下载辰思小说免费APP
Downthehill，onthefarsideofthetrack，sheperceivedthetwomenapproachingwithahorse；thensherememberedthefactthatshehadbeenthrown，andthatitwasherhorse。Sherosetoherfeet。
“I\'meversomuchobligedtoyou，Mr。Gaylord，“shesaid；“youhavedonemeagreatfavourby——tellingmethesethings。Andthanksforlettingthemcatchthehorse。I\'mafraidI\'veputyoutoalotofbother。“
“Notatall，“saidTom，“notatall。“Hewasstudyingherface。Itsexpressiontroubledandmovedhimstrangely，forhewasnotananalyticalperson。“Ididn\'tmeantotellyouthosethingswhenIbegan，“heapologized，“butyouwantedtohearthem。“
“Iwantedtohearthem，“repeatedVictoria。Sheheldoutherhandtohim。
“You\'renotgoingtoridehome！“heexclaimed。“I\'lltakeyouupinmybuggy——it\'sinthestationshed。“
Shesmiled，turnedandquestionedandthankedthemen，examinedthegirthsandbridle，andstrokedthefive-year-oldontheneck。Hewaswetfrommanetofetlocks。
“Idon\'tthinkhe\'llcaretorunmuchfarther，“shesaid。“Ifyou\'llpullhimovertothelumberpile，Mr。Gaylord，I\'llmounthim。“
Theyperformedherbiddinginsilence，eachpayingheratributeinhisthoughts。Asforthefive-year-old，hewasquietenoughbythistime。
WhenshewasinthesaddlesheheldoutherhandoncemoretoTom。
“Ihopeweshallmeetsoonagain，“shesaid，andsmilingbackathim，startedonherwaytowardsFairview。
Tomstoodforamomentlookingafterher，whilethetwomenindulgedinsurprisedcomments。
“Andrews，“saidyoungMr。Gaylord，“justfetchmybuggyandfollowheruntilshegetsintothegate。“
CHAPTERXVIII
ASPIRITINTHEWOODS
Empirescrackbeforetheycrumble，andthefirstcracksseemeasilymended——evenastheyhavebeenmendedbefore。ArevoltinGaulorBritainorThraceislittletobeminded，andaprophetinJudealess。
Andyetintohimwhositsintheseatofpowerapremonitionofsomethingimpendinggraduallycreeps——apremonitionwhichhewillnotacknowledge，willnotdefine。Yesterday，bythepointingofafinger，hecreatedaprovince；to-dayhedaresnot，butconsoleshimselfbysayinghedoesnotwishtopoint。Noantagonistworthyofhissteelhasopenlydefiedhim，worthyofrecognitionbytheoppositionofalegion。Butthesenseofsecurityhasbeensubtlyandindefinablyshaken。
Bythestrangetelepathywhichdefieslanguage，totheHonourableHilaryVane，GovernoroftheProvince，somesuchunacknowledgedforebodingshavelikewisebeencommunicated。AweekafterhisconversationwithAusten，onthereturnofhisemperorfromatriptoNewYork，theHonourableHilarywassummonedagaintothefootofthethrone，andhisthoughtsasheclimbedtheridgestowardsFairviewwerenotinharmonywiththecarolsofthebirdsinthedepthsoftheforestandthejoyofthebrightJuneweather。Lonelinesshehadfeltbefore，andtoitsillshehadappliedtheantidoteoflabour。Theburdenthatsatuponhisspiritto-
daywasnotmereloneliness；tothetruthofthishissoulattested，butHilaryVanehadneverlistenedtothepromptingsofhissoul。Hewouldhavebeenshockedifyouhadtoldhimthis。Didhenotconfess，withhiseyesshut，hissinseverySunday？Didhenotpubliclyacknowledgehissoul？
AustenVanehadonceremarkedthat，ifsomekeenAmericanlawyerwouldreallyputhismindtotheevasionoftheTenCommandments，theHighHeavensthemselvesmightbecheated。ThissayingwouldhaveshockedtheHonourableHilaryinexpressibly。Hehadneverbeenemployedbyasyndicatetodrawuppaperstoavoidthesemandates；hereveredthem，ashereveredtheLaw，whichhespelledwithacapital。HespelledthewordSoulwithacapitallikewise，andcertainlynohigherrecognitioncouldbedesiredthanthis！NeverintheHonourableHilary\'slong，laborious，andpreeminentlymodelexistencehadherealizedthathappinessisharmony。Itwouldnotbetruetoassertthat，onthiswonderfulJuneday，aglimmeringofthistruthdawneduponhim。Suchastatementwouldbeopentothechargeofexaggeration，andhisframeofmindwaspessimistic。Buthehadgotsofarastoaskhimselfthequestion，——Cuibono？andrepeateditseveraltimesonhisdrive，untilaverseofScripturecame，unbidden，tohislips。“Forwhathatemanofallhislabour，andofthevexationofhisheart，whereinhehathlabouredunderthesun？“and“thereisoneeventuntoall。“Austen\'ssaying，thathehadneverlearnedhowtoenjoylife，heremembered，too。WhathadAustenmeantbythat？
HithertoHilaryVanehadneverfailedofself-justificationinanyeventwhichhadbefallenhim；andwhilethisconsciousnessoftherectitudeofhisownattitudehadnotmadehimhappier，therehadbeenacertaingrimpleasureinit。Tothefactthathehadruined，bysheerover-
righteousness，thelastyearsofthesunnylifeofSarahAustenhehadbeenoblivious——untilto-day。Thestrange，retrospectivemoodwhichhadcomeoverhimthisafternoonledhisthoughtsintostrangepaths，andhefoundhimselfwonderingif，afterall，ithadnotbeeninhispowertomakeherhappier。Herdryad-likeface，withitssweet，elusivesmile，seemedtopeerathimnowwistfullyoutoftheforest，andsuddenlyanewandstartlingthoughtroseupwithinhim——aftersixandthirtyyears。
Perhapsshehadbelongedintheforest！Perhaps，becausehehadsoughttocageher，shehadpinedanddied！ThethoughtgaveHilaryunwontedpain，andhestrovetoputitawayfromhim；butmemoriessuchasthese，oncearoused，arenoteasilysetatrest，andhebenthisheadasherecalled(withanewandsignificantpathos)thosehopelessandpitifulflightsintothewildssheloved。
NowAustenhadgone。WasthereaLawbehindtheseactionsofmotherandsonwhichhehadpersistedindenouncingasvagaries？Austenwasaman:
aman，Hilarycouldnotbutsee，whohadtherespectofhisfellows，whosejudgmentandtalentswerebecomingrecognized。Wasitpossiblethathe，HilaryVane，couldhavebeenoneofthosereferredtobythePreacher？DuringtheweekwhichhadpassedsinceAusten\'sdeparturethehouseinHanoverStreethadbeenhauntedforHilary。Thegoingofhissonhadnotleftamerevoid，——thatwouldhavebeenpainenough。Ghostswerethere，ghostswhichhecouldbutdimlyfeelandsee，andmorethanonce，inthelongevenings，hehadtakentothestreetstoavoidthem。
InthatweekHilary\'sfearofmeetinghissoninthestreetorinthepassagesofthebuildinghadbeenequalledbyayearningtoseehim。
Everymorning，atthehourAustenwaswonttodrivePeppertotheRiptonHousestablesacrossthesquare，Hilaryhadcontrivedtobestandingnearhiswindows——alittleback，andoutofsight。And——strangerstill！——hehadturnedfromtheseglimpsestothereportsoftheHonourableBrushBascomandhisassociateswithadistastehehadneverfeltbefore。
WithsomesuchthoughtsastheseHilaryVaneturnedintothelaststraightstretchoftheavenuethatledtoFairviewHouse，withitsredandwhiteawningsgleaminginthemorningsun。Onthelawn，againstawhiteandpurplemassoflilacsandthedarkerbackgroundofpines，astraightandinfinitelygracefulfigureinwhitecaughthiseyeandheldit。HerecognizedVictoria。Sheworeasimplesummergown，thesoftoutlineofitsflouncesminglingsubtlywiththewhiteclustersbehindher。Sheturnedherheadatthesoundofthewheelsandlookedathim；
thedistancewasnottoogreatforabow，butHilarydidnotbow。
Somethinginherfacedeterredhimfromthisact，——somethingwhichhehimselfdidnotunderstandordefine。Hesoughttopronouncetheincidentnegligible。Whatwasthegirl，orherlook，tohim？Andyet(hefoundhimselfstrangelythinking)hehadreadinhereyesatraceoftheriddlewhichhadbeenrelentlesslypursuinghim；therewasanoddrelationinherlooktothatofSarahAusten。DuringthelongyearshehadbeencomingtoFairview，evenbeforethenewhousewasbuilt，whenVictoriawasinpinafores，hehadneverunderstoodher。Whenshewasachild，hehadvaguelyrecognizedinheraspiritantagonistictohisown，andhersayingshadhadadisconcertingring。Andnowthissimpleglanceofhershadtroubledhim——onlymoredefinitely。
