"I’mnotsurethatit’stheworstkindofluck，"returnedDemorest，withpersistentgravity；"andIsupposehe’ssatisfiedwithit。"
　　Butsoheterodoxanopiniononlyirritatedhisantagonistthemore，especiallyashenoticedthatthehandsomewomaninthebackseatappearedtobeinterestedintheconversation，andevensympatheticwithDemorest。Themanwasinthemainagood-naturedfellowandloyaltohisfriends；butthisdidnotprecludeanyvirulentcriticismofothers，andforamomenthehatedthisbronze-facedstranger，andevensawblemishesinthehandsomewoman’sbeauty。
　　"ThatmaybeYOURideaofanEasternman，"hesaidbluntly，"butI
　　kintellyethatCalifornyain’trunonthoselines。No，sir。"
　　Nevertheless，hiscuriositygotthebetterofhisillhumor，andasthecoachatlastpulledupatthecross-roadforDemoresttodescendhesmiledaffablyathisdepartingcompanion。
　　"Youallowedjustnowthatyou’dbinfiveyearsaway。Wharmoutyehavebin？"
　　"InEurope，"saidDemorestpleasantly。
　　"Ireckonedezmuch，"returnedhisinterrogator，smilingsignificantlyattheotherpassengers。"Butinwhatplace？"
　　"Oh，many，"saidDemorest，smilingalso。
　　"Butwhatplacewaryelastlivin’at？"
　　"Well，"saidDemorest，descendingthesteps，butlingeringforamomentwithhishandonthedoorofthecoach，"oddlyenough，nowyouremindmeofit——atHymettus！"
　　Heclosedthedoor，andthecoachrolledon。Thepassengerreddened，glancedindignantlyafterthedepartingfigureofDemorestandsuspiciouslyattheothers。Theladywaslookingfromthewindowwithafaintsmileonherface。
　　"Hemighthevgivenmeacivilanswer，"mutteredthepassenger，andresumedhisnovel。
　　WhenthecoachdrewupbeforeCarter’sHoteltheladygotdown，andthecuriosityofhersusceptiblecompanionswasgratifiedtotheextentoflearningfromtheregisterthathernamewasHorncastle。
　　Shewasshowntoaprivatesitting-room，whichchancedtobetheonewhichhadbelongedtoMrs。Barkerinthedaysofhermaidenhood，andwasthesacred，impenetrablebowertowhichsheretiredwhenherdailydutiesofwaitinguponherfather’sguestswereover。Butthebreathofcustomhadpassedthroughitsincethen，andbutlittleremainedofitsformermaidenglories，exceptafewschoolgirlcrayondrawingsonthewallandanunrecognizableportraitofherselfinoil，donebyawanderingartistandstillpreservedasareceiptforhisunpaidbill。OfthesefactsMrs。
　　Horncastleknewnothing；shewasevidentlypreoccupied，andaftershehadremovedherouterdusterandenteredtheroom，sheglancedattheclockonthemantel-shelfandthrewherselfwithanairofresignedabstractioninanarmchairinthecorner。Hertraveling-
　　dress，althoughunostentatious，wastastefulandwell-fitting；aslightpallorfromherfatiguingjourney，and，perhaps，fromsomeabsorbingthought，madeherbeautystillmorestriking。Shegaveevenanairofelegancetothefaded，wornadornmentsoftheroom，whichitistobefeareditneverpossessedinMissKitty’soccupancy。Againsheglancedattheclock。Therewasatapatthedoor。
　　"Comein。"
　　ThedooropenedtoaChineseservantbearingapieceoftornpaperwithanamewrittenonitinlieuofacard。
　　Mrs。Horncastletookit，glancedatthename，andhandedthepaperback。
　　"Theremustbesomemistake，"shesaid。"itdonotknowMr。
　　Steptoe。"
　　"No，butyouknowMEallthesame，"saidavoicefromthedoorwayasamanentered，coollytooktheChineseservantbytheelbowsandthrusthimintothepassage，closingthedooruponhim。"SteptoeandHorncastlearethesameman，onlyIprefertocallmyselfSteptoeHERE。AndIseeYOU’REdownontheregisteras’Horncastle。’
　　Well，it’spluckyofyou，andit’snotabadnametokeep；youmightbethankfulthatIhavealwaysleftittoyou。AndifIcallmyselfSteptoehereit’sagoodblindagainstanyofyourswellfriendsknowingyoumetyourHUSBANDhere。"
　　Inthehalf-scornful，half-resignedlookshehadgivenhimwhenheenteredtherewasnodoubtthatsherecognizedhimasthemanshehadcometosee。Hehadchangedlittleinthefiveyearsthathadelapsedsinceheenteredthethreepartners’cabinatHeavyTreeHill。HisshorthairandbeardstillclungtohisheadlikecurledmossorthecrispflocculenceofAstrakhan。Hewasdressedmorepretentiously，butstillgavethesameideaofvulgarstrength。
　　Shelistenedtohimwithoutemotion，butsaid，withevenadeepeningofscorninhermanner：——
　　"Whatnewshameisthis？"
　　"NothingNEW，"hereplied。"OnlyfiveyearsagoIwaslivin’overontheBaratHeavyTreeHillunderthenameofSteptoe，andfolksheremightrecognizeme。Iwasherewhenyourparticularfriend，JimStacy，whoonlyknewmeasSteptoe，anddoesn’tknowmeasHorncastle，yourHUSBAND，——forallhe’sboundupmypropertyforyou，——madehisbigstrikewithhistwopartners。Iwasinhiscabinthatverynight，anddrankhiswhiskey。Oh，I’mallrightthere！Ilefteverythingallrightbehindme——onlyit’sjustaswellhedoesn’tknowI’mHorncastle。Andastheboyhappenedtobetherewithme"——Hestopped，andlookedathersignificantly。
