"Iamtostayherealone？"
　　"Lawno，Missy！DatbigMizTanberry，dassdebes’frien’weallgot，shehomeag’in，an’yo’pagoin’invitehervisitatdehouse，whileshegone，an’tostayamont’aftuhhegitback，too，sozeshekingotoalldedoin’san’junketin’swidyou，andtalkwiddeyoungmensdatyoudon’
　　likewhilesyoutalkswiddemyoudoeslike。"
　　"Whattimewillfathercomehome？"
　　"Home？Hebegonetwoweek’，honey！"
　　No；Imeanto-day。"
　　"Law！Heain’comin’back。Bidmepackdetrunkan’ca’yumdowntodeboatatnoon。Denhebidmesayfar’-ye-wellan’akinegood-byefo’him，honey。`Sayhethinkyouain’tfeelin’toowell，sozehewon’t`sturbye，hisself，an’datheunestlydohopeyougoin’havesplen’idtimewhileshetrabblin’。"（Nelson’simaginationcoveredmanydeficitsinhismaster’scourtesy。）"Sayhereckonyouan’oleMizTanberrygoin’git`longmightynicewidone’nurr。An’dasswhatmean’Mamiereckon`spechuallyboun’totakeplace，`causedatamightygaylady，datbigMizTanberry，an’olefrien’`erowahfambly。She`uzafrien’eryo’momma’s，honey。"
　　MissBettyhadbegunbymakingapretencetoeat，onlytopleasetheoldman，butthevainwoman’scookeryhadbeennotundulyextolled，andNelsonlaughedwithpleasuretoseethefluffyhiscuitsandthechickenwingnotnibbledatbutactuallyeaten。Thiswasahealthyyounglady，hethought，onewhowoulddothehouseholdcreditandjustifytheextravagantpridewhichkitchenandstablealreadyhadinher。Hewasanoldhouse-servant，thereforehehadseenmanyyoungladiesgothroughunhappyhours，andheadmiredMissBettythemorebecauseshewasthefirstwhohadindulgedinstrongweepinganddidnotsnuffleatintervalsafterward。Heunderstoodperfectlyeverythingthathadpassedbetweenfatheranddaughterthatmorning。
　　Whenherbreakfastwasfinished，sheturnedslowlytothewindow，and，whilehereyesdidnotrefill，aslighttwitchingoftheupperlidsmadehimbelievethatshewasgoingoverthewholesceneagaininhermind；
　　whereuponhebegantomovebrisklyabouttheroomwithabusyair，pickinguphernapkin，dustingachairwithhishand，exchangingthepositionoftheandironsinthefireplace；and，apparentlydiscoveringthatthepor-
　　traitofGeorgesMeilhacwasoutofline，hesetitawry，thenstraightagain，thewhilebehummedanold"spiritual"ofwhichonlythewords"ChaindeLionDown"wereallowedtobequiteaudible。Theywererepeatedoften，andateachrepetitionofthemheseemedprofoundly，thoughdecorously，amused，inawaywhichmighthaveledtoaconjecturethattherefrainboresomedistantreferencetohismaster’seccentricityoftemper。Atfirstbechuckledsoftly，butatthefinaliterationof"ChaindeLionDown"burstintooutrightlaughter。
　　"Honey，myLaw！"heexclaimed，"Butyo’pade`ceivin’destman！Hemightyprouderyou！"
　　"Proudofme！"Sheturnedtohiminastonishment。
　　Nelson’slaughterincreased。"Hain’tbejassde`ceivin’destman！Yessuh，hedesot-uppestmanindistown`countwhatyoudonelastnight。Whathesaydismawn’，datjasshisway！"
　　"Ah，no！"saidMissBetty，sadly。
　　"Yes’m！Heprouderyou，butheteahbulmadatdatman。Hehain’tmadatyou，buthegottercusssomebody！Jassreachoutfo’denighes’hekinlayhan’son，an’dismawn’ithappensozeitwereyou，honey。Uhuh！Yououghterhearnhimins’nightwhenhecomehome。Denitwereme。BlessGod，Iain’tkeerin’。Heweren’tmadatme，nomo’n’hewereatyou。Hejassmad！"
　　MissBettylookedattheoldfellowkeenly。Heremained，however，apparentlyunconsciousofherscrutiny，andoccupiedhimselfwithpreparationsforremovingthetray。
　　"Nelson，whatisthequarrelbetweenmyfatherandMr。Vanrevel？"
　　Hehadliftedthetray，butsetitdownprecipitately，bendinguponherasurprisedandsoberedcountenance。
　　"Missy，"hesaid，gravely，"Deybigtrouble`twix’demtwo。"
　　"Iknow，"shereturnedquietly。"Whatisit？"
　　"Wha’fo’youaxme，Missy？"
　　"Becauseyou’retheonlyoneIcanask。Idon’tknowanyoneherewellenough，exceptyou。"
　　Nelson’slipspuckeredsolemnly。"Mist’VanrevelvoteWhig；butheag’inTexas。"
　　"Well，whatifheis？"
　　"Yo’pamightystrongfo’Texas。"
　　"No’m，datain’thardlydebeginnin’。Mist’lanrevelheaAb’litionist。"
　　"Well？Won’tyoutellme？"
　　"Honey，folksroun’heahmos’on`emlikeMist’Vanrevelsowelldeyain’tholeitupag’in’him——but，Missy，efdeyonethingtopperGod’sworl’
　　yo’padodesp’itlyandcontestablydespise，hate，cuss，an’outrageously`bominatewuss’n’ayallerAugustspiduhitareaAb’litionist！Hewantstomple`emeve’ylas’oneunderheboot-heel，`cep’ndatoneMist’
　　CraileyGray。Dey’saconsidabulsprinklin’erdemAb’litionists`boutdekentry，honey；dey’smo’datdon’knoww’ichdeyis；an’dey’smo’stilldatdon’keer。Sozedatwhydeygogitupaquo’ltwix’yo’paan’datman；an’`rangetohave`eronaplatfawm，deyeah`fo’delas’campaign；
　　an’，suh，deycalldequo’lade-bate；an’alldefolkscomeinf’umdekentry，an’alldefolksintowncome，too。Dewholepossetuckyon`emsitan’listen。
