Theysaid\"Bueno\"altogether，andforthemomentappearedtobeupheldbyareligiousenthusiasm，——ajointconfessionoffaiththatmeantdeath，destruction，andpossiblyforgery，asagainstthemenwhothoughtotherwise。
Thisspiritualharmonydidawaywithallpracticalconsiderationanddoubt。\"Ihavealittleniece，\"saidVictor，\"whoseworkwiththepenismarvellous。Ifonesaystoher，’Carmen，copymethis，ortheotherone，’——evenifitbecopper-plate，——lookyouitisdone，andyoucannotknowofwhichistheoriginal。MadredeDios！
theotherdayshemakesmearubric*oftheGovernor，PioPico，thesame，identical。Thouknowesther，Miguel。Sheaskedconcerningtheeyesterday。\"
*TheSpanish\"rubric\"isthecomplicatedflourishattachedtoasignature，andisasindividualandcharacteristicasthehandwriting。
Withtheembarrassmentofanunderbredman，Migueltriedtoappearunconcerned，butfaileddismally。Indeed，IfearthattheblackeyesofCarmenhadalreadydonetheirperfectandacceptedwork，andhadpartlyinducedtheapplicationforVictor’said。He，however，dissembledsofarastoask：
\"Butwillshenotknow？\"
\"Sheisachild。\"
\"Butwillshenottalk？\"
\"NotifIsaynay，andifthou——eh，Miguel？\"
Thisbitofflattery（which，bytheway，wasalie，forVictor’sniecedidnotinclinefavorablytoMiguel，haditseffect。Theyshookhandsoverthetable。\"But，\"saidMiguel，\"whatistobedonemustbedonenow。\"\"Atthemoment，\"saidVictor，\"andthoushaltseeitdone。Eh？Doesitcontentthee？thencome！\"
MiguelnoddedtoManuel。\"Wewillreturninanhour;waitthouhere。\"
Theyfiledoutintothedark，irregularstreet。FateledthemtopasstheofficeofDr。GuildatthemomentthatConchomountedhishorse。Theshadowsconcealedthemfromtheirrival，buttheyoverheardthelastinjunctionsofthePresidenttotheunluckyConcho。
\"Thouhearest？\"saidMiguel，clutchinghiscompanion’sarm。
\"Yes，\"saidVictor。\"Butlethimride，myfriend;inonehourweshallhavethatthatshallarriveYEARSbeforehim，\"andwithacomplacentchuckletheypassedunseenandunhearduntil，abruptlyturningacorner，theystoppedbeforealowadobehouse。
Ithadoncebeenasomewhatpretentiousdwelling，buthadevidentlyfollowedthefortunesofitslateowner，DonJuanBriones，whohadoffereditasalastsoptothethree-headedCerberusthatguardedtheElRefugioPlutoneantreasures，andwhohadswalloweditinasinglegulp。Itwasinverybadcase。Thefurrowsofitsred-
tiledrooflookedasiftheyweretheresultsofageanddecrepitude。
Itsbestroomhadamustysmell;therewasthedampnessofdeliquescenceinitsslowdecay，buttheSpanishCaliforniansweresensiblearchitects，anditsmassivewallsandpartitionsdefiedtheearthquakethrill，andalltheyearroundkeptaneventemperaturewithin。
VictorledMiguelthroughalowanteroomintoaplainly-furnishedchamber，whereCarmensatpainting。
NowMistressCarmenwasabitofapainter，inaprettylittleway，withallthevaguelongingsofanartist，butwithout，Ifear，theartist’ssteadfastsoul。Sherecognizedbeautyandformasachildmight，withoutunderstandingtheirmeaning，andsomehowfailedtomakethemeveninterpretherwoman’smoods，whichsurelywerenature’stoo。Soshepaintedeverythingwiththisinnocentlustoftheeye，——flowers，birds，insects，landscapes，andfigures，——withajoyousfidelity，butnoparticularpoetry。Thebirdneversangtoherbutonesong，theflowersortreesspakebutonelanguage，andherskiesneverbrightenedexceptincolor。ShecameoutstrongontheCatholicsaints，andwouldtossyouupacleanly-shavenAloysius，sweetlydestituteofexpression，oradropsical，lethargicMadonnathatyoucouldn’thavetoldfromanoldmaster，sobaditwas。Herfacultyoffaithfulreproductionevenshoweditselfinfancifullettering，——andlatterlyintheimitationoffabricsandsignatures。Indeed，withhereyeforbeautyofform，shehadalwaysexcelledinpenmanshipattheConvent，——anaccomplishmentwhichthegoodsistersheldingreatrepute。
Inpersonshewaspetite，withastillunformedgirlishfigure，perhapsalittletooflatacrosstheback，andwithpossiblyatoogreattendencytoaboyishstrideinwalking。Herbrow，coveredbyblue-blackhair，waslowandfrankandhonest;hereyes，averydarkhazel，werenotparticularlylarge，butratherheavilyfreightedintheirmelancholylidswithsleepingpassion;hernosewasofthatunimportantcharacterwhichnomanremembers;hermouthwassmallandstraight;herteeth，whiteandregular。Thewholeexpressionofherfacewaspiquancythatmightbesubduedbytendernessormademalevolentbyanger。Atpresentitwasasaladinwhichtheoilandvinegarweredeftlycombined。Theastutefemininereaderwillofcourseunderstandthatthisistheordinarysuperficialmasculinecriticism，andatoncemakeuphermindbothastothecharacteroftheyoungladyandthecompetencyofthecritic。IonlyknowthatIratherlikedher。Andherfunctionsaresomewhatimportantinthisveracioushistory。
Shelookedup，startedtoherfeet，leveledherblackbrowsattheintruder，but，atasignfromheruncle，showedherwhiteteethandspake。
Itwasonlyasentence，andarathercommon-placeoneatthat;butifshecouldhaveputhervoiceuponhercanvas，shemighthaveretrievedtheGarciafortunes。Foritwassomusical，sotender，sosympathizing，somelodious，sorepletewiththegraciousnessofwomanhood，thatsheseemedtohaveinventedthelanguage。Andyetthatsentencewasonlyanexaggeratedformofthe’Howd’yedo，’
whinedout，doledout，lispedout，orshotoutfromtheprettymouthsofmyfaircountrywomen。
Migueladmiredthepaintings。Hewasstruckparticularlywithacrayondrawingofamule。\"MotherofGod，itisthemuleitself！
observehowitwillnotgo。\"ThenthecraftyVictorbrokeinwith，\"Butitisnothingtoherwriting;look，youshalltelltomewhichisthehandwritingofPioPico;\"and，fromadrawerinthesecretary，hedrewforthtwosignatures。Onewasaffixedtoayellowishpaper，theotherdrawnonplainwhitefoolscap。OfcourseMigueltookthemoremodernonewithlover-likegallantry。
\"Itisthisisgenuine！\"Victorlaughedtriumphantly;Carmenechoedthelaughmelodiouslyinchild-likeglee，andadded，withaslighttossofherpiquanthead，\"Itismine！\"Thebestofthesexwillnotrefuseajustandoverduecomplimentfromeventhemantheydislike。It’stheprinciplethey’reafter，notthesentiment。
ButVictorwasnotsatisfiedwiththisproofofhisniece’sskill。
\"Saytoher，\"hedemandedofMiguel，\"whatnamethoulikest，anditshallbedonebeforetheehere。\"MiguelwasnotsomuchinlovebutheperceivedthedriftofVictor’ssuggestion，andremarkedthattherubricofGovernorMicheltorenawasexceedinglycomplicatedanddifficult。\"Sheshalldoit！\"respondedVictor，withdecision。