　　Theexpressionofherfacechanged。Eagerness，anxiety，andevenfearcameintoitinturn，butalwaysminglingwithsomescornthatdominatedher。"Theboy！"shesaidinavoicethathadchangedtoo；"well，whatabouthim？Youpromisedtotellmeall，——all！"
　　"Where’sthemoney？"hesaid。"HusbandandwifeareONE，Iknow，"
　　hewentonwithacoarselaugh，"butIdon’ttrustMYSELFinthesematters。"
　　Shetookfromatraveling-reticulethatlaybesideherarollofnotesandachamoisleatherbagofcoin，andlaidthemonthetablebeforehim。Heexaminedbothcarefully。
　　"Allright，"hesaid。"Iseeyou’vegotthechecksmadeout’tobearer。’Yourhead’slevel，Conny。Pityyouandmecan’tagree。"
　　"IwenttothebankacrossthewayassoonasIarrived，"shesaid，withcontemptuousdirectness。"ItoldthemIwasgoingovertoHymettusandmightwantmoney。"
　　Hedroppedintoachairbeforeherwithhisbroadheavyhandsuponhisknees，andlookedatherwithanequal，thoughbaser，contempt：
　　forhiswasmingledwithacertainprideofmasteryandpossession。
　　"And，ofcourse，you’llgotoHymettusandcutasplurgeasyoualwaysdo。ThebeautifulMrs。Horncastle！Thehelplessvictimofawretched，dissipated，disgraced，gamblinghusband。Sodreadfullysad，youknow，andsointeresting！Couldgetadivorcefromthebruteifshewanted，butwon’t，onaccountofherreligiousscruples。Andsowhilethebruteisgambling，swindling，disgracinghimself，anddodgingashothereandalynchcommitteethere，twoorthreehundredmilesaway，you’resplurgingroundinfirst-classhotelsandwatering-places，doingtheinjuredandabused，andrunafterbyalotofmenwhoarereadytotakemyplace，and，maybe，someofmyreputationalongwithit。"
　　"Stop！"shesaidsuddenly，inavoicethatmadetheglasschandelierring。Hehadrisentoo，withaquick，uneasyglancetowardsthedoor。Butheroutbreakpassedassuddenly，andsinkingbackintoherchair，shesaid，withherpreviousscornfulresignation，"Nevermind。Goon。YouKNOWyou’relying！"
　　Hesatdownagainandlookedathercritically。"Yes，asfarasyou’reconcernedIWASlying！Iknowyourstyle。Butasyouknow，too，thatI’dkillyouandthefirstmanIsuspected，andthereain’tajudgeorajuryinallCalifornythatwouldn’tletmegofreeforit，andevenconsider，too，thatithadwipedoffthewholeslateaginme——it’stomycredit！"
　　"Iknowwhatyoumencallchivalry，"shesaidcoldly，"butIdidnotcomeheretobuyaknowledgeofthat。Sonowaboutthechild？"
　　sheendedabruptly，leaningforwardagainwiththesamelookofeagersolicitudeinhereyes。
　　"Well，aboutthechild——ourchild——though，perhaps，IprefertosayMYchild，"hebegan，withacertainbrutalfrankness。"I’lltellyou。Butfirst，Idon’twantyoutotalkaboutBUYINGyourinformationofme。IfIhaven’ttoldyouanythingbefore，it’sbecauseIdidn’tthinkyououghterknow。IfIdidn’ttrustthechildtoYOU，it’sbecauseIdidn’tthinkyoucouldgoshashayingaboutwithachildthatwasthreeyearsoldwhenI"——hestoppedandwipedhismouthwiththebackofhishand——"madeanhonestwomanofyou——Ithinkthat’swhattheycallit。"
　　"But，"shesaideagerly，ignoringtheinsult，"Icouldhavehiddenitwherenoonebutmyselfwouldhaveknownit。Icouldhavesentittoschoolandvisiteditasarelation。"
　　"Yes，"hesaidcurtly，"likeallwomen，andthenblurteditoutsomedayandmadeitworse。"
　　"But，"shesaiddesperately，"evenTHEN，supposeIhadbeenwillingtotaketheshameofit！Ihavetakenmore！"
　　"ButIdidn’tintendthatyoushould，"hesaidroughly。
　　"Youareverycarefulofmyreputation，"shereturnedscornfully。
　　"Notbyad————dsight，"heburstout；"butIcareforHIS！I’mnotgoin’toletanymancallhimabastard！"
　　Callousasshehadbecomeevenunderthislastcruelblow，shecouldnotbutseesomethinginhiscoarseeyesshehadneverseenbefore；couldnotbuthearsomethinginhisbrutalvoiceshehadneverheardbefore！Wasitpossiblethatsomewhereinthedepthsofhissordidnaturehehadhisowncontemptiblesenseofhonor？A
　　hystericalfeelingcameoverherhithertopassivedisgustandscorn，butitdisappearedwithhisnextsentenceinahazeofanxiety。"No！"hesaidhoarsely，"hehadenoughwrongdonehimalready。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"shesaidimploringly。"Orareyouagainlying？
　　Yousaid，fouryearsago，thathehad’gotintotrouble；’thatwasyourexcuseforkeepinghimfromme。Orwasthatalie，too？"
　　Hismannerchangedandsoftened，butnotforanypityforhiscompanion，butratherfromsomechangeinhisownfeelings。"Oh，that，"hesaid，witharoughlaugh，"thatwasonlyakindo’
　　troubleanysassykidlikehimwaslikelytogetinto。Youain’tgotnocalltohearthat，for，"headded，withamomentaryreturntohispreviousmanner，"thewrongthatwasdonehimisMYlookout！
　　YouwanttoknowwhatIdidwithhim，howhe’sbeenlookedarter，andwhereheis？Youwanttheworthofyourmoney。That’ssquareenough。ButfirstIwantyoutoknow，thoughyoumayn’tbelieveit，thateveryredcentyou’vegivenmeto-nightgoestoHIM。Anddon’tyouforgetit。"
　　Forallhisvulgarfranknesssheknewhehadliedtohermanytimesbefore，——maliciously，wantonly，complacently，butneverevasively；
