第2章

Icallatedhe\'drunacrostyousometime。“

Victoriaraisedhereyes，sparklingwithhumour，andtheymetAusten\'s。

“Wewasjusttalkin\'aboutyou，“criedMr。Meader，cordially；“comerightin。“HeturnedtoVictoria。“Iwanttomakeyouacquainted，“hesaid，“withAustenVane。“

“Andwon\'tyoutellhimwhoIam，Mr。Meader？“saidVictoria。

“Well，“saidMr。Meader，apologetically，“thatwasstupidofme——wahn\'tit？ButIcallatedhe\'dknow。She\'sthedaughteroftherailrudpresident——the\'onethatwasaskin\'aboutyou。“

Therewasaninstant\'spause，andthecolourstoleintoVictoria\'scheeks。ThensheglancedatAustenandbitherlip-andlaughed。Herlaughterwascontagious。

“IsupposeIshallhavetoconfessthatyouhaveinspiredmycuriosity，Mr。Vane，“shesaid。

Austen\'sfacewassunburned，butitflushedamorevividredunderthetan。Itisneedlesstopretendthatamanofhisappearanceandqualitieshadreachedtheageofthirty-twowithouthavinglistenedtofemininecommentsofwhichhewastheexclusivesubject。InthisremarkofVictoria\'s，orratherinthemannerinwhichshemadeit，herecognizedadifference。

“Itisatribute，then，tothehistrionictalentsofMr。Meader，ofwhichyouwerespeaking，“herepliedlaughingly。

VictoriaglancedathimwithinterestashelookeddownatMr。Meader。

“Andhowisitto-day，Zeb？“hesaid。

“Itain\'tsobadasitmightbe——withsechfolksasherandyouaraound，“

admittedMr。Meader。“I\'dalmostagreetogetrunoveragain。Shewasaskin\'aboutyou，andthat\'safact，andIdidn\'tslanderyou，neither。

ButInevercallatedtocomprehendwimmen-folks。“

“Now，Mr。Meader，“saidVictoria，reprovingly，buttherewerelittlecreasesabouthereyes，“don\'tbeafraud。“

“It\'strueasgospel，“declaredtheinvalid；“theyalwaysgotthebetterofme。Ihadoneof\'emaftermeonce，whenIwasyoungandprosperin\'

some。“

“Andyetyouhavesurvivedtriumphant，“sheexclaimed。

“Therewahn\'tnoneof\'emlikeyou，“saidMr。Meader，“oritmighthavebe\'ndifferent。“

AgainhereyesirresistiblysoughtAusten\'s，——asthoughtosharewithhimthehumourofthisremark，——andtheylaughedtogether。Hercolour，sosensitive，roseagain，butlessperceptiblythistime。Thenshegotup。

“That\'sunfair，Mr。Meader！“sheprotested。

“I\'llleaveittoAusten，“saidMr。Meader，“ifitain\'tprobable。He\'doughttoknow。“

Inspiteofasomewhatnaturalembarrassment，AustencouldnotbutacknowledgetohimselfthatMr。Meaderwasright。Withawomanlymovementwhichhethoughtinfinitelygraceful，Victorialeanedoverthebed。

“Mr。Meader，“shesaid，“I\'mbeginningtothinkit\'sdangerousformetocomeheretwiceaweektoseeyou，ifyoutalkthisway。AndI\'mnotabitsurprisedthatthatwomandidn\'tgetthebetterofyou。“

“Youhain\'ta-goin\'！“heexclaimed。“Why，Icallated——“

“Good-by，“shesaidquickly；“I\'mgladtoseethatyouaredoingsowell。“SheraisedherheadandlookedatAusteninacurious，inscrutableway。“Good-by，Mr。Vane，“shesaid；“I——IhopeMr。Blodgetthasrecovered。“

Beforehecouldreplyshehadvanished，andhewasstaringattheemptydoorway。ThereferencetotheunfortunateMr。Blodgett，aftertakinghisbreathaway，arousedinhimanintensecuriositybetraying，asitdid，acertainknowledgeofpasteventsinhislifeinthehithertounknowndaughterofAugustusinterestcouldshehaveinhim？SuchaFlint。Whatquestion，fromsimilarsources，hasheightenedthepulseofyoungmenfromtimeimmemorial。

CHAPTERIV

“TIMEODANAOS“

Theproverbiallittlebirdsthatcarrynewsandpropheciesthroughtheairwereevidentlyresponsibleforanofficial-lookingletterwhichAustenreceivedafewmorningslater。Ontheletter-headwasprinted“TheUnitedNortheasternRailroads，“andMr。AustenVanewasinformedthat，bydirectionofthepresident，theenclosedwassenttohiminanentirelycomplimentarysense。“Theenclosed“wasaticketofredcardboard，anditsfaceinformedhimthathemighttravelfreefortherestoftheyear。Thoughtfullyturningitover，hereadonthebackthefollowinginscription:——

“Itisunderstoodthatthispassisacceptedbyitsrecipientasaretainer。“

Austenstaredatitandwhistled。Thenhepushedbackhischair，withthepassinhishand，andhesitated。Heseizedapenandwroteafewlines:“Dearsir，IbegtoreturntheannualpassovertheNortheasternRailroadswithwhichyouhavesokindlyhonouredme“——whenhesuddenlychangedhismindagain，rose，andmadehiswaythroughthecorridorstohisfather\'soffice。TheHonourableHilarywasabsorbedinhisdailyperusaloftheGuardian。

“Judge，“heasked，“isMr。Flintupathisplacethisweek？“

TheHonourableHilarycoughed。

“Hearrivedyesterdayonthethree。Er——why？“

“Iwantedtogoupandthankhimforthis，“hissonanswered，holdinguptheredpieceofcardboard。“Mr。Flintisaverythoughtfulman。“

TheHonourableHilarytriedtolookunconcerned，andsucceeded。

“Sentyouanannual，hashe？Er——Idon\'tknowasI\'dbotherhimpersonally，Austen。Justapleasantnoteofacknowledgment。“

“Idon\'tflattermyselfthatmyachievementsinthelawcanberesponsibleforit，“saidAusten。“Thefavourmustbeduetomyrelationshipwithhiseminentchiefcounsel。“

HilaryVane\'skeeneyesrestedonhissonforaninstant。Austenwasmorethaneveranenigmatohim。

“Iguessrelationshiphasn\'tgotmuchtodowithbusiness，“hereplied。

“Youhavebe\'ndoing——er——betterthanIexpected。“

“Thankyou，Judge，“saidAusten，quietly。“Idon\'tmindsayingthatI

wouldratherhaveyourapprobationthan——thismoresubstantialrecognitionofmerit。“

TheHonourableHilary\'sbusinesswastodealwithmen，andbyreasonofhisabilityinsodoinghehadmadeasuccessinlife。Hecouldjudgemotivesmorethanpassablywell，andplayuponweaknesses。ButheleftAusten\'spresencethatmorningvaguelyuneasy，withasenseofhavingreceivedfromhisownsonaninitialdefeatatagameofwhichhewasamaster。Undertheexcuseoflookingupsomeprecedents，helockedhisdoorstoallcomersfortwohours，andpacedhisroom。Atonemomenthereproachedhimselffornothavingbeenfrank；fornothavingtoldAustenroundlythatthissqueamishnessaboutapasswasunworthyofastrongmanofaffairs；yes，fornothavingrevealedtohimthemysteriesofrailroadpracticefromthebeginning。ButfranknesswasnotaningredientoftheHonourableHilary\'snature，andAustenwasnotthekindofmanwhowouldacceptahintandawink。HilaryVanehadformlessforebodings，andfoundhimselfforonceinhislifepowerlesstoact。

ThecostoflivinginRiptonwasnotsohighthatAustenVanecouldnotaffordtokeepahorseandbuggy。Thehorse，whichhetendedhimself，wasappropriatelycalledPepper；Austenhadfoundhiminthehills，andhewaseasilythefinestanimalinRipton:sogood，infact，thatMr。

