MissRoseydidnothoweverimmediatelyavailherselfofherfather’spurchase，butcontentedherselfwiththeusualscarletribbonthatlikeasnoodconfinedherbrownhair，whenshereturnedtohertasks。Thespacebetweenthegalleyandthebulwarkshadbeenherfavoriteresortinsummerwhennotactuallyengagedinhouseholdwork。Itwasnowlightlyroofedoverwithboardsandtarpaulinagainstthewinterrain，butstillaffordedheraveranda-likespacebeforethegallerydoor，whereshecouldreadorsew，lookingoverthebowofthePontiactothetossingbayorthefurtherrangeoftheContraCostahills。
HitherMissRoseybroughtthepurpleprodigy，partlytopleaseherfather，partlywithaviewofsubjectingittoviolentradicalchanges。Butaftertryingitonbeforethetinymirrorinthegalleyonceortwice，herthoughtswanderedaway，andshefellintooneofherhabitualreveriesseatedonalittlestoolbeforethegalleydoor。
Shewasrousedfromitbytheslightshakingandrattlingofthedoorsofasmallhatchonthedeck，notadozenyardsfromwhereshesat。Ithadbeenevidentlyfastenedfrombelowduringthewetweather，butasshegazed，thefasteningswereremoved，thedoorsweresuddenlylifted，andtheheadandshouldersofayoungmanemergedfromthedeck。Partlyfromherfather’sdescription，andpartlyfromtheimpossibilityofitsbeinganybodyelse，sheatonceconceivedittobethenewlodger。Shehadtimetonotethathewasyoungandgood-looking，graverperhapsthanbecamehissuddenpantomimicappearance，butbeforeshecouldobservehimclosely，hehadturned，closedthehatchwithacertainfamiliardexterity，andwalkedslowlytowardsthebows。Eveninherslightbewilderment，sheobservedthathisstepuponthedeckseemeddifferenttoherfather’sorthephotographer’s，andthathelaidhishandonvariousobjectswithahalf-caressingeaseandhabit。
Presentlyhepausedandturnedback，andglancingatthegalleydoorforthefirsttimeencounteredherwonderingeyes。
Itseemedsoevidentthatshehadbeenacuriousspectatorofhisabruptentranceondeckthathewasatfirstdisconcertedandconfused。Butafterasecondglanceatherheappearedtoresumehiscomposure，andadvancedalittledefiantlytowardsthegalley。
\"IsupposeIfrightenedyou，poppinguptheforehatchjustnow？\"
\"Thewhat？\"askedRosey。
\"Theforehatch，\"herepeatedimpatiently，indicatingitwithagesture。
\"Andthat’stheforehatch？\"shesaidabstractedly。\"Youseemtoknowships。\"
\"Yes——alittle，\"hesaidquietly。\"Iwasbelow，andunfastenedthehatchtocomeupthequickestwayandtakealookround。I’vejusthiredaroomhere，\"headdedexplanatorily。
\"Ithoughtso，\"saidRoseysimply;\"you’rethecontractor？\"
\"Thecontractor！——oh，yes！Youseemtoknowitall。\"
\"Father’stoldme。\"
\"Oh，he’syourfather——Nott？Certainly。Iseenow，\"hecontinued，lookingatherwithahalfrepressedsmile。\"Certainly，MissNott，goodmorning，\"hehalfaddedandwalkedtowardsthecompanionway。
SomethinginthedirectionofhiseyesasheturnedawaymadeRoseyliftherhandstoherhead。Shehadforgottentoremoveherfather’sbalefulgift。
Shesnatcheditoffandranquicklytothecompanionway。
\"Sir！\"shecalled。
Theyoungmanturnedhalfwaydownthestepsandlookedup。Therewasafaintcolorinhercheeks，andherprettybrownhairwasslightlydisheveledfromthehastyremovalofthebonnet。
\"Father’sveryparticularaboutstrangersbeingonthisdeck，\"shesaidalittlesharply。
\"Oh——ah——I’msorryIintruded。\"
\"I——I——thoughtI’dtellyou，\"saidRosey，frightenedbyherboldnessintoafeebleanti-climax。
\"Thankyou。\"
Shecamebackslowlytothegalleyandpickeduptheunfortunatebonnetwithaslightsenseofremorse。Whyshouldshefeelangrywithherpoorfather’sunhappyoffering？Andwhatbusinesshadthisstrangeyoungmantousetheshipsofamiliarly？Yetshewasvaguelyconsciousthatsheandherfather，withalltheirloveandtheirdomesticexperienceofit，lackedacertaininstinctiveeaseinitspossessionthatthehalfindifferentstrangerhadshownonfirsttreadingitsdeck。Shewalkedtothehatchwayandexamineditwithanewinterest。Succeedinginliftingthehatch，shegazedatthelowerdeck。Asshealreadyknewtheladderhadlongsincebeenremovedtomakeroomforoneofthepartitions，theonlywaythestrangercouldhavereacheditwasbyleapingtooneoftherings。Tomakesureofthissheletherselfdownholdingontotherings，anddroppedacoupleoffeettothedeckbelow。Shewasinthenarrowpassageherfatherhadpenetratedthepreviousnight。
BeforeherwasthedoorleadingtodeFerrieres’sloft，alwayslocked。Itwassilentwithin;itwasthehourwhentheoldFrenchmanmadehishabitualpromenadeinthecity。Butthelightfromthenewly-openedhatchallowedhertoseemoreofthemysteriousrecessesoftheforwardbulkheadthanshehadknownbefore，andshewasstartledbyobservinganotheryawninghatch-wayatherfeetfromwhichtheclosely-fittingdoorhadbeenlifted，andwhichthenewlodgerhadevidentlyforgottentocloseagain。
Theyounggirlstoopeddownandpeeredcautiouslyintotheblackabyss。Nothingwastobeseen，nothingheardbutthedistantgurgleandclickofwaterinsomeremoterdepth。Shereplacedthehatchandreturnedbywayofthepassagetothecabin。
Whenherfathercamehomethatnightshebrieflyrecountedtheinterviewwiththenewlodger，andherdiscoveryofhiscuriosity。
Shedidthiswithapossibleincreaseofherusualshynessandabstraction，andapparentlymoreasadutythanacolloquialrecreation。ButitpleasedMr。Nottalsotogiveitmorethanhisusualmisconception。\"Lookingroundtheship，washe——eh，Rosey？\"
hesaidwithinfinitearchness。\"Incourse，kindersweepin’roundthegalley，andofferin’tofetchyouwoodandwater，eh？\"Evenwhentheyounggirlhadpickedupherbookwiththeusualfaintsmileofaffectionatetolerance，andthendriftedawayinitspages，Mr。Nottchuckledaudibly。\"IreckonoldFrenchydidn’tcomebywhentheyoungonewasbedevlin’youthere。\"
\"What，father？\"saidRosey，liftingherabstractedeyestohisface。
AtthemomentitseemedimpossiblethatanyhumanintelligencecouldhavesuspecteddeceitorduplicityinRosey’scleargaze。
ButMr。Nott’sintelligencewassuperhuman。\"Iwassayin’thatMr。
Ferrieresdidn’thappeninwhiletheyoungfellerwasthere——eh？\"
\"No，father，\"answeredRosey，withanefforttofollowhimoutofthepagesofherbook。\"Why？\"
ButMr。Nottdidnotreply。Laterintheeveningheawkwardlywaylaidthenewlodgerbeforethecabindoorasthatgentlemanwouldhavepassedontohisroom。
\"I’mafraid，\"saidtheyoungman，glancingatRosey，\"thatI
intrudeduponyourdaughterto-day。Iwasalittlecurioustoseetheoldship，andIdidn’tknowwhatpartofitwasprivate。\"
\"Thereain’tnoprivateparttothisyership——thatez，’ceptingtheroomsandlofts，\"saidMr。Nott，authoritatively。Then，subjectingtheanxiouslookofhisdaughtertohisusualfacultyformisconception，headded，\"Tharain’tnoplacewharyouhaven’tasmuchrighttogoezanyotherman;tharain’tanyman，furrinerorAmerykan，youngorold，dyedorundyed，ezhevgotanybetterrights。Youhearme，youngfellow。Mr。Renshaw——mydarter。Mydarter——Mr。Renshaw。Rosey，givethegentlemanachair。She’sonlyjestcomeinfromapromeynade，andhezjesttakenoffherbonnet，\"
