“ThinkingasmachasIdoofMr。Vane，Iconfessthatyourviewsatthattimeratherdisturbedme。Itisamatterofrelieftolearnthatyouhaverefusedtolendyourselftotheschemesofmenlikeourneighbour，Mr。HumphreyCrewe，ofLeith。“
“Honestycompelsmetoadmit，“answeredAusten，“thatIdidnotrefrainonMr。Crewe\'saccount。“
“Although，“saidMr。Flint，drummingonthetable，“therewassometalkthatyouweretobebroughtforwardasadarkhorseintheconvention，andasacandidateunfriendlytotheinterestsoftheNortheasternRailroads，Iamgladyoudidnotconsenttobeputinanysuchposition。
Iperceivethatayoungmanofyourabilityand——popularity，aVaneofCamdenStreet，mustinevitablybecomeaforceinthisState。Andasaforce，youmustretaintheconservatismoftheVanes——thetraditionalconservatismoftheState。TheNortheasternRailroadswillcontinuetobeaverylargefactorinthelifeofthepeopleafteryouandIaregone，Mr。Vane。Youwillhavetolive，asitwere，withthatcorporation，andhelptopreserveit。Weshallhavetoworktogether，perhaps，tothatend——whocansay？Irepeat，IamgladthatyourgoodsenseledyoutorefrainfromcomingasacandidatebeforethatConvention。Thereistimeenoughinthefuture，andyoucouldnothavebeennominated。“
“Onthecontrary，“answeredAusten，quietly，“Icouldhavebeennominated。“
Mr。Flintsmiledknowingly——butwithaneffort。Whatareliefitwouldhavebeentohimtochargehorseandfoot，toforgetthathewasarailroadpresidentdealingwithapotentialpower。
“Doyouhonestlybelievethat？“heasked。
“Iamnotaccustomedtodissemblemybeliefs，“saidAusten，gravely。
“Thefactthatmyfatherhadfaithenoughinmetocountwithcertaintyonmyrefusaltogobeforetheconventionenabledhimtowinthenominationforthecandidateofyourrailroads。“
Mr。Flintcontinuedtosmile，butintohiseyeshadcreptagleamofanger。
“Itiseasytosaysuchthings——aftertheconvention，“heremarked。
“Anditwouldhavebeenimpossibletosaytheirbefore，“Austenrespondedinstantly，withalightinhisowneyes。“Mynominationwastheonlydisturbingfactorinthesituationforyouandthepoliticianswhohadyourinterestsinhand，anditwasasinevitableasnightanddaythattheforcesofthecandidateswhorepresentedthetwowingsofthemachineoftheNortheasternRailroadsshouldhaveunitedagainstMr。Crewe。I
wanttosaytoyoufranklythatifmyfatherhadnotbeenthecounselforyourcorporation，andresponsibleforitspoliticalsuccess，orifhecouldhaveresignedwithhonourbeforetheconvention，Ishouldnothaverefusedtoletmynamegoin。Afterall，“headded，inalowertone，andwithaslightgesturecharacteristicofhimwhenasubjectwasdistasteful，“itdoesn\'tmatterwhoiselectedgovernorthisautumn。“
“What？“criedMr。Flint，surprisedoutofhisattitudeasmuchbyAusten\'smannerasbyAusten\'swords。
“Itdoesn\'tmatter，“saidAusten，“whethertheNortheasternRailroadshavesucceededthistimeinnominatingandelectingagovernortowhomtheycandictate，andwhowillreappointrailroadcommissionersandotherStateofficialsintheirinterests。ThepracticesbywhichyouhavecontrolledthisState，Mr。Flint，andelectedgovernorsandcouncillorsandStateandnationalsenatorsaredoomed。Howevernecessarythesepracticesmayhavebeenfromyourpointofview，theyviolatedeveryprincipleoffreegovernment，andweretheytocontinue，thenationtowhichwebelongwouldinevitablydecayandbecomethescornoftheworld。
Thosepracticesdependedfortheirsuccessononecondition，——whichinitselfisthemostseriousofillsinarepublic，——theignoranceanddisregardofthevoter。Youhavebuttoreadthesignsofthetimestoseeclearlythatthedayofsuchconditionsispast，toseethatthecitizensofthisStateandthiscountryarethinkingforthemselves，astheyshould；arealivetothedangersand，determinedtoavertit。Youmaysucceedinelectingonemoregovernorandonemoresenate，ortwo，beforethepeopleareabletodestroythemachineryyouhavebuiltupandrepealthelawsyouhavemadetosustainit。Irepeat，itdoesn\'tmatterinthelongrun。Theeraofpoliticaldominationbyacorporation，andmainlyforthebenefitofacorporation，isover。“
Mr。Flinthadbeendrummingonthedesk，hisfacegrowingadarkerredasAustenproceeded:Never，sincehehadbecomepresidentoftheNortheasternRailroads，hadanymansaidsuchthingstohisface。AndthefactthatAustenVanehadseeminglynotspokeninwrath，althoughforcefullyenoughtocompelhimtolisten，hadincreasedMr。Flint\'sanger。Austenapparentlycaredverylittleforhimorhisopinionsincomparisonwithhisownestimateofrightandwrong。
“Itseems，“saidMr。Flint，“thatyouhavegrownmoreradicalsinceyourlastvisit。“
“Ifitberadicaltorefusetoacceptapassfromarailroadtobindmylibertyofactionasanattorneyandacitizen，thenIamradical，“
repliedAusten。“Ifitberadicaltomaintainthattheelectedrepresentativesofthepeopleshouldnotreceivepasses，orbebeholdentoanymanoranycorporation，Iacknowledgetheterm。Ifitberadicaltodeclarethattheserepresentativesshouldbeelectedwithoutinterference，andwhileinofficeshoulddoexactjusticetothebodyofcitizensontheonehandandthecorporationsontheother，Ideclaremyselfaradical。Butmyradicalismgoesbackbehindtheestablishmentofrailroads，Mr。Flint，backtothefoundationofthisgovernment，totheideafromwhichitsprang。“
