Themistygraydomeabovehim，whichaninvisiblemoonseemedtohavequicksilveredover，alternatelylightenedanddarkenedwithpassinggustsoffinerain。Neverthelesshecouldseetheoutlineofthebroadquadrangleofthehousequitedistinctly，exceptonthewestside，whereafringeofwrithingwillowsbeatthebrownadobewallswiththeirimploringarmsateverygust。Elsewherenothingmoved;theviewwasuninterruptedtowheretheshining，wateryskymettheequallyshining，wateryplain。Hehadalreadymadeahalfcircuitofthehouse，andwasstillnoiselesslypickinghiswayalongthefurrows，muffledwithsoakedandbroken—downblades，andthevelvetyupspringingofthe\"volunteer\"growth，whensuddenly，notfiftyyardsbeforehim，withoutsoundorwarning，afigurerodeoutofthegrainupontheopencrossroad，anddeliberatelyhaltedwithalistless，abstracted，waitingair。Clarenceinstantlyrecognizedoneofhisownvacqueros，anundersizedhalf—breed，butheasinstantlydivinedthathewasonlyanoutpostorconfederate，stationedtogivethealarm。Thesameprecautionhadpreventedeachhearingtheother，andthelesserheightofthevacquerohadrenderedhimindistinguishableasheprecededClarenceamongthegrain。Astheyoungmanmadenodoubtthattherealtrespasserwasnearerthecasa，alongthelineofwillows，hewheeledtointercepthimwithoutalarminghissentry。Unfortunately，hishorseansweredtheropebridleclumsily，andsplashedinstrikingout。Thewatcherquicklyraisedhishead，andClarenceknewthathisonlychancewasnowtosuppresshim。Determinedtodothisatanyhazard，withathreateninggesturehechargedboldlydownuponhim。
Buthehadnotcrossedhalfthedistancebetweenthemwhenthemanutteredanappallingcry，sowildanddespairingthatitseemedtochilleventhehotbloodinClarence’sveins，anddashedfrenziedlydownthecross—roadintotheinterminableplain。BeforeClarencecoulddetermineifthatcrywasasignaloraninvoluntaryoutburst，itwasfollowedinstantlybythesoundoffrightenedandstrugglinghoofsclatteringagainstthewallofthecasa，andaswayingoftheshrubberynearthebackgateofthepatio。Herewashisrealquarry！Withouthesitationhedughisheelsintotheflanksofhishorseandrodefuriouslytowardsit。Asheapproached，alongtremorseemedtopassthroughtheshrubbery，withtheretreatingsoundofhorsehoofs。Theunseentrespasserhadevidentlytakenthealarmandwasfleeing，andClarencedashedinpursuit。Followingthesound，fortheshrubberyhidthefugitivefromview，hepassedthelastwallofthecasa;butitsoonbecameevidentthattheunknownhadthebetterhorse。Thehoof—beatsgrewfainterandfainter，andattimesappearedeventocease，untilhisownapproachstartedthemagain，eventuallytofadeawayinthedistance。InvainClarencedughisheelsintotheflanksofhisheaviersteed，andregrettedhisownmustang;andwhenatlasthereachedtheedgeofthethickethehadlostbothsightandsoundofthefugitive。
Thedescenttothelowerterracelaybeforehimemptyanddesolate。
Themanhadescaped！
Heturnedslowlybackwithbaffledangerandvindictiveness。
However，hehadpreventedsomething，althoughheknewnotwhat。Theprincipalhadgotaway，buthehadidentifiedhisconfederate，andforthefirsttimeheldacluetohismysteriousvisitant。Therewasnousetoalarmthehousehold，whichdidnotseemtohavebeendisturbed。Thetrespasserswerefarawaybythistime，andtheattemptwouldhardlyberepeatedthatnight。Hemadehiswayquietlybacktothecorral，letloosehishorse，andregainedthecasaunobserved。Heunlockedthearcheddoorinthewall，reenteredthedarkenedpassage，stoppedamomenttoopenthedooroftheboudoir，glanceatthecloselyfastenedcasement，andextinguishthestillburningcandle，and，relockingthedoorsecurely，madehiswaytohisownroom。
Buthecouldnotsleep。Thewholeincident，oversoquickly，hadneverthelessimpressedhimdeeply，andyetlikeadream。Thestrangeyellofthevacquerostillranginhisears，butwithanunearthlyandsuperstitioussignificancethatwasevenmoredreamlikeinitsmeaning。Heawakenedfromafitfulslumbertofindthelightofmorningintheroom，andIncarnacionstandingbyhisbedside。
Theyellowfaceofthestewardwasgreenishwithterror，andhislipsweredry。
\"Getup，SenorClarencio;getupatonce，mymaster。Strangethingshavehappened。MotherofGodprotectus！\"
Clarencerolledtohisfeet，withtheeventsofthepastnightstrugglingbackuponhisconsciousness。
\"Whatmeanyou，Nascio？\"hesaid，graspingtheman’sarm，whichwasstillmechanicallymakingthesignofthecross，ashemutteredincoherently。\"Speak，Icommandyou！\"
\"ItisJose，thelittlevacquero，whoisevennowatthepadre’shouse，ravingasalunatic，strickenasamadmanwithterror！Hehasseenhim，——thedeadalive！Saveus！\"
\"Areyoumadyourself，Nascio？\"saidClarence。\"Whomhasheseen？\"
\"Whom？Godhelpus！theoldpadron——SenorPeytonhimself！Herushedtowardshimhere，inthepatio，lastnight——outoftheair，thesky，theground，heknewnot，——hisownself，wrappedinhisoldstormcloakandhat，andridinghisownhorse，——erect，terrible，andmenacing，withanawfulhandupholdingarope——so！Hesawhimwiththeseeyes，asIseeyou。WhatHEsaidtohim，Godknows！Thepriest，perhaps，forhehasmadeconfession！\"
InaflashofintelligenceClarencecomprehendedall。Herosegrimlyandbegantodresshimself。
\"Notawordofthistothewomen，——toanyone，Nascio，dostthouunderstand？\"hesaidcurtly。\"ItmaybethatJosehasbeenpartakingtoofreelyofaguardiente，——itispossible。Iwillseethepriestmyself。Butwhatpossessesthee？Collectthyself，goodNascio。\"
Butthemanwasstilltrembling。
\"Itisnotall，——MotherofGod！itisnotall，master！\"hestammered，droppingtohiskneesandstillcrossinghimself。\"Thismorning，besidethecorral，theyfindthehorseofPedroValdezsplashedandspatteredonsaddleandbridle，andinthestirrup，——
dostthouhear？theSTIRRUP，——hanging，thetorn—offbootofValdez！
Ah，God！ThesameasHIS！Nowdoyouunderstand？ItisHIS
vengeance。No！Jesuforgiveme！itisthevengeanceofGod！\"
Clarencewasstaggered。
\"AndyouhavenotfoundValdez？Youhavelookedforhim？\"hesaid，hurriedlythrowingonhisclothes。
\"Everywhere，——allovertheplain。Thewholeranchohasbeenoutsincesunrise，——hereandthereandeverywhere。Andthereisnothing！Ofcoursenot。Whatwouldyou？\"Hepointedsolemnlytotheground。
\"Nonsense！\"saidClarence，buttoninghiscoatandseizinghishat。
\"Followme。\"
Herandownthepassage，followedbyIncarnacion，throughtheexcited，gesticulatingcrowdofservantsinthepatio，andoutofthebackgate。Heturnedfirstalongthewallofthecasatowardsthebarredwindowoftheboudoir。ThenacrycamefromIncarnacion。
Theyranquicklyforward。Hangingfromthegratingofthewindow，likeamassoflimpandsaturatedclothes，wasthebodyofPedroValdez，withoneunbootedfootdanglingwithinaninchoftheground。Hisheadwaspassedinsidethegratingandfixedasatthatmomentwhenthefirstspringofthefrightenedhorsehadbrokenhisneckbetweenthebarsasinagarrote，andthesecondplungeoftheterrifiedanimalhadcarriedoffhisbootinthecaughtstirrupwhenitescaped。
CHAPTERXI。