headded，withanarchlookatRosey，andahurriedlookaroundthecabin，asifhehopedtoseethemissinggiftvisibletothegeneraleye。\"Sotakeaseataminit，won’tye？\"
ButMr。Renshaw，afteranobservantglanceattheyounggirl’sabstractedface，brusquelyexcusedhimself，\"I’vegotalettertowrite，\"hesaid，withahalfbowtoRosey。\"Goodnight。\"
Hecrossedthepassagetotheroomthathadbeenassignedtohim，andclosingthedoorgavewaytosomeirritabilityoftemperinhiseffortstolightthelampandadjusthiswritingmaterials。ForhisexcusetoMr。Nottwasmoretruthfulthanmostpolitepretexts。
Hehad，indeed，alettertowrite，andonethat，beingyetyounginduplicity，thenearpresenceofhishostrendereddifficult。Foritranasfollows：——
\"DEARSLEIGHT，\"AsIfoundIcouldn’tgetachancetomakeanyexaminationoftheshipexceptasoccasionoffered，IjustwentintorentlodgingsinherfromtheGod-forsakenoldasswhoownsher，andhereIamatenantfortwomonths。Icontractedforthattimeincasetheoldfoolshouldsellouttosomeoneelsebefore。Exceptthatshe’scutupalittlebetweendecksbythepartitionsforloftsthatthatPikeCountyidiothasputintoher，shelooksbutlittlechanged，andherFORE-HOLD，asfarasIcanjudge，isintact。ItseemsthatNottboughtherjustasshestands，withhercargohalfout，buthewasn’therewhenshebrokecargo。IfanybodyelsehadboughtherbutthiscursedMissourian，whohasn’tgotthehayseedoutofhishair，Imighthavefoundoutsomethingfromhim，andsavedmyselfthiskindoffooling，whichisn’tinmyline。IfIcouldgetpossessionofaloftonthemaindeck，wellforward，justoverthefore-hold，Icouldsatisfymyselfinafewhours，buttheloftisrentedbythatcrazyFrenchmanwhoparadesMontgomeryStreeteveryafternoon，andthougholdPikeCountywantstoturnhimout，I’mafraidIcan’tgetitforaweektocome。
\"Ifanythingshouldhappentome，justyouwaltzdownhereandcorralmythingsatonce，forthisoldfrontierpiratehasawayofconfiscatinghislodgers’trunks。
\"Yours，DICK。\"
III
IfMr。RenshawindulgedinanyfurthercuriosityregardingtheinteriorofthePontiac，hedidnotmakehisactiveresearchesmanifesttoRosey。Nor，inspiteofherfather’sinvitation，didheagainapproachthegalley——afactwhichgaveherherfirstvagueimpressioninhisfavor。HeseemedalsotoavoidthevariousadvanceswhichMr。Nottappearedimpelledtomake，whenevertheymetinthepassage，butdidsowithoutseeminglyavoidingHER，andmarkedhishalfcontemptuousindifferencetotheelderNottbyanincreaseofrespecttotheyounggirl。Shewouldhavelikedtoaskhimsomethingaboutships，andwassurehisconversationwouldhavebeenmoreinterestingthanthatofoldCaptainBower，towhosecabinhehadsucceeded，whohadoncetoldherashipwasthe\"devil’shen-coop。\"Shewouldhavelikedalsotoexplaintohimthatshewasnotinthehabitofwearingapurplebonnet。Butherthoughtswerepresentlyengrossedbyanexperiencewhichinterruptedtheeventenorofheryounglife。
Shehadbeen，assheafterwardsremembered，impressedwithanervousrestlessnessoneafternoon，whichmadeitimpossibleforhertoperformherordinaryhouseholdduties，oreventoindulgeherfavoriterecreationofreadingorcastlebuilding。Shewanderedovertheship，and，impelledbythesamevaguefeelingofunrest，descendedtothelowerdeckandtheforwardbulkheadwhereshehaddiscoveredtheopenhatch。Ithadnotbeenagaindisturbed，norwasthereanytraceoffurtherexploration。A
littleashamed，sheknewnotwhy，ofrevisitingthesceneofMr。
Renshaw’sresearches，shewasturningbackwhenshenoticedthatthedoorwhichcommunicatedwithdeFerrieres’sloftwaspartlyopen。Thecircumstancewassounusualthatshestoppedbeforeitinsurprise。Therewasnosoundfromwithin;itwasthehourwhenitsqueeroccupantwasalwaysabsent;hemusthaveforgottentolockthedoororithadbeenunfastenedbyotherhands。Afteramomentofhesitationshepusheditfurtheropenandsteppedintotheroom。
Bythedimlightoftwoport-holesshecouldseethatthefloorwasstrewnandpiledwiththecontentsofabrokenbaleofcurledhorsehair，ofwhichafewuntouchedbalesstillremainedagainstthewall。Aheapofmoroccoskins，somealreadycutintheformofchaircushioncovers，andafewcushionsunfinishedandunstuffedlayinthelightoftheports，andgavetheapartmenttheappearanceofacheapworkshop。Arudeinstrumentforcombingthehorsehair，awls，buttons，andthreadheapedonasmallbenchshowedthatactiveworkhadbeenbutrecentlyinterrupted。Acheapearthenwareewerandbasinonthefloor，andapalletmadeofanopenbaleofhorsehair，onwhicharaggedquiltandblanketwereflung，indicatedthatthesolitaryworkerdweltandsleptbesidehiswork。
Thetruthflashedupontheyounggirl’sactivebrain，quickenedbyseclusionandfedbysolitarybooks。Shereadwithkeeneyesthemiserablesecretofherfather’sstrangeguestinthepoverty-
strickenwalls，inthemuteevidencesofmenialhandicraftperformedinlonelinessandprivation，inthispiteousadaptationofanaccidenttosavetheconsciousshameofpremeditatedtoil。
Sheknewnowwhyhehadstammeringlyrefusedtoreceiveherfather’soffertobuybackthegoodshehadgivenhim;sheknewnowhowhardlygainedwasthepittancethatpaidhisrentandsupportedhischildishvanityandgrotesquepride。Fromapeginthecornerhungthefamiliarmasqueradethathidhispoverty——thepearl-graytrousers，theblackfrockcoat，thetallshininghat——inhideouscontrasttothepenuryofhissurroundings。ButifTHEYwerehere，wherewasHE，andinwhatnewdisguisehadheescapedfromhispoverty？Avagueuneasinesscausedhertohesitateandreturntotheopendoor。Shehadnearlyreacheditwhenhereyefellonthepalletwhichitpartlyilluminated。Asingularresemblanceintheraggedheapmadeherdrawcloser。Thefadedquiltwasadressing-
gown，andclutchingitsfoldslayawhite，wastedhand。
TheemigrantchildhoodofRoseNotthadbeenmorethanonceshadowedbyscalpingknives，andshewasacquaintedwithDeath。
Shewentfearlesslytothecouch，andfoundthatthedressing-gownwasonlyanenwrappingoftheemaciatedandlifelessbodyofdeFerrieres。Shedidnotretreatorcallforhelp，butexaminedhimclosely。Hewasunconscious，butnotpulseless;hehadevidentlybeenstrongenoughtoopenthedoorforairorsuccor，buthadafterwardfalleninafitonthecouch。Sheflewtoherfather’slockerandthegalleyfire，returned，andshutthedoorbehindher，andbytheskillfuluseofhotwaterandwhiskysoonhadthesatisfactionofseeingafaintcolortaketheplaceofthefadedrougeintheghastlycheeks。Shewasstillchafinghishandswhenheslowlyopenedhiseyes。Withastart，hemadeaquickattempttopushasideherhandsandrise。Butshegentlyrestrainedhim。
\"Eh——what！\"hestammered，throwinghisfacebackfromherswithaneffortandtryingtoturnittothewall。
\"Youhavebeenill，\"shesaidquietly。\"Drinkthis。\"
Withhisfacestillturnedawayheliftedthecuptohischatteringteeth。Whenhehaddrainedithethrewatremblingglancearoundtheroomandatthedoor。
\"There’snoonebeenherebutmyself，\"shesaidquickly。\"I
