Youmaynotlikethem，youknow:thegovernorisgettingtobeanoldman——perhapstoooldforyoungAmericans——butTHEYwilllikeYOU，andyoumustputupwiththat。MymotherandsistersknowMissMacyaswellasIdo，andwillmakeheroneofthefamily。”
　　Theconscientiousearnestnesswithwhichtheseapparentconventionalitieswereuttered，andsomeoccultqualityofquietconvictionintheyoungman'smanner，broughtapleasantsparkletotheeyesofMrs。BradleyandLouise。
　　"But，"saidMrs。Bradley，gayly，"ourgoingtoEnglandisquitebeyondourpresentwildestdreams；nothingbutawindfall，anunexpectedriseintimber，oreventhetabooedhotelspeculation，couldmakeitpossible。”
　　"ButIshalltakethelibertyoftryingtopresentittoMr。
　　Bradleytonightinsomepracticalwaythatmayconvinceevenhiscriticaljudgment，"saidMainwaring，stillseriously。"Itwillbe，"headdedmorelightly，"thefamoustestimonialofmycurewhichIpromisedyou。”
　　"AndyouwillfindMr。Bradleysoscepticalthatyouwillbeobligedtodeferyourgoing，"saidMrs。Bradley，triumphantly。
　　"Come，Louise，wemustnotforgetthatwehavestillMr。
　　Mainwaring'spresentcomforttolookafter；thatMintyhasbaselydesertedus，andthatweourselvesmustseethatthelastdaysofourguestbeneathourroofarenotrememberedfortheirprivation。”
　　SheledLouiseawaywithahalf-mischievoussuggestionofmaternalpropriety，andleftMainwaringoncemorealoneontheveranda。
　　Hehaddoneit!Certainlyshemusthaveunderstoodhismeaning，andtherewasnothingleftforhimtodobuttoacquaintBradleywithhisintentionsto-night，andpressherforafinalanswerinthemorning。Therewouldbenoindelicacytheninaskingherforaninterviewmorefreefrominterruptionthanthispublicveranda。
　　Withoutconceit，hedidnotdoubtwhattheanswerwouldbe。Hisindecision，hissuddenresolutiontoleaveher，hadbeenallbasedupontheuncertaintyofHISownfeelings，theproprietyofHIS
　　declaration，thepossibilityofsomepreviousexperienceofhersthatmightcompromiseHIM。Convincedbyherunembarrassedmannerofherinnocence，orrathersatisfiedofherindifferencetoRichardson'sgossip，hehadbeenhurriedbyhisfeelingsintoanunexpectedavowal。Broughtupintheperfectsecurityofhisownsocialposition，andfamiliarlyconscious——withoutvanity——ofitsimportanceandpowerinsuchasituation，hebelieved，withoutundervaluingLouise'scharmsorindependence，thathehadnooneelsethanhimselftoconsult。Eventheslightuneasinessthatstillpursuedhimwasmoreduetohishabitualconscientiousnessofhisownintentionthantoanyfearthatshewouldnotfullyrespondtoit。Indeed，withhisconservativeideasofproperfeminineself-restraint，Louise'scalmpassivityandundemonstrativeattitudewereaproofofhersuperiority；hadsheblushedovermuch，cried，orthrownherselfintohisarms，hewouldhavedoubtedthewisdomofsoeasyaselection。Itwastruehehadknownherscarcelythreeweeks；ifhechosetobecontentwiththat，hisownaccessiblerecordofthreecenturiesshouldbesufficientforher，andcondoneanyirregularity。
　　Nevertheless，asanhourslippedawayandLouisedidnotmakeherappearance，eitherontheverandaorinthelittlesitting-roomoffthehall，Mainwaringbecamemoreuneasyastotheincompletenessoftheirinterview。Perhapsafaintsuspicionoftheinadequacyofherresponsebegantotroublehim；buthestillfatuouslyregardeditratherasowingtohisownhurriedandunfinisheddeclaration。
　　Itwastruethathehadn'tsaidhalfwhatheintendedtosay；itwastruethatshemighthavemisunderstooditastheconventionalgallantryofthesituation，as——terriblethought!——thelightbanterofthehabituallove-makingAmerican，towhichshehadbeenaccustomed；perhapsevennowsherelegatedhimtothelevelofGreyson，andthisaccountedforhersingularimpassiveness——animpassivenessthatcertainlywassingularnowhereflecteduponit——
