"Isupposeyourbrothertaughtyouthattoo？"
　　"Ohdear，no！"shereturned，withherfrightenedglance;"Ionlyheardhimsaysomepeoplepreferredthatkindofthingtosacredmusic，andonedayIsawacopyofitinamusic—storewindowinClayStreet，andboughtit。Ohno！Tappingtondidn’tteachittome。"
　　Inthepleasantdiscoverythatshewasattimesindependentofherbrother’sperfections，Herbertsmiled，andsympatheticallydrewastepnearertoher。Sheroseatonce，somewhatprimlyholdingbackthesidesofherskirt，school—girlfashion，withthumbandfinger，andhereyescastdown。
　　"Goodafternoon，Mr。Bly。"
　　"Mustyougo？Goodafternoon。"
　　Shewalkeddirectlytotheopendoor，lookingverytallandstatelyasshedidso，butwithoutturningtowardshim。Whenshereacheditsheliftedhereyes;therewastheslightestsuggestionofareturnofherdimplesintherelaxationofhergravelittlemouth。
　　Thenshesaid，"good—bye，Mr。Bly，"anddeparted。
　　Theskirtofherdressrustledforaninstantinthepassage。
　　Herbertlookedafterher。"Iwonderifsheskippedthen——shelookslikeagirlthatmightskipatsuchatime，"hesaidtohimself。
　　"Howveryoddsheis——andhowsimple！ButImustpullherupinthatslangwhenIknowherbetter。FancyherbrothertellingherTHAT！Whatapairtheymustbe！"Nevertheless，whenheturnedbackintotheroomagainheforboregoingtothewindowtoindulgefurthercuriosityinregardtohiswickedneighbors。Acertainnewfeelingofrespecttohislatecompanion——andpossiblytohimself——
　　heldhimincheck。MuchasheresentedTappington’sperfections，heresentedquiteaswarmlythepresumptionthathewasnotquiteasperfect，whichwasimpliedinthatmysteriousoverture。Heglancedatthestoolonwhichshehadbeensittingwithahalf—
　　brotherlysmile，andputitreverentlyononesidewithaveryvividrecollectionofhershymaidenlyfigure。Insomemysteriouswaytootheroomseemedtohavelostitsformalstrangeness;
　　perhapsitwasthetouchofindividuality——HERS——thathadbeenwanting？HebeganthoughtfullytodresshimselfforhisregulardinneratthePoodleDogRestaurant，andwhenhelefttheroomheturnedbacktolookoncemoreatthestoolwhereshehadsat。Evenonhiswaytothatfastandfamouscafeoftheperiodhefelt，forthefirsttimeinhisthoughtlessbutlonelylife，thegentlesecurityofthehomehehadleftbehindhim。
　　II。
　　Itwasthreeorfourdaysbeforehebecamefirmlyadjustedtohisnewquarters。DuringthistimehehadmetCherrycasuallyonthestaircase，ingoingorcoming，andreceivedhershygreetings;butshehadnotrepeatedhervisit，noragainalludedtoit。Hehadspentpartofaformaleveningintheparlorincompanywithacallingdeacon，who，unappalledbytheIndianshawlforwhichthewidowhadexchangedherhouseholdcerementsonsuchoccasions，appearedtoHerberttohaveremotematrimonialdesigns，asfaratleastasasympatheticdeprecationofthevanitiesofthepresent，anechoingofhersighslikeamodestencore，apreternaturalgentilityofmanner，avagueallusiontothenecessityofbearing"oneanother’sburdens，"andaneverlastingpromiseinstore，wouldseemtoimply。ToHerbert’svividimagination，adiscussiononthedoctrinalpointsoflastSabbath’ssermonwasfraughtwithdelicatesuggestionandanacceptancebythewidowofanappointmenttoattendtheWednesdayevening"Lectures"hadalltheshyreluctantyieldingofagrantedrendezvous。Oddlyenough，themoreformalattitudeseemedtobereservedfortheyoungpeople，who，inthesuggestiveatmosphereofthisspiritualflirtation，aloneappearedtopreservetheproprietiesand，tosomeextent，decorouslychaperontheirelders。HerbertgravelyturnedtheleavesofCherry’smusicwhilesheplayedandsangoneortwodiscreetbutdepressingsongsexpressiveofherunalterablebutproperdevotiontohermother’sclock，herfather’sarm—chair，andheraunt’sBible;andHerbertjoinedsomewhatboyishlyinthesoul—subduingrefrain。OnlyonceheventuredtosuggestinawhisperthathewouldliketoaddHERmusic—stooltotheadorableinventory;buthewasmetbysuchadisturbedandterrifiedlookthathedesisted。
　　"Anothernightofthiswildandrecklessdissipationwillfinishme，"hesaidlugubriouslytohimselfwhenhereachedthesolitudeofhisroom。"IwonderhowmanytimesaweekI’dhavetohelpthegirlplaythespiritualgooseberrydownstairsbeforewecouldhaveanyfunourselves？"
　　Herethesoundofdistantlaughter，interspersedwithvivaciousfeminineshrieks，camethroughtheopenwindow。Heglancedbetweenthecurtains。Hisneighbor’shousewasbrilliantlylit，andtheshadowsofafewrompingfigureswerechasingeachotheracrossthemuslinshadesofthewindows。Theobjectionableyoungwomenwereevidentlyenjoyingthemselves。Insomeconditionsofthemindthereisacertainexasperationinthespectacleofunmeaningenjoyment，andheshutthewindowsharply。Atthesamemomentsomeoneknockedathisdoor。
　　ItwasMissBrooks，whohadjustcomeupstairs。
　　"Willyoupleaseletmehavemymusic—stool？"
　　Hestaredatheramomentinsurprise，thenrecoveringhimself，said，"Yes，certainly，"andbroughtthestool。Foraninstanthewastemptedtoaskwhyshewantedit，buthisprideforbadehim。
　　"Thankyou。Good—night。"
　　"Good—night！"
　　"Ihopeitwasn’tinyourway？"
　　"Notatall。"
　　"Good—night！"
　　"Good—night。"
　　Shevanished。Herbertwasperplexed。Betweenyoungladieswhosenaiveexuberanceimpelledthemtothrowhandkerchiefsathiswindowandyoungladieswhoseequallynaivemodestydemandedthewithdrawalfromhisbedroomofachaironwhichtheyhadoncesat，hislotseemedtohavefalleninatroubledlocality。YetadayortwolaterheheardCherrypractisingontheharmoniumashewasascendingthestairsonhisreturnfrombusiness;shehaddepartedbeforeheenteredtheroom，buthadleftthemusic—stoolbehindher。Itwasnotagainremoved。
　　OneSunday，thesecondorthirdofhistenancy，whenCherryandhermotherwereatchurch，andhehadfinishedsomeworkthathehadbroughtfromthebank，hisformerrestlessnessandsenseofstrangenessreturned。Theregularafternoonfoghadthickenedearly，and，drivinghimbackfromacheerless，chillyrambleonthehill，hadlefthimstillmoredepressedandsolitary。Insheerdesperationhemovedsomeofthefurniture，andchangedthedispositionofseveralsmallerornaments。Growingbolder，heevenattackedthesacredshelfdevotedtoTappington’sseriousliteratureandmoralstudies。Atfirstglancethebookofsermonslookedsuspiciouslyfreshandnewforavolumeofhabitualreference，butitsleaveswerecarefullycut，andcontainedoneortwobook—marks。Itwasonlyanotherevidenceofthatperfectyouth’scareandneatness。Ashewasreplacingithenoticedasmallobjectfoldedinwhitepaperatthebackoftheshelf。Toputthebookbackintoitsformerpositionitwasnecessarytotakethisout。Hedidso，butitscontentsslidfromhisfingersandthepapertothefloor。Tohisutterconsternation，lookingdownhesawapackofplaying—cardsstrewnathisfeet！
