第2章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"The Two Vanrevels",免费读到尾

  ThesameChenowethwashe,who,maddenedbytheGeneral’striumphantlyfamiliarwayoftoyingwithMissBetty’sfanbetweentwodances,attemptedtoproposetoherduringthesunrisewaltz。Havingsung\"Oh,believeme\"

  inherearasloudlyashecould,heexpressedthewish——quiteasloudly——

  \"Thatthiswaltzmightlastforalways!\"

  ThatwastheseventhtimeithadbeensaidtoBettyduringthenight,andthoughMr。Chenoweth’spredecessorshadrevealedtheirdesiresinaguiselackingthisprodigiousartlessness,shealreadypossessednonovelacquaintancewiththeexclamation。Butshemadenocomment;herpartner’sstylewasnotastimulanttorepartee。\"Itwouldbeheaven,\"heamplifiedearnestly,\"itwouldbeheaventodancewithyouforever——onadesertislewheretheotherscouldn’tcome!\"hefinishedwithsuddenacerbityashiseyecaughttheGeneral’s。

  Heproceeded,andonlythecessationofthemusicaidedMissCareweinstoppingthedeclarationbeforeitwasaltogetherout;andatthatpointFrank’sownfathercametoherrescue,thoughinafashionlittlesavingofherconfusion。TheelderChenowethwasoneofthegallantandkindlySoutherncolonythatmadeitnaturalforRouenalwaystospeakofMissCareweas\"MissBetty。Hewasahandsomeoldfellow,whosehair,longmoustacheandimperialwereaswhiteashewasproudofthem,aVirginianwiththeadmirableSouthernfearlessnessofbeingthoughtsentimental。

  Mountingachairwithcompletedignity,heliftedaglassofwinehighintheair,and,whenalltheotherglasseshadbeenfilled,proposedthehealthofhisyounghostess。Hemadeaspeechofsomelength,pronouncinghimselfquiteashopelesslyinlovewithhisoldfriend’sdaughterasallcouldseehisownsonwas;andwishingherlonglifeandprosperity,withmanyallusionstofragrantbowersandtheMuses。

  ItmadeMissBettyhappy,butitwasrathertrying,too,forshecouldonlystandwithdowncasteyesbeforethemall,tremblingalittle,andreceivingamixedimpressionofMr。Chenoweth’sremarks,catchingfragmentshereandthere:\"Andmaytheblushuponthatgentlecheek,lovelierthantheradiantcloudsatsetofsun,\"and\"Yetthesandsofthehour-glassmustfall,andinthecalmandbeauteousoldagesomedaytobeherlot,whenfondmem’ryleadsherbacktoviewagainthebrilliantsceneabouthernow,wherestand`fairwomenandbravemen,’winecupinhandtodoherhonor,oh,mayshewipethesilenttear\",andthelike。Astheoldgentlemanfinished,andbeforethetoastwasdrunk,FanchonBareaud,kissingherhandtoBetty,tookupthesongagain;andtheyalljoinedin,liftingtheirglassestotheblushingandhappygirlclingingtoherfather’sarm:

  \"Thouwouldststillbeadoredasthismomentthouart,Letthylovelinessfadeasitwill;

  Andaroundthedearruin,eachwishofmyheart,Wouldentwineitselfverdantlystill。\"

  Theywerehappypeoplewhohadnotlearnedtobeself-consciousenoughtofeardoingaprettythingopenlywithoutmockingthemselvesforit;anditwasabravecircletheymadeaboutBettyCarewe,thecharmingfacesofthewomenandtheirfinefurbelows,handsomemenandtall,allsogay,socheerilysmiling,andyetsoearnestintheirwelcometoher。Noonewasafraidto\"letout\"hisvoice;theirsongwentfullandstrongoverthewakingtown,andwhenitwasfinishedtheballwasover,too。

  Theverandaandthepathtothegatebecameliketropicgardens,thefaircolorsofthewomen’sdresses,ballooningintheearlybreeze,makingtheplaceseemstrewnwithgiantblossoms。Theyallwentawayatthesametime,thoseincarriagescallingfarewellstoeachotherandtothelittleprocessionsdepartingonfootindifferentdirectionstohomesnearby。

