\"Isay——itain’taHER，isit？\"saidUncleJim。
UncleBillyachievedadiabolicalwinkandacreditableblushathislie。
\"Billy？\"
\"Jim！\"
AndundercoverofthisfestivegallantryUncleBillyescaped。Heranthroughthegatheringdarkness，andtoileduptheshiftingsandstothetopofthehill，wherehefoundthecarriagewaiting。
\"Wot，\"saidUncleBillyinalowconfidentialtonetothecoachman，\"wotdoyou’Friscofellersallowtobethebest，biggest，andriskiestgamblin’-saloonhere？Suthin’high-toned，youknow？\"
Thenegrogrinned。Itwastheusualcaseoftheextravagantspendthriftminer，thoughperhapshehadexpectedadifferentquestionandorder。
\"Deyisde’Polka，’de’ElDorado，’andde’Arcade’saloon，boss，\"
hesaid，flickinghiswhipmeditatively。\"Mostgentsfromdeminespreferde’Polka，’fordeyisdancingwiddegalsfrownin。Butderealprimafacieplaceforgentswhogoforbuckin’agindetigerandstraight-outgamblin’isde’Arcade。’\"
\"Drivetherelikethunder！\"saidUncleBilly，leapingintothecarriage……
Truetohisword，UncleBillywasathispartner’sshantyearlythenextmorning。Helookedalittletired，buthappy，andhadbroughtadraftwithhimforfivehundredandseventy-fivedollars，whichheexplainedwasthetotalofhiscapital。UncleJimwasoverjoyed。TheywouldstartforNapathatveryday，andconcludethepurchaseoftheranch；UncleJim’ssprainedfootwasasufficientreasonforhisgivinguphispresentvocation，whichhecouldalsosellatasmallprofit。Hisdomesticarrangementswereverysimple；therewasnothingtotakewithhim——therewaseverythingtoleavebehind。Andthatafternoon，atsunset，thetworeunitedpartnerswereseatedonthedeckoftheNapaboatassheswungintothestream。
UncleBillywasgazingovertherailingwithalookofabstractedrelieftowardstheGoldenGate，wherethesinkingsunseemedtobedrawingtowardshimintheoceanagoldenstreamthatwasforeverpouringfromtheBayandthethree-hilledcitybesideit。WhatUncleBillywasthinkingof，orwhatthepicturesuggestedtohim，didnottranspire；forUncleJim，who，emboldenedbyhisholiday，wasluxuriatinginaneveningpaper，suddenlyutteredalong-drawnwhistle，andmovedclosertohisabstractedpartner。\"Lookyer，\"
hesaid，pointingtoaparagraphhehadevidentlyjustread，\"justyoulistentothis，andseeifweain’tlucky，youandme，tobejestwotweair——trustin’toourownhardwork——andnotthinkin’o’
’strikes’and’fortins。’Jestunbuttonyerears，Billy，whileI
reeloffthisyerthingI’vejeststruckinthepaper，andseewhatd——dfoolssomemenkinmakeo’themselves。Andthattheerreporterwotwroteit——musthevseeditreely！\"
UncleJimclearedhisthroat，andholdingthepaperclosetohiseyesreadaloudslowly：——
\"’Asceneofexcitementthatrecalledthepalmydaysof’49waswitnessedlastnightattheArcadeSaloon。Astranger，whomighthavebelongedtothatrecklessepoch，andwhoboreeveryevidenceofbeingasuccessfulPikeCountymineroutona\"spree，\"appearedatoneofthetableswithanegrocoachmanbearingtwoheavybagsofgold。Selectingafaro-bankashisbaseofoperations，hebegantobetheavilyandwithapparentrecklessness，untilhisplayexcitedthebreathlessattentionofeveryone。Inafewmomentshehadwonasumvariouslyestimatedatfromeightytoahundredthousanddollars。Arumorwentroundtheroomthatitwasaconcertedattemptto\"breakthebank\"ratherthanthedrunkenfreakofaWesternminer，dazzledbysomesuccessfulstrike。Tothistheorytheman’scarelessandindifferentbearingtowardshisextraordinarygainslentgreatcredence。Theattempt，ifsuchitwas，however，wasunsuccessful。Afterwinningtentimesinsuccessiontheluckturned，andtheunfortunate\"bucker\"wasclearedoutnotonlyofhisgains，butofhisoriginalinvestment，whichmaybeplacedroughlyattwentythousanddollars。Thisextraordinaryplaywaswitnessedbyacrowdofexcitedplayers，whowerelessimpressedbyeventhemagnitudeofthestakesthantheperfectsang-froidandrecklessnessoftheplayer，who，itissaid，atthecloseofthegametossedatwenty-dollargold-piecetothebankerandsmilinglywithdrew。Themanwasnotrecognizedbyanyofthehabituesoftheplace。’
\"There！\"saidUncleJim，ashehurriedlyslurredovertheFrenchsubstantiveattheclose，\"didyeeverseesuchGod-forsakenfoolishness？\"
UncleBillyliftedhisabstractedeyesfromthecurrent，stillpouringitsunreturninggoldintothesinkingsun，andsaid，withadeprecatorysmile，\"Never！\"
NoreveninthedaysofprosperitythatvisitedtheGreatWheatRanchof\"FallandFoster\"didheevertellhissecrettohispartner。
SEEYUP
Idon’tsupposethathisprogenitorsevergavehimthatname，or，indeed，thatitwasaNAMEatall；butitwascurrentlybelievedthat——aspronounced\"SeeUP\"——itmeantthatliftingoftheouterangleoftheeyecommontotheMongolian。Ontheotherhand，IhadbeentoldthattherewasanoldChinesecustomofaffixingsomemottoorlegend，orevenasentencefromConfucius，asasignabovetheirshops，andthattwoormorewords，whichmightbemerelyequivalentto\"Virtueisitsownreward，\"or\"Richesaredeceitful，\"werebelievedbythesimpleCalifornianminertobethenameoftheoccupanthimself。Howbeit，\"SeeYup\"accepteditwiththesmilingpatienceofhisrace，andneverwentbyanyother。Ifoneofthetunnelmenalwaysaddressedhimas\"Brigadier-General，\"
