hesaid.Hehurriedtotheofficeoftheclub，andsentadespatchtoBlix——thethirdsincemorning：
　　"CanIcomeuprightaway？It’surgent.Sendanswerbythismessenger."
　　Hegothisanswerwithinthree—quartersofanhour，andlefttheclubasHendricksandGeorgeHandsarrivedbytheelevatorentrance.
　　Sittinginthebaywindowofthedining—room，hetoldBlixwhyhehadcome.
　　"Oh，youwereright！"shetoldhim."Always，ALWAYScome，when——
　　whenyoufeelyoumust."
　　"Itgetssobadsometimes，Blix，"heconfessedwithabjectself—
　　contempt，"thatwhenIcan’tgetsomeonetoplayagainstI’llsitdownanddealdummyhands，andbetonthem.Justthetouchofthecards——justtheFEELofthechips.Faugh！it’sshameful."
　　Thedayfollowing，Sunday，Condycametoteaasusual;andafterthemeal，assoonasthefamilyandVictorinehadleftthepairaloneinthedining—room，theysetaboutpreparingfortheirmorrow’sexcursion.Blixputuptheirlunch——sandwichesofwhatCondycalled"devilish"ham，hard—boiledeggs，stuffedolives，andabottleofclaret.
　　Condytookoffhiscoatandmadeagreatshowofstringingthetackle：windingthelinesfromthespoolsontothereels，andattachingthesinkersandfliestotheleaders，smokingthewhile，andscowlingfiercely.Hegotthelinesfearfullyandwonderfullysnarled，hecaughtthehooksinthetable—cloth，helostthealmostinvisiblegutleadersonthefloorandloopedthesinkersonthelineswhentheyshouldhavegoneontheleaders.IntheendBlixhadtohelphimout，disentanglingthelinesfootbyfootwithapatiencethatseemedtoCondylittleshortofsuperhuman.
　　Atnineo’clockshesaiddecisively：
　　"Doyouknowwhattimewemustgetupinthemorningifwearetohavebreakfastandgettheseven—fortytrain？Quarterofsixbythelatest，andYOUmustgetupearlierthanthat，becauseyou’reatthehotelandhavefurthertogo.Comehereforbreakfast，and——listen——beherebyhalf—pastsix——areyouLISTENING，Condy？——
　　andwe’llgodowntothedepotfromhere.Don’tforgettobringtherods."
　　"I’llwearmybicyclesuit，"hesaid，"andoneofthosegolfscarfsthatwraparoundyourneck."
　　"No，"shedeclared，"Iwon’thaveit.Weartheoldestclothesyou’vegot，butlookfairlyrespectable，becausewe’retogotoLuna’swhenwegetback，remember.Andnowgohome;youneedallthesleepyoucangetifyouaretogetupatsixo’clock."
　　Insteadofbeinglate，asBlixhadfeared，Condywasabsurdlyaheadoftimethenextmorning.Forawonder，hehadnotforgottentherods;buthewasonetremorofnervousness.Hewouldeatnobreakfast.
　　"We’regoingtomissthattrain，"hewouldannouncefromtimetotime;"Ijustknowit.Blix，lookwhattimeitis.Weoughttobeonthewaytothedepotnow.Comeon;youdon’twantanymorecoffee.Haveyougoteverything？Didyouputthereelsinthelunch—basket？——andthefly—book？Lord，ifweshouldforgetthefly—book！"
　　Hemanagedtogethertothedepotoverhalfanhouraheadoftime.Thetrainhadnotevenbackedin，northeticketofficeopened.
　　"Itoldyou，Condy，Itoldyou，"complainedBlix，sinkinghelplesslyuponabenchinthewaiting—room.
　　"No——no——no，"heansweredvaguely，lookingnervouslyabout，hisheadintheair."We’renonetoosoon——havemoretimetorestnow.Iwonderwhattrackthetrainleavesfrom.IwonderifitstopsatSanBruno.IwonderhowfaritisfromSanBrunotoLakeSanAndreas.I’mafraidit’sgoingtorain.Heavensandearth，Blix，weforgottheshrimps！"
　　"No，NO！Sitdown，I’vegottheshrimps.Condy，youmakemesonervousIshallscreaminaminute."
　　Somethree—quartersofanhourlaterthetrainhadsetthemdownatSanBruno——nothingmorethanaroad—house，theheadquartersforduck—shootersandfishermenfromthecity.However，BlixandCondyweretheonlyvisitors.Everybodyseemedtobeespeciallynicetothemonthatwonderfulmorning.Eventhesuperciliousticket—sellerattheSanFranciscodepothadunbent，andwishedthemgoodluck.Theconductorofthetrainhadshownhimselfaffable.Theverybrakemanhadgoneoutofhiswaytoapprisethem，quitefiveminutesaheadoftime，that"thenextstopwastheirplace."AndatSanBrunotheproprietoroftheroad—househimselfhitcheduptodrivethemovertothelake，announcingthathewouldcallforthemat"Richardson’s"intimefortheeveningtrain.
　　"Andheonlyaskedmefourbitsforbothtrips，"whisperedCondytoBlixastheyjoggedalong.
　　Thecountrywasbeautiful.Itwashardlyeighto’clock，andthemorningstillretainedmuchofthebriskeffervescenceoftheearlydawn.Greatbare，rollinghillsofgray—green，thinlyscatteredwithlive—oak，borebackfromtheroadoneitherhand.
　　Theskywaspaleblue.Therewasasmellofcowsintheair，andtwicetheyheardanunseenlarksinging.Itwasverystill.Theoldbuggyandcomplacenthorsewereembalmedinapungentaromaofoldleatherandofstablesthatwasentrancing;andasweetsmellofgrassandsapcametotheminoccasionallongwhiffs.Therewasexhilarationintheverythoughtofbeingaliveonthatodorous，stillmorning.Theyoungbloodwentspankingintheveins.Blix’scheekswereruddy，herlittledark—browneyesfairlycoruscatingwithpleasure.
　　"Condy，isn’titallsplendid？"shesuddenlyburstout.
　　"Ifeelregularlybigger，"hedeclaredsolemnly."Icoulddoanythingamorninglikethis."
　　Thentheycametothelake，andtoRichardson’s，wherethefarmerlivedwhowasalsothecustodianofthelake.Thecomplacenthorsejoggedback，andCondyandBlixsetabouttheseriousbusinessoftheday.CondyhadnoneedtoshowRichardsonthedelightfulsportingclerk’scard.TheoldYankee——histwanganddryhumorsingularlyincongruousonthatroyalmorning——wassolicitudeitself.Hepickedoutthebestboatonthebeachforthem，loanedthemhisownanchorofrailroadiron，indicatedminutelythepointontheoppositeshoreoffwhichthelastbigtrouthadbeen"killed，"andwettedhimselftohisanklesashepushedofftheboat.
　　Condytooktheoars.Blixsatinthestern，jointingtherodsandrunningthelinesthroughtheguides.Sheevenbaitedthehookswiththesaltshrimpherself，andbynineo’clocktheywereatanchorsomefortyfeetoffshore，andfishing，accordingtoRichardson’sadvice，"aleetlemiteofftheedgeo’theweeds."
　　"Ifwedon’tgetabitethewholeblessedday，"saidCondy，ashepaidouthislinetotheratchetmusicofthereel，"we’llhavefunjustthesame.Lookaround——isn’tthisgreat？"
　　Theywereabsolutelyalone.Thedaywasyoungyet.Thelake，smoothandstillasgraysilk，widenedtothewestandsouthwithoutsomuchasawrinkletoroughenthesurface.Onlytotheeast，wherethesunlookedoverashoulderofahigherhill，itflamedupintoablindingdiamondiridescence.Thesurroundinglandlaybetweenskyandwater，hushedtoaSundaystillness.FaroffacrossthelakebyRichardson’stheyheardadogbark，andthesoundcamefineandsmallanddelicate.Atlongintervalstheboatstirredwithagentleclap—clappingofthewateralongitssides.Fromthenearbyshoreinthegrowthofmanzanitabushesquailcalledandcluckedcomfortablytoeachother;abewilderedyellowbutterflydancedbyovertheirheads，andslimbluedragon—
　　fliescameandpoisedontheirlinesandfishing—rods，bowingtheirbacks.
