"WhosaysIain’t？"
　　"There’sbeensomecomplaintsmade，itappears。MissHatchardsentformethismorning————"
　　Charity’ssmoulderingresentmentbrokeintoablaze。"I
　　know！OrmaFry，andthattoadofaTargattgirlandBenFry，likeasnot。He’sgoingroundwithher。Thelow—
　　downsneaks——Ialwaysknewthey’dtrytohavemeout！
　　Asifanybodyevercametothelibrary，anyhow！"
　　"Somebodydidyesterday，andyouweren’tthere。"
　　"Yesterday？"shelaughedatherhappyrecollection。"Atwhattimewasn’tIthereyesterday，I’dliketoknow？"
　　"Roundaboutfouro’clock。"
　　Charitywassilent。ShehadbeensosteepedinthedreamyremembranceofyoungHarney’svisitthatshehadforgottenhavingdesertedherpostassoonashehadleftthelibrary。
　　"Whocameatfouro’clock？"
　　"MissHatcharddid。"
　　"MissHatchard？Why，sheain’teverbeenneartheplacesinceshe’sbeenlame。Shecouldn’tgetupthestepsifshetried。"
　　"Shecanbehelpedup，Iguess。Shewasyesterday，anyhow，bytheyoungfellowthat’sstayingwithher。Hefoundyouthere，Iunderstand，earlierintheafternoon;andhewentbackandtoldMissHatchardthebookswereinbadshapeandneededattendingto。Shegotexcited，andhadherselfwheeledstraightround;
　　andwhenshegottheretheplacewaslocked。Soshesentforme，andtoldmeaboutthat，andabouttheothercomplaints。Sheclaimsyou’veneglectedthings，andthatshe’sgoingtogetatrainedlibrarian。"
　　Charityhadnotmovedwhilehespoke。Shestoodwithherheadthrownbackagainstthewindow—frame，herarmshangingagainsthersides，andherhandssotightlyclenchedthatshefelt，withoutknowingwhathurther，thesharpedgeofhernailsagainstherpalms。
　　OfallMr。Royallhadsaidshehadretainedonlythephrase："HetoldMissHatchardthebookswereinbadshape。"Whatdidshecarefortheotherchargesagainsther？Maliceortruth，shedespisedthemasshedespisedherdetractors。Butthatthestrangertowhomshehadfeltherselfsomysteriouslydrawnshouldhavebetrayedher！Thatattheverymomentwhenshehadfledupthehillsidetothinkofhimmoredeliciouslyheshouldhavebeenhasteninghometodenouncehershort—comings！
　　Sherememberedhow，inthedarknessofherroom，shehadcoveredherfacetopresshisimaginedkisscloser;
　　andherheartragedagainsthimforthelibertyhehadnottaken。
　　"Well，I’llgo，"shesaidsuddenly。"I’llgorightoff。"
　　"Gowhere？"SheheardthestartlednoteinMr。Royall’svoice。
　　"Why，outoftheiroldlibrary：straightout，andneversetfootinitagain。Theyneedn’tthinkI’mgoingtowaitroundandletthemsaythey’vedischargedme！"
　　"Charity——CharityRoyall，youlisten————"hebegan，gettingheavilyoutofhischair;butshewavedhimaside，andwalkedoutoftheroom。
　　Upstairsshetookthelibrarykeyfromtheplacewhereshealwayshiditunderherpincushion——whosaidshewasn’tcareful？——putonherhat，andsweptdownagainandoutintothestreet。IfMr。Royallheardhergohemadenomotiontodetainher：hissuddenragesprobablymadehimunderstandtheuselessnessofreasoningwithhers。
　　Shereachedthebricktemple，unlockedthedoorandenteredintotheglacialtwilight。"I’mgladI’llneverhavetositinthisoldvaultagainwhenotherfolksareoutinthesun！"shesaidaloudasthefamiliarchilltookher。Shelookedwithabhorrenceatthelongdingyrowsofbooks，thesheep—nosedMinervaonherblackpedestal，andthemild—facedyoungmaninahighstockwhoseeffigypinedaboveherdesk。Shemeanttotakeoutofthedrawerherrolloflaceandthelibraryregister，andgostraighttoMissHatchardtoannounceherresignation。Butsuddenlyagreatdesolationovercameher，andshesatdownandlaidherfaceagainstthedesk。Herheartwasravagedbylife’scruelestdiscovery：thefirstcreaturewhohadcometowardheroutofthewildernesshadbroughtheranguishinsteadofjoy。Shedidnotcry;tearscamehardtoher，andthestormsofherheartspentthemselvesinwardly。Butasshesatthereinherdumbwoeshefeltherlifetobetoodesolate，toouglyandintolerable。
　　"WhathaveIeverdonetoit，thatitshouldhurtmeso？"shegroaned，andpressedherfistsagainstherlids，whichwerebeginningtoswellwithweeping。
　　"Iwon’t——Iwon’tgotherelookinglikeahorror！"shemuttered，springingupandpushingbackherhairasifitstifledher。Sheopenedthedrawer，draggedouttheregister，andturnedtowardthedoor。Asshedidsoitopened，andtheyoungmanfromMissHatchard’scameinwhistling。
　　IV