　　Hehurriedlypickedthemup。Theywerewornandslipperyfromuse，andexhaledafaintodoroftobacco。HadtheybeenlefttherebysometemporaryvisitorunknowntoTappingtonandhisfamily，orhadtheybeenhastilyhiddenbyaservant？Yettheywereofamakeandtexturesuperiortothosethataservantwouldpossess;lookingatthemcarefully，herecognizedthemtobeofaqualityusedbythebetter—classgamblers。Restoringthemcarefullytotheirformerposition，hewastemptedtotakeouttheothervolumes，andwasrewardedwiththefurtherdiscoveryofasmallboxofivorycounters，knownas"poker—chips。"Itwasreallyveryextraordinary！Itwasquitethecacheofsomehabitualgambler。
　　Herbertsmiledgrimlyattheirreverentincongruityofthehiding—
　　placeselectedbyitsunknownandmysteriousowner，andamusedhimselfbyfancyingthehorrorofhissaintedpredecessorhadhemadethediscovery。Hedeterminedtoreplacethem，andtoputsomemarkuponthevolumesbeforetheminordertodetectanyfuturedisturbanceoftheminhisabsence。
　　OughthenottotakeMissBrooksinhisconfidence？Orshouldhesaynothingaboutitatpresent，andtrusttochancetodiscoverthesacrilegioushider？CoulditpossiblybeCherryherself，guiltyofthesameinnocentcuriositythathadimpelledhertobuythe"Ham—fatMan"？Preposterous！Besides，thecardshadbeenused，andshecouldnotplaypokeralone！
　　HewatchedtherollingfogextinguishthelineofRussianHill，thelastbitoffarperspectivefromhiswindow。Heglancedathisneighbor’sveranda，alreadydrippingwithmoisture;thewindowswereblank;herememberedtohaveheardthegirlsgigglinginpassingdownthesidestreetontheirwaytochurch，andhadnoticedfrombehindhisowncurtainsthatonewasratherpretty。
　　ThisledhimtothinkofCherryagain，andtorecallthequaintyetmelancholygraceofherfigureasshesatonthestoolopposite。
　　Whyhadshewithdrawnitsoabruptly;didsheconsiderhisjestingallusiontoitindecorousandpresuming？Hadhereallymeantitseriously;andwashebeginningtothinktoomuchabouther？Wouldsheevercomeagain？Howniceitwouldbeifshereturnedfromchurchaloneearly，andtheycouldhaveacomfortablechattogetherhere！Wouldshesingthe"Ham—fatMan"forhim？Wouldthedimplescomebackifshedid？Shouldheeverknowmoreofthisquaintrepressedsideofhernature？Afterall，whatadear，graceful，tantalizing，lovablecreatureshewas！Oughthenotatallhazardstrytoknowherbetter？Mightitnotbeherethathewouldfindaperfectrealizationofhisboyishdreams，andinHERallthat——whatnonsensehewasthinking！
　　SuddenlyHerbertwasstartledbythesoundofalightbuthurriedfootuponthewoodenouterstepofhisseconddoor，andthequickbutineffectiveturningofthedoor—handle。Hestartedtohisfeet，hismindstillfilledwithavisionofCherry。Thenheassuddenlyrememberedthathehadlockedthedoorongoingout，puttingthekeyinhisovercoatpocket。Hehadreturnedbythefrontdoor，andhisovercoatwasnowhanginginthelowerhall。
　　Thedooragainrattledimpetuously。Thenitwassupplementedbyafemalevoiceinahurriedwhisper："Openquick，can’tyou？dohurry！"
　　Hewasconfounded。Thevoicewasauthoritative，notunmusical;butitwasNOTCherry’s。Neverthelesshecalledoutquickly，"Onemoment，please，andI’llgetthekey！"dasheddownstairsandupagain，breathlesslyunlockedthedoorandthrewitopen。
　　Nobodywasthere！
　　Heranoutintothestreet。Ononesideitterminatedabruptlyonthecliffonwhichhisdwellingwasperched;ontheother，itdescendedmoregraduallyintothenextthoroughfare;butupanddownthestreet，oneitherhand，noonewastobeseen。Aslightlysuperstitiousfeelingforaninstantcreptoverhim。Thenhereflectedthatthemysteriousvisitorcouldintheintervalofhisgettingthekeyhaveeasilyslippeddownthestepsoftheclifforenteredtheshrubberyofoneoftheadjacenthouses。Butwhyhadshenotwaited？Andwhatdidshewant？Ashereenteredhisdoorhemechanicallyraisedhiseyestothewindowsofhisneighbor’s。
　　Thistimehecertainlywasnotmistaken。Thetwoamused，mischievousfacesthatsuddenlydisappearedbehindthecurtainashelookedupshowedthattheincidenthadnotbeenunwitnessed。
　　YetitwasimpossiblethatitcouldhavebeeneitherofTHEM。
　　Theirhousewasonlyaccessiblebyalongdetour。Itmighthavebeenthetrickofaconfederate;butthetoneofhalffamiliarityandhalfentreatyintheunseenvisitor’svoicedispelledtheideaofanycollusion。Heenteredtheroomandclosedthedoorangrily。
　　Agrimsmilestoleoverhisfaceasheglancedaroundatthedaintysaint—likeappointmentsoftheabsentTappington，andthoughtwhatthatirreproachableyoungmanwouldhavesaidtotheindecorousintrusion，eventhoughithadbeenamistake。WouldthoseshamelessPikeCountygirlshavedaredtolaughatHIM？
　　Buthewasagainpuzzledtoknowwhyhehimselfshouldhavebeenselectedforthissingularexperience。WhywasHEconsideredfairgameforthesegirls？And，forthematterofthat，nowthathereflecteduponit，whyhadeventhisgentle，refined，andmelancholyCherrythoughtitnecessarytotalkslangtoHIMontheirfirstacquaintance，andoffertosinghimthe"Ham—fatMan"？
　　Itwastruehehadbeenalittlegay，butneverdissipated。Ofcoursehewasnotasaint，likeTappington——oh，THATwasit！Hebelievedheunderstooditnow。Hewassufferingfromthatextravagantconceptionofwhatworldlinessconsistsof，socommontoverygoodpeoplewithnoknowledgeoftheworld。ComparedtoTappingtonhewasintheireyes，ofcourse，arakeandaroue。Theexplanationpleasedhim。Hewouldnotkeepittohimself。HewouldgainCherry’sconfidenceandenlisthersympathies。Hergentlenaturewouldrevoltatthisinjusticetotheirlonelylodger。Shewouldseethatthereweredegreesofgoodnessbesidesherbrother’s。ShewouldperhapssitonthatstoolagainandNOT
　　singthe"Ham—fatMan。"
　　Adayortwoafterwardstheopportunityseemedofferedtohim。Ashewascominghomeandascendingthelonghillystreet，hiseyewastakenbyatallgracefulfigurejustprecedinghim。Itwasshe。
