CHAPTERVI
　　TheEverUnpracticalFeminineItwasaninvestigatingnegrochildoftenderyears，who，possessedofapettysenseofcauseandeffect，broughtanilluminativesimplicitytobearupontheproblemoftheforce-pump；andamultitudinousagitationgreetedhisdiscoverythattheengineershadforgottentoconnecttheirpipeswiththeriver。
　　Thisna媣eomissionwasfataltothesecondwarehouse；thewallburstintoflamebelowCraileyGray，whoclungtothetopoftheladder，choking，stifled，anddizzilyfightingthesparksthatcoveredhim，yetstillclutchingthenozzleofthehose-linetheyhadpassedtohim。Whenthestreamatlastleapedforth，makingthenozzlefightinhisgrasp，hesentitstraightupintotheairandletthecataractfallbackuponhimselfanduponthetwomenbeneathhimontheladder。
　　Therecameamomentofblessedrelief；andhelookedoutoverthebroadrosybluroffacesinthestreet，wherenoonewonderedmorethanhehowthewaterwastoreachtheroof。Suddenlyhestarted，wipedhiseyeswithhiswetsleeve，andpeeredintentlydownfromundertheshadingarm。Hisrovingglancecrossedthesmokeandflametorestuponatall，whitefigurethatstood，full-lengthabovetheheadsofthepeople，uponapedestalwroughtwiththegrotesqueimagesofboys：agirl’sfigure，stillasnoon，enrapt，likethestatueofsomeyounggoddessforwhomweremadethesesacrificialpyres。Mr。Grayrecognizedhisopportunity。
　　Ablackenedandunrecognizablefacepeereddownfromtheeaves，andthevoicebelongingtoitsaid，angrily："Whydidn’ttheysendupthatlinebeforetheyputthewaterthroughit？"
　　"Nevermind，Tom，"answeredCraileycheerfully，"I’llbringitup。"
　　"Youcan’t；I’llcomedownforit。Don’tbeeverykindofafool！"
　　"Youwantamonopoly，doyou？"AndCrailey，callingtoTappinghamMarsh，nextbelowhim，tocomehigher，leftthewrithingnozzleinthelatter’spossession，swunghimselfoutuponthegrappling-ladder，imitatingthechief’sgymnastics，andimmediately，onehandgraspingthesecondrung，onekneecrookedoverthelowest，leanedheaddownandtookthenozzlefromMarsh。Itwasaheavyweight，andthoughMarshsupportedthelinebeneathit，thegreatstreamhurtlingforthmadeitadifficultthingtomanage，foritwriggled，recoiledandstruggledasifithadbeenalive。
　　Craileymadethreeattemptstodrawhimselfup；butthestrainwastoomuchforhisgrip，andonthethirdattempthisfingersmeltedfromtherung，andheswungdownfearfully，hangingbyhisknee，butstillclingingtothenozzle。
　　"Giveitup，Crailey；itisn’tworthit，"Vanrevelcalledfromoverhead，notdaringtheweightofbothonthelightgrappling-ladder。
　　ButthoughCraileycarednomoreforthesavingofRobertCarewe’spropertythanforabutterfly’swinginChina，hecouldnotgiveupnow，anymorethanasaladbecouldhaveforbornetoturnsomersaultswhentheprettiestlittlegirllookedoutoftheschool-housewindow。HepassedthenozzletoTappingham，caughtthesecondrungwithhislefthand，and，oncemorehangingheaddownward，seizedthenozzle；then，withhiskneehookedtight，asthegushingwaterdescribedahugesemicircleuponthesmokeandhotvapor，hemadeamadlurchthroughtheair，whilewomenshrieked；buthelandedupright，half-sittingonthelowestrung。Heclimbedthegrappling-ladderswiftly，inspiteoftheweightandcontortionsoftheunmanageablebeasthecarriedwithhim；Tomleanedfardownandtookitfromhim；andCrailey，passingtheeaves，fell，exhausted，upontheroof。
　　Justashereachedthistemporarysecurity，aladywasborne，fainting，outoftheacclaimingcrowd。Fanchonwasthere。
　　Wordhadbeenpassedtothegentlemenofthe"EngineCompany"toshutoffthewaterinordertoallowthelinetobecarrieduptheladder，andtheyreceivedthecommandatthemomentTomliftedthenozzle，sothatthestreamdriedupinhishands。Thiswasthelaststraw，andtheblackened，singedandscarredchief，settingthetrumpettohislips，gavehimselfentirelytowrath。
　　ItstruckCrailey，evenasbelay，coughingandweepingwithsmoke，thattherewassomethingsplendidandlargeintheother’srage。Vanrevelwasordinarilysosteadyandcoolthatthiswasworthseeing，thisberserkergesture；worthhearing，thiswonderfulprofanity，likeWashington’sonefitofcursing；andCrailey，knowingTom，knew，too，thatithadnotcomeuponhimbecauseCarewehadadaughterintowhoseeyesTomhadlooked；nordidheragebecausehebelievedthatCrailey’slifeandhiswereinthegreaterhazardforthelackofeverydropofwaterthatshouldhaveissuedfromtheemptynozzle。Theirlungswereburdenedwithsmoke，whiletheintolerablesmartingofthroat，eyes，andnostrilswasliketheincisionofathousandneedlesinthemembranes；theirclotheswereluminouswithglowingcircleswherethesparkswereeating；theblazewidenedonthewallbeneaththem，andMarshwasshoutinghoarselythathecouldnolongerholdhispositionontheladder；yetCraileyknewthatnoneofthiswasinTom’smindashestood，scorched，blistered，andhaggard，ontheedgeoftheroof，shakinghisfistattheworld。Itwasbecausehischanceofsavingthepropertyofamanhedespisedwasbeingendangered。
　　Craileystretchedforthahandandtouchedhisfriend’sknee。"Yoursideoftheconversationisatrifleloud，Tom，"hesaid。"MissCareweisdownthere，acrossthestreet，onapileofboxes。"
