PARTI。
CHAPTERI。
AsClarenceBrant,PresidentoftheRoblesLandCompany,andhusbandoftherichwidowofJohnPeyton,oftheRoblesRanche,mingledwiththeoutgoingaudienceoftheCosmopolitanTheatre,atSanFrancisco,heelicitedtheusualsmilingnodsandrecognitionduetohisgoodlooksandgoodfortune。Butashehurriedlyslippedthroughthestilllingeringwinter’srainintothesmartcoupethatwasawaitinghim,andgavetheorder\"Home,\"thewordstruckhimwithapeculiarlyironicalsignificance。Hishomewasahandsomeone,andlackednothinginappointmentandcomfort,buthehadgonetothetheatretoevadeitshollowloneliness。Norwasitbecausehiswifewasnotthere,forhehadamiserableconsciousnessthathertemporaryabsencehadnothingtodowithhishomelessness。
Thedistractionofthetheatreover,thatdull,vague,butachingsenseoflonelinesswhichwasdailygrowinguponhimreturnedwithgreatervigor。
Heleanedbackinthecoupeandgloomilyreflected。
Hehadbeenmarriedscarcelyayear,yetevenintheillusionsofthehoneymoonthewoman,olderthanhimself,andthewidowofhisoldpatron,hadhalfunconsciouslyreassertedherself,andslippedbackintothedominationofheroldposition。Itwasatfirstpleasantenough,——thishalf-maternalprotectoratewhichisapttomingleevenwiththeaffectionsofyoungerwomen,——andClarence,inhiseasy,half-feminineintuitionofthesex,yielded,asthestrongareapttoyield,throughtheveryconsciousnessoftheirownsuperiority。Butthisisaqualitytheweakerarenotapttorecognize,andthewomanwhohasoncetastedequalpowerwithherhusbandnotonlydoesnoteasilyrelegateit,butevenmakesitscontinuanceatestoftheaffections。Theusualtriumphantfeminineconclusion,\"Thenyounolongerloveme,\"hadinClarence’sbriefexperiencegoneevenfurtherandreacheditsinscrutableclimax,\"ThenInolongerloveyou,\"althoughshownonlyinamomentaryhardeningoftheeyeandvoice。Andaddedtothiswashissudden,butconfusedremembrancethathehadseenthateyeandheardthatvoiceinmaritalaltercationduringJudgePeyton’slife,andthathehimself,herboypartisan,hadsympathizedwithher。Yet,strangetosay,thishadgivenhimmorepainthanheroccasionalotherreversionstothepast——toheroldsuspiciousofhimwhenhewasayouthfulprotegeofherhusbandandapresumedsuitorofheradopteddaughterSusy。Highnaturesaremoreapttoforgivewrongdonetothemselvesthananyabstractinjustice。Andhercapricioustyrannyoverherdependentsandservants,oranunreasoningenmitytoaneighbororfriend,outragedhisfinersensemorethanherownmisconceptionofhimself。Nordidhedreamthatthiswasathingmostwomenseldomunderstand,or,understanding,everforgive。
Thecouperattledoverthestonesorswirledthroughthemuddypoolsofthemainthoroughfares。Newspaperandtelegraphicofficeswerestillbrilliantlylit,andcrowdsweregatheredamongthebulletinboards。HeknewthatnewshadarrivedfromWashingtonthateveningofthefirstactiveoutbreaksofsecession,andthatthecitywasbreathlesswithexcitement。Hadhenotjustcomefromthetheatre,wherecertaininsignificantallusionsintheplayhadbeensuddenlycaughtupandcheeredorhissedbyhithertounknownpartisans,tothedumbastonishmentofamajorityoftheaudiencecomfortablysettledtomoney-gettingandtheirownaffairsalone?
Hadhenotapplauded,albeithalf-scornfully,theprettyactress——
hisoldplaymateSusy——whohadaudaciouslyandallincongruouslywavedtheAmericanflagintheirfaces?Yes!hehadknownit;hadlivedforthelastfewweeksinanatmosphereelectricallysurchargedwithit——andyetithadchieflyaffectedhiminhispersonalhomelessness。ForhiswifewasaSoutherner,abornslaveholder,andasecessionist,whosenotedprejudicestotheNorthhadevenoutrunherlatehusband’spolitics。Atfirstthepiquancyandrecklessnessofheropinionativespeechamusedhimaspartofhercharacteristicflavor,orasalingeringyouthfulnesswhichthematurerintellectalwayspardons。Hehadnevertakenherpoliticsseriously——whyshouldhe?WithherheadonhisshoulderhehadlistenedtoherextravagantdiatribesagainsttheNorth。Hehadforgivenheroutrageousindictmentofhiscasteandhisassociatesforthesakeoftheimperiousbuthandsomelipsthatutteredit。Butwhenhewascompelledtolistentoherwordsechoedandrepeatedbyherfriendsandfamily;whenhefoundthatwiththeclannishnessofherraceshehaddrawnclosertotheminthiscontroversy,——thatshedependeduponthemforherintelligenceandinformationratherthanuponhim,——hehadawakenedtotherealityofhissituation。Hehadbornetheallusionsofherbrother,whoseoldscornforhisdependentchildhoodhadbeenembitteredbyhissister’smarriageandwasnowscarcelyconcealed。
Yet,whilehehadneveralteredhisownpoliticalfaithandsocialcreedinthisantagonisticatmosphere,hehadoftenwondered,withhisoldconscientiousnessandcharacteristicself-abnegation,whetherhisownpoliticalconvictionswerenotmerelyarevulsionfromhisdomestictyrannyandaliensurroundings。
Inthemidstofthisgloomyretrospectthecoupestoppedwithajerkbeforehisownhouse。Thedoorwasquicklyopenedbyaservant,whoappearedtobeawaitinghim。
\"Someonetoseeyouinthelibrary,sir,\"saidtheman,\"and\"——
Hehesitatedandlookedtowardsthecoupe。
\"Well?\"saidClarenceimpatiently。
\"Hesaid,sir,ashowyouwerenottosendawaythecarriage。\"
\"Indeed,andwhoisit?\"demandedClarencesharply。
\"Mr。Hooker。HesaidIwastosayJimHooker。\"
ThemomentaryannoyanceinClarence’sfacechangedtoalookofreflectivecuriosity。
\"Hesaidheknewyouwereatthetheatre,andhewouldwaituntilyoucamehome,\"continuedtheman,dubiouslywatchinghismaster’sface。\"Hedon’tknowyou’vecomein,sir,and——andIcaneasilygetridofhim。\"
\"Nomatternow。I’llseehim,and,\"addedClarence,withafaintsmile,\"letthecarriagewait。\"
Yet,asheturnedtowardsthelibraryhewasbynomeanscertainthataninterviewwiththeoldassociateofhisboyhoodunderJudgePeyton’sguardianshipwoulddiverthismind。Yetheletnotraceofhisdoubtsnorofhispastgloomshowinhisfaceasheenteredtheroom。
Mr。Hookerwasapparentlyexaminingtheelegantfurnitureandluxuriousaccommodationwithhisusualresentfulenviousness。
Clarencehadgota\"softthing。\"Thatitwasmoreorlesstheresultofhis\"artfulness,\"andthathewasunduly\"puffedup\"byit,was,inHooker’scharacteristicreasoning,equallyclear。Ashishostsmilinglyadvancedwithoutstretchedhand,Mr。Hooker’seffortstoassumeaproperabstractionofmannerandcontemptuousindifferencetoClarence’ssurroundingswhichshouldwoundhisvanityendedinhislollingbackatfulllengthinthechairwithhiseyesontheceiling。But,rememberingsuddenlythathewasreallythebearerofamessagetoClarence,itstruckhimthathissupinepositionwas,fromatheatricalview-point,infelicitous。
Inhisexperiencesofthestagehehadneverdeliveredamessageinthatway。Heroseawkwardlytohisfeet。
\"Itwassogoodofyoutowait,\"saidClarencecourteously。
\"Sawyouinthetheatre,\"saidHookerbrusquely。\"Thirdrowinparquet。Susysaiditwasyou,andhadsuthin’tosaytoyou。
Suthin’yououghttoknow,\"hecontinued,withaslightreturnofhisoldmysteryofmannerwhichClarencesowellremembered。\"YousawHER——shefetchedthehousewiththatflagbusiness,eh?Sheknowswhichwaythecatisgoingtojump,youbet。Itellyou,foralltheblowingofthesesecessionists,theUnion’sgoin’topay!
