaminfloateduptoherfromthestreetbelow，orthelatestsongofthecafechantantwaswhistledbytheblue—blousedworkmanonthescaffoldinghardby。ThebreathofParis，ofyouth，ofblendedworkandplay，ofambition，ofjoyousfreedom，againfilledherandmingledwiththescentofthemignonettethatusedtostandontheoldwindow—ledge。
\"Iamgladyoulikeit。Ihaveonlyjustputitup。\"
ItwasthevoiceofSirJames——avoicethathadregainedalittleofitsnaturalness——acalm，evenlazyEnglishvoice——confidentfromtheexperienceofyearsofrespectfullisteners。Yetitsomehowjarreduponhernerveswithitscomplacencyanditsutterincongruousnesstoherfeelings。Nevertheless，theimpulsetoknowmoreaboutthesketchwasthestronger。
\"Doyoumeanyouhavejustboughtit？\"askedHelen。\"It’snotEnglish？\"
\"No，\"saidSirJames，gratifiedwithhiscompanion’sinterest。\"I
boughtitinParisjustaftertheCommune。\"
\"Fromtheartist？\"continuedHelen，inaslightlyconstrainedvoice。
\"No，\"saidSirJames，\"althoughIknewthepoorchapwellenough。
Youcaneasilyseethathewasonceapainterofgreatpromise。I
ratherthinkitwasstolenfromhimwhilehewasinhospitalbythoseincendiarywretches。Irecognizedit，however，andboughtforafewfrancsfromthemwhatIwouldhavepaidHIMathousandfor。\"
\"Inhospital？\"repeatedHelendazedly。
\"Yes，\"saidSirJames。\"ThefactisitwastheendingoftheusualBohemianartist’slife。Thoughinthiscasethemanwasarealartist，——andIbelieve，bytheway，wasacountrymanofyours。\"
\"Inhospital？\"againrepeatedHelen。\"Thenhewaspoor？\"
\"Reckless，Ishouldrathersay；hethrewhimselfintothefightingbeforeParisandwasbadlywounded。Butitwasalltheresultoftheusualloveaffair——thegirl，theysay，ranoffwiththeusualricherman。Atallevents，itruinedhimforpainting；heneverdidanythingworthhavingafterwards。\"
\"Andnow？\"saidHeleninthesameunmovedvoice。
SirJamesshruggedhisshoulders。\"Hedisappeared。Probablyhe’llturnupsomedayontheLondonpavement——withchalks。Thatsketch，bytheway，wasonethathadalwaysattractedmetohisstudio——
thoughheneverwouldpartwithit。Iratherfancy，don’tyouknow，thatthegirlhadsomethingtodowithit。It’sawonderfullyrealisticsketch，don’tyousee；andIshouldn’twonderifitwasthegirlherselfwholivedbehindoneofthosequeerlittlewindowsintheroofthere。\"
\"Shedidlivethere，\"saidHeleninalowvoice。
SirJamesutteredavaguelaugh。Helenlookedaroundher。Theduchesshadquietlyandunostentatiouslypassedintothelibrary，andinfullview，thoughoutofhearing，wasexamining，withherglasstohereye，somebooksupontheshelves。
\"Imean，\"saidHelen，inaperfectlyclearvoice，\"thattheyounggirldidNOTrunawayfromthepainter，andthathehadneithertherightnorthecausetobelieveherfaithlessorattributehismisfortunestoher。\"Shehesitated，notfromanysenseofherindiscretion，buttorecoverfromamomentarydoubtifthegirlwerereallyherownself——butonlyforamoment。
\"Thenyouknewthepainter，asIdid？\"hesaidinastonishment。
\"NotasYOUdid，\"respondedHelen。Shedrewnearerthepicture，and，pointingaslimfingertothecanvas，said：——
\"Doyouseethatsmallwindowwiththemignonette？\"
\"Perfectly。\"
\"ThatwasMYroom。Hiswasopposite。HetoldmesowhenIfirstsawthesketch。Iamthegirlyouspeakof，forheknewnoother，andIbelievehimtohavebeenatruthful，honorableman。\"
