下载辰思小说免费APP
“ThemenwhohaveheldofficeinthisState，“hesaid，“havealwaysbeenwillingtolistentoanysuggestionImayhavethoughtpropertomaketothem。ThisisundoubtedlybecauseIamattheheadofthepropertywhichpaysthelargesttaxes。NeedlesstosayIamcharyofmakingsuggestions。ButIamsurprisedthatyoushouldhavejumpedataconclusionwhichistheresultofapopularandunfortunatelyprevalentopinionthattheNortheasternRailroadsmeddledinanywaywiththegovernmentorpoliticsofthisState。Iamgladofthisopportunityofassuringyouthatwedonot，“hecontinued，leaningforwardandholdinguphishandtowardoffinterruption，“andIknowthatSenatorWhitredgewillbearmeoutinthisstatement，too。“
Thesenatornoddedgravely。Mr。Crewe，whowasanythingbutafool，andjustasassertiveasMr。Flint，cutin。
“Lookhere，Mr。Flint，“hesaid，“Iknowwhatalobbyis。Ihaven\'tbeenadirectorinrailroadsmyselffornothing。Ihavenoobjectiontoalobby。YouemploycounselbeforetheLegislature，don\'tyou——“
“Wedo，“saidMr。Flint，interrupting，“thebestandmosthonourablecounselwecanfindintheState。Whennecessary，theyappearbeforethelegislativecommittees。AsapropertyholderintheState，andanadmirerofitsbeauties，andasitswell-wisher，itwillgivemegreatpleasuretolookoveryourbills，andusewhateverpersonalinfluenceI
mayhaveasacitizentoforwardthem，shouldtheymeetmyapproval。AndIamespeciallygladtodothisasaneighbour，Mr。Crewe。Asaneighbour，“herepeated，significantly。
ThepresidentoftheNortheasternRailroadsroseashespokethesewords，andheldouthishandtoMr。Crewe。Itwasperhapsacoincidencethatthesenatorrosealso。
“Allright，“saidMr。Crewe，“I\'llcallaroundagaininabouttwoweeks。
Comeandseemesometime，Senator。“Thankyou，“saidthesenator，“I
shallbehappy。AndifyouareeverinyourautomobilenearthetownofRamsey，stopatmylittlefarm，Mr。Crewe。ItrusttobeablesoontocongratulateyouonastepwhichIamsurewillbebutthebeginningofalongandbrilliantpoliticalcareer。“
“Thanks，“saidMr。Crewe；“bythebye，ifyoucouldseeyourwaytodropahinttothatfellerBraden，Ishouldbemuchobliged。“
Thesenatorshookhisheadandlaughed。
“Jobisanindependentcuss，“hesaid，“I\'mafraidhe\'dregardthatasanunwarrantedtrespassonhispreserves。“
Mr。Crewewasusheredoutbythestoopingsecretary，Mr。Freeman；who，insteadofseizingMr。Crewe\'shandashehadAustenVane\'s，saidnotaword。ButMr。CrewewouldhavebeeninterestedifhecouldhaveheardMr。Flint\'sfirstremarktothesenatorafterthedoorwasclosedonhisback。ItdidnotrelatetoMr。Crewe，buttothesubjectunderdiscussionwhichhehadinterrupted；namely，theRepublicancandidatesforthetwentysenatorialdistrictsoftheState。
OnitswaybacktoLeiththeredmotorpausedinfrontofMr。Ball\'sstore，andthatgentlemanwassummonedintheusualmanner。
“DoyouseethisBradenonceinawhile？“Mr。Crewedemanded。
Mr。Balllookedknowing。
“TellhimIwanttohaveatalkwithhim，“saidMr。Crewe。“I\'vebeentoseeMr。Flint，andIthinkmatterscanbearranged。Andmindyou，nowordaboutthis，Ball。“
“IguessIunderstandathingortwo，“saidMr。Ball。“Trustmetohandleit。“
Twodayslater，asMr。Crewewasseatedinhisstudy，hismanenteredandstoodrespectfullywaitingforthetimewhenheshouldlookupfromhisbook。
“Well，whatisitnow，Waters？“
“Ifyouplease，sir，“saidtheman，“astrangemessagehascomeoverthetelephonejustnowthatyouweretobeinroomnumbertwelveoftheRiptonHouseto-morrowatteno\'clock。Theywouldn\'tgiveanyname，sir，“addedthedignifiedWaters，who，totellthetruth，wassomewhatoutraged，nortellwheretheytelephonedfrom。Butitwasaman\'svoice，sir。“
“Allright，“saidMr。Crewe。
Hespentmuchoftheafternoonandeveningdebatingwhetherornothisdignitywouldpermithimtogo。Butheorderedthemotorathalf-pastnine，andatteno\'clockpreciselytheclerkattheRiptonHousewasbowingtohimandhandinghim，deferentially，adrippingpen。
“Where\'sroomnumbertwelve？“saidthedirectMr。Crewe。
“Oh，“saidtheclerk，andpossessingafullshareoftheworldlywisdomofhiscalling，hesmiledbroadly。“Iguessyou\'llfindhimupthere，Mr。Crewe。Front，showthegentlemantonumbertwelve。“
Thehallboyknockedonthedoorofnumbertwelve。
“C——comein，“saidavoice。“Comein。“
Mr。Creweentered，thehallboyclosedthedoor，andhefoundhimselffacetofacewithacomfortable，smooth-facedmanseatedwithgreatplacidityonarocking-chairinthecentreoftheroom，betweenthebedandthemarble-toppedtable:amantowhom，evidently，arichabundanceofthoughtwassufficientcompany，forhehadneithernewspapernorbook。
Heroseinaleisurelyfashion，andseemedtheveryessenceofthebenignashestretchedforthhishand。
“I\'mMr。Crewe，“theownerofthatnameproclaimed，acceptingthehandwithnoexaggerationofcordiality。Thesituationjarredonhimatrifle。
“Iknow。Seedyouontheroadonceortwice。Howbeyou？“
Mr。Crewesatdown。
“IsupposeyouareMr。Braden，“hesaid。
Mr。Bradensankintotherockerandfingeredawaistcoatpocketfullofcigarsthatlookedlikeasectionofacartridge-belt。
“T——tryoneofmine，“hesaid。
“Ionlysmokeonceafterbreakfast，“saidMr。Crewe。
“Abstemious，beyou？Nevercouldfindthatitdidmeanyhurt。“
Thisledtoanawkwardpause，Mr。Crewenotbeingamanwhofoundprofitinidlediscussion。HeglancedatMr。Braden\'sphilanthropicandbeamingcountenance，whichwouldhavemadethefortuneofabishop。ItwasnotusualforMr。Crewetofinditdifficulttobeginaconversation，ortohaveacompanionasself-sufficientashimself。ThismanBradenhadallthefun，apparently，insittinginachairandlookingintospacethatStonewallJacksonhad，oranordinarymaninwatchingaperformanceof“A
TriptoChinatown。“Letitnotbeinferred，again，thatMr。Crewewasabashed；buthewaspuzzled。
“IhadanengagementinRiptonthismorning，“hesaid，“toseeaboutsomebusinessmatters。AndafterIreceivedyourtelephoneIthoughtI\'ddropinhere。“
“Didn\'ttelephone，“saidMr。Braden，placidly。
“What！“saidMr。Crewe，“Icertainlygotatelephonemessage。“
“N——nevertelephone，“saidMr。Braden。
“Icertainlygotamessagefromyou，“Mr。Creweprotested。
“Didn\'tsayitwasfromme——didn\'tsayso——didthey——“
“No，“saidMr。Crewe，“but——“
“ToldBallyouwantedtohavemeseeyou，didn\'tyou？“
Mr。Crewe，whenhehadunravelledthissentence，didnotfancythewayitwasput。
“ItoldBallIwasseeingeverybodyinLeith，“heanswered，“andthatI
hadcalledonyou，andyouweren\'tathome。Ballinferredthatyouhadasomewhatsingularwayofseeingpeople。“