Yes,sir!\"Hestopped,glancedroundthehandsomeroom,andaddeddarkly,\"Mebbeebetterthanthis。\"
WiththememoryofHooker’scharacteristicfondnessformysterystillinhismind,Clarenceoverlookedtheinnuendo,andsaidsmilingly,——
\"Whydidn’tyoubringMrs。Hookerhere?Ishouldhavebeenhonoredwithhercompany。\"
Mr。Hookerfrownedslightlyatthisseeminglevity。
\"Nevergoesoutafteraperformance。Nervousexhaustion。LeftheratourroomsinMarketStreet。Wecandrivethereintenminutes。
That’swhyIaskedtohavethecarriagewait。\"
Clarencehesitated。Withoutcaringintheleasttorenewtheacquaintanceofhisoldplaymateandsweetheart,ameetingthatnightinsomevaguewaysuggestedtohimaprovidentialdiversion。
Norwashedeceivedbyanygravityinthemessage。WithhisremembranceofSusy’stheatricaltendencies,hewasquitepreparedforanycapriciousfutileextravagance。
\"Youaresurewewillnotdisturbher?\"hesaidpolitely。
\"No。\"
Clarenceledthewaytothecarriage。IfMr。HookerexpectedhimduringthejourneytotrytodivinethepurportofSusy’smessagehewasdisappointed。Hiscompaniondidnotalludetoit。Possiblylookinguponitasacombinedtheatricalperformance,ClarencepreferredtowaitforSusyasthebetteractor。Thecarriagerolledrapidlythroughthenowdesertedstreets,andatlast,underthedirectionsofMr。Hooker,whowasleaninghalfoutofthewindow,itdrewupatamiddle-classrestaurant,abovewhosestilllitandsteamingwindowsweresomeostentatiouslypublicapartments,accessiblefromasideentrance。Astheyascendedthestaircasetogether,itbecameevidentthatMr。Hookerwasscarcelymoreathiseaseinthecharacterofhostthanhehadbeenasguest。Hestaredgloomilyatadescendingvisitor,gruntedaudiblyatawaiterinthepassage,andstoppedbeforeadoor,wherearecentlydepositedtraydisplayedthehalf-eatencarcaseofafowl,anemptychampagnebottle,twohalf-filledglasses,andafadedbouquet。Thewholepassagewasredolentwithasingularblendingofdampcooking,stalecigarettesmoke,andpatchouli。
Puttingthetrayasidewithhisfoot,Mr。Hookeropenedthedoorhesitatinglyandpeeredintotheroom,mutteredafewindistinctwords,whichwerefollowedbyarapidrustlingofskirts,andthen,withhishandstillonthedoor-knob,turningtoClarence,whohaddiscreetlyhaltedonthethreshold,flungthedooropentheatricallyandbadehimenter。
\"Sheissomewhereinthesuite,\"headded,withalargewaveofthehandtowardsadoorthatwasstilloscillating。\"Behereinaminit。\"
Clarencetookintheapartmentwithaquietglance。Itsfurniturehadthefrayedanddiscoloredsplendorsofapublicparlorwhichhadbeenprivatelyusedandmaltreated;therewerestainsinthelargemedallionedcarpet;thegildedveneerhadbeenchippedfromaheavycentretable,showingtherough,whitedealbeneath,whichgaveittheappearanceofastage\"property;\"thewalls,paneledwithgilt-framedmirrors,reflectedeverydomesticdetailorprivaterelaxationwithshamelesspublicity。Adampwaterproof,shawl,andopennewspaperwerelyingacrosstheoncebrilliantsofa;apowder-puff,aplateoffruit,andaplay-bookwereonthecentretable,andonthemarble-toppedsideboardwasMr。Hooker’ssecond-besthat,withasoiledcollar,evidentlybutlatelyexchangedfortheonehehadon,peepingoveritsbrim。Thewholeapartmentseemedtominglethefurtivedisclosuresofthedressing-
roomwiththeopenostentationsofthestage,withevenaslightsuggestionoftheauditoriuminafewscatteredprogrammesonthefloorandchairs。
Theinnerdooropenedagainwithaslighttheatricalstart,andSusy,inanelaboratedressing-gown,movedlanguidlyintotheroom。
Sheapparentlyhadnothadtimetochangeherunderskirt,fortherewasthedustofthestageonitsdelicatelaceedging,asshethrewherselfintoanarmchairandcrossedherprettyslipperedfeetbeforeher。Herfacewaspale,itspallorincautiouslyincreasedbypowder;andasClarencelookedatitsstillyouthful,charmingoutline,hewasnotperhapssorrythattheexquisitepinkandwhiteskinbeneath,whichhehadoncekissed,washiddenfromthatawakenedrecollection。YettherewaslittletraceofthegirlishSusyinthepretty,butprematurelyjaded,actressbeforehim,andhefeltmomentarilyrelieved。Itwasheryouthandfreshnessappealingtohisownyouthandimaginationthathehadloved——notHER。Yetasshegreetedhimwithaslightexaggerationofglance,voice,andmanner,herememberedthatevenasagirlshewasanactress。
Nothingofthis,however,wasinhisvoiceandmannerashegentlythankedherfortheopportunityofmeetingheragain。Andhewasfrank,forthediversionhehadexpectedhehadfound;heevenwasconsciousofthinkingmorekindlyofhiswifewhohadsupplantedher。
\"ItoldJimhemustfetchyouifhehadtocarryyou,\"shesaid,strikingthepalmofherhandwithherfan,andglancingatherhusband。\"IreckonheguessedWHY,thoughIdidn’ttellhim——I
don’ttellJimEVERYTHING。\"
HereJimrose,andlookingathiswatch,\"guessedhe’drunovertotheLickHouseandgetsomecigars。\"Ifhewasactinguponsomehintfromhiswife,hissimulationwassobadlydonethatClarencefelthisfirstsenseofuneasiness。ButasHookerclosedthedoorawkwardlyandunostentatiouslybehindhim,Clarencesmilinglysaidhehadwaitedtohearthemessagefromherownlips。
\"Jimonlyknowswhathe’sheardoutside:thetalkofmen,youknow,——andhehearsagooddealofthat——more,perhaps,thanYOU
do。Itwasthatwhichputmeuptofindingoutthetruth。AndI
didn’tresttillIdid。I’mnottobefooled,Clarence,——youdon’tmindmycallingyouClarencenowwe’rebothmarriedanddonefor,——
andI’mnotthekindtobefooledbyanybodyfromtheCowcounties——
andthat’stheRoblesRanche。I’maSouthernwomanmyselffromMissouri,butI’mfortheUnionfirst,last,andallthetime,andIcallmyselfamatchforanylazy,dawdling,lash-swingingslaveholderandslaveholderess——whetherthey’remixedblood,Heavenonlyknows,orwhat——ortheirfriendsorrelations,orthedirtyhalf-Spanishgrandeesandtheirmixedhalf-niggerpeonswhotruckletothem。Youbet!\"
