Selectingaspotwherethewhitequartzwasvisible，Flemingattackedthebankwiththepick。Afteroneortwoblowsitbegantoyieldandcrumbleawayathisfeet。Hewashedoutapanfulperfunctorily，moreintentonthegirlthanhiswork；she，eager，alert，andbreathless，hadchangedplaceswithhim，andbecometheanxiousprospector！Buttheresultwasthesame。Hethrewawaythepanwithalaugh，totakeherlittlehand！Butshewhispered，"Tryagain。"
　　Heattackedthebankoncemorewithsuchenergythatagreatpartofitcavedandfell，fillingthepanandevenburyingtheshovelinthedebris。HeunearthedthelatterwhileTinkawasstrugglingtogetoutthepan。
　　"Themeanthingisstuckandwon’tmove，"shesaidpettishly。"I
　　thinkit’sbrokennow，too，justlikeours。"
　　Flemingcamelaughinglyforward，and，puttingonearmaroundthegirl’swaist，attemptedtoassistherwiththeother。Thepanwasimmovable，and，indeed，seemedtobebrokenandbent。Suddenlyheutteredanexclamationandbeganhurriedlytobrushawaythedirtandthrowthesoiloutofthepan。
　　Inanothermomenthehadrevealedafragmentofdecomposedquartz，likediscoloredhoneycombedcheese，halffillingthepan。Butonitsside，wherethepickhadstruckitglancingly，therewasayellowstreaklikearayofsunshine！Andashestrovetoliftithefeltinthatunmistakableomnipotencyofweightthatitwasseamedandcelledwithgold。
　　ThenewsofMr。Fleming’sengagement，twoweekslater，tothedaughterofthereclusereligioushunterwhohadmadeabigstrikeatLoneRun，excitedsomeskepticaldiscussion，evenamongthehonestcongratulationsofhispartners。
　　"That’samightyqueerstoryhowJackgotthatgirlsweetonhimjustbyborrowin’aprospectin’panofher，"saidFaulkner，betweenthewhiffsofhispipeunderthetrees。"Youandmemighthaveborrowedahundredprospectin’pansandnevergotevenadrinkthrownin。Thentothinkofthatoldpreachin’coon-hunterhevin’
　　togiveinandpasshisstrikeovertohisdaughter’sfeller，jestbecausehehadscruplesaboutgolddiggin’himself。He’dhevbootedyouandmeouterhisranchfirst。"
　　"Lord，yeain’ttakin’nostockinthathogwash，"respondedtheother。"Why，everybodyknowsoldmanJallingerpretendedtobesicko’minersandminin’camps，andcouldn’tbeartohev’emnearhim，onlyjestbecausehehimselfwasallthewhilesecretlyprospectin’thewholelodeanddidn’twantnointerlopers。ItwasonlywhenFlemingnippledinbygettin’holdo’thegirlthatJallingerknewthesecretwasout，andthat’sthewayheboughthimoff。Why，Jackwasn’tnominer——neverwas——yecouldseethat。HE
　　neverstruckanything。TheonlytreasurehefoundinthewoodswasTinkaJallinger！"
　　ABELLEOFCANADACITY
　　Cissywastyingherhatunderherroundchinbeforeasmallglassatherwindow。Thewindowgaveuponabackgroundofserratedmountainandolive-shadowedcanyon，withafaintadditionaloutlineofahighersnowlevel——theonlydreamysuggestionofthewholelandscape。Theforegroundwasaglaringlyfreshandunpicturesqueminingtown，whoseirregularattemptsatregularityweresetforthwithallthecruel，uncompromisingclearnessoftheCalifornianatmosphere。TherewasthestraightMainStreetwithitsnewbrickblockof"stores，"endingabruptlyagainstatangledbluff；therewastheruthlessclearinginthesedatepineswherethehideousspireofthenewchurchimitatedthesoaringofthesolemnshaftsithaddisplacedwithalmostirreligiousmockery。YetthisforegroundwasCissy’sworld——herlife，hersolegirlishexperience。
　　Shedidnot，however，botherherprettyheadwiththeviewjustthen，butmovedhercheekupanddownbeforetheglass，thebettertoexaminebythemercilessglareofthesunlightafewfrecklesthatstarredthehollowsofhertemples。Likeothersofhersex，shewasapoorcriticofwhatwasherrealbeauty，andquarreledwiththatpeculiartextureofherhealthyskinwhichmadeherfaceaseloquentinhersun-kissedcheekasinherbrighteyesandexpression。Nevertheless，shewassomewhatconsoledbytheravishingeffectofthebowknotshehadjusttied，andturnedawaynotwhollydissatisfied。Indeed，astheacknowledgedbelleofCanadaCityandthedaughterofitsprincipalbanker，smallwonderthatacertainfrankvanityandchildlikeimperiousnesswereamongherfaults——andherattractions。
　　Sheboundeddownthestairsandintothefrontparlor，fortheirhousepossessedtheunheard-ofluxuryofadoubledrawing-room，albeitthesecondapartmentcontainedadesk，andwasoccasionallyusedbyCissy’sfatherinprivatebusinessinterviewswithanxiousseekersof"advances"whoshunnedthepublicityofthebank。Heresheinstantlyflewintothearmsofherbosomfriend，MissPineyTibbs，agirlonlyashadeortwolessprettythanherself，who，alwaysmoreorlessillateaseinthesesplendors，wasawaitingherimpatiently。ForMissTibbswasmerelythedaughterofthehotel-keeper；andalthoughTibbswasaSoutherner，andhadowned"hisownniggers"intheStates，shewasofinferiorpositionandaprotegeeofCissy’s。
　　"Thankgoodnessyou’vecome，"exclaimedMissTibbs，"forI’vebinsittin’heretillInightookroot。Whatkep’ye？"
　　"Howdoesitlook？"respondedCissy，asarelevantreply。
　　The"it"referredtoCissy’snewhat，andtotheyounggirlthecoherencewasperfectlyplain。MissTibbslookedat"it"severely。
　　Itwouldnotdoforaprotegeetobetoocomplaisant。
　　"Hem！Musthavecostaheapo’money。"
　　"Itdid！CamefromthebestmillinerinSanFrancisco。"
　　"Ofcourse，"saidPiney，withhalfassumedenvy。"Whenyourpopperrunsthebankandjustwallowsingold！"
　　"Nevermind，dear，"repliedCissycheerfully。"So’llYOURpoppersomeday。I’mgoin’togetminetoletYOURpopperintosomething——
　　Ditchstocksandsuch。Yes！True，OKing！Popper’lldoanythingforme，"sheaddedalittleloftily。
