CHAPTERXIII
　　HOWITBECAMEFAMOUS
　　YubaBillwasrightinbelievingthatWileswouldlosenotimeatRawlings。HeleftthereonafleethorsebeforeBillhadreturnedwiththebroken-downcoachtothelaststation，anddistancedthetelegramsenttodetainhimtwohours。Leavingthestageroadanditsdangeroustelegraphicstations，hepushedsouthwardtoDenveroverthearmytrail，incompanywithahalf-breedpacker，crossingtheMissouribeforeThatcherhadreachedJulesburg。WhenThatcherwasatOmaha，WileswasalreadyinSt。Louis;andasthePullmancarcontainingtheheroofthe"BlueMass"minerolledintoChicago，Wileswasalreadywalkingthestreetsofthenationalcapital。Nevertheless，hehadtimeenroutetosinkinthewatersoftheNorthPlatte，withmanyexpressionsofdisgust，thelittleblackportmanteaubelongingtoThatcher，containinghisdressingcase，afewunimportantletters，andanextrashirt，towonderwhysimplemendidnottravelwiththeirimportantdocumentsandvaluables，andtosetonfootsomeprudentandcautiousinquiriesregardinghisownlostcarpetbaganditsimportantcontents。
　　Butforthesetrifleshehadeveryreasontobesatisfiedwiththeprogressofhisplans。"It’sallright，"saidMrs。Hopkinsonmerrily;"whileyouandGashwilerhavebeenworkingwithyour’stock，’andtreatingthewholeworldasifitcouldbebribed，I’vedonemorewiththatearnest，self-believing，self-deceiving，andperfectlypatheticRoscommonthanallyoufellowsputtogether。
　　Why，I’vetoldhispitifulstory，anddrawntearsfromtheeyesofSenatorsandCabinetMinisters。Morethanthat，I’veintroducedhimintosociety，puthiminadresscoat，——suchafigure！——andyouknowhowthebestfolkworshipeverythingthatisoutreasthesincerething。I’vemadehimacompletesuccess。Why，onlytheothernight，whenSenatorMisnancyandJudgeFitzdawdlewerehere，aftermakinghimtellhisstory，——whichyouknowIthinkhereallybelieves，——Isang’TherecametothebeachapoorExileofErin，’
　　andmyhusbandtoldmeafterwardsitwasworthatleastadozenvotes。"
　　"Butaboutthisrivalofyours，——thisnieceofGarcia’s？"
　　"Anotherofyourblunders;youmenknownothingofwomen。Firstly，she’saswarthylittlebrunette，withdotsforeyes;andstrideslikeaman，dresseslikeadowdy，don’twearstays，andhasnostyle。Then，she’sasinglewoman，andalone;and，althoughsheaffectstobeanartist，andhasBohemianways，don’tyouseeshecan’tgointosocietywithoutachaperonorsomebodytogowithher？Nonsense。"
　　"But，"persistedWiles，"shemusthavesomepower;there’sJudgeMasonandSenatorPeabody，whoareconstantlytalkingabouther;
　　andDinwiddieofVirginiaescortedherthroughtheCapitoltheotherday。"
　　MistressHopkinsonlaughed。"MasonandPeabodyaspiretobethoughtliteraryandartistic，andDinwiddiewantedtopiqueME！"
　　"ButThatcherisnofool——"
　　"IsThatcheralady’sman？"queriedtheladysuddenly。
　　"Hardly，Ishouldsay，"respondedWiles。"Hepretendstobeabsorbedinhisswindleanddevotedtohismine;andIdon’tthinkthatevenyou——"hestoppedwithaslightsneer。
　　"There，youaremisunderstandingmeagain，and，whatisworse，youaremisunderstandingyourcase。Thatcherispleasedwithherbecausehehasprobablyseennooneelse。WaittillhecomestoWashingtonandhasanopportunityforcomparison;"andshecastafrankglanceathermirror，whereWiles，withasardonicbow，leftherstanding。
　　Mr。GashwilerwasquiteasconfidentofhisownsuccesswithCongress。"Wearewithinafewdaysoftheendofthesession。
　　WewillmanagetohaveittakenupandrushedthroughbeforethatfellowThatcherknowswhatheisabout。"
　　"Ifitcouldbedonebeforehegetshere，"saidWiles，"it’sareasonablysurething。Heisdelayedtwodays：hemighthavebeendelayedlonger。"HereMr。Wilessighed。Iftheaccidenthadhappenedonamountainroad，andthestagehadbeenprecipitatedovertheabyss，whatvaluabletimewouldhavebeensaved，andsuccessbecomeasurety。ButMr。Wiles’sfunctionsasanadvocatedidnotincludemurder;atleast，hewasdoubtfulifitcouldbetaxedascosts。
　　"Weneedhavenofears，sir，"resumedMr。Gashwiler;"Thematterisnowinthehandsofthehighesttribunalofappealinthecountry。
　　Itwillmeet，sir，withinflexiblejustice。Ihavealreadypreparedsomeremarks——"
　　"Bytheway，"interruptedWilesinfelicitously，"where’syouryoungman，——yourprivatesecretary，——Dobbs？"
　　TheCongressmanforamomentlookedconfused。"Heisnothere。
　　AndImustcorrectyourerrorinapplyingthattermtohim。Ihaveneverputmyconfidenceinthehandsofanyone。"
　　"Butyouintroducedhimtomeasyoursecretary？"
　　"Amerehonorarytitle，sir。Abrevetrank。Imight，itistrue，havethoughttoreposesuchatrustinhim。ButIwasdeceived，sir，asIfearIamtooapttobewhenIpermitmyfeelingsasamantoovercomemydutyasanAmericanlegislator。Mr。Dobbsenjoyedmypatronageandtheopportunityitgavemetointroducehimintopubliclifeonlytoabuseit。Hebecame，Ifear，deeplyindebted。Hisextravagancewasunlimited，hisambitionunbounded，butwithout，sir，acashbasis。Iadvancedmoneytohimfromtimetotimeuponthelittlepropertyyousogenerouslyextendedtohimforhisservices。Butitwasquicklydissipated。Yet，sir，suchistheingratitudeofmanthathisfamilylatelyappealedtomeforassistance。Ifeltitwasnecessarytobestern，andIrefused。I
　　wouldnotforthesakeofhisfamilysayanything，butIhavemissed，sir，booksfrommylibrary。Onthedayafterheleft，twovolumesofPatentOfficereportsandaBlueBookofCongress，purchasedthatdaybymeatastoreonPennsylvaniaavenue，wereMISSING，——missing！Ihaddifficulty，sir，greatdifficultyinkeepingitfromthepapers！"
　　AsMr。WileshadheardthestoryalreadyfromGashwiler’sacquaintances，withmoreorlessfreecommentonthegiftedlegislator’seconomy，hecouldnothelpthinkingthatthedifficultyhadbeengreatindeed。ButheonlyfixedhismalevolenteyeonGashwilerandsaid：
　　"Soheisgone，eh？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Andyou’vemadeanenemyofhim？That’sbad。"
　　Mr。Gashwilertriedtolookdignifiedlyunconcerned;butsomethinginhisvisitor’smannermadehimuneasy。
　　"Isayitisbad，ifyouhave。Listen。BeforeIlefthere，I
　　foundataboardinghousewherehehadboarded，andstillowedabill，atrunkwhichthelandlordretained。Openingit，Ifoundsomelettersandpaperstoyours，withcertainmemorandaofhis，whichIthoughtoughttobeinYOURpossession。Asanallegedfriendofhis，Iredeemedthetrunkbypayingtheamountofhisbill，andsecuredthemorevaluablepapers。"
　　Gashwiler，whosefacehadgrownapoplecticallysuffusedasWileswenton，atlastgasped："Butyougotthetrunk，andhavethepapers？"
