Hevariedhisespionagebysubterfuges，whichhisknowledgeoftheoldtownmadeeasy。Hewatchedthedoorofthehotel，himselfunseen，fromthewindowsofabilliardsaloonopposite，whichhehadfrequentedinformerdays。Yethewassurprisedthesameafternoontoseeher，fromhiscoigneofvantage，reenteringthehotel，wherehewassurehehadleftherafewmomentsago。Hadshegoneoutbysomeotherexit，——orhadshebeendisguised？Butonenteringhisroomthateveninghewasconfoundedbyanincidentthatseemedtohimasconvincingofheridentityasitwasaudacious。Lyingonhispillowwereafewdeadleavesofanodorousmountainfern，knownonlytotheSierras。Theyweretiedtogetherbyanarrowblueribbon，andhadevidentlybeenintendedtoattracthisattention。Ashetooktheminhishand，thedistinguishingsubtlearomaofthelittlesylvanhollowinthehillscametohimlikeamemoryandarevelation！Hesummonedthechambermaid;sheknewnothingofthem，orindeedofanyonewhohadenteredhisroom。Hewalkedcautiouslyintothehall;thelady’ssitting-roomdoorwasopen，theroomwasempty。"Theoccupant，"
saidthechambermaid，"hadleftthatafternoon。"Heheldtheproofofheridentityinhishand，butsheherselfhadvanished！Thatshehadrecognizedhimtherewasnownodoubt：hadshedivinedtherealobjectofhisquest，orhadsheaccepteditasameresentimentalgallantryatthemomentwhensheknewitwashopeless，andsheherselfwasperfectlysafefrompursuit？Ineithereventhehadbeenduped。Hedidnotknowwhethertobepiqued，angry，——
orrelievedofhisirresolutequest。
Nevertheless，hespenttherestofthetwilightandtheearlyeveninginfruitlesslywanderingthroughtheonelongthoroughfareofthetown，untilitmergedintotheboskyAlameda，orspaciousgrove，thatconnecteditwithSantaLuisa。Bydegreeshischagrinanddisappointmentwereforgotteninthememoriesofthepast，evokedbythefamiliarpathway。Themoonwasslowlyridingoverhead，andsilveringthecarriage-waybetweenthestraightebonylinesoftrees，whilethefootpathswerediaperedwithblackandwhitecheckers。Thefainttinklingofatram-carbellinthedistanceapprisedhimofoneofthefewinnovationsofthepast。
Thecarwasapproachinghim，overtookhim，andwaspassing，withitsfaintlyilluminatedwindows，when，glancingcarelesslyup，hebeheldatoneofthemtheprofileofthefacewhichhehadjustthoughthehadlostforever！
Hestoppedforaninstant，notinindecisionthistime，butinagrimresolutiontoletnochanceescapehimnow。Thecarwasgoingslowly;itwaseasytoboarditnow，butagainthetinkleofthebellindicatedthatitwasstoppingatthecornerofaroadbeyond。
Hecheckedhispace，——aladyalighted，——itwasshe！Sheturnedintothecross-street，darkenedwiththeshadowsofsomelowsuburbantenementhouses，andheboldlyfollowed。Hewasfullydeterminedtofindouthersecret，andeven，ifnecessary，toaccostherforthatpurpose。Hewasperfectlyawarewhathewasdoing，andallitsrisksandpenalties;heknewtheaudacityofsuchanintroduction，buthefeltinhisleft-handpocketforthesprigoffernwhichwasanexcuseforit;heknewthedangeroffollowingapossibleconfidanteofdesperadoes，buthefeltinhisright-handpocketforthederringerthatwasequaltoit。Theywereboththere;hewasready。
Hewasnearingtheconventandtheoldestandmostruinouspartofthetown。Hedidnotdisguisefromhimselfthegloomysignificanceofthis;evenintheolddaysthecrumblingadobebuildingsthatabuttedontheoldgardenwalloftheconventwerethehauntsoflawlessMexicansandvagabondpeons。Astheroadwaybegantoberoughanduneven，andthegauntoutlinesofthesaggingroofsoftilesstoodoutagainsttheskyabovethelurkingshadowsofruineddoorways，hewaspreparedfortheworst。Asthecrumblingbutstillmassivewallsoftheconventgardenloomedahead，thetall，graceful，black-gownedfigurehewasfollowingpresentlyturnedintotheshadowofthewallitself。Hequickenedhispace，lestitshouldagainescapehim。Suddenlyitstopped，andremainedmotionless。Hestopped，too。Atthesamemomentitvanished！
Heranquicklyforwardtowhereithadstood，andfoundhimselfbeforealargeirongate，withasmalleroneinthecentre，thathadjustclangedtoonitsrustyhinges。Herubbedhiseyes！——theplace，thegate，thewall，wereallstrangelyfamiliar！Thenhesteppedbackintotheroadway，andlookedatitagain。Hewasnotmistaken。
Hewasstandingbeforetheporter’slodgeoftheConventoftheSacredHeart。
CHAPTERV。
ThedayfollowingthegreatstagecoachrobberyfoundthepatientproprietorofCollinson’sMillcalmanduntroubledinhisusualseclusion。ThenewsthathadthrilledthelengthandbreadthofGalloper’sRidgehadnottouchedtheleafybanksofthedried-upriver;thehueandcryhadfollowedthestage-road，andnocourierhaddeemeditworthhiswhiletodivergeasfarastherockyridgewhichformedtheonlypathwaytothemill。ThatdayCollinson’ssolitudehadbeenunbrokenevenbythehaggardemigrantfromthevalley，withhisoldmonotonousstoryofhardshipandprivation。
Thebirdshadflownnearertotheoldmill，asifemboldenedbytheunwontedquiet。Thatmorningtherehadbeenthehalfhumanimprintofabear’sfootintheoozebesidethemill-wheel;andcominghomewithhisscantstockfromthewoodlandpasture，hehadfoundagoldensquirrel——abeautiful，airyembodimentofthebrownwoodsitself——calmlyseatedonhisbar-counter，withabiscuitbetweenitsbabyhands。Hewasfullofhischaracteristicreveriesandabstractionsthatafternoon;fallingintothemevenathiswood-
pile，leaningonhisaxe——sostillthatanemerald-throatedlizard，whohadsliduponthelog，wenttosleepundertheforgottenstroke。
Butatnightfallthewindarose，——atfirstasadistantmurmuralongthehillside，thatdiedawaybeforeitreachedtherockyledge;thenitrockedthetopsofthetallredwoodsbehindthemill，butleftthemillandthedriedleavesthatlayintheriver-
bedundisturbed。Thenthemurmurwasprolonged，untilitbecamethecontinuoustroubleofsomefar-offsea，andatlastthewindpossessedtheledgeitself;drivingthesmokedownthestumpychimneyofthemill，rattlingthesun-warpedshinglesontheroof，stirringtheinsiderafterswithcoolbreaths，andsingingovertheroughprojectionsoftheoutsideeaves。Atnineo’clockherolledhimselfupinhisblanketsbeforethefire，aswashiswont，andfellasleep。
Itwaspastmidnightwhenhewasawakenedbythefamiliarclatterofbouldersdownthegrade，theusualsimulationofawildrushfromwithoutthatencompassedthewholemill，eventothatheavyimpactagainstthedoor，whichhehadheardoncebefore。Inthisherecognizedmerelytheordinaryphenomenaofhisexperience，andonlyturnedovertosleepagain。Butthistimethedoorrudelyfellinuponhim，andafigurestrodeoverhisprostratebody，withagunleveledathishead。
Hesprangsidewaysforhisownweapon，whichstoodbythehearth。
