Whattheywouldhavesaidisnotknown,foratthatmomentthevoicesofClementinaandMrs.Ramirezwereheardinthepassage,andtheybothenteredthegallery.Thetwomenwerestandingtogether;itwasimpossibletoseeonewithouttheother.
　　AndyetGrant,whoseeyeswereinstantlydirectedtoClementina,thoughtthatshehadnotedneither.Sheremainedforaninstantstandinginthedoorwayinthesameself-possessed,coldlygracefulposeherememberedshehadtakenontheplatformatTasajara.Hereyelidswereslightlydowncast,asifshehadbeenarrestedbysomesuddenthoughtorsomeshymaidensensitiveness;inherhesitationMrs.Ramirezpassedimpatientlybeforeher.
　　"MotherofGod!"saidthatlivelylady,regardingthetwospeechlessmen,"isitanindiscretionwearemakinghere——orareyoudumb?You,DonDiego,areloudenoughwhenyouandDonJosearetogether;atleastintroduceyourfriend."
　　Grantquicklyrecoveredhimself."Iamafraid,"hesaid,comingforward,"unlessMissHarcourtdoes,thatIamameretrespasserinyourhouse,Senora.Isawherpassinyourcarriageafewmomentsago,andhavingamessageforherIventuredtofollowherhere."
　　"ItisMr.Grant,afriendofmyfather's,"saidClementina,smilingwithequanimity,asifjustawakeningfromamomentaryabstraction,yetapparentlyunconsciousofGrant'simploringeyes;
　　"buttheothergentlemanIhavenotthepleasureofknowing."
　　"Ah!DonDiegoFletcher,acountrymanofyours;andyetIthinkheknowsyounot."
　　Clementina'sfacebetrayednoindicationofthepresenceofherfather'sfoe,andyetGrantknewthatshemusthaverecognizedhisname,asshelookedtowardsFletcherwithperfectself-possession.
　　HewastoomuchengagedinwatchinghertotakenoteofFletcher'smanifestdisturbance,ortheevidenteffortwithwhichheatlastbowedtoher.Thatthisunexpecteddoublemeetingwiththedaughterofthemanhehadwronged,andthemanwhohadespousedthequarrel,shouldbeconfoundingtohimappearedonlynatural.
　　ButhewasunpreparedtounderstandthefeverishalacritywithwhichheacceptedDonaMaria'sinvitationtochocolate,ortheequallyanimatedwayinwhichClementinathrewherselfintoherhostess'sSpanishlevity.Heknewitwasanawkwardsituation,thatmustbesurmountedwithoutascene;hewasquitepreparedinthepresenceofClementinatobeciviltoFletcher;butitwasoddthatinthisfeverishexchangeofcourtesiesandcomplimentsHE,Grant,shouldfeelthegreaterawkwardnessandbethemostillatease.Hesatdownandtookhispartintheconversation;heletittranspireforClementina'sbenefitthathehadbeentoLosGatosonlyonbusiness,yettherewasnoopportunityforevenasignificantglance,andhehadtheaddedembarrassmentofseeingthatsheexhibitednosurprisenorseemedtoattachtheleastimportancetohisinopportunevisit.Inamiserableindecisionheallowedhimselftobecarriedawaybythehigh-flownhospitalityofhisSpanishhostess,andconsentedtostaytoanearlydinner.ItwaspartoftheinfelicityofcircumstancethatthevolubleDonaMaria——electinghimasthedistinguishedstrangerabovetheresidentFletcher——monopolizedhimandattachedhimtoherside.
　　Shewoulddothehonorsofherhouse;shemustshowhimtheruinsoftheoldMissionbesidethecorral;DonDiegoandClementinawouldjointhempresentlyinthegarden.HecastadespairingglanceattheplacidlysmilingClementina,whowasapparentlyequallyindifferenttotheevidentconstraintandassumedeaseofthemanbesideher,andturnedawaywithMrs.Ramirez.
