ThemorningsunrevealedtotheastonishedHopkinsfamilytheembattledplainbeyond，withitsarmedsentries。OnlythendidJimhookercondescendtoexplainthereasonofhiswarlikeoccupation，withdarkhintsoftheoutlying\"squatters\"and\"jumpers，\"whoseincursionstheirboldnessalonehadrepulsed。Theeffectofthisromanticsituationuponthetwowomen，withtheslightfascinationofdangerimportedintotheirquietlives，maywellbeimagined。
PossiblyowingtosomeincautiousquestioningbyMr。Hopkins，andsomedoubtsofthedisciplineandsincerityofhisposse，Jimdischargedthemthenextday;butduringtheerectionofhiscabinbysomepeacefulcarpentersfromthesettlement，hereturnedtohisgloomypreoccupationandtheostentatiouswearingofhisrevolvers。
Asanopulentandpowerfulneighbor，hetookhismealswiththefamilywhilehishousewasbeingbuilt，andgenerallyimpressedthemwithasenseofsecuritytheyhadnevermissed。
Meantime，Clarence，dulyinformedoftheinstallationofJimashistenant，underwentaseveretrial。Itwasnecessaryforhisplansthatthisshouldbekeptasecretatpresent，andthiswasnoeasythingforhishabituallyfrankandopennature。HehadoncementionedthathehadmetJimatthesettlement，buttheinformationwasreceivedwithsuchindifferencebySusy，andsuchmarkeddisfavorbyMrs。Peyton，thathesaidnomore。HeaccompaniedPeytoninhisridesaroundtherancho，fullypossessedhimselfofthedetailsofitsboundaries，thedebatablelandsheldbytheenemy，andlistenedwithbeatingpulses，butahushedtongue，tohishost’sill—concealedmisgivings。
\"Yousee，Clarence，thatlowerterrace？\"hesaid，pointingtoafar—
reachinglongitudinalplainbeyondthecorral;\"itextendsfrommycorraltoFairPlains。Thatisclaimedbythesisters’title，and，asthingsappeartobegoing，ifadivisionofthelandismadeitwillbetheirs。It’sbadenoughtohavethisbestgrazinglandlyingjustontheflanksofthecorralheldbytheserascalsatanabsurdprohibitoryprice，butIamafraidthatitmaybemadetomeansomethingevenworse。Accordingtotheoldsurveys，theseterracesondifferentlevelswerethenaturaldivisionsoftheproperty，——oneheirorhistenanttakingone，andanothertakinganother，——aneasydistinctionthatsavedthenecessityofboundaryfencingormonuments，andgavenotroubletopeoplewhowereeitherkinsmenorlivedinlazypatriarchalconcord。Thatistheformofdivisiontheyaretryingtoreestablishnow。Well，\"hecontinued，suddenlyliftinghiseyestotheyoungman’sflushedface，insomeunconscious，sympatheticresponsetohisearnestbreathlessness，\"althoughmyboundarylineextendshalfamileintothatfield，myhouseandgardenandcorralAREACTUALLYUPONTHATTERRACEOR
LEVEL。\"TheycertainlyappearedtoClarencetobeonthesamelineasthelongfieldbeyond。\"If，\"wentonPeyton，\"suchadecisionismade，thesemenwillpushonandclaimthehouseandeverythingontheterrace。\"
\"But，\"saidClarencequickly，\"yousaidtheirtitlewasonlyvaluablewheretheyhavegotorcangivePOSSESSION。Youalreadyhaveyours。Theycan’ttakeitfromyouexceptbyforce。\"
\"No，\"saidPeytongrimly，\"norwilltheydaretodoitaslongasI
livetofightthem。\"
\"But，\"persistedClarence，withthesamesingularhesitancyofmanner，\"whydidn’tyoupurchasepossessionofatleastthatpartofthelandwhichliessodangerouslynearyourownhouse？\"
\"Becauseitwasheldbysquatters，whonaturallypreferredbuyingwhatmightprovealegaltitletotheirlandfromtheseimpostorsthantosellouttheirpossessiontoMEatafairprice。\"
\"Butcouldn’tyouhaveboughtfromthemboth？\"continuedClarence。
\"MydearClarence，IamnotaCroesusnorafool。Onlyamanwhowasbothwouldattempttotreatwiththeserascals，whowouldnow，ofcourse，insistthatTHEIRWHOLEclaimshouldbeboughtupattheirownprice，bythemanwhowasmostconcernedindefeatingthem。\"
Heturnedawayalittleimpatiently。FortunatelyhedidnotobservethatClarence’savertedfacewascrimsonwithembarrassment，andthatafaintsmilehoverednervouslyabouthismouth。
SincehislaterendezvouswithSusy，Clarencehadhadnochancetointerrogateherfurtherregardinghermysteriousrelative。Thatthatshadowypresencewasmoreorlessexaggerated，ifnotanabsolutemyth，hemorethanhalfsuspected，butofthediscontentthathadproducedit，ortherecklessnessitmightprovoke，therewasnodoubt。Shemightbetemptedtosomeactoffolly。HewonderedifMaryRogersknewit。Yet，withhissensitiveideasofloyalty，hewouldhaveshrunkfromanyconfidencewithMaryregardingherfriend’ssecrets，althoughhefanciedthatMary’sdarkeyessometimesdweltuponhimwithmournfulconsciousnessandpremonition。Hedidnotimaginethetruth，thatthisromanticcontemplationwasonlytheresultofMary’sconvictionthatSusywasutterlyunworthyofhislove。ItsochancedonemorningthatthevacquerowhobroughtthepostfromSantaInezarrivedearlierthanusual，andsoanticipatedthetwogirls，whousuallymadeayouthfulpointofmeetinghimfirstashepassedthegardenwall。TheletterbagwasconsequentlydeliveredtoMrs。Peytoninthepresenceoftheothers，andalookofconsternationpassedbetweentheyounggirls。
ButMaryquicklyseizeduponthebagasifwithgirlishandmischievousimpatience，openedit，andglancedwithinit。
\"Thereareonlythreelettersforyou，\"shesaid，handingthemtoClarence，withaquicklookofsignificance，whichhefailedtocomprehend，\"andnothingformeorSusy。\"
\"But，\"begantheinnocentClarence，ashisfirstglanceatthelettersshowedhimthatonewasdirectedtoSusy，\"hereis\"——
AwickedpinchonhisarmthatwasnearestMarystoppedhisspeech，andhequicklyputthelettersinhispocket。
\"Didn’tyouunderstandthatSusydon’twanthermothertoseethatletter？\"askedMaryimpatiently，whentheywerealoneamomentlater。
\"No，\"saidClarencesimply，handingherthemissive。
Marytookitandturneditoverinherhands。
\"It’sinaman’shandwriting，\"shesaidinnocently。
\"Ihadn’tnoticedit，\"returnedClarencewithinvinciblenaivete，\"butperhapsitis。\"
\"AndyouhanditoverformetogivetoSusy，andain’tabitcurioustoknowwhoit’sfrom？\"
\"No，\"returnedClarence，openinghisbigeyesinsmilingandapologeticwonder。
\"Well，\"respondedtheyounglady，withalongbreathofmelancholyastonishment，\"certainly，ofallthingsyouare——youreallyARE！\"
Withwhichincoherency——apparentlyperfectlyintelligibletoherself——shelefthim。Shehadnotherselftheslightestideawhotheletterwasfrom;sheonlyknewthatSusywanteditconcealed。
