Theundisguisedamusement，mingledwithrelief，thathadoverspreadBarker’sfaceduringthislivelyrecitalmighthaveprickedtheconscienceofMrs。Horncastle，butforsomereasonIfearitdidnot。Butitemboldenedhertogoon。\"IsaidIpromisedherthatIwouldseeshewasn’tdisturbed；but，ofcourse，nowthatYOU，herHUSBAND，havecome，if\"——
\"Notforworlds，\"interruptedBarkerearnestly。\"IknowpoorKitty’sheadaches，andIneverdisturbher，poorchild，exceptwhenI’mthoughtless。\"Andhereoneofthemostthoughtfulmenintheworldinhissensitiveconsiderationofothersbeamedatherwithsuchfrankandwonderfuleyesthatthearchhypocritebeforehimwithdifficultysuppressedahystericaldesiretolaugh，andfelttheconsciousbloodflushhertotherootofherhair。\"Youknow，\"
hewenton，withasigh，halfofreliefandhalfofreminiscence，\"thatIoftenthinkI’magreatbothertoaclear-headed，sensiblegirllikeKitty。SheknowspeoplesomuchbetterthanIdo。She’swonderfullyequippedfortheworld，and，yousee，I’monly’lucky，’
aseverybodysays，andIdaresaypartofmyluckwastohavegother。I’mverygladshe’safriendofyours，youknow，forsomehowIfanciedalwaysthatyouwerenotinterestedinher，orthatyoudidn’tunderstandeachotheruntilnow。It’soddthatnicewomendon’talwayslikenicewomen，isn’tit？I’mgladshewaswithyou；
Iwasquitestartledtolearnshewashere，andcouldn’tmakeitout。IthoughtatfirstshemighthavegotanxiousaboutourlittleSta，whoiswithmeandthenurseatHymettus。ButI’mgladitwasonlyalark。Ishouldn’twonder，\"headded，withalaugh，\"althoughshealwaysdeclaressheisn’toneofthose’doting，idioticmothers，’thatshefounditalittledullwithouttheboy，forallshethoughtitwasbetterforMEtotakehimsomewhereforachangeofair。\"
ThesituationwasbecomingmoredifficultforMrs。Horncastlethanshehadconceived。Therehadbeenacertainexcitementinitsfirstdirectappealtohertactandcourage，andeven，shebelieved，anunselfishdesiretosavetherelationsbetweenhusbandandwifeifshecould。Butshehadnotcalculateduponhisunconsciousrevelations，norupontheireffectuponherself。ShehadconcludedtobelievethatKittyhad，inamomentoffolly，lentherselftothishare-brainedescapade，butitnowmightbepossiblethatithadbeendeliberatelyplanned。Kittyhadsentherhusbandandchildawaythreeweeksbefore。Hadshetoldthewholetruth？
Howlonghadthisbeengoingon？AndifthesoullessVanLoohaddesertedhernow，wasitnot，perhaps，themiserableendingofanintrigueratherthanitsbeginning？Hadshebeenasgreatadupeofthiswomanasthehusbandbeforeher？Anewanddoubleconsciousnesscameoverherthatforamomentpreventedherfrommeetinghishonesteyes。Shefelttheshameofbeinganaccomplicemingledwithafiercejoyattheideaofaclimaxthatmightseparatehimfromhiswifeforever。
Luckilyhedidnotnoticeit，butwithacontinuedsenseofreliefthrewhimselfbackinhischair，andglancingfamiliarlyroundthewallsbrokeintohisyouthfullaugh。\"Lord！howIrememberthisroomintheolddays。ItwasKitty’sownprivatesitting-room，youknow，andIusedtothinkitlookedjustasfreshandprettyasshe。Iusedtothinkhercrayondrawingwonderful，andstillmorewonderfulthatsheshouldhavethatunnecessarytalentwhenitwasquiteenoughforhertobejust’Kitty。’Youknow，don’tyou，howyoufeelatthosetimeswhenyou’requitehappyinbeinginferior\"——
HestoppedamomentwithasuddenrecollectionthatMrs。Horncastle’smarriagehadbeennotoriouslyunhappy。\"Imean，\"hewentonwithashylittlelaughandaninnocentattemptatgallantrywhichtheverydirectnessofhissimplenaturemadeatrociouslyobvious，——\"Imeanwhatyou’vemadelotsofyoungfellowsfeel。ThereusedtobeapictureofColonelBriggonthemantelpiece，infulluniform，andsignedbyhimself’forKitty；’andLord！howjealousIwasofit，forKittynevertookpresentsfromgentlemen，andnobodyevenwasallowedinhere，thoughshehelpedherfatheralloverthehotel。
Shewasawfullystrictinthosedays，\"heinterpolated，withathoughtfullookandahalf-sigh；\"butthenshewasn’tmarried。I
proposedtoherinthisveryroom！Lord！IrememberhowfrightenedIwas。\"Hestoppedforaninstant，andthensaidwithacertaintimidity，\"Doyoumindmytellingyousomethingaboutit？\"
Mrs。Horncastlewashardlypreparedtoheartheseingenuousdomesticdetails，butshesmiledvaguely，althoughshecouldnotsuppressasomewhatimpatientmovementwithherhands。EvenBarkernoticedit，buttohersurprisemovedalittlenearertoher，andinahalf-entreatingwaysaid，\"IhopeIdon’tboreyou，butit’ssomethingconfidential。DoyouknowthatshefirstREFUSEDme？\"
Mrs。Horncastlesmiled，butcouldnotresistaslighttossofherhead。\"Ibelievetheyalldowhentheyaresureofaman。\"
\"No！\"saidBarkereagerly，\"youdon’tunderstand。IproposedtoherbecauseIthoughtIwasrich。InafoolishmomentIthoughtI
haddiscoveredthatsomeoldstocksIhadhadacquiredafabulousvalue。Shebelievedit，too，butbecauseshethoughtIwasnowarichmanandsheonlyapoorgirl——amereservanttoherfather’sguests——sherefusedme。RefusedmebecauseshethoughtImightregretitinthefuture，becauseshewouldnothaveitsaidthatshehadtakenadvantageofmyproposalonlywhenIwasrichenoughtomakeit。\"
\"Well？\"saidMrs。Horncastleincredulously，gazingstraightbeforeher；\"andthen？\"