　　AsilencefelluponthegallerysodeepthattherecedingvoicesandfootstepsofGrantandhishostessinthelongpassageweredistinctlyhearduntiltheyreachedtheend.ThenFletcherarosewithaninarticulateexclamation.Clementinainstantlyputherfingertoherlips,glancedaroundthegallery,extendedherhandtohim,andsaying"Come,"half-led,half-draggedhimintothepassage.Totherightsheturnedandpushedopenthedoorofasmallroomthatseemedacombinationofboudoirandoratory,litbyaFrenchwindowopeningtothegarden,andflankedbyalargeblackandwhitecrucifixwithaprieDieubeneathit.Closingthedoorbehindthemsheturnedandfacedhercompanion.Butitwasnolongerthefaceofthewomanwhohadbeensittinginthegallery;
　　itwasthefacethathadlookedbackatherfromthemirroratTasajarathenightthatGranthadlefther——eager,flushed,materialwithcommonplaceexcitement!
　　"'LigeCurtis,"shesaid.
　　"Yes,"heansweredpassionately,"LigeCurtis,whomyouthoughtdead!'LigeCurtis,whomyouoncepitied,condoledwithanddespised!'LigeCurtis,whoselandsandpropertyhaveenrichedyou!'LigeCurtis,whowouldhaveshareditwithyoufreelyatthetime,butwhomyourfatherjuggledanddefraudedofit!'LigeCurtis,brandedbyhimasadrunkenoutcastandsuicide!'LigeCurtis"——
　　"Hush!"Sheclappedherlittlehandoverhismouthwithaquickbutawkwardschoolgirlgesture,inconceivabletoanywhohadknownherusuallanguideleganceofmotion,andhelditthere.Hestruggledangrily,impatiently,reproachfully,andthen,withasuddencharacteristicweaknessthatseemedasmuchofarevelationasheroncehoydenishmanner,kissedit,whensheletitdrop.
　　Thenplacingbothherhandsstillgirlishlyonherslimwaistandcurtseyinggrotesquelybeforehim,shesaid:"'LigeCurtis!Oh,yes!'LigeCurtis,whosworetodoeverythingforme!'LigeCurtis,whopromisedtogiveupliquorforme,——whowastoleaveTasajaraforme!'LigeCurtis,whowastoreform,andkeephislandasanest-eggforusbothinthefuture,andthenwhosoldit——
　　andhimself——andme——todadforaglassofwhiskey!'LigeCurtis,whodisappeared,andthenletusthinkhewasdead,onlythathemightattackusoutoftheambushofhisgrave!"
　　"Yes,butthinkwhatIhavesufferedalltheseyears;notforthecursedland——youknowInevercaredforthat——butforYOU,——you,Clementina,——YOUrich,admiredbyeveryone;idolized,heldfaraboveme,——ME,theforgottenoutcast,thewretchedsuicide——andyetthemantowhomyouhadonceplightedyourtroth.Whichofthosegreedyfortune-hunterswhommymoney——mylife-bloodasyoumighthavethoughtitwas——attractedtoyou,didyoucaretotellthatyouhadeverslippedoutofthelittlegardengateatSidontomeetthatoutcast!DoyouwonderthatastheyearspassedandYOUwerehappy,Ididnotchoosetobesoforgotten?DoyouwonderthatwhenYOUshutthedooronthepastImanagedtoopenitagain——ifonlyalittleway——thatitslightmightstartleyou?"
　　Yetshedidnotseemstartledordisturbed,andremainedonlylookingathimcritically.
　　"Yousaythatyouhavesuffered,"sherepliedwithasmile."Youdon'tlookit!Yourhairiswhite,butitisbecomingtoyou,andyouareahandsomerman,'LigeCurtis,thanyouwerewhenIfirstmetyou;youarefiner,"shewenton,stillregardinghim,"strongerandhealthierthanyouwerefiveyearsago;youarerichandprosperous,youhaveeverythingtomakeyouhappy,but"——hereshelaughedalittle,heldoutbothherhands,takinghisandholdinghisarmsapartinarustic,homelyfashion——"butyouarestillthesameold'LigeCurtis!Itwaslikeyoutogooffandhideyourselfinthatidioticway;itwaslikeyoutoletthepropertyslideinthatstupid,unselfishfashion;itwaslikeyoutogetrealmad,andsayallthosemean,sillythingstodad,thatdidn'thurthim——inyourregularlooneystyle;forrichorpoor,drunkorsober,raggedorelegant,plainorhandsome,——you'realwaysthesame'LigeCurtis!"
