Induetimetheindorserwascalledupontomeetthematuringobligation。Thiswasthebeginningofaseriesoffinancialdifficultieswhichspeedilyinvolvedhiminruin。Hediedprematurely，adisappointedanddisheartenedman，leavinghisfamilyindirepoverty。
Hiswidowandsurvivingchildrenlivedonforalittlewhileatthehousehehadowned，justoutsideofthetown，ononeofthemaintraveledroads。
Bythewayside，nearthehouse，therewasafamousdeepwell。Theslim，barefootgirl，withsparklingeyesandvoluminoushair，whoplayedabouttheyardandsometimeshandedwaterinagourdtotravelers，didnotlongescapecriticalobservation。
Agentlemandrovebyoneday，stoppedatthewell，smileduponthegirl，andsaidkindwords。Hecameagain，morethanonce，andsoon，whilescarcelymorethanachildinyears，Mollywaslivinginherownhouse，hersbydeedofgift，forherprotectorwasrichandliberal。Hermothernevermoreknewwant。HerpoorrelationscouldalwaysfindamealinMolly’skitchen。Shedidnotflauntherprosperityintheworld’sface；shehiditdiscreetlybehindthecedarscreen。Thosewhowishedcouldknowofit，fortherewerefewsecretsinPatesville；thosewhochosecouldaseasilyignoreit。Therewerefewtotroublethemselvesaboutthesecludedlifeofanobscurewomanofaclasswhichhadnorecognizedplaceinthesocialeconomy。Sheworshipedthegrounduponwhichherlordwalked，washumblygratefulforhisprotection，andquiteasfaithfulastheforbiddenmarriagevowcouldpossiblyhavemadeher。Sheledherlifeinmaterialpeaceandcomfort，andwithacertainamountofdignity。Ofherfalserelationtosocietyshewasnotwithoutsomevagueconception；butthemoralpointinvolvedwassoconfusedwithotherquestionsgrowingout——ofslaveryandcasteastocauseher，asarule，butlittleuneasiness；andonlynowandthen，inthemomentsofdeeperfeelingthatcomesometimestoallwholiveandlove，didtherebreakthroughthemistsofignoranceandprejudicesurroundingheraflashoflightbywhichshesaw，sofarasshewascapableofseeing，hertrueposition，whichintheclearlightoftruthnospecialpleadingcouldentirelyjustify。Forshewasfree，shehadnottheslave’sexcuse。Witheveryinducementtodoevilandfewincentivestodowell，andhenceentitledtocharitablejudgment，sheyethadfreedomofchoice，andthereforecouldnotwhollyescapeblame。Letitbesaid，infurtherextenuation，thatnootherwomanlivedinneglectorsorrowbecauseofher。Sherobbednooneelse。Forwhatlifegavehershereturnedanequivalent；andwhatshedidnotpay，herchildrensettledtothelastfarthing。
Severalyearsbeforethewar，whenMis’Molly’sdaughterRenawasafewyearsold，deathhadsuddenlyremovedthesourceoftheirprosperity。
Thehouseholdwasnotleftentirelydestitute。
Mis’Mollyownedherhome，andhadastoreofgoldpiecesinthechestbeneathherbed。Asmallpieceofrealestatestoodinthenameofeachofthechildren，theincomefromwhichcontributedtotheirmaintenance。Largerexpectationsweredependentuponthediscoveryofapromisedwill，whichnevercametolight。Mis’Mollyworeblackforseveralyearsafterthisbereavement，untiltheteacherandthepreacher，followingcloseupontheheelsofmilitaryoccupation，suggestedtothecoloredpeoplenewstandardsoflifeandcharacter，inthelightofwhichMis’Mollylaidhermourningsadlyandshamefacedlyaside。ShehadeatenofthefruitoftheTreeofKnowledge。Afterthewarsheformedthehabitofchurch—going，andmighthavebeenseennowandthen，withherdaughter，inaretiredcornerofthegalleryofthewhiteEpiscopalchurch。Uponthegroundfloorwasacertainpewwhichcouldbeseenfromherseat，whereoncehadsatagentlemanwhosepleasureshadnotinterferedwiththepracticeofhisreligion。ShemighthavehadabetterseatinachurchwhereaNorthernmissionarywouldhavepreachedasermonbettersuitedtohercomprehensionandhermoralneeds，butshepreferredtheother。Shewasnotwhite，alas！shewasshutoutfromthisseemingparadise；
butshelikedtoseethedistantglowofthecelestialcity，andtorecallthedayswhenshehadbaskedinitsradiance。Shedidnotsympathizegreatlywiththeneweraopenedupfortheemancipatedslaves；
shehadnoidealloveofliberty；shewasnobroaderandnomorealtruisticthanthewhitepeoplearoundher，towhomshehadalwayslookedup；andshesighedfortheolddays，becausetohertheyhadbeenthegooddays。Now，notonlywasherkingdead，buttheshieldofhismemoryprotectedhernolonger。
Mollyhadlostonechild，andhisgravewasvisiblefromthekitchenwindow，underasmallclumpofcedarsintherearofthetwo—acrelot。
Foreveninthetownsmanyahouseholdhaditsprivatecemeteryinthoseolddayswhenthelivingwereclosetothedead，andghostswerenotthemerechimerasofasickimagination，butrealthoughunsubstantialentities，ofwhichitwasalmostdisgracefulnottohaveseenoneortwo。
HadnottheWitchofEndorcalleduptheshadeofSamueltheprophet？HadnotthespiritofMis’Molly’sdeadsonappearedtoher，aswellastheghostlypresenceofanothershehadloved？
In1855，Mis’Molly’sremainingsonhadgrownintoatall，slenderladoffifteen，withhisfather’spatricianfeaturesandhismother’sIndianhair，andnoexternalsigntomarkhimofffromthewhiteboysonthestreet。Hesooncametoknow，however，thattherewasadifference。Hewasinformedonedaythathewasblack。Hedeniedthepropositionandthrashedthechildwhomadeit。
Thescenewasrepeatedthenextday，withavariation，——hewashimselfthrashedbyalargerboy。
Whenhehadbeenbeatenfiveorsixtimes，heceasedtoarguethepoint，thoughtohimselfheneveradmittedthecharge。Hisplaymatesmightcallhimblack；themirrorprovedthatGod，theFatherofall，hadmadehimwhite；andGod，hehadbeentaught，madenomistakes，——havingmadehimwhite，Hemusthavemeanthimtobewhite。
