第15章

Whatthenewspaperscallindescribableexcitementensues。ThethreevotesimproperlymadeoutaresaidtobetrippassesaccidentallydroppedintotheboxbythesupportersoftheHonourableElishaJane。Andaddupthesumtotalofthevotes！Thirty-onevotesmorethantherearecredentialsinthehall！Mysteryofmysterieshowcanitbe？Theballot，announcesGeneralDoby，afterendlessrapping，isablank。

Cheers，recriminations，exultation，disgustofdecentcitizens，attemptsbytwentymentogettheeyeofthepresident(whichistoowaterytoseeanyofthem)，andrushesfortheplatformtosuggestremediesoraskwhatisgoingtobedoneaboutsuchpalpablefraud。Whatcanbedone？Calltheroll！Howinblazescanyoucalltherollwhenyoudon\'tknowwho\'shere？Messrs。Jane，Botcher，Bascom，andFlemingarenotdisturbed，andimprovetheirtime。WatlingandTootingrushtothebridalsuite，andrushbackagaintodemandjustice。GeneralDobymingleshistearswiththeirs，andsomebodycallshimajellyfish。Hedoesnotresentit。

Frictionmakestheairhotterandhotter——Shadrach，Meshach，andAbednegowouldscarceenterintothisfurnace，——andGeneralDobyhasalargedampspotonhisbackashepoundsandpoundsandpoundsuntilweareoffagainonthethirdballot。Nodinner，andthree-thirtyP。M。！Twodelegateshavefainted，buttheessentialpartsofthem——thecredentials——areleftbehind。

Four-forty，whisperingagain，andthegaveldrops。

TheHonourableGilesHendersonofKingstonhas……412

TheHonourableHumphreyCreweofLeithhas……325

TheHonourableAdamB。HuntofEdmundtonhas……250

Andthereisnochoiceonthethirdballot！

Thirteendelegatesareactuallymissingthistime。Scourthetown！Andnoweventhenewspaperadjectivesdescribingthescenehavegivenout。A

persistentandterrifyingrumourgoestherounds，where\'sTomGaylord？

Somebodysaidhewasinthehallamomentago，onaRiptoncredential。

Ifso，he\'sgoneoutagain——goneouttoconsultthedarkhorse，whoisintown，somewhere。Anotherominoussign:Mr。Redbrook，Mr。WidgeonofHull，andtheotherruraldelegateswhohavebeenvotingforthePeople\'sChampion，andwhohavenotbeenobservedinfriendlyconversationwithanybodyatall，nowhavetheirheadstogether。Mr。Billingsgoessaunteringby，butcannothearwhattheyaresaying。Somethingmustbedone，andrightaway，andtheknowingmetropolitanreportersarewinkingateachotheranddeclaringdarklythatasensationisabouttoturnup。

WhereisHilaryVane？Doesn\'therealizethedanger？Or——traitorousthought！——doesn\'thecare？Toseehissonnominatedwouldbeasingularrevengefortheindignitieswhicharesaidtohavebeenheapeduponhim。

DoesHilaryVane，thestrongmanoftheState，merelysitatthekeyboard，powerless，whilethetempestitselfshakesfromtheorgananewandterriblemusic？Nearly，sixhourshehassatatthebasswoodtable，whilesenators，congressmen，feudalchiefs，andevenChairmanDobyhimselfflitinandout，whisperinhisear，setpapersbeforehim，andfiguresandproblems，andtelegramsfromhighestauthority。Hemerelynodshishead，saysawordnowandthen，orholdshispeace。Doesheknowwhathe\'sabout？Iftheyhadnotheardthingsconcerninghishealth，——andotherthings，——theywouldstillfeelsafe。Heseemstheonlycalmmantobefoundinthehall——butisthecalmaberration？

Aconferenceinthecorneroftheplatform，whilethefourthballotisprogressing，isheldbetweenSenatorsWhitredgeandGreene，Mr。RidoutandMr。Manning。SofartheHonourableHilaryhasapparentlydonenothingbutletthestormtakeitscourse；awing-footedmessengerhasreturnedwhohasseenMr。ThomasGaylordwalkingrapidlyupMapleStreet，andAustenVane(mostastuteandreprehensibleofpoliticians)issaidtobeattheWidowPeasley\'s，quietlyawaitingthecall。ThenameofAustenVane——anothermessengersays——isrunninglikewildfirethroughthehall，fromrowtorow。Mr。Crewehasnochance——sorumourgoes。Areformer(topervertthesayingofacelebratedcontemporaryhumorist)mustfightMarquisofQueensberrytowin；andthePeople\'sChampion，itisaverred，hasnot。ShrewdcountrydelegateswhohadlistenedtotheChampion\'sspeechesandhadcometothecapitalpreparedtovoteforpurity，hadbeenobservingthemovementssinceyesterday，ofMr。TootingandMr。

Wadingwithnoinconsiderableinterest。NowwasthepsychologicalmomentforAustenVane，butwhowastobeardHilary？

Nochampionwasfound，andtheEmpire，thefateofwhichwasinthehandsofamadman，wascracking。Letanindividualofcharacterandknownanti-railroadconvictions(suchasthegentlemansaidtobeattheWidowPeasley\'s)bepresentedtotheconvention，andtheywouldnominatehim。

WereMessrs。BascomandBotchergoingtoactthepartofSamsons？Weretheyworkingforrevengeandanewregime？Mr。WhitredgestartedforthePelican，notathisordinarysenatorialgait，togetMr。Flintonthetelephone。

