第7章

Austengotasfarasthedoor，castanotherlookbackathisfather，——whowassittingmotionless，withheadbowed，aswhenhecame，——andwentout。

SoMr。Vaneremainedforafullminuteafterthedoorhadclosed，andthenheraisedhisheadsharplyandgaveapiercingglanceatthecurtainsthatseparatedNumberSevenfromthegovernor\'sroom。Inthreestrideshehadreachedthem，flungthemopen，andthefoldingdoorsbehindthem，alreadypartedbyfourinches。Thegaswasturnedlow，butunderthechandelierwasthefigureofayoungmanstrugglingwithanovercoat。TheHonourableHilarydidnothesitate，butcameforwardwithaswiftnessthatparalyzedtheyoungman，whoturneduponhimafaceonwhichwasmeanttobewrittensurpriseandajustindignation，butinrealitywasamixtureofimpudenceandpallidfright。TheHonourableHilary，toweringabovehim，andwiththatgriponhisarm，wasaformidableperson。

“Listening，wereyou，Ham？“hedemanded。

“No，“criedMr。Tooting，withavehemencehemeantforforce。“No，I

wasn\'t。Listeningtowho？“

“Humph“saidtheHonourableHilary，stillretainingwithonehandthegriponMr。Tooting\'sarm，andwiththeotherturningupthegasuntilitflaredinMr。Tooting\'sface。“Whatareyoudoinginthegovernor\'sroom？“

“Ileftmyovercoatinherethisafternoonwhenyousentmetobringupthesenator。“

“Ham，“saidMr。Vane，“itisn\'tanyuselyingtome。“

“Iain\'tlyingtoyou，“saidMr。Tooting，“Ineverdid。Ioftenliedforyou，“headded，“andyoudidn\'traiseanyobjectionsthatIremember。“

Mr。Vaneletgoofthearmcontemptuously。

“I\'vedonedirtyworkfortheNortheasternforagoodmanyyears，“criedMr。Tooting，seeminglygainingconfidencenowthathewasfree；“I\'veslavedfor\'em，andwhathavetheydoneforme？Theywouldn\'tevenbackmeforcountysolicitorwhenIwantedthejob。“

“Turnedreformer，Ham？“

“IguessI\'vegotasmuchrighttoturnreformerassomefolksIknow。“

“Iguessyouhave，“agreedtheHonourableHilary；unexpectedly。Heseatedhimselfonachair，andproceededtoregardMr。Tootinginamannerextremelydisconcertingtothatgentleman。Thisqualityofimpenetrability，ofneverbeingsurewhenhewasangry，hadbaffledmoreableopponentsofHilaryVanethanMr。HamiltonTooting。

“Good-night，Ham。“

“Iwanttosay——“Mr。Tootingbegan。

“Good-night，Ham，“saidMr。Vane，oncemore。

Mr。Tootinglookedathim，slowlybuttoneduphisovercoat，anddeparted。

CHAPTERXIII

THEREALMOFPEGASUS

TheeventfuldayofMr。HumphreyCrewe\'sspeechonnationalaffairsdawnedwithoutacloudinthesky。Thesnowwasofadazzlingwhitenessandsprinkledwithdiamonddust；andtheairofsuchtranscendentclearnessthatAustencouldsee——byleaningalittleoutoftheWidowPeasley\'swindow——thepowderedtopofHoldfastMountainsomethirtymilesaway。Foronce，aglanceatthemountainsufficedhim；andhedirectedhisgazethroughthetreesattheDuncanhouse，engaginginapleasantgameofconjectureastowhichwasherwindow。InsuchweathertheheightsofHeliconseemedasattainableasthepeakofHoldfast；andhehadbuttobeckonashiningPegasusfromoutasun-shaftinthesky。

Obstaclesweremerespecksonthesnow。

Heforgottoclosethewindow，anddressedinatemperaturewhichwouldhavemeant，formanymortals，pneumonia。Theeventsofyesterday；

painfulandagitatingastheyhadbeen，hadfallenawayintheprospectthatlaybeforehim——hewouldseeherto-day，andspeakwithher。Thesewords，likearefrain；werehumminginhisheadashonestMr。Redbrooktalkedduringbreakfast，whileAusten\'sanswersmayhavebeenbothintelligentandhumorous。Mr。Redbrook，atleast；gavenosignthattheywerenot。HewasawarethatMr。Redbrookwasbringingargumentstobearonthematterofthemeetingoftheeveningbefore，buthefendedtheselightly，whileinspiritheflungagem-studdedbridleavertheneckofPegasus。

Andafterbreakfast——awayfromthehauntsofmen！Awayfromthebickerings，thesubjectionofmeanspirits；materiallossandgainandmaterialpassion！Byeighto\'clock(theWidowPeasley\'shouseholdbeinganearlyandorderlyone)hewasswingingacrossthelonghills，cleavingforhimselfafurrowedpathintheuntroddensnow，breathingdeepashegazedacrossthebluespacesfromthecrests。BellerophonorPerseus，aidedbyimmortals，feltnogreatersenseofachievementstocomethanhe。Outhere，onthewind-swepthillsthatrolledonwardandupwardtothemountains，theworldwashis。

Withthesamespeedhereturned，stillbyuntroddenpathsuntilhereachedthecountryroadthatendedinthecitystreet。Somewhosawhimpausedintheirsteps，caughtunconsciouslybytherhythmicperfectionofhismotion。Aheadofhimhebeheldthestate-house，itsdialaflameinthelight，emblematictohimofthepresencewithinitofaspiritwhichcleanseditofimpurities。Shewouldbethere；nay，whenhelookedatthedialfromadifferentangle，wasthere。Ashedrewnearer，thereroseoutofthevoidherpresencebesidehimwhichhehaddailytriedtosummonsincethatautumnafternoon——hervoiceandhereyes，andmanyoftheinfiniteexpressionsofeachandboth。Spritesthattheywere，theyhadfailedhimuntilto-day，whenhewastoseeheragain！

Andthen，somehow，hehadthreadedthegroupsbesidethebattle-flagsinthecorridor，andmountedthestairway。ThedoorkeeperoftheHouselookedintohisface，and，withthatrareknowledgeofmankindwhichdoorkeeperspossess，lethimin。Thereweremanyladiesonthefloor(suchbeingthechivalrouscustomwhenadebateoraspeechoftheimportanceofMr。Crewe\'swasgoingon)，butAustensweptthemwithaglanceofdisappointment。Wasitpossible，afterall，thatshehadnotcome，or——moreagitatingthought——hadgonebacktoNewYork？

AtthisdisturbingpointinhisreflectionsAustenbecameawarethatthehallwasringingwithaloudandcompellingvoicewhichoriginatedinfrontoftheSpeaker\'sdesk。

TheHonourableHumphreyCrewewasdeliveringhislong-heraldedspeechonnationalaffairs，andwasarrayedfortheoccasioninamannerbefittingtheAmericanstatesman，withtheconventionalfrockcoat，whichheworeunbuttoned。ButtheGladstonecollarandatiegavethetouchofindividualitytohisdresswhichwasneededtosethimasideasamarkedman。Austensuddenlyremembered，withanirresistiblesmile，thatoneofthereasonswhichhehadassignedforhisvisittothecapitalwastohearthisveryspeech，toseehowMr。Crewewouldcarryoffwhatappearedtobeasomewhatdifficultsituation。Whetherornotthismotivehaddrawnothers，——forthemillionaire\'sspeechhadnotlackedadvertisement，——itisimpossibletosay，buttherewasstandingroomonlyontheflooroftheHousethatday。

ThefactthatMr。Crewewasgratifiedcouldnotbewhollyconcealed。ThethingthatfascinatedAustenVaneandotherswholistenedwastheaplombwithwhichthespeechwasdelivered。ThememberfromLeithshowednotraceofthenervousnessnaturallytobeexpectedinamaideneffort，butspokewiththedeliberationofanoldcampaigner，ofthemanofweightandinfluencethathewas。Heleaned，partofthetime，withhiselbowontheclerk\'sdesk，withhisfeetcrossed；again，whenhewishedtoemphasizeapoint，hecameforwardandseizedwithbothhandsthebackofhischair。Sometimeshethrusthisthumbinhiswaistcoatpocket，andturnedwithanappealtoMr。SpeakerDoby，whowasapparentlytoothrilledandsurprisedtoindulgeinconversationwiththoseonthebenchbesidehim，andwhomadenoattempttoquellhand-clappingandevenoccasionalwhistling；again，afterthemannerofexperts，Mr。Creweaddressedhimselfforciblytoanindividualintheaudience，usuallyasensitiveandresponsivepersonliketheHonourableJacobBotcher，whoonsuchoccasionsassumedalookofinfinitewisdomandnoddedhisheadslowly。TherewasnodoubtaboutitthatthecompellingpersonalityofMr。HumphreyCrewewascreatingasensation。Geniusissureofitself，andstatesmenareborn，notmade。