Thewinterrainswereoverandgone，andthewholelonglineofCaliforniancoastwasdashedwithcolor。Thereweremilesofyellowandredpoppies，leaguesoflupinesthatpaintedthegentlyroundedhillswithsoftprimaryhues，andlongcontinuousslopes，likelowmountainsystems，ofdaisiesanddandelions。AtSacramentoitwasalreadysummer;theyellowriverwasflashingandintolerable;thetuleandmarshgrasseswerelushandlong;thebloomofcottonwoodandsycamorewhitenedtheoutskirtsofthecity，andasCyrusHopkinsandhisdaughterPhoebelookedfromtheverandaofthePlacerHotel，accustomedastheyweretothecooltradewindsofthecoastvalleys，theyfelthomesickfromthememoryofeasternheats。
Later，whentheyweresurveyingthelongdinnertablesatthetabled’hotewithsomethingoftheuncomfortableandshamefacedlonelinessoftheprovincial，Phoebeutteredaslightcryandclutchedherfather’sarm。Mr。Hopkinsstayedtheplayofhissquaredelbowsandglancedinquiringlyathisdaughter’sface。Therewasaprettyanimationinit，asshepointedtoafigurethathadjustentered。
Itwasthatofayoungmanattiredintheextravaganceratherthanthetasteoftheprevailingfashion，whichdidnot，however，intheleastconcealadecidedrusticityoflimbandmovement。Alongmustache，whichlookedunkempt，eveninitspomatumedstiffness，andlank，darkhairthathadbentbutnevercurledunderthebarber’siron，madehimnotableeveninthatheterogeneousassembly。
\"That’she，\"whisperedPhoebe。
\"Who？\"saidherfather。
Alasfortheinconsistenciesoflove！Theblushcamewiththenameandnotthevision。
\"Mr。Hooker，\"shestammered。
Itwas，indeed，JimHooker。Buttheroleofhisexaggerationwasnolongerthesame;theremorsefulgloominwhichhehadbeenhabituallysteepedhadchangedintoafatigued，yethaughty，fastidiousnessmoreinkeepingwithhisfashionablegarments。Hewasmorepeaceful，yetnotentirelyplacable，and，ashesatdownatasidetableandpulleddownhisstripedcuffswithhisclaspedfingers，hecastaglanceofcriticaldisapprovalonthegeneralcompany。Nevertheless，heseemedtobefurtivelywatchfulofhiseffectuponthem，andasoneortwowhisperedandlookedtowardshim，hisconsciousnessbecamedarklymanifest。
AllofwhichmighthaveintimidatedthegentlePhoebe，butdidnotdiscomposeherfather。Herose，andcrossingovertoHooker’stable，clappedhimheartilyontheback。
\"Howdo，Hooker？Ididn’trecognizeyouinthemfineclothes，butPhoebeguessedashowitwasyou。\"
Flushed，disconcerted，irritated，butalwaysinwholesomeaweofMr。
Hopkins，Jimreturnedhisgreetingawkwardlyandhalfhysterically。
HowhewouldhavereceivedthemoretimidPhoebeisanotherquestion。ButMr。Hopkins，withoutapparentlynoticingthesesymptoms，wenton：——
\"We’reonlyjustdown，Phoebeandme，andasIguesswe’llwanttotalkoveroldtimes，we’llcomealongsideo’you。Holdon，andI’llfetchher。\"
TheintervalgavetheunhappyJimachancetorecoverhimself，toregainhisvanishedcuffs，displayhisheavywatch—chain，curlhismustache，andotherwisereassumehisairofblasefastidiousness。
Butthetransfermade，Phoebe，aftershakinghands，becamespeechlessundertheseperfections。Notsoherfather。
\"Ifthere’sanythinginlooks，youseemtobeprospering，\"hesaidgrimly;\"unlessyou’reinthetailorin’line，andyou’reonlyshowin’offstock。Whatmoutyebedoing？\"
\"Yeain’tbinlonginSacramento，Ireckon？\"suggestedJim，withpatronizingpity。
\"No，weonlycamethismorning，\"returnedHopkins。
\"Andyouain’tbintothetheatre？\"continuedJim。
\"No。\"
\"Normovedmuchin——in——gin’ralfash’nablesassiety？\"
\"Notyet，\"interposedPhoebe，withanairoffaintapology。
\"Norseenanyofthemlargepostersonthefences，of’ThePrairieFlower;or，Red—handedDick，’——three—actplaywithfivetableaux，——
justthebiggestsensationout，——runnin’forfortynights，——moneyturnedawayeverynight，——standin’roomonly？\"continuedJim，withprolongedtoleration。
\"No。\"
\"Well，IplayRed—handedDick。Ithoughtyoumighthaveseenitandrecognizedme。Allthosepeopleoverthere，\"darklyindicatingthelongtable，\"knowme。Afellowcan’tstandit，youknow，beingstaredatbysuchavulgar，low—bredlot。It’sgettin’toofreshhere。I’llhavetogivethelandlordnoticeandcutthewholehotel。Theydon’tseemtohaveeverseenagentlemanandaprofessionalbefore。\"
\"Thenyou’reaplay—actornow？\"saidthefarmer，inatonewhichdidnot，however，exhibittheexactdegreeofadmirationwhichshoneinPhoebe’seyes。
\"Forthepresent，\"saidJim，withloftyindifference。\"YouseeI
wasin——inpartnershipwithMcClosky，themanager，andIdidn’tlikethestyleofthechumpthatwasdoin’Red—handedDick，soIofferedtotakehisplaceonenighttoshowhimhow。AndbyJinks！theaudience，afterthatnight，wouldn’tletanybodyelseplayit，——
wouldn’tstandeventhebiggest，highest—pricedstarsinit！I
reckon，\"headdedgloomily，\"I’llhavetorunthedarnedthinginallthebigtownsinCaliforny，——ifIdon’thavetogoEastwithitafterall，justforthebusiness。Butit’sanawfulgrindonaman，——leaveshimnotime，alongoftheinvitationshegets，andwhatwithbeingrunafterinthestreetsandstaredatinthehotelshedon’tgetnoprivacy。There’smen，andwomen，too，overatthattable，thatjustlieinwaitformeheretillIcome，anddon’tlifttheireyesoffme。Iwondertheydon’tbringtheiropery—glasseswiththem。\"
Concerned，sympathizing，andindignant，poorPhoebeturnedherbrownheadandhonesteyesinthatdirection。Butbecausetheywerehonest，theycouldnothelpobservingthattheothertabledidnotseemtobepayingtheslightestattentiontothedistinguishedimpersonatorofRed—handedDick。Perhapshehadbeenoverheard。
\"Thenthatwasthereasonyedidn’tcomebacktoyourlocation。I
alwaysguesseditwasbecauseyou’dgotwindofthesmash—updownthere，aforewedid，\"saidHopkinsgrimly。
\"Whatsmash—up？\"askedJim，withslightlyresentfulquickness。
\"Why，thesmash—upoftheSisters’title，——didn’tyouhearthat？\"
TherewasaslightmovementofreliefandareturnofgloomyhauteurinJim’smanner。
\"No，wedon’tknowmuchofwhatgoesoninthecowcounties，uphere。\"
\"Yemout，considerin’itconcernssomeo’yourfriends，\"returnedHopkinsdryly。\"FortheSisters’titlewentsmashassoonasitwasknownthatPedroValdez——themanasstartedit——hadhisneckbrokenoutsidethewallso’RoblesRancho;andtheydosayasthisyerBrant，YOURfriend，hadsuthin’todowiththebreakingofit，thoughitwaslaidtotheghostofoldPeyton。Anyhow，therewassuchabigskeerthatoneoftheGreasergang，whothoughthe’dseentheghost，beingaPapist，tosavehiseverlastingsoulwenttothepriestandconfessed。Butthepriestwouldn’tgivehimabsolutionuntilhe’dblownthehullthing，andmadeitpublic。Andthenitturnedoutthatallthedockymentsforthetitle，andeventhecustom—housepaper，wereFORGEDbyPedroValdez，andputonthemarketbyhisconfederates。Andthat’sjustwhereYOURfriend，ClarenceBrant，comesin，forHEhadboughtupthewholetitlefromthemfellers。Now，either，assomesay，hewasinthefraudfromthebeginnin’，andneverpaidanything，orelsehewasanall—firedfool，andhadpartedwithhismoneylikeone。SomeallowthatthereasonwasthathewasawfullysweetonMrs。Peyton’sadopteddaughter，andeztheparentsdidn’tapproveofhim，hedidTHISsoastogetaholtoverthembytheproperty。Buthe’saruinedman，anyway，now;fortheysayhe’ssuchadarnedfoolthathe’sgoin’topayforalltheimprovementsthatthefolkswhoboughtunderhimputintotheland，andthat’lltakehislastcent。IthoughtI’dtellyouthat，forIsupposeYOU’VElostaheapinyourimprovements，andwillputinyourclaim？\"