　　yettherewasagainthatsomethinginhismannerwhichtoldherhewasnowtellingthetruth。
　　"Well，"hebegan，settlinghimselfbackinhischair，"ItoldyouI
　　broughthimtoHeavyTreeHill。AfterIleftyouIwasn’tgoingtotrusthimtonoschool；heknewenoughforme；butwhenIleftthosepartswherenobodyknewyou，andgotalittlenearer’Frisco，wherepeoplemighthaveknownusboth，Ithoughtitbetternottotravelroundwithakido’thatsizeashisFATHER。SoIgotayoungfellowheretopasshimoffasHISlittlebrother，andlookafterhimandboardhim；andIpaidhimabigpriceforit，too，youbet！Youwouldn’tthinkitwasamanwho’snowswellingaroundhere，thetopo’thepile，thatevertookmoneyfromabrutelikeme，andforsuchschoolmasterwork，too；buthedid，andhisnamewasVanLoo，aclerkoftheDitchCompany。"
　　"VanLoo！"saidthewoman，withamovementofdisgust；"THATman！"
　　"What’sthematterwithVanLoo？"hesaid，withacoarselaugh，enjoyinghiswife’sdiscomfiture。"HespeaksFrenchandSpanish，andyououghterhearthekidrolloffthelingohe’sgotfromhim。
　　He’sgotstyle，andknowshowtodress，andyououghttoseethekidbowandscrape，andhowhecarrieshimself。Now，VanLoowasn’texactlymystyle，andIreckonIdon’thankerafterhimmuch，butheservedmypurpose。"
　　"Andthismanknows"——shesaid，withashudder。
　　"HeknowsSteptoeandtheboy，buthedon’tknowHorncastlenorYOU。Don’tyoubeskeert。He’sthelastmanintheworldwhowouldhankertoseemeorthekidagain，orwoulddaretosaythatheeverhad！Lord！I’dliketoseehisfastidiousmugifmeandEddywalkedinuponhimandhishigh-tonedmotherandsistersomearternoon。"Hethrewhimselfbackandlaughedaderisive，spasmodic，chokinglaugh，whichwassofarfrombeinggenialthatitevenseemedtoindicatealivelyappreciationofpaininothersratherthanofpleasureinhimself。Hehadoftenlaughedatherinthesameway。
　　"Andwhereishenow？"shesaid，withacompressedlip。
　　"Atschool。Where，Idon’ttellyou。Youknowwhy。Buthe’slookedafterbyme，andd————dwelllookedafter，too。"
　　Shehesitated，composedherfacewithaneffort，partedherlips，andlookedoutofthewindowintothegatheringdarkness。Thenafteramomentshesaidslowly，yetwithacertainprecision：——
　　"Andhismother？DoyouevertalktohimofHER？Does——doesheeverspeakofME？"
　　"Whatdoyouthink？"hesaidcomfortably，changinghispositioninthechair，andtryingtoreadherfaceintheshadow。"Come，now。
　　Youdon’tknow，eh？Well——no！NO！Youunderstand。No！He’sMY
　　friend——MINE！He’sstoodbymethroughthickandthin。Runatmyheelswheneverybodyelsefledme。Dodgedvigilancecommitteeswithme，laidoutinthebrushwithmewithhishandinminewhenthesheriff’sdeputieswerehuntin’me；shuthisjawclosewhen，ifhesquealed，he’dhavebeencalledanothervictimofthebruteHorncastle，andbeenaspettedandcanoodledasyou。"
　　Itwouldhavebeendifficultforanyonebutthewomanwhoknewthemanbeforehertohaveseparatedhisbrutishdelightinpainingherfromanotherfeelingshehadneverdreamthimcapableof，——anintenseandfierceprideinhisaffectionforhischild。Anditwasthemorehopelesstoherthatitwasnotthemeresentimentofreciprocation，butthematerialinstinctofpaternityinitsmostanimalform。Anditseemedhorribletoherthattheonlyoutcomeofwhathadbeenherownwild，youthfulpassionforthisbrutewasthisloveforthefleshofherflesh，forshewasmoreandmoreconsciousashespokethatheryearningfortheboywastheyearningofanequallydumbandunreasoningmaternity。Theyhadmetagainasanimals——infear，contempt，andangerofeachother；
　　buttheanimalhadtriumphedinboth。
　　Whenshespokeagainitwasasthewomanoftheworld，——thewomanwhohadlaughedtwoyearsagoattheirrepressibleBarker。"It’sanewthing，"shesaid，languidlyturningherringsonherfingers，"toseeyouintheroleofadotingfather。AndmayIaskhowlongyouhavehadthisamiableweakness，andhowlongitistolast？"
　　Tohersurpriseandthekeenretaliatingdelightofhersex，aconsciousflushcoveredhisfacetothecrispedgesofhisblackandmattedbeard。Foramomentshehopedthathehadlied。But，tohergreatersurprise，hestammeredinequalfrankness："It’sgroweduponmeforthelastfiveyears——eversinceIwasalonewithhim。"Hestopped，clearedhisthroat，andthen，standingupbeforeher，saidinhisformervoice，butwithamoresettledandintensedeliberation："Youwanterknowhowlongitwilllast，doye？Well，youknowyourspecialfriend，JimStacy——thebigmillionaire——thegreatJimoftheStockExchange——themanthatpinchesthemoneymarketofCalifornybetweenhisfingerandthumbandmakesitsquealinNewYork——themanwhoshakesthestockmarketwhenhesneezes？Well，itwillgoonuntilthatmanisabeggar；untilhehastoborrowadimeforhisbreakfast，andslumpoutofhislunchwithacent’sworthofratpoisonorabulletinhishead！It’llgoonuntilhisoldpartner——thatsoftyGeorgeBarker——comestothebottomofhisd————dfoolluckandisapenny-a-linerforthepapersandahanger-roundatfreelunches，andhisscatter-brainedwiferunsawaywithanotherman！It’llgoonuntilthehigh-tonedDemorest，thelastofthosethreelittletingodsofHeavyTreeHill，willhavetoclimbdown，andwillknowwhatIfeelandwhathe’smademefeel，andwillwishhimselfinhellbeforeheevermadethebigstrikeonHeavyTree！That’sme！Youhearme！I’mshoutin’！It’lllasttillthen！Itmaybenextweek，nextmonth，nextyear。Butit’llcome。Andwhenitdoescomeyou’llseemeandEddyjustwaltzin’inandtakin’thechiefseatsinthesynagogue！Andyou’llhaveafreepasstotheshow！"