  Thesoundofthevoicesandlaughterdrewaway,slowlydiedoutaltogether,andthesilenceofthestreetwasstrangeandunfamiliartoBetty。Shewenttothehedgeandwatchedthemusicians,whowerethelasttogo,untiltheypassedfromsight:littleblacktoilsomefigures,carryinggrotesqueblackboxes。Whileshecouldstillseethem,itseemedtoherthatherballwasnotquiteover,andshewishedtoholdtheleastspeckofitaslongasshecould;butwhentheyhaddisappeared,shefacedthetruthwithadeepsigh:thelong,gloriousnightwasfinishedindeed。

  Whatsheneedednowwasanothergirl:thetwowouldhavegonetoBetty’sroomanddanceditalloveragainuntilnoon;butshehadonlyherfather。

  ShefoundhimsmokingaPrincipecigarupontheveranda,sosheseatedherselftimidly,neverthelesswithahopefulglanceathim,onthestepsathisfeet;and,asshedidso,helookeddownuponherwithsomethingmoreakintogenialitythananythingshehadeverseeninhiseyebefore。

  Itwasnotgenialityitself,butmightbethirdcousintoit。Indeed,inhisway,hewasalmostproudofher,thoughhehadnowishtoshowit。

  Sinceonewascompelledtodisplaythefactthatonepossessedagrowndaughter,itwaswellthatshebelikethisone。

  Theydidnotknoweachotherverywell,andsheoftendoubtedthattheywouldeverbecomeintimate。Therewasnosenseofcompanionshipforeitherintheother;shehadbeenunabletobreakthroughhisperfunctory,almostformal,mannerwithher;therefore,becauseheencouragednoaf-

  fectioninher,shefeltnone,andwonderedwhy,sincehewasherfather。

  Shewasmorecuriousabouthimthaninterested,and,thoughshedidnotknowit,shewaspreparedtojudgehim——shouldoccasionarise——preciselyasshewouldjudgeanyothermereacquaintance。Thismorning,forthefirsttime,shewasconsciousofasenseofwarmthandgratitudetowardhim:theelaboratefashioninwhichhehadintroducedhertohisfriendsmadeitappearpossiblethathelikedher;forhehadforgottennothing,andtoremembereverythinginthiscasewastobelavish,whichhasoftentheappearanceofgenerosity。

  Andyettherehadbeenalack:somesmallthingshehadmissed,thoughshewasnotentirelysurethatsheidentifiedit;butthelackhadnotbeeninherfatherorinanythinghehaddone。Then,too,therewassomethingsounexpectedlyhumanandpleasantinhisnotgoingtobedatonce,butremainingtosmokeontheverandaatthishour,thatshegavehimcreditforalittleofherownexcitement,innocentlyfancyingthathe,also,mightfeeltheneedofacompanionwithwhomtotalkoverthebrilliantpassagesofthenight。Andamomentensuedwhenshedebatedtakinghishand。Shewastoosoongladthatherintuitionforbadethedemonstration。

  \"Itwasallsobeautiful,papa,\"shesaid,timidly。\"IhavenowaytotellyouhowIthankyou。\"

  \"Youmaydothat,\"hereplied,evenly,withnounkindness,withnokindness,either,inthelevelofhistone,\"byneverdancingagainmorethantwicewithonemaninoneevening。\"

  \"IthinkIshouldmuchprefernot,myself,\"shereturned,liftingherheadtofacehimgravely。\"IbelieveifIcaredtodancemorethanoncewithone,Ishouldliketodanceallofthemwithhim。\"

  Mr。Carewefrowned。\"Itrustthatyoudiscoverednonelastnightwhomyouwishedtohonorwithyourentireprogramme?\"

  \"No,\"shelaughed,\"notlastnight。\"

  Herfathertossedawayhiscigarabruptly\"Isittoomuchtohope,\"heinquired,\"thatwhenyoudiscoveragentlemanwithwhomyoudesiretowaltzallnight,youwillomittomentionthefacttohim?\"

  Therewasabriefflashofhereyeassherecalledherimpulsetotakehishand,butsheimmediatelylookedathimwithsuchcompleteseriousnessthathefearedhisironyhadbeenthrownaway。

  \"I’llremembernottomentionit,\"sheanswered。\"I’lltellhimyoutoldmenottoo。\"

  \"Ithinkyoumayretirenow,\"saidMr。Carewe,sharply。

  Sherosefromthesteps,wenttothedoor,thenturnedatthethreshold。

  \"Wereallyourfriendshere,papa?\"

