Whatthenewspaperscallindescribableexcitementensues。ThethreevotesimproperlymadeoutaresaidtobetrippassesaccidentallydroppedintotheboxbythesupportersoftheHonourableElishaJane。Andaddupthesumtotalofthevotes！Thirty-onevotesmorethantherearecredentialsinthehall！Mysteryofmysterieshowcanitbe？Theballot，announcesGeneralDoby，afterendlessrapping，isablank。
Cheers，recriminations，exultation，disgustofdecentcitizens，attemptsbytwentymentogettheeyeofthepresidentwhichistoowaterytoseeanyofthem，andrushesfortheplatformtosuggestremediesoraskwhatisgoingtobedoneaboutsuchpalpablefraud。Whatcanbedone？Calltheroll！Howinblazescanyoucalltherollwhenyoudon\'tknowwho\'shere？Messrs。Jane，Botcher，Bascom，andFlemingarenotdisturbed，andimprovetheirtime。WatlingandTootingrushtothebridalsuite，andrushbackagaintodemandjustice。GeneralDobymingleshistearswiththeirs，andsomebodycallshimajellyfish。Hedoesnotresentit。
Frictionmakestheairhotterandhotter——Shadrach，Meshach，andAbednegowouldscarceenterintothisfurnace，——andGeneralDobyhasalargedampspotonhisbackashepoundsandpoundsandpoundsuntilweareoffagainonthethirdballot。Nodinner，andthree-thirtyP。M。！Twodelegateshavefainted，buttheessentialpartsofthem——thecredentials——areleftbehind。
Four-forty，whisperingagain，andthegaveldrops。
TheHonourableGilesHendersonofKingstonhas……412
TheHonourableHumphreyCreweofLeithhas……325
TheHonourableAdamB。HuntofEdmundtonhas……250
Andthereisnochoiceonthethirdballot！
Thirteendelegatesareactuallymissingthistime。Scourthetown！Andnoweventhenewspaperadjectivesdescribingthescenehavegivenout。A
persistentandterrifyingrumourgoestherounds，where\'sTomGaylord？
Somebodysaidhewasinthehallamomentago，onaRiptoncredential。
Ifso，he\'sgoneoutagain——goneouttoconsultthedarkhorse，whoisintown，somewhere。Anotherominoussign:Mr。Redbrook，Mr。WidgeonofHull，andtheotherruraldelegateswhohavebeenvotingforthePeople\'sChampion，andwhohavenotbeenobservedinfriendlyconversationwithanybodyatall，nowhavetheirheadstogether。Mr。Billingsgoessaunteringby，butcannothearwhattheyaresaying。Somethingmustbedone，andrightaway，andtheknowingmetropolitanreportersarewinkingateachotheranddeclaringdarklythatasensationisabouttoturnup。
WhereisHilaryVane？Doesn\'therealizethedanger？Or——traitorousthought！——doesn\'thecare？Toseehissonnominatedwouldbeasingularrevengefortheindignitieswhicharesaidtohavebeenheapeduponhim。
DoesHilaryVane，thestrongmanoftheState，merelysitatthekeyboard，powerless，whilethetempestitselfshakesfromtheorgananewandterriblemusic？Nearly，sixhourshehassatatthebasswoodtable，whilesenators，congressmen，feudalchiefs，andevenChairmanDobyhimselfflitinandout，whisperinhisear，setpapersbeforehim，andfiguresandproblems，andtelegramsfromhighestauthority。Hemerelynodshishead，saysawordnowandthen，orholdshispeace。Doesheknowwhathe\'sabout？Iftheyhadnotheardthingsconcerninghishealth，——andotherthings，——theywouldstillfeelsafe。Heseemstheonlycalmmantobefoundinthehall——butisthecalmaberration？
Aconferenceinthecorneroftheplatform，whilethefourthballotisprogressing，isheldbetweenSenatorsWhitredgeandGreene，Mr。RidoutandMr。Manning。SofartheHonourableHilaryhasapparentlydonenothingbutletthestormtakeitscourse；awing-footedmessengerhasreturnedwhohasseenMr。ThomasGaylordwalkingrapidlyupMapleStreet，andAustenVanemostastuteandreprehensibleofpoliticiansissaidtobeattheWidowPeasley\'s，quietlyawaitingthecall。ThenameofAustenVane——anothermessengersays——isrunninglikewildfirethroughthehall，fromrowtorow。Mr。Crewehasnochance——sorumourgoes。AreformertopervertthesayingofacelebratedcontemporaryhumoristmustfightMarquisofQueensberrytowin；andthePeople\'sChampion，itisaverred，hasnot。ShrewdcountrydelegateswhohadlistenedtotheChampion\'sspeechesandhadcometothecapitalpreparedtovoteforpurity，hadbeenobservingthemovementssinceyesterday，ofMr。TootingandMr。
Wadingwithnoinconsiderableinterest。NowwasthepsychologicalmomentforAustenVane，butwhowastobeardHilary？
Nochampionwasfound，andtheEmpire，thefateofwhichwasinthehandsofamadman，wascracking。Letanindividualofcharacterandknownanti-railroadconvictionssuchasthegentlemansaidtobeattheWidowPeasley\'sbepresentedtotheconvention，andtheywouldnominatehim。
WereMessrs。BascomandBotchergoingtoactthepartofSamsons？Weretheyworkingforrevengeandanewregime？Mr。WhitredgestartedforthePelican，notathisordinarysenatorialgait，togetMr。Flintonthetelephone。