HisbloodhadstirredquicklyatthementionoftheRoblesRanche,buttherestofSusy’sspeechwastoomuchintheveinofheroldextravagancetotouchhimseriously。Hefoundhimselfonlyconsideringhowstrangeitwasthattheoldpetulanceandimpulsivenessofhergirlhoodwereactuallybringingbackwiththemherpinkcheeksandbrillianteyes。
\"Yousurelydidn’taskJimtobringmehere,\"hesaidsmilingly,\"totellmethatMrs。Peyton\"——hecorrectedhimselfhastilyasamalicioussparklecameintoSusy’sblueeyes——\"thatmywifewasaSouthernwoman,andprobablysympathizedwithherclass?Well,I
don’tknowthatIshouldblameherforthatanymorethansheshouldblamemeforbeingaNorthernmanandaUnionist。\"
\"Andshedoesn’tblameyou?\"askedSusysneeringly。
ThecolorcameslightlytoClarence’scheek,butbeforehecouldreplytheactressadded,——
\"No,shepreferstouseyou!\"
\"Idon’tthinkIunderstandyou,\"saidClarence,risingcoldly。
\"No,youdon’tunderstandHER!\"retortedSusysharply。\"Lookhere,ClarenceBrant,you’reright;Ididn’taskyouheretotellyou——
whatyouandeverybodyknows——thatyourwifeisaSoutherner。I
didn’taskyouheretotellyouwhateverybodysuspects——thatsheturnsyouroundherlittlefinger。ButIdidaskyouheretotellyouwhatnobody,notevenyou,suspects——butwhatIknow!——andthatisthatshe’saTRAITOR——andmore,aSPY!——andthatI’veonlygottosaytheword,orsendthatmanJimtosaytheword,tohaveherdraggedoutofherCopperheaddenatRoblesRancheandshutupinFortAlcatrazthisverynight!\"
Stillwiththepinkglowinginherroundingcheek,andeyessnappinglikesplinteredsapphires,sherosetoherfeet,withherprettyshoulderslifted,hersmallhandsandwhiteteethbothtightlyclenched,andtookasteptowardshim。Eveninherattitudetherewasareminiscenceofherwillfulchildhood,althoughstillblendedwiththeprovincialactresswhomhehadseenonthestageonlyanhourago。Thoroughlyalarmedatherthreat,inhiseffortstoconcealhisfeelingshewasnotaboveaweakretaliation。Steppingback,heaffectedtoregardherwithacriticaladmirationthatwasonlyhalfsimulated,andsaidwithasmile,——
\"Verywelldone——butyouhaveforgottentheflag。\"
Shedidnotflinch。Ratheracceptingthesarcasmasatributetoherart,shewentonwithincreasingexaggeration:\"No,itisYOU
whohaveforgottentheflag——forgottenyourcountry,yourpeople,yourmanhood——everythingforthathigh-toned,double-dyedoldspyandtraitress!Forwhileyouarestandinghere,yourwifeisgatheringunderherroofatRoblesagangofspiesandtraitorslikeherself——secessionleadersandtheirbloated,drunken’chivalry’!
Yes,youmaysmileyoursuperiorsmile,butItellyou,ClarenceBrant,thatwithallyoursmartnessandbooklearningyouknownomoreofwhatgoesonaroundyouthanachild。Butothersdo!Thisconspiracyisknowntothegovernment,theFederalofficershavebeenwarned;GeneralSumnerhasbeensentouthere——andhisfirstactwastochangethecommandatFortAlcatraz,andsendyourwife’sSouthernfriend——CaptainPinckney——totherightabout!Yes——
everythingisknownbutONEthing,andthatisWHEREandHOWthispreciouscrewmeet!ThatIaloneknow,andthatI’vetoldyou!\"
\"AndIsuppose,\"saidClarence,withanunchangedsmile,\"thatthisvaluableinformationcamefromyourhusband——myoldfriend,JimHooker?\"
\"No,\"sheansweredsharply,\"itcomesfromCencho——oneofyourownpeons——whoismoretruetoyouandtheoldRanchothanYOUhaveeverbeen。Hesawwhatwasgoingon,andcametome,towarnyou!\"
\"Butwhynottomedirectly?\"askedClarence,withaffectedincredulity。
\"Askhim!\"shesaidviciously。\"Perhapshedidn’twanttowarnthemasteragainstthemistress。PerhapshethoughtWEarestillfriends。Perhaps\"——shehesitatedwithalowervoiceandaforcedsmile——\"perhapsheusedtoseeustogetherintheoldtimes。\"
\"Verylikely,\"saidClarencequietly。\"Andforthesakeofthoseoldtimes,Susy,\"hewenton,withasingulargentlenessthatwasquitedistinctfromhispalingfaceandseteyes,\"Iamgoingtoforgetallthatyouhavejustsaidofmeandmine,inalltheoldwillfulnessandimpatiencethatIseeyoustillkeep——withallyouroldprettiness。\"Hetookhishatfromthetableandgravelyheldouthishand。
Shewasfrightenedforamomentwithhisimpassiveabstraction。Intheolddaysshehadknownit——hadbelieveditwashisdogged\"obstinacy\"——butsheknewthehopelessnessofopposingit。Yetwithfemininepersistencysheagainthrewherselfagainstit,asagainstawall。
\"Youdon’tbelieveme!Well,goandseeforyourself。TheyareatRoblesNOW。IfyoucatchtheearlymorningstageatSantaClarayouwillcomeuponthembeforetheydisperse。Dareyoutryit?\"
\"WhateverIdo,\"hereturnedsmilingly,\"IshallalwaysbegratefultoyouforgivingmethisopportunityofseeingyouagainASYOU
WERE。Makemyexcusestoyourhusband。Good-night。\"
\"Clarence!\"
Buthehadalreadyclosedthedoorbehindhim。Hisfacedidnotrelaxitsexpressionnorchangeashelookedagainatthetraywithitsbrokenviandsbeforethedoor,theworn,stainedhallcarpet,orthewaiterwhoshuffledpasthim。Hewasapparentlyascriticallyconsciousofthemandofthecloseodorsofthehall,andtheatmosphereoflistlessdecayandfadedextravagancearoundhim,asbeforetheinterview。Butifthewomanhehadjustpartedfromhadwatchedhimshewouldhavesupposedhestillutterlydisbelievedherstory。Yethewasconsciousthatallthathesawwasapartofhisdegradation,forhehadbelievedeverywordshehaduttered。
Throughallherextravagance,envy,andrevengefulnesshesawthecentraltruth——thathehadbeendeceived——notbyhiswife,butbyhimself!Hehadsuspectedallthisbefore。Thiswaswhathadbeenreallytroublinghim——thiswaswhathehadputaside,ratherthanhisfaith,notinher,butinhisideal。HerememberedlettersthathadpassedbetweenherandCaptainPinckney——lettersthatshehadopenlysenttonotoriousSouthernleaders;hernervousanxietytoremainattheRancho;theinnuendoesandsignificantglancesoffriendswhichhehadputaside——ashehadthiswoman’smessage!
