ThenfollowedtoClarencethreeuneventfulyears。DuringthatintervalhelearntthatJacksonBrant，orDonJuanRobinson——forthetieofkinshipwastheleastfactorintheirrelationstoeachother，andafterthedepartureofFlynnwastacitlyignoredbyboth——wasmoreSpanishthanAmerican。AnearlyresidenceinLowerCalifornia，marriagewitharichMexicanwidow，whosedyingchildlesslefthimsoleheir，andsomestrangerestrainingidiosyncrasyoftemperamenthadquitedenationalizedhim。A
　　bookishrecluse，somewhatsuperfastidioustowardshisowncountrymen，themoreClarenceknewhimthemoresingularappearedhisacquaintancewithFlynn；butashedidnotexhibitmorecommunicativenessonthispointthanupontheirownkinship，Clarencefinallyconcludedthatitwasduetothedominantcharacterofhisformerfriend，andthoughtnomoreaboutit。HeentereduponthenewlifeatElRefugiowithnodisturbingpast。
　　Quicklyadaptinghimselftothelazyfreedomofthishaciendaexistence，hespentthemorningsonhorsebackrangingthehillsamonghiscousin'scattle，andtheafternoonsandeveningsbusiedamonghiscousin'sbookswithequallylawlessandundisciplinedindependence。Theeasy-goingDonJuan，itistrue，attemptedtomakegoodhisrashpromisetoteachtheboySpanish，andactuallysethimafewtasks；butinafewweeksthequick-wittedClarenceacquiredsuchacolloquialproficiencyfromhiscasualacquaintancewithvaquerosandsmalltradersthathewasgladtoleavethematterinhisyoungkinsman'shands。Again，byoneofthoseillogicalsequenceswhichmakealifelongreputationdependuponasingletrivialact，Clarence'ssocialstatuswassettledforeveratElRefugioRanchobyhispicturesquediversionofFlynn'spartinggift。Thegratefulpeontowhomtheboyhadscornfullytossedthecoinrepeatedtheact，gesture，andspiritofthescenetohiscompanion，andDonJuan'sunknownandyouthfulrelationwasatoncerecognizedashijodelafamilia，andundeniablyahidalgobornandbred。ButinthemorevividimaginationoffeminineElRefugiotheincidentreacheditshighestpoeticform。"Itistrue，MotherofGod，"saidChuchaoftheMill；"itwasDomingowhohimselfrelatesitasitweretheCreed。WhentheAmericanescorthadarrivedwiththeyounggentleman，thisescort，lookyou，beingnotofthesamequality，heisdepartingagainwithoutawordofpermission。Comestohimatthismomentmylittlehidalgo。'Youhaveyourselfforgottentotakefrommeyourdemission，'hesaid。Thisescort，thinkingtomakehispeacewithameremuchacho，givestohimagoldpieceoftwentypesos。ThelittlehidalgohastakenitSO，andwiththewords，'Ah!youwouldmakeofmeyouralmonertomycousin'speople，'hasgivenitatthemomenttoDomingo，andwithagraceandfireadmirable。"ButitiscertainthatClarence'ssingularsimplicityandtruthfulness，afacultyofbeingpicturesquelyindolentinawaythatsuggestedadreamyabstractionofmindratherthananyvulgartendencytobodilyeaseandcomfort，andpossiblythefactthathewasagoodhorseman，madehimapopularheroatElRefugio。AttheendofthreeyearsDonJuanfoundthatthisinexperiencedandapparentlyidleboyoffourteenknewmoreofthepracticalrulingoftheranchothanhedidhimself；alsothatthisunletteredyoungrustichaddevourednearlyallthebooksinhislibrarywithboyishrecklessnessofdigestion。
　　Hefound，too，thatinspiteofhissingularindependenceofaction，Clarencewaspossessedofaninvincibleloyaltyofprinciple，andthat，askingnosentimentalaffection，andindeedyieldingnone，hewas，withoutpresumingonhisrelationship，devotedtohiscousin'sinterest。Itseemedthatfrombeingaglancingrayofsunshineinthehouse，evasivebutneverobtrusive，hehadbecomeadailynecessityofcomfortandsecuritytohisbenefactor。
　　Clarencewas，however，astonished，when，onemorning，DonJuan，withthesameembarrassedmannerhehadshownattheirfirstmeeting，suddenlyaskedhim，"whatbusinessheexpectedtofollow。"
　　Itseemedthemoresingular，asthespeaker，likemostabstractedmen，hadhithertoalwaysstudiouslyignoredthefuture，intheirdailyintercourse。Yetthismighthavebeeneitherthehabitofsecurityorthecautionofdoubt。Whateveritwas，itwassomesuddendisturbanceofDonJuan'sequanimity，asdisconcertingtohimselfasitwastoClarence。Soconsciouswastheboyofthisthat，withoutreplyingtohiscousin'squestion，butstrivinginvaintorecallsomedelinquencyofhisown，heasked，withhisusualboyishdirectness——
　　"Hasanythinghappened?HaveIdoneanythingwrong?"