AbleandpowerfulaswasMr。Crewe\'sdiscourse，themanandnotthewordshadfastenedthewanderingattentionofAustenVane。Hedidnotperceivehisfriendoftheeveningbefore，Mr。Widgeon，comingtowardshimupthesideaisle，untilhefeltatouchonthearm。

“Takemyseat。Itain\'texactlyafrontone，“whisperedthememberfromHull，“mywife\'scousin\'scomin\'onthenoontrain。Notabadspeech，isit？“headded。“Actslikeaveteran。Ididn\'tcallatehehaditinhim。“

Thusaroused，Austenmadehiswaytowardsthevacantchair，andwhenhewasseatedraisedhiseyestothegalleryrail，andMr。Crewe，thelegislativechamber，anditsaudienceceasedtoexist。Itisquiteimpossible——unlessoneisapoeticalgenius——toreproduceonpaperthatgoneandsicklysensationwhichis，paradoxically，soexquisite。Thepsychologicalcauseofitinthisinstancewas，primarily，thesight，byAustenVane，ofhisownvioletsonablack，tailor-madegowntrimmedwithwidebraid，andsecondarilyofanovalfaceframedinablackhat，thesubtlecurvesofwhichnolivingmancoulddescribe。Thefacewasturnedinhisdirection，andhefeltanadditionalthrillwhenherealizedthatshemusthavebeenwatchinghimashecamein，forshewasleaningforwardwithaglovedhandontherailing。

Heperformedthatactofconventionalityknownasabow，andshenoddedherhead——blackhatandall。Therealsalutationwasadivineraywhichpassedbetweentheireyes——hersandhis——overthecommonplacemortalsbetween。Andafterthat，althoughthepatientlegislativeclockinthecornerwhichhadmarkedthespaceofothergreatevents(suchastheWoodchuckSession)continuedtotick，undisturbedinthisinstancebythepoleofthesergeant-at-arms，timebecamealostdimensionforAustenVane。HemadeafewunimportantdiscoveriessuchasthefactthatMrs。

PomfretandherdaughterwereseatedbesideVictoria，listeningwitharaptattention；andthatMr。Crewehadbeguntoreadstatistics；andthatsomepeopleweregapingandothersleaving。Hecouldlookupatthegallerywithoutturninghishead，andsometimeshecaughthermomentaryglance，andagain，withherchininherhand，shewaswatchingMr。Crewewithalittlesmilecreasingthecornersofhereyes。

AhorriblethoughtcrossedAusten\'smind——perhapstheywerenothisvioletsafterall！Becauseshehadsmiledathim，yesterdayandto-day，hehadsoaredheavenwardsonwingsofhisownmaking。PerhapstheywereMr。Crewe\'sviolets。HadshenotcometovisitMr。Crewe，tolistentohispiecederesistance，withoutknowingthathe，AustenVane，wouldbeinthecapital？TheideathatherinterestinAustenVanewaspossiblyconnectedwiththestudyofmankindhadasoberingeffectonhim；andthenotionthatshehadanothersortofinterestinMr。Creweseemedridiculousenough，butdisturbing，andsupportedbyfeats。

Austenhadreachedthisphaseinhisreflectionswhenhewasarousedbyametallicsoundwhicharoseabovetheresonanttonesoftheoratoroftheday。Acertainvessel，totheuseofwhich，accordingtoMr。Dickens，thesatiremaleportionoftheAmericannationwasatonetimeaddicted，——

acuspidor，inplainlanguage，——hadbeenstarted，bysomeunknownagencyinthebackseats，rollingdownthecentreaisle，andgatheringimpetusasitwent，bumpedthelouderoneachsuccessivestepuntilithurleditselfwithaclashagainsttheclerk\'sdesk，atthefeetoftheoratorhimself。Duringitsdescentatitterarosewhichgraduallyswelledintoaroaroflaughter，andAusten\'sattentionwasoncemorefocuseduponthememberfromLeith。ButifanymanhadsomisjudgedthequalityofHumphreyCreweastosupposeforaninstantthathecouldbeputoutofcountenancebysuchamanoeuvre，thatmanwasmightilymistaken。Mr。

Crewepaused，withhisforefingeronthepage，andfixedaglassyeyeontheremoteneighbourhoodinthebackseatswherethedisturbancehadstarted。

“Iammuchobligedtothegentleman，“hesaidcoldly，“buthehassentmeanarticlewhichIneveruse，underanyconditions。Iwouldnotdeprivehimofitsconvenience。“

Whereupon，itisnottoomuchtosay，Mr。Crewswasaccordedanovation，ledbyhisstanchfriendandadmirer，theHonourableJacobBotcher，althoughthatworthyhadbeenknowntousethearticleinquestion。

Mr。SpeakerDobyglancedatthefaithfulclock，andarosemajestically。

“Iregrettosay，“heannounced，“thatthetimeofthegentlemanfromLeithisup。“

Mr。Botcherroseslowlytohisfeet。

“Mr。Speaker，“hebegan，inavoicethatrumbledthroughthecrevicesofthegallery，“Imoveyou，sir，thatavoteofthanksbeaccordedtothegentlemanfromLeithforhisexceedinglyableandinstructivespeechonnationalaffairs。“

“Secondthemotion，“saidtheHonourableBrushBascom，instantly。

“AndleavetoprintintheStateTribune！“criedavoicefromsomewhereamongthesubmergedfourhundredandseventy。

“GentlemenoftheHouse，“saidMr。Crewe，whenthelaughterhadsubsided，“Ihavegivenyouaspeechwhichistheresultofmuchthoughtandpreparationonmypart。Ihavenotflauntedthestar-spangledbannerinyourfaces，orindulgedinoratoricalfireworks。Minehavebeenthewordsofaplainbusinessman，andIhavenotindulgedinwildaccusationsorflightsofimagination。Perhaps，ifIhad，“headded，“therearesomewhowouldhavebeenbetterpleased。Ithankmyfriendsfortheirkindattentionandapprobation。“

Nevertheless，amidstsomewhatofapandemonium，thevoteofthankswasgivenandtheHouseadjourned；whileMr。Crewe\'sfriendsofwhomhehadspokencouldbeseenpressingaroundhimandshakinghimbythehand。

Austengottohisfeet，hiseyesagainsoughtthegallery，whencehebelievedhereceivedalookofunderstandingfromafaceuponwhichamusementseemedplainlywritten。Shehadturnedtoglancedownathim，despitethefactthatMrs。Pomfretwasurginghertoleave。Austenstartedforthedoor，andmanagedtoreachitlongbeforehisneighbourshadleftthevicinityoftheirseats。Onceinthecorridor，hiseyesingledheroutamongstthosedescendingthegallerystairs，andhehadalittlethrillofprideanddespairwhenherealizedthatshewastheobjectofthescrutiny，too，ofthemenaroundhim；thewomenwereinterested，likewise，inMrs。Pomfret，whoseappearance，althoughappropriateenoughforaNewYorkmatinee，proclaimedherashailingfromthatmysteriousandfabulouscityofwealth。Thislady，withherlorgnette，wasexaminingthefacesaboutherinundisguisedcuriosity，andatthesametimetalkingtoVictoriainavoicewhichshetooknopainstolower。

“Ithinkitoutrageous，“shewassaying。“IfsomeRadicalmemberhaddonethatinParliament，hewouldhavebeenexpelledfromtheHouse。ButofcourseinParliamenttheywouldn\'thavethosehorridthingstorolldowntheaisles。PoordearHumphrey！Thecareerofagentlemaninpoliticsisathanklessoneinthiscountry。Iwonderathisfortitude。“

Victoria\'seyesalonebetokenedheramusement。

“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Vane？“shesaid。“I\'msogladtoseeyouagain。“

Austensaidsomethingwhichhefeltwasentirelycommonplaceandinadequatetoexpresshisownsentiments，whileAlicegavehimanuncertainbow，andMrs。Pomfretturnedherglassesuponhim。

“YourememberMr。Vane，“saidVictoria；“youmethimatHumphrey\'s。“

“DidI？“answeredMrs。Pomfret。“Howdoyoudo？Can\'tsomethingbedonetopunishthoserowdies？“

Austengrewred。

“Mr。Vaneisn\'tamemberoftheHouse，“saidVictoria。

“Oh，“exclaimedMrs。Pomfret。“Somethingoughttobedoneaboutit。InEnglandsuchathingwouldn\'tbeallowedtodropforaminute。IfI

livedinthisState，IthinkIshoulddosomething。NobodyinAmericaseemstohavethespiriteventomakeaprotest。“

