Thisnew—borndesiretobeofservicetoherrediscoveredpeoplewasnotlongwithoutanopportunityforexpression。YettheFateswilledthatherfutureshouldbebutanotherlinkinaconnectedchain：shewastobeaspowerlesstoputasideherrecentpastasshehadbeentoescapefromtheinfluenceofherearlierlife。Therearesordidsoulsthateatanddrinkandbreedanddie，andimaginetheyhavelived。ButRena’slifesincehergreatawakeninghadbeenthatoftheemotions，andhertemperamentmadeofitacontinuouslife。Hersuccessivestatesofconsciousnesswerenotdetachable，butunitedtoformasingleifnotanentirelyharmoniouswhole。Tohersensitivespiritto—daywasbornofyesterday，to—morrowwouldbebuttheoffspringoftoday。
　　Oneday，alongtowardnoon，hermotherreceivedavisitfromMaryB。Pettifoot，asecondcousin，wholivedonBackStreet，onlyashortdistancefromthehousebehindthecedars。Renahadgoneout，sothatthevisitorfoundMis’Mollyalone。
　　"Ihearedyousay，CousinMolly，"saidMaryB。（nooneeverknewwhattheB。inMary’snamestoodfor，——itwasamereornamentalflourish），"thatRenawastalkin’’boutteachin’school。I’vegotagoodchanceferher，efshekeerstertakeit。MycousinJeffWain’rivedintownthismo’nin’，f’m’waydowninSampsonCounty，tergitateacherfertheniggerschoolinhisdeestric’。
　　Is’posehemought’a’gotonef’m’roun’Newbern，erGoldsboro，ersomeerthemplaceseas’，buthe’lowedhe’dliketovisitsomeerhiskinan’olefrien’s，an’sokilltwobirdswithonestone。"
　　"Iseedastrangemulatterman，withabayhossan’anewbuggy，drivin’byherethismo’nin’early，fromdownto’dstheriver，"rejoinedMis’Molly。
　　"Iwonderifthatwuzhim？"
　　"Didhehaveonalinenduster？"askedMaryB。
　　"Yas，an’’pearedtobeaverywellsotupman，"
　　repliedMis’Molly，"’boutthirty—fiveyearsold，I
　　shouldreckon。"
　　"Thatwuzhim，"assentedMaryB。"He’sgotafinehossan’buggy，an’agol’watchan’chain，an’abigplantation，an’lotserhossesan’mulesan’cowsan’hawgs。Heraise’fiftybalesercottonlas’year，an’he’sbe’nterthelegislatur’。"
　　"Mygracious！"exclaimedMis’Molly，struckwithaweatthiscatalogueofthestranger’spossessions——
　　hewasevidentlyworthmorethanagreatmany"rich"whitepeople，——allwhitepeopleinNorthCarolinainthosedayswereeither"rich"or"poor，"thedistinctionbeingoneofcasteratherthanofwealth。"Ishemarried？"sheinquiredwithinterest？
　　"No，——single。Youmought’lowitwasquarethatheshouldn’bemarriedathisage；buthewascrossedinloveoncet，"——MaryB。heavedaself—conscioussigh，——"an’hasstayedsingleeversence。Thatwuztenyearsago，butassomehusban’sislong—lived，an’thereain’nomo’chancefer’imnowthantherewuzthen，Ireckonsomenicegalmoughtstan’agoodshowerketchin’’im，efshe’dplayherkyardsright。"
　　ToMis’Mollythiswasnewsofconsiderableimportance。ShehadnotthoughtagreatdealofRena’splantoteach；sheconsidereditloweringforRena，afterhavingbeenwhite，togoamongthenegroesanymorethanwasunavoidable。Thisopportunity，however，meantmorethanmereemploymentforherdaughter。ShehadfeltRena’sdisappointmentkeenly，fromthepracticalpointofview，and，blamingherselfforit，heldherselfallthemoreboundtoretrievethemisfortuneinanypossibleway。Ifshehadnotbeensick，RenawouldnothavedreamedthefatefuldreamthathadbroughthertoPatesville；fortheconnectionbetweenthevisionandtherealitywasevencloserinMis’Molly’seyesthaninRena’s。Ifthemotherhadnotsenttheletterannouncingherillnessandconfirmingthedream，RenawouldnothaveruinedherpromisingfuturebycomingtoPatesville。Buttheharmhadbeendone，andshewasresponsible，ignorantlyofcourse，butnonethelesstruly，anditonlyremainedforhertomakeamends，asfaraspossible。Herhighestambition，sinceRenahadgrownup，hadbeentoseehermarriedandcomfortablysettledinlife。ShehadnohopethatTryonwouldcomeback。Renahaddeclaredthatshewouldmakenofurtherefforttogetawayfromherpeople；and，furthermore，thatshewouldnevermarry。TothislatterstatementMis’Mollysecretlyattachedbutlittleimportance。ThatawomanshouldgosinglefromthecradletothegravedidnotaccordwithherexperienceinlifeofthecustomsofNorthCarolina。Sherespectedagriefshecouldnotentirelyfathom，yetdidnotforamomentbelievethatRenawouldremainunmarried。
　　"You’dbetterfetchhimroun’toseeme，Ma’yB。，"shesaid，"an’let’sseewhathelookslike。
　　I’mpertic’lar’boutmygal。Shesayssheain’tgoin’tomarrynobody；butofco’seweknowthat’sallfoolishness。"
　　"I’llfetchhimroun’thisevenin’’boutthreeo’clock，"saidthevisitor，rising。"Imus’hurrybacknowan’keephimcomp’ny。TellRenaterputonherbes’biban’tucker；forMr。Wainispertic’lartoo，an’I’vealreadybe’nbraggin’’boutherlooks。"
　　WhenMaryB。，attheappointedhour，knockedatMis’Molly’sfrontdoor，——thevisitbeingoneofceremony，shehadtakenhercousinroundtotheFrontStreetentranceandthroughtheflowergarden，——Mis’Mollywaspreparedtoreceivethem。
　　Afteradecentinterval，longenoughtosuggestthatshehadnotbeenwatchingtheirapproachandwasnotover—eageraboutthevisit，sheansweredtheknockandadmittedthemintotheparlor。Mr。
　　Wainwasformallyintroduced，andseatedhimselfontheancienthairclothsofa，undertheframedfashion—plate，whileMaryB。satbytheopendoorandfannedherselfwithapalm—leaffan。
　　Mis’Molly’simpressionofWainwasfavorable。
　　Hiscomplexionwasofalightbrown——notquitesofairasMis’Mollywouldhavepreferred；butanydeficiencyinthisregard，orinthematterofthestranger’sfeatures，which，whilenotunpleasing，leanedtowardthebroadmulattotype，wasmorethancompensatedinhereyesbyverystraightblackhair，and，assoonappeared，agreatfacilityofcomplimentaryspeech。OnhisintroductionMr。Wainbowedlow，assumedanairofgreatadmiration，andexpressedhisextremedelightinmakingtheacquaintanceofsodistinguished—lookingalady。
　　"You’reflatt’rin’me，Mr。Wain，"returnedMis’
　　Molly，withagratifiedsmile。"Butyouwanttomeetmydaughterbefo’youcommenceth’owin’
　　bokays。Excusemyleavin’you——I’llgoan’fetchher。"
　　Shereturnedinamoment，followedbyRena。
　　"Mr。Wain，’lowmetoint’oduceyoutomydaughterRena。Rena，thisisMa’yB。’scousinonherpappy’sside，who’scomeupfromSampsontogitaschool—teacher。"
　　Renabowedgracefully。Wainstaredamomentingenuineastonishment，andthenbenthimselfnearlydouble，keepinghiseyesfixedmeanwhileuponRena’sface。Hehadexpectedtoseeaprettyyellowgirl，buthadbeenpreparedfornosuchradiantvisionofbeautyasthiswhichnowconfrontedhim。
　　"Does——doesyoumeantersay，Mis’Walden，dat——datdisyoungladyisyo’owndaughter？"