Theresultofthefourthballotwasannounced，andbedlambrokeloose。

TheHonourableGilesHendersonofKingstonhas……419

TheHonourableHumphreyCreweofLeithhas……337

TheHonourableAdamB。HuntofEdmundtonhas……256

Total，onethousandandelevenoutofathousand！Twodelegatesabstainedfromvoting，andproclaimedthefact，butwereheardonlyafewfeetaway。Otherdelegates，whosefleshandbloodcouldstandtheatmospherenolonger，wereknowntohaveleftthehall！Aha！thesecretisout，ifanybodycouldhearit。Attheendofeveryballotseveralindividualsemergeandmixwiththecrowdinthestreet。Astutemensometimesmakemistakes，andthefollowingconversationoccursbetweenoneoftheindividualsinquestionandMr。Crewe\'schauffeur。

Individual:“Doyouwanttocomeinandseetheconventionandvote？“

Chauffeur:“IamFrenchman。“

Individual:“Thatdoesn\'tcutanyice。I\'llmakeouttheballot，andallyou\'llhavetodoistodropitinthebox。“

Chauffeur:“Allright；IvoteforMeesterCrewe。“

Suddendisappearanceoftheindividual。

Noristhisall。TheDukeofPutnam，forexample，knowshowmanycredentialsthereareinhiscounty——say，seventy-six。Hecountsthemenpresentandvoting，andhisresultissixty-one。Fifteenareabsent，gettingfoodor——somethingelse。Fifteenvoteoveragain。But，asthehumanbrainispronetoerror，andtherearemeninthestreet，theDukemiscalculates；theEarlofHainesmiscalculates，too。Result——elevenoverathousandvotes，andsomeninehundredmeninthehall！

Howareyougoingtostopit？Mr。WatlingclimbsupontheplatformandshakeshisfistinGeneralDoby\'sface，andGeneralDobytearfullyappealsforanhonestballot——tothewinds。

InthemeantimetheHonourableElishaJane，spurredonbydesperationandthoughtsofa\'dolcefarniente\'goneforever；hassoughtandcorneredMr。Bascom。

“ForGod\'ssake，Brush，“criestheHonourableElisha，“hasn\'tthisthinggonefarenough？Alittleofitisallright——theboysunderstandthat；

buthaveyouthoughtwhatitmeanstoyouandmeiftheseblankedreformersgetin，——ifafellerlikeAustenVaneisnominated？“

Thatcold，hardglitterwhichwehaveseenwasinMr。Bascom\'seyes。

“Youfellershavegotthecolic，“wastheremarkofthearch-rebel。“DoyouthinkoldHilarydoesn\'tknowwhathe\'sabout？“

“Itlooksthatwaytome，“saidMr。Jane。

“ItlooksthatwaytoDobytoo，Iguess，“saidMr。Bascom，withaglanceofcontemptatthegeneral；“he\'slostaboutfifteenpoundsto-day。DidHilarysendyoudownhere？“hedemanded。

“No，“Mr。Janeconfessed。

“Thengobackandchaseyourselfaroundtheplatformsomemore，“wasMr。

Bascom\'sunfeelingadvice，“anddon\'thaveafithere。AllthebrainsinthishallareinHilary\'sroom。Whenhe\'sreadytotalkbusinesswithmeinbehalfoftheHonourableGilesHenderson，Iguesshe\'lldoso。“

ButfearhadenteredtheheartoftheHonourableElisha，andtherewasasicklyfeelingintheregionofhisstomachwhicheventhestrongmedicineadministeredbytheHonourableBrushfailedtoalleviate。HeperceivedSenatorWhitredge，returnedfromthePelican。Buttheadvice——

ifany——thepresidentoftheNortheasternhasgiventhesenatorisnotforthcominginpractice。Mr。Flint，anymorethanUlysseshimself，cannotrecallthetempestswhenhisownfollowershaveslitthebags——andinsightofIthaca！Anotherconferenceatthebackofthestage，outofwhichemergesStateSenatorNatBillingsandgetstheearofGeneralDoby。

“Let\'emyell，“saysMr。Billings——asthoughthegeneral，byraisingoneadiposehand，couldquellthestorm。Eyesarestraining，scoutsarewatchingatthebackofthehallandinthestreet，forthefirstglimpseofthedreadedfigureofMr。ThomasGaylord。“Let\'emyell；“counselsMr。Billings，“andiftheydonominateanybodynobody\'llhear\'em。AndsendwordtoPutnamCountytocomealongontheirfifthballot。“

ItisMr。BillingshimselfwhosendswordtoPutnamCounty，inthenameoftheconvention\'schairman。BeforethemessengercanreachPutnamCountyanotherarrivesonthestage，withwidepupils，“TomGaylordiscoming！“Thismomentousnews，Marconi-like，penetratesthestorm，andisalreadyonthefloor。Mr。WidgeonandMr。Redbrookarepushingtheirwaytowardsthedoor。Theconference，emboldenedbyterror，marchesinabodyintothelittleroom，andsurroundsthecalmlyinsaneLieutenant-

generaloftheforces；itwouldbeill-naturedtosaythatvisionsoflostrailroadcommissionerships，lostconsulships，lostpostmasterships，——

yes，oflostsenatorships，wereintheseloyalheadsatthiscrucialtime。

Itwasallverywell(sosaidthefirstspokesman)topluckafewfeathersfromabirdsobountifullyendowedastheHonourableAdam，butwerenottwogentlemenwhoshouldbenamelesscarryingthejokealittletoofar？Mr。Vaneunquestionablyrealizedwhathewasdoing，but——wasitnotalmosttimetocallinthetwogentlemenand——andcometosomeunderstanding？