AustenturnedquietlytoVictoria。

“Whenareyougoingaway？“heasked。

“To-morrowmorning——earlierthanIliketothinkof。IhavetobeinNewYorkbyto-morrownight。“

Sheflashedathimalookofapprobationforhisself-control，andthen，byaswifttransitionwhichhehadoftenremarked，herexpressionchangedtooneofamusement，althoughaseriousnesslurkedinthedepthsofhereyes。Mrs。Pomfrethadgoneon，withAlice，andtheyfollowed。

“And——amInottoseeyouagainbeforeyougo？“heexclaimed。

Hedidn\'tstoptoreasonthanupontheprobableconsequencesofhisactinseekingher。Nature，whichisstrongerthanreason，wascompellinghim。

“Thatdepends，“saidVictoria。

“Uponwhom？“

“Uponyou。“

Theywereonthelowerstairsbythistimes，andtherewassilencebetweenthenforafewmomentsastheydescended，——principallybecause，afterthisexaltingremark，Austencouldnottrusthimselftospeak。

“Willyougodrivingwithme？“heasked，andwasimmediatelythunderstruckathisboldness。

“Yes，“sheanswered，simply。

“HowsoonmayIcome？“hedemanded，Shelaughedsoftly，butwithajoyousnotewhichwasnothiddenfromhimastheysteppedoutofthedarkenedcorridorintothedazzlingwinternoonday。

“Iwillbereadyatthreeo\'clock，“shesaid。

Helookedathiswatch。

“Twohoursandahalf！“hecried。

“Ifthatistooearly，“shesaidmischievously，“wecangolater。“

“Tooearly！“herepeated。ButtherestofhisprotestwascutshortbyMr。Crewe。

“Hello，Victoria，whatdidyouthinkofmyspeech？“

“Thedestiniesofthenationaresettled，“saidVictoria。“DoyouknowMr。Vane？“

“Oh，yes，howareyou？“saidMr，Crewe；“gladtoseeyou，“andheextendedafurredglove。“Wereyouthere？“

“Yes，“saidAusten。

“I\'llsendyouacopy。I\'dliketotalkitoverwithyou。Comeon，Victoria，I\'vearrangedforanearlylunch。Comeon，Mrs。Pomfret——getin，Alice。“

Mrs。Pomfret，stillprotestingagainsttheprofaneinterruptiontoMr。

Crewe\'sspeech，bentherheadtoenterMr。Crewe\'sboobysleigh，whichhadhiscrestonthepanel。Alicewashustledinnext，butVictoriaavoidedhisreadyassistanceandgotinherself，Mr。Crewegettinginbesideher。

“Aurevoir，“shecalledouttoAusten，asthedoorslammed。Thecoachmangatheredhishorsestogether，andofftheywentatabrisktrot。Thenthelittlegroupwhichhadbeenwatchingtheperformancedispersed。

HalfwayacrosstheparkAustenperceivedsomeonesignalingviolentlytohim，anddiscoveredhisfriend，youngTomGaylord。

“Cometodinnerwithme，“saidyoungTom，“andtellmewhetherthespeechofyourfriendfromLeithwillsendhimtoCongress。Isawyouhobnobbingwithhimjustnow。What\'sthematter，Austen？Ihaven\'tseenthatguiltyexpressiononyourfacesincewewereatcollegetogether。“

“What\'sthebestlivery-stableintown？“Austenasked。

“ByGeorge，Iwonderedwhyyoucamedownhere。Whoareyougoingtotakeoutinasleigh？There\'sagirlinit，isthere？“

“Notyet，Tom，“saidAusten。

“I\'veoftenaskedmyselfwhyIeverhadanyuseforsuchasecretivecussasyou，“declaredyoungMr。Gaylord。“Butifyou\'rereallygoin\'togetinterestedingirls，yououghttoseeoldFlint\'sdaughter。Iwroteyouabouther。Why，“exclaimedTom，“wasn\'tsheoneofthosethatgotintoCrewe\'ssleigh？“

“Tom，“saidAusten，“wheredidyousaythatlivery-stablewas？“

“Oh，dangthelivery-stable！“answeredMr。Gaylord。“Ihearthere\'squiteasentimentforyouforgovernor。Howaboutit？YouknowI\'vealwayssaidyoucouldbeUnitedStatessenatorandPresident。Ifyou\'llonlysaytheword，Austen，we\'llworkupamovementaroundtheStatethat\'llbehardtobeat。“

“Tom，“saidAusten，layinghishandonyoungMr。Gaylord\'sfarthershoulder，“you\'reaprettygoodfellow。Wheredidyousaythatlivery-

stablewas？

“I\'llgosleigh-ridingwithyou，“saidMr。Gaylord。“IguessthePingsquitbillcanrestoneafternoon。“

“Tom，Idon\'tknowanymanI\'drathertakethanyou，“saidAusten。

TheunsuspectingTomwastoogood-naturedtobeoffended，andshortlyafterdinnerAustenfoundhimselfintheprocessofbeinglookedoverbyastoutgentlemannamedPutter，proprietorofPutter\'sLivery，whoclaimedtobeajudgeofmenaswellashorses。Austenhadbeenthroughhisstallsandchosenamare。

“Durnedifyoudon\'tlooklikeamanwhocanhandleahorse，“saidMr。

Putter。Andaslongasyou\'reafriendofTomGaylord\'sI\'llletyouhaveher。Nobodydrivesthatmarebutme。What\'syourname？“

“Vane。“

“Ain\'tanyrelationtooldHilary，beyou？“

“I\'mhisson，“saidAusten，“onlyhedoesn\'tboastaboutit。“

“Godfrey！“exclaimedMr。Putter，withabroadgrin，“Iguessyoukinhaveher。Ain\'tyouthemanthatshotafelleroutWest？SeemstomeIheerdsomethin\'aboutit。“

“Whichonedidyouhearabout？“Austenasked。

“GoodLord！“saidMr。Putter，“youdidn\'tshootmore\'none，didyou？“

Itwasjustthreeo\'clockwhenAustendroveintothesemicircleoppositetheWidowPeasley\'s，rangMr。Crewe\'sdoor-bell，andleapedintothesleighoncemore，themare\'snaturebeingsuchastomakeitundesirabletoleaveher。PresentlyMr。Crewe\'sbutlerappeared，andstooddubiouslyinthevestibule。

“WillyoutellMissFlintthatMr。Vanehascalledforher，andthatI

cannotleavethehorse？“

Themanretiredwithobviousdisapproval。ThenAustenheardVictoria\'svoiceinthehallway:——

“Don\'tmakeagooseofyourself，Humphrey。“Heresheappeared，thecolourfreshinhercheeks，herslenderfigurecladinafurwhichevenAustenknewwaspriceless。Shesprangintothesleigh，thebutler，withannoyingdeliberation，andwiththeairofsayingthatthiswasanaffairofwhichhewashedhishands，tuckedinMr。Putter\'sbestrobeaboutherfeet，themareleapedforward，andtheywereoff，outofthecircleandflyingupthehillonthehardsnow-tracks。

“Whew！“exclaimedVictoria，“whatarelief！Areyoustayinginthatdearlittlehouse？“sheasked，withaglanceattheWidowPeasley\'s。

“Yes，“saidAusten。

“IwishIwere。“

Helookedathershyly。Hewasnotamantodohomagetomaterialgods，butthepompandcircumstancewithwhichshewassurroundedhadhadasoberingeffectuponhim，andaddedtohissenseoftheinstabilityandunrealityofthepresentmoment。Hehadanalmostguiltyfeelingofhavingbrokenanunwrittenlaw，ofabductingaprincess，andtheoldDuncanhousehadseemedtofrownprotestinglythatsuchanactshouldhavetakenplaceunderitswindows。IfVictoriahadbeen——tohim——anordinarymortalinexpensivefursinsteadofaprincess，hewouldhavesnappedhisfingersatthepompandcircumstance。Thesetypifiedthecomfortswhich，inawildandforgetfulmoment，hemightaskhertoleave。Notthathebelievedshewouldleavethem。Hehadlivedlongenoughtoknowthataninterestbyawomaninaman——especiallyamanbeyondthebeatentrackofherobservation——didnotnecessarilymeanthatshemightmarryhimifheaskedher。Andyet——oh，Tantalus！hereshewasbesidehim，foroneafternoonagainhisveryown，theirtwosoulsringingwiththeharmonyofwhirlingworldsinsunlitspace。Hesoughtrefugeinthinthought；hestrove，inoblivion，todrainthecupofthehourofitsnectar，evenashehaddonebefore。GenerationsofPuritanVanes(whosedescendantalonehadharassedpoorSarahAustere)wereinhisblood；andtheretheyhunginthelonggalleryofTime，mutelybutsternlyforbiddingwhenheraisedhishandtothestem。