　　Eitherhewastoointoxicatedwithhisvengefulvision，ortheshadowsoftheroomhaddeepened，buthedidnotseethequickflushthathadrisentohiswife’sfacewiththisallusiontoBarker，northeafter-settlingofherhandsomefeaturesintoadoggeddeterminationequaltohisown。Hisblindfuryagainstthethreepartnersdidnottouchhercuriosity；shewasonlystruckwiththeevidentdepthofhisemotion。Hehadneverbeenabraggart；hishostilityhadalwaysbeenlazyandcynical。
　　Rememberingthis，shehadafaintstirringofrespectfortheundoubtedcourageandconsciousnessofstrengthshowninthiswildbutsingle-handedcrusadeagainstwealthandpower；rather，perhaps，itseemedtohertocondoneherownweaknessinheryouthfulandinexplicablepassionforhim。Nowondershehadsubmitted。
　　"Thenyouhavenothingmoretotellme？"shesaidafterapause，risingandgoingtowardsthemantel。
　　"Youneedn’tlightupforme，"hereturned，risingalso。"Iamgoing。Unless，"headded，withhiscoarselaugh，"youthinkitwouldn’tlookwellforMrs。Horncastletohavebeensittinginthedarkwith——astranger！"Hepausedasshecontemptuouslyputdownthecandlestickandthrewtheunlitmatchintothegrate。"No，I’venothingmoretotell。He’safancy-lookingpup。You’dtakehimfortwenty-one，thoughhe’sonlysixteen——clean-limbedandperfect——butforonething"——Hestopped。Hemetherquicklookofinterrogation，however，withaloweringsilencethat，nevertheless，changedagainashesurveyedhererectfigurebythefaintlightofthewindowwithasardonicsmile。"Hefavorsyou，I
　　think，andinallbutonething，too。"
　　"Andthat？"shequeriedcoldly，asheseemedtohesitate。
　　"Heain’tashamedofME，"hereturned，withalaugh。
　　Thedoorclosedbehindhim；sheheardhisheavystepdescendthecreakingstairs；hewasgone。Shewenttothewindowandthrewitopen，asiftogetridoftheatmospherechargedwithhispresence，——apresencestillsopotentthatshenowknewthatforthelastfiveminutesshehadbeen，toherhorror，strugglingagainstitsmagnetism。Sheevenrecoilednowatthethoughtofherchild，asif，inthesenewconfidencesoverit，ithadrevivedtheoldintimacyinthislinkoftheircommonflesh。Shelookeddownfromherwindowonthesquareshoulders，thickthroat，andcrispmattedhairofherhusbandashevanishedinthedarkness，anddrewabreathoffreedom，——afreedomnotsomuchfromhimasfromherownweaknessthathewasbearingawaywithhimintotheexoneratingnight。
　　Sheshutthewindowandsankdowninherchairagain，butintheencompassingandcompassionateobscurityoftheroom。Andthiswasthemanshehadlovedandforwhomshehadwreckedheryounglife！
　　OrWASitlove？and，ifNOT，howwasshebetterthanhe？Worse；
　　forhewasmoreloyaltothatpassionthathadbroughtthemtogetheranditsresponsibilitiesthanshewas。Shehadsufferedtheperilsandpangsofmaternity，andyethadonlythemereanimalyearningforheroffspring，whilehehadtakenoverthetoilandduty，andeventhedevotion，ofparentagehimself。Butthensherememberedalsohowhehadfascinatedher——asimpleschoolgirl——byhissheerdomineeringstrength，andhowtheobjectionsofherparentstothiscoarseandcommonmanhadforcedherintoaclandestineintimacythatendedinhercompletesubjectiontohim。
　　Sherememberedthebirthofaninfantwhoseconcealmentfromherparentsandfriendswascompassedbyhislowcunning；sherememberedthelateatonementofmarriagepreferredbythemanshehadalreadybeguntoloatheandfear，andwhoshenowbelievedwaseageronlyforherinheritance。Sherememberedherabjectcompliancethroughthegreaterfearoftheworld，thestormyscenesthatfollowedtheirill-omenedunion，herfinalabandonmentofherhusband，andtheeffortsofherfriendsandfamilywhohadrescuedthelastofherpropertyfromhim。Shewasgladsherememberedit；
　　shedweltuponit，uponhiscruelty，hiscoarsenessandvulgarity，untilshesaw，asshehonestlybelieved，thehiddenspringsofhisaffectionfortheirchild。ItwasHISchildinnature，howeveritmighthavefavoredherinlooks；itwasHISownbrutalSELFhewasworshipinginhisbrutalprogeny。HowelsecouldithaveignoredHER——itsownmother？Sheneverdoubtedthetruthofwhathehadtoldher——shehadseenitinhisowntriumphanteyes。Andyetshewouldhavemadeakindmother；sherememberedwithasmileandaslightrisingofcolortheaffectionofBarker’sbabyforher；sherememberedwithadeepeningofthatcolorthethrillofsatisfactionshehadfeltinherhusband’sfulminationagainstMrs。Barker，and，morethanall，shefeltinhisblindandfoolishhatredofBarkerhimselfadeliciouscondonationofthestrangefeelingthathadsprungupinherheartforBarker’ssimple，straightforwardnature。
