Yourslovingly，ROWENAWARWICK。
Thejudgewasunabletoconnectthisletterwiththetransactionwhichformedthesubjectofhisexamination。Agehaddimmedhisperceptionssomewhat，anditwasnotuntilhehadfinishedtheletter，andreaditoveragain，andnotedthesignatureatthebottomasecondtime，thatheperceivedthatthewritingwasinawoman’shand，thattheinkwascomparativelyfresh，andthattheletterwasdatedonlyacoupleofdaysbefore。
Whilehestillheldthesheetinhishand，itdawneduponhimslowlythatheheldalsooneofthelinksinachainofpossibletragedywhichhehimself，hebecameuncomfortablyaware，hadhadahandinforging。
\"ItistheWaldenwoman’sdaughter，assureasfate！HernameisRena。HerbrothergoesbythenameofWarwick。Shehascometovisithersickmother。Myyoungclient，Green’srelation，isherlover——isengagedtomarryher——isintown，andislikelytomeether！\"
Thejudgewassoabsorbedinthesituationthussuggestedthathelaidthepapersdownandponderedforamomentthecuriousprobleminvolved。Hewasquiteawarethattworaceshadnotdwelttogether，sidebyside，fornearlythreehundredyears，withoutminglingtheirbloodingreaterorlessdegree；hewasoldenough，andhadseencuriousthingsenough，toknowthatinthisminglingthecurrenthadnotalwaysflowedinonedirection。Certainolddecisionswithwhichhewasfamiliar；oldscandalsthathadcreptalongobscurechannels；oldfactsthathadcometotheknowledgeofanoldpractitioner，whoheldinthehollowofhishandthehonorofmorethanonefamily，madehimknowthattherewasdarkbloodamongthewhitepeople——notagreatdeal，andthatverymuchdiluted，and，solongasitwassedulouslyconcealedorvigorouslydenied，orlostinthemistsoftradition，orascribedtoaforeignoranaboriginalstrain，havingnoperceptibleeffectupontheracialtype。
Suchpeoplewere，forthemostpart，merelyontheraggededgeofthewhiteworld，seldomrisingabovethelevelofoverseers，orslave—catchers，orsheriff’sofficers，whocouldusuallybereliedupontoresentthedropofblackbloodthattaintedthem，andwiththezealoftheproselytetovisittheirhatredofitupontheunfortunateblacksthatfellintotheirhands。Onecurseofnegroslaverywas，andonepartofitsbalefulheritageis，thatitpoisonedthefountainsofhumansympathy。
Underasystemwheremenmightselltheirownchildrenwithoutsocialreprobationorlossofprestige，itwasnotsurprisingthatsomeofthemshouldhatetheirdistantcousins。TherewerenotinPatesvillehalfadozenpersonscapableofthinkingJudgeStraight’sthoughtsuponthequestionbeforehim，andperhapsnotanotherwhowouldhaveadoptedthecoursehenowpursuedtowardthisanomalousfamilyinthehousebehindthecedars。
\"Well，hereweareagain，astheclowninthecircusremarks，\"murmuredthejudge。\"Tenyearsago，inamomentofsentimentalweaknessandofquixoticloyaltytothememoryofanoldfriend，——
who，bytheway，hadnotcaredenoughforhisownchildrentotakethemawayfromtheSouth，ashemighthavedone，ortoprovideforthemhandsomely，asheperhapsmeanttodo，——Iviolatedthetraditionsofmyclassandsteppedfromthebeatenpathtohelpthemisbegottensonofmyoldfriendoutofthesloughofdespond，inwhichhehadlearned，insomestrangeway，thathewasfloundering。Tenyearslater，theghostofmygooddeedreturnstohauntme，andmakesmedoubtwhetherIhavewroughtmoreevilthangood。Iwonder，\"hemused，\"ifhewillfindherout？\"
Thejudgewasamanofimagination；hehadreadmanybooksandhadpersonallyoutlivedsomeprejudices。Helethismindrunonthevariousphasesofthesituation。
\"Ifhefoundherout，wouldhebyanypossibilitymarryher？\"
\"Itisnotlikely，\"heansweredhimself。\"Ifhemadethediscoveryhere，thefactswouldprobablyleakoutinthetown。Itissomethingthatamanmightdoinsecret，butonlyaheroorafoolwoulddoopenly。\"
Thejudgesighedashecontemplatedanotherpossibility。Hehadlivedforseventyyearsundertheoldregime。Theyoungmanwasagentleman——sohadbeenthegirl’sfather。Conditionswerechanged，buthumannaturewasthesame。Wouldtheyoungman’sloveturntodisgustandrepulsion，orwoulditmerelysinkfromthelevelofworshiptothatofdesire？Wouldthegirl，deniedmarriage，acceptanythingless？Hermotherhad，——butconditionswerechanged。Yes，conditionswerechanged，sofarasthegirlwasconcerned；therewasapossiblefutureforherundertheneworderofthings；butwhitepeoplehadnotchangedtheiropinionofthenegroes，exceptfortheworse。Thegeneralbeliefwasthattheywerejustasinferiorasbefore，andhad，moreover，beenspoiledbyadisgustingassumptionofequality，drivenintotheirthickskullsbyYankeemalignitybentuponhumiliatingaproudthoughvanquishedfoe。
Ifthejudgehadhadsonsanddaughtersofhisown，hemightnothavedonewhathenowproceededtodo。Buttheoldman’sattitudetowardsocietywaschieflythatofanobserver，andthenarrowstreamofsentimentleftinhisheartchosetoflowtowardtheweakerpartyinthisunequalconflict，——ayoungwomanfightingforloveandopportunityagainsttherankedforcesofsociety，againstimmemorialtradition，againstprideoffamilyandofrace。
\"ItmaybetheunwisestthingIeverdid，\"hesaidtohimself，turningtohisdeskandtakingupaquillpen，\"andmayresultinmoreharmthangood；butIwasalwaysfromchildhoodinsympathywiththeunderdog。Thereiscertainlyasmuchreasoninmyhelpingthegirlastheboy，forbeingawoman，sheislessabletohelpherself。\"
Hedippedhispenintotheinkandwrotethefollowinglines：——
MADAM，——Ifyouvalueyourdaughter’shappiness，keepherathomeforthenextdayortwo。
Thisnotehedriedbysprinklingitwithsandfromaboxnearathand，signedwithhisownname，and，withafinecourtesy，addressedto\"Mrs。MollyWalden。\"Havingfirstcarefullysealeditinanenvelope，hesteppedtotheopendoor，andspied，playingmarblesonthestreetnearby，agroupofnegroboys，oneofwhomthejudgecalledbyname。
\"Here，Billy，\"hesaid，handingtheboythenote，\"takethistoMis’MollyWalden。Doyouknowwhereshelives——downonFrontStreet，inthehousebehindthecedars？\"