　　"Unfortunately，no;andthat’swhyit’sbad。"
　　"But，goodGod！whathaveyoudonewiththem？"
　　"I’velostthemsomewhereontheOverlandRoad。"
　　Mr。Gashwilersatforafewmomentsspeechless，vacillatingbetweenapurplerageandapallidfear。Thenhesaidhoarsely：
　　"Theyareallblankforgeries，——everyoneofthem。"
　　"Oh，no！"saidWiles，smilingblandlyonhisdexterside，andenjoyingthewholescenemalevolentlywithhissinistereye。"YOUR
　　papersareallgenuine，andIwon’tsayarenotallright，butunfortunatelyIhadinthesamebagsomememorandaofmyownfortheuseofmyclient，that，youunderstand，mightbeputtosomebaduseiffoundbyacleverman。"
　　Thetworascalslookedateachother。Thereisonthewholereallyverylittle"honoramongthieves，"——atleastgreatones，——andtheinferiorrascalsuccumbedatthereflectionofwhatHEmightdoifhewereintheotherrascal’splace。"Seehere，Wiles，"hesaid，relaxinghisdignitywiththeperspirationthatoozedfromeverypore，andmadethecollarofhisshirtamerelimprag。"Seehere，WE"——thisfirstuseofthepluralwasequivalenttoaconfession——
　　"wemustgetthempapers。"
　　"Ofcourse，"saidWilescoolly，"ifweCAN，andifThatcherdoesn’tgetwindofthem。"
　　"Hecannot。"
　　"HewasonthecoachwhenIlostthem，comingEast。"
　　Mr。Gashwilerpaledagain。Intheemergencyhehadrecoursetothesideboardandabottle，forgettingWiles。TenminutesbeforeWileswouldhaveremainedseated;butitisrecordedthatherose，tookthebottlefromthegiftedGashwiler’sfingers，helpedhimselfFIRST，andthensatdown。
　　"Yes，but，myboy，"saidGashwiler，nowrapidlychangingsituationswiththecoolerWiles;"yes，but，oldfellow，"headded，pokingWileswithafatforefinger，"don’tyouseethewholethingwillbeupbeforehegetshere？"
　　"Yes，"saidWilesgloomily，"butthoselazy，easy，honestmenhaveawayofpoppingupjustatthenickoftime。Theyneverneedhurry;allthingswaitforthem。Why，don’tyourememberthatontheverydayMrs。HopkinsonandIandyougotthePresidenttosignthatpatent，thatverydayoneofthemd——nfellowsturnsupfromSanFranciscoorAustralia，havingtakenhisowntimetogethere，——
　　getshereabouthalfanhourafterthePresidenthadsignedthepatentandsentitovertotheoffice，findstherightmantointroducehimtothePresident，hasatalkwithhim，makeshimsignanordercountermandingitsissuance，andundoesallthathasbeendoneinsixyearsinonehour。"
　　"Yes，butCongressisatribunalthatdoesnotrevokeitsdecrees，"
　　saidGashwilerwithareturnofhisoldmanner;"atleast，"headded，observinganincredulousshrugintheshoulderofhiscompanion，"atleastDURINGTHESESSION。"
　　"Weshallsee，"saidWiles，quietlytakinghishat。
　　"Weshallsee，sir，"saidthememberfromRemuswithdignity。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　WHATCULTUREDIDFORIT
　　TherewasatthistimeintheSenateoftheUnitedStatesaneminentandrespectedgentleman，scholarly，orderly，honorable，andradical，——thefitrepresentativeofascholarly，orderly，honorable，andradicalCommonwealth。Formanyyearshehadheldhistrustwithconsciousrectitude，andaslightdepreciationofotherformsofmerit;andforasmanyyearshadbeenasregularlyreturnedtohisseatbyhisconstituencywithequallyconsciousrectitudeinthemselvesandanequalskepticismregardingothers。
　　Removedbyhisnaturebeyondthereachofcertaintemptations，andbycircumstancesbeyondeventheknowledgeofothers，hissocialandpoliticalintegritywasspotless。Anoratorandpracticaldebater，hisrefinedtasteskepthimfrompersonality，andthepublicrecognitionofthecompleteunselfishnessofhismotivesandthemagnitudeofhisdogmasprotectedhimfromscurrility。Hisprincipleshadneverbeenappealedtobyabribe;hehadrarelybeenapproachedbyanemotion。
　　Amanofpolishedtasteinartandliterature，andpossessingthemeanstogratifyit，hisluxurioushomewasfilledwithtreasureshehadhimselfcollected，andfurtherenhancedbythestampofhisappreciation。Hislibraryhadnotonlytheeleganceofadornmentthathiswealthcouldbringandhistasteapprove，butacertainrefinednegligenceofhabitualuse，andtheeasydisorderoftheartist’sworkshop。AllthiswasquicklynotedbyayounggirlwhostoodonitsthresholdatthecloseofadullJanuaryday。
　　ThecardthathadbeenbroughttotheSenatorborethenameof"CarmendeHaro";andmodestlyintherighthandcorner，inalmostmicroscopicscript，thefurtherdescriptionofherselfas"Artist。"
　　Perhapsthepicturesquenessofthename，anditshistoricsuggestioncaughtthescholar’staste，forwhentohisrequest，throughhisservant，thatshewouldbekindenoughtostateherbusiness，sherepliedasfranklythatherbusinesswaspersonaltohimself，hedirectedthatsheshouldbeadmitted。Thenentrenchinghimselfbehindhislibrarytable，overlookingabastionofbooks，andaglacisofpamphletsandpapers，andthrowingintohisforeheadandeyesanexpressionofutterdisqualificationforanythingbutthebusinessbeforehim，becalmlyawaitedtheintruder。
　　Shecame，andforaninstantstood，hesitatingly，framingherselfasapictureinthedoor。Mrs。Hopkinsonwasright，——shehad"nostyle，"unlessanoriginalandhalf-foreignquaintnesscouldbecalledso。TherewasadesperateattemptvisibletocombineanAmericanshawlwiththehabitsofamantilla，anditwasalwaysslippingfromoneshoulder，thatwassosuppleandvivaciousastobetraythedeficienciesofaneducationinstays。Therewasaclusterofblackcurlsaroundherlowforehead，fittinghersocloselyastoseemtobeapartoftheseal-skincapshewore。
　　Once，fromtheforceofhabit，sheattemptedtoputhershawloverherheadandtalkthroughthefoldsgatheredunderherchin，butanastonishedlookfromtheSenatorcheckedher。Nevertheless，hefeltrelieved，andrising，motionedhertoachairwithaheartinesshewouldhavescarcelyshowntoaParisiantoilleta。
　　Andwhen，withtwoorthreequick，longsteps，shereachedhisside，andshowed，afrank，innocent，butstronganddeterminedlittleface，feminineonlyinitsflashofeyeandbeautyoflipandchincurves，heputdownthepamphlethehadtakenupsomewhatostentatiously，andgentlybeggedtoknowherbusiness。
　　IthinkIhaveoncebeforespokenofhervoice，——anorganmoreoftencultivatedbymyfaircountry-womenforsingingthanforspeaking，which，consideringthatmuchofourpracticalrelationswiththesexarecarriedonwithouttheaidofanoperascore，seemsamistakennotionoftheirs，——andofitssweetness，gentleinflexion，andmusicalemphasis。Shehadtheadvantageofhavingbeentrainedinamusicallanguage，andcameofaracewithwhomcatarrhsandsorethroatswererare。SothatinafewbriefphrasesshesangtheSenatorintoacquiescenceassheimpartedtheplainlibrettoofherbusiness，——namely，a"desiretoseesomeofhisrareengravings。"