ItwasanewexperiencefortheHonourableHilarytogointoabusinessmeetingwithhisfacultiesastray。Absentlyherangthestablebell，surrenderedhishorse，andfollowedafootmantotheretiredpartofthehouseoccupiedbytherailroadpresident。Enteringtheoakboundsanctum，hecrosseditandtookaseatbythewindow，merelynoddingtoMr。Flint，whowasdictatingaletter。Mr。Flinttookhistimeabouttheletter，butwhenitwasfinishedhedismissedthestenographerwithanimpatientandpowerfulwaveofthehand——asthoughbrushingthemanbodilyoutoftheroom。Remainingmotionlessuntilthedoorhadclosed，Mr。Flintturnedabruptlyandfixedhiseyesonthecontemplativefigureofhischiefcounsel。
“Well？“hesaid。
“Well，Flint，“answeredtheHonourableHilary。
“Well，“saidMr。Flint，“thatbridgeoverMapleRiverhasgotloosenedupsobythefreshetthatwehavetokeepfreightcarsonittoholditdown，andsomebodyistryingtomaketroublebywritingapubliclettertotheRailroadCommission，andcallingattentiontothehead-oncollisionatBarker\'sStation。“
“Well，“repliedtheHonourableHilary，again，“thatwon\'thaveanyinfluenceontheRailroadCommission。“
“No，“saidMr。Flint，“butitallgoestoincreasethisconfoundedpublicsentimentthat\'sintheair，likesmallpox。AnotherjackasspretendstohavekeptatableofthethroughtrainsontheSumsicdivision，andsaysthey\'veaveragedforty-fiveminuteslateatEdmundton。Hesaysthethroughexpressmadetherunfasterthirtyyearsago。“
“Iguessthat\'sso，“saidtheHonourableHilary，“Iwascounselforthatroadthen。Ireadthatletter。Hesaysthereisn\'tanengineonthedivisionthatcouldpullhishatoff，upgrade。“
Neitherofthetwogentlemenappearedtodeemthisstatementhumorous。
“Whattheseincendiariesdon\'tunderstand，“saidMr。Flint，“isthatwehavetopaydividends。“
“It\'sbecausetheydon\'tget\'em，“repliedMr。Vane，sententiously。
“ThetrackslidintothewateratGlendale，“continuedMr。Flint。“I
supposethey\'lltellusweoughttorockballastthatline。You\'llseetheRailroadCommission，andgive\'emasketchofareport。“
“IhadatalkwithYoungyesterday，“saidMr。Vane，hiseyesonthestretchoflawnandforestframedbythewindow。Forthesakeoftheignorant，itmaybewelltoaddthattheHonourableOrrinYoungwasthechairmanoftheCommission。
“Andnow，“saidMr。Flint，“notthatthisCrewebusinessamountstothat“
(heretherailroadpresidentsnappedhisfingerswiththeintensityofasmallpistolshot)，“butwhat\'shebeendoing？“
“Politicaladvertising，“saidtheHonourableHilary。
“Plentyofit，Iguess，“Mr。Flintremarkedacidly。“That\'sonethingTootingcan\'tteachhim。He\'sanatural-borngeniusatit。“
“Tootingcanhelp——evenatthat，“answeredMr。Vane，ironically。
“They\'vegotasketchofso-calledNortheasternmethodsinfortyweeklynewspapersthisweek，withapictureofthatpublicbenefactorandmartyr，HumphreyCrewe。Here\'sasampleofit。“
Mr。Flintwavedthesampleaway。
“You\'vemadealistofthenewspapersthatprintedit？“Mr。Flintdemanded。Hadhelivedinanotheragehemighthaveadded，“Havethemalefactorsburnedaliveinmygarden。“
“Brushhasseensomeof\'em，“saidMr。Vane，nodoubtreferringtotheeditors，“andIhadsomeof\'emcometoRipton。They\'vegotalottosayaboutthefreedomofthepress，andtheirrighttotakepoliticaladvertising。Crewe\'smatterisintheformofadespatch，andmostof\'empointedoutatthetopoftheeditorialcolumnsthattheirpapersarenotresponsiblefordespatchesinthenewscolumns。Sixof\'emareoutandoutforCrewe，andthosefellowsarehonestenough。“
“Takeawaytheirpassesandadvertising，“saidMr。Flint。(“Offwiththeirheads！“saidtheQueenofHearts。)
“Iwouldn\'tdothatifIwereyou，Flint；theymightmakecapitaloutofit。Ithinkyou\'llfindthatfiveof\'emhavesenttheirpassesback，anyway。“
“Freemanwillgiveyousomenewideas“(fromthe“BookofArguments，“
althoughMr。Flintdidnotsayso)“whichhaveoccurredtomemightbedistributedforeditorialpurposesnextweek。And，bytheway，whathaveyoudoneaboutthatbrilliantMr。Coombesofthe\'JohnstownRay，\'whosays\'theNortheasternRailroadsgiveusaprettygoodgovernment\'？“
TheHonourableHilaryshookhishead。
“Toomuchzeal，“heobserved。“Iguesshewon\'tdoitagain。“
Forawhileafterthattheytalkedofstrictlylegalmatters，whichthechiefcounselproducedinorderoutofhisbag。Butwhenthesewerefinallydisposedof，Mr。FlintledtheconversationbacktotheHonourableHumphreyCrewe，whostoodharmless——tobesure——likeabullonthetrackwhichitmightbeunwisetorunover。
“Hedoesn\'tamounttoasoapbubbleinagale，“Mr。Flintdeclaredcontemptuously。“SometimesIthinkwemadeagreatmistaketonoticehim。
“Wehaven\'tnoticedhim，“saidMr。Vane；“thenewspapershave。“
Mr。Flintbrushedthisdistinctionaside。
“That，“hesaidirritably，“andlettingTootinggo——“
TheHonourableHilary\'seyesbegantogrowred。InformerdaysMr。Flinthadnotoftenquestionedhisjudgment。
“There\'sonethingmoreIwantedtomentiontoyou，“saidthechiefcounsel。“InpastyearsIhavefrequentlydrawnyourattentiontothatsectionoftheactofconsolidationwhichdeclaresthatratesandfaresexistingatthetimeofitspassageshallnotbeincreased。“
“Well，“saidMr。Flint，impatiently，“well，whatofit？“
“Onlythis，“repliedtheHonourableHilary，“youdisregardedmyadvice，andtheratesonmanythingsarehigherthantheywere。“
“Uponmyword，Vane，“saidMr。Flint，“Iwishyou\'dchosensomeotherdaytocroak。Whatdoyouwantmetodo？PutalltheratesbackbecausethisupstartpoliticianCreweismakinganoise？Who\'sgoingtodigupthatsection？“
“Somebodyhasdugitup，“saidMr。Vane:
Thiswasthelaststraw。
“Speakout，man！“hecried。“Whatareyouleadingupto？“
“Justthis，“answeredtheHonourableHilary；“thattheGaylordLumberCompanyaregoingtobringsuitunderthatsection。“
Mr。Flintrose，thrusthishandsinhispockets，andpacedtheroomtwice。
“Havetheygotacase？“hedemanded。
“Itlooksalittlethatwaytome，“saidMr。Vane。“I\'mnotpreparedtogiveadefiniteopinionasyet。“
Mr。Flintmeasuredtheroomtwiceagain。
“DidthatoldfoolHammerstumbleontothis？“
“Hammer\'ssick，“saidMr。Vane；“theysayhe\'sgotBright\'sdisease。Mysondiscoveredthatsection。“
TherewasacertainringofprideintheHonourableHilary\'svoice，andaliftingoftheheadashepronouncedthewords“myson，“whichdidnotescapeMr。Flint。Therailroadpresidentwalkedslowlytothearmofthechairinwhichhischiefcounselwasseated，andstoodlookingdownathim。ButtheHonourableHilaryappearedunconsciousofwhatwasimpending。
“Yourson！“exclaimedMr。Flint。“Soyourson，thesonofthemanwhohasbeenmylegaladviserandconfidantandfriendforthirtyyears，isgoingtojointheCrewelandTootingsintheirassaultsonestablisheddecencyandorder！He\'soutforcheappoliticalpreferment，too，ishe？
Bythunder！IthoughtthathehadsomesuchthinginhismindwhenhecameinhereandthrewhispassinmyfaceandtookthatMeadersuit。I
don\'tmindtellingyouthathe\'sthemanI\'vebeenafraidofallalong。
He\'sgotaheadonhim——Isawthatatthestart。Itrustedtoyoutocontrolhim，andthisishowyoudoit。“
ItwascharacteristicoftheHonourableHilary，whenconfrontinganangryman，togrowcoolerastheother\'stemperincreased。
“Idon\'twanttocontrolhim，“hesaid。
“Iguessyoucouldn\'t，“retortedMr。Flint。
“That\'sabetterwayofputtingit，“repliedtheHonourableHilary，“I
couldn\'t。“
ThechiefcounselfortheNortheasternRailroadsgotupandwenttothewindow，wherehestoodforsometimewithhisbackturnedtothepresident。ThenHilaryVanefacedabout。
“Mr。Flint，“hebegan，inhispeculiardeepandresonantvoice，“you\'vesaidsomethingsto-daythatIwon\'tforget。Iwanttotellyou，firstofall，thatIadmiremyson。“
“Ithoughtso，“Mr。Flintinterrupted。
