ThemorningsunrevealedtotheastonishedHopkinsfamilytheembattledplainbeyond，withitsarmedsentries。OnlythendidJimhookercondescendtoexplainthereasonofhiswarlikeoccupation，withdarkhintsoftheoutlying"squatters"and"jumpers，"whoseincursionstheirboldnessalonehadrepulsed。Theeffectofthisromanticsituationuponthetwowomen，withtheslightfascinationofdangerimportedintotheirquietlives，maywellbeimagined。
PossiblyowingtosomeincautiousquestioningbyMr。Hopkins，andsomedoubtsofthedisciplineandsincerityofhisposse，Jimdischargedthemthenextday;butduringtheerectionofhiscabinbysomepeacefulcarpentersfromthesettlement，hereturnedtohisgloomypreoccupationandtheostentatiouswearingofhisrevolvers。
Asanopulentandpowerfulneighbor，hetookhismealswiththefamilywhilehishousewasbeingbuilt，andgenerallyimpressedthemwithasenseofsecuritytheyhadnevermissed。
Meantime，Clarence，dulyinformedoftheinstallationofJimashistenant，underwentaseveretrial。Itwasnecessaryforhisplansthatthisshouldbekeptasecretatpresent，andthiswasnoeasythingforhishabituallyfrankandopennature。HehadoncementionedthathehadmetJimatthesettlement，buttheinformationwasreceivedwithsuchindifferencebySusy，andsuchmarkeddisfavorbyMrs。Peyton，thathesaidnomore。HeaccompaniedPeytoninhisridesaroundtherancho，fullypossessedhimselfofthedetailsofitsboundaries，thedebatablelandsheldbytheenemy，andlistenedwithbeatingpulses，butahushedtongue，tohishost’sill—concealedmisgivings。
"Yousee，Clarence，thatlowerterrace？"hesaid，pointingtoafar—
reachinglongitudinalplainbeyondthecorral;"itextendsfrommycorraltoFairPlains。Thatisclaimedbythesisters’title，and，asthingsappeartobegoing，ifadivisionofthelandismadeitwillbetheirs。It’sbadenoughtohavethisbestgrazinglandlyingjustontheflanksofthecorralheldbytheserascalsatanabsurdprohibitoryprice，butIamafraidthatitmaybemadetomeansomethingevenworse。Accordingtotheoldsurveys，theseterracesondifferentlevelswerethenaturaldivisionsoftheproperty，——oneheirorhistenanttakingone，andanothertakinganother，——aneasydistinctionthatsavedthenecessityofboundaryfencingormonuments，andgavenotroubletopeoplewhowereeitherkinsmenorlivedinlazypatriarchalconcord。Thatistheformofdivisiontheyaretryingtoreestablishnow。Well，"hecontinued，suddenlyliftinghiseyestotheyoungman’sflushedface，insomeunconscious，sympatheticresponsetohisearnestbreathlessness，"althoughmyboundarylineextendshalfamileintothatfield，myhouseandgardenandcorralAREACTUALLYUPONTHATTERRACEOR
LEVEL。"TheycertainlyappearedtoClarencetobeonthesamelineasthelongfieldbeyond。"If，"wentonPeyton，"suchadecisionismade，thesemenwillpushonandclaimthehouseandeverythingontheterrace。"
"But，"saidClarencequickly，"yousaidtheirtitlewasonlyvaluablewheretheyhavegotorcangivePOSSESSION。Youalreadyhaveyours。Theycan’ttakeitfromyouexceptbyforce。"
"No，"saidPeytongrimly，"norwilltheydaretodoitaslongasI
livetofightthem。"
"But，"persistedClarence，withthesamesingularhesitancyofmanner，"whydidn’tyoupurchasepossessionofatleastthatpartofthelandwhichliessodangerouslynearyourownhouse？"
"Becauseitwasheldbysquatters，whonaturallypreferredbuyingwhatmightprovealegaltitletotheirlandfromtheseimpostorsthantosellouttheirpossessiontoMEatafairprice。"
"Butcouldn’tyouhaveboughtfromthemboth？"continuedClarence。
"MydearClarence，IamnotaCroesusnorafool。Onlyamanwhowasbothwouldattempttotreatwiththeserascals，whowouldnow，ofcourse，insistthatTHEIRWHOLEclaimshouldbeboughtupattheirownprice，bythemanwhowasmostconcernedindefeatingthem。"
Heturnedawayalittleimpatiently。FortunatelyhedidnotobservethatClarence’savertedfacewascrimsonwithembarrassment，andthatafaintsmilehoverednervouslyabouthismouth。
SincehislaterendezvouswithSusy，Clarencehadhadnochancetointerrogateherfurtherregardinghermysteriousrelative。Thatthatshadowypresencewasmoreorlessexaggerated，ifnotanabsolutemyth，hemorethanhalfsuspected，butofthediscontentthathadproducedit，ortherecklessnessitmightprovoke，therewasnodoubt。Shemightbetemptedtosomeactoffolly。HewonderedifMaryRogersknewit。Yet，withhissensitiveideasofloyalty，hewouldhaveshrunkfromanyconfidencewithMaryregardingherfriend’ssecrets，althoughhefanciedthatMary’sdarkeyessometimesdweltuponhimwithmournfulconsciousnessandpremonition。Hedidnotimaginethetruth，thatthisromanticcontemplationwasonlytheresultofMary’sconvictionthatSusywasutterlyunworthyofhislove。ItsochancedonemorningthatthevacquerowhobroughtthepostfromSantaInezarrivedearlierthanusual，andsoanticipatedthetwogirls，whousuallymadeayouthfulpointofmeetinghimfirstashepassedthegardenwall。TheletterbagwasconsequentlydeliveredtoMrs。Peytoninthepresenceoftheothers，andalookofconsternationpassedbetweentheyounggirls。
ButMaryquicklyseizeduponthebagasifwithgirlishandmischievousimpatience，openedit，andglancedwithinit。
"Thereareonlythreelettersforyou，"shesaid，handingthemtoClarence，withaquicklookofsignificance，whichhefailedtocomprehend，"andnothingformeorSusy。"
"But，"begantheinnocentClarence，ashisfirstglanceatthelettersshowedhimthatonewasdirectedtoSusy，"hereis"——
AwickedpinchonhisarmthatwasnearestMarystoppedhisspeech，andhequicklyputthelettersinhispocket。
"Didn’tyouunderstandthatSusydon’twanthermothertoseethatletter？"askedMaryimpatiently，whentheywerealoneamomentlater。
"No，"saidClarencesimply，handingherthemissive。
Marytookitandturneditoverinherhands。
"It’sinaman’shandwriting，"shesaidinnocently。
"Ihadn’tnoticedit，"returnedClarencewithinvinciblenaivete，"butperhapsitis。"
"AndyouhanditoverformetogivetoSusy，andain’tabitcurioustoknowwhoit’sfrom？"
"No，"returnedClarence，openinghisbigeyesinsmilingandapologeticwonder。
"Well，"respondedtheyounglady，withalongbreathofmelancholyastonishment，"certainly，ofallthingsyouare——youreallyARE！"
Withwhichincoherency——apparentlyperfectlyintelligibletoherself——shelefthim。Shehadnotherselftheslightestideawhotheletterwasfrom;sheonlyknewthatSusywanteditconcealed。
