Icallatedhe\'drunacrostyousometime。“
Victoriaraisedhereyes，sparklingwithhumour，andtheymetAusten\'s。
“Wewasjusttalkin\'aboutyou，“criedMr。Meader，cordially；“comerightin。“HeturnedtoVictoria。“Iwanttomakeyouacquainted，“hesaid，“withAustenVane。“
“Andwon\'tyoutellhimwhoIam，Mr。Meader？“saidVictoria。
“Well，“saidMr。Meader，apologetically，“thatwasstupidofme——wahn\'tit？ButIcallatedhe\'dknow。She\'sthedaughteroftherailrudpresident——the\'onethatwasaskin\'aboutyou。“
Therewasaninstant\'spause，andthecolourstoleintoVictoria\'scheeks。ThensheglancedatAustenandbitherlip-andlaughed。Herlaughterwascontagious。
“IsupposeIshallhavetoconfessthatyouhaveinspiredmycuriosity，Mr。Vane，“shesaid。
Austen\'sfacewassunburned，butitflushedamorevividredunderthetan。Itisneedlesstopretendthatamanofhisappearanceandqualitieshadreachedtheageofthirty-twowithouthavinglistenedtofemininecommentsofwhichhewastheexclusivesubject。InthisremarkofVictoria\'s，orratherinthemannerinwhichshemadeit，herecognizedadifference。
“Itisatribute，then，tothehistrionictalentsofMr。Meader，ofwhichyouwerespeaking，“herepliedlaughingly。
VictoriaglancedathimwithinterestashelookeddownatMr。Meader。
“Andhowisitto-day，Zeb？“hesaid。
“Itain\'tsobadasitmightbe——withsechfolksasherandyouaraound，“
admittedMr。Meader。“I\'dalmostagreetogetrunoveragain。Shewasaskin\'aboutyou，andthat\'safact，andIdidn\'tslanderyou，neither。
ButInevercallatedtocomprehendwimmen-folks。“
“Now，Mr。Meader，“saidVictoria，reprovingly，buttherewerelittlecreasesabouthereyes，“don\'tbeafraud。“
“It\'strueasgospel，“declaredtheinvalid；“theyalwaysgotthebetterofme。Ihadoneof\'emaftermeonce，whenIwasyoungandprosperin\'
some。“
“Andyetyouhavesurvivedtriumphant，“sheexclaimed。
“Therewahn\'tnoneof\'emlikeyou，“saidMr。Meader，“oritmighthavebe\'ndifferent。“
AgainhereyesirresistiblysoughtAusten\'s，——asthoughtosharewithhimthehumourofthisremark，——andtheylaughedtogether。Hercolour，sosensitive，roseagain，butlessperceptiblythistime。Thenshegotup。
“That\'sunfair，Mr。Meader！“sheprotested。
“I\'llleaveittoAusten，“saidMr。Meader，“ifitain\'tprobable。He\'doughttoknow。“
Inspiteofasomewhatnaturalembarrassment，AustencouldnotbutacknowledgetohimselfthatMr。Meaderwasright。Withawomanlymovementwhichhethoughtinfinitelygraceful，Victorialeanedoverthebed。
“Mr。Meader，“shesaid，“I\'mbeginningtothinkit\'sdangerousformetocomeheretwiceaweektoseeyou，ifyoutalkthisway。AndI\'mnotabitsurprisedthatthatwomandidn\'tgetthebetterofyou。“
“Youhain\'ta-goin\'！“heexclaimed。“Why，Icallated——“
“Good-by，“shesaidquickly；“I\'mgladtoseethatyouaredoingsowell。“SheraisedherheadandlookedatAusteninacurious，inscrutableway。“Good-by，Mr。Vane，“shesaid；“I——IhopeMr。Blodgetthasrecovered。“
Beforehecouldreplyshehadvanished，andhewasstaringattheemptydoorway。ThereferencetotheunfortunateMr。Blodgett，aftertakinghisbreathaway，arousedinhimanintensecuriositybetraying，asitdid，acertainknowledgeofpasteventsinhislifeinthehithertounknowndaughterofAugustusinterestcouldshehaveinhim？SuchaFlint。Whatquestion，fromsimilarsources，hasheightenedthepulseofyoungmenfromtimeimmemorial。
CHAPTERIV
“TIMEODANAOS“
Theproverbiallittlebirdsthatcarrynewsandpropheciesthroughtheairwereevidentlyresponsibleforanofficial-lookingletterwhichAustenreceivedafewmorningslater。Ontheletter-headwasprinted“TheUnitedNortheasternRailroads，“andMr。AustenVanewasinformedthat，bydirectionofthepresident，theenclosedwassenttohiminanentirelycomplimentarysense。“Theenclosed“wasaticketofredcardboard，anditsfaceinformedhimthathemighttravelfreefortherestoftheyear。Thoughtfullyturningitover，hereadonthebackthefollowinginscription:——
“Itisunderstoodthatthispassisacceptedbyitsrecipientasaretainer。“
Austenstaredatitandwhistled。Thenhepushedbackhischair，withthepassinhishand，andhesitated。Heseizedapenandwroteafewlines:“Dearsir，IbegtoreturntheannualpassovertheNortheasternRailroadswithwhichyouhavesokindlyhonouredme“——whenhesuddenlychangedhismindagain，rose，andmadehiswaythroughthecorridorstohisfather\'soffice。TheHonourableHilarywasabsorbedinhisdailyperusaloftheGuardian。
“Judge，“heasked，“isMr。Flintupathisplacethisweek？“
TheHonourableHilarycoughed。
“Hearrivedyesterdayonthethree。Er——why？“
“Iwantedtogoupandthankhimforthis，“hissonanswered，holdinguptheredpieceofcardboard。“Mr。Flintisaverythoughtfulman。“
TheHonourableHilarytriedtolookunconcerned，andsucceeded。
“Sentyouanannual，hashe？Er——Idon\'tknowasI\'dbotherhimpersonally，Austen。Justapleasantnoteofacknowledgment。“
“Idon\'tflattermyselfthatmyachievementsinthelawcanberesponsibleforit，“saidAusten。“Thefavourmustbeduetomyrelationshipwithhiseminentchiefcounsel。“
HilaryVane\'skeeneyesrestedonhissonforaninstant。Austenwasmorethaneveranenigmatohim。
“Iguessrelationshiphasn\'tgotmuchtodowithbusiness，“hereplied。
“Youhavebe\'ndoing——er——betterthanIexpected。“
“Thankyou，Judge，“saidAusten，quietly。“Idon\'tmindsayingthatI
wouldratherhaveyourapprobationthan——thismoresubstantialrecognitionofmerit。“
TheHonourableHilary\'sbusinesswastodealwithmen，andbyreasonofhisabilityinsodoinghehadmadeasuccessinlife。Hecouldjudgemotivesmorethanpassablywell，andplayuponweaknesses。ButheleftAusten\'spresencethatmorningvaguelyuneasy，withasenseofhavingreceivedfromhisownsonaninitialdefeatatagameofwhichhewasamaster。Undertheexcuseoflookingupsomeprecedents，helockedhisdoorstoallcomersfortwohours，andpacedhisroom。Atonemomenthereproachedhimselffornothavingbeenfrank；fornothavingtoldAustenroundlythatthissqueamishnessaboutapasswasunworthyofastrongmanofaffairs；yes，fornothavingrevealedtohimthemysteriesofrailroadpracticefromthebeginning。ButfranknesswasnotaningredientoftheHonourableHilary\'snature，andAustenwasnotthekindofmanwhowouldacceptahintandawink。HilaryVanehadformlessforebodings，andfoundhimselfforonceinhislifepowerlesstoact。
ThecostoflivinginRiptonwasnotsohighthatAustenVanecouldnotaffordtokeepahorseandbuggy。Thehorse，whichhetendedhimself，wasappropriatelycalledPepper；Austenhadfoundhiminthehills，andhewaseasilythefinestanimalinRipton:sogood，infact，thatMr。
HumphreyCrewewhobelievedhehadaneyeforhorseshadperemptorilyhailedAustenfromamotorcaranddemandedtheprice，aswasMr。Crewe\'swontwhenhesawathinghedesired。Hehadbeensomewhatsurprisedandnotinconsiderablyoffendedbythebrevityandforceoftheanswerwhichhehadreceived。
