Theundisguisedamusement，mingledwithrelief，thathadoverspreadBarker’sfaceduringthislivelyrecitalmighthaveprickedtheconscienceofMrs。Horncastle，butforsomereasonIfearitdidnot。Butitemboldenedhertogoon。"IsaidIpromisedherthatIwouldseeshewasn’tdisturbed；but，ofcourse，nowthatYOU，herHUSBAND，havecome，if"——
　　"Notforworlds，"interruptedBarkerearnestly。"IknowpoorKitty’sheadaches，andIneverdisturbher，poorchild，exceptwhenI’mthoughtless。"Andhereoneofthemostthoughtfulmenintheworldinhissensitiveconsiderationofothersbeamedatherwithsuchfrankandwonderfuleyesthatthearchhypocritebeforehimwithdifficultysuppressedahystericaldesiretolaugh，andfelttheconsciousbloodflushhertotherootofherhair。"Youknow，"
　　hewenton，withasigh，halfofreliefandhalfofreminiscence，"thatIoftenthinkI’magreatbothertoaclear-headed，sensiblegirllikeKitty。SheknowspeoplesomuchbetterthanIdo。She’swonderfullyequippedfortheworld，and，yousee，I’monly’lucky，’
　　aseverybodysays，andIdaresaypartofmyluckwastohavegother。I’mverygladshe’safriendofyours，youknow，forsomehowIfanciedalwaysthatyouwerenotinterestedinher，orthatyoudidn’tunderstandeachotheruntilnow。It’soddthatnicewomendon’talwayslikenicewomen，isn’tit？I’mgladshewaswithyou；
　　Iwasquitestartledtolearnshewashere，andcouldn’tmakeitout。IthoughtatfirstshemighthavegotanxiousaboutourlittleSta，whoiswithmeandthenurseatHymettus。ButI’mgladitwasonlyalark。Ishouldn’twonder，"headded，withalaugh，"althoughshealwaysdeclaressheisn’toneofthose’doting，idioticmothers，’thatshefounditalittledullwithouttheboy，forallshethoughtitwasbetterforMEtotakehimsomewhereforachangeofair。"
　　ThesituationwasbecomingmoredifficultforMrs。Horncastlethanshehadconceived。Therehadbeenacertainexcitementinitsfirstdirectappealtohertactandcourage，andeven，shebelieved，anunselfishdesiretosavetherelationsbetweenhusbandandwifeifshecould。Butshehadnotcalculateduponhisunconsciousrevelations，norupontheireffectuponherself。ShehadconcludedtobelievethatKittyhad，inamomentoffolly，lentherselftothishare-brainedescapade，butitnowmightbepossiblethatithadbeendeliberatelyplanned。Kittyhadsentherhusbandandchildawaythreeweeksbefore。Hadshetoldthewholetruth？
　　Howlonghadthisbeengoingon？AndifthesoullessVanLoohaddesertedhernow，wasitnot，perhaps，themiserableendingofanintrigueratherthanitsbeginning？Hadshebeenasgreatadupeofthiswomanasthehusbandbeforeher？Anewanddoubleconsciousnesscameoverherthatforamomentpreventedherfrommeetinghishonesteyes。Shefelttheshameofbeinganaccomplicemingledwithafiercejoyattheideaofaclimaxthatmightseparatehimfromhiswifeforever。
　　Luckilyhedidnotnoticeit，butwithacontinuedsenseofreliefthrewhimselfbackinhischair，andglancingfamiliarlyroundthewallsbrokeintohisyouthfullaugh。"Lord！howIrememberthisroomintheolddays。ItwasKitty’sownprivatesitting-room，youknow，andIusedtothinkitlookedjustasfreshandprettyasshe。Iusedtothinkhercrayondrawingwonderful，andstillmorewonderfulthatsheshouldhavethatunnecessarytalentwhenitwasquiteenoughforhertobejust’Kitty。’Youknow，don’tyou，howyoufeelatthosetimeswhenyou’requitehappyinbeinginferior"——
　　HestoppedamomentwithasuddenrecollectionthatMrs。Horncastle’smarriagehadbeennotoriouslyunhappy。"Imean，"hewentonwithashylittlelaughandaninnocentattemptatgallantrywhichtheverydirectnessofhissimplenaturemadeatrociouslyobvious，——"Imeanwhatyou’vemadelotsofyoungfellowsfeel。ThereusedtobeapictureofColonelBriggonthemantelpiece，infulluniform，andsignedbyhimself’forKitty；’andLord！howjealousIwasofit，forKittynevertookpresentsfromgentlemen，andnobodyevenwasallowedinhere，thoughshehelpedherfatheralloverthehotel。
　　Shewasawfullystrictinthosedays，"heinterpolated，withathoughtfullookandahalf-sigh；"butthenshewasn’tmarried。I
　　proposedtoherinthisveryroom！Lord！IrememberhowfrightenedIwas。"Hestoppedforaninstant，andthensaidwithacertaintimidity，"Doyoumindmytellingyousomethingaboutit？"
　　Mrs。Horncastlewashardlypreparedtoheartheseingenuousdomesticdetails，butshesmiledvaguely，althoughshecouldnotsuppressasomewhatimpatientmovementwithherhands。EvenBarkernoticedit，buttohersurprisemovedalittlenearertoher，andinahalf-entreatingwaysaid，"IhopeIdon’tboreyou，butit’ssomethingconfidential。DoyouknowthatshefirstREFUSEDme？"
　　Mrs。Horncastlesmiled，butcouldnotresistaslighttossofherhead。"Ibelievetheyalldowhentheyaresureofaman。"
　　"No！"saidBarkereagerly，"youdon’tunderstand。IproposedtoherbecauseIthoughtIwasrich。InafoolishmomentIthoughtI
　　haddiscoveredthatsomeoldstocksIhadhadacquiredafabulousvalue。Shebelievedit，too，butbecauseshethoughtIwasnowarichmanandsheonlyapoorgirl——amereservanttoherfather’sguests——sherefusedme。RefusedmebecauseshethoughtImightregretitinthefuture，becauseshewouldnothaveitsaidthatshehadtakenadvantageofmyproposalonlywhenIwasrichenoughtomakeit。"
　　"Well？"saidMrs。Horncastleincredulously，gazingstraightbeforeher；"andthen？"