Theresultofthefourthballotwasannounced，andbedlambrokeloose。
TheHonourableGilesHendersonofKingstonhas……419
TheHonourableHumphreyCreweofLeithhas……337
TheHonourableAdamB。HuntofEdmundtonhas……256
Total，onethousandandelevenoutofathousand！Twodelegatesabstainedfromvoting，andproclaimedthefact，butwereheardonlyafewfeetaway。Otherdelegates，whosefleshandbloodcouldstandtheatmospherenolonger，wereknowntohaveleftthehall！Aha！thesecretisout，ifanybodycouldhearit。Attheendofeveryballotseveralindividualsemergeandmixwiththecrowdinthestreet。Astutemensometimesmakemistakes，andthefollowingconversationoccursbetweenoneoftheindividualsinquestionandMr。Crewe\'schauffeur。
Individual:“Doyouwanttocomeinandseetheconventionandvote？“
Chauffeur:“IamFrenchman。“
Individual:“Thatdoesn\'tcutanyice。I\'llmakeouttheballot，andallyou\'llhavetodoistodropitinthebox。“
Chauffeur:“Allright；IvoteforMeesterCrewe。“
Suddendisappearanceoftheindividual。
Noristhisall。TheDukeofPutnam，forexample，knowshowmanycredentialsthereareinhiscounty——say，seventy-six。Hecountsthemenpresentandvoting，andhisresultissixty-one。Fifteenareabsent，gettingfoodor——somethingelse。Fifteenvoteoveragain。But，asthehumanbrainispronetoerror，andtherearemeninthestreet，theDukemiscalculates；theEarlofHainesmiscalculates，too。Result——elevenoverathousandvotes，andsomeninehundredmeninthehall！
Howareyougoingtostopit？Mr。WatlingclimbsupontheplatformandshakeshisfistinGeneralDoby\'sface，andGeneralDobytearfullyappealsforanhonestballot——tothewinds。
InthemeantimetheHonourableElishaJane，spurredonbydesperationandthoughtsofa\'dolcefarniente\'goneforever；hassoughtandcorneredMr。Bascom。
“ForGod\'ssake，Brush，“criestheHonourableElisha，“hasn\'tthisthinggonefarenough？Alittleofitisallright——theboysunderstandthat；
buthaveyouthoughtwhatitmeanstoyouandmeiftheseblankedreformersgetin，——ifafellerlikeAustenVaneisnominated？“
Thatcold，hardglitterwhichwehaveseenwasinMr。Bascom\'seyes。
“Youfellershavegotthecolic，“wastheremarkofthearch-rebel。“DoyouthinkoldHilarydoesn\'tknowwhathe\'sabout？“
“Itlooksthatwaytome，“saidMr。Jane。
“ItlooksthatwaytoDobytoo，Iguess，“saidMr。Bascom，withaglanceofcontemptatthegeneral；“he\'slostaboutfifteenpoundsto-day。DidHilarysendyoudownhere？“hedemanded。
“No，“Mr。Janeconfessed。
“Thengobackandchaseyourselfaroundtheplatformsomemore，“wasMr。
Bascom\'sunfeelingadvice，“anddon\'thaveafithere。AllthebrainsinthishallareinHilary\'sroom。Whenhe\'sreadytotalkbusinesswithmeinbehalfoftheHonourableGilesHenderson，Iguesshe\'lldoso。“
ButfearhadenteredtheheartoftheHonourableElisha，andtherewasasicklyfeelingintheregionofhisstomachwhicheventhestrongmedicineadministeredbytheHonourableBrushfailedtoalleviate。HeperceivedSenatorWhitredge，returnedfromthePelican。Buttheadvice——
ifany——thepresidentoftheNortheasternhasgiventhesenatorisnotforthcominginpractice。Mr。Flint，anymorethanUlysseshimself，cannotrecallthetempestswhenhisownfollowershaveslitthebags——andinsightofIthaca！Anotherconferenceatthebackofthestage，outofwhichemergesStateSenatorNatBillingsandgetstheearofGeneralDoby。
“Let\'emyell，“saysMr。Billings——asthoughthegeneral，byraisingoneadiposehand，couldquellthestorm。Eyesarestraining，scoutsarewatchingatthebackofthehallandinthestreet，forthefirstglimpseofthedreadedfigureofMr。ThomasGaylord。“Let\'emyell；“counselsMr。Billings，“andiftheydonominateanybodynobody\'llhear\'em。AndsendwordtoPutnamCountytocomealongontheirfifthballot。“
ItisMr。BillingshimselfwhosendswordtoPutnamCounty，inthenameoftheconvention\'schairman。BeforethemessengercanreachPutnamCountyanotherarrivesonthestage，withwidepupils，“TomGaylordiscoming！“Thismomentousnews，Marconi-like，penetratesthestorm，andisalreadyonthefloor。Mr。WidgeonandMr。Redbrookarepushingtheirwaytowardsthedoor。Theconference，emboldenedbyterror，marchesinabodyintothelittleroom，andsurroundsthecalmlyinsaneLieutenant-
generaloftheforces；itwouldbeill-naturedtosaythatvisionsoflostrailroadcommissionerships，lostconsulships，lostpostmasterships，——
yes，oflostsenatorships，wereintheseloyalheadsatthiscrucialtime。
ItwasallverywellsosaidthefirstspokesmantopluckafewfeathersfromabirdsobountifullyendowedastheHonourableAdam，butwerenottwogentlemenwhoshouldbenamelesscarryingthejokealittletoofar？Mr。Vaneunquestionablyrealizedwhathewasdoing，but——wasitnotalmosttimetocallinthetwogentlemenand——andcometosomeunderstanding？
