"Oh，IhadtogivehimsomekindofreasonformybeingalonewhenIdidnotfindyouasIexpected，"shesaidhalfwearily。Thenachangecameoverhertiredface；asmileofmingledaudacityandtentativecoquetrylitupthesmallfeatures。"Perhapsitistrue；
　　perhapsImayhaveahusbandcomingonthesteamer——thatdepends。
　　Sitdown，Jim。”
　　Shelethishanddrop，andpointedtoanarmchairfromwhichshehadjustrisen，andsankdownherselfinacornerofthesofa，herthinfingersplayingwithanddrawingthemselvesthroughthetasselsofthecushion。
　　"Yousee，Jim，assoonasIwasfree，LouisSylvester——yourememberLouisSylvester？——wantedtomarryme，andeventhoughtthathewasthecauseofDick'sdivorcingme。HeactuallywentEasttosettleupsomepropertyhehadlefthimthere，andhe'scomingonthesteamer。”
　　"LouisSylvester!"repeatedReddy，staringather。"Why，hewasabiggerfoolthanIwas，andaworseman!"headdedbitterly。
　　"Ibelievehewas，"saidthelady，smiling，"andIthinkhestillis。But，"sheadded，glancingatReddyunderherlightfringedlids，"you——you'reregularlyreformed，aren'tyou？You'restouter，too，andaltogethermoresolidandcommerciallooking。Yetwho'dhavethoughtofyourkeepingahoteloreverdoinganythingbutspeculateinwild-catorplayatdrawpoker。Howdidyoudriftintoit？Come，tellme!I'mnotMrs。Sylvesterjustyet，andmaybeImightliketogointothebusinesstoo。Youdon'twantapartner，doyou？"
　　Hermannerwaslightandirresponsible，orratheritsuggestedachildlikeputtingofallresponsibilityforheractionsuponothers，whichherememberednowtoowell。Perhapsitwasthiswhichkepthimfromobservingthatthecornersofhersmilinglips，however，twitchedslightly，andthatherfingers，twistingthethreadsofthetassel，wereoccasionallystiffenednervously。Forheburstout:Ohyes；hehaddriftedintoitwhenitwasatossupifitwasn'thisbodyinsteadthatwouldbefounddriftingouttoseafromthefirstwharfofSanFrancisco。Yes，hehadbeenacommonlaborer，——afarmhand，inthosefieldsshehadpassed，——awaiterinthefarmkitchen，andbutforluckhemightbetakingherordersnowinthisveryhotel。Itwasnotherfaultifhewasnotinthegutter。
　　Sheraisedherthinhandwithatiredgestureasiftowardofftheonsetofhiswords。"ThesameoldJim，"sherepeated；"andyetI
　　thoughtyouhadforgottenallthatnow，andbecomecalmerandmoresensiblesinceyouhadtakenfleshandgrownsomatteroffact。
　　Yououghttohaveknownthen，asyouknownow，thatInevercouldhavebeenanythingtoyouaslongasIwastiedtoDick。Andyouknowyouforcedyourpresentsonme，Jim。ItookthemfromYOU
　　becauseIwouldtakenothingfromDick，forIhatedhim。AndI
　　neverknewpositivelythatyouwereinstraitsthen；youknowyoualwaystalkedbig，Jim，andwerealwaysgoingtomakeyourfortunewiththenextthingyouhadinhand!"
　　Itwastrue，andherememberedit。Hehadnotintendedthiskindofrecrimination，buthewasexasperatedwithherweariedacceptanceofhisreproachesandbyasuddenconvictionthathislong-cherishedgrievanceagainsthernowthathehadvoiceditwasinadequate，mean，andtrifling。Yethecouldnothelpsaying:——
　　"ThenyouhadpresentsfromSylvester，too。Ipresumeyoudidnothatehim，either？"
　　"HewouldhavemarriedmethedayafterIgotmydivorce。”
　　"AndsowouldI，"burstoutReddy。
　　Shelookedathimfixedly。"Youwould？"shesaidwithapeculiaremphasis。"Andnow"——
　　Hecolored。IthadbeenpartofhisrevengefulpurposeonseeinghertotellherofhisengagementtoKelly。Henowfoundhimselftongue-tied，irresolute，andashamed。Yethefeltshewasreadinghisinnermostthoughts。
　　She，however，onlyloweredhereyes，andwiththesametiredexpressionsaid:"Nomatternow。Letustalkofsomethingnearer。
　　Thatwastwomonthsago。Andsoyouhavechargeofthishotel!I
　　likeitsomuch。Imeantheplaceitself。IfancyIcouldlivehereforever。Itissofarawayandrestful。Iamsosickoftownsandcities，andpeople。Andthislittlegroveissosecluded。Ifonehadmerelyalittlecottagehere，onemightbesohappy。”
　　Whatdidshemean？——whatdidsheexpect？——whatdidshethinkofdoing？ShemustbegotridofbeforeKelly'sarrival，andyethefoundhimselfwaveringunderherpotentandyetscarcelyexertedinfluence。Thedesperationofweaknessisapttobemorebrutalthanthedeterminationofstrength。Herememberedwhyhehadcomeupstairs，andblurtedout:"Butyoucan'tstayhere。Therulesareverystringentinregardto——tostrangerslikeyourself。Itwillbeknownwhoyoureallyareandwhatpeoplesayofyou。Evenyourdivorcewilltellagainstyou。It'sallwrong，Iknow——butwhatcanIdo？Ididn'tmaketherules。Iamonlyaservantofthelandlord，andmustcarrythemout。”
　　Sheleanedbackagainstthesofaandlaughedsilently。Butshepresentlyrecoveredherself，althoughwiththesameexpressionoffatigue。"Don'tbealarmed，mypoorJim!Ifyoumeanyourfriend，Mr。Woodridge，Iknowhim。Itwashe，himself，whosuggestedmycominghere。Anddon'tmisunderstandhim——normeeither。He'sonlyagoodfriendofSylvester's；theyhadsomespeculationtogether。He'scomingheretoseemeafterLouisarrives。He'swaitinginSanFranciscoforhiswifeanddaughter，whocomeonthesamesteamer。Soyouseeyouwon'tgetintotroubleonmyaccount。