\"Yas，suh，Iknowsdeplace。\"
\"Makehaste，now。Whenyoucomebackandtellmewhatshesays，I’llgiveyoutencents。Onsecondthoughts，Ishallbegonetolunch，sohere’syourmoney，\"headded，handingtheladthebitofsoiledpaperbywhichtheUnitedStatesgovernmentacknowledgeditsindebtednesstothebearerinthesumoftencents。
Justhere，however，thejudgemadehismistake。
Veryfewmortalscansparethespringofhope，themotiveforceofexpectation。Theboykeptthenoteinhishand，winkedathiscompanions，whohadgatheredasnearastheiraweofthejudgewouldpermit，andstarteddownthestreet。Assoonasthejudgehaddisappeared，Billybeckonedtohisfriends，whospeedilyovertookhim。WhenthepartyturnedthecornerofFrontStreetandweresafelyoutofsightofJudgeStraight’soffice，thecapitalistenteredthegrocerystoreandinvestedhisunearnedincrementingingerbread。
Whentheensuingsaturnaliawasover，Billyfinishedthegameofmarbleswhichthejudgehadinterrupted，andthensetouttoexecutehiscommission。Hehadnearlyreachedhisobjectivepointwhenhemetuponthestreetayoungwhitelady，whomhedidnotknow，andforwhom，thepathbeingnarrowatthatpoint，hesteppedoutintothegutter。Hereachedthehousebehindthecedars，wentroundtothebackdoor，andhandedtheenvelopetoMis’Molly，whowasseatedontherearpiazza，proppedupbypillowsinacomfortablerocking—chair。
\"Laws—a—massy！\"sheexclaimedweakly，\"whatisit？\"
\"It’salettuh，ma’m，\"answeredtheboy，whoseexpandingnostrilshadcaughtapleasantodorfromthekitchen，andwhowasthereforeinnohurrytogoaway。
\"Who’sitfur？\"sheasked。
\"It’sfuhyou，ma’m，\"repliedthelad。
\"An’who’sitfrom？\"sheinquired，turningtheenvelopeoverandover，andexaminingitwiththeimpotentcuriosityofonewhocannotread。
\"F’moleJedgeStraight，ma’m。Hetolemeterfetchitteryou。Isyougotaroasted’tateryoucouldgimme，ma’m？\"
\"Shorely，chile。I’llhaveAuntZilphyfetchyouapieceof’taterpone，ifyou’llhol’onaminute。\"
ShecalledtoAuntZilphy，whosooncamehobblingoutofthekitchenwithalargesquareofthedelicacy，——aflatcakemadeofmashedsweetpotatoes，mixedwithbeateneggs，sweetenedandflavoredtosuitthetaste，andbakedinaDutchovenupontheopenhearth。
Theboytookthegratuity，thankedher，andturnedtogo。Mis’Mollywasstillscanningthesuperscriptionoftheletter。\"Iwonder，\"shemurmured，\"whatoldJudgeStraightcanbewritin’
tomeabout。Oh，boy！\"
\"Yas’m，\"answeredthemessenger，lookingback。
\"Canyoureadwritin’？\"
\"No’m。\"
\"Allright。Nevermind。\"
Shelaidthelettercarefullyonthechimney—
pieceofthekitchen。\"Ireckonit’ssomethin’
mo’’boutthetaxes，\"shethought，\"ormaybesomebodywantstobuyoneermylots。Rena’llbebackterreckly，an’shekinreaditan’findout。
I’mgladmychild’enhavebe’ntoschool。Theynevercouldhavegotwheretheyarenowiftheyhadn’t。\"
XIV
ALOYALFRIEND
MentionhasbeenmadeofcertainaddressedenvelopeswhichJohnWarwick，ontheoccasionofhisvisittoPatesville，hadleftwithhisilliteratemother，bytheuseofwhichshemightcommunicatewithherchildrenfromtimetotime。
Ononeoccasion，Mis’Molly，havinghadaletterwritten，tookoneoftheseenvelopesfromthechestwhereshekepthermostvaluedpossessions，andwasabouttoinclosetheletterwhensomeoneknockedatthebackdoor。Shelaidtheenvelopeandletteronatableinherbedroom，andwenttoanswertheknock。Thewind，blowingacrosstheroomthroughtheopenwindows，pickeduptheenvelopeandboreitintothestreet。Mis’Molly，onherreturn，missedit，lookedforit，andbeingunabletofindit，tookanotherenvelope。Anhourortwolateranothergustofwindliftedthebitofpaperfromthegroundandcarrieditintotheopendoorofthecoopershop。Frankpickeditup，andobservingthatitwascleanandunused，readthesuperscription。InhisconversationswithMis’Molly，whichwereoftenaboutRena，——thesubjectuppermostinboththeirminds，——hehadnotedthemysterymaintainedbyMis’Mollyaboutherdaughter’swhereabouts，andhadoftenwonderedwhereshemightbe。Frankwasanintelligentfellow，andcouldputthisandthattogether。
TheenvelopewasaddressedtoaplaceinSouthCarolina。Hewasaware，fromsomecasualremarkofMis’Molly’s，thatRenahadgonetoliveinSouthCarolina。Herson’snamewasJohn——
thathehadchangedhislastnamewasmorethanlikely。FrankwasnotlonginreachingtheconclusionthatRenawastobefoundnearthetownnamedontheenvelope，whichhecarefullypreservedforfuturereference。
ForawholeyearFrankhadyearnedforasmileorakindwordfromtheonlywomanintheworld。
Peter，hisfather，hadralliedhimsomewhatuponhismoodinessafterRena’sdeparture。
\"Now’sdetime，boy，feryouterbelookin’
roun’fersomenicegaleryo’owncolor，w’at’ll’preciateyou，an’won’tbe’shamederyou。You’rewastin’time，boy，wastin’time，shootin’atamarkouteryo’range。\"
ButFranksaidnothinginreply，andafterwardstheoldman，whowasnotwithoutdiscernment，respectedhisson’smoodandwassilentinturn；
whileFrankfedhismemorywithhisimagination，andbytheirjointaidkepthopealive。
Lateranopportunitytoseeherpresenteditself。
Businessinthecoopershopwasdull。Abarrelfactoryhadbeenopenedinthetown，andhadwell—nighparalyzedthecooper’strade。Thebestmechaniccouldhardlycompetewithamachine。
OnemancouldnoweasilydotheworkofPeter’sshop。Anagentappearedintownseekinglaborersforoneoftherailroadswhichthenewlyorganizedcarpet—baggovernmentswerepromoting。
UponinquiryFranklearnedthattheirdestinationwasnearthetownofClarence，SouthCarolina。
Hepromptlyengagedhimselffortheservice，andwassoonatworkintheneighborhoodofWarwick’shome。Therehewasemployedsteadilyuntilacertainholiday，uponwhichagrandtournamentwasadvertisedtotakeplaceinaneighboringtown。Workwassuspended，andforemenandlaborersattendedthefestivities。