HumphreyCrewe(whobelievedhehadaneyeforhorses)hadperemptorilyhailedAustenfromamotorcaranddemandedtheprice，aswasMr。Crewe\'swontwhenhesawathinghedesired。Hehadbeensomewhatsurprisedandnotinconsiderablyoffendedbythebrevityandforceoftheanswerwhichhehadreceived。

Ontheafternoonofthesummer\'sdayinwhichAustenhadtheconversationwithhisfatherjustrelated，PepperwastrottingataroundclipthroughthesoftandshadywoodroadstowardthetownofTunbridge；theword“town“beingusedintheNewEnglandsense，asapieceofterritoryaboutsixmilesbysix。ThefactthatautomobilesfulloflaughingpeoplefromLeithhummedbyoccasionallymadenoapparentdifferencetoPepper，whoknewonlythemasterhandonthereins；therealitythatthewoodroadswereclimbinggreathillsthehorsedidnotseemtofeel。Pepperkneweverylaneandby-pathwithintwentymilesofRipton，andexhibitedsuchsurpriseasawell-bredhorsemaywhenhewassloweddownatlengthandturnedintoahard，blue-stonedrivewayunderastrangegranitearchwiththeword“Fairview“cutinGothiclettersaboveit，andtwogreatlampsinwrought-ironbracketsatthesides。ItwasAustenwhomadeanoteofthegratingsoverthedrains，andoftheacresoforderlyforestinamysteriousandseeminglyenchantedrealm。Intimacywithdomainswasnewtohim，andhebegantoexperienceaninvoluntaryfeelingofrestraintwhichwasnewtohimlikewise，andmadehimchafeinspiteofhimself。

Theestateseemedtobethevisiblesemblanceofapowerwhichtroubledhim。

Shortlyafterpassinganavenueneatlylabelled“Trade\'sDrive“theroadwoundupwardsthrougharavinethesidesofwhichwerecoveredwithadenseshrubberywhichhadtheairofhavingalwaysbeenthere，andyetsomehowlookedexpensive。Atthetopoftheravinewasasharpcurve；

andAusten，drawingbreath，foundhimselfswung，asitwere，intospace，lookingoffacrossmilesofforest-coveredlowlandstoanultramarinemountaininthehazysouth，——Sawanec。Asifinobediencetoatelepathiccommandofhismaster，Pepperstopped。

Drinkinghisfillofthisscene，Austenforgotanerrandwhichwasnotonlydisagreeable，butrequiredsomefortitudeforitsaccomplishment。

ThesonhadthisincommonwiththeHonourableHilary——hehatedheroics；

andthefactthatthethingsmackedofheroicswasAusten\'sonlydeterrent。Andthentherewasawomaninthisparadise！Thesegradualinsinuationsintohisreveryatlengthmadehimturn。Astraightavenueofpear-shaped，fifteen-year-oldmaplesledtothehouse，amassivecolonialstructureofwoodthatstretchedacrosstheshelf；andhehadtightenedthereinsandstartedcourageouslyuptheavenuewhenheperceivedthatitendedinacircleonwhichtherewasnosignofahitching-post。And，worsethanthis，onthebalconied，uncoveredporchwhichhewouldhavetotraversetoreachthedoorwayhesawthesheenandglimmerofwomen\'sgownsgroupedaboutwickertables，andbecameawarethathisapproachwasthesoleobjectofthescrutinyofanafternoonteaparty。

AshereachedthecircleitwasaslightrelieftolearnthatPepperwastheattraction。NohorseknewbetterthanPepperwhenhewasbeingadmired，andhearchedhisneckandliftedhisfeetanddancedinthesheerexhilarationofit。Asmooth-faced，red-cheekedgentlemaningrayflannelsleanedoverthebalustradeandmadeaudiblecommentsinapenetratingvoicewhichbetrayedthefactthathewasMr。HumphreyCrewe。

“SawhimonthestreetinRiptonlastyear。Goodhockaction，hasn\'the？——that\'srareintrottersaroundhere。Triedtobuyhim。Fellerwouldn\'tsell。Hisname\'sVane——he\'sdrivin\'himnow。“

Aladyofasomewhatcommandingpresencewasbesidehim。Shewasperhapsfiveandforty，heriron-grayhairwasdressedtoperfection，herfigureallthatParisianartcouldmakeit，andshewasregardingAustenwithextremedeliberationthroughtheglasseswhichshehadraisedtoahigh-

bridgednose。

“Politicsiscertainlyyourcareer，Humphrey，“sheremarked，“youhavesuchawonderfulmemoryforfaces。Idon\'tseehowhedoesit，doyou，Alice？“shedemandedofatallgirlbesideher，whowasevidentlyherdaughter，butlackedherpersonality。

“Idon\'tknow，“saidAlice。

“It\'sbecauseI\'vebeenherelongerthananybodyelse，Mrs。Pomfret，“

answeredMr。Crewe，notverygraciously，“that\'sall。Hello。“ThislasttoAusten。

“Hello，“saidAusten。

“Whodoyouwanttosee？“inquiredMr。Crewe，withtheadmirabletactforwhichhewasnoted。

Austenlookedathimforthefirsttime。

“Anybodywhowillholdmyhorse，“heansweredquietly。

Bythistimetheconversationhaddrawntheattentionoftheothersatthetables，andoneortwosmiledatAusten\'sanswer。Mrs。Flint，witha“Whoisit？“arosetorepelasocialintrusion。Shewasanoverdressedlady，incliningtoembonpoint，buttracesoftheRoseofSharonwerestillvisible。

“Whydon\'tyoudrive\'roundtothestables？“suggestedMr。Crewe，unawareofasmile。

Austendidnotanswer。Hewas，infact，lookingtowardsthedoorway，andthegroupontheporchweresurprisedtoseeagleamofmirthfulunderstandingstartinhiseyes。AnansweringgleamwasinVictoria\'s，whohadatthatmoment，byasingularcoincidence，comeoutofthehouse。

Shecamedirectlydownthestepsandoutonthegravel，andheldherhandtohiminthebuggy，andheflushedwithpleasureashegraspedit。

“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Vane？“shesaid。“Iamsogladyouhavecalled。

Humphrey，justpushthestablebutton，willyou？“

Mr。Creweobeyedwithnoverygoodgrace，whilethetea-partywentbacktotheirseats。Mrs。FlintsupposedhehadcometosellVictoriathehorse；whileMrs。Pomfret，whohadtakenhiminfromcrowntoboots，remarkedthathelookedverymuchlikeagentleman。

“Icametoseeyourfatherforafewmoments——onbusiness，“Austenexplained。

Sheliftedherfacetohiswithasecondsearchinglook。

“I\'lltakeyoutohim，“shesaid。

BythistimeanimblegroomhadappearedfromoutoashrubberypathandseizedPepper\'shead。AustenalightedandfollowedVictoriaintoagreat，coolhallway，andthroughtwodarkenedrooms，bewilderinglyfurnishedandladenwiththescentofflowers，intoanarrowpassagebeyond。Sheledthewaysimply，notspeaking，andhersilenceseemedtobetokenthecompletenessofanunderstandingbetweenthem，asofalongacquaintance。

Inaplainwhite-washedroom，behindaplainoakendesk，satMr。Flint——aplainman。Austenthoughthewouldhaveknownhimhadheseenhimonthestreet。Theotherthingsintheroomwereletter-files，asafe，along-

distancetelephone，andathinprivatesecretarywithabendinhisback。

Mr。Flintlookedupfromhisdesk，andhisface，previouslybereftofillumination，lightedwhenhesawhisdaughter。Austenlikedthatinhim。

“Well，Vic，whatisitnow？“heasked。

“Mr。AustenVanetoseeyou，“saidVictoria，andwithaquickglanceatAustenshelefthimstandingonthethreshold。Mr。Flintrose。Hiseyesweredeep-setinasquare，hardhead，andheappearedtobetakingAusteninwithoutdirectlylookingathim；likewise，onefeltthatMr。Flint\'shandshakewasnotanabsolutegiftofhissoul。

“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Vane？Idon\'trememberevertohavehadthepleasureofseeingyou，althoughyourfatherandIhavebeenintimatelyconnectedformanyyears。“