　　"Fus’yo’patalk；denMist’Vanrevel，bofeon`emmightycolean’
　　civilized。Denyo’pagitwo’mup，Missy，likehedo，`casehesouseterhavehisownway；`tain’thisfault，hejasscain’thelphollerin’an’
　　cussin’ifanybody`posehim；butMist’Vanrevelhejassassuvvige，buthestaycole，w’ichmakeyo’paalldehotter。Hehollermightystrong，Missy，an’somedebackranks`gunsnickerin’athim。Uhuh！Hefa’rjump，hedid；an’denbimebyMist’Vanrevelhesaydatnomanoughterbegivendepilverigetosellanother，nertowollophimwidablacksnake，whetherhe`busedatpilverigeernot。`Myhonabul`ponent，’s’she，`Mist’Carewe，rep’sentinhisseifde`ristocraticslave-ownin’classerdeSouf，do’heliveindeNawfan’`ployfreelabor；yititsca’selytobeb’lievedatanyeryouwouldwillin’lytrus’himwiddepowaherlifean’deathovahyo’ownchillun，w’ichisvirchouslywhatdeslave-ownahp’sess。’
　　"Missy，youjassoughterseeyo’paden！Heblueindefacean’dancedequadrilleondeboa’ds。Heleavehischa’h，gitup，an’run`crosstodeoddersidedeplatfawm，an’shakebefis’ovahdatman’shead，an’screechouthowitallliesdatdeslavesevah`ceivesichatreatments。`Datalllies，youpu’juh！’heholler。`Alllies，youmisabulthief，’heholler。
　　`Alllies，an’youknowit，youlow-bawnslandah’an’scoun’le！’
　　"An’widdatMist’Vanrevel，belaffinyo’paface，an’tuhntodecrowd，hedid，an’say：`Youreckondatifdishyuhmanaslave-ownah，an’aslavehadanguhedhimasIhaveanguhedhimtonight，doesanyeryoub’lievedatdatslavewouldn’betiedupan’whippedtelldebloodrun，an’densoledownderivuhto-morrer？’
　　"Well，suh，`co’semos’on`emb’lievesameasyo’pa；butdatsutneyfotch`em，an’windede-bate，`casedeyjassnatchullylaybackan’roah，deydid，Missy；deylaffan’stompan’hollertellyoucouldahearn`emamildaway。An’honey，yo’pa’damillyumtimesdrutherMist’Vanrevel’dakilthimdantuhndelaffonhim。He’dshootaman，honey，efhejasss’picionhimtogrinoutdecornderhiseyeathim；an’tostan’updahwiddewholecountyfa’rroahin’athim——it’sdeGod’smussybedid’nhavenoahmswidhim，datnight！OleMist’Chen’ethdonebrunghimhome，an’
　　yo’pareachoutan’kickmesquah’out’n’deliberrywindersoon’sheketchsighterme！"Theoldman’sgravitygavewaytohisenjoymentoftherecollection，andhethrewbackhisheadtolaugh。"Hesho’did，honey！Uhuh！Ho，ho，ho！Hesho’did，honey，hesho’did！"
　　Nevertheless，asheliftedthetrayagainandcrossedtheroomtogo，hissolemnityreturned。"Missy，"hesaidearnestly，"efdatyounggelmunfallinlovewidyou，w’ichIknowshewillefheketchsighteryou，lemmesaydis，an’pleasefo’toba’hinmine：betterhavenuttin’dowidhimfo’heownsake；an’`boveall，keephimfurswayf’umdesep’emises。Don’lethimcomeinamilderdishouse。"
　　"Nelson，wasthatallthequarrelbetweenthem？"
　　"BlessedMussy！ain’dat`nough？Efdey’sanymo’Iain’hearnwhatdatpartwere，"heansweredquickly，butwithadoggedtighteningofthelipswhichconvincedMissBettythatheknewverywell。
　　"Nelson，whatwastherestofit？"
　　"Please，Missy，Igotpackyo’patrunk；an’ittime，longago，fermetobeatmywu’k。"Hewashalfoutofthedoor。
　　"Whatwastherestofit？"sherepeatedquietly。
　　"Now，honey，"hereturnedwithadeprecatoryshakeofhishead，"Igotmyownwu’k`tendto；an’Iain’tnevahaxnobodywhat`twas，an’Iain’tgoin’ax`em。An’lemmejassbegyoufoilerdeoleman’sadvice：youdodesame，`casenobodyain’tgoin’tellyou。AllIknowisdatitcomelaterandweresomep’n`boutdatriprarinCraileyGray。Yo’pahesentachannelgetoMist’Vanrevel，an’Mist’Vanrevel`fusetofighthim`causehesayhedon’b’lieveshootin’yo’pagoin’doyo’paanygood，an’hestillgothopemekkin’goodcitizenouterhim。Datbrungdelaffonyo’
　　paag’in；an’he`claretoGodefheketchVanrevelonanygroun’erhisnheshoothimlikeamaddog。`Ponmylivin’soulhemeandemwuds，Missy！
　　Deyhadhard`noughtimelas’nightkeepin’himfumteahin’datmantopiecesatdefiah。Youmus’keepdatyounggelmun`wayfumheah！"
　　"Hecamehomewithmelastnight，Nelson；Itoldfatherso。"
　　"Yes’m。Yo’patolemeyousaydat，buthereckonyoudoneittomekhimmadder，`causeyoumad，too。HesayhedoneseedatCraileyGraycomin’
　　`longdehedgewidyou。"
　　"Hewasmistaken，itwasMr。Vanrevel。"
　　Nelsonrolledhiseyesferventlytoheaven。"Dendatyoungmanrunpintedlyonhedeath！EfyouwantkeepusalldissideerdeJawdanRivuh，don’lethimsetfootindisneighbo’hoodwhenyo’pacomeback！
　　An’，honey——"hisvoicesanktoapenetratingwhisper——"`fo’Idoalickerwu’kIgoin’outindestablean’gitdownonmykneesan’retu’nthanksgivingtodegoodGod`caseheholeCareweStreetindedahknesslas’night！"
　　Thiswasthespeechhechoseforhisexit，but，afterclosingthedoorbehindhim，heopeneditagain，andsaid，cheerfully：
　　"Soon’sIgitdetrunkfixf’yo’pa，Ibring`roun’datbaycoltwiddesidesaddle。Youbetterset`boutgittin’onyo’ridin’-habit，Missy。Deroadsismightygooddissunshinywedduh。"