　　Hehadneverbeforeseenherinthestreet，andwasnowstruckwithherladylikebearingandthegravesuperiorityofherperfectlysimpleattire。Inathoroughfarehauntedbyhandsomewomenandstrikingtoilettes，therefinedgraceofhermourningcostume，andacertainstatelinessthatgaveherthelookofayoungwidow，wasacontrastthatevidentlyattractedothersthanhimself。Itwaswithanoddminglingofprideandjealousythathewatchedtheadmiringyetrespectfulglancesofthepassers—by，someofwhomturnedtolookagain，andoneortwotoretracetheirstepsandfollowheratadecorousdistance。Thiscausedhimtoquickenhisownpace，withanewanxietyandaremorsefulsenseofwastedopportunity。Whataboobyhehadbeen，nottohavemademoreofhiscontiguitytothischarminggirl——tohavebeenfrightenedatthenaivedecorumofhermaidenlyinstincts！Hereachedherside，andraisedhishatwithatrepidationathernew—foundgraces——withaboldnessthatwasdefiantofherotheradmirers。Sheblushedslightly。
　　"Ithoughtyou’dovertakemebefore，"shesaidnaively。"IsawYOU
　　eversolongago。"
　　Hestammered，withanequalsimplicity，thathehadnotdaredto。
　　Shelookedalittlefrightenedagain，andthensaidhurriedly："I
　　onlythoughtthatIwouldmeetyouonMontgomeryStreet，andwewouldwalkhometogether。Idon’tliketogooutalone，andmothercannotalwaysgowithme。Tappingtonnevercaredtotakemeout——I
　　don’tknowwhy。Ithinkhedidn’tlikethepeoplestaringandstoppingus。Buttheystaremore——don’tyouthink？——whenoneisalone。
　　SoIthoughtifyouwerecomingstraighthomewemightcometogether——unlessyouhavesomethingelsetodo？"
　　Herbertimpulsivelyreiteratedhisjoyatmeetingher，andaverredthatnootherengagement，eitherofbusinessorpleasure，couldorwouldstandinhisway。Lookingup，however，itwaswithsomeconsternationthathesawtheywerealreadywithinablockofthehouse。
　　"Supposewetakeaturnaroundthehillandcomebackbytheoldstreetdownthesteps？"hesuggestedearnestly。
　　Thenextmomentheregrettedit。Thefrightenedlookreturnedtohereyes;herfacebecamemelancholyandformalagain。
　　"No！"shesaidquickly。"ThatwouldbetakingawalkwithyouliketheseyounggirlsandtheiryoungmenonSaturdays。That’swhatEllendoeswiththebutcher’sboyonSundays。Tappingtonoftenusedtomeetthem。Doingthe’Come，Philanders，’ashesaysyoucallit。"
　　ItstruckHerbertthatthedidacticTappington’smethodofinculcatingahorrorofslanginhissister’sbreastwasopentosomeobjection;buttheywerealreadyonthestepsoftheirhouse，andhewastoomuchmortifiedatthereceptionofhislastunhappysuggestiontomaketheconfidentialdisclosurehehadintended，eveniftherehadstillbeentime。
　　"There’smotherwaitingforme，"shesaid，afteranawkwardpause，pointingtothefigureofMrs。Brooksdimlyoutlinedontheveranda。"Isupposeshewasbeginningtobeworriedaboutmybeingoutalone。She’llbesogladImetyou。"Itdidn’tappeartoHerbert，however，thatMrs。Brooksexhibitedanyextravagantjoyovertheoccurrence，andshealmostinstantlyretiredwithherdaughterintothesitting—room，linkingherarminCherry’s，and，asitwere，empanoplyingherwithherowninvulnerableshawl。
　　Herbertwenttohisroommoredissatisfiedwithhimselfthanever。
　　TwoorthreedayselapsedwithouthisseeingCherry;eventhewell—
　　knownrustleofherskirtinthepassagewasmissing。Onthethirdeveningheresolvedtobeartheformalterrorsofthedrawing—roomagain，andstumbleduponadecorouspartyconsistingofMrs。
　　Brooks，thedeacon，andthepastor’swife——butnotCherry。ItstruckhimonenteringthatthemomentaryawkwardnessofthecompanyandtheformalbeginningofanewtopicindicatedthatHE
　　hadbeenthesubjectoftheirpreviousconversation。Inthisideahecontinued，throughthatvaguespiritofoppositionwhichattacksimpulsivepeopleinsuchcircumstances，togenerallydisagreewiththemonallsubjects，andtoexaggeratewhathechosetobelievetheythoughtobjectionableinhim。Hedidnotremainlong;butlearnedinthatbriefintervalthatCherryhadgonetovisitafriendinContraCosta，andwouldbeabsentafortnight;andhewasconsciousthattheinformationwasconveyedtohimwithapeculiarsignificance。
　　TheresultofwhichwasonlytointensifyhisinterestintheabsentCherry，andforaweektoplungehiminaseaofconflictingdoubtsandresolutions。AtonetimehethoughtseriouslyofdemandinganexplanationfromMrs。Brooks，andofconfidingtoher——
　　ashehadintendedtodotoCherry——hisfearsthathischaracterhadbeenmisinterpreted，andhisreasonsforbelievingso。Butherehewasmetbythedifficultyofformulatingwhathewishedtohaveexplained，andsomedoubtsastowhetherhisconfidenceswereprudent。AtanothertimehecontemplatedaseriousimitationofTappington’sperfections，arenunciationoftheworld，andanentirechangeinhishabits。Hewouldgoregularlytochurch——HER
　　church，andtakeupTappington’sdesolateBible—class。Butherethetorturingdoubtarosewhetherayoungladywhobetrayedacertainsecularcuriosity，andwhohadevidentlydependeduponherbrotherforaknowledgeoftheworld，wouldentirelylikeit。Attimeshethoughtofgivinguptheroomandabandoningforeverthisdoublydangerousproximity;buthereagainhewasdeterredbythedifficultyofgivingasatisfactoryreasontohisemployer，whohadprocureditasafavor。Hispassion——forsuchhebegantofearittobe——ledhimoncetotheextravaganceofaskingaday’sholidayfromthebank，whichhevaguelyspentinthestreetsofOaklandinthehopeofaccidentallymeetingtheexiledCherry。
　　III。
　　Thefortnightslowlypassed。Shereturned，buthedidnotseeher。
　　ShewasalwaysoutorengagedinherroomwithsomefemalefriendwhenHerbertwasathome。Thiswassingular，asshehadneverappearedtohimasayounggirlwhowasfondofvisitingorhadeveraffectedfemalefriendships。Infact，therewaslittledoubtnowthat，wittinglyorunwittingly，shewasavoidinghim。
　　Hewasmoodilysittingbythefireoneevening，havingreturnedearlyfromdinner。Inreplytohishabitualbutaffectedlycarelessinquiry，EllenhadtoldhimthatMrs。Brookswasconfinedtoherroombyaslightheadache，andthatMissBrookswasout。Hewastryingtoread，andlisteningtothewindthatoccasionallyrattledthecasementandcausedthesolitarygas—lampthatwasvisibleinthesidestreettoflickerandleapwildly。Suddenlyheheardthesamefootfalluponhisouterstepandalighttapatthedoor。Determinedthistimetosolvethemystery，hesprangtohisfeetandrantothedoor;buttohisangerandastonishmentitwaslockedandthekeywasgone。YethewaspositivethatHEhadnottakenitout。
　　Thetapwastimidlyrepeated。Indesperationhecalledout，"Pleasedon’tgoawayyet。Thekeyisgone;butI’llfinditinamoment。"Neverthelesshewasathiswits’end。