　　Hestoppedandliftedhishatwithashysmile。"Ibegyourpardon，"hesaid。"Ithoughttherewasnoonehere。"
　　Charitystoodbeforehim，barringhisway。"Youcan’tcomein。Thelibraryain’topentothepublicWednesdays。"
　　"Iknowit’snot;butmycousingavemeherkey。"
　　"MissHatchard’sgotnorighttogiveherkeytootherfolks，anymore’nIhave。I’mthelibrarianandIknowtheby—laws。Thisismylibrary。"
　　Theyoungmanlookedprofoundlysurprised。
　　"Why，Iknowitis;I’msosorryifyoumindmycoming。"
　　"Isupposeyoucametoseewhatmoreyoucouldsaytosetheragainstme？Butyouneedn’ttrouble：it’smylibrarytoday，butitwon’tbethistimetomorrow。I’monthewaynowtotakeherbackthekeyandtheregister。"
　　YoungHarney’sfacegrewgrave，butwithoutbetrayingtheconsciousnessofguiltshehadlookedfor。
　　"Idon’tunderstand，"hesaid。"Theremustbesomemistake。WhyshouldIsaythingsagainstyoutoMissHatchard——ortoanyone？"
　　TheapparentevasivenessofthereplycausedCharity’sindignationtooverflow。"Idon’tknowwhyyoushould。
　　IcouldunderstandOrmaFry’sdoingit，becauseshe’salwayswantedtogetmeoutofhereeversincethefirstday。Ican’tseewhy，whenshe’sgotherownhome，andherfathertoworkforher;norIdaTargatt，neither，whenshegotalegacyfromherstep—brotheron’ylastyear。Butanywayweallliveinthesameplace，andwhenit’saplacelikeNorthDormerit’senoughtomakepeoplehateeachotherjusttohavetowalkdownthesamestreeteveryday。Butyoudon’tlivehere，andyoudon’tknowanythingaboutanyofus，sowhatdidyouhavetomeddlefor？Doyousupposetheothergirls’dhavekeptthebooksanybetter’nIdid？
　　Why，OrmaFrydon’thardlyknowabookfromaflat—
　　iron！AndwhatifIdon’talwayssitroundheredoingnothingtillitstrikesfiveupatthechurch？Whocaresifthelibrary’sopenorshut？Doyousupposeanybodyevercomeshereforbooks？Whatthey’dliketocomeforistomeetthefellowsthey’regoingwithifI’dlet’em。ButIwouldn’tletBillSollasfromoverthehillhangroundherewaitingfortheyoungestTargattgirl，becauseIknowhim……that’sall……evenifIdon’tknowaboutbooksallIoughtto……"
　　Shestoppedwithachokinginherthroat。Tremorsofragewererunningthroughher，andshesteadiedherselfagainsttheedgeofthedesklestheshouldseeherweakness。
　　Whathesawseemedtoaffecthimdeeply，forhegrewredunderhissunburn，andstammeredout："But，MissRoyall，Iassureyou……Iassureyou……"
　　Hisdistressinflamedheranger，andsheregainedhervoicetoflingback："IfIwasyouI’dhavethenervetosticktowhatIsaid！"
　　Thetauntseemedtorestorehispresenceofmind。"I
　　hopeIshouldifIknew;butIdon’t。Apparentlysomethingdisagreeablehashappened，forwhichyouthinkI’mtoblame。ButIdon’tknowwhatitis，becauseI’vebeenuponEagleRidgeeversincetheearlymorning。"
　　"Idon’tknowwhereyou’vebeenthismorning，butI
　　knowyouwerehereinthislibraryyesterday;anditwasyouthatwenthomeandtoldyourcousinthebookswereinbadshape，andbroughtherroundtoseehowI’dneglectedthem。"
　　YoungHarneylookedsincerelyconcerned。"Wasthatwhatyouweretold？Idon’twonderyou’reangry。Thebooksareinbadshape，andassomeareinterestingit’sapity。ItoldMissHatchardtheyweresufferingfromdampnessandlackofair;andIbroughtherheretoshowherhoweasilytheplacecouldbeventilated。I
　　alsotoldheryououghttohavesomeonetohelpyoudothedustingandairing。IfyouweregivenawrongversionofwhatIsaidI’msorry;butI’msofondofoldbooksthatI’dratherseethemmadeintoabonfirethanlefttomoulderawaylikethese。"
　　Charityfelthersobsrisingandtriedtostifletheminwords。"Idon’tcarewhatyousayyoutoldher。AllIknowisshethinksit’sallmyfault，andI’mgoingtolosemyjob，andIwanteditmore’nanyoneinthevillage，becauseIhaven’tgotanybodybelongingtome，thewayotherfolkshave。AllIwantedwastoputasidemoneyenoughtogetawayfromheresometime。
　　D’yousupposeifithadn’tbeenforthatI’dhavekeptonsittingdayafterdayinthisoldvault？"
　　Ofthisappealherhearertookuponlythelastquestion。"Itisanoldvault;butneeditbe？That’sthepoint。Andit’smyputtingthequestiontomycousinthatseemstohavebeenthecauseofthetrouble。"Hisglanceexploredthemelancholypenumbraofthelongnarrowroom，restingontheblotchedwalls，thediscolouredrowsofbooks，andthesternrosewooddesksurmountedbytheportraitoftheyoungHonorius。