FrankhadsurmisedthatRenawouldbepresentonsuchanoccasion。Hehadmorethanguessed，too，thatshemustbelookedforamongthewhitepeopleratherthanamongtheblack。Hencetheinterestwithwhichhehadscannedthegrandstand。
Theresulthasalreadybeenrecounted。Hehadrecognizedhersweetface；hehadseenherenthronedamongtheproudestandbest。Hehadwitnessedandgloriedinhertriumph。Hehadseenhercheekflushedwithpleasure，hereyeslitupwithsmiles。Hehadfollowedhercarriage，hadmadetheacquaintanceofMimythenurse，andhadlearnedallaboutthefamily。WhenfinallyhelefttheneighborhoodtoreturntoPatesville，hehadlearnedofTryon’sattentions，andhadheardtheservants’gossipwithreferencetothemarriage，ofwhichtheyknewthedetailslongbeforetheprincipalshadapproachedthemainfact。FrankwentawaywithouthavingreceivedonesmileorheardonewordfromRena；buthehadseenher：
shewashappy；hewascontentintheknowledgeofherhappiness。Shewasdoubtlesssecureinthebeliefthathersecretwasunknown。Whyshouldhe，byrevealinghispresence，sowtheseedsofdoubtordistrustinthegardenofherhappiness？Hesacrificedthedeepestlongingofafaithfulheart，andwentbacktothecoopershoplestperchanceshemightaccidentallycomeuponhimsomedayandsuffertheshockwhichhehadsedulouslysparedher。
\"Iwouldn’wantterskeerher，\"hemused，\"ermakeherfeelbad，an’dat’sw’atI’dmos’lacklydoefsheseedme。She’llbebetteroffwidmeout’nderoad。She’llmarrydatrichw’itegent’eman，——
hewon’tneverknowdediffe’nce，——an’beaw’itelady，ezshewould’a’be’n，efsomeolewitchhadn’
changedherinhercradle。Butmaybesometimeshe’ll’memberdelittleniggerw’atuse’ternussherw’enshewozachile，an’fishedherout’ndeolecanal，an’would’a’diedferherefitwould’a’doneanygood。\"
Verygenerouslytoo，andwithafinedelicacy，hesaidnothingtoMis’Mollyofhishavingseenherdaughter，lestshemightbedisquietedbytheknowledgethathesharedthefamilysecret，——nogreatmysterynow，thispitifulsecret，butmorefar—
reachinginitsconsequencesthananyblood—curdlingcrime。Thetaintofblackbloodwastheunpardonablesin，fromtheunmeritedpenaltyofwhichtherewasnoescapeexceptbyconcealment。Iftherebeadaintyreaderofthistalewhoscornsalie，andwhowritesthestoryofhislifeuponhissleeveforalltheworldtoread，lethimuncurlhisscornfullipandcomedownfromthepedestalofsuperiormorality，towhichassuredpositionandwideopportunityhaveliftedhim，andputhimselfintheplaceofRenaandherbrother，uponwhomGodhadlavishedhisbestgifts，andfromwhomsocietywouldhavewithheldallthatmadethesegiftsvaluable。
Toundertakewhattheytriedtodorequiredgreatcourage。Hadtheypossessedthesneaking，cringing，treacherouscharactertraditionallyascribedtopeopleofmixedblood——thecharacterwhichtheblessedinstitutionsofafreeslave—holdingrepublichadbeenwelladaptedtofosteramongthem；hadtheybeenselfishenoughtosacrificetotheirambitionthemotherwhogavethembirth，societywouldhavebeenplacatedorhumbugged，andthevoyageoftheirlifemighthavebeenoneofunbrokensmoothness。
WhenRenacamebackunexpectedlyatthebehestofherdream，Frankheardagainthemusicofhervoice，feltthejoyofherpresenceandthebenisonofhersmile。Therewas，however，asubtledifferenceinherbearing。Herwordswerenotlesskind，buttheyseemedtocomefromaremotersource。Shewaskind，asthesuniswarmortherainrefreshing；shewasespeciallykindtoFrank，becausehehadbeengoodtohermother。IfFrankfeltthedifferenceinherattitude，heascribedittothefactthatshehadbeenwhite，andhadtakenonsomethingofthewhiteattitudetowardthenegro；
andFrank，withanequalunconsciousness，clothedherwiththeattributesofthesuperiorrace。Onlyherdropofblackblood，heconceived，gavehimtherighttofeeltowardherashewouldneverhavefeltwithoutit；andifRenaguessedherfaithfuldevotee’ssecret，thesamereasonsavedhisworshipfrompresumption。Asmileandakindwordwerelittleenoughtopayforalife’sdevotion。
OnthethirddayofRena’spresenceinPatesville，FrankwasdrivingupFrontStreetintheearlyafternoon，whenhenearlyfelloffhiscartinastonishmentashesawseatedinDr。Green’sbuggy，whichwasstandinginfrontofthePatesvilleHotel，theyounggentlemanwhohadwontheprizeatthetournament，andwho，ashehadlearned，wastomarryRena。FrankwasquitecertainthatshedidnotknowofTryon’spresenceinthetown。
FrankhadbeenovertoMis’Molly’sinthemorning，andhadofferedhisservicestothesickwoman，whohadrapidlybecomeconvalescentuponherdaughter’sreturn。Mis’Mollyhadspokenofsomecamphorthatsheneeded。Frankhadvolunteeredtogetit。Renahadthankedhim，andhadspokenofgoingtothedrugstoreduringtheafternoon。ItwasherintentiontoleavePatesvilleonthefollowingday。
\"Efdatmanseesherindistown，\"saidFranktohimself，\"dere’llbetrouble。Shedon’tknowHE’Shere，an’I’llbethedon’tknowSHE’Shere。\"
ThenFrankwasassailedbyaverystrongtemptation。If，ashesurmised，thejointpresenceofthetwoloversinPatesvillewasamerecoincidence，ameetingbetweenthemwouldprobablyresultinthediscoveryofRena’ssecret。
\"Ifshe’sfoundout，\"arguedthetempter，\"she’llcomebacktohermother，andyoucanseehereveryday。\"
ButFrank’slovewasnotoftheselfishkind。
Heputtemptationaside，andappliedthewhiptothebackofhismulewithavigorthatastonishedtheanimalandmovedhimtounwontedactivity。InanunusuallyshortspaceoftimehedrewupbeforeMis’Molly’sbackgate，sprangfromthecart，andranuptoMis’Mollyontheporch。
\"IsMissRenahere？\"hedemandedbreathlessly。
\"No，Frank；shewentuptown’boutanhouragotoseethedoctoran’gitmesomecamphorgum。\"
Frankutteredagroan，rushedfromthehouse，sprangintothecart，andgoadedtheterrifiedmuleintoagallopthatcarriedhimbacktothemarkethouseinhalfthetimeithadtakenhimtoreachMis’Molly’s。
\"Iwonderwhatintheworl’sthematterwithFrank，\"musedMis’Molly，invaguealarm。\"Efhehadn’tbe’ninsuchahurry，I’d’a’axedhimtoreadJudgeStraight’sletter。ButRena’llbehomesoon。\"