\"Butwhatwereyoudoingthere？Surelyyouarejoking？\"saidSirJames，withaforcedsmile。
\"IwasapoorpupilattheConservatoire，andlivedwhereIcouldaffordtolive。\"
\"Alone？\"
\"Alone。\"
\"Andthemanwas\"——
\"MajorOstranderwasmyfriend。IeventhinkIhaveabetterrighttocallhimthatthanyouhad。\"
SirJamescoughedslightlyandgraspedthelapelofhiscoat。\"Ofcourse；Idaresay；Ihadnoideaofthis，don’tyouknow，whenI
spoke。\"Helookedaroundhimasiftoevadeascene。\"Ah！supposeweasktheduchesstolookatthesketch；Idon’tthinkshe’sseenit。\"Hebegantomoveinthedirectionofthelibrary。
\"Shehadbetterwait，\"saidHelenquietly。
\"Forwhat？\"
\"Until\"——hesitatedHelensmilingly。
\"Until？IamafraidIdon’tunderstand，\"saidSirJamesstiffly，coloringwithaslightsuspicion。
\"UntilyouhaveAPOLOGIZED。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidSirJames，withahalf—hystericlaugh。\"Ido。
YouunderstandIonlyrepeatedastorythatwastoldme，andhadnoideaofconnectingYOUwithit。Ibegyourpardon，I’msure。I
er——er——infact，\"headdedsuddenly，theembarrassedsmilefadingfromhisfaceashelookedatherfixedly，\"Iremembernowitmusthavebeentheconciergeofthehouse，ortheoppositeone，whotoldme。HesaiditwasaRussianwhocarriedoffthatyounggirl。Ofcourseitwassomemade—upstory。\"
\"IleftPariswiththeduchess，\"saidHelenquietly，\"beforethewar。\"
\"Ofcourse。Andsheknowsallaboutyourfriendshipwiththisman。\"
\"Idon’tthinkshedoes。Ihaven’ttoldher。WhyshouldI？\"
returnedHelen，raisinghercleareyestohis。
\"Really，Idon’tknow，\"stammeredSirJames。\"Butheresheis。Ofcourseifyoupreferit，Iwon’tsayanythingofthistoher。\"
Helengavehimherfirstglanceofgenuineemotion；ithappened，however，tobescorn。
\"Howodd！\"shesaid，astheduchessleisurelyapproachedthem，herglassstillinhereye。\"SirJames，quiteunconsciously，hasjustbeenshowingmeasketchofmydearoldmansardeinParis。Look！
Thatlittlewindowwasmyroom。And，onlythinkofit，SirJamesboughtitofanoldfriendofmine，whopainteditfromtheoppositeattic，wherehelived。Andquiteunconsciously，too。\"
\"Howverysingular！\"saidtheduchess；\"indeed，quiteromantic！\"
\"Very！\"saidSirJames。
\"Very！\"saidHelen。
Thetoneoftheirvoiceswassodifferentthattheduchesslookedfromonetotheother。
\"Butthatisn’tall，\"saidHelenwithasmile，\"SirJamesactuallyfancied\"——
\"Willyouexcusemeforamoment？\"saidSirJames，interrupting，andturninghastilytotheduchesswithaforcedsmileandasomewhatheightenedcolor。\"IhadforgottenthatIhadpromisedLadyHarriettodriveyouovertoDeepHillafterluncheontomeetthatSouthAmericanwhohastakensuchafancytoyourplace，andI
mustsendtothestables。\"
AsSirJamesdisappeared，theduchessturnedtoHelen。\"Iseewhathashappened，dear；don’tmindme，forIfranklyconfessIshallnoweatmyluncheonlessguiltilythanIfeared。Buttellme，HOW
didyourefusehim？\"
\"Ididn’trefusehim，\"saidHelen。\"Ionlypreventedhisaskingme。\"
\"How？\"
ThenHelentoldherall，——everythingexceptherfirstmeetingwithOstranderattherestaurant。Atruewomanrespectstheprideofthoseshelovesmoreeventhanherown，andwhileHelenfeltthatalthoughthatincidentmightsomewhatcondonehersubsequentromanticpassionintheduchess’seyes，shecouldnottellit。
Theduchesslistenedinsilence。
\"Thenyoutwoincompetentshaveneverseeneachothersince？\"sheasked。
