lookingwoman，——evidentlyMrs。Woods，——andMilly。Thelattermanagedtoreachthesummer-housefirst，withapparentlyyouthfulalacrity，butreallytoexchange，inasingleglance，somemysteriousfemininesignalwithYerba。Thenshesaidwithbreathlessinfelicity:——
　　"Beforeyoutwogetboredwitheachothernow，Imusttellyouthere'sachanceofyouhavingmoretime。AuntyhaspromisedtosendoffanoteexcusingyoutotheReverendMother，ifshecanpersuadeMr。Hathawaytostayoverto-night。Butheretheyare。
　　[ToYerba]Auntyismostanxious，andwon'thearofhisgoing。"
　　Indeed，itseemedasifMrs。Woodswas，afterarefinedfashion，mostconcernedthatadistinguishedvisitorlikeMr。Hathawayshouldhavetouseherhouseasamereaccidentalmeeting-placewithhisward，withoutdeigningtoacceptherhospitality。ShewasreinforcedbyMr。Woods，whoenunciatedthesameideawithmoremasculinevigor；andbytheMayor，whoexpressedhisconvictionthataslightofthiskindtoRosariowouldbefeltintheSantaClaravalley。"Afterdinner，mydearHathaway，"concludedMr。
　　Woods，"afewofourneighborsmaydropin，whowouldbegladtoshakeyoubythehand——noformalmeeting，myboy——but，hangit!
　　THEYexpectit。"
　　PaullookedaroundforYerba。Therewasreallynoreasonwhyheshouldn'taccept，althoughanhouragotheideahadneverenteredhismind。Yet，ifhedid，hewouldlikethegirltoknowthatitwasforHERsake。Unfortunately，farfromexhibitinganyconcerninthematter，sheseemedtobepreoccupiedwithMilly，andonlythecharmingbackofherheadwasvisiblebehindMrs。Woods。Heaccepted，however，withahesitationthattooksomeofthegraciousnessfromhisyielding，andasensethathewasgivingastrangeimportancetoatrivialcircumstance。
　　Thenecessityofattachinghimselftohishostess，andmakingamoreextendedtourofthegrounds，forawhiledivertedhimfromanuneasyconsiderationofhispastinterview。Mrs。WoodshadknownYerbathroughtheschoolfriendshipofMilly，and，asfarasthereligiousrulesoftheconventwouldallow，hadalwaysbeendelightedtoshowheranyhospitality。Shewasabeautifulgirl——
　　didnotMr。Hathawaythinkso?——andagirlofgreatcharacter。Itwasapity，ofcourse，thatshehadneverknownamother'scare，andthatthepresentroutineofaboarding-schoolhadusurpedthetenderinfluencesofhome。Shebelieved，too，thatthesingularrotationofguardianshiphadleftthegirlpracticallywithoutacounselingfriendtorelyupon，except，perhaps，ColonelPendleton；
　　andwhileshe，Mrs。Woods，didnotforamomentdoubtthatthecolonelmightbeagoodfriendandapleasantcompanionofMEN，reallyhe，Mr。Hathaway，mustadmitthat，withhisreputationandhabits，hewashardlyafitassociateforayounglady。Indeed，Mr。WoodswouldhaveneverallowedMillytoinviteYerbahereifColonelPendletonwastohavebeenherescort。Ofcourse，thepoorgirlcouldnotchooseherownguardian，butMr。WoodssaidHEhadarighttochoosewhoshouldbehisniece'scompany。PerhapsMr。
　　Woodswasprejudiced，——mostmenwere，——yetsurelyMr。Hathaway，althoughaloyalfriendofColonelPendleton's，mustadmitthatwhenitwasanopenscandalthatthecolonelhadfoughtaduelaboutanotoriouslycommonwoman，andevenblasphemouslydefendedherbeforeapartyofgentlemen，itwashightime，asMr。Woodssaid，thatheshouldberemandedtotheircompanyexclusively。No；
　　Mrs。Woodscouldnotadmitthatthiswasowingtotheinjusticeofherownsex!Menarereallytheoneswhomakethefussoverthosethings，justasthey，asMr。Hathawaywellknew，madethelaws!
　　No；itwasagreatpity，assheandherhusbandhadjustagreed，thatMr。Hathaway，ofalltheguardians，couldnothavebeenalwaysthehelpandcounselor——infact，theelderbrother——ofpoorYerba!
　　Paulwasconsciousthathewincedslightly，consistentlyandconscientiously，attherecollectionofcertainpassagesofhisyouth；inconsistentlyandmeanly，atthissuggestionofajointrelationshipwithYerba'smother。
　　"Ithink，too，"continuedMrs。Woods，"shehasworriedfoolishlyaboutthisridiculousmysteryofherparentage——asifitcouldmaketheslightestdifferencetoagirlwithaquarterofamillion，orasifthatdidn'tshowquiteconclusivelythatsheWASsomebody!"
　　"Certainly，"saidPaul，quickly，withareliefthatheneverthelessfeltwasridiculous。
　　"And，ofcourse，Idaresayitwillallcomeoutwhensheisofage。Isupposeyouknowifanyofthefamilyarestillliving?"