　　"Ofcourseit’sabadjobtodoanythingwithabuildingjammedagainstahilllikethisridiculousmausoleum：youcouldn’tgetagooddraughtthroughitwithoutblowingaholeinthemountain。Butitcanbeventilatedafterafashion，andthesuncanbeletin：
　　I’llshowyouhowifyoulike……"Thearchitect’spassionforimprovementhadalreadymadehimlosesightofhergrievance，andheliftedhisstickinstructivelytowardthecornice。Buthersilenceseemedtotellhimthatshetooknointerestintheventilationofthelibrary，andturningbacktoherabruptlyheheldoutbothhands。"Lookhere——youdon’tmeanwhatyousaid？
　　Youdon’treallythinkI’ddoanythingtohurtyou？"
　　Anewnoteinhisvoicedisarmedher：noonehadeverspokentoherinthattone。
　　"Oh，whatDIDyoudoitforthen？"shewailed。Hehadherhandsinhis，andshewasfeelingthesmoothtouchthatshehadimaginedthedaybeforeonthehillside。
　　Hepressedherhandslightlyandletthemgo。"Why，tomakethingspleasanterforyouhere;andbetterforthebooks。I’msorryifmycousintwistedaroundwhatI
　　said。She’sexcitable，andshelivesontrifles：I
　　oughttohaverememberedthat。Don’tpunishmebylettingherthinkyoutakeherseriously。"
　　ItwaswonderfultohearhimspeakofMissHatchardasifshewereaquerulousbaby：inspiteofhisshynesshehadtheairofpowerthattheexperienceofcitiesprobablygave。ItwasthefactofhavinglivedinNettletonthatmadelawyerRoyall，inspiteofhisinfirmities，thestrongestmaninNorthDormer;andCharitywassurethatthisyoungmanhadlivedinbiggerplacesthanNettleton。
　　ShefeltthatifshekeptupherdenunciatorytonehewouldsecretlyclassherwithMissHatchard;andthethoughtmadehersuddenlysimple。
　　"Itdon’tmattertoMissHatchardhowItakeher。Mr。
　　Royallsaysshe’sgoingtogetatrainedlibrarian;andI’dsoonerresignthanhavethevillagesayshesentmeaway。"
　　"Naturallyyouwould。ButI’msureshedoesn’tmeantosendyouaway。Atanyrate，won’tyougivemethechancetofindoutfirstandletyouknow？ItwillbetimeenoughtoresignifI’mmistaken。"
　　Herprideflamedintohercheeksatthesuggestionofhisintervening。"Idon’twantanybodyshouldcoaxhertokeepmeifIdon’tsuit。"
　　Hecolouredtoo。"IgiveyoumywordIwon’tdothat。
　　Onlywaittilltomorrow，willyou？"Helookedstraightintohereyeswithhisshygreyglance。"Youcantrustme，youknow——youreallycan。"
　　Alltheoldfrozenwoesseemedtomeltinher，andshemurmuredawkwardly，lookingawayfromhim："Oh，I’llwait。"
　　V
　　TherehadneverbeensuchaJuneinEagleCounty。
　　Usuallyitwasamonthofmoods，withabruptalternationsofbelatedfrostandmid—summerheat;thisyear，dayfolloweddayinasequenceoftemperatebeauty。Everymorningabreezeblewsteadilyfromthehills。Towardnoonitbuiltupgreatcanopiesofwhitecloudthatthrewacoolshadowoverfieldsandwoods;thenbeforesunsetthecloudsdissolvedagain，andthewesternlightraineditsunobstructedbrightnessonthevalley。
　　OnsuchanafternoonCharityRoyalllayonaridgeaboveasunlithollow，herfacepressedtotheearthandthewarmcurrentsofthegrassrunningthroughher。
　　Directlyinherlineofvisionablackberrybranchlaiditsfrailwhiteflowersandblue—greenleavesagainstthesky。Justbeyond，atuftofsweet—fernuncurledbetweenthebeadedshootsofthegrass，andasmallyellowbutterflyvibratedoverthemlikeafleckofsunshine。Thiswasallshesaw;butshefelt，aboveherandabouther，thestronggrowthofthebeechesclothingtheridge，theroundingofpalegreenconesoncountlessspruce—branches，thepushofmyriadsofsweet—fernfrondsinthecracksofthestonyslopebelowthewood，andthecrowdingshootsofmeadowsweetandyellowflagsinthepasturebeyond。Allthisbubblingofsapandslippingofsheathsandburstingofcalyxeswascarriedtoheronmingledcurrentsoffragrance。Everyleafandbudandbladeseemedtocontributeitsexhalationtothepervadingsweetnessinwhichthepungencyofpine—sapprevailedoverthespiceofthymeandthesubtleperfumeoffern，andallweremergedinamoistearth—smellthatwaslikethebreathofsomehugesun—warmedanimal。
　　Charityhadlaintherealongtime，passiveandsun—
　　warmedastheslopeonwhichshelay，whentherecamebetweenhereyesandthedancingbutterflythesightofaman’sfootinalargewornbootcoveredwithredmud。
　　"Oh，don’t！"sheexclaimed，raisingherselfonherelbowandstretchingoutawarninghand。
　　"Don’twhat？"ahoarsevoiceaskedaboveherhead。