\"Judge，\"or\"Commodore，\"itwasunderstoodtobeonlytheAmericanfondnessforironictitle，andwasneverusedexceptinpersonalconversation。InappearancehelookedlikeanyotherChinaman，woretheordinarybluecottonblouseandwhitedrawersoftheSampancoolie，and，inspiteoftheapparentcleanlinessandfreshnessofthesegarments，alwaysexhaledthatsingularmedicatedodor——halfopium，halfginger——whichwerecognizedasthecommon\"Chinesesmell。\"
Ourfirstinterviewwascharacteristicofhispatientquality。Hehaddonemywashingforseveralmonths，butIhadneveryetseenhim。Ameetingatlasthadbecomenecessarytocorrecthisimpressionsregarding\"buttons\"——whichhehadseemedtoconsiderasmereexcrescences，toberemovedlikesuperfluousdirtfromsoiledlinen。Ihadexpectedhimtocallatmylodgings，buthehadnotyetmadehisappearance。Oneday，duringthenoontiderecessofthelittlefrontierschooloverwhichIpresided，Ireturnedratherearly。Twoorthreeofthesmallerboys，whowereloiteringabouttheschool-yard，disappearedwithacertainguiltyprecipitationthatIsuspectedforthemoment，butwhichIpresentlydismissedfrommymind。Ipassedthroughtheemptyschool-roomtomydesk，satdown，andbegantopreparethecominglessons。PresentlyI
heardafaintsigh。Lookingup，tomyintenseconcern，I
discoveredasolitaryChinamanwhomIhadoverlooked，sittinginarigidattitudeonabenchwithhisbacktothewindow。Hecaughtmyeyeandsmiledsadly，butwithoutmoving。
\"Whatareyoudoinghere？\"Iaskedsternly。
\"Mewasheeshilts；metalkee’buttons。’\"
\"Oh！you’reSeeYup，areyou？\"
\"Alleesame，John。\"
\"Well，comehere。\"
Icontinuedmywork，buthedidnotmove。
\"Comehere，hangit！Don’tyouunderstand？\"
\"Meshabbee，’commeyea。’ButmenoshabbeeMellicanboy，whocatcheeme，alleesame。YOU’commeyea’——YOUshabbee？\"
Indignant，butbelievingthattheunfortunatemanwasstillinfearofpersecutionfromthemischievousurchinswhomIhadevidentlyjustinterrupted，Iputdownmypenandwentovertohim。HereI
discovered，tomysurpriseandmortification，thathislongpigtailwasheldhardandfastbytheclosedwindowbehindhimwhichtheyoungrascalshadshutdownuponit，afterhavingfirstnoiselesslyfisheditoutsidewithahookandline。Iapologized，openedthewindow，andreleasedhim。Hedidnotcomplain，althoughhemusthavebeenfixedinthatuncomfortablepositionforsomeminutes，butplungedatonceintothebusinessthatbroughthimthere。
\"ButWHYdidn’tyoucometomylodgings？\"Iasked。
Hesmiledsadlybutintelligently。
\"MishtelBally[Mr。Barry，mylandlord]heowcemefivedolleefowashee，washee。Henopayeeme。HesayheknockhelleeouteemealleetimeIcomeforpayee。SomenocomeHOUSEE，mecomeSCHOOLEE，Shabbee？Mellicanboynogood，butnotsobigasMellicanman。NocanhurteeChinamansomuch。Shabbee？\"
Alas！Iknewthatthiswasmainlytrue。Mr。JamesBarrywasanIrishman，whosefinerreligiousfeelingsrevoltedagainstpayingmoneytoaheathen。IcouldnotfinditinmyhearttosayanythingtoSeeYupaboutthebuttons；indeed，Ispokeincomplimentarytermsabouttheglossofmyshirts，andIthinkI
meeklybeggedhimtocomeagainformywashing。WhenIwenthomeI
expostulatedwithMr。Barry，butsucceededonlyinextractingfromhimtheconvictionthatIwasoneof\"thimblackRepublicanfellysthatworshipednaygurs。\"Ihadsimplymadeanenemyofhim。ButI
didnotknowthat，atthesametime，IhadmadeafriendofSeeYup！
Ibecameawareofthisafewdayslater，bytheappearanceonmydeskofasmallpotcontainingaspecimenofcamelliajaponicainflower。Iknewtheschool-childrenwereinthehabitofmakingpresentstomeinthisfurtivefashion，——leavingtheirownnosegaysofwildflowers，orperhapsaclusterofrosesfromtheirparents’
gardens，——butIalsoknewthatthisexoticwastooraretocomefromthem。IrememberedthatSeeYuphadaChinesetasteforgardening，andafriend，anotherChinaman，whokeptalargenurseryintheadjoiningtown。Butmydoubtsweresetatrestbythediscoveryofasmallrollofredrice-papercontainingmywashing-
bill，fastenedtothecamelliastalk。ItwasplainthatthisminglingofbusinessanddelicategratitudewasclearlySeeYup’sownidea。Asthefinestflowerwasthetopmostone，Ipluckeditforwearing，whenIfound，tomyastonishment，thatitwassimplywiredtothestalk。Thisledmetolookattheothers，whichI
foundalsowired！Morethanthat，theyseemedtobeaninferiorflower，andexhaledthatcold，earthyodorpeculiartothecamellia，even，asIthought，toanexcess。Acloserexaminationresultedinthediscoverythat，withtheexceptionofthefirstflowerIhadplucked，theywereoneandallingeniouslyconstructedofthinslicesofpotato，marvelouslycuttoimitatethevegetablewaxinessandformalityoftherealflower。Theworkshowedaninfiniteandalmostpatheticpatienceindetail，yetstrangelyincommensuratewiththeresult，admirableasitwas。Nevertheless，thiswasalsolikeSeeYup。Butwhetherhehadtriedtodeceiveme，orwhetherheonlywishedmetoadmirehisskill，Icouldnotsay。Andashispersecutionbymyscholarshadleftabalanceofconsiderationinhisfavor，Isenthimawarmnoteofthanks，andsaidnothingofmydiscovery。
Asouracquaintanceprogressed，Ibecamefrequentlytherecipientofothersmallpresentsfromhim：apotofpreservesofaqualityI
couldnotpurchaseinshops，andwhosecontentsintheircrafty，gingerydissimulationsodefieddefinitionthatIneverknewwhethertheywereanimal，vegetable，ormineral；twoorthreehideousChineseidols，\"forluckee，\"andadiabolicalfire-workwithanirregularspasmodicactivitythatwouldsometimesbeprolongeduntilthenextmorning。Inreturn，IgavehimsomeapparentlyhopelessorallessonsinEnglish，andcertainsentencestobecopied，whichhedidwithmarvelousprecision。Irememberoneinstancewhenthispeculiarfacultyofimitationwasdisastrousinresult。Insettinghimacopy，IhadblurredawordwhichI
