TableofContentsACatCanDoMorethanLookatAKingSurvivingEvilsoftheReignofTerrorTheRogue’sGalleryofaFatherShouldbeExhibitedtoaDaughterwithParticularCare\"ButSpareYourCountry’sFlag\"
NeronottheLastViolinistofhisKindTheEverUnpracticalFeminineTheComedianATaleofaPoliticalDifferenceTheRuleoftheRegentEchoesofaSerenadeAVoiceinaGardenTheRoomintheCupolaTheTocsinTheFirmofGrayandVanrevelWhenJuneCame\"ThoseEndearingYoungCharms\"
ThePriceofSilenceTheUniformTheFlagGoesMarchingBy\"Good-by\"
CHAPTERI
ACatCanDoMorethanLookataKingItwaslongagointhedayswhenmensighedwhentheyfellinlove；whenpeopledancedbycandleandlamp，anddiddance，too，insteadofsolemnlyglidingabout；inthatmellowtimesolongago，whentheyoungwereromanticandsummerwasrosesandwine，oldCarewebroughthislovelydaughterhomefromtheconventtowrecktheheartsoftheyouthofRouen。
Thatwasnotafarjourney；onlyanafternoon’sdrivethroughthewoodsandbytheriver，inanApril，longago；MissBetty’sharpcarefullystrappedbehindthegreatlumberingcarriage，herguitaronthefrontseat，half-buriedunderamoundofbouquetsandoddlyshapedlittlebundles，farewellgiftsofhercomradesandthegoodSisters。Inherlefthandsheclutchedasmalllacehandkerchief，withwhichshenowandthentouchedhereyes，brimmedwiththepartingfromSisterCecilia，SisterMaryBazilede，theoldstonestepsandallthegirls：butforeverytimethatsheliftedthedaintykerchieftobrushawaytheedgeofatear，shetookadeepbreathoftheWesternwoodlandairandsmiledatleasttwice；
fortheyearsofstrictinclosurewithinSt。Mary’swallsandstillgardenswerefinishedanddonewith，andatlastthemany-coloredworldflashedanddancedinamysterybeforeher。Thismysterywasbrillianttotheconvent-girlbecauseitcontainedmen；shewaseagertobeholdit。
Theyrumbledintotownaftersunset，inthefairtwilight，thedogsbarkingbeforethem，andeveryonewouldhavebeensurprisedtoknowthatTomVanrevel，insteadofMr。CraileyGray，wasthefirsttoseeher。Bythemerestaccident，TomwasstrollingneartheCareweplaceatthetime；
andwhenthecarriageswungintothegates，withrattleandclinkandcloudsofdustatthefinish，itwasnottoosoonlostbehindtheshrubberyandtreesforTomtocatchsomethingmorethanaglimpseofagrayskirtbehindamoundofflowers，andofacharmingfacewithpartedlipsanddarkeyesbeneaththescuttleofanenormousbonnet。Ithappened——perhapsitismoreaccuratetosaythatTomthoughtithappened——
thatshewasjustclearingawayherveilwhenheturnedtolook。Sheblushedsuddenly，somuchwasnottobemistaken；andtheeyesthatmethiswereremarkableforotherreasonsthanthesheerlovelinessofthem，inthat，evenintheoneflashofthemhecaught，theymeantsomanythingsatonetime。Theyweresparkling，yetmournful；andtheywerewistful，althoughundeniablylivelywiththegayestcomprehensionoftherecipientoftheirglance，seemingtosay，\"Oh，it’syou，youngman，isit！\"Andtheywereshyandmysteriouswithyouth，fullofthatwonderattheworldwhichhastheappearance，sometimes，ofwisdomgatheredintheunknownoutofwhichwecame。But，aboveall，theseeyeswerefullyconsciousofTomVanrevel。
Withoutrealizingwhathedid，Mr。Vanrevelstoppedshort。Hehadbeenswingingawalkingstick，which，describingabriefarc，remainedpoisedhalf-wayinitsdescent。Therewasonlythatoneglancebetweenthem；andthecarriagedisappeared，leavingascentofspringflowersintheair。
Theyoungmanwasleftstandingonthewoodenpavementinthemidstofagreatloneliness，yetenvelopedintheafterglow，hissoulroseate，hisbeingquavering，hisexpression，likehiscane，instantaneouslyarrested。
Withsuchpromptitudeandfinishwashedisposedof，that，hadMissCarewebeenawareofhisnameandtheconditionwroughtinhimbythesinglestroke，shecouldhavesoughtonlytheterseRichardofEnglandforalikeexecutiveability，\"Offwithhishead！SomuchforVanrevel！\"
Shehadliftedaslenderhandtotheflutteringveil，ahandinawhiteglovewithasmalllacegauntletatthewrist。Thisgesturewasthefinaldivinityoftheradiantvisionwhichremainedwiththedazedyoungmanashewentdownthestreet；anditmayhavebeenthree-quartersofanhourlaterwhenthebackgroundofthepicturebecamevividtohim：acarefullydressedgentlemanwithheavybrowsandahandsomehighnose，whosatstifflyuprightbesidethegirl，hisverybrighteyesquiteasconsciousofthestrickenpedestrianaswerehers，vastlydifferent，however，inthis：thattheyglittered，nay，almostbristled，withhostility；whileeverypolishedbuttonofhisbluecoatseemedtoreflecttheirmalignancy，andtodartlittleechoingshaftsofvenomatMr。Vanrevel。
Tomwasdismayedbytheacutenessofhisperceptionthatamanwhodoesnotspeaktoyouhasnorighttohaveadaughterliketheladyinthecarriage；and，themomentofthisrealizationoccurringashesatmakingapoorpretencetoeathiseveningmealatthe\"RouenHouse，\"hedroppedhisforkrattlinguponhisplateandleanedback，staringatnothing，aproceedingofwhichhistable-mate，Mr。WilliamCummings，theeditoroftheRouenJournal，wastoobusyoverhisriverbasstotakenote。
\"Haveyouheardwhat’snewintown？\"askedCummingspresently，lookingup。
\"No，\"saidTomtruthfully，forhehadseenwhatwasnew，butnotheardit。
\"OldCarewe’sbroughthisdaughterhome。FanchonBareaudwaswithheratSt。Mary’suntillastyearandFanchonsaysshe’snotonlyagreatbeautybutagreatdear。\"
\"Ah！\"rejoinedtheotherwithmasterlyindifference。\"Daresay——daresay。\"