Susyhadtoldhimnothingnewofhiswife——butthetruthofHIMSELF!
Andtherevelationcamefrompeoplewhohewasconsciousweretheinferiorsofhimselfandhiswife。Toanindependent,proud,andself-mademanitwastheculminatingstroke。
Inthesameabstractedvoicehetoldthecoachmantodrivehome。
Thereturnseemedinterminable——thoughhenevershiftedhisposition。Yetwhenhedrewupathisowndoorandlookedathiswatchhefoundhehadbeenabsentonlyhalfanhour。Onlyhalfanhour!Asheenteredthehouseheturnedwiththesameabstractiontowardsamirrorinthehall,asifheexpectedtoseesomeoutwardandvisiblechangeinhimselfinthattime。Dismissinghisservantstobed,hewentintohisdressing-room,completelychangedhisattire,putonapairoflongriding-boots,andthrowingaserapeoverhisshoulders,pausedamoment,tookapairofsmall\"Derringer\"
pistolsfromabox,puttheminhispockets,andthenslippedcautiouslydownthestaircase。Alackofconfidenceinhisowndomesticshadinvadedhimforthefirsttime。Thelightswereout。
Hesilentlyopenedthedoorandwasinthestreet。
Hewalkedhastilyafewsquarestoaliverystablewhoseproprietorheknew。Hisfirstinquirywasforone\"Redskin,\"aparticularhorse;thesecondforitsproprietor。Happilybothwerein。TheproprietoraskednoquestionofacustomerofClarence’scondition。
Thehorse,halfSpanish,powerfulandirascible,wasquicklysaddled。AsClarencemounted,themaninanimpulseofsociabilitysaid,——
\"Sawyouatthetheatreto-night,sir。\"
\"Ah,\"returnedClarence,quietlygatheringupthereins。
\"Ratherasmarttrickofthatwomanwiththeflag,\"hewentontentatively。Then,withapossibledoubtofhiscustomer’spolitics,headdedwithaforcedsmile,\"Ireckonit’sallpartyfuss,though;thereain’tanyrealdanger。\"
ButfastasClarencemightridethewordslingeredinhisears。Hesawthroughtheman’shesitation;he,too,hadprobablyheardthatClarenceBrantweaklysympathizedwithhiswife’ssentiments,anddarednotspeakfully。Andheunderstoodthecowardlysuggestionthattherewas\"norealdanger。\"IthadbeenClarence’sonefallacy。Hehadbelievedthepublicexcitementwasonlyatemporaryoutbreakofpartisanfeeling,soontosubside。EvennowhewasconsciousthathewaslessdoubtfuloftheintegrityoftheUnionthanofhisownhousehold。Itwasnotthedevotionofthepatriot,buttheindignationofanoutragedhusband,thatwasspurringhimon。
HeknewthatifhereachedWoodvillebyfiveo’clockhecouldgetferriedacrossthebayattheEmbarcadero,andcatchthedowncoachtoFairPlains,whencehecouldridetotheRancho。AsthecoachdidnotconnectdirectlywithSanFrancisco,thechanceofhissurprisingthemwasgreater。Onceclearofthecityoutskirts,hebulliedRedskinintoirasciblespeed,andplungedintotherainydarknessofthehighroad。Thewaywasfamiliar。Forawhilehewascontenttofeelthebuffeting,causedbyhisrapidpace,ofwindandrainagainsthisdepressedheadandshouldersinasheerbrutalsenseofoppositionandpower,ortorelievehispent-upexcitementbydashingthroughoverflowedgulliesintheroadoracrossthequaggy,soddenedgesofmeadowland,untilhehadcontrolledRedskin’srebelliousextravaganceintoalongsteadystride。Thenheraisedhisheadandstraightenedhimselfonthesaddle,tothink。Buttonopurpose。Hehadnoplan;everythingwoulddependuponthesituation;thethoughtofforestallinganyactionoftheconspirators,bywarningorcallingintheaidoftheauthorities,foraninstantcrossedhismind,butwasasinstantlydismissed。Hehadbutaninstinct——toseewithhisowneyeswhathisreasontoldhimwastrue。Daywasbreakingthroughdriftingscudandpewter-coloredcloudsashereachedWoodvilleferry,checkeredwithsplashesofthesoilandthespumeofhishorse,fromwhoseneckandflanksthesweatrolledlikelather。Yethewasnotconscioushowintenthadbeenhispurposeuntilhefeltasuddeninstinctiveshockonseeingthattheferryboatwasgone。
Foraninstanthiswonderfulself-possessionabandonedhim;hecouldonlygazevacantlyattheleaden-coloredbay,withoutathoughtorexpedient。Butinanothermomenthesawthattheboatwasreturningfromthedistance。Hadhelosthisonlychance?Heglancedhurriedlyathiswatch;hehadcomemorequicklythanheimagined;therewouldstillbetime。Hebeckonedimpatientlytotheferryman;theboat——aship’spinnace,withtwomeninit——creptinwithexasperatingslowness。Atlastthetworowerssuddenlyleapedashore。
\"Yemighthavecomebefore,withtheotherpassenger。Wedon’treckontorunlightnin’tripsonthisferry。\"
ButClarencewashimselfagain。\"Twentydollarsfortwomoreoarsinthatboat,\"hesaidquietly,\"andfiftyifyougetmeoverintimetocatchthedownstage。\"
ThemanglancedatClarence’seyes。\"RunupandrouseoutJakeandSam,\"hesaidtotheotherboatman;thenmoreleisurely,gazingathiscustomer’stravel-stainedequipment,hesaid,\"Theremusthavebeenaheapo’passengersgotleftbylastnight’sboat。You’rethesecondmanthattookthisrouteinahurry。\"
AtanyothertimethecoincidencemighthavestruckClarence。Butheonlyansweredcurtly,\"UnlessweareunderwayintenminutesyouwillfindIamNOTthesecondman,andthatourbargain’soff。\"
Butheretwomenemergedfromtheshantybesidetheferryhouse,andtumbledsleepilyintotheboat。Clarenceseizedanextrapairofscullsthatwerestandingagainsttheshed,andthrewthemintothestern。\"Idon’tmindtakingahandmyselfforexercise,\"hesaidquietly。