promptlyerased，andthentracedthelettersmoredistinctlyoverthescratchedsurface。Tomysurprise，SeeYuptriumphantlyproducedHIScopywiththeerasionitselfcarefullyimitated，and，infact，muchmoreneatlydonethanmine。
Inourconfidentialintercourse，Ineverseemedtoreallygetnearertohim。Hissympathyandsimplicityappearedlikehisflowers——tobeagood-humoredimitationofmyown。Iamsatisfiedthathisparticularlysoullesslaughwasnotderivedfromanyamusementheactuallyfelt，yetIcouldnotsayitwasforced。Inhisaccurateimitations，Ifanciedhewasonlytryingtoevadeanyresponsibilityofhisown。THATdevolveduponhistaskmaster！Intheattentionhedisplayedwhennewideaswerepresentedtohim，therewasaslightcondescension，asifhewerelookingdownuponthemfromhisthreethousandyearsofhistory。
\"Don’tyouthinktheelectrictelegraphwonderful？\"Iaskedoneday。
\"VerygoodforMellicanman，\"hesaid，withhisaimlesslaugh；
\"plentymakeehimjump！\"
Inevercouldtellwhetherhehadconfoundeditwithelectro-
galvanism，orwasonlysatirizingourAmericanhasteandfeverishness。Hewascapableofeither。Forthatmatter，weknewthattheChinesethemselvespossessedsomemeansofsecretlyandquicklycommunicatingwithoneanother。AnynewsofgoodorillimporttotheirracewasquicklydisseminatedthroughthesettlementbeforeWEknewanythingaboutit。Aninnocentbasketofclothesfromthewash，sentupfromtheriver-bank，becameinsomewayalibraryofinformation；asingleslipofrice-paper，aimlesslyflutteringinthedustoftheroad，hadthemysteriouseffectofdivergingawholegangofcoolietrampsawayfromoursettlement。
WhenSeeYupwasnotsubjecttothepersecutionsofthemoreignorantandbrutalhewasalwaysasourceofamusementtoall，andIcannotrecallaninstancewhenhewasevertakenseriously。Theminersfounddiversionseveninhisallegedfraudsandtrickeries，whetherinnocentorretaliatory，andwerefondofrelatingwithgreatgustohisevasionoftheForeignMiners’Tax。ThiswasanoppressivemeasureaimedprincipallyattheChinese，whohumblyworkedtheworn-out\"tailings\"oftheirChristianfellowminers。
ItwasstatedthatSeeYup，knowingthedifficulty——alreadyalludedto——ofidentifyinganyparticularChinamanbyNAME，conceivedtheadditionalideaofconfusingrecognitionbyintensifyingthemonotonousfacialexpression。Havingpaidhistaxhimselftothecollector，heatoncepassedthereceipttohisfellows，sothatthecollectorfoundhimselfconfrontedindifferentpartsofthesettlementwiththereceiptandtheaimlesslaughof，apparently，SeeYuphimself。AlthoughweallknewthattherewereadozenChinamenormoreatworkatthemines，thecollectorneverwasabletocollectthetaxfrommorethanTWO，——SeeYupandoneSeeYin，——
andsogreatwasTHEIRfacialresemblancethattheunfortunateofficialforalongtimehuggedhimselfwiththeconvictionthathehadmadeSeeYupPAYTWICE，andwithheldthemoneyfromthegovernment！ItisveryprobablethattheCalifornian’srecognitionofthesanctityofajoke，andhisbeliefthat\"cheatingthegovernmentwasonlycheatinghimself，\"largelyaccountedforthesympathiesoftherestoftheminers。
Butthesesympathieswerenotalwaysunanimous。
OneeveningIstrolledintothebar-roomoftheprincipalsaloon，which，sofarasmereupholsteryandcomfortwent，wasalsotheprincipalhouseinthesettlement。Thefirstrainshadcommenced；
thewindowswereopen，fortheinfluenceofthesouthwesttradespenetratedeventhisfar-offmountainminingsettlement，but，oddlyenough，therewasafireinthelargecentralstove，aroundwhichtheminershadcollected，withtheirsteamingbootselevatedonaprojectingironrailingthatencircledit。Theywerenotattractedbythewarmth，butthestoveformedasocialpivotforgossip，andsuggestedthatmysticcircledeartothegregariousinstinct。Yettheyweredecidedlyadespondentgroup。Forsomemomentsthesilencewasonlybrokenbyagasp，asigh，amutteredoath，oranimpatientchangeofposition。Therewasnothinginthefortunesofthesettlement，norintheirownindividualaffairstosuggestthisgloom。Thesingulartruthwasthattheywere，oneandall，sufferingfromthepangsofdyspepsia。
Incongruousassuchacomplaintmightseemtotheirhealthyenvironment，——theiroutdoorlife，theirdailyexercise，thehealingbalsamofthemountainair，theirenforcedtemperanceindiet，andtheabsenceofallenervatingpleasures，——itwasneverthelesstheincontestablefact。Whetheritwastheresultofthenervous，excitabletemperamentwhichhadbroughtthemtogetherinthisfeverishhuntforgold；whetheritwasthequalityofthetinnedmeatsorhalf-cookedprovisionstheyhastilybolted，begrudgingthetimeittooktoprepareandtoconsumethem；whethertheytoooftensupplantedtheirmealsbytobaccoorwhiskey，thesingularphysiologicaltruthremainedthattheseyoung，finelyselectedadventurers，livingthelivesofthenatural，aboriginalman，andlookingthepictureofhealthandstrength，actuallysufferedmorefromindigestionthanthepampereddwellersofthecities。Thequantityof\"patentmedicines，\"\"bitters，\"\"pills，\"\"panaceas，\"and\"lozenges\"soldinthesettlementalmostexceededtheamountoftheregularprovisionswhoseeffectstheyweresupposedtocorrect。
