Paultooktheenvelopeandopenedit。Itcontainedaprinter'sproof-slip，whichhehurriedlyglancedover。Itreadasfollows:——
　　"ThoseofourreaderswhoarefamiliarwiththeearlyhistoryofSanFranciscowillbeinterestedtoknowthataneccentricandirregulartrusteeship，vestedforthelasteightyearsintheMayorofSanFranciscoandtwoofouroldestcitizens，wasterminatedyesterdaybythemajorityofabeautifulandaccomplishedyounglady，apupiloftheconventofSantaClara。Veryfew，excepttheoriginaltrustees，werecognizantofthefactthattheadministrationofthetrusteeshasbeenarecognizedfunctionofthesuccessiveMayorsofSanFranciscoduringthisperiod；andthemysterysurroundingithasbeenonlylatelydivulged。ItoffersatouchingandromanticinstanceofasurvivaloftheoldpatriarchaldutiesoftheformerAlcaldesandthesimplicityofpioneerdays。
　　Itseemsthat，intheunsettledconditionsoftheMexicanland-
　　titlesthatfollowedtheAmericanoccupation，theconsumptivewidowofascionofoneoftheoldestCalifornianfamiliesintrustedherpropertyandthecustodyofherinfantdaughtervirtuallytothecityofSanFrancisco，asrepresentedbythetrusteesspecified，untilthegirlshouldbecomeofage。Withinayear，theinvalidmotherdied。Withwhatloyalty，sagacity，andprudencethesegentlemenfulfilledtheirtrustmaybegatheredfromthefactthatthepropertyleftintheirchargehasnotonlybeensecuredandprotected，butincreasedahundredfoldinvalue；andthattheyounglady，whoyesterdayattainedhermajority，isnotonlyoneoftherichestlandedheiressesonthePacificSlope，butoneofthemostaccomplishedandthoroughlyeducatedofhersex。
　　ItisnownosecretthatthisfavoredchildofChrysopolisistheDonaMariaConcepciondeArguellodelaYerbaBuena，socalledfromherancestralpropertyontheisland，nowownedbytheFederalgovernment。Butitisanaffectingandpoetictributetotheparentofheradoptionthatshehaspreferredtopassundertheold，quaintlytypicalnameofthecity，andhasbeenknowntoherfriendssimplyas'MissYerbaBuena。'Itisanolesspleasantandsuggestivecircumstancethatour'youngestsenator，'theHonorablePaulHathaway，formerlyprivatesecretarytoMayorHammersley，isoneoftheoriginalunofficialtrustees；whilethechivalryoftheolderdaysisperpetuatedinthepersonofColonelHarryPendleton，theremainingtrustee。"
　　Assoonashehadfinished，Paultookapencilandcrossedoutthelastsentence；butinsteadoflayingtheproofaside，orreturningittothewaitingsecretary，heremainedwithitinhishand，hissilent，setfaceturnedtowardsthewindow。Whetherthemerelyhumansecretarywastiredofwaiting，orthedevotedpartisansawsomethingonhisyoungchief'sfacethatdisturbedhim，heturnedtoPaulwiththatexaggeratedrespectwhichhisfunctionsassecretaryhadgrafteduponhisaffectionforhisoldassociate，andsaid:——
　　"Ihopenothing'swrong，sir。NotanotherofthosescurrilousattacksonyouforputtingthatbillthroughtorelieveColonelPendleton?Yetitwasariskythingforyou，sir。"
　　Paulstarted，recoveredhimselfasiffromsomeremoteabstraction，and，withasmile，said:"No，——nothing。Quitethereverse。WritetoMr。Slate，thankhim，andsaythatitwilldoverywell——withtheexceptionofthelinesIhavemarkedout。Thenbringmetheletter，andIwilladdthisinclosure。DidyoucallonColonelPendleton?"
　　"Yes，sir。HewasatSantaClara，andhadnotyetreturned，——atleast，that'swhatthatdandyniggerofhistoldme。Theairsandgracesthatthatcreatureputsonsincethecolonel'saffairshavebeenstraightenedoutisalittletoomuchforawhitemantostand。Why，sir!d——difhedidn'twanttopatronizeYOU，andallowedtomethat'deKernel'hada'fahideah'ofyou，'andthoughtyouapromisin'youngman。'Thefactis，sir，thepartyismakingabigmistaketryingtogivevotestothatkindofcattle——
　　itwouldonlybegivingtwovotestotheotherside，for，slaveorfree，they'rethechattelsoftheiroldmasters。Andastothemasters'gratitudeforwhatyou'vedoneaffectingasinglevoteoftheirparty——you'remistaken。"
　　"ColonelPendletonbelongstonoparty，"saidPaul，curtly；"butifhisoldconstituentsevertrytogetintopoweragain，they'velosttheironlyindependentmartyr。"
　　Hepresentlybecameabstractedagain，andShearproducedfromhisovercoatpocketaseriesofofficial-lookingdocuments。
　　"I'vebroughtthereports，sir。"
　　"Eh?"saidPaul，absently。
　　Thesecretarystared。"ThereportsoftheSanFranciscoChiefofPolicethatyouaskedmetoget。"Hisemployerwascertainlyveryforgetfulto-day。
　　"Oh，yes；thankyou。Youcanlaythemonmydesk。I'lllookthemoverinCommittee。Youcangonow，andifanyonecallstoseemesayI'mbusy。"