　　Don'tlooksoscared，mydearboy。”
　　"Doesheknowthatyouknewme？"saidReddy，withawhiteface。
　　"Perhaps。Butthenthatwasthreemonthsago，"returnedthelady，smiling，"andyouknowhowyouhavereformedsince，andgrowneversomuchmoresteadyandrespectable。”
　　"Didhetalktoyouofme？"continuedReddy，stillaghast。
　　"Alittle——complimentaryofcourse。Don'tlooksofrightened。I
　　didn'tgiveyouaway。”
　　Herlaughsuddenlyceased，andherfacechangedintoamorenervousactivityassheroseandwenttowardthewindow。Shehadheardthesoundofwheelsoutside——thecoachhadjustarrived。
　　"There'sMr。Woodridgenow，"shesaidinamoreanimatedvoice。
　　"Thesteamermustbein。ButIdon'tseeLouis；doyou？"
　　SheturnedtowhereReddywasstanding，buthewasgone。
　　Themomentaryanimationofherfacechanged。Sheliftedhershoulderswithahalfgestureofscorn，butinthemidstofitsuddenlythrewherselfonthesofa，andburiedherfaceinherhands。
　　Afewmomentselapsedwiththebustleofarrivalinthehallandpassages。Thentherewasahesitatingstepatherdoor。Shequicklypassedherhandkerchiefoverherweteyesandresumedherformerlookofwearyacceptation。Thedooropened。ButitwasMr。
　　Woodridgewhoentered。Theroughshirt-sleevedranchmanhaddeveloped，duringthelastfourmonths，intoanequallybluntbutsoberlydressedproprietor。Hiskeenenergeticface，however，woreanexpressionofembarrassmentandanxiety，withanaddedsuggestionofahalfhumorousappreciationofit。
　　"Iwouldn'thavedisturbedyou，Mrs。Merrydew，"hesaid，withagentlebluntness，"ifIhadn'twantedtoaskyouradvicebeforeI
　　sawReddy。I'mkeepingoutofhiswayuntilIcouldseeyou。I
　　leftNellyandhermotherin'Frisco。There'sbeensomequeergoings-ononthesteamercominghome；Kellyhasspranganewgameonhermother，and——andsuthin'thatlooksasiftheremightbeanewdeal。However，"hereasensethathewas，perhaps，treatinghisstatementtooseriously，stoppedhim，andhesmiledreassuringly，"thatisasmaybe。”
　　"Idon'tknow，"hewenton，"asIevertoldyouanythingaboutmyKellyandReddy，——partik'lerlyaboutKelly。She'sagoodgirl，asquaregirl，butshe'sgotsomeall-firedromanticideasinherhead。Mebbeeitkemfromherreading，mebbeeitkemfromhernotknowingothergirls，orseeingtoomuchofaqueersortofmen；butshegotaninterestinthebadones，andthoughtitwashermissiontoreformthem，——reformthembypurekindness，attentivelittlesisterlyways，andmoralexample。ShefirsttriedherhandonReddy。Whenhefirstkemtoushewas——well，hewasablazin'
　　ruin!Shetookhiminhand，yankedhimouterhimself，puthisfootonthebedrock，andmadehimwhatyouseehimnow。Well——whathappened；why，hegotreg'larlysoftonher；wantedtoMARRYHER，andIagreedconditionally，ofcourse，tokeephimuptothemark。
　　Didyouspeak？"
　　"No，"saidthelady，withherbrighteyesfixeduponhim。
　　"Well，thatwasallwellandgood，andI'dlikedtohavecarriedoutmypartofthecontract，andwaswilling，andamstill。Butyousee，Kelly，aftershe'dlandedReddyonfirmground，gotalittletired，Ireckon，gal-like，ofthethingshe'dworkedsoeasily，andwhenshewentEastshelookedaroundforsomeotherwrecktotryherhandon，andshefounditonthesteamercomingback。Andwhodoyouthinkitwas？Why，ourfriendLouisSylvester!"
　　Mrs。Merrydewsmiledslightly，withherbrighteyesstillonthespeaker。
　　"Well，youknowheISfastattimes——ifheisafriendofmine——andshereg'larlytackledhim；andasmyoldwomansays，itwasasighttoseehergoforhim。ButthenHEdidn'ttumbletoit。No!
　　Reformin'ain'tinHISlineI'mafeard。Andwhatwastheresult？
　　Why，Kellyonlygotallthemorekeenwhenshefoundshecouldn'tmanagehimlikeReddy，——and，betweenyouandme，she'dhavelikedReddymoreifhehadn'tbeensoeasy，——andit'sended，Ireckon，inhernowfallingdeadinlovewithSylvester。Sheswearsshewon'tmarryanyoneelse，andwantstodevoteherwholelifetohim!
　　Now，what'stobedone!Reddydon'tknowityet，andIdon'tknowhowtotellhim。Kellysayshermissionwasendedwhenshemadeanewmanofhim，andheoughterbethankfulforthat。Couldn'tyoukinderbreakthenewstohimandtellhimthereain'tanyshowforhim？"
　　"Doeshelovethegirlsomuch，then？"saidtheladygently。
　　"Yes；butIamafraidthereisnohopeforReddyaslongasshethinksthere'sachanceofhercapturingSylvester。”
　　Theladyroseandwenttothewriting-table。"Woulditbeanycomforttoyou，Mr。Woodridge，ifyouweretoldthatshehadnottheslightestchancewithSylvester？"
　　"Yes。”
　　Shewroteafewlinesonacard，putitinanenvelope，andhandedittoWoodridge。"FindoutwhereSylvesterisinSanFrancisco，andgivehimthatcard。Ithinkitwillsatisfyyou。AndnowasI
　　havetocatchthereturncoachintenminutes，ImustaskyoutoexcusemewhileIputmythingstogether。”
　　"Andyouwon'tfirstbreakthenewstoReddyforme？"
　　"No；andIadviseyoutokeepthewholemattertoyourselfforthepresent。Good-by!"