Inthe\"hall\"orparlorofhismother’shousestoodaquaintlycarvedblackwalnutbookcase，containingasmallbutremarkablecollectionofbooks，whichhadatonetimebeenused，inhishoursofretreatandrelaxationfrombusinessandpolitics，bythedistinguishedgentlemanwhodidnotgivehisnametoMis’Molly’schildren，——towhomitwouldhavebeenavaluableheritage，couldtheyhavehadtherighttobearit。AmongthebookswereavolumeofFielding’scompleteworks，infineprint，setindoublecolumns；asetofBulwer’snovels；acollectionofeverythingthatWalterScott——theliteraryidoloftheSouth——hadeverwritten；BeaumontandFletcher’splays，cheekbyjowlwiththehistoryofthevirtuousClarissaHarlowe；theSpectatorandTristramShandy，RobinsonCrusoeandtheArabianNights。OnthesesecludedshelvesRoderickRandom，DonQuixote，andGilBlasforalongtimeceasedtheirwanderings，thePilgrim’sProgresswassuspended，Milton’smightyharmoniesweredumb，andShakespearereignedoverasilentkingdom。AnillustratedBible，withawonderfulApocrypha，wasflankedononesidebyVolney’sRuinsofEmpireandontheotherbyPaine’sAgeofReason，forthecollectorofthebookshadbeenamanofcatholictasteaswellasofinquiringmind，andnoonewhocouldhavecriticisedhisreadingeverpenetratedbehindthecedarhedge。AhistoryoftheFrenchRevolutionconsortedamiablywithahomespunchronicleofNorthCarolina，richinbiographicalnoticesofdistinguishedcitizensandinscriptionsfromtheirtombstones，uponreadingwhichonemightwellwonderwhyNorthCarolinahadnotlongagoeclipsedtherestoftheworldinwealth，wisdom，glory，andrenown。Onalmosteverypageofthismonumentalworkcouldbefoundthemostardentpanegyricsofliberty，sidebysidewiththeslaverystatisticsoftheState，——anincongruityofwhichthelearnedauthorwasdeliciouslyunconscious。
WhenJohnWaldenwasyetasmallboy，hehadlearnedallthatcouldbetaughtbythefadedmulattoteacherinthelong，shinyblackfrockcoat，whomlocalpublicopinionpermittedtoteachahandfuloffreecoloredchildrenforapittancebarelyenoughtokeepsoulandbodytogether。
Whentheboyhadlearnedtoread，hediscoveredthelibrary，whichforseveralyearshadbeenwithoutareader，andfoundinittheportalofanewworld，peopledwithstrangeandmarvelousbeings。
Lyingproneupontheflooroftheshadedfrontpiazza，behindthefragrantgarden，hefollowedthefortunesofTomJonesandSophia；heweptoverthefateofEugeneAram；hepenetratedwithRichardtheLion—heartintoSaladin’stent，withGilBlasintotherobbers’cave；heflewthroughtheaironthemagiccarpetortheenchantedhorse，ortiedwithSindbadtotheroc’sleg。Sometimeshereadorrepeatedthesimplerstoriestohislittlesister，sittingwide—eyedbyhisside。Whenhehadreadallthebooks，——indeed，longbeforehehadreadthemall，——hetoohadtastedofthefruitoftheTreeofKnowledge：contentmenttookitsflight，andhappinesslayfarbeyondthespherewherehewasborn。Thebloodofhiswhitefathers，theheirsoftheages，criedoutforitsown，andafterthemannerofthatbloodsetaboutgettingtheobjectofitsdesire。
NearthecornerofMackenzieStreet，justoneblocknorthofthePatesvillemarket—house，therehadstoodformanyyearsbeforethewar，onthevergeofthesteepbankofBeaverCreek，asmallframeofficebuilding，thefrontofwhichwaslevelwiththestreet，whiletherearrestedonlongbrickpillarsfoundedonthesolidrockattheedgeofthebrawlingstreambelow。Here，fornearlyhalfacentury，ArchibaldStraighthadtransactedlegalbusinessforthebestpeopleofNorthumberlandCounty。Fullmanyalawsuithadhewon，lost，orsettled；manyaspendthrifthadhesavedfromruin，andnotafewfamiliesfromdisgrace。Severaltimeshonoredbyelectiontothebench，hehadsodispensedjusticetemperedwithmercyastowintheheartsofallgoodcitizens，andespeciallythoseofthepoor，theoppressed，andthesociallydisinherited。Therightsofthehumblestnegro，fewastheymightbe，wereassacredtohimasthoseoftheproudestaristocrat，andhehadsentencedamantobehangedforthemurderofhisownslave。Anold—fashionedman，tallandspareoffigureandbowedsomewhatwithage，hewasalwayscorrectlycladinalongfrockcoatofbroadcloth，withahighcollarandablackstock。
Courtlyinaddresstohissocialequals（superiorshehadnone），hewaskindandconsideratetothosebeneathhim。Heownedafewdomesticservants，nooneofwhomhadeverfelttheweightofhishand，andforwhoseultimatefreedomhehadprovidedinhiswill。Inthelong—drawn—outslaveryagitationhehadtakenakeeninterest，ratherasobserverthanasparticipant。Astheheatofcontroversyincreased，hislackofzealforthepeculiarinstitutionledtohisdefeatforthebenchbyamoreactivepartisan。Hiswastoojustamindnottoperceivetheargumentsonbothsides；
but，onthewhole，hehadstoodbytheancientlandmarks，contenttoleteventsdrifttoaconclusionhedidnotexpecttosee；theinstitutionsofhisfatherswouldprobablylasthislifetime。
OnedayJudgeStraightwassittinginhisofficereadingarecentlypublishedpamphlet，——
presentinganelaboratepro—slaveryargument，baseduponthehopelessintellectualinferiorityofthenegro，andthephysicalandmoraldegenerationofmulattoes，whocombinedtheworstqualitiesoftheirtwoancestralraces，——whenabarefootedboywalkedintotheoffice，strawhatinhand，cameboldlyuptothedeskatwhichtheoldjudgewassitting，andsaidasthejudgelookedupthroughhisgold—rimmedglasses，——
\"Sir，Iwanttobealawyer！\"
\"Godblessme！\"exclaimedthejudge。\"Itisasingulardesire，fromasingularsource，andexpressedinasingularway。Whothedevilareyou，sir，thatwishsostrangeathingastobecomealawyer——everybody’sservant？\"
\"Andeverybody’smaster，sir，\"repliedtheladstoutly。
\"Thatisamatterofopinion，andopentoargument，\"rejoinedthejudge，amusedandsecretlyflatteredbythistributetohisprofession，\"thoughtheremaybeagrainoftruthinwhatyousay。
Butwhatisyourname，Mr。Would—be—lawyer？\"
\"JohnWalden，sir，\"answeredthelad。
\"JohnWalden？——Walden？\"musedthejudge。
\"WhatWaldencanthatbe？Doyoubelongintown？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Humph！Ican’timaginewhoyouare。It’splainthatyouarealadofgoodblood，andyetI
don’tknowwhosesonyoucanbe。Whatisyourfather’sname？\"
Theladhesitated，andflushedcrimson。
Theoldgentlemannotedhishesitation。\"Itisawiseson，\"hethought，\"thatknowshisownfather。Heisabrightlad，andwillhavethisquestionputtohimmorethanonce。I’llseehowhewillanswerit。\"
