Whatdidsheknow？Whathadshefoundout？Hadsheseenherfatherandtalkedtohim？Thatwasscarcelypossible，sincehermotherhadbeenillandshehadleftatonce。Austenhadaskedhimselfthesequestionsmanytimes，andwasnonearerthesolution。Hehadheardnothingofhersince，andhetoldhimselfthatperhapsitwasbetter，afterall，thatshewasstillaway。ToknowthatshewasatFairview，andnottobeabletoseeher，weretortureindeed。
Thenotewasformalenough，andattimeshepretendedtobegladthatitwas。Howcoulditbeotherwise？Andwhyshouldheinterpretherinterestinhiminothertermsthanthoseinwhichitwaswritten？Shehadawarmheart——thatheknew；andhefeltforhersakethathehadnorighttowishformorethanthenoteexpressed。Afterseveralunsuccessfulattempts；hehadanswereditinaline，“Ithankyou，andI
understand。“
CHAPTERXVI
THE“BOOKOFARGUMENTS“ISOPENED
TheHonourableHilaryVanereturnedthatdayfromFairviewinnoveryequableframeofmind。ItisnotforustobepresentattheCouncilsonthePalatinewhenthe“BookofArguments“isopened，andthosefittingtheoccasionarechosenandsentouttothefaithfulwhoownprinting-
pressesandfreepasses。TheHonourableHilaryVaneboreawayfromtheresidenceofhisemperoragreatmanymemorandainanenvelope，andhemusthavesighedashedrovethroughtheleafyroadsforMr。HamiltonTooting，withhisfertilemindandactivebody。Ayearago，andMr。
Tootingwouldhaveseizedthesememorandaofmajesty，andcoveredtheirmarginswithnewsuggestions:Mr。Tooting，onoccasions，hadevenmadeadditionstothe“BookofArguments“itself——additionswhichhadbeenusedinNewYorkandotherStateswithtellingeffectagainstMr。Crewesthere。Mr。Tootingknewbyheartthetimeofgoingtopressofeverycountrynewspaperwhichhadpassesinexchangeforadvertising！。Itwastwoo\'clockwhentheHonourableHilary，reachedhisoffice，andbythreealltheedictswouldhavegoneforth，andthegrape-shotandcanisterwouldhavebeenontheirwaytodemolishthearroganceofthispettyLordofLeith……
“Tooting\'sadangerousman，Vane。Yououghtn\'ttohavelethimgo，“Mr。
Flinthadsaid。“Idon\'tcareasnapofmyfingerfortheotherfellow。“
HowMr。Tooting\'searswouldhaveburned，andhowhisbloodwouldhavesungwithpridetohaveheardhimselfcalleddangerousbythepresidentoftheNortheastern！
Hewho，duringallthevaluableyearsofhisservices，hadneverhadasignthatthatpotentatewascognizantofhishumbleexistence。
TheHonourableBrushBascom，asweknow，wasacleverman；andalthoughithadneverbeengivenhimtoimproveonthe“BookofArguments，“hehadideasofhisown。OnreadingMr。Crewe\'sdefiancethatmorning，hehad，withcharacteristicpromptitudeandadesiretobeuseful，takenthefirsttrainoutofPutnamforRipton，torangehimselfbythesideoftheHonourableHilaryinthehourofneed。TheFeudalSystemanticipates，andMr。Bascomdidnotwaitforatelegram。
OnthearrivalofthechiefcounselfromFairviewothercaptainshadputinanappearance，butMr。Bascomalonewassummoned，byanod，intotheprivateoffice。Whatpassedbetweenthemseemstoosacredtowriteabout。TheHonourableHilarywouldtakeoneoftheslipsfromthepacketandgiveittoMr。Bascom。
“Ifthatwererecommended，editorially，totheHullMercury，itmightservetoclearawaycertainmisconceptionsinthatsection。
“Certain，“Mr。Bascomwouldreply。
“Ithasbeenthoughtwise，“theHonourableHilarycontinued，“tosendanannualtotheGrovetonNews。Roberts，hisnameis。SupposeyourecommendtoMr。Robertsthataneditorialonthissubjectwouldbetimely。“
Slipnumbertwo。Mr。Bascommarksit\'Roberts。\'Subject:“WhatwouldtheStatedowithouttheRailroad？“
“AndGrenville，beingaProhibitioncentre，youmightgetthisworkedupfortheAdvertiserthere。“
Mr。Bascom\'sagateeyesarefulloflightashetakesslipnumberthree。
Subject:“Mr。HumphreyCrewehasthebest-stockedwinecellarintheState，andchampagneeverynightfordinner。“Slipnumberfour，takendirectfromthesecondchapterofthe“BookofArguments“:“Mr。Creweisareformerbecausehehasbeendisappointedinhisinordinateambitions，“
etc。Slipnumberfive:“Mr。Creweisasummerresident，withahouseinNewYork，“etc。，etc。
Slipnumbersix，“BookofArguments，“paragraph，chapter:“HumphreyCrewe，DefamerofourState。“Assigned，amongothers，totheRiptonRecord。
“PaulPardriffwentuptoLeithto-day，“saidMr。Bascom。
“Gotoseehim，“repliedtheHonourableHilary。“I\'vebeenthinkingforsometimethattheadvertisingintheRiptonRecorddeservesanadditionalannual。“
Mr。Bascom，havingbeendespatchedonthisbusiness，andhavingvoluntarilyassumedcontroloftheEmpireBureauofPublication，thechiefcounseltransactedothernecessarylegalbusinesswithStateSenatorBillingsandothergentlemenwhowerewaiting。Atthreeo\'clockwordwassentinthatMr。AustenVanewasoutside，andwishedtospeakwithhisfatherassoonasthelatterwasatleisure。WhereupontheHonourableHilaryshooedouttheminorclients，leanedbackinhischair，andcommandedthathissonbeadmitted。
“Judge，“saidAusten，asheclosedthedoorbehindhim，“Idon\'twanttobotheryou。“
TheHonourableHilaryregardedhissonforamomentfixedlyoutofhislittleeyes。
“Humph“hesaid。
Austenlookeddownathisfather。TheHonourableHilary\'sexpressionwasnotonewhichwouldhavearoused，intheordinarymanwhobeheldhim，afeelingofsympathyorcompassion:itwastheimpenetrablelookwithwhichhehadfacedhisopponentsformanyyears。ButAustenfeltcompassion。
“PerhapsI\'dbettercomeinanothertime——whenyouarelessbusy，“hesuggested。
“WhosaidIwasbusy？“inquiredtheHonourableHilary。
Austensmiledalittlesadly。Onewouldhavethought，bythatsmile，thatthesonwastheolderandwiserofthetwo。
“Ididn\'tmeantocastanyreflectiononyourhabitualindustry，Judge，“
hesaid。
“Humph！“exclaimedMr。Vane。“I\'vegotmoretodothansitinthewindowandreadpoetry，ifthat\'swhatyoumean。“
“Youneverlearnedhowtoenjoylife，didyou，Judge？“hesaid。“Idon\'tbelieveyoueverreallyhadagoodtime。Ownup。“
“I\'vehadsternerthingstothinkabout。I\'vehad\'toearnmyliving——
andgiveyouagoodtime。“
“Iappreciateit，“saidAusten。
“Humph！SometimesIthinkyoudon\'tshowitagreatdeal，“theHonourableHilaryanswered。
“IshowitasfarasIcan，Judge，“saidhisson。“Ican\'thelpthewayIwasmade。“
“Itrytotakeaccountofthat，“saidtheHonourableHilary。
Austenlaughed。
“I\'lldropinto-morrowmorning，“hesaid。
ButtheHonourableHilarypointedtoachairontheothersideofthedesk。
“Sitdown。To-day\'sasgoodasto-morrow，“heremarked，withsententioussignificance，characteristicallythrowingtheburdenofexplanationonthevisitor。
Austenfoundtheopeningunexpectedlydifficult。Hefeltthatthiswasacrisisintheirrelations，andthatithadcomeatanunfortunatehour。
“Judge，“hesaid，tryingtocontrolthefeelingthatthreatenedtocreepintohisvoice，“wehavejoggedalongforsomeyearsprettypeaceably，andIhopeyouwon\'tmisunderstandwhatI\'mgoingtosay。“
TheHonourableHilarygrunted。
“ItwasatyourrequestthatIwentintothelaw。Ihavelearnedtolikethatprofession。Ihavestucktoitaswellasmywandering，Bohemiannaturewillpermit，andwhileIdonotexpectyounecessarilytofeelanyprideinsuchprogressasIhavemade，Ihavehoped——thatyoumightfeelaninterest。“
TheHonourableHilarygruntedagain。
“IsupposeIambynatureafree-lance，“Austencontinued。“YouweregoodenoughtoacknowledgetheforceofmyargumentwhenItoldyouitwouldbebestformetostrikeoutformyself。AndIsupposeitwasinevitable，suchbeingthecase，andyouthechiefcounselfortheNortheasternRailroads，thatIshouldatsometimeoranotherbecalledupontobringsuitsagainstyourclient。Itwouldhavebeenbetter，perhaps，ifIhadnotstartedtopractiseinthisState。IdidsofromwhatIbelievewasadesirecommontobothofusto——tolivetogether。“