“Youdon\'tunderstand，“wasMr。Braden\'ssomewhatenigmaticreply。
“Iunderstandprettywell，“saidMr。Crewe。“I\'macandidatefortheRepublicannominationforrepresentativefromLeith，andIwantyourvoteandinfluence。YouprobablyknowwhatIhavedoneforthetown，andthatI\'mthebiggesttaxpayer，andanall-the-year-roundresident。“
“S——someinNooYork——hain\'tyou？“
“Well，youcan\'texpectamaninmypositionandwithmyintereststostayathomeallthetime。IfeelthatIhavearighttoaskthetownforthisnomination。IhavesomebillsherewhichI\'llrequestyoutoreadover，andyouwillseethatIhaveideaswhichareofrealvaluetotheState。TheStateneedswakingup-progressivemeasures。You\'reafarmer，ain\'tyou？“
“Well，Ihavebe\'n。“
“Icanimprovetheconditionofthefarmeronehundredpercent，andifmyroadsystemisfollowed，hecangethisgoodstomarketforaboutatenthofwhatitcostshimnow。WehaveinfinitelyvaluableforestsintheStatewhicharebeingwastedbylumbermen，whichoughttobepreserved。Youreadthosebills，andwhatIhavewrittenaboutthem。“
“Youdon\'tunderstand，“saidMr。Braden，drawingalittlecloserandwavingasidethemanuscriptwithhiscigar。
“Don\'tunderstandwhat？“
“Don\'tseemtounderstand，“repeatedMr。Braden，confidinglylayinghishandonMr。Crewe\'sknee。“Candidateforrepresentative，beyou？“
“Yes，“repliedMr。Crewe，whowasbeginningtoresentthemannerinwhichhedeemedhewasbeingplayedwith，“ItoldyouIwas。“
“M——madeallthembillsoutbeforeyouwaschose？“saidMr。Braden。
Mr。Crewegrewredintheface。
“Iaminterestedinthesequestions，“hesaidstiffly。
“Littlemitehasty，wahn\'tit？“Mr。Bradenremarkedequably，“butyou\'vegotplentyoftimeandmoneytofoolwithsuchthings，ifyou\'veamindto。Themdon\'tamounttoahillofbeansinpolitics。Nobodypaysanyattentiontothatsortoffireworksdowntothecapital，andiftheywastogetintocommitteethemNortheasternRailroadsfellers\'dbury\'emdeeperthanthebottomofSalempond。Theydon\'twantnosuchthingsasthemtopass。“
“Pardonme，“saidMr。Crewe，“butyouhaven\'tread\'em。“
“Iknowwhattheybe，“saidMr。Braden，“I\'vebe\'ninpoliticsmoreyearsthanyou\'vebe\'nlivin\'，Iguess。Idon\'twanttoread\'em，“heannounced，hisbenignmannerunchanged。
“Ithinkyouhavemadeamistakesofarastherailroadisconcerned，Mr。
Braden，“saidMr。Crewe，“I\'mapracticalmanmyself，andIdon\'tindulgeinmoonshine。Iamadirectorinoneortworailroads。IhavetalkedthismatteroverwithMr。Flint，andincidentallywithSenatorWhitredge。“
“KnowedWhitredgeaforeyouhadanyteeth，“saidMr。Braden，whodidnotseemtobegreatlyimpressed，“knowhimintimate。What\'dyougotoFlintfor？“
“Wehaveinterestsincommon，“saidMr。Crewe，“andIamratheraclosefriendofhis。MygoingtotheLegislaturewillbe，Ithink，toourmutualadvantage。“
“O——oughttohavecomerighttome，“saidMr。Braden，leaningoveruntilhisfacewasincloseproximitytoMr。Crewe\'s。“Whitredgetoldyoutocometome，didn\'the？“
Mr。Crewewasalittletakenaback。
“Thesenatormentionedyourname，“headmitted。
“Heknows。SaidIwasthemantoseeifyouwasacandidate，didn\'the？
ToldyoutotalktoJobBraden，didn\'the？“
NowMr。CrewehadnomeansofknowingwhetherSenatorWhitredgehadbeeninconferencewithMr。Bradenornot。
“Thesenatormentionedyournamecasually，insomeconnection，“saidMr。
Crewe。
“Heknows，“Mr。Bradenrepeated，withafinalitythatspokevolumesforthesenator\'sjudgment；andhebentoverintoMr。Crewe\'sear，withtheairofconveyingamildbutwell-meritedreproof，“You\'doughttocomerighttomeinthefirstplace。Icouldhavesavedyouallthatunnecessarytroubleofseein\'folks。Therehasn\'tbe\'narepresentativeleftthetownofLeithforthirtyyearsthatIhain\'tagreedto。
Whitredgeknowsthat。IfIsayyoukingo，youkingo。Youunderstand，“
saidMr。Braden，withhisfingersonMr。Crewe\'skneeoncemore。
FiveminuteslaterMr。CreweemergedintothedazzlingsunoftheRiptonsquare，climbedintohisautomobile，andturneditsheadtowardsLeith，strangelyforgettingthemainengagementwhichhesaidhadbroughthimtotown。
CHAPTERVIII
THETRIALSOFANHONOURABLE
ItwasaboutthistimethatMr。HumphreyCrewewastransformed，byoneofthosesubtleandinexplicablechangeswhichoccurinAmericanpolitics，intotheHonourableHumphreyCrewe。And，asinterestingbitsofnewsaboutimportantpeopleareboundtoleakout，itbecameknowninLeiththathehadsubscribedtowhatisknownasaClippingBureau。TwoweeksafterthedayheleftMr。Braden\'spresenceintheRiptonHousetheprincipalnewspapersofthecountrycontainedthestartlingannouncementthatthewell-knownsummercolonyofLeithwastoberepresentedintheStateLegislaturebyamillionaire。TheRepublicannomination，whichMr。
Crewehadsecured，wasequivalenttoanelection。
ForalittletimeafterthatMr。Crewe，althoughnaturallyanimportantandbusyman，scarcelyhadtimetonodtohisfriendsontheroad。
“PoordearHumphrey，“saidMrs。Pomfret，“whowassousedtodroppingintodinner，hasn\'thadamomenttowritemealinetothankmeforthestatesman\'sdiaryIboughtforhiminLondonthisspring。They\'reinthatnewredleather，andAylestonesayshefindshissouseful。I
droppedinatWedderburnto-daytoseeifIcouldbeofanyhelp，andthepoormanwasbuttonholedbytworeporterswhohadcomeallthewayfromNewYorktoseehim。Ihopehewon\'toverdoit。“
Itwastrue。Mr。CrewewastoappearintheSundaysupplements。“AreourMillionairesenteringPolitics？“Mr。Crewe，withhisusualgracioushospitality，showedthereportersovertheplace，andgavethemsuggestionsastothebestvantage-pointsinwhichtoplanttheircameras。Hehimselfwasatlengthprevailedupontobetakeninaroughhomespunsuit，andwithawalking-stickinhishand，appraisingwithaknowingeyeaflockofhisownsheep。Pressedalittle，heconsentedtorelatesomethingofthesystematicmannerinwhichhehadgoneabouttosecurethisnomination:howhehadvisitedinpersonthehomesofhisfellow-townsmen。“Iknewthemall，anyway，“heisquotedassaying；“wehavehadthepleasantestofrelationshipsduringthemanyyearsIhavebeenaresidentofLeith。“
“Belovedofhistownspeople，“thispartofthearticlewasheaded。No，thesewerenotMr。Crewe\'swords——hewastoomodestforthat。Whenurgedtogivethenameofoneofhistownsmenwhomightdealwiththisandotherembarrassingtopics，Mr。Ballwasmentioned。“Belovedofhistownspeople“wasMr。Ball\'sphrase。Althoughamulti-millionaire，nomanismoreconsiderateofthefeelingsandtherightsofhismorehumbleneighbours。SendhimtotheLegislature！We\'dsendhimtotheUnitedStatesSenateifwecould。He\'lllandthere，anyway。“Suchwasarandomestimate(Mr。Ball\'s)thereportersgatheredontheirwaytoRipton。Mr。