TheincidentmadelittleimpressiononClarence，exceptaspartofthegeneraluneasinesshefeltinregardtohisoldplaymate。ItseemedsooddtohimthatthisworryshouldcomefromHER，——thatsheherselfshouldformtheonediscordantnoteintheArcadiandreamthathehadfoundsosweet;inhispreviousimaginingsitwasthepresenceofMrs。Peytonwhichhehaddreaded;shewhosepropinquitynowseemedsofullofgentleness，reassurance，andrepose。Howworthysheseemedofanysacrificehecouldmakeforher！Hehadseenlittleofherforthelasttwoorthreedays，althoughhersmileandgreetingwerealwaysreadyforhim。PoorClarencedidnotdreamthatshehadfoundfromcertainincontestablesignsandtokens，bothintheyoungladiesandhimself，thathedidnotrequirewatching，andthatbecomingmoreresignedtoSusy’sindifference，whichseemedsogeneralandpassiveinquality，shewasnolongertorturedbythestingofjealousy。
Findinghimselfalonethatafternoon，theyoungmanhadwanderedsomewhatlistlesslybeyondthelowadobegateway。Thehabitsofthesiestaobtainedinamodifiedformattherancho。Afterluncheon，itsmastersandemployeesusuallyretired，notsomuchfromthetorridheatoftheafternoonsun，butfromthefirstharryingoftheafternoontrades，whosemonotonouswhistlesweptroundthewalls。A
stragglingpassionvinenearthegatebeatandstruggledagainstthewind。Clarencehadstoppednearit，andwasgazingwithworriedabstractionacrossthetossingfields，whenasoftvoicecalledhisname。
Itwasapleasantvoice，——Mrs。Peyton’s。Heglancedbackatthegateway;itwasempty。Helookedquicklytotherightandleft;noonewasthere。
Thevoicespokeagainwiththemusicaladditionofalaugh;itseemedtocomefromthepassionvine。Ah，yes;behindit，andhalfovergrownbyitsbranches，wasalong，narrowembrasuredopeninginthewall，defendedbytheusualSpanishgrating，andstillfurtherback，asintheframeofapicture，thehalflengthfigureofMrs。
Peyton，veryhandsomeandstriking，too，withapaintedpicturesquenessfromtheeffectofthecheckeredlightandshade。
\"Youlookedsotiredandboredoutthere，\"shesaid。\"Iamafraidyouarefindingitverydullattherancho。Theprospectiscertainlynotveryenliveningfromwhereyoustand。\"
Clarenceprotestedwithavisiblepleasureinhiseyes，asheheldbackaspraybeforetheopening。
\"Ifyouarenotafraidofbeingworsebored，comeinhereandtalkwithme。Youhaveneverseenthispartofthehouse，Ithink，——myownsitting—room。Youreachitfromthehallinthegallery。ButLolaorAnitawillshowyoutheway。\"
Hereenteredthegateway，andquicklyfoundthehall，——anarrow，archedpassage，whoseblack，tunnel—likeshadowswereabsolutelyunaffectedbythevivid，colorlessglareofthecourtyardwithout，seenthroughanopeningattheend。Thecontrastwassharp，blinding，anddistinct;eventheedgesoftheopeningwereblack;
theouterlighthaltedonthethresholdandneverpenetratedwithin。
Thewarmodorofverbenaanddriedroseleavesstolefromahalf—
opendoorsomewhereinthecloisteredgloom。Guidedbyit，Clarencepresentlyfoundhimselfonthethresholdofalow—vaultedroom。Twoothernarrowembrasuredwindowsliketheonehehadjustseen，andafourth，widerlatticedcasement，hungwithgauzecurtains，suffusedtheapartmentwithaclear，yetmysterioustwilightthatseemeditsown。Thegloomywallswerewarmedbybright—fringedbookshelves，toppedwithtriflesoflightfemininecoloringandadornment。Loweasy—chairsandalounge，smallfancifultables，adaintydesk，gaylycoloredbasketsofworstedsormysteriouskaleidoscopicfragments，andvasesofflowerspervadedtheapartmentwithamingledsenseofgraceandcomfort。Therewasawomanlyrefinementinitscarelessnegligence，andeventhedelicatewrapperofJapanesesilk，gatheredatthewaistandfallingineasyfoldstothefeetofthegracefulmistressofthischarmingdisorder，lookedapartofitsrefinedabandonment。
Clarencehesitatedasonthethresholdofsomesacredshrine。ButMrs。Peyton，withherownhands，clearedaspaceforhimonthelounge。
\"Youwilleasilysuspectfromallthisdisorder，Mr。Brant，thatI
spendagreaterpartofmytimehere，andthatIseldomseemuchcompany。Mr。Peytonoccasionallycomesinlongenoughtostumbleoverafootstoolorupsetavase，andIthinkMaryandSusyavoiditfromafirmconvictionthatthereisworkconcealedinthesebaskets。ButIhavemybookshere，andintheafternoons，behindthesethickwalls，oneforgetstheincessantstirandrestlessnessofthedreadfulwindsoutside。Justnowyouwerefoolishenoughtotemptthemwhileyouwerenervous，orworried，orlistless。Takemywordforit，it’sagreatmistake。Thereisnomoreusefightingthem，asItellMr。Peyton，thanoffightingthepeoplebornunderthem。Ihavemyownopinionthatthesewindsweresentonlytostirthislazyraceofmongrelsintoactivity，buttheyareenoughtodriveusAnglo—Saxonsintonervousfrenzy。Don’tyouthinkso？Butyouareyoungandenergetic，andperhapsyouarenotaffectedbythem。\"
Shespokepleasantlyandplayfully，yetwithacertainnervoustensionofvoiceandmannerthatseemedtoillustratehertheory。
Atleast，Clarence，inquicksympathywithherslightestemotion，wastouchedbyit。Thereisnomoreinsidiousattractioninthepersonsweadmire，thanthebeliefthatweknowandunderstandtheirunhappiness，andthatouradmirationforthemisliftedhigherthanameremutualinstinctivesympathywithbeautyorstrength。Thisadorablewomanhadsuffered。Theverythoughtarousedhischivalry。
Itloosened，also，Ifear，hisquick，impulsivetongue。
Oh，yes;heknewit。Hehadlivedunderthiswhipofairandskyforthreeyears，aloneinaSpanishrancho，withonlythenativepeonsaroundhim，andscarcelyspeakinghisowntongueeventohisguardian。Hespenthismorningsonhorsebackinfieldslikethese，untilthevientosgenerales，astheycalledthem，sprangupanddrovehimnearlyfrantic;andhisonlyreliefwastoburyhimselfamongthebooksinhisguardian’slibrary，andshutouttheworld，——
justasshedid。Thesmilewhichhoveredaroundthelady’smouthatthatmomentarrestedClarence，withaquickremembranceoftheirformerrelativepositions，andasuddenconvictionofhisfamiliarityinsuggestinganequalityofexperience，andheblushed。
ButMrs。Peytondivertedhisembarrassmentwithanairofinterestedabsorptioninhisstory，andsaid：——
\"Thenyouknowthesepeoplethoroughly，Mr。Brant？IamafraidthatWEdonot。\"