Ontheafternoonofthesummer\'sdayinwhichAustenhadtheconversationwithhisfatherjustrelated，PepperwastrottingataroundclipthroughthesoftandshadywoodroadstowardthetownofTunbridge；theword“town“beingusedintheNewEnglandsense，asapieceofterritoryaboutsixmilesbysix。ThefactthatautomobilesfulloflaughingpeoplefromLeithhummedbyoccasionallymadenoapparentdifferencetoPepper，whoknewonlythemasterhandonthereins；therealitythatthewoodroadswereclimbinggreathillsthehorsedidnotseemtofeel。Pepperkneweverylaneandby-pathwithintwentymilesofRipton，andexhibitedsuchsurpriseasawell-bredhorsemaywhenhewassloweddownatlengthandturnedintoahard，blue-stonedrivewayunderastrangegranitearchwiththeword“Fairview“cutinGothiclettersaboveit，andtwogreatlampsinwrought-ironbracketsatthesides。ItwasAustenwhomadeanoteofthegratingsoverthedrains，andoftheacresoforderlyforestinamysteriousandseeminglyenchantedrealm。Intimacywithdomainswasnewtohim，andhebegantoexperienceaninvoluntaryfeelingofrestraintwhichwasnewtohimlikewise，andmadehimchafeinspiteofhimself。
Theestateseemedtobethevisiblesemblanceofapowerwhichtroubledhim。
Shortlyafterpassinganavenueneatlylabelled“Trade\'sDrive“theroadwoundupwardsthrougharavinethesidesofwhichwerecoveredwithadenseshrubberywhichhadtheairofhavingalwaysbeenthere，andyetsomehowlookedexpensive。Atthetopoftheravinewasasharpcurve；
andAusten，drawingbreath，foundhimselfswung，asitwere，intospace，lookingoffacrossmilesofforest-coveredlowlandstoanultramarinemountaininthehazysouth，——Sawanec。Asifinobediencetoatelepathiccommandofhismaster，Pepperstopped。
Drinkinghisfillofthisscene，Austenforgotanerrandwhichwasnotonlydisagreeable，butrequiredsomefortitudeforitsaccomplishment。
ThesonhadthisincommonwiththeHonourableHilary——hehatedheroics；
andthefactthatthethingsmackedofheroicswasAusten\'sonlydeterrent。Andthentherewasawomaninthisparadise！Thesegradualinsinuationsintohisreveryatlengthmadehimturn。Astraightavenueofpear-shaped，fifteen-year-oldmaplesledtothehouse，amassivecolonialstructureofwoodthatstretchedacrosstheshelf；andhehadtightenedthereinsandstartedcourageouslyuptheavenuewhenheperceivedthatitendedinacircleonwhichtherewasnosignofahitching-post。And，worsethanthis，onthebalconied，uncoveredporchwhichhewouldhavetotraversetoreachthedoorwayhesawthesheenandglimmerofwomen\'sgownsgroupedaboutwickertables，andbecameawarethathisapproachwasthesoleobjectofthescrutinyofanafternoonteaparty。
AshereachedthecircleitwasaslightrelieftolearnthatPepperwastheattraction。NohorseknewbetterthanPepperwhenhewasbeingadmired，andhearchedhisneckandliftedhisfeetanddancedinthesheerexhilarationofit。Asmooth-faced，red-cheekedgentlemaningrayflannelsleanedoverthebalustradeandmadeaudiblecommentsinapenetratingvoicewhichbetrayedthefactthathewasMr。HumphreyCrewe。
“SawhimonthestreetinRiptonlastyear。Goodhockaction，hasn\'the？——that\'srareintrottersaroundhere。Triedtobuyhim。Fellerwouldn\'tsell。Hisname\'sVane——he\'sdrivin\'himnow。“
Aladyofasomewhatcommandingpresencewasbesidehim。Shewasperhapsfiveandforty，heriron-grayhairwasdressedtoperfection，herfigureallthatParisianartcouldmakeit，andshewasregardingAustenwithextremedeliberationthroughtheglasseswhichshehadraisedtoahigh-
bridgednose。
“Politicsiscertainlyyourcareer，Humphrey，“sheremarked，“youhavesuchawonderfulmemoryforfaces。Idon\'tseehowhedoesit，doyou，Alice？“shedemandedofatallgirlbesideher，whowasevidentlyherdaughter，butlackedherpersonality。
“Idon\'tknow，“saidAlice。
“It\'sbecauseI\'vebeenherelongerthananybodyelse，Mrs。Pomfret，“
answeredMr。Crewe，notverygraciously，“that\'sall。Hello。“ThislasttoAusten。
“Hello，“saidAusten。
“Whodoyouwanttosee？“inquiredMr。Crewe，withtheadmirabletactforwhichhewasnoted。
Austenlookedathimforthefirsttime。
“Anybodywhowillholdmyhorse，“heansweredquietly。
Bythistimetheconversationhaddrawntheattentionoftheothersatthetables，andoneortwosmiledatAusten\'sanswer。Mrs。Flint，witha“Whoisit？“arosetorepelasocialintrusion。Shewasanoverdressedlady，incliningtoembonpoint，buttracesoftheRoseofSharonwerestillvisible。
“Whydon\'tyoudrive\'roundtothestables？“suggestedMr。Crewe，unawareofasmile。
Austendidnotanswer。Hewas，infact，lookingtowardsthedoorway，andthegroupontheporchweresurprisedtoseeagleamofmirthfulunderstandingstartinhiseyes。AnansweringgleamwasinVictoria\'s，whohadatthatmoment，byasingularcoincidence，comeoutofthehouse。
Shecamedirectlydownthestepsandoutonthegravel，andheldherhandtohiminthebuggy，andheflushedwithpleasureashegraspedit。
“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Vane？“shesaid。“Iamsogladyouhavecalled。
Humphrey，justpushthestablebutton，willyou？“
Mr。Creweobeyedwithnoverygoodgrace，whilethetea-partywentbacktotheirseats。Mrs。FlintsupposedhehadcometosellVictoriathehorse；whileMrs。Pomfret，whohadtakenhiminfromcrowntoboots，remarkedthathelookedverymuchlikeagentleman。
“Icametoseeyourfatherforafewmoments——onbusiness，“Austenexplained。
Sheliftedherfacetohiswithasecondsearchinglook。
“I\'lltakeyoutohim，“shesaid。
BythistimeanimblegroomhadappearedfromoutoashrubberypathandseizedPepper\'shead。AustenalightedandfollowedVictoriaintoagreat，coolhallway，andthroughtwodarkenedrooms，bewilderinglyfurnishedandladenwiththescentofflowers，intoanarrowpassagebeyond。Sheledthewaysimply，notspeaking，andhersilenceseemedtobetokenthecompletenessofanunderstandingbetweenthem，asofalongacquaintance。
Inaplainwhite-washedroom，behindaplainoakendesk，satMr。Flint——aplainman。Austenthoughthewouldhaveknownhimhadheseenhimonthestreet。Theotherthingsintheroomwereletter-files，asafe，along-
distancetelephone，andathinprivatesecretarywithabendinhisback。
Mr。Flintlookedupfromhisdesk，andhisface，previouslybereftofillumination，lightedwhenhesawhisdaughter。Austenlikedthatinhim。
“Well，Vic，whatisitnow？“heasked。
“Mr。AustenVanetoseeyou，“saidVictoria，andwithaquickglanceatAustenshelefthimstandingonthethreshold。Mr。Flintrose。Hiseyesweredeep-setinasquare，hardhead，andheappearedtobetakingAusteninwithoutdirectlylookingathim；likewise，onefeltthatMr。Flint\'shandshakewasnotanabsolutegiftofhissoul。
“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Vane？Idon\'trememberevertohavehadthepleasureofseeingyou，althoughyourfatherandIhavebeenintimatelyconnectedformanyyears。“