  \"Doyouthinkthateveryninnywhogabbledinmyhouselastnightwasmyfriend?\"hesaid,angrily。\"Therewasonefriendofmine,Mrs。Tanberry,whowasn’there,becausesheisoutoftown;butIdonotimaginethatyouareinquiringaboutwomen。Youmean:Waseveryunmarriedmaleidiotwhocouldaffordaswallow-tailedcoatandacleanpairofglovescavortingabouttheplace?Yes,miss,theywereallhereexcepttwo,andoneofthoseisafool,theotheraknave。\"

  \"Can’tIknowthefool?\"sheasked,eagerly。

  \"Irejoicetofindthemsorareinyourexperience!\"heretorted。\"Thisoneisoutoftown,thoughIhavenodoubtyouwillseehimsufficientlyoftenwhenbereturns。HisnameisCraileyGray,andheistomarryFanchonBareaud——ifheremembers!\"

  \"Andtheknave?\"

  \"Isone!\"Careweshuthisteethwithavenomoussnap,andhiswholefacereddenedsuddenly。\"I’llmentionthisfellowonce——now,\"hesaid,speakingeachwordwithemphasis。\"HisnameisVanrevel。Youseethatgate;youseethelineofmypropertythere:themanhimself,aswellaseveryotherpersoninthetown,rememberswellthatthelasttimeIspoketohim,itwastotellhimthatifheeversetfootongroundofmineI’dshoothimdown,andheknows,andtheyallknow,Ishallkeepmyword!

  Elsewhere,Itoldhimthatforthesakeofpublicpeace,Ishouldignorehim。Ido。Youwillseehimeverywhere;butitwillnotbedifficult;noonewillhavethehardihoodtopresenthimtomydaughter。Thequarrelbetweenus——\"Mr。Carewebrokeoffforamoment,hishandsclinchingthearmsofhischair,whileheswallowedwithdifficulty,asthoughhechokeduponsomeacridbolus,andhewassostronglyagitatedbyhisownmentionofhisenemythathecontrolledhimselfbyapainfuleffortofhiswill。

  \"Thequarrelbetweenusispolitical——andpersonal。Youwillremember。\"

  \"Ishallremember,\"sheansweredinaratherfrightenedvoice……Itwaslongbeforeshefellasleep。\"Ialonemusthoveraboutthegatesorstealintoyourgardenlikeathief,\"theIncroyablehadsaid。

  \"ThelasttimeIspoketohimitwastotellhimthatifheeversetfootongroundofmine,I’dshoothimdown!\"hadbeenherfather’sdeclaration。AndMr。Carewehadspokenwiththemostundeniableairofmeaningwhathesaid。YetsheknewthattheIncroyablewouldcomeagain。

  Also,withhotcheekspressedintoherpillow,MissBettyhadidentifiedtheyoungmaninthewhitehat,thatdarkpersonwhosehandshehadfartooimpetuouslyseizedinbothofhers。Aha!Itwasthisgentlemanwholookedintopeople’seyesandstammeredsosincerelyoveraprettyspeechthatyoualmostbelievedhim,itwashewhowastomarryFanchonBareaud——

  \"ifheremembers!\"NowonderFanchonhadbeeninsuchahurrytogethimaway……\"Ifheremembers!\"Suchwasthatyoungman’scharacter,wasit?MissCarewelaughedaloudtoherpillow:for,wasonetoguessthereason,also,ofhisnothavingcometoherball?Hadthepoormanbeencommandedtobe\"outoftown?\"

  Then,rememberingthepiquantandgenerousfaceofFanchon,Bettyclinchedherfingerstightlyandcrushedtheimpwhohadsuggestedtheunworthythought,crushedhimtoawretchedpulpandthrewhimoutoftheopenwindow。Heimmediatelysneakedinbythebackway,for,inspiteofhervictory,shestillfeltalittlesorryforpoorFanchon。

  CHAPTERIV

  \"ButSpareYourCountry’sFlag\"

  Ifitbetruethatloveisthegreatincentivetotheuselessarts,thenumberofgentlemenwhobecamepoetsforthesakeofMissBettyCareweneednotbeconsideredextraordinary。Ofallthatwaswrittenofherdancing,TomVanrevel’slines,\"IDancedwithHerbeneaththeLights\"

  (whichhecertainlyhadnotdonewhenhewrotethem)were,perhaps,nexttoCraileyGray’sinmerit,thoughTomburnedhisrhymesafterreadingthemtoCrailey。Othertroubadourswerenotsomodest,andtheRouenJournalfoundnolackoftunefuloffering,thatspring,generouslyprint-

  ingallofit,evenattheperiodwhenitbecameepidemic。ThepublichadlittledifficultyinrecognizingtheworkofMr。FrancisChenowethinananonymous\"Sonnet\"(oftwenty-threelines)whichappearedintheissuefollowingMissCarewe’sdebut。Mr。ChenowethwrotethatwhiledancingthemazourkawithaLovelyBeing,thesweetestfeelingsofhissoul,inacelestialstream,borehimawaybeyondcontrol,inaseraphicdream;andheuntruthfullystatedthatatthesametimehesawherwipethesilenttear,omitting,however,toventureanyexplanationofthecauseofheremotion。OldGeneralTrumbleboldlysignedhispoeminfull。Itwascalled\"AnOdeuponMissC——’sWaltzing,\"anditbegan:

  \"WhenBettinafoundfairRouen’sshore,AndheragedfathertousboreHerfromthecloisterneat,Shewaltzedupontheball-roomfloor,Andlightlytwirleduponherfeet。\"

  Mr。Carewewasrightfullyindignant,andrefusedtoacknowledgetheGeneral’ssalutationattheirnextmeeting:Trumblewasfifteenyearsolderthanhe。

  AsCraileyGrayneverdancedwithMissCarewe,itissomewhatsingularthatsheshouldhavebeentheinspirationofhisswingingversesinwaltzmeasure,\"Heart-stringsonaViolin,\"thesenseofwhichwasthatwhenaviolinhadplayedforherdancing,theinstrumentshouldbeshatteredaswine-glassesareafteragreattoast。However,noone,excepttheauthorhimself,knewthatBettywasthesubject;forCraileycertainlydidnotmentionittoMissBareaud,nortohisbestfriend,Vanrevel。

  Itwastosomedegreeastrangecomradeshipbetweenthesetwoyoungmen;

  theirtastesledthemsoofteninoppositedirections。Theyhadroomsto-

  getherovertheirofficesinthe\"MadrillonBlock\"onMainStreet,andthelightsshonelatefromtheirwindowseverynightintheyear。Sometimesthatwouldmeanonlythatthetwofriendsweretalking,fortheyneverreachedasilentintimacy,but,evenafterseveralyearsofcompanionship,wererarelyseentogetherwhennotininterested,ofteneager,conversation,sothatpeoplewonderedwhatintheworldtheystillfoundtosaytoeachother。Butmanyanightthelate-shininglampmeantthatTomsatalone,withabrieforabook,orwooedthelonghourswithhismagicalguitar。Forheneverwenttobeduntiltheothercamehome。

  AndifdaylightcamewithoutCrailey,Vanrevelwouldgoout,yawningmightily,tolookforhim;andwhentherewasnofindinghim,Tomwouldcomeback,sleepless,totheday’swork。Craileywascalled\"peculiar\"

  andheexplained,withakindofjovialhelplessness,thathewasalwayspreparedfortheunexpectedinhimself,nordidsuchaviewdetractfromhispicturesquenesstohisownperusalofhimself;thoughitwasnotonlytohimselfthathewasinteresting。Tothevisionofthelookers-oninRouen,quietsoulswhohoveredalongthewallsatmerry-makingsandcheerfullycountedthemselvesspectatorsattheplay,CraileyGrayheldthecentreofthestageandwasthechiefcomedianoftheplace。Wit,poet,andscapegrace,thesmallsocietysometimesseemedthemerebackgroundsetforhisperformances,spectacleswhichhe,also,enjoyed,andfromthebestseatinthehouse;forhewasnotcontentastheactor,butmustbethePrinceintheboxaswell。

  HisfriendshipforTomVanrevelwas,inameasure,thatofthevinefortheoak。HewasfulloflevitiesatTom’sexpense,whichtheotherborewithagrinofsympatheticcomprehension,or,atlongintervals,returneduponCraileywithdevastatingeffect。Vanrevelwastheonesteadyingthinginhislife,and,atthesametime,theonlyoneoftheyoungmenuponwhomhedidnothaveanalmostmesmericinfluence。Ingoodtruth,Craileywastheringleaderinallthedevilriesofthetown。Manyayouthsworetoavoidtheroisterer’scompanyforalltime,and,withintwohoursofthevow,foundhimself,flagoninhand,engagedinaboutthatwouldlastthenight,withMr。Grayout-bumperingthehardiest,attheheadofthetable。And,thenextmorning,thefevered,scarlet-eyedperjurermightcreepshakingtohiswretchedtasks,onlytobeholdthecauseofhisfollyandheadachetrippingmerrilyalongthestreet,smiling,clean-

  shaven,andfreshasadew-bornprimrose,with,perchance,twoorthreeoftheprettiestgirlsintownathiselbowtogreethissallieswithapprovinglaughter。