FromafileofolddepartmentalpaperstheGovernor’ssignatureandthatinvolvedrubric，whichmusthavecosthislateExcellencymanyyouthfuldaysofanxiety，wasproducedandlaidbeforeCarmen。
Carmentookherpeninherhand，lookedatthebrownish-lookingdocument，andthenatthevirginwhitenessofthefoolscapbeforeher。\"But，\"shesaid，poutingprettily，\"Ishouldhavetofirstpaintthiswhitepaperbrown。Anditwillabsorbtheinkmorequicklythanthat。WhenIpaintedtheSanAntoniooftheMissionSanGabrielforFatherAcolti，IhadtoputthedecayinwithmyoilsandbrushesbeforethegoodPadrewouldacceptit。\"
Thetwoscampslookedateachother。Itwastheirsuprememoment。
\"IthinkIhave，\"saidVictor，withassumedcarelessness，\"IthinkI
havesomeoftheoldCustom-Housepaper。\"Heproducedfromthesecretaryasheetofbrownpaperwithastamp。\"Tryitonthat。\"
Carmensmiledwithchildishdelight，triedit，andproducedamarvel！\"Itisasmagic，\"saidMiguel，feigningtocrosshimself。
Victor’srolewasmoreserious。Heaffectedtobedeeplytouched，tookthepaper，foldedit，andplaceditinhisbreast。\"IshallmakeagoodfoolofDonJoseCastro，\"hesaid;\"hewilldeclareitistheGovernor’sownsignature，forhewashisfriend;buthaveacare，Carmen！thatyouspoilitnotbytheopeningofyourredlips。Whenheisfooled，Iwilltellhimofthismarvel，——thisnieceofmine，andheshallbuyherpictures。Eh，littleone？\"andhegavehertheavuncularcaress，i。e。，apatofthehandoneithercheek，andakiss。Miguelenviedhim，butcupidityoutgeneraledCupid，andpresentlytheconversationflagged，untilaconvenientrecollectionofVictor’s——thathimselfandcomradeweredueatthePosadadelTorosat10o’clock——gavethemtheopportunitytoretire。ButnotwithoutachanceshotfromCarmen。
\"Telltome，\"shesaid，halftoVictorandhalftoMiguel，\"whathaschancedwithConcho？Hewaseverreadytobringtomeflowersfromthemountain，andinsectsandbirds。Thouknowesthowhewouldsit，oh，myuncle，andtalktomeoftherarerockshehadseen，andthebearsandtheevilspirits，andnowhecomesnolonger，myConcho！Howisthis？Nothingevilhasbefallenhim，surely？\"andherdroopinglidsclosedhalf-pathetically。
Miguel’sjealousytookfire。\"Heisdrunk，Senorita，doubtless，andhasforgottennotonlytheebut，mayhap，hismuleandpack！Itishiscustom，ha！ha！\"
ThereddiedoutofCarmen’sripelips，andsheshutthemtogetherwithasnaplikeasteelpurse。Thedovehadsuddenlychangedtoahawk;thechild-girlintoanantiquevirago;thespirithithertodimlyoutlinedinherface，ofsomeshrewishGarciaancestress，cametothefore。Shedartedaquicklookatheruncle，andthen，withherlittlehandsonherrigidlips，strodewithtwostepsuptoMiguel。
\"Possibly，OSenorMiguelDominguezPerez（aprofoundcourtesyhere），itisasthousayest。DrunkardConchomaybe;but，drunkorsober，heneverturnedhisbackonhisfriend——or——（thewordsgratedalittlehere）——hisenemy。\"
Miguelwouldhavereplied，butVictorwasready。\"Fool，\"hesaid，pinchinghisarm，\"’tisanoldfriend。And——and——theapplicationisstilltobefilledup。Areyoucrazy？\"
ButonthispointMiguelwasnot，andwiththerevengeofarivaladdedtohisotherinstincts，hepermittedVictortoleadhimaway。
Ontheirreturntothefonda，theyfoundMasterManueltoofargonewithaguardiente，andageneralanimositytotheaverageAmericano，tobeofanyservice。Sotheyworkedalone，withpen，ink，andpaper，inthestuffy，cigarrito-cloudedbackroomofthefonda。Itwasmidnight，twohoursafterConchohadstarted，thatMiguelclappedspurstohishorseforthevillageofTresPinos，withanapplicationtoGovernorMicheltorenaforagranttothe\"RanchooftheRedRocks\"comfortablybestowedinhispocket。
CHAPTERVII
WHOPLEADFORIT
Therecanbelittledoubtthecoroner’sjuryofFresnowouldhavereturnedaverdictof\"deathfromalcoholism，\"astheresultoftheirinquestintothecauseofConcho’sdeath，hadnotDr。Guildfoughtnoblyinsupportofthelawandhisownconvictions。A
majorityofthejuryobjectedtotherebeinganyinquestatall。A
sincerejurymanthoughtithardthatwheneveraGreaserpeggedoutinasneakin’kindo’way，Americancitizensshouldbetakenfromtheirbusinesstofindoutwhatailedhim。\"S’posehewaskilled，\"
saidanother，\"tharain’tnotimethisthirtyyearheweren’t，sotospeak，justsufferin’forit，ezhisnat’ralrightezaMexican。\"Thejuryatlastcompromisedbybringinginaverdictofhomicideagainstcertainpartiesunknown。YetitwasunderstoodtacitlythattheseunknownpartieswereseverallyWilesandPedro;
Manuel，Miguel，andRoscommonprovinganunmistakablealibi。WilesandPedrohadfledtolowerCalifornia，andManuel，Miguel，andRoscommondeemeditadvisable，inthethenexcitedstateofthepublicmind，towithholdtheforgedapplicationandclaimfromthecourtsandthepubliccomment。SothatforayearafterthemurderofConchoandtheflightofhisassassins\"TheBlueMassMiningCompany\"remainedinundisturbedandactualpossessionofthemine，andreignedintheirstead。
ButthespiritofthemurderedConchowouldnotdownanymorethanthatofthemurderedBanquo，andsowrought，nodoubt，inaquiet，Concho-likeway，soretroublewiththe\"BlueMassCompany。\"ForagreatCapitalistandMasterofAvaricecamedowntothemineandfounditfair，andtakingoneoftheCompanyaside，offeredtolendhisnameandacertainamountofcoinforacontrollinginterest，accompanyingthegenerousofferwithasuggestionthatifitwerenotaccededtohewouldbecompelledtobuyupvariousMexicanminesandfloodthemarketwithquicksilvertothegreatdetrimentofthe\"BlueMassCompany，\"whichthoughtfulsuggestion，offeredbyamanfrequentlyalludedtoasoneof\"California’sgreatminingprinces，\"andasonewhohad\"donemuchtodeveloptheresourcesoftheState，\"wasnottobelightlyconsidered;andso，afteracautiousnon-consultationwiththeCompany，andacommendablesecrecy，thestockholdersoldout。WhereatitwasspeedilyspreadabroadthatthegreatCapitalisthadtakenholdof\"BlueMass，\"andthestockwentup，andtheotherstockholdersrejoiced——untilthegreatCapitalistfoundthatitwasnecessarytoputupexpensivemills，toemployahighsalariedSuperintendent，infact，todeveloptheminebythespendingofitsearnings，sothatthestockquotedat112wasfinallysaddledwithanassessmentof$50pershare。Anotherassessmentof$50toenabletheSuperintendenttoproceedtoRussiaandSpainandexamineintotheworkingsofthequicksilverminesthere，andalsoageneralcommissiontothegiftedandscientificPillagemantoexamineintothevariouscomponentpartsofquicksilver，andreportifitcouldnotbemanufacturedfromordinarysand-stonebysteamorelectricity，speedilybroughttheotherstockholderstotheirsenses。Itwasatthistimethegoodfellow\"Tom，\"theserious-minded\"Dick，\"andthespeculativebutfortunate\"Harry，\"brokersoftheGreatCapitalist，founditconvenienttobuyup，fortheGreatCapitalistaforesaid，thevariousothersharesatgreatsacrifice。