“Gentlemen，“saidtheHonourableHilary，apparentlyunmoved，“IhavenotseenMr。BascomorMr。BotchersincethesixteenthdayofAugust，andI
donotintendto。“
Someclearingofthroatsfollowedthisominousdeclaration，——andapainfulsilence。Thethingmustbesaidandwhowouldsayit？SenatorWhitredgewasthehero。
Mr。ThomasGaylordhasjustenteredtheconventionhall，andissaidtobeabouttonominate——adarkhorse。Themomentwasfavourable，theconventiondemoralized，andatleastonehundreddelegateshadleftthehall。Howaboutthelastballot，Senator，whichshowed1011？
TheHonourableHilaryroseabruptly，closedthedoortoshutoutthenoise，andturnedandlookedMr。Whitredgeintheeye。
“Whoisthedarkhorse？“hedemanded。
Themembersoftheconferencecoughedagain，lookedateachother，andtherewasasilence。Forsomeinexplicablereason，nobodycaredtomentionthenameofAustenVane。
TheHonourableHilarypointedatthebasswoodtable。
“Senator，“hesaid，“IunderstandyouhavebeentelephoningMr。Flint。
Haveyougotorderstositdownthere？“
“Mydearsir，“saidtheSenator，“youmisunderstandme。“
“Haveyougotorderstositdownthere？“Mr。Vanerepeated。
“No，“answeredtheSenator，“Mr。Flint\'sconfidenceinyou——“
TheHonourableHilarysatdownagain，andatthatinstantthedoorwassuddenlyflungopenbyPostmasterBillFleetingofBrampton，hisgenialfaceaflamewithexcitementandstreamingwithperspiration。Forgotten，inthismoment，issenatorialcourtesyandrespectforthepowersofthefeudalsystem。
“Say，boys，“hecried，“PutnamCounty\'svoting，andthere\'sbe\'nnonominationandain\'tlikelytobe。JimScudder，thestation-masteratWye，ishereoncredentials，andhesaysforsurethething\'sfizzledout，andTomGaylord\'sleftthehall！“
Againasilence，saveforthehighhumletinthroughtheopendoorway。
ThemembersoftheconferencestaredattheHonourableHilary，whoseemedtohaveforgottentheirpresence；forhehadmovedhischairtothewindow，andwasgazingoutovertheroofsatthefast-fadingredinthewesternsky。
Anhourlater，whentheroomwasindarknesssaveforthebaroflightthatstreamedinfromtheplatformchandelier，SenatorWhitredgeentered。
“Hilary！“hesaid。
Therewasnoanswer。Mr。Whitredgefeltinhispocketforamatch，struckit，andlightedthesinglejetoverthebasswoodtable。Mr。Vanestillsatbythewindow。Thesenatorturnedandclosedthedoor，andreadfromapaperinhishand；sousedwashetoformalitythathereaditformally，yetwithafeelingofintenserelief，ofdeference，ofapology。
“Fifthballot:——
TheHonourableGilesHendersonofKingstonhas……587
TheHonourableAdamB。HuntofEdmundtonhas……230
TheHonourableHumphreyCreweofLeithhas……154
AndGilesHendersonisnominated——Hilary？“
“Yes，“saidMr。Vane。
“Idon\'tthinkanyofuswere——quiteourselvesto-day。Itwasn\'tthatwedidn\'tbelieveinyou——butwedidn\'thaveallthethreadsinourhands，and——forreasonswhichIthinkIcanunderstand——youdidn\'ttakeusintoyourconfidence。Iwantto——“
Thewordsdiedonthesenator\'slips。Soabsorbedhadhebeeninhismomentousnews，andsolicitousovertheresultofhisexplanation，thathiseyelookedoutwardforthefirsttime，andeventhenaccidentally。
“Hilary！“hecried；“forGod\'ssake，what\'sthematter？Areyousick？“
“Yes，Whitredge，“saidMr。Vane，slowly，“sickatheart。“
Itwasbutnaturalthattheseextraordinaryandincomprehensiblewordsshouldhavepuzzledandfrightenedthesenatormorethanever。
“Yourheart！“herepeated。
“Yes，myheart，“saidHilary。
Thesenatorreachedfortheice-wateronthetable。
“Here，“hecried，pouringoutaglass，“it\'sonlytheheat——it\'sbeenahardday——drinkthis。“
ButHilarydidnotraisehisarm。ThedooropenedotherscomingtocongratulateHilaryVaneonthegreatestvictoryhehadeverwon。
Officesweresecureoncemore，thefeudalsystemintact，andrebelsjustlypunished；otherscomingtomaketheirpeacewiththecommanderwhom，senselessastheywere，theyhaddaredtodoubt。
Theycrowdedpasteachotheronthethreshold，andstoodgroupedbeyondthebasswoodtable，staring——staring——mensuddenlycomeuponatragedyinsteadofafeast，thesenatorstillholdingtheglassofwaterinahandthattrembledandspilledit。Anditwasthesenator，afterall，whofirstrecoveredhispresenceofmind。Hesetdownthewater，pushedhiswaythroughthegroupintothehall，wherethetumultandtheshoutingdie。Mr。GilesHenderson，escorted，istimidlymakinghiswaytowardstheplatformtoreadhisspeechofacceptanceofawillingbondage，whenavoiceringsout:——
“Ifthereisaphysicianinthehouse，willhepleasecomeforward？“
Andthenahush，——andthenthebuzzofcomment。Backtothelittleroomoncemore，wheretheyaregatheredspeechlessaboutHilaryVane。AndthedoctorcomesyoungDr。TredwayofRipton，whoisbeforeallothers。