TheHonourableHilaryreachedforhisHoneyDew，buthedidnotspeak。
“Tolivetogether，“Austenrepeated。“Iwanttosaythat，ifIhadgoneaway，IbelieveIshouldalwayshaveregrettedthefact。“Hepaused，andtookfromhispocketaslipofpaper。ImadeupmymindfromthestartthatIwouldalwaysbefrankwithyou。Inspiteofmydesiretoamassriches，therearesomesuitsagainsttheNortheasternwhichIhave——
somewhatquixotically——refused。HereisasectionoftheactwhichpermittedtheconsolidationoftheNortheasternRailroads。Youarenodoubtawareofitsexistence。“
TheHonourableHilarytooktheslipofpaperinhishandandstaredatit。“Theratesforfaresandfreightsexistingatthetimeofthepassageofthisactshallmotbeincreasedontheroadsleasedorunitedunderit。“Whathissensationswerewhenhereaditnomanmighthavereadinhisface，buthishandtrembledalittle，andalongsilenceensuedbeforehegaveitbacktohissonwiththesimplecomment:——
“Well？“
“Idonotwishtobeunderstoodtoaskyourlegalopinion，althoughyouprobablyknowthatlumberrateshavebeensteadilyraised，andifasuitunderthatsectionweresuccessfultheGaylordLumberCompanycouldrecoveraverylargesumofmoneyfromtheNortheasternRailroads，“saidAusten。“Havingdiscoveredthesection，IbelieveittobemydutytocallittotheattentionoftheGaylords。WhatIwishtoknowis，whethermytakingthecasewouldcauseyouanypersonalinconvenienceordistress？Ifso，Iwillrefuseit。“
“No，“answeredtheHonourableHilary，“itwon\'t。Bringsuit。Muchuseit\'llbe。Doyouexpecttheycanrecoverunderthatsection？“
“Ithinkitisworthtrying，“saidAusten。
“Whydidn\'tsomebodytryitbefore？“askedtheHonourableHilary。
“Seehere，Judge，Iwishyou\'dletmeoutofanargumentaboutit。Suitisgoingtobebrought，whetherIbringitoranotherman。IfyouwouldpreferforanyreasonthatIshouldn\'tbringit——Iwon\'t。I\'dmuchratherresignascounselfortheGaylords——andIampreparedtodoso。“
“Bringsuit，“answeredtheHonourableHilary，quickly，“bringsuitbyallmeans。Andnow\'syourtime。ThisseemstobeapopularseasonforattackingthepropertywhichisthefoundationoftheState\'sprosperity。““BookofArguments，“chapter3。
Inspiteofhimself，Austensmiledagain。LonghabithadaccustomedHilaryVanetoputbusinessconsiderationsbeforefamilyties；andthishabithadbeenthesecretofhisparticularsuccess。Andnow，ratherthanadmitbytheleastsigntheimportanceofhisson\'sdiscoveryofthestatutewhichhehadhadinmindformanyyears，andtowhichhehadmorethanonce，bytheway，calledMr。Flint\'sattention，theHonourableHilarydeliberatelybelittledthematteraspartandparcelofthepoliticaltacticsagainsttheNortheastern。
Searscausedbydifferencesofopinionaresoonhealed；wordscountfornothing，anditisthesoulthatattractsorrepels。Mr。Vanewasnotanalytical，hehadbeenthroughaharassingday，andhewasunawarethatitwasnotAusten\'sopposition，butAusten\'ssmile，whichsetthetorchtohisanger。Once，shortlyafterhismarriage，whenhehadcomehomeinwrathafteraprotractedquarrelwithMr。Tredwayovertheorthodoxyofthenewminister，inthemiddleofhisindignantrecitalofMr。Tredway\'sunwarrantedattitude，SarahAustenhadsmiled。Thesmilehadhadinit，tobesure，nothingofconscioussuperiority，butithadbeenutterlyinexplicabletoHilaryVane。Hehadknownforthefirsttimewhatitwastofeelmurderintheheart，andifhehadnotrushedoutoftheroom，hewassurehewouldhavestrangledher。Afterall，theHilaryVanesofthisworldcannotreasonablybeexpectedtoperceivethehumourintheirendeavours。
Nowtheson\'ssmileseemedthereincarnationofthemother\'s。ThatsmilewasinitselfarefutationofmotiveonAusten\'spartwhichnowordscouldhavemademoreemphatic；ithadinitunconsciously，too
compassionforandunderstandingoftheHonourableHilary\'smoodandlimitations。Outofthecornerofhismentalvision——withoutgraspingit——theHonourableHilaryperceivedthisvaguely。Itwasthesmileinwhichaparentprivatelyindulgeswhenachildkickshistoylocomotivebecauseitsmechanismisbroken。Itwasthesmileofonewho，unforgetfuloftheschemeofthefirmamentandthespinningplanets，willnotbemovedtoangerbyhimwhoseesbutthefoursidesofapit。
HilaryVanegrewredaroundtheeyes——adangersignaloftheolddays。
“Takethesuit，“hesaid。“Ifyoudon\'t，I\'llmakeitknownallovertheStatethatyoustartedit。I\'lltellMr。Flintto-morrow。Takeit，doyouhearme？YouaskmeifIhaveanyprideinyou。Ianswer，yes。I\'dliketoseewhatyoucando。I\'vedonewhatIcouldforyou，andnowI
washmyhandsofyou。Go，——ruinyourselfifyouwantto。You\'vealwaysbeenheadedthatway，andthere\'snousetryingtostopyou。Youdon\'tseemtohaveanynotionofdecencyororder，oranyideaoftheprincipleonwhichthisgovernmentwasbased。Attackpropertydestroyit。Somuchthebetterforyouandyourkind。JointheHumphreyCrewes——youbelongwith\'em。Givethoseofuswhostandfororderanddecencyasmuchtroubleasyoucan。Brandusasrascalstryingtoenrichourselveswithpolitics，andproclaimyourselvessaintsnoblystrivingtogetbacktherightsofthepeople。Ifyoudon\'tbringthatsuit，ItellyouI\'llgiveyouthecreditforit——andImeanwhatIsay。“
Austengottohisfeet。Hisownexpression，curiouslyenough，hadnotchangedtooneofanger。Hisfacehadset，buthiseyesheldthelookthatseemedstilltoexpresscompassion，andwhathefeltwasasorrowthatwenttothedepthsofhisnature。Whathehadsolongfeared——whatheknewtheyhadbothfeared——hadcomeatlast。
“Good-by，Judge，“hesaid。
HilaryVanestaredathimdumbly。Hisangerhadnotcooled，hiseyesstillflamed，buthesuddenlyfoundhimselfbereftofspeech。Austenputhishandonhisfather\'sshoulder，andlookeddownsilentlyintohisface。ButHilarywasstiffasinarigour，expressionlesssaveforthedefiantredinhiseye。
“Idon\'tthinkyoumeantallthat，Judge，andIdon\'tintendtoholditagainstyou。
StillHilarystared，hislipsinthetightlinewhichwastheemblemofhischaracter，hisbodyrigid。Hesawhissonturnandwalktothedoor，andturnagainwithhishandleontheknob，andHilarydidnotmove。Thedoorclosed，andstillhesatthere，motionless，expressionless。
Austenwashailedbythoseintheouteroffice，buthewalkedthroughthemasthoughtheplacewereempty。Rumourssprangupbehindhimofwhichhewasunconscious；thelong-expectedquarrelhadcome；AustenhadjoinedthemotleyranksoftherebelsunderMr。Crewe。Onlytheofficeboy，JimmyTowle，interruptedthejokesthatwereflyingbyrepeating，withdoggedvehemence，“Itellyouitain\'tso。AustenkickedHamdownstairs。NedJohnsonsawhim。“NorwasitonaccountofthisparticulardeedthatAustenwasaheroinJimmy\'seyes。
Austen，findinghimselfinthesquare，lookedathiswatch。Itwasfouro\'clock。HemadehiswayunderthemaplestothehouseinHanoverStreet，haltedforamomentcontemplativelybeforethefamiliarclassicpillarsofitsporch，tookakeyfromhispocket，andunprecedentedaction！enteredbythefrontdoor。Climbingtotheattic，hefoundtwovalises——oneofwhichhehadbroughtbackfromPepperCounty——andtookthemtohisownroom。Theyheld，withalittlecrowding，mostofhispossessions，includingaphotographofSarahAusten，whichheleftonthebureautothelast。Onceortwicehepausedinhispackingtogazeattheface，strivingtofathomthefleetingqualityofherglancewhichthephotographhadsostrangelycaught。Inthatglancenaturehadstampedherenigma——forSarahAustenwasachildofnature。Herswasthegentlelookofwildthings——butitwasmore；itwastheunderstandingof——theunwrittenlawofcreation，thelawbywhichtheflowersgrow，andwither；