Thesuffererseagerlyscannedadvertisementsandplacards。Therewereoccasional\"runs\"onnew\"specifics，\"andgeneralconversationeventuallyturnedintoadiscussionoftheirrespectivemerits。A
certainchildlikefaithandtrustineachnewremedywasnottheleastdistressingandpatheticofthesymptomsofthesegrown-up，beardedmen。
\"Well，gentlemen，\"saidCyrusParker，glancingaroundathisfellowsufferers，\"yekintalkofyourpatentmedicines，andI’vetackled’emall，butonlytheotherdayIstrucksuthin’thatI’mgoin’tohangonto，youbet。\"
Everyeyewasturnedmoodilytothespeaker，butnoonesaidanything。
\"AndIdidn’tgetitouteradvertisements，noroffofcirculars。I
gotitoutermyhead，justbysolidthinking，\"continuedParker。
\"Whatwasit，Cy？\"saidoneunsophisticatedandinexperiencedsufferer。
Insteadofreplying，Parker，likeatrueartist，knowinghehadtheearofhisaudience，dramaticallyflashedaquestionuponthem。
\"DidyoueverhearofaChinamanhavingdyspepsy？\"
\"NeverheardhehadsabeenoughtohevANYTHING，\"saidascorner。
\"No，butDIDye？\"insistedParker。
\"Well，no！\"chorusedthegroup。Theywereevidentlystruckwiththefact。
\"Ofcourseyoudidn’t，\"saidParkertriumphantly。\"’CostheyAIN’T。Well，gentlemen，itdidn’tseemtomethesquarethingthatapeskyloto’yellow-skinnedheathensshouldbebuiltdifferenttoawhiteman，andneverknowthetortur’thataChristianfeels；andoneday，arterdinner，whenIwasjusta-lyin’flatdownonthebank，squirmin’，andclutchingtheshortgrasstokeepfromyellin’，whoshouldgobybutthatpizenedSeeYup，withagrinonhisface。
\"’MellicanmanplentyplayeetohimJossaftereatin’，’sezhe；’butChinamansmelleepunk，alleesame，andnohabgot。’
\"Iknewtheslimycusswasjustpurtendin’hethoughtIwasprayin’
tomyJoss，butIwasthatweakIhadn’tstren’th，boys，toheavearockathim。Yetitgavemeanidea。\"
\"Whatwasit？\"theyaskedeagerly。
\"Iwentdowntohisshopthenextday，whenhewasalone，andIwasfeelingmightybad，andIgotholdofhispigtailandIallowedI’dstuffitdownhisthroatifhedidn’ttellmewhathemeant。Thenhetookapieceofpunkandlitit，andputitundermynose，and，darnmyskin，gentlemen，youmigh’n’tbelieveme，butinaminuteI
feltbetter，andafterawhiffortwoIwasallright。\"
\"Wasitpow’fulstrong，Cy？\"askedtheinexperiencedone。
\"No，\"saidParker，\"andthat’sjustwhat’sgotme。Itwasasorto’dreamy，spicysmell，likeahotnight。ButasIcouldn’tgo’round’mongyouboyswithalightedpieceo’punkinmyhand，ezifIwassettin’offFourthofJulyfirecrackers，Iaskedhimifhecouldn’tfixmeupsuthin’inanothershapethatwouldbehandiertousewhenIwastookbad，andI’dreckontopayhimforitlikeezI’dpayforanyotherpatentmedicine。Sohefixedmeupthis。\"
Heputhishandinhispocket，anddrewoutasmallredpaperwhich，whenopened，disclosedapinkpowder。Itwasgravelypassedaroundthegroup。
\"Why，itsmellsandtasteslikeginger，\"saidone。
\"Itisonlyginger！\"saidanotherscornfully。
\"Mebbeitis，andmebbeitisn’t，\"returnedCyParkerstoutly。
\"Mebbeut’sonlymyfancy。Butifit’sthesorto’stufftobringonthatfancy，andthatfancyCURESme，it’sallthesame。I’vegotabouttwodollars’wortho’thatfancyorthatginger，andI’mgoingtosticktoit。Youhearme！\"Andhecarefullyputitbackinhispocket。
Atwhichcriticismsandgibesbrokeforth。Ifhe（CyParker），awhiteman，wasgoingto\"demeanhimself\"byconsultingaChinesequack，he’dbetterbuyupaloto’idolsandstand’emuparoundhiscabin。Ifhehadthatsorto’confidenceswithSeeYup，heoughttogotoworkwithhimonhischeaptailings，andbefumigatedallatthesametime。Ifhe’dbeensmokinganopiumpipe，insteadofsmellingpunk，heoughttobemanenoughtoconfessit。Yetitwasnoticeablethattheywereallveryanxioustoexaminethepacketagain，butCyParkerwasalikeindifferenttodemandorentreaty。
AfewdayslaterIsawAbeWynford，oneoftheparty，comingoutofSeeYup’swash-house。Hemutteredsomethinginpassingabouttheinfamousdelayinsendinghomehiswashing，butdidnotlingerlonginconversation。ThenextdayImetanotherminerATthewash-
house，butHElingeredsolongonsometriflingdetailsthatI
finallylefthimtherealonewithSeeYup。WhenIcalleduponPokerJackofShasta，therewasasingularsmellofincenseinHIS
cabin，whichheattributedtotheveryresinousqualityofthefirlogshewasburning。IdidnotattempttoprobethesemysteriesbyanydirectappealtoSeeYuphimself：Irespectedhisreticence；
indeed，ifIhadnot，Iwasquitesatisfiedthathewouldhaveliedtome。Enoughthathiswash-housewaswellpatronized，andhewasdecidedly\"gettingon。\"
ItmighthavebeenamonthafterwardsthatDr。Duchesnewassettingabrokenboneinthesettlement，andaftertheoperationwasover，hadstrolledintothePalmettoSaloon。Hewasanoldarmysurgeon，muchrespectedandlovedinthedistrict，althoughperhapsalittlefearedforthehonestroughnessandmilitaryprecisionofhisspeech。Afterhehadexchangedsalutationswiththeminersinhisusualheartyfashion，andacceptedtheirinvitationtodrink，CyParker，withacertainaffectedcarelessnesswhichdidnot，however，concealasingularhesitationinhisspeech，began：——
\"I’vebeenwantin’toaskyeaquestion，Doc，——asorto’darnedfoolquestion，yeknow，——nothinginthewayofconsultation，don’tyousee，thoughit’skinerinthewayo’yourpurfeshun。Sabe？\"
\"Goon，Cy，\"saidthedoctorgood-humoredly，\"thisismydispensaryhour。\"
\"Oh！itain’tanythingaboutsymptoms，Doc，andthereain’tanythingthematterwithme。It’sonlyjusttoaskyeifyehappenedtoknowanythingaboutthemedicalpracticeoftheseyerChinamen？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidthedoctorbluntly，\"andIdon’tknowANYBODY
