saidChristie，withafrankexpressionofreliefsogenuineastoutterlydiscomposeherfather。"Perhapsyouareright，thoughI
　　failtodiscoveranythingseriousintheattentionsofyoungKearneytoJessie——or——whoeveritmaybe——tome。Butitwillbeveryeasytoremedyit，andseelessofthem。Indeed，wemightbeginto—daywithsomeexcuse。"
　　"Yes——certainly。Ofcourse!"saidMr。Carr，fullyconvincedofhisutterfailure，but，likemostweakcreatures，consolinghimselfwiththereflectionthathehadnotshownhishandorcommittedhimself。"Yes；butitwouldperhapsbejustaswellforthepresenttoletthingsgoonastheywere。We’lltalkofitagain——
　　I’minahurrynow，"and，edginghimselfthroughthedoor，heslippedaway。
　　"Whatdoyouthinkisfather’slastidea？"saidChristie，with，I
　　fear，aslightlackofreverenceinhertone，ashersisterreenteredtheroom。"HethinksGeorgeKearneyispayingyoutoomuchattention。"
　　"No!"saidJessie，replyingtohersister’shalf—interrogative，half—amusedglancewithafrank，unconscioussmile。
　　"Yes，andhesaysthatFairfax——Ithinkit’sFairfax——isequallyfascinatedwithME。"
　　Jessie’sbrowslightlycontractedasshelookedcuriouslyathersister。
　　"Ofallthings，"shesaid，"Iwonderifanyonehasputthatideaintohisdearoldhead。Hecouldn’thavethoughtithimself。"
　　"Idon’tknow，"saidChristiemusingly；"butperhapsit’sjustaswellifwekeptalittlemoretoourselvesforawhile。"
　　"Didfathersayso？"saidJessiequickly。
　　"No，butthatisevidentlywhathemeant。"
　　"Ye—es，"saidJessieslowly，"unless——"
　　"Unlesswhat？"saidChristiesharply。"Jessie，youdon’tforamomentmeantosaythatyoucouldpossiblyconceiveofanythingelse？"
　　"Imeantosay，"saidJessie，stealingherarmaroundhersister’swaistdemurely，"thatyouareperfectlyright。We’llkeepawayfromthesefascinatingDevil’sForders，andparticularlytheyoungestKearney。Ibelievetherehasbeensomeill—naturedgossip。Irememberthattheotherday，whenwepassedtheshantyofthatPikeCountyfamilyontheslope，therewerethreewomenatthedoor，andoneofthemsaidsomethingthatmadepoorlittleKearneyturnwhiteandpinkalternately，anddancewithsuppressedrage。Isupposetheoldlady——M’Corkle，that’shername——wouldliketohaveashareofourcavaliersforherEuphemyandMamie。I
　　daresayit’sonlyright；Iwouldlendthemthecheruboccasionally，andyoumightletthemhaveMr。Munroetwiceaweek。"
　　Shelaughed，buthereyessoughthersister’swithacertainwatchfulnessofexpression。
　　Christieshruggedhershoulders，withasuggestionofdisgust。
　　"Don’tjoke。Weoughttohavethoughtofallthisbefore。"
　　"Butwhenwefirstknewthem，inthedearoldcabin，therewasn’tanyotherwomanandnobodytogossip，andthat’swhatmadeitsonice。Idon’tthinksoverymuchofcivilization，doyou？"saidtheyoungladypertly。
　　Christiedidnotreply。Perhapsshewasthinkingthesamething。
　　Itcertainlyhadbeenverypleasanttoenjoythespontaneousandchivalroushomageofthesemen，withnofurthersuggestionofrecompenseorresponsibilitythanthepermissiontobeworshipped；
　　butbeyondthatsherackedherbraininvaintorecallanylookoractthatproclaimedthelover。Thesemen，whomshehadfoundsorelapsedintobarbarismthattheyhadforgottenthemostordinaryformsofcivilization；thesemen，eveninwhoseextravagantadmirationtherewasacertainlossofself—respect，thatasawomanshewouldneverforgive；thesemen，whoseemedtobelongtoanotherrace——impossible!Yetitwasso。
　　"Whatconstructionmusttheyhaveputuponherfather’sacceptanceoftheirpresents——oftheircompany——ofherfreedomintheirpresence？No!theymusthaveunderstoodfromthebeginningthatsheandhersisterhadneverlookeduponthemexceptastransienthostsandchanceacquaintances。Anyotherideawaspreposterous。
　　Andyet——"
　　Itwastherecurrenceofthis"yet"thatalarmedher。Forsherememberednowthatbutfortheirslavishdevotiontheymightclaimtobeherequal。Accordingtoherfather’saccount，theyhadcomefromhomesasgoodastheirown；theywerecertainlymorethanherequalinfortune；andherfatherhadcometothemasanemployee，untiltheyhadtakenhimintopartnership。Iftherehadonlybeensentimentofanykindconnectedwithanyofthem!Buttheywereallalike，brave，unselfish，humorous——andoftenridiculous。Ifanything，DickMattinglywasfunniestbynature，andmadeherlaughmore。MarylandJoe，hisbrother，toldbetterstories（sometimesofDick），thoughnotsogoodamimicastheotherKearney，whohadafairlysympatheticvoiceinsinging。Theywereallgood—lookingenough；perhapstheysetstoreonthat——menaresovain。
　　Andasforherownrejectedsuitor，FairfaxMunroe，exceptforakindofgraveandpropermotherlinessabouthisprotectingmanner，heabsolutelywasthemostindistinctiveofthemall。HehadoncebroughthersomerareteafromtheChinesecamp，andhadtaughtherhowtomakeit；hehadcautionedheragainstsittingunderthetreesatnightfall；hehadoncetakenoffhiscoattowraparoundher。Really，ifthisweretheonlyevidenceofdevotionthatcouldbeshown，shewassafe!