thelawbywhichtheanimalspringsuponitsprey，and，unerring，seeksitsmate；thelawofthesongofthewaters，andthesongofthemorningstars；thelawthatpermitsevilandpainanddumb，incomprehensiblesuffering；thelawthatfloodsatsunsetthemountainlandswithcolourandthesoulwithlight；andthelawthatrendsthebranchesinthebluestorm。Ofwhatavailwasangeragainstit，orthepunyrageofman？
HilaryVane，notrecognizingit，hadspenthisforceuponit，likeahawkagainstamountainwall，butAustenlookedathismother\'sfaceandunderstood。Initwasnotthewisdomofcreedsandcities，buttheunworldlywisdomwhichcomprehendsandcondones。
Hispackingfinished，withonelastglanceattheroomAustenwentdownstairswithhisvalisesandlaidthemonthedoorstep。ThenhewenttothestableandharnessedPepper，puttingintothebuggyhisstableblanketandhalterandcurrycomb，and，drivingaroundtothefrontofthehouse，hitchedthehorseatthestonepost，andpackedthevalisesinthebackofthebuggy。Afterthathewalkedslowlytothebackofthehouseandlookedinatthekitchenwindow。Euphrasia，herthinarmsbaretotheelbow，wasbendingoverawash-tub。Hespokehername，andassheliftedherheadalightcameintoherfacewhichseemedtomakeheryoungagain。Shedriedherhandshastilyonherapronasshedrewtowardshim。
Hesprangthroughthewindow，andpattedherontheback——hisusualsalutation。AndassheraisedhereyestohisthoseordinarilysharpeyesofEuphrasia\'s，theyshonewithanadmirationshehadaccordedtonootherhumanbeingsincehehadcomeintotheworld。Termsofendearmentshehad，characteristically，neverused，shethrewhersoulintothesoundingofhisname。
“Offtothehills，Austen？Isawyoua-harnessingofPepper。“
“Phrasie，“hesaid，stillpattingher，“I\'mgoingtothecountryforawhile。“
“Tothecountry？“sherepeated。
“Tostayonafarmforasortofvacation。“
Herfacebrightened。
“Goin\'totakearealvacation，beyou？“
Helaughed。
“Oh，Idon\'thavetoworkveryhard，Phrasie。YouknowIgetoutagooddeal。Ijustthought——IjustthoughtI\'dliketo——sleepinthecountry——
forawhile。“
“Well，“answeredEuphrasia，“Iguessifyou\'vetookthenotion，you\'vegottogo。Itwasthatwaywithyourmotherbeforeyou。I\'veseenherleavethehouseonabrightSabbathhalfanhourbeforemeetin\'tobegonethewholeday，andHilaryandalltheministersintowncouldn\'tstopher。“
“I\'lldropinonceinawhiletoseeyou，Phrasie。I\'llbeatJabeJenney\'s。“
“Jabe\'sisnotmorethanthreeorfourmilesfromFlint\'splace，“
Euphrasiaremarked。
“I\'vethoughtofthat，“saidAusten。
“You\'dthoughtofit！“
Austencoloured。
Thedistanceisnothing，“hesaidquickly，“withPepper。“
“Andyou\'llcomeandseeme？“askedEuphrasia。
“Ifyou\'lldosomethingforme，“hesaid。
“Ialwaysdowhatyouwant，Austen。YouknowI\'mnotabletorefuseyou。“
Helaidhishandsonhershoulders。
“You\'llpromise？“heasked。
“I\'llpromise，“saidEuphrasia，solemnly。
Hewassilentforamoment，lookingdownather。
“IwantyoutopromisetostayhereandtakecareoftheJudge。“
Frightcreptintohereyes，buthisownweresmiling，reassuring。
“Takecareofhim！“shecried，theverymentionofHilaryraisingthepitchofhervoice。“IguessI\'llhaveto。Haven\'tItookcareofhimnighonfortyyears，andsmallthanksandrecompenseIgetforitexceptwhenyou\'rehere。I\'veworeoutmylifetakin\'careofhim“moregently。“Whatdoyoumeanbymakin\'mepromisesuchathing，Austen？“
“Well，“saidAusten，slowly，“theJudgeisworriednow。Thingsarenotgoingassmoothlywithhimasusual。“
“Money？“demandedEuphrasia。“Heain\'tlostmoney，hashe？“
AlightbegantodanceinAusten\'seyesinspiteoftheweightwithinhim。
“Now，Phrasie，“hesaid，liftingherchinalittle，“youknowyoudon\'tcareanymoreaboutmoneythanIdo。“
“Lordhelpme，“sheexclaimed，“LordhelpmeifIdidn\'t！Andaslongasyoudon\'tcareforit，andnosensecanbeknockedintoyourheadaboutit，Ihopeyou\'llmarrysomebodythatdoesknowthevalueofit。IfHilarywastolosewhathehasnow，beforeitcomesrightlytoyou，he\'doughttobeputinjail。“
Austenlaughed，andshookhishead。
“Phrasie，theLorddidyouagraveinjusticewhenhedidn\'tmakeyouaman，butIsupposehe\'llgiveyouarecompensehereafter。No，IbelieveIamsafeinsayingthattheJudge\'ssecuritiesarestillsecure。NotthatIreallyknow——orcare——“shakesoftheheadfromEuphrasia。
“PooroldJudge！Worsethingsthanfinancearetroublinghimnow。“
“Notawoman！“criedEuphrasia，horror-strickenattheverythought。“Hehasn\'ttookitintohisheadafteralltheseyears——“
“No，“saidAusten，laughing，“no，no。It\'snotquiteasbadasthat，butit\'sprettybad。“
“InHeaven\'sname，whatisit？“shedemanded。
“Reformers，“saidAusten。
“Reformers？“sherepeated。“Whatmighttheybe？“
“Well，“answeredAusten，“youmightcallthemanewkindofcaterpillar——
onlytheyfeedoncorporationsinsteadoftrees。“
Euphrasiashookherheadvigorously。
“Go\'long，“sheexclaimed。“WhenyoutalklikethatInevercanfollowyou，Austen。IfHilaryhasanyworries，Iguesshebrought\'emonhimself。Ineverknewhimtofail。“
“Ambitiousanddesigningpersonsaremakingtroubleforhisrailroad。“
“Well，Inevertookmuchstockinthatrailroad，“saidEuphrasia，withemphasis。“Ineverwasonitbutanenginegaveout，andthecarswasjammed，anditwasn\'tlessthananhourlate。Andthenthey\'reeternallysmashin\'folksorrunnin\'\'emdown。Youserved\'emrightwhenyoumade\'empaythatMeadermansixthousanddollars，andItoldHilaryso。“Shepaused，andstaredatAustenfixedlyasathoughtcameintoherhead。
“Youain\'tleavin\'himbecauseofthistrouble，areyou，Austen？“
“Phrasie，“hesaid，“I——Idon\'twanttoquarrelwithhimnow。Ithinkitwouldbeeasytoquarrelwithhim。“
“Youmeanhimquarrelwithyou，“returnedEuphrasia。“I\'dliketoseehim！Ifhedid，itwouldn\'ttakemelongtopackupandleave。“
“That\'sjustit。Idon\'twantthattohappen。AndI\'vehadalongingtogooutandpayalittlevisittoJabeupinthehills，anddrivehiscoltsforhim。Yousee，“hesaid，“I\'vegotakindofaffectionfortheJudge。“
Euphrasialookedathim，andherlipstrembled。
“Hedon\'tdeserveit，“shedeclared，“butIsupposehe\'syourfather。“
“Hecan\'tgetoutofthat，“saidAusten。
“I\'dliketoseehimtryit，“saidEuphrasia。“Comeinsoon，Austen，“shewhispered，“comeinsoon。“
Shestoodonthelawnandwatchedhimashedroveaway，andhewavedgood-bytoheroverthehoodofthebuggy。Whenhewasoutofsightsheliftedherhead，gavehereyesavigorousbrushwithhercheckedapron，andwentbacktoherwashing。
ItwasnotuntilEuphrasiahadsupperonthetablethatHilaryVanecamehome，andsheglancedathimsharplyashetookhisusualseat。Itisacuriousfactthatitispossiblefortwopersonstolivetogetherformorethanathirdofacentury，andattheendofthattimeunderstandeachotherlittlebetterthanatthebeginning。ThesolebondbetweenEuphrasiaandHilarywasthatofSarahAustenandherson。EuphrasianeverknewwhenHilarywastired，orwhenhewascold，orhungry，orcross，althoughsheprovidedforalltheseemergencies。Herservicetohimwasunflagging，buthehadneverbeenundertheslightestdelusionthatitwasnotaninheritancefromhiswife。TheremusthavebeensomeaffectionbetweenMr。Vaneandhishousekeeper，hiddenawayinthestrongboxesofbothbutuptothepresentthiswasonlyatheory——notquiteasprobableasthatabouttheinhabitantsofMars。
Heatehissupperto-nightwithhisusualappetite，whichhadalwaysbeensparing；andhewouldhaveeatenthesameamountiftheNortheasternRailroadshadbeengoingintothehandsofareceiverthenextday。