　　NowtheengravingsinquestionwerecertainetchingsoftheearlyGreatApprenticesoftheart，andwere，Iamhappytobelieve，extremelyrare。Frommyunprofessionalviewtheywereexceedinglybad，——showingthemeregenesisofsomethingsinceperfected，butdear，ofcourse，tothetruecollector’ssoul。Idon’tbelievethatCarmenreallyadmiredthemeither。ButtheminxknewthattheSenatorpridedhimselfonhavingtheonly"pot-hooks"ofthegreat"A，"orthefirstartisticeffortsof"B，"——Ileavetherealnamestobefilledinbytheconnoisseur，——andtheSenatorbecameinterested。Forthelastyear，twoorthreeoftheseabominationshadbeenhanginginhisstudy，utterlyignoredbythecasualvisitor。Butherewasappreciation！"Shewas，"sheadded，"onlyapooryoungartist，unabletopurchasesuchtreasures，butequallyunabletoresisttheopportunityaffordedher，evenattheriskofseemingbold，orofobtrudinguponagreatman’sprivacy，"&c。&c。
　　Thisflattery，which，ifofferedintheusuallegaltenderofthecountry，wouldhavebeenlookeduponascounterfeit，deliveredhereinaforeignaccent，withaslightlytropicalwarmth，wasacceptedbytheSenatorasgenuine。ThesechildrenoftheSunaresoimpulsive！We，ofcourse，feelalittlepityforthepersonwhothustranscendsourstandardofgoodtasteandviolatesourconventionalcanon，——buttheyarealwayssincere。ThecoldNewEnglandersawnothingwronginoneortwodirectandextravagantcompliments，thatwouldhaveinsuredhisvisitor’searlydismissaliftenderedintheclippedmetallicphrasesoftheCommonwealthherepresented。
　　Sothatinafewmomentstheblack，curlyheadofthelittleartistandthewhite，flowinglocksoftheSenatorwereclosetogetherbendingovertherackthatcontainedtheengravings。ItwasthenthatCarmen，listeningtoagraphicdescriptionoftheearlyriseofArtintheNetherlands，forgotherselfandputhershawlaroundherhead，holdingitsfoldsinherlittlebrownhand。Inthissituationtheywere，atdifferenttimesduringthenexttwohours，interruptedbyfiveCongressmen，threeSenators，aCabinetofficer，andaJudgeoftheSupremeBench，——eachofwhomwasquicklybutcourteouslydismissed。Popularsentiment，however，brokeoutinthehall。
　　"Well，I’mblanked，butthisgetsme。"（ThespeakerwasaTerritorialdelegate。）
　　"Athistimeo’life，too，lookin’overpictureswithagalyoungenoughtobehisgrandchild。"（Thisfromavenerableofficial，sincesuspectedofvariouseroticirregularities。）
　　"Shedon’thandsomeany。"（ThehonorablememberfromDakota。）
　　"Thisaccountsforhisprotractedsilenceduringthesessions。"（A
　　seriouscolleaguefromtheSenator’sownState。）
　　"Oh，blankitall！"（Omnes。）
　　Fourwenthometotelltheirwives。Therearefewthingsmoretouchinginthematrimonialcompactthanthesuperbfranknesswithwhicheachconfidestoeachthevariousirregularitiesoftheirfriends。Itisuponthesesacredconfidencesthatthefirmfoundationsofmarriagerestunshaken。
　　Ofcoursetheobjectsofthiscomment，atleastONEofthem，werequiteoblivious。"Itrust，"saidCarmen，timidly，whentheyhadforthefourthtimeregardedinraptadmirationanabominablesomethingbysomeDutchwood-chopper，"ItrustIamnotkeepingyoufromyourgreatfriends："——herprettyeyelidswerecastdownintremulousdistress：——"Ishouldneverforgivemyself。PerhapsitisimportantbusinessoftheState？"
　　"Oh，dear，no！"THEYwillcomeagain，——it’sTHEIRbusiness。"
　　TheSenatormeantitkindly。ItwasasneartheperilousedgeofacomplimentasyouraveragecultivatedBostonmaneverventures，andCarmenpickeditup，femininely，byitssentimentalend。"AndI
　　supposeIshallnottroubleyouagain？"
　　"Ishallalwaysbeproudtoplacetheportfolioatyourdisposal。
　　Commandmeatanytime，"saidtheSenator，withdignity。
　　"Youarekind。Youaregood，"saidCarmen，"andI——I’mbut，——lookyou，——onlyapoorgirlfromCalifornia，thatyouknownot。"
　　"Pardonme，Iknowyourcountrywell。"AndindeedhecouldhavetoldhertheexactnumberofbushelsofwheattotheacreinherowncountyofMonterey，itsvotingpopulation，itspoliticalbias。
　　Yetofthemoreimportantproductbeforehim，afterthemannerofbook-readmen，heknewnothing。
　　Carmenwasastonished，butrespectful。Ittranspiredpresentlythatshewasnotawareoftherapidgrowthofthesilkworminherowndistrict，knewnothingoftheChinesequestion，andverylittleoftheAmericanmininglaws。UponthesequestionstheSenatorenlightenedherfully。"Yournameishistoric，bytheway，"hesaidpleasantly。"TherewasaKnightofAlcantara，a"DeHaro，"
　　oneoftheemigrantswithLasCasas。"
　　Carmennoddedherheadquickly，"Yes;mygreat-great-great-g-r-e-a-tgrandfather！"
　　TheSenatorstared。
　　"Oh，yes。IamthenieceofVictorCastro，whomarriedmyfather’ssister。"
　　"TheVictorCastroofthe’BlueMass’mine？"askedtheSenatorabruptly。
　　"Yes，"shesaidquietly。
　　HadtheSenatorbeenoftheGashwilertype，hewouldhaveexpressedhimself，aftertheaveragemasculinefashion，byalong-drawnwhistle。ButhisonlyperceptibleappreciationofasuddenastonishmentandsuspicioninhismindwasaloweringofthesocialthermometeroftheroomsodecidedthatpoorCarmenlookedupinnocently，chilled，anddrewhershawlcloseraroundhershoulders。
　　"Ihavesomethingmoretoask，"saidCarmen，hangingherhead，——"itisagreat，oh，averygreatfavor。"
　　TheSenatorhadretreatedbehindhisbastionofbooksagain，andwasvisiblypreparingforanassault。Hesawitallnow。Hehadbeen，insomevagueway，deluded。HehadgivenconfidentialaudiencetothenieceofoneoftheGreatClaimantsbeforeCongress。Theinevitableaxehadcometothegrindstone。Whatmightnotthiswomandareaskofhim？Hewasthemoreimplacablethathefelthehadalreadybeenprepossessed——andhonestlyprepossessed——inherfavor。Hewasangrywithherforhavingpleasedhim。UndertheicypolishofhismannertherewerecertainPuritancallositiescausedbyearlystraight-lacing。Hewasnotyetquitefreefromhisancestor’scheerfulethicsthatNature，asrepresentedbyanImpulse，wasasmuchtoberestrainedasOrderrepresentedbyaQuaker。
　　Withoutapparentlynoticinghismanner，Carmenwenton，withacertainpotentialfreedomofstyle，gesture，andmannerscarcelytobeindicatedinhermerewords。"Youknow，then，IamofSpanishblood，andthat，whatwasmyadoptedcountry，ourmottowas，’GodandLiberty。’Itwasofyou，sir，——thegreatEmancipator，——theapostleofthatLiberty，——thefriendofthedown-troddenandoppressed，——thatI，asachild，firstknew。InthehistoriesofthisgreatcountryIhavereadofyou，Ihavelearnedyourorations。Ihavelongedtohearyouinyourownpulpitdeliverthecreedofmyancestors。Tohearyou，ofyourself，speak，ah！MadredeDios！whatshallIsay，——speaktheorationeloquent，——tomakethe——whatyoucall——thedebate，thatiswhatIhaveforsolonghoped。Eh！Pardon，——youarethinkingmefoolish，——wild，eh？——asmallchild，——eh？"