　　"Well，"saidJessie，"itamusesyou，Isee。"
　　ChristiecheckedthesmilethathadbeendimplingthecheeknearestJessie，andturneduponherthefaceofaneldersister。
　　"Tellme，haveYOUnoticedthisextraordinaryattentionofMr。
　　Munroetome？"
　　"Candidly？"askedJessie，seatingherselfcomfortablyonthetablesideways，andendeavoring，topullherskirtoverherlittlefeet。
　　"HonestInjun？"
　　"Don’tbeidiotic，and，aboveall，don’tbeslangy!Ofcourse，candidly。"
　　"Well，no。Ican’tsaythatIhave。"
　　"Then，"saidChristie，"whyinthenameofallthat’spreposterous，dotheypersistinpairingmeoffwiththeleastinterestingmanofthelot？"
　　Jessieleapedfromthetable。
　　"Comenow，"shesaid，withalittlenervouslaugh，"he’snotsobadasallthat。Youdon’tknowhim。Butwhatdoesitmatternow，aslongaswe’renotgoingtoseethemanymore？"
　　"They’recomingherefortherideto—day，"saidChristieresignedly。"Fatherthoughtitbetternottobreakitoffatonce。"
　　"Fatherthoughtso!"echoedJessie，stoppingwithherhandonthedoor。
　　"Yes；whydoyouask？"
　　ButJessiehadalreadylefttheroom，andwassinginginthehall。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　Theafternoondidnot，however，bringtheirexpectedvisitors。Itbrought，instead，abriefnotebythehandsofWhiskeyDickfromFairfax，apologizingforsomebusinessthatkepthimandGeorgeKearneyfromaccompanyingtheladies。Itaddedthatthehorseswereatthedisposalofthemselvesandanyescorttheymightselect，iftheywouldkindlygivethemessagetoWhiskeyDick。
　　Thetwogirlslookedateachotherawkwardly；Jessiedidnotattempttoconcealaslightpout。
　　"Itlooksasiftheywereanticipatingus，"shesaid，withahalf—
　　forcedsmile。"Iwonder，now，iftherereallyhasbeenanygossip？
　　Butno!Theywouldn’thavestoppedforthat，unless——"Shelookedcuriouslyathersister。
　　"Unlesswhat？"repeatedChristie；"youarehorriblymysteriousthismorning。"
　　"AmI？It’snothing。Butthey’rewantingananswer。Ofcourseyou’lldecline。"
　　"Andintimateweonlycarefortheircompany!No!We’llsaywe’resorrytheycan’tcome，and——accepttheirhorses。Wecandowithoutanescort，wetwo。"
　　"Capital!"saidJessie，clappingherhands。"We’llshowthem——"
　　"We’llshowthemnothing，"interruptedChristiedecidedly。"Inourplacethere’sonlytheonethingtodo。Whereisthis——WhiskeyDick？"
　　"Intheparlor。"
　　"Theparlor!"echoedChristie。"WhiskeyDick？What——ishe——"
　　"Yes；he’sallright，"saidJessieconfidently。"He’sbeenherebefore，buthestayedinthehall；hewassoshy。Idon’tthinkyousawhim。"
　　"Ishouldthinknot——WhiskeyDick!"
　　"Oh，youcancallhimMr。Hall，ifyoulike，"saidJessie，laughing。"HisrealnameisDickHall。Ifyouwanttobefunny，youcansayAlkyHall，astheothersdo。"
　　Christie’sonlyreplytothislevitywasalookofsuperiorresignationasshecrossedthehallandenteredtheparlor。
　　Thenensuedoneofthosesurprising，mystifying，andutterlyinexplicablechangesthatleavethemasculinebeingsohelplessinthehandsofhisfemininemaster。BeforeChristieopenedthedoorherfaceunderwentarapidtransformation：thegentleglowofarefinedwoman’swelcomesuddenlybeamedinherinterestedeyes；theimpulsivecourtesyofanexpectanthostesseagerlyseizingalong—
　　looked—foropportunitybrokeinasmileuponherlipsasshesweptacrosstheroom，andstoppedwithhertwowhiteoutstretchedhandsbeforeWhiskeyDick。
　　Itneededonlytheextravagantcontrastpresentedbythatgentlemantocompletethetableau。Attiredinasuitofshiningblackalpaca，thevisitorhadevidentlypreparedhimselfwithsomecareforapossibleinterview。HewasseatedbytheFrenchwindowopeningupontheveranda，asiftosecurearetreatincaseofanemergency。Scrupulouslywashedandshaven，someofthesoapappearedtohavelingeredinhiseyesandinflamedthelids，evenwhileitlentasleekandshininglustre，notunlikehiscoat，tohissmoothblackhair。Nevertheless，leaningbackinhischair，hehadallowedalargewhitehandkerchieftodependgracefullyfromhisfingers——aposeatoncesuggestingeasyandelegantlangour。
　　"Howkindofyoutogivemeanopportunitytomakeupformymisfortunewhenyoulastcalled!Iwassosorrytohavemissedyou。Butitwasentirelymyfault!Youwerehurried，Ithink——youconversedwithothersinthehall——you——"
　　Shestoppedtoassisthimtopickupthehandkerchiefthathadfallen，andthePanamahatthathadrolledfromhislaptowardsthewindowwhenhehadstartedsuddenlytohisfeetattheapparitionofgraceandbeauty。Ashestillnervouslyretainedthetwohandshehadgrasped，thiswouldhavebeenadifficultfeat，evenhadhenotendeavoredatthesamemoment，byabackwardfurtivekick，topropelthehatoutofthewindow，atwhichshelaughinglybrokefromhisgraspandflewtotherescue。
　　"Don’tmindit，miss，"hesaidhurriedly。"Itisnotworthyourdemeaningyourselftotouchit。Leaveitoutsidethar，miss。I
　　wouldn’thavetoteditin，anyhow，ifsomeofthosehigh—falutin’
　　fellowshadn’tallowed，theothernight，ezitwerethereg’larthingtodo；asif，miss，anygentlemankalkilatedtoeverputonhishatinthehouseaforealady!"