　　"Ireallydonot。"
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"saidMrs。Woods，withasmile。"Iforgotit'saprofoundsecretuntilthen。Buthereweareatthehouse；Iseethegirlshavewalkedovertoourneighbors'。Perhapsyouwouldliketohaveafewmomentstoyourselfbeforeyoudressfordinner，andyourportmanteau，whichhasbeensentfor，comesfromyourhotel。Youmustbetiredofseeingsomanypeople。"
　　Paulwasgladtoacceptanyexcuseforbeingalone，and，thankinghishostess，followedaservanttohisroom——alow-ceilingedbutluxuriouslyfurnishedapartmentonthefirstfloor。Herehethrewhimselfonacushionedloungethatfilledtheangleofthedeepembrasure——thethicknessoftheoldadobewalls——thatformedapartofthewooden-latticedwindow。ACapejessamineclimbingbesideitfilledtheroomwithitssubtle，intoxicatingperfume。Itwassostrong，andhefelthimselfsoirresistiblyoverpoweredandimpelledtowardsamerelyidlereverie，that，inordertothinkmoreclearlyandshutoutsomestrangeandunreasoningenthrallmentofhissenses，heroseandsharplyclosedthewindow。Thenhesatdownandreflected。
　　Whatwashedoinghere?andwhatwasthemeaningofallthis?Hehadcomesimplytofulfilladutytohispast，andpleaseahelplessandmisunderstoodoldacquaintance。Hehadperformedthatduty。Buthehadincidentallylearnedacertainfactthatmightbeimportanttothisfriend，andclearlyhisdutywassimplytogobackandreportit。Hewouldgainnothingmoreinthewayofcorroborationofitbystayingnow，iffurthercorroborationwererequired。ColonelPendletonhadalreadybeenuselesslyandabsurdlyperplexedaboutthepossiblediscoveryofthegirl'sparentage，anditseffectuponherfortunesandherself。Shehadjustsettledthatofherownaccord，and，withoutcommittingherselforothers，hadsuggestedareallysensibleplanbywhichalltroublewouldbeavoidedinfuture。Thatwasthecommon-sensewayoflookingatit。Hewouldlaytheplanbeforethecolonel，havehimjudgeofitsexpediencyanditsethics——andeventhequestionwhethershealreadyknewtherealtruth，orwasself-
　　deceived。Thatdone，hewouldreturntohisownaffairsinSacramento。Therewasnothingdifficultinthis，orthatneedworryhim，onlyhecouldhavedoneitjustaswellanhourago。
　　Heopenedthewindowagain。Thescentofthejessaminecameinasbefore，butmingledwiththecoolerbreathoftheroses。Therewasnothingintoxicatingorunrealinitnow；ratheritseemedagentlearomaticstimulant——ofthought。Longshadowsofunseenpoplarsbeyondbarredthegardenlanesandalleyswithbandsofblackandyellow。Aslantingpencilofsunshinethroughthetreeswasforamomentfocussedonabedofwaxencallasbeforeahedgeofceanothus，andstruckintodazzlingreliefthecoldwhitechalicesoftheflowersandthevividshininggreenoftheirbackground。
　　Presentlyitslidbeyondtoatinyfountain，beforeinvisible，andwroughtablindingmiracleoutofitsflashingandleapingspray。
　　Yetevenashegazedthefountainseemedtovanishslowly，thesunbeamslippedon，andbeyonditmovedtheshimmerofwhiteandyellowdresses。ItwasYerbaandMillyreturningtothehouse。
　　Well，hewouldnotinterrupthisreflectionsbyidlywatchingthem；
　　hewould，probably，seeagreatdealofYerbathatevening，andbythattimehewouldhavecometosomeconclusioninregardtoher。
　　Buthehadnottakenintoconsiderationhervoice，which，alwaysmusicalinitsSouthernintonationandquiteaudibleinthequietgarden，struckhimnowasbeingfullofjoyoussweetness。Well，shewascertainlyveryhappy——orverythoughtless。ShewasactuallyrompingwithMilly，andwasnowevidentlybeingchaseddowntherose-alleybythatvolatileyoungwoman。ThentheseswiftCamillasapparentlynearedthehouse，therewastherapidrustleofskirts，theskurryingoflittlefeetontheveranda，astumble，amouse-likeshriekfromMilly，andHERvoice，exhausted，dying，happy，brokenwithhalf-hushedlaughter，rosetohimonthebreathofthejessamineandrose。
　　SurelysheWASachild，and，ifachild，howhehadmisjudgedher!