Inanothersecondthatactionwouldhavebeenhislast，andthesolitudeofSethCollinsonmighthaveremainedhenceforwardunbrokenbyanymortal。Butthegunofthefirstfigurewasknockedsharplyupwardbyasecondman，andtheoneandonlyshotfiredthatnightspedharmlesslytotheroof。Withthereporthefelthisarmsgrippedtightlybehindhim;throughthesmokehesawdimlythattheroomwasfilledwithmaskedandarmedmen，andinanothermomenthewaspinionedandthrustintohisemptyarmchair。
Atasignalthreeofthemenlefttheroom，andhecouldhearthemexploringtheotherroomsandouthouses。Thenthetwomenwhohadbeenstandingbesidehimfellbackwithacertaindisciplinedprecision，asasmooth-chinnedmanadvancedfromtheopendoor。
Goingtothebar，hepouredoutaglassofwhiskey，tosseditoffdeliberately，and，standinginfrontofCollinson，withhisshoulderagainstthechimneyandhishandrestinglightlyonhiship，clearedhisthroat。HadCollinsonbeenanobservantman，hewouldhavenoticedthatthetwomendroppedtheireyesandmovedtheirfeetwithahalfimpatient，perfunctoryairofwaiting。Hadhewitnessedthestage-robbery，hewouldhaverecognizedinthesmooth-facedmanthepresenceof"theorator。"Butheonlygazedathimwithhisdull，imperturbablepatience。
"Weregretexceedinglytohavetouseforcetoagentlemaninhisownhouse，"begantheoratorblandly;"butwefeelitourdutytopreventarepetitionoftheunhappyincidentwhichoccurredasweentered。Wedesirethatyoushouldanswerafewquestions，andaredeeplygratefulthatyouarestillabletodoso，——whichseemedextremelyimprobableamomentortwoago。"Hepaused，coughed，andleanedbackagainstthechimney。"Howmanymenhaveyouherebesidesyourself？"
"Naryone，"saidCollinson。
Theinterrogatorglancedattheothermen，whohadreentered。Theynoddedsignificantly。
"Good！"heresumed。"Youhavetoldthetruth——anexcellenthabit，andonethatexpeditesbusiness。Now，istherearoominthishousewithadoorthatlocks？YourfrontdoorDOESN’T。"
"No。"
"Nocellarnorouthouse？"
"No。"
"Weregretthat;foritwillcompelus，muchagainstourwishes，tokeepyouboundasyouareforthepresent。Thematterissimplythis：circumstancesofaverypressingnatureobligeustooccupythishouseforafewdays，——possiblyforanindefiniteperiod。Werespectthesacredritesofhospitalitytoomuchtoturnyououtofit;indeed，nothingcouldbemoredistastefultoourfeelingsthantohaveyou，inyourownperson，spreadsuchadisgracefulreportthroughthechivalrousSierras。Wemustthereforekeepyouacloseprisoner，——open，however，toanoffer。Itisthis：weproposetogiveyoufivehundreddollarsforthispropertyasitstands，providedthatyouleaveit，andaccompanyapack-trainwhichwillstartto-morrowmorningforthelowervalleyasfarasThompson’sPass，bindingyourselftoquittheStateforthreemonthsandkeepthismatterasecret。Threeofthesegentlemenwillgowithyou。
Theywillpointouttoyouyourduty;theirshotgunswillappriseyouofanyderelictionfromit。Whatdoyousay？"
"Whoyertalkingto？"saidCollinsoninadullvoice。
"Youremindus，"saidtheoratorsuavely，"thatwehavenotyetthepleasureofknowing。"
"Myname’sSethCollinson。"
Therewasadeadsilenceintheroom，andeveryeyewasfixeduponthetwomen。Theorator’ssmileslightlystiffened。
"Wherefrom？"hecontinuedblandly。
"Mizzouri。"
"Averygoodplacetogobackto，——throughThompson’sPass。Butyouhaven’tansweredourproposal。"
"IreckonIdon’tintendtosellthishouse，orleaveit，"saidCollinsonsimply。
"Itrustyouwillnotmakeusregretthefortunateterminationofyourlittleaccident，Mr。Collinson，"saidtheoratorwithasingularsmile。"MayIaskwhyyouobjecttosellingout？Isitthefigure？"
"Thehouseisn’tmine，"saidCollinsondeliberately。"IbuiltthisyerhouseformywifewotIleftinMizzouri。It’shers。I
kalkilatetokeepit，andliveinitontilshecomesfurit！AndwhenItellyethatsheisdead，yekinreckonjustwhatchanceyehaveofevergettin’it。"
Therewasanunmistakablestartofsensationintheroom，followedbyasilencesoprofoundthatthemoaningofthewindonthemountain-sidewasdistinctlyheard。Awell-builtman，withamaskthatscarcelyconcealedhisheavymustachios，whohadbeenstandingwithhisbacktotheoratorinhalfcontemptuouspatience，facedaroundsuddenlyandmadeastepforwardasiftocomebetweenthequestionerandquestioned。Avoicefromthecornerejaculated，"ByG——d！"
"Silence，"saidtheoratorsharply。Thenstillmoreharshlyheturnedtotheothers"Pickhimup，andstandhimoutsidewithaguard;andthenclearout，allofyou！"
Theprisonerwasliftedupandcarriedout;theroomwasinstantlycleared;onlytheoratorandthemanwhohadsteppedforwardremained。Simultaneouslytheydrewthemasksfromtheirfaces，andstoodlookingateachother。Theorator’sfacewassmoothandcorrupt;thefull，sensuallipswrinkledatthecornerswithasardonichumor;themanwhoconfrontedhimappearedtobephysicallyandevenmorallyhissuperior，albeitgloomyanddiscontentedinexpression。Hecastarapidglancearoundtheroom，toassurehimselfthattheywerealone;andthen，straighteninghiseyebrowsashebackedagainstthechimney，said：——
"D——difIlikethis，Chivers！It’syouraffair;butit’smightylow-downworkforaman！"
"Youmighthavemadeiteasierifyouhadn’tknockedupBryce’sgun。Thatwouldhavesettledit，thoughnooneguessedthatthecurwasherhusband，"saidChivershotly。
"IfyouwantitsettledTHATWAY，there’sstilltime，"returnedtheotherwithaslightsneer。"You’veonlytotellhimthatyou’rethemanthatranawaywithhiswife，andyou’llhaveitouttogether，rightontheledgeattwelvepaces。Theboyswillseeyouthrough。Infact，"headded，hissneerdeepening，"Iratherthinkit’swhatthey’reexpecting。"
"Thankyou，Mr。JackRiggs，"saidChiverssardonically。"Idaresayitwouldbemoreconvenienttosomepeople，justbeforeourbootyisdivided，ifIweredrilledthroughbyablunderingshotfromthathayseed;oritwouldseemrighttoyourhigh-tonedchivalryifadead-shotasIamknockedoveramanwhomayhaveneverfiredarevolverbefore;butIdon’texactlyseeitinthatlight，eitherasamanorasyourequalpartner。Idon’tthinkyouquiteunderstandme，mydearJack。Ifyoudon’tvaluetheonlymanwhoisidentifiedinallCaliforniaastheleaderofthisgang（themanwhosestyleandaddresshasmadeitpopular——yes，POPULAR，byG——d！——toeveryman，woman，andchildwhohasheardofhim;whosesayingsanddoingsarequotedbythenewspapers;whompeoplerunriskstosee;whohasgotthesympathyofthecrowd，sothatjudgeshesitatetoissuewarrantsandconstablestoservethem），——ifYOU
don’tseetheuseofsuchaman，Ido。Why，there’sacolumnandahalfinthe’SacramentoUnion’aboutourlastjob，callingmethe’ClaudeDuval’oftheSierras，andspeakingofmycourtesytoalady！ALADY！——HISwife，byG——d！ourconfederate！MydearJack，younotonlydon’tknowbusinessvalues，but，’ponmysoul，youdon’tseemtounderstandhumor！Ha，ha！"