　　ButChristiehadalreadypossessedherselfoftheunluckyobject，andhadplacedituponthetable。ThiscompelledWhiskeyDicktoriseagain，andasanactofcarelessgoodbreedingtodrophishandkerchiefinit。Hethenleanedoneelbowuponthepiano，and，crossingonefootovertheother，remainedstandinginanattitudeherememberedtohaveseeninthepagesofanillustratedpaperasportrayingtheheroinsomedrawing—roomscene。Itwaseasyandeffective，butseemedtobemorefavorabletoreverythanconversation。Indeed，herememberedthathehadforgottentoconsulttheletterpressastowhichitrepresented。
　　"Iseeyouagreewithme，thatpolitenessisquiteamatterofintention，"saidChristie，"andnotofmerefashionandrules。
　　Now，forinstance，"shecontinued，withadazzlingsmile，"I
　　suppose，accordingtotherules，IoughttogiveyouanotetoMr。
　　Munroe，acceptinghisoffer。Thatisallthatisrequired；butitseemssomuchnicer，don’tyouthink，totellittoYOUforHIM，andhavethepleasureofyourcompanyandalittlechatatthesametime。"
　　"That’sit，that’sjustit，MissCarr；you’vehititinthecentrethistime，"saidWhiskeyDick，nowquiteconvincedthathisattitudewasnotintendedforeloquence，andshiftingbacktohisownseat，hatandall；"that’stantamounttowhatIsaidtotheboysjustnow。’Youwantanexcuse，’sezI，’fornotgoin’outwiththeyoungladies。So，accorden’torules，youwritesaletterallowin’buzzinessandthatsorterthingdetainsyou。Butwot’sthefacts？You’reagentleman，andasgentlemenyouandGeorgecomestotheopinionthatyou’reratherplayin’itforallit’sworthinthisyerhouse，youknow——comin’herenightandday，offandon，reg’larsociableandfam’lylike，andmakin’peopletalkaboutthingstheyain’tanycalltotalkabout，and，what’sadarnedsightmore，YOUFELLOWSain’tgotanyrightYETtoallow’emtotalkabout，d’yesee？"hepaused，outofbreath。
　　ItwasMissChristie’sturntomoveabout。Inchangingherseattothepiano—stool，soastobenearerhervisitor，shebrusheddownsomeloosemusic，whichWhiskeyDickhastenedtopickup。
　　"Praydon’tmindit，"shesaid，"praydon’t，really——letitbe——"
　　ButWhiskeyDick，feelinghimselfonsafegroundinthisattention，persistedtothebitterendofadisintegratedandwell—worn"Travatore。""SothatiswhatMr。Munroesaid，"sheremarkedquietly。
　　"Notjustthen，incourse，butit’swhat’sbinonhismindandinhistalkfordaysoffandon，"returnedDick，withaknowingsmileandanodofmysteriousconfidence。"Blessyoursoul，MissCarr，folkslikeyouandmedon’tneedtohavethemthingsexplained。
　　That’swhatIsaidtohim，sezI。’Don’tsendnonote，butjustgoupthereandhevitoutfairandsquare，andsaywhatyoudomean。’
　　Buttheywouldhevthenote，andIkalkilatedtobringit。ButwhenIsetmyeyesonyou，andheardyouexpressyourselfasyoudidjustnow，Iseztomyself，sezI，’Dick，yer’sayounglady，andafash’nableladyatthat，ezdon’tgofoolin’roundonrulesandetiketts’——excusemyfreedom，MissCarr——’andyouandher，sezI，’kinjustdiscussthisyermatterinasociable，off—hand，fash’nableway。’They’reagoodloto’boys，MissCarr，asquarelot——whitemenallof’em；butthey’realittlesoftandgreen，maybe，fromlivin’intheseyerpinewoodsalongo’theothersap。
　　Theyjustworshipthegroundyouandyoursistertreadon——certain!
　　ofcourse!ofcourse!"headdedhurriedly，recognizingChristie’shalf—conscious，deprecatinggesturewithmoreexaggerateddeprecation。"Iunderstand。ButwhatIwantersayisthatthey’dbewillin’tobethatground，andliedownandletyouwalkoverthem——sotospeak，MissCarr，sotospeak——ifitwouldkeepthehemofyourgownfromgettin’soiledinthemudo’thecamp。Butitwouldn’tdoforthemtomakeareg’larcurderoyroado’themselvesforthehoulcamptotrapseover，onthemerechanceofyoursometimepassin’thatway，woulditnow？"
　　"Won’tyouletmeofferyousomerefreshment，Mr。Hall？"saidChristie，rising，withaslightcolor。"I’mreallyashamedofmyforgetfulnessagain，butI’mafraidit’spartlyYOURfaultforentertainingmetotheexclusionofyourself。No，thankyou，letmefetchitforyou。"
　　Sheturnedtoahandsomesideboardnearthedoor，andpresentlyfacedhimagainwithadecanterofwhiskeyandaglassinherhand，andareturnofthebewitchingsmileshehadwornonentering。
　　"Butperhapsyoudon’ttakewhiskey？"suggestedthearchdeceiver，withasuddenaffectedbutprettyperplexityofeye，brow，andlips。
　　ForthefirsttimeinhislifeWhiskeyDickhesitatedbetweentwoformsofintoxication。Buthewasstillnervousanduneasy；habittriumphed，andhetookthewhiskey。He，however，wipedhislipswithaslightwaveofhishandkerchief，tosupportacertaineasyelegancewhichhefirmlybelievedrelievedtheactofanyvulgarquality。
　　"Yes，ma’am，"hecontinued，afteranexhilaratedpause。"EzIsaidafore，thisyer’samatteryouandmecandiscussafterthefashiono’society。MyideaisthattheseyerboysshouldkinderletuponyouandMissJessieforawhile，anddoalittlemorepermiskusattentionroundtheFord。There’soneortwofamiliesyerwithgrown—upgalsezoughterbesquared；thatis——theboysmighterputinafewfancytouchesamongthem——kindertake’embuggyriding——ortochurch——onceinawhile——justtotakethepizenoutertheirtongues，andmakeakindo’blufftotheparents，d’yesee？Thatwouldsorterdiverttheirownminds；andevenifitdidn’t，itwouldkinderget’emaccustomedagintotheoldstyleandtheirownkind。Iwanttowarnyeaginanideathatmightoccurtoyouinaginiralway。Idon’tsayyouhevtheidea，butit’skindo’
　　nat’ralyoumightbethinkin’ofitsometime，andIthoughtI’dwarnyouaginit。"
　　"Ithinkweunderstandeachothertoowelltodiffermuch，Mr。
　　Hall，"saidChristie，stillsmiling；"butwhatistheidea？"
　　ThedelicatecomplimenttotheirconfidentialrelationsandtheslightstimulusofliquorhadtremulouslyexaltedWhiskeyDick。
　　Affectingtolookcautiouslyoutofthewindowandaroundtheroom，heventuredtodrawnearertheyoungwomanwithahalf—paternal，half—timidfamiliarity。
　　"Itmighthaveoccurredtoyou，"hesaid，layinghishandkerchiefasiftoveilmerevulgarcontact，onChristie’sshoulder，"thatitwouldbeagoodthingonYOURsidetoinvitedownsomeofyourhigh—tonedgentlemenfriendsfrom’Friscotovisityouandescortyouround。Itseemsquitenat’rallike，andIdon’tsayitain’t，but——theboyswouldn’tstandforit。"