Sothepresident\'smannerwashearty，butnotthesubstance。Itcame，Austenthought，fromararityofmeetingwithmenonadisinterestedfooting；andhecouldnotbutwonderhowMr。Flintwouldtreattheangelsinheavenifheevergotthere，wheretherewerenofranchisestobehad。
Wouldhesuspectthemofdesignsuponhishardwonharpandhalo？AustendidnotdislikeMr。Flint；theman\'srise，hisachievements，hisaffectionforhisdaughter，heremembered。ButhewasalsowellawarethatMr。Flinthadthrownuponhimtheonusofthefirstmoveinagamewhichtherailroadpresidentwasusedtoplayingeveryday。Thedragonwasonhishomegroundandhadthechoiceofweapons。
“Idonotwishtobotheryoulong，“saidAusten。
“Nobother，answeredMr。Flint，“nobothertomaketheacquaintanceofthesonofmyoldfriend，HilaryVane。Sitdown——sitdown。AndwhileI
don\'tbelieveanymanshoulddependuponhisfathertolaunchhimintheworld，yetitmustbeagreatsatisfactiontoyou，Mr。Vane，tohavesuchafather。HilaryVaneandIhavebeenintimatelyassociatedformanyyears，andmyadmirationforhimhasincreasedwitheveryyear。Itistomenofhistypethattheprosperity，thegreatness，ofthisnationislargelydue，——conservative，upright，able，contenttoconfinehimselftothedifficultworkforwhichheissoeminentlyfitted，withoutspectacularmeddlinginthingsinwhichhecanhavenoconcern。
ThereforeIwelcometheopportunitytoknowyou，sir，forIunderstandthatyouhavesettleddowntofollowinhisfootstepsandthatyouwillmakeanameforyourself。Iknowtheindependenceofyoungmen——Iwasyoungoncemyself。Butafterall，Mr。Vane，experienceisthegreatteacher，andperhapsthereissomelittleadvicewhichanoldmancangiveyouthatmaybeofservice。Asyourfather\'sson，itisalwaysatyourdisposal。Haveacigar。“
Thethinsecretarycontinuedtoflitabouttheroom，betweentheletter-
filesandthedesk。AustenhadfounditinfinitelyeasiertoshootMr。
BlodgettthantoengageinaduelwiththepresidentoftheUnitedRailroad。
“Ismokeapipe，“hesaid。
“Toomanyyoungmensmokecigars——andthosedisgustingcigarettes，“saidMr。Flint，withconviction。“Therearealotofworthlessyoungmeninthesedays，anyhow。Theycometomyhouseandloafanddrinkandsmoke，andtalkalotofnonsenseaboutgamesandautomobilesandclubs，andcumbertheearthgenerally。There\'sayoungmannamedCreweoveratLeith，forinstance——youmayhaveseenhim。Notthathe\'sdissipated——
buthedon\'tdoanythingbuttalkaboutrailroadsandthestockmarkettomakeyousick，anddon\'tknowanymoreabout\'emthanmyfarmer。“
DuringthisdiatribeAustensawhisopeninggrowingsmallerandsmaller。
Ifhedidnotmakeadashforit，itwouldsoonbeclosedentirely。
“Ireceivedaletterthismorning，Mr。Flint，enclosingmeanannualpass——“
“DidUpjohnsendyouone？“Mr。Flintcutin；“heoughttohavedonesolongago。Itwasprobablyanoversightthathedidnot，Mr。Vane。Wetrytoextendthecourtesiesoftheroadtopersonswhoarelookeduptointheircommunities。ThesonofHilaryVaneisatalltimeswelcometoone。“
Mr。Flintpausedtolighthiscigar，andAustensummonedhisresolution。
Secondbyseconditwasbecomingmoreandmoredifficultandseeminglymoreungracioustoreturnagiftsograciouslygiven，agiftofnoinconsiderableintrinsicvalue。Moreover，Mr。Flinthadingeniouslycontrivedalmosttomaketheact，inAusten\'seyes，thatofapicayuneupstart。WhowashetoflingbackanannualpassinthefaceofthepresidentoftheNortheasternRailroads？
“Ihadfirstthoughtofwritingyoualetter，Mr。Flint，“hesaid，“butitseemedtomethat，consideringyourrelationswithmyfather，theproperthingtodowastocometoyouandtellyouwhyIcannottakethepass。“
Thethinsecretarypausedinhisfiling，andremainedmotionlesswithhisbodybentoverthedrawer。
“Whyyoucannottakeit，Mr。Vane？“saidtherailroadpresident。“I\'mafraidIdon\'tunderstand。“
“Iappreciatethe——thekindness，“saidAusten，“andIwilltrytoexplain。“Hedrewtheredcardboardfromhispocketandturneditover。
“Onthebackofthisisprinted，insmallletters，\'Itisunderstoodthatthispassisacceptedbytherecipientasaretainer。\'“
“Well，“Mr。Flintinterrupted，smilingsomewhatblandly，“howmuchmoneydoyouthinkthatpasswouldsaveanactiveyounglawyerinayear？Isthreehundreddollarstoomuch？Threehundreddollarsisnotaninsignificantsumtoayoungmanonthethresholdofhispractice，isit？“
AustenlookedatMr。Flint。
“Anysumisinsignificantwhenitrestrictsalawyerfromtheacceptanceofjustcauses，Mr。Flint。AsIunderstandthematter，itisthecustomofyourrailroadtosendthesepassestotheyounglawyersoftheStatethemomenttheybegintogivesignsofability。Thispastwouldpreventmefromservingclientswhomighthaverighteousclaimsagainstyourrailroads，and——permitmetospeakfrankly——inmyopinionthepracticetendstomakeitdifficultforpoorpeoplewhohavebeeninjuredtogetefficientlawyers。“
“Yourownfatherisretainedbytherailroad，“saidMr。Flint。
“Astheircounsel，“answeredAusten。“Ihaveaprideinmyprofession，Mr。Flint，asnodoubtyouhaveinyours。IfIshouldeveracquiresufficienteminencetobesoughtascounselforarailroad，Ishouldmakemyowntermswithit。Ishouldnotallowitsmanagementalonetodecideuponthevalueofmyretainer，andmyservicesinitsbehalfwouldbeconfinedstrictlytoprofessionalones。“
Mr。Flintdrummedonthetable。
“Whatdoyoumeanbythat？“hedemanded。
“ImeanthatIwouldnotengage，forafeeorapass，tofightthepoliticalbattlesofarailroad，orundertakeanypoliticalmanipulationinitsbehalfwhatever。“
Mr。Flintleanedforwardaggressively。
“HowlongdoyouthinkarailroadwouldpaydividendsifitdidnotadoptsomemeansofdefendingitselffromtheblackmailpoliticianoftheStatelegislatures，Mr。Vane？TherailroadsofwhichIhavethehonourtobepresidentpayaheavytaginthisandotherStates。Wewouldpayamuchheavieroneifwedidn\'ttakeprecautionstoprotectourselves。ButIdonotintendtoquarrelwithyou，Mr。Vane，“hecontinuedquickly，perceivingthatAustenwasabouttoanswerhim，“nordoIwishtoleaveyouwiththeimpressionthattheNortheasternRailroadsmeddleundulyinpolitics。“
Austenknewnothowtoanswer。HehadnotgonetheretodiscussthislastandreallygreatquestionwithMr。Flint，buthewonderedwhetherthepresidentactuallythoughthimthefledglingheproclaimed。AustenlaidhispassonMr。Flint\'sdesk，androse。
“Iassureyou，Mr。Flint，thatthespiritwhichpromptedmyvisitwasnotacontentiousone。Icannotacceptthepass，simplybecauseIdonotwishtoberetained。“
Mr。Flinteyedhim。Therewasamarkofdignity，ofsilentpower，onthistallscapegraceofasonofHilaryVanethattherailroadpresidenthadmissedatfirst——probablybecausehehadlookedonlyforthescapegrace。Mr。Flintardentlydesiredtotreatthematterinthetriflingaspectinwhichhebelievedhesawit，tocarryitoffgenially。