TheincidentmadelittleimpressiononClarence，exceptaspartofthegeneraluneasinesshefeltinregardtohisoldplaymate。ItseemedsooddtohimthatthisworryshouldcomefromHER，——thatsheherselfshouldformtheonediscordantnoteintheArcadiandreamthathehadfoundsosweet;inhispreviousimaginingsitwasthepresenceofMrs。Peytonwhichhehaddreaded;shewhosepropinquitynowseemedsofullofgentleness，reassurance，andrepose。Howworthysheseemedofanysacrificehecouldmakeforher！Hehadseenlittleofherforthelasttwoorthreedays，althoughhersmileandgreetingwerealwaysreadyforhim。PoorClarencedidnotdreamthatshehadfoundfromcertainincontestablesignsandtokens，bothintheyoungladiesandhimself，thathedidnotrequirewatching，andthatbecomingmoreresignedtoSusy’sindifference，whichseemedsogeneralandpassiveinquality，shewasnolongertorturedbythestingofjealousy。
Findinghimselfalonethatafternoon，theyoungmanhadwanderedsomewhatlistlesslybeyondthelowadobegateway。Thehabitsofthesiestaobtainedinamodifiedformattherancho。Afterluncheon，itsmastersandemployeesusuallyretired，notsomuchfromthetorridheatoftheafternoonsun，butfromthefirstharryingoftheafternoontrades，whosemonotonouswhistlesweptroundthewalls。A
stragglingpassionvinenearthegatebeatandstruggledagainstthewind。Clarencehadstoppednearit，andwasgazingwithworriedabstractionacrossthetossingfields，whenasoftvoicecalledhisname。
Itwasapleasantvoice，——Mrs。Peyton’s。Heglancedbackatthegateway;itwasempty。Helookedquicklytotherightandleft;noonewasthere。
Thevoicespokeagainwiththemusicaladditionofalaugh;itseemedtocomefromthepassionvine。Ah，yes;behindit，andhalfovergrownbyitsbranches，wasalong，narrowembrasuredopeninginthewall，defendedbytheusualSpanishgrating，andstillfurtherback，asintheframeofapicture，thehalflengthfigureofMrs。
Peyton，veryhandsomeandstriking，too，withapaintedpicturesquenessfromtheeffectofthecheckeredlightandshade。
"Youlookedsotiredandboredoutthere，"shesaid。"Iamafraidyouarefindingitverydullattherancho。Theprospectiscertainlynotveryenliveningfromwhereyoustand。"
Clarenceprotestedwithavisiblepleasureinhiseyes，asheheldbackaspraybeforetheopening。
"Ifyouarenotafraidofbeingworsebored，comeinhereandtalkwithme。Youhaveneverseenthispartofthehouse，Ithink，——myownsitting—room。Youreachitfromthehallinthegallery。ButLolaorAnitawillshowyoutheway。"
Hereenteredthegateway，andquicklyfoundthehall，——anarrow，archedpassage，whoseblack，tunnel—likeshadowswereabsolutelyunaffectedbythevivid，colorlessglareofthecourtyardwithout，seenthroughanopeningattheend。Thecontrastwassharp，blinding，anddistinct;eventheedgesoftheopeningwereblack;
theouterlighthaltedonthethresholdandneverpenetratedwithin。
Thewarmodorofverbenaanddriedroseleavesstolefromahalf—
opendoorsomewhereinthecloisteredgloom。Guidedbyit，Clarencepresentlyfoundhimselfonthethresholdofalow—vaultedroom。Twoothernarrowembrasuredwindowsliketheonehehadjustseen，andafourth，widerlatticedcasement，hungwithgauzecurtains，suffusedtheapartmentwithaclear，yetmysterioustwilightthatseemeditsown。Thegloomywallswerewarmedbybright—fringedbookshelves，toppedwithtriflesoflightfemininecoloringandadornment。Loweasy—chairsandalounge，smallfancifultables，adaintydesk，gaylycoloredbasketsofworstedsormysteriouskaleidoscopicfragments，andvasesofflowerspervadedtheapartmentwithamingledsenseofgraceandcomfort。Therewasawomanlyrefinementinitscarelessnegligence，andeventhedelicatewrapperofJapanesesilk，gatheredatthewaistandfallingineasyfoldstothefeetofthegracefulmistressofthischarmingdisorder，lookedapartofitsrefinedabandonment。
Clarencehesitatedasonthethresholdofsomesacredshrine。ButMrs。Peyton，withherownhands，clearedaspaceforhimonthelounge。
"Youwilleasilysuspectfromallthisdisorder，Mr。Brant，thatI
spendagreaterpartofmytimehere，andthatIseldomseemuchcompany。Mr。Peytonoccasionallycomesinlongenoughtostumbleoverafootstoolorupsetavase，andIthinkMaryandSusyavoiditfromafirmconvictionthatthereisworkconcealedinthesebaskets。ButIhavemybookshere，andintheafternoons，behindthesethickwalls，oneforgetstheincessantstirandrestlessnessofthedreadfulwindsoutside。Justnowyouwerefoolishenoughtotemptthemwhileyouwerenervous，orworried，orlistless。Takemywordforit，it’sagreatmistake。Thereisnomoreusefightingthem，asItellMr。Peyton，thanoffightingthepeoplebornunderthem。Ihavemyownopinionthatthesewindsweresentonlytostirthislazyraceofmongrelsintoactivity，buttheyareenoughtodriveusAnglo—Saxonsintonervousfrenzy。Don’tyouthinkso？Butyouareyoungandenergetic，andperhapsyouarenotaffectedbythem。"
Shespokepleasantlyandplayfully，yetwithacertainnervoustensionofvoiceandmannerthatseemedtoillustratehertheory。
Atleast，Clarence，inquicksympathywithherslightestemotion，wastouchedbyit。Thereisnomoreinsidiousattractioninthepersonsweadmire，thanthebeliefthatweknowandunderstandtheirunhappiness，andthatouradmirationforthemisliftedhigherthanameremutualinstinctivesympathywithbeautyorstrength。Thisadorablewomanhadsuffered。Theverythoughtarousedhischivalry。
Itloosened，also，Ifear，hisquick，impulsivetongue。
Oh，yes;heknewit。Hehadlivedunderthiswhipofairandskyforthreeyears，aloneinaSpanishrancho，withonlythenativepeonsaroundhim，andscarcelyspeakinghisowntongueeventohisguardian。Hespenthismorningsonhorsebackinfieldslikethese，untilthevientosgenerales，astheycalledthem，sprangupanddrovehimnearlyfrantic;andhisonlyreliefwastoburyhimselfamongthebooksinhisguardian’slibrary，andshutouttheworld，——
justasshedid。Thesmilewhichhoveredaroundthelady’smouthatthatmomentarrestedClarence，withaquickremembranceoftheirformerrelativepositions，andasuddenconvictionofhisfamiliarityinsuggestinganequalityofexperience，andheblushed。
ButMrs。Peytondivertedhisembarrassmentwithanairofinterestedabsorptioninhisstory，andsaid：——
"Thenyouknowthesepeoplethoroughly，Mr。Brant？IamafraidthatWEdonot。"