　　Inspiteofherself—possession，Christie’seyessuddenlydarkened，andsheinvoluntarilydrewherselfup。ButWhiskeyDick，guiltilyattributingthemovementtohisownindiscreetgesture，said，"Excuseme，miss，"recoveredhimselfbylightlydustinghershoulderwithhishandkerchief，asiftoremovetheimpression，andhersmilereturned。
　　"Theywouldn’tstandforit，"saidDick，"andthere’dbesomeshooting!Notaforeyou，miss——notaforeyou，incourse!Butthey’dadjourntothewoodssomemorningwiththemcityfolks，andhevitoutwithriflesatahundredyards。Or，seein’ezthey’recityfolks，theboyswoulddothesquarethingwithpistolsattwelvepaces。They’regoodboys，asIsaidafore；butthey’requickandtetchy——George，beingtheyoungest，nat’rallyisthetetchiest。Youknowhowitis，MissCarr；hispretty，gal—likefaceandlittlemoustacheshazcosthimhalfadozenscrimmagesalready。He’zhadafightforeveryhairthat’sgrowedinhismoustachesincehekemhere。"
　　"Saynomore，Mr。Hall!"saidChristie，risingandpressingherhandslightlyonDick’stremulousfingers。"IfIeverhadanysuchidea，Ishouldabandonitnow；youarequiterightinthisasinyourotheropinions。IshallneverceasetobethankfultoMr。
　　MunroeandMr。Kearneythattheyintrustedthisdelicatemattertoyourhands。"
　　"Well，"saidthegratifiedandreddeningvisitor，"itain’tperhapsthesquarethingtothemormyselftosaythattheyreckonedtohavemediscusstheirdelicateaffairsforthem，but——"
　　"Iunderstand，"interruptedChristie。"Theysimplygaveyoutheletterasafriend。Itwasmygoodfortunetofindyouasympathizingandliberalmanoftheworld。"ThedelightedDick，withconsciousvanitybeamingfromeveryfeatureofhisshiningface，lightlywavedthecomplimentasidewithhishandkerchief，asshecontinued，"ButIamforgettingthemessage。Weacceptthehorses。OfcourseweCOULDdowithoutanescort；butforgivemyspeakingsofrankly，areYOUengagedthisafternoon？"
　　"Excuseme，miss，Idon’ttake——"stammeredDick，scarcelybelievinghisears。
　　"Couldyougiveusyourcompanyasanescort？"repeatedChristiewithasmile。
　　Washeawakeordreaming，orwasthissometrickofliquorinhisoftendistortedfancy？He，WhiskeyDick!thebuttofhisfriends，thecharteredoracleofthebarrooms，eveninwhosewretchedvanitytherewasalwaysthehauntingsuspicionthathewasdespisedandscorned；he，whohaddaredsomuchinspeech，andachievedsolittleinfact!he，whosehabitualweaknesshadevenledhimintothewildestindiscretionhere；he——nowofferedarewardforthatindiscretion!He，WhiskeyDick，thesolicitedescortofthesetwobeautifulandpeerlessgirls!WhatwouldtheysayattheFord？
　　Whatwouldhisfriendsthink？ItwouldbeallovertheFordthenextday。Hispastwouldbevindicated，hisfuturesecured。Hegrewerectatthethought。Itwasalmostinothervoice，andwithnotraceofhispreviousexaggeration，thathesaid，"Withpleasure。"
　　"Then，ifyouwillbringthehorsesatonce，weshallbereadywhenyoureturn。"
　　Inanotherinstanthehadvanished，asifafraidtotrusttherealityofhisgoodfortunetothedangersofdelay。Attheendofhalfanhourhereappeared，leadingthetwohorses，himselfmountedonahalf—brokenmustang。Apairoflarge，jinglingsilverspursandastiffsombrero，borrowedwiththemustangfromsomemysterioussource，weredonnedtodohonortotheoccasion。
　　Theyounggirlswerenotyetready，buthewasshownbytheChineseservantintotheparlortowaitforthem。Thedecanterofwhiskeyandglasseswerestillinvitinglythere。Hewashot，trembling，andflushedwithtriumph。Hewalkedtothetableandlaidhishandonthedecanter，whenanoddthoughtflasheduponhim。Hewouldnotdrinkthistime。No，itshouldnotbesaidthathe，theselectedescortoftheeliteofDevil’sFord，hadtofillhimselfupwithwhiskeybeforetheystarted。Theboysmightturntoeachotherintheirastonishment，asheproudlypassedwithhisfaircompanions，andsay，"It’sWhiskeyDick，"buthe’dbed————diftheyshouldadd，"andfullasever。"No，sir!Norwhenhewasridingbesidetheserealladies，andleaningoverthematsomeconfidentialmoment，shouldtheyevenknowitfromhisbreath!
　　No……Yetathimbleful，takenstraight，onlyathimbleful，wouldn’tbemuch，andmighthelptopullhimtogether。Heagainreachedhistremblinghandforthedecanter，hesitated，andthen，turninghisbackuponit，resolutelywalkedtotheopenwindow。
　　AlmostatthesameinstanthefoundhimselffacetofacewithChristieontheveranda。
　　Shelookedintohisbloodshoteyes，andcastaswiftglanceatthedecanter。
　　"Won’tyoutakesomethingbeforeyougo？"shesaidsweetly。
　　"I——reckon——not，jestnow，"stammeredWhiskeyDick，withaheroiceffort。
　　"You’reright，"saidChristie。"Iseeyouarelikeme。It’stoohotforanythingfiery。Comewithme。"
　　Sheledhimintothedining—room，andpouringoutaglassoficedteahandedittohim。PoorDickwasnotpreparedforthisterribleculmination。WhiskeyDickandicedtea!Butunderpretenceofseeingifitwasproperlyflavored，Christieraisedittoherownlips。
　　"Tryit，topleaseme。"
　　Hedrainedthegoblet。
　　"Now，then，"saidChristiegayly，"let’sfindJessie，andbeoff!"
　　CHAPTERV
　　Whatevermighthavebeenhisotherdeficienciesasanescort，WhiskeyDickwasagoodhorseman，and，inspiteofhisfractiousbrute，exhibitedsuchskillandconfidenceastoatoncesatisfytheyounggirlsofhisvaluetotheminthemanagementoftheirownhorses，towhomside—saddleswerestillanalarmingnovelty。
　　Jessie，whohadprobablyalreadylearnedfromhersisterthepurportofDick’sconfidences，hadreceivedhimwithequalcordialityandperhapsamoreunqualifiedamusement；andnow，whenfairlyliftedintothesaddlebyhistremulousbutrespectfulhands，madeaverycharmingpictureofyouthfulandrosysatisfaction。AndwhenChristie，morefascinatingthaneverinherriding—habit，tookherplaceontheothersideofDick，astheysalliedfromthegate，thatgentlemanfelthiscupofhappinesscomplete。Histriumphalentreeintotheworldofcivilizationandfashionwassecure。Hedidnotregrettheuntastedliquor；herewasanexperienceinafteryearstoleanhisbackagainstcomfortablyinbar—rooms，toentranceordefymankind。Hehadevengotsofarastoformulateinfancythesentence："Iremember，gentlemen，thatoneafternoon，beingonapasearwithtwofash’nableyoungladies，"etc。，etc。