“Andmorethanthat，“theHonourableHilarycontinued，“Iprophesythatthetimewillcomewhenyou\'lladmirehim。AustenVaneneverdidanunderhandedthinginhislife——orcommittedameanaction。He\'sbe\'nwild，buthe\'salwaystoldmethetruth。I\'vedonehiminjusticeagoodmanytimes，butIwon\'tstandupandlistentoanothermandohiminjustice。“Herehepaused，andpickeduphisbag。“I\'mgoingdowntoRiptontowriteoutmyresignationascounselforyourroads，andassoonasyoucanfindanothermantoact，Ishallconsideritaccepted。“
ItisdifficulttoputdownonpaperthesensationsofthepresidentoftheNortheasternRailroadsashelistenedtothesewordsfromamanwithwhomhehadbeeninbusinessrelationsforoveraquarterofacentury，amanuponwhosejudgmenthehadalwaysreliedimplicitly，whohadbeenastrongfortressintimeoftrouble。Suchsentenceshadanincendiary，blasphemousringonHilaryVane\'slips——atfirst。Itwasasiftheskyhadfallen，andtheNortheasternhadbeenwipedoutofexistence。
Mr。Flint\'sfeelingswere，inasense，akintothoseofatravellerbyseawhowakensoutofasoundsleepinhiscabin，withpeculiarandunpleasantsensations，whichhegraduallydiscoversareduetocoldwater，andherealizesthattheboatonwhichheistravellingissinking。
TheHonourableHilary，withhisbag，washalfwaytothedoor，whenMr。
Flintcrossedtheroominthreestridesandseizedhimbythearm。
“Holdon，Vane，“hesaid，speakingwithsomedifficulty；“I\'m——I\'malittleupsetthismorning，andmytempergotthebestofme。YouandI
havebeengoodfriendsfortoomanyyearsforustopartthisway。Sitdownaminute，forGod\'ssake，andlet\'scooloff。Ididn\'tintendtosaywhatIdid。Iapologize。“
Mr。Flintdroppedhiscounsel\'sarm，andpulledoutahandkerchief，andmoppedhisface。“Sitdown，Hilary，“hesaid。
TheHonourableHilary\'stightlipstrembled。Onlythreeorfourtimesintheirlongfriendshiphadthepresidentmadeuseofhisfirstname。
“Youwouldn\'tleavemeinthelurchnow，Hilary，“Mr。Flintcontinued，“whenallthisnonsenseisintheair？Thinkoftheeffectsuchanannouncementwouldhave！Everybodyknowsandrespectsyou，andwecan\'tdowithoutyouradviceandcounsel。ButIwon\'tputitonthatground。
I\'dneverforgivemyself，aslongasIlived，ifIlostoneofmyoldestandmostvaluedpersonalfriendsinthisway。“
TheHonourableHilarylookedatMr。Flint，andsatdown。HebegantocutapieceofHoneyDew，buthishandshook。Itwasdifficult，asweknow，forhimtogiveexpressiontohisfeelings。
“Allright，“hesaid。
HalfanhourlaterVictoria，fromundertheawningofthelittlebalconyinfrontofhermother\'ssittingroom，sawherfathercomeoutbareheadedintothesunandescorttheHonourableHilaryVanetohisbuggy。Thiswasanunwontedproceeding。
Victorialovedtositinthatbalcony，abooklyingneglectedinherlap，listeningtothesummersounds:thetinkleofdistantcattlebells，thebassnoteofahurryingbee，thestrangelycompellingsongofthehermit-
thrush，whichmadeherbreathequickly；thesummerwind，stirringwantonly，wasprodigalwithperfumesgatheredfromthepinesandthesweetJunecloverinthefieldsandthebanksofflowers；inthedistance，acrossthegentleforegroundofthehills，Sawanecbeckoned——
didVictoriabutraisehereyes！——toalandofenchantment。
TheappearanceofherfatherandHilaryhadbrokenherreverie，andanewthought，likeapain，hadclutchedher。Thebuggyrolledslowlydownthedrive，andMr。Flint，staringafteritamoment，wentinthehouse。
Afterafewminutesheemergedagain，anoldfelthatonhisheadwhichhewaswonttowearinthecountryandastickinhishand。Withoutraisinghiseyes，hestartedslowlyacrossthelawn；andtoVictoria，leaningforwardintentlyoverthebalconyrail，thereseemedanunwontedlackofpurposeinhismovements。UsuallyhestruckoutbrisklyinthedirectionofthepastureswherehisprizeGuernseyswerefeeding，stoppingonthewaytopickupthemanagerofhisfarm。Therearesigns，unknowntomen，whichwomenread，andVictoriafeltherheartbeating，assheturnedandenteredthesittingroomthroughtheFrenchwindow。A
trainednursewassoftlyclosingthedoorofthebedroomontheright。
“Mrs。Flintisasleep，“shesaid。
“Iamgoingoutforalittlewhile，MissOliver，“Victoriaanswered，andthenursereturnedagentlesmileofunderstanding。
Victoria，descendingthestairs，hastilypinnedonahatwhichshekeptinthecoatcloset，andhurriedacrossthelawninthedirectionMr。
Flinthadtaken。Reachingthepinegrove，thinnedbyafamouslandscapearchitect，shepausedinvoluntarilytowonderagainattheultramarineofSawanecthroughtheuprightcolumnsofthetrunksunderthehighcanopyofboughs。Thegrovewasonaplateau，whichwascutonthesidenearestthemountainbythelineofagraystonewall，underwhichthelandfellawaysharply。Mr。Flintwasseatedonabench，hishandsclaspedacrosshisstick，andasshecamesoftlyoverthecarpetoftheneedleshedidnothearheruntilshestoodbesidehim。
“Youdidn\'ttellmethatyouweregoingforawalk，“shesaidreproachfully。
Hestarted，anddroppedhisstick。Shestoopedquickly，pickeditupforhim，andsettledherselfathisside。
“I——Ididn\'texpecttogo，Victoria，“heanswered。
“Yousee，“shesaid，“it\'suselesstotrytoslipaway。Isawyoufromthebalcony。“
“How\'syourmotherfeeling？“heasked。
“She\'sasleep。Sheseemsbettertomesinceshe\'scomebacktoFairview。“
Mr。Flintstaredatthemountainwithunseeingeyes。
“Father，“saidVictoria，“don\'tyouthinkyououghttostayuphereatleastaweek，andrest？Ithinkso。“
“No，“hesaid，“no。There\'sadirectors\'meetingofatrustcompanyto-
morrowwhichIhavetoattend。I\'mnottired。“
Victoriashookherhead，smilingathimwithseriouseyes。
“Idon\'tbelieveyouknowwhenyouaretired，“shedeclared。“Ican\'tseethegoodofallthesedirectors\'meetings。Whydon\'tyouretire，andlivetherestofyourlifeinpeace？You\'vegot——moneyenough，andevenifyouhaven\'t，“sheadded，withthelittlequiverofearnestnessthatsometimescameintohervoice，“wecouldsellthisbighouseandgobacktothefarmhousetolive。Weusedtobesohappythere。“
Heturnedabruptly，andfixeduponherasteadfast，searchingstarethatheld，nevertheless，astrangetendernessinit。
“Youdon\'tcareforallthis，doyou，Victoria？“hedemanded，wavinghissticktoindicatethedomainofFairview。
Shelaughedgently，andraisedhereyestothegreenroofoftheneedles。
“Ifwecouldonlykeepthepinegrove！“shesighed。“Doyourememberwhatgoodtimeswehadinthefarmhouse，whenyouandIusedtogooffforwholedaystogether？“
“Yes，“saidMr。Flint，“yes。“
“Wedon\'tdothatanymore，“saidVictoria。“It\'sonlyalittledriveandawalk，nowandthen。Andtheyseemtobegrowing——scarcer。“
Mr。Flintmoveduneasily，andmadeanattempttoclearhisvoice。
“Iknowit，“hesaid，andfurtherspeechseeminglyfailedhim。Victoriahadthegreatercourageofthetwo。
“Whydon\'twe？“sheasked。
“I\'veoftenthoughtofit，“hereplied，stillseekinghiswordswithdifficulty。“Ifindmyselfwithmoretodoeveryyear，Victoria，insteadofless。“
“Thenwhydon\'tyougiveitup？“
“Why？“heasked，“why？SometimesIwishwithmywholesoulIcouldgiveitup。I\'vealwayssaidthatyouhadmoresensethanmostwomen，butevenyoucouldnotunderstand。“
“Icouldunderstand，“saidVictoria。
Hethrewatheranotherglance，——aringinherwordsproclaimedtheirtruthinspiteofhisdetermineddoubt。Inhereyes——hadhebutknownit！——wasawisdomthatexceededhis。
“Youdon\'trealizewhatyou\'resaying，“heexclaimed；“Ican\'tleavethehelm。“
“Isn\'tit，“shesaid，“ratherthepowerthatissohardtorelinquish？“
ThefeelingsofAugustusFlintwhenheheardthisquestionwereofacomplexnature。Itwasthesecondtimethatdayhehadbeenshocked，——