Clarencehadalreadygatheredthatfactwithinthelastfewdays，and，withhisusualimpulsivedirectness，saidso。AslightknittingofMrs。Peyton’sbrowspassedoff，however，ashequicklyandearnestlywentontosaythatitwasimpossibleforthePeytonsintheirpresentrelationstothenativestojudgethem，ortobejudgedbythemfairly。Howtheywereachildlikerace，credulousandtrustful，but，likeallcredulousandtrustfulpeople，giventoretaliatewhenimposeduponwithalargerinsincerity，exaggeration，andtreachery。Howtheyhadseentheirhousesandlandsoccupiedbystrangers，theirreligionscorned，theircustomsderided，theirpatriarchalsocietyinvadedbyhollowcivilizationorfrontierbrutality——allthisfortifiedbyincidentandillustration，theoutcomeofsomeyouthfulexperience，andgivenwiththeglowingenthusiasmofconviction。Mrs。Peytonlistenedwiththeusualdividedfeminineinterestbetweensubjectandspeaker。
Wheredidthisrough，sullenboy——asshehadknownhim——pickupthisdelicateandswiftperception，thisreflectivejudgment，andthisoddfelicityofexpression？Itwasnotpossiblethatitwasinhimwhilehewasthecompanionofherhusband’sservantsortherecognized\"chum\"ofthescampHooker。No。ButifHEcouldhavechangedlikethis，whynotSusy？Mrs。Peyton，intheconservatismofhersex，hadneverbeenquitefreefromfearsofheradopteddaughter’shereditaryinstincts;but，withthisexamplebeforeher，shenowtookheart。Perhapsthechangewascomingslowly;perhapsevennowwhatshethoughtwasindifferenceandcoldnesswasonlysomeabnormalpreparationorcondition。Butsheonlysmiledandsaid：——
\"Then，ifyouthinkthosepeoplehavebeenwronged，youarenotonourside，Mr。Brant？\"
Whattoanolderandmoreworldlymanwouldhaveseemed，andprobablywas，onlyaplayfulreproach，struckClarencedeeply，andbroughthispent—upfeelingstohislips。
\"YOUhaveneverwrongedthem。Youcouldn’tdoit;itisn’tinyournature。IamonYOURside，andforyouandyoursalways，Mrs。
Peyton。FromthefirsttimeIsawyouontheplains，whenIwasbrought，araggedboy，beforeyoubyyourhusband，IthinkIwouldgladlyhavelaiddownmylifeforyou。Idon’tmindtellingyounowthatIwasevenjealousofpoorSusy，soanxiouswasIforthesmallestshareinyourthoughts，ifonlyforamoment。Youcouldhavedoneanythingwithmeyouwished，andIshouldhavebeenhappy，——farhappierthanIhavebeeneversince。Itellyouthis，Mrs。Peyton，now，becauseyouhavejustdoubtedifImightbe’onyourside，’butIhavebeenlongingtotellitalltoyoubefore，anditisthatIamreadytodoanythingyouwant，——allyouwant，——
tobeonYOURSIDEandatYOURSIDE，nowandforever。\"
Hewassoearnestandhearty，andaboveallsoappallinglyandblissfullyhappy，inthisreliefofhisfeelings，smilingasifitwerethemostnaturalthingintheworld，andsoabsurdlyunconsciousofhistwenty—twoyears，hislittlebrowncurlingmustache，thefireinhiswistful，yearningeyes，and，aboveall，ofhisclaspedhandsandlover—likeattitude，thatMrs。Peyton——atfirstrigidasstone，thensuffusedtotheeyes——castahastyglanceroundtheapartment，putherhandkerchieftoherface，andlaughedlikeagirl。
AtwhichClarence，bynomeansdiscomposed，butratheracceptingheremotionasperfectlynatural，joinedherheartily，andadded：——
\"It’sso，Mrs。Peyton;I’mgladItoldyou。Youdon’tmindit，doyou？\"
ButMrs。Peytonhadresumedhergravity，andperhapsatouchofherpreviousmisgivings。
\"Ishouldcertainlybeverysorry，\"shesaid，lookingathimcritically，\"toobjecttoyoursharingyouroldfriendshipforyourlittleplaymatewithherparentsandguardians，ortoyourexpressingittoTHEMasfranklyastoher。\"
Shesawthequickchangeinhismobilefaceandthemomentaryarrestofitshappyexpression。Shewasfrightenedandyetpuzzled。Itwasnotthesensitivenessofaloveratthementionofthelovedone’sname，andyetitsuggestedanuneasyconsciousness。Ifhispreviousimpulsiveoutbursthadbeenpromptedhonestly，orevenartfully，byhispassionforSusy，whyhadhelookedsoshockedwhenshespokeofher？
ButClarence，whoseemotionhadbeencausedbythesuddenrecallofhisknowledgeofSusy’sowndisloyaltytothewomanwhosesearchingeyeswereuponhim，inhisrevulsionagainstthedeceitwas，foraninstant，uponthepointofdivulgingall。Perhaps，ifMrs。Peytonhadshownmoreconfidence，hewouldhavedoneso，andmateriallyalteredtheevolutionofthisstory。But，happily，itisupontheseslighthumanweaknessesthatyourromancerdepends，andClarence，withnootherreasonthantheinstinctivesympathyofyouthwithyouthinitsoppositiontowisdomandexperience，lettheopportunitypass，andtooktheresponsibilityofitoutofthehandsofthischronicler。
Howbeit，tocoverhisconfusion，heseizeduponthesecondideathatwasinhismind，andstammered，\"Susy！Yes，Iwantedtospeaktoyouabouther。\"Mrs。Peytonheldherbreath，buttheyoungmanwenton，althoughhesitatingly，withevidentsincerity。\"Haveyouheardfromanyofherrelationssince——since——youadoptedher？\"
Itseemedanaturalenoughquestion，althoughnotthesequiturshehadexpected。\"No，\"shesaidcarelessly。\"Itwaswellunderstood，afterthenearestrelation——anauntbymarriage——hadsignedherconsenttoSusy’sadoption，thatthereshouldbenofurtherintercoursewiththefamily。Thereseemedtousnonecessityforreopeningthepast，andSusyherselfexpressednodesire。\"Shestopped，andagainfixingherhandsomeeyesonClarence，said，\"Doyouknowanyofthem？\"
ButClarencebythistimehadrecoveredhimself，andwasabletoanswercarelesslyandtruthfullythathedidnot。Mrs。Peyton，stillregardinghimclosely，addedsomewhatdeliberately，\"Itmatterslittlenowwhatrelationsshehas;Mr。PeytonandIhavecompletelegalcontroloverheruntilsheisofage，andwecaneasilyprotectherfromanyfollyofherownorothers，orfromanyofthefoolishfanciesthatsometimesovertakegirlsofherageandinexperience。\"
Toheruttersurprise，however，Clarenceutteredafaintsighofrelief，andhisfaceagainrecovereditsexpressionofboyishhappiness。\"I’mgladofit，Mrs。Peyton，\"hesaidheartily。\"Noonecouldunderstandbetterwhatisforherinterestinallthingsthanyourself。Not，\"hesaid，withhastyandequallyheartyloyaltytohisoldplaymate，\"thatIthinkshewouldevergoagainstyourwishes，ordoanythingthatsheknowstobewrong，butsheisveryyoungandinnocent，——asmuchofachildasever，don’tyouthinkso，Mrs。Peyton？\"
Itwasamusing，yetneverthelesspuzzling，tohearthisboyishyoungmancommentuponSusy’sgirlishness。AndClarencewasserious，forhehadquiteforgotteninMrs。Peyton’spresencetheimpressionofsuperioritywhichSusyhadlatelymadeuponhim。ButMrs。Peytonreturnedtothecharge，or，rather，toanattackuponwhatsheconceivedtobeClarence’soldposition。
