\"Youwouldn’twanttomakeGeorgeunhappy，\"
Warwickresumedwhenthenurseretired。\"Verywell；wouldyounotbewilling，forhissake，tokeepasecret——yoursecretandmine，andthatoftheinnocentchildinyourarms？Wouldyouinvolveallofusindifficultiesmerelytosecureyourownpeaceofmind？Doesn’tsuchacourseseemjusttheleastbitselfish？Thinkthematteroverfromthatpointofview，andwe’llspeakofitlaterintheday。IshallbewithGeorgeallthemorning，andImaybeable，byalittlemanagement，tofindouthisviewsonthesubjectofbirthandfamily，andallthat。Somemenareveryliberal，andloveisagreatleveler。I’llsoundhim，atanyrate。\"
HekissedthebabyandleftRenatoherownreflections，towhichhispresentationofthecasehadgivenanewturn。Ithadneverbeforeoccurredtohertoregardsilenceinthelightofself—sacrifice。
Ithadseemedasortofsin；herbrother’sargumentmadeofitavirtue。Itwasnotthefirsttime，northelast，thatrightandwronghadbeenamatterofview—point。
TryonhimselffurnishedtheopeningforWarwick’sproposedexamination。Theyoungermancouldnotlongremainsilentuponthesubjectuppermostinhismind。\"Iamanxious，John，\"hesaid，\"tohaveRowenanamethehappiestdayofmylife——ourweddingday。WhenthetrialinEdgecombeCountyisfinished，Ishallhavenofurtherbusinesshere，andshallbereadytoleaveforhome。
Ishouldliketotakemybridewithme，andsurprisemymother。\"
Mothers，thoughtWarwick，arelikelytoproveinquisitiveabouttheirsons’wives，especiallywhentakenunawaresinmattersofsuchimportance。
ThisseemedagoodtimetotesttheliberalityofTryon’sviews，andtoputforwardashieldforhissister’sprotection。
\"Areyousure，George，thatyourmotherwillfindthesurpriseagreeablewhenyoubringhomeabrideofwhomyouknowsolittleandyourmothernothingatall？\"
Tryonhadfeltthatitwouldbebesttosurprisehismother。ShewouldneedonlytoseeRenatoapproveofher，butshewassofarprejudicedinfavorofBlancheLearythatitwouldbewisesttopresenttheargumentafterhavingannouncedtheirrevocableconclusion。Renaherselfwouldbeacompletejustificationfortheaccomplisheddeed。
\"Ithinkyououghttoknow，George，\"continuedWarwick，withoutwaitingforareplytohisquestion，\"thatmysisterandIarenotofanoldfamily，orarichfamily，oradistinguishedfamily；thatshecanbringyounothingbutherself；thatwehavenoconnectionsofwhichyoucouldboast，andnorelativestowhomweshouldbegladtointroduceyou。Youmusttakeusforourselvesalone——wearenewpeople。\"
\"MydearJohn，\"repliedtheyoungmanwarmly，\"thereisagreatdealofnonsenseaboutfamilies。Ifamanisnobleandbraveandstrong，ifawomanisbeautifulandgoodandtrue，whatmattersitabouthisorherancestry？Ifanoldfamilycangivethemthesethings，thenitisvaluable；iftheypossessthemwithoutit，thenofwhatuseisit，exceptasasourceofemptypride，whichtheywouldbebetterwithout？Ifallnewfamilieswerelikeyours，therewouldbenoadvantageinbelongingtoanoldone。AllIcaretoknowofRowena’sfamilyisthatsheisyoursister；
andyou’llpardonme，oldfellow，ifIaddthatshehardlyneedsevenyou，——shecarriesthestampofherdescentuponherfaceandinherheart。\"
\"Itmakesmegladtohearyouspeakinthatway，\"returnedWarwick，delightedbytheyoungman’sbreadthandearnestness。
\"Oh，Imeaneverywordofit，\"repliedTryon。
\"Ancestors，indeed，forRowena！Iwilltellyouafamilysecret，John，toprovehowlittleIcareforancestors。Mymaternalgreat—great—grandfather，ahundredandfiftyyearsago，washanged，drawn，andquarteredforstealingcattleacrosstheScottishborder。Howisthatforapedigree？Beholdinmethelinealdescendantofafelon！\"
Warwickfeltmuchrelievedatthisavowal。
Hisownstatementhadnottouchedthevitalpointinvolved；ithadbeenatthebestbutahalf—truth；
butTryon’smagnanimitywoulddoubtlessprotectRenafromanycloseinquiryconcerningherpast。
ItevenoccurredtoWarwickforamomentthathemightsafelydisclosethesecrettoTryon；butanappreciationofcertainfactsofhistoryandcertaintraitsofhumannatureconstrainedhimtoputthemomentarythoughtaside。Itwasagreatrelief，however，toimaginethatTryonmightthinklightlyofthisthingthatheneedneverknow。
\"Well，Rena，\"hesaidtohissisterwhenhewenthomeatnoon：\"I’vesoundedGeorge。\"
\"Whatdidhesay？\"sheaskedeagerly。
\"Itoldhimwewerepeopleofnofamily，andthatwehadnorelativesthatwewereproudof。
Hesaidhelovedyouforyourself，andwouldneveraskyouaboutyourancestry。\"
\"Oh，Iamsoglad！\"exclaimedRenajoyfully。
Thisreportleftherveryhappyforaboutthreehours，oruntilshebegantoanalyzecarefullyherbrother’saccountofwhathadbeensaid。Warwick’sstatementhadnotbeenspecific，——hehadnottoldTryonTHEthing。George’sreply，inturn，hadbeenameregenerality。Theconcretefactthatoppressedherremainedunrevealed，andherdoubtwasstillunsatisfied。
Renawasoccupiedwiththisthoughtwhenherlovernextcametoseeher。Tryoncameupthesandedwalkfromthegateandspokepleasantlytothenurse，agood—lookingyellowgirlwhowasseatedonthefrontsteps，playingwithlittleAlbert。Hetooktheboyfromherarms，andshewenttocallMissWarwick。
Renacameout，followedbythenurse，whoofferedtotakethechild。
\"Nevermind，Mimy，leavehimwithme，\"saidTryon。