　　Inproportionasthatmaterial,practical,rusticself——whichnobodybut'LigeCurtishadeverseen——camebacktoher,soinproportiontheirresolute,wavering,weakandemotionalvagabondofSidoncameouttomeetit.Helookedatherwithavaguesmile;
　　hisfiveyearsofchildishresentment,albeitcarriedontheshouldersofamanmentallyandmorallyhersuperior,meltedaway.
　　Hedrewhertowardshim,yetatthesamemomentaquicksuspicionreturned.
　　"Well,andwhatareyoudoinghere?Hasthismanwhohasfollowedyouanyright,anyclaimuponyou?"
　　"Nonebutwhatyouinyourfollyhaveforceduponhim!Youhavemadehimfather'sally.Idon'tknowwhyhecamehere.IonlyknowwhyIdid——tofindYOU!"
　　"Yoususpectedthen?"
　　"IKNEW!Hush!"
　　ThereturningvoicesofGrantandofMrs.Ramirezwereheardinthecourtyard.Clementinamadeawarningyetgirlishlymirthfulgesture,againcaughthishand,drewhimquicklytotheFrenchwindow,andslippedthroughitwithhimintothegarden,wheretheywerequicklylostintheshadowsofaceanothushedge.
　　"TheyhaveprobablymetDonJoseintheorchard,andasheandDonDiegohavebusinesstogether,DonaClementinahaswithoutdoubtgonetoherroomandleftthem.Foryouarenotveryentertainingtotheladiesto-day,——youtwocaballeros!Youhavemuchpoliticstogether,eh?——oryouhavediscussedanddisagreed,eh?IwilllookfortheSenorita,andletyougo,DonDistraido!"
　　ItistobefearedthatGrant'sapologiesandattemptstodetainherwereequallyfeeble,——asitseemedtohimthatthiswastheonlychancehemighthaveofseeingClementinaexceptincompanywithFletcher.AsMrs.Ramirezlefthelitacigaretteandlistlesslywalkedupanddownthegallery.ButClementinadidnotcome,neitherdidhishostessreturn.Asubduedstepinthepassageraisedhishopes,——itwasonlythegrizzledmajordomo,toshowhimhisroomthathemightpreparefordinner.
　　Hefollowedmechanicallydownthelongpassagetoasecondcorridor.TherewasachancethathemightmeetClementina,buthereachedhisroomwithoutencounteringanyone.Itwasalargevaultedapartmentwithasinglewindow,adeepembrasureinthethickwallthatseemedtofocuslikeatelescopesomeforgotten,sequesteredpartoftheleafygarden.Whilewashinghishands,gazingabsentlyatthegreenvignetteframedbythedarkopening,hisattentionwasdrawntoamovementofthefoliage,stirredapparentlybytherapidpassageoftwohalf-hiddenfigures.Thequickflashofafeminineskirtseemedtoindicatethecoyflightofsomerompingmaidofthecasa,andthepursuitandstruggleofhervaqueroswain.Toadespairinglovereventhespectacleofinnocent,pastoralhappinessinothersisnotapttobesoothing,andGrantwasturningimpatientlyawaywhenhesuddenlystoppedwitharigidfaceandquicklyapproachedthewindow.InherstruggleswiththeunseenCorydon,theclusteringleavesseemedtohaveyieldedatthesamemomentwiththecoyChloris,andparting——
　　disclosedastolenkiss!Grant'shandlaylikeiceagainstthewall.For,disengagingFletcher'sarmfromherwaistandfreeingherskirtfromthefoliage,itwasthecalm,passionlessClementinaherselfwhosteppedout,andmovedpensivelytowardsthecasa.