　　thatmighthavebeenevencontempt。Thelastthoughtprickedhisdeepconscientiousness；hewalkedhurriedlyupanddowntheveranda，andthen，suddenlyre-enteringhisroom，tookupasheetofnote-paper，andbegantowritetoher:——
　　"Canyougrantmeafewmoments'interviewalone？IcannotbearyoushouldthinkthatwhatIwastryingtotellyouwhenwewereinterruptedwaspromptedbyanythingbutthedeepestsincerityandconviction，orthatIamwillingitshouldbepassedoverlightlybyyouorbeforgotten。Praygivemeachanceofprovingit，bysayingyouwillseeme。F。M。”
　　Buthowshouldheconveythistoher？HisdelicacyrevoltedagainsthandingittoherbehindMrs。Bradley'sback，ortheprestidigitationofslippingitintoherlaporunderherplatebeforethematluncheon；hethoughtforaninstantoftheChinaman，butgentlemen——exceptinthat"mirrorofnature"thestage——usuallyhesitatetosubornotherpeople'sservants，orentrustawoman'ssecrettoherinferiors。HerememberedthatLouise'sroomwasatthefartherendofthehouse，anditslowwindowgaveupontheveranda，andwasguardedatnightbyafilmofwhiteandbluecurtainsthatwerepartedduringtheday，toallowatriangularrevelationofapaleblueandwhitedrapedinterior。Mainwaringreflectedthatthelowinsidewindowledgewaseasilyaccessiblefromtheveranda，wouldaffordacapitallodgmentforthenote，andbequicklyseenbythefairoccupantoftheroomonentering。Hesaunteredslowlypastthewindow；theroomwasempty，themomentpropitious。Aslightbreezewasstirringtheblueribbonsofthecurtain；itwouldbenecessarytosecurethenotewithsomething；
　　hereturnedalongtheverandatothesteps，wherehehadnoticedasmallirregularstonelying，whichhadevidentlyescapedfromRichelieu'sbagoftreasurespecimens，andhadbeenoverlookedbythatingenuouschild。Itwasofaprettypeacock-bluecolor，and，besidessecuringapaper，wouldbesuretoattractherattention。
　　Heplacedhisnoteontheinsideledge，andthebluestoneatop，andwentawaywithasenseofrelief。
　　Anotherhalfhourpassedwithoutincident。Hecouldhearthevoicesofthetwowomeninthekitchenanddining-room。Afterawhiletheyappearedtocease，andheheardthesoundofanopeningdoor。Itthenoccurredtohimthattheverandawasstilltooexposedforaconfidentialinterview，andheresolvedtodescendthesteps，passbeforethewindowsofthekitchenwhereLouisemightseehim，andpenetratetheshrubbery，whereshemightbeinducedtofollowhim。Theywouldnotbeinterruptednoroverheardthere。
　　ButhehadbarelylefttheverandabeforethefigureofRichelieu，whohadbeenpatientlywaitingforMainwaring'sdisappearance，emergedstealthilyfromtheshrubbery。Hehaddiscoveredhislossonhandinghis"fireassays"tothegood-humoredBradleyforlaterexamination，andhehadretracedhisway，stepbystep，lookingeverywhereforhismissingstonewiththeunboundedhopefulness，lazypersistency，andloftydisregardfortimeandoccupationknownonlytothegenuineboy。Herememberedtohaveplacedhisknottedbagupontheveranda，and，slippingoffhisstiffbootsslowlyandsoftly，slidalongagainstthewallofthehouse，lookingcarefullyonthefloor，andyetpreservingastudiednegligenceofdemeanor，withonehandinhispocket，andhissmallmouthcontractedintoasingularlysoothingandalmostvoicelesswhistle——Richelieu'sownpeculiaraccomplishment。Butnostoneappeared。Likemostofhisgenushewassuperstitious，andrepeatedtohimselfthecabalisticformula:"Losin'sseekin's，findin'skeepin's"——presumedtobeofgreatefficacyinsuchcases——withreligiousfervor。HehadlaboriouslyreachedtheendoftheverandawhenhenoticedtheopenwindowofLouise'sroom，andstoppedasaperfunctorydutytolookin。AndthenRichelieuSharpestoodforaninstantutterlyconfoundedandaghastatthiscrowningproofoftheabsoluteinfamyandsickeningenormityofMan。