\"Nowonderyou’renotinterested，\"saidCummingscheerfully，returningtothediscussionofhisbass。\"Theoldvillainwilltakepreciousgoodcareyoudon’tcomenearher。\"
Mr。Vanrevelalreadypossessedaprofoundconvictiontothesameeffect。
RobertMeilhacCarewewasknownnotonlyasthewealthiestcitizenofRouen，butalsoasitsheartiestandmoststeadfasthater：and，althoughtherewereonlyfiveorsixthousandinhabitants，neitherwasasmalldistinction。ForRouenwasranked，inthoseeasydays，asawealthytown；
evenasitwascalledanoldtown；proudofitsageanditsriches，andbitterinitspolitics，ofcourse。TheFrenchhadbuiltafortthere，soonafterLaSalle’slastvoyage，and，asCraileyGraysaid，hadsettledtheplace，andhadthenbeensettledthemselvesbythepioneermilitia。
AftertheRevolution，CaroliniansandVirginianshadcome，bywayofTennesseeandKentucky；whiletheadventurouscountrymenfromConnecticut，travellingthithertosell，remainedtobuy——andthensell——whenthecountrywasinitsteens。Incourseoftimethelittletrading-postoftheNorthwestTerritoryhadgrowntobetheleadingcentreofeleganceandcultureintheOhioValley——atleasttheysaidsoinRouen；onlyafewpeopleinthecountry，suchasMr。IrvingofTarrytown，forinstance，questioningwhetheracentrecouldlead。
Thepivotalfigure，thoughperhapsnottheheart，ofthiscentre，wasunquestionablyMr。Carewe，andabouthimtheneatandtightaristocracyoftheplacerevolved；theoldFrenchremnant，havingliberallyintermarried，formingthenucleus，togetherwithdescendantsoftheCavaliers（andthosewhosaidtheywere）andtheindustriousYankees，byvirtue（ifnotbythevirtues）ofallwhom，thetowngrewandprospered。RobertCarewewasRouen’smagnate，commerciallyandsocially，and，untilanupstartyounglawyernamedVanrevelstruckintohispowerwithabroad-axe，politically。
ThewharveswereCarewe’s；thewarehousesthatstoodbytheriver，andthelineofpacketswhichplieduponit，werehis；halfthetownwashis，andinRouenthismeantthathewaspossessedoftheMiddleJustice，theHighandtheLow。HismotherwasaFrenchwoman，and，inthosedays，whentogoabroadwasaponderousandventuresomeundertaking，thefactthathehadspentmostofhisyouthintheFrenchcapitalwroughtacertainglamourabouthim；fortotheAmerican，PariswasEurope，anditlayshimmeringonthefarhorizonofeveryimagination，agoldencity。Scarceadrawing-
roominRouenlackeditsfearsomeengravingentitled\"GrandBallattheTuileries，\"norwasGodey’sMagazineevermorepopularthanwhenitcontainedarticleselaborateofsimilarscenesoffestallight，wherebrilliantuniformsmingledwithshiningjewels，fairlocks，andthewhiteshouldersofmagnificentlydressedduchesses，countesses，andladies。
Creditforthisdescriptionshouldbegivenentirelytotheabove-
mentionedperiodical。Furthermore，asojourninPariswasheldtoconfera\"certainnamelessandindescribablepolish\"uponthemannersofthevisitor；also，therewassomethingcalled\"anairofforeigntravel。\"
Theytalkedagreatdealaboutpolishinthosedays；andsomeexamplesstillextantdonotdenytheirjustification；butinthecaseofMr。
Carewe，thereexistedacitizenofRouen，onealreadyquoted，whohadthetemeritytodeclarethepolishtobeintruthquitenamelessandindescribableforthereasonthatonecannotpaintavacuum。However，subscriptiontothisopinionshouldnotbeover-hasty，sinceMr。CraileyGrayhadbeennotoriouslyarivalofCarewe’switheveryprettywomanintown，bothhavingthesameeyeinsuchmatters，andalsobecausetheslanderedgentlemancouldassumeamannerwhenhechoseto，whetherornothepossessedit。Athisowntableheexhaledahospitablegraciousnesswhich，fromamanofknowneviltemper，carriedthewinsomenessofsurprise。Whenhewooed，itwaswithanairofstatelydevotion，combinedwiththatknowingnesswhichsometimesoffsetsforawidowerthetendencyagirlhastogiggleathim；andthecombinationhadbeen，onceortwice，toomuchforeventhealluringCrailey。
Mr。Carewelivedinanold-fashionedhouseonthebroad，quiet，shadystreetwhichborehisname。Therewasawidelawninfront，shadowyunderelmandlocusttrees，andboundedbythickshrubberies。Alonggarden，fairwithrosesandhollyhocks，layoutsidethelibrarywindows，anold-
timegarden，withfinegravelpathsandgreenarbors；drowsedoverinsummer-timebythebees，whileoverheadthelocustraspedhisrustycadencesthelivelongday；andafarawaysoundinglove-notefromthehighbranchesbroughttomindtheline，likeanoldrefrain：
\"Thevoiceoftheturtlewasheardintheland。\"
Betweenthegardenandthecarriagegatestherewasafountainwhereabronzeboywiththedropsy（butnotmindingit）livedinaperpetualbathfromagreengobletheldoverhishead。Nearby，astonesun-dialgleamedagainstaclumpoflilacbushes；anditwasuponthisspotthatthewhitekittenintroducedThomasVanreveltoMissCarewe。
Uponthemorningafterherarrival，havingfinishedherpiano-fortepractice，touchedherharptwice，andarpeggioedtheSpanishFandangoonherguitar，MissBettyreadtwoparagraphsof\"Gilbert\"（forshewasprofoundlydeterminedtopursuehertaskswithdiligence），buttheopenwindowsdisclosingaworldallsunshineandgreenleaves，shethrewthebookasidewithagoodconscience，anddancedouttothegarden。There，cominguponafuzzy，whiteballrollingintoitselfspirallyonalazypathway，shepouncedatit，whereuponthethinguncurledwithlightningswiftness，andfled，morelikeastreakthanakitten，downthedrive，throughtheopengatesandintothestreet，MissBettyinfullcry。