Clarencehadalreadygatheredthatfactwithinthelastfewdays，and，withhisusualimpulsivedirectness，saidso。AslightknittingofMrs。Peyton’sbrowspassedoff，however，ashequicklyandearnestlywentontosaythatitwasimpossibleforthePeytonsintheirpresentrelationstothenativestojudgethem，ortobejudgedbythemfairly。Howtheywereachildlikerace，credulousandtrustful，but，likeallcredulousandtrustfulpeople，giventoretaliatewhenimposeduponwithalargerinsincerity，exaggeration，andtreachery。Howtheyhadseentheirhousesandlandsoccupiedbystrangers，theirreligionscorned，theircustomsderided，theirpatriarchalsocietyinvadedbyhollowcivilizationorfrontierbrutality——allthisfortifiedbyincidentandillustration，theoutcomeofsomeyouthfulexperience，andgivenwiththeglowingenthusiasmofconviction。Mrs。Peytonlistenedwiththeusualdividedfeminineinterestbetweensubjectandspeaker。
Wheredidthisrough，sullenboy——asshehadknownhim——pickupthisdelicateandswiftperception，thisreflectivejudgment，andthisoddfelicityofexpression？Itwasnotpossiblethatitwasinhimwhilehewasthecompanionofherhusband’sservantsortherecognized"chum"ofthescampHooker。No。ButifHEcouldhavechangedlikethis，whynotSusy？Mrs。Peyton，intheconservatismofhersex，hadneverbeenquitefreefromfearsofheradopteddaughter’shereditaryinstincts;but，withthisexamplebeforeher，shenowtookheart。Perhapsthechangewascomingslowly;perhapsevennowwhatshethoughtwasindifferenceandcoldnesswasonlysomeabnormalpreparationorcondition。Butsheonlysmiledandsaid：——
"Then，ifyouthinkthosepeoplehavebeenwronged，youarenotonourside，Mr。Brant？"
Whattoanolderandmoreworldlymanwouldhaveseemed，andprobablywas，onlyaplayfulreproach，struckClarencedeeply，andbroughthispent—upfeelingstohislips。
"YOUhaveneverwrongedthem。Youcouldn’tdoit;itisn’tinyournature。IamonYOURside，andforyouandyoursalways，Mrs。
Peyton。FromthefirsttimeIsawyouontheplains，whenIwasbrought，araggedboy，beforeyoubyyourhusband，IthinkIwouldgladlyhavelaiddownmylifeforyou。Idon’tmindtellingyounowthatIwasevenjealousofpoorSusy，soanxiouswasIforthesmallestshareinyourthoughts，ifonlyforamoment。Youcouldhavedoneanythingwithmeyouwished，andIshouldhavebeenhappy，——farhappierthanIhavebeeneversince。Itellyouthis，Mrs。Peyton，now，becauseyouhavejustdoubtedifImightbe’onyourside，’butIhavebeenlongingtotellitalltoyoubefore，anditisthatIamreadytodoanythingyouwant，——allyouwant，——
tobeonYOURSIDEandatYOURSIDE，nowandforever。"
Hewassoearnestandhearty，andaboveallsoappallinglyandblissfullyhappy，inthisreliefofhisfeelings，smilingasifitwerethemostnaturalthingintheworld，andsoabsurdlyunconsciousofhistwenty—twoyears，hislittlebrowncurlingmustache，thefireinhiswistful，yearningeyes，and，aboveall，ofhisclaspedhandsandlover—likeattitude，thatMrs。Peyton——atfirstrigidasstone，thensuffusedtotheeyes——castahastyglanceroundtheapartment，putherhandkerchieftoherface，andlaughedlikeagirl。
AtwhichClarence，bynomeansdiscomposed，butratheracceptingheremotionasperfectlynatural，joinedherheartily，andadded：——
"It’sso，Mrs。Peyton;I’mgladItoldyou。Youdon’tmindit，doyou？"
ButMrs。Peytonhadresumedhergravity，andperhapsatouchofherpreviousmisgivings。
"Ishouldcertainlybeverysorry，"shesaid，lookingathimcritically，"toobjecttoyoursharingyouroldfriendshipforyourlittleplaymatewithherparentsandguardians，ortoyourexpressingittoTHEMasfranklyastoher。"
Shesawthequickchangeinhismobilefaceandthemomentaryarrestofitshappyexpression。Shewasfrightenedandyetpuzzled。Itwasnotthesensitivenessofaloveratthementionofthelovedone’sname，andyetitsuggestedanuneasyconsciousness。Ifhispreviousimpulsiveoutbursthadbeenpromptedhonestly，orevenartfully，byhispassionforSusy，whyhadhelookedsoshockedwhenshespokeofher？
ButClarence，whoseemotionhadbeencausedbythesuddenrecallofhisknowledgeofSusy’sowndisloyaltytothewomanwhosesearchingeyeswereuponhim，inhisrevulsionagainstthedeceitwas，foraninstant，uponthepointofdivulgingall。Perhaps，ifMrs。Peytonhadshownmoreconfidence，hewouldhavedoneso，andmateriallyalteredtheevolutionofthisstory。But，happily，itisupontheseslighthumanweaknessesthatyourromancerdepends，andClarence，withnootherreasonthantheinstinctivesympathyofyouthwithyouthinitsoppositiontowisdomandexperience，lettheopportunitypass，andtooktheresponsibilityofitoutofthehandsofthischronicler。
Howbeit，tocoverhisconfusion，heseizeduponthesecondideathatwasinhismind，andstammered，"Susy！Yes，Iwantedtospeaktoyouabouther。"Mrs。Peytonheldherbreath，buttheyoungmanwenton，althoughhesitatingly，withevidentsincerity。"Haveyouheardfromanyofherrelationssince——since——youadoptedher？"
Itseemedanaturalenoughquestion，althoughnotthesequiturshehadexpected。"No，"shesaidcarelessly。"Itwaswellunderstood，afterthenearestrelation——anauntbymarriage——hadsignedherconsenttoSusy’sadoption，thatthereshouldbenofurtherintercoursewiththefamily。Thereseemedtousnonecessityforreopeningthepast，andSusyherselfexpressednodesire。"Shestopped，andagainfixingherhandsomeeyesonClarence，said，"Doyouknowanyofthem？"
ButClarencebythistimehadrecoveredhimself，andwasabletoanswercarelesslyandtruthfullythathedidnot。Mrs。Peyton，stillregardinghimclosely，addedsomewhatdeliberately，"Itmatterslittlenowwhatrelationsshehas;Mr。PeytonandIhavecompletelegalcontroloverheruntilsheisofage，andwecaneasilyprotectherfromanyfollyofherownorothers，orfromanyofthefoolishfanciesthatsometimesovertakegirlsofherageandinexperience。"
Toheruttersurprise，however，Clarenceutteredafaintsighofrelief，andhisfaceagainrecovereditsexpressionofboyishhappiness。"I’mgladofit，Mrs。Peyton，"hesaidheartily。"Noonecouldunderstandbetterwhatisforherinterestinallthingsthanyourself。Not，"hesaid，withhastyandequallyheartyloyaltytohisoldplaymate，"thatIthinkshewouldevergoagainstyourwishes，ordoanythingthatsheknowstobewrong，butsheisveryyoungandinnocent，——asmuchofachildasever，don’tyouthinkso，Mrs。Peyton？"
Itwasamusing，yetneverthelesspuzzling，tohearthisboyishyoungmancommentuponSusy’sgirlishness。AndClarencewasserious，forhehadquiteforgotteninMrs。Peyton’spresencetheimpressionofsuperioritywhichSusyhadlatelymadeuponhim。ButMrs。Peytonreturnedtothecharge，or，rather，toanattackuponwhatsheconceivedtobeClarence’soldposition。