Sothepresident\'smannerwashearty，butnotthesubstance。Itcame，Austenthought，fromararityofmeetingwithmenonadisinterestedfooting；andhecouldnotbutwonderhowMr。Flintwouldtreattheangelsinheavenifheevergotthere，wheretherewerenofranchisestobehad。

Wouldhesuspectthemofdesignsuponhishardwonharpandhalo？AustendidnotdislikeMr。Flint；theman\'srise，hisachievements，hisaffectionforhisdaughter，heremembered。ButhewasalsowellawarethatMr。Flinthadthrownuponhimtheonusofthefirstmoveinagamewhichtherailroadpresidentwasusedtoplayingeveryday。Thedragonwasonhishomegroundandhadthechoiceofweapons。

“Idonotwishtobotheryoulong，“saidAusten。

“Nobother，answeredMr。Flint，“nobothertomaketheacquaintanceofthesonofmyoldfriend，HilaryVane。Sitdown——sitdown。AndwhileI

don\'tbelieveanymanshoulddependuponhisfathertolaunchhimintheworld，yetitmustbeagreatsatisfactiontoyou，Mr。Vane，tohavesuchafather。HilaryVaneandIhavebeenintimatelyassociatedformanyyears，andmyadmirationforhimhasincreasedwitheveryyear。Itistomenofhistypethattheprosperity，thegreatness，ofthisnationislargelydue，——conservative，upright，able，contenttoconfinehimselftothedifficultworkforwhichheissoeminentlyfitted，withoutspectacularmeddlinginthingsinwhichhecanhavenoconcern。

ThereforeIwelcometheopportunitytoknowyou，sir，forIunderstandthatyouhavesettleddowntofollowinhisfootstepsandthatyouwillmakeanameforyourself。Iknowtheindependenceofyoungmen——Iwasyoungoncemyself。Butafterall，Mr。Vane，experienceisthegreatteacher，andperhapsthereissomelittleadvicewhichanoldmancangiveyouthatmaybeofservice。Asyourfather\'sson，itisalwaysatyourdisposal。Haveacigar。“

Thethinsecretarycontinuedtoflitabouttheroom，betweentheletter-

filesandthedesk。AustenhadfounditinfinitelyeasiertoshootMr。

BlodgettthantoengageinaduelwiththepresidentoftheUnitedRailroad。

“Ismokeapipe，“hesaid。

“Toomanyyoungmensmokecigars——andthosedisgustingcigarettes，“saidMr。Flint，withconviction。“Therearealotofworthlessyoungmeninthesedays，anyhow。Theycometomyhouseandloafanddrinkandsmoke，andtalkalotofnonsenseaboutgamesandautomobilesandclubs，andcumbertheearthgenerally。There\'sayoungmannamedCreweoveratLeith，forinstance——youmayhaveseenhim。Notthathe\'sdissipated——

buthedon\'tdoanythingbuttalkaboutrailroadsandthestockmarkettomakeyousick，anddon\'tknowanymoreabout\'emthanmyfarmer。“

DuringthisdiatribeAustensawhisopeninggrowingsmallerandsmaller。

Ifhedidnotmakeadashforit，itwouldsoonbeclosedentirely。

“Ireceivedaletterthismorning，Mr。Flint，enclosingmeanannualpass——“

“DidUpjohnsendyouone？“Mr。Flintcutin；“heoughttohavedonesolongago。Itwasprobablyanoversightthathedidnot，Mr。Vane。Wetrytoextendthecourtesiesoftheroadtopersonswhoarelookeduptointheircommunities。ThesonofHilaryVaneisatalltimeswelcometoone。“

Mr。Flintpausedtolighthiscigar，andAustensummonedhisresolution。

Secondbyseconditwasbecomingmoreandmoredifficultandseeminglymoreungracioustoreturnagiftsograciouslygiven，agiftofnoinconsiderableintrinsicvalue。Moreover，Mr。Flinthadingeniouslycontrivedalmosttomaketheact，inAusten\'seyes，thatofapicayuneupstart。WhowashetoflingbackanannualpassinthefaceofthepresidentoftheNortheasternRailroads？

“Ihadfirstthoughtofwritingyoualetter，Mr。Flint，“hesaid，“butitseemedtomethat，consideringyourrelationswithmyfather，theproperthingtodowastocometoyouandtellyouwhyIcannottakethepass。“

Thethinsecretarypausedinhisfiling，andremainedmotionlesswithhisbodybentoverthedrawer。

“Whyyoucannottakeit，Mr。Vane？“saidtherailroadpresident。“I\'mafraidIdon\'tunderstand。“

“Iappreciatethe——thekindness，“saidAusten，“andIwilltrytoexplain。“Hedrewtheredcardboardfromhispocketandturneditover。

“Onthebackofthisisprinted，insmallletters，\'Itisunderstoodthatthispassisacceptedbytherecipientasaretainer。\'“

“Well，“Mr。Flintinterrupted，smilingsomewhatblandly，“howmuchmoneydoyouthinkthatpasswouldsaveanactiveyounglawyerinayear？Isthreehundreddollarstoomuch？Threehundreddollarsisnotaninsignificantsumtoayoungmanonthethresholdofhispractice，isit？“

AustenlookedatMr。Flint。

“Anysumisinsignificantwhenitrestrictsalawyerfromtheacceptanceofjustcauses，Mr。Flint。AsIunderstandthematter，itisthecustomofyourrailroadtosendthesepassestotheyounglawyersoftheStatethemomenttheybegintogivesignsofability。Thispastwouldpreventmefromservingclientswhomighthaverighteousclaimsagainstyourrailroads，and——permitmetospeakfrankly——inmyopinionthepracticetendstomakeitdifficultforpoorpeoplewhohavebeeninjuredtogetefficientlawyers。“

“Yourownfatherisretainedbytherailroad，“saidMr。Flint。

“Astheircounsel，“answeredAusten。“Ihaveaprideinmyprofession，Mr。Flint，asnodoubtyouhaveinyours。IfIshouldeveracquiresufficienteminencetobesoughtascounselforarailroad，Ishouldmakemyowntermswithit。Ishouldnotallowitsmanagementalonetodecideuponthevalueofmyretainer，andmyservicesinitsbehalfwouldbeconfinedstrictlytoprofessionalones。“

Mr。Flintdrummedonthetable。

“Whatdoyoumeanbythat？“hedemanded。

“ImeanthatIwouldnotengage，forafeeorapass，tofightthepoliticalbattlesofarailroad，orundertakeanypoliticalmanipulationinitsbehalfwhatever。“

Mr。Flintleanedforwardaggressively。

“HowlongdoyouthinkarailroadwouldpaydividendsifitdidnotadoptsomemeansofdefendingitselffromtheblackmailpoliticianoftheStatelegislatures，Mr。Vane？TherailroadsofwhichIhavethehonourtobepresidentpayaheavytaginthisandotherStates。Wewouldpayamuchheavieroneifwedidn\'ttakeprecautionstoprotectourselves。ButIdonotintendtoquarrelwithyou，Mr。Vane，“hecontinuedquickly，perceivingthatAustenwasabouttoanswerhim，“nordoIwishtoleaveyouwiththeimpressionthattheNortheasternRailroadsmeddleundulyinpolitics。“

Austenknewnothowtoanswer。HehadnotgonetheretodiscussthislastandreallygreatquestionwithMr。Flint，buthewonderedwhetherthepresidentactuallythoughthimthefledglingheproclaimed。AustenlaidhispassonMr。Flint\'sdesk，androse。

“Iassureyou，Mr。Flint，thatthespiritwhichpromptedmyvisitwasnotacontentiousone。Icannotacceptthepass，simplybecauseIdonotwishtoberetained。“

Mr。Flinteyedhim。Therewasamarkofdignity，ofsilentpower，onthistallscapegraceofasonofHilaryVanethattherailroadpresidenthadmissedatfirst——probablybecausehehadlookedonlyforthescapegrace。Mr。Flintardentlydesiredtotreatthematterinthetriflingaspectinwhichhebelievedhesawit，tocarryitoffgenially。

Butaninstinctnotyetformulatedtoldthepresidentthathewasfacetofacewithanenemywhosepotentialpowerswerenottobedespised，andhebristledinspiteofhimself。

