\"Sheisafairwoman；aboutforty-five。Sheisspeaking。Shecallstoyou，Brother，brother。\"Vera\'svoiceroseexcitedly。
\"Itisthewomaninthepicture；yoursister!Catherine!Iseeitwrittenaboveherhead——Catherine。Inlettersoflight。\"
Sheturnedsuddenlyandfiercely。\"Askheryourquestion!\"shecommanded。\"Askheryourquestion，now!\"
BythesuddenswayingforwardofVanceandRainey，intheintentlookintheireyes，itwasevidentthatacrisishadapproached。
ButMr。Hallowell，terrifiedandtrembling，shrankback。Hisvoicebrokehysterically。\"No，no!\"hepleaded。BothangeranddisappointmentshowedinthefaceofVanceandRainey；butthegirl，asthoughdetachedfromanyhumanconcerns，continuedunmoved。\"Iseeanotherfigure，\"sherecited。\"Ayounggirl，butsheisofthisworld。IseemtogetanH。Yes。Helen，inlettersoffire。\"
\"Myniece，Helen!\"Hallowellwhisperedhoarsely。
\"Yes，yourniece，\"chantedthegirl。Hervoiceroseandthrilled。\"AndIseemuchgold，\"shecried。\"Betweenthetwowomen，heapsofgold。EverywhereIlookIseegold。And，now，theotherwoman，yoursister，istryingtospeaktoyou。Listen!
Shecallstoyou，Brother!\"
Socenteredwastheinterestofthoseintheroom，socompellingthesoundofthegirl\'svoice，that，unnoticed，theslidingdoorstothelibrarywereslippedapart。Unobserved，JudgeGaylorandWinthrophaltedinthedoorway。TotheJudgethemeaningofthescenewasinstantlyapparent。Hisfaceflushedfuriously。Winthrop，uncomprehending，gazedunconcernedoverGaylor\'sshoulder。ThevoiceofVerarosehystericallytoherclimax。
\"Shebidsmetellyou，\"Veracried；\"Tellmybrother——\"
Gaylorswepttowardher。
\"Whatdamnedfarceisthis？\"heshouted。
Theeffectoftheinterruptionwasinstantandstartling。Mr。
Hallowell，who，inthelastfewminutes，hadbelievedhewaslisteningtoavoicefromthedead，collapsedupontheshoulderofRainey，whosprangtosupporthim。Likeasomnambulistwrenchedfromsleep，Veragaveascreamoffright，halfgenuine，halfassumed，andswayedasthoughabouttofall。Vancecaughtherinhisarms。HeturnedonGaylor，hiscunningredeyesflashingevilly。
\"Youbrute!\"hecried，\"youmighthavekilledher。\"
Betweenhersobs，Vera，herheadupontheshoulderofVance，whisperedaquestion。Asquickly，undercoverofmutteredsympathy，Vanceanswered:\"Gaylor。TheJudge。\"
Stillslightlyswaying，Verastoodupright。Shepassedherhandvaguelybeforehereyes。\"WhereamI？\"sheaskedfeebly。\"WhereamI？\"
Gaylorshookhisfistatthegirl。
\"Youknowwhereyouare!\"hethundered；\"andyouknowwhereyou\'regoing——you\'regoingtojail!\"
InthehushthatfollowedVeradrewherselftoherfullheight。
SheregardedGaylorwonderingly，haughtily，asthoughheweresomedrunkenintruderfromthestreet。
\"Areyouspeakingtome？\"sheasked。
\"Yes，toyou，\"shoutedthelawyer。\"You\'reanimposter，andaswindler，and——and——\"
Winthroppushedbetweenthem。
\"Yes，andshe\'sawoman，\"hesaidbriskly。\"Ifyouwantarow，talktotheman。\"
TothispointthescenehadbroughttoVeranoemotionsavetheexcitementthatisfeltbytheonewhoisstrugglingtoescape。
Theappearanceofachampionaddedanewinterest。Throughnofaultofherown，shehadlearnedbyexperiencethattotheonemanwhoannoyedhertherealwaysweresixtospringtoherprotection。SotheglanceshecovertlyturneduponWinthropwasonelessofgratitudethancuriosity。
Butatthefirstsightofhimthegirlstarted，hereyeslitwithrecognition，herfaceflushed。Andthen，althoughthemanwasinnowayregardingher，hereyesfilled，andinmortificationanddismaysheblushedcrimson。
Hisangerstillunsatisfied，GaylorturneduponVance。
\"Andyou，\"hecried；\"you\'regoingtojailtoo。I\'lldrive——\"
ThevoiceofMr。Hallowell，shakenwithpainanddistress，rosefeebly，beseechingly。\"Henry!\"hebegged。\"Ican\'tstandit!\"
\"JudgeGaylor!\"thunderedRainey，\"Iwon\'tberesponsibleifyoukeepthisup。\"
Withanexclamationofremorse，Verarantothesideoftheoldman。WithRaineyonhisotherhand，sheraisedhimuprightuponhisfeet。
\"Leanonme，\"beggedthegirlbreathlessly。\"I\'mverystrong。
Leanonme。\"
Mr。Hallowellshookhishead。\"No，child，\"heprotested，\"notyou。\"Heturnedtohisoldfriend。\"Youhelpme，Henry，\"hebegged。
Withtheauthorityofthemedicalman，RaineywavedVanceintothebedroom。\"Closethosewindows，\"heordered。\"Youhelpme!\"
hecommandedofGaylor。\"Putyourarmunderhim。\"
Mr。Hallowell，protestingfeeblyandleaningheavilyuponthetwomen，stumbledintothebedroom，andthedoorwasshutbehindhim。
Foramomentthegirlandthemanstoodinsilence，andthen，asthoughsuddenlyconsciousofherpresence，Winthropturnedandsmiled。
Thegirldidnotanswerhissmile。Fromundertheshadowofthepicturehatandtheostrichfeathershereyesregardedhimsearchingly，watchfully。
Forthefirsttime，Winthrophadthechancetoobserveher。Hesawthatshewasveryyoung，thatherclothescruellydisguisedher，thatshewasonlyachildmasqueradingasabrigand，thatherfacewasdistractinglylovely。Havingnotedthis，thefactthatshehaddrivenseveralgrownmentoabuseandvituperationstruckhimasbeingextremelyhumorous；nordidhetrytoconcealhisamusement。Butthewatchfulnessintheeyesofthegirldidnotrelax。
