"Yes？"Hertonewasasquietlycontemptuousasshecouldmakeit。"Howveryfrankofyou！MayIask：Areyouconvincedthatspeechesofthatsortarealwaystoalady’sliking？"
　　"No，"heansweredhumbly，andhunghishead。Thenshethrewthequestionathimabruptly：
　　"Wasityouwhocametosinginourgarden？"
　　Therewasalongpausebeforeaprofoundsighcametremulouslyfromthedarkness，likeasadandtenderconfession。"Yes。"
　　"Ithoughtso！"sheexclaimed。"Mrs。Tanberrythoughtitwassomeoneelse；
　　butIknewthatitwasyou。"
　　"Yes，youareright，"hesaid，quietly。"ItwasI。Itwasmyonlywaytotellyouwhatyouknownow。"
　　"Ofcourse！"Shesetitallasidewiththosetwowordsandtheslightestgestureofherhand。"Itwasasongmadeforanothergirl，Ibelieve？"
　　sheaskedlightly，andwithanicysmile，inquiredfarther："Fortheone——
　　theonebeforethelast，Iunderstand？"
　　Heliftedhishead，surprised。"Whathasthattodowithit？Themusicwasmadeforyou——butthen，Ithinkallmusicwasmadeforyou。"
　　"Leavethemusicoutofit，ifyouplease，"shesaid，impatiently。"Yourtalentsmakeyoumodest！Nodoubtyouconsideritunmaidenlyinmetohavereferredtotheserenadebeforeyouspokeofit；butIamnotonetocastdownmyeyesandletitpass。No，noronetoosweettofacethetruth，either！"shecriedwithsuddenpassion。"Tosingthatsonginthewayyoudid，meant-oh，youthoughtIwouldflirtwithyou！Whatrighthadyoutocomewithsuchasongtome？
　　Tomintendedonlytodisclaimthepresumption，sofarfromhisthoughts，thathissonghadmovedher，forhecouldseethatherattackwaspromptedbyherinexplicableimpressionthathehadassumedtheattitudeofaconqueror，buthisexplanationbeganunfortunately。
　　"Forgiveme。Ithinkyouhavecompletelymisunderstood；youthoughtitmeantsomethingIdidnotintend，atall，and——"
　　"What！"shesaid，andhereyesblazed，fornowshebeheldhimasthearrantsneakoftheworld。He，thelady-killer，withhishypocriticalairofstrengthandmelancholysweetness，theleaderofdrunkenrevels，and，byreputation，thetownLotharioandLight-o’-Love，underpromiseofmarriagetoFanchonBareaud，hadtriedtomakelovetoanothergirl，andnowhiscowardiceintryingtodisclaimwhathehaddonelenthimtheinsolencetosaytothisother："Mychild，youarebetrayedbyyouryouthandconceit；youexaggeratemymeaning。Ihadnointentiontodistinguishyoubycoquettingwithyou！"Thiswasherinterpretationofhim；andherindignationwasnotlessenedbytheinevitableconclusionthathe，whohadbeenthroughsomanysceneswithwomen，secretlyfoundhersimplicitydiverting。MissBettyhadalittleofherfatherinher；whileitwaspartofheryouth，too，that，ofallthingsshecouldleastenduretheshadowofasmileatherownexpense。
　　"Oh，oh！"shecried，hervoiceshakingwithanger。"Isupposeyourbadheartishalf-chokedwithyourlaughteratme。"
　　Sheturnedfromhimswiftly，andlefthim。
　　Almostrunning，sheenteredthehouse，andhurriedtoaseatbyMrs。
　　Tanberry，nestlingtoherlikeayoungsaplingonahillside。
　　Instantaneously，severalgentlemen，whohadhastilyacquittedthemselvesofvariousobligationsinordertoseekher，sprangforwardwitheagergreetings，sothatwhenthestrickenTom，dazedandconfoundedbyhisevilluck，followedherataboutfivepaces，hefoundhimselfconfrontedbyanimpenetrableabbatisformedbythespikedtailsofthecoatsofGeneralTrumble，Madrillon，TappinghamMarsh，CummingsandJeffersonBareaud。
　　WithinthisfortificationrangoutlaughterandsallyfromMissCarewe；
　　hercolorwashighandhereyessparklednevermorebrightly。
　　Flourishandalarumssoundedforaquadrille。Eachofthesemi-circle，firmlyelbowinghisneighbor，beggedthedanceofMissBetty；butTomwashimselfagain，andlaidalong，stronghandonMadrillon’sshoulder，pressedhimgentlyaside，andsaid：
　　"Forgiveme；MissCarewehashonoredmebythepromiseofthisquadrille。"
　　Hebowed，offeringhisarm，andnoneofthemwastoovaintoenvythatbowandgesture。
　　Foramomentheremainedwaiting。MissCareweroseslowly，and，directlyfacinghim，saidincomposedandevenvoice："Youforcemetobegyounevertoaddressmeagain。"
　　SheplacedherhandontheGeneral’sarm，turningherbacksquarelyuponTom。
　　Inadditiontothosewhoheard，manypersonsinthatpartoftheroomsawtheaffrontandpausedinarrestedattitudes；others，observingthese，turnedinquiringly，sothatsuddensilencefell，brokenonlybythevoiceofMissBettyasshemovedaway，talkingcheerilytotheGeneral。Tomwasleftstandingaloneinthebrokensemicircle。
　　Alltheeyessweptfromhertohimandback；theneveryonebegantotalkhastilyaboutnothing。Theyoungman’shumiliationwaspublic。
