Frankwentoverinthemorningalittleaheadoftheappointedtime，andwaitedonthebackpiazzauntilhisserviceswererequired。
\"Youain’tgwineterbegonelong，isyou，MissRena？\"heinquired，whenRenacameoutdressedforthejourneyinherbestfrock，withbroadwhitecollarandcuffs。
Renadidnotknow。Shehadbeenaskingherselfthesamequestion。Allsortsofvaguedreamshadfloatedthroughhermindduringthelastfewhours，astowhatthefuturemightbringforth。
ButshedetectedtheanxiousnoteinFrank’svoice，andhadnowishtogivethisfaithfulfriendofthefamilyunnecessarypain。
\"Oh，no，Frank，Ireckonnot。I’msupposedtobejustgoingonashortvisit。Mybrotherhaslosthiswife，andwishesmetocomeandstaywithhimawhile，andlookafterhislittleboy。\"
\"I’mfearedyou’lllackitbetterdere，MissRena，\"repliedFranksorrowfully，droppinghismaskofunconcern，\"an’denyouwon’tcomeback，an’noneeryo’frien’swon’tneverseeyounomo’。\"
\"Youdon’tthink，Frank，\"askedRenaseverely，\"thatIwouldleavemymotherandmyhomeandallmyfriends，andNEVERcomebackagain？\"
\"Why，no’ndeed，\"interposedMis’Mollywistfully，asshehoveredaroundherdaughter，givingherhairorhergownatouchhereandthere；
\"she’llbesohomesickinamonththatshe’llbewillin’towalkhome。\"
\"Youwouldn’neverhafterdodat，MissRena，\"
returnedFrank，withadisconsolatesmile。\"Efyoueverwantercomehome，an’can’tgitbacknootherway，jes’letMEknow，an’I’lltakemymulean’mykyartan’fetchyouback，efit’sfromdeeen’erdeworl’。\"
\"Thankyou，Frank，Ibelieveyouwould，\"saidthegirlkindly。\"You’reatruefriend，Frank，andI’llnotforgetyouwhileI’mgone。\"
TheideaofherbeautifuldaughterridinghomefromtheendoftheworldwithFrank，inacart，behindaone—eyedmule，struckMis’Mollyastheheightoftheridiculous——shewasinastateofexcitementwheretearsorlaughterwouldhavecomewithequalease——andsheturnedawaytohidehermerriment。Herdaughterwasgoingtoliveinafinehouse，andmarryarichman，andrideinhercarriage。Ofcourseanegrowoulddrivethecarriage，butthatwasdifferentfromridingwithoneinacart。
Whenitwastimetogo，Mis’MollyandRenasetoutonfootfortheriver，whichwasonlyashortdistanceaway。Frankfollowedwiththevalise。TherewasnogatheringoffriendstoseeRenaoff，asmighthavebeenthecaseunderdifferentcircumstances。Herdeparturehadsomeofthecharacteristicsofasecretflight；itwasasimportantthatherdestinationshouldnotbeknown，asithadbeenthatherbrothershouldconcealhispresenceinthetown。
Mis’MollyandRenaremainedonthebankuntilthesteamerannounced，witharaucouswhistle，itsreadinesstodepart。Warwickwasseenforamomentontheupperdeck，fromwhichhegreetedthemwithasmileandaslightnod。Hehadbiddenhismotheranaffectionatefarewelltheeveningbefore。RenagaveherhandtoFrank。
\"Good—by，Frank，\"shesaid，withakindsmile；
\"IhopeyouandmammawillbegoodfriendswhileI’mgone。\"
Thewhistleblewasecondwarningblast，andthedeckhandspreparedtodrawinthegang—
plank。Renaflewintohermother’sarms，andthen，breakingaway，hurriedonboardandretiredtoherstate—room，fromwhichshedidnotemergeduringthejourney。Thewindow—blindswereclosed，darkeningtheroom，andthestewardesswhocametoaskifsheshouldbringhersomedinnercouldnotseeherfacedistinctly，butperceivedenoughtomakehersurmisethattheyoungladyhadbeenweeping。
\"Po’chile，\"murmuredthesympatheticcoloredwoman，\"Ireckonsomeerherfolksisdead，erhersweetheart’sgonebackonher，ere’seshe’shadsomekin’erbadlucker’nuther。W’itefolkshasdeirtroublesjes’ezwellezblackfolks，an’
sometimesfeels’emmo’，’causedeyain’tezuse’
ter’em。\"
Mis’Mollywentbackinsadnesstothelonelyhousebehindthecedars，henceforthtobepeopledforherwithonlythememoryofthoseshehadloved。Shehadpaidwithherheart’sbloodanotherinstallmentontheShylock’sbondexactedbysocietyforherownhappinessofthepastandherchildren’sprospectsforthefuture。
Thejourneydownthesluggishrivertotheseaboardintheflat—bottomed，stern—wheelsteamerlastedalldayandmostofthenight。Duringthefirsthalf—day，theboatgroundednowandthenuponasand—bank，andthehalf—nakednegrodeck—
handstoiledwithropesandpolestoreleaseit。
SeveraltimesbeforeRenafellasleepthatnight，thesteamerwouldtieupatalanding，andbythelightofhugepinetorchesshewatchedtheboathandssendtheyellowturpentinebarrelsdownthesteepbankinalongstring，orpasscord—woodonboardfromhandtohand。Theexcitednegroes，theirwhiteteethandeyeballsglisteninginthesurroundingdarknesstowhichtheirfacesformednorelief；thewhiteofficersinbrownlinen，shouting，swearing，andgesticulating；theyellow，flickeringtorchlightoverall，——madeupasceneofwhichtheweirdinterestwouldhaveappealedtoamoreblasetravelerthanthisgirluponherfirstjourney。
Duringtheday，Warwickhadtakenhismealsinthedining—room，withthecaptainandtheothercabinpassengers。ItwaslearnedthathewasaSouthCarolinalawyer，andnotacarpet—bagger。
Suchcredentialswereunimpeachable，andthepassengersfoundhimaveryagreeabletravelingcompanion。Apparentlysoundonthesubjectofnegroes，Yankees，andtherighteousnessofthelostcause，heyetdiscussedthesethemesinaloftyandimpersonalmannerthatgavehiswordsgreaterweightthanifhehadseemedwarpedbyapersonalgrievance。Hisattitude，infact，piquedthecuriosityofoneortwoofthepassengers。
\"Didyourpeopleloseanyniggers？\"askedoneofthem。
\"Myfatherownedahundred，\"herepliedgrandly。
Theirrespectforhisviewswasdoubled。Itiseasytomoralizeaboutthemisfortunesofothers，andtofindgoodintheevilthattheysuffer；——
onlyatruephilosophercouldspeakthuslightlyofhisownlosses。
WhenthesteamertiedupatthewharfatWilmington，intheearlymorning，theyounglawyerandaveiledladypassengerdroveinthesamecarriagetoahotel。Aftertheyhadbreakfastedinaprivateroom，Warwickexplainedtohissistertheplanhehadformedforherfuture。HenceforthshemustbeknownasMissWarwick，droppingtheoldnamewiththeoldlife。Hewouldplaceherforayearinaboarding—schoolatCharleston，afterwhichshewouldtakeherplaceasthemistressofhishouse。Havingimpartedthisinformation，hetookhissisterforadrivethroughthetown。ThereforthefirsttimeRenasawgreatships，which，herbrothertoldher，sailedacrossthemightyoceantodistantlands，whoseflagshepointedoutdroopinglazilyatthemast—
heads。Thebusinessportionofthetownhad\"anancientandfishlikesmell，\"andmostofthetradeseemedtobeincottonandnavalstoresandproductsofthesea。Thewharveswerepiledhighwithcottonbales，andtherewereacresofbarrelsofresinandpitchandtarandspiritsofturpentine。