happenedtoseethedooropenasIpassed。Ididn’tthinkitworthwhiletocallanyone。\"
Thesearchinglookhegaveherturnedintoanexpressionofrelief，which，toherinfiniteuneasiness，againfeeblylightenedintooneofantiquatedgallantry。Hedrewthedressing-gownaroundhimwithanair。
\"Ah！itisagoddess，Mademoiselle，thathasdeignedtoenterthecellwhere——where——I——amusemyself。Itisdroll——isitnot？I
cameheretomake——whatyoucall——theexperimentofyourfather’sfabric。Imakemyself——ha！ha！——likeaworkman。Ah，bah！theheat，thedarkness，theplebeianmotionmakemyheadtogoround。
Istagger，Ifaint，Icryout，Ifall。Butwhatofthat？ThegreatGodhearsmycryandsendsmeanangel。Voila！\"
Heattemptedaneasygestureofgallantry，butoverbalancedhimselfandfellsidewaysonthepalletwithagasp。Yettherewassomuchgenuinefeelingmixedwithhisgrotesqueaffectation，somuchpiteousconsciousnessoftheineffectivenessofhisfalsehood，thattheyounggirl，whohadturnedaway，camebackandlaidherhanduponhisarm。
\"Youmustliestillandtrytosleep，\"shesaidgently。\"Iwillreturnagain。Perhaps，\"sheadded，\"thereissomeoneIcansendfor？\"
Heshookhisheadviolently。Theninhisoldmanneradded，\"AfterMademoiselle——noone。\"
\"Imean——\"shehesitated——\"haveyounofriends？\"
\"Friends，——ah！withoutdoubt。\"Heshruggedhisshoulders。\"ButMademoisellewillcomprehend——\"
\"Youarebetternow，\"saidRoseyquickly，\"andnooneneedknowanythingifyoudon’twishit。Trytosleep。YouneednotlockthedoorwhenIgo;Iwillseethatnoonecomesin。\"
Heflushedfaintlyandavertedhiseyes。\"Itistoodroll，Mademoiselle，isitnot？\"
\"Ofcourseitis，\"saidRosey，glancingroundthemiserableroom。
\"AndMademoiselleisanangel。\"
Hecarriedherhandtohislipshumbly——hisfirstpurelyunaffectedaction。Sheslippedthroughthedoor，andsoftlycloseditbehindher。
Reachingtheupperdeckshewasrelievedtofindherfatherhadnotreturned，andherabsencehadbeenunnoticed。ForshehadresolvedtokeepdeFerrieres’ssecrettoherselffromthemomentthatshehadunwittinglydiscoveredit，andtodothisandstillbeabletowatchoverhimwithoutherfather’sknowledgerequiredsomecaution。Shewasconsciousofhisstrangeaversiontotheunfortunatemanwithoutunderstandingthereason，butasshewasinthehabitofentertaininghiscapricesmorefromaffectionatetoleranceofhisweaknessthanreverenceofhisjudgment，shesawnodisloyaltytohiminwithholdingaconfidencethatmightbedisloyaltoanother。\"Itwon’tdofatheranygoodtoknowit，\"shesaidtoherself，\"andifitDIDitoughtn’tto，\"sheaddedwithtriumphantfemininelogic。Buttheimpressionmadeuponherbythespectacleshehadjustwitnessedwasstrongerthananyotherconsideration。TherevelationofdeFerrieres’ssecretpovertyseemedachapterfromaromanceofherownweaving;foramomentitliftedthemiserableherooutofthedepthsofhisfollyandselfishness。Sheforgottheweaknessofthemaninthestrengthofhisdramaticsurroundings。Itpartlysatisfiedacravingshehadfelt;itwasnotexactlythestoryoftheship，asshehaddreamedit，butitwasanepisodeinherexperienceofitthatbrokeitsmonotony。Thatsheshouldsoonlearn，perhapsfromdeFerrieres’sownlips，thetruereasonofhisstrangeseclusion，andthatitinvolvedmorethanappearedtohernow，sheneverforamomentdoubted。
Attheendofanhoursheagainknockedsoftlyatthedoor，carryingsomelightnourishmentshehadpreparedforhim。Hewasasleep，butshewasastoundedtofindthatintheintervalhehadmanagedtodresshimselfcompletelyinhisantiquatedfinery。Itwasamomentaryshocktotheillusionshehadbeenfostering，butsheforgotitinthepitiablecontrastbetweenhishaggardfaceandhispomatumedhairandbeard，thejauntinessofhisattire，andthecollapseofhisinvalidfigure。Whenshehadsatisfiedherselfthathissleepwasnatural，shebusiedherselfsoftlyinarrangingthemiserableapartment。Withafewfemininetouchessheremovedtheslovenlinessofmisery，andplacedtheloosematerialandostentatiousevidencesofhisworkononeside。Findingthathestillslept，andknowingtheimportanceofthisnaturalmedication，sheplacedtherefreshmentshehadbroughtbyhissideandnoiselesslyquittedtheapartment。Hurryingthroughthegatheringdarknessbetweendecks，sheonceortwicethoughtshehadheardfootsteps，andpaused，butencounteringnoone，attributedtheimpressiontoherover-consciousness。Yetshethoughtitprudenttogotothegalleyfirst，whereshelingeredafewmomentsbeforereturningtothecabin。Onenteringshewasalittlestartledatobservingafigureseatedatherfather’sdesk，butwasrelievedatfindingitwasMr。Renshaw。
Heroseandputasidethebookhehadidlypickedup。\"IamafraidIamanintentionalintruderthistime，MissNott。ButIfoundnoonehere，andIwastemptedtolookintothisship-shapelittlesnuggery。Youseethetemptationgotthebetterofme。\"
Hisvoiceandsmileweresofrankandpleasant，sofreefromhispreviousrestraint，yetstillrespectful，soyouthfulyetmanly，thatRoseywasaffectedbythemeveninherpreoccupation。Hereyesbrightenedandthendroppedbeforehisadmiringglance。Hadsheknownthattheexcitementofthelastfewhourshadbroughtawonderfulcharmintoherprettyface，hadarousedtheslumberinglifeofherhalf-awakenedbeauty，shewouldhavebeenmoreconfused。Asitwas，shewasonlygladthattheyoungmanshouldturnouttobe\"nice。\"Perhapshemighttellhersomethingaboutships;perhapsifshehadonlyknownhimlongershemight，withdeFerrieres’spermission，havesharedherconfidencewithhim，andenlistedhissympathyandassistance。Shecontentedherselfwithshowingthisanticipatorygratitudeinherfaceasshebeggedhim，withthetimidityofamaidenhostess，toresumehisseat。
ButMr。Renshawseemedtotalkonlytomakehertalk，andIamforcedtoadmitthatRoseyfoundthisalmostaspleasant。ItwasnotlongbeforehewasinpossessionofhersimplehistoryfromthedayofherbabyemigrationtoCaliforniatothetransferofherchildishlifetotheoldship，andevenofmuchoftheromanticfanciesshehadwovenintoherexistencethere。Whateverulteriorpurposehehadinview，helistenedasattentivelyasifherartlesschroniclewasfilledwithpracticalinformation。Once，whenshehadpausedforbreath，hesaidgravely，\"ImustaskyoutoshowmeoverthiswonderfulshipsomedaythatImayseeitwithyoureyes。\"
\"ButIthinkyouknowitalreadybetterthanIdo，\"saidRoseywithasmile。
Mr。Renshaw’sbrowcloudedslightly。\"Ah，\"hesaid，withatouchofhisformerrestraint;\"andwhy？\"
\"Well，\"saidRoseytimidly，\"Ithoughtyouwentroundandtouchedthingsinafamiliarwayasifyouhadhandledthembefore。\"
TheyoungmanraisedhiseyestoRosey’sandkeptthemtherelongenoughtobringbackhisgentlerexpression。\"Then，becauseI
foundyoutryingonaveryqueerbonnetthefirstdayIsawyou，\"
hesaid，mischievously，\"Ioughttobelieveyouwereinthehabitofwearingone。\"