Forallhiscynicallevity，forallhisaffectedexaggeration，therewastheringofanunmistakableandevenpitiablevanityinhisvoice，andaself-consciousnessthatsuffusedhisbroadcheeksandwrithedhisfullmouth，butseemedtodeepenthefrownonRiggs’sface。
"Youknowthewomanhatesit，andwouldboltifshecould，——evenfromyou，"saidRiggsgloomily。"Thinkwhatshemightdoifsheknewherhusbandwerehere。Itellyousheholdsourlivesinthehollowofherhand。"
"That’syourfault，Mr。JackRiggs;youwouldbringyoursisterwithherinfernalconventinnocenceandsimplicityintoourhutinthehollow。Shewasmeekenoughbeforethat。Butthisissheernonsense。Ihavenofearofher。Thewomandon’tlivewhowouldgobackonGodfreyChivers——forahusband！Besides，shewentofftoseeyoursisterattheconventatSantaClaraassoonasshepassedthosebondsoffonCharleytogetridof！Thinkofhertravelingwiththatd——dfoollawyerallthewaytoStockton，andhisbonds（whichwehadputbackinherbag）alongsideofthemallthetime，andhetellingherhewasgoingtostoptheirpayment，andgivingherthelettertomailforhim！——eh？Well，we’llhavetimetogetridofherhusbandbeforeshegetsback。Ifhedon’tgoeasy——well"——
"Noneofthat，Chivers，youunderstand，onceforall！"interruptedRiggsperemptorily。"Ifyoucannotseethatyourmakingawaywiththatwoman’shusbandwoulddamnthatboastedreputationyoumakesomuchofandseteveryman’shandagainstus，Ido，andIwon’tpermitit。It’sarottenbusinessenough，——ourcomingonhimaswehave;andifthiswasn’ttheonlyGod-forsakenplacewherewecoulddivideourstuffwithoutdangerandgetitawayoffthehighroads，I’dpullupstakesatonce。"
"Letherstayattheconvent，then，andbed——dtoher，"saidChiversroughly。"She’llbegladenoughtobewithyoursisteragain;andthere’snofearofherbeingtouchedthere。"
"ButIwanttoputanendtothat，too，"returnedRiggssharply。
"IdonotchoosetohavemysisteranylongerimplicatedwithOUR
confederateorYOURmistress。Nomoreofthat——youunderstandme？"
Thetwomenhadbeenstandingsidebyside，leaningagainstthechimney。Chiversnowfacedhiscompanion，hisfulllipswreathedintoanevilsmile。
"IthinkIunderstandyou，Mr。JackRiggs，or——Ibegyourpardon——
Rivers，orwhateveryourrealnamemaybe，"hebeganslowly。
"SadieCollinson，themistressofJudgeGodfreyChivers，formerlyofKentucky，wasgoodenoughcompanyforyouthedayyoudroppeddownuponusinourlittlehouseinthehollowofGalloper’sRidge。
Wewerelivingquiteanidyllic，pastorallifethere，weren’twe？——
sheandme;hiddenfromthecensoriouseyeofsocietyand——
Collinson，obeyingonlythevoiceofNatureandthelittlebirds。
Itwasahappytime，"hewentonwithagrimlyaffectedsigh，disregardinghiscompanion’simpatientgesture。"Youwereyoungthen，wagingYOURfightagainstsociety，andfresh——uncommonlyfresh，Imaysay——fromyourfirstexploit。Andaverystupid，clumsy，awkwardexploit，too，Mr。Riggs，ifyouwillpardonmyfreedom。Youwantedmoney，andyouhadanuglytemper，andyouhadlostbothtoagambler;soyoustoppedthecoachtorobhim，andhadtokilltwomentogetbackyourpaltrythousanddollars，afterfrighteningawholecoach-loadofpassengers，andlettingWells，Fargo，andCo。’streasure-boxwithfiftythousanddollarsinitslide。Itwasastupid，ablundering，aCRUELact，Mr。Riggs，andIthinkItoldyousoatthetime。Itwasawasteofenergyandmaterial，andmadeyou，notahero，butastupidoutcast！IthinkIprovedthistoyou，andshowedyouhowitmighthavebeendone。"
"Dryuponthat，"interruptedRiggsimpatiently。"Youofferedtobecomemypartner，andyoudid。"
"Pardonme。Observe，myimpetuousfriend，thatmycontentionisthatyou——YOU——poisonedourblamelessEdeninthehollow;thatYOU
wereourserpent，andthatthisSadieCollinson，overwhomyouhavebecomesofastidious，whomyouknewasmymistress，wasobligedtobecomeourconfederate。Youdidnotobjecttoherwhenweformedourgang，andherhousebecameourhiding-placeandrefuge。Youtookadvantageofherwoman’switandfineaddressindisposingofourbooty;youavailedyourself，withtherest，ofthesecretsshegatheredasMYmistress，justasyouwerewillingtoprofitbythesuperioraddressofherparamour——yourhumbleservant——whenyourownfacewasknowntothesheriff，andyouroldmethodspronouncedbrutalandvulgar。Excuseme，butImustinsistuponTHIS，andthatyoudroppeddownuponmeandSadieCollinsonexactlyasyouhavedroppeddownhereuponherhusband。"
"Enoughofthis！"saidRiggsangrily。"Iadmitthewomanispartandparcelofthegang，andgetshershare，——oryougetitforher，"headdedsneeringly;"butthatdoesn’tpermithertomixherselfwithmyfamilyaffairs。"
"Pardonmeagain，"interruptedChiverssoftly。"Yourmemory，mydearRiggs，isabsurdlydefective。Weknewthatyouhadayoungsisterinthemountains，fromwhomyoudiscreetlywishedtoconcealyourrealposition。Werespected，andItrustshallalwaysrespect，yournoblereticence。ButdoyourememberthenightyouweretakinghertoschoolatSantaClara，——twonightsbeforethefire，——whenyouwererecognizedontheroadnearSkinner’s，andhadtoflywithherforyourlife，andbroughthertous，——yourtwodearoldfriends，’Mr。andMrs。BarkerofChicago，’whohadapastoralhomeintheforest？Yourememberhowwetookherin，——
yes，doublytookherin，——andkeptyoursecretfromher？Anddoyourememberhowthiswoman（thismistressofMINEandOUR
confederate），whilewewereaway，savedherfromthefireonouronlyhorse，caughtthestage-coach，andbroughthertotheconvent？"
Riggswalkedtowardsthewindow，turned，andcomingback，heldouthishand。"Yes，shedidit;andIthankedher，asIthankyou。"
Hestoppedandhesitated，astheothertookhishand。"But，blankitall，Chivers，don’tyouseethatAliceisayounggirl，andthiswomanis——youknowwhatImean。SomebodymightrecognizeHER，andthatwouldbeworseforAlicethanevenifitwereknownwhatAlice’sBROTHERwas。G——d！ifthesetwothingswereputtogether，thegirlwouldberuinedforever。"
"Jack，"saidChiverssuddenly，"youwantthiswomanoutoftheway。
Well——dashitall！——shenearlyseparatedus，andI’llbefrankwithyouasbetweenmanandman。I’llgiveherup！Therearewomenenoughintheworld，andhangit，we’repartners，afterall！"
"Thenyouabandonher？"saidRiggsslowly，hiseyesfixedonhiscompanion。
"Yes。She’sgettingalittletoomaunderinglately。Itwillbeaticklishjobtomanage，forsheknowstoomuch;butitwillbedone。There’smyhandonit。"
Riggsnotonlytooknonoticeoftheprofferedhand，buthisformerlookofdiscontentcamebackwithanill-concealedadditionofloathingandcontempt。
"We’lldropthatnow，"hesaidshortly;"we’vetalkedherealonelongenoughalready。Themenarewaitingforus。"Heturnedonhisheelintotheinnerroom。Chiversremainedstandingbythechimneyuntilhisstiffenedsmilegavewayundertheworkingofhiswrithinglips;thenheturnedtothebar，pouredoutandswallowedanotherglassofwhiskeyatasinglegulp，andfollowedhispartnerwithhalf-closedlidsthatscarcelyveiledhisominouseyes。