　　"InaboutanhourIdiscoveredmyerror，thatmystockswereworthless，thatIwasstillapoorman。Ithoughtitonlyhonesttoreturntoherandtellher，eventhoughIhadnohope。Andthenshepitiedme，andcried，andacceptedme。Itellittoyouasherfriend。"Hedrewalittlenearerandquitefraternallylaidhishanduponherown。"Iknowyouwon’tbetrayme，thoughyoumaythinkitwrongformetohavetoldit；butIwantedyoutoknowhowgoodshewasandtrue。"
　　ForamomentMrs。Horncastlewasamazedanddiscomfited，althoughshesaw，withtheinscrutableinstinctofhersex，noinconsistencybetweentheKittyofthosedaysandtheKittynowshamefullyhidingfromherhusbandinthesamehotel。NodoubtKittyhadsomegoodreasonforherchivalrousact。Butshecouldseetheunmistakableeffectofthatactuponthemorelogicallyreasoninghusband，andthatitmightleadhimtobemoremercifultothelaterwrong。Andtherewasakeenerironythathisfirstmovementofunconsciouskindlinesstowardsherwastheoutcomeofhisaffectionforhisundeservingwife。
　　"Yousaidjustnowshewasmorepracticalthanyou，"shesaiddryly。"Apartfromthisevidenceofit，whatotherreasonshaveyouforthinkingso？Doyourefertoherindependenceorherdealingsinthestockmarket？"sheadded，withalaugh。
　　"No，"saidBarkerseriously，"forIdonotthinkherquitepracticalthere；indeed，I’mafraidsheisaboutasbadasIam。
　　ButI’mgladyouhavespoken，forIcannowtalkconfidentiallywithyou，andasyouandshearebothinthesameventures，perhapsshewillfeellesscompunctioninhearingfromyou——asyourownopinion——whatIhavetotellyouthanifIspoketohermyself。I
　　amafraidshetrustsimplicitlytoVanLoo’sjudgmentasherbroker。Ibelieveheisstrictlyhonorable，butthegeneralopinionofhisbusinessinsightisnothigh。They——perhapsIoughttosayHE——havebeenatleastsounluckythattheymighthavelearnedprudence。Thelossoftwentythousanddollarsinthreemonths"——
　　"Twentythousand！"echoedMrs。Horncastle。
　　"Yes。Why，youknewthat；itwasinthemineyouandshevisited；
　　or，perhaps，"headdedhastily，asheflushedathisindiscretion，"shedidn’ttellyouthat。"
　　ButMrs。Horncastleashastilysaid，"Yes——yes——ofcourse，onlyI
　　hadforgottentheamount；"andhecontinued：——
　　"Thatlosswouldhavefrightenedanyman；butyouwomenaremoredaring。OnlyVanLoooughttohavewithdrawn。Don’tyouthinkso？
　　OfcourseIcouldn’tsayanythingtohimwithoutseemingtocondemnmyownwife；Icouldn’tsayanythingtoHERbecauseit’sherownmoney。"
　　"Ididn’tknowthatMrs。Barkerhadanymoneyofherown，"saidMrs。Horncastle。
　　"Well，Igaveittoher，"saidBarker，withsublimesimplicity，"andthatwouldmakeitalltheworseformetospeakaboutit。"
　　Mrs。Horncastlewassilent。Anewtheoryflasheduponherwhichseemedtoreconcileallthepreviousinconsistenciesofthesituation。VanLoo，undertheguiseofalover，wasreallypossessinghimselfofMrs。Barker’smoney。Thisaccountedfortheriskshewasrunninginthisescapade，whichweresoincongruoustotherascal’snature。Hewascalculatingthatthescandalofanintriguewouldrelievehimoftheperilsofcriminaldefalcation。
　　ItwascompatiblewithKitty’sinnocence，thoughitdidnotrelievehervanityofthepartitplayedinthisdespicablecomedyofpassion。AllthatMrs。Horncastlethoughtofnowwastheeffectofitseventfulrevelationuponthemanbeforeher。Ofcourse，hewouldoverlookhiswife’strustfulnessandbusinessignorance——itwouldseemsolikehisownunselfishfaith！Thatwasthefaultofallunselfishgoodness；iteventookthecolorofadjacentevil，withoutalteringthenatureofeither。Mrs。Horncastlesetherteethtightlytogether，butherbeautifulmouthsmileduponBarker，thoughhereyeswerebentuponthetableclothbeforeher。
　　"IshalldoallIcantoimpressyourviewsuponher，"shesaidatlast，"thoughIfeartheywillhavelittleweightifgivenasmyown。Andyouoverratemygeneralinfluencewithher。"
　　HerhandsomeheaddroopedinsuchathoughtfulhumilitythatBarkerinstinctivelydrewnearertoher。Besides，shehadnotliftedherdarklashesforsomemoments，andhehadthestillyouthfulhabitoflookingfranklyintotheeyesofthoseheaddressed。
　　"No，"hesaideagerly；"howcouldI？Shecouldnothelpbutloveyouanddoasyouwouldwish。Ican’ttellyouhowgladandrelievedIamtofindthatyouandshehavebecomesuchfriends。
　　YouknowIalwaysthoughtyoubeautiful，Ialwaysthoughtyousoclever——Iwasevenalittlefrightenedofyou；butIneveruntilnowknewyouweresoGOOD。No，stop！Yes，IDIDknowit。DoyourememberonceinSanFrancisco，whenIfoundyouwithStainyourlapinthedrawing-room？Iknewitthen。Youtriedtomakemethinkitwasawhim——thefancyofaboredandworriedwoman。ButI
　　knewbetter。AndIknewwhatyouwerethinkingthen。ShallItellyou？"
　　Ashereyeswerestillcastdown，althoughhermouthwasstillsmiling，inhisendeavorstolookintothemhisfacewasquitenearhers。Hefanciedthatitborethelookshehadwornoncebefore。
　　"Youwerethinking，"hesaidinavoicewhichhadgrownsuddenlyquitehesitatingandtremulous，——hedidnotknowwhy，——"thatthepoorlittlebabywasquitefriendlessandalone。Youwerepityingit——youknowyouwere——becausetherewasnoonetogiveitthelovingcarethatwasitsdue，andbecauseitwasintrustedtothathirednurseinthatgreathotel。Youwerethinkinghowyouwouldloveitifitwereyours，andhowcruelitwasthatLovewassentwithoutanobjecttowasteitselfupon。Youwere：Isawitinyourface。"