　　TherewasHISstone——HIS，RICHELIEU'S，OWNSPECIMEN，carefullygatheredbyhimselfandnoneother——andnowstolen，abstracted，"skyugled，""smouged，""hooked"bythis"rotten，skunkified，long-
　　legged，splay-footed，hoss-laughin'，nigger-toothed，or'narydespot"And，worsethanall，actuallymadetodoinfamousdutyasalovetoken"——a"candy-gift!"——a"philanderin'box"toHIS，Richelieu's，girl——forLouisebelongedtothatinnocentandvagueoutsideseraglioofRichelieu'sboyishdreams——andputatopofalettertoher!andProvidencepermittedsuchanoutrage!"Wotwashe，Richelieu，senttoschoolfor，andorganizedwickednessintheshapeofgorillaInjinslikethisallowedtoridehighhorsesrampantoverCaliforney!"Helookedattheheavensinmuteappeal。
　　Andthen——Providencenotimmediatelyinterfering——hethrusthisownsmallarmintothewindow，regainedhispricelesstreasure，andfledswiftly。
　　Afatefulsilenceensued。Thewindslightlymovedthecurtainoutward，asifinaplayfulattempttofollowhim，andthensubsided。Amomentlater，apparentlyre-enforcedbyotherwinds，orsympathizingwithRichelieu，itlightlyliftedtheunluckymissiveandcastitsoftlyfromthewindow。Buthereanotherwind，lyinginwait，caughtitcleverly，andtossedit，inalongcurve，intotheabyss。Foraninstantitseemedtofloatlazily，asonthemirroredsurfaceofalake，until，turninguponitsside，itsuddenlydartedintoutteroblivion。
　　WhenMainwaringreturnedfromtheshrubbery，hewentsoftlytothewindow。Thedisappearanceoftheletterandstonesatisfiedhimofthesuccessofhisstratagem，andforthespaceofthreehoursrelievedhisanxiety。Butattheendofthattime，findingnoresponsefromLouise，hisformeruneasinessreturned。Wassheoffended，or——thefirstdoubtofheracceptanceofhimcrossedhismind!
　　Asuddenandinexplicablesenseofshamecameuponhim。Atthesamemoment，heheardhisnamecalledfromthesteps，turned——andbeheldMinty。
　　Herdarkeyeswereshiningwithapleasantlight，andherlipspartedonherwhiteteethwithafrank，happysmile。Sheadvancedandheldoutherhand。Hetookitwithaminglingofdisappointmentandembarrassment。
　　"You'rewonderingwhyIkemonhere，arterIsentwordthismorningthatIkelkilatednottocome。Well，'twixtthenandnowsuthin''shappened。We'vehadfinedoin'soveratourhouse，youbet!
　　Popdon'tknowwhichendhe'sstandin'on；andIreckonthatforabouttenminutesIdidn'tknowmyownname。ButezsoonezIgotfairlyholdo'thehullthing，andhaditputstraightinmymind，Iseztomyself，MintySharpe，sezI，thefirstthingforyoutodonow，istoputonyerbonnetandshawl，andtrapseovertoJimBradley'sandhelpthemtwowomenfolksgetdinnerforthemselvesandthatsickstranger。And，"continuedMinty，throwingherselfintoachairandfanningherglowingfacewithherapron，"yerI
　　am!"
　　"ButyouhavenottoldmeWHAThashappened，"saidMainwaring，withaconstrainedsmile，andanuneasyglancetowardsthehouse。
　　"That'sso，"saidMinty，withabrilliantlaugh。"Icleanforgotthehullgistofthething。Well，we'rerichfolksnow——overthar'
　　onBarrenLedge!Thatonerybrotherofmine，Richelieu，heztakensomeofhisspecimensovertoJimBradleytobetested。AndBradley，justtopleasethatchild，takes'em；andnotanhouragoBradleycomesrunning，liketyswitch，overtoPoptotellhimtoputuphisnotices，forthehullofthatledgewheretheforgestandsisamineo'silverandcopper。Aforeyeknewit，Lordy!
　　halfthefolksoutertheSummitandthemillwasscattereddowntharalloverit。Richardson——thatstrangerezknowsyou——kemthartoowithJim，andheallows，efBradley'sessayisright，it'sworthmorethanahundredthousanddollarsezitstands!"