　　"Nelson？"
　　"Doyouthinksuchanattackasfatherhadthismorning——is——dangerous？"
　　Hehadhopedforanotherchancetolaughviolentlybeforehelefther，andthiscompletelyfittedhisdesire。"Ho，ho，he！"heshouted。"No’m，no，no，honey！Hejassgitsomaditmekhimsick。Youcouldn’killdatmanwidabroad-ax，Missy！"
　　Andhewentdownthehailleavingthereverberationsofhishilaritybehindhim。Thepurposeofhisvisithadbeeneffected，for，whenMissBettyappeareduponthehorse-blockinhergreenhabitandgauntlets，shewassmiling；sothatonlyawoman——orawiseoldman——couldhaveguessedthatshehadweptbitterlythatmorning。
　　Shecanteredouttotheflat，opencountrytotheeast，whereshefoundsoftdirt-roadsthatweregoodforthebaycolt’sfeet，andshereachedacross-roadseveralmilesfromtownbeforeshewasovercomebytheconvictionthatshewasawickedandungratefulgirl。Shecouldnotplacetheexactspotofherguilt，butsheknewitwasthere，somewhere，sinceshefeltherselfaguiltything。
　　ForthepicturewhichNelsonhaddrawnrosebeforeher：theonemanstandingaloneinhisrageontheplatform，overwhelmedbyhiscalmyoungadversary，beatenandmadethebuttoflaughterforathousand。Herfatherhadbeeninthewronginthatquarrel，andsomehowshewassure，too，hemusthavebeenwronginthe"personal"one，aswell：themysteriousdifficultyoverFanchon’sMr。Gray，whohadlookedsoashamedlastnight。Whatfeudcouldtheymakeoverhim，ofallpeopleintheworld？Helookedstrongenoughtotakecareofhisownquarrels，evenifhewassorigorouslyboundbyFanchon’sapron-stringwhenitcametoawordwithanothergirl！
　　Buttheconclusionthatherfatherhadbeeninerrordidnotlessenthepatheticappealofthesolitaryfigurefacingtheridiculeofthecrowd。
　　Shefeltthathealwayshonestlybelievedhimselfintheright；sheknewthathewasvain；thathehadanalmostmonstrousconceptionofhisdignity；and，realizingthebitternessofthatpublichumiliationwhichhehadundergone，sheunderstoodthewrath，theunspeakablepainandsenseofoutrage，whichmusthavepossessedhim。
　　Andnowshewaslettinghimgoforthuponajourney——hiswaybesetwiththechancesofillnessandaccident——whencehemightneverreturn；shewaslettinghimgowithoutseeinghimagain；lettinghimgowithnowordoffarewellfromhisdaughter。Inbrief：shewasawickedgirl。Sheturnedthecolt’sheadabruptlytothewestandtouchedhisflankswithherwhip。
　　SoitfelloutthatasthepacketfoameditspassagebackwardfromCarewe’swharfintothecurrent，theowneroftheboat，standinguponthehurricanedeck，heardacryfromtheshore，andturnedtobeholdhisdaughterdashdowntotheveryendofthewharfonthewell-latheredcolt。
　　MissBetty’shairwasblownaboutherface；hercheekswererosy，hereagereyessparklingfrommorethanthehardriding。
　　"Papa！"shecried，"I’msorry！"
　　Sheleanedforwardoutofthesaddle，extendingherarmstohimappealinglyinacharminggesture，and，absolutelyignoringtheidlersonthewharfandthepassengersonthesteamer，wassinglyintentuponthetallfigureonthehurricane-deck。"Papa——good-by。Pleaseforgiveme！"
　　"BytheAlmighty，butthat’safinewoman！"saidthecaptainoftheboattoapassengerfromRouen。"Isshehisdaughter？"
　　"Pleaseforgiveme！"theclearvoicecameagain，withitsquaverofentreaty，acrossthewideningwater；andthen，asMr。Carewemadenosign，bywordormovement，ofhearingher，andstoodwithouttheslightestalterationofhisattitude，shecriedtohimoncemore：
　　"Good-by！"
　　Thepaddle-wheelsreversed；theboatswungdowntheriver，Mr。Carewestillstandingimmovableonthehurricane-deck，while，tothegazeofthoseonthesteamer，thefigureonthebaycoltattheendofthewharfbegantogrowsmallerandsmaller。Shewaswavingherhandkerchiefinfarewell，andtheycouldseethelittlewhitespeckinthedistance，dimmeranddimmer，yetflutteringstillastheypassedoutofsightroundthebendnearlythree-quartersofamilebelow。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　TheRuleoftheRegentBettyneverforgotherfirstsightoftheoldfriendofherfamily。
　　Returningwithasadheart，shewaswalkingthecoltslowlythroughthecarriage-gates，whenanextravagantlystoutlady，ingreenmuslinillustratedwithhugeredflowers，cameoutupontheporchandwavedafatarmtothegirl。Thevisitorworeadark-greenturbanandaCashmereshawl，whiletheexpanseofherskirtswasnothingshortofmagnificent：
　　somecathedral-domeseemedtohavebeenmisplacedandtheladydroppedintoit。HeroutstretchedhandterrifiedBetty：howwasshetoapproachnearenoughtotakeit？
　　Mrs。Tanberrywasaboutsixty，lookedforty，andatfirstyoumighthaveguessedsheweighednearlythreehundred，butthelightnessofhersmileandtheactualbuoyancywhichshesomehowimpartedtoherwholedominionlessenedthatbyatleastahundred-weight。Sheballoonedouttothehorse-blockwithabillowyrushsomewherebetweenboundingandsoaring；
