CHAPTERXIII
HOWITBECAMEFAMOUS
YubaBillwasrightinbelievingthatWileswouldlosenotimeatRawlings。HeleftthereonafleethorsebeforeBillhadreturnedwiththebroken-downcoachtothelaststation，anddistancedthetelegramsenttodetainhimtwohours。Leavingthestageroadanditsdangeroustelegraphicstations，hepushedsouthwardtoDenveroverthearmytrail，incompanywithahalf-breedpacker，crossingtheMissouribeforeThatcherhadreachedJulesburg。WhenThatcherwasatOmaha，WileswasalreadyinSt。Louis;andasthePullmancarcontainingtheheroofthe\"BlueMass\"minerolledintoChicago，Wileswasalreadywalkingthestreetsofthenationalcapital。Nevertheless，hehadtimeenroutetosinkinthewatersoftheNorthPlatte，withmanyexpressionsofdisgust，thelittleblackportmanteaubelongingtoThatcher，containinghisdressingcase，afewunimportantletters，andanextrashirt，towonderwhysimplemendidnottravelwiththeirimportantdocumentsandvaluables，andtosetonfootsomeprudentandcautiousinquiriesregardinghisownlostcarpetbaganditsimportantcontents。
Butforthesetrifleshehadeveryreasontobesatisfiedwiththeprogressofhisplans。\"It’sallright，\"saidMrs。Hopkinsonmerrily;\"whileyouandGashwilerhavebeenworkingwithyour’stock，’andtreatingthewholeworldasifitcouldbebribed，I’vedonemorewiththatearnest，self-believing，self-deceiving，andperfectlypatheticRoscommonthanallyoufellowsputtogether。
Why，I’vetoldhispitifulstory，anddrawntearsfromtheeyesofSenatorsandCabinetMinisters。Morethanthat，I’veintroducedhimintosociety，puthiminadresscoat，——suchafigure！——andyouknowhowthebestfolkworshipeverythingthatisoutreasthesincerething。I’vemadehimacompletesuccess。Why，onlytheothernight，whenSenatorMisnancyandJudgeFitzdawdlewerehere，aftermakinghimtellhisstory，——whichyouknowIthinkhereallybelieves，——Isang’TherecametothebeachapoorExileofErin，’
andmyhusbandtoldmeafterwardsitwasworthatleastadozenvotes。\"
\"Butaboutthisrivalofyours，——thisnieceofGarcia’s？\"
\"Anotherofyourblunders;youmenknownothingofwomen。Firstly，she’saswarthylittlebrunette，withdotsforeyes;andstrideslikeaman，dresseslikeadowdy，don’twearstays，andhasnostyle。Then，she’sasinglewoman，andalone;and，althoughsheaffectstobeanartist，andhasBohemianways，don’tyouseeshecan’tgointosocietywithoutachaperonorsomebodytogowithher？Nonsense。\"
\"But，\"persistedWiles，\"shemusthavesomepower;there’sJudgeMasonandSenatorPeabody，whoareconstantlytalkingabouther;
andDinwiddieofVirginiaescortedherthroughtheCapitoltheotherday。\"
MistressHopkinsonlaughed。\"MasonandPeabodyaspiretobethoughtliteraryandartistic，andDinwiddiewantedtopiqueME！\"
\"ButThatcherisnofool——\"
\"IsThatcheralady’sman？\"queriedtheladysuddenly。
\"Hardly，Ishouldsay，\"respondedWiles。\"Hepretendstobeabsorbedinhisswindleanddevotedtohismine;andIdon’tthinkthatevenyou——\"hestoppedwithaslightsneer。
\"There，youaremisunderstandingmeagain，and，whatisworse，youaremisunderstandingyourcase。Thatcherispleasedwithherbecausehehasprobablyseennooneelse。WaittillhecomestoWashingtonandhasanopportunityforcomparison;\"andshecastafrankglanceathermirror，whereWiles，withasardonicbow，leftherstanding。
Mr。GashwilerwasquiteasconfidentofhisownsuccesswithCongress。\"Wearewithinafewdaysoftheendofthesession。
WewillmanagetohaveittakenupandrushedthroughbeforethatfellowThatcherknowswhatheisabout。\"
\"Ifitcouldbedonebeforehegetshere，\"saidWiles，\"it’sareasonablysurething。Heisdelayedtwodays：hemighthavebeendelayedlonger。\"HereMr。Wilessighed。Iftheaccidenthadhappenedonamountainroad，andthestagehadbeenprecipitatedovertheabyss，whatvaluabletimewouldhavebeensaved，andsuccessbecomeasurety。ButMr。Wiles’sfunctionsasanadvocatedidnotincludemurder;atleast，hewasdoubtfulifitcouldbetaxedascosts。
\"Weneedhavenofears，sir，\"resumedMr。Gashwiler;\"Thematterisnowinthehandsofthehighesttribunalofappealinthecountry。
Itwillmeet，sir，withinflexiblejustice。Ihavealreadypreparedsomeremarks——\"
\"Bytheway，\"interruptedWilesinfelicitously，\"where’syouryoungman，——yourprivatesecretary，——Dobbs？\"
TheCongressmanforamomentlookedconfused。\"Heisnothere。
AndImustcorrectyourerrorinapplyingthattermtohim。Ihaveneverputmyconfidenceinthehandsofanyone。\"
\"Butyouintroducedhimtomeasyoursecretary？\"
\"Amerehonorarytitle，sir。Abrevetrank。Imight，itistrue，havethoughttoreposesuchatrustinhim。ButIwasdeceived，sir，asIfearIamtooapttobewhenIpermitmyfeelingsasamantoovercomemydutyasanAmericanlegislator。Mr。Dobbsenjoyedmypatronageandtheopportunityitgavemetointroducehimintopubliclifeonlytoabuseit。Hebecame，Ifear，deeplyindebted。Hisextravagancewasunlimited，hisambitionunbounded，butwithout，sir，acashbasis。Iadvancedmoneytohimfromtimetotimeuponthelittlepropertyyousogenerouslyextendedtohimforhisservices。Butitwasquicklydissipated。Yet，sir，suchistheingratitudeofmanthathisfamilylatelyappealedtomeforassistance。Ifeltitwasnecessarytobestern，andIrefused。I
wouldnotforthesakeofhisfamilysayanything，butIhavemissed，sir，booksfrommylibrary。Onthedayafterheleft，twovolumesofPatentOfficereportsandaBlueBookofCongress，purchasedthatdaybymeatastoreonPennsylvaniaavenue，wereMISSING，——missing！Ihaddifficulty，sir，greatdifficultyinkeepingitfromthepapers！\"
AsMr。WileshadheardthestoryalreadyfromGashwiler’sacquaintances，withmoreorlessfreecommentonthegiftedlegislator’seconomy，hecouldnothelpthinkingthatthedifficultyhadbeengreatindeed。ButheonlyfixedhismalevolenteyeonGashwilerandsaid：
\"Soheisgone，eh？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andyou’vemadeanenemyofhim？That’sbad。\"
Mr。Gashwilertriedtolookdignifiedlyunconcerned;butsomethinginhisvisitor’smannermadehimuneasy。
\"Isayitisbad，ifyouhave。Listen。BeforeIlefthere，I
foundataboardinghousewherehehadboarded，andstillowedabill，atrunkwhichthelandlordretained。Openingit，Ifoundsomelettersandpaperstoyours，withcertainmemorandaofhis，whichIthoughtoughttobeinYOURpossession。Asanallegedfriendofhis，Iredeemedthetrunkbypayingtheamountofhisbill，andsecuredthemorevaluablepapers。\"
Gashwiler，whosefacehadgrownapoplecticallysuffusedasWileswenton，atlastgasped：\"Butyougotthetrunk，andhavethepapers？\"