　　"No，no，"returnedDonJuanhurriedly。"But，yousee，it'stimethatyoushouldthinkofyourfuture——oratleastprepareforit。
　　Imeanyououghttohavesomemoreregulareducation。Youwillhavetogotoschool。It'stoobad，"headdedfretfully，withacertainimpatientforgetfulnessofClarence'spresence，andasiffollowinghisownthought。"Justasyouarebecomingofservicetome，andjustifyingyourridiculouspositionhere——andallthisd——dnonsensethat'sgonebefore——Imean，ofcourse，Clarence，"heinterruptedhimself，catchingsightoftheboy'swhiteningcheekanddarkeningeye，"Imean，youknow——thisridiculousnessofmykeepingyoufromschoolatyourage，andtryingtoteachyoumyself——don'tyousee。"
　　"Youthinkitis——ridiculous，"repeatedClarence，withdoggedpersistency。
　　"ImeanIamridiculous，"saidDonJuanhastily。"There!there!
　　let'ssaynomoreaboutit。To-morrowwe'llrideovertoSanJoseandseetheFatherSecretaryattheJesuits'Collegeaboutyourenteringatonce。It'sagoodschool，andyou'llalwaysbeneartherancho!"Andsotheinterviewended。
　　IamafraidthatClarence'sfirstideawastorunaway。Therearefewexperiencesmorecrushingtoaningenuousnaturethanthesuddenrevelationoftheaspectinwhichitisregardedbyothers。
　　TheunfortunateClarence，consciousonlyofhisloyaltytohiscousin'sinterestandwhathebelievedwerethedutiesofhisposition，awoketofindthatposition"ridiculous。"Inanafternoon'sgloomyridethroughthelonelyhills，andlaterinthesleeplesssolitudeofhisroomatnight，heconcludedthathiscousinwasright。Hewouldgotoschool；hewouldstudyhard——sohardthatinalittle，averylittlewhile，hecouldmakealivingforhimself。Heawokecontented。Itwastheblessingofyouththatthisresolveandexecutionseemedasoneandthesamething。
　　Thenextdayfoundhiminstalledasapupilandboarderinthecollege。DonJuan'spositionandSpanishpredilectionsnaturallymadehisrelationacceptabletothefaculty；butClarencecouldnothelpperceivingthatFatherSobriente，thePrincipal，regardedhimattimeswithathoughtfulcuriositythatmadehimsuspectthathiscousinhadespeciallybespokenthatattention，andthatheoccasionallyquestionedhimonhisantecedentsinawaythatmadehimdreadarenewaloftheoldquestioningabouthisprogenitor。
　　Fortherest，hewasapolished，cultivatedman；yet，inthecharacteristic，materialcriticismofyouth，IamafraidthatClarencechieflyidentifiedhimasapriestwithlargehands，whosesoftpalmsseemedtobecushionedwithkindness，andwhoseequallylargefeet，encasedinextraordinaryshapelessshoesofundyedleather，seemedtotreaddownnoiselessly——ratherthantoostentatiouslycrush——theobstaclesthatbesetthepathoftheyoungstudent。Inthecloisteredgalleriesofthecourt-yardClarencesometimesfelthimselfbornedownbytheprotectingweightofthispaternalhand；inthemidnightsilenceofthedormitoryhefanciedhewasoftenconsciousofthesoftbrowsingtreadandsnufflymuffledbreathingofhiselephantine-footedmentor。
　　Hisrelationswithhisschool-fellowswereatfirstfarfrompleasant。Whethertheysuspectedfavoritism；whethertheyresentedthatoldandunsympatheticmannerwhichsprangfromhishabitsofassociationwithhiselders；orwhethertheyrestedtheirobjectionsonthebroadergroundsofhisbeingastranger，Idonotknow，buttheypresentlypassedfromcruelsneerstophysicalopposition。Itwasthenfoundthatthisgentleandreservedyouthhadretainedcertainobjectionable，rude，direct，rusticqualitiesoffistandfoot，andthat，violatingallrulesanddisdainingthepompandcircumstanceofschool-boywarfare，ofwhichheknewnothing，hesimplythrashedafewofhisequalsoutofhand，withorwithoutceremony，astheoccasionortheinsulthappened。Inthisemergencyoneoftheseniorswasselectedtoteachthisyouthfulsavagehisproperposition。Achallengewasgiven，andacceptedbyClarencewithafeverishalacritythatsurprisedhimselfasmuchashisadversary。Thiswasayouthofeighteen，hissuperiorinsizeandskill。
　　ThefirstblowbathedClarence'sfaceinhisownblood。Butthesanguinarychrism，tothealarmofthespectators，effectedaninstantaneousandunhallowedchangeintheboy。Instantlyclosingwithhisadversary，hesprangathisthroatlikeananimal，andlockinghisarmaroundhisneckbegantostranglehim。Blindtotheblowsthatraineduponhim，heeventuallyborehisstaggeringenemybysheeronsetandsurprisetotheearth。Amidstthegeneralalarm，thestrengthofhalfadozenhastilysummonedteacherswasnecessarytounlockhishold。Eventhenhestruggledtorenewtheconflict。Buthisadversaryhaddisappeared，andfromthatdayforwardClarencewasneveragainmolested。
　　SeatedbeforeFatherSobrienteintheinfirmary，withswollenandbandagedface，andeyesthatstillseemedtoseeeverythinginthemurkylightofhisownblood，Clarencefeltthesoftweightofthefather'shanduponhisknee。
　　"Myson，"saidthepriestgently，"youarenotofourreligion，orIshouldclaimasarighttoaskaquestionofyourownheartatthismoment。Butastoagoodfriend，Claro，agoodfriend，"hecontinued，pattingtheboy'sknee，"youwilltellme，oldFatherSobriente，franklyandtruthfully，asisyourhabit，onelittlething。Wereyounotafraid?"