Thenursewalkeddiscreetlyoverintothegarden，remainingwithincall，butbeyondthehearingofconversationinanordinarytone。
\"Rena，darling，\"saidherlover，\"whenshallitbe？Surelyyouwon’taskmetowaitaweek。
Why，that’salifetime！\"
Renawasstruckbyabrilliantidea。Shewouldtestherlover。Lovewasaverypowerfulforce；shehadfounditthegreatest，grandest，sweetestthingintheworld。Tryonhadsaidthathelovedher；hehadsaidscarcelyanythingelseforseveralweeks，surelynothingelseworthremembering。
Shewouldtesthislovebyahypotheticalquestion。
\"Yousayyouloveme，\"shesaid，glancingathimwithasadthoughtfulnessinherlargedarkeyes。\"Howmuchdoyouloveme？\"
\"Iloveyouallonecanlove。Truelovehasnodegrees；itisallornothing！\"
\"Wouldyouloveme，\"sheasked，withanairofcoquetrythatmaskedherconcern，pointingtowardthegirlintheshrubbery，\"ifIwereAlbert’snurseyonder？\"
\"IfyouwereAlbert’snurse，\"hereplied，withajoyouslaugh，\"hewouldhavetofindanotherwithinaweek，forwithinaweekweshouldbemarried。\"
Theanswerseemedtofitthequestion，butinfact，Tryon’smindandRena’sdidnotmeet。ThattwointelligentpersonsshouldeachattachadifferentmeaningtososimpleaformofwordsasRena’squestionwasthebestgroundforhermisgivingwithregardtothemarriage。Butloveblindedher。Shewasanxioustobeconvinced。
Sheinterpretedthemeaningofhisspeechbyherownthoughtandbytheardorofhisglance，andwassatisfiedwiththeanswer。
\"Andnow，darling，\"pleadedTryon，\"willyounotfixthedaythatshallmakemehappy？I
shallbereadytogoawayinthreeweeks。Willyougowithme？\"
\"Yes，\"sheanswered，inatumultofjoy。Shewouldneverneedtotellhimhersecretnow。Itwouldmakenodifferencewithhim，sofarasshewasconcerned；andshehadnorighttorevealherbrother’ssecret。Shewaswillingtoburythepastinforgetfulness，nowthatsheknewitwouldhavenointerestforherlover。
X
THEDREAM
Themarriagewasfixedforthethirtiethofthemonth，immediatelyafterwhichTryonandhisbrideweretosetoutforNorthCarolina。WarwickwouldhavelikeditmuchifTryonhadlivedinSouthCarolina；butthelocationofhisNorthCarolinahomewasatsomedistancefromPatesville，withwhichithadnoconnectionbysteamorrail，andindeedlayaltogetheroutofthelineoftraveltoPatesville。RenahadnoacquaintancewithpeopleofsocialstandinginNorthCarolina；andwiththeaddedmaturityandcharmduetoherimprovedopportunities，itwasunlikelythatanyformerresidentofPatesvillewhomightcasuallymeetherwouldseeintheelegantyoungmatronfromSouthCarolinamorethanapassingresemblancetoapoorgirlwhohadoncelivedinanobscurepartoftheoldtown。ItwouldofcoursebenecessaryforRenatokeepawayfromPatesville；
saveforhermother’ssake，shewouldhardlybetemptedtogoback。
Onthetwentiethofthemonth，WarwicksetoutwithTryonforthecountyseatoftheadjoiningcounty，totryoneofthelawsuitswhichhadrequiredTryon’spresenceinSouthCarolinaforsolongatime。Theirdestinationwasaday’sdrivefromClarence，behindagoodhorse，andthetrialwasexpectedtolastaweek。
\"Thisweekwillseemlikeayear，\"saidTryonruefully，theeveningbeforetheirdeparture，\"butI’llwriteeveryday，andshallexpectaletterasoften。\"
\"Themailgoesonlytwiceaweek，George，\"
repliedRena。
\"ThenIshallhavethreelettersineachmail。\"
WarwickandTryonweretosetoutinthecoolofthemorning，afteranearlybreakfast。Renawasupatdaybreakthatshemightpresideatthebreakfast—tableandbidthetravelersgood—by。
\"John，\"saidRenatoherbrotherinthemorning，\"Idreamedlastnightthatmotherwasill。\"
\"Dreams，youknow，Rena，\"answeredWarwicklightly，\"gobycontraries。Yoursundoubtedlysignifiesthatourmother，Godblesshersimplesoul！isatthepresentmomentenjoyingherusualperfecthealth。Shewasneversickinherlife。\"
ForafewmonthsafterleavingPatesvillewithherbrother，Renahadsufferedtorturesofhomesickness；thosewhohavefeltitknowthepang。
Theseveranceofoldtieshadbeenabruptandcomplete。Attheschoolwhereherbrotherhadtakenher，therehadbeennothingtorelievethestrangenessofhersurroundings——noschoolmatefromherowntown，norelativeorfriendofthefamilynearby。Eventhecompensationofhumansympathywasinameasuredeniedher，forRenawastoofreshfromherprison—housetodoubtthatsympathywouldfailbeforetherevelationofthesecrettheconsciousnessofwhichoppressedheratthattimelikeanightmare。ItwasnotstrangethatRena，thusisolated，shouldhavebeenprostratedbyhomesicknessforseveralweeksafterleavingPatesville。Whentheparoxysmhadpassed，therefollowedadullpain，whichgraduallysubsidedintoaresignationasprofound，initsway，ashadbeenherlongingforhome。Sheloved，shesuffered，withaquietintensityofwhichheroutwarddemeanorgavenoadequateexpression。
Fromsomeancestralsourceshehadderivedastrainofthepassivefatalismbywhichaloneonecansubmituncomplaininglytotheinevitable。
Bythesametoken，whenonceathinghadbeendecided，itbecamewithherafinality，whichonlysomeextraordinarystressofemotioncoulddisturb。
Shehadacquiescedinherbrother’splan；
forhertherewasnowithdrawing；herhomesicknesswasanincidentalthingwhichmustbeendured，aspatientlyasmightbe，untiltimeshouldhavebroughtameasureofrelief。