\"Unfortunately，no;andthat’swhyit’sbad。\"
\"But，goodGod！whathaveyoudonewiththem？\"
\"I’velostthemsomewhereontheOverlandRoad。\"
Mr。Gashwilersatforafewmomentsspeechless，vacillatingbetweenapurplerageandapallidfear。Thenhesaidhoarsely：
\"Theyareallblankforgeries，——everyoneofthem。\"
\"Oh，no！\"saidWiles，smilingblandlyonhisdexterside，andenjoyingthewholescenemalevolentlywithhissinistereye。\"YOUR
papersareallgenuine，andIwon’tsayarenotallright，butunfortunatelyIhadinthesamebagsomememorandaofmyownfortheuseofmyclient，that，youunderstand，mightbeputtosomebaduseiffoundbyacleverman。\"
Thetworascalslookedateachother。Thereisonthewholereallyverylittle\"honoramongthieves，\"——atleastgreatones，——andtheinferiorrascalsuccumbedatthereflectionofwhatHEmightdoifhewereintheotherrascal’splace。\"Seehere，Wiles，\"hesaid，relaxinghisdignitywiththeperspirationthatoozedfromeverypore，andmadethecollarofhisshirtamerelimprag。\"Seehere，WE\"——thisfirstuseofthepluralwasequivalenttoaconfession——
\"wemustgetthempapers。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidWilescoolly，\"ifweCAN，andifThatcherdoesn’tgetwindofthem。\"
\"Hecannot。\"
\"HewasonthecoachwhenIlostthem，comingEast。\"
Mr。Gashwilerpaledagain。Intheemergencyhehadrecoursetothesideboardandabottle，forgettingWiles。TenminutesbeforeWileswouldhaveremainedseated;butitisrecordedthatherose，tookthebottlefromthegiftedGashwiler’sfingers，helpedhimselfFIRST，andthensatdown。
\"Yes，but，myboy，\"saidGashwiler，nowrapidlychangingsituationswiththecoolerWiles;\"yes，but，oldfellow，\"headded，pokingWileswithafatforefinger，\"don’tyouseethewholethingwillbeupbeforehegetshere？\"
\"Yes，\"saidWilesgloomily，\"butthoselazy，easy，honestmenhaveawayofpoppingupjustatthenickoftime。Theyneverneedhurry;allthingswaitforthem。Why，don’tyourememberthatontheverydayMrs。HopkinsonandIandyougotthePresidenttosignthatpatent，thatverydayoneofthemd——nfellowsturnsupfromSanFranciscoorAustralia，havingtakenhisowntimetogethere，——
getshereabouthalfanhourafterthePresidenthadsignedthepatentandsentitovertotheoffice，findstherightmantointroducehimtothePresident，hasatalkwithhim，makeshimsignanordercountermandingitsissuance，andundoesallthathasbeendoneinsixyearsinonehour。\"
\"Yes，butCongressisatribunalthatdoesnotrevokeitsdecrees，\"
saidGashwilerwithareturnofhisoldmanner;\"atleast，\"headded，observinganincredulousshrugintheshoulderofhiscompanion，\"atleastDURINGTHESESSION。\"
\"Weshallsee，\"saidWiles，quietlytakinghishat。
\"Weshallsee，sir，\"saidthememberfromRemuswithdignity。
CHAPTERXIV
WHATCULTUREDIDFORIT
TherewasatthistimeintheSenateoftheUnitedStatesaneminentandrespectedgentleman，scholarly，orderly，honorable，andradical，——thefitrepresentativeofascholarly，orderly，honorable，andradicalCommonwealth。Formanyyearshehadheldhistrustwithconsciousrectitude，andaslightdepreciationofotherformsofmerit;andforasmanyyearshadbeenasregularlyreturnedtohisseatbyhisconstituencywithequallyconsciousrectitudeinthemselvesandanequalskepticismregardingothers。
Removedbyhisnaturebeyondthereachofcertaintemptations，andbycircumstancesbeyondeventheknowledgeofothers，hissocialandpoliticalintegritywasspotless。Anoratorandpracticaldebater，hisrefinedtasteskepthimfrompersonality，andthepublicrecognitionofthecompleteunselfishnessofhismotivesandthemagnitudeofhisdogmasprotectedhimfromscurrility。Hisprincipleshadneverbeenappealedtobyabribe;hehadrarelybeenapproachedbyanemotion。
Amanofpolishedtasteinartandliterature，andpossessingthemeanstogratifyit，hisluxurioushomewasfilledwithtreasureshehadhimselfcollected，andfurtherenhancedbythestampofhisappreciation。Hislibraryhadnotonlytheeleganceofadornmentthathiswealthcouldbringandhistasteapprove，butacertainrefinednegligenceofhabitualuse，andtheeasydisorderoftheartist’sworkshop。AllthiswasquicklynotedbyayounggirlwhostoodonitsthresholdatthecloseofadullJanuaryday。
ThecardthathadbeenbroughttotheSenatorborethenameof\"CarmendeHaro\";andmodestlyintherighthandcorner，inalmostmicroscopicscript，thefurtherdescriptionofherselfas\"Artist。\"
Perhapsthepicturesquenessofthename，anditshistoricsuggestioncaughtthescholar’staste，forwhentohisrequest，throughhisservant，thatshewouldbekindenoughtostateherbusiness，sherepliedasfranklythatherbusinesswaspersonaltohimself，hedirectedthatsheshouldbeadmitted。Thenentrenchinghimselfbehindhislibrarytable，overlookingabastionofbooks，andaglacisofpamphletsandpapers，andthrowingintohisforeheadandeyesanexpressionofutterdisqualificationforanythingbutthebusinessbeforehim，becalmlyawaitedtheintruder。
Shecame，andforaninstantstood，hesitatingly，framingherselfasapictureinthedoor。Mrs。Hopkinsonwasright，——shehad\"nostyle，\"unlessanoriginalandhalf-foreignquaintnesscouldbecalledso。TherewasadesperateattemptvisibletocombineanAmericanshawlwiththehabitsofamantilla，anditwasalwaysslippingfromoneshoulder，thatwassosuppleandvivaciousastobetraythedeficienciesofaneducationinstays。Therewasaclusterofblackcurlsaroundherlowforehead，fittinghersocloselyastoseemtobeapartoftheseal-skincapshewore。
Once，fromtheforceofhabit，sheattemptedtoputhershawloverherheadandtalkthroughthefoldsgatheredunderherchin，butanastonishedlookfromtheSenatorcheckedher。Nevertheless，hefeltrelieved，andrising，motionedhertoachairwithaheartinesshewouldhavescarcelyshowntoaParisiantoilleta。
Andwhen，withtwoorthreequick，longsteps，shereachedhisside，andshowed，afrank，innocent，butstronganddeterminedlittleface，feminineonlyinitsflashofeyeandbeautyoflipandchincurves，heputdownthepamphlethehadtakenupsomewhatostentatiously，andgentlybeggedtoknowherbusiness。
IthinkIhaveoncebeforespokenofhervoice，——anorganmoreoftencultivatedbymyfaircountry-womenforsingingthanforspeaking，which，consideringthatmuchofourpracticalrelationswiththesexarecarriedonwithouttheaidofanoperascore，seemsamistakennotionoftheirs，——andofitssweetness，gentleinflexion，andmusicalemphasis。Shehadtheadvantageofhavingbeentrainedinamusicallanguage，andcameofaracewithwhomcatarrhsandsorethroatswererare。SothatinafewbriefphrasesshesangtheSenatorintoacquiescenceassheimpartedtheplainlibrettoofherbusiness，——namely，a\"desiretoseesomeofhisrareengravings。\"