　　Fromhisseatinthebow，CondycastaglanceatBlix.Shewasholdingherrodinbothhands，absorbed，watchful，veryintent.
　　Shewasastrimasever，evenintheoldclothesshehadwornfortheoccasion.Herround，strongneckwasasusualswathedhighandtightinwhite，andthehugedog—collargirdledherwaistaccordingtohercustom.Shehadtakenoffherhat.Heryellowhairrolledbackfromherroundforeheadandcoolpinkcheekslikeaveritablenimbus，andforthefiftiethtimeCondyremarkedthecharmingcontrastofhersmall，deep—browneyesinthemidstofthiswhitesatin，yellowhair，whiteskin，andexquisitepinkcheeks.
　　Anhourpassed.Thentwo.
　　"Nofish，"murmuredCondy，drawinginhislinetoexaminethebait.But，ashewasfumblingwiththeflieshewasstartledbyasharpexclamationfromBlix.
　　"Oh—Condy—I’ve—got—a—bite！"
　　Helookedupjustintimetoseethetipofherrodtwitch，twitch，twitch.Thenthewholerodarchedsuddenly，thereelsang，thelinetautenedandcutdiagonallythroughthewater.
　　"Yougothim！yougothim！"heshouted，palpitatingwithexcitement."Andhe’sagoodone！"
　　Blixrose，reelinginasrapidlyaswaspossible，thebuttofthetwitching，livingrodbracedagainstherbelt.Allatoncetherodstraightenedoutagain，thestrainwasreleased，andthelinebegantoslantrapidlyawayfromtheboat.
　　"He’soff！"shecried.
　　"Off，nothing！HE’SGOINGTOJUMP.Lookoutforhim，now！"
　　Andthenthetwowatchingfromtheboat，tenseandquiveringwiththedramaofthemoment，sawthatmostinspiritingofsights——the"break"ofasalmon—trout.Uphewent，fromabrusqueexplosionofripplesandfoam——upintothegrayofthemorningfromoutthegrayofthewater：scalesallgleaming，hacklesalla—bristle;asuddenflashofsilver，asweepasofascimitaringraysmoke，withasplash，aturmoil，anabruptburstoftroubledsoundthatstabbedthroughthesilenceofthemorning，andinasingleinstantdissipatedalltheplacidcalmoftheprevioushours.
　　"Keepthelinetaut，"whisperedCondy，grittinghisteeth."Whenhecomestowardyou，reelhimin;an’ifhepullstoohard，givehimhishead."
　　Blixwasbreathingfast，hercheeksblazing，hereyesallalight.
　　"Oh，"shegasped，"I’msoafraidI’lllosehim！Oh，lookatthat！"
　　shecried，asthetroutdartedstraightforthebottom，bendingtherodtillthetipwassubmerged."Condy，I’lllosehim——IknowIshall;you，YOUtaketherod！"
　　"Notforathousanddollars！Steady，there，he’sawayagain！Oh，talkaboutSPORT！"
　　YardbyyardBlixreeledinuntiltheybegantoseethesilverglintofthetrout’sflanksthroughthegreenwater.Shebroughthimnearer.Swimmingparallelwiththeboat，hewasplainlyvisiblefromhiswide—openedmouth——thehookandflyprotrudingfromhislowerjaw——tothered，quiveringflangesofthetail.
　　Hissideswerefaintlyspeckled，hisbellywhiteaschalk.HewasalmostaslongasCondy’sforearm.
　　"Oh，he’sabeauty！Oh，isn’theabeauty！"murmuredCondy."Now，careful，careful;bringhimuptotheboatwhereIcanreachhim;
　　e—easy，Blix.Ifheboltsagain，lethimrun."
　　Twicethetroutshiedfromtheboat’sshadow，andtwice，asBlixgavehimhishead，thereelsangandhummedlikeawatch—man’srattle.Butthethirdtimehecametothesurfaceandturnedslowlyonhisside，thewhitebellyandoneredfinoutofthewater，thegillsopeningandshutting.Hewastiredout.AthirdtimeBlixdrewhimgentlytotheboat’sside.Condyreachedoutanddownintothewatertillhisveryshoulderwaswet，hookedtwofingersunderthedistendedgills，andwithalong，easymovementofthearmswunghimintotheboat.
　　Theirexultationwasthatofveritablechildren.CondywhoopedlikeanApache，throwinghishatintotheair;Blixwashardlyarticulate，herhandsclasped，herhairindisarray，hereyesswimmingwithtearsofsheerexcitement.Theyshookeachother’shands;theytalkedwildlyatthesametime：theypoundedontheboat’sthwartswiththeirfists;theylaughedattheirownabsurdity;theylookedatthetroutagainandagain，guessedathisweight，andrecalledtoeachotherdetailsofthestruggle.
　　"Whenhebrokethattime，wasn’titgrand？"
　　"AndwhenIfirstfelthimbite！Itwassosudden——why，itactuallyfrightenedme.Inever——no，neverinmylife！"exclaimedBlix，"wassohappyasIamatthismoment.Oh，Condy，tothink——
　　justtoTHINK！"
　　"Isn’titgloryhallelujah？"
　　"Isn’titbetterthanteas，anddancing，andfunctions？"
　　"Blix——howoldarewe？"
　　"Idon’tcarehowoldweare;Ithinkthattroutwillweightwopounds."
　　Whentheywerecalmagain，theyreturnedtotheirfishing.Themorningpassed，anditwasnoonbeforetheywereawareofit.Byhalf—pasttwelveBlixhadcaughtthreetrout，thoughthefirstwasbyfartheheaviest.Condyhadnothadsomuchasabite.Atoneo’clocktheyrowedashoreandhadlunchunderahugelive—oakinalittleamphitheatreofmanzanita.
　　Neverhadalunchtastedsodelicious.Whatifthewinewaswarmandthestuffedolivesoily？Whatifthepepperforthehard—
　　boiledeggshadsiftedalloverthe"devilish"hamsandwiches？
　　Whatiftheeggsthemselveshadnotbeensufficientlycooked，andthecorkscrewforgotten？TheyCOULDnotbeanythingelsebutinordinatelyhappy，sublimelygay.Nothingshortofactualtragedycouldhavemarredthejoyofthatday.
　　Butaftertheyweredoneeating，andBlixhadputawaytheforksandspoons，andwhileCondywasstretcheduponhisbacksmokingacigar，shesaidtohim：
　　"Now，Condy，whatdoyousaytoalittlegameofcardswithme？"
　　ThecigardroppedfromCondy’slips，andhesatsuddenlyupright，brushingthefallenleavesfromhishair.Blixhadtakenadeckofcardsfromthelunch—basket，andfourrollsofchipswrappedintissuepaper.Hestaredatherinspeechlessamazement.
　　"Whatdoyousay？"sherepeated，lookingathimandsmiling.
　　"Why，Blix！"heexclaimedinamazement，"whatdoyoumean？"
　　"JustwhatIsay.Iwantyoutoplaycardswithme."
　　"I’llnottodoit，"hedeclared，almostcoldly.
　　"Listentome，Condy，"answeredBlix;andforquitefiveminutes，whileheinterruptedandprotestedandpshawedandargued，shetalkedtohimcalmlyandquietly.