　　hestammered，rallyinghisforcesforaction。
　　"Whynot，Mr。Wain？"askedMis’Molly，bridlingwithmockresentment。"Doyoumeanter’lowthatshewuzchangedinhercradle，erisshetoogood—lookin’tobemydaughter？"
　　"MydeahMis’Walden！it’udbewastin’wo’dsfermetersaydatdeyain’noyoungladytoogood—
　　lookin’terbeyo’daughter；butyou’relookin’
　　soyoungyo’sefdatI’druthertakeherferyo’
　　sister。"
　　"Yas，"rejoinedMis’Molly，withanimation，"theyain’tmanyyearsbetweenus。Iwuzrutheryoungmyselfwhenshewuzbo’n。"
　　"An’，mo’over，"Wainwenton，"ittakesmeaminuteersotergitmymin’use’terthinkin’erMis’Renaasaculludyounglady。Imought’a’
　　seedherahund’edtimes，an’I’d’a’neverdreamtbutw’atshewuzaw’iteyounglady，f’moneerdebes’families。"
　　"Yas，Mr。Wain，"repliedMis’Mollycomplacently，"allthreeermychild’enwuzwhite，an’
　　oneof’emhasbe’nontheothersidefermanylongyears。Renahasbe’ntoschool，an’hastraveled，an’hashadchances——betterchancesthananybodyroun’hereknows。"
　　"She’sjes’deladyI’mlookin’fer，terteachou’
　　school，"rejoinedWain，withemphasis。"Widherschoolin’an’myriccommen’，shekingitafus’—
　　classce’tifikitan’drawfo’tydollarsamonth；an’
　　aladyerhercolorkinkeepaloterlittleniggersstraighter’nadarkerladycould。Wejus’gotterhaveherterteachou’school——efwekingither。"
　　Rena’sinterestintheprospectofemploymentatherchosenworkwassogreatthatshepaidlittleattentiontoWain’scompliments。Mis’MollyledMaryB。awaytothekitchenonsomepretext，andleftRenatoentertainthegentleman。Shequestionedhimeagerlyabouttheschool，andhegavethemostglowingaccountsoftheelegantschool—
　　house，thebrightpupils，andthecongenialsocietyoftheneighborhood。Hespokealmostentirelyinsuperlatives，and，aftermakingdueallowanceforwhatRenaperceivedtobeatemperamentaltendencytoexaggeration，sheconcludedthatshewouldfindintheschoolaworthyfieldofusefulness，andinthispoliteandgood—naturedthoughsomewhatwordymanacoadjutoruponwhomshecouldrelyinherfirstefforts；forshewasnotover—confidentofherpowers，whichseemedtogrowlessasthewayopenedfortheirexercise。
　　"DoyouthinkI’mcompetenttoteachtheschool？"sheaskedofthevisitor，afterstatingsomeofherqualifications。
　　"Oh，dere’snodoubtaboutit，MissRena，"
　　repliedWain，whohadlistenedwithanairofgreatwisdom，thoughsecretlyawarethathewastooignorantofletterstoformajudgment；"youkinteachdeschoolallright，an’couldefyoudidn’tknowhalfezmuch。Youwon’thavenotroublemanagin’dechild’en，nuther。Efanyof’emgitsonruly，jes’callonmeferhe’p，an’I’llmake’emwalkSpanish。I’mchuhmanerdeschoolcommittee，an’I’lllamdehideoff’nanyscholardatdon’behave。Youkintrus’meferdat，sho’ezI’ma—settin’here。"
　　"Then，"saidRena，"I’llundertakeit，anddomybest。I’msureyou’llnotbetooexacting。"
　　"Yo’bes’，MissRena，’llbedebes’deyis。
　　Don’youworrynerfret。Demniggerswon’thavenootherteacherafterdey’veoncelaideyesonyou：I’llguaranteedat。Derewon’tbenotrouble，notabit。"
　　"Well，CousinMolly，"saidMaryB。toMis’
　　Mollyinthekitchen，"howdoestheplanstrikeyou？"
　　"EfRena’ssatisfied，Iam，"repliedMis’Molly。
　　"Butyou’dbettersaynothin’aboutketchin’abeau，oranysuchfoolishness，erelseshe’dbejustaslikelynottogonighSampsonCounty。"
　　"Befo’CousinJeffgoesback，"confidedMaryB。，"I’dliketergive’imaparty，butmyhouseistoosmall。Iwuzwonderin’，"sheaddedtentatively，"efIcouldn’borryyo’house。"
　　"Shorely，Ma’yB。I’mint’restedinMr。
　　WainonRena’saccount，an’it’saslittleasIkindotoletyouusemyhousean’helpyougitthingsready。"
　　ThedateofthepartywassetforThursdaynight，asWainwastoleavePatesvilleonFridaymorning，takingwithhimthenewteacher。ThepartywouldservethedoublepurposeofacomplimenttotheguestandafarewelltoRena，anditmightprovetheprecursor，themothersecretlyhoped，ofotherfestivitiestofollowatsomelaterdate。
　　XXII
　　IMPERATIVEBUSINESS
　　OneWednesdaymorning，aboutsixweeksafterhisreturnhome，TryonreceivedaletterfromJudgeStraightwithreferencetothenoteleftwithhimatPatesvilleforcollection。Thiscommunicationproperlyrequiredananswer，whichmighthavebeenmadeinwritingwithinthecompassoftenlines。Nosooner，however，hadTryonreadtheletterthanhebegantoperceivereasonswhyitshouldbeansweredinperson。HehadleftPatesvilleunderextremelypainfulcircumstances，vowingthathewouldneverreturn；andyetnowthebarestpretext，bywhichnoonecouldhavebeendeceivedexceptwillingly，wassufficienttoturnhisfootstepsthitheragain。Heexplainedtohismother——withavaguenesswhichshefoundsomewhatpuzzling，butascribedtoherownfeminineobtusenessinmattersofbusiness——thereasonsthatimperativelydemandedhispresenceinPatesville。Withanearlystarthecoulddrivethereinoneday，——hehadanexcellentroadster，alightbuggy，andarecentrainhadlefttheroadingoodcondition，——adaywouldsufficeforthetransactionofhisbusiness，andthethirddaywouldbringhimhomeagain。HesetoutonhisjourneyonThursdaymorning，withthisprogrammeveryclearlyoutlined。
　　TryonwouldnotatfirsthaveadmittedeventohimselfthatRena’spresenceinPatesvillehadanybearingwhateveruponhisprojectedvisit。ThematteraboutwhichJudgeStraighthadwrittenmight，itwasclear，beviewedinseveralaspects。
　　Thejudgehadwrittenhimconcerningtheoneofimmediateimportance。Itwouldbemucheasiertodiscussthesubjectinallitsbearings，andcleanupthewholematter，inonecomprehensivepersonalinterview。
　　Theimportanceofthisbusiness，then，seemedveryurgentforthefirstfewhoursofTryon’sjourney。Ordinarilyacarefuldriverandmercifultohisbeast，hiseagernesstoreachPatesvilleincreasedgraduallyuntilitbecamenecessarytoexercisesomeself—restraintinordernottourgehisfaithfulmarebeyondherpowers；andsoonhecouldnolongerpretendobliviousnessofthefactthatsomeattractionstrongerthanthewholeamountofDuncanMcSwayne’snotewasurginghimirresistiblytowardhisdestination。Theoldtownbeyondthedistantriver，hishearttoldhimclamorously，heldtheobjectinalltheworldtohimmostdear。Memorybroughtupinvividdetaileverymomentofhisbriefandjoyouscourtship，eachtenderword，eachenchantingsmile，everyfondcaress。Helivedhispasthappinessoveragaindowntothemomentofthatfataldiscovery。Whathorriblefatewasitthathadinvolvedhim——nay，thathadcaughtthissweetdelicategirlinsuchablindalley？Awildhopeflashedacrosshismind：perhapstheghastlystorymightnotbetrue；perhaps，afterall，thegirlwasnomoreanegrothansheseemed。Hehadheardsadstoriesofwhitechildren，bornoutofwedlock，abandonedbysinfulparentstothecareoradoptionofcoloredwomen，whohadrearedthemastheirown，thechildren’sfuturebaselysacrificedtohidetheparents’shame。Hewouldconfrontthisreputedmotherofhisdarlingandwringthetruthfromher。Hewasinastateofmindwhereanysortofafairytalewouldhaveseemedreasonable。