IfearthatIhaveboredmyreadersinthusgivingthetiresomedetailsofthatingenuousAmericanpastimewhichmycountrymendismissintheirepigrammaticwayasthe\"freezing-outprocess。\"
Andlestanyreadershouldquestiontheethicsoftheproceeding，I
beghimtorememberthatonegentlemanaccomplishedinthisartwasalwaysasincereanddirectopponentofthelateMr。JohnOakhurst，gambler。
ButforoncetheGreatMasterofAvaricehadnottakenintosufficientaccounttheavariceofothers，andwassuddenlyandvirtuouslyshockedtolearnthatanapplicationforapatentforcertainlands，knownasthe\"Red-RockRancho，\"wasabouttobeofferedbeforetheUnitedStatesLandCommission。Thisclaimcoveredhisminingproperty。Buttheinformationcamequietlyandsecretly，asalloftheGreatMaster’sinformationwasobtained，andhetooktheopportunitytosellouthiscloudedtitleandhisproprietorshiptotheonlyremainingmemberoftheoriginal\"BlueMassCompany，\"ayoungfellowofpith，beforemany-tonguedrumorhadvoicedthenewsfarandwide。Theblowwasaheavyonetothepartyleftinpossession。SaddledbytheenormousdebtsandexpensesoftheGreatCapitalist，withacreditnowfurtherinjuredbythedefectionofthisluckymagnate，whowasadmiredforhisskillinanticipatingaloss，andwhoserelinquishmentofanyprojectmeantruintoit，thesingle-handed，impoverishedpossessorofthemine，whosetitlewascontested，andwhosereputationwasyettobemade，——poorBiggs，firstsecretaryandonlyremainingofficerofthe\"BlueMassCompany，\"lookedruefullyoverhisbooksandhislasttransfer，andsighed。ButIhavebeforeintimatedthathewasbuiltofgoodstuff，andthathebelievedinhiswork，——
whichwaswell，——andinhimself，whichwasbetter;andso，havingfaithevenasagrainofmustardseed，Idoubtnothewouldhavebeenabletoremovethatmountainofquicksilverbeyondtheoverlappingoffraudulentgrants。And，again，Providence——havingdisposedoftheseseveralscamps——raiseduptohimafriend。Butthatfriendisofsufficientimportancetothisveracioushistorytodeserveaparagraphtohimself。
ThePyladesofthisOresteswasknownofordinarymortalsasRoyalThatcher。Hisgenealogy，birth，andeducationare，Itakeit，oflittleaccounttothischronicle，whichisonlyconcernedwithhisfriendshipforBiggsandtheresultthereof。HehadknownBiggsayearortwopreviously;theyhadsharedeachother’spurses，bunks，cabins，provisions，andoftenfriends，withthatperfectfreedomfromobligationwhichbelongedtothepioneerlife。ThevaryingtideoffortunehadjustthenstrandedThatcheronadesertsandhillinSanFrancisco，withanuninsuredcargoofExpectations，whiletoThatcher’sactivebutnotcuriousfancyithadapparentlyliftedhisfriend’sbarkoverthebarintheMontereymountainsintoanopenquicksilversea。SothathewasconsiderablysurprisedonreceivinganotefromBiggstothispurport：
\"DEARROY——Rundownhereandhelpafellow。I’vetoomuchofaloadforone。Maybewecanmakeateamandpull’BlueMass’outyet。BIGGSEY。\"
Thatcher，sittinginhisscantilyfurnishedlodgings，doubtfulofhisnextmealandinarrearsforrent，heardthisMacedoniancryasSt。Pauldid。Hewroteapromissoryandsoothingnotetohislandlady，butfearingthe\"sweetsorrow\"ofpersonalparting，lethiscollapsedvalisedownfromhiswindowbyacord，and，bymeansofaneconomicalcombinationofstageridingandpedestrianism，hepresentedhimself，atthecloseofthethirdday，atBiggs’sdoor。
Inafewmomentshewasinpossessionofthestory;halfanhourlaterinpossessionofhalfthemine，itsinfelixpastanditsdoubtfulfuture，equallywithhisfriend。
Businessover，Biggsturnedtolookathispartner。\"You’veagedsomesinceIsawyoulast，\"hesaid。\"Starvationluck，Is’pose。
I’dknowyoureyes，oldfellow，ifIsawthemamongtenthousand;
butyourlipsareparched，andyourmouth’sgrimmerthanitusedtobe。\"Thatchersmiledtoshowthathecouldstilldoso，butdidnotsay，ashemighthavesaid，thatself-control，suppressedresentment，disappointment，andoccasionalhungerhaddonesomethinginthewayofcorrectingNature’sobviousmistakes，andshuttingupakindlymouth。Heonlytookoffhisthreadbarecoat，rolleduphissleeves，andsaying，\"We’vegotlotsofworkandsomefightingbeforeus，\"pitchedintothe\"affairs\"ofthe\"BlueMassCompany\"ontheinstant。
CHAPTERVIII
OFCOUNSELFORIT
MeanwhileRoscommonhadwaited。Then，inGarcia’sname，andbackedbyhim，helaidhiscasebeforetheLandCommissioner，filingtheapplication（withforgedindorsements）toGovernorMicheltorena，andallegingthattheoriginalgrantwasdestroyedbyfire。Andwhy？
ItseemedtherewasalimittoMissCarmen’simitativetalent。
Admirableasitwas，itdidnotreachtothereproductionofthatofficialseal，whichwouldhavebeenanecessaryappendagetotheGovernor’sgrant。ButtherewereletterswrittenonstampedpaperbyGovernorMicheltorenatohimself，Garcia，andtoMiguel，andtoManuel’sfather，allofwhichweredulysignedbythesignmanualandrubricofMrs-Governor-Micheltorena-Carmen-de-Haro。Andthentherewas\"parol\"evidence，andplentyofit;witnesseswhorememberedeverythingaboutit，——namely，Manuel，Miguel，andtheall-recollectingDeHaro;hereweredetails，poeticalandsuggestive;andDame-Quicklyish，aswhenhislateExcellency，sittingnot\"byasea-coalfire，\"butwithaguardienteandcigarros，hadsworntohim，theex-ecclesiasticMiguel，thatheshouldgrant，andhadgranted，Garcia’srequest。Therewerecloudsofwitnesses，conversations，letters，andrecords，glibandpattotheoccasion。Inbrief，therewasnothingwantedbutthesealofhisExcellency。Theonlycopyofthatwasinthepossessionofarivalschoolofrenaissantartandtherestorationofantiques，thendoingbusinessbeforetheLandCommission。
Andyettheclaimwasrejected！Havinglatelyrecommendedtwoseparateclaimantstoapatentforthesameland，theLandCommissionbecamecautiousandconservative。
Roscommonwasatfirstastounded，thenindignant，andthenwarlike，——hewasforan\"appaletoonst！\"