"IsupposeshedoesseemgirlishcomparedtoMaryRogers，whoisamuchmorereservedandquietnature。ButMaryisverycharming，Mr。
Brant，andIamreallydelightedtohaveherherewithSusy。Shehassuchlovelydarkeyesandsuchgoodmanners。Shehasbeenwellbroughtup，anditiseasytoseethatherfriendsaresuperiorpeople。Imustwritetothemtothankthemforhervisit，andbegthemtoletherstaylonger。Ithinkyousaidyoudidn’tknowthem？"
ButClarence，whoseeyeshadbeenthoughtfullyandadmiringlywanderingovereverycharacteristicdetailofthecharmingapartment，hereraisedthemtoitshandsomemistress，withanapologeticairanda"No"ofsuchunaffectedandcompleteabstraction，thatshewasagaindumbfounded。Certainly，itcouldnotbeMaryinwhomhewasinterested。
Abandoninganyfurtherinquisitionforthepresent，sheletthetalknaturallyfalluponthebooksscatteredaboutthetables。Theyoungmanknewthemallfarbetterthanshedid，withacognateknowledgeofothersofwhichshehadneverheard。Shefoundherselfintheattitudeofreceivinginformationfromthisboy，whoseboyishness，however，seemedtohaveevaporated，whosetonehadchangedwiththesubject，andwhonowspokewiththeconsciousreserveofknowledge。
Decidedly，shemusthavegrownrustyinherseclusion。Thiscame，shethoughtbitterly，oflivingalone;ofherhusband’spreoccupationwiththeproperty;ofSusy’sfrivolouscaprices。Attheendofeightyearstobeoutstrippedbyaformercattle—boyofherhusband’s，andtohaveherFrenchcorrectedinamatteroffactwaybythisrecentpupilofthepriests，wasreallytoobad！
PerhapsheevenlookeddownuponSusy！Shesmileddangerouslybutsuavely。
"Youmusthaveworkedsohardtoeducateyourselffromnothing，Mr。
Brant。Youcouldn’tread，Ithink，whenyoufirstcametous。No？
Couldyoureally？IknowithasbeenverydifficultforSusytogetonwithherstudiesinproportion。Wehadsomuchtofirsteradicateinthewayofmanners，style，andhabitsofthoughtwhichthepoorchildhadpickedupfromhercompanions，andforwhichSHE
wasnotresponsible。Ofcourse，withaboythatdoesnotsignify，"
sheadded，withfelinegentleness。
Butthebarbedspeechglancedfromtheyoungman’ssmoothlysmilingabstraction。
"Ah，yes。Butthosewerehappydays，Mrs。Peyton，"heanswered，withanexasperatingreturnofhispreviousboyishenthusiasm，"perhapsbecauseofourignorance。Idon’tthinkthatSusyandI
areanyhappierforknowingthattheplainsarenotasflataswebelievedtheywere，andthatthesundoesn’thavetoburnaholeinthemeverynightwhenitsets。ButIknowIbelievedthatYOUkneweverything。WhenIoncesawyousmilingoverabookinyourhand，I
thoughtitmustbeadifferentonefromanythatIhadeverseen，andperhapsmadeexpresslyforyou。Icanseeyoutherestill。Doyouknow，"quiteconfidentially，"thatyouremindedme——ofcourseYOUweremuchyounger——ofwhatIrememberedofmymother？"
ButMrs。Peyton’sreplyof"Ah，indeed，"albeitpolite，indicatedsomecoldnessandlackofanimation。Clarencerosequickly，butcastalongandlingeringlookaroundhim。
"Youwillcomeagain，Mr。Brant，"saidtheladymoregraciously。
"Ifyouaregoingtoridenow，perhapsyouwouldtrytomeetMr。
Peyton。Heislatealready，andIamalwaysuneasywhenheisoutalone，——particularlyononeofthosehalf—brokenhorses，whichtheyconsidergoodenoughforridinghere。YOUhaveriddenthembeforeandunderstandthem，butIamafraidthat’sanotherthingWEhavegottolearn。"
Whentheyoungmanfoundhimselfagainconfrontingtheglitteringlightofthecourtyard，herememberedtheinterviewandthesofttwilightoftheboudoironlyaspartofapleasantdream。Therewasarudeawakeninginthefiercewind，whichhadincreasedwiththelengtheningshadows。Itseemedtosweepawaythehalf—sensuouscomfortthathadpervadedhim，andmadehimcoldlyrealizethathehaddonenothingtosolvethedifficultiesofhisrelationstoSusy。
HehadlosttheonechanceofconfidingtoMrs。Peyton，——ifhehadeverreallyintendedtodoso。Itwasimpossibleforhimtodoithereafterwithoutaconfessionofprolongeddeceit。
Hereachedthestablesimpatiently，wherehisattentionwasattractedbythesoundofexcitedvoicesinthecorral。Lookingwithin，hewasconcernedtoseethatoneofthevacqueroswasholdingthedraggingbridleofablown，dusty，andfoam—coveredhorse，aroundwhomadozenidlersweregathered。Evenbeneathitscoatingofdustandfoamandthehalf—displacedsaddleblanket，ClarenceimmediatelyrecognizedthespiritedpintomustangwhichPeytonhadriddenthatmorning。
"What’sthematter？"saidClarence，fromthegateway。
Themenfellapart，glancingateachother。OnesaidquicklyinSpanish：——
"SaynothingtoHIM。Itisanaffairofthehouse。"
ButthisbroughtClarencedownlikeabombshellamongthem，nottobeoverlookedinhisequalcommandoftheirtongueandofthem。
"Ah！come，now。Whatdrunkenpiggishnessisthis？Speak！"
"Thepadronhasbeen——perhaps——thrown，"stammeredthefirstspeaker。
"Hishorsearrives，——buthedoesnot。Wegotoinformthesenora。"
"No，youdon’t！mulesandimbeciles！Doyouwanttofrightenhertodeath？Mount，everyoneofyou，andfollowme！"
Themenhesitated，butforonlyamoment。ClarencehadafineassortmentofSpanishepithets，expletives，andobjurgations，gatheredinhisrodeoexperienceatElRefugio，andlaidthemabouthimwithsuchfervoranddiscriminationthattwoorthreemules，presumablywithguiltyconsciences，mistakingtheirdirection，actuallycoweredagainstthestockadeofthecorralinfear。Inanothermomentthevacqueroshadhastilymounted，and，withClarenceattheirhead，weredashingdowntheroadtowardsSantaInez。Herehespreadtheminopenorderinthegrain，oneithersideofthetrack，himselftakingtheroad。
Theydidnotproceedveryfar。Forwhentheyhadreachedthegradualslopewhichmarkedthedeclinetothesecondterrace，Clarence，obeyinganinstinctasirresistibleasitwasunaccountable，whichforthelastfewmomentshadbeenforcingitselfuponhim，orderedahalt。Thecasaandcorralhadalreadysunkintheplainbehindthem;itwasthespotwherethelassohadbeenthrownathimafeweveningsbefore！Biddingthemenconvergeslowlytowardstheroad，hewentonmorecautiously，withhiseyesuponthetrackbeforehim。Presentlyhestopped。Therewasaraggeddisplacementofthecrackedandcrumblingsoilandtheunmistakablescoopofkickinghoofs。Ashestoopedtoexaminethem，oneofthemenattherightutteredashout。BythesamestrangeinstinctClarenceknewthatPeytonwasfound！