\"IsupposeshedoesseemgirlishcomparedtoMaryRogers，whoisamuchmorereservedandquietnature。ButMaryisverycharming，Mr。
Brant，andIamreallydelightedtohaveherherewithSusy。Shehassuchlovelydarkeyesandsuchgoodmanners。Shehasbeenwellbroughtup，anditiseasytoseethatherfriendsaresuperiorpeople。Imustwritetothemtothankthemforhervisit，andbegthemtoletherstaylonger。Ithinkyousaidyoudidn’tknowthem？\"
ButClarence，whoseeyeshadbeenthoughtfullyandadmiringlywanderingovereverycharacteristicdetailofthecharmingapartment，hereraisedthemtoitshandsomemistress，withanapologeticairanda\"No\"ofsuchunaffectedandcompleteabstraction，thatshewasagaindumbfounded。Certainly，itcouldnotbeMaryinwhomhewasinterested。
Abandoninganyfurtherinquisitionforthepresent，sheletthetalknaturallyfalluponthebooksscatteredaboutthetables。Theyoungmanknewthemallfarbetterthanshedid，withacognateknowledgeofothersofwhichshehadneverheard。Shefoundherselfintheattitudeofreceivinginformationfromthisboy，whoseboyishness，however，seemedtohaveevaporated，whosetonehadchangedwiththesubject，andwhonowspokewiththeconsciousreserveofknowledge。
Decidedly，shemusthavegrownrustyinherseclusion。Thiscame，shethoughtbitterly，oflivingalone;ofherhusband’spreoccupationwiththeproperty;ofSusy’sfrivolouscaprices。Attheendofeightyearstobeoutstrippedbyaformercattle—boyofherhusband’s，andtohaveherFrenchcorrectedinamatteroffactwaybythisrecentpupilofthepriests，wasreallytoobad！
PerhapsheevenlookeddownuponSusy！Shesmileddangerouslybutsuavely。
\"Youmusthaveworkedsohardtoeducateyourselffromnothing，Mr。
Brant。Youcouldn’tread，Ithink，whenyoufirstcametous。No？
Couldyoureally？IknowithasbeenverydifficultforSusytogetonwithherstudiesinproportion。Wehadsomuchtofirsteradicateinthewayofmanners，style，andhabitsofthoughtwhichthepoorchildhadpickedupfromhercompanions，andforwhichSHE
wasnotresponsible。Ofcourse，withaboythatdoesnotsignify，\"
sheadded，withfelinegentleness。
Butthebarbedspeechglancedfromtheyoungman’ssmoothlysmilingabstraction。
\"Ah，yes。Butthosewerehappydays，Mrs。Peyton，\"heanswered，withanexasperatingreturnofhispreviousboyishenthusiasm，\"perhapsbecauseofourignorance。Idon’tthinkthatSusyandI
areanyhappierforknowingthattheplainsarenotasflataswebelievedtheywere，andthatthesundoesn’thavetoburnaholeinthemeverynightwhenitsets。ButIknowIbelievedthatYOUkneweverything。WhenIoncesawyousmilingoverabookinyourhand，I
thoughtitmustbeadifferentonefromanythatIhadeverseen，andperhapsmadeexpresslyforyou。Icanseeyoutherestill。Doyouknow，\"quiteconfidentially，\"thatyouremindedme——ofcourseYOUweremuchyounger——ofwhatIrememberedofmymother？\"
ButMrs。Peyton’sreplyof\"Ah，indeed，\"albeitpolite，indicatedsomecoldnessandlackofanimation。Clarencerosequickly，butcastalongandlingeringlookaroundhim。
\"Youwillcomeagain，Mr。Brant，\"saidtheladymoregraciously。
\"Ifyouaregoingtoridenow，perhapsyouwouldtrytomeetMr。
Peyton。Heislatealready，andIamalwaysuneasywhenheisoutalone，——particularlyononeofthosehalf—brokenhorses，whichtheyconsidergoodenoughforridinghere。YOUhaveriddenthembeforeandunderstandthem，butIamafraidthat’sanotherthingWEhavegottolearn。\"
Whentheyoungmanfoundhimselfagainconfrontingtheglitteringlightofthecourtyard，herememberedtheinterviewandthesofttwilightoftheboudoironlyaspartofapleasantdream。Therewasarudeawakeninginthefiercewind，whichhadincreasedwiththelengtheningshadows。Itseemedtosweepawaythehalf—sensuouscomfortthathadpervadedhim，andmadehimcoldlyrealizethathehaddonenothingtosolvethedifficultiesofhisrelationstoSusy。
HehadlosttheonechanceofconfidingtoMrs。Peyton，——ifhehadeverreallyintendedtodoso。Itwasimpossibleforhimtodoithereafterwithoutaconfessionofprolongeddeceit。
Hereachedthestablesimpatiently，wherehisattentionwasattractedbythesoundofexcitedvoicesinthecorral。Lookingwithin，hewasconcernedtoseethatoneofthevacqueroswasholdingthedraggingbridleofablown，dusty，andfoam—coveredhorse，aroundwhomadozenidlersweregathered。Evenbeneathitscoatingofdustandfoamandthehalf—displacedsaddleblanket，ClarenceimmediatelyrecognizedthespiritedpintomustangwhichPeytonhadriddenthatmorning。
\"What’sthematter？\"saidClarence，fromthegateway。
Themenfellapart，glancingateachother。OnesaidquicklyinSpanish：——
\"SaynothingtoHIM。Itisanaffairofthehouse。\"
ButthisbroughtClarencedownlikeabombshellamongthem，nottobeoverlookedinhisequalcommandoftheirtongueandofthem。
\"Ah！come，now。Whatdrunkenpiggishnessisthis？Speak！\"
\"Thepadronhasbeen——perhaps——thrown，\"stammeredthefirstspeaker。
\"Hishorsearrives，——buthedoesnot。Wegotoinformthesenora。\"
\"No，youdon’t！mulesandimbeciles！Doyouwanttofrightenhertodeath？Mount，everyoneofyou，andfollowme！\"
Themenhesitated，butforonlyamoment。ClarencehadafineassortmentofSpanishepithets，expletives，andobjurgations，gatheredinhisrodeoexperienceatElRefugio，andlaidthemabouthimwithsuchfervoranddiscriminationthattwoorthreemules，presumablywithguiltyconsciences，mistakingtheirdirection，actuallycoweredagainstthestockadeofthecorralinfear。Inanothermomentthevacqueroshadhastilymounted，and，withClarenceattheirhead，weredashingdowntheroadtowardsSantaInez。Herehespreadtheminopenorderinthegrain，oneithersideofthetrack，himselftakingtheroad。
Theydidnotproceedveryfar。Forwhentheyhadreachedthegradualslopewhichmarkedthedeclinetothesecondterrace，Clarence，obeyinganinstinctasirresistibleasitwasunaccountable，whichforthelastfewmomentshadbeenforcingitselfuponhim，orderedahalt。Thecasaandcorralhadalreadysunkintheplainbehindthem;itwasthespotwherethelassohadbeenthrownathimafeweveningsbefore！Biddingthemenconvergeslowlytowardstheroad，hewentonmorecautiously，withhiseyesuponthetrackbeforehim。Presentlyhestopped。Therewasaraggeddisplacementofthecrackedandcrumblingsoilandtheunmistakablescoopofkickinghoofs。Ashestoopedtoexaminethem，oneofthemenattherightutteredashout。BythesamestrangeinstinctClarenceknewthatPeytonwasfound！