　　Whatifallthathehadbelievedwasmaturedeliberationwasonlytheinnocentimaginingsofaromanticgirl，allthathehadtakenseriouslyonlyaschool-girl'sfoolishdream!Insteadofcombatingit，insteadofreasoningwithher，insteadoftryingtointerestherinotherthings，hehadevenhelpedonherillusions。Hehadtreatedherasifthetaintofhermother'sworldlinessandknowledgeofevilwasinherpureyoungflesh。Hehadrecognizedherasthedaughterofanadventuress，andnotashisward，appealingtohischivalrythroughherveryignorance——itmightbeherverychildishvanity。Hehadbroughttoaquestionoftenderandpatheticinterestonlyhisselfishopinionoftheworldandtheweaknessesofmankind。Thebloodcametohischeeks——withallhisexperiencedself-control，hehadnotlosttheyouthfultrickofblushing——andheturnedawayfromthewindowasifithadbreathedareproach。
　　Butoughthehaveevencontentedhimselfwithdestroyingherillusions——oughthenothavegonefartherandtoldherthewholetruth?Oughthenotfirsthavewonherconfidence——herememberedbitterly，now，howshehadintimatedthatshehadnoonetoconfidein——and，afterrevealinghermother'shistory，havestillpledgedhimselftokeepthesecretfromallothers，andassistedherinherplan?Itwouldnothavealteredthestateofaffairs，exceptsofarasshewasconcerned；theycouldhavecombinedtogether；hisreadywitwouldhavehelpedhim；andhissympathywouldhavesustainedher；but——
　　Howandinwhatwaycouldhehavetoldher?Leavingoutthedelicateanddifficultperiphrasebywhichhermother'sshamewouldhavetobeexplainedtoaninnocentschool-girl——whatrightcouldhehaveassumedtotellit?Astheguardianwhohadnevercounseledorprotectedher?Asanacquaintanceofhardlyanhourago?Whowouldhavesucharight?Alover——onwhoselipsitwouldonlyseematacitappealtohergratitudeorherfears，andwhomnosensitivegirlcouldacceptthereafter?No。Ahusband?Yes!Heremembered，withasuddenstart，whatPendletonhadsaidtohim。
　　GoodHeavens!HadPendletonthatideainhismind?Andyet——itseemedtheonlysolution。
　　AknockathisdoorwasfollowedbytheappearanceofMr。Woods。
　　Mr。Hathaway'sportmanteauhadcome，andMrs。Woodshadsentamessage，sayingthatinviewofthelimitedtimethatMr。Hathawaywouldhavewithhisward，Mrs。Woodswouldforegoherrighttokeephimathersideatdinner，andyieldherplacetoYerba。Paulthankedhimwithagraveinwardsmile。Whatifhemadehisdramaticdisclosuretoherconfidentiallyoverthesoupandfish?
　　Yet，inhisconstantlyrecurringconvictionofthegirl'sindependence，hemadenodoubtshewouldhavemethisbrutalitywithunflinchingprideandself-possession。Hebegantodressslowly，attimesalmostforgettinghimselfinanewkindofpleasantapathy，whichheattributedtotheodoroftheflowers，andthesofterhushoftwilightthathadcomeonwiththedyingawayofthetradewinds，andtherestfulspiceofthebay-treesnearhiswindow。HepresentlyfoundhimselfnotsomuchthinkingofYerbaasofSEEINGher。Apictureofherinthesummer-housecaressinghercheekwiththerosesseemedtostandoutfromtheshadowsoftheblankwalloppositehim。Whenhepassedintothedressing-roombeyond，itwasnothisownfacehesawintheglass，buthers。Itwaswithastart，asifhehadheardHERvoice，thathefounduponhisdressing-tableasmallvasecontainingaflowerforhiscoat，withthepenciledwordsonacardinaschool-girl'shand，"FromYerba，withthanksforstaying。"Itmusthavebeenplacedtherebyaservantwhilehewasmusingatthewindow。
　　Halfadozenpeoplewerealreadyinthedrawing-roomwhenPauldescended。ItappearedthatMr。Woodshadinvitedcertainofhisneighbors——amongthemaJudgeBakerandhiswife，andDonCaesarBriones，oftheadjacentRanchoofLosPajaros，andhissister，theDonaAnna。MillyandYerbahadnotyetappeared。DonCaesar，ayoungmanofatoreadorbuild，roundlyblandinfaceandmurkyineye，seemedtonoticetheirabsence，andkepthisglancestowardsthedoor，whilePaulengagedinconversationwithDonaAnna——ifthatwordcouldconveyanimpressionofaconventionalitywhichthatgood-humoredyoungladyconvertedintoananimatedflirtationatthesecondsentencewithasingleglanceandtwoshakesofherfan。AndthenMillyflutteredin——avisionofschool-girlfreshnessandwhitetulle，andamomentlater——withapauseofexpectation——atall，gracefulfigure，thatatfirstPaulscarcelyrecognized。
　　Itisapopularconceitofoursexthatwearesuperiortoanyeffectoffeminineadornment，andthataprettygirlisequallyprettyinthesimplestfrock。YettherewasnotamanintheroomwhodidnotbelievethatYerbainherpresentattirewasnotonlyfarprettierthanbefore，butthatsheindicatedanewandmoredelicateformofbeauty。Itwasnotthemererevelationofcontourandcolorofanordinarydecolletedress，itwasaperfectpresentmentofpuresymmetryandcarriage。Inthisblackgrenadinedress，trimmedwithjet，notonlywasthedelicatesatinsheenofherskinmadeclearerbycontrast，butshelookedeveryinchherfullheight，withanidealexaltationofbreedingandculture。Sheworenojewelryexceptasmallnecklaceofpearls——sosmallitmighthavebeenachild's——thatfittedherslenderthroatsotightlythatitcouldscarcelybetoldfromthefleshthatitclasped。Pauldidnotknowthatitwasthegiftofthemothertothechildthatshehadforswornonlyafewweeksbeforeshepartedfromherforever；buthehadavaguefeelingthat，inthatsabledressthatseemedlikemourning，shewalkedatthefuneralofhermother'spast。Afewwhiteflowersinhercorsage，thecompanionsofthesolitaryoneinhisbutton-hole，weretheonlyrelief。
　　Theireyesmetforasinglemoment，thelookofadmirationinPaul'sbeingansweredbythenaiveconsciousnessinYerba'sofawomanlookingherbest；butthenextmomentsheappearedpreoccupiedwiththeothers，andtheeageradvancesofDonCaesar。
　　"YourbrotherseemstoadmireMissYerba，"saidPaul。
　　"Ah，ye——es，"returnedDonaAnna。"Andyou?"