　　Hewouldalmosthavebribedsomeonetotellhimthatthewomanhehadloved，thewomanhestillloved（hefeltathrilloflawlesspleasureintheconfession），wasnotthedescendantofslaves，——
　　thathemightmarryher，andnothavebeforehiseyesthegruesomefearthatsomeoneoftheirchildrenmightshoweventhefaintestmarkofthedespisedrace。
　　Atnoonhehaltedataconvenienthamlet，fedandwateredhismare，andresumedhisjourneyafteranhour’srest。Bythistimehehadwell—
　　nighforgottenaboutthelegalbusinessthatformedtheostensibleoccasionforhisjourney，andwasconsciousonlyofawilddesiretoseethewomanwhoseimagewasbeckoninghimontoPatesvilleasfastashishorsecouldtakehim。
　　Atsundownhestoppedagain，abouttenmilesfromthetown，andcaredforhisnowtiredbeast。
　　Heknewhercapacity，however，andcalculatedthatshecouldstandtheadditionaltenmileswithoutinjury。Themaresetoutwithreluctance，butsoonsettledresignedlydownintoasteadyjog。
　　MemoryhadhithertoassailedTryonwiththevisionofpastjoys。Ashenearedthetown，imaginationattackedhimwithstillmoremovingimages。Hehadlefther，thissweetflowerofwomankind——whiteornot，Godhadnevermadeafairer！——hehadseenherfalltothehardpavement，withheknewnotwhatresultinginjury。
　　Hehadlefthertenderframe——thetouchofherfinger—tipshadmadehimthrillwithhappiness——
　　tobeliftedbystrangehands，whilehewithheartlesspridehaddrivendeliberatelyaway，withoutawordofsorroworregret。Hehadignoredherascompletelyasthoughshehadneverexisted。Thathehadbeendeceivedwastrue。Buthadhenotaidedinhisowndeception？HadnotWarwicktoldhimdistinctlythattheywereofnofamily，andwasitnothisownfaultthathehadnotfollowedupthecluethusgivenhim？HadnotRenacomparedherselftothechild’snurse，andhadhenotassuredherthatifshewerethenurse，hewouldmarryhernextday？ThedeceptionhadbeenduemoretohisownblindnessthantoanylackofhonestyonthepartofRenaandherbrother。Inthelightofhispresentfeelingstheyseemedtohavebeenabsurdlyoutspoken。Hewasgladthathehadkepthisdiscoverytohimself。
　　Hehadconsideredhimselfverymagnanimousnottohaveexposedthefraudthatwasbeingperpetrateduponsociety：itwaswithaverycomfortablefeelingthathenowrealizedthatthematterwasasprofoundasecretasbefore。
　　"Sheoughttohavebeenbornwhite，"hemuttered，addingweakly，"IwouldtoGodthatIhadneverfoundherout！"
　　Drawingnearthebridgethatcrossedtherivertothetown，hepicturedtohimselfapalegirl，withsorrowful，tear—stainedeyes，piningawayintheoldgrayhousebehindthecedarsforloveofhim，dying，perhaps，ofabrokenheart。Hewouldhastentoher；hewoulddryhertearswithkisses；
　　hewouldexpresssorrowforhiscruelty。
　　ThetiredmarehadcrossedthebridgeandwasslowlytoilingupFrontStreet；shewasnearthelimitofherendurance，andTryondidnoturgeher。
　　Theymighttalkthematterover，andiftheymustpart，partatleasttheywouldinpeaceandfriendship。Ifhecouldnotmarryher，hewouldnevermarryanyoneelse；itwouldbecruelforhimtoseekhappinesswhileshewasdeniedit，for，havingoncegivenherhearttohim，shecouldnever，hewassure，——soinstinctivelyfinewashernature，——shecouldneverloveanyonelessworthythanhimself，andwouldthereforeprobablynevermarry。HeknewfromaClarenceacquaintance，whohadwrittenhimaletter，thatRenahadnotreappearedinthattown。
　　Ifheshoulddiscover——thechancewasoneinathousand——thatshewaswhite；orifheshouldfindittoohardtoleaveher——ah，well！hewasawhiteman，oneofaraceborntocommand。Hewouldmakeherwhite；noonebeyondtheoldtownwouldeverknowthedifference。If，perchance，theirsecretshouldbedisclosed，theworldwaswide；amanofcourageandambition，inspiredbylove，mightmakeacareeranywhere。Circumstancesmadeweakmen；strongmenmouldcircumstancestodotheirbidding。Hewouldnotlethisdarlingdieofgrief，whateverthepricemustbepaidforhersalvation。Shewasonlyafewrodsawayfromhimnow。Inamomenthewouldseeher；hewouldtakehertenderlyinhisarms，andhearttohearttheywouldmutuallyforgiveandforget，and，strengthenedbytheirlove，wouldfacethefutureboldlyandbidtheworlddoitsworst。
　　XXIII
　　THEGUESTOFHONOR
　　Theeveningofthepartyarrived。Thehousehadbeenthoroughlycleanedinpreparationfortheevent，anddecoratedwiththechoicesttreasuresofthegarden。Byeighto’clocktheguestshadgathered。
　　Theywereallmulattoes，——allpeopleofmixedbloodwerecalled"mulattoes"inNorthCarolina。Thereweredarkmulattoesandbrightmulattoes。Mis’Molly’sguestsweremostlyofthebrightclass，mostofthemmorethanhalfwhite，andfewofthemless。InMis’Molly’ssmallcircle，straighthairwastheonlypalliativeofadarkcomplexion。Manyoftheguestswouldnothavebeencasuallydistinguishablefromwhitepeopleofthepoorerclass。OthersboreunmistakabletracesofIndianancestry，——forCherokeeandTuscarorabloodwasquitewidelydiffusedamongthefreenegroesofNorthCarolina，thoughwell—nighlostsightofbythecuriouscustomofthewhitepeopletoignoreanythingbutthenegrobloodinthosewhoweretouchedbyitspotentcurrent。Veryfewofthosepresenthadbeenslaves。ThefreecoloredpeopleofPatesvillewerenumerousenoughbeforethewartohavetheirown"society，"andhumanenoughtodespisethosewhodidnotpossessadvantagesequaltotheirown；andatthistimetheystilllookeddownuponthosewhohadoncebeenheldinbondage。Theonlyblackmanpresentoccupiedachairwhichstoodonabroadchestinonecorner，andextractedmelodyfromafiddletowhichawholegenerationofthebestpeopleofPatesvillehaddancedandmademerry。UncleNeedhamseldomplayedforcoloredgatherings，butmadeanexceptioninMis’Molly’scase；shewasnotwhite，butheknewherpast；ifshewasnottherose，shehadatleastbeenneartherose。Whenthecompanyhadgathered，MaryB。，asmistressofceremonies，whisperedtoUncleNeedham，whotappedhisviolinsharplywiththebow。
　　"Ladiesan’gent’emens，takeyo’pa’dnersferaFuhginnyreel！"
　　Mr。Wain，astheguestofhonor，openedtheballwithhishostess。Heworeabroadclothcoatandtrousers，aheavyglitteringchainacrossthespaciousfrontofhiswhitewaistcoat，andalargeredroseinhisbuttonhole。Ifhisbootswereslightlyrundownattheheel，sotrivialadetailpassedunnoticedinthegeneralsplendorofhisattire。Uponacloseorhostileinspectiontherewouldhavebeensomefeaturesofhisostensiblygood—naturedface——theshiftyeye，thefullandslightlydroopinglowerlip——whichmighthavegivenastudentofphysiognomyfoodforreflection。