CrewedidnothesitatetosaythattheprosperityofthefarmershadrisenasaresultofhislaboursatWedderburnwherethemostimprovedmachineryandmethodswereadopted。Hiseffortstoraisetheagricultural，aswellasthemoralandintellectual，toneofthecommunityhadbeenunceasing。
Thenfollowedanintelligentabstractofthebillshewastointroduce——
theresultsofaprogressiveandstatesmanlikebrain。“Therewasanaccountofhimasamethodicalandpainstakingbusinessmanwhosesuggestionstotheboardsofdirectorsofwhichhewasamemberhadbeeninvaluable。Thearticleendedwithalistoftheclubstowhichhebelonged，ofthesocietieswhichhehadorganizedandofthoseofwhichhewasamember，——anditmighthavebeenremarkedbyadiscerningreaderthatmostofthesesocietieswereStateaffairs。FinallytherewasapenportraitofanApolloBelviderewhoworetheroughgarbofafarmer(onthedayswhenthepresswaspresent)。
Mr。Crewe\'sincessanttrials，whichwouldhavetaxedalessruggednature，didnotendhere。Aboutfiveo\'clockoneafternoonapleasant-
appearinggentlemanwithamellifluousvoiceturnedupwhointroducedhimselfasex(State)SenatorGrady。ThesenatorwasfromNewcastle，thatcityoutofthemysteriousdepthsofwhichsomanypoliticalstarshavearisen。Mr。Crewecancelledalong-deferredengagementwithMrs。
Pomfret，andinvitedthesenatortostaytodinner；thesenatorhesitated，explainedthathewasjustpassingthroughRipton，and，asitwasapleasantafternoon，hadcalledto“payhisrespects“；butMr。
Crewe\'swell-knownhospitalitywouldacceptnoexcuses。Mr。CreweopenedaboxofcigarswhichhehadboughtespeciallyforthetasteofStatesenatorsandaparticulargradeofScotchwhiskey。
Theytalkedpoliticsforfourhours。Whowouldbegovernor？ThesenatorthoughtAsaGraywould。Therailroadwasbehindhim，Mr。Creweobservedknowingly。ThesenatorremarkedthatMr。Crewewasnogosling。Mr。
Crewe，aspolitical-geniuseswill，askedasmanyquestionsastheemperorofGermany——pertinentquestionsaboutStatepolitics。SenatorGradywastremendouslyimpressedwithhishost\'sprogrammeofbills，andwentoverthemsopainstakinglythatMr。CrewebecamemoreandmorestruckwithSenatorGrady\'sintelligence。ThesenatortoldMr。CrewethatjustsuchamanashewasneededtopulltheStateoutoftherutintowhichshehadfallen。Mr。CrewesaidthathehopedtofindsuchenlightenedmenintheLegislatureasthesenator。Thesenatorletitbeknownthathehadreadthenewspaperarticles，andhadremarkedthatMr。CrewewasclosetothepresidentoftheNortheasternRailroads。
“Suchamanasyou，“saidthesenator，lookingattheremainderoftheScotchwhiskey，“willhavetherailroadbehindyou，sure。“
“Onemoredrink，“saidMr。Crewe。
“Imustgo，“saidMr。Grady，pouringitout，butthatremindsme。Itcomesovermesudden-like，asIsithere，thatyoucertainlyoughttobeinthenewencyclopeedieoftheprominentmenoftheState。Butsureyouhavereceivedanapplication。“
“Itisprobablethatmysecretaryhasone，“saidMr。Crewe，“buthehasn\'tcalledittomyattention。“
“Youmustgetinthatbook，Mr。Crewe，“saidthesenator，withanintenseearnestnesswhichgavetheimpressionofalarm；“afterwhatyou\'vetoldmeto-nightI\'llseetoitmyselfthatyougetin。ItmaybethatI\'vegotsomeofthesamplepageshere，ifIhaven\'tleftthemathome，“saidMr。Grady，fumblinginanampleinsidepocket，anddrawingforthabundle。“Sure，heretheyare。Ain\'tthatluckforyou？Listen！\'AsaP。GraywasbornonthethirdofAugust，eighteenforty-seven，theseventhsonofafarmer。See，there\'saspaceintheendtheylefttofillupwhenhe\'selictedgovernor！Here\'sanother。TheHonourableHilaryVanecomesfromoneoftheoldestPuritanfamiliesintheState，theVanesofCamdenStreet——\'Here\'sanother。\'TheHonourableBrushBascomofPutnamCountyisthesonofpoorbuthonourableparents——\'Lookatthepictureofhim。Ain\'tthatahandsomesteel-engravin\'ofthegentleman？“
Mr。Crewegazedcontemplativelyattheproof，butwastoobusywithhisownthoughtstoreflectthattherewasevidentlynotmuchpoororhonourableaboutMr。Bascomnow。
“Who\'spublishingthis？“heasked。
“FogartyandCompany；surethey\'rethebestpublishersintheState，asyouknow，Mr。Crewe。TheyhavetheStateprinting。Wasn\'titfortunateIhadtheproofswithme？TimFogartyslippedthemintomepocketwhenI
wasleavin\'Newcastle。\'Thebookisgoin\'topressthedayaftereliction，\'sayshe，\'John，\'sayshe，\'youknowIalwaysrelyonyourjudgment，andifyouhappentothinkofanybodybetweennowandthenwhooughttogoin，you\'llnotifyme，\'sayshe。WhenIreadthebillsto-
night，andsawthescopeofyourwork，itcameovermeinaflashthatHumphreyCrewewasthemantheyleftout。You\'llgetagoodmantowriteyourlife，andwhatyoudoneforthetownandState，andallthemsocietiesandbills，won\'tyou？\'Twouldbeathousandpitiesnottohaveitright。“
“Howmuchdoesitcost？“Mr。Creweinquired。
“SureIforgottoaskTimFogarty。Mebbehehasithere。Isignedonemyself，butIcouldn\'taffordthesteelengravin\'。Yes，heslippedonein。Twohundreddollarsforatwo-pagebiography，and，threehundredforthesteelengravin\'。Fivehundreddollars。Ididn\'tknowitwassocheapasthat，“exclaimedthesenator，“andeverybodyintheStatehavin\'toownoneinself-protection。Youdon\'thappentohaveapenaboutyou？“
Mr。Crewewavedthesenatortowardshisowndesk，andMr。Gradyfilledouttheblank。
“It\'sluckywearethatIdidn\'tdropinaftereliction，andthebookinpress，“heremarked；“andIhopeyou\'llgivehimagoodphotograph。
This\'sforyou，I\'lltakethistoTimmyself，“andhehandedthepenforMr。Crewetosignwith。
Mr。Crewereadovertheagreementcarefully，asabusinessmanshould，beforeputtinghissignaturetoit。Andthenthesenator，withrenewedinvitationsforMr。CrewetocallonhimwhenhecametoNewcastle，tookhisdeparture。AfterwardsMr。CreweremainedsolonginreflectionthathismanWatersbecamealarmed，andsoughthimoutandinterruptedhisrevery。
ThenextmorningMrs。Pomfret，whowasmerely“drivingby“withherdaughterAliceandBeatriceChillingham，spiedMr。Crewewalkingaboutamongtheyoungtreeshewasgrowingneartheroad，andoccasionallytappingthemwithhisstoutstick。Shepokedhercoachmaninthebackandcried:——
“Humphrey，you\'resuchanimportantmannowthatIdespairofeverseeingyouagain。Whatwasthematterlastnight？“
“ApoliticianfromNewcastle，“answeredMr。Crewe，continuingtotapthetrees，andwithoutsomuchasaglanceatAlice。