Themarket，along，low，woodenstructure，inthemiddleoftheprincipalstreet，wasfilledwithamassofpeopleofallshades，fromblue—
blacktoSaxonblonde，gabblingandgesticulatingoverpilesofoystersandclamsandfreshlycaughtfishofvariedhue。Byteno’clockthesunwasbeatingdownsofiercelythattheglitterofthewhite，sandystreetsdazzledandpainedtheeyesunaccustomedtoit，andRenawasgladtobedrivenbacktothehotel。Thetravelerslefttogetheronanearlyafternoontrain。
ThusforthetimebeingwasseveredthelasttiethatboundRenatohernarrowpast，andforsometimetocometheplacesandthepeoplewhohadknownheronceweretoknowhernomore。
Somefewweekslater，Mis’MollycalleduponoldJudgeStraightwithreferencetothetaxesonherproperty。
\"Yoursoncameintoseemetheotherday，\"
heremarked。\"Heseemstohavegotalong。\"
\"Oh，yes，judge，he’sdonefine，Johnhas；an’
he’stookhissisterawaywithhim。\"
\"Ah！\"exclaimedthejudge。Thenafterapauseheadded，\"Ihopeshemaydoaswell。\"
\"Thankyou，sir，\"shesaid，withacurtsy，assherosetogo。\"We’vealwaysknowedthatyouwereourfriendandwisheduswell。\"
Thejudgelookedafterherasshewalkedaway。
Herbearinghadatouchoftimidity，ashadeofaffectation，andyetacertainpatheticdignity。
\"Itisapity，\"hemurmured，withasigh，\"thatmencannotselecttheirmothers。MyyoungfriendJohnhasbuilded，whetherwiselyornot，verywell；buthehascomebackintotheoldlifeandcarriedawayapartofit，andIfearthatthisadditionwillweakenthestructure。\"
V
THETOURNAMENT
TheannualtournamentoftheClarenceSocialClubwasabouttobegin。Thecountyfairground，whereallwasinreadiness，sparkledwiththeyouthandbeautyofthetown，standinghereandthereunderthetreesinanimatedgroups，ormovingtowardtheseatsfromwhichthepageantmightbewitnessed。Aquarterofamileoftheracetrack，torightandleftofthejudges’stand，hadbeenlaidoffforthelists。Oppositethegrandstand，whichoccupiedaconsiderablepartofthisdistance，adozenuprightshadbeenerectedatmeasuredintervals。Projectingseveralfeetoverthetrackfromeachoftheseuprightswasanironcrossbar，fromwhichanironhookdepended。
Betweentheuprightsstoutpostswereplanted，ofsuchaheightthattheirtopscouldbeeasilyreachedbyaswingingsword—cutfromamountedriderpassinguponthetrack。TheinfluenceofWalterScottwasstrongupontheoldSouth。
TheSouthbeforethewarwasessentiallyfeudal，andScott’snovelsofchivalryappealedforcefullytothefeudalheart。DuringthemonthprecedingtheClarencetournament，thelocalbooksellerhadclosedouthisentirestockof\"Ivanhoe，\"consistingoffivecopies，andhadtakenordersforsevencopiesmore。Thetournamentsceneinthispopularnovelfurnishedthemodelafterwhichthesebloodlessimitationsoftheancientpassages—at—
armswereconducted，withsuchvariationsaswererequiredtoadaptthemtoadifferentageandcivilization。
Thebestpeoplegraduallyfilledthegrandstand，whilethepoorerwhiteandcoloredfolksfoundseatsoutside，uponwhatwouldnowbeknownasthe\"bleachers，\"orstoodalongsidethelists。Theknights，masqueradinginfancifulcostumes，inwhichbright—coloredgarments，giltpaper，andcardboardtooktheplaceofknightlyharness，weremountedonspiritedhorses。Mostofthemweregatheredatoneendofthelists，whileotherspracticedtheirsteedsupontheunoccupiedportionoftheracetrack。
Thejudgesenteredthegrandstand，andoneofthem，afterlookingathiswatch，gaveasignal。
Immediatelyaherald，wearingabrightyellowsash，blewaloudblastuponabugle，and，bigwiththeimportanceofhisoffice，gallopedwildlydownthelists。Anattendantonhorsebackbusiedhimselfhanginguponeachofthependenthooksanironring，ofsometwoinchesindiameter，whileanother，onfoot，placedontopofeachoftheshorterpostsawoodenballsomefourinchesthrough。
\"It’smyfirsttournament，\"observedaladynearthefrontofthegrandstand，leaningoverandaddressingJohnWarwick，whowasseatedinthesecondrow，incompanywithaveryhandsomegirl。\"ItissomewhatdifferentfromAshby—de—
la—Zouch。\"
\"Itistherenaissanceofchivalry，Mrs。
Newberry，\"repliedtheyounglawyer，\"and，likeanyotherrenaissance，itmustadaptitselftonewtimesandcircumstances。Forinstance，whenwebuildaGreekportico，havingnoPentelicmarblenearathand，weuseapine—tree，oneofnature’scolumns，whichGrecianartatitsbestcouldonlycopyandidealize。Ourknightsarenotweighteddownwithheavyarmor，butmuchmoreappropriatelyattired，foradaylikethis，incostumesthatrecallthepicturesqueness，withoutthediscomfort，oftheoldknightlyharness。Foraniron—
headedlanceweuseawoodensubstitute，withwhichwetransfixringsinsteadofhearts；whileourtrustybladeshewtheirwaythroughwoodenblocksinsteadofthroughfleshandblood。ItisaSouthCarolinarenaissancewhichhaspointsofadvantageoverthetournamentsoftheoldentime。\"
\"I’mafraid，Mr。Warwick，\"saidthelady，\"thatyou’retheleastbithereticalaboutourchivalry——orelseyou’realittletoodeepforme。\"
\"Thelastwouldbeimpossible，Mrs。Newberry；
andI’msureourchivalryhasproveditsvaloronmanyahard—foughtfield。Thespiritofathing，afterall，iswhatcounts；andwhatislackinghere？Wehavethelists，theknights，theprancingsteeds，thetrialofstrengthandskill。IfourknightsdonotrunthephysicalrisksofAshby—
de—la—Zouch，theyhaveallthementalstimulus。
Woundedvanitywilltaketheplaceofwoundedlimbs，andtherewillbebrokenhopesinlieuofbrokenheads。Howmanyheartsinyondergroupofgallanthorsemenbeathighwithhope！HowmanypossibleQueensofLoveandBeautyareinthisgroupoffairfacesthatsurroundus！\"
Theladywasabouttoreply，whenthebuglesoundedagain，andtheheralddashedswiftlybackuponhisprancingsteedtothewaitinggroupofriders。Thehorsemenformedthreeabreast，androdedownthelistsinorderlyarray。Astheypassedthegrandstand，eachwasconsciousofthebatteryofbrighteyesturneduponhim，andeachgavebyhisbearingsomeideaofhisabilitytostandfirefromsuchweapons。Onehorseprancedproudly，anothercaracoledwithgrace。Oneriderfidgetednervously，anothertrembledandlookedtheotherway。Eachhorsemancarriedinhishandalongwoodenlanceandworeathissideacavalrysabre，ofwhichtherewereplentytobehadsincethewar，atsmallexpense。Severallefttheranksanddrewupmomentarilybesidethegrandstand，wheretheytookfromfairhandsagloveoraflower，whichwaspinnedupontherider’sbreastorfasteneduponhishat——aribbonoraveil，whichwastiedaboutthelancelikeapennon，butfarenoughfromthepointnottointerferewiththeusefulnessoftheweapon。