\"No。\"
\"Butyouhopeto？\"
\"IcannotspeakforHIM，\"saidHelen。
\"Andyouhaveneverwrittentohim，anddon’tknowwhetherheisaliveordead？\"
\"No。\"
\"ThenIhavebeennursinginmybosomforthreeyearsatoneandthesametimeabrave，independent，matter—of—factyoungpersonandthemostidiotic，sentimentalheroinethateverfiguredinaromanticoperaoracountryballad。\"Helendidnotreply。\"Well，mydear，\"saidtheduchessafterapause，\"Iseethatyouarecondemnedtopassyourdayswithmeinsomecheaphotelonthecontinent。\"Helenlookedupwonderingly。\"Yes，\"shecontinued，\"I
supposeImustnowmakeupmymindtosellmyplacetothisgildedSouthAmerican，whohastakenafancytoit。ButIamnotgoingtospoilmydaybyseeinghimNOW。No；wewillexcuseourselvesfromgoingtoDeepHillto—day，andwewillgobackhomequietlyafterluncheon。ItwillbeamercytoSirJames。\"
\"But，\"saidHelenearnestly，\"Icangobacktomyoldlife，andearnmyownliving。\"
\"NotifIcanhelpit，\"saidtheduchessgrimly。\"Yourindependencehasmadeyouacharmingcompaniontome，Iadmit；butIshallseethatitdoesnotagainspoilyourchancesofmarrying。HerecomesSirJames。Really，mydear，Idon’tknowwhichoneofyoulooksthemorerelieved。\"
OntheirwaybackthroughtheparkHelenagainurgedtheduchesstogiveuptheideaofsellingHamleyCourt，andtoconsenttohertakingupheroldfreedomandindependenceoncemore。\"Ishallnever，neverforgetyourlovingkindnessandprotection，\"continuedtheyounggirl，tenderly。\"Youwillletmecometoyoualwayswhenyouwantme；butyouwillletmealsoshapemylifeanew，andworkformyliving。\"Theduchessturnedhergrave，halfhumorousfacetowardsher。\"ThatmeansyouhavedeterminedtoseekHIM。Well！
Perhapsifyougiveupyourotherabsurdideaofindependence，I
mayassistyou。AndnowIreallybelieve，dear，thatthereisthatdreadfulSouthAmerican，\"pointingtoafigurethatwascrossingthelawnatHamleyCourt，\"hoveringroundlikeavulture。Well，I
can’tseehimto—dayifhecalls，butYOUmay。Bytheway，theysayheisnotbad—looking，wasafamousgeneralintheSouthAmericanWar，andisrollinginmoney，andcomeshereonasecretmissionfromhisgovernment。ButIforget——therestofourlifeistobedevotedtoseekingANOTHER。AndIbegintothinkIamnotagoodmatchmaker。\"
Helenwasinnomoodforaninterviewwiththestranger，whom，liketheduchess，shewasinclinedtoregardasaportentoffateandsacrifice。Sheknewherfriend’sstraitenedcircumstances，whichmightmakesuchasacrificenecessarytoinsureacompetencyforheroldage，and，asHelenfearedalso，aprovisionforherself。
Sheknewthestrangetendernessofthismasculinewoman，whichhadsurvivedahusband’sinfidelitiesandason’sforgetfulness，tobegiventoher，andherheartsankattheprospectofseparation，evenwhileherpridedemandedthatsheshouldreturntoheroldlifeagain。Thenshewonderediftheduchesswasright；didshestillcherishthehopeofmeetingOstranderagain？Thetearsshehadkeptbackallthatdayassertedthemselvesassheflungopenthelibrarydoorandranacrossthegardenintothemyrtlewalk。
\"Inhospital！\"ThewordshadbeenringinginherearsthoughSirJames’scomplacentspeech，throughtheoddlyconstrainedluncheon，throughthehalf—tender，half—masculinereasoningofhercompanion。
HeHADlovedher——hehadsufferedandperhapsthoughtherfalse。
Suddenlyshestopped。Atthefurtherendofthewalktheominousstrangerwhomshewishedtoavoidwasstandinglookingtowardsthehouse。
