Selectingaspotwherethewhitequartzwasvisible，Flemingattackedthebankwiththepick。Afteroneortwoblowsitbegantoyieldandcrumbleawayathisfeet。Hewashedoutapanfulperfunctorily，moreintentonthegirlthanhiswork；she，eager，alert，andbreathless，hadchangedplaceswithhim，andbecometheanxiousprospector！Buttheresultwasthesame。Hethrewawaythepanwithalaugh，totakeherlittlehand！Butshewhispered，\"Tryagain。\"
Heattackedthebankoncemorewithsuchenergythatagreatpartofitcavedandfell，fillingthepanandevenburyingtheshovelinthedebris。HeunearthedthelatterwhileTinkawasstrugglingtogetoutthepan。
\"Themeanthingisstuckandwon’tmove，\"shesaidpettishly。\"I
thinkit’sbrokennow，too，justlikeours。\"
Flemingcamelaughinglyforward，and，puttingonearmaroundthegirl’swaist，attemptedtoassistherwiththeother。Thepanwasimmovable，and，indeed，seemedtobebrokenandbent。Suddenlyheutteredanexclamationandbeganhurriedlytobrushawaythedirtandthrowthesoiloutofthepan。
Inanothermomenthehadrevealedafragmentofdecomposedquartz，likediscoloredhoneycombedcheese，halffillingthepan。Butonitsside，wherethepickhadstruckitglancingly，therewasayellowstreaklikearayofsunshine！Andashestrovetoliftithefeltinthatunmistakableomnipotencyofweightthatitwasseamedandcelledwithgold。
ThenewsofMr。Fleming’sengagement，twoweekslater，tothedaughterofthereclusereligioushunterwhohadmadeabigstrikeatLoneRun，excitedsomeskepticaldiscussion，evenamongthehonestcongratulationsofhispartners。
\"That’samightyqueerstoryhowJackgotthatgirlsweetonhimjustbyborrowin’aprospectin’panofher，\"saidFaulkner，betweenthewhiffsofhispipeunderthetrees。\"Youandmemighthaveborrowedahundredprospectin’pansandnevergotevenadrinkthrownin。Thentothinkofthatoldpreachin’coon-hunterhevin’
togiveinandpasshisstrikeovertohisdaughter’sfeller，jestbecausehehadscruplesaboutgolddiggin’himself。He’dhevbootedyouandmeouterhisranchfirst。\"
\"Lord，yeain’ttakin’nostockinthathogwash，\"respondedtheother。\"Why，everybodyknowsoldmanJallingerpretendedtobesicko’minersandminin’camps，andcouldn’tbeartohev’emnearhim，onlyjestbecausehehimselfwasallthewhilesecretlyprospectin’thewholelodeanddidn’twantnointerlopers。ItwasonlywhenFlemingnippledinbygettin’holdo’thegirlthatJallingerknewthesecretwasout，andthat’sthewayheboughthimoff。Why，Jackwasn’tnominer——neverwas——yecouldseethat。HE
neverstruckanything。TheonlytreasurehefoundinthewoodswasTinkaJallinger！\"
ABELLEOFCANADACITY
Cissywastyingherhatunderherroundchinbeforeasmallglassatherwindow。Thewindowgaveuponabackgroundofserratedmountainandolive-shadowedcanyon，withafaintadditionaloutlineofahighersnowlevel——theonlydreamysuggestionofthewholelandscape。Theforegroundwasaglaringlyfreshandunpicturesqueminingtown，whoseirregularattemptsatregularityweresetforthwithallthecruel，uncompromisingclearnessoftheCalifornianatmosphere。TherewasthestraightMainStreetwithitsnewbrickblockof\"stores，\"endingabruptlyagainstatangledbluff；therewastheruthlessclearinginthesedatepineswherethehideousspireofthenewchurchimitatedthesoaringofthesolemnshaftsithaddisplacedwithalmostirreligiousmockery。YetthisforegroundwasCissy’sworld——herlife，hersolegirlishexperience。
Shedidnot，however，botherherprettyheadwiththeviewjustthen，butmovedhercheekupanddownbeforetheglass，thebettertoexaminebythemercilessglareofthesunlightafewfrecklesthatstarredthehollowsofhertemples。Likeothersofhersex，shewasapoorcriticofwhatwasherrealbeauty，andquarreledwiththatpeculiartextureofherhealthyskinwhichmadeherfaceaseloquentinhersun-kissedcheekasinherbrighteyesandexpression。Nevertheless，shewassomewhatconsoledbytheravishingeffectofthebowknotshehadjusttied，andturnedawaynotwhollydissatisfied。Indeed，astheacknowledgedbelleofCanadaCityandthedaughterofitsprincipalbanker，smallwonderthatacertainfrankvanityandchildlikeimperiousnesswereamongherfaults——andherattractions。
Sheboundeddownthestairsandintothefrontparlor，fortheirhousepossessedtheunheard-ofluxuryofadoubledrawing-room，albeitthesecondapartmentcontainedadesk，andwasoccasionallyusedbyCissy’sfatherinprivatebusinessinterviewswithanxiousseekersof\"advances\"whoshunnedthepublicityofthebank。Heresheinstantlyflewintothearmsofherbosomfriend，MissPineyTibbs，agirlonlyashadeortwolessprettythanherself，who，alwaysmoreorlessillateaseinthesesplendors，wasawaitingherimpatiently。ForMissTibbswasmerelythedaughterofthehotel-keeper；andalthoughTibbswasaSoutherner，andhadowned\"hisownniggers\"intheStates，shewasofinferiorpositionandaprotegeeofCissy’s。
\"Thankgoodnessyou’vecome，\"exclaimedMissTibbs，\"forI’vebinsittin’heretillInightookroot。Whatkep’ye？\"
\"Howdoesitlook？\"respondedCissy，asarelevantreply。
The\"it\"referredtoCissy’snewhat，andtotheyounggirlthecoherencewasperfectlyplain。MissTibbslookedat\"it\"severely。
Itwouldnotdoforaprotegeetobetoocomplaisant。
\"Hem！Musthavecostaheapo’money。\"
\"Itdid！CamefromthebestmillinerinSanFrancisco。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidPiney，withhalfassumedenvy。\"Whenyourpopperrunsthebankandjustwallowsingold！\"
\"Nevermind，dear，\"repliedCissycheerfully。\"So’llYOURpoppersomeday。I’mgoin’togetminetoletYOURpopperintosomething——