　　Shesuddenlyliftedhereyesandlookedfullintohiswithalookthatheldandpossessedhim。Foramomenthiswholesoulseemedtotrembleonthevergeoftheirlustrousdepths，andhedrewbackdizzyandfrightened。Whathesawthereheneverclearlyknew；
　　but，whateveritwas，itseemedtosuddenlychangehisrelationstoher，totheroom，tohiswife，totheworldwithout。Itwasaglimpseofaworldofwhichheknewnothing。Hehadlookedfranklyandadmiringlyintotheeyesofotherprettywomen；hehadevengazedintoherownbefore，butneverwiththisfeeling。Asuddensensethatwhathehadseentherehehadhimselfevoked，thatitwasananswertosomequestionhehadscarcelyyetformulated，andthattheywerebothnowlinkedbyanunderstandingandconsciousnessthatwasirretrievable，cameoverhim。Heroseawkwardlyandwenttothewindow。Sherosealso，butmoreleisurelyandeasily，movedoneofthebooksonthetable，smoothedoutherskirts，andchangedherseattoalittlesofa。Itisthewomanwhoalwayscomesoutofthesecrucialmomentsunruffled。
　　"IsupposeyouwillbegladtoseeyourfriendMr。Demorestwhenyougoback，"shesaidpleasantly；"forofcoursehewillbeatHymettusawaitingyou。"
　　Heturnedeagerly，ashealwaysdidatthename。ButeventhenhefeltthatDemorestwasnolongerofsuchimportancetohim。Hefelt，too，thathewasnotyetquitesureofhisvoiceorevenwhattosay。Ashehesitatedshewentonhalfplayfully："Itseemshardthatyouhadtocomeallthewayhereonsuchabootlesserrand。
　　Youhaven’tevenseenyourwifeyet。"
　　Thementionofhiswiferecalledhimtohimself，oddlyenough，whenDemorest’snamehadfailed。Butverydifferently。Outofhiswhirlingconsciousnesscametheinstinctivefeelingthathecouldnotseehernow。Heturned，crossedtheroom，satdownonthesofabesideMrs。Horncastle，andwithout，however，lookingather，said，withhiseyesonthefloor，"No；andI’vebeenthinkingthatit’shardlyworthwhiletodisturbhersoearlyto-morrowasIshouldhavetogo。SoIthinkit’sagooddealbettertoletherhaveagoodnight’srest，remainherequietlywithyouto-morrowuntilthestageleaves，andthatbothofyoucomeovertogether。Myhorseisstillsaddled，andIwillbebackatHymettusbeforeDemoresthasgonetobed。"
　　Hewasobligedtolookupatherasherose。Mrs。Horncastlewassittingerect，beautifulanddazzlingasevenhehadneverseenherbefore。Forhisresolutionhadsuddenlyliftedagreatweightfromhershoulders，——thedangerousmeetingofhusbandandwifethenextmorning，anditsresults，whatevertheymightbe，hadbeenquietlyaverted。Shefelt，too，ahalf-frightenedjoyevenintheconstrainedmannerinwhichhehadimpartedhisdetermination。
　　Thatfranknesswhichevenshehadsometimesfoundsocrushingwasgone。
　　"Ireallythinkyouarequiteright，"shesaid，risingalso，"and，besides，yousee，itwillgivemeachancetotalktoherasyouwished。"
　　"TotalktoherasIwished？"echoedBarkerabstractedly。
　　"Yes，aboutVanLoo，youknow，"saidMrs。Horncastle，smiling。
　　"Oh，certainly——aboutVanLoo，ofcourse，"hereturnedhurriedly。
　　"Andthen，"saidMrs。Horncastlebrightly，"I’lltellher。Stay！"
　　sheinterruptedherselfhurriedly。"WhyneedIsayanythingaboutyourhavingbeenhereATALL？Itmightonlyannoyher，asyouyourselfsuggest。"Shestoppedbreathlesslywithpartedlips。
　　"Why，indeed？"saidBarkervaguely。Yetallthiswassounlikehisusualtruthfulnessthatheslightlyhesitated。
　　"Besides，"continuedMrs。Horncastle，noticingit，"youknowyoucanalwaystellherlater，ifnecessary。"Andsheaddedwithacharmingmischievousness，"Asshedidn’ttellyoushewascoming，I
　　reallydon’tseewhyyouareboundtotellherthatyouwerehere。"
　　ThesophistrypleasedBarker，eventhoughitputhimintoacertainretaliatingattitudetowardshiswifewhichhewasnotawareoffeeling。But，asMrs。Horncastleputit，itwasonlyaplayfulattitude。
　　"Certainly，"hesaid。"Don’tsayanythingaboutit。"
　　Hemovedtothedoorwithhissoft，broad-brimmedhatswingingbetweenhisfingers。Shenoticedforthefirsttimethathelookedtallerinhislongblackserapeandriding-boots，and，oddlyenough，muchmoreliketheheroofanamoroustrystthanVanLoo。
　　"Iknow，"shesaidbrightly，"youareeagertogetbacktoyouroldfriend，anditwouldbeselfishformetotrytokeepyoulonger。
　　Youhavehadastupidevening，butyouhavemadeitpleasanttomebytellingmewhatyouthoughtofme。AndbeforeyougoIwantyoutobelievethatIshalltrytokeepthatgoodopinion。"ShespokefranklyincontrasttotheslightworldlyconstraintofBarker’smanner；itseemedasiftheyhadchangedcharacters。Andthensheextendedherhand。
　　Withalowbow，andwithoutlookingup，hetookit。Againtheirpulsesseemedtoleaptogetherwithoneaccordandthesamemysteriousunderstanding。Hecouldnottellifhehadunconsciouslypressedherhandorifshehadreturnedthepressure。Butwhentheirhandsunclaspeditseemedasifitwerethedivisionofonefleshandspirit。
　　Sheremainedstandingbytheopendooruntilhisfootstepspasseddownthestaircase。ThenshesuddenlyclosedandlockedthedoorwithaninstinctthatMrs。Barkermightatoncereturnnowthathewasgone，andshewishedtobeamomentalonetorecoverherself。
　　Butshepresentlyopeneditagainandlistened。Therewasanoiseinthecourtyard，butitsoundedliketherattleofwheelsmorethantheclatterofahorseman。Thenshewasovercome——asuddensenseofpityfortheunfortunatewomanstillhidingfromherhusband——andfeltamomentarychivalrousexaltationofspirit。