OftenhedidnotexchangeawordwithEuphrasiabetweenhome-comingandbed-going，andthiswasapparentlytobeoneoftheseoccasions。Aftersupperhewent，asusual，tositonthestepsofhisporch，andtocuthispieceofHoneyDew，whichnevervariedamilligram。Nineo\'clockstruck，andEuphrasia，whohadshutupthebackofthehouse，wasonherwaytobedwithherlampinherhand，whenshecamefacetofacewithhiminthenarrowpassageway。
“Where\'sAusten？“heasked。
Euphrasiahalted。Thelampshook，butsheraisedittothelevelofhiseyes。
“Don\'tyouknow？“shedemanded。
“No，“hesaid，withunparalleledhumility。
Sheputdownthelamponthelittletablethatstoodbesideher。
“Hedidn\'ttellyouhewasa-goin\'？“
“No，“saidHilary。
“Thenhowdidyouknowhewasn\'tjustbuggy-ridin\'？“shesaid。
HilaryVanewasmute。
“You\'vebe\'ntohisroom！“sheexclaimed。“You\'veseenhisthingsaregone！“
Heconfesseditbyhissilence。Then，withamazingswiftnessandvigourforoneofherage，Euphrasiaseizedhimbythearmsandshookhim。
“Whathaveyoudonetohim？“shecried；“whathaveyoudonetohim？Yousenthimoff。You\'veneverunderstoodhim——you\'veneverbehavedlikeafathertohim。Youain\'tworthytohavehim。“SheflungherselfawayandstoodfacingHilaryatalittledistance。WhatafoolIwas！Whatafool！Imighthaveknownit，andIpromisedhim。“
“Promisedhim？“Hilaryrepeated。Theshaking，thevehemenceandanger，ofEuphrasiaseemedtohavehadnoeffectwhateveronthemaintrendofhisthoughts。
“Wherehashegone？“
“Youcanfindoutforyourself，“sheretortedbitterly。“IwishonyouraccountitwastoChina。Hecameherethisafternoon，asgentleasever，andpackeduphisthings，andsaidhewasgoin\'awaybecauseyouwasworried。Worried！“sheexclaimedscornfully。“Hisworryandhistroubledon\'tcount——butyours。Andhemademepromisetostaywithyou。Ifitwasn\'tforhim，“shecried，pickingupthelamp，“I\'dleaveyouthisverynight。“
Shesweptpasthim，andupthenarrowstairwaytoherbedroom。
CHAPTERXVII
BUSYDAYSATWEDDERBURN
Thereisnoblastsopowerful，sowithering，astheblastofridicule。
Onlythestrongestmencanwithstandit，onlyreformerswhoaresuchindeed，andnotaloneinname，cansnaptheirfingersatit，andlikenittothecracklingofthornsunderapot。ConfuciusandMartinLuthermusthavebeenridiculed，Mr。Crewereflected，andalthoughhedidnothavetimetoassurehimselfonthesehistoricalpoints，thethoughtstayedhim。Sixtyoddweeklynewspapers，filledwithargumentsfromtheBook，attackedhimallatonce；andifbychanceheshouldhavemissedthebestpartofthisflatteringpersonalattention，theeditorialswhichcontainedthemostspicewerecopiedattheendoftheweekintothecolumnsofhiserstwhilefriend，theStateTribune，nowtheorganofthatmysteriouspersonality，theHonourableAdamB。Hunt。\'Ettu，Brute！\'
Moreover，Mr。PeterPardriffhadsomethingofhisowntosay。SomegentlemenofprominencenotamongthetwentysignersofthenewDeclarationofIndependencehadbeeninterviewedbytheTribunereporteronthesubjectofMr。Crewe\'scandidacy。Herearesomeoftheanswers，dulytabulated。
“Negligible。“——CongressmanFairplay。
“OnelessvotefortheHonourableAdamB。Hunt。“——TheHonourableJacobBotcher。
“Amonumentalfarce。“——Ex-GovernorBroadbent。
“WhoisMr。Crewe？“——SenatorWhitredge。Ahha！Senator，thiswantshallbesupplied，atleast。
“Ihavebeenverybusy。Idonotknowwhatcandidatesareinthefield。“——Mr。AugustusP。Flint，presidentoftheNortheasternRailroads。
Theunkindestcutofall！
“IhaveheardthataMr。Creweisacandidate，butIdonotknowmuchabouthim。TheytellmeheisasummerresidentatLeith。“——TheHonourableHilaryVane。
“Amillionaire\'sfreak——nottobetakenseriously——StateSenatorNathanielBillings。
TheStateTribuneitselfseemedtobeespeciallyinterestedinthepastcareersofthetwentysigners。Whocomposedthisdauntlessband，whosemembershadarisenwithremarkableunanimityandmartyr\'szealinsuchwidelyscatteredpartsoftheState？Hadeachbeensimultaneouslyinspiredwiththesamehighthought，and——moreamazingstill——withtheideaofthesamepeerlessleader？TheTribunemodestlyventuredthetheorythatMr。Crewehadappearedtoeachofthetwentyinadream，withaflamingswordpointingtothesteamofthedragon\'sbreath。Or，perhaps，astarhadledeachofthetwentytoLeith。ThislikeningofMr。H——nT——gtoastarcausedmuchmerrimentamongthatgentleman\'sformerfriendsandacquaintances。TheTribunecouldnotaccountforthisphenomenonbyanynaturallaws，andwasforcedtobelievethatthethingwasamiracle——inwhichcaseitbehoovedtheNortheasternRailroadstoreadthehandwritingonthewall。Unless——unlessthetwentydidnotexist！Unlessthewholethingwereajoke！TheTribunerememberedatimewhenasignedstatement，purportingtocomefromacertainMrs。
AmandaP。Pillow，of22BlairStreet，Newcastle，hadappeared，totheeffectthatthreebottlesofRand\'sPeachNectarhadcuredherofdropsy。
OninvestigationtherewasnoBlairStreet，andMrs。AmandaP。Pillowwasasyetunborn。TheonesurethingaboutthestatementwasthatRand\'sPeachNectarcouldbehad，inlargeorsmallquantities，asdesired。AndtheTribunewaspreparedtostate；onitsownauthority，thataMr。
HumphreyCrewedidexist，andmightreluctantlyconsenttotakethenominationforthegovernorship。InindustryandzealhewassaidtoresemblethecelebratedandlamentedMr。Rand，ofthePeachNectar。
Ingratitudemerelyinjuresthosewhoarecapableofit，althoughitsometimesproducessadnessingreatsouls。WhatwereMr。Crewe\'sfeelingswhenhereadthisdrivel？Whenheperusedtheextractsfromthe“BookofArguments“whichappearedwithastonishingunanimity，too！insixtyoddweeklynewspapersoftheState——anassortmentofargumentsforeachcounty。
“BrushBascom\'sdoin\'thatworknow，“saidMr。Tooting，contemptuously，“andhe\'sdoin\'itwithashovel。Lookhere！He\'sgotthesamesquibinthreetownswithinadozenmilesofeachother，theonebeginning\'PoliticalconditionsinthisStateareascleanasthoseofanyStateintheUnion，andtheUnitedNortheasternRailroadsisacorporationwhichis，fortunately，abovecalumny。Asummerresidentwho，tosatisfyhislustforoffice，isrollingtodefame——\'“
“Yes，“interruptedMr。Crewe，“nevermindreadinganymoreofthatrot。“
“It\'sbotched，“saidMr。Tooting，whoseartisticsoulwasjarred。“I\'dhaveputthatinAvalonCounty，andWeave，andMarshall。IknowmenthattakeallthreeofthosepapersinPutnam。“
Noneedofballooniststoseewhattheenemyisabout，whenwehaveaMr。
Tooting。
“They\'restung！“hecried，asheranrapidlythroughthebundleofpapers——Mr。Crewehavingsubscribed，withcharacteristicgenerosity，totheentirepressoftheState。“Flintgave\'emoutallthisstuffabouttherailroadbein\'asacredinstitution。You\'vegot\'emontherunrightnow，Mr。Crewe。You\'llnoticethat，DemocratsandRepublicans，they\'vedroppedeverybodyelse，thatthey\'veallbeensickedontoyou。They\'rescared。“
“Icametothatconclusionsometimeago，“repliedMr。Crewe，whowassortingoverhisletters。
“Andlookthere！“exclaimedMr。Tooting，tearingoutaparagraph，“there\'sthebestcampaignmaterialwe\'vehadyet。Say，I\'llbetFlinttakenthatdodderingidiot\'spassawayforwritingthat。“
Mr。Crewetooktheextract，andread:——
AsummerresidentofLeith，whoissaidtobeamillionairemanytimesover，andwhohadasomewhatfarcicalcareerasalegislatorlastwinter，hasannouncedhimselfasacandidatefortheRepublicannominationonaplatformattackingtheNortheasternRailroads。Mr。HumphreyCrewedeclaresthattheNortheasternRailroadsgovernus。Whatiftheydo？Everysober-mindedcitizen，willagreethattheygiveusaprettygoodgovernment。Morepowertothem。“