　　"Don’tstamponthosebrambleflowers，youdolt！"sheretorted，springingtoherknees。Thefootpausedandthendescendedclumsilyonthefrailbranch，andraisinghereyesshesawaboveherthebewilderedfaceofaslouchingmanwithathinsunburntbeard，andwhitearmsshowingthroughhisraggedshirt。
　　"Don’tyoueverSEEanything，LiffHyatt？"sheassailedhim，ashestoodbeforeherwiththelookofamanwhohasstirredupawasp’snest。
　　Hegrinned。"Iseenyou！That’swhatIcomedownfor。"
　　"Downfromwhere？"shequestioned，stoopingtogatherupthepetalshisfoothadscattered。
　　Hejerkedhisthumbtowardtheheights。"BeencuttingdowntreesforDanTargatt。"
　　Charitysankbackonherheelsandlookedathimmusingly。ShewasnotintheleastafraidofpoorLiffHyatt，thoughhe"camefromtheMountain，"andsomeofthegirlsranwhentheysawhim。Amongthemorereasonablehepassedforaharmlesscreature，asortoflinkbetweenthemountainandcivilizedfolk，whooccasionallycamedownanddidalittlewoodcuttingforafarmerwhenhandswereshort。Besides，sheknewtheMountainpeoplewouldneverhurther：Liffhimselfhadtoldhersooncewhenshewasalittlegirl，andhadmethimonedayattheedgeoflawyerRoyall’spasture。"Theywon’tanyof’emtouchyouupthere，f’everyouwastocomeup……ButIdon’ts’poseyouwill，"hehadaddedphilosophically，lookingathernewshoes，andattheredribbonthatMrs。Royallhadtiedinherhair。
　　Charityhad，intruth，neverfeltanydesiretovisitherbirthplace。ShedidnotcaretohaveitknownthatshewasoftheMountain，andwasshyofbeingseenintalkwithLiffHyatt。Buttodayshewasnotsorrytohavehimappear。AgreatmanythingshadhappenedtohersincethedaywhenyoungLuciusHarneyhadenteredthedoorsoftheHatchardMemorial，butnone，perhaps，sounforeseenasthefactofhersuddenlyfindingitaconveniencetobeongoodtermswithLiffHyatt。Shecontinuedtolookupcuriouslyathisfreckledweather—
　　beatenface，withfeverishhollowsbelowthecheekbonesandthepaleyelloweyesofaharmlessanimal。"I
　　wonderifhe’srelatedtome？"shethought，withashiverofdisdain。
　　"Isthereanyfolkslivinginthebrownhousebytheswamp，upunderPorcupine？"shepresentlyaskedinanindifferenttone。
　　LiffHyatt，forawhile，consideredherwithsurprise;
　　thenhescratchedhisheadandshiftedhisweightfromonetatteredsoletotheother。
　　"There’salwaysthesamefolksinthebrownhouse，"hesaidwithhisvaguegrin。
　　"They’refromupyourway，ain’tthey？"
　　"Theirname’sthesameasmine，"herejoineduncertainly。
　　Charitystillheldhimwithresoluteeyes。"Seehere，Iwanttogotheresomedayandtakeagentlemanwithmethat’sboardingwithus。He’supinthesepartsdrawingpictures。"
　　Shedidnotoffertoexplainthisstatement。ItwastoofarbeyondLiffHyatt’slimitationsfortheattempttobeworthmaking。"Hewantstoseethebrownhouse，andgoalloverit，"shepursued。
　　Liffwasstillrunninghisfingersperplexedlythroughhisshockofstraw—coloredhair。"Isitafellowfromthecity？"heasked。
　　"Yes。Hedrawspicturesofthings。He’sdowntherenowdrawingtheBonnerhouse。"Shepointedtoachimneyjustvisibleoverthedipofthepasturebelowthewood。
　　"TheBonnerhouse？"Liffechoedincredulously。
　　"Yes。Youwon’tunderstand——anditdon’tmatter。AllIsayis：he’sgoingtotheHyatts’inadayortwo。"
　　Lifflookedmoreandmoreperplexed。"Bashisuglysometimesintheafternoons。"
　　Shethrewherheadback，hereyesfullonHyatt’s。"I’mcomingtoo：youtellhim。"
　　"Theywon’tnoneofthemtroubleyou，theHyattswon’t。
　　Whatd’youwantatakeastrangerwithyouthough？"
　　I’vetoldyou，haven’tI？You’vegottotellBashHyatt。"
　　Helookedawayatthebluemountainsonthehorizon;
　　thenhisgazedroppedtothechimney—topbelowthepasture。
　　"He’sdowntherenow？"
　　"Yes。"
　　Heshiftedhisweightagain，crossedhisarms，andcontinuedtosurveythedistantlandscape。"Well，solong，"hesaidatlast，inconclusively;andturningawayheshambledupthehillside。Fromtheledgeaboveher，hepausedtocalldown："Iwouldn’tgothereaSunday";thenheclamberedontillthetreesclosedinonhim。Presently，fromhighoverhead，Charityheardtheringofhisaxe。
　　Shelayonthewarmridge，thinkingofmanythingsthatthewoodsman’sappearancehadstirredupinher。Sheknewnothingofherearlylife，andhadneverfeltanycuriosityaboutit：onlyasullenreluctancetoexplorethecornerofhermemorywherecertainblurredimageslingered。Butallthathadhappenedtoherwithinthelastfewweekshadstirredhertothesleepingdepths。