　　Thesecretarydisappearedintheadjoiningroom，andPaulleanedbackinhischair，thinking。Hehad，atlast，effectedtheworkhehadresolveduponwhenheleftRosariotwomonthsago；thearticlehehadjustread，andwhichwouldappearasaneditorialintheSanFranciscopaperthedayaftertomorrow，wastheculminationofquietlypersistentlabor，inquiry，anddeduction，andwouldbeaccepted，hereafter，asauthentichistory，which，ifnotthoroughlyestablished，atleastcouldnotbegainsaid。ImmediatelyonarrivingatSanFrancisco，hehadhastenedtoPendleton'sbedside，andlaidthefactsandhisplanbeforehim。Tohismingledastonishmentandchagrin，thecolonelhadobjectedvehementlytothis"saddlingofanybody'soffspringonagentlemanwhocouldn'tdefendhimself，"andevenPaul'sexplanationthattheputativefatherwasamythscarcelyappeasedhim。ButPaul'stimelydemonstration，byrelatingthescenehehadwitnessedofJudgeBaker'sinfelicitousmemory，thatthesecretwaslikelytoberevealedatanymoment，andthatifthegirlcontinuedtoclingtohertheory，ashefearedshewould，eventothepartingwithherfortune，theywouldbeforcedtoacceptit，orbeplacedinthehideouspositionofpublishingherdisgrace，atlastconvincedhim。
　　Ontheotherhand，therewaslessdangerofherPOSITIVEimpositionbeingdiscoveredthanoftheVAGUEANDIMPOSITIVEtruth。Therealdangerlayinthepresentuncertaintyandmystery，whichcourtedsurmiseandinviteddiscovery。Paul，himself，waswillingtotakealltheresponsibility，andatlastextractedfromthecolonelapromiseofpassiveassent。Theonlyrevelationhefearedwasfromtheinterferenceofthemother，butPendletonwasstronginthebeliefthatshehadnotonlyutterlyabandonedthegirltothecareofherguardians，butthatshewouldneverrescindherresolutiontodisclaimherrelationship；thatshehadgoneintoself-exileforthatpurpose；andthatifsheHADchangedhermind，hewouldbethefirsttoknowofit。Onthisdaytheyhadparted。Meantime，Paulhadnotforgottenanotherresolutionhehadformedonhisfirstvisittothecolonel，andhadactuallysucceededingettinglegislativerelieffortheGoldenGateBank，andrestoringtothecolonelsomeofhisprivatepropertythathadbeeninthehandsofareceiver。
　　ThishadbeenthebackgroundofPaul'smeditation，whichonlythrewintostrongerreliefthefaceandfigurethatmovedbeforehimaspersistentlyasithadoncebeforeinthetwilightofhisroomatRosario。Thereweretimeswhenhermoonlitface，withitsfaint，strangesmile，stoodoutbeforehimasithadstoodoutoftheshadowsofthehalf-darkeneddrawing-roomthatnight；ashehadseenit——hebelievedforthelasttime——framedforaninstantinthepartedcurtainsofthedoorway，whenshebadehim"Goodnight。"
　　Forhehadnevervisitedhersince，and，ontheattainmentofhermajority，haddelegatedhispassingfunctionstoPendleton，whomhehadinducedtoaccompanytheMayortoSantaClaraforthefinalandformalceremony。Forthepresentsheneednotknowhowmuchshehadbeenindebtedtohimfortheaccomplishmentofherwishes。
　　Withasighheatlastrecalledhimselftohisduty，and，drawingthepileofreportswhichShearhadhandedhim，hebegantoexaminethem。These，again，borereferencetohissilent，unobtrusiveinquiries。InhisfunctionasChairmanofCommitteehehadtakenadvantageofakindofadvancedmorallegislationtheninvogue，andparticularlyinreferencetoacertainsocialreform，toexaminestatistics，authorities，andwitnesses，andinthisindirectbutexhaustivemannerhadsatisfiedhimselfthatthewoman"KateHoward，"alias"Beverly，"alias"Durfree，"hadlongpassedbeyondthekenoflocalpolicesupervision，andthatintherecordtherewasnotraceorindicationofherchild。Hewasgoingoverthoseinfelixrecordsofearlytransgressionswiththeeyeoftrainedexperience，makingnotesfromtimetotimeforhisofficialuse，andyetalwayswatchfulofhissecretquest，whensuddenlyhestoppedwithaquickenedpulse。Intherecordofanaffrayatagambling-house，oneofthepartieshadsoughtrefugeintheroomsof"KateHoward，"whowasrepresentedbeforethemagistratebyHER
　　PROTECTOR，JUANDEARGUELLO。ThedategivenwascontemporarywiththebeginningoftheTrust，butthatprovednothing。Butthename——
　　haditanysignificance，orwasitagrimcoincidence，thatspokeevenmoreterriblyandhopelesslyofthewoman'spromiscuousfrailty?Heagainattackedtheentirereport，buttherewasnootherrecordofhername。Eventhatwouldhavepassedanyeyelesseagerandwatchfulthanhisown。
　　Helaidthereportsaside，andtookuptheproof-slipagain。WasthereanymanlivingbuthimselfandPendletonwhowouldconnectthesetwostatements?ThatherrelationswiththisArguellowerebriefandnotgenerallyknownwasevidentfromPendleton'signoranceofthefact。Buthemustseehimagain，andatonce。
　　PerhapshemighthaveacquiredsomeinformationfromYerba；theyounggirlmighthavegiventohisagethatconfidenceshehadwithheldfromtheyoungerman；indeed，herememberedwithaflushitwaspartlyinthathopehehadinducedthecoloneltogotoSantaClara。Heputtheproof-slipinhispocketandsteppedtothedoorofthenextroom。
　　"YouneednotwritethatlettertoSlate，Tony。Iwillseehimmyself。IamgoingtoSanFranciscoto-night。"
　　"Anddoyouwantanythingcopiedfromthereports，sir?"