“ThereisnostatuteIknowofbywhichalawyercanbecompelledtoacceptaretaineragainsthiswill，Mr。Vane，“hereplied，andovercamehimselfwithaneffort。“ButIhopethatyouwillpermitme，“headdedinanothertone，“asanoldfriendofyourfather\'sandasamanofsomelittleexperienceintheworld，toremarkthatintoleranceisacharacteristicofyouth。IhaditinthedaysofMr。IsaacD。

Worthington，whomyoudonotremember。Iamnotaddictedtoflattery，butIhopeandbelieveyouhaveacareerbeforeyou。Talktoyourfather。Studythequestiononbothsides，——fromthepointofviewofmenwhoarehonestlytrying，inthefaceoftremendousdifficulties，toprotectinnocentstockholdersaswellastoconductacorporationintheinterestsofthepeopleatlarge，andfortheirgeneralprosperity。Becharitable，youngman，andjudgenothastily。“

Yearsbefore，whenpoorSarahAustenhadadornedtheendofhistable，HilaryVanehadraisedhisheadafterthepronouncementofgracetosurprisealookinhiswife\'seyeswhichstrangelythrewhimintoawhiteheatofanger。Thatlook(andheatintervalshadbehelditafterwards)

wasthetruepresentmentofthesoulofthewomanwhosebodywashis。Itwasnot——asHilaryVanethoughtit——acontemptforthepracticeofthankingone\'sMakerfordailybread，butacontemptforcantofonewhoseesthehumourincant。AmasculineversionofthatlookMr。FlintnowbeheldintheeyesofAustenVane，andtheenragingeffectonthepresidentoftheUnitedRailroadswasmuchthesameasithadbeenonhischiefcounsel。Whowasthisyoungmanofthreeandthirtytoagitatehimso？Hetrembled，thoughnotvisibly，yettookAusten\'shandmechanically。

“Goodday，Mr。Vane，“hesaid；Mr。Freemanwillhelpyoutofindyourhorse。“

Thethinsecretarybowed，andbeforehereachedthedoorintothepassageMr。Flinthadopenedanotheratthebackoftheroomandsteppedoutonaclose-croppedlawnfloodedwithafternoonsunlight。InthepassageAustenperceivedachair，andinthechairwasseatedpatientlynoneotherthanMr。BrushBascom——politicalDukeofPutnam。Mr。Bascom\'slittleagateeyesglitteredinthedimlight。

“Hello，Austen，“hesaid，“sincewhenhaveyoutooktocomin\'here？“

“It\'salongertripfromPutnamthanfromRipton，Brush，“saidAusten，andpassedon，leavingMr。Bascomwithapuzzledmind。SomethingverylikeasmilepassedoverMr。Freeman\'sfaceasheledthewaysilentlyoutofasideentranceandaroundthehouse。Thecircleofthedrivewasempty，thetea-partyhadgone——andVictoria。Austenassuredhimselfthatherdisappearancerelievedhim:havingvirtuallyquarrelledwithherfather，conversationwouldhavebeenawkward；andyethelookedforher。

TheyfoundthebuggyandPepperinthepavedcourtyardofthestables。

AsAustentookthereinsthesecretarylookedupathim，hismildblueeyesburningwithanunsuspectedfire。Heheldouthishand。

“Iwanttocongratulateyou，“hesaid。

“Whatfor？“askedAusten，takingthehandinsomeembarrassment。

“Forspeakinglikeaman，“saidthesecretary，andheturnedonhisheelandlefthim。

Thisstrangeaction，capping，asitdid，astrangerexperience，gaveAustenfoodforthoughtasheletPeppertakehisownpacedownthetrade\'sroad。Presentlyhegotbackintothemaindrivewhereitclungtoasteep，forest-coveredsidehill，whenhisattentionwasdistractedbythesightofastraightfigureinwhitedescendingamidstthefoliageahead。HisinstinctiveactionwastopullPepperdowntoawalk，scarcelyanalyzinghismotives；thenhehadtime，beforereachingthespotwheretheirpathswouldcross，toconsiderandcharacteristicallytoenjoytheunpropitiouselementsarrayedagainstafriendshipwithVictoriaFlint。

Shehaltedonaflagstoneofthedescendingpathsomesixfeetabovetheroadway，andstoodexpectant。TheRoseofSharon，fiveandtwentyyearsbefore，wouldhavebeencoy——wouldhavemadebelievetohavedoneitbyaccident。ButtheRoseofSharon，withallherbeauty，wouldhavehadnoattractionforAustenVane。Victoriahadmuchofhermother\'sgoodlooks，thefigureofaDiana，andherclotheswereofaseverityandcorrectnessinkeepingwithherstyle；theymerelyaddedtothesumtotaloftheeffectuponAusten。Ofcoursehestoppedthebuggyimmediatelybeneathher，andherfirstquestionlefthimwithoutanybreath。Nowomanhehadeverknownseizedtheessentialsasshedid。

“Whathaveyoubeendoingtomyfather？“sheasked。

“Why？“exclaimedAusten。

“Becausehe\'sinsuchabadtemper，“saidVictoria。“Youmusthaveputhiminit。Itcan\'tbepossiblethatyoucameallthewayupheretoquarrelwithhim。Nobodyeverdarestoquarrelwithhim。“

“Ididn\'tcomeuptoquarrelwithhim，“saidAusten。

“What\'sthetrouble？“askedVictoria。

Thehumourofthisquestionwastoomuchforhim，andhelaughed。

Victoria\'seyeslaughedalittle，buttherewasapuckerinherforehead。

“Won\'tyoutellme？“shedemanded，“ormustIgetitoutofhim？“

“Iamafraid，“saidAusten，slowly，“thatyoumustgetitoutofhim——ifhehasn\'tforgottenit。“

“Forgottenit，dearoldsoul！“criedVictoria。“ImethimjustnowandtriedtomakehimlookatthenewGuernseys，andhemusthavebeendisturbedquiteagooddealwhenhe\'scrossasabeartome。Hereallyoughtn\'ttobeupsetlikethat，Mr。Vane，whenhecomesupheretorest。

Iamafraidthatyouareratheraterribleperson，althoughyoulooksonice。Won\'tyoutellmewhatyoudidtohim？“

Austenwasnon-plussed。

“Nothingintentional，“heansweredearnestly，“butitwouldn\'tbefairtoyourfatherifIgaveyoumyversionofabusinessconversationthatpassedbetweenus，wouldit？“

“Perhapsnot，“saidVictoria。Shesatdownontheflagstonewithherelbowonherkneeandherchininherhand，andlookedathimthoughtfully。Heknewwellenoughthatawisegeneralwouldhaveretreated——horse，foot，andbaggage；butPepperdidnotstir。

“Doyouknow，“saidVictoria，“IhaveanideayoucameuphereaboutZebMeader。“

“ZebMeader！“

“Yes。Itoldmyfatherabouthim，——howyourescuedhim，andhowyouwenttoseehiminthehospital，andwhatagoodmanheis，andhowpoor。“

“Oh，didyou！“exclaimedAusten。

“Yes。AndItoldhimtheaccidentwasn\'tZeb\'sfault，thatthetraindidn\'twhistleorring，andthatthecrossingwasablindone。“

“Andwhatdidhesay？“askedAusten，curiously。

“Hesaidthatonarailroadasbigashissomethingofthekindmusthappenoccasionally。AndhetoldmeifZebdidn\'tmakeafussandactfoolishly，hewouldhavenocausetoregretit。“

“AnddidyoutellZeb？“askedAusten。

“Yes，“Victoriaadmitted，“butI\'msorryIdid，now。“

“WhatdidZebsay？“

Victorialaughedinspiteofherself，andgaveamoreorlessexactthoughkindlyimitationofMr。Meader\'smanner。

“Hesaidthatwimmen-folkshadbettersticktotheneedleandtheduster，andnotgopokin\'aboutlawbusinessthatdidn\'tconcern\'em。Buttheworstofitwas，“addedVictoria，withsomedistress，“hewon\'tacceptanymorefruit。Isn\'thesilly？Hewon\'tgetitintohisheadthatI

givehimthefruit，andnotmyfather。Isuspectthatheactuallybelievesmyfathersentmedowntheretotellhimthat。“