Acrossthewaytherechancedtobestrollingayoungladyinblue，accompaniedbyagentlemanwhoseleisurelygaitgavenoindicationofthemaneuveringhehaddonetohastentheirwalkintoitspresentdirection。
Hewasapparentlythirtyorthirty-one，tall，verystraight，dark，smooth-
shaven，hiseyeskeen，deep-set，andthoughtful，andhishighwhitehat，whitesatincravat，andcarefulcollar，wereevidenceofanelaborationoftoiletsomewhatunusualinRouenforthemorning；also，hewascarryingapairofwhiteglovesinhishandanddangledaslenderebonycanefromhiswrist。Theflyingkittenheadedtowardthecouple，when，withacelerityonlytobeaccountedforonthetheorythathiseyehadbeenfixedontheCarewegatewayforsometimeprevioustothissuddenapparition，thegentlemanleapedinfrontofthefugitive。
Thekittenattemptedadodgetopass；thegentlemanwastherebeforeit。
Thekittenfeinted；thegentlemanwasaltogethertoomuchonthespot。
Immediately——andjustasMissCarewe，flushedandglowing，ranintothestreet——thesmallanimaldoubled，evadedMissBetty’sfranticclutch，re-
enteredthegateway，andattemptedadisappearanceintothelilacbushes，insteadofgoingroundthem，onlytofinditself，forafataltwoseconds，indifficultieswiththeclose-setthicketofstems。
Inregardtotheextraordinaryagilityofwhichthepursuinggentlemanascapable，itisenoughtosaythathecaughtthecat。Heemergedfromthelilacsholdingitinonehand，hisglovesandwhitehatintheother，andpresentedhimselfbeforeMissBettywithabreathlessnessnotentirelyattributabletohisexertions。
Foramoment，asshecamerunningtowardhimandhemetherflashinglook，brightwithlaughterandrecognitionandhaste，hestammered。Athrillnothinglessthandelirioussentthebloodupbehindhisbrowncheeks，forhesawthatshe，too，knewthatthiswasthesecondtimetheireyeshadmet。Naturally，atthattimehecouldnotknowhowmanyothergentlemenweretofeelthatsamethrill（intheircases，also，delirious，noless）
withthesame，accompanying，mysteriousfeeling，whichcamejustbeforeMissBetty’slashesfell，thatonehadfound，atlast，apreciousthing，lostlongsinceinchildhood，orleft，perhaps，uponsomeotherplanetinalifetenthousandyearsago。
Hecouldnotspeakatonce，butwhenhecould，\"Permitme，madam，\"hesaidsolemnly，offeringthecaptive，\"torestoreyourkitten。\"
Anagitatedkittenshouldnotbedetainedbyclaspingitswaist，andalreadytheconquerorwaspayingforhisvictory。Thereensuedafinal，outrageoussquirmofdespair；twofranticclaws，extended，drewonelongredmarkacrossthestranger’swristandanotherdownthebackofhishandtotheknuckles。Theyweregood，heartyscratches，andthebloodfollowedtheartist’slinesrapidly；butofthistheyoungmantooknonote，forheknewthatbewasabouttohearMissCarewe’svoiceforthefirsttime。
\"Theysaythebestwaytoholdthem，\"heobserved，\"isbythescruffoftheneck。\"
Beholdinghiswounds，sufferedinhercause，shegaveapityingcrythatmadehisheartleapwiththerichnessandsweetnessofit。Catchingthekittenfromhim，shedroppedittothegroundinsuchwiseastoprovenature’sforesightmostkindincushioningthefeetofcats。
\"Ah！Ididn’twantitthatmuch！\"
\"Acatinthehandisworthtwonightingalesinthebush，\"hesaidboldly，andlaughed。\"Iwouldshedmorebloodthanthat！\"
MissBettyblushedlikeasoutherndawn，andstartedbackfromhim。Fromtheconventbutyesterday——andshehadtakenaman’shandinbothofhers！
Itwastothistableauthattheladyinblueentered，followingthehuntthroughthegates，whereshestoppedwithadiscomposedcountenance。Atonce，however，sheadvanced，andwithacryofgreeting，envelopedMissBettyinabriefembrace，tothereliefofthelatter’sconfusion。ItwasFanchonBareaud，nowtwoyearsemancipatedfromSt。Mary’s，andfargoneintaffeta。Withherlustrefullighthair，absentblueeyes，andhergentlevoice，assmallandprettyasherfaceandfigure，itwasnottoodifficulttojustifyCraileyGray’scharacterizationofherasoneofthosewinsomebaggageswhohadmadeanairoffemininehelplessnessthefashionoftheday。
Itisawickedthingthatsomewomenshouldkisswhenamanisby；inthepresentinstancethegentlemanbecamesomewhatfaint。
\"I’msoglad——glad！\"exclaimedBetty。\"Youwerejustcomingtoseeme，weren’tyou？Myfatherisinthelibrary。Letme——\"
MissBareauddrewback。\"No，no！\"sheinterruptedhastilyandwithevidentperturbation。\"I——wemustbeonourwayimmediately。\"Shethrewaglanceatthegentleman，whichlethimknowthatshenowcomprehendedhisgloves，andwhytheirstrollhadtrendedtowardCareweStreet。\"Comeatonce！\"shecommandedhimquickly，inanundertone。
\"Butnowthatyou’rehere，\"saidMissBetty，wonderingverymuchwhyhewasnotpresentedtoher，\"won’tyouwaitandletmegatheranosegayforyou？Ourpansiesandviolets——\"
\"Icouldhelp，\"thegentlemansuggested，withthelookofalamedogatMissBareaud。\"Ihavebeenconsideredusefulaboutagarden。\"
\"Fool！\"BettydidnothearthewordthatcamefromMissBareaud’sclosedteeth，thoughshewasmightilysurprisedatthevisibleagitationofherschoolmate，forthelatter’sfacewaspaleandexcited。AndMissCarewe’samazementwascompletewhenFanchon，withoutmorewords，cavalierlyseizedthegentleman’sarmandmovedtowardthestreetwithhimasrapidlyashisperceptiblereluctancetoleavepermitted。ButatthegateMissBareaudturnedandcalledbackoverhershoulder，asifrememberingthenecessityofofferinganexcuseforsoremarkableaproceeding：\"Ishallcomeagainverysoon。Justnowweareuponanerrandofgreatimportance。Good-
day！\"
MissBettywavedherhand，staringafterthem，hereyeslargewithwonder。
Shecompressedherlipstightly：\"Errand！\"Thiswasthefriendofchildhood’shappyhour，andtheyhadnotmetintwoyears！
\"Errand！\"Sherantothehedge，alongthetopofwhichahighwhitehatwasnowseenperambulating；shepresseddownaloosebranch，andcalledinatendervoicetothestrangerwhomFanchonhadchosenshouldremainnameless：
\"Besuretoputsomesalveonyourhand！\"
Hemadeabowwhichjustmissedbeingtoolow，butdidmissit。
\"Itisthere——already，\"hesaid；and，losinghiscourageafterthebow，madehisspeechwithsopalpableagaspbeforethelastwordthatthedullestpersonintheworldcouldhaveseenthathemeantit。
MissBettydisappeared。
TherewasarigidityofexpressionaboutthegentlemouthofFanchonBareaud，whichhercompaniondidnotenjoy，astheywentontheirway，eachpreservinganuneasysilence，untilatherowndoor，sheturnedsharplyuponhim。\"TomVanrevel，Ithoughtyouwerethesteadiest——andnowyou’veprovedyourselfthecraziest——soulinRouen！\"sheburstout。
\"AndIcouldn’tsayworse！\"
\"Whydidn’tyoupresentmetoher？\"askedVanrevel。
\"BecauseIthoughtamanofyourgallantrymightprefernottofaceashotguninthepresenceofladies！\"
\"Pooh！\"
\"Pooh！\"mimickedMissBareaud。\"Youcan`pooh’asmuchasyoulike，butifhehadseenusfromthewindow——\"Shecoveredherfacewithherhandsforamoment，thendroppedthemandsmileduponhim。\"IunderstandperfectlytowhatIowethepleasureofastrollwithyouthismorning，andyourcasualinsistenceontheshadinessofCareweStreet！\"Helaughednervously，buthersmilevanished，andshecontinued，\"Keepaway，Tom。
Sheisbeautiful，andatSt。Mary’sIalwaysthoughtshehadspiritandwit，too。IonlyhopeCraileywon’tseeherbeforethewedding！Butitisn’tsafeforyou。Goalong，now，andaskCraileypleasetocomeatthreethisafternoon。\"
ThismessagefromMr。Gray’sbetrothedwasnotalltheill-starredTomconveyedtohisfriend。Mr。Vanrevelwasordinarilyesteemedapersonofgreatreserveanddiscretion；neverthelesstherewasonemantowhomhetoldeverything，andfromwhomhehadnosecrets。HespentthenoonhourinfeebleattemptstodescribetoCraileyGraytheoutwardappearanceofMissElizabethCarewe；howsheranlikeayoungDiana；whatonefeltuponhearinghervoice；andhepresentedinhimselfanexampleexhibitingsomethingofthecostoflookinginhereyes。Hisconversationwasmoreorlessincoherent，buttheeffectofitwascomplete。
ChapterII
SurvivingEvilsoftheReignofTerrorDoesthereexistanincredulous，orjealous，denizenofanotherportionofourcountrywho，knowingthattheroominthewoodencupolaoverMr。
Carewe’slibrarywascommonlyalludedtobyRouenasthe\"TowerChamber，\"
willprovehimselfsosectionallyprejudicedastodenythatthetownwasaveritablehotbedofliteraryinterest，orthatSir`WalterScottwasill-appreciatedthere？Someofthemenlookedsly，andothersgrinned，atmentionofthisapartment；buttheromanticwerenotlackingwhospokeofitinwhispers：howthelightssometimesshonethereallnightlong，andthegentlemendroveaway，whitefaced，inthedawn。Thecupola，risingabovethelibrary，overlookedthegarden；andthehouse，saveforthat，wasofasinglestory，withalowverandarunningthelengthofitsfront。
Thewindowsofthelibraryandofarowofbedrooms——-oneofwhichwasMissBetty’s——linedtheveranda，\"steamboatfashion；\"theinnerdoorsoftheseroomsallopeninguponalonghailwhichbisectedthehouse。hestairwayleadingtotheroominthecupolarosethelibraryitself，whilethebisectinghailaffordedbeonlyaccesstothelibrary；hence，thegossips，`eliacquaintedwiththegeographyoftheplace，conferredseriouslytogetheruponwhateffectMissBetty’shomecomingwouldhaveinthisconnection：
Dranyonegoingtothestairwaymustneedspassherdoor；and，whatwasmoretothepoint，apartyCgentlemendescendinglatefromthemysteriousgarretmightbenotsoquietastheyintended，andtheyoungladysufficientlydisturbedtoinquireofherfatherwhatentertainmentheprovidedthatshouldkeephisguestsuntilfourinthemorning。
Butatpresentitwaswiththeoppositeendofthehousethatthetownwasoccupied，forthere，workmenwerehammeringandsawingandpaintingdaylong，finishingtheadditionMr。Carewewasbuildingforhisdaughter’sdebut。ThishammeringdisturbedMissBetty，whohadbecomealmostasbusywiththeFrenchRevolutionaswithhermantua-maker。Forshehadfoundinherfather’slibrarymanybooksnotforconvent-shelves；andshehadbecomeaGirondin。
Shefoundmemoirs，histories，andtalesofthatdelectableperiod，thennotsodimwithtimebutthatthefiguresofitweremorethantragicshadows；andforaweektherewasnomealinthathousetowhichshesatdownearlierthanhalfanhourJate。Shehadarightfulproperty-interestintheRevolution，herowngreat-unclehavingbeenoneofthosewho\"suffered；\"not，however，undertheguillotine；fortoGeorgesMeilhacappertainedtheraredistinctionofdeathbyaccidentonthedaywhenthebusiness-likeyoungBonaparteplayeduponthemobwithhiscannon。
Thereweresomeyellowlettersofthisgreatuncle’sinaboxwhichhadbelongedtohergrandmother，arichdiscoveryforMissBetty，whoreadandre-readthemwitheagerandexcitedeyes，livingmoreinPariswithGeorgesandhisfriendsthaninRouenwithherfather。Indeed，shehadlittleelsetodo。Mr。Carewewasnocomradeforher，byfarthereverse。