　　"No，"saidClarencedoggedly。"I'lllickhimagainto-morrow。"
　　"Softly，myson!ItwasnotofHIMIspeak，butofsomethingmoreterribleandawful。Wereyounotafraidof——of——"hepaused，andsuddenlydartinghiscleareyesintotheverydepthsofClarence'ssoul，added——"ofYOURSELF?"
　　Theboystarted，shuddered，andburstintotears。
　　"So，so，"saidthepriestgently，"wehavefoundourrealenemy。
　　Good!Now，bythegraceofGod，mylittlewarrior，weshallfightHIMandconquer。"
　　WhetherClarenceprofitedbythislesson，orwhetherthisbriefexhibitionofhisqualitypreventedanyrepetitionofthecause，theepisodewassoonforgotten。Ashisschool-fellowshadneverbeenhisassociatesorconfidants，itmatteredlittletohimwhethertheyfearedorrespectedhim，orwerehypocriticallyobsequious，afterthefashionoftheweaker。Hisstudies，atallevents，profitedbythislackofdistraction。Alreadyhistwoyearsofdesultoryandomnivorousreadinghadgivenhimafacilefamiliaritywithmanythings，whichlefthimutterlyfreeofthetimidity，awkwardness，ornon-interestofabeginner。Hisusuallyreservedmanner，whichhadbeenlackofexpressionratherthanofconviction，haddeceivedhistutors。Theaudacityofamindthathadneverbeendominatedbyothers，andowednoallegiancetoprecedent，madehismerelysuperficialprogresssomethingmarvelous。
　　Attheendofthefirstyearhewasaphenomenalscholar，whoseemedcapableofanything。Nevertheless，FatherSobrientehadaninterviewwithDonJuan，andasaresultClarencewasslightlykeptbackinhisstudies，alittlemorefreedomfromtheruleswasconcededtohim，andhewasevenencouragedtotakesomediversion。
　　OfsuchwastheprivilegetovisittheneighboringtownofSantaClaraunrestrictedandunattended。Hehadalwaysbeenliberallyfurnishedwithpocket-money，forwhich，inhiscompanionlessstateandSpartanhabits，hehadasingularandunboyishcontempt。
　　Nevertheless，healwaysappeareddressedwithscrupulousneatness，andwasratherdistinguished-lookinginhisolderreserveandmelancholyself-reliance。
　　LoungingoneafternoonalongtheAlameda，aleafyavenuesetoutbytheearlyMissionFathersbetweenthevillageofSanJoseandtheconventofSantaClara，hesawadoublefileofyounggirlsfromtheconventapproaching，ontheirusualpromenade。AviewofthisprocessionbeingthefondestambitionoftheSanJosecollegian，andespeciallyinterdictedandcircumventedbythegoodFathersattendingthecollegeexcursions，Clarencefeltforittheprofoundindifferenceofaboywho，intheintermediatetemperatezoneoffifteenyears，thinksthatheisnolongeryoungandromantic!Hewaspassingthemwithacarelessglance，whenapairofdeepvioleteyescaughthisownunderthebroadshadeofacoquettishlyberibbonedhat，evenasithadoncelookedathimfromthedepthsofacalicosunbonnet。Susy!Hestarted，andwouldhavespoken；
　　butwithaquicklittlegestureofcautionandameaningglanceatthetwonunswhowalkedattheheadandfootofthefile，sheindicatedhimtofollow。Hedidsoatarespectfuldistance，albeitwondering。AlittlefurtheronSusydroppedherhandkerchief，andwasobligedtodartoutandrunbacktotheendofthefiletorecoverit。Butshegaveanotherswiftglanceofherblueeyesasshesnatcheditupanddemurelyranbacktoherplace。Theprocessionpassedon，butwhenClarencereachedthespotwhereshehadpausedhesawathree-corneredbitofpaperlyinginthegrass。Hewastoodiscreettopickitupwhilethegirlswerestillinsight，butcontinuedon，returningtoitlater。
　　Itcontainedafewwordsinaschoolgirl'shand，hastilyscrawledinpencil:"Cometothesouthwallnearthebigpear-treeatsix。"
　　DelightedasClarencefelt，hewasatthesametimeembarrassed。
　　Hecouldnotunderstandthenecessityofthismysteriousrendezvous。Heknewthatifshewasascholarshewasundercertainconventualrestraints；butwiththeprivilegesofhispositionandfriendshipwithhisteachers，hebelievedthatFatherSobrientewouldeasilyprocurehimaninterviewwiththisoldplay-
　　fellow，ofwhomhehadoftenspoken，andwhowas，withhimself，thesolesurvivorofhistragicalpast。AndtrustedashewasbySobriente，therewassomethinginthisclandestinethoughinnocentrendezvousthatwentagainsthisloyalty。Nevertheless，hekepttheappointment，andatthestatedtimewasatthesouthwalloftheconvent，overwhichthegnarledboughsofthedistinguishingpear-treehung。Hardbyinthewallwasagratedwicketdoorthatseemedunused。
　　Wouldsheappearamongtheboughsorontheedgeofthewall?