Austenwassilent，forthetruesignificanceofthisapparentlyobscuredamagecasetotheNortheasternRailroadswasbeginningtodawnonhim。

Thepublicwasnotinthebestofhumourstowardsrailroads:therewastroubleaboutgradecrossings，andMr。Meader\'smishapandthemannerofhisrescuebythesonofthecorporationcounselhadgiventheaccidentadeplorablepublicity。Moreover，ifithaddawnedonAugustusFlintthatthesonofHilaryVanemightprosecutethesuit，itwasworthwhiletakingalittlepainswithMr。MeaderandMr。AustenVane。Certainsmallfireshavebeenknowntolightworld-wideconflagrations。

“Whatareyouthinkingabout？“askedVictoria。“Itisn\'tatallpolitetoforgetthepersonyouaretalkingto。“

“Ihaven\'tforgottenyou，“saidAusten，withasmile。Howcouldhe——

sittingunderherinthismanner？

“Besides，“saidVictoria，mollified，“youhaven\'tanansweredmyquestion。“

“Whichquestion？

Shescrutinizedhimthoughtfully，andwithfeminineartmadethekindofanattackthatrarelyfails。

“Whyareyousuchanenigma，Mr。Vane？“shedemanded。“Isitbecauseyou\'realawyer，orbecauseyou\'vebeenoutWestandseensomuchoflifeandshotsomanypeople？“

Austenlaughed，yethehadtinglingsymptomsbecausesheshowedenoughinterestinhimtopronouncehimariddle。Butheinstantlybecameseriousasthepurportofthelastchargecamehometohim。

“IsupposeIamlookeduponasasortofJesseJames，“hesaid。“Asithappens，Ihavenevershotbutoneman，andIdidn\'tcareverymuchforthat。“

Victoriagotupandcamedownastepandgavehimherhand。Hetookit，norwashethefirsttorelinquishthehold；andacolourrosedelicatelyinherfaceasshedrewherfingersaway。

“Ididn\'tmeantooffendyou，“shesaid。

“Youdidn\'toffendme，“herepliedquickly。“ImerelywishedyoutoknowthatIwasn\'tabrigand。“

Victoriasmiled。

“Ireallydidn\'tthinkso——youaremuchtoosolemn。Ihavetogonow，and——youhaven\'ttoldmeanything。“

Shecrossedtheroadandbegantodescendthepathontheotherside。

Twiceheglancedback，afterhehadstarted，andoncesurprisedherpoisedlightlyamongtheleaves，lookingoverhershoulder。

CHAPTERV

THEPARTINGOFTHEWAYS

ThenexttimeAustenvisitedthehospitalMr。Meaderhadasurpriseinstoreforhim。Afterpassingthetimeofday，aswashiscustom，thepatientfreelydiscussedthemotiveswhichhadledhimtorefuseanymoreofVictoria\'sfruit。

“Ihain\'tgotnothingagainsther，“hedeclared；“Itriedtomakethatplain。She\'sasniceandcommonayoungladyasIeversee，andIdon\'tbelieveshehadathingtodowithit。ButIsuspicionedtheywasuptosomethin\'whenshebroughtthembaskets。AndwhenshegivemethemessagefromoldFlint，Iwassureofit。“

“MissFlintwasentirelyinnocent，I\'msure，“saidAusten，emphatically。

“IfIcouldseeoldFlint，I\'dtellhimwhatIthoughtofhimusin\'

wimmen-folkstosave\'emmoney，“saidMr。Meader。“Iknowedshewahn\'tthatkind。Andthenthatotherthingcomerightontopofit。“

“Whatotherthing？“

“Say，“demandedMr。Meader，“don\'tyouknow？“

“Iknownothing，“saidAusten。

“Didn\'tknowHilaryVane\'sbe\'nhere？“

“Myfather！“Austenejaculated。

“Gittin\'aftermeprettywarm，sotheybe。Wanttoknowwhatmypriceisnow。Butsay，Ididn\'tsupposeyourfayther\'dcomeherewithoutlettin\'

youknow。“

Austenwassilent。Thetruthwasthatforafewmomentshecouldnotcommandhimselfsufficientlytospeak。

“Heisthechiefcounselfortheroad，“hesaidatlength；“Iamnotconnectedwithit。“

“Iguessyou\'reontherighttrack。He\'saprettysmoothtalker，yourfayther。JustdroppedintoseehowIbe，sincehissonwasinterested。

TalkedasightoflawgibberishIdidn\'tunderstand。ToldmeIdidn\'thavemuchofacase；saidthepolicyoftherailrudwastobeliberal，andwantedtoknowwhatIthoughtIoughttohave。“

“Well？“saidAusten，shortly。

“Well，“saidMr。Mender，“hedidn\'tgitamiteofsatisfactionoutofme。

I\'veseenenoughofhiskindoffolkstoknowhowtodealwith\'em，andI

toldhimso。IaskedhimwhattheymeantbysendingthatslickMr。

Tooting\'raoundtooffermefivehundreddollars。IsaidIwaswillin\'

totrustmycaseonthatcrossin\'toajury。“

Austensmiled，inspiteofhismingledemotions。

“WhatelsedidMr。Vanesay？“heasked。

Notagreatsightmore。Saidagoodmanyfolkswerefoolishenoughtospendmoneyandgotolawwhenthey\'ddonebettertotrusttotheliberalityoftherailrud。Liberality！Adams\'widowdonewelltotrusttheirliberality，didn\'tshe？Hewantedtoknowonemorething，butI

didn\'tgivehimanysatisfaction。“

“Whatwasthat？“

“Icouldn\'ttellyouhowhegot\'raoundtoit。Guessheneverdid，quite。Hewantedtoknowwhatlawyerwastohavemycase。Wahn\'tnoneofhisaffair，andIcallatedifyou\'dwantedhimtoknowjustyet，you\'dhavetoadhim。“

Austenlaidhishandonthefarmer\'s，asherosetogo。

“Zeb，“hesaid，“Ineverexpecttohaveamoreexemplaryclient。“

Mr。Mendershotaglanceathim。

“MebbeIspokeamitetoofreeaboutyourfayther，Austen，“hesaid；“youandhimseemkindofdifferent。“

“TheJudgeandIunderstandeachother，“answeredAusten。

Hehadgotasfarasthedoor，whenhestopped，swungonhisheel，andcamebacktothebedside。

“It\'smydutytotellyou，Zeb，thatinordertohushthisthinguptheymayofferyoumorethanyoucangetfromajury。InthatcaseIshouldhavetoadviseyoutoaccept。“

Hewasawarethat，whilehemadethisstatement，ZebMeader\'seyeswererivetedonhim，andheknewthatthefarmerwasweighinghiminthebalance。

“Sellout？“exclaimedMr。Meader。“Youadvisemetosellout？“

Austendidnotgetangry。Heunderstoodthismanandthepeoplefromwhichhesprang。

“Thequestionisforyoutodecide——whetheryoucangetmoremoneybyasettlement。“

“Money！“criedZebMeader，“Ihavefounditprettyhardtogit，butthere\'ssomethingsIwon\'tdoforit。There\'sareasonwhytheywantthiscasehushedup，thewaythey\'vebe\'nactin\'。Iain\'tlivedinMercerandPutnamCountyallmylifefornothin\'。Hain\'tIseen\'emruntheirdirtypoliticsthereunderBrushBascomforthelasttwenty-fiveyears？There\'snomanhasanofficeorapassinthatcountybutwhatBascomgivesittohim，andBascom\'stherailrudtool。“SuddenlyZebraisedhimselfinbed。“Hev\'theybe\'ntamperin\'withyou？“hedemanded。

“Yes，“answeredAusten，dispassionately。HehadhardlyheardwhatZebhadsaid；hismindhadbeengoingonward。“Yes。Theysentmeanannualpass，andItookitback。“