Insilencetheyreachedthecrestwherethelittlecityendedabruptlyinviewoftheparadiseofthesilenthills，——hisparadise，wheretherewerenopalacesorthoughtofpalaces。Thewildwindofthemorningwasstill。Inthisrealmatleast，aheritagefromhismother，seeminglyuntroddenbythefootofman，thewomanathissidewashis。FromHoldfastoverthesprucestoSawanecinthebluedistancehewaslord，adomainthewealthofwhichcouldnotbereckonedinthecoinofMidas。

Heturnedtoherastheyflewdowntheslope，andsheavertedherface，perchanceperceivinginthatlookapossessionfromwhichawomanshrinks；andherremark，startlinglyindicativeoftheaccordbetweenthem，lentanolessstartlingrealitytotheenchantment。

“Thisisyourland，isn\'tit？“shesaid。

“Isometimesfeelasthoughitwere，“heanswered。“Iwasoutherethismorning，whenthewindwasatplay，“andhepointedwithhiswhipatafantasticsnowdrift，beforeIsawyou。“

“Youlookedasthoughyouhadcomefromit，“sheanswered。Youseemed——

Isupposeyouwillthinkmesilly——butyouseemedtobringsomethingofthiswithyouintothathail。Ialwaysthinkofyouasoutonthehillsandmountains。“

“Andyou，“hesaid，“belonghere，too。“

Shedrewadeepbreath。

“IwishIdid。Butyou——youreallydobelonghere。Youseemtohaveabsorbedalltheclearnessofit，andthestrengthandvigour。Iwaswatchingyouthismorning，andyouweresoutterlyoutofplaceinthosesurroundings。“Victoriapaused，hercolourdeepening。

Hisbloodkeptpacewiththemare\'sfootsteps，buthedidnotreply。

“WhatdidyouthinkofHumphrey\'sspeech？“sheasked，abruptlychangingthesubject。

“Ithoughtitasurprisinglygoodone，——whatIheardofit，“heanswered。

“Thatwasn\'tmuch。Ididn\'tthinkhe\'ddoaswell。“

“Humphrey\'scleverinagreatmanyways，“Victoriaagreed。“Ifhedidn\'thavesuchanimpenetrableconceit，hemightgofar，becausehelearnsquickly，andhasanindustrythatissimplyappalling。Buthehasn\'tquitethemannerforpolitics，hashe？“

“IthinkIshouldcallhismanneradrawback，“saidAusten，“thoughnotbyanymeansaninsurmountableone。“

Victorialaughed。

“Theotherqualitiesallneedtobeverygreat，“shesaid。“Hewasfuriousatmeforcomingoutthisafternoon。HehaditallarrangedtodriveovertotheForge，andhadanearlylunch。“

“AndI，“saidAusten，“haveallthemorereasontobegratefultoyou。“

“Oh，ifyouknewthefavouryouweredoingme，“shecried，“bringingmeoutherewhereIcanbreathe。Ihopeyoudon\'tthinkIdislikeHumphrey，“shewenton。“Ofcourse，ifIdid，Ishouldn\'tvisithim。

Yousee，Ihaveknownhimforsolong。“

“Ihadn\'tanotionthatyoudislikedhim，“saidAusten。“Iamcuriousabouthiscareer；that\'sonereasonIcamedown。Hesomehowinspirescuriosity。“

“Andawe，“sheadded。“Humphrey\'scareerhasallthefascinationofarunawaylocomotive。Onewatchesittransfixed，awaitingtheinevitablecrash。“

Theireyesmet，andtheybothlaughed。

“It\'snousetryingtobeahumbug，“saidVictoria，“Ican\'t。AndIdolikeHumphrey，inspiteofhiscareer。“

Andtheylaughedagain。Themusicofthebellsranfasterandfasterstill，keepingtimetoawildermusicofthesunlithillsandsky；norwasitstrangethathervoice，whenshespoke，didnotbreakthespell，butlaiduponhimadeepersenseofmagic。

“Thisbringsbackthefairybooks，“shesaid，“andallthosewonderfulandnever-to-be-forgottensensationsofthetruant，doesn\'tit？You\'vebeenatruant——haven\'tyou？“

“Yes，“helaughed，“I\'vebeenatruant，butIneverquiterealizedthepossibilitiesofthepart——untilto-day。“

Shewassilentamoment，andturnedawayherhead，surveyingthelandscapethatfellawayformilesbeyond。

“WhenIwasachild，“shesaid，“IusedtothinkthatbyopeningadoorI

couldstepintoanenchantedrealmlikethis。OnlyIcouldneverfindthedoor。Perhaps，“sheadded，gaylypursuingtheconceit，“itwasbecauseyouhadthekey，andIdidn\'tknowyouinthosedays。“Shegavehimaswift，searchinglook，smiling，whimsicalyetstartled，——soelusivethatthememoryofitafterwardswaswonttocomeandgolikeaflashoflight。“Whoareyou？“sheasked。

Hisbloodleaped，buthesmiledindelightedunderstandingofhermood。

SarahAustenhadbroughtjustsuchamagictouchtoanexcursion，andevenatthatmomentAustenfoundhimselfmarvellingalittleatthestrangeresemblancebetweenthetwo。

“IamaplainpersonwhoseancestorscamefromavillagecalledCamdenStreet，“hereplied。“CamdenStreetisthere，onashelfofthehills，andthroughthearchofitselmsyoucanlookoffovertheforestsofthelowlandsuntiltheyendinthebluereachesoftheocean，——ifyoucouldseefarenough。“

“Ifyoucouldseefarenough，“saidVictoria，unconsciouslyrepeatinghiswords。“Butthatdoesn\'texplainyou，“sheexclaimed:“YouarelikenobodyIevermet，andyouhaveasupernaturalfacultyofappearingsuddenly，fromnowhere，andwhiskingmeawayliketheladyinthefable，outofmyselfandtheworldIlivein。IfIbecomesoinordinatelygratefulastotalknonsense，youmustn\'tblameme。TrynottothinkofthenumberoftimesI\'veseenyou，orwhenitwaswefirstmet。“

“Ibelieve，“saidAusten，gravely，“itwaswhenamammothbeasthadhiscaveonHoldfast，andthevalleyswerecoveredwithcocoanut-palms。“

“Andyouappearedsuddenlythen，too，andrescuedme。Youhavealwaysbeenuniformlykind，“shesaid，“but——alittleintangible。“

“Amyth，“hesuggested，“withneitherheight，breadth，northickness。“

“Youhaveheightandbreadth，“sheanswered，measuringhimswiftlywithhereye；“Iamnotsureaboutthethickness。Perhaps。WhatImeantosayis，thatyouseemtobeapersonintheworld，butnotofit。Yourexitsandentrancesaretoomysterious，andthenyoucarrymeoutofit，——

althoughIinvitemyself，whichisnotatallproper。“

“Icamedownheretoseeyou，“hesaid，andtookafirmergriponthereins。“Iexisttothatextent。“

“That\'sunworthyofyou，“shecried。“Idon\'tbelieveyou——wouldhaveknownIwashereunlessyouhadcaughteightofme。“

“Ishouldhaveknownit，“hesaid。

“How？“

“BecauseIheardyouplaying。Iamsureitwasyouplaying。“

“Yes，itwasI，“sheansweredsimply，“butIdidnotknowthat——youheard。Wherewereyou？

“Isuppose，“hereplied，“asanewitnesswouldhavetestifiedthatIwasinthestreet——oneofthosepartialandmaterialtruthswhicharesomisleading。“

Shelaughedagain，joyously。

“Seriously，whydidyoucomedownhere？“sheinsisted。“IamnotsoabsorbedinHumphrey\'scareerthatIcannottakeaninterestinyours。

Infact，yoursinterestsmemore，becauseitismoremysterious。

Humphrey\'s，“sheadded，laughing，“ischartedfromdaytoday，andannouncedinbulletins。Heismoregeneroustohisfriendsthan——you。“

“Ihavenothingtochart，“saidAusten，“exceptsuchpilgrimagesasthis，——andthese，afterall，areunchartable。Yourfriend，Mr。Crewe，ontheotherhand，iswellawayonhisvoyageaftertheGoldenFleece。I

hopeheisprovidedwithaLynceus。“

Shewassilentforalongtime，buthewasfeverishlyconsciousofhergazeuponhim，anddidnotdaretoturnhiseyestohers。Thelookinthemhebeheldwithouttheaidofphysicalvision，andinthatlookwastheworld-oldriddleofhersextypifiedintheimageontheAfricandesert，whichNapoleonhadtriedtoread，andfailed。Andwhilewisdomwasinthelook，therewasinitlikewisetheeternalquestioningofafatequiteasinscrutable，againstwhichwisdomwouldavailnothing。Itwasthatlookwhich，forAusten，revealedinherintheirinfinitevarietyallwomenwhohadlived；thosewhocouldresist，andthosewhocouldyield，andyieldingall，bestowagiftwhichleftthemstillpriceless；thosetowhomsorrowmightbringsadness，andknowledgemourning，andyetcouldrobthemofnojotofsweetness。Andknowingthis，heknewthattogainhernow(couldsuchahighprizebegained！)

wouldbetoloseher。Ifhewereanythingtoher(realizeitornotasshemight)，itwasbecausehefoundstrengthtoresistthisgreatesttemptationofhislife。Yield，andhisguerdonwaslost，andhewouldbeAustenVanenolonger——yield，andhisrighttoact，whichwouldmakehimofvalueinhereyesaswellasinhisown，wasgoneforever。