Howprovoking！Sheglancedagain；hewasleaningagainstatreeandwasobviouslyaspreoccupiedasshewasherself。Hewasactuallysketchingtheivy—coveredgableofthelibrary。Whatpresumption！Andhewassketchingwithhislefthand。Asuddenthrillofsuperstitioncameoverher。Shemovedeagerlyforwardforabetterviewofhim。No！hehadtwoarms！
Buthisquickeyehadalreadycaughtsightofher，andbeforeshecouldretreatshecouldseethathehadthrownawayhissketch—bookandwashasteningeagerlytowardher。Amazedandconfoundedshewouldhaveflown，butherlimbssuddenlyrefusedtheiroffice，andasheatlastcamenearherwiththecryof\"Helen！\"uponhislips，shefeltherselfstaggering，andwascaughtinhisarms。
\"ThankGod，\"hesaid。\"ThensheHASletyoucometome！\"
Shedisengagedherselfslowlyanddazedlyfromhimandstoodlookingathimwithwonderingeyes。Hewasbronzedandworn；therewasthesecondarm：butstillitwasHE。Andwiththelove，whichshenowknewhehadfelt，lookingfromhishonesteyes！
\"SHEhasletmecome！\"sherepeatedvacantly。\"Whomdoyoumean？\"
\"Theduchess。\"
\"Theduchess？\"
\"Yes。\"Hestoppedsuddenly，gazingatherblankface，whilehisowngrewashywhite。\"Helen！ForGod’ssaketellme！Youhavenotacceptedhim？\"
\"Ihaveacceptednoone，\"shestammered，withafaintcolorrisingtohercheeks。\"Idonotunderstandyou。\"
Alookofreliefcameoverhim。\"But，\"hesaidamazedly，\"hasnottheduchesstoldyouhowIhappentobehere？How，whenyoudisappearedfromParislongago——withmyambitioncrushed，andnothinglefttomebutmyoldtradeofthefighter——IjoinedasecretexpeditiontohelptheChilianrevolutionists？HowI，whomighthavestarvedasapainter，gaineddistinctionasapartisangeneral，andwasrewardedwithanenvoyshipinEurope？HowIcametoParistoseekyou？HowIfoundthateventhepicture——yourpicture，Helen——hadbeensold。How，intracingithere，ImettheduchessatDeepHill，andlearningyouwerewithher，inamomentofimpulsetoldhermywholestory。Howshetoldmethatthoughshewasyourbestfriend，youhadneverspokenofme，andhowshebeggedmenottospoilyourchanceofagoodmatchbyrevealingmyself，andsoawakeningapast——whichshebelievedyouhadforgotten。Howsheimploredmeatleasttolethermakeafairtestofyouraffectionsandyourmemory，anduntilthentokeepawayfromyou——andtospareyou，Helen；andforyoursake，I
consented。Surelyshehastoldthis，NOW！\"
\"Notaword，\"saidHelenblankly。
\"ThenyoumeantosaythatifIhadnothauntedtheparkto—day，inthehopeofseeingyou，believingthatasyouwouldnotrecognizemewiththisartificialarm，Ishouldnotbreakmypromisetoher，——
youwouldnothaveknownIwasevenliving。\"
\"No！——yes！——stay！\"Asmilebrokeoverherpalefaceandleftitrosy。\"Iseeitallnow。Oh，Philip，don’tyouunderstand？Shewantedonlytotryus！\"
Therewasasilenceinthelonelywood，brokenonlybythetrillsofafrightenedbirdwhoseretreatwasinvaded。
\"Notnow！Please！Wait！Comewithme！\"
ThenextmomentshehadseizedPhilip’slefthand，and，dragginghimwithher，wasflyingdownthewalktowardsthehouse。Butastheynearedthegardendooritsuddenlyopenedontheduchess，withherglassestohereyes，smiling。
TheGeneralDonFelipeOstranderdidnotbuyHamleyCourt，butheandhiswifewerealwayswelcomegueststhere。AndSirJames，asbecameanEnglishgentleman，——amazedthoughhewasatPhilip’ssingularreturn，andmoresingularincognito，——afterwardsgallantlypresentedPhilip’swifewithPhilip’sfirstpicture。