\"I\'mafraidIinterferedwithyourseance，\"saidtheDistrictAttorney。
Thegirlregardedhimwarily，likeafencerfixinghereyesonthoseofheropponent。Therewasapausewhichlastedsolongthathadthesilencecontinueditwouldhavebeenrude。\"Well，\"
thegirlreturnedatlast，timidly，\"that\'swhatthecityexpectsyoutodo，isitnot？\"
Winthroplaughed。\"HowdidyouknowwhoIwas？\"heasked，andthenaddedquickly，\"Ofcourse，you\'reamindreader。\"
Forthefirsttimethegirlsmiled。Winthropfounditacharmingsmile，wistfulandconfiding。
\"Idon\'thavetoaskthespiritworld，\"shesaid，\"totellmewhoisDistrictAttorneyofNewYork。\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheDistrictAttorney；\"yes，Isupposeyouhavetobeprettywellacquaintedwithsomeofthelaws——thoseaboutmediums？\"
\"Ifyouknewasmuchaboutotherlaws，\"beganVera，\"asIdoaboutthelaw——\"Shebrokeoffandagainsmileduponhim。
\"Thenyouprobablyknow，\"saidWinthrop，\"thatwhatourexcitedfriendsaidtoyoujustnowislegallyquitetrue？\"
Thesmilepassedfromthefaceofthegirl。Shelookedattheyoungmanwithfinedisdain，asagreatladymightreprovewithaglancethemanwhosnappedacameraather。\"Yes？\"sheasked。
\"Well，whatareyougoingtodoaboutit——arrestme？\"Mockinghim，inaburlesqueofmelodrama，sheheldoutherarms。\"Don\'tputthehandcuffsonme，\"shebegged。
Winthropfoundherimpudenceamusing；and，withthecharmofhernovelty，hewasconsciousofagrowingconvictionthat，somewhere，theyhadmetbefore；thatalreadyatacrisisshehadcomeintohislife。
\"Iwon\'tarrestyou，\"hesaidwithapuzzledsmile，\"ononecondition。\"
\"Ah!\"mockedVera；\"heisgenerous。\"
\"Andtheconditionis，\"Winthropwentonseriously，\"thatyoutellmewherewemetbefore？\"
Thegirl\'sexpressionbecameinstantlymask-like。Tolearnifhesuspectedwhereitwasthattheyhadmet，shesearchedhisfacequickly。Shewasreassuredthatoftheeventhehadnorealrecollection。
\"That\'sratherdifficult，isn\'tit，\"shecontinuedlightly，\"whenyouconsiderI\'vebeengivingexhibitionsofmindreadingsforthelastsixweeksonBroadway，andinthehomesofpeopleyouprobablyknow？\"
\"No，\"Winthropexclaimedeagerly，\"itwasn\'tinatheatre，anditwasn\'tinaprivatehouse。Itwas——\"heshookhisheadhelplessly，andlookedatherforassistance。\"Youdon\'tknow，doyou？\"
Thegirlregardedhimsteadily。\"HowshouldI？\"shesaid。Andthen，asthoughdecideduponacourseofactionofthewisdomofwhichshewasuncertain，shelaugheduneasily。
\"Butthespiritswouldknow，\"shesaid。\"Imightaskthem。\"
\"Do!\"criedWinthrop，delightedly。\"Howmuchwouldthatbe？\"
Asthoughtoreprovehisflippancy，thegirlfrowned。Withanervoustremor，whichthistimeseemedgenuineenough，shethrewbackherhead，closedhereyes，andlaidherarmacrossherforehead。
Winthrop，unobserved，watchedherwithasmile，partlyofamusement，partlyonaccountofherbeauty，ofadmiration。
\"Isee——acourtroom，\"saidthegirl。\"Itisverymeanandbare。ItissomewhereuptheState；inasmalltown。Outside，therearetrees，andthesunisshining，andpeoplearewalkinginapublicpark。Inside，intheprisoner\'sdock，thereisagirl。Shehasbeenarrested——fortheft。Shehaspleadedguilty!AndIsee——thatshehasbeenveryill——thatsheisfaintfromshame——andfear——andlackoffood。Andthereisayounglawyer。Heisdefendingher；heisaskingthejudgetobemerciful，becausethisisherfirstoffence，becauseshestolethecloaktogetmoneytotakeherwhereshehadbeenpromisedwork。Becausethisishisfirstcase。\"
Winthropgaveagaspofdisbelief。
\"Youdon\'tmeantotellme——\"hecried。
\"Hush!\"commandedthegirl。\"Andhepersuadesthejudgetolethergo，\"shecontinuedquickly，hervoiceshaking，\"andheandthegirlwalkoutofthecourthousetogether。Andhetalkstoherkindly，andgiveshermoneytopayherwaytothepeoplewhohavepromisedherwork。\"
Veradroppedherarm，andsteppingback，facedWinthrop。Throughhertearshereyeswereflashingproudly，gratefully；thefeelingthatshookhermadehervoicevibrate。Thegirlseemedproudofhertears，proudofherdebtofgratitude。
\"AndI\'veneverforgottenyou，\"shesaid，hervoiceeagerandtrembling，\"andwhatyoudidforme。AndI\'vewatchedyoucometothiscity，andfightit，andfightit，untilyoumadethemputyouwhereyouare。\"Shestoppedtocontrolhervoice，andsmiledathim。\"Andthat\'swhyIknewyouwereDistrictAttorney，\"shesaid；\"andplease——\"shefumbledinthemeshpurseatherwaistandtakingabillfromit，threwituponthetable。\"Andplease，there\'sthemoneyIoweyou，and——and——I
thankyou——andgoodbye。\"Sheturnedandalmostranfromhimtowardthedoortothehall。
\"Stop!\"criedWinthrop。
Poisedforflight，thegirlhalted，andlookedback。
\"WhencanIseeyouagain？\"saidtheman。Thetonemadeitlessaquestionthanacommand。
Inamannerasdeterminedashisown，thegirlshookherhead。
\"No!\"shesaid。
\"Imust!\"returnedtheman。
Againthegirlshookherhead，definitely，finally。
\"Itwon\'thelpyouinyourwork，\"shepleaded，\"tocometoseeme。\"