“Iexpectedthistohappen，gentlemen，“hesaid，“andIhavebeenhereallday，attherequestofMr。Vane\'sson，forthispurpose。“
“Austen！“
ItwasHilarywhospoke。
“Ihavesentforhim，“saidthedoctor。“Andnow，gentlemen，ifyouwillkindly——“
Theywithdrewandthedoctorshutthedoor。Outside，theHonourableGilesistellingthemhowseriouslyheregardstheresponsibilityofthehonourthrustuponhimbyagreatparty。Butnobodyhearshiminthewildrumoursthatflyfrommouthtomouthasthehallempties。Rushinginagainstthetideoutpouring，tall，stern，vigorous，isayoungmanwhommanyrecognize，whosenameisonmanylipsastheymakewayforhim，whomighthavesavedthemifhewould。Thedoorofthelittleroomopens，andhestandsbeforehisfather，lookingdownathim。Andthesternexpressionisgonefromhisface。
“Austen！“saidMr。Vane。
“Yes，Judge。“
“Takemeawayfromhere。Takemehome——now——to-night。“
AustenglancedatDr。Tredway。
“Itisbest，“saidthedoctor；“wewilltakehimhome——to-night。“
CHAPTERXXVIII
THEVOICEOFANERA
Theytookhimhome，inthestateroomofthesleeperattachedtothenightexpressfromthesouth，althoughMr。Flint，bytelephone，hadputaspecialtrainathisdisposal。ThelongserviceofHilaryVanewasover；
hehadwonhislastfightforthemanhehadchosentocallhismaster；
andthosewhohadfoughtbehindhim，whoseplaces，whoseveryluminaryexistences，haddependedonhisskill，knewthattheendhadcome；nay，werealreadyspeculating，manoeuvring，andtakingsides。WhowouldbethenewCaptain-general？WhowouldbestrongenoughtosuppressthestrainingambitionsofthemanythattheEmpiremightcontinuetoflourishinitsintegrityandgathertribute？Itistheworld-oldcryaroundthepalacewalls:Longlivethenewruler——ifyoucanfindhimamongthecurdlingfactions。
TheycarriedHilaryhomethatSeptembernight，whenSawanecwaslikeagrayghost-mountainfacingthewaningmoon，backtothehomeofthosestrange，RenaissanceAustenswhichhehadreclaimedforagrimpuritanism，andlaidhiminthecarvedandcanopiedbedsteadChanningAustenhadbroughtfromSpain。Euphrasiahadmetthematthedoor，butatrainednursefromtheRiptonhospitalwaslikewiseinwaiting；andaNewYorkspecialisthadbeensummonedtoprolong，ifpossible，thelifeofonefromwhomalldesireforlifehadpassed。
Beforesunriseawindcamefromthenorthernspruces；thedawnwascloudless，fieryred，andtheairhadanautumnsharpness。Atteno\'clockDr。Harmonarrived，wasmetatthestationbyAusten，andspenthalfanhourwithDr。Tredway。Atnoontheexaminationwascomplete。
Thankstogenerationsofself-denialbytheVanesofCamdenStreet，Mr。
HilaryVanemightliveindefinitely，mightevenrecover，partially；butatpresenthewascondemnedtoremain，withhismemories，inthegreatcanopiedbed。
TheHonourableHilaryhadhadanothercallerthatmorningbesidesDr。
Harmon，——nolessapersonagethanthepresidentoftheNortheasternRailroadshimself，whohaddrivendownfromFairviewimmediatelyafterbreakfast。Austenhavinggonetothestation，Dr。TredwayhadreceivedMr。Flintinthedarkenedhall，andhadpromisedtotelephonetoFairviewtheverdictofthespecialist。AtpresentDr。TredwaydidnotthinkitwisetoinformHilaryofMr。Flint\'svisit——not，atleast，untilaftertheexamination。
Mr。VaneexhibitedthesamesilentstoicismonreceivingtheverdictofDr。Harmonashehadshownfromthefirst。WiththeclewtoHilary\'slifewhichDr。Tredwayhadgivenhim，theNewYorkphysicianunderstoodthecase；onecommonenoughinhispracticeinagreatcitywherethefittestsurvive——sometimesonlytosuccumbtounexpectedandirreparableblowsintheeveningoflife。
OnhisreturnfromseeingDr。HarmonoffAustenwasmetontheporchbyDr。Tredway。
“Yourfatherhassomethingonhismind，“saidthedoctor，“andperhapsitisjustaswellthatheshouldberelieved。Heisaskingforyou，andI
merelywishedtoadviseyoutomaketheconversationasshortaspossible。“
Austenclimbedthestairsinobediencetothissummons，andstoodbeforehisfatheratthebedside。Hilarylay，backamongthepillows，andthebrightnessofthatautumnnoondayonlyservedtoaccentuatethepallorofhisface，theravagesofagewhichhadcomewithsuchincredibleswiftness，andtheoutlineofaoncevigorousframe。Theeyesaloneshonewithastrangenewlight，andAustenfounditunexpectedlydifficulttospeak。Hesatdownonthebedandlaidhishandonthehelplessonethatrestedonthecoverlet。
“Austen，“saidMr。Vane，“IwantyoutogotoFairview。“
Hisson\'shandtightenedoverhisown。
“Yes，Judge。“
“Iwantyoutogonow。“
“Yes，Judge。“
“Youknowthecombinationofmysafeattheoffice。It\'sneverbeenchangedsince——sinceyouwerethere。Openit。Youwillfindtwotinboxes，containingpaperslabelledAugustusP。Flint。IwantyoutotakethemtoFairviewandputthemintothehandsofMr。Flinthimself。I——I
