Themistygraydomeabovehim，whichaninvisiblemoonseemedtohavequicksilveredover，alternatelylightenedanddarkenedwithpassinggustsoffinerain。Neverthelesshecouldseetheoutlineofthebroadquadrangleofthehousequitedistinctly，exceptonthewestside，whereafringeofwrithingwillowsbeatthebrownadobewallswiththeirimploringarmsateverygust。Elsewherenothingmoved;theviewwasuninterruptedtowheretheshining，wateryskymettheequallyshining，wateryplain。Hehadalreadymadeahalfcircuitofthehouse，andwasstillnoiselesslypickinghiswayalongthefurrows，muffledwithsoakedandbroken—downblades，andthevelvetyupspringingofthe"volunteer"growth，whensuddenly，notfiftyyardsbeforehim，withoutsoundorwarning，afigurerodeoutofthegrainupontheopencrossroad，anddeliberatelyhaltedwithalistless，abstracted，waitingair。Clarenceinstantlyrecognizedoneofhisownvacqueros，anundersizedhalf—breed，butheasinstantlydivinedthathewasonlyanoutpostorconfederate，stationedtogivethealarm。Thesameprecautionhadpreventedeachhearingtheother，andthelesserheightofthevacquerohadrenderedhimindistinguishableasheprecededClarenceamongthegrain。Astheyoungmanmadenodoubtthattherealtrespasserwasnearerthecasa，alongthelineofwillows，hewheeledtointercepthimwithoutalarminghissentry。Unfortunately，hishorseansweredtheropebridleclumsily，andsplashedinstrikingout。Thewatcherquicklyraisedhishead，andClarenceknewthathisonlychancewasnowtosuppresshim。Determinedtodothisatanyhazard，withathreateninggesturehechargedboldlydownuponhim。
　　Buthehadnotcrossedhalfthedistancebetweenthemwhenthemanutteredanappallingcry，sowildanddespairingthatitseemedtochilleventhehotbloodinClarence’sveins，anddashedfrenziedlydownthecross—roadintotheinterminableplain。BeforeClarencecoulddetermineifthatcrywasasignaloraninvoluntaryoutburst，itwasfollowedinstantlybythesoundoffrightenedandstrugglinghoofsclatteringagainstthewallofthecasa，andaswayingoftheshrubberynearthebackgateofthepatio。Herewashisrealquarry！Withouthesitationhedughisheelsintotheflanksofhishorseandrodefuriouslytowardsit。Asheapproached，alongtremorseemedtopassthroughtheshrubbery，withtheretreatingsoundofhorsehoofs。Theunseentrespasserhadevidentlytakenthealarmandwasfleeing，andClarencedashedinpursuit。Followingthesound，fortheshrubberyhidthefugitivefromview，hepassedthelastwallofthecasa;butitsoonbecameevidentthattheunknownhadthebetterhorse。Thehoof—beatsgrewfainterandfainter，andattimesappearedeventocease，untilhisownapproachstartedthemagain，eventuallytofadeawayinthedistance。InvainClarencedughisheelsintotheflanksofhisheaviersteed，andregrettedhisownmustang;andwhenatlasthereachedtheedgeofthethickethehadlostbothsightandsoundofthefugitive。
　　Thedescenttothelowerterracelaybeforehimemptyanddesolate。
　　Themanhadescaped！
　　Heturnedslowlybackwithbaffledangerandvindictiveness。
　　However，hehadpreventedsomething，althoughheknewnotwhat。Theprincipalhadgotaway，buthehadidentifiedhisconfederate，andforthefirsttimeheldacluetohismysteriousvisitant。Therewasnousetoalarmthehousehold，whichdidnotseemtohavebeendisturbed。Thetrespasserswerefarawaybythistime，andtheattemptwouldhardlyberepeatedthatnight。Hemadehiswayquietlybacktothecorral，letloosehishorse，andregainedthecasaunobserved。Heunlockedthearcheddoorinthewall，reenteredthedarkenedpassage，stoppedamomenttoopenthedooroftheboudoir，glanceatthecloselyfastenedcasement，andextinguishthestillburningcandle，and，relockingthedoorsecurely，madehiswaytohisownroom。
　　Buthecouldnotsleep。Thewholeincident，oversoquickly，hadneverthelessimpressedhimdeeply，andyetlikeadream。Thestrangeyellofthevacquerostillranginhisears，butwithanunearthlyandsuperstitioussignificancethatwasevenmoredreamlikeinitsmeaning。Heawakenedfromafitfulslumbertofindthelightofmorningintheroom，andIncarnacionstandingbyhisbedside。
　　Theyellowfaceofthestewardwasgreenishwithterror，andhislipsweredry。
　　"Getup，SenorClarencio;getupatonce，mymaster。Strangethingshavehappened。MotherofGodprotectus！"
　　Clarencerolledtohisfeet，withtheeventsofthepastnightstrugglingbackuponhisconsciousness。
　　"Whatmeanyou，Nascio？"hesaid，graspingtheman’sarm，whichwasstillmechanicallymakingthesignofthecross，ashemutteredincoherently。"Speak，Icommandyou！"
　　"ItisJose，thelittlevacquero，whoisevennowatthepadre’shouse，ravingasalunatic，strickenasamadmanwithterror！Hehasseenhim，——thedeadalive！Saveus！"
　　"Areyoumadyourself，Nascio？"saidClarence。"Whomhasheseen？"
　　"Whom？Godhelpus！theoldpadron——SenorPeytonhimself！Herushedtowardshimhere，inthepatio，lastnight——outoftheair，thesky，theground，heknewnot，——hisownself，wrappedinhisoldstormcloakandhat，andridinghisownhorse，——erect，terrible，andmenacing，withanawfulhandupholdingarope——so！Hesawhimwiththeseeyes，asIseeyou。WhatHEsaidtohim，Godknows！Thepriest，perhaps，forhehasmadeconfession！"
　　InaflashofintelligenceClarencecomprehendedall。Herosegrimlyandbegantodresshimself。
　　"Notawordofthistothewomen，——toanyone，Nascio，dostthouunderstand？"hesaidcurtly。"ItmaybethatJosehasbeenpartakingtoofreelyofaguardiente，——itispossible。Iwillseethepriestmyself。Butwhatpossessesthee？Collectthyself，goodNascio。"
　　Butthemanwasstilltrembling。
　　"Itisnotall，——MotherofGod！itisnotall，master！"hestammered，droppingtohiskneesandstillcrossinghimself。"Thismorning，besidethecorral，theyfindthehorseofPedroValdezsplashedandspatteredonsaddleandbridle，andinthestirrup，——
　　dostthouhear？theSTIRRUP，——hanging，thetorn—offbootofValdez！
　　Ah，God！ThesameasHIS！Nowdoyouunderstand？ItisHIS
　　vengeance。No！Jesuforgiveme！itisthevengeanceofGod！"
　　Clarencewasstaggered。
　　"AndyouhavenotfoundValdez？Youhavelookedforhim？"hesaid，hurriedlythrowingonhisclothes。
　　"Everywhere，——allovertheplain。Thewholeranchohasbeenoutsincesunrise，——hereandthereandeverywhere。Andthereisnothing！Ofcoursenot。Whatwouldyou？"Hepointedsolemnlytotheground。
　　"Nonsense！"saidClarence，buttoninghiscoatandseizinghishat。
　　"Followme。"
　　Herandownthepassage，followedbyIncarnacion，throughtheexcited，gesticulatingcrowdofservantsinthepatio，andoutofthebackgate。Heturnedfirstalongthewallofthecasatowardsthebarredwindowoftheboudoir。ThenacrycamefromIncarnacion。
　　Theyranquicklyforward。Hangingfromthegratingofthewindow，likeamassoflimpandsaturatedclothes，wasthebodyofPedroValdez，withoneunbootedfootdanglingwithinaninchoftheground。Hisheadwaspassedinsidethegratingandfixedasatthatmomentwhenthefirstspringofthefrightenedhorsehadbrokenhisneckbetweenthebarsasinagarrote，andthesecondplungeoftheterrifiedanimalhadcarriedoffhisbootinthecaughtstirrupwhenitescaped。
　　CHAPTERXI。