　　Paulquicklysweptthemfromthetableintohisdrawer，andlockedit。"Notnow，thankyou。I'llfinishmynoteslater。"
　　ThenextmorningPaulwasinSanFrancisco，andhadagaincrossedtheportalsoftheGoldenGateHotel。Hehadbeenalreadytoldthatthedoomofthatpalatialedificewassealedbythelayingofthecornerstoneofanewerectioninthenextsquarethatshouldutterlyeclipseit；heevenfanciedthatithadalreadylostitsfreshness，anditsmeretriciousglitterhadbeentarnished。Butwhenhehadorderedhisbreakfasthemadehiswaytothepublicparlor，happilydesertedatthatearlyhour。Itwasherethathehadfirstseenher。Shewasstandingthere，bythatmirror，whentheireyesfirstmetinasuddeninstinctivesympathy。Sheherselfhadrememberedandconfessedit。Herecalledthepleasedyetconscious，girlishsuperioritywithwhichshehadreceivedtheadulationofherfriends；hismemoryofherwasbroadenoughnoweventoidentifyMilly，asitrepeopledthevacantandsilentroom。
　　AnhourlaterhewasmakinghiswaytoColonelPendleton'slodgings，andhalfexpectingtofindtheSt。CharlesHotelitselftransformedbytheeagerspiritofimprovement。Butitwasstillthereinallitsbarbaricandprovincialincongruity。Publicopinionhadevidentlyrecognizedthatnothingsavetheabsoluterazingofitswarpedandflimsywallscouldeffectachange，andwaitedforittocollapsesuddenlylikethehouseofcardsitresembled。Paulwonderedforamomentifitwerenotominousofitslodgers'hopelessinabilitytoacceptchangedconditions，anditwaswithafeelingofdoubtthatheevennowascendedthecreakingstaircase。Butitwasinstantlydissipatedonthethresholdofthecolonel'ssitting-roombytheappearanceofGeorgeandhisreceptionofhismaster'sguest。
　　Thegrizzlednegrowasarrayedinasurprisinglynewsuitofblueclothwithaportentouswhitewaistcoatandanenormouscrumpledwhitecravat，thatgavehimtheappearanceofsufferingfromaglandularswelling。Hismannerhad，itseemedtoPaul，advancedinexaggerationwithhisclothes。Dustingachairandofferingittothevisitor，heremainedgracefullyposedwithhishandonthebackofanother。
　　"Yo'findsusheahyet，MarseHathaway，"hebegan，elegantlytoyingwithanenormoussilverwatch-chain，"fo'deKernelhedon'binfindcontagiousapartmentsdatatallapproximate，andhedon'
　　build，forhismind'snotdatsettleddatheain'tgoin'totrabbel。Deplaceislowdown，sah，anddefo'ksislowdown，anddah'saheapo'whitetrashdathascongestedunderderoofobdehotelsincewecame。Butweusesittemper'ly，sah，fo'depresent，andinadissolutoryfashion。"
　　ItstruckPaulthatthecontiguityofacertainbarber'sshopanditsdangerousreminiscenceshadsomethingtodowithGeorge'sloftydepreciationofhissurroundings，andhecouldnothelpsaying:——
　　"Thenyoudon'tfinditnecessarytohaveitconvenienttothebarber'sshopanymore?Iamgladofthat，George。"
　　Theshottold。TheunfortunateGeorge，afteranendeavortocollecthimselfbyalteringhisposetwoorthreetimesinrapidsuccession，finallycollapsed，and，withanairofmingledpainanddignity，butwithoutlosinghisceremoniouspolitenessoruniquevocabulary，said:——
　　"Yo'gotmedah，sah!Yo'gotmedah!Deinfirmitieso'humannatcheh，sah，isdecommonp'opertyobman，andagemplumlikeyo'self，sah，alegislato'andapow'fulspeakah，isdelassonetohol'itagindeindividalpusson。Iconfess，sah，decircumstanceswaspropiskuous，defeesfahlygood，andderisksinferior。Degemplumwhokeptdeshopwasanartesshisself，andhadbeenniggahtoKernelHendersonofTennessee，anddogemplumIrelievedwasaMr。Johnson。ButdeKernel，hewouldn'tseeitindatlight，sah，andifyo'don'mind，sah"——
　　"Ihaven'ttheslightestideaoftellingthecoloneloranybody，George，"saidPaul，smiling；"andIamgladtofindonyourownaccountthatyouareabletoputasideanyworkbeyondyourdutyhere。"
　　"Thankyo'，sah。Ifyo''llletmeintroduceyo'toderefreshment，yo''llfinditallrightnow。DeGlencoeisdah。DeKernelwillbeheresoon，buthewouldbepow'fulmo'tified，sah，ifyo'didn'thabsomethingafo'hecome。"Heopenedawell-filledsideboardashespoke。ItwasthefirstevidencePaulhadseenofthecolonel'srestoredfortunes。Hewouldwillinglyhavecontentedhimselfwiththismereoutwardmanifestation，butinhisdesiretosoothetheruffleddignityoftheoldmanheconsentedtopartakeofasmallglassofspirits。Georgeatoncebecameradiantandcommunicative。"DeKernelbingonetoSantaClaratoseedeyoungladydat'sfinishedheredercationdah——deKernel'sonlyward，sah。
　　She'soneo'dosemillion-heiressesandhighlyconnected，sah，widdeoldMexicanGobbermen，Iunderstand。AndIreckondey'sbinbiggoin'sondoundar，fohdeMayerkemhisselffo'deKernel。Lookslikedesmightbinaproceshon，sah。Yo'don'knowofayoungladybinhabatitle，sah?Iwon'tbeshuah，hisHonahdeMayerordeKerneldidn'tsaysometingabouta'Donna'"
　　"Verylikely，"saidPaul，turningawaywithafaintsmile。Soitwasalreadyintheair!Settingasidetheoldnegro'scharacteristicexaggeration，therehadalreadybeensomeconversationbetweenthecolonelandtheMayor，whichGeorgehadvaguelyoverheard。Hemightbetoolate，thealternativemightbenolongerinhishands。ButhisdiscomposurewasheightenedamomentlaterbytheactualapparitionofthereturningPendleton。
　　Hewasdressedinatightlybuttonedbluefrock-coat，whichfairlyaccentedhistall，thinmilitaryfigure，althoughthetoplappelwasthrownfarenoughbacktoshowafineruffledcambricshirtandcheckedginghamnecktie，andwasitselfadornedwithawhiterosebudinthebutton-hole。Fawn-coloredtrousersstrappedovernarrowpatent-leatherboots，andatallwhitehat，whosebroadmourning-bandwasaperpetualmemoryofhismother，whohaddiedinhisboyhood，completedhisfestaltransformation。Yethiserectcarriage，highaquilinenose，andlonggraydroopingmoustachelentadistinguishinggracetothissurvivalofabygonefashion，andover-rodeanyirreverentcomment。Evenhisslightlimpseemedtogiveapeculiarcharactertohismassivegold-headedstick，andmadeitapartofhisformalelegance。
　　HandingGeorgehisstickandamilitarycapehecarriedeasilyoverhisleftarm，hegreetedPaulwarmly，yetwithareturnofhisolddominantmanner。
　　"Gladtoseeyou，Hathaway，andgladtoseetheboyhasservedyoubetterthanthelasttime。IfIhadknownyouwerecoming，Iwouldhavetriedtogetbackintimetohavebreakfastwithyou。Butyourfriendsat'Rosario'——Ithinktheycallit；inmytimeitwasownedbyColonelBriones，andHEcalledit'TheDevil'sLittleCanyon'——detainedmewithsomed——dcivilities。Let'ssee——hisnameisWoods，isn'tit?UsedtosellrumtorunawaysailorsonLongWharf，andtakestoresinexchange?OrwasitBaker?——JudgeBaker?Iforgetwhich。Well，sir，theywishedtoberemembered。"
　　ItstruckPaul，perhapsunreasonably，thatthecolonel'sindifferenceanddigressionwerebothalittleassumed，andheaskedabruptly，——
　　"Andyoufulfilledyourmission?"