　　Becomingmoreandmoredialecticalasshewenton，shesaidsuddenly，"Ihaveyouofmyselfoffended。Youaremadofmeasabold，badchild？Itisso？"
　　TheSenator，asvisiblybecominglimpandweakagainbehindhisentrenchments，managedtosay，"Oh，no！"then，"really！"andfinally，"Tha-a-nks！"
　　"Iamherebutforaday。IreturntoCaliforniainaday，asitwereto-morrow。Ishallnever，neverhearyouspeakinyourplaceintheCapitolofthisgreatcountry？"
　　TheSenatorsaidhastilythathefeared——heinfactwasconvinced——
　　thathisdutyduringthissessionwasrequiredmoreathisdesk，inthecommitteework，thaninspeaking，&c。，&c。
　　"Ah，"saidCarmensadly，"itistrue，then，allthisthatIhaveheard。Itistruethatwhattheyhavetoldme，——thatyouhavegivenupthegreatparty，——thatyourvoiceisnotlongerheardintheold——whatyoucallthis——eh——theoldISSUES？"
　　"Ifanyonehastoldyouthat，MissDeHaro，"respondedtheSenatorsharply，"hehasspokenfoolishly。Youhavebeenmisinformed。MayIaskwho——"
　　"Ah！"saidCarmen，"Iknownot！Itisintheair！Iamastranger。
　　PerhapsIamde-ceived。Butitisofall。Isaytothem，WhenshallIhearhimspeak？IgodayafterdaytotheCapitol，Iwatchhim，——thegreatEmancipator，——butitisofbusiness，eh？——itistheclaimofthatone，itisthetax，eh？itistheimpost，itisthepost-office，butitisthegreatspeechofhumanrights——never，NEVER。Isay，’Howarrivesallthis？’Andsomesay，andshaketheirheads，’neveragainhespeaks。’Heiswhatyoucall’played——
　　yes，itisso，eh？——playedout。’Iknowitnot，——itisawordfromBos-ton，perhaps？Theysayhehas——eh，IspeaknottheEnglishwell——thepartyhehasshaken，’shook，’——yes，——hehastheparty’shaken，’eh？Itisright，——itisthelanguageofBos-ton，eh？"
　　"Permitmetosay，MissDeHaro，"returnedtheSenator，risingwithsomeasperity，"thatyouseemtohavebeenunfortunateinyourselectionofacquaintances，andstillmoresoinyourideasofthederivationsoftheEnglishtongue。The——er——the——er——expressionsyouhavequotedarenotcommontoBoston，butemanate，Ibelieve，fromtheWest。"
　　CarmendeHarocontritelyburiedeverythingbutherblackeyesinhershawl。
　　"Noone，"hecontinued，moregently，sittingdownagain，"hastherighttoforecastfrommypastwhatIintendtodointhefuture，ordesignatethemeansImaychoosetoservetheprinciplesIholdorthepartyIrepresent。ThoseareMYfunctions。Atthesametime，shouldoccasion——oropportunity——forwearewithinadayortwoofthecloseoftheSession——"
　　"Yes，"interruptedCarmen，sadly，"Isee，——itwillbesomebusiness，someclaim，somethingforsomebody，——ah！MadredeDios，——youwillnotspeak，andI——"
　　"Whendoyouthinkofreturning？"askedtheSenator，withgravepoliteness;"whenarewetoloseyou？"
　　"Ishallstaytothelast，——totheendoftheSession，"saidCarmen。"AndNOWIshallgo。"Shegotupandpulledhershawlviciouslyoverhershoulders，withaprettypettishness，perhapsthemostfemininethingshehaddonethatevening。Possibly，themostgenuine。
　　TheSenatorsmiledaffably："Youdonotdeservetobedisappointedineithercase;butitislaterthanyouimagine;letmehelpyouontheshorterdistanceinmycarriage;itisatthedoor。"
　　Heaccompaniedhergravelytothecarriage。Asitrolledaway，sheburiedherlittlefigureinitsamplecushionsandchuckledtoherself，albeitalittlehysterically。Whenshehadreachedherdestination，shefoundherselfcrying，andhastily，andsomewhatangrily，driedhereyesasshedrewupatthedoorofherlodgings。
　　"Howhaveyouprospered？"askedMr。Harlowe，ofcounselforRoyalThatcher，ashegallantlyassistedherfromthecarriage。"Ihavebeenwaitingherefortwohours;yourinterviewmusthavebeenprolonged，——thatwasagoodsign。"
　　"Don’taskmenow，"saidCarmen，alittlesavagely，"I’mwornoutandtired。"
　　Mr。Harlowebowed。"Itrustyouwillbebetterto-morrow，forweexpectourfriend，Mr。Thatcher。"
　　Carmen’sbrowncheekflushedslightly。"Heshouldhavebeenherebefore。Whereishe？Whatwashedoing？"
　　"Hewassnowedupontheplains。Heiscomingasfastassteamcancarryhim;buthemaybetoolate。"
　　Carmendidnotreply。
　　Thelawyerlingered。"HowdidyoufindthegreatNew-EnglandSenator？"heaskedwithaslightprofessionallevity。
　　Carmenwastired，Carmenwasworried，Carmenwasalittleself-
　　reproachful，andshekindledeasily。Consequentlyshesaidicily：
　　"IfoundhimAGENTLEMAN！"
　　CHAPTERXV
　　HOWITBECAMEUNFINISHEDBUSINESS
　　Theclosingofthe————CongresswasnotunliketheclosingoftheseveralprecedingCongresses。Therewasthesameunbusiness-like，impracticalhaste;thesamehurried，unjust，andutterlyinadequateadjustmentofunfinished，ill-digestedbusiness，thatwouldnothavebeentoleratedforamomentbythesovereignpeopleinanyprivateinteresttheycontrolled。Therewerefraudsrushedthrough;therewerelong-suffering，righteousdemandsshelved;therewerehonest，unpaiddebtsdishonoredbyscantappropriations;therewereclosingsceneswhichonlythesavingsenseofAmericanhumorkeptfrombeingutterlyvile。Theactors，thelegislatorsthemselves，knewit，andlaughedatit;thecommentators，thePress，knewitandlaughedatit;theaudience，thegreatAmericanpeople，knewitandlaughedatit。Andnobodyforaninstantconceivedthatitever，underanycircumstances，mightbeotherwise。
　　TheclaimofRoscommonwasamongtheUnfinishedBusiness。Theclaimanthimself，haggard，pathetic，importunate，andobstinate，wasamongtheUnfinishedBusiness。VariousCongressmen，moreorlessinterestedinthesuccessoftheclaim，wereamongtheUnfinishedBusiness。ThememberfromFresno，whohadchangedhisderringerforaspeechagainsttheclaimant，wasamongtheUnfinishedBusiness。ThegiftedGashwiler，uneasyinhissoulovercertainotherUnfinishedBusinessintheshapeofhismissingletters，butdroppingoilandhoneyashemingledwithhisbrothers，wasKingofMisruleandLordoftheUnfinishedBusiness。
　　PrettyMrs。Hopkinson，prudentlyescortedbyherhusband，butimprudentlyogledbyadmiringCongressmen，lentthecharmofherpresencetothefinishingofUnfinishedBusiness。Oneortwoeditors，whohaddreamsofafinishedfinancialbusiness，arisingoutofUnfinishedBusiness，weretherealso，likeancientbards，torecordwithpaeanorthrenodythecompletionofUnfinishedBusiness。Variousuncleanbirds，scentingcarrioninUnfinishedBusiness，hoveredinthehallsorroostedintheLobby。