　　"Idon’taskyoutostopplaying，Condy，"shesaid，asshefinished;"Ijustaskyouthatwhenyoufeelyoumustplay——or——I
　　mean，whenyouwanttoverybad，youwillcomeandplaywithme，insteadofplayingatyourclub."
　　"Butit’sabsurd，it’spreposterous.Ihatetoseeagirlgambling——andyouofallgirls！"
　　"It’snoworseformethanitisforyouand——well，doyousupposeIwouldplaywithanyoneelse？MaybeyouthinkIcan’tplaywellenoughtomakeitinterestingforyou，"shesaidgayly."Isthatit？Icansoonshowyou，CondyRivers——nevermindwhenIlearnedhow."
　　"But，Blix，youdon’tknowhowoftenweplay，thosemenandI.
　　Why，itisalmostevery——youdon’tknowhowoftenweplay."
　　"Condy，wheneveryouwanttoplay，andwillplaywithME，nomatterwhatI’vegotinhand，I’llstopeverythingandplaywithyou."
　　"Butwhy？"
　　"BecauseIthink，Condy，thatTHISwayperhapsyouwon’tplayquitesooftenatfirst;andthenlittlebylittleperhaps——
　　perhaps——well，nevermindthatnow.Iwanttoplay;putitthatway.ButIwantyoutopromisemenevertoplaywithanyoneelse——sayforsixmonths."
　　Andintheend，whippedbyasenseofshame，Condymadeherthepromise.Theybecameverygayupontheinstant.
　　"Hoh！"exclaimedCondy;"whatdoYOUknowofpoker？Ithinkwehadbestplayoldsledgeorcassino."
　　Blixhaddealtahandandpartitionedthechips.
　　"StraightsandflushesBEFOREthedraw，"sheannouncedcalmly.
　　Condystartedandstared;then，lookingatheraskance，pickeduphishand.
　　"It’suptoyou."
　　"I’llmakeitfivetoplay."
　　"Five？Verywell.Howmanycards？"
　　"Three."
　　"I’lltaketwo."
　　"Betyoufivemore."
　　Blixlookedatherhand.Then，withouttraceofexpressioninhervoiceorface，said：
　　"There’syourfive，andIllraiseyoufive."
　　"Fivebetter."
　　"Andfivebetterthanthat."
　　"Callyou."
　　"Fullhouse.Acesontens，"saidBlix，throwingdownhercards.
　　"Heavens！they’regoodasgold，"mutteredCondyasBlixgatheredinthechips.
　　Anhourlatershehadwonallthechipsbutfive.
　　"Nowwe’llstopandgettofishingagain;don’tyouwantto？"
　　Heagreed，andshecountedthechips.
　　"Condy，youowemesevendollarsandahalf，"sheannounced.
　　Condybegantosmile."Well，"hesaidjocosely，"I’llsendyouaroundacheckto—morrow."
　　ButatthisBlixwascrossupontheinstant."Youwouldn’tdothat——wouldn’ttalkthatwaywithoneofyourfriendsattheclub！"sheexclaimed;"andit’snotrighttodoitwithme.
　　Condy，givemesevendollarsandahalf.Whenyouplaycardswithmeit’sjustasthoughitwerewithanotherman.Iwouldhavepaidyouifyouhadwon."
　　"ButIhaven’tgotmorethanninedollars.Who’llpayforthesupperto—nightatLuna’s，andourrailroadfaregoinghome？"
　　"I’llpay."
　　"ButI——Ican’taffordtolosemoneythisway."
　　"Shouldn’thaveplayed，then.Itookthesamechancesasyou.
　　Condy，Iwantmymoney."
　　"You——you——whyyou’veregularlyflimflammedme."
　　"Willyougivememymoney？"
　　"Oh，takeyourmoneythen！"
　　Blixshutthemoneyinherpurse，androse，dustingherdress.
　　"Now，"shesaid——"nowthatthepastimeofcard—playingisover，wewillreturntotheseriousbusinessoflife，whichisthecatching——no，’KILLING’oflaketrout."
　　Atfiveo’clockintheafternoon，CondypulleduptheanchorofrailroadironandrowedbacktoRichardson’s.Blixhadsixtrouttohercredit，butCondy’sill—luckhadbeenactuallyludicrous.
　　"Icanholdastringinthewateraslongasanybody，"hecomplained，"butI’dliketohavethesatisfactionofmerelychangingthebaitOCCASIONALLY.I’venothadasinglebite——notanibble，y’know，allday.Nevermind，yougotthebigtrout，Blix;thatfirstone.Thatfiveminuteswasworththewholeday.
　　It’sbeenglorious，thewholething.We’llcomedownhereonceaweekrightalongnow."
　　ButtheoneincidentthatcompletedthehappinessofthatwonderfuldayoccurredjustastheyweregettingoutoftheboatontheshorebyRichardson’s.Inamud—holebetweentworockstheydiscoveredatinystripedsnake，hardlybiggerthanaleadpencil，intheactofswallowingalittlegreenfrog，andtheypassedarapttenminutesinwitnessingtheprogressofthisminiaturedrama，whichculminatedhappilyinthevictim’sescape，andtriumphofvirtue.
　　"That，"declaredBlixastheyclimbedintotheoldbuggywhichwastotakethemtothetrain，"wastheonethingnecessary.Thatmadethedayperfect."
　　Theyreachedthecityatdusk，andsenttheirfish，lunch—basket，androdsuptotheBessemers’flatbyamessengerboywithanexplanatorynoteforBlix’sfather.
　　"Now，"saidCondy，"forLuna’sandthematrimonialobjects."
　　ChapterVII
　　Luna’sMexicanrestauranthasnoaddress.Itisonnoparticularstreet，atnoparticularcorner;evenitshabitues，itsmostenthusiasticdevotees，areunabletolocateitupondemand.Itis"overthereinthequarter，""notfarfromthecathedralthere."
　　Onecouldfinditifonestartedoutwiththatintent;buttodirectanotherthere——no，thatisoutofthequestion.ItCANbereachedbyfollowingthealleysofChinatown.Youwillcomeoutofthelastalley——theonewheretheslavegirlsare——upontheedgeoftheMexicanquarter，andbygoingstraightforwardablockortwoandbykeepingasharplookouttorightandleftyouwillhituponit.Itisalwaystobesearchedfor.Alwaystobediscovered.
　　OnthatparticularMondayeveningBlixandCondyarrivedatLuna’ssomefifteenminutesbeforeseven.Condyhadlosthimselfandallsenseofdirectioninthestrangestreetsofthequarter，andtheywereontheverybrinkofdespairwhenBlixdiscoveredthesignuponanoppositecorner.
　　AsCondyhadforetold，theyhadtheplacetothemselves.Theywentintothebackroomwithitsonemirror，sixtables，andastonishingcurtainsofNottinghamlace;andthewaiter，whosenamewasRichardorRiccardo，accordingtotaste，begantoofficiateatthesolemnritesofthe"supperMexican."CondyandBlixatewiththeireyescontinuallywanderingtothedoor;andastheFRIJOLESwerebeingserved，startedsimultaneouslyandexchangedglances.
　　Amanwearingtwomargueritesinthelapelofhiscoathadenteredabruptly，andsatdowntoatablecloseathand.
　　Condydrewabreathofsuppressedexcitement.
　　"Thereheis，"hewhispered——"CaptainJack！"
　　Theylookedatthenewcomerwithfurtiveanxiety，andtoldthemselvesthattheyweredisappointed.Foraretiredseacaptainhewasdesperatelycommonplace.Hishairwasred，hewasyoungerthantheyhadexpected，and，worstofall，hedidlooktough.
　　"Oh，poorK.D.B.！"sighedBlix，shakingherhead."He’llneverdo，I’mafraid.Perhapshehasagoodheart，though;red—headedpeopleareSOMETIMESaffectionate."