WhenFrankreachedthedoctor’soffice，hesawTryonseatedinthedoctor’sbuggy，whichwasstandingbythewindowofthedrugstore。Frankranupstairsandaskedthedoctor’smanifMissWaldenhadbeenthere。
\"Yas，\"repliedDave，\"shewuzherealittlew’ileago，an’saidshewuzgwinedownstairsterdedrugsto’。Iwouldn’bes’prise’efyou’dfin’herderenow。\"
XV
MINEOWNPEOPLE
ThedrivebywhichDr。GreentookTryontohisownhouseledupFrontStreetaboutamile，tothemostaristocraticportionofthetown，situatedonthehillknownasHaymount，or，morebriefly，\"TheHill。\"TheHillhadlostsomeofitsformerglory，however，fortheblightofafouryears’warwaseverywhere。Afterreachingthetopofthiswoodedeminence，theroadskirtedforsomelittledistancethebrowofthehill。Belowthemlaythepicturesqueoldtown，amassofvividgreen，dottedhereandtherewithgrayroofsthatroseabovethetree—tops。TwolongribbonsofstreetsstretchedawayfromtheHilltothefaintredlinethatmarkedthehighbluffbeyondtheriveratthefarthersideofthetown。Themarket—housetowerandtheslenderspiresofhalfadozenchurchesweresharplyoutlinedagainstthegreenbackground。Thefaceoftheclockwasvisible，butthehourscouldhavebeenreadonlybyeyesofphenomenalsharpness。
Aroundthemstretchedruinedwalls，dismantledtowers，andcrumblingearthworks——footprintsofthegodofwar，oneofwhosetempleshadcrownedthisheight。FormanyyearsbeforetherebellionaFederalarsenalhadbeenlocatedatPatesville。
SeizedbythestatetroopsuponthesecessionofNorthCarolina，ithadbeenheldbytheConfederatesuntiltheapproachofSherman’svictoriousarmy，whereuponitwasevacuatedandpartiallydestroyed。Theworkofdestructionbegunbytheretreatinggarrisonwascompletedbytheconquerors，andnowonlyruinedwallsandbrokencannonremainedofwhathadoncebeenthechiefornamentandprideofPatesville。
ThefrontofDr。Green’sspaciousbrickhouse，whichoccupiedanideallypicturesquesite，wasovergrownbyanetworkofclingingvines，contrastingmostagreeablywiththemellowredbackground。Alowbrickwall，alsooverrunwithcreepers，separatedthepremisesfromthestreetandshutinawell—keptflowergarden，inwhichTryon，whoknewsomethingofplants，noticedmanyrareandbeautifulspecimens。
Mrs。GreengreetedTryoncordially。Hedidnothavethedoctor’smemorywithwhichtofilloutthelady’scheeksorrestorethelustreofherhairorthesparkleofhereyes，andtherebyjustifyherhusband’sclaimtobeajudgeofbeauty；butherkind—heartedhospitalitywasobvious，andmighthavemadeevenaplainwomanseemhandsome。
Sheandhertwofairdaughters，towhomTryonwasdulypresented，lookedwithmuchfavorupontheirhandsomeyoungkinsman；foramongthepeopleofPatesville，perhapsbyvirtueoftheprevalenceofScottishblood，thetiesofbloodwerecherishedasthingsofvalue，andneverforgottenexceptincaseoftheunworthy——anexception，bytheway，whichoneneedhardlygosofartoseek。
ThePatesvillepeoplewerenotexceptionalintheweaknessesandmeannesseswhicharecommontoallmankind，butforsomeofthefinersocialqualitiestheywereconspicuouslyabovetheaverage。
Kindness，hospitality，loyalty，achivalrousdeferencetowomen，——allthesethingsmightbefoundinlargemeasurebythosewhosawPatesvillewiththeeyesofitsbestcitizens，andacceptedtheirstandardsofpolitics，religion，manners，andmorals。
Thedoctor，aftertheintroductions，excusedhimselfforamoment。Mrs。GreensoonleftTryonwiththeyoungladiesandwenttolookafterluncheon。Herfirsterrand，however，wastofindthedoctor。
\"Ishewelloff，Ed？\"sheaskedherhusband。
\"Lotsofland，andplentyofmoney，ifheiseverabletocollectit。Hehasinheritedtwoestates。\"
\"He’sagood—lookingfellow，\"shemused。\"Ishemarried？\"
\"Thereyougoagain，\"repliedherhusband，shakinghisforefingeratherinmockreproach。
\"Toawomanwithmarriageabledaughtersallroadsleadtomatrimony，thecentreofawoman’suniverse。Allmenmustbesizedupbytheirmatrimonialavailability。No，heisn’tmarried。\"
\"That’snice，\"sherejoinedreflectively。\"I
thinkweoughttoaskhimtostaywithuswhileheisintown，don’tyou？\"
\"He’snotmarried，\"rejoinedthedoctorslyly，\"butthenextbestthing——he’sengaged。\"
\"Cometothinkofit，\"saidthelady，\"I’mafraidwewouldn’thavetheroomtospare，andthegirlswouldhardlyhavetimetoentertainhim。
Butwe’llhavehimupseveraltimes。Ilikehislooks。Iwishyouhadsentmewordhewascoming；
I’dhavehadabetterluncheon。\"
\"Makehimasalad，\"rejoinedthedoctor，\"andgetoutabottleofthebestclaret。ThankGod，theYankeesdidn’tgetintomywinecellar！TheyoungmanmustbetreatedwithgenuineSouthernhospitality，——evenifhewereaMormonandmarriedtentimesover。\"
\"Indeed，hewouldnot，Ed，——theidea！I’mashamedofyou。Hurrybacktotheparlorandtalktohim。Thegirlsmaywanttoprimpalittlebeforeluncheon；wedon’thaveayoungmaneveryday。\"
\"Beautyunadorned，\"repliedthedoctor，\"isadornedthemost。Myprofessionqualifiesmetospeakuponthesubject。TheyarethetwohandsomestyoungwomeninPatesville，andthedaughtersofthemostbeautiful\"——
\"Don’tyoudaretosaytheword，\"interruptedMrs。Green，withplacidgoodnature。\"IshallnevergrowoldwhileIamlivingwithabigboylikeyou。ButImustgoandmakethesalad。\"
Atdinnertheconversationranonthefamilyconnectionsandtheirvaryingfortunesinthelatewar。Somehaddieduponthebattlefield，andsleptinunknowngraves；somehadbeenfinanciallyruinedbytheirfaithinthe\"lostcause，\"
havinginvestedtheirallinthesecuritiesoftheConfederateGovernment。Fewhadanythingleftbutland，andlandwithoutslavestoworkitwasadruginthemarket。
\"Iwasofferedathousandacres，theotherday，attwenty—fivecentsanacre，\"remarkedthedoctor。