“Gentlemen，“saidtheHonourableHilary，apparentlyunmoved，“IhavenotseenMr。BascomorMr。BotchersincethesixteenthdayofAugust，andI

donotintendto。“

Someclearingofthroatsfollowedthisominousdeclaration，——andapainfulsilence。Thethingmustbesaidandwhowouldsayit？SenatorWhitredgewasthehero。

Mr。ThomasGaylordhasjustenteredtheconventionhall，andissaidtobeabouttonominate——adarkhorse。Themomentwasfavourable，theconventiondemoralized，andatleastonehundreddelegateshadleftthehall。(Howaboutthelastballot，Senator，whichshowed1011？)

TheHonourableHilaryroseabruptly，closedthedoortoshutoutthenoise，andturnedandlookedMr。Whitredgeintheeye。

“Whoisthedarkhorse？“hedemanded。

Themembersoftheconferencecoughedagain，lookedateachother，andtherewasasilence。Forsomeinexplicablereason，nobodycaredtomentionthenameofAustenVane。

TheHonourableHilarypointedatthebasswoodtable。

“Senator，“hesaid，“IunderstandyouhavebeentelephoningMr。Flint。

Haveyougotorderstositdownthere？“

“Mydearsir，“saidtheSenator，“youmisunderstandme。“

“Haveyougotorderstositdownthere？“Mr。Vanerepeated。

“No，“answeredtheSenator，“Mr。Flint\'sconfidenceinyou——“

TheHonourableHilarysatdownagain，andatthatinstantthedoorwassuddenlyflungopenbyPostmasterBillFleetingofBrampton，hisgenialfaceaflamewithexcitementandstreamingwithperspiration。Forgotten，inthismoment，issenatorialcourtesyandrespectforthepowersofthefeudalsystem。

“Say，boys，“hecried，“PutnamCounty\'svoting，andthere\'sbe\'nnonominationandain\'tlikelytobe。JimScudder，thestation-masteratWye，ishereoncredentials，andhesaysforsurethething\'sfizzledout，andTomGaylord\'sleftthehall！“

Againasilence，saveforthehighhumletinthroughtheopendoorway。

ThemembersoftheconferencestaredattheHonourableHilary，whoseemedtohaveforgottentheirpresence；forhehadmovedhischairtothewindow，andwasgazingoutovertheroofsatthefast-fadingredinthewesternsky。

Anhourlater，whentheroomwasindarknesssaveforthebaroflightthatstreamedinfromtheplatformchandelier，SenatorWhitredgeentered。

“Hilary！“hesaid。

Therewasnoanswer。Mr。Whitredgefeltinhispocketforamatch，struckit，andlightedthesinglejetoverthebasswoodtable。Mr。Vanestillsatbythewindow。Thesenatorturnedandclosedthedoor，andreadfromapaperinhishand；sousedwashetoformalitythathereaditformally，yetwithafeelingofintenserelief，ofdeference，ofapology。

“Fifthballot:——

TheHonourableGilesHendersonofKingstonhas……587

TheHonourableAdamB。HuntofEdmundtonhas……230

TheHonourableHumphreyCreweofLeithhas……154

AndGilesHendersonisnominated——Hilary？“

“Yes，“saidMr。Vane。

“Idon\'tthinkanyofuswere——quiteourselvesto-day。Itwasn\'tthatwedidn\'tbelieveinyou——butwedidn\'thaveallthethreadsinourhands，and——forreasonswhichIthinkIcanunderstand——youdidn\'ttakeusintoyourconfidence。Iwantto——“

Thewordsdiedonthesenator\'slips。Soabsorbedhadhebeeninhismomentousnews，andsolicitousovertheresultofhisexplanation，thathiseyelookedoutwardforthefirsttime，andeventhenaccidentally。

“Hilary！“hecried；“forGod\'ssake，what\'sthematter？Areyousick？“

“Yes，Whitredge，“saidMr。Vane，slowly，“sickatheart。“

Itwasbutnaturalthattheseextraordinaryandincomprehensiblewordsshouldhavepuzzledandfrightenedthesenatormorethanever。

“Yourheart！“herepeated。

“Yes，myheart，“saidHilary。

Thesenatorreachedfortheice-wateronthetable。

“Here，“hecried，pouringoutaglass，“it\'sonlytheheat——it\'sbeenahardday——drinkthis。“

ButHilarydidnotraisehisarm。ThedooropenedotherscomingtocongratulateHilaryVaneonthegreatestvictoryhehadeverwon。

Officesweresecureoncemore，thefeudalsystemintact，andrebelsjustlypunished；otherscomingtomaketheirpeacewiththecommanderwhom，senselessastheywere，theyhaddaredtodoubt。

Theycrowdedpasteachotheronthethreshold，andstoodgroupedbeyondthebasswoodtable，staring——staring——mensuddenlycomeuponatragedyinsteadofafeast，thesenatorstillholdingtheglassofwaterinahandthattrembledandspilledit。Anditwasthesenator，afterall，whofirstrecoveredhispresenceofmind。Hesetdownthewater，pushedhiswaythroughthegroupintothehall，wherethetumultandtheshoutingdie。Mr。GilesHenderson，escorted，istimidlymakinghiswaytowardstheplatformtoreadhisspeechofacceptanceofawillingbondage，whenavoiceringsout:——

“Ifthereisaphysicianinthehouse，willhepleasecomeforward？“

Andthenahush，——andthenthebuzzofcomment。Backtothelittleroomoncemore，wheretheyaregatheredspeechlessaboutHilaryVane。AndthedoctorcomesyoungDr。TredwayofRipton，whoisbeforeallothers。

“Iexpectedthistohappen，gentlemen，“hesaid，“andIhavebeenhereallday，attherequestofMr。Vane\'sson，forthispurpose。“