cannottrustanyoneelse。Ipromisedtotakethemmyself，but——Flintwillunderstand。“
“I\'llgorightaway，“saidAusten，rising，andtryingtospeakcheerfully。“Mr。Flintwashereearlythismorning——inquiringforyou。“
HilaryVane\'slipstrembled，andanotherexpressioncameintohiseyes。
“Rodedowntolookatthescrap-heap，——didhe？“
Austenstrovetoconcealhissurpriseathisfather\'swordsandchangeofmanner。
“Tredwaysawhim，“hesaid。“I\'mprettysureMr。Flintdoesn\'tfeelthatway，Judge。Hehastakenyourillnessverymuchtoheart，Iknow，andheleftsomefruitandflowersforyou。“
“Iguesshisdaughtersentthose，“saidHilary。
“Hisdaughter？“Austenrepeated。
“IfIdidn\'tthinkso，“Mr。Vanecontinued，“I\'dsend\'emback。Ineverknewwhatshewasuntilshepickedmeupanddrovemedownhere。I\'vealwaysdoneVictoriaaninjustice。“
Austenwalkedtothedoor，andturnedslowly。
“I\'llgoatonce，Judge，“hesaid。
InthekitchenhewasconfrontedbyEuphrasia。
“Whenisthatwomangoingaway？“shedemanded。“I\'vetookcareofHilaryVanenighontofortyyears，andIguessIknowasmuchaboutnursing，andmoreaboutHilary，thanthatyoungthingwithhercapandapron。I
toldDr。Tredwayso。Sheevencamedownheretoletmeknowwhattocookforhim，andIsentheraboutherbusiness。“
Austensmiled。Itwasthefirstsign，sincehisreturnthenightbefore，EuphrasiahadgiventhatanaffectionforHilaryVanelurkedbeneaththenature。
“Shewon\'tstaylong，Phrasie，“heanswered，andaddedmischievously，“foraverygoodreason。“
“Andwhat\'sthat？“askedEuphrasia。
“Becauseyouwon\'tallowherto。Ihaveanotionthatshe\'llpackupandleaveinaboutthreedays，andthatallthedoctorsinRiptoncouldn\'tkeepherhere。“
“Getalongwithyou，“saidEuphrasia，whocouldnotforthelifeofherhelplookingalittlepleased。
“I\'mgoingoffforafewhours，“hesaidmoreseriously。“Dr。Tredwaytellsmetheydonotlookforanydevelopments——fortheworse。“
“Whereareyougoing？“askedEuphrasia，sharply。
“ToFairview，“hesaid。
Euphrasiamovedthekettletoanotherpartofthestove。
“You\'llseeher？“shesaid。
“Who？“Austenasked。Buthisvoicemusthavebetrayedhimalittle，forEuphrasiaturnedandseizedhimbytheelbowsandlookedupintohisface。
“Victoria，“shesaid。
Hefelthimselftrembleatthename，——atthestrangenessofitssoundonEuphrasia\'slips。
“IdonotexpecttoseeMissFlint，“heanswered，controllinghimselfaswellashewasable。“IhaveanerrandfortheJudgewithMr。Flinthimself。“
Euphrasiahadguessedhissecret！Buthow？
“Hadn\'tyoubetterseeher？“saidEuphrasia，inacuriousmonotone。
“ButIhavenoerrandwithher，“heobjected，mystifiedyetexcitedbyEuphrasia\'smanner。
“ShefetchedHilaryhome，“saidEuphrasia。
“Yes。“
Shecouldn\'thavebe\'nkinderifshewashisowndaughter。“
“Iknow——“hebegan，butEuphrasiainterrupted。
“ShesentthatEnglishmanforthedoctor，andwaitedtotakethenewstoherfather，andshecameoutinthiskitchenandtalkedtome。“
Austenstarted。Euphrasiawasnotlookingathimnow，andsuddenlyshedroppedhisarmsandwenttothewindowoverlookingthegarden。
“Shewouldn\'tgointheparlour，butcomerightouthereinherfineclothes。ItoldherIdidn\'tthinkshebelongedinakitchen——butI
guessIdidheraninjustice，“saidEuphrasia，slowly。
“Ithinkyoudid，“hesaid，andwondered。
“Shelookedatthatgarden，“Euphrasiawenton，“andcriedout。Ididn\'tcallateshewaslikethat。AndthefirstthingIknewIwastalkingaboutyourmother，andI\'dforgotwhoIwastalkingto。Shewahn\'tlikeastranger——itwasjustasifI\'dknownheralways。Ihaven\'tunderstoodityet。AndafterawhileItoldheraboutthatverse，andshewantedtoseeit——theverseabouttheskylark，youknow——“
“Yes，“saidAusten。
“Well，thewayshereaditmademecry，itbroughtbackSarahAustenso。
Somehow，Ican\'taccountforit，sheputsmeinmindofyourmother。“
Austendidnotspeak。
“Inmorewaysthanone，“saidEuphrasia。“Ididn\'tlooktofindhersonatural——andsogentle。Andtheirshehasawayofscoldingyou，justasSarahAustenhad，thatyou\'dneversuspect。“
“Didshescoldyou——Phrasie？“askedAusten。Andtheirresistiblehumourthatissoneartosorrowmadehimsmileagain。
“Indeedshedid！Anditsurprised，mesome——comingrightoutofasummersky。ItoldherwhatIthoughtaboutHilary，andhowhe\'ddrivenyououtofyourownmother\'shouse。Shesaidyou\'doughttobesentfor，andI
saidyououghtn\'ttosetfootinthishouseuntilHilarysentforyou。
ShesaidI\'dnorighttotakesucharevenge——thatyou\'dcomerightawayifyouknewHilary\'dhadastroke，andthatHilary\'dneversendforyou——
becausehecouldn\'t。Shesaidhewaslikeamanonadesertisland。“
“Shewasright，“answeredAusten。
“Idon\'tknowaboutthat，“saidEuphrasia；“shehadn\'tputupwithHilaryforfortyyears，asIhad，andseenwhathe\'ddonetoyourmotherandyou。Butthat\'swhatshesaid。Andshewentforyouherself，whenshefoundthedoctorcouldn\'tgo。Austen，ain\'tyougoingtoseeher？“