　　Atpresent，however，hewasobligedtoconfinehimselftothefunctionsofanelegantguideandcicerone——whennotengagedin"havingitout"withhishorse。Theirwaylayalongtheslope，crossingthehigh—roadatrightangles，toreachthedeeperwoodsbeyond。Dickwouldhavelingeredonthehighway——ostensiblytopointouttohiscompanionsthenewflumethathadtakentheplaceofthecondemnedditch，butreallyinthehopeofexposinghimselfinhisglorytothecuriouseyesofthewayfaringworld。
　　Unhappilytheroadwasdesertedinthestillpowerfulsunlight，andhewasobligedtoseekthecoverofthewoods，withapassingcomplimenttotheparentofhischarges。Wavinghishandstowardstheflume，hesaid，"Lookatthatworkofyourfather’s；thereain’tnoothermaninCalifornybutPhilipCarrezwouldhevthegrittoholdupsuchabluffaginnaturandaginluckezthatyerflumestandsfor。Idon’tsayit’causeyou’rehisdaughters，ladies!Thatain’tthestyle，ezYOUknow，insassiety，MissCarr，"headded，turningtoChristieasthemoresociallyexperienced。"No!butthereain’tanothermantobefoundezcoulddoit。Itcostalreadytwohundredthousand；it’llcostfivehundredthousandaforeit’sdone；andeverycentofitisgotoutoftheyearthbeneathit，orHEZgottobeoutofit。’Tain’tev’ryman，MissCarr，ezhevgottheplucktopledgenotonlywhathe’sgot，butwhathereckonstogit。"
　　"Butsupposehedon’tgetit？"saidChristie，slightlycontractingherbrows。
　　"Thenthere’stheflumetoshowforit，"saidDick。
　　"Butofwhatuseistheflume，ifthereisn’tanymoregold？"
　　continuedChristie，almostangrily。
　　"That’sgoodfromYOU，miss，"saidDick，givingwaytoafitofhilarity。"That’sgoodforafash’nableyounglady——owndaughterofPhilipCarr。Shesez，saysshe，"continuedDick，appealingtothesedatepinesforappreciationofChristie’srarehumor，"’Wot’stheuseofaflume，whengoldain’tthere？’Imusttellthattotheboys。"
　　"Andwhat’stheuseofthegoldinthegroundwhentheflumeisn’ttheretoworkitout？"saidJessietohersister，withacautioningglancetowardsDick。
　　ButDickdidnotnoticethelookthatpassedbetweenthesisters。
　　ThericherhumorofJessie’sretorthadthrownhimintoconvulsionsoflaughter。
　　"AndnowSHEsays，wot’stheuseo’thegoldwithouttheflume？
　　’Xcuseme，ladies，butthat’sjustputtin’thehullquestionthat’sagitatin’thisyercampintertwospeechesasclearascrystal。
　　There’sthehullcrowdoutside——andsomeon’eminside，likeFairfax，heztheirdoubts——ezsayswithMissChristie；andthere’sallofusinside，ezholdsMissJessie’sviews。"
　　"IneverheardMr。Munroesaythattheflumewaswrong，"saidJessiequickly。
　　"Nottoyou，nat’rally，"saidDick，withaconfidentiallookatChristie；"butIreckonhe’dlikesomeofthemoneyitcostlaidoutforsuthin’else。Butwhat’stheodds？Thegoldisthere，andWE’REboundtogetit。"
　　Dickwastheforemanofagangofpaidworkmen，whohadreplacedthemillionairesinmeremanuallabor，andtheWEwasapolitefigureofspeech。
　　Theconversationseemedtohavetakenanunfortunateturn，andboththegirlsexperiencedafeelingofreliefwhentheyenteredthelonggulchordefilethatledtoIndianSpring。Thetracknowbecomingnarrow，theywereobligedtopassinsinglefilealongtheprecipitoushillside，ledbythisescort。Thiseffectuallyprecludedanyfurtherspeech，andChristieatoncesurrenderedherselftothecalm，obliteratinginfluencesoftheforest。Thesettlementanditsgossipwerefarbehindandforgotten。Intheabsorptionofnature，hercompanionspassedoutofhermind，evenastheysometimespassedoutofhersightinthewindingsoftheshadowytrail。Assherodealone，thefrondsofbreast—highfernsseemedtocaressherwithoutstretchedandgently—detaininghands；
　　strangewildflowerssprangupthroughthepartingunderbrush；eventhegraniterocksthatattimespressedcloselyuponthetrailappearedasifcushionedtohercontactwithstar—rayedmosses，orlightlyflungafterherlonglassoesofdelicatevines。Sherecalledtheabsolutefreedomoftheiral—frescolifeintheolddoublecabin，whenshespentthegreaterpartofherwakinghoursunderthemutetreesintheencompassingsolitude，and，halfregrettingthemorecivilizedrestraintsofthisnewerandmoreambitiousabode，forgotthatshehadeverrebelledagainstit。Thesocialcomplicationthatthreatenedhernowseemedtoherrathertheoutcomeofherhalf—civilizedparlorthanofthesylvanglade。
　　Howeasyitwouldhavebeentohavekeptthecabin，andthentohavegoneawayentirely，thanforherfathertohaveallowedthemtobecompromisedwiththegrowingfortunesofthesettlement!ThesuspicionsanddistrustthatshehadalwaysfeltoftheirfortunesseemedtogrowwiththeinvoluntaryadmissionofWhiskeyDickthattheyweresharedbyotherswhowerepracticalmen。Shewasfaintohaverecoursetotheprospectagaintobanishthesethoughts，andthisopenedhereyestothefactthathercompanionshadbeenmissingfromthetrailaheadofherforsometime。Shequickenedherpaceslightlytoreachaprojectingpointofrockthatgaveheramoreextendedprospect。Buttheyhadevidentlydisappeared。
　　Shewasneitheralarmednorannoyed。Shecouldeasilyovertakethemsoon，fortheywouldmissher，andreturnorwaitforheratthespring。Attheworstshewouldhavenodifficultyinretracingherstepshome。Inherpresentmood，shecouldreadilysparetheircompany；indeedshewasnotsorrythatnootherbeingshouldinterruptthatsympathywiththefreewoodswhichwasbeginningtopossessher。
　　Shewasdestined，however，tobedisappointed。Shehadnotproceededahundredyardsbeforeshenoticedthemovingfigureofamanbeyondherinthehillsidechaparralabovethetrail。Heseemedtobegoinginthesamedirectionasherself，and，asshefancied，endeavoringtoavoidher。Thisexcitedhercuriositytothepointofurgingherhorseforwarduntilthetrailbroadenedintothelevelforestagain，whichshenowrememberedwasapartoftheenvironsofIndianSpring。Thestrangerhesitated，pausingonceortwicewithhisbacktowardsher，asifengagedincarefullyexaminingthedwarfwillowstoselectaswitch。Christieslightlycheckedherspeedasshedrewnearer；when，asifobedienttoasuddenresolution，heturnedandadvancedtowardsher。ShewasrelievedandyetsurprisedtorecognizetheboyishfaceandfigureofGeorgeKearney。Hewasquitepaleandagitated，althoughattempting，byajauntyswingingoftheswitchhehadjustcut，toassumetheappearanceofeaseandconfidence。