　　Tomstoppedinthemiddleofaword，forwhichhemayhavereceivedbuthalfablackstrokefromtherecordingangel。Hewheeledtowardthestreet，and，shieldinghisinflamedeyeswithhishand，gazeddownwardinastrickensilence。FromthatmomentMr。Vanrevel’sinstructionstohisfollowerswereofadecorumatwhichnotthemeekestSunday-schoolscholardarehavecavilled。
　　Thethreemennowonthelongladder，Marsh，EugeneMadrillon，andWillCummings，foundtheirpositionuntenable；fortheflames，reachingallalongthewall，werelickingattheladderitself，betweenMarshandEugene。"Ican’tstandthisanylonger，"gaspedTappingham，"butIcan’tleavethosetwoupthere，either。"
　　"Notalone，"shoutedCummingsfrombeneathMadrillon。"Let’sgoup。"
　　Thusithappened，thatwhenthewatercameagain，andVanrevelletitfallinagratefulcascadeuponCraileyandhimself，threemanlyvoiceswereheardsinging，asthreementoiledthroughthebillowsofrosygray，belowthebeleagueredpair：
　　"OhthenobleDukeofYork，HehadTenthousandmen；
　　Hemarchedthemupthesideofahouse，Andmarchedthemdownagain！"
　　Aheadappearedabovetheeaves，andMarsh，thenEugene，thenCummings，camecrawlingoverthecorniceinturn，tojointheircomrades。Theywereagallantband，thoseyounggentlemenofRouen，andtheycamewiththeironicalsongontheirlips，and，lookingatoneanother，raggedandscarified，burstintohoarsebutindomitablelaughter。
　　Twoothersmadeanattempttofollow，andwouldnotberestrained。Itwasnoticedthatpartsofthelowerladderhadbeencharring；andtheladder-
　　menwerepreparingtoremoveittoalessdangerouspoint，whenoldGeneralTrumbleandyoungJeffersonBareaudmadearushtomountit，andwerewellupontheirupwardwaybeforetheladder，weakenedatthemiddle，sagged，splintered，andbroke，TrumbleandBareaudfallingwithit。Andtherewasthegrappling-ladder，danglingfortyfeetabovetheground；andtherewerethefiveupontheroof。
　　TheDepartmenthadnootherladderofmorethanhalfthelengthoftheshatteredone。NotonlytheDepartment，buteverysoulinRouen，knewthat；andthererosethethick，lowsighofamultitude，asoundfrightfultohear。Itbecameagroan，thenswelledintoadeepcryofalarmandlamentation。
　　Andnow，almostsimultaneously，thewestwallofthebuilding，andthesouthwall，andallthesouthwesternportionsoftheroof，coveredthem-
　　selveswithvoluminousmantlesofflame，whichincreasedsohugelyandwithsuchsavagerapiditythattheonestreamontheroofwasseentobebutaridiculousanduselessopposition。
　　Everybodybegantoshoutadvicetohisneighbor；andnobodylistenedeventohimself。Thefiremenwereinasgreataturmoilaswasthecrowd，whilewomencoveredtheireyes。YoungFrankChenowethwassobbingcursesuponthebruisedandshakingTrumbleandJeffersonBareaud，whocouldonlystandremorseful，impotentlygroaning，andmadenoanswer。
　　Thewallsofthesouthernmostwarehousefollowedtheroof，crashinginwardoneaftertheother，asacrificialpyrewithitspurposeconsummated；andintheseethandflareofitspassing，TomVanrevelagainshadedhiseyeswithhishand，andlookeddownacrosstheupturnedfaces。Thepedestalwiththegrotesquecarvingswasstillthere；butthecrowningfigurehaddisappeared——theyounggoddesswasgone。Forshe，ofallthatthrong，hadanideainherhead，and，afterscreamingittoeverymanwithinreach，onlytodiscovertheimpossibilityofmakingherselfunderstoodinthatBabel，shewasstrugglingtomakeherwaytowardthesecondwarehouse，throughtheswayingjamofpeople。Itwasadifficulttask，asthefartherinshemanagedtogo，thedenserbecamethepressandthemoretightlyshefoundthepeoplewedged，untilshereceivedinvoluntaryaidfromthefiremen。Inturningtheirsecondstreamtoplayineffectuallyuponthelowerstrataofflame，theyaccidentallydeflectedittowardthecrowd，whoseparatedwildly，leavingabiggap，ofwhichMissBettytookinstantadvantage。Shedartedacross，andthenextmoment，unnoticed，hadenteredthebuildingthroughthedoorwhichCraileyGrayhadopened。
　　Thefiveyoungmenontheroofwerewellawarethattherewaslittletodobuttowait，andsoontheywouldseewhichwastowin，theyorthefire；
　　sotheyshiftedtheirlineofhosetotheeasternfrontofthebuilding——
　　outofharm’sway，foralittletime，atleast——andheldthemuzzlesteady，watchingitswork。Andintruthitwasnotlongbeforetheyunderstoodwhichwouldconquer。ThesouthernandwesternportionsofthebuildinghadflungoutgreatflamesthatflutteredandflaredonthebreezelikeTitanicflags；andsteadily，slowly，atfirst，thenfasterasthesecondsflew，thefiveweredrivenbackward，upthelowslopeoftherooftowardthegable-ridge。TomVanrevelheldthefirstjointofthenozzle，andheretreatedwithasulkyface，liftinghisfootgrudginglyateachstep。Theywereallsilent，now，andnoonespokeuntilWillCummingsfaltered：
　　"Surelythey’llgetaropeuptoussomeway？"
　　Willknewaswellasdidtheothersthattherewasnoway；buthisspeechstruckthesullenheartofthechiefwithremorse。Heturned。"Ihopeyou’llallforgivemeforgettingyouuphere。"