　　EitherwouldbeliketheoldSusy。Buttohissurpriseheheardthesoundofthekeyturninginthelock。Thegrateddoorsuddenlyswungonitshinges，andSusyslippedout。Graspinghishand，shesaid，"Let'srun，Clarence，"andbeforehecouldreplyshestartedoffwithhimatarapidpace。Downthelanetheyflew——verymuch，asitseemedtoClarence'sfancy，astheyhadflownfromtheoldemigrantwagonontheprairie，fouryearsbefore。Heglancedatthefluttering，fairy-likefigurebesidehim。Shehadgrowntallerandmoregraceful；shewasdressedinexquisitetaste，withaminutenessofluxuriousdetailthatbespokethespoiltchild；buttherewasthesameprodigaloutburstofrippling，goldenhairdownherbackandshoulders，violeteyes，capriciouslittlemouth，andthesamedelicatehandsandfeethehadremembered。Hewouldhavepreferredamoredeliberatesurvey，butwithashakeofherheadandanhystericlittlelaughsheonlysaid，"Run，Clarence，run，"
　　andagaindartedforward。Arrivingatthecross-street，theyturnedthecorner，andhaltedbreathlessly。
　　"Butyou'renotrunningawayfromschool，Susy，areyou?"saidClarenceanxiously。
　　"Onlyalittlebit。Justenoughtogetaheadoftheothergirls，"
　　shesaid，rearrangingherbrowncurlsandtiltedhat。"Yousee，Clarence，"shecondescendedtoexplain，withasuddenassumptionofoldersuperiority，"mother'shereatthehotelallthisweek，andI'mallowedtogohomeeverynight，likeadayscholar。Onlythere'sthreeorfourothergirlsthatgooutatthesametimewithme，andoneoftheSisters，andto-dayIgotaheadof'emjusttoseeYOU。"
　　"But"beganClarence。
　　"Oh，it'sallright；theothergirlsknewit，andhelpedme。Theydon'tstartoutforhalfanhouryet，andthey'llsayI'vejustrunahead，andwhentheyandtheSistergettothehotelI'llbetherealready——don'tyousee?"
　　"Yes，"saidClarencedubiously。
　　"Andwe'llgotoanice-creamsaloonnow，shan'twe?There'saniceonenearthehotel。I'vegotsomemoney，"sheaddedquickly，asClarencelookedembarrassed。
　　"SohaveI，"saidClarence，withafaintaccessionofcolor。
　　"Let'sgo!"Shehadrelinquishedhishandtosmoothoutherfrock，andtheywerewalkingsidebysideatamoremoderatepace。"But，"
　　hecontinued，clingingtohisfirstideawithmasculinepersistence，andanxioustoassurehiscompanionofhispower，ofhisposition，"I'minthecollege，andFatherSobriente，whoknowsyourladysuperior，isagoodfriendofmineandgivesmeprivileges；and——and——whenheknowsthatyouandIusedtoplaytogether——why，he'llfixitthatwemayseeeachotherwheneverwewant。"
　　"Oh，yousilly!"saidSusy。"WHAT!——whenyou're——"
　　"WhenI'mWHAT?"
　　Theyounggirlshotavioletbluerayfromunderherbroadhat。
　　"Why——whenwe'regrownupnow?"Thenwithacertainprecision，"Why，they'reVERYparticularaboutyounggentlemen!Why，Clarence，iftheysuspectedthatyouandIwere——"Anothervioletrayfromunderthehatcompletedthisunfinishedsentence。
　　Pleasedandyetconfused，Clarencelookedstraightaheadwithdeepeningcolor。"Why，"continuedSusy，"MaryRogers，thatwaswalkingwithme，thoughtyouwereeversoold——andadistinguishedSpaniard!AndI，"shesaidabruptly——"haven'tIgrown?Tellme，Clarence，"withheroldappealingimpatience，"haven'tIgrown?Dotellme!"
　　"Verymuch，"saidClarence。
　　"Andisn'tthisfrockpretty——it'sonlymysecondbest——butI'veaprettieronewithlacealldowninfront；butisn'tthisonepretty，Clarence，tellme?"
　　Clarencethoughtthefrockanditsfairownerperfection，andsaidso。WhereatSusy，asifsuddenlyawareofthepresenceofpassers-
　　by，assumedanairofseverepropriety，droppedherhandsbyherside，andwithanaffectedconscientiousnesswalkedon，alittlefurtherfromClarence'sside，untiltheyreachedtheice-creamsaloon。
　　"Getatableneartheback，Clarence，"shesaid，inaconfidentialwhisper，"wheretheycan'tseeus——andstrawberry，youknow，forthelemonandvanillaherearejusthorrid!"