Austenshookhisheadgently，andsmiledather。
“I\'mafraidit\'snouse，Phrasie，“hesaid。“Justbecauseshehasbeen——
kindwemustn\'tbedeceived。It\'shernaturetobekind。“
Euphrasiacrossedtheroomswiftly，andseizedhisarmagain。
“Shelovesyou，Austen，“shecried；“shelovesyou。DoyouthinkthatI\'dloveher，thatI\'dpleadforher，ifshedidn\'t？“
Austen\'sbreathcamedeeply。Hedisengagedhimself，andwenttothewindow。
“No，“hesaid，“youdon\'tknow。Youcan\'t——know。Ihaveonlyseenher——
afewtimes。Shelivesadifferentlife——andwithotherpeople。Shewillmarryamanwhocangivehermore。“
“DoyouthinkIcouldbedeceived？“exclaimedEuphrasia，almostfiercely。
“It\'sastrueasthesunshiningonthatmountain。YoubelieveshelovestheEnglishman，butItellyoushelovesyou——you。“
Heturnedtowardsher。
“Howdoyouknow？“heasked，asthoughheweremerelycurious。
“BecauseI\'mawoman，andshe\'sawoman，“saidEuphrasia。“Oh，shedidn\'tconfessit。Ifshehad，Ishouldn\'tthinksomuchofher。Butshetoldmeasplainasthoughshehadspokenitinwords，beforesheleftthisroom。“
Austenshookhisheadagain。
“Phrasie，“hesaid，“I\'mafraidyou\'vebeenbuildingcastlesinSpain。“
Andhewentout，andacrosstothestabletoharnessPepper。
AustendidnotbelieveEuphrasia。OnthateventfuleveningwhenVictoriahadcalledatJabeJenney\'s，theworld\'saspecthadsuddenlychangedforhim；oldvalueshadfaded，——valueswhich，afterall，hadbeenbuttintsandglows，——andsternerbuttruercolourstooktheirplaces。HesawVictoria\'slifeinanewperspective，——oneinwhichhiswasbutasmallplaceinthebackgroundofhernumerousbeneficences；whichwas，afterall，theperspectiveinwhichhehadfirstviewedit。But，bydegrees，thehopethatshelovedhimhadgrownandgrownuntilithadbecomeunconsciouslythesupremeelementofhisexistence，——thehopethatstolesweetlyintohismindwiththemorninglight，andstayedhimthroughtheday，andblendedintothedreamsofdarkness。
Byinheritance，bytradition，byhabitsofthought，AustenVanewasanAmerican，——anAmericanasdifferentiatedfromthecitizenofanyothernationupontheearth。TheFrenchhaveanexpressivephraseinspeakingofapersonasbelongingtothisorthatworld，meaningthecirclebywhichthelifeofanindividualisbounded；thetrueAmericanrecognizesthesecircles——butwithcomplacency，andwithasureknowledgeofhisdestinyeventuallytofindhimselfwithintheoneforwhichheisbestfittedbyhistalentsandhistastes。ThemerefactthatVictoriahadbeenbroughtupamongstpeoplewithwhomhehadnothingincommonwouldnothavedeterredAustenVanefrompressinghissuit；considerationsofhonourhadstoodintheway，andhopehadbeguntowhisperthatthesemight，intheend，besurmounted。Oncetheyhaddisappeared，andshelovedhim，thatwereexcuseandreasonenough。
AndsuddenlythesightofVictoriawithaprobablesuitor——whoatoncehadbecomemagnifiedintoanacceptedsuitor——haddispelledhope。
Euphrasia！Euphrasiahadbeendeceivedashehad，byalovingkindnessandacharitythatwerenatural。ButwhatsonaturaltoonewhohadlivedthelifeofAustenVaneasthatsheshouldmarryamongstthosewhosewaysoflifewereherways？Inthebrieftimeinwhichhehadseenherandthisotherman，Austen\'squickenedperceptionshaddetectedtacitunderstanding，communityofinterest，ahabitofthoughtandmanner，——inshort，acommonlanguage，unknowntohim，betweenthetwo。And，morethanthese，theVictoriaoftheblissfulexcursionshehadknownwaschangedasshehadspokentohim——constrained，distant，apart；althoughstilldispensingkindness，goingoutofherwaytobringHilaryhome，andtotellhimofHilary\'saccident。Rumour，whichcannotbeconfinedincasksorbottles，hadsinceinformedAustenVanethatMr。RangelyhadspentthedaywithVictoria，andhadremainedatFairviewfarintotheevening；rumourwentfartherthankstoMrs。Pomfretanddeclaredtheengagementalreadyanaccomplishedfact。AndtoAusten，inthetwilightinfrontofJabeJenney\'s，theaffairmightwellhaveassumedtheproportionsofanintimacyoflongstandingratherthanthatofthechanceacquaintanceofanhour。Friendsincommon，modesoflifeincommon，andincidentsincommonareapttosweepawaypreliminaries。
SuchwereAusten\'sthoughtsashedrovetoFairviewthatSeptemberafternoonwhentheleaveswereturningtheirwhitebackstothenorthwestbreeze。Thesunwasstillhigh，andthedistanthillsandmountainswereasyetscarcestainedwithblue，andstoodoutinstartlingclearnessagainstthesky。Wouldheseeher？Thatwereapainhescarcedaredcontemplate。
Hereachedthearchedentrance，wasonthedrive。Herewasthepathagainbywhichshehadcomedownthehillside；herewastheverystoneonwhichshehadstood——awaitinghim。Why？Whyhadshedonethat？Well-