　　Asound，halfsob，halfgiggle，camefromtheparchedlipsofEugeneMadrillon，ashepattedTomontheshoulderwithoutspeaking，andCraileynoddedquietly，thenleftthegroupandwenttotheeasternedgeoftheroofandlookedoutuponthecrowd。Cummingsdroppedthelineandsatdown，buryinghishotfaceinhisarms，fortheyallsawthatVanrevelthought"itwasnouse，"butaquestionofafewminutes，andtheywouldretreatacrossthegableandeitherjumporgodownwiththeroof。
　　Sincetheworldbegan，idleandindustriousphilosophershavespeculatedmuchuponthethoughtsofmenabouttodie；yetitcannotbetooingenuoustobelievethatsuchthoughtsvaryasthemen，theircharacters，andconditionsoflifevary。Nevertheless，pursuantwiththetraditionsofminstrelsyandromance，itisconceivablethatyoung，unmarriedmen，calledupontofacedesperatesituations，might，atthecrucialmoment，rushtoacommonexperienceofsummoningthevision，eachofhisheart’sdesire，andtomeet，eachhisdoom，withhernameuponhislips。
　　Anextraordinarythingoccurredinthepresentinstance，for，bymeansofsomefragmentaryremarksletfallatthetime，andafterwardrecalledsuchasTappinghamMarsh’sgasping："Atleastitwillbeonherfather’sroof！"
　　andfromotherthingslateroverheard，aninevitabledeductionhasbeenreachedthatfourofthefivegentlemenintheperilouscasehereindescribedwereoccupiedwiththevisionofthesameperson，towit：MissElizabethCarewe，"thelast——theprettiest——tocometotown！"
　　CraileyGray，alone，spokenotatall；butwhydidhestrainandstrainhiseyestowardthatempty’pedestalwiththegrotesquecarvings？DidheseekFanchonthere，orwasMissCarewethelastsweetapparitioninthefanciesofallfiveoftheunhappyyoungmen？
　　Thecoincidenceoftheactualappearanceoftheladyamongthem，thereforeseemedthemoremiraculous，when，wanandhopeless，staggeringdesperatelybackwardtothegable-ridge，theyheardaclearcontraltovoicebehindthem：
　　"Hadn’tyoubetterallcomedownnow？"itsaid。——"Thestairwaywillbeonfirebeforelong。"
　　Onlyonethingcouldhavebeenmoreshockinglyunexpectedtothefivethanthatthereshouldbeasixthpersonontheroof，andthiswasthatthesixthpersonshouldbeMissBettyCarewe。
　　Theyturned，aghast，agape，chopfallenwithastonishment，stunned，andincredulous。
　　Shestoodjustbehindthegable-ridge，smilingamiably，amostincongruouslittlepinkfaninherhand，thesmoke-wreathspartlyobscuringherandcurlingbetweenthefiveandherwhitedress，likemistsfloatingacrossthenewmoon。
　　Wasitbutakindlyphantasmofthebrain？WasittheincarnationofthelastvisionofthelostVolunteers？WasitaValkyrieassumingthatlovelylikenesstoperchuponthiseyrie，waitingtobeartheirheroicsoulstoValhalla，or——wasitMissBettyCarewe？
　　Tothechiefshespoke——allofthemagreedtothatafterward——butitwasCraileywhoanswered，whileTomcouldonlystare，andstandwagginghisheadatthelovelyphantom，likeaMandarinonashelf。
　　"Mymotherinheaven！"gaspedCrailey。"Howdidyoucomeuphere？"
　　"There’satrapintheroofontheothersideoftheridge，"shesaid，andshebegantofanherselfwiththepinkfan。"Astairwayrunsallthewaydown——oldNelsonshowedmethroughthesebuildingsyesterday——andthatsideisn’tonfireyet。I’msosorryIdidn’tthinkofituntilamomentago，becauseyoucouldhavebroughtthewaterupthatway。Butdon’tyouthinkyou’dbettercomedownnow？"
　　CHAPTERVII
　　TheComedianNotsavageHun，nor"barbarousVandyke，"nordemonApache，couldwishtodwelluponthestateofmindoftheChiefoftheRouenVolunteerFireDepartment；therefore，letthecurtainofmercydescend。"Withoutaword，heturnedanddraggedthenozzletotheeasterneaves，whence，afterawarninggesturetothosebelow，hedroppedittotheground。And，outofcompassion，itshouldbelittlemorethanhintedthatthegestureofwarningwasveryslight。
　　Whentherescuedbandreachedthefootofthelastflightofstairs，theybeheldtheopendoorwayasaframeforagreatpressofintentandcon-
　　tortedfaces，everyeyestillstrainedtowatchtheroof；noneoftheharrowedspectatorscomprehendingtheappearanceofthegirl’sfigurethere，norabletoseewhithershehadledthefiveyoungmen，untilTappinghamMarshraisedashoutasheleapedoutofthedooranddanceduponthesolidearthagain。
　　Then，indeed，therewasamightyuproar；cheeraftercheerascendedtotheredvaultofheaven；womenwept，menwhooped，andthepeoplerushedfortheheroeswithwide-open，welcomingarms。JeffersonBareaudandFrankChenowethandGeneralTrumbledashedatTomVanrevelwithincoherentcriesofthanksgiving，shakinghishandsandbeatinghimhystericallyupontheback。Hegreetedthemwithbitterlaughter。
　　"Helpgetthewaterintothenextwarehouse；thisoneisbeyondcontrol，butwecansavetheothertwo。Takethelinesinthroughthedoor！"Hebrushedtherejoicingfriendsoffabruptly，andwentoninaqueer，hollowvoice："Therearestairs——andI’msosorryIdidn’tthinkofituntilamomentago，becauseyoucouldhavebroughtthewaterupthatway！"