　　Hewenttothedoorundercoverofthemovementofthevariouscouplestofindplacesinthequadrille，yeteverysidelongglanceintheroomstillresteduponhim，andheknewit。Heremainedintheball，alone，throughthatdance，andatitsconclusion，walkedslowlythroughtherooms，speakingtopeople，hereandthere，asthoughnothinghadhappened，butwhenthemusicsoundedagain，hewenttothedressing-room，foundhishatandcloak，andleftthehouse。Forawhilehestoodontheoppositesideofthestreet，watchingthelightedwindows，andtwicehecaughtsightofthelilacandwhitebrocade，thedarkhair，andthewreathofmarguerites。
　　Then，withahotpaininhisbreast，andthestepofaGrenadier，hemarcheddownthestreet。
　　InthecarriageMrs。TanberrytookBetty’shandinhers。"I’lldoasyouwish，child，"shesaid，"andneverspeaktoyouofhimagainaslongasI
　　live，exceptthisonce。Ithinkitwasbestforhisownsakeaswellasyours，but——"
　　"Heneededalesson，"interruptedMissBetty，wearily。Shehaddancedlongandhard，andshewasverytired。
　　Mrs。Tanberry’sstaccatolaughcameoutirrepressibly。"Allthevagabondsdo，Princess！"shecried。"AndIthinktheyaregettingit。"
　　"No，no，Idon’tmean——"
　　"We’veturnedtheirheads，mydear，betweenus，youandI；andwe’llhavetoturn`emagain，orthey’llbreaktheirneckslookingovertheirshoul-
　　dersatus，theowls！"Shepressedthegirl’shandaffectionately。"Butyou’llletmesaysomethingjustonce，andforgivemebecausewe’rethesamefoolishage，youknow。It’sonlythis：Thenextyoungmanyousuppress，takehimoffinacorner！Leadhimawayfromthecrowdwherehewon’thavetostandandletthemlookathimafterward。That’sall，mydear，andyoumustn’tmind。"
　　"I’mnotsorry！"saidMissBettyhotly。"I’mnotsorry！"
　　"No，no，"saidMrs。Tanberry，soothingly。"Itwasbetterthistimetodojustwhatyoudid。I’dhavedoneitmyself，tomakequitesurehewouldkeepaway——becauseIlikehim。"
　　"I’mnotsorry！"saidMissBettyagain。
　　"I’mnotsorry！"sherepeatedandreiteratedtoherselfafterMrs。
　　Tanberryhadgonetobed。Shehadsunkintoachairinthelibrarywithabook，and"I’mnotsorry！"shewhisperedastheopenunreadpageblurredbeforeher，"I’mnotsorry！"Hehadneededhislesson；butshehadtobeartherecollectionofhowwhitehisfacewentwhenhereceivedit。Heraffronthadputabouthimastrangeloneliness：theonefigurewiththestilledcrowdstaring；ithadmadeapicturefromwhichhermind’seyehadbeenunabletoescape，dancedsheneversohardandlate。Unconsciously，RobertCarewe’sdaughterhadavengedtheotherfigurewhichhadstoodinlonelyhumiliationbeforethestaringeyes。
　　"I’mnotsorry！"Ah，didtheythinkitwasinhertohurtanylivingthingintheworld？Thebookdroppedfromherlap，andshebowedherheaduponherhands。"I’mnotsorry！"——andtearsuponthesmalllacegauntlets！
　　Shesawthem，andwithanincoherentexclamation，halfself-pitying，halfimpatient，ranouttothestarsabovehergarden。
　　Shewasthereforperhapshalfanhour，andjustbeforeshereturnedtothehouseshedidasingularthing。
　　Standingwhereallwascleartothesky，whereshehadstoodafterhertalkwiththeIncroyable，whenhehadbidherlooktothestars，sheraisedherarmstothemagain，herface，palewithagreattenderness，uplifted。
　　"You，you，you！"shewhispered。"Iloveyou！"
　　Andyetitwastonothingdefinite，tonoman，noroutlineofaman，tonophantomnordream-lover，thatshespoke；neithertohimshehadaffronted，nortohimwhohadbiddenherlooktothestars。Norwasittothestarsthemselves。
　　Shereturnedslowlyandthoughtfullytothehouse，wonderingwhatshehadmeant。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　AVoiceinaGardenCraileycamehomethenextdaywithanewpoem，butnofish。Heloungedupthestairs，lateintheafternoon，hummingcheerfullytohimself，and，droppinghisrodinacornerofTom’soffice，laidthepoemonthedeskbeforehispartner，producedalarge，newly-replenishedflask，openedit，stretchedhimselfcomfortablyuponacapacioushorse-hairsofa，drankadeepdraught，chuckledsoftly，andrequestedMr。Vanreveltosettherhymestomusicimmediately。
　　"Tryitonyourinstrument，"hesaid。"It’sasimpleverseaboutnothingbutstars，andyoucanworkitoutintwentyminuteswiththeguitar。"
　　"Itisbroken，"saidTom，notlookingupfromhiswork。
　　"Broken！When？"
　　"Lastnight。"
　　"Whobrokeit？"
　　"Itfellfromthetableinmyroom。"
　　"How？Easilymended，isn’tit？"
　　"IthinkIshallnotplayitsoonagain。"
　　Craileyswunghislonglegsoffthesofaandabruptlysatupright。
　　"What’sthis？"heaskedgravely。