　　LoyalasPineywastoherfriend，shewasbynomeansconvincedofthis。Sheknewthedifferencebetweenthetwomen，andhadavividrecollectionofhearingherownfatherexpresshisopinionofCissy’srespectedparentasa"GoldShark"and"QuartzMinerCrusher。"Itdidnot，however，affectherfriendshipforCissy。
　　Sheonlysaid，"Let’scome！"caughtCissyaroundthewaist，prancedwithheroutintotheveranda，andgasped，outofbreath，"Wherearewegoin’first？"
　　"DownMainStreet，"saidCissypromptly。
　　"Andlet’sstopatMarkham’sstore。They’vegotsomenewthingsinfromSacramento，"addedPiney。
　　"Countrystyles，"returnedCissy，withasuperciliousair。"No！
　　Besides，Markham’sheadclerkisgettin’toopresumptuous。Justguess！Heaskedme，whileIwasbuyin’something，ifIenjoyedthedancelastMonday！"
　　"Butyoudancedwithhim，"saidthesimplePiney，inastonishment。
　　"Butnotinhisstoreamonghiscustomers，"saidCissysapiently。
　　"No！we’regoingdownMainStreetpastSecamps’。ThoseSecampgirlsaresuretobeattheirwindows，lookingout。Thishatwilljustturn’emgreen——greenerthanever。"
　　"You’rejusthorrid，Ciss！"saidPiney，withadmiration。
　　"Andthen，"continuedCissy，"we’lljustsaildownpastthenewblocktotheparson’sandmakeacall。"
　　"Oh，Isee，"saidPineyarchly。"It’llbejustaboutthetimewhenthenewengineerofthemillworkshasacleanshirton，andissmokinghiscigyarbeforetheoffice。"
　　Cissytossedherhatdisdainfully。"Muchanybodycareswhetherhe’sthereornot！Ihaven’tforgottenhowheshowedusoverthemilltheotherdayinapairofoveralls，justlikeaworkman。"
　　"Buttheysayhe’sawfullysmartandwelleducated，andneedn’twork，andI’msureit’sveryniceofhimtodressjustliketheothermenwhenhe’swith’em，"urgedPiney。
　　"Bah！Thatwasjusttoshowthathedidn’tcarewhatwethoughtofhim，he’sthatconceited！Anditwasn’trespectful，consideringoneofthedirectorswasthere，alldressedup。Don’ttellme！
　　Youcanseeitinhiseye，lookingyouoverwithoutblinkingandthenturningawayasifhe’dgotenoughofyou。Hemakesmetired。"
　　Pineydidnotreply。Theengineerhadseemedtohertobeasingularlyattractiveyoungman，yetshewasequallyimpressedwithCissy’ssuperiorcondition，whichcouldfindflawsinsuchperfection。Followingherfrienddownthestepsoftheveranda，theypassedintothestaringgraveledwalkofthenewgarden，onlyrecentlyrecoveredfromthewildwood，itsaccuratediamondandheartshapedbedsofvividgreensetinwhitequartzbordersgivingittheappearanceofelaboratelyicedconfectionery。Afewstepsfurtherbroughtthemtotheroadandthewooden"sidewalk"toMainStreet，whichcarriedcivicimprovementstothehillside，andMr。
　　Trixit’sverydoor。Turningdownthisthoroughfare，theystoppedlaughing，andotherwiseassumedaconscioushalfartificialair；
　　foritwasthehourwhenCanadaCityloungedlistlesslybeforeitsshops，itssaloons，itsofficesandmills，orevenheldlazymeetingsinthedustoftheroadway，andthepassagedowntheprincipalstreetofitstwoprettiestgirlswasaneventtobeviewedasifitwereacivicprocession。Hatsflewoffastheypassed；placewasfreelygiven；impedingbarrelsandsackswereremovedfromthewoodenpavement，andpreoccupiedindwellershastilysummonedtothefrontdoortodohomagetoCissyTrixitandPineyastheywentby。NotbutthatCanadaCity，inthefierceandunregeneratedaysofitsyouth，hadseenfairerandhighercoloredfaces，moregaylybedizened，onitsthoroughfares，butneveranythingsofreshandinnocent。Menstoodthereallunconsciously，reverencingtheirabsentmothers，sisters，anddaughters，intheirspontaneoushomagetothepair，andseemedtofeelthewholesomebreathoftheirEasternhomeswaftedfromthefreshlyironedskirtsofthesefoolishvirginsastheyrustledby。IamafraidthatneitherCissynorPineyappreciatedthisfeeling；fewwomendidatthattime；indeed，theseyoungladiesassumedaslightairofhauteur。
　　"Really，theydostareso，"saidCissy，witheyesdilatingwithpleasurableemotion；"we’llhavetotakethebackstreetnexttime！"
　　Piney，proudinthegloryreflectedfromCissy，andinherown，answered，"Wewill——sure！"
　　Therewasonlyoneinterruptiontothistriumphalprogress，andthatwassoslightastobenoticedbyonlyoneofthetwogirls。
　　Astheypassedthenewworksatthemill，thenewengineer，asPineyhadforeseen，wasleaningagainstthedoorpost，smokingapipe。Hetookhishatfromhisheadandhispipefromhismonthastheyapproached，andgreetedthemwithaneasy"Good-afternoon，"
　　yetwithaglancethatwasquietlyobservantandtolerantlycritical。
　　"There！"saidCissy，whentheyhadpassed，"didn’tItellyou？Didyoueverseesuchconceitinyourborndays？Ihopeyoudidnotlookathim。"
　　Piney，consciousofhavingdoneso，andofhavingblushedunderhisscrutiny，neverthelessstoutlyassertedthatshehadmerelylookedathim"toseewhoitwas。"ButCissywasplacatedbypassingtheSecamps’cottage，fromwhosewindowthethreestrappingdaughtersofJohnSecamp，latelyanemigrantfromMissouri，were，asCissyhadsurmised，lighteningthehouseholddutiesbygazingatthe——tothem——unwontedwondersofthestreet。Whethertheircomplexions，stillbearingtracesofthealkalidustandinefficientnourishmentoftheplains，tookamoreyellowtonefromthespectacleofCissy’shat，Icannotsay。Cissythoughttheydid；perhapsPineywasnearerthetruthwhenshesuggestedthattheywereonly"looking"toenablethemtomakeahome-madecopyofthehatnextweek。