　　Aremarkablecaseofdesertionhadoccurred，thepreviousinstant，underhiseyes。Asthepartyemergedfromthewarehouseintothestreet，TomheardCraileysayhurriedlytoMissCarewe："Letmegetyouawaycomequickly！"sawhimsuddenlyseizeherband，and，eludingtheonrushingcrowd，runwithherroundthecornerofthebuilding。Andsomehow，throughwhatinspiration，orthroughwhatknowledgeofhispartner’s"temperament，"heavenknows，thepropheticsoulofthechiefwasunhappilyassuredthatCraileywouldofferhimselfasescorttoherhome，andfindacceptance。Butwhynot？WasitCraileywhohadpubliclycalledhisfellow-manfool，idiot，imbecile，atthetopofhislungs，onlytofindhimselftheprovennumskulloftheuniverse！Tomstoodforamomentstaringafterthevanishingpair，whileoverhisfacestolethestrangestexpressionthatevermansawthere；then，withmeeklybowedshoulders，beturnedagaintohiswork。
　　Atthecornerofthewarehouse，MissCarewedetachedherhandfromCrailey’s，yetstillfollowedhimashemadeaquickdetourroundthenextbuilding。Aminuteortwolatertheyfoundthemselves，undetected，uponMainStreetintherearofthecrowd。ThereCraileypaused。
　　"Forgiveme，"hesaid，breathlessly，"fortakingyourhand。Ithoughtyouwouldliketogetaway。"
　　Sheregardedhimgravely，sothathefounditdifficulttoreadherlook，exceptthatitwasseriouslyquestioning；butwhethertheinterrogationwasaddressedtohimortoherselfhecouldnotdetermine。Afterasilenceshesaid：
　　"Idon’tknowwhyIfollowedyou。Ibelieveitmusthavebeenbecauseyoudidn’tgivemetimetothink。"
　　This，ofcourse，madehimevenquickerwithherthanbefore。"It’sallover，"hesaidbriskly。"Thefirstwarehouseisgone；thesecondwillgo，butthey’llsavetheotherseasilyenough，nowthatyouhavepointedoutthatthelinesmaybeutilizedotherwisethanasadjunctsofperformancesonthehightrapeze！"Theywerestandingbyapicket-fence，andheleanedagainstit，overcomebymirthinwhichshedidnotjoin。Hergravityreacteduponhimatonce，andhislaughterwasstoppedshort。"Willyounotacceptmeasanescorttoyourhome？"hesaidformally。"Idonotknow，"shereturnedsimply，thesortofhonesttroubleinherglancethatisseenonlyinveryyoungeyes。
　　"`Whatreasonintheworld！"hereturned，withacraftysharpnessofastonishment。
　　Shecontinuedtogazeuponhimthoughtfully，whilehetriedtolookintohereyes，butwasbaffledbecausetheradiantbeamsfromthelady’sorbs（astheelderChenowethmighthavesaid）restedsomewheredangerouslynearhischin，whichworriedhim，for，thoughhischinmadenoretreatandwasfarfromill-looking，itwas，nevertheless，thatfeaturewhichhemostdistrusted。"Won’tyoutellmewhynot？"herepeated，uneasily。
　　"Because，"sheansweredatlast，speakinghesitatingly，"becauseitisn’tsoeasyamatterformeasyouseemtothink。Youhavenotbeenintroducedtome，andIknowyouneverwillbe，andthatwhatyoutoldmewastrue。"
　　"WhichpartofwhatItoldyou？"Thequestionescapedfromhiminstantly。
　　"Thattheothersmightcomewhentheyliked，butthatyoucouldnot。"
　　"Ohyes，yes。"Hisexpressionalteredtoasinceredejection；hisshouldersdrooped，andhisvoiceindicatedsupremeannoyance。"Imighthaveknownsomeonewouldtellyou！Whowasit？DidtheysaywhyI——"
　　"Onaccountofyourquarrelwithmyfather。"
　　"Myquarrelwithyourfather！"heexclaimed；andhisfacelitwithanelatedsurprise；hisshouldersstraightened。Hetookastepnearerher，andasked，eagerly："Whotoldyouthat？"
　　"Myfatherhimself。HespokeofaMr。Vanrevelwhomhe——disliked，andwhomImustnotmeet；and，rememberingwhatyouhadsaid，ofcourseIknewthatyouwerehe。"
　　"Oh！"Crailey’slipsbegantoformasmileofsuchappealingandinimitablesweetnessthatVoltairewouldhavetrustedhim；asmilealto-
　　getherrose-leaves。"ThenIloseyou，"hesaid，"formyonlychancetoknowyouwasinkeepingithiddenfromyou。Andnowyouunderstand！"
　　"No，"sheanswered，gravely，"Idon’tunderstand；thatiswhattroublesme。IfIdid，andbelievedyouhadtherightofthedifference，Icouldbelieveitnosinthatyoushouldspeaktome，shouldtakemehomenow。I
　　thinkitiswrongnottoactfromyourownunderstandingofthings。"
　　Theyoungmansethisexpressionasoneindomitablyfixeduponthecourseofhonor，costwhatitmight；and，intheveryaction，hislurkingpleasureindoingithoppedoutintheflickerofatwinkleinhiseyes，andasinstantlysoughtcoveragain——thefleaintherose-jar。
　　"Thenyoumustasksomeother，"hesaid，firmly。"Adisinterestedpersonshouldtellyou。Thedifferencewaspoliticalinthebeginning，butbecamepersonalafterward；anditisnowaquarrelwhichcanneverbepatchedup，though，formypart，Iwishthatitcouldbe。Icansaynomore，becauseapartytoitshouldnotspeak。"
　　Shemethislevellooksquarelyatlast；andnomaneverhadamoretruthfulpairofeyesthanCraileyGray，foritwashisgreataccomplishmentthathecouldadjusthisemotion，hisreason，andsomethingthatmightbecalledhisfaith，tofitanysituationinanycharacter。
　　"Youmaytakemehome，"sheanswered。"Imaybewrong，andevendisloyal；
　　butIdonotfeelitso，now。Youdidaverybravethingtonighttosavehimfromloss，andIthinkthatwhatyouhavesaidwasjustwhatyoushouldhavesaid。"