thefirstbeingwhenHilaryVanehadunexpectedlydefendedhisson。ThewordVictoriahadused，power，hadtouchedhimonthequick。Whathadshemeantbyit？Hadshebeenhiswifeandnothisdaughter，hewouldhaveflownintoarage。AugustusFlintwasnotamangiventothepsychologicalamusementofself-examination；hehadneveranalyzedhismotives。Hehadhadlittletodowithwomen，exceptVictoria。TheRoseofSharonknewhimasthefountainheadfromwhichauthorityandmoneyflowed，butVictoria，sinceherchildhood，hadbeenhisrefugefromcare，andinthehavenofhercompanionshiphehadlosthimselfforbriefmomentsofhislife。Shewastheonebeinghereallyloved，withwhomheconsultedonsuchaffairsofimportanceashefelttobewithinherscopeandprovince，——thecattle，themenontheplaceoutsideofthehousehold，thewisdomofbuyingtheBakerfarm；bequeststocharities，paintings，thelibrary；andrecentlyhehadlefttoherjudgmenttheEuropeanbathsandthekindoftreatmentwhichhermotherhadrequired。VictoriahadconsultedwiththephysiciansinParis，andhadmadethesedecisionsherself。Fromachildshehadnevershownadispositiontoevaderesponsibility。
Tohisintimatebusinessfriends，Mr。Flintwasinthehabitofspeakingofherashisright-handman，butshewascircumscribedbyhersex，——orratherbyMr。Flint\'sideaofhersex，——anditneveroccurredtohimthatshecouldenterintothelargerproblemsofhislife。Forthisreasonhehadneveraskedhimselfwhethersuchastateofaffairswouldbedesirable。Inrealityitwashersympathyhecraved，andsuchaninterpretationofhimselfashechosetopresenttoher。
Soherquestionwasashock。Hesuddenlybeheldhisdaughtertransformed，anewpersonalitywhohadbeenthinking，andthinkingalongpathswhichhehadnevercaredtotravel。
“Thepower！“herepeated。“Whatdoyoumeanbythat，Victoria？“
Shesatforamomentontheendofthebench，gazingathimwithaquestioning，searchinglookwhichhefounddisconcerting。Whathadhappenedtohisdaughter？Helittleguessedthetumultinherbreast。
Sheherselfcouldnotfullyunderstandthestrangeturntheconversationhadtakentowardsthegatewayofthevitalthings。
“Itisnaturalformentolovepower，isn\'tit？“
“Isupposeso，“saidMr。Flint，uneasily。“Idon\'tknowwhatyou\'redrivingat，Victoria。“
“Youcontrolthelivesandfortunesofagreatmanypeople。“
“That\'sjustit，“answeredMr。Flint，withadashatthisopening；“myresponsibilitiesaretremendous。Ican\'trelinquishthem。“
“Thereisno——youngermantotakeyourplace？NotthatImeanyouareold，father，“shecontinued，“butyouhaveworkedveryhardallyourlife，anddeserveaholidaytherestofit。“
“Idon\'tknowofanyyoungerman，“saidMr。Flint。“Idon\'tmeantosayI\'mtheonlypersonintheworldwhocansafeguardthestockholders\'
interestsintheNortheastern。ButIknowtheroadanditsproblems。I
don\'tunderstandthisfromyou，Victoria。Itdoesn\'tsoundlikeyou。
Andasforlettinggothehelmnow，“headded，withashortlaughtingedwithbitterness，“I\'dbepostedalloverthecountryasacoward。“
“Why？“askedVictoria，inthesamequietway。
“Why？Becausealotofdiscontentedanddisappointedpeoplewhohavemadefailuresoftheirlivesaretryingtogivemeasmuchtroubleastheycan。“
“Areyousuretheyarealldisappointedanddiscontented，father？“shesaid。
“What，“exclaimedMr。Flint，“youaskmethatquestion？You，myowndaughter，aboutpeoplewhoaretryingtomakemeoutarascal！“
“Idon\'tthinktheyaretryingtomakeyououtarascal——atleastmostofthemarenot，“saidVictoria。“Idon\'tthinkthe——whatyoumightcallthepersonalaspectentersinwiththehonestones。“
Mr。Flintwasinexpressiblyamazed。Hedrewalongbreath。
“Whoarethehonestones？“hecried。“Doyoumeantosaythatyou，myowndaughter，aredefendingthesecharlatans？“
“Listen，father，“saidVictoria。“Ididn\'tmeantoworryyou，Ididn\'tmeantobringupthatsubjectto-day。Come——let\'sgoforawalkandseethenewbarn。“
ButMr。Flintremainedfirmlyplantedonthebench。
“Thenyoudidintendtobringupthesubject——someday？“heasked。
“Yes，“saidVictoria。Shesatdownagain。“Ihaveoftenwantedtohear——
yoursideofit。“
“Whosesidehaveyouheard？“demandedMr。Flint。
Acrimsonflushcreptintohercheek，butherfatherwastoodisturbedtonoticeit。
“Youknow，“shesaidgently，“Igoaboutthecountryagooddeal，andI
hearpeopletalking，——farmers，andlabourers，andpeopleinthecountrystoreswhodon\'tknowthatI\'myourdaughter。“
“Whatdotheysay？“askedMr。Flint，leaningforwardeagerlyandaggressively。
Victoriahesitated，turningoverthematterinhermind。
“Youunderstand，Iammerelyrepeatingwhattheysay——“
“Yes，yes，“heinterrupted，“Iwanttoknowhowfarthisthinghasgoneamongthem。“
“Well，“continuedVictoria，lookingathimbravely，“asnearlyasIcanremembertheirargumentitisthis:thattheNortheasternRailroadscontrolthepoliticsoftheStatefortheirownbenefit。ThatyouappointthegovernorsandthosethatgototheLegislature，andthat——
HilaryVanegetsthemelected。Theysaythatbemanagesapoliticalmachine——that\'stherightword，isn\'tit？——foryou。Andthatnolawscanbepassedofwhichyoudonotapprove。AndtheysaythatthepoliticianswhomHilaryVanecommands，andthemenwhomtheyputintoofficeareallbeholdentotherailroad，andareofasortwhichgoodcitizenscannotsupport。Theysaythattherailroadhasdestroyedthepeople\'sgovernment。“
Mr。Flint，forthemomentforgettingorignoringthecharges，glancedatherinastonishment。Thearraignmentbetrayedanamountofthoughtonthesubjectwhichhehadnotsuspected。
“Uponmyword，Victoria，“hesaid，“yououghttotakethestumpforHumphreyCrewe。“
Shereachedoutwithawomanlygesture，andlaidherhanduponhis。
“Iamonlytellingyou——whatIhear，“shesaid。
“Won\'tyouexplaintomethewayyoulookatit？Thesepeopledon\'tallseemtobedishonestmenorcharlatans。Someofthem，Iknow，arehonest。“Andhercolourroseagain。
“Thentheyaredupesandfools，“Mr。Flintdeclaredvehemently。“Idon\'tknowhowtoexplainittoyouthesubjectistoovast，toofar-reaching。
Onemusthavehadsomebusinessexperiencetograspit。Idon\'tmeantosayyou\'renotintelligent，butI\'matalosswheretobeginwithyou。
Lookedatfromtheirlimitedpointofview，itwouldseemasiftheyhadacase。Idon\'tmeanyourfriend，HumphreyCrewe——it\'sanythingtogetofficewithhim。Why，hecameuphereandbeggedme——“
“Iwasn\'tthinkingofHumphreyCrewe，“saidVictoria。Mr。Flintgaveanejaculationofdistaste。
“He\'snomoreofareformerthanIam。Andnowwe\'vegotthatwildsonofHilaryVane\'s——thesonofoneofmyoldestfriendsandassociates——
makingtrouble。He\'sbittenwiththisthing，too，andhe\'sgotsomebrainsinhishead。Why，“exclaimedMr。Flint，stoppingabruptlyandfacinghisdaughter，“youknowhim！He\'stheonewhodroveyouhomethateveningfromCrewe\'sparty。“
“Iremember，“Victoriafaltered，drawingherhandaway。
“Iwasn\'tveryciviltohimthatnight，butI\'vealwaysbeenonthelookoutforhim。Isenthimapassonce，andhecameuphereandgavemeasinsolentatalkingtoasIeverhadinmylife。“
HowwellVictoriarecalledthatfirstvisit，andhowshehadwonderedaboutthecauseofit！SoherfatherandAustenVanehadquarrelledfromthefirst。
“I\'msurehedidn\'tmeantobeinsolent，“shesaid，inalowvoice。“Heisn\'tatallthatsort。“
“Idon\'tknowwhatsortheis，exceptthatheisn\'tmysort，“Mr。Flintretorted，intentuponthesubjectwhichhadkindledhisangerearlierintheday。“Idon\'tpretendtounderstandhim。Hecouldprobablyhavebeencounselfortheroadifhehadbehaveddecently。Instead，hestartsinwithsuitsagainstus。He\'shituponsomethingnow。“
ThepresidentoftheNortheasterndugsavagelyintothegroundwithhisstick，andsuddenlyperceivedthathisdaughterhadherfaceturnedawayfromhis，towardsthemountain。
“Well，Iwon\'tboreyouwiththat。“
Sheturnedwithalookinhereyesthatbewilderedhim。
“You“renot——boringme，“shesaid。