Theboymaintainedanawkwardsilence，whiletheoldjudgeeyedhimkeenly。
\"Myfather’sdead，\"hesaidatlength，inalowvoice。\"I’mMis’MollyWalden’sson。\"Hehadexpected，ofcourse，totellwhohewas，ifasked，buthadnotforeseenjusttheformoftheinquiry；andwhilehehadthoughtmoreofhisracethanofhisillegitimatebirth，herealizedatthismomentasneverbeforethatthisquestiontoowouldbealwayswithhim。AsputnowbyJudgeStraight，itmadehimwince。Hehadnotreadhisfather’sbooksfornothing。
\"Godblessmysoul！\"exclaimedthejudgeingenuinesurpriseatthisanswer；\"andyouwanttobealawyer！\"Thesituationwassomuchworsethanhehadsuspectedthatevenanoldpractitioner，case—hardenedbyyearsoflifeatthetrialtableandonthebench，wasstartledforamomentintoacomicalsortofconsternation，soapparentthataladlessstout—heartedwouldhaveweakenedandfledatthesightofit。
\"Yes，sir。Whynot？\"respondedtheboy，tremblingalittleattheknees，butstoutlyholdinghisground。
\"Hewantstobealawyer，andheasksmewhynot！\"mutteredthejudge，speakingapparentlytohimself。Herosefromhischair，walkedacrosstheroom，andthrewopenawindow。Thecoolmorningairbroughtwithitthebabblingofthestreambelowandthemurmurofthemillnearby。
Heglancedacrossthecreektotheruinedfoundationofanoldhouseonthelowgroundbeyondthecreek。Turningfromthewindow，helookedbackattheboy，whohadremainedstandingbetweenhimandthedoor。Atthatmomentanotherladcamealongthestreetandstoppedoppositetheopendoorway。Thepresenceofthetwoboysinconnectionwiththebookhehadbeenreadingsuggestedacomparison。Thejudgeknewtheladoutsideasthesonofaleadingmerchantofthetown。Themerchantandhiswifewerebothofoldfamilieswhichhadlivedinthecommunityforseveralgenerations，andwhosebloodwaspresumablyofthepureststrain；yettheboywassallow，withamorphousfeatures，thinshanks，andstoopingshoulders。Theyouthstandinginthejudge’soffice，onthecontrary，wasstraight，shapely，andwell—grown。Hiseyewasclear，andhekeptitfixedontheoldgentlemanwithalookinwhichtherewasnothingofcringing。HewasnodarkerthanmanyawhiteboybronzedbytheSouthernsun；hishairandeyeswereblack，andhisfeaturesofthehigh—bred，clean—cutorderthatmarksthepatriciantypetheworldover。Whatstruckthejudgemostforcibly，however，wasthelad’sresemblancetoanoldfriendandcompanionandclient。Herecalledacertainconversationwiththisoldfriend，whohadsaidtohimoneday：
\"Archie，I’mcomingintohaveyoudrawmywill。TherearesomechildrenforwhomIwouldliketomakeampleprovision。Ican’tgivethemanythingelse，butmoneywillmakethemfreeoftheworld。\"
Thejudge’sfriendhaddiedsuddenlybeforecarryingoutthisgoodintention。Thejudgehadtakenoccasiontosuggesttheexistenceofthesechildren，andtheirfather’sintentionsconcerningthem，tothedistantrelativeswhohadinheritedhisfriend’slargeestate。Theyhadchosentotakeoffenseatthesuggestion。Onehadthoughtitinshockingbadtaste；anotherconsideredanymentionofsuchasubjectaninsulttohiscousin’smemory。Athirdhadsaid，withflashingeyes，thatthewomanandherchildrenhadalreadyrobbedtheestateofenough；thatitwasapitythelittleniggerswerenotslaves——thattheywouldhaveaddedmeasurablytothevalueoftheproperty。
JudgeStraight’smannerindicatedsomedisapprovaloftheirattitude，andthesettlementoftheestatewasplacedinotherhandsthanhis。Now，thisson，withhisfather’sfaceandhisfather’svoice，stoodbeforehisfather’sfriend，demandingentrancetothegoldengateofopportunity，whichsocietybarredtoallwhoborethebloodofthedespisedrace。
Ashekeptonlookingattheboy，whobeganatlengthtogrowsomewhatembarrassedunderthiskeenscrutiny，thejudge’smindrevertedtocertainlawsandjudicialdecisionsthathehadlookeduponceortwiceinhislifetime。Eventhelaw，theinstrumentbywhichtyrannyrivetedthechainsuponitsvictims，hadrevoltednowandthenagainstthesenselessandunnaturalprejudicebywhicharaceascribingitssuperioritytorightofbloodpermittedameresuspicionofservilebloodtooutweighavastpreponderanceofitsown。
\"Why，indeed，shouldhenotbealawyer，oranythingelsethatamanmightbe，ifitbeinhim？\"
askedthejudge，speakingrathertohimselfthantotheboy。\"Sitdown，\"heordered，pointingtoachairontheothersideoftheroom。Thatheshouldaskacoloredladtobeseatedinhispresencewasofitselfenoughtostampthejudgeaseccentric。
\"Youwanttobealawyer，\"hewenton，adjustinghisspectacles。\"Youareaware，ofcourse，thatyouareanegro？\"
\"Iamwhite，\"repliedthelad，turningbackhissleeveandholdingouthisarm，\"andIamfree，asallmypeoplewerebeforeme。\"
Theoldlawyershookhishead，andfixedhiseyesupontheladwithaslightlyquizzicalsmile。\"Youareblack。\"hesaid，\"andyouarenotfree。Youcannottravelwithoutyourpapers；youcannotsecureaccommodationsataninn；youcouldnotvote，ifyouwereofage；youcannotbeoutafternineo’clockwithoutapermit。Ifawhitemanstruckyou，youcouldnotreturntheblow，andyoucouldnottestifyagainsthiminacourtofjustice。
Youareblack，mylad，andyouarenotfree。DidyoueverhearoftheDredScottdecision，deliveredbythegreat，wise，andlearnedJudgeTaney？\"
\"No，sir，\"answeredtheboy。
\"Itistoolongtoread，\"rejoinedthejudge，takingupthepamphlethehadlaiddownuponthelad’sentrance，\"butitsaysinsubstance，asquotedbythisauthor，thatnegroesarebeings`ofaninferiororder，andaltogetherunfittoassociatewiththewhiterace，eitherinsocialorpoliticalrelations；infact，soinferiorthattheyhavenorightswhichthewhitemanisboundtorespect，andthatthenegromayjustlyandlawfullybereducedtoslaveryforhisbenefit。’Thatisthelawofthisnation，andthatisthereasonwhyyoucannotbealawyer。\"
\"Itmayallbetrue，\"repliedtheboy，\"butitdon’tapplytome。Itsays`thenegro。’Anegroisblack；Iamwhite，andnotblack。\"