　　ButwhateverthelatentdefectsofWain’scharacter，heprovedhimselfthiseveningamodelofgeniality，presumingnotatalluponhisreputedwealth，butwinninggoldenopinionsfromthosewhocametocriticise，ofwhom，ofcourse，therewereafew，thecompanybeingcomposedofhumanbeings。
　　Whenthedancebegan，Wainextendedhislarge，softhandtoMaryB。，yellow，buxom，thirty，withwhiteandeventeethglisteningbehindherfullredlips。AyoungersisterofMaryB。’swaspairedwithBillyOxendine，afunnylittletailor，agreatgossip，andthereforeafavoriteamongthewomen。Mis’Mollygraciouslyconsented，aftermanyprotestationsoflackofskillandwantofpractice，tostandupoppositeHomerPettifoot，MaryB。’shusband，atallman，withaslightstoop，abaldcrown，andfull，dreamyeyes，——amanofmuchimaginationandalargefundofanecdote。
　　Twoothercouplescompletedtheset；otherswererestrainedbybashfulnessorreligiousscruples，whichdidnotyielduntillaterintheevening。
　　Theperfumedairfromthegardenwithoutandthecutroseswithinmingledincongruouslywiththealienodorsofmuskandhairoil，ofwhichseveralyoungbarbersinthecompanywereespeciallyredolent。Therewasaplayofsparklingeyesandglancingfeet。MaryB。dancedwiththelanguorousgraceofanEasternodalisque，Mis’Mollywiththemincing，hesitatingstepofonelongoutofpractice。Wainperformedsaltatoryprodigies。Thiswasagoldenopportunityforthedisplayinwhichhissoulfounddelight。Heintroducedvariationshithertounknowntothedance。Hisskillandsupplenessbroughtaglowofadmirationintotheeyesofthewomen，andspreadacloudofjealousyoverthefacesofseveraloftheyoungermen，whosawthemselveseclipsed。
　　Renahadannouncedinadvanceherintentiontotakenoactivepartinthefestivities。"Idon’tfeellikedancing，mamma——Ishallneverdanceagain。"
　　"Well，now，Rena，"answeredhermother，"ofco’seyou’retoodignified，senceyou’vebe’n’sociatin’
　　withwhitefolks，tobehoppin’roun’an’kickin’
　　uplikeMa’yB。an’theseotheryallergals；
　　butofco’se，too，youcan’tslightthecomp’nyentirely，evenefitain’tjestexac’lyourparty，——
　　you’llhavetopay’emsomelittleattention，’speciallyMr。Wain，senceyou’regoin’downyonderwith’im。"
　　Renaconscientiouslydidwhatshethoughtpolitenessrequired。Shewenttheroundoftheguestsintheearlypartoftheeveningandexchangedgreetingswiththem。Toseveralrequestsfordancessherepliedthatshewasnotdancing。Shedidnotholdherselfaloofbecauseofpride；anyinstinctiveshrinkingshemighthavefeltbyreasonofherrecentassociationwithpersonsofgreaterrefinementwasoffsetbyherstillmorenewlyawakenedzealforhumanity；theywereherpeople，shemustnotdespisethem。Buttheoccasionsuggestedpainfulmemoriesofotheranddifferentscenesinwhichshehadlatelyparticipated。Onceortwicethesememoriesweresovividasalmosttooverpowerher。Sheslippedawayfromthecompany，andkeptinthebackgroundasmuchaspossiblewithoutseemingtoslightanyone。
　　TheguestsaswellweredimlyconsciousofaslightbarrierbetweenMis’Molly’sdaughterandthemselves。Thetimeshehadspentapartfromthesefriendsofheryouthhadrendereditimpossibleforherevertomeetthemagainupontheplaneofcommoninterestsandcommonthoughts。Itwasmuchasthoughone，havingacquiredthevernacularofhisnativecountry，hadlivedinaforeignlandlongenoughtolosethelanguageofhischildhoodwithoutacquiringfullythatofhisadoptedcountry。MissRowenaWarwickcouldneveragainbecomequitetheRenaWaldenwhohadleftthehousebehindthecedarsnomorethanayearandahalfbefore。Uponthisverydifferencewerebasedhernobleaspirationsforusefulness，——onemuststoopinorderthatonemayliftothers。Anyotheryoungwomanpresentwouldhavebeenimportunedbeyondherpowersofresistance。Rena’sreservewasrespected。
　　Whensupperwasannounced，somewhatearlyintheevening，thedancersfoundseatsinthehalloronthefrontpiazza。AuntZilphy，assistedbyMis’
　　MollyandMaryB。，passedaroundtherefreshments，whichconsistedoffriedchicken，butteredbiscuits，pound—cake，andeggnog。Whenthefirstedgeofappetitewastakenoff，theconversationwaxedanimated。HomerPettifootrelated，withminutedetail，anold，threadbarehuntinglie，dating，inslightlydifferingforms，fromtheageofNimrod，aboutfindingtwenty—fivepartridgessittinginarowonarail，andkillingthemallwithasinglebuckshot，whichpassedthroughtwenty—fourandlodgedinthebodyofthetwenty—fifth，fromwhichitwasextractedandreturnedtotheshotpouchforfutureservice。
　　Thisstorywasfollowedbyamurmurofincredulity——ofcourse，thethingwaspossible，butHomer’sfacultyforexaggerationwassowellknownthatanystatementofhiswasviewedwithsuspicion。Homerseemedhurtatthislackoffaith，andwasdisposedtoarguethepoint，butthesonorousvoiceofMr。Wainontheothersideoftheroomcutshorthisprotestations，inmuchthesamewaythattherisingsunextinguishesthelightoflesserluminaries。
　　"Iwuzamembererdefus’legislatur’afterdewah，"Wainwassaying。"WhenIwentupf’mSampsonindefall，Ihadtopassth’oughSmithfiel’，Igotintownindeafternoon，an’putupatdebes’hotel。Delan’lo’ddidn’havenos’picionbutwhatIwuzawhiteman，an’hegimmearoom，an’Ihadsupperan’breakfas’，an’wentonterRollynex’mornin’。W’endesessionwuzover，Icomealongback，an’w’enIgotterSmithfiel’，I
　　driv’upterdesamehotel。Inoticed，assoonasI
　　gotdere，datdeplacehadrundownconsid’able——
　　derewuzweedsgrowin’indeyard，dewinderswuzdirty，an’ev’ythingroun’derelookedkinderlonesomean’shif’less。Delan’lo’dmetmeatdedo’；
　　helookedmightydownindemouth，an’sezee：——
　　"`Looka—here，w’atmadeyoucomean’stopatmyplacewidouttellin’meyouwuzablackman？
　　Befo’youcometh’oughdistownIhadafus’—classbusiness。Butw’enfolksfoundoutdataniggerhadputuphere，businessdrappedrightoff，an’I’vehadtershetupmyhotel。Yououghterbe’shamederyo’se’fferruinin’apo’manw’athadn’neverdonenoharmteryou。You’vedoneamean，low—livedthing，an’ajes’God’llpunishyouferit。’
　　"Depo’manacshullybustintertears，"
　　continuedMr。Wainmagnanimously，"an’Ifeltsosorryfer’im——hewuzapo’whitemantryin’tergitupindeworl’——datIhauledoutmypursean’gin’imtendollars，an’he’pearedmonst’ousgladtergitit。"
　　"Howgood—hearted！Howkin’！"murmuredtheladies。"Itdonecredittoyo’feelin’s。"
　　"Don’tb’lieveaworderdemlies，"mutteredoneyoungmantoanothersarcastically。"Hecouldn’passferwhite，’less’nitwuzamightydarknight。"