Themen，withtheexceptionofthesentinelsstationedontherockyledgeandtheonewhowasguardingtheunfortunateCollinson，weredrinkingandgamblingawaytheirperspectivegainsaroundasmallpileofportmanteausandsaddle-bags，heapedinthecentreoftheroom。Theycontainedtheresultsoftheirlastsuccesses，butonepairofsaddle-bagsborethemildewedappearanceofhavingbeencached，orburied，sometimebefore。Mostoftheirtreasurewasinpackagesofgolddust;andfromtheconversationthatensued，itappearedthat，owingtothedifficultiesofdisposingofitinthemountaintowns，theplanwastoconveyitbyordinarypackmuletotheunfrequentedvalley，andthencebyanemigrantwagon，ontheoldemigranttrail，tothesoutherncounties，whereitcouldbenolongertraced。Sincetherecentrobberies，thelocalexpresscompaniesandbankershadrefusedtoreceiveit，excepttheownerswereknownandidentified。Therehadbeenbutoneboxofcoin，whichhadalreadybeenspeedilydividedupamongtheband。Drafts，bills，bonds，andvaluablepapershadbeenusuallyintrustedtoone"Charley，"whoactedasaflyingmessengertoacorruptbrokerinSacramento，whoplayedtheroleoftheband’s"fence。"IthadbeenthedutyofChiverstocontrolthisdelicatebusiness，evenasithadbeenhispeculiarfunctiontoopenallthelettersanddocuments。Thishehadalwayslightenedbycharacteristiclevityandsarcasticcommentsontheprivaterevelationsofthecontents。
Therough，ill-speltletteroftheminertohiswife，inclosingadraft，orthemoresentimentaleffusionofanemigrantswaintohissweetheart，withthegiftofa"specimen，"hadalwaysreceiveddueattentionatthehandsofthiseleganthumorist。Buttheoperationwasconductedto-nightwithbusinessseverityandsilence。Thetwoleaderssatoppositetoeachother，inwhatmighthaveappearedtotherestofthebandascarcelyveiledsurveillanceofeachother’sactions。Whentheexaminationwasconcluded，and，themorevaluableinclosuresputaside，thedespoiledletterswerecarriedtothefireandheapeduponthecoals。Presentlythechimneyaddeditsroartothemoaningofthedistanthillside，afewsparksleapedupanddiedoutinthemidnightair，asifthepathosandsentimentoftheunconsciouscorrespondentshadexhaledwiththem。
"That’sad——dfoolishthingtodo，"growledFrenchPeteoverhiscards。
"Why？"demandedChiverssharply。
"Why？——why，itmakesaflareintheskythatanyscoutcansee，andascentforhimtofollow。"
"We’refourmilesfromanytraveledroad，"returnedChiverscontemptuously，"andthemanwhocouldseethatglareandsmellthatsmokewouldbeonhiswayherealready。"
"Thatremindsmethatthatchapyou’vetiedup——thatCollinson——
allowshewantstoseeyou，"continuedFrenchPete。
"ToseeME！"repeatedChivers。"YoumeantheCaptain？"
"IreckonhemeansYOU，"returnedFrenchPete;"hesaidthemanwhotalkedsopurty。"
Themenlookedateachotherwithasmileofanticipation，andputdowntheircards。Chiverswalkedtowardsthedoor;oneortworosetotheirfeetasiftofollow，butRiggsstoppedthemperemptorily。
"Sitdown，"hesaidroughly;then，asChiverspassedhim，headdedtohiminalowertone，"Remember。"
Slightlysquaringhisshouldersandopeninghiscoat，topermitarhetoricalfreedom，whichdidnot，however，preventhimfromkeepingtouchwiththebuttofhisrevolver，Chiverssteppedintotheopenair。Collinsonhadbeenmovedtotheshelterofanoverhangoftheroof，probablymoreforthecomfortoftheguard，whosatcross-leggedonthegroundnearhim，thanforhisown。
Dismissingthemanwithagesture，Chiversstraightenedhimselfbeforehiscaptive。
"Wedeeplyregretthatyourunfortunatedetermination，mydearsir，hasbeenthemeansofdeprivingUSofthepleasureofyourcompany，andYOUofyourabsolutefreedom;butmaywecherishthehopethatyourdesiretoseememayindicatesomechangeinyouropinion？"
Bythelightofthesentry’slanternleftupontheground，ChiverscouldseethatCollinson’sfaceworeaslightlytroubledandevenapologeticexpression。
"I’vebinthinkin’，"saidCollinson，raisinghiseyestohiscaptorwithasingularlynewandshyadmirationinthem，"mebbeenotsomuchofWOTyousaid，ezHOWyousaidit，andit’skinderbotheredme，sittin’here，thatIain’tbinactin’toyouboysquiteonthesquare。I’vesaidtomyself，’Collinson，tharain’tanotherhousebetwixtBaldTopandSkinner’swharthemfellowskingetabiteoradrinktohelpthemselves，andyouain’toffered’emneither。Itain’tnomatterwhotheyareorhowtheycame：whethertheycamecrawlingalongtheroadfromthevalley，ordroppeddownuponyoulikethemrocksfromthegrade;yeretheyare，andit’syourduty，ezlongezyoukeepthisyerhouseforyourwifeintrust，sotospeak，forwanderers。’AndIain’tforgettin’yerginerelsoftstyleandeasygaitwithmewhenyoukemhere。Itain’teverymanascouldwalkintoanotherman’shouseartertheownerofithadgrabbedagun，ezsoft-speakin’，ezoverlookin’，andezperliteezyou。I’veactedmightyroughandlow-down，andIknowit。AndI
sentforyoutosaythatyouandyourfolkskinusethishouseandallthat’sinitezlongezyou’reintrouble。I’vetoldyouwhyI
couldn’tsellthehousetoye，andwhyIcouldn’tleaveit。Butyekinuseit，andwhileye’rehere，andwhenyougo，Collinsondon’ttellnobody。Idon’tknowwhatyemeanby’bindingmyself’tokeepyoursecret;whenCollinsonsaysathinghestickstoit，andwhenhepasseshiswordwithaman，oramanpasseshiswordwithhim，itdon’tneednobitofpaper。"
Therewasnodoubtofitstruth。Inthegrave，upraisedeyesofhisprisoner，Chiverssawthecertaintythathecouldtrusthim，evenfarmorethanhecouldtrustanyonewithinthehousehehadjustquitted。Butthisverycertainty，forallitsassuranceofsafetytohimself，filledhim，notwithremorse，whichmighthavebeenanevanescentemotion，butwithasuddenalarmingandterribleconsciousnessofbeinginthepresenceofahithertounknownandimmeasurablepower！Hehadnopityformanwhotrustedhim;hehadnosenseofshameintakingadvantageofit;heevenfeltanintellectualsuperiorityinthiswantofsagacityinhisdupe;buthestillfeltinsomewaydefeated，insulted，shocked，andfrightened。Atfirst，likeallscoundrels，hehadmeasuredthemanbyhimself;wassuspiciousandpreparedforrivalry;butthegravetruthfulnessofCollinson’seyeslefthimhelpless。Hewasterrifiedbythisunknownfactor。Therightthatcontendsandfightsoftenstimulatesitsadversary;therightthatyieldsleavesthevictorvanquished。ChiverscouldevenhavekilledCollinsoninhisvaguediscomfiture，buthehadaterribleconsciousnessthattherewassomethingbehindhimthathecouldnotmakewaywith。
Thatwaswhythisaccomplishedrascalfelthisflaccidcheeksgrowpurpleandhisglibtonguetripbeforehiscaptive。