whodoes。\"
Therewasasuddensilenceinthebar，andthedoctor，puttingdownhisglass，continuedwithslightprofessionalprecision：——
\"Yousee，theChineseknownothingofanatomyfrompersonalobservation。Autopsiesanddissectionareagainsttheirsuperstitions，whichdeclarethehumanbodysacred，andareconsequentlyneverpracticed。\"
Therewasaslightmovementofinquiringinterestamongtheparty，andCyParker，afterameaningglanceattheothers，wentonhalfaggressively，halfapologetically：——
\"Incourse，theyain’tsurgeonslikeyou，Doc，butthatdon’tkeepthemfromhavingtheirownlittlemedicines，justasdogseatgrass，youknow。NowIwanttoputittoyou，asafa’r-mindedman，ifyoumeantersaythat，jestbecausethoseoldwomenwhosarveoutyarbsandspringmedicinesinfamiliesdon’tknowanythingofanatomy，theyain’tfittogiveustheirsimpleandnat’ralmedicines？\"
\"ButtheChinesemedicinesarenotsimpleornatural，\"saidthedoctorcoolly。
\"Notsimple？\"echoedtheparty，closingroundhim。
\"Idon’tmeantosay，\"continuedthedoctor，glancingaroundattheireager，excitedfaceswithanappearanceofwonder，\"thattheyarepositivelynoxious，unlesstakeninlargequantities，fortheyarenotdrugsatall，butIcertainlyshouldnotcallthem’simple。’DoYOUknowwhattheyprincipallyare？\"
\"Well，no，\"saidParkercautiously，\"perhapsnotEXACTLY。\"
\"Comealittlecloser，andI’lltellyou。\"
NotonlyParker’sheadbuttheotherswerebentoverthecounter。
Dr。Duchesneutteredafewwordsinatoneinaudibletotherestofthecompany。Therewasaprofoundsilence，brokenatlastbyAbeWynford’svoice：——
\"Yekinpourmeoutaboutthreefingerso’whiskey，Barkeep。I’lltakeitstraight。\"
\"Sametome，\"saidtheothers。
Themengulpeddowntheirliquor；twoofthemquietlypassedout。
Thedoctorwipedhislips，buttonedhiscoat，andbegantodrawonhisriding-gloves。
\"I’veheerd，\"saidPokerJackofShasta，withafaintsmileonhiswhiteface，ashetoyedwiththelastdropsofliquorinhisglass，\"thatthedarnedfoolssometimessmellpunkasamedicine，eh？\"
\"Yes，THAT’Scomparativelydecent，\"saidthedoctorreflectively。
\"It’sonlysawdustmixedwithalittlegumandformicacid。\"
\"Formicacid？Wot’sthat？\"
\"Averypeculiaracidsecretedbyants。Itissupposedtobeusedbythemoffensivelyinwarfare——justastheskunk，eh？\"
ButPokerJackofShastahadhurriedlydeclaredthathewantedtospeaktoamanwhowaspassing，andhaddisappeared。Thedoctorwalkedtothedoor，mountedhishorse，androdeaway。Inoticed，however，thattherewasaslightsmileonhisbronzed，impassiveface。Thisledmetowonderifhewasentirelyignorantofthepurposeforwhichhehadbeenquestioned，andtheeffectofhisinformation。Iwasconfirmedinthebeliefbytheremarkablecircumstancesthatnothingmorewassaidofit；theincidentseemedtohaveterminatedthere，andthevictimsmadenoattempttorevengethemselvesonSeeYup。Thattheyhadoneandall，secretlyandunknowntooneanother，patronizedhim，therewasnodoubt；
but，atthesametime，astheyevidentlywerenotsurethatDr。
DuchesnehadnothoaxedtheminregardtothequalityofSeeYup’smedicines，theyknewthatanattackontheunfortunateChinamanwouldineithercaserevealtheirsecretandexposethemtotheridiculeoftheirbrotherminers。Sothematterdropped，andSeeYupremainedmasterofthesituation。
Meantimehewasprospering。Thecooliegangheworkedontheriver，whennotengagedinwashingclothes，were\"pickingover\"the\"tailings，\"orrefuseofgravel，leftonabandonedclaimsbysuccessfulminers。Astherewasnomoreexpenseattendingthisthaninstone-breakingorrag-picking，andthefeedingofthecoolies，whichwasridiculouslycheap，therewasnodoubtthatSeeYupwasreapingafairweeklyreturnfromit；but，ashesenthisreceiptstoSanFranciscothroughcooliemanagers，aftertheChinesecustom，anddidnotusetheregularExpressCompany，therewasnowayofascertainingtheamount。Again，neitherSeeYupnorhisfellowcountrymeneverappearedtohaveanymoneyaboutthem。
Inrudertimesandmorerecklesscamps，raidswereoftenmadebyruffiansontheircabinsortheirtravelinggangs，butneverwithanypecuniaryresult。Thiscondition，however，itseemedwasdestinedtochange。
OneSaturdaySeeYupwalkedintoWells，Fargo&Co。’sExpressofficewithapackageofgold-dust，which，whendulyweighed，wasvaluedatfivehundreddollars。ItwasconsignedtoaChinesecompanyinSanFrancisco。WhentheclerkhandedSeeYupareceipt，heremarkedcasually：——
\"Washingseemstopay，SeeYup。\"
\"Washeevellygoodpay。Youwanteewashee，John？\"saidSeeYupeagerly。
\"No，no，\"saidtheclerk，withalaugh。\"Iwasonlythinkingfivehundreddollarswouldrepresentthewashingofagoodmanyshirts。\"
\"Noleplesentwasheeshirtsatall！Catcheegold-dustwhenwasheetailings。Shabbee？\"
TheclerkDID\"shabbee，\"andliftedhiseyebrows。ThenextSaturdaySeeYupappearedwithanotherpackage，worthaboutfourhundreddollars，directedtothesameconsignee。
\"Didn’tpanoutquitesorichthisweek，eh？\"saidtheclerkengagingly。
\"No，\"returnedSeeYupimpassively；\"nexttimehepayeemore。\"
WhenthethirdSaturdaycame，withtheappearanceofSeeYupandfourhundredandfiftydollars’worthofgold-dust，theclerkfelthewasnolongerboundtokeepthesecret。Hecommunicatedittoothers，andintwenty-fourhoursthewholesettlementknewthatSeeYup’scooliecompanyweretakingoutanaverageoffourhundreddollarsperweekfromtherefuseandtailingsoftheoldabandonedPalmettoclaim！