　　Uponthisgloriouseveningofhislife，Mr。
　　JeffersonWainhadonedistinctlyhostilecritic，ofwhosepresencehewasblissfullyunconscious。
　　FrankFowlerhadnotbeeninvitedtotheparty，——
　　hisfamilydidnotgowithMaryB。’sset。Renahadsuggestedtohermotherthathebeinvited，butMis’Mollyhaddemurredonthegroundthatitwasnotherparty，andthatshehadnorighttoissueinvitations。ItisquitelikelythatshewouldhavesoughtaninvitationforFrankfromMaryB。；butFrankwasblack，andwouldnotharmonizewiththerestofthecompany，whowouldnothaveMis’Molly’sreasonsfortreatinghimwell。ShehadcompromisedthematterbysteppingacrossthewayintheafternoonandsuggestingthatFrankmightcomeoverandsitonthebackporchandlookatthedancingandshareinthesupper。
　　Frankwasnotwithoutacertainhonestpride。
　　Hewassensitiveenough，too，nottocaretogowherehewasnotwanted。Hewouldhavecurtlyrefusedanysuchmaimedinvitationtoanyotherplace。ButwouldhenotseeRenainherbestattire，andmightshenotperhaps，inpassing，speakawordtohim？
　　"Thanky’，Mis’Molly，"hereplied，"I’llprob’lycomeover。"
　　"You’reabigfool，boy，"observedhisfatherafterMis’Mollyhadgonebackacrossthestreet，"terbestickin’roun’demyallerniggers’crossdestreet，an’slobb’rin’an’slav’rin’over’em，an’hangin’
　　roun’deirbackdo’wuss’nefdeywuzw’itefolks。
　　I’dsee’emdeadfus’！"
　　Frankhimselfresistedthetemptationforhalfanhourafterthemusicbegan，butatlengthhemadehiswayacrossthestreetandstationedhimselfatthewindowopeninguponthebackpiazza。
　　WhenRenawasintheroom，hehadeyesforheronly，butwhenshewasabsent，hefixedhisattentionmainlyuponWain。WithjealousclairvoyanceheobservedthatWain’seyesfollowedRenawhenshelefttheroom，andlitupwhenshereturned。FrankhadheardthatRenawasgoingawaywiththisman，andhewatchedWainclosely，likinghimlessthelongerhelookedathim。Tohisfancy，Wain’sstyleandskillwereaffectation，hisgood—naturemerehypocrisy，andhisglanceatRenatheeyeofthehawkuponhisquarry。HehadheardthatWainwasunmarried，andhecouldnotseehow，thisbeingso，hecouldhelpwishingRenaforawife。Frankwouldhavebeencontenttoseehermarryawhiteman，whowouldhaveraisedhertoaplaneworthyofhermerits。Inthisman’sshiftyeyehereadtheliar——hiswealthandstandingwereprobablyasfalseashisseeminggood—humor。
　　"Isthatyou，Frank？"saidasoftvoicenearathand。
　　Helookedupwithajoyfulthrill。Renawaspeeringintentlyathim，asiftryingtodistinguishhisfeaturesinthedarkness。Itwasabrightmoonlightnight，butFrankstoodintheshadowofthepiazza。
　　"Yas’m，it’sme，MissRena。Yo’mammysaidIcouldcomeoveran’seeyou—alldance。Youain’
　　be’noutondeflo’atall，ter—night。"
　　"No，Frank，Idon’tcarefordancing。Ishallnotdanceto—night。"
　　ThisanswerwaspleasingtoFrank。Ifhecouldnothopetodancewithher，atleastthemeninside——atleastthissnakeinthegrassfromdownthecountry——shouldnothavethatprivilege。
　　"Butyoumusthavesomesupper，Frank，"saidRena。"I’llbringitmyself。"
　　"No，MissRena，Idon’keerfernothin’——I
　　didn’comeovertereat——r’al’yIdidn’t。"
　　"Nonsense，Frank，there’splentyofit。Ihavenoappetite，andyoushallhavemyportion。"
　　Shebroughthimasliceofcakeandaglassofeggnog。WhenMis’Molly，aminutelater，cameoutuponthepiazza，Franklefttheyardandwalkeddownthestreettowardtheoldcanal。Renahadspokensoftlytohim；shehadfedhimwithherowndaintyhands。Hemightneverhopethatshewouldseeinhimanythingbutafriend；buthelovedher，andhewouldwatchoverherandprotecther，wherevershemightbe。HedidnotbelievethatshewouldevermarrythegrinninghypocritemasqueradingbackthereinMis’Molly’sparlor；butthemanwouldbearwatching。
　　Mis’Mollyhadcometocallherdaughterintothehouse。"Rena，"shesaid，"Mr。Wainwantsterknowifyouwon’tdancejustonedancewithhim。"
　　"Yas，Rena，"pleadedMaryB。，whofollowedMissMollyouttothepiazza，"jes’onedance。I
　　don’tthinkyou’retreatin’mycomp’nyjes’right，CousinRena。"
　　"You’regoin’downtherewith’im，"addedhermother，"an’it’dbejustaswelltobeonfriendlytermswith’im。"
　　Wainhimselfhadfollowedthewomen。"Sho’ly，MissRena，you’regwineterhonahmewidonedance？I’dgo’wayf’mdispa’tysadathea’tefIhadn’stooduponcetwiddeyoungladyerdehouse。"
　　AsRena，weaklypersuaded，placedherhandonWain’sarmandenteredthehouse，abuggy，comingupFrontStreet，pausedamomentatthecorner，andthenturningslowly，drovequietlyupthenamelessby—street，concealedbytheinterveningcedars，untilitreachedapointfromwhichtheoccupantcouldview，throughtheopenfrontwindow，theinterioroftheparlor。
　　XXIV
　　SWINGYOURPARTNERS
　　Movedbytendernessandthoughtsofself—sacrifice，whichhadoccupiedhismindtothemomentaryexclusionofallelse，Tryonhadscarcelynoticed，asbeapproachedthehousebehindthecedars，astrainoflivelymusic，towhichwasadded，ashedrewstillnearer，theaccompanimentofotherfestivesounds。Hesuddenlyawoke，however，tothefactthatthesesignsofmerrimentcamefromthehouseatwhichhehadintendedtostop；——
　　hehadnotmeantthatRenashouldpassanothersleeplessnightofsorrow，orthatheshouldhimselfendureanotherneedlesshourofsuspense。
　　Hedrewreinatthecorner。Shockedsurprise，anascentanger，avaguealarm，aninsistentcuriosity，urgedhimnearer。Turningthemareintothesidestreetandkeepingclosetothefence，hedroveaheadintheshadowofthecedarsuntilhereachedagapthroughwhichhecouldseeintotheopendoorandwindowsofthebrightlylightedhall。
　　Therewasevidentlyaballinprogress。Thefiddlewassqueakingmerrilysoatunethatherememberedwell，——itwasassociatedwithoneofthemostdelightfuleveningsofhislife，thatofthetournamentball。Amellownegrovoicewascallingwitharhymingaccompanimentthefiguresofaquadrille。Tryon，withpartedlipsandslowlyhardeningheart，leanedforwardfromthebuggy—
　　seat，grippingthereinsotightlythathisnailscutintotheopposingpalm。Abovetheclatterofnoisyconversationrosethefiddler’svoice：——
　　"Swingyo’pa’dners；doanbeshy，Lookyo’ladyindeeye！
　　Th’owyo’ahmaroun’huhwais’；
　　Takeyo’time——deyain’nohas’e！"
　　Tothemiddleofthefloor，infullviewthroughanopenwindow，advancedthewomanwhoalldaylonghadbeentheburdenofhisthoughts——notpalewithgriefandhollow—eyedwithweeping，butflushedwithpleasure，aroundherwaistthearmofaburly，grinningmulatto，whosefacewasoffensivelyfamiliartoTryon。