　　Therewasahesitatingpauseandthenthesoundofakeycautiouslythrustintothelock。Itturned;thedooropened，andatallfigure，whosefaceandformwerecompletelyhiddeninaveilandlonggrayshawl，quicklyglidedintotheroomandclosedthedoorbehindit。Thenitsuddenlyraiseditsarms，theshawlwasparted，theveilfellaside，andCherrystoodbeforehim！
　　Herfacewasquitepale。Hereyes，usuallydowncast，frightened，orcoldlyclear，werebrightandbeautifulwithexcitement。Thedimpleswerefaintlythere，althoughthesmilewassadandhalfhysterical。Sheremainedstanding，erectandtall，herarmsdroppedatherside，holdingtheveilandshawlthatstilldependedfromhershoulders。
　　"So——I’vecaughtyou！"shesaid，withastrangelittlelaugh。"Ohyes。’Pleasedon’tgoawayyet。I’llgetthekeyinamoment，’"
　　shecontinued，mimickinghisrecentutterance。
　　Hecouldonlystammer，"MissBrooks——thenitwasYOU？"
　　"Yes;andyouthoughtitwasSHE，didn’tyou？Well，andyou’recaught！Ididn’tbelieveit;Iwouldn’tbelieveitwhentheysaidit。Ideterminedtofinditoutmyself。AndIhave;andit’strue。"
　　Unabletodeterminewhethershewasseriousorjesting，andconsciousonlyofhisdelightatseeingheragain，headvancedimpulsively。Butherexpressioninstantlychanged：shebecameatoncestiffandschool—girlishlyformal，andsteppedbacktowardsthedoor。
　　"Don’tcomenearme，orI’llgo，"shesaidquickly，withherhanduponthelock。
　　"Butnotbeforeyoutellmewhatyoumean，"hesaidhalflaughinglyhalfearnestly。"WhoisSHE？andwhatwouldn’tyouhavebelieved？
　　Foruponmyhonor，MissBrooks，Idon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout。"
　　Hisevidentfranknessandtruthfulmannerappearedtopuzzleher。
　　"Youmeantosayyouwereexpectingnoone？"shesaidsharply。
　　"IassureyouIwasnot。"
　　"And——andnowomanwaseverhere——atthatdoor？"
　　Hehesitated。"Notto—night——notforalongtime;notsinceyoureturnedfromOakland。"
　　"ThenthereWASone？"
　　"Ibelieveso。"
　　"YouBELIEVE——youdon’tKNOW？"
　　"Ibelieveditwasawomanfromhervoice;forthedoorwaslocked，andthekeywasdownstairs。WhenIfetcheditandopenedthedoor，she——orwhoeveritwas——wasgone。"
　　"Andthat’swhyyousaidsoimploringly，justnow，’Pleasedon’tgoawayyet’？YouseeI’vecaughtyou。Ah！Idon’twonderyoublush！"
　　Ifhehad，hischeekshadcaughtfirefromherbrillianteyesandtheextravagantlyaffectedsternness——asofaschool—girlmonitor——
　　inheranimatedface。Certainlyhehadneverseensuchatransformation。
　　"Yes;but，yousee，Iwantedtoknowwhotheintruderwas，"hesaid，smilingathisownembarrassment。
　　"Youdid——well，perhapsTHATwilltellyou？ItwasfoundunderyourdoorbeforeIwentaway。"Shesuddenlyproducedfromherpocketafoldedpaperandhandedittohim。Itwasamisspeltscrawl，andranasfollows：——
　　"Whyareyousocruel？Whydoyoukeepmedansingonthesteppsbeforethemgurlsatthewindows？WasitthatstuckupSaint，MissBrooks，thatyouwereafraidof，mydeer？Oh，youfaithlesstrater！WaittillIketchyou！I’lltearyoureyesoutandhern！"
　　ItdidnotrequiregreatpenetrationforHerberttobeinstantlyconvincedthatthewriterofthisvulgarepistleandtheowneroftheunknownvoiceweretwoverydifferentindividuals。Thenotewasevidentlyatrick。Asuspicionofitsperpetratorsflasheduponhim。
　　"Whoeverthewomanwas，itwasnotshewhowrotethenote，"hesaidpositively。"Somebodymusthaveseenheratthedoor。Iremembernowthatthosegirls——yourneighbors——werewatchingmefromtheirwindowwhenIcameout。Dependuponit，thatlettercomesfromthem。"
　　Cherry’seyesopenedwidelywithasuddenchildlikeperception，andthenshylydropped。"Yes，"shesaidslowly;"theyDIDwatchyou。
　　Theyknowit，foritwastheywhomadeitthetalkoftheneighborhood，andthat’showitcametomother’sears。"Shestopped，and，withafrightenedlook，steppedbacktowardsthedooragain。
　　"ThenTHATwaswhyyourmother"——
　　"Ohyes，"interruptedCherryquickly。"ThatwaswhyIwentovertoOakland，andwhymotherforbademywalkingwithyouagain，andwhyshehadatalkwithfriendsaboutyourconduct，andwhyshecameneartellingMr。CarstoneallaboutituntilIstoppedher。"Shecheckedherself——hecouldhardlybelievehiseyes——thepale，nun—
　　likegirlwasabsolutelyblushing。
　　"Ithankyou，MissBrooks，"hesaidgravely，"foryourthoughtfulness，althoughIhopeIcouldhavestillprovenmyinnocencetoMr。Carstone，evenifsomeunknownwomantriedmydoorbymistake，andwasseendoingit。ButIampainedtothinkthatYOUcouldhavebelievedmecapableofsowantonandabsurdanimpropriety——andsuchagrossdisrespecttoyourmother’shouse。"
　　"But，"saidCherrywithchildlikenaivete，"youknowYOUdon’tthinkanythingofsuchthings，andthat’swhatItoldmother。"
　　"YoutoldyourmotherTHAT？"
　　"Ohyes——ItoldherTappingtonsaysit’squitecommonwithyoungmen。Pleasedon’tlaugh——forit’sverydreadful。Tappingtondidn’tlaughwhenhetoldittomeasawarning。Hewasshocked。"
　　"But，mydearMissBrooks"——
　　"There——nowyou’reangry——andthat’sasbad。Areyousureyoudidn’tknowthatwoman？"
　　"Positive！"
　　"Yetyouseemedveryanxiousjustnowthatsheshouldwaittillyouopenedthedoor。"
　　"Thatwasperfectlynatural。"
　　"Idon’tthinkitwasnaturalatall。"
　　"But——accordingtoTappington"——
　　"Becausemybrotherisverygoodyouneednotmakefunofhim。"
　　"IassureyouIhavenosuchintention。ButwhatmorecanIsay？
　　IgiveyoumywordthatIdon’tknowwhothatunluckywomanwas。
　　Nodoubtshemayhavebeensomenearsightedneighborwhohadmistakenthehouse，andIdaresaywasasthoroughlyastonishedatmyvoiceasIwasathers。CanIsaymore？IsitnecessaryformetoswearthatsinceIhavebeenherenowomanhaseverenteredthatdoor——but"——
　　"Butwho？"
　　"Yourself。"
　　"Iknowwhatyoumean，"shesaidhurriedly，withheroldfrightenedlook，glidingtotheouterdoor。"It’sshamefulwhatI’vedone。
　　ButIonlydiditbecause——becauseIhadfaithinyou，anddidn’tbelievewhattheysaidwastrue。"Shehadalreadyturnedthelock。
　　Thereweretearsinherprettyeyes。
　　"Stop，"saidHerbertgently。Hewalkedslowlytowardsher，andwithinreachofherfrightenedfigurestoppedwiththetimidrespectofamatureandgenuinepassion。"Youmustnotbeseengoingoutofthatdoor，"hesaidgravely。"Youmustletmegofirst，and，whenIamgone，lockthedooragainandgothroughthehalltoyourownroom。NoonemustknowthatIwasinthehousewhenyoucameinatthatdoor。Good—night。"
　　Withoutofferinghishandheliftedhiseyestoherface。Thedimpleswereallthere——andsomethingelse。Hebowedandpassedout。