Mr。Flintsmiledagain。
“Wehavechangedmateriallysincethen，“hesaid。“Iamafraidsuchautopianstateofaffairs，beautifulasitis，willnotworkinthetwentiethcentury。Itisacommercialage，andtheinterestswhicharethebulwarkofthecountry\'sstrengthmustbeprotected。“
“Yes，“saidAusten，“wehavechangedmaterially。Themistakeyoumake，andmenlikeyou，isthestresswhichyoulayonthatwordmaterial。Aretherenosuchthingsasmoralinterests，Mr。Flint？Andaretheynotquiteasimportantingovernment，ifnotmoreimportant，thanmaterialinterests？Surely，wecannothavecommercialandpoliticalstabilitywithoutcominertialandpoliticalhonour！if，asanation，welosesightoftheidealswhichhavecarriedussofar，whichhavesogreatlymodifiedtheconditionsofotherpeoplesthanourselves，weshallperishasaforceintheworld。Andifthisgovernmentprovesafailure，howlongdoyouthinkthematerialinterestsofwhichyouaresosolicitouswillendure？Ordoyoucarewhethertheyendurebeyondyourlifetime？
Perhapsnot。Butitisamatterofimportance，notonlytothenation，buttotheworld，whetherornotthemoralideaoftheUnitedStatesofAmericaisperpetuated，Iassureyou。“
“Ibegintofear，Mr。Vane，“saidthepresidentoftheNortheastern，“thatyouhavemissedyourvocation。SupposeIweretograntyou，forthesakeofargument，thattheNortheasternRailroads，beingthelargesttaxpayersinthisState，havetakenaninterestinseeingthatconservativemenfillresponsibleoffices。Supposesuchtobethecase，andweabruptlycease——totakesuchaninterest。Whatthen？Arewenotatthemercyofanyandallunscrupulousmenwhobuildupapoweroftheirown，andstartagaintheblackmailoftheolddays？“
“Youhaveputthecasemildly，“saidAusten，andingeniously。“Asamatteroffact，Mr。Flint，youknowaswellasIdothatforyearsyouhavegovernedthisStateabsolutely，forthepurposeofkeepingdownyourtaxes，avoidingunnecessaryimprovementsforsafetyandcomfort，andpayinghighdividends——“
“Perhapsyourealizethatindepictingthesecriminaloperationssographically，“criedMr。Flint，interrupting，“youareinvolvingthereputationofoneofthebestcitizenstheStateeverhad——yourownfather。“
AustenVaneleanedforwardacrossthedesk，andevenMr。Flintifthetruthwereknownrecoiledalittlebeforetheangerhehadaroused。ItshotforthfromAusten\'seyes，proclaimeditselfinthesquarenessoftheface，andvibratedineverywordhespoke。
“Mr。Flint，“hesaid，“Irefrainfromcommentuponyourmethodsofargument。Thereweremanyyearsinwhichmyfatherbelievedthepracticeswhichhefollowedinbehalfofyourrailroadtobenecessary——
andhencejustified。AndIhavegivenyouthecreditofholdingthesamebelief。Publicopinionwouldnot，perhaps，atthattimehaveprotectedyourpropertyfrompoliticalblackmail。Imerelywishedyoutoknow，Mr。
Flint，thatthereisnouseinattemptingtodeceivemeinregardtothetruecolourofthosepractices。ItisperhapsuselessformetoaddthatinmyopinionyouunderstandaswellasIdotherealreasonforMr。
Vane\'sresignationandillness。Oncehebecameconvincedthatthepracticeswerewrong，hecouldnolongercontinuethemwithoutviolatinghisconscience。Hekepthiswordtoyou——attheriskofhislife，and，ashisson，Itakeagreaterprideinhimto-daythanIeverhavebefore。“
Austengottohisfeet。HewasformidableeventoMr。Flint，whohadmetmanyformidable，andangrymeninhistime——althoughnotofthistype。
Perhaps——whocansay？——hewastheinthemindofthepresidentunconsciousembodimentoftheNortheasternofthenewforceswhichhadarisenagainsthim，——forceswhichheknewinhissecretsoulhecouldnotcombat，becausetheyweretheirresistibleforcesofthingsnotmaterial。
Allhislifehehadmetandsuccessfullyconqueredforcesofanotherkind，andputdownwithastronghandmerelyphysicalencroachments。
Mr。Flint\'snaturewasnotanintrospectiveone，andifhehadtried，hecouldnothaveaccountedforhisfeelings。Hewasangry——thatwascertain。ButhemeasuredthesixfeetandmoreofAustenVanewithhiseye，andinspiteofhimselfexperiencedthecompelledadmirationofonefightingmanforanother。Athought，whichhadmadeitselfvaguelyfeltatintervalsinthepasthalfhour，shotsuddenlyandpoignantlythroughMr。Flint\'smindwhatifthisyoungman，whodaredinspiteofeveryinteresttoopposehim，shouldintheapparentlyinevitabletrendofthings，become……？
Mr。Flintroseandwenttothewindow，wherehestoodsilentforaspace，lookingout，playeduponbyunwontedconflictingthoughtsandemotions。
Atlength，withacharacteristicsnapofthefingers，heturnedabruptly。
AustenVanewasstillstandingbesidethedesk。Hisfacewasstillsquare，determined，butMr。Flintnotedcuriouslythattheangerwasgonefromhiseyes，andthatanother——althoughequallyhuman——expressionhadtakenitsplace，——amoredisturbingexpression，toMr。Flint。
“Itappears，Mr。Vane，“hesaid，gatheringupthepapersandplacingthemintheboxes，“itappearsthatweareabletoagreeupononepoint，atleast——HilaryVane。“
“Mr。Flint，“saidAusten，“Ididnotcomeupherewithanythoughtofarguingwithyou，ofintrudinganyideas——Imayhold，butyouhaveyourselfaskedmeonequestionwhichIfeelboundtoanswertothebestofmyabilitybeforeIgo。Youhaveaskedmewhat，inmyopinion，wouldhappenifyouceased——asyouexpressit——totakeaninterestinthepolitical，affairsofthisState。