\"Blackasink，mylad，\"returnedthelawyer，shakinghishead。\"`Onetouchofnaturemakesthewholeworldkin，’saysthepoet。Somewhere，sometime，youhadablackancestor。Onedropofblackbloodmakesthewholemanblack。\"
\"Whyshouldn’titbetheotherway，ifthewhitebloodissomuchsuperior？\"inquiredthelad。
\"Becauseitismoreconvenientasitis——andmoreprofitable。\"
\"Itisnotright，\"maintainedthelad。
\"Godblessme！\"exclaimedtheoldgentleman，\"heisinvadingthefieldofethics！Hewillbequestioningtherighteousnessofslaverynext！I’mafraidyouwouldn’tmakeagoodlawyer，inanyevent。Lawyersgobythelaws——theyabidebytheaccomplishedfact；tothem，whateveris，isright。
Thelawsdonotpermitmenofcolortopracticelaw，andpublicsentimentwouldnotallowoneofthemtostudyit。\"
\"Ihadthought，\"saidthelad，\"thatImightpassforwhite。TherearewhitepeopledarkerthanIam。\"
\"Ah，well，thatisanothermatter；but\"——
Thejudgestoppedforamoment，struckbytheabsurdityofhisarguingsuchaquestionwithamulattoboy。Hereallymustbefallingintoprematuredotage。Theproperthingwouldbetorebuketheladforhispresumptionandadvisehimtolearntotakecareofhorses，ormakeboots，orlaybricks。Butagainhesawhisoldfriendinthelad’sface，andagainhelookedinvainforanysignofnegroblood。Theleastearmarkwouldhaveturnedthescale，buthecouldnotfindit。
\"Thatisanothermatter，\"herepeated。\"Hereyouhavestartedasblack，andmustremainso。
Butifyouwishtomoveaway，andsinkyourpastintooblivion，thecasemightbedifferent。Letusseewhatthelawis；youmightnotneeditifyouwentfarenough，butitiswellenoughtobewithinit——libertyissweeterwhenfoundedsecurelyonthelaw。\"
Hetookdownavolumeboundinlegalcalfandglancedthroughit。\"ThecolorlineisdrawninNorthCarolinaatfourgenerationsremovedfromthenegro；therehavebeenjudicialdecisionstothateffect。Iimaginethatwouldcoveryourcase。ButletusseewhatSouthCarolinamaysayaboutit，\"hecontinued，takinganotherbook。
\"Ithinkthelawisevenmoreliberalthere。Ah，thisistheplace：——
\"`Thetermmulatto，’\"heread，\"`isnotinvariablyapplicabletoeveryadmixtureofAfricanbloodwiththeEuropean，norisonehavingallthefeaturesofawhitetoberankedwiththedegradedclassdesignatedbythelawsofthisStateaspersonsofcolor，becauseofsomeremotetaintofthenegrorace。JurieswouldprobablybejustifiedinholdingapersontobewhiteinwhomtheadmixtureofAfricanblooddidnotexceedoneeighth。Andevenwherecolororfeaturearedoubtful，itisaquestionforthejurytodecidebyreputation，byreceptionintosociety，andbytheirexerciseoftheprivilegesofthewhiteman，aswellasbyadmixtureofblood。’\"
\"ThenIneednotbeblack？\"theboycried，withsparklingeyes。
\"No，\"repliedthelawyer，\"youneednotbeblack，awayfromPatesville。Youhavethesomewhatunusualprivilege，itseems，ofchoosingbetweentworaces，andifyouarealadofspirit，asIthinkyouare，itwillnottakeyoulongtomakeyourchoice。Asyouhaveallthefeaturesofawhiteman，youwould，atleastinSouthCarolina，havesimplytoassumetheplaceandexercisetheprivilegesofawhiteman。Youmight，ofcourse，dothesamethinganywhere，aslongasnooneknewyourorigin。Butthematterhasbeenadjudicatedthereinseveralcases，andonthewholeIthinkSouthCarolinaistheplaceforyou。They’remoreliberalthere，perhapsbecausetheyhavemanymoreblacksthanwhites，andwouldliketolessenthedisproportion。\"
\"Fromthistimeon，\"saidtheboy，\"Iamwhite。\"
\"Softly，softly，myCaucasianfellowcitizen，\"
returnedthejudge，chucklingwithquietamusement。\"Youarewhiteintheabstract，beforethelaw。Youmaycherishthefactinsecret，butI
wouldnotadviseyoutoproclaimitopenlyjustyet。Youmustwaituntilyougoaway——toSouthCarolina。\"
\"AndcanIlearntobealawyer，sir？\"askedthelad。
\"Itseemstomethatyououghttobereasonablycontentforonedaywithwhatyouhavelearnedalready。Youcannotbealawyeruntilyouarewhite，inpositionaswellasintheory，noruntilyouaretwenty—oneyearsold。Ineedanofficeboy。Ifyouarewillingtocomeintomyoffice，sweepit，keepmybooksdusted，andstayherewhenIamout，Idonotcare。Totherestofthetownyouwillbemyservant，andstillanegro。Ifyouchoosetoreadmybookswhennooneisaboutandbewhiteinyourownprivateopinion，Ihavenoobjection。Whenyouhavemadeupyourmindtogoaway，perhapswhatyouhavereadmayhelpyou。Butmum’stheword！
IfIhearawhisperofthisfromanyothersource，outyougo，neckandcrop！Iamwillingtohelpyoumakeamanofyourself，butitcanonlybedoneundertherose。\"
FortwoyearsJohnWaldenopenlyswepttheofficeandsurreptitiouslyreadthelawbooksofoldJudgeStraight。Whenhewaseighteen，heaskedhismotherforasumofmoney，kissedhergood—
by，andwentoutintotheworld。Whenhissister，thenaprettychildofseven，criedbecauseherbigbrotherwasgoingaway，hetookherupinhisarms，gaveherasilverdimewithaholeinitforakeepsake，huggedherclose，andkissedher。
\"Nev’min’，sis，\"hesaidsoothingly。\"Beagoodlittlegal，an’someo’thesedaysI’llcomebacktoseeyouandbringyousomethin’fine。\"
Inafteryears，whenMis’Mollywasaskedwhathadbecomeofherson，shewouldreplywithsadcomplacency，——
\"He’sgoneoverontheotherside。\"
Aswehaveseen，hecamebacktenyearslater。
Manyyearsbefore，whenMis’Molly，thenaveryyoungwoman，hadtakenupherresidenceinthehousebehindthecedars，thegentlemanheretoforereferredtohadbuiltacabinontheoppositecorner，inwhichhehadinstalledatrustedslavebythenameofPeterFowlerandhiswifeNancy。
Peterwasagoodmechanic，andhiredhistimefromhismasterwiththeprovisionthatPeterandhiswifeshoulddocertainworkforMis’Mollyandserveasasortofprotectionforher。IncourseoftimePeter，whowasindustriousandthrifty，savedenoughmoneytopurchasehisfreedomandthatofhiswifeandtheironechild，andtobuythelittlehouseacrossthestreet，withthecoopershopbehindit。Aftertheyhadacquiredtheirfreedom，PeterandNancydidnoworkforMis’Mollysaveastheywerepaidforit，andasarulepreferrednottoworkatallforthewomanwhohadbeenpracticallytheirmistress；itmadethemseemlessfree。Nevertheless，thetwohouseholdshadremainedupongoodterms，evenafterthedeathofthemanwhosewillhadbroughtthemtogether，andwhohadremainedPeter’spatronafterhehadceasedtobehismaster。Therewasnointimateassociationbetweenthetwofamilies。Mis’MollyfeltherselfinfinitelysuperiortoPeterandhiswife，——scarcelylesssuperiorthanherpoorwhiteneighborsfeltthemselvestoMis’Molly。Mis’