Ditchstocksandsuch。Yes！True，OKing！Popper’lldoanythingforme，\"sheaddedalittleloftily。
LoyalasPineywastoherfriend，shewasbynomeansconvincedofthis。Sheknewthedifferencebetweenthetwomen，andhadavividrecollectionofhearingherownfatherexpresshisopinionofCissy’srespectedparentasa\"GoldShark\"and\"QuartzMinerCrusher。\"Itdidnot，however，affectherfriendshipforCissy。
Sheonlysaid，\"Let’scome！\"caughtCissyaroundthewaist，prancedwithheroutintotheveranda，andgasped，outofbreath，\"Wherearewegoin’first？\"
\"DownMainStreet，\"saidCissypromptly。
\"Andlet’sstopatMarkham’sstore。They’vegotsomenewthingsinfromSacramento，\"addedPiney。
\"Countrystyles，\"returnedCissy，withasuperciliousair。\"No！
Besides，Markham’sheadclerkisgettin’toopresumptuous。Justguess！Heaskedme，whileIwasbuyin’something，ifIenjoyedthedancelastMonday！\"
\"Butyoudancedwithhim，\"saidthesimplePiney，inastonishment。
\"Butnotinhisstoreamonghiscustomers，\"saidCissysapiently。
\"No！we’regoingdownMainStreetpastSecamps’。ThoseSecampgirlsaresuretobeattheirwindows，lookingout。Thishatwilljustturn’emgreen——greenerthanever。\"
\"You’rejusthorrid，Ciss！\"saidPiney，withadmiration。
\"Andthen，\"continuedCissy，\"we’lljustsaildownpastthenewblocktotheparson’sandmakeacall。\"
\"Oh，Isee，\"saidPineyarchly。\"It’llbejustaboutthetimewhenthenewengineerofthemillworkshasacleanshirton，andissmokinghiscigyarbeforetheoffice。\"
Cissytossedherhatdisdainfully。\"Muchanybodycareswhetherhe’sthereornot！Ihaven’tforgottenhowheshowedusoverthemilltheotherdayinapairofoveralls，justlikeaworkman。\"
\"Buttheysayhe’sawfullysmartandwelleducated，andneedn’twork，andI’msureit’sveryniceofhimtodressjustliketheothermenwhenhe’swith’em，\"urgedPiney。
\"Bah！Thatwasjusttoshowthathedidn’tcarewhatwethoughtofhim，he’sthatconceited！Anditwasn’trespectful，consideringoneofthedirectorswasthere，alldressedup。Don’ttellme！
Youcanseeitinhiseye，lookingyouoverwithoutblinkingandthenturningawayasifhe’dgotenoughofyou。Hemakesmetired。\"
Pineydidnotreply。Theengineerhadseemedtohertobeasingularlyattractiveyoungman，yetshewasequallyimpressedwithCissy’ssuperiorcondition，whichcouldfindflawsinsuchperfection。Followingherfrienddownthestepsoftheveranda，theypassedintothestaringgraveledwalkofthenewgarden，onlyrecentlyrecoveredfromthewildwood，itsaccuratediamondandheartshapedbedsofvividgreensetinwhitequartzbordersgivingittheappearanceofelaboratelyicedconfectionery。Afewstepsfurtherbroughtthemtotheroadandthewooden\"sidewalk\"toMainStreet，whichcarriedcivicimprovementstothehillside，andMr。
Trixit’sverydoor。Turningdownthisthoroughfare，theystoppedlaughing，andotherwiseassumedaconscioushalfartificialair；
foritwasthehourwhenCanadaCityloungedlistlesslybeforeitsshops，itssaloons，itsofficesandmills，orevenheldlazymeetingsinthedustoftheroadway，andthepassagedowntheprincipalstreetofitstwoprettiestgirlswasaneventtobeviewedasifitwereacivicprocession。Hatsflewoffastheypassed；placewasfreelygiven；impedingbarrelsandsackswereremovedfromthewoodenpavement，andpreoccupiedindwellershastilysummonedtothefrontdoortodohomagetoCissyTrixitandPineyastheywentby。NotbutthatCanadaCity，inthefierceandunregeneratedaysofitsyouth，hadseenfairerandhighercoloredfaces，moregaylybedizened，onitsthoroughfares，butneveranythingsofreshandinnocent。Menstoodthereallunconsciously，reverencingtheirabsentmothers，sisters，anddaughters，intheirspontaneoushomagetothepair，andseemedtofeelthewholesomebreathoftheirEasternhomeswaftedfromthefreshlyironedskirtsofthesefoolishvirginsastheyrustledby。IamafraidthatneitherCissynorPineyappreciatedthisfeeling；fewwomendidatthattime；indeed，theseyoungladiesassumedaslightairofhauteur。
\"Really，theydostareso，\"saidCissy，witheyesdilatingwithpleasurableemotion；\"we’llhavetotakethebackstreetnexttime！\"
Piney，proudinthegloryreflectedfromCissy，andinherown，answered，\"Wewill——sure！\"
Therewasonlyoneinterruptiontothistriumphalprogress，andthatwassoslightastobenoticedbyonlyoneofthetwogirls。
Astheypassedthenewworksatthemill，thenewengineer，asPineyhadforeseen，wasleaningagainstthedoorpost，smokingapipe。Hetookhishatfromhisheadandhispipefromhismonthastheyapproached，andgreetedthemwithaneasy\"Good-afternoon，\"
yetwithaglancethatwasquietlyobservantandtolerantlycritical。
\"There！\"saidCissy，whentheyhadpassed，\"didn’tItellyou？Didyoueverseesuchconceitinyourborndays？Ihopeyoudidnotlookathim。\"
Piney，consciousofhavingdoneso，andofhavingblushedunderhisscrutiny，neverthelessstoutlyassertedthatshehadmerelylookedathim\"toseewhoitwas。\"ButCissywasplacatedbypassingtheSecamps’cottage，fromwhosewindowthethreestrappingdaughtersofJohnSecamp，latelyanemigrantfromMissouri，were，asCissyhadsurmised，lighteningthehouseholddutiesbygazingatthe——tothem——unwontedwondersofthestreet。Whethertheircomplexions，stillbearingtracesofthealkalidustandinefficientnourishmentoftheplains，tookamoreyellowtonefromthespectacleofCissy’shat，Icannotsay。Cissythoughttheydid；perhapsPineywasnearerthetruthwhenshesuggestedthattheywereonly\"looking\"toenablethemtomakeahome-madecopyofthehatnextweek。