Asthetrooppassedthelowerendofthegrandstand，ahorse，excitedbythecrowd，becamesomewhatunmanageable，andintheefforttocurbhim，theriderdroppedhislance。Theprancinganimalreared，broughtoneofhishoofsdownuponthefallenlancewithconsiderableforce，andsentabrokenpieceofitflyingovertherailingoppositethegrandstand，intothemiddleofagroupofspectatorsstandingthere。Theflyingfragmentwasdodgedbythosewhosawitcoming，butbroughtupwitharesoundingthwackagainsttheheadofacoloredmaninthesecondrow，whostoodwatchingthegrandstandwithaneagerandcuriousgaze。Herubbedhisheadruefully，andmadeagood—naturedresponsetothechaffingofhisneighbors，who，seeingnogreatharmdone，madewittyandoriginalremarksabouttheadvantageofbeingblackuponoccasionswhereone’sskullwasexposedtodanger。Findingthattheblowhaddrawnblood，theyoungmantookoutaredbandanahandkerchiefandtieditaroundhishead，meantimelettinghiseyeroamoverthefacesinthegrandstand，asthoughinsearchofsomeonethatheexpectedorhopedtofindthere。
Theknights，havingreachedtheendofthelists，nowturnedandrodebackinopenorder，withsuchskillfulhorsemanshipastoevokeastormofapplausefromthespectators。Theladiesinthegrandstandwavedtheirhandkerchiefsvigorously，andthemenclappedtheirhands。ThebeautifulgirlseatedbyWarwick’ssideaccidentallyletalittlesquareofwhitelace—trimmedlinenslipfromherhand。Itflutteredlightlyovertherailing，and，buoyedupbytheair，settledslowlytowardthelists。Ayoungriderintheapproachingrearranksawthehandkerchieffall，anddartingswiftlyforward，caughtitonthepointofhislanceereittouchedtheground。Hedrewuphishorseandmadeamovementasthoughtoextendthehandkerchieftowardthelady，whowasblushingprofuselyattheattentionshehadattractedbyhercarelessness。Theriderhesitatedamoment，glancedinterrogativelyatWarwick，andreceivingasmileinreturn，tiedthehandkerchiefaroundthemiddleofhislanceandquicklyrejoinedhiscomradesattheheadofthelists。
Theyoungmanwiththebandageroundhishead，onthebenchesacrossthelists，hadforcedhiswaytothefrontrowandwasleaningagainsttherailing。Hisrestlesseyewasattractedbythefallinghandkerchief，andhisface，hithertoanxious，suddenlylitupwithanimation。
\"Yas，suh，yas，suh，it’sher！\"hemutteredsoftly。\"It’sMissRena，sho’syoubawn。Shelookedlacka’angelbefo’，butnow，updere’mongs’alldemrich，finefolks，shelookslackawholeflockerangels。Deyain’oneerdemladiesw’atcouldhol’acandleterher。Iwonderw’atdatman’sgwineterdowidherhandkercher？I
s’posehe’shergent’emannow。Iwonderefshe’dknowmeerspeaktermeefsheseedme？
Ireckonshewould，spiteerhergittin’upsoindeworl’；fershewuzalluzgoodterev’ybody，an’
datletevenMEin，\"heconcludedwithasigh。
\"Whoisthelady，Tryon？\"askedoneoftheyoungmen，addressingtheknightwhohadtakenthehandkerchief。
\"AMissWarwick，\"repliedtheknightpleasantly，\"MissRowenaWarwick，thelawyer’ssister。\"
\"Ididn’tknowhehadasister，\"rejoinedthefirstspeaker。\"Ienvyyouyourlady。TherearesixRebeccasandeightRowenasofmyownacquaintanceinthegrandstand，butshethrowsthemallintotheshade。Shehasn’tbeenherelong，surely；Ihaven’tseenherbefore。\"
\"Shehasbeenawayatschool；shecameonlylastnight，\"returnedtheknightofthecrimsonsash，briefly。Hewasalreadybeginningtofeelaproprietaryinterestintheladywhosetokenhewore，anddidnotcaretodiscussherwithacasualacquaintance。
Theheraldsoundedthecharge。Ariderdartedoutfromthegroupandgallopedoverthecourse。
Ashepassedundereachring，hetriedtocatchitonthepointofhislance，——afeatwhichmadethemanagementofthehorsewiththelefthandnecessary，andrequiredatrueeyeandasteadyarm。Theridercapturedthreeofthetwelverings，knockedthreeothersoffthehooks，andleftsixundisturbed。Turningattheendofthelists，hetookthelancewiththereinsinthelefthandanddrewhisswordwiththeright。Hethenrodebackoverthecourse，cuttingatthewoodenballsupontheposts。Ofthesehecloveoneintwain，tousetheparlanceofchivalry，andknockedtwoothersofftheirsupports。Hisperformancewasgreetedwithaliberalmeasureofapplause，forwhichhebowedinsmilingacknowledgmentashetookhisplaceamongtheriders。
Againtheherald’scallsounded，andthetourneywentforward。Riderafterrider，withvaryingskill，essayedhisfortunewithlanceandsword。
Sometookaliberalproportionoftherings；othersmerelyknockedthemovertheboundaries，wheretheywerecollectedbyagilelittlenegroboysandhandedbacktotheattendants。Abalkinghorsecausedthespectatorsmuchamusementandhisridernolittlechagrin。
Theladywhohaddroppedthehandkerchiefkepthereyeupontheknightwhohadbounditroundhislance。\"Whoishe，John？\"sheaskedthegentlemanbesideher。
\"That，mydearRowena，ismygoodfriendandclient，GeorgeTryon，ofNorthCarolina。Ifhehadbeenastranger，Ishouldhavesaidthathetookaliberty；butasthingsstand，weoughttoregarditasacompliment。Theincidentisquiteinaccordwiththecustomsofchivalry。IfGeorgewerebutmaskedandyouwereveiled，weshouldhavearomanticsituation，——youthemysteriousdamselindistress，hetheunknownchampion。Theparallel，mydear，mightnotbesohardtodraw，evenasthingsare。Butlook，itishisturnnow；I’llwagerthathemakesagoodrun。\"
\"I’lltakeyouuponthat，Mr。Warwick，\"saidMrs。Newberryfrombehind，whoseemedtohaveaverykeenearforwhateverWarwicksaid。
Rena’seyeswerefastenedonherknight，sothatshemightlosenosingleoneofhismovements。Asherodedownthelists，morethanonewomanfoundhimpleasanttolookupon。Hewasatall，fairyoungman，withgrayeyes，andafrank，openface。
Heworeaslightmustache，andwhenhesmiled，showedasetofwhiteandeventeeth。Hewasmountedonaveryhandsomeandspiritedbaymare，wascladinapicturesquecostume，ofwhichvelvetknee—breechesandacrimsonscarfwerethemostconspicuousfeatures，anddisplayedamarkedskillinhorsemanship。Attheblastofthebuglehishorsestartedforward，and，afterthefirstfewrods，settledintoanevengallop。Tryon’slance，heldtrulyandattherightangle，capturedthefirstring，thenthesecondandthird。Hiscoolnessandsteadinessseemednotatalldisturbedbytheapplausewhichfollowed，andonebyonetheremainingringsslippedoverthepointofhislance，untilattheendhehadtakeneveryoneofthetwelve。Holdingthelancewithitsbootyofcapturedringsinhislefthand，togetherwiththebridlerein，hedrewhissabrewiththerightandrodebackoverthecourse。
Hishorsemovedlikeclockwork，hiseyewastrueandhishandsteady。Threeofthewoodenballsfellfromtheposts，splitfairlyinthemiddle，whilefromthefourthheslicedoffagoodlypieceandlefttheremainderstandinginitsplace。