　　"IsupposeImustcongratulateyou，MissSharpe，"saidMainwaringwithanattemptatinterest，buthisattentionstillpreoccupiedwiththeopendoorway。
　　"Oh，THEYknowallaboutit!"saidMinty，followingthedirectionofhisabstractedeyeswithaslightdarkeningofherown，"Ijestkemouto'thekitchentheotherway，andJimsent'emanote；butIallowedI'dtellYOUmyself。Speciallyezyouaregoingawayto-morrow。”
　　"WhosaidIwasgoingawayto-morrow？"askedMainwaring，uneasily。
　　"LooMacy!"
　　"Ah——shedid？ButImaychangemymind，youknow!"hecontinued，withafaintsmile。
　　Mintyshookhercurlsdecisively。"IreckonSHEknows，"shesaiddryly，"she'sgotlawandgospelforwotshesays。Butyershecomes。Askher!Lookyer，Loo，"sheadded，asthetwowomenappearedatthedoorway，withacertainexaggerationofcongratulatorymannerthatstruckMainwaringasbeingasartificialanddisturbedashisown，"didn'tSirFrancisyersayhewasgoingto-morrow？"
　　"That'swhatIunderstood!"returnedLouise，withcoldastonishment，lettingherclearindifferenteyesfalluponMainwaring。"Idonotknowthathehaschangedhismind。”
　　"Unless，asMissSharpeisagreatcapitalistnow，sheiswillingtouseherpowersofpersuasion，"addedMrs。Bradley，withaslightacidulouspointingofherusualprimplayfulness。
　　"IreckonMintySharpe'sthesameezshealluswos，unlessmoreso，"returnedMinty，withanhonestegotismthatcarriedsomuchconvictiontothehearerastocondoneitsvanity。"ButIkemyertodoaday'swork，gals，andIallowtopitchinanddoit，andnotsityerswoppin'complimentsandkeepingHIMfrompackin'hisduds。Onless，"shestopped，andlookedaroundattheuneasy，unsympatheticcirclewithafainttremulousnessoflipthatbeliedthebraveblackeyesaboveit，"onlessI'minyerway。”
　　Thetwowomensprangforwardwithafemininebewilderingexcessofprotestation；andMainwaring，suddenlypiercedthroughhisouterselfishembarrassmenttohismorehonestdepths，stammeredquickly——
　　"Lookhere，MissSharpe，ifyouthinkofrunningawayagain，afterhavingcomeallthewayheretomakeussharetheknowledgeofyourgoodfortuneandyourbetterheart，byJove!I'llgobackwithyou。”
　　Butherethetwowomeneffusivelyhurriedherawayfromthedangerousproximityofsuchsympathetichonesty，andamomentlaterMainwaringheardherlaughingvoice，asofold，ringinginthekitchen。Andthen，asifunconsciouslyrespondingtothesignificantcommonsensethatlayinherlastallusiontohim，hewenttohisroomandgrimlybeganhispacking。
　　HedidnotagainseeLouisealone。AttheirinformalluncheontheconversationturneduponthemoreabsorbingtopicoftheSharpes'
　　discovery，itsextent，anditsprobableeffectuponthefortunesofthelocality。Henoticed，abstractedly，thatbothMrs。Bradleyandhercousinshowedarealorassumedscepticismofitsvalue。Thisdidnotdisturbhimgreatly，exceptforitsintendedcheckuponMinty'senthusiasm。Hewasmoreconscious，perhaps，——withafainttouchofmortifiedvanity，——thathisowncontemplateddeparturewasoflesserimportancethanthislocalexcitement。Yetinhisgrowingconvictionthatallwasover——if，indeed，ithadeverbegun——betweenhimselfandLouise，hewasgratefultothisnaturaldiversionofincidentwhichsparedthembothanintervalofembarrassingcommonplaces。And，withthesuspicionofsomeindefinableinsincerity——eitherofhisownorLouise's——hauntinghim，Minty'sfrankheartinessandoutspokenloyaltygavehimastrangerelief。Itseemedtohimasiftheclearcoolbreathoftheforesthadenteredwithherhomelygarments，andthesteadfasttruthofNaturewereincarnateinhershiningeyes。Howfarthispoeticfancywouldhavebeenconsistentorevencoexistentwithanygleamoftendernessorself-forgetfulnessinLouise'sequallyprettyorbs，Ileavethesatiricalfemininereadertodetermine。