　　"Oh!"saidPaul，gayly，"I?Iamherguardian——withmeitissimpleegotism，youknow。"
　　"Ah!"returnedthearchDonaAnna，"youarethenalreadySOcertainofher?Good!Ishallwarnhim。"
　　Aprecautionthatdidseemnecessary；aslater，whenPaul，atasignalfromhishostess，offeredhisarmtoYerba，theyoungSpaniardregardedhimwithalookofstartledcuriosity。
　　"Ithankyouforselectingmetowearyourcolors，"saidPaulwithaglanceattheflowersinhercorsage，astheysatattable，"andIthinkIdeservethem，since，butforyou，IshouldhavebeenonmywaytoSanFranciscoatthismoment。ShallIhaveanopportunityoftalkingtoyouafewminuteslaterintheevening?"
　　headded，inalowertone。
　　"Whynotnow?"returnedYerba，mischievously。"Wearesethereexpresslyforthatpurpose。"
　　"Surelynottotalkofourownbusiness——Ishouldsay，ofourFAMILYaffairs，"saidPaul，lookingatherwithequalplayfulness；
　　"thoughIbelieveyourfriendDonCaesar，opposite，wouldbemorepleasedifheweresurethatwasallwedid。"
　　"Andyouthinkhissisterwouldshareinthatpleasure?"retortedYerba。"Iwarnyou，Mr。Hathaway，thatyouhavebeenquitejustifyingtheReverendMother'sdoubtsaboutyourvenerablepretensions。Everybodyisstaringatyounow。"
　　Paullookedupmechanically。Itwastrue。Whetherfromsomeoccultsympathy，fromahumantendencytoadmireobviousfitnessandsymmetry，ortheinnocentlovewithwhichtheworldregardsinnocentlovers，theywereallobservingYerbaandhimselfwithundisguisedattention。Agoodtalker，hequicklyledtheconversationtoothertopics。ItwasthenthathediscoveredthatYerbawasnotonlyaccomplished，butthatthisconvent-bredgirlhadacquiredasingularbreadthofknowledgeapartfromtheordinaryroutineoftheschoolcurriculum。Shespokeandthoughtwithindependentperceptionsandclearness，yetwithoutthetactlessnessandmasculineabruptnessthatisapttodetractfromfeminineoriginalityofreflection。
　　Bysometacitunderstandingthathadthecharmofmutualconfidence，theybothexertedthemselvestopleasethecompanyratherthaneachother，andPaul，intheinterchangeofsallieswithDonaAnna，hadacertainpleasureinhearingYerbaconverseinSpanishwithDonCaesar。Butinafewmomentsheobserved，withsomeuneasiness，thattheyweretalkingoftheoldSpanishoccupation，andpresentlyoftheoldSpanishfamilies。Wouldsheprematurelyexposeanignorancethatmightbehereafterrememberedagainsther，orinvitesomedreadfulgenealogicalreminiscencethatwoulddestroyherhopesandrazeherSpanishcastles?Orwasshesimplycollectinginformation?Headmiredthedexteritywithwhich，withoutcommittingherself，shemadeDonCaesaropenlyandevenconfidentiallycommunicative。Andyethewasonthorns；attimesitseemedasifhehimselfwereplayingapartinthisimpostureofYerba's。Hewasawarethathiswanderingattentionwasnoticedbythequick-wittedDonaAnna，whenheregainedhisself-possessionbywhatappearedtobeahappydiversion。ItwasthevoiceofMrs。JudgeBakercallingacrossthetabletoYerba。Byoneofthepeculiaraccidentsofgeneralconversation，itwastheoneapparentlytrivialremarkthatinapausechallengedtheearsofall。
　　"Wewereadmiringyournecklace，MissYerba。"
　　Everyeyewasturnedupontheslenderthroatofthehandsomegirl。
　　Theexcusewassonatural。
　　Yerbaputherhandtoherneckwithasmile。"Youarejoking，Mrs。
　　Baker。Iknowitisridiculouslysmall，butitisachild'snecklace，andIwearitbecauseitwasagiftfrommymother。"
　　Paul'sheartsankagainwithconsternation。Itwasthefirsttimehehadheardthegirldistinctlyconnectherselfwithheractualmother，andforaninstanthefeltasstartledasiftheforgottenOutcastherselfhadreturnedandtakenaseatattheboard。
　　"Itoldyouitcouldn'tbeso?"remarkedMrs。Baker，toherhusband。
　　Everybodynaturallylookedinquiringlyuponthecouple，andMrs。
　　Bakerexplainedwithasmile:"Bobthinkshe'sseenitbefore；menaresoobstinate。"
　　"Pardonme，MissYerba，"saidtheJudge，blandly，"wouldyoumindshowingittome，ifitisnottoomuchtrouble?"