Thisperformance，byfarthebestuptothispoint，andbarelyescapingperfection，elicitedastormofapplause。Theriderwasnotsowellknowntothetownspeopleassomeoftheotherparticipants，andhisnamepassedfrommouthtomouthinanswertonumerousinquiries。Thegirlwhosetokenhehadwornalsobecameanobjectofrenewedinterest，becauseoftheresulttoherincasetheknightshouldprovevictorinthecontest，ofwhichtherecouldnowscarcelybeadoubt；forbutthreeridersremained，anditwasveryimprobablethatanyoneofthemwouldexcelthelast。
Wagersfortheremainderofthetourneystoodanywherefromfive，andevenfromtentoone，infavoroftheknightofthecrimsonsash，andwhenthelastcoursehadbeenrun，hisbackerswerejubilant。Nooneofthosefollowinghimhaddisplayedanythinglikeequalskill。
Theheraldnowblewhisbugleanddeclaredthetournamentclosed。Thejudgesputtheirheadstogetherforamoment。Thebuglesoundedagain，andtheheraldannouncedinaloudvoicethatSirGeorgeTryon，havingtakenthegreatestnumberofringsandsplitthelargestnumberofballs，wasproclaimedvictorinthetournamentandentitledtotheflowerychapletofvictory。
Tryon，havingbowedrepeatedlyinresponsetotheliberalapplause，advancedtothejudges’standandreceivedthetrophyfromthehandsofthechiefjudge，whoexhortedhimtowearthegarlandworthily，andtoyielditonlytoabetterman。
\"Itwillbeyourprivilege，SirGeorge，\"
announcedthejudge，\"asthechiefrewardofyourvalor，toselectfromtheassembledbeautyofClarencetheladywhomyouwishtohonor，towhomwewillalldohomageastheQueenofLoveandBeauty。\"
Tryontookthewreathandbowedhisthanks。
Thenplacingthetrophyonthepointofhislance，hespokeearnestlyforamomenttotheherald，androdepastthegrandstand，fromwhichtherewasanotheroutburstofapplause。Returninguponhistracks，theknightofthecrimsonsashpausedbeforethegroupwhereWarwickandhissistersat，andloweredthewreaththricebeforetheladywhosetokenhehadwon。
\"Oyez！Oyez！\"criedtheherald；\"SirGeorgeTryon，thevictorinthetournament，haschosenMissRowenaWarwickastheQueenofLoveandBeauty，andshewillbecrownedatthefeastto—nightandreceivethedevoirsofalltrueknights。\"
Thefair—groundwassooncoveredwithscatteredgroupsofthespectatorsofthetournament。Inonegroupavanquishedknightexplainedinelaboratedetailwhyitwasthathehadfailedtowinthewreath。Morethanoneyoungwomanwonderedwhysomeoneofthehomeyoungmencouldnothavetakenthehonors，or，ifthestrangermustwinthem，whyhecouldnothaveselectedsomebelleofthetownasQueenofLoveandBeautyinsteadofthisupstartgirlwhohadblownintothetownovernight，asonemightsay。
Warwickandhissister，standingunderaspreadingelm，heldalittlecourtoftheirown。AdozengentlemenandseveralladieshadsoughtanintroductionbeforeTryoncameup。
\"IsupposeJohnwouldhavearighttocallmeout，MissWarwick，\"saidTryon，whenhehadbeenformallyintroducedandhadshakenhandswithWarwick’ssister，\"fortakinglibertieswiththepropertyandnameofaladytowhomIhadnothadanintroduction；butIknowJohnsowellthatyouseemedlikeanoldacquaintance；andwhenIsawyou，andrecalledyourname，whichyourbrotherhadmentionedmorethanonce，Ifeltinstinctivelythatyououghttobethequeen。I
enteredmynameonlyyesterday，merelytoswellthenumberandmaketheoccasionmoreinteresting。
Thesefellowshavebeenpracticingforamonth，andIhadnohopeofwinning。Ishouldhavebeensatisfied，indeed，ifIhadn’tmademyselfridiculous；butwhenyoudroppedyourhandkerchief，Ifeltasuddeninspiration；andassoonasIhadtiedituponmylance，victorypercheduponmysaddle—bow，guidedmylanceandsword，andringsandballswentdownbeforemelikechaffbeforethewind。Oh，itwasagreatinspiration，MissWarwick！\"
Rena，foritwasourPatesvilleacquaintancefreshfromboarding—school，coloreddeeplyatthisfrankandfervidflattery，andcouldonlymurmuraninarticulatereply。Heryearofinstruction，whiledistinctlyimprovinghermindandmanners，hadscarcelypreparedherforsosuddenanelevationintoagradeofsocietytowhichshehadhithertobeenastranger。Shewasnotwithoutacertaincourage，however，andherbrother，whoremainedatherside，helpedheroverthemostdifficultsituations。
\"We’llforgiveyou，George，\"repliedWarwick，\"ifyou’llcomehometoluncheonwithus。\"
\"I’mmightysorry——awfullysorry，\"returnedTryon，withevidentregret，\"butIhaveanotherengagement，whichIcanscarcelybreak，evenbythecommandofroyalty。AtwhattimeshallI
callforMissWarwickthisevening？Ibelievethatprivilegeismine，alongwiththeotherhonorsandrewardsofvictory，——unlesssheisboundtosomeoneelse。\"
\"Sheisentirelyfree，\"repliedWarwick。\"Comeasearlyasyoulike，andI’lltalktoyouuntilshe’sready。\"
Tryonbowedhimselfaway，andafteranumberofgentlemenandafewladieshadpaidtheirrespectstotheQueenofLoveandBeauty，andreceivedanintroductiontoher，Warwicksignaledtotheservantwhohadhiscarriageincharge，andwassoondrivinghomewardwithhissister。Nooneofthepartynoticedayoungnegro，withahandkerchiefboundaroundhishead，whofollowedthemuntilthecarriageturnedintothegateandsweptupthewidedrivethatledtoWarwick’sdoorstep。
\"Well，Rena，\"saidWarwick，whentheyfoundthemselvesalone，\"youhavearrived。YourdebutintosocietyisalittlemorespectacularthanIshouldhavewished，butwemustrisetotheoccasionandmakethemostofit。Youarewinningthefirstfruitsofyouropportunity。YouarethemostenviedwomaninClarenceatthisparticularmoment，and，unlessIammistaken，willbethemostadmiredattheballto—night。\"
VI
THEQUEENOFLOVEANDBEAUTY
Shortlyafterluncheon，RenahadavisitorinthepersonofMrs。Newberry，avivaciousyoungwidowofthetown，whoprofferedherservicestoinstructRenaintheetiquetteoftheannualball。
\"Now，mydear，\"saidMrs。Newberry，\"thefirstthingtodoistogetyourcoronationrobeready。Itsimplymeansagownwithalongtrain。
Youhavealovelywhitewaist。Getrightintomybuggy，andwe’llgodowntowntogetthecloth，takeitovertoMrs。Marshall’s，andhaveherrunyouupaskirtthisafternoon。\"
RenaplacedherselfunreservedlyinthehandsofMrs。Newberry，whointroducedhertothebestdressmakerofthetown，awomanofmuchexperienceinsuchaffairs，whoimprovisedduringtheafternoonagownsuitedtotheoccasion。Mrs。
Marshallhadmademorethanadozenballdressesduringtheprecedingmonth；beingawisewomanandunderstandingherbusinessthoroughly，shehadmadeeachoneofthemsothatwithafewadditionaltouchesitmightservefortheQueenofLoveandBeauty。Thiswasherfirstdirectorderforthespecificgarment。
TryonescortedRenatotheball，whichwasheldintheprincipalpublichallofthetown，andattendedbyallthebestpeople。Thechampionstillworethecostumeofthemorning，inplaceofeveningdress，savethatlongstockingsanddancing—pumpshadtakentheplaceofriding—boots。
Renawentthroughtheordealverycreditably。
Hershynesswaspalpable，butitwassavedfromawkwardnessbyhernativegraceandgoodsense。
