Norwerehereffortsconfinedentirelytopubliclife。Incozycornersanddarkenedrecesses，beardedlipswithheldtheamorousdeclarationtomutter\"SarahWalker\"betweentheirclenchedteeth;
coyandbashfultonguesfoundspeechatlastintherapidformulationof\"SarahWalker。\"Nobodyeverthoughtofabbreviatingherfullname。Thetwopeopleinthehotel，otherwiseindividualized，butknownonlyas\"SarahWalker’sfather\"and\"SarahWalker’smother，\"andneverasMr。andMrs。Walker，addressedheronlyas\"SarahWalker\";twoanimalsthatwereoccasionallyapartofthispassingpageantwereknownas\"SarahWalker’sdog\"and\"SarahWalker’scat，\"andlateritwasmyproudprivilegetosinkmyownindividualityunderthetitleof\"thatfriendofSarahWalker’s。\"
Itmustnotbesupposedthatshehadattainedthisbalefuleminencewithoutsomeactivecriticism。EveryparentintheGreyportHotelhadheldhisorhertheoryoftheparticulardefectsofSarahWalker’seducation;everyvirginandbachelorhadopenlyexpressedviewsofthepeculiardisciplinethatwasnecessarytohersubjugation。Itmayberoughlyestimatedthatshewouldhavespenttheentirenineyearsofheractivelifeinadarkcupboardonanexclusivedietofbreadandwater，hadthisdisciplineobtained;
while，ontheotherhand，hadtheeducationaltheoriesoftheparentalassemblyprevailed，shewouldhaveerethisshoneanetherealizedessenceintheangelichost。Ineithereventshewouldhave\"ceasedfromtroubling，\"whichwasthegeneralGreyportideaofhighereducation。ApaperreadbeforeourLiterarySocietyon\"SarahWalkerandotherinfantilediseases，\"wasreferredtointhecatalogueas\"Walker，Sarah，PreventionandCure，\"whiletheusualburlesquelegislationofoursummerseasonculminatedintheActentitled\"AnActtoamendanActentitledanActfortheabatementofSarahWalker。\"Asshewashereafterexclusivelytobefed\"onthePROVISIONSofthisAct，\"someideaofitsgeneraltonemaybegathered。Itwasasingularfactinthispointofherhistorythathernaturalprogenitorsnotonlyofferednoresistancetothedoubtfulcelebrityoftheiroffspring，but，byhopelesslyacceptingthesituation，tosomeextentPOSEDasSarahWalker’svictims。Mr。andMrs。Walkerwereknowntoberich，respectable，andindulgenttotheironlychild。Theythemselveshadbeenevolvedfromapreviousgenerationofpromiscuouslyacquiredwealthintothereposeofinheritedproperty，butitwascurrentlyacceptedthatSarahhad\"castback\"andreincarnatedsomewaifonthedeckofanemigrantshipatthebeginningofthecentury。
Suchwasthechildseparatedfrommebythisportentoushistory，anarrowpassage，andaclosednurserydoor。Presently，however，thedoorwaspartlyopenedagainasiftoadmittheair。Thecryinghadceased，butinitsplacethemonotonousVoiceofConscience，forthemomentpersonatedbySarahWalker’snursemaid，keptaliveadrowsyrecollectionofSarahWalker’stransgressions。
\"Yousee，\"saidtheVoice，\"whatadreadfulthingitisforalittlegirltogoonasyoudo。Iamastonishedatyou，SarahWalker。Soiseverybody;soisthegoodladiesnextdoor;soisthekindgentlemanopposite;soisall！Whereyouexpecttogoto，’Evinonlyknows！Howyouexpecttobeforgiven，saintsalonecantell！Butsoitisalways，andyetyoukeepitup。Andwouldn’tyoulikeitdifferent，SarahWalker？Wouldn’tyouliketohaveeverybodyloveyou？Wouldn’tyoulikethemgoodladiesnextdoor，andthatnicegentlemanopposite，alltokinderriseupandsay，’Oh，whatadeargoodlittlegirlSarahWalkeris？’\"Theinterpolationofasmackingsoundoflips，asifinunctuousanticipationofSarahWalker’svirtue，hereensued——\"Oh，whatadear，good，sw-e-et，lovelylittlegirlSarahWalkeris！\"
Therewasadeadsilence。Itmayhavebeenfancy，butIthoughtthatsomeofthedoorsinthepassagecreakedsoftlyasifinlisteningexpectation。Thenthesilencewasbrokenbyasigh。HadSarahWalkeringloriouslysuccumbed？Rashandimpotentconclusion！
\"Idon’t，\"saidSarahWalker’svoice，slowlyrisinguntilitbrokeonthecrestofamountainoussob，\"I——don’t——want——’em——to——loveme。I——don’twant——’em——tosay——whata——dear——good——littlegirl——
SarahWalkeris！\"Shecaughtherbreath。\"I——want——’em——tosay——
whatanaughty——bad——dirty——horrid——filthy——littlegirlSarahWalkeris——soIdo。There！\"
Thedoorsslammedallalongthepassages。Thedreadfulissuewasjoined。IsoftlycrossedthehallandlookedintoSarahWalker’sroom。
Thelightfromahalf-openedshutterfellfulluponherrebelliouslittlefigure。Shehadstiffenedherselfinalargeeasy-chairintotheattitudeinwhichshehadbeenevidentlydepositedtherebythenursewhosetorn-offapronshestillheldrigidlyinonehand。Hershapelylegsstoodoutbeforeher，jointlessandinflexibletothepointofhertinyshoes——aPOSEcopiedwithpatheticfidelitybytheFrenchdollatherfeet。Theattitudemusthavebeendreadfullyuncomfortable，andmaintainedonlyasbeingrepletewithsomevagueinsultstothepersonwhohadputherdown，asexhibitingawildindecorumofsilkenstocking。A
mystifiedkitten——SarahWalker’sinseparable——washeldasrigidlyunderonearmwithequaldumbaggressiveness。Followingthestifflineofherhalf-recumbentfigure，herheadsuddenlyappearedperpendicularlyerect——yettheonlymobilepartofherbody。A
dazzlingsunburstofsilkyhair，thecolorofburnishedcopper，partlyhidherneckandshouldersandthebackofthechair。Hereyeswereadarkershadeofthesamecolor——theorbitsappearingdeeperandlargerfromtherubbinginofhabitualtearsfromlongwetlashes。Nothingsofarseemedinconsistentwithherinfelixreputation，but，strangetosay，herotherfeaturesweremarkedbydelicacyandrefinement，andhermouth——thatsorelyexercisedandjustlydreadedmember——wassmallandpretty，albeitslightlydroppedatthecorners。
Theimmediateeffectofmyintrusionwaslimitedsolelytothenursemaid。SwoopingsuddenlyuponSarahWalker’stooevidentdeshabille，shemadetwoorthreeattemptstopluckherintopropriety;butthechild，recognizingthecauseaswellastheeffect，lookedaskanceatmeandonlystiffenedherselfthemore。
\"SarahWalker，I’mshocked。\"
\"Itain’tHISroomanyway，\"saidSarah，eyingmemalevolently。
\"What’shedoinghere？\"
TherewassomuchtruthinthisthatIinvoluntarilydrewbackabashed。Thenurse-maidejaculated\"Sarah！\"andliftedhereyesinhopelessprotest。
\"Andheneedn’tcomeseeingYOU，\"continuedSarah，lazilyrubbingthebackofherheadagainstthechair;\"mypapadon’tallowit。
Hewarnedyou’bouttheothergentleman，youknow。\"
\"SarahWalker！\"
Ifeltitwasnecessarytosaysomething。\"Don’tyouwanttocomewithmeandlookatthesea？\"Isaidwithutterfeeblenessofinvention。Tomysurprise，insteadofactivelyassaultingmeSarahWalkergotup，shookherhairoverhershoulders，andtookmyhand。
\"Withyourhairinthatstate？\"almostscreamedthedomestic。ButSarahWalkerhadalreadypulledmeintothehall。WhatparticularlyoffensiveformofoppositiontoauthoritywasimpliedinthispromptassenttomyproposalIcouldonlydarklyguess。