“Austen！“

ItwasHilarywhospoke。

“Ihavesentforhim，“saidthedoctor。“Andnow，gentlemen，ifyouwillkindly——“

Theywithdrewandthedoctorshutthedoor。Outside，theHonourableGilesistellingthemhowseriouslyheregardstheresponsibilityofthehonourthrustuponhimbyagreatparty。Butnobodyhearshiminthewildrumoursthatflyfrommouthtomouthasthehallempties。Rushinginagainstthetideoutpouring，tall，stern，vigorous，isayoungmanwhommanyrecognize，whosenameisonmanylipsastheymakewayforhim，whomighthavesavedthemifhewould。Thedoorofthelittleroomopens，andhestandsbeforehisfather，lookingdownathim。Andthesternexpressionisgonefromhisface。

“Austen！“saidMr。Vane。

“Yes，Judge。“

“Takemeawayfromhere。Takemehome——now——to-night。“

AustenglancedatDr。Tredway。

“Itisbest，“saidthedoctor；“wewilltakehimhome——to-night。“

CHAPTERXXVIII

THEVOICEOFANERA

Theytookhimhome，inthestateroomofthesleeperattachedtothenightexpressfromthesouth，althoughMr。Flint，bytelephone，hadputaspecialtrainathisdisposal。ThelongserviceofHilaryVanewasover；

hehadwonhislastfightforthemanhehadchosentocallhismaster；

andthosewhohadfoughtbehindhim，whoseplaces，whoseveryluminaryexistences，haddependedonhisskill，knewthattheendhadcome；nay，werealreadyspeculating，manoeuvring，andtakingsides。WhowouldbethenewCaptain-general？WhowouldbestrongenoughtosuppressthestrainingambitionsofthemanythattheEmpiremightcontinuetoflourishinitsintegrityandgathertribute？Itistheworld-oldcryaroundthepalacewalls:Longlivethenewruler——ifyoucanfindhimamongthecurdlingfactions。

TheycarriedHilaryhomethatSeptembernight，whenSawanecwaslikeagrayghost-mountainfacingthewaningmoon，backtothehomeofthosestrange，RenaissanceAustenswhichhehadreclaimedforagrimpuritanism，andlaidhiminthecarvedandcanopiedbedsteadChanningAustenhadbroughtfromSpain。Euphrasiahadmetthematthedoor，butatrainednursefromtheRiptonhospitalwaslikewiseinwaiting；andaNewYorkspecialisthadbeensummonedtoprolong，ifpossible，thelifeofonefromwhomalldesireforlifehadpassed。

Beforesunriseawindcamefromthenorthernspruces；thedawnwascloudless，fieryred，andtheairhadanautumnsharpness。Atteno\'clockDr。Harmonarrived，wasmetatthestationbyAusten，andspenthalfanhourwithDr。Tredway。Atnoontheexaminationwascomplete。

Thankstogenerationsofself-denialbytheVanesofCamdenStreet，Mr。

HilaryVanemightliveindefinitely，mightevenrecover，partially；butatpresenthewascondemnedtoremain，withhismemories，inthegreatcanopiedbed。

TheHonourableHilaryhadhadanothercallerthatmorningbesidesDr。

Harmon，——nolessapersonagethanthepresidentoftheNortheasternRailroadshimself，whohaddrivendownfromFairviewimmediatelyafterbreakfast。Austenhavinggonetothestation，Dr。TredwayhadreceivedMr。Flintinthedarkenedhall，andhadpromisedtotelephonetoFairviewtheverdictofthespecialist。AtpresentDr。TredwaydidnotthinkitwisetoinformHilaryofMr。Flint\'svisit——not，atleast，untilaftertheexamination。

Mr。VaneexhibitedthesamesilentstoicismonreceivingtheverdictofDr。Harmonashehadshownfromthefirst。WiththeclewtoHilary\'slifewhichDr。Tredwayhadgivenhim，theNewYorkphysicianunderstoodthecase；onecommonenoughinhispracticeinagreatcitywherethefittestsurvive——sometimesonlytosuccumbtounexpectedandirreparableblowsintheeveningoflife。

OnhisreturnfromseeingDr。HarmonoffAustenwasmetontheporchbyDr。Tredway。

“Yourfatherhassomethingonhismind，“saidthedoctor，“andperhapsitisjustaswellthatheshouldberelieved。Heisaskingforyou，andI

merelywishedtoadviseyoutomaketheconversationasshortaspossible。“

Austenclimbedthestairsinobediencetothissummons，andstoodbeforehisfatheratthebedside。Hilarylay，backamongthepillows，andthebrightnessofthatautumnnoondayonlyservedtoaccentuatethepallorofhisface，theravagesofagewhichhadcomewithsuchincredibleswiftness，andtheoutlineofaoncevigorousframe。Theeyesaloneshonewithastrangenewlight，andAustenfounditunexpectedlydifficulttospeak。Hesatdownonthebedandlaidhishandonthehelplessonethatrestedonthecoverlet。

“Austen，“saidMr。Vane，“IwantyoutogotoFairview。“

Hisson\'shandtightenedoverhisown。

“Yes，Judge。“

“Iwantyoutogonow。“

“Yes，Judge。“

“Youknowthecombinationofmysafeattheoffice。It\'sneverbeenchangedsince——sinceyouwerethere。Openit。Youwillfindtwotinboxes，containingpaperslabelledAugustusP。Flint。IwantyoutotakethemtoFairviewandputthemintothehandsofMr。Flinthimself。I——I

cannottrustanyoneelse。Ipromisedtotakethemmyself，but——Flintwillunderstand。“

“I\'llgorightaway，“saidAusten，rising，andtryingtospeakcheerfully。“Mr。Flintwashereearlythismorning——inquiringforyou。“