TheferrymanglancedagainatClarence’stravel-wornfigureanddeterminedeyeswithmingledapprovalandsurprise。Helingeredamomentwithhisoarslifted,lookingathispassenger。\"Itain’tnobusinesso’mine,youngman,\"hesaiddeliberately,\"butI
reckonyouunderstandmewhenIsaythatI’vejusttakenanothermanoverthere。\"
\"Ido,\"saidClarenceimpatiently。
\"Andyoustillwanttogo?\"
\"Certainly,\"repliedClarence,withacoldstare,takinguphisoars。
Themanshruggedhisshoulders,benthimselfforthestroke,andtheboatsprungforward。Theothersrowedstronglyandrapidly,thetoughashenbladesspringinglikesteelfromthewater,theheavyboatseemingtoleapinsuccessiveboundsuntiltheywerefairlybeyondthecurvinginshorecurrentandclearingtheplacid,mistysurfaceofthebay。Clarencedidnotspeak,butbentabstractedlyoverhisoar;theferrymanandhiscrewrowedinequalpantingsilence;afewstartledduckswhirredbeforethem,butdroppedagaintorest。InhalfanhourtheywereattheEmbarcadero。Thetimewasfairlyup。Clarence’seyeswereeagerlybentforthefirstappearanceofthestage-coacharoundthelittlepromontory;theferrymanwasaseagerlyscanningthebare,emptystreetofthestillsleepingsettlement。
\"Idon’tseehimanywhere,\"saidtheferrymanwithaglance,halfofastonishmentandhalfofcuriosity,athissolitarypassenger。
\"Seewhom?\"askedClarencecarelessly,ashehandedthemanhispromisedfee。
\"TheothermanIferriedovertocatchthestage。Hemusthavegoneonwithoutwaiting。You’reinluck,youngfellow!\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyou,\"saidClarenceimpatiently。\"Whathasyourpreviouspassengertodowithme?\"
\"Well,Ireckonyouknowbest。He’sthekindofman,gin’rallyspeaking,thatothermen,inapow’fulhurry,don’tcaretomeet——
and,azarule,don’tFOLLERarter。It’sgin’rallytheotherway。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean?\"inquiredClarencesternly。\"Ofwhomareyouspeaking?\"
\"TheChiefofPoliceofSanFrancisco!\"
CHAPTERII。
ThelaughthatinstinctivelybrokefromClarence’slipswassosincereandunaffectedthatthemanwasdisconcerted,andatlastjoinedinit,alittleshamefacedly。ThegrotesqueblunderofbeingtakenasafugitivefromjusticerelievedClarence’smindfromitsacutetension,——hewasmomentarilydiverted,——anditwasnotuntiltheboatmanhaddeparted,andhewasagainalone,thatitseemedtohaveanycollateralsignificance。ThenanuneasyrecollectionofSusy’sthreatthatshehadthepowertoputhiswifeinFortAlcatrazcameacrosshim。Couldshehavealreadywarnedthemunicipalauthoritiesandthisman?ButhequicklyrememberedthatanyactionfromsuchawarningcouldonlyhavebeentakenbytheUnitedStatesMarshal,andnotbyacivicofficial,anddismissedtheidea。
Nevertheless,whenthestagewithitshalf-spentlampsstillburningdimlyagainstthemorninglightsweptroundthecurveandrolledheavilyuptotherudeshantywhichservedascoach-office,hebecamewatchful。Asingleyawningindividualinitsdoorwayreceivedafewlettersandparcels,butClarencewasevidentlytheONLYwaitingpassenger。Anyhopethathemighthaveentertainedthathismysteriouspredecessorwouldemergefromsomeseclusionatthatmomentwasdisappointed。Asheenteredthecoachhemadearapidsurveyofhisfellow-travelers,butsatisfiedhimselfthatthestrangerwasnotamongthem。Theyweremainlysmalltradersorfarmers,aminerortwo,andapparentlyaSpanish-Americanofbetterdegreeandpersonality。Possiblythecircumstancethatmenofthisclassusuallypreferredtotravelonhorsebackandwererarelyseeninpublicconveyancesattractedhisattention,andtheireyesmetmorethanonceinmutualcuriosity。PresentlyClarenceaddressedaremarktothestrangerinSpanish;herepliedfluentlyandcourteously,butatthenextstopping-placeheaskedaquestionoftheexpressmaninanunmistakableMissouriaccent。
Clarence’scuriositywassatisfied;hewasevidentlyoneofthoseearlyAmericansettlerswhohadbeensolongdomiciledinSouthernCaliforniaastoadoptthespeechaswellasthehabilimentsoftheSpaniard。
Theconversationfelluponthepoliticalnewsofthepreviousnight,orratherseemedtobelazilycontinuedfromsomeprevious,moreexciteddiscussion,inwhichoneofthecontestants——ared-
beardedminer——hadsubsidedintoanoccasionalgrowlofsurlydissent。ItstruckClarencethattheMissourianhadbeenanamusedauditorandeven,judgingfromatwinkleinhiseye,amischievousinstigatorofthecontroversy。Hewasnotsurprised,therefore,whenthemanturnedtohimwithacertaincourtesyandsaid,——
\"Andwhat,sir,isthepoliticalfeelinginYOURdistrict?\"
ButClarencewasinnomoodtobedrawnout,andreplied,almostcurtly,thatashehadcomeonlyfromSanFrancisco,theywereprobablyaswellinformedonthatsubjectashimself。Aquickandsearchingglancefromthestranger’seyemadehimregrethisanswer,butinthesilencethatensuedthered-beardedminer,evidentlystillranklingatheart,sawhisopportunity。Slappinghishugehandsonhisknees,andleaningfarforwarduntilheseemedtoplungehisflamingbeard,likeafirebrand,intothecontroversy,hesaidgrimly,——
\"Well,Ikintellyou,gen’l’men,THIS。Itain’tgoin’tobenomatterwot’sthePOLITICALFEELINGhereorthar——itain’tgoin’tobenomatterwot’stheState’srightsandwot’sFed’ralrights——itain’tgoin’tobenoquestionwhetherthegov’ment’sgottherighttorelieveitsownsoldiersthatthoseSeceshisbesieginginFortSumterorwhethertheyhaven’t——butthefirstgunthat’sfiredattheflagblowsthechainsoffeveryd——nniggersouthofMasonandDixon’sline!Youhearme!I’mshoutin’!Andwhetheryoucallyourselves’Secesh’or’Union’or’Copperhead’or’Peacemen,’