Sheseldomsawhim，exceptatthetable，whenhesatwithavertedeyes，andtalkedtoherverylittle；and，whilemakingelaboratepreparationforherintroductiontohisfriends（suchwashisphrase）hetreatedherwithaperfunctorycivilitywhichmadeherwonderifheradventwasaltogetherwelcometohim；batwhenshenoticedthathishairlookeddarkerthanusualabouteveryfourthday，shebegantounderstandWhyheappearedungratefultoherforgrowingup。Hewentoutagreatdeal，thoughnovisitorscametothehouse；foritwasknownthatMr。Carewedesiredtopresenthisdaughtertonooneuntilhepresentedhertoall。FanchonBareaud，indeed，madeonehurriedandembarrassedcall，evadingMissBetty’sreferencetothechevalierofthekittenwithadexteritytoonimbletobethoughtunintentional。MissCarewewasforbiddentoreturnherfriend’svisituntilafterherdebut；andMr。CareweexplainedthattherewasalwayssomeworthlessYoungmenhangingabouttheBareaud’s，where（hedidnotadd）theyinterferedwithaworthyohonewhodesiredtohonorFanchon’soldersister，Virginia，withhisattentions。
ThiswasnogreathardshipforMissBetty，as，sinceplungingintotheRevolutionwithhergreat-uncle，shehadlostsomecuriosityconcerningthemenofto-day，doubtingthattheywouldshowforthasheroic，asdebonnair，gayandtragicashe。Hewasthelegendaryheroofherchildhood；sherememberedhermother’sstoriesofhimperhapsmoreclearlythansherememberedhermother；andoneoftheolderSistershadknownhiminParisandhadtalkedofhimatlength，givingtheflavorofhisdandyismandhisbeautyatfirsthandtohisyoungrelative。Hehadbeenoneofthosehardyyoungmenwearingunbelievablegarments，whobegantoappearinthegardenoftheTuilerieswithknivesintheirsleevesandcudgelsintheirhands，aboutApril，1794，andwhosedashandrecklessnessinmanymatterswerethefirstintimationsthattheCitizenTallienwasabouttocausetheCitizenRobespierretoshoothimselfthroughthejaw。
Inthelibraryhungasmall，full-lengthdrawingofGeorges，doneincolorbyMissBetty’sgrandmother；andthisshecarriedtoherownrooman&
studiedlongandardently，untilsometimesthemanhimselfseemedtostandbeforeher，inspiteofthefactthatMile。MeithachadnotadistinguishedtalentandM。Meilhac’sfeaturesmighthavebeenanybody’s。
Itwastobeseen，however，thathewassmiling。
MissBettyhadanimpressionthathergrandmother’sartofportraiturewouldhavebeenmore-successfulwiththeprofilethanthe\"full-face。\"
Nevertheless，nothingcouldbemoreclearlyindicatedthanthatthehairofM。Melihacwasveryyellow，andhisshort，huge-lapeiledwaistcoatwhite，stripedwithscarlet。Anenormouscravatcoyeredhischin；theheavycollarofhisyellowcoatrosebehindhisears，whileitstailsfelltohisankles；andthetighttrousersofwhiteandyellowstripesweretiedwithwhiteribbonsaboutthemiddleofthecalf；heworewhitestockingsandgold-buckledyellowshoes，andonthebackofhisheadajauntilycockedblackhat。MissBettyinnocentlywonderedwhyhislettersdidnotspeakofP倀ion，ofVergniaud，orofDumoriez，sinceinthehistoricalnovelswhichsheread，thehero’slotwasinevitablylinkedwiththatofeveryoneofimportanceinhisgeneration；yetGeorgesappearedtohavebeenunacquaintedwiththesepersonages，Robespierrebeingtheonlynameofconsequencementionedinhisletters；andthenitappearedinmuchthesamefashionpractisedbyherfatherinalludingtotheGovernoroftheState，whohadthemisfortunetobeunpopularwithMr。
Carewe。Butthisdidnotdimhergreat-uncle’slustreinMissBetty’seyes，norlessenforherthepatheticromanceofthesmilehewore。
Beholdingthissmile，onerememberedtheendtowhichhislightfootstepsbadledhim；anditwasunavoidabletopicturehimleftlyingintheemptystreetbehindtheheelsoftheflyingcrowd，carefullyformingthatsamesmileonhislips，andtakingmuchprideinpassingwithsomesmall，cynicalspeech，murmuredtohimself，concerningthemutilityofagentleman’sgettingshotbyhisfriendsformerelybeingpresenttoapplaudthem。So，fancyinghimthus，withhisyellowhair，hisscarlet-
itripedwaistcoat，andhistragedy，theyounggirlfeltashareoffamilygreatness，or，atleast，ofpicturesqueness，descendtoher。Andshesmiledsadlybackuponthesmileinthepicture，anddreamedaboutitsoriginalnightafternight。
Whetherornoanotherfigure，thatofadarkyoungmaninawhitehat，withawhitekittenetchinghiswristinred，foundanyplaceinherdreams。atthisperiod，-itisimpossibletodetermine。Shedidnotseehimagain。itisquiteanotherthing，hazardoustoventure，tostatethathedidnotseeher。Atallevents，itiscertainthatmanypeoplewhobadneverbeheldherweretalkingofher；thatRouenwasfullofcontentionconcerningherbeautyandhergiftofmusic，forasongcanbeheardthroughanopenwindow。AndhowdidithappenthatCraileyGrayknewthatitwasMissCarewe’shabittostrollinhergardenforhalfanhourorso，eacheveningbeforeretiring，andthatshewenttomasseverymorningsoonaftersunrise？CraileyGrayneverroseat，ornear，sunriseinhislife，thoughhesometimesbeheldit，fromanotherpointofview，astheendoftheevening。Itappearsthatsomeonemusthavetoldhim。
Onenightwhenthemoonlaywhiteonthetreesandhousetops，MissBettypausedinhereveningpromenadeandseatedherselfuponabenchonthebordersofthegarden，\"touched，\"asthebooksofthetimewouldhaveputit，\"bythesweettranquillityofthescene，\"andwroughtuponbythetenderincentivetosighsandmelancholywhichyouthinlonelinessfindsinalovelinessoftheearth。Thebreezeborethesmellsoftheold-
fashionedgarden，ofvioletsandcherryblossoms，andasoundofdistantviolinscameontheairplayingthenewsongfromthenewopera。
\"ButIalsodreamt，whichpleasedmemost，Thatyoulovedmejustthesame——\"
theysang；andwiththeliltofthemandthekeenbeautyofthenight，theinheritedpainoftheagesrosefromthedepthsoftheyounggirl’sheart，sothatshethoughtitmustbreak；forwhatreasonshecouldnothavetold，sinceshewaswithoutcareorsorrowthatsheknew，excepttheFrenchRevolution，yettearsshoneuponthelonglashes。Sheshookthemoffandlookedupwithasuddenoddconsciousness。Thenextsecondshesprangtoherfeetwithagaspandachokedoutcry，herbandspressedtoherbreast。
Tenpacesinfrontofher，agapintheshrubberywheretalltreesroseleftasmallradiantareaofilluminationlikethatofalime-lightinatheatre，itsbrilliancyintensifiedbythedarkfoliagebehind。Itwasopentoviewonlyfromthebenchbywhichshestood，andappeared，indeed，likethestageofalittletheatreastageoccupiedbyabizarrefigure。
For，inthecentreofthisshiningpatch，withthelightstrongonhisface，wasstandingafair-hairedyoungman，dressedinayellowcoat，ascarletandwhitestripedwaistcoat，wearingajauntilycockedblackhatonhisbead。Andeventothelastdetail，theribbonlacesabovetheankleandthegold-buckledshoes，bewasthesketchofGeorgesMeilhacsprungintolife。
Aboutthisslenderfiguretherehungawansweetnesslikeafinemist，almostanetherealityinthatlight；yetinthepalefacelurkedsomethingreckless，somethingoftheactor，too；andthoughhissmilewasgentleandwistful，therewasatwinklebehindit，notseenatfirst，somethingamusedandimpish；asmallsurpriseunderneath，likeafleainarose-jar。
Fixedtothespotbythisapparition，MissBettystoodwildlystaring，herstrainingeyelidsshowingthewhiteaboveandbelowthelargebrowniris。
Herbreathcamefasteranddeeper，until，betweenherpartedlipsitbecamevocalinaquicksoundlikeasob。Atthathespoke。
\"Forgiveme！\"Thevoicewaslow，vibrant，andsoexceedinglymusicalthathemighthavebeenaccusedofcoollyselectinghisbesttone；anditbecameonlysweeterwhen，evenmoresoftly，inasemi-whisperofalmostcrucialpleading，hesaid，\"Ah——don’tgoaway！\"
Intruth，shecouldnotgo；shehadbeentoovitallystirred；shebegantotrembleexcessively，andsankbackuponthebench，motioninghimawaywithvaguegesturesofhershakinghands。
ThiswasmorethantheIncroyablehadcountedupon，andfarfromhisdesires。Hestartedforwardwithanexclamation。
\"Don’tcomenearme！\"shegasped。\"Whoareyou？Goaway！\"
\"Givemeonesecondtoexplain，\"hebegan；butwiththeinstantreassuranceofthisbeginningshecuthimoffshort，herfearsdispelledbyhiscommonplace。Nay，indignationdisplacedthemsoquicklythatshefairlyflashedupbeforehimtoherfullheight。
\"Youdidnotcomeinbythegate！\"shecried。\"WhatdoyoumeanbycominghereinthatdressWhatrighthaveyouinmygarden？\"
\"Justoneword，\"hebeggedquickly，butverygently。\"You’dallowastreet-beggarthatmuch！\"
Shestoodbeforehim，panting，and，ashethought，glorious，inherflushofyouthandanger。TomVanrevelhadpaintedherincoherently，butrichly，inspiteofthat，hiswholeheartbeingintheportrait；and-CraileyGrayhadsmiledatwhathedeemedtheexaggerationofanordinarilyunimpressionablemanwhohadfalleninlove\"atfirstsight；\"yet，inthepresenceofthereality，theIncroyabledecidedthatTom’scolorshadbeengrayandhumble。Itwasnotthatshewasmerelylovely，thathernosewasstraight，andherchindexterouslywroughtbetweensquareandoval；thatherdarkhairlaysoftasashadowonherwhitebrow；notthatthetremblinghandsheheldagainstherbreastsprangfromataperwristandtaperedagaintothetipsofthelongfingers；northatshewasofthatslendernessasstrongasitisdelicate；notalltheexquisiteregularityoflineandmould，norsimplicityofcolor，gaveherthatsignificancewhichmadetheIncroyabledeclaretohimselfthathestoodforthefirsttimeinthepresenceofBeauty，andthatnowheknewthewomenhehadbeenwonttocallbeautifulwerebutpretty。Andyetherbeauty，hetoldhimself，wastheleastofherloveliness，fortherewasaglamourabouther。Itwasnotonlytherichnessofheryouth；buttherewasanineffableexhalationwhichseemedtobemadepartlyoflight，partlyoftheveryspiritofher，and，oddlyenough，partlyofthescentofthelittlefanthathungbyaribbonfromherwaist。Thiswasawomanlikeawine，hefelt，therewasabouquet。
Inregardtothebouquetoftheyoungmanhimself，ifhepossessedone，itispertinenttorelatethatatthisveryinstantthethoughtskippedacrosshismind（likethehopofafleainarose-jar）thatsomedayhemightfindthemomentwhenhecouldtellherthetruthaboutherself——withahalf-laugh——andsay：\"Theangelssenttheirhaloesinasandal-woodboxtobemadeintoawoman——anditwasyou！\"
\"If-youhaveanythingtosayforyourself，sayitquickly！\"saidMissBetty。
\"Youweresingingawhileago，\"heanswered，somewhathuskily，\"andI
stoppedonthestreettolisten；thenIcameheretobenearer。Thespellofyourvoice\"Hebrokeoffabruptlytochangetheword。\"Thespellofthesongcameoverme——itismydearestfavorite——sothatIstoodafterwardinasortoftrance，onlyhearingagain，inthesilence，`Thestolenheart，likethegatheredrose，willbloombutforaday！’Ididnotseeyouuntilyoucametothebench。Youmustbelieveme：Iwouldnothavefrightenedyouforanythingintheworld。\"
\"Whyareyouwearingthatdress？\"
Helaughed，andpointedtowhere，behindhimontheground，layalonggraycloak，uponwhichhadbeentossedawhitemask。\"I’monmywaytothemasquerade；\"heanswered，withanairygestureinthedirectionoftheviolins。\"I’manIncroyable，yousee；andIhadthecostumemadefrommyrecollectionofasketchofyourgreat-uncle。Isawitalongtimeagoinyourlibrary。\"
MissCarewe’saccustomedpoisewasquiterecovered；indeed，shewasastonishedtodiscoveradistincttraceofdisappointmentthatthebrilliantapparitionmustoffersotameanexplanation。Whathesaidwaspalpablythetruth；therewasamasqueradethatnight，sheknew，attheMadrillon’s，alittlewayupCareweStreet，andherfatherhadgone，anhourearlier，abluedominooverhisarm。
TheIncroyablewasapersonofalmostmagicalperceptiveness；hefeltthelet-downimmediatelyandfearedafailure。Thiswouldnotdo；theattitudeoftensionbetweenthemmustberenewedatonce。\"You’llforgiveme？\"hebegan，inaquicklyimpassionedtone。\"Itwasonlyafteryousang，adreampossessedme，and——\"
\"Icannotstaytotalkwithyou，\"MissBettyinterrupted，andadded，withastraightforwardnesswhichmadehimafraidshewouldprovelamentablydirect：\"Idonotknowyou。\"
Perhapssherememberedthatalreadyoneyoungmanhadbeenpresentedtoherbynobettersponsorthanawhitecat，andhadnodesiretocarryherunconventionalityfartherthanthat。Inthepresentinstancetherewasnotevenakitten。
Sheturnedtowardthehouse，whereuponhegavealittlepatheticexclamation-ofpleadinginavoicethatwasmasterly，beingassincereasitwasmusical，andhetookafewleaningstepstowardher，bothhandsoutstretched。
\"Onemomentmore！\"hecried，assheturnedagaintohim。\"Itmaybetheonechanceofmylifetospeakwithyou；don’tdenymethis-Alltherestwillmeetyouwhenthehappyeveningcomes，willdancewithyou，talkwithyou，seeyouwhentheylike，listentoyousing。I，alone，musthoveraboutthegates，orsteallikeathiefintoyourgardentohearyoufromadistance。Listentome——justthisonce——foramoment？\"
\"Icannotlisten，\"shesaidfirmly；andstoodquitestill。Shewasnowindeepshadow。
\"Iwillnotbelieveyoumerciless！YouwouldnotcondemnthemeanestcriminalunheardI\"Rememberingthatshewassolatelyfromtheconvent，heventuredthisspeechinadeep，thrillingvoice，onlytoreceiveadistinctshockforhispains，forshegreeteditwithanirrepressible，mostunexpectedpealofcontraltolaughter，andhislipspartedslightlywiththesurpriseofit。
Theypartedmuchfartherinthenextinstant——ingoodtruth，itmaybestatedofthegentlemanthathewasleftwithhismouthopen——for，suddenlyleaningtowardhimoutoftheshadowintothelight，herfaceshiningasacastoftragedy，shecriedinahoarsewhisper：
\"Areyouamurderer？\"
Andwiththatandawhiskofherskirts，andafootfallonthegravelpath，shewasgone。Hestooddumbfounded，poorcomedian，havingcometoplaythechiefrole，buttofindthescenetakenoutofhishands。Thencatchingtheflutterofherwrap，asshedisappearedintothedarknessoftheveranda，becriedinaloud，manlyvoice：
\"Youareadear！\"
Ashecameoutintothestreetthroughagapinthehedge，hepaused，drawinghiscloakabouthim，andliftedhisfacetotheeasternmoon。Itwasastrangeface：themodellingmostlikewhatiscalled\"Greek，\"saveforthenose，whichwasatrifletooshortforthat，andthefeaturesshowedahappypurityofoutlinealmostchildlike；theblueeyes，clear，fleckless，serenelyirresponsible，withmorethelookofrefusingresponsibilitythanbeingunconsciousofit；eyeswithoutcare，withoutprudence，andwithoutevil。Astrangermighthavesaidbewasabouttwenty-fiveandhadneverathoughtinhislife。Thereweresomeblossomsonthehedge，andhetouchedonelightly，asthoughhechuckeditunderthechin；hesmileduponitthen，butnotashehadsmileduponMissBetty，forthiswashisown，thesmilethatcamewhenhewasalone；and，whenitcame，thefacewasnolongerjoyousasithadbeeninrepose；
therewasaninfinitepatienceandworntolerance-possiblyforhimself。
Thisincongruousandmelancholysmilewasastonishing：onelookedforthelaughterofaboyandfound，instead，agentle，worldly，oldprelate。
Standingthere，allaloneinthemoonlight，bythehedge，heliftedbothhandshighandwavedthemtowardthehouse，aschildrenwavetoeachotheracrosslawnsattwilight。Afterthathemadeafantasticbowtohiscorrugatedshadowontheboardsidewalk。
\"Again，yourogue！\"beexclaimedaloud。Then，ashefacedaboutandbegantowalkinthedirectionofthebeckoningviolins：\"IwonderifTom’skittenwasbetter，afterall！\"
CHAPTERIII
TheRogue’sGalleryofaFatherShouldbeExhibitedtoaDaughterwithParticularCareThoseangelsappointedtobeguardiansofthemerrypeopleofRouen，poisingonenight，betweenearthandstars，discoveredasinglebrilliantandresonantspot，setinthemidstofthedark，quiettownlikeajewelledmusic-boxonablackcloth。Soundsofrevelryandthedancefromtheluminousspotcameupthroughthesummerstillnesstothewearyguardiansallnightlong，until，atlast，whenaredglowstoleintotheeast，andthedancestillcontinued，nay，grewfasterthanever，thecelestialwatchersfoundtheworktooheavyfortheirstrength，andforthwithdeparted，leavingthedancerstotheirowndevices；for，aseveryoneknows，whenadancelaststilldaylight，guardianangelsflee。
Allnightlongthefiddleshadbeenswingingawayattheirbest；allnightlongthecandleshadshoneinthinrowsofbrightorangethroughtheslitsofthewindow-blinds；butnow，asthedaybrokeoverthemaples，theshutterswereflungopenbylaughingyoungmen，andthedriversofthecarriages，waitinginthedustystreet，pressedupclosertothehedge，orcamewithinandstretchedthemselvesuponthelawn，toseethepeoplewaltzinginthedaylight。Thehorses，havingnosuchdesires，stoodwithloosenedcheck-reins，slightlytwitchingtheirupperlips，wistfulofthetallgrasswhichborderedthewoodensidewalk，thoughnowandthenonewouldlifthisheadhigh，sniffingthemorningairandbendinganearnestgazenotuponthedancersbutupontheflorideast。
OvertheunweariedplaintofFrench-horn，violin，andbassoon，roseasilveryconfusionofvoicesandlaughterandthesoundofahundredfootfallsinunison，while，fromtheopenwindowsthereissuedawarmbreath，heavilyladenwiththesmellofscentedfans，ofrichfabrics，ofdyingroses，tominglewiththespicyperfumeofawildcrab-treeinfullestblossom，whichstoodnearenoughtopeerintotheball-room，and，likeabrocadedbelleherself，challengetherichesttoshowraimentasfine，theloveliesttolookasfairandjoyfulinthedawn……
\"Believeme，ofallthoseendearingyoungcharms，WhichIgazeonsofondlyto-day，Weretofadebyto-morrowandfleetfrommyarms，Likefairygiftsfadingaway——\"
Sorantheviolinsinwaltztime，sobassoonandhorntothosedulcetmeasures；andthen，withoneaccord，ahundredvoicesjoinedthemintheold，sweetmelody：
\"Thouwouldststillbeadoredasthismomentthouart，Letthylovelinessfadeasitwill；
AndaroundthedearruineachwishofmyheartWouldentwineitselfverdantlystill。\"
Andthejealouscrab-treefoundbutonetoovermatchitselfinbeauty：aladywhowasthefocusofthesinging；for，bythetimetheshutterswereflungopen，therewasnotayoungmanintheroom，lackedheneversogreatlyinmusicorinvoice，whodidnotheartilydesiretosingtoMissBettyCarewe，andwhodidnotnow（craningneckoverpartner’sshoulder）
seektofixherwithhisglitteringeye，whilehesang\"Oh，believeme\"
mostdirectlyandconspicuouslyather。ForthatnightwasthebeginningofMissBetty’sfamouscareerasthebelleofRouen，andwasthedatefromwhichstrangersweretohearofheras\"thebeautifulMissCarewe，\"until\"beautiful\"wasleftoff，visitorstothetownbeingsupposedtohaveheardatleastthatmuchbeforetheycame。
Therehadbeenmuchdiscussionofher，thoughonlyoneortwohadcaughtglimpsesofher；butmostofthegallantsappearedtoagreewithCraileyGray，whoairedhisopinion——inanexceedinglycasualway——atthelittleclubonMainStreet。Mr。GrayheldthatwhenthedaughterofamanasrichasBobCarewewasheraldedasabeautythechanceswerethatshewouldprovedisappointing，and，forhispart，hewasnoteveninterestedenoughtoattendandinvestigate。Sohewasgoingdowntheriverinacanoeandpreferredtheshynessofbasstothatofagirlofeighteenjustfromtheconvent，hesaid。TomVanrevelwasnotpresentontheoccasionoftheseremarks；andthegeneralconcurrencewithCraileymaybesuspectedasapurelyverbalone，since，whentheeveningcame，twoofthemostenthusiasticdancersandlove-makersofthetown，thehandsomeTappinghamMarshandthatdoughtyex-dragoonandIndianfighter，stoutoldGeneralTrumble，wereuponthefieldbeforetheenemyappeared；thatistosay，theywereinthenewball-roombeforetheirhost；indeed，themusicianshadnotarrived，andNelson，anagednegroservitor，wasengagedinlightingthehouse。
Thecraftypairhadplannedthisearlydescentwithaviewtomonopolybyrightofpriority，incasethegameprovedworththecandle，andtheywereleaningeffectivelyagainstthelittlerailingaboutthemusicians’
platformwhenMr。Careweenteredtheroomwithhisdaughteronhisarm。
Shewasinwhite，touchedwithcountlesssmalllavenderflowers；therewererowsandrowsofwonderfulsilkandlaceflouncesonherskirt，andherfanhungfromaropeofgreatpearls。Ah，hideous，blue，roughclothoftheconvent，unforgotten，butlaidasideforever，whatachrysalisyouwere！
Tappinghamtwitchedhiscompanion’ssleeve，buttheGeneralwasalreadyposing；andneitherheardthewordsofpresentation，becauseMissBettygaveeachofthemaquicklook，thensmileduponthemastheybowed；theslayerswereprostratedbeforetheirprey。Neverwerelady-killersmoreinstantaneouslytamedandsubjugatedbythepowerofthefeminineeye。
WillCummingscameinsoon，and，almostuponhisheels，EugeneMadrillonandyoungFrankChenoweth。Noothersappearedforhalfanhour，andthefivegentlemenlookedatoneanotheraside，eachdivininghisowndiplomacyinhisfellow’seye，andeachlaboriouslyexplainingtotheothershisownmistakeinregardtothehourdesignateduponMr。Carewe’scardsofinvitation。Thissmallembarrassment，however，didnotpreventGeneralTrumbleandyoungMr。ChenowethfromcomingtohighwordsoverMissCarewe’slittle，gilt-filigree\"programme\"ofdances。
Itmaybenotuntimelytoremark，also，ofthesefiveredoubtablebeaux，that，duringtheevening，itoccurredtoeveryoneofthemtobegladthatCraileyGraywasbetrothedtoFanchonBareaud，andthathewasdownontheRouenRiverwithacanoe，arodandatent。Nay，withoutmorewords，todeclarethetruthinregardtoCrailey，theyfeltgreatersecurityinhisabsencefromthefieldthaninhisbetrothal。AsMr。Chenoweth，ayouthasopenasout-of-doors，bothincountenanceandmind，observedplaintivelytoTappinghamMarshinacorner，whiletheywatchedMissBetty’slavenderflowersmiraculouslyswirlingthroughaquadrille：
\"Crailey，youknow，well，Crailey’sbeenengagedbefore！\"ItwasnotMr。
Chenoweth’shabittodisguisehisapprehensions，andCraileyGraywouldnotfishforbassforever。