　　Thewinterrainswereoverandgone，andthewholelonglineofCaliforniancoastwasdashedwithcolor。Thereweremilesofyellowandredpoppies，leaguesoflupinesthatpaintedthegentlyroundedhillswithsoftprimaryhues，andlongcontinuousslopes，likelowmountainsystems，ofdaisiesanddandelions。AtSacramentoitwasalreadysummer;theyellowriverwasflashingandintolerable;thetuleandmarshgrasseswerelushandlong;thebloomofcottonwoodandsycamorewhitenedtheoutskirtsofthecity，andasCyrusHopkinsandhisdaughterPhoebelookedfromtheverandaofthePlacerHotel，accustomedastheyweretothecooltradewindsofthecoastvalleys，theyfelthomesickfromthememoryofeasternheats。
　　Later，whentheyweresurveyingthelongdinnertablesatthetabled’hotewithsomethingoftheuncomfortableandshamefacedlonelinessoftheprovincial，Phoebeutteredaslightcryandclutchedherfather’sarm。Mr。Hopkinsstayedtheplayofhissquaredelbowsandglancedinquiringlyathisdaughter’sface。Therewasaprettyanimationinit，asshepointedtoafigurethathadjustentered。
　　Itwasthatofayoungmanattiredintheextravaganceratherthanthetasteoftheprevailingfashion，whichdidnot，however，intheleastconcealadecidedrusticityoflimbandmovement。Alongmustache，whichlookedunkempt，eveninitspomatumedstiffness，andlank，darkhairthathadbentbutnevercurledunderthebarber’siron，madehimnotableeveninthatheterogeneousassembly。
　　"That’she，"whisperedPhoebe。
　　"Who？"saidherfather。
　　Alasfortheinconsistenciesoflove！Theblushcamewiththenameandnotthevision。
　　"Mr。Hooker，"shestammered。
　　Itwas，indeed，JimHooker。Buttheroleofhisexaggerationwasnolongerthesame;theremorsefulgloominwhichhehadbeenhabituallysteepedhadchangedintoafatigued，yethaughty，fastidiousnessmoreinkeepingwithhisfashionablegarments。Hewasmorepeaceful，yetnotentirelyplacable，and，ashesatdownatasidetableandpulleddownhisstripedcuffswithhisclaspedfingers，hecastaglanceofcriticaldisapprovalonthegeneralcompany。Nevertheless，heseemedtobefurtivelywatchfulofhiseffectuponthem，andasoneortwowhisperedandlookedtowardshim，hisconsciousnessbecamedarklymanifest。
　　AllofwhichmighthaveintimidatedthegentlePhoebe，butdidnotdiscomposeherfather。Herose，andcrossingovertoHooker’stable，clappedhimheartilyontheback。
　　"Howdo，Hooker？Ididn’trecognizeyouinthemfineclothes，butPhoebeguessedashowitwasyou。"
　　Flushed，disconcerted，irritated，butalwaysinwholesomeaweofMr。
　　Hopkins，Jimreturnedhisgreetingawkwardlyandhalfhysterically。
　　HowhewouldhavereceivedthemoretimidPhoebeisanotherquestion。ButMr。Hopkins，withoutapparentlynoticingthesesymptoms，wenton：——
　　"We’reonlyjustdown，Phoebeandme，andasIguesswe’llwanttotalkoveroldtimes，we’llcomealongsideo’you。Holdon，andI’llfetchher。"
　　TheintervalgavetheunhappyJimachancetorecoverhimself，toregainhisvanishedcuffs，displayhisheavywatch—chain，curlhismustache，andotherwisereassumehisairofblasefastidiousness。
　　Butthetransfermade，Phoebe，aftershakinghands，becamespeechlessundertheseperfections。Notsoherfather。
　　"Ifthere’sanythinginlooks，youseemtobeprospering，"hesaidgrimly;"unlessyou’reinthetailorin’line，andyou’reonlyshowin’offstock。Whatmoutyebedoing？"
　　"Yeain’tbinlonginSacramento，Ireckon？"suggestedJim，withpatronizingpity。
　　"No，weonlycamethismorning，"returnedHopkins。
　　"Andyouain’tbintothetheatre？"continuedJim。
　　"No。"
　　"Normovedmuchin——in——gin’ralfash’nablesassiety？"
　　"Notyet，"interposedPhoebe，withanairoffaintapology。
　　"Norseenanyofthemlargepostersonthefences，of’ThePrairieFlower;or，Red—handedDick，’——three—actplaywithfivetableaux，——
　　justthebiggestsensationout，——runnin’forfortynights，——moneyturnedawayeverynight，——standin’roomonly？"continuedJim，withprolongedtoleration。
　　"No。"
　　"Well，IplayRed—handedDick。Ithoughtyoumighthaveseenitandrecognizedme。Allthosepeopleoverthere，"darklyindicatingthelongtable，"knowme。Afellowcan’tstandit，youknow，beingstaredatbysuchavulgar，low—bredlot。It’sgettin’toofreshhere。I’llhavetogivethelandlordnoticeandcutthewholehotel。Theydon’tseemtohaveeverseenagentlemanandaprofessionalbefore。"
　　"Thenyou’reaplay—actornow？"saidthefarmer，inatonewhichdidnot，however，exhibittheexactdegreeofadmirationwhichshoneinPhoebe’seyes。
　　"Forthepresent，"saidJim，withloftyindifference。"YouseeI
　　wasin——inpartnershipwithMcClosky，themanager，andIdidn’tlikethestyleofthechumpthatwasdoin’Red—handedDick，soIofferedtotakehisplaceonenighttoshowhimhow。AndbyJinks！theaudience，afterthatnight，wouldn’tletanybodyelseplayit，——
　　wouldn’tstandeventhebiggest，highest—pricedstarsinit！I
　　reckon，"headdedgloomily，"I’llhavetorunthedarnedthinginallthebigtownsinCaliforny，——ifIdon’thavetogoEastwithitafterall，justforthebusiness。Butit’sanawfulgrindonaman，——leaveshimnotime，alongoftheinvitationshegets，andwhatwithbeingrunafterinthestreetsandstaredatinthehotelshedon’tgetnoprivacy。There’smen，andwomen，too，overatthattable，thatjustlieinwaitformeheretillIcome，anddon’tlifttheireyesoffme。Iwondertheydon’tbringtheiropery—glasseswiththem。"
　　Concerned，sympathizing，andindignant，poorPhoebeturnedherbrownheadandhonesteyesinthatdirection。Butbecausetheywerehonest，theycouldnothelpobservingthattheothertabledidnotseemtobepayingtheslightestattentiontothedistinguishedimpersonatorofRed—handedDick。Perhapshehadbeenoverheard。
　　"Thenthatwasthereasonyedidn’tcomebacktoyourlocation。I
　　alwaysguesseditwasbecauseyou’dgotwindofthesmash—updownthere，aforewedid，"saidHopkinsgrimly。
　　"Whatsmash—up？"askedJim，withslightlyresentfulquickness。
　　"Why，thesmash—upoftheSisters’title，——didn’tyouhearthat？"
　　TherewasaslightmovementofreliefandareturnofgloomyhauteurinJim’smanner。
　　"No，wedon’tknowmuchofwhatgoesoninthecowcounties，uphere。"
　　"Yemout，considerin’itconcernssomeo’yourfriends，"returnedHopkinsdryly。"FortheSisters’titlewentsmashassoonasitwasknownthatPedroValdez——themanasstartedit——hadhisneckbrokenoutsidethewallso’RoblesRancho;andtheydosayasthisyerBrant，YOURfriend，hadsuthin’todowiththebreakingofit，thoughitwaslaidtotheghostofoldPeyton。Anyhow，therewassuchabigskeerthatoneoftheGreasergang，whothoughthe’dseentheghost，beingaPapist，tosavehiseverlastingsoulwenttothepriestandconfessed。Butthepriestwouldn’tgivehimabsolutionuntilhe’dblownthehullthing，andmadeitpublic。Andthenitturnedoutthatallthedockymentsforthetitle，andeventhecustom—housepaper，wereFORGEDbyPedroValdez，andputonthemarketbyhisconfederates。Andthat’sjustwhereYOURfriend，ClarenceBrant，comesin，forHEhadboughtupthewholetitlefromthemfellers。Now，either，assomesay，hewasinthefraudfromthebeginnin’，andneverpaidanything，orelsehewasanall—firedfool，andhadpartedwithhismoneylikeone。SomeallowthatthereasonwasthathewasawfullysweetonMrs。Peyton’sadopteddaughter，andeztheparentsdidn’tapproveofhim，hedidTHISsoastogetaholtoverthembytheproperty。Buthe’saruinedman，anyway，now;fortheysayhe’ssuchadarnedfoolthathe’sgoin’topayforalltheimprovementsthatthefolkswhoboughtunderhimputintotheland，andthat’lltakehislastcent。IthoughtI’dtellyouthat，forIsupposeYOU’VElostaheapinyourimprovements，andwillputinyourclaim？"