\"IreckonIputnearlyasmuchintoitasClarBrantdid，\"saidJimgloomily，\"butIain’tgoin’totakeacentfromhim，orgobackonhimnow。\"
Therascalcouldnotresistthislastmendaciousopportunity，althoughhewasperfectlysincereinhisrenunciation，touchedinhissympathy，andtherewasevenafilmofmoistureinhisshiftingeyes。
Phoebewasthrilledwiththegenerosityofthisnoblebeing，whocouldbeunselfisheveninhissuperiorcondition。Sheaddedsoftly：——
\"Andtheysaythatthegirldidnotcareforhimatall，butwasactuallygoingtorunoffwithPedro，whenhestoppedherandsentforMrs。Peyton。\"
Tohersurprise，Jim’sfaceflushedviolently。
\"It’salladod—blastedlie，\"hesaid，inathickstagewhisper。
\"It’sonlythehogwashthemGreasersandPikeCountygalootsladleouttoeachotheraroundthestoveinacountygrocery。But，\"
recallinghimselfloftily，andwithatolerantwaveofhisbe—
diamondedhand，\"wotkinyouexpectfromoneofthemcowcounties？
Theyain’tsatisfiedtilltheydriveeverygentlemanoutofthedarnedgopher—holestheycalltheir’kentry。’\"
Inheradmirationofwhatshebelievedtobealoyaloutburstforhisfriend，Phoebeoverlookedtheimpliedsneeratherprovincialhome。Butherfatherwentonwithaperfunctory，exasperating，dustyaridity：——
\"Thatmebbeeezmebbee，Mr。Hooker，butthestorydowninourprecinctgoesthatshegaveMrs。Peytontheslip，——chuckeduphersituationasadopteddarter，andwentoffwithaqueersortofacirkisswoman，——oneofherownKIN，andIreckononeofherownKIND。\"
TothisMr。Hookerofferednofurtherreplythanawitheringrebukeofthewaiter，agenteelabstraction，andaloftychangeofsubject。
Hepresseduponthemtwoticketsfortheperformance，ofwhichheseemedtohaveanumberneatlyclaspedinanindia—rubberband，andadvisedthemtocomeearly。Theywouldseehimaftertheperformanceandsuptogether。Hemustleavethemnow，ashehadtobepunctuallyatthetheatre，andifhelingeredheshouldbepesteredbyinterviewers。Hewithdrewunderadazzlingdisplayofcuffandwhitehandkerchief，andwiththatinwardswingofthearmandslightbowinessoftheleggenerallyrecognizedinhisprofessionastheloungingexitofhighcomedy。
TheminglingofaweandanuneasysenseofchangedrelationswhichthatmeetingwithJimhadbroughttoPhoebewasnotlessenedwhensheenteredthetheatrewithherfatherthatevening，andevenMr。
Hopkinsseemedtoshareherfeelings。Thetheatrewaslarge，andbrilliantindecoration，theseatswerewellfilledwiththesameheterogeneousminglingshehadseeninthedining—roomatthePlacerHotel，butintheparquetweresomefashionablecostumesandcultivatedfaces。Mr。HopkinswasnotaltogethersosurethatJimhadbeen\"onlygassing。\"Butthegorgeousdropcurtain，representinganallegoryofCalifornianprosperityandabundance，presentlyuprolleduponasceneofWesternlifealmostasstrikinginitsglaringunreality。Fromarose—cladEnglishcottageinasubtropicallandscapeskipped\"Rosalie，thePrairieFlower。\"Thebriefestofskirts，themostunsulliedofstockings，thetiniestofslippers，andthefewdiamondsthatglitteredonherfairneckandfingers，revealedatoncethesimpleandunpretendingdaughteroftheAmericanbackwoodsman。Atumultofdelightedgreetingbrokefromtheaudience。Thebrightcolorcametothepink，girlishcheeks，gratifiedvanitydancedinhervioleteyes，andasshepiquantlybowedheracknowledgments，thisgreatbreathofpraiseseemedtotransfigureandpossessher。Averyyoungactorwhorepresentedthegiddyworldinastrawhatandwithaneffeminatemannerwasalternatelypettedandgirdedatbyherduringtheopeningexpositionoftheplot，untilthestatementthata\"darkdestiny\"obligedhertofollowheruncleinanemigranttrainacrosstheplainsclosedtheact，apparentlyextinguishedhim，andleftHER
thecentralfigure。Sofar，sheevidentlywasthefavorite。A
singularaversiontohercreptintotheheartofPhoebe。
ButthesecondactbroughtanIndianattackupontheemigranttrain，andhere\"Rosalie\"displayedthearchestheroismandthepinkestandmostdistractingself—possession，inmarkedcontrasttothegiddyworldlingwho，havingaccompaniedherapparentlyforcomicpurposesbestknowntohimself，coweredabjectlyunderwagons，andwaspulledignominiouslyoutofstraw，untilRedDicksweptoutofthewingswithachosenbandandaburstofrevolversandturnedthetideofvictory。AttiredasapicturesquecombinationoftheNeapolitansmuggler，river—barminer，andMexicanvacquero，JimHookerinstantlybegantojustifytheplauditsthatgreetedhimandthemostsanguinaryhopesoftheaudience。Agloomybutfascinatingcloudofgunpowderanddarkintriguefromthatmomenthungaboutthestage。
YetinthissombreobscurationRosaliehadpassedahappysixmonths，comingoutwithhercharacterandstockingsequallyunchangedandunblemished，toberewardedwiththehandofRedDickandthediscoveryofherfather，thegovernorofNewMexico，asawhite—haired，butobjectionablevacquero，atthefallofthecurtain。
ThroughthisexcitingperformancePhoebesatwithavagueandincreasingsenseoflonelinessanddistrust。ShedidnotknowthatHookerhadaddedtohisordinaryinventiveexaggerationtheformofdramaticcomposition。ButshehadearlydetectedthesingularfactthatsuchshadowyoutlinesofplotasthepiecepossessedwereevidentlybasedonhispreviousnarrativeofhisOWNexperiences，andthesavingofSusyPeyton——byhimself！Therewastheepisodeoftheirbeinglostontheplains，ashehadalreadyrelatedittoher，withtheadditionofafewyearstoSusy’sageandsomevividpicturesquenesstohimselfasRedDick。Shewasnot，ofcourse，awarethatthepartofthegiddyworldlingwasJim’sownconceptionofthecharacterofClarence。Butwhat，eventoherprovincialtaste，seemedtheextravaganceofthepiece，shefelt，insomeway，reflecteduponthetruthfulnessofthestoryshehadheard。Itseemedtobeaparodyonhimself，andinthelaughterwhichsomeofthemostthrillingpointsproducedincertainoftheaudience，sheheardanechoofherowndoubts。ButeventhisshecouldhaveborneifJim’sconfidencehadnotbeengiventothegeneralpublic;itwasnolongerHERSalone，sheshareditwiththem。Andthisstrange，boldgirl，whoactedwithhim，——the\"BlancheBelville\"ofthebills，——howoftenhemusthavetoldHERthestory，andyethowbadlyshehadlearnedit！Itwasnotherownideaofit，norofHIM。Inthelastextravagantscenesheturnedherwearyandhalf—shamedeyesfromthestageandlookedaroundthetheatre。Amongagroupofloungersbythewallafacethatseemedfamiliarwasturnedtowardsherownwithalookofkindlyandsympatheticrecognition。ItwasthefaceofClarenceBrant。Whenthecurtainfell，andsheandherfatherrosetogo，hewasattheirside。Heseemedolderandmoresuperiorlookingthanshehadeverthoughthimbefore，andtherewasagentleyetsadwisdominhiseyesandvoicethatcomfortedherevenwhileitmadeherfeellikecrying。