\"InaboutanhourIdiscoveredmyerror，thatmystockswereworthless，thatIwasstillapoorman。Ithoughtitonlyhonesttoreturntoherandtellher，eventhoughIhadnohope。Andthenshepitiedme，andcried，andacceptedme。Itellittoyouasherfriend。\"Hedrewalittlenearerandquitefraternallylaidhishanduponherown。\"Iknowyouwon’tbetrayme，thoughyoumaythinkitwrongformetohavetoldit；butIwantedyoutoknowhowgoodshewasandtrue。\"
ForamomentMrs。Horncastlewasamazedanddiscomfited，althoughshesaw，withtheinscrutableinstinctofhersex，noinconsistencybetweentheKittyofthosedaysandtheKittynowshamefullyhidingfromherhusbandinthesamehotel。NodoubtKittyhadsomegoodreasonforherchivalrousact。Butshecouldseetheunmistakableeffectofthatactuponthemorelogicallyreasoninghusband，andthatitmightleadhimtobemoremercifultothelaterwrong。Andtherewasakeenerironythathisfirstmovementofunconsciouskindlinesstowardsherwastheoutcomeofhisaffectionforhisundeservingwife。
\"Yousaidjustnowshewasmorepracticalthanyou，\"shesaiddryly。\"Apartfromthisevidenceofit，whatotherreasonshaveyouforthinkingso？Doyourefertoherindependenceorherdealingsinthestockmarket？\"sheadded，withalaugh。
\"No，\"saidBarkerseriously，\"forIdonotthinkherquitepracticalthere；indeed，I’mafraidsheisaboutasbadasIam。
ButI’mgladyouhavespoken，forIcannowtalkconfidentiallywithyou，andasyouandshearebothinthesameventures，perhapsshewillfeellesscompunctioninhearingfromyou——asyourownopinion——whatIhavetotellyouthanifIspoketohermyself。I
amafraidshetrustsimplicitlytoVanLoo’sjudgmentasherbroker。Ibelieveheisstrictlyhonorable，butthegeneralopinionofhisbusinessinsightisnothigh。They——perhapsIoughttosayHE——havebeenatleastsounluckythattheymighthavelearnedprudence。Thelossoftwentythousanddollarsinthreemonths\"——
\"Twentythousand！\"echoedMrs。Horncastle。
\"Yes。Why，youknewthat；itwasinthemineyouandshevisited；
or，perhaps，\"headdedhastily，asheflushedathisindiscretion，\"shedidn’ttellyouthat。\"
ButMrs。Horncastleashastilysaid，\"Yes——yes——ofcourse，onlyI
hadforgottentheamount；\"andhecontinued：——
\"Thatlosswouldhavefrightenedanyman；butyouwomenaremoredaring。OnlyVanLoooughttohavewithdrawn。Don’tyouthinkso？
OfcourseIcouldn’tsayanythingtohimwithoutseemingtocondemnmyownwife；Icouldn’tsayanythingtoHERbecauseit’sherownmoney。\"
\"Ididn’tknowthatMrs。Barkerhadanymoneyofherown，\"saidMrs。Horncastle。
\"Well，Igaveittoher，\"saidBarker，withsublimesimplicity，\"andthatwouldmakeitalltheworseformetospeakaboutit。\"
Mrs。Horncastlewassilent。Anewtheoryflasheduponherwhichseemedtoreconcileallthepreviousinconsistenciesofthesituation。VanLoo，undertheguiseofalover，wasreallypossessinghimselfofMrs。Barker’smoney。Thisaccountedfortheriskshewasrunninginthisescapade，whichweresoincongruoustotherascal’snature。Hewascalculatingthatthescandalofanintriguewouldrelievehimoftheperilsofcriminaldefalcation。
ItwascompatiblewithKitty’sinnocence，thoughitdidnotrelievehervanityofthepartitplayedinthisdespicablecomedyofpassion。AllthatMrs。Horncastlethoughtofnowwastheeffectofitseventfulrevelationuponthemanbeforeher。Ofcourse，hewouldoverlookhiswife’strustfulnessandbusinessignorance——itwouldseemsolikehisownunselfishfaith！Thatwasthefaultofallunselfishgoodness；iteventookthecolorofadjacentevil，withoutalteringthenatureofeither。Mrs。Horncastlesetherteethtightlytogether，butherbeautifulmouthsmileduponBarker，thoughhereyeswerebentuponthetableclothbeforeher。
\"IshalldoallIcantoimpressyourviewsuponher，\"shesaidatlast，\"thoughIfeartheywillhavelittleweightifgivenasmyown。Andyouoverratemygeneralinfluencewithher。\"
HerhandsomeheaddroopedinsuchathoughtfulhumilitythatBarkerinstinctivelydrewnearertoher。Besides，shehadnotliftedherdarklashesforsomemoments，andhehadthestillyouthfulhabitoflookingfranklyintotheeyesofthoseheaddressed。
\"No，\"hesaideagerly；\"howcouldI？Shecouldnothelpbutloveyouanddoasyouwouldwish。Ican’ttellyouhowgladandrelievedIamtofindthatyouandshehavebecomesuchfriends。
YouknowIalwaysthoughtyoubeautiful，Ialwaysthoughtyousoclever——Iwasevenalittlefrightenedofyou；butIneveruntilnowknewyouweresoGOOD。No，stop！Yes，IDIDknowit。DoyourememberonceinSanFrancisco，whenIfoundyouwithStainyourlapinthedrawing-room？Iknewitthen。Youtriedtomakemethinkitwasawhim——thefancyofaboredandworriedwoman。ButI
knewbetter。AndIknewwhatyouwerethinkingthen。ShallItellyou？\"
Ashereyeswerestillcastdown，althoughhermouthwasstillsmiling，inhisendeavorstolookintothemhisfacewasquitenearhers。Hefanciedthatitborethelookshehadwornoncebefore。
\"Youwerethinking，\"hesaidinavoicewhichhadgrownsuddenlyquitehesitatingandtremulous，——hedidnotknowwhy，——\"thatthepoorlittlebabywasquitefriendlessandalone。Youwerepityingit——youknowyouwere——becausetherewasnoonetogiveitthelovingcarethatwasitsdue，andbecauseitwasintrustedtothathirednurseinthatgreathotel。Youwerethinkinghowyouwouldloveitifitwereyours，andhowcruelitwasthatLovewassentwithoutanobjecttowasteitselfupon。Youwere：Isawitinyourface。\"