“Well，ifyou\'reasimportantasthisbeforeyou\'reelected，Ican\'tthinkwhatitwillbeafterwards，“Mrs。Pomfretlamented。“PoordearHumphreyissoconscientious。Whencanyoucome，Humphrey？“
“Don\'tknow，“saidMr。Crewe；“I\'lltrytocometonight，butImaybestoppedagain。Here\'sWatersnow。“
ThethreepeopleinMrs。Pomfret\'svictoriawereconsiderablyimpressedtoseethedignifiedWatershurryingdowntheslopefromthehousetowardsthem。Mr。Crewecontinuedtotapthetrees，butdrewalittlenearerthecarriage。
“Ifyouplease，sir，“saidWaters，“there\'satelephonecallforyoufromNewcastle。It\'surgent，sir。“
“Whoisit？“
“Theywon\'tgivetheirnames，sir。“
“Allright，“saidMr。Crewe，andwithagrinwhichspokevolumesforthemannerinwhichhewasharassedhestartedtowardsthehouse——innogreathurry，however。Reachingtheinstrument，andsaying“Hello“inhisusuallygraciousmanner，hewasgreetedbyavoicewithadecidedHibernian-Americanaccent。
“AmItalkin\'toMr。Crewe？“
“Yes。“
“Mr。HumphreyCrewe？“
“Yes——yes，ofcourseyouare。Whoareyou？“
“I\'mthepresidentoftheParadiseBenevolentandMilitaryAssociation，Mr。Crewe。Boysthatworkinthemills，youknow，“continuedthevoice，caressingly。“Sureyou\'veheardofus。We\'refivehundredstrong，andallofusgoodRepublicansasthepresident。We\'retohaveourannualfalloutingthefirstofOctoberinFinneyGrove，andwe\'dliketohaveyoucomedown。“
“ThefirstofOctober？“saidMr。Crewe。“I\'llconsultmyengagementbook。“
“We\'dliketohaveagoodpictureofyouinourprogramme，Mr。Crewe。Wehopeyou\'llobligeus。You\'resuchanimportantfigureinStatepoliticsnowyou\'doughttohaveafullpage。“
Therewasashortsilence。
“Whatdoesitcost？“Mr。Crewedemanded。
“Sure，“saidthecaressingvoiceofthepresident，“whateveryoulike。“
“I\'llsendyouacheckforfivedollars，andapicture，“saidMr。Crewe。
Theanswertothiswasaheartylaugh，whichthetelephonereproducedadmirably。Thevoicenowlostalittleofitscaressingnoteandpartookofaharderquality。
“You\'reasplendidhumorist，Mr。Crewe。Fivedollarswouldn\'tpayfortheplateandthepaper。Agentlemanlikeyoucouldgiveustwenty-five，andneverknowitwasgone。Youwon\'tbewantingtostopintheLegislature，Mr。Crewe，andwerememberourfriendsinNewcastle。“
“Verywell，I\'llseewhatIcando。Good-by，I\'vegotanengagement，“
saidMr。Crewe，andslammeddownthetelephone。Heseatedhimselfinhischair，andthepensivemoodsocharacteristic(wearetold)ofstatesmencameoverhimoncemore。
WhiletheseandotherconferencesanddutiestoonumeroustomentionwereabsorbingMr。Crewe，hewasnottoobusytobearinmindthepleasureofthosearoundhimwhohadnotreceivedsuchanabundanceoftheworld\'sblessingsashe。ThetownspeopleofLeithwereabouttobestowonhimtheirgreatestgift。Whatcouldhedotoshowhisappreciation？
Wrestlingwiththisknottyproblem，abrilliantideaoccurredtohim，——hewouldhaveagarden-party:inviteeverybodyintown，andadmitthemtothesanctitiesofWedderburn；yes，evenofWedderburnhouse，thattheymightbeholdwiththeirowneyesthecarvedivoryelephantsandothercontentsofglasscabinetswhichreekedoftheSundayafternoonsofyouth。Beingamanofaction，Mr。PardriffwassummonedatoncefromLeithandaskedforhislowestpriceoneighthundredandfiftyinvitationsandanoticeofthepartyintheRiptonRecord。
“Goin\'toinviteDemocrats，too？“demandedMr。Pardriff，glancingatthecheck-list。
“Everybody，“saidMr。Crewe，withunparalleledgenerosity。“Iwon\'tdrawanydistinctionbetweenfriendsandenemies。They\'reallneighbours。“
“Andsomeof\'emmight，byaccident，votetheRepublicanticket，“Mr。
Pardriffretorted，narrowinghiseyesalittle。
Mr。Creweevidentlythoughtthisanegligiblesuggestion，forhedidnotreplytoit，butpresentlyaskedforthepoliticalnewsinRipton。
“Well，“saidMr。Pardriff，“youknowtheytriedtogetAustenVanetorunforStatesenator，don\'tyou？“
“VaneWhy，heain\'tafull-fledgedlawyeryet。I\'vehiredhiminanunimportant，case。Whoaskedhimtorun？“
“YoungTomGaylordandadelegation。“
“Hecouldn\'thavegotit，“saidMr。Crewe。
“Idon\'tknow，“saidMr。Pardriff，“hemighthavegivenBillingsahustleforthenomination。“
“YousupportedBillings，Inoticed，“saidMr。Crewe。
Mr。Pardriffwinkedaneye。
“I\'mnotreadytowalkthetieswhenIgotoNewcastle，“heremarked，“andNatain\'tquitebankruptyet。TheGaylords，“continuedMr。
Pardriff，whoalwaystookthecynicalviewofamanoftheworld，“havehadsomerowwiththeNortheasternoverlumbershipments。Iunderstandthey\'regoin\'tobuck\'emforafranchiseinthenextLegislature，justtomakeitlively。TheGaylordsain\'texactlypoverty-stricken，buttheymightaswelltrytomoveSawanecMountainastheNortheastern。“
ItwasafactthatyoungTomGaylordhadapproachedAustenVanewitha“delegation“torequesthimtobeacandidatefortheRepublicannominationfortheStatesenateinhisdistrictagainsttherailroadcandidateandAusten\'slateopponent，theHonourableNatBillings。ItwasafactalsothatAustenhadinvitedthedelegationtositdown，althoughtherewereonlytwochairs，andthatawrestlingmatchhadensuedwithyoungTom，intheprogressofwhichonechairhadbeenbroken。YoungTomthoughtitwastimetofighttherailroad，andperceivedinAustentheelementsofarebelleader。AustenhadundertakentothrowyoungTomoutofafrontwindow，whichwasalarge，old-fashionedone，——andafterHerculeaneffortshadactuallygothimontheledge，whensomethinginthestreetcaughthiseyeandmadehimdesistabruptly。ThesomethingwasthevisionofayoungwomaninabrownlinensuitseatedinarunaboutanddrivingahorsealmostashandsomeasPepper。
Whenthedelegation，afterexhaustingtheirmentalandphysicalpowersofpersuasion，hadatlengthtakentheirdepartureindisgust，Austenopenedmechanicallyaletterwhichhadverymuchtheappearanceofanadvertisement，andbearingaone-centstamp。Itannouncedthatagarden-
partywouldtakeplaceatWedderburn，thehomeoftheHonourableHumphreyCrewe，atanotverydistantdate，andthehonourofthebearer\'spresencewasrequested。Refreshmentswouldbeserved，andtheRiptonBandwoulddispensemusic。Below，insmallprint，wereminutedirectionswheretoenter，wheretohitchyourteam，andwheretogoout。