Hewas，indeed，lyingthereamongthewildoatsattherightoftheroad，butwithouttraceoflifeorscarcelyhumanappearance。Hisclothes，wherenottornandshreddedaway，werepartlyturnedinsideout;hisshoulders，neck，andheadwereashapeless，undistinguishablemaskofdriedearthandrags，likeamummywrapping。Hisleftbootwasgone。Hislargeframeseemedboneless，and，exceptforthecerementsofhismud—stiffenedclothing，waslimpandsodden。
Clarenceraisedhisheadsuddenlyfromaquickexaminationofthebody，andlookedatthemenaroundhim。Oneofthemwasalreadycanteringaway。Clarenceinstantlythrewhimselfonhishorse，and，puttingspurstotheanimal，drewarevolverfromhisholsterandfiredovertheman’shead。Theriderturnedinhissaddle，sawhispursuer，andpulledup。
\"Goback，\"saidClarence，\"ormynextshotwon’tMISSyou。\"
\"Iwasonlygoingtoinformthesenora，\"saidthemanwithashrugandaforcedsmile。
\"Iwilldothat，\"saidClarencegrimly，drivinghimbackwithhimintothewaitingcircle;thenturningtothemhesaidslowly，withdeliberate，smilelessirony，\"Andnow，mybravegentlemen，——knightsofthebullandgallantmustanghunters，——IwanttoinformYOUthatIbelievethatMr。PeytonwasMURDERED，andifthemanwhokilledhimisanywherethissideofhell，Iintendtofindhim。Good！Youunderstandme！Nowliftupthebody，——youtwo，bytheshoulders;
youtwo，bythefeet。Letyourhorsesfollow。ForIintendthatyoufourshallcarryhomeyourmasterinyourarms，onfoot。Nowforwardtothecorralbythebacktrail。Disobeyme，orstepoutoflineand\"——Heraisedtherevolverominously。
Ifthechangewroughtinthedeadmanbeforethemwasweirdandterrifying，nolessdistinctandominouswasthechangethat，duringthelastfewminutes，hadcomeoverthelivingspeaker。ForitwasnolongertheyouthfulClarencewhosatthere，butahaggard，prematurelyworn，desperate—lookingavenger，lankofcheek，andinjectedofeye，whosewhiteteethglistenedunderthebrownmustacheandthinpalelipsthatpartedwhenhisrestrainedbreathnowandthenhurriedlyescapedthem。
Astheprocessionmovedon，twomenslunkbehindwiththehorses。
\"MotherofGod！Whoisthiswolf’swhelp？\"saidManuel。
\"Hush！\"saidhiscompanioninaterrifiedwhisper。\"Haveyounotheard？ItisthesonofHamiltonBrant，theassassin，theduelist，——
hewhowasfusiladedinSonora。\"Hemadethesignofthecrossquickly。\"JesusMaria！Letthemlookoutwhohavecause，forthebloodofhisfatherisinhim！\"
CHAPTERVII。
WhatotherspeechpassedbetweenClarenceandPeyton’sretainerswasnotknown，butnotawordoftheinterviewseemedtohavebeendivulgedbythosepresent。ItwasgenerallybelievedandacceptedthatJudgePeytonmethisdeathbybeingthrownfromhishalf—brokenmustang，anddraggedatitsheels，andmedicalopinion，hastilysummonedfromSantaInezafterthebodyhadbeenbornetothecorral，andstrippedofitshideousencasings，declaredthattheneckhadbeenbroken，anddeathhadfollowedinstantaneously。Aninquestwasdeemedunnecessary。
ClarencehadselectedMarytobreakthenewstoMrs。Peyton，andthefrightenedyounggirlwastoomuchstruckwiththechangestillvisibleinhisface，andthehalfauthorityofhismanner，todecline，oreventofullyappreciatethecalamitythathadbefallenthem。Afterthefirstbenumbingshock，Mrs。Peytonpassedintothatstrangeexaltationofexcitementbroughtonbytheimmediatenecessityforaction，followedbyapallidcalm，whichtheaveragespectatortoooftenunfairlyacceptsasincongruous，inadequate，orartificial。TherehadalsooccurredoneofthosestrangecompensationsthatwaitonDeathordisrupturebycatastrophe：suchastherudeshakingdownofanunsettledlife，theforciblerealizationofwhatwerevaguespeculations，thebreakingofoldhabitsandtraditions，andtheunloosingofhalf—consciousbonds。
Mrs。Peyton，withoutinsensibilitytoherlossordisloyaltytoheraffections，neverthelessfeltarelieftoknowthatshewasnowreallySusy’sguardian，freetoorderhernewlifewhereverandunderwhatconditionsshechoseasmostfavorabletoit，andthatshecoulddisposeofthishousethatwaswearyingtoherwhenSusywasaway，andwhichthegirlherselfhadalwaysfoundinsupportable。
ShecouldsettlethisquestionofClarence’srelationstoherdaughteroutofhandwithoutadviceoropposition。ShehadabrotherintheEast，whowouldbesummonedtotakecareoftheproperty。Thisconsiderationforthelivingpursuedher，evenwhilethedeadman’spresencestillawedthehushedhouse;itwasinherthoughtsasshestoodbesidehisbierandadjustedtheflowersonhisbreast，whichnolongermovedfororagainstthesevanities;anditstayedwithhereveninthesolitudeofherdarkenedroom。
ButifMrs。Peytonwasdeficient，itwasSusywhofilledthepopularideaofamourner，andwhoseemotionalattitudeofagrief—strickendaughterleftnothingtobedesired。Itwasshewho，whenthehousewasfilledwithsympathizingfriendsfromSanFranciscoandthefewnearneighborswhohadhurriedwithcondolences，wasoverflowinginherreminiscencesofthedeadman’sgoodnesstoher，andherownundyingaffection;whorecalledominousthingsthathehadsaid，andstrangepremonitionsofherown，theresultofherever—presentfilialanxiety;itwasshewhohadhurriedhomethatafternoon，impelledwithvaguefearsofsomeimpendingcalamity;itwasshewhodrewapictureofPeytonasadotingandalmosttooindulgentparent，whichMaryRogersfailedtorecognize，andwhichbroughtbackvividlytoClarence’srecollectionherownchildishexaggerationsoftheIndianmassacre。Iamfarfromsayingthatshewasentirelyinsincereormerelyactingatthesemoments;attimesshewastakenwithamildhysteria，broughtonbytheexcitingintrusionofthisrealeventinhermonotonouslife，bytheattentionsofherfriends，theimportanceofhersufferingasanonlychild，andtheadvancementofherpositionastheheiressoftheRoblesRancho。Ifhertearswerenearthesurface，theywereatleastgenuine，andfilmedhervioleteyesandreddenedherprettyeyelidsquiteaseffectuallyasiftheyhadwelledfromthedepthsofherbeing。Herblackfrocklentamatureddignitytoherfigure，andpaledherdelicatecomplexionwiththerefinementofsuffering。
EvenClarencewasmovedinthatdarkandhaggardabstractionthathadsettleduponhimsincehisstrangeoutbreakoverthebodyofhisoldfriend。
TheextentofthatchangehadnotbeennoticedbyMrs。Peyton，whohadonlyobservedthatClarencehadtreatedhergriefwithagraveandsilentrespect。Shewasgratefulforthat。Arepetitionofhisboyishimpulsivenesswouldhavebeendistastefultoheratsuchamoment。Sheonlythoughthimmorematureandmoresubdued，andastheonlymannowinherhouseholdhisserviceshadbeeninvaluableintheemergency。