Shesuddenlyliftedhereyesandlookedfullintohiswithalookthatheldandpossessedhim。Foramomenthiswholesoulseemedtotrembleonthevergeoftheirlustrousdepths，andhedrewbackdizzyandfrightened。Whathesawthereheneverclearlyknew；
but，whateveritwas，itseemedtosuddenlychangehisrelationstoher，totheroom，tohiswife，totheworldwithout。Itwasaglimpseofaworldofwhichheknewnothing。Hehadlookedfranklyandadmiringlyintotheeyesofotherprettywomen；hehadevengazedintoherownbefore，butneverwiththisfeeling。Asuddensensethatwhathehadseentherehehadhimselfevoked，thatitwasananswertosomequestionhehadscarcelyyetformulated，andthattheywerebothnowlinkedbyanunderstandingandconsciousnessthatwasirretrievable，cameoverhim。Heroseawkwardlyandwenttothewindow。Sherosealso，butmoreleisurelyandeasily，movedoneofthebooksonthetable，smoothedoutherskirts，andchangedherseattoalittlesofa。Itisthewomanwhoalwayscomesoutofthesecrucialmomentsunruffled。
\"IsupposeyouwillbegladtoseeyourfriendMr。Demorestwhenyougoback，\"shesaidpleasantly；\"forofcoursehewillbeatHymettusawaitingyou。\"
Heturnedeagerly，ashealwaysdidatthename。ButeventhenhefeltthatDemorestwasnolongerofsuchimportancetohim。Hefelt，too，thathewasnotyetquitesureofhisvoiceorevenwhattosay。Ashehesitatedshewentonhalfplayfully：\"Itseemshardthatyouhadtocomeallthewayhereonsuchabootlesserrand。
Youhaven’tevenseenyourwifeyet。\"
Thementionofhiswiferecalledhimtohimself，oddlyenough，whenDemorest’snamehadfailed。Butverydifferently。Outofhiswhirlingconsciousnesscametheinstinctivefeelingthathecouldnotseehernow。Heturned，crossedtheroom，satdownonthesofabesideMrs。Horncastle，andwithout，however，lookingather，said，withhiseyesonthefloor，\"No；andI’vebeenthinkingthatit’shardlyworthwhiletodisturbhersoearlyto-morrowasIshouldhavetogo。SoIthinkit’sagooddealbettertoletherhaveagoodnight’srest，remainherequietlywithyouto-morrowuntilthestageleaves，andthatbothofyoucomeovertogether。Myhorseisstillsaddled，andIwillbebackatHymettusbeforeDemoresthasgonetobed。\"
Hewasobligedtolookupatherasherose。Mrs。Horncastlewassittingerect，beautifulanddazzlingasevenhehadneverseenherbefore。Forhisresolutionhadsuddenlyliftedagreatweightfromhershoulders，——thedangerousmeetingofhusbandandwifethenextmorning，anditsresults，whatevertheymightbe，hadbeenquietlyaverted。Shefelt，too，ahalf-frightenedjoyevenintheconstrainedmannerinwhichhehadimpartedhisdetermination。
Thatfranknesswhichevenshehadsometimesfoundsocrushingwasgone。
\"Ireallythinkyouarequiteright，\"shesaid，risingalso，\"and，besides，yousee，itwillgivemeachancetotalktoherasyouwished。\"
\"TotalktoherasIwished？\"echoedBarkerabstractedly。
\"Yes，aboutVanLoo，youknow，\"saidMrs。Horncastle，smiling。
\"Oh，certainly——aboutVanLoo，ofcourse，\"hereturnedhurriedly。
\"Andthen，\"saidMrs。Horncastlebrightly，\"I’lltellher。Stay！\"
sheinterruptedherselfhurriedly。\"WhyneedIsayanythingaboutyourhavingbeenhereATALL？Itmightonlyannoyher，asyouyourselfsuggest。\"Shestoppedbreathlesslywithpartedlips。
\"Why，indeed？\"saidBarkervaguely。Yetallthiswassounlikehisusualtruthfulnessthatheslightlyhesitated。
\"Besides，\"continuedMrs。Horncastle，noticingit，\"youknowyoucanalwaystellherlater，ifnecessary。\"Andsheaddedwithacharmingmischievousness，\"Asshedidn’ttellyoushewascoming，I
reallydon’tseewhyyouareboundtotellherthatyouwerehere。\"
ThesophistrypleasedBarker，eventhoughitputhimintoacertainretaliatingattitudetowardshiswifewhichhewasnotawareoffeeling。But，asMrs。Horncastleputit，itwasonlyaplayfulattitude。
\"Certainly，\"hesaid。\"Don’tsayanythingaboutit。\"
Hemovedtothedoorwithhissoft，broad-brimmedhatswingingbetweenhisfingers。Shenoticedforthefirsttimethathelookedtallerinhislongblackserapeandriding-boots，and，oddlyenough，muchmoreliketheheroofanamoroustrystthanVanLoo。
\"Iknow，\"shesaidbrightly，\"youareeagertogetbacktoyouroldfriend，anditwouldbeselfishformetotrytokeepyoulonger。
Youhavehadastupidevening，butyouhavemadeitpleasanttomebytellingmewhatyouthoughtofme。AndbeforeyougoIwantyoutobelievethatIshalltrytokeepthatgoodopinion。\"ShespokefranklyincontrasttotheslightworldlyconstraintofBarker’smanner；itseemedasiftheyhadchangedcharacters。Andthensheextendedherhand。
Withalowbow，andwithoutlookingup，hetookit。Againtheirpulsesseemedtoleaptogetherwithoneaccordandthesamemysteriousunderstanding。Hecouldnottellifhehadunconsciouslypressedherhandorifshehadreturnedthepressure。Butwhentheirhandsunclaspeditseemedasifitwerethedivisionofonefleshandspirit。
Sheremainedstandingbytheopendooruntilhisfootstepspasseddownthestaircase。ThenshesuddenlyclosedandlockedthedoorwithaninstinctthatMrs。Barkermightatoncereturnnowthathewasgone，andshewishedtobeamomentalonetorecoverherself。
Butshepresentlyopeneditagainandlistened。Therewasanoiseinthecourtyard，butitsoundedliketherattleofwheelsmorethantheclatterofahorseman。Thenshewasovercome——asuddensenseofpityfortheunfortunatewomanstillhidingfromherhusband——andfeltamomentarychivalrousexaltationofspirit。