\"Theownerissoland—poorthathecan’tpaythetaxes。Theyhavetakenournegroesandourliberties。Itmaybebetterforourgrandchildrenthatthenegroesarefree，butit’sconfoundedlyhardonustotakethemwithoutpayingforthem。Theymayexaltourslavesoverustemporarily，buttheyhavenotbrokenourspirit，andcannottakeawayoursuperiorityofbloodandbreeding。Intimeweshallregaincontrol。Thenegroisaninferiorcreature；Godhasmarkedhimwiththebadgeofservitude，andhasadjustedhisintellecttoaservilecondition。Wewillnotlongsubmittohisdomination。Igiveyouatoast，sir：TheAnglo—Saxonrace：mayitremainforever，asnow，theheadandfrontofcreation，neveryieldingitsrights，andreadyalwaystodie，ifneedbe，indefenseofitsliberties！\"
\"Withallmyheart，sir，\"repliedTryon，whofeltinthiscompanyathrillofthatpleasurewhichaccompaniesconscioussuperiority，——\"withallmyheart，sir，iftheladieswillpermitme。\"
\"Wewilljoinyou，\"theyreplied。Thetoastwasdrunkwithgreatenthusiasm。
\"Andnow，mydearGeorge，\"exclaimedthedoctor，\"tochangeonegoodsubjectforanother，telluswhoisthefavoredlady？\"
\"AMissRowenaWarwick，sir，\"repliedTryon，vividlyconsciousoffourpairsofeyesfixeduponhim，but，apartfromthemomentaryembarrassment，welcomingthesubjectastheonehewouldmostliketospeakupon。
\"Agood，strongoldEnglishname，\"observedthedoctor。
\"Theheroineof`Ivanhoe’！\"exclaimedMissHarriet。
\"WarwicktheKingmaker！\"saidMissMary。
\"Isshetallandfair，anddignifiedandstately？\"
\"Sheistall，darkratherthanfair，andfulloftendergraceandsweethumility。\"
\"SheshouldhavebeennamedRebeccainsteadofRowena，\"rejoinedMissMary，whowaswellupinherScott。
\"Tellussomethingaboutherpeople，\"askedMrs。Green，——towhichinquirytheyoungladieslookedassent。
InthismeetingoftheelectofhisownclassandkinWarwickfeltacertainstrongilluminationuponthevalueofbirthandblood。FindingRenaamongpeopleofthebestsocialstanding，thesubsequentintimationthatshewasagirlofnofamilyhadseemedasmallmattertoonesomuchinlove。
Nevertheless，inhispresentcompanyhefeltadecidedsatisfactioninbeingabletopresentforhisfuturewifeacleanbillofsocialhealth。
\"HerbrotheristhemostprominentlawyerofClarence。Theyliveinafineoldfamilymansion，andareamongthebestpeopleofthetown。\"
\"Quiteright，myboy，\"assentedthedoctor。
\"Nonebutthebestaregoodenoughforthebest。
YoumustbringhertoPatesvillesomeday。Butblessmylife！\"heexclaimed，lookingathiswatch，\"Imustbegoing。Willyoustaywiththeladiesawhile，orgobackdowntownwithme？\"
\"IthinkIhadbettergowithyou，sir。IshallhavetoseeJudgeStraight。\"
\"Verywell。Butyoumustcomebacktosupper，andwe’llhaveafewfriendsintomeetyou。
Youmustseesomeofthebestpeople。\"
Thedoctor’sbuggywaswaitingatthegate。
Astheywerepassingthehotelontheirdrivedowntown，theclerkcameouttothecurbstoneandcalledtothedoctor。
\"There’samanhere，doctor，who’sbeentakensuddenlyill。Canyoucomeinaminute？\"
\"IsupposeI’llhaveto。Willyouwaitformehere，George，orwillyoudrivedowntotheoffice？Icanwalktherestoftheway。\"
\"IthinkI’llwaithere，doctor，\"answeredTryon。\"I’llstepuptomyroomamoment。I’llbebackbythetimeyou’reready。\"
Itwaswhiletheywerestandingbeforethehotel，beforealightingfromthebuggy，thatFrankFowler，passingonhiscart，sawTryonandsetoutasfastashecouldtowarnMis’Mollyandherdaughterofhispresenceinthetown。
Tryonwentuptohisroom，returnedafterawhile，andresumedhisseatinthebuggy，wherehewaitedfifteenminuteslongerbeforethedoctorwasready。Whentheydrewupinfrontoftheoffice，thedoctor’smanDavewasstandinginthedoorway，lookingupthestreetwithananxiousexpression，asthoughstrugglinghardtokeepsomethinguponhismind。
\"Anythingwanted，Dave？\"askedthedoctor。
\"Datyoung’oman’sbe’nheahag’in，suh，an’
wantsterseeyoubad。She’sindedrugstorederenow，suh。BlessGawd！\"headdedtohimselffervently，\"I’membereddat。Disyerrecommemb’anceermineisgwinetergitmeintertroubleefIdon’lookout，an’dat’safac’，sho’。\"
Thedoctorsprangfromthebuggywithanagilityremarkableinamanofsixty。\"Justkeepyourseat，George，\"hesaidtoTryon，\"untilI
havespokentotheyoungwoman，andthenwe’llgoacrosstoStraight’s。Or，ifyou’lldrivealongalittlefarther，youcanseethegirlthroughthewindow。She’sworththetrouble，ifyoulikeaprettyface。\"
Tryonlikedoneprettyface；moreover，tintedbeautyhadneverappealedtohim。Moretoshowaproperregardforwhatinterestedthedoctorthanfromanycuriosityofhisown，hedroveforwardafewfeet，untilthesideofthebuggywasoppositethedrugstorewindow，andthenlookedin。
Betweenthecoloredglassbottlesinthewindowhecouldseeayoungwoman，atallandslendergirl，likealilyonitsstem。Shestoodtalkingwiththedoctor，whoheldhishatinhishandwithasmuchdeferenceasthoughsheweretheproudestdameintown。Herfacewaspartlyturnedawayfromthewindow，butasTryon’seyefelluponher，hegaveagreatstart。Surely，notwowomencouldbesomuchalike。Theheight，thegracefuldroopoftheshoulders，theswan—likepoiseofthehead，thewell—
turnedlittleear，——surely，notwowomencouldhavethemallidentical！But，pshaw！thenotionwasabsurd，itwasmerelythereflexinfluenceofhismorning’sdream。
Shemovedslightly；itwasRena’smovement。
Surelyheknewthegown，andthestyleofhair—
dressing！Sherestedherhandlightlyonthebackofachair。Theringthatglitteredonherfingercouldbenoneotherthanhisown。
Thedoctorbowed。Thegirlnoddedinresponse，and，turning，leftthestore。Tryonleanedforwardfromthebuggy—seatandkepthiseyefixedonthefigurethatmovedacrossthefloorofthedrugstore。
Asshecameout，sheturnedherfacecasuallytowardthebuggy，andtherecouldnolongerbeanydoubtastoheridentity。
WhenRena’seyesfellupontheyoungmaninthebuggy，shesawafaceaspaleasdeath，withstartingeyes，inwhichlove，whichoncehadreignedthere，hadnowgivenplacetoastonishmentandhorror。Shestoodamomentasifturnedtostone。Oneappealingglanceshegave，——alookthatmighthavesoftenedadamant。Whenshesawthatitbroughtnoansweringsignofloveorsorroworregret，thecolorfadedfromhercheek，thelightfromhereye，andshefellfaintingtotheground。