Inthefirstflushofmutualadmirationyoungpeopleareapttofindalaughquiteassignificantasasighforanexpressionofsympatheticcommunion，andthismaster-strokeofwitconvulsedthemboth。InthemidstofitMr。Nottenteredthecabin。Butthecomplacencywithwhichheviewedtheevidentperfectunderstandingofthepairwasdestinedtosuffersomeabatement。Rosey，suddenlyconsciousthatshewasinsomewayparticipatinginridiculeofherfatherthroughhisunhappygift，becameembarrassed。Mr。Renshaw’srestraintreturnedwiththepresenceoftheoldman。Invain，atfirst，AbnerNottstrovewithprofoundlevitytoindicatehisarchcomprehensionofthesituation，andinvain，later，becomingalarmed，heendeavored，withcheerfulgravity，toindicatehisutterobliviousnessofanybutabusinesssignificanceintheirtete-a-tete。
\"Ioughtn’ttohevintruded，Rosey，\"hesaid，\"whenyouandthegentlemanweretalkin’ofcontracts，mebbee;butdon’tmindme。
I’monthefly，anyhow，Roseydear，hevin’toseeamanroundthecorner。\"
ButeventheattitudeofwithdrawingdidnotpreventtheexitofRenshawtohisapartmentandofRoseytothegalley。Leftaloneinthecabin，AbnerNottfeltintheknotsandtanglesofhisbeardforareason。Glancingdownathisprodigiousbootswhich，coveredwithmudandgravel，stronglyemphasizedhisagriculturalorigin，andgavehimageneralappearanceofstandingonhisownbroadacres，hewasstruckwithanidea。\"It’sthemboots，\"hewhisperedtohimself，softly;\"theysomehowdon’tseem’xactlytotrumporfollowsuitinthisyercabin;theydon’thitchintoanythin’，butjistsloshroundloose，and，sotospeak，playitalone。Andthemyoungcrittersnat’rallyfeelsitandgetsouto’theway。\"Actinguponthisinstinctwithhisusualprecipitatecaution，heatonceproceededtothenearestsecond-handshop，and，purchasingapairofenormouscarpetslippers，originallythepropertyofagoutysea-captain，reappearedwithastrongsuggestionofnewlyupholsteringthecabin。Theimprovement，however，wasfraughtwithaportentouscircumstance。Mr。Nott’sfootsteps，whichusuallyannouncedhisapproachallovertheship，becamestealthyandinaudible。
MeantimeMissRoseyhadtakenadvantageoftheabsenceofherfathertovisitherpatient。Toavoidattractingattentionshedidnottakealight，butgropedherwaytothelowerdeckandrappedsoftlyatthedoor。ItwasinstantlyopenedbydeFerrieres。Hehadapparentlyappreciatedthefewchangesshehadalreadymadeintheroom，andhadhimselfclearedawaythepalletfromwhichhehadrisentomaketwolowseatsagainstthewall。Twobitsofcandleplacedonthefloorilluminatedthebeamsabove，thedressing-gownwasartisticallydrapedoverthesolitarychair，andapileofcushionsformedanotherseat。WithelaboratecourtesyhehandedMissRoseytothechair。Helookedpaleandweak，thoughthegravityoftheattackhadevidentlypassed。Yethepersistedinremainingstanding。\"IfIsit，\"heexplainedwithagesture，\"I
shallagaindisgracemyselfbysleepinginMademoiselle’spresence。
Yes！Ishallsleep——Ishalldream——andwaketofindhergone？\"
Moreembarrassedbyhisrecoverythanwhenhewaslyinghelplesslybeforeher，shesaidhesitatinglythatshewasgladhewasbetter，andthatshehopedhelikedthebroth。
\"Itwasmannafromheaven，Mademoiselle。See，Ihavetakenitall——
everypreciousdrop。WhatelsecouldIhavedoneforMademoiselle’skindness？\"
Heshowedhertheemptybowl。Aswiftconvictioncameuponherthatthemanhadbeensufferingfromwantoffood。Thethoughtrestoredherself-possessionevenwhileitbroughtthetearstohereyes。\"Iwishyouwouldletmespeaktofather——orsomeone，\"shesaidimpulsively，andstopped。
Aquickandhalfinsanegleamofterrorandsuspicionlituphisdeepeyes。\"Forwhat，Mademoiselle！Foranaccident——thatisnothing——absolutelynothing，forIamstrongandwellnow——see！\"hesaidtremblingly。\"Orforawhim——forafollyyoumaysay，thattheywillmisunderstand。No，Mademoiselleisgood，iswise。Shewillsaytoherself，’Iunderstand，myfriendMonsieurdeFerrieresforthemomenthasasecret。Hewouldseempoor，hewouldtaketheroleofartisan，hewouldshuthimselfupinthesewalls——perhapsI
mayguesswhy，butitishissecret。Ithinkofitnomore。’\"Hecaughtherhandinhiswithagesturethathewouldhavemadeoneofgallantry，butthatinitstremulousintensitybecameapiteoussupplication。
\"Ihavesaidnothing，andwillsaynothing，ifyouwishit，\"saidRoseyhastily;\"butothersmayfindouthowyoulivehere。Thisisnotfitworkforyou。Youseemtobea——agentleman。Yououghttobealawyer，oradoctor，orinabank，\"shecontinuedtimidly，withavagueenumerationoftheprevailingdegreesoflocalgentility。
Hedroppedherhand。\"Ah！doesnotMademoisellecomprehendthatitisBECAUSEIamagentlemanthatthereisnothingbetweenitandthis？Look！\"hecontinuedalmostfiercely。\"WhatifItoldyouitisthelawyer，itisthedoctor，itisthebankerthatbringsme，agentleman，tothis，eh？Ah，bah！WhatdoIsay？Thisishonest，whatIdo！Butthelawyer，thebanker，thedoctor，whatarethey？\"
Heshruggedhisshoulders，andpacingtheapartmentwithafurtiveglanceatthehalfanxious，halffrightenedgirl，suddenlystopped，draggedasmallportmanteaufrombehindtheheapofbalesandopenedit。\"Look，Mademoiselle，\"hesaid，tremulouslyliftingahandfulofwornandsoiledlettersandpapers。\"Look——thesearethetoolsofyourbanker，yourlawyer，yourdoctor。Withthisthebankerwillmakeyoupoor，thelawyerwillproveyouathief，thedoctorwillswearyouarecrazy，eh？Whatshallyoucalltheworkofagentleman——this\"——hedraggedthepileofcushionsforward——\"orthis？\"
Totheyounggirl’sobservanteyessomeofthepapersappearedtobeofalegalorofficialcharacter，andotherslikebillsoflading，withwhichshewasfamiliar。Theirhalf-theatricalexhibitionremindedherofsomeplayshehadseen;theymightbethecluetosomestory，orthemereworthlesshoardingsofadiseasedfancy。Whatevertheywere，deFerrieresdidnotapparentlycaretoexplainfurther;indeed，thenextmomenthismannerchangedtohisoldabsurdextravagance。\"ButthisisstupidforMademoiselletohear。Whatshallwespeakof？Ah，whatSHOULD
wespeakofinMademoiselle’spresence？\"
\"Butarenotthesepapersvaluable？\"askedRosey，partlytodrawherhost’sthoughtsbacktotheirformerchannel。
\"Perhaps。\"Hepausedandregardedtheyounggirlfixedly。\"DoesMademoisellethinkso？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidRosey。\"HowshouldI？\"
\"Ah！ifMademoisellethoughtso——ifMademoisellewoulddeign——\"Hestoppedagainandplacedhishanduponhisforehead。\"Itmightbeso！\"hemuttered。
\"Imustgonow，\"saidRosey，hurriedly，risingwithanawkwardsenseofconstraint。\"FatherwillwonderwhereIam。\"
\"Ishallexplain。Iwillaccompanyyou，Mademoiselle。\"
\"No，no，\"saidRosey，quickly;\"hemustnotknowIhavebeenhere！\"
Shestopped。Thehonestblushflewtohercheek，andthenreturnedagain，becauseshehadblushed。
DeFerrieresgazedatherwithanexaltedlook。Thendrawinghimselftohisfullheight，hesaid，withanexaggeratedandindescribablegesture，\"Go，mychild，go。Tellyourfatherthatyouhavebeenaloneandunprotectedintheabodeofpovertyandsuffering，but——thatitwasinthepresenceofArmanddeFerrieres。\"