Certainlyshehaddone\"good\"tothatwretched\"Kitty；\"perhapsshehadearnedtheepithetthatBarkerhadappliedtoher。Perhapsthatwasthemeaningofallthishappinesstoher，andtheresultwastobeonlythehappinessandreconciliationofthewifeandhusband。Thiswastobeherreward。Igrievetosaythatthetearshadcomeintoherbeautifuleyesatthissatisfactoryconclusion，butshedashedthemawayandranoutintothehall。Itwasquitedark，buttherewasafaintglimmerontheoppositewallasifthedoorofMrs。Barker’sbedroomwereajartoaneagerlistener。Sheflewtowardstheglimmer，andpushedthedooropen：
theroomwasempty。EmptyofMrs。Barker，emptyofherdressing-
box，herreticuleandshawl。Shewasgone。
Still，Mrs。Horncastlelingered；thewomanmighthavegotfrightenedandretreatedtosomefurtherroomattheopeningofthedoorandthecomingoutofherhusband。Shewalkedalongthepassage，callinghernamesoftly。Sheevenpenetratedthedreary，half-litpublicparlor，expectingtofindhercrouchingthere。Thenasuddenwildideatookpossessionofher：themiserablewifehadrepentedofheractandofherconcealment，andhadcreptdownstairstoawaitherhusbandintheoffice。Shehadtoldhimsomenewlie，hadbeggedhimtotakeherwithhim，andBarker，ofcourse，hadassented。Yes，shenowknewwhyshehadheardtherattlingwheelsinsteadoftheclatteringhoofsshehadlistenedfor。Theyhadgonetogether，ashefirstproposed，inthebuggy。
Sheranswiftlydownthestairsandenteredtheoffice。Theoverworkedclerkwasbusyandquerulouslycurt。Thesewomenwerealwaysaskingsuchidioticquestions。Yes，Mr。Barkerhadjustgone。
\"WithMrs。Barkerinthebuggy？\"askedMrs。Horncastle。
\"No，ashecame——onhorseback。Mrs。BarkerleftHALFANHOURAGO。\"
\"Alone？\"
Thiswasapparentlytoomuchforthelong-sufferingclerk。Heliftedhiseyestotheceiling，andthen，withpainfulprecision，andaccentingeverywordwithhispencilonthedeskbeforehim，saiddeliberately，\"Mrs。GeorgeBarker——left——here——withher——
escort——the——manshe——was——always——asking——for——in——the——buggy——atexactly——9。35。\"Andheplungedintohisworkagain。
Mrs。Horncastleturned，ranupthestaircase，re-enteredthesitting-room，andslammingthedoorbehindher，haltedinthecentreoftheroom，panting，erect，beautiful，andmenacing。Andshewasaloneinthisemptyroom——thisdesertedhotel。Fromthisveryroomherhusbandhadleftherwithabrutalityonhislips。
Fromthisroomthefoolandliarshehadtriedtowarnhadgonetoherruinwithaswindlinghypocrite。Andfromthisroomtheonlymanintheworldsheevercaredforhadgoneforthbewildered，wronged，andabused，andsheknewnowshecouldhavekeptandcomfortedhim。
CHAPTERIV。
WhenPhilipDemorestleftthestagecoachatthecross-roadsheturnedintotheonlywaysidehouse，theblacksmith’sshop，and，declaringhisintentionofwalkingovertoHymettus，askedpermissiontoleavehishand-bagandwrapsuntiltheycouldbesentafterhim。Theblacksmithwassurprisedthatthis\"likelymannered，\"distinguished-looking\"cityman\"shouldWALKeightmileswhenhecouldride，andtriedtodissuadehim，offeringhisownbuggy。ButhewasstillmoresurprisedwhenDemorest，layingasidehisduster，tookoffhiscoat，and，slingingitonhisarm，preparedtosetforthwiththegood-humoredassurancethathewoulddothedistanceinacoupleofhoursandgetinintimeforsupper。
\"Iwouldn’tbetoosureofthat，\"saidtheblacksmithgrimly，\"orevenofgettingaroom。They’reastuck-uplotoverthere，andtheyain’tgoin’tohumpthemselvesoverachapwhocomestraipsin’
alongtheroadlikeanytramp，withnarybaggage。\"ButDemorestlaughinglyacceptedtherisk，andtakinghisstoutstickinonehand，pressedagoldcoinintotheblacksmith’spalm，whichwas，however，declinedwithsuchreddeningpromptnessthatDemorestaspromptlyreddenedandapologized。ThehabitsofEuropeantravelhadbeenstillstrongonhim，andhefeltaslightpatrioticthrillashesaid，withagravesmile，\"Thankyou，then；andthankyoustillmoreforremindingmethatIamamongmyown’people，’\"andsteppedlightlyoutintotheroad。
Theairwasstilldeliciouslycool，butwarmercurrentsfromtheheatedpinesbegantoalternatewiththewindfromthesummit。Hefoundhimselfsometimeswalkingthroughastratumofhotairwhichseemedtoexhalefromthewooditself，whilehisheadandbreastweresweptbythemountainbreeze。Hefelttheoldintoxicationofthebalmy-scentedairagain，andthefiveyearsofcareandhopelessnesslaiduponhisshoulderssincehehadlastbreatheditsfragranceslippedfromthemlikeaburden。Therehadbeenbutlittlechangehere；perhapstheroadwaswiderandthedustlaythicker，butthegreatpinesstillmountedinserriedranksontheslopesasbefore，withnogapsintheirunendingfiles。Herewasthespotwherethestagecoachhadpassedthemthateventfulmorningwhentheywerecomingoutoftheircamp-lifeintotheworldofcivilization；alittlefurtherback，thespotwhereJackHamlinhadforceduponhimthatgrimmementooftheattemptedrobberyoftheircabin，whichhehadkepteversince。Hehalfsmiledagainatthesuperstitiousinterestthathadmadehimkeepit，withtheintentionofsomedayreturningtoburyit，withallrecollectionsofthedeed，underthesiteoftheoldcabin。Ashewentoninthevivifyinginfluenceoftheairandscene，newlifeseemedtocoursethroughhisveins；hisstepseemedtogrowaselasticasintheolddaysoftheirbitterbuthopefulstruggleforfortune，whenhehadgaylyreturnedfromhisweeklytramptoBoomvilleladenwiththescantprovisionprocuredbytheirscantearningsanddyingcredit。