NowtheengravingsinquestionwerecertainetchingsoftheearlyGreatApprenticesoftheart，andwere，Iamhappytobelieve，extremelyrare。Frommyunprofessionalviewtheywereexceedinglybad，——showingthemeregenesisofsomethingsinceperfected，butdear，ofcourse，tothetruecollector’ssoul。Idon’tbelievethatCarmenreallyadmiredthemeither。ButtheminxknewthattheSenatorpridedhimselfonhavingtheonly\"pot-hooks\"ofthegreat\"A，\"orthefirstartisticeffortsof\"B，\"——Ileavetherealnamestobefilledinbytheconnoisseur，——andtheSenatorbecameinterested。Forthelastyear，twoorthreeoftheseabominationshadbeenhanginginhisstudy，utterlyignoredbythecasualvisitor。Butherewasappreciation！\"Shewas，\"sheadded，\"onlyapooryoungartist，unabletopurchasesuchtreasures，butequallyunabletoresisttheopportunityaffordedher，evenattheriskofseemingbold，orofobtrudinguponagreatman’sprivacy，\"&c。&c。
Thisflattery，which，ifofferedintheusuallegaltenderofthecountry，wouldhavebeenlookeduponascounterfeit，deliveredhereinaforeignaccent，withaslightlytropicalwarmth，wasacceptedbytheSenatorasgenuine。ThesechildrenoftheSunaresoimpulsive！We，ofcourse，feelalittlepityforthepersonwhothustranscendsourstandardofgoodtasteandviolatesourconventionalcanon，——buttheyarealwayssincere。ThecoldNewEnglandersawnothingwronginoneortwodirectandextravagantcompliments，thatwouldhaveinsuredhisvisitor’searlydismissaliftenderedintheclippedmetallicphrasesoftheCommonwealthherepresented。
Sothatinafewmomentstheblack，curlyheadofthelittleartistandthewhite，flowinglocksoftheSenatorwereclosetogetherbendingovertherackthatcontainedtheengravings。ItwasthenthatCarmen，listeningtoagraphicdescriptionoftheearlyriseofArtintheNetherlands，forgotherselfandputhershawlaroundherhead，holdingitsfoldsinherlittlebrownhand。Inthissituationtheywere，atdifferenttimesduringthenexttwohours，interruptedbyfiveCongressmen，threeSenators，aCabinetofficer，andaJudgeoftheSupremeBench，——eachofwhomwasquicklybutcourteouslydismissed。Popularsentiment，however，brokeoutinthehall。
\"Well，I’mblanked，butthisgetsme。\"（ThespeakerwasaTerritorialdelegate。）
\"Athistimeo’life，too，lookin’overpictureswithagalyoungenoughtobehisgrandchild。\"（Thisfromavenerableofficial，sincesuspectedofvariouseroticirregularities。）
\"Shedon’thandsomeany。\"（ThehonorablememberfromDakota。）
\"Thisaccountsforhisprotractedsilenceduringthesessions。\"（A
seriouscolleaguefromtheSenator’sownState。）
\"Oh，blankitall！\"（Omnes。）
Fourwenthometotelltheirwives。Therearefewthingsmoretouchinginthematrimonialcompactthanthesuperbfranknesswithwhicheachconfidestoeachthevariousirregularitiesoftheirfriends。Itisuponthesesacredconfidencesthatthefirmfoundationsofmarriagerestunshaken。
Ofcoursetheobjectsofthiscomment，atleastONEofthem，werequiteoblivious。\"Itrust，\"saidCarmen，timidly，whentheyhadforthefourthtimeregardedinraptadmirationanabominablesomethingbysomeDutchwood-chopper，\"ItrustIamnotkeepingyoufromyourgreatfriends：\"——herprettyeyelidswerecastdownintremulousdistress：——\"Ishouldneverforgivemyself。PerhapsitisimportantbusinessoftheState？\"
\"Oh，dear，no！\"THEYwillcomeagain，——it’sTHEIRbusiness。\"
TheSenatormeantitkindly。ItwasasneartheperilousedgeofacomplimentasyouraveragecultivatedBostonmaneverventures，andCarmenpickeditup，femininely，byitssentimentalend。\"AndI
supposeIshallnottroubleyouagain？\"
\"Ishallalwaysbeproudtoplacetheportfolioatyourdisposal。
Commandmeatanytime，\"saidtheSenator，withdignity。
\"Youarekind。Youaregood，\"saidCarmen，\"andI——I’mbut，——lookyou，——onlyapoorgirlfromCalifornia，thatyouknownot。\"
\"Pardonme，Iknowyourcountrywell。\"AndindeedhecouldhavetoldhertheexactnumberofbushelsofwheattotheacreinherowncountyofMonterey，itsvotingpopulation，itspoliticalbias。
Yetofthemoreimportantproductbeforehim，afterthemannerofbook-readmen，heknewnothing。
Carmenwasastonished，butrespectful。Ittranspiredpresentlythatshewasnotawareoftherapidgrowthofthesilkworminherowndistrict，knewnothingoftheChinesequestion，andverylittleoftheAmericanmininglaws。UponthesequestionstheSenatorenlightenedherfully。\"Yournameishistoric，bytheway，\"hesaidpleasantly。\"TherewasaKnightofAlcantara，a\"DeHaro，\"
oneoftheemigrantswithLasCasas。\"
Carmennoddedherheadquickly，\"Yes;mygreat-great-great-g-r-e-a-tgrandfather！\"
TheSenatorstared。
\"Oh，yes。IamthenieceofVictorCastro，whomarriedmyfather’ssister。\"
\"TheVictorCastroofthe’BlueMass’mine？\"askedtheSenatorabruptly。
\"Yes，\"shesaidquietly。
HadtheSenatorbeenoftheGashwilertype，hewouldhaveexpressedhimself，aftertheaveragemasculinefashion，byalong-drawnwhistle。ButhisonlyperceptibleappreciationofasuddenastonishmentandsuspicioninhismindwasaloweringofthesocialthermometeroftheroomsodecidedthatpoorCarmenlookedupinnocently，chilled，anddrewhershawlcloseraroundhershoulders。
\"Ihavesomethingmoretoask，\"saidCarmen，hangingherhead，——\"itisagreat，oh，averygreatfavor。\"
TheSenatorhadretreatedbehindhisbastionofbooksagain，andwasvisiblypreparingforanassault。Hesawitallnow。Hehadbeen，insomevagueway，deluded。HehadgivenconfidentialaudiencetothenieceofoneoftheGreatClaimantsbeforeCongress。Theinevitableaxehadcometothegrindstone。Whatmightnotthiswomandareaskofhim？Hewasthemoreimplacablethathefelthehadalreadybeenprepossessed——andhonestlyprepossessed——inherfavor。Hewasangrywithherforhavingpleasedhim。UndertheicypolishofhismannertherewerecertainPuritancallositiescausedbyearlystraight-lacing。Hewasnotyetquitefreefromhisancestor’scheerfulethicsthatNature，asrepresentedbyanImpulse，wasasmuchtoberestrainedasOrderrepresentedbyaQuaker。
Withoutapparentlynoticinghismanner，Carmenwenton，withacertainpotentialfreedomofstyle，gesture，andmannerscarcelytobeindicatedinhermerewords。\"Youknow，then，IamofSpanishblood，andthat，whatwasmyadoptedcountry，ourmottowas，’GodandLiberty。’Itwasofyou，sir，——thegreatEmancipator，——theapostleofthatLiberty，——thefriendofthedown-troddenandoppressed，——thatI，asachild，firstknew。InthehistoriesofthisgreatcountryIhavereadofyou，Ihavelearnedyourorations。Ihavelongedtohearyouinyourownpulpitdeliverthecreedofmyancestors。Tohearyou，ofyourself，speak，ah！MadredeDios！whatshallIsay，——speaktheorationeloquent，——tomakethe——whatyoucall——thedebate，thatiswhatIhaveforsolonghoped。Eh！Pardon，——youarethinkingmefoolish，——wild，eh？——asmallchild，——eh？\"