  Craileyhadbeensolonginthehabitoffollowingeveryimpulse,nomatterhowmad,thatheenjoyedanalmostperfectimmunityfromcondemna-

  tion,and,whateverhisdeeds,Rouenhadlearnedtosay,withachuckle,thatitwas\"onlyCraileyGrayagain。\"Buthisfollowerswerenotsoprivileged。Thus,whenMr。Gray,whoinhislibationssometimesdevelopedthehumorofanurchin,wenttothePoundatthreeinthemorningofNewYear’sDay,hungsleigh-bellsaboutthenecksofthecattleanddrovethemupanddownthestreets,himselfhideouslyblowingabasshornfromthebackofabigbrownsteer,thoserousedfromslumberceasedtorage,andacceptedtheexploitasararejoke,onlearningthatitwas\"onlyCraileyGray;\"buttheunfortunateyoungChenowethwasheavilyfrowneduponandproperlyupbraidedbecausehehadfollowedinthewakeofthebovineprocession,mildlyattemptingtoplayuponaflageolet。

  Craileyneverdeniedafollynordefendedanescapade。Thelatterwasalwaysdoneforhim,becausehetalkedofhis\"gracelessmisdoings\"(sohewaswont,smilingly,tocallthem)overcupsofteaintheafternoonswitholdladies,lamenting,inhismusicalvoice,thelackoffemalerelativestoguidehim。Hewascharminglyattentivetotheelderlywomen,notfrompolicy,butbecausehismannerwasuncontrollablychivalrous;and,everagallantlistener,werethespeakeryoung,old,greatorhumble,heneverforgottocatchthelastwordsofasentence,andseldomsufferedforareply,evenwhenhehaddrowsedthroughaquestion。Moreover,nooneeverheardhimspeakasullenword,norsawhimwearabrowofdepression。Thesinglecreedtowhichhewasconstantwasthatofgoodcheer;hewastheveryapostleofgayety,preachingitinparlorandbar;andmademerryfriendswithbatteredtrampsandhomelessdogsinthestreetsatnight。

  NowandthenhewouldspendseveraldaysintheofficesofGray&

  Vanrevel,AttorneysandCounsellors-at-Law,wearinganairofunassailablevirtue;thoughhedidnotfaroverstatethecasewhenhesaid,\"Tomdoesalltheworkandgivesmeallthemoneynottobotherhimwhenhe’sgettingupacase。\"

  Theworkingmemberofthefirmgotupcasestonotableeffect,andfewlawyersintheStateenjoyedhavingTomVanrevelontheotherside。Therewasnothingabouthimofthefloridityprevalentatthattime;hewithered\"oratory\"beforethecourt;hewasthefoeofjurypathos;and,despisingnoiseandthehabitualvoice-dipattheendofasentence,was,nevertheless,attimesanalmostfearfullyeffectiveorator。So,bydegreesthefirmofGray&Vanrevel,youngasitwas,andinspiteoftheidleapprentice,hadgrowntobethemostprosperousinthedistrict。ForthiseminenceCraileywasneveraccusedofassumingthecredit。Nordidheevermissanopportunityofmakingknownhowmuchheowedtohispartner。Whatheowed,inbrief,waseverything。HowwellVanrevelworkedwasdemonstratedeveryday,buthowhardheworked,onlyCraileyknew。Thelatterhadgrowntodependuponhimforevenhispoliticalbeliefs,andlightlyfollowedhispartnerintoAbolitionism;thoughthatwastoriskunpopularity,bitterhatred,andworse。Fortunately,oncertainoccasions,Vanrevelhadmadehimself(ifnothiscreed)respected,atleastsofarthattherewasnolongerdangerofmob-violenceforanAbolitionistinRouen。Hewasacool-headedyoungmanordinarily,andpossessedofanelusiveforcefulnessnottobetrifledwith,thoughhewasaquietman,andhadwhattheycalleda\"finemanner。\"And,notinthelatter,butinhisdress,therewasanechooftheBeau,whichaffordedMr。Grayapointofattackforsalliesofwit;therewasatouchofthedandyaboutVanrevel;hehadalargeandversatilewardrobe,andhisclothesalwaysfithimnotonlyinlinebutincolor;evenwomensawhownoblytheywerefashioned。