ThosewerethedayswhenHERlivingimagestillinspiredhisheartwithfaithandhope；wheneverythingwasyetpossibletoyouthandlove，andbeforetheironyoffatehadgivenhimfortunewithonehandonlytowithdrawHERwiththeother。Itwasstrangeandcruelthatcomingbackfromhisquestofrestandforgetfulnessheshouldfindonlytheseyouthfulandsanguinedreamsrevivewithhisrevivingvigor。Hewalkedonmorehurriedlyasiftoescapethem，andwasgladtobedivertedbyoneortwocarryallsandchar-a-
bancsfilledwithgaylydressedpleasureparties——evidentlyvisitorstoHymettus——whichpassedhimontheroad。Herewerethefirstsignsofchange。Herecalledthetrainofpack-mulesoftheolddays，thefileofpole-and-basketcarryingChinese，thesquawwiththepapoosestrappedtohershoulder，orthewanderingandfoot-soreprospector，whoweretheonlywayfarersheusedtomeet。
Hecontrastedtheirhaltsandfriendlygreetingswiththeinsolentcuriosityorundisguisedcontemptofthecarriagefolk，andsmiledashethoughtofthewarningoftheblacksmith。Butthisdidnotlongdiverthim；hefoundhimselfagainreturningtohispreviousthought。Indeed，thefaceofayounggirlinoneofthecarriageshadquitestartledhimwithitsresemblancetoanoldmemoryofhislostloveashesawher，——herfrail，paleeleganceencompassedinlacesassheleanedbackinherdrivethroughFifthAvenue，witheyesthatlitupandbecametransfiguredonlyashepassed。Hetriedtothinkofhisuselessquestinsearchofherlastresting-
placeabroad；howhehadbeenbaffledbytheoppositionofhersurvivingrelations，alreadyincensedbythethoughtthatherdeclinehadbeentheeffectofherhopelesspassion。Hetriedtorecallthefewfrigidlinesthatreconveyedtohimthelastletterhehadsenther，withtheannouncementofherdeathandthehopethat\"hispersecutions\"wouldnowcease。Awildideahadsometimescometohimoutoftheveryinsufficiencyofhisknowledgeofthisclimax，buthehadalwaysputitasideasaprecursorofthatmadnesswhichmightendhisceaselessthought。Andnowitwasreturningtohim，here，thousandsofmilesawayfromwhereshewaspeacefullysleeping，andevenfillinghimwiththevigorofyouthfulhope。
Thebriefmountaintwilightwasgivingwaynowtotheradianceoftherisingmoon。HeendeavoredtofixhisthoughtsuponhispartnerswhoweretomeethimatHymettusaftertheselongyearsofseparation。
Hymettus！Herecallednowtheoddcoincidencethathehadmischievouslyusedasagagtohisquestioningfellowtraveler；butnowhehadreallycomefromavillanearAthenstofindhisoldhousethusclassicallyrechristenedafterit，andthoughtofitwithagravityhehadnotfeltbefore。Hewonderedwhohadnamedit。Therewasnosuggestionofthesoft，sensuouseleganceofthelandhehadleftinthosegreatheroicsofnaturebeforehim。
Thoseenormoustreeswerenowoodsforfaunsordryads；theyhadtheirowngodlikemajestyofbulkandheight，andasheatlastclimbedthesummitandsawthedark-helmetedheadofBlackSpurbeforehim，andbeyonditthepallid，spiritualcloudoftheSierras，hedidnotthinkofOlympus。Yetforamomenthewasstartled，asheturnedtotheright，bytheDoric-columnedfacadeofatemplepaintedbythemoonbeamsandframedinanopeningofthedarkwoodsbeforehim。Itwasnotuntilhehadreacheditthathesawthatitwasthenewwoodenpost-officeofHeavyTreeHill。
Andnowthebuildingsofthenewsettlementbegantofaintlyappear。Buttheobscurityoftheshadowandtheequallydisturbingunrealityofthemoonlightconfusedhiminhisattemptstorecognizetheoldlandmarks。Abroadandwell-keptwindingroadhadtakentheplaceoftheoldsteep，butdirecttrailtohiscabin。Hehadwalkedforsomemomentsinuncertainty，whenasuddensweepoftheroadbroughtthefullcrestofthehillaboveandbeforehim，crownedwithatiaraoflights，overtoppingalongbaseofflashingwindows。ThatwasallthatwasleftofHeavyTreeHill。Theoldforegroundofbuckeyeandodorousceanothuswasgone。Eventhegreatgroveofpinesbehindithadvanished。
Therewasalreadyastiroflifeintheroad，andhecouldseefiguresmovingslowlyalongakindofsterile，formalterracespreadwithafewdrearymarblevasesandplasterstatueswhichhadreplacedthenaturalslopeandthegreatquartzbuttressesofoutcropthatsupportedit。Presentlyheenteredagate，andsoonfoundhimselfinthecarriagedriveleadingtothehotelveranda。
Anumberoffairpromenaderswerefacingthekeenmountainnightwindinwrapsandfurs。Demoresthadreplacedhiscoat，buthisbootswereredwithdust，andasheascendedthestepshecouldseethathewaseyedwithsomesuperciliousnessbytheguestsandwithconsiderablesuspicionbytheservants。Oneofthelatterwasapproachinghimwithaninsolentsmilewhenafiguredartedfromthevestibule，and，brushingthewaiteraside，seizedDemorest’stwohandsinhisandheldhimatarm’slength。
\"Demorest，oldman！\"
\"Stacy，oldchap！\"
\"Butwhere’syourteam？I’vehadallthesparehostlersandhall-
boyslisteningforyouatthegate。Andwhere’sBarker？Whenhefoundyou’dgiventhedead-cuttotherailroad——HISrailroad，youknow——helopedovertoBoomvilleafteryou。\"
Demorestbrieflyexplainedthathehadwalkedbytheoldroadandprobablymissedhim。Butbythistimethewaiters，crushedbythespectacleofthistravel-wornstranger’saffectionatereceptionbythegreatfinancialmagnate，werewildlyapplyingtheirbrushesandhandkerchiefstohistrousersandbootsuntilStacyagainsweptthemaway。
