\"Oh，IhadtogivehimsomekindofreasonformybeingalonewhenIdidnotfindyouasIexpected，\"shesaidhalfwearily。Thenachangecameoverhertiredface；asmileofmingledaudacityandtentativecoquetrylitupthesmallfeatures。\"Perhapsitistrue；
perhapsImayhaveahusbandcomingonthesteamer——thatdepends。
Sitdown，Jim。”
Shelethishanddrop，andpointedtoanarmchairfromwhichshehadjustrisen，andsankdownherselfinacornerofthesofa，herthinfingersplayingwithanddrawingthemselvesthroughthetasselsofthecushion。
\"Yousee，Jim，assoonasIwasfree，LouisSylvester——yourememberLouisSylvester？——wantedtomarryme，andeventhoughtthathewasthecauseofDick\'sdivorcingme。HeactuallywentEasttosettleupsomepropertyhehadlefthimthere，andhe\'scomingonthesteamer。”
\"LouisSylvester!\"repeatedReddy，staringather。\"Why，hewasabiggerfoolthanIwas，andaworseman!\"headdedbitterly。
\"Ibelievehewas，\"saidthelady，smiling，\"andIthinkhestillis。But，\"sheadded，glancingatReddyunderherlightfringedlids，\"you——you\'reregularlyreformed，aren\'tyou？You\'restouter，too，andaltogethermoresolidandcommerciallooking。Yetwho\'dhavethoughtofyourkeepingahoteloreverdoinganythingbutspeculateinwild-catorplayatdrawpoker。Howdidyoudriftintoit？Come，tellme!I\'mnotMrs。Sylvesterjustyet，andmaybeImightliketogointothebusinesstoo。Youdon\'twantapartner，doyou？\"
Hermannerwaslightandirresponsible，orratheritsuggestedachildlikeputtingofallresponsibilityforheractionsuponothers，whichherememberednowtoowell。Perhapsitwasthiswhichkepthimfromobservingthatthecornersofhersmilinglips，however，twitchedslightly，andthatherfingers，twistingthethreadsofthetassel，wereoccasionallystiffenednervously。Forheburstout:Ohyes；hehaddriftedintoitwhenitwasatossupifitwasn\'thisbodyinsteadthatwouldbefounddriftingouttoseafromthefirstwharfofSanFrancisco。Yes，hehadbeenacommonlaborer，——afarmhand，inthosefieldsshehadpassed，——awaiterinthefarmkitchen，andbutforluckhemightbetakingherordersnowinthisveryhotel。Itwasnotherfaultifhewasnotinthegutter。
Sheraisedherthinhandwithatiredgestureasiftowardofftheonsetofhiswords。\"ThesameoldJim，\"sherepeated；\"andyetI
thoughtyouhadforgottenallthatnow，andbecomecalmerandmoresensiblesinceyouhadtakenfleshandgrownsomatteroffact。
Yououghttohaveknownthen，asyouknownow，thatInevercouldhavebeenanythingtoyouaslongasIwastiedtoDick。Andyouknowyouforcedyourpresentsonme，Jim。ItookthemfromYOU
becauseIwouldtakenothingfromDick，forIhatedhim。AndI
neverknewpositivelythatyouwereinstraitsthen；youknowyoualwaystalkedbig，Jim，andwerealwaysgoingtomakeyourfortunewiththenextthingyouhadinhand!\"
Itwastrue，andherememberedit。Hehadnotintendedthiskindofrecrimination，buthewasexasperatedwithherweariedacceptanceofhisreproachesandbyasuddenconvictionthathislong-cherishedgrievanceagainsthernowthathehadvoiceditwasinadequate，mean，andtrifling。Yethecouldnothelpsaying:——
\"ThenyouhadpresentsfromSylvester，too。Ipresumeyoudidnothatehim，either？\"
\"HewouldhavemarriedmethedayafterIgotmydivorce。”
\"AndsowouldI，\"burstoutReddy。
Shelookedathimfixedly。\"Youwould？\"shesaidwithapeculiaremphasis。\"Andnow\"——
Hecolored。IthadbeenpartofhisrevengefulpurposeonseeinghertotellherofhisengagementtoKelly。Henowfoundhimselftongue-tied，irresolute，andashamed。Yethefeltshewasreadinghisinnermostthoughts。
She，however，onlyloweredhereyes，andwiththesametiredexpressionsaid:\"Nomatternow。Letustalkofsomethingnearer。
Thatwastwomonthsago。Andsoyouhavechargeofthishotel!I
likeitsomuch。Imeantheplaceitself。IfancyIcouldlivehereforever。Itissofarawayandrestful。Iamsosickoftownsandcities，andpeople。Andthislittlegroveissosecluded。Ifonehadmerelyalittlecottagehere，onemightbesohappy。”
Whatdidshemean？——whatdidsheexpect？——whatdidshethinkofdoing？ShemustbegotridofbeforeKelly\'sarrival，andyethefoundhimselfwaveringunderherpotentandyetscarcelyexertedinfluence。Thedesperationofweaknessisapttobemorebrutalthanthedeterminationofstrength。Herememberedwhyhehadcomeupstairs，andblurtedout:\"Butyoucan\'tstayhere。Therulesareverystringentinregardto——tostrangerslikeyourself。Itwillbeknownwhoyoureallyareandwhatpeoplesayofyou。Evenyourdivorcewilltellagainstyou。It\'sallwrong，Iknow——butwhatcanIdo？Ididn\'tmaketherules。Iamonlyaservantofthelandlord，andmustcarrythemout。”
Sheleanedbackagainstthesofaandlaughedsilently。Butshepresentlyrecoveredherself，althoughwiththesameexpressionoffatigue。\"Don\'tbealarmed，mypoorJim!Ifyoumeanyourfriend，Mr。Woodridge，Iknowhim。Itwashe，himself，whosuggestedmycominghere。Anddon\'tmisunderstandhim——normeeither。He\'sonlyagoodfriendofSylvester\'s；theyhadsomespeculationtogether。He\'scomingheretoseemeafterLouisarrives。He\'swaitinginSanFranciscoforhiswifeanddaughter，whocomeonthesamesteamer。Soyouseeyouwon\'tgetintotroubleonmyaccount。
Don\'tlooksoscared，mydearboy。”
\"Doesheknowthatyouknewme？\"saidReddy，withawhiteface。
\"Perhaps。Butthenthatwasthreemonthsago，\"returnedthelady，smiling，\"andyouknowhowyouhavereformedsince，andgrowneversomuchmoresteadyandrespectable。”
\"Didhetalktoyouofme？\"continuedReddy，stillaghast。
\"Alittle——complimentaryofcourse。Don\'tlooksofrightened。I
didn\'tgiveyouaway。”
Herlaughsuddenlyceased，andherfacechangedintoamorenervousactivityassheroseandwenttowardthewindow。Shehadheardthesoundofwheelsoutside——thecoachhadjustarrived。
\"There\'sMr。Woodridgenow，\"shesaidinamoreanimatedvoice。
\"Thesteamermustbein。ButIdon\'tseeLouis；doyou？\"
SheturnedtowhereReddywasstanding，buthewasgone。
Themomentaryanimationofherfacechanged。Sheliftedhershoulderswithahalfgestureofscorn，butinthemidstofitsuddenlythrewherselfonthesofa，andburiedherfaceinherhands。
Afewmomentselapsedwiththebustleofarrivalinthehallandpassages。Thentherewasahesitatingstepatherdoor。Shequicklypassedherhandkerchiefoverherweteyesandresumedherformerlookofwearyacceptation。Thedooropened。ButitwasMr。
Woodridgewhoentered。Theroughshirt-sleevedranchmanhaddeveloped，duringthelastfourmonths，intoanequallybluntbutsoberlydressedproprietor。Hiskeenenergeticface，however，woreanexpressionofembarrassmentandanxiety，withanaddedsuggestionofahalfhumorousappreciationofit。
\"Iwouldn\'thavedisturbedyou，Mrs。Merrydew，\"hesaid，withagentlebluntness，\"ifIhadn\'twantedtoaskyouradvicebeforeI
sawReddy。I\'mkeepingoutofhiswayuntilIcouldseeyou。I
leftNellyandhermotherin\'Frisco。There\'sbeensomequeergoings-ononthesteamercominghome；Kellyhasspranganewgameonhermother，and——andsuthin\'thatlooksasiftheremightbeanewdeal。However，\"hereasensethathewas，perhaps，treatinghisstatementtooseriously，stoppedhim，andhesmiledreassuringly，\"thatisasmaybe。”
\"Idon\'tknow，\"hewenton，\"asIevertoldyouanythingaboutmyKellyandReddy，——partik\'lerlyaboutKelly。She\'sagoodgirl，asquaregirl，butshe\'sgotsomeall-firedromanticideasinherhead。Mebbeeitkemfromherreading，mebbeeitkemfromhernotknowingothergirls，orseeingtoomuchofaqueersortofmen；butshegotaninterestinthebadones，andthoughtitwashermissiontoreformthem，——reformthembypurekindness，attentivelittlesisterlyways，andmoralexample。ShefirsttriedherhandonReddy。Whenhefirstkemtoushewas——well，hewasablazin\'
ruin!Shetookhiminhand，yankedhimouterhimself，puthisfootonthebedrock，andmadehimwhatyouseehimnow。Well——whathappened；why，hegotreg\'larlysoftonher；wantedtoMARRYHER，andIagreedconditionally，ofcourse，tokeephimuptothemark。
Didyouspeak？\"
\"No，\"saidthelady，withherbrighteyesfixeduponhim。
\"Well，thatwasallwellandgood，andI\'dlikedtohavecarriedoutmypartofthecontract，andwaswilling，andamstill。Butyousee，Kelly，aftershe\'dlandedReddyonfirmground，gotalittletired，Ireckon，gal-like，ofthethingshe\'dworkedsoeasily，andwhenshewentEastshelookedaroundforsomeotherwrecktotryherhandon，andshefounditonthesteamercomingback。Andwhodoyouthinkitwas？Why，ourfriendLouisSylvester!\"
Mrs。Merrydewsmiledslightly，withherbrighteyesstillonthespeaker。
\"Well，youknowheISfastattimes——ifheisafriendofmine——andshereg\'larlytackledhim；andasmyoldwomansays，itwasasighttoseehergoforhim。ButthenHEdidn\'ttumbletoit。No!
Reformin\'ain\'tinHISlineI\'mafeard。Andwhatwastheresult？
Why，Kellyonlygotallthemorekeenwhenshefoundshecouldn\'tmanagehimlikeReddy，——and，betweenyouandme，she\'dhavelikedReddymoreifhehadn\'tbeensoeasy，——andit\'sended，Ireckon，inhernowfallingdeadinlovewithSylvester。Sheswearsshewon\'tmarryanyoneelse，andwantstodevoteherwholelifetohim!
Now，what\'stobedone!Reddydon\'tknowityet，andIdon\'tknowhowtotellhim。Kellysayshermissionwasendedwhenshemadeanewmanofhim，andheoughterbethankfulforthat。Couldn\'tyoukinderbreakthenewstohimandtellhimthereain\'tanyshowforhim？\"
\"Doeshelovethegirlsomuch，then？\"saidtheladygently。
\"Yes；butIamafraidthereisnohopeforReddyaslongasshethinksthere\'sachanceofhercapturingSylvester。”
Theladyroseandwenttothewriting-table。\"Woulditbeanycomforttoyou，Mr。Woodridge，ifyouweretoldthatshehadnottheslightestchancewithSylvester？\"
\"Yes。”
Shewroteafewlinesonacard，putitinanenvelope，andhandedittoWoodridge。\"FindoutwhereSylvesterisinSanFrancisco，andgivehimthatcard。Ithinkitwillsatisfyyou。AndnowasI
havetocatchthereturncoachintenminutes，ImustaskyoutoexcusemewhileIputmythingstogether。”
\"Andyouwon\'tfirstbreakthenewstoReddyforme？\"
\"No；andIadviseyoutokeepthewholemattertoyourselfforthepresent。Good-by!\"
Shesmiledagain，fascinatinglyasusual，but，asitseemedtohim，atriflewearily，andthenpassedintotheinnerroom。Yearsafter，inhispractical，matteroffactrecollectionsofthisstrangewoman，healwaysrememberedherbythissmile。
ButshehadsufficientlyimpressedhimbyherpartingadjurationtocausehimtoanswerReddy\'seagerinquirieswiththestatementthatKellyandhermotherweregreatlypreoccupiedwithsomefriendsinSanFrancisco，andtospeedilyescapefurtherquestioning。Reddy\'sdisappointmentwassomewhatmitigatedbythesimultaneousannouncementofMrs。Merrydew\'sdeparture。Buthewasstillmorerelievedandgratifiedtohear，afewdayslater，ofthemarriageofMrs。MerrydewwithLouisSylvester。If，tothegeneralsurpriseandcommentitexcited，hecontributedonlyasmileofcynicaltolerationandsuperiorself-complacency，thereaderwillunderstandandnotblamehim。Nordidthepublic，whoknewtheausterecompletenessofhisreform。NordidMr。Woodridge，whofailedtounderstandtheonlyactorinthislittlecomedywhomightperhapshavedifferedfromthemall。
AmonthlaterJamesReddymarriedKellyWoodridge，inthechillylittlechurchatOakdale。Perhapsbythattimeitmighthaveoccurredtohimthatalthoughthefreshnessandfruitionofsummerwereeverywhere，thebuildingseemedtobestillunwarmed。Andwhenhesteppedforthwithhisbride，andglancedacrosstheprosperouslandscapetowardthedistantbayandheadlandsofSanFrancisco，heshiveredslightlyatthedrylypracticalkissofthekeennorthwesternTrades。
Buthewasprosperousandcomfortablethereafter，astherespectableownerofbroadlandsandpayingshares。ItwassaidthatMrs。Reddycontributedmuchtothepopularityofthehotelbyhercharmingfreedomfromprejudiceandsympathywithmankind；butthiswasperhapsonlyduetothecontrasttohermoreseriousandattimesabstractedhusband。Atleastthiswasthecharitableopinionoftheproverbiallytolerantandkind-heartedBaronessStreichholzer(neeMerrydew，andrelictofthelatelamentedLouisSylvester，Esq。)，whomIrecentlyhadthepleasureofmeetingatWiesbaden，wherethewatersandreposefulsurroundingsstronglyremindedherofOakdale。
THEHEIROFTHEMcHULISHES。
I。
TheconsulfortheUnitedStatesofAmericaattheportofSt。
Kentigernwassittingaloneinthesettledgloomofhisprivateoffice。Yetitwasonlyhighnoon，ofa\"seasonable\"winter\'sday，bythefaceoftheclockthathunglikeapallidmoononthemurkywalloppositetohim。Whatelsecouldbeseenoftheapartmentbythefaintlightthatstruggledthroughthepalloffogoutsidethelustrelesswindowspresentedtheordinaryaspectofabusinesssanctum。Therewereashelfoffog-boundadmiraltylaw，oneortwocoloredprintsofoceansteamshipsunderfullsteam，bowon，tremendouslyforeshortened，andseemingtoforcethemselvesthroughshadowypartitions；therewereengravingsofLincolnandWashington，asunsubstantialandshadowyasthedeadthemselves。Outside，againstthewindow，whichwasalmostlevelwiththestreet，anoccasionalprocessionofblacksilhouettedfiguresofmenandwomen，withprayer-booksintheirhandsandgloomontheirfaces，seemedtobebornofthefog，andprematurelytoreturntoit。Atwhichaconvictionofsinovercametheconsul。HerememberedthatitwastheSabbathday，andthathehadnobusinesstobeattheconsulateatall。
Unfortunately，withthisshamefulconvictioncamethesoundofabellringingsomewhereinthedepthsofthebuilding，andtheshufflingoffeetontheoutersteps。Thelightofhisfirehadevidentlybeenseen，andlikeabeaconhadattractedsomewanderingandpossiblyintoxicatedmarinerwithAmericanpapers。Theconsulwalkedintothehallwithasuddenrighteousfrigidityofmanner。
Itwasonethingtobelounginginone\'sownofficeontheSabbathday，andquiteanothertobedeliberatelycallingthereonbusiness。
Heopenedthefrontdoor，andamiddle-agedmanentered，accompanyingandpartlyshovingforwardamorediffidentandyoungerone。
Neitherappearedtobeasailor，althoughbothweredressedinthatdingyrespectabilityandremotenessoffashionaffectedbysecondandthirdmateswhenashore。Theywerealreadywellinthehall，andmakingtheirwaytowardtheprivateoffice，whentheeldermansaid，withanairofcasualexplanation，\"Lookin\'fortheAmericanconsul；Ireckonthisyer\'stheconsulate？\"
\"Itistheconsulate，\"saidtheofficialdryly，\"andIamtheconsul；but\"——
\"That\'sallright，\"interruptedthestranger，pushingpasthim，andopeningthedooroftheprivateoffice，intowhichheshovedhiscompanion。\"Tharnow!\"hecontinuedtothediffidentyouth，pointingtoachair，andquiteignoringthepresenceoftheconsul；
\"thar\'sabitofAmerica。Sitdownthar。You\'reundertheflagnow，andcandoasyoudarnplease。”Nevertheless，helookedalittledisappointedasheglancedaroundhim，asifhehadexpectedadifferentenvironmentandpossiblyadifferentclimate。
\"Ipresume，\"saidtheconsulsuavely，\"youwishtoseemeonsomeurgentmatter；foryouprobablyknowthattheconsulateisclosedonSundaytoordinarybusiness。Iamheremyselfquiteaccidentally。”
\"Thenyoudon\'tlivehere？\"saidthevisitordisappointedly。
\"No。”
\"Ireckonthat\'sthereasonwhywedidn\'tseenoflaga-flyin\'whenwewasa-huntin\'thisplaceyesterday。Weweredirectedhere，butIsaystoMalcolm，saysI，\'No；itain\'there，oryou\'dseetheStarsandStripesaforeyou\'dseeanythin\'else。\'ButIreckonyoufloatitoveryourhouse，eh？\"
TheconsulhereexplainedsmilinglythathedidNOTflyaflagoverhislodgings，andthatexceptonnationalholidaysitwasnotcustomarytodisplaythenationalensignontheconsulate。
\"Thenyoucan\'tdohere——andyouaCONSUL——whatanyniggercandointheStates，eh？That\'sabouthowitpansout，don\'tit？ButI
didn\'tthinkYOU\'Dtumbletoitquitesoquick，Jack。”
AtthismentionofhisChristianname，theconsulturnedsharplyonthespeaker。Acloserscrutinyofthefacebeforehimendedwithaflashofreminiscence。Thefogwithoutandwithinseemedtomeltaway；hewasstandingoncemoreonaWesternhillsidewiththisman；ahundredmilesofsparklingsunshineandcrisp，dryairstretchingaroundhim，andaboveablueandarchedskythatroofedthethirdofacontinentwithsixmonths\'summer。Andthenthefogseemedtocomebackheavierandthickertohisconsciousness。Heemotionallystretchedouthishandtothestranger。Butitwasthefogandhispersonalsurroundingswhichnowseemedtobeunreal\"Whyit\'sHarryCuster!\"hesaidwithalaughthat，however，endedinasigh。\"Ididn\'trecognizeyouinthishalflight。”Hethenglancedcuriouslytowardthediffidentyoungman，asiftoidentifyanotherpossibleoldacquaintance。
\"Well，Ispottedyoufromthefirst，\"saidCuster，\"thoughIain\'tseenyousincewewereinScott\'sCamptogether。That\'stenyearsago。You\'relookin\'atHIM，\"hecontinued，followingtheconsul\'swanderingeye。\"Well，it\'sabouthimthatIcametoseeyou。Thisyer\'saMcHulish——agenuineMcHulish!\"
Hepaused，asiftogiveeffecttothisstatement。Butthenameapparentlyofferednothrillingsuggestiontotheconsul，whoregardedtheyoungmancloselyforfurtherexplanation。Hewasafair-facedyouthofabouttwentyyears，withpalereddish-browneyes，darkhairreddishattheroots，andasingularwhiteandpinkwaxinessofovalcheek，which，however，narrowedsuddenlyattheangleofthejaw，andfellawaywiththeretreatingchin。
\"Yes，\"continuedCuster；\"IoughtersaytheONLYMcHulish。Heisthedirectheir——andofroyaldescent!He\'soneofthemMcHulisheswhosenameinthemoldhistorytimeswasenoughtowhoopuptheboysandmake\'empaintthetownred。Aregularcampaignboomer——
theoldMcHulishwas。Stumpspeechesandbrass-bandswarn\'tinitwiththeboyswhenHEwasaround。They\'dgotheirbottomdollarandlastcartridge——ifthey\'dhadcartridgesinthemdays——onhim。
ThatwastheregularMcHulishgait。AndMalcolmthere\'sthelastof\'em——gotthesamestyleoffeatures，too。”
Ludicrousasthesituationwas，itstrucktheconsuldimly，asthroughfoganddarkness，thatthefeaturesoftheyoungmanwerenotunfamiliar，andindeedhadlookedoutuponhimdimlyandvaguelyatvarioustimes，fromvarioushistoriccanvases。Itwasthefaceofcomplacentfatuity，incompetency，andinconstancy，whichhaddraggeddownstrength，competency，andconstancytoitsownidioticfateandlevels，——afaceforwhoseweaknessesvalorandbeautyhadnotonlysacrificedthemselves，butmadethingsequallyunpleasanttoagreatmanyminorvirtues。Nevertheless，theconsul，withanamusedsenseofitsridiculousincongruitytothegrimScottishSabbathprocessioninthestreet，andthefog-boundvolumesofadmiraltylawintheroom，smiledaffably。
\"Ofcourseouryoungfriendhasnodesiretotestthemagicofhisnamehere，inthesedegeneratedays。”
\"No，\"saidCustercomplacently；\"thoughbetweenyouandme，oldman，there\'salwaysnotellin\'whatmightturnupoverinthisyermonarchy。Thingsofcoursearedifferentoverourway。ButjestnowMalcolmwillbesatisfiedtotakethetitleandpropertytowhichhe\'srightfulheir。”
Theconsul\'sfacefell。Alas!itwasonlytheold，oldstory。Itsendlessrepetitionsandvariationshadbeenfamiliartohimeveninhisyouthandinhisownland。\"Efthatmanhadhisrights，\"hadoncebeenpointedouttohiminawildWesterncamp，\"he\'dbenowsittin\'inscarletontherightoftheQueenofEngland!\"Thegentlemanwhowasindicatedinthisapocalypticalvision，itappeared，simplyboreasingularlikenesstoareigningHanoverianfamily，whichforsomeunexplainedreasonhehadcontentedhimselfwithbearingwithfortitudeandpatience。Butitwasinhisofficialcapacitythattheconsul\'sexperiencehadbeenthemosttrying。AttimesithadseemedtohimthatmuchoftherealpropertyandpeerageofGreatBritainwastheinheritedrightofpennilessAmericanrepublicanswhohadhithertorefrainedfrompresentingtheirlegalclaims，andthatthehabitualfirstdutyofgenerationsofBritishnoblemenoncomingintotheirestatesandtitleswastoshiptheirheirsandnextofkintoAmerica，andthenforgetallaboutthem。Hehadlistenedpatientlytoclaimstopositionsmoreorlessexalted，——claimsoftenpresentedwithingenuoussophistryorpatheticsimplicity，prosecutedwithgreatgoodhumor，andabandonedwithinvinciblecheerfulness；buttheyseldomculminatedmoreseriouslythaninthedisbursementofafewdollarsbytheconsultoenabletherightfulownerofmillionstoprocureasteeragepassagebacktohispreviousdemocraticretirement。Therehadbeenothers，lesssincerebutmorepretentiousinquality，towhom，however，alettertotheHeralds\'
CollegeinLondonwasallsufficient，andwho，onpaymentofvariousfeesandemoluments，wereenabledtostaggerbacktoNewYorkorBostonwithcertainunclaimedandforgottenluggagewhichamoregallantancestorhadscornedtobringwithhimintothenewlife，orhadthrownasideinhisunduehastetomakethemcitizensoftherepublic。Still，allthishadgrownmonotonousandwearisome，andwasdisappointingascomingthroughtheinterventionofanoldfriendwhooughttoknowbetter。
\"Ofcourseyouhavealreadyhadlegalopiniononthesubjectoverthere，\"saidtheconsul，withasigh，\"buthere，youknow，yououghtfirsttogetsomeprofessionaladvicefromthoseacquaintedwithScotchprocedure。Butperhapsyouhavethattoo。”
\"No，\"saidCustercheerfully。\"Why，itain\'tonlytwomonthsagothatIfirstsawMalcolm。TumbledoverhimonhisownfarmjestoutofMacCorkleville，Kentucky，whereheandhisfathersbeforehimhadbeenlivin\'nighahundredyears——yes，AHUNDREDYEARS，byJove!eversincetheyfirstemigratedtothecountry。Hadatalkoverit；sawanoldBibleaboutasbigandasusedupasthat，\"——
liftingthewell-wornconsularBible，——\"withdatesinit，andheardthewholestory。Andhereweare。”
\"Andyouhaveconsultednolawyer？\"gaspedtheconsul。
\"TheMcHulishes，\"saidanunexpectedvoicethatsoundedthinandfeminine，\"nevertookanylegaldecision。FromthecraggysummitsofGlenCrankieheliftedthebannerofhisforefathers，orraisedthewar-cry，\'Hulishdhu，ieroe!\'fromthebattlementsofCraigiedurrach。Andtheclangatheredroundhimwithshoutsthatrenttheair。Thatwasthewayofitinoldtimes。Andtheboyswhoopedhimupandstoodbyhim。”Itwasthediffidentyoungmanwhohadhalfspoken，halfrecited，withanoddenthusiasmthateventheculminatingslangcouldnotmakeconventional。
\"That\'saboutthesizeofit，\"saidCuster，leaningbackinhischaireasilywithanapprovingglanceattheyoungman。\"AndI
don\'tknowifthatain\'tthewaytoworkthethingnow。”
Theconsulstaredhopelesslyfromtheonetotheother。Ithadalwaysseemedpossiblethatthisdreadfulmaniamightdevelopintoactualinsanity，andhehadlittledoubtbutthattheyoungerman\'sbrainwasslightlyaffected。Butthisdidnotaccountforthedelusionandexpectationsoftheelder。HarryCuster，astheconsulrememberedhim，wasalevel-headed，practicalminer，whoseleaningtoadventureandexcitementhadnotpreventedhimfrombeingacoolspeculator，andhehadamassedmorethanacompetencybyreasonofhisjudiciousforesightandpromptaction。Yethewasevidentlyundertheglamourofthismadman，althoughoutwardlyaslazilyself-containedasever。
\"Doyoumeantotellme，\"saidtheconsulinasuppressedvoice，\"thatyoutwohavecomehereequippedonlywithastatementoffactsandafamilyBible，andthatyouexpecttotakeadvantageofafeudalenthusiasmwhichnolongerexists——andperhapsneverdidexistoutofthepagesofromance——asameansofclaimingestateswhosetitleshavelongsincebeensettledbylaw，andcanbeclaimedonlyunderthattenure？SurelyIhavemisunderstoodyou。
Youcannotbeinearnest。”
\"HonestInjun，\"saidCuster，noddinghisheadlazily。\"Wemeanit，butnotjestthatwayyou\'veputit。F\'rinstance，itain\'tonlyustwo。Thisyerthing，olepard，we\'rerunnin\'asasyndicate。”
\"Asyndicate？\"echoedtheconsul。
\"Asyndicate，\"repeatedCuster。\"HalftheboysthatwereatEagleCampareinit，andtwoofMalcolm\'sneighborsfromKentucky——theregularoldScotchbreedlikehimself；foryouknowthatMacCorkleCountywassettledbythemoldScotchCovenanters，andthefolksareScotchPresbyterianstothisday。Andforthematterofthat，theEagleboysthatareinitareofScotchdescent，orakindofblend，youknow；infact，I\'mhalfScotchmyself——orIrish，\"headdedthoughtfully。\"Soyouseethatsettlesyourargumentaboutanylocalopinion，forifthemScotsdon\'tknowtheirownpeople，whodoes？\"
\"MayIask，\"saidtheconsul，withadesperateattempttopreservehiscomposure，\"whatyouareproposingtodo？\"
\"Well，\"saidCuster，settlinghimselfcomfortablybackinhischairagain，\"thatdepends。DoyourememberthetimethatwejumpedthemMexicanclaimsontheNorthFork——thetimethemgreaserswantedtotakeinthewholeriver-bankbecausethey\'dfoundgoldononeoftheupperbars？Seemstomewejestwentpeaceful-likeoverthereonemoonshinynight，andtookupTHEIRstakesandsetdownOURS。
SeemstomeYOUwereoneoftheparty。”
\"Thatwasinourowncountry，\"returnedtheconsulhastily，\"andwasanindefensibleact，eveninalawlessfrontiercivilization。
ButyouaresurelynotmadenougheventoconceiveofsuchathingHERE!\"
\"Keepyourhairon，Jack，\"saidCusterlazily。\"What\'sthematterwithconstitutionalmethods，eh？Doyourememberthetimewhenwedidn\'tlikePueblorules，andwelaidoutEurekaCityontheirlines，andwhoopeduptheMexicansanddiggerstoelectmayorandaldermen，andputthecityfrontonJuanitaCreek，andthencorraleditforwaterlots？Seemstomeyouwerecountyclerkthen。Nowwho\'stokeepDickMacgregorandJoeHamilton，thatarebothuptheNilenow，fromdroppin\'inoverheretoseeMalcolminhisownhouse？Who\'sgoin\'toobjecttoWallaceorBaird，whoareonthisside，doin\'theEytalianlakes，fromcomin\'hereontheirwayhome；orWatsonandMooreandTimley，thatarelivin\'overinParis，fromjoinin\'theboysingivin\'Malcolmahousewarmin\'inhisoldhome？What\'stokeepthewholesyndicatefromgatherin\'atKelpieIslanduphereoffthewestcoast，amongthetombsofMalcolm\'sancestors，andfixin\'upthingsgenerallywiththeclan？\"
\"Onlyonething，\"saidtheconsul，withagravitywhichheneverthelessfeltmightbeamistakenattitude。\"Youshouldn\'thavetoldMEaboutit。Forif，asyouroldfriend，Icannotkeepyoufromcommittinganunconceivablefolly，astheAmericanconsulhereitwillbemyfirstdutytogivenoticetoourlegation，andperhapswarntheauthorities。AndyoumaybesureIwilldoit。”
TohissurpriseCusterleanedforwardandpressedhishandwithanexpressionofcheerfulrelief。\"That\'sso，oldpard；Ireckonedonit。Infact，ItoldMalcolmthatthatwouldbeaboutyourgait。
Ofcourseyoucouldn\'tdootherwise。Anditwouldhavebeenplayin\'itratherlowdownonyoutohaveleftyououtinthecold——
withoutevenTHATshowinthegame。Forwhatyouwilldoinwarnin\'theotherfellows，don\'tyousee，willjustwakenuptheclan。It\'sbetterthanacampaigncircular。”
\"Don\'tbetoosureofthat，\"saidtheconsul，withahalf-
hystericallaugh。\"Butwewon\'tconsidersolamentableacontingency。Comeanddinewithme，bothofyou，andwe\'lldiscusstheonlythingworthdiscussing，——yourLEGALrights，——andyoucantellmeyourwholestory，which，bytheway，Ihaven\'theard。”
\"Sorry，Jack，butitcan\'tbedone，\"saidCuster，withhisfirstapproachtoseriousnessofmanner。\"Yousee，we\'dmadeupourmindnottocomehereagainafterthisfirstcall。Weain\'tgoin\'tocompromiseyou。”
\"Iamthebestjudgeofthat，\"returnedtheconsuldryly。Thensuddenlychanginghismanner，hegraspedCuster\'shandswithbothhisown。\"Come，Harry，\"hesaidearnestly；\"Iwillnotbelievethatthisisnotajoke，butIbegofyoutopromisemeonething，——
donotmoveastepfurtherinthismatterwithoutlegalcounsel。
Iwillgiveyoualettertoalegalfriendofmine——amanofaffairs，amanoftheworld，andaScotastypical，perhaps，asanyyouhavementioned。StateyourLEGALcasetohim——onlythat；buthisopinionwillshowyoualso，ifIamnotmistaken，thefollyofyourdependinguponanysectionalorhistoricalsentimentinthismatter。”
Withoutwaitingforareply，hesatdownandhastilywroteafewlinestoafriendlylocalmagnate。WhenhehadhandedthenotetoCuster，thelatterlookedattheaddress，andshowedittohisyoungcompanion。
\"Samename，isn\'tit？\"heasked。
\"Yes，\"respondedMr。McHulish。
\"Doyouknowhim？\"askedtheconsul，evidentlysurprised。
\"Wedon\'t，buthe\'safriendofoneoftheEagleboys。Ireckonwewouldhaveseenhimanyhow；butwe\'llagreewithyoutoholdonuntilwedo。It\'sago。Goodby，oldpard!Solong。”
Theybothshooktheconsul\'shand，anddeparted，leavinghimstaringatthefogintowhichtheyhadmeltedasiftheywereunrealshadowsofthepast。
II。
Thenextmorningthefoghadgivenwaytoapalpable，horizontallydrivingrain，whichwettheinsideaswellastheoutsideofumbrellas，andcausedthemtobepresentedateveryconceivableangleastheydriftedpastthewindowsoftheconsulate。Therewasatapatthedoor，andaclerkentered。
\"YewillbeintoSirJamesMacFen？\"
Theconsulnodded，andadded，\"Showhiminhere。”
Itwasthemagnatetowhomhehadsentthenotethepreviousday，amanoflargeyetslowandcautiousnature，learnedandevenpedantic，yetfar-sightedandpractical；veryhumanandheartyinsocialintercourse，which，however，lefthimasitfoundhim，——withnosentimentalorunbusiness-likeentanglements。Theconsulhadknownhimsensibleandsturdyatboardmeetingsandexecutivecouncils；logicalandconvincingatpoliticalgatherings；decorousandgraveinthekirk；andhumorousandjovialatfestivities，whereperhapslaterintheevening，incompanywithothers，handswereclaspedoveralibationlyricallydefinedasa\"rightguidwilliewaught。”Ononeoftheseoccasionstheyhadwalkedhometogether，notwithoutsomeostentationofsteadiness；yetwhenMacFen\'seminentlyrespectablefrontdoorhadcloseduponhim，theconsulwasperfectlysatisfiedthatadistinctlyproperandunswervingmanofbusinesswouldissuefromitthenextmorning。
\"Ay，butit\'sasoftday，\"saidSirJames，removinghisgloves。
\"Ye\'llnotbegaddingaboutinthisweather。”
\"Yougotmynoteofintroduction，Isuppose？\"saidtheconsul，whenthemomentoustopicoftheweatherwasexhausted。
\"Oh，ay。”
\"Andyousawthegentlemen？\"
\"Ay。”
\"Andwhat\'syouropinionof——hisclaims？\"
\"He\'safinelad——thatMalcolm——afinetypeofalad，\"saidSirJames，withanalmosttooeffusiveconfidence。\"Ye\'llbethinkingsoyourself——nodoubt？Ay，it\'swonderfultoconsiderthepreservationoftypesolongafteritsdispersalinotherlands。
Andit\'sastrangeandwonderfulcountrythatofyours，withitsplantations——asonemightsay——ofhomogeneityunimpairedforsomanyyears，andkeepingtheoldfaithtoo——andallitsstrangesurvivals。Ay，andthatKentucky，wherehislandis——itwillbearichState!It\'sveryinstructingandinterestingtohearhisaccountofthatremarkableregiontheycall\'thebluegrasscountry，\'andthestocktheyraisethere。I\'mobligedtoye，myfriend，foramostedifyingandimprovingevening。”
\"Buthisclaim——didhenotspeakofthat？\"
\"Oh，ay。AndthatMr。Custer——he\'sagrandman，andanamusingone。Ye\'llbegreatcomrades，youandhe!Man!itwasdelightfultohearhimtelloftheraredoingsandthebitfunyetwohadintheoldtimes。Eh，sir，butwho\'dthinkthatoftheproperAmericanconsulatSt。Kentigern!\"AndSirJamesleanedbackinhischair，andbestowedanadmiringsmileonthatofficial。
Theconsulthoughthebegantounderstandthisevasion。\"Thenyoudon\'tthinkmuchofMr。McHulish\'sclaim？\"hesaid。
\"I\'mnotsayingthat。”
\"ButdoyoureallythinkaclaimbaseduponafamilyBibleandafamilylikenessasubjectforseriousconsideration？\"
\"I\'mnotsayingTHATeither，laddie。”
\"Perhapshehasconfidedtoyoumorefullythanhehastome，orpossiblyyouyourselfknewsomethingincorroborationofhisfacts。”
Hiscompanionhadevidentlynodesiretobecommunicative。Buttheconsulhadheardenoughtofeelthathewasjustifiedinleavingthematterinhishands。Hehadgivenhimfairwarning。Yet，nevertheless，hewouldbeevenmoreexplicit。
\"Idonotknow，\"hebegan，\"whetherthisyoungMcHulishconfidedtoyouhisgreatrelianceuponsomepeculiareffectofhispresenceamongthetenants，andofestablishinghisclaimtothepropertybyexcitingtheenthusiasmoftheclan。Itcertainlystruckmethathehadsomeratherexaggeratedideas，borrowed，perhaps，fromromanceshe\'dread，likeDonQuixotehisbooksofchivalry。Heseemstobelieveintheexistenceofaclanloyalty，andtheactualsurvivalofoldfeudalinstinctsandofoldfeudalmethodsintheHighlands。HeappearstolookuponhimselfasakindoflocalPrinceCharlie，and，byJove!I\'veanideahe\'salmostascrazy。”
\"Andwhyshouldhenabelieveinhisownkithandkin？\"saidSirJames，quickly，withasuddenringinhisvoice，andadialecticalfreedomquitedistinctfromhisformerdeliberateandcautiousutterance。\"TheMcHulisheswerechieftainsbeforeAmericawasdiscovered，andmany\'sthetimetheyoverrantheborderbeforetheywentasfarasthat。Ifthere\'sanythinginbloodandloyalty，itwouldbestrangeiftheydidnarespond。AndIcantellye，mafrien\'，there\'smoreintheHielandsthanany\'romancer，\'asyecallthem，——ay，evenScotthissel\'，andhewasbutanEdinboro\'
man，——everdreamedof。Don\'tfashyoursel\'aboutthat。Andyouandme\'llnotagreeaboutPrinceCharlie。SomedayI\'lltellye，mafrien\'，mairabootthatbonnieladdiethanye\'llgatherfromyourpartisanhistorians。Untilthenye\'llbewisewhenye\'llbetalkingtoScotchmennottobeexpressingyourSouthernprejudices。”
Intenselysurprisedandamusedatthissuddenoutbreakofenthusiasmonthepartoftheusuallycautiouslawyer，theconsulcouldnotrefrainfromaccentingitbyamarkedreturntopracticalbusiness。
\"IshallbedelightedtolearnmoreaboutPrinceCharlie，\"hesaid，smiling，\"butjustnowhisprototype——ifyou\'llallowmetocallhimso——isanearertopic，andforthepresent，atleastuntilheassumehisnewtitlesanddignities，hasarighttoclaimmyprotection，andIamresponsibleforhimasanAmericancitizen。
Now，mydearfriend，istherereallyanyproperty，land，ortitleofanyimportanceinvolvedinhisclaim，andwhatandwhere，inHeaven\'sname，isit？ForIassureyouIknownothingpracticalaboutit，andcannotmakeheadortailofit。”
SirJamesresumedhisslowserenity，andgathereduphisgloves。
\"Ay，there\'sagreatdeer-forestinBallochbrinkie，andthere\'spartofLochPhillibeginCairngormshire，andthere\'sKelpieIslandoffMoreovershire。Ay，there\'senoughlandwhenthecroftersareclearedoff，andthesmallsheep-tenantsevicted。Itwillbeagrandpropertythen。”
Theconsulstared。\"Thecroftersandtenantsevicted!\"herepeated。\"Aretheynotpartoftheclan，andloyaltotheMcHulish？\"
\"TheMcHulish，\"saidSirJameswithgreatdeliberation，\"hasn\'tsetfootthereforyears。They\'dbeburninghimineffigy。”
\"But，\"saidtheastonishedconsul，\"that\'sratherbadfortheexpectantheir——andthemagicoftheMcHulishpresence。”
\"I\'mnotsayingthat，\"returnedSirJamescautiously。\"Yeseehecanbemakingbetterarrangementswiththefamilyonaccountofit。”
\"Withthefamily？\"repeatedtheconsul。\"Thendoeshetalkofcompromising？\"