“Ibelieve，asfirmlyasIstandhere，thatthepublicopinionwhichexiststo-daywouldprotectyourproperty，andIbasethatbeliefonthegoodsenseoftheaverageAmericanvoter。Thepublicwouldprotectyounotonlyinitsowninterests，butfromaninherentsenseoffairplay。
Ontheotherhand，ifyoupersistinacourseofpoliticalmanipulationwhichisnotonlyobsoletebutwrong，youwillmagnifythejustchargesagainstyou，andthejustwrath；youwillputammunitionintothehandsoftheagitatorsyourightlycondemn。Thestockholdersofyourcorporation，perhaps，areboundtosuffersomefromthefactthatyouhavetakenitslife-bloodtopaydividends，andthepublicwilldemandthatitbebuiltupintoanormalandhealthycondition。Ontheotherhand，itcouldnothavegoneonasitwas。Butthecorporationwillsuffermuchmoreifadelayedjusticeisturnedintovengeance。
“YouaskmewhatIcoulddo。Ishouldrecognize，frankly，thenewconditions，anddeclareasfranklywhattheoldoneswere，andwhysuchmethodsofdefenceasyouadoptedwerenecessaryandjustified。Ishouldannounce，openly，thatfromthisdayonwardtheNortheasternRailroadsdependedforfairplayonanenlightenedpublic——andIthinkyourtrustwouldbewellfounded，andyourcoursevindicated。Ishoulddeclare，fromthisdayonward，thattheissueofpoliticalpasses，newspaperpasses，andallothersubterfugeswouldbestopped，andthatallpoliticalhirelingswouldbedismissed。IshouldappealtothepeopleofthisStatetoraiseuppoliticalleaderswhowouldsaytothecorporations，\'Wewillprotectyoufrominjusticeifyouwillcomebeforetheelectedrepresentativesofthepeople，openly，andsaywhatyouwantandwhyyouwantit。\'Bysuchacourseyouwouldhave，inaday，theaffectionofthepeopleinsteadoftheirdistrust。Theywouldrallytoyourdefence。And，morethanthat，youwouldhavedoneaserviceforAmericangovernmentthevalueofwhichcannotwellbeestimated。“
Mr。Flintrangthebellonhisdesk，andhissecretaryappeared。
“Puttheseinmyprivatesafe，Mr。Freeman，“hesaid。
Mr。Freemantooktheboxes，glancedcuriouslyatAusten，andwentout。
Itwasthesamesecretary，Austenrecalled，whohadcongratulatedhimfouryearsbefore。ThenMr。Flintlaidhishanddeliberatelyonthedesk，andsmiledslightlyasheturnedtoAusten。
“IfyouhadrunarailroadaslongasIhave，Mr。Vane，“hesaid，“Idoyouthecreditofthinkingthatyouwouldhaveintelligenceenoughtograspotherfactorswhichyourpresentopportunitiesforobservationhavenotpermittedyoutoperceive。Nevertheless，Iammuchobligedtoyouforyouropinion，andIvaluethe——franknessinwhichitwasgiven。AndIshallhopetoheargoodnewsofyourfather。Remembermetohim，andtellhimhowdeeplyIfeelhisaffliction。Ishallcallagaininadayortwo。“
Austentookuphishat。
“Goodday，Mr。Flint，“hesaid；“Iwilltellhim。“
Bythetimehehadreachedthedoor，Mr。Flinthadgonebacktothewindowoncemore，andappearedtohaveforgottenhispresence。
CHAPTERXXIX
THEVALEOFTHEBLUE
Austenhimselfcouldnotwellhavedefinedhismentalstateashemadehiswaythroughthebigroomstowardsthedoor，buthewasawareofonemaindesire——toescapefromFairview。Withtheodoursoftheflowersinthetallsilvervasesonthepiano——herpiano！——thespiritofdesirewhichhadsolongpossessedhim，wakingandsleeping，returned，——returnedtotorturehimnowwithgreaterskillamidsttheseherpossessions；hervolumeofChopinontherack，boundinredleatherandstampedwithherinitials，whichcompelledhisglanceashepassed，andbroughtvividtohismemorythenighthehadstoodinthesnowandheardherplaying。So，hetoldhimself，itmustalwaysbe，forhimtostandinthesnowlistening。
Hereachedthehall，withavastreliefperceivedthatitwasempty，andopenedthedoorandwentout。Strangethatheshouldnote，firstofall，asheparsedamomentatthetopofthesteps，thattheverydayhadchanged。Thewindhadfallen；thesun，wellonhiscoursetowardstherimofwesternhills，pouredthegoldenlightofautumnoverfieldandforest，whileSawanecwasalreadyintheblueshadow；theexpectantstillnessofautumnreigned，andallunconsciouslyAusten\'sbloodwasquickenedthoughaquickeningofpain。
Thesurpriseoftheinstantover，henoticedthathishorsewasgone，——
hadevidentlybeentakentothestables。Andratherthanringthebellandwaitinthemoodinwhichhefoundhimself，hetookthepaththroughtheshrubberyfromwhichhehadseenthegroomemerge。
Itturnedbeyondthecornerofthehouse，descendedaflightofstonesteps，andturnedagain。
Theystoodgazingeachattheotherforaspaceoftimenottobecomputedbeforeeitherspoke，andthesenseofunrealitywhichcomeswithasuddenfulfilmentofintensedesire——ordread——wasuponAusten。Couldthisindeedbeherfigure，andthisherfaceonwhichhewatchedthecolourrisesoherememberedafterwardsliketheslowfloodofday？
WeretheresomanyVictorias，thatanewone——andastrangeone——shouldconfronthimateverymeeting？And，evenwhilehelooked，thisVictoria，too，——onewhohadbeennearhimanddeparted，——wassurveyinghimnowfromanunapproachableheightofself-possessionandcalm。Sheheldoutherhand，andhetookit，scarceknowing——thatitwashers。