　　Shehadbecomeabsorbinglyinterestingtoherself，andeverythingthathadtodowithherpastwasilluminatedbythissuddencuriosity。
　　ShehatedmorethaneverthefactofcomingfromtheMountain;butitwasnolongerindifferenttoher。
　　Everythingthatinanywayaffectedherwasaliveandvivid：eventhehatefulthingshadgrowninterestingbecausetheywereapartofherself。
　　"IwonderifLiffHyattknowswhomymotherwas？"shemused;anditfilledherwithatremorofsurprisetothinkthatsomewomanwhowasonceyoungandslight，withquickmotionsofthebloodlikehers，hadcarriedherinherbreast，andwatchedhersleeping。Shehadalwaysthoughtofhermotherassolongdeadastobenomorethananamelesspinchofearth;butnowitoccurredtoherthattheonce—youngwomanmightbealive，andwrinkledandelf—lockedlikethewomanshehadsometimesseeninthedoorofthebrownhousethatLuciusHarneywantedtodraw。
　　Thethoughtbroughthimbacktothecentralpointinhermind，andshestrayedawayfromtheconjecturesrousedbyLiffHyatt’spresence。Speculationsconcerningthepastcouldnotholdherlongwhenthepresentwassorich，thefuturesorosy，andwhenLuciusHarney，astone’sthrowaway，wasbendingoverhissketch—book，frowning，calculating，measuring，andthenthrowinghisheadbackwiththesuddensmilethathadsheditsbrightnessovereverything。
　　Shescrambledtoherfeet，butasshedidsoshesawhimcomingupthepastureanddroppeddownonthegrasstowait。Whenhewasdrawingandmeasuringoneof"hishouses，"asshecalledthem，sheoftenstrayedawaybyherselfintothewoodsorupthehillside。Itwaspartlyfromshynessthatshedidso：fromasenseofinadequacythatcametohermostpainfullywhenhercompanion，absorbedinhisjob，forgotherignoranceandherinabilitytofollowhisleastallusion，andplungedintoamonologueonartandlife。Toavoidtheawkwardnessoflisteningwithablankface，andalsotoescapethesurprisedstareoftheinhabitantsofthehousesbeforewhichhewouldabruptlypulluptheirhorseandopenhissketch—book，sheslippedawaytosomespotfromwhich，withoutbeingseen，shecouldwatchhimatwork，oratleastlookdownonthehousehewasdrawing。Shehadnotbeendispleased，atfirst，tohaveitknowntoNorthDormerandtheneighborhoodthatshewasdrivingMissHatchard’scousinaboutthecountryinthebuggyhehadhiredoflawyerRoyall。
　　Shehadalwayskepttoherself，contemptuouslyalooffromvillagelove—making，withoutexactlyknowingwhetherherfiercepridewasduetothesenseofhertaintedorigin，orwhethershewasreservingherselfforamorebrilliantfate。Sometimessheenviedtheothergirlstheirsentimentalpreoccupations，theirlonghoursofinarticulatephilanderingwithoneofthefewyouthswhostilllingeredinthevillage;butwhenshepicturedherselfcurlingherhairorputtinganewribbononherhatforBenFryoroneoftheSollasboysthefeverdroppedandsherelapsedintoindifference。
　　Nowsheknewthemeaningofherdisdainsandreluctances。ShehadlearnedwhatshewasworthwhenLuciusHarney，lookingatherforthefirsttime，hadlostthethreadofhisspeech，andleanedreddeningontheedgeofherdesk。Butanotherkindofshynesshadbeenborninher：aterrorofexposingtovulgarperilsthesacredtreasureofherhappiness。Shewasnotsorrytohavetheneighborssuspectherof"goingwith"
　　ayoungmanfromthecity;butshedidnotwantitknowntoallthecountrysidehowmanyhoursofthelongJunedaysshespentwithhim。WhatshemostfearedwasthattheinevitablecommentsshouldreachMr。Royall。
　　Charitywasinstinctivelyawarethatfewthingsconcerningherescapedtheeyesofthesilentmanunderwhoseroofshelived;andinspiteofthelatitudewhichNorthDormeraccordedtocourtingcouplesshehadalwaysfeltthat，onthedaywhensheshowedtooopenapreference，Mr。Royallmight，asshephrasedit，makeher"payforit。"How，shedidnotknow;andherfearwasthegreaterbecauseitwasundefinable。Ifshehadbeenacceptingtheattentionsofoneofthevillageyouthsshewouldhavebeenlessapprehensive：Mr。
　　Royallcouldnotpreventhermarryingwhenshechoseto。Buteverybodyknewthat"goingwithacityfellow"
　　wasadifferentandlessstraightforwardaffair：almosteveryvillagecouldshowavictimoftheperilousventure。AndherdreadofMr。Royall’sinterventiongaveasharpenedjoytothehoursshespentwithyoungHarney，andmadeher，atthesametime，shyofbeingtoogenerallyseenwithhim。