\"Imust!\"repeatedWinthropsimply。
Theeyesofthegirlmethis，appealingly，defiantly。
\"You\'llbesorry，\"saidthegirl。
Winthroplaughedaneager，boyishlaugh。Whenhespokethetensenessinhisvoicehadgone。Histonewasconfident，bantering。
\"ThenIwillnotcometoseeyou，\"hesaid。
Uncertain，puzzled，Veralookedathimindistress。Shethoughthewasmockingher。
\"No？\"shequestioned。
\"I\'llcometoseeVera，themedium，\"heexplained。
Verafrowned，andthen，inhappyembarrassment，smiledwistfully。
\"Oh，well，\"shestammered；\"ofcourse，ifyou\'recomingtoconsultmeprofessionally——myhoursarefromfourtosix。\"
\"I\'llbethere，\"criedtheDistrictAttorney。
Veraleanedforwardeagerly。
\"Whatdaywillyoucome？\"shedemanded。
\"Whatday!\"exclaimedtheyoungmanindignantly。\"Why，thisday!\"
Veragaveaguilty，frightenedlaugh。
\"Oh，willyou？\"sheexclaimeddelightedly。Sheclaspedherfingersinagestureofdismay。\"Oh，Ihopeyouwon\'tbesorry!\"
shecried。
ForsomemomentstheDistrictAttorneyofNewYorkstoodlookingatthedoorthroughwhichshehaddisappeared。
PartII
ThehomeoftheVanceswasinThirty-fifthStreet，nearlyoppositetheGarrickTheatre。Itwasoneofarowofold-
fashionedbrickhouseswithhighsteps。Astheseekeraftertruthenteredthefronthall，hesawbeforehimthestairstothesecondstory；onhisright，thefoldingdoorsofthe\"frontparlor，\"andatthefarendofthehall，asingledoorthatledtowhatwas，intheolddays，beforethisrowofhouseshadbeenconvertedintooffices，thefamilydiningroom。ToVeratheVanceshadgiventheuseofthisroomasa\"receptionparlor。\"
Thevisitorfirstenteredtheroomonhisright，fromitpassedthroughanotherpairoffoldingdoorstothereceptionparlor，andthen，whenhisaudiencewasatanend，departedbythesingledoortothehall，andso，tothestreet。
Thereceptionparlorborebutlittlelikenesstoacaveofmystery。Therewerenoshadedlights，nostuffedalligator，noIndiandraperies，noblackcat。Onatable，inthecentre，underaheavyandhideouschandelierwithbronzegasjets，wasagreenvelvetcushion。Onthisnestledaninnocentballofcrystal。
BesideitlaytheivoryknittingneedlewithwhichVerapointedout，inthehandofthevisitor，thoselinesthatshowedhewouldbetwicemarried，wasofanambitioustemperament，andwouldmakeasuccessuponthestage。Inacornerstoodawoodencabinetthatresembledasentryboxonwheels。Itwasfromthis，oncertainevenings，beforeaselectcircleofspiritualists，thatVeraprojectedtheghostsofthedeparted。Hanginginsidethecabinetwasasilver-giltcrownandacloakofblackvelvet，linedwithpurplesilkandcoveredingoldthreadwithsignsofthezodiac。
SavethatthesestagepropertiesillustratedthetasteofMabelVance，theroomwasofnointerest。Itheldarubberplant，aredvelvetrockingchair，acrossthebackofwhichMrs。VancehaddrapedaNeapolitanscarf；anuprightpiano，uponwhichEmmanuelDay，or，ashewasknowntothecross-roadsofBroadwayandForty-secondstreet，\"Mannie\"Day，provokedthemostmarvelousrag-time，anenlargedphotographincrayon，ofProfessorVance，inafrockcoatandlawntie，achinabulldog，coquettishlydecoratedwithabluebow，and，onthemantelpiece，twotallbeersteinsandahandtelephone。FromthelongwindowsoneobtainedaviewoftheironshuttersofthenewdepartmentstoreinThirty-fourthStreet，andofagarden，justlargeenoughtocontainasumachtree，arefrigerator，andthepacking-caseinwhichthepianohadarrived。
AfterleavingWinthrop，withoutwaitingforVance，VerahadreturneddirectlytothehouseinThirty-fifthStreet，andlockedherselfinherroom。Andalthough\"Mannie\"Dayhadalreadyusheredtwovisitorsintothefrontroom，Verahadnotyetcomedownstairs。Inconsequence，MabelVancewasinpossessionofthereceptionparlor。
Mrs。Vancewasplump，pink-and-blonde，credulousandvulgar，butatalltimesoftheutmostgoodhumor。HeradmirationforVerawasequaledonlybyheraweofher。Onthisparticularafternoon，althoughitalreadywasafterfiveo\'clock，Mrs。
Vancestillworeashortdressingsack，openatthethroat，andheavywithsomewhatsoiledlace。Butherblondehairwasfreshly\"marcelled，\"andhernailspinkandshining。IntheabsenceofVera，shewasmakingasurreptitiousandguiltyuseofthetelephone。Fromthefactthatinherlefthandsheheldthemorningtelegraphopenatthe\"previousperformances\"ofthehorses，andthatthepagehadbeencruellylaceratedbyahatpin，itwasfairtosupposethatwhoeverwasattheotherendofthewire，wastemptingherwiththeclosingoddsattheraces。
Inherspeculations，shewasinterruptedby\"Mannie\"Day，whoenteredsoftythroughthedoorfromthehall。
\"Mannie\"Daywasayouthoftwenty-four。Itwashisheart\'sdesiretobea\"Broadwayard。\"Hewantedtoknowallofthose，andtobeknownonlybythose，whomovedbetweenthegiantpillarsthatNewYorkthrewintotheskytomarkherprogressNorth。