FormyselfIknewImustappeartoheraweakimpostor。WhatwouldtherepossiblybeintheseatointerestSarahWalker？ForthemomentIprayedforawater-spout，ashipwreck，awhale，oranymarinemiracletoastoundherandredeemmycharacter。Iwalkedguiltilydownthehall，holdingherhandbashfullyinmine。I
noticedthatherbreastbegantoheaveconvulsively;ifshecriedI
knewIshouldminglemytearswithhers。Wereachedtheverandaingloomysilence。AsIexpected，thesealaybeforeusglitteringinthesun——vacant，staring，flat，andhopelesslyandunquestionablyuninteresting。
\"Iknewitallalong，\"saidSarahWalker，turningdownthecornersofhermouth;\"thereneverwasanythingtosee。Iknowwhyyougotmetocomehere。YouwanttotellmeifI’magoodgirlyou’lltakemetosailsomeday。YouwanttosayifI’mbadtheseawillswallowmeup。That’sallyouwant，youhorridthing，you！\"
\"Hush！\"Isaid，pointingtothecorneroftheveranda。
Adesperateideaofescapehadjustseizedme。Boltuprightintherecessofawindowsatanursemaidwhohadsuccumbedtosleepequallywithherhelplesschargeintheperambulatorbesideher。I
instantlyrecognizedtheinfant——apopularorganismknownas\"BabyBuckly\"——theprodigyoftheGreyportHotel，thepetofitsenthusiasticwomanhood。Fatandfeatureless，pinkandpincushiony，itwasborrowedbygushingmaidenhood，exchangedbyidioticmaternity，andhadgrownunctuousandtumefacientunderthekissesandembracesofhalfthehotel。Eveninitspresentreposeitlookedmoistandshinyfromindiscriminateandpromiscuousosculation。
\"Let’sborrowBabyBuckly，\"Isaidrecklessly。
SarahWalkeratoncestoppedcrying。Idon’tknowhowshedidit，butthecessationwasinstantaneous，asifshehadturnedoffatapsomewhere。
\"AndputitinMr。Peters’bed！\"Icontinued。
Petersbeingnotoriouslyagrimbachelor，thebaresuggestionbristledwithoutrage。SarahWalker’seyessparkled。
\"Youdon’tmeanit！——go’way！\"——shesaidwithaffectedcoyness。
\"ButIdo！Come。\"
Weextracteditnoiselesslytogether——thatis，SarahWalkerdid，withdeftwomanliness——carrieditdarklyalongthehalltoNo。27，anddepositeditinPeters’bed，whereitlaylikeafreshlyopenedoyster。Wethenreturnedhandinhandtomyroom，wherewelookedoutofthewindowonthesea。ItwasobservablethattherewasnolackofinterestinSarahWalkernow。
Beforefiveminuteshadelapsedsomeonebreathlesslypassedtheopendoorwhilewewerestillengagedinmarineobservation。Thiswasfollowedbyreturnfootstepsandasuccessionofswiftlyrustlinggarments，untilthemajorityofthewomeninourwinghadapparentlypassedourroom，andwesawanirregularstreamofnursemaidsandmothersconvergingtowardsthehoteloutofthegratefulshadowofarbors，trees，andmarquees。InfactwewerestillengagedinobservationwhenSarahWalker’snursecametofetchheraway，andtoinformherthat\"byrights\"BabyBuckly’snurseandMr。Petersshouldbothbemadetoleavethehotelthatverynight。SarahWalkerpermittedherselftobeledoffwithdrybutexpressiveeyes。Thateveningshedidnotcry，but，onbeingtakenintotheusualcustodyfordisturbance，wasfoundtobepurplewithsuppressedlaughter。
ThiswasthebeginningofmyintimacywithSarahWalker。ButwhileitwasevidentthatwhateverinfluenceIobtainedoverherwasduetomybeingparticepscriminis，Ithinkitwasacceptedthataregularabductionofinfantsmightbecomeintimemonotonousifnotdangerous。SoshewassatisfiedwiththeknowledgethatIcouldnotnow，withoutthemostglaringhypocrisy，obtrudeamoralsuperiorityuponher。Idonotthinkshewouldhaveturnedstateevidenceandaccusedme，butIwasbynomeansassuredofherdisinterestedregard。Shecontentedherself，forafewdaysafterwards，withmeetingmeprivatelyandmysteriouslycommunicatingunctuousreminiscencesofourjointcrime，withoutsuggestingarepetition。Herintimacywithmedidnotseemtointerferewithhergeneralrelationstoherownspeciesintheotherchildreninthehotel。PerhapsIshouldhavesaidbeforethatherpopularitywiththemwasbynomeansprejudicedbyherinfelixreputation。Butwhileshewassecretlyadmiredbyall，shehadfewprofessedfollowersandnoregularassociates。Whetherthefewwhomsheselectedforthatbalefulpreeminencewereeithertornfromherbyhorrifiedguardians，orcametogriefthroughherdangerouscounsels，orwhethershereallydidnotcareforthem，I
couldnotsay。Theirelevationwasbrief，theirretirementunregretted。Itwashoweverpermittedme，throughfelicitouscircumstances，tobecomeacquaintedwiththeprobableexplanationofherunsociability。
Theveryhotweatherculminatedoneafternooninadeadfaintofearthandseaandsky。AnAlpinecloudlandofsnowthathadmockedtheupturnedeyesofGreyportforhours，begantodarkenunderthefoldingshadowofablackandvelvetywing。Theatmosphereseemedtothickenasthegloomincreased;thelazydust，thrownupbyhurryingfeetthatsoughtarefuge，hungalmostmotionlessintheair。Suddenlyitwasblowntothefourquartersinonefiercegustthatasquicklydispersedtheloungersdroopinginshadeandcover。
Forafewsecondsthelongavenuewaslostinflyingcloudsofdust，andthenwasleftbareoflifeormotion。Raindropsinhugestarsandrosettesappearednoiselesslyandmagicallyuponthesidewalks——goutsofmoistureapparentlydroppedfrommid-air。Andthentheominoushushreturned。
Amileawayalongtherocks，Iturnedforshelterintoacavernouspassageoftheoverhangingcliff，whereIcouldstillwatchthecomingstormuponthesea。Amurmurofvoicespresentlyattractedmyattention。Ithenobservedthatthepassageendedinakindofopengrotto，whereIcoulddimlydiscernthelittlefiguresofseveralchildren，who，separatedfromtheirnursesinthesuddenonsetofthestorm，hadtakenrefugethere。Asthegloomdeepenedtheybecamesilentagain，untilthestillnesswasbrokenbyafamiliarvoice。Therewasnomistakingit。——ItwasSarahWalker’s。
Butitwasnotliftedinlamentation，itwasraisedonlyasifresumingasuspendednarrative。
\"Hername，\"saidSarahWalkergloomily，\"wasKribbles。Shewastheonlychild——of——oforphanedparentage，andfairtosee，butshewasbad，andGoddidnotloveher。Andonedayshewasseparatedfromhernurseonadesertislandliketothis。Andthencameahidgeousthunderstorm。Andagreatbigthunderboltcamegalumpingafterher。Anditketehedherandrolledalloverher——so！andthenitcamebackandketchedherandrolledherover——so！AndwhentheycametopickheruptherewasnotsomuchasTHATleftofher。Allburntup！\"
\"Wasn’ttherejustalittlebitofhershoe？\"suggestedacautiousauditor。
\"Notabit，\"saidSarahWalkerfirmly。Alltheotherchildrenechoed\"Notabit，\"indignantly，inevidentgratificationatthecompletenessofKribbles’catastrophe。Atthismomentthesurroundingdarknesswassuddenlyfilledwithaburstofbluecelestialfire;theheavyinkyseabeyond，theblack-edgedmourninghorizon，thegleamingsands，eachnookandcornerofthedrippingcave，withthefrightenedfacesofthehuddledgroupofchildren，startedintovividlifeforaninstant，andthenfellbackwithadeafeningcrashintothedarkness。