　　"IreckonIputnearlyasmuchintoitasClarBrantdid，"saidJimgloomily，"butIain’tgoin’totakeacentfromhim，orgobackonhimnow。"
　　Therascalcouldnotresistthislastmendaciousopportunity，althoughhewasperfectlysincereinhisrenunciation，touchedinhissympathy，andtherewasevenafilmofmoistureinhisshiftingeyes。
　　Phoebewasthrilledwiththegenerosityofthisnoblebeing，whocouldbeunselfisheveninhissuperiorcondition。Sheaddedsoftly：——
　　"Andtheysaythatthegirldidnotcareforhimatall，butwasactuallygoingtorunoffwithPedro，whenhestoppedherandsentforMrs。Peyton。"
　　Tohersurprise，Jim’sfaceflushedviolently。
　　"It’salladod—blastedlie，"hesaid，inathickstagewhisper。
　　"It’sonlythehogwashthemGreasersandPikeCountygalootsladleouttoeachotheraroundthestoveinacountygrocery。But，"
　　recallinghimselfloftily，andwithatolerantwaveofhisbe—
　　diamondedhand，"wotkinyouexpectfromoneofthemcowcounties？
　　Theyain’tsatisfiedtilltheydriveeverygentlemanoutofthedarnedgopher—holestheycalltheir’kentry。’"
　　Inheradmirationofwhatshebelievedtobealoyaloutburstforhisfriend，Phoebeoverlookedtheimpliedsneeratherprovincialhome。Butherfatherwentonwithaperfunctory，exasperating，dustyaridity：——
　　"Thatmebbeeezmebbee，Mr。Hooker，butthestorydowninourprecinctgoesthatshegaveMrs。Peytontheslip，——chuckeduphersituationasadopteddarter，andwentoffwithaqueersortofacirkisswoman，——oneofherownKIN，andIreckononeofherownKIND。"
　　TothisMr。Hookerofferednofurtherreplythanawitheringrebukeofthewaiter，agenteelabstraction，andaloftychangeofsubject。
　　Hepresseduponthemtwoticketsfortheperformance，ofwhichheseemedtohaveanumberneatlyclaspedinanindia—rubberband，andadvisedthemtocomeearly。Theywouldseehimaftertheperformanceandsuptogether。Hemustleavethemnow，ashehadtobepunctuallyatthetheatre，andifhelingeredheshouldbepesteredbyinterviewers。Hewithdrewunderadazzlingdisplayofcuffandwhitehandkerchief，andwiththatinwardswingofthearmandslightbowinessoftheleggenerallyrecognizedinhisprofessionastheloungingexitofhighcomedy。
　　TheminglingofaweandanuneasysenseofchangedrelationswhichthatmeetingwithJimhadbroughttoPhoebewasnotlessenedwhensheenteredthetheatrewithherfatherthatevening，andevenMr。
　　Hopkinsseemedtoshareherfeelings。Thetheatrewaslarge，andbrilliantindecoration，theseatswerewellfilledwiththesameheterogeneousminglingshehadseeninthedining—roomatthePlacerHotel，butintheparquetweresomefashionablecostumesandcultivatedfaces。Mr。HopkinswasnotaltogethersosurethatJimhadbeen"onlygassing。"Butthegorgeousdropcurtain，representinganallegoryofCalifornianprosperityandabundance，presentlyuprolleduponasceneofWesternlifealmostasstrikinginitsglaringunreality。Fromarose—cladEnglishcottageinasubtropicallandscapeskipped"Rosalie，thePrairieFlower。"Thebriefestofskirts，themostunsulliedofstockings，thetiniestofslippers，andthefewdiamondsthatglitteredonherfairneckandfingers，revealedatoncethesimpleandunpretendingdaughteroftheAmericanbackwoodsman。Atumultofdelightedgreetingbrokefromtheaudience。Thebrightcolorcametothepink，girlishcheeks，gratifiedvanitydancedinhervioleteyes，andasshepiquantlybowedheracknowledgments，thisgreatbreathofpraiseseemedtotransfigureandpossessher。Averyyoungactorwhorepresentedthegiddyworldinastrawhatandwithaneffeminatemannerwasalternatelypettedandgirdedatbyherduringtheopeningexpositionoftheplot，untilthestatementthata"darkdestiny"obligedhertofollowheruncleinanemigranttrainacrosstheplainsclosedtheact，apparentlyextinguishedhim，andleftHER
　　thecentralfigure。Sofar，sheevidentlywasthefavorite。A
　　singularaversiontohercreptintotheheartofPhoebe。
　　ButthesecondactbroughtanIndianattackupontheemigranttrain，andhere"Rosalie"displayedthearchestheroismandthepinkestandmostdistractingself—possession，inmarkedcontrasttothegiddyworldlingwho，havingaccompaniedherapparentlyforcomicpurposesbestknowntohimself，coweredabjectlyunderwagons，andwaspulledignominiouslyoutofstraw，untilRedDicksweptoutofthewingswithachosenbandandaburstofrevolversandturnedthetideofvictory。AttiredasapicturesquecombinationoftheNeapolitansmuggler，river—barminer，andMexicanvacquero，JimHookerinstantlybegantojustifytheplauditsthatgreetedhimandthemostsanguinaryhopesoftheaudience。Agloomybutfascinatingcloudofgunpowderanddarkintriguefromthatmomenthungaboutthestage。
　　YetinthissombreobscurationRosaliehadpassedahappysixmonths，comingoutwithhercharacterandstockingsequallyunchangedandunblemished，toberewardedwiththehandofRedDickandthediscoveryofherfather，thegovernorofNewMexico，asawhite—haired，butobjectionablevacquero，atthefallofthecurtain。
　　ThroughthisexcitingperformancePhoebesatwithavagueandincreasingsenseoflonelinessanddistrust。ShedidnotknowthatHookerhadaddedtohisordinaryinventiveexaggerationtheformofdramaticcomposition。ButshehadearlydetectedthesingularfactthatsuchshadowyoutlinesofplotasthepiecepossessedwereevidentlybasedonhispreviousnarrativeofhisOWNexperiences，andthesavingofSusyPeyton——byhimself！Therewastheepisodeoftheirbeinglostontheplains，ashehadalreadyrelatedittoher，withtheadditionofafewyearstoSusy’sageandsomevividpicturesquenesstohimselfasRedDick。Shewasnot，ofcourse，awarethatthepartofthegiddyworldlingwasJim’sownconceptionofthecharacterofClarence。Butwhat，eventoherprovincialtaste，seemedtheextravaganceofthepiece，shefelt，insomeway，reflecteduponthetruthfulnessofthestoryshehadheard。Itseemedtobeaparodyonhimself，andinthelaughterwhichsomeofthemostthrillingpointsproducedincertainoftheaudience，sheheardanechoofherowndoubts。ButeventhisshecouldhaveborneifJim’sconfidencehadnotbeengiventothegeneralpublic;itwasnolongerHERSalone，sheshareditwiththem。Andthisstrange，boldgirl，whoactedwithhim，——the"BlancheBelville"ofthebills，——howoftenhemusthavetoldHERthestory，andyethowbadlyshehadlearnedit！Itwasnotherownideaofit，norofHIM。Inthelastextravagantscenesheturnedherwearyandhalf—shamedeyesfromthestageandlookedaroundthetheatre。Amongagroupofloungersbythewallafacethatseemedfamiliarwasturnedtowardsherownwithalookofkindlyandsympatheticrecognition。ItwasthefaceofClarenceBrant。Whenthecurtainfell，andsheandherfatherrosetogo，hewasattheirside。Heseemedolderandmoresuperiorlookingthanshehadeverthoughthimbefore，andtherewasagentleyetsadwisdominhiseyesandvoicethatcomfortedherevenwhileitmadeherfeellikecrying。