　　andMissBettysliddownfromthecolt，whoshiedviolently，tofindherselfenveloped，inspiteofthedome，inavastsurfofgreenandredmuslin。
　　"Mycharminggirl！"exclaimedtheladyvehemently，inavoiceofsuchhuskyrichness，ofsuchmerrimentandunctionofdelight，thatitfelluponMissBetty’searwithmoreofthequalityofsheergayetythananyshehadeverheard。"Beautifulchild！Whatabeautifulchildyouare！"
　　Shekissedthegirlresoundinglyonbothcheeks；steppedbackfromherandlaughed，andclappedherfathands，whichwerecoveredwithflashingrings。"Oh，butyouareatrueblueBeauty！You’reaPrincess！IamMrs。
　　Tanberry，JaneTanberry，youngJanieTanberry。Ihaven’tseenyousinceyouwereababyandyourprettymotherwasagirllikeus！"
　　"Youaresokindtocome，"saidBettyhesitatingly。"Ishalltrytobeveryobedient。"
　　"Obedient！"Mrs。Tanberryutteredthewordwithashriek。"You’llbenothingofthekind。Iamthelight-mindedestwomanintheuniverse，andanyonewhoobeyedmewouldbeembroiledineverlastingtroubleeverysecondintheday。You’llfindthatIamtheonethatneedslookingafter，mycharmer！"
　　ShetappedMissBetty’scheekwithherjeweledfingersasthetwomountedtheverandasteps。"Itwillbeworryenoughforyoutoobeyyourself；abodyseesthatatthefirstblush。Youhaveconscienceinyourforeheadandrebellioninyourchin。Ha，ha，ha！"HereMrs。Tanberrysatupon，andobliterated，alargechair，MissCarewetakingastoolatherknee。
　　"Peopleofourageoughtn’ttobebotheredwithobeying；there’llbetimeenoughforthatwhenwegetoldandcan’tenjoyanything。Ha，ha！"
　　Mrs。Tanberrypunctuatedherobservationswithshortvolleysofhuskylaughter，soabruptinbothdischargeandcessationthat，untilMissBettybecameaccustomedtothehabit，shewasapttostartslightlyateachsalvo。"Ihadahusband——once，"theladyresumed，"butonlyonce，myfriend！Hehadideaslikeyourfather’s——yourfatherissuchanimbecile！——andhethoughtthatwives，sisters，daughters，andsuchlikeoughttobeobedient：thatis，therestoftheworldwaswrongunlessitwasright；andrightwasjusthisownlittle，teeny-squeenyprejudicesandemotionsdressedupforacrazymasqueradeasFacts。Poorman！Heonlylastedaboutayear！"AndMrs。Tanberrylaughedheartily。
　　"They’vebeenatmetimeandagaintotakeanother。"SheloweredhervoiceandleanedtowardBettyconfidentially。"NotI！I’dbewillingtoengagemyselftoCraileyGray（thoughCraileyhasn’tgotroundtomeyet）
　　forIdon’tmindjustbeingengaged，mydear；butthey’llhavetoinventsomethingbetterthanamanbeforeImarryanyoneof`emagain！ButI
　　love`em，Ido，theCharmingBillies！Andyou’llseehowtheyfollowme！"
　　Shepattedthegirl’sshoulder，hersmalleyesbeamingquizzically。
　　"We’llhavethegayesthouseinRouen，ladybird！TheyoungmenallgototheBareauds’，butthey’llcomeherenow，andwe’llhavetheBareaudsalongwith`em。I’vebeenawayalongtime，justfinishedunpackingyesterdaynightwhenyourfathercameinafterthefire——Whoo！whatastatehewasinwiththatdevilishtemperofhis！Didn’tIsnaphimupwhenheaskedmetocomeandstaywithyou？Ha，ha！I’dhavecome，evenifyouhadn’tbeenbeautiful；butIwaswildtobeyourplaymate，forI’dheardnothingbut`MissBettyCarewe，MissBettyCarewe’fromeverybodyI
　　saw，sincetheminutemystagecamein。Youset`emallmadatyourball，andIknewwe’dmakeaglorioushouse-full，youandI！Someofthevagabondswillturnupthisveryevening，you’llseeiftheydon’t。Ha，ha！Thewaytheyfollowme！"
　　Mrs。Tanberrywasirresistible：shefilledthewholeplaceotherwisethanbythemerematerialvoluminousnessofher；bubblingoverwithfrothofnonsensewhichflewthroughthehouse，drivenbyherenergy，likesea-foamonaspringgale；andtheday，sodiscordantlybegunforMissBetty，grewmusicalwithherownlaughter，answeringthehuskystaccatoofthevivaciousnewcomer。Nelsonwaiteduponthemattable，radiant，hissmilelikethekeyboardofanebonypiano，andhisdisappearancesintothekitchenwereaccomplishedbymeansofasurreptitiousdouble-shuffle，andfollowedbythecachinnatingechoesofthevainMamie’sreceptionofthevisitor’ssallies，whichNelsonhastilyretailedinpassing。
　　NorwasMrs。Tanberry’spredictionallowedtogounfulfilledregardingtheadventofthosepersonswhomshehaddesignatedasvagabonds。ItmayhavebeenoutofdeferencetoMr。Carewe’ssenseofdecorum（orfromacautiousregardofwhathewasliabletodowhenheconsideredthatsenseoutraged）
　　thatthegallantsofRouenhadplacedthemselvesunderthesevererestraintofallowingthreedaystoelapseaftertheirintroductiontoMissCarewebeforethey"paidtheirrespectsatthehouse；"but，bethatasitmay，thedictatorwasnowsafelyunderwaydowntheRouenRiver，andMrs。Tanberryreignedinhisstead。Thus，atabouteighto’clockthatevening，thetwoladiessatinthelibraryengagedinconversation——