　　Sotheywentdownthestreet，thehubbubandconfusionofthefiregrowingmoreandmoreindistinctbehindthem。Theywalkedslowly，and，foratime，neitherspoke；yetthesilencewasofakindwhichtheadeptrejoicedtohaveproducedthussoon——theirsecondmeeting。ForhebelievedthereweremorestrangethingsinheavenandearththanHoratiowot；andoneofthestrangestwasthatwheneverhewasnearanattractivewomanduringasilencesuchasthis，somethingnottobedefined，butaseffectiveasitwasindefinite，alwayswentoutfromhimtoher。Itwaslikeawordoftenderness，awordtoogentle，toocompelling，toosweet，tobepartofanytongue，spokenorwritten。Andmore：thisineffablewordhadanecho，andcamebacktohimfromthewoman。
　　Ashispartnerhadindress，soCraileyhadwithwomen，somecoloroftheBeau；butitwasnotinwhatexperiencehadgivenhimtorecognizeasafact：thattheywereapttofallinlovewithhim。（Thattheywereapttoremaininlovewithhim——heunderstoodperfectly——wasanothermatter。）
　　Andheknewwhentheyweredoingit；couldhavetoldthemaccurately，ateachstep，whattheywerefeeling，thinking，dreaming，duringtheprocess，becausehewasusuallyexhibitingthesamesymptomstohimselfatthesametime。
　　Thus，hisownbreastoccupiedwiththatdizzyelationwhichfolloweditsreceptionoftheinsaneyounggod’sarrows，andhisheartwarmwiththeriseoftheoldemotionthatheknewsowell，hewasneverthelessabletowalkwithhisfingeronthepulseoftheexquisitemoment，countingherheartbeatsandhisown。
　　So，tohisfancy，astheywalked，thelittlespacebetweenthemwashungwithbrilliantstrands，likegossamerchainsofgold，alreadylinkingthemtogether；everysecondfixinganotherslender，preciousfetter，bindingthemcloser，drawinghernearer。HewaiteduntiltheypassedintotheshadowsofthedesertedCareweStreetbeforehespoke。Therebestoppedabruptly；atwhichsheturned，astonished。
　　"Nowthatyouhavesavedmylife，"hesaid，inalow，tremuloustone，"whatareyougoingtodowithit？"
　　Hereyesopenedalmostaswidelyastheyhadatherfirstsightofhiminhergarden。Therewasalongpausebeforeshereplied，andwhenshedid，itwastohisconsiderablesurprise。
　　"Ihaveneverseenaplay，exceptthefunnylittleonesweactedattheconvent，"shesaid，"butisn’tthatthewaytheyspeakonthestage？"
　　Craileyrealizedthathisjudgmentofthesilencebadbeenmistaken，andyetitwaswithathrillofdelightthatherecognizedherclearreadingofhim。Hehadbeentoofloridagain。
　　"Letusgo。"Hisvoicewassoftwithrestrainedforgiveness。"Youmockedmeoncebefore。
　　"Mockedyou？"sherepeated，astheywenton。
　　"Mockedme，"hesaid，firmly。"Mockedmeforseemingtheatrical，andyetyouhavelearnedthatwhatIsaidwastrue；asyouwillagain。"
　　Shemuseduponthis；then，asinwhimsicalindulgencetoanimportunatechild：
　　"Well，tellmewhatyoumeanwhenyousayIsavedyourlife。"
　　"Youcamealone，"bebegan，hastily，"tostanduponthatburningroof——"
　　"Whenceallbuthimhadfled！"Herlaughterrangout，interruptinghim。
　　"MyroomwasonthefourthflooratSt。Mary’s，andIdidn’tmindclimbingthreeflightsthisevening。"
　　Crailey’sgood-naturewasalwaysperfect。"Youmockmeandyoumockme！"
　　hecried，andmadeherlaughterbutpartofagayduet。"IknowIhavegonetoofast，havesaidthingsIshouldhavewaitedtosay；but，ah！
　　rememberthesmallchanceIhaveagainsttheotherswhocanseeyouwhentheylike。Don’tfloutmebecauseItrytomakethemostofarare，stolenmomentwithyou。"
　　"Do！"sheexclaimed，graveupontheinstant。"Domakethemostofit！I
　　havenothingbutinexperience。Makethemostbytreatingmeseriously。
　　Won’tyou？Iknowyoucan，andI——I——"Shefalteredtoafullstop。Shewasearnestandquiet，andtherehadbeensomethinginhertone，too——asveryoftentherewas——thatshowedhowyoungshewas。"Oh！"shebeganagain，turningtohimimpulsively，"Ihavethoughtaboutyousincethateveninginthegarden，andIhavewishedIcouldknowyou。Ican’tbequiteclearhowithappened，buteventhosefewminutesleftanumberofstrongimpressionsaboutyou。AndthestrongestwasthatyouwereonewithwhomIcouldtalkofagreatmanythings，ifyouwouldonlyberealwithme。Ibelieve——thoughI’mnotsurewhyIdo——thatitisverydifficultforyoutobereal；perhapsbecauseyouaresodifferentatdifferenttimesthatyouaren’tsure，yourself，whichtherealyouis。
　　Butthepersonthatyouarebeginningtobeformybenefitmustbethemosttriflingofallyourselves，lighterandeasiertoputonthanthelittlemaskyoucarriedtheothernight。Iftherewerenothingbetterunderneaththemask，Imightplay，too。"
　　"Didyoulearnthisattheconvent？"gaspedCrailey。
　　"Therewasaworldthereinminiature，"sheanswered，speakingveryquickly。"Ithinkallpeoplearemadeofthesamematerials，onlyinsuchdifferentproportions。Ithinkalittleworldmightholdasmuchasthelargest，ifyouthoughtitallouthardenough，andyourexperiencemightbejustasbroadanddeepinasmallcorneroftheearthasanywhereelse。
　　ButIdon’tknow！Iwanttounderstand——Iwanttounderstandeverything！
　　Ireadbooks，andtherearepeople——butnoonewhotellsmewhatIwant——
　　I——"
　　"Stop。"Heliftedhishand。"Iwon’tact；Ishallnever`play’foryouagain。"Hewasbreathless；thewitchingsilencewasnothingtowhatstirredhimnow。Asingularexaltationroseinhim，togetherwiththerecklessimpulsetospeakfromthemoodhervehementconfidencehadin-
　　spired。Hegavewaytoit。
