Induetimetheindorserwascalledupontomeetthematuringobligation。Thiswasthebeginningofaseriesoffinancialdifficultieswhichspeedilyinvolvedhiminruin。Hediedprematurely，adisappointedanddisheartenedman，leavinghisfamilyindirepoverty。
　　Hiswidowandsurvivingchildrenlivedonforalittlewhileatthehousehehadowned，justoutsideofthetown，ononeofthemaintraveledroads。
　　Bythewayside，nearthehouse，therewasafamousdeepwell。Theslim，barefootgirl，withsparklingeyesandvoluminoushair，whoplayedabouttheyardandsometimeshandedwaterinagourdtotravelers，didnotlongescapecriticalobservation。
　　Agentlemandrovebyoneday，stoppedatthewell，smileduponthegirl，andsaidkindwords。Hecameagain，morethanonce，andsoon，whilescarcelymorethanachildinyears，Mollywaslivinginherownhouse，hersbydeedofgift，forherprotectorwasrichandliberal。Hermothernevermoreknewwant。HerpoorrelationscouldalwaysfindamealinMolly’skitchen。Shedidnotflauntherprosperityintheworld’sface；shehiditdiscreetlybehindthecedarscreen。Thosewhowishedcouldknowofit，fortherewerefewsecretsinPatesville；thosewhochosecouldaseasilyignoreit。Therewerefewtotroublethemselvesaboutthesecludedlifeofanobscurewomanofaclasswhichhadnorecognizedplaceinthesocialeconomy。Sheworshipedthegrounduponwhichherlordwalked，washumblygratefulforhisprotection，andquiteasfaithfulastheforbiddenmarriagevowcouldpossiblyhavemadeher。Sheledherlifeinmaterialpeaceandcomfort，andwithacertainamountofdignity。Ofherfalserelationtosocietyshewasnotwithoutsomevagueconception；butthemoralpointinvolvedwassoconfusedwithotherquestionsgrowingout——ofslaveryandcasteastocauseher，asarule，butlittleuneasiness；andonlynowandthen，inthemomentsofdeeperfeelingthatcomesometimestoallwholiveandlove，didtherebreakthroughthemistsofignoranceandprejudicesurroundingheraflashoflightbywhichshesaw，sofarasshewascapableofseeing，hertrueposition，whichintheclearlightoftruthnospecialpleadingcouldentirelyjustify。Forshewasfree，shehadnottheslave’sexcuse。Witheveryinducementtodoevilandfewincentivestodowell，andhenceentitledtocharitablejudgment，sheyethadfreedomofchoice，andthereforecouldnotwhollyescapeblame。Letitbesaid，infurtherextenuation，thatnootherwomanlivedinneglectorsorrowbecauseofher。Sherobbednooneelse。Forwhatlifegavehershereturnedanequivalent；andwhatshedidnotpay，herchildrensettledtothelastfarthing。
　　Severalyearsbeforethewar，whenMis’Molly’sdaughterRenawasafewyearsold，deathhadsuddenlyremovedthesourceoftheirprosperity。
　　Thehouseholdwasnotleftentirelydestitute。
　　Mis’Mollyownedherhome，andhadastoreofgoldpiecesinthechestbeneathherbed。Asmallpieceofrealestatestoodinthenameofeachofthechildren，theincomefromwhichcontributedtotheirmaintenance。Largerexpectationsweredependentuponthediscoveryofapromisedwill，whichnevercametolight。Mis’Mollyworeblackforseveralyearsafterthisbereavement，untiltheteacherandthepreacher，followingcloseupontheheelsofmilitaryoccupation，suggestedtothecoloredpeoplenewstandardsoflifeandcharacter，inthelightofwhichMis’Mollylaidhermourningsadlyandshamefacedlyaside。ShehadeatenofthefruitoftheTreeofKnowledge。Afterthewarsheformedthehabitofchurch—going，andmighthavebeenseennowandthen，withherdaughter，inaretiredcornerofthegalleryofthewhiteEpiscopalchurch。Uponthegroundfloorwasacertainpewwhichcouldbeseenfromherseat，whereoncehadsatagentlemanwhosepleasureshadnotinterferedwiththepracticeofhisreligion。ShemighthavehadabetterseatinachurchwhereaNorthernmissionarywouldhavepreachedasermonbettersuitedtohercomprehensionandhermoralneeds，butshepreferredtheother。Shewasnotwhite，alas！shewasshutoutfromthisseemingparadise；
　　butshelikedtoseethedistantglowofthecelestialcity，andtorecallthedayswhenshehadbaskedinitsradiance。Shedidnotsympathizegreatlywiththeneweraopenedupfortheemancipatedslaves；
　　shehadnoidealloveofliberty；shewasnobroaderandnomorealtruisticthanthewhitepeoplearoundher，towhomshehadalwayslookedup；andshesighedfortheolddays，becausetohertheyhadbeenthegooddays。Now，notonlywasherkingdead，buttheshieldofhismemoryprotectedhernolonger。
　　Mollyhadlostonechild，andhisgravewasvisiblefromthekitchenwindow，underasmallclumpofcedarsintherearofthetwo—acrelot。
　　Foreveninthetownsmanyahouseholdhaditsprivatecemeteryinthoseolddayswhenthelivingwereclosetothedead，andghostswerenotthemerechimerasofasickimagination，butrealthoughunsubstantialentities，ofwhichitwasalmostdisgracefulnottohaveseenoneortwo。
　　HadnottheWitchofEndorcalleduptheshadeofSamueltheprophet？HadnotthespiritofMis’Molly’sdeadsonappearedtoher，aswellastheghostlypresenceofanothershehadloved？
　　In1855，Mis’Molly’sremainingsonhadgrownintoatall，slenderladoffifteen，withhisfather’spatricianfeaturesandhismother’sIndianhair，andnoexternalsigntomarkhimofffromthewhiteboysonthestreet。Hesooncametoknow，however，thattherewasadifference。Hewasinformedonedaythathewasblack。Hedeniedthepropositionandthrashedthechildwhomadeit。
　　Thescenewasrepeatedthenextday，withavariation，——hewashimselfthrashedbyalargerboy。
　　Whenhehadbeenbeatenfiveorsixtimes，heceasedtoarguethepoint，thoughtohimselfheneveradmittedthecharge。Hisplaymatesmightcallhimblack；themirrorprovedthatGod，theFatherofall，hadmadehimwhite；andGod，hehadbeentaught，madenomistakes，——havingmadehimwhite，Hemusthavemeanthimtobewhite。