“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Vane？“shesaid；“Ididnotexpecttomeetyouhere。“
“Iwassearchingforthestable，togetmyhorse，“heansweredlamely。
“Andyourfather？“sheaskedquickly；“Ihopeheisnot——worse。“
Itwasthusshesuppliedhim，quitenaturally，withanexcuseforbeingatFairview。AndyethersolicitudeforHilarywaswhollyunaffected。
“Dr。Harmon，whocamefromNewYork，hasbeenmoreencouragingthanIhaddaredtohope，“saidAusten。“And，bytheway，Mr。VanebelievesthatyouhadashareinthefruitandflowerswhichMr。Flintsokindlybrought。If——hehadknownthatIweretoseeyou，Iamsurehewouldhavewishedmetothankyou。“
Victoriaturned，andtorealeaffromthespiraea。
“Iwillshowyouwherethestablesare，“shesaid；“thepathdividesalittlefartheron——andyoumightfindyourselfinthekitchen。“
Austensmiled，andasshewentonslowly，hefollowedher，thepathnotbeingwideenoughforthemtowalkabreast，hiseyescaressingthestrayhairsthatclusteredaboutherneckandcaughtthelight。Itseemedsoreal，andyetsounrealizable，thatheshouldbeherewithher。
“Iamafraid，“hesaid，“thatIdidnotexpressmygratitudeasIshouldhavedonetheeveningyouweregoodenoughtocomeuptoJabeJenney\'s。“
Hesawhercolourriseagain，butshedidnotpause。
“Pleasedon\'tsayanythingaboutit，Mr。Vane。OfcourseIunderstandhowyoufelt，“shecried。
“Neithermyfathernormyselfwillforgetthatservice，“saidAusten。
“Itwasnothing，“answeredVictoria，inalowvoice。“Or，rather，itwassomethingIshallalwaysbegladthatIdidnotmiss。IhaveseenMr。
Vaneallmylife，butInever=-neverreallyknewhimuntilthatday。I
havecometotheconclusion，“sheadded，inalightertone，“thattheyoungarenotalwaysthebestjudgesoftheold。There，“sheadded，“isthepaththatgoestothekitchen，whichyouprobablywouldhavetaken。“
Helaughed。Pastandfuturewereblottedout，andhelivedonlyinthepresent。Hecouldthinkofnothingbutthatshewasherebesidehim。
Afterwards，cataclysmsmightcomeandwelcome。
“Isn\'tthereanotherplace，“heasked，“whereImightlosemyway？“
Sheturnedandgavehimoneoftheswift，searchinglooksherecalledsowell:alookthemeaningofwhichhecouldnotdeclare，savethatsheseemedvainlystrivingtofathomsomethinginhim——asthoughhewerenotfathomable！Hethoughtshesmiledalittleasshetooktheleft-handpath。
“Youwillremembermetoyourfather？“shesaid。“Ihopeheisnotsuffering。“
“Heisnotsuffering，“Austenreplied。“Perhaps——ifitwerenottoomuchtoask——perhapsyoumightcometoseehim，sometime？Icanthinkofnothingthatwouldgivehimgreaterpleasure。“
“Iwillcome——sometime，“sheanswered。“Iamgoingawayto-morrow，but——“
“Away？“herepeated，indismay。Nowthathewasbesideher，allunconsciouslythedominatingmalespiritwhichwassostronginhim，andwhichmovesnotwomanalone，buttheworld，wasassertingitself。Forthemomenthewastheonlyman，andshetheonlywoman，intheuniverse。
“Iamgoingonapromisedvisittoafriendofmine。“
“Forhowlong？“hedemanded。
“Idon\'tknow，saidVictoria，calmly；probablyuntilshegetstiredofme。Andthere，“sheadded，“arethestables，wherenodoubtyouwillfindyourfaithfulPepper。“
Theyhadcomeoutuponanelevationabovethehardservicedrive，andacrossit，belowthem，wasthecoachhousewithitsclock-towerandweather-vane，anditstwowings，enclosingapavedcourtwhereawhistlingstable-boywaswashingacarriage。Austenregardedthissceneaninstant，andglancedbackatherprofile。Itwasexpressionless。
“MightInotlinger——afewminutes？“heasked。
Herlipspartedslightlyinasmile，andsheturnedherhead。Howwonderfully，hethought，itwaspoiseduponhershoulders。
“Ihaven\'tbeenveryhospitable，haveI？“shesaid。Butthen，youseemedinsuchahurrytogo，didn\'tyou？YouwerewalkingsofastwhenImetyouthatyouquitefrightenedme。“
“WasI？“askedAusten，insurprise。
Shelaughed。
“Youlookedasifyouwerereadytochargesomebody。Butthisisn\'taveryniceplace——tolinger，andifyoureallywillstayawhile，“saidVictoria，wemightwalkovertothedairy，wherethatmodelprotegeofyours，EbenFitch，whomyouoncethreatenedwithcorporalchastisementifhefellfromgrace，isengaged。Iknowhewillbegladtoseeyou。“
Austenlaughedashecaughtupwithher。Shewasalreadyhalfwayacrosstheroad。
“Doyoualwaysbeatpeopleiftheydowrong？“sheasked。
“ItwasEbenwhorequestedit，ifIrememberrightly，“hesaid。
“Fortunately，thetrialhasnotyetarrived。Yourmethods，“headded，“seemtobemoresuccessfulwithEben。“
Theywentdownthegrassyslopewithitsgroupsofhalf-growntrees；
throughanorchardshotwithslanting，yellowsunlight，-thegoldenfruit，harvestedbythemorningwinds，litteringtheground；andthenbyagateintoadimpled，emeraldpastureslopewheretheGuernseyswerefeedingalongawaterrun。TheyspokeoftrivialthingsthatfoundnoplaceinAusten\'smemory，andattimes，upononepretextoranother，hefellbehindalittlethathemightfeasthiseyesuponher。