Therewasaslightsoundofwhimpering。SarahWalkerapparentlypouncedupontheculprit，foritceased。
\"Sniffling’tracts’lectricity，\"shesaidsententiously。
\"ButyouthaiditwathDod！\"lispedacasuistofseven。
\"It’sallthesame，\"saidSarahsharply，\"andso’saskingquestions。\"
Thisobscurestatementwashoweverapparentlyunderstood，forthecasuistlapsedintosilentsecurity。\"Lotsofthings’tractsit，\"
continuedSarahWalker。\"Goldandsilver，andmetalsandknivesandrings。\"
\"Andpennies？\"
\"Andpenniesmostofall！Kribbleswasthatvain，sheusedtowearjewelryandflyinthefaceofProvidence。\"
\"Butyouthaid——\"
\"Willyou？——There！youhearthat？\"Therewasanotherblindingflashandboundingrollofthunderalongtheshore。\"Iwonderyoudidn’tketchit。Youwould——onlyI’mhere。\"
Allwasquietagain，butfromcertainindicationsitwasevidentthatacollectionofthosedangerousarticlesthathadprovedfataltotheunhappyKribbleswasbeingtakenup。Icouldheartheclinkofcoinsandjingleofornaments。ThatSarahherselfwasthecustodianwaspresentlyshown。\"Butwon’tthelightningcometoyounow？\"askedatimidvoice。
\"No，\"saidSarah，promptly，\"’causeIain’tafraid！Look！\"
Afrightenedprotestfromthechildrenhereensued，butthenextinstantsheappearedattheentranceofthegrottoandrandowntherockstowardsthesea。Skippingfrombowldertobowldershereachedthefurthestprojectionoftheledge，nowpartlysubmergedbytherisingsurf，andthenturnedhalftriumphantly，halfdefiantly，towardsthegrotto。Theweirdphosphorescenceofthestormlituptheresolutelittlefigurestandingthere，gorgeouslybedeckedwiththechains，rings，andshinytrinketsofhercompanions。Withatinyhandraisedinmockdefianceoftheelements，sheseemedtoleanconfidinglyagainstthepantingbreastofthegale，withflutteringskirtandflyingtresses。Thenthevaultbehindhercrackedwiththreejaggedburningfissures，aweirdflameleapeduponthesand，therewasacryofterrorfromthegrotto，echoedbyascreamofnursesonthecliff，adelugeofrain，aterrificonsetfromthegale——and——SarahWalkerwasgone？
Nothingofthekind！WhenIreachedtheledge，afteraseverestrugglewiththestorm，IfoundSarahontheleewardside，drenchedbutdelighted。Iheldhertightly，whilewewaitedforalulltoregainthecliff，andtookadvantageofthesympatheticsituation。
\"ButyouknowyouWEREfrightened，Sarah，\"Iwhispered;\"youthoughtofwhathappenedtopoorKribbles。\"
\"DoyouknowwhoKribbleswas？\"sheaskedconfidentially。
\"No。\"
\"Well，\"shewhispered，\"ImadeKribblesup。Andthehidgeousstormandthunderbolt——andtheburning！Alloutofmyownhead。\"
TheonlyimmediateeffectofthisescapadewasapparentlytoprecipitateandbringintonotorietythegrowingaffectionofanobscureloverofSarahWalker’s，hithertounsuspected。Hewasamildinoffensiveboyoftwelve，knownas\"Warts，\"solelyfromaninordinateexhibitionoftheseyouthfulexcrescences。OnthedayofSarahWalker’sadventurehispassionculminatedinasuddenandillogicalattackuponSarah’snurseandparentswhiletheywerebewailingherconduct，andinassaultingthemwithhisfeetandhands。Whetherheassociatedtheminsomevaguewaywiththecauseofhermomentaryperil，orwhetherheonlywishedtoimpressherwiththetouchingflatteryofageneralimitationofherstyle，I
cannotsay。Forhislovemakingwaspeculiar。Adayortwoafterwardshecametomyopendoorandremainedforsomemomentsbashfullylookingatme。ThenextdayIfoundhimstandingbymychairinthepiazzawithanembarrassedairandinutterinabilitytoexplainhisconduct。Attheendofarapidwalkonthesandonemorning，Iwasstartledbythesoundofhurriedbreath，andlookingaround，discoveredthestaggeringWartsquiteexhaustedbyendeavoringtokeepupwithmeonhisshortlegs。Atlastthedailyrecurrenceofhishauntingpresenceforcedadreadfulsuspicionuponme。WartswascourtingMEforSarahWalker！Yetitwasimpossibletoactuallyconnectherwiththesemuteattentions。
\"YouwantmetogivethemtoSarahWalker，\"Isaidcheerfullyoneafternoon，ashelaiduponmydesksomepeculiarlyuninvitingcrustaceawhichlookednotunlikeafewdetachedexcrescencesfromhisownhands。Heshookhisheaddecidedly。\"Iunderstand，\"I
continued，confidently;\"youwantmetokeepthemforher。\"\"No，\"
saidWarts，doggedly。\"Thenyouonlywantmetotellherhownicetheyare？\"Theideawasapparentlysoshamelesslytruethatheblushedhimselfhastilyintothepassage，andceasedanyfuturecontribution。NaturallystillmoreineffectivewastheslightestattempttobringhisdevotionintothephysicalpresenceofSarahWalker。Themostingeniousschemestolurehimintomyroomwhileshewastherefailedutterly。Yethemusthaveatonetimebaskedinherbalefulpresence。\"DoyoulikeWarts？\"Iaskedheronedaybluntly。\"Yes，\"saidSarahWalkerwithcheerfuldirectness;\"ain’tHEgotalotof’em？——thoughheusedtohavemore。But，\"sheaddedreflectively，\"doyouknowthelittleIlseyboy？\"Iwascompelledtoadmitmyignorance。\"Well！\"shesaidwithareminiscentsighofsatisfaction，\"HE’Sgotonlytwotoesonhisleftfoot——showed’emtome。Andhewasbornso。\"NeeditbesaidthatinthesefewwordsIreadthedismalsequelofWarts’unfortunateattachment？
Hisaccidentaleccentricitywasnolongerattractive。Whatwerehisevanescentaccretions，subjecttoimprovementorremoval，besidethehereditaryandsettledmalformationsofhisrival？
Onceonly，inthisbriefsummerepisode，didSarahWalkerattracttheimpulsiveandgeneralsympathyofGreyport。Itisonlyjusttoherconsistencytosayitwasthroughnofaultofhers，unlessacharacteristicexposurewhichbroughtonachillanddiphtheriacouldbecalledherownact。Howbeit，towardsthecloseoftheseason，whenasuddensuggestionofthecomingautumnhadcrept，oneknewnothow，intotheheartofaperfectday;whenevenareturnofthesummerwarmthhadasuspicionofhectic，——ononeofthesedaysSarahWalkerwasmissedwiththebeesandthebutterflies。Fortwodayshervoicehadnotbeenheardinhallorcorridor，norhadthesunshineofherFrenchmarigoldheadlitupherfamiliarplaces。Thetwodaysweredaysofrelief，yetmitigatedwithacertainuneasyapprehensionofthereturnofSarahWalker，or——morealarmingthought！——theSarahWalkerelementinamoreappallingform。Sostrongwasthisimpressionthatanunhappyinfantwhounwittinglybrokethisintervalwithhismaidenoutcrywasnearlylynched。\"We’renotgoingtostandthatfromYOU，youknow，\"wasthecrystallizedsentimentofabrutalbachelor。Infact，itbegantobeadmittedthatGreyporthadbeenaccustomedtoSarahWalker’sways。Inthemidstofthis，itwassuddenlywhisperedthatSarahWalkerwaslyingdangerouslyill，andwasnotexpectedtolive。