　　Inthe"hall"orparlorofhismother’shousestoodaquaintlycarvedblackwalnutbookcase，containingasmallbutremarkablecollectionofbooks，whichhadatonetimebeenused，inhishoursofretreatandrelaxationfrombusinessandpolitics，bythedistinguishedgentlemanwhodidnotgivehisnametoMis’Molly’schildren，——towhomitwouldhavebeenavaluableheritage，couldtheyhavehadtherighttobearit。AmongthebookswereavolumeofFielding’scompleteworks，infineprint，setindoublecolumns；asetofBulwer’snovels；acollectionofeverythingthatWalterScott——theliteraryidoloftheSouth——hadeverwritten；BeaumontandFletcher’splays，cheekbyjowlwiththehistoryofthevirtuousClarissaHarlowe；theSpectatorandTristramShandy，RobinsonCrusoeandtheArabianNights。OnthesesecludedshelvesRoderickRandom，DonQuixote，andGilBlasforalongtimeceasedtheirwanderings，thePilgrim’sProgresswassuspended，Milton’smightyharmoniesweredumb，andShakespearereignedoverasilentkingdom。AnillustratedBible，withawonderfulApocrypha，wasflankedononesidebyVolney’sRuinsofEmpireandontheotherbyPaine’sAgeofReason，forthecollectorofthebookshadbeenamanofcatholictasteaswellasofinquiringmind，andnoonewhocouldhavecriticisedhisreadingeverpenetratedbehindthecedarhedge。AhistoryoftheFrenchRevolutionconsortedamiablywithahomespunchronicleofNorthCarolina，richinbiographicalnoticesofdistinguishedcitizensandinscriptionsfromtheirtombstones，uponreadingwhichonemightwellwonderwhyNorthCarolinahadnotlongagoeclipsedtherestoftheworldinwealth，wisdom，glory，andrenown。Onalmosteverypageofthismonumentalworkcouldbefoundthemostardentpanegyricsofliberty，sidebysidewiththeslaverystatisticsoftheState，——anincongruityofwhichthelearnedauthorwasdeliciouslyunconscious。
　　WhenJohnWaldenwasyetasmallboy，hehadlearnedallthatcouldbetaughtbythefadedmulattoteacherinthelong，shinyblackfrockcoat，whomlocalpublicopinionpermittedtoteachahandfuloffreecoloredchildrenforapittancebarelyenoughtokeepsoulandbodytogether。
　　Whentheboyhadlearnedtoread，hediscoveredthelibrary，whichforseveralyearshadbeenwithoutareader，andfoundinittheportalofanewworld，peopledwithstrangeandmarvelousbeings。
　　Lyingproneupontheflooroftheshadedfrontpiazza，behindthefragrantgarden，hefollowedthefortunesofTomJonesandSophia；heweptoverthefateofEugeneAram；hepenetratedwithRichardtheLion—heartintoSaladin’stent，withGilBlasintotherobbers’cave；heflewthroughtheaironthemagiccarpetortheenchantedhorse，ortiedwithSindbadtotheroc’sleg。Sometimeshereadorrepeatedthesimplerstoriestohislittlesister，sittingwide—eyedbyhisside。Whenhehadreadallthebooks，——indeed，longbeforehehadreadthemall，——hetoohadtastedofthefruitoftheTreeofKnowledge：contentmenttookitsflight，andhappinesslayfarbeyondthespherewherehewasborn。Thebloodofhiswhitefathers，theheirsoftheages，criedoutforitsown，andafterthemannerofthatbloodsetaboutgettingtheobjectofitsdesire。
　　NearthecornerofMackenzieStreet，justoneblocknorthofthePatesvillemarket—house，therehadstoodformanyyearsbeforethewar，onthevergeofthesteepbankofBeaverCreek，asmallframeofficebuilding，thefrontofwhichwaslevelwiththestreet，whiletherearrestedonlongbrickpillarsfoundedonthesolidrockattheedgeofthebrawlingstreambelow。Here，fornearlyhalfacentury，ArchibaldStraighthadtransactedlegalbusinessforthebestpeopleofNorthumberlandCounty。Fullmanyalawsuithadhewon，lost，orsettled；manyaspendthrifthadhesavedfromruin，andnotafewfamiliesfromdisgrace。Severaltimeshonoredbyelectiontothebench，hehadsodispensedjusticetemperedwithmercyastowintheheartsofallgoodcitizens，andespeciallythoseofthepoor，theoppressed，andthesociallydisinherited。Therightsofthehumblestnegro，fewastheymightbe，wereassacredtohimasthoseoftheproudestaristocrat，andhehadsentencedamantobehangedforthemurderofhisownslave。Anold—fashionedman，tallandspareoffigureandbowedsomewhatwithage，hewasalwayscorrectlycladinalongfrockcoatofbroadcloth，withahighcollarandablackstock。
　　Courtlyinaddresstohissocialequals（superiorshehadnone），hewaskindandconsideratetothosebeneathhim。Heownedafewdomesticservants，nooneofwhomhadeverfelttheweightofhishand，andforwhoseultimatefreedomhehadprovidedinhiswill。Inthelong—drawn—outslaveryagitationhehadtakenakeeninterest，ratherasobserverthanasparticipant。Astheheatofcontroversyincreased，hislackofzealforthepeculiarinstitutionledtohisdefeatforthebenchbyamoreactivepartisan。Hiswastoojustamindnottoperceivetheargumentsonbothsides；
　　but，onthewhole，hehadstoodbytheancientlandmarks，contenttoleteventsdrifttoaconclusionhedidnotexpecttosee；theinstitutionsofhisfatherswouldprobablylasthislifetime。
　　OnedayJudgeStraightwassittinginhisofficereadingarecentlypublishedpamphlet，——
　　presentinganelaboratepro—slaveryargument，baseduponthehopelessintellectualinferiorityofthenegro，andthephysicalandmoraldegenerationofmulattoes，whocombinedtheworstqualitiesoftheirtwoancestralraces，——whenabarefootedboywalkedintotheoffice，strawhatinhand，cameboldlyuptothedeskatwhichtheoldjudgewassitting，andsaidasthejudgelookedupthroughhisgold—rimmedglasses，——
　　"Sir，Iwanttobealawyer！"
　　"Godblessme！"exclaimedthejudge。"Itisasingulardesire，fromasingularsource，andexpressedinasingularway。Whothedevilareyou，sir，thatwishsostrangeathingastobecomealawyer——everybody’sservant？"
　　"Andeverybody’smaster，sir，"repliedtheladstoutly。
　　"Thatisamatterofopinion，andopentoargument，"rejoinedthejudge，amusedandsecretlyflatteredbythistributetohisprofession，"thoughtheremaybeagrainoftruthinwhatyousay。
　　Butwhatisyourname，Mr。Would—be—lawyer？"
　　"JohnWalden，sir，"answeredthelad。
　　"JohnWalden？——Walden？"musedthejudge。
　　"WhatWaldencanthatbe？Doyoubelongintown？"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"Humph！Ican’timaginewhoyouare。It’splainthatyouarealadofgoodblood，andyetI
　　don’tknowwhosesonyoucanbe。Whatisyourfather’sname？"
　　Theladhesitated，andflushedcrimson。