Withthereader’spreviousknowledgeofRoscommon’sdispositionthismayseemsomewhatinconsistent;buttherearecertainnaturestowhomlitigationhasalltheexcitementofgambling，anditshouldbeborneinmindthatthiswashisfirstlawsuit。Sothathislawyer，Mr。SaponaceousWood，foundhiminthatbelligerentmoodtowhichcounselareobligedtohypocriticallybringallthesophistriesoftheirprofession。
\"Ofcourseyouhaveyourrighttoanappeal，butcalmyourself，mydearsir，andconsider。Thecasewaspresentedstrongly，theevidenceoverwhelmingonourside，butwehappenedtobefightingpreviousdecisionsoftheLandCommissionthathadbroughtthemintotrouble;sothatifMicheltorenahadhimselfappearedinCourtandtestifiedtohisgivingyouthegrant，itwouldhavemadenodifference，——noSpanishgranthadashowthen，norwillithaveforthenextsixmonths。Yousee，mydearsir，theGovernmentsentoutoneofitsbigWashingtonlawyerstolookintothisbusiness，andhereportedfrauds，sir，frauds，inamajorityoftheSpanishclaims。Andwhy，sir？why？Hewasbought，sir，bought——bodyandsoul——bytheRing！\"
\"Andfwhot’stheRing？\"askedhisclientsharply。
\"TheRingis——ahem！acombinationofunprincipledbutwealthypersonstodefeattheendsofjustice。\"
\"Andsure，fwhot’stheRingtodowidmegrantasthatthavingMexicangavemeasthecollatheralsforthebourdhewasowin’me？
Eh，mindthatnow！\"
\"TheRing，mydearsir，istheotherside。Itis——ahem！alwaystheOtherSide。\"
\"Andwhythedivelhaven’tweaRingtoo？Andain’tIpayin’yefivehundreddollars，——andthedivelofRingyehave，atall，atall？FwhotamIpayin’yefur，eh？\"
\"Thatajudiciousexpenditureofmoney，\"beganMr。Wood，\"outsideofactualdisbursements，maynotbeofinfiniteservicetoyouIamnotpreparedtodeny，——but——\"
\"Lookye，Mr。SappyWood，it’sthe’appale’Iwant，andthegrantI’llhave，morebetokenastheoldwoman’shar-rutandmeownissetonitentoirely。GetmethelandandI’llgiveyethehalfofit，——andit’sabargain！\"
\"Butmydearsir，therearesomerulesinourprofession，——
technicalthoughtheymaybe——\"
\"Thedivelflyawaywidyerprofession。Sureisitbetternormeown？IfI’veriskedmeprovisionsandmewhisky，thatcostmesolidgooldinFrisco，onthatthafeGarcia’sclaim，bedad！theloikesofyecanriskyerlaw。\"
\"Well，\"saidWood，withanawkwardsmile，\"Isupposethatadeedforonehalf，ontheconsiderationoffriendship，mydearsir，andadollarinhandpaidbyme，mightbereconcilable。\"
\"Nowit’stalkin’yeare。Butwho’sthefellywe’refoighten，that’sgottheRing？\"
\"Ah，mydearsir，it’stheUnitedStates，\"saidthelawyerwithgravity。
\"TheStates！theGovernmentisit？Andis’tthatye’reafearedof？
Sureit’stheGovernmentthatIfoughtinmeowncounthree，itwastheGovernmentthatdruvmetoAmeriky，andisitnowthatI’mgoingbackonmeprinciples？\"
\"Yourpoliticalsentimentsdoyougreatcredit，\"beganMr。Wood。
\"Butfwhot’stheGovernmenttodowidtheappale？\"
\"TheGovernment，\"saidMr。Woodsignificantly，\"willberepresentedbytheDistrictAttorney。\"
\"Andwho’sthespalpeen？\"
\"Itisrumored，\"saidMr。Wood，slowly，\"thatanewoneistobeappointed。I，myself，havehadsomeambitionthatway。\"
Hisclientbentapairofcunningbutnotover-wisegreyeyesonhisAmericanlawyer。Butheonlysaid，\"Yehave，eh？\"
\"Yes，\"saidWood，answeringthelookboldly;\"andifIhadthesupportofanumberofyourprominentcountrymen，whoaresopowerfulwithALLparties，——menlikeYOU，mydearsir，——why，I
thinkyoumightintimebecomeaconservative，atleastmoreresignedtotheGovernment。\"
Thenthelesserandthegreaterscamplookedateachother，andforamomentortwofeltawarm，sympathetic，friendlyemotionforeachother，andquietlyshookhands。
Dependuponitthereisagreatdealmorekindlyhumansympathybetweentwoopenly-confessedscampsthanthereisinthatcalm，respectablerecognitionthatyouandI，dearreader，exhibitwhenwehappentoopposeeachotherwithourrespectivevirtues。
\"Andye’llgettheappale？\"
\"Iwill。\"
AndheDID！AndbyasingularcoincidencegottheDistrictAttorneyshipalso。Andwithadeedforonehalfofthe\"Red-RockRancho\"inhispocket，sentabrotherlawyerincourttoappearforhisclient，theUnitedStates，asagainstHIMSELF，Roscommon，Garcia，etal。Wildhorsescouldnothavetornhimfromthisnobleresolution。Thereisanindescribabledelicacyinthelegalprofessionwhichweliteraryfolkoughttoimitate。
TheUnitedStateslost！Whichmeantruinanddestructiontothe\"BlueMassCompany，\"whohadboughtfromapaternalandbeneficentGovernmentlandswhichdidn’tbelongtoit。TheMexicangrant，ofcourse，antedatedtheoccupationoftheminebyConcho，Wiles，Pedro，etal。，aswellasbythe\"BlueMassCompany，\"andthesolitarypartners，BiggsandThatcher。Morethanthat，itswalloweduptheirimprovements。ItmadeBiggsandThatcherresponsibletoGarciaforallthemoneytheGrandMasterofAvaricehadmadeoutofit。Mr。DistrictAttorneywasapparentlydistressed，butresigned。
Messrs。BiggsandThatcherwerereallydistressedandcombative。
Andthen，toadvanceafewyearsinthischronicle，beganreallitigationwithearnestness，vigor，courage，zeal，andbeliefonthepartofBiggsandThatcher，andtechnicalities，delay，equivocation，andageneralFabian-likepolicyonthepartofGarcia，Roscommon，etal。OfallthesetediousprocessesInotebutone，whichfororiginalityandaudacityofconceptionappearstometoindicatemoreclearlythetemperandcivilizationoftheepoch。AsubordinateofficeroftheDistrictCourtrefusedtoobeythemandateorderingatranscriptoftherecordtobesentuptotheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt。ItistoberegrettedthatthenameofthisEphesianyouth，whothusfiredthedomeofourconstitutionalliberties，shouldhavebeenotherwisesounimportantastobeconfinedtothedustyrecordsofthatdoubtfulcourtofwhichhewasadoubtfulservitor，andthathisclaimtoimmortalityceasedwithhisdouble-feedservice。Buttherestillstandsonrecordaletterbythisyounggentleman，arraigningthelegalwisdomoftheland，whichisnotentirelydevoidofamusementoreveninstructiontoyoungmendesirousofobtainingpublicityandcapital。Howbeit，theSupremeCourtwasobligedtoprotectitselfbyprocuringthelegislationofhisfunctionsoutofhislocalfingersintothelargerpalmofitsownattorney。