　　ItwaslatewhenBradleyatlastreturned，bringingfurtherandmorecompletecorroborationofthetruthofSharpe'sgoodfortune。
　　Twoexpertshadarrived，onefromPineFlatandanotherfromtheSummit，anduponthisstatementRichardsonhadofferedtopurchaseaninterestinthediscoverythatwouldatonceenabletheblacksmithtodevelophismine。"Ishouldn'twonder，Mainwaring，"
　　headdedcheerfully，"ifhe'dputyouintoit，too，andmakeyoureternalfortune。”
　　"Withlarksfallingfromtheskiesallroundyou，it'sapityYOU
　　couldn'tgetputintosomething，"saidMrs。Bradley，straighteningherprettybrows。
　　"I'mnotagold-miner，mydear，"saidBradley，pleasantly。
　　"Noragold-finder，"returnedhiswife，withacruellittledepressionofherpinknostrils，"butyoucanworkallnightinthatstupidmillandthen，"sheaddedinalowvoice，toescapeMinty'sattention，"spendthewholeofthenextdayexaminingandfollowingupaboy'sdiscoverythathisownrelationshadbeentoolazyandtooignoranttounderstandandprofitby。IsupposethatnextyouwillbehuntingupasiteontheOTHERSIDEoftheCanyon，wheresomebodyelsecanputupahotelandruinyourownprospects。”
　　AsensitiveshadowofpainquicklydimmedBradley'sglance——notthefirstorlasttimeevidently，foritwasgraduallybringingoutabackgroundofsadnessinhisintelligenteyes。ButthenextmomentheturnedkindlytoMainwaring，andbegantodeplorethenecessityofhisearlydeparture，whichRichardsonhadalreadymadeknowntohimwithpracticalandsatisfyingreasons。
　　"Ihopeyouwon'tforget，mydearfellow，thatyourmostreallyurgentbusinessistolookafteryourhealth；andif，hereafter，you'llonlyremembertheoldLookoutenoughtoimpressthatfactuponyou，IshallfeelthatanypoorserviceIhaverenderedyouhasbeenamplyrepaid。”
　　Mainwaring，notwithstandingthathewincedslightlyatthisfatefulechoofLouise'sadvice，returnedthegraspofhisfriend'shandwithanhonestpressureequaltohisown。HelongednowonlyforthecomingofRichardson，tocompletehisschemeofgratefulbenefactiontohishost。
　　Thebankercamefortunatelyastheconversationbegantoflag；andMrs。Bradley'shalf-coquettishill-humorofaprettywoman，andLouise'sabstractedindifference，werebecomingsonoticeableastoevenimpressMintyintoathoughtfultaciturnity。ThegraciousnessofhisreceptionbyMrs。Bradleysomewhatrestoredhisformerostentatiousgallantry，andhisself-satisfied，domineeringmannerhadenoughmasculinepowerinittofavorablyaffectthethreewomen，who，itmustbeconfessed，werealittleboredbythefinerabstractionsofBradleyandMainwaring。Afterafewmoments，Mainwaringroseand，withasignificantglanceatRichardsontoremindhimofhisproposedconferencewithBradley，turnedtoleavetheroom。HewasobligedtopassLouise，whowassittingbythetable。Hisattentionwassuddenlyarrestedbysomethinginherhandwithwhichshewaslistlesslyplaying。Itwasthestonewhichhehadputonhislettertoher。
　　AshehadnotbeenpresentwhenBradleyarrived，hedidnotknowthatthisfatefulobjecthadbeenbroughthomebyhishost，who，afterreceivingitfromRichelieu，hadputitinhispockettoillustratehisstoryofthediscovery。Onthecontrary，itseemedthatLouise'scarelessexposureofhisfoolishstratagemwasgratuitouslyandpurposelycruel。Nevertheless，hestoppedandlookedather。