　　Theoldgentlemannotedhishesitation。"Itisawiseson，"hethought，"thatknowshisownfather。Heisabrightlad，andwillhavethisquestionputtohimmorethanonce。I’llseehowhewillanswerit。"
　　Theboymaintainedanawkwardsilence，whiletheoldjudgeeyedhimkeenly。
　　"Myfather’sdead，"hesaidatlength，inalowvoice。"I’mMis’MollyWalden’sson。"Hehadexpected，ofcourse，totellwhohewas，ifasked，buthadnotforeseenjusttheformoftheinquiry；andwhilehehadthoughtmoreofhisracethanofhisillegitimatebirth，herealizedatthismomentasneverbeforethatthisquestiontoowouldbealwayswithhim。AsputnowbyJudgeStraight，itmadehimwince。Hehadnotreadhisfather’sbooksfornothing。
　　"Godblessmysoul！"exclaimedthejudgeingenuinesurpriseatthisanswer；"andyouwanttobealawyer！"Thesituationwassomuchworsethanhehadsuspectedthatevenanoldpractitioner，case—hardenedbyyearsoflifeatthetrialtableandonthebench，wasstartledforamomentintoacomicalsortofconsternation，soapparentthataladlessstout—heartedwouldhaveweakenedandfledatthesightofit。
　　"Yes，sir。Whynot？"respondedtheboy，tremblingalittleattheknees，butstoutlyholdinghisground。
　　"Hewantstobealawyer，andheasksmewhynot！"mutteredthejudge，speakingapparentlytohimself。Herosefromhischair，walkedacrosstheroom，andthrewopenawindow。Thecoolmorningairbroughtwithitthebabblingofthestreambelowandthemurmurofthemillnearby。
　　Heglancedacrossthecreektotheruinedfoundationofanoldhouseonthelowgroundbeyondthecreek。Turningfromthewindow，helookedbackattheboy，whohadremainedstandingbetweenhimandthedoor。Atthatmomentanotherladcamealongthestreetandstoppedoppositetheopendoorway。Thepresenceofthetwoboysinconnectionwiththebookhehadbeenreadingsuggestedacomparison。Thejudgeknewtheladoutsideasthesonofaleadingmerchantofthetown。Themerchantandhiswifewerebothofoldfamilieswhichhadlivedinthecommunityforseveralgenerations，andwhosebloodwaspresumablyofthepureststrain；yettheboywassallow，withamorphousfeatures，thinshanks，andstoopingshoulders。Theyouthstandinginthejudge’soffice，onthecontrary，wasstraight，shapely，andwell—grown。Hiseyewasclear，andhekeptitfixedontheoldgentlemanwithalookinwhichtherewasnothingofcringing。HewasnodarkerthanmanyawhiteboybronzedbytheSouthernsun；hishairandeyeswereblack，andhisfeaturesofthehigh—bred，clean—cutorderthatmarksthepatriciantypetheworldover。Whatstruckthejudgemostforcibly，however，wasthelad’sresemblancetoanoldfriendandcompanionandclient。Herecalledacertainconversationwiththisoldfriend，whohadsaidtohimoneday：
　　"Archie，I’mcomingintohaveyoudrawmywill。TherearesomechildrenforwhomIwouldliketomakeampleprovision。Ican’tgivethemanythingelse，butmoneywillmakethemfreeoftheworld。"
　　Thejudge’sfriendhaddiedsuddenlybeforecarryingoutthisgoodintention。Thejudgehadtakenoccasiontosuggesttheexistenceofthesechildren，andtheirfather’sintentionsconcerningthem，tothedistantrelativeswhohadinheritedhisfriend’slargeestate。Theyhadchosentotakeoffenseatthesuggestion。Onehadthoughtitinshockingbadtaste；anotherconsideredanymentionofsuchasubjectaninsulttohiscousin’smemory。Athirdhadsaid，withflashingeyes，thatthewomanandherchildrenhadalreadyrobbedtheestateofenough；thatitwasapitythelittleniggerswerenotslaves——thattheywouldhaveaddedmeasurablytothevalueoftheproperty。
　　JudgeStraight’smannerindicatedsomedisapprovaloftheirattitude，andthesettlementoftheestatewasplacedinotherhandsthanhis。Now，thisson，withhisfather’sfaceandhisfather’svoice，stoodbeforehisfather’sfriend，demandingentrancetothegoldengateofopportunity，whichsocietybarredtoallwhoborethebloodofthedespisedrace。
　　Ashekeptonlookingattheboy，whobeganatlengthtogrowsomewhatembarrassedunderthiskeenscrutiny，thejudge’smindrevertedtocertainlawsandjudicialdecisionsthathehadlookeduponceortwiceinhislifetime。Eventhelaw，theinstrumentbywhichtyrannyrivetedthechainsuponitsvictims，hadrevoltednowandthenagainstthesenselessandunnaturalprejudicebywhicharaceascribingitssuperioritytorightofbloodpermittedameresuspicionofservilebloodtooutweighavastpreponderanceofitsown。
　　"Why，indeed，shouldhenotbealawyer，oranythingelsethatamanmightbe，ifitbeinhim？"
　　askedthejudge，speakingrathertohimselfthantotheboy。"Sitdown，"heordered，pointingtoachairontheothersideoftheroom。Thatheshouldaskacoloredladtobeseatedinhispresencewasofitselfenoughtostampthejudgeaseccentric。
　　"Youwanttobealawyer，"hewenton，adjustinghisspectacles。"Youareaware，ofcourse，thatyouareanegro？"
　　"Iamwhite，"repliedthelad，turningbackhissleeveandholdingouthisarm，"andIamfree，asallmypeoplewerebeforeme。"
　　Theoldlawyershookhishead，andfixedhiseyesupontheladwithaslightlyquizzicalsmile。"Youareblack。"hesaid，"andyouarenotfree。Youcannottravelwithoutyourpapers；youcannotsecureaccommodationsataninn；youcouldnotvote，ifyouwereofage；youcannotbeoutafternineo’clockwithoutapermit。Ifawhitemanstruckyou，youcouldnotreturntheblow，andyoucouldnottestifyagainsthiminacourtofjustice。
　　Youareblack，mylad，andyouarenotfree。DidyoueverhearoftheDredScottdecision，deliveredbythegreat，wise，andlearnedJudgeTaney？"
　　"No，sir，"answeredtheboy。
　　"Itistoolongtoread，"rejoinedthejudge，takingupthepamphlethehadlaiddownuponthelad’sentrance，"butitsaysinsubstance，asquotedbythisauthor，thatnegroesarebeings`ofaninferiororder，andaltogetherunfittoassociatewiththewhiterace，eitherinsocialorpoliticalrelations；infact，soinferiorthattheyhavenorightswhichthewhitemanisboundtorespect，andthatthenegromayjustlyandlawfullybereducedtoslaveryforhisbenefit。’Thatisthelawofthisnation，andthatisthereasonwhyyoucannotbealawyer。"
　　"Itmayallbetrue，"repliedtheboy，"butitdon’tapplytome。Itsays`thenegro。’Anegroisblack；Iamwhite，andnotblack。"