\"Youaresatisfiedthatnoharmhascometoourfriend，\"hesaidpleasantly。\"Ofcourseyourecognizedhim？\"
\"Oh，yes;wemethimto—day，\"saidPhoebe。Herprovincialprideimpelledhertokeepupashowofsecurityandindifference。\"Wearegoingtosupperwithhim。\"
Clarenceslightlyliftedhisbrows。
\"YouaremorefortunatethanIam，\"hesaidsmilingly。\"Ionlyarrivedhereatseven，andImustleaveatmidnight。\"
Phoebehesitatedamoment，thensaidwithaffectedcarelessness：——
\"Whatdoyouthinkoftheyounggirlwhoplayswithhim？Doyouknowher？Whoisshe？\"
Helookedatherquickly，andthensaid，withsomesurprise：——
\"Didhenottellyou？\"
\"SheWAStheadopteddaughterofMrs。Peyton，——MissSusanSilsbee，\"
hesaidgravely。
\"ThensheDIDrunawayfromhomeastheysaid，\"saidPhoebeimpulsively。
\"NotEXACTLYastheysaid，\"saidClarencegently。\"Sheelectedtomakeherhomewithheraunt，Mrs。McClosky，whoisthewifeofthemanagerofthistheatre，andsheadoptedtheprofessionamonthago。
Asitnowappearsthattherewassomeinformalityintheoldarticlesofguardianship，Mrs。Peytonwouldhavebeenpowerlesstopreventherfromdoingeither，evenifshehadwishedto。\"
TheinfelicityofquestioningClarenceregardingSusysuddenlyflashedupontheforgetfulPhoebe，andshecolored。Yet，althoughsad，hedidnotlooklikearejectedlover。
\"Ofcourse，ifsheisherewithherownrelatives，thatmakesallthedifference，\"shesaidgently。\"Itisprotection。\"
\"Certainly，\"saidClarence。
\"And，\"continuedPhoebehesitatingly，\"sheisplayingwith——with——anoldfriend——Mr。Hooker！\"
\"Thatisquiteproper，too，consideringtheirrelations，\"saidClarencetolerantly。
\"I——don’t——understand，\"stammeredPhoebe。
TheslightlycynicalsmileonClarence’sfacechangedashelookedintoPhoebe’seyes。
\"I’vejustheardthattheyaremarried，\"hereturnedgently。
CHAPTERXII。
NowherehadthelongseasonofflowersbroughtsuchgloryastothebroadplainsandslopesofRoblesRancho。Bysomefortuitouschanceofsoil，orflood，ordriftingpollen，thethreeterraceshadeachtakenadistinctandseparateblossomandtintofcolor。Thestragglinglineofcorral，thecrumblingwalloftheoldgarden，theoutlyingchapel，andeventhebrownwallsofthecasaitself，werehalfsunkeninthetallracemesofcrowdinglupines，untilfromthedistancetheyseemedtobeslowlysettlingintheprofundityofadark—bluesea。Thesecondterracewasaleague—longflowofgrayandgolddaisies，inwhichthecattledazedlywanderedmid—legdeep。
Aperpetualsunshineofyellowdandelionslayuponthethird。Thegentleslopetothedark—greencanadawasabroadcataractofcrimsonpoppies。Everywherewherewaterhadstood，greatpatchesofcolorhadtakenitsplace。Itseemedasiftherainshadceasedonlythatthebrokenheavensmightdropflowers。
Neverbeforehaditsbeauty——abeautythatseemedbuiltuponacruel，youthful，obliteratingforgetfulnessofthepast——struckClarenceaskeenlyaswhenhehadmadeuphismindthathemustleavetheplaceforever。Forthetaleofhismischanceandill—
fortune，astoldbyHopkins，wasunfortunatelytrue。WhenhediscoveredthatinhisdesiretosavePeyton’shousebythepurchaseoftheSisters’titlehehimselfhadbeenthevictimofagiganticfraud，heacceptedthelossofthegreaterpartofhisfortunewithresignation，andwasevensatisfiedbythethoughtthathehadatleasteffectedthepossessionofthepropertyforMrs。Peyton。Butwhenhefoundthatthoseofhistenantswhohadboughtunderhimhadacquiredonlyadubiouspossessionoftheirlandsandnotitle，hehadunhesitatinglyreimbursedthemfortheirimprovementswiththelastofhiscapital。OnlythelawlessGilroyhadgood—humoredlydeclined。Thequietacceptanceoftheothersdidnot，unfortunately，precludetheirsettledbeliefthatClarencehadparticipatedinthefraud，andthatevennowhisrestitutionwasmakingadangerousprecedent，subversiveofthebestinterestsoftheState，anddiscouragingtoimmigration。Somedoubtedhissanity。Onlyone，struckwiththesincerityofhismotive，hesitatedtotakehismoney，withalookofcommiserationonhisface。
\"Areyounotsatisfied？\"askedClarence，smiling。
\"Yes，but\"——
\"Butwhat？\"
\"Nothin’。OnlyIwasthinkin’thatamanlikeyoumustfeelawfullonesomeinCalforny！\"
Lonelyhewas，indeed;buthislonelinesswasnotthelossoffortunenorwhatitmightbring。Perhapshehadneverfullyrealizedhiswealth;ithadbeenanaccidentratherthanacustomofhislife，andwhenithadfailedintheonlytesthehadmadeofitspower，itistobefearedthatheonlysentimentallyregrettedit。
Itwastooearlyyetforhimtocomprehendtheveiledblessingsofthecatastropheinitsmercifuldisruptionofhabitsandwaysoflife;hislonelinesswasstillthehopelesssolitudeleftbyvanishedidealsandoverthrownidols。HewassatisfiedthathehadnevercaredforSusy，buthestillcaredforthebeliefthathehad。
AfterthediscoveryofPedro’sbodythatfatalmorning，abriefbutemphaticinterviewbetweenhimselfandMrs。McCloskyhadfollowed。
HehadinsisteduponherimmediatelyaccompanyingSusyandhimselftoMrs。PeytoninSanFrancisco。Horror—strickenandterrifiedatthecatastrophe，andfrightenedbythestrangelooksoftheexcitedservants，theydidnotdaretodisobeyhim。HehadleftthemwithMrs。Peytoninthebriefestpreliminaryinterview，duringwhichhespokeonlyofthecatastrophe，shieldingthewomanfromthepresumptionofhavingprovokedit，andurgingonlytheimportanceofsettlingthequestionofguardianshipatonce。ItwasoddthatMrs。
PeytonhadbeenlessdisturbedthanheimaginedshewouldbeatevenhischaritableversionofSusy’sunfaithfulnesstoher;itevenseemedtohimthatshehadalreadysuspectedit。Butashewasabouttowithdrawtoleavehertomeetthemalone，shehadstoppedhimsuddenly。
\"Whatwouldyouadvisemetodo？\"
Itwashisfirstinterviewwithhersincetherevelationofhisownfeelings。Helookedintothepleading，troubledeyesofthewomanhenowknewhehadloved，andstammered：——
\"Youalonecanjudge。Onlyyoumustrememberthatonecannotforceanaffectionanymorethanonecanpreventit。\"
Hefelthimselfblushing，and，consciousoftheconstructionofhiswords，heevenfanciedthatshewasdispleased。
\"Thenyouhavenopreference？\"shesaid，alittleimpatiently。
\"None。\"
Shemadeaslightgesturewithherhandsomeshoulders，butsheonlysaid，\"Ishouldhavelikedtohavepleasedyouinthis，\"andturnedcoldlyaway。Hehadleftwithoutknowingtheresultoftheinterview;butafewdayslaterhereceivedaletterfromherstatingthatshehadallowedSusytoreturntoheraunt，andthatshehadresignedallclaimstoherguardianship。
\"Itseemedtobeaforegoneconclusion，\"shewrote;\"andalthoughI
cannotthinksuchachangewillbeforherpermanentwelfare，itisherpresentWISH，andwhoknows，indeed，ifthechangewillbepermanent？Ihavenotallowedthelegalquestiontointerferewithmyjudgment，althoughherfriendsmustknowthatsheforfeitsanyclaimupontheestatebyheraction;butatthesametime，intheeventofhersuitablemarriage，IshouldtrytocarryoutwhatI