　　Shesmiledagain，fascinatinglyasusual，but，asitseemedtohim，atriflewearily，andthenpassedintotheinnerroom。Yearsafter，inhispractical，matteroffactrecollectionsofthisstrangewoman，healwaysrememberedherbythissmile。
　　ButshehadsufficientlyimpressedhimbyherpartingadjurationtocausehimtoanswerReddy'seagerinquirieswiththestatementthatKellyandhermotherweregreatlypreoccupiedwithsomefriendsinSanFrancisco，andtospeedilyescapefurtherquestioning。Reddy'sdisappointmentwassomewhatmitigatedbythesimultaneousannouncementofMrs。Merrydew'sdeparture。Buthewasstillmorerelievedandgratifiedtohear，afewdayslater，ofthemarriageofMrs。MerrydewwithLouisSylvester。If，tothegeneralsurpriseandcommentitexcited，hecontributedonlyasmileofcynicaltolerationandsuperiorself-complacency，thereaderwillunderstandandnotblamehim。Nordidthepublic，whoknewtheausterecompletenessofhisreform。NordidMr。Woodridge，whofailedtounderstandtheonlyactorinthislittlecomedywhomightperhapshavedifferedfromthemall。
　　AmonthlaterJamesReddymarriedKellyWoodridge，inthechillylittlechurchatOakdale。Perhapsbythattimeitmighthaveoccurredtohimthatalthoughthefreshnessandfruitionofsummerwereeverywhere，thebuildingseemedtobestillunwarmed。Andwhenhesteppedforthwithhisbride，andglancedacrosstheprosperouslandscapetowardthedistantbayandheadlandsofSanFrancisco，heshiveredslightlyatthedrylypracticalkissofthekeennorthwesternTrades。
　　Buthewasprosperousandcomfortablethereafter，astherespectableownerofbroadlandsandpayingshares。ItwassaidthatMrs。Reddycontributedmuchtothepopularityofthehotelbyhercharmingfreedomfromprejudiceandsympathywithmankind；butthiswasperhapsonlyduetothecontrasttohermoreseriousandattimesabstractedhusband。Atleastthiswasthecharitableopinionoftheproverbiallytolerantandkind-heartedBaronessStreichholzerneeMerrydew，andrelictofthelatelamentedLouisSylvester，Esq。，whomIrecentlyhadthepleasureofmeetingatWiesbaden，wherethewatersandreposefulsurroundingsstronglyremindedherofOakdale。
　　THEHEIROFTHEMcHULISHES。
　　I。
　　TheconsulfortheUnitedStatesofAmericaattheportofSt。
　　Kentigernwassittingaloneinthesettledgloomofhisprivateoffice。Yetitwasonlyhighnoon，ofa"seasonable"winter'sday，bythefaceoftheclockthathunglikeapallidmoononthemurkywalloppositetohim。Whatelsecouldbeseenoftheapartmentbythefaintlightthatstruggledthroughthepalloffogoutsidethelustrelesswindowspresentedtheordinaryaspectofabusinesssanctum。Therewereashelfoffog-boundadmiraltylaw，oneortwocoloredprintsofoceansteamshipsunderfullsteam，bowon，tremendouslyforeshortened，andseemingtoforcethemselvesthroughshadowypartitions；therewereengravingsofLincolnandWashington，asunsubstantialandshadowyasthedeadthemselves。Outside，againstthewindow，whichwasalmostlevelwiththestreet，anoccasionalprocessionofblacksilhouettedfiguresofmenandwomen，withprayer-booksintheirhandsandgloomontheirfaces，seemedtobebornofthefog，andprematurelytoreturntoit。Atwhichaconvictionofsinovercametheconsul。HerememberedthatitwastheSabbathday，andthathehadnobusinesstobeattheconsulateatall。
　　Unfortunately，withthisshamefulconvictioncamethesoundofabellringingsomewhereinthedepthsofthebuilding，andtheshufflingoffeetontheoutersteps。Thelightofhisfirehadevidentlybeenseen，andlikeabeaconhadattractedsomewanderingandpossiblyintoxicatedmarinerwithAmericanpapers。Theconsulwalkedintothehallwithasuddenrighteousfrigidityofmanner。
　　Itwasonethingtobelounginginone'sownofficeontheSabbathday，andquiteanothertobedeliberatelycallingthereonbusiness。
　　Heopenedthefrontdoor，andamiddle-agedmanentered，accompanyingandpartlyshovingforwardamorediffidentandyoungerone。
　　Neitherappearedtobeasailor，althoughbothweredressedinthatdingyrespectabilityandremotenessoffashionaffectedbysecondandthirdmateswhenashore。Theywerealreadywellinthehall，andmakingtheirwaytowardtheprivateoffice，whentheeldermansaid，withanairofcasualexplanation，"Lookin'fortheAmericanconsul；Ireckonthisyer'stheconsulate？"
　　"Itistheconsulate，"saidtheofficialdryly，"andIamtheconsul；but"——
　　"That'sallright，"interruptedthestranger，pushingpasthim，andopeningthedooroftheprivateoffice，intowhichheshovedhiscompanion。"Tharnow!"hecontinuedtothediffidentyouth，pointingtoachair，andquiteignoringthepresenceoftheconsul；
　　"thar'sabitofAmerica。Sitdownthar。You'reundertheflagnow，andcandoasyoudarnplease。”Nevertheless，helookedalittledisappointedasheglancedaroundhim，asifhehadexpectedadifferentenvironmentandpossiblyadifferentclimate。
　　"Ipresume，"saidtheconsulsuavely，"youwishtoseemeonsomeurgentmatter；foryouprobablyknowthattheconsulateisclosedonSundaytoordinarybusiness。Iamheremyselfquiteaccidentally。”