　　though，forthesakeofaccuracy，itshouldbesaidthatMrs。Tanberrywasengagedinconversation，MissBettyingivingear——whentheirattentionwasarrestedbysoundsofasomewhatmusicalnaturefromthelawn，whichsoundswereimmediatelyidentifiedasemanatingfromafluteandviolin。
　　Mrs。Tanberryboundedacrosstheroomlikeapublicbuildingcaughtbyacyclone，and，dashingatthecandles，"Blow`emout，blow`emout！"sheexclaimed，suitingtheactiontothewordinaflusterofexcitement。
　　"Why？"askedMissCarewe，startled，assherosetoherfeet。Thecandleswereoutbeforethequestion。
　　"`Why！"repeatedthemerry，huskyvoiceinthedarkness。"Mygoodness，childprecious，thosevagabondsarehere！Tothinkofyourneverhavingbeenserenadedbefore！"
　　Shedrewthegirltothewindowandpointedtoagroupofdimfiguresneartheiliacbushes。"Thedear，delightfulvagabonds！"shechuckled。"I
　　knewthey’dcome！It’sthebeautifulTappinghamMarshwithhisfiddle，andyoungJeffBareaudwithhisflute，and`GeneMadrillonandlittleFrankChenowithandthinWillCummingstosing。Harktotherascals！"
　　Itisperfectlytruthfultosaythattheviolinandfluteexecutedtheprelude，andthenthetriosoundedfullontheeveningair，themoreeffectivechordsobliginglydrawnoutaslongasthebreathinthesingerscouldholdthem，inordertoallowthetwofairauditorscompletebenefitoftheharmony。Theysang"TheHarpthatOnceThro’Tara’sHalls，"andfolloweditwith"Long，LongAgo。"
　　"That，"Mrs。Tanberrywhispered，betweenstifledgustsofalmostuncontrollablelaughter，"ismeantforjustme！"
　　"Tellmethetalesthattomeweresodear，"entreatedthetrio。
　　"Itold`emplenty！"gurgledtheenliveningwidow。"AndIexpectbetweenuswecangetupsomemore。""Nowyouarecomemygriefisremoved，"
　　theysang。
　　"TheymeanyourfatherisonhiswaytoSt。Louis，"remarkedMrs。
　　Tanberry。
　　"Letmeforgetthatsolongyouhaveroved，Letmebelievethatyouloveasyouloved，Long，longago，longago。"
　　"Applaud，applaud！"whisperedMrs。Tanberry，encouragingtheminstrelsbyaheartyclappingofhands。
　　Hereupondissensionaroseamongthequintet，evidentlyadisputeinregardtotheirnextselection；oneofthegentlemenappearingmorethanmerelytosuggestasolobyhimself，whiletheotherstoofranklyexpressedadverseopinionsuponthevalueoftheoffering。Theargumentbecameheated，andinspiteofmanya"Sh！"and"Notsoloud！"theill-suppressedvoiceoftheintendingsoloist，Mr。Chenoweth，couldbeheardvehementlytoexclaim："Iwill！Ilearneditespeciallyforthisoccasion。Iwillsingit！"
　　Hisdetermination，patently，wasnottobebalkedwithoutphysicalencounter，consequentlyhewaspermittedtoadvancesomepacesfromthelilacbushes，wherehedeliveredhimself，inanearnestandplaintivetenor，ofthefollowingmorbidinstructions，towhichtheviolinplayedanobligatointremulo，soexecrable，andsoexcruciatinglydiscordant，thatMr。Chenoweth’ssubsequentchargethatitwasdonewithadeliberatelyevilintentioncouldneverbesuccessfullyopposed：
　　"Go！Forgetme！WhyshouldSorrowO’erthatbrowashadowfling？
　　Go！Forgetme，and，to-morrow，Brightlysmileandsweetlysing！
　　Smile！tho’Imaynotbenearthee；
　　Smile！tho’Imayneverseethee；
　　MaythysoulwithpleasureshineLastingasthisgloomofmine！"
　　MissCarewecompliedatoncewiththerequest；whilehercompanion，unabletostopwiththeslightexpressionofpleasuredemandedbythesongster，threwherselfuponasofaandgavewaytothemirththatconsumedher。
　　Thenthecandleswererelit，theserenadersinvitedwithin；Nelsoncamebearingcakeandwine，andthehousewasmademerry。Presently，theromp，VirginiaBareaud，makingherappearanceonthearmofGeneralTrumble，Mrs。TanberryledthemallinaheartygameofBlind-man’sBuff，followedbyasheartyadancingofDanTucker。Afterthat，aquadrillebeingproposed，Mrs。TanberrysuggestedthatJeffersonshouldrunhomeandbringFanchonforthefourthlady。However，VirginiaexplainedthatshehadendeavoredtopersuadebothhersisterandMr。GraytoaccompanytheGeneralandherself，butthatMr。Grayhadcomplainedofindisposition，havingsufferedgreatlyfromheadache，onaccountofinhalingsomuchsmokeatthewarehousefire；and，ofcourse，Fanchonwouldnotleavehim。
　　（MissCarewepermittedherselftheslightestshrugoftheshoulders。）
　　SotheydancedthequadrillewithJeffersonatthepianoandMr。Marshperforminginthecharacterofalady，aproceedingmostunacceptabletotheGeneral，whomMrs。Tanberryforcedtobehispartner。Andthustheeveningpassedgaylyaway，andbuttooquickly，tojointheghostsofalltheothereveningssincetimebegan；andeachofthelittlecompanyhadaddedacheerfulspritetothelongrowsofthosevariedshadesthattheafteryearsbringtorevisitus，somanywithpatheticreproach，somanybearingatragicburdenoffacesthatwecannotmakeeventoweepagain，andsofewwithsimplemerrimentandlightheartedness。TappinghamMarshspokethetruth，indeed，whenheexclaimedinparting，"OrareMrs。