XVI
THEBOTTOMFALLSOUT
ThefirsteffectofTryon’sdiscoverywas，figurativelyspeaking，toknockthebottomoutofthingsforhim。Itwasmuchasifaboatonwhichhehadbeenfloatingsmoothlydownthestreamofpleasurehadsunksuddenlyandlefthimstrugglingindeepwaters。Thefullrealizationofthetruth，whichfollowedspeedily，hadforthemomentreversedhismentalattitudetowardher，andloveandyearninghadgivenplacetoangeranddisgust。Hisagitationcouldhardlyhaveescapednoticehadnotthedoctor’sattention，andthatofthecrowdthatquicklygathered，beenabsorbedbytheyoungwomanwhohadfallen。Duringthetimeoccupiedincarryingherintothedrugstore，restoringhertoconsciousness，andsendingherhomeinacarriage，Tryonhadtimetorecoverinsomedegreehisself—possession。WhenRenahadbeentakenhome，heslippedawayforalongwalk，afterwhichhecalledatJudgeStraight’sofficeandreceivedthejudge’sreportuponthematterpresented。JudgeStraighthadfoundtheclaim，inhisopinion，agoodone；hehaddiscoveredpropertyfromwhich，incasetheclaimwereallowed，theamountmightberealized。Thejudge，whohadalreadybeeninformedoftheincidentatthedrugstore，observedTryon’spreoccupationandguessedshrewdlyatitscause，butgavenosign。Tryonleftthematterofthenoteunreservedlyinthelawyer’shands，withinstructionstocommunicatetohimanyfurtherdevelopments。
Returningtothedoctor’soffice，Tryonlistenedtothatgenialgentleman’scommentsontheaccident，hisownconcerninwhichhe，byagreateffort，wasabletoconceal。ThedoctorinsisteduponhisreturningtotheHillforsupper。Tryonpleadedillness。Thedoctorwassolicitous，felthispulse，examinedhistongue，pronouncedhimfeverish，andprescribedasedative。Tryonsoughtrefugeinhisroomatthehotel，fromwhichhedidnotemergeagainuntilmorning。
Hisemotionswerevariedandstormy。Atfirsthecouldseenothingbutthefraudofwhichhehadbeenmadethevictim。Anegrogirlhadbeenfoisteduponhimforawhitewoman，andhehadalmostcommittedtheunpardonablesinagainsthisraceofmarryingher。Suchastep，hefelt，wouldhavebeencriminalatanytime；itwouldhavebeenthemostodioustreacheryatthisepoch，whenhispeoplehadbeensubjugatedandhumiliatedbytheNortherninvaders，whohadpreachednegroequalityandabolishedthewholesomelawsdecreeingtheseparationoftheraces。ButnoSouthernerwholovedhispoor，downtroddencountry，orhisrace，theproudAnglo—SaxonracewhichtracedtheclearstreamofitsbloodtothecavaliersofEngland，couldtoleratetheideathatevenindistantgenerationsthatunsulliedcurrentcouldbepollutedbythebloodofslaves。TheverythoughtwasaninsulttothewhitepeopleoftheSouth。
ForTryon’sliberality，ofwhichhehadspokensonoblyandsosincerely，hadbeenconfinedunconsciously，andasamatterofcourse，withintheboundariesofhisownrace。TheSouthernmind，indiscussingabstractquestionsrelativetohumanity，makesalways，consciouslyorunconsciously，thementalreservationthattheconclusionsreacheddonotapplytothenegro，unlesstheycanbemadetoharmonizewiththecustomsofthecountry。
Butreasoningthuswasnotwithouteffectuponamindbynaturereasonableabovetheaverage。
Tryon’sraceimpulseandsocialprejudicehadcarriedhimtoofar，andtheswingofthementalpendulumbroughthisthoughtsrapidlybackintheoppositedirection。Tossinguneasilyonthebed，wherehehadthrownhimselfdownwithoutundressing，theairoftheroomoppressedhim，andhethrewopenthewindow。Thecoolnightaircalmedhisthrobbingpulses。Themoonlight，streamingthroughthewindow，floodedtheroomwithasoftlight，inwhichheseemedtoseeRenastandingbeforehim，asshehadappearedthatafternoon，gazingathimwitheyesthatimploredcharityandforgiveness。Heburstintotears，——
bittertears，thatstrainedhisheartstrings。Hewasonlyayouth。Shewashisfirstlove，andhehadlostherforever。Shewasworsethandeadtohim；forifhehadseenherlyinginhershroudbeforehim，hecouldatleasthavecherishedhermemory；now，eventhisconsolationwasdeniedhim。
Thetownclock——whichsolongasitwaswoundupregularlyreckednothingofloveorhate，joyorsorrow——solemnlytolledoutthehourofmidnightandsoundedtheknellofhislostlove。Lostshewas，asthoughshehadneverbeen，asshehadindeedhadnorighttobe。Heresolutelydeterminedtobanishherimagefromhismind。Seeheragainhecouldnot；itwouldbepainfultothemboth；itcouldbeproductiveofnogoodtoeither。Hehadfeltthepowerandcharmoflove，andnoordinaryshookcouldhavelooseneditshold；butthiscatastrophe，whichhadsorudelysweptawaythegroundworkofhispassion，hadstirredintonewlifealltheslumberingprideofraceandancestrywhichcharacterizedhiscaste。
Howmuchofthissensitivesuperioritywasessentialandhowmuchaccidental；howmuchofitwasduetotheever—suggestedcomparisonwithaservilerace；howmuchofitwasignoranceandself—conceit；towhatextenttheboastedpurityofhisracewouldhavebeencontaminatedbythefairwomanwhoseimagefilledhismemory，——ofthesethingsheneverthought。Hewasnotinfluencedbysordidconsiderations；hewouldhavedeniedthathiscoursewascontrolledbyanynarrowprudence。IfRenahadbeenwhite，purewhite（forinhiscreedtherewasnocompromise），hewouldhavebravedanydangerforhersake。Hadshebeenmerelyofillegitimatebirth，hewouldhaveoverlookedthebarsinister。Hadherpeoplebeensimplypoorandoflowestate，hewouldhavebrushedasidemereworldlyconsiderations，andwouldhavebravelysacrificedconventionforlove；
forhisliberalitywasnotamereformofwords。