Hethrewopenthedoorwithabowthatnearlyswepttheground，butdidnotagainoffertotakeherhand。Atonceimpressedandembarrassedatthiscrowningincongruity，herprettyliptrembledbetweenasmileandacryasshesaid，\"Good-night，\"andslippedawayintothedarkness。
ErectandgrotesquedeFerrieresretainedthesameattitudeuntilthesoundofherfootstepswaslost，whenheslowlybegantoclosethedoor。Butastrongarmarresteditfromwithout，andalargecarpetedfootappearedatthebottomofthenarrowingopening。Thedooryielded，andMr。AbnerNottenteredtheroom。
IV
Withanexclamationandahurriedglancearoundhim，deFerrieresthrewhimselfbeforetheintruder。Butslowlyliftinghislargehand，andplacingitonhislodger’sbreast，hequietlyoverborethesickman’sfeebleresistancewithanimpactofpowerthatseemedalmostasmoralasitwasphysical。Hedidnotappeartotakeanynoticeoftheroomoritsmiserablesurroundings;indeed，scarcelyoftheoccupant。Stillpushinghim，withabstractedeyesandimmobileface，tothechairthatRoseyhadjustquitted，hemadehimsitdown，andthentookuphisownpositiononthepileofcushionsopposite。Hisusuallyunderdonecomplexionwasofwateryblueness;buthisdull，abstractedglanceappearedtoexerciseacertaindumb，narcoticfascinationonhislodger。
\"Imout，\"saidNott，slowly，\"hevlaidyeouthereonsight，withoutennywarnin’，ordroppedyeinyertracksinMontgomeryStreet，wherevertherwasroomtoworkasix-shooterincomf’ably？
Johnson，ofPetaluny——him，yeknow，ezhadagameeye——fetchedFlynncomin’outermeetin’oneSunday，anditwasonlyonaccountofhiswife，andsheasecond-handone，sotospeak。TherewasWalker，ofContraCosta，pluggedthatyoungSacramentochap，whosenameIdisremember，fullo’holesjustezHEwassayin’’Goodby’
tohisdarter。Imouthevdoneallthisifithadsettledthingstopleaseme。ForwhileyouandFlynnandthatSacramentochapezallaboutthesamesorto’men，Rosey’sadifferentkindfromtheirsorto’women。\"
\"Mademoiselleisanangel！\"saiddeFerrieres，suddenlyrising，withanexcessofextravagance。\"Asaint！Look！Icramthelie，ha！downhisthroatwhochallengesit。\"
\"Efbymam’selleyemeanmyRosey，\"saidNott，quietlylayinghispowerfulhandsondeFerrieres’sshoulders，andslowlypinninghimdownagainuponhischair，\"ye’reaboutright，thoughsheain’tmam’selleyet。EzIwassayin’，Imighthevkilledyouoff-handifIhedthoughtitwouldhevbeenagoodthingforRosey。\"
\"Forher？Ah，well！Look，Iamready，\"interrupteddeFerrieres，againspringingtohisfeet，andthrowingopenhiscoatwithbothhands。\"See！hereatmyheart——fire！\"
\"EzIwassayin’，\"continuedNott，oncemorepressingtheexcitedmandowninhischair，\"Imighthevwipedyeout——andmebbeeyewouldn’thevkeered——orYOUmighthevwipedMEout，andImouthevsaid，’Thank’ee，’butIreckonthisain’tacaseforwhat’scomf’ableforyouandme。It’swhat’sgoodforROSEY。Andthethingtokalkilateis，what’stobedone。\"
HissmallroundeyesforthefirsttimerestedondeFerrieres’sface，andwerequicklywithdrawn。Itwasevidentthatthisabstractedlook，whichhadfascinatedhislodger，wasmerelyaresoluteavoidanceofdeFerrieres’sglance，anditbecameapparentlaterthatthisavoidancewasduetoaludicrousappreciationofdeFerrieres’sattractions。
\"Andafterwe’vedoneTHATwemustkalkilatewhatRoseyis，andwhatRoseywants。P’raps，yeallow，YOUknowwhatRoseyis？
P’rapsyou’veseenherpranceroundinvelvetbonnetsandwhitesatinslippers，andsich。P’rapsyou’veseenherreadin’tracksandv’yages，withoutwaitin’tospellaword，orcatchherbreath。
Butthatain’ttheRoseyezIknow。It’salittlechildezustercrawlinandoutthetail-boardofaMizzouriwagononthealcalipizonedplains，wheretherewasn’tanotherbitofGod’smercyonyearthtobeseenformilesandmiles。It’salittlegalasusterhungerandthirstezquietandmannerlyezshenoweatsanddrinksinplenty;whosevoicewasezsteadywithInjinsyellingroundhernestintheleavesonSweetwaterezinherpurtycabinupyonder。
THAT’SthegalezIknow！That’stheRoseyezmyolewomanputsintomyarmsonenightarterweleftLaramiewhenthefeverwashigh，andsez，’Abner，’sezshe，’thechariotisswingin’lowformeto-night，buttharain’troominitforheroryoutogitinorhitchon。Takeherandrareher，sowekinalljineontheothershore，’sezshe。AndI’dknowedtheothershorewasn’tnoKaliforny。Andthatnight，p’raps，thechariotswunglowerthaneverbefore，andmyolewomansteppedintoit，andleftmeandRoseytocreeponintheoldwagonalone。It’sthemkindo’
things，\"addedMr。Nottthoughtfully，\"thatseemtopinttomykillin’youonsightezthebestthingtobedone。AndyetRoseymightn’tlikeit。\"
Hehadslippedoneofhisfeetoutofhishugecarpetslippers，and，ashereacheddowntoputitonagain，headdedcalmly：\"AndeztoyermarryingHERitain’ttobedone。\"
TheutterlybewilderedexpressionwhichtransfigureddeFerrieres’sfaceatthisannouncementwasunobservedbyNott’savertedeyes，nordidheperceivethathislistenerthenextmomentstraightenedhiserectfigureandadjustedhiscravat。
\"EfRosey，\"hecontinued，\"hezreadinvy’gesandtracksinEyetalianandFrenchcountriesofsuchchapsezyouandkalkilatesyou’retherightkindtotieto，mebbeeitmouthevdoneifyou’dbeenlivin’overtharinapallis，butsomehowitdon’tjibeinoverhereandagreewithaship——andthatshiplyingcomf’ableashoreinSanFrancisco。Youdon’tseemtosuittheclimate，yousee，andyourgeneralgaitislikelytostampedetheothercattle。
Agin，\"saidNott，withanostentationoflookingathiscompanionbutreallygazingonvacancy，\"thisfixedup，antiquestyleofyoursgoesbetterwiththemivykiveredruinsinRomeandPalmyrythatRosey’smixedyouupwith，thanitwouldyere。Iain’tsaying，\"headdedasdeFerriereswasabouttospeak，\"Iain’tsayin’ezthatchildain’tsmittenwithye。Itain’tnousetolieandsayshedon’tpreferyoutoheroldfather，oryoungchapsofherownageandkind。I’veseeditafornow。IsuspicioneditaforIseedherslipouto’thisplaceto-night。Thar！keepyourhairon，suchezitis！\"headdedasdeFerrieresattemptedaquickdeprecatorygesture。\"Iain’taskinyerhowoftenshecomeshere，norwhatsheseztoyounoryoutoher。Iain’taskedherandI
don’taskyou。I’llallowezyou’vesettledallthepreliminariesandboughthertheringandsich;I’monlyaskin’younow，kalkilatinyou’vegotallthekeerdsinyourownhand，whatyou’lltaketostepoutandleavetheboard？\"
ThedazedlookofdeFerrieresmighthaveforceditselfevenuponNott’sone-ideadfatuity，haditnotbeenapartofthatgentleman’ssystemdelicatelytolookanotherwayatthatmomentsoasnottoembarrasshisadversary’scalculation。\"Pardon，\"
stammereddeFerrieres，\"butIdonotcomprehend！\"Heraisedhishandtohishead。\"Iamnotwell——Iamstupid。Ah，monDieu！\"
\"Iain’tsayin’，\"addedNottmoregently，\"ezyoudon’tfeelbad。
It’snat’ral。Butitain’tbusiness。I’maskingyou，\"hecontinued，takingfromhisbreast-pocketalargewallet，\"howmuchyou’lltakeincashnow，andtherestnextsteamerday，togiveupRoseyandleavetheship。\"
DeFerrieresstaggeredtohisfeetdespiteNott’srestraininghand。