ButCollinson，moreoccupiedwithhisownshortcomings，tooknonoteofthis，andChiversquicklyrecoveredhiswits，ifnothisformerartificiality。"Allright，"hesaidquickly，withahurriedglanceatthedoorbehindhim。"Nowthatyouthinkbetterofit，I’llbefrankwithyou，andtellyouI’myourfriend。Youunderstand，——yourfriend。Don’ttalkmuchtothosemen——don’tgiveyourselfawaytothem;"helaughedthistimeinabsolutenaturalembarrassment。"Don’ttalkaboutyourwife，andthishouse，butjustsayyou’vemadethethingupwithme，——withME，youknow，andI’llseeyouthrough。"Anidea，asyetvague，thathecouldturnCollinson’sunexpecteddocilitytohisownpurposes，possessedhimeveninhisembarrassment，andhewasstillmorestrangelyconsciousofhisinordinatevanitygatheringafearfuljoyfromCollinson’sevidentadmiration。Itwasheightenedbyhiscaptive’snextwords。
"EfIwasn’ttiedI’dshakehandswithyeonthat。You’rethekindo’man，Mr。Chivers，thatIcottonedtofromthefirst。Efthishousewasn’tHERS，I’da’bintemptedtocottontoyeroffer，too，andmebbeemadeyeronemyself，foritseemstomeyourstyleandminewouldsorterjibetogether。ButIseeyousabewhat’sinmymind，andmakeallowance。WEdon’twantnobito’papertoshakehandsonthat。Yoursecretandyourfolk’ssecretismine，andI
don’tblabthatanymorethanI’dblabtothemwotyou’vejusttoldme。"
Underasuddenimpulse，Chiversleanedforward，and，albeitwithsomewhatunsteadyhandsandanembarrassedwill，untiedthecordsthatheldCollinsoninhischair。Asthefreedmanstretchedhimselftohisfullheight，helookedgravelydownintotheblearedeyesofhiscaptor，andheldouthisstrongrighthand。Chiverstookit。WhethertherewassomeoccultpowerinCollinson’shonestgrasp，Iknownot;buttheresprangupinChivers’sagilemindtheideathatagoodwaytogetridofMrs。Collinsonwastoputherinthewayofherhusband’sfindingher，andforaninstant，inthecontemplationofthatidea，thissupremerascalabsolutelyfeltanembarrassingglowofvirtue。
CHAPTERVI。
TheastonishmentofPrebleKeyonrecognizingthegatewayintowhichthemysteriousladyhadvanishedwassogreatthathewasatfirstinclinedtobelieveherentryTHEREameretrickofhisfancy。Thattheconfederateofagangofrobbersshouldbeadmittedtotheaustererecessesoftheconvent，withaceleritythatbespokefamiliarity，wasincredible。Heagainglancedupanddownthelengthoftheshadowedbutstillvisiblewall。Therewasnoonethere。Thewallitselfcontainednobreakorrecessinwhichonecouldhide，andthiswastheonlygateway。Theoppositesideofthestreetinthefullmoonlightstaredemptily。No！
Unlessshewereanillusionherselfandhiswholechaseadream，sheMUSThaveenteredhere。
Butthechasewasnothopeless。Hehadatleasttrackedhertoaplacewhereshecouldbeidentified。Itwasnotahotel，whichshecouldleaveatanymomentunobserved。Thoughhecouldnotfollowherandpenetrateitsseclusionnow，hecouldlater——thankstohisoldassociationswiththepadresofthecontiguouscollege——gainanintroductiontotheLadySuperioronsomepretext。Shewassafetherethatnight。Heturnedawaywithafeelingofrelief。Theincongruityofherretreatassumedamorefavorableaspecttohishopes。Helookedatthehallowedwallsandtheslumberingpeacefulnessofthegnarledoldtreesthathidtheconvent，andagentlereminiscenceofhisyouthstoleoverhim。Itwasnotthefirsttimethathehadgazedwistfullyuponthatchasterefugewhere，perhaps，thebrighteyesthathehadfollowedinthequaintschoolprocessionundertheleafyAlamedaintheafternoon，wereatlastclosedingentleslumber。TherewastheverygrillethroughwhichthewickedConchita——or，wasitDolores？——hadshotherParthianglanceatthelingeringstudent。Andthemanofthirty-
five，prematurelygrayandsettledinfortune，smiledasheturnedaway，andforgottheadventuressofthirtywhohadbroughthimthere。
ThenextmorninghewasupbetimesandatthecollegeofSanJose。
FatherCipriano，atriflemoresnuffyandaged，rememberedwithdelighthisoldpupil。Ah！itwastrue，then，thathehadbecomeaminingpresident，andthatwaswhyhishairwasgray;buthetrustedthatDonPreblehadnotforgotthatthiswasnotalloflife，andthatfortunebroughtgreatresponsibilitiesandcares。
Butwhatwasthis，then？HeHADthoughtofbringingoutsomeofhisrelationsfromtheStates，andplacinganieceintheconvent。
Thatwasgoodandwise。Ah，yes。Foreducationinthisnewcountry，onemustturntothechurch。AndhewouldseetheLadySuperior？Ah！thatwasbutthetwistofone’sfingerandtheliftingofalatchtoagravesuperintendentandagrayheadlikethat。Ofcourse，hehadnotforgottentheconventandtheyoungsenoritas，northedisciplineandthesuspendedholidays。Ah！itwasaspecialgraceofourLadythathe，FatherCipriano，hadnotbeenworriedintohisgravebythosefoolishmuchachos。Yet，whenhehadextinguishedasnuffychuckleinhisredbandanahandkerchief，Keyknewthathewouldaccompanyhimtotheconventthatnoon。
ItwaswithaslightstirringofshameoverhiselaboratepretextthathepassedthegateoftheSacredHeartwiththegoodfather。
Butitistobefearedthathespeedilyforgotthatintheunexpectedinformationthatitelicited。TheLadySuperiorwasgracious，andevenenthusiastic。Ah，yes，itwasagrowingcustomoftheAmericancaballeros——whohadnohomes，noryettimetocreateany——tobringtheirsisters，wards，andnieceshere，and——
withadove-likeside-glancetowardsKey——eventheyoungsenoritastheywishedtofitfortheirChristianbrides！Unlikethecaballero，thereweremanybusinessmensoimmersedintheiraffairsthattheycouldnotfindtimeforapersonalexaminationoftheconvent，——whichwastoberegretted，——butwho，trustingtothereputationoftheSacredHeartanditsgoodfriends，simplysenttheyoungladytherebysometrustedfemalecompanion。NotablythiswasthecaseoftheSenorRivers，——didDonPrebleeverknowhim？——agreatcapitalistintheSierras，whosesweetyoungsister，anaive，ingenuouscreature，wastheprideoftheconvent。Ofcourse，itwasbetterthatitwasso。Disciplineandseclusionhadtobemaintained。Theyounggirlshouldlookuponthisasherhome。Therulesforvisitorswerenecessarilysevere。Itwasrareindeed——exceptinacaseofurgency，suchashappenedlastnight——
thatevenalady，unlesstheparentofascholar，wasadmittedtothehospitalityoftheconvent。AndthisladywasonlythefriendofthatsamesisteroftheAmericancapitalist，althoughshewastheonewhohadbroughtherthere。No，shewasnotarelation。
PerhapsDonPreblehadheardofaMrs。Barker，——thefriendofRiversoftheSierras。Itwasaqueercombinationofnames。Butwhatwillyou？ThenamesofAmericanosmeannothing。AndDonPrebleknowsthemnot。Ah！possibly？——good！Theladywouldberemembered，beingtall，dark，andoffinepresence，thoughsad。A
fewhoursearlierandDonPreblecouldhavejudgedforhimself，for，asitwere，shemighthavepassedthroughthisvisitors’room。