“Ididn\'tintendtogointoallthat，“heexplainedmorecalmly，“butthelastfewdayshavebeentrying，we\'vegottoexpectthewindtoblowfromalldirections。“
Victoriasmiledathimfaintly。
“Ihavetoldyou，“shesaid，“thatwhatyouneedisatripabroad。
Perhapssomedayyouwillrememberit。“
“MaybeI\'llgointheautumn，“heanswered，smilingbackather。“Theselittleflurriesdon\'tamounttoanythingmorethanmosquito-bites——onlymosquitoesareirritating。YouandIunderstandeachother，Victoria，andnowlisten。I\'llgiveyouthebroadviewofthissubject，theviewI\'vegottotake，andI\'velivedintheworldandseenmoreofitthansomefolkswhothinktheyknowitall。Iamvirtuallythetrusteeforthousandsofstockholders，manyofwhomarewidowsandorphans。Thesepeopleareinnocent；theyrelyonmyability，andmyhonesty，fortheirincomes。Fewmenwhohavenothadexperienceinrailroadmanagementknowone-tenthofthedifficultiesandobstructionsencounteredbyarailroadpresidentwhostrivestodohisdutybytheroad。MybusinessistoruntheNortheasternaseconomicallyasisconsistentwithgoodserviceandsafety，andtogivethestockholdersthebestreturnfortheirmoney。I
amthesteward——andsolongasIamthesteward，“heexclaimed，“I\'mgoingtodowhatIthinkisright，takingintoconsiderationallthedifficultiesthatconfrontme。“
Hegotupandtookaturnortwoonthepine-needles。Victoriaregardedhiminsilence。Heappearedtoheratthatmomenttheembodimentofthepowerherepresented。Forceseemedtoemanatefromhim，andsheunderstoodmoreclearlythaneverhow，fromapoorboyonanobscurefarminTruro，hehadrisentohispresentheight。
“Idon\'tsaytheserviceiswhatitshouldbe，“hewenton，“butgivemetime——givemetime。Withallthisprosperityinthecountrywecan\'thandlethefreight。Wehaven\'tgotcarsenough，，tracksenough，enginesenough。Iwon\'tgointothatwithyou。ButIdoexpectyoutounderstandthis:thatpoliticiansarepoliticians；theyhavealwaysbeencorruptaslongasIhaveknownthem，andinmyopiniontheyalwayswillbe。TheNortheasternisthelargestpropertyholderintheState，paysthebiggesttax，andhasthemostatstake。ThepoliticianscouldruinusinasinglesessionoftheLegislature——andwhat\'smore，theywoulddoit。We\'dhavetobepayingblackmailallthetimetopreventmeasuresthatwouldcompelustogooutofbusiness。Thisisafact，andnotatheory。WhatlittleinfluenceIexertpoliticallyIhavetomaintaininordertoprotectthepropertyofmystockholdersfromannihilation。Itisn\'ttobesupposed，“heconcluded，“thatI\'mgoingtoseetheStateturnedovertoamanlikeHumphreyCrewe。IwishtoHeaventhatthisandeveryotherStatehadaGeorgeWashingtonforgovernorandamajorityofRobertMorrisesintheLegislature。Iftheyexist，inthesedays，thepeoplewon\'telect\'em——that\'sall。Thekindofmanthepeoplewillelect，ifyoulet\'emalone，is——amanwhobringsinabillandcomestoyouprivatelyandwantsyoutobuyhimoff。“
“Oh，father，“Victoriacried，“Ican\'tbelievethatofthepeopleIseeabouthere！Theyseemsokindandhonestandhigh-principled。“
Mr。Flintgaveashortlaugh。
“They\'redupes，Itellyou。They\'reatthemercyofanypoliticalschemerwhothinksitworthhiswhiletofool\'em。TakeLeith，forinstance。There\'samanovertherewhohascontrolledeveryofficeinthattownfortwenty-fiveyearsormore。Hebuysandsellsvotesandcredentialslikecattle。HisnameisJobBraden。“
“Why，“saidVictoria，IsawhimatHumphreyCrewe\'sgarden-party。“
“Iguessyoudid，“saidMr。Flint，“andIguessHumphreyCrewesawhimbeforehewent。“
Victoriawassilent，therecollectionofthetalkbetweenMr。TootingandMr。Crewerunningthroughhermind，andMr。Tooting\'ssayingthathehaddone“dirtythings“fortheNortheastern。Shefeltthatthiswassomethingshecouldnottellherfather，norcouldsheanswerhisargumentwithwhatTomGaylordhadsaid。Shecouldnot，indeed，answerMr。Flint\'sargumentatall；thesubject，ashehaddeclared，beingtoovastforher。Andmoreover，asshewellknew，Mr。Flintwasamanwhomothermencouldnoteasilyanswer；heborethemdown，evenashehadborneherdown。InvoluntarilyhermindturnedtoAusten，andshewonderedwhathehadsaid；shewonderedhowhewouldhaveansweredherfather——whetherhecouldhaveansweredhim。Andsheknewnotwhattothink。Coulditberight，inapositionofpowerandresponsibility，toacknowledgeevilanddealwithitasevil？Thatwas，ineffect，thegistofMr。Flint\'scontention。Shedidnotknow。Shehadnever(strangelyenough，shethought)soughtbeforetoanalyzetheethicalsideofherfather\'scharacter。Oneaspectofhimshehadsharedwithhermother，thathewasatowerofdefenceandstrength，andthathisnamealonehadoftenbeensufficienttogetdifficultthingsdone。
Washerightinthis？Andwerehisopponentscharlatans，ordupes，oridealistswhocouldneverbeeffective？Mr。Crewewantedanoffice；TomGaylordhadasuitagainsttheroad，andAustenVanewasgoingtobringthatsuit！WhatdidshereallyknowofAustenVane？Buthersoulcriedouttreasonatthis，andshefoundherselfrepeating，withintensity，“I
believeinhim！Ibelieveinhim！“ShewouldhavegivenworldstohavebeenabletostandupbeforeherfatherandtellhimthatAustenwouldnotbringthesuitatthistimethatAustenhadnotallowedhisnametobementionedforofficeinthisconnection，andhadspurnedMr。Crewe\'sadvances。ButshehadnotseenAustensinceFebruary。
Whatwashissideofit？Hehadnevertoldher，andsherespectedhismotives——yet，whatwashisside？Freshfromtheinevitablydeepimpressionswhichherfather\'spersonalityhadstampeduponher，shewonderedifAustencouldcopewiththeargumentbeforewhichshehadbeensohelpless。
ThefactthatshemadeofeachofthesetwomentheembodimentofadifferentandopposedideadidnotoccurtoVictoriauntilthatafternoon。Unconsciously，eachhadimpersonatedthecombatantsinastrugglewhichwasgoingoninherownbreast。Herfatherhimself，instinctively，hadchosenAustenVaneforhisantagonistwithoutknowingthatshehadaninterestinhim。WouldMr。Flinteverknow？Orwouldthetimecomewhenshewouldbeforcedtotakeaside？Thebloodmountedtohertemplesassheputthequestionfromher。
CHAPTERXIX
MR。JABEJENNEYENTERTAINS
Mr。Flinthaddroppedthesubjectwithhislastremark，norhadVictoriaattemptedtopursueit。Bewilderedandnotalittledepressed(anewexperienceforher)，shehadtriedtohideherfeelings。He，too，washarassedandtired，andshehaddrawnhimawayfromthebenchandthroughthepinewoodstothepasturestolookathiscattleandthemodelbarnhewasbuildingforthem。Athalf-pastthree，inherrunabout，shehaddrivenhimtotheEastTunbridgestation，wherehehadtakenthetrainforNewYork。Hehadwavedheragood-byfromtheplatform，andsmiled:
andforalongtime，asshedrovethroughthesilentroads，hiswordsandhismannerremainedasvividasthoughhewerestillbyherside。Hewasamanwhohadfoughtandconquered，andwhofoughtonforthesheerloveofit。
Itwasabluedayinthehillcountry。AtnoonthecloudshadcrownedSawanec——asuresignofrain；therainhadcomeandgone，aJunedownpour，andtheovercastskylent(Victoriafancied)tothecountry-
sideanewatmosphere。Thehillsdidnotlookthesame。Itwasthekindofadaywhencertainfinishedcountryplacesareattheirbest——orratherseembesttoexpresstheirmeaning；adayforanevent；adaysetstrangelyapartwithanindefinabledistinction。Victoriarecalledsuchdaysinheryouthwhenweddingsorgarden-partieshadbroughtcanopiesintoservice，ornewshadarrivedtoupsettheroutineofthehousehold。
Raindropssilveredthepines，andthelightwindsshookthemdownontheroadinamusicalshower。