　　HowcouldHEunderstand，howcouldTHEYunderstand（bythepluralshemeantMrs。BarkerandHorncastle），acharactersoinnatelynoble。Inherstrangeattractiontowardshimshehadfeltacharmingsenseofwhatshebelievedwasasuperiorandevenmatronlyprotection；intheutterisolationofherlifenow——andwithherhusband’sfoolishabuseofhimringinginherears——itseemedasacredduty。Shehadlostason。Providencehadsentheranidealfriendtoreplacehim。Andthiswasquiteconsistent，too，withafaintsmilethatbegantoplayabouthermouthassherecalledsomeinstancesofBarker’sdelightfulandirresistibleyouthfulness。
　　Therewasaclatterofhoofsandthesoundofmanyvoicesfromthestreet。Mrs。Horncastleknewitwasthedowncoachchanginghorses；itwouldbeoffagaininafewmoments，and，nodoubt，bearingherhusbandawaywithit。Anewfeelingofreliefcameoverherassheatlastheardthewarning"Allaboard！"andthegreatvehicleclatteredandrolledintothedarkness，trailingitsburninglightsacrossherwallsandceiling。Butnowsheheardstepsonthestaircase，apausebeforeherroom，awhisperofvoices，theopeningofthedoor，therustleofaskirt，andalittlefemininecryofprotestasamanapparentlytriedtofollowthefigureintotheroom。"No，no！ItellyouNO！"remonstratedthewoman’svoiceinahurriedwhisper。"Itwon’tdo。Everybodyknowsmehere。Youmustnotcomeinnow。Youmustwaittobeannouncedbytheservant。Hush！Go！"
　　Therewasaslightstruggle，thesoundofakiss，andthewomansucceededinfinallyshuttingthedoor。Thenshewalkedslowly，butwithacertainfamiliaritytowardsthemantel，struckamatchandlitthecandle。ThelightshoneuponthebrighteyesandslightlyflushedfaceofMrs。Barker。Butthemotionlesswomaninthechairhadrecognizedhervoiceandthevoiceofhercompanionatonce。Andthentheireyesmet。
　　Mrs。Barkerdrewback，butdidnotutteracry。Mrs。Horncastle，witheyesevenbrighterthanhercompanion’s，smiled。ThereddeepenedinMrs。Barker’scheek。
　　"Thisismyroom！"shesaidindignantly，withasweepinggesturearoundthewalls。
　　"Ishouldjudgeso，"saidMrs。Horncastle，followingthegesture；
　　"but，"sheaddedquietly，"theyputMEintoit。Itappears，however，theydidnotexpectyou。"
　　Mrs。Barkersawhermistake。"No，no，"shesaidapologetically，"ofcoursenot。"Thensheadded，withnervousvolubility，sittingdownandtuggingathergloves，"Yousee，IjustrandownfromMarysvilletotakealookatmyfather’soldhouseonmywaytoHymettus。IhopeIhaven’tdisturbedyou。Perhaps，"shesaid，withsuddeneagerness，"youwereasleepwhenIcamein！"
　　"No，"saidMrs。Horncastle，"Iwasnotsleepingnordreaming。I
　　heardyoucomein。"
　　"Someofthesemenaresuchidiots，"saidMrs。Barker，withahalf-
　　hystericallaugh。"Theyseemtothinkifawomanacceptstheleastcourtesyfromthemthey’vearighttobefamiliar。ButIfancythatfellowwasalittleastonishedwhenIshutthedoorinhisface。"
　　"IfancyheWAS，"returnedMrs。Horncastledryly。"ButIshouldn’tcallMr。VanLooanidiot。Hehasthereputationofbeingacautiousbusinessman。"
　　Mrs。Barkerbitherlip。Hercompanionhadbeenrecognized。Sherosewithaslightflirtofherskirt。"IsupposeImustgoandgetaroom；therewasnobodyintheofficewhenIcame。EverythingisbadlymanagedheresincemyfathertookawaythebestservantstoHymettus。"Shemovedwithaffectedcarelessnesstowardsthedoor，whenMrs。Horncastle，withoutrisingfromherseat，said：——
　　"Whynotstayhere？"
　　Mrs。Barkerbrightenedforamoment。"Oh，"shesaid，withpolitedeprecation，"Icouldn’tthinkofturningyouout。"
　　"Idon’tintendyoushall，"saidMrs。Horncastle。"WewillstayheretogetheruntilyougowithmetoHymettus，oruntilMr。VanLooleavesthehotel。HewillhardlyattempttocomeinhereagainifIremain。"
　　Mrs。Barker，withahalf-laugh，satdownirresolutely。Mrs。
　　Horncastlegazedathercuriously；shewasevidentlyanoviceinthissortofthing。But，strangetosay，——andIleavetheethicsofthisforthesextosettle，——thefactdidnotsoftenMrs。
　　Horncastle’sheart，norintheleastqualifyherattitudetowardstheyoungerwoman。AfteranawkwardpauseMrs。Barkerroseagain。
　　"Well，it’sverygoodofyou，and——and——-I’lljustrunoutandwashmyhandsandgetthedustoffme，andcomeback。"
　　"No，Mrs。Barker，"saidMrs。Horncastle，risingandapproachingher，"youwillfirstwashyourhandsofthisMr。VanLoo，andgetsomeofthedustoftherendezvousoffyoubeforeyoudoanythingelse。YouCANdoitbysimplytellinghim，SHOULDYOUMEETHIMIN
　　THEHALL，thatIwassittingherewhenhecamein，andheardEVERYTHING！Dependuponit，hewon’ttroubleyouagain。"
　　ButMrs。Barker，thoughinexperiencedinlove，wasagoodfighter。
　　Thebestofthesexare。Shedroppedintotherocking-chair，andbeganrockingbackwardsandforwardswhilestilltuggingathergloves，andsaid，inagraduallywarmingvoice，"IcertainlyshallnotmagnifyMr。VanLoo’ssillinesstothatimportance。AndIhaveyettolearnwhatyoumeanbytalkingaboutarendezvous！AndI