believewouldhavebeenMr。Peyton’swishes。\"
Therewereafewlinesofpostscript：\"ItseemstomethatthechangewouldleaveyoumorefreetoconsultyourownwishesinregardtocontinuingyourfriendshipwithSusy，anduponsuchafootingasmaypleaseyou。IjudgefromMrs。McClosky’sconversationthatshebelievedyouthoughtyouwereonlydoingyourdutyinreportingtome，andthatthecircumstanceshadnotalteredthegoodtermsinwhichyouallthreeformerlystood。\"
Clarencehaddroppedtheletterwithaburningindignationthatseemedtostinghiseyesuntilascaldingmoisturehidthewordsbeforehim。WhatmightnotSusyhavesaid？Whatexaggerationofhisaffectionwasshenotcapableofsuggesting？HerecalledMrs。
McClosky，andrememberedhereasyacceptanceofhimasSusy’slover。
WhathadtheytoldMrs。Peyton？Whatmustbeheropinionofhisdeceittowardsherself？Itwashardenoughtobearthisbeforeheknewhelovedher。Itwasintolerablenow！AndthisiswhatshemeantwhenshesuggestedthatheshouldrenewhisoldtermswithSusy;itwasforHIMthatthisill—disguised，scornfulgenerosityinregardtoSusy’specuniaryexpectationswasintended。Whatshouldhedo？Hewouldwritetoher，andindignantlydenyanyclandestineaffectionforSusy。Butcouldhedothat，inhonor，intruthfulness？
Woulditnotbebettertowriteandconfessall？Yes，——EVERYTHING。
Fortunatelyforhisstillboyishimpulsiveness，itwasatthistimethatthediscoveryofhisownfinancialruincametohim。TheinquestonthebodyofPedroValdezandtheconfessionofhisconfidanthadrevealedthefactsofthefraudulenttitleandforgedtestamentarydocuments。AlthoughitwascorrectlybelievedthatPedrohadmethisdeathinanescapadeofgallantryorintrigue，thecoroner’sjuryhadreturnedaverdictof\"accidentaldeath，\"andthelesserscandalwaslostinthewider，far—spreadingdisclosureoffraud。Whenhehadresolvedtoassumealltheliabilitiesofhispurchase，hewasobligedtowritetoMrs。Peytonandconfesshisruin。ButhewasgladtoremindherthatitdidnotalterHER
statusorsecurity;hehadonlygivenherthepossession，andshewouldreverttoheroriginalandnowuncontestedtitle。Butastherewasnownoreasonforhiscontinuingthestewardship，andashemustadoptsomeprofessionandseekhisfortuneelsewhere，hebeggedhertorelievehimofhisduty。Albeitwrittenwithathrobbingheartandsuffusedeyes，itwasaplain，business—like，andpracticalletter。Herreplywasequallycoolandmatteroffact。Shewassorrytohearofhislosses，althoughshecouldnotagreewithhimthattheycouldlogicallyseverhispresentconnectionwiththerancho，orthat，placeduponanotheranddistinctlybusinessfooting，theoccupationwouldnotbeasremunerativetohimasanyother。But，ofcourse，ifhehadapreferenceforsomemoreindependentposition，thatwasanotherquestion，althoughhewouldforgiveherforusingtheprivilegeofheryearstoremindhimthathisfinancialandbusinesssuccesshadnotyetjustifiedhisindependence。Shewouldalsoadvisehimnottodecidehastily，or，atleast，towaituntilshehadagainthoroughlygoneoverherhusband’spaperswithherlawyer，inreferencetotheoldpurchaseoftheSisters’title，andtheconditionsunderwhichitwasbought。SheknewthatMr。Brantwouldnotrefusethisasamatterofbusiness，norwouldthatfriendship，whichshevaluedsohighly，allowhimtoimperilthepossessionoftheranchobyleavingitatsuchamoment。Assoonasshehadfinishedtheexaminationofthepapers，shewouldwriteagain。Herletterseemedtoleavehimnohope，if，indeed，hehadeverindulgedinany。Itwasthepracticalkindlinessofawomanofbusiness，nothingmore。Astotheexaminationofherhusband’spapers，thatwasanaturalprecaution。Healoneknewthattheywouldgivenorecordofatransactionwhichhadneveroccurred。Hebrieflyrepliedthathisintentiontoseekanothersituationwasunchanged，butthathewouldcheerfullyawaitthearrivalofhissuccessor。
Twoweekspassed。ThenMr。Sanderson，Mrs。Peyton’slawyer，arrived，bringinganapologeticnotefromMrs。Peyton。Shewassosorryherbusinesswasstilldelayed，butasshehadfeltthatshehadnorighttodetainhimentirelyatRobles，shehadsenttoMr。
SandersontoTEMPORARILYrelievehim，thathemightbefreetolookaroundhimorvisitSanFranciscoinreferencetohisownbusiness，onlyextractingapromisefromhimthathewouldreturntoRoblestomeetherattheendoftheweek，beforesettlinguponanything。
ThebittersmilewithwhichClarencehadreadthusfarsuddenlychanged。Somemysterioustouchofunbusiness—likebutwomanlyhesitation，thathehadnevernoticedinherpreviousletters，gavehimafaintsenseofpleasure，asifhernotehadbeenperfumed。Hehadavailedhimselfoftheoffer。ItwasonthisvisittoSacramentothathehadaccidentallydiscoveredthemarriageofSusyandHooker。
\"It’sagreatdealbetterbusinessforhertohaveahusbandinthe’profesh’ifshe’sagoin’tosticktoit，\"saidhisinformant，Mrs。
McClosky，\"andshe’snothingifsheain’tbusinessandprofesh，Mr。
Brant。Ineverseeagirlthatwasbornforthestage——yes，youmightsayjesscutouto’theboardsofthestage——asthatgirlSusyis！Andthat’sjestwhat’sthematter;andYOUknowit，andIknowit，andthereyouare！\"
ItwaswiththeseexperiencesthatClarencewasto—dayreenteringthewoodedandrockygatewayoftheranchofromthehighroadofthecanada;butashecanteredupthefirstslope，throughthedriftofscarletpoppiesthatalmostobliteratedthetrack，andtheblueandyellowbloomsoftheterracesagainbrokeuponhisview，hethoughtonlyofMrs。Peyton’spleasureinthischangedaspectofheroldhome。Shehadtoldhimofitoncebefore，andofherdelightinit;
andhehadoncethoughthowhappyheshouldbetoseeitwithher。
TheservantwhotookhishorsetoldhimthatthesenorahadarrivedthatmorningfromSantaInez，bringingwithherthetwoSenoritasHernandezfromtheranchoofLosCanejos，andthatotherguestswereexpected。AndtherewastheSenorSandersonandhisReverencePadreEsteban。Trulyanaffairofhospitality，thefirstsincethepadrondied。WhateverdreamClarencemighthavehadofopportunitiesforconfidentialinterviewwasrudelydispelled。YetMrs。PeytonhadleftorderstobeinformedatonceofDonClarencio’sarrival。
AshecrossedthepatioandsteppeduponthecorridorhefanciedhealreadydetectedintheinternalarrangementsthesubtleinfluenceofMrs。Peyton’stasteandtheindefinabledominationofthemistress。Foraninstanthethoughtofanticipatingtheservantandseekingherintheboudoir，butsomeinstinctwithheldhim，andheturnedintothestudywhichhehadusedasanoffice。Itwasempty;
afewembersglimmeredonthehearth。Atthesamemomenttherewasalightstepbehindhim，andMrs。Peytonenteredandclosedthedoorbehindher。Shewasverybeautiful。Althoughpalerandthinner，therewasanoddsortofanimationabouther，sounlikeherusualreposethatitseemedalmostfeverish。
\"Ithoughtwecouldtalktogetherafewmomentsbeforetheguestsarrive。Thehousewillbepresentlysofull，andmydutiesashostesscommence。\"
\"Iwas——abouttoseekyou——in——intheboudoir，\"hesitatedClarence。
Shegaveanimpatientshiver。