　　Tompushedhispapersawayfromhim，roseandwenttothedustywindowthatlookedtothewest，where，attheendofthelongstreet，thesunwassettingbehindtheruinofcharredtimbersonthebankoftheshiningriver。
　　"ItseemsthatIplayedoncetoooften，"hesaid。
　　Craileywasthoroughlyastonished。Hetookalong，affectionatepullattheflaskandofferedittohispartner。
　　"No，"saidTom，turningtohimwithatroubledface，"andifIwereyou，I
　　wouldn’teither。Thesefishingtripsofyours——"
　　"Fishing！"Craileylaughed。"Tripsofapoetaster！It’sthenIwritebest，andwriteIwill！There’sapoem，andadamnedgoodone，too，oldpreacher，ineverygillofwhiskey，andI’mtheladthatcanextractit！
　　Lord！what’sbetterthantobeoutintheopen，allbyyourselfinthewoods，orontheriver？Thinkofthelongnightsalonewiththegloryofheavenandagooddemijohn。Why，aman’sthoughtsarelikeactorsperformingintheairandallthecrowdingstarsforaudience！Youknowinyoursoulyou’dratherhavemeoutthere，goingitallbymyself，thanraisingthunderovertown。Andyouknow，too，itdoesn’ttellonme；itdoesn’tshow！Youcouldn’tguess，tosaveyourlife，howmuchI’vehadto-day，now，couldyou？"
　　"Yes，"returnedtheother，"Icould。"
　　"Well，well，"saidCrailey，good-naturedly，"weweren’ttalkingofme。"
　　Hesetdowntheflask，wenttohisfriendanddroppedahandlightlyonhisshoulder。"Whatmadeyoubreaktheguitar？Tellme。"
　　"WhatmakesyouthinkIbrokeit？"askedhispartnersharply。
　　"Tellmewhyyoudidit，"saidCrailey。
　　AndTom，pacingtheroom，toldhim，whileCraileystoodinsilence，lookinghimeagerlyintheeyewheneverTomturnedhisway。Thelistenerinterruptedseldom；onceitwastoexclaim："Butyouhaven’tsaidwhyyoubroketheguitar？"
　　Ifthineeyeoffendthee，pluckitout！’Ioughttohavecutoffthehandsthatplayedtoher。""Andcutyourthroatforsingingtoher？"
　　"Shewasright！"theotheranswered，stridingupanddowntheroom。
　　"Right——athousandtimes！ineverythingshedid。ThatIshouldevenap-
　　proachher，wasanunspeakableinsolence。Ihadforgotten，andso，possibly，hadshe，butIhadnotevenbeenproperlyintroducedtoher。"
　　"No，youhadn’t，that’strue，"observedCrailey，reflectively。"Youdon’tseemtohavemuchtoreproachherwith，Tom。"
　　"Reproachher！"criedtheother。"ThatIshoulddreamshewouldspeaktomeorhaveanythingtodowithme，wastocastadoubtuponherloyaltyasadaughter。Shewasright，Isay！Andshedidtheonlythingshecoulddo：rebukedmebeforethemall。NooneevermeritedwhathegotmoreroundlythanIdeservedthat。WhowasI，inhereyes，thatIshouldbesiegeherwithmyimportunities，whobutherfather’sworstenemy？"
　　DeepanxietyknittedCrailey’sbrow。"Iunderstoodsheknewofthequarrel，"hesaid，thoughtfully。"Isawthat，theothereveningwhenI
　　helpedheroutofthecrowd。Shespokeofitonthewayhome，Iremember；
　　buthowdidsheknowthatyouwereVanrevel？Nooneintownwouldbeapttomentionyoutoher。"
　　"No，butshedidknow，yousee。"
　　"Yes，"returnedMr。Grayslowly。"Soitseems！Probablyherfathertoldhertoavoidyou，anddescribedyousothatsherecognizedyouasthemanwhocaughtthekitten。"
　　Hepaused，pickeduptheflask，andagainappliedhimselftoitscontents，hiseyespeeringovertheup-tiltedvesselatTom，whocontinuedtopaceupanddownthelengthoftheoffice。Afteratime，Crailey，fumblinginhiscoat，foundalongcheroot，and，ashelitit，inquiredcasually：
　　"Doyourememberifsheaddressedyoubyname？"
　　"Ithinknot，"Tomanswered，halting。"Whatdoesitmatter？"
　　Craileydrewadeepbreath。
　　"Itdoesn’t，"hereturned。
　　"Sheknewmewellenough，"saidTom，sadly，asheresumedhissentry-go。
　　"Yes，"repeatedCrailey，deliberately。"Soitseems；soitseems！"Heblewalongstreamofsmokeoutintotheairbeforehim，andsoftlymur-
　　muredagain："Soitseems，soitseems。"
　　Silencefell，brokenonlybythesoundofTom’sfootsteps，until，presently，someoneinformallyshoutedhisnamefromthestreetbelow。ItwasonlyWillCummings，passingthetimeofday，butwhenTomturnedfromthewindowafteransweringhim，Crailey，hispoem，andhisflaskweregone。
　　ThateveningVanrevelsatinthedustyoffice，drivinghimselftohisworkwithasharpgoad，fortherewasafacethatcamebetweenhimandallelseintheworld，andavoicethatsoundedalwaysinhisears。Buttheworkwasdonebeforeherosefromhischair，thoughheshowedahaggardvisageashebentabovehiscandlestoblowthemout。