　　Withamutteredcurseofconcentratedbitterness，Tryonstruckthemareasharpblowwiththewhip。Thesensitivecreature，spiritedeveninhergreatweariness，resentedthelashandstartedoffwiththebitinherteeth。Perceivingthatitwouldbedifficulttoturninthenarrowroadwaywithoutrunningintotheditchattheleft，Tryongavethemarereinanddasheddownthestreet，scarcelymissing，asthebuggycrossedthebridge，amanstandingabstractedlybytheoldcanal，whosprangasidebarelyintimetoavoidbeingrunover。
　　MeantimeRenawaspassingthroughatryingordeal。Afterthefirstfewbars，thefiddlerplungedintoawell—knownair，inwhichRena，keenlysusceptibletomusicalimpressions，recognizedthetunetowhich，asQueenofLoveandBeauty，shehadopenedthedanceatherentranceintotheworldoflifeandlove，foritwasthereshehadmetGeorgeTryon。Thecombinationofmusicandmovementbroughtupthescenewithgreatdistinctness。Tryon，peeringangrilythroughthecedars，hadnotbeenmoreconsciousthansheoftheexternalcontrastbetweenherpartnersonthisandtheformeroccasion。Sheperceived，too，asTryonfromtheoutsidehadnot，thedifferencebetweenWain’swordyflattery（onlysavedbyhiscousin’swarningfrompointedandfulsomeadulation），andthetenderlygracefulcompliment，couchedintheromantictermsofchivalry，withwhichtheknightofthehandkerchiefhadcharmedherear。Itwasonlybyanimmenseeffortthatshewasabletokeepheremotionsundercontroluntiltheendofthedance，whenshefledtoherchamberandburstintotears。ItwasnotthecruelTryonwhohadblastedherlovewithhisdeadlylookthatshemourned，butthegallantyoungknightwhohadwornherfavoronhislanceandcrownedherQueenofLoveandBeauty。
　　Tryon’sstayinPatesvillewasverybrief。Hedrovetothehotelandputupforthenight。Duringmanysleeplesshourshismindwasinaturmoilwithaverydifferentsetofthoughtsfromthosewhichhadoccupieditonthewaytotown。Nottheleastofthemwasaprofoundself—contemptforhisownlackofdiscernment。Howhadhebeensoblindasnottohavereadlongagothecharacterofthiswretchedgirlwhohadbewitchedhim？
　　To—nighthiseyeshadbeenopened——hehadseenherwiththemaskthrownoff，atruedaughterofaraceinwhichthesensuousenjoymentofthemomenttookprecedenceoftasteorsentimentoranyofthehigheremotions。Herfewmonthsofboarding—
　　school，herbriefassociationwithwhitepeople，hadevidentlybeenamereveneerovertheunderlyingnegro，andtheireffectshadslippedawayassoonastheintercoursehadceased。Withthemonkey—likeimitativenessofthenegroshehadcopiedthemannersofwhitepeoplewhileshelivedamongthem，andhaddroppedthemwithequalfacilitywhentheyceasedtoserveapurpose。Whobutanegrocouldhaverecoveredsosoonfromwhathadseemedaterriblebereavement？——sheherselfmusthavefeltitatthetime，forotherwiseshewouldnothaveswooned。Awomanofsensibility，asthisonehadseemedtobe，shouldnaturallyfeelmorekeenly，andforalongertimethanaman，aninjurytotheaffections；buthe，asonoftherulingrace，hadbeenmiserableforsixweeksaboutagirlwhohadsofarforgottenhimasalreadytoplungeheadlongintothechildishamusementsofherownignorantanddegradedpeople。Whatmore，indeed，heaskedhimselfsavagely，——whatmorecouldbeexpectedofthebase—bornchildoftheplaythingofagentleman’sidlehour，whotothisignobleoriginaddedthebloodofaservilerace？Andhe，GeorgeTryon，hadhonoredherwithhislove；hehadverynearlylinkedhisfateandjoinedhisbloodtohersbythesolemnsanctionsofchurchandstate。Tryonwasnotadevoutman，buthethankedGodwithreligiousfervorthathehadbeensavedasecondtimefromamistakewhichwouldhavewreckedhiswholefuture。
　　Ifhehadyieldedtothemomentaryweaknessofthepastnight，——theoutcomeofasicklysentimentalitytowhichherecognizednow，inthelightofreflection，thathewasentirelytooprone，——hewouldhaveregretteditsoonenough。Theblackstreakwouldhavebeensuretocomeoutinsomeform，soonerorlater，ifnotinthewife，theninherchildren。Hesawclearlyenough，inthishourofrevulsion，thatwithhistemperamentandtrainingsuchaunioncouldneverhavebeenhappy。
　　Ifalltheworldhadbeenignorantofthedarksecret，itwouldalwayshavebeeninhisownthoughts，oratleastneverfaraway。Eachfaultofhersthattheclosedailyassociationofhusbandandwifemightreveal，——themostflawlessofsweetheartsdonotpassscathlessthroughthelongtestofmatrimony，——everywaywardimpulseofhischildren，everydefectofmind，morals，temper，orhealth，wouldhavebeenascribedtothedarkancestralstrain。Happinessundersuchconditionswouldhavebeenimpossible。
　　WhenTryonlayawakeintheearlymorning，afterafewbriefhoursofsleep，thebusinesswhichhadbroughthimtoPatesvilleseemed，inthecoldlightofreason，soridiculouslyinadequatethathefeltalmostashamedtohavesetupsuchapretextforhisjourney。Theprospect，too，ofmeetingDr。Greenandhisfamily，ofhavingtoexplainhisformersuddendeparture，andofrunningagauntletofinquiryconcerninghismarriagetothearistocraticMissWarwickofSouthCarolina；
　　thefearthatsomeoneatPatesvillemighthavesuspectedaconnectionbetweenRena’sswoonandhisownflight，——theseconsiderationssomovedthisimpressionableandimpulsiveyoungmanthathecalledabell—boy，demandedanearlybreakfast，orderedhishorse，paidhisreckoning，andstarteduponhishomewardjourneyforthwith。Acertaindistrustofhisownsensibility，whichhefelttobecuriouslyinconsistentwithhismostpositiveconvictions，ledhimtoseektheriverbridgebyaroundaboutroutewhichdidnottakehimpastthehousewhere，afewhoursbefore，hehadseenthelastfragmentofhisidolshatteredbeyondthehopeofrepair。
　　Thepartybrokeupatanearlyhour，sincemostoftheguestswereworking—people，andthetravelersweretomakeanearlystartnextday。Aboutnineinthemorning，WaindroveroundtoMis’
　　Molly’s。Rena’strunkwasstrappedbehindthebuggy，andshesetout，inthecompanyofWain，forhernewfieldoflabor。Theschooltermwasonlytwomonthsinlength，andshedidnotexpecttoreturnuntilitsexpiration。Justbeforetakingherseatinthebuggy，Renafeltasuddensinkingoftheheart。
　　"Oh，mother，"shewhispered，astheystoodwrappedinacloseembrace，"I’mafraidtoleaveyou。Ileftyouonce，anditturnedoutsomiserably。"
　　"It’llturnoutbetterthistime，honey，"repliedhermothersoothingly。"Good—by，child。Takecareofyo’selfan’yo’rmoney，andwritetoyo’rmammy。"
　　Onekissallround，andRenawasliftedintothebuggy。Wainseizedthereins，andunderhisskillfultouchtheprettymarebegantopranceandcurvetwithrestrainedimpatience。Waincouldnotresisttheopportunitytoshowoffbeforetheparty，whichincludedMaryB。’sentirefamilyandseveralotherneighbors，whohadgatheredtoseethetravelersoff。