　　"Thenyoudon'tlivehere？"saidthevisitordisappointedly。
　　"No。”
　　"Ireckonthat'sthereasonwhywedidn'tseenoflaga-flyin'whenwewasa-huntin'thisplaceyesterday。Weweredirectedhere，butIsaystoMalcolm，saysI，'No；itain'there，oryou'dseetheStarsandStripesaforeyou'dseeanythin'else。'ButIreckonyoufloatitoveryourhouse，eh？"
　　TheconsulhereexplainedsmilinglythathedidNOTflyaflagoverhislodgings，andthatexceptonnationalholidaysitwasnotcustomarytodisplaythenationalensignontheconsulate。
　　"Thenyoucan'tdohere——andyouaCONSUL——whatanyniggercandointheStates，eh？That'sabouthowitpansout，don'tit？ButI
　　didn'tthinkYOU'Dtumbletoitquitesoquick，Jack。”
　　AtthismentionofhisChristianname，theconsulturnedsharplyonthespeaker。Acloserscrutinyofthefacebeforehimendedwithaflashofreminiscence。Thefogwithoutandwithinseemedtomeltaway；hewasstandingoncemoreonaWesternhillsidewiththisman；ahundredmilesofsparklingsunshineandcrisp，dryairstretchingaroundhim，andaboveablueandarchedskythatroofedthethirdofacontinentwithsixmonths'summer。Andthenthefogseemedtocomebackheavierandthickertohisconsciousness。Heemotionallystretchedouthishandtothestranger。Butitwasthefogandhispersonalsurroundingswhichnowseemedtobeunreal"Whyit'sHarryCuster!"hesaidwithalaughthat，however，endedinasigh。"Ididn'trecognizeyouinthishalflight。”Hethenglancedcuriouslytowardthediffidentyoungman，asiftoidentifyanotherpossibleoldacquaintance。
　　"Well，Ispottedyoufromthefirst，"saidCuster，"thoughIain'tseenyousincewewereinScott'sCamptogether。That'stenyearsago。You'relookin'atHIM，"hecontinued，followingtheconsul'swanderingeye。"Well，it'sabouthimthatIcametoseeyou。Thisyer'saMcHulish——agenuineMcHulish!"
　　Hepaused，asiftogiveeffecttothisstatement。Butthenameapparentlyofferednothrillingsuggestiontotheconsul，whoregardedtheyoungmancloselyforfurtherexplanation。Hewasafair-facedyouthofabouttwentyyears，withpalereddish-browneyes，darkhairreddishattheroots，andasingularwhiteandpinkwaxinessofovalcheek，which，however，narrowedsuddenlyattheangleofthejaw，andfellawaywiththeretreatingchin。
　　"Yes，"continuedCuster；"IoughtersaytheONLYMcHulish。Heisthedirectheir——andofroyaldescent!He'soneofthemMcHulisheswhosenameinthemoldhistorytimeswasenoughtowhoopuptheboysandmake'empaintthetownred。Aregularcampaignboomer——
　　theoldMcHulishwas。Stumpspeechesandbrass-bandswarn'tinitwiththeboyswhenHEwasaround。They'dgotheirbottomdollarandlastcartridge——ifthey'dhadcartridgesinthemdays——onhim。
　　ThatwastheregularMcHulishgait。AndMalcolmthere'sthelastof'em——gotthesamestyleoffeatures，too。”
　　Ludicrousasthesituationwas，itstrucktheconsuldimly，asthroughfoganddarkness，thatthefeaturesoftheyoungmanwerenotunfamiliar，andindeedhadlookedoutuponhimdimlyandvaguelyatvarioustimes，fromvarioushistoriccanvases。Itwasthefaceofcomplacentfatuity，incompetency，andinconstancy，whichhaddraggeddownstrength，competency，andconstancytoitsownidioticfateandlevels，——afaceforwhoseweaknessesvalorandbeautyhadnotonlysacrificedthemselves，butmadethingsequallyunpleasanttoagreatmanyminorvirtues。Nevertheless，theconsul，withanamusedsenseofitsridiculousincongruitytothegrimScottishSabbathprocessioninthestreet，andthefog-boundvolumesofadmiraltylawintheroom，smiledaffably。
　　"Ofcourseouryoungfriendhasnodesiretotestthemagicofhisnamehere，inthesedegeneratedays。”
　　"No，"saidCustercomplacently；"thoughbetweenyouandme，oldman，there'salwaysnotellin'whatmightturnupoverinthisyermonarchy。Thingsofcoursearedifferentoverourway。ButjestnowMalcolmwillbesatisfiedtotakethetitleandpropertytowhichhe'srightfulheir。”
　　Theconsul'sfacefell。Alas!itwasonlytheold，oldstory。Itsendlessrepetitionsandvariationshadbeenfamiliartohimeveninhisyouthandinhisownland。"Efthatmanhadhisrights，"hadoncebeenpointedouttohiminawildWesterncamp，"he'dbenowsittin'inscarletontherightoftheQueenofEngland!"Thegentlemanwhowasindicatedinthisapocalypticalvision，itappeared，simplyboreasingularlikenesstoareigningHanoverianfamily，whichforsomeunexplainedreasonhehadcontentedhimselfwithbearingwithfortitudeandpatience。Butitwasinhisofficialcapacitythattheconsul'sexperiencehadbeenthemosttrying。AttimesithadseemedtohimthatmuchoftherealpropertyandpeerageofGreatBritainwastheinheritedrightofpennilessAmericanrepublicanswhohadhithertorefrainedfrompresentingtheirlegalclaims，andthatthehabitualfirstdutyofgenerationsofBritishnoblemenoncomingintotheirestatesandtitleswastoshiptheirheirsandnextofkintoAmerica，andthenforgetallaboutthem。Hehadlistenedpatientlytoclaimstopositionsmoreorlessexalted，——claimsoftenpresentedwithingenuoussophistryorpatheticsimplicity，prosecutedwithgreatgoodhumor，andabandonedwithinvinciblecheerfulness；buttheyseldomculminatedmoreseriouslythaninthedisbursementofafewdollarsbytheconsultoenabletherightfulownerofmillionstoprocureasteeragepassagebacktohispreviousdemocraticretirement。Therehadbeenothers，lesssincerebutmorepretentiousinquality，towhom，however，alettertotheHeralds'