　　"That'saqueerstoneyouhavethere，"hesaid，inatonewhichsherecognizedascoldlyandostentatiouslycivil。
　　"Yes，"shereplied，withoutlookingup；"it'stheoutcropofthatmine。”Shehandedittohimasiftoobviateanyfurtherremark。
　　"Ithoughtyouhadseenitbefore。”
　　"Theoutcrop，"herepeateddryly。"Thatis——it——it——itistheindicationorsignofsomethingimportantthat'sbelowit——isn'tit？"
　　Louiseshruggedhershoulderssceptically。"Itdon'tfollow。It'sjustaslikelytocoverrubbish，afteryou'vetakenthetroubletolook。”
　　"Thanks，"hesaid，withmeasuredgentleness，andpassedquietlyoutoftheroom。
　　ThemoonhadalreadyrisenwhenBradley，withhisbrierwoodpipe，precededRichardsonupontheveranda。ThelatterthrewhislargeframeintoLouise'srocking-chairneartheedgeoftheabyss；
　　Bradley，withhisownchairtiltedagainstthesideofthehouseafterthenationalfashion，waitedforhimtospeak。TheabsenceofMainwaringandthestimulusofMrs。Bradley'sgraciousnesshadgiventhebankeracertaincondescendingfamiliarity，whichBradleyreceivedwithamusedandironicaltolerancethathistwinklingeyesmadepartlyvisibleinthedarkness。
　　"OneofthethingsIwantedtotalktoyouabout，Bradley，wasthatoldaffairoftheadvanceyouaskedforfromtheBank。Wedidnotquiteseeourwaytoitthen，and，speakingasabusinessman，itisn'treallyamatterofbusinessnow；butithaslatelybeenputtomeinalightthatwouldmakethedoingofitpossible——youunderstand？Thefactofthematteristhis:SirRobertMainwaring，thefatheroftheyoungfellowyou'vegotinyourhouse，isoneofourdirectorsandlargestshareholders，andIcantellyou——ifyoudon'tsuspectitalready——you'vebeenlucky，Bradley——deucedlylucky——tohavehadhiminyourhouseandtohaverenderedhimaservice。He'stheheirtooneofthelargestlandedestatesinhiscountry，oneoftheoldestcountyfamilies，andwillstepintothetitlesomeday。But，ahem!"hecoughedpatronizingly，"youknewallthat!No？Well，thatcharmingwifeofyours，atleast，does；
　　forshe'sbeentalkingaboutit。Gad，Bradley，ittakesthosewomentofindoutanythingofthatkind，eh？"
　　ThelightinBradley'seyesandhispipewentslowlyouttogether。
　　"Thenwe'llsaythataffairoftheadvanceisasgoodassettled。
　　It'sSirRobert'swish，youunderstand，andthisyoungfellow'swish，——andifyou'llcomedowntotheBanknextweekwe'llarrangeitforyou；Ithinkyou'lladmitthey'redoingthehandsometoyouandyours。Andtherefore，"heloweredhisvoiceconfidentially，"you'llsee，Bradley，thatitwillonlybethehonorablethinginyou，youknow，tolookupontheaffairasfinished，and，infact，todoallyoucan"——hedrewhischaircloser——"to——to——todropthisotherfoolishness。”
　　"Idon'tthinkIquiteunderstandyou!"saidBradley，slowly。
　　"Butyourwifedoes，ifyoudon't，"returnedRichardson，bluntly；
　　"ImeanthisfoolishflirtationbetweenLouiseMacyandMainwaring，whichisutterlypreposterous。Why，man，itcan'tpossiblycometoanything，anditcouldn'tbeallowedforamoment。Lookathispositionandhers。Ishouldthink，asapracticalman，itwouldstrikeyou——"
　　"Onlyonethingstrikesme，Richardson，"interruptedBradley，inasingularlydistinctwhisper，rising，andmovingnearerthespeaker；
　　"itisthatyou'resittingperilouslyneartheedgeofthisveranda。For，bythelivingGod，ifyoudon'ttakeyourselfoutofthatchairandoutofthishouse，Iwon'tbeanswerablefortheconsequences!"