　　Theytooktheirseatsinakindofrusticarborintherearoftheshop，whichgavethemtheappearanceoftwoyouthfulbutsomewhatover-dressedandover-consciousshepherds。Therewasanintervalofslightawkwardness，whichSusyendeavoredtodisplace。"Therehasbeen，"sheremarked，witheasyconversationallightness，"quiteanexcitementaboutourFrenchteacherbeingchanged。Thegirlsinourclassthinkitmostdisgraceful。"
　　Andthiswasallshecouldsayafteraseparationoffouryears!
　　Clarencewasdesperate，butasyetidealessandvoiceless。Atlast，withaneffortoverhisspoon，hegaspedafloatingrecollection:"Doyoustilllikeflapjacks，Susy?"
　　"Oh，yes，"withalaugh，"butwedon'thavethemnow。"
　　"AndMose"ablackpointer，whousedtoyelpwhenSusysang，"doeshestillsingwithyou?"
　　"Oh，HE'Sbeenlosteversolong，"saidSusycomposedly；"butI'vegotaNewfoundlandandaspanielandablackpony；"andhere，witharapidinventoryofherotherpersonaleffects，shedriftedintosomedesultorydetailsofthedevotionofheradoptedparents，whomshenowreadilyspokeofas"papa"and"mamma，"withevidentlynodisturbingrecollectionofthedead。FromwhichitappearedthatthePeytonswereveryrich，and，inadditiontotheirpossessionsinthelowercountry，ownedaranchoinSantaClaraandahouseinSanFrancisco。Likeallchildren，herstrongestimpressionswerethemostrecent。Inthevainhopetoleadherbacktothismaterialyesterday，hesaid——
　　"YourememberJimHooker?"
　　"Oh，HEranaway，whenyouleft。Butjustthinkofit!Theotherday，whenpapaandIwentintoabigrestaurantinSanFrancisco，whoshouldbethereWAITINGonthetable——yes，Clarence，arealwaiter——butJimHooker!Papaspoketohim；butofcourse，"withaslightelevationofherprettychin，"Icouldn't，youknow；fancy——
　　awaiter!"
　　ThestoryofhowJimHookerhadpersonatedhimstoppedshortuponClarence'slips。Hecouldnotbringhimselfnowtoaddthatrevelationtothecontemptofhissmallcompanion，which，inspiteofitsnaivete，somewhatgratedonhissensibilities。
　　"Clarence，"shesaid，suddenlyturningtowardshimmysteriously，andindicatingtheshopmanandhisassistants，"Ireallybelievethesepeoplesuspectus。"
　　"Ofwhat?"saidthepracticalClarence。
　　"Don'tbesilly!Don'tyouseehowtheyarestaring?"
　　Clarencewasreallyunabletodetecttheleastcuriosityonthepartoftheshopman，orthatanyoneexhibitedtheslightestconcerninhimorhiscompanion。Buthefeltareturnoftheembarrassedpleasurehewasconsciousofamomentbefore。
　　"Thenyou'relivingwithyourfather?"saidSusy，changingthesubject。
　　"YoumeanmyCOUSIN，"saidClarence，smiling。"YouknowmyfatherdiedlongbeforeIeverknewyou。"
　　"Yes；that'swhatYOUusedtosay，Clarence，butpapasaysitisn'tso。"Butseeingtheboy'swonderingeyesfixedonherwithatroubledexpression，sheaddedquickly，"Oh，then，heISyourcousin!"
　　"Well，IthinkIoughttoknow，"saidClarence，withasmile，thatwas，however，farfromcomfortable，andaquickreturnofhisoldunpleasantrecollectionsofthePeytons。"Why，Iwasbroughttohimbyoneofhisfriends。"AndClarencegavearapidboyishsummaryofhisjourneyfromSacramento，andFlynn'sdiscoveryoftheletteraddressedtoSilsbee。ButbeforehehadconcludedhewasconsciousthatSusywasbynomeansinterestedinthesedetails，norintheleastaffectedbythepassingallusiontoherdeadfatherandhisrelationtoClarence'smisadventures。Withherroundedchininherhand，shewasslowlyexamininghisface，withacertainmischievousyetdemureabstraction。"Itellyouwhat，Clarence，"shesaid，whenhehadfinished，"yououghttomakeyourcousingetyouoneofthosesombreros，andanicegold-braidedserape。They'djustsuityou。Andthen——thenyoucouldrideupanddowntheAlamedawhenwearegoingby。"
　　"ButI'mcomingtoseeyouat——atyourhouse，andattheconvent，"
　　hesaideagerly。"FatherSobrienteandmycousinwillfixitallright。"
　　ButSusyshookherhead，withsuperiorwisdom。"No；theymustneverknowoursecret!——neitherpapanormamma，especiallymamma。