　　CollegeinLondonwasallsufficient，andwho，onpaymentofvariousfeesandemoluments，wereenabledtostaggerbacktoNewYorkorBostonwithcertainunclaimedandforgottenluggagewhichamoregallantancestorhadscornedtobringwithhimintothenewlife，orhadthrownasideinhisunduehastetomakethemcitizensoftherepublic。Still，allthishadgrownmonotonousandwearisome，andwasdisappointingascomingthroughtheinterventionofanoldfriendwhooughttoknowbetter。
　　"Ofcourseyouhavealreadyhadlegalopiniononthesubjectoverthere，"saidtheconsul，withasigh，"buthere，youknow，yououghtfirsttogetsomeprofessionaladvicefromthoseacquaintedwithScotchprocedure。Butperhapsyouhavethattoo。”
　　"No，"saidCustercheerfully。"Why，itain'tonlytwomonthsagothatIfirstsawMalcolm。TumbledoverhimonhisownfarmjestoutofMacCorkleville，Kentucky，whereheandhisfathersbeforehimhadbeenlivin'nighahundredyears——yes，AHUNDREDYEARS，byJove!eversincetheyfirstemigratedtothecountry。Hadatalkoverit；sawanoldBibleaboutasbigandasusedupasthat，"——
　　liftingthewell-wornconsularBible，——"withdatesinit，andheardthewholestory。Andhereweare。”
　　"Andyouhaveconsultednolawyer？"gaspedtheconsul。
　　"TheMcHulishes，"saidanunexpectedvoicethatsoundedthinandfeminine，"nevertookanylegaldecision。FromthecraggysummitsofGlenCrankieheliftedthebannerofhisforefathers，orraisedthewar-cry，'Hulishdhu，ieroe!'fromthebattlementsofCraigiedurrach。Andtheclangatheredroundhimwithshoutsthatrenttheair。Thatwasthewayofitinoldtimes。Andtheboyswhoopedhimupandstoodbyhim。”Itwasthediffidentyoungmanwhohadhalfspoken，halfrecited，withanoddenthusiasmthateventheculminatingslangcouldnotmakeconventional。
　　"That'saboutthesizeofit，"saidCuster，leaningbackinhischaireasilywithanapprovingglanceattheyoungman。"AndI
　　don'tknowifthatain'tthewaytoworkthethingnow。”
　　Theconsulstaredhopelesslyfromtheonetotheother。Ithadalwaysseemedpossiblethatthisdreadfulmaniamightdevelopintoactualinsanity，andhehadlittledoubtbutthattheyoungerman'sbrainwasslightlyaffected。Butthisdidnotaccountforthedelusionandexpectationsoftheelder。HarryCuster，astheconsulrememberedhim，wasalevel-headed，practicalminer，whoseleaningtoadventureandexcitementhadnotpreventedhimfrombeingacoolspeculator，andhehadamassedmorethanacompetencybyreasonofhisjudiciousforesightandpromptaction。Yethewasevidentlyundertheglamourofthismadman，althoughoutwardlyaslazilyself-containedasever。
　　"Doyoumeantotellme，"saidtheconsulinasuppressedvoice，"thatyoutwohavecomehereequippedonlywithastatementoffactsandafamilyBible，andthatyouexpecttotakeadvantageofafeudalenthusiasmwhichnolongerexists——andperhapsneverdidexistoutofthepagesofromance——asameansofclaimingestateswhosetitleshavelongsincebeensettledbylaw，andcanbeclaimedonlyunderthattenure？SurelyIhavemisunderstoodyou。
　　Youcannotbeinearnest。”
　　"HonestInjun，"saidCuster，noddinghisheadlazily。"Wemeanit，butnotjestthatwayyou'veputit。F'rinstance，itain'tonlyustwo。Thisyerthing，olepard，we'rerunnin'asasyndicate。”
　　"Asyndicate？"echoedtheconsul。
　　"Asyndicate，"repeatedCuster。"HalftheboysthatwereatEagleCampareinit，andtwoofMalcolm'sneighborsfromKentucky——theregularoldScotchbreedlikehimself；foryouknowthatMacCorkleCountywassettledbythemoldScotchCovenanters，andthefolksareScotchPresbyterianstothisday。Andforthematterofthat，theEagleboysthatareinitareofScotchdescent，orakindofblend，youknow；infact，I'mhalfScotchmyself——orIrish，"headdedthoughtfully。"Soyouseethatsettlesyourargumentaboutanylocalopinion，forifthemScotsdon'tknowtheirownpeople，whodoes？"
　　"MayIask，"saidtheconsul，withadesperateattempttopreservehiscomposure，"whatyouareproposingtodo？"
　　"Well，"saidCuster，settlinghimselfcomfortablybackinhischairagain，"thatdepends。DoyourememberthetimethatwejumpedthemMexicanclaimsontheNorthFork——thetimethemgreaserswantedtotakeinthewholeriver-bankbecausethey'dfoundgoldononeoftheupperbars？Seemstomewejestwentpeaceful-likeoverthereonemoonshinynight，andtookupTHEIRstakesandsetdownOURS。
　　SeemstomeYOUwereoneoftheparty。”
　　"Thatwasinourowncountry，"returnedtheconsulhastily，"andwasanindefensibleact，eveninalawlessfrontiercivilization。
　　ButyouaresurelynotmadenougheventoconceiveofsuchathingHERE!"