　　Thelowerhouse，underthetutelageofthegiftedGashwiler，drankdeeplyofRoscommonandhisintoxicatingclaim，andpassedthehalf-emptybottletotheSenateasUnfinishedBusiness。But，alas！
　　intheveryrush，andstorm，andtempestoftheunfinishingbusiness，anunlooked-forinterruptionaroseinthepersonofagreatSenatorwhosepowernonecouldoppose，whoserighttofreeandextendedutteranceatalltimesnonecouldgainsay。Aclaimforpoultry，violentlyseizedbythearmyofShermanduringhismarchthroughGeorgia，fromthehen-coopofanallegedloyalIrishman，openedaconstitutionalquestion，andwithitthelipsofthegreatSenator。
　　Forsevenhourshespokeeloquently，earnestly，convincingly。Forsevenhourstheoldissuesofpartyandpolicywereseverallytakenupanddismissedintheoldforciblerhetoricthathadearlymadehimfamous。InterruptionsfromotherSenators，nowforgetfulofUnfinishedBusiness，andwildwithreanimatedpartyzeal;
　　interruptionsfromcertainSenatorsmindfulofUnfinishedBusiness，andunabletopasstheRoscommonbottle，onlyspurredhimtofreshexertion。ThetocsinsoundedintheSenatewasheardinthelowerhouse。Highly-excitedmemberscongregatedatthedoorsoftheSenate，andleftUnfinishedBusinesstotakecareofitself。
　　Lefttoitselfforsevenhours，UnfinishedBusinessgnasheditsfalseteethandtoreitswiginimpotentfuryincorridorandhall。
　　ForsevenhoursthegiftedGashwilerhadcontinuedthemanufactureofoilandhoney，whosesweetness，however，wasslowlypallinguponthecongressionallip;forsevenhoursRoscommonandfriendsbeatwithimpatientfeetthelobby，andshookfists，moreorlessdiscolored，atthedistinguishedSenator。Forsevenhourstheoneortwoeditorswereobligedtositandcalmlycomplimentthegreatspeechwhichthatnightflashedoverthewiresofacontinentwiththeoldelectricthrill。And，worsethanall，theywereobligedtorecordwithittheclosingofthe————Congress，withmorethantheusualamountofUnfinishedBusiness。
　　AlittlegroupoffriendssurroundedthegreatSenatorwithhymnsofpraiseandcongratulations。Oldadversariessalutedhimcourteouslyastheypassedbywiththerespectofstrongmen。A
　　littlewomanwithashawldrawnoverhershoulders，andheldwithonesmallbrownhand，approachedhimtimidly：
　　"IspeaknottheEnglishwell，"shesaidgently，"butIhavereadmuch。IhavereadintheplaysofyourShakspeare。IwouldliketosaytoyouthewordsofRosalindtoOrlandowhenhedidfight：
　　’Siryouhavewrestledwell，andhaveoverthrownmorethanyourenemies。’"Andwiththesewordsshewasgone。
　　YetnotsoquicklybutthatprettyMrs。Hopkinson，coming，——asVictrixalwayscomestoVictor，tothankthegreatSenator，albeitthefacesofherescortswereshroudedingloom，——sawtheshawledfiguredisappear。
　　"There，"shesaid，pinchingWilesmischievously，"there！that’sthewomanyouwereafraidof。Lookather。Lookatthatdress。Ah，Heavens！lookatthatshawl。Didn’tItellyoushehadnostyle？"
　　"Whoisshe？"saidWilessullenly。
　　"CarmendeHaro，ofcourse，"saidtheladyvivaciously。"Whatareyouhurryingawaysofor？You’reabsolutelypullingmealong。"
　　Mr。Wileshadjustcaughtsightofthetravel-wornfaceofRoyalThatcheramongthecrowdthatthrongedthestair-case。Thatcherappearedpaleanddistrait：Mr。Harlowe，hiscounsel，athisside，ralliedhim。
　　"Noonewouldthinkyouhadjustgotanewleaseofyourproperty，andescapedagreatswindle。What’sthematterwithyou？MissDeHaropassedusjustnow。ItwasshewhospoketotheSenator。Whydidyounotrecognizeher？"
　　"Iwasthinking，"saidThatchergloomily。
　　"Well，youtakethingscoolly！Andcertainlyyouarenotverydemonstrativetowardsthewomanwhosavedyouto-day。For，assureasyoulive，itwasshewhodrewthatspeechoutoftheSenator。"
　　Thatcherdidnotreply，butmovedaway。HeHADnoticedCarmendeHaro，andwasabouttogreetherwithmingledpleasureandembarrassment。ButhehadheardhercomplimenttotheSenator，andthisstrong，preoccupied，automaticman，whoonlytendaysbeforehadnothoughtbeyondhisproperty，wasnowthinkingmoreofthatcomplimenttoanotherthanofhissuccess;andwasbeginningtohatetheSenatorwhohadsavedhim，thelawyerwhostoodbesidehim，andeventhelittlefigurethathadtrippeddownthestepsunconsciousofhim。
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　ANDWHOFORGOTIT
　　ItwassomewhatinconsistentwithRoyalThatcher’sembarrassmentandsensitivenessthatheshould，onleavingtheCapitol，orderacarriageanddrivedirectlytothelodgingsofMissDeHaro。Thatonfindingshewasnotathome，heshouldbecomeagainsulkyandsuspicious，andevenbeashamedofthehonestimpulsethatledhimthere，was，Isuppose，manlikeandnatural。Hefeltthathehaddoneallthecourtesyrequired;hehadpromptlyansweredherdispatchwithhispresence。Ifshechosetobeabsentatsuchamoment，HEhadatleastdoneHISduty。Inshort，therewasscarcelyanyabsurdityoftheimaginationwhichthisoncepracticalmandidnotpermithimselftoindulgein，yetalwayswithacertainconsciousnessthathewasallowinghisfeelingstorunawaywithhim，——afactthatdidnottendtomakehimbetterhumored，andratherinclinedhimtoplacetheresponsibilityoftheelopementonsomebodyelse。IfMissDeHarohadbeenhome，&c。&c。，andnotgoingintoecstasiesoverspeeches，&c。&c。，andhadattendedtoherbusiness，i。e。，beingexactlywhathehadsupposedhertobe，——
　　allthiswouldnothavehappened。
　　Iamawarethatthiswillnotheightenthereader’srespectformyhero。ButIfancythattheimperceptibleprogressofasincerepassioninthematuredstrongmanisapttobemarkedwithevenmorethantheusualhasteandabsurdityofcallousyouth。
　　Thefeverthatrunsriotintheveinsoftherobustisapttopassyourailingweaklingby。Possiblytheremaybesomeimmunityininoculation。ItisLothariowhoisalwaysself-possessedanddoesandsaystherightthing，whilepoorhonestCoelebsbecomesridiculouswithgenuineemotion。
　　Herejoinedhislawyerinnoverygraciousmood。ThechambersoccupiedbyMr。HarlowewereinthebasementofaprivatedwellingonceoccupiedandmadehistoricbyanHonorableSomebody，who，however，wasrememberedonlybythelandlordandthelasttenant。
　　Therewerevariousshelvesinthewallsdividedintocompartments，sarcasticallyknownas"pigeonholes，"inwhichthedoveofpeacehadneverrested，butwhichstillperpetuated，intheirlegends，thefeudsandanimositiesofsuitorsnowbutcommondusttogether。
　　Therewasaportrait，apparentlyofacherub，whichonnearerinspectionturnedouttobeafamousEnglishLordChancellorinhisflowingwig。