　　Andtheymustn'tknowthatwe'vemetagain——AFTERTHESEYEARS!"ItisimpossibletodescribethedeepsignificancewhichSusy'sblueeyesgavetothisexpression。Afterapauseshewenton——
　　"No!Wemustnevermeetagain，Clarence，unlessMaryRogershelps。
　　Sheismybest，myONLIESTfriend，andolderthanI；havinghadtroubleherself，andbeingexpresslyforbiddentoseehimagain。
　　YoucanspeaktoheraboutSuzette——that'smynamenow；IwasrechristenedSuzetteAlexandraPeytonbymamma。Andnow，Clarence，"droppinghervoiceandglancingshylyaroundthesaloon，"youmaykissmejustonceundermyhat，forgood-by。"Sheadroitlyslantedherbroad-brimmedhattowardsthefrontoftheshop，andinitsshadowadvancedherfreshyoungcheektoClarence。
　　Coloringandlaughing，theboypressedhislipstoittwice。ThenSusyarose，withthefaintestaffectationofasigh，shookoutherskirt，drewonhergloveswiththegreatestgravity，andsaying，"Don'tfollowmefurtherthanthedoor——they'recomingnow，"walkedwithsuperciliousdignitypastthepreoccupiedproprietorandwaiterstotheentrance。Hereshesaid，withmarkedcivility，"Good-afternoon，Mr。Brant，"andtrippedawaytowardsthehotel。
　　Clarencelingeredforamomenttolookafterthelitheandelegantlittlefigure，withitsshiningundulationsofhairthatfelloverthebackandshouldersofherwhitefrocklikeagoldenmantle，andthenturnedawayintheoppositedirection。
　　Hewalkedhomeinastate，asitseemedtohim，ofabsurdperplexity。ThereweremanyreasonswhyhisencounterwithSusyshouldhavebeenofunmixedpleasure。Shehadrememberedhimofherownfreewill，and，inspiteofthechangeinherfortune，hadmadethefirstadvances。Herdoubtsaboutherfutureinterviewshadaffectedhimbutlittle；stillless，Ifear，didhethinkoftheotherchangesinhercharacteranddisposition，forhewasofthatagewhentheyaddedonlyapiquancyandfascinationtoher——asofonewho，inspiteofherweaknessofnature，wasstilldevotedtohim!Buthewaspainfullyconsciousthatthismeetinghadrevivedinhimallthefears，vagueuneasiness，andsenseofwrongthathadhauntedhisfirstboyhood，andwhichhethoughthehadburiedatElRefugiofouryearsago。Susy'sallusiontohisfatherandthereiterationofPeyton'sskepticismawokeinhisolderintellectthefirstfeelingofsuspicionthatwascompatiblewithhisopennature。Wasthisrecurringreticenceandmysteryduetoanyactofhisfather's?But，lookingbackuponitinafter-years，heconcludedthattheincidentofthatdaywasapremonitionratherthanarecollection。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　WhenhereachedthecollegetheAngelushadlongsincerung。InthecorridorhemetoneoftheFathers，who，insteadofquestioninghim，returnedhissalutationwithagravegentlenessthatstruckhim。HehadturnedintoFatherSobriente'squietstudywiththeintentionofreportinghimself，whenhewasdisturbedtofindhiminconsultationwiththreeorfourofthefaculty，whoseemedtobethrownintosomeslightconfusionbyhisentrance。ClarencewasabouttoretirehurriedlywhenFatherSobriente，breakingupthecouncilwithasignificantglanceattheothers，calledhimback。
　　Confusedandembarrassed，withadreadofsomethingimpending，theboytriedtoavertitbyahurriedaccountofhismeetingwithSusy，andhishopesofFatherSobriente'scounselandassistance。
　　TakinguponhimselftheideaofsuggestingSusy'sescapade，heconfessedthefault。Theoldmangazedintohisfrankeyeswithathoughtful，half-compassionatesmile。"Iwasjustthinkingofgivingyouaholidaywith——withDonJuanRobinson。"Theunusualsubstitutionofthisfinaltitleforthehabitual"yourcousin"
　　struckClarenceuneasily。"Butwewillspeakofthatlater。Sitdown，myson；Iamnotbusy。Weshalltalkalittle。FatherPedrosaysyouaregettingonfluentlywithyourtranslations。Thatisexcellent，myson，excellent。"
　　Clarence'sfacebeamedwithreliefandpleasure。Hisvaguefearsbegantodissipate。
　　"Andyoutranslateevenfromdictation!Good!Wehaveanhourtospare，andyoushallgivetomeaspecimenofyourskill。Eh?
　　Good!IwillwalkhereanddictatetoyouinmypoorEnglish，andyoushallsitthereandrenderittomeinyourgoodSpanish。Eh?