　　"Keepyourhairon，Jack，"saidCusterlazily。"What'sthematterwithconstitutionalmethods，eh？Doyourememberthetimewhenwedidn'tlikePueblorules，andwelaidoutEurekaCityontheirlines，andwhoopeduptheMexicansanddiggerstoelectmayorandaldermen，andputthecityfrontonJuanitaCreek，andthencorraleditforwaterlots？Seemstomeyouwerecountyclerkthen。Nowwho'stokeepDickMacgregorandJoeHamilton，thatarebothuptheNilenow，fromdroppin'inoverheretoseeMalcolminhisownhouse？Who'sgoin'toobjecttoWallaceorBaird，whoareonthisside，doin'theEytalianlakes，fromcomin'hereontheirwayhome；orWatsonandMooreandTimley，thatarelivin'overinParis，fromjoinin'theboysingivin'Malcolmahousewarmin'inhisoldhome？What'stokeepthewholesyndicatefromgatherin'atKelpieIslanduphereoffthewestcoast，amongthetombsofMalcolm'sancestors，andfixin'upthingsgenerallywiththeclan？"
　　"Onlyonething，"saidtheconsul，withagravitywhichheneverthelessfeltmightbeamistakenattitude。"Youshouldn'thavetoldMEaboutit。Forif，asyouroldfriend，Icannotkeepyoufromcommittinganunconceivablefolly，astheAmericanconsulhereitwillbemyfirstdutytogivenoticetoourlegation，andperhapswarntheauthorities。AndyoumaybesureIwilldoit。”
　　TohissurpriseCusterleanedforwardandpressedhishandwithanexpressionofcheerfulrelief。"That'sso，oldpard；Ireckonedonit。Infact，ItoldMalcolmthatthatwouldbeaboutyourgait。
　　Ofcourseyoucouldn'tdootherwise。Anditwouldhavebeenplayin'itratherlowdownonyoutohaveleftyououtinthecold——
　　withoutevenTHATshowinthegame。Forwhatyouwilldoinwarnin'theotherfellows，don'tyousee，willjustwakenuptheclan。It'sbetterthanacampaigncircular。”
　　"Don'tbetoosureofthat，"saidtheconsul，withahalf-
　　hystericallaugh。"Butwewon'tconsidersolamentableacontingency。Comeanddinewithme，bothofyou，andwe'lldiscusstheonlythingworthdiscussing，——yourLEGALrights，——andyoucantellmeyourwholestory，which，bytheway，Ihaven'theard。”
　　"Sorry，Jack，butitcan'tbedone，"saidCuster，withhisfirstapproachtoseriousnessofmanner。"Yousee，we'dmadeupourmindnottocomehereagainafterthisfirstcall。Weain'tgoin'tocompromiseyou。”
　　"Iamthebestjudgeofthat，"returnedtheconsuldryly。Thensuddenlychanginghismanner，hegraspedCuster'shandswithbothhisown。"Come，Harry，"hesaidearnestly；"Iwillnotbelievethatthisisnotajoke，butIbegofyoutopromisemeonething，——
　　donotmoveastepfurtherinthismatterwithoutlegalcounsel。
　　Iwillgiveyoualettertoalegalfriendofmine——amanofaffairs，amanoftheworld，andaScotastypical，perhaps，asanyyouhavementioned。StateyourLEGALcasetohim——onlythat；buthisopinionwillshowyoualso，ifIamnotmistaken，thefollyofyourdependinguponanysectionalorhistoricalsentimentinthismatter。”
　　Withoutwaitingforareply，hesatdownandhastilywroteafewlinestoafriendlylocalmagnate。WhenhehadhandedthenotetoCuster，thelatterlookedattheaddress，andshowedittohisyoungcompanion。
　　"Samename，isn'tit？"heasked。
　　"Yes，"respondedMr。McHulish。
　　"Doyouknowhim？"askedtheconsul，evidentlysurprised。
　　"Wedon't，buthe'safriendofoneoftheEagleboys。Ireckonwewouldhaveseenhimanyhow；butwe'llagreewithyoutoholdonuntilwedo。It'sago。Goodby，oldpard!Solong。”
　　Theybothshooktheconsul'shand，anddeparted，leavinghimstaringatthefogintowhichtheyhadmeltedasiftheywereunrealshadowsofthepast。
　　II。
　　Thenextmorningthefoghadgivenwaytoapalpable，horizontallydrivingrain，whichwettheinsideaswellastheoutsideofumbrellas，andcausedthemtobepresentedateveryconceivableangleastheydriftedpastthewindowsoftheconsulate。Therewasatapatthedoor，andaclerkentered。
　　"YewillbeintoSirJamesMacFen？"
　　Theconsulnodded，andadded，"Showhiminhere。”
　　Itwasthemagnatetowhomhehadsentthenotethepreviousday，amanoflargeyetslowandcautiousnature，learnedandevenpedantic，yetfar-sightedandpractical；veryhumanandheartyinsocialintercourse，which，however，lefthimasitfoundhim，——withnosentimentalorunbusiness-likeentanglements。Theconsulhadknownhimsensibleandsturdyatboardmeetingsandexecutivecouncils；logicalandconvincingatpoliticalgatherings；decorousandgraveinthekirk；andhumorousandjovialatfestivities，whereperhapslaterintheevening，incompanywithothers，handswereclaspedoveralibationlyricallydefinedasa"rightguidwilliewaught。”Ononeoftheseoccasionstheyhadwalkedhometogether，notwithoutsomeostentationofsteadiness；yetwhenMacFen'seminentlyrespectablefrontdoorhadcloseduponhim，theconsulwasperfectlysatisfiedthatadistinctlyproperandunswervingmanofbusinesswouldissuefromitthenextmorning。
　　"Ay，butit'sasoftday，"saidSirJames，removinghisgloves。
　　"Ye'llnotbegaddingaboutinthisweather。”
　　"Yougotmynoteofintroduction，Isuppose？"saidtheconsul，whenthemomentoustopicoftheweatherwasexhausted。
　　"Oh，ay。”
　　"Andyousawthegentlemen？"