HilaryVane\'slipstrembled，andanotherexpressioncameintohiseyes。

“Rodedowntolookatthescrap-heap，——didhe？“

Austenstrovetoconcealhissurpriseathisfather\'swordsandchangeofmanner。

“Tredwaysawhim，“hesaid。“I\'mprettysureMr。Flintdoesn\'tfeelthatway，Judge。Hehastakenyourillnessverymuchtoheart，Iknow，andheleftsomefruitandflowersforyou。“

“Iguesshisdaughtersentthose，“saidHilary。

“Hisdaughter？“Austenrepeated。

“IfIdidn\'tthinkso，“Mr。Vanecontinued，“I\'dsend\'emback。Ineverknewwhatshewasuntilshepickedmeupanddrovemedownhere。I\'vealwaysdoneVictoriaaninjustice。“

Austenwalkedtothedoor，andturnedslowly。

“I\'llgoatonce，Judge，“hesaid。

InthekitchenhewasconfrontedbyEuphrasia。

“Whenisthatwomangoingaway？“shedemanded。“I\'vetookcareofHilaryVanenighontofortyyears，andIguessIknowasmuchaboutnursing，andmoreaboutHilary，thanthatyoungthingwithhercapandapron。I

toldDr。Tredwayso。Sheevencamedownheretoletmeknowwhattocookforhim，andIsentheraboutherbusiness。“

Austensmiled。Itwasthefirstsign，sincehisreturnthenightbefore，EuphrasiahadgiventhatanaffectionforHilaryVanelurkedbeneaththenature。

“Shewon\'tstaylong，Phrasie，“heanswered，andaddedmischievously，“foraverygoodreason。“

“Andwhat\'sthat？“askedEuphrasia。

“Becauseyouwon\'tallowherto。Ihaveanotionthatshe\'llpackupandleaveinaboutthreedays，andthatallthedoctorsinRiptoncouldn\'tkeepherhere。“

“Getalongwithyou，“saidEuphrasia，whocouldnotforthelifeofherhelplookingalittlepleased。

“I\'mgoingoffforafewhours，“hesaidmoreseriously。“Dr。Tredwaytellsmetheydonotlookforanydevelopments——fortheworse。“

“Whereareyougoing？“askedEuphrasia，sharply。

“ToFairview，“hesaid。

Euphrasiamovedthekettletoanotherpartofthestove。

“You\'llseeher？“shesaid。

“Who？“Austenasked。Buthisvoicemusthavebetrayedhimalittle，forEuphrasiaturnedandseizedhimbytheelbowsandlookedupintohisface。

“Victoria，“shesaid。

Hefelthimselftrembleatthename，——atthestrangenessofitssoundonEuphrasia\'slips。

“IdonotexpecttoseeMissFlint，“heanswered，controllinghimselfaswellashewasable。“IhaveanerrandfortheJudgewithMr。Flinthimself。“

Euphrasiahadguessedhissecret！Buthow？

“Hadn\'tyoubetterseeher？“saidEuphrasia，inacuriousmonotone。

“ButIhavenoerrandwithher，“heobjected，mystifiedyetexcitedbyEuphrasia\'smanner。

“ShefetchedHilaryhome，“saidEuphrasia。

“Yes。“

Shecouldn\'thavebe\'nkinderifshewashisowndaughter。“

“Iknow——“hebegan，butEuphrasiainterrupted。

“ShesentthatEnglishmanforthedoctor，andwaitedtotakethenewstoherfather，andshecameoutinthiskitchenandtalkedtome。“

Austenstarted。Euphrasiawasnotlookingathimnow，andsuddenlyshedroppedhisarmsandwenttothewindowoverlookingthegarden。

“Shewouldn\'tgointheparlour，butcomerightouthereinherfineclothes。ItoldherIdidn\'tthinkshebelongedinakitchen——butI

guessIdidheraninjustice，“saidEuphrasia，slowly。

“Ithinkyoudid，“hesaid，andwondered。

“Shelookedatthatgarden，“Euphrasiawenton，“andcriedout。Ididn\'tcallateshewaslikethat。AndthefirstthingIknewIwastalkingaboutyourmother，andI\'dforgotwhoIwastalkingto。Shewahn\'tlikeastranger——itwasjustasifI\'dknownheralways。Ihaven\'tunderstoodityet。AndafterawhileItoldheraboutthatverse，andshewantedtoseeit——theverseabouttheskylark，youknow——“

“Yes，“saidAusten。

“Well，thewayshereaditmademecry，itbroughtbackSarahAustenso。

Somehow，Ican\'taccountforit，sheputsmeinmindofyourmother。“

Austendidnotspeak。

“Inmorewaysthanone，“saidEuphrasia。“Ididn\'tlooktofindhersonatural——andsogentle。Andtheirshehasawayofscoldingyou，justasSarahAustenhad，thatyou\'dneversuspect。“

“Didshescoldyou——Phrasie？“askedAusten。Andtheirresistiblehumourthatissoneartosorrowmadehimsmileagain。

“Indeedshedid！Anditsurprised，mesome——comingrightoutofasummersky。ItoldherwhatIthoughtaboutHilary，andhowhe\'ddrivenyououtofyourownmother\'shouse。Shesaidyou\'doughttobesentfor，andI

saidyououghtn\'ttosetfootinthishouseuntilHilarysentforyou。

ShesaidI\'dnorighttotakesucharevenge——thatyou\'dcomerightawayifyouknewHilary\'dhadastroke，andthatHilary\'dneversendforyou——

becausehecouldn\'t。Shesaidhewaslikeamanonadesertisland。“

“Shewasright，“answeredAusten。

“Idon\'tknowaboutthat，“saidEuphrasia；“shehadn\'tputupwithHilaryforfortyyears，asIhad，andseenwhathe\'ddonetoyourmotherandyou。Butthat\'swhatshesaid。Andshewentforyouherself，whenshefoundthedoctorcouldn\'tgo。Austen，ain\'tyougoingtoseeher？“