　　"Theyareimpulsive，"hazardedCondy.
　　Ashespokethewords，asecondmanenteredthelittleroom.He，too，satdownatanearbytable.He，too，orderedthe"supperMexican."He，too，woremargueritesinhisbuttonhole.
　　"Deathanddestruction！"gaspedCondy，turningpale.
　　Blixcollapsedhelplesslyinherchair，herhandsdroppinginherlap.Theystaredateachotherinutterconfusion.
　　"Here’sahow—do—you—do，"murmuredCondy，pretendingtostripaTAMALEthatRichardhadjustsetbeforehim.ButBlixhadpushedhersaside.
　　"Whatdoesitmean？"whisperedCondyacrossthetable."InHeaven’sname，whatdoesitmean？"
　　"Itcanonlymeanonething，"Blixdeclared;"oneofthemisthecaptain，andoneisacoincidence.Anybodymightwearamarguerite;weoughttohavethoughtofthat."
　　"Butwhichiswhich？"
　　"IfK.D.B.shouldcomenow！"
　　"Butthelastmanlooksmorelikethecaptain."
　　Thelastmanwasasturdy，broad—shoulderedfellow，whomighthavebeenforty.Hisheavymustachewasjusttouchedwithgray，andhedidhaveacertainvaguely"soberandindustrious"appearance.
　　Butthedifferencebetweenthetwomenwasslight，afterall;thered—headedmancouldeasilyhavebeenaseacaptain，andhecertainlywasoverthirty—five.
　　"Which？which？which？——howcanwetell？Wemightthinkofsomewaytogetridofthecoincidence，ifwecouldonlytellwhichthecoincidencewas.WeoweittoK.D.B.Inaway，Condy，it’sourduty.Webroughtherhere，orwearegoingto，andweoughttohelpherallwecan;andshemaybehereatanymoment.Whattimeisitnow？"
　　"Fiveminutesafterseven.But，Blix，Ishouldthinktherightone——thecaptain——wouldbeallputouthimselfbyseeinganotherchapherewearingmarguerites.Doeseitheroneof’emseemputouttoyou？Look.Ishouldthinkthecaptain，whicheveroneheis，wouldkindofGLAREatthecoincidence."
　　Stealthilytheystudiedthetwomenforamoment.
　　"No，no，"murmuredBlix，"youcan’ttell.Neitherofthemseemstoglaremuch.Oh，Condy"——hervoicedroppedtoafaintwhisper.
　　"Thered—headedonehasputhishatonachair，justbehindhim，notice？Doyousupposeifyoustoodupyoucouldseeinside？"
　　"Whatgoodwouldthatdo？"
　　"Hemighthavehisinitialsinsidethecrown，orhiswholenameeven;andyoucouldseeifhehada’captain’beforeit."
　　Condymadeapretenceofrisingtogetamatchinaribbed，truncatedconeofchinathatstooduponanadjacenttable，andBlixheldherbreathasheglanceddownintothedepthsofthehat.Heresumedhisseat.
　　"Onlyinitials，"hebreathed——"W.J.A.ItmightbeJack，thatJ.，anditmightbeJoe，orJeremiah，orJoshua;andevenifhewasacaptainhemightnotusethetitle.We’renobetteroffthanwewerebefore."
　　"AndK.D.B.maycomeatanymoment.Maybeshehascomealreadyandlookedthroughthewindows，andsawTWOmenwithmargueritesandwentaway.She’dbejustthattimid.Whatcanwedo？"
　　"Waitaminute，lookhere，"murmuredCondy."I’veanidea.I’LL
　　findoutwhichthecaptainis.Youseethatpicture，thatchromo，onthewallopposite？"
　　Blixlookedasheindicated.Thepicturewasagorgeouslycoloredlithographofapilot—boat，schooner—rigged，allsailsset，dashingbravelythroughseasofemeraldgreencolor.
　　"Youmeanthatschooner？"askedBlix.
　　"Thatschooner，exactly.Now，listen.Youaskmeinaloudvoicewhatkindofaboatthatis;andwhenIanswer，youkeepyoureyeonthetwomen."
　　"Why，whatareyougoingtodo？"
　　"You’llsee.Tryitnow;we’venotimetolose."
　　Blixshiftedinherseatandclearedherthroat.Then：
　　"Whataprettyboatthatisupthere，thatpictureonthewall.
　　Seeoverthere，onthewallopposite？Doyounoticeit？Isn’tshepretty？Condy，tellmewhatkindofaboatisthat？"
　　Condyturnedaboutinhisplacewithgreatdeliberation，fixedthepicturewithajudicialeye，andannounceddecisively：
　　"That？——why，that’saBARKENTINE."
　　CondyhadnoneedtowaitforBlix’sreport.Thedemonstrationcamefartooquicklyforthat.Thered—headedmanathislouddeclarationmerelyglancedinthedirectionofthechromoandreturnedtohisenchellados.ButheoftheblackmustachefollowedCondy’sglance，notedthepictureofwhichhespoke，andsnortedcontemptuously.Theyevenheardhimmutterbeneathhismustache：
　　"BARKENTINEyoureye！"
　　"Nodoubtastowhichisthecaptainnow，"whisperedCondysosoonastheotherhadremovedfromhimaglanceofwitheringscorn.
　　Theycouldhardlyrestraintheirgayety;buttheirgravitypromptlyreturnedwhenBlixkickedCondy’sfootunderthetableandmurmured："He’slookingathiswatch，thecaptainis.K.D.
　　B.isn’thereyet，andthered—headedman，thecoincidence，is.
　　WeMUSTgetridofhim.Condy，can’tyouthinkofsomething？"
　　"Well，hewon’tgotillhe’sthroughhissupper，youcandependuponthat.Ifhe’sherewhenK.D.B.arrives，itwillspoileverything.Shewouldn’tstayamoment.Shewouldn’tevencomein."
　　"Isn’titdisappointing？AndIhadsocounteduponbringingthesetwotogether！AndCaptainJackisaniceman！"
　　"Youcanseethatwithonehandtiedbehindyou，"whisperedCondy.
　　"Theotherchap’stough."
　　"Looksjustlikethekindofmantogetintojailsoonerorlater."
　　"Maybehe’sintosomemischiefnow;younevercantell.AndtheMexicanquarterofSanFranciscoisjusttheplacefor’affairs.’
　　I’llwarranthe’sgotPALS."
　　"Well，hereheis——that’sthemainpoint——justkeepingthosepeopleapart，spoilingawholeromance.Mayberuiningtheirlives.It’sQUITEpossible;reallyitis.Juststopandthink.
　　Thisisapositivecrisiswe’relookingatnow."
　　"Can’twegetridofhimSOMEHOW？"
　　"O—oh！"whisperedBlix，allatonce，inaquiverofexcitement.
　　"Thereisaway，ifwe’deverhavethecouragetodoit.Itmightwork;andifitdidn’t，he’dneverknowthedifference，neverwouldsuspectus.Oh！butwewouldn’tdare."
　　"What？what？InHeaven’snamewhatisit，Blix？"
　　"Wewouldn’tdare——wecouldn’t.Oh！butitwouldbesuch——"
　　"K.D.B.maycomeinthatdooratanysecond."
　　"I’mhalfafraid，butallthesame——Condy，letmehaveapencil."
　　Shedashedoffacoupleoflinesonthebackofthebilloffare，andherhandtrembledlikealeafasshehandedhimwhatshehadwritten.
　　"Sendhim——thered—headedman——thattelegram.There’sanofficejusttwodoorsbelowhere，nextthedrug—store.Isawitaswecameby.Youknowhisinitials：remember，yousawtheminhishat.W.J.A.，Luna’srestaurant.That’sallyouwant."