Thenoccurredoneofthosestrangerevulsionsofhumansentimentwhichatfirstseemtopointthedawningofamillenniumofpoeticjustice，butwhich，inthiscase，endedinmerelystirringthelanguidpulsesofsocietyintoahecticfever，andinmakingsympathyforSarahWalkeraninsincereandexaggeratedfashion。
Morningandafternoonvisitstoherapartment，withextravagantofferings，werederigueur;bulletinswereissuedthreetimesaday;anallusiontoherconditionwastherecognizedpreliminarytoallconversation;advice，suggestions，andpetitionstorestorethebalefulexistence，flowedreadilyfromthesamefacileinventionthathadonceproposeditsbanishment;untiloneafternoontheshadowhaddrawnsoclosethatevenFollywithhelditscarelessfeetbeforeit，andlaiddownitsfeebletinklingbellsandgaudycaptremblinglyonthethreshold。Butthesequelmustbetoldinmorevividwordsthanmine。
\"WhinIsawthatangellyin’there，\"saidSarahWalker’snurse，\"aswhite，ifyeplaze，asifthewholeblessedbloodofherbodyhadgonetomakeupthebeautifulgloryofherhair;speechlessasshewas，IthoughtIsawasortoflongin’inhereyes。
\"’Isitanythin’you’llbewantin’，Sarahdarlint’，sezhermotherwithathremblin’voice，’aforeit’slavin’usyeare？Isittheministheryeraskin’for，love？’sezshe。
\"AndSarahlookedatme，andifitwasthelastwordsIspake，herlipsmovedandshewhispered’Scotty。’
\"’Wirra！wirra！’sezthemother，’it’swanderin’sheis，thedarlin’;’forScotty，don’tyesee，wasthegrandbarkeeperofthehotel。
\"’Savin’yerpresence，ma’am，’sezI，’andthechild’shere，ezishalfasaintalready，it’sthruthshe’sspakin’——it’sScottyshewants。’Andwiththatmyangelblinkswidherblackeyes’yes。’
\"’Bringhim，’saysthedocthor，’atonce。’
\"Andtheybringhiminwidallthemustachiosandmoightyfinecurlsofhim，andhisdiamonds，rings，andpinsalla-glisteningjustlikehiseyeswhenheset’emonthatsufferingsaint。
\"’Isitanythin’you’rewantin，’Sarahdear？’sezhe，thryin’tospakefirm。AndSarahlooksathim，andthenlooksatatumbleronthetable。
\"’Isitabitofacocktail，thelikesoftheoneImadeforyelastSundayunbeknownst？’sezhe，lookingroundmortalafraidoftheparents。AndSarahWalker’seyessaid，’Itis。’Thentheministhergroaned，butthedocthorjumpstohisfeet。
\"’Bringit，’sezhe，’andhowldyourjaw，anye’saChristiansowl。’Andhebroughtit。An’aftherthefirstsip，thechildliftsherselfupononearm，andsez，withaswatesmileandatossoftheglass：
\"’Ilookstowardsyou，Scotty，’sezshe。
\"’Iobservesyouandbows，miss，’sezhe，makin’asifhewasdhrinkin’widher。
\"’Here’sanothernailinyercoffin，oldman，’sezshewinkin’。
\"’Andhere’sthehairalloffyourhead，miss，’sezhequiteaisily，tossin’backthejokebetwixt’em。
\"Andwiththatshedhrinksitoff，andliesdownandgoestosleeplikealamb，andwakesupwidderosydawninhercheeks，andthemorthalseeknessgoneforever。\"……
ThusSarahWalkerrecovered。Whetherthefactwereessentialtothemoralconveyedinthesepages，Ileavethereadertojudge。
IwasleaningontheterraceoftheKronprinzen-HofatRolandseckonehotsummerafternoon，lazilywatchingthegroupsoftouristsstrollingalongtheroadthatranbetweentheHofandtheRhine。
TherewascertainlylittleintheplaceoritsatmospheretorecalltheGreyportepisodeoftwentyyearsbefore，whenIwassuddenlystartledbyhearingthenameof\"SarahWalker。\"
Intheroadbelowmewerethreefigures，——alady，agentleman，andalittlegirl。Asthelatterturnedtowardstheladywhoaddressedher，Irecognizedtheunmistakablecopper-coloredtresses，trimfigure，delicatecomplexion，andrefinedfeaturesofthefriendofmyyouth！Iseizedmyhat，butbythetimeIhadreachedtheroad，theyhaddisappeared。
TheutterimpossibilityofitsbeingSarahWalkerherself，andtheglaringfactthattheverycoincidenceofnamewouldbeinconsistentwithanyconventionaldescentfromtheoriginalSarah，Iadmitconfusedme。ButIexaminedthebookoftheKronprinzen-
Hofandtheotherhotels，andquestionedmyportier。Therewasno\"Mees\"nor\"MadameWalkiere\"extantinRolandseck。YetmightnotMonsieurhaveheardincorrectly？TheCzaraWalkawasevidentlyRussian，andRolandseckwasaresortforRussianprinces。Butpardon！DidMonsieurreallymeantheyoungdemoisellenowapproaching？Ah！thatwasadifferentaffair。ShewasthedaughteroftheItalianPrinceandPrincessMonteCastellostayinghere。TheladywithherwasnotthePrincess，butaforeignfriend。ThegentlemanwasthePrince。WouldhepresentMonsieur’scard？
Theywereenteringthehotel。ThePrincewasalittle，inoffensive-lookingman，theladyanevidentcountrywomanofmyown，andthechild——was，yetwasNOT，Sarah！Therewastheface，theoutline，thefigure——butthelife，theverve，theaudacity，waswanting！Icouldcontainmyselfnolonger。
\"Pardonaninquisitivecompatriot，madam，\"Isaid;\"butIheardyouafewmomentsagoaddressthisyoungladybythenameofaverydearyoungfriend，whomIknewtwentyyearsago——SarahWalker。AmIright？\"
ThePrincestoppedandgazedatusbothwithevidentaffright;thensuddenlyrecognizinginmyfreedomsomewildAmericanindecorum，doubtlessprovokedbythepresenceofanotherofmyspecies，whichhereallywasnotexpectedtocountenance，retreatedbehindtheportier。Thecircumstancebynomeansincreasedthegood-willofthelady，assherepliedsomewhathaughtily：——
\"ThePrincipessinaisnamedSarahWalker，afterhermother’smaidenname。\"
\"ThenthisISSarahWalker’sdaughter！\"Isaidjoyfully。
\"SheisthedaughterofthePrinceandPrincessofMonteCastello，\"
correctedtheladyfrigidly。
\"Ihadthepleasureofknowinghermotherverywell。\"Istoppedandblushed。DidIreallyknowSarahWalkerverywell？AndwouldSarahWalkerknowmenow？Orwoulditnotbeverylikehertogobackonme？Therewascertainlyanythingbutpromiseinthefeeble-minded，vacuouscopyofSarahbeforeme。Iwasyethesitating，whenthePrince，whohadpossiblyreceivedsomequietingassurancefromtheportier，himselfsteppedforward，stammeredthatthePrincesswould，withoutdoubt，becharmedtoreceivemelater，andskippedupstairs，leavingtheimpressiononmymindthathecontemplatedorderinghisbillatonce。Therewasnoexcuseforfurtherprolongingtheinterview。\"Saygood-bytothestrangegentleman，Sarah，\"suggestedSarah’scompanionstiffly。
IlookedatthechildinthewildhopeofrecognizingsomepromptresistancetothesuggestionthatwouldhaveidentifiedherwiththelostSarahofmyyouth——butinvain。\"Good-by，sir，saidtheaffectedlittlecreature，droppingamechanicalcurtsey。\"Thankyouverymuchforrememberingmymother。\"\"Good-by，Sarah！\"Itwasindeedgood-byforever。
ForonmywaytomyroomIcamesuddenlyuponthePrince，inarecessoftheupperhall，addressingsomebodythroughanopendoorwithaquerulousprotest，whosewildextravaganceofstatementwasgrotesquelybalancedbyitsutterfeebletimidityofmanner。\"Itis，\"saidthePrince，\"indeedagraveaffair。Wehaveherehundredsofsocialists，emissariesfromlawlesscountriesandimpossibleplaces，whotravelthousandsofmilestofalluponourheartsandembraceus。Theyestablishanespionageoverus;theyhauntourwalksinincrediblenumbers;theyhangindrovesuponourfootsteps;Heavenalonesavesusfromapublicosculationatanymoment！Theyopenlyallegethattheyhavedandledusontheirkneesatrecentperiods;washedanddressedus，andwoulddosostill。Ourhappiness，oursecurity——\"