Wellheknewwhatthequestioninhereyesmeantorsomethingofwhatitmeant，soinexplicablyisthesoulofwomanlinkedtoevents。Hehadponderedoftenonthatwhichshehadaskedhimwhenhehadbroughtherhomeoverthehillsintheautumntwilight。Herememberedherwords，andtheveryinflectionofhervoice。“Thenyouwon\'ttellme？“Howcouldhetellher？Hebecameawarethatshewasspeakingnow，inaneventone。

“Ihadanoddexperiencethismorning，whenIwaswaitingforMrs。

Pomfretoutsidethestate-house，“shesaid。“Amanwasstandinglookingupatthestatueofthepatriotwithastrange，raptexpressiononhisface，——suchagoodface，——andhewassobigandhonestanduncompromisingIwantedtotalktohim。Ididn\'trealizethatIwasstaringathimsohard，becauseIwastryingtorememberwhereIhadseenhimbefore，——andthenIrememberedsuddenlythatitwaswithyou。“

“Withme？“Austenrepeated。

“Youwerestandingwithhim，infrontofthelittlehouse，whenIsaveyouyesterday。HisnamewasRedbrook。Itappearsthathehadseenme，“

Victoriareplied，“whenIwenttoMercertocallonZebMeader。AndheaskedmeifIknewyou。“

“Ofcourseyoudeniedit，“saidAusten。

“Icouldn\'t，verywell，“laughedVictoria，“becauseyouhadconfessedtotheacquaintancefirst。“

“Hemerelywishedtohavethefactcorroborated。Mr。Redbrookisamanwholikestobesureofhisground。“

“Hetoldmeaveryinterestingthingaboutyou，“shecontinuedslowly，withhereyeupon。Austen\'sprofile。“HesaidthatagreatmanymenwantedyoutobetheircandidateforgovernoroftheState，——morethanyouhadanyideaof，——andthatyouwouldn\'tconsent。Mr。Redbrookgrewsoenthusiasticthatheforgot，forthemoment，my——relationshiptotherailroad。HeisnottheonlypersonwithwhomIhavetalkedwhohas——

forgottenit，orhasn\'tknownofit。“

Austenwassilent。

“Whywon\'tyoubeacandidate，“sheasked，inalowvoice，“ifsuchmenasthatwantyou？“

“IamafraidMr。Redbrookexaggerates，“hesaid。“Thepopulardemandofwhichhespokeisrathermythical。AndIshouldbeinclinedtoaccusehim，too，ofafriendlyattempttoinstallmeinyourgoodgraces。“

“No，“answeredVictoria，smiling，withseriouseyes，“Iwon\'tbeputoffthatway。Mr。Redbrookisn\'tthekindofmanthatexaggerates——I\'veseenenoughofhistypetoknowthat。Andhetoldmeaboutyour——receptionlastnightattheWidowPeasley\'s。Youwouldn\'thavetoldme，“sheaddedreproachfully。

Helaughed。

“ItwasscarcelyasubjectIcouldhaveventured，“hesaid。

“ButIaskedyou，“sheobjected。“Nowtellme，whydidyourefusetobetheircandidate？Itwasn\'tbecauseyouwerenotlikelytogetelected，wasit？“

Hepermittedhimselfaglancewhichwasatributeofadmiration——aglancewhichshereturnedsteadfastly。

“Itisn\'tlikelythatIshouldhavebeenelected，“heanswered，“butyouareright——thatisnotthereasonIrefused。“

“Ithoughtnot，“shesaid，“Ididnotbelieveyouwerethekindofmantorefuseforthatreason。Andyouwouldhavebeenelected。“

“Whatmakesyouthinkso？“heaskedcuriously。

“IhavebeenthinkingsinceIsawyoulast——yes，andIhavebeenmakinginquiries。Ihavebeentryingtofindoutthings——whichyouwillnottellme。“Shepaused，withalittlecatchofherbreath，andwentonagain。“DoyoubelieveIcameallthewayupherejusttohearHumphreyCrewemakeaspeechandtodrivewithhiminahighsleighandlistentohimtalkabouthiscareer？WhenseriousmenofthepeoplelikeMr。

RedbrookandthatniceMr。JenneyatLeithandalotofotherswhodonotordinarilycareforpoliticsarethinkingandindignant，Ihavecometotheconclusiontheremustbeacauseforit。Theysaythattherailroadgovernsthemthroughdisreputablepoliticians，——andI——Iambeginningtobelieveitistrue。IhavehadsomeofthepoliticianspointedouttomeintheLegislature，andtheylooklikeit。“

Austendidnotsmile。Shewasspeakingquietly，buthesawthatshewasbreathingdeeply，andheknewthatshepossessedacouragewhichwentfarbeyondthatofmostwomen，andaninsightintolifeandaffairs。

“Iamgoingtofindout，“shesaid，“whetherthesethingsaretrue。“

“Andthen？“heaskedinvoluntarily。

“Iftheyaretrue，Iamgoingtotellmyfatheraboutthem，andaskhimtoinvestigate。Nobodyseemstohavethecouragetogotohim。“

Austendidnotanswer。Hefelttheimplication；heknewthat，withoutrealizinghisdifficulties，andcarriedonbyafeelinglongpentup，shehadmeasuredhimunjustly，andyethefeltnoresentment，andnoshock。

Perhapshemightfeelthatlater。Nowhewasfilledonlywithasympathythatwasyetanothercommonbondbetweenthem。Supposeshedidfindout？

Heknewthatshewouldnotfalteruntilshecametotheendofherinvestigation，totherevelationofMr。Flint\'scodeofbusinessethics。

Shouldtherevolttakeplace，shewouldbesatisfiedwithnothinglessthanthetruth，evenashe，AustenVane，hadnotbeensatisfied。Andhethoughtofthelife-longfaiththatwouldbebrokenthereby。

Theyhadmadethecircleofthehills，andthesparklinglightsofthecitylayunderthemlikebluediamondpointsinthetwilightofthevalley。Thecrestsbehindthemdeepenedinpurpleasthesaffronfadedinthewest，andagossamercloudofTyriandyefloatedoverHoldfast。

Insilencetheyturnedforalastlingeringlook，andinsilencewentdowntheslopeintotheworldagain，andthroughthestreetstothedrivewayoftheDuncanhouse。Itwasonlywhentheyhadstoppedbeforethedoorthatshetrustedherselftospeak。

“IoughtnottohavesaidwhatIdid，“shebegan，inalowvoice；“I

didn\'trealize——butIcannotunderstandyou。“

“Youhavesaidnothingwhichyouneedeverhavecausetoregret，“hereplied。Hewastoogreatforexcuses，toogreatforanysorrowsavewhatsheherselfmightfeel，asgreatasthesilenthillsfromwhichhecame。

Shestoodforamomentontheedgeofthesteps，hereyeslustrous，——yetgazingintohiswithasearching，troubledlookthathauntedhimformanydays。Butherself-commandwasunshaken，herpowertocontrolspeechwastheequalofhis。Andthispowerofsilenceinherrevealedinsuchinstants——washergreatestfascinationforAusten，thethingwhichsetherapartamongwomen；whichembodiedforhimthewholecharmandmysteryofhersex。

“Good-by，“shesaidsimply。

“Good-by，“hesaid，andseizedherhand——anddroveaway。

WithoutringingthebellVictoriaslippedintothehall，——forthelatchwasnotcaught，——andherfirstimpulsewastorunupthestaircasetoherroom。ButsheheardMrs。Pomfret\'svoiceonthelandingaboveandfled，astoarefuge，intothedarkdrawing-room，whereshestoodforamomentmotionless，listeningforthesoundofhissleigh-bellsastheyfaintedonthewinter\'snight。Thensheseatedherselftothink，ifshecould，thoughitisdifficulttothinkwhenone\'sheartisbeatingalittlewildly。ItwasVictoria\'snaturetothinkthingsout。Forthefirsttimeinherlifesheknewsorrow，anditmadeitworsethatthatsorrowwasindefinable。Shefeltanaccountableattractionforthismanwhohadsostrangelycomeintoherlife，whoseproblemshadsuddenlybecomeherproblems。ButshedidnotconnecttheattractionforAustenVanewithhermisery。Sherecalledhimashehadlefther，bigandstrongandsorrowful，withayearninglookthatwasundisguised，andwhileherfaithinhimcamesurgingbackagain，shecouldnotunderstand。