　　"Ay。”
　　"Andwhat'syouropinionof——hisclaims？"
　　"He'safinelad——thatMalcolm——afinetypeofalad，"saidSirJames，withanalmosttooeffusiveconfidence。"Ye'llbethinkingsoyourself——nodoubt？Ay，it'swonderfultoconsiderthepreservationoftypesolongafteritsdispersalinotherlands。
　　Andit'sastrangeandwonderfulcountrythatofyours，withitsplantations——asonemightsay——ofhomogeneityunimpairedforsomanyyears，andkeepingtheoldfaithtoo——andallitsstrangesurvivals。Ay，andthatKentucky，wherehislandis——itwillbearichState!It'sveryinstructingandinterestingtohearhisaccountofthatremarkableregiontheycall'thebluegrasscountry，'andthestocktheyraisethere。I'mobligedtoye，myfriend，foramostedifyingandimprovingevening。”
　　"Buthisclaim——didhenotspeakofthat？"
　　"Oh，ay。AndthatMr。Custer——he'sagrandman，andanamusingone。Ye'llbegreatcomrades，youandhe!Man!itwasdelightfultohearhimtelloftheraredoingsandthebitfunyetwohadintheoldtimes。Eh，sir，butwho'dthinkthatoftheproperAmericanconsulatSt。Kentigern!"AndSirJamesleanedbackinhischair，andbestowedanadmiringsmileonthatofficial。
　　Theconsulthoughthebegantounderstandthisevasion。"Thenyoudon'tthinkmuchofMr。McHulish'sclaim？"hesaid。
　　"I'mnotsayingthat。”
　　"ButdoyoureallythinkaclaimbaseduponafamilyBibleandafamilylikenessasubjectforseriousconsideration？"
　　"I'mnotsayingTHATeither，laddie。”
　　"Perhapshehasconfidedtoyoumorefullythanhehastome，orpossiblyyouyourselfknewsomethingincorroborationofhisfacts。”
　　Hiscompanionhadevidentlynodesiretobecommunicative。Buttheconsulhadheardenoughtofeelthathewasjustifiedinleavingthematterinhishands。Hehadgivenhimfairwarning。Yet，nevertheless，hewouldbeevenmoreexplicit。
　　"Idonotknow，"hebegan，"whetherthisyoungMcHulishconfidedtoyouhisgreatrelianceuponsomepeculiareffectofhispresenceamongthetenants，andofestablishinghisclaimtothepropertybyexcitingtheenthusiasmoftheclan。Itcertainlystruckmethathehadsomeratherexaggeratedideas，borrowed，perhaps，fromromanceshe'dread，likeDonQuixotehisbooksofchivalry。Heseemstobelieveintheexistenceofaclanloyalty，andtheactualsurvivalofoldfeudalinstinctsandofoldfeudalmethodsintheHighlands。HeappearstolookuponhimselfasakindoflocalPrinceCharlie，and，byJove!I'veanideahe'salmostascrazy。”
　　"Andwhyshouldhenabelieveinhisownkithandkin？"saidSirJames，quickly，withasuddenringinhisvoice，andadialecticalfreedomquitedistinctfromhisformerdeliberateandcautiousutterance。"TheMcHulisheswerechieftainsbeforeAmericawasdiscovered，andmany'sthetimetheyoverrantheborderbeforetheywentasfarasthat。Ifthere'sanythinginbloodandloyalty，itwouldbestrangeiftheydidnarespond。AndIcantellye，mafrien'，there'smoreintheHielandsthanany'romancer，'asyecallthem，——ay，evenScotthissel'，andhewasbutanEdinboro'
　　man，——everdreamedof。Don'tfashyoursel'aboutthat。Andyouandme'llnotagreeaboutPrinceCharlie。SomedayI'lltellye，mafrien'，mairabootthatbonnieladdiethanye'llgatherfromyourpartisanhistorians。Untilthenye'llbewisewhenye'llbetalkingtoScotchmennottobeexpressingyourSouthernprejudices。”
　　Intenselysurprisedandamusedatthissuddenoutbreakofenthusiasmonthepartoftheusuallycautiouslawyer，theconsulcouldnotrefrainfromaccentingitbyamarkedreturntopracticalbusiness。
　　"IshallbedelightedtolearnmoreaboutPrinceCharlie，"hesaid，smiling，"butjustnowhisprototype——ifyou'llallowmetocallhimso——isanearertopic，andforthepresent，atleastuntilheassumehisnewtitlesanddignities，hasarighttoclaimmyprotection，andIamresponsibleforhimasanAmericancitizen。
　　Now，mydearfriend，istherereallyanyproperty，land，ortitleofanyimportanceinvolvedinhisclaim，andwhatandwhere，inHeaven'sname，isit？ForIassureyouIknownothingpracticalaboutit，andcannotmakeheadortailofit。”
　　SirJamesresumedhisslowserenity，andgathereduphisgloves。
　　"Ay，there'sagreatdeer-forestinBallochbrinkie，andthere'spartofLochPhillibeginCairngormshire，andthere'sKelpieIslandoffMoreovershire。Ay，there'senoughlandwhenthecroftersareclearedoff，andthesmallsheep-tenantsevicted。Itwillbeagrandpropertythen。”
　　Theconsulstared。"Thecroftersandtenantsevicted!"herepeated。"Aretheynotpartoftheclan，andloyaltotheMcHulish？"
　　"TheMcHulish，"saidSirJameswithgreatdeliberation，"hasn'tsetfootthereforyears。They'dbeburninghimineffigy。”
　　"But，"saidtheastonishedconsul，"that'sratherbadfortheexpectantheir——andthemagicoftheMcHulishpresence。”
　　"I'mnotsayingthat，"returnedSirJamescautiously。"Yeseehecanbemakingbetterarrangementswiththefamilyonaccountofit。”
　　"Withthefamily？"repeatedtheconsul。"Thendoeshetalkofcompromising？"
　　"Imeantheywouldbemorelikelytosellforafairconsideration，andhe'dbebetterpayingmoneytothemthanthelawyers。Thesyndicatewillberich，eh？AndI'mnotsayingtheMcHulishwouldn'ttakeKentuckylandsinexchange。It'safinecountry，thatbluegrassdistrict。”