Shemadeupinmodestywhatshelackedinaplomb。Hermonthsinschoolhadnoteradicatedacertainself—consciousnessbornofhersecret。
Thebrain—cellsneverlosetheimpressionsofyouth，andRena’sPatesvillelifewasnotfarenoughremovedtohavelostitsdistinctnessofoutline。
Ofthetwo，thepresentwasmoreofadream，thepastwasthemorevividreality。Atschoolshehadlearnedsomethingfrombooksandnotalittlefromobservation。Shehadbeenabletocompareherselfwithothergirls，andtoseewhereinsheexcelledorfellshortofthem。Withasinceredesireforimprovement，andawishtopleaseherbrotheranddohimcredit，shehadsoughttomakethemostofheropportunities。Buildinguponafoundationofinnatetasteandintelligence，shehadacquiredmuchoftheself—possessionwhichcomesfromaknowledgeofcorrectstandardsofdeportment。
Shehadmoreoverlearnedwithoutdifficulty，foritsuitedherdisposition，tokeepsilencewhenshecouldnotspeaktoadvantage。Acertainnecessaryreticenceaboutthepastaddedstrengthtoanaturalreserve。Thusequipped，sheheldherownverywellinthesomewhattryingordealoftheball，atwhichthefictionofqueenshipandtheattendantceremonies，whichwereprettyandgraceful，madeherthemostconspicuousfigure。Fewofthosewhowatchedhermovewitheasygracethroughthemeasuresofthedancecouldhaveguessedhownearlyherheartwasinhermouthduringmuchofthetime。
\"You’redoingsplendidly，mydear，\"saidMrs。
Newberry，whohadconstitutedherselfRena’schaperone。
\"ItrustyourGraciousMajestyispleasedwiththehomageofyourdevotedsubjects，\"saidTryon，whospentmuchofhistimebyhersideandkeptupthecharacterofknightinhisspeechandmanner。
\"Verymuch，\"repliedtheQueenofLoveandBeauty，withasomewhattiredsmile。Itwaspleasant，butshewouldbeglad，shethought，whenitwasallover。
\"Keepupyourcourage，\"whisperedherbrother。
\"Youarenotonlyqueen，butthebelleoftheball。Iamproudofyou。Adozenwomenherewouldgiveayearoffthelatterendoflifetobeinyourshoesto—night。\"
Renafeltimmenselyrelievedwhenthehourarrivedatwhichshecouldtakeherdeparture，whichwastobethesignalforthebreaking—upoftheball。ShewasdrivenhomeinTryon’scarriage，herbrotheraccompanyingthem。Thenightwaswarm，andthedrivehomewardunderthestarlight，intheopencarriage，hadasoothingeffectuponRena’sexcitednerves。Thecalmrestfulnessofthenight，thecoolbluedepthsoftheuncloudedsky，thesolemncroakingofthefrogsinadistantswamp，weremuchmoreinharmonywithhernaturethanthecrowdedbrilliancyoftheball—room。
Sheclosedhereyes，and，leaningbackinthecarriage，thoughtofhermother，whoshewishedmighthaveseenherdaughterthisnight。Amomentarypangofhomesicknesspiercedhertenderheart，andshefurtivelywipedawaythetearsthatcameintohereyes。
\"Good—night，fairQueen！\"exclaimedTryon，breakingintoherreverieasthecarriagerolleduptothedoorstep，\"andletyourloyalsubjectkissyourhandintokenofhisfealty。MayyourMajestyneverabdicateherthrone，andmaysheevercountmeherhumbleservantanddevotedknight。\"
\"Andnow，sister，\"saidWarwick，whenTryonhadbeendrivenaway，\"nowthatthemasqueradeisover，letustosleep，andto—morrowtakeuptheseriousbusinessoflife。Yourdayhasbeenaglorioussuccess！\"
Heputhisarmaroundherandgaveherakissandabrotherlyhug。
\"Itisadream，\"shemurmuredsleepily，\"onlyadream。IamCinderellabeforetheclockhasstruck。Good—night，dearJohn。\"
\"Good—night，Rowena。\"
VII
’MIDNEWSURROUNDINGS
Warwick’sresidencewassituatedintheoutskirtsofthetown。Itwasafineoldplantationhouse，builtincolonialtimes，withastatelycolonnade，wideverandas，andlongwindowswithVenetianblinds。Itwaspaintedwhite，andstoodbackseveralrodsfromthestreet，inacharmingsettingofpalmettoes，magnolias，andfloweringshrubs。Renahadalwaysthoughthermother’shouselarge，butnowitseemedcrampedandnarrow，incomparisonwiththisroomymansion。Thefurniturewasold—fashionedandmassive。Thegreatbrassandironsonthewidehearthstoodlikesentinelsproclaimingandguardingthedignityofthefamily。Thespreadingantlersonthewalltestifiedtoamightyhunterinsomepastgeneration。
TheportraitsofWarwick’swife’sancestors——
highfeatured，proudmenandwomen，dressedinthefashionsofabygoneage——lookeddownfromtarnishedgiltframes。Itwasallverynoveltoher，andveryimpressive。Whensheateoffchina，withsilverknivesandforksthathadcomedownasheirlooms，escapingsomehowtheravagesandexigenciesofthewartime，——Warwicktoldherafterwardshowhehadburiedthemoutofreachoffriendorfoe，——shethoughtthatherbrothermustbewealthy，andshefeltveryproudofhimandofheropportunity。Theservants，ofwhomtherewereseveralinthehouse，treatedherwithadeferencetowhichhereightmonthsinschoolhadonlypartlyaccustomedher。Atschoolshehadbeenoneofmanytobeserved，andhadherselfbeenheldtoobedience。Here，forthefirsttimeinherlife，shewasmistress，andtastedthesweetsofpower。
Thehouseholdconsistedofherbrotherandherself，acook，acoachman，anurse，andherbrother’slittlesonAlbert。Thechild，withafineinstinct，hadputouthispunyarmstoRenaatfirstsight，andshehadclaspedthelittlemantoherbosomwithamotherlycaress。Shehadalwayslovedweakcreatures。KittensandpuppieshadeverfoundawelcomeandamealatRena’shands，onlytobechasedawaybyMis’Molly，whohadhadawiderexperience。Noshiftlesspoorwhite，nohalf—wittedorhungrynegro，hadevergoneunfedfromMis’Molly’skitchendoorifRenaweretheretohearhisplaint。LittleAlbertwaspaleandsicklywhenshecame，butsoonbloomedagaininthesunshineofhercare，andwashappyonlyinherpresence。Warwickfoundpleasureintheirgrowingloveforeachother，andwasgladtoperceivethatthechildformedalivinglinktoconnectherwithhishome。
\"Datchilesutt’nlydolubMissRena，an’
dat’safac’，sho’syoubawn，\"remarked’LissathecooktoMimythenurseoneday。\"You’llgetyo’noseputouterj’int，efyoudon’tmin’。\"
\"Iain’tfrettin’，honey，\"laughedthenursegood—naturedly。Shewasnotatalljealous。Shehadthesamewagesasbefore，andherlaborsweremateriallylightenedbytheaunt’sattentiontothechild。ThisgaveMimymuchmoretimetoflirtwithTomthecoachman。