Theirprogressforwardandthroughtheoutskirtsofthetownwasofthesametriumphalcharacter。Teamsterswithheldtheiroathsandtheirupliftedwhipsasthetwogirlspassedby；wearyminers，toilinginditches，lookedupwithapleasurethatwashalfreminiscentoftheirpast；youngerskylarkersstoppedintheirhorse-playwithhalfsmiling，halfapologeticfaces；moreambitiousridersonthehighwayurgedtheirhorsestogreaterspeedunderthegirls’inspiringeyes，and\"VaqueroBilly，\"chargingthem，fulltilt，broughtuphismustangonitshaunchesandrigidforelegs，withasweepingbowofhissombrero，withinafootoftheirartfullysimulatedterror！Inthiswaytheyatlastreachedtheclearingintheforest，thechurchwithitsostentatiousspire，andtheReverendMr。Windibrook’sdwelling，otherwisehumorouslyknownas\"ThePastorage，\"whereCissyintendedtocall。
TheReverendMr。WindibrookhadbeenselectedbyhisecclesiasticalsuperiorstoministertothespiritualwantsofCanadaCityasbeingwhatwascalleda\"hearty\"man。Certainly，ifconsiderablelungcapacity，absenceofreserve，andpowerofhandshakingandbackslappingwerenecessarytotheredemptionofCanadaCity，Mr。
Windibrook’sministrationwouldhavebeensuccessful。But，singularlyenough，therudeminerwasapttoresentthisfamiliarity，anditisrecordedthatIsaacWood，otherwiseknownas\"GrizzlyWoods，\"oncerespondedtoacheerfulbackslapfromthereverendgentlemanbyanostentatiouslyfriendlyhugwhichnearlydislocatedtheparson’sribs。PerhapsMr。Windibrookwasmorepopularonaccountofhisadmiringenthusiasmoftheprosperousmoney-gettingmembersofhisflockandasingularsympathywiththeirmethods，andMr。Trixit’sdaringspeculationswereanespeciallydelightfulthemetohim。
\"Ah，MissTrixit，\"hesaid，asCissyenteredthelittleparlor，\"andhowisyourdearfather？Stillstartlingthemoneymarketwithhisfearlessspeculations？This，brotherJones，\"turningtoavisitor，\"isthedaughterofourNapoleonoffinance，MontaguTrixit。Onlylastweek，inthatdealin’theComstock，’heclearedfiftythousanddollars！Yes，sir，\"repeatingitwithunction，\"fifty——thousand——dollars！——inabouttwohours，andwithasinglestrokeofthepen！IbelieveIamnotoverstating，MissTrixit？\"
headded，appealingtoCissywithaportentouspolitenessthatwasasbadlyfittingashisprevious\"heartiness。\"
Cissycoloredslightly。\"Idon’tknow，\"shesaidsimply。Shewasperfectlytruthful。Sheknewnothingofherfather’sbusiness，exceptthevaguereputationofhissuccess。
Hermodesty，however，producedasingularhilarityinMr。Windibrook，andaplayfulpush。\"YOUdon’tknow？Ha，butIdo。Yes，sir，\"——tothevisitor，——\"Ihavereasontorememberit。Icalleduponhimthenextday。Iused，sir，thefreedomofanoldfriend。’Trixit，’I
said，clappingmyhandonhisshoulder，’theLordhasbeengoodtoyou。Icongratulateyou。’
\"’H’m！’hesaid，withoutlookingup。’Whatdoyoureckonthosecongratulationsareworth？’
\"Manyaman，sir，whodidn’tknowhisstyle，wouldhavebeenstaggered。ButIknewmyman。Ilookedhimstraightintheeye。
’Aneworgan，’Isaid，’andasgoodaoneasSacramentocanturnout。’
\"Hetookupapieceofpaper，scrawledafewlinesonittohiscashier，andsaid，’Willthatdo？’\"Mr。Windibrook’svoicesanktoathrillingwhisper。\"Itwasanorderforonethousanddollars！
Fact，sir。THATisthefatherofthisyounglady。\"
\"YehadbetterluckthanBishopBriggshadwitholdJohnson，theExcelsiorBankpresident，\"saidthevisitor，encouragedbyWindibrook’s\"heartiness\"intoahumorousretrospect。\"Briggsgoestohimforasubscriptionforanewfenceroundtheburyin’-ground——
theoldonehavin’rottedaway。’Yedon’twantnofence，’sezJohnson，shortlike。’Nofenceroundaburyin’-ground？’sezBriggs，starin’。’No！ThemasisINtheburyin’-groundcan’tgetOUT，andthemasISN’Tdon’twanttogetIN，nohow！Soyoukinjusttravel——Iain’tgivin’moneyawayonuselessnesses！’Ha！ha！\"
Achillsilencefollowed，whichcheckedevenPiney’sgiggle。Mr。
Windibrookevidentlyhadno\"heartiness\"fornon-subscribinghumor。
\"Therearethosewhocanjestwithsacredsubjects，\"hesaidponderously，\"butIhavealwaysfoundMr。Trixit，thoughblunt，eminentlypractical。Yourfatherisstillaway，\"headded，shiftingtheconversationtoCissy，\"hoveringwhereverhecanextractthehoneytostoreupfortheprovisionofage。Anindustriousworker。\"
\"He’sstillaway，\"saidCissy，feelingherselfonsafeground，thoughshewasnotawareofherfather’sentomologicalhabits。\"InSanFrancisco，Ithink。\"
ShewasgladtogetawayfromMr。Windibrook’s\"heartiness\"andconsoleherselfwithMrs。Windibrook’sconstitutionaldepression，whichwaspartlytheresultofnervousdyspepsiaandherhusband’sboisterouscordiality。\"Isuppose，dear，youaredreadfullyanxiousaboutyourfatherwhenheisawayfromhome？\"shesaidtoCissy，withasympatheticsigh。
Cissy，consciousofneverhavingfeltamoment’sanxiety，andaccustomedtohisabsences，repliednaively，\"Why？\"
\"Oh，\"respondedMrs。Windibrook，\"onaccountofhisgreatbusinessresponsibilities，youknow；somuchdependsuponhim。\"
AgainCissydidnotcomprehend；shecouldnotunderstandwhythismasterfulman，herfather，whowasequaltoherownand，itseemed，everybody’sneeds，hadanyresponsibility，orwasnotasinfallibleandconstantasthesunshineortheairshebreathed。Withoutbeinghisconfidante，orevenhisassociate，shehadsincehermother’sdeathnootherexperience；youthfullyalivetotheimportanceoftheirwealth，itseemedtoher，however，onlyanaturalresultofbeingHISdaughter。Shesmiledvaguelyandalittleimpatiently。TheymighthavetalkedtoheraboutHERSELF；
itwasalittletiresometoalwayshavetoanswerquestionsabouther\"popper。\"Nevertheless，sheavailedherselfofMrs。