　　"Holdonthereaminute，willyou？"saidMainwaring'svoicefromthewindow。
　　Bothmenturnedtowardsit。AlonglegwasprotrudingfromMainwaring'swindow；itwasquicklyfollowedbytheotherlegandbodyoftheoccupant，andthenextmomentMainwaringcometowardsthetwomen，withhishandsinhispockets。
　　"Notsoloud，"hesaid，lookingtowardsthehouse。
　　"Letthatmango，"saidBradley，inarepressedvoice。"YouandI，Mainwaring，canspeaktogetherafterwards。”
　　"ThatmanmuststayuntilhehearswhatIhavegottosay，"saidMainwaring，steppingbetweenthem。Hewasverywhiteandgraveinthemoonlight，butveryquiet；andhedidnottakehishandsfromhispockets。"I'velistenedtowhathesaidbecausehecamehereonMYbusiness，whichwassimplytooffertodoyouaservice。
　　Thatwasall，Bradley，thatItoldhimtodo。Thisrotaboutwhatheexpectsofyouinreturnishisownimpertinence。Ifyou'dpunchedhisheadwhenhebeganit，itwouldhavebeenallright。
　　Butsincehehasbegunit，beforehegoesIthinkheoughttohearmetellyouthatIhavealreadyOFFEREDmyselftoMissMacy，andshehasREFUSEDme!Ifshehadgivenmetheleastencouragement，I
　　shouldhavetoldyoubefore。Further，Iwanttosaythat，inspiteofthatman'sinsinuations，IfirmlybelievethatnooneisawareofthecircumstanceexceptMissMacyandmyself。”
　　"Ihadnoideaofintimatingthatanythinghadhappenedthatwasnothighlyhonorableandcreditabletoyouandtheyounglady，"
　　beganRichardsonhurriedly。
　　"Idon'tknowthatitwasnecessaryforyoutohaveanyideasonthesubjectatall，"saidMainwaring，sternly；"northat，havingbeenshownhowyouhaveinsultedthisgentlemanandmyself，youneedtroubleusaninstantlongerwithyourcompany。Youneednotcomeback。Iwillmanagemyotheraffairsmyself。”
　　"Verywell，Mr。Mainwaring——but——youmaybesurethatIshallcertainlytakethefirstopportunitytoexplainmyselftoSirRobert，"returnedRichardsonas，withanattemptatdignity，hestrodeaway。
　　Therewasanintervalofsilence。
　　"Don'tbetooharduponafellow，Bradley，"saidMainwaringasBradleyremaineddarkandmotionlessintheshadow。"ItisapoorreturnI'mmakingyouforyourkindness，butIswearIneverthoughtofanythinglike——like——this。”
　　"NordidI，"saidBradley，bitterly。
　　"Iknowit，andthat'swhatmakesitsoinfernallybadforme。
　　Forgiveme，won'tyou？Thinkofme，oldfellow，asthewretchedestassyouevermet，butnotsuchacadasthiswouldmakeme!"AsMainwaringsteppedoutfromthemoonlighttowardshimwithextendedhand，Bradleygraspeditwarmly。
　　"Thanks——there——thanks，oldfellow!And，Bradley——Isay——don'tsayanythingtoyourwife，forIdon'tthinksheknowsit。And，Bradley——lookhere——Ididn'tliketobeanythingbutplainbeforethatfellow；butIdon'tmindtellingYOU，nowthatit'sallover，thatIreallythinkLouise——MissMacy——didn'taltogetherunderstandmeeither。”
　　Withanothershakeofthehandtheyseparatedforthenight。ForalongtimeafterMainwaringhadgone，BradleyremainedgazingthoughtfullyintotheGreatCanyon。Hethoughtofthetimewhenhehadfirstcomethere，fulloflifeandenthusiasm，makinganidealworldofhispureandwholesomeeyrieontheledge。Whatelsehethoughtwill，probably，neverbeknownuntilthemisunderstandingofhonorableandchivalrousmenbyacharmingandillogicalsexshallincitetheaudaciouspenofsomemoredaringromancer。
　　Whenhereturnedtothehouse，hesaidkindlytohiswife，"Ihavebeenthinkingto-dayaboutyourhotelscheme，andIshallwritetoSacramentoto-nighttoacceptthatcapitalist'soffer。”
　　CHAPTERV。
　　Thesunwasjustrising。Intwoyearsofmutationandchangeithadseenthelittlecottageclinginglikeaswallow'snesttotherockycavesofagreatSierrancanyongivewaytoastraggling，many-galleriedhotel，andadozenblackenedchimneysriseabovethebarrentablelandwhereoncehadstoodthelonelyforge。TothatconservativeorboflightandheattheremusthavebeenapeculiarsatisfactioninlookingdownafewhoursearlieruponthebattlementsandgablesofOldenhurst，whosebasewasdeeplyembeddedinthematuredfoundationsandsettledtraditionsofanEnglishcounty。