Austenshookhisheadgently，andsmiledather。

“I\'mafraidit\'snouse，Phrasie，“hesaid。“Justbecauseshehasbeen——

kindwemustn\'tbedeceived。It\'shernaturetobekind。“

Euphrasiacrossedtheroomswiftly，andseizedhisarmagain。

“Shelovesyou，Austen，“shecried；“shelovesyou。DoyouthinkthatI\'dloveher，thatI\'dpleadforher，ifshedidn\'t？“

Austen\'sbreathcamedeeply。Hedisengagedhimself，andwenttothewindow。

“No，“hesaid，“youdon\'tknow。Youcan\'t——know。Ihaveonlyseenher——

afewtimes。Shelivesadifferentlife——andwithotherpeople。Shewillmarryamanwhocangivehermore。“

“DoyouthinkIcouldbedeceived？“exclaimedEuphrasia，almostfiercely。

“It\'sastrueasthesunshiningonthatmountain。YoubelieveshelovestheEnglishman，butItellyoushelovesyou——you。“

Heturnedtowardsher。

“Howdoyouknow？“heasked，asthoughheweremerelycurious。

“BecauseI\'mawoman，andshe\'sawoman，“saidEuphrasia。“Oh，shedidn\'tconfessit。Ifshehad，Ishouldn\'tthinksomuchofher。Butshetoldmeasplainasthoughshehadspokenitinwords，beforesheleftthisroom。“

Austenshookhisheadagain。

“Phrasie，“hesaid，“I\'mafraidyou\'vebeenbuildingcastlesinSpain。“

Andhewentout，andacrosstothestabletoharnessPepper。

AustendidnotbelieveEuphrasia。OnthateventfuleveningwhenVictoriahadcalledatJabeJenney\'s，theworld\'saspecthadsuddenlychangedforhim；oldvalueshadfaded，——valueswhich，afterall，hadbeenbuttintsandglows，——andsternerbuttruercolourstooktheirplaces。HesawVictoria\'slifeinanewperspective，——oneinwhichhiswasbutasmallplaceinthebackgroundofhernumerousbeneficences；whichwas，afterall，theperspectiveinwhichhehadfirstviewedit。But，bydegrees，thehopethatshelovedhimhadgrownandgrownuntilithadbecomeunconsciouslythesupremeelementofhisexistence，——thehopethatstolesweetlyintohismindwiththemorninglight，andstayedhimthroughtheday，andblendedintothedreamsofdarkness。

Byinheritance，bytradition，byhabitsofthought，AustenVanewasanAmerican，——anAmericanasdifferentiatedfromthecitizenofanyothernationupontheearth。TheFrenchhaveanexpressivephraseinspeakingofapersonasbelongingtothisorthatworld，meaningthecirclebywhichthelifeofanindividualisbounded；thetrueAmericanrecognizesthesecircles——butwithcomplacency，andwithasureknowledgeofhisdestinyeventuallytofindhimselfwithintheoneforwhichheisbestfittedbyhistalentsandhistastes。ThemerefactthatVictoriahadbeenbroughtupamongstpeoplewithwhomhehadnothingincommonwouldnothavedeterredAustenVanefrompressinghissuit；considerationsofhonourhadstoodintheway，andhopehadbeguntowhisperthatthesemight，intheend，besurmounted。Oncetheyhaddisappeared，andshelovedhim，thatwereexcuseandreasonenough。

AndsuddenlythesightofVictoriawithaprobablesuitor——whoatoncehadbecomemagnifiedintoanacceptedsuitor——haddispelledhope。

Euphrasia！Euphrasiahadbeendeceivedashehad，byalovingkindnessandacharitythatwerenatural。Butwhatsonatural(toonewhohadlivedthelifeofAustenVane)asthatsheshouldmarryamongstthosewhosewaysoflifewereherways？Inthebrieftimeinwhichhehadseenherandthisotherman，Austen\'squickenedperceptionshaddetectedtacitunderstanding，communityofinterest，ahabitofthoughtandmanner，——inshort，acommonlanguage，unknowntohim，betweenthetwo。And，morethanthese，theVictoriaoftheblissfulexcursionshehadknownwaschangedasshehadspokentohim——constrained，distant，apart；althoughstilldispensingkindness，goingoutofherwaytobringHilaryhome，andtotellhimofHilary\'saccident。Rumour，whichcannotbeconfinedincasksorbottles，hadsinceinformedAustenVanethatMr。RangelyhadspentthedaywithVictoria，andhadremainedatFairviewfarintotheevening；rumourwentfarther(thankstoMrs。Pomfret)anddeclaredtheengagementalreadyanaccomplishedfact。AndtoAusten，inthetwilightinfrontofJabeJenney\'s，theaffairmightwellhaveassumedtheproportionsofanintimacyoflongstandingratherthanthatofthechanceacquaintanceofanhour。Friendsincommon，modesoflifeincommon，andincidentsincommonareapttosweepawaypreliminaries。

SuchwereAusten\'sthoughtsashedrovetoFairviewthatSeptemberafternoonwhentheleaveswereturningtheirwhitebackstothenorthwestbreeze。Thesunwasstillhigh，andthedistanthillsandmountainswereasyetscarcestainedwithblue，andstoodoutinstartlingclearnessagainstthesky。Wouldheseeher？Thatwereapainhescarcedaredcontemplate。