HeknewthesoiledWhiteWayastheoldestinhabitantknowsthesinglestreetofthevillage。HeknewitfromtheRathskellersunderground，totheroofgardensinthesky；inhisfirmamentthestarsweretheelectricadvertisementsoverLongAcreSquare，hismotherearthwasasphalt，thebreathofhisnostrilsgasolene，thetelegraphwashisBible。HisgriefwasthatnooneintheTenderloinwouldtakehimseriously；wouldbelievehimwicked，wise，predatory。Theymightlovehim，theymightlaughwithhim，theymightclamorforhiscompany，innoflatthatcouldboastapiano，washenot，onhisentrance，greetedwithashout；buttherealKnightsoftheHighwaytreatedhimalwaysasthequestioning，wide-eyedchild。Inspiteofhisafter-midnightpallor，inspiteofhishonorablescarsofdissipation，itwashismisfortunetobecursedwithasmilethatwasaperpetualpleaof\"notguilty。\"
\"Whatcanyouexpect？\"anoutspokenfriend，whomadealivingasawirelesswiretapper，hadoncepointedouttohim。\"Thatsmileofyourscouldopenasafe。Itcouldmakeashowgirlgiveupmoney!It\'sanalibiforeverythingfromoverspeedingtomurder。\"
Mannie，ashelistened，flushedwithmortification。Fromthatmomenthedeterminedthathislifeshouldbedevotedtogivingthelietothatsmile，tothatoutwardandvisiblesignofkindness，goodwill，andinnateinnocence。Asyet，hehadnotsucceeded。
HeinterruptedMabelatthetelephonetoinquirethewhereaboutsofVera。\"There\'stwogirlsinthere，now，\"hesaid，\"waitingtohavetheirfortunesdoped。\"
\"Let\'emwait!\"exclaimedMabel。\"Vera\'supstairsdressing。\"Inhereyeswasthebalefulglareoftheplunger。\"Whatwasthatyougivemeinthethirdrace？\"
Atthefirsttouchoftherulingpassion，whatinterestManniemayhavefeltfortheimpatientvisitorsvanished。\"Notinthethird，\"hecorrectedbriskly。\"Keeneentrywinthethird。\"
Mabelappealedbreathlesslytothetelephone。\"WhatpricetheKeeneentryinthethird？\"SheturnedtoManniewithreproachfuleyes。\"Evenmoney!\"shecomplained。
\"That\'swhatItoldyou，\"retortedMannie。Heloweredhisvoice，andgazedapprehensivelytowardthefrontparlor。\"Ifyouwantareallygoodthing，\"hewhisperedhoarsely，\"askJoewhatPompadourisinthefifth!\"Mabellaughedscornfully，disappointedly。
\"Pompadour!\"shemocked。
\"That\'sright!\"criedtheexpert。\"That\'stheonedailyhintfromParistoday。Joewillgiveyouthirtytoone。\"
Uponthedefenselesswomanheturnedthefullforceofhisaccursedsmile。\"Putfiveonforme，Mabel？\"hebegged。
WithunexpecteddeterminationofcharacterMabeldeclaredsharplythatshewoulddonothingofthesort。
\"Two，then？\"entreatedtheboy。
\"Where，\"demandedMabelunfeelingly，\"isthetwentyyouowemenow？\"
TheabruptnessofthisunsportsmanlikeblowbelowthebeltcausedMannietowince。
\"HowdoIknowwhereitis？\"heprotested。\"Aslongasyouhaven\'tgotit，whydoyoucarewhereitis？\"Heheardthedoorfromthehallopenand，turning，sawVera。Heappealedtoher。
\"Vera，\"hecried，\"You\'llloanmetwodollars？Istandtowinsixty。I\'llgiveyouthirty。\"
VeralookedinquiringlyatMabel。\"Whatisit，Mabel，:\"sheasked，\"ahandbook？\"
Mrs。Vancenoddedguiltily。
\"Mannie!\"exclaimedVeragentlybutreproachfully，\"ItoldyouI
wouldn\'tloanyouanymoremoneytillyoupaidMabelwhatyou\'veborrowed。\"
\"HowcanIpayMabelwhatIborrowed，\"demandedMannie，ifI
can\'tborrowthemoneyfromyoutopayher？Onlytwodollars，Vera!\"
VeranoddedtoMabel。
Mabel，atthephone，called，\"TwodollarsonPompadour——to——
win——forMannieDay，\"andrangoff。
\"Thatmakesthirtyforyou，\"exclaimedMannieenthusiastically，\"andtwentyIowetoMabel，andthatleavesmeten。\"
Mrs。Vance，nolongeroccupiedinthewhirlpoolofspeculation，forthefirsttimeobservedthatVerahadchangedhermatronlyrobeofblacklaceforashortwhiteskirtandawhiteshirtwaist。ShenotedalsothattherewasachangeinVera\'sfaceandmanner。Shegaveanimpressionofnervouseagerness，ofunrest。Hersmileseemedmoreappealing，wistful，girlish。Shelookedlikeachildoffourteen。
ButMabelwasconcernedmoreespeciallywiththerobeofvirginwhite。
Forthemonth，whichwasJuly，thecostumewasappropriate，but，intheopinionofMabel，innowaysuitedtothepriestessoftheoccultandthemysterious。
\"Why，Vera!\"exclaimedMrs。Vance，\"whateverhaveyougoton？
Ain\'tyougoingtoreceivevisitors？There\'stendollarswaitingintherenow。\"
Insuddenapprehension，Veralookeddownatherspotlessgarments。
\"Don\'tIlooknice？\"shebegged。
\"Ofcourseyoulooknice，dearie，\"Mabelassuredher，\"butyoudon\'tlooklikenofortuneteller。\"
\"Ifyouwanttoknowwhatyoulooklike，\"saidManniesternly，\"youlooklikeoneofthewaitergirlsatChilds\'s——that\'swhatyoulooklike。\"
\"Andyourcrown!\"exclaimedMabel，\"andyourkimono。Ain\'tyougoingtowearyourkimono？\"
Shehastenedtothecabinetandproducedthecloakofblackvelvetandspangles，andthesilver-giltcrown。
\"No，Iamnot!\"declaredVera。Sheworethefrightenedlookofamutinouschild。\"I——Ilookso——foolishinthem!\"
SuchheresycausedMannietogaspaloud；\"Youlookgrandinthem，\"heprotested；\"don\'tshe，Mabel？\"
\"Sureshedoes，\"assentedthatlady。
\"Andyourjunk？\"demandedMannie，referringtothejadenecklaceandthegold-platedbracelets。Hiseyesopenedinsympathy。
\"Youhaven\'tpawnedthem，haveyou？\"
\"Pawnedthem？\"laughedVera；\"Icouldn\'tgetanythingonthem!\"
Astheonlymasculinepointofviewavailable，sheappealedtoManniewistfully。\"Don\'tyoulikemebetterthisway，Mannie？\"
shebegged。
Butthatcriticprotestedviolently。
\"Notabitlikeit，\"hecried。\"Now，inthegoldtiaraandthespangledoperacloak，\"hedifferentiated，\"youlooklikeapicturepostalcard!YougotLottaFaust\'sblueskirtbacktoLevey\'s。Butnotinthewhitegoods!\"Heshookhisheadsadly，firmly。\"Youlook，now，likeyouwasmadeupforaMay-daypicnicintheBronx，andthey\'dpickedonyoutobeQueenoftheMay。\"
Mabelcarriedthemuch-admiredoperacloaktoVera，andhelditout，temptingher。\"You\'llwearit，justtopleasemeandMannie，won\'tyou，dearie？\"shebegged。Veraretreatedbeforeitasthoughitheldthegermsofcontagion。
\"Iwillnot，\"sherebelled。\"Ihateit!WhenIhavethaton，I
feel——mean。IfeelasmeanasthoughIwerepickingpenniesoutofablindman\'shat。\"Mannieroaredwithdelight。
\"Gee!\"heshouted，\"butthat\'sahotone。\"
\"Besides，\"saidVeraconsciously，\"I\'m——I\'mexpectingsomeone。\"
ThemannermorethanthewordsthrilledMabelwiththemostjoyfulexpectations。
Sheexclaimedexcitedly。\"Agentlemanfriend，Vera？\"sheasked。
ThatVerashunnedallyoungmenhadbeentoMabelasourceofwonderandofpride。Evenwhentheyoungmenwerethefriendsofherhusbandandofherself，thepreoccupiedmannerwithwhichVerareceivedthemdidnotprovokeinMabelanyresentment。Itratherincreasedherapprobation。Althoughhorrifiedattherecklessnessofthegirl，shehadapprovedevenwhenVerarejectedanofferofmarriagefromawineagent。
Secretly，foraproperallianceforher，Mabelreadthesocietycolumnsinsearchofeligible，richyoungmen。Findingthattheyinvariablymarriedeligible，richyoungwomen，shehadlatelydeterminedthatVera\'sdestinymustbeanEnglishduke。
Stillif，asshehoped，Verahadchosenforherself，Mabelfeltassuredthatthemanwouldproveworthy，andagoodmatch。A
goodmatchmeantonewhoownednotonlyarunabout，butatouringcar。
\"It\'samanfromhome，\"saidVera。\"Home？\"queriedMannie。
\"FromuptheState，\"explainedVera，\"fromGeneva。It\'s——Mr。
Winthrop。\"
Withanexclamationofalarm，Manniestartedupright。
\"Winthrop!\"hecried；thenwithalaughofreliefhesankback。
\"Gee!Yougivemeascare，\"hecried。\"IthoughtyoumeanttheDistrictAttorney。\"
Mabellaughedsympathetically。
\"Ithoughtsotoo，\"sheadmitted。
\"IdomeantheDistrictAttorney，\"saidthegirl。
\"Vera!\"criedMabel。
\"Winthrop——cominghere？\"demandedMannie。
\"ImethimatMr。Hallowell\'sthismorning，\"saidVera。\"Didn\'tPaultellyou？\"
\"Paulain\'tbackyet，\"saidMannie。\"Iwishhewas!\"Hislowerjawdroppedindazedbewilderment。\"Winthrop——cominghere？\"herepeated。\"Andthey\'reallcominghere!\"heexclaimedexcitedly。
\"Pauljustphonedme。They\'vetakenGaylorinwiththem，andwe\'reallworkingtogethernowonsomegamefortonight。AndWinthrop\'scominghere!\"Heshookhisheaddecidedly，importantly。Astheonlymanofthefamilypresent，hefelthemustmeetthiscrisis。\"Paulwon\'tstandforit!\"hedeclared。
\"Well，Paulwilljusthavetostandforit!\"retortedMrs。
Vance。
WithamurmurofsympathyshecrossedtoVera。\"I\'mnotgoingtoseeourVeradisappointed，\"sheannounced。\"Sheneverseesnocompany。Vera，ifMr。Winthropcomeswhenthatbunchishere，I\'llshowhimintothefrontparlor。\"
Verasatdowninfrontofthepianoandletherfingersdropuponthekeys。Thelookofeagernessandanticipationhadlefthereyes。
\"Oh，Idon\'tknow，\"shesaid，\"thatIwanttoseehim——now。\"
Withcompletemisunderstanding，Manniedemandedtruculently，\"Whynot？\"HisloyaltytoVeragavehimcourage，inherbehalf，tofaceevenaDistrictAttorney。\"Hedoesn\'tthinkhe\'scomingheretomaketroubleforyou，doeshe？\"
Verashookherheadand，bendingoverthepiano，struckafewdetachedchords。
\"Oh，no，\"shesaidconsciously；\"justtoseeme——
professionally——likeeverybodyelse。\"
Mabelcouldnolongerwithholdherindignationattheobtusenessofthemasculineintellect。
\"Mygracious，Mannie!\"sheexclaimed，\"can\'tyouunderstandhe\'scomingheretomakeacallonVera——likeagentleman——notlikenoDistrictAttorney。\"
Mannieprecipitatelyretreatedfromhispositionaschampion。
\"Sure，Iunderstand，\"heprotested。
Withthejoythatamatch-makingmothertakesinthehunt，Mabelsankintotheplushrockingchairand，rockingviolently，turneduponVeraaneagerandexcitedsmile。
\"ThinkofourVeraknowingMr。Winthropsocially？\"sheexclaimed。\"It\'sgrand!Andtheysayhissistersareelegantladies。LastwinterIreadaboutthemattheopera，anditalwaysprintedwhattheyhadon。Whydidn\'tyoutellmeyouknowedhim，Vera？\"shecriedreproachfully。\"Itellyoueverything!\"
\"Idon\'tknowhim，\"protestedthegirl。\"Iusedtoseehimwhenhelivedinthesametown。\"
Mabel，invitingfurtherconfidences，ceasedrockingandnoddedencouragingly。\"UpinGeneva？\"sheprompted。
\"Yes，\"saidVera，\"Iusedtoseehimeveryafternoonthen，whenheplayedballonthecollegenine——\"
\"Who？\"demandedMannieincredulously。
\"Winthrop，\"saidVera。