Butshewasgone——departedbythecoach。Itwasfromatelegram——
thoseheathencontrivancesthatblurtoutthingstoyou，withneveranexcuse，norasmile，norakissofthehand！Forherpart，sheneverletherscholarsreceivethem，butopenedthemherself，andtranslatedtheminaChristianspirit，afterduepreparation，atherleisure。AnditwasthistelegramthatmadetheSenoraBarkergo，or，withoutdoubt，shewouldhaveofherselftoldtotheDonPreble，hercompatriotoftheSierras，howgoodtheconventwasforhisniece。
Stungbythethoughtthatthiswomanhadagainevadedhim，anddisconcertedandconfusedbythescarcelyintelligibleinformationhehadacquired，Keycouldwithdifficultymaintainhiscomposure。
"Thecaballeroistiredofhislongpasear，"saidtheLadySuperiorgently。"Wewillhaveaglassofwineinthelodgewaiting-room。"
Sheledthewayfromthereceptionroomtotheouterdoor，butstoppedatthesoundofapproachingfootstepsandrustlingmuslinalongthegravelwalk。"Thesecondclassaregoingout，"shesaid，asagentleprocessionofwhitefrocks，ledbytwonuns，filedbeforethegateway。"Wewillwaituntiltheyhavepassed。Butthesenorcanseethatmychildrendonotlookunhappy。"
Theycertainlylookedverycheerful，althoughtheyhadhaltedbeforethegatewaywithalittleofthedemurenessofyoungpeoplewhoknowtheyareoverlookedbyauthority，andhadbumpedagainsteachotherwithaffectedgravity。Somewhatashamedofhisuselessdeception，andtheguilelesssimplicityofthegoodLadySuperior，Keyhesitatedandbegan："IamafraidthatIamreallygivingyoutoomuchtrouble，"andsuddenlystopped。
Forashisvoicebrokethedemuresilence，oneofthenearest——ayounggirlofapparentlyseventeen——turnedtowardshimwithaquickandanapparentlyirresistibleimpulse，andasquicklyturnedawayagain。ButinthatinstantKeycaughtaglimpseofafacethatmightnotonlyhavethrilledhiminitsbeauty，itsfreshness，butinsomevaguesuggestiveness。Yetitwasnotthatwhichsethispulsesbeating;itwasthelookofjoyousrecognitionsetinthepartedlipsandsparklingeyes，theglowofchildlikeinnocentpleasurethatmantledthesweetyoungface，thefrankconfusionofsuddenlyrealizedexpectancyandlonging。Agreattruthgrippedhisthrobbingheart，andhelditstill。Itwasthefacethathehadseeninthehollow！
ThemovementoftheyounggirlwastoomarkedtoescapetheeyeoftheLadySuperior，thoughshehadtranslateditdifferently。"Youmustnotbelieveouryoungladiesareallsorude，DonPreble，"shesaiddryly;"thoughourdearchildhasstillsomeofthemountainfreedom。AndthisistheSenorRivers’ssister。Butpossibly——whoknows？"shesaidgently，yetwithasuddensharpnessinhercleareyes，——"perhapssherecognizedinyourvoiceacompanionofherbrother。"
LuckilyforKey，theshockhadbeensosuddenandoverpoweringthatheshowednoneofthelessersymptomsofagitationorembarrassment。Inthisrevelationofasecret，thathenowinstinctivelyfeltwasboundupwithhisownfuturehappiness，heexhibitednoneofthesignsofadiscoveredintriguerorunmaskedLothario。Hesaidquietlyandcoldly："IamafraidIhavenotthepleasureofknowingtheyounglady，andcertainlyhaveneverbeforeaddressedher。"Yethescarcelyheardhiscompanion’svoice，andansweredmechanically，seeingonlybeforehimthevisionofthegirl’sbewitchingface，initsstillmorebewitchingconsciousnessofhispresence。Withallthathenowknew，orthoughtheknew，cameastrangedelicacyofaskingfurtherquestions，avaguefearofcompromisingHER，aquickimpatienceofhispresentdeception;
evenhiswholequestofherseemednowtobeaprofanation，forwhichhemustaskherforgiveness。Helongedtobealonetorecoverhimself。Eventhetemptationtolingeronsomepretext，andwaitforherreturnandanotherglancefromherjoyouseyes，wasnotasstrongashisconvictionofthenecessityofcoolerthoughtandaction。Hehadmethisfatethatmorning，forgoodorill;thatwasallheknew。Assoonashecoulddecentlyretire，hethankedtheLadySuperior，promisedtocommunicatewithherlater，andtakingleaveofFatherCipriano，foundhimselfagaininthestreet。
Whowasshe，whatwasshe，andwhatmeantherjoyousrecognitionofhim？Itistobefearedthatitwasthelastquestionthataffectedhimmost，nowthathefeltthathemusthavereallylovedherfromthefirst。Hadshereallyseenhimbefore，andhadbeenasmysteriouslyimpressedashewas？Itwasnotthereflectionofaconceitedman，forKeyhadnotthatkindofvanity，andhehadalreadytouchedthehumilitythatisatthebaseofanygenuinepassion。Buthewouldnotthinkofthatnow。Hehadestablishedtheidentityoftheotherwoman，asbeinghercompanioninthehouseinthehollowonthateventfulnight;butitwasHERprofilethathehadseenatthewindow。ThemysteriousbrotherRiversmighthavebeenoneoftherobbers，——perhapstheonewhoaccompaniedMrs。BarkertoSanJose。Butitwasplainthattheyounggirlhadnocomplicitywiththeactionsofthegang，whatevermighthavebeenhercompanion’sconfederation。Intheprescienceofatruelover，heknewthatshemusthavebeendeceivedandkeptinutterignoranceofit。Therewasnolookofitinherlovely，guilelesseyes;herveryimpulsivenessandingenuousnesswouldhavelongsincebetrayedthesecret。Wasitleftforhim，atthisveryoutsetofhispassion，tobetheonetotellher？Couldhebeartoseethosefrank，beautifuleyesdimmedwithshameandsorrow？Hisowngrewmoist。Anotherideabegantohaunthim。Woulditnotbewiser，evenmoremanly，forhim——amanovertwiceheryears——toleaveheralonewithhersecret，andsopassoutofherinnocentyounglifeaschancefullyashehadenteredit？Butwasitaltogetherchanceful？Wastherenotinherinnocenthappinessinhimarecognitionofsomethinginhimbetterthanhehaddaredtothinkhimself？Itwasthelastconceitofthehumilityoflove。
Hereachedhishotelatlast，unresolved，perplexed，yetsingularlyhappy。Theclerkhandedhim，inpassing，abusiness-lookingletter，formallyaddressed。Withoutopeningit，hetookittohisroom，andthrowinghimselflistlesslyonachairbythewindowagaintriedtothink。Buttheatmosphereofhisroomonlyrecalledtohimthemysteriousgifthehadfoundthedaybeforeonhispillow。HefeltnowwithathrillthatitmusthavebeenfromHER。
Howdidsheconveyitthere？ShewouldnothaveintrustedittoMrs。Barker。Theideastruckhimnowasdistastefullyasitseemedimprobable。Perhapsshehadbeenhereherselfwithhercompanion——
theconventsometimesmadethatconcessiontoarelativeorwell-
knownfriend。HerecalledthefactthathehadseenMrs。Barkerenterthehotelalone，aftertheincidentoftheopeningdoor，whilehewasleaningoverthebalustrade。ItwasSHEwhowasaloneTHEN，andhadrecognizedhisvoice;andhehadnotknownit。Shewasoutagainto-daywiththeprocession。Asuddenideastruckhim。Heglancedquicklyattheletterinhishand，andhurriedlyopenedit。Itcontainedonlythreelines，inalargeformalhand，buttheysenttheswiftbloodtohischeeks。