Becomingmoreandmoredialecticalasshewenton，shesaidsuddenly，\"Ihaveyouofmyselfoffended。Youaremadofmeasabold，badchild？Itisso？\"
TheSenator，asvisiblybecominglimpandweakagainbehindhisentrenchments，managedtosay，\"Oh，no！\"then，\"really！\"andfinally，\"Tha-a-nks！\"
\"Iamherebutforaday。IreturntoCaliforniainaday，asitwereto-morrow。Ishallnever，neverhearyouspeakinyourplaceintheCapitolofthisgreatcountry？\"
TheSenatorsaidhastilythathefeared——heinfactwasconvinced——
thathisdutyduringthissessionwasrequiredmoreathisdesk，inthecommitteework，thaninspeaking，&c。，&c。
\"Ah，\"saidCarmensadly，\"itistrue，then，allthisthatIhaveheard。Itistruethatwhattheyhavetoldme，——thatyouhavegivenupthegreatparty，——thatyourvoiceisnotlongerheardintheold——whatyoucallthis——eh——theoldISSUES？\"
\"Ifanyonehastoldyouthat，MissDeHaro，\"respondedtheSenatorsharply，\"hehasspokenfoolishly。Youhavebeenmisinformed。MayIaskwho——\"
\"Ah！\"saidCarmen，\"Iknownot！Itisintheair！Iamastranger。
PerhapsIamde-ceived。Butitisofall。Isaytothem，WhenshallIhearhimspeak？IgodayafterdaytotheCapitol，Iwatchhim，——thegreatEmancipator，——butitisofbusiness，eh？——itistheclaimofthatone，itisthetax，eh？itistheimpost，itisthepost-office，butitisthegreatspeechofhumanrights——never，NEVER。Isay，’Howarrivesallthis？’Andsomesay，andshaketheirheads，’neveragainhespeaks。’Heiswhatyoucall’played——
yes，itisso，eh？——playedout。’Iknowitnot，——itisawordfromBos-ton，perhaps？Theysayhehas——eh，IspeaknottheEnglishwell——thepartyhehasshaken，’shook，’——yes，——hehastheparty’shaken，’eh？Itisright，——itisthelanguageofBos-ton，eh？\"
\"Permitmetosay，MissDeHaro，\"returnedtheSenator，risingwithsomeasperity，\"thatyouseemtohavebeenunfortunateinyourselectionofacquaintances，andstillmoresoinyourideasofthederivationsoftheEnglishtongue。The——er——the——er——expressionsyouhavequotedarenotcommontoBoston，butemanate，Ibelieve，fromtheWest。\"
CarmendeHarocontritelyburiedeverythingbutherblackeyesinhershawl。
\"Noone，\"hecontinued，moregently，sittingdownagain，\"hastherighttoforecastfrommypastwhatIintendtodointhefuture，ordesignatethemeansImaychoosetoservetheprinciplesIholdorthepartyIrepresent。ThoseareMYfunctions。Atthesametime，shouldoccasion——oropportunity——forwearewithinadayortwoofthecloseoftheSession——\"
\"Yes，\"interruptedCarmen，sadly，\"Isee，——itwillbesomebusiness，someclaim，somethingforsomebody，——ah！MadredeDios，——youwillnotspeak，andI——\"
\"Whendoyouthinkofreturning？\"askedtheSenator，withgravepoliteness;\"whenarewetoloseyou？\"
\"Ishallstaytothelast，——totheendoftheSession，\"saidCarmen。\"AndNOWIshallgo。\"Shegotupandpulledhershawlviciouslyoverhershoulders，withaprettypettishness，perhapsthemostfemininethingshehaddonethatevening。Possibly，themostgenuine。
TheSenatorsmiledaffably：\"Youdonotdeservetobedisappointedineithercase;butitislaterthanyouimagine;letmehelpyouontheshorterdistanceinmycarriage;itisatthedoor。\"
Heaccompaniedhergravelytothecarriage。Asitrolledaway，sheburiedherlittlefigureinitsamplecushionsandchuckledtoherself，albeitalittlehysterically。Whenshehadreachedherdestination，shefoundherselfcrying，andhastily，andsomewhatangrily，driedhereyesasshedrewupatthedoorofherlodgings。
\"Howhaveyouprospered？\"askedMr。Harlowe，ofcounselforRoyalThatcher，ashegallantlyassistedherfromthecarriage。\"Ihavebeenwaitingherefortwohours;yourinterviewmusthavebeenprolonged，——thatwasagoodsign。\"
\"Don’taskmenow，\"saidCarmen，alittlesavagely，\"I’mwornoutandtired。\"
Mr。Harlowebowed。\"Itrustyouwillbebetterto-morrow，forweexpectourfriend，Mr。Thatcher。\"
Carmen’sbrowncheekflushedslightly。\"Heshouldhavebeenherebefore。Whereishe？Whatwashedoing？\"
\"Hewassnowedupontheplains。Heiscomingasfastassteamcancarryhim;buthemaybetoolate。\"
Carmendidnotreply。
Thelawyerlingered。\"HowdidyoufindthegreatNew-EnglandSenator？\"heaskedwithaslightprofessionallevity。
Carmenwastired，Carmenwasworried，Carmenwasalittleself-
reproachful，andshekindledeasily。Consequentlyshesaidicily：
\"IfoundhimAGENTLEMAN！\"
CHAPTERXV
HOWITBECAMEUNFINISHEDBUSINESS
Theclosingofthe————CongresswasnotunliketheclosingoftheseveralprecedingCongresses。Therewasthesameunbusiness-like，impracticalhaste;thesamehurried，unjust，andutterlyinadequateadjustmentofunfinished，ill-digestedbusiness，thatwouldnothavebeentoleratedforamomentbythesovereignpeopleinanyprivateinteresttheycontrolled。Therewerefraudsrushedthrough;therewerelong-suffering，righteousdemandsshelved;therewerehonest，unpaiddebtsdishonoredbyscantappropriations;therewereclosingsceneswhichonlythesavingsenseofAmericanhumorkeptfrombeingutterlyvile。Theactors，thelegislatorsthemselves，knewit，andlaughedatit;thecommentators，thePress，knewitandlaughedatit;theaudience，thegreatAmericanpeople，knewitandlaughedatit。Andnobodyforaninstantconceivedthatitever，underanycircumstances，mightbeotherwise。
TheclaimofRoscommonwasamongtheUnfinishedBusiness。Theclaimanthimself，haggard，pathetic，importunate，andobstinate，wasamongtheUnfinishedBusiness。VariousCongressmen，moreorlessinterestedinthesuccessoftheclaim，wereamongtheUnfinishedBusiness。ThememberfromFresno，whohadchangedhisderringerforaspeechagainsttheclaimant，wasamongtheUnfinishedBusiness。ThegiftedGashwiler，uneasyinhissoulovercertainotherUnfinishedBusinessintheshapeofhismissingletters，butdroppingoilandhoneyashemingledwithhisbrothers，wasKingofMisruleandLordoftheUnfinishedBusiness。
PrettyMrs。Hopkinson，prudentlyescortedbyherhusband，butimprudentlyogledbyadmiringCongressmen，lentthecharmofherpresencetothefinishingofUnfinishedBusiness。Oneortwoeditors，whohaddreamsofafinishedfinancialbusiness，arisingoutofUnfinishedBusiness，weretherealso，likeancientbards，torecordwithpaeanorthrenodythecompletionofUnfinishedBusiness。Variousuncleanbirds，scentingcarrioninUnfinishedBusiness，hoveredinthehallsorroostedintheLobby。