Mollyalwaysmeanttobekind，andtreatedPeterandNancywithacertaingood—naturedcondescension。
Theyresentedthis，neveropenlyoroffensively，butalwaysinasubconscioussortofway，evenwhentheydidnotspeakofitamongthemselves——muchastheyhadresentedhermistress—shipintheolddays。Forafterall，theyargued，inspiteofherairsandgraces，herwhitefaceandherfineclothes，wasshenotanegro，evenasthemselves？andsincetheslaveshadbeenfreed，wasnotonenegroasgoodasanother？
Peter’ssonFrankhadgrownupwithlittleRena。Hewasseveralyearsolderthanshe，andwhenRenawasasmallchildMis’Mollyhadoftenconfidedhertohiscare，andhehadwatchedoverherandkeptherfromharm。WhenFrankbecameoldenoughtogotoworkinthecoopershop，Rena，thensixorseven，hadoftengoneacrosstoplayamongthecleanwhiteshavings。OnceFrank，whilelearningthetrade，hadletslipasharpsteeltool，whichflyingtowardRenahadgrazedherarmandsenttheredbloodcoursingalongthewhitefleshandsoakingthemuslinsleeve。Hehadrolledupthesleeveandstanchedthebloodanddriedhertears。ForalongtimethereafterhermotherkeptherawayfromtheshopandwasverycoldtoFrank。Onedaythelittlegirlwandereddowntothebankoftheoldcanal。Ithadbeenrainingforseveraldays，andthewaterwasquitedeepinthechannel。Thechildslippedandfellintothestream。FromtheopenwindowofthecoopershopFrankheardascream。Herandowntothecanalandpulledherout，andcarriedherallwetanddrippingtothehouse。Fromthattimehehadbeenrestoredtofavor。Hehadwatchedthegirlgrowuptowomanhoodintheyearsfollowingthewar，andhadbeensorrywhenshebecametoooldtoplayabouttheshop。
Heneverspoketoheroflove，——indeed，heneverthoughtofhispassioninsuchalight。
Therewouldhavebeennolegalbarriertotheirunion；therewouldhavebeennofrightfulmenacetowhitesupremacyinthemarriageofthenegroandtheoctoroon：thedropofdarkbloodbridgedthechasm。ButFrankknewthatshedidnotlovehim，andhadnothopedthatshemight。Hiswasoneofthoseraresoulsthatcangivewithsmallhopeofreturn。Whenhehadmadethescaruponherarm，bythesametokenshehadbrandedhimherslaveforever；whenhehadsavedherfromawaterygrave，hehadgivenhislifetoher。Therearedepthsoffidelityanddevotioninthenegroheartthathaveneverbeenfathomedorfullyappreciated。Nowandtheninthekindlierphasesofslaverythesequalitieswerebrightlyconspicuous，andinthem，ifwiselyappealedto，liesthestrongesthopeofamitybetweenthetworaceswhosedestinyseemsbounduptogetherintheWesternworld。Evenadumbbrutecanbewonbykindness。Surelyitwereworthwhiletotrysomeotherweaponthanscornandcontumelyandhardwordsuponpeopleofourcommonrace，——
thehumanrace，whichisbiggerandbroaderthanCeltorSaxon，barbarianorGreek，JeworGentile，blackorwhite；forweareallchildrenofacommonFather，forgetitaswemay，andeachoneofusisinsomemeasurehisbrother’skeeper。
XIX
GODMADEUSALL
Renawasconvalescentfromatwo—weeks’
illnesswhenherbrothercametoseeher。HearrivedatPatesvillebyanearlymorningtrainbeforethetownwasawake，andwalkedunnoticedfromthestationtohismother’shouse。Hismeetingwithhissisterwasnotwithoutemotion：heembracedhertenderly，andRenabecameforafewminutesaveryNiobeofgrief。
\"Oh，itwascruel，cruel！\"shesobbed。\"I
shallnevergetoverit。\"
\"Iknowit，mydear，\"repliedWarwicksoothingly，——\"Iknowit，andI’mtoblameforit。IfIhadnevertakenyouawayfromhere，youwouldhaveescapedthispainfulexperience。Butdonotdespair；allisnotlost。Tryonwillnotmarryyou，asIhopedhemight，whileIfearedthecontrary；butheisagentleman，andwillbesilent。
Comebackandtryagain。\"
\"No，John。Icouldn’tgothroughitasecondtime。Imanagedverywellbefore，whenIthoughtoursecretwasunknown；butnowIcouldneverbesure。Itwouldbeborneoneverywind，foraughtIknew，andeveryrustlingleafmightwhisperit。Thelaw，yousaid，madeuswhite；
butnotthelaw，norevenlove，canconquerprejudice。HEspokeofmybeauty，mygrace，mysweetness！Ilookedintohiseyesandbelievedhim。Andyetheleftmewithoutaword！WhatwouldIdoinClarencenow？Icameawayengagedtobemarried，witheventhedayset；I
shouldgobackforsakenanddiscredited；eventheservantswouldpityme。\"
\"LittleAlbertispiningforyou，\"suggestedWarwick。\"Wecouldmakesomeexplanationthatwouldspareyourfeelings。\"
\"Ah，donottemptme，John！Ilovethechild，andamgrievedtoleavehim。I’mgrateful，too，John，forwhatyouhavedoneforme。IamnotsorrythatItriedit。Itopenedmyeyes，andI
wouldratherdieofknowledgethanliveinignorance。
ButIcouldnotgothroughitagain，John；
Iamnotstrongenough。Icoulddoyounogood；
Ihavemadeyoutroubleenoughalready。GetamotherforAlbert——Mrs。Newberrywouldmarryyou，secretandall，andwouldbegoodtothechild。
Forgetme，John，andtakecareofyourself。Yourfriendhasfoundyououtthroughme——hemayhavetoldadozenpeople。Youthinkhewillbesilent；——Ithoughthelovedme，andheleftmewithoutaword，andwithalookthattoldmehowhehatedanddespisedme。Iwouldnothavebelievedit——evenofawhiteman。\"
\"Youdohimaninjustice，\"saidherbrother，producingTryon’sletter。\"Hedidnotgetoffunscathed。Hesentyouamessage。\"
Sheturnedherfaceaway，butlistenedwhilehereadtheletter。\"Hedidnotloveme，\"shecriedangrily，whenhehadfinished，\"orhewouldnothavecastmeoff——hewouldnothavelookedatmeso。Thelawwouldhavelethimmarryme。I
seemedaswhiteashedid。Hemighthavegoneanywherewithme，andnoonewouldhavestaredatuscuriously；nooneneedhaveknown。Theworldiswide——theremustbesomeplacewhereamancouldlivehappilywiththewomanheloved。\"