Theastonishmentofthesettlementwasprofound。Inearlierdaysjealousyandindignationatthesuccessofthesedegradedheathensmighthavetakenamoreactiveandaggressiveshape，anditwouldhavefaredillwithSeeYupandhiscompanions。Butthesettlementhadbecomemoreprosperousandlaw-abiding；therewereoneortwoEasternfamiliesandsomeforeigncapitalalreadythere，anditsjealousyandindignationwererestrictedtosevereinvestigationandlegalcriticism。FortunatelyforSeeYup，itwasanold-
establishedmininglawthatanabandonedclaimanditstailingsbecamethepropertyofwhoeverchosetoworkit。ButitwasallegedthatSeeYup’scompanyhadinreality\"struckalead，\"——
discoveredahithertounknownveinororiginaldepositofgold，notworkedbythepreviouscompany，andhavingfailedlegallytodeclareitbypreemptionandpublicregistry，intheirfoolishdesireforsecrecy，hadthusforfeitedtheirrighttotheproperty。
Asurveillanceoftheirworking，however，didnotestablishthistheory；thegoldthatSeeYuphadsentawaywasofthekindthatmighthavebeenfoundinthetailingsoverlookedbythelatePalmettoowners。Yetitwasaverylargeyieldformererefuse。
\"ThemPalmettoboysweremightykeerlessafterthey’dmadetheirbig’strike’andgottoworkonthevein，andIreckontheythrewalotofgoldaway，\"saidCyParker，whorememberedtheirlarge-
handedrecklessnessinthe\"flushdays。\"\"On’ythatWEdidn’tthinkitwaswhiteman’sworktorakeoveranotherman’sleavin’s，wemighthevhadwhatthemdernedChinamenhevdroppedinto。Tellyewhat，boys，we’vebeenalittletoo’highandmighty，’andwe’llhevtoclimbdown。\"
Atlasttheexcitementreacheditsclimax，anddiplomacywasemployedtoeffectwhatneitherintimidationnorespionagecouldsecure。UnderthepretenseofdesiringtobuyoutSeeYup’scompany，aselectcommitteeoftheminerswaspermittedtoexaminethepropertyanditsworkings。Theyfoundthegreatbankofstonesandgravel，representingthecast-outdebrisoftheoldclaim，occupiedbySeeYupandfourorfiveploddingautomaticcoolies。
Attheendoftwohoursthecommitteereturnedtothesaloonburstingwithexcitement。Theyspokeundertheirbreath，butenoughwasgatheredtosatisfythecuriouscrowdthatSeeYup’spileoftailingswasrichbeyondtheirexpectations。Thecommitteehadseenwiththeirowneyesgoldtakenoutofthesandandgraveltotheamountoftwentydollarsinthetwoshorthoursoftheirexamination。Andtheworkhadbeenperformedinthestupidest，clumsiest，yetPATIENTChineseway。Whatmightnotwhitemendowithbetterappointedmachinery！Asyndicatewasatonceformed。
SeeYupwasofferedtwentythousanddollarsifhewouldselloutandputthesyndicateinpossessionoftheclaimintwenty-fourhours。TheChinamanreceivedtheofferstolidly。Asheseemedinclinedtohesitate，Iamgrievedtosaythatitwasintimatedtohimthatifhedeclinedhemightbesubjecttoembarrassingandexpensivelegalproceedingstoprovehisproperty，andthatcompanieswouldbeformedto\"prospect\"thegroundoneithersideofhisheapoftailings。SeeYupatlastconsented，withtheprovisothatthemoneyshouldbepaidingoldintothehandsofaChineseagentinSanFranciscoonthedayofthedeliveryoftheclaim。ThesyndicatemadenooppositiontothischaracteristicprecautionoftheChinaman。Itwaslikethemnottotravelwithmoney，andtheimplieduncomplimentarysuspicionofdangerfromthecommunitywasoverlooked。SeeYupdepartedthedaythatthesyndicatetookpossession。Hecametoseemebeforehewent。I
congratulatedhimuponhisgoodfortune；atthesametime，Iwasembarrassedbytheconvictionthathewasunfairlyforcedintoasaleofhispropertyatafigurefarbelowitsrealvalue。
Ithinkdifferentlynow。
Attheendoftheweekitwassaidthatthenewcompanyclearedupaboutthreehundreddollars。Thiswasnotsomuchasthecommunityhadexpected，butthesyndicatewasapparentlysatisfied，andthenewmachinerywasputup。Attheendofthenextweekthesyndicateweresilentastotheirreturns。OneofthemmadeahurriedvisittoSanFrancisco。ItwassaidthathewasunabletoseeeitherSeeYuportheagenttowhomthemoneywaspaid。ItwasalsonoticedthattherewasnoChinamanremaininginthesettlement。
Thenthefatalsecretwasout。
TheheapoftailingshadprobablyneveryieldedtheSeeYupcompanymorethantwentydollarsaweek，theordinarywageofsuchacompany。SeeYuphadconceivedthebrilliantideaof\"booming\"itonaborrowedcapitaloffivehundreddollarsingold-dust，whichheOPENLYtransmittedbyexpresstohisconfederateandcreditorinSanFrancisco，whointurnSECRETLYsentitbacktoSeeYupbycooliemessengers，tobeagainopenlytransmittedtoSanFrancisco。
Thepackageofgold-dustwasthuspassedbackwardsandforwardsbetweendebtorandcreditor，tothegraveedificationoftheExpressCompanyandthefatalcuriosityofthesettlement。Whenthesyndicatehadgorgedthebaitthusthrownout，SeeYup，onthedaytheself-invitedcommitteeinspectedtheclaim，promptly\"salted\"thetailingsbyCONSCIENTIOUSLYDISTRIBUTINGTHEGOLD-DUST
OVERITsodeftlythatitappearedtobeitsnaturalcompositionandyield。
IhaveonlytobidfarewelltoSeeYup，andclosethisreminiscenceofamisunderstoodman，byaddingtheopinionofaneminentjuristinSanFrancisco，towhomthefactsweresubmitted：\"Socleverwasthisallegedfraud，thatitisextremelydoubtfulifanactionwouldlieagainstSeeYupinthepremises，therebeingnolegalevidenceofthe’salting，’andnonewhateverofhisactualallegationthatthegold-dustwastheORDINARYyieldofthetailings，thatimplicationrestingentirelywiththecommitteewhoexamineditunderfalsepretense，andwhosubsequentlyforcedthesalebyintimidation。\"