　　"Lord，"mutteredCondy，ashegazeduponwhatBlixhadwritten.
　　"Doyoudare？"shewhispered，withalittlehystericalshudder.
　　"Ifitfailedwe’venothingtolose."
　　"AndK.D.B.iscomingnearereveryinstant！"
　　"Butwouldhego——thatis，atonce？"
　　"Wecanonlytry.Youwon’tbegoneahundredseconds.Youcanleavemeherethatlengthoftime.Quick，Condy;decideonewayortheother.It’sgettingdesperate."
　　Condyreachedforhishat.
　　"Givemesomemoney，then，"hesaid."Youwonallofmine"
　　Afewmomentslaterhewasbackagainandthetwosat，pretendingtoeattheirchilipeppers，theirheartsintheirthroats，hardlydaringtoraisetheireyesfromtheirplates.Condywasactuallysickwithexcitement，andallbuttippedtheseltzerbottletothefloorwhenamessengerboyappearedintheouterroom.Theboyandtheproprietorheldaconferenceoverthecounter.ThenRichardappearedbetweentheportieresofNottinghamlace，thetelegraminhishandandtheboyathisheels.
　　EvidentlyRichardknewthered—headedman，forhecrossedovertohimatoncewiththewords：
　　"Iguessthisisforyou，Mr.Atkins？"
　　Hehandedhimthedespatchandretired.Thered—headedmansignedthereceipt;theboydeparted.BlixandCondyheardthesoundoftornpaperasthered—headedmanopenedthetelegram.
　　Tensecondspassed，thenfifteen，thentwenty.Therewasasilence.Condydaredtostealaglanceatthered—headedman’sreflectioninthemirror.Hewasstudyingthedespatch，frowninghorribly.Heputitawayinhispocket，tookitoutagainwithafiercemovementofimpatience，andconsulteditasecondtime.
　　His"supperMexican"remaineduntastedbeforehim;CondyandBlixheardhimbreathingloudthroughhisnose.Thathewasprofoundlyagitated，theycouldnotdoubtforasinglemoment.Allatoncealittlepanicterrorseemedtotakepossessionofhim.Herose，seizedhishat，jammeditoverhisears，slappedahalf—dollaruponthetable，andstrodefromtherestaurant.
　　Thisiswhattheread—headedmanhadreadinthedespatch;thisiswhatBlixhadwritten：
　　"ALLISDISCOVERED.FLYATONCE."
　　AndneverinalltheirsubsequentramblesaboutthecitydidBlixorCondyseteyesuponthered—headedmanagain，nordidLuna’srestaurant，whereheseemedtohavebeenahabitue，everafterwardknowhispresence.Hedisappeared;hewasswallowedup.Hehadlefttherestaurant，true.Hadhealsoleftthatneighborhood？
　　Hadhefledthecity，theState，thecountryeven？Whatskeletoninthered—headedman’sclosethadthosesixwordscalledtolifeandthelightofday.Hadtheyfrightenedhimforthtospendtherestofhisdaysfleeingfromanunnamed，unknownavenger——averitablewanderingJew？Whatmysteryhadtheytoucheduponthereinthebald，barebackroomoftheQuarter’srestaurant？Whatdarkdoorhadtheyopened，whatred—headedphantomhadtheyevoked？Hadtheybrokenupaplot，thwartedaconspiracy，preventedacrime？
　　Theyneverknew.Onethingonlywascertain.Thered—headedmanhadhadapast.
　　Meanwhiletheminuteswerepassing，andK.D.B.stillfailedtoappear.CaptainJackwasvisiblygrowingimpatient，anxious.Bynowhehadcometothefieryliqueurcalledmescal.Hewasnearlythroughhissupper.Ateverymomentheconsultedhiswatchandfixedtheoutsidedoorwithascowl.Itwasalreadytwentyminutesafterseven.
　　"Iknowthered—headedmanspoiledit，afterall，"murmuredBlix.
　　"K.D.B.sawthetwooftheminhereandwasfrightened."
　　"WecouldsendCaptainJackatelegramfromher，"suggestedCondy.
　　"I’mreadyforanythingnow."
　　"Whatcouldyousay？"
　　"Oh，thatshecouldn’tcome.Makeanotherappointment."
　　"He’dbeoffendedwithher.He’dnevermakeanotherappointment.
　　Seacaptainsarealwayssopunctilious，y’know."
　　Richardbroughtthemtheircoffeeandkirsch，andCondyshowedBlixhowtoburnalumpofsugarandsweetenthecoffeewithsyrup.Buttheyweredisappointed.CaptainJackwasgettingreadytoleave.K.D.B.hadevidentlybrokentheappointment.
　　Thenallatoncesheappeared.
　　Theyknewitupontheinstantbyabriskopeningandshuttingofthestreetdoor，andbyasuddenalertnessonthepartofCaptainJack，whichheimmediatelyfollowedbyaquiteinexplicablemove.
　　Thestreetdoorintheoutsideroomhadhardlyclosedbeforehishandshottohiscoatlapelandtoreoutthetwomarguerites.
　　Theactionwasinstinctive;Blixknewitforsuchimmediately.
　　Theretiredcaptainhadnotpremeditatedit.Hehadnotseenthefaceofthenewcomer.Shehadnottimetocomeintothebackroom，oreventoclosethestreetdoor.Buttheinstantthatthecaptainhadrecognizedabunchofwhitemargueritesinherbelthehad，withoutknowingwhy，beenmovedtoconcealhisidentity.
　　"He’safraid，"whisperedBlix."Positively，Ibelievehe’safraid.Howabsolutelystupidmenare！"
　　Butmeanwhile，K.D.B.，thelooked—for，theplanned—forandintrigued—for;theobjectofsomuchdiplomacy，suchdelicatemanoeuvring;thepivotuponwhichallplansweretoturn，thestorm—centreroundwhichsomanyconflictingcurrentsrevolved，andforwhosebenefitthepeaceofmindofthered—headedmanhadbeenforeverbrokenup——hadenteredtheroom.
　　"Why，she’sPRETTY！"wasBlix’sfirstsmotheredexclamation，asifshehadexpectedaharridan.
　　K.D.B.lookedlikeaservant—girlofthebettersort，andwasreallyveryneatlydressed.Shewassmall，littleeven.Shehadsnappyblackeyes，aresolutemouth，andageneralairofbeingveryquiet，verymatter—of—factandcomplacent.Shewouldbedisturbedatnothing，excitedatnothing;Blixwassureofthat.
　　Shewasplacid，butitwastheplaciditynotoftheabsenceofemotion，butofemotiondisdained.Nottheplacidityofthemollusk，butthatofamatureandcontemplativecat.
　　Quietlyshesatdownatacornertable，quietlysheremovedherveilandgloves，andquietlyshetookintheroomanditsthreeoccupants.
　　CondyandBlixgluedtheireyesupontheircoffeecupslikeguiltyconspirators;butacrashoffallingcrockerycalledtheirattentiontothecaptain’stable.
　　CaptainJackwasinatremor.Hithertohehadactedtheroleofasaneandsensiblegentlemanofmiddleage，masterofhimselfandofthesituation.TheentranceofK.D.B.hadevidentlyreducedhimtoasemi—idioticcondition.Heenlargedhimself;heeasedhisneckinhiscollarwitharotarymovementofheadandshoulders.Hefrownedterriblyattriflingobjectsincornersoftheroom.Heclearedhisthroattilltheglasswarejingled.Hepulledathismustache.Heperspired，fumed，fretted，andwassuddenlyseizedwithaninsanedesiretolaugh.OnceonlyhecaughttheeyeofK.D.B.，calmlysittinginhercorner，pickingdaintilyatherfish，whereuponheimmediatelyoverturnedthevinegarandpeppercastersuponthefloor.Justsomighthavebehavedanovergrownpuppyinthepresenceofasleepy，unperturbedchessy—cat，dozingbythefire.