　　CHAPTERXI.
　　"Readersofthe'Clarion'willhavenoticedthatallusionhasbeenfrequentlymadeinthesecolumnstocertainrumorsconcerningtheearlyhistoryofTasajarawhichweresupposedtoaffectthepioneerrecordofDanielHarcourt.Itwasdeemedbytheconductorsofthisjournaltobeonlyconsistentwiththefearlessandindependentdutyundertakenbythe'Clarion'thattheserumorsshouldbefullychronicledaspartoftheinformationrequiredbythereadersofafirst-classnewspaper,unbiasedbyanyconsiderationofthesocialpositionoftheparties,butsimplyasamatterofnews.Forthisthe'Clarion'doesnotdeemitnecessarytoutterawordofapology.Butforthateditorialcommentorattitudewhichtheproprietorsfeltwasjustifiedbythereliablesourcesoftheirinformationtheynowconsideritonlydueinhonortothemselves,theirreaders,andMr.Harcourttofullyandfreelyapologize.A
　　patientandlaboriousinvestigationenablesthemtostatethattheallegedfactspublishedbythe'Clarion'andcopiedbyotherjournalsareutterlyunsupportedbytestimony,andthecharges——
　　althoughmoreorlessvague——whichwerebaseduponthemareequallyuntenable.Wearenowsatisfiedthatone'ElijahCurtis,'aformerpioneerofTasajarawhodisappearedfiveyearsago,andwassupposedtobedrowned,hasnotonlymadenoclaimtotheTasajaraproperty,asalleged,buthasgivennosignofhisequallyallegedresuscitationandpresentexistence,andthatontheminutestinvestigationthereappearsnothingeitherinhisdisappearance,orthetransferofhispropertytoDanielHarcourt,thatcouldinanywaydisturbtheuncontestedtitletoTasajaraortheunimpeachablecharacterofitspresentowner.ThewholestorynowseemstohavebeentheoutcomeofoneofthosestupidruralhoaxestoocommoninCalifornia."
　　"Well,"saidMrs.Ashwood,layingasidethe'Clarion'withaskepticalshrugofherprettyshoulders,assheglancedupatherbrother;"Isupposethismeansthatyouaregoingtoproposeagaintotheyounglady?"
　　"Ihave,"saidJackShipley,"that'stheworstofit——andgotmyanswerbeforethiscameout."
　　"Jack!"saidMrs.Ashwood,thoroughlysurprised.
　　"Yes!Yousee,Conny,asItoldyouthreeweeksago,shesaidshewantedtimetoconsider,——thatshescarcelyknewme,andallthat!
　　Well,Ithoughtitwasn'texactlyagentleman'sbusinesstoseemtostandoffafterthatlastattackonherfather,andso,lastweek,IwentdowntoSanJose,whereshewasstaying,andbeggedhernottokeepmeinsuspense.And,byJove!shefrozemewithalook,andsaidthatwiththeseaspersionsonherfather'scharacter,shepreferrednottobeunderobligationstoanyone."
　　"Andyoubelievedher?"
　　"Oh,hangitall!Lookhere,Conny,——Iwishyou'djusttryforoncetofindoutsomegoodinthatfamily,besideswhatthatsentimentalyoungwidowerJohnMiltonmayhave.Youseemtothinkbecausethey'vequarreledwithHIMthereisn'tavirtueleftamongthem."
　　Farfromseemingtoofferanysuggestionoffeminineretaliation,Mrs.Ashwoodsmiledsweetly."MydearJack,IhavenodesiretokeepyoufromtryingyourluckagainwithMissClementina,ifthat'swhatyoumean,andindeedIshouldn'tbesurprisedifafamilywhofeltamesallianceassensitivelyastheHarcourtsfeltthataffairoftheirson's,wouldbeaskeenlyalivetotheadvantagesofagoodmatchfortheirdaughter.AstoyoungMr.
　　Harcourt,henevertalkedtomeofthevicesofhisfamily,norhashelatelytroubledmemuchwiththepresenceofhisownvirtues.
