Hevariedhisespionagebysubterfuges,whichhisknowledgeoftheoldtownmadeeasy。Hewatchedthedoorofthehotel,himselfunseen,fromthewindowsofabilliardsaloonopposite,whichhehadfrequentedinformerdays。Yethewassurprisedthesameafternoontoseeher,fromhiscoigneofvantage,reenteringthehotel,wherehewassurehehadleftherafewmomentsago。Hadshegoneoutbysomeotherexit,——orhadshebeendisguised?Butonenteringhisroomthateveninghewasconfoundedbyanincidentthatseemedtohimasconvincingofheridentityasitwasaudacious。Lyingonhispillowwereafewdeadleavesofanodorousmountainfern,knownonlytotheSierras。Theyweretiedtogetherbyanarrowblueribbon,andhadevidentlybeenintendedtoattracthisattention。Ashetooktheminhishand,thedistinguishingsubtlearomaofthelittlesylvanhollowinthehillscametohimlikeamemoryandarevelation!Hesummonedthechambermaid;sheknewnothingofthem,orindeedofanyonewhohadenteredhisroom。Hewalkedcautiouslyintothehall;thelady’ssitting-roomdoorwasopen,theroomwasempty。\"Theoccupant,\"
saidthechambermaid,\"hadleftthatafternoon。\"Heheldtheproofofheridentityinhishand,butsheherselfhadvanished!Thatshehadrecognizedhimtherewasnownodoubt:hadshedivinedtherealobjectofhisquest,orhadsheaccepteditasameresentimentalgallantryatthemomentwhensheknewitwashopeless,andsheherselfwasperfectlysafefrompursuit?Ineithereventhehadbeenduped。Hedidnotknowwhethertobepiqued,angry,——
orrelievedofhisirresolutequest。
Nevertheless,hespenttherestofthetwilightandtheearlyeveninginfruitlesslywanderingthroughtheonelongthoroughfareofthetown,untilitmergedintotheboskyAlameda,orspaciousgrove,thatconnecteditwithSantaLuisa。Bydegreeshischagrinanddisappointmentwereforgotteninthememoriesofthepast,evokedbythefamiliarpathway。Themoonwasslowlyridingoverhead,andsilveringthecarriage-waybetweenthestraightebonylinesoftrees,whilethefootpathswerediaperedwithblackandwhitecheckers。Thefainttinklingofatram-carbellinthedistanceapprisedhimofoneofthefewinnovationsofthepast。
Thecarwasapproachinghim,overtookhim,andwaspassing,withitsfaintlyilluminatedwindows,when,glancingcarelesslyup,hebeheldatoneofthemtheprofileofthefacewhichhehadjustthoughthehadlostforever!
Hestoppedforaninstant,notinindecisionthistime,butinagrimresolutiontoletnochanceescapehimnow。Thecarwasgoingslowly;itwaseasytoboarditnow,butagainthetinkleofthebellindicatedthatitwasstoppingatthecornerofaroadbeyond。
Hecheckedhispace,——aladyalighted,——itwasshe!Sheturnedintothecross-street,darkenedwiththeshadowsofsomelowsuburbantenementhouses,andheboldlyfollowed。Hewasfullydeterminedtofindouthersecret,andeven,ifnecessary,toaccostherforthatpurpose。Hewasperfectlyawarewhathewasdoing,andallitsrisksandpenalties;heknewtheaudacityofsuchanintroduction,buthefeltinhisleft-handpocketforthesprigoffernwhichwasanexcuseforit;heknewthedangeroffollowingapossibleconfidanteofdesperadoes,buthefeltinhisright-handpocketforthederringerthatwasequaltoit。Theywereboththere;hewasready。
Hewasnearingtheconventandtheoldestandmostruinouspartofthetown。Hedidnotdisguisefromhimselfthegloomysignificanceofthis;evenintheolddaysthecrumblingadobebuildingsthatabuttedontheoldgardenwalloftheconventwerethehauntsoflawlessMexicansandvagabondpeons。Astheroadwaybegantoberoughanduneven,andthegauntoutlinesofthesaggingroofsoftilesstoodoutagainsttheskyabovethelurkingshadowsofruineddoorways,hewaspreparedfortheworst。Asthecrumblingbutstillmassivewallsoftheconventgardenloomedahead,thetall,graceful,black-gownedfigurehewasfollowingpresentlyturnedintotheshadowofthewallitself。Hequickenedhispace,lestitshouldagainescapehim。Suddenlyitstopped,andremainedmotionless。Hestopped,too。Atthesamemomentitvanished!
Heranquicklyforwardtowhereithadstood,andfoundhimselfbeforealargeirongate,withasmalleroneinthecentre,thathadjustclangedtoonitsrustyhinges。Herubbedhiseyes!——theplace,thegate,thewall,wereallstrangelyfamiliar!Thenhesteppedbackintotheroadway,andlookedatitagain。Hewasnotmistaken。
Hewasstandingbeforetheporter’slodgeoftheConventoftheSacredHeart。
CHAPTERV。
ThedayfollowingthegreatstagecoachrobberyfoundthepatientproprietorofCollinson’sMillcalmanduntroubledinhisusualseclusion。ThenewsthathadthrilledthelengthandbreadthofGalloper’sRidgehadnottouchedtheleafybanksofthedried-upriver;thehueandcryhadfollowedthestage-road,andnocourierhaddeemeditworthhiswhiletodivergeasfarastherockyridgewhichformedtheonlypathwaytothemill。ThatdayCollinson’ssolitudehadbeenunbrokenevenbythehaggardemigrantfromthevalley,withhisoldmonotonousstoryofhardshipandprivation。
Thebirdshadflownnearertotheoldmill,asifemboldenedbytheunwontedquiet。Thatmorningtherehadbeenthehalfhumanimprintofabear’sfootintheoozebesidethemill-wheel;andcominghomewithhisscantstockfromthewoodlandpasture,hehadfoundagoldensquirrel——abeautiful,airyembodimentofthebrownwoodsitself——calmlyseatedonhisbar-counter,withabiscuitbetweenitsbabyhands。Hewasfullofhischaracteristicreveriesandabstractionsthatafternoon;fallingintothemevenathiswood-
pile,leaningonhisaxe——sostillthatanemerald-throatedlizard,whohadsliduponthelog,wenttosleepundertheforgottenstroke。
Butatnightfallthewindarose,——atfirstasadistantmurmuralongthehillside,thatdiedawaybeforeitreachedtherockyledge;thenitrockedthetopsofthetallredwoodsbehindthemill,butleftthemillandthedriedleavesthatlayintheriver-
bedundisturbed。Thenthemurmurwasprolonged,untilitbecamethecontinuoustroubleofsomefar-offsea,andatlastthewindpossessedtheledgeitself;drivingthesmokedownthestumpychimneyofthemill,rattlingthesun-warpedshinglesontheroof,stirringtheinsiderafterswithcoolbreaths,andsingingovertheroughprojectionsoftheoutsideeaves。Atnineo’clockherolledhimselfupinhisblanketsbeforethefire,aswashiswont,andfellasleep。
Itwaspastmidnightwhenhewasawakenedbythefamiliarclatterofbouldersdownthegrade,theusualsimulationofawildrushfromwithoutthatencompassedthewholemill,eventothatheavyimpactagainstthedoor,whichhehadheardoncebefore。Inthisherecognizedmerelytheordinaryphenomenaofhisexperience,andonlyturnedovertosleepagain。Butthistimethedoorrudelyfellinuponhim,andafigurestrodeoverhisprostratebody,withagunleveledathishead。
Hesprangsidewaysforhisownweapon,whichstoodbythehearth。
Inanothersecondthatactionwouldhavebeenhislast,andthesolitudeofSethCollinsonmighthaveremainedhenceforwardunbrokenbyanymortal。Butthegunofthefirstfigurewasknockedsharplyupwardbyasecondman,andtheoneandonlyshotfiredthatnightspedharmlesslytotheroof。Withthereporthefelthisarmsgrippedtightlybehindhim;throughthesmokehesawdimlythattheroomwasfilledwithmaskedandarmedmen,andinanothermomenthewaspinionedandthrustintohisemptyarmchair。