\"Goodheavens，notthere！Ishallnevergothereagain。IshouldfancyeverytimeIlookedoutofthewindowthatIsawtheheadofthatmanbetweenthebars。No！IamonlythankfulthatIwasn’thereatthetime，andthatIcankeepmyremembranceofthedearoldplaceunchanged。\"Shecheckedherselfalittleabruptly，andthenaddedsomewhatirrelevantlybutcheerfully，\"Well，youhavebeenaway？Whathaveyoudone？\"
\"Nothing，\"saidClarence。
\"Thenyouhavekeptyourpromise，\"shesaid，withthesamenervoushilarity。
\"Ihavereturnedherewithoutmakinganyotherengagement，\"hesaidgravely;\"butIhavenotalteredmydetermination。\"
Sheshruggedhershouldersagain，or，asitseemed，theskinofhertightlyfittingblackdressabovethem，withthesensitiveshiverofahighlygroomedhorse，andmovedtothehearthasifforwarmth;
putherslim，slipperedfootuponthelowfender，drawing，withaquickhand，thewholewidthofherskirtbehindheruntilitclinginglyaccentedthelong，gracefulcurvefromherhiptoherfeet。Allthiswassounlikeherusualfastidiousnessandreposethathewasstruckbyit。Withhereyesontheglowingembersofthehearth，andtentativelyadvancinghertoetoitswarmthanddrawingitaway，shesaid：——
\"Ofcourse，youmustpleaseyourself。IamafraidIhavenorightexceptthatofhabitandcustomtokeepyouhere;andyouknow，\"sheadded，withanonlyhalf—withheldbitterness，\"thattheyarenotalwaysveryeffectivewithyoungpeoplewhoprefertohavetheorderingoftheirownlives。ButIhavesomethingstilltotellyoubeforeyoufinallydecide。Ihave，asyouknow，beenlookingovermy——overMr。Peyton’spapersverycarefully。Well，asaresult，I
find，Mr。Brant，thatthereisnorecordwhateverofhiswonderfullyprovidentialpurchaseoftheSisters’titlefromyou;thatheneverenteredintoanywrittenagreementwithyou，andneverpaidyouacent;andthat，furthermore，hispapersshowmethatheneverevencontemplatedit;nor，indeed，evenknewofYOURowningthetitlewhenhedied。Yes，Mr。Brant，itwasalltoYOURforesightandprudence，andYOURgenerosityalone，thatweoweourpresentpossessionoftherancho。Whenyouhelpedusintothatawfulwindow，itwasYOURhousewewereentering;andifithadbeenYOU，andnotthosewretches，whohadchosentoshutthedoorsonusafterthefuneral，wecouldneverhaveenteredhereagain。Don’tdenyit，Mr。Brant。Ihavesuspecteditalongtime，andwhenyouspokeofchangingYOURposition，Ideterminedtofindoutifitwasn’tIwhohadtoleavethehouseratherthanyou。Onemoment，please。AndI
didfindout，anditWASI。Don’tspeak，please，yet。Andnow，\"
shesaid，withaquickreturntoherpreviousnervoushilarity，\"knowingthis，asyoudid，andknowing，too，thatIwouldknowitwhenIexaminedthepapers，——don’tspeak，I’mnotthroughyet，——
don’tyouthinkthatitwasjustaLITTLEcruelforyoutotrytohurryme，andmakemecomehereinsteadofyourcomingtoMEinSanFrancisco，whenIgaveyouleaveforthatpurpose？\"
\"But，Mrs。Peyton，\"gaspedClarence。
\"Pleasedon’tinterruptme，\"saidthelady，withatouchofheroldimperiousness，\"forinamomentImustjoinmyguests。WhenIfoundyouwouldn’ttellme，andleftittometofindout，IcouldonlygoawayasIdid，andreallyleaveyoutocontrolwhatIbelievedwasyourownproperty。AndIthought，too，thatIunderstoodyourmotives，and，tobefrankwithyou，thatworriedme;forIbelievedIknewthedispositionandfeelingsofacertainpersonbetterthanyourself。\"
\"Onemoment，\"brokeoutClarence，\"youMUSThearme，now。Foolishandmisguidedasthatpurchasemayhavebeen，IsweartoyouIhadonlyonemotiveinmakingit，——tosavethehomesteadforyouandyourhusband，whohadbeenmyfirstandearliestbenefactors。Whattheresultofitwas，you，asabusinesswoman，know;yourfriendsknow;yourlawyerwilltellyouthesame。Youowemenothing。I
havegivenyounothingbuttherepossessionofthisproperty，whichanyothermancouldhavedone，andperhapslessstupidlythanIdid。
IwouldnothaveforcedyoutocomeheretohearthisifIhaddreamedofyoursuspicions，orevenifIhadsimplyunderstoodthatyouwouldseemeinSanFranciscoasIpassedthrough。\"
\"Passedthrough？Wherewereyougoing？\"shesaidquickly。
\"ToSacramento。\"
TheabruptchangeinhermannerstartledhimtoarecollectionofSusy，andheblushed。Shebitherlips，andmovedtowardsthewindow。
\"Thenyousawher？\"shesaid，turningsuddenlytowardshim。Theinquiryofherbeautifuleyeswasmoreimperativethanherspeech。
Clarencerecognizedquicklywhathethoughtwashiscruelblunderintouchingthehalf—healedwoundofseparation。Buthehadgonetoofartobeotherthanperfectlytruthfulnow。
\"Yes;Isawheronthestage，\"hesaid，withareturnofhisboyishearnestness;\"andIlearnedsomethingwhichIwantedyoutofirsthearfromme。SheisMARRIED，——andtoMr。Hooker，whoisinthesametheatricalcompanywithher。ButIwantyoutothink，asI
honestlydo，thatitisthebestforher。Shehasmarriedinherprofession，whichisagreatprotectionandahelptohersuccess，andshehasmarriedamanwhocanlooklightlyuponcertainqualitiesinherthatothersmightnotbesolenientto。Hisworstfaultsareonthesurface，andwillwearawayincontactwiththeworld，andhelooksuptoherashissuperior。Igatheredthisfromherfriend，forIdidnotspeakwithhermyself;Ididnotgotheretoseeher。ButasIexpectedtobeleavingyousoon，IthoughtitonlyrightthatasIwasthehumblemeansoffirstbringingherintoyourlife，Ishouldbringyouthislastnews，whichIsupposetakesheroutofitforever。OnlyIwantyoutobelievethatYOUhavenothingtoregret，andthatSHEisneitherlostnorunhappy。\"
Theexpressionofsuspiciousinquiryonherfacewhenhebeganchangedgraduallytoperplexityashecontinued，andthenrelaxedintoafaint，peculiarsmile。Buttherewasnottheslightesttraceofthatpain，woundedpride，indignation，oranger，thathehadexpectedtoseeuponit。
\"Thatmeans，Isuppose，Mr。Brant，thatYOUnolongercareforher？\"
Thesmilehadpassed，yetshespokenowwithahalf—real，half—
affectedarchnessthatwasalsounlikeher。
\"Itmeans，\"saidClarencewithawhiteface，butasteadyvoice，\"thatIcareforhernowasmuchasIevercaredforher，nomattertowhatfollyitoncemighthaveledme。Butitmeans，also，thattherewasnotimewhenIwasnotabletotellittoYOUasfranklyasIdonow\"——
\"Onemoment，please，\"sheinterrupted，andturnedquicklytowardsthedoor。Sheopeneditandlookedout。\"Ithoughttheywerecallingme，——and——I——I——MUSTgonow，Mr。Brant。Andwithoutfinishingmybusinesseither，orsayinghalfIhadintendedtosay。
Butwait\"——sheputherhandtoherheadinaprettyperplexity，\"it’samoonlightnight，andI’llproposeafterdinnerastrollinthegardens，andyoucanmanagetowalkalittlewithme。\"Shestoppedagain，returned，said，\"ItwasverykindofyoutothinkofmeatSacramento，\"heldoutherhand，allowedittoremainforaninstant，coolbutacquiescent，inhiswarmergrasp，andwiththesameoddyouthfulnessofmovementandgestureslippedoutofthedoor。