ItwasasourceofmuchgratificationtoWarwickthathissisterseemedtoadaptherselfsoeasilytothenewconditions。Hergracefulmovements，thequietelegancewithwhichsheworeeventhesimplestgown，theeasyauthoritativenesswithwhichshedirectedtheservants，weretohimproofsofsuperiorquality，andhefeltcorrespondinglyproudofher。Hisfeelingforherwassomethingmorethanbrotherlylove，——hewasquiteconsciousthatthereweredegreesinbrotherlylove，andthatifshehadbeenhomelyorstupid，hewouldneverhavedisturbedherinthestagnantlifeofthehousebehindthecedars。Therehadcometohimfromsomesource，downthestreamoftime，arilloftheGreeksenseofproportion，offitness，ofbeauty，whichisindeedbutproportionembodied，theperfectadaptationofmeanstoends。Hehadperceived，moreclearlythanshecouldhaveappreciateditatthattime，theundevelopedelementsofdiscordbetweenRenaandherformerlife。Hehadimaginedherlendinggraceandcharmtohisownhousehold。Stillanothermotive，apurelypsychologicalone，hadmoreorlessconsciouslyinfluencedhim。Hehadnofearthatthefamilysecretwouldeverbediscovered，——
hehadtakenhisprecautionstoothoroughly，hethought，forthat；andyethecouldnotbutfeel，attimes，thatifperadventure——itwasaconceivablehypothesis——itshouldbecomeknown，hisfinesocialpositionwouldcollapselikeahouseofcards。Becauseofthisknowledge，whichtheworldaroundhimdidnotpossess，hehadfeltnowandthenacertainsenseofloneliness；andtherewasameasureofreliefinhavingabouthimonewhoknewhispast，andyetwhoseknowledge，becauseoftheircommoninterest，wouldnotinterferewithhispresentorjeopardizehisfuture。
Forhehadalwaysbeen，inafigurativesense，anaturalizedforeignerintheworldofwideopportunity，andRenawasoneofhisoldcompatriots，whomhewasgladtowelcomeintothepopulouslonelinessofhisadoptedcountry。
VIII
THECOURTSHIP
Inafewweekstheechoesofthetournamentdiedaway，andRena’slifesettleddownintoapleasantroutine，whichshefoundmuchmorecomfortablethanherrecentspectacularprominence。
Herqueenship，whilenotentirelyforgivenbytheladiesofthetown，hadgainedforheratemporarysocialprominence。Amongherownsex，Mrs。Newberryprovedawarmandenthusiasticfriend。RumorwhisperedthatthelivelyyoungwidowwouldnotbeunwillingtoconsoleWarwickinthelonelinessoftheoldcolonialmansion，towhichhissisterwasamostexcellentmediumofapproach。Whetherthiswastrueornotitisunnecessarytoinquire，foritisnopartofthisstory，exceptasperhapsindicatingwhyMrs。Newberryplayedthepartofthefemalefriend，withoutwhomnowomaniseverlaunchedsuccessfullyinasmallandconservativesociety。Herbrother’sstandinggavehertherightofsocialentry；thetournamentopenedwidethedoor，andMrs。Newberryperformedtheceremonyofintroduction。Renahadmanyvisitorsduringthemonthfollowingthetournament，andmighthavemadeherchoicefromamongadozensuitors；butamongthemall，herknightofthehandkerchieffoundmostfavor。
GeorgeTryonhadcometoClarenceafewmonthsbeforeuponbusinessconnectedwiththesettlementofhisgrandfather’sestate。Arathercomplicatedlitigationhadgrownuparoundtheaffair，variousphasesofwhichhadkeptTryonalmostconstantlyinthetown。HehadplacedmattersinWarwick’shands，andhadformedadecidedfriendshipforhisattorney，forwhomhefeltafrankadmiration。Tryonwasonlytwenty—three，andhisfriend’sadditionalfiveyears，supplementedbyacertainprofessionalgravity，commandedagreatdealofrespectfromtheyoungerman。WhenTryonhadknownWarwickforaweek，hehadbeenreadytoswearbyhim。Indeed，Warwickwasamanforwhommostpeopleformedalikingatfirstsight。Tothispowerofattractionheowedmostofhissuccess——firstwithJudgeStraight，ofPatesville，thenwiththelawyerwhoseofficehehadenteredatClarence，withthewomanwhobecamehiswife，andwiththeclientsforwhomhetransactedbusiness。TryonwouldhavemaintainedagainstallcomersthatWarwickwasthefinestfellowintheworld。WhenhemetWarwick’ssister，thefoundationforadmirationhadalreadybeenlaid。IfRenahadprovedtobeamaidenladyofuncertainageanddoubtfulpersonalattractiveness，Tryonwouldprobablyhavefoundinheramostexcellentlady，worthyofallrespectandesteem，andwouldhavetreatedherwithprofounddeferenceandsedulouscourtesy。
Whensheprovedtobeayoungandhandsomewoman，ofthetypethatheadmiredmost，hewascapableofanydegreeofinfatuation。Hismotherhadforalongtimewantedhimtomarrytheorphandaughterofanoldfriend，avivaciousblonde，whoworshipedhim。Hehadfeltfriendlytowardsher，buthadshrunkfrommatrimony。
Hedidnotwantherbadlyenoughtogiveuphisfreedom。Thewarhadinterferedwithhiseducation，andthoughfairlywellinstructed，hehadneverattendedcollege。Inhisownopinion，heoughttoseesomethingoftheworld，andhavehisyouthfulfling。Lateron，whenhegotreadytosettledown，ifBlanchewerestillinthehumor，theymightmarry，andsinktothehumdrumlevelofotheroldmarriedpeople。ThefactthatBlancheLearywasvisitinghismotherduringhisunexpectedlylongabsencehadnotoperatedatalltohastenhisreturntoNorthCarolina。HehadbeenhavingaverygoodtimeatClarence，and，atthedistanceofseveralhundredmiles，wassafeforthetimebeingfromanyimmediatedangerofmarriage。
WithRena’sadvent，however，hehadseenlifethroughdifferentglasses。Hishearthadthrilledatfirstsightofthistallgirl，withtheivorycomplexion，theripplingbrownhair，andtheinscrutableeyes。Whenhebecamebetteracquaintedwithher，helikedtothinkthatherthoughtscentredmainlyinhimself；andinthishewasnotfarwrong。Hediscoveredthatshehadashortupperlip，andwhatseemedtohimaneminentlykissablemouth。AfterhehaddinedtwiceatWarwick’s，subsequentlytothetournament，——hisluckychoiceofRenahadputhimatonceuponahouseholdfootingwiththefamily，——hisviewsofmarriagechangedentirely。Itnowseemedtohimtheduty，aswellasthehighandholyprivilegeofayoungman，tomarryandmanfullytopayhisdebttosociety。WheninRena’spresence，hecouldnotimaginehowhehadevercontemplatedthepossibilityofmarriagewithBlancheLeary，——shewasutterly，entirely，andhopelesslyunsuitedtohim。Forafairmanofvivacioustemperament，thisstatelydarkgirlwastheidealmate。Evenhismotherwouldadmitthis，ifshecouldonlyseeRena。Towinthisbeautifulgirlforhiswifewouldbeaworthytask。HehadcrownedherQueenofLoveandBeauty；sincethenshehadascendedthethroneofhisheart。
Hewouldmakeherqueenofhishomeandmistressofhislife。
ToRenathisbriefmonth’scourtshipcameasaneweducation。Notonlyhadthisfairyoungmancrownedherqueen，andhonoredherabovealltheladiesintown；butsincethenhehadwaitedassiduouslyuponher，hadspokensoftlytoher，hadlookedatherwithshiningeyes，andhadsoughttobealonewithher。Thetimesooncamewhentotouchhishandingreetingsentathrillthroughherframe，——atimewhenshelistenedforhisfootstepandwashappyinhispresence。Hehadbeenboldenoughatthetournament；hehadsincebecomesomewhatbashfulandconstrained。Hemustbeinlove，shethought，andwonderedhowsoonhewouldspeak。Ifitweresosweettowalkwithhiminthegarden，oralongtheshadedstreets，tositwithhim，tofeelthetouchofhishand，whathappinesswoulditnotbetohearhimsaythathelovedher——tobearhisname，tolivewithhimalways。Tobethuslovedandhonoredbythishandsomeyoungman，——shecouldhardlybelieveitpossible。Hewouldneverspeak——hewoulddiscoverhersecretandwithdraw。Sheturnedpaleatthethought，——ah，God！somethingwouldhappen，——itwastoogoodtobetrue。ThePrincewouldnevertryontheglassslipper。