　　"Good—byterPatesville！Good—by，folksesall！"
　　hecried，withawaveofhisdisengagedhand。
　　"Good—by，mother！Good—by，all！"criedRena，aswithtearsinherheartandabravesmileonherfacesheleftherhomebehindherforthesecondtime。
　　Whentheyhadcrossedtheriverbridge，thetravelerscametoalongstretchofrisingground，fromthesummitofwhichtheycouldlookbackoverthewhitesandyroadfornearlyamile。
　　NeitherRenanorhercompanionsawFrankFowlerbehindthechinquapinbushatthefootofthehill，northegazeofmuteloveandlongingwithwhichhewatchedthebuggymountthelongincline。Hehadnotbeenabletotrusthimselftobidherfarewell。Hehadseenhergoawayoncebeforewitheveryprospectofhappiness，andcomeback，adovewithawoundedwing，totheoldnestbehindthecedars。Shewasgoingawayagain，withamanwhomhedislikedanddistrusted。Ifshehadmetmisfortunebefore，whatwereherprospectsforhappinessnow？
　　Thebuggypausedatthetopofthehill，andFrank，shadinghiseyeswithhishand，thoughthecouldseeherturnandlookbehind。Lookback，dearchild，towardsyourhomeandthosewholoveyou！ForwhoknowsmorethanthisfaithfulworshiperwhatthreadsofthepastFateisweavingintoyourfuture，orwhetherhappinessormiseryliesbeforeyou？
　　XXV
　　BALANCEALL
　　TheroadtoSampsonCountylayforthemostpartoverthepine—cladsandhills，——analternationofgentlerisesandgradualdescents，withnowandthenaswampofgreaterorlessextent。Longstretchesofthehighwayledthroughthevirginforest，formilesunbrokenbyaclearingorsignofhumanhabitation。
　　Theytraveledslowly，withfrequentpausesinshadyplaces，fortheweatherwashot。Thejourney，madeleisurely，requiredmorethanaday，andmightwithslighteffortbeprolongedintotwo。Theystoppedforthenightatasmallvillage，whereWainfoundlodgingforRenawithanacquaintanceofhis，andforhimselfwithanother，whileathirdtookchargeofthehorse，theaccommodationfortravelersbeinglimited。Rena’sappearanceandmannerswerethesubjectofmuchcomment。ItwasnecessarytoexplaintoseveralcuriouswhitepeoplethatRenawasawomanofcolor。AwhitewomanmighthavedrivenwithWainwithoutattractingremark，——mostwhiteladieshadnegrocoachmen。ThatawomanofRena’scomplexionshouldeatatanegro’stable，orsleepbeneathanegro’sroof，wasaseemingbreachofcastewhichonlyblackbloodcouldexcuse。Theexplanationwasneverquestioned。Nowhitepersonofsoundmindwouldeverclaimtobeanegro。
　　Theyresumedtheirjourneysomewhatlateinthemorning。Renawouldwillinglyhavehastened，forshewasanxioustoplungeintohernewwork；butWainseemeddisposedtoprolongthepleasantdrive，andbeguiledthewayforatimewithstoriesofwonderfulthingshehaddoneandstrangeexperiencesofasomewhatcheckeredcareer。Hewasshrewdenoughtoavoidanysubjectwhichwouldoffendamodestyoungwoman，buttooobtusetoperceivethatmuchofwhathesaidwouldnotcommendhimtoapersonofrefinement。Hemadelittlereferencetohispossessions，concerningwhichsomuchhadbeensaidatPatesville；andthisreticencewasapointinhisfavor。IfhehadnotbeensomuchuponhisguardandRenasomuchabsorbedbythoughtsofherfuturework，suchadrivewouldhavefurnishedapersonofherdiscernmentaveryfairmeasureoftheman’scharacter。
　　TothesedistractionsmustbeaddedtheentireabsenceofanyideathatWainmighthaveamorousdesignsuponher；andanyshortcomingsofmannersorspeechwereexcusedbythebroadmantleofcharitywhichRenainhernew—foundzealforthewelfareofherpeoplewaswillingtothrowoveralltheirfaults。Theywerethevictimsofoppression；theywerenotresponsibleforitsresults。
　　Towardtheendofthesecondday，whilenearingtheirdestination，thetravelerspassedalargewhitehousestandingbackfromtheroadatthefootofalane。Arounditgrewwidespreadingtreesandwell—keptshrubbery。Thefenceswereingoodrepair。Behindthehouseandacrosstheroadstretchedextensivefieldsofcottonandwavingcorn。Theyhadpassednootherplacethatshowedsuchsignsofthriftandprosperity。
　　"Oh，whatalovelyplace！"exclaimedRena。
　　"Thatisyours，isn’tit？"
　　"No；weain’tgottomyhouseyet，"heanswered。"Dathouseb’longsterderiches’peopleroun’here。Dathouseisoverindenex’county。
　　We’rerightclosetodelinenow。"
　　Shortlyafterwardstheyturnedofffromthemainhighwaytheyhadbeenpursuing，andstruckintoanarrowerroadtotheleft。
　　"Demainroad，"explainedWain，"goesontoClinton，’boutfivemilesermo’away。Disonewe’returnin’internowwilltakeustomyplace，whichis’boutthreemilesfu’theron。We’llgitderenowinanhourerso。"
　　Wainlivedinanoldplantationhouse，somewhatdilapidated，andsurroundedbyanairofneglectandshiftlessness，butstillpreservingaremnantofdignityinitsoutlinesandcomfortinitsinteriorarrangements。Renawasassignedalargeroomonthesecondfloor。Shewassomewhatsurprisedatthemake—upofthehousehold。Wain’smother——
　　anoldwoman，muchdarkerthanherson——kepthouseforhim。Asisterwithtwochildrenlivedinthehouse。TheelementofsurpriselayinthepresenceoftwosmallchildrenleftbyWain’swife，ofwhomRenanowheardforthefirsttime。Hehadlosthiswife，heinformedRenasadly，acoupleofyearsbefore。
　　"Yas，MissRena，"shesighed，"deLawdgiveher，an’deLawdtuckheraway。BlessedbedenameerdeLawd。"Heaccompaniedthissententiousquotationwithawickedlookfromunderhishalf—closedeyelidsthatRenadidnotsee。
　　ThefollowingmorningWaindroveherinhisbuggyovertothecountytown，whereshetooktheteacher’sexamination。Shewasgivenaseatinaroomwithanumberofothercandidatesforcertificates，butthefactleakingoutfromsomeremarkofWain’sthatshewasacoloredgirl，objectionwasquietlymadebyseveralofthewould—beteacherstoherpresenceintheroom，andshewasrequestedtoretireuntilthewhiteteachersshouldhavebeenexamined。Anhourortwolatershewasgivenaseparateexamination，whichshepassedwithoutdifficulty。Theexaminer，agentlemanoflocalstanding，wasdimlyconsciousthatshemightnothavefoundherexclusionpleasant，andwasespeciallypolite。Itwouldhavebeenstrange，indeed，ifhehadnotbeenimpressedbyhersweetfaceandairofmodestdignity，whichwereallthemorestrikingbecauseofhersocialdisability。Hefellintoconversationwithher，becameinterestedinherhopesandaims，andverycordiallyofferedtobeofservice，ifatanytimehemight，inconnectionwithherschool。
　　"Youhavethesatisfaction，"hesaid，"ofreceivingtheonlyfirst—gradecertificateissuedto—day。
　　YoumightteachahighergradeofpupilsthanyouwillfindatSandyRun，butletushopethatyoumayintimeraisethemtoyourownlevel。"