THEDESBOROUGHCONNECTIONS
\"Thenitisn’taquestionofpropertyornextofkin？\"saidtheconsul。
\"Lord！no，\"saidtheladyvivaciously。\"Why，goodnessme！I
reckonoldDesboroughcould，atanytimebeforehedied，have’boughtup’or’boughtout’thewholelotofhisrelativesonthissideofthebigpond，nomatterwhattheywereworth。No，it’sonlyamatterofcuriosityandjustsociableness。\"
TheAmericanconsulatSt。Kentigornfeltmuchrelieved。Hehadfeareditwasonlytheoldstoryofdelusivequestsforimaginaryestatesandimpossibleinheritanceswhichhehadconfrontedsoofteninnervouswan-eyedenthusiastsandobstreperousclaimantsfromhisownland。Certainlytherewasnosuggestionofthisintherichlydressedandbe-diamondedmatronbeforehim，norinherprettydaughter，charminginaParisfrock，alivewiththeconsciousnessofbeautyandadmiration，andyetalittleennuyefromgratifiedindulgence。HeknewthemothertobethewealthywidowofaNewYorkmillionaire，thatshewastravelingforpleasureinEurope，andachancemeetingwithheratdinnerafewnightsbeforehadledtothishalf-capricious，half-confidentialappointmentattheconsulate。
\"No，\"continuedMrs。Desborough；\"Mr。DesboroughcametoAmerica，whenasmallboy，withanunclewhodiedsomeyearsago。Mr。
DesboroughneverseemedtohankermuchafterhisEnglishrelativesaslongasIknewhim，butnowthatIandSadieareoverhere，whyweguessedwemightlook’emupandsortofsample’em！’Desborough’
’sratheragoodname，\"addedthelady，withacomplacencythat，however，hadasuggestionofqueryinit。
\"Yes，\"saidtheconsul；\"fromtheFrench，Ifancy。\"
\"Mr。DesboroughwasEnglish——veryEnglish，\"correctedthelady。
\"ImeanitmaybeanoldNormanname，\"saidtheconsul。
’Norman’sgoodenoughforME，\"saidthedaughter，reflecting。
\"We’lljustsettleitasNorman。IneverthoughtaboutthatDES。\"
\"Onlyyoumayfinditcalled’Debborough’here，andspeltso，\"saidtheconsul，smiling。
MissDesboroughliftedherprettyshouldersandmadeacharminggrimace。\"Thenwewon’tacknowledge’em。NoDebboroughforme！\"
\"Youmightputanadvertisementinthepapers，likethe’nextofkin’notice，intimating，intheregularway，thattheywould’hearofsomethingtotheiradvantage’——astheycertainlywould，\"
continuedtheconsul，withabow。\"ItwouldbesucharefreshingchangetothekindofthingI’maccustomedto，don’tyouknow——thisideaofoneofmycountrywomencomingoverjusttobenefitEnglishrelatives！ByJove！Iwouldn’tmindundertakingthewholethingforyou——it’ssuchanovelty。\"Hewasquitecarriedawaywiththeidea。
Butthetwoladieswerefarfromparticipatinginthisjoyousoutlook。\"No，\"saidMrs。Desboroughpromptly，\"thatwouldn’tdo。
Yousee，\"shewentonwithsuperbfrankness，\"thatwouldbejustgivingourselvesaway，andsayingwhoWEwerebeforewefoundoutwhatTHEYwerelike。Mr。DesboroughwasallrightinHISway，butwedon’tknowanythingabouthisFOLKS！Weain’thereonamissiontoimprovetheDesboroughs，nortogatherinany’losttribes。’\"
Itwasevidentthat，inspiteofthehumorofthesituationandthelevityoftheladies，therewasacharacteristicnationalpracticalnessaboutthem，andtheconsul，withasigh，atlastgavetheaddressofoneortworesponsibleexpertsingenealogicalinquiry，ashehadoftendonebefore。Hefeltitwasimpossibletoofferanyadvicetoladiesasthoroughlycapableofmanagingtheirownaffairsashisfaircountrywomen，yethewasnotwithoutsomecuriositytoknowtheresultoftheirpracticalsentimentalquest。
Thatheshouldeverhearofthemagainhedoubted。HeknewthataftertheirfirstlonelinesshadwornoffintheirgregariousgatheringataLondonhoteltheywerenotlikelytoconsortwiththeirowncountrypeople，whoindeedwereapttofightshyofoneanother，andeventoindulgeininvidiouscriticismofoneanotherwhenadmittedinthatsocietytowhichtheywereallequallystrangers。SohetookleaveofthemontheirwaybacktoLondonwiththebeliefthattheiracquaintanceterminatedwiththatbriefincident。Buthewasmistaken。
Intheyearfollowinghewasspendinghisautumnvacationatacountryhouse。Itwasanhistorichouse，andhadalwaysstruckhimasbeing——eveninthatcountryofhistoricseats——asingularexampleofthevicissitudesofEnglishmanorialestatesandthemutationsofitslords。Hishostinhisprimehadbeenrecalledfromforeignservicetounexpectedlysucceedtoanuncle’stitleandestate。Thatestate，however，hadcomeintothepossessionoftheuncleonlythroughhismarriagewiththedaughterofanoldfamilywhoseportraitsstilllookeddownfromthewallsupontheyoungestandalienbranch。Therewerelikenesses，effigies，memorials，andreminiscencesofstillolderfamilieswhohadoccupieditthroughforfeiturebywarorthefavoritismofkings，andinitsstatelycloistersandruinedchapelwasstillfeltthedeadhandofitsevictedreligiousfounders，whichcouldnotbeshakenoff。
Itwasthisstrangeindividualitythataffectedallwhosawit。