　　"Iknow，Iknow，"hesaidhuskily。"Iunderstandallyoumean，allyoufeel，allyouwish。Itisallechoinghere，andhere，andhere！"Hetouchedhisbreast，hiseyes，andhisforeheadwiththefingersofhislongandslenderhand。"Wesighandstrainoureyesandstretchoutourarmsinthedark，gropingalwaysforthestrangeblessingthatisjustbeyondourgrasp，seekingforthepreciousunknownthatliesjustoverthehorizon！It’swhattheymeantbythepotofgoldwheretherainbowends——
　　only，itmaybethere，afterall！"
　　Theystoppedunconsciously，andremainedstandingatthelowerendoftheCarewehedge。Thewesternglowhadfaded，andshewasgazingathimthroughthedarkness，leaningforward，neverdreamingthathertightgrasphadbrokenthesticksofthelittlepinkfan。
　　"Yes，"shewhispered，eagerly。"Youareright：youunderstand！"
　　Hewenton，thewordscomingfasterandfaster："Wearehaunted——youandI——bythewishtoknowallthings，andbythequestionthatliesundereverythoughtwehave：theagonizingWhither？Isn’titlikethat？Itisreallydeaththatmakesusthink。YouareagoodCatholic：yougotomass；butyouwishtoknow。DoesGodreign，ordiditallhappen？
　　Sometimesitseemssodeadlyprobablethattheuniversejustwas，noGodtoplanit，nothingbutthings；thatwedieassparrowsdie，andthebrainisallthesoulwehave，athingthatbecomescloggedandstopssomeday。
　　Andisthatall？"
　　Sheshiveredslightly，buthersteadfasteyesdidnotshiftfromhim。Hethrewbackhishead，andhisface，upliftedtothejewelledskyofthemoonlessnight，wasbeatificinitspeacefulness，ashecontinuedinanalteredtone，gentleandlow：
　　"Ithinkallquestionsareansweredthere。Thestarstellitall。Whenyoulookatthemyouknow！Theyhaveputthemonourflag。Therearetimeswhenthisseemsbutapoornation：boastful，corrupt，violent，andpreparing，asitisnow，tostealanothercountrybyfraudandwar；yetthestarsontheflagalwaysmakemehappyandconfident。Doyouseetheconstellationsswingingaboveus，suchunimaginablevastnesses，notrovingorcrashingthroughtheillimitableathaphazard，butmovinginmoreexcellentmeasure，andtoafinerrhythm，thanthemostdelicateclockworkmanevermade？Thegreatocean-linesmarkourseaswiththeirpathsthroughthewater；thefinebrainsoftheeartharebehindtheshipsthatsailfromporttoport，yethowawrythesystemgoes！Whendoesashipcometoherharboratanhourdeterminedwhenshesailed？Whatisashipbesidethesmallestmoonofthesmallestworld？But，thereaboveus，moons，worlds，suns，alltheinfiniteclusterofcolossi，moveintoplacetotheexactnessofahairatthepreciseinstant。Thatinstanthasbeenplanned，yousee；itispartofasystem——andcanasystemexistthatnomindmade？ThinkoftheMindthatmadethisone！DoyoubelievesoinconceivablymajesticanIntelligenceasthatcouldbeanythingbutgood？
　　Ah，whenyouwonder，lookaboveyou；lookaboveyouinthenight，Isay，"
　　hecried，hishandupraisedlikehistransfiguredface。"Lookaboveyouandyouwillneverfearthatasparrow’sfallcouldgounmarked！"
　　Itwasnottothestarsthatshelooked，buttotheorator，aslongasheheldthatpose，whichlasteduntilahard-riddenhorsecamegallopingdownthestreet。Asitdashedby，thoughtheriderlookedneithertorightnorleft，MissBettyunconsciouslymadeafeverishclutchathercompanion’ssleeve，drawinghimclosertothehedge。
　　"Itismyfather，"shesaidhurriedlyinalowvoice。"Hemustnotseeyou。Youmustnevercomehere。Perhaps——"Shepaused，thenquicklywhispered："Youhavebeenverykindtome。Good-night。"
　　Helookedatherkeenly，andthroughthedimnesssawthatherfacewasshiningwithexcitement。Hedidnotspeakagain，but，takingastepback-
　　ward，smiledfaintly，benthisheadinhumbleacquiescence，andmadeaslightgestureofhishandforhertoleavehim。Shesethereyesuponhisoncemore，thenturnedswiftlyandalmostranalongthehedgetothegate；butthereshestoppedandlookedback。Hewasstandingwhereshehadlefthim，hisfaceagainupliftedtothesky。
　　Shewavedhimanuncertainfarewell，andranintothegarden，bothpalmsagainstherburningcheeks。
　　Nightisthegreatnecromancer，andstrangearethefabricsheweaves；helaysqueerspells；breathessoeerieanintoxicationthroughthedusk；hecancastsuchglamoursaboutavoice！Heistheverykingoffairyland。
　　MissBettybegantowalkrapidlyupanddownthegardenpaths，herheadbentandherbandsstillpressedtohercheeks；nowandthenanunconsciousexclamationburstfromher，incoherent，morelikeagaspthanaword。Alongtimeshepacedthevigilwithherstirringheart，herskirtssweepingthedewfromtheleaningflowers。Herlipsmovedoften，butonlytheconfused，vehement"Oh，oh！"camefromthem，untilatlastshepausedinthemiddleofthegarden，awayfromthetrees，whereallwasopentothesparklingfirmament，andextendedherarmsoverherhead。
　　"O，strangeteacher，"shesaidaloud，"Itakeyourbeautifulstars！I
　　shallknowhowtolearnfromthem！"
　　Shegazedsteadilyupward，enrapt，hereyesresplendentwiththeirownstarlight。
　　"Oh，stars，stars，stars！"shewhispered。
　　Intheteethofallwizardry，Night’sspellsdopassatsunrise；
　　marvellouspoemssinktodoggerel，mightydreamstoblownashesandsolidsregainweight。MissBetty，wakingatdaybreak，sawthemotesdancinginthesunatherwindow，andwatchedthemwithaplacid，unrememberingeye。