Thesevariousprocessesoflawandequity，which，whenexercisedpracticallyintheaffairsofordinarybusiness，mighthaveoccupiedafewmonths’time，dragged，clung，retrograded，oradvancedslowlyduringaperiodofeightornineyears。ButthestrongarmsofBiggsandThatcherheldPOSSESSION，andpossibly，bythesametacticsemployedontheotherside，arrestedordelayedejectment，andsomadeandsoldquicksilver，whiletheiropponentswerespendinggold，untilBiggs，sorelyhitintheinterlacingsofhisarmor，fellinthelists，hischeekgrowingwaxenandhisstrongarmfeeble，andfindinghimselfinthissorecondition，andpassing，asitwere，madeoverhisshareintrusttohiscomrade，anddied。Whereat，fromthattimehenceforward，RoyalThatcherreignedinhisstead。
Andso，havinganticipatedthelegalrecord，wewillgobacktothevarioushumanintereststhathelpedtomakeitup。
TobeginwithRoscommon：Todojusticetohislaterconductandexpressions，itmustberememberedthatwhenheacceptedtheclaimforthe\"Red-RockRancho，\"yetunquestioned，fromthehandsofGarcia，hewascareless，oratleastunsuspiciousoffraud。Itwasnotuntilhehadexperiencedtheintoxicationoflitigationthathefelt，somehow，thathewasawrongedanddefraudedman，butwiththeobstinacyofdefraudedmen，preferredtoarraignsomeonefactorindividualastheimpellingcauseofhiswrong，ratherthanthevariouscircumstancesthatledtoit。Tohissimpleminditwasmadepatentthatthe\"BlueMassCompany\"weremakingmoneyoutofaminewhichheclaimed，andwhichwasnotyetadjudgedtothem。
Everydollartheytookoutwasafreshcountinthisgeneralindictment。Everydelaytowardsthisadjustmentofrights——
althoughmadebyhisownlawyer——wasapersonalwrong。Themerefactthatthereneverwasnorhadbeenanyquidproquoforthisimmenseproperty——thatithadfallentohimforameresong——onlyaddedzesttohisstruggle。Thepossibilityofhislosingthismerespeculationaffectedhimmorestronglythanifhehadalreadypaiddownthemillionheexpectedtogetfromthemine。Idon’tknowthatIhaveindicatedasplainlyasImightthatuniversalpreferenceonthepartofmankindtogetsomethingfromnothing，andtoacquirethelargestreturnfortheleastpossibleexpenditure，butIquestionmyrighttosaythatRoscommonwasmuchmorereprehensiblethanhisfellows。
ButittolduponhimasitdiduponalloverwhomthespiritofthemurderedConchobrooded，——uponallwhomavaricealternatelyflatteredandtortured。Fromhisquietgainsinhislegitimatebusiness，fromthelittlecapitalaccumulatedthroughindustryandeconomy，helavishedthousandsonthischimeraofhisfancy。Hegrewgrizzledandwornoverhisself-imposeddelusion;henolongerjestedwithhiscustomers，regardlessofqualityorstationorimportance;hehadcliquestomollify，enemiestoplacate，friendstoreward。Thegrocerysuffered;throughgivingfoodandlodgmenttocloudsofunimpeachablewitnessesbeforetheLandCommissionandtheDistrictCourt，\"Mrs。Ros。\"foundherselflosingmoney。Eventhebarfailed;therewasapartyof\"BlueMass\"employeeswhodrankattheoppositefonda，andcursedtheRoscommonclaimovertheliquor。Thecalm，mechanicalindifferencewithwhichRoscommonhadservedhiscustomerswasgone。Thetowelwasnolongerusedafteritsperfunctoryfashion;thecounterremainedunwiped;thedisksofcountlessglassesmarkeditssurface，andindicatedotherpreoccupationonthepartoftheproprietor。Thekeengreyeyesoftheclaimantofthe\"Red-RockRancho\"werealwaysonthelookoutforfriendorenemy。
Garciacomesnext。Thatgentleman’sinborntalentforhistoricmisrepresentationculminatedunpleasantlythroughadefectivememory;ayearortwoafterhehadsworninhisapplicationforthe\"Rancho，\"beingengagedinanothercase，sometriflinginconsistencywasdiscoveredinhisstatements，whichhadtheeffectofthrowingtheweightofevidencetothepartywhohadpaidhimmost，butwasinstantlydetectedbytheweakerparty。Garcia’spreeminenceasawitness，anexpertandgeneralhistorianbegantodecline。Hewasobligedtobecorroborated，andthisrequiredaliberaloutlayofhisfee。Withthelossofhiscredibilityasawitnessbadhabitssupervened。Hewasfrequentlydrunk，helosthisposition，helosthishouse，andCarmen，removedtoSanFrancisco，supportedhimwithherbrush。
Andthisbringsusoncemoretothatprettypainterandinnocentforgerwhoseunconsciousactboresuchbalefulfruitonthebarrenhill-sidesofthe\"Red-RockRancho，\"andalsotoalaterblossomofherlife，thatopened，however，inkindliersunshine。
CHAPTERIX
WHATTHEFAIRHADTODOABOUTIT
ThehousethatRoyalThatchersoinformallyquittedinhisexodustothepromisedlandofBiggswasoneofthoseoversized，under-
calculateddwellingsconceivedanderectedintheextravaganceoftheSanFranciscobuilder’shopes，andoccupiedfinallyinhisdespair。IntendedoriginallyasthepalaceofsomeinchoateCaliforniaAladdin，itusuallyendedasalodginghouseinwhichsomehelplesswidoworhopelessspinstermanagedtocombinerespectabilitywiththehardtaskofbreadgetting。
Thatcher’slandladywasoneoftheformerclass。Shehadunfortunatelysurvivednotonlyherhusbandbuthisproperty，and，livinginsomedesertedchamber，had，afterthefashionoftheItaliannobility，letouttherestoftheruin。Atendencytodwelluponthesefactsgaveherconversationapeculiarsignificanceonthefirstofeachmonth。Thatcherhadnoticedthiswiththesensitivenessofanimpoverishedgentleman。Butwhen，afewdaysafterherlodger’ssuddendisappearance，anotecamefromhimcontainingadraftinnobleexcessofallarrearsandcharges，thewidow’sheartwaslifted，andtherocksmittenwiththegoldenwandgushedbeneficencethatshoneinanewgownforthewidowandanewsuitfor\"Johnny，\"herson，anewoilclothinthehall，betterservicetothelodgers，and，letusbethankful，akindlierconsiderationforthepoorlittleblack-eyedpainterfromMonterey，thendreadfullybehindinherroomrent。For，totellthetruth，thecallsuponMissDeHaro’sscantpursebyherunclehadlatelybeenfrequent，perjuryhavingdeclinedintheMontereymarket，throughexcessiveandinjudicioussupply，untilthelineofdemarcationbetweenitandabsoluteveritywassofinelydrawnthatVictorGarciahadremarkedthat\"hemightaswelltellthetruthatonceandsavehissoul，sincethedevilwasinthemarket。\"
MistressPlodgitt，thelandlady，couldnotresistthedesiretoacquaintCarmenDeHarowithhergoodfortune。\"Hewasalwaysafriendofyours，mydear，——andIknowhimtobeagentlemanthatwouldneverletapoorwidowsuffer;andseewhathesaysaboutyou！\"HeresheproducedThatcher’snoteandread：\"TellmylittleneighborthatIshallcomebacksoontocarryherandhersketchingtoolsoffbyforce，andIshallnotletherreturnuntilshehascaughttheblackmountainsandtheredrockssheusedtotalkabout，andputthe’BlueMass’millintheforegroundofthepictureIshallorder。\"