Victoriawastroubled，asshedrove，overaquestionwhichhadrecurredtohermanytimessincehertalkthatmorning:hadshebeenhypocriticalinnottellingherfatherthatshehadseenmoreofAustenVanethanshehadimpliedbyhersilence？FormanyyearsVictoriahadchosenherowncompanions；whenthecustomhadbegun，hermotherhadmadeaprotestwhichMr。Flinthadansweredwithalaugh；hethoughtVictoria\'sjudgmentbetterthanhiswife\'s。EversincethattimetheRoseofSharonhadtakentheattitudeofhavingwashedherhandsofresponsibilityforacoursewhichmustinevitablyleadtoruin。ShediscussedsomeofVictoria\'sacquaintanceswithMrs。Pomfretandotherintimates；andMrs。
PomfrethadlostnotimeintellingMrs。Flintaboutherdaughter\'ssleigh-rideattheStatecapitalwithayoungmanfromRiptonwhoseemedtobeseeingentirelytoomuchofVictoria。Mrs。Pomfrethadmarkedcertaindangersigns，andasaconscientiouswomanwasobligedtospeakofthem。Mrs。PomfretdidnotwishtoseeVictoriamakeamesalliance。
“MydearFanny，“Mrs。Flinthadcried，liftingherselffromthelacepillows，“whatdoyouexpectmetodoespeciallywhenIhavenervousprostration？I\'vetriedtodomydutybyVictoria——goodnessknows——tobringherup——amongthesonsanddaughtersofthepeoplewhoaremyfriends。Theytellmethatshehastemperament——whateverthatmaybe。
I\'msureIneverfoundout，exceptthatthebestthingtodowithpeoplewhohaveitistoletthemaloneandprayforthem。WhenwegoabroadI
liketheRitzandClaridge\'sandthatnewhotelinRome。Iseemyfriendsthere。Victoria，ifyouplease，likesthelittlehotelsinthenarrowstreetswhereyouseenobody，andwhereyouaremostuncomfortable。“(MissOliver，it\'stimeforthosesevendrops。)“AsI
wassaying，Victoria\'senigmaticalhopeless，althoughaFrenchcomtessewhowouldn\'tlookatanybodyatthebathsthisspringbecamewildabouther，andacertaintypeofelderlyEnglishpeeralwayswantstomarryher。(IsupposeIdolookpaleto-day。)Victorialovesart，andreallyknowssomethingaboutit。SheadorestopotteraroundthosequeerplacesabroadwhereyouseestrangeEnglishandGermansandAmericanswithredbooksintheirhands。WhatamItodoaboutthisyoungmanofwhomyouspeak——whateverhisnameis？IsupposeVictoriawillmarryhim——itwouldbejustlikeher。ButwhatcanIdo，Fanny？Ican\'tmanageher，andit\'snousegoingtoherfather。Hewouldonlylaugh。Augustusactuallytoldmeoncetherewasnosuchthingassocialpositioninthiscountry！“
“Americanmenofaffairs，“Mrs。Pomfretjudiciallyreplied，“aretoobusytoconsiderposition。Theymakeit，mydear，asaby-product。“Mrs。
Pomfretsmiled，andmentallynotedthisaptlytechnicalwitticismforuseagain。
“Isupposetheydo，“assentedtheRoseofSharon，“andtheirdaughterssometimessquanderit，justastheirsonssquandertheirmoney。“
“I\'mnotatallsurethatVictoriaisgoingtosquanderit，“wasMrs。
Pomfret\'scomfortingremark。“Sheistoomuchofapersonage，andshehasgreatwealthbehindher。IwishAliceweremorelikeher，insomeways。Aliceissohelpless，shehastobeproddedandpromptedcontinually。Ican\'tleaveherforamoment。Andwhensheismarried，I\'mgoingintoasanatoriumforsixmonths。“
“Ihear，“saidMrs。Flint，“thatHumphreyCreweisquiteepris。“
“PoordearHumphrey！“exclaimedMrs。Pomfret，“hecanthinkofnothingelsebutpolitics。“
Butwearenottotakeupagain，asyet，thedeedsofthecraftyUlysses。
InordertorelateanimportantconversationbetweenMrs。PomfretandtheRoseofSharon，wehavegonebackaweekinthishistory，andhaveleftVictoria——absorbedinherthoughts——drivingoverawoodroadofmanypuddlesthatledtotheFourCorners，nearAvalon。Theroadclimbedthesong-ladenvalleyofabrook，redolentnowwithscentsofwhichtherainhadrobbedthefern，butatlengthVictoriareachedanuplandwheretheyoungcornwasspringingfromthe，blackfurrowsthatfollowedthecontoursofthehillsides，wherethebig-eyedcattlelayundertheheavymaplesandoaksorgazedatheracrossthefences。
Victoriadrewupinfrontofanunpaintedfarm-housestragglingbesidetheroad，afarm-housewhichbeganwiththedignityofflutedpilastersandendedinatumble-downopenshedfilledwitharustysleighandahundrednondescriptarticles——someofwhichseemedtobemoving。
Intentlystudyingthisphenomenonfromherrunabout，shefinallydiscoveredthatthemovingobjectswerechildren；oneofwhom，alittlegirl，cameoutandstaredather。
“Howdoyoudo，Mary？“saidVictoria。“Isn\'tyournameMary？“
Thechildnodded。
“Irememberyou，“shesaid；“you\'retherichlady，mothermetattheparty，thatgotfatherajob。“
Victoriasmiled。Andsuchwasthepotencyofthesmilethatthechildjoinedinit。
“Where\'sbrother？“askedVictoria。“Hemustbequitegrownupsincewegavehimlemonade。“
Marypointedtothewoodshed。
“Odear！“exclaimedVictoria，leapingoutoftherunaboutandhitchingherhorse，“aren\'tyouafraidsomeofthosesharpironthingswillfallonhim？“Sheherselfrescuedbrotherfromwhatseemeduntimelyandcertaindeath，andsethimdowninsafetyinthemiddleofthegrassplot。Helookedupatherwiththeairofonewhosedignityhasbeenirretrievablyinjured，andshelaughedasshereacheddownandpulledhisnose。Thenhisface，too，becamewreathedinsmiles。
“Mary，howoldareyou？“
“Seven，ma\'am。“
“AndI\'mfive，“Mary\'ssisterchimedin。
“Iwantyoutopromiseme，“saidVictoria，“thatyouwon\'tletbrotherplayinthatshed。AndtheverynexttimeIcomeI\'llbringyouboththenicestthingIcanthinkof。“
Marybegantodance。
“We\'llpromise，we\'llpromise！“shecriedforboth，andatthisjunctureMrs。Fitch，whohadrunfromthewashtubtogetintoherSundaywaist，cameoutofthedoor。
“Soyouhain\'tforgotme！“sheexclaimed。“Iwasalmostafeardyou\'dforgotme。“
“I\'vebeenaway，“saidVictoria，gentlytakingthewoman\'shandandsittingdownonthedoorstep。
“Don\'tsetthere，“saidMrs。Fitch；“comeintotheparlour。You\'lldirtyyourdress——Mary！“Thislastinadmonition。
“Letherstaywheresheis，“saidVictoria，puttingherarmaroundthechild。“Thedresswashes，andit\'ssoniceoutside。“
“Yourichfolkscertainlydohavestrangenotions，“declaredMrs。Fitch，fingeringtheflounceonVictoria\'sskirt，whichformedthesubjectofconversationforthenextfewminutes。
“Howareyougettingon？“Victoriaaskedatlength。
Alookofpaincameintothewoman\'seyes。
“You\'vebe\'nsogoodtous，anddonesomuchgettin\'Ebenajobonyourfather\'splace，thatIdon\'tfeelasifIoughttolietoyou。Hedoneitagain——onSaturdaynight。Firsttimeinthreemonths。ThemanagerupatFairviewdon\'tknowit。EbenwasallrightMonday。“
“I\'msorry，“saidVictoria，simply。“Wasitbad？“
“Itmighthavebe\'n。YoungMr。Vaneisstayin\'upatJabeJenney\'s——youknow，thefirsthouseasyouturnoffthehillroad。Mr。Vaneheardsomewaywhatyou\'ddoneforus，andhesawEbeninRiptonSaturdaynight，andmadehimgetintohisbuggyandcomehome。IguesshehadatimewithEben。Mr。Vane，hecamearoundhereonSunday，andgavehimasstiffatalkin\'toasheevergot，Iguess。HetoldEbenhe\'doughttobeashamedofhimselfgoin\'backonfolkswhowastryin\'tohelphimpayhismortgage。AndI\'llsaythisforEben，hewasdownrightashamed。HetoldMr。Vanehecouldlickhimifhecaughthimdrunkagain，andMr。Vanesaidhewould。My，whataprettycolouryou\'vegotto-day“
Victoriarose。“I\'mgoingtosendyoudownsomewashing，“shesaid。
Mrs。Fitchinsisteduponuntyingthehorse，whileVictoriarenewedherpromisestothechildren。
ThereweretwowaysofgoingbacktoFairview，——alongandashortway，——
andthelongwayledbyJabeJenney\'sfarm。Victoriacametotheforkintheroad，paused，——andtookthelongway。Severaltimesafterthis，shepulledherhorsedowntoawalk，andwasapparentlyonthepointofturningaroundagain:adisinterestedobserverinafarmwagon，whomshepassed，thoughtthatshehadmissedherroad。“Thefirsthouseafteryouturnoffthehillroad，“Mrs。Fitchhadsaid。Shecouldstill，ofcourse，keeponthehillroad，butthatwouldtakehertoWeymouth，andshewouldnevergethome。