Hereachedthearchedentrance，wasonthedrive。Herewasthepathagainbywhichshehadcomedownthehillside；herewastheverystoneonwhichshehadstood——awaitinghim。Why？Whyhadshedonethat？Well-

rememberedfigureamidsttheyellowleavesdancinginthesunlight！Herehehadstopped，perforce，andherehehadlookedupintohisfaceandsmiledandspoken！

Atlengthhegainedtheplateauacrosswhichthedrivewayran，betweenroundyoungmaples，straighttoFairviewHouse，andherememberedthestaresfromthetea-tables，andhowshehadcomeouttohisrescue。Nowthelawnwasdeserted，saveforagardeneramongtheshrubs。Herangthestable-bell，andashewaitedforananswertohissummons，thesenseofhisremotenessfromthesesurroundingsofhersdeepened，andwithatouchofinevitablehumourherecalledthelow-ceiledbedroomatMr。Jenney\'sandthekitcheninHanoverStreet；theannualcostofthecareofthatlawnanddrivewaymightwellhavemaintainedoneofthesehouseholds。

Hetoldthestable-boytowait。ItistoberemarkedascuriousthatthenameoftheownerofthehouseonAusten\'slipsbroughtthefirstthoughtofhimtoAusten\'smind。HewasgoingtoseeandspeakwithMr。Flint，amanwhohadbeenhisenemyeversincethedayhehadcomehereandlaiddownhispassonthepresident\'sdesk；themanwho——sohebelieveduntilthreedaysago——hadstoodbetweenhimandhappiness。Well，itdidnotmatternow。

Austenfollowedthesilent-movingservantthroughthehall。Thosewerethestairswhichknewherfeet，thesetherooms——sosubtlyflower-

scented——shelivedin；thencamethenarrowpassagetothesternerapartmentofthemasterhimself。Mr。Flintwasalone，andseateduprightbehindthemassiveoakdesk，fromwhichbulwarkthepresidentoftheNortheasternwaswonttomeethisopponentsandhisenemies；andfewvisitorscameintohispresence，hereorelsewhere，whowerenottobegotthebetterof，ifpossible。Alife-longhabithadaccustomedMr。

Flinttotreatallmenasadversariesuntiltheywereprovedotherwise。

Hissquare，close-croppedhead，hislargefeatures，hisalerteyes，werethoseofafighter。

Hedidnotrise，butnodded。SuddenlyAustenwasenvelopedinaflameofwraththatrosewithoutwarningandblindedhim，anditwaswithasupremeefforttocontrolhimselfthathestoppedinthedoorway。Hewasfrightened，forhehadfeltthisbefore，andheknewitfortheangerthatdemandsphysicalviolence。

“Comein，Mr。Vane，“saidthepresident。

Austenadvancedtothedesk，andlaidtheboxesbeforeMr。Flint。

“Mr。Vanetoldmetosaythathewouldhavebroughtthesehimself，haditbeenpossible。Hereisthelist，andIshallbemuchobligedifyouwillverifyitbeforeIgoback。“

“Sitdown。“saidMr。Flint。

Austensatdown，withthecornerofthedeskbetweenthem，whileMr。

Flintopenedtheboxesandbegancheckingoffthepapersonthelist。

“Howisyourfatherthisafternoon？“heasked，withoutlookingup。

“Aswellascanbeexpected，“saidAusten。

“Ofcoursenobodyknewhisconditionbuthimself，“Mr。Flintcontinued；

“butitwasagreatshocktome-whenheresignedasmycounselthreedaysago。“

Austenlaidhisforearmonthedesk，andhishandclosed。

“Heresignedthreedaysago？“heexclaimed。

Mr。Flintwassurprised，butconcealedit。

“Icanunderstand，underthecircumstances，howhehasoverlookedtellingyou。Hisresignationtakeseffectto-day。“

Austenwassilentamoment，whilehestrovetoapplythisfacttohisfather\'sactions。

“Hewaiteduntilaftertheconvention。“

“Exactly，“saidMr。Flint，catchingtheimpliedaccusationinAusten\'stone；“andneedlesstosay，ifIhadbeenabletopreventhisgoing，inviewofwhathappenedonMondaynight，Ishouldhavedoneso。Asyouknow，afterhis——accident，hewenttothecapitalwithoutinforminganyone。“

“Asamatterofhonour，“saidAusten。

Mr。Flintlookedupfromthepapers，andregardedhimnarrowly，forthetoneinwhichthiswasspokendidnotescapethepresidentoftheNortheastern。Hesaw，infact，thatattheoutsethehadputaweaponintoAusten\'shands。Hilary\'sresignationwasavindicationofAusten\'sattitude，anacknowledgmentthatthebusinessandpoliticalpracticesofhislifehadbeenwrong。

WhatAustenreallyfelt，whenhehadgraspedthesignificanceofthatfact，wasrelief——gratitude。Awaveofrenewedaffectionforhisfathersweptoverhim，ofaffectionandpityandadmiration，andfortheinstantheforgotMr。Flint。

“Asamatterofhonour，“Mr。Flintrepeated。“Knowinghewasill，Mr。

Vaneinsistedupongoingtothatconvention，evenattheriskofhislife。Itisafittingclosetoasplendidcareer，andonethatwillnotsoonbeforgotten。“

AustenmerelylookedatMr。Flint，whomayhavefoundtheglanceatrifledisconcerting，forheturnedtothepapersagain。