Ebenwasnotatthedairy，andAustenbetrayingnounduecuriosityastohiswhereabouts，theywalkedonuptheslopes，andstillupwardtowardsthecrestoftherangeofhillsthatmarkedthecourseoftheBlue。Hedidnotallowhismindtodwelluponthisnewfootingtheywereon，butclungtoit。Before，inthosedeliciousmomentswithher，seeminglypilferedfromtheangrygods，thesenseofintimacyhadbeendeep；deep，becauserobbingthegodstogether，theyhadsharedthefeelingofguilt，hadknownthatretributionwouldcoma。Andnowthegodshadlockedtheirtreasure-chest，althoughthemselvespowerlesstoredeemfromhimthememoryofwhathehadgained。Norcouldthey，apparently，deprivehimofthevisionofherinthefieldsandwoodsbesidehim，thoughtransformedbytheirmagicintoanewVictoria，keepinghimlightlyandeasilyatadistance。
Scatteringthesheepthatfleckedthevelvetturfoftheuplands，theystoodatlengthonthegranitecrownofthecrestitself。FarbelowthemwoundtheBlueintoitsvaleofsapphireshadows，withitshillsidesofthemysticfabricofthebackgroundsofthemastersoftheRenaissance。
Forawhiletheystoodinsilenceunderthespellofthescene\'senchantment，andthenVictoriaseatedherselfontherock，andhedroppedtoaplaceatherside。
“Ithoughtyouwouldliketheview，“shesaid；“butperhapsyouhavebeenhere，perhapsIamtakingyoutooneofyourownpossessions。“
Hehadflunghishatupontherock，andsheglancedathisserious，sunburnedface。Hiseyeswerestillfixed，contemplatively，ontheYaleoftheBlue，butheturnedtoherwithasmile。
“Ithasbecomeyoursbyrightofconquest，“heanswered。
Shedidnotreplytothat。Theimmobilityofherface，savefortheonelookshehadflasheduponhim，surprisedandpuzzledhimmoreandmore——
theworld——old，indefinable，eternalfemininequalityoftheSpring。
“Soyourefusedtobegovernor？shesaidpresently，——surprisinghimagain。
“Itscarcelycametothat，“hereplied。
“Whatdiditcometo？“shedemanded。
Hehesitated。
“Ihadtogodowntothecapital，onmyfather\'saccount，butIdidnotgototheconvention。Istayed，“hesaidslowly，“atthelittlecottageacrossfromtheDuncanhousewhere——youwerelastwinter。“Hepaused，butshegavenosign。“TomGaylordcameuptherelateintheafternoon，andwantedmetobeacandidate。“
“Andyourefused？“
“Yes。“
“Butyoucouldhavebeennominated！“
“Yes，“headmitted；“itisprobable。Theconditionswerechaotic。“
“Areyousureyouhavedoneright？“sheasked。“IthasalwaysseemedtomefromwhatIknowandhaveheardofyouthatyouweremadeforpositionsoftrust。Youwouldhavebeenabettergovernorthanthemantheyhavenominated。“
Hisexpressionbecameset。
“IamsureIhavedoneright，“heanswereddeliberately。“Itdoesn\'tmakeanydifferencewhoisgovernorthistime。“
“Doesn\'tmakeanydifference！“sheexclaimed。
“No，“hesaid。“Thingshavechanged——thepeoplehavechanged。Theoldmethodofpolitics，whichwaswrong，althoughithadsomejustificationinconditions，hasgoneout。Anewandmoredesirablestateofaffairshascome。Iamatlibertytosaythismuchtoyounow，“headded，fixinghisglanceuponher，“becausemyfatherhasresignedascounselfortheNortheastern，andIhavejusthadatalkwith——Mr。Flint。“
“Youhaveseenmyfather？“sheasked，inalowvoice，andherfacewasaverted。
“Yes，“heanswered。
“You——didnotagree，“shesaidquickly。
Hisbloodbeathigheratthequestionandthemannerofheraskingit，buthefeltthathemustanswerithonestly，unequivocally，whateverthecost。
“No，wedidnotagree。Itisonlyfairtotellyouthatwediffered——
vitally。Ontheotherhand，itisjustthatyoushouldknowthatwedidnotpartinanger，but，Ithink，withamutualrespect。“
Shedrewbreath。
“Iknew，“shesaid，“Iknewifhecouldbuttalktoyouhewouldunderstandthatyouweresincere——andyouhaveprovedit。Iamglad——I
amgladthatyousawhim。“Thequalityofthesunlightchanged，theveryhillsleaped，andtheriversparkled。Couldshecare？Whydidshewishherfathertoknowthathewassincere。
“YouaregladthatIsawhim！“herepeated。
Butshemethisglancesteadily。
“Myfatherhassolittlefaithinhumannature，“sheanswered。“Hehasafacultyofdoubtingthehonestyofhisopponents——Isupposebecausesomanyofthemhavebeendishonest。And——Ibelieveinmyfriends，“sheadded，smiling。“Isn\'titnaturalthatIshouldwishtohavemyjudgmentvindicated？“
Hegottohisfeetandwalkedslowlytothefaredgeoftherock，wherehestoodforawhile，seeminglygazingoffacrossthespacestoSawanec。
Itwaslikehim，thustoquestiontheimmutable。Victoriasatmotionless，buthereyesfollowedirresistiblythelinesofpowerinthetallfigureagainstthesky——thebreadthofshoulderandslimnessofhipandlengthoflimbtypicalofthemenwhohadconqueredandheldthislandfortheirdescendants。Suddenly，withacharacteristicmovementofdetermination；heswungaboutandcametowardsher，andatthesameinstantsherose。
“Don\'tyouthinkweshouldbegoingback？“shesaid。
Rutheseemednottohearher。
“MayIaskyousomething？“hesaid。
“Thatdepends，“sheanswered。
“AreyougoingtomarryMr。Rangely？“
“No，“shesaid，andturnedaway。“Whydidyouthinkthat？“
Hequivered。
“Victoria！“
Shelookedupathim，swiftly，halfrevealed，hereyeslikestarssurprisedbytheflushofdawninhercheeks。Hopequickenedatthevisionofhope，theseatsofjudgmentthemselveswerefilledwithradiance，andrumour，coweredandfledlikethespiritofnight。Hecouldonlygaze，enraptured。
“Yes？“sheanswered。
Hisvoicewasfirmbutlow，yetvibrantwithsincerity，withthevaststoreoffeeling，ofcompellingmagnetismthatwasinthemanandmovedinspiteofthemselvesthosewhoknewhim。HiswordsVictoriarememberedafterwards——allofthem；butitwastothecallofthevoicesheresponded。Hiswasthefibrewhichgrowsstrongerintimesofcrisis。