　　Tenminuteslaterheostentatiouslyreturnedtothehousebythefrontdoor，andproceededupthestairstohisownroom。Ashecastaglancearoundhesawthatthemusic—stoolhadbeenmovedbeforethefire，evidentlywiththeviewofattractinghisattention。Lyinguponit，carefullyfolded，wastheveilthatshehadworn。Therecouldbenodoubtthatitwaslefttherepurposely。Withasmileatthisstrangegirl’slastcharacteristicactoftimidbutcompromisingrecklessness，afterallhisprecautions，heraisedittenderlytohislips，andthenhastenedtohideitfromthereachofvulgareyes。ButhadCherryknownthatitstemporaryresting—placethatnightwasunderhispillowshemighthavedoubtedhissuperiorcaution。
　　Whenhereturnedfromthebankthenextafternoon，Cherryrappedostentatiouslyathisdoor。"Motherwishesmetoaskyou，"shebeganwithacertainprimformality，whichneverthelessdidnotprecludedimples，"ifyouwouldgiveusthepleasureofyourcompanyatourChurchFestivalto—night？Therewillbeaconcertandacollation。Youcouldaccompanyusthereifyoucared。OurfriendsandTappington’swouldbesogladtoseeyou，andDr。Stoutwouldbedelightedtomakeyouracquaintance。"
　　"Certainly！"saidHerbert，delightedandyetastounded。"Then，"headdedinalowervoice，"yourmothernolongerbelievesmesodreadfullyculpable？"
　　"Ohno，"saidCherryinahurriedwhisper，glancingupanddownthepassage;"I’vebeentalkingtoheraboutit，andsheissatisfiedthatitisallajealoustrickandslanderoftheseneighbors。
　　Why，ItoldherthattheyhadevensaidthatIwasthatmysteriouswoman;thatIcamethatwaytoyoubecauseshehadforbiddenmyseeingyouopenly。"
　　"What！Youdaredsaythat？"
　　"Yesdon’tyousee？SupposetheysaidtheyHADseenmecominginlastnight——THATanswersit，"shesaidtriumphantly。
　　"Oh，itdoes？"hesaidvacantly。
　　"Perfectly。Soyouseeshe’sconvincedthatsheoughttoputyouonthesamefootingasTappington，beforeeverybody;andthentherewon’tbeanytrouble。You’llcome，won’tyou？Itwon’tbesoVERY
　　good。Andthen，I’vetoldmotherthatastherehavebeensomanystreet—fights，andsomuchtalkabouttheVigilanceCommitteelately，IoughttohavesomebodyforanescortwhenIamcominghome。Andifyou’reknown，yousee，asoneofUS，there’llbenoharminyourmeetingme。"
　　"Thankyou，"hesaid，extendinghishandgratefully。
　　Herfingersrestedamomentinhis。"Wheredidyouputit？"shesaiddemurely。
　　"It？Oh！IT’Sallsafe，"hesaidquickly，butsomewhatvaguely。
　　"ButIdon’tcalltheupperdrawerofyourbureausafe，"shereturnedpoutingly，"whereEVERYBODYcango。Soyou’llfinditNOW
　　insidetheharmonium，onthekeyboard。"
　　"Oh，thankyou。"
　　"It’squitenaturaltohaveleftitthereACCIDENTALLY——isn’tit？"
　　shesaidimploringly，assistedbyallherdimples。Alas！shehadforgottenthathewasstillholdingherhand。Consequently，shehadnottimetosnatchitawayandvanish，withastifledlittlecry，beforeithadbeenpressedtwoorthreetimestohislips。A
　　littleashamedofhisownboldness，Herbertremainedforafewmomentsinthedoorwaylistening，andlookinguneasilydownthedarkpassage。PresentlyaslightsoundcameoverthefanlightofCherry’sroom。Couldhebelievehisears？Thesaint—likeCherry——
　　nodoubttutored，forexample’ssake，bytheperfectTappington——
　　wassoftlywhistling。
　　Inthissimplefashionthefirstpagesofthislittleidylwerequietlyturned。Thebookmighthavebeenclosedorlaidasideeventhen。ButitsochancedthatCherrywasanunconsciousprophet;
　　andpresentlyitactuallybecameaprudentialnecessityforhertohaveamasculineescortwhenshewalkedout。ForagrowingstateoflawlessnessandcrimeculminatedonedaythedeeptocsinoftheVigilanceCommittee，andatitsstrokefiftythousandpeacefulmen，revertingtothefirstprinciplesofsocialsafety，sprangtoarms，assembledattheirquarters，orpatrolledthestreets。InanotherhourthecityofSanFranciscowasinthehandsofamob——themostpeaceful，orderly，wellorganized，andtemperatetheworldhadeverknown，andyetinconceptionaslawless，autocratic，andimperiousastheconditionsitopposed。
　　IV。
　　Herbert，enrolledinthesamesectionwithhisemployerandoneortwofellow—clerks，hadparticipatedinthemeetingsofthecommitteewiththelight—heartednessandirresponsibilityofyouth，regrettingonlythelossofhisusualwalkwithCherryandthehoursthatkepthimfromherhouse。Hewasreturningfromaprotractedmeetingonenight，whenthenumberofarrestsandsearchingforproscribedandsuspectedcharactershadbeensolargeastoinducefearsoforganizedresistanceandrescue，andonreachingthefootofthehillfounditalreadysolate，thattoavoiddisturbingthefamilyheresolvedtoenterhisroomdirectlybythedoorinthesidestreet。Oninsertinghiskeyinthelockitmetwithsomeresistingobstacle，which，however，yieldedandapparentlydroppedonthematinside。Openingthedoorandsteppingintotheperfectlydarkapartment，hetroduponthisobject，whichprovedtobeanotherkey。Thefamilymusthaveprocureditfortheirconvenienceduringhisabsence，andafterlockingthedoorhadcarelesslyleftitinthelock。Itwasluckythatithadyieldedsoreadily。
　　Thefirehadgoneout。Heclosedthedoorandlitthegas，andaftertakingoffhisovercoatmovedtothedoorleadingintothepassagetolistenifanybodywasstillstirring。Tohisutterastonishmenthefounditlocked。Whatwasmoreremarkable——thekeywasalsoINSIDE！Aninexplicablefeelingtookpossessionofhim。
　　Heglancedsuddenlyaroundtheroom，andthenhiseyefelluponthebed。Lyingthere，stretchedatfulllength，wastherecumbentfigureofaman。
　　Hewasapparentlyintheprofoundsleepofutterexhaustion。Theattitudeofhislimbsandtheorderofhisdress——ofwhichonlyhiscollarandcravathadbeenloosened——showedthatsleepmusthaveovertakenhimalmostinstantly。Infact，thebedwasscarcelydisturbedbeyondtheactualimpressofhisfigure。Heseemedtobeahandsome，maturedmanofaboutforty;hisdarkstraighthairwasalittlethinnedoverthetemples，althoughhislongheavymoustachewasstillyouthfulandvirgin。Hisclothes，whichwereelegantlycutandoffinermaterialthanthatinordinaryuse，thedelicacyandneatnessofhislinen，thewhitenessofhishands，and，moreparticularly，acertaindissipatedpallorofcomplexionandlinesofrecklessnessonthebrowandcheek，indicatedtoHerbertthatthemanbeforehimwasoneofthatdesperateandsuspectedclass——someofwhoseproscribedmembershehadbeenhunting——theprofessionalgambler！
　　PossiblythemagnetismofHerbert’sintentandastonishedgazeaffectedhim。Hemovedslightly，halfopenedhiseyes，said"Halloo，Tap，"rubbedthemagain，whollyopenedthem，fixedthemwithalazystareonHerbert，andsaid：
　　"Now，whothedevilareyou？"