\"Yes，Rena，thereis；andtheworldiswideenoughforyoutogetalongwithoutTryon。\"
\"Foradayortwo，\"shewenton，\"Ihopedhemightcomeback。Buthisexpressioninthatawfulmomentgrewuponme，hauntedmedayandnight，untilIshudderedatthethoughtthatImighteverseehimagain。HelookedatmeasthoughI
werenotevenahumanbeing。Idonotlovehimanylonger，John；IwouldnotmarryhimifI
werewhite，orhewereasIam。Hedidnotloveme——orhewouldhaveacteddifferently。Hemighthavelovedmeandhaveleftme——hecouldnothavelovedmeandhavelookedatmeso！\"
Shewasweepinghysterically。Therewaslittlehecouldsaytocomforther。Presentlyshedriedhertears。WarwickwasreluctanttoleaveherinPatesville。Herchildishhappinesshadbeenthatofignorance；shecouldneverbehappythereagain。
Shehadfloweredinthesunlight；shemustnotpineawayintheshade。
\"Ifyouwon’tcomebackwithme，Rena，I’llsendyoutosomeschoolattheNorth，whereyoucanacquirealiberaleducation，andprepareyourselfforsomecareerofusefulness。YoumaymarryabettermanthanevenTryon。\"
\"No，\"sherepliedfirmly，\"Ishallnevermarryanyman，andI’llnotleavemotheragain。Godisagainstit；I’llstaywithmyownpeople。\"
\"Godhasnothingtodowithit，\"retortedWarwick。\"Godistoooftenaconvenientstalking—
horseforhumanselfishness。Ifthereisanythingtobedone，sounjust，sodespicable，sowickedthathumanreasonrevoltsatit，thereisalwayssomesmughypocritetoexclaim，`ItisthewillofGod。’\"
\"Godmadeusall，\"continuedRenadreamily，\"andforsomegoodpurpose，thoughwemaynotalwaysseeit。Hemadesomepeoplewhite，andstrong，andmasterful，and——heartless。Hemadeothersblackandhomely，andpoorandweak\"——
\"Andalotofothers`poorwhite’andshiftless，\"
smiledWarwick。
\"Hemadeus，too，\"continuedRena，intentuponherownthought，\"andHemusthavehadareasonforit。PerhapsHemeantustobringtheotherstogetherinhisowngoodtime。Amanmaymakeanewplaceforhimself——awomanisbornandboundtohers。Godmusthavemeantmetostayhere，orHewouldnothavesentmeback。Ishallacceptthingsastheyare。WhyshouldIseekthesocietyofpeoplewhosefriendship——andlove——
onelittlewordcanturntoscorn？Iwasright，John；Ioughttohavetoldhim。Supposehehadmarriedmeandthenhadfounditout？\"
ToRena’sargumentofdivineforeordinationWarwickattachednoweightwhatever。HehadseenGod’sheelplantedforfourlongyearsuponthelandwhichhadnourishedslavery。HadGodordainedthecrimethatthepunishmentmightfollow？ItwouldhavebeeneasierforOmnipotencetopreventthecrime。Theexperienceofhissisterhadstirredupacertainbitternessagainstwhitepeople——afeelingwhichhehadputasideyearsago，withhisdarkblood，butwhichspranganewintolifewhenthefactofhisownoriginwasbroughthometohimsoforciblythroughhissister’smisfortune。Hisswornfriendandpromisedbrother—in—
lawhadthrownhimoverpromptly，uponthediscoveryofthehiddendropofdarkblood。Howmanyothersofhisfriendswoulddothesame，iftheybutknewofit？HehadbeguntofeelalittleofthespiritualestrangementfromhisassociatesthathehadnoticedinRenaduringherlifeatClarence。
Thefactthatseveralpersonsknewhissecrethadspoiledthefineflavorofperfectsecurityhithertomarkinghisposition。GeorgeTryonwasamanofhonoramongwhitemen，andhaddeignedtoextendtheprotectionofhishonortoWarwickasaman，thoughnolongerasafriend；toRenaasawoman，butnotasawife。Tryon，however，wasonlyhuman，andwhocouldtellwhentheirpathsinlifemightcrossagain，orwhatfuturetemptationTryonmightfeeltouseadamagingsecrettotheirdisadvantage？
Warwickhadcherishedcertainambitions，butthesehemustnowputbehindhim。Intheobscurityofprivatelife，hispastwouldbeoflittlemoment；intheglareofapoliticalcareer，one’santecedentsarepublicproperty，andtoogreatareserveinregardtoone’spastisregardedasaconfessionofsomethingdiscreditable。Frank，too，knewthesecret——agood，faithfulfellow，evenwheretherewasnoobligationoffidelity；heoughttodosomethingforFranktoshowtheirappreciationofhisconduct。
ButwhatassurancewastherethatFrankwouldalwaysbediscreetabouttheaffairsofothers？
JudgeStraightknewthewholestory，andoldmenaresometimesgarrulous。Dr。Greensuspectedthesecret；hehadawifeanddaughters。IfoldJudgeStraightcouldhaveknownWarwick’sthoughts，hewouldhaverealizedthefulfillmentofhisprophecy。
Warwick，whohadbuildedsowellforhimself，hadweakenedthestructureofhisownlifebytryingtosharehisgoodfortunewithhissister。
\"Listen，Rena，\"hesaid，withasuddenimpulse，\"we’llgototheNorthorWest——I’llgowithyou——farawayfromtheSouthandtheSouthernpeople，andstartlifeoveragain。Itwillbeeasierforyou，itwillnotbehardforme——Iamyoung，andhavemeans。TherearenostrongtiestobindmetotheSouth。Iwouldhavealargeroutlookelsewhere。\"
\"Andwhataboutourmother？\"askedRena。
Itwouldbenecessarytoleaveherbehind，theybothperceivedclearlyenough，unlesstheywerepreparedtosurrendertheadvantageoftheirwhitenessanddropbacktothelowerrank。ThemotherborethemarkoftheEthiopian——notpronouncedly，butdistinctly；neitherwouldMis’Molly，inallprobability，caretoleavehomeandfriendsandthegravesofherlovedones。Shehadnomentalresourcestosupplytheplaceofthese；shewas，moreover，toooldtobetransplanted；shewouldnotfitintoWarwick’sschemeforanewlife。
\"Ileftheronce，\"saidRena，\"anditbroughtpainandsorrowtoallthreeofus。Sheisnotstrong，andIwillnotleaveherheretodiealone。
Thisshallbemyhomewhileshelives，andifI
leaveitagain，itshallbeforonlyashorttime，togowhereIcanwritetoherfreely，andhearfromheroften。Don’tworryaboutme，John，——Ishalldoverywell。\"
Warwicksighed。Hewassincerelysorrytoleavehissister，andyethesawthatforthetimebeingherresolutionwasnottobeshaken。Hemustbidehistime。Perhaps，inafewmonths，shewouldtireoftheoldlife。Hisdoorwouldbealwaysopentoher，andhewouldchargehimselfwithherfuture。