Sureofhimself，proudofthelovewhichhedeclared，hespokeasamanwhohasearnedthatforwhichheprays，——simplyandwithdignity。
“Iloveyou，“hesaid；“IhaveknownitsinceIhaveknownyou，butyoumustseewhyIcouldnottellyouso。Itwasveryhard，forthereweretimeswhenIledmyselftobelievethatyoumightcometoloveme。ThereweretimeswhenIshouldhavegoneawayifIhadn\'tmadeapromisetostayinRipton。Iaskyoutomarryme，becauseI——knowthatIshallloveyouaslongasIlive。Icangiveyouthis，atleast，andIcanpromisetoprotectandcherishyou。Icannotgiveyouthattowhichyouhavebeenaccustomedallyourlife，thatwhichyouhavehereatFairview，butIshouldn\'tsaythistoyouifIbelievedthatyoucaredforthemabove——
otherthings。“
“Oh，Austen！“shecried，“Idonot——I——donot！Theywouldbehatefultome——withoutyou。Iwouldratherlivewithyou——atJabeJenney\'s，“andhervoicecaughtinanexquisitenotebetweenlaughterandtears。“I
loveyou，doyouunderstand，you！Oh，howcouldyoueverhavedoubtedit？Howcouldyou？Whatyoubelieve，Ibelieve。And，Austen，Ihavebeensounhappyforthreedays。“
Heneverknewwhether，asthemostpreciousofgraceseverconferreduponman，withawomanlygestureshehadraisedherarmsandlaidherhandsuponhisshouldersbeforehedrewhertohimandkissedherface，thatviedincolourwiththecomingglowinthewesternsky。Abovethepryingeyesofmen，abovetheworlditself，heheldher，strivingtorealizesomelittleofthevastjoyofthispossession，andfailing。Andatlastshedrewawayfromhim，gently，thatshemightlooksearchinglyintohisfaceagain，andshookherheadslowly。
“Andyouweregoingaway，“shesaid，“withoutawordIthought——youdidn\'tcare。HowcouldIhaveknownthatyouwerejust——stupid？“
Hiseyeslightedwithhumourandtenderness。
“Howlonghaveyoucared，Victoria？“heasked。
Shebecamethoughtful。
“Always，Ithink，“sheanswered；“onlyIdidn\'tknowit。IthinkIlovedyouevenbeforeIsawyou。“
“Beforeyousawme！“
“Ithinkitbegan，“saidVictoria，whenIlearnedthatyouhadshotMr。
Blodgett——onlyIhopeyouwillneverdosuchathingagain。Andyouwillpleasetrytoremember，“sheadded，afteramoment，“thatIamneitherEbenFitchnoryourfriend，TomGaylord。“
Sunsetfoundthemseatedontherock，withthewatersoftheriverturnedtowineatthemiracleintheskytheirmiracle。Attimestheireyeswanderedtothemountain，whichseemedtoregardthemfromadiscreetdistance——withakindlyandprotectingmajesty。
“Andyoupromised，“saidVictoria，“totakemeupthere。Whenwillyoudoit？“
“Ithoughtyouweregoingaway，“hereplied。
“Unforeseencircumstances，“sheanswered，“havecompelledmetochangemyplans。“
“Thenwewillgotomorrow，“hesaid。
“TotheDelectableLand，“saidVictoria，dreamily；“yourland，whereweshallbe——benevolentdespots。Austen？“
“Yes？“Hehadnotceasedtothrillatthesoundofhisnameuponherlips。
“Doyouthink，“sheasked，glancingathim，“doyouthinkyouhavemoneyenoughtogoabroad——justforalittlewhile？“
Helaughedjoyously。
“Idon\'tknow，“hesaid，“butIshallmakeitapointtoexaminemybank-
accountto-night。Ihaven\'tdoneso——forsometime。“
“WewillgotoVenice，anddriftaboutinagondolaononeofthosegraydayswhenthehazecomesinfromtheAdriaticandtouchesthecitywiththemagicofthepast。SometimesIlikethegraydaysbest——whenIamhappy。Andthen，“sheadded，regardinghimcritically，“althoughyouareverynearperfection，therearesomethingsyououghttoseeandlearntomakeyoureducationcomplete。IwilltakeyoutoallthequeerplacesI
love。WhenyouareambassadortoFrance，youknow，itwouldbehumiliatingtohavetohaveaninterpreter，wouldn\'tit？“
“What\'stheuseofbothofusknowingthelanguage？“hedemanded。
“I\'mafraidweshallbe——toohappy，“shesighed，presently。
“Toohappy！“herepeated。
“Isometimeswonder，“shesaid，“whetherhappinessandachievementgotogether。Andyet——Ifeelsurethatyouwillachieve。“
“Topleaseyou，Victoria，“heanswered，“IthinkIshouldalmostbewillingtotry。“
CHAPTERXXX
P。S。
Byrequestofonewhohasreadthusfar，andisstillcurious。
Yes，andanotherwho，inspiteofhimself，hasfalleninlovewithVictoriaandwouldliketolingerawhilelonger，eventhoughitwerewiththepaltryexcuseofdiscussingthatworld-oldquestionofhers——Cansublimehappinessandachievementgotogether？Novelsontheproblemofsexnowadaysoftenbeginwithmarriages，butrarelydiscussthehappyones；andmanyawomanisforcedtositwistfullyathomewhilehercompanionsoars。
“YetmayIlookwithheartunshookOnblowbroughthomeormissed——
YetmayIhearwithequalearTheclarionsdowntheList；
YetsetmylanceabovemischanceAndridethebarriere——
Oh，hitormiss，howlittle\'tis，MyLadyisnotthere！“
Averse，inthisconnection，whichmaybeaperversionofMr。Kipling\'smeaning，butnotsofarfromit，afterall。Andyet，wouldtheeagleattemptthegreatflightsifcontentmentwereontheplain？Findthemainspringofachievement，andyouholdinyourhandthesecretoftheworld\'smechanism。Someaverthatitiswoman。
Dothegodseverconfertherarestofgiftsuponhimtowhomtheyhavegivenpinions？Dotheymatehim，ever，withanotherwhosoarsashighashe，whocircleshigherthathemaycirclehigherstill？Whocananswer？