Mr。Crewepermittedhimselftosmile。
“Theyareplayingintoourhands，sureenough。What？“
Thisisanexampleofthespiritinwhichtheridiculeandabusewasmet。
ItwasSenatorWhitredge——only，lastautumnsopleasedtomeetMr。CreweatMr。Flint\'s——whoaskedthehypocriticalquestion，“WhoisHumphreyCrewe？“Abiographyinpamphletform，illustrated，——sendyournameandaddressisbeingpreparedbytheinvaluableMr。Tooting，whoonlysleepssixhoursthesedays。Weshallseeitpresently，whenitemergesfromthatbusyhiveatWedderburn。
Wedderburnwasahive，sureenough。Nothavingaballoonourselves，itisdifficulttoseeallthatisgoingonthere；buttherecanbenomistakeexceptbytheHonourableHilary\'sseismographthatithasbecomethecentreofextraordinaryactivity。Theoutsideworldhaspausedtodrawbreathatthespectacle，andmembersofthemetropolitanpressarefillingtheroomsoftheRiptonHouseandaddingtotheprosperityofitslivery-stable。Mr。Creweisadifficultmantoseethesedays——therearesomanyvisitorsatWedderburn，andtherepresentativesofthemetropolitanpresshitchtheirhorsesandstrollaroundthegrounds，orsitontheporchandconversewithgentlemenfromvariouscountiesoftheStatewhoastheTribunewouldputithavebeenledbyastartoLeith。
Ontheoccasionofoneofthesegatherings，whenMr。Crewehadbeeninaccessibleforfourhours，Mrs。PomfretdroveupinavictoriawithherdaughterAlice。
“I\'msureIdon\'tknowwhenwe\'regoingtoseepoordearHumphreyagain，“
saidMrs。Pomfret，examiningthegroupontheporchthroughhergold-
mountedlenses；theseawfulpeoplearealwaysherewhenIcome。Iwonderiftheysleephere，inthehammocksandloungingchairs！Alice，wemustbeverypolitetothem——somuchdependsonit。“
“I\'malwayspolite，mother，“answeredAlice，“exceptwhenyoutellmenottobe。ThetroubleisIneverknowmyself。“
Thevictoriastoppedinfrontofthedoor，andtheirreproachableWatersadvancedacrosstheporch。
“Waters，“saidMrs。Pomfret，“IsupposeMr。Creweistoobusytocomeout。“
“I\'mafraidso，madam，“repliedWaters；“there\'salineofgentlemenwaitin\'here“heeyedthemwithnouncertaindisapproval。andI\'vepositiveordersnottodisturbhim，madam。“
“Iquiteunderstand，atatimelikethis，“saidMrs。Pomfret，andadded，forthebenefitofheraudience，“whenMr。Crewehasbeenpublic-spiritedandunselfishenoughtoundertakesuchagigantictask。TellhimMissPomfretandIcallfromtimetotimebecausewearesointerested，andthatthewholeofLeithwisheshimsuccess。“
“I\'lltellhim，madam，“saidWaters，ButMrs。Pomfretdidnotgivethesignalforhercoachmantodriveon。
Shelooked，instead，atthepatientgathering。
“Goodmorning，gentlemen，“shesaid。
“Mother！“whisperedAlice，“whatareyougoingtodo？“
Thegentlemenrose。
“I\'mMrs。Pomfret，“shesaid，asthoughthatsimpleannouncementwerequitesufficient，——asitwas，forthemetropolitanpress。NotamanofthemwhohadnotseenMrs。Pomfret\'simportantmovementsonbothsidesofthewaterchronicled。“Itakethelibertyofspeakingtoyou，asweallseemtobeunitedinacommoncause。Howisthecampaignlooking？“
Someofthegentlemenshiftedtheircigarsfromonehandtotheother，andgrinnedsheepishly。
“Iamsointerested，“continuedMrs。Pomfret；“itissounusualinAmericaforagentlemantobewillingtoundertakesuchathing，tosubjecthimselftolowcriticism，andtohavehispuremotivesquestioned。Mr。Crewehasrarecourage——Ihavealwayssaidso。Andweareallgoingtoputourshouldertothewheel，andhelphimallwecan。“
Therewasoneclevermantherewhowasquicktoseehisopportunity，andseizeitforhisnewspaper。
“AndareyougoingtohelpMr。Creweinhiscampaign，Mrs。Pomfret？“
“Mostassuredly，“answeredMrs。Pomfret。“Womeninthiscountrycoulddosomuchiftheyonlywould。Youknow，“sheadded，inhermostwinningmanner，“youknowthatawomancanoftengetavotewhenamancan\'t。“
“Andyou，and——otherladieswillgoaroundtothepublicmeetings？“
“Whynot，myfriend；ifMr。Crewehasnoobjection？andIcanconceiveofnone。“
“YouwouldhaveanorganizationofsocietyladiestohelpMr。Crewe？“
“That\'sratheracrudewayofputtingit，“answeredMrs。Pomfret，withherglassesraisedjudicially-“WomeninwhatyoucallIsocietyare，I
amgladtosay，takinganincreasinginterestinpolitics。Theyarebeginningtorealizethatitisaduty。“
“Thankyou，“saidthereporter；“andnowwouldyoumindifItookaphotographofyouinyourcarriage。“
“Oh，mother，“protestedAlice，“youwon\'tlethimdothat！“
“Bequiet，Alice。LadyAylestoneandtheduchessarephotographedineveryconceivableposeforpoliticalpurposes。Wymans，justdrivearoundtotheothersideofthecircle。“
Thearticleappearednextday，andgave，asmaybeimagined，atremendousimpetustoMr。Crewe\'scause。“AnewerainAmericanpolitics！“
“SocietytotakeahandinthegubernatorialcampaignofMillionaireHumphreyCrewe！““Notedsocialleader，Mrs。PattersonPomfret，declaresitaduty，andsagathatEnglishwomenhavetherightidea。“AndaphotographofMrs。PattersonPomfretherself，inhervictoria，occupiedagenerousportionofthefrontpage。
“What\'sallthisrubbishaboutMrs。Pomfret？“wasMr。Crewe\'sgratefulcommentwhenhesawit。“Ispenttwovaluablehourswiththatreportergivin\'himmaterialandstatistics，andIcan\'tfindthathe\'susedawordofit。“
“Neveryoumindaboutthat，“Mr。Tootingreplied。“Themoreadvertisingyouget，thebetter，andthisshowsthattherightpeoplearebehindyou。
Mrs。Pomfret\'sasmartwoman，allright。Sheknowsherjob。Andhere\'smoreadvertising，“hecontinued，shovinganothersheetacrossthedesk，“afinelikenessofyouincaricaturelabelled，\'AjaxdefyingtheLightning。\'Who\'sAjax？TherewasanItalian，astreetcontractor，withthatname——orsomethinglikeit——inNewcastleacoupleofyearsago——intheeighthward。“
Inthesedays，whenfalserumoursflyapacetotheinjuryofinnocentmen，itiswelltogetatthetruth，ifpossible。ItisnottruethatMr。PaulPardriff，ofthe\'RiptonRecord，\'hasbeentoWedderburn。Mr。
Pardriffwasgettingintoabuggytogo——somewhere——whenhechancedtomeettheHonourableBrushBascom，andthebuggywassentbacktothelivery-stable。Mr。TootinghadbeentoseeMr。Pardriffbeforetheworld-quakingannouncementofJune7th，andhadfoundMr。PardriffareformerwhodidnotbelievethattherailroadshouldruntheState。ButtheeditoroftheRiptonRecordwasamanafterEmerson\'sownheart:afoolishconsistencyisthehobgoblinoflittleminds“——andMr。PardriffdidnotgotoWedderburn。HewentoffonanexcursionuptheStateinstead，forhehadbeenworkingtoohard；andhereturned，asmanymendofromtheirtravels，aconservative。HelistenedcoldlytoMr。
Tooting\'simpassionedpleasforcleanerpolitics，untilMr。Tootingrevealedthefactthathispocketswerefullofcopy。Itseemsthatabiographywastobeprinted——abiographywhichwould，undoubtedly，beingreatdemand；thebiographyofapublicbenefactor，illustratedwithoriginalphotographsandviewsinthecountry。Mr。TootingandMr。
Pardriffbothbeingmenoftheworld，someexceedingplaintalkensuedbetweenthem，andwhentwosuchmindsunite，awayoutissuretobefound。Onecanbebothaconservativeandaradical——ifoneisclever。
TherewereothercolumnsinMr。Pardriff\'spaperbesideseditorialcolumns；editorialcolumns，Mr。Pardriffsaid，weresacredtohisconvictions。Certainthumb-wornscheduleswerereferredto。PaulPardriff，Ripton，agreedtobethepublisherofthebiography。
ThenexteditionoftheRecordwasanexampleofwhatMr。Emersonmeant。