　　"Heoughttobeshaken，"murmuredBlixattheendofherpatience.
　　"DoeshethinkSHEisgoingtomakethefirstmove？"
　　"Ha，ah’m！"thunderedthecaptain，clearinghisthroatforthetwentiethtime，twirlinghismustache，andburyinghisscarletfaceinanenormouspockethandkerchief.
　　Fiveminutespassedandhewasstillinhisplace.FromtimetotimeK.D.B.fixedhimwithaquiet，deliberatelook，andresumedherdelicatepicking.
　　"Doyouthinksheknowsit’she，nowthathe’stakenoffhismarguerites？"whisperedCondy.
　　"Knowit？——ofcourseshedoes！DoyouthinkwomenareabsolutelyBLIND，orsoimbecileasmenare？And，then，ifshedidn’tthinkitwashe，she’dgoaway.Andshe’ssoreallypretty，too.Heoughttothankhisstarsalive.Thinkwhatafrightshemighthavebeen！Shedoesn’tLOOKthirty—one."
　　"Huh！"returnedCondy."AslongassheSAIDshewasthirty—one，youcanbeteverythingyouhavethatsheis;that’sastrueasrevealedreligion."
　　"Well，it’ssomethingtohaveseenthekindofpeoplewhowritethepersonals，"saidBlix."Ihadalwaysimaginedthattheywerekindoftough."
　　"Youseetheyarenot，"heanswered."Itoldyoutheywerenot.
　　Maybe，however，wehavebeenexceptionallyfortunate.Atanyrate，thesearerespectableenough."
　　"Nottheleastdoubtaboutthat.Butwhydon’thedosomething，thatcaptain？"mournedBlix."WhyWILLheactlikesuchaninny？"
　　"He’swaitingforustogo，"saidCondy;"I’msureofit.They’llnevermeetsolongaswe’rehere.Let’sgoandgive’emachance.
　　Ifyouleavethetwoalonehere，oneortheotherwillHAVEtospeak.Thesuspensewouldbecometooterrible.Itwouldbeasthoughtheywereonadesertisland."
　　"ButIwantedtoSEEthemmeet，"sheprotested.
　　"Youwouldn’thearwhattheysaid."
　　"Butwe’dneverknowiftheydidmeet，andoh——andWHOspokefirst？"
　　"She’llspeakfirst，"declaredCondy.
　　"Never！"returnedBlix，inanindignantwhisper.
　　"Itellyouwhat.Wecouldgoandthencomebackinfiveminutes.
　　I’llforgetmystickhere.Savvy？"
　　"Youwouldprobablydoitanyhow，"shetoldhim.
　　Theydecidedthiswouldbethebettercourse.Theygottogethertheirthings，andCondyneglectedhisstick，hanginguponahookonthewall.
　　Atthecounterintheoutsideroom，Blix，tothestupefactionofRichard，thewaiter，paidthebill.Butasshewasmovingtowardthedoor，Condycalledherback.
　　"Rememberthewaiter，"hesaidseverely，whileRichardgrinnedandbobbed."Fiftycentsistheveryleastyoucouldtiphim."
　　Richardactuallyprotested，butCondywasfirm，andinsisteduponahalf—dollartip.
　　"Noblesseoblige，"hedeclaredwithvastsolemnity.
　　Theywalkedasfarasthecathedral，listenedforamomenttothebellstrikingthehourofeight;thenastheyrememberedthattherestaurantclosedatthattime，hurriedbackandenteredtheoutsideroominfeignedperturbation.
　　"DidI，couldIhavepossiblyleftmystickhere？"exclaimedCondytoRichard，whowasuntyinghisapronbehindthecounter.ButRichardhadnotnoticed.
　　"IthinkImusthaveleftitbackherewhereweweresitting."
　　Condysteppedintothebackroom，Blixfollowing.Theygothisstickandreturnedtotheoutsideroom.
　　"Yes，yes，Ididleaveit，"hesaid，asheshowedittoRichard.
　　I’malwaysleavingthatstickwhereverIgo."
　　"Comeagain，"saidRichard，ashebowedthemoutofthedoor.
　　OnthecurboutsideCondyandBlixshookhandsandcongratulatedeachotheronthesuccessofalltheirlabors.Inthebackroom，seatedatthesametable，abunchofwiltingmargueritesbetweenthem，theyhadseentheir"matrimonialobjects"conferringearnestlytogether，absorbedinthebusinessofgettingacquainted.
　　Blixheavedagreatsighofreliefandsatisfaction，exclaiming：
　　"AtlastK.D.B.andCaptainJackhavemet！"
　　ChapterVIII
　　"But，"sheadded，astheystartedtowalk，"wewillneverknowwhichonespokefirst."
　　ButCondywasalreadyworrying.
　　"Idon’tknow，Idon’tknow！"hemurmuredanxiously."Perhapswe’vedoneanawfulthing.Supposetheyaren’thappytogetherafterthey’remarried？Iwishwehadn’t;Iwishwehadn’tnow.
　　We’vebeenplayingagameofcheckerswithhumansouls.We’veanawfulresponsibility.Supposehekillshersometime？"
　　"Fiddlesticks，Condy！And，besides，ifwe’vedonewrongwithourmatrimonialobjects，we’veoffsetitbydoingwellwithourred—
　　headedcoincidence.Howdoyouknow，youmayhave’foiledavillain’withthattelegram——preventedacrime？"
　　Condygrinnedattherecollectionoftheincident.
　　"’Flyatonce，’"herepeated."Iguesshe’sflyingyet.’Allisdiscovered.’I’dgiveadollarandahalf——"
　　"Ifyouhadit？"
　　"Oh，well，ifIhadit——toknowjustwhatitwaswehavediscovered."
　　SuddenlyBlixcaughthisarm.
　　"Condy，heretheycome！"
　　"Who？Who？"
　　"Ourobjects，CaptainJackandK.D.B."
　　"Ofcourse，ofcourse.Theycouldn’tstay.Therestaurantshutsupateight"
　　BlixandCondyhadbeenwalkingslowlyinthedirectionofPacificStreet，andK.D.B.andherescortsoonovertookthemgoinginthesamedirection.Astheypassed，thecaptainwassaying：
　　"——jumpedonmyhatches，andsayswe’llmakeitaninternationalaffair.Thatdidn’t——"
　　Apassingwagondrownedthesoundofhisvoice.
　　"Hewastellingherofhisadventures！"criedBlix."Splendid！
　　OthelloandDesdemona.They’regettingon."
　　"Let’sfollowthem！"exclaimedCondy.
　　"Shouldwe？Wouldn’titbeindiscreet？"
　　"No.Wearethearbitersoftheirfate;weMUSTtakeaninterest."
　　Theyallowedtheirobjectstogetaheadsomehalfablockandthenfellinbehind.Therewaslittledangeroftheirbeingdetected.
　　ThecaptainandK.D.B.wereabsorbedineachother.Shehadeventakenhisarm.
　　"Theymakeafine—lookingcouple，really，"saidBlix."Wheredoyousupposetheyaregoing？Toanotherrestaurant？"
　　Butthiswasnotthecase.BlixandCondyfollowedthemasfarasWashingtonSquare，wheretheGeodeticSurveystonestands，andtheenormousflagstaff;andthereinfrontofacommonplacelittlehouse，twodoorsabovetheRussianchurchwithitsminaretslikeinvertedballoonsK.D.B.andthecaptainhalted.Forafewmomentstheyconversedinlowtonesatthegate，thensaidgood—
　　night，K.D.B.enteringthehouse，thecaptainbowingwithgreatdeference，hishatinhishand.Thenheturnedabout，glancedonceortwiceatthehouse，sethishatatanangle，anddisappearedacrossthesquare，whistlingatune，hischinintheair.