　　Herewasanopportunity。Christieresolvedtoprofitbyit。Shedidnotdoubtthattheyoungfellowhadalreadypassedhersisteronthetrail，but，frombashfulness，hadnotdaredtoapproachher。
　　Byinvitinghisconfidence，shewoulddoubtlessdrawsomethingfromhimthatwoulddenyorcorroborateherfather’sopinionofhissentiments。IfhewasreallyinlovewithJessie，shewouldlearnwhatreasonshehadforexpectingaseriousculminationofhissuit，andperhapsshemightbeabledelicatelytoopenhiseyestothetruth。If，asshebelieved，itwasonlyaboyishfancy，shewouldlaughhimoutofitwiththatcamaraderiewhichhadalwaysexistedbetweenthem。Ahalfmotherlysympathy，albeitbornquiteasmuchfromacontemplationofhisbeautifulyearningeyesasfromhisinterestingposition，lightenedthesmilewithwhichshegreetedhim。
　　"Soyoucontrivedtothrowoveryourstupidbusinessandjoinus，afterall，"shesaid；"orwasitthatyouchangedyourmindatthelastmoment？"sheaddedmischievously。"Ithoughtonlywewomenwerepermittedthat!"Indeed，shecouldnothelpnoticingthattherewasreallyastrongfemininesuggestionintheshiftingcolorandslightlyconsciouseyelidsoftheyoungfellow。
　　"Doyounggirlsalwayschangetheirminds？"askedGeorge，withanembarrassedsmile。
　　"Not，always；butsometimestheydon’tknowtheirownmind——
　　particularlyiftheyareveryyoung；andwhentheydoatlast，youclevercreaturesofmen，whohaveinterpretedtheirignorancetopleaseyourselves，abusethemforbeingfickle。"ShestoppedtoobservetheeffectofwhatshebelievedaratherclearandsignificantexpositionofJessie’sandGeorge’spossiblesituation。
　　Butshewasnotpreparedforthelookofblankresignationthatseemedtodrivethecolorfromhisfaceandmoistenthefireofhisdarkeyes。
　　"Ireckonyou’reright，"hesaid，lookingdown。
　　"Oh!we’renotaccusingyouoffickleness，"saidChristiegayly；
　　"althoughyoudidn’tcome，andwewereobligedtoaskMr。Halltojoinus。IsupposeyoufoundhimandJessiejustnow？"
　　ButGeorgemadenoreply。Thecolorwasslowlycomingbacktohisface，which，assheglancedcovertlyathim，seemedtohavegrownsomucholderthathisreturningbloodmighthavebroughttwoorthreeyearswithit。
　　"Really，Mr。Kearney，"shesaiddryly，"onewouldthinkthatsomesilly，conceitedgirl"——shewasquiteearnestinherepithets，forasudden，angryconvictionofsomecoquetryanddisingenuousnessinJessiehadcometoherincontemplatingitseffectsupontheyoungfellowatherside——"somecountryjilt，hadbeentryingherrustichanduponyou。"
　　"Sheisnotsilly，conceited，norcountrified，"saidGeorge，slowlyraisinghisbeautifuleyestotheyounggirlhalfreproachfully。
　　"ItisIwhoamallthat。No，sheisright，andyouknowit。"
　　MuchasChristieadmiredandvaluedhersister’scharms，shethoughtthiswasreallygoingtoofar。WhathadJessieeverdone——
　　whatwasJessie——toprovokeandremaininsensibletosuchablinddevotionasthis？Andreally，lookingathimnow，hewasnotsoVERYYOUNGforJessie；whetherhisunfortunatepassionhadbroughtoutallhislatentmanliness，orwhetherhehadhithertokepthisseriousnatureinthebackground，certainlyhewasnotaboy。Andcertainlyhiswasnotapassionthathecouldbelaughedoutof。
　　Itwasgettingverytiresome。Shewishedshehadnotmethim——atleastuntilshehadhadsomeclearerunderstandingwithhersister。
　　Hewasstillwalkingbesideher，withhishandonherbridlerein，partlytoleadherhorseoversomebouldersinthetrail，andpartlytoconcealhisfirstembarrassment。Whentheyhadfairlyreachedthewoods，hestopped。
　　"Iamgoingtosaygood—by，MissCarr。"
　　"Areyounotcomingfurther？WemustbenearIndianSpring，now；
　　Mr。Halland——andJessie——cannotbefaraway。Youwillkeepmecompanyuntilwemeetthem？"
　　"No，"herepliedquietly。"Ionlystoppedyoutosaygood—by。I
　　amgoingaway。"
　　"NotfromDevil’sFord？"sheasked，inhalf—incredulousastonishment。
　　"Atleast，notforlong？"
　　"Iamnotcomingback，"hereplied。
　　"Butthisisveryabrupt，"shesaidhurriedly，feelingthatinsomeridiculouswayshehadprecipitatedanequallyridiculouscatastrophe。"Surelyyouarenotgoingawayinthisfashion，withoutsayinggood—bytoJessieand——andfather？"
　　"Ishallseeyourfather，ofcourse——andyouwillgivemyregardstoMissJessie。"
　　Heevidentlywasinearnest。Wasthereeveranythingsoperfectlypreposterous？Shebecameindignant。
　　"Ofcourse，"shesaidcoldly，"Iwon’tdetainyou；yourbusinessmustbeurgent，andIforgot——atleastIhadforgottenuntilto—
　　day——thatyouhaveotherdutiesmoreimportantthanthatofsquireofdames。Iamafraidthisforgetfulnessmademethinkyouwouldnotpartfromusinquitesuchabusinessfashion。Ipresume，ifyouhadnotmetmejustnow，weshouldnoneofushaveseenyouagain？"
　　Hedidnotreply。
　　"Willyousaygood—by，MissCarr？"
　　Heheldouthishand。
　　"Onemoment，Mr。Kearney。IfIhavesaidanythingwhichyouthinkjustifiesthisveryabruptleave—taking，Ibegyouwillforgiveandforgetit——or，atleast，letithavenomoreweightwithyouthantheidlewordsofanywoman。Ionlyspokegenerally。Youknow——I——
　　Imightbemistaken。"
　　Hiseyes，whichhaddilatedwhenshebegantospeak，darkened；hiscolor，whichhadquicklycome，asquicklysankwhenshehadended。
　　"Don’tsaythat，MissCarr。Itisnotlikeyou，and——itisuseless。YouknowwhatImeantamomentago。Ireaditinyourreply。YoumeantthatI，likeothers，haddeceivedmyself。Didyounot？"
　　Shecouldnotmeetthosehonesteyeswithlessthanequalhonesty。
　　SheknewthatJessiedidnotlovehim——wouldnotmarryhim——
　　whatevercoquetryshemighthaveshown。
　　"Ididnotmeantooffendyou，"shesaidhesitatingly；"IonlyhalfsuspecteditwhenIspoke。"
　　"Andyouwishtosparemetheavowal？"hesaidbitterly。
　　"Tome，perhaps，yes，byanticipatingit。IcouldnottellwhatideasyoumighthavegatheredfromsomeindiscreetfranknessofJessie——ormyfather，"sheadded，withalmostequalbitterness。
　　"Ihaveneverspokentoeither，"herepliedquickly。Hestopped，andadded，afteramoment’smortifyingreflection，"I’vebeenbroughtupinthewoods，MissCarr，andIsupposeIhavefollowedmyfeelings，insteadoftheetiquetteofsociety。"
　　ChristiewastoorelievedattherehabilitationofJessie’struthfulnesstonoticethefullsignificanceofhisspeech。
　　"Good—by，"hesaidagain，holdingouthishand。
　　"Good—by!"