　　"Notatall，"saidYerba，smiling，anddetachingthecircletfromherneck。"I'mafraidyou'llfinditratherold-fashioned。"
　　"That'sjustwhatIhopetofindit，"saidJudgeBaker，withatriumphantglanceathiswife。"ItwaseightyearsagowhenIsawitinTucker'sjewelryshop。IwantedtobuyitformylittleMinnie，butasthepricewassteepIhesitated，andwhenIdidmakeupmymindhehaddisposedofittoanothercustomer。Yes，"headded，examiningthenecklacewhichYerbahadhandedtohim。"Iamcertainitisthesame:itwasunique，likethis。Odd，isn'tit?"
　　EverybodysaiditWASodd，andlookedupontheoccurrencewiththatunreasoningsatisfactionwithwhichaveragehumanityreceivesthemosttrivialandunmeaningcoincidences。ItwaslefttoDonCaesartogiveitagallantapplication。
　　"Ihavenot-athepleasureofknowing-atheMissMinnie，butthejewelry，whenshearrives，tothethroat-aofMissYerba，shehasnotlostthevalue——thebeauty——thecharm。"
　　"No，"saidWoods，cheerily。"Thefactis，Baker，youweretooslow。MissYerba'sfolksgobbledupthenecklacewhileyouwerethinking。Youwereanew-comer。Old'forty-niners'didnothesitateoverathingtheywanted。"
　　"Youneverknewwhowasyoursuccessfulrival，eh?"saidDonaAnna，turningtoJudgeBakerwithacuriousglanceatPaul'spalefaceinpassing。
　　"No，"saidBaker，"but"——hestoppedwithahesitatinglaughandsomelittleconfusion。"No，I'vemixeditupwithsomethingelse。
　　It'ssolongago。Ineverknew，orifIdidI'veforgotten。ButthenecklaceIremember。"HehandeditbacktoYerbawithabow，andtheincidentended。
　　PaulhadnotlookedatYerbaduringthisconversation，anunreasoninginstinctthathemightconfuseher，anequallyunreasoningdreadthathemightseeherconfusedbyothers，possessinghim。Andwhenhedidglanceathercalm，untroubledface，thatseemedonlyalittlesurprisedathisownsingularcoldness，hewasbynomeansrelieved。Hewasonlyconvincedofonething。Inthelastfiveminuteshehadsettledupontheirrevocabledeterminationthathispresentrelationswiththegirlcouldexistnolonger。Hemusteithertellhereverything，orseehernomore。Therewasnomiddlecourse。Shewasonthebrinkofanexposureatanymoment，eitherthroughherignoranceorherunhappypretension。Inhisintolerableposition，hewasequallyunabletocontemplateherperil，acceptherdefense，orhimselfdefendher。
　　Asif，withsomefeminineinstinct，shehadattributedhissilencetosomejealousyofDonCaesar'sattentions，shemorethanonceturnedfromtheSpaniardtoPaulwithanassuringsmile。Inhisanxiety，hehalfacceptedtheratherhumiliatingsuggestion，andmanagedtosaytoher，inalowertone:——
　　"OnthislastvisitofyourAmericanguardian，onewouldthink，youneednotalreadyanticipateyourSpanishrelations。"
　　Hewasthrilledwiththemischievousyetfaintlytenderpleasurethatsparkledinhereyesasshesaid，——
　　"YouforgetitismyAmericanguardian'sFIRSTvisit，aswellashislast。"
　　"Andasyourguardian，"hewenton，withhalf-veiledseriousness，"Iprotestagainstyourallowingyourtreasures，thepropertyoftheTrust，"hegazeddirectlyintoherbeautifuleyes，"beinghandledandcommenteduponbyeverybody。"
　　Whentheladieshadleftthetable，hewas，foramoment，relieved。
　　Butonlyforamoment。JudgeBakerdrewhischairbesidePaul's，and，takinghiscigarfromhislips，said，withaperfunctorylaugh:——
　　"Isay，Hathaway，Ipulledupjustintimetosavemyselffrommakinganawfulspeech，justnow，toyourward。"
　　Paullookedathimwithcoldcuriosity。
　　"Yes。Gad!DoyouknowWHOwasmyrivalinthatnecklacetransaction?"
　　"No，"saidPaul，withfrigidcarelessness。
　　"Why，KateHoward!Fact，sir。Sheboughtitrightundermynose——
　　andoverbidme，too。"
　　Pauldidnotlosehisself-possession。ThankstothefactthatYerbawasnotpresent，andthatDonCaesar，whohadoverheardthespeech，movedforwardwithasuggestiveandunpleasantsmile，hisagitationcongealedintoacoldlyplacidfury。
　　"AndIsuppose，"hereturned，withperfectcalmness，"that，aftertheusualhabitofthisclassofwomen，thenecklaceverysoonfounditswayback，throughthepawnbroker，tothejeweleragain。
　　It'sacommonfate。"
　　"Yes，ofcourse，"saidJudgeBaker，cheerfully。"You'requiteright。That'sundoubtedlythesolutionofit。But，"withalaugh，"Ihadanarrowescapefromsayingsomething——eh?"