\"Well，then，\"hesaid，concludingtheargument，\"we’llsaynomoreaboutitforthepresent。I’llwritetoyoulater。Iwasafraidthatyoumightnotcaretogobackjustnow，andsoIbroughtyourtrunkalongwithme。\"
Hegavehismotherthebaggage—check。ShetookitacrosstoFrank，who，duringtheday，broughtthetrunkfromthedepot。Mis’Mollyofferedtopayhimfortheservice，buthewouldacceptnothing。
\"Lawd，no，Mis’Molly；Ididn’haftergoout’nmywaytergitdattrunk。Ihadaloadersperrit—
bairlsterhaulterdestill，an’dedepotwuzrightonmywayback。It’dberobbin’youtertakepayferalittlethinglackdat。\"
\"MysonJohn’shere，\"saidMis’Molly\"an’
hewantstoseeyou。Comeintothesettin’—room。
Wedon’twantfolkstoknowhe’sintown；butyouknowalloursecrets，an’wecantrustyoulikeoneerthefamily。\"
\"I’mgladtoseeyouagain，Frank，\"saidWarwick，extendinghishandandclaspingFrank’swarmly。\"You’vegrownupsinceIsawyoulast，butitseemsyouarestillourgoodfriend。\"
\"Ourverygoodfriend，\"interjectedRena。
Frankthrewheragratefulglance。\"Yas，suh，\"
hesaid，lookingWarwickoverwithafriendlyeye，\"an’youisgrowedsome，too。Iseedyou，youknow，downderewhereyoulive；butIdidn’leton，feryouan’Mis’Renawuzw’iteasanybody；
an’eve’ybodysaidyouwuzgoodterculludfolks，an’he’ped’emindeirlawsuitsan’onewayer’nuther，an’Iwuzjes’plum’gladterseeyougettin’’longsofine，datIwuz，certainsho’，an’nomistakeaboutit。\"
\"Thankyou，Frank，andIwantyoutounderstandhowmuchIappreciate\"——
\"Howmuchweallappreciate，\"correctedRena。
\"Yes，howmuchweallappreciate，andhowgratefulweallareforyourkindnesstomotherforsomanyyears。Iknowfromherandfrommysisterhowgoodyou’vebeentothem。\"
\"Lawd，suh！\"returnedFrankdeprecatingly，\"you’remakin’amountainout’namolehill。I
ain’tdonenuthin’terspeakof——nothalfezmuchezIwould’a’done。Iwuzgladterdow’atlittleIcould，ferfrien’ship’ssake。\"
\"Wevalueyourfriendship，Frank，andwe’llnotforgetit。\"
\"No，Frank，\"addedRena，\"wewillneverforgetit，andyoushallalwaysbeourgoodfriend。\"
Franklefttheroomandcrossedthestreetwithswellingheart。HewouldhavegivenhislifeforRena。Akindwordwasdoublysweetfromherlips；noservicewouldbetoogreattopayforherfriendship。
WhenFrankwentouttothestablenextmorningtofeedhismule，hiseyesopenedwidewithastonishment。Inplaceofthedecrepit，one—eyedarmymulehehadputupthenightbefore，afat，sleekspecimenofvigorousmulehoodgreetedhisarrivalwiththesonoroushehawoflustyyouth。
Hangingonapegnearbywasasetoffinenewharness，andstandingundertheadjoiningshed，asheperceived，ahandsomenewcart。
\"Well，well！\"exclaimedFrank；\"efIdidn’
mos’knowwhardismule，an’diskyart，an’disharnesscomefrom，I’d’lowdere’dbe’nwitcheraf’
ercunjin’wukkin’here。But，ohmy，datisafinemule！——Imos’wushIcouldkeep’im。\"
Hecrossedtheroadtothehousebehindthecedars，andfoundMis’Mollyinthekitchen。
\"Mis’Molly，\"heprotested，\"Iain’tdonenuthin’
terdeservedatmule。W’atlittleIdoneferyouwa’n’tdoneferpay。I’druthernotkeepdemthings。\"
\"Fergoodness’sake，Frank！\"exclaimedhisneighbor，withawell—simulatedairofmystification，\"whatareyoutalkin’about？\"
\"Youknowsw’atI’mtalkin’about，Mis’
Molly；youknowswellernuffI’mtalkin’aboutdatfinemulean’kyartan’harnessoverdereinmystable。\"
\"HowshouldIknowanythingabout’em？\"
sheasked。
\"Now，Mis’Molly！Youfolksisjes’tryin’terfoolme，an’makemetakesomethin’fernuthin’。
Ilef’myolemulean’kyartan’harnessindestablelas’night，an’dismawnin’dey’regone，an’
newonesindeirplace。Co’seyouknowswhardeycomefrom！\"
\"Well，now，Frank，senceyoumentionit，Ididseeawitchflyin’roun’herelas’nightonabroom—
stick，an’it’pearedtermeshelitonyo’rbarn，an’
Is’posesheturnedyo’roldthingsintonewones。
Iwouldn’tbothermymindaboutitifIwasyou，forshemayturn’embackanynight，youknow；
an’youmightaswellhavetheuseof’eminthemeanwhile。\"
\"Dat’sallfoolishness，Mis’Molly，an’I’mgwineterfetchdatmulerightoverherean’tellyo’sontergimmemyoleoneback。\"
\"Myson’sgone，\"shereplied，\"an’Idon’tknownothin’aboutyo’roldmule。AndwhatwouldIdowithamule，anyhow？Iain’tgotnobarntoputhimin。\"
\"Isuspectyoudon’tcaremuchforusafterall，Frank，\"saidRenareproachfully——shehadcomeinwhiletheyweretalking。\"Youmeetwithapieceofgoodluck，andyou’reafraidofit，lestitmighthavecomefromus。\"
\"Now，MissRena，yououghtn’ttersaydat，\"
expostulatedFrank，hisreluctanceyieldingimmediately。
\"I’llkeepdemulean’dekyartan’deharness——fac’，I’llhaveterkeep’em，’causeI
ain’tgotnoothers。Butdey’regwineterbeyo’nezmuchezmine。W’eneveryouwantsanythinghauled，erwantsyo’lotploughed，eranything——
dat’syo’mule，an’I’myo’manan’yo’mammy’s。\"
SoFrankwentbacktothestable，wherehefeastedhiseyesonhisnewpossessions，fedandwateredthemule，andcurriedandbrushedhiscoatuntilitshonelikealooking—glass。
\"Nowdat，\"remarkedPeter，atthebreakfast—
table，wheninformedofthetransaction，\"issomethin’
lackralew’itefolks。\"
NorealwhitepersonhadevergivenPeteramuleoracart。Hehadrenderedoneofthemunpaidserviceforhalfalifetime，andhadpaidfortheotherhalf；andsomeofthemowedhimsubstantialsumsforworkperformed。But\"tohimthathathshallbegiven\"——Warwickpaidforthemule，andtherealwhitefolksgotmostofthecredit。
XX
DIGGINGUPROOTS
Whenthefirstgreatshockofhisdiscoveryworeoff，thefactofRena’soriginlosttoTryonsomeofitsinitialrepugnance——indeed，therepugnancewasnottothewomanatall，astheirpastrelationswereevidence，butmerelytothethoughtofherasawife。