Windibrook’sinvitationtogointothegardenandseethenewsummerhousethathadbeenputupamongthepines，andgraduallydivertedherhostess’sconversationintogossipofthetown。Ifitwassomewhatlugubriousandhesitating，itwas，however，arelieftoCissy，andbearingchieflyuponthevicissitudesofothers，gaveherthecomfortingglowofcomparison。
TouchingthecomplexionoftheSecampgirls，Mrs。Windibrookattributedittotheirgreatprivationsinthealkalidesert。\"Oneday，\"continuedMrs。Windibrook，\"whentheirfatherwasillwithfeverandague，theydrovethecattletwentymilestowaterthroughthatdreadfulpoisonousdust，andwhentheygottheretheirlipswerecrackedandbleedingandtheireyelidslikeburningknives，andMamieSecamp’shair，whichusedtobeabeautifulbrownlikeyourown，mydear，wasbleachedintoarustyyellow。\"
\"AndtheyWILLwearcolorsthatdon’tsuitthem，\"saidCissyimpatiently。
\"Nevermind，dear，\"saidMrs。Windibrookambiguously；\"Isupposetheywillhavetheirreward。\"
Norwastheyoungengineerdiscussedinalightervein。\"Itpainsmedreadfullytoseethatyoungmanworkingwiththecommonlaborersandgivinghimselfnorest，justbecausehesayshewantstoknowexactly’howthethingisdone’andwhytheoldworksfailed，\"sheremarkedsadly。\"WhenMr。WindibrookknewhewasthesonofJudgeMastertonandhadrichrelations，hewished，ofcourse，tobecivil，butsomehowyoungMastertonandhedidn’t’hitoff。’Indeed，Mr。WindibrookwastoldthathehaddeclaredthattheprosperityofCanadaCitywasonlyamushroomgrowth，anditseemstooshockingtorepeat，dear，buttheysayhesaidthatthenewchurch——OURchurch——wassimplyusingtheAlmightyasabigblufftotheothertowns。Ofcourse，Mr。Windibrookcouldn’tseehimafterthat。Why，heevensaidyourfatheroughttosendyoutoschoolsomewhere，andnotletyougrowupinthishalfcivilizedplace。\"
Strangelyenough，CissydidnothailthiscorroborationofherdisliketoyoungMastertonwiththelivelinessonemighthaveexpected。PerhapsitwasbecausePineyTibbswasnolongerpresent，havingleftCissyattheparsonageandreturnedhome。
Stillsheenjoyedhervisitafterafashion，rompedwiththeyoungerWindibrooksandclimbedatreeinthesecurityofhersylvanseclusionandthepromptingsofherstillhealthy，girlishblood，andonlycamebacktocakeandteaandhernewhat，whichshehadprudentlyhungupinthesummer-house，astheafternoonwaswaning。Whentheyreturnedtothehouse，theyfoundthatMr。
Windibrookhadgoneoutwithhisvisitor，andCissywassparedtheadvertisementofaboisterousescorthome，whichhegenerallyinsistedupon。ShegaylytookleaveoftheinfantWindibrookandhismother，salliedoutintotheemptyroad，andoncemorebecameconsciousofhernewhat。
Theshadowswerealreadylengthening，andacoolbreezestirredthedeepaislesofthepinesoneithersideofthehighway。Oneortwopeoplepassedherhurriedly，talkingandgesticulating，evidentlysopreoccupiedthattheydidnotnoticeher。Again，arapidhorsemanrodebywithoutglancinground，overtookthepedestrians，exchangedafewhurriedwordswiththem，andthenspurredswiftlyawayasoneofthemshoutedafterhim，\"There’sanotherdispatchconfirmingit。\"Agroupofmentalkingbytheroadsidefailedtolookupasshepassed。Cissypoutedslightlyatthiswantoftaste，whichmadesomelateelectionnewsorthereportofahorseracemoreenthrallingthanhernewhatanditsowner。Eventhetoilersintheditcheshadlefttheirwork，andwerecongregatedaroundamanwhowasreadingaloudfromawidelymargined\"extra\"
ofthe\"CanadaCityPress。\"Itseemedprovoking，assheknewhercheekswereglowingfromherromp，andwasconsciousthatshewaslookingherbest。However，theSecamps’cottagewasjustbeforeher，andthegirlsweresuretobeonthelookout！Sheshookoutherskirtsandstraightenedherprettylittlefigureassheapproachedthehouse。Buttohersurprise，hercominghadevidentlybeenanticipatedbythem，andtheywereactually——andunexpectedly——awaitingherbehindthelowwhitewashedgardenpalings！Asshenearedthemtheyburstintoashrill，discordantlaugh，sofullofirony，gratifiedmalice，andmeanexaltationthatCissywasforamomentstartled。Butonlyforamoment；shehadherfather’srecklessaudacity，andborethemdownwithadisplayofsuchpinkcheeksandflashingeyesthattheirlaughterwaschecked，andtheyremainedopen-mouthedasshesweptbythem。
Perhapsthisincidentpreventedherfromnoticinganotherbutmorepassiveone。Agroupofmenstandingbeforethenewmill——thesamemenwhohadsosolicitouslychallengedherattentionwiththeirbowsacoupleofhoursago——turnedassheapproachedandsuddenlydispersed。Itwasnotuntilthiswasrepeatedbyanothergroupthatitsoddityforceditselfuponherstillangryconsciousness。
Thenthestreetseemedtobefullofthoseexcitedpreoccupiedgroupswhomeltedawayassheadvanced。Onlyonemanmethercuriouseyes，——theengineer，——yetshemissedtheusualcriticalsmilewithwhichhewaswonttogreether，andhegaveherabowofsuchprofoundrespectandgravitythatforthefirsttimeshefeltreallyuneasy。Wastheresomethingwrongwithherhat？Thatdreadful，fatefulhat！Wasittooconspicuous？Didhethinkitwasvulgar？Shewaseagertocrossthestreetonthenextblockwheretherewerelargeplate-glasswindowswhichsheandPiney——ifPineywereonlywithhernow！——hadoftenusedasmirrors。
Buttherewasagreatcrowdonthenextblock，congregatedaroundthebank，——herfather’sbank！Avagueterror，sheknewnotwhat，nowbegantocreepoverher。Shewouldhaveturnedintoasidestreet，butmingledwithherfearwasaresolutionnottoshowit，——