  Thesetwoyoungmenweremembersofacheerfulband,whofeasted,laughed,wrangledoverpolitics,danced,madelove,andsangterriblechordsonsummerevenings,together,asyoungmenwill。WillCummings,editoroftheRouenJournal,wasoneofthese;atall,sallowman,verythin,veryawkwardandverygentle。Mr。Cummingsprovedhimselfalwaysreadywithaloudandfriendlylaughforthepoorestjokeintheworld,hiscountenanceshiningwithsuchkindnessthatnooneeverhadthehearttoreproachhimwiththeevilsofhisjournalisticperformances,orforthethingshebrokewhenhedanced。AnotherwasTappinghamMarsh,anexceedinglyhandsomeperson,somewhatlanguidinappearance,daintyinmannerwithwomen,offhandwithmen;almostasrecklessasCrailey,andoftenthelatter’scompanionandassistantindissipation。YoungFrancisChenowethneverfailedtofollowbothintowhatevertheyplanned;hewasshortandpink,andtheuptiltofhisnosewascoherentwiththeappealingearnest-

  nesswhichwashabitualwithhim。EugeneMadrillonwasthesixthoftheseintimates;adarkman,whoseLatineyesandcoloradvertisedhisFrenchancestryasplainlyashisemotionlessmouthandlackofgesturebetrayedtheminglingofanotherstrain。

  Allthese,andothersofthetown,werewontto\"talkpolitics\"agreatdealatthelittleclubonMainStreetandallwereapttofallfoulofTomVanrevelorCraileyGraybeforetheendofanydiscussion。ForthosewerethedayswhentheytwistedtheLion’stailinvehementandbitterearnest;whentheeaglescreamedinmixedfigures;whenfewmenknewhowtotalk,andmanyorated;whenpartystrifewassavagelypersonal;whenintolerancewascalledthe\"purefireofpatriotism;\"whencriticismoftheexistingorderofthingssurelyincurredfieryanathemaandblackinvective;andbravewashe,indeed,whodaredtohintthathiscountry,asawholeandpolitically,didlacksometwoorthreeparticularvirtues,andthatthefirststeptowardobtainingthemwouldbetohelpittorealizetheirabsence。

  Thislatterpoint-of-viewwasthatofthefirmofGray&Vanrevel,whichwasaunitinsuchmatters。Craileydidmostofthetalking——quitebeautifully,too——andbothhadtostandagainstoddsinmanyasourargument,fortheywerenotonlyAbolitionists,butopposedtheattitudeoftheircountryinitsdifficultywithMexico;and,incommonwithothermenofthetimewhotooktheirstand,theyhadtogrowaccustomedtobeingcalledDisloyalTraitors,ForeignToadies,Malignants,andTraducersoftheFlag。Tomhadlongbeenusedtoepithetsofthissort,sufferingtheirstinginquiet,andwasgladwhenhecouldkeepCraileyoutofworseemploymentthanstandingfirmforanunpopularbelief。

  TherewasoneplacetowhichVanrevel,seekinghisfriendandpartner,whenthelatterdidnotcomehomeatnight,couldnotgo;thiswastheTowerChamber,anditwasinthatmysteriousapartmentoftheCarewecupolathatCraileywasapttobedeeplyoccupiedwhenheremainedawayuntildaylight。Strangeasitappears,Mr。GraymaintainedpeculiarrelationsofintimacywithRobertCarewe,inspiteofthefeudbetweenCareweandhisownbestfriend。Thisintimacy,whichdidnotnecessarilyimplyanymutualfondness(thoughCraileyseemedtodislikenobody),wasbetokenedbyafurtiveunderstanding,ofasort,betweenthem。Theyheldbrief,earnestconversationsonthestreet,orincornerswhentheymetatotherpeople’shouses,alwaysspeakinginvoicestoolowtobeoverheard;

  andtheyexercisedamysterioussymbolism,somewhatinthemanneroffellowmembersofasecretsociety:theyhadbeenobservedtocommunicateacrosscrowdedrooms,byliftedeyebrow,nodofhead,orasurreptitiousturnofthewrist:sothatthosewhoobservedthemknewthataquestionhadbeenaskedandanswered。