For，howeverchangedwerethosewithinitswalls，whoeverwereitsinheritorsorinhabiters，ScroobyPrioryneverchangednoraltereditsowncharacter。Howeverincongruousorill-assortedtheportraitsthatlookedfromitswalls，——soillmetthattheymighthaveflownatoneanother’sthroatsinthelongnightswhenthefamilywereaway，——thegreathouseitselfwasindependentofthemall。Thebe-wigged，be-laced，andbe-furbelowedofoneday’sgathering，theround-headed，steel-fronted，andprim-kerchiefedcongregationofanotherday，andeventheblack-coated，bare-armed，andbare-shoulderedassemblageofto-dayhadnoeffectontheausteritiesofthePriory。Modernhousesmightshowthetastesandprepossessionsoftheirdwellers，mighthavecaughtsomepassingtrickofthehour，orhaverecordedtheaugmentedfortunesorluxuriousnessoftheowner，butScroobyPriorynever！Noonehaddaredeventodisturbitsouterrigidintegrity；thebreachesoftimeandsiegewereleftuntouched。Ithelditscalmindifferentswayoverallwhopasseditslow-archedportals，andtheconsulwasfaintobelievethathe——aforeignvisitor——wasnomorealientothehousethanitspresentowner。
\"I’mexpectingaverycharmingcompatriotofyoursto-morrow，\"saidLordBeverdaleastheydrovefromthestationtogether。\"Youmusttellmewhattoshowher。\"
\"IshouldthinkanycountrywomanofminewouldbequitesatisfiedwiththePriory，\"saidtheconsul，glancingthoughtfullytowardsthepiledimlyseenthroughthepark。
\"Ishouldn’tlikehertobeboredhere，\"continuedBeverdale。
\"AlgymetheratRome，whereshewasoccupyingapalacewithhermother——they’reveryrich，youknow。HefoundshewasstayingwithLadyMineveratHedhamTowers，andIwentoverandinvitedherwithalittleparty。She’saMissDesborough。\"
Theconsulgaveaslightstart，andwasawarethatBeverdalewaslookingathim。
\"Perhapsyouknowher？\"saidBeverdale。
\"Justenoughtoagreewithyouthatsheischarming，\"saidtheconsul。\"Idinedwiththem，andsawthemattheconsulate。\"
\"Ohyes；Ialwaysforgetyouareaconsul。Then，ofcourse，youknowallaboutthem。Isupposethey’reveryrich，andinsocietyoverthere？\"saidBeverdaleinavoicethatwasquiteanimated。
Itwasontheconsul’slipstosaythatthelateMr。DesboroughwasanEnglishman，andeventospeakplayfullyoftheirproposedquest，butasuddeninstinctwithheldhim。Afterall，perhapsitwasonlyacaprice，oridea，theyhadforgotten，——perhaps，whoknows？——thattheywerealreadyashamedof。Theyhadevidently\"goton\"inEnglishsociety，ifthatwastheirrealintent，anddoubtlessMissDesborough，bythistime，wasquiteascontentwiththechanceofbecomingrelatedtotheEarlofBeverdale，throughhissonandheir，Algernon，asiftheyhadfoundarealLordDesboroughamongtheirownrelatives。TheconsulknewthatLordBeverdalewasnotarichman，thatlikemostmenofoldfamilyhewasnotaslavetoclassprejudice；indeed，theconsulhadseenveryfewnoblemenoffthestageoroutofthepagesofanovelwhowere。Sohesaid，withaslightaffectationofauthority，thattherewasaslittledoubtoftheyounglady’swealthastherewasofherpersonalattractions。
Theywerenearingthehousethroughalongavenueofchestnutswhosevariegatedleaveswerealreadybeginningtostrewthegroundbeneath，andtheycouldseethevistaopenuponthemullionedwindowsofthePriory，lightedupbytheyellowOctobersunshine。
Inthatsunshinestoodatall，clean-limbedyoungfellow，dressedinashooting-suit，whomtheconsulrecognizedatonceasLordAlgernon，thesonofhiscompanion。Asiftoaccentthegracesofthisvisionofyouthandvigor，nearhim，intheshadow，anoldmanhadhalted，hatinhand，stillholdingtherakewithwhichhehadbeengatheringthedeadleavesintheavenue；hisbackbent，partlywithyears，partlywiththeobeisanceofaservitor。Therewassomethingsomarkedinthiscontrast，inthisoldmanstandingintheshadowofthefadingyear，himselfasdriedandwitheredastheleaveshewasraking，yetpausingtomakehisreverencetothispassingsunshineofyouthandprosperityinthepresenceofhiscomingmaster，thattheconsul，astheysweptby，lookedafterhimwithastirringofpain。
\"Ratheranoldmantobestillatwork，\"saidtheconsul。
Beverdalelaughed。\"Youmustnotlethimhearyousayso；heconsidershimselfquiteasfitasanyyoungermanintheplace，and，byJove！thoughhe’snearlyeighty，I’minclinedtobelieveit。He’snotoneofourpeople，however；hecomesfromthevillage，andistakenonatoddtimes，partlytopleasehimself。
Hisgreataimistobeindependentofhischildren，——hehasagranddaughterwhoisoneofthemaidsatthePriory，——andtokeephimselfoutoftheworkhouse。Hedoesnotcomefromtheseparts——
somewherefarthernorth，Ifancy。Buthe’satoughlot，andhasadealofworkinhimyet。\"
\"Seemstobegoingabitstalelately，\"saidLordAlgernon，\"andI
thinkisgettingalittlequeerinhishead。Hehasatrickofstoppingandstaringstraightahead，attimes，whenheseemstogooffforaminuteortwo。There！\"continuedtheyoungman，withalightlaugh。\"Isay！he’sdoingitnow！\"Theybothturnedquicklyandgazedatthebentfigure——notfiftyyardsaway——standinginexactlythesameattitudeasbefore。But，evenastheygazed，heslowlyliftedhisrakeandbeganhismonotonousworkagain。
AtScroobyPriory，theconsulfoundthatthefameofhisfaircountrywomanhadindeedprecededher，andthattheotherguestswerequiteasanxioustoseeMissDesboroughashewas。OneofthemhadalreadymetherinLondon；anotherknewherasoneofthehousepartyattheDukeofNorthforeland’s，whereshehadbeenacentralfigure。Someofhernaivesalliesandfrankcriticismswererepeatedwithgreatunctionbythegentlemen，andwithsomeslighttrepidationanda\"fearfuljoy\"bytheladies。HewasmorethaneverconvincedthatmotheranddaughterhadforgottentheirlinealDesboroughs，andheresolvedtoleaveanyallusiontoittotheyoungladyherself。