\"ToleaveMademoiselleandleavetheship？\"hesaidhuskily，\"isitnot？\"
\"Incourse。Yercanleavethingsyerjustezyoufound’emwhenyoucame，youknow，\"continuedNott，forthefirsttimelookingaroundthemiserableapartment。\"It’sabusinessjob。I’lltakethebalesbackag’in，andyoukinreckonupwhatyou’reout，countin’Roseyandlosso’time。\"
\"Hewishesmetogo——hehassaid，\"repeateddeFerrierestohimselfthickly。
\"EfyoumeanMEwhenyousayHIM，andeztharain’tanyothermanaround，Ireckonyoudo——’yes！’\"
\"Andheasksme——he——thismanofthefeetandthedaughter——asksme——deFerrieres——whatIwilltake，\"continueddeFerrieres，buttoninghiscoat。\"No！itisadream！\"Hewalkedstifflytothecornerwherehisportmanteaulay，liftedit，andgoingtotheouterdoor，acutthroughtheship’ssidethatcommunicatedwiththealley，unlockeditandflungitopentothenight。Athickmistlikethebreathoftheoceanflowedintotheroom。
\"YouaskmewhatIshalltaketogo，\"hesaidashestoodonthethreshold。\"IshalltakewhatYOUcannotgive，Monsieur，butwhatIwouldnotkeepifIstoodhereanothermoment。ItakemyHonor，Monsieur，and——Itakemyleave！\"
Foramomenthisgrotesquefigurewasoutlinedintheopening，andthendisappearedasifhehaddroppedintoaninvisibleoceanbelow。Stupefiedanddisconcertedatthiscompletesuccessofhisovertures，AbnerNottremainedspeechless，gazingatthevacantspaceuntilacoldinfluxofthemistrecalledhim。Thenheroseandshuffledquicklytothedoor。
\"Hi！Ferrers！Lookyer——Say！Wot’syourhurry，pardner？\"
Buttherewasnoresponse。Thethickmist，whichhidthesurroundingobjects，seemedtodeadenallsoundalso。Afteramoment’spauseheclosedthedoor，butdidnotlockit，andretreatingtothecentreoftheroomremainedblinkingatthetwocandlesandpluckingsomeperplexingproblemfromhisbeard。
Suddenlyanideaseizedhim。Rosey！Wherewasshe？Perhapsithadbeenapreconcertedplan，andshehadfledwithhim。Puttingoutthelights，hestumbledhurriedlythroughthepassagetothegangwayabove。Thecabin-doorwasopen;therewasthesoundofvoices——Renshaw’sandRosey’s。Mr。Nottfeltrelievedbutnotunembarrassed。Hewouldhaveavoidedhisdaughter’spresencethatevening。Butevenwhilemakingthisresolutionwithcharacteristicinfelicityheblunderedintotheroom。Roseylookedupwithaslightstart;Renshaw’sanimatedfacewaschangedtoitsformerexpressionofinwarddiscontent。
\"Youcameinsolikeaghost，father，\"saidRoseywithaslightpeevishnessthatwasnewtoher。\"AndIthoughtyouwereintown。
Don’tgo，Mr。Renshaw。\"
ButMr。RenshawintimatedthathehadalreadytrespasseduponMissNott’stime，andthatnodoubtherfatherwantedtotalkwithher。
Tohissurpriseandannoyance，however，Mr。Nottinsistedonaccompanyinghimtohisroom，andwithoutheedingRenshaw’scold\"Good-night，\"enteredandclosedthedoorbehindhim。
\"P’rap’s，\"saidMr。Nottwithatroubledair，\"youdisrememberthatwhenyoufirstkemhereyouaskedmeifyoucouldhevthat’erloftthattheFrenchmanhaddownstairs。\"
\"No，Idon’trememberit，\"saidRenshawalmostrudely。\"But，\"headded，afterapause，withanairofamanobligedtoreviveastaleandunpleasantmemory，\"ifIdid——whataboutit？\"
\"Nuthin’，onlythatyoukinhevitto-morrow，ezthat’ereFrenchmanismovin’out，\"respondedNott。\"Ithoughtyouwassorterkeenaboutitwhenyoufirstkem。\"
\"Umph！we’lltalkaboutitto-morrow。\"SomethinginthelookofweariedperplexitywithwhichMr。Nottwasbeginningtoregardhisownmalapropospresence，arrestedtheyoungman’sattention。
\"What’sthereasonyoudidn’tsellthisoldshiplongago，takeadecenthouseinthetown，andbringupyourdaughterlikealady？\"
heaskedwithasuddenbluntgoodhumor。ButeventhisimpliedblasphemyagainstthehabitationheworshipeddidnotpreventMr。
Nottfromhisusualmisconstructionofthequestion。
\"Ireckon，now，Rosey’sgothigh-flownideasoflivin’inacastlewithruins，eh？\"hesaidcunningly。
\"Haven’theardhersay，\"returnedRenshawabruptly。\"Good-night。\"
FirmlyconvincedthatRoseyhadbeenunabletoconcealfromMr。
RenshawtheinfluenceofherdreamsofacastellatedfuturewithdeFerrieres，heregainedthecabin。Satisfyinghimselfthathisdaughterhadretired，hesoughthisowncouch。Butnottosleep。
ThefigureofdeFerrieres，standingintheshipsideandmeltingintotheouterdarkness，hauntedhim，andcompelledhimindreamstoriseandfollowhimthroughthealleysandby-waysofthecrowdedcity。Again，itwasapartofhismorbidsuspicionthathenowinvestedtheabsentmanwithapotentialsignificanceandanunknownpower。Whatdeep-laidplansmighthenotformtopossesshimselfofRosey，ofwhichhe，AbnerNott，wouldbeignorant？
Uncheckedbytherestraintofafather’sroofhewouldnowgivefulllicensetohispower。\"Saidhe’dtakehisHonorwithhim，\"
mutteredAbnertohimselfinthedimwatchesofthenight;\"lookin’
atthatsayin’initsrightlight，itlooksbad。\"
V
TheelaboratelyuntruthfulaccountwhichMr。NottgavehisdaughterofdeFerrieres’ssuddendeparturewasmorefortunatethanhisusualequivocations。Whileitdisappointedandslightlymortifiedher，itdidnotseemtoherinconsistentwithwhatshealreadyknewofhim。\"Saidhisdoctorhadorderedhimtoquittownunderanhour，owingtoacomin’attackofhayfever，andhehadafriendfromfurrinpartswaitin’himattheSprings，Rosey，\"explainedNott，hesitatingbetweenhisdesiretoavoidhisdaughter’seyesandhiswishtoobservehercountenance。
\"Washeworse？——Imeandidhelookbadly，father？\"inquiredRoseythoughtfully。
\"Ireckonnotexacklybad。Kinderlookedezifhemoutbeworsesoonefhedidn’thumphisself。\"
\"Didyouseehim？——inhisroom？\"askedRoseyanxiously。Upontheanswertothissimplequestiondependedthefutureconfidentialrelationsoffatheranddaughter。Ifherfatherhadhimselfdetectedthemeansbywhichhislodgerexisted，shefeltthatherownobligationstosecrecyhadbeenremoved。ButMr。Nott’sanswerdisposedofthisvainhope。ItwasaresponseafterhisusualfashiontothequestionheIMAGINEDsheartfullywishedtoask，i。
e。ifhehaddiscoveredtheirrendezvousofthepreviousnight。
Thisitwaspartofhispeculiardelicacytoignore。Yethisreplyshowedthathehadbeenunconsciousoftheonemiserablesecretthathemighthavereadeasily。
\"Iwasthereanhourorso——himandmealone——discussin’trade。I
reckonhe’sgotagoodthingouterthatcurledhorsehair，forI
seehe’sgotinaninvoiceo’cushions。I’vestored’emallintheforrardbulkheaduntilhesendsfor’em，ezMr。Renshawheztakentheloft。\"
ButalthoughMr。Renshawhadtakentheloft，hedidnotseeminhastetooccupyit。Hespentpartofthemorninginuneasilypacinghisroom，inoccasionalsalliesintothestreetfromwhichhepurposelesslyreturned，andonceortwiceindistantandfurtivecontemplationofRoseyatworkinthegalley。ThislastobservationwasnotunnoticedbytheastuteNott，whoatonceconceivingthathewasnourishingasecretandhopelesspassionforRosey，begantoconsiderwhetheritwasnothisdutytowarntheyoungmanofherpreoccupiedaffections。ButMr。Renshaw’sfinaldisappearanceobligedhimtowithholdhisconfidencetillmorning。