　　"IthinkIhavetherighttoaskthatquestion，consideringthatthisismyroom，"saidHerbertsharply。
　　"YOURroom？"
　　"Yes！"
　　Thestrangerhalfraisedhimselfonhiselbow，glancedroundtheroom，settledhimselfslowlybackonthepillows，withhishandsclaspedlightlybehindhishead，droppedhiseyelids，smiled，andsaid：
　　"Rats！"
　　"What？"demandedHerbert，witharesentfulsenseofsacrilegetoCherry’svirginslang。
　　"Well，oldratsthen！D’yethinkIdon’tknowthisshebang？Lookhere，Johnny，whatareyouputtingonallthissidefor，eh？
　　What’syourlittlegame？Where’sTappington？"
　　"IfyoumeanMr。Brooks，thesonofthishouse，whoformerlylivedinthisroom，"repliedHerbert，withaformalprecisionintendedtoshowadoubtofthestranger’sknowledgeofTappington，"yououghttoknowthathehaslefttown。"
　　"Lefttown！"echoedthestranger，raisinghimselfagain。"Oh，I
　　see！gettingrathertoowarmforhimhere？Humph！Ioughttohavethoughtofthat。Well，youknow，heDIDtakemightybigrisks，anyway！"Hewassilentamoment，withhisbrowsknitandaratherdangerousexpressioninhishandsomeface。"Sosomed——dhoundgavehimaway——eh？"
　　"Ihadn’tthepleasureofknowingMr。Brooksexceptbyreputation，astherespectedsonoftheladyuponwhosehouseyouhavejustintruded，"saidHerbertfrigidly，yetwithacreepingconsciousnessofsomeunpleasantrevelation。
　　Thestrangerstaredathimforamoment，againlookedcarefullyroundtheroom，andthensuddenlydroppedhisheadbackonthepillow，andwithhiswhitehandsoverhiseyesandmouthtriedtorestrainaspasmofsilentlaughter。Afteranefforthesucceeded，wipedhismoisteyes，andsatup。
　　"Soyoudidn’tknowTappington，eh？"hesaid，lazilybuttoninghiscollar。
　　"No。"
　　"NomoredoI。"
　　Heretiedhiscravat，yawned，rose，shookhimselfperfectlyneatagain，andgoingtoHerbert’sdressing—tablequietlytookupabrushandbegantolightlybrushhimself，occasionallyturningtothewindowtoglanceout。PresentlyheturnedtoHerbertandsaid：
　　"Well，Johnny，what’syourname？"
　　"IamHerbertBly，ofCarstone’sBank。"
　　"So，andamemberofthissameVigilanceCommittee，Ireckon，"hecontinued。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Well，Mr。Bly，Ioweyouanapologyforcominghere，andsomethanksfortheonlysleepI’vehadinforty—eighthours。Istruckthisoldshebangataboutteno’clock，andit’snowtwo，soI
　　reckonI’veputinaboutfourhours’squaresleep。Now，lookhere。"HebeckonedHerberttowardsthewindow。"Doyouseethosethreemenstandingunderthatgaslight？Well，they’repartofagangofVigilanteswho’vehuntedmetothehill，andarewaitingtoseemecomeoutofthebushes，wheretheyreckonI’mhiding。GotothemandsaythatI’mhere！Tellthemyou’vegotGentlemanGeorge——
　　GeorgeDornton，themanthey’vebeenhuntingforaweek——inthisroom。IpromiseyouIwon’tstir，norkickuparow，whenthey’vecome。Doit，andCarstone，ifhe’sasquareman，willraiseyoursalaryforit，andpromoteyou。"Heyawnedslightly，andthenslowlylookingaroundhim，drewtheeasy—chairtowardshimanddroppedcomfortablyinit，gazingattheastoundedandmotionlessHerbertwithalazysmile。
　　"You’rewonderingwhatmylittlegameis，Johnny，ain’tyou？Well，I’lltellyou。Whatwithbeinghuntedfrompillartopost，puttingmyoldpardstonoendoftrouble，andthenslippinguponitwheneverIthinkI’vegotasurethinglikethis，"——hecastanalmostaffectionateglanceatthebed，——"I’vecometotheconclusionthatit’splayedout，andImightaswellhandinmychecks。It’sonlyaquestionofmybeingRUNOUTof’Frisco，orhidinguntilIcanSLIPOUTmyself;andI’vereckonedImightaswellgivethemthetroubleandexpenseoftransportation。AndifI
　　canputagoodthinginyourwayindoingit——why，itwillsortofmakethingssquarewithyouforthefussI’vegivenyou。"
　　EveninthestupefactionandhelplessnessofknowingthatthemanbeforehimwasthenotoriousduellistandgamblerGeorgeDornton，oneofthefirstmarkedfordeportationbytheVigilanceCommittee，Herbertrecognizedallhehadheardofhisinvinciblecoolness，courage，andalmostphilosophicfatalism。Foraninstanthisyouthfulimaginationcheckedevenhisindignation。Whenherecoveredhimself，hesaid，withrisingcolorandboyishvehemence：
　　"WhoeverYOUmaybe，Iamneitherapoliceofficernoraspy。YouhavenorighttoinsultmebysupposingthatIwouldprofitbythemistakethatmadeyoumyguest，orthatIwouldrefuseyouthesanctuaryoftheroofthatcoversyourinsultaswellasyourblunder。"
　　Thestrangergazedathimwithanamusedexpression，andthenroseandstretchedouthishand。
　　"Shake，Mr。Bly！You’retheonlymanthateverkickedGeorgeDorntonwhenhedeservedit。Good—night！"Hetookhishatandwalkedtothedoor。
　　"Stop！"saidHerbertimpulsively;"thenightisalreadyfargone;
　　gobackandfinishyoursleep。"
　　"Youmeanit？"
　　"Ido。"
　　Thestrangerturned，walkedbacktothebed，unfasteninghiscoatandcollarashedidso，andlaidhimselfdownintheattitudeofamomentbefore。
　　"Iwillcallyouinthemorning，"continuedHerbert。"Bythattime，"——hehesitated，——"bythattimeyourpursuersmayhavegivenuptheirsearch。Onewordmore。Youwillbefrankwithme？"
　　"Goon。"
　　"Tappingtonandyouare——friends？"
　　"Well——yes。"
　　"Hismotherandsisterknownothingofthis？"
　　"Ireckonhedidn’tboastofit。Ididn’t。Isthatall？"
　　sleepily。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Don’tYOUworryaboutHIM。Good—night。"
　　"Good—night。"
　　ButevenatthatmomentGeorgeDorntonhaddroppedoffinaquiet，peacefulsleep。
　　Blyturneddownthelight，and，drawinghiseasy—chairtothewindow，droppedintoitinbewilderingreflection。Thisthenwasthesecret——unknowntomotheranddaughter——unsuspectedbyall！
　　ThiswasthedoublelifeofTappington，halfrevealedinhisflirtationwiththeneighbors，inthehiddencardsbehindthebooks，inthemysteriousvisitor——stillunaccountedfor——andnowwhollyexplodedbythissleepingconfederate，forwhom，somehow，Herbertfeltthegreatestsympathy！Whatwastobedone？WhatshouldhesaytoCherry——tohermother——toMr。Carstone？Yethehadfelthehaddoneright。Fromtimetotimeheturnedtothemotionlessrecumbentshadowonthebedandlistenedtoitsslowandpeacefulrespiration。Apartfromthatundefinableattractionwhichalloriginalnatureshaveforeachother，thethrice—blessedmysteryofprotectionofthehelpless，forthefirsttimeinhislife，seemedtodawnuponhimthroughthatnight。
　　Nevertheless，theactualdawncameslowly。Twicehenoddedandawokequicklywithastart。Thethirdtimeitwasday。Thestreet—lampswereextinguished，andwiththemthemoving，restlesswatchersseemedalsotohavevanished。Suddenlyaformaldeliberaterappingatthedoorleadingtothehallstartledhimtohisfeet。