WarwickhadmadeprovisionforanoccasionalletterfromPatesville，byleavingwithhismotheranumberofenvelopesdirectedtohisaddress。Shecouldhaveherletterswritten，inclosethemintheseenvelopes，anddeposittheminthepost—
officewithherownhand。ThustheplaceofWarwick’sresidencewouldremainwithinherownknowledge，andhissecretwouldnotbeplacedatthemercyofanywanderingPatesvillianwhomightperchancegotothatpartofSouthCarolina。
BythissimplemeansRenahadkeptascloselyintouchwithhermotherasWarwickhadconsideredprudent；anycloserintercoursewasnotconsistentwiththeirpresentstationinlife。
ThenightafterWarwickandTryonhadriddenaway，Renadreamedagainthathermotherwasill。Bettertaughtpeoplethanshe，inregionsmoreenlightenedthantheSouthCarolinaofthatepoch，aredisturbedattimesbydreams。Mis’
Mollyhadaprofoundfaithinthem。IfGod，inancienttimes，hadspokentomeninvisionsofthenight，whateasierwaycouldtherebeforHimtoconveyhismeaningtopeopleofallages？Science，whichhasshatteredmanyanidolanddestroyedmanyadelusion，hasmadebutslightinroadsupontheshadowyrealmofdreams。ForMis’
Molly，towhomsciencewouldhavemeantnothingandpsychologywouldhavebeenameaninglessterm，thelandofdreamswascarefullymappedandbounded。Eachdreamhadsomespecialsignificance，orwasatleastsusceptibleofclassificationundersomesignificanthead。Dreams，asageneralrule，wentbycontraries；butadreamthreetimesrepeatedwasacertainportentofthethingdefined。
Rena’sfewyearsofschoolingatPatesvilleandhermonthsatCharlestonhadscarcelydisturbedthesehoarysuperstitionswhichlurkinthedimcornersofthebrain。NoladyinClarence，perhaps，wouldhaveremainedundisturbedbyavividdream，threetimesrepeated，ofsomeeventbearingmateriallyuponherownlife。
Thefirstrepetitionofadreamwasdecisiveofnothing，fortwodreamsmeantnomorethanone。
Thepowerofthesecondlayinthesuspense，theuncertainty，towhichitgaverise。Twodoubledthechanceofathird。ThedayfollowingthisseconddreamwasananxiousoneforRena。Shecouldnotforaninstantdismisshermotherfromherthoughts，whichwerefilledtoowithacertainself—reproach。Shehadlefthermotheralone；ifhermotherwerereallyill，therewasnooneathometotendherwithlovingcare。Thisfeelinggrewinforce，untilbynightfallRenahadbecomeveryunhappy，andwenttobedwiththemostdismalforebodings。Inthisstateofmind，itisnotsurprisingthatshenowdreamedthathermotherwaslyingatthepointofdeath，andthatshecriedoutwithheart—rendingpathos：——
\"Rena，mydarlin’，whydidyouforsakeyo’rporeoldmother？Comebacktome，honey；I’lldieefIdon’tseeyousoon。\"
ThestressofsubconsciousemotionengenderedbythedreamwaspowerfulenoughtowakeRena，andhermother’sutteranceseemedtocometoherwiththeforceofafatefulwarningandagreatreproach。Hermotherwassickandneededher，andwoulddieifshedidnotcome。Shefeltthatshemustseehermother，——itwouldbealmostlikemurdertoremainawayfromherundersuchcircumstances。
AfterbreakfastshewentintothebusinesspartofthetownandinquiredatwhattimeatrainwouldleavethatwouldtakehertowardPatesville。
Sinceshehadcomeawayfromthetown，arailroadhadbeenopenedbywhichthelongrivervoyagemightbeavoided，and，makingallowanceforslowtrainsandirregularconnections，thetownofPatesvillecouldbereachedbyanall—railrouteinabouttwelvehours。Callingatthepost—officeforthefamilymail，shefoundtherealetterfromhermother，whichshetoreopeningreatexcitement。
Itwaswritteninanunpracticedhandandbadlyspelled，andwasineffectasfollows：——
MYDEARDAUGHTER，——ItakemypeninhandtoletyouknowthatIamnotverywell。Ihavehadakindofmiseryinmysidefortwoweeks，withpalpitationsoftheheart，andIhavebeeninbedforthreedays。I’mfeelingmightypoorly，butDr。GreensaysthatI’llgetoveritinafewdays。
OldAuntZilphyisstayingwithme，andlookingafterthingstolerablywell。IhopethiswillfindyouandJohnenjoyinggoodhealth。GivemylovetoJohn，andIhopetheLordwillblesshimandyoutoo。CousinBillyOxendinehashadarisingonhisneck，andhashadtohaveitlanced。
MaryB。hasanotheryoungone，aboythistime。
OldmanTomJohnsonwaskilledlastweekwhiletryingtowhipblackJimBrown，wholiveddownontheWilmingtonRoad。Jimhasrunaway。
Therehasbeenabigfreshetintheriver，anditlookedatonetimeasifthenewbridgewouldbewashedaway。
Frankcomesovereverydayortwoandasksaboutyou。Hesaystotellyouthathedon’tbelieveyouarecomingbackanymore，butyouaretorememberhim，andthatfoolishnesshesaidaboutbringingyoubackfromtheendoftheworldwithhismuleandcart。He’sverygoodtome，andbringsovershavingsandkindling—wood，andmademeanewwell—bucketfornothing。It’sacomforttotalktohimaboutyou，thoughI
haven’ttoldhimwhereyouareliving。
IhopethiswillfindyouandJohnbothwell，anddoingwell。Ishouldliketoseeyou，butifit’stheLord’swillthatIshouldn’t，Ishallbethankfulanywaythatyouhavedonewhatwasthebestforyourselvesandyourchildren，andthatIhavegivenyouupforyourowngood。
Youraffectionatemother，MARYWALDEN。