　　wanttoknow，"shecontinued，suddenlystoppingherrockingandtiltingtherockersimpertinentlybehindher，as，withherelbowssquaredonthechairarms，shetiltedherownfacedefiantlyupintoMrs。Horncastle’s，"howawomaninyourposition——whodoesn’tlivewithherhusband——darestotalktoME！"
　　Therewasalullbeforethestorm。Mrs。Horncastleapproachednearer，and，layingherhandonthebackofthechair，leanedoverher，and，withawhitefaceandametallicringinhervoice，said：
　　"ItisjustbecauseIamawomanINMYPOSITIONthatIdo！ItisbecauseIdon’tlivewithmyhusbandthatIcantellyouwhatitwillbewhenyounolongerlivewithyours——whichwillbetheinevitableresultofwhatyouarenowdoing。ItisbecauseIWAS
　　inthispositionthattheverymanwhoispursuingyou，becausehethinksyouarediscontentedwithYOURhusband，oncethoughthecouldpursuemebecauseIhadleftMINE。Youareherewithhimalone，withouttheknowledgeofyourhusband；callitfolly，caprice，vanity，orwhatyoulike，itcanhavebutoneend——toputyouinmyplaceatlast，tobeconsideredthefairgameafterwardsforanymanwhomaysucceedhim。YoucantesthimandthetruthofwhatIsaybytellinghimnowthatIheardall。"
　　"Supposehedoesn’tcarewhatyouhaveheard，"saidMrs。Barkersharply。"Supposehesaysnobodywouldbelieveyou，if’telling’
　　isyourgame。Supposeheisafriendofmyhusbandandhethinkshimamuchbetterguardianofmyreputationthanawomanlikeyou。
　　Supposeheshouldbethefirstonetotellmyhusbandofthefoulslanderinventedbyyou！"
　　ForaninstantMrs。Horncastlewastakenabackbytheaudacityofthewomanbeforeher。SheknewthesimpleconfidenceandboyishtrustofBarkerinhiswifeinspiteoftheirsometimesstrainedrelations，andsheknewhowdifficultitwouldbetoshakeit。AndshehadnoideaofbetrayingMrs。Barker’ssecrettohim，thoughshehadmadethissceneinhisinterest。ShehadwishedtosaveMrs。Barkerfromacompromisingsituation，eveniftherewasacertainvindictivenessinherexposinghertoherself。Yetsheknewitwasquitepossiblenow，ifMrs。Barkerhadimmediateaccesstoherhusband，thatshewouldconvincehimofherperfectinnocence。Nevertheless，shehadstillgreatconfidenceinVanLoo’sfearofscandalandhisutterunmanliness。SheknewhewasnotinlovewithMrs。Barker，andthispuzzledherwhensheconsideredtheevidentriskhewasrunningnow。Herface，however，betrayednothing。ShedrewbackfromMrs。Barker，and，withanindifferentandgracefulgesturetowardsthedoor，said，assheleanedagainstthemantel，"Go，then，andseethismuch-abusedgentleman，andthengotogetherwithhimandmakepeacewithyourhusband——evenonthoseterms。IfIhavesavedyoufromtheconsequencesofyourfollyIshallbewillingtobearevenHIS
　　blame。"
　　"WhateverIdo，"saidMrs。Barker，risinghotly，"Ishallnotstayhereanylongertobeinsulted。"Sheflouncedoutoftheroomandsweptdownthestaircaseintotheoffice。Hereshefoundanoverworkedclerk，andwithcrimsoncheeksandflashingeyeswantedtoknowwhyinherownfather’shotelshehadfoundherownsitting-roomengaged，andhadbeenobligedtowaithalfanhourbeforeshecouldbeshownintoadecentapartmenttoremoveherhatandcloakin；andhowitwasthateventhegentlemanwhohadkindlyescortedherhadevidentlybeenunabletoprocureheranyassistance。Shesaidthisinasomewhathighvoice，whichmighthavereachedtheearsofthatgentlemanhadhebeeninthevicinity。Buthewasnot，andshewasforcedtomeetthesomewhatdazedapologiesoftheclerkalone，andtoaccompanythechambermaidtoaroomonlyafewpacesdistantfromtheoneshehadquitted。Hereshehastilyremovedherouterdusterandhat，washedherhands，andconsultedherexcitedfaceinthemirror，withthedoorajarandanearsensitivelyattunedtoanystepinthecorridor。Butallthiswaseffectedsorapidlythatshewasatlastobligedtositdowninachairnearthehalf-openeddoor，andwait。Shewaitedfiveminutes——ten——butstillnofootstep。Thenshewentoutintothecorridorandlistened，andthen，smoothingherface，sheslippeddownstairs，pastthedoorofthathatefulroom，andreappearedbeforetheclerkwithasmilingbutsomewhatpaleandlanguidface。Shehadfoundtheroomverycomfortable，butitwasdoubtfulwhethershewouldstayovernightorgoontoHymettus。Hadanybodybeeninquiringforher？Sheexpectedtomeetfriends。No！Andherescort——thegentlemanwhocamewithher——waspossiblyinthebilliard-roomorthebar？
　　"Ohno！Hewasgone，"saidtheclerk。
　　"Gone！"echoedMrs。Barker。"Impossible！Hewas——hewashereonlyamomentago。"
　　Theclerkrangabellsharply。Thestablemanappeared。
　　"Thattall，smooth-facedman，inahighhat，whocamewiththelady，"saidtheclerkseverelyandconcisely，——"didn’tyoutellmehewasgone？"
　　"Yes，sir，"saidthestableman。
　　"Areyousure？"interruptedMrs。Barker，withadazzlingsmilethat，however，maskedasuddentighteningroundherheart。
　　"Quitesure，miss，"saidthestableman，"forhewasintheyardwhenSteptoecame，aftermissingthecoach。HewantedabuggytotakehimovertotheDivide。Wehadn’tone，sohewentovertotheotherstables，andhedidn’tcomeback，soIreckonhe’sgone。I