ZebMeaderdidnotspeakforafewmoments。

“IguessIwasalittlehasty，Austen，“hesaidatlength。

“Imighthaveknownyouwouldn\'tsellout。Ifyou\'re\'willin\'totaketherisk，youtell\'emtenthousanddollarswouldn\'ttemptme。“

“Allright，Zeb，“saidAusten。

HeleftthehospitalandstruckoutacrossthecountrytowardstheslopesofSawanec，climbedthem，andstoodbareheadedintheeveninglight，gazingoverthestill，widevalleynorthwardtothewoodedridgeswhereLeithandFairviewlayhidden。Hehadcometothepartingofthewaysoflife，andwhilehedidnothesitatetochoosehispath，aVaneinheritance，thoughnotdominant，couldnotfailatsuchajuncturetopointoutthepleasantnessofconformity。Austen\'saffectionforHilaryVanewasreal；thelonelinessoftheeldermanappealedtotheson，whoknewthathisfatherlovedhiminhisownway。Hedreadedthewrenchthere。

Andnature，persuasiveinthatquarter，wasnottobestilledinafieldmorecompletelyherown。ThememoryandsupplianceofaminutewillscarcesufficeoneofAusten\'stemperamentforalifetime；andhiseyes，flyingwiththeeaglehighacrossthevalley，searchedthevelvetfoldsoftheridges，astheylayininfiniteshadesofgreeninthelevellight，fortheplacewheretheenchantedrealmmightbe。JustwhatthestateofhisfeelingswereatthistimetowardsVictoriaFlintistoovague——accuratelytobepainted，buthewascertainlynotreadytogivewaytotheattractionhefeltforher。Hissenseofhumourintervenedifheallowedhimselftodream；therewasacertainfollyinpursuingtheacquaintance，allthegreaternowthathewaschoosingthepathofoppositiontothedragon。Ayoungwoman，surroundedasshewas，couldbeexpectedtoknowlittleofthesubtletiesofbusinessandpoliticalmorality:lethimtakeZebMeader\'scase，andherloyaltywouldnaturallybewithherfather，——ifshethoughtofAustenVaneatall。

Andyettheverycontradictionofhername，VictoriajoinedwithFlint，seemedtoproclaimthatshedidnotbelongtoherfatherortotheRoseofSharon。Austenpermittedhimselftodwell，ashedescendedthemountaininthegatheringdarkness，uponthefancyofthespringingofagenerationofidealsfromagenerationofcommercewhichbodedwellfortheRepublic。AndAustenVane，incommonwiththatyoungerandtravelledgeneration，thoughtlargelyintermsoftheRepublic。PepperCountyandPutnamCountywereallonetohim——piecesofhisnativeland。Andassuch，redeemable。

ItwaslongpastthesupperhourwhenhereachedthehouseinHanoverStreet；butEuphrasia，whomanyatimeindaysgonebyhadfaredforthintothewoodstofindSarahAusten，hadhissupperhotforhim。

Afterwardshelightedhispipeandwentoutintothedarkness，andpresentlyperceivedablackfigureseatedmeditativelyonthegranitedoorstep。

“Isthatyou，Judge？“saidAusten。

TheHonourableHilarygruntedinresponse。

“Be\'nonanotherwildexpedition，Isuppose。“

“IwentupSawanectostretchmylegsalittle，“Austenanswered，sittingdownbesidehisfather。

“Funny，“remarkedtheHonourableHilary，“Ineverhadthismaniaforstretchin\'mylegsafterIwasgrown。“

“Well，“saidAusten，“Iliketogointothewoodsandclimbthehillsandgetairedoutonceinawhile。“

“Iheardofyourgettin\'airedoutyesterday，upTunbridgeway，“saidtheHonourableHilary。

“Isupposedyouwouldhearofit，“answeredAusten。

“Iwasupthereto-day。GaveMr。Flintyourpassdidyou？“

“Yes。“

“Didn\'tseefittomentionittomefirst——didyou？Saidyouweregoinguptothankhimforit。“

Austenconsideredthis。

“Youhaveputmeinthewrong，Judge，“herepliedafteralittle。“I

madethatremarkironically。IIamafraidwecannotagreeonthemotivewhichpromptedme。“

“Yourconsciencealittlefinerthanyourfather\'s——isit？“

“No，“saidAusten，“Idon\'thonestlythinkitis。I\'vethoughtagooddealinthelastfewyearsaboutthedifferenceinourwaysoflookingatthings。Ibelievethattwomenwhotrytobehonestmayconscientiouslydiffer。ButIalsobelievethatcertaincustomshavegraduallygrownupinrailroadpracticewhicharemoreorlesstobedeploredfromthepointofviewofthehonouroftheprofession。Ithinktheyarenotperhaps——

realizedevenbytheeminentmeninthelaw。“

“Humph！“saidtheHonourableHilary。Buthedidnotpresshissonfortheenumerationofthesecustoms。AfteralltheyearshehaddisapprovedofAusten\'sdeedsitseemedstrangeindeedtobecalledtoaccountbytheprodigalforhisown。Coulditbethatthisboywhomhehadsooftenchastisedtookaclearerviewofpracticalmoralitythanhimself？Itwaspreposterous。Butwhytheuneasinessofthepastfewyears？Whyhadhemorethanonceduringthatperiod，forthefirsttimeinhislife，questionedahithertoabsolutesatisfactioninhispositionofchiefcounselfortheNortheasternRailroads？Whyhadhehesitatedtoinitiatehissonintomanyoftheso-calleddutiesofarailroadlawyer？Austenhadneververballyarraignedthosedutiesuntilto-night。

Contradictoryasitmayseem，irritatingasitwastotheHonourableHilaryVane，heexperiencedagainthecertainfainttinglingofprideaswhenAustenhadgivenhimthedispassionateaccountoftheshootingofMr。Blodgett；andthistinglingonlyservedtostiffenHilaryVanemorethanever。Alifelonghabitofadmittingnothingandalifelongpridemadetheacknowledgmentofpossibleprofessionallapsesforthebenefitofhisemployernottobethoughtof。HethereforeassumedthesameattitudeashadMr。Flint，andforcedtheburdenofexplanationuponAusten，relyingsurelyonthedisinclinationofhissontobespecific。

AndAusten，consideringhisrelationship，couldnotbeexpectedtofathomthesementalprocesses。

“Seehere，Judge，“hesaid，greatlyembarrassedbytherealaffectionhefelt，“Idon\'twanttoseemlikeaprigandappeartobesittinginjudgmentuponamanofyourexperienceandpositionespeciallysinceI

havethehonourtobeyourson，andhavemadeagooddealoftroublebyanotirreproachableexistence。Sincewehavebegunonthesubject，however，IthinkIoughttotellyouthatIhavetakenthecaseofZebMeaderagainsttheNortheasternRailroads。“

“Wahn\'tmuchneedoftellingme，wasthere？“remarkedtheHonourableHilary，dryly。“I\'dhavefounditoutassoonasanybodyelse。“

“Therewasthisneedoftellingyou，“answeredAusten，steadily，“althoughIamnotinpartnershipwithyou，Ibearyourname。Andin-as-

muchasIamtohaveasuitagainstyourclient，ithasoccurredtomethatyouwouldlikemetomove——elsewhere。“

TheHonourableHilarywassilentforalongtime。

“Wanttomove——doYOU？Isthatit？“

“Onlybecausemypresencemayembarrassyou。“

“Thatwahn\'tinthecontract，“saidtheHonourableHilary；“you\'vegotarighttotakeanyfoolcasesyou\'veamindto。FolksknowprettywellI\'mnotmixedupin\'em。“

Austendidnotsmile；hecouldwellunderstandhisfather\'sanimusinthismatter。Ashelookedupatthegableofhisoldhomeagainstthestars，hedidnotfindthenextsentenceanyeasier。

“Andthen，“hecontinued，“intaking，acoursesoobviouslyagainstyourwishesandjudgmentitoccurredtome——well，thatIwaseatingatyourtableandsleepinginyourhouse。“