　　"Imadetheformaltransfer，withtheMayor，ofthepropertytoMissArguello。"
　　"ToMissArguello?"
　　"TotheDonaMariaConcepciondeArguellodelaYerbaBuena——tospeakprecisely，"saidthecolonel，slowly。"George，youcantakethathattothatblankhatter——what'shisblankedname?Ireaditonlyyesterdayinalistoftheprominentcitizenshere——andtellhim，withmycompliments，thatIwantaGENTLEMAN'Smourningbandaroundmyhat，andnotachild'sshoelace。ItmaybeHISideaofthevalueofhisownparents——ifheeverhadany——butIdon'tcareforhimtoappraisemine。Go!"
　　AsthedoorcloseduponGeorge，Paulturnedtothecolonel——
　　"ThenamItounderstandthatyouhaveagreedtoherstory?"
　　Thecolonelrose，pickedupthedecanter，pouredoutaglassofwhiskey，andholdingitinhishand，said:——
　　"MydearHathaway，letusunderstandeachother。Asagentleman，I
　　havemadeapointthroughlifenevertoquestiontheage，name，orfamilyofanyladyofmyacquaintance。MissYerbaBuenacameofageyesterday，and，assheisnolongermyward，sheiscertainlyentitledtotheconsiderationIhavejustmentioned。Ifshe，therefore，choosestotacktohernamethewholeSpanishdirectory，Idon'tseewhyIshouldn'tacceptit。"
　　Characteristicasthisspeechappearedtobeofthecolonel'sordinarymanner，itstruckPaulasbeingonlyanimitationofhisusualfrankindependence，andmadehimuneasilyconsciousofsomevaguedesertiononPendleton'spart。Hefixedhisbrighteyesonhishost，whowasostentatiouslysippinghisliquor，andsaid:——
　　"AmItounderstandthatyouhaveheardnothingmorefromMissYerba，eitherfororagainstherstory?Thatyoustilldonotknowwhethershehasdeceivedherself，hasbeendeceivedbyothers，orisdeceivingus?"
　　"AfterwhatIhavejusttoldyou，Mr。Hathaway，"saidthecolonel，withanincreasedexaggerationofmannerwhichPaulthoughtmustbeapparenteventohimself，"Ishouldhavebutonewayofdealingwithquestionsofthatkindfromanybodybutyourself。"
　　Thisculminatingextravagance——takeninconnectionwithPendleton'spassingdoubts——actuallyforcedalaughfromPaulinspiteofhisbitterness。
　　ColonelPendleton'sfaceflushedquickly。Likemostpositiveone-
　　idea'dmen，hewasrestrictedfromanypossiblehumorouscombination，andonlyfeltamysterioussenseofbeingdetectedinsomeweakness。Heputdownhisglass。
　　"Mr。Hathaway，"hebegan，withaslightvibrationinhisusualdominantaccents，"youhavelatelyputmeunderasenseofpersonalobligationforafavorwhichIfeltIcouldacceptwithoutderogationfromayoungerman，becauseitseemedtobeonenotonlyofyouthfulgenerositybutofjustice，andwasnotunworthytheexaltedambitionofayoungmanlikeyourselforthesimpledesertsofanoldmansuchasIam。Iacceptedit，sir，themorereadily，becauseitwasentirelyunsolicitedbyme，andseemedtobethespontaneousofferingofyourownheart。IfIhavepresumeduponittoexpressmyselffreelyonothermattersinawaythatonlyexcitesyourridicule，Icanbutofferyouanapology，sir。IfI
　　haveacceptedafavorIcanneitherrenouncenorreturn，Imusttaketheconsequencestomyself，andevenbegYOU，sir，toputupwiththem。"
　　RemorsefulasPaulfelt，therewasasingularresemblancebetweenthepreviousreproachfulposeofGeorgeandthispresentattitudeofhismaster，asifthemerepropinquityofpersonalsacrificehadmadethemalike，thatstruckhimwithamingledpathosandludicrousness。Buthesaidwarmly，"ItisIwhomustapologize，mydearcolonel。Iamnotlaughingatyourconclusions，butatthissingularcoincidencewithadiscoveryIhavemade。"
　　"Ashow，sir?"