Graduallyshebecameawareofmen\'svoices，andturnedwithastarttoperceivethatthedoorofthelibrarywasopen，andthatHumphreyCreweandanotherwerestandinginthedoorwayagainstthelight。WithaneffortofmemorysheidentifiedtheothermanastheMr。TootingwhohadmadehimselfsousefulatMr。Crewe\'sgardenparty。

“ItoldyouIcouldmakeyougovernor，Mr。Crewe，“Mr。Tootingwassaying。“Say，whydoyouthinktheNortheasterncrowd——whydoyouthinkHilaryVaneispushingyourbillsdownthesidings？I\'lltellyou，becausetheyknowyou\'reamanofability，andthey\'reafraidofyou，andtheyknowyou\'reagentleman，andcan\'tbetrustedwiththeirdeals，sotheyjustshuntedyouoffatKodunkwithajollyaboutsendin\'youtoCongressifyoumadeahitonanationalspeech。I\'vebeeninthebusinessagoodmanyyears，andI\'veseenanddonesomethingsfortheNortheasternthatstickinmythroat“——(atthispointVictoriasatdownagainandgrippedthearmsofherchair)，“Idon\'tliketoseeadecentmansawbuckedthewaythey\'reteeterin\'you，Mr。Crewe。IknowwhatI\'mtalkin\'about，andItellyouthatRidoutandJakeBotcherandBrushBascomhaven\'tanymorenotionoflettin\'yourbillsoutofcommitteethantheyhaveGaylord\'s。Why？Becausethey\'vegotordersnotto。“

“You\'remakingsomeseriouscharges，Mr。Tooting，“saidMr。Crewe。

“Andwhat\'smore，Icanprove\'em。YouknowyourselfthatanybodywhotalksagainsttheNortheasternisbooteddownandblacklisted。You\'veseenthat，haven\'tyou？“

“Ihaveobserved，“saidMr。Crewe，“thatthingsdonotseemtobeastheyshouldinafreegovernment。“

“AnditmakesyourbloodboilasanAmericancitizen，don\'tit？Itdoesmine，“saidMr。Tooting，withfineindignation。“Iwasapoorboy，andhadtoearnmyliving，butI\'vemadeupmymindI\'vewornthecollarlongenough——ifIhavetobreakrocks。AndIwanttorepeatwhatIsaidalittlewhileago，“headded，weavinghisthumbintoMr。Crewe\'sbuttonhole；“Iknowathingortwo，andI\'vegotsomebrains，astheyknow，andIcanmakeyougovernorofthisStateifyou\'llonlysaytheword。It\'sacinch。“

Victoriastartedtoriseoncemore，andrealizedthattoescapeshewouldhavetocrosstheroomdirectlyinfrontofthetwomen。Sheremainedsittingwhereshewasinafearfulfascination，awaitingHumphreyCrewe\'sanswer。Therewasamoment\'spause。

“Ibelieveyoumadetheremark，Mr。Tooting，“hesaid，“thatinyouropinionthereisenoughanti-railroadsentimentintheHousetopassanybillwhichtherailroadopposes。“

“Ifaleaderwastogetupthere，likeyou，withtheargumentsIcouldputintohishands，theywouldmakethecommitteedischargethatPingsquitbilloftheGaylords\'，andpassit。“

“Onwhatdoyoubaseyouropinion？“askedMr。Crewe。

“Well，“saidMr。Tooting，“IguessI\'maprettyshrewdobserverandhavehadpracticeenough。ButyouknowAustenVane，don\'tyou？“

Victoriaheldherbreath。

“I\'veaslightacquaintancewithhim，“repliedMr。Crewe；“I\'vehelpedhimalonginoneortwominorlegalmatters。Heseemstobealittle——

well，pushing，youmightsay。“

“IwanttotellyouonethingaboutAusten，“continuedMr。Tooting。

“AlthoughIdon\'tstandmuchforoldHilary，I\'dtakeAustenVane\'sopiniononmostthingsassoonasthatofanymanintheState。Ifheonlyhadsomesenseabouthimself，hecouldbegovernornexttime——

there\'sawholelotthatwantshim。Ihappentoknowsomeof\'emofferedittohimlastnight。“

“AustenVanegovernor！“exclaimedMr。Crewe，withapolitelydeprecatinglaugh。

“Itmaysoundfunny，“saidMr。Tooting，stoutly；“Ineverunderstoodwhathehasabouthim。He\'sneverdoneanythingbutbuckoldHilaryinthatdamagecaseandsendbackaretainerpasstooldFlint，buthe\'sgotsomethinginhismake-upthatgetsunderyourbelt，andagoodmanyoftheseoldhayseeds\'lleatoutofhishand，rightnow。Well，Idon\'twantthistogoanyfarther，you\'reagentleman，——butAustencamedownhereyesterdayandhadthewholethingsizedupbylastnight。OldHilarythoughttheGaylordssentforhimtolobbytheirbillthrough。Theymayhavesentforhim，allright，buthewouldn\'tlobbyfor\'em。Hecouldhavemadeapileofmoneyoutof\'em。Austendoesn\'tseemtocareaboutmoney——he\'squeer。Hesaysaslongashehasahorseandafewbooksandacoupleofsandwichesadayhe\'sallright。HilaryhadhimupinNumberSeventryin\'tofindoutwhathecamedownfor，andAustentoldhimprettystraight——whathedidn\'ttelltheGaylords，either。HekindoflikesoldHilary，——becausehe\'shisfather，Iguess，——andhesaidtherewereenoughmeninthatHousetoturnHilaryandhiscrowdupsidedown。

That\'showIknowforcertain。IfAustenVanesaidit，I\'llborrowmoneytobetonit，“declaredMr。Tooting。

“Youdon\'tthinkyoungVaneisgoingtogetintotherace？“queriedMr。

Crewe。

“No，“saidMr。Tooting，somewhatcontemptuously。“No，Itellyouhehasn\'tgotthatkindofsense。Henevertookanytroubletogetahead，andIguesshe\'ssortofsensitiveaboutoldHilary。It\'dmakeagooddealofascandalinthefamily，withAustenasananti-railroadcandidate。“Mr。Tootingloweredhisvoicetoatonethatwascaressinglyconfidential。“Itellyou，andyousleeponit，amanofyourbrainsandmoneycan\'tlose。It\'sachanceinamillion，andwhenyouwinyou\'vegotthislittleStatetightinyourpocket，andadeskinthemillionaire\'sclubatWashington。Well，solong，“saidMr。Tooting，“youthinkthatover。“

“Youhave，atleast，putthingsinanewandinterestinglight，“saidMr。

Crewe。“Iwilltrytodecidewhatmydutyis。“

“Yourduty\'sprettyplaintome，“saidMr。Tooting。“IfIhadmoney，I\'dknowthatthebestwaytouseitisforthepeople，——ain\'tthatso？“

“Inthemeantime，“Mr。Crewecontinued，“youmaydropinto-morrowatthree。“

“You\'dbettermakeitto-morrownight，hadn\'tyou？“saidMr。Tooting，significantly。“Thereain\'tanybackwaytothishouse。“

“Asyouchoose，“saidMr。Crewe。

TheypassedwithinafewfeetofVictoria，whoresistedanalmostuncontrollableimpulsetoriseandconfrontthem。Thewordsgivenhertouseweresurginginherbrain，andyetshewithheldthemwhy，sheknewnot。Perhapsitwasbecause，aftersuchcommunionastheafternoonhadbrought，therepulsionshefeltforMr。Tootingaidedhertositwhereshewas。Sheheardtheoutsidedooropenandclose，andshesawHumphreyCrewewalkpastheragainintohislibrary，andthatdoorclosed，andshewasleftindarkness。DarknessindeedforVictoria，whothroughoutherlifehadlivedinlightalone；inthelightshehadshed，andthelightwhichshehadkindledinothers。Withathrobwhichwasanexquisitepain，sheunderstoodnowthecompassioninAusten\'seyes，andshesawsosimplyandsoclearlywhyhehadnottoldherthatherfaceburnedwiththeshameofherdemand。Theoneofallotherstowhomshecouldgointhistroublewasdeniedher，andhislipsweresealed，whowouldhavespokenhonestlyandwithoutprejudice。Sheroseandwentquietlyoutintothebitingwinternight，andstoodstaringthroughthetreesatthefriendlyreddenedwindowsofthelittlecottageacrossthewaywithayearningthatpassedherunderstanding。Outofthosewindows，toVictoria，shonehonestyandtruth，andthepeacewhichthesealonemaybring。