Buttheoneobjectionwhichhecouldnotoverlookwas，unhappily，theonethatappliedtotheonlywomanwhohadasyetmovedhisheart。Hetriedtobeangrywithher，butafterthefirsthourhefounditimpossible。Hewasamanoftoomuchimaginationnottobeabletoputhimself，insomemeasureatleast，inherplace，——toperceivethatforherthestepwhichhadplacedherinTryon’sworldwastheworkingoutofnature’sgreatlawofself—
preservation，forwhichhecouldnotblameher。
Butforthesheerestaccident，——no，rather，butforaprovidentialinterference，——hewouldhavemarriedher，andmighthavegonetothegraveunconsciousthatshewasotherthansheseemed。
Theclockstruckthehouroftwo。Withashiverheclosedthewindow，undressedbythemoonlight，drewdowntheshade，andwenttobed。
Hefellintoanunquietslumber，anddreamedagainofRena。Hemustlearntocontrolhiswakingthoughts；hisdreamscouldnotbecurbed。
InthatrealmRena’simagewasformanyadaytoremainsupreme。Hedreamedofhersweetsmile，hersofttouch，hergentlevoice。Inallherfairyoungbeautyshestoodbeforehim，andthenbysomehellishmagicshewasslowlytransformedintoahideousblackhag。Withagonizedeyeshewatchedherbeautifultressesbecomemerewispsofcoarsewool，wrappedroundwithdingycottonstrings；hesawhercleareyesgrowbloodshot，herivoryteethturntounwholesomefangs。Withashudderheawoke，tofindthecoldgraydawnofarainydaystealingthroughthewindow。
Herose，dressedhimself，wentdowntobreakfast，thenenteredthewriting—roomandpennedaletterwhich，afterreadingitover，hetoreintosmallpiecesandthrewintothewastebasket。A
secondsharedthesamefate。Givingupthetask，heleftthehotelandwalkeddowntoDr。Green’soffice。
\"Isthedoctorin？\"heaskedofthecoloredattendant。
\"No，suh，\"repliedtheman；\"he’sgoneterseedeyoungculludgalw’atfaintedw’endedoctahwaswidyouyistiddy。\"
Tryonsatdownatthedoctor’sdeskandhastilyscrawledanote，statingthatbusinesscompelledhisimmediatedeparture。Hethankedthedoctorforcourtesiesextended，andlefthisregardsfortheladies。Returning。tothehotel，hepaidhisbillandtookahackforthewharf，fromwhichaboatwasduetoleaveatnineo’clock。
AsthehackdrovedownFrontStreet，Tryonnotedidlythehousesthatlinedthestreet。Whenhereachedthesordiddistrictinthelowerpartofthetown，therewasnothingtoattracthisattentionuntilthecarriagecameabreastofarowofcedar—trees，beyondwhichcouldbeseentheupperpartofalargehousewithdormerwindows。Beforethegatestoodahorseandbuggy，whichTryonthoughtherecognizedasDr。Green’s。Heleanedforwardandaddressedthedriver。
\"Canyoutellmewholivesthere？\"Tryonasked，pointingtothehouse。
\"Acallud’oman，suh，\"themanreplied，touchinghishat。\"Mis’MollyWaldenan’herdaughterRena。\"
Thevividimpressionhereceivedofthishouse，andthespectrethatrosebeforehimofapale，broken—heartedgirlwithinitsgraywalls，weepingforalostloverandavanisheddreamofhappiness，didnotarguewellforTryon’sfuturepeaceofmind。Rena’simagewasnottobeeasilyexpelledfromhisheart；forthelawsofnaturearehigherandmorepotentthanmerelyhumaninstitutions，anduponanythinglikeafairfieldarelikelytowininthelongran。
XVII
TWOLETTERS
Warwickawaitedeventswithsomecalmnessandsomephilosophy，——hecouldhardlyhavehadtheonewithouttheother；anditrequiredmuchphilosophytomakehimwaitaweekinpatienceforinformationuponasubjectinwhichhewassovitallyinterested。Thedelaypointedtodisaster。
Badnewsbeingexpected，delayatleastputofftheevilday。Attheendoftheweekhereceivedtwoletters，——oneaddressedinhisownhandwritingandpostmarkedPatesville，N。C。；theotherinthehandwritingofGeorgeTryon。HeopenedthePatesvilleletter，whichranasfollows：——
MYDEARSON，——Frankiswritingthisletterforme。Iamnotwell，but，thanktheLord，I
ambetterthanIwas。
Renahashadaheapoftroubleonaccountofmeandmysickness。IfIcouldofdreamtthatI
wasgoingtodosomuchharm，IwouldofdiedandgonetomeetmyGodwithoutwritingonewordtospoilmygirl’schancesinlife；butIdidn’tknowwhatwasgoingtohappen，andIhopetheLordwillforgiveme。
Frankknowsallaboutit，andsoIamhavinghimwritethisletterforme，asRenaisnotwellenoughyet。FrankhasbeenverygoodtomeandtoRena。HewasdowntoyourplaceandsawRenathere，andneversaidawordaboutittonobody，noteventome，becausehedidn’twanttodoRenanoharm。FrankisthebestfriendI
havegotintown，becausehedoessomuchformeanddon’twantnothinginreturn。（Hetellsmenottoputthisinabouthim，butIwantyoutoknowit。）
AndnowaboutRena。Shecometoseeme，andIgotbetterrightaway，foritwaslongingforherasmuchasanythingelsethatmademesick，andIwasmightymizzable。Whenshehadbeenherethreedaysandwasgoingbacknextday，shewentuptowntoseethedoctorforme，andwhileshewasupthereshefaintedandfelldowninthestreet，andDr。Greensentherhomeinhisbuggyandcomedowntoseeher。Hecouldn’ttellwhatwasthematterwithher，butshehasbeensickeversinceandoutofherheadsomeofthetime，andkeepsoncallingonsomebodybythenameofGeorge，whichwastheyoungwhitemanshetoldmeshewasgoingtomarry。ItseemshewasintownthedayRenawastooksick，forFranksawhimupstreetandrunallthewaydownheretotellme，sothatshecouldkeepoutofhisway，whileshewasstilluptownwaitingforthedoctorandgettingmesomecamphorgumformycamphorbottle。OldJudgeStraightmusthaveknowedsomethingaboutit，forhesentmeanotetokeepRenainthehouse，butthelittleboyhesentitbydidn’tbringittillRenawasalreadygoneuptown，and，asIcouldn’tread，ofcourseIdidn’tknowwhatitsaid。Dr。
GreenheardRenarunningonwhileshewasoutofherhead，andIreckonhemusthavesuspicionedsomething，forhelookedkindofqueerandwentawaywithoutsayingnothing。Franksaysshemetthismanonthestreet，andwhenhefoundoutshewasn’twhite，hesaidordonesomethingthatbrokeherheartandshefaintedandfelldown。