TryonfirsttoldhisloveforRenaonesummereveningontheirwayhomefromchurch。Theywerewalkinginthemoonlightalongthequietstreet，which，butfortheirpresence，seemedquitedeserted。
\"MissWarwick——Rowena，\"hesaid，claspingwithhisrighthandthehandthatrestedonhisleftarm，\"Iloveyou！Doyou——loveme？\"
ToRenathissimpleavowalcamewithmuchgreaterforcethanamoreformaldeclarationcouldhavehad。Itappealedtoherownsimplenature。
Indeed，fewwomenatsuchamomentcriticisetheforminwhichthemostfatefulwordsoflife——butone——arespoken。Words，whilepleasant，arereallysuperfluous。Herwhispered\"Yes\"spokevolumes。
Theywalkedonpastthehouse，alongthecountryroadintowhichthestreetsoonmerged。Whentheyreturned，anhourlater，theyfoundWarwickseatedonthepiazza，inarocking—chair，smokingafragrantcigar。
\"Well，children，\"heobservedwithmockseverity，\"youarelateingettinghomefromchurch。Thesermonmusthavebeenextremelylong。\"
\"Wehavebeenattendinganafter—meeting，\"
repliedTryonjoyfully，\"andhavebeendiscussinganoldtext，`Littlechildren，loveoneanother，’
anditscorollary，`Itisnotgoodformantolivealone。’John，Iamthehappiestmanalive。Yoursisterhaspromisedtomarryme。Ishouldliketoshakemybrother’shand。\"
Neverdoesonefeelsostronglytheuniversalbrotherhoodofmanaswhenonelovessomeotherfellow’ssister。WarwicksprangfromhischairandclaspedTryon’sextendedhandwithrealemotion。
HeknewofnomanwhomhewouldhavepreferredtoTryonasahusbandforhissister。
\"MydearGeorge——mydearsister，\"heexclaimed，\"Iamvery，veryglad。Iwishyoueveryhappiness。Mysisteristhemostfortunateofwomen。\"
\"AndIamtheluckiestofmen，\"criedTryon。
\"Iwishyoueveryhappiness，\"repeatedWarwick；
adding，withatouchofsolemnity，asacertainthought，neverfardistant，occurredtohim，\"Ihopethatneitherofyoumayeverregretyourchoice。\"
Thusplaceduponthefootingofanacceptedlover，Tryon’svisitstothehousebecamemorefrequent。Hewishedtofixatimeforthemarriage，butatthispointRenadevelopedastrangereluctance。
\"Canwenotloveeachotherforawhile？\"sheasked。\"Tobeengagedisapleasurethatcomesbutonce；itwouldbeapitytocutittooshort。\"
\"ItisapleasurethatIwouldcheerfullydispensewith，\"hereplied，\"forthecertaintyofpossession。
Iwantyoualltomyself，andallthetime。Thingsmighthappen。IfIshoulddie，forinstance，beforeImarriedyou\"——
\"Oh，don’tsupposesuchawfulthings，\"shecried，puttingherhandoverhismouth。
Hehelditthereandkissedituntilshepulleditaway。
\"Ishouldconsider，\"heresumed，completingthesentence，\"thatmylifehadbeenafailure。\"
\"IfIshoulddie，\"shemurmured，\"Ishoulddiehappyintheknowledgethatyouhadlovedme。\"
\"Inthreeweeks，\"hewenton，\"IshallhavefinishedmybusinessinClarence，andtherewillbebutonethingtokeepmehere。Whenshallitbe？
Imusttakeyouhomewithme。\"
\"Iwillletyouknow，\"shereplied，withatroubledsigh，\"inaweekfromto—day。\"
\"I’llcallyourattentiontothesubjecteverydayinthemeantime，\"heasserted。\"Ishouldn’tlikeyoutoforgetit。\"
Rena’sshrinkingfromtheirrevocablestepofmarriagewasduetoasimpleandyetcomplexcause。Statedbaldly，itwastheconsciousnessofhersecret；thecomplexityaroseoutofthevariouswaysinwhichitseemedtobearuponherfuture。Ourlivesaresoboundupwiththoseofourfellowmenthattheslightestdeparturefromthebeatenpathinvolvesamultiplicityofsmalladjustments。IthadnotbeendifficultforRenatoconformherspeech，hermanners，andinameasurehermodesofthought，tothoseofthepeoplearoundher；butwhenthisreadjustmentwentbeyondmereexternalsandconcernedthevitalissuesoflife，thesecretthatoppressedhertookonamoreseriousaspect，withtragicpossibilities。
Adiscursiveimaginationwasnotoneofhercharacteristics，orthedangerofamarriageofwhichperfectfranknesswasnotaconditionmightwellhavepresenteditselfbeforeherhearthadbecomeinvolved。Undertheinfluenceofdoubtandfearactinguponlove，theinvisiblebartohappinessglowedwithalambentflamethatthreateneddiredisaster。
\"Wouldhehavelovedmeatall，\"sheaskedherself，\"ifhehadknownthestoryofmypast？
Or，havinglovedme，couldheblamemenowforwhatIcannothelp？\"
Thereweretwoshoalsinthechannelofherlife，uponeitherofwhichherhappinessmightgotoshipwreck。Sinceleavingthehousebehindthecedars，whereshehadbeenbroughtintotheworldwithoutherownknowledgeorconsent，andhadfirstdrawnthebreathoflifebytheinvoluntarycontractionofcertainmuscles，Renahadlearned，inashorttime，manythings；butshewasyettolearnthattheinnocentsufferwiththeguilty，andfeelthepunishmentthemorekeenlybecauseunmerited。ShehadyettolearnthattheoldMosaicformula，\"Thesinsofthefathersshallbevisiteduponthechildren，\"wasgravenmoreindeliblyupontheheartoftheracethanuponthetablesofSinai。
Butwouldherloverstillloveher，ifheknewall？Shehadreadsomeofthenovelsinthebookcaseinhermother’shall，andothersatboarding—
school。Shehadreadthatlovewasaconqueror，thatneitherlifenordeath，norcreednorcaste，couldstayhistriumphantcourse。Hersecretwasnolegalbartotheirunion。IfRenacouldforgetthesecret，andTryonshouldneverknowit，itwouldbenoobstacletotheirhappiness。ButRenafelt，withasinkingoftheheart，thathappinesswasnotamatteroflaworoffact，butlayentirelywithinthedomainofsentiment。Wearehappywhenwethinkourselveshappy，andwithastrangeperversityweoftendifferfromotherswithregardtowhatshouldconstituteourhappiness。
Rena’ssecretwastheworminthebud，theskeletoninthecloset。
\"Hesaysthathelovesme。HeDOESloveme。
Wouldheloveme，ifheknew？\"ShestoodbeforeanovalmirrorbroughtfromFrancebyoneofWarwick’swife’sancestors，andregardedherimagewithacoldlycriticaleye。Shewasaslittlevainasanyofhersexwhoareendowedwithbeauty。Shetriedtoplaceherself，inthuspassinguponherownclaimstoconsideration，inthehostileattitudeofsocietytowardherhiddendisability。Therewasnomarkuponherbrowtobrandheraslesspure，lessinnocent，lessdesirable，lessworthytobeloved，thantheseproudwomenofthepastwhohadadmiredthemselvesinthisoldmirror。
\"Ithinkamanmightlovemeformyself，\"shemurmuredpathetically，\"andifhelovedmetruly，thathewouldmarryme。Ifhewouldnotmarryme，thenitwouldbebecausehedidn’tloveme。