　　Theirprogressforwardandthroughtheoutskirtsofthetownwasofthesametriumphalcharacter。Teamsterswithheldtheiroathsandtheirupliftedwhipsasthetwogirlspassedby；wearyminers，toilinginditches，lookedupwithapleasurethatwashalfreminiscentoftheirpast；youngerskylarkersstoppedintheirhorse-playwithhalfsmiling，halfapologeticfaces；moreambitiousridersonthehighwayurgedtheirhorsestogreaterspeedunderthegirls’inspiringeyes，and"VaqueroBilly，"chargingthem，fulltilt，broughtuphismustangonitshaunchesandrigidforelegs，withasweepingbowofhissombrero，withinafootoftheirartfullysimulatedterror！Inthiswaytheyatlastreachedtheclearingintheforest，thechurchwithitsostentatiousspire，andtheReverendMr。Windibrook’sdwelling，otherwisehumorouslyknownas"ThePastorage，"whereCissyintendedtocall。
　　TheReverendMr。WindibrookhadbeenselectedbyhisecclesiasticalsuperiorstoministertothespiritualwantsofCanadaCityasbeingwhatwascalleda"hearty"man。Certainly，ifconsiderablelungcapacity，absenceofreserve，andpowerofhandshakingandbackslappingwerenecessarytotheredemptionofCanadaCity，Mr。
　　Windibrook’sministrationwouldhavebeensuccessful。But，singularlyenough，therudeminerwasapttoresentthisfamiliarity，anditisrecordedthatIsaacWood，otherwiseknownas"GrizzlyWoods，"oncerespondedtoacheerfulbackslapfromthereverendgentlemanbyanostentatiouslyfriendlyhugwhichnearlydislocatedtheparson’sribs。PerhapsMr。Windibrookwasmorepopularonaccountofhisadmiringenthusiasmoftheprosperousmoney-gettingmembersofhisflockandasingularsympathywiththeirmethods，andMr。Trixit’sdaringspeculationswereanespeciallydelightfulthemetohim。
　　"Ah，MissTrixit，"hesaid，asCissyenteredthelittleparlor，"andhowisyourdearfather？Stillstartlingthemoneymarketwithhisfearlessspeculations？This，brotherJones，"turningtoavisitor，"isthedaughterofourNapoleonoffinance，MontaguTrixit。Onlylastweek，inthatdealin’theComstock，’heclearedfiftythousanddollars！Yes，sir，"repeatingitwithunction，"fifty——thousand——dollars！——inabouttwohours，andwithasinglestrokeofthepen！IbelieveIamnotoverstating，MissTrixit？"
　　headded，appealingtoCissywithaportentouspolitenessthatwasasbadlyfittingashisprevious"heartiness。"
　　Cissycoloredslightly。"Idon’tknow，"shesaidsimply。Shewasperfectlytruthful。Sheknewnothingofherfather’sbusiness，exceptthevaguereputationofhissuccess。
　　Hermodesty，however，producedasingularhilarityinMr。Windibrook，andaplayfulpush。"YOUdon’tknow？Ha，butIdo。Yes，sir，"——tothevisitor，——"Ihavereasontorememberit。Icalleduponhimthenextday。Iused，sir，thefreedomofanoldfriend。’Trixit，’I
　　said，clappingmyhandonhisshoulder，’theLordhasbeengoodtoyou。Icongratulateyou。’
　　"’H’m！’hesaid，withoutlookingup。’Whatdoyoureckonthosecongratulationsareworth？’
　　"Manyaman，sir，whodidn’tknowhisstyle，wouldhavebeenstaggered。ButIknewmyman。Ilookedhimstraightintheeye。
　　’Aneworgan，’Isaid，’andasgoodaoneasSacramentocanturnout。’
　　"Hetookupapieceofpaper，scrawledafewlinesonittohiscashier，andsaid，’Willthatdo？’"Mr。Windibrook’svoicesanktoathrillingwhisper。"Itwasanorderforonethousanddollars！
　　Fact，sir。THATisthefatherofthisyounglady。"
　　"YehadbetterluckthanBishopBriggshadwitholdJohnson，theExcelsiorBankpresident，"saidthevisitor，encouragedbyWindibrook’s"heartiness"intoahumorousretrospect。"Briggsgoestohimforasubscriptionforanewfenceroundtheburyin’-ground——
　　theoldonehavin’rottedaway。’Yedon’twantnofence，’sezJohnson，shortlike。’Nofenceroundaburyin’-ground？’sezBriggs，starin’。’No！ThemasisINtheburyin’-groundcan’tgetOUT，andthemasISN’Tdon’twanttogetIN，nohow！Soyoukinjusttravel——Iain’tgivin’moneyawayonuselessnesses！’Ha！ha！"
　　Achillsilencefollowed，whichcheckedevenPiney’sgiggle。Mr。
　　Windibrookevidentlyhadno"heartiness"fornon-subscribinghumor。
　　"Therearethosewhocanjestwithsacredsubjects，"hesaidponderously，"butIhavealwaysfoundMr。Trixit，thoughblunt，eminentlypractical。Yourfatherisstillaway，"headded，shiftingtheconversationtoCissy，"hoveringwhereverhecanextractthehoneytostoreupfortheprovisionofage。Anindustriousworker。"
　　"He’sstillaway，"saidCissy，feelingherselfonsafeground，thoughshewasnotawareofherfather’sentomologicalhabits。"InSanFrancisco，Ithink。"
　　ShewasgladtogetawayfromMr。Windibrook’s"heartiness"andconsoleherselfwithMrs。Windibrook’sconstitutionaldepression，whichwaspartlytheresultofnervousdyspepsiaandherhusband’sboisterouscordiality。"Isuppose，dear，youaredreadfullyanxiousaboutyourfatherwhenheisawayfromhome？"shesaidtoCissy，withasympatheticsigh。
　　Cissy，consciousofneverhavingfeltamoment’sanxiety，andaccustomedtohisabsences，repliednaively，"Why？"
　　"Oh，"respondedMrs。Windibrook，"onaccountofhisgreatbusinessresponsibilities，youknow；somuchdependsuponhim。"
　　AgainCissydidnotcomprehend；shecouldnotunderstandwhythismasterfulman，herfather，whowasequaltoherownand，itseemed，everybody’sneeds，hadanyresponsibility，orwasnotasinfallibleandconstantasthesunshineortheairshebreathed。Withoutbeinghisconfidante，orevenhisassociate，shehadsincehermother’sdeathnootherexperience；youthfullyalivetotheimportanceoftheirwealth，itseemedtoher，however，onlyanaturalresultofbeingHISdaughter。Shesmiledvaguelyandalittleimpatiently。TheymighthavetalkedtoheraboutHERSELF；
　　itwasalittletiresometoalwayshavetoanswerquestionsabouther"popper。"Nevertheless，sheavailedherselfofMrs。