　　Certainlyshehaddone"good"tothatwretched"Kitty；"perhapsshehadearnedtheepithetthatBarkerhadappliedtoher。Perhapsthatwasthemeaningofallthishappinesstoher，andtheresultwastobeonlythehappinessandreconciliationofthewifeandhusband。Thiswastobeherreward。Igrievetosaythatthetearshadcomeintoherbeautifuleyesatthissatisfactoryconclusion，butshedashedthemawayandranoutintothehall。Itwasquitedark，buttherewasafaintglimmerontheoppositewallasifthedoorofMrs。Barker’sbedroomwereajartoaneagerlistener。Sheflewtowardstheglimmer，andpushedthedooropen：
　　theroomwasempty。EmptyofMrs。Barker，emptyofherdressing-
　　box，herreticuleandshawl。Shewasgone。
　　Still，Mrs。Horncastlelingered；thewomanmighthavegotfrightenedandretreatedtosomefurtherroomattheopeningofthedoorandthecomingoutofherhusband。Shewalkedalongthepassage，callinghernamesoftly。Sheevenpenetratedthedreary，half-litpublicparlor，expectingtofindhercrouchingthere。Thenasuddenwildideatookpossessionofher：themiserablewifehadrepentedofheractandofherconcealment，andhadcreptdownstairstoawaitherhusbandintheoffice。Shehadtoldhimsomenewlie，hadbeggedhimtotakeherwithhim，andBarker，ofcourse，hadassented。Yes，shenowknewwhyshehadheardtherattlingwheelsinsteadoftheclatteringhoofsshehadlistenedfor。Theyhadgonetogether，ashefirstproposed，inthebuggy。
　　Sheranswiftlydownthestairsandenteredtheoffice。Theoverworkedclerkwasbusyandquerulouslycurt。Thesewomenwerealwaysaskingsuchidioticquestions。Yes，Mr。Barkerhadjustgone。
　　"WithMrs。Barkerinthebuggy？"askedMrs。Horncastle。
　　"No，ashecame——onhorseback。Mrs。BarkerleftHALFANHOURAGO。"
　　"Alone？"
　　Thiswasapparentlytoomuchforthelong-sufferingclerk。Heliftedhiseyestotheceiling，andthen，withpainfulprecision，andaccentingeverywordwithhispencilonthedeskbeforehim，saiddeliberately，"Mrs。GeorgeBarker——left——here——withher——
　　escort——the——manshe——was——always——asking——for——in——the——buggy——atexactly——9。35。"Andheplungedintohisworkagain。
　　Mrs。Horncastleturned，ranupthestaircase，re-enteredthesitting-room，andslammingthedoorbehindher，haltedinthecentreoftheroom，panting，erect，beautiful，andmenacing。Andshewasaloneinthisemptyroom——thisdesertedhotel。Fromthisveryroomherhusbandhadleftherwithabrutalityonhislips。
　　Fromthisroomthefoolandliarshehadtriedtowarnhadgonetoherruinwithaswindlinghypocrite。Andfromthisroomtheonlymanintheworldsheevercaredforhadgoneforthbewildered，wronged，andabused，andsheknewnowshecouldhavekeptandcomfortedhim。
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　WhenPhilipDemorestleftthestagecoachatthecross-roadsheturnedintotheonlywaysidehouse，theblacksmith’sshop，and，declaringhisintentionofwalkingovertoHymettus，askedpermissiontoleavehishand-bagandwrapsuntiltheycouldbesentafterhim。Theblacksmithwassurprisedthatthis"likelymannered，"distinguished-looking"cityman"shouldWALKeightmileswhenhecouldride，andtriedtodissuadehim，offeringhisownbuggy。ButhewasstillmoresurprisedwhenDemorest，layingasidehisduster，tookoffhiscoat，and，slingingitonhisarm，preparedtosetforthwiththegood-humoredassurancethathewoulddothedistanceinacoupleofhoursandgetinintimeforsupper。
　　"Iwouldn’tbetoosureofthat，"saidtheblacksmithgrimly，"orevenofgettingaroom。They’reastuck-uplotoverthere，andtheyain’tgoin’tohumpthemselvesoverachapwhocomestraipsin’
　　alongtheroadlikeanytramp，withnarybaggage。"ButDemorestlaughinglyacceptedtherisk，andtakinghisstoutstickinonehand，pressedagoldcoinintotheblacksmith’spalm，whichwas，however，declinedwithsuchreddeningpromptnessthatDemorestaspromptlyreddenedandapologized。ThehabitsofEuropeantravelhadbeenstillstrongonhim，andhefeltaslightpatrioticthrillashesaid，withagravesmile，"Thankyou，then；andthankyoustillmoreforremindingmethatIamamongmyown’people，’"andsteppedlightlyoutintotheroad。
　　Theairwasstilldeliciouslycool，butwarmercurrentsfromtheheatedpinesbegantoalternatewiththewindfromthesummit。Hefoundhimselfsometimeswalkingthroughastratumofhotairwhichseemedtoexhalefromthewooditself，whilehisheadandbreastweresweptbythemountainbreeze。Hefelttheoldintoxicationofthebalmy-scentedairagain，andthefiveyearsofcareandhopelessnesslaiduponhisshoulderssincehehadlastbreatheditsfragranceslippedfromthemlikeaburden。Therehadbeenbutlittlechangehere；perhapstheroadwaswiderandthedustlaythicker，butthegreatpinesstillmountedinserriedranksontheslopesasbefore，withnogapsintheirunendingfiles。Herewasthespotwherethestagecoachhadpassedthemthateventfulmorningwhentheywerecomingoutoftheircamp-lifeintotheworldofcivilization；alittlefurtherback，thespotwhereJackHamlinhadforceduponhimthatgrimmementooftheattemptedrobberyoftheircabin，whichhehadkepteversince。Hehalfsmiledagainatthesuperstitiousinterestthathadmadehimkeepit，withtheintentionofsomedayreturningtoburyit，withallrecollectionsofthedeed，underthesiteoftheoldcabin。Ashewentoninthevivifyinginfluenceoftheairandscene，newlifeseemedtocoursethroughhisveins；hisstepseemedtogrowaselasticasintheolddaysoftheirbitterbuthopefulstruggleforfortune，whenhehadgaylyreturnedfromhisweeklytramptoBoomvilleladenwiththescantprovisionprocuredbytheirscantearningsanddyingcredit。