IamwritingyouthisletterbecauseIknowyouwillbeworryingaboutRenanotcomingback。Ifitwasn’tforFrank，IhardlyknowhowIcouldwritetoyou。FrankisnotgoingtosaynothingaboutRena’spassingforwhiteandmeetingthisman，andneitheramI；andIdon’tsupposeJudgeStraightwillsaynothing，becauseheisourgoodfriend；andDr。Greenwon’tsaynothingaboutit，becauseFranksaysDr。Green’scookNancysaysthisyoungmannamedGeorgestoppedwithhimandwassomecousinorrelationtothefamily，andtheywouldn’twantpeopletoknowthatanyoftheirkinwasthinkingaboutmarryingacoloredgirl，andthewhitefolkshaveallbeenmadsinceJ。B。
Thompsonmarriedhisblackhousekeeperwhenshegotreligionandwouldn’tlivewithhimnomore。
Alltherestoftheconnectionarewell。IhavejustbeenintoseehowRenais。Sheisfeelingsomebetter，Ithink，andsaysgiveyouherloveandshewillwriteyoualetterinafewdays，assoonassheiswellenough。Shebustoutcryingwhileshewastalking，butIreckonthatisbetterthanbeingoutofherhead。Ihopethismayfindyouwell，andthatthismanofRena’swon’tsaynordonothingdowntheretohurtyou。HehasnotwrotetoRenanorsenthernoword。Ireckonheisverymad。
Youraffectionatemother，MARYWALDEN。
Thisletter，whileconfirmingWarwick’sfears，relievedhissuspense。Heatleastknewtheworst，unlessthereshouldbesomethingstillmoredisturbinginTryon’sletter，whichhenowproceededtoopen，andwhichranasfollows：——
JOHNWARWICK，ESQ。
DearSir，——WhenIinformyou，asyouaredoubtlessinformederethereceiptofthis，thatI
sawyoursisterinPatesvillelastweekandlearnedthenatureofthoseantecedentsofyoursandhersatwhichyouhintedsoobscurelyinarecentconversation，youwillnotbesurprisedtolearnthatItakethisopportunityofrenouncinganypretensionstoMissWarwick’shand，andrequestyoutoconveythismessagetoher，sinceitwasthroughyouthatIformedheracquaintance。Ithinkperhapsthatfewwhitemenwoulddeemitnecessarytomakeanexplanationunderthecircumstances，andIdonotknowthatIneedsaymorethanthatnoone，consideringwhereandhowImetyoursister，wouldhavedreamedofeventhepossibilityofwhatIhavelearned。Imightwithjusticereproachyoufortriflingwiththemostsacredfeelingsofaman’sheart；butIrealizethehardshipofyourpositionandhers，andcanmakeallowances。
Iwouldneverhavesoughttoknowthisthing；I
woulddoubtlesshavebeenhappierhadIgonethroughlifewithoutfindingitout；buthavingtheknowledge，Icannotignoreit，asyoumustunderstandperfectlywell。Iregretthatsheshouldbedistressedordisappointed，——shehasnotsufferedalone。
IneedscarcelyassureyouthatIshallsaynothingaboutthisaffair，andthatIshallkeepyoursecretasthoughitweremyown。Personally，Ishallneverbeabletothinkofyouasotherthanawhiteman，asyoumaygatherfromthetoneofthisletter；andwhileIcannotmarryyoursister，Iwishhereveryhappiness，andremain，Yoursverytruly，GEORGETRYON。
WarwickcouldnotknowthatthisformalepistlewasthelastofadozenthatTryonhadwrittenanddestroyedduringtheweeksincethemeetinginPatesville，——hot，blisteringletters，cold，cuttingletters，scornful，crushingletters。Thoughnoneofthemwassent，exceptthislast，theyhadfurnishedasafety—valveforhisemotions，andhadlefthiminastateofmindthatpermittedhimtowritetheforegoing。
Andnow，whileRenaisrecoveringfromherillness，andTryonfromhislove，andwhileFateisshufflingthecardsforanotherdeal，afewwordsmaybesaidaboutthepastlifeofthepeoplewholivedintherearoftheflowergarden，inthequaintoldhousebeyondthecedars，andhowtheirlivesweremingledwiththoseofthemenandwomenaroundthemandothersthatweregone。Forconnectedwithourkindwemustbe；ifnotbyourvirtues，thenbyourvices，——ifnotbyourservices，atleastbyourneeds。
XVIII
UNDERTHEOLDREGIME
Formanyyearsbeforethecivilwartherehadlived，intheoldhousebehindthecedars，afreecoloredwomanwhowentbythenameofMollyWalden——herrightfulname，forherparentswerefree—bornandlegallymarried。Shewasatallwoman，straightasanarrow。Hercomplexioninyouthwasofanoldivorytint，whichattheperiodofthisstory，timehaddarkenedmeasurably。Herblackeyes，nowfaded，hadoncesparkledwiththefireofyouth。Highcheek—bones，straightblackhair，andacertaindignifiedreposefulnessofmannerpointedtoanaboriginaldescent。Traditiongavehertothenegrorace。Doubtlessshehadastrainofeach，withwhitebloodveryvisiblypredominatingoverboth。InLouisianaortheWestIndiesshewouldhavebeencalledaquadroon，ormoreloosely，acreole；inNorthCarolina，wherefinedistinctionswerenottheruleinmattersofcolor，shewassufficientlydifferentiatedwhendescribedasabrightmulatto。
Molly’sfreebirthcarriedwithitcertainadvantages，evenintheSouthbeforethewar。Thoughdegradedfromitshighestate，andshornofitschoicestattributes，theword\"freedom\"hadneverthelessacheerfulsound，anddescribedaconditionthatlefteventocoloredpeoplewhocouldclaimitsomelibertyofmovementandsomecontroloftheirownpersons。Theywerenotcitizens，yettheywerenotslaves。Nonegro，saveinbooks，everrefusedfreedom；manyofthemranfrightfulriskstoachieveit。Molly’sparentswereoftheclass，morenumerousinNorthCarolinathanelsewhere，knownas\"oldissuefreenegroes，\"whichtookitsriseinthemistycolonialperiod，whenracelineswerenotsocloselydrawn，andthepopulationofNorthCarolinacomprisedmanyIndians，runawaynegroes，andindenturedwhiteservantsfromtheseaboardplantations，whomingledtheirbloodwithgreatfreedomandsmallformality。FreecoloredpeopleinNorthCarolinaexercisedtherightofsuffrageaslateas1835，andsomeofthem，inspiteofgallingrestrictions，attainedtoaconsiderabledegreeofprosperity，anddreamedofastillbrighterfuture，whenthegrowingtyrannyoftheslavepowercrushedtheirhopesandcrowdedthefreepeoplebackupontheblackmassjustbeneaththem。Mis’Molly’sfatherhadbeenatonetimeamanofsomemeans。Inanevilhour，withanoverweeningconfidenceinhisfellowmen，heindorsedanoteforawhitemanwho，inamomentoffinancialhardship，clappedhiscoloredneighboronthebackandcalledhimbrother。Notpoverty，butwealth，isthemostpotentleveler。