　　Therewerebookswithdreary，unenliveningtitles，——egostisticalways，asrecordingSmith’sopinionsonthis，andJones’scommentariesonthat。Therewasahandbilltackedonthewall，whichatfirstofferedhilarioussuggestionsofacircusorasteamboatexcursion，butwhichturnedoutonlytobeasheriff’ssale。Therewereseveraloddly-shapedpackagesinnewspaperwrappings，mysteriousandawfulindarkcorners，thatmighthavecontainedforgottenlawpapersorthepreviousweek’swashingoftheeminentcounsel。Therewereoneortwonewspapers，whichatfirstofferedentertainingprospectstothewaitingclient，butalwaysprovedtobealawrecordoraSupremeCourtdecision。
　　Therewasthebustofalatedistinguishedjurist，whichapparentlyhadneverbeendustedsincehehimselfbecamedust，andhadalreadygrownaperceptiblydustymoustacheonhisseverely-judicialupperlip。Itwasacheerlessplaceinthesunshineofday;atnight，whenitought，byeverysuggestionofitsdustypast，tohavebeenlefttothevengefulghosts，thegreaterpartofwhosehopesandpassionswererecordedandgatheredthere;wheninthedarkthedeadhandsofforgottenmenwerestretchedfromtheirdustygravestofumbleoncemorefortheiroldtitledeeds;atnight，whenitwaslitupbyflaringgaslight，thehollowmockeryofthisdissipationwassoapparentthatpeopleinthestreets，lookingthroughtheilluminatedwindows，feltasiftheprivacyofafamilyvaulthadbeenintrudeduponbybody-snatchers。
　　RoyalThatcherglancedaroundtheroom，tookinallitsdrearysuggestionsinahalf-weary，half-indifferentsortofway，anddroppedintothelawyer’sownrevolvingchairasthatgentlemanenteredfromtheadjacentroom。
　　"Well，yougotbacksoon，Isee，"saidHarlowebriskly。
　　"Yes，"saidhisclient，withoutlookingup，andwiththisnotabledistinctionbetweenhimselfandallotherpreviousclients，thatheseemedabsolutelylessinterestedthanthelawyer。"Yes，I’mhere;
　　and，uponmysoul，Idon’texactlyknowwhy。"
　　"Youtoldmeofcertainpapersyouhaddiscovered，"saidthelawyersuggestively。
　　"Oh，yes，"returnedThatcherwithaslightyawn。"I’vegotheresomepaperssomewhere;"——hebegantofeelinhiscoatpocketlanguidly;——"but，bytheway，thisisaratherdrearyandGod-
　　forsakensortofplace！Let’sgouptoWelker’s，andyoucanlookatthemoverabottleofchampagne。"
　　"AfterI’velookedatthem，I’vesomethingtoshowyou，myself，"
　　saidHarlowe;"andasforthechampagne，we’llhavethatintheotherroom，byandby。AtpresentIwanttohavemyheadclear，andyourstoo，——ifyou’llobligemebybecomingsufficientlyinterestedinyourownaffairstotalktomeaboutthem。"
　　Thatcherwasgazingabstractedlyatthefire。Hestarted。"Idaresay，"hebegan，"I’mnotveryinteresting;yetit’spossiblethatmyaffairshavetakenupalittletoomuchofmytime。However，——"
　　hestopped，tookfromhispocketanenvelope，andthrewitonthedesk，——"therearesomepapers。Idon’tknowwhatvaluetheymaybe;thatisforyoutodetermine。Idon’tknowthatI’veanylegalrighttotheirpossession，——thatisforyoutosay，too。Theycametomeinaqueerway。OntheoverlandjourneyhereIlostmybag，containingmyfewtrapsandsomelettersandpapers’ofnovalue，’
　　astheadvertisementssay，’toanybuttheowner。’Well，thebagwaslost，butthestagedriverdeclaresthatitwasstolenbyafellow-passenger，——amanbythenameofGiles，orStiles，orPiles——"
　　"Wiles，"saidHarloweearnestly。
　　"Yes，"continuedThatcher，suppressingayawn;"yes，Iguessyou’reright，——Wiles。Well，thestagedriver，finallybelievingthis，goestoworkandquietlyandunostentatiouslysteals——Isay，haveyougotacigar？"
　　"I’llgetyouone。"
　　Harlowedisappearedintheadjoiningroom。ThatcherdraggedHarlowe’sheavy，revolvingdeskchair，whichneverbeforehadbeenremovedfromitssacredposition，tothefire，andbegantopokethecoalsabstractedly。
　　Harlowereappearedwithcigarsandmatches。Thatcherlitonemechanically，andsaid，betweenthepulls：
　　"Doyou——ever——talk——toyourself？"
　　"No！——why？"
　　"IthoughtIheardyourvoicejustnowintheotherroom。Anyhow，thisisanawfulspookyplace。IfIstayedherealonehalfanhour，I’dfancythattheLordChancelloruptherewouldstepdowninhisrobes，outofhisframe，tokeepmecompany。"
　　"Nonsense！WhenI’mbusy，Ioftensithereandwriteuntilaftermidnight。It’ssoquiet！"
　　"D——mnablyso！"
　　"Well，togobacktothepapers。Somebodystoleyourbag，oryoulostit。YOUstole——"
　　"Thedriverstole，"suggestedThatcher，solanguidlythatitcouldhardlybecalledaninterruption。
　　"Well，we’llsaythedriverstole，andpassedovertoyouashisaccomplice，confederate，orreceiver，certainpapersbelonging——"
　　"Seehere，Harlowe，Idon’tfeellikejokinginaghostlylawofficeaftermidnight。Hereareyourfacts。YubaBill，thedriver，stoleabagfromthispassenger，Wiles，orSmiles，andhandedittometoinsurethereturnofmyown。Ifoundinitsomepapersconcerningmycase。Theretheyare。Dowiththemwhatyoulike。"
　　Thatcherturnedhiseyesagainabstractedlytothefire。
　　Harlowetookoutthefirstpaper：
　　"A-w，thisseemstobeatelegram。Yes，eh？’CometoWashingtonatonce。——CarmendeHaro。’"
　　Thatcherstarted，blushedlikeagirl，andhurriedlyreachedforthepaper。
　　"Nonsense。That’samistake。AdispatchImislaidintheenvelope。"
　　"Isee，"saidthelawyerdryly。
　　"IthoughtIhadtornitup，"continuedThatcher，afteranawkwardpause。Iregrettosaythatherethatusuallytruthfulmanelaboratedafiction。Hehadconsulteditadozentimesadayonthejourney，anditwasquiteworninitsenfoldings。Harlowe’squickeyehadnoticedthis，buthespeedilybecameinterestedandabsorbedintheotherpapers。Thatcherlapsedintocontemplationofthefire。
　　"Well，"saidHarlowe，finallyturningtohisclient，"here’senoughtounseatGashwiler，orclosehismouth。Astotherest，it’sgoodreading——butIneedn’ttellyou——noLEGALevidence。Butit’sproofenoughtostopthemfromevertryingitagain，——whentheexistenceofthisrecordismadeknown。Briberyisahardthingtofixonaman;theonlywitnessisnaturallyparticepscriminis;——butitwouldnotbeeasyforthemtoexplainawaythisrascal’srecord。
　　OneortwothingsIdon’tunderstand：What’sthisoppositetheHon。
　　X’sname，’Tookthemedicinenicely，andfeelsbetter？’andhere，justinthemargin，afterY’s，’Mustbelaboredwith？’"
　　"IsupposeourCaliforniaslangborrowslargelyfromthemedicalandspiritualprofession，"returnedThatcher。"Butisn’titoddthatamanshouldkeepaconscientiousrecordofhisownvillainy？"
　　Harlowe，alittleabashedathiswantofknowledgeofAmericanmetaphor，nowfelthimselfathome。"Well，no。It’snotunusual。