　　rememberit，becauseSteptoecamebyaminuteafterhe’dgone，inanotherbuggy，andashewasgoingtotheDivide，too，Iwonderedwhythegentlemanhadn’tgonewithhim。"
　　"Andheleftnomessageforme？Hesaidnothing？"askedMrs。
　　Barker，quitebreathless，butstillsmiling。
　　"Hesaidnothin’tomebut’Isn’tthatSteptoeoverthere？’whenSteptoecamein。AndIrememberhesaiditkindersuddent——asifhewasremindedo’suthin’he’dforgot；andthenheaskedforabuggy。Yesee，miss，"addedtheman，withacertainroughconsiderationforherdisappointment，"that’smebbewhyhecleanforgottoleaveamessage。"
　　Mrs。Barkerturnedaway，andascendedthestairs。Selfishnessisquicktorecognizeselfishness，andshesawinaflashthereasonofVanLoo’sabandonmentofher。Somefearofdiscoveryhadalarmedhim；perhapsSteptoeknewherhusband；perhapshehadheardofMrs。Horncastle’spossessionofthesitting-room；perhaps——forshehadnotseenhimsincetheirplayfulstruggleatthedoor——hehadrecognizedthewomanwhowasthere，andtheselfishcowardhadrunaway。Yes；Mrs。Horncastlewasright：shehadbeenonlyamiserabledupe。
　　Hercheeksblazedassheenteredtheroomshehadjustquitted，andthrewherselfinachairbythewindow。ShebitherlipassherememberedhowforthelastthreemonthsshehadbeenslowlyyieldingtoVanLoo’scautiousbutinsinuatingsolicitation，fromaflirtationintheSanFranciscohoteltoaclandestinemeetinginthestreet；fromarideinthesuburbstoasupperinafastrestaurantafterthetheatre。Otherwomendiditwhowerefashionableandrich，asVanLoohadpointedouttoher。Otherfashionablewomenalsogambledinstocks，andhadtheirprivatebrokerina"Charley"ora"Jack。"WhyshouldnotMrs。Barkerhavebusinesswitha"Paul"VanLoo，particularlyasthisfastcrazepermittedsecretmeetings？——forbusinessofthiskindcouldnotbeconductedinpublic，andpermittedthefairgamblertocallatprivateofficeswithoutfearandwithoutreproach。Mrs。Barker’svanity，Mrs。Barker’sloveofceremonyandform，Mrs。Barker’ssnobbishness，wereflatteredbytheattentionsofthispolishedgentlemanwithaforeignname，whichevenhadtheflavorofnobility，whoneverpickedupherfanandhandedittoherwithoutbowing，andalwaysrosewhensheenteredtheroom。Mrs。Barker’sscantschoolgirlknowledgewastouchedbythisgentleman，whospokeFrenchfluently，anddelicatelyexplainedtoherthelibrettoofariskyoperabouffe。AndnowshehadfinallyyieldedtoameetingoutofSanFrancisco——andanostensiblevisit——stillasaspeculator——tooneortwominingdistricts——withHERBROKER。Thiswastheboldestofhersteps——anoriginalideaofthefashionableVanLoo——which，nodoubt，intimewouldbecomeacraze，too。Butitwasalongstep——andtherewasastreakofrusticdecoruminMrs。Barker’snature——theinstinctthatmadeKittyCarterkeepaperfectlysecludedanddistinctsitting-roominthedayswhensheservedherfather’sguests——thatnowhadimpelledhertomakeitaprovisothatthefirststepofherjourneyshouldbefromheroldhomeinherfather’shotel。Itwasthisinstinctoftheproprietiesthathadrevivedinhersuddenlyatthedooroftheoldsitting-room。
　　Thenanewphaseofthesituationflasheduponher。ItwashardforhervanitytoacceptVanLoo’sdesertionasvoluntaryandfinal。Whatifthathatefulwomanhadluredhimawaybysometrickorartfullydesignedmessage？Shewascapableofsuchmeannesstoinsurethefulfillmentofherprophecy。Or，moredreadfulthought，whatifshehadsomeholdonhisaffections——shehadsaidthathehadpursuedher；or，moreinfamousstill，thereweresomesecretunderstandingbetweenthem，andthatshe——Mrs。Barker——wasthedupeofthemboth！Whatwasshedoinginthehotelatsuchamoment？
　　WhatwasherstoryofgoingtoHymettusbutalieastransparentasherown？Thetorturesofjealousy，whichisasoftentheincentiveasitistheresultofpassion，begantorackher。Shehadprobablyyetknownnorealpassionforthisman；butwiththethoughtofhisabandoningher，andtheconceptionofhisfaithlessness，camethewishtoholdandkeephimthatwasdangerouslynearit。Whatifhewereeventheninthatroom，theroomwhereshehadsaidshewouldnotstaytobeinsulted，andthey，thussecuredagainstherintrusion，werelaughingathernow？
　　Shehalfroseatthethought，butasoundofahorse’shoofsinthestable-yardarrestedher。Sherantothewindowwhichgaveuponit，and，crouchingdownbesideit，listenedeagerly。Theclatterofhoofsceased；thestablemanwastalkingtosomeone；suddenlysheheardthestablemansay，"Mrs。Barkerishere。"Herheartleaped，——VanLoohadreturned。
　　Butherethevoiceoftheothermanwhichshehadnotyetheardaroseforthefirsttimeclearanddistinct。"Areyouquitesure？
　　Ididn’tknowsheleftSanFrancisco。"
　　Theroomreeledaroundher。ThevoicewasGeorgeBarker’s，herhusband！"Verywell，"hecontinued。"Youneedn’tputupmyhorseforthenight。Imaytakeherbackalittlelaterinthebuggy。"