Butaninstinctnotyetformulatedtoldthepresidentthathewasfacetofacewithanenemywhosepotentialpowerswerenottobedespised，andhebristledinspiteofhimself。
“ThereisnostatuteIknowofbywhichalawyercanbecompelledtoacceptaretaineragainsthiswill，Mr。Vane，“hereplied，andovercamehimselfwithaneffort。“ButIhopethatyouwillpermitme，“headdedinanothertone，“asanoldfriendofyourfather\'sandasamanofsomelittleexperienceintheworld，toremarkthatintoleranceisacharacteristicofyouth。IhaditinthedaysofMr。IsaacD。
Worthington，whomyoudonotremember。Iamnotaddictedtoflattery，butIhopeandbelieveyouhaveacareerbeforeyou。Talktoyourfather。Studythequestiononbothsides，——fromthepointofviewofmenwhoarehonestlytrying，inthefaceoftremendousdifficulties，toprotectinnocentstockholdersaswellastoconductacorporationintheinterestsofthepeopleatlarge，andfortheirgeneralprosperity。Becharitable，youngman，andjudgenothastily。“
Yearsbefore，whenpoorSarahAustenhadadornedtheendofhistable，HilaryVanehadraisedhisheadafterthepronouncementofgracetosurprisealookinhiswife\'seyeswhichstrangelythrewhimintoawhiteheatofanger。Thatlookandheatintervalshadbehelditafterwards
wasthetruepresentmentofthesoulofthewomanwhosebodywashis。Itwasnot——asHilaryVanethoughtit——acontemptforthepracticeofthankingone\'sMakerfordailybread，butacontemptforcantofonewhoseesthehumourincant。AmasculineversionofthatlookMr。FlintnowbeheldintheeyesofAustenVane，andtheenragingeffectonthepresidentoftheUnitedRailroadswasmuchthesameasithadbeenonhischiefcounsel。Whowasthisyoungmanofthreeandthirtytoagitatehimso？Hetrembled，thoughnotvisibly，yettookAusten\'shandmechanically。
“Goodday，Mr。Vane，“hesaid；Mr。Freemanwillhelpyoutofindyourhorse。“
Thethinsecretarybowed，andbeforehereachedthedoorintothepassageMr。Flinthadopenedanotheratthebackoftheroomandsteppedoutonaclose-croppedlawnfloodedwithafternoonsunlight。InthepassageAustenperceivedachair，andinthechairwasseatedpatientlynoneotherthanMr。BrushBascom——politicalDukeofPutnam。Mr。Bascom\'slittleagateeyesglitteredinthedimlight。
“Hello，Austen，“hesaid，“sincewhenhaveyoutooktocomin\'here？“
“It\'salongertripfromPutnamthanfromRipton，Brush，“saidAusten，andpassedon，leavingMr。Bascomwithapuzzledmind。SomethingverylikeasmilepassedoverMr。Freeman\'sfaceasheledthewaysilentlyoutofasideentranceandaroundthehouse。Thecircleofthedrivewasempty，thetea-partyhadgone——andVictoria。Austenassuredhimselfthatherdisappearancerelievedhim:havingvirtuallyquarrelledwithherfather，conversationwouldhavebeenawkward；andyethelookedforher。
TheyfoundthebuggyandPepperinthepavedcourtyardofthestables。
AsAustentookthereinsthesecretarylookedupathim，hismildblueeyesburningwithanunsuspectedfire。Heheldouthishand。
“Iwanttocongratulateyou，“hesaid。
“Whatfor？“askedAusten，takingthehandinsomeembarrassment。
“Forspeakinglikeaman，“saidthesecretary，andheturnedonhisheelandlefthim。
Thisstrangeaction，capping，asitdid，astrangerexperience，gaveAustenfoodforthoughtasheletPeppertakehisownpacedownthetrade\'sroad。Presentlyhegotbackintothemaindrivewhereitclungtoasteep，forest-coveredsidehill，whenhisattentionwasdistractedbythesightofastraightfigureinwhitedescendingamidstthefoliageahead。HisinstinctiveactionwastopullPepperdowntoawalk，scarcelyanalyzinghismotives；thenhehadtime，beforereachingthespotwheretheirpathswouldcross，toconsiderandcharacteristicallytoenjoytheunpropitiouselementsarrayedagainstafriendshipwithVictoriaFlint。
Shehaltedonaflagstoneofthedescendingpathsomesixfeetabovetheroadway，andstoodexpectant。TheRoseofSharon，fiveandtwentyyearsbefore，wouldhavebeencoy——wouldhavemadebelievetohavedoneitbyaccident。ButtheRoseofSharon，withallherbeauty，wouldhavehadnoattractionforAustenVane。Victoriahadmuchofhermother\'sgoodlooks，thefigureofaDiana，andherclotheswereofaseverityandcorrectnessinkeepingwithherstyle；theymerelyaddedtothesumtotaloftheeffectuponAusten。Ofcoursehestoppedthebuggyimmediatelybeneathher，andherfirstquestionlefthimwithoutanybreath。Nowomanhehadeverknownseizedtheessentialsasshedid。
“Whathaveyoubeendoingtomyfather？“sheasked。
“Why？“exclaimedAusten。
“Becausehe\'sinsuchabadtemper，“saidVictoria。“Youmusthaveputhiminit。Itcan\'tbepossiblethatyoucameallthewayupheretoquarrelwithhim。Nobodyeverdarestoquarrelwithhim。“
“Ididn\'tcomeuptoquarrelwithhim，“saidAusten。
“What\'sthetrouble？“askedVictoria。
Thehumourofthisquestionwastoomuchforhim，andhelaughed。
Victoria\'seyeslaughedalittle，buttherewasapuckerinherforehead。
“Won\'tyoutellme？“shedemanded，“ormustIgetitoutofhim？“
“Iamafraid，“saidAusten，slowly，“thatyoumustgetitoutofhim——ifhehasn\'tforgottenit。“
“Forgottenit，dearoldsoul！“criedVictoria。“ImethimjustnowandtriedtomakehimlookatthenewGuernseys，andhemusthavebeendisturbedquiteagooddealwhenhe\'scrossasabeartome。Hereallyoughtn\'ttobeupsetlikethat，Mr。Vane，whenhecomesupheretorest。
Iamafraidthatyouareratheraterribleperson，althoughyoulooksonice。Won\'tyoutellmewhatyoudidtohim？“
Austenwasnon-plussed。
“Nothingintentional，“heansweredearnestly，“butitwouldn\'tbefairtoyourfatherifIgaveyoumyversionofabusinessconversationthatpassedbetweenus，wouldit？“
“Perhapsnot，“saidVictoria。Shesatdownontheflagstonewithherelbowonherkneeandherchininherhand，andlookedathimthoughtfully。Heknewwellenoughthatawisegeneralwouldhaveretreated——horse，foot，andbaggage；butPepperdidnotstir。
“Doyouknow，“saidVictoria，“IhaveanideayoucameuphereaboutZebMeader。“
“ZebMeader！“
“Yes。Itoldmyfatherabouthim，——howyourescuedhim，andhowyouwenttoseehiminthehospital，andwhatagoodmanheis，andhowpoor。“
“Oh，didyou！“exclaimedAusten。
“Yes。AndItoldhimtheaccidentwasn\'tZeb\'sfault，thatthetraindidn\'twhistleorring，andthatthecrossingwasablindone。“
“Andwhatdidhesay？“askedAusten，curiously。
“Hesaidthatonarailroadasbigashissomethingofthekindmusthappenoccasionally。AndhetoldmeifZebdidn\'tmakeafussandactfoolishly，hewouldhavenocausetoregretit。“
“AnddidyoutellZeb？“askedAusten。
“Yes，“Victoriaadmitted，“butI\'msorryIdid，now。“
“WhatdidZebsay？“
Victorialaughedinspiteofherself，andgaveamoreorlessexactthoughkindlyimitationofMr。Meader\'smanner。
“Hesaidthatwimmen-folkshadbettersticktotheneedleandtheduster，andnotgopokin\'aboutlawbusinessthatdidn\'tconcern\'em。Buttheworstofitwas，“addedVictoria，withsomedistress，“hewon\'tacceptanymorefruit。Isn\'thesilly？Hewon\'tgetitintohisheadthatI