Renashedtearsoverthissimpleletter，which，toherexcitedimagination，merelyconfirmedthewarningofherdream。Atthedateofitswritinghermotherhadbeensickinbed，withthesymptomsofaseriousillness。Shehadnonursebutapurblindoldwoman。Threedaysofprogressiveillnesshadevidentlybeenquitesufficienttoreduceherparenttotheconditionindicatedbythethirddream。ThethoughtthathermothermightdiewithoutthepresenceofanyonewholovedherpiercedRena’sheartlikeaknifeandlentwingstoherfeet。Shewishedfortheenchantedhorseofwhichherbrotherhadreadtohersomanyyearsbeforeonthefrontpiazzaofthehousebehindthecedars，thatshemightflythroughtheairtoherdyingmother’sside。ShedeterminedtogoatoncetoPatesville。
Returninghome，shewrotealettertoWarwickinclosingtheirmother’sletter，andstatingthatshehaddreamedanalarmingdreamforthreenightsinsuccession；thatshehadleftthehouseinchargeoftheservantsandgonetoPatesville；andthatshewouldreturnassoonashermotherwasoutofdanger。
Toherlovershewrotethatshehadbeencalledawaytovisitasick—bed，andwouldreturnverysoon，perhapsbythetimehegotbacktoClarence。
TheselettersRenapostedonherwaytothetrain，whichshetookatfiveo’clockintheafternoon。
ThiswouldbringhertoPatesvilleearlyinthemorningofthefollowingday。
XI
ALETTERANDAJOURNEY
Warhasbeencalledthecourtoflastresort。
Alawsuitmaywithequalaptnessbecomparedtoabattle——theparallelmightbedrawnverycloselyallalongtheline。Firstwehavethecasusbelli，thecauseofaction；thenthevariousprotocolsandproclamationsandgeneralorders，bywayofpleas，demurrers，andmotions；thenthepreliminaryskirmishesatthetrialtable；andthenthefinalstruggle，inwhichmightisquiteaslikelytoprevailasright，victorymostoftenrestingwiththestrongestbattalions，andtruthandjusticenotseldomoverbornebytheweightofoddsupontheotherside。
ThelawsuitwhichWarwickandTryonhadgonetotrydidnot，however，reachthisultimatestage，but，afterathreedays’engagement，resultedinatreatyofpeace。Thecasewascompromisedandsettled，andTryonandWarwicksetoutontheirhomewarddrive。Theystoppedatafarm—
houseatnoon，andwhileattablesawthestage—
coachfromthetowntheyhadjustleft，boundfortheirowndestination。Inthemail—bagunderthedriver’sseatwereRena’stwoletters；theyhadbeendeliveredatthetowninthemorning，andimmediatelyremailedtoClarence，inaccordancewithordersleftatthepost—officetheeveningbefore。TryonandWarwickdroveleisurelyhomewardthroughthepines，allunconsciousofthefatefulsquaresofwhitepapermovingalongtheroadafewmilesbeforethem，whichamother’syearningandadaughter’slovehadthrown，liketheappleofdiscord，intothenarrowcircleoftheirhappiness。
TheyreachedClarenceatfouro’clock。Warwickgotdownfromthebuggyathisoffice。Tryondroveontohishotel，tomakeahastytoiletbeforevisitinghissweetheart。
Warwickglancedathismail，toreopentheenvelopeaddressedinhissister’shandwriting，andreadthecontentswithsomethinglikedismay。
Shehadgoneawayontheeveofherwedding，herloverknewnotwhere，tobegonenooneknewhowlong，onamissionwhichcouldnotbefranklydisclosed。Adimforebodingofdisasterflashedacrosshismind。Hethrusttheletterintohispocket，withothersyetunopened，andstartedtowardhishome。Reachingthegate，hepausedamomentandthenwalkedonpastthehouse。Tryonwouldprobablybethereinafewminutes，andhedidnotcaretomeethimwithoutfirsthavinghadtheopportunityforsomemomentsofreflection。
Hemustfixuponsomelineofactioninthisemergency。
MeanwhileTryonhadreachedhishotelandopenedhismail。TheletterfromRenawasreadfirst，withprofounddisappointment。Hehadreallymadeconcessionsinthesettlementofthatlawsuit——hadyieldedseveralhundreddollarsofhisjustdues，inorderthathemightgetbacktoRenathreedaysearlier。Nowhemustcoolhisheelsinidlenessforatleastthreedaysbeforeshewouldreturn。Itwasannoying，tosaytheleast。
Hewishedtoknowwhereshehadgone，thathemightfollowherandstaynearheruntilsheshouldbereadytocomeback。HemightaskWarwick——
no，shemighthavehadsomegoodreasonfornothavingmentionedherdestination。Shehadprobablygonetovisitsomeofthepoorrelationsofwhomherbrotherhadspokensofrankly，andshewoulddoubtlesspreferthatheshouldnotseeheramidanysurroundingsbutthebest。Indeed，hedidnotknowthathewouldhimselfcaretoendanger，bysuggestivecomparisons，thefineaureoleofsuperioritythatsurroundedher。SherepresentedinheradorablepersonandherpureheartthefinestflowerofthefinestracethatGodhadevermade——thesupremeeffortofcreativepower，thanwhichtherecouldbenofiner。Theflowerwouldsoonbehis；whyshouldhecaretodigupthesoilinwhichitgrew？
Tryonwentonopeninghisletters。Therewereseveralbillsandcirculars，andthenaletterfromhismother，ofwhichhebroketheseal：——
MYDEARESTGEORGE，——Thisleavesuswell。
Blancheisstillwithme，andweareimpatientlyawaitingyourreturn。Inyourabsencesheseemsalmostlikeadaughtertome。Shejoinsmeinthehopethatyourlawsuitsareprogressingfavorably，andthatyouwillbewithussoon……
Onyourwayhome，ifitdoesnotkeepyouawayfromustoolong，woulditnotbewellforyoutocomebywayofPatesville，andfindoutwhetherthereisanyprospectofourbeingabletocollectourclaimagainstoldMr。DuncanMcSwayne’sestate？Youmusthavetakenthepaperswithyou，alongwiththerest，forIdonotfindthemhere。Thingsoughttobesettledenoughnowforpeopletorealizeonsomeoftheirsecurities。