THEJUDGMENTOFBOLINASPLAIN
ThewindwasgettingupontheBolinasPlain。Ithadstartedthefinealkalinedustalongthelevelstageroad，sothateventhatfainttrack，theonlybreakinthemonotonyofthelandscape，seemedfainterthanever。Butthedustcloudwasotherwisearelief；ittookthesemblanceofdistantwoodswheretherewasnotimber，ofmovingteamswheretherewasnolife。AndasSueBeasley，standinginthedoorwayofOneSpringHousethatafternoon，shadinghersandylasheswithhersmallredhand，glancedalongthedesolatetrack，evenHEReyes，trainedtothedrearyprospect，wereonceortwicedeceived。
\"Sue！\"
Itwasaman’svoicefromwithin。Suetooknonoticeofit，butremainedwithherhandshadinghereyes。
\"Sue！Wotyeryawpin’atthar？\"
\"Yawpin’\"wouldseemtohavebeenthelocalexpressionforherabstraction，since，withoutturningherhead，sheansweredslowlyandlanguidly：\"ReckonedIsee’dsom’unonthestageroad。But’tain’tnothin’nornobody。\"
Bothvoiceshadintheiraccentsanddeliverysomethingofthesadnessandinfiniteprotractionoftheplain。Butthewoman’shadamusicalpossibilityinitslong—drawncadence，whiletheman’swasonlymonotonousandwearying。Andassheturnedbackintotheroomagain，andconfrontedhercompanion，therewasthelikedifferenceintheirappearance。IraBeasley，herhusband，hadsufferedfromthecombinedeffectsofindolence，carelessness，misadventure，anddisease。Twoofhisfingershadbeencutoffbyascythe，histhumbandpartofhisleftearhadbeenblownawaybyanoverchargedgun；hiskneeswerecrippledbyrheumatism，andonefootwaslamefromingrowingnails，——deviationsthat，however，didnottendtocorrecttheoriginalangularitiesofhisframe。Hiswife，ontheotherhand，hadaprettyfigure，whichstillretained——
theywerechildless——theroundedfreshnessofmaidenhood。Herfeatureswereirregular，yetnotwithoutacertainpiquancyofoutline；herhairhadthetwoshadessometimesseeninimperfectblondes，andhercomplexionthesallownessofcombinedexposureandalkalineassimilation。
Shehadlivedtheresince，anangulargirloffifteen，shehadbeenawkwardlyhelpedbyIrafromthetail—boardoftheemigrantwagoninwhichhermotherhaddiedtwoweeksbefore，andwhichwasmakingitsfirsthaltontheCalifornianplains，beforeIra’sdoor。OntheseconddayoftheirhaltIrahadtriedtokissherwhileshewasdrawingwater，andhadreceivedthecontentsofthebucketinstead，——thegirlknowingherownvalue。OnthethirddayIrahadsomeconversationwithherfatherregardinglocationsandstock。
Onthefourthdaythisconversationwascontinuedinthepresenceofthegirl；onthefifthdaythethreewalkedtoParsonDavies’
house，fourmilesaway，whereIraandSueweremarried。Theromanceofaweekhadtakenplacewithintheconfinesofherpresentviewfromthedoorway；theepisodeofherlifemighthavebeenshutininthatlastsweepofhersandylashes。
Nevertheless，atthatmomentsomeinstinct，sheknewnotwhat，impelledherwhenherhusbandlefttheroomtoputdownthedishshewaswashing，and，withthetowellappedoverherbareprettyarms，toleanoncemoreagainstthedoorpost，lazilylookingdowntheplain。Acylindricalcloudofdusttrailingitstatteredskirtalongthestageroadsuddenlyassaultedthehouse，andforaninstantenvelopedit。Asitwhirledawayagainsomethingemerged，orratherdroppedfromitsskirtsbehindthelittleclusteroflowbusheswhichencircledthe\"OneSpring。\"Itwasaman。