　　"Youaresatisfiedthatnoharmhascometoourfriend，"hesaidpleasantly。"Ofcourseyourecognizedhim？"
　　"Oh，yes;wemethimto—day，"saidPhoebe。Herprovincialprideimpelledhertokeepupashowofsecurityandindifference。"Wearegoingtosupperwithhim。"
　　Clarenceslightlyliftedhisbrows。
　　"YouaremorefortunatethanIam，"hesaidsmilingly。"Ionlyarrivedhereatseven，andImustleaveatmidnight。"
　　Phoebehesitatedamoment，thensaidwithaffectedcarelessness：——
　　"Whatdoyouthinkoftheyounggirlwhoplayswithhim？Doyouknowher？Whoisshe？"
　　Helookedatherquickly，andthensaid，withsomesurprise：——
　　"Didhenottellyou？"
　　"SheWAStheadopteddaughterofMrs。Peyton，——MissSusanSilsbee，"
　　hesaidgravely。
　　"ThensheDIDrunawayfromhomeastheysaid，"saidPhoebeimpulsively。
　　"NotEXACTLYastheysaid，"saidClarencegently。"Sheelectedtomakeherhomewithheraunt，Mrs。McClosky，whoisthewifeofthemanagerofthistheatre，andsheadoptedtheprofessionamonthago。
　　Asitnowappearsthattherewassomeinformalityintheoldarticlesofguardianship，Mrs。Peytonwouldhavebeenpowerlesstopreventherfromdoingeither，evenifshehadwishedto。"
　　TheinfelicityofquestioningClarenceregardingSusysuddenlyflashedupontheforgetfulPhoebe，andshecolored。Yet，althoughsad，hedidnotlooklikearejectedlover。
　　"Ofcourse，ifsheisherewithherownrelatives，thatmakesallthedifference，"shesaidgently。"Itisprotection。"
　　"Certainly，"saidClarence。
　　"And，"continuedPhoebehesitatingly，"sheisplayingwith——with——anoldfriend——Mr。Hooker！"
　　"Thatisquiteproper，too，consideringtheirrelations，"saidClarencetolerantly。
　　"I——don’t——understand，"stammeredPhoebe。
　　TheslightlycynicalsmileonClarence’sfacechangedashelookedintoPhoebe’seyes。
　　"I’vejustheardthattheyaremarried，"hereturnedgently。
　　CHAPTERXII。
　　NowherehadthelongseasonofflowersbroughtsuchgloryastothebroadplainsandslopesofRoblesRancho。Bysomefortuitouschanceofsoil，orflood，ordriftingpollen，thethreeterraceshadeachtakenadistinctandseparateblossomandtintofcolor。Thestragglinglineofcorral，thecrumblingwalloftheoldgarden，theoutlyingchapel，andeventhebrownwallsofthecasaitself，werehalfsunkeninthetallracemesofcrowdinglupines，untilfromthedistancetheyseemedtobeslowlysettlingintheprofundityofadark—bluesea。Thesecondterracewasaleague—longflowofgrayandgolddaisies，inwhichthecattledazedlywanderedmid—legdeep。
　　Aperpetualsunshineofyellowdandelionslayuponthethird。Thegentleslopetothedark—greencanadawasabroadcataractofcrimsonpoppies。Everywherewherewaterhadstood，greatpatchesofcolorhadtakenitsplace。Itseemedasiftherainshadceasedonlythatthebrokenheavensmightdropflowers。
　　Neverbeforehaditsbeauty——abeautythatseemedbuiltuponacruel，youthful，obliteratingforgetfulnessofthepast——struckClarenceaskeenlyaswhenhehadmadeuphismindthathemustleavetheplaceforever。Forthetaleofhismischanceandill—
　　fortune，astoldbyHopkins，wasunfortunatelytrue。WhenhediscoveredthatinhisdesiretosavePeyton’shousebythepurchaseoftheSisters’titlehehimselfhadbeenthevictimofagiganticfraud，heacceptedthelossofthegreaterpartofhisfortunewithresignation，andwasevensatisfiedbythethoughtthathehadatleasteffectedthepossessionofthepropertyforMrs。Peyton。Butwhenhefoundthatthoseofhistenantswhohadboughtunderhimhadacquiredonlyadubiouspossessionoftheirlandsandnotitle，hehadunhesitatinglyreimbursedthemfortheirimprovementswiththelastofhiscapital。OnlythelawlessGilroyhadgood—humoredlydeclined。Thequietacceptanceoftheothersdidnot，unfortunately，precludetheirsettledbeliefthatClarencehadparticipatedinthefraud，andthatevennowhisrestitutionwasmakingadangerousprecedent，subversiveofthebestinterestsoftheState，anddiscouragingtoimmigration。Somedoubtedhissanity。Onlyone，struckwiththesincerityofhismotive，hesitatedtotakehismoney，withalookofcommiserationonhisface。
　　"Areyounotsatisfied？"askedClarence，smiling。
　　"Yes，but"——
　　"Butwhat？"
　　"Nothin’。OnlyIwasthinkin’thatamanlikeyoumustfeelawfullonesomeinCalforny！"
　　Lonelyhewas，indeed;buthislonelinesswasnotthelossoffortunenorwhatitmightbring。Perhapshehadneverfullyrealizedhiswealth;ithadbeenanaccidentratherthanacustomofhislife，andwhenithadfailedintheonlytesthehadmadeofitspower，itistobefearedthatheonlysentimentallyregrettedit。
　　Itwastooearlyyetforhimtocomprehendtheveiledblessingsofthecatastropheinitsmercifuldisruptionofhabitsandwaysoflife;hislonelinesswasstillthehopelesssolitudeleftbyvanishedidealsandoverthrownidols。HewassatisfiedthathehadnevercaredforSusy，buthestillcaredforthebeliefthathehad。
　　AfterthediscoveryofPedro’sbodythatfatalmorning，abriefbutemphaticinterviewbetweenhimselfandMrs。McCloskyhadfollowed。
　　HehadinsisteduponherimmediatelyaccompanyingSusyandhimselftoMrs。PeytoninSanFrancisco。Horror—strickenandterrifiedatthecatastrophe，andfrightenedbythestrangelooksoftheexcitedservants，theydidnotdaretodisobeyhim。HehadleftthemwithMrs。Peytoninthebriefestpreliminaryinterview，duringwhichhespokeonlyofthecatastrophe，shieldingthewomanfromthepresumptionofhavingprovokedit，andurgingonlytheimportanceofsettlingthequestionofguardianshipatonce。ItwasoddthatMrs。
　　PeytonhadbeenlessdisturbedthanheimaginedshewouldbeatevenhischaritableversionofSusy’sunfaithfulnesstoher;itevenseemedtohimthatshehadalreadysuspectedit。Butashewasabouttowithdrawtoleavehertomeetthemalone，shehadstoppedhimsuddenly。
　　"Whatwouldyouadvisemetodo？"
　　Itwashisfirstinterviewwithhersincetherevelationofhisownfeelings。Helookedintothepleading，troubledeyesofthewomanhenowknewhehadloved，andstammered：——
　　"Youalonecanjudge。Onlyyoumustrememberthatonecannotforceanaffectionanymorethanonecanpreventit。"
　　Hefelthimselfblushing，and，consciousoftheconstructionofhiswords，heevenfanciedthatshewasdispleased。
　　"Thenyouhavenopreference？"shesaid，alittleimpatiently。
　　"None。"
　　Shemadeaslightgesturewithherhandsomeshoulders，butsheonlysaid，"Ishouldhavelikedtohavepleasedyouinthis，"andturnedcoldlyaway。Hehadleftwithoutknowingtheresultoftheinterview;butafewdayslaterhereceivedaletterfromherstatingthatshehadallowedSusytoreturntoheraunt，andthatshehadresignedallclaimstoherguardianship。
　　"Itseemedtobeaforegoneconclusion，"shewrote;"andalthoughI
　　cannotthinksuchachangewillbeforherpermanentwelfare，itisherpresentWISH，andwhoknows，indeed，ifthechangewillbepermanent？Ihavenotallowedthelegalquestiontointerferewithmyjudgment，althoughherfriendsmustknowthatsheforfeitsanyclaimupontheestatebyheraction;butatthesametime，intheeventofhersuitablemarriage，IshouldtrytocarryoutwhatI