\"Getoff，allofyou！Now，Phil，youcomewithme。Thehouseisfull，butI’vemadethemanagergiveyoualady’sdrawing-roomsuite。Whenyoutelegraphedyou’dmeetusHEREtherewasnochancetogetanythingelse。It’sreallyMrs。VanLoo’sfamilysuite；buttheyweresentfortogotoMarysvilleyesterday，andsowe’llrunyouinforthenight。\"
\"But\"——protestedDemorest。
\"Nonsense！\"saidStacy，dragginghimaway。\"We’llpayforit；andIreckontheoldladywon’tobjecttotakinghershareofthedamageeither，orsheisn’tVanLoo’smother。Come。\"
DemorestfelthimselfhurriedforwardbytheenergeticStacy，precededbytheobsequiousmanager，throughacorridortoahandsomelyfurnishedsuite，intowhosebathroomStacyincontinentlythrusthim。
\"There！Washup；andbythetimeyou’rereadyBarkeroughttobeback，andwe’llhavesupper。It’swaitingforusintheotherroom。\"
\"ButhowaboutBarker，thedearboy？\"persistedDemorest，holdingopenthedoor。\"Tellme，ishewellandhappy？\"
\"Aboutaswellasweallare，\"saidStacyquickly，yetwithacertaindrysignificance。\"Nevermindnow；waituntilyouseehim。\"
Thedoorclosed。WhenDemoresthadfinishedwashing，andwipedawaythelastredstainofthemountainroad，hefoundStacyseatedbythewindowofthelargersitting-room。Inthecentreatablewasspreadforsupper。AbrightfireofhickorylogsburntonamarblehearthbetweentwolargewindowsthatgaveuponthedistantoutlineofBlackSpur。AsStacyturnedtowardshim，bythelightoftheshadedlampandflickeringfire，Demoresthadagoodlookatthefaceofhisoldfriendandpartner。Itwasaskeenandenergeticasever，withperhapsanevenmorehawk-likeactivityvisibleintheeyeandnostril；butitwasmorethoughtfulandreticentinthelinesofthemouthunderthecloselyclippedbeardandmustache，andwhenhelookedup，atfirstthereweretwodeeplinesorfurrowsacrosshislowbroadforehead。Demorestfancied，too，thattherewasalittleoftheoldfightinglookinhiseye，butitsoftenedquicklyashisfriendapproached，andheburstoutwithhiscurtbuthonestsingle-syllabledlaugh。\"Ha！YoulookalittlelesslikearovingApachethanyoudidwhenyoucame。I
reallythoughtthewaitersweregoingtochuckyou。AndyouARE
tanned！Darnedifyoudon’tlookliketheprofilestampedonaContinentalpenny！Buthere’sluckandawelcomeback，oldman！\"
Demorestpassedhisarmaroundtheneckofhisseatedpartner，andgraspinghisupraisedhandsaid，lookingdownwithasmile，\"AndnowaboutBarker。\"
\"Oh，Parker，d——nhim！He’sthesameunshakable，unchangeable，ungrow-upableBarker！Withthedevil’sownluck，too！Waltzingintorisksandwaltzingoutof’em。Withfadsenoughtoputhimintheinsaneasylumifpeopledidnotprefertokeephimoutofittohelp’em。Alwaysbelievingineverybody，untiltheyactuallybelieveinthemselves，andshakehim！Andhe’sgotawifethat’smakingafoolofherself，andIshouldn’twonderintime——ofhim！\"
Demorestpressedhishandoverhispartner’smouth。\"Come，Jim！
Youknowyouneverreallylikedthatmarriage，simplybecauseyouthoughtthatoldmanCartermadeagoodthingofit。AndyouneverseemtohavetakenintoconsiderationthehappinessBarkergotoutofit，forheDIDlovethegirl。Andhestillishappy，ishenot？\"headdedquickly，asStacyutteredagrunt。
\"AshappyasamancanbewhohashischildherewithanursewhilehiswifeisgallivantinginSanFrancisco，andthrowinghermoney——
andLordknowswhatelse——awayatthebiddingofasmooth-tongued，shadyoperator。\"
\"DoesHEcomplainofit？\"askedDemorest。
\"Nothe；thefooltrustsher！\"saidStacycurtly。
Demorestlaughed。\"Thatishappiness！Come，Jim！don’tletusbegrudgehimthat。ButI’veheardthathisaffairshaveagainprospered。\"
\"Hebuiltthisrailroadandthishotel。Thebankownsbothnow。
Hedidn’tcaretokeepmoneyinthemaftertheywereasuccess；
saidhewasn’tanengineernorahotel-keeper，anddrewitouttofindsomethingnew。Butherehecomes，\"headded，asahorsemandashedintothedrivebeforethehotel。\"Questionhimyourself。
Youknowyouandhealwaysgetalongbestwithoutme。\"
InanothermomentBarkerhadburstintotheroom，andinhisfirsttempestuousgreetingofDemorestthelattersawlittlechangeinhisyoungerpartnerasheheldhimatarm’slengthtolookathim。
\"Why，Barkerboy，youhaven’tgotabitoldersincethedaywhen——
youremember——youwentovertoBoomvilletocashyourbonds，andthencamebackandburstuponuslikethistotellusyouwereabeggar。\"
\"Yes，\"laughedBarker，\"andallthewhileyoufellowswereholdingfouracesupyoursleeveintheshapeofthebigstrike。\"
\"Andyou，Georgy，oldboy，\"returnedDemorest，swingingBarker’stwohandsbackwardsandforwards，\"wereholdingaroyalflushupyoursintheshapeofyourengagementtoKitty。\"
ThefreshcolordiedoutofBarker’scheekevenwhilethefranklaughwasstillonhismouth。Heturnedhisfaceforamomenttowardsthewindow，andaswiftandalmostinvoluntaryglancepassedbetweentheothers。ButhealmostasquicklyturnedhisglisteningeyesbacktoDemorestagain，andsaideagerly，\"Yes，dearKitty！Youshallseeherandthebabyto-morrow。\"