Whatisthis，littleone？Surely，Carmen，thouneedstnotblushatthis，thyfirstgrandoffer。HolyVirgin！isitofanecessitythatthoushouldststickthewrongendofthybrushinthymouth，andthendropitinthylap？OrwasittaughttheebythegoodSistersattheconventtostrideinthatboyishfashiontothesideofthyeldersandsnatchfromtheirhandsthemissivethouwouldstread？Moreofthiswewouldknow，OCarmen，——smallestofbrunettes，——speak，littleone，eveninthineownmelodiousspeech，thatImaycommendtheeandthyrarediscretiontomyownfaircountrywomen。
Alas，neitherthepresentchroniclernorMistressPlodgittgotanyfurtherinformationfromtheprudentCarmen，andmustfainspeculateuponcertainfactsthatwerealreadyknown。
MistressCarmen’slittleroomwasoppositetoThatcher’s，andonceortwice，thedoorsbeingopen，Thatcherhadaglimpseacrossthepassageofablack-hairedandasturdy，boyishlittlefigureinagreatblueapron，perchedonastoolbeforeaneasel，andontheotherhand，Carmenhadoftenbeenconsciousofthefumesofatobaccopipepenetratinghercloisteredseclusion，andhadseenacrossthepassage，vaguelyenvelopedinthesamenicotinecloud，anAmericanOlympian，inarockingchair，withhisfeetonthemantelshelf。Theyhadonceortwicemetonthestaircase，onwhichoccasionThatcherhadgreetedherwithawordortwoofrespectfulyethalf-humorouscourtesy，——acourtesywhichneverreallyoffendsatruewoman，althoughitoftenpiquesherself-
aplombbytheslightassumptionofsuperiorityinthehumorist。
AwomanisquicktorecognizethefactthatthegreatandmoredangerouspassionsarealwaysSERIOUS，andmaybeexcusedifinself-respectsheisofteninducedtotryiftherebenotsomewhereundertheskinofthislaughingMercutiothefleshandbloodofaRomeo。Thatcherwasbynatureadefenderandprotector;weakness，andweaknessalone，stirredthedepthsofhistenderness，——often，I
fear，onlythroughitshalf-humorousaspects，——andonthisplanehewaspleasedtoplacewomenandchildren。Imentionthisfactforthebenefitofthemoreyouthfulmembersofmyspecies，andamsatisfiedthatanunconditionalsurrenderandthecompletelayingdownatthefeetofBeautyofallstrongmasculinityisacheapGallicismthatisuntranslatabletomostwomenworthythewinning。
ForawomanMUSTalwayslookuptothemanshetrulyloves，——evenifshehastogodownonherkneestodoit。
OnlythemasculinereaderwillinferfromthisthatCarmenwasinlovewithThatcher;themorecriticalandanalyticalfeminineeyewillseenothinghereinthatmightnothavehappenedconsistentlywithfriendship。ForThatcherwasnosentimentalist;hehadhardlypaidacomplimenttothegirl，——evenintheunspokenbutmostdelicateformofattention。Thereweredayswhenhisroomdoorwasclosed;thereweredayssucceedingtheseblankswhenhemetherasfranklyandnaturallyasifhehadseenheryesterday。Indeed，onthosedaysfollowinghisflightthesimple-mindedCarmen，beingaware——heavenknowshow——thathehadnotopenedhisdoorduringthatperiod，andfearingsickness，suddendeath，orperhapssuicide，byherappealstothelandlady，assistedunwittinglyindiscoveringhisflightanddefection。AsshewasforafewmomentsasindignantasMrs。Plodgitt，itisevidentthatshehadbutlittlesympathywiththedelinquent。Andbesides，hithertoshehadknownonlyConcho，herearliestfriend，andwastruetohismemory，asagainstallAmericanos，whomshefirmlybelievedtobehismurderers。
Soshedismissedtheofferandthemanfromhermind，andwentbacktoherpainting，——afancyportraitofthegoodPadreJuniperoSerra，agreatmissionary，who，haplyfortheintegrityofhisbonesandcharacter，diedsomehundredyearsbeforetheAmericanstookpossessionofCalifornia。Thepicturewasfairbutunsaleable，andshebegantothinkseriouslyofsignpainting，whichwasthenmuchmorepopularandmarketable。AnunfinishedheadofSanJuandeBautista，artificiallyframedinclouds，shedisposedoftoaprominentdruggistfor$50，whereitdidgoodserviceasexhibitingtheeffectoffourbottlesof\"Jones’sFreckleEradicator，\"andinapleasantandunobtrusivewayrevivedthememoryofthesaint。Still，shefeltwearyandwasgrowingdespondent，andhadalongingforthegoodSistersandtheblamelesslethargyofconventuallife，andthen——
Hecame！
ButnotasthePrinceshouldcome，onawhitecharger，tocarryawaythiscruelly-abusedandenchanteddamsel。Hewassunburned，hewasbeardedlike\"thepard\";hewasalittlecarelessastohisdress，andpre-occupiedinhisways。Buthismouthandeyeswerethesame;andwhenherepeatedinhisoldfrank，half-mischievouswaytheinvitationofhisletter，poorlittleCarmencouldonlyhesitateandblush。
Athoughtstruckhimandsentthecolortohisface。Yourgentlemanbornisalwaysasmodestasawoman。Herandownstairs，andseizingthewidowedPlodgitt，saidhastily：
\"You’rejustkillingyourselfhere。Takeachange。ComedowntoMontereyforadayortwowithme，andbringmissDeHarowithyouforcompany。\"
Theoldladyrecognizedthesituation。Thatcherwasnowamanofvastpossibilities。InallmaternaldaughtersofEvethereistheslightestbitofthechaperoneandmatch-maker。Itisthelastwayofrevivingthepast。
Sheconsented，andCarmenDeHarocouldnotwellrefuse。
Theladiesfoundthe\"BlueMass\"millsverymuchasThatcherhadpreviouslydeliveredittothem，\"atrifleroughandmannish。\"Buthemadeovertothemtheonetenementreservedforhimself，andsleptwithhismen，ormorelikelyunderthetrees。AtfirstMrs。
Plodgittmissedgasandrunningwater，andtheseseveralconveniencesofcivilization，amongwhichIfearmaybementionedsheetsandpillowcases;butthebalsamofthemountainairsoothedherneuralgiaandhertemper。AsforCarmen，sheriotedintheunlimitedlicenseofherabsolutefreedomfromconventionalrestraintandtheindulgenceofherchild-likeimpulses。Shescouredtheledgesfarandwidealone;shedippedintodarkcopses，andscrambledoversterilepatchesofchemisal，andcamebackladenwiththespoilofbuckeyeblossoms，manzanitaberriesandlaurel。