\"Thar！Iknewitwassuthin’，\"shebeganaloud，butthewordssomehowdieduponherlips。Thensheturnedandwalkedtowardstheinnerdoor，whereinherhusbandhaddisappeared，——butherestoppedagainirresolutely。Thenshesuddenlywalkedthroughtheouterdoorintotheroadandmadedirectlyforthespring。Thefigureofamancrouching，coveredwithdust，halfrosefromthebusheswhenshereachedthem。Shewasnotfrightened，forheseemedutterlyexhausted，andtherewasasingularmixtureofshame，hesitation，andentreatyinhisbrokenvoiceashegaspedout：——
\"Lookhere！——Isay！hidemesomewhere，won’tyou？Justforalittle。Yousee——thefactis——I’mchased！They’rehuntingmenow，——they’rejustbehindme。Anywherewilldotilltheygoby！
Tellyouallaboutitanothertime。Quick！Pleasedo！\"
Inallthistherewasnothingdramaticnorevenstartlingtoher。
Nordidthereseemtobeanypresentdangerimpendingtotheman。
Hedidnotlooklikeahorse—thiefnoracriminal。Andhehadtriedtolaugh，half—apologetically，half—bitterly，——theconsciousnessofamanwhohadtoaskhelpofawomanatsuchamoment。
Shegaveaquickglancetowardsthehouse。Hefollowedhereyes，andsaidhurriedly：\"Don’ttellonme。Don’tletanyoneseeme。
I’mtrustingyou。
\"Come，\"shesaidsuddenly。\"GetonTHISside。\"
Heunderstoodher，andslippedtoherside，half—creeping，half—
crouchinglikeadogbehindherskirts，butkeepingherfigurebetweenhimandthehouseasshemoveddeliberatelytowardsthebarn，scarcefiftyyardsaway。Whenshereacheditsheopenedthehalf—doorquickly，said：\"Inthere——atthetop——amongthehay\"——
closedit，andwasturningaway，whentherecameafaintrappingfromwithin。Sheopenedthedooragainimpatiently；themansaidhastily：\"Wantedtotellyou——itwasamanwhoinsultedaWOMAN！I
wentforhim，yousee——and\"——
Butsheshutthedoorsharply。Thefugitivehadmadeablunder。
Theimportationofherownuncertainsexintotheexplanationdidnothelphim。Shekeptontowardsthehouse，however，withouttheleasttraceofexcitementoragitationinhermanner，enteredthefrontdooragain，walkedquietlytothedooroftheinnerroom，glancedin，sawthatherhusbandwasabsorbedinsplicingariata，andhadevidentlynotmissedher，andreturnedquietlytoherdish—
washing。Withthissingulardifference：afewmomentsbeforeshehadseemedinattentiveandcarelessofwhatshewasdoing，asiffromsomeabstraction；now，whenshewasactuallyabstracted，hermovementsweremechanicallyperfectanddeliberate。Shecarefullyheldupadishandexamineditminutelyforcracks，rubbingitcautiouslywiththetowel，butseeingallthewhileonlythemanshehadleftinthebarn。Afewmomentselapsed。Thentherecameanotherrushofwindaroundthehouse，adriftingcloudofdustbeforethedoor，theclatterofhoofs，andaquickshout。
Herhusbandreachedthedoor，fromtheinnerroom，almostasquicklyasshedid。Theybothsawintheroadtwoarmedmountedmen——oneofwhomIrarecognizedasthesheriff’sdeputy。
\"Hasanybodybeenhere，justnow？\"heaskedsharply。
\"No。\"
\"Seenanybodygoby？\"hecontinued。
\"No。What’sup？\"
\"OneofthemcircusjumpersstabbedHalDudleyoverthetableinDoloresmonteshoplastnight，andgotawaythismorning。Wehuntedhimintotheplainandlosthimsomewhereinthisd————ddust。\"
\"Why，Suereckonedshesawsuthin’justnow，\"saidIra，withaflashofrecollection。\"Didn’tye，Sue？\"
\"Whytheh—lldidn’tshesayitbefore？——Ibegyourpardon，ma’am；
didn’tseeyou；you’llexcusehaste。\"
Boththemen’shatswereintheirhands，embarrassedyetgratifiedsmilesontheirfaces，asSuecameforward。Therewasthefaintestofcolorinhersallowcheek，akeenbrilliancyinhereyes；shelookedsingularlypretty。EvenIrafeltaslightantenuptialstirringthroughhismonotonouslyweddedyears。
Theyoungwomanwalkedout，foldingthetowelaroundherredhandsandforearms——leavingtheroundedwhitenessofbaredelbowandupperarmincharmingcontrast——andlookedgravelypasttheadmiringfiguresthatnearlytouchedherown。\"Itwassomewharoverthar，\"shesaidlazily，pointinguptheroadintheoppositedirectiontothebarn，\"butIain’tsureitWASanyone。\"
\"Thenhe’dalreadyPASSEDthehouseaforeyousawhim？\"saidthedeputy。
\"Ireckon——ifitWAShim，\"returnedSue。
\"Hemusthavegoton，\"saidthedeputy；\"butthenherunslikeadeer；it’shistrade。\"
\"Wottrade？\"
\"Acrobat。\"
\"Wot’sthat？\"
Thetwomenweredelightedatthisdivinesimplicity。\"Amanwhoruns，jumps，climbs——andallthatsort，inthecircus。\"
\"Butisn’therunnin’，jumpin’，andclimbin’awayfromyenow？\"shecontinuedwithadorablenaivete。
Thedeputysmiled，butstraightenedinthesaddle。\"We’reboundtocomeupwithhimaforehereachesLowville；andbetweenthatandthishouseit’sadeadlevel，whereagophercouldn’tleavehisholewithoutyourspottin’himamileoff！Good—by！\"ThewordswereaddressedtoIra，butthepartingglancewasdirectedtotheprettywifeasthetwomengallopedaway。
Anodduneasinessatthissuddenrevelationofhiswife’sprettinessanditsevidenteffectuponhisvisitorscameoverIra。
Itresultedinhisaddressingtheemptyspacebeforehisdoorwith，\"Well，yewon’tketchmuchifyegoonyawpin’anddawdlin’withwomen—folkslikethis；\"andhewasunreasonablydelightedattheprettyassentofdisdainandscornwhichsparkledinhiswife’seyesassheadded：——
\"Notmuch，Ireckon！\"
\"That’sthekindofofficialtrashwehavetopaytaxestokeepup，\"saidIra，whosomehowfeltthatifpublicpolicywasnotamenabletoprivatesentimenttherewasnovalueinfreegovernment。Mrs。Beasley，however，complacentlyresumedherdish—
washing，andIrareturnedtohisriataintheadjoiningroom。Forquiteanintervaltherewasnosoundbuttheoccasionalclickofadishlaiduponitspile，withfingersthat，however，werefirmanduntremulous。PresentlySue’slowvoicewasheard。
\"Wonderifthatdeputycaughtanythingyet。I’veagoodmindtomeanderuptheroadandsee。\"
ButthequestionbroughtIratothedoorwithaslightreturnofhisformeruneasiness。Hehadnoideaofsubjectinghiswifetoanotheradmiringinterview。\"IreckonI’llgomyself，\"hesaiddubiously；\"YOU’Dbetterstayandlookafterthehouse。\"
Hereyesbrightenedasshecarriedapileofplatestothedresser；
itwaspossibleshehadforeseenthiscompromise。\"Yes，\"shesaidcheerfully，\"youcouldgofartherthanme。\"
Irareflected。Hecouldalsosendthemabouttheirbusinessiftheythoughtofreturning。Heliftedhishatfromthefloor，tookhisrifledowncarefullyfromitspegs，andslouchedoutintotheroad。Suewatchedhimuntilhewaswellaway，thenflewtothebackdoor，stoppingonlyaninstanttolookatherfaceinasmallmirroronthewall，——yetwithoutnoticinghernewprettiness，——thenrantothebarn。Castingabackwardglanceatthediminishingfigureofherhusbandinthedistance，shethrewopenthedoorandshutitquicklybehindher。Atfirsttheabruptchangefromthedazzlingouterplaintothedeepshadowsofthebarnbewilderedher。Shesawbeforeherabuckethalffilledwithdirtywater，andaquantityofwetstrawlitteringthefloor；thenliftinghereyestothehay—loft，shedetectedthefigureofthefugitive，unclothedfromthewaistupward，emergingfromtheloosehayinwhichhehadevidentlybeendryinghimself。Whetheritwastheexcitementofhisperiloussituation，orwhethertheperfectsymmetryofhisbaredbustandarms——unlikeanythingshehadeverseenbefore——
clothedhimwiththecoldidealityofastatue，shecouldnotsay，butshefeltnoshockofmodesty；whiletheman，accustomedtothepublichalf—exposureintightsandspangles，wasmoreconsciousofdetectedunreadinessthanofshame。
\"Gettin’thedustoffme，\"hesaid，inhurriedexplanation；\"bedowninasecond。\"Indeed，inanothermomenthehadresumedhisshirtandflannelcoat，andswunghimselftothefloorwithalikegraceanddexterity，thatwastohertherevelationofadescendinggod。Shefoundherselffacetofacewithhim，——hisfeaturescleansedofdirtandgrime，hishairplasteredinwetcurlsonhislowforehead。Itwasafaceofcheapadornment，notuncommoninhisprofession——unintelligent，unrefined，andevenunheroic；butshedidnotknowthat。Overcomingasuddentimidity，sheneverthelesstoldhimbrieflyandconciselyofthearrivalanddepartureofhispursuers。
Hislowforeheadwrinkled。\"Thar’snogettingawayuntiltheycomeback，\"hesaidwithoutlookingather。\"Couldyekeepmeinhereto—night？\"
\"Yes，\"shereturnedsimply，asiftheideahadalreadyoccurredtoher；\"butyoumustlielowintheloft。\"
\"Andcouldyou\"——hehesitated，andwentonwithaforcedsmile——
\"yousee，I’veeatennothingsincelastnight。Couldyou\"——
\"I’llbringyousomething，\"shesaidquickly，noddingherhead。
\"Andifyouhad\"——hewentonmorehesitatingly，glancingdownathistravel—tornandfrayedgarments——\"anythinglikeacoat，oranyotherclothing？Itwoulddisguisemealso，yousee，andput’emoffthetrack。\"
Shenoddedherheadagainrapidly：shehadthoughtofthattoo；
therewasapairofdoeskintrousersandavelvetjacketleftbyaMexicanvaquerowhohadboughtstockfromthemtwoyearsago。
Practicalasshewas，asuddenconvictionthathewouldlookwellinthevelvetjackethelpedherresolve。
\"Didtheysay\"——hesaid，withhisforcedsmileanduneasyglance——
\"didthey——tellyouanythingaboutme？\"
\"Yes，\"shesaidabstractedly，gazingathim。
\"Yousee，\"hebeganhurriedly，\"I’lltellyouhowitwas。\"
\"No，don’t！\"shesaidquickly。Shemeantit。Shewantednofactstostandbetweenherandthissingleromanceofherlife。\"Imustgoandgetthethings，\"sheadded，turningaway，\"beforehegetsback。\"
\"Who’sHE？\"askedtheman。
Shewasabouttoreply，\"Myhusband，\"butwithoutknowingwhystoppedandsaid，\"Mr。Beasley，\"andthenranoffquicklytothehouse。
Shefoundthevaquero’sclothes，tooksomeprovisions，filledaflaskofwhiskeyinthecupboard，andranbackwiththem，hermouthexpandedtoavaguesmile，andpulsatinglikeaschoolgirl。Sheevenrepressedwithdifficultytheejaculation\"There！\"asshehandedthemtohim。Hethankedher，butwitheyesfixedandfascinatedbytheprovisions。Sheunderstooditwithanewsenseofdelicacy，andsaying，\"I’llcomeagainwhenhegetsback，\"ranoffandreturnedtothehouse，leavinghimalonetohisrepast。