　　"IfindinthereportoftheChiefofthePolicefortheyear1850
　　thatKateHowardwasundertheprotectionofamannamedArguello。"
　　Thecolonel'sexaggerationinstantlylefthim。HestaredblanklyatPaul。"Andyoucallthisalaughingmatter，sir?"hesaidsternly，butinhismorenaturalmanner。
　　"Perhapsnot，butIdon'tthink，ifyouwillallowmetosayso，mydearcolonel，thatYOUhavebeentreatingthewholeaffairveryseriously。Ileftyoutwomonthsagoutterlyopposedtoviewswhichyouarenowtreatingasofnoimportance。Andyetyouwishmetobelievethatnothinghashappened，andthatyouhavenofurtherinformationthanyouhadthen。Thatthisisso，andthatyouarereallynonearertheFACTS，IamwillingtobelievefromyourignoranceofwhatIhavejusttoldyou，andyourconcernatit。ButthatyouhavenotbeeninfluencedinyourJUDGMENTofwhatyoudoknow，Icannotbelieve?"HedrewnearerPendleton，andlaidhishanduponhisarm。"Ibegyoutobefrankwithme，forthesakeofthepersonwhoseinterestsIseeyouhaveatheart。InwhatwaywillthediscoveryIhavejustmadeaffectthem?Youarenotsofarprejudicedastobeblindtothefactthatitmaybedangerousbecauseitseemscorroborative。"
　　Pendletoncoughed，rose，tookhisstick，andlimpedupanddowntheroom，finallydroppingintoanarmchairbythewindow，withhiscanebetweenhisknees，andthedroopinggraysilkenthreadsofhislongmoustachecurlednervouslybetweenhisfingers。
　　"Mr。Hathaway，IWILLbefrankwithyou。Iknownothingofthisblankaffair——blankitall!——butwhatI'vetoldyou。Yourdiscoverymaybeacoincidence，nothingmore。ButIHAVEbeeninfluenced，sir，——influencedbyoneofthemostperfectgoddess-
　　like——yes，sir；oneofthemostsimplegirlishcreaturesthatGodeversentuponearth。AwomanthatIshouldbeproudtoclaimasmydaughter，awomanthatwouldalwaysbethesuperiorofanymanwhodareaspiretobeherhusband!Ayoungladyaspeerlessinherbeautyassheisinheraccomplishments，andwhoseequaldon'twalkthisplanet!Iknow，sir，YOUdon'tfollowme；Iknow，Mr。
　　Hathaway，yourPuritanprejudices；yourChurchproclivities，yourworldlysenseofpropriety；and，aboveall，sir，theblankedhypocriticalPharisaicdoctrinesofyourparty——ImeannooffensetoYOU，sir，personally——blindyoutothatgirl'sperfections。
　　She，poorchild，herselfhasseenitandfeltit，butnever，inherblamelessinnocenceandpurity，suspectingthecause，'Thereis，'
　　shesaidtomelastnight，confidentially，'somethingstrangelyantagonisticandrepellentinournatures，someundefinedandnamelessbarrierbetweenoureverunderstandingeachother。'Youcomprehend，Mr。Hathaway，shedoesfulljusticetoyourintentionsandyourunquestionedabilities。'Iamnotblind，'shesaid，'toMr。Hathaway'sgifts，anditisverypossiblethefaultlieswithme。'Herverywords，sir。"
　　"Thenyoubelievesheisperfectlyignorantofherrealmother?"
　　askedPaul，withasteadyvoice，butawhiteningface。
　　"Asanunbornchild，"saidthecolonel，emphatically。"ThesnowontheSierrasisnotmorespotlesslypureofanytraceorcontaminationofthemudoftheminingditches，thansheofhermotherandherpast。Theknowledgeofit，themerebreathofsuspicionofit，inherpresencewouldbeaprofanation，sir!Lookathereye——openastheskyandasclear；lookatherfaceandfigure——asclean，sir，asaBlue-Grassthoroughbred!Lookatthewayshecarriesherself，whetherinthosewhitefrillingsofhersimpleschool-gown，orthatblackeveningdressthatmakesherlooklikeaprincess!And，blankme，ifsheisn'tone!There'snopoorstockthere——nowhitetrash——nomixedblood，sir。Blankitall，sir，ifitcomestoTHAT——theArguellos——ifthere'sahoundofthemliving——mightgodownontheirkneestohavetheirnamebornebysuchacreature!BytheEternal，sir，ifoneofthemdaredtocrossherpathwithawordthatwasn'tabject——yes，sir，ABJECT，I'dwipehisdustofftheearthandsenditbacktohisancestorsbeforeheknewwherehewas，ormynameisn'tHarryPendleton!"
　　Hopelessandinconsistentasallthiswas，itwasawonderfulsighttoseethecolonel，hisdarksternfaceilluminatedwithazealot'senthusiasm，hiseyesonfire，theendsofhisgraymoustachecurlingaroundhissetjaw，hisheadthrownback，hislegsastride，andhisgold-headedstickheldinthehollowofhiselbow，likealanceatrest!Paulsawit，andknewthatthisQuixotictransformationwaspartofHERtriumph，andyethadamiserableconsciousnessthatthecharmsofthisDulcineadelTobosohadscarcelybeenexaggerated。Heturnedhiseyesaway，andsaidquietly，——
　　"Thenyoudon'tthinkthiscoincidencewilleverawakenanysuspicioninregardtoherrealmother?"
　　"Notintheleast，sir——notintheleast，"saidthecolonel，yet，perhaps，withmoredoggednessthanconvictionofaccent。"Nobodybutyourselfwouldevernoticethatpolicereport，andtheconnectionofthatwoman'snamewithhiswasnotnotorious，orI
　　shouldhaveknownit。"
　　"Andyoubelieve，"continuedPaulhopelessly，"thatMissYerba'sselectionofthenamewaspurelyaccidental?"
　　"Purely——aschool-girl'sfancy。Fancy，didIsay?No，sir；byJove，aninspiration!"
　　"And，"continuedPaul，almostmechanically，"youdonotthinkitmaybesomeinsidioussuggestionofanenemywhoknewofthistransientrelationthatnoonesuspected?"