rememberedfigureamidsttheyellowleavesdancinginthesunlight！Herehehadstopped，perforce，andherehehadlookedupintohisfaceandsmiledandspoken！
Atlengthhegainedtheplateauacrosswhichthedrivewayran，betweenroundyoungmaples，straighttoFairviewHouse，andherememberedthestaresfromthetea-tables，andhowshehadcomeouttohisrescue。Nowthelawnwasdeserted，saveforagardeneramongtheshrubs。Herangthestable-bell，andashewaitedforananswertohissummons，thesenseofhisremotenessfromthesesurroundingsofhersdeepened，andwithatouchofinevitablehumourherecalledthelow-ceiledbedroomatMr。Jenney\'sandthekitcheninHanoverStreet；theannualcostofthecareofthatlawnanddrivewaymightwellhavemaintainedoneofthesehouseholds。
Hetoldthestable-boytowait。ItistoberemarkedascuriousthatthenameoftheownerofthehouseonAusten\'slipsbroughtthefirstthoughtofhimtoAusten\'smind。HewasgoingtoseeandspeakwithMr。Flint，amanwhohadbeenhisenemyeversincethedayhehadcomehereandlaiddownhispassonthepresident\'sdesk；themanwho——sohebelieveduntilthreedaysago——hadstoodbetweenhimandhappiness。Well，itdidnotmatternow。
Austenfollowedthesilent-movingservantthroughthehall。Thosewerethestairswhichknewherfeet，thesetherooms——sosubtlyflower-
scented——shelivedin；thencamethenarrowpassagetothesternerapartmentofthemasterhimself。Mr。Flintwasalone，andseateduprightbehindthemassiveoakdesk，fromwhichbulwarkthepresidentoftheNortheasternwaswonttomeethisopponentsandhisenemies；andfewvisitorscameintohispresence，hereorelsewhere，whowerenottobegotthebetterof，ifpossible。Alife-longhabithadaccustomedMr。
Flinttotreatallmenasadversariesuntiltheywereprovedotherwise。
Hissquare，close-croppedhead，hislargefeatures，hisalerteyes，werethoseofafighter。
Hedidnotrise，butnodded。SuddenlyAustenwasenvelopedinaflameofwraththatrosewithoutwarningandblindedhim，anditwaswithasupremeefforttocontrolhimselfthathestoppedinthedoorway。Hewasfrightened，forhehadfeltthisbefore，andheknewitfortheangerthatdemandsphysicalviolence。
“Comein，Mr。Vane，“saidthepresident。
Austenadvancedtothedesk，andlaidtheboxesbeforeMr。Flint。
“Mr。Vanetoldmetosaythathewouldhavebroughtthesehimself，haditbeenpossible。Hereisthelist，andIshallbemuchobligedifyouwillverifyitbeforeIgoback。“
“Sitdown。“saidMr。Flint。
Austensatdown，withthecornerofthedeskbetweenthem，whileMr。
Flintopenedtheboxesandbegancheckingoffthepapersonthelist。
“Howisyourfatherthisafternoon？“heasked，withoutlookingup。
“Aswellascanbeexpected，“saidAusten。
“Ofcoursenobodyknewhisconditionbuthimself，“Mr。Flintcontinued；
“butitwasagreatshocktome-whenheresignedasmycounselthreedaysago。“
Austenlaidhisforearmonthedesk，andhishandclosed。
“Heresignedthreedaysago？“heexclaimed。
Mr。Flintwassurprised，butconcealedit。
“Icanunderstand，underthecircumstances，howhehasoverlookedtellingyou。Hisresignationtakeseffectto-day。“
Austenwassilentamoment，whilehestrovetoapplythisfacttohisfather\'sactions。
“Hewaiteduntilaftertheconvention。“
“Exactly，“saidMr。Flint，catchingtheimpliedaccusationinAusten\'stone；“andneedlesstosay，ifIhadbeenabletopreventhisgoing，inviewofwhathappenedonMondaynight，Ishouldhavedoneso。Asyouknow，afterhis——accident，hewenttothecapitalwithoutinforminganyone。“
“Asamatterofhonour，“saidAusten。
Mr。Flintlookedupfromthepapers，andregardedhimnarrowly，forthetoneinwhichthiswasspokendidnotescapethepresidentoftheNortheastern。Hesaw，infact，thatattheoutsethehadputaweaponintoAusten\'shands。Hilary\'sresignationwasavindicationofAusten\'sattitude，anacknowledgmentthatthebusinessandpoliticalpracticesofhislifehadbeenwrong。
WhatAustenreallyfelt，whenhehadgraspedthesignificanceofthatfact，wasrelief——gratitude。Awaveofrenewedaffectionforhisfathersweptoverhim，ofaffectionandpityandadmiration，andfortheinstantheforgotMr。Flint。
“Asamatterofhonour，“Mr。Flintrepeated。“Knowinghewasill，Mr。
Vaneinsistedupongoingtothatconvention，evenattheriskofhislife。Itisafittingclosetoasplendidcareer，andonethatwillnotsoonbeforgotten。“
AustenmerelylookedatMr。Flint，whomayhavefoundtheglanceatrifledisconcerting，forheturnedtothepapersagain。
“Irepeat，“hewentonpresently，“thatthisillnessofMr。Vane\'sisnotonlyagreatlosstotheNortheasternsystem，butagreatblowtomepersonally。Ihavebeenassociatedwithhimcloselyformorethanaquarterofacentury，andIhaveneverseenalawyerofgreaterintegrity，clear-headedness，andsanityofview。Hesawthingsastheywere，andhedidasmuchtobuildupthebusinessinterestsandtheprosperityofthisStateasanymanIknowof。Hewastruetohisword，andtruetohisfriends。“