　　Shebegantostareattheminapuzzledway，whilealookofwonderslowlyspreadoverherface。Suddenlyshesatupright，asthoughsomethinghadstartledher。Herfingersclenchedtightly。
　　"Ah，ifthatwasplaying！"
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　ATaleofaPoliticalDifferenceMr。Carewewasalreadyatthebreakfast-table，butthelightofhiscountenance，hiddenbehindtheRouenJournal，wasnotvouchsafedtohisdaughterwhenshetookherplaceoppositehim，nordidheseefittoreturnhermorninggreeting，fromwhichshegenerouslyconcludedthattheburningofthetwowarehouseshadmeantaseverelosstohim。
　　"Iamsosorry，father，"shesaidgently。（Shehadnotcalledhim"papa"
　　sincethemorningafterherball。）"Ihopeitisn’ttobeagreattroubletoyou。"Therewasnoresponse，and，afterwaitingforsometime，shespokeagain，rathertremulously，yetnottimidly："Father？"
　　Herose，anduponhisbrowweremarkedtheblackestlinesofangershehadeverseen，sothatsheleanedbackfromhim，startled；buthethrewdowntheopenpaperbeforeheronthetable，andstruckitwithhisclenchedfist。
　　"Readthat！"hesaid。Andhestoodoverherwhilesheread。
　　Thereweresomegrandiloquentheadlines："MissElizabethCareweanAngelofMercy！CharmingBelleSavestheLivesofFiveProminentCitizens！HerPresenceofMindPreventsConflagrationfromWipingOuttheCity！"ItmaybenotedthatWillCummings，editorandproprietoroftheJournal，hadwrittenthesetributes，aswellasthewholeaccountoftheevening’stransactions，andMissBettyloomedaslargeinWill’snarrativeasinhisgoodandlovelornheart。TherewasverylittleconcerningthefireintheJournal；itwasnearlyallaboutBetty。Thatisoneofthemisfortuneswhichpursuealadywhoallowsaneditortofallinlovewithher。
　　However，therewasascantmentionofthearrivaloftheVolunteers"uponthescene"（thoughnoneatallatthecauseoftheirdelay）andanelo-
　　quentparagraphwasdevotedtotheirhandsomeappearance，Mr。Cummingshavingbeenoneofthosewhoinsistedthatthenewuniformsshouldbeworn。"Soon，"saidtheJournal，"throughthedaringoftheChiefoftheDepartment，andtheCaptainoftheHook-and-LadderCompany，oneofwhomplacedandmountedthegrappling-ladder，overwhichhewasimmediatelyfollowedbytheothercarryingthehose，astreamwassenttoplayuponthedevouringelement，afeatofderring-dopersonallywitnessedbyamajorityofourreaders。Mr。VanrevelandMr。GraywerejoinedbyEugeneMadrillon，TappinghamMarsh，andtheeditorofthispaper，afterwhichoccurredtheunfortunateaccidenttothelongladder，leavingthefivenamedgentlemenintheirterriblepredicament，facetofacewithdeathinitsmostawfulform。Atthisfrightfulmoment"——andalltherestwasaboutMissCarewe。
　　AsWillhimselfadmitted，hehad"laidhimselfoutonthatdescription。"
　　Oneparagraphwascomposedofshortsentences，eachbeginningwiththeword"alone。""Alonesheenteredtheshattereddoor！Aloneshesetfootuponthefirstflightofstairs！Alonesheascendedthesecond！Aloneshemountedthethird。Alonesheliftedherhandtothetrap！Alonesheopenedit！"Shewasdeclaredtohavemadeherappearancetotheunfortunateprisonersontheroof，evenas"thepalm-ladendovetothedespairingNoah，"andWillalsoassertedrepeatedlythatshewasthe"HeroineoftheHour。"
　　MissBettyblushedtoseehernamesoblazonedforthinprint；butshelackedonekindofvanity，andfailedtofindgoodreasonformorethanasomewhattroubledlaughter，thewriter’spurposewassomanifestlykindinspiteofthebizarreresult。
　　"Oh，IwishMr。Cummingshadn’t！"sheexclaimed。"Itwouldhavebeenbetternottospeakofmeatall，ofcourse；butIcan’tseethatthereisanythingtoresent——itissofunny！"
　　"Funny！"Mr。Carewerepeatedthewordinacrackedfalsetto，withtheevidentintentionofmockingher，andatthesametimehideouslycontortedhisfaceintoagrotesqueidiocyofexpression，pursinghislipssoextremely，andsettinghisbrowssoawry，thathisotherfeatureswerecartoonedoutofallfamiliarlikeness，effectinganalterationasshockingtobehold，inamanofhisseverecastofcountenance，aswashisfalsettomimicrytohear。Sheroseinakindofterror，perceivingthatthiscontortionwasproducedinburlesqueofherownexpression，and，ashepressednearerher，steppedback，overturningherchair。Shehadlittlerecollectionofherfatherduringherchildhood；andaslongasshecouldremember，noonehadspokentoherangrily，orevenroughly。
　　Assheretreatedfromhim，heleanedforward，thrustingthehideousmaskclosertoherwhiteandhorror-strickenface。
　　"Youcan’tseeanythingtoresentinthat！"hegibbered。"It’ssofunny，isit？Funny！Funny！Funny！I’llshowyouwhetherit’sfunnyornot，I’llshowyou！"Hisvoicerosealmosttoashriek。"Youhangaroundfires，doyou，onthepublicstreetsatnight？You’reaniceoneformetoleaveinchargeofmyhousewhileI’maway，youtrollop！Whatdidyoumeanbygoinguponthatroof？YouknewthatdamnedVanrevelwasthere！Youdid，Isay，youknewit！"
　　Sherantowardthedoorwithafrightenedcry；buthegotbetweenitandher，menacingherwithhisupraisedopenhands，shakingthemoverher。