Threecolumnscontainedextractsofabsorbinginterestfromtheforthcomingbiographyand，onanotherpage，aneditorial。TheHonourableHumphreyCrewe，ofLeith，isanestimablegentlemanandagoodcitizen，whosepublicendeavourshavebeenofgreatbenefittothecommunity。AcitizenofAvalonCounty，theRecordregretsthatitcannotsupporthiscandidacyfortheRepublicangubernatorialnomination。Wearenotamongthosewhoseektoimpugnmotives，andwhilegivingMr。
CreweeverycreditthathischargesagainsttheNortheasternRailroadsaremadeingoodfaith，webegtodifferfromhim。Thatcorporationisaninstitutionwhichhasstoodthetestoftime，andenricheseveryyeartheStatetreasurybyalargesumintaxes。Itsmanagementisinsafe，conservativehands。NoonewilldenyMr。Crewe\'szealfortheState\'swelfare，butitmustbeborneinmindthatheisanewcomerinpolitics，andthatconditions，seenfromthesurface，aresometimesdeceptive。WepredictforMr。Crewealongandusefulcareer，butwedonotthinkthatatthistime，andonthisplatform，hewillobtainthegovernorship。“
“Moralcourageiswhattheageneeds，“hadbeenMr。Crewe\'strueandsententiousremarkwhenhereadthiseditorial。But，bearinginmindabiblicaladage，hedidnotblameMr。Tootingforhisdiplomacy。“Sendinthenextman。“
Mr。Tootingopenedthestudydoorandglancedoverthepublic-spiritedcitizensawaiting，ontheporch，thepleasureoftheirleader。
“Comealong，Caldwell，“saidMr。Tooting。“HewantsyourreportfromKingston。Getahustleon！“
Mr。Caldwellmadehisreport，receivedmanybriefandbusiness-likesuggestions，andretired，impressed。WhereuponMr。CrewecommandedMr。
Tootingtoorderhisautomobile——anoccasionalandrapidspinoverthecountryroadsbeingtheonlydiversionthecandidatepermittedhimself。
Wishingtobealonewithhisthoughts，hedidnottakeMr。Tootingwithhimontheseexcursions。
“Andbytheway，“saidMr。Crewe，asheseizedthesteeringwheelafewmomentslater，“justdropalinetoAustenVane，willyou，andtellhimI
wanttoseehimupherewithinadayortwo。Makeanappointment。Ithasoccurredtomethathemightbeveryuseful。“
Mr。Tootingstoodonthedrivewaywatchingthecloudofdustsettleontheroadbelow。Thenheindulgedinalongandpeculiarlysignificantwhistlethroughhisteeth，rolledhiseyesheavenward，andwentintothehouse。HerememberedAusten\'sremarkaboutridingacyclone。
Mr。CrewetooktheTunbridgeroad。OnhisexcursionofthedaybeforehehadmetMrs。Pomfret，whohadheldupherhand，andhehadprotestinglybroughtthecartoastop。
“Yourhorsesdon\'tfrighten，“hehadsaid。
“No，butIwantedtospeaktoyou，Humphrey，“Mrs。Pomfrethadreplied；
“youarebecomingsoimportantthatnobodyeverhasaglimpseofyou。I
wantedtotellyouwhataninterestwetakeinthissplendidthingyouaredoing。“
“Well，“saidMr。Crewe，“itwasaplainduty，andnobodyelseseemedwillingtoundertakeit。“
Mrs。Pomfret\'seyeshadflashed。
“Menofthattypearescarce，“sheanswered。“Butyou\'llwin。You\'rethekindofmanthatwins。“
“Oh，yes，I\'llwin，“saidMr。Crewe。
“You\'resomagnificentlysureofyourself，“criedMrs。Pomfret。“Aliceistakingsuchaninterest。Everydaysheasks，\'WhenisHumphreygoingtomakehisfirstspeech？\'You\'llletusknowintime，won\'tyou？“
“DidyouputallthatnonsenseintheNewYorkFlare？“askedMr。Crewe。
“Oh，Humphrey，Ihopeyoulikedit，“criedMrs。Pomfret。“Don\'tmakethemistakeofdespisingwhatwomencando。TheyelectedtheHonourableBillyAylestone——hesaidsohimself。I\'mgettingallthewomeninterested。“
“Who\'veyoubeencallingonnow？“heinquired。
Mrs。Pomfrethesitated。
“I\'vebeenupatFairviewtoseeaboutMrs。Flint。Sheisn\'tmuchbetter。“
“IsVictoriahome？“Mr。Crewedemanded，withundisguisedinterest。
“Poordeargirl！“saidMrs。Pomfret，“ofcourseIwouldn\'thavementionedthesubjecttoher，butshewantedtoknowallaboutit。Itnaturallymakesanawkwardsituationbetweenyouandher，doesn\'tit？“
“Oh，Victoria\'slevel-headedenough，“Mr。Crewehadanswered；“IguesssheknowssomethingaboutoldFlintandhismethodsbythistime。Atanyrate，itwon\'tmakeanydifferencewithme，“headdedmagnanimously，andthrewinhisclutch。HehadencircledFairviewinhisdrivethatday，andwas，curiouslyenough，headedinthatdirectionnow。Slowtomakeuphismindinsomethings，aseveryeligiblemanmustbe，hewasnowcomingrapidlytothenotionthathemighteventuallydecideuponVictoriaasthemostfittingmateforoneinhisposition。Still，therewasnohurry。AsforgoingtoFairviewHouse，thatmightbeawkward，besidesbeingopentomisconstructionbyhisconstituents。Mr。Crewereflected，asherushedupthehills，thathehadmissedVictoriasinceshehadbeenabroad——andamansocontinuallyoccupiedashedidnothavetimetomissmanypeople。Mr。CrewemadeuphismindhewouldencircleFairvieweverydayuntilheranacrossher。
Thegoddessoffortunesometimesblessesthepersistentevenbeforetheybegintopersist——perhapsfromsheerwearinessattheremembranceofpreviousimportuning。Victoria，onabrand-newandsomewhatsensitivefive-year-old，wascomingoutofthestonearchwaywhenMr。Crewewithoutanysignalthistime！threwonhisbrakes。Anexhibitionofhorsemanshipfollowed，onVictoria\'spart，whichMr。Crewebeheldwithadmiration。Thefive-year-oldswungaboutlikeaweathercockinagustofwind，assuminganuprightposition，liketheunicornintheBritishcoatofarms。Victoriacuthim，andhecamedownonallfoursanddancedintothewirefencethatencircledtheFairviewdomain，whereuponhegotanotherstingingreminderthattherewassomeoneonhisback。
“Bravo！“criedMr。Crewe，leaningonthesteeringwheelandwatchingtheperformancewithdelight。Never，hethought，hadVictoriabeenmoreappealing；strangelyenough，hehadnotrememberedthatshewasquitesohandsome，orthathercolourwassovivid；orthatherbodywassostraightandlongandsupple。Helikedthewayinwhichshegaveittothathorse，andhemadeuphismindthatshewouldgraceanyposition，howeverhigh。Presentlythehorsemadealeapintotheroadinfrontofthemotorandstoodtrembling，readytobolt。
“ForHeaven\'ssake，Humphrey，“shecried，“shutoffyourpower？Don\'tsittherelikeanidiot——doyouthinkI\'mdoingthisforpleasure？“
Mr。Crewegood-naturedlyturnedoffhisswitch，andthemotor，withadyingsigh，wassilent。Heevenlikedthenotionofbeingcommandedtodoathing；therewasarelishaboutitthatwasnew。Theotherwomenofhisacquaintanceaddressedhimmoredeferentially。
“Getholdofthebridle，“hesaidtothechauffeur。“You\'vegotnobusinesstohaveananimallikethat，“washisremarktoVictoria。
“Don\'ttouchhim！“shesaidtotheman，whowasapproachingwithatruemachinist\'sfearofahigh-spiritedhorse。“You\'vegotnobusinesstohaveamotorlikethat，ifyoucan\'thandleitanybetterthanyoudo。“
“Youmanagedhimallright。I\'llsaythatforyou，“saidMr。Crewe。
“Nothankstoyou，“shereplied。Nowthatthehorsewascomparativelyquiet，shesatandregardedMr。Crewewithanamusementwhichwasgraduallygettingthebetterofheranger。Afewmomentssince，andshewishedwithgreatintensitythatshehadbeenusingthewhiponhisshouldersinstead。Nowthatshehadtimetogatherupthethreadsofthesituation，theirresistiblycomicaspectofitgrewuponher，andlittlecreasescameintothecornersofhereyes——whichMr。Creweadmired。Sherecalled——withindignation，tobesure——theconversationshehadoverheardinthediningroomoftheDuncanhouse，butherindignationwasparticularlydirected，onthatoccasion，towardsMr。Tooting。HerewasHumphreyCrewe，sittingtalkingtoherintheroad——HumphreyCrewe，whosecandidacyforthegovernorshipimpugnedherfather\'smanagementoftheNortheasternRailroads——andshewasunabletotakethematterseriously！
Theremustbesomethingwrongwithher，shethought。