　　ThosewerethedayswhenHERlivingimagestillinspiredhisheartwithfaithandhope；wheneverythingwasyetpossibletoyouthandlove，andbeforetheironyoffatehadgivenhimfortunewithonehandonlytowithdrawHERwiththeother。Itwasstrangeandcruelthatcomingbackfromhisquestofrestandforgetfulnessheshouldfindonlytheseyouthfulandsanguinedreamsrevivewithhisrevivingvigor。Hewalkedonmorehurriedlyasiftoescapethem，andwasgladtobedivertedbyoneortwocarryallsandchar-a-
　　bancsfilledwithgaylydressedpleasureparties——evidentlyvisitorstoHymettus——whichpassedhimontheroad。Herewerethefirstsignsofchange。Herecalledthetrainofpack-mulesoftheolddays，thefileofpole-and-basketcarryingChinese，thesquawwiththepapoosestrappedtohershoulder，orthewanderingandfoot-soreprospector，whoweretheonlywayfarersheusedtomeet。
　　Hecontrastedtheirhaltsandfriendlygreetingswiththeinsolentcuriosityorundisguisedcontemptofthecarriagefolk，andsmiledashethoughtofthewarningoftheblacksmith。Butthisdidnotlongdiverthim；hefoundhimselfagainreturningtohispreviousthought。Indeed，thefaceofayounggirlinoneofthecarriageshadquitestartledhimwithitsresemblancetoanoldmemoryofhislostloveashesawher，——herfrail，paleeleganceencompassedinlacesassheleanedbackinherdrivethroughFifthAvenue，witheyesthatlitupandbecametransfiguredonlyashepassed。Hetriedtothinkofhisuselessquestinsearchofherlastresting-
　　placeabroad；howhehadbeenbaffledbytheoppositionofhersurvivingrelations，alreadyincensedbythethoughtthatherdeclinehadbeentheeffectofherhopelesspassion。Hetriedtorecallthefewfrigidlinesthatreconveyedtohimthelastletterhehadsenther，withtheannouncementofherdeathandthehopethat"hispersecutions"wouldnowcease。Awildideahadsometimescometohimoutoftheveryinsufficiencyofhisknowledgeofthisclimax，buthehadalwaysputitasideasaprecursorofthatmadnesswhichmightendhisceaselessthought。Andnowitwasreturningtohim，here，thousandsofmilesawayfromwhereshewaspeacefullysleeping，andevenfillinghimwiththevigorofyouthfulhope。
　　Thebriefmountaintwilightwasgivingwaynowtotheradianceoftherisingmoon。HeendeavoredtofixhisthoughtsuponhispartnerswhoweretomeethimatHymettusaftertheselongyearsofseparation。
　　Hymettus！Herecallednowtheoddcoincidencethathehadmischievouslyusedasagagtohisquestioningfellowtraveler；butnowhehadreallycomefromavillanearAthenstofindhisoldhousethusclassicallyrechristenedafterit，andthoughtofitwithagravityhehadnotfeltbefore。Hewonderedwhohadnamedit。Therewasnosuggestionofthesoft，sensuouseleganceofthelandhehadleftinthosegreatheroicsofnaturebeforehim。
　　Thoseenormoustreeswerenowoodsforfaunsordryads；theyhadtheirowngodlikemajestyofbulkandheight，andasheatlastclimbedthesummitandsawthedark-helmetedheadofBlackSpurbeforehim，andbeyonditthepallid，spiritualcloudoftheSierras，hedidnotthinkofOlympus。Yetforamomenthewasstartled，asheturnedtotheright，bytheDoric-columnedfacadeofatemplepaintedbythemoonbeamsandframedinanopeningofthedarkwoodsbeforehim。Itwasnotuntilhehadreacheditthathesawthatitwasthenewwoodenpost-officeofHeavyTreeHill。
　　Andnowthebuildingsofthenewsettlementbegantofaintlyappear。Buttheobscurityoftheshadowandtheequallydisturbingunrealityofthemoonlightconfusedhiminhisattemptstorecognizetheoldlandmarks。Abroadandwell-keptwindingroadhadtakentheplaceoftheoldsteep，butdirecttrailtohiscabin。Hehadwalkedforsomemomentsinuncertainty，whenasuddensweepoftheroadbroughtthefullcrestofthehillaboveandbeforehim，crownedwithatiaraoflights，overtoppingalongbaseofflashingwindows。ThatwasallthatwasleftofHeavyTreeHill。Theoldforegroundofbuckeyeandodorousceanothuswasgone。Eventhegreatgroveofpinesbehindithadvanished。
　　Therewasalreadyastiroflifeintheroad，andhecouldseefiguresmovingslowlyalongakindofsterile，formalterracespreadwithafewdrearymarblevasesandplasterstatueswhichhadreplacedthenaturalslopeandthegreatquartzbuttressesofoutcropthatsupportedit。Presentlyheenteredagate，andsoonfoundhimselfinthecarriagedriveleadingtothehotelveranda。
　　Anumberoffairpromenaderswerefacingthekeenmountainnightwindinwrapsandfurs。Demoresthadreplacedhiscoat，buthisbootswereredwithdust，andasheascendedthestepshecouldseethathewaseyedwithsomesuperciliousnessbytheguestsandwithconsiderablesuspicionbytheservants。Oneofthelatterwasapproachinghimwithaninsolentsmilewhenafiguredartedfromthevestibule，and，brushingthewaiteraside，seizedDemorest’stwohandsinhisandheldhimatarm’slength。
　　"Demorest，oldman！"
　　"Stacy，oldchap！"
　　"Butwhere’syourteam？I’vehadallthesparehostlersandhall-
　　boyslisteningforyouatthegate。Andwhere’sBarker？Whenhefoundyou’dgiventhedead-cuttotherailroad——HISrailroad，youknow——helopedovertoBoomvilleafteryou。"