  Itwasnoticed,also,thattherewerefiveotherinitiatestothismasonry:EugeneMadrillon,theelderChenoweth,GeneralTrumble,TappinghamMarsh,andJeffersonBareaud。Thus,ontheafternoonfollowingMissBetty’sintroductiontoRouen’sfavoritesonsanddaughters,Mr。

  Carewe,drivingdownMainStreet,helduponeforefingertoMadrillonashesawtheyoungmanturninginattheclub。Eugenenoddedgravely,and,ashewentin,discoveringMarsh,theGeneral,andothers,listeningtoMr。Gray’sexplanationofhisreturnfromtheriverwithnofish,stealthilyhelduponefingerinhisturn。Trumblerepliedwithawink,Tappinghamnodded,butCraileyslightlyshookhishead。MarshandtheGeneralstartedwithsurprise,andstaredincredulously。ThatCraileyshouldshakehishead!Ifthesignalhadbeenforachurch-meetingtheymighthaveunderstood。

  Mr。Gray’sconductwassurprisingtwootherpeopleataboutthesametime:

  TomVanrevelandFanchonBareaud;theformerbyhissuddendevotiontothelaw;thelatterbyhersuddendevotiontoherself。Inabreath,hebecamealmostadomesticcharacter。NomoredidhespendhisafternoonsbetweentheclubandtheRouenHousebar,norwashisbaymaresooftenseenstampingdownthegroundaboutMrs。McDougal’shitching-postwhileMcDougalwasoutontheprairiewithhisengineeringsquad。Theidleapprenticewasathisdesk,andinthedaytimehedisplayedanaversionforthestreets,whichwasmorethanhispartnerdid,fortheindustriousTom,undergoingquiteasremarkableanalterationofhabit,became,allatonce,littlebetterthanacorner-loafer。Hisfavoritelounging-placewasasmalldrug-storewhereCareweStreetdeboucheduponMain;nevertheless,soadhesiveisareputationoncefastened,hisairofbeingthereuponbusinessdeceivedeveryoneexceptMr。Gray。

  MissBareaudwasevenhappierthanshewasastonished(andshewasmightilyastonished)tofindherbetrotheddevelopingatasteforhersocietyalone。Formerly,shehadcounteduponthegayetiesofherhometokeepCraileynearher;now,however,hetoldhertenderlyhewishedtohaveheralltohimself。Thiswasnotlikehim,butFanchondidnotquestion;anditwasverysweettoherthatbebegantomakeithiscustomtocomeinbyasidegateandmeetherunderanapple-treeinthedusk,wheretheywouldsitquietlytogetherthroughtheevening,listeningtothenoiseandlaughterfromthelightedhouse。

  ThathousewasthemosthospitableinRouen。Alwayscheerfully\"fullofcompany,\"astheysaid,itwasthesortofhousewhereacarpet-dancecouldbearrangedinhalfanhour;ahousewithasideboardlikethewidow’scruse;theyoungmenalwaysfoundmore。Mrs。Bareaud,aSoutherner,lovingtopersuadethevisitorthatherhomewashis,nothers,livedonlyforherart,whichwasthatofthetable。Evilcooks,takingservicewithher,becamevirtuous,dealtwithnectarandambrosia,andgrewfittopandertoOlympus,learningoftheirmistresssecretstomaketheill-disposedasgenialgodseretheydeparted。Mr。Bareaudatfiftyhadlivedsowellthathegaveupwalking,whichdidnottroublehim;butatsixtyhegaveupdancing,whichdidtroublehim。Hisonlyhope,hedeclared,wasinCraileyGray’spromisetoinventforhim:aconcavepartner。

  Therewasathin,quizzingshankofason,Jefferson,wholiveduponquinine,agueanddeviltry;andtherewerethetwodaughters,FanchonandVirginia。ThelatterwasthreeyearsolderthanFanchon,asdarkasFanchonwasfair,thoughnotnearlysopretty:asmall,good-natured,rompingspriteofagirl,whohadhandeddowntheheartandhandofCraileyGraytohersisterwiththebestgraceintheworld。ForshehadbeentheheroineofoneofMr。Gray’shalf-dozenorsomostseriousaffairs,and,afterafuriousrivalrywithMr。Carewe,thevictorywasgenerallyconcededtoCrailey。Histriumphhadbeenofaboutafort-

  night’sdurationwhenFanchonreturnedfromSt。Mary’s;and,withtheadventoftheyoungersister,theelder,whohaddecidedthatCraileywastheincomparableshehaddreamedofsinceinfancy,wasgenerouslyallowedtodiscoverthathewasnotthatvision——thatshehadfalleninlovewithherownideaofhim;whereasFanchoncaredonlythathebeCraileyGray,whateverkindofvisionthatwas。AndFanchondiscoveredthatitwasagreatmanykinds。