givehimthefruit，andnotmyfather。Isuspectthatheactuallybelievesmyfathersentmedowntheretotellhimthat。“
Austenwassilent，forthetruesignificanceofthisapparentlyobscuredamagecasetotheNortheasternRailroadswasbeginningtodawnonhim。
Thepublicwasnotinthebestofhumourstowardsrailroads:therewastroubleaboutgradecrossings，andMr。Meader\'smishapandthemannerofhisrescuebythesonofthecorporationcounselhadgiventheaccidentadeplorablepublicity。Moreover，ifithaddawnedonAugustusFlintthatthesonofHilaryVanemightprosecutethesuit，itwasworthwhiletakingalittlepainswithMr。MeaderandMr。AustenVane。Certainsmallfireshavebeenknowntolightworld-wideconflagrations。
“Whatareyouthinkingabout？“askedVictoria。“Itisn\'tatallpolitetoforgetthepersonyouaretalkingto。“
“Ihaven\'tforgottenyou，“saidAusten，withasmile。Howcouldhe——
sittingunderherinthismanner？
“Besides，“saidVictoria，mollified，“youhaven\'tanansweredmyquestion。“
“Whichquestion？
Shescrutinizedhimthoughtfully，andwithfeminineartmadethekindofanattackthatrarelyfails。
“Whyareyousuchanenigma，Mr。Vane？“shedemanded。“Isitbecauseyou\'realawyer，orbecauseyou\'vebeenoutWestandseensomuchoflifeandshotsomanypeople？“
Austenlaughed，yethehadtinglingsymptomsbecausesheshowedenoughinterestinhimtopronouncehimariddle。Butheinstantlybecameseriousasthepurportofthelastchargecamehometohim。
“IsupposeIamlookeduponasasortofJesseJames，“hesaid。“Asithappens，Ihavenevershotbutoneman，andIdidn\'tcareverymuchforthat。“
Victoriagotupandcamedownastepandgavehimherhand。Hetookit，norwashethefirsttorelinquishthehold；andacolourrosedelicatelyinherfaceasshedrewherfingersaway。
“Ididn\'tmeantooffendyou，“shesaid。
“Youdidn\'toffendme，“herepliedquickly。“ImerelywishedyoutoknowthatIwasn\'tabrigand。“
Victoriasmiled。
“Ireallydidn\'tthinkso——youaremuchtoosolemn。Ihavetogonow，and——youhaven\'ttoldmeanything。“
Shecrossedtheroadandbegantodescendthepathontheotherside。
Twiceheglancedback，afterhehadstarted，andoncesurprisedherpoisedlightlyamongtheleaves，lookingoverhershoulder。
CHAPTERV
THEPARTINGOFTHEWAYS
ThenexttimeAustenvisitedthehospitalMr。Meaderhadasurpriseinstoreforhim。Afterpassingthetimeofday，aswashiscustom，thepatientfreelydiscussedthemotiveswhichhadledhimtorefuseanymoreofVictoria\'sfruit。
“Ihain\'tgotnothingagainsther，“hedeclared；“Itriedtomakethatplain。She\'sasniceandcommonayoungladyasIeversee，andIdon\'tbelieveshehadathingtodowithit。ButIsuspicionedtheywasuptosomethin\'whenshebroughtthembaskets。AndwhenshegivemethemessagefromoldFlint，Iwassureofit。“
“MissFlintwasentirelyinnocent，I\'msure，“saidAusten，emphatically。
“IfIcouldseeoldFlint，I\'dtellhimwhatIthoughtofhimusin\'
wimmen-folkstosave\'emmoney，“saidMr。Meader。“Iknowedshewahn\'tthatkind。Andthenthatotherthingcomerightontopofit。“
“Whatotherthing？“
“Say，“demandedMr。Meader，“don\'tyouknow？“
“Iknownothing，“saidAusten。
“Didn\'tknowHilaryVane\'sbe\'nhere？“
“Myfather！“Austenejaculated。
“Gittin\'aftermeprettywarm，sotheybe。Wanttoknowwhatmypriceisnow。Butsay，Ididn\'tsupposeyourfayther\'dcomeherewithoutlettin\'
youknow。“
Austenwassilent。Thetruthwasthatforafewmomentshecouldnotcommandhimselfsufficientlytospeak。
“Heisthechiefcounselfortheroad，“hesaidatlength；“Iamnotconnectedwithit。“
“Iguessyou\'reontherighttrack。He\'saprettysmoothtalker，yourfayther。JustdroppedintoseehowIbe，sincehissonwasinterested。
TalkedasightoflawgibberishIdidn\'tunderstand。ToldmeIdidn\'thavemuchofacase；saidthepolicyoftherailrudwastobeliberal，andwantedtoknowwhatIthoughtIoughttohave。“
“Well？“saidAusten，shortly。
“Well，“saidMr。Mender，“hedidn\'tgitamiteofsatisfactionoutofme。
I\'veseenenoughofhiskindoffolkstoknowhowtodealwith\'em，andI
toldhimso。IaskedhimwhattheymeantbysendingthatslickMr。
Tooting\'raoundtooffermefivehundreddollars。IsaidIwaswillin\'
totrustmycaseonthatcrossin\'toajury。“
Austensmiled，inspiteofhismingledemotions。
“WhatelsedidMr。Vanesay？“heasked。
Notagreatsightmore。Saidagoodmanyfolkswerefoolishenoughtospendmoneyandgotolawwhenthey\'ddonebettertotrusttotheliberalityoftherailrud。Liberality！Adams\'widowdonewelltotrusttheirliberality，didn\'tshe？Hewantedtoknowonemorething，butI
didn\'tgivehimanysatisfaction。“
“Whatwasthat？“
“Icouldn\'ttellyouhowhegot\'raoundtoit。Guessheneverdid，quite。Hewantedtoknowwhatlawyerwastohavemycase。Wahn\'tnoneofhisaffair，andIcallatedifyou\'dwantedhimtoknowjustyet，you\'dhavetoadhim。“
Austenlaidhishandonthefarmer\'s，asherosetogo。
“Zeb，“hesaid，“Ineverexpecttohaveamoreexemplaryclient。“
Mr。Mendershotaglanceathim。
“MebbeIspokeamitetoofreeaboutyourfayther，Austen，“hesaid；“youandhimseemkindofdifferent。“
“TheJudgeandIunderstandeachother，“answeredAusten。
Hehadgotasfarasthedoor，whenhestopped，swungonhisheel，andcamebacktothebedside。
“It\'smydutytotellyou，Zeb，thatinordertohushthisthinguptheymayofferyoumorethanyoucangetfromajury。InthatcaseIshouldhavetoadviseyoutoaccept。“
Hewasawarethat，whilehemadethisstatement，ZebMeader\'seyeswererivetedonhim，andheknewthatthefarmerwasweighinghiminthebalance。
“Sellout？“exclaimedMr。Meader。“Youadvisemetosellout？“
Austendidnotgetangry。Heunderstoodthismanandthepeoplefromwhichhesprang。
“Thequestionisforyoutodecide——whetheryoucangetmoremoneybyasettlement。“
“Money！“criedZebMeader，“Ihavefounditprettyhardtogit，butthere\'ssomethingsIwon\'tdoforit。There\'sareasonwhytheywantthiscasehushedup，thewaythey\'vebe\'nactin\'。Iain\'tlivedinMercerandPutnamCountyallmylifefornothin\'。Hain\'tIseen\'emruntheirdirtypoliticsthereunderBrushBascomforthelasttwenty-fiveyears？There\'snomanhasanofficeorapassinthatcountybutwhatBascomgivesittohim，andBascom\'stherailrudtool。“SuddenlyZebraisedhimselfinbed。“Hev\'theybe\'ntamperin\'withyou？“hedemanded。
“Yes，“answeredAusten，dispassionately。HehadhardlyheardwhatZebhadsaid；hismindhadbeengoingonward。“Yes。Theysentmeanannualpass，andItookitback。“
ZebMeaderdidnotspeakforafewmoments。
“IguessIwasalittlehasty，Austen，“hesaidatlength。
“Imighthaveknownyouwouldn\'tsellout。Ifyou\'re\'willin\'totaketherisk，youtell\'emtenthousanddollarswouldn\'ttemptme。“
“Allright，Zeb，“saidAusten。