　　Inanothermomentshehadsweptdownthepassage，andburstintotheotherroom。Mrs。Horncastlewassittingbythetablewithabookinherhand。Shestartedasthehalf-maddenedwomanclosedthedoor，lockeditbehindher，andcastherselfonherkneesatherfeet。
　　"Myhusbandishere，"shegasped。"WhatshallIdo？Inheaven’snamehelpme！"
　　"IsVanLoostillhere？"saidMrs。Horncastlequickly。
　　"No；gone。HewentwhenIcame。"
　　Mrs。Horncastlecaughtherhandandlookedintentlyintoherfrightenedface。"Thenwhathaveyoutofearfromyourhusband？"
　　shesaidabruptly。
　　"Youdon’tunderstand。Hedidn’tknowIwashere。HethoughtmeinSanFrancisco。"
　　"Doesheknowitnow？"
　　"Yes。Iheardthestablemantellhim。Couldn’tyousayIcameherewithyou；thatwewereheretogether；thatitwasjustalittlefreakofours？Oh，do！"
　　Mrs。Horncastlethoughtamoment。"Yes，"shesaid，"we’llseehimheretogether。"
　　"Ohno！no！"saidMrs。Barkersuddenly，clingingtoherdressandlookingfearfullytowardsthedoor。"Icouldn’t，COULDN’Tseehimnow。SayI’msick，tiredout，gonetomyroom。"
　　"Butyou’llhavetoseehimlater，"saidMrs。Horncastlewonderingly。
　　"Yes，buthemaygofirst。Iheardhimtellthemnottoputuphishorse。"
　　"Good！"saidMrs。Horncastlesuddenly。"Gotoyourroomandlockthedoor，andI’llcometoyoulater。Stop！WouldMr。BarkerbelikelytodisturbyouifItoldhimyouwouldliketobealone？"
　　"No，heneverdoes。Ioftentellhimthat。"
　　Mrs。Horncastlesmiledfaintly。"Come，quick，then，"shesaid，"forhemaycomeHEREfirst。"
　　Openingthedoorshepassedintothehalf-darkandemptyhall。
　　"Nowrun！"SheheardthequickrustleofMrs。Barker’sskirtdieawayinthedistance，theopeningandshuttingofadoor——silence——
　　andthenturnedbackintoherownroom。
　　Shewasnonetoosoon。PresentlysheheardBarker’svoicesaying，"Thankyou，Icanfindtheway，"hisstillbuoyantsteponthestaircase，andthensawhisbrowncurlsrisingabovetherailing。
　　Thelightstreamingthroughtheopendoorofthesittingroomintothehalf-lithallhadpartiallydazzledhim，and，alreadybewildered，hewasstillmoredazzledattheunexpectedapparitionofthesmilingfaceandbrighteyesofMrs。Horncastlestandinginthedoorway。
　　"Youhavefairlycaughtus，"shesaid，withcharmingcomposure；
　　"butIhadhalfamindtoletyouwanderroundthehotelalittlelonger。Comein。"Barkerfollowedherinmechanically，andsheclosedthedoor。"Now，sitdown，"shesaidgayly，"andtellmehowyouknewwewerehere，andwhatyoumeanbysurprisingusatthishour。"
　　Barker’sreadycoloralwaysroseonmeetingMrs。Horncastle，forwhomheentertainedarespectfuladmiration，notwithoutsomefearofherworldlysuperiority。Heflushed，bowed，andstaredsomewhatblanklyaroundtheroom，atthefamiliarwalls，atthechairfromwhichMrs。Horncastlehadjustrisen，andfinallyathiswife’sglove，whichMrs。Horncastlehadamomentbeforeostentatiouslythrownonthetable。Seeingwhichshepounceduponitwithassumedarchness，andpretendedtoconcealit。
　　"Ihadnoideamywifewashere，"hesaidatlast，"andIwasquitesurprisedwhenthemantoldme，forshehadnotwrittentomeaboutit。"Ashisfacewasbrightening，sheforthefirsttimenoticedthathisfrankgrayeyeshadanabstractedlook，andtherewasafaintlineofcontractiononhisyouthfulforehead。"Stillless，"
　　headded，"didIlookforthepleasureofmeetingyou。ForIonlycameheretoinquireaboutmyoldpartner，Demorest，whoarrivedfromEuropeafewdaysago，andwhoshouldhavereachedHymettusearlythisafternoon。ButnowIhearhecameallthewaybycoachinsteadofbyrail，andgotoffatthecross-road，andwemusthavepassedeachotheronthedifferenttrails。Somyjourneywouldhavegonefornothing，onlythatInowshallhavethepleasureofgoingbackwithyouandKitty。Itwillbealovelydrivebymoonlight。"
　　Relievedbythisrevelation，itwaseasyworkforMrs。Horncastletolaunchoutintoaplayful，tantalizing，witty——but，Igrievetosay，entirelyimaginative——accountofherescapadewithMrs。
　　Barker。How，leftaloneattheSanFranciscohotelwhiletheirgentlemenfriendswereenjoyingthemselvesatHymettus，theyresolveduponalittletrip，partlyforthepurposeoflookingintosomesmallinvestmentsoftheirown，andpartlyforthefunofthething。Whatfunnyexperiencestheyhad！How，inparticular，onehorridinquisitive，vulgarwretchhadbeenboringaEuropeanfellowpassengerwhowasgoingtoHymettus，finallyaskinghimwherehehadcomefromlast，andwhenheanswered"Hymettus，"thoughtthemanwasinsultinghim——
　　"But，"interruptedthelaughingBarker，"thatpassengermayhavebeenDemorest，whohasjustcomefromGreece，andsurelyKittywouldhaverecognizedhim。"
　　Mrs。Horncastleinstantlysawherblunder，andnotonlyretrievedit，butturnedittoaccount。Ah，yes！butbythattimepoorKitty，unusedtolongjourneysandtheheat，wasutterlyfaggedout，wasasleep，andperfectlyunrecognizableinveilsanddustersonthebackseatofthecoach。Andthisbroughthertothepoint——
　　whichwas，thatshewassorrytosay，onarriving，thepoorchildwasnearlywildwithaheadachefromfatigueandhadgonetobed，andshehadpromisednottodisturbher。