Butshewouldnotmakeasketchofthe\"BlueMassCompany’s\"millsonaMercator’sprojection——somethingthatcouldbeafterwardslithographedorchromoed，withthemillsturningouttonsofquicksilverthroughtheenergiesofahappyandpicturesqueassemblageofminers——eventopleaseherpadrone，DonRoyalThatcher。Onthecontrary，shemadeastudyoftheruinsofthecrumbledanddecayedred-rockfurnace，withtheblackmountainaboveit，andthelightofadyingcampfireshininguponit，andthedull-redexcavationsintheledge。Buteventhisdidnotsatisfyheruntilshehadmadesomealterations;andwhenshefinallybroughtherfinishedstudytoDonRoyal，shelookedathimalittledefiantly。Thatcheradmiredhonestly，andthencriticisedalittlehumorouslyanddishonestly。\"Butcouldn’tyou，foraconsideration，putupasign-boardonthatrockwiththeinscription，’RoadtotheBlueMassCompany’snewmillstotheright，’andcombinebusinesswithart？That’sthefaultofyougeniuses。Butwhat’sthisblanketedfiguredoinghere，lyingbeforethefurnace？Youneversawoneofmyminersthere，——andaMexican，too，byhisserape。\"\"That，\"quothMistressCarmen，coolly，\"wasputintofilluptheforeground，——Iwantedsomethingtheretobalancethepicture。\"\"But，\"continuedThatcher，droppingintounconsciousadmirationagain，\"it’sdrawntothelife。Tellme，MissDeHaro，beforeIasktheaidandcounselofMrs。
Plodgitt，whoismyhatedrival，andyourlayfigureandmodel？\"
\"Oh，\"saidCarmen，withalittlesigh，\"It’sonlypoorCoucho。\"
\"AndwhereisConcho？\"（alittleimpatiently。）\"He’sdead，DonRoyal。\"\"Dead？\"\"Ofaverity，——verydead，——murderedbyyourcountrymen。\"\"Isee，——andyouknowhim？\"\"Hewasmyfriend。\"
\"Oh！\"
\"Truly。\"
\"But\"（wickedly），\"isn’tthisaratherghastlyadvertisement——
outsideofanillustratednewspaper——ofmyproperty？\"
\"Ghastly，DonRoyal。Lookyou，hesleeps。\"
\"Ay\"（inSpanish），\"asthedead。\"
Carmen（crossingherselfhastily），\"Afterthefashionofthedead。\"
Theywerebothfeelinguncomfortable。Carmenwasshivering。But，beingawoman，andtactful，sherecoveredherheadfirst。\"Itisastudyformyself，DonRoyal;Ishallmakeyouanother。\"
Andsheslippedaway，asshethought，outofthesubjectandhispresence。
Butshewasmistaken;intheeveningherenewedtheconversation。
Carmenbegantofence，notfromcowardiceordeceit，asthemasculinereaderwouldreadilyinfer，butfromsomewonderfulfeminineinstinctthattoldhertobecautious。Buthegotfromherthefact，tohimbeforeunknown，thatshewasthenieceofhismainantagonist，and，beingagentleman，soredoubledhisattentionsandhiscourtesythatMrs。Plodgittmadeuphermindthatitwasaforegoneconclusion，andseriouslyreflectedastowhatsheshouldwearonthemomentousoccasion。ButthatnightpoorCarmencriedherselftosleep，resolvingthatshewouldhereaftercastasideherwickeduncleforthisgood-heartedAmericano，yetneveronceconnectedherinnocentpenmanshipwiththedeadlyfeudbetweenthem。Women——thebestofthem——arestrongastocollateralfacts，swiftofdeduction，butvagueaschildrenaretotheexactstatementorrecognitionofpremises。ItishardlynecessarytosaythatCarmenhadneverthoughtofconnectinganyactofherswiththeclaimsofheruncle，andthecircumstanceofthesignatureshehadtotallyforgotten。
ThemasculinereaderwillnowunderstandCarmen’sconfusionandblushes，andbelievehimselfanasstohavethoughtthemaconfessionoforiginalaffection。Thefemininereaderwill，bythistime，becomesatisfiedthatthedeceitfulminx’ssoleideawastogaintheaffectionsofThatcher。AndreallyIdon’tknowwhoisright。
NeverthelessshepaintedasketchofThatcher，——whichnowadornstheCompany’sofficeinSanFrancisco，——inwhichthepropertyislaidoutinpleasinggeometricallines，andtherosypromiseofthefutureinstinctineverytouchofthebrush。Then，havingearnedher\"wage，\"asshebelieved，shebecamesomewhatcoldandshytoThatcher。Whereatthatgentlemanredoubledhisattentions，seeingonlyinherpresenceacertainmeprise，whichconcernedhermorethanhimself。Thenieceofhisenemymeantnothingmoretohimthananinterestinggirl，——tobeprotectedalways，——tobefeared，never。Butevensuspicionmaybeinsidiouslyplacedinnobleminds。
MistressPlodgitt，thusearlyestoppedofmatchmaking，ofcourseputtheblameonherownsex，andwentovertothestrongerside——
theman’s。
\"It’sagreatpitygalsshouldbesocurious，\"shesaid，sottovoce，toThatcher，whenCarmenwasinoneofhersullenmoods。
\"YetIs’poseit’sinherblood。ThemSpaniardsisalwaysrevengeful，——liketheEyetalians。\"
Thatcherhonestlylookedhissurprise。
\"Why，don’tyousee，she’sthinkinghowalltheselandsmighthavebeenheruncle’sbutforyou。Andinsteadoftryingtobesweetand——\"hereshestoppedtocough。
\"GoodGod！\"saidThatcheringreatconcern，\"Ineverthoughtofthat。\"Hestoppedforamoment，andthenaddedwithdecision，\"I
can’tbelieveit;itisn’tlikeher。\"
Mrs。P。waspiqued。Shewalkedaway，delivering，however，thisParthianarrow：\"Well，Ihope’TAINTNOTHINGWORSE。\"
Thatcherchuckled，thenfeltuneasy。WhenhenextmetCarmen，shefoundhisgreyeyesfixedonherswithacurious，half-
inquisitoriallookshehadnevernoticedbefore。Thisonlyaddedfueltothefire。Forgettingtheirrelationsofhostandguest，shewasabsolutelyrude。Thatcherwasquietbutwatchful;gotthePlodgitttobedearly，and，undercoverofshowingamoonlightviewofthe\"LostChanceMill，\"decoyedCarmenoutofear-shot，asfarasthedismantledfurnace。
\"Whatisthematter，MissDeHaro;haveIoffendedyou？\"
MissCarmenwasnotawarethatanythingwasthematter。IfDonRoyalpreferredoldfriends，whoseloyaltyofcourseheknew，andwhowereabovespeakingillagainstagentlemaninhisadversity——
（oh，Carmen！fie！）ifhepreferredTHEIRcompanytoLATERFRIENDS——
why——（themasculinereaderwillobservethistremendousclimaxandtremble）——whyshedidn’tknowwhyHEshouldblameHER。
Theyturnedandfacedeachother。Theconditionsforaperfectmisunderstandingcouldnothavebeenbetterarrangedbetweentwopeople。Thatcherwasamasculinereasoner，Carmenafemininefeeler，——ifImaybepardonedtheexpression。Thatcherwantedtogetatcertainfacts，andarguetherefrom。Carmenwantedtogetatcertainfeelings，andthenfitthefactstoTHEM。
\"ButIamNOTblamingyou，MissCarmen，\"hesaidgravely。\"ItWAS
stupidinmetoconfrontyouherewiththepropertyclaimedbyyouruncleandoccupiedbyme，butitwasamistake，——no！\"headdedhastily，\"itwasnotamistake。Youknewit，andIdidn’t。Youoverlookeditbeforeyoucame，andIwastoogladtooverlookitafteryouwerehere。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidCarmenpettishly，\"Iamtheonlyonetobeblamed。It’slikeyouMEN！\"（Mem。Shewasjustfifteen，andutteredthisawful’resume’ofexperiencejustasifithadn’tbeentaughttoherinhercradle。）
Femininegeneralitiesalwaysstaggeraman。Thatchersaidnothing。
Carmenbecamemoreenraged。
\"WhydidyouwanttotakeUncleVictor’sproperty，then？\"sheaskedtriumphantly。
\"Idon’tknowthatitisyouruncle’sproperty。\"
\"You——don’t——know？HaveyouseentheapplicationwithGovernorMicheltorena’sindorsement？Haveyouheardthewitnesses？\"shesaidpassionately。