　　ItmustbeEllen。Somuchthebetter;hecouldquicklygetridofher。Heglancedatthebed;Dorntonsleptonundisturbed。Heunlockedthedoorcautiously，andinstinctivelyfellbackbeforetheerect，shawled，anddecorousfigureofMrs。Brooks。Butanutterlynewresolutionandexcitementhadsupplantedthehabitualresignationofherhandsomefeatures，andgiventhemanangrysparkleofexpression。
　　Recollectinghimself，heinstantlysteppedforwardintothepassage，drawingtothedoorbehindhim，asshe，withequalcelerity，opposeditwithherhand。
　　"Mr。Bly，"shesaiddeliberately，"Ellenhasjusttoldmethatyourvoicehasbeenheardinconversationwithsomeoneinthisroomlatelastnight。UptothismomentIhavefoolishlyallowedmydaughtertopersuademethatcertaininfamousscandalsregardingyourconductherewerefalse。Imustaskyouasagentlemantoletmepassnowandsatisfymyself。"
　　"But，mydearmadam，onemoment。Letmefirstexplain——Ibeg"——
　　stammeredHerbertwithahalf—hystericallaugh。"Iassureyouagentlemanfriend"——
　　Butshehadpushedhimasideandenteredprecipitately。Withaquickfeminineglanceroundtheroomsheturnedtothebed，andthenhaltedinoverwhelmingconfusion。
　　"It’safriend，"saidHerbertinahastywhisper。"Afriendofminewhoreturnedwithmelate，andwhom，onaccountofthedisturbedstateofthestreets，Iinducedtostayhereallnight。
　　HewassotiredthatIhavenothadthehearttodisturbhimyet。"
　　"Oh，praydon’t！——Ibeg"——saidMrs。Brookswithacertainyouthfulvivacity，butstillgazingatthestranger’shandsomefeaturesassheslowlyretreated。"Notforworlds！"
　　Herbertwasrelieved;shewasactuallyblushing。
　　"Yousee，itwasquiteunpremeditated，Iassureyou。Wecameintogether，"whisperedHerbert，leadinghertothedoor，"andI"——
　　"Don’tbelieveawordofit，madam，"saidalazyvoicefromthebed，asthestrangerleisurelyraisedhimselfupright，puttingthelastfinishingtouchtohiscravatasheshookhimselfneatagain。
　　"I’manutterstrangertohim，andheknowsit。Hefoundmehere，bidingfromtheVigilantes，whowerechasingmeonthehill。Igotinatthatdoor，whichhappenedtobeunlocked。Heletmestaybecausehewasagentleman——and——Iwasn’t。Ibegyourpardon，madam，forhavinginterruptedhimbeforeyou;butitwasalittleroughtohavehimlieonMYaccountwhenhewasn’tthekindofmantolieonhisOWN。You’llforgivehim——won’tyou，please？——and，asI’mtakingmyselfoffnow，perhapsyou’lloverlookMYintrusiontoo。"
　　Itwasimpossibletoconveythelazyfranknessofthisspeech，thecharmingsmilewithwhichitwasaccompanied，ortheeasyyetdeferentialmannerwithwhich，takinguphishat，hebowedtoMrs。
　　Brooksasheadvancedtowardthedoor。
　　"But，"saidMrs。Brooks，hurriedlyglancingfromHerberttothestranger，"itmustbetheVigilanteswhoarenowhangingaboutthestreet。Ellensawthemfromherwindow，andthoughttheywereYOUR
　　friends，Mr。Bly。Thisgentleman——yourfriend"——shehadbecomealittleconfusedinhernovelexcitement——"reallyoughtnottogooutnow。Itwouldbemadness。"
　　"Ifyouwouldn’tmindhisremainingalittlelonger，itcertainlywouldbesafer，"saidHerbert，withwonderinggratitude。
　　"Icertainlyshouldn’tconsenttohisleavingmyhousenow，"saidMrs。Brookswithdignity;"andifyouwouldn’tmindcallingCherryhere，Mr。Bly——she’sinthedining—room——andthenshowingyourselfforamomentinthestreetandfindingoutwhattheywanted，itwouldbethebestthingtodo。"
　　Herbertflewdownstairs;inafewhurriedwordshegavethesameexplanationtotheastoundedCherrythathehadgiventohermother，withthemischievousadditionthatMrs。Brooks’sunjustsuspicionshadprecipitatedherintobecominganamicableaccomplice，andthenranoutintothestreet。HereheascertainedfromoneoftheVigilantes，whomheknew，thattheywerereallyseekingDornton;butthat，concludingthatthefugitivehadalreadyescapedtothewharves，theyexpectedtowithdrawtheirsurveillanceatnoon。Somewhatrelieved，hehastenedback，tofindthestrangercalmlyseatedonthesofaintheparlorwiththesameairoffrankindifference，lazilyrelatingtheincidentsofhisflighttothetwowomen，whowerelisteningwitheveryexpressionofsympathyandinterest。"Poorfellow！"saidCherry，takingtheastonishedBlyasideintothehall，"Idon’tbelievehe’shalfasbadasTHEYsaidheis——orasevenHEmakeshimselfouttobe。ButDIDyounoticemother？"
　　Herbert，alittledazed，and，itmustbeconfessed，atrifleuneasyatthisreadyacceptanceofthestranger，abstractedlysaidhehadnot。
　　"Why，it’sthemostridiculousthing。She’sactuallygoingroundWITHOUTHERSHAWL，anddoesn’tseemtoknowit。"
　　V。
　　WhenHerbertfinallyreachedthebankthatmorninghewasstillinastateofdoubtandperplexity。Hehadpartedwithhisgratefulvisitor，whosesafetyinafewhoursseemedassured，butwithouttheleastfurtherrevelationoractualallusiontoanythingantecedenttohisselectingTappington’sroomasrefuge。Morethanthat，HerbertwasconvincedfromhismannerthathehadnointentionofmakingaconfidantofMrs。Brooks，andthisconvincedhimthatDornton’spreviousrelationswithTappingtonwerenotonlyutterlyinconsistentwiththatyoungman’sdecorousreputation，butwereunsuspectedbythefamily。Thestranger’sfamiliarknowledgeoftheroom，hismysteriousallusionstothe"risks"Tappingtonhadtaken，andhissuddensilenceonthediscoveryofBly’signoranceofthewholeaffairallpointedtosomesecretthat，innocentornot，wasmoreorlessperilous，notonlytothesonbuttothemotherandsister。Ofthelatter’signorancehehadnodoubt——buthadheanyrighttoenlightenthem？AdmittingthatTappingtonhaddeceivedthemwiththeothers，wouldtheythankhimforopeningtheireyestoit？Iftheyhadalreadyasuspicion，wouldtheycaretoknowthatitwassharedbyhim？Haltingbetweenhisfranknessandhisdelicacy，thefinalthoughtthatinhisbuddingrelationswiththedaughteritmightseemacruelbidforherconfidence，orarevengefortheirdistrustofhim，inclinedhimtosilence。Butanunforeseenoccurrencetookthematterfromhishands。AtnoonhewastoldthatMr。Carstonewishedtoseehiminhisprivateroom！
　　SatisfiedthathiscomplicitywithDornton’sescapewasdiscovered，theunfortunateHerbertpresentedhimself，palebutself—possessed，beforehisemployer。Thatbriefmanofbusinessbadehimbeseated，andstandinghimselfbeforethefireplace，lookeddowncuriously，butnotunkindly，uponhisemployee。