　　Inoneofthosebooksyonderthereistherecordofacasewhereaman，whohadcommittedaseriesofnamelessatrocities，extendingoveraperiodofyears，absolutelykeptamemorandumoftheminhispocketdiary。ItwasproducedinCourt。Why，mydearfellow，onehalfourbusinessarisesfromthefactthatmenandwomenareinthehabitofkeepinglettersanddocumentsthattheymight——Idon’tsay，youknow，thattheyOUGHT，that’saquestionofsentimentorethics——butthattheyMIGHTdestroy。"
　　Thatcherhalf-mechanicallytookthetelegramofpoorCarmenandthrewitinthefire。Harlowenoticedtheactandsmiled。
　　"I’llventuretosay，however，thatthere’snothinginthebagthatYOUlostthatneedgiveyouamoment’suneasiness。It’sonlyyourrascalorfoolwhocarrieswithhimthatwhichmakeshimhisowndetective。"
　　"Ihadafriend，"continuedHarlowe，"acleverfellowenough，butwhowassofoolishastoseriouslycomplicatehimselfwithawoman。
　　Hewashimselfthesoulofhonor，andatthebeginningoftheircorrespondenceheproposedthattheyshouldeachreturntheother’sletterswiththeiranswer。Theydidsoforyears，butitcosthimtenthousanddollarsandnoendoftroubleafterall。"
　　"Why？"askedThatchersimply。
　　"BecausehewassuchanegotisticalassasTOKEEPTHELETTER
　　PROPOSINGIT，whichshehaddulyreturned，amonghispapersasasentimentalrecord。Ofcoursesomebodyeventuallyfoundit。"
　　"Goodnight，"saidThatcher，risingabruptly。"IfIstayedheremuchlongerIshouldbegintodisbelievemyownmother。"
　　"Ihaveknownofsuchhereditarytraits，"returnedHarlowewithalaugh。"Butcome，youmustnotgowithoutthechampagne。"Heledthewaytotheadjacentroom，whichprovedtobeonlytheante-
　　chamberofanother，onthethresholdofwhichThatcherstoppedwithgenuinesurprise。Itwasanelegantlyfurnishedlibrary。
　　"Sybarite！WhywasIneverherebefore？"
　　"Becauseyoucameasaclient;to-nightyouaremyguest。Allwhoenterhereleavetheirbusiness，withtheirhats，inthehall。
　　Look;thereisn’talawbookonthoseshelves;thattableneverwasdefacedbyatitledeedorparchment。Youlookpuzzled？Well，itwasawhimofminetoputmyresidenceandmywork-shopunderthesameroof，yetsodistinctthattheywouldneverinterferewitheachother。Youknowthehouseaboveisletouttolodgers。I
　　occupythefirstfloorwithmymotherandsister，andthisismyparlor。Idomyworkinthatsevereroomthatfrontsthestreet：
　　hereiswhereIplay。Amanmusthavesomethingelseinlifethanmerebusiness。Ifinditlessharmfulandexpensivetohavemypleasurehere。"
　　Thatcherhadsunkmoodilyintheembracingarmsofaneasychair。
　　Hewasthinkingdeeply;hewasfondofbookstoo，and，likeallmenwhohavefaredhardandledwanderinglives，heknewthevalueofcultivatedrepose。Likeallmenwhohavebeenobligedtosleepunderblanketsandintheopenair，heappreciatedtheluxuriesoflinensheetsandafrescoedroof。Itis，bytheway，onlyyoursickcityclerkoryourdyspepticclergymanwhofancythattheyhavefoundinthebadbread，friedsteaks，andfrowzyflannelsofmountainpicknickingthetrueartofliving。Anditisasomewhatnotablefactthatyourtruemountaineeroryourgentlemanwhohasbeenobligedtohonestly"roughit，"doesnot，asageneralthing，writebooksaboutitsadvantages，orimploretheirfellowmortalstocomeandsharetheirsolitudeandtheirdiscomforts。
　　ThoroughlyappreciatingthetasteandcomfortofHarlowe’slibrary，yethalf-enviousofitsowner，andhalf-suspiciousthathisownearnestlifeforthepastfewyearsmighthavebeendifferent，Thatchersuddenlystartedfromhisseatandwalkedtowardsaparloreasel，whereonstoodapicture。ItwasCarmendeHaro’sfirstsketchofthefurnaceandthemine。
　　"Iseeyouaretakenwiththatpicture，"saidHarlowe，pausingwiththechampagnebottleinhishand。"Youshowyourgoodtaste。It’sbeenmuchadmired。Observehowsplendidlythatfirelightplaysoverthesleepingfaceofthatfigure，yetbringsoutbyverycontrastitsalmostdeath-likerepose。Thoserocksarepowerfullyhandled;whatasuggestionofmysteryinthoseshadows！Youknowthepainter？"
　　Thatchermurmured，"MissDeHaro，"withanewandratheroddself-
　　consciousnessinspeakinghername。
　　"Yes。Andyouknowthestoryofthepictureofcourse？"
　　Thatcherthoughthedidn’t。Well，no;infact，hedidnotremember。
　　"Why，thisrecumbentfigurewasanoldSpanishloverofhers，whomshebelievedtohavebeenmurderedthere。It’saghastlyfancy，isn’tit？"
　　TwothingsannoyedThatcher：firsttheepithet"lover，"asappliedtoConchobyanotherman;second，thatthepicturebelongedtohim：
　　andwhatthed——-ldidshemeanby——
　　"Yes，"hebrokeoutfinally，"buthowdidYOUgetit？"
　　"Oh，Iboughtitofher。I’vebeenasortofpatronofhereversinceIfoundouthowshestoodtowardsus。AsshewasquitealonehereinWashington，mymotherandsisterhavetakenherup，andhavebeendoingthesocialthing。"
　　"Howlongsince？"askedThatcher。
　　"Oh，notlong。Thedayshetelegraphedyou，shecameheretoknowwhatshecoulddoforus，andwhenIsaidnothingcouldbedoneexcepttokeepCongressoff，why，shewentandDIDIT。ForSHE，andshealone，gotthatspeechoutoftheSenator。But，"headded，alittlemischievously，"youseemtoknowverylittleabouther？"
　　"No！——I——thatis——I’vebeenverybusylately，"returnedThatcher，staringatthepicture。"Doesshecomehereoften？"
　　"Yes，lately，quiteoften;shewasherethiseveningwithmother;
　　washere，Ithink，whenyoucame。"
　　ThatcherlookedintentlyatHarlowe。Butthatgentleman’sfacebetrayednoconfusion。Thatcherrefilledhisglassalittleawkwardly，tossedofftheliquoratadraught，androsetohisfeet。
　　"Come，oldfellow，you’renotgoingnow。Ishan’tpermitit，"saidHarlowe，layinghishandkindlyonhisclient’sshoulder。"You’reoutofsorts！Stayherewithmeto-night。Ouraccommodationsarenotlarge，butareelastic。Icanbestowyoucomfortablyuntilmorning。WaithereamomentwhileIgivethenecessaryorders。"
　　Thatcherwasnotsorrytobeleftalone。InthelasthalfhourhehadbecomeconvincedthathisloveforCarmendeHarohadbeeninsomewaymostdreadfullyabused。WhileHEwashardatworkinCalifornia，shewasbeingintroducedinWashingtonsocietybypartieswitheligiblebrotherswhoboughtherpaintings。Itisarelieftothetrulyjealousmindtoindulgeinplurals。Thatcherlikedtothinkthatshewasalreadybesetbyhundredsofbrothers。
　　Hestillkeptstaringatthepicture。Byandbyitfadedawayinpart，andaveryvividrecollectionofthemisty，midnight，moonlitwalkhehadoncetakenwithhercameback，andrefilledthecanvaswithitsmagic。Hesawtheruinedfurnace;thedark，overhangingmassesofrock，thetremblingintricaciesoffoliage，and，aboveall，theflashofdarkeyesunderamantillaathisshoulder。Whatafoolhehadbeen！HadhenotreallybeenassenselessandstupidasthisveryConcho，lyingherelikealog？Andshehadlovedthatman。Whatafoolshemusthavethoughthimthatevening！Whatasnobshemustthinkhimnow！