ThefuneralhadtakenplaceatSantaInez，wherehalfthecountygatheredtopaytheirlastrespectstotheirformerfellow—citizenandneighbor，whoselegalandcombativevictoriestheyhadadmired，andwhomdeathhadliftedintoapubliccharacter。Thefamilywerereturningtothehousethesameafternoon，Mrs。Peytonandthegirlsinonecarriage，thefemalehouse—servantsinanother，andClarenceonhorseback。Theyhadreachedthefirstplateau，andClarencewasridingalittleinadvance，whenanextraordinaryfigure，risingfromthegrainbeyond，begantogesticulatetohimwildly。Checkingthedriverofthefirstcarriage，Clarenceboredownuponthestranger。TohisamazementitwasJimHooker。Mountedonapeaceful，unwieldyploughhorse，hewasneverthelessaccoutredandarmedafterhismostextravagantfashion。Inadditiontoaheavyrifleacrosshissaddle—bowhewasweighteddownwithaknifeandrevolvers。Clarencewasinnomoodfortrifling，andalmostrudelydemandedhisbusiness。
\"Gord，Clarence，itain’tfoolin’。TheSisters’titlewasdecidedyesterday。\"
\"Iknewit，youfool！It’sYOURtitle！Youwerealreadyonyourlandandinpossession。WhatthedevilareyoudoingHERE？\"
\"Yes，——but，\"stammeredJim，\"alltheboysholdingthattitlemoveduphereto’makethedivision’andgraballtheycould。AndI
followed。AndIfoundoutthattheyweregoingtograbJudgePeyton’shouse，becauseitwasontheline，iftheycould，andfindin’youwasallaway，byGordTHEYDID！andthey’reinit！AndIstoledoutandrodedownheretowarnye。\"
Hestopped，lookedatClarence，glanceddarklyaroundhimandthendownonhisaccoutrements。Eveninthatsuprememomentofsincerity，hecouldnotresistthepossibilitiesofthesituation。
\"It’sasmuchasmylife’sworth，\"hesaidgloomily。\"But，\"withadarkglanceathisweapons，\"I’llsellitdearly。\"
\"Jim！\"saidClarence，inaterriblevoice，\"you’renotlyingagain？\"
\"No，\"saidJimhurriedly。\"Iswearit，Clarence！No！HonestInjinthistime。Andlook。I’llhelpyou。Theyain’texpectin’youyet，andtheythinkye’llcomebytheroad。EfIraisedascareofftherebythecorral，whileyou’recreepin’ROUNDBYTHEBACK，mebbeyoucouldgetinwhilethey’realllookin’foryeinfront，don’tyousee？I’llraiseabigrow，andtheyneedn’tknowbutwhatye’vegotwindofitandbroughtapartywithyoufromSantaInez。\"
InaflashClarencehadwroughtafeasibleplanoutofJim’sfantasy。
\"Good，\"hesaid，wringinghisoldcompanion’shand。\"Gobackquietlynow;hangroundthecorral，andwhenyouseethecarriageclimbingthelastterraceraiseyouralarm。Don’tmindhowlouditis，there’llbenobodybuttheservantsinthecarriages。\"
Herodequicklybacktothefirstcarriage，atwhosewindowMrs。
Peyton’scalmfacewasalreadyquestioninghim。Hetoldherbrieflyandconciselyoftheattack，andwhatheproposedtodo。
\"Youhaveshownyourselfsostronginmattersofworsemomentthanthis，\"headdedquietly，\"thatIhavenofearsforyourcourage。I
haveonlytoaskyoutotrustyourselftome，toputyoubackatonceinyourownhome。Yourpresencethere，justnow，istheoneimportantthing，whateverhappensafterwards。\"
Sherecognizedhismaturertoneanddeterminedmanner，andnoddedassent。Morethanthat，afaintfirecameintoherhandsomeeyes;
thetwogirlskindledtheirownatthatflamingbeacon，andsatwithflushedchecksandsuspended，indignantbreath。TheywereWesternAmericans，andnotovermuchusedtoimposition。
\"Youmustgetdownbeforeweraisethehill，andfollowmeonfootthroughthegrain。Iwasthinking，\"headded，turningtoMrs。
Peyton，\"ofyourboudoirwindow。\"
Shehadbeenthinkingofit，too，andnodded。
\"Thevinehasloosenedthebars，\"hesaid。
\"Ifithasn’t，wemustsqueezethroughthem，\"shereturnedsimply。
AttheendoftheterraceClarencedismounted，andhelpedthemfromthecarriage。Hethengavedirectionstothecoachmentofollowtheroadslowlytothecorralinfrontofthecasa，andtiedhishorsebehindthesecondcarriage。Then，withMrs。Peytonandthetwoyounggirls，heplungedintothegrain。
Itwashot，itwasdusty，theirthinshoesslippedinthecrumblingadobe，andthegreatbladescaughtintheircrapedraperies，buttheyutterednocomplaint。Whateverulteriorthoughtwasintheirminds，theywerebentonlyononethingatthatmoment，——onenteringthehouseatanyhazard。Mrs。PeytonhadlivedlongenoughonthefrontiertoknowthemagicpowerofPOSSESSION。Susyalreadywasoldenoughtofeeltheacutefemininehorroroftheprofanationofherownbelongingsbyalienhands。Clarence，morecognizantofthewholetruththantheothers，wasequallysilentanddetermined;andMaryRogerswasfiredwiththezealofloyalty。
Suddenlyaseriesofblood—curdlingyellsbrokefromthedirectionofthecorral，andtheystopped。ButClarenceatoncerecognizedthewell—knownwar—whoopimitationofJimHooker，——infinitelymoregruesomeandappallingthanthegenuineaboriginalchallenge。A
halfdozenshotsfiredinquicksuccessionhadevidentlythesamefriendlyorigin。
\"Nowisourtime，\"saidClarenceeagerly。\"Wemustrunforthehouse。\"
Theyhadfortunatelyreachedbythistimetheangleoftheadobewallofthecasa，andthelongafternoonshadowsofthebuildingwereintheirfavor。TheypressedforwardeagerlywiththesoundsofJimHooker’sshamencounterstillintheirears，mingledwithansweringshoutsofdefiancefromstrangevoiceswithinthebuildingtowardsthefront。
Theyrapidlyskirtedthewall，evenpassingboldlybeforethebackgateway，whichseemedemptyanddeserted，andthenextmomentstoodbesidethenarrowwindowoftheboudoir。Clarence’ssurmiseswerecorrect;theirongratingwasnotonlyloose，butyieldedtoavigorouswrench，thevineitselfactingasalevertopullouttherustybars。Theyoungmanheldouthishand，butMrs。Peyton，withthesuddenagilityofayounggirl，leapedintothewindow，followedbyMaryandSusy。Theinnercasementyieldedtohertouch;thenextmomenttheywerewithintheroom。ThenMrs。Peyton’sflushedandtriumphantfacereappearedatthewindow。
\"It’sallright;themenareallinthecourtyard，orinthefrontofthehouse。Theboudoirdoorisstrong，andwecanboltthemout。\"
\"Itwon’tbenecessary，\"saidClarencequietly;\"youwillnotbedisturbed。\"
\"Butareyounotcomingin？\"sheaskedtimidly，holdingthewindowopen。
ClarencelookedatherwithhisfirstfaintsmilesincePeyton’sdeath。
\"OfcourseIam，butnotinTHATway。IamgoinginbyTHEFRONT
GATE。\"