　　believewouldhavebeenMr。Peyton’swishes。"
　　Therewereafewlinesofpostscript："ItseemstomethatthechangewouldleaveyoumorefreetoconsultyourownwishesinregardtocontinuingyourfriendshipwithSusy，anduponsuchafootingasmaypleaseyou。IjudgefromMrs。McClosky’sconversationthatshebelievedyouthoughtyouwereonlydoingyourdutyinreportingtome，andthatthecircumstanceshadnotalteredthegoodtermsinwhichyouallthreeformerlystood。"
　　Clarencehaddroppedtheletterwithaburningindignationthatseemedtostinghiseyesuntilascaldingmoisturehidthewordsbeforehim。WhatmightnotSusyhavesaid？Whatexaggerationofhisaffectionwasshenotcapableofsuggesting？HerecalledMrs。
　　McClosky，andrememberedhereasyacceptanceofhimasSusy’slover。
　　WhathadtheytoldMrs。Peyton？Whatmustbeheropinionofhisdeceittowardsherself？Itwashardenoughtobearthisbeforeheknewhelovedher。Itwasintolerablenow！AndthisiswhatshemeantwhenshesuggestedthatheshouldrenewhisoldtermswithSusy;itwasforHIMthatthisill—disguised，scornfulgenerosityinregardtoSusy’specuniaryexpectationswasintended。Whatshouldhedo？Hewouldwritetoher，andindignantlydenyanyclandestineaffectionforSusy。Butcouldhedothat，inhonor，intruthfulness？
　　Woulditnotbebettertowriteandconfessall？Yes，——EVERYTHING。
　　Fortunatelyforhisstillboyishimpulsiveness，itwasatthistimethatthediscoveryofhisownfinancialruincametohim。TheinquestonthebodyofPedroValdezandtheconfessionofhisconfidanthadrevealedthefactsofthefraudulenttitleandforgedtestamentarydocuments。AlthoughitwascorrectlybelievedthatPedrohadmethisdeathinanescapadeofgallantryorintrigue，thecoroner’sjuryhadreturnedaverdictof"accidentaldeath，"andthelesserscandalwaslostinthewider，far—spreadingdisclosureoffraud。Whenhehadresolvedtoassumealltheliabilitiesofhispurchase，hewasobligedtowritetoMrs。Peytonandconfesshisruin。ButhewasgladtoremindherthatitdidnotalterHER
　　statusorsecurity;hehadonlygivenherthepossession，andshewouldreverttoheroriginalandnowuncontestedtitle。Butastherewasnownoreasonforhiscontinuingthestewardship，andashemustadoptsomeprofessionandseekhisfortuneelsewhere，hebeggedhertorelievehimofhisduty。Albeitwrittenwithathrobbingheartandsuffusedeyes，itwasaplain，business—like，andpracticalletter。Herreplywasequallycoolandmatteroffact。Shewassorrytohearofhislosses，althoughshecouldnotagreewithhimthattheycouldlogicallyseverhispresentconnectionwiththerancho，orthat，placeduponanotheranddistinctlybusinessfooting，theoccupationwouldnotbeasremunerativetohimasanyother。But，ofcourse，ifhehadapreferenceforsomemoreindependentposition，thatwasanotherquestion，althoughhewouldforgiveherforusingtheprivilegeofheryearstoremindhimthathisfinancialandbusinesssuccesshadnotyetjustifiedhisindependence。Shewouldalsoadvisehimnottodecidehastily，or，atleast，towaituntilshehadagainthoroughlygoneoverherhusband’spaperswithherlawyer，inreferencetotheoldpurchaseoftheSisters’title，andtheconditionsunderwhichitwasbought。SheknewthatMr。Brantwouldnotrefusethisasamatterofbusiness，norwouldthatfriendship，whichshevaluedsohighly，allowhimtoimperilthepossessionoftheranchobyleavingitatsuchamoment。Assoonasshehadfinishedtheexaminationofthepapers，shewouldwriteagain。Herletterseemedtoleavehimnohope，if，indeed，hehadeverindulgedinany。Itwasthepracticalkindlinessofawomanofbusiness，nothingmore。Astotheexaminationofherhusband’spapers，thatwasanaturalprecaution。Healoneknewthattheywouldgivenorecordofatransactionwhichhadneveroccurred。Hebrieflyrepliedthathisintentiontoseekanothersituationwasunchanged，butthathewouldcheerfullyawaitthearrivalofhissuccessor。
　　Twoweekspassed。ThenMr。Sanderson，Mrs。Peyton’slawyer，arrived，bringinganapologeticnotefromMrs。Peyton。Shewassosorryherbusinesswasstilldelayed，butasshehadfeltthatshehadnorighttodetainhimentirelyatRobles，shehadsenttoMr。
　　SandersontoTEMPORARILYrelievehim，thathemightbefreetolookaroundhimorvisitSanFranciscoinreferencetohisownbusiness，onlyextractingapromisefromhimthathewouldreturntoRoblestomeetherattheendoftheweek，beforesettlinguponanything。
　　ThebittersmilewithwhichClarencehadreadthusfarsuddenlychanged。Somemysterioustouchofunbusiness—likebutwomanlyhesitation，thathehadnevernoticedinherpreviousletters，gavehimafaintsenseofpleasure，asifhernotehadbeenperfumed。Hehadavailedhimselfoftheoffer。ItwasonthisvisittoSacramentothathehadaccidentallydiscoveredthemarriageofSusyandHooker。
　　"It’sagreatdealbetterbusinessforhertohaveahusbandinthe’profesh’ifshe’sagoin’tosticktoit，"saidhisinformant，Mrs。
　　McClosky，"andshe’snothingifsheain’tbusinessandprofesh，Mr。
　　Brant。Ineverseeagirlthatwasbornforthestage——yes，youmightsayjesscutouto’theboardsofthestage——asthatgirlSusyis！Andthat’sjestwhat’sthematter;andYOUknowit，andIknowit，andthereyouare！"
　　ItwaswiththeseexperiencesthatClarencewasto—dayreenteringthewoodedandrockygatewayoftheranchofromthehighroadofthecanada;butashecanteredupthefirstslope，throughthedriftofscarletpoppiesthatalmostobliteratedthetrack，andtheblueandyellowbloomsoftheterracesagainbrokeuponhisview，hethoughtonlyofMrs。Peyton’spleasureinthischangedaspectofheroldhome。Shehadtoldhimofitoncebefore，andofherdelightinit;
　　andhehadoncethoughthowhappyheshouldbetoseeitwithher。
　　TheservantwhotookhishorsetoldhimthatthesenorahadarrivedthatmorningfromSantaInez，bringingwithherthetwoSenoritasHernandezfromtheranchoofLosCanejos，andthatotherguestswereexpected。AndtherewastheSenorSandersonandhisReverencePadreEsteban。Trulyanaffairofhospitality，thefirstsincethepadrondied。WhateverdreamClarencemighthavehadofopportunitiesforconfidentialinterviewwasrudelydispelled。YetMrs。PeytonhadleftorderstobeinformedatonceofDonClarencio’sarrival。
　　AshecrossedthepatioandsteppeduponthecorridorhefanciedhealreadydetectedintheinternalarrangementsthesubtleinfluenceofMrs。Peyton’stasteandtheindefinabledominationofthemistress。Foraninstanthethoughtofanticipatingtheservantandseekingherintheboudoir，butsomeinstinctwithheldhim，andheturnedintothestudywhichhehadusedasanoffice。Itwasempty;
　　afewembersglimmeredonthehearth。Atthesamemomenttherewasalightstepbehindhim，andMrs。Peytonenteredandclosedthedoorbehindher。Shewasverybeautiful。Althoughpalerandthinner，therewasanoddsortofanimationabouther，sounlikeherusualreposethatitseemedalmostfeverish。
　　"Ithoughtwecouldtalktogetherafewmomentsbeforetheguestsarrive。Thehousewillbepresentlysofull，andmydutiesashostesscommence。"
　　"Iwas——abouttoseekyou——in——intheboudoir，"hesitatedClarence。
　　Shegaveanimpatientshiver。