\"Signaturesmaybeforgedandwitnesseslie，\"saidThatcherquietly。
\"Whatisityoucall’forged’？\"
ThatcherinstantlyrecalledthefactthattheSpanishlanguageheldnosynonymfor\"forgery。\"TheactwasapparentlyaninventionofelDiabloAmericano。Sohesaid，withaslightsmileinhiskindlyeyes：
\"Anybodywickedenoughanddexterousenoughcanimitateanother’shandwriting。Whenthisisusedtobenefitfraud，wecallit’forgery。’Ibegyourpardon，——MissDeHaro，MissCarmen，——whatisthematter？\"
Shehadsuddenlylapsedagainstatree，quitehelpless，nerveless，andwithstaringeyesfixedonhis。Asyetanembryowoman，inexperiencedandignorant，thesex’sinstinctwaspotential;shehadinoneplungefathomedallthathisreasonhadbeenyearsgropingfor。
Thatchersawonlythatshewaspained，thatshewashelpless：thatwasenough。\"Itispossiblethatyourunclemayhavebeendeceived，\"hebegan;\"manyhonestmenhavebeenfooledbycleverbutdeceitfultricksters，menandwomen——\"
\"Stop！MadredeDios！WILLYOUSTOP？\"
Thatcherforaninstantrecoiledfromtheflashingeyesandwhitefaceofthelittlefigurethathad，withmenacingandclenchedbabyfingers，strodetohisside。Hestopped。\"Whereisthisapplication，——thisforgery？\"sheasked。\"Showittome！\"
Thatcherfeltrelieved，andsmiledthesuperiorsmileofoursexoverfeminineignorance。\"Youcouldhardlyexpectmetobetrustedwithyouruncle’svouchers。Hispapersofcourseareinthehandsofhiscounsel。\"
\"AndwhencanIleavethisplace？\"sheaskedpassionately。
\"Ifyouconsultmywishesyouwillstay，ifonlylongenoughtoforgiveme。ButifIhaveoffendedyouunknowingly，andyouareimplacable——\"
\"Icangoto-morrowatsunriseifIlike？\"
\"Asyouwill，\"returnedThatchergravely。
\"Gracias，Senor。\"
Theywalkedslowlybacktothehouse，Thatcherwithamasculinesenseofbeingunreasonablyafflicted，Carmenwithawoman’sinstinctofbeinghopelesslycrushed。Nowordwasspokenuntiltheyreachedthedoor。ThenCarmensuddenly，inherold，impulsiveway，andinachildliketreble，sangoutmerrily，\"Goodnight，O
DonRoyal，andpleasantdreams。Hastamanana。\"
Thatcherstooddumbandastoundedatthiscapriciousgirl。Shesawhismystificationinstantly。\"ItisfortheoldCat！\"shewhispered，jerkingherthumboverhershoulderinthedirectionofthesleepingMrs。P。\"Goodnight，——go！\"
Hewenttogiveordersforapeontoattendtheladiesandtheirequipagethenextday。HeawoketofindMissDeHarogone，withherescort，towardsMonterey。AndwithoutthePlodgitt。
Hecouldnotconcealhissurprisefromthelatterlady。She，leftalone，——anotaltogetherunavailablevictimtothewilesofoursex，——wasembarrassed。ButnotsomuchthatshecouldnotsaytoThatcher：\"Itoldyouso，——gonetoheruncle……TotellhimALL！\"
\"All。D——nit，WHATcanshetellhim？\"roaredThatcher，stungoutofhisself-control。
\"Nothing，Ihope，thatsheshouldnot，\"saidMrs。P。，andchastelyretired。
Shewasright。MissCarmenpostedtoMonterey，runningherhorsenearlyoffitslegstodoit，andthensentbackherbeastandescort，sayingshewouldrejoinMrs。PlodgittbysteameratSanFrancisco。ThenshewentboldlytothelawofficeofSaponaceousWood，DistrictAttorneyandwhilomsolicitorofheruncle。
WiththemajorityofmasculineMontereyMissCarmenwasknownandrespectfullyadmired，despitetheinfelixreputationofherkinsman。Mr。Woodwasgladtoseeher，andawkwardlygallant。
MissCarmenwascoolandbusiness-like;shehadcomefromheruncleto\"regard\"thepapersinthe\"Red-RockRancho\"case。Theywereinstantlyproduced。Carmenturnedtotheapplicationforthegrant。Hercheekpaledslightly。Withherclearmemoryandwonderfulfidelityofperceptionshecouldnotbemistaken。THE
SIGNATUREOFMICHELTORENAWASINHEROWNHANDWRITING！\"
Yetshelookeduptothelawyerwithasmile：\"MayItakethesepapersforanhourtomyuncle？\"
EvenanolderandbettermanthantheDistrictAttorneycouldnothaveresistedthosedroopinglidsandthatgentlevoice。
\"Certainly。\"
\"Iwillreturntheminanhour。\"
Shewasasgoodasherword，andwithinthehourdroppedthepapersandalittlecourtesytoheruncle’slegaladvocate，andthatnighttookthesteamertoSanFrancisco。
ThenextmorningVictorGarcia，alittletheworseforthepreviousnight’sdissipation，reeledintoWood’soffice。\"IhavefearsformynieceCarmen。Sheiswiththeenemy，\"hesaidthickly。\"Lookyouatthis。\"
Itwasananonymousletter（inMrs。Plodgitt’sownawkwardfist）
advisinghimofthefactthathisniecewasboughtbytheenemy，andcautioninghimagainsther。
\"Impossible，\"saidthelawyer;\"itwasonlylastweekshesentthee$50。\"
Victorblushed，eventhroughhisensanguinedcheeks，andmadeanimpatientgesturewithhishand。
\"Besides，\"addedthelawyercoolly，\"shehasbeenheretoexaminethepapersatthyrequest，andreturnedthemofyesterday。\"
Victorgasped：\"And-you-you-gavethemtoher？\"
\"Ofcourse！\"
\"All？Eventheapplicationandthesignature？\"
\"Certainly，——yousenther。\"
\"Senther？Thedevil’sowndaughter？\"shriekedGarcia。\"No！A
hundredmilliontimes，no！Quick，beforeitistoolate。Givetomethepapers。\"
Mr。Woodreproducedthefile。Garciaranoveritwithtremblingfingersuntilatlastheclutchedthefatefuldocument。Notcontentwithopeningitandglancingatitstextandsignature，hetookittothewindow。
\"Itisthesame，\"hemutteredwithasighofrelief。
\"Ofcourseitis，\"saidMr。Woodsharply。\"Thepapersareallthere。You’reafool，VictorGarcia！\"
Andsohewas。And，forthematterofthat，sowasMr。SaponaceousWood，ofcounsel。
MeanwhileMissDeHaroreturnedtoSanFranciscoandresumedherwork。Adayortwolatershewasjoinedbyherlandlady。Mrs。P。
hadtoolargeanaturetopermitananonymousletter，writtenbyherownhand，tostandbetweenherandherdemeanortoherlittlelodger。SoshecoddledherandflatteredheranddepictedinslightlyexaggeratedcolorsthegriefofDonRoyalathersuddendeparture。AllofwhichMissCarmenreceivedinademure，kitten-
likeway，butstillkeptquietlyatherwork。InduetimeDonRoyal’sorderwascompleted;stillshehadleisureandinclinationenoughtoaddcertaintouchestoherghastlysketchofthecrumblingfurnace。
Nevertheless，asDonRoyaldidnotreturn，throughexcessofbusiness，Mrs。Plodgittturnedanhonestpennybylettinghisroom，temporarily，totwoquietMexicans，who，butforabeastlyhabitofcigarritosmokingwhichtaintedthewholehouse，werefairenoughlodgers。Iftheyfailedinmakingtheacquaintanceoftheirfaircountrywoman，MissDeHaro，itwasthroughthelady’spre-
occupationinherownwork，andnotthroughtheirostentatiousendeavors。