Tohisson\'sastonishment，HilaryVaneturnedonhimalmosttruculently。

“Ithoughtthetime\'dcomewhenyou\'dwanttogooffagain，——gypsying，“

hecried。

“I\'dstayrighthereinRipton，Judge。IbelievemyworkisinthisState。

TheHonourcouldseethroughamillstonewithaholeinit。TheeffectofAusten\'sassertiononhimwasadeclarationthatthemissionoftheonewastoteardownwhattheotherhadsolaboriouslybuiltup。AndyetagrowingdreadofHilaryVane\'shadbeenthelonelinessofdecliningyearsinthathouseshouldAustenleaveitagain，nevertoreturn。

“IknewyouhadthisMeaderbusinessinmind，“hesaid。“Iknewyouhadfancifulnotionsabout——somethings。NevertoldyouIdidn\'twantyouhere，didI？“

“No，“saidAusten，“but——“

WouldhavetoldyouifIhadn\'twantedyou——wouldn\'tI？“

“Ihopeso，Judge，“saidAusten，whounderstoodsomethingofthefeelingwhichunderlaythisbrusquenees。Thatknowledgemademattersalltheharderforhim。

“Itwasyourmother\'shouse——you\'reentitledtothat，anyway，“saidtheHonourableHilary，“butwhatIwanttoknowis，whyyoudidn\'tadvisethateternalfoolofaMeadertoacceptwhatweofferedhim。You\'llnevergetacountyjurytogiveasmuch。“

“Ididadvisehimtoacceptit，“answeredAusten。

“What\'sthematterwithhim？“theHonourableHilarydemanded。

“Well，judge，ifyoureallywantmyopinion，anhonestfarmerlikeMeaderissuspiciousofanycorporationwhichhassuchzealousandloyalretainersasHamTootingandBrushBascom。“AndAustenthoughtwithareturnofthepangwhichhadhauntedhimatintervalsthroughouttheafternoon，thathemightalmosthaveaddedtothesenamesthatofHilaryVane。CertainlyZebMeaderhadnotsparedhisfather。

“Life，“observedtheHonourableHilary，unconsciouslyusingaphrasefromthe\'BookofArguments，\'“isasurvivalofthefittest。“

“Howdoyoudefine\'thefittest？\'“askedAusten。“Aretheythemenwhohavethenotunusualandcertainlynotexaltedgiftofgettingmoneyfromtheirfellowcreaturesbytheuseofanyandallweaponsthatmaybeathand？whobelievetheacquisitionofwealthtobeexemptfromthepracticeofmorality？IsMr。Flintyourexampleofthefittesttypetoexistandsurvive，orGladstoneorWilberforceorEmersonorLincoln？“

“Emerson！“criedtheHonourableHilary，thenamestandingoutinredlettersbeforehiseyes。Hehadneverreadalineofthephilosopher\'swritings，noteventhechargeto“hitchyourwagontoastar“(notinthe“BookofArguments“)。SarahAustenhadreadEmersoninthewoods，andherson\'squestionsoundedsoliketheunintelligiblebutunanswerableflasheswithwhichthewifehadonrareoccasionsopposedthehusband\'sauthoritythatHilaryVanefoundhistempergettingthebestofhim——ThenameofEmersonwasimmutablyfixedinhismindasthesynonymforincomprehensible，foolishhabitsandbeliefs。“Don\'ttalkEmersontome，“heexclaimed。“AndasforBrushBascom，I\'veknownhimforthirtyyears，andhe\'sdoneasmuchfortheRepublicanpartyasanymaninthisState。“

ThisvindicationofMr。Bascomnaturallybroughttoacloseaconversationwhichhadalreadycontinuedtoolong。TheHonourableHilaryretiredtorest；but——ifAustenhadknownit——nottosleepuntilthesmallhoursofthemorning。

ItwasnotuntiltheensuingspringthatthecaseofMr。ZebulunMeaderagainsttheUnitedNortheasternRailroadscameupfortrialinBradford，thecounty-seatofPutnamCounty，andwedonotwishtoappeartogiveittoogreataweightintheannalsoftheState。Foronething，theweeklynewspapersdidnotmentionit；andMr。PaulPardriff，whenurgedtogiveanaccountoftheproceedingsintheRiptonRecord，saiditwasamatterofnoimportance，andspenttheafternoonwritinganeditorialaboutthedomestichabitsoftheAztecs。Mr。Pardriff，however，hadthoughtthematterofsufficientinterestpersonallytoattendthetrial，andforthejourneyhemadeuseofapieceofgreencardboardwhichhehabituallycarriedinhispocket。TheeditoroftheBradfordChampiondidnothavetousehisyellowcardboard，yethiscolumnsmaybesearchedinvainfortheevent。

Notthatitwassuchagreatevent，oneofhundredsofrailroadaccidentsthatcometocourt。ThesonofHilaryVanewastheplaintiff\'scounsel；

andMr。Meader，althoughhehadnotbeenabletoworksincehisreleasefromthehospital，hadbeenabletotalk，andtheinteresttakeninthecasebytheaverageneglectedcitizeninPutnamprovedthattheweeklynewspaperisnottheonlydisseminatorofnews。

Therailroad\'ssideofthecasewaspresentedbythatgenialandablepractitionerofPutnamCounty，Mr。NathanielBillings，whotravelledfromhishomeinWilliamstownbytheexhibitionofaredticket。AustenVanehadtopayhisownwayfromRipton，butashehandedbackthemileagebook，theconductorleanedoverandwhisperedsomethinginhisearthatmadehimsmile，andAustenthoughthewouldratherhavethatlittledropofencouragementthanapass。AndasheleftthecaratBradford，twogrizzledandhard-handedindividualsaroseandwishedhimgoodluck。

Heneededencouragement，——whatyounglawyerdoesnotonhisfirstimportantcase？Andhedidnotliketothinkofthefutureifhelostthis。Butinthismatterhepossessedacertainself-confidencewhicharosefromajustandrighteousangeragainsttheforcesopposinghimandaknowledgeoftheirtactics。TohismindhisclientwasnotZebMeaderalone，butthehostofvictimswhohadbeenmaimedandboughtoffbecauseitwascheaperthantogivethepublicaproperprotection。

Thecourtroomwascrowded。Mr。ZebMeader，palebutdetermined，wassurroundedbyaknotofMercerneighbours，manyofwhomwerewitnesses。

TheagateeyesofMr。BrushBascomflashedfromtheaudience，andMr。NatBillingsbustledforwardtoshakeAusten\'shand。NatwasoneofthosewhocallednotinfrequentlyupontheHonourableHilaryinRipton，andhadsatonAusten\'slittletable。

“Gladtoseeyou，Austen，“hecried，sothatthepeoplemighthear；andadded，inaconfidentiallylowertone，“Welawyersunderstandthattheselittlethingsmakenodifference，eh？“

“I\'mwillingtoagreetothatifyouare，Nat，“Austenanswered。Helookedatthelawyer\'sfleshyface，blue-blackwhereitwasshaven，andatMr。Billings\'shiftyeyesandmouth，whichitsmusclescouldnotquitekeepinplace。Mr。Billingsalsohadnickedteeth。ButhedidhisbesttohidetheseobviousdisadvantagesbyaFalstaffianbonhomie，——forMr。

Billingswasgrowingstout。

“Itrieditonceortwice，myfriend，whenIwasyounger。It\'snoble，butitdon\'tpay，“saidMr。Billings，stillconfidential。“Brushissour——lookathim。ButIunderstandhowyoufeel。I\'mthekindoffellerthatspeaksout，andwhatIcan\'tunderstandis，whytheoldmanletyougetintoit。“

“Heknewyouweregoingtobeontheotherside，Nat，andwantedtoteachmealesson。IsupposeitisfollytocontestacasewheretheRailroadCommissionhascompletelyexoneratedyourclient，“Austenaddedthoughtfully。