AustenwasatalosstoknowwhatfairygodmotherhadpromptedMr。Crewetosendhimaninvitation，thecaseoftheinjuredhorsenothavingadvancedwithnoticeablerapidity。Nevertheless，theprospectofthegarden-partydawnedradiantlyforhimabovewhathadhithertobeenarathergloomyhorizon。SincetheafternoonhehaddrivenVictoriatotheHammonds\'hehadhaddailydebateswithanimaginarymaninhisownlikenesswho，tothedetrimentofhisreadingoflaw，satacrosshistableandarguedwithhim。Theimaginarymanwasunprincipled，andhadnodignity，buthehadsuchinfluenceoverAustenVanethathehadinducedhimtodrivetwicewithinsightofFairviewgate，whenAustenVanehadturnedroundagain。Theimaginarymanwasforgoingtocallonherandlettingsubsequenteventstakecareofthemselves；AustenVane，hadanuncomfortablequalityofreducingamatterfirstofalltoitssimplestterms。HeknewthatMr。Flint\'sviewswereasfixed，ineradicable，andunchangeableasanepitaphcutinagranitemonument；
hefelt(asMr。Flinthad)thattheirfirstconversationhadbeenbutaforerunnerof，astrifetocomebetweenthem；andaddtothisthefactsthatMr。FlintwasveryrichandAustenVanepoor，thatVictoria\'sfriendswerenothisfriends，andthathehadgravedoubtsthattheinterestshehadevincedinhimsprangfromanyotherincentivethanadesiretohavecommunicationwithvarioustypesofhumanity，hishesitationastoenteringMr。Flint\'shousewasnaturalenough。
ItwasofapiecewithMr。Crewe\'sgoodfortuneofgettingwhathewantedthatthedayofthegarden-partywasthebestthatSeptembercoulddointhatcountry，whichistosaythatitwasverybeautiful。Apregnantstillnessenwrappedthehills，ahazeshotwithgolddust，likethefilmiestofveils，softenedthedistantpurpleandtheblue-blackshadowsunderthepines。AustenawokefromhisdreaminthisenchantedborderlandtofindhimselfinalonglineofwagonsfilledwithpeopleintheirSundayclothes，——themeninblack，andtheyoungwomeninwhite，withgaystreamers，wendingtheirwaythroughtherear-entrancedriveofWedderburn，whereoneofMr。Crewe\'ssprucestemployeeswastakinguptheinvitationcardsliketickets，——aprecautiontopreventtherowdyelementfromRiptoncomingandeatinguptherefreshments。AustenobedientlytiedPepperinafield，ashewasdirected，andmadehiswaybyapaththroughthewoodstowardsthehouse，wheretheRiptonBandcouldbeheardplayingthesecondairintheprogramme，“Don\'tyouwishyou\'dWaited？“
ForareallyableaccountofthatmemorableentertainmentseetheRiptonRecordofthatweek，forwecannothopetoviewithMr。Pardriffwhenhisheartisreallyinhiswork。HowdescribethenoblefigureofMr。CreweasitburstuponAustenwhenheroundedthecornerofthehouse？Cladinarough-and-readymanner，withaGladstonecollartoindicatethenewlyacquiredstatesmanship，andfairlyradiatinggeniality，Mr。Crewestoodatthefootofthestepswhiletheguestsmadethecircuitofthedriveway；andtheycarefullyavoided，inobediencetoawarningsign，thegrasscircleinthecentre。Asmanandwifeconfrontedhim，Mr。Crewegreetedtheminhospitablebutstentoriantonesthatroseabovethestrainsof“Don\'tyouwishyou\'dWaited？“ItwasMr。Ballwhointroducedhistownspeopletothegreatmanwhowastorepresentthem。
“Howareyou？“saidMr。Crewe，withhiseyesonthegeraniums。“Mr。andMrs。PerleyWright，eh？Makeyourselvesathome。Everything\'sfree——
you\'llfindtherefreshmentsonthebackporch——justhaveaneyetothesignspostedround，that\'sall。“AndMr。andMrs。PerleyWright，overwhelmedbysuchawelcome，wouldpassonintoabackeddyofneighbours，wheretheywouldstick，staringatasignrequestingthempleasenottopicktheflowers。
“Can\'tsomebodystir\'emup？“Mr。Creweshoutedinanintervalwhenthebandhadstoppedtogatherstrengthforaneweffort。“Can\'tsomebodymove\'emroundtoseethecowsandwhat\'sinthehouseandtheautomobileandthehorses？Movearoundthedriveway，please。It\'ssohothereyoucan\'tbreathe。Someofyouwantedtoseewhatwasinthehouse。Now\'syourchance。“
Thisgracefulappealhadsometemporaryeffect，butthecongestionsoonreturned，whenamanofthehourappeared，amanwhosegeniusscatteredthegroupsandwhodidmoretomakethepartyasuccessthananysingleindividual，——Mr。HamiltonTooting，inagloriouswhitesilknecktiewithpurpleflowers。
“I\'llhandle\'em，Mr。Crewe，“hesaid；“alittlebrains\'llstart\'emgoin\'。Comealonghere，Mr。Wright，andI\'llshowyouthebestcowsthissideoftheHudsonRiverallpedigreedprizewinners。Hello，Aust，youtakeholdandgetthewimmen-folksinterestedinthecabinets。Youknowwheretheyare。“
“There\'sapersonwithsomesense，“remarkedMrs。Pomfret，whohadbeenatalittledistanceamongagroupofsummer-residentladiesandwatchingtheaffairwithshiningeyes。“I\'llhelp。Come，Edith；come，Victoriawhere\'sVictoria？——anddearMrs。Chillingham。WeAmericanwomenaresodeplorablylackinginthiskindofexperience。Alice，takesomeofthewomenintothegarden。I\'mgoingtointerestthatdear，benevolentmanwholookssohelpless，anddoinghisbesttohaveagoodtime。“
Thedear，benevolentmanchancedtobeMr。JobBraden，whowasstandingsomewhatapartwithhishandsinhispockets。HedidnotmoveasMrs。
Pomfretapproachedhim，holdingherglassestohereyes。
“Howareyou？“exclaimedthatlady，extendingawhite-glovedhandwithacordialitythatastonishedherfriends。“Itissopleasanttoseeyouhere，Mr——Mr——“
“Howbeyou？“saidMr。Braden，takingherfingersinthegingerlymannerhewouldhavehandledoneofMr。Crewe\'spricelesscurios。ThegiraffeMr。BarnumhadoncebroughttoRiptonwasnothalfasinterestingasthisimmaculateandmysteriousproductionofforeigndressmakersandFrenchmaids，butherefrainedfrombetrayingit。Hiseyerestedonthelorgnette。
“Near-sighted，beyou？“heinquired，——aremarksounexpectedthatforthemomentMrs。Pomfretwasdeprivedofspeech。
“Imanagetoseebetterwith——withthese，“shegasped，“whenwegetold——
youknow。“
“Youhain\'told，“saidMr。Braden，gallantly。“Ifyoube，“headded，hiseyetravellingupanddowntheParisiancurves，Iwouldn\'thavesuspectedit——notamite。“
“I\'mafraidyouaregiventoflattery，Mr——Mr——“sherepliedhurriedly。
“WhomhaveIthepleasureofspeakingto？“
“JobBraden\'smyname，“heanswered，“butyouhavetheadvantageofme。“
“How？“demandedthethoroughlybewilderedMrs。Pomfret。
“Ihain\'theardyourname，“hesaid。
“Oh，I\'mMrs。Pomfret——averyoldfriendofMr。Crewe\'s。Wheneverhehashisfriendswithhim，likethis，Icomeoverandhelphim。Itissodifficultforabachelortoentertain，Mr。Braden。“
“Well，“saidMr。Braden，bendingalarminglynearherear，“there\'sonewayoutofit。“
“What\'sthat？“saidMrs。Pomfret。
“Gitmarried，“declaredMr。Braden。