HeleftthehospitalandstruckoutacrossthecountrytowardstheslopesofSawanec，climbedthem，andstoodbareheadedintheeveninglight，gazingoverthestill，widevalleynorthwardtothewoodedridgeswhereLeithandFairviewlayhidden。Hehadcometothepartingofthewaysoflife，andwhilehedidnothesitatetochoosehispath，aVaneinheritance，thoughnotdominant，couldnotfailatsuchajuncturetopointoutthepleasantnessofconformity。Austen\'saffectionforHilaryVanewasreal；thelonelinessoftheeldermanappealedtotheson，whoknewthathisfatherlovedhiminhisownway。Hedreadedthewrenchthere。
Andnature，persuasiveinthatquarter，wasnottobestilledinafieldmorecompletelyherown。ThememoryandsupplianceofaminutewillscarcesufficeoneofAusten\'stemperamentforalifetime；andhiseyes，flyingwiththeeaglehighacrossthevalley，searchedthevelvetfoldsoftheridges，astheylayininfiniteshadesofgreeninthelevellight，fortheplacewheretheenchantedrealmmightbe。JustwhatthestateofhisfeelingswereatthistimetowardsVictoriaFlintistoovague——accuratelytobepainted，buthewascertainlynotreadytogivewaytotheattractionhefeltforher。Hissenseofhumourintervenedifheallowedhimselftodream；therewasacertainfollyinpursuingtheacquaintance，allthegreaternowthathewaschoosingthepathofoppositiontothedragon。Ayoungwoman，surroundedasshewas，couldbeexpectedtoknowlittleofthesubtletiesofbusinessandpoliticalmorality:lethimtakeZebMeader\'scase，andherloyaltywouldnaturallybewithherfather，——ifshethoughtofAustenVaneatall。
Andyettheverycontradictionofhername，VictoriajoinedwithFlint，seemedtoproclaimthatshedidnotbelongtoherfatherortotheRoseofSharon。Austenpermittedhimselftodwell，ashedescendedthemountaininthegatheringdarkness，uponthefancyofthespringingofagenerationofidealsfromagenerationofcommercewhichbodedwellfortheRepublic。AndAustenVane，incommonwiththatyoungerandtravelledgeneration，thoughtlargelyintermsoftheRepublic。PepperCountyandPutnamCountywereallonetohim——piecesofhisnativeland。Andassuch，redeemable。
ItwaslongpastthesupperhourwhenhereachedthehouseinHanoverStreet；butEuphrasia，whomanyatimeindaysgonebyhadfaredforthintothewoodstofindSarahAusten，hadhissupperhotforhim。
Afterwardshelightedhispipeandwentoutintothedarkness，andpresentlyperceivedablackfigureseatedmeditativelyonthegranitedoorstep。
“Isthatyou，Judge？“saidAusten。
TheHonourableHilarygruntedinresponse。
“Be\'nonanotherwildexpedition，Isuppose。“
“IwentupSawanectostretchmylegsalittle，“Austenanswered，sittingdownbesidehisfather。
“Funny，“remarkedtheHonourableHilary，“Ineverhadthismaniaforstretchin\'mylegsafterIwasgrown。“
“Well，“saidAusten，“Iliketogointothewoodsandclimbthehillsandgetairedoutonceinawhile。“
“Iheardofyourgettin\'airedoutyesterday，upTunbridgeway，“saidtheHonourableHilary。
“Isupposedyouwouldhearofit，“answeredAusten。
“Iwasupthereto-day。GaveMr。Flintyourpassdidyou？“
“Yes。“
“Didn\'tseefittomentionittomefirst——didyou？Saidyouweregoinguptothankhimforit。“
Austenconsideredthis。
“Youhaveputmeinthewrong，Judge，“herepliedafteralittle。“I
madethatremarkironically。IIamafraidwecannotagreeonthemotivewhichpromptedme。“
“Yourconsciencealittlefinerthanyourfather\'s——isit？“
“No，“saidAusten，“Idon\'thonestlythinkitis。I\'vethoughtagooddealinthelastfewyearsaboutthedifferenceinourwaysoflookingatthings。Ibelievethattwomenwhotrytobehonestmayconscientiouslydiffer。ButIalsobelievethatcertaincustomshavegraduallygrownupinrailroadpracticewhicharemoreorlesstobedeploredfromthepointofviewofthehonouroftheprofession。Ithinktheyarenotperhaps——
realizedevenbytheeminentmeninthelaw。“
“Humph！“saidtheHonourableHilary。Buthedidnotpresshissonfortheenumerationofthesecustoms。AfteralltheyearshehaddisapprovedofAusten\'sdeedsitseemedstrangeindeedtobecalledtoaccountbytheprodigalforhisown。Coulditbethatthisboywhomhehadsooftenchastisedtookaclearerviewofpracticalmoralitythanhimself？Itwaspreposterous。Butwhytheuneasinessofthepastfewyears？Whyhadhemorethanonceduringthatperiod，forthefirsttimeinhislife，questionedahithertoabsolutesatisfactioninhispositionofchiefcounselfortheNortheasternRailroads？Whyhadhehesitatedtoinitiatehissonintomanyoftheso-calleddutiesofarailroadlawyer？Austenhadneververballyarraignedthosedutiesuntilto-night。
Contradictoryasitmayseem，irritatingasitwastotheHonourableHilaryVane，heexperiencedagainthecertainfainttinglingofprideaswhenAustenhadgivenhimthedispassionateaccountoftheshootingofMr。Blodgett；andthistinglingonlyservedtostiffenHilaryVanemorethanever。Alifelonghabitofadmittingnothingandalifelongpridemadetheacknowledgmentofpossibleprofessionallapsesforthebenefitofhisemployernottobethoughtof。HethereforeassumedthesameattitudeashadMr。Flint，andforcedtheburdenofexplanationuponAusten，relyingsurelyonthedisinclinationofhissontobespecific。
AndAusten，consideringhisrelationship，couldnotbeexpectedtofathomthesementalprocesses。
“Seehere，Judge，“hesaid，greatlyembarrassedbytherealaffectionhefelt，“Idon\'twanttoseemlikeaprigandappeartobesittinginjudgmentuponamanofyourexperienceandpositionespeciallysinceI
havethehonourtobeyourson，andhavemadeagooddealoftroublebyanotirreproachableexistence。Sincewehavebegunonthesubject，however，IthinkIoughttotellyouthatIhavetakenthecaseofZebMeaderagainsttheNortheasternRailroads。“
“Wahn\'tmuchneedoftellingme，wasthere？“remarkedtheHonourableHilary，dryly。“I\'dhavefounditoutassoonasanybodyelse。“
“Therewasthisneedoftellingyou，“answeredAusten，steadily，“althoughIamnotinpartnershipwithyou，Ibearyourname。Andin-as-
muchasIamtohaveasuitagainstyourclient，ithasoccurredtomethatyouwouldlikemetomove——elsewhere。“
TheHonourableHilarywassilentforalongtime。
“Wanttomove——doYOU？Isthatit？“
“Onlybecausemypresencemayembarrassyou。“
“Thatwahn\'tinthecontract，“saidtheHonourableHilary；“you\'vegotarighttotakeanyfoolcasesyou\'veamindto。FolksknowprettywellI\'mnotmixedupin\'em。“
Austendidnotsmile；hecouldwellunderstandhisfather\'sanimusinthismatter。Ashelookedupatthegableofhisoldhomeagainstthestars，hedidnotfindthenextsentenceanyeasier。
“Andthen，“hecontinued，“intaking，acoursesoobviouslyagainstyourwishesandjudgmentitoccurredtome——well，thatIwaseatingatyourtableandsleepinginyourhouse。“
Tohisson\'sastonishment，HilaryVaneturnedonhimalmosttruculently。
“Ithoughtthetime\'dcomewhenyou\'dwanttogooffagain，——gypsying，“
hecried。
“I\'dstayrighthereinRipton，Judge。IbelievemyworkisinthisState。
TheHonourcouldseethroughamillstonewithaholeinit。TheeffectofAusten\'sassertiononhimwasadeclarationthatthemissionoftheonewastoteardownwhattheotherhadsolaboriouslybuiltup。AndyetagrowingdreadofHilaryVane\'shadbeenthelonelinessofdecliningyearsinthathouseshouldAustenleaveitagain，nevertoreturn。