　　"Verygood，excellent，highlyrespectable，"approvedBlix;andCondyhimselffetchedasighofrelief.
　　"Yes，yes，itmighthavebeenworse."
　　"We’llneverseethemagain，our’MatrimonialObjects，’"saidBlix，"andthey’llneverknowaboutus;butwehavebroughtthemtogether.We’vestartedaromance.Yes，Ithinkwe’vedoneagoodday’swork.Andnow，Condy，Ithinkwehadbestbethinkingofhomeourselves.I’mjustbeginningtogetmostawfullysleepy.
　　Whatadaywe’vehad！"
　　Aseafog，orratherTHEseafog——SanFrancisco’soldandinseparablecompanion——hadgatheredbythetimetheyreachedthetopoftheWashingtonStreethill.Everythingwaswetwithit.
　　Theasphaltwaslikevarnishedebony.Indistinctmassesandhugedimshadowsstoodforthehousesoneitherside.Fromtheeucalyptustreesandthepalmsthewaterdrippedlikerain.Faroffoceanward，thefog—hornwaslowinglikealostgiganticbull.
　　Thegraybulkofapoliceman——thelightfromthestreetlampreflectedinhisstar——loomeduponthecornerastheydescendedfromthecar.
　　**********
　　Condyhadintendedtocallhisdiver’sstory"ASubmarineRomance，"butBlixhaddisapproved.
　　"It’stoo’TwentyThousandLeaguesUndertheSea，’"shehadsaid.
　　"Youwantsomethingmuchmoredignified.Thereisthataboutyou，Condy，youliketobetooshowy;youdon’tknowwhentostop.Butyouhaveleftoffred—and—whitescarfs，andIamverygladtoseeyouwearingwhiteshirt—frontsinsteadofpinkones."
　　"Yes，yes，Ithoughtitwouldbequieter，"hehadanswered，asthoughtheideahadcomefromhim.Blixallowedhimtothinkso.
　　But"AVictoryOverDeath，"asthestorywasfinallycalled，wasasuccess.Condywastoomuchofabornstory—tellernottoknowwhenhehaddonesomethingdistinctlygood.Whenthestorycamebackfromthetypewriter’s，withtheadditionalstrengththatprintlendstofiction，andhehadreaditover，hecouldnotrepressasenseofjubilation.Thestoryrangtrue.
　　"Bully，bully！"hemutteredbetweenhisteethashefinishedthelastparagraph."It’sacorker！Ifit’srejectedeverywhere，it’sanout—of—sightyarnjustthesame."
　　AndthereCondy’senthusiasminthematterbegantodwindle.Thefinefirewhichhadsustainedhimduringthestoryscompositionhaddiedout.Hewassatisfiedwithhiswork.Hehadwrittenagoodstory，andthatwastheendofit.NodoubthewouldsenditEast——totheCentennialCompany——to—morroworthedayafter——sometimethatweek.Tomailthemanuscriptmeantquitehalfanhour’seffort.Hewouldhavetobuystampsforreturnpostage;aletterwouldhavetobewritten，alargeenvelopeprocured，theaccurateaddressascertained.Forthemomenthissupplementworkdemandedhisattention.Heputoffsendingthestoryfromdaytoday.Hisinterestinithadabated.Andforthatmatterhesoondiscoveredhehadotherthingstothinkof.
　　IthadbeeneasytopromiseBlixthathewouldnolongergambleathisclubwiththeothermenofhisacquaintance;butitwas"deathandthedevil，"ashetoldhimself，toabidebythatpromise.
　　MorethanonceinthefortnightfollowinguponhisresolutionhehadcomeuptothelittleflatontheWashingtonStreethillastoaplaceofrefuge;andBlix，alwayspretendingthatitwasallahugejokeandpartoftheirgoodtimes，hadbroughtoutthecardsandplayedwithhim.Butsheknewverywellthefighthewasmakingagainsttheenemy，andhowharditwasforhimtokeepfromtheroundgreentablesandgroupofsilentshirt—sleevedmeninthecard—roomsofhisclub.ShelookedforwardtothetimewhenCondywouldceasetoplayevenwithher.Butshewastoosensibleandpracticalagirltoexpecthimtobreakahabitofyears’
　　standinginacoupleofweeks.Thethingwouldhavetobeaccomplishedlittlebylittle.Attimesshehadmisgivingsastothehonestyofthecourseshehadadopted.Butnowadays，playingashedidwithheronly，Condygambledbuttwoorthreeeveningsintheweek，andthennotformorethantwohoursatatime.
　　Heretoforehardlyaneveningthathadnotseenhimattheroundtableinhisclub’scard—room，whencehehadnotrisenuntillongaftermidnight.
　　CondyhadtoldyoungSargeantthathehad"reformed"inthematterofgambling，andintendedtoswearoffforafewmonths.
　　Sargeant，likethethoroughbredhewas，neverurgedhimtoplayafterthat，andneverspokeofthepreviousnight’sgamewhenCondywasabout.Theothermenofhis"set"werenolessthoughtful，and，thoughtheyralliedhimalittleatfirstuponhisdefection，soonletthematterdrop.Condytoldhimselfthattherewereplentyofgoodpeopleintheworld，afterall.Everyoneseemedconspiringtomakeiteasyforhim，andhesworeathimselfforaweak—kneedcad.
　　OnacertainTuesday，aboutaweekafterthefishingexcursionandtheaffairofthe"MatrimonialObjects，"towardhalf—pastsixintheevening，Condywasinhisroom，dressingforadinnerengagement.YoungSargeant’ssisterhadinvitedhimtobeoneofapartywhoweretodineattheUniversityClub，andlateronfillaboxatacharityplay，givenbyamateursatoneofthedowntowntheatres.Butashewaswashinghislinenshirt—studswithhistooth—brushhiseyefelluponanote，inLaurieFlagg’shand—
　　writing，thatlayonhiswriting—desk，andthathehadreceivedsometendaysprevious.Condyturnedcoldupontheinstant，hurledthetooth—brushacrosstheroom，anddroppedintoachairwithagroanofdespair.MissFlaggwasgivingatheatrepartyforthesameaffair，andherememberednowthathehadpromisedtojoinherpartyaswell，forgettingallabouttheengagementhehadmadewithMissSargeant.Itwasimpossibleatthislatehourtoaccepteitheroneoftheyoungwomen’sinvitationswithoutoffendingtheother.
　　"Well，Iwon’tgotoEITHER，that’sall，"hevociferatedaloudtotheoppositewall."I’llsend’emeachawire，andsaythatI’msickorhavegottogodowntotheoffice，and——and，byGeorge！
　　I’llgoupandseeBlix，andwe’llreadandmakethingstoeat."
　　Andnosoonerhadthisalternativeoccurredtohimthanitappearedtoofascinatingtoberesisted.Aweightseemedremovedfromhismind.Whenitcametothat，whatamusementwouldhehaveateitheraffair？
　　"Situptherewithyourshirt—frontstarchedlikeaboard，"heblustered，"andyourcollarthrottlingyou，andsmiletillyourfaceissore，andreeloffsmalltalktoagirlwhoselastnameyoucan’tremember！DoIhaveanyfun，doesitdomeanygood，doIgetideasforyarns？WhatdoIdoitfor？Idon’tknow."
　　Whilespeakinghehadbeenkickingoffhistightshoesandsuchofhisfulldressashehadalreadyputon，andwithafeelingofenormousreliefturnedagaintohissacksuitoftweed."Lord，thesefeelbetter！"heexclaimed，ashesubstitutedtheloosebusinesssuitfortheformalrigidityofhiseveningdress.Itwaswithasensationofpositiveluxurythatheputona"soft"
　　shirtofbluecheviotandhistanwalking—shoes.