　　Ihaven'theardfromhimsincewecamehere."
　　"Isupposeheissatisfiedwiththegovernmentberthyougotforhim,"returnedherbrotherdryly.
　　"HewasverygratefultoSenatorFlynn,whoappreciateshistalents,butwhoofferedittohimasamerequestionoffitness,"
　　repliedMrs.Ashwoodwithgreatprecisionofstatement."Butyoudon'tseemtoknowhedeclineditonaccountofhisotherwork."
　　"PreferredhisoldBohemianways,eh?Youcan'tchangethosefellows,Conny.Theycan'tgetoverthefascinationsofvagabondage.Sorryyourlady-patronessschemedidn'twork.Pityyoucouldn'thavepromotedhiminthelineofhisprofession,astheGrandDuchessofGirolsteindidFritz."
　　"ForHeaven'ssake,Jack,gotoClementina!Youmaynotbesuccessful,butthereatleasttheperfectgentlemanlinessandgoodtasteofyourillustrationswillnotbethrownaway."
　　"IthinkofgoingtoSanFranciscotomorrow,anyway,"returnedJackwithaffectedcarelessness."I'mgettingratherboredwiththiswildseasidewateringplaceanditsglitterofoceanandhopelessbackgroundofmountain.It'snothingtomethat'there'snolandnearerthanJapan'outthere.Itmaybeveryhealthfultothetissues,butit'swearinesstothespirit,andIdon'tseewhywecan'twaitatSanFranciscotilltherainssendusfurthersouth,aswellashere."
　　Hehadwalkedtothebalconyoftheirsitting-roominthelittleseasidehotelwherethisconversationtookplace,andgazeddiscontentedlyoverthecurvingbayandsandyshorebeforehim.
　　AfteraslightpauseMrs.Ashwoodsteppedoutbesidehim.
　　"VerylikelyImaygowithyou,"shesaid,withaperceptibletoneofweariness."Wewillseeafterthepostarrives."
　　"Bytheway,thereisalittlepackageforyouinmyroom,thatcamethismorning.Ibroughtitup,butforgottogiveittoyou.
　　You'llfinditonmytable."
　　Mrs.Ashwoodabstractedlyturnedawayandenteredherbrother'sroomfromthesamebalcony.Theforgottenparcel,whichlookedlikearollofmanuscript,waslyingonhisdressing-table.Shegazedattentivelyatthehandwritingonthewrapperandthengaveaquickglancearoundher.Asuddenandsubtlechangecameoverher.
　　Sheneitherflushednorpaled,nordidthedelicatelinesofexpressioninherfacequiverorchange.Butassheheldtheparcelinherhandherwholebeingseemedtoundergosomeexquisitesuffusion.AsthemedicineswhichtheArabianphysicianhadconcealedinthehollowhandleofthemalletpermeatedthelanguidroyalbloodofPersia,sosomevolatilebalmofyouthseemedtoflowinuponherwiththecontactofthatstrangemissiveandtransformherwearyspirit.
　　"Jack!"shecalled,inahighclearvoice.ButJackhadalreadygonefromthebalconywhenshereacheditwithanelasticstepandaquickyouthfulswirlandrustlingofherskirt.Hewaslightinghiscigarinthegarden.
　　"Jack,"shesaid,leaninghalfovertherailing,"comebackhereinanhourandwe'lltalkoverthatmatterofyoursagain."
　　Jacklookedupeagerlyandasifhemightevencomeupthen,butsheaddedquickly,"Inaboutanhour——Imustthinkitover,"andwithdrew.
　　Shere-enteredthesitting-room,shutthedoorcarefullyandlockedit,halfpulleddowntheblind,walkingonceortwicearoundthetableonwhichtheparcellay,withoneeyeonitlikeagracefulcat.Thenshesuddenlysatdown,tookitupwithagravepracticalface,examinedthepostmarkcuriously,andopeneditwithseveredeliberation.Itcontainedamanuscriptandaletteroffourcloselywrittenpages.Sheglancedatthemanuscriptwithbrightapprovingeyes,ranherfingersthroughitsleavesandthenlaiditcarefullyandsomewhatostentatiouslyonthetablebesideher.