\"Don’tbeafool，Prince。Doshutup！\"
ThePrincecollapsedandshrankaway，andIhurriedpasttheopendoor。Atall，magnificent-lookingwomanwasstandingbeforeaglass，arrangingherheavyredhair。Theface，whichhadbeenimpatientlyturnedtowardsthedoor，hadchangedagaintoprofile，withafrownstillvisibleonthebentbrow。OureyesmetasI
passed。Thenextmomentthedoorslammed，andIhadseenthelastofSarahWalker。
ASHIPOF’49
IthadrainedsopersistentlyinSanFranciscoduringthefirstweekofJanuary，1854，thatacertainquagmireintheroadwayofLongWharfhadbecomeimpassable，andaplankwasthrownoveritsdangerousdepth。Indeed，sotreacherouswasthespotthatitwasalleged，ongoodauthority，thatahastilyembarkingtravelerhadoncehopelesslylosthisportmanteau，andwasfaintodisposeofhisentireinterestinitforthesumoftwodollarsandfiftycentstoaspeculativestrangeronthewharf。Asthestranger’ssearchwasrewardedafterwardsonlybythediscoveryofthebodyofacasualChinaman，whohadevidentlyendeavoredwickedlytoanticipatehim，afeelingofcommercialinsecuritywasaddedtotheothereccentricitiesofthelocality。
Theplankledtothedoorofabuildingthatwasamarveleveninthechaoticfrontierarchitectureofthestreet。Thehousesoneitherside——irregularframesofwoodorcorrugatediron——boreevidenceofhavingbeenquicklythrowntogether，tomeettherequirementsofthegoodsandpassengerswhowereoncedisembarkedonwhatwasthemuddybeachoftheinfantcity。Butthebuildinginquestionexhibitedacertainelaborationofformanddesignutterlyinconsistentwiththisidea。Thestructureobtrudedabowedfronttothestreet，withacurvinglineofsmallwindows，surmountedbyelaboratecarvingsandscrollworkofvinesandleaves，whilebelow，infadedgiltletters，appearedthelegend\"Pontiac——Marseilles。\"Theeffectofthisincongruitywasstartling。Itisrelatedthataninebriatedminer，impededbymudanddrinkbeforeitsdoor，wasfoundgazingatitsremarkablefacadewithanexpressionofthedeepestdespondency。\"Ihevlivedafreelife，pardner，\"heexplainedthicklytotheSamaritanwhosuccoredhim，\"andeverytimesinceI’vebeenonthissixweeks’
jamboreemighthavekalkilateditwouldcometothis。SnakesI’veseenaforenow，andratsI’mnotunfamiliarwith，butwhenitcomestothestarnofashiprisin’upoutofthestreet，Ireckonit’stimetopassinmychecks。\"\"ItISaship，youblastedoldsoaker，\"saidtheSamaritancurtly。
Itwasindeedaship。Ashiprunashoreandabandonedonthebeachyearsbeforebyhergold-seekingcrew，withthedebrisofherscatteredstoresandcargo，overtakenbythewildgrowthofthestrangecityandthereclamationofthemuddyflat，whereinshelayhopelesslyimbedded;herretreatcutoffbywharvesandquaysandbreakwater，jostledatfirstbysheds，andthenimpactedinablockofsolidwarehousesanddwellings，herrudder，port，andcounterboardedin，andnowgazinghopelesslythroughhercabinwindowsuponthebusystreetbeforeher。Butstillashipdespitehertransformation。Thefaintestlineofcontouryetleftvisiblespokeofthebuoyancyofanotherelement;thebalustradeofherroofwasunmistakablyataffrail。Therainslippedfromherswellingsideswithacertainlingeringtouchofthesea;thesoilaroundherwasstilltreacherouswithitssuggestions，andeventhewindwhistlednauticallyoverherchimney。If，inthefuryofsomesouthwesterlygale，shehadonenightslippedherstrangemooringsandleftashiningtrackthroughthelowertowntothedistantsea，noonewouldhavebeensurprised。
Leastofall，perhaps，herpresentownerandpossessor，Mr。AbnerNott。Forbytheironyofcircumstances，Mr。NottwasaFarWesternfarmerwhohadneverseenashipbefore，noralargerstreamofwaterthanatributaryoftheMissouriRiver。Inaspirit，halfoffascination，halfofspeculation，hehadboughtheratthetimeofherabandonment，andhadsincemortgagedhisranchatPetalumawithhislivestock，todefraytheexpensesoffillinginthelandwhereshestood，andtheimprovementsofthevicinity。
Hehadtransferredhishouseholdgoodsandhisonlydaughtertohercabin，andhaddividedthespace\"betweendecks\"andherholdintolodging-rooms，andloftsforthestorageofgoods。Itcouldhardlybesaidthattheinvestmenthadbeenprofitable。Histenantsvaguelyrecognizedthathisoccupancywasasentimentalratherthanacommercialspeculation，andoftengenerouslylentthemselvestotheillusionbynotpayingtheirrent。Otherstreatedtheirowntenancyasajoke，——aquaintrecreationbornofthechildlikefamiliarityoffrontierintercourse。Afewhadleftcarelesslyabandoningtheirunsalablegoodstotheirlandlord，withgreatcheerfulnessandasenseoffavor。OccasionallyMr。AbnerNott，inapracticalrelapse，ragedagainstthederelicts，andtalkedofdispossessingthem，orevendismantlinghistenement，buthewaseasilyplacatedbyacomplimenttothe\"dearoldship，\"oraneffortmadebysometenanttoidealizehisapartment。A
photographerwhohadingeniouslyutilizedtheforecastleforagallery（accessiblefromthebowsinthenextstreet），paidnofurthertributethanaportraitoftheprettyfaceofRoseyNott。
ThesuperstitiousreverenceinwhichAbnerNottheldhismonstrousfancywasnaturallyenhancedbyhispurelybucolicexaggerationofitsrealfunctionsanditsnativeelement。\"Thisyerkeelhassailed，andsailed，andsailed，\"hewouldexplainwithsomeincongruityofillustration，\"inabeeline，makin’tracksfordaysrunnin’。Ireckonmorestormsandblizzardsheztackledherthenyoukenshakeastickat。She’sstampededwhalesaforenow，andsloshedroundwithpiratesandfreebootersinandoutertheSpanishMain，andacrosslotsfromMarcelleyswhereshewasrared。Andyershesitspeaceful-likejustezifshe’dneverbeenouterapertaterpatch，andhadn’tploughedtheseawithfo’sailsandstuddin’sailsandthemthingscavortin’roundhermasts。\"
AbnerNott’senthusiasmwassharedbyhisdaughter，butwithmoreimagination，andanintelligencestimulatedbythescantliteratureofherfather’semigrantwagonandthefewbooksfoundonthecabinshelves。Buttoherthestrangeshellsheinhabitedsuggestedmoreofthegreatworldthantherude，chaoticcivilizationshesawfromthecabinwindowsormetinthepersonsofherfather’slodgers。