　　TohisfinalamazementPendleton'sbrowcleared!"Anenemy?Gad!
　　youmayberight。I'lllookintoit；and，ifthatisthecase，whichIscarcelydarehopefor，Mr。Hathaway，youcansafelyleavehimtoME。"
　　HelookedsosupremelyconfidentinhisfatuousheroismthatPaulcouldsaynomore。Heroseand，withafaintsmileuponhispaleface，heldouthishand。"IthinkthatisallIhavetosay。WhenyouseeMissYerbaagain，——asyouwill，nodoubt，——youmaytellherthatIamconsciousofnomisunderstandingonmypart，except，perhaps，astothebestwayIcouldserveher，andthat，butforwhatshehastoldYOU，IshouldcertainlyhavecarriedawaynoremembranceofanymisunderstandingofHERS。"
　　"Certainly，"saidthecolonel，withcheerfulphilosophy，"Iwillcarryyourmessagewithpleasure。Youunderstandhowitis，Mr。
　　Hathaway。Thereisnoaccountingfortheseinstincts——wecanonlyacceptthemastheyare。ButIbelievethatyourintentions，sir，werestrictlyaccordingtowhatyouconceivedtobeyourduty。Youwon'ttakesomethingbeforeyougo?Well，then——good-by。"
　　TwoweekslaterPaulfoundamonghismorninglettersanenvelopeaddressedinColonelPendleton'sboyishscrawlinghand。Heopeneditwithaneagernessthatnostudiedself-controlnorrigidpreoccupationofhisdutieshadyetbeenabletosubdue，andglancedhurriedlyatitscontents:——
　　DEARSIR，——AsIamonthepointofsailingtoEuropeto-morrowtoescortMissArguelloandMissWoodsonanextendedvisittoEnglandandtheContinent，IamdesirousofinformingyouthatIhavethusfarbeenunabletofindanyfoundationforthesuggestionsthrownoutbyyouinourlastinterview。MissArguello'sSpanishacquaintanceshavebeenveryselect，andlimitedtoafewschoolfriendsandDonCaesarandDonaAnnaBriones，triedfriends，whoarealsofellow-passengerswithustoEurope。MissArguellosuggeststhatsomepoliticaldifferencebetweenyouandDonCaesar，whichoccurredduringyourvisittoRosariothreemonthsago，mayhave，perhaps，givenrisetoyoursupposition。Shejoinsmeinbestwishesforyourpubliccareer，whicheveninthedistractionofforeigntravelandtheobligationsofherpositionshewillfollowfromtimetotimewiththegreatestinterest。
　　Veryrespectfullyyours，HARRYPENDLETON。
　　CHAPTERV。
　　Itwasonthe3dofAugust，1863，thatPaulHathawayresignedhimselfandhisluggagetothecareofthegold-laced，ostensibleporteroftheStrudleBadHof，notwithoutsomeuncertainty，inalandofuniforms，whetherhewouldbeeventuallyconductedtothebarracks，thepoliceoffice，ortheConservatoire。HewasrelievedwhentheomnibusdroveintothecourtyardoftheBadHof，andthegold-chainedchamberlain，flankedbytwogreentubsofoleanders，receivedhimwithagravitycalculatedtocheckanypreconceivedideahemighthavethattravelingwasatriflingaffair，orthatanarrivalattheBadHofwasnotofseriousmoment。Hislettershadnotyetarrived，forhehad，inafitofrestlessness，shortenedhisroute，andhestrolledlistlesslyintothereading-room。TwoorthreeEnglishguestswereevidentlyoccupiedineminentlyrespectablereadingandwriting；twoweresittingbythewindowengagedinsubduedbutprofitableconversation；andtwoAmericansfromBostonwerecontentedlyimitatingthemontheothersideoftheroom。Adecentrestraint，asofpeoplewhowerenotforamomenttobeledintoanyforeignideaofsocialgayetyatawatering-place，wasvisibleeverywhere。AspectacledPrussianofficerinfulluniformpassedalongthehall，haltedforamomentatthedoorwayasifcontemplatinganarmedinvasion，thoughtbetterofit，andtookhisuniformawayintothesunlightoftheopensquare，whereitwasjoinedbyotheruniforms，andbecamebycontrastamiracleofunbracedlevity。PaulstoodthePolarsilenceforafewmoments，untiloneofthereadersaroseand，takinghisbook——aMurray——inhishand，walkedslowlyacrosstheroomtoacompanion，mutelypointedtoapassageinthebook，remainedsilentuntiltheotherhaddumblyperusedit，andthenwalkedbackagaintohisseat，havingachievedtheincidentwithoutaword。AtwhichPaul，convincedofhisownincongruity，softlywithdrewwithhishatinhishand，andhiseyesfixeddevotionallyuponit。
　　ItwasgoodafterthattogetintotheslantingsunlightandcheckeredlindenshadowsoftheAllee；toseeevenatightlyjacketedcavalrymannaturallywalkingwithClarchenandhertworound-facedanddrab-hairedyoungcharges；towatchthereturninginvalidprocession，veryrealandveryhuman，eachindividualintenselyinvolvedintheatmosphereofhisownsymptoms；andverygoodafterthattoturnintotheThiergarten，wheretheanimals，were，however，chieflyofhisownspecies，andshamelesslyandopenlyamusingthemselves。Itwaspleasanttocontrastitwithhisfirstvisittotheplacethreemonthsbefore，andcorrecthiscrudeimpressions。Anditwasstillmorepleasantsuddenlytorecognize，undertheroundflatcapofageneralofficer，aformertravelerwhowasfondoftalkingwithhimaboutAmericawithanintelligenceandunderstandingofitthatPaulhadoftenmissedamonghisowntraveledcountrymen。Itwaspleasanttohearhisunaffectedandsimplegreeting，torenewtheiroldacquaintance，andtosaunterbacktothehoteltogetherthroughthelongtwilight。