　　"Averynarrowescapefromanapparentlygratuitousinsult，"saidPaul，gravely，butfixinghiseyes，nowmoreluminousthaneverwithanger，notonthespeakersbutonthefaceofDonCaesar，whowasstandingathisside。"youwereabouttosay，"——
　　"Eh——oh——ah!thisKateHoward?So!Ihaveheardofher——yees!
　　AndMissYerba——ah——sheisofmycountry——Ithink。Yes——weshallclaimher——ofatruth——yes。"
　　"Yourcountrymen，Ibelieve，areinthehabitofmakingclaimsthataremoreoftenfoundedonprofitthanverity，"saidPaul，withsmilelessandinsultingdeliberation。Heknewperfectlywhathewassaying，andtheresultheexpected。Onlytwenty-fourhoursbeforehehadsmiledatPendleton'sideaofavertingscandalanddiscoverybyfighting，yethewasendeavoringtopickaquarrelwithaman，merelyonsuspicion，forthesamepurpose，andhesawnothingstrangeinit。Avagueidea，too，thatthiswouldirrevocablyconfirmhiminoppositiontoYerba'sillusionsprobablydeterminedhim。
　　ButDonCaesar，albeitsmilinglividly，didnotseeminclinedtopickupthegauntlet，andWoodsinterferedhastily。"DonCaesarmeansthatyourwardhassomeideaherselfthatsheisofSpanishorigin——atleast，Millysaysso。Butofcourse，asoneoftheoldesttrustees，YOUknowthefacts。"
　　InanothermomentPaulwouldhavecommittedhimself。"Ithinkwe'llleaveMissYerbaoutofthequestion，"hesaid，coldly。"Myremarkwasageneralone，although，ofcourse，Iamresponsibleforanypersonalapplicationofit。"
　　"Spokenlikeapolitician，Hathaway，"saidJudgeBaker，withaneffusiveenthusiasm，whichhehopedwouldatoneforthealarmingresultsofhisinfelicitousspeech。"That'sright，gentlemen!Youcan'tgetthefactsfromhimbeforeheisreadytogivethem。Keepyoursecret，Mr。Hathaway，thecourtiswithyou。"
　　Nevertheless，astheypassedoutoftheroomtojointheladies，theMayorlingeredalittlebehindwithWoods。"It'seasytoseetheinfluenceofthatPendletononouryoungfriend，"hesaid，significantly。"Somebodyoughttotellhimthatit'splayedoutdownhere——asPendletonis。It'squiteenoughtoruinhiscareer。"
　　Paulwastooobservantnottonoticethis，butitbroughthimnosenseofremorse；andhisyouthfulbeliefinhimselfandhispowerkepthimfromconcern。Hefeltasifhehaddonesomething，ifonlytoshowDonCaesarthatthegirl'sweaknessorignorancecouldnotbetradeduponwithimpunity。Buthewasstillundecidedastothecourseheshouldpursue。Butheshoulddeterminethatto-
　　night。Atpresentthereseemednochanceoftalkingtoheralone——
　　shewasunconcernedlyconversingwithMillyandMrs。Woods，andalreadythevisitorswhohadbeeninvitedtothishurriedleveeinhishonorwerearriving。Inviewofhislateindiscretion，henervouslyexertedhisfullestpowers，andinaveryfewminuteswassurroundedbyabreathlessandadmiringgroupofworshipers。A
　　ludicrousresemblancetothesceneintheGoldenGateHotelpassedthroughhismind；heinvoluntarilyturnedhiseyestoseekYerbainthehalf-fear，half-expectationofmeetinghermischievoussmile。
　　Theirglancesmet；tohissurpriseherswassmileless，andinstantlywithdrawn，butnotuntilhehadbeenthrilledbyanunconsciousprepossessioninitsluminousdepthsthathescarcelydaredtodwellupon。WhatmatterednowthispassagewithDonCaesarortheplauditsofhisfriends?SHEwasproudofhim!