you’vegottofaceit!\"
Therewasanangrystartinoneortwooftheseats;onemancaughtattheswingingside-strapandhalfrose,ahuskyvoicebegan,\"It’sad————d\"——andthenallassuddenlysubsided。Everyeyewasturnedtoaninsignificantfigureinthebackseat。Itwasawoman,holdingachildonherlap,andgazingoutofthewindowwithhersex’sprofoundunconcerninpolitics。Clarenceunderstoodtherudechivalryoftheroadwellenoughtocomprehendthatthisunconsciousbutomnipotentfigurehadmorethanoncethatdaycontrolledthepassionsofthedisputants。Theydroppedbackweaklytotheirseats,andtheirmutteringsrolledoffintherattleofthewheels。ClarenceglancedattheMissourian;hewasregardingthered-beardedminerwithasingularcuriosity。
Therainhadceased,buttheafternoonshadowsweredeepeningwhentheyatlastreachedFairPlains,whereClarenceexpectedtotakehorsetotheRancho。Hewasastonished,however,tolearnthatallthehorsesinthestablewereengaged,butrememberingthatsomeofhisownstockwereinpasturagewithatenantatFairPlains,andthatheshouldprobablyhaveabetterselection,heturnedhisstepsthither。Passingoutofthestable-yardherecognizedtheMissourian’svoiceinwhisperedconversationwiththeproprietor,butthetwomenwithdrewintotheshadowasheapproached。Anill-
defineduneasinesscameoverhim;heknewtheproprietor,whoalsoseemedtoknowtheMissourian,andthisevidentavoidanceofhimwassignificant。PerhapshisreputationasadoubtfulUnionisthadprecededhim,butthiswouldnotaccountfortheirconductinadistrictsostronglySoutherninsympathyasFairPlains。Moreimpressedbytheoccurrencethanhecaredtoadmit,whenatlast,aftersomedelay,hehadsecuredhishorse,andwasoncemoreinthesaddle,hekeptasharplookoutforhisquondamcompanion。Buthereanothercircumstanceaddedtohissuspicions:therewasamainroadleadingtoSantaInez,thenexttown,andtheRancho,andthisClarencehadpurposelytakeninordertowatchtheMissourian;buttherewasalsoacutoffdirectlytotheRancho,knownonlytothehabituesoftheRancho。Afterafewmoments’rapidridingonamustangmuchsuperiortoanyinthehotelstables,hewassatisfiedthatthestrangermusthavetakenthecut-off。PuttingspurstohishorsehetrustedstilltoprecedehimtotheRancho——ifthatwerehisdestination。
Ashedashedalongthefamiliarroad,byastrangeperversityoffancy,insteadofthinkingofhispurpose,hefoundhimselfrecallingthefirsttimehehadriddenthatwayintheflushofhisyouthandhopefulness。Thegirl-sweethearthewasthengoingtorejoinwasnowthewifeofanother;thewomanwhohadbeenherguardianwasnowhisownwife。Hehadacceptedwithoutapangtheyounggirl’sdereliction,butitwasthroughherrevelationthathewasnowabouttoconfrontthederelictionofhisownwife。Andthiswastherewardofhisyouthfultrustandloyalty!Abitterlaughbrokefromhislips。Itwaspartofhisstillyouthfulself-
delusionthathebelievedhimselfwiserandstrongerforit。
ItwasquitedarkwhenhereachedtheupperfieldorfirstterraceoftheRancho。Hecouldseethewhitewallsofthecasarisingdimlyoutofthegreenseaofearlywildgrasses,likeaphantomisland。Itwasherethatthecut-offjoinedthemainroad——nowtheonlyonethatledtothecasa。HewassatisfiedthatnoonecouldhaveprecededhimfromFairPlains;butitwastruethathemusttakeprecautionsagainsthisowndiscovery。Dismountingnearaclumpofwillows,heunsaddledandunbridledhishorse,andwithacutoftheriataoveritshaunchessentitflyingacrossthefieldinthedirectionofabandoffeedingmustangs,whichitpresentlyjoined。Then,keepingwellintheshadowofabeltofshrub-oaks,heskirtedthelonglesserterracesofthecasa,intendingtoapproachthehousebywayoftheoldgardenandcorral。Adrizzlingrain,occasionallydrivenbythewindintolong,misty,curtain-likewaves,obscuredtheprospectandfavoredhisdesign。Hereachedthelowadobewallofthecorralinsafety;lookingoverhecoulddetect,inspiteofthedarkness,thatanumberofthehorseswereofalienbrands,andevenrecognizedoneortwofromtheSantaInezdistrict。Thevagueoutlineofbuggiesandcarryallsfilledthelongshedbesidethestables。ThereWAScompanyatthecasa——sofarSusywasright!
Nevertheless,lingeringstillbythewalloftheoldgardenforthedeepeningofnight,hisnervousfeverishnesswasagaininvadedandbenumbedbysullenmemories。Therewastheopeningleftbytheoldgrilleinthewall,behindwhichMrs。Peytonstoodonthemorningwhenhethoughthewasleavingtheranchforever;wherehehadfirstclaspedherinhisarms,andstayed。Aturnofthehead,amoment’sindecision,asingleglanceofalanguorouseye,hadbroughtthisculmination。Andnowhestoodagainbeforethatruinedgrille,hishouseandlands,evenhisNAME,misusedbyamad,schemingenthusiast,andhimselfacreepingspyofhisowndishonor!Heturnedwithabittersmileagaintothegarden。A
fewdarkredCastilianrosesstillleanedforwardandswayedinthewindwithdrippingleaves。ItwasherethatthefirstmorningofhisarrivalhehadkissedSusy;theperfumeandcolorofherpinkskincamebacktohimwithasuddenshockashestoodthere;hecaughtataflower,drewittowardshim,inhaleditsodorinalongbreaththatlefthimfaintandleaningagainstthewall。Thenagainhesmiled,butthistimemorewickedly——inwhathebelievedhiscynicismhadsprungupthefirstinstinctofrevenge!