"Iheardyourvoiceto-dayforthethirdtime。Iwanttohearitagain。Iwillcomeatdusk。Donotgooutuntilthen。"
Hesatstupefied。Wasitmadness，audacity，oratrick？Hesummonedthewaiter。Theletterhadbeenleftbyaboyfromtheconfectioner’sshopinthenextblock。Heremembereditofold，——aresortfortheyoungladiesoftheconvent。Nothingwaseasierthanconveyingaletterinthatway。Herememberedwithashockofdisillusionanddisgustthatitwasacommondeviceofsillybutinnocentassignation。Washetobetheridiculousaccompliceofaschoolgirl’sextravagantescapade，orthedeludedvictimofsomeinfamousplotofherinfamouscompanion？Hecouldnotbelieveeither;yethecouldnotcheckacertainrevulsionoffeelingtowardsher，whichonlyamomentagohewouldhavebelievedimpossible。
Yetwhateverwasherpurpose，hemustpreventhercomingthereatanyhazard。Hervisitwouldbetheculminationofherfolly，orthesuccessofanyplot。Evenwhilehewasfullyconsciousofthematerialeffectofanyscandalandexposuretoher，evenwhilehewasincensedanddisillusionizedatherunexpectedaudacity，hewasunusuallystirredwiththeconvictionthatshewaswrongingherself，andthatmorethanevershedemandedhishelpandhisconsideration。Stillshemustnotcome。Buthowwashetopreventher？Itwantedbutanhourofdusk。Evenifhecouldagainpenetratetheconventonsomepretextatthatinaccessiblehourforvisitors，——twilight，——howcouldhecommunicatewithher？Hemightinterceptherontheway，andpersuadehertoreturn;butshemustbekeptfromenteringthehotel。
Heseizedhishatandrusheddownstairs。Buthereanotherdifficultybesethim。Itwaseasyenoughtotaketheordinaryroadtotheconvent，butwouldSHEfollowthatpubliconeinwhatmustbeasurreptitiousescape？Andmightshenothaveeludedtheprocessionthatmorning，andevennowbeconcealedsomewhere，waitingforthedarknesstomakehervisit。Heconcludedtopatroltheblocknexttothehotel，yetnearenoughtointerceptherbeforeshereachedit，untilthehourcame。Thetimepassedslowly。Heloiteredbeforeshopwindows，orenteredandmadepurchases，withhiseyeonthestreet。Thefigureofaprettygirl，——andthereweremany，——theflutteringribbonsonadistanthat，ortheflashingofacambricskirtaroundthecornersentanervousthrillthroughhim。Thereflectionofhisgrave，abstractedfaceagainstashopwindow，ortheannouncementoftheworkingsofhisownmineonabulletinboard，initsincongruitywithhispresentoccupation，gavehimanhystericalimpulsetolaugh。Theshadowswerealreadygathering，whenhesawaslender，gracefulfiguredisappearintheconfectioner’sshopontheblockbelow。Inhiselaborateprecautions，hehadoverlookedthatcommontrystingspot。Hehurriedthither，andentered。Theobjectofhissearchwasnotthere，andhewascompelledtomakeashamefaced，awkwardsurveyofthetablesinaninnerrefreshmentsaloontosatisfyhimself。Anyoneoftheprettygirlsseatedtheremighthavebeentheonewhohadjustentered，butnonewastheonehesought。Hehurriedintothestreetagain，——hehadwastedapreciousmoment，——andresumedhiswatch。Thesunhadsunk，theAngelushadrungoutofachapelbelfry，andshadowsweredarkeningthevistaoftheAlameda。Shehadnotcome。Perhapsshehadthoughtbetterofit;perhapsshehadbeenprevented;perhapsthewholeappointmenthadbeenonlyatrickofsomeday-scholars，whowerelaughingathimbehindsomewindow。Inproportionashebecameconvincedthatshewasnotcoming，hewasconsciousofakeendespairgrowinginhisheart，andasickeningremorsethathehadeverthoughtofpreventingher。Andwhenheatlastreluctantlyreenteredthehotel，hewasasmiserableovertheconvictionthatshewasnotcomingashehadbeenatherexpectedarrival。Theportermethimhurriedlyinthehall。
"SisterSeraphinaoftheSacredHearthasbeenhere，inahurrytoseeyouonamatterofimportance，"hesaid，eyeingKeysomewhatcuriously。"Shewouldnotwaitinthepublicparlor，asshesaidherbusinesswasconfidential，soIhaveputherinaprivatesitting-roomonyourfloor。"
Keyfeltthebloodleavehischeeks。Thesecretwasoutforallhisprecaution。TheLadySuperiorhaddiscoveredthegirl’sflight，——orherattempt。Oneofthegoverningsisterhoodwasheretoarraignhimforit，oratleastpreventanopenscandal。Yethewasresolved;andseizingthislaststraw，hehurriedlymountedthestairs，determinedtodobattleatanyriskforthegirl’ssafety，andtoperjurehimselftoanyextent。
Shewasstandingintheroombythewindow。Thelightfelluponthecoarsesergedresswithitswhitefacings，onthesinglegirdlethatscarcelydefinedtheformlesswaist，onthehugecrucifixthatdangledungracefullyalmosttoherknees，onthehideous，white-
wingedcoifthat，withthecoarsebutdensewhiteveil，wasitselfarenunciationofallhumanvanity。Itwasafigureherememberedwellasaboy，andeveninhisexcitementandhalfresentmenttouchedhimnow，aswhenaboy，withasenseofitspatheticisolation。Hisheadbowedwithboyishdeferenceassheapproachedgently，passedhimaslightsalutation，andclosedthedoorthathehadforgottentoshutbehindhim。
Then，witharapidmovement，soquickthathecouldscarcelyfollowit，thecoif，veil，rosary，andcrucifixweresweptoff，andtheyoungpupiloftheconventstoodbeforehim。
Forallthesombresuggestivenessofherdisguiseanditsungracefulcontour，therewasnomistakingtheadorablelittlehead，tumbledalloverwithsilkytendrilsofhairfromthehastywithdrawalofhercoif，ortheblueeyesthatsparkledwithfrankdelightbeneaththem。Keythoughthermorebeautifulthanever。
Yettheveryeffectofherfranknessandbeautywastorecallhimtoallthedangerandincongruityofherposition。
"Thisismadness，"hesaidquickly。"Youmaybefollowedhereanddiscoveredinthiscostumeatanymoment！"Nevertheless，hecaughtthetwolittlehandsthathadbeenextendedtohim，andheldthemtightly，andwithafrankfamiliaritythathewouldhavewonderedataninstantbefore。
"ButIwon’t，"shesaidsimply。"YouseeI’mdoinga’half-
retreat’;andIstaywithSisterSeraphinainherroom;andshealwayssleepstwohoursaftertheAngelus;andIgotoutwithoutanybodyknowingme，inherclothes。Iseewhatitis，"shesaid，suddenlybendingareproachfulglanceuponhim，"youdon’tlikemeinthem。Iknowthey’rejusthorrid;butitwastheonlywayI
couldgetout。"
"Youdon’tunderstandme，"hesaideagerly。"Idon’tlikeyoutorunthesedreadfulrisksanddangersfor"——Hewouldhavesaid"forme，"butaddedwithsuddenhumility——"fornothing。HadI
dreamedthatyoucaredtoseeme，Iwouldhavearrangediteasilywithoutthisindiscretion，whichmightmakeothersmisjudgeyou。
Everyinstantthatyouremainhere——worse，everymomentthatyouareawayfromtheconventinthatdisguise，isfraughtwithdanger。
Iknowyouneverthoughtofit。"
"ButIdid，"shesaidquietly;"Ithoughtofit，andthoughtthatifSisterSeraphinawokeup，andtheysentforme，youwouldtakemeawaywithyoutothatdearlittlehollowinthehills，whereI