　　Tanberry！"
　　Butthehousehadnotdonewithserenadesthatnight。Theguestshadlongsincedeparted；thewindowswerestillanddarkunderthewanoldmoon，whichhadrisenlamely，lookingunfamiliarandnothalfitself；theairboreanodoroflateness，andnothingmoved；whenadelicateharmonystoleoutoftheshadowsbeyondthemistygarden。Lowbutresonantchordssoundedontheheavierstringsofaguitar，whileabovethem，uponthelighterwires，rippledaslender，tinklingmelodythatwooedtheslumberertoadelicioushalf-wakefulness，asdreamily，astenderly，asthecroonofrainontheroofsoothesachildtosleep。Undertheartist’scunningtouchtheinstrumentwasboththeaccompanimentandthesong；andMissBetty，atfirsttakingthemusictobeawanderingthreadinthefabricofherownbrightdreams，driftedgraduallytoconsciousnesstofindherselfsmiling。Hereyesopenedwide，buthalfclosedagainwiththeineffablesweetnessofthesound。
　　Thenavoicewasheard，eerilylow，yetgallantandclear，avibrantbaritone，singingtotheguitar。
　　"Mylady’shair，Thatdarkdelight，IsbothasfairAndduskasnight。
　　IknowsomelovelornheartsthatbeatIntimetomoonbeamtwinklingsfleet，Thatdanceandglancelikejewelsthere，Emblazoningtheravenhair！
　　"Ah，ravenhair！
　　Sodarkandbright，WhatlovesliethereEnmeshed，to-night？
　　IknowsomesighingladsthatsayTheirheartsweresnaredandtornaway；
　　Andnowaspearlsonefatetheyshare，Entangledintheravenhair。
　　"Ah，ravenhair，>FromsuchaplightCouldyounotspareOneacolyte？
　　IknowabrokenheartthatwentToserveyoubutasornament。
　　Alas！arubynowyouwear，Ensanguiningtheravenhair！"
　　Thesonghadgrownfainterandfainter，thesingermovingawayashesang，andthelastlineswerealmostinaudibleinthedistanceTheguitarcouldbeheardforamomentortwomore，thensilencecameagain。ItwasbrokenbyarustlingintheroomnexttoMissBetty’s，andMrs。Tanberrycalledsoftlythroughtheopendoor：
　　"Princess，areyouawake？Didyouhearthatserenade？"
　　Afterapausetheanswercamehesitatinglyinasmall，falteringvoice：
　　"Yes——ifitwasone。Ithoughtperhapshewasonlysingingashepassedalongthestreet。"
　　"Aha！"ejaculatedMrs。Tanberry，abruptly，asthoughshehadmadeanunexpecteddiscovery。"Youknewbetter；andthiswasaserenadethatyoudidnotlaughat。Beautiful，Iwouldn’tletitgoanyfarther，evenwhileyourfatherisgone。Somethingmightoccurthatwouldbringhimhomewithoutwarning——suchthingshavehappened。TomVanreveloughttobekeptfarawayfromthishouse。"
　　"Oh，itwasnothe，"returnedMissBetty，quickly。"ItwasMr。Gray。
　　Didn’tyou——"
　　"Mydear，"interruptedtheother，"CraileyGray’sspecialtyistalking。
　　Mostofthevagabondscansingandplayabit，andsocanCrailey，particularlywhenhe’shadafewbowlsofpunch；butwhenTomVanreveltouchestheguitarandliftsuphisvoicetosing，thereisn’tanangelinheaventhatwouldn’tquittheplaceandcometohearhim！CraileywrotethosewordstoVirginiaBareaud。（Herhairisevendarkerthanyours，youknow。）Thatwaswhenhewasbeingengagedtoher；andTommusthavesetthemusicto`emlately，andnowcomesheretosing`emtoyou；andwellenoughtheyfityou！Butyoumustkeephimaway，Princess。"
　　Nevertheless，Bettyknewthevoicewasnotthatwhichhadbidherlooktothestars，andsheremainedconvincedthatitbelongedtoMr。CraileyGray，whohadbeentooill，afewhoursearlier，toleavetheBareaudhouse，andnow，withFanchon’skissesonhislips，camestealingintohergardenandsangtoherasonghehadmadeforanothergirl！
　　Andtheangelswouldleaveheaventolistenwhenhesang，wouldthey？
　　PoorFanchon！Nowondersheheldhimsotightlyinleadingstrings！Hemightriskhislifeallhewishedattheendofagrappling-ladder，danglinginafierycloudabovenothing；butwhenitcameto——ah，well，poorFanchon！Didsheinventtheheadachesforhim，ordidshemakehiminventthemforhimself？
　　IftherewasonepersonintheworldwhomMissBettyheldinbittercontemptandscorn，itwastheownerofthatvoiceandthatguitar。
　　CHAPTERX
　　EchoesofaSerenadeMorethanthreegentlemenofRouenworetheirheartsintheireyesforanyfooltogazeupon；butthreewasthenumberofthosewhotoldtheirlovebeforetheendofthefirstweekofMr。Carewe’sabsence，andtolditinspiteofMrs。Tanberry’sutmostefforttopreserve，atalltimes，aconjunctionbetweenherselfandMissBetty。Forthegoodlady，foreseeingthesedeclarationsmuchmoresurelythandidthesubjectofthem，wishedtospareherlovelychargethepainoflisteningtothem。
　　MissCarewehonoredeachofthelornthreewithfewminutesofgravity；
　　butthegentlerefusalpreventedneveraswainfrombeingastrulyherfollowerasbefore；notthatsheresortedtothepoordeviceofhalf-