　　Itwaseleveno’clock；Craileyhadnotcomeback，andTomknewthathislight-heartedfriendwouldnotreturnformanyhours；andso，havingnomindtoread，andnobeliefthathecouldifhetried，hewentouttowalkthestreets。Hewentdowntotheriverfirst，andstoodforalittlewhilegazingattheruinsofthetwowarehouses，andthatwaslikeamanwithaheadachebeatinghisskullagainstawall。Ashestoodontheblackenedwharf，hesawhowthecharredbeamsroseabovehimagainsttheskylikeagallows，anditseemedtohimthatnothingcouldhavebeenabettersymbol，forherehehadhangedhisself-respect。"Reproachher！"
　　He，whohadsodisplayedhisimbecilitybeforeher！Hadhebeenherfather’sbestfriend，heshouldhavehadtoogreatasenseofshametodaretospeaktoherafterthatnightwhenherquietintelligencehadexhibitedhimtohimself，andtoalltheworld，asnoughtelsethanafool——andanoisyoneatthat！
　　Suddenlyashudderconvulsedhim；hestruckhisopenpalmacrosshisforeheadandspokealoud，while，fromhorizontohorizon，thenightairgrewthickwiththewhisperedlaughterofobservinghobgoblins：
　　"Andeveniftherehadbeennostairway，wecouldhavesliddownthehose-
　　line！"
　　Heretracedhissteps，atall，grayfiguremovingslowlythroughthebluedarkness，andhislipsformedtheheart-sickshadowofasmilewhenhefoundthathehadunconsciouslyturnedintoCareweStreet。Presentlyhecametoagapinahedge，throughwhichhehadsometimesstolentohearthesoundofaharpandagirl’svoicesinging；buthedidnotentertheretonight，thoughhepausedamoment，hisheadbowedonhisbreast。
　　Therecameasoundofvoices；theyseemedtobemovingtowardthehedge，towardthegapwherehestood；oneaman’seager，quick，butverymusical；
　　theother，agirl’s，arichandclearcontraltothatpassedintoTom’ssoullikeapsalmofrejoicingandlikeascimitarofflame。Heshivered，andmovedawayquickly，butnotbeforetheman’svoice，somewhatlouderforthemoment，camedistinctlyfromtheothersideofthehedge：
　　"Afterall，"saidthevoice，witharippleoflaughter，"afterall，weren’tyoualittlehardonthatpoorMr。Gray？"
　　Tomdidnotunderstand，butheknewthevoice。ItwasthatofCraileyGray。
　　Heheardthesamevoiceagainthatnight，andagainstoodunseen。Longaftermidnighthewasstilltrampingthestreetsonhislonelyrounds，whenhechancedtopasstheRouenHouse，whichhostelrybore，totheuninitiatedeye，theappearanceofhavingcloseditsdoorsuponallhospitalitiesforthenight，instrictcompliancewiththelawofthecityfathers，yetaslenderwandofbrightlightmightbediscoveredunderneaththestreetdoorofthebar-room。
　　>Fromwithinthemerryretreatissuedanuproarofshouting，raucouslaughterandthepoundingofglassesontables，heraldingalltooplainlythehypocrisyofthelandlord，andpossiblythatofthecityfathersalso。
　　Tomknewwhatcompanywasgatheredthere：gamblers，truckmen，drunkenfarmers，menfromtheriversteamersmakingriotwhiletheirboatslayatthewharf，withamotleygatheringofgood-for-nothingsoftheback-
　　alleys，andtipplingclerksfromtheMainStreetstores。Therecameloudcriesforasong，and，inanswer，thevoiceofCraileyroseoverthegeneraldin，somewhathoarse，andneversomusicalwhenhesangaswhenhespoke，yetsotouchinginitsdramatictendernessthatsoonthenoisefellaway，andtheroistererssatquietlytolisten。ItwasnotthefirsttimeBenJonson’ssonghadstilledadisreputablecompany。
　　"Isenttheelatearosywreath，Notsomuchhonoringthee，AsgivingitthehopethatthereItmightnotwitheredbe。"
　　Perhaps，justthen，Vanrevelwouldhavewishedtohearhimsinganythingintheworldratherthanthat，foronCrailey’slipsitcarriedtoomuchmeaningtonight，afterthevoiceinthegarden。AndTomlingerednomorenearthebetrayingsliveroflightbeneaththedoorthanhehadbythegapinthehedge，butwentsteadilyonhisway。
　　Notfarfromthehotelhepassedasmallbuildingbrightlylightedandechoingwithunusualclamorsofindustry：theofficeoftheRouenJournal。
　　Thepresswasgoing，andMr。Cummings’sthinfigurecrossedandrecrossedthewindows，whilehisvoicecouldbeheardenergeticallybiddinghisas-
　　sistantsto"Lookalive！"sothatTomimaginedthatsomethingmighthavehappenedbetweentheNuecesRiverandtheRioGrande；buthedidnotstoptoaskthejournalist，forhedesiredtobeholdthefaceofnoneofhisfriendsuntilhehadfoughtoutsomethingswithinhimself。Sohestrodeontowardnowhere。
　　DaywasbreakingwhenMr。Grayclimbedthestairstohisroom。Thereweretwoflights，theascentofthefirstofwhichoccupiedabouthalfanhourofCrailey’sinvaluabletime；andthesecondmighthavetakenmoreofit，orpossiblyconsumedthegreaterpartofthemorning，hadhereceivednoassistance。But，ashereclinedtomeditateuponthefirstlanding，anothermanenteredthehallwayfromwithout，ascendedquickly，andCraileybecamepleasantlyconsciousthattwostronghandshadliftedhimtohisfeet；and，presently，thathewasbeingbornealoftuponthenew-
　　comer’sback。Itseemedquiteajourney，yetthemotionwassoothing，sohemadenoefforttoopenhiseyes，untilhefoundhimselfgentlydepositeduponthecouchinhisownchamber，whenhesmiledamiably，and，lookingup，discoveredhispartnerstandingoverhim。
　　Tomwasverypaleandthereweredeep，violetscrawlsbeneathhiseyes。
　　ForonceinhislifehebadcomehomelaterthanCrailey。
　　"Firsttime，youknow，"saidCrailey，withdifficulty。"You’lladmitfirsttimecompletelyincapable？Oftenneededguidinghand，butnever——
　　quite——before。"
　　"Yes，"saidTom，quietly，"itisthefirsttimeIeversawyouquitefinished。"
　　"ThinkImustbegrowingoldandconstitutionrefusesbearit。
　　Disgracefultobeseenincondition，yetcelebrationjustified。H’rahforthenews！"Hewavedhishandwildly。"Oldred，white，andblue！
　　Americaneaglenowkindlyproceedtoscream！Starspangledbannerintendsstreamingtoallthetradewinds！Seatosea！Gloriousvictoriesonpoliticalthievingexhibition——no，expedition！Everybodynotresponsibleforthetroubletogoandgethimselfpatrioticallykilled！"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Water！"saidtheother，feebly。Tombroughtthepitcher，andCrailey，settinghishotlipstoit，dranklonganddeeply；then，withhisfriend’sassistance，hetiedaheavilymoistenedtowelroundhishead。"Allrightverysoonandsoberagain，"hemuttered，andlaybackuponthepillowwitheyestightlyclosedinanintenseefforttoconcentratehiswill。Whenheopenedthemagain，fourorfiveminuteslater，theyhadmarvellouslyclearedandhislookwasself-containedandsane。
　　"Haven’tyouheardthenews？"Hespokemuchmoreeasilynow。"ItcameatmidnighttotheJournal。"
　　"No；I’vebeenwalkinginthecountry。"
　　"TheMexicanscrossedtheRioGrandeonthetwenty-sixthoflastmonth，capturedCaptainThorntonandmurderedColonelCrook。Thatmeanswariscertain。"
　　"Ithasbeencertainforalongtime，"saidTom。"Polkhasforceditfromthefirst。"
　　"Thenit’sadevilofapityhecan’tbetheonlymantodie！"
　　"Havetheycalledforvolunteers？"askedTom，goingtowardthedoor。
　　"No；butifthenewsistrue，theywill。"
　　"Yes，"saidTom；andashereachedthehallwayhepaused。"CanIhelpyoutoundress？"
　　"Certainlynot！"Craileysatup，indignantly。"Can’tyouseethatI’mperfectlysober？Itwasthemeresttemporaryfit，andI’veshakenitoff。
　　Don’tyousee？"Hegotuponhisfeet，staggered，butshookhimselflikeadogcomingoutofthewater，andcametothedoorwithinfirmsteps。
　　"You’regoingtobed，aren’tyou？"askedTom。"You’dmuchbetter。"
　　"No，"answeredCrailey。"Areyou？
　　"No。I’mgoingtowork。"
　　"You’vebeenallupnight，too，haven’tyou？"Craileyputhishandontheother’sshoulder。"Wereyouhuntingforme？"
　　"No；notlastnight。"
　　Craileylurchedsuddenly，andTomcaughthimaboutthewaisttosteadyhim。
　　"Sweethearting，tippling，vingt-et-un，orpoker，eh，Tom？"heshouted，thickly，withawildlaugh。"Ha，ha，oldsmug-face，uptomybadtricksatlast！"But，recoveringhimselfimmediately，hepushedtheotheroffatarm’slength，andslappedhimselfsmartlyonthebrow。"Nevermind；allright，allright——onlyabadwave，nowandthen。Awalkwillmakememoreamanthanever。"
　　"You’dmuchbettergotobed，Crailey。"
　　"Ican’t。I’mgoingtochangemyclothesandgoout。"
　　"Why？"
　　Craileydidnotanswer，butatthatmomenttheCatholicchurch-bell，summoningthefaithfultomass，pealedloudlyonthemorningair；andthesteadyglanceofTomVanrevelrestedupontherecklesseyesofthemanbesidehimastheylistenedtogethertoitsinsistentcall。Tomsaid，gently，almosttimidly：
　　"Youhavean——engagement？"
　　Thistimetheanswercamebriskly。"Yes；IpromisedtotakeFanchontothecemeterybeforebreakfast，toplacesomeflowersonthegraveofthelittlebrotherwhodied。Thishappenstobehisbirthday。"
　　ItwasTomwhoavertedhiseyes，notCrailey。
　　"Thenyou’dbesthurry，"hesaid，hesitatingly；"Imustn’tkeepyou，"andwentdownstairstohisofficewithflushedcheeks，ahanginghead，andanexpressionwhichwouldhaveledastrangertobelievethathehadjustbeencaughtinalie。
　　HewenttotheMainStreetwindow，andseatedhimselfupontheledge，theonlyoneintheroomnottoodustyforoccupation；forhere，atthishour，TomhadtakenhisplaceeverymorningsinceElizabethCarewehadcomefromtheconvent。Thewindowwasacoignofvantage，commandingthecornerofCareweandMainstreets。Somedistancewestofthecorner，theCatholicchurchcastitslongshadowacrossMainStreet，and，inordertoenterthechurch，apersonwholiveduponCareweStreetmustpassthecorner，orelsemakeahalf-miledetourandapproachfromtheotherdirection——whichthepersonneverdid。TomhadthoughtitoutthefirstnightthattheimageofMissBettyhadkepthimawake——andthatwasthefirstnightMissCarewespentinRouen——theSt。Mary’sgirlwouldbesuretogotomasseveryday，whichwaswhythewindow-ledgewasdustedthenextmorning。
　　Theglassdoorsofthelittlecornerdrug-storecaughttheearlysunofthehotMaymorningandbecamelikesheets0fpolishedbrass；afarmer’swagonrattleddownthedustystreet；agroupofIrishwaitressesfromthehotelmadetheboardwalkrattleundertheirhurriedstepsastheywenttowardthechurch，talkingbusilytooneanother；andablinkingyouthinhisshirt-sleeves，whoworetheairofonenewly，butnotgladly，risen，begantostrugglemournfullywiththeshuttersofMadrillon’sbank。A
　　momentlater，TomheardCraileycomedownthestairs，sureoffootandhumminglightlytohimself。Thedooroftheofficewasclosed；Craileydidnotlookin，butpresentlyappeared，smiling，trim，immaculate，allinwhitelinen，ontheoppositesideofthestreet，andofferedbadinagetotheboywhotoiledattheshutters。
　　Thebellhadalmostceasedtoringwhenalady，dressedplainlyinblack，butgracefulandtall，camerapidlyoutofCareweStreet，turnedatthecornerbythelittledrug-store，andwenttowardthechurch。Theboywasleftstaring，forCrailey’sbanterbrokeoffinthemiddleofaword。
　　Heovertookheronthechurchsteps，andtheywentintogether。
　　ThatafternoonFanchonBareaudtoldTomhowbeautifulherbetrothedhadbeentoher；hehadbroughtheragreatbouquetofvioletsandlilies-of-
　　the-valley，andhadtakenhertothecemeterytoplacethemonthegraveofherbabybrother，whosebirthdayitwas。TearscametoFanchon’seyesasshespokeofherlover’sgoodness，andofhowwonderfullyhehadtalkedastheystoodbesidethelittlegrave。
　　"HewastheonlyonewhorememberedthatthiswaspoortinyJean’sbirthday！"shesaid，andsobbed。"Hecamejustafterbreakfastandaskedmetogoouttherewithhim。"
　　CHAPTERXII
　　TheRoomintheCupolaMr。Carewereturned，onewarmMayafternoon，bythesixo’clockboat，whichwassometimesadaylateandsometimesafewhoursearly；thelattercontingencyarising，asinthepresentinstance，whentheownerwasaboard。Nelsondrovehimfromthewharftothebank，whereheconferredbriefly，inanundertone，withEugeneMadrillon；afterwhichEugenesentanotecontainingthreewordstoTappinghamMarsh。Marshtoreupthenote，andsaunteredovertotheclub，wherehefoundGeneralTrumbleandJeffersonBareaudamicablydiscussingapitcherofcherrybounce。
　　"Hehascome，"saidTappingham，pleasedtofindthepairtheonlyoccupantsoftheplace。"HesawMadrillon，andthere’sasessionto-
　　night。"
　　"PraisetheLord！"exclaimedthestoutGeneral，risingtohisfeet。"I’llseeoldChenowethatonce。Myfingershavetheitch。"
　　"Andmine，too，"saidBareaud。"I’dbeguntothinkwe’dneverhaveagowithhimagain。"
　　"YoumustseethatCraileycomes。Wewantafulltable。Draghim，ifyoucan’tgethimanyotherway。"
　　"Hewon’tneedurging，"saidJefferson。
　　"Buthecutuslasttime。"
　　"Hewon’tcuttonight。Whathour？"
　　"Nine，"answeredTappingham。"It’stobeafullsitting，remember。"
　　"Don’tfearforus，"laughedTrumble。
　　"NorforCrailey，"Jeffersonadded。"Aftersolongavacationyoucouldn’tkeephimawayifyouchainedhimtothecourt-housepillars；he’dtear`emintwo！"
　　"Here’stoourbetterfortunes，then！saidtheoldsoldier，fillingaglassforTappingham；and，"Here’stoourbetterfortunes！"echoedtheyoungmen，pouringoffthegentleliquorheartily。Havingthusmadelibationtotheirparticulargod，thetrioseparated。ButJeffersondidnotencounterthealacrityofacceptanceheexpectedfromCrailey，whenhefoundhim，halfanhourlater，atthehotelbar。Indeed，atfirst，Mr。
　　Graynotoniyrefusedoutrighttogo，butseriouslyurgedthesamecourseuponJefferson；moreover，hisremonstrancewasofferedinsuchevidentgoodfaiththatBareaud，intheactofswallowingoneofhislargedosesofquinine，pausedwithonlyhalfthepowderdownhisthroat，gazing，nonplussed，athisprospectivebrother-in-law。
　　"Myimmortalsoul！"hegasped。"IsthisCraileyGray？What’sthetrouble？"
　　"Nothing，"repliedCrailey，quietly。"Onlydon’tgo，you’velostenough。"
　　"Well，you’reabeautifulone！"Jeffersonexclaimed，withanincredulouslaugh。"You’reamasterhand；you，totalkaboutlosingenough！"
　　"Iknow，Iknow，"Craileybegan，shakinghishead，"but——"
　　"You’vepromisedFanchonnevertogoagain，andyou’reafraidMissBettywillseeorhearus，andtellheryouwerethere。"
　　"Idon’tknowMissCarewe。"
　　"Thenyouneedn’tfear；besides，she’llbeoutwhenwecome，andasleepwhenwego。Shewillneverknowwe’vebeeninthehouse。"
　　"Thathasnothingtodowithit，"saidCrailey，impatiently；andhewasthemoreearnestbecauseherememberedthedangerousgeographyoftheCarewehouse，whichmadeitimpossibleforanyonetoleavethecupola-roomexceptbythelonghallwhichpassedcertaindoors。"Iwillnotgo，andwhat’smore，IpromisedFanchonI’dtrytokeepyououtofithereafter。"
　　"Lord，butwe’revirtuous！"laughedtheincredulousJefferson。"I’llcomeforyouataquartertonine。"
　　"Iwillnotgo，Itellyou。"
　　Jeffersonroared。"Yes，youwill。Youcouldn’tkeepfromitifyoutried！"Andhetookhimselfoff，laughingviolently，againpromisingtocallforCraileyonhiswaytothetryst，andleavinghimstillwarmlyprotestingthatitwouldbeagreatfollyforeitherofthemtogo。
　　Craileylookedafterthelad’slong，thinfigurewithanexpressionasnearangerasheeverwore。"He’llgo，"hesaidtohimself。
　　"And——ah，well——I’llhavetoriskit！I’llgowithhim，butonlytotryandbringhimawayearly——thatis，asearlyasit’ssafetobesurethattheyareasleepdownstairs。AndIwon’tplay。No，I’llnotplay；I’llnotplay。"
　　Hepaidhisscoreandwentoutofthehotelbyasidedoor。Somedistanceupthestreet，Bareaudwasstilltobeseen，lounginghomewardinthepleasantafternoonsunshine，hestoppedonacornerandserenelypouredanotherquininepowderintohimselfandthrewthepapertoacoupleofpigswholookedupfromtheguttermaliciously。
　　"Confoundhim！"saidCrailey，laughingruefully。"Hemakesmeamissionary——forI’llkeepmywordtoFanchoninthat，atleast！I’lllookafterJeffersontonight。Ah，ImightaswellbeoldTomVanrevel，indeed！"
　　Meanwhile，Mr。Carewehadtakenpossessionofhisownagain。Hisdaughterrantothedoortomeethim；shewastremblingalittle，and，blushingandsmiling，heldoutbothherhandstohim，sothatMrs。Tanberryvowedthiswastheloveliestcreatureintheworld，andthekindest。
　　Mr。Carewebowedslightly，astoanacquaintance，anddisregardedtheextendedhands。
　　Atthat，theblushfadedfromMissBetty’scheeks；shetremblednomore，andasalutationasicyasherfather’swasreturnedtohim。Hebenthisheavybrowsuponher，andshotablackglanceherway，being，ofcourse，immediatelyenragedbyherreflectionofhisownmanner，buthedidnotspeaktoher。
　　Nordidheonceaddressherduringtheeveningmeal，preferringtohonorMrs。Tanberrywithhisconversation，tothatdiplomaticlady’ssecretanger，butoutwardamusement。Shecheerfullyneglectedtoanswerhimattimes，havingnottheslightestaweofhim，andturnedtothegirlinstead；indeed，shewasonlypreventedfromratinghimsoundlyathisowntablebythefearthatshemightmakethesituationmoredifficultforheryoungcharge。Assoonasitwaspossible，shemadeherescapewithMissBetty，andtheydroveawayinthetwilighttopayvisitsofduty，leavingMr。Carewefrowningathiscoffeeontheveranda。
　　Whentheycamehome，threehourslater，MissBettynoticedthatafringeofilluminationborderedeachoftheheavilycurtainedwindowsinthecupola，andsheutteredanexclamation，forshehadneverknownthatroomtobelighted。
　　"Look！"shecried，touchingMrs。Tanberry’sarm，asthehorsestrottedthroughthegatesunderadrizzleofrain，"Ithoughttheroominthecupolawasempty。It’salwayslocked，andwhenIcamefromSt。Mary’shetoldmethatoldfurniturewasstoredthere。"
　　Mrs。Tanberrywasgratefulforthedarkness。"Hemayhavegonetheretoread，"sheanswered，inaqueervoice。"Letusgoquietlytobed，child，soasnottodisturbhim。"
　　Bettyhadaslittledesiretodisturbherfatherasshehadtoseehim；
　　thereforesheobeyedherfriend’sinjunction，andwenttoherroomontip-
　　toe。Thehousewasverysilentasshelitthecandlesonherbureau。
　　Outside，thegentledrizzleandthesoothingtinklefromtheeavesweretheonlysounds；within，therewasbutthefaintrustleofgarmentsfromMrs。Tanberry’sroom。Presentlythelatterceasedtobeheard，andawoodenmoanofprotestfromthefour-posteruponwhichthegoodladyreposed，announcedthatshehaddrawnthecurtainsandwooedtherulersofNod。
　　Althoughitwasoneofthosenightsofwhichtheysay，"Itisagoodnighttosleep，"MissBettywasnotdrowsy。Shehadhalf-unfastenedonesmallsandal，butshetiedtheribbonsagain，andseatedherselfbytheopenwindow。Theledgeandcasementframedadimoblongofthinlightfromthecandlesbehindher，alonelylustre，whichcrossedtheverandatomeltshapelesslyintodarknessonthesoggylawn。Shefeltamelancholyinthesoftlyfallingrainandwet，blackfoliagethatchimedwiththesadnessofherownspirit。Thenightsuitedherverywell，forherfather’scominghadbroughtaweightofdepressionwithit。Whycouldhenothavespokenonewordtoher，evenacrossone？Sheknewthathedidnotloveher，yet，merelyasafellow-being，shewasentitledtoameasureofcourtesy；
　　andthefactthatshewashisdaughtercouldnotexcusehisfailuretorenderit。Wasshetocontinuetolivewithhimontheirpresentterms？
　　Shehadnointentiontomakeanotherefforttoalterthem；buttoremainastheywerewouldbeintolerable，andMrs。Tanberrycouldnotstayforever，toactasabufferbetweenherandherfather。Peeringoutintothedismalnight，shefoundherownfutureasblack，anditseemednowonderthattheSisterslovedtheconventlife；thatthepalenunsforsooktheworldwhereintherewassomuchuselessunkindness；wherewomenwerepettyandjealous，likethatcowardlyFanchon，andmenwholookedgreatweretricksters，likeFanchon’sbetrothed。MissBettyclenchedherdelicatefingers。Shewouldnotrememberthatwhite，startledfaceagain！
　　Anotherfacehelpedhertoshutouttherecollection：thatofthemanwhohadcometomasstomeetheryesterdaymorning，andwithwhomshehadtakenalongwalkafterward。HehadshownheraquaintoldEnglishgardenerwholivedonthebankoftheriver，hadboughtherabouquet，andshehadhelpedhimtoselectanothertosendtoasickfriend。Howbeautifultheflowerswere，andhowhappyhehadmadethemorningforher，withhisgayety，hislightness，andhisoddwisdom！Wasitonlyyesterday？
　　Herfather’scominghadmadeyesterdayafortnightold。
　　Butthecontinuouslypatteringrainandthesoftdrip-dropfromtheroof，thoughasmournfulasshechosetofindthem，began，afterwhile，toweavetheirsomnolentspells，andsheslowlydriftedfromreveriesofunhappysorts，intohalf-dreams，inwhichshewasstillawareshewasawake；yetslumber，heavy-eyed，stirringfromthecurtainsbesideherwiththesmallnightbreeze，breathedstrangedistortionsuponfamiliarthings，anddrowsyimpossibilitiesmoveduponthesurfaceofherthoughts。Herchin，restinguponherhand，sankgently，untilherheadalmostlayuponherrelaxedarms。
　　"Thatismine，CraileyGray！"
　　Shesprangtoherfeet，immeasurablystartled，onehandclutchingthebackofherchair，theothertremulouslypressedtohercheek，convincedthatherfatherhadstoopedoverherandshoutedthesentenceinherear。Foritwashisvoice，andthehouserangwiththewords；alltherooms，halls，andeventhewalls，seemedstillmurmurouswiththesuddensound，likethetinglingofabellafterithadbeenstruck。Andyet——everythingwasquiet。
　　Shepressedherfingerstoherforehead，tryingtountanglethemazeofdreamswhichhadevolvedthisshockforher，thesuddenclamorinherfather’svoiceofanameshehatedandhopednevertohearagain，anameshewastryingtoforget。Butasshewasunabletotraceanythingwhichhadledtoit，thereremainedonlytheconclusionthathernerveswerenotwhattheyshouldbe。Thevaporshavingbecomeobsoleteforyoungladiesasanexplanationforallunpleasantsensations，theywereinstructedtohave"nerves。"ThiswasMissBetty’sfirstconsciousnessofherown，and，desiringnogreateracquaintancewiththem，shetoldherselfitwasunwholesometofallasleepinachairbyanopenwindowwhenthenightwasassadasshe。
　　Turningtoachairinfrontofthesmallovalmirrorofherbureau，sheunclaspedthebrooch。whichheldherlacecollar，and，seatingherself，begantounfastenherhair。Suddenlyshepaused，herupliftedarmsfallingmechanicallytohersides。
　　Someonewascomingthroughthelonghallwithasoft，almostinaudiblestep，astepwhichwasnotherfather’s。Sheknewatonce，withinstinctivecertainty，thatitwasnothe。NorwasitNelson，whowouldhaveshuffled；norcoulditbethevainMamie，noroneoftheotherservants，fortheydidnotsleepinthehouse。Itwasastepmorelikeawoman’s，thoughcertainlyitwasnotMrs。Tanberry’s。
　　Bettyrose，tookacandle，andstoodsilentforamoment，theheavytressesofherhair，half-unloosed，fallinguponherneckandleftshoulderlikethefoldsofadarkdrapery。
　　Attheslightrustleofherrising，thestepsceasedinstantly。Herheartsetupawildbeatingandthecandleshookinherhand。Butshewasbraveandyoung，and，followinganirresistibleimpulse，sheranacrosstheroom，flungopenthedoor，andthrewthelightofthecandleintothehall，holdingitatarm’slengthbeforeher。
　　ShecamealmostfacetofacewithCraileyGray。