　　Theywereonlyafewsquaresfromthehotel，whenPaul'sattentionwasattractedbythecuriosityanddelightoftwoorthreechildrenbeforehim，whoappearedtobefollowingaquaint-lookingfigurethatwasevidentlynotunfamiliartothem。Itappearedtobeaservantinastrikingliveryofgreenwithyellowfacingsandcrestedsilverbuttons，butstillmoreremarkablefortheindescribableminglingofjauntyeaseandconsciousdignitywithwhichhecarriedoffhisfinery。TherewassomethingsosingularandyetsovaguelyreminiscentinhispeculiarwalkandtheexaggeratedswingofhislightbamboocanethatPaulcouldnotonlyunderstandthechildishwonderofthepassers-by，whoturnedtolookafterhim，butwasstirredwithadeepercuriosity。Hequickenedhispace，butwasunabletodistinguishanythingofthefaceorfeaturesofthestranger，exceptthathishairunderhiscockedhatappearedtobetightlycurledandpowdered。Paul'scompanion，whowasamusedatwhatseemedtobetheAmerican'snationalcuriosity，hadseenthefigurebefore。"AservantinthesuiteofsomeEasternAltessevisitingthebaths。Youwillseestrangerthings，myfriend，intheStrudleBad。Parexample，yourowncountrymen，too；theonewhohasenrichedhimselfbythatporkofChicago，orthatsoap，orthiscandle，inacarriagewiththecrestofthetitlehehasboughtinItalywithhisdollars，andhisbeautifuldaughters，whoareseekingmoretitleswithpossiblematrimonialcontingencies。"
　　Afteranearlydinner，Paulfoundhiswaytothelittletheatre。
　　HehadalreadybeenstruckbyahighlycoloredposterneartheBahnhof，purportingthatadistinguishedGermancompanywouldgivearepresentationof"UncleTom'sCabin，"andcertainpeculiaritiesinthepictorialadvertisementofthetableauxgavepromiseofsomeentertainment。Hefoundthetheatrefairlyfull；therewastheusualcontingentofabonnirteofficers，afairsprinklingofEnglishandGermantravelers，butapparentlynoneofhisowncountrymen。Hehadnotimetoexaminethehousemoreclosely，fortheplay，commencingwithsimplepunctuality，notonlyfarexceededthepromiseoftheposters，butofanypreviousperformanceoftheplayhehadwitnessed。Transportedatoncetoagorgeoustropicalregion——theslaveStatesofAmerica——resplendentwiththefruitsandpalmsofMauritius，andpeopledexclusivelywithPaulandVirginia'scompanionsinstripedcotton，Hathawaymanagedtokeepacomposedface，untilthearrivalofthegoodSouthernplanterSt。
　　ClairasoneoftheearlierportraitsofGoethe，intopboots，lightkerseymerebreeches，redingoteandlooseByroncollar，compelledhimtoshrinkintotheuppercorneroftheboxwithhishandkerchieftohisface。Luckily，theactionpassedasthenaturaleffectuponahighlysympatheticnatureofreligiousinterviewsbetweenaround-facedflaxen-haired"KleineEva"and"OnkeelTome，"occasionallyassistedbyaDissentingclergymaninGenevabands；ofexcessivebrutalitywithacattlewhipbyaZamiel-likeLegree；ofthesufferingsofarunawaynegroZimmermadchenwithachildthreeshadeslighterthanherself；andofapaintedcanvas"man-hunt，"whereapparentlyfourwellknownGermancomposersonhorseback，withflowinghair，topboots，andaCordechasse，werepursuing，withtheaidofapackoffoxhounds，"themuchtoodeeplyabusedandyetspirituallyelevatedOnkeelTome。"Pauldidnotwaitforthefinalapotheosisof"derKleineEva，"but，inthesilenceofahushedaudience，madehiswayintothecorridoranddownthestaircase。Hewaspassinganopendoormarked"Direction，"whenhisattentionwassharplyattractedbyasmallgatheringarounditandthesoundsofindignantdeclamation。
　　Itwasthevoiceofacountryman——morethanthat，itwasafamiliarvoice，thathehadnotheardforthreeyears——thevoiceofColonelHarryPendleton!
　　"Tellhim，"saidPendleton，inscathingtones，tosomeinvisibleinterpreter，——"tell，him，sir，thatamoreinfamouscaricatureoftheblankestcaricaturethatevermalignedafreepeople，sir，I
　　neverbeforehadthehonorofwitnessing。TellhimthatI，sir——I，HarryPendleton，ofKentucky，aSoutherner，sir——anoldslaveholder，sir，declareittobeatissueoffalsehoodsunworthythecredenceofaChristiancivilizationlikethis——unworthytheattentionofthedistinguishedladiesandgentlementhataregatheredhereto-night。Tellhim，sir，hehasbeenimposedupon。
　　TellhimIamresponsible——givehimmycardandaddress——personallyresponsibleforwhatIsay。Ifhewantsproofs——blankitall!——
　　tellhimyouyourselfhavebeenaslave——MYslave，sir!Takeoffyourhat，sir!Askhimtolookatyou——askhimifhethinksyoueverlookedorcouldlooklikethatlop-eared，psalm-singing，white-headedhypocriteonthestage!Askhim，sir，ifhethinksthatblankringmastertheycallSt。ClairlookslikeME!"