Shewouldhavedetainedhim，but，withaquickwaveofhishand，helefther，andranswiftlyaroundthewallofthecasatowardthefront。Thegatewashalfopen;adozenexcitedmenweregatheredbeforeitandinthearchway，andamongthem，whitenedwithdust，blackenedwithpowder，andapparentlygluttedwithrapine，andstillholdingarevolverinhishand，wasJimHooker！AsClarenceapproached，themenquicklyretreatedinsidethegateandclosedit，butnotbeforehehadexchangedameaningglancewithJim。Whenhereachedthegate，amanfromwithinroughlydemandedhisbusiness。
\"Iwishtoseetheleaderofthisparty，\"saidClarencequietly。
\"Ireckonyoudo，\"returnedtheman，withashortlaugh。\"ButI
kalkilateHEdon’treturnthecompliment。\"
\"Heprobablywillwhenhereadsthisnotetohisemployer，\"
continuedClarencestillcoolly，selectingapaperfromhispocketbook。ItwasaddressedtoFranciscoRobles，SuperintendentoftheSisters’Title，anddirectedhimtogiveMr。ClarenceBrantfreeaccesstothepropertyandthefullestinformationconcerningit。
Themantookit，glancedatit，lookedagainatClarence，andthenpassedthepapertoathirdmanamongthegroupinthecourtyard。
Thelatterreadit，andapproachedthegatecarelessly。
\"Well，whatdoyouwant？\"
\"Iamafraidyouhavetheadvantageofmeinbeingabletotransactbusinessthroughbars，\"saidClarence，withslowbutmalevolentdistinctness，\"andasmineisimportant，Ithinkyouhadbetteropenthegatetome。\"
Theslightlaughthathisspeechhadevokedfromthebystanderswascheckedastheleaderretortedangrily：——
\"That’sallverywell;buthowdoIknowthatyou’rethemanrepresentedinthatletter？PanchoRoblesmayknowyou，butI
don’t。\"
\"Thatyoucanfindoutveryeasily，\"saidClarence。\"Thereisamanamongyourpartywhoknowsme，——Mr。Hooker。Askhim。\"
Themanturned，withaquickminglingofsurpriseandsuspicion，tothegloomy，imperturbableHooker。Clarencecouldnothearthereplyofthatyounggentleman，butitwasevidentlynotwantinginhisusualdark，enigmaticalexaggeration。Themansurlilyopenedthegate。
\"Allthesame，\"hesaid，stillglancingsuspiciouslyatHooker，\"I
don’tseewhatHE’Sgottodowithyou。\"
\"Agreatdeal，\"saidClarence，enteringthecourtyard，andsteppingintotheveranda;\"HE’SONEOFMYTENANTS。\"
\"YourWHAT？\"saidtheman，withacoarselaughofincredulity。
\"Mytenants，\"repeatedClarence，glancingaroundthecourtyardcarelessly。Nevertheless，hewasrelievedtonoticethatthethreeorfourMexicansofthepartydidnotseemtobeoldretainersoftherancho。Therewasnoevidenceoftheinternaltreacheryhehadfeared。
\"YourTENANTS！\"echoedtheman，withanuneasyglanceatthefacesoftheothers。
\"Yes，\"saidClarence，withbusinessbrevity;\"and，forthematterofthat，althoughIhavenoreasontobeparticularlyproudofit，SO
AREYOUALL。Youaskmybusinesshere。Itseemstobethesameasyours，——toholdpossessionofthishouse！Withthisdifference，however，\"hecontinued，takingadocumentfromhispocket。\"Hereisthecertificate，signedbytheCountyClerk，ofthebillofsaleoftheentireSisters’titletoME。ItincludesthewholetwoleaguesfromFairPlainstotheoldboundarylineofthisrancho，whichyouforciblyenteredthismorning。Thereisthedocument;examineitifyoulike。TheonlyshadowofaclaimyoucouldhavetothispropertyyouwouldhavetoderivefromME。TheonlyexcuseyoucouldhaveforthisactoflawlessnesswouldbeordersfromME。AndallthatyouhavedonethismorningisonlytheassertionofMY
legalrighttothishouse。IfIdisavowyouract，asImight，I
leaveyouashelplessasanytrampthatwaseverkickedfromadoorstep，——asanyburglarthatwasevercollaredonthefencebyaconstable。\"
Itwasthetruth。Therewasnodenyingtheauthorityofthedocument，thefactsofthesituation，oritsultimatepowerandsignificance。Therewasconsternation，stupefaction，andevenahalf—humorousrecognitionoftheabsurdityoftheirpositiononmostofthefacesaroundhim。Incongruousasthescenewas，itwasmadestillmoregrotesquebytheattitudeofJimHooker。Ruthlesslyabandoningthepartyofconvictedtrespassers，hestalkedgloomilyovertothesideofClarence，withtheairofhavingbeenallthetimescornfullyinthesecretandamienofweariedvictoriousness，andthushalting，hedisdainfullyexpectoratedtobaccojuiceonthegroundbetweenhimandhislatecompanions，asiftoformalineofdemarcation。ThefewMexicansbegantoedgetowardsthegateway。
Thisdefectionofhisfollowersrecalledtheleader，whowasnocoward，tohimselfagain。
\"Shutthegate，there！\"heshouted。
Asitstwosidesclashedtogetheragain，heturneddeliberatelytoClarence。
\"That’sallverywell，youngman，asregardstheTITLE。YoumayhaveBOUGHTuptheland，andlegallyowneverysquareinchofhowlingwildernessbetweenthisandSanFrancisco，andIwishyoujoyofyourd——dfool’sbargain;youmayhavegotawholecircuslikethat，\"pointingtothegloomyJim，\"atyourback。Butwithallyourmoneyandallyourfriendsyou’veforgottenonething。Youhaven’tgotpossession，andwehave。\"
\"That’sjustwherewediffer，\"saidClarencecoolly，\"forifyoutakethetroubletoexaminethehouse，youwillseethatitisalreadyinpossessionofMrs。Peyton，——MYTENANT。\"
Hepausedtogiveeffecttohisrevelations。Buthewas，nevertheless，unpreparedforanunrehearseddramaticsituation。
Mrs。Peyton，whohadbeentiredofwaiting，andwaslisteninginthepassage，atthementionofhername，enteredthegallery，followedbytheyoungladies。TheslightlookofsurpriseuponherfaceattherevelationshehadjustheardofClarence’sownership，onlygavethesuggestionofherhavingbeenunexpectedlydisturbedinherpeacefulseclusion。OneoftheMexicansturnedpale，withafrightenedglanceatthepassage，asifheexpectedthefigureofthedeadmantofollow。
Thegroupfellback。Thegamewasover，——andlost。Noonerecognizeditmorequicklythanthegamblersthemselves。Morethanthat，desperateandlawlessastheywere，theystillretainedthechivalryofWesternmen，andeveryhatwasslowlydoffedtothethreeblackfiguresthatstoodsilentlyinthegallery。Andevenapologeticspeechbegantoloosentheclenchedteethofthediscomfitedleader。
\"We——were——toldtherewasnooneinthehouse，\"hestammered。
\"Anditwasthetruth，\"saidapert，youthful，yetslightlyaffectedvoice。\"Forweclimbedintothewindowjustasyoucameinatthegate。\"
ItwasSusy’swordsthatstungtheirearsagain;butitwasSusy’sprettyfigure，suddenlyadvancedandinaslightlytheatricalattitude，thatcheckedtheiranger。Therehadbeenasuddenominoussilence，asthewholeplotofrescueseemedtoberevealedtotheminthoseaudaciouswords。Butasenseoftheludicrous，whichtoooftenwastheonlyperceptionthatevermitigatedthepassionsofsuchassemblies，heresuddenlyasserteditself。Theleaderburstintoaloudlaugh，whichwasechoedbytheothers，and，withwavinghats，thewholepartysweptpeacefullyoutthroughthegate。