　　"Blackasink，mylad，"returnedthelawyer，shakinghishead。"`Onetouchofnaturemakesthewholeworldkin，’saysthepoet。Somewhere，sometime，youhadablackancestor。Onedropofblackbloodmakesthewholemanblack。"
　　"Whyshouldn’titbetheotherway，ifthewhitebloodissomuchsuperior？"inquiredthelad。
　　"Becauseitismoreconvenientasitis——andmoreprofitable。"
　　"Itisnotright，"maintainedthelad。
　　"Godblessme！"exclaimedtheoldgentleman，"heisinvadingthefieldofethics！Hewillbequestioningtherighteousnessofslaverynext！I’mafraidyouwouldn’tmakeagoodlawyer，inanyevent。Lawyersgobythelaws——theyabidebytheaccomplishedfact；tothem，whateveris，isright。
　　Thelawsdonotpermitmenofcolortopracticelaw，andpublicsentimentwouldnotallowoneofthemtostudyit。"
　　"Ihadthought，"saidthelad，"thatImightpassforwhite。TherearewhitepeopledarkerthanIam。"
　　"Ah，well，thatisanothermatter；but"——
　　Thejudgestoppedforamoment，struckbytheabsurdityofhisarguingsuchaquestionwithamulattoboy。Hereallymustbefallingintoprematuredotage。Theproperthingwouldbetorebuketheladforhispresumptionandadvisehimtolearntotakecareofhorses，ormakeboots，orlaybricks。Butagainhesawhisoldfriendinthelad’sface，andagainhelookedinvainforanysignofnegroblood。Theleastearmarkwouldhaveturnedthescale，buthecouldnotfindit。
　　"Thatisanothermatter，"herepeated。"Hereyouhavestartedasblack，andmustremainso。
　　Butifyouwishtomoveaway，andsinkyourpastintooblivion，thecasemightbedifferent。Letusseewhatthelawis；youmightnotneeditifyouwentfarenough，butitiswellenoughtobewithinit——libertyissweeterwhenfoundedsecurelyonthelaw。"
　　Hetookdownavolumeboundinlegalcalfandglancedthroughit。"ThecolorlineisdrawninNorthCarolinaatfourgenerationsremovedfromthenegro；therehavebeenjudicialdecisionstothateffect。Iimaginethatwouldcoveryourcase。ButletusseewhatSouthCarolinamaysayaboutit，"hecontinued，takinganotherbook。
　　"Ithinkthelawisevenmoreliberalthere。Ah，thisistheplace：——
　　"`Thetermmulatto，’"heread，"`isnotinvariablyapplicabletoeveryadmixtureofAfricanbloodwiththeEuropean，norisonehavingallthefeaturesofawhitetoberankedwiththedegradedclassdesignatedbythelawsofthisStateaspersonsofcolor，becauseofsomeremotetaintofthenegrorace。JurieswouldprobablybejustifiedinholdingapersontobewhiteinwhomtheadmixtureofAfricanblooddidnotexceedoneeighth。Andevenwherecolororfeaturearedoubtful，itisaquestionforthejurytodecidebyreputation，byreceptionintosociety，andbytheirexerciseoftheprivilegesofthewhiteman，aswellasbyadmixtureofblood。’"
　　"ThenIneednotbeblack？"theboycried，withsparklingeyes。
　　"No，"repliedthelawyer，"youneednotbeblack，awayfromPatesville。Youhavethesomewhatunusualprivilege，itseems，ofchoosingbetweentworaces，andifyouarealadofspirit，asIthinkyouare，itwillnottakeyoulongtomakeyourchoice。Asyouhaveallthefeaturesofawhiteman，youwould，atleastinSouthCarolina，havesimplytoassumetheplaceandexercisetheprivilegesofawhiteman。Youmight，ofcourse，dothesamethinganywhere，aslongasnooneknewyourorigin。Butthematterhasbeenadjudicatedthereinseveralcases，andonthewholeIthinkSouthCarolinaistheplaceforyou。They’remoreliberalthere，perhapsbecausetheyhavemanymoreblacksthanwhites，andwouldliketolessenthedisproportion。"
　　"Fromthistimeon，"saidtheboy，"Iamwhite。"
　　"Softly，softly，myCaucasianfellowcitizen，"
　　returnedthejudge，chucklingwithquietamusement。"Youarewhiteintheabstract，beforethelaw。Youmaycherishthefactinsecret，butI
　　wouldnotadviseyoutoproclaimitopenlyjustyet。Youmustwaituntilyougoaway——toSouthCarolina。"
　　"AndcanIlearntobealawyer，sir？"askedthelad。
　　"Itseemstomethatyououghttobereasonablycontentforonedaywithwhatyouhavelearnedalready。Youcannotbealawyeruntilyouarewhite，inpositionaswellasintheory，noruntilyouaretwenty—oneyearsold。Ineedanofficeboy。Ifyouarewillingtocomeintomyoffice，sweepit，keepmybooksdusted，andstayherewhenIamout，Idonotcare。Totherestofthetownyouwillbemyservant，andstillanegro。Ifyouchoosetoreadmybookswhennooneisaboutandbewhiteinyourownprivateopinion，Ihavenoobjection。Whenyouhavemadeupyourmindtogoaway，perhapswhatyouhavereadmayhelpyou。Butmum’stheword！
　　IfIhearawhisperofthisfromanyothersource，outyougo，neckandcrop！Iamwillingtohelpyoumakeamanofyourself，butitcanonlybedoneundertherose。"
　　FortwoyearsJohnWaldenopenlyswepttheofficeandsurreptitiouslyreadthelawbooksofoldJudgeStraight。Whenhewaseighteen，heaskedhismotherforasumofmoney，kissedhergood—
　　by，andwentoutintotheworld。Whenhissister，thenaprettychildofseven，criedbecauseherbigbrotherwasgoingaway，hetookherupinhisarms，gaveherasilverdimewithaholeinitforakeepsake，huggedherclose，andkissedher。
　　"Nev’min’，sis，"hesaidsoothingly。"Beagoodlittlegal，an’someo’thesedaysI’llcomebacktoseeyouandbringyousomethin’fine。"
　　Inafteryears，whenMis’Mollywasaskedwhathadbecomeofherson，shewouldreplywithsadcomplacency，——
　　"He’sgoneoverontheotherside。"
　　Aswehaveseen，hecamebacktenyearslater。
　　Manyyearsbefore，whenMis’Molly，thenaveryyoungwoman，hadtakenupherresidenceinthehousebehindthecedars，thegentlemanheretoforereferredtohadbuiltacabinontheoppositecorner，inwhichhehadinstalledatrustedslavebythenameofPeterFowlerandhiswifeNancy。
　　Peterwasagoodmechanic，andhiredhistimefromhismasterwiththeprovisionthatPeterandhiswifeshoulddocertainworkforMis’Mollyandserveasasortofprotectionforher。IncourseoftimePeter，whowasindustriousandthrifty，savedenoughmoneytopurchasehisfreedomandthatofhiswifeandtheironechild，andtobuythelittlehouseacrossthestreet，withthecoopershopbehindit。Aftertheyhadacquiredtheirfreedom，PeterandNancydidnoworkforMis’Mollysaveastheywerepaidforit，andasarulepreferrednottoworkatallforthewomanwhohadbeenpracticallytheirmistress；itmadethemseemlessfree。Nevertheless，thetwohouseholdshadremainedupongoodterms，evenafterthedeathofthemanwhosewillhadbroughtthemtogether，andwhohadremainedPeter’spatronafterhehadceasedtobehismaster。Therewasnointimateassociationbetweenthetwofamilies。Mis’MollyfeltherselfinfinitelysuperiortoPeterandhiswife，——scarcelylesssuperiorthanherpoorwhiteneighborsfeltthemselvestoMis’Molly。Mis’