　　Yet，afterthatglance，shewasshy，preoccupyingherselfwithMilly，orevenlisteningsweetlytoJudgeBaker'ssomewhatpracticalandunromanticreminiscencesofthedeprivationsandthehardshipsofCaliforniaearlydays，asiftocondonehispastinfelicity。ShewaspleasantlyunaffectedwithDonCaesar，althoughshemanagedtodrawDonaAnnaintotheconversation；shewasunconventional，Paulfancied，toallbuthimself。Onceortwice，whenhehadartfullydrawnhertowardstheopenFrenchwindowthatledtothemoonlitgardenandshadowedveranda，shehadmanagedtolinkMilly'sarminherown，andhewasconfidentthatasuggestiontostrollwithhimintheopenairwouldbefollowedbyherinvitationtoMillytoaccompanythem。Disappointedandmortifiedashewas，hefoundsomesolaceinhermanner，whichhestillbelievedsuggestedthehopethatshemightbemadeaccessibletohispersuasions。Persuasionstowhat?Hedidnotknow。
　　Thelastguesthaddeparted；helingeredontheverandawithacigar，begginghishostandhostessnottotroublethemselvestokeephimcompany。MillyandYerbahadretiredtotheformer'sboudoir，but，astheyhadnotyetformallybadehimgoodnight，therewasachanceoftheirreturning。Hestillstayedoninthishopeforhalfanhour，andthen，acceptingYerba'scontinuedabsenceasatacitrefusalofhisrequest，heturnedabruptlyaway。
　　Butasheglancedaroundthegardenbeforereenteringthehouse，hewasstruckbyasingularcircumstance——awhitepatch，likeaforgottenshawl，whichhehadobservedonthedistantceanothushedge，andwhichhadatfirstthrilledhimwithexpectation，hadcertainlyCHANGEDITSPOSITION。Before，itseemedtobenearthesummer-house；nowitwas，undoubtedly，fartheraway。Couldthey，orSHEalone，haveslippedfromthehouseandbeawaitinghimthere?Withamutteredexclamationathisstupidityhesteppedhastilyfromtheverandaandwalkedtowardsit。Buthehadscarcelyproceededadozenyardsbeforeitdisappeared。Hereachedthesummer-house——itwasempty；hefollowedthelineofhedge——noonewasthere。Itcouldnothavebeenher，orshewouldhavewaited，unlesshewerethevictimofapracticaljoke。Heturnedimpatientlybacktothehouse，reenteredthedrawing-roombytheFrenchwindow，andwascrossingthehalf-litapartment，whenheheardaslightrustleintheshadowofthewindow。Helookedaroundquickly，andsawthatitwasYerba，inawhite，loosegown，forwhichshehadalreadyexchangedherblackeveningdress，leaningbackcomposedlyonthesofa，herhandsclaspedbehindhershapelyhead。
　　"IamwaitingforMilly，"shesaid，withafaintsmileonherlips。
　　Hefancied，inthemoonlightthatstreameduponher，thatherbeautifulfacewaspale。"Shehasgonetotheotherwingtoseeoneoftheservantswhoisill。WethoughtyouwereontheverandasmokingandIshouldhavecompany，untilIsawyoustartoff，andrushupanddownthehedgelikemad。"
　　Paulfeltthathewaslosinghisself-possession，andbecomingnervousinherpresence。"IthoughtitwasYOU，"hestammered。
　　"Me!Outinthegardenatthishour，alone，andinthebroadmoonlight?Whatareyouthinkingof，Mr。Hathaway?Doyouknowanythingofconventrules，oristhatyourideaofyourward'seducation?"
　　Hefanciedthat，thoughshesmiledfaintly，hervoicewasastremulousashisown。
　　"Iwanttospeakwithyou，"hesaid，withawkwarddirectness。"I
　　eventhoughtofaskingyoutostrollwithmeinthegarden。"
　　"Whynottalkhere?"shereturned，changingherposition，pointingtotheotherendofthesofa，anddrawingthewholeoverflowofherskirttooneside。"Itisnotsoverylate，andMillywillreturninafewmoments。"
　　Herfacewasinshadownow，buttherewasaglow-wormlightinherbeautifuleyesthatseemedfaintlytoilluminateherwholeface。
　　Hesankdownonthesofaatherside，nolongerthebrilliantandambitiouspolitician，but，itseemedtohim，ashopelesslyadreaming，inexperiencedboyaswhenhehadgivenherthenamethatnowwasallhecouldthinkof，andtheonlywordthatrosetohisfeverishlips。
　　"Yerba!"
　　"Iliketohearyousayit，"shesaidquickly，asiftoglossoverhisfirstomissionofherformalprefix，andleaningalittleforward，withhereyesonhis。"Onewouldthinkyouhadcreatedit。Youalmostmakemeregrettoloseit。"
　　Hestopped。Hefeltthatthelastsentencehadsavedhim。"ItisofthatIwanttospeak，"hebrokeoutsuddenlyandalmostrudely。
　　"Areyousatisfiedthatitmeansnothing，andcanmeannothing，toyou?Doesitawakennomemoryinyourmind——recallnothingyoucaretoknow?Think!Ibegyou，Iimploreyoutobefrankwithme!"