“Irepeat，“hewentonpresently，“thatthisillnessofMr。Vane\'sisnotonlyagreatlosstotheNortheasternsystem，butagreatblowtomepersonally。Ihavebeenassociatedwithhimcloselyformorethanaquarterofacentury，andIhaveneverseenalawyerofgreaterintegrity，clear-headedness，andsanityofview。Hesawthingsastheywere，andhedidasmuchtobuildupthebusinessinterestsandtheprosperityofthisStateasanymanIknowof。Hewastruetohisword，andtruetohisfriends。“

StillAustendidnotreply。HecontinuedtolookatMr。Flint，andMr。

Flintcontinuedtocheckthepapersonlymoreslowly。Hehadnearlyfinishedthefirstbox。

“Awaveofpoliticalinsanity，toputitmildly，seemstobesweepingoverthiscountry，“saidthepresidentoftheNortheastern。“Menwhowouldparalyzeanddestroytheinitiativeofprivateenterprise，menwhothemselvesareambitious，andeitherincapableorunsuccessful，havesprungup；writerswhohavenoconscience，whoseoneideaistomakemoneyoutofapassingcrazeagainsthonestcapital，haveaidedthem。

Disappointedanddangerouspoliticianswhomerelydesireofficeandpowerhaveliftedtheirvoicesinthehueandcrytofoolthehonestvoter。I

amgladtosayIbelievethattheworstofthismadnessandrascalityisover；thatthecommonsenseofthepeopleofthiscountryistoogreattobesweptawaybythemethodsoftheseself-seekers；thattheordinarymanisbeginningtoseethathisbreadandbutterdependsonthebrainoftheofficerswhoaretryinghonestlytoconductgreatenterprisesforthebenefitoftheaveragecitizen。

“WedidnotexpecttoescapeinthisState，“Mr。Flintwenton，raisinghisheadandmeetingAusten\'slook；thediseasewastooprevalentandtoocatchingfortheweak-minded。Wehadourself-seekerswhoattemptedtobringruinuponaninstitutionwhichhasdonemoreforourpopulationthananyother。IdonothesitatetospeakoftheNortheasternRailroadsasaninstitution，andasaninstitutionwhichhasbeenasconscientiouslyandconservativelyconductedasanyinthecountry，andwithasscrupulousaregardforthewelfareofall。HilaryVane，asyoudoubtlessknow，waslargelyresponsibleforthis。Myattention，aspresidentofalltheroads，hasbeendivided。HilaryVaneguardedtheinterestsinthisState，andnomancouldhaveguardedthembetter。Hewelldeservesthethanksoffuturegenerationsfortheuncompromisingfighthemadeagainstsuchmenandsuchmethods。Ithasbrokenhimdownatatimeoflifewhenhehasearnedrepose，buthehasthesatisfactionofknowingthathehaswonthebattleforconservativeAmericanprinciples，andthathehasnominatedagovernorworthyofthetraditionsoftheState。“

AndMr。Flintstartedcheckingoffthepapersagain。Hadtheoccasionbeenlessserious，AustencouldhavesmiledatMr。Flint\'sruse——socharacteristicofthetacticsofthepresidentoftheNortheastern——ofputtinghimintoapositionwherecriticismoftheNortheasternanditspracticeswouldbecriticismofhisownfather。Asitwas，heonlysethisjawmorefirmly，anexpressionindicativeofcontemptforsuchtactics。Hehadnotcometheretobelecturedoutofthe“BookofArguments“onthedivinerightofrailroadstogovern，buttoseethatcertainpapersweredeliveredinsafety。

HadhispurposebeendeliberatelytoenterintoacontestwithMr。Flint，Austencouldnothaveplannedtheearlypartofitanybetterthanbypursuingthispolicyofsilence。ToamanofMr。Flint\'stemperamentandtraining，itwasimpossibletohavesuchanopponentwithinreachwithoutattemptingtohectorhimintoanacknowledgmentoftheweaknessofhisposition。Furtherthanthis，Austenhadtouchedhimtoooftenonthequickmerelytobeconsideredinthelightofayoungmanwhoheldoppositeandunfortunateviews——althoughitwasMr。Flint\'sendeavourtoputhiminthislight。ThelistofinjurieswastoofreshinMr。Flint\'smind——eventhatlastconversationwithVictoria，inwhichshehadmadeitplainthathersympathieswerewithAusten。

Butwithanopponentwhowouldnotbeledintoambush，whohadthestrengthtoholdhisfireunderprovocation，itwasnoeasymattertomaintainaheightofconscious，matter-of-factrectitudeandimpliedreproof。Austen\'ssilence，Austen\'sattitude，declaredlouderthanwordsthecontemptforsuchmanoeuvresofamanwhoknowsheisintheright——

andknowsthathisadversaryknowsit。ItwasthissilenceandthisattitudewhichproclaimeditselfthatangeredMr。Flint，yetmadehimwarilyconcealhisangerandchangehisattack。

“Itissomeyearssincewemet，Mr。Vane，“heremarkedpresently。

Austen\'sfacerelaxedintosomethingofasmile。

“Four，Ithink，“heanswered。

“Youhadn\'tlongbeenbackfromthatWesternexperience。Well，yourfatherhasonedecidedconsolation；youhavefulfilledhishopethatyouwouldsettledownhereandpractiseintheState。AndIhearthatyouarefastforgingtothefront。YouarecounselfortheGaylordCompany，Ibelieve。“

“Theresultofanunfortunateaccident，“saidAusten；“Mr。Hammerdied。“

“Andontheoccasionwhenyoudidmethehonourtocallonme，“saidMr。

Flint，“ifIrememberrightly，youexpressedsomeratherradicalviews——

forthesonofHilaryVane。“

“ForthesonofHilaryVane，“Austenagreed，withasmile。

Mr。Flintignoredtheimplicationintherepetition。