“IknewyouhadthisMeaderbusinessinmind，“hesaid。“Iknewyouhadfancifulnotionsabout——somethings。NevertoldyouIdidn\'twantyouhere，didI？“
“No，“saidAusten，“but——“
WouldhavetoldyouifIhadn\'twantedyou——wouldn\'tI？“
“Ihopeso，Judge，“saidAusten，whounderstoodsomethingofthefeelingwhichunderlaythisbrusquenees。Thatknowledgemademattersalltheharderforhim。
“Itwasyourmother\'shouse——you\'reentitledtothat，anyway，“saidtheHonourableHilary，“butwhatIwanttoknowis，whyyoudidn\'tadvisethateternalfoolofaMeadertoacceptwhatweofferedhim。You\'llnevergetacountyjurytogiveasmuch。“
“Ididadvisehimtoacceptit，“answeredAusten。
“What\'sthematterwithhim？“theHonourableHilarydemanded。
“Well，judge，ifyoureallywantmyopinion，anhonestfarmerlikeMeaderissuspiciousofanycorporationwhichhassuchzealousandloyalretainersasHamTootingandBrushBascom。“AndAustenthoughtwithareturnofthepangwhichhadhauntedhimatintervalsthroughouttheafternoon，thathemightalmosthaveaddedtothesenamesthatofHilaryVane。CertainlyZebMeaderhadnotsparedhisfather。
“Life，“observedtheHonourableHilary，unconsciouslyusingaphrasefromthe\'BookofArguments，\'“isasurvivalofthefittest。“
“Howdoyoudefine\'thefittest？\'“askedAusten。“Aretheythemenwhohavethenotunusualandcertainlynotexaltedgiftofgettingmoneyfromtheirfellowcreaturesbytheuseofanyandallweaponsthatmaybeathand？whobelievetheacquisitionofwealthtobeexemptfromthepracticeofmorality？IsMr。Flintyourexampleofthefittesttypetoexistandsurvive，orGladstoneorWilberforceorEmersonorLincoln？“
“Emerson！“criedtheHonourableHilary，thenamestandingoutinredlettersbeforehiseyes。Hehadneverreadalineofthephilosopher\'swritings，noteventhechargeto“hitchyourwagontoastar“notinthe“BookofArguments“。SarahAustenhadreadEmersoninthewoods，andherson\'squestionsoundedsoliketheunintelligiblebutunanswerableflasheswithwhichthewifehadonrareoccasionsopposedthehusband\'sauthoritythatHilaryVanefoundhistempergettingthebestofhim——ThenameofEmersonwasimmutablyfixedinhismindasthesynonymforincomprehensible，foolishhabitsandbeliefs。“Don\'ttalkEmersontome，“heexclaimed。“AndasforBrushBascom，I\'veknownhimforthirtyyears，andhe\'sdoneasmuchfortheRepublicanpartyasanymaninthisState。“
ThisvindicationofMr。Bascomnaturallybroughttoacloseaconversationwhichhadalreadycontinuedtoolong。TheHonourableHilaryretiredtorest；but——ifAustenhadknownit——nottosleepuntilthesmallhoursofthemorning。
ItwasnotuntiltheensuingspringthatthecaseofMr。ZebulunMeaderagainsttheUnitedNortheasternRailroadscameupfortrialinBradford，thecounty-seatofPutnamCounty，andwedonotwishtoappeartogiveittoogreataweightintheannalsoftheState。Foronething，theweeklynewspapersdidnotmentionit；andMr。PaulPardriff，whenurgedtogiveanaccountoftheproceedingsintheRiptonRecord，saiditwasamatterofnoimportance，andspenttheafternoonwritinganeditorialaboutthedomestichabitsoftheAztecs。Mr。Pardriff，however，hadthoughtthematterofsufficientinterestpersonallytoattendthetrial，andforthejourneyhemadeuseofapieceofgreencardboardwhichhehabituallycarriedinhispocket。TheeditoroftheBradfordChampiondidnothavetousehisyellowcardboard，yethiscolumnsmaybesearchedinvainfortheevent。
Notthatitwassuchagreatevent，oneofhundredsofrailroadaccidentsthatcometocourt。ThesonofHilaryVanewastheplaintiff\'scounsel；
andMr。Meader，althoughhehadnotbeenabletoworksincehisreleasefromthehospital，hadbeenabletotalk，andtheinteresttakeninthecasebytheaverageneglectedcitizeninPutnamprovedthattheweeklynewspaperisnottheonlydisseminatorofnews。
Therailroad\'ssideofthecasewaspresentedbythatgenialandablepractitionerofPutnamCounty，Mr。NathanielBillings，whotravelledfromhishomeinWilliamstownbytheexhibitionofaredticket。AustenVanehadtopayhisownwayfromRipton，butashehandedbackthemileagebook，theconductorleanedoverandwhisperedsomethinginhisearthatmadehimsmile，andAustenthoughthewouldratherhavethatlittledropofencouragementthanapass。AndasheleftthecaratBradford，twogrizzledandhard-handedindividualsaroseandwishedhimgoodluck。
Heneededencouragement，——whatyounglawyerdoesnotonhisfirstimportantcase？Andhedidnotliketothinkofthefutureifhelostthis。Butinthismatterhepossessedacertainself-confidencewhicharosefromajustandrighteousangeragainsttheforcesopposinghimandaknowledgeoftheirtactics。TohismindhisclientwasnotZebMeaderalone，butthehostofvictimswhohadbeenmaimedandboughtoffbecauseitwascheaperthantogivethepublicaproperprotection。
Thecourtroomwascrowded。Mr。ZebMeader，palebutdetermined，wassurroundedbyaknotofMercerneighbours，manyofwhomwerewitnesses。
TheagateeyesofMr。BrushBascomflashedfromtheaudience，andMr。NatBillingsbustledforwardtoshakeAusten\'shand。NatwasoneofthosewhocallednotinfrequentlyupontheHonourableHilaryinRipton，andhadsatonAusten\'slittletable。
“Gladtoseeyou，Austen，“hecried，sothatthepeoplemighthear；andadded，inaconfidentiallylowertone，“Welawyersunderstandthattheselittlethingsmakenodifference，eh？“
“I\'mwillingtoagreetothatifyouare，Nat，“Austenanswered。Helookedatthelawyer\'sfleshyface，blue-blackwhereitwasshaven，andatMr。Billings\'shiftyeyesandmouth，whichitsmusclescouldnotquitekeepinplace。Mr。Billingsalsohadnickedteeth。ButhedidhisbesttohidetheseobviousdisadvantagesbyaFalstaffianbonhomie，——forMr。
Billingswasgrowingstout。
“Itrieditonceortwice，myfriend，whenIwasyounger。It\'snoble，butitdon\'tpay，“saidMr。Billings，stillconfidential。“Brushissour——lookathim。ButIunderstandhowyoufeel。I\'mthekindoffellerthatspeaksout，andwhatIcan\'tunderstandis，whytheoldmanletyougetintoit。“
“Heknewyouweregoingtobeontheotherside，Nat，andwantedtoteachmealesson。IsupposeitisfollytocontestacasewheretheRailroadCommissionhascompletelyexoneratedyourclient，“Austenaddedthoughtfully。
Mr。Billings\'answerwastowink，veryslowly，withoneeye；andshortlyafterthesepleasantrieswereover，thecasewascalled。Afragrantwindblewinattheopenwindows，andNatureoutsidewasbeginningtoarrayherselfinmyriadhuesofgreen。Austenstudiedthejury，andwonderedhowmanypointsofhisargumenthecouldremember，butwhenhehadgottohisfeetthewordscametohim。IfweshouldseekanemblemforKingDavid\'ssmooth，roundstonewhichheflungatGoliath，weshouldcallitthetruth——forthetruthneverfailstoreachthemark。Austen\'sopeningwasnotlong，hiswordssimpleandnotdramatic，butheseemedtochargethemwithsomethingofthesamemagneticforcethatcompelledpeopletoreadandbelieve“UncleTon\'sCabin“andthe“SongoftheShirt。“