　　Hewasstartledbyaslightrustlinginthepassage，thatceasedalmostasheturned。Thatcherlookedtowardsthedooroftheouteroffice，asifhalfexpectingthattheLordChancellor，likethecommanderinDonJuan，mighthaveacceptedhisthoughtlessinvitation。Helistenedagain;everythingwasstill。Hewasconsciousoffeelingillateaseandatriflenervous。WhatalongtimeHarlowetooktomakehispreparations。Hewouldlookoutinthehall。Todothisitwasnecessarytoturnupthegas。Hedidso，andinhisconfusionturneditout！
　　Wherewerethematches？Herememberedthattherewasabronzesomethingonthetablethat，intheironyofmoderndecorativetaste，mightholdashesormatches，oranythingofanunpicturesquecharacter。Heknockedsomethingover，evidentlytheink，——
　　somethingelse，——thistimeachampagneglass。Becomingreckless，andnowgropingatrandomintheruins，heoverturnedthebronzeMercuryonthecentertable，andthensatdownhopelesslyinhischair。Andthenapairofvelvetfingersslidintohis，withthematches，andthisaudible，musicalstatement：
　　"Itisamatchyouareseeking？Hereisofthem。"
　　Thatcherflushed，embarrassed，nervous，——feelingtheridiculousnessofsaying，"Thankyou"toadarksomebody，——struckthematch，beheldbyitsbrief，uncertainglimmerCarmendeHarobesidehim，burnedhisfingers，coughed，droppedthematch，andwascastagainintoouterdarkness。
　　"Letmetry！"
　　Carmenstruckamatch，jumpedbrisklyonthechair，litthegas，jumpedlightlydownagain，andsaid："Youdoliketositinthedark，——eh？SoamI——sometimes——alone。"
　　"MissDeHaro，"saidThatcher，withsudden，honestearnestness，advancingwithoutstretchedhands，"believemeIamsincerelydelighted，overjoyed，againtomeet——"
　　Shehad，however，quicklyretreatedasheapproached，ensconcingherselfbehindthehighbackofalargeantiquechair，onthecushionofwhichsheknelt。Iregrettoaddalsothatsheslappedhisoutstretchedfingersalittlesharplywithherinevitableblackfanashestilladvanced。
　　"WearenotinCalifornia。ItisWashington。Itisaftermidnight。
　　Iamapoorgirl，andIhavetolose——whatyoucall——’acharacter。’
　　Youshallsitoverthere，"——shepointedtothesofa，——"andIshallsithere;"sherestedherboyishheadonthetopofthechair;"andweshalltalk，forIhavetospeaktoyou，DonRoyal。"
　　Thatchertooktheseatindicated，contritely，humbly，submissively。
　　Carmen’slittleheartwastouched。Butshestillwentonoverthebackofthechair。
　　"DonRoyal，"shesaid，emphasizingeachwordathimwithherfan，"beforeIsawyou，——everknewofyou，——Iwasachild。Yes，Iwasbutachild！Iwasabold，badchild;——andIwaswhatyoucalla——
　　a——’forgaire’！"
　　"Awhat？"askedThatcher，hesitatingbetweenasmileandasigh。
　　"Aforgaire！"continuedCarmendemurely。"Ididofmyselfwritethenamesofozzerpeoples;"whenCarmenwasexcitedshelostthecontroloftheEnglishtongue;"Ididwritejusttopleasemyself;——
　　itwasmyonklethatdidmakeofitmoney;——youunderstand，eh？
　　Shallyounotspeak？MustIagainhityou？"
　　"Goon，"saidThatcherlaughing。
　　"Ididfindout，whenIcametoyouatthemine，thatIhadforgedagainstyouthenameofMicheltorena。Itothelawyerwent，andfoundthatitwasso——ofaverity——so！so！allthetime。Lookatmenotnow，DonRoyal;——itisa’forgaire’youstareat。"
　　"Carmen！"
　　"Hoosh！ShallIhavetohityouagain？Ididoverlookallthepapers。Ifoundtheapplication：itwaswrittenbyme。There。"
　　ShetossedoverthebackofherchairanenvelopetoThatcher。Heopenedit。
　　"Isee，"hesaidgently，"yourepossessedyourselfofit！"
　　"Whatisthat——’r-r-r-e——possess’？"
　　"Why！"——Thatcherhesitated——"yougotpossessionofthispaper，——
　　thisinnocentforgery，——again。"
　　"Oh！Youthinkmeathiefaswellasa’forgaire。’Goaway！Getup。Getout。"
　　"Mydeargirl——"
　　"Lookatthepaper！Willyou？Oh，yousilly！"
　　Thatcherlookedatthepaper。Inpaper，handwriting，age，andstampitwasidenticalwiththeformal，clericalapplicationofGarciaforthegrant。TheindorsementofMicheltorenawasunquestionablygenuine。BUTTHEAPPLICATIONWASMADEFORROYAL
　　THATCHER。Andhisownsignaturewasimitatedtothelife。
　　"Ihadbutoneletterofyourswizyourname，"saidCarmenapologetically;"anditwasthebestpoormecoulddo。"
　　"Why，youblessedlittlegooseandangel，"saidThatcher，withthebold，mixedmetaphorofamatorygenius，"don’tyousee——"
　　"Ah，youdon’tlikeit，——itisnotgood？"
　　"Mydarling！"
　　"Hoosh！Thereisalsoan’oldcat’upstairs。AndnowIhavehereacharacter。WILLyousitdown？Isitofanecessitythatupanddownyoushouldwalkandawakenthewholehouse？There！"——shehadgivenhimaviciousdabwithherfanashepassed。Hesatdown。
　　"Andyouhavenotseenmenorwrittentomeforayear？"
　　"Carmen！"
　　"Sitdown，youbold，badboy。Don’tyouseeitisofbusinessthatyouandItalkdownhere;anditisofbusinessthatozzerpeopleupstairsarethinking。Eh？"
　　"D——nbusiness！Seehere，Carmen，mydarling，tellme"——IregrettosayhehadbythistimegotholdofthebackofCarmen’schair——
　　"tellme，myownlittlegirl，——about——aboutthatSenator。Yourememberwhatyousaidtohim？"
　　"Oh，theoldman？Oh，THATwasbusiness。Andyousayofbusiness，’d——n。’"
　　"Carmen！"
　　"DonRoyal！"……
　　AlthoughMissCarmenhadrecoursetoherfanfrequentlyduringthisinterview，theairmusthavebeenchilly，foramomentlater，onhiswaydownstairs，poorHarlowe，asuffererfrombronchitis，wasattackedwithaviolentfitofcoughing，whichtroubledhimallthewaydown。
　　"Well，"hesaid，asheenteredtheroom，"IseeyouhavefoundMr。
　　Thatcher，andshownthosepapers。Itrustyouhave，foryou’vecertainlyhadtimeenough。Iamsentbymothertodismissyoualltobed。"
　　Carmenstillinthearmchair，coveredwithhermantilla，didnotspeak。
　　"Isupposeyouarebythistimelawyerenoughtoknow，"continuedHarlowe，"thatMissDeHaro’spapers，thoughingenious，arenotlegallyavailable，unless——"
　　"Ichosetomakeherawitness。Harlowe！you’reagoodfellow！I
　　don’tmindsayingtoyouthatthesearepapersIpreferthatmyWIFEshouldnotuse。We’llleaveitforthepresent——UnfinishedBusiness。"
　　Theydid。ButoneeveningourherobroughtMrs。RoyalThatcherapapercontainingatouchingandbeautifultributetothedeadSenator。
　　"There，Carmen，love，readthat。Don’tyoufeelalittleashamedofyour——your——yourlobbying——"
　　"No，"saidCarmenpromptly。"Itwasbusiness，——andifalllobbyingbusinesswasashonest，——well？——"