\"Imeantheywouldbemorelikelytosellforafairconsideration，andhe\'dbebetterpayingmoneytothemthanthelawyers。Thesyndicatewillberich，eh？AndI\'mnotsayingtheMcHulishwouldn\'ttakeKentuckylandsinexchange。It\'safinecountry，thatbluegrassdistrict。”
TheconsulstaredatSirJamessolongthatafaintsmilecameintothelatter\'sshrewdeyes；atwhichtheconsulsmiled，too。Avagueairofreliefandunderstandingseemedtofilltheapartment。
\"Oh，ay，\"continuedSirJames，drawingonhisgloveswitheasydeliberation，\"he\'safineladthatMalcolm，andit\'sapraiseworthyinstinctinhimtowishtoreturntothelandofhisforebears，andtakehisplaceagainamongthem。AndI\'mnoticing，Mr。Consul，thatagreatmanyofyourcountrymenaredoingthesame。Eh，yoursisagran\'countryofprogressandceevelandreligiousliberty，butfora\'that，asBurnssays，it\'sinyourbloodtoturntotheauldhomeagain。Andit\'safinethingtohavethemoneytodoit——and，I\'mthinking，moneywellspentallaround。Good-morning。Eh，butI\'mforgettingthatIwantedtoaskyoutodinewithmeandMalcolm，andyourMr。Custer，andMr。
Watson，whowillbeoneofyoursyndicate，andwhomIoncemetabroad。Butye\'llgetabitnoteofinvitation，withtheday，frommelater。”
TheconsulrememberedthatCusterhadsaidthatoneofthe\"Eagleboys\"hadknownSirJames。ThiswasevidentlyWatson。Hesmiledagain，butthistimeSirJamesrespondedonlyinageneralsortofway，ashegeniallybowedhimselfoutoftheroom。
Theconsulwatchedhissolidandeminentlyrespectablefigureasitpassedthewindow，andthenreturnedtohisdesk，stillsmiling。
Firstofallhewasrelieved。Whathadseemedtohimawildandrecklessenterprise，withpossiblysomegriminternationalcomplicationsonthepartofhiscompatriots，hadsimplyresolveditselfintoanordinarybusinessspeculation——theethicsofwhichtheyhadprettyequallydividedwiththelocaloperators。Ifanything，itseemedthattheScotchmanwouldgetthebestofthebargain，andthat，foronceatleast，hiscountrymenweredeficientinforesight。Butthatwasamatterbetweentheparties，andCusterhimselfwouldprobablybethefirsttoresentanysuggestionofthekindfromtheconsul。ThevisionoftheMcHulishburnedineffigybyhisdevotedtenantsandretainers，andthethoughtthattheprosaicdollarsofhiscountrymenwouldbesubstitutedforthepotentpresenceoftheheir，tickled，itistobefeared，thesaturninehumoroftheconsul。HehadtakenaninvincibledisliketothecallowrepresentativeoftheMcHulish，whohefelthadinsomeextraordinarywayimposeduponCuster\'scredulity。ButthenhehadapparentlyimposedequallyuponthepracticalSirJames。
ThethoughtofthisshamidealoffeudalandprivilegedincompetencybeingelevatedtoactualpositionbythecombinedeffortsofAmericanrepublicansandhard-headedScotchdissenters，onwhomthesoftScotchmistsfellfromabovewithequalimpartiality，struckhimasbeingveryamusing，andforsometimethereafterlightenedtherespectablegloomofhisoffice。OtherengagementspreventedhisattendanceatSirJames\'sdinner，althoughhewasinformedafterwardthatithadpassedoffwithgreateclat，thelatersingingof\"AuldlangSyne，\"andthedrinkingofthehealthofCusterandMalcolmwith\"Hielandhonors。”HelearnedalsothatSirJameshadinvitedCusterandMalcolmtohislacustrinecountry-seatintheearlyspring。ButhelearnednothingmoreoftheprogressofMalcolm\'sclaim，itsdetails，orthemannerinwhichitwasprosecuted。Nooneelseseemedtoknowanythingaboutit；itfoundnoechointhegossipoftheclubs，orinthenewspapersofSt。
Kentigern。Intheabsenceofthepartiesconnectedwithit，itbegantoassumetohimtheaspectofahalf-humorousromance。Heoftenfoundhimselfwonderingiftherehadbeenanyotherpurposeinthisquestorspeculationthanwhathadappearedonthesurface，itseemedsoinadequateinresult。Itwouldhavebeensoperfectlyeasyforawealthysyndicatetobuyupamuchmorevaluableestate。
HedisbelievedutterlyinthesincerityofMalcolm\'ssentimentalattitude。Theremustbesomeotherreason——perhapsnotknowneventothesyndicate。
Onedayhethoughtthathehadfoundit。Hehadreceivedanoteaddressedfromoneoftheprincipalhotels，butbearingalargepersonalcrestonpaperandenvelope。AMissKirkby，passingthroughSt。KentigernonherwaytoEdinburgh，desiredtoseetheconsulthenextday，ifhewouldappointanhourattheconsulate；
or，ashertimewaslimited，shewouldtakeitasagreatfavorifhewouldcallatherhotel。Althoughacountrywoman，hernamemightnotbesowellknowntohimasthoseofher\"oldfriends\"
HarryCuster，Esq。，andSirMalcolmMcHulish。Theconsulwasalittlesurprised；theuseofthetitle——unlessitreferredtosomeotherMcHulish——wouldseemtoindicatethatMalcolm\'sclaimwassuccessful。Hehad，however，nopreviousknowledgeofthetitleof\"Sir\"inconnectionwiththeestate，anditwasprobablethathisfaircorrespondent——likemostofhercountrywomen——wasmoreappreciativethancorrectinherbestowalofdignities。Hedeterminedtowaivehisordinarybusinessrules，andtocalluponheratonce，accepting，asbecamehispatriotism，thatcharmingtyrannywhichtheAmericanwomanusuallyreservesexclusivelyforherdevotedcountrymen。