“Howverycleveryouare，Mr。Braden！IwishpoordearMr。Crewewouldgetmarried——awifecouldtakesomanyburdensoffhisshoulders。Youdon\'tknowMr。Creweverywell，doyou？“
“Callateto——soso，“saidMr。Braden。
Mrs。Pomfretwasatseaagain。
“Imean，doyouseehimoften？“
“Seenhimonce，“saidMr。Braden。“G-guessthat\'senough。“
“You\'reashrewdjudgeofhumannature，Mr。Braden，“shereplied，tappinghimontheshoulderwiththelorgnette，“butyoucanhavenoideahowgoodheis——howunceasinglyheworksforothers。Heisnotamanwhogivesmuchexpressiontohisfeelings，asnodoubtyouhavediscovered，butifyouknewhimasIdo，youwouldrealizehowmuchaffectionhehasforhiscountryneighboursandhowmuchhehastheirwelfareatheart。“
“Loves\'em——doeshe——loves\'em？“
“HeislikeanEnglishgentlemaninhissenseofresponsibility，“saidMrs。Pomfret；“overthere，youknow，itisapartofacountrygentleman\'sdutytoimprovetheconditionofhis——hisneighbours。AndthenMr。Creweissofondofhistownspeoplethathecouldn\'tresistdoingthisforthem，“andsheindicatedwithasweepofhereyeglassesthebeatitudewithwhichtheyweresurrounded。
“Wahn\'tnooccasionto，“saidMr。Braden。
“What！“criedMrs。Pomfret，whohadbeenwalkingoniceforsometime。
“Thishain\'tEngland——isit？Hain\'tEngland？“
“No，“sheadmitted，“but——“
“Hain\'tEngland，“saidMr。Braden，andleanedforwarduntilhewaswithinaveryfewinchesofherpearlear-ring。“He\'llbechoseallright——d-
don\'tfret——he\'llbechose。“
“MydearMr。Braden，I\'venodoubtofit——Mr。Crewe\'ssopopular，“shecried，removingherear-ringabruptlyfromthedangerzone。“Domakeyourselfathome，“sheadded，andretiredfromMr。Braden\'scompanyatrifledisconcerted，——anewexperienceforMrs。Pomfret。ShewonderedwhetherallcountrypeoplewerelikeMr。Braden，butdecided，afteranotherexperimentortwo，thathewasanoriginal。Morethanonceduringtheafternoonshecaughtsightofhim，beaminguponthefestivitiesaroundhim。Butshedidnotrenewtheconversation。
ToAustenVane，wanderingaboutthegrounds，Mr。Crewe\'spartypresentedasociologicalproblemofnosmallinterest。Mr。Crewehimselfinterestedhim，andhefoundhimselfspeculatinghowfaramanwouldgowhochargedthefastnessesofthepoliticianswithadeterminationnottobedeniedandabankaccounttobereckonedwith。AustentalkedtomanyoftheLeithfarmerswhomhehadknownfromboyhood，thankstohiscustomofroamingthehills；theywereforthemostparthonestmenwhoseoccupationinlifewasthefirstthought，andtheywerecontenttoleavepoliticstoMr。Braden——thatbeinghisprofession。TothemostintelligentoftheseMr。Crewe\'sgarden-partywasmerelythewantonwhimofamillionaire。ItwasanopensecrettothemthatJobBradenforreasonsofhisownhadchosenMr。Crewetorepresentthem，andtheyweremildlyamusedattheeffortsofMrs。Pomfretandherassistantstosecurevoteswhichwereascertainasthesun\'srisingonthemorrow。
ItwassometimebeforeAustencameupontheobjectofhissearch——thoughscarceadmittingtohimselfthatithadanobject。Ingreetinghim，afterinquiringabouthisrailroadcase，Mr。Crewehadindicatedwithawaveofhishandthegeneraldirectionoftherefreshments；butitwasnotuntilAustenhadtriedinallotherquartersthathemadehiswaytowardstheporchwherethelemonadeandcakeandsandwicheswere。Itwas，afterall，themostpopularplace，thoughtohismindtherefreshmentshadlittletodowithitspopularity。FromtheoutskirtsofthecrowdheperceivedVictoriapresidingoverthepunchbowlthatheldthelemonade。HelikedtothinkofherasVictoria；thenamehadnofamiliarityforhim，butseemedrathertoenhancetheunattainablequalityofher。
SurroundingVictoriawereseveralclean-looking，freckled，andtannedyoungmenofundergraduateagewearingstrawhatswithcolouredribbons，whoshowedeveryeagernesstoobeyandevenanticipatetheordersshedidnothesitatetogivethem。HereyeseemedcontinuallyonthealertforthoseofMr。Crewe\'sguestswhoweretoobashfultocomeforward，anddiscerningthemshewouldsendoneofherlieutenantsforwardwithsupplies。Sometimesshewouldgoherselftotheolderpeople；andonce，perceivingatiredwomanholdingababy(somanybroughtbabies，beingunabletoleavethem)，Victoriaimpulsivelyleftherpostandseizedthewomanbythearm。
“Docomeandsitdown，“shecried；“there\'sachairbesideme。Andoh，whatanicebaby！Won\'tyouletmeholdhim？“
“Why，yes，ma\'am，“saidthewoman，lookingupatVictoriawithgrateful，patienteyes，andthenwithaweatwhatseemedtoherthepricelessembroideryonVictoria\'swaist，“won\'thespoilyourdress？“
“Blesshim，no，“saidVictoria，pokingherfingerintoadimple——forhewassmilingather。“Whatifhedoes？“andforthwithsheseizedhiminherarmsandborehimtotheporch，amidstthelaughterofthosewhobeheldher，andsathimdownonherkneeinfrontofthelemonadebowl，thetiredmotherbesideher。“Willalittlelemonadehurthim？Justavery，verylittle，youknow？“
“Why，no，ma\'am，“saidthemother。
“Andjustateenybitofcake，“beggedVictoria，daintilybreakingoffapiece，whilethebabygurgledandsnatchedforit。“Dotellmehowoldheis，andhowmanymoreyouhave。“
“He\'selevenmonthsonthetwenty-seventh，“saidthemother，“andI\'vegotfourmore。“Shesighed，hereyeswanderingbacktotheembroidery。
“Whatbetweenthemandthehouseworkandthebuttermakin\'，ithain\'teasy。Beyoumarried？“
“No，“saidVictoria，laughingandblushingalittle。
“You\'llmakeagoodwifeforsomebody，“saidthewoman。“Ihopeyou\'llgetagoodman。“
“Ihopeso，too，“saidVictoria，blushingstilldeeperamidstthelaughter，“buttheredoesn\'tseemtobemuchchanceofit，andgoodmenareveryscarce。“
“Iguessyou\'reright，“saidthemother，soberly。“Notbutwhatmyman\'sgoodenough，buthedon\'tseemtogetalong，somehow。Thefarm\'sworeout，andthemortgagecomesaroundsoregular。“
“Wheredoyoulive？“askedVictoria，suddenlygrowingserious。
“Fitch\'splace。\'Tain\'tveryfarfromtheFourCorners，ontheAvalonroad。“
“AndyouareMrs。Fitch？“
“Callatetobe，“saidthemother。“Ifitain\'taskin\'toomuch，I\'dliketoknowyourname。“
“I\'mVictoriaFlint。IlivenotveryfarfromtheFourCorners——thatis，abouteightmiles。MayIcomeoverandseeyousometime？“
AlthoughVictoriasaidthisverysimply，themother\'seyeswideneduntilonemightalmosthavesaidtheyexpressedakindofterror。
“Landsakesalive，beyouMr。Flint\'sdaughter？Imighthaveknoweditfromthelace——thatdressmusthavecostafortune。ButIdidn\'tthinktofindyousocommon。“
Victoriadidnotsmile。Shehadheardtheword“common“sousedbefore，andknewthatitwasmeantforacompliment，andsheturnedtothewomanwithaveryexpressivelightinhereyes。