　　"WhichIdoubtverymuch，"hemutteredtohimself，asshewentawaywithWain。"Whatapitythatsuchawomanshouldbeanigger！Ifshewereanythingtome，though，Ishouldhatetotrustheranywherenearthatsaddle—coloredscoundrel。He’sathoroughlybadlot，andwillbearwatching。"
　　Rena，however，wasserenelyignorantofanydangerfromtheaccommodatingWain。Absorbedinherownthoughtsandplans，shehadnotsoughttolookbeneaththesurfaceofhissomewhatoverdonepoliteness。Inafewdaysshebeganherworkasteacher，andsoughttoforgetintheserviceofothersthedullsorrowthatstillgnawedatherheart。
　　XXVI
　　THESCHOOLHOUSEINTHEWOODS
　　BlancheLeary，closelyobservantofTryon’smoods，markedadecidedchangeinhismannerafterhisreturnfromhistriptoPatesville。Hisformermorosenesshadgivenwaytoacertaindefiantlightness，brokennowandthenbyaninvoluntarysigh，butmaintainedsowell，onthewhole，thathismotherdetectednolapseswhatever。
　　Thechangewascharacterizedbyanotherfeatureagreeabletoboththewomen：TryonshoweddecidedlymoreinterestthaneverbeforeinMissLeary’ssociety。Withinaweekheaskedherseveraltimestoplayaselectiononthepiano，displaying，asshenoticed，adecidedpreferenceforgayandcheerfulmusic，andseveraltimessuggestingachangewhenshechosepiecesofasentimentalcast。Morethanonce，duringthesecondweekafterhisreturn，hewentoutridingwithher；shewasagracefulhorsewoman，perfectlyathomeinthesaddle，andappearingtoadvantageinariding—
　　habit。ShewasawarethatTryonwatchedhernowandthen，withaneyerathercriticalthanindulgent。
　　"Heiscomparingmewithsomeothergirl，"
　　shesurmised。"Iseemtostandthetestverywell。
　　Iwonderwhotheotheris，andwhatwasthetrouble？"
　　MissLearyexertedallherpowerstointerestandamusethemanshehadsetouttowin，andwhoseemednearerthaneverbefore。Tryon，tohispleasedsurprise，discoveredinherminddepthsthathehadneversuspected。Shedisplayedasingularaffinityforthetastesthatwerehis——hecouldnot，ofcourse，knowhowcarefullyshehadstudiedthem。Theoldwound，recentlyreopened，seemedtobehealingrapidly，underconditionsmoreconducivethanbeforetoperfectrecovery。
　　Nolonger，indeed，washepursuedbythepictureofRenadiscoveredandunmasked——thishehaddefinitelybanishedfromtherealmofsentimenttothatofreason。ThehauntingimageofRenalovingandbeloved，amidtheharmonioussurroundingsofherbrother’shome，wasnotsoreadilydisplaced。
　　Nevertheless，hereachedinseveralweeksapointfromwhichhecouldconsiderherasonethinksofadearoneremovedbythehandofdeath，orsmittenbysomeincurableailmentofmindorbody。
　　Erelong，hefondlybelieved，therecoverywouldbesofarcompletethathecouldconsigntothetombofpleasantmemorieseventhemostthrillingepisodesofhisill—starredcourtship。
　　"George，"saidMrs。Tryononemorningwhilehersonwasinthischeerfulmood，"I’msendingBlancheovertoMajorMcLeod’stodoanerrandforme。Wouldyouminddrivingherover？Theroadmayberoughafterthestormlastnight，andBlanchehasanideathatnoonedrivessowellasyou。"
　　"Why，yes，mother，I’llbegladtodriveBlancheover。Iwanttoseethemajormyself。"
　　Theyweresoonbowlingalongbetweenthepines，behindthehandsomemarethathadcarriedTryonsowellattheClarencetournament。Presentlyhedrewupsharply。
　　"Atreehasfallensquarelyacrosstheroad，"heexclaimed。"Weshallhavetoturnbackalittlewayandgoaround。"
　　Theydrovebackaquarterofamileandturnedintoaby—roadleadingtotherightthroughthewoods。Thesolemnsilenceofthepineforestissoothingoroppressive，accordingtoone’smood。
　　Beneaththecoolarcadeofthetall，overarchingtreesadeeppeacestoleoverTryon’sheart。Hehadputasideindefinitelyandforeveranunhappyandimpossiblelove。Theprettyandaffectionategirlbesidehimwouldmakeanidealwife。Ofherfamilyandbloodhewassure。Shewashismother’schoice，andhismotherhadsetherheartupontheirmarriage。Whynotspeaktohernow，andthusgivehimselfthebestpossibleprotectionagainststrayflamesoflove？
　　"Blanche，"hesaid，lookingatherkindly。
　　"Yes，George？"Hervoicewasverygentle，andslightlytremulous。Couldshehavedivinedhisthought？Loveisagreatclairvoyant。
　　"Blanche，dear，I"——
　　AclatterofvoicesbrokeuponthestillnessoftheforestandinterruptedTryon’sspeech。A
　　suddenturntotheleftbroughtthebuggytoalittleclearing，inthemidstofwhichstoodasmalllogschoolhouse。Outoftheschoolhouseaswarmofcoloredchildrenwereemerging，thesuppressedenergyoftheschoolhourfindingventinvocalexerciseofvarioussorts。Agrouphadalreadyformedaring，andweresingingwithgreatvolumeandvigor：——
　　"MissJane，shelovessugaran’tea，MissJane，shelovescandy。
　　MissJane，shecanwhirlallaroundAn’kissherlovequitehandy。
　　"Deoakgrowstall，Depinegrowsslim，Soriseyouup，mytruelove，An’letmecomein。"
　　"Whatafunnylittledarkey！"exclaimedMissLeary，pointingtoadiminutiveladwhowaswalkingonhishands，withhisfeetbalancedintheair。
　　Atsightofthebuggyanditsoccupantsthissableacrobat，stillretaininghisinvertedposition，movedtowardthenewcomers，and，reversinghimselfwithasuddenspring，broughtupstandingbesidethebuggy。
　　"Hoddy，MarsGeo’ge！"heexclaimed，bobbinghisheadandkickinghisheeloutbehindinapprovedplantationstyle。
　　"Hello，Plato，"repliedtheyoungman，"whatareyoudoinghere？"
　　"Gwineterschool，MarsGeo’ge，"repliedthelad；"larnin’terreadan’write，suh，lackdew’itefolks。"
　　"Watyoucallin’datw’itemanmarsterfur？"
　　whisperedatallyellowboytotheacrobataddressedasPlato。"Youdon’b’longterhimnomo’；you’refree，an’ain’gotsenseernuffterknowit。"
　　TryonthrewasmallcointoPlato，andholdinganotherinhishandsuggestively，smiledtowardthetallyellowboy，wholookedregretfullyatthecoin，butstoodhisground；hewouldcallnomanmaster，notevenforapieceofmoney。
　　Duringthislittlecolloquy，MissLearyhadkeptherfaceturnedtowardtheschoolhouse。
　　"Whataprettygirl！"sheexclaimed。"There，"
　　sheadded，asTryonturnedhisheadtowardher，"youaretoolate。Shehasretiredintohercastle。
　　Oh，Plato！"
　　"Yas，missis，"repliedPlato，whowasprancingroundthebuggyingreatglee，onthestrengthofhisacquaintancewiththewhitefolks。
　　"Isyourteacherwhite？"
　　"No，ma’m，sheain’tw’ite；she’sblack。Shelookslackshe’sw’ite，butshe’sblack。"
　　Tryonhadnotseentheteacher’sface，buttheincidenthadjarredtheoldwound；MissLeary’sdescriptionoftheteacher，togetherwithPlato’scharacterization，hadstirredlightlysleepingmemories。Hewasmoreorlessabstractedduringtheremainderofthedrive，anddidnotrecurtotheconversationthathadbeeninterruptedbycomingupontheschoolhouse。