　　Windibrook’sinvitationtogointothegardenandseethenewsummerhousethathadbeenputupamongthepines，andgraduallydivertedherhostess’sconversationintogossipofthetown。Ifitwassomewhatlugubriousandhesitating，itwas，however，arelieftoCissy，andbearingchieflyuponthevicissitudesofothers，gaveherthecomfortingglowofcomparison。
　　TouchingthecomplexionoftheSecampgirls，Mrs。Windibrookattributedittotheirgreatprivationsinthealkalidesert。"Oneday，"continuedMrs。Windibrook，"whentheirfatherwasillwithfeverandague，theydrovethecattletwentymilestowaterthroughthatdreadfulpoisonousdust，andwhentheygottheretheirlipswerecrackedandbleedingandtheireyelidslikeburningknives，andMamieSecamp’shair，whichusedtobeabeautifulbrownlikeyourown，mydear，wasbleachedintoarustyyellow。"
　　"AndtheyWILLwearcolorsthatdon’tsuitthem，"saidCissyimpatiently。
　　"Nevermind，dear，"saidMrs。Windibrookambiguously；"Isupposetheywillhavetheirreward。"
　　Norwastheyoungengineerdiscussedinalightervein。"Itpainsmedreadfullytoseethatyoungmanworkingwiththecommonlaborersandgivinghimselfnorest，justbecausehesayshewantstoknowexactly’howthethingisdone’andwhytheoldworksfailed，"sheremarkedsadly。"WhenMr。WindibrookknewhewasthesonofJudgeMastertonandhadrichrelations，hewished，ofcourse，tobecivil，butsomehowyoungMastertonandhedidn’t’hitoff。’Indeed，Mr。WindibrookwastoldthathehaddeclaredthattheprosperityofCanadaCitywasonlyamushroomgrowth，anditseemstooshockingtorepeat，dear，buttheysayhesaidthatthenewchurch——OURchurch——wassimplyusingtheAlmightyasabigblufftotheothertowns。Ofcourse，Mr。Windibrookcouldn’tseehimafterthat。Why，heevensaidyourfatheroughttosendyoutoschoolsomewhere，andnotletyougrowupinthishalfcivilizedplace。"
　　Strangelyenough，CissydidnothailthiscorroborationofherdisliketoyoungMastertonwiththelivelinessonemighthaveexpected。PerhapsitwasbecausePineyTibbswasnolongerpresent，havingleftCissyattheparsonageandreturnedhome。
　　Stillsheenjoyedhervisitafterafashion，rompedwiththeyoungerWindibrooksandclimbedatreeinthesecurityofhersylvanseclusionandthepromptingsofherstillhealthy，girlishblood，andonlycamebacktocakeandteaandhernewhat，whichshehadprudentlyhungupinthesummer-house，astheafternoonwaswaning。Whentheyreturnedtothehouse，theyfoundthatMr。
　　Windibrookhadgoneoutwithhisvisitor，andCissywassparedtheadvertisementofaboisterousescorthome，whichhegenerallyinsistedupon。ShegaylytookleaveoftheinfantWindibrookandhismother，salliedoutintotheemptyroad，andoncemorebecameconsciousofhernewhat。
　　Theshadowswerealreadylengthening，andacoolbreezestirredthedeepaislesofthepinesoneithersideofthehighway。Oneortwopeoplepassedherhurriedly，talkingandgesticulating，evidentlysopreoccupiedthattheydidnotnoticeher。Again，arapidhorsemanrodebywithoutglancinground，overtookthepedestrians，exchangedafewhurriedwordswiththem，andthenspurredswiftlyawayasoneofthemshoutedafterhim，"There’sanotherdispatchconfirmingit。"Agroupofmentalkingbytheroadsidefailedtolookupasshepassed。Cissypoutedslightlyatthiswantoftaste，whichmadesomelateelectionnewsorthereportofahorseracemoreenthrallingthanhernewhatanditsowner。Eventhetoilersintheditcheshadlefttheirwork，andwerecongregatedaroundamanwhowasreadingaloudfromawidelymargined"extra"
　　ofthe"CanadaCityPress。"Itseemedprovoking，assheknewhercheekswereglowingfromherromp，andwasconsciousthatshewaslookingherbest。However，theSecamps’cottagewasjustbeforeher，andthegirlsweresuretobeonthelookout！Sheshookoutherskirtsandstraightenedherprettylittlefigureassheapproachedthehouse。Buttohersurprise，hercominghadevidentlybeenanticipatedbythem，andtheywereactually——andunexpectedly——awaitingherbehindthelowwhitewashedgardenpalings！Asshenearedthemtheyburstintoashrill，discordantlaugh，sofullofirony，gratifiedmalice，andmeanexaltationthatCissywasforamomentstartled。Butonlyforamoment；shehadherfather’srecklessaudacity，andborethemdownwithadisplayofsuchpinkcheeksandflashingeyesthattheirlaughterwaschecked，andtheyremainedopen-mouthedasshesweptbythem。
　　Perhapsthisincidentpreventedherfromnoticinganotherbutmorepassiveone。Agroupofmenstandingbeforethenewmill——thesamemenwhohadsosolicitouslychallengedherattentionwiththeirbowsacoupleofhoursago——turnedassheapproachedandsuddenlydispersed。Itwasnotuntilthiswasrepeatedbyanothergroupthatitsoddityforceditselfuponherstillangryconsciousness。
　　Thenthestreetseemedtobefullofthoseexcitedpreoccupiedgroupswhomeltedawayassheadvanced。Onlyonemanmethercuriouseyes，——theengineer，——yetshemissedtheusualcriticalsmilewithwhichhewaswonttogreether，andhegaveherabowofsuchprofoundrespectandgravitythatforthefirsttimeshefeltreallyuneasy。Wastheresomethingwrongwithherhat？Thatdreadful，fatefulhat！Wasittooconspicuous？Didhethinkitwasvulgar？Shewaseagertocrossthestreetonthenextblockwheretherewerelargeplate-glasswindowswhichsheandPiney——ifPineywereonlywithhernow！——hadoftenusedasmirrors。
　　Buttherewasagreatcrowdonthenextblock，congregatedaroundthebank，——herfather’sbank！Avagueterror，sheknewnotwhat，nowbegantocreepoverher。Shewouldhaveturnedintoasidestreet，butmingledwithherfearwasaresolutionnottoshowit，——