　　"Butnomoreredscarfs，"hedeclared，asheknottedhisblacksatin"club"beforethemirror."SheWASrightthere."Heputhiscigarettesinhispocket，caughtuphisglovesandstick，clappedonhishat，andstartedfortheBessemers’flatwithafeelingofjoyousexpectancyhehadnotknownfordays.
　　EvidentlyBlixhadseenhimcoming，forsheopenedthedoorherself;anditsuitedherhumorforthemomenttotreathimasapeddlerorbook—agent.
　　"No，no，"shesaidairily，herheadintheairassheheldthedoor."No，wedon’twantanyto—day.WeHAVEthebiographyofAbrahamLincoln.Don’twanttosubscribetoanyHomeBookofArt.
　　We’renotartistic;weusedrapesinourparlors.Don’twant’TheWivesandMothersofGreatMen.’"
　　ButCondyhadnoticedacoupleofyoungwomenonthelowerstepsoftheadjacentflat，quitewithinear—shot，andatoncehebeganinaloud，harshvoice：
　　"Well，y’know，wecan’twaitforourrentforever;I’monlythecollector，andI’venothingtodowithrepairs.Payyourrentthat’sthreemonthsoverdue，andthen——
　　ButBlixpulledhimwithinthehouseandclappedtothedoor.
　　"CondyRIVERS！"sheexclaimed，hercheeksflaming，"thoseareourneighbors.Theyheardeveryword.Whatdoyousupposetheythink？"
　　"Huh！I’dratherhave’emthinkIwasarent—collectorthanabook—agent.Youbeganit.’Evenin’，MissLady."
　　"’Evenin’，MisterMan."
　　ButCondy’svisit，begunthusgayly，soondevelopedalongmuchmoreseriouslines.Aftersupper，whilethelightstilllasted，Blixreadstoriestohimwhilehesmokedcigarettesinthebaywindowofthedining—room.Butassoonasthelightbegantogosheputthebookaside，andthetwotooktheiraccustomedplacesinthewindow，andwatchedtheeveningburningitselfoutovertheGoldenGate.
　　Itwasjustwarmenoughtohaveoneofthewindowsopened，andforalongtimeafterthedusktheysatlisteningtothevagueclamorofthecity，lapsingbydegrees，tillitsettledintoameasured，soothingmurmur，likethebreathingofsomevastmonsterasleep.
　　Condy’scigarettewasamereredpointinthehalf—darkness.Thesmokedriftedoutoftheopenwindowinlong，bluestrata.AthiselbowBlixwasleaningforward，lookingdownuponthedarkening，drowsingcity，herround，strongchinproppeduponherhand.ShewasjustcloseenoughforCandytocatchthesweet，deliciousfeminineperfumethatcameindefinitelyfromherclothes，herhair，herneck.FromwhereCondysathecouldseethesilhouetteofherheadandshouldersagainstthedullgoldenbluroftheopenwindow;herround，highforehead，withthethickyellowhairrollingbackfromhertemplesandears，herpink，cleancheeks，herlittledark—brown，scintillatingeyes，andherfirmredmouth，madeallthefirmerbythepositionofherchinuponherhand.Asever，herround，strongneckwasswathedhighandtightinwhitesatin;butbetweenthetopmostfoldofthesatinandtheroseofonesmallear—lobewasalittletriangleofwhiteskin，thatwaspartlyherneckandpartlyhercheek，andthatCondyknewshouldbesofterthandown，smootherthansatin，warmandsweetandredolentasnewapples.Condyimaginedhimselfhavingtherighttoleantowardherthereandkissthatlittlespotuponherneckorhercheek;andashefanciedit，wassurprisedtofindhisbreathcomesuddenlyquick，andabarelyperceptiblequalm，asofacertainfaintness，thrillhimtohisfinger—tips;andthen，hethought，howwoulditbeifhecould，withoutfearofrebuff，reachouthisarmandputitabouthertrim，firmwaist，anddrawherveryclosetohim，tillheshouldfeelthesatinycoolnessofhersmoothcheekagainsthis;tillhecouldsinkhisfaceinthedelicious，fragrantconfusionofherhair，thenturnthatfacetohis——thatfacewithitsstrong，calmmouthandsweet，fulllips——
　　thefaceofthisdearyounggirlofnineteen，andthen——
　　"Isay——I——shallwe——let’sreadagain.Let’s——let’sdosomething."
　　"Condy，howyoufrightenedme！"exclaimedBlix，withagreatstart."No，listen：Iwanttotalktoyou，totellyousomething.
　　PapumandIhavebeenhavingsomeverylongandserioustalkssinceyouwerelasthere.Whatdoyouthink，Imaygoaway."
　　"Thedeuceyousay！"exclaimedCondy，sittingsuddenlyupright.
　　"Whereto，inHeaven’sname？"headded——"andwhen？andwhatfor？"
　　"ToNewYork，tostudymedicine."
　　Therewasasilence;thenCondyexclaimed，wavinghishandsather：
　　"Oh，gorighton！Don’tmindme.LittlethinglikegoingtoNewYork——tostudymedicine.Ofcourse，thathappenseveryday，ameredetail.Ipresumeyou’llgobackandforthforyourmeals？"
　　ThenBlixbegantoexplain.Itappearedthatshehadtwoaunts，bothsistersofherfather——oneawidow，theotherunmarried.Thewidow，acertainMrs.Kihm，livedinNewYork，andwaswealthy，andhadviewson"women’ssphereofusefulness."Theother，MissBessemer，alittleoldmaidoffifty，Condyhadonrareoccasionsseenattheflat，whereeveryonecalledherAuntDodd.ShelivedinthatvagueregionofthecityknownastheMission，wheresheownedalittleproperty.
　　FromwhatBlixtoldhimthatevening，CondylearnedthatMrs.KihmhadvisitedthecoastafewwinterspreviousandhadtakenagreatfancytoBlix.EventhenshehadproposedtoMr.BessemertotakeBlixbacktoNewYorkwithher，andeducatehertosomewoman’sprofession;butatthattimetheoldmanwouldnotlistentoit.
　　Nowitseemedthattheopportunityhadagainpresenteditself.
　　"She’sadearoldlady，"Blixsaid;"notabitstrong—minded，asyouwouldthink，andeversomuchclevererthanmostmen.Shemanagesallherpropertyherself.Forthelastmonthshe’sbeenwritingagaintoPapumformetocomeonandstaywithherthree，orfouryears.Shehasn’tachicknorachild，andshedon’tentertainorgooutany，somaybeshefeelslonesome.OfcourseifIstudiedthere，Papumwouldn’tthinkofAuntKihm——don’tyouknow——payingforitall.Iwouldn’tgoifitwasthatway.ButI
　　couldstaywithherandshecouldmakeahomeformewhileIwasthere——ifIshouldstudy——anything——studymedicine."
　　"Butwhy！"heexclaimed."Whatdoyouwanttostudytobeadoctorfor？Itisn’tasthoughyouhadtosupportyourself."
　　"Iknow，IknowI’venotgottosupportmyself.Butwhyshouldn’tIhaveaprofessionjustlikeaman——justlikeyou，Condy？Youstopandthink.ItseemedstrangetomewhenIfirstthoughtofit;butIgotthinkingaboutitandtalkingitoverwithPapum，andIshouldLOVEit.I’ddoit，notbecauseIwouldhavetodoit，butbecauseitwouldinterestme.Condy，youknowthatI’mnotabitstrong—minded，andthatIhateamasculine，unfemininegirlasmuchasyoudo."
　　"Butamedicalcollege，Blix！Youdon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout."