第16章

“ThinkingasmachasIdoofMr。Vane，Iconfessthatyourviewsatthattimeratherdisturbedme。Itisamatterofrelieftolearnthatyouhaverefusedtolendyourselftotheschemesofmenlikeourneighbour，Mr。HumphreyCrewe，ofLeith。“

“Honestycompelsmetoadmit，“answeredAusten，“thatIdidnotrefrainonMr。Crewe\'saccount。“

“Although，“saidMr。Flint，drummingonthetable，“therewassometalkthatyouweretobebroughtforwardasadarkhorseintheconvention，andasacandidateunfriendlytotheinterestsoftheNortheasternRailroads，Iamgladyoudidnotconsenttobeputinanysuchposition。

Iperceivethatayoungmanofyourabilityand——popularity，aVaneofCamdenStreet，mustinevitablybecomeaforceinthisState。Andasaforce，youmustretaintheconservatismoftheVanes——thetraditionalconservatismoftheState。TheNortheasternRailroadswillcontinuetobeaverylargefactorinthelifeofthepeopleafteryouandIaregone，Mr。Vane。Youwillhavetolive，asitwere，withthatcorporation，andhelptopreserveit。Weshallhavetoworktogether，perhaps，tothatend——whocansay？Irepeat，IamgladthatyourgoodsenseledyoutorefrainfromcomingasacandidatebeforethatConvention。Thereistimeenoughinthefuture，andyoucouldnothavebeennominated。“

“Onthecontrary，“answeredAusten，quietly，“Icouldhavebeennominated。“

Mr。Flintsmiledknowingly——butwithaneffort。Whatareliefitwouldhavebeentohimtochargehorseandfoot，toforgetthathewasarailroadpresidentdealingwithapotentialpower。

“Doyouhonestlybelievethat？“heasked。

“Iamnotaccustomedtodissemblemybeliefs，“saidAusten，gravely。

“Thefactthatmyfatherhadfaithenoughinmetocountwithcertaintyonmyrefusaltogobeforetheconventionenabledhimtowinthenominationforthecandidateofyourrailroads。“

Mr。Flintcontinuedtosmile，butintohiseyeshadcreptagleamofanger。

“Itiseasytosaysuchthings——aftertheconvention，“heremarked。

“Anditwouldhavebeenimpossibletosaytheirbefore，“Austenrespondedinstantly，withalightinhisowneyes。“Mynominationwastheonlydisturbingfactorinthesituationforyouandthepoliticianswhohadyourinterestsinhand，anditwasasinevitableasnightanddaythattheforcesofthecandidateswhorepresentedthetwowingsofthemachineoftheNortheasternRailroadsshouldhaveunitedagainstMr。Crewe。I

wanttosaytoyoufranklythatifmyfatherhadnotbeenthecounselforyourcorporation，andresponsibleforitspoliticalsuccess，orifhecouldhaveresignedwithhonourbeforetheconvention，Ishouldnothaverefusedtoletmynamegoin。Afterall，“headded，inalowertone，andwithaslightgesturecharacteristicofhimwhenasubjectwasdistasteful，“itdoesn\'tmatterwhoiselectedgovernorthisautumn。“

“What？“criedMr。Flint，surprisedoutofhisattitudeasmuchbyAusten\'smannerasbyAusten\'swords。

“Itdoesn\'tmatter，“saidAusten，“whethertheNortheasternRailroadshavesucceededthistimeinnominatingandelectingagovernortowhomtheycandictate，andwhowillreappointrailroadcommissionersandotherStateofficialsintheirinterests。ThepracticesbywhichyouhavecontrolledthisState，Mr。Flint，andelectedgovernorsandcouncillorsandStateandnationalsenatorsaredoomed。Howevernecessarythesepracticesmayhavebeenfromyourpointofview，theyviolatedeveryprincipleoffreegovernment，andweretheytocontinue，thenationtowhichwebelongwouldinevitablydecayandbecomethescornoftheworld。

Thosepracticesdependedfortheirsuccessononecondition，——whichinitselfisthemostseriousofillsinarepublic，——theignoranceanddisregardofthevoter。Youhavebuttoreadthesignsofthetimestoseeclearlythatthedayofsuchconditionsispast，toseethatthecitizensofthisStateandthiscountryarethinkingforthemselves，astheyshould；arealivetothedangersand，determinedtoavertit。Youmaysucceedinelectingonemoregovernorandonemoresenate，ortwo，beforethepeopleareabletodestroythemachineryyouhavebuiltupandrepealthelawsyouhavemadetosustainit。Irepeat，itdoesn\'tmatterinthelongrun。Theeraofpoliticaldominationbyacorporation，andmainlyforthebenefitofacorporation，isover。“

Mr。Flinthadbeendrummingonthedesk，hisfacegrowingadarkerredasAustenproceeded:Never，sincehehadbecomepresidentoftheNortheasternRailroads，hadanymansaidsuchthingstohisface。AndthefactthatAustenVanehadseeminglynotspokeninwrath，althoughforcefullyenoughtocompelhimtolisten，hadincreasedMr。Flint\'sanger。Austenapparentlycaredverylittleforhimorhisopinionsincomparisonwithhisownestimateofrightandwrong。

“Itseems，“saidMr。Flint，“thatyouhavegrownmoreradicalsinceyourlastvisit。“

“Ifitberadicaltorefusetoacceptapassfromarailroadtobindmylibertyofactionasanattorneyandacitizen，thenIamradical，“

repliedAusten。“Ifitberadicaltomaintainthattheelectedrepresentativesofthepeopleshouldnotreceivepasses，orbebeholdentoanymanoranycorporation，Iacknowledgetheterm。Ifitberadicaltodeclarethattheserepresentativesshouldbeelectedwithoutinterference，andwhileinofficeshoulddoexactjusticetothebodyofcitizensontheonehandandthecorporationsontheother，Ideclaremyselfaradical。Butmyradicalismgoesbackbehindtheestablishmentofrailroads，Mr。Flint，backtothefoundationofthisgovernment，totheideafromwhichitsprang。“

Mr。Flintsmiledagain。

“Wehavechangedmateriallysincethen，“hesaid。“Iamafraidsuchautopianstateofaffairs，beautifulasitis，willnotworkinthetwentiethcentury。Itisacommercialage，andtheinterestswhicharethebulwarkofthecountry\'sstrengthmustbeprotected。“

“Yes，“saidAusten，“wehavechangedmaterially。Themistakeyoumake，andmenlikeyou，isthestresswhichyoulayonthatwordmaterial。Aretherenosuchthingsasmoralinterests，Mr。Flint？Andaretheynotquiteasimportantingovernment，ifnotmoreimportant，thanmaterialinterests？Surely，wecannothavecommercialandpoliticalstabilitywithoutcominertialandpoliticalhonour！if，asanation，welosesightoftheidealswhichhavecarriedussofar，whichhavesogreatlymodifiedtheconditionsofotherpeoplesthanourselves，weshallperishasaforceintheworld。Andifthisgovernmentprovesafailure，howlongdoyouthinkthematerialinterestsofwhichyouaresosolicitouswillendure？Ordoyoucarewhethertheyendurebeyondyourlifetime？

Perhapsnot。Butitisamatterofimportance，notonlytothenation，buttotheworld，whetherornotthemoralideaoftheUnitedStatesofAmericaisperpetuated，Iassureyou。“

“Ibegintofear，Mr。Vane，“saidthepresidentoftheNortheastern，“thatyouhavemissedyourvocation。SupposeIweretograntyou，forthesakeofargument，thattheNortheasternRailroads，beingthelargesttaxpayersinthisState，havetakenaninterestinseeingthatconservativemenfillresponsibleoffices。Supposesuchtobethecase，andweabruptlycease——totakesuchaninterest。Whatthen？Arewenotatthemercyofanyandallunscrupulousmenwhobuildupapoweroftheirown，andstartagaintheblackmailoftheolddays？“

“Youhaveputthecasemildly，“saidAusten，andingeniously。“Asamatteroffact，Mr。Flint，youknowaswellasIdothatforyearsyouhavegovernedthisStateabsolutely，forthepurposeofkeepingdownyourtaxes，avoidingunnecessaryimprovementsforsafetyandcomfort，andpayinghighdividends——“

“Perhapsyourealizethatindepictingthesecriminaloperationssographically，“criedMr。Flint，interrupting，“youareinvolvingthereputationofoneofthebestcitizenstheStateeverhad——yourownfather。“

AustenVaneleanedforwardacrossthedesk，andevenMr。Flint(ifthetruthwereknown)recoiledalittlebeforetheangerhehadaroused。ItshotforthfromAusten\'seyes，proclaimeditselfinthesquarenessoftheface，andvibratedineverywordhespoke。

“Mr。Flint，“hesaid，“Irefrainfromcommentuponyourmethodsofargument。Thereweremanyyearsinwhichmyfatherbelievedthepracticeswhichhefollowedinbehalfofyourrailroadtobenecessary——

andhencejustified。AndIhavegivenyouthecreditofholdingthesamebelief。Publicopinionwouldnot，perhaps，atthattimehaveprotectedyourpropertyfrompoliticalblackmail。Imerelywishedyoutoknow，Mr。

Flint，thatthereisnouseinattemptingtodeceivemeinregardtothetruecolourofthosepractices。ItisperhapsuselessformetoaddthatinmyopinionyouunderstandaswellasIdotherealreasonforMr。

Vane\'sresignationandillness。Oncehebecameconvincedthatthepracticeswerewrong，hecouldnolongercontinuethemwithoutviolatinghisconscience。Hekepthiswordtoyou——attheriskofhislife，and，ashisson，Itakeagreaterprideinhimto-daythanIeverhavebefore。“

Austengottohisfeet。HewasformidableeventoMr。Flint，whohadmetmanyformidable，andangrymeninhistime——althoughnotofthistype。

Perhaps——whocansay？——hewastheinthemindofthepresidentunconsciousembodimentoftheNortheasternofthenewforceswhichhadarisenagainsthim，——forceswhichheknewinhissecretsoulhecouldnotcombat，becausetheyweretheirresistibleforcesofthingsnotmaterial。

Allhislifehehadmetandsuccessfullyconqueredforcesofanotherkind，andputdownwithastronghandmerelyphysicalencroachments。

Mr。Flint\'snaturewasnotanintrospectiveone，andifhehadtried，hecouldnothaveaccountedforhisfeelings。Hewasangry——thatwascertain。ButhemeasuredthesixfeetandmoreofAustenVanewithhiseye，andinspiteofhimselfexperiencedthecompelledadmirationofonefightingmanforanother。Athought，whichhadmadeitselfvaguelyfeltatintervalsinthepasthalfhour，shotsuddenlyandpoignantlythroughMr。Flint\'smindwhatifthisyoungman，whodaredinspiteofeveryinteresttoopposehim，shouldintheapparentlyinevitabletrendofthings，become……？

Mr。Flintroseandwenttothewindow，wherehestoodsilentforaspace，lookingout，playeduponbyunwontedconflictingthoughtsandemotions。

Atlength，withacharacteristicsnapofthefingers，heturnedabruptly。

AustenVanewasstillstandingbesidethedesk。Hisfacewasstillsquare，determined，butMr。Flintnotedcuriouslythattheangerwasgonefromhiseyes，andthatanother——althoughequallyhuman——expressionhadtakenitsplace，——amoredisturbingexpression，toMr。Flint。

“Itappears，Mr。Vane，“hesaid，gatheringupthepapersandplacingthemintheboxes，“itappearsthatweareabletoagreeupononepoint，atleast——HilaryVane。“

“Mr。Flint，“saidAusten，“Ididnotcomeupherewithanythoughtofarguingwithyou，ofintrudinganyideas——Imayhold，butyouhaveyourselfaskedmeonequestionwhichIfeelboundtoanswertothebestofmyabilitybeforeIgo。Youhaveaskedmewhat，inmyopinion，wouldhappenifyouceased——asyouexpressit——totakeaninterestinthepolitical，affairsofthisState。

“Ibelieve，asfirmlyasIstandhere，thatthepublicopinionwhichexiststo-daywouldprotectyourproperty，andIbasethatbeliefonthegoodsenseoftheaverageAmericanvoter。Thepublicwouldprotectyounotonlyinitsowninterests，butfromaninherentsenseoffairplay。

Ontheotherhand，ifyoupersistinacourseofpoliticalmanipulationwhichisnotonlyobsoletebutwrong，youwillmagnifythejustchargesagainstyou，andthejustwrath；youwillputammunitionintothehandsoftheagitatorsyourightlycondemn。Thestockholdersofyourcorporation，perhaps，areboundtosuffersomefromthefactthatyouhavetakenitslife-bloodtopaydividends，andthepublicwilldemandthatitbebuiltupintoanormalandhealthycondition。Ontheotherhand，itcouldnothavegoneonasitwas。Butthecorporationwillsuffermuchmoreifadelayedjusticeisturnedintovengeance。

“YouaskmewhatIcoulddo。Ishouldrecognize，frankly，thenewconditions，anddeclareasfranklywhattheoldoneswere，andwhysuchmethodsofdefenceasyouadoptedwerenecessaryandjustified。Ishouldannounce，openly，thatfromthisdayonwardtheNortheasternRailroadsdependedforfairplayonanenlightenedpublic——andIthinkyourtrustwouldbewellfounded，andyourcoursevindicated。Ishoulddeclare，fromthisdayonward，thattheissueofpoliticalpasses，newspaperpasses，andallothersubterfugeswouldbestopped，andthatallpoliticalhirelingswouldbedismissed。IshouldappealtothepeopleofthisStatetoraiseuppoliticalleaderswhowouldsaytothecorporations，\'Wewillprotectyoufrominjusticeifyouwillcomebeforetheelectedrepresentativesofthepeople，openly，andsaywhatyouwantandwhyyouwantit。\'Bysuchacourseyouwouldhave，inaday，theaffectionofthepeopleinsteadoftheirdistrust。Theywouldrallytoyourdefence。And，morethanthat，youwouldhavedoneaserviceforAmericangovernmentthevalueofwhichcannotwellbeestimated。“

Mr。Flintrangthebellonhisdesk，andhissecretaryappeared。

“Puttheseinmyprivatesafe，Mr。Freeman，“hesaid。

Mr。Freemantooktheboxes，glancedcuriouslyatAusten，andwentout。

Itwasthesamesecretary，Austenrecalled，whohadcongratulatedhimfouryearsbefore。ThenMr。Flintlaidhishanddeliberatelyonthedesk，andsmiledslightlyasheturnedtoAusten。

“IfyouhadrunarailroadaslongasIhave，Mr。Vane，“hesaid，“Idoyouthecreditofthinkingthatyouwouldhaveintelligenceenoughtograspotherfactorswhichyourpresentopportunitiesforobservationhavenotpermittedyoutoperceive。Nevertheless，Iammuchobligedtoyouforyouropinion，andIvaluethe——franknessinwhichitwasgiven。AndIshallhopetoheargoodnewsofyourfather。Remembermetohim，andtellhimhowdeeplyIfeelhisaffliction。Ishallcallagaininadayortwo。“

Austentookuphishat。

“Goodday，Mr。Flint，“hesaid；“Iwilltellhim。“

Bythetimehehadreachedthedoor，Mr。Flinthadgonebacktothewindowoncemore，andappearedtohaveforgottenhispresence。

CHAPTERXXIX

THEVALEOFTHEBLUE

Austenhimselfcouldnotwellhavedefinedhismentalstateashemadehiswaythroughthebigroomstowardsthedoor，buthewasawareofonemaindesire——toescapefromFairview。Withtheodoursoftheflowersinthetallsilvervasesonthepiano——herpiano！——thespiritofdesirewhichhadsolongpossessedhim，wakingandsleeping，returned，——returnedtotorturehimnowwithgreaterskillamidsttheseherpossessions；hervolumeofChopinontherack，boundinredleatherandstampedwithherinitials，whichcompelledhisglanceashepassed，andbroughtvividtohismemorythenighthehadstoodinthesnowandheardherplaying。So，hetoldhimself，itmustalwaysbe，forhimtostandinthesnowlistening。

Hereachedthehall，withavastreliefperceivedthatitwasempty，andopenedthedoorandwentout。Strangethatheshouldnote，firstofall，asheparsedamomentatthetopofthesteps，thattheverydayhadchanged。Thewindhadfallen；thesun，wellonhiscoursetowardstherimofwesternhills，pouredthegoldenlightofautumnoverfieldandforest，whileSawanecwasalreadyintheblueshadow；theexpectantstillnessofautumnreigned，andallunconsciouslyAusten\'sbloodwasquickenedthoughaquickeningofpain。

Thesurpriseoftheinstantover，henoticedthathishorsewasgone，——

hadevidentlybeentakentothestables。Andratherthanringthebellandwaitinthemoodinwhichhefoundhimself，hetookthepaththroughtheshrubberyfromwhichhehadseenthegroomemerge。

Itturnedbeyondthecornerofthehouse，descendedaflightofstonesteps，andturnedagain。

Theystoodgazingeachattheotherforaspaceoftimenottobecomputedbeforeeitherspoke，andthesenseofunrealitywhichcomeswithasuddenfulfilmentofintensedesire——ordread——wasuponAusten。Couldthisindeedbeherfigure，andthisherfaceonwhichhewatchedthecolourrise(soherememberedafterwards)liketheslowfloodofday？

WeretheresomanyVictorias，thatanewone——andastrangeone——shouldconfronthimateverymeeting？And，evenwhilehelooked，thisVictoria，too，——onewhohadbeennearhimanddeparted，——wassurveyinghimnowfromanunapproachableheightofself-possessionandcalm。Sheheldoutherhand，andhetookit，scarceknowing——thatitwashers。

“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Vane？“shesaid；“Ididnotexpecttomeetyouhere。“

“Iwassearchingforthestable，togetmyhorse，“heansweredlamely。

“Andyourfather？“sheaskedquickly；“Ihopeheisnot——worse。“

Itwasthusshesuppliedhim，quitenaturally，withanexcuseforbeingatFairview。AndyethersolicitudeforHilarywaswhollyunaffected。

“Dr。Harmon，whocamefromNewYork，hasbeenmoreencouragingthanIhaddaredtohope，“saidAusten。“And，bytheway，Mr。VanebelievesthatyouhadashareinthefruitandflowerswhichMr。Flintsokindlybrought。If——hehadknownthatIweretoseeyou，Iamsurehewouldhavewishedmetothankyou。“

Victoriaturned，andtorealeaffromthespiraea。

“Iwillshowyouwherethestablesare，“shesaid；“thepathdividesalittlefartheron——andyoumightfindyourselfinthekitchen。“

Austensmiled，andasshewentonslowly，hefollowedher，thepathnotbeingwideenoughforthemtowalkabreast，hiseyescaressingthestrayhairsthatclusteredaboutherneckandcaughtthelight。Itseemedsoreal，andyetsounrealizable，thatheshouldbeherewithher。

“Iamafraid，“hesaid，“thatIdidnotexpressmygratitudeasIshouldhavedonetheeveningyouweregoodenoughtocomeuptoJabeJenney\'s。“

Hesawhercolourriseagain，butshedidnotpause。

“Pleasedon\'tsayanythingaboutit，Mr。Vane。OfcourseIunderstandhowyoufelt，“shecried。

“Neithermyfathernormyselfwillforgetthatservice，“saidAusten。

“Itwasnothing，“answeredVictoria，inalowvoice。“Or，rather，itwassomethingIshallalwaysbegladthatIdidnotmiss。IhaveseenMr。

Vaneallmylife，butInever=-neverreallyknewhimuntilthatday。I

havecometotheconclusion，“sheadded，inalightertone，“thattheyoungarenotalwaysthebestjudgesoftheold。There，“sheadded，“isthepaththatgoestothekitchen，whichyouprobablywouldhavetaken。“

Helaughed。Pastandfuturewereblottedout，andhelivedonlyinthepresent。Hecouldthinkofnothingbutthatshewasherebesidehim。

Afterwards，cataclysmsmightcomeandwelcome。

“Isn\'tthereanotherplace，“heasked，“whereImightlosemyway？“

Sheturnedandgavehimoneoftheswift，searchinglooksherecalledsowell:alookthemeaningofwhichhecouldnotdeclare，savethatsheseemedvainlystrivingtofathomsomethinginhim——asthoughhewerenotfathomable！Hethoughtshesmiledalittleasshetooktheleft-handpath。

“Youwillremembermetoyourfather？“shesaid。“Ihopeheisnotsuffering。“

“Heisnotsuffering，“Austenreplied。“Perhaps——ifitwerenottoomuchtoask——perhapsyoumightcometoseehim，sometime？Icanthinkofnothingthatwouldgivehimgreaterpleasure。“

“Iwillcome——sometime，“sheanswered。“Iamgoingawayto-morrow，but——“

“Away？“herepeated，indismay。Nowthathewasbesideher，allunconsciouslythedominatingmalespiritwhichwassostronginhim，andwhichmovesnotwomanalone，buttheworld，wasassertingitself。Forthemomenthewastheonlyman，andshetheonlywoman，intheuniverse。

“Iamgoingonapromisedvisittoafriendofmine。“

“Forhowlong？“hedemanded。

“Idon\'tknow，saidVictoria，calmly；probablyuntilshegetstiredofme。Andthere，“sheadded，“arethestables，wherenodoubtyouwillfindyourfaithfulPepper。“

Theyhadcomeoutuponanelevationabovethehardservicedrive，andacrossit，belowthem，wasthecoachhousewithitsclock-towerandweather-vane，anditstwowings，enclosingapavedcourtwhereawhistlingstable-boywaswashingacarriage。Austenregardedthissceneaninstant，andglancedbackatherprofile。Itwasexpressionless。

“MightInotlinger——afewminutes？“heasked。

Herlipspartedslightlyinasmile，andsheturnedherhead。Howwonderfully，hethought，itwaspoiseduponhershoulders。

“Ihaven\'tbeenveryhospitable，haveI？“shesaid。Butthen，youseemedinsuchahurrytogo，didn\'tyou？YouwerewalkingsofastwhenImetyouthatyouquitefrightenedme。“

“WasI？“askedAusten，insurprise。

Shelaughed。

“Youlookedasifyouwerereadytochargesomebody。Butthisisn\'taveryniceplace——tolinger，andifyoureallywillstayawhile，“saidVictoria，wemightwalkovertothedairy，wherethatmodelprotegeofyours，EbenFitch，whomyouoncethreatenedwithcorporalchastisementifhefellfromgrace，isengaged。Iknowhewillbegladtoseeyou。“

Austenlaughedashecaughtupwithher。Shewasalreadyhalfwayacrosstheroad。

“Doyoualwaysbeatpeopleiftheydowrong？“sheasked。

“ItwasEbenwhorequestedit，ifIrememberrightly，“hesaid。

“Fortunately，thetrialhasnotyetarrived。Yourmethods，“headded，“seemtobemoresuccessfulwithEben。“

Theywentdownthegrassyslopewithitsgroupsofhalf-growntrees；

throughanorchardshotwithslanting，yellowsunlight，-thegoldenfruit，harvestedbythemorningwinds，litteringtheground；andthenbyagateintoadimpled，emeraldpastureslopewheretheGuernseyswerefeedingalongawaterrun。TheyspokeoftrivialthingsthatfoundnoplaceinAusten\'smemory，andattimes，upononepretextoranother，hefellbehindalittlethathemightfeasthiseyesuponher。

Ebenwasnotatthedairy，andAustenbetrayingnounduecuriosityastohiswhereabouts，theywalkedonuptheslopes，andstillupwardtowardsthecrestoftherangeofhillsthatmarkedthecourseoftheBlue。Hedidnotallowhismindtodwelluponthisnewfootingtheywereon，butclungtoit。Before，inthosedeliciousmomentswithher，seeminglypilferedfromtheangrygods，thesenseofintimacyhadbeendeep；deep，becauserobbingthegodstogether，theyhadsharedthefeelingofguilt，hadknownthatretributionwouldcoma。Andnowthegodshadlockedtheirtreasure-chest，althoughthemselvespowerlesstoredeemfromhimthememoryofwhathehadgained。Norcouldthey，apparently，deprivehimofthevisionofherinthefieldsandwoodsbesidehim，thoughtransformedbytheirmagicintoanewVictoria，keepinghimlightlyandeasilyatadistance。

Scatteringthesheepthatfleckedthevelvetturfoftheuplands，theystoodatlengthonthegranitecrownofthecrestitself。FarbelowthemwoundtheBlueintoitsvaleofsapphireshadows，withitshillsidesofthemysticfabricofthebackgroundsofthemastersoftheRenaissance。

Forawhiletheystoodinsilenceunderthespellofthescene\'senchantment，andthenVictoriaseatedherselfontherock，andhedroppedtoaplaceatherside。

“Ithoughtyouwouldliketheview，“shesaid；“butperhapsyouhavebeenhere，perhapsIamtakingyoutooneofyourownpossessions。“

Hehadflunghishatupontherock，andsheglancedathisserious，sunburnedface。Hiseyeswerestillfixed，contemplatively，ontheYaleoftheBlue，butheturnedtoherwithasmile。

“Ithasbecomeyoursbyrightofconquest，“heanswered。

Shedidnotreplytothat。Theimmobilityofherface，savefortheonelookshehadflasheduponhim，surprisedandpuzzledhimmoreandmore——

theworld——old，indefinable，eternalfemininequalityoftheSpring。

“Soyourefusedtobegovernor？shesaidpresently，——surprisinghimagain。

“Itscarcelycametothat，“hereplied。

“Whatdiditcometo？“shedemanded。

Hehesitated。

“Ihadtogodowntothecapital，onmyfather\'saccount，butIdidnotgototheconvention。Istayed，“hesaidslowly，“atthelittlecottageacrossfromtheDuncanhousewhere——youwerelastwinter。“Hepaused，butshegavenosign。“TomGaylordcameuptherelateintheafternoon，andwantedmetobeacandidate。“

“Andyourefused？“

“Yes。“

“Butyoucouldhavebeennominated！“

“Yes，“headmitted；“itisprobable。Theconditionswerechaotic。“

“Areyousureyouhavedoneright？“sheasked。“IthasalwaysseemedtomefromwhatIknowandhaveheardofyouthatyouweremadeforpositionsoftrust。Youwouldhavebeenabettergovernorthanthemantheyhavenominated。“

Hisexpressionbecameset。

“IamsureIhavedoneright，“heanswereddeliberately。“Itdoesn\'tmakeanydifferencewhoisgovernorthistime。“

“Doesn\'tmakeanydifference！“sheexclaimed。

“No，“hesaid。“Thingshavechanged——thepeoplehavechanged。Theoldmethodofpolitics，whichwaswrong，althoughithadsomejustificationinconditions，hasgoneout。Anewandmoredesirablestateofaffairshascome。Iamatlibertytosaythismuchtoyounow，“headded，fixinghisglanceuponher，“becausemyfatherhasresignedascounselfortheNortheastern，andIhavejusthadatalkwith——Mr。Flint。“

“Youhaveseenmyfather？“sheasked，inalowvoice，andherfacewasaverted。

“Yes，“heanswered。

“You——didnotagree，“shesaidquickly。

Hisbloodbeathigheratthequestionandthemannerofheraskingit，buthefeltthathemustanswerithonestly，unequivocally，whateverthecost。

“No，wedidnotagree。Itisonlyfairtotellyouthatwediffered——

vitally。Ontheotherhand，itisjustthatyoushouldknowthatwedidnotpartinanger，but，Ithink，withamutualrespect。“

Shedrewbreath。

“Iknew，“shesaid，“Iknewifhecouldbuttalktoyouhewouldunderstandthatyouweresincere——andyouhaveprovedit。Iamglad——I

amgladthatyousawhim。“Thequalityofthesunlightchanged，theveryhillsleaped，andtheriversparkled。Couldshecare？Whydidshewishherfathertoknowthathewassincere。

“YouaregladthatIsawhim！“herepeated。

Butshemethisglancesteadily。

“Myfatherhassolittlefaithinhumannature，“sheanswered。“Hehasafacultyofdoubtingthehonestyofhisopponents——Isupposebecausesomanyofthemhavebeendishonest。And——Ibelieveinmyfriends，“sheadded，smiling。“Isn\'titnaturalthatIshouldwishtohavemyjudgmentvindicated？“

Hegottohisfeetandwalkedslowlytothefaredgeoftherock，wherehestoodforawhile，seeminglygazingoffacrossthespacestoSawanec。

Itwaslikehim，thustoquestiontheimmutable。Victoriasatmotionless，buthereyesfollowedirresistiblythelinesofpowerinthetallfigureagainstthesky——thebreadthofshoulderandslimnessofhipandlengthoflimbtypicalofthemenwhohadconqueredandheldthislandfortheirdescendants。Suddenly，withacharacteristicmovementofdetermination；heswungaboutandcametowardsher，andatthesameinstantsherose。

“Don\'tyouthinkweshouldbegoingback？“shesaid。

Rutheseemednottohearher。

“MayIaskyousomething？“hesaid。

“Thatdepends，“sheanswered。

“AreyougoingtomarryMr。Rangely？“

“No，“shesaid，andturnedaway。“Whydidyouthinkthat？“

Hequivered。

“Victoria！“

Shelookedupathim，swiftly，halfrevealed，hereyeslikestarssurprisedbytheflushofdawninhercheeks。Hopequickenedatthevisionofhope，theseatsofjudgmentthemselveswerefilledwithradiance，andrumour，coweredandfledlikethespiritofnight。Hecouldonlygaze，enraptured。

“Yes？“sheanswered。

Hisvoicewasfirmbutlow，yetvibrantwithsincerity，withthevaststoreoffeeling，ofcompellingmagnetismthatwasinthemanandmovedinspiteofthemselvesthosewhoknewhim。HiswordsVictoriarememberedafterwards——allofthem；butitwastothecallofthevoicesheresponded。Hiswasthefibrewhichgrowsstrongerintimesofcrisis。

Sureofhimself，proudofthelovewhichhedeclared，hespokeasamanwhohasearnedthatforwhichheprays，——simplyandwithdignity。

“Iloveyou，“hesaid；“IhaveknownitsinceIhaveknownyou，butyoumustseewhyIcouldnottellyouso。Itwasveryhard，forthereweretimeswhenIledmyselftobelievethatyoumightcometoloveme。ThereweretimeswhenIshouldhavegoneawayifIhadn\'tmadeapromisetostayinRipton。Iaskyoutomarryme，becauseI——knowthatIshallloveyouaslongasIlive。Icangiveyouthis，atleast，andIcanpromisetoprotectandcherishyou。Icannotgiveyouthattowhichyouhavebeenaccustomedallyourlife，thatwhichyouhavehereatFairview，butIshouldn\'tsaythistoyouifIbelievedthatyoucaredforthemabove——

otherthings。“

“Oh，Austen！“shecried，“Idonot——I——donot！Theywouldbehatefultome——withoutyou。Iwouldratherlivewithyou——atJabeJenney\'s，“andhervoicecaughtinanexquisitenotebetweenlaughterandtears。“I

loveyou，doyouunderstand，you！Oh，howcouldyoueverhavedoubtedit？Howcouldyou？Whatyoubelieve，Ibelieve。And，Austen，Ihavebeensounhappyforthreedays。“

Heneverknewwhether，asthemostpreciousofgraceseverconferreduponman，withawomanlygestureshehadraisedherarmsandlaidherhandsuponhisshouldersbeforehedrewhertohimandkissedherface，thatviedincolourwiththecomingglowinthewesternsky。Abovethepryingeyesofmen，abovetheworlditself，heheldher，strivingtorealizesomelittleofthevastjoyofthispossession，andfailing。Andatlastshedrewawayfromhim，gently，thatshemightlooksearchinglyintohisfaceagain，andshookherheadslowly。

“Andyouweregoingaway，“shesaid，“withoutawordIthought——youdidn\'tcare。HowcouldIhaveknownthatyouwerejust——stupid？“

Hiseyeslightedwithhumourandtenderness。

“Howlonghaveyoucared，Victoria？“heasked。

Shebecamethoughtful。

“Always，Ithink，“sheanswered；“onlyIdidn\'tknowit。IthinkIlovedyouevenbeforeIsawyou。“

“Beforeyousawme！“

“Ithinkitbegan，“saidVictoria，whenIlearnedthatyouhadshotMr。

Blodgett——onlyIhopeyouwillneverdosuchathingagain。Andyouwillpleasetrytoremember，“sheadded，afteramoment，“thatIamneitherEbenFitchnoryourfriend，TomGaylord。“

Sunsetfoundthemseatedontherock，withthewatersoftheriverturnedtowineatthemiracleintheskytheirmiracle。Attimestheireyeswanderedtothemountain，whichseemedtoregardthemfromadiscreetdistance——withakindlyandprotectingmajesty。

“Andyoupromised，“saidVictoria，“totakemeupthere。Whenwillyoudoit？“

“Ithoughtyouweregoingaway，“hereplied。

“Unforeseencircumstances，“sheanswered，“havecompelledmetochangemyplans。“

“Thenwewillgotomorrow，“hesaid。

“TotheDelectableLand，“saidVictoria，dreamily；“yourland，whereweshallbe——benevolentdespots。Austen？“

“Yes？“Hehadnotceasedtothrillatthesoundofhisnameuponherlips。

“Doyouthink，“sheasked，glancingathim，“doyouthinkyouhavemoneyenoughtogoabroad——justforalittlewhile？“

Helaughedjoyously。

“Idon\'tknow，“hesaid，“butIshallmakeitapointtoexaminemybank-

accountto-night。Ihaven\'tdoneso——forsometime。“

“WewillgotoVenice，anddriftaboutinagondolaononeofthosegraydayswhenthehazecomesinfromtheAdriaticandtouchesthecitywiththemagicofthepast。SometimesIlikethegraydaysbest——whenIamhappy。Andthen，“sheadded，regardinghimcritically，“althoughyouareverynearperfection，therearesomethingsyououghttoseeandlearntomakeyoureducationcomplete。IwilltakeyoutoallthequeerplacesI

love。WhenyouareambassadortoFrance，youknow，itwouldbehumiliatingtohavetohaveaninterpreter，wouldn\'tit？“

“What\'stheuseofbothofusknowingthelanguage？“hedemanded。

“I\'mafraidweshallbe——toohappy，“shesighed，presently。

“Toohappy！“herepeated。

“Isometimeswonder，“shesaid，“whetherhappinessandachievementgotogether。Andyet——Ifeelsurethatyouwillachieve。“

“Topleaseyou，Victoria，“heanswered，“IthinkIshouldalmostbewillingtotry。“

CHAPTERXXX

P。S。

Byrequestofonewhohasreadthusfar，andisstillcurious。

Yes，andanotherwho，inspiteofhimself，hasfalleninlovewithVictoriaandwouldliketolingerawhilelonger，eventhoughitwerewiththepaltryexcuseofdiscussingthatworld-oldquestionofhers——Cansublimehappinessandachievementgotogether？Novelsontheproblemofsexnowadaysoftenbeginwithmarriages，butrarelydiscussthehappyones；andmanyawomanisforcedtositwistfullyathomewhilehercompanionsoars。

“YetmayIlookwithheartunshookOnblowbroughthomeormissed——

YetmayIhearwithequalearTheclarionsdowntheList；

YetsetmylanceabovemischanceAndridethebarriere——

Oh，hitormiss，howlittle\'tis，MyLadyisnotthere！“

Averse，inthisconnection，whichmaybeaperversionofMr。Kipling\'smeaning，butnotsofarfromit，afterall。Andyet，wouldtheeagleattemptthegreatflightsifcontentmentwereontheplain？Findthemainspringofachievement，andyouholdinyourhandthesecretoftheworld\'smechanism。Someaverthatitiswoman。

Dothegodseverconfertherarestofgiftsuponhimtowhomtheyhavegivenpinions？Dotheymatehim，ever，withanotherwhosoarsashighashe，whocircleshigherthathemaycirclehigherstill？Whocananswer？

Mustthosewhosoarbecondemnedtoeternalloneliness，andwasitalongingtheydidnotcomprehendwhichbadethemstretchtheirwingstowardthesun？Whocansay？

Alas，wecannotwriteofthefutureofAustenandVictoriaVane！Wecanonlysurmise，andhope，andpray，——yes，andbelieve。Romancewalkswithpartedlipsandheadraisedtothesky；andletusfollowher，becausetherebyoureyesareraisedwithhers。Wemustbelieve，orperish。

Postscriptsarenotfashionable。Thesatiatedtheatregoerleavesbeforetheendoftheplay，andhasworkedouttheproblemforhimselflongbeforetheendofthelastact。Sentimentisnotsupposedtoexistintheorchestraseats。Butabove(inmanysenses)isthegallery，fromwhenceanexcitedvoicecriesoutwhenthesleeperreturnstolife，“It\'sRipVanWinkle！“Thegallery，wherearethehumanpassionswhichmakethisworldourworld；thegallery，playeduponbyanger，vengeance，derision，triumph，hate，andlove；thegallery，whichlingersandapplaudslongafterthefifthcurtain，andthengoesreluctantlyhome——todream。Andhewhoscornsthegalleryisnoartist，fortherelivesthesoulofart。Weraiseoureyestoit，andtoitwededicatethisourplay；——andforitweliftthecurtainoncemoreafterthoseintheorchestrahavedeparted。

Itisobviouslyimpossible，inafewwords，todepicttheexcitementinRipton，inLeith，intheStateatlarge，whenitbecameknownthatthedaughterofMr。FlintwastomarryAustenVane，——afittingifunexpectedclimaxtoadrama。HowwouldMr。Flinttakeit？Mr。Flint，itmaybesaid，tookitphilosophically；andwhenAustenwentuptoseehimuponthismatter，heshookhandswithhisfutureson-in-law，——andtheyagreedtodisagree。AndbeyondthisitissafetosaythatMr。

Flintwasrelieved；forinhissecretsoulhehadformanyyearsentertainedadreadthatVictoriamightmarryaforeigner。Hehadthisconsolationatanyrate。

Hiswifedeniedherselfforadaytohermostintimatefriends，——foritwasshewhohadentertainedvisionsofatitle；anditwascharacteristicoftheRoseofSharonthatsheknewnothingoftheVanesbeyondthename。

ThediscoverythattheAustensweretheoldestfamilyintheStatewasinthenatureofabalm；andhenceforth，inspeakingofAusten，sheneverfailedtomentionthefactthathisgreat-grandfatherwasMinistertoSpaininthe\'30\'s，——aperiodwhenherownwasengagedinafardifferentcalling。

AndHilaryVanereceivedthenewswithagrimsatisfaction，Dr。Tredwaybelievingthatithaddonemoreforhimthananymedicineorspecialists。

Andwhen，onewarmOctoberday，Victoriaherselfcameandsatbesidethecanopiedbed，herconquestwascomplete:hesurrenderedtoherashehadneverbeforesurrenderedtomanorwomanorchild，andthedesiretolivesurgedbackintohisheart，——thedesiretoliveforAustenandVictoria。

ItbecamehercustomtodrivetoRiptonintheautumnmorningsandtositbythehourreadingtoHilaryinthemellowsunlightintheleeofthehouse，nearSarahAusten\'slittlegarden。Yes，Victoriabelievedshehaddevelopedinhimatasteforreading；althoughhewouldhavelistenedtoEmersonfromherlips。

Andsometimes，whenshepausedafteroneofhislongsilencestoglanceathim，shewouldseehiseyesfixed，withastrangeraptlook，onthegardenorthedimlavenderformofSawanecthroughthehaze，andknewthathewasthinkingofapricelessthingwhichhehadoncepossessed，andmissed。ThenVictoriawouldclosethevolume，andfalltodreaming，too。

Whatwashappiness？Wasitcontentment？Ifitwere，itmightendure，——

contentmentbeingpassive。Butcouldactive，aggressive，exultantjoyexistforalifetime，jealousofitsleastprerogative，perpetuallywatchfulforitsleastabatement，singingunendinganthemsonitsconquestoftheworld？TheveryintensityofherfeelingsatsuchtimessoberedVictoria——alarmedher。Wasnotperfectionatwarwiththeworld\'sscheme，anddidnotachievementspringfromavoid？

ButwhenAustenappeared，withPepper，todriveherhometoFairview，hispresenceneverfailedtorevivethefiercefaiththatitwashisdestinytomaketheworldbetter，andherstohelphim。Wondrousafternoonstheyspenttogetherinthatstillestandmostmysteriousofseasonsinthehillcountry——autumn！Autumnandhappiness！Happinessasshamelessastheflauntingscarletmaplesontheslopes，defiantofthedyingyearofthefuture，shadowyandunrealasthehillsbeforetheminthehaze。

Once，afteralongsilence，shestartedfromareverywiththesuddenconsciousnessofhislookintentuponher，andturnedwithpartedlipsandeyeswhichsmiledathimoutoftroubleddepths。

“Dreaming，Victoria？“hesaid。

“Yes，“sheansweredsimply，andwassilentoncemore。Helovedthesesilencesofhers，——hinting，astheydid，ofunexploredchambersinaninexhaustibletreasure-housewhichbysomestrangestrokeofdestinywashis。Andyethefeltattimesthevaguesadnessofthem，likethesadnessoftheautumn，andlongedtodispelit。

“Itissowonderful，“shewentonpresently，inalowvoice，“itissowonderfulIsometimesthinkthatitmustbelike——likethis；thatitcannotlast。Ihavebeenwonderingwhetherweshallbeashappywhentheworlddiscoversthatyouaregreat。“

Heshookhisheadatherslowly，inmildreproof。

“Isn\'tthatborrowingtrouble，Victoria？“hesaid。“Ithinkyouneedhavenofearoffindingtheworldasdiscerningasyourself。“

Shesearchedhisface。

“Willyoueverchange？“sheasked。

“Yes，“hesaid。“Nomancanstandsuchflatteryasthatwithoutdeteriorating，Iwarnyou。Ishallbecomeconsequential，andpompous，andaltogetherinsupportable，andthenyouwillleavemeandneverrealizethatithasbeenallyourfault。“

Victorialaughed。Buttherewasalittletremorinhervoice，andhereyesstillrestedonhisface。

“ButIamserious，Austen，“shesaid。“Isometimesfeelthat，inthefuture，weshallnotalwayshavemanysuchdaysasthese。It\'sselfish，butIcan\'thelpit。Therearesomanythingsyouwillhavetodowithoutme。Don\'tyoueverthinkofthat？“

Hiseyesgrewgrave，andhereachedoutandtookherhandinhis。

“Ithink，rather，ofthetrialslifemaybring，Victoria，“heanswered，“ofthehourswhenjudgmenthalts，whenthewayisnotclear。DoyourememberthelastnightyoucametoJabeJenney\'s？Istoodintheroadlongafteryouhadgone，andadesolationsuchasIhadneverknowncameoverme。Iwentinatlast，andopenedabooktosomeversesIhadbeenreading，whichIshallneverforget。ShallItellyouwhattheywere？“

“Yes，“shewhispered。

“Theycontainmyanswertoyourquestion，“hesaid。

“Whatbecameofallthehopes，Wordsandsongandluteaswell？

Say，thisstruckyou\'WhenlifegropesFeeblyforthepathwherefellLightlastontheeveningslopes，“\'Onefriendinthatpathshallbe，Tosecuremystepfromwrong；

Onetocountnightdayforme，Patientthroughthewatcheslong，Servingmostwithnonetosee。\'“

“Victoria，canyouguesswhothatfriendis？“

Shepressedhishandandsmiledathim，buthereyeswerewet。

“Ihavethoughtofitinthatway，too，dear。But——butIdidnotknowthatyouhad。Idonotthinkthatmanymenhavethatpointofview，Austen。“

“Manymen，“heanswered，“havenotthesamereasontobethankfulasI。“

Thereisatime，whenthefirstsharpwindswhichfilltheairwithflyingleaveshavecomeandgone，whenthestillnesshascomeagain，andthesunlightistingedwithayellowergold，andthepasturesarestillavividgreen，andthemountainstainedwithadeeperbluethananygem，calledIndiansummer。AnditwasinthisseasonthatVictoriaandAustenweremarried，inalittlechurchatTunbridge，nearFairview，bythebishopofthediocese，whowasoneofVictoria\'sdearestfriends。Mr。

ThomasGaylord(forwhosebenefitthereweremanyrehearsals)wasbestman，MissBeatriceChillinghammaidofhonour；anditwasunanimouslydeclaredbyVictoria\'sbridesmaids，whocameupfromNewYork，thattheyhadfalleninlovewiththegroom。

HowdescribetheweddingbreakfastandfestivitiesatFairviewHouse，onaNovemberdaywhenyoungladiescouldwalkaboutthelawnsinthefilmiestofgowns！howrecounttheguestsandleaveoutnofriends——fornonewereleftout！Mr。JabeJenneyandMrs。Jenney，whoweptassheembracedbothbrideandgroom；andEuphrasia，inanewsteel-colouredsilkandastateofabsolutesubjectionandincreduloushappiness。WouldthatthereweretimetochroniclethatmostamazingofconquestsofVictoriaoverEuphrasia！AndMrs。Pomfret，who，remarkableasitmayseem，notonlyrecognizedAustenwithoutherlorgnette，butquiteoverwhelmedhimwithanunexpectedcordiality，anddeclaredherintentionofgivingthemadinnerinNewYork。

“Mydear，“shesaid，afterkissingVictoriatwice，“heismostdistinguished-looking——Ihadnoidea——andapersonwhogrowsuponone。

AndIamtoldheisdescendedfromChanningAusten，ofwhomIhaveoftenheardmygrandfatherspeak。Victoria，Ialwayshadthegreatestconfidenceinyourjudgment。“

AlthoughVictoriahadamemory(whatwomanworthhersalthasnot？)，shewasfartoohappytoremindMrs。Pomfretofcertainformeroccasions，andmerelysmiledinamannerwhichthatladydeclaredtobeenigmatic。ShemaintainedthatshehadneverunderstoodVictoria，anditwascharacteristicofMrs。Pomfretthatherrespectincreasedindirectproportiontoherlackofunderstanding。

Mr。ThomasGaylord，inawaistcoatwhichwastheadmirationofallwhobeheldit，proposedthehealthofthebride；andprovedindubitablythatthebestoforatoryhasitsoriginintheheartandnotinthemind，——forTomhadneverbeenregardedbyhisfriendsasaDemosthenes。Hewasinterruptedfromtimetotimebyshoutsoflaughter；certainepisodesintheearlycareerofMr。AustenVane(inwhich，ifTomwastobebelieved，hewasanunwillingparticipant)wereparticularlyappreciated。Andshortlyafterthat，amidstashowerofmiscellaneousarticlesandrice，Mr。andMrs。Vanetooktheirdeparture。

TheydrovethroughtheyellowsunlighttoRipton，withlingeringlooksatthehillswhichbroughtbackmemoriesofboysandsorrows，andinHanoverStreetbadegood-bytoHilaryVane。AnewandstrangecontentmentshoneinhisfaceashetookVictoria\'shandsinhis，andtheysatwithhimuntilEuphrasiacame。ItwasnotuntiltheywerewellontheirwaytoNewYorkthattheyopenedtheletterhehadgiventhem，anddiscoveredthatitcontainedsomethingwhichwouldhaveenabledthemtoremaininEuropetherestoftheirliveshadtheysochosen。

WemustleavethemamongstthesunnyruinsofItalyandGreeceandsouthernFrance，onamarvellousjourneythatwaspersonallyconductedbyVictoria。

Mr。Crewewasunabletogotothewedding，havingtoattendadirectors\'

meetingofsomeimportanceintheWest。Heisstillinpolitics，andstillhopeful；andhewasmarried，notlongafterwards，toMissAlicePomfret。

End