　　"Goodheavens，notthere！Ishallnevergothereagain。IshouldfancyeverytimeIlookedoutofthewindowthatIsawtheheadofthatmanbetweenthebars。No！IamonlythankfulthatIwasn’thereatthetime，andthatIcankeepmyremembranceofthedearoldplaceunchanged。"Shecheckedherselfalittleabruptly，andthenaddedsomewhatirrelevantlybutcheerfully，"Well，youhavebeenaway？Whathaveyoudone？"
　　"Nothing，"saidClarence。
　　"Thenyouhavekeptyourpromise，"shesaid，withthesamenervoushilarity。
　　"Ihavereturnedherewithoutmakinganyotherengagement，"hesaidgravely;"butIhavenotalteredmydetermination。"
　　Sheshruggedhershouldersagain，or，asitseemed，theskinofhertightlyfittingblackdressabovethem，withthesensitiveshiverofahighlygroomedhorse，andmovedtothehearthasifforwarmth;
　　putherslim，slipperedfootuponthelowfender，drawing，withaquickhand，thewholewidthofherskirtbehindheruntilitclinginglyaccentedthelong，gracefulcurvefromherhiptoherfeet。Allthiswassounlikeherusualfastidiousnessandreposethathewasstruckbyit。Withhereyesontheglowingembersofthehearth，andtentativelyadvancinghertoetoitswarmthanddrawingitaway，shesaid：——
　　"Ofcourse，youmustpleaseyourself。IamafraidIhavenorightexceptthatofhabitandcustomtokeepyouhere;andyouknow，"sheadded，withanonlyhalf—withheldbitterness，"thattheyarenotalwaysveryeffectivewithyoungpeoplewhoprefertohavetheorderingoftheirownlives。ButIhavesomethingstilltotellyoubeforeyoufinallydecide。Ihave，asyouknow，beenlookingovermy——overMr。Peyton’spapersverycarefully。Well，asaresult，I
　　find，Mr。Brant，thatthereisnorecordwhateverofhiswonderfullyprovidentialpurchaseoftheSisters’titlefromyou;thatheneverenteredintoanywrittenagreementwithyou，andneverpaidyouacent;andthat，furthermore，hispapersshowmethatheneverevencontemplatedit;nor，indeed，evenknewofYOURowningthetitlewhenhedied。Yes，Mr。Brant，itwasalltoYOURforesightandprudence，andYOURgenerosityalone，thatweoweourpresentpossessionoftherancho。Whenyouhelpedusintothatawfulwindow，itwasYOURhousewewereentering;andifithadbeenYOU，andnotthosewretches，whohadchosentoshutthedoorsonusafterthefuneral，wecouldneverhaveenteredhereagain。Don’tdenyit，Mr。Brant。Ihavesuspecteditalongtime，andwhenyouspokeofchangingYOURposition，Ideterminedtofindoutifitwasn’tIwhohadtoleavethehouseratherthanyou。Onemoment，please。AndI
　　didfindout，anditWASI。Don’tspeak，please，yet。Andnow，"
　　shesaid，withaquickreturntoherpreviousnervoushilarity，"knowingthis，asyoudid，andknowing，too，thatIwouldknowitwhenIexaminedthepapers，——don’tspeak，I’mnotthroughyet，——
　　don’tyouthinkthatitwasjustaLITTLEcruelforyoutotrytohurryme，andmakemecomehereinsteadofyourcomingtoMEinSanFrancisco，whenIgaveyouleaveforthatpurpose？"
　　"But，Mrs。Peyton，"gaspedClarence。
　　"Pleasedon’tinterruptme，"saidthelady，withatouchofheroldimperiousness，"forinamomentImustjoinmyguests。WhenIfoundyouwouldn’ttellme，andleftittometofindout，IcouldonlygoawayasIdid，andreallyleaveyoutocontrolwhatIbelievedwasyourownproperty。AndIthought，too，thatIunderstoodyourmotives，and，tobefrankwithyou，thatworriedme;forIbelievedIknewthedispositionandfeelingsofacertainpersonbetterthanyourself。"
　　"Onemoment，"brokeoutClarence，"youMUSThearme，now。Foolishandmisguidedasthatpurchasemayhavebeen，IsweartoyouIhadonlyonemotiveinmakingit，——tosavethehomesteadforyouandyourhusband，whohadbeenmyfirstandearliestbenefactors。Whattheresultofitwas，you，asabusinesswoman，know;yourfriendsknow;yourlawyerwilltellyouthesame。Youowemenothing。I
　　havegivenyounothingbuttherepossessionofthisproperty，whichanyothermancouldhavedone，andperhapslessstupidlythanIdid。
　　IwouldnothaveforcedyoutocomeheretohearthisifIhaddreamedofyoursuspicions，orevenifIhadsimplyunderstoodthatyouwouldseemeinSanFranciscoasIpassedthrough。"
　　"Passedthrough？Wherewereyougoing？"shesaidquickly。
　　"ToSacramento。"
　　TheabruptchangeinhermannerstartledhimtoarecollectionofSusy，andheblushed。Shebitherlips，andmovedtowardsthewindow。
　　"Thenyousawher？"shesaid，turningsuddenlytowardshim。Theinquiryofherbeautifuleyeswasmoreimperativethanherspeech。
　　Clarencerecognizedquicklywhathethoughtwashiscruelblunderintouchingthehalf—healedwoundofseparation。Buthehadgonetoofartobeotherthanperfectlytruthfulnow。
　　"Yes;Isawheronthestage，"hesaid，withareturnofhisboyishearnestness;"andIlearnedsomethingwhichIwantedyoutofirsthearfromme。SheisMARRIED，——andtoMr。Hooker，whoisinthesametheatricalcompanywithher。ButIwantyoutothink，asI
　　honestlydo，thatitisthebestforher。Shehasmarriedinherprofession，whichisagreatprotectionandahelptohersuccess，andshehasmarriedamanwhocanlooklightlyuponcertainqualitiesinherthatothersmightnotbesolenientto。Hisworstfaultsareonthesurface，andwillwearawayincontactwiththeworld，andhelooksuptoherashissuperior。Igatheredthisfromherfriend，forIdidnotspeakwithhermyself;Ididnotgotheretoseeher。ButasIexpectedtobeleavingyousoon，IthoughtitonlyrightthatasIwasthehumblemeansoffirstbringingherintoyourlife，Ishouldbringyouthislastnews，whichIsupposetakesheroutofitforever。OnlyIwantyoutobelievethatYOUhavenothingtoregret，andthatSHEisneitherlostnorunhappy。"
　　Theexpressionofsuspiciousinquiryonherfacewhenhebeganchangedgraduallytoperplexityashecontinued，andthenrelaxedintoafaint，peculiarsmile。Buttherewasnottheslightesttraceofthatpain，woundedpride，indignation，oranger，thathehadexpectedtoseeuponit。
　　"Thatmeans，Isuppose，Mr。Brant，thatYOUnolongercareforher？"
　　Thesmilehadpassed，yetshespokenowwithahalf—real，half—
　　affectedarchnessthatwasalsounlikeher。
　　"Itmeans，"saidClarencewithawhiteface，butasteadyvoice，"thatIcareforhernowasmuchasIevercaredforher，nomattertowhatfollyitoncemighthaveledme。Butitmeans，also，thattherewasnotimewhenIwasnotabletotellittoYOUasfranklyasIdonow"——
　　"Onemoment，please，"sheinterrupted，andturnedquicklytowardsthedoor。Sheopeneditandlookedout。"Ithoughttheywerecallingme，——and——I——I——MUSTgonow，Mr。Brant。Andwithoutfinishingmybusinesseither，orsayinghalfIhadintendedtosay。
　　Butwait"——sheputherhandtoherheadinaprettyperplexity，"it’samoonlightnight，andI’llproposeafterdinnerastrollinthegardens，andyoucanmanagetowalkalittlewithme。"Shestoppedagain，returned，said，"ItwasverykindofyoutothinkofmeatSacramento，"heldoutherhand，allowedittoremainforaninstant，coolbutacquiescent，inhiswarmergrasp，andwiththesameoddyouthfulnessofmovementandgestureslippedoutofthedoor。