　　Mollyalwaysmeanttobekind，andtreatedPeterandNancywithacertaingood—naturedcondescension。
　　Theyresentedthis，neveropenlyoroffensively，butalwaysinasubconscioussortofway，evenwhentheydidnotspeakofitamongthemselves——muchastheyhadresentedhermistress—shipintheolddays。Forafterall，theyargued，inspiteofherairsandgraces，herwhitefaceandherfineclothes，wasshenotanegro，evenasthemselves？andsincetheslaveshadbeenfreed，wasnotonenegroasgoodasanother？
　　Peter’ssonFrankhadgrownupwithlittleRena。Hewasseveralyearsolderthanshe，andwhenRenawasasmallchildMis’Mollyhadoftenconfidedhertohiscare，andhehadwatchedoverherandkeptherfromharm。WhenFrankbecameoldenoughtogotoworkinthecoopershop，Rena，thensixorseven，hadoftengoneacrosstoplayamongthecleanwhiteshavings。OnceFrank，whilelearningthetrade，hadletslipasharpsteeltool，whichflyingtowardRenahadgrazedherarmandsenttheredbloodcoursingalongthewhitefleshandsoakingthemuslinsleeve。Hehadrolledupthesleeveandstanchedthebloodanddriedhertears。ForalongtimethereafterhermotherkeptherawayfromtheshopandwasverycoldtoFrank。Onedaythelittlegirlwandereddowntothebankoftheoldcanal。Ithadbeenrainingforseveraldays，andthewaterwasquitedeepinthechannel。Thechildslippedandfellintothestream。FromtheopenwindowofthecoopershopFrankheardascream。Herandowntothecanalandpulledherout，andcarriedherallwetanddrippingtothehouse。Fromthattimehehadbeenrestoredtofavor。Hehadwatchedthegirlgrowuptowomanhoodintheyearsfollowingthewar，andhadbeensorrywhenshebecametoooldtoplayabouttheshop。
　　Heneverspoketoheroflove，——indeed，heneverthoughtofhispassioninsuchalight。
　　Therewouldhavebeennolegalbarriertotheirunion；therewouldhavebeennofrightfulmenacetowhitesupremacyinthemarriageofthenegroandtheoctoroon：thedropofdarkbloodbridgedthechasm。ButFrankknewthatshedidnotlovehim，andhadnothopedthatshemight。Hiswasoneofthoseraresoulsthatcangivewithsmallhopeofreturn。Whenhehadmadethescaruponherarm，bythesametokenshehadbrandedhimherslaveforever；whenhehadsavedherfromawaterygrave，hehadgivenhislifetoher。Therearedepthsoffidelityanddevotioninthenegroheartthathaveneverbeenfathomedorfullyappreciated。Nowandtheninthekindlierphasesofslaverythesequalitieswerebrightlyconspicuous，andinthem，ifwiselyappealedto，liesthestrongesthopeofamitybetweenthetworaceswhosedestinyseemsbounduptogetherintheWesternworld。Evenadumbbrutecanbewonbykindness。Surelyitwereworthwhiletotrysomeotherweaponthanscornandcontumelyandhardwordsuponpeopleofourcommonrace，——
　　thehumanrace，whichisbiggerandbroaderthanCeltorSaxon，barbarianorGreek，JeworGentile，blackorwhite；forweareallchildrenofacommonFather，forgetitaswemay，andeachoneofusisinsomemeasurehisbrother’skeeper。
　　XIX
　　GODMADEUSALL
　　Renawasconvalescentfromatwo—weeks’
　　illnesswhenherbrothercametoseeher。HearrivedatPatesvillebyanearlymorningtrainbeforethetownwasawake，andwalkedunnoticedfromthestationtohismother’shouse。Hismeetingwithhissisterwasnotwithoutemotion：heembracedhertenderly，andRenabecameforafewminutesaveryNiobeofgrief。
　　"Oh，itwascruel，cruel！"shesobbed。"I
　　shallnevergetoverit。"
　　"Iknowit，mydear，"repliedWarwicksoothingly，——"Iknowit，andI’mtoblameforit。IfIhadnevertakenyouawayfromhere，youwouldhaveescapedthispainfulexperience。Butdonotdespair；allisnotlost。Tryonwillnotmarryyou，asIhopedhemight，whileIfearedthecontrary；butheisagentleman，andwillbesilent。
　　Comebackandtryagain。"
　　"No，John。Icouldn’tgothroughitasecondtime。Imanagedverywellbefore，whenIthoughtoursecretwasunknown；butnowIcouldneverbesure。Itwouldbeborneoneverywind，foraughtIknew，andeveryrustlingleafmightwhisperit。Thelaw，yousaid，madeuswhite；
　　butnotthelaw，norevenlove，canconquerprejudice。HEspokeofmybeauty，mygrace，mysweetness！Ilookedintohiseyesandbelievedhim。Andyetheleftmewithoutaword！WhatwouldIdoinClarencenow？Icameawayengagedtobemarried，witheventhedayset；I
　　shouldgobackforsakenanddiscredited；eventheservantswouldpityme。"
　　"LittleAlbertispiningforyou，"suggestedWarwick。"Wecouldmakesomeexplanationthatwouldspareyourfeelings。"
　　"Ah，donottemptme，John！Ilovethechild，andamgrievedtoleavehim。I’mgrateful，too，John，forwhatyouhavedoneforme。IamnotsorrythatItriedit。Itopenedmyeyes，andI
　　wouldratherdieofknowledgethanliveinignorance。
　　ButIcouldnotgothroughitagain，John；
　　Iamnotstrongenough。Icoulddoyounogood；
　　Ihavemadeyoutroubleenoughalready。GetamotherforAlbert——Mrs。Newberrywouldmarryyou，secretandall，andwouldbegoodtothechild。
　　Forgetme，John，andtakecareofyourself。Yourfriendhasfoundyououtthroughme——hemayhavetoldadozenpeople。Youthinkhewillbesilent；——Ithoughthelovedme，andheleftmewithoutaword，andwithalookthattoldmehowhehatedanddespisedme。Iwouldnothavebelievedit——evenofawhiteman。"
　　"Youdohimaninjustice，"saidherbrother，producingTryon’sletter。"Hedidnotgetoffunscathed。Hesentyouamessage。"
　　Sheturnedherfaceaway，butlistenedwhilehereadtheletter。"Hedidnotloveme，"shecriedangrily，whenhehadfinished，"orhewouldnothavecastmeoff——hewouldnothavelookedatmeso。Thelawwouldhavelethimmarryme。I
　　seemedaswhiteashedid。Hemighthavegoneanywherewithme，andnoonewouldhavestaredatuscuriously；nooneneedhaveknown。Theworldiswide——theremustbesomeplacewhereamancouldlivehappilywiththewomanheloved。"