CHAPTERXIV

THEDESCENDANTSOFHORATIUS

SothetwentyhonourablemembersoftheStateSenatehadbeendubbedbythemanwhohadasenseofhumourandasmatteringoftheclassics，becausetheyhadbeenputtheretoholdthebridgeagainsttheTarquinswhowouldinvadethedominionsoftheNortheastern。Twentypickedmen，andtruetheywereindeed，butabetternamefortheirbodywouldhavebeenthe\'LifeGuardoftheSovereign。\'Thefivehundredfarbelowthemmightrageandattimesrevolt，butthetwentyintheirshiningarmourstoodundauntedabovethevulnerablegroundandsmiledgrimlyatthemob。

Thecitadelwassafe。

TherealHoratiusofthestirringtimeofwhichwewritewasthatoldandtriedveteran，theHonourableBrushBascom；andSpuriusLartiusmightbetypifiedbytheindomitablewarrior，theHonourableJacobBotcher，whiletheHonourableSamuelDobyofHale，SpeakeroftheHouse，wasunquestionablyHerminius。Howthethreeheldthebridgethatyearwillbetoldinasfewandasstirringwordsaspossible。AgreaterthanPorsenaconfrontedthem，andwellitwasforthem，andfortheEmpire，thattheBodyGuardoftheTwentystoodbehindthem。

“LarsPorsenaofClusium，BytheNineGodsheswore。“

ThemorningaftertheStateTribunehadprintedthatmemorablespeechonnationalaffairs——statisticsandall，withaneditorialwhichgaveeveryevidenceofMr。PeterPardriff\'sbestsparkle——Mr。CreweappearedontheflooroftheHousewithanewlookinhiseyewhichmadediscerningmenturnandstareathim。Itwasthelookofthegreatwhentheyarejustlyindignant，whentheirtrust——noblygiven——hasbeenbetrayed。Washington，forinstance，musthavehadjustsuchalookonthebattlefieldofTrenton。TheHonourableJacobBotcher，pressingforwardasfastashisbulkwouldpermitandwiththenewspaperinhishand，wasmetbyacalmanddistantmannerwhichdiscomposedthatstatesman，andfrozehisstoutindexfingertotheeditorialwhich“perhapsMr。Crewehadnotseen。“

Mr。Crewewastoobigforresentment，butheknewhowtomeetpeoplewhodidn\'tmeasureuptohisstandards。Yes，hehadseentheeditorial，andtheweatherstillcontinuedfine。TheHonourableJacobwasleftbehindscratchinghishead，andpresentlyhesoughtafrontseatinwhichtothink，thebackonesnotgivinghimroomenough。Thebrisk，cheerygreetingoftheHonourableBrushBascomfarednobetter，butMr。Bascomwasaphilosopher，anddidnotdisturbthegreatwhentheirmindswererevolvingonnationalaffairsandthewelfareofhumanityingeneral。

Mr。SpeakerDobyandMr。Ridoutgotbutabstractsalutationsalso，andwerecorrespondinglydismayed。

Thatday，andformanydaysthereafter，Mr。Crewespentsometime——aswasentirelyproper——amongthebackseats，makingtheacquaintanceofhishumblerfellowmembersofthesubmergedfourhundredandseventy。Hehadtoolongneglectedthis，sohetoldthem，buthismindhadbeenonhighmatters。DuringmanyofhismatureyearshehadponderedastohowthewelfareofcommunityandStatecouldbeimproved，andtheresultofthatthoughtwasembodiedinthebillsofwhichtheyhaddoubtlessreceivedcopies。Ifnot，downwenttheirnamesinaleather-boundmemorandum，andtheygotcopiesinthenextmails。

Thedelightofsomeofthesimplerusticmembersatthisunbendingofagreatmanmaybeimagined。Totellthetruth，theyhadlookedwithlittlefavourupontheintimacywhichhadsprungupbetweenhimandthosetyrannicalpotentates，Messrs。BotcherandBascom，andmanywhohadthecourageoftheirconvictionsexpressedthenveryfrankly。Messrs。

BotcherandBascomwere，whenallwassaid，meretraindespatchersoftheNortheastern，whomightsomedaybringonawreckthelikeofwhichtheStatehadneverseen。Mr。Crewewasinareceptivemood；indeedhisnature，likeNebuchadnezzar\'s，seemedtohaveexperiencedsomeindefinableandvitalchange。WasthistheMr。Crewethehumbleruralmembershadpicturedtothemselves？WasthistheMr。Crewewho，atthebeginningofthesession，hadtoldthemroundlyitwastheirdutytovoteforhisbills？

Mr。Crewewassurprised，hesaid，tohearsomuchsentimentagainsttheNortheasternRailroads。Yes，hewasafriendofMr。Flint\'s——theywereneighboursinthecountry。Butifthesechargeshadanyfoundationwhatever，theyoughttobelookedinto——theyoughttobetakenup。A

sovereignpeopleshouldnotbegovernedbyarailroad。Mr。Crewewasabusinessman，butfirstofallhewasacitizen；asabusinessmanhedidnotintendtotalkvaguely，buttoinvestigatethoroughly。Andthen，ifchargesshouldbemade，hewouldmakethemspecifically，andasacitizencontendfortheright。

Itisdifficulttorestrainone\'spenindealingwithahero，butitisnottoomuchtosaythatMr。Creweimpressedmanyofthecountrymembersfavourably。How，indeed，couldhehelpdoingso？Hislanguagewasmoderate，hispoisethatofamanofaffairs，andtherewasalookinhiseyeandadeterminationinhismannerthatbodedillfortheNortheasternifheshould，afterweighingthefacts，decidethattheyoughttobeflagellated。HisfriendshipwithMr。FlintandthesuspicionthathemightbeinclinedtofancyMr。Flint\'sdaughterwouldnotinfluencehimintheleast；ofthatmanyofhishearersweresure。NotafewofthemwereinvitedtodinnerattheDuncanhouse，andshownthelibraryandtheconservatory。

“Walkrightin，“saidMr。Crewe。“Youcan\'thurttheflowersunlessyoubumpagainstthepots，andifyouwalkstraightyoucan\'tdothat。I

broughttheplantsdownfrommyownhothouseinLeith。ThoseareFrenchgeraniums——veryhardtoget。They\'redouble，yousee，anddon\'tlooklikethescrawnythingsyouseeinthiscountry。Yes(withagood-

naturedsmile)，Iguesstheydocostsomething。I\'llaskmysecretarywhatIpaidforthatplant。Isthatdinner，Waters？Comerightin，gentlemen，wewon\'twaitforceremony。“

WhereuponthedelegationwouldfileintothediningroominsolemnsilencebehindtheimperturbableWaters，withdubiousglancesatMr。

Waters\'imperturbableunderstudyingreenandbuffandsilverbuttons。

Honestredhands，usedtomilkingatfiveo\'clockinthemorning，andhandsnotsoredthatmeasureddrygoodsoverruralcountersforinsistentfemalecustomersfingeredinsomedismaywhatseemedaninexplicablearrayoftablefurniture。

“Itdon\'tmakeanydifferencewhichforkyoutake，“saidthegood-naturedownerofthispalaceofluxury，“onlyIshouldn\'tadviseyoutouseoneforthesoupyouwouldn\'tgetmuchofit——what？Yes，thishousesuitsmeverywell。ItwasbuiltbyoldmanDuncan，youknow，andhisdaughtermarriedanItaliannoblemanandlivesinacastle。TheStateoughttobuythehouseforagovernor\'smansion。It\'sadisgracethatourgovernorshouldhavetoliveinthePelicanHotel，andespeciallyinaroomnexttothatofthechiefcounseloftheNortheastern，withonlyacurtainandacoupleoffoldingdoorsbetween。“

“That\'sright，“declaredanup-statemember，thegovernorhadn\'toughttolivenexttoVane。Butastogettin\'himahouselikethis——kindofroyal，ain\'tit？Couldn\'tdojusticetoitonfifteenhundredayear，couldhe？Costsyoualittlemitemoretoliveinit，don\'tit？“

“Itcostsmesomething，“Mr。Creweadmittedmodestly。Butthenourgovernorsareallrichmen，ortheycouldn\'taffordtopaytheNortheasternlobbycampaignexpenses。NotthatIbelieveinarichmanforgovernor，gentlemen。MycontentionisthattheStateshouldpayitsgovernorsasufficientsalarytomakethemindependentoftheNortheastern，asalaryonwhichtheycanliveasbefitsachiefexecutive。“