　　Asheapproachedsherosetoherknees，stretchingherarmsaboveherheadwiththeindolentgesturethatwasherwayofexpressingaprofoundwell—being。
　　"I’mgoingtotakeyoutothathouseupunderPorcupine，"sheannounced。
　　"Whathouse？Oh，yes;thatramshackleplaceneartheswamp，withthegipsy—lookingpeoplehangingabout。
　　It’scuriousthatahousewithtracesofrealarchitectureshouldhavebeenbuiltinsuchaplace。
　　Butthepeoplewereasulky—lookinglot——doyousupposethey’llletusin？"
　　"They’lldowhateverItellthem，"shesaidwithassurance。
　　Hethrewhimselfdownbesideher。"Willthey？"herejoinedwithasmile。"Well，Ishouldliketoseewhat’sleftinsidethehouse。AndIshouldliketohaveatalkwiththepeople。WhowasitwhowastellingmetheotherdaythattheyhadcomedownfromtheMountain？"
　　Charityshotasidewardlookathim。ItwasthefirsttimehehadspokenoftheMountainexceptasafeatureofthelandscape。Whatelsedidheknowaboutit，andaboutherrelationtoit？Herheartbegantobeatwiththefierceimpulseofresistancewhichsheinstinctivelyopposedtoeveryimaginedslight。
　　"TheMountain？Iain’tafraidoftheMountain！"
　　Hertoneofdefianceseemedtoescapehim。Helaybreast—downonthegrass，breakingoffsprigsofthymeandpressingthemagainsthislips。Faroff，abovethefoldsofthenearerhills，theMountainthrustitselfupmenacinglyagainstayellowsunset。
　　"Imustgouptheresomeday：Iwanttoseeit，"hecontinued。
　　Herheart—beatsslackenedandsheturnedagaintoexaminehisprofile。Itwasinnocentofallunfriendlyintention。
　　"What’dyouwanttogouptheMountainfor？"
　　"Why，itmustberatheracuriousplace。There’saqueercolonyupthere，youknow：sortofout—laws，alittleindependentkingdom。Ofcourseyou’veheardthemspokenof;butI’mtoldtheyhavenothingtodowiththepeopleinthevalleys——ratherlookdownonthem，infact。Isupposethey’reroughcustomers;buttheymusthaveagooddealofcharacter。"
　　Shedidnotquiteknowwhathemeantbyhavingagooddealofcharacter;buthistonewasexpressiveofadmiration，anddeepenedherdawningcuriosity。ItstruckhernowasstrangethatsheknewsolittleabouttheMountain。Shehadneverasked，andnoonehadeverofferedtoenlightenher。NorthDormertooktheMountainforgranted，andimplieditsdisparagementbyanintonationratherthanbyexplicitcriticism。
　　"It’squeer，youknow，"hecontinued，"that，justoverthere，ontopofthathill，thereshouldbeahandfulofpeoplewhodon’tgiveadamnforanybody。"
　　Thewordsthrilledher。Theyseemedthecluetoherownrevoltsanddefiances，andshelongedtohavehimtellhermore。
　　"Idon’tknowmuchaboutthem。Havetheyalwaysbeenthere？"
　　"Nobodyseemstoknowexactlyhowlong。DownatCrestontheytoldmethatthefirstcolonistsaresupposedtohavebeenmenwhoworkedontherailwaythatwasbuiltfortyorfiftyyearsagobetweenSpringfieldandNettleton。Someofthemtooktodrink，orgotintotroublewiththepolice，andwentoff——
　　disappearedintothewoods。AyearortwolatertherewasareportthattheywerelivingupontheMountain。
　　ThenIsupposeothersjoinedthem——andchildrenwereborn。Nowtheysaythereareoverahundredpeopleupthere。Theyseemtobequiteoutsidethejurisdictionofthevalleys。Noschool，nochurch——andnosheriffevergoesuptoseewhatthey’reabout。Butdon’tpeopleevertalkofthematNorthDormer？"
　　"Idon’tknow。Theysaythey’rebad。"
　　Helaughed。"Dothey？We’llgoandsee，shallwe？"
　　Sheflushedatthesuggestion，andturnedherfacetohis。"Youneverheard，Isuppose——Icomefromthere。
　　TheybroughtmedownwhenIwaslittle。"
　　"You？"Heraisedhimselfonhiselbow，lookingatherwithsuddeninterest。"You’refromtheMountain？Howcurious！Isupposethat’swhyyou’resodifferent……"
　　Herhappybloodbathedhertotheforehead。Hewaspraisingher——andpraisingherbecauseshecamefromtheMountain！
　　"AmI……different？"shetriumphed，withaffectedwonder。
　　"Oh，awfully！"Hepickedupherhandandlaidakissonthesunburntknuckles。
　　"Come，"hesaid，"let’sbeoff。"Hestoodupandshookthegrassfromhisloosegreyclothes。"Whatagoodday！Whereareyougoingtotakemetomorrow？"
　　VI
　　ThateveningaftersupperCharitysataloneinthekitchenandlistenedtoMr。RoyallandyoungHarneytalkingintheporch。