　　Demorestbrieflyexplainedthathehadwalkedbytheoldroadandprobablymissedhim。Butbythistimethewaiters，crushedbythespectacleofthistravel-wornstranger’saffectionatereceptionbythegreatfinancialmagnate，werewildlyapplyingtheirbrushesandhandkerchiefstohistrousersandbootsuntilStacyagainsweptthemaway。
　　"Getoff，allofyou！Now，Phil，youcomewithme。Thehouseisfull，butI’vemadethemanagergiveyoualady’sdrawing-roomsuite。Whenyoutelegraphedyou’dmeetusHEREtherewasnochancetogetanythingelse。It’sreallyMrs。VanLoo’sfamilysuite；buttheyweresentfortogotoMarysvilleyesterday，andsowe’llrunyouinforthenight。"
　　"But"——protestedDemorest。
　　"Nonsense！"saidStacy，dragginghimaway。"We’llpayforit；andIreckontheoldladywon’tobjecttotakinghershareofthedamageeither，orsheisn’tVanLoo’smother。Come。"
　　DemorestfelthimselfhurriedforwardbytheenergeticStacy，precededbytheobsequiousmanager，throughacorridortoahandsomelyfurnishedsuite，intowhosebathroomStacyincontinentlythrusthim。
　　"There！Washup；andbythetimeyou’rereadyBarkeroughttobeback，andwe’llhavesupper。It’swaitingforusintheotherroom。"
　　"ButhowaboutBarker，thedearboy？"persistedDemorest，holdingopenthedoor。"Tellme，ishewellandhappy？"
　　"Aboutaswellasweallare，"saidStacyquickly，yetwithacertaindrysignificance。"Nevermindnow；waituntilyouseehim。"
　　Thedoorclosed。WhenDemoresthadfinishedwashing，andwipedawaythelastredstainofthemountainroad，hefoundStacyseatedbythewindowofthelargersitting-room。Inthecentreatablewasspreadforsupper。AbrightfireofhickorylogsburntonamarblehearthbetweentwolargewindowsthatgaveuponthedistantoutlineofBlackSpur。AsStacyturnedtowardshim，bythelightoftheshadedlampandflickeringfire，Demoresthadagoodlookatthefaceofhisoldfriendandpartner。Itwasaskeenandenergeticasever，withperhapsanevenmorehawk-likeactivityvisibleintheeyeandnostril；butitwasmorethoughtfulandreticentinthelinesofthemouthunderthecloselyclippedbeardandmustache，andwhenhelookedup，atfirstthereweretwodeeplinesorfurrowsacrosshislowbroadforehead。Demorestfancied，too，thattherewasalittleoftheoldfightinglookinhiseye，butitsoftenedquicklyashisfriendapproached，andheburstoutwithhiscurtbuthonestsingle-syllabledlaugh。"Ha！YoulookalittlelesslikearovingApachethanyoudidwhenyoucame。I
　　reallythoughtthewaitersweregoingtochuckyou。AndyouARE
　　tanned！Darnedifyoudon’tlookliketheprofilestampedonaContinentalpenny！Buthere’sluckandawelcomeback，oldman！"
　　Demorestpassedhisarmaroundtheneckofhisseatedpartner，andgraspinghisupraisedhandsaid，lookingdownwithasmile，"AndnowaboutBarker。"
　　"Oh，Parker，d——nhim！He’sthesameunshakable，unchangeable，ungrow-upableBarker！Withthedevil’sownluck，too！Waltzingintorisksandwaltzingoutof’em。Withfadsenoughtoputhimintheinsaneasylumifpeopledidnotprefertokeephimoutofittohelp’em。Alwaysbelievingineverybody，untiltheyactuallybelieveinthemselves，andshakehim！Andhe’sgotawifethat’smakingafoolofherself，andIshouldn’twonderintime——ofhim！"
　　Demorestpressedhishandoverhispartner’smouth。"Come，Jim！
　　Youknowyouneverreallylikedthatmarriage，simplybecauseyouthoughtthatoldmanCartermadeagoodthingofit。AndyouneverseemtohavetakenintoconsiderationthehappinessBarkergotoutofit，forheDIDlovethegirl。Andhestillishappy，ishenot？"headdedquickly，asStacyutteredagrunt。
　　"AshappyasamancanbewhohashischildherewithanursewhilehiswifeisgallivantinginSanFrancisco，andthrowinghermoney——
　　andLordknowswhatelse——awayatthebiddingofasmooth-tongued，shadyoperator。"
　　"DoesHEcomplainofit？"askedDemorest。
　　"Nothe；thefooltrustsher！"saidStacycurtly。
　　Demorestlaughed。"Thatishappiness！Come，Jim！don’tletusbegrudgehimthat。ButI’veheardthathisaffairshaveagainprospered。"
　　"Hebuiltthisrailroadandthishotel。Thebankownsbothnow。
　　Hedidn’tcaretokeepmoneyinthemaftertheywereasuccess；
　　saidhewasn’tanengineernorahotel-keeper，anddrewitouttofindsomethingnew。Butherehecomes，"headded，asahorsemandashedintothedrivebeforethehotel。"Questionhimyourself。
　　Youknowyouandhealwaysgetalongbestwithoutme。"
　　InanothermomentBarkerhadburstintotheroom，andinhisfirsttempestuousgreetingofDemorestthelattersawlittlechangeinhisyoungerpartnerasheheldhimatarm’slengthtolookathim。
　　"Why，Barkerboy，youhaven’tgotabitoldersincethedaywhen——
　　youremember——youwentovertoBoomvilletocashyourbonds，andthencamebackandburstuponuslikethistotellusyouwereabeggar。"
　　"Yes，"laughedBarker，"andallthewhileyoufellowswereholdingfouracesupyoursleeveintheshapeofthebigstrike。"
　　"Andyou，Georgy，oldboy，"returnedDemorest，swingingBarker’stwohandsbackwardsandforwards，"wereholdingaroyalflushupyoursintheshapeofyourengagementtoKitty。"
　　ThefreshcolordiedoutofBarker’scheekevenwhilethefranklaughwasstillonhismouth。Heturnedhisfaceforamomenttowardsthewindow，andaswiftandalmostinvoluntaryglancepassedbetweentheothers。ButhealmostasquicklyturnedhisglisteningeyesbacktoDemorestagain，andsaideagerly，"Yes，dearKitty！Youshallseeherandthebabyto-morrow。"