Shutupfordaysinthisquainttenement，shehadseenitchangefromtheenchantedplaygroundofherchildishfancytothetheatreofheractivemaidenhood，butwithoutlosingheridealromanceinit。Shehadtranslateditshistoryinherownway，readitsquaintnauticalhieroglyphicsafterherownfashion，andpossessedherselfofitssecrets。Shehadinfancymadevoyagesinittoforeignlands;hadheardtheaccentsofasoftertongueonitsdecks，andonsummernights，fromtheroofofthequarter-deck，hadseenmellowerconstellationstaketheplaceofthehardmetallicglitteroftheCalifornianskies。Sometimes，inherisolation，thelong，cylindricalvaultsheinhabitedseemed，likesomevastsea-shell，tobecomemusicalwiththemurmuringsofthedistantsea。Socompletelyhadittakentheplaceoftheusualinstinctsoffeminineyouththatshehadforgottenshewaspretty，orthatherdresseswereoldinfashionandscantinquantity。Afterthefirstsurpriseofadmirationherfather’slodgersceasedtofollowtheabstractednymphexceptwiththeireyes，——partlyrespectingherspiritualshyness，partlyrespectingthejealoussupervisionofthepaternalNott。Sheseldompenetratedthecrowdedcentreofthegrowingcity;herrareexcursionswereconfinedtotheoldranchatPetaluma，whenceshebroughtflowersandplants，andevenextemporizedahanging-gardenonthequarter-deck。
Itwasstillraining，andthewind，whichhadincreasedtoagale，wasdashingthedropsagainsttheslantingcabinwindowswithasoundlikespraywhenMr。AbnerNottsatbeforeatableseriouslyengagedwithhisaccounts。Foritwas\"steamernight，\"——asthatmomentousdayofreckoningbeforethesailingoftheregularmailsteamerwasbrieflyknowntocommercialSanFrancisco，——andMr。
Nottwassubjectatsuchtimestoseverelypracticalrelapses。A
swinginglightseemedtobringintogreaterreliefthatpeculiarencasedcasket-likesecurityofthelow-timbered，tightly-fittingapartment，withitstoy-likeutilitiesofspace，andmadetheprettyovalfaceofRoseyNottappearacharacteristicornament。
Theslidingdoorofthecabincommunicatedwiththemaindeck，nowroofedinandpartitionedoffsoastoformasmallpassagethatledtotheopenstarboardgangway，whereanarrow，inclosedstaircasebuiltontheship’ssidetooktheplaceoftheship’sladderunderhercounter，andopenedinthestreet。
AdashofrainagainstthewindowcausedRoseytolifthereyesfromherbook。
\"It’smuchnicerherethanattheranch，father，\"shesaidcoaxingly，\"evenleavingaloneitsbeingabeautifulshipinsteadofashanty;thewinddon’twhistlethroughthecracksandblowoutthecandlewhenyou’rereading，northerainspoilyourthingshungupagainstthewall。Andyoulookmorelikeagentlemansittinginhisown——ship——youknow，lookingoverhisbillsandgettingreadytogivehisorders。\"
VagueandgeneralasMissRosey’scomplimentwas，ithaditsfulleffectuponherfather，whowasattimesdimlyconsciousofhishopelessrusticityanditsincongruitywithhissurroundings。
\"Yes，\"hesaidawkwardly，withaslightrelaxationofhisaggressiveattitude;\"yes，incourseit’smorebang-upstyle，butitdon’tpay——Rosey——itdon’tpay。Yer’sthePontiacthatoughterbebringin’in，ezrentsgo，atleastthreehundredamonth，don’tmakehertaxes。Ibinthinkin’seriouslyofsellin’her。\"
AsRoseyknewherfatherhadexperiencedthisseriouscontemplationonthefirstofeverymonthforthelasttwoyears，andcheerfullyignoreditthenextday，sheonlysaid，\"I’msurethevacantroomsandloftsareallrented，father。\"
\"That’sit，\"returnedMr。Nottthoughtfully，pluckingathisbushywhiskerswithhisfingersandthumbasifhewereremovingdeadandsaplessincumbraneesintheirgrowth，\"that’sjustwhatitis——
them’sezinitthemselvesdon’tpay，andthemezhazlefttheirgoods——thegoodsdon’tpay。Thefellerezstoredthemironsugarkettlesintheforehold，aftertryingtogetmetomakeanotheradvanceon’em，sezhebelieveshe’llhavetosacrifice’emtomeafterall，andonlybegsI’dgivehimachanceofbuyingbackthehalfof’emtenyearsfromnow，atdoublewhatIadvancedhim。Thechapthatleftthemfivehundredcasesofhairdye’tweendecksandthenskippedouttoSacramento，metmetheotherdayinthestreetandadvisedmetouseabottleezanadvertisement，ortryitonthestarnofthePontiacforfire-proofpaint。Thatfoolishnessezallhe’sgoodfor。Andyettharmightbesuthin’inthepaint，ifafellerhadniggerluck。Ther’sthatNewYorkchapezboughtupthemdamagedboxesofplugterbakerforfiftydollarsathousand，andsold’emforfoundationsforthatnewbuildinginSansomeStreetatathousandclearprofit。It’sallluck，Rosey。\"
Thegirl’seyeshadwanderedagaintothepagesofherbook。
Perhapsshewasalreadyfamiliarwiththetextofherfather’smonologue。Butrecognizinganadditionalquerulousnessinhisvoice，shelaidthebookasideandpatientlyfoldedherhandsinherlap。
\"That’sright——forI’vesuthin’totellye。ThefactisSleightwantstobuythePontiacoutandoutjustezshestandswiththetwofiftyvaralotsshestandson。\"
\"Sleightwantstobuyher？Sleight？\"echoedRoseyincredulously。
\"Youbet！Sleight——thebigfinancier，thesmartestmanin’Frisco。\"
\"Whatdoeshewanttobuyherfor？\"askedRosey，knittingherprettybrows。
TheapparentlysimplequestionsuddenlypuzzledMr。Nott。Heglancedfeeblyathisdaughter’sface，andfrownedinvacantirritation。\"That’sso，\"hesaid，drawingalongbreath;\"there’ssuthin’inthat。\"
\"WhatdidheSAY？\"continuedtheyounggirl，impatiently。
\"Notmuch。’You’vegotthePontiac，Nott，’sezhe。’Youbet！’sezI。’What’llyoutakeforherandthelotshestandson？’sezhe，shortandsharp。Somefellers，Rosey，\"saidNott，withacunningsmile，\"wouldhevblurtedoutabigfiggerandbeencotched。Thatain’tmystyle。Ijustlookedathim。’I’llwaitfuryourfiggersuntilnextsteamerday，’sezhe，andoffhegoeslikeashot。He’sawfullysharp，Rosey。\"
\"Butifheissharp，father，andhereallywantstobuytheship，\"
returnedRosey，thoughfully，\"it’sonlybecauseheknowsit’svaluableproperty，andnotbecausehelikesitaswedo。Hecan’ttakethatvalueawayevenifwedon’tsellittohim，andallthewhilewehavethecomfortofthedearoldPontiac，don’tyousee？\"
ThisexhaustivecommercialreasoningwassosympathetictoMr。
Nott’sinstinctsthatheaccepteditasconclusive。He，however，deemeditwisetostillpreservehispracticalattitude。\"Butthatdon’tmakeitpaybythemonth，Rosey。Suthin’mustbedone。I’mthinkingI’llcleanoutthatphotographer。\"
\"Notjustafterhe’stakensuchaprettyviewofthecabinfrontofthePontiacfromthestreet，father！No！he’sgoingtogiveusacopy，andputtheotherinashopwindowinMontgomeryStreet。\"
\"That’sso，\"saidMr。Nott，musingly;\"it’snoslouchofanadvertisement。’ThePontiac，’thepropertyofA。Nott，Esq。，ofSt。Jo，Missouri。SenditontoyourAuntPhoebe;sortermaketheoldfolksopentheireyes——oh？Well，seein’he’sbeentosomeexpensefittin’upanentrancefromtheotherstreet，we’lllethimslide。Butastothatd————doldFrenchmanFerrers，inthenextloft，withhisstuck-upairsandhigh-falutinstyle，wemustgetquitofhim;he’sregularlygougedmeinthaterehorsehairspekilation。\"
\"Howcanyousaythat，father！\"saidRosey，withaslightincreaseofcolor。\"Itwasyourownoffer。Youknowthosebalesofcurledhorsehairwereleftbehindbythelatetenanttopayhisrent。
WhenMr。deFerrieresrentedtheroomafterwards，youtoldhimyou’dthrowtheminintheplaceofrepairsandfurniture。Itwasyourownoffer。\"