　　Sheextendedherown，ungloved，withafranksmile。Hehelditforamoment，withhiseyesfixeduponhers。Thensuddenly，asifobeyinganuncontrollableimpulse，hecrusheditlikeafloweragainandagainagainsthisburninglips，anddartedaway。
　　Christiesankbackinhersaddlewithalittlecry，halfofpainandhalfoffrightenedsurprise。Hadthepoorboysuddenlygonemad，orwasthisvicariousfarewellapartofthecourtshipofDevil’sFord？Shelookedatherlittlehand，whichhadreddenedunderthepressure，andsuddenlyfelttheflushextendingtohercheeksandtherootsofherhair。Thiswasintolerable。
　　"Christie!"
　　Itwashersisteremergingfromthewoodtoseekher。Inanothermomentshewasatherside。
　　"Wethoughtyouwerefollowing，"saidJessie。"Goodheavens!howyoulook!Whathashappened？"
　　"Nothing。ImetMr。Kearneyamomentagoonthetrail。Heisgoingaway，and——and——"Shestopped，furiousandflushing。
　　"And，"saidJessie，withaburstofmerriment，"hetoldyouatlasthelovedyou。Oh，Christie!"
　　CHAPTERVI
　　TheabruptdepartureofGeorgeKearneyfromDevil’sFordexcitedbutlittleinterestinthecommunity，andwassoonforgotten。Itwasgenerallyattributedtodifferencesbetweenhimselfandhispartnersonthequestionoffurtheroutlayoftheirearningsonminingimprovements——heandPhilipCarralonerepresentingasanguineminoritywhosefaithinthefutureofthemineacceptedanyrisks。Itwasallegedbysomethathehadsoldouttohisbrother；itwasbelievedbyothersthathehadsimplygonetoSacramentotoborrowmoneyonhisshare，inordertocontinuetheimprovementsonhisownresponsibility。Thepartnersthemselveswereuncommunicative；evenWhiskeyDick，whosincehisremarkablesocialelevationhadbecomelessoracular，muchtohisownastonishment，contributednothingtothegossipexceptasuggestionthatasthefierytemperofGeorgeKearneybrookednoopposition，evenfromhisbrother，itwasbettertheyshouldseparatebeforetheestrangementbecameserious。
　　Mr。Carrdidnotdisguisehisannoyanceatthelossofhisyoungdiscipleandfirmally。ButanunluckyallusiontohispreviousremarksonKearney’sattentionstoJessie，andaquerulousregretthathehadpermittedadisruptionoftheirsocialintimacy，broughtsuchanominousandfrigidopposition，notonlyfromChristie，buteventhefrivolousJessieherself，thatCarrsankbackinacrushedandterrifiedsilence。"Ionlymeanttosay，"hestammeredafterapause，inwhichhe，however，resumedhisaggrievedmanner，"thatFAIRFAXseemstocomeherestill，andHEisnotsuchaparticularfriendofmine。"
　　"Butsheis——andhasyourinterestentirelyatheart，"saidJessie，stoutly，"andheonlycomesheretotellushowthingsaregoingonattheworks。"
　　"Andcriticiseyourfather，Isuppose，"saidMr。Carr，withanattemptatjocularitythatdidnot，however，disguiseanirritatedsuspiciousness。"HereallyseemstohavesupplantedMEashehaspoorKearneyinyourestimation。"
　　"Now，father，"saidJessie，suddenlyseizinghimbytheshouldersinaffectedindignation，butreallytoconcealacertainembarrassmentthatsprangquiteasmuchfromhersister’squietlyobservanteyeasherfather’sspeech，"youpromisedtoletthisridiculousdiscussiondrop。YouwillmakemeandChristiesonervousthatwewillnotdaretoopenthedoortoavisitor，untilhedeclareshisinnocenceofanymatrimonialintentions。Youdon’twanttogivecolortothegossipthatagreementwithyourviewsabouttheimprovementsisnecessarytogettingonwithus。"
　　"Whodarestalksuchrubbish？"saidCarr，reddening；"isthatthekindofgossipthatFairfaxbringshere？"
　　"Hardly，whenit’sknownthathedon’tquiteagreewithyou，andDOEScomehere。That’sthebestdenialofthegossip。"
　　Christie，whohadoflateloftilyignoredthesediscussions，waiteduntilherfatherhadtakenhisdeparture。
　　"ThenthatisthereasonwhyyoustillseeMr。Munroe，afterwhatyousaid，"sheremarkedquietlytoJessie。
　　Jessie，whowouldhavelikedtoescapewithherfather，wasobligedtopauseonthethresholdofthedoor，withaprettyassumptionofblankforgetfulnessinherblueeyesandliftedeyebrows。
　　"Saidwhat？when？"sheaskedvacantly。
　　"When——whenMr。Kearneythatday——inthewoods——wentaway，"saidChristie，faintlycoloring。
　　"Oh!THATday，"saidJessiebriskly；"thedayhejustglovedyourhandwithkisses，andthenfledwildlyintotheforesttoconcealhisemotion。"
　　"Thedayhebehavedveryfoolishly，"saidChristie，withreproachfulcalmness，thatdidnot，however，preventasuspicionofindignantmoistureinhereyes——"whenyouexplained"——
　　"Thatitwasn’tmeantforME，"interruptedJessie。
　　"ThatitwastoyouthatMR。MUNROE’Sattentionsweredirected。
　　Andthenweagreedthatitwasbettertopreventanyfurtheradvancesofthiskindbyavoidinganyfamiliarrelationswitheitherofthem。"
　　"Yes，"saidJessie，"Iremember；butyou’renotconfoundingmyseeingFairfaxoccasionallynowwiththatsortofthing。HE
　　doesn’tkissmyhandlikeanything，"sheadded，asifinabstractreflection。
　　"Norrunaway，either，"suggestedthetroddenworm，turning。
　　Therewasanominoussilence。
　　"Doyouknowwearenearlyoutofcoffee？"saidJessiechoking，butmovingtowardsthedoorwithSpartan—likecalmness。
　　"Yes。Andsomethingmustbedonethisverydayaboutthewashing，"
　　saidChristie，withsuppressedemotion，goingtowardstheoppositeentrance。
　　Tearsstoodineachother’seyeswiththisterribleexchangeofdomesticconfidences。Nevertheless，afteramoment’spause，theydeliberatelyturnedagain，and，facingeachotherwithfrightfulcalmness，lefttheroombypurposelessanddeliberateexitsotherthanthosetheyhadcontemplated——acrushingabnegationofself，that，tosomeextent，relievedtheirsurchargedfeelings。