ThistimeMr。Renshawlefttheshipwiththeevidentdeterminationofsomesettledpurpose。Hewalkedrapidlyuntilhereachedthecounting-houseofMr。Sleight，whenhewasatonceshownintoaprivateoffice。InafewmomentsMr。Sleight，abrusquebutpassionlessman，joinedhim。
\"Well，\"saidSleight，closingthedoorcarefully。\"Whatnews？\"
\"None，\"saidRenshawbluntly。\"Lookhere，Sleight，\"headded，turningtohimsuddenly。\"Letmeoutofthisgame。Idon’tlikeit。\"
\"Doesthatmeanyou’vefoundnothing？\"askedSleight，sarcastically。
\"ItmeansthatIhaven’tlookedforanything，andthatIdon’tintendtowithoutthefullknowledgeofthatd————dfoolwhoownstheship。\"
\"You’vechangedyourmindsinceyouwrotethatletter，\"saidSleightcoolly，producingfromadrawerthenotealreadyknowntothereader。Renshawmechanicallyextendedhishandtotakeit。
Mr。Sleightdroppedtheletterbackintothedrawer，whichhequietlylocked。TheapparentlysimpleactdyedMr。Renshaw’scheekwithcolor，butitvanishedquickly，andwithitanytokenofhispreviousembarrassment。HelookedatSleightwiththeconvincedairofaresolutemanwhohadatlasttakenadisagreeablestepbutwaswillingtostandbytheconsequences。
\"IHAVEchangedmymind，\"hesaidcoolly。\"Ifoundoutthatitwasonethingtogodownthereasaskilledprospectormightgotoexamineaminethatwastobevaluedaccordingtohisreportoftheindications，butthatitwasentirelyanotherthingtogoandplaythespyinapoordevil’shouseinordertobuysomethinghedidn’tknowhewassellingandwouldn’tsellifhedid。\"
\"AndsomethingthatthemanHEboughtofdidn’tthinkofselling;
somethingHEhimselfneverpaidfor，andneverexpectedtobuy，\"
sneeredSleight。
\"ButsomethingthatWEexpecttobuyfromourknowledgeofallthis，anditisthatwhichmakesallthedifference。\"
\"Butyouknewallthisbefore。\"
\"Ineversawitinthislightbefore！IneverthoughtofituntilIwaslivingtherefacetofacewiththeoldfoolIwasintendingtooverreach。IneverwasSUREofituntilthismorning，whenheactuallyturnedoutoneofhislodgersthatImighthavetheveryroomIrequiredtoplayoffourlittlegameincomfortably。Whenhedidthat，Imadeupmymindtodropthewholething，andI’mheretodoit。\"
\"Andletsomebodyelsetaketheresponsibility——withthepercentage——unlessyou’vealsofeltityourdutytowarnNotttoo，\"
saidSleightwithasneer。
\"Youonlydaresaythattome，Sleight，\"saidRenshawquietly，\"becauseyouhaveinthatdraweranequalevidenceofmyfollyandmyconfidence;butifyouarewiseyouwillnotpresumetoofaroneither。Letusseehowwestand。Throughtheyarnofadrunkencaptainandamutinoussailoryoubecameawareofanunclaimedshipmentoftreasure，concealedinanunknownshipthatenteredthisharbor。Youareenabled，throughme，tocorroboratesomefactsandidentifytheship。Youproposedtome，asaspeculation，toidentifythetreasureifpossiblebeforeyoupurchasedtheship。
Iacceptedtheofferwithoutconsideration;onconsiderationInowdeclineit，butwithoutprejudiceorlosstoanyonebutmyself。
AstoyourinsinuationIneednotremindyouthatmypresencehereto-dayrefutesit。IwouldnotrequireyourpermissiontomakeamuchbetterbargainwithagoodnaturedfoollikeNottthanIcouldwithyou。OrifIdidnotcareforthebusinessIcouldhavewarnedthegirl——\"
\"Thegirl——whatgirl？\"
Renshawbithislipbutansweredboldly，\"Theoldman’sdaughter——apoorgirl——whomthisactwouldrobaswellasherfather。\"
Sleightlookedathiscompanionattentively。\"Youmighthavesaidsoatfirst，andletuponthiscamp-meetin’exhortation。Wellthen——admittingyou’vegottheoldmanandtheyounggirlonthesamestring，andthatyou’veplayeditprettylowdownintheshorttimeyou’vebeenthere——Isuppose，DickRenshaw，I’vegottoseeyourbluff。Well，howmuchisit！What’sthefigureyouandshehavesettledon？\"
ForaninstantMr。Sleightwasinphysicaldanger。ButbeforehehadfinishedspeakingRenshaw’squicksenseoftheludicroushadsofarovercomehisfirstindignationastoenablehimeventoadmiretheperfectmoralinsensibilityofhiscompanion。Asheroseandwalkedtowardsthedoor，hehalfwonderedthathehadevertreatedtheaffairseriously。Withasmilehereplied：
\"Farfrombluffing，Sleight，Iamthrowingmycardsonthetable。
ConsiderthatI’vepassedout。Letsomeothermantakemyhand。
Rakedownthepotifyoulike，oldman，IleaveforSacramentoto-
night。Adios。\"
WhenthedoorhadclosedbehindhimMr。Sleightsummonedhisclerk。
\"IsthatpetitionforgradingPontiacStreetready？\"
\"I’veseenthelargestpropertyholders，sir;they’reonlywaitingforyoutosignfirst。\"Mr。Sleightpausedandthenaffixedhissignaturetothepaperhisclerklaidbeforehim。\"Gettheothernamesandsenditupatonce。\"
\"IfMr。Nottdoesn’tsign，sir？\"
\"Nomatter。Hewillbeassessedallthesame。\"Mr。Sleighttookuphishat。
\"TheLascarseamanthatwasheretheotherdayhasbeenwantingtoseeyou，sir。Isaidyouwerebusy。\"
Mr。Sleightputdownhishat。\"Sendhimup。\"
NeverthelessMr。Sleightsatdownandatonceabstractedhimselfsocompletelyastobeapparentlyinutteroblivionofthemanwhoentered。HewaslitheandIndian-looking;bearingindressandmannerthecarelessslouchwithouttheeasyfranknessofasailor。
\"Well！\"saidSleightwithoutlookingup。
\"Iwasonlywantin’toknowefyouhadanynewsforme，boss？\"
\"News？\"echoedSleightasifabsently;\"newsofwhat？\"
\"ThatlittlematterofthePontiacwetalkedabout，boss，\"returnedtheLascarwithanuneasyservilityinthewhitesofhisteethandeyes。
\"Oh，\"saidSleight，\"that’splayedout。It’saregularfraud。
It’sanoldforecastleyarn，myman，thatyoucan’treeloffinthecabin。\"
Thesailor’sfacedarkened。
\"Themanwhowaslookingintoithasthrownthewholethingup。I
tellyouit’splayedout！\"repeatedSleight，withoutraisinghishead。
\"It’strue，boss——everyword，\"saidtheLascar，withanappealinginsinuationthatseemedtostrugglehardwithsavageearnestness。
\"Youcanswearme，boss;Iwouldn’tlietoagentlemanlikeyou。
Yourmanhasn’thalflooked，orelse——itmustbethere，or——\"
\"That’sjustit，\"saidSleightslowly;\"who’stoknowthatyourfriendshaven’tbeentherealready？——thatseemstohavebeenyourstyle。\"
\"Butnooneknewitbutme，untilItoldyou，IsweartoGod。I
ain’tlying，boss，andIain’tdrunk。Say——don’tgiveitup，boss。
Thatmanofyourslikelydon’tbelieveit，becausehedon’tknowanythingaboutit。IDO——Icouldfindit。\"
Asilencefollowed。Mr。Sleightremainedcompletelyabsorbedinhispapersforsomemoments。ThenglancingattheLascar，hetookhispen，wroteahurriednote，foldedit，addressedit，and，holdingitbetweenhisfingers，leanedbackinhischair。
\"Ifyouchoosetotakethisnotetomyman，hemaygiveitanothershow。Mind，Idon’tsaythatheWILL。He’sgoingtoSacramentoto-night，butyoucouldgodownthereandfindhimbeforehestarts。He’sgotaroomthere，Ibelieve。Whileyou’rewaitingforhim，youmightkeepyoureyesopentosatisfyyourself。\"
\"Ay，ay，sir，\"saidthesailor，eagerlyendeavoringtocatchtheeyeofhisemployer。ButMr。Sleightlookedstraightbeforehim，andheturnedtogo。