\"Yes，butIdidn’treckonther’deverbeabigpriceperpoundpaidforthedarnedstuffforsofysandcushionsandsich。\"
\"HowdoyouknowHEknewit，father？\"respondedRosey。
\"Thenwhydidhelooksosillyatfirst，andthenputonairswhenIjokedhimaboutit，eh？\"
\"Perhapshedidn’tunderstandyourjoking，father。He’saforeigner，andshyandproud，and——notliketheothers。Idon’tthinkheknewwhatyoumeantthen，anymorethanhebelievedhewasmakingabargainbefore。Hemaybepoor，butIthinkhe’sbeen——a——
a——gentleman。\"
Theyounggirl’sanimationpenetratedevenMr。Nott’sslowcomprehension。Hernovelopposition，andeventheprettinessitenhanced，gavehimadullpremonitionofpain。Hissmallroundeyesbecameabstracted，hismouthremainedpartlyopen，evenhisfreshcolorslightlypaled。
\"Youseemtohavebeentakin’stockofthisyerman，Rosey，\"hesaid，withafaintattemptatarchness;\"ifhewarn’tezoldezacrow，forallhisyoungfeathers，I’dthinkhewasmakin’uptoyou。\"
Butthepassingglowhadfadedfromheryoungcheeks，andhereyeswanderedagaintoherbook。\"Hepayshisrentregularlyeverysteamernight，\"shesaid，quietly，asifdismissinganexhaustedsubject，\"andhe’llbehereinamoment，Idaresay。\"Shetookupherbook，andleaningherheadonherhand，oncemorebecameabsorbedinitspages。
Anuneasysilencefollowed。Therainbeatagainstthewindows，thetickingofaclockbecameaudible，butstillMr。Nottsatwithvacanteyesfixedonhisdaughter’sface，andtheconstrainedsmileonhislips。Hewasconsciousthathehadneverseenherlooksoprettybefore，yethecouldnottellwhythiswasnolongeranunalloyedsatisfaction。Notbutthathehadalwaysacceptedtheadmirationofothersforherasamatterofcourse，butforthefirsttimehebecameconsciousthatshenotonlyhadaninterestinothers，butapparentlyasuperiorknowledgeofthem。Howdidsheknowthesethingsaboutthisman，andwhyhadsheonlynowaccidentallyspokenofthem？HEwouldhavedoneso。Allthispassedsovaguelythroughhisunreflectivemind，thathewasunabletoretainanydecidedimpression，butthefar-reachingonethathislodgerhadobtainedsomeoccultinfluenceoverherthroughtheexhibitionofhisbalefulskillinthehorsehairspeculation。
\"Themtricksislikelytotakeayounggirl’sfancy。Imustlookarterher，\"hesaidtohimselfsoftly。
Aslowregularstepinthegangwayinterruptedhispaternalreflections。Hastilybuttoningacrosshischestthepea-jacketwhichheusuallyworeathomeasasingleconcessiontohisnauticalsurroundings，hedrewhimselfupwithsomethingoftheassumptionofaship-master，despitecertainbucolicsuggestionsofhisbootsandlegs。Thefootstepsapproachednearer，andatallfiguresuddenlystoodinthedoorway。
Itwasafiguresoextraordinarythateveninthestrangemasqueradeofthatearlycivilizationitwasremarkable;afigurewithwhomfatheranddaughterwerealreadyfamiliarwithoutabatementofwonder——thefigureofarejuvenatedoldman，padded，powdered，dyed，andpaintedtothevergeofcaricature，butwithoutasinglesuggestionofludicrousnessorhumor。Afacesoartificialthatitseemedalmostamask，but，likeamask，morepatheticthanamusing。Hewasdressedintheextremeoffashionofadozenyearsbefore;hispearlgraytrousersstrappedtightlyoverhisvarnishedboots，hisvoluminoussatincravatandhighcollarembracedhisrougedcheeksanddyedwhiskers，hisclosely-buttonedfrockcoatclingingtoawaistthatseemedaccentedbystays。
Headvancedtwostepsintothecabinwithanuprightprecisionofmotionthatmighthavehidtheinfirmitiesofage，andsaiddeliberatelywithaforeignaccent：——
\"You-r-rac-coumpt？\"
IntheactualpresenceoftheapparitionMr。Nott’sdignifiedresistancewavered。Butglancinguneasilyathisdaughterandseeinghercalmeyesfixedonthespeakerwithoutembarrassment，hefoldedhisarmsstiffly，andwithaloftysimulationofexaminingtheceiling，said，——
\"Ahem！Rosa！Thegentleman’saccount。\"
Itwasaninfelicitousaction。Forthestranger，whoevidentlyhadnotnoticedthepresenceoftheyounggirlbefore，started，tookastepquicklyforward，bentstifflybutprofoundlyoverthelittlehandthatheldtheaccount，raisedittohislips，andwith\"athousandpardons，mademoiselle，\"laidasmallcanvasbagcontainingtherentbeforethedisorganizedMr。Nottandstifflyvanished。
Thatnightwasatroubledonetothesimple-mindedproprietorofthegoodshipPontiac。Unabletovoicehisuneasinessbyfurtherdiscussion，butfeelingthathislatediscomposinginterviewwithhislodgerdemandedsomemarkedprotest，heabsentedhimselfonthepleaofbusinessduringtherestoftheevening，happilytohisdaughter’sutterobliviousnessofthereason。Lightswereburningbrilliantlyincounting-roomsandoffices，thefeverishlifeofthemercantilecitywasatitsheight。WithavagueideaofenteringintoimmediatenegotiationswithMr。Sleightforthesaleoftheship——asadirectwayoutofhispresentperplexity，hebenthisstepstowardsthefinancier’soffice，butpausedandturnedbackbeforereachingthedoor。Hemadehiswaytothewharfandgazedabstractedlyatthelightsreflectedinthedark，tremulous，jelly-
likewater。Butwhereverhewenthewasaccompaniedbytheabsurdfigureofhislodger——afigurehehadhithertolaughedatorhalfpitied，butwhichnow，tohisbewilderedcomprehension，seemedtohaveafatefulsignificance。Hereanewideaseizedhim，andhehurriedbacktotheship，slackeninghispaceonlywhenhearrivedathisowndoorway。Herehepausedamomentandslowlyascendedthestaircase。Whenhereachedthepassagehecoughedslightlyandpausedagain。Thenhepushedopenthedoorofthedarkenedcabinandcalledsoftly：——
\"Rosey！\"
\"Whatisit，father？\"saidRosey’svoicefromthelittlestate-roomontheright——Rosey’sownbower。
\"Nothing！\"saidMr。Nott，withanaffectationoflanguidcalmness;
\"Ionlywantedtoknowifyouwascomfortable。It’sanawfulbusynightintown。\"
\"Yes，father。\"
\"Ireckonthar’stonso’goldgoin’totheStatestomorrow。\"
\"Yes，father。\"
\"Prettycomfortable，eh？\"
\"Yes，father。\"
\"Well，I’llbrowseroundaspell，andturninmyself，soon。\"
\"Yesfather。\"
Mr。Notttookdownahanginglantern，litit，andpassedoutintothegangway。Anotherlamphungfromthecompanionhatchtolightthetenantstothelowerdeck，whencehedescended。Thisdeckwasdividedforeandaftbyapartitionedpassage，——theloftsorapartmentsbeinglightedfromtheports，andoneortwobyadoorcutthroughtheship’ssidecommunicatingwithanalleyoneitherside。ThiswasthecasewiththeloftoccupiedbyMr。Nott’sstrangelodger，which，besidesadoorinthepassage，hadthisindependentcommunicationwiththealley。Notthadneverknownhimtomakeuseofthelatterdoor;onthecontrary，itwashisregularhabittoissuefromhisapartmentatthreeo’clockeveryafternoon，dressedashehasbeendescribed，stridedeliberatelythroughthepassagetotheupperdeckandthenceintothestreet，wherehisstrangefigurewasafeatureoftheprincipalpromenadefortwoorthreehours，returningasregularlyateighto’clocktotheshipandtheseclusionofhisloft。Mr。Nottpausedbeforethedoor，underthepretenceofthrowingthelightbeforehimintotheshadowsoftheforecastle;allwassilentwithin。Hewasturningbackwhenhewasimpressedbytheregularrecurrenceofapeculiarrustlingsoundwhichhehadatfirstreferredtotherubbingofthewiresoftheswinginglanternagainsthisclothing。Hesetdownthelightandlistened;thesoundwasevidentlyontheothersideofthepartition;thesoundofsomeprolonged，rustling，scrapingmovement，withregularintervals。WasitduetoanotherofMr。