nottoevenTHINKofit，——tocombatitasshehadcombatedthehorridlaughoftheSecampgirls，andshekeptherwaywithabeatingheartbuterecthead，withoutlookingacrossthestreet。
Therewasanothercrowdbeforethenewspaperoffice——alsoontheotherside——andabulletinboard，butshewouldnottrytoreadit。
Onlyoneideawasinhermind，——toreachhomebeforeanyoneshouldspeaktoher；forthelastintelligiblesoundthathadreachedherwasthelaughoftheSecampgirls，andthiswasstillringinginherears，seemingtovoicethehiddenstrangenessofallshesaw，andstirringher，asthathad，withchildishindignation。Shekeptonwithunmovedface，however，andatlastturnedintotheplankedside-terrace，——apartofherfather’smunificence，——andreachedthesymmetricalgarden-bedsandgraveledwalk。Sheranupthestepsoftheverandaandenteredthedrawing-roomthroughtheopenFrenchwindow。Glancingaroundthefamiliarroom，atherfather’scloseddesk，attheopenpianowiththepieceofmusicshehadbeenpracticingthatmorning，thewholewalkseemedonlyafoolishdreamthathadfrightenedher。ShewasCissyTrixit，thedaughteroftherichestmaninthetown！Thiswasherfather’shouse，thewonderofCanadaCity！
Aringatthefrontdoorbellstartledher；withoutwaitingfortheservanttoanswerit，shesteppedoutontheveranda，andsawaboywhomsherecognizedasawaiteratthehotelkeptbyPiney’sfather。Hewasholdinganoteinhishand，andstaringintentlyatthehouseandgarden。SeeingCissy，hetransferredhisstaretoher。Snatchingthenotefromhim，shetoreitopen，andreadinPiney’swell-knownscrawl，\"Dadwon’tletmecometoyounow，dear，butI’lltrytoslipoutlateto-night。\"Whyshouldshewanttocome？ShehadsaidnothingaboutcomingNOW——andwhyshouldherfatherpreventher？Cissycrushedthenotebetweenherfingers，andfacedtheboy。
\"Whatareyoustaringat——idiot？\"
Theboygrinnedhysterically，alittlefrightenedatCissy’sstraightenedbrowsandsnappingeyes。
\"Getaway！there’snoanswer。\"
Theboyranoff，andCissyreturnedtothedrawing-room。Thenitoccurredtoherthattheservanthadnotansweredthebell。Sherangagainfuriously。Therewasnoresponse。Shecalleddownthebasementstaircase，andheardonlytheechoofhervoiceinthedepths。Howstillthehousewas！WeretheyALLout，——Susan，Norah，thecook，theChinaman，andthegardener？Sherandownintothekitchen；thebackdoorwasopen，thefireswereburning，disheswereuponthetable，butthekitchenwasempty。Uponthefloorlayadampcopyofthe\"extra。\"Shepickeditupquickly。Severalblackheadlinesstaredherintheface。\"EnormousDefalcation！\"
\"MontaguTrixitAbsconded！\"\"50，000DollarsMissing！\"\"RunontheBank！\"
Shethrewthepaperthroughtheopendoorasshewouldhavehurledbacktheaccusationfromlivinglips。Then，inarevulsionoffeelinglestanyoneshouldfindherthere，sheranupstairsandlockedherselfinherownroom。
Sothatwaswhatitallmeant！All！——fromthelaughoftheSecampgirlstotheturningawayofthetownspeopleasshewentby。Herfatherwasathiefwhohadstolenmoneyfromthebankandrunawayleavingheralonetobearit！No！Itwasallalie——awicked，jealouslie！Afoolishlie，forhowcouldhestealmoneyfromHIS
OWNbank？Cissyknewverylittleofherfather——perhapsthatwaswhyshebelievedinhim；sheknewstilllessofbusiness，butsheknewthatHEdid。Shehadoftenheardthemsayit——perhapstheveryoneswhonowcalledhimnames。He！whohadmadeCanadaCitywhatitwas！HE，who，Windibrooksaid，onlyto-day，had，likeMoses，touchedtherocksoftheCanadawithhismagicwandofFinance，andstreamsofpubliccreditandprosperityhadgushedfromit！Shewouldneverspeaktothemagain！Shewouldshutherselfuphere，dismissalltheservantsbuttheChinaman，andwaituntilherfatherreturned。
Therewasaknock，andtheentreatingvoiceofNorah，thecook，outsidethedoor。Cissyunlockeditandflungitopenindignantly。
\"Ah！It’syourself，miss——andIneverknewyekembacktillImetthatgossoonofahotelwaiterinthestreet，\"saidthepantingservant。\"SureitwasonlyanhouragowhileIwasatmewoorrckinthekitchen，andJimrushesinandsez：’FortheloveofGod，ifiveryewanttoseeablessedcintofthemoneyyeputinthemasther’sbank，offwidyenowanddrawitout——forthere’sarunonthebank！’\"
\"Itwasaninfamouslie，\"saidCissyfiercely。
\"Sure，miss，howwasoitoknow？AndifthemastherHASgoneaway，it’sownlytakin’memoneyfromtheotherdivilsdowntherethat’sdrawin’itoutanddividin’itbetwixtandbetweenthem。\"
Cissyhadaveryvagueideaofwhata\"runonthebank\"meant，butNorah’slogicseemedtosatisfyherfemininereason。Shesoftenedalittle。
\"Mr。Windibrookisintheparlor，miss，andajintlemanontheveranda，\"continuedNorah，encouraged。
Cissystarted。\"I’llcomedown，\"shesaidbriefly。
Mr。Windibrookwaswaitingbesidethepiano，withhissofthatinonehandandalargewhitehandkerchiefintheother。HehadconfidentlyexpectedtofindCissyintears，andwasreadywithboisterouscondolement，butwasalittletakenabackastheyounggirlenteredwithapaleface，straightenedbrows，andeyesthatshonewithaudaciousrebellion。However，itwastoolatetochangehisattitude。\"Ah，myyoungfriend，\"hesaidalittleawkwardly，\"wemustnotgivewaytoouremotions，buttrytorecognizeinourtrialsthebenefitsofagreatlesson。But，\"headdedhurriedly，seeingherstandstillsilentbuterectbeforehim，\"Iseethatyoudo！\"Hepaused，coughedslightly，castaglanceattheveranda，——
whereCissynowforthefirsttimeobservedamanstandinginanobviouslyassumedattitudeofnegligentabstraction，——movedtowardsthebackroom，andinalowervoicesaid，\"Awordwithyouinprivate。\"
Withoutreplying，Cissyfollowedhim。