Mustthosewhosoarbecondemnedtoeternalloneliness，andwasitalongingtheydidnotcomprehendwhichbadethemstretchtheirwingstowardthesun？Whocansay？
Alas，wecannotwriteofthefutureofAustenandVictoriaVane！Wecanonlysurmise，andhope，andpray，——yes，andbelieve。Romancewalkswithpartedlipsandheadraisedtothesky；andletusfollowher，becausetherebyoureyesareraisedwithhers。Wemustbelieve，orperish。
Postscriptsarenotfashionable。Thesatiatedtheatregoerleavesbeforetheendoftheplay，andhasworkedouttheproblemforhimselflongbeforetheendofthelastact。Sentimentisnotsupposedtoexistintheorchestraseats。Butaboveinmanysensesisthegallery，fromwhenceanexcitedvoicecriesoutwhenthesleeperreturnstolife，“It\'sRipVanWinkle！“Thegallery，wherearethehumanpassionswhichmakethisworldourworld；thegallery，playeduponbyanger，vengeance，derision，triumph，hate，andlove；thegallery，whichlingersandapplaudslongafterthefifthcurtain，andthengoesreluctantlyhome——todream。Andhewhoscornsthegalleryisnoartist，fortherelivesthesoulofart。Weraiseoureyestoit，andtoitwededicatethisourplay；——andforitweliftthecurtainoncemoreafterthoseintheorchestrahavedeparted。
Itisobviouslyimpossible，inafewwords，todepicttheexcitementinRipton，inLeith，intheStateatlarge，whenitbecameknownthatthedaughterofMr。FlintwastomarryAustenVane，——afittingifunexpectedclimaxtoadrama。HowwouldMr。Flinttakeit？Mr。Flint，itmaybesaid，tookitphilosophically；andwhenAustenwentuptoseehimuponthismatter，heshookhandswithhisfutureson-in-law，——andtheyagreedtodisagree。AndbeyondthisitissafetosaythatMr。
Flintwasrelieved；forinhissecretsoulhehadformanyyearsentertainedadreadthatVictoriamightmarryaforeigner。Hehadthisconsolationatanyrate。
Hiswifedeniedherselfforadaytohermostintimatefriends，——foritwasshewhohadentertainedvisionsofatitle；anditwascharacteristicoftheRoseofSharonthatsheknewnothingoftheVanesbeyondthename。
ThediscoverythattheAustensweretheoldestfamilyintheStatewasinthenatureofabalm；andhenceforth，inspeakingofAusten，sheneverfailedtomentionthefactthathisgreat-grandfatherwasMinistertoSpaininthe\'30\'s，——aperiodwhenherownwasengagedinafardifferentcalling。
AndHilaryVanereceivedthenewswithagrimsatisfaction，Dr。Tredwaybelievingthatithaddonemoreforhimthananymedicineorspecialists。
Andwhen，onewarmOctoberday，Victoriaherselfcameandsatbesidethecanopiedbed，herconquestwascomplete:hesurrenderedtoherashehadneverbeforesurrenderedtomanorwomanorchild，andthedesiretolivesurgedbackintohisheart，——thedesiretoliveforAustenandVictoria。
ItbecamehercustomtodrivetoRiptonintheautumnmorningsandtositbythehourreadingtoHilaryinthemellowsunlightintheleeofthehouse，nearSarahAusten\'slittlegarden。Yes，Victoriabelievedshehaddevelopedinhimatasteforreading；althoughhewouldhavelistenedtoEmersonfromherlips。
Andsometimes，whenshepausedafteroneofhislongsilencestoglanceathim，shewouldseehiseyesfixed，withastrangeraptlook，onthegardenorthedimlavenderformofSawanecthroughthehaze，andknewthathewasthinkingofapricelessthingwhichhehadoncepossessed，andmissed。ThenVictoriawouldclosethevolume，andfalltodreaming，too。
Whatwashappiness？Wasitcontentment？Ifitwere，itmightendure，——
contentmentbeingpassive。Butcouldactive，aggressive，exultantjoyexistforalifetime，jealousofitsleastprerogative，perpetuallywatchfulforitsleastabatement，singingunendinganthemsonitsconquestoftheworld？TheveryintensityofherfeelingsatsuchtimessoberedVictoria——alarmedher。Wasnotperfectionatwarwiththeworld\'sscheme，anddidnotachievementspringfromavoid？
ButwhenAustenappeared，withPepper，todriveherhometoFairview，hispresenceneverfailedtorevivethefiercefaiththatitwashisdestinytomaketheworldbetter，andherstohelphim。Wondrousafternoonstheyspenttogetherinthatstillestandmostmysteriousofseasonsinthehillcountry——autumn！Autumnandhappiness！Happinessasshamelessastheflauntingscarletmaplesontheslopes，defiantofthedyingyearofthefuture，shadowyandunrealasthehillsbeforetheminthehaze。
Once，afteralongsilence，shestartedfromareverywiththesuddenconsciousnessofhislookintentuponher，andturnedwithpartedlipsandeyeswhichsmiledathimoutoftroubleddepths。
“Dreaming，Victoria？“hesaid。
“Yes，“sheansweredsimply，andwassilentoncemore。Helovedthesesilencesofhers，——hinting，astheydid，ofunexploredchambersinaninexhaustibletreasure-housewhichbysomestrangestrokeofdestinywashis。Andyethefeltattimesthevaguesadnessofthem，likethesadnessoftheautumn，andlongedtodispelit。
“Itissowonderful，“shewentonpresently，inalowvoice，“itissowonderfulIsometimesthinkthatitmustbelike——likethis；thatitcannotlast。Ihavebeenwonderingwhetherweshallbeashappywhentheworlddiscoversthatyouaregreat。“
Heshookhisheadatherslowly，inmildreproof。
“Isn\'tthatborrowingtrouble，Victoria？“hesaid。“Ithinkyouneedhavenofearoffindingtheworldasdiscerningasyourself。“