“Soyou\'rehomeagain，“Mr。Creweobserved，hiseyesstillbearingwitnesstotheindubitablefact。“Ishouldn\'thaveknownit——I\'vebeensobusy。“
“IstheLegislaturestillinsession？“Victoriasoberlyinquired。
“Youarealittlebehindthetimes——ain\'tyou？“saidMr。Crewe，insurprise。“Howlonghaveyoubeenhome？Hasn\'tanybodytoldyouwhat\'sgoingon？“
“Ionlycameuptendaysago，“sheanswered，“andI\'mafraidI\'vebeensomethingofarecluse。Whatisgoingon？“
“Well，“hedeclared，“Ishouldhavethoughtyou\'dheardit，anyway。I\'llsendyouupafewnewspaperswhenIgetback。I\'macandidateforthegovernorship。“
Victoriabitherlip，andleanedovertobrushaflyfromtheneckofherhorse。
“Youaregettingonrapidly，Humphrey，“shesaid。“Doyouthinkyou\'vegot——anychance？“
“Anychance！“herepeated，withsomepardonableforce。“I\'msuretobenominated。There\'sanoverwhelmingsentimentamongthevotersofthisStatefordecentpolitics。Itdidn\'ttakemelongtofindthatout。Theonlywonderisthatsomebodyhasn\'tseenitbefore。“
“Perhaps，“sheanswered，givinghimasteadylook，“perhapssomebodyhas。“
OneofMr。Crewe\'sgreatestelementsofstrengthwashisimperviousnesstothiskindofaremark。
“Ifanybody\'sseenit，“hereplied，“theyhaven\'tthecourageoftheirconvictions。“SuchweretheworkingsofMr。Crewe\'smindthathehadalreadyforgottenthatfirsttalkwithMr。HamiltonTooting。“NotthatI
wanttotaketoomuchcreditonmyself，“headded，withbecomingmodesty，“Ihavehadsomeexperienceintheworld，anditwasnaturalthatI
shouldgetafreshview。AreyoucomingdowntoLeithinafewdays？“
“Imay，“saidVictoria。
“Telephoneme，“saidMr。Crewe，“andifIcangetoff，Iwill。I\'dliketotalktoyou。YouhavemoresensethanmostwomenIknow。“
“Youoverwhelmme，Humphrey。Complimentssoundstrangelyonyourlips。“
“WhenIsayathing，Imeanit，“Mr。Crewedeclared。“Idon\'tpaycompliments。I\'dmakeitapointtotakealittletimeofftotalktoyou。Yousee，somanymenareinterestedinthisthingfromvariouspartsoftheState，andwearesobusyorganizing，thatitabsorbsmostofmyday。“
“Icouldn\'tthinkofencroaching，“Victoriaprotested。
That\'sallright——youcanbeagreathelp。I\'vegotconfidenceinyourjudgment。Bytheway，“heaskedsuddenly，“youhaven\'tseenyourfriendAustenVanesinceyougotback，haveyou？“
“Whydoyoucallhimmyfriend？“saidVictoria。Mr。Crewperceivedthattheexercisehadheightenedhercolour，andthetransitionappealedtohissenseofbeauty。
“PerhapsIputitalittlestrongly，“hereplied。“Youseemedtotakeaninterestinhim，forsomereason。Isupposeit\'sbecauseyoulikenewtypes。“
“IlikeMr。Vaneverymuch，——andforhimself，“shesaidquietly。“ButI
haven\'tseenhimsinceIcameback。NordoIthinkIamlikelytoseehim。Whatmadeyouaskabouthim？“
“Well，heseemstobeamanofsomelocalstanding，andheoughttobeinthiscampaign。Ifyouhappentoseehim，youmightmentionthesubjecttohim。I\'vesentforhimtocomeupandseeme。“
“Mr。Vanedoesn\'tseemtometobeapersononecansendforlikethat，“
Victoriaremarkedjudicially。“Astoadvisinghimastowhatcourseheshouldtakepolitically——thatwouldevenbestrainingmyfriendshipforyou，Humphrey。Onreflection，“sheadded，smiling，“theremayappeartoyoureasonswhyIshouldnotcaretomeddlewith——politics，justnow。“
“Ican\'tseeit，“saidMr。Crewe；“you\'vegotamindofyourown，andyou\'veneverbeenafraidtouseit，sofarasIknow。IfyoushouldseethatVaneman，justgivehimanotionofwhatI\'mtryingtodo。“
“Whatareyoutryingtodo？“inquiredVictoria，sweetly。
“I\'mtryingtocleanupthisStatepolitically，“saidMr。Crewe，“andI\'mgoingtodoit。WhenyoucomedowntoLeith，I\'lltellyouaboutit，andI\'llsendyouthenewspapersto-day。Don\'tbeinahurry，“hecried，addressingoverhisshouldertwofarmersinawagonwhohaddrivenupafewmomentsbefore，andwhowereapparentlyanxioustopass。“Windherup，Adolphe。“
Thechauffeur，standingbythecrank，startedtheengineinstantly，andthegearsscreamedasMr。Crewethrewinhislowspeed。Thefive-year-
oldwhirled，andbolteddowntheroadatapacewhichwouldhaveseemedtochallengearacingcar；andthegirlinthesaddle，bendingtothemotionofthehorse，wasseentoraiseherhandinwarning。
“Betterstaywharyoube，“shoutedoneofthefarmers；don\'tgotofollerin\'her。Thehoesisrunnin\'away。“
Mr。CrewesteeredhiscarintotheFairviewentrance，andbackedintotheroadagain，facingtheotherway。Hehaddecidedtogohome。
“Thatladycantakecareofherself，“hesaid，andstartedofftowardsLeith，wonderinghowitwasthatMr。Flinthadnotconfidedhisrecentpoliticaltroublestohisdaughter。
“Thathossisugly，sureenough，“saidthefarmerwhohadspokenbefore。
Victoriaflewon，downthenarrowroad。Aftertwentystridesshedidnotattempttodisguisefromherselfthefactthatthefive-year-oldwasinafrenzyoffear，andrunningaway。Victoriahadbeenrunawaywithbefore，andhavingsomeknowledgeoftheanimalsherode，shedidnotwasteherstrengthbypullingonthecurb，butsoughtrathertoquiethimwithhervoice，whichhadnoeffectwhatever。Hewasbeyondappeal，hisheadwasdown，andhisearstremblingbackwardsandstrainingforasoundoftheterrorthatpursuedhim。Theroadranthroughtheforest，andVictoriareflectedthatthegrade，onthewhole，wasdownwardtotheEastTunbridgestation，wheretheroadcrossedthetrackandtooktothehillsbeyond。Onceamongthem，shewouldbesafe——hemightrunasfar，ashepleased。Butcouldshepassthestation？Sheheldafirmrein，andtriedtokeephermindclear。
Suddenly，ataslightbendoftheroad，thecornerofthelittleredbuildingcameinsight，somehundredsofyardsahead；and，onthesidewhereitstood，intheclearing，wasawhitemasswhichVictoriarecognizedasapileoflumber。Shesawseveralmenonthetopofthepile，standingmotionless；sheheardoneofthemshout；thehorseswerved，andshefeltherselfflungviolentlytotheleft。
Herfirstthought，afterstriking，wasoneofself-congratulationthathersafetystirrupandhabithadbehavedproperly。Beforeshecouldrise，amanwasleaningoverher——andintheinstantshehadtheimpressionthathewasafriend。Otherpeoplehadhadthisimpressionofhimonfirstacquaintance——hissize，hisgenial，brick-redface，andhishonestblueeyesalldoubtlesscontributing。
“Areyouhurt，MissFlint？“heasked。
“Notintheleast，“shereplied，springingtoherfeettoprovethecontrary。What\'sbecomeofmyhorse？“
“Twoofthemenhavegoneafterhim，“hesaid，staringatherwithundisguisedbuthonestadmiration。Whereuponhebecamesuddenlyembarrassed，andpulledoutahandkerchiefthesizeofatablenapkin。
“Letmedustyouoff。“
“Thankyou，“saidVictoria，laughing，andbeginningtheprocessherself。
Hernewacquaintancepliedthehandkerchief，hisfaceabrighterbrick-
redthanever。
“ThankGod，therewasn\'tafreightonthesiding，“heremarked，soferventlythatVictoriastoleaglanceathim。Thedustingprocesscontinued。
“There，“sheexclaimed，atlast，adjustingherstockandshakingherskirt，“I\'meversomuchobliged。Itwasveryfoolishinmetotumbleoff，wasn\'tit？“
“Itwastheonlythingyoucouldhavedone，“hedeclared。“Ihadagoodviewofit，andheflungyoulikeabeanoutofashooter。That\'sapowerfulhorse。Iguessyou\'rethekindthatlikestotakerisks。“
Victorialaughedathisexpressivephrase，andcrossedtheroad，andsatdownontheedgeofthelumberpile，intheshade。
“Thereseemstobenothingtodobutwait，“shesaid，“andtothankyouagain。Willyoutellmeyourname？“
“I\'mTomGaylord，“hereplied。
Hercolour，alwayssonearthesurface，rosealittleassheregardedhim。SothiswasAustenVane\'sparticularfriend，whomhehadtriedtoputoutofhiswindow。AHerculeantask，Victoriathought，fromTom\'sappearance。Tomsatdownwithinafewfeetofher。