\"If，\"saidMr。Windibrook，withasicklysmile，\"youarequestionedregardingyourfather’saffairs，youmayrememberhispeculiarandutterlyunsolicitedgiftofacertainsumtowardsaneworgan，towhichIalludedto-day。Youcansaythathealwaysexpressedgreatliberalitytowardsthechurch，anditwasnosurprisetoyou。\"
Cissyonlystaredathimwithdangerouseyes。
\"Mrs。Windibrook，\"continuedthereverendgentlemaninhishighest，heartiestvoice，albeitalittlehurried，\"wishedmetosaytoyouthatuntilyouheardfrom——yourfriends——shewantedyoutocomeandstaywithher。DOcome！DO！\"
Cissy，withherbrighteyesfixeduponhervisitor，said，\"Ishallstayhere。\"
\"But，\"saidMr。Windibrookimpatiently，\"youcannot。Thatmanyouseeontheverandaisthesheriff’sofficer。Thehouseandallthatitcontainsareinthehandsofthelaw。\"
Cissy’sfacewhitenedinproportionashereyesgrewdarker，butshesaidstoutly，\"Ishallstayheretillmypoppertellsmetogo。\"
\"Tillyourpoppertellsyoutogo！\"repeatedMr。Windibrookharshly，droppinghisheartinessandhishandkerchiefinaburstofunguardedtemper。\"Yourpapaisathiefescapingfromjustice，youfoolishgirl；adisgracedfelon，whodarenotshowhisfaceagaininCanadaCity；andyouarelucky，yes！lucky，miss，ifyoudonotsharehisdisgrace！\"
\"Andyou’reawicked，wickedliar！\"saidCissy，clinchingherlittlefistsathersideandedgingtowardshimwithasidelongbantam-likemovementassheadvancedherfreckledcheekclosetohiswithaneffronterysolikeherabscondingfatherthatherecoiledbeforeit。\"Andamean，double-facedhypocrite，too！
Didn’tyoualwayspraisehim？Didn’tyoucallhimaNapoleon，anda——Moses？Didn’tyousayhewasthemakingofCanadaCity？Didn’tyougethimtoraiseyoursalary，andstartasubscriptionforyournewhouse？Oh，you——you——stinkingbeast！\"
Herethestrangerontheveranda，stillgazingabstractedlyatthelandscape，gavealowandapparentlyunconsciousmurmur，asifenrapturedwiththeview。Mr。Windibrook，recalledtoanattemptatdignity，tookuphishatandhandkerchief。\"Whenyouhaverememberedyourselfandyourposition，MissTrixit，\"hesaidloftily，\"theofferIhavemadeyou\"——
\"Idespiseit！I’dsoonerstayinthewoodswiththegrizzliesandrattlesnakes？\"saidCissypantingly。\"Goandleavemealone！Doyouhear？\"Shestampedherlittlefoot。\"Areyoulistening？Go！\"
Mr。Windibrookpromptlyretreatedthroughthedooranddownthestepsintothegarden，atwhichthestrangerontheverandareluctantlytorehimselfawayfromthelandscapeandslowlyenteredtheparlorthroughtheopenFrenchwindow。Here，however，hebecameequallyabsorbedandabstractedintheconditionofhisbeard，carefullystrokinghisshavencheekandlipsandpullinghisgoatee。
AfterapauseheturnedtotheangryCissy，standingbythepiano，radiantwithglowingcheeksandflashingeyes，andsaidslowly，\"I
reckonyougavetheparsonasgoodashesent。Itkindersettlesamantohearthefrozentruthabouthimselfsometimes，andyou’vehelpedoldShadbellyconsiderablyonthewaytowardssalvation。
Buthewasrightaboutonething，MissTrixit。ThehouseISinthehandsofthelaw。I’mrepresentingitasdeputysheriff。Mebbeyoumightrememberme——JakePoole——whenyourfatherwasaddressingthelastCitizen’smeeting，sittin’nexttohimontheplatform——
I’Minpossession。Itisn’tajobI’mhankerin’mucharter；I’daliefratherhunthossthievesortrackdownroadagentsthanthiskindo’fancy，underhandwork。Soyou’llexcuseme，miss，ifI
ain’tgotthestyle。\"Hepaused，rubbedhischinthoughtfully，andthensaidslowlyandwithgreatdeliberation：\"Efthere’sanylittlethinghere，miss，——anykeepsakesorsuchtriflesezyoukeerforinpartickler，thingsyouwouldn’tlikestrangerstohave，——youjustmakealittlepileof’emanddrop’emdownsomewhereoutsidethebackdoor。Thereain’tnoinventorytakennorsealin’upofanythin’donejustyet，thoughIhavetoseethereain’tanythin’
disturbed。ButIkalkilatetowalkoutonthatverandaforaspellandlookatthelandscape。\"Hepausedagain，andsaid，withasighofsatisfaction，\"It’samightypootyviewoutthar；itjusttakesmeeverytime。\"
AsheturnedandwalkedoutthroughtheFrenchwindow，Cissydidnotforamomentcomprehendhim；then，strangelyenough，hisactofrudecourtesyforthefirsttimeawakenedhertothefullsenseofthesituation。Thishouse，herfather’shouse，wasnolongerhers！
IfherfathershouldNEVERreturn，shewantednothingfromit，NOTHING！Shegrippedherbeatingheartwiththelittlehandshehadclinchedsovaliantlyamomentago。Suddenlyherhanddropped。
Someonehadglidednoiselesslyintothebackroom；afigureinablueblouse；aChinaman，theirhouseservant，AhFe。Hecastafurtiveglanceatthestrangerontheveranda，andthenbeckonedtoherstealthily。Shecametowardshimwonderingly，whenhesuddenlywhippedanotefromhissleeve，andwithadexterousmovementslippeditintoherfingers。Shetoreitopen。Asingleglanceshowedherasmallkeyinclosedinalineofherfather’shandwriting。Drawingquicklybackintothecorner，shereadasfollows：\"Ifthisreachesyouintime，takefromtheseconddrawerofmydeskanenvelopemarked’PrivateContracts’andgiveittothebearer。\"Therewasneithersignaturenoraddress。
Puttingherfingertoherlips，shecastaquickglanceattheabsorbedfigureontheverandaandsteppedbeforethedesk。Shefittedthekeytothedrawerandopeneditrapidlybutnoiselessly。
Therelaytheenvelope，andamongotherticketedpapersasmallrollofgreenbacks——suchasherfatheroftenkeptthere。ItwasHISmoney；shedidnotscrupletotakeitwiththeenvelope。
HandingthelattertotheChinaman，whomadeitinstantlydisappearuphissleevelikeaconjurer’sact，shesignedhimtofollowherintothehall。