Shesearchedhisface。
“Willyoueverchange？“sheasked。
“Yes，“hesaid。“Nomancanstandsuchflatteryasthatwithoutdeteriorating，Iwarnyou。Ishallbecomeconsequential，andpompous，andaltogetherinsupportable，andthenyouwillleavemeandneverrealizethatithasbeenallyourfault。“
Victorialaughed。Buttherewasalittletremorinhervoice，andhereyesstillrestedonhisface。
“ButIamserious，Austen，“shesaid。“Isometimesfeelthat，inthefuture，weshallnotalwayshavemanysuchdaysasthese。It\'sselfish，butIcan\'thelpit。Therearesomanythingsyouwillhavetodowithoutme。Don\'tyoueverthinkofthat？“
Hiseyesgrewgrave，andhereachedoutandtookherhandinhis。
“Ithink，rather，ofthetrialslifemaybring，Victoria，“heanswered，“ofthehourswhenjudgmenthalts，whenthewayisnotclear。DoyourememberthelastnightyoucametoJabeJenney\'s？Istoodintheroadlongafteryouhadgone，andadesolationsuchasIhadneverknowncameoverme。Iwentinatlast，andopenedabooktosomeversesIhadbeenreading，whichIshallneverforget。ShallItellyouwhattheywere？“
“Yes，“shewhispered。
“Theycontainmyanswertoyourquestion，“hesaid。
“Whatbecameofallthehopes，Wordsandsongandluteaswell？
Say，thisstruckyou\'WhenlifegropesFeeblyforthepathwherefellLightlastontheeveningslopes，“\'Onefriendinthatpathshallbe，Tosecuremystepfromwrong；
Onetocountnightdayforme，Patientthroughthewatcheslong，Servingmostwithnonetosee。\'“
“Victoria，canyouguesswhothatfriendis？“
Shepressedhishandandsmiledathim，buthereyeswerewet。
“Ihavethoughtofitinthatway，too，dear。But——butIdidnotknowthatyouhad。Idonotthinkthatmanymenhavethatpointofview，Austen。“
“Manymen，“heanswered，“havenotthesamereasontobethankfulasI。“
Thereisatime，whenthefirstsharpwindswhichfilltheairwithflyingleaveshavecomeandgone，whenthestillnesshascomeagain，andthesunlightistingedwithayellowergold，andthepasturesarestillavividgreen，andthemountainstainedwithadeeperbluethananygem，calledIndiansummer。AnditwasinthisseasonthatVictoriaandAustenweremarried，inalittlechurchatTunbridge，nearFairview，bythebishopofthediocese，whowasoneofVictoria\'sdearestfriends。Mr。
ThomasGaylordforwhosebenefitthereweremanyrehearsalswasbestman，MissBeatriceChillinghammaidofhonour；anditwasunanimouslydeclaredbyVictoria\'sbridesmaids，whocameupfromNewYork，thattheyhadfalleninlovewiththegroom。
HowdescribetheweddingbreakfastandfestivitiesatFairviewHouse，onaNovemberdaywhenyoungladiescouldwalkaboutthelawnsinthefilmiestofgowns！howrecounttheguestsandleaveoutnofriends——fornonewereleftout！Mr。JabeJenneyandMrs。Jenney，whoweptassheembracedbothbrideandgroom；andEuphrasia，inanewsteel-colouredsilkandastateofabsolutesubjectionandincreduloushappiness。WouldthatthereweretimetochroniclethatmostamazingofconquestsofVictoriaoverEuphrasia！AndMrs。Pomfret，who，remarkableasitmayseem，notonlyrecognizedAustenwithoutherlorgnette，butquiteoverwhelmedhimwithanunexpectedcordiality，anddeclaredherintentionofgivingthemadinnerinNewYork。
“Mydear，“shesaid，afterkissingVictoriatwice，“heismostdistinguished-looking——Ihadnoidea——andapersonwhogrowsuponone。
AndIamtoldheisdescendedfromChanningAusten，ofwhomIhaveoftenheardmygrandfatherspeak。Victoria，Ialwayshadthegreatestconfidenceinyourjudgment。“
AlthoughVictoriahadamemorywhatwomanworthhersalthasnot？，shewasfartoohappytoremindMrs。Pomfretofcertainformeroccasions，andmerelysmiledinamannerwhichthatladydeclaredtobeenigmatic。ShemaintainedthatshehadneverunderstoodVictoria，anditwascharacteristicofMrs。Pomfretthatherrespectincreasedindirectproportiontoherlackofunderstanding。
Mr。ThomasGaylord，inawaistcoatwhichwastheadmirationofallwhobeheldit，proposedthehealthofthebride；andprovedindubitablythatthebestoforatoryhasitsoriginintheheartandnotinthemind，——forTomhadneverbeenregardedbyhisfriendsasaDemosthenes。Hewasinterruptedfromtimetotimebyshoutsoflaughter；certainepisodesintheearlycareerofMr。AustenVaneinwhich，ifTomwastobebelieved，hewasanunwillingparticipantwereparticularlyappreciated。Andshortlyafterthat，amidstashowerofmiscellaneousarticlesandrice，Mr。andMrs。Vanetooktheirdeparture。
TheydrovethroughtheyellowsunlighttoRipton，withlingeringlooksatthehillswhichbroughtbackmemoriesofboysandsorrows，andinHanoverStreetbadegood-bytoHilaryVane。AnewandstrangecontentmentshoneinhisfaceashetookVictoria\'shandsinhis，andtheysatwithhimuntilEuphrasiacame。ItwasnotuntiltheywerewellontheirwaytoNewYorkthattheyopenedtheletterhehadgiventhem，anddiscoveredthatitcontainedsomethingwhichwouldhaveenabledthemtoremaininEuropetherestoftheirliveshadtheysochosen。
WemustleavethemamongstthesunnyruinsofItalyandGreeceandsouthernFrance，onamarvellousjourneythatwaspersonallyconductedbyVictoria。
Mr。Crewewasunabletogotothewedding，havingtoattendadirectors\'
meetingofsomeimportanceintheWest。Heisstillinpolitics，andstillhopeful；andhewasmarried，notlongafterwards，toMissAlicePomfret。
End