ThentheyfelluponthesupperwiththeappetitesofthePast，andforsomemomentstheyalltalkedeagerlyandevennoisilytogether，allatthesametime，witheventhespiritsofthePast。Theyrecalledeverydetailoftheiroldlife；eagerlyandimpetuouslyrecountedtheoldstruggles，hopes，anddisappointments，gavethestrangeimportanceofschoolboystounimportantevents，andamysticmeaningtoashibbolethoftheirown；roaredoveroldjokeswithadelighttheyhadneversincegiventonew；reawakenedidioticnicknamesandbywordswithintenseenjoyment；grewgrave，anxious，andagonizedoverforgottennames，triflingdates，uselessdistances，ineffectiverecords，andfeeblechroniclesoftheirdomesticeconomy。ItwasthethoughtfulandmelancholyDemorestwhorememberedtheexactcolorandpricepaidforacertainshirtboughtfromaGreaserpeddleramidsttheenvyofhiscompanions；itwasthefinancialmagnate，Stacy，whocouldinformthemwhatweretheexactdaystheyhadsaleratusbreadandwhenflapjacks；itwasthethoughtlessandmercurialBarkerwhorecalledwithunheard-ofaccuracy，amidsttheapplauseoftheothers，thefullnameoftheIndiansquawwhoassistedattheirwashing。Eventhentheywerealmostfeverishlyloathtoleavethesubject，asifthePast，atleast，wassecuretothemstill，andtheywereevendoubtfuloftheirownfreeandfullaccordinthePresent。Thentheyslippedratherreluctantlyintotheirlaterexperiences，butwithscarcelythesamefreedomorspontaneity；anditwasnoticeablethattheserecordswereelicitedfromBarkerbyStacyorfromStacybyBarkerfortheinformationofDemorest，oftenwithchaffingandonlyundergood-humoredprotest。\"TellDemoresthowyoubrokethe’CopperRing，’\"fromtheadmiringBarker，or，\"TellDemoresthowyourd————dfoolishnessinbuyinguptherightandplantoftheDitchCompanygotyoucontroloftherailroad，\"fromthemischievousStacy，werechallengesinpoint。Presentlytheyleftthetable，and，totheastonishmentofthewaiterswhoremovedthecloth，commonbrier-
woodpipes，thoughtfullyprovidedbyBarkerincommemorationofthePast，werelit，andtheyrangedthemselvesinarmchairsbeforethefirequiteunconsciouslyintheiroldattitudes。Thetwowindowsoneithersideofthehearthgavethemthesameviewthattheopendooroftheoldcabinhadmadefamiliartothem，theleague-longvalleybelowtheshadowybulkoftheBlackSpurrisinginthedistance，and，stillmoreremote，thepallidsnow-linethatsoaredevenbeyonditscrest。
Asintheoldtime，theywereformanymomentssilent；andthen，asintheoldtime，itwastheirrepressibleBarkerwhobrokethesilence。\"ButStacydoesnottellyouanythingabouthisfriend，thebeautifulMrs。Horncastle。Youknowhe’stheguardianofoneofthefinestwomeninCalifornia——awomanasnobleandgenerousassheishandsome。Andthinkofit！He’sprotectingherfromherbruteofahusband，andlookingafterherproperty。Isn’titgoodandchivalrousofhim？\"
TheirrepressiblelaughterofthetwomenbroughtonlywonderandreproachfulindignationintothewidelyopenedeyesofBarker。HE
wasperfectlysincere。HehadbeenthinkingofStacy’sadmirationforMrs。HorncastleinhisridefromBoomville，and，strangetosay，yetcharacteristicofhisnature，itwasequallythenaturaloutcomeofhisinterviewwithherandthesingulareffectshehaduponhim。Thathe（Barker）thoroughlysympathizedwithheronlyconvincedhimthatStacymustfeelthesameforher，andthat，nodoubt，shemustrespondtohimequally。Andhownobleitwasinhisoldpartner，withhisadvantagesofpositionintheworldandhisprotectingrelationstoher，nottoavailhimselfofthisinfluenceuponhergenerousnature。Ifhehimself——amarriedmanandthehusbandofKitty——wassoconsciousofhercharm，howmuchgreateritmustbetothefreeandINEXPERIENCEDStacy。
TheitalicswereinBarker’sthought；forinthosemattershefeltthatStacyandevenDemorest，occupiedinotherthings，hadnothisknowledge。TherewasnoideaorconsciousnessofheroicallysacrificinghimselforMrs。Horncastleinthis。Iamafraidtherewasnotevenanideaofasuperiormoralityinhimselfingivingupthepossibilityoflovingher。EversinceStacyhadfirstseenherhehadfanciedthatStacylikedher，——indeed，Kittyfanciedit，too，——anditseemedalmostprovidentialnowthatheshouldknowhowtoassisthisoldpartnertohappiness。ForitwasinconceivablethatStacyshouldnotbeabletorescuethiswomanfromhershamefulbonds，orthatsheshouldnotconsenttoitthroughhis（Barker’s）argumentsandentreaties。Toa\"championofdames\"thisseemedonlyrightandproper。InhisunfailingoptimismhetranslatedStacy’slaughasembarrassmentandDemorest’sasonlyignoranceoftherealquestion。ButDemoresthadnoticed，ifhehadnot，thatStacy’slaughwasalittlenervouslyprolongedforamanofhistemperament，andthathehadcastaverykeenglanceatBarker。AmessengerarrivingwithatelegrambroughtfromBoomvillecalledStacymomentarilyaway，andBarkerwasnotslowtotakeadvantageofhisabsence。
\"Iwish，Phil，\"hesaid，hitchinghischairclosertoDemorest，\"thatyouwouldthinkseriouslyofthismatter，andtrytopersuadeStacy——who，Ibelieve，ismoreinterestedinMrs。Horncastlethanhecarestoshow——toputalittleofthatdeterminationinlovethathehasshowninbusiness。She’sanawfullyfinewoman，andineverywaysuitedtohim，andheislettinganabsurdsenseofprideandhonorkeephimfrominfluencinghertogetridofherimpossiblehusband。There’snoreason，\"continuedBarkerinaburstofenthusiasticsimplicity，\"thatBECAUSEshehasfoundsomeoneshelikesbetter，andwhowouldtreatherbetter，thatsheshouldcontinuetosticktothatbeastwhomallCaliforniawouldgladlyseeherdivorcedfrom。Inevercouldunderstandthatkindofargument，couldyou？\"