　　dismissal，theevery-daymethodoftheschool-girlflirt，whothuskeepstheladsindalliance，butbecause，evenfortherejected，itwasadelighttobenearher。Forthatmatter，itissaidthatnooneeverhadenoughofthemerelookingather。Also，hertalkwasenliveningeventothelively，beingspicedwithsurprisingturnsandamiablyseasonedwiththeartofbadinage。Tousethephraseofthetime，shepossessedtheaccomplishments，anantiquatedcharmnowonthepointofdisappearing，socarefullyhasitbeensnubbedunderwheneverexhibited。Thepursuingwraithoftheyoung，itcomestosit，aghostateverybanquet，drivingtheflowerofouryouthtounheard-ofexertionsinsearchofescape，todubiousdiplomacy，todismalinaction，ortowine；yettimewaswhentheysettheirheartson"theaccomplishments。"
　　MissBettyCareweatherharp，ah！itwasadaintypicture：theclearprofile，withthedarkhairlowacrossthetemple，silhouettedduskily，inthecool，shadowyroom，againsttheopenwindow；theslenderfigure，onearmcurvingbetweenyouandthestrings，theothergleamingbehindthem；
　　thedelicatelittlesandalstealingfromthewhitefrothofsilkandlacetocaressthepedal；thenimblehandsflutteringacrossthelongstrands，"Likewhiteblossomsborneonslantinglinesofrain；"andthegreatgoldharprisingtocatchajavelinofsunshinethatpiercedthevinesatthewindowwherethehoneysucklesswungtheirskirtstotherefrain——itwasapicturetoreturnmanyalongyearafterward，andthrillthereveriesofoldmenwhowerethenyoung。And，followingthelightcascadingripplesoftheharp，whenherlowcontraltoliftedinoneofthe"oldsongs，"sheoftenturnedinquiringlytoseeifthelistenerlikedthemusic，andherbrilliant，darkeyeswouldrestonhiswithanappealthatblindedhisentrancedsoul。Shemeantitforthemereindicationofafriendlywishtosuithistastes，butitlookedlikethedivinehumilityoflove。
　　NobodywonderedthatGeneralTrumbleshouldfalltoverse-makinginhisoldage。
　　Shesketchedmagnificently。Thisistheverystrongestsupportfortheassertion：FrankChenowethandTappinghamMarshagreed，withtearsofenthusiasm，that"magnificently"wastheonlyword。Theycametothisconclusionastheysattogetherattheendofalongdinner（atwhichverylittlehadbeeneaten）afteraday’spicnicbytheriver。MissCarewehadbeenoftheircompany，andTappinghamandChenowethfoundeachhisopportunityintheafternoon。Thepartywassmall，andnoonehadbeenabletoeffectatotalunconsciousnessofthemaneuversofthetwogentle-
　　men。EvenFanchonBareaudcomprehendedlanguidly，thoughshewasmoreblurredthanever，andherfar-awayeyesbeliedthemechanicalvivacityofhermanner，forCraileywasthirtymilesdowntheriver，withafishing-
　　rodneatlypackedinaleathercase。
　　Mr。Vanrevel，ofcourse，wasnotinvited；noonewouldhavethoughtofaskinghimtojoinasmallpartyofwhichRobertCarewe’sdaughterwastobeamember。ButitwashappinessenoughforTom，thatnight，toliehiddenintheshrubbery，lookingupatthestarsbetweentheleaves，whilehelistenedtoherharp，andbornethroughtheopenwindowonenchantedairs，thevoiceofElizabethCarewesinging"RobinAdair。"
　　Itwasnowthatthetownindulgeditsliveliestspirit；neveraneveninglackeditsjunketing，whilethehappyfolkofRouensettheearlysummertomusic。Serenade，dance，andsongforthem，thelight-hearts，youngandoldmakinggaytogether！Itwasalllaughter，eitherinsunshineorbycandlelight，undisturbedbythefarthunderbelowthesouthernhorizon，whereZacharyTaylorhadpitchedhistent，upontheRioGrande。
　　Onefairevening，soonafterthatexcursionwhichhadprovedfataltothehopesofthehandsomeTappinghamandoftheyouthfulChenoweth，itwastheprivilegeofMr。ThomasVanreveltoassistMissCareweandherchaperonfromtheircarriage，astheydroveuptoadanceattheBareauds’。Thisgoodfortunefellonlytogreatdeserving，forhehadspentanhourlurkingoutsidethehouseinthehopeofperformingsuchofficesforthem。
　　Heavenwasinhissoulandthebreathdepartedoutofhisbody，when，afteramomentofhesitation，MissBetty’slittlelace-gauntletedglovewasplacedinhishand，andherwhiteslippershimmeredoutfromthelilacflouncesofherdresstofalllikeabenediction，hethought，oneachofthecarriage-steps。
　　Itwastheageofgarlands；theywreathedtheMuses，theSeasons，andtheirspeech，sothewomenworewreathsintheirhair，andMissBetty’sthatnightwasofmarguerites。"Readyourfortuneinthemall，"whisperedTom’sheart，"andofwhomsoeveryouwishtolearn，everypetalwillsay`Helovesyou；nonedeclare，Helovesyounot！’"
　　Shebowedslightly，butdidnotspeaktohim，whichwasperhapsabetterreceptionthanthataccordedtheyoungmanbyhercompanion。"Oh，it’syou，isit！"wasMrs。Tanberry’scourteousobservationasshecantedthevehicleinherdescent。ShelookedsharplyatMissBetty，andeventhesmallglowofthecarriage-lampsshowedthatthegirl’scheekshadflushedveryred。Mr。Vanrevel，onthecontrary，waspale。