　　"Yes，Rena，thereis；andtheworldiswideenoughforyoutogetalongwithoutTryon。"
　　"Foradayortwo，"shewenton，"Ihopedhemightcomeback。Buthisexpressioninthatawfulmomentgrewuponme，hauntedmedayandnight，untilIshudderedatthethoughtthatImighteverseehimagain。HelookedatmeasthoughI
　　werenotevenahumanbeing。Idonotlovehimanylonger，John；IwouldnotmarryhimifI
　　werewhite，orhewereasIam。Hedidnotloveme——orhewouldhaveacteddifferently。Hemighthavelovedmeandhaveleftme——hecouldnothavelovedmeandhavelookedatmeso！"
　　Shewasweepinghysterically。Therewaslittlehecouldsaytocomforther。Presentlyshedriedhertears。WarwickwasreluctanttoleaveherinPatesville。Herchildishhappinesshadbeenthatofignorance；shecouldneverbehappythereagain。
　　Shehadfloweredinthesunlight；shemustnotpineawayintheshade。
　　"Ifyouwon’tcomebackwithme，Rena，I’llsendyoutosomeschoolattheNorth，whereyoucanacquirealiberaleducation，andprepareyourselfforsomecareerofusefulness。YoumaymarryabettermanthanevenTryon。"
　　"No，"sherepliedfirmly，"Ishallnevermarryanyman，andI’llnotleavemotheragain。Godisagainstit；I’llstaywithmyownpeople。"
　　"Godhasnothingtodowithit，"retortedWarwick。"Godistoooftenaconvenientstalking—
　　horseforhumanselfishness。Ifthereisanythingtobedone，sounjust，sodespicable，sowickedthathumanreasonrevoltsatit，thereisalwayssomesmughypocritetoexclaim，`ItisthewillofGod。’"
　　"Godmadeusall，"continuedRenadreamily，"andforsomegoodpurpose，thoughwemaynotalwaysseeit。Hemadesomepeoplewhite，andstrong，andmasterful，and——heartless。Hemadeothersblackandhomely，andpoorandweak"——
　　"Andalotofothers`poorwhite’andshiftless，"
　　smiledWarwick。
　　"Hemadeus，too，"continuedRena，intentuponherownthought，"andHemusthavehadareasonforit。PerhapsHemeantustobringtheotherstogetherinhisowngoodtime。Amanmaymakeanewplaceforhimself——awomanisbornandboundtohers。Godmusthavemeantmetostayhere，orHewouldnothavesentmeback。Ishallacceptthingsastheyare。WhyshouldIseekthesocietyofpeoplewhosefriendship——andlove——
　　onelittlewordcanturntoscorn？Iwasright，John；Ioughttohavetoldhim。Supposehehadmarriedmeandthenhadfounditout？"
　　ToRena’sargumentofdivineforeordinationWarwickattachednoweightwhatever。HehadseenGod’sheelplantedforfourlongyearsuponthelandwhichhadnourishedslavery。HadGodordainedthecrimethatthepunishmentmightfollow？ItwouldhavebeeneasierforOmnipotencetopreventthecrime。Theexperienceofhissisterhadstirredupacertainbitternessagainstwhitepeople——afeelingwhichhehadputasideyearsago，withhisdarkblood，butwhichspranganewintolifewhenthefactofhisownoriginwasbroughthometohimsoforciblythroughhissister’smisfortune。Hisswornfriendandpromisedbrother—in—
　　lawhadthrownhimoverpromptly，uponthediscoveryofthehiddendropofdarkblood。Howmanyothersofhisfriendswoulddothesame，iftheybutknewofit？HehadbeguntofeelalittleofthespiritualestrangementfromhisassociatesthathehadnoticedinRenaduringherlifeatClarence。
　　Thefactthatseveralpersonsknewhissecrethadspoiledthefineflavorofperfectsecurityhithertomarkinghisposition。GeorgeTryonwasamanofhonoramongwhitemen，andhaddeignedtoextendtheprotectionofhishonortoWarwickasaman，thoughnolongerasafriend；toRenaasawoman，butnotasawife。Tryon，however，wasonlyhuman，andwhocouldtellwhentheirpathsinlifemightcrossagain，orwhatfuturetemptationTryonmightfeeltouseadamagingsecrettotheirdisadvantage？
　　Warwickhadcherishedcertainambitions，butthesehemustnowputbehindhim。Intheobscurityofprivatelife，hispastwouldbeoflittlemoment；intheglareofapoliticalcareer，one’santecedentsarepublicproperty，andtoogreatareserveinregardtoone’spastisregardedasaconfessionofsomethingdiscreditable。Frank，too，knewthesecret——agood，faithfulfellow，evenwheretherewasnoobligationoffidelity；heoughttodosomethingforFranktoshowtheirappreciationofhisconduct。
　　ButwhatassurancewastherethatFrankwouldalwaysbediscreetabouttheaffairsofothers？
　　JudgeStraightknewthewholestory，andoldmenaresometimesgarrulous。Dr。Greensuspectedthesecret；hehadawifeanddaughters。IfoldJudgeStraightcouldhaveknownWarwick’sthoughts，hewouldhaverealizedthefulfillmentofhisprophecy。
　　Warwick，whohadbuildedsowellforhimself，hadweakenedthestructureofhisownlifebytryingtosharehisgoodfortunewithhissister。
　　"Listen，Rena，"hesaid，withasuddenimpulse，"we’llgototheNorthorWest——I’llgowithyou——farawayfromtheSouthandtheSouthernpeople，andstartlifeoveragain。Itwillbeeasierforyou，itwillnotbehardforme——Iamyoung，andhavemeans。TherearenostrongtiestobindmetotheSouth。Iwouldhavealargeroutlookelsewhere。"
　　"Andwhataboutourmother？"askedRena。
　　Itwouldbenecessarytoleaveherbehind，theybothperceivedclearlyenough，unlesstheywerepreparedtosurrendertheadvantageoftheirwhitenessanddropbacktothelowerrank。ThemotherborethemarkoftheEthiopian——notpronouncedly，butdistinctly；neitherwouldMis’Molly，inallprobability，caretoleavehomeandfriendsandthegravesofherlovedones。Shehadnomentalresourcestosupplytheplaceofthese；shewas，moreover，toooldtobetransplanted；shewouldnotfitintoWarwick’sschemeforanewlife。
　　"Ileftheronce，"saidRena，"anditbroughtpainandsorrowtoallthreeofus。Sheisnotstrong，andIwillnotleaveherheretodiealone。
　　Thisshallbemyhomewhileshelives，andifI
　　leaveitagain，itshallbeforonlyashorttime，togowhereIcanwritetoherfreely，andhearfromheroften。Don’tworryaboutme，John，——Ishalldoverywell。"
　　Warwicksighed。Hewassincerelysorrytoleavehissister，andyethesawthatforthetimebeingherresolutionwasnottobeshaken。Hemustbidehistime。Perhaps，inafewmonths，shewouldtireoftheoldlife。Hisdoorwouldbealwaysopentoher，andhewouldchargehimselfwithherfuture。