　　Soweshallamuseandinstructourselves。"
　　Clarencesmiled。ThesesporadicmomentsofinstructionandadmonitionwerenotunusualtothegoodFather。HecheerfullyseatedhimselfatthePadre'stablebeforeablanksheetofpaper，withapeninhishand。FatherSobrientepacedtheapartment，withhisusualheavybutnoiselesstread。Tohissurprise，thegoodpriest，afteranexhaustivepinchofsnuff，blewhisnose，andbegan，inhismostlugubriousstyleofpulpitexhortation:——
　　"Ithasbeenwrittenthatthesinsofthefathershallbevisiteduponthechildren，andtheunthinkingandworldlyhavesoughtrefugefromthislawbydeclaringitharshandcruel。Miserableandblind!Fordowenotseethatthewickedman，whointheprideofhispowerandvaingloryiswillingtoriskpunishmenttoHIMSELF——andbelievesittobecourage——mustpausebeforetheawfulmandatethatcondemnsanequalsufferingtothoseheloves，whichhecannotwithholdorsufferfor?Inthespectacleoftheseinnocentsstrugglingagainstdisgrace，perhapsdisease，poverty，ordesertion，whatavailshishaughty，all-defyingspirit?Letusimagine，Clarence。"
　　"Sir?"saidtheliteralClarence，pausinginhisexercise。
　　"Imean，"continuedthepriest，withaslightcough，"letthethoughtfulmanpictureafather:adesperate，self-willedman，whoscornedthelawsofGodandsociety——keepingonlyfaithwithamiserablesubterfugehecalled'honor，'andrelyingonlyonhisowncourageandhisknowledgeofhumanweakness。Imaginehimcruelandbloody——agamblerbyprofession，anoutlawamongmen，anoutcastfromtheChurch；voluntarilyabandoningfriendsandfamily，——thewifeheshouldhavecherished，thesonheshouldhaverearedandeducated——forthegratificationofhisdeadlypassions。Yetimaginethatmansuddenlyconfrontedwiththethoughtofthatheritageofshameanddisgustwhichhehadbroughtuponhisinnocentoffspring——towhomhecannotgiveevenhisowndesperaterecklessnesstosustainitsvicarioussuffering。Whatmustbethefeelingsofaparent——"
　　"FatherSobriente，"saidClarencesoftly。
　　Totheboy'ssurprise，scarcelyhadhespokenwhenthesoftprotectingpalmofthepriestwasalreadyuponhisshoulder，andthesnuffybutkindlyupperlip，tremblingwithsomestrangeemotion，closebesidehischeek。
　　"Whatisit，Clarence?"hesaidhurriedly。"Speak，myson，withoutfear!Youwouldask——"
　　"Ionlywantedtoknowif'padre'takesamasculineverbhere，"
　　repliedClarencenaively。
　　FatherSobrienteblewhisnoseviolently。"Truly——thoughusedforeithergender，bythecontextmasculine，"herespondedgravely。
　　"Ah，"headded，leaningoverClarence，andscanninghisworkhastily，"Good，verygood!Andnow，possibly，"hecontinued，passinghishandlikeadampspongeoverhisheatedbrow，"weshallreverseourexercise。IshalldelivertoyouinSpanishwhatyoushallrenderbackinEnglish，eh?And——letusconsider——weshallmakesomethingmorefamiliarandnarrative，eh?"
　　TothisClarence，somewhatboredbythesepresentsolemnabstractions，assentedgladly，andtookuphispen。FatherSobriente，resuminghisnoiselesspacing，began:
　　"OnthefertileplainsofGuadalajaralivedacertaincaballero，possessedofflocksandlands，andawifeandson。But，beingalsopossessedofafieryandrovingnature，hedidnotvaluethemashedidperilousadventure，featsofarms，andsanguinaryencounters。
　　Tothismaybeaddedriotousexcesses，gamblinganddrunkenness，whichintimedecreasedhispatrimony，evenashisrebelliousandquarrelsomespirithadalienatedhisfamilyandneighbors。Hiswife，bornedownbyshameandsorrow，diedwhilehersonwasstillaninfant。Inafitofequalremorseandrecklessnessthecaballeromarriedagainwithintheyear。Butthenewwifewasofatemperandbearingasbitterasherconsort。Violentquarrelsensuedbetweenthem，endinginthehusbandabandoninghiswifeandson，andleavingSt。Louis——IshouldsayGuadalajara——forever。
　　Joiningsomeadventurersinaforeignland，underanassumedname，hepursuedhisrecklesscourse，until，byoneortwoactsofoutlawry，hemadehisreturntocivilizationimpossible。Thedesertedwifeandstep-motherofhischildcoldlyacceptedthesituation，forbiddinghisnametobespokenagaininherpresence，announcedthathewasdead，andkepttheknowledgeofhisexistencefromhisownson，whomsheplacedunderthechargeofhersister。
　　Butthesistermanagedtosecretlycommunicatewiththeoutlawedfather，and，underapretext，arrangedbetweenthem，ofsendingtheboytoanotherrelation，actuallydispatchedtheinnocentchildtohisunworthyparent。Perhapsstirredbyremorse，theinfamousman——"
　　"Stop!"saidClarencesuddenly。
　　Hehadthrowndownhispen，andwasstandingerectandrigidbeforetheFather。
　　"Youaretryingtotellmesomething，FatherSobriente，"hesaid，withaneffort。"Speakout，Iimploreyou。Icanstandanythingbutthismystery。Iamnolongerachild。Ihavearighttoknowall。Thisthatyouaretellingmeisnofable——Iseeitinyourface，FatherSobriente；itisthestoryof——of——"
　　"Yourfather，Clarence!"saidthepriest，inatremblingvoice。
　　Theboydrewback，withawhiteface。"Myfather!"herepeated。
　　"Living，ordead?"