\"Didhe？\"exclaimedMannie。Histonesuggestedthathemightstillbepersuadedthattherewasgoodintheman。
\"What\'dheplay？\"hedemandedsuspiciously。
\"First，\"saidVera。
\"Didhe!\"exclaimedMannie。Histonenowwasofopenapprobation。
Verahadraisedhereyesandturnedthemtowardthewindows。
Beyondthesoot-stainedsumachtree，thefireescapesofthedepartmentstore，shesawthesun-drenchedcampus，thebuttressedchapel，theancient，droopingelms；andonacanvasbag，poisedlikeawingedMercury，atallstraightfigureingray，dustyflannels。
\"Hewasawfullygood-looking，\"murmuredthegirl，\"andawfullytall。Hecouldstopaballashighas——that!\"Sheraisedherarmintheair，andthen，suddenlyconscious，flushed，andturnedtothepiano。
\"Goon，tellus，\"urgedMabel。\"SoyoufirstmethiminGeneva，didyou？\"
\"No，\"correctedVera，\"sawhimthere。I——onlymethimonce。\"
Mannieinterruptedhilariously。
\"Ionlysawhimonce，too，\"hecried，\"thatwasenoughforme。\"
Veraswiftlyspunthepianostoolsothatshefacedhim。Hereyeswerefilledwithconcern。
\"You，Mannie!\"shedemandedanxiously。\"Whathadyoudone？\"
\"Done!\"exclaimedMannieindignantly，\"nothing!What\'dyouthinkI\'ddone？DidyouthinkIwasacrook？\"
Verabowedhershouldersandshiveredasthoughtheboyhadcursedather。Sheshookherheadvehementlyandagainswungbacktothepiano。Stumblingawkwardly，herfingersranoverthekeysinaswiftclatterofbrokenchords。\"No，\"shewhispered，\"no，Mannie，no。\"
Withalaughofdelightedrecollection，MannieturnedtoMabel。
\"HeraidedapoolroomIwasworkingat，\"heexplained。\"HepickedmeoutasasheetwriterbecauseIhadmycoatoff，see？
ItoldhimIhaditoffbecauseitwastoohotforme，andhesays，Youngman，ifyoulietome，I\'llmakeIadamnsighthotter!\"Manniethrewbackhisheadandshouteduproariously。
\"He\'sallright，Winthrop!\"hedeclared。
Mabel，havingalreadymarriedWinthroptoVerainGraceChurch，withherselfinthefrontpew，inabluesilkdress，receivedthisunexpectedevidenceofhisrarewitwithdelight。Inecstasyofappreciationsheslappedherknees。
\"Didhesaythat，Mannie？\"shecried。\"Wasn\'tthatquickofhim!
DidyouhearwhathesaidtoMannie，Vera？\"shedemanded。
Theirmirthwasinterruptedbytheopeningandclosingofthefrontdoorand，inthehall，themurmurofmen\'svoices。
Vanceopenedthedoorfromthehallandentered，followedbyJudgeGaylorandRainey。Withevidentprideinherappearance，Vanceintroducedthetwomentohiswife，andthensentherandManniefromtheroom——thelatterwithorderstodismissthevisitorsinthefrontparlorandtoadmitnoothers。
AtthedoorMrs。VanceturnedtoVeraandnoddedmysteriously。
\"Ifthatpartycalls，\"shesaidwithsignificance，\"I\'llputhiminthefrontparlor。\"Withalookofdismay，Veravehementlyshookherheadbut，toforestallanyopposition，Mrs。Vancehastilyslammedthedoorbehindher。
InhismostcourteousmannerJudgeGaylorofferedthechairattheheadofthecentretabletoVera，andatthesametableseatedhimself。Vancetookaplaceonthepianostool；Raineystoodwithhisbacktothemantelpiece。
\"MissVera，\"Gaylorbeganimpressively，\"Idesiretoapologizeformylanguagethismorning。AsRaineynodoubthastoldyou，I
haveopposedyouandProfessorVance。ButI——IknowwhenI\'mbeaten。YourinfluencewithMr。Hallowelltoday——isgreaterthanmine。Itisparamount。Icongratulateyou。\"Hesmiledingratiatingly。\"Andnow，\"headded，\"weareallworkinginunison。\"
\"You\'vegivenupyourideaofsendingmetojail，\"saidVera。
\"Vera!\"exclaimedVancereprovingly。JudgeGaylorhasapologized。We\'reallinharmonynow。\"
\"Isthatdoorlocked？\"askedGaylor。Vancetoldhim，saveMrs。
Vance，Mannie，andthemselves，therewasnoneinthehouse；andthathemightspeakfreely。
\"MissVera，\"begantheJudge，\"weleftMr。Hallowellverymuchimpressedwiththemessageyougavehimthismorning。Themessagefromhisdeadsister。Hewantsanothermessagefromher。
Hewantshertodecidehowheshalldisposeofaverylargesumofmoney——hisentirefortune。\"
\"Hisentirefortune!\"exclaimedVera。\"Doyouimagine，\"sheasked，\"thatMr。Hallowellwilltakeadvicefromthespiritworldaboutthat？Idon\'t!\"
\"Ido，\"Gayloransweredstoutly，\"IknowIwould。\"
\"You？\"askedVeraincredulously。
\"IfIcouldbelievemysistercamefromthedeadtotellmewhattodo，\"saidthelawyer，\"ofcourse，I\'ddoit。I\'dbeafraidnotto。ButIdon\'tbelievehedoes。Andhebelievesyoucanbringhissisterherselfbeforehim。Heinsiststhattonightyouholdaseanceinhishouse，andthatyoumaterializethespiritofhisdeadsister。Sothathecanseehissister，andtalkwithhissister。Vancesaysyoucandothat。Canyou？\"
FromVera\'sfacethelookofgirlishness，ofhappyanticipation，hadalreadydisappeared。
\"Itismybusinesstodothat，\"thegirlanswered。SheturnedtoVanceand，inamatter-of-factvoice，inquired，\"Whatdoeshissisterlooklike——thatphotographweusedthismorning。？\"
\"No，\"Vanceanswered。\"I\'veabetterone，Raineygaveme。Takenwhenshewasolder。Haswhitehairandacapandakerchiefcrossed——so。\"Hedrewhishandsacrosshisshoulders。\"Rainey，showMissVerathatpicture。\"