　　MeantimethematerialprosperityofDevil’sFordincreased，ifaprosperitybaseduponnovisiblefoundationbuttheconfidencesandhopesofitsinhabitantscouldbecalledmaterial。Few，ifany，stoppedtoconsiderthattheimprovements，buildings，andbusinessweresimplytheoutlayofcapitalbroughtfromelsewhere，andasyetthesettlementortown，asitwasnowcalled，hadneitherproducednorexportedcapitalofitselfequaltohalftheamountexpended。Itwastruethatsomelandwascultivatedonthefurtherslope，somemillserectedandlumberfurnishedfromtheinexhaustibleforest；buttheconsumersweretheinhabitantsthemselves，whopaidfortheirproduceinborrowedcapitalorunlimitedcredit。ItwasneverdiscoveredthatwhileallroadsledtoDevil’sFord，Devil’sFordledtonowhere。Thedifficultiesovercomeingettingthingsintothesettlementwereneversurmountedforgettingthingsoutofit。Thelumberwaspracticallyvaluelessforexporttoothersettlementsacrossthemountainroads，whichwereequallyrichintimber。Thetheorysoenthusiasticallyheldbytheoriginallocators，thatDevil’sFordwasavastsinkthathad，throughages，exhaustedandabsorbedthetricklingwealthoftheadjacenthillsandvalleys，wassufferinganironicalcorroboration。
　　OnemorningitwasknownthatworkwasstoppedattheDevil’sFordDitch——temporarilyonly，itwasalleged，andmanyoftheoldworkmensimplyhadtheirlaborforthepresenttransferredtoexcavatingtheriverbanks，andthecollectionofvastheapsof"paygravel。"Specimensfromthesemounds，takenfromdifferentlocalities，andatdifferentlevels，weresenttoSanFranciscoformorerigidassayandanalysis。Itwasbelievedthatthiswouldestablishthefactofthepermanentrichnessofthedrifts，andnotonlyjustifypastexpenditure，butarenewedoutlayofcreditandcapital。ThesuspensionofengineeringworkgaveMr。CarranopportunitytovisitSanFranciscoongeneralbusinessofthemine，whichcouldnot，however，preventhimfromarrangingfurthercombinationswithcapital。Histwodaughtersaccompaniedhim。Itofferedanadmirableopportunityforashoppingexpedition，achangeofscene，andapeacefulsolutionoftheirperplexingandanomaloussocialrelationswithDevil’sFord。Inthefirstflushofgratitudetotheirfatherforthisopportuneholiday，somethingofharmonyhadbeenrestoredtothefamilycirclethathadoflatebeenshakenbydiscord。
　　Buttheirsanguinehopesofenjoymentwerenotentirelyfulfilled。
　　BothJessieandChristiewereobligedtoconfesstoacertaindisappointmentintheaspectofthecivilizationtheywerenowreentering。Theyatfirstattributedittothechangeintheirownhabitsduringthelastthreemonths，andtheirhavingbecomebarbarousandcountrifiedintheirseclusion。CertainlyinthematterofdresstheywerebehindthefashionsasrevealedinMontgomeryStreet。Butwhenthebriefsolaceaffordedthembythemodisteanddressmakerwaspast，thereseemedlittleelsetobegained。Theymissedatfirst，Ifear，thechivalrousandloyaldevotionthathadonlyamusedthematDevil’sFord，andwerethemoreinclined，Ithink，todistrusttheconsciousandmorecivilizedgallantryofthebetterdressedandmorecarefullypresentedmentheymet。Foritmustbeadmittedthat，forobviousreasons，theircriticismswereatfirstconfinedtothesextheyhadbeenmostincontactwith。Theycouldnothelpnoticingthatthemenweremoreeager，annoyinglyfeverish，andself—assertingintheirsuperioreleganceandexternalshowthantheiroldassociateswereintheirfrank，unrestrainedhabits。ItseemedtothemthatthefivemillionairesofDevil’sFord，intheirradicalsimplicityandthoroughness，wereperhapsnearerthetypeoftruegentlemanhoodthanthesecitizenswhoimitatedacivilizationtheywereunableyettoreach。
　　Thewomensimplyfrightenedthem，asbeing，evenmorethanthemen，demonstrativeandexcessiveintheirfinelooks，theirfinedresses，theirextravagantdemandforexcitement。Inlessthanaweektheyfoundthemselvesregretting——notthenewvillaontheslopeofDevil’sFord，whicheveninitsownbizarrefashionwasexceededbythebarbarousostentationofthevillasandprivatehousesaroundthem——butthedoublecabinunderthetrees，whichnowseemedtothemalmostaristocraticinitsgravesimplicityandabstention。Inthemysteriousforestsofmaststhatthrongedthecity’squaystheyrecalledthestraightshaftsofthepinesonDevil’sslopes，onlytomissthesedatereposeandinfinitecalmthatusedtoenvironthem。Inthefeverish，pulsatinglifeoftheyoungmetropolistheyoftenstoppedoppressed，giddy，andchoking；
　　theroarofthestreetsandthoroughfareswasmeaninglesstothem，excepttorevivestrangememoriesofthedeep，unvaryingmonotoneoftheeveningwindovertheirhumblerroofontheSierranhillside。Civicbredandnurturedastheywere，therecurrenceofthesesensationsperplexedandalarmedthem。
　　"Itseemssoperfectlyridiculous，"saidJessie，"forustofeelasoutofplacehereasthatPikeCountyservantgirlinSacramentowhohadneverseenasteamboatbefore；doyouknow，IquitehadaturntheotherdayatseeingamanontheStocktonwharfinaredshirt，witharifleonhisshoulder。"
　　"Andyouwantedtogoandspeaktohim？"saidChristie，withasadsmile。
　　"No，that’sjustit；IfeltawfullyhurtandinjuredthathedidnotcomeupandspeaktoME!Iwonderifwegotanyfeverorthatsortofthingupthere；itmakesonequitesuperstitious。"
　　Christiedidnotreply；morethanoncebeforeshehadfeltthatinexplicablemisgiving。Ithadsometimesseemedtoherthatshehadneverbeenquiteherselfsincethatmemorablenightwhenshehadslippedoutoftheirsleeping—cabin，andstoodaloneinthegraciousandcommandingpresenceofthewoodsandhills。Inthesolitudeofnight，withthehumofthegreatcityrisingbelowher——
　　attimesevenintheatresorcrowdedassembliesofmenandwomen——
　　sheforgotherself，andagainstoodintheweirdbrilliancyofthatmoonlightnightinmuteworshipatthefootofthatslowly—risingmysticaltarofpiledterraces，hangingforests，andliftedplateausthatclimbedforevertothelonelyskies。Againshefeltbeforehertheexpandingandopeningarmsoftheprotectingwoods。