\"Whogaveyouthatnote，AhFe？\"shewhisperedbreathlessly。
\"Chinaman。\"
\"Whogaveittohim？\"
\"Chinaman。\"
\"AndtoHIM？\"
\"NolleeChinaman。\"
\"AnotherChinaman？\"
\"Yes——heapChinaman——alleesameasgang。\"
\"YoumeanitpassedfromoneChinaman’shandtoanother？\"
\"Alleesame。\"
\"Whydidn’tthefirstChinamanwhogotitbringithere？\"
\"S’poseMellikanmanwanttocatcheelettel。HespottyChinaman。
HefolleeChinaman。Chinamanpasseelettelnex’Chinaman。Henoget。Mellikanmannohabegot。Sabe？\"
\"Thenthispackagewillgobackthesameway？\"
\"Alleesame。\"
\"AndwhowillYOUgiveittonow？\"
\"Alleesamemanblingeemelettel。HopLi——whomakeewashee。\"
AnideaherestruckCissywhichmadeherheartjumpandhercheeksflame。AhFegazedatherwithaninfantilesmileofadmiration。
\"Howfardidthatlettercome？\"sheasked，witheagerquestioningeyes。
\"Letteemeseehim，\"saidAhFe。
Cissyhandedhimthemissive；heexaminedcloselysomehalf-a-dozenChinesecharactersthatwerescrawledalongthelengthoftheouterfold，andwhichshehadinnocentlysupposedwereapartofthemarkingsofthericepaperonwhichthenotewaswritten。
\"HeapChinamanvellymuchwalkee——longeeway！S’poseyoulook。\"
Hepointedthroughtheopenfrontdoortotheprospectbeyond。ItwasafamiliaronetoCissy，——thelongCanada，thecrestoncrestofserriedpines，andbeyondthedimsnow-line。AhFe’sbrownfingerseemedtolingerthere。
\"Inthesnow，\"shewhispered，hercheekwhiteninglikethatdimline，buthereyessparklinglikethesunshineoverit。
\"Alleesame，John，\"saidAhFeplaintively。
\"AhFe，\"whisperedCissy，\"takeMEwithyoutoHopLi。\"
\"Nogood，\"saidAhFestolidly。\"HopLi，hegiveethis\"——heindicatedtheenvelopeinhissleeve——\"tonextChinaman。HEnogo。
S’poseyougowithme，HopLi——younomakeenothing——alleesame，makeefoolee！\"
\"Iknow；butyoujusttakemethere。DO！\"
Theyounggirlwasirresistible。AhFe’sfacerelaxed。\"Alleelitee！\"hesaid，witharesignedsmile。
\"Youwaithereamoment，\"saidCissy，brightening。Sheflewupthestaircase。Inafewminutesshewasbackagain。Shehadexchangedhersmartrose-spriggedchintzforapatheticlittleblue-checkedfrockofherschool-days；thefatefulhathadgivenwaytoabrownstraw\"flat，\"bentlikeaframearoundhercharmingface。Allthegirlishness，andindeedacertainhonestboyishnessofhernature，seemedtohavecomeoutinherglowing，freckledcheek，brilliant，audaciouseyes，andthequickstridewhichbroughthertoAhFe’sside。
\"Nowlet’sgo，\"shesaid，\"outthebackwayanddownthesidestreets。\"Shepaused，castaglancethroughthedrawing-roomatthecontemplativefigureofthesheriff’sdeputyontheveranda，andthenpassedoutofthehouseforever……
TheexcitementoverthefailureofMontaguTrixit’sbankdidnotburnitselfoutuntilmidnight。Bythattime，however，itwasprettywellknownthattheamountofthedefalcationshadbeenexaggerated；thatithadbeenprecededbythesuspensionofthe\"ExcelsiorBank\"ofSanFrancisco，ofwhichTrixitwasalsoamanagingdirector，occasionedbythediscoveryofthewithdrawalofsecuritiesforuseinthebranchbankatCanadaCity；thathehadfledtheStateeastwardacrosstheSierras；yetthat，owingtothevigilanceofthepoliceonthefrontier，hehadfailedtoescapeandwasinhiding。Buttherewereadversereportsofamoresinisternature。Itwassaidthatotherswereimplicated；thattheydarednotbringhimtojustice；itwaspointedoutthattherewasmoreconcernamongmanywhowerenotopenlyconnectedwiththebankthanamongitsunfortunatedepositors。Besidestheinevitabledownfallofthosewhohadinvestedtheirfortunesinit，therewasdistrustorsuspicioneverywhere。EvenTrixit’senemieswereforcedtoadmitthesayingthat\"CanadaCitywasthebank，andthebankwasTrixit。\"
PerhapsthishadsomethingtodowithanexcitedmeetingofthedirectorsoftheNewMill，towhosediscussionsDickMasterton，theengineer，hadbeenhurriedlysummoned。WhenthepresidenttoldhimthathehadbeenselectedtoundertakethedifficultanddelicatemissionofdiscoveringthewhereaboutsofMontaguTrixit，and，ifpossible，procuringaninterviewwithhim，hewasamazed。WhathadtheNewMill，whichhadalwayskeptitselfalooffromthebankanditsmethods，todowiththedisgracedmanager？Hewasstillmoreastonishedwhenthepresidentaddedbluntly：——
\"Trixitholdssecuritiesofoursformoneyadvancedtothemillbyhimselfprivately。Theydonotappearonthebooks，butifhechoosestodeclarethemasassetsofthebank，it’sabadthingforus。Ifheisboldenoughtokeepthem，hemaybewillingtomakesomearrangementwithustocarrythemon。Ifhehasgotawayorcommittedsuicide，assomesay，it’sforyoutofindthewhereaboutsofthesecuritiesandgetthem。HeissaidtohavebeenlastseenneartheSummit。Youunderstandourposition？\"
Mastertondid，withsuppresseddisgust。Buthewasyoung，andtherewasthethrillofadventureinthis。\"Iwillgo，\"hesaidquietly。
\"Wethoughtyouwould。Youmusttaketheupstageto-night。Comeagainandgetyourfinalinstructions。Bytheway，youmightgetsomeinformationatTrixit’shouse。You——er——er——areacquaintedwithhisdaughter，Ithink？\"
\"Whichmakesitquiteimpossibleformetoseekherforsuchapurpose，\"saidMastertoncoldly。
Afewhourslaterhewasonthecoach。Astheyclearedtheoutskirtsofthetown，theypassedtwoChinamenploddingsturdilyalonginthedustofthehighway……