Thelowerhouse，underthetutelageofthegiftedGashwiler，drankdeeplyofRoscommonandhisintoxicatingclaim，andpassedthehalf-emptybottletotheSenateasUnfinishedBusiness。But，alas！
intheveryrush，andstorm，andtempestoftheunfinishingbusiness，anunlooked-forinterruptionaroseinthepersonofagreatSenatorwhosepowernonecouldoppose，whoserighttofreeandextendedutteranceatalltimesnonecouldgainsay。Aclaimforpoultry，violentlyseizedbythearmyofShermanduringhismarchthroughGeorgia，fromthehen-coopofanallegedloyalIrishman，openedaconstitutionalquestion，andwithitthelipsofthegreatSenator。
Forsevenhourshespokeeloquently，earnestly，convincingly。Forsevenhourstheoldissuesofpartyandpolicywereseverallytakenupanddismissedintheoldforciblerhetoricthathadearlymadehimfamous。InterruptionsfromotherSenators，nowforgetfulofUnfinishedBusiness，andwildwithreanimatedpartyzeal;
interruptionsfromcertainSenatorsmindfulofUnfinishedBusiness，andunabletopasstheRoscommonbottle，onlyspurredhimtofreshexertion。ThetocsinsoundedintheSenatewasheardinthelowerhouse。Highly-excitedmemberscongregatedatthedoorsoftheSenate，andleftUnfinishedBusinesstotakecareofitself。
Lefttoitselfforsevenhours，UnfinishedBusinessgnasheditsfalseteethandtoreitswiginimpotentfuryincorridorandhall。
ForsevenhoursthegiftedGashwilerhadcontinuedthemanufactureofoilandhoney，whosesweetness，however，wasslowlypallinguponthecongressionallip;forsevenhoursRoscommonandfriendsbeatwithimpatientfeetthelobby，andshookfists，moreorlessdiscolored，atthedistinguishedSenator。Forsevenhourstheoneortwoeditorswereobligedtositandcalmlycomplimentthegreatspeechwhichthatnightflashedoverthewiresofacontinentwiththeoldelectricthrill。And，worsethanall，theywereobligedtorecordwithittheclosingofthe————Congress，withmorethantheusualamountofUnfinishedBusiness。
AlittlegroupoffriendssurroundedthegreatSenatorwithhymnsofpraiseandcongratulations。Oldadversariessalutedhimcourteouslyastheypassedbywiththerespectofstrongmen。A
littlewomanwithashawldrawnoverhershoulders，andheldwithonesmallbrownhand，approachedhimtimidly：
\"IspeaknottheEnglishwell，\"shesaidgently，\"butIhavereadmuch。IhavereadintheplaysofyourShakspeare。IwouldliketosaytoyouthewordsofRosalindtoOrlandowhenhedidfight：
’Siryouhavewrestledwell，andhaveoverthrownmorethanyourenemies。’\"Andwiththesewordsshewasgone。
YetnotsoquicklybutthatprettyMrs。Hopkinson，coming，——asVictrixalwayscomestoVictor，tothankthegreatSenator，albeitthefacesofherescortswereshroudedingloom，——sawtheshawledfiguredisappear。
\"There，\"shesaid，pinchingWilesmischievously，\"there！that’sthewomanyouwereafraidof。Lookather。Lookatthatdress。Ah，Heavens！lookatthatshawl。Didn’tItellyoushehadnostyle？\"
\"Whoisshe？\"saidWilessullenly。
\"CarmendeHaro，ofcourse，\"saidtheladyvivaciously。\"Whatareyouhurryingawaysofor？You’reabsolutelypullingmealong。\"
Mr。Wileshadjustcaughtsightofthetravel-wornfaceofRoyalThatcheramongthecrowdthatthrongedthestair-case。Thatcherappearedpaleanddistrait：Mr。Harlowe，hiscounsel，athisside，ralliedhim。
\"Noonewouldthinkyouhadjustgotanewleaseofyourproperty，andescapedagreatswindle。What’sthematterwithyou？MissDeHaropassedusjustnow。ItwasshewhospoketotheSenator。Whydidyounotrecognizeher？\"
\"Iwasthinking，\"saidThatchergloomily。
\"Well，youtakethingscoolly！Andcertainlyyouarenotverydemonstrativetowardsthewomanwhosavedyouto-day。For，assureasyoulive，itwasshewhodrewthatspeechoutoftheSenator。\"
Thatcherdidnotreply，butmovedaway。HeHADnoticedCarmendeHaro，andwasabouttogreetherwithmingledpleasureandembarrassment。ButhehadheardhercomplimenttotheSenator，andthisstrong，preoccupied，automaticman，whoonlytendaysbeforehadnothoughtbeyondhisproperty，wasnowthinkingmoreofthatcomplimenttoanotherthanofhissuccess;andwasbeginningtohatetheSenatorwhohadsavedhim，thelawyerwhostoodbesidehim，andeventhelittlefigurethathadtrippeddownthestepsunconsciousofhim。
CHAPTERXVI
ANDWHOFORGOTIT
ItwassomewhatinconsistentwithRoyalThatcher’sembarrassmentandsensitivenessthatheshould，onleavingtheCapitol，orderacarriageanddrivedirectlytothelodgingsofMissDeHaro。Thatonfindingshewasnotathome，heshouldbecomeagainsulkyandsuspicious，andevenbeashamedofthehonestimpulsethatledhimthere，was，Isuppose，manlikeandnatural。Hefeltthathehaddoneallthecourtesyrequired;hehadpromptlyansweredherdispatchwithhispresence。Ifshechosetobeabsentatsuchamoment，HEhadatleastdoneHISduty。Inshort，therewasscarcelyanyabsurdityoftheimaginationwhichthisoncepracticalmandidnotpermithimselftoindulgein，yetalwayswithacertainconsciousnessthathewasallowinghisfeelingstorunawaywithhim，——afactthatdidnottendtomakehimbetterhumored，andratherinclinedhimtoplacetheresponsibilityoftheelopementonsomebodyelse。IfMissDeHarohadbeenhome，&c。&c。，andnotgoingintoecstasiesoverspeeches，&c。&c。，andhadattendedtoherbusiness，i。e。，beingexactlywhathehadsupposedhertobe，——
allthiswouldnothavehappened。
Iamawarethatthiswillnotheightenthereader’srespectformyhero。ButIfancythattheimperceptibleprogressofasincerepassioninthematuredstrongmanisapttobemarkedwithevenmorethantheusualhasteandabsurdityofcallousyouth。
Thefeverthatrunsriotintheveinsoftherobustisapttopassyourailingweaklingby。Possiblytheremaybesomeimmunityininoculation。ItisLothariowhoisalwaysself-possessedanddoesandsaystherightthing，whilepoorhonestCoelebsbecomesridiculouswithgenuineemotion。
Herejoinedhislawyerinnoverygraciousmood。ThechambersoccupiedbyMr。HarlowewereinthebasementofaprivatedwellingonceoccupiedandmadehistoricbyanHonorableSomebody，who，however，wasrememberedonlybythelandlordandthelasttenant。
Therewerevariousshelvesinthewallsdividedintocompartments，sarcasticallyknownas\"pigeonholes，\"inwhichthedoveofpeacehadneverrested，butwhichstillperpetuated，intheirlegends，thefeudsandanimositiesofsuitorsnowbutcommondusttogether。
Therewasaportrait，apparentlyofacherub，whichonnearerinspectionturnedouttobeafamousEnglishLordChancellorinhisflowingwig。
Therewerebookswithdreary，unenliveningtitles，——egostisticalways，asrecordingSmith’sopinionsonthis，andJones’scommentariesonthat。Therewasahandbilltackedonthewall，whichatfirstofferedhilarioussuggestionsofacircusorasteamboatexcursion，butwhichturnedoutonlytobeasheriff’ssale。Therewereseveraloddly-shapedpackagesinnewspaperwrappings，mysteriousandawfulindarkcorners，thatmighthavecontainedforgottenlawpapersorthepreviousweek’swashingoftheeminentcounsel。Therewereoneortwonewspapers，whichatfirstofferedentertainingprospectstothewaitingclient，butalwaysprovedtobealawrecordoraSupremeCourtdecision。
Therewasthebustofalatedistinguishedjurist，whichapparentlyhadneverbeendustedsincehehimselfbecamedust，andhadalreadygrownaperceptiblydustymoustacheonhisseverely-judicialupperlip。Itwasacheerlessplaceinthesunshineofday;atnight，whenitought，byeverysuggestionofitsdustypast，tohavebeenlefttothevengefulghosts，thegreaterpartofwhosehopesandpassionswererecordedandgatheredthere;wheninthedarkthedeadhandsofforgottenmenwerestretchedfromtheirdustygravestofumbleoncemorefortheiroldtitledeeds;atnight，whenitwaslitupbyflaringgaslight，thehollowmockeryofthisdissipationwassoapparentthatpeopleinthestreets，lookingthroughtheilluminatedwindows，feltasiftheprivacyofafamilyvaulthadbeenintrudeduponbybody-snatchers。
RoyalThatcherglancedaroundtheroom，tookinallitsdrearysuggestionsinahalf-weary，half-indifferentsortofway，anddroppedintothelawyer’sownrevolvingchairasthatgentlemanenteredfromtheadjacentroom。
\"Well，yougotbacksoon，Isee，\"saidHarlowebriskly。
\"Yes，\"saidhisclient，withoutlookingup，andwiththisnotabledistinctionbetweenhimselfandallotherpreviousclients，thatheseemedabsolutelylessinterestedthanthelawyer。\"Yes，I’mhere;
and，uponmysoul，Idon’texactlyknowwhy。\"
\"Youtoldmeofcertainpapersyouhaddiscovered，\"saidthelawyersuggestively。
\"Oh，yes，\"returnedThatcherwithaslightyawn。\"I’vegotheresomepaperssomewhere;\"——hebegantofeelinhiscoatpocketlanguidly;——\"but，bytheway，thisisaratherdrearyandGod-
forsakensortofplace！Let’sgouptoWelker’s，andyoucanlookatthemoverabottleofchampagne。\"
\"AfterI’velookedatthem，I’vesomethingtoshowyou，myself，\"
saidHarlowe;\"andasforthechampagne，we’llhavethatintheotherroom，byandby。AtpresentIwanttohavemyheadclear，andyourstoo，——ifyou’llobligemebybecomingsufficientlyinterestedinyourownaffairstotalktomeaboutthem。\"
Thatcherwasgazingabstractedlyatthefire。Hestarted。\"Idaresay，\"hebegan，\"I’mnotveryinteresting;yetit’spossiblethatmyaffairshavetakenupalittletoomuchofmytime。However，——\"
hestopped，tookfromhispocketanenvelope，andthrewitonthedesk，——\"therearesomepapers。Idon’tknowwhatvaluetheymaybe;thatisforyoutodetermine。Idon’tknowthatI’veanylegalrighttotheirpossession，——thatisforyoutosay，too。Theycametomeinaqueerway。OntheoverlandjourneyhereIlostmybag，containingmyfewtrapsandsomelettersandpapers’ofnovalue，’
astheadvertisementssay，’toanybuttheowner。’Well，thebagwaslost，butthestagedriverdeclaresthatitwasstolenbyafellow-passenger，——amanbythenameofGiles，orStiles，orPiles——\"
\"Wiles，\"saidHarloweearnestly。
\"Yes，\"continuedThatcher，suppressingayawn;\"yes，Iguessyou’reright，——Wiles。Well，thestagedriver，finallybelievingthis，goestoworkandquietlyandunostentatiouslysteals——Isay，haveyougotacigar？\"
\"I’llgetyouone。\"
Harlowedisappearedintheadjoiningroom。ThatcherdraggedHarlowe’sheavy，revolvingdeskchair，whichneverbeforehadbeenremovedfromitssacredposition，tothefire，andbegantopokethecoalsabstractedly。
Harlowereappearedwithcigarsandmatches。Thatcherlitonemechanically，andsaid，betweenthepulls：
\"Doyou——ever——talk——toyourself？\"
\"No！——why？\"
\"IthoughtIheardyourvoicejustnowintheotherroom。Anyhow，thisisanawfulspookyplace。IfIstayedherealonehalfanhour，I’dfancythattheLordChancelloruptherewouldstepdowninhisrobes，outofhisframe，tokeepmecompany。\"
\"Nonsense！WhenI’mbusy，Ioftensithereandwriteuntilaftermidnight。It’ssoquiet！\"
\"D——mnablyso！\"
\"Well，togobacktothepapers。Somebodystoleyourbag，oryoulostit。YOUstole——\"
\"Thedriverstole，\"suggestedThatcher，solanguidlythatitcouldhardlybecalledaninterruption。
\"Well，we’llsaythedriverstole，andpassedovertoyouashisaccomplice，confederate，orreceiver，certainpapersbelonging——\"
\"Seehere，Harlowe，Idon’tfeellikejokinginaghostlylawofficeaftermidnight。Hereareyourfacts。YubaBill，thedriver，stoleabagfromthispassenger，Wiles，orSmiles，andhandedittometoinsurethereturnofmyown。Ifoundinitsomepapersconcerningmycase。Theretheyare。Dowiththemwhatyoulike。\"
Thatcherturnedhiseyesagainabstractedlytothefire。
Harlowetookoutthefirstpaper：
\"A-w，thisseemstobeatelegram。Yes，eh？’CometoWashingtonatonce。——CarmendeHaro。’\"
Thatcherstarted，blushedlikeagirl，andhurriedlyreachedforthepaper。
\"Nonsense。That’samistake。AdispatchImislaidintheenvelope。\"
\"Isee，\"saidthelawyerdryly。
\"IthoughtIhadtornitup，\"continuedThatcher，afteranawkwardpause。Iregrettosaythatherethatusuallytruthfulmanelaboratedafiction。Hehadconsulteditadozentimesadayonthejourney，anditwasquiteworninitsenfoldings。Harlowe’squickeyehadnoticedthis，buthespeedilybecameinterestedandabsorbedintheotherpapers。Thatcherlapsedintocontemplationofthefire。
\"Well，\"saidHarlowe，finallyturningtohisclient，\"here’senoughtounseatGashwiler，orclosehismouth。Astotherest，it’sgoodreading——butIneedn’ttellyou——noLEGALevidence。Butit’sproofenoughtostopthemfromevertryingitagain，——whentheexistenceofthisrecordismadeknown。Briberyisahardthingtofixonaman;theonlywitnessisnaturallyparticepscriminis;——butitwouldnotbeeasyforthemtoexplainawaythisrascal’srecord。
OneortwothingsIdon’tunderstand：What’sthisoppositetheHon。
X’sname，’Tookthemedicinenicely，andfeelsbetter？’andhere，justinthemargin，afterY’s，’Mustbelaboredwith？’\"
\"IsupposeourCaliforniaslangborrowslargelyfromthemedicalandspiritualprofession，\"returnedThatcher。\"Butisn’titoddthatamanshouldkeepaconscientiousrecordofhisownvillainy？\"
Harlowe，alittleabashedathiswantofknowledgeofAmericanmetaphor，nowfelthimselfathome。\"Well，no。It’snotunusual。
Inoneofthosebooksyonderthereistherecordofacasewhereaman，whohadcommittedaseriesofnamelessatrocities，extendingoveraperiodofyears，absolutelykeptamemorandumoftheminhispocketdiary。ItwasproducedinCourt。Why，mydearfellow，onehalfourbusinessarisesfromthefactthatmenandwomenareinthehabitofkeepinglettersanddocumentsthattheymight——Idon’tsay，youknow，thattheyOUGHT，that’saquestionofsentimentorethics——butthattheyMIGHTdestroy。\"
Thatcherhalf-mechanicallytookthetelegramofpoorCarmenandthrewitinthefire。Harlowenoticedtheactandsmiled。
\"I’llventuretosay，however，thatthere’snothinginthebagthatYOUlostthatneedgiveyouamoment’suneasiness。It’sonlyyourrascalorfoolwhocarrieswithhimthatwhichmakeshimhisowndetective。\"
\"Ihadafriend，\"continuedHarlowe，\"acleverfellowenough，butwhowassofoolishastoseriouslycomplicatehimselfwithawoman。
Hewashimselfthesoulofhonor，andatthebeginningoftheircorrespondenceheproposedthattheyshouldeachreturntheother’sletterswiththeiranswer。Theydidsoforyears，butitcosthimtenthousanddollarsandnoendoftroubleafterall。\"
\"Why？\"askedThatchersimply。
\"BecausehewassuchanegotisticalassasTOKEEPTHELETTER
PROPOSINGIT，whichshehaddulyreturned，amonghispapersasasentimentalrecord。Ofcoursesomebodyeventuallyfoundit。\"
\"Goodnight，\"saidThatcher，risingabruptly。\"IfIstayedheremuchlongerIshouldbegintodisbelievemyownmother。\"
\"Ihaveknownofsuchhereditarytraits，\"returnedHarlowewithalaugh。\"Butcome，youmustnotgowithoutthechampagne。\"Heledthewaytotheadjacentroom，whichprovedtobeonlytheante-
chamberofanother，onthethresholdofwhichThatcherstoppedwithgenuinesurprise。Itwasanelegantlyfurnishedlibrary。
\"Sybarite！WhywasIneverherebefore？\"
\"Becauseyoucameasaclient;to-nightyouaremyguest。Allwhoenterhereleavetheirbusiness，withtheirhats，inthehall。
Look;thereisn’talawbookonthoseshelves;thattableneverwasdefacedbyatitledeedorparchment。Youlookpuzzled？Well，itwasawhimofminetoputmyresidenceandmywork-shopunderthesameroof，yetsodistinctthattheywouldneverinterferewitheachother。Youknowthehouseaboveisletouttolodgers。I
occupythefirstfloorwithmymotherandsister，andthisismyparlor。Idomyworkinthatsevereroomthatfrontsthestreet：
hereiswhereIplay。Amanmusthavesomethingelseinlifethanmerebusiness。Ifinditlessharmfulandexpensivetohavemypleasurehere。\"
Thatcherhadsunkmoodilyintheembracingarmsofaneasychair。
Hewasthinkingdeeply;hewasfondofbookstoo，and，likeallmenwhohavefaredhardandledwanderinglives，heknewthevalueofcultivatedrepose。Likeallmenwhohavebeenobligedtosleepunderblanketsandintheopenair，heappreciatedtheluxuriesoflinensheetsandafrescoedroof。Itis，bytheway，onlyyoursickcityclerkoryourdyspepticclergymanwhofancythattheyhavefoundinthebadbread，friedsteaks，andfrowzyflannelsofmountainpicknickingthetrueartofliving。Anditisasomewhatnotablefactthatyourtruemountaineeroryourgentlemanwhohasbeenobligedtohonestly\"roughit，\"doesnot，asageneralthing，writebooksaboutitsadvantages，orimploretheirfellowmortalstocomeandsharetheirsolitudeandtheirdiscomforts。
ThoroughlyappreciatingthetasteandcomfortofHarlowe’slibrary，yethalf-enviousofitsowner，andhalf-suspiciousthathisownearnestlifeforthepastfewyearsmighthavebeendifferent，Thatchersuddenlystartedfromhisseatandwalkedtowardsaparloreasel，whereonstoodapicture。ItwasCarmendeHaro’sfirstsketchofthefurnaceandthemine。
\"Iseeyouaretakenwiththatpicture，\"saidHarlowe，pausingwiththechampagnebottleinhishand。\"Youshowyourgoodtaste。It’sbeenmuchadmired。Observehowsplendidlythatfirelightplaysoverthesleepingfaceofthatfigure，yetbringsoutbyverycontrastitsalmostdeath-likerepose。Thoserocksarepowerfullyhandled;whatasuggestionofmysteryinthoseshadows！Youknowthepainter？\"
Thatchermurmured，\"MissDeHaro，\"withanewandratheroddself-
consciousnessinspeakinghername。
\"Yes。Andyouknowthestoryofthepictureofcourse？\"
Thatcherthoughthedidn’t。Well，no;infact，hedidnotremember。
\"Why，thisrecumbentfigurewasanoldSpanishloverofhers，whomshebelievedtohavebeenmurderedthere。It’saghastlyfancy，isn’tit？\"
TwothingsannoyedThatcher：firsttheepithet\"lover，\"asappliedtoConchobyanotherman;second，thatthepicturebelongedtohim：
andwhatthed——-ldidshemeanby——
\"Yes，\"hebrokeoutfinally，\"buthowdidYOUgetit？\"
\"Oh，Iboughtitofher。I’vebeenasortofpatronofhereversinceIfoundouthowshestoodtowardsus。AsshewasquitealonehereinWashington，mymotherandsisterhavetakenherup，andhavebeendoingthesocialthing。\"
\"Howlongsince？\"askedThatcher。
\"Oh，notlong。Thedayshetelegraphedyou，shecameheretoknowwhatshecoulddoforus，andwhenIsaidnothingcouldbedoneexcepttokeepCongressoff，why，shewentandDIDIT。ForSHE，andshealone，gotthatspeechoutoftheSenator。But，\"headded，alittlemischievously，\"youseemtoknowverylittleabouther？\"
\"No！——I——thatis——I’vebeenverybusylately，\"returnedThatcher，staringatthepicture。\"Doesshecomehereoften？\"
\"Yes，lately，quiteoften;shewasherethiseveningwithmother;
washere，Ithink，whenyoucame。\"
ThatcherlookedintentlyatHarlowe。Butthatgentleman’sfacebetrayednoconfusion。Thatcherrefilledhisglassalittleawkwardly，tossedofftheliquoratadraught，androsetohisfeet。
\"Come，oldfellow，you’renotgoingnow。Ishan’tpermitit，\"saidHarlowe，layinghishandkindlyonhisclient’sshoulder。\"You’reoutofsorts！Stayherewithmeto-night。Ouraccommodationsarenotlarge，butareelastic。Icanbestowyoucomfortablyuntilmorning。WaithereamomentwhileIgivethenecessaryorders。\"
Thatcherwasnotsorrytobeleftalone。InthelasthalfhourhehadbecomeconvincedthathisloveforCarmendeHarohadbeeninsomewaymostdreadfullyabused。WhileHEwashardatworkinCalifornia，shewasbeingintroducedinWashingtonsocietybypartieswitheligiblebrotherswhoboughtherpaintings。Itisarelieftothetrulyjealousmindtoindulgeinplurals。Thatcherlikedtothinkthatshewasalreadybesetbyhundredsofbrothers。
Hestillkeptstaringatthepicture。Byandbyitfadedawayinpart，andaveryvividrecollectionofthemisty，midnight，moonlitwalkhehadoncetakenwithhercameback，andrefilledthecanvaswithitsmagic。Hesawtheruinedfurnace;thedark，overhangingmassesofrock，thetremblingintricaciesoffoliage，and，aboveall，theflashofdarkeyesunderamantillaathisshoulder。Whatafoolhehadbeen！HadhenotreallybeenassenselessandstupidasthisveryConcho，lyingherelikealog？Andshehadlovedthatman。Whatafoolshemusthavethoughthimthatevening！Whatasnobshemustthinkhimnow！