Mr。Billings\'answerwastowink，veryslowly，withoneeye；andshortlyafterthesepleasantrieswereover，thecasewascalled。Afragrantwindblewinattheopenwindows，andNatureoutsidewasbeginningtoarrayherselfinmyriadhuesofgreen。Austenstudiedthejury，andwonderedhowmanypointsofhisargumenthecouldremember，butwhenhehadgottohisfeetthewordscametohim。IfweshouldseekanemblemforKingDavid\'ssmooth，roundstonewhichheflungatGoliath，weshouldcallitthetruth——forthetruthneverfailstoreachthemark。Austen\'sopeningwasnotlong，hiswordssimpleandnotdramatic，butheseemedtochargethemwithsomethingofthesamemagneticforcethatcompelledpeopletoreadandbelieve“UncleTon\'sCabin“andthe“SongoftheShirt。“

Spectatorsandjurylistenedintently。

Sometwentywitnessesappearedfortheplaintiff，allofwhomdeclaredthattheyhadheardneitherbellnorwhistle。Mostofthesewitnesseshadbeeninthegrove，twoorthreeinthetrain；two，residentsofthevicinity，testifiedthattheyhadcomplainedtotheRailroadCommissionaboutthatcrossing，andhadreceivedevasiveanswerstotheeffectthatitwasthedutyofcitizenstolookoutforthemselves。Oncross-

examinationtheydeclaredtheyhadnoobjectiontogradecrossingswhichwereproperlysafeguarded；thiscrossingwasadeath-trap。(Strickenout。)Mr。Billingsmadethemistakeoftryingtoprovethatoneofthesefarmers——aclear-eyed，full-chestedmanwithadeepvoice——hadananimusagainsttherailroaddatingfromacontroversyconcerningtheshippingofmilk。

“Ihaveananimus，yourHonour，“saidthewitness，quietly。“WhentherailrudisrepresentedbythekindofpoliticianswehaveinPutnam，it\'snaturalIshouldhain\'tit？“

Thisanswer，althoughstrickenout，wasgleefullyreceived。

InmarkedcontrasttotheearnestnessofyoungMr。Vane，whothenrested，Mr。Billingstreatedtheaffairfromthestandpointofamanoflargepracticewhousuallyhasmoreweightymatterstoattendto。Thiswassocomparativelytrivialasnottobedignifiedbyaseriousmien。Hequotedfreelyfromthe“BookofArguments，“remindingthejuryofthedebtofgratitudetheStateowedtotheNortheasternRailroadsfordoingsomuchforitspeople；andiftheyweretoeliminateallgradecrossings，therewouldbenodividendsforthestockholders。Besides，thelawwasthattheStateshouldpayhalfwhenacrossingwaseliminated，andtheStatecouldnotaffordit。Austenhadsuggested，inhisopening，thatitwascheaperfortherailroadaswellastheStatetokillcitizens。HeaskedpermissiontoinquireofthelearnedcounselforthedefencebywhatauthorityhedeclaredthattheStatecouldnotaffordtoenterintoapolicybywhichgradecrossingswouldgraduallybeeliminated。

“Why，“saidMr。Billings，“thefactthatallbillsintroducedtothisendnevergetoutofcommittee。“

“MayIask，“saidAusten，innocently，“whohasbeenchairmanofthatparticularcommitteeinthelowerHouseforthelastfivesessions？“

Mr。Billingswassavedtheembarrassmentofansweringthisquestionbyaloudvoiceintherearcallingout:——

“BrushBascom！“

Aroaroflaughtershookthecourtroom，andalleyeswereturnedonBrush，whocontinuedtositunconcernedlywithhislegscrossedandhisarmoverthebackoftheseat。Theoffenderwasputout，orderwasrestored，andMr。Billingsdeclared，withaninjuredair，thathefailedtoseewhythecounselfortheplaintiffsawfittoimpugnMr。Bascom。

“Imerelyaskedaquestion，“saidAustere；“farbeitfrommetoimpugnanymanwhohasheldofficesinthegiftofthepeopleforthelasttwentyyears。“

Anothergaleoflaughterfollowedthis，duringwhichMr。Billingswriggledhismouthandgaveastrongimpressionthatsuchtacticsandsuchlevityweretobedeplored。

Forthedefence，theengineerandfiremanbothsworethatthebellhadbeenrungbeforethecrossingwasreached。AustenmerelyinquiredwhetherthiswasnotwhentheyhadleftthestationatNorthMercer，twomilesaway。No，itwasnearer。Pressedtonametheexactspot，theycouldonlyconjecture，butnearenoughtobeheardonthecrossing。

Otherwitnesses——amongthemseveralpicnickersinthegrove——sworethattheyhadheardthebell。OneoftheseAustenaskedifhewasnotthememberfromMercerinthelastLegislature，andMr。Billings，nolongergenial，sprangtohisfeetwithanobjection。

“Imerelywishtoshow，yourHonour，“saidAusten，“thatthiswitnessacceptedapassfromtheNortheasternRailroadswhenhewenttotheLegislature，andthathehashadseveraltrippassesforhimselfandhisfamilysince。“

Theobjectionwasnotsustained，andMr。Billingsnotedanexception。

Anotherwitness，uponwhoseappearancetheaudiencetitteredaudibly，wasDaveSkinner，bossofMercer。Hehadlived，hesaid，inthetownofMercerallhislife，andmaintainedthathewaswithinahundredyardsofthetrackwhentheaccidentoccurred，andheardthebellring。

Isitnotafact，“saidAustentothiswitness，“thatMr。BrushBascomhasamortgageonyourfarm？“

“Icanshow，yourHonour，“Austencontinued，whenMr。Billingshadfinishedhisprotest，“thatthismanwasonhiswaytoRiversidetopayhisquarterlyinstalment。“

Mr。Bascomwasnotpresentattheafternoonsession。Mr。Billings\'

summingupwassomewhatimpassioned，andcontainedmorequotationsfromthe“BookofArguments。“Heregretted，hesaid，theobviousappealstoprejudiceagainstarailroadcorporationthatwashonestlytryingtodoitsduty-yes，andmorethanitsduty。

Misjudged，misused，eventhoughfriendless，itwouldcontinuetoservethepeople。Sonoble，indeed，wasthepicturewhichMr。Billings\'

eloquenceraisedupthathisvoiceshookwithemotionashefinished。

IntheopinionofmanyofthespectatorsAustenVanehadyettolearntheartoforatory。Hemightwithproprietyhaveportrayedthesufferingandlossofthepoorfarmerwhowashisclient；hemerelyquotedfromthedoctor\'stestimonytotheeffectthatMr。Meaderwouldneveragainbeabletodophysicallabourofthesortbywhichhehadsupportedhimself，andendedupbycallingtheattentionofthejurytothephotographsandplansofthecrossinghehadobtainedtwodaysaftertheaccident，requestingthemtonotethefactsthatthepublichighway，approachingthroughadenseforestandunderbrushatanangleofthirty-threedegrees，climbedtherailroadembankmentatthatpoint，andatraincouldnotbeseenuntilthehorsewasactuallyonthetrack。

Thejurywasoutfiveminutesafterthejudge\'scharge，andgaveMr。

ZebulunMeaderaverdictofsixthousanddollarsandcosts，——apopularverdict，fromtheevidentapprovalwithwhichitwasreceivedinthecourtroom。Quietbeingrestored，Mr。Billingsrequested，somewhatvehemently，thatthecasebetransferredontheexceptionstotheSupremeCourt，thatthestenographerwriteouttheevidence，andthathemighthavethreeweeksinwhichtoprepareadraft。Thiswasgranted。

ZebMeader，truetohisnature，wasself-containedthroughoutthecongratulationshereceived，buthisjoywasneverthelessintense。

“Youshook\'emupgood，Austen，“hesaid，makinghiswaytowherehiscounselstood。“Isuspicionedyou\'ddoit。Buthowaboutthishereappeal？“

“Billingsismerelytryingtosavethefaceofhisrailroad，“Austenanswered，smiling。“Hehasn\'ttheleastnotionofallowingthiscasetocomeupagain——takemywordforit。“

“Iguessyourword\'sgood，“saidZeb。“AndIwanttotellyouonething，asanoldman。I\'vebeentalkin\'toPutnamCountyfolkssome，andyouhain\'tlostnothin\'bythis。“

“HowamItogetalongwithoutthefriendshipofBrushBascom？“askedAusten，soberly。

Mr。Meader，whohadbecomeusedtothismildsortofhumour，relaxedsufficientlytolaugh。