firstheardyourvoice。Yourememberit，don’tyou？Youwerelost，Ithink，inthedarkness，andIusedtosaytomyselfafterwardsthatIfoundyou。Thatwasthefirsttime。ThenthesecondtimeIheardyou，washereinthehall。Iwasaloneintheotherroom，forMrs。Barkerhadgoneout。Ididnotknowyouwerehere，butIknewyourvoice。Andthethirdtimewasbeforetheconventgate，andthenIknewyouknewme。AndafterthatIdidn’tthinkofanythingbutcomingtoyou;forIknewthatifIwasfoundout，youwouldtakemebackwithyou，andperhapssendwordtomybrotherwherewewere，andthen"——Shestoppedsuddenly，withhereyesfixedonKey’sblankface。Herowngrewblank，thejoyfadedoutofhercleareyes，shegentlywithdrewherhandfromhis，andwithoutawordbegantoresumeherdisguise。
"Listentome，"saidKeypassionately。"IamthinkingonlyofYOU。
Iwantto，andWILL，saveyoufromanyblame，——blameyoudonotunderstandevennow。Thereisstilltime。Iwillgobacktotheconventwithyouatonce。Youshalltellmeeverything;Iwilltellyoueverythingontheway。"
Shehadalreadycompletelyresumedherausteregarb，anddrewtheveilacrossherface。Withtheputtingonhercoifsheseemedtohaveextinguishedallthejoyousyouthfulnessofherspirit，andmovedwiththedeliberatenessofrenunciationtowardsthedoor。
Theydescendedthestaircasewithoutaword。Thosewhosawthempassmadewayforthemwithformalrespect。
Whentheywereinthestreet，shesaidquietly，"Don’tgivemeyourarm——Sistersdon’ttakeit。"Whentheyhadreachedthestreetcorner，sheturnedit，saying，"Thisistheshortestway。"
ItwasKeywhowasnowrestrained，awkward，andembarrassed。Thefireofhisspirit，thepassionhehadfeltamomentbefore，hadgoneoutofhim，asifshewerereallythecharactershehadassumed。Hesaidatlastdesperately：——
"Howlongdidyouliveinthehollow？"
"Onlytwodays。Mybrotherwasbringingmeheretoschool，butinthestagecoachtherewassomeonewithwhomhehadquarreled，andhedidn’twanttomeethimwithme。SowegotoutatSkinner’s，andcametothehollow，wherehisoldfriends，Mr。andMrs。Barker，lived。"
Therewasnohesitationnoraffectationinhervoice。AgainhefeltthathewouldassoonhavedoubtedthewordsoftheSistersherepresentedasherown。
"Andyourbrother——didyoulivewithhim？"
"No。IwasatschoolatMarysvilleuntilhetookmeaway。Isawlittleofhimforthepasttwoyears，forhehadbusinessinthemountains——veryroughbusiness，wherehecouldn’ttakeme，foritkepthimawayfromthesettlementsforweeks。Ithinkithadsomethingtodowithcattle，forhewasalwayshavinganewhorse。
Iwasallalonebeforethat，too;Ihadnootherrelations;Ihadnofriends。Wehadalwaysbeenmovingaboutsomuch，mybrotherandI。IneversawanyonethatIliked，exceptyou，anduntilyesterdayIhadonlyHEARDyou。"
Herperfectnaivetealternatelythrilledhimwithpainanddoubt。
Inhisawkwardnessanduneasinesshewasbrutal。
"Yes，butyoumusthavemetsomebody——othermen——hereeven，whenyouwereoutwithyourschoolfellows，orperhapsonanadventurelikethis。"
Herwhitecoifturnedtowardshimquickly。"Ineverwantedtoknowanybodyelse。Inevercaredtoseeanybodyelse。Ineverwouldhavegoneoutinthiswaybutforyou，"shesaidhurriedly。Afterapausesheaddedinafrightenedtone："Thatdidn’tsoundlikeyourvoicethen。Itdidn’tsoundlikeitamomentagoeither。"
"Butyouaresurethatyouknowmyvoice，"hesaid，withaffectedgayety。"Thereweretwoothersinthehollowwithmethatnight。"
"Iknowthat，too。ButIknowevenwhatyousaid。Youreprovedthemforthrowingalightedmatchinthedrygrass。Youwerethinkingofusthen。Iknowit。"
"OfUS？"saidKeyquickly。
"OfMrs。Barkerandmyself。Wewerealoneinthehouse，formybrotherandherhusbandwerebothaway。Whatyousaidseemedtoforewarnme，andItoldher。Sowewerepreparedwhenthefirecamenearer，andwebothescapedonthesamehorse。"
"Andyoudroppedyourshoesinyourflight，"saidKeylaughingly，"andIpickedthemupthenextday，whenIcametosearchforyou。
Ihavekeptthemstill。"
"TheywereHERshoes，"saidthegirlquickly，"Icouldn’tfindmineinourhurry，andhersweretoolargeforme，anddroppedoff。"
Shestopped，andwithafaintreturnofheroldgladnesssaid，"ThenyouDIDcomeback？IKNEWyouwould。"
"IshouldhavestayedTHEN，butwegotnoreplywhenweshouted。
Whywasthat？"hedemandedsuddenly。
"Oh，wewerewarnedagainstspeakingtoanystranger，orevenbeingseenbyanyonewhilewewerealone，"returnedthegirlsimply。
"Butwhy？"persistedKey。
"Oh，becausethereweresomanyhighwaymenandhorse-stealersinthewoods。Why，theyhadstoppedthecoachonlyafewweeksbefore，andonlyadayortwoago，whenMrs。Barkercamedown。SHE
sawthem！"
Keywithdifficultysuppressedagroan。Theywalkedoninsilenceforsomemoments，hescarcelydaringtolifthiseyestothedecorouslittlefigurehasteningbyhisside。Alternatelytouchedbymistrustandpain，atlastaninfinitepity，notunmingledwithadesperateresolution，tookpossessionofhim。
"Imustmakeaconfessiontoyou，MissRivers，"hebeganwiththebashfulhasteofaveryboy，"thatis"——hestammeredwithahalfhystericlaugh，——"thatis——aconfessionasifyouwerereallyasisterorapriest，youknow——asortofconfidencetoyou——toyourdress。IHAVEseenyou，orTHOUGHTIsawyoubefore。Itwasthatwhichbroughtmehere，thatwhichmademefollowMrs。Barker——myonlycluetoyou——tothedoorofthatconvent。Thatnight，inthehollow，Isawaprofileatthelightedwindow，whichIthoughtwasyours。"
"Ineverwasnearthewindow，"saidtheyounggirlquickly。"ItmusthavebeenMrs。Barker。"
"Iknowthatnow，"returnedKey。"Butremember，itwasmyonlycluetoyou。Imean，"headdedawkwardly，"itwasthemeansofmyfindingyou。"
"Idon’tseehowitmadeyouthinkofme，whomyouneversaw，toseeanotherwoman’sprofile，"sheretorted，withthefaintesttouchofasperityinherchildlikevoice。"But，"sheadded，moregentlyandwitharelapseintoheradorablenaivete，"mostpeople’sprofileslookalike。"
"Itwasnotthat，"protestedKey，stillawkwardly，"itwasonlythatIrealizedsomething——onlyadream，perhaps。"
Shedidnotreply，andtheycontinuedoninsilence。Thegraywalloftheconventwasalreadyinsight。Keyfelthehadachievednothing。Exceptforinformationthatwashopeless，hehadcometononearerunderstandingofthebeautifulgirlbesidehim，andhisfutureappearedasvagueasbefore;and，aboveall，hewasconsciousofaninferiorityofcharacterandpurposetothissimplecreature，whohadobeyedhimsosubmissively。Hadheactedwisely？
Woulditnothavebeenbetterifhehadfollowedherownfrankness，and——
"ThenitwasMrs。Barker’sprofilethatbroughtyouhere？"resumedthevoicebeneaththecoif。"Youknowshehasgoneback。I
supposeyouwillfollow？"
"Youwillnotunderstandme，"saidKeydesperately。"But，"headdedinalowervoice，"Ishallremainhereuntilyoudo。"
Hedrewalittleclosertoherside。