Atasignalthreeofthemenlefttheroom,andhecouldhearthemexploringtheotherroomsandouthouses。Thenthetwomenwhohadbeenstandingbesidehimfellbackwithacertaindisciplinedprecision,asasmooth-chinnedmanadvancedfromtheopendoor。
Goingtothebar,hepouredoutaglassofwhiskey,tosseditoffdeliberately,and,standinginfrontofCollinson,withhisshoulderagainstthechimneyandhishandrestinglightlyonhiship,clearedhisthroat。HadCollinsonbeenanobservantman,hewouldhavenoticedthatthetwomendroppedtheireyesandmovedtheirfeetwithahalfimpatient,perfunctoryairofwaiting。Hadhewitnessedthestage-robbery,hewouldhaverecognizedinthesmooth-facedmanthepresenceof\"theorator。\"Butheonlygazedathimwithhisdull,imperturbablepatience。
\"Weregretexceedinglytohavetouseforcetoagentlemaninhisownhouse,\"begantheoratorblandly;\"butwefeelitourdutytopreventarepetitionoftheunhappyincidentwhichoccurredasweentered。Wedesirethatyoushouldanswerafewquestions,andaredeeplygratefulthatyouarestillabletodoso,——whichseemedextremelyimprobableamomentortwoago。\"Hepaused,coughed,andleanedbackagainstthechimney。\"Howmanymenhaveyouherebesidesyourself?\"
\"Naryone,\"saidCollinson。
Theinterrogatorglancedattheothermen,whohadreentered。Theynoddedsignificantly。
\"Good!\"heresumed。\"Youhavetoldthetruth——anexcellenthabit,andonethatexpeditesbusiness。Now,istherearoominthishousewithadoorthatlocks?YourfrontdoorDOESN’T。\"
\"No。\"
\"Nocellarnorouthouse?\"
\"No。\"
\"Weregretthat;foritwillcompelus,muchagainstourwishes,tokeepyouboundasyouareforthepresent。Thematterissimplythis:circumstancesofaverypressingnatureobligeustooccupythishouseforafewdays,——possiblyforanindefiniteperiod。Werespectthesacredritesofhospitalitytoomuchtoturnyououtofit;indeed,nothingcouldbemoredistastefultoourfeelingsthantohaveyou,inyourownperson,spreadsuchadisgracefulreportthroughthechivalrousSierras。Wemustthereforekeepyouacloseprisoner,——open,however,toanoffer。Itisthis:weproposetogiveyoufivehundreddollarsforthispropertyasitstands,providedthatyouleaveit,andaccompanyapack-trainwhichwillstartto-morrowmorningforthelowervalleyasfarasThompson’sPass,bindingyourselftoquittheStateforthreemonthsandkeepthismatterasecret。Threeofthesegentlemenwillgowithyou。
Theywillpointouttoyouyourduty;theirshotgunswillappriseyouofanyderelictionfromit。Whatdoyousay?\"
\"Whoyertalkingto?\"saidCollinsoninadullvoice。
\"Youremindus,\"saidtheoratorsuavely,\"thatwehavenotyetthepleasureofknowing。\"
\"Myname’sSethCollinson。\"
Therewasadeadsilenceintheroom,andeveryeyewasfixeduponthetwomen。Theorator’ssmileslightlystiffened。
\"Wherefrom?\"hecontinuedblandly。
\"Mizzouri。\"
\"Averygoodplacetogobackto,——throughThompson’sPass。Butyouhaven’tansweredourproposal。\"
\"IreckonIdon’tintendtosellthishouse,orleaveit,\"saidCollinsonsimply。
\"Itrustyouwillnotmakeusregretthefortunateterminationofyourlittleaccident,Mr。Collinson,\"saidtheoratorwithasingularsmile。\"MayIaskwhyyouobjecttosellingout?Isitthefigure?\"
\"Thehouseisn’tmine,\"saidCollinsondeliberately。\"IbuiltthisyerhouseformywifewotIleftinMizzouri。It’shers。I
kalkilatetokeepit,andliveinitontilshecomesfurit!AndwhenItellyethatsheisdead,yekinreckonjustwhatchanceyehaveofevergettin’it。\"
Therewasanunmistakablestartofsensationintheroom,followedbyasilencesoprofoundthatthemoaningofthewindonthemountain-sidewasdistinctlyheard。Awell-builtman,withamaskthatscarcelyconcealedhisheavymustachios,whohadbeenstandingwithhisbacktotheoratorinhalfcontemptuouspatience,facedaroundsuddenlyandmadeastepforwardasiftocomebetweenthequestionerandquestioned。Avoicefromthecornerejaculated,\"ByG——d!\"
\"Silence,\"saidtheoratorsharply。Thenstillmoreharshlyheturnedtotheothers\"Pickhimup,andstandhimoutsidewithaguard;andthenclearout,allofyou!\"
Theprisonerwasliftedupandcarriedout;theroomwasinstantlycleared;onlytheoratorandthemanwhohadsteppedforwardremained。Simultaneouslytheydrewthemasksfromtheirfaces,andstoodlookingateachother。Theorator’sfacewassmoothandcorrupt;thefull,sensuallipswrinkledatthecornerswithasardonichumor;themanwhoconfrontedhimappearedtobephysicallyandevenmorallyhissuperior,albeitgloomyanddiscontentedinexpression。Hecastarapidglancearoundtheroom,toassurehimselfthattheywerealone;andthen,straighteninghiseyebrowsashebackedagainstthechimney,said:——
\"D——difIlikethis,Chivers!It’syouraffair;butit’smightylow-downworkforaman!\"
\"Youmighthavemadeiteasierifyouhadn’tknockedupBryce’sgun。Thatwouldhavesettledit,thoughnooneguessedthatthecurwasherhusband,\"saidChivershotly。
\"IfyouwantitsettledTHATWAY,there’sstilltime,\"returnedtheotherwithaslightsneer。\"You’veonlytotellhimthatyou’rethemanthatranawaywithhiswife,andyou’llhaveitouttogether,rightontheledgeattwelvepaces。Theboyswillseeyouthrough。Infact,\"headded,hissneerdeepening,\"Iratherthinkit’swhatthey’reexpecting。\"
\"Thankyou,Mr。JackRiggs,\"saidChiverssardonically。\"Idaresayitwouldbemoreconvenienttosomepeople,justbeforeourbootyisdivided,ifIweredrilledthroughbyablunderingshotfromthathayseed;oritwouldseemrighttoyourhigh-tonedchivalryifadead-shotasIamknockedoveramanwhomayhaveneverfiredarevolverbefore;butIdon’texactlyseeitinthatlight,eitherasamanorasyourequalpartner。Idon’tthinkyouquiteunderstandme,mydearJack。Ifyoudon’tvaluetheonlymanwhoisidentifiedinallCaliforniaastheleaderofthisgang(themanwhosestyleandaddresshasmadeitpopular——yes,POPULAR,byG——d!——toeveryman,woman,andchildwhohasheardofhim;whosesayingsanddoingsarequotedbythenewspapers;whompeoplerunriskstosee;whohasgotthesympathyofthecrowd,sothatjudgeshesitatetoissuewarrantsandconstablestoservethem),——ifYOU
don’tseetheuseofsuchaman,Ido。Why,there’sacolumnandahalfinthe’SacramentoUnion’aboutourlastjob,callingmethe’ClaudeDuval’oftheSierras,andspeakingofmycourtesytoalady!ALADY!——HISwife,byG——d!ourconfederate!MydearJack,younotonlydon’tknowbusinessvalues,but,’ponmysoul,youdon’tseemtounderstandhumor!Ha,ha!\"
Forallhiscynicallevity,forallhisaffectedexaggeration,therewastheringofanunmistakableandevenpitiablevanityinhisvoice,andaself-consciousnessthatsuffusedhisbroadcheeksandwrithedhisfullmouth,butseemedtodeepenthefrownonRiggs’sface。
\"Youknowthewomanhatesit,andwouldboltifshecould,——evenfromyou,\"saidRiggsgloomily。\"Thinkwhatshemightdoifsheknewherhusbandwerehere。Itellyousheholdsourlivesinthehollowofherhand。\"
\"That’syourfault,Mr。JackRiggs;youwouldbringyoursisterwithherinfernalconventinnocenceandsimplicityintoourhutinthehollow。Shewasmeekenoughbeforethat。Butthisissheernonsense。Ihavenofearofher。Thewomandon’tlivewhowouldgobackonGodfreyChivers——forahusband!Besides,shewentofftoseeyoursisterattheconventatSantaClaraassoonasshepassedthosebondsoffonCharleytogetridof!Thinkofhertravelingwiththatd——dfoollawyerallthewaytoStockton,andhisbonds(whichwehadputbackinherbag)alongsideofthemallthetime,andhetellingherhewasgoingtostoptheirpayment,andgivingherthelettertomailforhim!——eh?Well,we’llhavetimetogetridofherhusbandbeforeshegetsback。Ifhedon’tgoeasy——well\"——
\"Noneofthat,Chivers,youunderstand,onceforall!\"interruptedRiggsperemptorily。\"Ifyoucannotseethatyourmakingawaywiththatwoman’shusbandwoulddamnthatboastedreputationyoumakesomuchofandseteveryman’shandagainstus,Ido,andIwon’tpermitit。It’sarottenbusinessenough,——ourcomingonhimaswehave;andifthiswasn’ttheonlyGod-forsakenplacewherewecoulddivideourstuffwithoutdangerandgetitawayoffthehighroads,I’dpullupstakesatonce。\"
\"Letherstayattheconvent,then,andbed——dtoher,\"saidChiversroughly。\"She’llbegladenoughtobewithyoursisteragain;andthere’snofearofherbeingtouchedthere。\"
\"ButIwanttoputanendtothat,too,\"returnedRiggssharply。
\"IdonotchoosetohavemysisteranylongerimplicatedwithOUR
confederateorYOURmistress。Nomoreofthat——youunderstandme?\"
Thetwomenhadbeenstandingsidebyside,leaningagainstthechimney。Chiversnowfacedhiscompanion,hisfulllipswreathedintoanevilsmile。
\"IthinkIunderstandyou,Mr。JackRiggs,or——Ibegyourpardon——
Rivers,orwhateveryourrealnamemaybe,\"hebeganslowly。
\"SadieCollinson,themistressofJudgeGodfreyChivers,formerlyofKentucky,wasgoodenoughcompanyforyouthedayyoudroppeddownuponusinourlittlehouseinthehollowofGalloper’sRidge。
Wewerelivingquiteanidyllic,pastorallifethere,weren’twe?——
sheandme;hiddenfromthecensoriouseyeofsocietyand——
Collinson,obeyingonlythevoiceofNatureandthelittlebirds。
Itwasahappytime,\"hewentonwithagrimlyaffectedsigh,disregardinghiscompanion’simpatientgesture。\"Youwereyoungthen,wagingYOURfightagainstsociety,andfresh——uncommonlyfresh,Imaysay——fromyourfirstexploit。Andaverystupid,clumsy,awkwardexploit,too,Mr。Riggs,ifyouwillpardonmyfreedom。Youwantedmoney,andyouhadanuglytemper,andyouhadlostbothtoagambler;soyoustoppedthecoachtorobhim,andhadtokilltwomentogetbackyourpaltrythousanddollars,afterfrighteningawholecoach-loadofpassengers,andlettingWells,Fargo,andCo。’streasure-boxwithfiftythousanddollarsinitslide。Itwasastupid,ablundering,aCRUELact,Mr。Riggs,andIthinkItoldyousoatthetime。Itwasawasteofenergyandmaterial,andmadeyou,notahero,butastupidoutcast!IthinkIprovedthistoyou,andshowedyouhowitmighthavebeendone。\"
\"Dryuponthat,\"interruptedRiggsimpatiently。\"Youofferedtobecomemypartner,andyoudid。\"
\"Pardonme。Observe,myimpetuousfriend,thatmycontentionisthatyou——YOU——poisonedourblamelessEdeninthehollow;thatYOU
wereourserpent,andthatthisSadieCollinson,overwhomyouhavebecomesofastidious,whomyouknewasmymistress,wasobligedtobecomeourconfederate。Youdidnotobjecttoherwhenweformedourgang,andherhousebecameourhiding-placeandrefuge。Youtookadvantageofherwoman’switandfineaddressindisposingofourbooty;youavailedyourself,withtherest,ofthesecretsshegatheredasMYmistress,justasyouwerewillingtoprofitbythesuperioraddressofherparamour——yourhumbleservant——whenyourownfacewasknowntothesheriff,andyouroldmethodspronouncedbrutalandvulgar。Excuseme,butImustinsistuponTHIS,andthatyoudroppeddownuponmeandSadieCollinsonexactlyasyouhavedroppeddownhereuponherhusband。\"
\"Enoughofthis!\"saidRiggsangrily。\"Iadmitthewomanispartandparcelofthegang,andgetshershare,——oryougetitforher,\"headdedsneeringly;\"butthatdoesn’tpermithertomixherselfwithmyfamilyaffairs。\"
\"Pardonmeagain,\"interruptedChiverssoftly。\"Yourmemory,mydearRiggs,isabsurdlydefective。Weknewthatyouhadayoungsisterinthemountains,fromwhomyoudiscreetlywishedtoconcealyourrealposition。Werespected,andItrustshallalwaysrespect,yournoblereticence。ButdoyourememberthenightyouweretakinghertoschoolatSantaClara,——twonightsbeforethefire,——whenyouwererecognizedontheroadnearSkinner’s,andhadtoflywithherforyourlife,andbroughthertous,——yourtwodearoldfriends,’Mr。andMrs。BarkerofChicago,’whohadapastoralhomeintheforest?Yourememberhowwetookherin,——
yes,doublytookherin,——andkeptyoursecretfromher?Anddoyourememberhowthiswoman(thismistressofMINEandOUR
confederate),whilewewereaway,savedherfromthefireonouronlyhorse,caughtthestage-coach,andbroughthertotheconvent?\"
Riggswalkedtowardsthewindow,turned,andcomingback,heldouthishand。\"Yes,shedidit;andIthankedher,asIthankyou。\"
Hestoppedandhesitated,astheothertookhishand。\"But,blankitall,Chivers,don’tyouseethatAliceisayounggirl,andthiswomanis——youknowwhatImean。SomebodymightrecognizeHER,andthatwouldbeworseforAlicethanevenifitwereknownwhatAlice’sBROTHERwas。G——d!ifthesetwothingswereputtogether,thegirlwouldberuinedforever。\"
\"Jack,\"saidChiverssuddenly,\"youwantthiswomanoutoftheway。
Well——dashitall!——shenearlyseparatedus,andI’llbefrankwithyouasbetweenmanandman。I’llgiveherup!Therearewomenenoughintheworld,andhangit,we’repartners,afterall!\"
\"Thenyouabandonher?\"saidRiggsslowly,hiseyesfixedonhiscompanion。
\"Yes。She’sgettingalittletoomaunderinglately。Itwillbeaticklishjobtomanage,forsheknowstoomuch;butitwillbedone。There’smyhandonit。\"
Riggsnotonlytooknonoticeoftheprofferedhand,buthisformerlookofdiscontentcamebackwithanill-concealedadditionofloathingandcontempt。
\"We’lldropthatnow,\"hesaidshortly;\"we’vetalkedherealonelongenoughalready。Themenarewaitingforus。\"Heturnedonhisheelintotheinnerroom。Chiversremainedstandingbythechimneyuntilhisstiffenedsmilegavewayundertheworkingofhiswrithinglips;thenheturnedtothebar,pouredoutandswallowedanotherglassofwhiskeyatasinglegulp,andfollowedhispartnerwithhalf-closedlidsthatscarcelyveiledhisominouseyes。
Themen,withtheexceptionofthesentinelsstationedontherockyledgeandtheonewhowasguardingtheunfortunateCollinson,weredrinkingandgamblingawaytheirperspectivegainsaroundasmallpileofportmanteausandsaddle-bags,heapedinthecentreoftheroom。Theycontainedtheresultsoftheirlastsuccesses,butonepairofsaddle-bagsborethemildewedappearanceofhavingbeencached,orburied,sometimebefore。Mostoftheirtreasurewasinpackagesofgolddust;andfromtheconversationthatensued,itappearedthat,owingtothedifficultiesofdisposingofitinthemountaintowns,theplanwastoconveyitbyordinarypackmuletotheunfrequentedvalley,andthencebyanemigrantwagon,ontheoldemigranttrail,tothesoutherncounties,whereitcouldbenolongertraced。Sincetherecentrobberies,thelocalexpresscompaniesandbankershadrefusedtoreceiveit,excepttheownerswereknownandidentified。Therehadbeenbutoneboxofcoin,whichhadalreadybeenspeedilydividedupamongtheband。Drafts,bills,bonds,andvaluablepapershadbeenusuallyintrustedtoone\"Charley,\"whoactedasaflyingmessengertoacorruptbrokerinSacramento,whoplayedtheroleoftheband’s\"fence。\"IthadbeenthedutyofChiverstocontrolthisdelicatebusiness,evenasithadbeenhispeculiarfunctiontoopenallthelettersanddocuments。Thishehadalwayslightenedbycharacteristiclevityandsarcasticcommentsontheprivaterevelationsofthecontents。
Therough,ill-speltletteroftheminertohiswife,inclosingadraft,orthemoresentimentaleffusionofanemigrantswaintohissweetheart,withthegiftofa\"specimen,\"hadalwaysreceiveddueattentionatthehandsofthiseleganthumorist。Buttheoperationwasconductedto-nightwithbusinessseverityandsilence。Thetwoleaderssatoppositetoeachother,inwhatmighthaveappearedtotherestofthebandascarcelyveiledsurveillanceofeachother’sactions。Whentheexaminationwasconcluded,and,themorevaluableinclosuresputaside,thedespoiledletterswerecarriedtothefireandheapeduponthecoals。Presentlythechimneyaddeditsroartothemoaningofthedistanthillside,afewsparksleapedupanddiedoutinthemidnightair,asifthepathosandsentimentoftheunconsciouscorrespondentshadexhaledwiththem。
\"That’sad——dfoolishthingtodo,\"growledFrenchPeteoverhiscards。
\"Why?\"demandedChiverssharply。
\"Why?——why,itmakesaflareintheskythatanyscoutcansee,andascentforhimtofollow。\"
\"We’refourmilesfromanytraveledroad,\"returnedChiverscontemptuously,\"andthemanwhocouldseethatglareandsmellthatsmokewouldbeonhiswayherealready。\"
\"Thatremindsmethatthatchapyou’vetiedup——thatCollinson——
allowshewantstoseeyou,\"continuedFrenchPete。
\"ToseeME!\"repeatedChivers。\"YoumeantheCaptain?\"
\"IreckonhemeansYOU,\"returnedFrenchPete;\"hesaidthemanwhotalkedsopurty。\"
Themenlookedateachotherwithasmileofanticipation,andputdowntheircards。Chiverswalkedtowardsthedoor;oneortworosetotheirfeetasiftofollow,butRiggsstoppedthemperemptorily。
\"Sitdown,\"hesaidroughly;then,asChiverspassedhim,headdedtohiminalowertone,\"Remember。\"
Slightlysquaringhisshouldersandopeninghiscoat,topermitarhetoricalfreedom,whichdidnot,however,preventhimfromkeepingtouchwiththebuttofhisrevolver,Chiverssteppedintotheopenair。Collinsonhadbeenmovedtotheshelterofanoverhangoftheroof,probablymoreforthecomfortoftheguard,whosatcross-leggedonthegroundnearhim,thanforhisown。
Dismissingthemanwithagesture,Chiversstraightenedhimselfbeforehiscaptive。
\"Wedeeplyregretthatyourunfortunatedetermination,mydearsir,hasbeenthemeansofdeprivingUSofthepleasureofyourcompany,andYOUofyourabsolutefreedom;butmaywecherishthehopethatyourdesiretoseememayindicatesomechangeinyouropinion?\"
Bythelightofthesentry’slanternleftupontheground,ChiverscouldseethatCollinson’sfaceworeaslightlytroubledandevenapologeticexpression。
\"I’vebinthinkin’,\"saidCollinson,raisinghiseyestohiscaptorwithasingularlynewandshyadmirationinthem,\"mebbeenotsomuchofWOTyousaid,ezHOWyousaidit,andit’skinderbotheredme,sittin’here,thatIain’tbinactin’toyouboysquiteonthesquare。I’vesaidtomyself,’Collinson,tharain’tanotherhousebetwixtBaldTopandSkinner’swharthemfellowskingetabiteoradrinktohelpthemselves,andyouain’toffered’emneither。Itain’tnomatterwhotheyareorhowtheycame:whethertheycamecrawlingalongtheroadfromthevalley,ordroppeddownuponyoulikethemrocksfromthegrade;yeretheyare,andit’syourduty,ezlongezyoukeepthisyerhouseforyourwifeintrust,sotospeak,forwanderers。’AndIain’tforgettin’yerginerelsoftstyleandeasygaitwithmewhenyoukemhere。Itain’teverymanascouldwalkintoanotherman’shouseartertheownerofithadgrabbedagun,ezsoft-speakin’,ezoverlookin’,andezperliteezyou。I’veactedmightyroughandlow-down,andIknowit。AndI
sentforyoutosaythatyouandyourfolkskinusethishouseandallthat’sinitezlongezyou’reintrouble。I’vetoldyouwhyI
couldn’tsellthehousetoye,andwhyIcouldn’tleaveit。Butyekinuseit,andwhileye’rehere,andwhenyougo,Collinsondon’ttellnobody。Idon’tknowwhatyemeanby’bindingmyself’tokeepyoursecret;whenCollinsonsaysathinghestickstoit,andwhenhepasseshiswordwithaman,oramanpasseshiswordwithhim,itdon’tneednobitofpaper。\"
Therewasnodoubtofitstruth。Inthegrave,upraisedeyesofhisprisoner,Chiverssawthecertaintythathecouldtrusthim,evenfarmorethanhecouldtrustanyonewithinthehousehehadjustquitted。Butthisverycertainty,forallitsassuranceofsafetytohimself,filledhim,notwithremorse,whichmighthavebeenanevanescentemotion,butwithasuddenalarmingandterribleconsciousnessofbeinginthepresenceofahithertounknownandimmeasurablepower!Hehadnopityformanwhotrustedhim;hehadnosenseofshameintakingadvantageofit;heevenfeltanintellectualsuperiorityinthiswantofsagacityinhisdupe;buthestillfeltinsomewaydefeated,insulted,shocked,andfrightened。Atfirst,likeallscoundrels,hehadmeasuredthemanbyhimself;wassuspiciousandpreparedforrivalry;butthegravetruthfulnessofCollinson’seyeslefthimhelpless。Hewasterrifiedbythisunknownfactor。Therightthatcontendsandfightsoftenstimulatesitsadversary;therightthatyieldsleavesthevictorvanquished。ChiverscouldevenhavekilledCollinsoninhisvaguediscomfiture,buthehadaterribleconsciousnessthattherewassomethingbehindhimthathecouldnotmakewaywith。
Thatwaswhythisaccomplishedrascalfelthisflaccidcheeksgrowpurpleandhisglibtonguetripbeforehiscaptive。
ButCollinson,moreoccupiedwithhisownshortcomings,tooknonoteofthis,andChiversquicklyrecoveredhiswits,ifnothisformerartificiality。\"Allright,\"hesaidquickly,withahurriedglanceatthedoorbehindhim。\"Nowthatyouthinkbetterofit,I’llbefrankwithyou,andtellyouI’myourfriend。Youunderstand,——yourfriend。Don’ttalkmuchtothosemen——don’tgiveyourselfawaytothem;\"helaughedthistimeinabsolutenaturalembarrassment。\"Don’ttalkaboutyourwife,andthishouse,butjustsayyou’vemadethethingupwithme,——withME,youknow,andI’llseeyouthrough。\"Anidea,asyetvague,thathecouldturnCollinson’sunexpecteddocilitytohisownpurposes,possessedhimeveninhisembarrassment,andhewasstillmorestrangelyconsciousofhisinordinatevanitygatheringafearfuljoyfromCollinson’sevidentadmiration。Itwasheightenedbyhiscaptive’snextwords。
\"EfIwasn’ttiedI’dshakehandswithyeonthat。You’rethekindo’man,Mr。Chivers,thatIcottonedtofromthefirst。Efthishousewasn’tHERS,I’da’bintemptedtocottontoyeroffer,too,andmebbeemadeyeronemyself,foritseemstomeyourstyleandminewouldsorterjibetogether。ButIseeyousabewhat’sinmymind,andmakeallowance。WEdon’twantnobito’papertoshakehandsonthat。Yoursecretandyourfolk’ssecretismine,andI
don’tblabthatanymorethanI’dblabtothemwotyou’vejusttoldme。\"
Underasuddenimpulse,Chiversleanedforward,and,albeitwithsomewhatunsteadyhandsandanembarrassedwill,untiedthecordsthatheldCollinsoninhischair。Asthefreedmanstretchedhimselftohisfullheight,helookedgravelydownintotheblearedeyesofhiscaptor,andheldouthisstrongrighthand。Chiverstookit。WhethertherewassomeoccultpowerinCollinson’shonestgrasp,Iknownot;buttheresprangupinChivers’sagilemindtheideathatagoodwaytogetridofMrs。Collinsonwastoputherinthewayofherhusband’sfindingher,andforaninstant,inthecontemplationofthatidea,thissupremerascalabsolutelyfeltanembarrassingglowofvirtue。
CHAPTERVI。
TheastonishmentofPrebleKeyonrecognizingthegatewayintowhichthemysteriousladyhadvanishedwassogreatthathewasatfirstinclinedtobelieveherentryTHEREameretrickofhisfancy。Thattheconfederateofagangofrobbersshouldbeadmittedtotheaustererecessesoftheconvent,withaceleritythatbespokefamiliarity,wasincredible。Heagainglancedupanddownthelengthoftheshadowedbutstillvisiblewall。Therewasnoonethere。Thewallitselfcontainednobreakorrecessinwhichonecouldhide,andthiswastheonlygateway。Theoppositesideofthestreetinthefullmoonlightstaredemptily。No!
Unlessshewereanillusionherselfandhiswholechaseadream,sheMUSThaveenteredhere。
Butthechasewasnothopeless。Hehadatleasttrackedhertoaplacewhereshecouldbeidentified。Itwasnotahotel,whichshecouldleaveatanymomentunobserved。Thoughhecouldnotfollowherandpenetrateitsseclusionnow,hecouldlater——thankstohisoldassociationswiththepadresofthecontiguouscollege——gainanintroductiontotheLadySuperioronsomepretext。Shewassafetherethatnight。Heturnedawaywithafeelingofrelief。Theincongruityofherretreatassumedamorefavorableaspecttohishopes。Helookedatthehallowedwallsandtheslumberingpeacefulnessofthegnarledoldtreesthathidtheconvent,andagentlereminiscenceofhisyouthstoleoverhim。Itwasnotthefirsttimethathehadgazedwistfullyuponthatchasterefugewhere,perhaps,thebrighteyesthathehadfollowedinthequaintschoolprocessionundertheleafyAlamedaintheafternoon,wereatlastclosedingentleslumber。TherewastheverygrillethroughwhichthewickedConchita——or,wasitDolores?——hadshotherParthianglanceatthelingeringstudent。Andthemanofthirty-
five,prematurelygrayandsettledinfortune,smiledasheturnedaway,andforgottheadventuressofthirtywhohadbroughthimthere。
ThenextmorninghewasupbetimesandatthecollegeofSanJose。
FatherCipriano,atriflemoresnuffyandaged,rememberedwithdelighthisoldpupil。Ah!itwastrue,then,thathehadbecomeaminingpresident,andthatwaswhyhishairwasgray;buthetrustedthatDonPreblehadnotforgotthatthiswasnotalloflife,andthatfortunebroughtgreatresponsibilitiesandcares。
Butwhatwasthis,then?HeHADthoughtofbringingoutsomeofhisrelationsfromtheStates,andplacinganieceintheconvent。
Thatwasgoodandwise。Ah,yes。Foreducationinthisnewcountry,onemustturntothechurch。AndhewouldseetheLadySuperior?Ah!thatwasbutthetwistofone’sfingerandtheliftingofalatchtoagravesuperintendentandagrayheadlikethat。Ofcourse,hehadnotforgottentheconventandtheyoungsenoritas,northedisciplineandthesuspendedholidays。Ah!itwasaspecialgraceofourLadythathe,FatherCipriano,hadnotbeenworriedintohisgravebythosefoolishmuchachos。Yet,whenhehadextinguishedasnuffychuckleinhisredbandanahandkerchief,Keyknewthathewouldaccompanyhimtotheconventthatnoon。
ItwaswithaslightstirringofshameoverhiselaboratepretextthathepassedthegateoftheSacredHeartwiththegoodfather。
Butitistobefearedthathespeedilyforgotthatintheunexpectedinformationthatitelicited。TheLadySuperiorwasgracious,andevenenthusiastic。Ah,yes,itwasagrowingcustomoftheAmericancaballeros——whohadnohomes,noryettimetocreateany——tobringtheirsisters,wards,andnieceshere,and——
withadove-likeside-glancetowardsKey——eventheyoungsenoritastheywishedtofitfortheirChristianbrides!Unlikethecaballero,thereweremanybusinessmensoimmersedintheiraffairsthattheycouldnotfindtimeforapersonalexaminationoftheconvent,——whichwastoberegretted,——butwho,trustingtothereputationoftheSacredHeartanditsgoodfriends,simplysenttheyoungladytherebysometrustedfemalecompanion。NotablythiswasthecaseoftheSenorRivers,——didDonPrebleeverknowhim?——agreatcapitalistintheSierras,whosesweetyoungsister,anaive,ingenuouscreature,wastheprideoftheconvent。Ofcourse,itwasbetterthatitwasso。Disciplineandseclusionhadtobemaintained。Theyounggirlshouldlookuponthisasherhome。Therulesforvisitorswerenecessarilysevere。Itwasrareindeed——exceptinacaseofurgency,suchashappenedlastnight——
thatevenalady,unlesstheparentofascholar,wasadmittedtothehospitalityoftheconvent。AndthisladywasonlythefriendofthatsamesisteroftheAmericancapitalist,althoughshewastheonewhohadbroughtherthere。No,shewasnotarelation。
PerhapsDonPreblehadheardofaMrs。Barker,——thefriendofRiversoftheSierras。Itwasaqueercombinationofnames。Butwhatwillyou?ThenamesofAmericanosmeannothing。AndDonPrebleknowsthemnot。Ah!possibly?——good!Theladywouldberemembered,beingtall,dark,andoffinepresence,thoughsad。A
fewhoursearlierandDonPreblecouldhavejudgedforhimself,for,asitwere,shemighthavepassedthroughthisvisitors’room。
Butshewasgone——departedbythecoach。Itwasfromatelegram——
thoseheathencontrivancesthatblurtoutthingstoyou,withneveranexcuse,norasmile,norakissofthehand!Forherpart,sheneverletherscholarsreceivethem,butopenedthemherself,andtranslatedtheminaChristianspirit,afterduepreparation,atherleisure。AnditwasthistelegramthatmadetheSenoraBarkergo,or,withoutdoubt,shewouldhaveofherselftoldtotheDonPreble,hercompatriotoftheSierras,howgoodtheconventwasforhisniece。
Stungbythethoughtthatthiswomanhadagainevadedhim,anddisconcertedandconfusedbythescarcelyintelligibleinformationhehadacquired,Keycouldwithdifficultymaintainhiscomposure。
\"Thecaballeroistiredofhislongpasear,\"saidtheLadySuperiorgently。\"Wewillhaveaglassofwineinthelodgewaiting-room。\"
Sheledthewayfromthereceptionroomtotheouterdoor,butstoppedatthesoundofapproachingfootstepsandrustlingmuslinalongthegravelwalk。\"Thesecondclassaregoingout,\"shesaid,asagentleprocessionofwhitefrocks,ledbytwonuns,filedbeforethegateway。\"Wewillwaituntiltheyhavepassed。Butthesenorcanseethatmychildrendonotlookunhappy。\"
Theycertainlylookedverycheerful,althoughtheyhadhaltedbeforethegatewaywithalittleofthedemurenessofyoungpeoplewhoknowtheyareoverlookedbyauthority,andhadbumpedagainsteachotherwithaffectedgravity。Somewhatashamedofhisuselessdeception,andtheguilelesssimplicityofthegoodLadySuperior,Keyhesitatedandbegan:\"IamafraidthatIamreallygivingyoutoomuchtrouble,\"andsuddenlystopped。
Forashisvoicebrokethedemuresilence,oneofthenearest——ayounggirlofapparentlyseventeen——turnedtowardshimwithaquickandanapparentlyirresistibleimpulse,andasquicklyturnedawayagain。ButinthatinstantKeycaughtaglimpseofafacethatmightnotonlyhavethrilledhiminitsbeauty,itsfreshness,butinsomevaguesuggestiveness。Yetitwasnotthatwhichsethispulsesbeating;itwasthelookofjoyousrecognitionsetinthepartedlipsandsparklingeyes,theglowofchildlikeinnocentpleasurethatmantledthesweetyoungface,thefrankconfusionofsuddenlyrealizedexpectancyandlonging。Agreattruthgrippedhisthrobbingheart,andhelditstill。Itwasthefacethathehadseeninthehollow!
ThemovementoftheyounggirlwastoomarkedtoescapetheeyeoftheLadySuperior,thoughshehadtranslateditdifferently。\"Youmustnotbelieveouryoungladiesareallsorude,DonPreble,\"shesaiddryly;\"thoughourdearchildhasstillsomeofthemountainfreedom。AndthisistheSenorRivers’ssister。Butpossibly——whoknows?\"shesaidgently,yetwithasuddensharpnessinhercleareyes,——\"perhapssherecognizedinyourvoiceacompanionofherbrother。\"
LuckilyforKey,theshockhadbeensosuddenandoverpoweringthatheshowednoneofthelessersymptomsofagitationorembarrassment。Inthisrevelationofasecret,thathenowinstinctivelyfeltwasboundupwithhisownfuturehappiness,heexhibitednoneofthesignsofadiscoveredintriguerorunmaskedLothario。Hesaidquietlyandcoldly:\"IamafraidIhavenotthepleasureofknowingtheyounglady,andcertainlyhaveneverbeforeaddressedher。\"Yethescarcelyheardhiscompanion’svoice,andansweredmechanically,seeingonlybeforehimthevisionofthegirl’sbewitchingface,initsstillmorebewitchingconsciousnessofhispresence。Withallthathenowknew,orthoughtheknew,cameastrangedelicacyofaskingfurtherquestions,avaguefearofcompromisingHER,aquickimpatienceofhispresentdeception;
evenhiswholequestofherseemednowtobeaprofanation,forwhichhemustaskherforgiveness。Helongedtobealonetorecoverhimself。Eventhetemptationtolingeronsomepretext,andwaitforherreturnandanotherglancefromherjoyouseyes,wasnotasstrongashisconvictionofthenecessityofcoolerthoughtandaction。Hehadmethisfatethatmorning,forgoodorill;thatwasallheknew。Assoonashecoulddecentlyretire,hethankedtheLadySuperior,promisedtocommunicatewithherlater,andtakingleaveofFatherCipriano,foundhimselfagaininthestreet。
Whowasshe,whatwasshe,andwhatmeantherjoyousrecognitionofhim?Itistobefearedthatitwasthelastquestionthataffectedhimmost,nowthathefeltthathemusthavereallylovedherfromthefirst。Hadshereallyseenhimbefore,andhadbeenasmysteriouslyimpressedashewas?Itwasnotthereflectionofaconceitedman,forKeyhadnotthatkindofvanity,andhehadalreadytouchedthehumilitythatisatthebaseofanygenuinepassion。Buthewouldnotthinkofthatnow。Hehadestablishedtheidentityoftheotherwoman,asbeinghercompanioninthehouseinthehollowonthateventfulnight;butitwasHERprofilethathehadseenatthewindow。ThemysteriousbrotherRiversmighthavebeenoneoftherobbers,——perhapstheonewhoaccompaniedMrs。BarkertoSanJose。Butitwasplainthattheyounggirlhadnocomplicitywiththeactionsofthegang,whatevermighthavebeenhercompanion’sconfederation。Intheprescienceofatruelover,heknewthatshemusthavebeendeceivedandkeptinutterignoranceofit。Therewasnolookofitinherlovely,guilelesseyes;herveryimpulsivenessandingenuousnesswouldhavelongsincebetrayedthesecret。Wasitleftforhim,atthisveryoutsetofhispassion,tobetheonetotellher?Couldhebeartoseethosefrank,beautifuleyesdimmedwithshameandsorrow?Hisowngrewmoist。Anotherideabegantohaunthim。Woulditnotbewiser,evenmoremanly,forhim——amanovertwiceheryears——toleaveheralonewithhersecret,andsopassoutofherinnocentyounglifeaschancefullyashehadenteredit?Butwasitaltogetherchanceful?Wastherenotinherinnocenthappinessinhimarecognitionofsomethinginhimbetterthanhehaddaredtothinkhimself?Itwasthelastconceitofthehumilityoflove。
Hereachedhishotelatlast,unresolved,perplexed,yetsingularlyhappy。Theclerkhandedhim,inpassing,abusiness-lookingletter,formallyaddressed。Withoutopeningit,hetookittohisroom,andthrowinghimselflistlesslyonachairbythewindowagaintriedtothink。Buttheatmosphereofhisroomonlyrecalledtohimthemysteriousgifthehadfoundthedaybeforeonhispillow。HefeltnowwithathrillthatitmusthavebeenfromHER。
Howdidsheconveyitthere?ShewouldnothaveintrustedittoMrs。Barker。Theideastruckhimnowasdistastefullyasitseemedimprobable。Perhapsshehadbeenhereherselfwithhercompanion——
theconventsometimesmadethatconcessiontoarelativeorwell-
knownfriend。HerecalledthefactthathehadseenMrs。Barkerenterthehotelalone,aftertheincidentoftheopeningdoor,whilehewasleaningoverthebalustrade。ItwasSHEwhowasaloneTHEN,andhadrecognizedhisvoice;andhehadnotknownit。Shewasoutagainto-daywiththeprocession。Asuddenideastruckhim。Heglancedquicklyattheletterinhishand,andhurriedlyopenedit。Itcontainedonlythreelines,inalargeformalhand,buttheysenttheswiftbloodtohischeeks。
\"Iheardyourvoiceto-dayforthethirdtime。Iwanttohearitagain。Iwillcomeatdusk。Donotgooutuntilthen。\"
Hesatstupefied。Wasitmadness,audacity,oratrick?Hesummonedthewaiter。Theletterhadbeenleftbyaboyfromtheconfectioner’sshopinthenextblock。Heremembereditofold,——aresortfortheyoungladiesoftheconvent。Nothingwaseasierthanconveyingaletterinthatway。Herememberedwithashockofdisillusionanddisgustthatitwasacommondeviceofsillybutinnocentassignation。Washetobetheridiculousaccompliceofaschoolgirl’sextravagantescapade,orthedeludedvictimofsomeinfamousplotofherinfamouscompanion?Hecouldnotbelieveeither;yethecouldnotcheckacertainrevulsionoffeelingtowardsher,whichonlyamomentagohewouldhavebelievedimpossible。
Yetwhateverwasherpurpose,hemustpreventhercomingthereatanyhazard。Hervisitwouldbetheculminationofherfolly,orthesuccessofanyplot。Evenwhilehewasfullyconsciousofthematerialeffectofanyscandalandexposuretoher,evenwhilehewasincensedanddisillusionizedatherunexpectedaudacity,hewasunusuallystirredwiththeconvictionthatshewaswrongingherself,andthatmorethanevershedemandedhishelpandhisconsideration。Stillshemustnotcome。Buthowwashetopreventher?Itwantedbutanhourofdusk。Evenifhecouldagainpenetratetheconventonsomepretextatthatinaccessiblehourforvisitors,——twilight,——howcouldhecommunicatewithher?Hemightinterceptherontheway,andpersuadehertoreturn;butshemustbekeptfromenteringthehotel。
Heseizedhishatandrusheddownstairs。Buthereanotherdifficultybesethim。Itwaseasyenoughtotaketheordinaryroadtotheconvent,butwouldSHEfollowthatpubliconeinwhatmustbeasurreptitiousescape?Andmightshenothaveeludedtheprocessionthatmorning,andevennowbeconcealedsomewhere,waitingforthedarknesstomakehervisit。Heconcludedtopatroltheblocknexttothehotel,yetnearenoughtointerceptherbeforeshereachedit,untilthehourcame。Thetimepassedslowly。Heloiteredbeforeshopwindows,orenteredandmadepurchases,withhiseyeonthestreet。Thefigureofaprettygirl,——andthereweremany,——theflutteringribbonsonadistanthat,ortheflashingofacambricskirtaroundthecornersentanervousthrillthroughhim。Thereflectionofhisgrave,abstractedfaceagainstashopwindow,ortheannouncementoftheworkingsofhisownmineonabulletinboard,initsincongruitywithhispresentoccupation,gavehimanhystericalimpulsetolaugh。Theshadowswerealreadygathering,whenhesawaslender,gracefulfiguredisappearintheconfectioner’sshopontheblockbelow。Inhiselaborateprecautions,hehadoverlookedthatcommontrystingspot。Hehurriedthither,andentered。Theobjectofhissearchwasnotthere,andhewascompelledtomakeashamefaced,awkwardsurveyofthetablesinaninnerrefreshmentsaloontosatisfyhimself。Anyoneoftheprettygirlsseatedtheremighthavebeentheonewhohadjustentered,butnonewastheonehesought。Hehurriedintothestreetagain,——hehadwastedapreciousmoment,——andresumedhiswatch。Thesunhadsunk,theAngelushadrungoutofachapelbelfry,andshadowsweredarkeningthevistaoftheAlameda。Shehadnotcome。Perhapsshehadthoughtbetterofit;perhapsshehadbeenprevented;perhapsthewholeappointmenthadbeenonlyatrickofsomeday-scholars,whowerelaughingathimbehindsomewindow。Inproportionashebecameconvincedthatshewasnotcoming,hewasconsciousofakeendespairgrowinginhisheart,andasickeningremorsethathehadeverthoughtofpreventingher。Andwhenheatlastreluctantlyreenteredthehotel,hewasasmiserableovertheconvictionthatshewasnotcomingashehadbeenatherexpectedarrival。Theportermethimhurriedlyinthehall。
\"SisterSeraphinaoftheSacredHearthasbeenhere,inahurrytoseeyouonamatterofimportance,\"hesaid,eyeingKeysomewhatcuriously。\"Shewouldnotwaitinthepublicparlor,asshesaidherbusinesswasconfidential,soIhaveputherinaprivatesitting-roomonyourfloor。\"
Keyfeltthebloodleavehischeeks。Thesecretwasoutforallhisprecaution。TheLadySuperiorhaddiscoveredthegirl’sflight,——orherattempt。Oneofthegoverningsisterhoodwasheretoarraignhimforit,oratleastpreventanopenscandal。Yethewasresolved;andseizingthislaststraw,hehurriedlymountedthestairs,determinedtodobattleatanyriskforthegirl’ssafety,andtoperjurehimselftoanyextent。
Shewasstandingintheroombythewindow。Thelightfelluponthecoarsesergedresswithitswhitefacings,onthesinglegirdlethatscarcelydefinedtheformlesswaist,onthehugecrucifixthatdangledungracefullyalmosttoherknees,onthehideous,white-
wingedcoifthat,withthecoarsebutdensewhiteveil,wasitselfarenunciationofallhumanvanity。Itwasafigureherememberedwellasaboy,andeveninhisexcitementandhalfresentmenttouchedhimnow,aswhenaboy,withasenseofitspatheticisolation。Hisheadbowedwithboyishdeferenceassheapproachedgently,passedhimaslightsalutation,andclosedthedoorthathehadforgottentoshutbehindhim。
Then,witharapidmovement,soquickthathecouldscarcelyfollowit,thecoif,veil,rosary,andcrucifixweresweptoff,andtheyoungpupiloftheconventstoodbeforehim。
Forallthesombresuggestivenessofherdisguiseanditsungracefulcontour,therewasnomistakingtheadorablelittlehead,tumbledalloverwithsilkytendrilsofhairfromthehastywithdrawalofhercoif,ortheblueeyesthatsparkledwithfrankdelightbeneaththem。Keythoughthermorebeautifulthanever。
Yettheveryeffectofherfranknessandbeautywastorecallhimtoallthedangerandincongruityofherposition。
\"Thisismadness,\"hesaidquickly。\"Youmaybefollowedhereanddiscoveredinthiscostumeatanymoment!\"Nevertheless,hecaughtthetwolittlehandsthathadbeenextendedtohim,andheldthemtightly,andwithafrankfamiliaritythathewouldhavewonderedataninstantbefore。
\"ButIwon’t,\"shesaidsimply。\"YouseeI’mdoinga’half-
retreat’;andIstaywithSisterSeraphinainherroom;andshealwayssleepstwohoursaftertheAngelus;andIgotoutwithoutanybodyknowingme,inherclothes。Iseewhatitis,\"shesaid,suddenlybendingareproachfulglanceuponhim,\"youdon’tlikemeinthem。Iknowthey’rejusthorrid;butitwastheonlywayI
couldgetout。\"
\"Youdon’tunderstandme,\"hesaideagerly。\"Idon’tlikeyoutorunthesedreadfulrisksanddangersfor\"——Hewouldhavesaid\"forme,\"butaddedwithsuddenhumility——\"fornothing。HadI
dreamedthatyoucaredtoseeme,Iwouldhavearrangediteasilywithoutthisindiscretion,whichmightmakeothersmisjudgeyou。
Everyinstantthatyouremainhere——worse,everymomentthatyouareawayfromtheconventinthatdisguise,isfraughtwithdanger。
Iknowyouneverthoughtofit。\"
\"ButIdid,\"shesaidquietly;\"Ithoughtofit,andthoughtthatifSisterSeraphinawokeup,andtheysentforme,youwouldtakemeawaywithyoutothatdearlittlehollowinthehills,whereI
firstheardyourvoice。Yourememberit,don’tyou?Youwerelost,Ithink,inthedarkness,andIusedtosaytomyselfafterwardsthatIfoundyou。Thatwasthefirsttime。ThenthesecondtimeIheardyou,washereinthehall。Iwasaloneintheotherroom,forMrs。Barkerhadgoneout。Ididnotknowyouwerehere,butIknewyourvoice。Andthethirdtimewasbeforetheconventgate,andthenIknewyouknewme。AndafterthatIdidn’tthinkofanythingbutcomingtoyou;forIknewthatifIwasfoundout,youwouldtakemebackwithyou,andperhapssendwordtomybrotherwherewewere,andthen\"——Shestoppedsuddenly,withhereyesfixedonKey’sblankface。Herowngrewblank,thejoyfadedoutofhercleareyes,shegentlywithdrewherhandfromhis,andwithoutawordbegantoresumeherdisguise。
\"Listentome,\"saidKeypassionately。\"IamthinkingonlyofYOU。
Iwantto,andWILL,saveyoufromanyblame,——blameyoudonotunderstandevennow。Thereisstilltime。Iwillgobacktotheconventwithyouatonce。Youshalltellmeeverything;Iwilltellyoueverythingontheway。\"
Shehadalreadycompletelyresumedherausteregarb,anddrewtheveilacrossherface。Withtheputtingonhercoifsheseemedtohaveextinguishedallthejoyousyouthfulnessofherspirit,andmovedwiththedeliberatenessofrenunciationtowardsthedoor。
Theydescendedthestaircasewithoutaword。Thosewhosawthempassmadewayforthemwithformalrespect。
Whentheywereinthestreet,shesaidquietly,\"Don’tgivemeyourarm——Sistersdon’ttakeit。\"Whentheyhadreachedthestreetcorner,sheturnedit,saying,\"Thisistheshortestway。\"
ItwasKeywhowasnowrestrained,awkward,andembarrassed。Thefireofhisspirit,thepassionhehadfeltamomentbefore,hadgoneoutofhim,asifshewerereallythecharactershehadassumed。Hesaidatlastdesperately:——
\"Howlongdidyouliveinthehollow?\"
\"Onlytwodays。Mybrotherwasbringingmeheretoschool,butinthestagecoachtherewassomeonewithwhomhehadquarreled,andhedidn’twanttomeethimwithme。SowegotoutatSkinner’s,andcametothehollow,wherehisoldfriends,Mr。andMrs。Barker,lived。\"
Therewasnohesitationnoraffectationinhervoice。AgainhefeltthathewouldassoonhavedoubtedthewordsoftheSistersherepresentedasherown。
\"Andyourbrother——didyoulivewithhim?\"
\"No。IwasatschoolatMarysvilleuntilhetookmeaway。Isawlittleofhimforthepasttwoyears,forhehadbusinessinthemountains——veryroughbusiness,wherehecouldn’ttakeme,foritkepthimawayfromthesettlementsforweeks。Ithinkithadsomethingtodowithcattle,forhewasalwayshavinganewhorse。
Iwasallalonebeforethat,too;Ihadnootherrelations;Ihadnofriends。Wehadalwaysbeenmovingaboutsomuch,mybrotherandI。IneversawanyonethatIliked,exceptyou,anduntilyesterdayIhadonlyHEARDyou。\"
Herperfectnaivetealternatelythrilledhimwithpainanddoubt。
Inhisawkwardnessanduneasinesshewasbrutal。
\"Yes,butyoumusthavemetsomebody——othermen——hereeven,whenyouwereoutwithyourschoolfellows,orperhapsonanadventurelikethis。\"
Herwhitecoifturnedtowardshimquickly。\"Ineverwantedtoknowanybodyelse。Inevercaredtoseeanybodyelse。Ineverwouldhavegoneoutinthiswaybutforyou,\"shesaidhurriedly。Afterapausesheaddedinafrightenedtone:\"Thatdidn’tsoundlikeyourvoicethen。Itdidn’tsoundlikeitamomentagoeither。\"
\"Butyouaresurethatyouknowmyvoice,\"hesaid,withaffectedgayety。\"Thereweretwoothersinthehollowwithmethatnight。\"
\"Iknowthat,too。ButIknowevenwhatyousaid。Youreprovedthemforthrowingalightedmatchinthedrygrass。Youwerethinkingofusthen。Iknowit。\"
\"OfUS?\"saidKeyquickly。
\"OfMrs。Barkerandmyself。Wewerealoneinthehouse,formybrotherandherhusbandwerebothaway。Whatyousaidseemedtoforewarnme,andItoldher。Sowewerepreparedwhenthefirecamenearer,andwebothescapedonthesamehorse。\"
\"Andyoudroppedyourshoesinyourflight,\"saidKeylaughingly,\"andIpickedthemupthenextday,whenIcametosearchforyou。
Ihavekeptthemstill。\"
\"TheywereHERshoes,\"saidthegirlquickly,\"Icouldn’tfindmineinourhurry,andhersweretoolargeforme,anddroppedoff。\"
Shestopped,andwithafaintreturnofheroldgladnesssaid,\"ThenyouDIDcomeback?IKNEWyouwould。\"
\"IshouldhavestayedTHEN,butwegotnoreplywhenweshouted。
Whywasthat?\"hedemandedsuddenly。
\"Oh,wewerewarnedagainstspeakingtoanystranger,orevenbeingseenbyanyonewhilewewerealone,\"returnedthegirlsimply。
\"Butwhy?\"persistedKey。
\"Oh,becausethereweresomanyhighwaymenandhorse-stealersinthewoods。Why,theyhadstoppedthecoachonlyafewweeksbefore,andonlyadayortwoago,whenMrs。Barkercamedown。SHE
sawthem!\"
Keywithdifficultysuppressedagroan。Theywalkedoninsilenceforsomemoments,hescarcelydaringtolifthiseyestothedecorouslittlefigurehasteningbyhisside。Alternatelytouchedbymistrustandpain,atlastaninfinitepity,notunmingledwithadesperateresolution,tookpossessionofhim。
\"Imustmakeaconfessiontoyou,MissRivers,\"hebeganwiththebashfulhasteofaveryboy,\"thatis\"——hestammeredwithahalfhystericlaugh,——\"thatis——aconfessionasifyouwerereallyasisterorapriest,youknow——asortofconfidencetoyou——toyourdress。IHAVEseenyou,orTHOUGHTIsawyoubefore。Itwasthatwhichbroughtmehere,thatwhichmademefollowMrs。Barker——myonlycluetoyou——tothedoorofthatconvent。Thatnight,inthehollow,Isawaprofileatthelightedwindow,whichIthoughtwasyours。\"
\"Ineverwasnearthewindow,\"saidtheyounggirlquickly。\"ItmusthavebeenMrs。Barker。\"
\"Iknowthatnow,\"returnedKey。\"Butremember,itwasmyonlycluetoyou。Imean,\"headdedawkwardly,\"itwasthemeansofmyfindingyou。\"
\"Idon’tseehowitmadeyouthinkofme,whomyouneversaw,toseeanotherwoman’sprofile,\"sheretorted,withthefaintesttouchofasperityinherchildlikevoice。\"But,\"sheadded,moregentlyandwitharelapseintoheradorablenaivete,\"mostpeople’sprofileslookalike。\"
\"Itwasnotthat,\"protestedKey,stillawkwardly,\"itwasonlythatIrealizedsomething——onlyadream,perhaps。\"
Shedidnotreply,andtheycontinuedoninsilence。Thegraywalloftheconventwasalreadyinsight。Keyfelthehadachievednothing。Exceptforinformationthatwashopeless,hehadcometononearerunderstandingofthebeautifulgirlbesidehim,andhisfutureappearedasvagueasbefore;and,aboveall,hewasconsciousofaninferiorityofcharacterandpurposetothissimplecreature,whohadobeyedhimsosubmissively。Hadheactedwisely?
Woulditnothavebeenbetterifhehadfollowedherownfrankness,and——
\"ThenitwasMrs。Barker’sprofilethatbroughtyouhere?\"resumedthevoicebeneaththecoif。\"Youknowshehasgoneback。I
supposeyouwillfollow?\"
\"Youwillnotunderstandme,\"saidKeydesperately。\"But,\"headdedinalowervoice,\"Ishallremainhereuntilyoudo。\"
Hedrewalittleclosertoherside。