Yourgrandfatheralwaysbelievedthenotewasgood，andmeanttotrytocollectit，butthewarinterfered。Hesaidtome，beforehedied，thatifthenotewasevercollected，hewouldusethemoneytobuyaweddingpresentforyourwife。Poorfather！heisdeadandgonetoheaven；butIamsurethateventherehewouldbehappierifheknewthenotewaspaidandthemoneyusedasheintended。
IfyougotoPatesville，callonmycousin，Dr。
Ed。Green，andtellhimwhoyouare。Givehimmylove。Ihaven’tseenhimfortwentyyears。
Heusedtobeveryfondoftheladies，averygallantman。Hecandirectyoutoagoodlawyer，nodoubt。Hopingtoseeyousoon，Yourlovingmother，ELIZABETHTRYON。
P。S。Blanchejoinsmeinlovetoyou。
ThisaffectionateandmotherlyletterdidnotgiveTryonunalloyedsatisfaction。Hewasgladtohearthathismotherwaswell，buthehadhopedthatBlancheLearymighthavefinishedhervisitbythistime。ThereasonableinferencefromtheletterwasthatBlanchemeanttoawaithisreturn。Herpresencewouldspoilthefineromanticflavorofthesurprisehehadplannedforhismother；itwouldneverdotoexposehisbridetoanunannouncedmeetingwiththewomanwhomhehadtacitlyrejected。Therewouldbeoneadvantageinsuchameeting：thecomparisonofthetwowomenwouldbesomuchinRena’sfavorthathismothercouldnothesitateforamomentbetweenthem。Thesituation，however，wouldhaveelementsofconstraint，andhedidnotcaretoexposeeitherRenaorBlanchetoanydisagreeablecontingency。Itwouldbebettertotakehiswifeonaweddingtrip，andnotifyhismother，beforehereturnedhome，ofhismarriage。Intheextremelyimprobablecasethatsheshoulddisapprovehischoiceafterhavingseenhiswife，theicewouldatleasthavebeenbrokenbeforehisarrivalathome。
\"ByJove！\"heexclaimedsuddenly，strikinghiskneewithhishand，\"whyshouldn’tIrunuptoPatesvillewhileRena’sgone？Icanleavehereatfiveo’clock，andgettheresometimeto—morrowmorning。Icantransactmybusinessduringtheday，andgetbackthedayafterto—morrow；forRenamightreturnaheadoftime，justaswedid，andIshallwanttobeherewhenshecomes；I’dratherwaitayearforalegalopiniononadoubtfuloldnotethantoloseonedaywithmylove。Thetraingoesintwentyminutes。Mybagisalreadypacked。I’lljustdropalinetoGeorgeandtellhimwhereI’vegone。\"
HeputRena’sletterintohisbreastpocket，andturningtohistrunk，tookfromitahandfulofpapersrelatingtotheclaiminreferencetowhichhewasgoingtoPatesville。ThesehethrustintothesamepocketwithRena’sletter；hewishedtoreadbothletterandpaperswhileonthetrain。Itwouldbeapleasuremerelytoholdtheletterbeforehiseyesandlookatthelinestracedbyherhand。
Thepapershewishedtostudy，forthemorepracticalpurposeofexaminingintothemeritsofhisclaimagainsttheestateofDuncanMcSwayne。
WhenWarwickreachedhome，heinquiredifMr。Tryonhadcalled。
\"No，suh，\"answeredthenurse，towhomhehadputthequestion；\"heain’tbe’nhereyet，suh。\"
Warwickwassurprisedandmuchdisturbed。
\"Debaby’sbe’ncryin’forMissRena，\"
suggestedthenurse，\"an’Is’pec’he’dliketoseeyou，suh。ShallIfetch’im？\"
\"Yes，bringhimtome。\"
Hetookthechildinhisarmsandwentoutuponthepiazza。Severalporchpillowslayinvitinglynear。Hepushedthemtowardthestepswithhisfoot，satdownuponone，andplacedlittleAlbertuponanother。Hewasscarcelyseatedwhenamessengerfromthehotelcameupthewalkfromthegateandhandedhimanote。Atthesamemomentheheardthelongshriekoftheafternoontrainleavingthestationontheoppositesideofthetown。
Hetoretheenvelopeopenanxiously，readthenote，smiledasicklysmile，andclenchedthepaperinhishandunconsciously。Therewasnothinghecoulddo。Thetrainhadgone；therewasnotelegraphtoPatesville，andnolettercouldleaveClarencefortwenty—fourhours。Thebestlaidschemesgowrongattimes——thestanchestshipsaresometimeswrecked，orskirtthebreakersperilously。Lifeisasea，fullofstrangecurrentsandunchartedreefs——whoeverleavesthetraveledpathmustrunthedangerofdestruction。Warwickwasalawyer，however，andaccustomedtobalanceprobabilities。
\"HemayeasilybeinPatesvilleadayortwowithoutmeetingher。Shewillspendmostofhertimeatmother’sbedside，andhewillbeoccupiedwithhisownaffairs。\"
IfTryonshouldmeether——well，hewasverymuchinlove，andhehadspokenverynoblyofbirthandblood。Warwickwouldhavepreferred，nevertheless，thatTryon’stheoriesshouldnotbeputtothisparticulartest。Rena’sscrupleshadsofarbeensuccessfullycombated；thequestionwouldbeopenedagain，andthesituationunnecessarilycomplicated，ifTryonshouldmeetRenainPatesville。
\"Willheorwillhenot？\"heaskedhimself。
Hetookacoinfromhispocketandspunituponthefloor。\"Heads，heseesher；tails，hedoesnot。\"
Thecoinspunswiftlyandsteadily，leavingupontheeyetheimpressionofarevolvingsphere。LittleAlbert，leftforamomenttohisowndevices，hadcreptbehindhisfatherandwaswatchingthewhirlingdiskwithgreatpleasure。Hefeltthathewouldliketopossessthisinterestingobject。Thecoinbegantomovemoreslowly，andwaswabblingtoitsfall，whenthechildstretchedforthhischubbyfistandcaughtitereittouchedthefloor。
XII
TRYONGOESTOPATESVILLE
TryonarrivedintheearlymorningandputupatthePatesvilleHotel，averycomfortableinn。