Hewas，indeed，lyingthereamongthewildoatsattherightoftheroad，butwithouttraceoflifeorscarcelyhumanappearance。Hisclothes，wherenottornandshreddedaway，werepartlyturnedinsideout;hisshoulders，neck，andheadwereashapeless，undistinguishablemaskofdriedearthandrags，likeamummywrapping。Hisleftbootwasgone。Hislargeframeseemedboneless，and，exceptforthecerementsofhismud—stiffenedclothing，waslimpandsodden。
Clarenceraisedhisheadsuddenlyfromaquickexaminationofthebody，andlookedatthemenaroundhim。Oneofthemwasalreadycanteringaway。Clarenceinstantlythrewhimselfonhishorse，and，puttingspurstotheanimal，drewarevolverfromhisholsterandfiredovertheman’shead。Theriderturnedinhissaddle，sawhispursuer，andpulledup。
"Goback，"saidClarence，"ormynextshotwon’tMISSyou。"
"Iwasonlygoingtoinformthesenora，"saidthemanwithashrugandaforcedsmile。
"Iwilldothat，"saidClarencegrimly，drivinghimbackwithhimintothewaitingcircle;thenturningtothemhesaidslowly，withdeliberate，smilelessirony，"Andnow，mybravegentlemen，——knightsofthebullandgallantmustanghunters，——IwanttoinformYOUthatIbelievethatMr。PeytonwasMURDERED，andifthemanwhokilledhimisanywherethissideofhell，Iintendtofindhim。Good！Youunderstandme！Nowliftupthebody，——youtwo，bytheshoulders;
youtwo，bythefeet。Letyourhorsesfollow。ForIintendthatyoufourshallcarryhomeyourmasterinyourarms，onfoot。Nowforwardtothecorralbythebacktrail。Disobeyme，orstepoutoflineand"——Heraisedtherevolverominously。
Ifthechangewroughtinthedeadmanbeforethemwasweirdandterrifying，nolessdistinctandominouswasthechangethat，duringthelastfewminutes，hadcomeoverthelivingspeaker。ForitwasnolongertheyouthfulClarencewhosatthere，butahaggard，prematurelyworn，desperate—lookingavenger，lankofcheek，andinjectedofeye，whosewhiteteethglistenedunderthebrownmustacheandthinpalelipsthatpartedwhenhisrestrainedbreathnowandthenhurriedlyescapedthem。
Astheprocessionmovedon，twomenslunkbehindwiththehorses。
"MotherofGod！Whoisthiswolf’swhelp？"saidManuel。
"Hush！"saidhiscompanioninaterrifiedwhisper。"Haveyounotheard？ItisthesonofHamiltonBrant，theassassin，theduelist，——
hewhowasfusiladedinSonora。"Hemadethesignofthecrossquickly。"JesusMaria！Letthemlookoutwhohavecause，forthebloodofhisfatherisinhim！"
CHAPTERVII。
WhatotherspeechpassedbetweenClarenceandPeyton’sretainerswasnotknown，butnotawordoftheinterviewseemedtohavebeendivulgedbythosepresent。ItwasgenerallybelievedandacceptedthatJudgePeytonmethisdeathbybeingthrownfromhishalf—brokenmustang，anddraggedatitsheels，andmedicalopinion，hastilysummonedfromSantaInezafterthebodyhadbeenbornetothecorral，andstrippedofitshideousencasings，declaredthattheneckhadbeenbroken，anddeathhadfollowedinstantaneously。Aninquestwasdeemedunnecessary。
ClarencehadselectedMarytobreakthenewstoMrs。Peyton，andthefrightenedyounggirlwastoomuchstruckwiththechangestillvisibleinhisface，andthehalfauthorityofhismanner，todecline，oreventofullyappreciatethecalamitythathadbefallenthem。Afterthefirstbenumbingshock，Mrs。Peytonpassedintothatstrangeexaltationofexcitementbroughtonbytheimmediatenecessityforaction，followedbyapallidcalm，whichtheaveragespectatortoooftenunfairlyacceptsasincongruous，inadequate，orartificial。TherehadalsooccurredoneofthosestrangecompensationsthatwaitonDeathordisrupturebycatastrophe：suchastherudeshakingdownofanunsettledlife，theforciblerealizationofwhatwerevaguespeculations，thebreakingofoldhabitsandtraditions，andtheunloosingofhalf—consciousbonds。
Mrs。Peyton，withoutinsensibilitytoherlossordisloyaltytoheraffections，neverthelessfeltarelieftoknowthatshewasnowreallySusy’sguardian，freetoorderhernewlifewhereverandunderwhatconditionsshechoseasmostfavorabletoit，andthatshecoulddisposeofthishousethatwaswearyingtoherwhenSusywasaway，andwhichthegirlherselfhadalwaysfoundinsupportable。
ShecouldsettlethisquestionofClarence’srelationstoherdaughteroutofhandwithoutadviceoropposition。ShehadabrotherintheEast，whowouldbesummonedtotakecareoftheproperty。Thisconsiderationforthelivingpursuedher，evenwhilethedeadman’spresencestillawedthehushedhouse;itwasinherthoughtsasshestoodbesidehisbierandadjustedtheflowersonhisbreast，whichnolongermovedfororagainstthesevanities;anditstayedwithhereveninthesolitudeofherdarkenedroom。
ButifMrs。Peytonwasdeficient，itwasSusywhofilledthepopularideaofamourner，andwhoseemotionalattitudeofagrief—strickendaughterleftnothingtobedesired。Itwasshewho，whenthehousewasfilledwithsympathizingfriendsfromSanFranciscoandthefewnearneighborswhohadhurriedwithcondolences，wasoverflowinginherreminiscencesofthedeadman’sgoodnesstoher，andherownundyingaffection;whorecalledominousthingsthathehadsaid，andstrangepremonitionsofherown，theresultofherever—presentfilialanxiety;itwasshewhohadhurriedhomethatafternoon，impelledwithvaguefearsofsomeimpendingcalamity;itwasshewhodrewapictureofPeytonasadotingandalmosttooindulgentparent，whichMaryRogersfailedtorecognize，andwhichbroughtbackvividlytoClarence’srecollectionherownchildishexaggerationsoftheIndianmassacre。Iamfarfromsayingthatshewasentirelyinsincereormerelyactingatthesemoments;attimesshewastakenwithamildhysteria，broughtonbytheexcitingintrusionofthisrealeventinhermonotonouslife，bytheattentionsofherfriends，theimportanceofhersufferingasanonlychild，andtheadvancementofherpositionastheheiressoftheRoblesRancho。Ifhertearswerenearthesurface，theywereatleastgenuine，andfilmedhervioleteyesandreddenedherprettyeyelidsquiteaseffectuallyasiftheyhadwelledfromthedepthsofherbeing。Herblackfrocklentamatureddignitytoherfigure，andpaledherdelicatecomplexionwiththerefinementofsuffering。
EvenClarencewasmovedinthatdarkandhaggardabstractionthathadsettleduponhimsincehisstrangeoutbreakoverthebodyofhisoldfriend。
TheextentofthatchangehadnotbeennoticedbyMrs。Peyton，whohadonlyobservedthatClarencehadtreatedhergriefwithagraveandsilentrespect。Shewasgratefulforthat。Arepetitionofhisboyishimpulsivenesswouldhavebeendistastefultoheratsuchamoment。Sheonlythoughthimmorematureandmoresubdued，andastheonlymannowinherhouseholdhisserviceshadbeeninvaluableintheemergency。