\"Notnow，\"Gaylorcommanded。\"TheimportantthingnowisthatMissVeraunderstandsthemessageMr。Hallowellistoreceivefromhissister。\"
Thetwoothermennoddedquicklyinassent。GaylorturnedtoVera。Hespokeslowly，earnestly。
\"MissVera，\"hesaid，\"Mr。Hallowell\'spresentwillleaveshisfortunetohisniece。Hehasmadeanotherwill，whichhehasnotsigned，leavinghisfortunetotheHallowellInstitute。Hewillaskhissistertowhichoftheseheshouldleavehismoney。Youwilltellhim——\"hecorrectedhimselfinstantly。\"Shewilltellhimtogiveitwhereitwillbeofthegreatestgoodtothemostpeople——totheInstitute。\"Therewasapause。\"Doyouunderstand？\"heasked。
\"TotheInstitute。Nottotheniece，\"Veraanswered。Gaylornoddedgravely。
\"What，\"askedVera，\"arethefewestwordsinwhichthatmessagecouldbedelivered？Imean——shouldshesay，YouaretoendowtheHallowellInstitute，orBrother，youaretogive——Signthenewwill？\"Withsatisfactionthegirlgaveasharpshakeofherhead，andnoddedtoVance。\"Destroytheoldwill。Signthenewwill。Thatisthebest，\"shesaid。
\"That\'sitexactly，\"Gaylorexclaimedeagerly；\"that\'sexcellent!\"Thenhisfaceclouded。\"Ithink，\"hesaidinatroubledvoice，\"weshouldwarnMissVera，thattoguardhimselffromanytrickery，Mr。Hallowellinsistsonsubjectinghertothemostseveretests。He——\"
\"Thatwillbeallright，\"saidthegirl。SheturnedtoVanceand，inalowertonebutwithoutinterest，asked:\"What，forinstance？\"Vancemerelylaughedandshruggedhisshoulders。Thegirlsmiled。Nettled，andalarmedatwhatappearedtobetheiroverconfidence，Gaylorobjectedwarmly。
\"That\'sallverywell，\"hecried，\"butforinstance，heinsiststhattheentiretimeyouareinthecabinet，youholdahandfulofflourinonehandandofshotintheother\"——heillustratedwithclenchedfists——\"whichmakesitimpossible，\"heprotested，\"foryoutouseyourhands。\"
Thefaceofthegirlshowedcompleteindifference。
\"Notnecessarily，\"shesaid。
\"Butyouaretobetiedhandandfoot，\"criedtheJudge。\"Andontopofthat，\"heburstforthindignantly，pointingaggrievedlyatVance，\"hehimselfproposedthisflour-and-shottest。Itwassilly，senselessbravado!\"
\"Notnecessarily，\"repeatedthegirl。\"HeknewthatIinventedit。\"Raineylaughed。Gaylorgaveanexclamationofenlightenment。
\"Ifitwillbeofanycomforttoyou，Judge，\"saidVance，\"I\'lltellyouonething；everytestthateverwasputtoamedium——
wasinventedbyamedium。\"
Verarose。\"Ifthereisnothingmore，\"shesaid，\"Iwillgoandgetthethingsreadyforthisevening。Destroytheoldwill。
Signthenewwill。\"sherepeated。SheturnedsuddenlytoVance，herbrowdrawninconsideration。\"Isupposebythisnewwill，\"
sheasked，\"thegirlgetsnothing？\"\"Notatall!\"exclaimedGayloremphatically。\"Wedon\'twanthertofightthewill。Shegetsamillion。\"
\"Amilliondollars？\"demandedVera。Foraninstant，asthoughtryingtograspthepossibilitiesofsuchasum，shestoodstaringaheadofher。Withdoubtinhereyes，andshakingherhead，sheturnedtoVance。
\"Howcanonewomanspendamilliondollars？\"sheprotested。
\"Well，yousee，wedon\'tintendtostarveher，\"exclaimedGayloreagerly，\"andatthesametimetheInstitutewillbebenefitingallhumanity。Doinggoodto——\"
Verainterruptedhimwithasharp，peremptorymovementofthehand。
\"Wewon\'tgointothat，please，\"shebegged。
TheJudgeinclinedhishead。\"Ionlymeanttopointout，\"hesaidstiffly，\"thatyouaregivingMr。Hallowellthebestadvice，anddoinggreatgood。\"
Foramomentthegirllookedathimsteadily。Onherlipswasafaintsmileofdisdain，butwhetherforhimorforherself，theJudgecouldnotdetermine。
\"Idon\'tknowthat，\"thegirlsaidfinally。\"Idon\'task。\"SheturnedtoRainey。\"Haveyouthatphotograph？\"Hegaveheraphotographandafter，foraninstant，studyingitinsilence，shereturnedittohim。
\"Itwillbequiteeasy，\"shesaidtoVance。Shewalkedtothedoor，andinstinctivelythetwomen，whowereseated，rose。
\"IwillseeyoutonightatMr。Hallowell\'s，\"shesaid，and，withanod，leftthem。
\"Well，\"exclaimedRainey，\"youdidn\'ttellher!\"
\"Iknow，\"Vanceanswered。\"Idecidedwe\'dbewisertotakeadvicefrommywife。SheunderstandsVerabetterthanIdo。\"Heopenedthedoortothehall，andcalled\"Mannie!TellMabel——Oh，Mabel，\"hecorrected，\"comehereaminute。\"Hereturnedtohisseatonthepianostool。\"Shecantellus，\"hesaid。
InexpectationofthearrivalofWinthrop，Mrs。Vancehadarrayedherselfinalightbluefrock，and，asthoughshehadjustcomeinfromthestreet，insuchahatassheconsideredwoulddocreditnotonlytoVerabuttoherself。
\"Mabel，\"herhusbandbegan，\"we\'reupagainstahardproposition。HallowellinsiststhatWinthropandMissCoatesmustcometotheseancetonight。\"
\"WinthropandMissCoates!\"criedMabel。InastonishmentsheglancedfromherhusbandtoRaineyandGaylor。\"Then，it\'salloff!\"sheexclaimed。
\"That\'swhatIsay，\"growledRainey。
\"Wewantyoutotellus，\"continuedVance，unmoved，\"whetherVerashouldknowthatnow，orwaituntiltonight？\"
\"PaulVance!\"almostshriekedhiswife，\"doyoumeantotellmeyou\'rethinkingofgivingamaterializationinfrontoftheDistrictAttorney!You\'recrazy!\"