Afterabath，breakfast，andavisittothebarbershop，heinquiredofthehotelclerkthewaytotheofficeofDr。Green，hismother’scousin。
\"Onthecorner，sir，\"answeredtheclerk，\"bythemarket—house，justoverthedrugstore。Thedoctordrovepasthereonlyhalfanhourago。You’llprobablycatchhiminhisoffice。\"
Tryonfoundtheofficewithoutdifficulty。Heclimbedthestair，butfoundnooneinexceptayoungcoloredmanseatedintheouteroffice，whorosepromptlyasTryonentered。
\"No，suh，\"repliedthemantoTryon’squestion，\"heain’thyuhnow。He’sgoneouttoseeapatient，suh，buthe’llbebacksoon。Won’tyousetdownindeprivateofficean’waitfer’im，suh？\"
Tryonhadnotsleptwellduringhisjourney，andfeltsomewhatfatigued。Throughtheopendoorofthenextroomhesawaninvitingarmchair，withawindowatoneside，andupontheotheratablestrewnwithpapersandmagazines。
\"Yes，\"heanswered，\"I’llwait。\"
Heenteredtheprivateoffice，sankintothearmchair，andlookedoutofthewindowuponthesquarebelow。Theviewwasmildlyinteresting。Theoldbrickmarket—housewiththetowerwasquitepicturesque。Onawagon—scaleatoneendthepublicweighmasterwasweighingaloadofhay。Intheboothsunderthewidearchesseveraloldnegrowomenwerefryingfishonlittlecharcoalstoves——
theodorwouldhavebeenappetizingtoonewhohadnotbreakfasted。Ontheshadysidestoodhalfadozentwo—wheeledcarts，loadedwithlightwoodanddrawnbydiminutivesteers，orsuperannuatedarmymulesbrandedontheflankwiththecabalisticletters\"C。S。A。，\"whichrepresentedavanisheddream，or\"U。S。A。，\"which，asanynegroaboutthemarket—housewouldhavebornewitness，signifiedaveryconcretefact。Nowandthenaladyorgentlemanpassedwithleisurelystep——nooneeverhurriedinPatesville——orsomepoorwhitesandhillerslouchedlistlesslyalongtowardstoreorbar—room。
Tryonmechanicallycountedtheslabsofgingerbreadonthenearestmarket—stall，andcalculatedthecubicalcontentsofseveralofthemeagreloadsofwood。Havingexhaustedtheview，heturnedtothetableathiselbowandpickedupamedicaljournal，inwhichhereadfirstanaccountofamarveloussurgicaloperation。Turningtheleavesidly，hecameuponanarticlebyaSouthernwriter，upontheperennialraceproblemthathasvexedthecountryforacentury。Thewritermaintainedthatowingtoaspecialtendencyofthenegroblood，howeverdiluted，toreverttotheAfricantype，anyfutureamalgamationofthewhiteandblackraces，whichfoolishandwickedNorthernnegrophilespredictedastheultimateresultofthenewconditionsconfrontingtheSouth，wouldthereforebeanethnologicalimpossibility；forthesmallesttraceofnegrobloodwouldinevitablydragdownthesuperiorracetotheleveloftheinferior，andreducethefairSouthland，alreadydevastatedbythehandoftheinvader，tothefrightfullevelofHayti，theawfulexampleofnegroincapacity。Toforefendtheirbelovedland，nowdoublysanctifiedbythebloodofherdevotedsonswhohadfalleninthestruggletomaintainherlibertiesandpreserveherproperty，itbehoovedeverytrueSouthrontostandfirmagainsttheabhorrenttideofradicalism，tomaintainthesupremacyandpurityofhisall—
pervading，all—conqueringrace，andtoresistbyeveryavailablemeansthethreateneddominationofaninferioranddegradedpeople，whoweresettorulehereditaryfreemeneretheyhadthemselvesscarceceasedtobeslaves。
WhenTryonhadfinishedthearticle，whichseemedtohimawell—consideredargument，albeitatriflebombastic，hethrewthebookuponthetable。
Findingthearmchairwonderfullycomfortable，andfeelingthefatigueofhisjourney，heyieldedtoadrowsyimpulse，leanedhisheadonthecushionedbackofthechair，andfellasleep。Accordingtothehabitofyouth，hedreamed，andpursuanttohisownindividualhabit，hedreamedofRena。Theywerewalkinginthemoonlight，alongthequietroadinfrontofherbrother’shouse。Theairwasredolentwiththeperfumeofflowers。Hisarmwasaroundherwaist。Hehadaskedherifshelovedhim，andwasawaitingheranswerintremulousbutconfidentexpectation。Sheopenedherlipstospeak。Thesoundthatcamefromthemseemedtobe：——
\"IsDr。Greenin？No？Askhim，whenhecomesback，please，tocallatourhouseassoonashecan。\"
Tryonwasinthatstateofsomnolenceinwhichonemaydreamandyetbeawarethatoneisdreaming，——thestatewhereone，duringadream，dreamsthatonepinchesone’sselftobesurethatoneisnotdreaming。Hewasthereforeawareofaringingqualityaboutthewordshehadjustheardthatdidnotcomportwiththeshadowyconverseofadream——anincongruityintheremark，too，whichmarredtheharmonyofthevision。TheshockwassufficienttodisturbTryon’sslumber，andhestruggledslowlybacktoconsciousness。
Whenfullyawake，hethoughtheheardalightfootfalldescendingthestairs。
\"Wastheresomeonehere？\"heinquiredoftheattendantintheouteroffice，whowasvisiblethroughtheopendoor。
\"Yas，suh，\"repliedtheboy，\"ayoungcullud’omanwuzinjes’now，axin’ferdedoctuh。\"
Tryonfeltamomentarytouchofannoyancethatanegrowomanshouldhaveintrudedherselfintohisdreamatitsmostinterestingpoint。Nevertheless，thevoicehadbeensoreal，hisimaginationhadreproducedwithsuchexactnessthedulcettonessodeartohim，thatheturnedhisheadinvoluntarilyandlookedoutofthewindow。Hecouldjustseetheflutterofawoman’sskirtdisappearingaroundthecorner。