ThefuneralhadtakenplaceatSantaInez，wherehalfthecountygatheredtopaytheirlastrespectstotheirformerfellow—citizenandneighbor，whoselegalandcombativevictoriestheyhadadmired，andwhomdeathhadliftedintoapubliccharacter。Thefamilywerereturningtothehousethesameafternoon，Mrs。Peytonandthegirlsinonecarriage，thefemalehouse—servantsinanother，andClarenceonhorseback。Theyhadreachedthefirstplateau，andClarencewasridingalittleinadvance，whenanextraordinaryfigure，risingfromthegrainbeyond，begantogesticulatetohimwildly。Checkingthedriverofthefirstcarriage，Clarenceboredownuponthestranger。TohisamazementitwasJimHooker。Mountedonapeaceful，unwieldyploughhorse，hewasneverthelessaccoutredandarmedafterhismostextravagantfashion。Inadditiontoaheavyrifleacrosshissaddle—bowhewasweighteddownwithaknifeandrevolvers。Clarencewasinnomoodfortrifling，andalmostrudelydemandedhisbusiness。
"Gord，Clarence，itain’tfoolin’。TheSisters’titlewasdecidedyesterday。"
"Iknewit，youfool！It’sYOURtitle！Youwerealreadyonyourlandandinpossession。WhatthedevilareyoudoingHERE？"
"Yes，——but，"stammeredJim，"alltheboysholdingthattitlemoveduphereto’makethedivision’andgraballtheycould。AndI
followed。AndIfoundoutthattheyweregoingtograbJudgePeyton’shouse，becauseitwasontheline，iftheycould，andfindin’youwasallaway，byGordTHEYDID！andthey’reinit！AndIstoledoutandrodedownheretowarnye。"
Hestopped，lookedatClarence，glanceddarklyaroundhimandthendownonhisaccoutrements。Eveninthatsuprememomentofsincerity，hecouldnotresistthepossibilitiesofthesituation。
"It’sasmuchasmylife’sworth，"hesaidgloomily。"But，"withadarkglanceathisweapons，"I’llsellitdearly。"
"Jim！"saidClarence，inaterriblevoice，"you’renotlyingagain？"
"No，"saidJimhurriedly。"Iswearit，Clarence！No！HonestInjinthistime。Andlook。I’llhelpyou。Theyain’texpectin’youyet，andtheythinkye’llcomebytheroad。EfIraisedascareofftherebythecorral，whileyou’recreepin’ROUNDBYTHEBACK，mebbeyoucouldgetinwhilethey’realllookin’foryeinfront，don’tyousee？I’llraiseabigrow，andtheyneedn’tknowbutwhatye’vegotwindofitandbroughtapartywithyoufromSantaInez。"
InaflashClarencehadwroughtafeasibleplanoutofJim’sfantasy。
"Good，"hesaid，wringinghisoldcompanion’shand。"Gobackquietlynow;hangroundthecorral，andwhenyouseethecarriageclimbingthelastterraceraiseyouralarm。Don’tmindhowlouditis，there’llbenobodybuttheservantsinthecarriages。"
Herodequicklybacktothefirstcarriage，atwhosewindowMrs。
Peyton’scalmfacewasalreadyquestioninghim。Hetoldherbrieflyandconciselyoftheattack，andwhatheproposedtodo。
"Youhaveshownyourselfsostronginmattersofworsemomentthanthis，"headdedquietly，"thatIhavenofearsforyourcourage。I
haveonlytoaskyoutotrustyourselftome，toputyoubackatonceinyourownhome。Yourpresencethere，justnow，istheoneimportantthing，whateverhappensafterwards。"
Sherecognizedhismaturertoneanddeterminedmanner，andnoddedassent。Morethanthat，afaintfirecameintoherhandsomeeyes;
thetwogirlskindledtheirownatthatflamingbeacon，andsatwithflushedchecksandsuspended，indignantbreath。TheywereWesternAmericans，andnotovermuchusedtoimposition。
"Youmustgetdownbeforeweraisethehill，andfollowmeonfootthroughthegrain。Iwasthinking，"headded，turningtoMrs。
Peyton，"ofyourboudoirwindow。"
Shehadbeenthinkingofit，too，andnodded。
"Thevinehasloosenedthebars，"hesaid。
"Ifithasn’t，wemustsqueezethroughthem，"shereturnedsimply。
AttheendoftheterraceClarencedismounted，andhelpedthemfromthecarriage。Hethengavedirectionstothecoachmentofollowtheroadslowlytothecorralinfrontofthecasa，andtiedhishorsebehindthesecondcarriage。Then，withMrs。Peytonandthetwoyounggirls，heplungedintothegrain。
Itwashot，itwasdusty，theirthinshoesslippedinthecrumblingadobe，andthegreatbladescaughtintheircrapedraperies，buttheyutterednocomplaint。Whateverulteriorthoughtwasintheirminds，theywerebentonlyononethingatthatmoment，——onenteringthehouseatanyhazard。Mrs。PeytonhadlivedlongenoughonthefrontiertoknowthemagicpowerofPOSSESSION。Susyalreadywasoldenoughtofeeltheacutefemininehorroroftheprofanationofherownbelongingsbyalienhands。Clarence，morecognizantofthewholetruththantheothers，wasequallysilentanddetermined;andMaryRogerswasfiredwiththezealofloyalty。
Suddenlyaseriesofblood—curdlingyellsbrokefromthedirectionofthecorral，andtheystopped。ButClarenceatoncerecognizedthewell—knownwar—whoopimitationofJimHooker，——infinitelymoregruesomeandappallingthanthegenuineaboriginalchallenge。A
halfdozenshotsfiredinquicksuccessionhadevidentlythesamefriendlyorigin。
"Nowisourtime，"saidClarenceeagerly。"Wemustrunforthehouse。"
Theyhadfortunatelyreachedbythistimetheangleoftheadobewallofthecasa，andthelongafternoonshadowsofthebuildingwereintheirfavor。TheypressedforwardeagerlywiththesoundsofJimHooker’sshamencounterstillintheirears，mingledwithansweringshoutsofdefiancefromstrangevoiceswithinthebuildingtowardsthefront。
Theyrapidlyskirtedthewall，evenpassingboldlybeforethebackgateway，whichseemedemptyanddeserted，andthenextmomentstoodbesidethenarrowwindowoftheboudoir。Clarence’ssurmiseswerecorrect;theirongratingwasnotonlyloose，butyieldedtoavigorouswrench，thevineitselfactingasalevertopullouttherustybars。Theyoungmanheldouthishand，butMrs。Peyton，withthesuddenagilityofayounggirl，leapedintothewindow，followedbyMaryandSusy。Theinnercasementyieldedtohertouch;thenextmomenttheywerewithintheroom。ThenMrs。Peyton’sflushedandtriumphantfacereappearedatthewindow。
"It’sallright;themenareallinthecourtyard，orinthefrontofthehouse。Theboudoirdoorisstrong，andwecanboltthemout。"
"Itwon’tbenecessary，"saidClarencequietly;"youwillnotbedisturbed。"
"Butareyounotcomingin？"sheaskedtimidly，holdingthewindowopen。
ClarencelookedatherwithhisfirstfaintsmilesincePeyton’sdeath。
"OfcourseIam，butnotinTHATway。IamgoinginbyTHEFRONT
GATE。"