Hewasstartledbyaslightrustlinginthepassage，thatceasedalmostasheturned。Thatcherlookedtowardsthedooroftheouteroffice，asifhalfexpectingthattheLordChancellor，likethecommanderinDonJuan，mighthaveacceptedhisthoughtlessinvitation。Helistenedagain;everythingwasstill。Hewasconsciousoffeelingillateaseandatriflenervous。WhatalongtimeHarlowetooktomakehispreparations。Hewouldlookoutinthehall。Todothisitwasnecessarytoturnupthegas。Hedidso，andinhisconfusionturneditout！
Wherewerethematches？Herememberedthattherewasabronzesomethingonthetablethat，intheironyofmoderndecorativetaste，mightholdashesormatches，oranythingofanunpicturesquecharacter。Heknockedsomethingover，evidentlytheink，——
somethingelse，——thistimeachampagneglass。Becomingreckless，andnowgropingatrandomintheruins，heoverturnedthebronzeMercuryonthecentertable，andthensatdownhopelesslyinhischair。Andthenapairofvelvetfingersslidintohis，withthematches，andthisaudible，musicalstatement：
\"Itisamatchyouareseeking？Hereisofthem。\"
Thatcherflushed，embarrassed，nervous，——feelingtheridiculousnessofsaying，\"Thankyou\"toadarksomebody，——struckthematch，beheldbyitsbrief，uncertainglimmerCarmendeHarobesidehim，burnedhisfingers，coughed，droppedthematch，andwascastagainintoouterdarkness。
\"Letmetry！\"
Carmenstruckamatch，jumpedbrisklyonthechair，litthegas，jumpedlightlydownagain，andsaid：\"Youdoliketositinthedark，——eh？SoamI——sometimes——alone。\"
\"MissDeHaro，\"saidThatcher，withsudden，honestearnestness，advancingwithoutstretchedhands，\"believemeIamsincerelydelighted，overjoyed，againtomeet——\"
Shehad，however，quicklyretreatedasheapproached，ensconcingherselfbehindthehighbackofalargeantiquechair，onthecushionofwhichsheknelt。Iregrettoaddalsothatsheslappedhisoutstretchedfingersalittlesharplywithherinevitableblackfanashestilladvanced。
\"WearenotinCalifornia。ItisWashington。Itisaftermidnight。
Iamapoorgirl，andIhavetolose——whatyoucall——’acharacter。’
Youshallsitoverthere，\"——shepointedtothesofa，——\"andIshallsithere;\"sherestedherboyishheadonthetopofthechair;\"andweshalltalk，forIhavetospeaktoyou，DonRoyal。\"
Thatchertooktheseatindicated，contritely，humbly，submissively。
Carmen’slittleheartwastouched。Butshestillwentonoverthebackofthechair。
\"DonRoyal，\"shesaid，emphasizingeachwordathimwithherfan，\"beforeIsawyou，——everknewofyou，——Iwasachild。Yes，Iwasbutachild！Iwasabold，badchild;——andIwaswhatyoucalla——
a——’forgaire’！\"
\"Awhat？\"askedThatcher，hesitatingbetweenasmileandasigh。
\"Aforgaire！\"continuedCarmendemurely。\"Ididofmyselfwritethenamesofozzerpeoples;\"whenCarmenwasexcitedshelostthecontroloftheEnglishtongue;\"Ididwritejusttopleasemyself;——
itwasmyonklethatdidmakeofitmoney;——youunderstand，eh？
Shallyounotspeak？MustIagainhityou？\"
\"Goon，\"saidThatcherlaughing。
\"Ididfindout，whenIcametoyouatthemine，thatIhadforgedagainstyouthenameofMicheltorena。Itothelawyerwent，andfoundthatitwasso——ofaverity——so！so！allthetime。Lookatmenotnow，DonRoyal;——itisa’forgaire’youstareat。\"
\"Carmen！\"
\"Hoosh！ShallIhavetohityouagain？Ididoverlookallthepapers。Ifoundtheapplication：itwaswrittenbyme。There。\"
ShetossedoverthebackofherchairanenvelopetoThatcher。Heopenedit。
\"Isee，\"hesaidgently，\"yourepossessedyourselfofit！\"
\"Whatisthat——’r-r-r-e——possess’？\"
\"Why！\"——Thatcherhesitated——\"yougotpossessionofthispaper，——
thisinnocentforgery，——again。\"
\"Oh！Youthinkmeathiefaswellasa’forgaire。’Goaway！Getup。Getout。\"
\"Mydeargirl——\"
\"Lookatthepaper！Willyou？Oh，yousilly！\"
Thatcherlookedatthepaper。Inpaper，handwriting，age，andstampitwasidenticalwiththeformal，clericalapplicationofGarciaforthegrant。TheindorsementofMicheltorenawasunquestionablygenuine。BUTTHEAPPLICATIONWASMADEFORROYAL
THATCHER。Andhisownsignaturewasimitatedtothelife。
\"Ihadbutoneletterofyourswizyourname，\"saidCarmenapologetically;\"anditwasthebestpoormecoulddo。\"
\"Why，youblessedlittlegooseandangel，\"saidThatcher，withthebold，mixedmetaphorofamatorygenius，\"don’tyousee——\"
\"Ah，youdon’tlikeit，——itisnotgood？\"
\"Mydarling！\"
\"Hoosh！Thereisalsoan’oldcat’upstairs。AndnowIhavehereacharacter。WILLyousitdown？Isitofanecessitythatupanddownyoushouldwalkandawakenthewholehouse？There！\"——shehadgivenhimaviciousdabwithherfanashepassed。Hesatdown。
\"Andyouhavenotseenmenorwrittentomeforayear？\"
\"Carmen！\"
\"Sitdown，youbold，badboy。Don’tyouseeitisofbusinessthatyouandItalkdownhere;anditisofbusinessthatozzerpeopleupstairsarethinking。Eh？\"
\"D——nbusiness！Seehere，Carmen，mydarling，tellme\"——IregrettosayhehadbythistimegotholdofthebackofCarmen’schair——
\"tellme，myownlittlegirl，——about——aboutthatSenator。Yourememberwhatyousaidtohim？\"
\"Oh，theoldman？Oh，THATwasbusiness。Andyousayofbusiness，’d——n。’\"
\"Carmen！\"
\"DonRoyal！\"……
AlthoughMissCarmenhadrecoursetoherfanfrequentlyduringthisinterview，theairmusthavebeenchilly，foramomentlater，onhiswaydownstairs，poorHarlowe，asuffererfrombronchitis，wasattackedwithaviolentfitofcoughing，whichtroubledhimallthewaydown。
\"Well，\"hesaid，asheenteredtheroom，\"IseeyouhavefoundMr。
Thatcher，andshownthosepapers。Itrustyouhave，foryou’vecertainlyhadtimeenough。Iamsentbymothertodismissyoualltobed。\"
Carmenstillinthearmchair，coveredwithhermantilla，didnotspeak。
\"Isupposeyouarebythistimelawyerenoughtoknow，\"continuedHarlowe，\"thatMissDeHaro’spapers，thoughingenious，arenotlegallyavailable，unless——\"
\"Ichosetomakeherawitness。Harlowe！you’reagoodfellow！I
don’tmindsayingtoyouthatthesearepapersIpreferthatmyWIFEshouldnotuse。We’llleaveitforthepresent——UnfinishedBusiness。\"
Theydid。ButoneeveningourherobroughtMrs。RoyalThatcherapapercontainingatouchingandbeautifultributetothedeadSenator。
\"There，Carmen，love，readthat。Don’tyoufeelalittleashamedofyour——your——yourlobbying——\"
\"No，\"saidCarmenpromptly。\"Itwasbusiness，——andifalllobbyingbusinesswasashonest，——well？——\"