\"That\'swhatItellthem，\"chorusedRainey。
Gaylorraisedhishandforsilence。
\"No，Mrs。Vance，\"hesaidwearily。\"Wearenotcrazy，but，\"headdedbitterly，\"wecan\'thelpourselves。YoumediumshavegotMr。Hallowellinsuchastatethathe\'llonlydowhathissister\'sspirittellshim。Hesays，ifhe\'srobbinghisniece，hissisterwilltellhimso；ifhe\'stogivethemoneytotheInstitute，hissisterwilltellhimthat。Hesays，ifVanceisfairandabove-board，heshouldn\'tbeafraidtohavehisnieceandanyfriendsofherspresent。Wecan\'thelpourselves。\"
\"Ihelpedalittle，\"saidVance，\"byinsistingonhavingourownfriendsthere——toldhimthespiritcouldnotmaterializeunlesstherewerebelieverspresent。\"
\"Didhestandforthat？\"askedMabel。
\"Gladtohavethem，\"herhusbandassuredher。\"Theyliketothinkthereareothersasfoolishastheyare。AndI\'mgoingtoplaceMr。DistrictAttorney，\"hebrokeoutsuddenlyandfiercely，\"betweentwomediums。They\'llholdhishands!\"
Alreadyfrightenedbythepossibleresultoftheplot，Rainey，withavehemencebornoffear，retortedsharply:\"Holdhishands!How\'reyougoingtomakehimholdhistongue，afterward？\"
Gaylorturneduponhimsavagely。
\"MyGod，man!\"hecried，\"we\'renottryingtopersuadetheDistrictAttorneythathe\'sseenaghost。IfyourfriendscanpersuadeStephenHallowellthathe\'sseenone，theDistrictAttorneycangotothedevil!\"
\"Well，hewon\'t!\"returnedRainey，\"he\'llgotolaw!\"
\"Lethim!\"criedGaylordefiantly。\"GetHallowelltosignthatwill，andI\'llgointocourtwithhim。\"
Hisbravadowassuddenlyattackedfromanunexpectedsource。
\"You\'llgointocourtwithhim，allright，\"declaredMrs。Vance，\"allofyou!Andifyoudon\'twanthimtocatchyou，\"shecried，\"you\'llclearout，now!He\'scominghereanyminute。\"
\"Who\'scominghere？\"demandedherhusband。
\"Winthrop，\"returnedhiswife，\"toseeVera。\"
\"ToseeVera!\"criedVanceeagerly。\"Whatabout？Aboutthismorning？\"
\"No，\"protestedMabel，\"tocallonher。He\'sanoldfriend——\"
InalarmRaineypushedintothegroupofnowthoroughlyexcitedpeople。\"Don\'tyoubelieveit!\"hecried。\"Ifhe\'scominghere，he\'scomingtogiveherthethirddegree——\"
Thedoorfromthehallsuddenlyopened，wasassuddenlyclosed，andMannieslippedintotheroom。Onehandheheldupforsilence；withtheotherhepointedatthefoldingdoors。
\"Hush!\"hewarnedthem。\"He\'sinthere!Hesayshe\'scometocallonVera。Shesayshe\'scomeprofessionally，andImustbringhiminhere。I\'veshutthedoorintotheparlor，andyoucanslipupstairswithouthisseeingyou。\"
\"Upstairs!\"gaspedRainey，\"notforme!\"HeappealedtoGaylorinaccentsofrealalarm。\"Wemustgetawayfromthishouse，\"hedeclared。\"Ifhefindsushere——\"Withagestureofdismayhetossedhishandsintheair。Gaylornodded。Insilenceall，saveMannie，movedintothehall，andhaltedbetweentheouterandinnerdoorsofthevestibule。GaylorturnedtoVance。\"Areyougoingtotellher，\"heasked，\"thatheistobetheretonight？\"
\"He\'lltellherhimself，now!\"
\"No，\"correctedRainey，\"hedoesn\'tknowyetthere\'stobeaseance。Hallowellwaswritingthenotewhenheleft。\"
\"Then，\"instructedGaylor，\"donotletherknowuntilshearrives——untilitwillbetoolateforhertobackout。\"
Vancenoddedand，waitinguntilfromthebackroomheheardthevoicesofMannieandWinthrop，heopenedthefrontdoorandthetwomenrandownthestepsintothestreet。
Whiletheconspiratorswerehiddeninthevestibule，Manniehadopenedthefoldingdoors，andinvitedWinthroptoenterthereceptionparlor。
\"MissVerawillbedowninaminute，\"hesaid。\"Ifyouwantyourhandread，\"headded，pointing，\"yousitoverthere。\"
AsWinthropapproachedthecentretable，Manniebackedagainstthepiano。ThepresenceoftheDistrictAttorneyatsuchshortrangearousedinhimmanyemotions。Alternatelyhewastornwithalarm，withadmiration，withcuriosity。Heregardedhimapprehensively，withanervousandunhappysmile。
AboutthesmiletherewassomethingthatWinthropfoundfamiliar，and，withonealmostasattractive，heansweredit。
\"Ithinkwe\'vemetbefore，haven\'twe？\"heaskedpleasantly。
Mannienodded。\"Yes，sir，\"heansweredpromptly。\"AtSamHepner\'soldplace，onWestForty-fourthstreet。\"
\"Why，ofcourse!\"exclaimedtheDistrictAttorney。
\"Don\'tyou——don\'tyouremember？\"stammeredMannieeagerly。Hewasdeeplyconcernedlestthedistinguishedcross-examinershouldthink，thatfromhimofhisluridpasthecouldwithholdanything。\"Ihadmycoatoff——andyousaidyou\'dmakeithotforme。\"
\"DidI？\"askedWinthropwithaneffortatrecollection。
\"No，youdidn\'t!\"Manniehastenedtoreassurehim。\"Imean，youdidn\'tmakeithotforme。\"
Winthroplaughed，andseatedhimselfcomfortablybesidethecentretable。WellI\'mgladofthat，\"hesaid。\"Soourrelationsarestillpleasant，then？\"heasked。
\"Sure!\"exclaimedMannieheartily。\"Imean——yes，sir。\"
Winthropmechanicallyreachedforhiscigarettecase，andthen，recollecting，withdrewhishand。
\"Andhowaretheponiesrunning？\'heasked。