FortherisingsunhadfortencenturiesfoundOldenhurstinitsplace，fromtheheavystoneterracethatcoveredthedead-and-forgottenwall，whereaRomansentinelhadoncepaced，tothelittlegratinginthecloisteredquadrangle，whereithadseenaCistercianbrotherplacethemorningdole。Ithaddailywelcomedthegrowthofthisvastandpicturesqueexcrescenceofthetimes；ithadsmiledeverymorninguponthisformidableyetquaintincrustationofpowerandcustom，ignoring，asOldenhurstitselfhadignored，thegenerationswhopossessedit，themenwhobuiltit，themenwhocarrieditwithfireandsword，themenwhohadliedandcringedforit，theKingwhohadgivenittoafavorite，thefewbraveheartswhohaddiedforitinexile，andtheoneortwowhohadboughtandpaidforit。ForOldenhursthadabsorbedalltheseandmoreuntilithadbecomeastoryofthepast，incarnateinstone，greenwood，andflower；ithadevendrainedthelife-bloodfromadjacenthamlets，repayingthemwithtumuligrowthslikeitsown，intheshapeofpurposelesslodges，quaintlyincompetenthospitalsandschools，andchurcheswheretheinestimableblessingandknowledgeofitsgospelweretaughtandfostered。Norhaditdealtmorekindlywiththegentrywithinitswalls，sendingsometothescaffold，pilloryingothersininfamousoffice，reducingafewtopoverty，andhaltingitslaterguestswithgoutandparalysis。Ithadgiventheminexchangethedubiousimmortalityofaportraitgallery，fromwhichtheystaredwithstonyandequalresignation；ithadpreservedtheiruselessarmorandaccoutrements；ithadsetuptheirmarbleeffigiesinchurchesorlaidthemincross-leggedattitudestotripuptheunwary，untilindeath，asinlife，theygotbetweenthecongregationandtheTruththatwastaughtthere。IthadallowedanOldenhurstcrusader，withabrokennoselikeapugilist，onthestrengthofhishavingbeentwicetotheHolyLand，tohidethebeautifullyilluminatedWordfromthelowlierworshipperonthehumblerbenches；ithadsentaniconoclasticBishopoftheReformationtoanearerminstertoostentatiouslyoccupytheplaceoftheconsecratedimagehehadoverthrown。SmallwonderthatcrowdingtheOldenhurstretainersgraduallyintosmallerspace，withoccasionalSabbathglimpsesofthelivingrulersofOldenhurstalreadyinrailed-offexaltation，ithadforcedthemtoacceptOldenhurstasasynonymofeternity，andlefttheknowledgeofahigherPowertowhattimetheyshouldbeturnedouttotheirlongersleepunderthetendergrassofthebeautifulouterchurchyard。
　　Andevenso，whileeverystoneofthepileofOldenhurstandeverytreeinitsleafyparkmighthavebeeneloquentwiththestoryofvanity，selfishness，andunequaljustice，ithadbeenlefttotheinfinitemercyofNaturetosealtheirlipswithaspellofbeautythatleftmankindequallydumb；earth，air，andmoisturehadenteredintoagentleconspiracytosoften，mellow，andclotheitsexternalblemishesofbreachandaccident，itsirregulardesign，itsadditions，accretions，ruins，andlapseswithaharmoniouscharmofoutlineandcolor；poets，romancers，andhistorianshadequallyconspiredtoilluminatethedarkpassagesanduglierinconsistenciesofitsinteriorlifewiththeglamouroftheirownfancy。Thefragmentofmenacingkeep，withitschokedoubliettes，becameaboweroftenderivy；thegrimstoryofitscrimes，properlyeditedbyacontemporarybardofthefamily，passedintoacharmingballad。Eventhesuperstitiousdarknessofitsreligioushousehadescapedthroughfallenroofandshatteredwall，leavingonlythefoliatedandsun-piercedscreenoffront，withitsrose-
　　windowandpinnacleofcrossbehind。Pilgrimsfromalllandshadcometoseeit；fierceRepublicanshadcrossedtheseastogazeatitsmediaevaloutlines，andcopytheminwoodandstuccoontheiryoungersoil。Politicianshadequallypointedtoitasaconvincingevidenceoftheirownprinciplesandinrefutationofeachother；andithadsurvivedboth。Foritwasthisbeliefinitsownperpetuitythatwasitsstrengthandweakness。AndthatbeliefwasneverstrongerthanonthisbrightAugustmorning，whenitwasonthevergeofdissolution。AtelegrambroughttoSirRobertMainwaringhadeventhenascompletelyshatteredanddisintegratedOldenhurst，inallitwasandallitmeant，asifthebrown-paperenvelopehadbeenitselfchargedwiththeelectricfluid。