Demorestlookedathiscompanion’sglowingcheekandkindlingeyewithasmile。\"Agooddealdependsuponthesidefromwhichyouargue。But，frankly，Barkerboy，thoughIthinkIknowyouinallyourphases，Iamnotpreparedyettoacceptyouasamatch-maker！
However，I’llthinkitover，andfindoutsomethingmoreofthisfromyourgoddess，whoseemstohavebewitchedyouboth。ButwhatdoesMistressKittysaytoyouradmiration？\"
Barker’sfaceclouded，butinstantlybrightened。\"Oh，they’rethebestoffriends；they’requitelikeus，youknow，eventolarkstheyhavetogether。\"Hestoppedandcoloredathisslip。ButDemorest，whohadnoticedhischangeofexpression，wasmoreconcernedatthelookofhalfincredulityandhalfsuspicionwithwhichStacy，whohadre-enteredtheroomintimetohearBarker’sspeech，wasregardinghisunconsciousyoungerpartner。
\"Ididn’tknowthatMrs。HorncastleandMrs。Barkerweresuchfriends，\"hesaiddrylyashesatdownagain。ButhisfacepresentlybecamesoabstractedthatDemorestsaidgayly：——
\"Well，Jim，I’mgladI’mnotaNapoleonofFinance！Icouldn’tstandittohavemyprivacyormyrelaxationbrokeninuponatanymoment，asyourswasjustnow。Whatconfoundedsomersaultinstockshasputthatfaceonyou？\"
Stacylookedupquicklywithhisbrieflaugh。\"I’mafraidyou’dbenonethewiserifItoldyou。ThatwasaponyexpressmessengerfromNewYork。YourememberhowBarker，thatnightofthestrike，whenweweresittingtogetherhere，orverynearhere，proposedthatweoughttohaveapasswordorasymboltocallustogetherincaseofemergency，foreachother’shelp？Well，letussayIhavetwopartners，oneinEuropeandoneinNewYork。Thatwasmypassword。\"
\"And，Ihope，nomoreseriousthanours，\"addedDemorest。
Stacylaughedhisshortlaugh。Nevertheless，theconversationdraggedagain。Thefeverishgayetyoftheearlypartoftheeveningwasgone，andtheyseemedtobesufferingfromthereaction。Theyfellintotheiroldattitudes，lookingfromthefirelighttothedistantbulkofBlackSpurwithoutaword。Theoccasionalsoundofthevoicesofpromenadersontheverandaatlastceased；therewasthenoiseoftheshuttingofheavydoorsbelow，andBarkerrose。
\"You’llexcuseme，boys；butImustgoandsaygood-nighttolittleSta，andseethathe’sallright。Ihaven’tseenhimsinceIgotback。But\"——toDemorest——\"you’llseehimto-morrow，whenKittycomes。Itisasmuchasmylifeisworthtoshowhimbeforeshecertifieshimasbeingpresentable。\"Hepaused，andthenadded：
\"Don’twaitup，youfellows，forme；sometimesthelittlechapwon’tletmego。It’sasifhethought，nowKitty’saway，Iwasallhehad。ButI’llbeupearlyinthemorningandseeyou。I
daresayyouandStacyhaveaheaptosaytoeachotheronbusiness，andyouwon’tmissme。SoI’llsaygood-night。\"Helaughedlightly，pressedthehandsofhispartnersinhisusualheartyfashion，andwentoutoftheroom，leavingthegloomalittledeeperthanbefore。ItwassounusualforBarkertobethefirsttoleaveanybodyoranythingintroublethattheybothnoticedit。\"Butforthat，\"saidDemorest，turningtoStacyasthedoorclosed，\"Ishouldsaythedearfellowwasabsolutelyunchanged。Butheseemedalittleanxiousto-night。\"
\"Ishouldn’twonder。He’sgottwowomenonhismind，——asifonewasnotenough。\"
\"Idon’tunderstand。Yousayhiswifeisfoolish，andthisother\"——
\"Nevermindthatnow，\"interruptedStacy，gettingupandputtingdownhispipe。\"Let’stalkalittlebusiness。Thatotherstuffwillkeep。\"
\"Byallmeans，\"saidDemorest，withasmile，settlingdownintohischairalittlewearily，however。\"Iforgotbusiness。AndI
forgot，mydearJim，tocongratulateyou。I’veheardallaboutyou，eveninNewYork。You’rethemanwho，accordingtoeverybody，nowholdsthefinancesofthePacificSlopeinhishands。And，\"headded，leaningaffectionatelytowardshisoldpartner，\"Idon’tknowanyonebetterequippedinhonesty，straightforwardness，andcourageforsucharesponsibilitythanyou。\"
\"Ionlywish，\"saidStacy，lookingthoughtfullyatDemorest，\"thatIdidn’tholdnearlyamillionofyourmoneyincludedinthefinancesofthePacificSlope。\"
\"Why，\"saidthesmilingDemorest，\"aslongasIamsatisfied？\"
\"BecauseIamnot。Ifyou’resatisfied，I’mawretchedidiotandnotfitformyposition。Now，lookhere，Phil。WhenyouwrotemetoselloutyoursharesintheWheatTrustIwasalittlestaggered。Iknewyourgait，myboy，andIknew，too，that，whileyoudidn’tknowenoughtotrustyourownopinionsorfeeling，youknewtoomuchtotrustanyone’sopinionthatwasn’tfirst-class。
SoIreckonedyouhadthestraighttip；butIdidn’tseeit。Now，IoughtnottohavebeenstaggeredifIwasfitforyourconfidence，or，ifIwasstaggered，Ioughttohavehadenoughconfidenceinmyselfnottomindyou。See？\"
\"Iadmityourlogic，oldman，\"saidDemorest，withanamusedface，\"butIdon’tseeyourpremises。WHENdidItellyoutosellout？\"
\"Twodaysago。Youwrotejustafteryouarrived。\"
\"IhaveneverwrittentoyousinceIarrived。Ionlytelegraphedtoyoutoknowwhereweshouldmeet，andreceivedyourmessagetocomehere。\"
\"YouneverwrotemefromSanFrancisco？\"
\"Never。\"
Stacylookedconcernedlyathisfriend。Washeinhisrightmind？
Hehadheardofcaseswheremelancholybroodingonafixedideahadaffectedthememory。Hetookfromhispocketaletter-case，andselectingaletterhandedittoDemorestwithoutspeaking。