　　Anhourlatershewasattheheadofherdinnertable，serene，beautiful，andcalm，inherelegantmourning，provokinglyinaccessibleinthesweetdeliberationofherwidowedyears;PadreEstebanwasathersidewithalocalmagnate，whohadknownPeytonandhiswife，whileDonnaRositaandapairofliquid—tongued，childlikesenoritaswerenearClarenceandSanderson。TothepriestMrs。PeytonspokeadmiringlyofthechangesintheranchoandtherestorationoftheMissionChapel，andtogethertheyhadcommendedClarencefromtheleveloftheirsuperiorpassionlessreserveandyears。Clarencefelthopelesslyyoungandhopelesslylonely;thenaiveprattleoftheyounggirlsbesidehimappearedinfantine。Inhisabstraction，heheardMrs。Peytonalludetothebeautyofthenight，andproposethataftercoffeeandchocolatetheladiesshouldputontheirwrapsandgowithhertotheoldgarden。Clarenceraisedhiseyes;shewasnotlookingathim，buttherewasaslightconsciousnessinherfacethatwasnottherebefore，andthefaintestcolorinhercheek，stilllingering，nodoubt，fromtheexcitementofconversation。
　　Itwasacool，tranquil，dewlessnightwhentheyatlaststraggledout，mereblackandwhitepatchesinthecolorlessmoonlight。Thebrilliancyoftheflower—huedlandscapewassubduedunderitspassive，paleausterity;eventhegrayandgoldofthesecondterraceseemeddulledandconfused。AtanyothertimeClarencemighthavelingeredoverthisstrangeeffect，buthiseyesfollowedonlyatallfigure，inalongstripedburnous，thatmovedgracefullybesidethesoutanedpriest。Asheapproached，itturnedtowardshim。
　　"Ah！hereyouare。IjusttoldFatherEstebanthatyoutalkedofleavingto—morrow，andthathewouldhavetoexcusemeafewmomentswhileyoushowedmewhatyouhaddonetotheoldgarden。"
　　Shemovedbesidehim，and，withahesitationthatwasnotunlikeamoreyouthfultimidity，slippedherhandthroughhisarm。Itwasforthefirsttime，and，withoutthinking，hepresseditimpulsivelytohisside。IhavealreadyintimatedthatClarence’sreservewasattimesqualifiedbysingulardirectness。
　　Afewstepscarriedthemoutofhearing;afewmore，andtheyseemedaloneintheworld。Thelongadobewallglancedawayemptilybesidethem，andwaslost;theblackshadowsoftheknottedpear—treeswerebeneaththeirfeet。Theybegantowalkwiththeslightaffectationoftreadingtheshadowsasiftheywerepatternsonacarpet。
　　Clarencewasvoiceless，andyetheseemedtobemovingbesideaspiritthatmustbefirstaddressed。
　　Butitwasfleshandbloodnevertheless。
　　"IinterruptedyouinsomethingyouweresayingwhenIlefttheoffice，"shesaidquietly。
　　"IwasspeakingofSusy，"returnedClarenceeagerly;"and"——
　　"Thenyouneedn’tgoon，"interruptedMrs。Peytonquickly。"I
　　understandyou，andbelieveyou。Iwouldrathertalkofsomethingelse。WehavenotyetarrangedhowIcanmakerestitutiontoyouforthecapitalyousankinsavingthisplace。Youwillbereasonable，Mr。Brant，andnotleavemewiththeshameandpainofknowingthatyouruinedyourselfforthesakeofyouroldfriends。
　　Foritisnomoreasentimentalideaofminetofeelinthiswaythanitisafairandsensibleoneforyoutoimplythatamerequibbleofconstructionabsolvesmefromresponsibility。Mr。
　　Sandersonhimselfadmitsthattherepossessionyougaveusisafairandlegalbasisforanyarrangementofsharingordivisionofthepropertywithyou，thatmightenableyoutoremainhereandcontinuetheworkyouhavesowellbegun。Haveyounosuggestion，ormustitcomefromME，Mr。Brant？"
　　"Neither。Letusnottalkofthatnow。"
　　Shedidnotseemtonoticetheboyishdoggednessofhisspeech，exceptsofarasitmighthaveincreasedherinconsequentandnervouslypitchedlevity。
　　"ThensupposewespeakoftheMissesHernandez，withwhomyouscarcelyexchangedawordatdinner，andwhomIinvitedforyouandyourfluentSpanish。Theyarecharminggirls，eveniftheyarealittlestupid。ButwhatcanIdo？IfIamtolivehere，Imusthaveafewyoungpeoplearoundme，ifonlytomaketheplacecheerfulforothers。DoyouknowIhavetakenagreatfancytoMissRogers，andhaveaskedhertovisitme。Ithinksheisagoodfriendofyours，althoughperhapssheisalittleshy。What’sthematter？Youhavenothingagainsther，haveyou？"
　　Clarencehadstoppedshort。Theyhadreachedtheendofthepear—
　　treeshadows。Afewstepsmorewouldbringthemtothefallensouthwallofthegardenandtheopenmoonlightbeyond，buttotherightanolivealleyofdeepershadowdiverged。
　　"No，"hesaid，withslowdeliberation;"IhavetothankMaryRogersforhavingdiscoveredsomethinginmethatIhavebeenblindly，foolishly，andhopelesslystrugglingwith。"
　　"And，pray，whatwasthat？"saidMrs。Peytonsharply。
　　"ThatIloveyou！"
　　Mrs。Peytonwasfairlystartled。Theembarrassmentofanytruthisapttobeinitseternalabruptness，whichnodeviousnessoftactorcircumlocutionofdiplomacyhaseveryetsurmounted。Whateverhadbeeninherheart，ormind，shewasunpreparedforthisdirectness。
　　Thebolthaddroppedfromthesky;theywerealone;therewasnothingbetweenthestarsandtheearthbutherselfandthismanandthistruth;itcouldnotbeoverlooked，surmounted，orescapedfrom。
　　Asteportwomorewouldtakeheroutofthegardenintothemoonlight，butalwaysintothisawfulfranknessofbluntandoutspokennature。Shehesitated，andturnedthecornerintotheoliveshadows。Itwas，perhaps，moredangerous;butlessshameless，andlessliketruckling。AndtheappallinglydirectClarenceinstantlyfollowed。
　　"Iknowyouwilldespiseme，hateme;and，perhaps，worstofall，disbelieveme;butIsweartoyou，now，thatIhavealwayslovedyou，——yes，ALWAYS！WhenfirstIcamehere，itwasnottoseemyoldplaymate，butYOU，forIhadkeptthememoryofyouasIfirstsawyouwhenaboy，andyouhavealwaysbeenmyideal。Ihavethoughtof，dreamedof，worshiped，andlivedfornootherwoman。EvenwhenIfoundSusyagain，grownuphereatyourside;evenwhenIthoughtthatImight，withyourconsent，marryher，itwasthatImightbewithYOUalways;thatImightbeapartofYOURhome，yourfamily，andhaveaplacewithherinYOURheart;foritwasyouIloved，andYOUonly。Don’tlaughatme，Mrs。Peyton，itisthetruth，thewholetruth，Iamtellingyou。Godhelpme！"
　　IfsheonlyCOULDhavelaughed，——harshly，ironically，orevenmercifullyandkindly！Butitwouldnotcome。Andsheburstout：——
　　"Iamnotlaughing。Goodheavens，don’tyousee？ItisMEyouaremakingridiculous。"
　　"YOUridiculous？"hesaidinamomentarilychoked，half—stupefiedvoice。"You——abeautifulwoman，mysuperiorineverything，themistressoftheselandswhereIamonlysteward——maderidiculous，notbymypresumption，butbymyconfession？WasthesaintyoujustnowadmiredinFatherEsteban’schapelridiculousbecauseofthepeonclownswhowerekneelingbeforeit？"
　　"Hush！Thisiswicked！Stop！"
　　Shefeltshewasnowonfirmground，andmadethemostofitinvoiceandmanner。Shemustdrawthelinesomewhere，andshewoulddrawitbetweenpassionandimpiety。
　　"NotuntilIhavetoldyouall，andIMUSTbeforeIleaveyou。I
　　lovedyouwhenIcamehere，——evenwhenyourhusbandwasalive。
　　Don’tbeangry，Mrs。Peyton;HEwouldnot，andneednot，havebeenangry;hewouldhavepitiedthefoolishboy，who，intheveryinnocenceandignoranceofhispassion，mighthaverevealedittohimashedidtoeverybodybutONE。Andyet，Isometimesthinkyoumighthaveguessedit，hadyouthoughtofmeatall。ItmusthavebeenonmylipsthatdayIsatwithyouintheboudoir。IknowthatIwasfilledwithit;withitandwithyou;withyourpresence，withyourbeauty，yourgraceofheartandmind，——yes，Mrs。Peyton，evenwithyourownunrequitedloveforSusy。Only，then，Iknewnotwhatitwas。"