\"TheSacramentoboatgoesatnine，\"saidMr。Sleightquietly。
Thistimetheirglancesmet，andtheLascar’seyeglistenedwithsubtleintelligence。Thenextmomenthewasgone，andMr。Sleightagainbecameabsorbedinhispapers。
MeanwhileRenshawwasmakinghiswaybacktothePontiacwiththatlight-heartedoptimismthathadcharacterizedhispartingwithSleight。Itwasthisqualityofhisnature，fosteredperhapsbytheeasycivilizationinwhichhemoved，thathadoriginallydrawnhimintorelationswiththemanhehadjustquitted;aqualitythathadbeentroubledanddarkenedbythoserelations，yet，whentheywerebroken，atoncereturned。Itconsequentlydidnotoccurtohimthathehadonlyselfishlycompromisedwiththedifficulty;itseemedtohimenoughthathehadwithdrawnfromacompacthethoughtdishonorable;hewasnotcalledupontobetrayhispartnerinthatcompactmerelytobenefitothers。Hehadbeenwillingtoincursuspicionandlosstoreinstatehimselfinhisself-respect，morehecouldnotdowithoutjustifyingthatsuspicion。TheviewtakenbySleightwas，afterall，thatwhichmostbusinessmenwouldtake——whicheventheunbusiness-likeNottwouldtake——whichthegirlherselfmightbetemptedtolistento。ClearlyhecoulddonothingbutabandonthePontiacandherownertothefatehecouldnotinhonoravert。Andeventhatfatewasproblematical。ItdidnotfollowthatthetreasurewasstillconcealedinthePontiac，northatNottwouldbewillingtosellher。HewouldmakesomeexcusetoNott——hesmiledtothinkhewouldprobablybeclassedinthelonglineofabscondingtenants——hewouldsaygood-bytoRosey，andleaveforSacramentothatnight。Heascendedthestairstothegangwaywithafreerbreastthanwhenhefirstenteredtheship。
Mr。Nottwasevidentlyabsent，andafteraquickglanceatthehalf-opencabindoor，Renshawturnedtowardsthegalley。ButMissRoseywasnotinheraccustomedhaunt，andwithafeelingofdisappointment，whichseemedinconsistentwithsoslightacause，hecrossedthedeckimpatientlyandenteredhisroom。Hewasabouttoclosethedoorwhentheprolongedrustleofatrailingskirtinthepassageattractedhisattention。ThesoundwassounlikethatmadebyanygarmentwornbyRoseythatheremainedmotionless，withhishandonthedoor。Thesoundapproachednearer，andthenextmomentawhiteveiledfigurewithatrailingskirtslowlysweptpasttheroom。Renshaw’spulseshaltedforaninstantinhalfsuperstitiousawe。Astheapparitionglidedonandvanishedinthecabindoorhecouldonlyseethatitwastheformofabeautifulandgracefulwoman——butnothingmore。Bewilderedandcurious，heforgothimselfsofarastofollowit，andimpulsivelyenteredthecabin。Thefigureturned，utteredalittlecry，threwtheveilaside，andshowedthehalftroubled，halfblushingfaceofRosey。
\"I——beg——yourpardon，\"stammeredRenshaw;\"Ididn’tknowitwasyou。\"
\"Iwastryingonsomethings，\"saidRosey，recoveringhercomposureandpointingtoanopentrunkthatseemedtocontainatheatricalwardrobe——\"somethingsfathergavemelongago。IwantedtoseeiftherewasanythingIcoulduse。IthoughtIwasallaloneintheship，butfancyingIheardanoiseforwardIcameouttoseewhatitwas。Isupposeitmusthavebeenyou。\"
Sheraisedhercleareyestohis，withaslighttouchofwomanlyreservethatwassoincompatiblewithanyvulgarvanityorgirlishcoquetrythathebecamethemoreembarrassed。Herdress，too，ofaslightlyantiqueshape，richbutsimple，seemedtorevealandaccentacertainreposeofgentlewomanliness，thathewasnowwishingtobelievehehadalwaysnoticed。Consciousofasuperiorityinherthatnowseemedtochangetheirrelationscompletely，healoneremainedsilent，awkward，andembarrassedbeforethegirlwhohadtakencareofhisroom，andwhocookedinthegalley！Whathehadthoughtlesslyconsideredamerelyvulgarbusinessintrigueagainstherstupidfather，nowtohisextravagantfancyassumedtheproportionsofasacrilegetoherself。
\"You’vehadyourrevenge，MissNott，forthefrightIoncegaveyou，\"hesaidalittleuneasily，\"foryouquitestartledmejustnowasyoupassed。IbegantothinkthePontiacwashaunted。I
thoughtyouwereaghost。Idon’tknowwhysuchaghostshouldFRIGHTENanybody，\"hewentonwithadesperateattempttorecoverhispositionbygallantry。\"Letmesee——that’sDonnaElvira’sdress——isitnot？\"
\"Idon’tthinkthatwasthepoorwoman’sname，\"saidRoseysimply;
\"shediedofyellowfeveratNewOrleansasSignorasomebody。\"
HerignoranceseemedtoMr。Renshawsoplainlytopartakemoreofthenunthantheprovincialthathehesitatedtoexplaintoherthathemeanttheheroineofanopera。
\"Itseemsdreadfultoputonthepoorthing’sclothes，doesn’tit？\"
sheadded。
Mr。Renshaw’seyesshowedsoplainlythathethoughtotherwise，thatshedrewalittleausterelytowardsthedoorofherstate-
room。
\"Imustchangethesethingsbeforeanyonecomes，\"shesaiddryly。
\"ThatmeansImustgo，Isuppose。Butcouldn’tyouletmewaithereorinthegangwayuntilthen，MissNott？Iamgoingawayto-
night，andImayn’tseeyouagain。\"Hehadnotintendedtosaythis，butitslippedfromhisembarrassedtongue。Shestoppedwithherhandonthedoor。
\"Youaregoingaway？\"
\"I——think——Imustleaveto-night。IhavesomeimportantbusinessinSacramento。\"
Sheraisedherfrankeyestohis。Theunmistakablelookofdisappointmentthathesawinthemgavehisheartasuddenthrobandsentthequickbloodtohischeeks。
\"It’stoobad，\"shesaid，abstractedly。\"Nobodyeverseemstostayherelong。CaptainBowerpromisedtotellmeallabouttheshipandhewentawaythesecondweek。ThephotographerleftbeforehefinishedthepictureofthePontiac;MonsieurdeFerriereshasonlyjustgone，andnowYOUaregoing。\"
\"Perhaps，unlikethem，Ihavefinishedmyseasonofusefulnesshere，\"hereplied，withabitternesshewouldhaverecalledthenextmoment。ButRosey，withafaintsigh，saying，\"Iwon’tbelong，\"enteredthestate-roomandclosedthedoorbehindher。
Renshawbithislipandpulledatthelongsilkenthreadsofhismoustacheuntiltheysmarted。Whyhadhenotgoneatonce？Whywasitnecessarytosayhemightnotseeheragain——andifhehadsaidit，whyshouldheaddanythingmore？Whatwashewaitingfornow？ToendeavortoprovetoherthathereallyborenoresemblancetoCaptainBower，thephotographer，thecrazyFrenchmandeFerrieres？Orwouldhebeforcedtotellherthathewasrunningawayfromaconspiracytodefraudherfather——merelyforsomethingtosay？Wasthereeversuchfolly？Roseywas\"notlong，\"asshehadsaid，buthewasbeginningtopacethenarrowcabinimpatientlywhenthedooropenedandshereturned。
Shehadresumedherordinarycalicogown，butsuchwastheimpressionleftuponRenshaw’sfancythatsheseemedtowearitwithanewgrace。Atanyothertimehemighthaverecognizedthechangeasduetoanewcorset，whichstrictveracitycompelsmetorecordRoseyhadadoptedforthefirsttimethatmorning。Howbeit，herslightcoquetryseemedtohavepassed，forsheclosedtheopentrunkwithareturnofheroldlistlessair，andsittingonitrestedherelbowsonherkneesandherovalchininherhands。
\"Iwishyouwoulddomeafavor，\"shesaidafterareflectivepause。