　　"Living，whenyoufirstleftyourhome，"saidtheoldmanhurriedly，seizingClarence'shand，"foritwashewhointhenameofyourcousinsentforyou。Living——yes，whileyouwerehere，foritwashewhoforthepastthreeyearsstoodintheshadowofthisassumedcousin，DonJuan，andatlastsentyoutothisschool。
　　Living，Clarence，yes；butlivingunderanameandreputationthatwouldhaveblastedyou!AndnowDEAD——deadinMexico，shotasaninsurgentandinastilldesperatecareer!MayGodhavemercyonhissoul!"
　　"Dead!"repeatedClarence，trembling，"onlynow?"
　　"Thenewsoftheinsurrectionandhisfatecameonlyanhoursince，"continuedthePadrequickly；"hiscomplicitywithitandhisidentitywereknownonlytoDonJuan。Hewouldhavesparedyouanyknowledgeofthetruth，evenasthisdeadmanwould；butIandmybrothersthoughtotherwise。Ihavebrokenittoyoubadly，myson，butforgiveme?"
　　AnhystericallaughbrokefromClarenceandthepriestrecoiledbeforehim。"ForgiveYOU!Whatwasthismantome?"hesaid，withboyishvehemence。"HeneverLOVEDme!Hedesertedme；hemademylifealie。Heneversoughtme，camenearme，orstretchedahandtomethatIcouldtake?"
　　"Hush!hush!"saidthepriest，withahorrifiedlook，layinghishugehandupontheboy'sshoulderandbearinghimdowntohisseat。
　　"Youknownotwhatyousay。Think——think，Clarence!Wastherenoneofallthosewhohavebefriendedyou——whowerekindtoyouinyourwanderings——towhomyourheartturnedunconsciously?Think，Clarence!Youyourselfhavespokentomeofsuchaone。Letyourheartspeakagain，forhissake——forthesakeofthedead。"
　　Agentlerlightsuffusedtheboy'seyes，andhestarted。Catchingconvulsivelyathiscompanion'ssleeve，hesaidinaneager，boyishwhisper，"Therewasone，awicked，desperateman，whomtheyallfeared——Flynn，whobroughtmefromthemines。Yes，Ithoughtthathewasmycousin'sloyalfriend——morethanalltherest；andItoldhimeverything——all，thatInevertoldthemanIthoughtmycousin，oranyone，orevenyou；andIthink，Ithink，Father，Ilikedhimbestofall。Ithoughtsinceitwaswrong，"hecontinued，withatremblingsmile，"forIwasfoolishlyfondevenofthewaytheothersfearedhim，hethatIfearednot，andwhowassokindtome。
　　Yethe，too，leftmewithoutaword，andwhenIwouldhavefollowedhim——"Buttheboybrokedown，andburiedhisfaceinhishands。
　　"No，no，"saidFatherSobriente，witheagerpersistence，"thatwashisfoolishpridetospareyoutheknowledgeofyourkinshipwithonesofeared，andpartoftheblindandmistakenpenancehehadlaiduponhimself。Forevenatthatmomentofyourboyishindignation，heneverwassofondofyouasthen。Yes，mypoorboy，thisman，towhomGodledyourwanderingfeetatDeadman'sGulch；themanwhobroughtyouhere，andbysomesecrethold——I
　　knownotwhat——onDonJuan'spast，persuadedhimtoassumetobeyourrelation；thismanFlynn，thisJacksonBrantthegambler，thisHamiltonBranttheoutlaw——WASYOURFATHER!Ah，yes!Weepon，myson；eachtearofloveandforgivenessfromtheehathvicariouspowertowashawayhissin。"
　　WithasinglesweepofhisprotectinghandhedrewClarencetowardshisbreast，untiltheboyslowlysankuponhiskneesathisfeet。
　　Then，liftinghiseyestowardstheceiling，hesaidsoftlyinanoldertongue，"AndTHOU，too，unhappyandperturbedspirit，rest!"……
　　ItwasnearlydawnwhenthegoodPadrewipedthelasttearsfromClarence'sclearereyes。"Andnow，myson，"hesaid，withagentlesmile，asherosetohisfeet，"letusnotforgettheliving。
　　Althoughyourstep-motherhas，throughherownact，nolegalclaimuponyou，farbeitfrommetoindicateyourattitudetowardsher。
　　EnoughthatYOUareindependent。"Heturned，and，openingadrawerinhissecretaire，tookoutabank-book，andplaceditinthehandsofthewonderingboy。
　　"ItwasHISwish，Clarence，thatevenafterhisdeathyoushouldneverhavetoproveyourkinshiptoclaimyourrights。TakingadvantageoftheboyishdeposityouhadleftwithMr。Cardenatthebank，withhisconnivanceandinyournameheaddedtoit，monthbymonthandyearbyyear；Mr。Cardencheerfullyacceptingthetrustandmanagementofthefund。Theseedthussownhasproducedathousandfold，Clarence，beyondallexpectations。Youarenotonlyfree，myson，butofyourselfandinwhatevernameyouchoose——yourownmaster。"
　　"Ishallkeepmyfather'sname，"saidtheboysimply。
　　"Amen!"saidFatherSobriente。
　　HereclosesthechronicleofClarenceBrant'sboyhood。Howhesustainedhisnameandindependenceinafteryears，andwho，ofthosealreadymentionedinthesepages，helpedhimtomakeormarit，maybeamatterforfuturerecord。