Amomentlaterthedoctorcamebustlingin，——
aplump，rosymanoffiftyormore，withafrank，opencountenanceandanairofgenialgoodnature。
Suchadoctor，Tryonfancied，oughttoenjoyawidepopularity。Hismerepresencewouldsuggestlifeandhopeandhealthfulness。
\"Mydearboy，\"exclaimedthedoctorcordially，afterTryonhadintroducedhimself，\"I’mdelightedtomeetyou——oranyoneoftheoldblood。
YourmotherandIweresweethearts，longago，whenwebothworepinafores，andwenttoseeourgrandfatheratChristmas；andImethermorethanonce，andpaidhermorethanonecompliment，aftershehadgrowntobeafineyoungwoman。
You’relikeher！too，butnotquitesohandsome——
you’vemoreofwhatIsupposetobetheTryonfavor，thoughInevermetyourfather。SooneofoldDuncanMcSwayne’snoteswentsofarasthat？
Well，well，Idon’tknowwhereyouwon’tfindthem。OneofthemturnedupheretheotherdayfromNewYork。
\"Themanyouwanttosee，\"headdedlaterintheconversation，\"isoldJudgeStraight。He’sgettingsomewhatstiffinthejoints，butheknowsmorelaw，andmoreabouttheMcSwayneestate，thananyothertwolawyersintown。Ifanybodycancollectyourclaim，JudgeStraightcan。I’llsendmyboyDaveovertohisoffice。Dave，\"hecalledtohisattendant，\"runovertoJudgeStraight’sofficeandseeifhe’sthere。
\"Therewasafreshethereafewweeksago，\"
hewanton，whenthecoloredmanhaddeparted，\"andtheyhadtoopentheflood—gatesandletthewateroutofthemillpond，forifthedamhadbroken，asitdidtwentyyearsago，itwouldhavewashedthepillarsfromunderthejudge’sofficeandletitdowninthecreek，and\"——
\"JedgeStraightain’tindeofficejes’now，suh，\"reportedthedoctor’smanDave，fromtheheadofthestairs。
\"Didyouaskwhenhe’dbeback？\"
\"No，suh，youdidn’ttellmeter，suh。\"
\"Well，now，gobackandinquire。
\"Theniggers，\"heexplainedtoTryon，\"aregettingmightytriflingsincethey’vebeenfreed。
Beforethewar，thatboywouldhavebeenaroundthereandbackbeforeyoucouldsayJackRobinson；
now，thelazyrascaltakeshistimejustlikeawhiteman。\"
Davereturnedmorepromptlythanfromhisfirsttrip。\"JedgeStraight’sderenow，suh，\"hesaid。\"He’sdonecomein。\"
\"I’lltakeyourightaroundandintroduceyou，\"
saidthedoctor，runningonpleasantly，likeababblingbrook。\"Idon’tknowwhetherthejudgeevermetyourmotherornot，butheknowsagentlemanwhenheseesone，andwillbegladtomeetyouandlookafteryouraffair。Seetothepatients，Dave，andsayI’llbebackshortly，anddon’tforgetanymessagesleftforme。Looksharp，now！Youknowyourfailing！\"
TheyfoundJudgeStraightinhisoffice。Hewasseatedbytherearwindow，andhadfallenintoagentledoze——theairofPatesvillewasconducivetoslumber。Avisitorfromsomebustlingcitymighthaverubbedhiseyes，onanybutamarket—day，andimaginedthewholetownasleep——thatthepeopleweresomnambulistsanddidnotknowit。Thejudge，anoldhand，rousedhimselfsoskillfully，atthesoundofapproachingfootsteps，thathisvisitorscouldnotguessbutthathehadbeenwideawake。Heshookhandswiththedoctor，andacknowledgedtheintroductiontoTryonwitharareold—fashionedcourtesy，whichtheyoungmanthoughtaverycharmingsurvivalofthemannersofapastandhappierage。
\"No，\"repliedthejudge，inanswertoaquestionbyDr。Green，\"Inevermethismother；Iwasagenerationaheadofher。Iwasatschoolwithherfather，however，fiftyyearsago——fiftyyearsago！
Nodoubtthatseemstoyoualongtime，younggentleman？\"
\"Itisalongtime，sir，\"repliedTryon。\"I
mustlivemorethantwiceaslongasIhaveinordertocoverit。\"
\"Alongtime，andatroubledtime，\"sighedthejudge。\"IcouldwishthatImightseethisunhappylandatpeacewithitselfbeforeIdie。
Thingsareinasadtangle；Ican’tseethewayout。Buttheworstenemyhasbeenslain，inspiteofus。Wearewellridofslavery。\"
\"Butthenegrowestillhavewithus，\"
remarkedthedoctor，\"forherecomesmymanDave。Whatisit，Dave？\"heaskedsharply，asthenegrostuckhisheadinatthedoor。
\"DoctuhGreen，\"hesaid，\"Ifuhgottertellyou，suh，datdatyoung’omanwuzatdeofficeaginjes’befo’youcomein，an’saidferyoutogorightdownan’seehermammyezsoonezyoucould。\"
\"Ah，yes，andyou’vejustrememberedit！I’mafraidyou’reentirelytooforgetfulforadoctor’soffice。YouforgotaboutoldMrs。Latimer，theotherday，andwhenIgotthereshehadalmostchokedtodeath。Nowgetbacktotheoffice，andremember，thenexttimeyouforgetanything，I’llhireanotherboy；rememberthat！Thatboy’shead，\"heremarkedtohiscompanions，afterDavehadgone，\"remindsmeofnothingsomuchasadriedgourd，withahandfulofcowpeasrattlingaroundit，inlieuofgraymatter。AnoldwomanoutinRedbankgotafishboneinherthroat，theotherday，andnearlychokedtodeathbeforeIgotthere。Awhitewoman，sir，cameverynearlosingherlifebecauseofalazy，triflingnegro！\"
\"Ishouldthinkyouwoulddischargehim，sir，\"
suggestedTryon。
\"Whatwouldbetheuse？\"rejoinedthedoctor。
\"Allnegroesarealike，exceptthatnowandthenthere’saprettywomanalongtheborder—line。
Takethispatientofmine，forinstance，——I’llcallonherafterdinner，hercaseisnotserious，——thirtyyearsagoshewouldhavemadeanymanturnhisheadtolookather。YouknowwhoImean，don’tyou，judge？\"
\"Yes。Ithinkso，\"saidthejudgepromptly。