　　ShehadremainedindoorsafterthetablehadbeenclearedandoldVerenahadhobbleduptobed。Thekitchenwindowwasopen，andCharityseatedherselfnearit，heridlehandsonherknee。Theeveningwascoolandstill。Beyondtheblackhillsanamberwestpassedintopalegreen，andthentoadeepblueinwhichagreatstarhung。Thesofthootofalittleowlcamethroughthedusk，andbetweenitscallsthemen’svoicesroseandfell。
　　Mr。Royall’swasfullofasonoroussatisfaction。ItwasalongtimesincehehadhadanyoneofLuciusHarney’squalitytotalkto：Charitydivinedthattheyoungmansymbolizedallhisruinedandunforgottenpast。WhenMissHatchardhadbeencalledtoSpringfieldbytheillnessofawidowedsister，andyoungHarney，bythattimeseriouslyembarkedonhistaskofdrawingandmeasuringalltheoldhousesbetweenNettletonandtheNewHampshireborder，hadsuggestedthepossibilityofboardingattheredhouseinhiscousin’sabsence，CharityhadtrembledlestMr。
　　Royallshouldrefuse。Therehadbeennoquestionoflodgingtheyoungman：therewasnoroomforhim。ButitappearedthathecouldstillliveatMissHatchard’sifMr。Royallwouldlethimtakehismealsattheredhouse;andafteraday’sdeliberationMr。Royallconsented。
　　Charitysuspectedhimofbeinggladofthechancetomakealittlemoney。Hehadthereputationofbeinganavariciousman;butshewasbeginningtothinkhewasprobablypoorerthanpeopleknew。Hispracticehadbecomelittlemorethanavaguelegend，revivedonlyatlengtheningintervalsbyasummonstoHepburnorNettleton;andheappearedtodependforhislivingmainlyonthescantproduceofhisfarm，andonthecommissionsreceivedfromthefewinsuranceagenciesthatherepresentedintheneighbourhood。Atanyrate，hehadbeenpromptinacceptingHarney’soffertohirethebuggyatadollarandahalfaday;andhissatisfactionwiththebargainhadmanifesteditself，unexpectedlyenough，attheendofthefirstweek，byhistossingaten—dollarbillintoCharity’slapasshesatonedayretrimmingheroldhat。
　　"Here——gogetyourselfaSundaybonnetthat’llmakealltheothergirlsmad，"hesaid，lookingatherwithasheepishtwinkleinhisdeep—seteyes;andsheimmediatelyguessedthattheunwontedpresent——theonlygiftofmoneyshehadeverreceivedfromhim——
　　representedHarney’sfirstpayment。
　　Buttheyoungman’scominghadbroughtMr。Royallotherthanpecuniarybenefit。Itgavehim，forthefirsttimeinyears，aman’scompanionship。Charityhadonlyadimunderstandingofherguardian’sneeds;butsheknewhefelthimselfabovethepeopleamongwhomhelived，andshesawthatLuciusHarneythoughthimso。
　　Shewassurprisedtofindhowwellheseemedtotalknowthathehadalistenerwhounderstoodhim;andshewasequallystruckbyyoungHarney’sfriendlydeference。
　　Theirconversationwasmostlyaboutpolitics，andbeyondherrange;buttonightithadapeculiarinterestforher，fortheyhadbeguntospeakoftheMountain。Shedrewbackalittle，lesttheyshouldseeshewasinhearing。
　　"TheMountain？TheMountain？"sheheardMr。Royallsay。
　　"Why，theMountain’sablot——that’swhatitis，sir，ablot。Thatscumupthereoughttohavebeenruninlongago——andwouldhave，ifthepeopledownherehadn’tbeencleanscaredofthem。TheMountainbelongstothistownship，andit’sNorthDormer’sfaultifthere’sagangofthievesandoutlawslivingoverthere，insightofus，defyingthelawsoftheircountry。Why，thereain’tasherifforatax—collectororacoroner’ddurstgoupthere。WhentheyhearoftroubleontheMountaintheselectmenlooktheotherway，andpassanappropriationtobeautifythetownpump。Theonlymanthatevergoesupistheminister，andhegoesbecausetheysenddownandgethimwheneverthere’sanyofthemdies。TheythinkalotofChristianburialontheMountain——butIneverheardoftheirhavingtheministeruptomarrythem。AndtheynevertroubletheJusticeofthePeaceeither。Theyjustherdtogetherliketheheathen。"
　　Hewenton，explaininginsomewhattechnicallanguagehowthelittlecolonyofsquattershadcontrivedtokeepthelawatbay，andCharity，withburningeagerness，awaitedyoungHarney’scomment;buttheyoungmanseemedmoreconcernedtohearMr。Royall’sviewsthantoexpresshisown。
　　"Isupposeyou’veneverbeenupthereyourself？"hepresentlyasked。
　　"Yes，Ihave，"saidMr。Royallwithacontemptuouslaugh。"ThewiseacresdownheretoldmeI’dbedoneforbeforeIgotback;butnobodyliftedafingertohurtme。AndI’djusthadoneoftheirgangsentupforsevenyearstoo。"