\"ButwhatdoesallthismeanaboutYOURpurchasingtheland，Mr。
Brant？\"saidMrs。Peytonquickly，fixinghereyesintentlyonClarence。
Afaintcolor——theuselessprotestofhistruthfulblood——cametohischeek。
\"ThehouseisYOURS，andyoursalone，Mrs。Peyton。Thepurchaseofthesisters’titlewasaprivatearrangementbetweenMr。Peytonandmyself，inviewofanemergencylikethis。\"
Shedidnot，however，takeherproud，searchingeyesfromhisface，andhewasforcedtoturnaway。
\"ItwasSOlikedear，good，thoughtfulpapa，\"saidSusy。\"Why，blessme，\"inalowervoice，\"ifthatisn’tthatlyingoldJimHookerstandingtherebythegate！\"
CHAPTERVIII。
JudgePeytonhadbequeathedhisentirepropertyunconditionallytohiswife。Buthisaffairswerefoundtobegreatlyindisorder，andhispapersinconfusion，andalthoughMrs。PeytoncoulddiscovernoactualrecordofthelatetransactionwithMr。Brant，whichhadsavedherthepossessionofthehomestead，itwasevidentthathehadspentlargesumsinspeculativeattemptstomaintaintheintegrityofhisestate。Thatenormousdomain，althoughperfectlyunencumbered，hadbeenneverthelessunremunerative，partlythroughthecostsoflitigationandpartlythroughthesystematicdepredationstowhichitsgreatsizeandlonglineofunprotectedboundaryhadsubjectedit。Ithadbeeninvadedbysquattersand\"jumpers，\"whohadsownandreapedcropswithoutdiscovery;itscattleandwildhorseshadstrayedorbeendrivenbeyonditsill—
definedandhopelesslimits。Againstthesedifficultiesthewidowfeltherselfunableandunwillingtocontend，andwiththeadviceofherfriendsandherlawyer，sheconcludedtoselltheestate，exceptthatportioncoveredbytheSisters’title，which，withthehomestead，hadbeenreconveyedtoherbyClarence。SheretiredwithSusytothehouseinSanFrancisco，leavingClarencetooccupyandholdthecasa，withherservants，forheruntilorderwasrestored。
TheRoblesRanchothusbecametheheadquartersofthenewowneroftheSisters’title，fromwhichheadministereditsaffairs，visiteditsincumbencies，overlookedandsurveyeditslands，and——
occasionally——collecteditsrents。Therewerenotwantingcriticswhoaverredthatthesewerescarcelyremunerative，andthattheyoungSanFranciscofinegentleman，whowasonlyHamiltonBrant’sson，afterall，yetwhowishedtoapethedignityanddegreeofalargelandholder，hadmadeaveryfoolishbargain。Igrievetosaythatoneofhisowntenants，namely，JimHooker，inhissecretheartinclinedtothatbelief，andlookeduponClarence’sspeculationasanactoffar—seeingandinordinatevanity。
Indeed，thebelligerentJimhadpartly——andofcoursedarkly——
intimatedsomethingofthistoSusyintheirbriefreunionatthecasaduringthefewdaysthatfolloweditssuccessfulreoccupation。
AndClarence，rememberingheroldercaprices，andherremarkonherfirstrecognitionofhim，wasquitesurprisedattheeasyfamiliarityofherreceptionofthisforgottencompanionoftheirchildhood。Buthewasstillmoreconcernedinnoticing，forthefirsttime，asingularsympatheticunderstandingofeachother，andanoddsimilarityofoccasionalactionandexpressionbetweenthem。
Itwasapartofthismonstrouspeculiaritythatneitherthesympathynorthelikenesssuggestedanyparticularfriendshiporamityinthepair，butratheramutualantagonismandsuspicion。
Mrs。Peyton，coldlypolitetoClarence’sformerCOMPANION，butcondescendinglygracioustohispresentTENANTandretainer，didnotnoticeit，preoccupiedwiththeannoyanceandpainofSusy’sfrequentreferencestotheolddaysoftheirdemocraticequality。
\"Youdon’tremember，Jim，thetimethatyoupaintedmyfaceinthewagon，andgotmeupasanIndianpapoose？\"shesaidmischievously。
ButJim，whohadnodesiretorecallhisprevioushumblepositionbeforeMrs。PeytonorClarence，wasonlyvaguelyresponsive。
Clarence，althoughjoyfullytouchedatthisseemingevidenceofSusy’sloyaltytothepast，neverthelessfoundhimselfevenmoreacutelypainedatthedistressitcausedMrs。Peyton，andwasasrelievedasshewasbyHooker’sreticence。ForhehadseenlittleofSusysincePeyton’sdeath，andtherehadbeennorepetitionoftheirsecretinterviews。Neitherhadhe，norsheasfarashecouldjudge，noticedtheomission。Hehadbeenmorethanusuallykind，gentle，andprotectinginhismannertowardsher，withlittlereference，however，toanyresponsefromher，yethewasvaguelyconsciousofsomechangeinhisfeelings。Heattributedit，whenhethoughtofitatall，totheexcitingexperiencesthroughwhichhehadpassed;tosomesentimentofresponsibilitytohisdeadfriend;
andtoanothersecretpreoccupationthatwasalwaysinhismind。Hebelieveditwouldpassintime。Yethefeltacertainsatisfactionthatshewasnolongerabletotroublehim，except，ofcourse，whenshepainedMrs。Peyton，andthenhewashalfconsciousoftakingtheoldattitudeofthedeadhusbandinmediatingbetweenthem。Yetsogreatwashisinexperiencethathebelieved，withpatheticsimplicityofperception，thatallthiswasduetotheslowmaturingofhisloveforher，andthathewasstillabletomakeherhappy。
Butthiswassomethingtobethoughtoflater。JustnowProvidenceseemedtohaveofferedhimavocationandapurposethathisidleadolescencehadneverknown。Hedidnotdreamthathiscapacityforpatiencewasonlytheslowwastingofhislove。
MeantimethatmorewonderfulchangeandrecreationoftheCalifornianlandscape，sofamiliar，yetalwayssoyoung，hadcometotherancho。
Theleague—longterracethathadyellowed，whitened，andwastedforhalfayearbeneathastaring，monotonoussky，nowundersailingclouds，flyingandbrokenshaftsoflight，andsharplydefinedlinesofrain，hadtakenafainthueofresurrection。Thedustthathadmuffledtheroadsandbyways，andchokedthelowoaksthatfringedthesunkencanada，hadlongsincebeenlaid。Thewarm，moistbreathofthesouthwesttradeshadsoftenedthehard，drylinesofthelandscape，andrestoreditscolorasofapictureoverwhichadampspongehadbeenpassed。Thebroadexpanseofplateaubeforethecasaglistenedandgrewdark。Thehiddenwoodsofthecanada，clearedandstrengthenedintheirsolitude，drippedalongthetrailsandhollowsthatwerenowtransformedintorunningstreams。Thedistinguishingmadrononeartheentrancetotheranchohadchangeditscrimsonsummersuitandmasqueradedinbuffandgreen。