StillAustendidnotreply。HecontinuedtolookatMr。Flint，andMr。
Flintcontinuedtocheckthepapersonlymoreslowly。Hehadnearlyfinishedthefirstbox。
“Awaveofpoliticalinsanity，toputitmildly，seemstobesweepingoverthiscountry，“saidthepresidentoftheNortheastern。“Menwhowouldparalyzeanddestroytheinitiativeofprivateenterprise，menwhothemselvesareambitious，andeitherincapableorunsuccessful，havesprungup；writerswhohavenoconscience，whoseoneideaistomakemoneyoutofapassingcrazeagainsthonestcapital，haveaidedthem。
Disappointedanddangerouspoliticianswhomerelydesireofficeandpowerhaveliftedtheirvoicesinthehueandcrytofoolthehonestvoter。I
amgladtosayIbelievethattheworstofthismadnessandrascalityisover；thatthecommonsenseofthepeopleofthiscountryistoogreattobesweptawaybythemethodsoftheseself-seekers；thattheordinarymanisbeginningtoseethathisbreadandbutterdependsonthebrainoftheofficerswhoaretryinghonestlytoconductgreatenterprisesforthebenefitoftheaveragecitizen。
“WedidnotexpecttoescapeinthisState，“Mr。Flintwenton，raisinghisheadandmeetingAusten\'slook；thediseasewastooprevalentandtoocatchingfortheweak-minded。Wehadourself-seekerswhoattemptedtobringruinuponaninstitutionwhichhasdonemoreforourpopulationthananyother。IdonothesitatetospeakoftheNortheasternRailroadsasaninstitution，andasaninstitutionwhichhasbeenasconscientiouslyandconservativelyconductedasanyinthecountry，andwithasscrupulousaregardforthewelfareofall。HilaryVane，asyoudoubtlessknow，waslargelyresponsibleforthis。Myattention，aspresidentofalltheroads，hasbeendivided。HilaryVaneguardedtheinterestsinthisState，andnomancouldhaveguardedthembetter。Hewelldeservesthethanksoffuturegenerationsfortheuncompromisingfighthemadeagainstsuchmenandsuchmethods。Ithasbrokenhimdownatatimeoflifewhenhehasearnedrepose，buthehasthesatisfactionofknowingthathehaswonthebattleforconservativeAmericanprinciples，andthathehasnominatedagovernorworthyofthetraditionsoftheState。“
AndMr。Flintstartedcheckingoffthepapersagain。Hadtheoccasionbeenlessserious，AustencouldhavesmiledatMr。Flint\'sruse——socharacteristicofthetacticsofthepresidentoftheNortheastern——ofputtinghimintoapositionwherecriticismoftheNortheasternanditspracticeswouldbecriticismofhisownfather。Asitwas，heonlysethisjawmorefirmly，anexpressionindicativeofcontemptforsuchtactics。Hehadnotcometheretobelecturedoutofthe“BookofArguments“onthedivinerightofrailroadstogovern，buttoseethatcertainpapersweredeliveredinsafety。
HadhispurposebeendeliberatelytoenterintoacontestwithMr。Flint，Austencouldnothaveplannedtheearlypartofitanybetterthanbypursuingthispolicyofsilence。ToamanofMr。Flint\'stemperamentandtraining，itwasimpossibletohavesuchanopponentwithinreachwithoutattemptingtohectorhimintoanacknowledgmentoftheweaknessofhisposition。Furtherthanthis，Austenhadtouchedhimtoooftenonthequickmerelytobeconsideredinthelightofayoungmanwhoheldoppositeandunfortunateviews——althoughitwasMr。Flint\'sendeavourtoputhiminthislight。ThelistofinjurieswastoofreshinMr。Flint\'smind——eventhatlastconversationwithVictoria，inwhichshehadmadeitplainthathersympathieswerewithAusten。
Butwithanopponentwhowouldnotbeledintoambush，whohadthestrengthtoholdhisfireunderprovocation，itwasnoeasymattertomaintainaheightofconscious，matter-of-factrectitudeandimpliedreproof。Austen\'ssilence，Austen\'sattitude，declaredlouderthanwordsthecontemptforsuchmanoeuvresofamanwhoknowsheisintheright——
andknowsthathisadversaryknowsit。ItwasthissilenceandthisattitudewhichproclaimeditselfthatangeredMr。Flint，yetmadehimwarilyconcealhisangerandchangehisattack。
“Itissomeyearssincewemet，Mr。Vane，“heremarkedpresently。
Austen\'sfacerelaxedintosomethingofasmile。
“Four，Ithink，“heanswered。
“Youhadn\'tlongbeenbackfromthatWesternexperience。Well，yourfatherhasonedecidedconsolation；youhavefulfilledhishopethatyouwouldsettledownhereandpractiseintheState。AndIhearthatyouarefastforgingtothefront。YouarecounselfortheGaylordCompany，Ibelieve。“
“Theresultofanunfortunateaccident，“saidAusten；“Mr。Hammerdied。“
“Andontheoccasionwhenyoudidmethehonourtocallonme，“saidMr。
Flint，“ifIrememberrightly，youexpressedsomeratherradicalviews——
forthesonofHilaryVane。“
“ForthesonofHilaryVane，“Austenagreed，withasmile。
Mr。Flintignoredtheimplicationintherepetition。