Shewouldhavedetainedhim，but，withaquickwaveofhishand，helefther，andranswiftlyaroundthewallofthecasatowardthefront。Thegatewashalfopen;adozenexcitedmenweregatheredbeforeitandinthearchway，andamongthem，whitenedwithdust，blackenedwithpowder，andapparentlygluttedwithrapine，andstillholdingarevolverinhishand，wasJimHooker！AsClarenceapproached，themenquicklyretreatedinsidethegateandclosedit，butnotbeforehehadexchangedameaningglancewithJim。Whenhereachedthegate，amanfromwithinroughlydemandedhisbusiness。
"Iwishtoseetheleaderofthisparty，"saidClarencequietly。
"Ireckonyoudo，"returnedtheman，withashortlaugh。"ButI
kalkilateHEdon’treturnthecompliment。"
"Heprobablywillwhenhereadsthisnotetohisemployer，"
continuedClarencestillcoolly，selectingapaperfromhispocketbook。ItwasaddressedtoFranciscoRobles，SuperintendentoftheSisters’Title，anddirectedhimtogiveMr。ClarenceBrantfreeaccesstothepropertyandthefullestinformationconcerningit。
Themantookit，glancedatit，lookedagainatClarence，andthenpassedthepapertoathirdmanamongthegroupinthecourtyard。
Thelatterreadit，andapproachedthegatecarelessly。
"Well，whatdoyouwant？"
"Iamafraidyouhavetheadvantageofmeinbeingabletotransactbusinessthroughbars，"saidClarence，withslowbutmalevolentdistinctness，"andasmineisimportant，Ithinkyouhadbetteropenthegatetome。"
Theslightlaughthathisspeechhadevokedfromthebystanderswascheckedastheleaderretortedangrily：——
"That’sallverywell;buthowdoIknowthatyou’rethemanrepresentedinthatletter？PanchoRoblesmayknowyou，butI
don’t。"
"Thatyoucanfindoutveryeasily，"saidClarence。"Thereisamanamongyourpartywhoknowsme，——Mr。Hooker。Askhim。"
Themanturned，withaquickminglingofsurpriseandsuspicion，tothegloomy，imperturbableHooker。Clarencecouldnothearthereplyofthatyounggentleman，butitwasevidentlynotwantinginhisusualdark，enigmaticalexaggeration。Themansurlilyopenedthegate。
"Allthesame，"hesaid，stillglancingsuspiciouslyatHooker，"I
don’tseewhatHE’Sgottodowithyou。"
"Agreatdeal，"saidClarence，enteringthecourtyard，andsteppingintotheveranda;"HE’SONEOFMYTENANTS。"
"YourWHAT？"saidtheman，withacoarselaughofincredulity。
"Mytenants，"repeatedClarence，glancingaroundthecourtyardcarelessly。Nevertheless，hewasrelievedtonoticethatthethreeorfourMexicansofthepartydidnotseemtobeoldretainersoftherancho。Therewasnoevidenceoftheinternaltreacheryhehadfeared。
"YourTENANTS！"echoedtheman，withanuneasyglanceatthefacesoftheothers。
"Yes，"saidClarence，withbusinessbrevity;"and，forthematterofthat，althoughIhavenoreasontobeparticularlyproudofit，SO
AREYOUALL。Youaskmybusinesshere。Itseemstobethesameasyours，——toholdpossessionofthishouse！Withthisdifference，however，"hecontinued，takingadocumentfromhispocket。"Hereisthecertificate，signedbytheCountyClerk，ofthebillofsaleoftheentireSisters’titletoME。ItincludesthewholetwoleaguesfromFairPlainstotheoldboundarylineofthisrancho，whichyouforciblyenteredthismorning。Thereisthedocument;examineitifyoulike。TheonlyshadowofaclaimyoucouldhavetothispropertyyouwouldhavetoderivefromME。TheonlyexcuseyoucouldhaveforthisactoflawlessnesswouldbeordersfromME。AndallthatyouhavedonethismorningisonlytheassertionofMY
legalrighttothishouse。IfIdisavowyouract，asImight，I
leaveyouashelplessasanytrampthatwaseverkickedfromadoorstep，——asanyburglarthatwasevercollaredonthefencebyaconstable。"
Itwasthetruth。Therewasnodenyingtheauthorityofthedocument，thefactsofthesituation，oritsultimatepowerandsignificance。Therewasconsternation，stupefaction，andevenahalf—humorousrecognitionoftheabsurdityoftheirpositiononmostofthefacesaroundhim。Incongruousasthescenewas，itwasmadestillmoregrotesquebytheattitudeofJimHooker。Ruthlesslyabandoningthepartyofconvictedtrespassers，hestalkedgloomilyovertothesideofClarence，withtheairofhavingbeenallthetimescornfullyinthesecretandamienofweariedvictoriousness，andthushalting，hedisdainfullyexpectoratedtobaccojuiceonthegroundbetweenhimandhislatecompanions，asiftoformalineofdemarcation。ThefewMexicansbegantoedgetowardsthegateway。
Thisdefectionofhisfollowersrecalledtheleader，whowasnocoward，tohimselfagain。
"Shutthegate，there！"heshouted。
Asitstwosidesclashedtogetheragain，heturneddeliberatelytoClarence。
"That’sallverywell，youngman，asregardstheTITLE。YoumayhaveBOUGHTuptheland，andlegallyowneverysquareinchofhowlingwildernessbetweenthisandSanFrancisco，andIwishyoujoyofyourd——dfool’sbargain;youmayhavegotawholecircuslikethat，"pointingtothegloomyJim，"atyourback。Butwithallyourmoneyandallyourfriendsyou’veforgottenonething。Youhaven’tgotpossession，andwehave。"
"That’sjustwherewediffer，"saidClarencecoolly，"forifyoutakethetroubletoexaminethehouse，youwillseethatitisalreadyinpossessionofMrs。Peyton，——MYTENANT。"
Hepausedtogiveeffecttohisrevelations。Buthewas，nevertheless，unpreparedforanunrehearseddramaticsituation。
Mrs。Peyton，whohadbeentiredofwaiting，andwaslisteninginthepassage，atthementionofhername，enteredthegallery，followedbytheyoungladies。TheslightlookofsurpriseuponherfaceattherevelationshehadjustheardofClarence’sownership，onlygavethesuggestionofherhavingbeenunexpectedlydisturbedinherpeacefulseclusion。OneoftheMexicansturnedpale，withafrightenedglanceatthepassage，asifheexpectedthefigureofthedeadmantofollow。
Thegroupfellback。Thegamewasover，——andlost。Noonerecognizeditmorequicklythanthegamblersthemselves。Morethanthat，desperateandlawlessastheywere，theystillretainedthechivalryofWesternmen，andeveryhatwasslowlydoffedtothethreeblackfiguresthatstoodsilentlyinthegallery。Andevenapologeticspeechbegantoloosentheclenchedteethofthediscomfitedleader。
"We——were——toldtherewasnooneinthehouse，"hestammered。
"Anditwasthetruth，"saidapert，youthful，yetslightlyaffectedvoice。"Forweclimbedintothewindowjustasyoucameinatthegate。"
ItwasSusy’swordsthatstungtheirearsagain;butitwasSusy’sprettyfigure，suddenlyadvancedandinaslightlytheatricalattitude，thatcheckedtheiranger。Therehadbeenasuddenominoussilence，asthewholeplotofrescueseemedtoberevealedtotheminthoseaudaciouswords。Butasenseoftheludicrous，whichtoooftenwastheonlyperceptionthatevermitigatedthepassionsofsuchassemblies，heresuddenlyasserteditself。Theleaderburstintoaloudlaugh，whichwasechoedbytheothers，and，withwavinghats，thewholepartysweptpeacefullyoutthroughthegate。