\"I’vetransactedalittlebusinessforhernowandthen。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhetheryou’veseenthedaughterornot——I’msureyouhaven’tforthepastyearorso，forshe’sbeenaway。Butshe’sintownnow，and，byJove，thegirlisreallybeautiful。
AndI’majudgeofbeauty。Doyouremembermywifethirtyyearsago，judge？\"
\"Shewasaveryhandsomewoman，Ed，\"repliedtheotherjudicially。\"IfIhadbeentwentyyearsyounger，Ishouldhavecutyouout。\"
\"Youmeanyouwouldhavetried。ButasI
wassaying，thisgirlisabeauty；Ireckonwemightguesswhereshegotsomeofit，eh，Judge？
Humannatureishumannature，butit’sad——dshamethatamanshouldbegetachildlikethatandleaveittolivethelifeopenforanegro。Ifshehadbeenbornwhite，theyoungfellowswouldbetumblingoveroneanothertogether。Hermotherwouldhavetolookafterherprettycloselyasthingsare，ifshestayedhere；butshedisappearedmysteriouslyayearortwoago，andhasbeenattheNorth，I’mtold，passingforwhite。
She’llprobablymarryaYankee；hewon’tknowanybetter，anditwillservehimright——she’sonlytoowhiteforthem。Shehasaverystrikingfigure，somethingontheGreekorder，statelyandslow—moving。Shehasthemannersofalady，too——abeautifulwoman，ifsheisanigger！\"
\"Iquiteagreewithyou，Ed，\"remarkedthejudgedryly，\"thatthemotherhadbetterlookcloselyafterthedaughter。\"
\"Ah，no，judge，\"repliedtheother，withaflatteredsmile，\"myadmirationforbeautyispurelyabstract。Twenty—fiveyearsago，whenIwasyounger\"——
\"Whenyouwereyoung，\"correctedthejudge。
\"WhenyouandIwereyounger，\"continuedthedoctoringeniously，——\"twenty—fiveyearsago，I
couldnothaveansweredformyself。ButIwouldadvisethegirltostayattheNorth，ifshecan。
She’scertainlyoutofplacearoundhere。\"
Tryonfoundthesubjectalittletiresome，andthedoctor’senthusiasmnotatallcontagious。Hecouldnotpossiblyhavebeeninterestedinacoloredgirl，underanycircumstances，andhewasengagedtobemarriedtothemostbeautifulwhitewomanonearth。TomentionanegrowomaninthesameroomwherehewasthinkingofRenaseemedlittleshortofprofanation。Hisfriendthedoctorwasajovialfellow，butitwassurelydoubtfultastetorefertohiswifeinsuchaconversation。
HewasverygladwhenthedoctordroppedthesubjectandpermittedhimtogomoreintodetailaboutthematterwhichformedhisbusinessinPatesville。HetookoutofhispocketthepapersconcerningtheMcSwayneclaimandlaidthemonthejudge’sdesk。
\"You’llfindeverythingthere，sir，——thenote，thecontract，andsomecorrespondencethatwillgiveyouthehangofthething。Willyoubeabletolookoverthemto—day？Ishouldlike，\"headdedalittlenervously，\"togobackto—morrow。\"
\"What！\"exclaimedDr。Greenvivaciously，\"insultourtownbystayingonlyoneday？Itwon’tbelongenoughtogetacquaintedwithouryoungladies。Patesvillegirlsarefamousfortheirbeauty。Butperhapsthere’saloadstoneinSouthCarolinatodrawyouback？Ah，youchangecolor！
Tomymindthere’snothingfinerthantheingenuousblushofyouth。Butwe’llspareyouifyou’llansweronequestion——isitserious？\"
\"I’mtobemarriedintwoweeks，sir，\"answeredTryon。Thestatementsoundedverypleasant，inspiteoftheslightembarrassmentcausedbytheinquiry。
\"Goodboy！\"rejoinedthedoctor，takinghisarmfamiliarly——theywerebothstandingnow。
\"YououghttohavemarriedaPatesvillegirl，butyoupeopledowntowardstheeasterncountiesseldomcomethisway，andweareevidentlytoolatetocatchyou。\"
\"I’lllookyourpapersoverthismorning，\"saidthejudge，\"andwhenIcomefromdinnerwillstopatthecourthouseandexaminetherecordsandseewhetherthere’sanythingwecangetholdof。Ifyou’lldropinaroundthreeorfouro’clock，Imaybeabletogiveyouanopinion。\"
\"Now，George，\"exclaimedthedoctor，\"we’llgobacktotheofficeforaspell，andthenI’lltakeyouhomewithmetoluncheon。\"
Tryonhesitated。
\"Oh，youmustcome！Mrs。GreenwouldneverforgivemeifIdidn’tbringyou。Strangersarerarebirdsinoursociety，andwhentheycomewemakethemwelcome。Ourenemiesmayoverturnourinstitutions，andtrytoputthebottomrailontop，buttheycannotdestroyourSouthernhospitality。
Therearesomanycarpet—baggersandothersocialvermincreepingintotheSouth，withtheYankeestryingtoforcetheniggersonus，thatit’sagenuinepleasuretogetacquaintedwithanotherrealSoutherngentleman，whomonecaninviteintoone’shousewithoutfearofcontamination，andbeforewhomonecanexpresshisfeelingsfreelyandbesureofperfectsympathy。\"
XIII
ANINJUDICIOUSPAYMENT
WhenJudgeStraight’svisitorshaddeparted，hetookupthepaperswhichhadbeenlaidlooselyonthetableastheyweretakenoutofTryon’sbreast—
pocket，andcommencedtheirperusal。Therewasanoteforfivehundreddollars，manyyearsoverdue，butnotyetoutlawedbylapseoftime；acontractcoveringthetransactionoutofwhichthenotehadgrown；andseverallettersandcopiesoflettersmodifyingthetermsofthecontract。Thejudgehadglancedovermostofthepapers，andwasgettingwellintothemeritsofthecase，whenheunfoldedaletterwhichreadasfollows：——
MYDEARESTGEORGE，——Iamgoingawayforaboutaweek，tovisitthebedsideofanoldfriend，whoisveryill，andmaynotlive。Donotbealarmedaboutme，forIshallverylikelybebackbythetimeyouare。