　　Then,stillholdingtheletterinherhand,sheroseandglancedoutofthewindowatherboredbrotherloungingtowardsthebeachandattheheavingbillowsbeyond,andreturnedtoherseat.Thisapparentlyimportantpreliminaryconcluded,shebegantoread.
　　Therewere,asalreadystated,fourblessedpagesofit!Allvital,earnest,palpitatingwithyouthfulenergy,preposterousinpremises,precipitateinconclusions,——yetirresistibleandconvincingtoeverywomanintheirillogicalsincerity.Therewasnotawordofloveinit,yeteverypagebreathedawholesomeadoration;therewasnotanepithetorexpressionthatagreaterprudethanMrs.Ashwoodwouldhaveobjectedto,yeteverysentenceseemedtoendinacaress.Therewasnotalineofpoetryinit,andscarcelyafigureorsimile,andyetitwaspoetical.Boyishlyegotisticasitwasinattitude,itseemedtobewrittenlessOF
　　himselfthanTOher;initsdelicatebecauseunconsciousflattery,itmadeheratoncetheprovocationandexcuse.Andyetsopotentwasitsindividualitythatitrequirednosignature.NoonebutJohnMiltonHarcourtcouldhavewrittenit.HispersonalitystoodoutofitsostronglythatonceortwiceMrs.Ashwoodalmostunconsciouslyputupherlittlehandbeforeherfacewithahalfmischievous,half-deprecatingsmile,asifthebighonesteyesofitswriterwereuponher.
　　Itbeganbyanelaborateapologyfordecliningtheappointmentofferedhimbyoneofherfriends,whichhewasboldenoughtothinkhadbeenpromptedbyherkindheart.Thatwaslikeher,butyetwhatshemightdotoanyone;andhepreferredtothinkofherasthesweetandgentleladywhohadrecognizedhismeritwithoutknowinghim,ratherthanthepowerfulandgraciousbenefactresswhowantedtorewardhimwhenshedidknowhim.ThecrownthatshehadallunconsciouslyplaceduponhisheadthatafternoonatthelittlehotelatCrystalSpringwasmoretohimthantheSenator'sappointment;perhapshewasselfish,buthecouldnotbearthatshewhohadgivensomuchshouldbelievethathecouldacceptalessergift.Allthisandmuchmore!SomeofithehadwantedtosaytoherinSanFranciscoattimeswhentheyhadmet,buthecouldnotfindthewords.Butshehadgivenhimthecouragetogoonanddotheonlythinghewasfitfor,andhehadresolvedtosticktothat,andperhapsdosomethingoncemorethatmightmakehimhearagainhervoiceashehadhearditthatday,andagainseethelightthathadshoneinhereyesasshesatthereandread.Andthiswaswhyhewassendingheramanuscript.Shemighthaveforgottenthatshehadtoldhimastrangestoryofhercousinwhohaddisappeared——whichshethoughthemightatsometimeworkup.
　　Hereitwas.Perhapsshemightnotrecognizeitagain,inthewayhehadwrittenithere;perhapsshedidnotreallymeanitwhenshehadgivenhimpermissiontouseit,butherememberedhertruthfuleyesandbelievedher——andinanyeventitwasherstodowithwhatsheliked.Ithadbeenagreatpleasureforhimtowriteitandthinkthatshewouldseeit;itwaslikeseeingherhimself——thatwasinHISBETTERSELF——moreworthythecompanionshipofabeautifulandnoblewomanthanthepooryoungmanshewouldhavehelped.Thiswaswhyhehadnotcalledtheweekbeforeshewentaway.Butforallthat,shehadmadehislifelesslonely,andheshouldbeevergratefultoher.Hecouldneverforgethowsheunconsciouslysympathizedwithhimthatdayoverthelossthathadblightedhislifeforever,——yeteventhenhedidnotknowthatshe,herself,hadpassedthroughthesamesuffering.Butjustherethestrickenwidowofthirty,afteravainattempttokeepuptheknittedgravityofhereyebrows,bowedherdimplingfaceovertheletteroftheblightedwidoweroftwenty,andlaughedsolongandsilentlythatthetearsstoodoutlikedewonherlight-browneyelashes.