　　ThentheyfelluponthesupperwiththeappetitesofthePast，andforsomemomentstheyalltalkedeagerlyandevennoisilytogether，allatthesametime，witheventhespiritsofthePast。Theyrecalledeverydetailoftheiroldlife；eagerlyandimpetuouslyrecountedtheoldstruggles，hopes，anddisappointments，gavethestrangeimportanceofschoolboystounimportantevents，andamysticmeaningtoashibbolethoftheirown；roaredoveroldjokeswithadelighttheyhadneversincegiventonew；reawakenedidioticnicknamesandbywordswithintenseenjoyment；grewgrave，anxious，andagonizedoverforgottennames，triflingdates，uselessdistances，ineffectiverecords，andfeeblechroniclesoftheirdomesticeconomy。ItwasthethoughtfulandmelancholyDemorestwhorememberedtheexactcolorandpricepaidforacertainshirtboughtfromaGreaserpeddleramidsttheenvyofhiscompanions；itwasthefinancialmagnate，Stacy，whocouldinformthemwhatweretheexactdaystheyhadsaleratusbreadandwhenflapjacks；itwasthethoughtlessandmercurialBarkerwhorecalledwithunheard-ofaccuracy，amidsttheapplauseoftheothers，thefullnameoftheIndiansquawwhoassistedattheirwashing。Eventhentheywerealmostfeverishlyloathtoleavethesubject，asifthePast，atleast，wassecuretothemstill，andtheywereevendoubtfuloftheirownfreeandfullaccordinthePresent。Thentheyslippedratherreluctantlyintotheirlaterexperiences，butwithscarcelythesamefreedomorspontaneity；anditwasnoticeablethattheserecordswereelicitedfromBarkerbyStacyorfromStacybyBarkerfortheinformationofDemorest，oftenwithchaffingandonlyundergood-humoredprotest。"TellDemoresthowyoubrokethe’CopperRing，’"fromtheadmiringBarker，or，"TellDemoresthowyourd————dfoolishnessinbuyinguptherightandplantoftheDitchCompanygotyoucontroloftherailroad，"fromthemischievousStacy，werechallengesinpoint。Presentlytheyleftthetable，and，totheastonishmentofthewaiterswhoremovedthecloth，commonbrier-
　　woodpipes，thoughtfullyprovidedbyBarkerincommemorationofthePast，werelit，andtheyrangedthemselvesinarmchairsbeforethefirequiteunconsciouslyintheiroldattitudes。Thetwowindowsoneithersideofthehearthgavethemthesameviewthattheopendooroftheoldcabinhadmadefamiliartothem，theleague-longvalleybelowtheshadowybulkoftheBlackSpurrisinginthedistance，and，stillmoreremote，thepallidsnow-linethatsoaredevenbeyonditscrest。
　　Asintheoldtime，theywereformanymomentssilent；andthen，asintheoldtime，itwastheirrepressibleBarkerwhobrokethesilence。"ButStacydoesnottellyouanythingabouthisfriend，thebeautifulMrs。Horncastle。Youknowhe’stheguardianofoneofthefinestwomeninCalifornia——awomanasnobleandgenerousassheishandsome。Andthinkofit！He’sprotectingherfromherbruteofahusband，andlookingafterherproperty。Isn’titgoodandchivalrousofhim？"
　　TheirrepressiblelaughterofthetwomenbroughtonlywonderandreproachfulindignationintothewidelyopenedeyesofBarker。HE
　　wasperfectlysincere。HehadbeenthinkingofStacy’sadmirationforMrs。HorncastleinhisridefromBoomville，and，strangetosay，yetcharacteristicofhisnature，itwasequallythenaturaloutcomeofhisinterviewwithherandthesingulareffectshehaduponhim。Thathe（Barker）thoroughlysympathizedwithheronlyconvincedhimthatStacymustfeelthesameforher，andthat，nodoubt，shemustrespondtohimequally。Andhownobleitwasinhisoldpartner，withhisadvantagesofpositionintheworldandhisprotectingrelationstoher，nottoavailhimselfofthisinfluenceuponhergenerousnature。Ifhehimself——amarriedmanandthehusbandofKitty——wassoconsciousofhercharm，howmuchgreateritmustbetothefreeandINEXPERIENCEDStacy。
　　TheitalicswereinBarker’sthought；forinthosemattershefeltthatStacyandevenDemorest，occupiedinotherthings，hadnothisknowledge。TherewasnoideaorconsciousnessofheroicallysacrificinghimselforMrs。Horncastleinthis。Iamafraidtherewasnotevenanideaofasuperiormoralityinhimselfingivingupthepossibilityoflovingher。EversinceStacyhadfirstseenherhehadfanciedthatStacylikedher，——indeed，Kittyfanciedit，too，——anditseemedalmostprovidentialnowthatheshouldknowhowtoassisthisoldpartnertohappiness。ForitwasinconceivablethatStacyshouldnotbeabletorescuethiswomanfromhershamefulbonds，orthatsheshouldnotconsenttoitthroughhis（Barker’s）argumentsandentreaties。Toa"championofdames"thisseemedonlyrightandproper。InhisunfailingoptimismhetranslatedStacy’slaughasembarrassmentandDemorest’sasonlyignoranceoftherealquestion。ButDemoresthadnoticed，ifhehadnot，thatStacy’slaughwasalittlenervouslyprolongedforamanofhistemperament，andthathehadcastaverykeenglanceatBarker。AmessengerarrivingwithatelegrambroughtfromBoomvillecalledStacymomentarilyaway，andBarkerwasnotslowtotakeadvantageofhisabsence。
　　"Iwish，Phil，"hesaid，hitchinghischairclosertoDemorest，"thatyouwouldthinkseriouslyofthismatter，andtrytopersuadeStacy——who，Ibelieve，ismoreinterestedinMrs。Horncastlethanhecarestoshow——toputalittleofthatdeterminationinlovethathehasshowninbusiness。She’sanawfullyfinewoman，andineverywaysuitedtohim，andheislettinganabsurdsenseofprideandhonorkeephimfrominfluencinghertogetridofherimpossiblehusband。There’snoreason，"continuedBarkerinaburstofenthusiasticsimplicity，"thatBECAUSEshehasfoundsomeoneshelikesbetter，andwhowouldtreatherbetter，thatsheshouldcontinuetosticktothatbeastwhomallCaliforniawouldgladlyseeherdivorcedfrom。Inevercouldunderstandthatkindofargument，couldyou？"