Nott’sunprofitabletenants——therats？No。AbrightideaflasheduponMr。Nott’stroubledmind。ItwasdeFerrieressnoring！Hesmiledgrimly。\"WonderifRosey’dcallhimagentlemanifsheheardthat，\"hechuckledtohimselfasheslowlymadehiswaybacktothecabinandthesmallstate-roomoppositetohisdaughter’s。
DuringtherestofthenighthedreamedofbeingcompelledtogiveRoseyinmarriagetohisstrangelodger，whoaddedinsulttotheoutragebysnoringaudiblythroughthemarriageservice。
Meantime，inhercradle-likenestinhernauticalbower，MissRoseyslumberedaslightly。WakingfromavividdreamofVenice——achild’sVenice——seenfromtheswellingdeckoftheproudly-ridingPontiac，shewassoimpressedastoriseandcrossontiptoetothelittleslantingporthole。Morningwasalreadydawningovertheflat，stragglingcity，butfromeverycounting-houseandmagazinethevotivetapersofthefeverishworshipersoftradeandmammonwerestillflaringfiercely。
II
Thedayfollowing\"steamernight\"wasusuallystaleandflatatSanFrancisco。Thereactionfromthefeverishexaltationoftheprevioustwenty-fourhourswasseeninthelistlessfacesandloungingfeetofpromenaders，andwasnotableinthedesertedofficesandwarehousesstillredolentoflastnight’sgas，andstrewnwiththedeadashesoflastnight’sfires。
Therewasabriefpausebeforethebusylifewhichranitscoursefrom\"steamerday\"tosteamerdaywasoncemoretakenup。Inthatintervalafewanxiousspeculatorsandinvestorsbreathedfreely，somecriticalsituationwasrelieved，orsomeimpendingcatastrophemomentarilyaverted。Inparticular，asingularstrokeofgoodfortunethatmorningbefellMr。Nott。Henotonlysecuredanewtenant，but，ashesagaciouslybelieved，introducedintothePontiacacounteractinginfluencetothesubtlefascinationsofdeFerrieres。
Thenewtenantapparentlypossessedacombinationofbusinessshrewdnessandbrusquefranknessthatstronglyimpressedhislandlord。\"Yousee，Rosey，\"saidNott，complacentlydescribingtheinterviewtohisdaughter，\"whenIsorterintimatedinakeerlesskindo’waythatsugarkettlesandhairdyewasaboutplayedoutezsecurities，hejustplankeddownthemoneyfortwomonthsinadvance。’There，’sezhe，’that’sYOURSECURITY——nowwhere’sMINE？’’IreckonIdon’thitchon，pardner，’sezI;’securitywhatfor？’’’Sposeyouselltheship？’sezhe，’aforethetwomonthsisup。I’veheardthatoldSleightwantstobuyher。’’Thenyougetsbackyourmoney，’sezI。’Andlosemyroom，’sezhe;’notmuch，oldman。Yousignapaperthatwhoeverbuystheshipinsideo’twomonthsheztobuyMEezatenantwithit;that’sonthesquare。’
SoIsignthepaper。Itwasmightycuteintheyoungfeller，wasn’tit？\"hesaid，scanninghisdaughter’sprettypuzzledfacealittleanxiously;\"anddon’tyouseeezIain’tgoin’tosellthePontiac，it’sjustaboutezcuteinme，eh？He’sacontractorsomewherearoundyer，andwantstobenearhiswork。SohetakestheroomnexttotheFrenchman，thatthatshipcaptainquitforthemines，andsucceedsnaterallytohischestandthings。He’smightpeart-lookin，thatyoungfeller，Rosey——longblackmoustaches，allhisowncolor，Rosey——andhe’saregularhigh-stepper，youbet。I
reckonhe’snotonlybeenagentleman，butezNOW。Someo’themcontractorsareveryhigh-toned！\"
\"Idon’tthinkwehaveanyrighttogivehimthecaptain’schest，father，\"saidRosey;\"theremaybesomeprivatethingsinit。
Thereweresomelettersandphotographsinthehair-dyeman’strunkthatyougavethephotographer。\"
\"That’sjustit，Rosey，\"returnedAbnerNottwithsublimeunconsciousness，\"photographsandlovelettersyoucan’tsellforcash，andIdon’tmindgivin’’emaway，iftheykinmakeafellercreaturehappy。\"
\"But，father，havewetheRIGHTtogive’emaway？\"
\"They’recollateralsecurity，Rosey，\"saidherfathergrimly。\"Co-
la-te-ral，\"hecontinued，emphasizingeachsyllablebytappingthefistofonehandintheopenpalmoftheother。\"Co-la-te-ralisthewordthebigbusinesssharpsyeraboutcall’em。Youcan’tgetroundthat。\"Hepausedamoment，andthen，asanewideaseemedtobepainfullyborneinhisroundeyes，continuedcautiously：\"Wasthatthereasonwhyyouwoudn’ttouchanyofthemdressesfromthetrunksofthatoperygalezskedaddledforSacramento？AndyetthemtrunksIregularlyboughtatauction——Rosey——atauction，onspec——andtheydidn’trealizethecostofdrayage。\"
AslightcolormountedtoRosey’sface。\"No，\"shesaid，hastily，\"notthat。\"Hesitatingamomentshethendrewsoftlytohisside，and，placingherarmsaroundhisneck，turnedhisbroad，foolishfacetowardsherown。\"Father，\"shebegan，\"whenmotherdied，wouldYOUhavelikedanybodytotakehertrunksandpawaroundherthingsandwearthem？\"
\"Whenyourmotherdied，justthissideo’Sweetwater，Rosey，\"saidMr。Nott，withbeamingunconsciousness，\"shehadn’tanytrunks。I
reckonshehadn’tevenanextragownhangingupinthewagin，’ceptthepetticoatezshehadwrappedaroundyer。ItwasaboutezmuchezwecoulddotoskirmishroundwithInjins，alkali，andcold，andwesorterforgottodressfordinner。Sheneverthought，Rosey，thatyouandmewouldlivetobeinhabitin’apalissofarealship。Efshehadshewouldhavediedaproudwoman。\"
Heturnedhissmall，loving，boar-likeeyesuponherasapreternaturallyinnocentandtrustingcompanionofUlyssesmighthaveregardedthetransformingCirce。Roseyturnedawaywiththefaintestsigh。Thehabituallookofabstractionreturnedtohereyesasifshehadoncemoretakenrefugeinherownidealworld。
Unfortunatelythechangedidnotescapeeitherthesensitiveobservationorthefatuousmisconceptionofthesagaciousparent。
\"Ye’llbemountin’afewfurbelowsandfixins，Rosey，Ireckon，ezonlynatural。Mabbeeye’llhavetoprinkupalittlenowthatwe’vegotagentlemancontractorintheship。I’llseewhatIkinpickupinMontgomeryStreet。\"Andindeedhesucceededafewhourslaterinaccomplishingwithequalinfelicityhisgenerousdesign。
Whenshereturnedfromherhouseholdtasksshefoundonherberthapurplevelvetbonnetofextraordinarymake，andapairofwhitesatinslippers。\"They’lldoforastartoff，Rosey，\"heexplained，\"andIgot’ematmyfiggers。\"
\"ButIgooutsoseldom，father，andabonnet——\"
\"That’sso，\"interruptedMr。Nott，complacently，\"itmightbejestezwellforayounggallikeyertoappearezifsheDIDgoout，orwouldgooutifshewantedto。Soyoukinbewearin’thatarheadstallkinderlikethiseveningwhenthecontractor’shere，ezifyou’djestcomeinfromapasear。\"