Mr。Mastertonstartedfromaslightdozeintheheavy，lumbering\"mountainwagon\"whichhadtakentheplaceofthesmartConcordcoachthathehadleftatthelaststation。Thescenery，too，hadchanged；thefourhorsesthreadedtheirwaythroughrockydefilesofstuntedlarchesandhardy\"brush，\"withhereandthereopenpatchesofshrunkensnow。Yetattheedgeofdeclivitieshecouldstillseethroughtherolled-upleathercurtainsthevalleybelowbathedinautumn，theglisteningrivershalfspentwiththelongsummerdrought，andthegreenslopesrollingupwardintocrestaftercrestofascendingpines。Attimesadriftinghaze，alwaysimperceptiblefrombelow，veiledtheview；achillwindblewthroughthevehicle，andmadethesteelsledge-runnersthathungbeneaththewagon，readytobeshippedundertheuselesswheels，anominousprovision。Afewrude\"stations，\"halfblacksmithshops，halfgrocery，markedthedesertedbutwellwornroad；along，narrow\"packer’s\"wagon，oratortuousfileofChinamencarryingmysteriousbundlesdependingfrombamboopoles，wastheirrareandonlycompany。TheroughsheepskinjacketswhichthesemenworeovertheircharacteristicblueblousesandtheirheavyleggingswereanewrevelationtoMasterton，accustomedtothethinlycladcoolieofthemines。Theyseemedadistinctrace。
\"Ineverknewthosechapsgetsohighup，buttheyseemtounderstandthecold，\"heremarked。
Thedriverlookedup，andejaculatedhisdisgustandhistobaccojuiceatthesamemoment。
\"Ireckonthey’reeverywharinCalifornywharyouwant’emandwharyoudon’t；youtakemywordforit，aforelongCalifornywillhevtoreckonthatsheginerallyDON’Twant’em，efawhitemanhastolivehere。Witharacetieduptogetherinalanguageyecan’tunderstand，waysthatnofellerknows，——fromtheirprayin’todevils，swappin’theirwives，andhavin’theirbonessentbacktoChiny，——wotareyegoin’todo，andwhereareye？Wotareyegoin’
tomakeoutermenthatlooksomuchalikeyecan’ttell’emapart；
thatthinkalikeandactalike，andneverinwaysthatyekincatchonto！Fellersknottedtogetherinsomeunderhandsecretwayo’
communicatin’witheachother，sothatefyekickaChinamanuphereontheSummit，anotherChinamanwillsquealinthevalley！
Andthewaytheydoitjustgetsme！Lookyer！I’lltellyesomethin’thathappened，that’sgospeltruth！SomeoftheboysthatreckonedtohevsomefunwiththeChineegangoveratCedarCampstartedoutoneafternoontoraid’em。Theygropedalongthroughthewoodswharnobodycouldsee’em，kalkilatin’tocomedownwitharushonthecamp，overtwomilesaway。AndnobodyDID
see’em，onlyONEChinamanwottheymetamilefromthecamp，burnin’punktohisjossordevil，andhescootedawayjustinthecontrarydirection。Well，sir，whentheywaltzedintothatcamp，darnmyskin！eftherewasaChinamanthere，orasmuchasagrainofricetograb！Somebodyhadwarned’em！Well！thissorto’gottheboys，andtheysetaboutdiscoverin’howitwasdone。Oneof’emnoticedthattherewassomeofthembitsoftissuepaperslipsthattheytossaroundatfuneralslyin’alongtheroadnearthecamp，andanotherrememberedthattheChinamantheymetonthehilltossedalotofthatpaperintheairaforehescooted。Well，sir，thewindcarriedjustenoughofthatpaperstraightdownthehillintothatcamptenminutesaforeTHEYcouldgetthere，togivethemChinamenwarnin’——whateveritwas！Fact！Why，I’veseen’emstringin’alongtheroadjustlikethemfellerswepassedjustnow，andthenstopallofasuddentlikehoundsoffthescent，jabberamongthemselves，andstartoffinadifferentdirection\"——
\"Justwhatthey’redoingnow！Bythunder！\"interruptedanotherpassenger，whowaslookingthroughtherolled-upcurtainathisside。
Allthepassengersturnedbyoneaccordandlookedout。ThefileofChinamenunderobservationhadindeedturned，andwaseventhenmovingrapidlyawayatrightanglesfromtheroad。
\"Gotsomesignal，youbet！\"saidthedriver；\"someyellerpaperorpieceo’jossstickintheroad。What？\"
Theremarkwasaddressedtothepassengerwhohadjustplacedhisfingeronhislip，andindicatedastolid-lookingChinaman，overlookedbefore，whowassittinginthebackor\"steerage\"seat。
\"Oh，hebedarned！\"saidthedriverimpatiently。\"HEisnoaccount；he’sonlythelaundrymanfromRockyCanyon。I’mtalkin’
ofthecooliegang。\"
Butheretheconversationflagged，andtheairgrowingkeener，theflapsoftheleathersidecurtainswerebatteneddown。Mastertongavehimselfuptoconflictingreflections。Theinformationthathehadgatheredwasmeagreandunsatisfactory，andhecouldonlytrusttoluckandcircumstancetofulfillhismission。Thefirstglowofadventurehavingpassed，hewasuneasilyconsciousthatthemissionwasnottohistaste。Thepretty，flushedbutdefiantfaceofCissythatafternoonhauntedhim；hehadnotknowntheimmediatecauseofit，butmadenodoubtthatshehadalreadyheardthenewsofherfather’sdisgracewhenhemether。Heregrettednowthathehadn’tspokentoher，ifonlyafewformalwordsofsympathy。Hehadalwaysbeenhalftenderlyamusedatherfrankconceitandher\"airs，\"——theinnocent，undisguisedprideofthecountrybelle，sodifferentfromthehardaplombofthecitygirl！Andnowthefoolishlittlemoth，dancinginthesunshineofprosperity，hadfeltthechillofwinterinitsprettywings。Thecontempthehadforthefatherhadhithertoshownitselfintolerantpityforthedaughter，soproudofherfather’spositionandwhatitbroughther。Intherevelationthathisowndirectorshadavailedthemselvesofthatfather’smethods，andtheignoblecharacterofhispresentmission，hefeltastirringofself-reproach。Whatwouldbecomeofher？Ofcourse，frivolousasshewas，shewouldnotfeelthekeennessofthismisfortunelikeanother，noryetrisesuperiortoit。Shewouldsuccumbforthepresent，toreviveanotherseasoninadimmergloryelsewhere。Hiscritical，cynicalobservationofherhaddeterminedthatanyfilialaffectionshemighthavewouldbemergedandlostinthegreaterdeprivationofherposition。