　　"Well，then，"hesaid，concludingtheargument，"we’llsaynomoreaboutitforthepresent。I’llwritetoyoulater。Iwasafraidthatyoumightnotcaretogobackjustnow，andsoIbroughtyourtrunkalongwithme。"
　　Hegavehismotherthebaggage—check。ShetookitacrosstoFrank，who，duringtheday，broughtthetrunkfromthedepot。Mis’Mollyofferedtopayhimfortheservice，buthewouldacceptnothing。
　　"Lawd，no，Mis’Molly；Ididn’haftergoout’nmywaytergitdattrunk。Ihadaloadersperrit—
　　bairlsterhaulterdestill，an’dedepotwuzrightonmywayback。It’dberobbin’youtertakepayferalittlethinglackdat。"
　　"MysonJohn’shere，"saidMis’Molly"an’
　　hewantstoseeyou。Comeintothesettin’—room。
　　Wedon’twantfolkstoknowhe’sintown；butyouknowalloursecrets，an’wecantrustyoulikeoneerthefamily。"
　　"I’mgladtoseeyouagain，Frank，"saidWarwick，extendinghishandandclaspingFrank’swarmly。"You’vegrownupsinceIsawyoulast，butitseemsyouarestillourgoodfriend。"
　　"Ourverygoodfriend，"interjectedRena。
　　Frankthrewheragratefulglance。"Yas，suh，"
　　hesaid，lookingWarwickoverwithafriendlyeye，"an’youisgrowedsome，too。Iseedyou，youknow，downderewhereyoulive；butIdidn’leton，feryouan’Mis’Renawuzw’iteasanybody；
　　an’eve’ybodysaidyouwuzgoodterculludfolks，an’he’ped’emindeirlawsuitsan’onewayer’nuther，an’Iwuzjes’plum’gladterseeyougettin’’longsofine，datIwuz，certainsho’，an’nomistakeaboutit。"
　　"Thankyou，Frank，andIwantyoutounderstandhowmuchIappreciate"——
　　"Howmuchweallappreciate，"correctedRena。
　　"Yes，howmuchweallappreciate，andhowgratefulweallareforyourkindnesstomotherforsomanyyears。Iknowfromherandfrommysisterhowgoodyou’vebeentothem。"
　　"Lawd，suh！"returnedFrankdeprecatingly，"you’remakin’amountainout’namolehill。I
　　ain’tdonenuthin’terspeakof——nothalfezmuchezIwould’a’done。Iwuzgladterdow’atlittleIcould，ferfrien’ship’ssake。"
　　"Wevalueyourfriendship，Frank，andwe’llnotforgetit。"
　　"No，Frank，"addedRena，"wewillneverforgetit，andyoushallalwaysbeourgoodfriend。"
　　Franklefttheroomandcrossedthestreetwithswellingheart。HewouldhavegivenhislifeforRena。Akindwordwasdoublysweetfromherlips；noservicewouldbetoogreattopayforherfriendship。
　　WhenFrankwentouttothestablenextmorningtofeedhismule，hiseyesopenedwidewithastonishment。Inplaceofthedecrepit，one—eyedarmymulehehadputupthenightbefore，afat，sleekspecimenofvigorousmulehoodgreetedhisarrivalwiththesonoroushehawoflustyyouth。
　　Hangingonapegnearbywasasetoffinenewharness，andstandingundertheadjoiningshed，asheperceived，ahandsomenewcart。
　　"Well，well！"exclaimedFrank；"efIdidn’
　　mos’knowwhardismule，an’diskyart，an’disharnesscomefrom，I’d’lowdere’dbe’nwitcheraf’
　　ercunjin’wukkin’here。But，ohmy，datisafinemule！——Imos’wushIcouldkeep’im。"
　　Hecrossedtheroadtothehousebehindthecedars，andfoundMis’Mollyinthekitchen。
　　"Mis’Molly，"heprotested，"Iain’tdonenuthin’
　　terdeservedatmule。W’atlittleIdoneferyouwa’n’tdoneferpay。I’druthernotkeepdemthings。"
　　"Fergoodness’sake，Frank！"exclaimedhisneighbor，withawell—simulatedairofmystification，"whatareyoutalkin’about？"
　　"Youknowsw’atI’mtalkin’about，Mis’
　　Molly；youknowswellernuffI’mtalkin’aboutdatfinemulean’kyartan’harnessoverdereinmystable。"
　　"HowshouldIknowanythingabout’em？"
　　sheasked。
　　"Now，Mis’Molly！Youfolksisjes’tryin’terfoolme，an’makemetakesomethin’fernuthin’。
　　Ilef’myolemulean’kyartan’harnessindestablelas’night，an’dismawnin’dey’regone，an’
　　newonesindeirplace。Co’seyouknowswhardeycomefrom！"
　　"Well，now，Frank，senceyoumentionit，Ididseeawitchflyin’roun’herelas’nightonabroom—
　　stick，an’it’pearedtermeshelitonyo’rbarn，an’
　　Is’posesheturnedyo’roldthingsintonewones。
　　Iwouldn’tbothermymindaboutitifIwasyou，forshemayturn’embackanynight，youknow；
　　an’youmightaswellhavetheuseof’eminthemeanwhile。"
　　"Dat’sallfoolishness，Mis’Molly，an’I’mgwineterfetchdatmulerightoverherean’tellyo’sontergimmemyoleoneback。"
　　"Myson’sgone，"shereplied，"an’Idon’tknownothin’aboutyo’roldmule。AndwhatwouldIdowithamule，anyhow？Iain’tgotnobarntoputhimin。"
　　"Isuspectyoudon’tcaremuchforusafterall，Frank，"saidRenareproachfully——shehadcomeinwhiletheyweretalking。"Youmeetwithapieceofgoodluck，andyou’reafraidofit，lestitmighthavecomefromus。"
　　"Now，MissRena，yououghtn’ttersaydat，"
　　expostulatedFrank，hisreluctanceyieldingimmediately。
　　"I’llkeepdemulean’dekyartan’deharness——fac’，I’llhaveterkeep’em，’causeI
　　ain’tgotnoothers。Butdey’regwineterbeyo’nezmuchezmine。W’eneveryouwantsanythinghauled，erwantsyo’lotploughed，eranything——
　　dat’syo’mule，an’I’myo’manan’yo’mammy’s。"
　　SoFrankwentbacktothestable，wherehefeastedhiseyesonhisnewpossessions，fedandwateredthemule，andcurriedandbrushedhiscoatuntilitshonelikealooking—glass。
　　"Nowdat，"remarkedPeter，atthebreakfast—
　　table，wheninformedofthetransaction，"issomethin’
　　lackralew’itefolks。"
　　NorealwhitepersonhadevergivenPeteramuleoracart。Hehadrenderedoneofthemunpaidserviceforhalfalifetime，andhadpaidfortheotherhalf；andsomeofthemowedhimsubstantialsumsforworkperformed。But"tohimthathathshallbegiven"——Warwickpaidforthemule，andtherealwhitefolksgotmostofthecredit。
　　XX
　　DIGGINGUPROOTS
　　Whenthefirstgreatshockofhisdiscoveryworeoff，thefactofRena’soriginlosttoTryonsomeofitsinitialrepugnance——indeed，therepugnancewasnottothewomanatall，astheirpastrelationswereevidence，butmerelytothethoughtofherasawife。