Spectatorsandjurylistenedintently。
Sometwentywitnessesappearedfortheplaintiff，allofwhomdeclaredthattheyhadheardneitherbellnorwhistle。Mostofthesewitnesseshadbeeninthegrove，twoorthreeinthetrain；two，residentsofthevicinity，testifiedthattheyhadcomplainedtotheRailroadCommissionaboutthatcrossing，andhadreceivedevasiveanswerstotheeffectthatitwasthedutyofcitizenstolookoutforthemselves。Oncross-
examinationtheydeclaredtheyhadnoobjectiontogradecrossingswhichwereproperlysafeguarded；thiscrossingwasadeath-trap。Strickenout。Mr。Billingsmadethemistakeoftryingtoprovethatoneofthesefarmers——aclear-eyed，full-chestedmanwithadeepvoice——hadananimusagainsttherailroaddatingfromacontroversyconcerningtheshippingofmilk。
“Ihaveananimus，yourHonour，“saidthewitness，quietly。“WhentherailrudisrepresentedbythekindofpoliticianswehaveinPutnam，it\'snaturalIshouldhain\'tit？“
Thisanswer，althoughstrickenout，wasgleefullyreceived。
InmarkedcontrasttotheearnestnessofyoungMr。Vane，whothenrested，Mr。Billingstreatedtheaffairfromthestandpointofamanoflargepracticewhousuallyhasmoreweightymatterstoattendto。Thiswassocomparativelytrivialasnottobedignifiedbyaseriousmien。Hequotedfreelyfromthe“BookofArguments，“remindingthejuryofthedebtofgratitudetheStateowedtotheNortheasternRailroadsfordoingsomuchforitspeople；andiftheyweretoeliminateallgradecrossings，therewouldbenodividendsforthestockholders。Besides，thelawwasthattheStateshouldpayhalfwhenacrossingwaseliminated，andtheStatecouldnotaffordit。Austenhadsuggested，inhisopening，thatitwascheaperfortherailroadaswellastheStatetokillcitizens。HeaskedpermissiontoinquireofthelearnedcounselforthedefencebywhatauthorityhedeclaredthattheStatecouldnotaffordtoenterintoapolicybywhichgradecrossingswouldgraduallybeeliminated。
“Why，“saidMr。Billings，“thefactthatallbillsintroducedtothisendnevergetoutofcommittee。“
“MayIask，“saidAusten，innocently，“whohasbeenchairmanofthatparticularcommitteeinthelowerHouseforthelastfivesessions？“
Mr。Billingswassavedtheembarrassmentofansweringthisquestionbyaloudvoiceintherearcallingout:——
“BrushBascom！“
Aroaroflaughtershookthecourtroom，andalleyeswereturnedonBrush，whocontinuedtositunconcernedlywithhislegscrossedandhisarmoverthebackoftheseat。Theoffenderwasputout，orderwasrestored，andMr。Billingsdeclared，withaninjuredair，thathefailedtoseewhythecounselfortheplaintiffsawfittoimpugnMr。Bascom。
“Imerelyaskedaquestion，“saidAustere；“farbeitfrommetoimpugnanymanwhohasheldofficesinthegiftofthepeopleforthelasttwentyyears。“
Anothergaleoflaughterfollowedthis，duringwhichMr。Billingswriggledhismouthandgaveastrongimpressionthatsuchtacticsandsuchlevityweretobedeplored。
Forthedefence，theengineerandfiremanbothsworethatthebellhadbeenrungbeforethecrossingwasreached。AustenmerelyinquiredwhetherthiswasnotwhentheyhadleftthestationatNorthMercer，twomilesaway。No，itwasnearer。Pressedtonametheexactspot，theycouldonlyconjecture，butnearenoughtobeheardonthecrossing。
Otherwitnesses——amongthemseveralpicnickersinthegrove——sworethattheyhadheardthebell。OneoftheseAustenaskedifhewasnotthememberfromMercerinthelastLegislature，andMr。Billings，nolongergenial，sprangtohisfeetwithanobjection。
“Imerelywishtoshow，yourHonour，“saidAusten，“thatthiswitnessacceptedapassfromtheNortheasternRailroadswhenhewenttotheLegislature，andthathehashadseveraltrippassesforhimselfandhisfamilysince。“
Theobjectionwasnotsustained，andMr。Billingsnotedanexception。
Anotherwitness，uponwhoseappearancetheaudiencetitteredaudibly，wasDaveSkinner，bossofMercer。Hehadlived，hesaid，inthetownofMercerallhislife，andmaintainedthathewaswithinahundredyardsofthetrackwhentheaccidentoccurred，andheardthebellring。
Isitnotafact，“saidAustentothiswitness，“thatMr。BrushBascomhasamortgageonyourfarm？“
“Icanshow，yourHonour，“Austencontinued，whenMr。Billingshadfinishedhisprotest，“thatthismanwasonhiswaytoRiversidetopayhisquarterlyinstalment。“
Mr。Bascomwasnotpresentattheafternoonsession。Mr。Billings\'
summingupwassomewhatimpassioned，andcontainedmorequotationsfromthe“BookofArguments。“Heregretted，hesaid，theobviousappealstoprejudiceagainstarailroadcorporationthatwashonestlytryingtodoitsduty-yes，andmorethanitsduty。
Misjudged，misused，eventhoughfriendless，itwouldcontinuetoservethepeople。Sonoble，indeed，wasthepicturewhichMr。Billings\'
eloquenceraisedupthathisvoiceshookwithemotionashefinished。
IntheopinionofmanyofthespectatorsAustenVanehadyettolearntheartoforatory。Hemightwithproprietyhaveportrayedthesufferingandlossofthepoorfarmerwhowashisclient；hemerelyquotedfromthedoctor\'stestimonytotheeffectthatMr。Meaderwouldneveragainbeabletodophysicallabourofthesortbywhichhehadsupportedhimself，andendedupbycallingtheattentionofthejurytothephotographsandplansofthecrossinghehadobtainedtwodaysaftertheaccident，requestingthemtonotethefactsthatthepublichighway，approachingthroughadenseforestandunderbrushatanangleofthirty-threedegrees，climbedtherailroadembankmentatthatpoint，andatraincouldnotbeseenuntilthehorsewasactuallyonthetrack。
Thejurywasoutfiveminutesafterthejudge\'scharge，andgaveMr。
ZebulunMeaderaverdictofsixthousanddollarsandcosts，——apopularverdict，fromtheevidentapprovalwithwhichitwasreceivedinthecourtroom。Quietbeingrestored，Mr。Billingsrequested，somewhatvehemently，thatthecasebetransferredontheexceptionstotheSupremeCourt，thatthestenographerwriteouttheevidence，andthathemighthavethreeweeksinwhichtoprepareadraft。Thiswasgranted。
ZebMeader，truetohisnature，wasself-containedthroughoutthecongratulationshereceived，buthisjoywasneverthelessintense。
“Youshook\'emupgood，Austen，“hesaid，makinghiswaytowherehiscounselstood。“Isuspicionedyou\'ddoit。Buthowaboutthishereappeal？“
“Billingsismerelytryingtosavethefaceofhisrailroad，“Austenanswered，smiling。“Hehasn\'ttheleastnotionofallowingthiscasetocomeupagain——takemywordforit。“
“Iguessyourword\'sgood，“saidZeb。“AndIwanttotellyouonething，asanoldman。I\'vebeentalkin\'toPutnamCountyfolkssome，andyouhain\'tlostnothin\'bythis。“
“HowamItogetalongwithoutthefriendshipofBrushBascom？“askedAusten，soberly。
Mr。Meader，whohadbecomeusedtothismildsortofhumour，relaxedsufficientlytolaugh。