ItisuselesstogointothereasonsforthisactofVictoria\'s。Shedidnotknowthemherself。ThenearerVictoriagottoMr。Jenney\'s，themoreshewishedherselfbackattheforks。SupposeMrs。Fitchtoldhimofhervisit！PerhapsshecouldpasstheJenneys\'unnoticed。Thechancesofthis，indeed，seemedhighlyfavourable，anditwascharacteristicofhersexthatshebegantoprayferventlytothisend。Thensheturnedoffthehillroad，feelingasthoughshehadbuttolookbacktoseethesmokeoftheburningbridges。
Victoriarememberedthefarmnow；forMr。JabeJenney，beingapersonofimportanceinthetownofLeith，hadahousecommensuratewithhisestate。Thehousewasnotlarge，butitsdignitywasakintoMr。
Jenney\'sposition:itwaspaintedaspotlesswhite，andnotashingleoranailwasoutofplace。BeforeitstoodthegreattreesplantedbyMr。
Jenney\'sancestors，whichVictoriaandotherpeoplehadoftenpausedontheirdrivestoadmire，andonthehillsidewasalittle，old-fashionedflowergarden；lilacsclusteredaboutthesmall-panedwindows，andabitter-sweetclungtotheroofandpillarsoftheporch。Thesedetailsoftheplace(whichshehadneverbeforeknownasMr。Jenney\'s)flashedintoVictoria\'smindbeforeshecaughtsightofthegreattreesthemselvesloomingagainstthesombreblue-blackofthesky:thewind，risingfitfully，stirredtheleaveswithasoundlikefallingwaters，andagreatdropfelluponhercheek。Victoriaraisedhereyesinalarm，andacrosstheopenspaces，towardthehillswhichpiledhigherandhigheryetagainstthesky，wasawhiteveilofrain。Shetouchedwithherwhiptheshoulderofherhorse，recallingafarmaquarterofamilebeyond——
shemustnotbecaughthere！
Moredropsfollowed，andthegreattreesseemedtoreachouttoheraprotectingshelter。Shespoketothehorse。Beyondthefarm-house，ontheothersideoftheroad，wasagroupofgray，slate-shingledbarns，andheretwofiguresconfrontedher。Onewasthatofthecomfortable，middle-agedMr。Jenneyhimself，standingonthethresholdofthebarn，andlaughingheartily，andcrying:“HangontohimThat\'sright——gethimbythenose！“
Thepersonthusaddressedhadledayounghorsetowateratthespringwhichbubbledoutofasugar-kettlehardby；andthehorse，quivering，hadbarelytouchedhisnostrilstothewaterwhenherearedbackward，jerkingthehalter-ropetaut。Thenfollowed，withbewilderingrapidity，aseriesofmanoeuvresonthepartofthehorsetogetaway，andonthepartofthepersontopreventthis，andinasmuchasthestruggletookplaceinthemiddleoftheroad，Victoriahadtostop。Bythetimethepersonhadgotthehorsebythenose，——shuttingoffhiswind，——therainwascomingdowninearnest。
“Driverightin，“criedMr。Jenney，hospitably；“you\'llgetwet。Lookout，Austen，there\'saladycomin\'。Why，it\'sMissFlint！“
Victoriaknewthatherfacemustbeonfire。ShefeltAustenVane\'squickglanceuponher，butshedidnotdarelooktotherightorleftasshedroveintothebarn。Thereseemednoexcuseforanyothercourse。
“Howbeyou？“saidMr。Jenney；“kindofluckyyouhappenedalonghere，wahn\'tit？You\'dhavebeensoakedbeforeyougottoHarris\'s。Howbeyou？Iain\'tseenyousincethathighfalutinpartyuptoCrewe\'s。“
“It\'sverykindofyoutoletmecomein，Mr。Jenney。“
“ButIhavearain-coatandaboot，and——Ireallyoughttobegoingon。“
HereVictoriaproducedtherain-coatfromundertheseat。Thegarmentwasadarkblue，andMr。Jenneyfeltofitsgossamerweightwithagood-
naturedcontempt。
“Thatwouldn\'tbeanymoregoodthansomuchcheesecloth，“hedeclared，noddinginthedirectionofthewhitesheetofthestorm。“Wouldit，Austen。“
SheturnedherheadslowlyandmetAusten\'seyes。Fortunatethatthebarnwasdarkened，thathemightnotseehowdeepthecolourmantlinginhertemples！Hisheadwasbare，andshehadneverreallymarkedbeforethesuperbsettingofitonhisshoulders，forheworeagrayflannelshirtopenattheneck，revealingabronzedthroat。Hissinewyarms——
weather-burned，too——werebareabovetheelbows。
Explanationsofherpresencesprangtoherlips，butsheputthemfromherassubterfugesunworthyofhim。Shewouldnotattempttodeceivehimintheleast。Shehadwishedtoseehimagain——nordidsheanalyzehermotives。Oncemorebesidehim，thefeelingofconfidence，ofbeliefinhim，rosewithinherandsweptallelseaway——burnedinaswiftconsumingflamethedoubtsofabsence。Hetookherhand，butshewithdrewitquickly。
“Thisisafortunateaccident，“hesaid，“fortunate，atleast，forme。“
“PerhapsMr。Jenneywillnotagreewithyou，“sheretorted。
ButMr。Jenneywashitchingthehorseandthrowingablanketoverhim。
Suddenly，beforetheyrealizedit，thefarmerhadvanishedintothestorm，andthisunexplaineddesertionoftheirhostgaverisetoanawkwardsilencebetweenthem，whicheachforawhilestrovevainlytobreak。Inthegreatmomentsoflife，trivialitiesbecomedwarfedandludicrous，andtheburdenofsuchoccasionsisonthewoman。
“Soyou\'vetakentofarming，“shesaid，-“isn\'titabouthayingtime？“
Helaughed。
“Webeginnextweek。Andyou——you\'vecomebackinseasonforit。Ihopethatyourmotherisbetter。“
“Yes，“repliedVictoria，simply，“thebathshelpedher。ButI\'mgladtogetback，——Ilikemyowncountrysomuchbetter，——andespeciallythispartofit，“sheadded。“IcanbeartobeawayfromNewYorkinthewinter，butnotfromFairviewinthesummer。“
AtthisinstantMr。Jenneyappearedatthebarndoorbearingahugegreenumbrella。
“Comeovertothehouse——Mis\'Jenneyisexpectin\'you，“hesaid。
Victoriahesitated。Torefusewouldbeungracious；moreover，shecouldrisknomisinterpretationofheracts，andsheaccepted。Mrs。Jenneymetheronthedoorstep，andconductedherintothatsanctumreservedforoccasions，theparlour，withitsBible，itsflat，old-fashionedpiano，itssamplers，itscrayonportraitofMr。andMrs。Jenneyaftertheirhoneymoon；withitsaromathatsuggestedSundaysandbestmanners。Mrs。
Jenney，withincrediblerapidity(forherfigurewasnotwhatithadbeenatthetimeofthecrayonportrait)，hadgotintoablackdress，overwhichsheworeaspotlessapron。ShesatintheparlourwithherguestuntilMr。Jenneyreappearedwithshiningfaceanddamphair。
“You\'llexcuseme，mydear，“saidMrs。Jenney，“butthesupper\'sonthestove，andIhavetorunoutnowandthen。“
Mr。Jenneywasentertaining。Hehadtheshrewd，humorousoutlookuponlifecharacteristicofthebesttypeofNewEnglandfarmer，andVictoriagotalongwithhimfamously。Hiscommentsuponhisneighbourswerekindlybutincisive，exceptwhenthequestionofspirituousliquorsoccurredtohim。AustenVanehethoughttheworldof，anddweltuponthissubjectalittlelongerthanVictoria，underthecircumstances，wouldhavewished。
“Hecomesoutherejustlikeitwashome，“saidMr。Jenney，“andhelpswiththehorsesandcowsthesameasifhewasn\'tgettin\'tobeoneofthegreatestlawyersintheState。“
“Odear，Mr。Jenney，“saidVictoria，glancingoutofthewindow，“I\'llreallyhavetogohome。I\'msureitwon\'tstoprainingforhours。ButI
shallbeperfectlydryinmyrain-coat，——nomatterhowmuchyoumaydespiseit。“
“You\'renota-goingtodoanythingofthekind，“criedMrs。Jenneyfromthedoorway。“Supper\'sallready，andyou\'regoingtowalkrightin。“
“Oh，Ireallyhavetogo，“Victoriaexclaimed。
“NowIknowitain\'tasgrandasyou\'dgetathome，“saidMr。Jenney。
“Itain\'twhatwe\'dgiveyou，MissVictoria，——that\'sonlysimplehomefare，——it\'swhatyou\'dgiveus。It\'sthehonourofhavingyou，“headded，——andVictoriathoughtthatnocourtiercouldhavewordedaninvitationbetter。ShewouldnotbemissedatFairview。Hermotherwasinaccessibleatthishour，andtheservantswouldthinkofherasdiningatLeith。Thepictureofthegreat，lonelyhouse，oftheceremoniousdinnerwhichawaitedhersinglepresence，gaveheranirresistiblelongingtositdownwiththesesimple，kindlysouls。Austenwastheonlyobstacle。He，too，hadchangedhisclothes，andnowappeared，smilingatherbehindMrs。Jenney。Thelookofprospectivedisappointmentinthegoodwoman\'sfacedecidedVictoria。