　　Shelookedathimwithsurprise。
　　"Ihavetoldyoualreadythatmypresentnamemustbesomeabsurdblunder，orsomeintentionalconcealment。ButwhydoyouwanttoknowNOW?"shecontinued，addingherfaintsmiletotheemphasis。
　　"Tohelpyou!"hesaid，eagerly。"Forthatalone!TodoallIcantoassistyou，ifyoureallybelieve，andwanttobelieve，thatyouhaveanother。Toaskyoutoconfideinme；totellmeallyouhavebeentold，allthatyouknow，thinkyouknow，orWANTtoknowaboutyourrelationshiptotheArguellos——orto——anyone。Andthentodevotemyselfentirelytoprovingwhatyoushallsayisyourdesire。Yousee，Iamfrankwithyou，Yerba。Ionlyaskyoutobeasfrankwithme；toletmeknowyourdoubts，thatImaycounselyou；yourfears，thatImaygiveyoucourage。"
　　"Isthatallyoucameheretotellme?"sheaskedquietly。
　　"No，Yerba，"hesaid，eagerly，takingherunresistingbutindifferenthand，"notall；butallthatImustsay，allthatI
　　havetherighttosay，allthatyou，Yerba，wouldpermitmetotellyouNOW。ButletmehopethatthedayisnotfardistantwhenI
　　cantellyouALL，whenyouwillunderstandthatthissilencehasbeenthehardestsacrificeofthemanwhonowspeakstoyou。"
　　"Andyetnotunworthyofarisingpolitician，"sheadded，quicklywithdrawingherhand。"Iagree，"shewenton，lookingtowardsthedoor，yetwithoutappearingtoavoidhiseagereyes，"andwhenI
　　havesettledupon'alocalhabitationandaname'weshallrenewthisinterestingconversation。Untilthen，asmyfourthofficialguardianusedtosay——hewasalawyer，Mr。Hathaway，likeyourself——
　　whenhewaswindinguphisconjecturesonthesubject——allthathaspassedistobeconsidered'withoutprejudice。'"
　　"ButYerba"——beganPaul，bitterly。
　　Sheslightlyraisedherhandasiftocheckhimwithawarninggesture。"Yes，dear，"shesaidsuddenly，liftinghermusicalvoice，withamischievousside-glanceatPaul，asiftoindicateherconceptionoftheironyofapossibleapplication，"thisway。
　　Herewearewaitingforyou。"HerlisteningearhaddetectedMilly'sstepinthepassage，andinanothermomentthatcheerfulyoungwomandiscreetlystoppedonthethresholdoftheroom，witheveryexpressionofapologeticindiscretioninherface。
　　"Wehavefinishedourtalk，andMr。Hathawayhasbeensoconcernedaboutmyhavingnorealnamethathehasbeenpromisingmeeverything，buthisown，forasuitableone。Haven'tyou，Mr。
　　Hathaway?"Sheroseslowlyand，goingovertoMilly，putherarmaroundherwaistandstoodforoneinstantgazingathimbetweenthecurtainsofthedoorway。"Goodnight。Myveryproperchaperonisdreadfullyshockedatthismidnightinterview，andistakingmeaway。Onlythinkofit，Milly；heactuallyproposedtometowalkinthegardenwithhim!Goodnight，or，asmyancestors——don'tforget，MYANCESTORS——usedtosay:'Buenanoche——hastamanana!'"
　　ShelingeredovertheSpanishsyllableswithanimitationofDonaAnna'slisp，andwithanothersmile，butmorefaintandmoreghostlikethanbefore；vanishedwithhercompanion。
　　Ateighto'clockthenextmorningPaulwasstandingbesidehisportmanteauontheveranda。
　　"Butthisisasuddenresolutionofyours，Hathaway，"saidMr。
　　Woods。"Canyounotpossiblywaitforthenexttrain?Thegirlswillbedownthen，andyoucanbreakfastcomfortably。"
　　"Ihavemuchtodo——morethanIimagined——inSanFranciscobeforeI
　　return，"saidPaul，quickly。"Youmustmakemyexcusestothemandtoyourwife。"
　　"Ihope，"saidWoods，withanuneasylaugh，"youhavehadnomorewordswithDonCaesar，orhewithyou?"
　　"No，"saidPaul，withareassuringsmile，"nothingmore，Iassureyou。"
　　"Foryouknowyou'readevilishquickfellow，Hathaway，"continuedWoods，"quiteasquickasyourfriendPendleton。And，bytheway，Bakerisawfullycutupaboutthatabsurdspeechofhis，youknow。
　　Cametomelastnightandwonderedifanybodycouldthinkitwasintentional。Itoldhimitwasd——dstupid，thatwasall。Iguesshiswifehadbeenathim。Ha!ha!Yousee，herememberstheoldtimes，wheneverybodytalkedofthesethings，andthatwomanHowardwasquiteacharacter。I'mtoldshewentofftotheStatesyearsago。"
　　"Possibly，"saidPaul，carelessly。Afterapause，asthecarriagedroveuptothedoor，heturnedtohishost。"Bytheway，Woods，haveyouaghosthere?"
　　"Thehouseisoldenoughforone。Butno。Why?"
　　"I'llswearIsawafiguremovingyonder，intheshrubbery，latelastevening；andwhenIcameuptoit，itmostunaccountablydisappeared。"
　　"OneofDonCaesar'sservants，Idaresay。Thereisoneofthem，anIndian，prowlingabouthere，I'vebeentold，atallhours。I'llputastoptoit。Well，youmustgothen?Dreadfullysorryyoucouldn'tstoplonger!Good-by!"
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　ItwastwomonthslaterthatMr。TonyShear，ofMarysville，butlatelyconfidentialclerktotheHon。PaulHathaway，enteredhisemployer'schambersinSacramento，andhandedthelatteraletter。
　　"IonlygotbackfromSanFranciscothismorning；butMr。SlatesaidIwastogiveyouthat，andifitsatisfiedyou，andwaswhatyouwanted，youwouldsenditbacktohim。"