　　Butshebecamepresentlysevereagain,andfinishedherreadingofthelettergravely.Thenshefoldeditcarefully,depositeditinaboxonhertable,whichshelocked.Afterafewminutes,however,sheunlockedtheboxagainandtransferredthelettertoherpocket.Theserenityofherfeaturesdidnotrelaxagain,althoughherpreviousprettyprepossessionofyouthfulspiritwasstillindicatedinhermovements.Goingintoherbedroom,shereappearedinafewminuteswithalightcloakthrownoverhershouldersandawhite-trimmedbroad-brimmedhat.Thensherolledupthemanuscriptinapaper,andcalledherFrenchmaid.Asshestoodthereawaitingherwiththerollinherhand,shemighthavebeensomeyounggirlonherwaytohermusiclesson.
　　"IfmybrotherreturnsbeforeIdo,tellhimtowait."
　　"Madameisgoing"——
　　"Out,"saidMrs.Ashwoodblithely,andtrippeddownstairs.
　　Shemadeherwaydirectlytotheshorewheresherememberedtherewasagroupofrocksaffordingashelterfromthenorthwesttradewinds.Itwasreachedatlowwaterbyanarrowridgeofsand,andhereshehadoftenbaskedinthesunwithherbook.ItwasherethatshenowunrolledJohnMilton'smanuscriptandread.
　　Itwasthestoryshehadtoldhim,butinterpretedbyhispoetryandadornedbyhisfancyuntilthefactsassherememberedthemseemedtobenolongerhers,orindeedtruthsatall.Shehadalwaysbelievedhercousin'sunhappytemperamenttohavebeentheresultofamoralandphysicalidiosyncrasy,——shefounditheretobetheeffectofalifelongandhopelesspassionforherself!TheingeniousJohnMiltonhadgivenapoet'sprecocitytotheyouthwhomshehadonlyknownasasuspicious,moodyboy,hadidealizedhimasasensitivebutsonglessByron,hadgivenhimtheaddedinfirmityofpulmonaryweakness,andahandkerchiefthatinmomentsofgreatexcitement,afterhavingbeenhurriedlypressedtohispalelips,waswithdrawn"withacrimsonstain."Opposedtothisinterestingfigure——themorestrikingtoherasshehadbeenhithertohauntedbytheimpressionthathercousinduringhisboyhoodhadbeensubjecttofacialeruptionandboils——washerownequallyidealizedself.Cruellykindtohercousinandgentlewithhisweaknesseswhilecalmlyignoringtheircause,leadinghimunconsciouslystepbystepinhisfatalpassion,heonlybecameawarebyaccidentthatshenourishedanidealherointhepersonofahard,proud,middle-agedpracticalmanoftheworld,——herfuturehusband!AtthispictureofthelateMr.Ashwood,whohadreallybeenanindistinctivesocialbonvivant,hisamiablerelictgrewsomewhathysterical.Thediscoveryofherrealfeelingsdrovetheconsumptivecousinintoasecret,self-imposedexileontheshoresofthePacific,wherehehopedtofindagrave.Butthecompleteandsuddenchangeoflifeandscene,thebalmofthewildwoodsandthewholesomebarbarismofnature,wroughtamagicalchangeinhisphysicalhealthandaphilosophicalrestinhismind.HemarriedthedaughterofanIndianchief.Yearspassed,theheroine——arichandstillyoungandbeautifulwidow——unwittinglysoughtthesamemedicinalsolitude.Hereinthedepthoftheforestsheencounteredherformerplaymate;thepassionwhichhehadfondlysupposedwasdeadrevivedinherpresence,andforthefirsttimeshelearnedfromhisbeardedlipsthesecretofhispassion.Alas!notSHE