　　"Youwentupafterthat？"
　　"Yes，sir：rightafterit。ThefellowcamedowntoNettletonandranamuck，thewaytheysometimesdo。
　　Afterthey’vedoneawood—cuttingjobtheycomedownandblowthemoneyin;andthismanendedupwithmanslaughter。Igothimconvicted，thoughtheywerescaredoftheMountainevenatNettleton;andthenaqueerthinghappened。Thefellowsentformetogoandseehimingaol。Iwent，andthisiswhathesays：
　　’Thefoolthatdefendedmeisachicken—liveredsonofa——andalltherestofit，’hesays。’I’vegotajobtobedoneformeupontheMountain，andyou’retheonlymanIseenincourtthatlooksasifhe’ddoit。’
　　Hetoldmehehadachildupthere——orthoughthehad——
　　alittlegirl;andhewantedherbroughtdownandrearedlikeaChristian。Iwassorryforthefellow，soIwentupandgotthechild。"Hepaused，andCharitylistenedwithathrobbingheart。"That’stheonlytimeIeverwentuptheMountain，"heconcluded。
　　Therewasamoment’ssilence;thenHarneyspoke。"Andthechild——hadshenomother？"
　　"Oh，yes：therewasamother。Butshewasgladenoughtohavehergo。She’dhavegivenhertoanybody。Theyain’thalfhumanupthere。Iguessthemother’sdeadbynow，withthelifeshewasleading。Anyhow，I’veneverheardofherfromthatdaytothis。"
　　"MyGod，howghastly，"Harneymurmured;andCharity，chokingwithhumiliation，sprangtoherfeetandranupstairs。Sheknewatlast：knewthatshewasthechildofadrunkenconvictandofamotherwhowasn’t"halfhuman，"andwasgladtohavehergo;andshehadheardthishistoryofheroriginrelatedtotheonebeinginwhoseeyesshelongedtoappearsuperiortothepeopleabouther！ShehadnoticedthatMr。Royallhadnotnamedher，hadevenavoidedanyallusionthatmightidentifyherwiththechildhehadbroughtdownfromtheMountain;andsheknewitwasoutofregardforherthathehadkeptsilent。Butofwhatusewashisdiscretion，sinceonlythatafternoon，misledbyHarney’sinterestintheout—lawcolony，shehadboastedtohimofcomingfromtheMountain？Noweverywordthathadbeenspokenshowedherhowsuchanoriginmustwidenthedistancebetweenthem。
　　Duringhistendays’sojournatNorthDormerLuciusHarneyhadnotspokenawordoflovetoher。Hehadintervenedinherbehalfwithhiscousin，andhadconvincedMissHatchardofhermeritsasalibrarian;
　　butthatwasasimpleactofjustice，sinceitwasbyhisownfaultthatthosemeritshadbeenquestioned。HehadaskedhertodrivehimaboutthecountrywhenhehiredlawyerRoyall’sbuggytogoonhissketchingexpeditions;butthattoowasnaturalenough，sincehewasunfamiliarwiththeregion。Lastly，whenhiscousinwascalledtoSpringfield，hehadbeggedMr。
　　Royalltoreceivehimasaboarder;butwhereelseinNorthDormercouldhehaveboarded？NotwithCarrickFry，whosewifewasparalysed，andwhoselargefamilycrowdedhistabletoover—flowing;notwiththeTargatts，wholivedamileuptheroad，norwithpooroldMrs。Hawes，who，sincehereldestdaughterhaddesertedher，barelyhadthestrengthtocookherownmealswhileAllypickedupherlivingasaseamstress。
　　Mr。Royall’swastheonlyhousewheretheyoungmancouldhavebeenofferedadecenthospitality。Therehadbeennothing，therefore，intheoutwardcourseofeventstoraiseinCharity’sbreastthehopeswithwhichittrembled。ButbeneaththevisibleincidentsresultingfromLuciusHarney’sarrivalthererananundercurrentasmysteriousandpotentastheinfluencethatmakestheforestbreakintoleafbeforetheiceisoffthepools。
　　ThebusinessonwhichHarneyhadcomewasauthentic;
　　CharityhadseentheletterfromaNewYorkpublishercommissioninghimtomakeastudyoftheeighteenthcenturyhousesinthelessfamiliardistrictsofNewEngland。Butincomprehensibleasthewholeaffairwastoher，andhardasshefoundittounderstandwhyhepausedenchantedbeforecertainneglectedandpaintlesshouses，whileothers，refurbishedand"improved"bythelocalbuilder，didnotarrestaglance，shecouldnotbutsuspectthatEagleCountywaslessrichinarchitecturethanheaverred，andthatthedurationofhisstay（whichhehadfixedatamonth）wasnotunconnectedwiththelookinhiseyeswhenhehadfirstpausedbeforeherinthelibrary。Everythingthathadfollowedseemedtohavegrownoutofthatlook：hiswayofspeakingtoher，hisquicknessincatchinghermeaning，hisevidenteagernesstoprolongtheirexcursionsandtoseizeoneverychanceofbeingwithher。