Anhourlatershewasattheheadofherdinnertable，serene，beautiful，andcalm，inherelegantmourning，provokinglyinaccessibleinthesweetdeliberationofherwidowedyears;PadreEstebanwasathersidewithalocalmagnate，whohadknownPeytonandhiswife，whileDonnaRositaandapairofliquid—tongued，childlikesenoritaswerenearClarenceandSanderson。TothepriestMrs。PeytonspokeadmiringlyofthechangesintheranchoandtherestorationoftheMissionChapel，andtogethertheyhadcommendedClarencefromtheleveloftheirsuperiorpassionlessreserveandyears。Clarencefelthopelesslyyoungandhopelesslylonely;thenaiveprattleoftheyounggirlsbesidehimappearedinfantine。Inhisabstraction，heheardMrs。Peytonalludetothebeautyofthenight，andproposethataftercoffeeandchocolatetheladiesshouldputontheirwrapsandgowithhertotheoldgarden。Clarenceraisedhiseyes;shewasnotlookingathim，buttherewasaslightconsciousnessinherfacethatwasnottherebefore，andthefaintestcolorinhercheek，stilllingering，nodoubt，fromtheexcitementofconversation。
Itwasacool，tranquil，dewlessnightwhentheyatlaststraggledout，mereblackandwhitepatchesinthecolorlessmoonlight。Thebrilliancyoftheflower—huedlandscapewassubduedunderitspassive，paleausterity;eventhegrayandgoldofthesecondterraceseemeddulledandconfused。AtanyothertimeClarencemighthavelingeredoverthisstrangeeffect，buthiseyesfollowedonlyatallfigure，inalongstripedburnous，thatmovedgracefullybesidethesoutanedpriest。Asheapproached，itturnedtowardshim。
\"Ah！hereyouare。IjusttoldFatherEstebanthatyoutalkedofleavingto—morrow，andthathewouldhavetoexcusemeafewmomentswhileyoushowedmewhatyouhaddonetotheoldgarden。\"
Shemovedbesidehim，and，withahesitationthatwasnotunlikeamoreyouthfultimidity，slippedherhandthroughhisarm。Itwasforthefirsttime，and，withoutthinking，hepresseditimpulsivelytohisside。IhavealreadyintimatedthatClarence’sreservewasattimesqualifiedbysingulardirectness。
Afewstepscarriedthemoutofhearing;afewmore，andtheyseemedaloneintheworld。Thelongadobewallglancedawayemptilybesidethem，andwaslost;theblackshadowsoftheknottedpear—treeswerebeneaththeirfeet。Theybegantowalkwiththeslightaffectationoftreadingtheshadowsasiftheywerepatternsonacarpet。
Clarencewasvoiceless，andyetheseemedtobemovingbesideaspiritthatmustbefirstaddressed。
Butitwasfleshandbloodnevertheless。
\"IinterruptedyouinsomethingyouweresayingwhenIlefttheoffice，\"shesaidquietly。
\"IwasspeakingofSusy，\"returnedClarenceeagerly;\"and\"——
\"Thenyouneedn’tgoon，\"interruptedMrs。Peytonquickly。\"I
understandyou，andbelieveyou。Iwouldrathertalkofsomethingelse。WehavenotyetarrangedhowIcanmakerestitutiontoyouforthecapitalyousankinsavingthisplace。Youwillbereasonable，Mr。Brant，andnotleavemewiththeshameandpainofknowingthatyouruinedyourselfforthesakeofyouroldfriends。
Foritisnomoreasentimentalideaofminetofeelinthiswaythanitisafairandsensibleoneforyoutoimplythatamerequibbleofconstructionabsolvesmefromresponsibility。Mr。
Sandersonhimselfadmitsthattherepossessionyougaveusisafairandlegalbasisforanyarrangementofsharingordivisionofthepropertywithyou，thatmightenableyoutoremainhereandcontinuetheworkyouhavesowellbegun。Haveyounosuggestion，ormustitcomefromME，Mr。Brant？\"
\"Neither。Letusnottalkofthatnow。\"
Shedidnotseemtonoticetheboyishdoggednessofhisspeech，exceptsofarasitmighthaveincreasedherinconsequentandnervouslypitchedlevity。
\"ThensupposewespeakoftheMissesHernandez，withwhomyouscarcelyexchangedawordatdinner，andwhomIinvitedforyouandyourfluentSpanish。Theyarecharminggirls，eveniftheyarealittlestupid。ButwhatcanIdo？IfIamtolivehere，Imusthaveafewyoungpeoplearoundme，ifonlytomaketheplacecheerfulforothers。DoyouknowIhavetakenagreatfancytoMissRogers，andhaveaskedhertovisitme。Ithinksheisagoodfriendofyours，althoughperhapssheisalittleshy。What’sthematter？Youhavenothingagainsther，haveyou？\"
Clarencehadstoppedshort。Theyhadreachedtheendofthepear—
treeshadows。Afewstepsmorewouldbringthemtothefallensouthwallofthegardenandtheopenmoonlightbeyond，buttotherightanolivealleyofdeepershadowdiverged。
\"No，\"hesaid，withslowdeliberation;\"IhavetothankMaryRogersforhavingdiscoveredsomethinginmethatIhavebeenblindly，foolishly，andhopelesslystrugglingwith。\"
\"And，pray，whatwasthat？\"saidMrs。Peytonsharply。
\"ThatIloveyou！\"
Mrs。Peytonwasfairlystartled。Theembarrassmentofanytruthisapttobeinitseternalabruptness，whichnodeviousnessoftactorcircumlocutionofdiplomacyhaseveryetsurmounted。Whateverhadbeeninherheart，ormind，shewasunpreparedforthisdirectness。
Thebolthaddroppedfromthesky;theywerealone;therewasnothingbetweenthestarsandtheearthbutherselfandthismanandthistruth;itcouldnotbeoverlooked，surmounted，orescapedfrom。
Asteportwomorewouldtakeheroutofthegardenintothemoonlight，butalwaysintothisawfulfranknessofbluntandoutspokennature。Shehesitated，andturnedthecornerintotheoliveshadows。Itwas，perhaps，moredangerous;butlessshameless，andlessliketruckling。AndtheappallinglydirectClarenceinstantlyfollowed。
\"Iknowyouwilldespiseme，hateme;and，perhaps，worstofall，disbelieveme;butIsweartoyou，now，thatIhavealwayslovedyou，——yes，ALWAYS！WhenfirstIcamehere，itwasnottoseemyoldplaymate，butYOU，forIhadkeptthememoryofyouasIfirstsawyouwhenaboy，andyouhavealwaysbeenmyideal。Ihavethoughtof，dreamedof，worshiped，andlivedfornootherwoman。EvenwhenIfoundSusyagain，grownuphereatyourside;evenwhenIthoughtthatImight，withyourconsent，marryher，itwasthatImightbewithYOUalways;thatImightbeapartofYOURhome，yourfamily，andhaveaplacewithherinYOURheart;foritwasyouIloved，andYOUonly。Don’tlaughatme，Mrs。Peyton，itisthetruth，thewholetruth，Iamtellingyou。Godhelpme！\"
IfsheonlyCOULDhavelaughed，——harshly，ironically，orevenmercifullyandkindly！Butitwouldnotcome。Andsheburstout：——
\"Iamnotlaughing。Goodheavens，don’tyousee？ItisMEyouaremakingridiculous。\"
\"YOUridiculous？\"hesaidinamomentarilychoked，half—stupefiedvoice。\"You——abeautifulwoman，mysuperiorineverything，themistressoftheselandswhereIamonlysteward——maderidiculous，notbymypresumption，butbymyconfession？WasthesaintyoujustnowadmiredinFatherEsteban’schapelridiculousbecauseofthepeonclownswhowerekneelingbeforeit？\"
\"Hush！Thisiswicked！Stop！\"
Shefeltshewasnowonfirmground，andmadethemostofitinvoiceandmanner。Shemustdrawthelinesomewhere，andshewoulddrawitbetweenpassionandimpiety。
\"NotuntilIhavetoldyouall，andIMUSTbeforeIleaveyou。I
lovedyouwhenIcamehere，——evenwhenyourhusbandwasalive。
Don’tbeangry，Mrs。Peyton;HEwouldnot，andneednot，havebeenangry;hewouldhavepitiedthefoolishboy，who，intheveryinnocenceandignoranceofhispassion，mighthaverevealedittohimashedidtoeverybodybutONE。Andyet，Isometimesthinkyoumighthaveguessedit，hadyouthoughtofmeatall。ItmusthavebeenonmylipsthatdayIsatwithyouintheboudoir。IknowthatIwasfilledwithit;withitandwithyou;withyourpresence，withyourbeauty，yourgraceofheartandmind，——yes，Mrs。Peyton，evenwithyourownunrequitedloveforSusy。Only，then，Iknewnotwhatitwas。\"