ItcouldhardlyhavefailedtooccurtosoreasonableamanasTryonthatRena’scasecouldscarcelybeunique。SurelyinthepastcenturiesoffreemannersandeasymoralsthathadprevailedinremotepartsoftheSouth，theremusthavebeenmanywhitepersonswhoseoriginwouldnothavebornetoomicroscopicaninvestigation。Familytreesnotseldomhaveacrookedbranch；or，touseamoreappositefigure，manyaflockhasitsblacksheep。Beingamanoflivelyimagination，Tryonsoonfoundhimselfputtingallsortsofhypotheticalquestionsaboutamatterwhichhehadalreadydefinitelydetermined。IfhehadmarriedRenainignoranceofhersecret，andhadlearneditafterwards，wouldhehaveputheraside？If，knowingherhistory，hehadneverthelessmarriedher，andshehadsubsequentlydisplayedsometraitofcharacterthatwouldsuggestthenegro，couldhehaveforgottenorforgiventhetaint？Couldhestillhaveheldherinloveandhonor？Ifnot，couldhehavegivenhertheoutwardseemingofaffection，orcouldhehavebeenmorethancoldlytolerant？
Hewasgladthathehadbeensparedthisordeal。
Withaneffortheputthewholematterdefinitelyandconclusivelyaside，ashehaddoneahundredtimesalready。
Returningtohishome，afteranabsenceofseveralmonthsinSouthCarolina，itwasquiteapparenttohismother’swatchfuleyethathewasinserioustrouble。Hewasabsent—minded，monosyllabic，sigheddeeplyandoften，andcouldnotalwaysconcealthetracesofsecrettears。ForTryonwasyoung，andpossessedofasensitivesoul——asourceofhappinessormisery，astheFatesdecree。Tothosethusdowered，theheightsofraptureareaccessible，theabyssesofdespairyawnthreateningly；
onlythedullmonotonyofcontentmentisdenied。
Mrs。Tryonvainlysoughtbyeverygentleartawomanknowstowinherson’sconfidence。
\"Whatisthematter，George，dear？\"shewouldask，strokinghishotbrowwithhersmall，coolhandashesatmoodilynursinghisgrief。\"Tellyourmother，George。Whoelsecouldcomfortyousowellasshe？\"
\"Oh，it’snothing，mother，——nothingatall，\"
hewouldreply，withaforcedattemptatlightness。
\"It’sonlyyourfondimagination，youbestofmothers。\"
ItwasMrs。Tryon’sturntosighandshedaclandestinetear。UntilhersonhadgoneawayonthistriptoSouthCarolina，hehadkeptnosecretsfromher：hishearthadbeenanopenbook，ofwhichshekneweverypage；now，somepainfulstorywasinscribedthereinwhichhemeantsheshouldnotread。IfshecouldhaveabdicatedherempiretoBlancheLearyorhaveshareditwithher，shewouldhaveyieldedgracefully；butverypalpablysomeotherinfluencethanBlanche’shaddrivenjoyfromherson’scountenanceandlightnessfromhisheart。
MissBlancheLeary，whomTryonfoundinthehouseuponhisreturn，wasademure，prettylittleblonde，withanamiabledisposition，atalentforsociety，andapronouncedfondnessforGeorgeTryon。Apoorgirl，ofanexcellentfamilyimpoverishedbythewar，shewasdistantlyrelatedtoMrs。Tryon，hadforalongtimeenjoyedthatlady’sfavor，andwasherchoiceforGeorge’swifewhenheshouldbeoldenoughtomarry。AwomanlessinterestedthanMissLearywouldhaveperceivedthattherewassomethingwrongwithTryon。
MissLearyhadnodoubtthattherewasawomanatthebottomofit，——foraboutwhatelseshouldyouthworrybutlove？orifone’sloveaffairsrunsmoothly，whyshouldoneworryaboutanythingatall？MissLeary，inthenineteenyearsofhermundaneexistence，hadnotbeenwithoutmildexperiencesoftheheart，andhadhoveredforsometimeonthevergeofdisappointmentwithrespecttoTryonhimself。Asensitivepridewouldhavedrivenmorethanonewomanawayatthesightofthemanofherpreferencesighinglikeafurnaceforsomeabsentfairone。ButMrs。Tryonwassocordial，andinsistedsostrenuouslyuponherremaining，thatBlanche’slove，whichwasstrong，conqueredherpride，whichwasnomorethanareasonableyoungwomanoughttohavewhosetssuccessabovemeresentiment。Sheremainedinthehouseandbidedheropportunity。IfGeorgepracticallyignoredherforatime，shedidnotthrowherselfatallinhisway。Shewentonavisittosomegirlsintheneighborhoodandremainedawayaweek，hopingthatshemightbemissed。Tryonexpressednoregretatherdepartureandnoparticularsatisfactionuponherreturn。Ifthehousewasdullerinherabsence，hewasbutdimlyconsciousofthedifference。Hewasstillfightingabattleinwhichasusceptibleheartandareasonablemindhadlockedhornsinawell—nighhopelessconflict。Reason，common—sense，theinstinctiveready—madejudgmentsofhistrainingandenvironment，——
thedeep—seatedprejudicesofraceandcaste，——commandedhimtodismissRenafromhisthoughts。Hisstubbornheartsimplywouldnotletgo。
XXI
AGILDEDOPPORTUNITY
AlthoughthewholefabricofRena’snewlifetoppledandfellwithherlover’sdefection，hersympathies，broadenedbycultureandstillmorebyherrecentemotionalexperience，didnotshrink，aswouldhavebeenthecasewithamoreselfishsoul，tothemerelimitsofherpersonalsorrow，greatasthisseemedatthemoment。Shehadlearnedtolove，andwhentheloveofonemanfailedher，sheturnedtohumanity，asastreamobstructedinitscourseoverflowstheadjacentcountry。Herearlytraininghadnotdirectedherthoughtstothedarkerpeoplewithwhosefateherownwasboundupsoclosely，butratherawayfromthem。Shehadbeentaughttodespisethembecausetheywerenotsowhiteasshewas，andhadbeenslaveswhileshewasfree。Herlifeinherbrother’shome，byremovingherfromimmediatecontactwiththem，hadgivenheradifferentpointofview，——onewhichemphasizedtheirshortcomings，andtherebymadevastlyclearertoherthegulfthatseparatedthemfromthenewworldinwhichshelived；sothatwhenmisfortunethrewherbackuponthem，thereactionbroughthernearerthanbefore。Whereonceshehadseemedabletoescapefromthem，theywerenow，itappeared，herinalienablerace。Thusdoublyequipped，shewasabletoviewthematoncewiththementaleyeofanoutsiderandthesympathyofasister：shecouldseetheirfaults，andjudgethemcharitably；sheknewandappreciatedtheirgoodqualities。Withherquickenedintelligenceshecouldperceivehowgreatwastheirneedandhowsmalltheiropportunity；andwiththisilluminationcamethedesiretocontributetotheirhelp。
Shehadnotthebreadthorculturetoseeinallitsramificationsthegreatproblemwhichstillpuzzlesstatesmenandphilosophers；butshewasconsciousofthewish，andofthepower，inasmallway，todosomethingfortheadvancementofthosewhohadjustsettheirfeetupontheladderofprogress。