I’lltellGeorgemysecret。Ifheleavesme，thenhedoesnotloveme。\"
Butthisresolutionvanishedintothinairbeforeitwasfullyformulated。Thesecretwasnothersalone；itinvolvedherbrother’sposition，towhomsheowedeverything，andinlessdegreethefutureofherlittlenephew，whomshehadlearnedtolovesowell。Shehadthechoiceofbuttwocoursesofaction，tomarryTryonortodismisshim。Thethoughtthatshemightlosehimmadehimseemonlymoredear；tothinkthathemightleavehermadehersickatheart。Inoneweekshewasboundtogivehimananswer；hewasmorelikelytoaskforitattheirnextmeeting。
IX
DOUBTSANDFEARS
Rena’sheartwastooheavywiththesemisgivingsforhertokeepthemtoherself。OnthemorningaftertheconversationwithTryoninwhichshehadpromisedhimananswerwithinaweek，shewentintoherbrother’sstudy，whereheusuallyspentanhourafterbreakfastbeforegoingtohisoffice。Helookedupamiablyfromthebookbeforehimandreadtroubleinherface。
\"Well，Rena，dear，\"heaskedwithasmile，\"what’sthematter？Isthereanythingyouwant——money，orwhat？IshouldliketohaveAladdin’slamp——thoughI’dhardlyneedit——
thatyoumighthavenowishunsatisfied。\"
Hehadfoundherverybackwardinaskingforthingsthatsheneeded。Generouswithhismeans，hethoughtnothingtoogoodforher。Hersuccesshadgratifiedhispride，andjustifiedhiscourseintakingherunderhisprotection。
\"Thankyou，John。YougivemealreadymorethanIneed。Itissomethingelse，John。GeorgewantsmetosaywhenIwillmarryhim。Iamafraidtomarryhim，withouttellinghim。Ifheshouldfindoutafterwards，hemightcastmeoff，orceasetoloveme。Ifhedidnotknowit，I
shouldbeforeverthinkingofwhathewoulddoifheSHOULDfinditout；or，ifIshoulddiewithouthishavinglearnedit，IshouldnotresteasyinmygraveforthinkingofwhathewouldhavedoneifheHADfounditout。\"
Warwick’ssmilegaveplacetoagraveexpressionatthissomewhatcomprehensivestatement。Heroseandclosedthedoorcarefully，lestsomeoneoftheservantsmightoverheartheconversation。
MoreliberallyendowedthanRenawithimagination，andnotwithoutaveinofsentiment，hehadneverthelessapracticalsidethatoutweighedthemboth。Withhim，theproblemthatoppressedhissisterhadbeeninthemainamatterofargument，ofself—conviction。Oncepersuadedthathehadcertainrights，oroughttohavethem，byvirtueofthelawsofnature，indefianceofthecustomsofmankind，hehadpromptlysoughttoenjoythem。
Thishehadbeenabletodobysimplyconcealinghisantecedentsandmakingthemostofhisopportunities，withnotroublesomequalmsofconsciencewhatever。Buthehadalreadyperceived，intheirbriefintercourse，thatRena’semotions，whilelesseasilystirred，touchedadeepernotethanhis，anddweltuponitwithgreaterintensitythaniftheyhadbeenspreadoverthelargerfieldtowhichamorereadysympathywouldhavesuppliedsomanypointsofaccess；——herswasadeepandsilentcurrentflowingbetweenthenarrowwallsofaself—
containedlife，histhespreadingriverthatranthroughapleasantlandscape。Warwick’simagination，however，enabledhimtoputhimselfintouchwithhermoodandrecognizeitsbearingsuponherconduct。Hewouldhavepreferredhertakingthepracticalpointofview，tobringherroundtowhichheperceivedwouldbeamatterofdiplomacy。
\"Howlonghavetheseweightythoughtsbeentroublingyoursmallhead？\"heaskedwithassumedlightness。
\"Sinceheaskedmelastnighttonameourweddingday。\"
\"Mydearchild，\"continuedWarwick，\"youtaketootragicaviewoflife。Marriageisareciprocalarrangement，bywhichthecontractingpartiesgiveloveforlove，careforkeeping，faithforfaith。Itisamatterofthefuture，notofthepast。Whatapoorsoulitisthathasnotsomesecretchamber，sacredtoitself；whereonecanfileawaythethingsothershavenorighttoknow，aswellasthingsthatonehimselfwouldfainforget！Weareundernomoralobligationtoinflictuponothersthehistoryofourpastmistakes，ourwaywardthoughts，oursecretsins，ourdesperatehopes，orourheartbreakingdisappointments。Stilllessareweboundtobringoutfromthissecretchamberthedustyrecordofourancestry。
`Letthedeadpastburyitsdead。’
GeorgeTryonlovesyouforyourselfalone；itisnotyourancestorsthatheseekstomarry。\"
\"Butwouldhemarrymeifheknew？\"shepersisted。
Warwickpausedforreflection。Hewouldhavepreferredtoarguethequestioninageneralway，butfeltthenecessityofsatisfyingherscruples，asfarasmightbe。HehadlikedTryonfromtheverybeginningoftheiracquaintance。Inalltheirintercourse，whichhadbeenverycloseforseveralmonths，hehadbeenimpressedbytheyoungman’ssunnytemper，hisstraightforwardness，hisintellectualhonesty。Tryon’sdeferencetoWarwickastheeldermanhadverynaturallyprovedanattraction。WhetherthisfriendshipwouldhavestoodthetestofutterfranknessabouthisownpastwasamerelyacademicspeculationwithwhichWarwickdidnottroublehimself。Withhissisterthequestionhadevidentlybecomeamatterofconscience，——adifficultsubjectwithwhichtodealinapersonofRena’stemperament。
\"Mydearsister，\"hereplied，\"whyshouldheknow？Wehaven’taskedhimforhispedigree；
wedon’tcaretoknowit。Ifhecaresforours，heshouldaskforit，anditwouldthenbetimeenoughtoraisethequestion。Youlovehim，Iimagine，andwishtomakehimhappy？\"
Itisthehighestwishofthewomanwholoves。
Theenamoredmanseekshisownhappiness；thelovingwomanfindsnosacrificetoogreatforthelovedone。Thefictionofchivalrymademanservewoman；thefactofhumannaturemakeswomanhappiestwhenservingwheresheloves。
\"Yes，oh，yes，\"Renaexclaimedwithfervor，claspingherhandsunconsciously。\"I’mafraidhe’dbeunhappyifheknew，anditwouldmakememiserabletothinkhimunhappy。\"
\"Well，then，\"saidWarwick，\"supposeweshouldtellhimoursecretandputourselvesinhispower，andthatheshouldthenconcludethathecouldn’tmarryyou？Doyouimaginehewouldbeanyhappierthanheisnow，orthanifheshouldneverknow？\"
Ah，no！shecouldnotthinkso。Onecouldnottearloveoutofone’sheartwithoutpainandsuffering。
Therewasaknockatthedoor。Warwickopenedittothenurse，whostoodwithlittleAlbertinherarms。
\"Please，suh，\"saidthegirl，withacurtsy，\"debaby’sbe’noryin’an’frettin’ferMissRena，an’
I’lowedshemoughtwantmeterfetch’im，efitwouldn’t’sturbher。\"
\"Givemethedarling，\"exclaimedRena，comingforwardandtakingthechildfromthenurse。\"Itwantsitsauntie。Cometoitsauntie，blessitslittleheart！\"
LittleAlbertcrowedwithpleasureandputuphisprettymouthforakiss。Warwickfoundthesightapleasantone。Ifhecouldbutquiethissister’stroublesomescruples，hemighterelongseeherfondlingbeautifulchildrenofherown。EvenifRenawerewillingtoriskherhappiness，andhetoendangerhisposition，byaquixoticfrankness，thefutureofhischildmustnotbecompromised。