　　TheconsulstaredatSirJamessolongthatafaintsmilecameintothelatter'sshrewdeyes；atwhichtheconsulsmiled，too。Avagueairofreliefandunderstandingseemedtofilltheapartment。
　　"Oh，ay，"continuedSirJames，drawingonhisgloveswitheasydeliberation，"he'safineladthatMalcolm，andit'sapraiseworthyinstinctinhimtowishtoreturntothelandofhisforebears，andtakehisplaceagainamongthem。AndI'mnoticing，Mr。Consul，thatagreatmanyofyourcountrymenaredoingthesame。Eh，yoursisagran'countryofprogressandceevelandreligiousliberty，butfora'that，asBurnssays，it'sinyourbloodtoturntotheauldhomeagain。Andit'safinethingtohavethemoneytodoit——and，I'mthinking，moneywellspentallaround。Good-morning。Eh，butI'mforgettingthatIwantedtoaskyoutodinewithmeandMalcolm，andyourMr。Custer，andMr。
　　Watson，whowillbeoneofyoursyndicate，andwhomIoncemetabroad。Butye'llgetabitnoteofinvitation，withtheday，frommelater。”
　　TheconsulrememberedthatCusterhadsaidthatoneofthe"Eagleboys"hadknownSirJames。ThiswasevidentlyWatson。Hesmiledagain，butthistimeSirJamesrespondedonlyinageneralsortofway，ashegeniallybowedhimselfoutoftheroom。
　　Theconsulwatchedhissolidandeminentlyrespectablefigureasitpassedthewindow，andthenreturnedtohisdesk，stillsmiling。
　　Firstofallhewasrelieved。Whathadseemedtohimawildandrecklessenterprise，withpossiblysomegriminternationalcomplicationsonthepartofhiscompatriots，hadsimplyresolveditselfintoanordinarybusinessspeculation——theethicsofwhichtheyhadprettyequallydividedwiththelocaloperators。Ifanything，itseemedthattheScotchmanwouldgetthebestofthebargain，andthat，foronceatleast，hiscountrymenweredeficientinforesight。Butthatwasamatterbetweentheparties，andCusterhimselfwouldprobablybethefirsttoresentanysuggestionofthekindfromtheconsul。ThevisionoftheMcHulishburnedineffigybyhisdevotedtenantsandretainers，andthethoughtthattheprosaicdollarsofhiscountrymenwouldbesubstitutedforthepotentpresenceoftheheir，tickled，itistobefeared，thesaturninehumoroftheconsul。HehadtakenaninvincibledisliketothecallowrepresentativeoftheMcHulish，whohefelthadinsomeextraordinarywayimposeduponCuster'scredulity。ButthenhehadapparentlyimposedequallyuponthepracticalSirJames。
　　ThethoughtofthisshamidealoffeudalandprivilegedincompetencybeingelevatedtoactualpositionbythecombinedeffortsofAmericanrepublicansandhard-headedScotchdissenters，onwhomthesoftScotchmistsfellfromabovewithequalimpartiality，struckhimasbeingveryamusing，andforsometimethereafterlightenedtherespectablegloomofhisoffice。OtherengagementspreventedhisattendanceatSirJames'sdinner，althoughhewasinformedafterwardthatithadpassedoffwithgreateclat，thelatersingingof"AuldlangSyne，"andthedrinkingofthehealthofCusterandMalcolmwith"Hielandhonors。”HelearnedalsothatSirJameshadinvitedCusterandMalcolmtohislacustrinecountry-seatintheearlyspring。ButhelearnednothingmoreoftheprogressofMalcolm'sclaim，itsdetails，orthemannerinwhichitwasprosecuted。Nooneelseseemedtoknowanythingaboutit；itfoundnoechointhegossipoftheclubs，orinthenewspapersofSt。
　　Kentigern。Intheabsenceofthepartiesconnectedwithit，itbegantoassumetohimtheaspectofahalf-humorousromance。Heoftenfoundhimselfwonderingiftherehadbeenanyotherpurposeinthisquestorspeculationthanwhathadappearedonthesurface，itseemedsoinadequateinresult。Itwouldhavebeensoperfectlyeasyforawealthysyndicatetobuyupamuchmorevaluableestate。
　　HedisbelievedutterlyinthesincerityofMalcolm'ssentimentalattitude。Theremustbesomeotherreason——perhapsnotknowneventothesyndicate。
　　Onedayhethoughtthathehadfoundit。Hehadreceivedanoteaddressedfromoneoftheprincipalhotels，butbearingalargepersonalcrestonpaperandenvelope。AMissKirkby，passingthroughSt。KentigernonherwaytoEdinburgh，desiredtoseetheconsulthenextday，ifhewouldappointanhourattheconsulate；
　　or，ashertimewaslimited，shewouldtakeitasagreatfavorifhewouldcallatherhotel。Althoughacountrywoman，hernamemightnotbesowellknowntohimasthoseofher"oldfriends"
　　HarryCuster，Esq。，andSirMalcolmMcHulish。Theconsulwasalittlesurprised；theuseofthetitle——unlessitreferredtosomeotherMcHulish——wouldseemtoindicatethatMalcolm'sclaimwassuccessful。Hehad，however，nopreviousknowledgeofthetitleof"Sir"inconnectionwiththeestate，anditwasprobablethathisfaircorrespondent——likemostofhercountrywomen——wasmoreappreciativethancorrectinherbestowalofdignities。Hedeterminedtowaivehisordinarybusinessrules，andtocalluponheratonce，accepting，asbecamehispatriotism，thatcharmingtyrannywhichtheAmericanwomanusuallyreservesexclusivelyforherdevotedcountrymen。