“I\'veseenyouagoodmanytimes，MissFlint，“heremarked，applyingthehandkerchieftohisface。
“AndI\'veseenyou——once，Mr。Gaylord，“somemischievousimpulsepromptedhertoanswer。Perhapstheimpulsewasmoredeep-seated，afterall。
“Where？“demandedTom，promptly。
“Youwereengaged，“saidVictoria，“inastruggleinawindowonRiptonSquare。Itlooked，foratime，“shecontinued，“asifyouweregoingtobedroppedontheroofoftheporch。“
Tomgazedatherinconfusionandsurprise。
“Youseemtobefond，too，ofdangerousexercise，“sheobserved。
“Doyoumeantosayyourememberedmefromthat？“heexclaimed。“Oh，youknowAustenVane，don\'tyou？“
“DoesMr。Vaneacknowledgetheacquaintance？“Victoriainquired。
“It\'sfunny，butyouremindmeofAusten，“saidTom，grinning；youseemtohavethesamequeerwayofsayingthingsthathehas。“Herehewasconsciousofanotherfitofembarrassment。“Ihopeyoudon\'tmindwhatI
say，MissFlint。“
“Notatall，“saidVictoria。Sheturned，andlookedacrossthetrack。
“Isupposetheyarehavingalotoftroubleincatchingmyhorse，“sheremarked。
“They\'llgethim，“Tomassuredher，“oneofthosemenismymanager。Healwaysgetswhathestartsoutfor。Whatwerewetalkingabout？Oh，AustenVane。Yousee，I\'veknownhimeversinceIwasashaver，andI
thinktheworldofhim。IfheaskedmetogotoSouthAmericaandgethimazebrato-morrow，IbelieveI\'ddoit。“
“Thatisrealdevotion，“saidVictoria。ThemoreshesawofyoungTom，thebettershelikedhim，althoughhisconversationwasapttobeslightlyembarrassing。
“We\'vebeenthroughalotofrowstogether，“Tomcontinued，warmingtohissubject，“inschoolandcollege。Yousee，Austen\'sthekindofmanwhodoesn\'tcarewhatanybodythinks，ifhetakesitintohisheadtodoathing。ItwasagreatpieceofluckformethatheshotthatfellowoutWest，orhewouldn\'tbeherenow。Youheardaboutthat，didn\'tyou？“
“Yes，“saidVictoria，“IbelieveIdid。“
“Andyet，“saidTom，“althoughI\'masgoodafriendashehas，Ineverquitegotunderhisskin。There\'ssomethingsIwouldn\'ttalktohimabout。I\'velearnedthat。Inevertoldhim，forinstance，thatIsawhimoutinasleighwithyouatthecapital。“
“Oh，“saidVictoria；andsheadded，“Isheashamedofit？“
“It\'snotthat，“repliedTom，hastily，“butIguessifhe\'dwantedmetoknowaboutit，he\'dhavetoldme。“
Victoriahadbeguntorealizethat，inthefewminuteswhichhadelapsedsinceshehadfoundherselfontheroadside，gazingupintoyoungTom\'seyes，shehadsomehowbecomequiteintimatewithhim。
“Ifancyhewouldhavetoldyoualltherewastotellaboutit——ifthematterhadoccurredtohimagain，“shesaid，withtheairoffinallydismissingasubjectalreadytooprolonged。ButTomknewnothingoftheshadesandconventionsoftheartofconversation。
“He\'snevertoldmeheknewyouatall！“heexclaimed，staringatVictoria。ApparentlysomeoftheaspectsofthisnowsignificantomissiononAusten\'spartwerebeginningtodawnonTom。
“Itwasn\'tworthmentioning，“saidVictoria，briefly，seekingforapretexttochangethesubject。
“Idon\'tbelievethat，“saidTom，“youcan\'texpectmetosithereandlookatyouandbelievethat。Howlonghasheknownyou？“
“Isawhimonceortwicelastsummer，atLeith，“saidVictoria，nowwaveringbetweenlaughterandexasperation。Shehadgotherselfintoaquandaryindeedwhenshehadtoparrytheappallingfranknessofsuchinquiries。
“Themoreyouseeofhim，themoreyou\'lladmirehim，I\'llprophesy，“
saidTom。“Ifhe\'dbeencontenttotravelalongtheeasyroad，asmostfellowsare，hewouldhavebeencounselfortheNortheastern。Insteadofthat——“hereTomhaltedabruptly，andturnedscarlet:“Iforgot，“hesaid，“I\'malwaysputtingmyfootinit，withladies。“
HewassopainfullyconfusedthatVictoriafeltherselfsufferingwithhim，andlongedtocomforthim。
“Pleasegoon，Mr。Gaylord，“shesaid；“Iamverymuchinterestedinmyneighbourshere，andIknowthatagreatmanyofthemthinkthattherailroadmeddlesinpolitics。I\'vetriedtofindoutwhattheythink，butitissodifficultforawomantounderstand。Ifmattersarewrong，I\'msuremyfatherwillrightthemwhenheknowsthesituation。Hehassomuchtoattendto。“Shepaused。Tomwasstillmoppinghisforehead。
“Youmaysayanythingyouliketome，andIshallnottakeoffence。“
Tom\'sadmirationofherwasheightenedbythisattitude。
“Austenwouldn\'tjoinMr。Creweinhislittlegame，anyway，“hesaid。
“WhenHamTooting，Crewe\'smanager，cametohimhekickedhimdownstairs。“
Victoriaburstoutlaughing。
“IconstantlyhearoftheseferociousdeedswhichMr。Vanecommits，“shesaid，“andyetheseemsexceptionallygood-naturedandmild-mannered。“
“That\'sstraight——hekickedhimdownstairs。ServedTootingright，too。“
“Theredoesseemtohavebeenanelementofjusticeinit，“Victoriaremarked。
“Youhaven\'tseenAustensincehelefthisfather？“Mr。Gaylordinquired。
“Lefthim！Where——hashegone？“
“GoneuptolivewithJabeJenney。IfAustencaredanythingaboutmoney，heneverwouldhavebrokenwiththeoldman，whohassomelittleputaway。“
“Whydidheleavehisfather？“askedVictoria，nottakingthetroublenowtoconcealherinterest。
“Well，“saidTom，“youknowtheyneverdidgetalong。Ithasn\'tbeenAusten\'sfault——he\'stried。AfterhecamebackfromtheWesthestayedheretopleaseoldHilary，whenhemighthavegonetoNewYorkandmadeafortuneatthelaw，withhisbrains。ButafterAustensawthekindoflawtheoldmanpractisedhewouldn\'tstandforit，andgotanofficeofhisown。“
Victoria\'seyesgrewserious。
“WhatkindoflawdoesHilaryVanepractise？“sheasked。
Tomhesitatedandbegantomophisforeheadagain。
“Pleasedon\'tmindme，“Victoriapleaded。
“Well，allright，“saidTom，“I\'lltellyouthetruth，ordieforit。
ButIdon\'twanttomakeyou-unhappy。“
“Youwilldomeakindness，Mr。Gaylord，“shesaid，“bytellingmewhatyoubelievetobetrue。“
TherewasanoteinhervoicewhichyoungTomdidnotunderstand。
Afterwards，whenhereflectedaboutthematter，hewonderedifshewereunhappy。
“Idon\'twanttoblameHilarytoomuch，“heanswered。“IknowAustendon\'t。Hilary\'sgrownupwiththatwayofdoingthings，andintheolddaystherewasnootherway。HilaryisthechiefcounselfortheNortheastern，andherunstheRepublicanorganizationinthisStatefortheirbenefit。ButAustenmadeuphismindthattherewasnoreasonwhyheshouldgrowupthatway。Hesaysthat\'alawyershouldkeeptohisprofession，andnotbecomealobbyistintheinterestofhisclients。Helivedwiththeoldmanuntiltheotherday，becausehehasarealsoftspotforhim。Austenputupwithagooddeal。AndthenHilaryturnedlooseonhimandsaidalotofthingshecouldn\'tstand。Austendidn\'tanswer，butwentupandpackedhisbagsandmadeHilary\'shousekeeperpromisetostaywithhim，orshe\'dhaveleft，too。TheysayHilary\'ssorry，now。He\'sfondofAusten，buthecan\'tgetalongwithhim。“
“Do——Doyouknowwhattheyquarreledabout？“askedVictoria，inalowvoice。
“Thisspring，“saidTom，“theGaylordLumberCompanymadeAustenjuniorcounsel。Heranacrossalawtheotherdaythatnobodyelseseemstohavehadsenseenoughtodiscover，bywhichwecansuetherailroadforexcessivefreightrates。Itmeansalotofmoney。HewentrightintoHilaryandshowedhimthesection，toldhimthatsuitwasgoingtobebrought，andofferedtoresign。Hilaryflewoffthetrack——andsaidifhedidn\'tbringsuithe\'dpublishitallovertheStatethatAustenstartedit。GalushaHammer，ourseniorcounsel，issick，andIdon\'tthinkhe\'llevergetwell。ThatmakesAustenseniorcounsel。ButhepersuadedoldTom，myfather，nottobringthissuituntilafterthepoliticalcampaign，untilMr。Crewegetsthroughwithhisfireworks。
Hilarydoesn\'tknowthat。“
“Isee，“saidVictoria。