Itwasnowdarkenoughforhimtoventureacrossthecarriageroadandmakehiswaytotherearofthehouse。Hisfirstcharacteristicinstincthadbeentoenteropenlyathisownfrontgate,buttheterribletemptationtooverhearandwatchtheconspiracyunobserved——
thatfascinationcommontodeceivedhumanitytowitnessitsownshame——hadnowgrownuponhim。Heknewthatawordorgestureofexplanation,apology,appeal,oreventerrorfromhiswifewouldcheckhisrageandweakenhispurpose。Hisperfectknowledgeofthehouseandthesecurityofitsinmateswouldenablehimfromsomeobscurelandingorgallerytoparticipateinanysecretconclavetheymightholdinthepatio——theonlyplacesuitableforsonumerousarendezvous。Theabsenceoflightinthefewexternalwindowspointedtothiscentralgathering。Andhehadalreadyconceivedhisplanofentrance。
Gainingtherearwallofthecasahebegancautiouslytoskirtitsbramblybaseuntilhehadreachedalong,oven-likewindowhalfobliteratedbyamonstrouspassionvine。ItwasthewindowofwhathadoncebeenMrs。Peyton’sboudoir;thewindowbywhichhehadonceforcedanentrancetothehousewhenitwasinthehandsofsquatters,thewindowfromwhichSusyhadsignaledherSpanishlover,thewindowwhosegratinghadbrokentheneckofJudgePeyton’spresumedassassin。Buttheserecollectionsnolongerdelayedhim;themomentforactionhadarrived。Heknewthatsincethetragedytheboudoirhadbeendismantledandshunned;theservantsbelievedittobehauntedbytheassassin’sghost。Withtheaidofthepassionvinetheingresswaseasy;theinteriorwindowwasopen;therustleofdeadleavesonthebarefloorasheentered,andthewhirofafrightenedbirdbyhisear,toldthestoryofitsdesolationandthesourceofthestrangenoisesthathadbeenheardthere。Thedoorleadingtothecorridorwaslightlybolted,merelytokeepitfromrattlinginthewind。Slippingtheboltwiththebladeofhispocket-knifehepeeredintothedarkpassage。Thelightstreamingunderadoortotheleft,andthesoundofvoices,convincedhimthathisconjecturewasright,andthemeetingwasgatheredonthebroadbalconiesaroundthepatio。
Heknewthatanarrowgallery,facedwithVenetianblindstoexcludethesun,lookeddownuponthem。Hemanagedtogainitwithoutdiscovery;luckilytheblindswerestilldown;betweentheirslats,himselfinvisible,hecouldhearandseeeverythingthatoccurred。
Yetevenatthissuprememomentthefirstthingthatstruckhimwasthealmostludicrouscontrastbetweentheappearanceofthemeetinganditstremendousobject。Whetherhewasinfluencedbyanypreviousboyishconceptionofacloudedandgloomyconspiracyhedidnotknow,buthewasforaninstantalmostdisconcertedbytheapparentlevityandfestivityoftheconclave。Decantersandglassesstoodonsmalltablesbeforethem;nearlyallweredrinkingandsmoking。Theycomprisedfifteenortwentymen,someofwhosefaceswerefamiliartohimelsewhereasSouthernpoliticians;afew,hewasshockedtosee,werewell-knownNorthernDemocrats。
OccupyingacharacteristicallycentralpositionwasthefamousColonelStarbottle,ofVirginia。Jauntyandyouthful-lookinginhismask-like,beardlessface,expansiveanddignifiedinhismiddle-agedportandcarriage,healoneretainedsomeoftheimportance——albeitslightlytheatricalandaffected——oftheoccasion。Clarenceinhisfirsthurriedglancehadnotobservedhiswife,andforamomenthadfeltrelieved;butasColonelStarbottlearoseatthatmoment,andwithastudiouslychivalrousandcourtlymannerturnedtohisright,hesawthatshewassittingatthefurtherendofthebalcony,andthatamanwhomherecognizedasCaptainPinckneywasstandingbesideher。Thebloodquicklytightenedaroundhisheart,butlefthimcoldandobservant。
\"Itwasseldom,indeed,\"remarkedColonelStarbottle,placinghisfatfingersinthefrillofhisshirtfront,\"thatamovementlikethiswasgracedwiththeactualpresenceofalofty,inspiring,yetdelicatespirit——aBoadicea——indeed,hemightsayaJoanofArc——inthepersonoftheircharminghostess,Mrs。Brant。Notonlyweretheyfavoredbyhersocialandhospitableministration,butbyheractiveandenthusiasticcooperationinthegloriousworktheyhadinhand。Itwasthroughhercorrespondenceandearnestadvocacythattheyweretobefavoredto-nightwiththeaidandcounselofoneofthemostdistinguishedandpowerfulmenintheSoutherndistrictofCalifornia,JudgeBeeswinger,ofLosAngeles。Hehadnotthehonorofthatgentleman’spersonalacquaintance;hebelievedhewasnotfarwronginsayingthatthiswasalsothemisfortuneofeverygentlemanpresent;butthenameitselfwasatowerofstrength。Hewouldgofurther,andsaythatMrs。Brantherselfwaspersonallyunacquaintedwithhim,butitwasthroughthefervor,poetry,grace,andgeniusofhercorrespondencewiththatgentlemanthattheyweretohavethehonorofhispresencethatveryevening。Itwasunderstoodthatadviceshadbeenreceivedofhisdeparture,andthathemightbeexpectedatRoblesatanymoment。\"
\"ButwhatproofhaveweofJudgeBeeswinger’ssoundness?\"saidalazySouthernvoiceattheconclusionofColonelStarbottle’speriods。\"Nobodyhereseemstoknowhimbysight:isitnotriskytoadmitamantoourmeetingwhomweareunabletoidentify?\"
\"IreckonnobodybutafoolorsomepryingmudsillofaYankeewouldtrusthisskinhere,\"returnedanother;\"andifhedidwe’dknowwhattodowithhim。\"
ButClarence’sattentionwasrivetedonhiswife,andthesignificantspeechpassedhimasunheededashadthecolonel’srhetoric。Shewaslookingveryhandsomeandslightlyflushed,withaproudlightinhereyesthathehadneverseenbefore。Absorbedinthediscussion,sheseemedtobepayinglittleattentiontoCaptainPinckneyassherosesuddenlytoherfeet。
\"JudgeBeeswingerwillbeattendedherebyMr。MacNiel,oftheFairPlainsHotel,whowillvouchforhimandintroducehim,\"shesaidinaclearvoice,whichrangwithanimperiousnessthatClarencewellremembered。\"ThejudgewastoarrivebythecoachfromMartineztoFairPlains,andisduenow。\"
\"IstherenoGENTLEMANtointroducehim?Mustwetakehimonthewordofacommontrader——byJove!awhiskey-seller?\"continuedthepreviousvoicesneeringly。
\"Onthewordofalady,Mr。Brooks,\"saidCaptainPinckney,withaslightgesturetowardsMrs。Brant——\"whoanswersforboth。\"
Clarencehadstartedslightlyathiswife’svoiceandtheinformationitconveyed。Hisfellow-passenger,andtheconfidantofMacNiel,wasthemantheywereexpecting!Iftheyhadrecognizedhim,Clarence,wouldtheynotwarnthecompanyofhisproximity?Heheldhisbreathasthesoundofvoicescamefromtheoutergateofthecourtyard。Mrs。Brantrose;atthesamemomentthegateswungopen,andamanentered。ItWAStheMissourian。
Heturnedwithold-fashionedcourtesytothesinglewomanstandingonthebalcony。
\"Myfaircorrespondent,Ibelieve!IamJudgeBeeswinger。Youragent,MacNiel,passedmethroughyourguardsatthegate,butI
didnotdeemitadvisabletobringhimintothisassemblyofgentlemenwithoutyourfurtherconsideration。ItrustIwasright。\"