　　AtthisastoundingexordiumPauleagerlypressedforwardandenteredthebureau。TherecertainlywasColonelPendleton，inspotlesseveningdress；erect，flashing，andindignant；hisaquilinenoseliftedlikeahawk'sbeakoverhisquarry，hisiron-
　　graymoustache，nowwhiteandwaxed，partedlikeaswallow'stailoverhishandsomemouth，andbetweenhimandtheastounded"Direction"stoodtheapparitionoftheAllee——George!Therewasnomistakinghimnow。WhatPaulhadthoughtwasacurledwigorpowderwastheoldnegro'sownwhiteknottedwool，andtheastoundingliveryheworewascarriedoffasnoonebutGeorgecouldcarryit。
　　Buthewasstillmoreamazedwhentheoldservant，inaGermanasexaggerated，asincoherent，butstillasfluentandpersuasiveashisownnativespeech，begananextravagantbutperfectlydignifiedanddiplomatictranslationofhismaster'sprotests。Whereandwhen，bywhatinstinct，hehadassimilatedandmadehisownthegrotesqueinversionsandponderoussentimentalitiesofTeutonicphrasing，Paulcouldnotguess；butitwaswithbreathlesswonderthathepresentlybecameawarethat，soperfectandconvincingwastheoldman'sstyleanddeportment，notonlythesimpleofficialsbuteventhebystanderswereprofoundlyimpressedbythisfarragoofabsurdity。Ahappywordhereandthere，thefulltitleandrankgiven，evenwithaslightexaggeration，toeachindividual，broughtadeepandguttural"So!"fromlipsthatwouldhavefounditdifficulttorepeatalineofhisceremoniousidiocy。
　　IntheirpreoccupationneitherthecolonelnorGeorgehadperceivedPaul'sentrance，but，astheoldservantturnedwithmagnificentcourtesytowardsthebystanders，hiseyesfelluponPaul。Aflashofsurprise，triumph，andsatisfactionlituphisrollingeyes。
　　Paulinstantlyknewthathenotonlyrecognizedhim，butthathehadalreadyheardofandthoroughlyappreciatedacertaindistinguishedpositionthatPaulhadlatelyheld，andwasquicktoapplyit。Intensifyingforamomentthegrandiloquenceofhismanner，hecalleduponhismaster'smostdistinguishedandhappilyarrivedoldfriend，theLordLieutenantGovernoroftheGoldenCalifornias，tocorroboratehisstatement。ColonelPendletonstarted，andgraspedPaul'shandwarmly。Paulturnedtothealreadyhalf-mollifiedDirectorwiththediplomaticsuggestionthatthevividandrealisticactingoftheadmirablecompanywhichhehimselfhadwitnessedhadperhapsundulyexcitedhisoldfriend，evenasithadundoubtedlythrownintogreaterrelieftheusualexaggerationsofdramaticrepresentation，andtheincidentterminatedwithaprofusionofapologies，andthemostcordialexpressionsofinternationalgoodfeelingonbothsides。
　　Yet，astheyturnedawayfromthetheatretogether，Paulcouldnothelpnoticingthat，althoughthecolonel'sfirstgreetinghadbeenspontaneousandunaffected，itwassucceededbyanuneasyreserve。
　　Paulmadenoattempttobreakit，andconfinedhimselftoafewgeneralinquiries，endingbyinvitingthecoloneltosupwithhimatthehotel。Pendletonhesitated。"Atanyothertime，Mr。
　　Hathaway，Ishouldhaveinsisteduponyou，asthestranger，suppingwithme；butsincetheabsenceof——of——therestofmyparty——IhavegivenupmysuiteofroomsattheBadHof，andhavetakensmallerlodgingsformyselfandtheboyattheSchwartzeAdler。MissWoodsandMissArguellohaveacceptedaninvitationtospendafewdaysatthevillaoftheBaronandBaronessvonSchilprecht——anhourortwofromhere。"Helingeredoverthetitlewithanoddminglingofimpressivenessandinquiry，andglancedatPaul。ButHathawayexhibitingneitheremotionnorsurpriseatthementionofYerba'snameorthetitleofherhost，hecontinued，"MissArguello，I
　　supposeyouknow，isimmenselyadmired:shehasbeen，sir，theacknowledgedbelleofStrudleBad。"
　　"Icanreadilybelieveit，"saidPaul，simply。
　　"Andhastakentheposition——theposition，sir，towhichsheisentitled。"
　　WithoutappearingtonoticetheslightchallengeinPendleton'stone，Paulreturned，"Iamgladtohearit。Themoreparticularlyas，Ibelieve，theGermansaregreatsticklersforpositionandpedigree。"
　　"Youareright，sir——quiteright:theyare，"saidthecolonel，proudly——"although"——withacertainpremeditateddeliberation——"I
　　havebeencrediblyinformedthattheKingcan，incertaincases，ifhechooses，supply——yes，sir——SUPPLYafavoredpersonwithancestors——yes，sir，withANCESTORS!"
　　Paulcastaquickglanceathiscompanion。
　　"Yes，sir——thatis，wewillsay，inthecaseofaladyofinferiorrank——orevenbirth，theKingofthesepartscan，onhermarriagewithanobleman——blankitall!——ennobleherfatherandmother，andtheirfathersandmothers，thoughthey'vebeendead，orasgoodasdead，foryears。"
　　"Iamafraidthat'saslightexaggerationoftherarecustomofgranting'noblelands，'orestatesthatcarryhereditarytitleswiththem，"saidPaul，moreemphatically，perhaps，thantheoccasiondemanded。
　　"Fact，sir——Georgethereknowsitall，"saidPendleton。"Hegetsitfromtheotherservants。Idon'tspeakthelanguage，sir，butHEdoes。Pickeditupinayear。"
　　"Imustcomplimenthimonhisfluency，certainly，"saidPaul，lookingatGeorge。
　　Theoldservantsmiled，andnotwithoutacertaincondescension。
　　"Yes，sah；Idon'saytoascholarlikeyo'self，sah，datI'segotdegrandmaticalpresichion；butasfah，sah——asfahasdeIDIOTISMS
　　obdelanguagegoes。Sah——it'sgen'llyallowedI'mdar!AstowhatMarseHarrysaysobdeignoblingobpredecessors，I'vehadit，sah，fromdebestautority，sah——defurst，Imaysay，sah——derealprimafaciemen——degemplumobhisSereneHighness，indekorseebordinaryconversashun，sah。"
　　"That'lldo，George，"saidPendleton，withpaternalbrusqueness。
　　"RunonaheadandtellthatblankchamberlainthatMr。Hathawayisoneofmyfriends——andhavesupperaccordingly。"AsthenegrohastenedawayheturnedtoPaul:"Whathesaysistrue:he'sthemostpopularmanorboyinallStrudleBad——adevilishsightmorethanhismaster——andgoesanywherewhereIcan'tgo。Princesandprincessesstopandtalktohiminthestreet；theGrandDukeaskedpermissiontohavehimupinhiscarriageattheracestheotherday；and，bytheEternal，sir，hegivesthestyletoalltheflunkeysintown!"
　　"AndIsee，hedressesthecharacter，"observedPaul。