Thesesentiments，andothersofasimilartenor，wereusuallyreceivedinsilencebyhisruralguests，butMr。Crewe，beingabroad-mindedmanofhumanunderstanding，didnotsetdowntheirlackofresponsetosurlinessorsuspicionofamotive，butrathertotheinnatecautionofthehillfarmer；anddoubtless，also，toanaturalaweoftheunwontedsplendourwithwhichtheyweresurrounded。Inabrieftimehiskindlyhospitalitybecameabywordinthecapital，andfabulousaccountsofitwerecarriedhomeatweekendstotoilingwivesandsonsanddaughters，toincredulouscitizenswhosatoncrackerboxesandfoundtheSundaypapersstaleandunprofitableforweeksthereafter。Thegeraniums——thepriceofwhichMr。

Crewehadforgottentofindout——wereappraisedatfourfigures，andtheconservatorybecamethehanginggardensofBabylonunderglass；thefunctionaryinbuffandgreenandsilverbuttonsandhisdutiesfurnishedthesubjectforlongandheatedarguments。AndincidentallyeverybodywhohadafarmforsalewrotetoMr。Crewe。Sincethemotivesofeveryphilanthropistandpublicbenefactorareinevitablychallengedbycynics，thereweremanywhoaskedthequestion，“WhatdidMr。Crewewant？“ItispainfuleventotouchuponthiswhenweknowthatMr。Crewewasmerelydoinghisdutyashesawit，whenweknowthathespelledtheword，mentally，withacapitalD。

Thereweremany，too，whoremarkedthatatouchingfriendshipinthefrontseats(formerlyplainlyvisibletothenakedeyefromtheback)hadbeenstrained——atleast。Mr。CrewestillsatwithMr。BotcherandMr。

Bascom，buthewasnotamantopretendafterthefireshadcooled。TheHonourableJacobBotcher，withhiseyesshutsotight，thathishonestfaceworeanexpressionofagony，seemedtoprayeverymorningfortherenewalofthatfriendshipwhenthechaplainbeggedtheLordtoguidetheLegislatureintothepathsoftruth；andtheHonourableBrushBascomworeanairofresignationwhichwaspainfultosee。Conversationlanguished，andthecoseyandfamiliarhauntsofthePelicanknewMr。Crewenomore。

Mr。Creweneverforgot，ofcourse，thathewasagentleman，andacertainpoliteintercourseexisted。Duringthesessions，asamatteroffact，Mr。BascomhadmanythingstowhispertoMr。Botcher，andMr。ButchertoMr。Bascom，andinordertofacilitatethisMr。CrewechangedseatswiththeHonourableJacob。Neitherwasourheroamantoneglect，onaccountofstrainedrelations，toinsistuponhisrights。Hiseyeswereopennow，andhesawmenandthingspoliticalastheywere；heknewthathisbillsfortheemancipationoftheStatewereprisonersinthemawofthedragon，andnotlikelytoseethelightoflaw。Notalegislativedaypassedthathedidnotdemand，withafirmnessandrestraintwhichdidhiminfinitecredit，thatMr。Bascom\'sandMr。Butcher\'scommitteesreportthosebillstotheHouseeitherfavourablyorunfavourably。Andwemustdoexactjustice，likewise，toMessrs。BascomandButcher；they，too，incitedperhapstheretobyMr。Crewe\'sexample，answeredcourteouslythattheveryexcellentbillsinquestionwereofsuchweightandimportanceasnottobedecidedonlightly，andthattherewerenecessaryStateexpenditureswhichhadfirsttobepassedupon。Mr。SpeakerDoby，withallthewillintheworld，coulddonothing:andonsuchoccasions(Mr。Crewecouldsee)Mr。Dobyboreastrikingresemblancetothepictureofthemockturtlein“AlicemWonderland“——afactwhichhadbeenpointedoutbyMissVictoriaFlint。Intruth，allthreeofthesegentlemenwore，whenquestioned，suchasorrowfulandinjuredairaswouldhavedeceivedamoreexperiencedpoliticianthanthenewmemberfromLeith。Thewilltoobligewasinfinite。

Therewasnodoubtaboutthefactthatthesessionwasrapidlydrawingtoaclose；andlikewisethatthecommitteesguidedbytheHonourablesJacobButcherandBrushBascom，composedofmemberscarefullypickedbythatjudgeofmankind，Mr。Doby，werewrestlingdayandnight(behindcloseddoors)withtheintellectualproblemspresentedbythebillsofthememberfromLeith。ItisnottobesupposedthatamanofMr。Crewe\'sshrewdnesswouldrestatthewordofthechairmen。Othermemberswerecatechized，andinjusticetoMessrs。BascomandBotcheritmustbeadmittedthattheassertionsofthesegentlemenwereconfirmed。Itappearedthattheamountofthoughtwhichwasbeinglavisheduponthesemeasureswasappalling。

BythistimeMr。Crewehadmadesomenewfriends，aswasinevitablewhensuchamanunbent。Threeofthesefriendsowned，byasingularchance，weeklynewspapers，andhavingconceivedalikingaswellasanadmirationforhim，begantosaypleasantthingsabouthimintheircolumns——whichMr。Crewe(alwaysthoughtful)senttootherfriendsofhis。Thesenewandaccidentalnewspaperfriendsdeclaredweeklythatmeasuresofparamountimportancewereslumberingincommittees，andcitedthemeasures。OtherfriendsofMr。CreweweresoinspiredbyaffectionandawethattheyactuallyneglectedtheirbusinessandspentwholedaysintheruraldistrictstellingpeoplewhatafinemanMr。Crewewasandcirculatingpetitionsforhisbills；andincidentallythecommitteesofMr。ButcherandMr。Bascomwerefloodedwiththesepetitions，representingthespontaneoussentimentofanaggrievedpopulace。

“Justthenascoutcameflying，AllwildwithhasteandfearToarms！toarms！SirConsulLarsPorsenaishere。

OnthelowhillstowestwardTheConsulfixedhiseye，AndsawtheswarthystormofdustRisefastalongthesky。“

Itwillnotdotopushacomparisontoofar，andMr。HamiltonTooting，ofcourse，oughtnottobemadetoactthepartofTarquintheProud。LikeTarquin，however，hehadbeendeposed——oneofthosefatuousactswhichthewisestwillcommit。NomorecouldtheHonourableHilarywellbelikenedtoPandora，forheonlyopenedtheboxwideenoughtoallowonemischievousspritetotakewings——onemischievousspritethatwastoproveahost。Talentedandinvaluablelieutenantthathewas，Mr。

Tootinghadbecomeanexile，toexplaintoanyaudiencewhoshouldmakeitworthhiswhilethemysteriousactsbywhichthepuppetsonthestageweremoved，andwhomovedthem；who，forinstance，wrotethedeclamationwhichhisExcellencyAsaGrayrecitedashisown。Mr。Tooting，aswehaveseen，hadaremarkablebusinesshead，andcombinedwithit——asAustenVaneremarked——therareinstinctoftheNorwayratwhichgoesdowntotheseainships——whentheyaresafe。Burrowingcontinuallyamongstthebowelsofthevessel，Mr。TootingknewtheweaktimbersbetterthantheHonourableHilaryVaneswhothoughttheshipassoundasthedayAugustusFlinthadlaunchedher。ButwehavegotalongwayfromHoratiusinourimagery。

Littlebirdsflutteraroundthecapital，pickingupwhatcrumbstheymay。

Oneofthem，occasionallyfedbythathumanitarian，theHonourableJacobBotcher，whisperedasecretthatmadethehumanitarianknithisbrows。

Hewasthescoutthatcameflying(ifbyaburstofimaginationwecanconceivetheHonourableJacobinthisaerialact)——cameflyingtotheConsulinroomNumberSevenwiththenewsthatMr。HamiltonTootinghadbeendetectedontwoeveningsslippingintotheDuncanhouse。ButtheConsul——strongmanthathewas——merelylaughed。TheHonourableElishaJanedidsomescoutingonhisownaccount。Somepeoplearesosmallastoberepelledbygreatness，tobejealousofhighgiftsandpower，anditwasperhapsinevitablethatafewofthehumblermemberswhomMr。

Crewehadentertainedshouldbetrayhishospitality，andmisinterprethispuremotives。

Itwasamerecoincidence，perhaps，thatafterMr。Jane\'sinvestigationtheintellectualconcentrationwhichoneofthecommitteeshadbestowedontwoofMr。Crewe\'sbillscametoanend。Thesebills，itistrue，carriednoappropriation，and，were，respectively，theactstoincorporatetheStateEconomicLeagueandtheChildren\'sCharitiesAssociation。ThesesuddenlyappearedintheHouseonemorning，withfavourablerecommendations，and，mirabiledicta，theendofthedaysawthemthroughtheSenateandsignedbythegovernor。AtlastMr。CrewebyhisExcellencyhadstampedthemarkofhisgeniusonthestatutebooks，andtheHonourableJacobBotcher，holdingoutanolivebranch，tookthelibertyofcongratulatinghim。