“Iwillcometoseeyou——thisveryweek，“shesaid。Andjustthenherglance，seeminglydrawninacertaindirection，metthatofatallyoungmanwhichhadbeenfixeduponherduringthewholeofthisscene。Shecolouredagain，abruptlyhandedthebabybacktohismother，androse。
“I\'mneglectingallthesepeople，“shesaid，“butdositthereandrestyourselfand——havesomemorelemonade。“
ShebowedtoAusten，andsmiledalittleasshefilledtheglasses，butshedidnotbeckonhim。Shegavenofurthersignofherknowledgeofhispresenceuntilhestoodbesideher——andthenshelookedupathim。
“Ihavebeenlookingforyou，MissFlint，“hesaid。
“Isupposeamanwouldneverthinkoftryingtheobviousplacesfirst，“
shereplied。“Hastings，don\'tyouseethatpooroldwomanoverthere？
Shelookssothirsty——giveherthis。“
Theboyaddressed，withaglanceatAusten，didashewasbid，andshesentoffasecondonanothererrand。
“Letmehelp，“saidAusten，seizingthecake；andbeingseizedatthesametime，byanunusualandinexplicabletremorofshyness，thrustitatthebaby。
“Oh，hecan\'thaveanymore；doyouwanttokillhim？“criedVictoria，seizingtheplate，andaddingmischievously，“Idon\'tbelieveyou\'reofverymuchuse——afterall！“
“Thenit\'stimeIlearned，“saidAusten。“Here\'sMr。Jenney。I\'msurehe\'llhaveapiece。“
“Well，“saidMr。Jenney，thesameMr。Jenneyoftheappleorchard，butholdingoutahornyhandwithunmistakablewarmth，“howbeyou，Austen？“
Lookingabouthim，Mr。Jenneyputhishandtohismouth，andadded，“Didn\'texpecttoseeyoutrailin\'ontothisherekite。“HetookapieceofcakebetweenhisthumbandforefingerandglancedbashfullyatVictoria。
“Havesomelemonade，Mr。Jenney？Do，“sheurged。
“Well，Idon\'tcareifIdo，“hesaid，“justalittlemite。“Hedidnotattempttostopherasshefilledtheglasstothebrim，butcontinuedtoregardherwithamixtureofcuriosityandadmiration。Seenyounursin\'
thebabyandmakin\'folksathome。Guessyouhavetheknackofitbetter\'nsomeIcouldmention。“
ThiswassuchapalpablestrokeattheirhostthatVictorialaughed，andmadehastetoturnthesubjectfromherself。
“Mr。Vaneseemstobeanoldfriendofyours，“shesaid。
“Why，“saidMr。Jenney，layinghishandonAusten\'sshoulder，“Icallateheis。Austen\'sbrokeinmore\'noneofmycoltsaforehewentWestandshotthatfeller。He\'sasgoodajudgeofhorse-fleshasanymaninthispartoftheState。HearTomGaylordandtheboyswantedhimtobeStatesenator。“
“Whydidn\'tyouaccept，Mr。Vane？“
“BecauseIdon\'tthinktheboyscouldhaveelectedme，“answeredAusten，laughing。
“He\'saspopularamanasthereisinthecounty，“declaredMr。Jenney。
Hewasamitewildasaboy，butsencehe\'ssobereddownandwonthatcaseagainsttherailrud，hecouldgetanyofficehe\'damindto。He\'salwaysadoin\'littlethingsforfolks，Austenis。“
“Did——didthatcaseagainsttherailroadmakehimsopopular？“askedVictoria，glancingatAusten\'sbroadback——forhehadmadehisescapewiththecake。
“Iguessithelpedconsiderable，“Mr。Jenneyadmitted。
“Why？“askedVictoria。
“Well，itwasafearlessthingtodo——plumbagainsthisowninterestswitholdHilaryVane。Austen\'sabrightlawyer，andIhavehearditsaidhewasinlineforhisfather\'splaceascounsel。“
“Do——dopeopledisliketherailroad？“
Mr。Jenneyrubbedhisbeardthoughtfully。Hebegantowonderwhothisyoungwomanwas，andaracialcautionseizedhim。
“Well，“hesaid，“folkshasanideatherailrudrunsthisStatetosuitthemselves。Iguesstheyhain\'tfarwrong。I\'vebe\'ntotheLegislatureandseensomesignsofit。Why，HilaryVanehimselfhaschargeofthemostconsiderablepartofthepolitics。Whobeyou？“Mr。Jenneydemandedsuddenly。
“I\'mVictoriaFlint，“saidVictoria。
“Godfrey！“exclaimedMr。Jenney，“youdon\'tsayso！Imighthaveknownit——seenyouontherudmorethanonce。ButIdon\'tknowallyourichfolksapart。Wouldn\'thavespokesofrankifI\'dknowedwhoyouwas。“
“I\'mgladyoudid，Mr。Jenney，“sheanswered。“Iwantedtoknowwhatpeoplethink。“
“Well，it\'salmightycomplicated，“saidMr。Jenney，shakinghishead。“I
don\'tknowbyrightswhattothink。AslongasI\'vesaidwhatIhave，I\'llsaythis:thatthepoliticiansisallfortherailrud，andIhain\'tgotamiteofuseforthepoliticians。I\'llvoteforafellerlikeAustenVaneeverytime，ifhe\'llrun，andIknowotherfolksthatwill。“
AfterMr。Jenneyhadlefther，Victoriastoodmotionless，gazingoffintothehaze，untilshewasstartledbythevoiceofHastingsWearebesideher。
“Say，Victoria，whoisthatman？“heasked。
“Whatman？“
HastingsnoddedtowardsAusten，who，withacakebasketinhishand，stoodchattingwithagroupofcountrypeopleontheedgeoftheporch。
“Oh，thatman！“saidVictoria。“Hisname\'sAustenVane，andhe\'salawyerinRipton。“
“AllIcansayis，“repliedHastings，withalightinhisface，“he\'soneI\'dliketotieto。I\'llbethecouldwhipanyfourmenyoucouldpickout。“
ConsideringthatHastingshadhimselfproposed——althoughinaverymildform——morethanoncetoVictoria，thiswasgenerous。
“Idaresayhecould，“sheagreedabsently。
“Itisn\'tonlythewayhe\'sbuilt，“persistedHastings，“helooksasifheweregoingtobesomebodysomeday。Introducemetohim，willyou？“
“Certainly，“saidVictoria。“Mr。Vane，“shecalled，“Iwanttointroduceanadmirer，Mr。HastingsWeare。“
“Ijustwantedtoknowyou，“saidHastings，reddening，“andVictoria——I
meanMissFlint——saidshe\'dintroduceme。“
“I\'mmuchobligedtoher，“saidAusten，smiling。
“Areyouinpolitics？“askedHastings。
“I\'mafraidnot，“answeredAusten，withaglanceatVictoria。
“You\'renothelpingHumphreyCrewe，areyou？“
“No，“saidAusten，andaddedwithanilluminatingsmile，“Mr。Crewedoesn\'tneedanyhelp。“
“I\'mgladyou\'renot，“exclaimedthedownrightHastings，withpalpablereliefinhisvoicethatanidolhadnotbeenshattered。“IthinkHumphrey\'safakir，andallthissortofthingtommyrot。Hewouldn\'tgetmyvotebygivingmelemonadeandcakeandlettingmelookathiscows。
Ifyoueverrunforoffice，I\'dliketocastitforyou。Myfatherisonlyasummerresident，butsincehehasgoneoutofbusinesshestaysheretillChristmas，andI\'llbetwenty-oneinayear。“
Austenhadceasedtosmile；hewaslookingintotheboy\'seyeswiththatseriousexpressionwhichmenandwomenfoundirresistible。
“Thankyou，Mr。Weare，“hesaidsimply。
Hastingswassuddenlyovercomewiththeshynessofyouth。Heheldouthishand，andsaid，“I\'mawfullygladtohavemetyou，“andfled。
Victoria，whohadlookedonwithacuriousmixtureoffeelings，turnedtoAusten。
“Thatwasarealtribute，“shesaid。Isthisthewayyouaffecteverybodywhomyoumeet？“