　　Demorestlookedathiscompanion’sglowingcheekandkindlingeyewithasmile。"Agooddealdependsuponthesidefromwhichyouargue。But，frankly，Barkerboy，thoughIthinkIknowyouinallyourphases，Iamnotpreparedyettoacceptyouasamatch-maker！
　　However，I’llthinkitover，andfindoutsomethingmoreofthisfromyourgoddess，whoseemstohavebewitchedyouboth。ButwhatdoesMistressKittysaytoyouradmiration？"
　　Barker’sfaceclouded，butinstantlybrightened。"Oh，they’rethebestoffriends；they’requitelikeus，youknow，eventolarkstheyhavetogether。"Hestoppedandcoloredathisslip。ButDemorest，whohadnoticedhischangeofexpression，wasmoreconcernedatthelookofhalfincredulityandhalfsuspicionwithwhichStacy，whohadre-enteredtheroomintimetohearBarker’sspeech，wasregardinghisunconsciousyoungerpartner。
　　"Ididn’tknowthatMrs。HorncastleandMrs。Barkerweresuchfriends，"hesaiddrylyashesatdownagain。ButhisfacepresentlybecamesoabstractedthatDemorestsaidgayly：——
　　"Well，Jim，I’mgladI’mnotaNapoleonofFinance！Icouldn’tstandittohavemyprivacyormyrelaxationbrokeninuponatanymoment，asyourswasjustnow。Whatconfoundedsomersaultinstockshasputthatfaceonyou？"
　　Stacylookedupquicklywithhisbrieflaugh。"I’mafraidyou’dbenonethewiserifItoldyou。ThatwasaponyexpressmessengerfromNewYork。YourememberhowBarker，thatnightofthestrike，whenweweresittingtogetherhere，orverynearhere，proposedthatweoughttohaveapasswordorasymboltocallustogetherincaseofemergency，foreachother’shelp？Well，letussayIhavetwopartners，oneinEuropeandoneinNewYork。Thatwasmypassword。"
　　"And，Ihope，nomoreseriousthanours，"addedDemorest。
　　Stacylaughedhisshortlaugh。Nevertheless，theconversationdraggedagain。Thefeverishgayetyoftheearlypartoftheeveningwasgone，andtheyseemedtobesufferingfromthereaction。Theyfellintotheiroldattitudes，lookingfromthefirelighttothedistantbulkofBlackSpurwithoutaword。Theoccasionalsoundofthevoicesofpromenadersontheverandaatlastceased；therewasthenoiseoftheshuttingofheavydoorsbelow，andBarkerrose。
　　"You’llexcuseme，boys；butImustgoandsaygood-nighttolittleSta，andseethathe’sallright。Ihaven’tseenhimsinceIgotback。But"——toDemorest——"you’llseehimto-morrow，whenKittycomes。Itisasmuchasmylifeisworthtoshowhimbeforeshecertifieshimasbeingpresentable。"Hepaused，andthenadded：
　　"Don’twaitup，youfellows，forme；sometimesthelittlechapwon’tletmego。It’sasifhethought，nowKitty’saway，Iwasallhehad。ButI’llbeupearlyinthemorningandseeyou。I
　　daresayyouandStacyhaveaheaptosaytoeachotheronbusiness，andyouwon’tmissme。SoI’llsaygood-night。"Helaughedlightly，pressedthehandsofhispartnersinhisusualheartyfashion，andwentoutoftheroom，leavingthegloomalittledeeperthanbefore。ItwassounusualforBarkertobethefirsttoleaveanybodyoranythingintroublethattheybothnoticedit。"Butforthat，"saidDemorest，turningtoStacyasthedoorclosed，"Ishouldsaythedearfellowwasabsolutelyunchanged。Butheseemedalittleanxiousto-night。"
　　"Ishouldn’twonder。He’sgottwowomenonhismind，——asifonewasnotenough。"
　　"Idon’tunderstand。Yousayhiswifeisfoolish，andthisother"——
　　"Nevermindthatnow，"interruptedStacy，gettingupandputtingdownhispipe。"Let’stalkalittlebusiness。Thatotherstuffwillkeep。"
　　"Byallmeans，"saidDemorest，withasmile，settlingdownintohischairalittlewearily，however。"Iforgotbusiness。AndI
　　forgot，mydearJim，tocongratulateyou。I’veheardallaboutyou，eveninNewYork。You’rethemanwho，accordingtoeverybody，nowholdsthefinancesofthePacificSlopeinhishands。And，"headded，leaningaffectionatelytowardshisoldpartner，"Idon’tknowanyonebetterequippedinhonesty，straightforwardness，andcourageforsucharesponsibilitythanyou。"
　　"Ionlywish，"saidStacy，lookingthoughtfullyatDemorest，"thatIdidn’tholdnearlyamillionofyourmoneyincludedinthefinancesofthePacificSlope。"
　　"Why，"saidthesmilingDemorest，"aslongasIamsatisfied？"
　　"BecauseIamnot。Ifyou’resatisfied，I’mawretchedidiotandnotfitformyposition。Now，lookhere，Phil。WhenyouwrotemetoselloutyoursharesintheWheatTrustIwasalittlestaggered。Iknewyourgait，myboy，andIknew，too，that，whileyoudidn’tknowenoughtotrustyourownopinionsorfeeling，youknewtoomuchtotrustanyone’sopinionthatwasn’tfirst-class。
　　SoIreckonedyouhadthestraighttip；butIdidn’tseeit。Now，IoughtnottohavebeenstaggeredifIwasfitforyourconfidence，or，ifIwasstaggered，Ioughttohavehadenoughconfidenceinmyselfnottomindyou。See？"
　　"Iadmityourlogic，oldman，"saidDemorest，withanamusedface，"butIdon’tseeyourpremises。WHENdidItellyoutosellout？"
　　"Twodaysago。Youwrotejustafteryouarrived。"
　　"IhaveneverwrittentoyousinceIarrived。Ionlytelegraphedtoyoutoknowwhereweshouldmeet，andreceivedyourmessagetocomehere。"
　　"YouneverwrotemefromSanFrancisco？"
　　"Never。"
　　Stacylookedconcernedlyathisfriend。Washeinhisrightmind？
　　Hehadheardofcaseswheremelancholybroodingonafixedideahadaffectedthememory。Hetookfromhispocketaletter-case，andselectingaletterhandedittoDemorestwithoutspeaking。