　　Theystoodforamomentinawkwardsilence，while，fromthelightedhousewheretheflyingfigurescircled，camethewaltz："IdreamtthatIdwe-
　　heltinma-har-blehalls。"Tom’sowndreamsweremuchwilderthanthegypsygirl’s；heknewthat；yethespokeoutbravely：
　　"Willyoudancethetwofirstwithme？"
　　MissBettybitherlip，frowned，turnedaway，and，vouchsafingnoreply，walkedtowardthehousewithhereyesfixedontheground；butjustastheyreachedthedoorsheflashedoverhimalookthatscorchedhimfromheadtofoot，andsenthisspiritsdownthroughthesolesofhisbootstoexcavateagrottointhedepthsoftheearth，sochargeditwaswithwrathfulpityandcontempt。
　　"Yes！"shesaidabruptly，andfollowedMrs。Tanberrytothedressing-room。
　　Theelderladyshookherheadsolemnlyassheemergedfromtheenormousfoldsofayellowsilkcloak。"Ah，Princess，"shesaid，touchingthegirl’sshoulderwithherjeweledhand，"ItoldyouIwasaveryfoolishwoman，andIam，butnotsofoolishastoofferadviceoften。Yet，believeme，itwon’tdo。IthinkthatisoneofthegreatestyoungmenI
　　everknew，andit’sapity——butitwon’tdo。"
　　MissBettykeptherfaceawayfromherguardianforamoment。Noinconsiderableamountofinformationhaddriftedtoher，fromhereandthere，regardingthecareerofCraileyGray，andshethoughthowintenselyshewouldhavehatedanypersonintheworldexceptMrs。Tanberryforpre-
　　sumingtothinksheneededtobewarnedagainstthecharmsofthisserenadinglady-killer，whowasthepropertyofanothergirl。
　　"Youmustkeephimaway，Ithink，"venturedMrs。Tanberry，gently。
　　AtthatBettyturnedtoherandsaid，sharply：
　　"Iwill。Afterthis，pleaseletusneverspeakofhimagain。"
　　Aslownodoftheother’sturbanedheadindicatedthegravestacquiescence。Shesawthathercompanion’scheekswerestillcrimson。"I
　　understand，"saidshe。
　　Abuzzofwhispering，likeaJulybeetle，followedMissCareweandherpartnerabouttheroomduringthenextdance。HowhadTommanagedit？
　　Hadherfathernevertoldher？Whohaddaredtointroducethem？Fanchonwastheonlyonewhoknew，andasshewhirledbywithWillCummings，sheraisedherabsentglancelongenoughtogiveTomanaffectionateandwarningshakeofthehead。
　　Tomdidnotseethis；MissCarewedid。Alas！Shesmileduponhiminstantlyandlookeddeepintohiseyes。Itwasthethirdtime。
　　Shewasnotafraidofthisman-flirt；hewastobesettledwithonceandforever。SheintendedtoavengebothFanchonandherself；yetitisahazardousgame，thispiercingofeyewitheye，becausethepointwhichseekstopenetratemaysoftenandmelt，leavingonedefenseless。Forperhapstensecondsthatstraightlooklasted，whileitseemedtoherthatshereadclearintothesoulofhim，andtobeholdit，throughsomebefoolingmagic，asstrong，tender，wise，andtrue，ashisoutwardap-
　　pearancewouldhavemadeaninnocentstrangerbelievehim；forhelookedallthesethings；sheadmittedthatmuch；andhehadanairofdistinctionandresourcebeyondanyshehadeverknown，eveninthewildscrambleforherkittenhehadnotlostit。So，fortenseconds，whichmaybealongtime，shesawamansuchasshehaddreamed，andshedidnotbelievehersight，becauseshehadnodesiretobeascredulousastheothers，tobeaseasilycheatedasthatpoorFanchon！
　　ThelucklessTomfoundhisownfeetbeautifulonthemountains，and，treadingtheheightswithairysteps，appearedtohimselfwonderfulandglorified——hewaswaltzingwithMissBettyHebreathedtheentrancingwordstohimself，overandover：itwastrue，hewaswaltzingwithMissBettyCarewe！Herglovelaywarmandlightwithinhisown；hisfingersclaspedthatineffablelilacandwhitebrocadewaist。Sometimesherhaircamewithinaninchofhischeek，andthenheroseoutrightfromthehilltopsandfloatedinagoldenmist。TheglamourofwhichtheIncroyablehadplannedtotellhersomeday，surroundedTom，anditseemedtohimthatthewholeworldwascoveredwithabeautifullightlikeacarpet，whichwasbuttheradianceofthisadorablegirlwhomhisglovesandcoat-sleevewerepermittedtotouch。Whenthemusicstopped，theyfollowedinthetrainofothercouplesseekingthecoolnessofout-of-
　　doorsfortheinterval，andTom，inhissoul，laughedatallothermenwithillimitablecondescension。
　　"Stophere，"shesaid，astheyreachedtheopengate。Hewaswalkingoutofit，hisheadintheair，andMissBettyonhisarm。Apparently，hewouldhavewalkedstraightacrosstheState。Itwasthehappiestmomenthehadeverknown。
　　Hewantedtosaysomethingwonderfultoher；hisspeechshouldbelikethemusicandgloryandlirethatwasinhim；thereforehewasshockedtohearhimselfremarking，withaninanityofutterancethatsickenedhim：
　　"Oh，here’sthegate，isn’tit？"
　　Heranswerwasashortlaugh。"Youmeanyouwishtopersuademethatyouhadforgottenitwasthere？"
　　"Ididnotseeit，"heprotested，lamentably。
　　"No？"
　　"Iwasn’tthinkingofit。"
　　"Indeed！Youwere`lostinthoughtsof`——"
　　"Ofyou！"hesaid，beforehecouldcheckhimself。