　　"Mr。Bly，thebankdoesnotusuallyinterferewiththeprivateaffairsofitsemployees，butforcertainreasonswhichIprefertoexplaintoyoulater，Imustaskyoutogivemeastraightforwardanswertooneortwoquestions。Imaysaythattheyhavenothingtodowithyourrelationstothebank，whicharetousperfectlysatisfactory。"
　　MorethaneverconvincedthatMr。Carstonewasabouttospeakofhisvisitor，Herbertsignifiedhiswillingnesstoreply。
　　"YouhavebeenseenagreatdealwithMissBrookslately——onthestreetandelsewhere——actingasherescort，andevidentlyontermsofintimacy。Todoyoubothjustice，neitherofyouseemedtohavemadeitasecretoravoidedobservation;butImustaskyoudirectlyifitiswithhermother’spermission？"
　　Considerablyrelieved，butwonderingwhatwascoming，Herbertanswered，withboyishfrankness，thatitwas。
　　"Areyou——engagedtotheyounglady？"
　　"No，sir。"
　　"Areyou——well，Mr。Bly——briefly，areyouwhatiscalled’inlove’
　　withher？"askedthebanker，withacertainbrusquehurryingoverofasentimentevidentlyincompatiblewiththeirpresentbusinesssurroundings。
　　Herbertblushed。Itwasthefirsttimehehadheardthequestionvoiced，evenbyhimself。
　　"Iam，"hesaidresolutely。
　　"Andyouwishtomarryher？"
　　"IfIdaredaskhertoacceptayoungmanwithnopositionasyet，"
　　stammeredHerbert。
　　"Peopledon’tusuallyconsiderayoungmaninCarstone’sBankofnoposition，"saidthebankerdryly;"andIwishforyoursakeTHAT
　　weretheonlyimpediment。ForIamcompelledtorevealtoyouasecret。"Hepaused，andfoldinghisarms，lookedfixedlydownuponhisclerk。"Mr。Bly，TappingtonBrooks，thebrotherofyoursweetheart，wasadefaulterandembezzlerfromthisbank！"
　　Herbertsatdumfoundedandmotionless。
　　"Understandtwothings，"continuedMr。Carstonequickly。"First，thatnopurerorbetterwomenexistthanMissBrooksandhermother。Secondly，thattheyknownothingofthis，andthatonlymyselfandoneothermanareinpossessionofthesecret。"
　　Heslightlychangedhisposition，andwentonmoredeliberately。
　　"SixweeksagoTappingtonsatinthatchairwhereyouaresittingnow，aconvictedhypocriteandthief。Luckilyforhim，althoughhisguiltwasplain，andthewholesecretofhisdoubleliferevealedtome，asumofmoneyadvancedinpitybyoneofhisgamblingconfederateshadmadehisaccountsgoodandsavedhimfromsuspicionintheeyesofhisfellow—clerksandmypartners。Atfirsthetriedtofightmeonthatpoint;thenheblusteredandsaidhismothercouldhaverefundedthemoney;andaskedmewhatwasapaltryfivethousanddollars！Itoldhim，Mr。Bly，thatitmightbefiveyearsofhisyouthinstateprison;thatitmightbefiveyearsofsorrowandshameforhismotherandsister;thatitmightbeaneverlastingstainonthenameofhisdeadfather——myfriend。Hetalkedofkillinghimself：Itoldhimhewasacowardlyfool。Heaskedmetogivehimuptotheauthorities：ItoldhimI
　　intendedtotakethelawinmyownhandsandgivehimanotherchance;andthenhebrokedown。Itransferredhimthatveryday，withoutgivinghimtimetocommunicatewithanybody，toourbranchofficeatPortland，withaletterexplaininghispositiontoouragent，andtheinjunctionthatforsixmonthsheshouldbeunderstrictsurveillance。ImyselfundertooktoexplainhissuddendeparturetoMrs。Brooks，andobligedhimtowritetoherfromtimetotime。"Hepaused，andthencontinued："SofarIbelievemyplanhasbeensuccessful：thesecrethasbeenkept;hehasbrokenwiththeevilassociatesthatruinedhimhere——tothebestofmyknowledgehehashadnocommunicationwiththemsince;evenacertainwomanherewhosharedhisvicioushiddenlifehasabandonedhim。"
　　"Areyousure？"askedHerbertinvoluntarily，asherecalledhismysteriousvisitor。
　　"IbelievetheVigilanceCommitteehasconsidereditapublicdutytodeportherandherconfederatesbeyondtheState，"returnedCarstonedryly。
　　AnotherideaflasheduponHerbert。"AndthegamblerwhoadvancedthemoneytosaveTappington？"hesaidbreathlessly。
　　"Wasn’tsuchahoundastherestofhiskind，ifreportsaystrue，"
　　answeredCarstone。"HewaswellknownhereasGeorgeDornton——
　　GentlemanGeorge——amancapableofbetterthings。Buthewasbeforeyourtime，Mr。Bly——YOUdon’tknowhim。"
　　Herbertdidn’tdeemitafelicitousmomenttocorrecthisemployer，andMr。Carstonecontinued："IhavenowtoldyouwhatIthoughtitwasmydutytotellyou。ImustleaveYOUtojudgehowfaritaffectsyourrelationswithMissBrooks。"
　　Herbertdidnothesitate。"Ishouldbeverysorry，sir，toseemtoundervalueyourconsiderationordisregardyourwarning;butIamafraidthatevenifyouhadbeenlessmercifultoTappington，andhewerenowaconvictedfelon，Ishouldchangeneithermyfeelingsnormyintentionstohissister。"
　　"Andyouwouldstillmarryher？"saidCarstonesternly;"YOU，anemployeeofthebank，wouldsettheexampleofallyingyourselfwithonewhohadrobbedit？"
　　"I——amafraidIwould，sir，"saidHerbertslowly。
　　"Evenifitwereaquestionofyourremaininghere？"saidCarstonegrimly。
　　PoorHerbertalreadysawhimselfdismissedandagaintakinguphiswearyquestforemployment;but，nevertheless，heansweredstoutly：
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"AndnothingwillpreventyoumarryingMissBrooks？"
　　"Nothing——savemyinabilitytosupporther。"
　　"Then，"saidMr。Carstone，withapeculiarlightinhiseyes，"itonlyremainsforthebanktomarkitsopinionofyourconductbyINCREASINGYOURSALARYTOENABLEYOUTODOSO！Shakehands，Mr。
　　Bly，"hesaid，laughing。"Ithinkyou’lldototieto——andI
　　believetheyoungladywillbeofthesameopinion。Butnotawordtoeitherherorhermotherinregardtowhatyouhaveheard。AndnowImaytellyousomethingmore。IamnotwithouthopeofTappington’sfuture，nor——d——nit！——withoutsomeexcuseforhisfault，sir。Hewasartificiallybroughtup。Whenmyoldfrienddied，Mrs。Brooks，stillahandsomewoman，likeallhersexwouldn’trestuntilshehadanotherdevotion，andwrappedherselfandherchildrenupintheChurch。Theologymaybeallrightforgrownpeople，butit’sapttomakechildrenartificial;andTappingtonwaspiousbeforehewasfairlygood。Hedrewonareligiouscreditbeforehehadamoralcapitalbehindit。Hewasbroughtupwithnoknowledgeoftheworld，andwhenhewentintoit——itcapturedhim。Idon’tsaytherearenotsaintsbornintotheworldoccasionally;butforeveryoneyou’llfindalotofpromiscuoushumannature。MyoldfriendJoshBrookshadaheapofit，anditwouldn’tbestrangeifsomewasleftinhischildren，andburstthroughtheirstraight—lacinginaqueerway。That’sall！Good—morning，Mr。Bly。ForgetwhatI’vetoldyouforsixmonths，andthenIshouldn’twonderifTappingtonwasonhandtogivehissisteraway。