Theywerestandingalmostalone。Thesunwasnearingthewesternhillsbeyondtheriver，andpeoplehadforsometimebeenwendingtheirwaytowardsthefieldwherethehorsesweretied。Hedidnotanswerherquestion，butaskedoneinstead。
“Willyouletmedriveyouhome？“
“Doyouthinkyoudeserveto，aftertheshamefulmannerinwhichyouhavebehaved？“
“I\'mquitesurethatIdon\'tdeserveto，“heanswered，stilllookingdownather。
“Ifyoudiddeserveto，beingawoman，Iprobablyshouldn\'tletyou，“
saidVictoria，flashingalookupwards；“asitis，youmay。“
Hisfacelighted，butshehaltedinthegrass，withherhandsbehindher，andstaredathimwithapuzzledexpression。
“I\'msureyou\'readangerousman，“shedeclared。“FirstyoutakeinpoorlittleHastings，andnowyou\'retryingtotakemein。“
“ThenIwishIwerestillmoredangerous，“helaughed，“forapparentlyI
haven\'tsucceeded。“
“Iwanttotalktoyouseriously，“saidVictoria；“thatistheonlyreasonI\'mpermittingyoutodrivemehome。“
“Iamdevoutlythankfulforthereasonthen，“hesaid，——“myhorseistiedinthefield。“
“Andaren\'tyougoingtosaygood-bytoyourhostandhostess？“
“Hostess？“herepeated，puzzled。
“Hostesses，“shecorrectedherself，“Mrs。PomfretandAlice。Ithoughtyouhadeyesinyourhead，“sheadded，withafleetingglanceatthem。
“IsCreweengagedtoMissPomfret？“heasked。
“Areallmensimpletons？“saidVictoria。“Hedoesn\'tknowityet，butheis。“
“IthinkI\'dknowit，ifIwere，“saidAusten，withanemphasisthatmadeherlaugh。
“Sometimesfishdon\'tknowthey\'reinanetuntil——untilthemorningafter，“saidVictoria。“Thathasahorriblydissipatedsound——hasn\'tit？
IknowtoamoralcertaintythatMr。CrewewilleventuallyleadMissPomfretawayfromthealtar。Atpresent，“shecouldnotrefrainfromadding，“hethinkshe\'sinlovewithsomeoneelse。“
“Who？“
“Itdoesn\'tmatter，“shereplied。“Humphrey\'sperfectlyhappy，becausehebelievesmostwomenareinlovewithhim，andhe\'smakinguphismindinthatmagnificent，thoroughwayofhiswhethersheisworthytobeendowedwithhisheartandhand，hiscows，andallhisstocksandbonds。
Hedoesn\'tknowhe\'sgoingtomarryAlice。ItalmostmakesoneaCalvinist，doesn\'tit。He\'spredestined，butperfectlyhappy。“
“Whoisheinlovewith？“demandedAusten，ungrammatically。
“I\'mgoingtosaygood-bytohim。I\'llmeetyouinthefield，ifyoudon\'tcaretocome。It\'sonlymanners，afterall，althoughthelemonade\'sallgoneandIhaven\'thadadrop。“
“I\'llgoalongtoo，“hesaid。
“Aren\'tyouafraidofMrs。Pomfret？“
“Notabit！“
“Iam，“saidVictoria，“butIthinkyou\'dbettercomejustthesame。“
Aroundthecornerofthehousetheyfoundthem，——Mr。Creweurgingthedepartinggueststoremain，andnottobebashfulinthefutureaboutcalling。
“Wedon\'talwayshavelemonadeandcake，“hewassaying，“butyoucanbesureofawelcome，justthesame。Good-by，Vane，gladyoucame。Didtheyshowyouthroughthestables？DidyouseethematetothehorseI
lost？Beauty，isn\'the？Stir\'emupandgetthemoney。Iguesswewon\'tseemuchofeachotherpolitically。You\'reanti-railroad。Idon\'tbelievethattack\'llwork——wecan\'tgetalongwithoutcorporations，youknow。YououghttotalktoFlint。I\'llgiveyoualetterofintroductiontohim。Idon\'tknowwhatI\'dhavedonewithoutthatmanTootinginyourfather\'soffice。He\'sawastedgeniusinRipton。What？
Good-by，you\'llfindyourwagon，Iguess。Well，Victoria，wherehaveyoubeenkeepingyourself？I\'vebeensobusyIhaven\'thadtimetolookforyou。You\'regoingtostaytodinner，andHastings，andallthepeoplewhohavehelped。“
“No，I\'mnot，“answeredVictoria，withaglanceatAusten，beforewhomthisannouncementwassodelicatelymade，“I\'mgoinghome。“
“ButwhenamItoseeyou？“criedMr。Crewe，asneargenuinealarmasheevergot。Youneverletmeseeyou。Iwasgoingtodriveyouhomeinthemotorbymoonlight。“
“Weallknowthatyou\'rethemostoriginalperson，Victoria，“saidMrs。
Pomfret，“fullofwhimsandstrangefancies，“sheadded，withtheonlybrieflookatAustenshehaddeignedtobestowonhim。“Itneverpaystocountonyoufortwenty-fourhours。Isupposeyou\'reoffonanotherwildexpedition。“
“IthinkI\'veearnedtherighttoit，“saidVictoria；——
I\'vepouredlemonadeforHumphrey\'sconstituentsthewholeafternoon。
Andbesides，IneversaidI\'dstayfordinner。I\'mgoinghome。Father\'sleavingforCaliforniainthemorning。“
“He\'dbetterstayathomeandlookafterher，“Mrs。Pomfretremarked，whenVictoriawasoutofhearing。
SinceMrs。HarryHaynesranoff，onecannevertellwhatawomanwilldo。
Itwouldn\'tsurprisemeabitifVictoriaelopedwithahandsomenobodylikethat。Ofcoursehe\'safterhermoney，buthewouldn\'tgetit，notifIknowAugustusFlint。“
“Ishehandsome？“saidMr。Crewe，asthoughtheideawereanewone。
“GreatScott，Idon\'tbelieveshegiveshimathought。She\'sonlygoingasfarasthefieldwithhim。Sheinsistedonleavingherhorsethereinsteadofputtinghiminthestable。“
“CatchAlicegoingasfarasthefieldwithhim，“saidMrs。Pomfret，“butI\'vedonemyduty。It\'snoneofmyaffair。“
InthemeantimeAustenandVictoriahadwalkedonsomedistanceinsilence。
“IhaveanideawithwhomMr。Creweisinlove，“hesaidatlength。
“SohaveI，“repliedVictoria，promptly。“Humphrey\'sinlovewithhimself。Allhedesiresinawife——ifhedesiresone——isaninanimateandaccommodatinglooking-glass，inwhomhemayseewhatheconceivestobehisownimagedaily。James，youmaytakethemarehome。I\'mgoingtodrivewithMr。Vane。“
ShestrokedPepper\'snosewhileAustenundidthehitch-ropefromaroundhisneck。
“YouandIaregettingtobefriends，aren\'twe，Pepper？“sheasked，asthehorse，withquiveringnostrils，thrusthisheadintoherhand。ThenshespranglightlyintothebuggybyAusten\'sside。ThemanneroftheseactsandthegenerouscouragewithwhichshedefiedopinionappealedtohimsostronglythathisheartwasbeatingfasterthanPepper\'shoof-
beatsontheturfofthepasture。
“Youareverygoodtocomewithme，“hesaidgravely，whentheyhadreachedtheroad；“perhapsIoughtnottohaveaskedyou。“
“Why？“sheasked，withoneofherdirectlooks。
“Itwasundoubtedlyselfish，“hesaid，andadded，morelightly，“Idon\'twishtoputyouintoMrs。Pomfret\'sbadgraces。“
Victorialaughed。
“ShethoughtitherdutytotellfatherthetimeyoudrovemetotheHammonds\'。ShesaidIaskedyoutodoit。“
“Whatdidhesay？“Austeninquired，lookingstraightaheadofhim。
“Hedidn\'tsaymuch，“sheanswered。“Fatherneverdoes。IthinkheknowsthatIamtobetrusted。“
“Evenwithme？“heaskedquizzically，butwithadeepersignificance。