　　"You’realovelydaughter，aren’tyou！"heshoutedhoarsely。"Youknewperfectlywellwhowasonthatroof，andyouwent！Didn’tyougo？Answermethat！IfI’dhadarmsaboutmewhenIgotthere，I’dhaveshotthatmandead！Hewasonmyproperty，givingorders，theblackhound！AndwhenIorderedhimout，hetoldmeifIinterferedwithhisworkbeforeitwasfinished，he’dhavemethrownout——methatownedthewholeplace；andtherewasn’tamanthatwouldlendmeapistol！`Rescue！’You’dbetterrescuehimfromme，youpalm-ladendove，forI’llshoothim，Iwill！I’llkillthatdog；andheknowsit。Hecanblusterinacrowd，buthe’llhidenow！He’sacowardand——"
　　"Hecamehomewithme；hebroughtmehomelastnight！"Hervoicerangoutintheroomlikethatofsomeotherperson，andshehardlyknewthatitwasherselfwhospoke。
　　"Youlie！"hescreamed，andfellbackfromher，hisfaceworkingasthoughunderthedominanceofsomephysicaldisorder，thefleshofitplasticbeyondconception，sothatshecriedoutandcoveredherfacewithherarm。"Youlie！IsawyouatthehedgewithCraileyGray，thoughyouthoughtIdidn’t。Whatdoyouwanttolielikethatfor？Vanreveldidn’tevenspeaktoyou。IaskedMadrillon。Youlie！"
　　Hechokeduponthewords；arackingcoughshookhimfromheadtofoot；hestaggeredbackanddroppeduponheroverturnedchair，hisarmsbeatingthetableinfrontofhim，hisheadjerkingspasmodicallybackwardandforwardashegaspedforbreath。
　　"Ringthebell，"bepantedthickly，withanincoherentgesture。"Nelsonknows。Ring！"
　　Nelsonevidentlyknew。Hebroughtbrandyandwaterfromthesideboardwithnostintinghand，andwithintenminutesMr。Carewewasinhisaccustomedseat，competenttofinishhisbreakfast。Insolitude，however，hesat，andnooneguessedhisthoughts。
　　ForMissBettyhadfledtoherownroom，andhadboltedthedoor。Shelayuponthebed，shudderingandshiveringwithnauseaandcold，thoughthedaywaswarm。Then，likeahotpaininherbreast，cameahomesicknessforSt。Mary’s，andtheflood-tideoftears，asshethoughtofthequietconventinthesunshineovertothewest，thepeaceofit，andthegoodnessofeverybodythere。
　　"SisterCecilia！"Hershouldersshookwiththegreatsobthatfollowedthisname，dearesttoherintheworld，convulsivelywhisperedtothepil-
　　low"DearSisterCecilia！"Shepattedthewhitepillowwithherhand，asthoughitwerethecoolcheekagainstwhichsheyearnedtolayherown。
　　"Ah，youwouldknow——youwouldknow！"WiththethoughtoftheserenefaceofthegoodSister，andofthekindarmsthatwouldhavegoneroundherinhertrouble，hersobbinggrewloudanduncontrollable。Butshewouldnothaveherfatherhearit，andburiedherfacedeepinthepillow。Afteratime，shebegantogrowquieter，turned，andlaywithweteyesstaringunseeinglyatthewall，herunderlipquiveringwiththedeepintakeofeachbrokensigh。
　　"Oh，stars，stars，stars！"shewhispered。
　　"Missy？"Therecameasoftknockuponthedoorandtheclinkofsilveruponchina。"Missy？
　　"Whatisit？"
　　SoquickwasMissBettythat，althoughsheansweredalmostatonce，thetearswerewashedaway，andshewaspassingacool，wettoweloverhereyesatthemomentshespoke。
　　"Jassme。Ibrungyo’breakfas’，honey。"
　　OldNelson’svoicewasalwayslowandgentle，withaquaverandhesitancyintheutterance；nowitwastenderandcomfortingwiththecomprehensionofoneinsuffering，theextraordinarytact，whichtheoldofhisracenearlyallcometopossess。"Li’lchicken-wingonpiecebrowntoast，honey。"
　　Whensheopenedthedoorhecamein，bendingattentivelyoverhistray，and，withoutaglancetowardhisyoungmistress，madesomeshowoffussandbustle，asheplacedituponatablenearthewindowanddrewupachairforhersothatshecouldsitwithherbacktothelight。
　　"Dahnow！"heexclaimedsoftly，removingthewhitenapkinanddisplayingotherdaintiesbesidesthechickenwing。"Dassdeway！DatoleMamieindekitchen，shegotherfailin’san’hergrievin’sins；butdewayshedohan’lechickenan’biscuitsutneyain’tnoneon`em！Shepleadfo’metoaxyouhowyoulikedembiscuit。"
　　Hekepthisheadbentlowoverthetable，settingaforkclosertoBetty’shand；arrangingtheplates，thenrearrangingthem，butneverturninghiseyesinherdirection。
　　"DatoleMamiemightyvain，yessuh！"Hesufferedaveryquietchuckletoescapehim。"Shedidmostsutney`sistdatIaxyouain’tyoulikedembiscuit。Shedeve’yvaines’womanindisState，datoleMamie，yessuh！"
　　AndnowhecastonequickglanceoutofthecornerofhiseyeatMissBetty，beforeventuringalouderchuckle。"Shereckondembiscuitgoin’
　　githerbySain’Petuhwhenshe`proachdehevumlygates！Uhuh！Itellhershegotgitredemptionfo’deaigsshedoneruindesemanyyeahs；
　　`causesheasuselesswidanommelickasatwo-daycalfondeslickice！"
　　Herehelaughedloudandlong。"YoujassgoandtalkwiddatMamie，someday，Missy；you’llseehowvaindatwomanis。"
　　"Hasfathergoneout，Nelson？"askedBettyinalowvoice。
　　"Yes’m；heuptown。"Theoldman’stonesankatoncetothelevelofherown；becameconfidential，asonespeakstoanotherinaroomwheresomebodyisill。"Hemekkin’perpetrationtogodownderivuhdisaft’noon。Hesayhedonebrokedenewstoyoudathegoin’`way。Deygoin’buil’demwa’houserightup，an’yo’pahenecistatego`way`countdecontrack。Hebegonetwoweek’，honey，"Nelsonfinished，withouttoomuchtheairofimpartingcheerytidings，butwithjustenough。