\"ButIthinkIcantellyouwhatitwasthen，andnow，\"saidMrs。
Peyton，recoveringhernervouslittlelaugh，thoughitdiedamomentafteronherlips。\"Irememberitverywell。YoutoldmethenthatIREMINDEDYOUOFYOURMOTHER。Well，Iamnotoldenoughtobeyourmother，Mr。Brant，butIamoldenoughtohavebeen，andmighthavebeen，themotherofyourwife。Thatwaswhatyoumeantthen;thatiswhatyoumeannow。Iwaswrongtoaccuseyouoftryingtomakemeridiculous。Iaskyourpardon。Letusleaveitasitwasthatdayintheboudoir，asitisNOW。Letmestillremindyouofyourmother，——Iknowshemusthavebeenagoodwomantohavehadsogoodason，——andwhenyouhavefoundsomesweetyounggirltomakeyouhappy，cometomeforamother’sblessing，andwewilllaughattherecollectionandmisunderstandingofthisevening。\"
Hervoicedidnot，however，exhibitthatexquisitematernaltendernesswhichthebeatificvisionoughttohavecalledup，andthepersistentvoiceofClarencecouldnotbeevadedintheshadow。
\"Isaidyouremindedmeofmymother，\"hewentonatherside，\"becauseIknewherandlostheronlyasachild。Sheneverwasanythingtomebutamemory，andyetanidealofallthatwassweetandlovableinwoman。Perhapsitwasadreamofwhatshemighthavebeenwhenshewasasyounginyearsasyou。Ifitpleasesyoustilltomisunderstandme，itmaypleaseyoualsotoknowthatthereisareminderofhereveninthis。Ihavenoremembranceofawordofaffectionfromher，noracaress;Ihavebeenashopelessinmyloveforherwhowasmymother，asofthewomanIwouldmakemywife。\"
\"Butyouhaveseennoone，youknownoone，youareyoung，youscarcelyknowyourownself！Youwillforgetthis，youwillforgetME！Andif——if——Ishould——listentoyou，whatwouldtheworldsay，whatwouldYOUyourselfsayafewyearshence？Oh，bereasonable。
Thinkofit，——itwouldbesowild，——somad！so——so——utterlyridiculous！\"
Inproofofitsludicrousquality，twotearsescapedhereyesinthedarkness。ButClarencecaughtthewhiteflashofherwithdrawnhandkerchiefintheshadow，andcapturedherreturninghand。Itwastrembling，butdidnotstruggle，andpresentlyhusheditselftorestinhis。
\"I’mnotonlyafoolbutabrute，\"hesaidinalowervoice。
\"Forgiveme。Ihavegivenyoupain，——you，forwhomIwouldhavedied。\"
Theyhadbothstopped。Hewasstillholdinghersleepinghand。Hisarmhadstolenaroundtheburnoussosoftlythatitfollowedthecurvesofherfigureaslightlyasafoldofthegarment，andwaspresumablyunfelt。Griefhasitsprivileges，andsufferingexoneratesaquestionablesituation。InanothermomentherfairheadMIGHThavedroppeduponhisshoulder。Butanapproachingvoiceuproseintheadjoiningbroadallee。ItmighthavebeentheworldspeakingthroughthevoiceofthelawyerSanderson。
\"Yes，heisagoodfellow，andanintelligentfellow，too，butaperfectchildinhisexperienceofmankind。\"
Theybothstarted，butMrs。Peyton’shandsuddenlywokeupandgraspedhisfirmly。Thenshesaidinahigher，butperfectlyleveltone：——
\"Yes，Ithinkwithyouwehadbetterlookatitagaininthesunlightto—morrow。Butherecomeourfriends;theyhaveprobablybeenwaitingforustojointhemandgoin。\"……
ThewholesomefreshnessofearlymorningwasintheroomwhenClarenceawoke，clearedandstrengthened。Hisresolutionhadbeenmade。Hewouldleavetheranchothatmorning，toentertheworldagainandseekhisfortuneelsewhere。ThiswasonlyrighttoHER，whosefutureitshouldneverbesaidhehadimperiledbyhisfollyandinexperience;andif，inayearortwoofstrugglehecouldprovehisrighttoaddressheragain，hewouldreturn。Hehadnotspokentohersincetheyhadpartedinthegarden，withthegrimtruthsofthelawyerringinginhisears，buthehadwrittenafewlinesoffarewell，tobegiventoherafterhehadleft。Hewascalminhisresolution，albeitalittlepaleandhollow—eyedforit。
Hecreptdownstairsinthegraytwilightofthescarce—awakenedhouse，andmadehiswaytothestables。Saddlinghishorse，andmounting，hepacedforthintothecrispmorningair。Thesun，justrisen，waseverywherebringingoutthefreshcoloroftheflower—
strewnterraces，asthelastnight’sshadows，whichhadhiddenthem，wereslowlybeatenback。Hecastalastlookatthebrownadobequadrangleofthequiethouse，justtouchedwiththebronzingofthesun，andthenturnedhisfacetowardsthehighway。Ashepassedtheangleoftheoldgardenhehesitated，but，stronginhisresolution，heputtherecollectionoflastnightbehindhim，androdebywithoutraisinghiseyes。
\"Clarence！\"
ItwasHERvoice。Hewheeledhishorse。ShewasstandingbehindthegrilleintheoldwallashehadseenherstandingonthedayhehadriddentohisrendezvouswithSusy。ASpanishmantawasthrownoverherheadandshoulders，asifshehaddressedhastily，andhadrunouttointercepthimwhilehewasstillinthestable。Herbeautifulfacewaspaleinitsblack—hoodedrecess，andtherewerefaintcirclesaroundherlovelyeyes。
\"Youweregoingwithoutsaying’goodby’！\"shesaidsoftly。
Shepassedherslimwhitehandbetweenthegrating。Clarenceleapedtotheground，caughtit，andpressedittohislips。Buthedidnotletitgo。
\"No！no！\"shesaid，strugglingtowithdrawit。\"Itisbetterasitis——as——asyouhavedecidedittobe。OnlyIcouldnotletyougothus，——withoutaword。Therenow，——go，Clarence，go。Please！
Don’tyouseeIambehindthesebars？Thinkofthemastheyearsthatseparateus，mypoor，dear，foolishboy。Thinkofthemasstandingbetweenus，growingcloser，heavier，andmorecruelandhopelessastheyearsgoon。\"
Ah，well！theyhadbeengoodbarsahundredandfiftyyearsago，whenitwasthoughtasnecessarytorepresstheinnocencethatwasbehindthemasthewickednessthatwaswithout。TheyhaddonedutyintheconventatSantaInez，andthemonasteryofSantaBarbara，andhadbeenbroughthitherinGovernorMicheltorrenas’timetokeepthedaughtersofRoblesfromtheinsidiouscontactoftheouterworld，whentheytooktheairintheircloisteredpleasance。
Guitarshadtinkledagainsttheminvain，andtheyhadwithstoodthestressandstormoflovetokens。But，likemanyotherthingswhichhavehadtheirdayandtime，theyhadretainedtheirsemblanceofpower，evenwhilerattlinglooselyintheirsockets，onlybecausenoonehadeverthoughtofputtingthemtothetest，and，inthestronghandofClarence，assisted，perhaps，bytheleaningfigureofMrs。
Peyton，Igrievetosaythatthewholegrillesuddenlycollapsed，becameaframeoftinklingiron，andthenclanked，barbybar，intotheroad。Mrs。Peytonutteredalittlecryanddrewback，andClarence，leapingtheruins，caughtherinhisarms。
Foramomentonly，forshequicklywithdrewfromthem，andalthoughthemorningsunlightwasquiterosyonhercheeks，shesaidgravely，pointingtothedismantledopening：——
\"IsupposeyouMUSTstaynow，foryounevercouldleavemeherealoneanddefenseless。\"
Hestayed。Andwiththisfulfillmentofhisyouthfuldreamstheromanceofhisyoungmanhoodseemedtobecompleted，andsoclosedthesecondvolumeofthistrilogy。Butwhateffectthatfulfillmentofyouthhaduponhismatureryears，orthefortunesofthosewhowerenearlyconcernedinit，maybetoldinalaterandfinalchronicle。