　　"ButIthinkIcantellyouwhatitwasthen，andnow，"saidMrs。
　　Peyton，recoveringhernervouslittlelaugh，thoughitdiedamomentafteronherlips。"Irememberitverywell。YoutoldmethenthatIREMINDEDYOUOFYOURMOTHER。Well，Iamnotoldenoughtobeyourmother，Mr。Brant，butIamoldenoughtohavebeen，andmighthavebeen，themotherofyourwife。Thatwaswhatyoumeantthen;thatiswhatyoumeannow。Iwaswrongtoaccuseyouoftryingtomakemeridiculous。Iaskyourpardon。Letusleaveitasitwasthatdayintheboudoir，asitisNOW。Letmestillremindyouofyourmother，——Iknowshemusthavebeenagoodwomantohavehadsogoodason，——andwhenyouhavefoundsomesweetyounggirltomakeyouhappy，cometomeforamother’sblessing，andwewilllaughattherecollectionandmisunderstandingofthisevening。"
　　Hervoicedidnot，however，exhibitthatexquisitematernaltendernesswhichthebeatificvisionoughttohavecalledup，andthepersistentvoiceofClarencecouldnotbeevadedintheshadow。
　　"Isaidyouremindedmeofmymother，"hewentonatherside，"becauseIknewherandlostheronlyasachild。Sheneverwasanythingtomebutamemory，andyetanidealofallthatwassweetandlovableinwoman。Perhapsitwasadreamofwhatshemighthavebeenwhenshewasasyounginyearsasyou。Ifitpleasesyoustilltomisunderstandme，itmaypleaseyoualsotoknowthatthereisareminderofhereveninthis。Ihavenoremembranceofawordofaffectionfromher，noracaress;Ihavebeenashopelessinmyloveforherwhowasmymother，asofthewomanIwouldmakemywife。"
　　"Butyouhaveseennoone，youknownoone，youareyoung，youscarcelyknowyourownself！Youwillforgetthis，youwillforgetME！Andif——if——Ishould——listentoyou，whatwouldtheworldsay，whatwouldYOUyourselfsayafewyearshence？Oh，bereasonable。
　　Thinkofit，——itwouldbesowild，——somad！so——so——utterlyridiculous！"
　　Inproofofitsludicrousquality，twotearsescapedhereyesinthedarkness。ButClarencecaughtthewhiteflashofherwithdrawnhandkerchiefintheshadow，andcapturedherreturninghand。Itwastrembling，butdidnotstruggle，andpresentlyhusheditselftorestinhis。
　　"I’mnotonlyafoolbutabrute，"hesaidinalowervoice。
　　"Forgiveme。Ihavegivenyoupain，——you，forwhomIwouldhavedied。"
　　Theyhadbothstopped。Hewasstillholdinghersleepinghand。Hisarmhadstolenaroundtheburnoussosoftlythatitfollowedthecurvesofherfigureaslightlyasafoldofthegarment，andwaspresumablyunfelt。Griefhasitsprivileges，andsufferingexoneratesaquestionablesituation。InanothermomentherfairheadMIGHThavedroppeduponhisshoulder。Butanapproachingvoiceuproseintheadjoiningbroadallee。ItmighthavebeentheworldspeakingthroughthevoiceofthelawyerSanderson。
　　"Yes，heisagoodfellow，andanintelligentfellow，too，butaperfectchildinhisexperienceofmankind。"
　　Theybothstarted，butMrs。Peyton’shandsuddenlywokeupandgraspedhisfirmly。Thenshesaidinahigher，butperfectlyleveltone：——
　　"Yes，Ithinkwithyouwehadbetterlookatitagaininthesunlightto—morrow。Butherecomeourfriends;theyhaveprobablybeenwaitingforustojointhemandgoin。"……
　　ThewholesomefreshnessofearlymorningwasintheroomwhenClarenceawoke，clearedandstrengthened。Hisresolutionhadbeenmade。Hewouldleavetheranchothatmorning，toentertheworldagainandseekhisfortuneelsewhere。ThiswasonlyrighttoHER，whosefutureitshouldneverbesaidhehadimperiledbyhisfollyandinexperience;andif，inayearortwoofstrugglehecouldprovehisrighttoaddressheragain，hewouldreturn。Hehadnotspokentohersincetheyhadpartedinthegarden，withthegrimtruthsofthelawyerringinginhisears，buthehadwrittenafewlinesoffarewell，tobegiventoherafterhehadleft。Hewascalminhisresolution，albeitalittlepaleandhollow—eyedforit。
　　Hecreptdownstairsinthegraytwilightofthescarce—awakenedhouse，andmadehiswaytothestables。Saddlinghishorse，andmounting，hepacedforthintothecrispmorningair。Thesun，justrisen，waseverywherebringingoutthefreshcoloroftheflower—
　　strewnterraces，asthelastnight’sshadows，whichhadhiddenthem，wereslowlybeatenback。Hecastalastlookatthebrownadobequadrangleofthequiethouse，justtouchedwiththebronzingofthesun，andthenturnedhisfacetowardsthehighway。Ashepassedtheangleoftheoldgardenhehesitated，but，stronginhisresolution，heputtherecollectionoflastnightbehindhim，androdebywithoutraisinghiseyes。
　　"Clarence！"
　　ItwasHERvoice。Hewheeledhishorse。ShewasstandingbehindthegrilleintheoldwallashehadseenherstandingonthedayhehadriddentohisrendezvouswithSusy。ASpanishmantawasthrownoverherheadandshoulders，asifshehaddressedhastily，andhadrunouttointercepthimwhilehewasstillinthestable。Herbeautifulfacewaspaleinitsblack—hoodedrecess，andtherewerefaintcirclesaroundherlovelyeyes。
　　"Youweregoingwithoutsaying’goodby’！"shesaidsoftly。
　　Shepassedherslimwhitehandbetweenthegrating。Clarenceleapedtotheground，caughtit，andpressedittohislips。Buthedidnotletitgo。
　　"No！no！"shesaid，strugglingtowithdrawit。"Itisbetterasitis——as——asyouhavedecidedittobe。OnlyIcouldnotletyougothus，——withoutaword。Therenow，——go，Clarence，go。Please！
　　Don’tyouseeIambehindthesebars？Thinkofthemastheyearsthatseparateus，mypoor，dear，foolishboy。Thinkofthemasstandingbetweenus，growingcloser，heavier，andmorecruelandhopelessastheyearsgoon。"
　　Ah，well！theyhadbeengoodbarsahundredandfiftyyearsago，whenitwasthoughtasnecessarytorepresstheinnocencethatwasbehindthemasthewickednessthatwaswithout。TheyhaddonedutyintheconventatSantaInez，andthemonasteryofSantaBarbara，andhadbeenbroughthitherinGovernorMicheltorrenas’timetokeepthedaughtersofRoblesfromtheinsidiouscontactoftheouterworld，whentheytooktheairintheircloisteredpleasance。
　　Guitarshadtinkledagainsttheminvain，andtheyhadwithstoodthestressandstormoflovetokens。But，likemanyotherthingswhichhavehadtheirdayandtime，theyhadretainedtheirsemblanceofpower，evenwhilerattlinglooselyintheirsockets，onlybecausenoonehadeverthoughtofputtingthemtothetest，and，inthestronghandofClarence，assisted，perhaps，bytheleaningfigureofMrs。
　　Peyton，Igrievetosaythatthewholegrillesuddenlycollapsed，becameaframeoftinklingiron，andthenclanked，barbybar，intotheroad。Mrs。Peytonutteredalittlecryanddrewback，andClarence，leapingtheruins，caughtherinhisarms。
　　Foramomentonly，forshequicklywithdrewfromthem，andalthoughthemorningsunlightwasquiterosyonhercheeks，shesaidgravely，pointingtothedismantledopening：——
　　"IsupposeyouMUSTstaynow，foryounevercouldleavemeherealoneanddefenseless。"
　　Hestayed。Andwiththisfulfillmentofhisyouthfuldreamstheromanceofhisyoungmanhoodseemedtobecompleted，andsoclosedthesecondvolumeofthistrilogy。Butwhateffectthatfulfillmentofyouthhaduponhismatureryears，orthefortunesofthosewhowerenearlyconcernedinit，maybetoldinalaterandfinalchronicle。