"ButwhatdoesallthismeanaboutYOURpurchasingtheland，Mr。
Brant？"saidMrs。Peytonquickly，fixinghereyesintentlyonClarence。
Afaintcolor——theuselessprotestofhistruthfulblood——cametohischeek。
"ThehouseisYOURS，andyoursalone，Mrs。Peyton。Thepurchaseofthesisters’titlewasaprivatearrangementbetweenMr。Peytonandmyself，inviewofanemergencylikethis。"
Shedidnot，however，takeherproud，searchingeyesfromhisface，andhewasforcedtoturnaway。
"ItwasSOlikedear，good，thoughtfulpapa，"saidSusy。"Why，blessme，"inalowervoice，"ifthatisn’tthatlyingoldJimHookerstandingtherebythegate！"
CHAPTERVIII。
JudgePeytonhadbequeathedhisentirepropertyunconditionallytohiswife。Buthisaffairswerefoundtobegreatlyindisorder，andhispapersinconfusion，andalthoughMrs。PeytoncoulddiscovernoactualrecordofthelatetransactionwithMr。Brant，whichhadsavedherthepossessionofthehomestead，itwasevidentthathehadspentlargesumsinspeculativeattemptstomaintaintheintegrityofhisestate。Thatenormousdomain，althoughperfectlyunencumbered，hadbeenneverthelessunremunerative，partlythroughthecostsoflitigationandpartlythroughthesystematicdepredationstowhichitsgreatsizeandlonglineofunprotectedboundaryhadsubjectedit。Ithadbeeninvadedbysquattersand"jumpers，"whohadsownandreapedcropswithoutdiscovery;itscattleandwildhorseshadstrayedorbeendrivenbeyonditsill—
definedandhopelesslimits。Againstthesedifficultiesthewidowfeltherselfunableandunwillingtocontend，andwiththeadviceofherfriendsandherlawyer，sheconcludedtoselltheestate，exceptthatportioncoveredbytheSisters’title，which，withthehomestead，hadbeenreconveyedtoherbyClarence。SheretiredwithSusytothehouseinSanFrancisco，leavingClarencetooccupyandholdthecasa，withherservants，forheruntilorderwasrestored。
TheRoblesRanchothusbecametheheadquartersofthenewowneroftheSisters’title，fromwhichheadministereditsaffairs，visiteditsincumbencies，overlookedandsurveyeditslands，and——
occasionally——collecteditsrents。Therewerenotwantingcriticswhoaverredthatthesewerescarcelyremunerative，andthattheyoungSanFranciscofinegentleman，whowasonlyHamiltonBrant’sson，afterall，yetwhowishedtoapethedignityanddegreeofalargelandholder，hadmadeaveryfoolishbargain。Igrievetosaythatoneofhisowntenants，namely，JimHooker，inhissecretheartinclinedtothatbelief，andlookeduponClarence’sspeculationasanactoffar—seeingandinordinatevanity。
Indeed，thebelligerentJimhadpartly——andofcoursedarkly——
intimatedsomethingofthistoSusyintheirbriefreunionatthecasaduringthefewdaysthatfolloweditssuccessfulreoccupation。
AndClarence，rememberingheroldercaprices，andherremarkonherfirstrecognitionofhim，wasquitesurprisedattheeasyfamiliarityofherreceptionofthisforgottencompanionoftheirchildhood。Buthewasstillmoreconcernedinnoticing，forthefirsttime，asingularsympatheticunderstandingofeachother，andanoddsimilarityofoccasionalactionandexpressionbetweenthem。
Itwasapartofthismonstrouspeculiaritythatneitherthesympathynorthelikenesssuggestedanyparticularfriendshiporamityinthepair，butratheramutualantagonismandsuspicion。
Mrs。Peyton，coldlypolitetoClarence’sformerCOMPANION，butcondescendinglygracioustohispresentTENANTandretainer，didnotnoticeit，preoccupiedwiththeannoyanceandpainofSusy’sfrequentreferencestotheolddaysoftheirdemocraticequality。
"Youdon’tremember，Jim，thetimethatyoupaintedmyfaceinthewagon，andgotmeupasanIndianpapoose？"shesaidmischievously。
ButJim，whohadnodesiretorecallhisprevioushumblepositionbeforeMrs。PeytonorClarence，wasonlyvaguelyresponsive。
Clarence，althoughjoyfullytouchedatthisseemingevidenceofSusy’sloyaltytothepast，neverthelessfoundhimselfevenmoreacutelypainedatthedistressitcausedMrs。Peyton，andwasasrelievedasshewasbyHooker’sreticence。ForhehadseenlittleofSusysincePeyton’sdeath，andtherehadbeennorepetitionoftheirsecretinterviews。Neitherhadhe，norsheasfarashecouldjudge，noticedtheomission。Hehadbeenmorethanusuallykind，gentle，andprotectinginhismannertowardsher，withlittlereference，however，toanyresponsefromher，yethewasvaguelyconsciousofsomechangeinhisfeelings。Heattributedit，whenhethoughtofitatall，totheexcitingexperiencesthroughwhichhehadpassed;tosomesentimentofresponsibilitytohisdeadfriend;
andtoanothersecretpreoccupationthatwasalwaysinhismind。Hebelieveditwouldpassintime。Yethefeltacertainsatisfactionthatshewasnolongerabletotroublehim，except，ofcourse，whenshepainedMrs。Peyton，andthenhewashalfconsciousoftakingtheoldattitudeofthedeadhusbandinmediatingbetweenthem。Yetsogreatwashisinexperiencethathebelieved，withpatheticsimplicityofperception，thatallthiswasduetotheslowmaturingofhisloveforher，andthathewasstillabletomakeherhappy。
Butthiswassomethingtobethoughtoflater。JustnowProvidenceseemedtohaveofferedhimavocationandapurposethathisidleadolescencehadneverknown。Hedidnotdreamthathiscapacityforpatiencewasonlytheslowwastingofhislove。
MeantimethatmorewonderfulchangeandrecreationoftheCalifornianlandscape，sofamiliar，yetalwayssoyoung，hadcometotherancho。
Theleague—longterracethathadyellowed，whitened，andwastedforhalfayearbeneathastaring，monotonoussky，nowundersailingclouds，flyingandbrokenshaftsoflight，andsharplydefinedlinesofrain，hadtakenafainthueofresurrection。Thedustthathadmuffledtheroadsandbyways，andchokedthelowoaksthatfringedthesunkencanada，hadlongsincebeenlaid。Thewarm，moistbreathofthesouthwesttradeshadsoftenedthehard，drylinesofthelandscape，andrestoreditscolorasofapictureoverwhichadampspongehadbeenpassed。Thebroadexpanseofplateaubeforethecasaglistenedandgrewdark。Thehiddenwoodsofthecanada，clearedandstrengthenedintheirsolitude，drippedalongthetrailsandhollowsthatwerenowtransformedintorunningstreams。Thedistinguishingmadrononeartheentrancetotheranchohadchangeditscrimsonsummersuitandmasqueradedinbuffandgreen。