Thequietdignityandself-possession,thequaint,old-fashionedcolonialprecisionofspeech,modifiedbyasoftVirginianintonation,and,aboveall,somesingularindividualityofthemanhimself,producedaprofoundsensation,andseemedtosuddenlygivethegatheringanimpressivenessithadlackedbefore。ForaninstantClarenceforgothimselfandhispersonalwrongsintheshockofindignationhefeltatthispotentadditiontotheranksofhisenemies。Hesawhiswife’seyessparklewithprideoverheracquisition,andnoticedthatPinckneycastadisturbedglanceatthenewcomer。
ThestrangerascendedthefewstepstothebalconyandtookMrs。
Brant’shandwithprofoundcourtesy。\"Introducemetomycolleagues——distinctlyandseparately。Itbehoovesamanatsuchamomenttoknowtowhomheentrustshislifeandhonor,andthelifeandhonorofhiscause。\"
Itwasevidentlynomereformalcourtesytothestranger。Ashesteppedforwardalongthebalcony,andunderMrs。Brant’sgracefulguidancewasintroducedtoeachofthemembers,henotonlylistenedwithscrupulouscareandattentiontothenameandprofessionofeachman,butbentuponhimaclear,searchingglancethatseemedtophotographhiminhismemory。Withtwoexceptions。
HepassedColonelStarbottle’sexpandingshirtfrillwithabowofelaborateprecision,andsaid,\"ColonelStarbottle’sfamerequiresneitherintroductionnorexplanation。\"HestoppedbeforeCaptainPinckneyandpaused。
\"AnofficeroftheUnitedStatesarmy,Ibelieve,sir?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"EducatedatWestPoint,Ithink,bythegovernment,towhomyouhavetakentheoathofallegiance?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Verygood,sir,\"saidthestranger,turningaway。
\"Youhaveforgottenoneotherfact,sir,\"saidPinckney,withaslightlysuperciliousair。
\"Indeed!Whatisit?\"
\"Iam,firstofall,anativeoftheStateofSouthCarolina!\"
Amurmurofapplauseandapprovalranroundthebalcony。CaptainPinckneysmiledandexchangedglanceswithMrs。Brant,butthestrangerquietlyreturnedtothecentraltablebesideColonelStarbottle。\"Iamnotonlyanunexpecteddelegatetothisaugustassembly,gentlemen,\"hebegangravely,\"butIamthebearerofperhapsequallyunexpectednews。BymypositionintheSoutherndistrictIaminpossessionofdispatchesreceivedonlythismorningbyponyexpress。FortSumterhasbeenbesieged。TheUnitedStatesflag,carryingrelieftothebeleagueredgarrison,hasbeenfireduponbytheStateofSouthCarolina。\"
Aburstofalmosthystericapplauseandenthusiasmbrokefromtheassembly,andmadethedim,vault-likepassagesandcorridorsofthecasaring。Cheeraftercheerwentuptotheveiledgalleryandthemistyskybeyond。Menmountedonthetablesandwavedtheirhandsfrantically,andinthemidstofthisbewilderingturbulenceofsoundandmotionClarencesawhiswifemountedonachair,withburningcheeksandflashingeyes,wavingherhandkerchieflikeaninspiredpriestess。Onlythestranger,stillstandingbesideColonelStarbottle,remainedunmovedandimpassive。Then,withanimperativegesture,hedemandedasuddensilence。
\"Convincingandunanimousasthisdemonstrationis,gentlemen,\"hebeganquietly,\"itismyduty,nevertheless,toaskyouifyouhaveseriouslyconsideredthemeaningofthenewsIhavebrought。Itismydutytotellyouthatitmeanscivilwar。Itmeanstheclashofarmsbetweentwosectionsofamightycountry;itmeansthedisruptionoffriends,thebreakingoffamilyties,theseparationoffathersandsons,ofbrothersandsisters——even,perhaps,tothedissevermentofhusbandandwife!\"
\"ItmeansthesovereigntyoftheSouth——andthebreakingofacovenantwithlowborntradersandabolitionists,\"saidCaptainPinckney。
\"Ifthereareanygentlemenpresent,\"continuedthestranger,withoutheedingtheinterruption,\"whohavepledgedthisStatetothesupportoftheSouthinthisemergency,ortotheestablishmentofaPacificrepublicinaidandsympathywithit,whosenamesareonthispaper\"——heliftedasheetofpaperlyingbeforeColonelStarbottle——\"butwhonowfeelthatthegravityofthenewsdemandsamoreseriousconsiderationofthepurpose,theyareatlibertytowithdrawfromthemeeting,givingtheirhonor,asSoutherngentlemen,tokeepthesecretintact。\"
\"NotifIknowit,\"interruptedastalwartKentuckian,asherosetohisfeetandstrodedownthestepstothepatio。\"For,\"headded,placinghisbackagainstthegateway,\"I’llshootthefirstcowardthatbacksoutnow。\"
Aroaroflaughterandapprovalfollowed,butwassilencedagainbythequiet,unimpassionedvoiceofthestranger。\"If,ontheotherhand,\"hewentoncalmly,\"youallfeelthatthisnewsisthefittingculminationandconsecrationofthehopes,wishes,andplansofthismeeting,youwillassertitagain,overyourownsignatures,toColonelStarbottleatthistable。\"
WhentheKentuckianhadrisen,Clarencehadstartedfromhisconcealment;whenhenowsawtheeagerfigurespressingforwardtothetablehehesitatednolonger。Slippingalongthepassage,hereachedthestaircasewhichledtothecorridorintherearofthebalcony。Descendingthisrapidly,henotonlycameuponthebacksoftheexcitedcrowdaroundthetable,butevenelbowedoneoftheconspiratorsasidewithoutbeingnoticed。Hiswife,whohadrisenfromherchairattheendofthebalcony,wasalreadymovingtowardsthetable。Withaquickmovementheseizedherwrist,andthrewherbackinthechairagain。Acrybrokefromherlipsassherecognizedhim,butstillholdingherwrist,hesteppedquicklybetweenherandtheastonishedcrowd。Therewasamomentofsilence,thenthecryof\"Spy!\"and\"Seizehim!\"rosequickly,butaboveallthevoiceandfigureoftheMissourianwasheardcommandingthemtostandback。TurningtoClarence,hesaidquietly,——
\"Ishouldknowyourface,sir。Whoareyou?\"
\"Thehusbandofthiswomanandthemasterofthishouse,\"saidClarenceasquietly,butinavoicehehardlyrecognizedashisown。
\"Standasidefromher,then——unlessyouarehopingthatherdangermayprotectYOU!\"saidtheKentuckian,significantlydrawinghisrevolver。
ButMrs。BrantsprangsuddenlytoherfeetbesideClarence。
\"Weareneitherofuscowards,Mr。Brooks——thoughhespeaksthetruth——and——moreshametome\"——sheadded,withalookofsavagescornatClarence——\"ISMYHUSBAND!\"
\"Whatisyourpurposeincominghere?\"continuedJudgeBeeswinger,withhiseyesfixedonClarence。
\"Ihavegivenyoualltheinformation,\"saidClarencequietly,\"thatisnecessarytomakeyou,asagentleman,leavethishouseatonce——andthatismypurpose。Itisalltheinformationyouwillgetfrommeaslongasyouandyourfriendsinsultmyroofwithyouruninvitedpresence。WhatImayhavetosaytoyouandeachofyouhereafter——whatImaychoosetodemandofyou,accordingtoyourowncodeofhonor,\"——hefixedhiseyesonCaptainPinckney’s,——
\"isanotherquestion,andonenotusuallydiscussedbeforealady。\"
\"Pardonme。Amoment——asinglemoment。\"