　　nottoevenTHINKofit，——tocombatitasshehadcombatedthehorridlaughoftheSecampgirls，andshekeptherwaywithabeatingheartbuterecthead，withoutlookingacrossthestreet。
　　Therewasanothercrowdbeforethenewspaperoffice——alsoontheotherside——andabulletinboard，butshewouldnottrytoreadit。
　　Onlyoneideawasinhermind，——toreachhomebeforeanyoneshouldspeaktoher；forthelastintelligiblesoundthathadreachedherwasthelaughoftheSecampgirls，andthiswasstillringinginherears，seemingtovoicethehiddenstrangenessofallshesaw，andstirringher，asthathad，withchildishindignation。Shekeptonwithunmovedface，however，andatlastturnedintotheplankedside-terrace，——apartofherfather’smunificence，——andreachedthesymmetricalgarden-bedsandgraveledwalk。Sheranupthestepsoftheverandaandenteredthedrawing-roomthroughtheopenFrenchwindow。Glancingaroundthefamiliarroom，atherfather’scloseddesk，attheopenpianowiththepieceofmusicshehadbeenpracticingthatmorning，thewholewalkseemedonlyafoolishdreamthathadfrightenedher。ShewasCissyTrixit，thedaughteroftherichestmaninthetown！Thiswasherfather’shouse，thewonderofCanadaCity！
　　Aringatthefrontdoorbellstartledher；withoutwaitingfortheservanttoanswerit，shesteppedoutontheveranda，andsawaboywhomsherecognizedasawaiteratthehotelkeptbyPiney’sfather。Hewasholdinganoteinhishand，andstaringintentlyatthehouseandgarden。SeeingCissy，hetransferredhisstaretoher。Snatchingthenotefromhim，shetoreitopen，andreadinPiney’swell-knownscrawl，"Dadwon’tletmecometoyounow，dear，butI’lltrytoslipoutlateto-night。"Whyshouldshewanttocome？ShehadsaidnothingaboutcomingNOW——andwhyshouldherfatherpreventher？Cissycrushedthenotebetweenherfingers，andfacedtheboy。
　　"Whatareyoustaringat——idiot？"
　　Theboygrinnedhysterically，alittlefrightenedatCissy’sstraightenedbrowsandsnappingeyes。
　　"Getaway！there’snoanswer。"
　　Theboyranoff，andCissyreturnedtothedrawing-room。Thenitoccurredtoherthattheservanthadnotansweredthebell。Sherangagainfuriously。Therewasnoresponse。Shecalleddownthebasementstaircase，andheardonlytheechoofhervoiceinthedepths。Howstillthehousewas！WeretheyALLout，——Susan，Norah，thecook，theChinaman，andthegardener？Sherandownintothekitchen；thebackdoorwasopen，thefireswereburning，disheswereuponthetable，butthekitchenwasempty。Uponthefloorlayadampcopyofthe"extra。"Shepickeditupquickly。Severalblackheadlinesstaredherintheface。"EnormousDefalcation！"
　　"MontaguTrixitAbsconded！""50，000DollarsMissing！""RunontheBank！"
　　Shethrewthepaperthroughtheopendoorasshewouldhavehurledbacktheaccusationfromlivinglips。Then，inarevulsionoffeelinglestanyoneshouldfindherthere，sheranupstairsandlockedherselfinherownroom。
　　Sothatwaswhatitallmeant！All！——fromthelaughoftheSecampgirlstotheturningawayofthetownspeopleasshewentby。Herfatherwasathiefwhohadstolenmoneyfromthebankandrunawayleavingheralonetobearit！No！Itwasallalie——awicked，jealouslie！Afoolishlie，forhowcouldhestealmoneyfromHIS
　　OWNbank？Cissyknewverylittleofherfather——perhapsthatwaswhyshebelievedinhim；sheknewstilllessofbusiness，butsheknewthatHEdid。Shehadoftenheardthemsayit——perhapstheveryoneswhonowcalledhimnames。He！whohadmadeCanadaCitywhatitwas！HE，who，Windibrooksaid，onlyto-day，had，likeMoses，touchedtherocksoftheCanadawithhismagicwandofFinance，andstreamsofpubliccreditandprosperityhadgushedfromit！Shewouldneverspeaktothemagain！Shewouldshutherselfuphere，dismissalltheservantsbuttheChinaman，andwaituntilherfatherreturned。
　　Therewasaknock，andtheentreatingvoiceofNorah，thecook，outsidethedoor。Cissyunlockeditandflungitopenindignantly。
　　"Ah！It’syourself，miss——andIneverknewyekembacktillImetthatgossoonofahotelwaiterinthestreet，"saidthepantingservant。"SureitwasonlyanhouragowhileIwasatmewoorrckinthekitchen，andJimrushesinandsez：’FortheloveofGod，ifiveryewanttoseeablessedcintofthemoneyyeputinthemasther’sbank，offwidyenowanddrawitout——forthere’sarunonthebank！’"
　　"Itwasaninfamouslie，"saidCissyfiercely。
　　"Sure，miss，howwasoitoknow？AndifthemastherHASgoneaway，it’sownlytakin’memoneyfromtheotherdivilsdowntherethat’sdrawin’itoutanddividin’itbetwixtandbetweenthem。"
　　Cissyhadaveryvagueideaofwhata"runonthebank"meant，butNorah’slogicseemedtosatisfyherfemininereason。Shesoftenedalittle。
　　"Mr。Windibrookisintheparlor，miss，andajintlemanontheveranda，"continuedNorah，encouraged。
　　Cissystarted。"I’llcomedown，"shesaidbriefly。
　　Mr。Windibrookwaswaitingbesidethepiano，withhissofthatinonehandandalargewhitehandkerchiefintheother。HehadconfidentlyexpectedtofindCissyintears，andwasreadywithboisterouscondolement，butwasalittletakenabackastheyounggirlenteredwithapaleface，straightenedbrows，andeyesthatshonewithaudaciousrebellion。However，itwastoolatetochangehisattitude。"Ah，myyoungfriend，"hesaidalittleawkwardly，"wemustnotgivewaytoouremotions，buttrytorecognizeinourtrialsthebenefitsofagreatlesson。But，"headdedhurriedly，seeingherstandstillsilentbuterectbeforehim，"Iseethatyoudo！"Hepaused，coughedslightly，castaglanceattheveranda，——
　　whereCissynowforthefirsttimeobservedamanstandinginanobviouslyassumedattitudeofnegligentabstraction，——movedtowardsthebackroom，andinalowervoicesaid，"Awordwithyouinprivate。"
　　Withoutreplying，Cissyfollowedhim。
　　"If，"saidMr。Windibrook，withasicklysmile，"youarequestionedregardingyourfather’saffairs，youmayrememberhispeculiarandutterlyunsolicitedgiftofacertainsumtowardsaneworgan，towhichIalludedto-day。Youcansaythathealwaysexpressedgreatliberalitytowardsthechurch，anditwasnosurprisetoyou。"
　　Cissyonlystaredathimwithdangerouseyes。
　　"Mrs。Windibrook，"continuedthereverendgentlemaninhishighest，heartiestvoice，albeitalittlehurried，"wishedmetosaytoyouthatuntilyouheardfrom——yourfriends——shewantedyoutocomeandstaywithher。DOcome！DO！"
　　Cissy，withherbrighteyesfixeduponhervisitor，said，"Ishallstayhere。"
　　"But，"saidMr。Windibrookimpatiently，"youcannot。Thatmanyouseeontheverandaisthesheriff’sofficer。Thehouseandallthatitcontainsareinthehandsofthelaw。"
　　Cissy’sfacewhitenedinproportionashereyesgrewdarker，butshesaidstoutly，"Ishallstayheretillmypoppertellsmetogo。"
　　"Tillyourpoppertellsyoutogo！"repeatedMr。Windibrookharshly，droppinghisheartinessandhishandkerchiefinaburstofunguardedtemper。"Yourpapaisathiefescapingfromjustice，youfoolishgirl；adisgracedfelon，whodarenotshowhisfaceagaininCanadaCity；andyouarelucky，yes！lucky，miss，ifyoudonotsharehisdisgrace！"
　　"Andyou’reawicked，wickedliar！"saidCissy，clinchingherlittlefistsathersideandedgingtowardshimwithasidelongbantam-likemovementassheadvancedherfreckledcheekclosetohiswithaneffronterysolikeherabscondingfatherthatherecoiledbeforeit。"Andamean，double-facedhypocrite，too！
　　Didn’tyoualwayspraisehim？Didn’tyoucallhimaNapoleon，anda——Moses？Didn’tyousayhewasthemakingofCanadaCity？Didn’tyougethimtoraiseyoursalary，andstartasubscriptionforyournewhouse？Oh，you——you——stinkingbeast！"
　　Herethestrangerontheveranda，stillgazingabstractedlyatthelandscape，gavealowandapparentlyunconsciousmurmur，asifenrapturedwiththeview。Mr。Windibrook，recalledtoanattemptatdignity，tookuphishatandhandkerchief。"Whenyouhaverememberedyourselfandyourposition，MissTrixit，"hesaidloftily，"theofferIhavemadeyou"——
　　"Idespiseit！I’dsoonerstayinthewoodswiththegrizzliesandrattlesnakes？"saidCissypantingly。"Goandleavemealone！Doyouhear？"Shestampedherlittlefoot。"Areyoulistening？Go！"
　　Mr。Windibrookpromptlyretreatedthroughthedooranddownthestepsintothegarden，atwhichthestrangerontheverandareluctantlytorehimselfawayfromthelandscapeandslowlyenteredtheparlorthroughtheopenFrenchwindow。Here，however，hebecameequallyabsorbedandabstractedintheconditionofhisbeard，carefullystrokinghisshavencheekandlipsandpullinghisgoatee。
　　AfterapauseheturnedtotheangryCissy，standingbythepiano，radiantwithglowingcheeksandflashingeyes，andsaidslowly，"I
　　reckonyougavetheparsonasgoodashesent。Itkindersettlesamantohearthefrozentruthabouthimselfsometimes，andyou’vehelpedoldShadbellyconsiderablyonthewaytowardssalvation。
　　Buthewasrightaboutonething，MissTrixit。ThehouseISinthehandsofthelaw。I’mrepresentingitasdeputysheriff。Mebbeyoumightrememberme——JakePoole——whenyourfatherwasaddressingthelastCitizen’smeeting，sittin’nexttohimontheplatform——
　　I’Minpossession。Itisn’tajobI’mhankerin’mucharter；I’daliefratherhunthossthievesortrackdownroadagentsthanthiskindo’fancy，underhandwork。Soyou’llexcuseme，miss，ifI
　　ain’tgotthestyle。"Hepaused，rubbedhischinthoughtfully，andthensaidslowlyandwithgreatdeliberation："Efthere’sanylittlethinghere，miss，——anykeepsakesorsuchtriflesezyoukeerforinpartickler，thingsyouwouldn’tlikestrangerstohave，——youjustmakealittlepileof’emanddrop’emdownsomewhereoutsidethebackdoor。Thereain’tnoinventorytakennorsealin’upofanythin’donejustyet，thoughIhavetoseethereain’tanythin’
　　disturbed。ButIkalkilatetowalkoutonthatverandaforaspellandlookatthelandscape。"Hepausedagain，andsaid，withasighofsatisfaction，"It’samightypootyviewoutthar；itjusttakesmeeverytime。"
　　AsheturnedandwalkedoutthroughtheFrenchwindow，Cissydidnotforamomentcomprehendhim；then，strangelyenough，hisactofrudecourtesyforthefirsttimeawakenedhertothefullsenseofthesituation。Thishouse，herfather’shouse，wasnolongerhers！
　　IfherfathershouldNEVERreturn，shewantednothingfromit，NOTHING！Shegrippedherbeatingheartwiththelittlehandshehadclinchedsovaliantlyamomentago。Suddenlyherhanddropped。
　　Someonehadglidednoiselesslyintothebackroom；afigureinablueblouse；aChinaman，theirhouseservant，AhFe。Hecastafurtiveglanceatthestrangerontheveranda，andthenbeckonedtoherstealthily。Shecametowardshimwonderingly，whenhesuddenlywhippedanotefromhissleeve，andwithadexterousmovementslippeditintoherfingers。Shetoreitopen。Asingleglanceshowedherasmallkeyinclosedinalineofherfather’shandwriting。Drawingquicklybackintothecorner，shereadasfollows："Ifthisreachesyouintime，takefromtheseconddrawerofmydeskanenvelopemarked’PrivateContracts’andgiveittothebearer。"Therewasneithersignaturenoraddress。
　　Puttingherfingertoherlips，shecastaquickglanceattheabsorbedfigureontheverandaandsteppedbeforethedesk。Shefittedthekeytothedrawerandopeneditrapidlybutnoiselessly。
　　Therelaytheenvelope，andamongotherticketedpapersasmallrollofgreenbacks——suchasherfatheroftenkeptthere。ItwasHISmoney；shedidnotscrupletotakeitwiththeenvelope。
　　HandingthelattertotheChinaman，whomadeitinstantlydisappearuphissleevelikeaconjurer’sact，shesignedhimtofollowherintothehall。
　　"Whogaveyouthatnote，AhFe？"shewhisperedbreathlessly。
　　"Chinaman。"
　　"Whogaveittohim？"
　　"Chinaman。"
　　"AndtoHIM？"
　　"NolleeChinaman。"
　　"AnotherChinaman？"
　　"Yes——heapChinaman——alleesameasgang。"
　　"YoumeanitpassedfromoneChinaman’shandtoanother？"
　　"Alleesame。"
　　"Whydidn’tthefirstChinamanwhogotitbringithere？"
　　"S’poseMellikanmanwanttocatcheelettel。HespottyChinaman。
　　HefolleeChinaman。Chinamanpasseelettelnex’Chinaman。Henoget。Mellikanmannohabegot。Sabe？"
　　"Thenthispackagewillgobackthesameway？"
　　"Alleesame。"
　　"AndwhowillYOUgiveittonow？"
　　"Alleesamemanblingeemelettel。HopLi——whomakeewashee。"
　　AnideaherestruckCissywhichmadeherheartjumpandhercheeksflame。AhFegazedatherwithaninfantilesmileofadmiration。
　　"Howfardidthatlettercome？"sheasked，witheagerquestioningeyes。
　　"Letteemeseehim，"saidAhFe。
　　Cissyhandedhimthemissive；heexaminedcloselysomehalf-a-dozenChinesecharactersthatwerescrawledalongthelengthoftheouterfold，andwhichshehadinnocentlysupposedwereapartofthemarkingsofthericepaperonwhichthenotewaswritten。
　　"HeapChinamanvellymuchwalkee——longeeway！S’poseyoulook。"
　　Hepointedthroughtheopenfrontdoortotheprospectbeyond。ItwasafamiliaronetoCissy，——thelongCanada，thecrestoncrestofserriedpines，andbeyondthedimsnow-line。AhFe’sbrownfingerseemedtolingerthere。
　　"Inthesnow，"shewhispered，hercheekwhiteninglikethatdimline，buthereyessparklinglikethesunshineoverit。
　　"Alleesame，John，"saidAhFeplaintively。
　　"AhFe，"whisperedCissy，"takeMEwithyoutoHopLi。"
　　"Nogood，"saidAhFestolidly。"HopLi，hegiveethis"——heindicatedtheenvelopeinhissleeve——"tonextChinaman。HEnogo。
　　S’poseyougowithme，HopLi——younomakeenothing——alleesame，makeefoolee！"
　　"Iknow；butyoujusttakemethere。DO！"
　　Theyounggirlwasirresistible。AhFe’sfacerelaxed。"Alleelitee！"hesaid，witharesignedsmile。
　　"Youwaithereamoment，"saidCissy，brightening。Sheflewupthestaircase。Inafewminutesshewasbackagain。Shehadexchangedhersmartrose-spriggedchintzforapatheticlittleblue-checkedfrockofherschool-days；thefatefulhathadgivenwaytoabrownstraw"flat，"bentlikeaframearoundhercharmingface。Allthegirlishness，andindeedacertainhonestboyishnessofhernature，seemedtohavecomeoutinherglowing，freckledcheek，brilliant，audaciouseyes，andthequickstridewhichbroughthertoAhFe’sside。
　　"Nowlet’sgo，"shesaid，"outthebackwayanddownthesidestreets。"Shepaused，castaglancethroughthedrawing-roomatthecontemplativefigureofthesheriff’sdeputyontheveranda，andthenpassedoutofthehouseforever……
　　TheexcitementoverthefailureofMontaguTrixit’sbankdidnotburnitselfoutuntilmidnight。Bythattime，however，itwasprettywellknownthattheamountofthedefalcationshadbeenexaggerated；thatithadbeenprecededbythesuspensionofthe"ExcelsiorBank"ofSanFrancisco，ofwhichTrixitwasalsoamanagingdirector，occasionedbythediscoveryofthewithdrawalofsecuritiesforuseinthebranchbankatCanadaCity；thathehadfledtheStateeastwardacrosstheSierras；yetthat，owingtothevigilanceofthepoliceonthefrontier，hehadfailedtoescapeandwasinhiding。Buttherewereadversereportsofamoresinisternature。Itwassaidthatotherswereimplicated；thattheydarednotbringhimtojustice；itwaspointedoutthattherewasmoreconcernamongmanywhowerenotopenlyconnectedwiththebankthanamongitsunfortunatedepositors。Besidestheinevitabledownfallofthosewhohadinvestedtheirfortunesinit，therewasdistrustorsuspicioneverywhere。EvenTrixit’senemieswereforcedtoadmitthesayingthat"CanadaCitywasthebank，andthebankwasTrixit。"
　　PerhapsthishadsomethingtodowithanexcitedmeetingofthedirectorsoftheNewMill，towhosediscussionsDickMasterton，theengineer，hadbeenhurriedlysummoned。WhenthepresidenttoldhimthathehadbeenselectedtoundertakethedifficultanddelicatemissionofdiscoveringthewhereaboutsofMontaguTrixit，and，ifpossible，procuringaninterviewwithhim，hewasamazed。WhathadtheNewMill，whichhadalwayskeptitselfalooffromthebankanditsmethods，todowiththedisgracedmanager？Hewasstillmoreastonishedwhenthepresidentaddedbluntly：——
　　"Trixitholdssecuritiesofoursformoneyadvancedtothemillbyhimselfprivately。Theydonotappearonthebooks，butifhechoosestodeclarethemasassetsofthebank，it’sabadthingforus。Ifheisboldenoughtokeepthem，hemaybewillingtomakesomearrangementwithustocarrythemon。Ifhehasgotawayorcommittedsuicide，assomesay，it’sforyoutofindthewhereaboutsofthesecuritiesandgetthem。HeissaidtohavebeenlastseenneartheSummit。Youunderstandourposition？"
　　Mastertondid，withsuppresseddisgust。Buthewasyoung，andtherewasthethrillofadventureinthis。"Iwillgo，"hesaidquietly。
　　"Wethoughtyouwould。Youmusttaketheupstageto-night。Comeagainandgetyourfinalinstructions。Bytheway，youmightgetsomeinformationatTrixit’shouse。You——er——er——areacquaintedwithhisdaughter，Ithink？"
　　"Whichmakesitquiteimpossibleformetoseekherforsuchapurpose，"saidMastertoncoldly。
　　Afewhourslaterhewasonthecoach。Astheyclearedtheoutskirtsofthetown，theypassedtwoChinamenploddingsturdilyalonginthedustofthehighway……
　　Mr。Mastertonstartedfromaslightdozeintheheavy，lumbering"mountainwagon"whichhadtakentheplaceofthesmartConcordcoachthathehadleftatthelaststation。Thescenery，too，hadchanged；thefourhorsesthreadedtheirwaythroughrockydefilesofstuntedlarchesandhardy"brush，"withhereandthereopenpatchesofshrunkensnow。Yetattheedgeofdeclivitieshecouldstillseethroughtherolled-upleathercurtainsthevalleybelowbathedinautumn，theglisteningrivershalfspentwiththelongsummerdrought，andthegreenslopesrollingupwardintocrestaftercrestofascendingpines。Attimesadriftinghaze，alwaysimperceptiblefrombelow，veiledtheview；achillwindblewthroughthevehicle，andmadethesteelsledge-runnersthathungbeneaththewagon，readytobeshippedundertheuselesswheels，anominousprovision。Afewrude"stations，"halfblacksmithshops，halfgrocery，markedthedesertedbutwellwornroad；along，narrow"packer’s"wagon，oratortuousfileofChinamencarryingmysteriousbundlesdependingfrombamboopoles，wastheirrareandonlycompany。TheroughsheepskinjacketswhichthesemenworeovertheircharacteristicblueblousesandtheirheavyleggingswereanewrevelationtoMasterton，accustomedtothethinlycladcoolieofthemines。Theyseemedadistinctrace。
　　"Ineverknewthosechapsgetsohighup，buttheyseemtounderstandthecold，"heremarked。
　　Thedriverlookedup，andejaculatedhisdisgustandhistobaccojuiceatthesamemoment。
　　"Ireckonthey’reeverywharinCalifornywharyouwant’emandwharyoudon’t；youtakemywordforit，aforelongCalifornywillhevtoreckonthatsheginerallyDON’Twant’em，efawhitemanhastolivehere。Witharacetieduptogetherinalanguageyecan’tunderstand，waysthatnofellerknows，——fromtheirprayin’todevils，swappin’theirwives，andhavin’theirbonessentbacktoChiny，——wotareyegoin’todo，andwhereareye？Wotareyegoin’
　　tomakeoutermenthatlooksomuchalikeyecan’ttell’emapart；
　　thatthinkalikeandactalike，andneverinwaysthatyekincatchonto！Fellersknottedtogetherinsomeunderhandsecretwayo’
　　communicatin’witheachother，sothatefyekickaChinamanuphereontheSummit，anotherChinamanwillsquealinthevalley！
　　Andthewaytheydoitjustgetsme！Lookyer！I’lltellyesomethin’thathappened，that’sgospeltruth！SomeoftheboysthatreckonedtohevsomefunwiththeChineegangoveratCedarCampstartedoutoneafternoontoraid’em。Theygropedalongthroughthewoodswharnobodycouldsee’em，kalkilatin’tocomedownwitharushonthecamp，overtwomilesaway。AndnobodyDID
　　see’em，onlyONEChinamanwottheymetamilefromthecamp，burnin’punktohisjossordevil，andhescootedawayjustinthecontrarydirection。Well，sir，whentheywaltzedintothatcamp，darnmyskin！eftherewasaChinamanthere，orasmuchasagrainofricetograb！Somebodyhadwarned’em！Well！thissorto’gottheboys，andtheysetaboutdiscoverin’howitwasdone。Oneof’emnoticedthattherewassomeofthembitsoftissuepaperslipsthattheytossaroundatfuneralslyin’alongtheroadnearthecamp，andanotherrememberedthattheChinamantheymetonthehilltossedalotofthatpaperintheairaforehescooted。Well，sir，thewindcarriedjustenoughofthatpaperstraightdownthehillintothatcamptenminutesaforeTHEYcouldgetthere，togivethemChinamenwarnin’——whateveritwas！Fact！Why，I’veseen’emstringin’alongtheroadjustlikethemfellerswepassedjustnow，andthenstopallofasuddentlikehoundsoffthescent，jabberamongthemselves，andstartoffinadifferentdirection"——
　　"Justwhatthey’redoingnow！Bythunder！"interruptedanotherpassenger，whowaslookingthroughtherolled-upcurtainathisside。
　　Allthepassengersturnedbyoneaccordandlookedout。ThefileofChinamenunderobservationhadindeedturned，andwaseventhenmovingrapidlyawayatrightanglesfromtheroad。
　　"Gotsomesignal，youbet！"saidthedriver；"someyellerpaperorpieceo’jossstickintheroad。What？"
　　Theremarkwasaddressedtothepassengerwhohadjustplacedhisfingeronhislip，andindicatedastolid-lookingChinaman，overlookedbefore，whowassittinginthebackor"steerage"seat。
　　"Oh，hebedarned！"saidthedriverimpatiently。"HEisnoaccount；he’sonlythelaundrymanfromRockyCanyon。I’mtalkin’
　　ofthecooliegang。"
　　Butheretheconversationflagged，andtheairgrowingkeener，theflapsoftheleathersidecurtainswerebatteneddown。Mastertongavehimselfuptoconflictingreflections。Theinformationthathehadgatheredwasmeagreandunsatisfactory，andhecouldonlytrusttoluckandcircumstancetofulfillhismission。Thefirstglowofadventurehavingpassed，hewasuneasilyconsciousthatthemissionwasnottohistaste。Thepretty，flushedbutdefiantfaceofCissythatafternoonhauntedhim；hehadnotknowntheimmediatecauseofit，butmadenodoubtthatshehadalreadyheardthenewsofherfather’sdisgracewhenhemether。Heregrettednowthathehadn’tspokentoher，ifonlyafewformalwordsofsympathy。Hehadalwaysbeenhalftenderlyamusedatherfrankconceitandher"airs，"——theinnocent，undisguisedprideofthecountrybelle，sodifferentfromthehardaplombofthecitygirl！Andnowthefoolishlittlemoth，dancinginthesunshineofprosperity，hadfeltthechillofwinterinitsprettywings。Thecontempthehadforthefatherhadhithertoshownitselfintolerantpityforthedaughter，soproudofherfather’spositionandwhatitbroughther。Intherevelationthathisowndirectorshadavailedthemselvesofthatfather’smethods，andtheignoblecharacterofhispresentmission，hefeltastirringofself-reproach。Whatwouldbecomeofher？Ofcourse，frivolousasshewas，shewouldnotfeelthekeennessofthismisfortunelikeanother，noryetrisesuperiortoit。Shewouldsuccumbforthepresent，toreviveanotherseasoninadimmergloryelsewhere。Hiscritical，cynicalobservationofherhaddeterminedthatanyfilialaffectionshemighthavewouldbemergedandlostinthegreaterdeprivationofherposition。