　　ItcouldhardlyhavefailedtooccurtosoreasonableamanasTryonthatRena’scasecouldscarcelybeunique。SurelyinthepastcenturiesoffreemannersandeasymoralsthathadprevailedinremotepartsoftheSouth，theremusthavebeenmanywhitepersonswhoseoriginwouldnothavebornetoomicroscopicaninvestigation。Familytreesnotseldomhaveacrookedbranch；or，touseamoreappositefigure，manyaflockhasitsblacksheep。Beingamanoflivelyimagination，Tryonsoonfoundhimselfputtingallsortsofhypotheticalquestionsaboutamatterwhichhehadalreadydefinitelydetermined。IfhehadmarriedRenainignoranceofhersecret，andhadlearneditafterwards，wouldhehaveputheraside？If，knowingherhistory，hehadneverthelessmarriedher，andshehadsubsequentlydisplayedsometraitofcharacterthatwouldsuggestthenegro，couldhehaveforgottenorforgiventhetaint？Couldhestillhaveheldherinloveandhonor？Ifnot，couldhehavegivenhertheoutwardseemingofaffection，orcouldhehavebeenmorethancoldlytolerant？
　　Hewasgladthathehadbeensparedthisordeal。
　　Withaneffortheputthewholematterdefinitelyandconclusivelyaside，ashehaddoneahundredtimesalready。
　　Returningtohishome，afteranabsenceofseveralmonthsinSouthCarolina，itwasquiteapparenttohismother’swatchfuleyethathewasinserioustrouble。Hewasabsent—minded，monosyllabic，sigheddeeplyandoften，andcouldnotalwaysconcealthetracesofsecrettears。ForTryonwasyoung，andpossessedofasensitivesoul——asourceofhappinessormisery，astheFatesdecree。Tothosethusdowered，theheightsofraptureareaccessible，theabyssesofdespairyawnthreateningly；
　　onlythedullmonotonyofcontentmentisdenied。
　　Mrs。Tryonvainlysoughtbyeverygentleartawomanknowstowinherson’sconfidence。
　　"Whatisthematter，George，dear？"shewouldask，strokinghishotbrowwithhersmall，coolhandashesatmoodilynursinghisgrief。"Tellyourmother，George。Whoelsecouldcomfortyousowellasshe？"
　　"Oh，it’snothing，mother，——nothingatall，"
　　hewouldreply，withaforcedattemptatlightness。
　　"It’sonlyyourfondimagination，youbestofmothers。"
　　ItwasMrs。Tryon’sturntosighandshedaclandestinetear。UntilhersonhadgoneawayonthistriptoSouthCarolina，hehadkeptnosecretsfromher：hishearthadbeenanopenbook，ofwhichshekneweverypage；now，somepainfulstorywasinscribedthereinwhichhemeantsheshouldnotread。IfshecouldhaveabdicatedherempiretoBlancheLearyorhaveshareditwithher，shewouldhaveyieldedgracefully；butverypalpablysomeotherinfluencethanBlanche’shaddrivenjoyfromherson’scountenanceandlightnessfromhisheart。
　　MissBlancheLeary，whomTryonfoundinthehouseuponhisreturn，wasademure，prettylittleblonde，withanamiabledisposition，atalentforsociety，andapronouncedfondnessforGeorgeTryon。Apoorgirl，ofanexcellentfamilyimpoverishedbythewar，shewasdistantlyrelatedtoMrs。Tryon，hadforalongtimeenjoyedthatlady’sfavor，andwasherchoiceforGeorge’swifewhenheshouldbeoldenoughtomarry。AwomanlessinterestedthanMissLearywouldhaveperceivedthattherewassomethingwrongwithTryon。
　　MissLearyhadnodoubtthattherewasawomanatthebottomofit，——foraboutwhatelseshouldyouthworrybutlove？orifone’sloveaffairsrunsmoothly，whyshouldoneworryaboutanythingatall？MissLeary，inthenineteenyearsofhermundaneexistence，hadnotbeenwithoutmildexperiencesoftheheart，andhadhoveredforsometimeonthevergeofdisappointmentwithrespecttoTryonhimself。Asensitivepridewouldhavedrivenmorethanonewomanawayatthesightofthemanofherpreferencesighinglikeafurnaceforsomeabsentfairone。ButMrs。Tryonwassocordial，andinsistedsostrenuouslyuponherremaining，thatBlanche’slove，whichwasstrong，conqueredherpride，whichwasnomorethanareasonableyoungwomanoughttohavewhosetssuccessabovemeresentiment。Sheremainedinthehouseandbidedheropportunity。IfGeorgepracticallyignoredherforatime，shedidnotthrowherselfatallinhisway。Shewentonavisittosomegirlsintheneighborhoodandremainedawayaweek，hopingthatshemightbemissed。Tryonexpressednoregretatherdepartureandnoparticularsatisfactionuponherreturn。Ifthehousewasdullerinherabsence，hewasbutdimlyconsciousofthedifference。Hewasstillfightingabattleinwhichasusceptibleheartandareasonablemindhadlockedhornsinawell—nighhopelessconflict。Reason，common—sense，theinstinctiveready—madejudgmentsofhistrainingandenvironment，——
　　thedeep—seatedprejudicesofraceandcaste，——commandedhimtodismissRenafromhisthoughts。Hisstubbornheartsimplywouldnotletgo。
　　XXI
　　AGILDEDOPPORTUNITY
　　AlthoughthewholefabricofRena’snewlifetoppledandfellwithherlover’sdefection，hersympathies，broadenedbycultureandstillmorebyherrecentemotionalexperience，didnotshrink，aswouldhavebeenthecasewithamoreselfishsoul，tothemerelimitsofherpersonalsorrow，greatasthisseemedatthemoment。Shehadlearnedtolove，andwhentheloveofonemanfailedher，sheturnedtohumanity，asastreamobstructedinitscourseoverflowstheadjacentcountry。Herearlytraininghadnotdirectedherthoughtstothedarkerpeoplewithwhosefateherownwasboundupsoclosely，butratherawayfromthem。Shehadbeentaughttodespisethembecausetheywerenotsowhiteasshewas，andhadbeenslaveswhileshewasfree。Herlifeinherbrother’shome，byremovingherfromimmediatecontactwiththem，hadgivenheradifferentpointofview，——onewhichemphasizedtheirshortcomings，andtherebymadevastlyclearertoherthegulfthatseparatedthemfromthenewworldinwhichshelived；sothatwhenmisfortunethrewherbackuponthem，thereactionbroughthernearerthanbefore。Whereonceshehadseemedabletoescapefromthem，theywerenow，itappeared，herinalienablerace。Thusdoublyequipped，shewasabletoviewthematoncewiththementaleyeofanoutsiderandthesympathyofasister：shecouldseetheirfaults，andjudgethemcharitably；sheknewandappreciatedtheirgoodqualities。Withherquickenedintelligenceshecouldperceivehowgreatwastheirneedandhowsmalltheiropportunity；andwiththisilluminationcamethedesiretocontributetotheirhelp。
　　Shehadnotthebreadthorculturetoseeinallitsramificationsthegreatproblemwhichstillpuzzlesstatesmenandphilosophers；butshewasconsciousofthewish，andofthepower，inasmallway，todosomethingfortheadvancementofthosewhohadjustsettheirfeetupontheladderofprogress。