“I\'llstay，withpleasure，“shesaid。
Mr。Jenneypronouncedgrace。VictoriasatacrossthetablefromAusten，andseveraltimestheconsciousnessofhisgravelookuponherasshetalkedheightenedthecolourinhercheek。Hesaidbutlittleduringthemeal。VictoriaheardhowwellMrs。Jenney\'soldestsonwasdoinginSpringfield，andhowtheunmarrieddaughterwasteaching，now，intheWest。AskedaboutEurope，thatlandofperpetualmysterytothenativeAmerican，thegirlspokesosimplyandvividlyofsomeofthewondersshehadseenthatsheheldtheolderpeopleentrancedlongafterthemealwasfinished。Butatlengthsheobserved，withastart，thegatheringdarkness。Inthemomentaryhappinessofthisexperience，shehadbeenforgetful。
“Iwilldrivehomewithyou，ifyou\'llallowme，“saidAusten。
“Oh，no，Ireallydon\'tneedanescort，Mr。Vane。I\'msousedtodrivingaboutatnight，Ineverthinkofit，“sheanswered。
“Ofcoursehe\'lldrivehomewithyou，dear，“saidMrs。Jenney。“And，Jabe，you\'llhitchupandgoandfetchAustenback。“
“Certain，“Mr。Jenneyagreed。
Therainhadceased，andtheindistinctoutlineofthetreesandfencesbetrayedthefactthatthecloudswerealreadythinningunderthemoon。
Austenhadlightedthesidelampsoftherunabout，revealingtheshiningpoolsontheroadastheydrovealong——forthefirstfewminutesinsilence。
“Itwasverygoodofyoutostay，“hesaid；“youdonotknowhowmuchpleasureyouhavegiventhem。“
Herfeminineappreciationrespondedtothetactofthisremark:itwassodistinctlywhatheshouldhavesaid。
Howdelicate，shethought，mustbehisunderstandingofher，thatheshouldhavespokenso！
“Iwasgladtostay，“sheanswered，inalowvoice。“I——enjoyedit，too。“
“Theyhaveverylittleintheirlives，“hesaid，andadded，withacharacteristictouch，“Idonotmeantosaythatyourcomingwouldnotbeaneventinanyhousehold。“
Shelaughedwithhim，softly，atthissally。
“Nottospeakofthevisityouaremakingthem，“shereplied。
“Oh，I\'moneofthefamily，“hesaid；“Icomeandgo。Jabe\'sismycountryhouse，whenIcan\'tstandthecityanylonger。“
ShesawthathedidnotintendtotellherwhyhehadleftRiptononthisoccasion。Therefellanothersilence。Theywerelikeprisoners，andeachstrovetoexploretheboundsoftheircaptivity:eachsoughtalawfulgroundofcommunication。Victoriasuddenlyremembered——withanaccessofindignation——herfather\'swords，“Idonotknowwhatsortheis，butheisnotmysort。“Awhileago，andshehadblamedherselfvehementlyforcomingtoJabeJenney\'s，andnowtheacthadsuddenlybecomesanctifiedinhersight。ShedidnotanalyzeherfeelingforAusten，butshewasconsumedwithafiercedesirethatjusticeshouldbedonehim。Hewashonourable——honourable！“shefoundherselfrepeatingunderherbreath。Nomanorwomancouldlookintohisface，takehishand，sitbyhisside，withoutfeelingthathewasasdependableasthestarsintheircourses。Andherfathershouldknowthis，mustbemadetoknowit。Thismanwastobedistinguishedfromopportunistsandself-
seekers，fromfanaticswhostrikeatrandom。Hischiefpossessionwasapricelessone——aconscience。
AsforAusten，itsufficedhimforthemomentthathehadbeenlifted，byanotherseemingcapriceoffortune，toaseatoftorturetheagonywhereofwasexquisite。Anhour，andonlytheceaselessprickingmemoryofitwouldabide。Thebarriershadrisenhighersincehehadseenherlast，butstillhemightlookintoherfaceandknowtheradianceofherpresence。Couldheonlytrusthimselftoguardhistongue！Buttheheartonsuchoccasionswillcheatlanguageofitsmeaning。
“WhathaveyoubeendoingsinceIsawyoulast？“sheasked。“Itseemsthatyoustillcontinuetoleadalifeofviolence。“
“SometimesIwishIdid，“heanswered，withalaugh；“thehumdrumexistenceofgettingpracticeenoughtokeepahorseisnotthemostexcitingintheworld。Towhatparticulardeedofviolencedoyourefer？“
“Thelastachievement，whichisineveryone\'smouth，thatofassistingMr。Tootingdown-stairs。“
“Ihavebeendefamed，“Austenlaughed；“hefelldown，Ibelieve。ButasIhaveasomewhatevilreputation，andashecameoutofmyentry，peopledrawtheirownconclusions。Ican\'timaginewhotoldyouthatstory。“
“Nevermind，“sheanswered。“Yousee，Ihavecertainsourcesofinformationaboutyou。“
Hetingledoverthis，andpuzzledoveritsolongthatshelaughed。
“Doesthatsurpriseyou？“sheasked。“IfailtoseewhyIshouldbeexpectedtoloseallinterestinmyfriends——eveniftheyappeartohavelostinterestinme。“
“Oh，don\'tsaythat！“hecriedsosharplythatshewishedherwordsunsaid。“Youcan\'tmeanit！Youdon\'tknow！“
Shetrembledatthevigorouspassionheputintothewords。
“No，Idon\'tmeanit，“shesaidgently。
Thewindhadmadearentinthesheetoftheclouds，andthroughitburstthemooninherfullglory，floodingfieldandpasture，andtheblackstretchesofpineforestattheirfeet。Belowthemthelandfellaway，andfellagaintothedistantbroadeningvalley，towhereamistofwhitevapourhidthecourseoftheBlue。Andbeyond，thehillsroseagain，tierupontier，totheshadowyoutlineofSawanecherselfagainstthehurryingcloudsandthelight-washedsky。Victoria，gazingatthescene，drewadeepbreath，andturnedandlookedathiminthequickwaywhichherememberedsowell。
“Sometimes，“shesaid，“itissobeautifulthatithurtstolookatit。
Youloveit——doyoueverfeelthatway？“
“Yes，“hesaid，buthisanswerwasmorethanthemonosyllable。“Icanseethatmountainfrommywindow，anditseriouslyinterfereswithmywork。Ireallyoughttomoveintoanotherbuilding。“
Therewasalittlecatchinherlaugh。
“AndIwatchit，“shecontinued，“Iwatchitfromthepinegrovebythehour。Sometimesitsmiles，andsometimesitissad，andsometimesitisfar，faraway，soremoteandmysteriousthatIwonderifitisevertocomebackandsmileagain。“
“Haveyoueverseenthesunrisefromitspeak？“saidAusten。
“No。Oh，howIshouldlovetoseeit！“sheexclaimed。
“Yes，youwouldliketoseeit，“heansweredsimply。Hewouldliketotakeherthere，toclimb，withherhandinhis，thewell-knownpathsinthedarkness，toreachthesummitintherosy-fingereddawn:toseeherstandonthegraniteathissideinthefullgloryoftheredlight，andtoshowheraworldwhichshewashenceforthtosharewithhim。
Somesuchimage，somesuchvisionofhisfigureontherock，mayhavebeeninhermindassheturnedherfaceagaintowardthemountain。
“Youarecold，“hesaid，reachingforthemackintoshinthebackofthetrap。
“No，“shesaid。Butshestoppedthehorseandacquiescedbyslippingherarmsintothecoat，andhefeltuponhishandthecaressofastraywispofhairatherneck。Underaspellofthoughtandfeeling，seeminglylaidbythemagicofthenight，neitherspokeforaspace。AndthenVictoriasummonedherforces，andturnedtohimagain。Hertonebespokethesubtleintimacythatalwayssprangupbetweenthem，despitebarsandconventions。
“IwassureyouwouldunderstandwhyIwroteyoufromNewYork，“shesaid，“althoughIhesitatedalongtimebeforedoingso。Itwasverystupidofmenottorealizethescrupleswhichmadeyourefusetobeacandidateforthegovernorship，andIwantedto——toapologize。“
“Itwasn\'tnecessary，“saidAusten，“but——Ivaluedthenote。“Thewordsseemedsoabsurdlyinadequatetoexpresshisappreciationofthetreasurewhichhecarriedwithhim，atthatmoment，inhispocket。“But，really，“
headded，smilingatherinthemoonlight，“ImustprotestagainstyourbeliefthatIcouldhavebeenaneffectivecandidate！IhaveroamedabouttheState，andIhavemadesomeverygoodfriendshereandthereamongthehillfarmers，likeMr。Jenney。Mr。Redbrookisoneofthese。
Butitwouldhavebeenabsurdofmeeventothinkofacandidacyfoundedonpersonalfriendships。Iassureyou，“headded，smiling，“therewasnoselfdenialinmyrefusal。“
Shegavehimanappraisingglancewhichhefoundatonceenchantinganddisconcerting。
“Youareoneofthosepeople，Ithink，whodonotknowtheirownvalue。