  Thetransferwasmadecomfortably,withnicejudgmentofarespectableinterregnum,andtothegreaterhappinessofeachofthethreeyoungpeo-

  ple;noobjectionensuingfromtheeasy-goingparents,whoweredevotedlyfondofCrailey,whilethetownlaughedandsaiditwasonlythatabsurdCraileyGrayagain。HeandVirginiawerethebestoffriends,andacceptedtheirnewrelationwithapreposterouslackofembarrassment。

  TobeinlovewithCraileybecameFanchon’svocation;shespentallhertimeatit,andproducedablurredeffectuponstrangers。TheonlymanwithwhomsheseemedquitealivewasVanrevel:alittlebecauseTomtalkedofCrailey,andagreatdealbecauseshecouldtalkofCraileytoTom;

  couldtellhimfreely,asshecouldtellnooneelse,howwonderfulCraileywas,andexplaintohimherlover’svagariesonthegroundthatitwasanecessityofgeniusestobeunlikethelessgifted。NorwasshealoneinsuspectingMr。Grayofgenius:inthefirstplace,hewassoodd;

  inthesecond,hispoemswere\"alreadyattractingmorethanlocalattention,\"astheJournalremarked,generously,forCraileyhadceasedtopresenthisrhymestothatvaluablepaper。Ay!Boston,noless,washismart。

  Hewasratherradicalinhisliterarypreferences,andhurttheelderChenoweth’sfeelingsbylaughingheartilyatsomepoemsofthelateLordByron;offendedmanypeoplebydislikingthestyleofSirEdwardBulwer,andevenrefusedtoadmitthatJamesFenimoreCooperwasthegreatestnovelistthateverlived。ButthesethingswereasnothingcomparedwithhisunpatrioticdefenceofCharlesDickens。ManyAmericanshadfallenintoagreatrageoverthevivaciousassaultupontheUnitedStatesin\"MartinChuzzlewit;\"nevertheless,Craileystillboldlyhailedhim(aseveryonehadheretoforeagreed)themostdexterouswriterofhisdayandthemostnotablehumoristofanyday。OfcoursetheEnglishmanhadnotvisitedandthoroughlystudiedsuchacityasRouen,Craileyconfessed,twinklingly;but,afterall,wasn’ttheresometruthin\"MartinChuzzlewit?\"Mr。Dickensmighthavebeenfarfromaclearunderstandingofourpeople;butdidn’titargueaprettyticklishvanityinourselvesthatweweresofiercelyresentfulofsatire;andwasnotthisveryheatover\"MartinChuzzlewit\"aconfirmationofoneofthepointsthebookhadpresentedagainstus?GeneralTrumblerepliedtothissuggestionwithapersonalonetotheeffectthatamancapableofsayingagoodwordforsomonstrousaslander,thataman,sir,capableofdeclaringhisnativecountrytobevainorsensitiveoughttobehorsewhipped,andatthisCraileylaughedconsumedly。

  TrumbleretortedwiththenamesofBenedictArnoldandAaronBurr。\"AndifitcomestoawarwiththeseGreasers,\"hesplutteredapoplectically,\"anditiscoming,mightysoon,we’llfindMr。GraydowninMexico,throwingmudontheStarsandStripesandcheeringforthatone-leggedhorse-thief,SantaAnna!Anythingtoseekoutsomethingfoolishamongstyourownpeople!\"

  \"Don’thavetoseekfar,sometimes,General,\"murmuredCrailey,fromthedepthsofthebestchairintheclub,whereuponTrumble,nottrustinghimselftoanswer,wentouttothestreet。

  Andyet,beforethatsameeveningwasover,theGeneralhadshedhonesttearsofadmirationandpityforCraileyGray;andMissBettysawherIncroyableagain,forthatnight(thesecondaftertheCarewedance)Rouenbeheldthegreatwarehousetire。

  CHAPTERV

  NeronottheLastViolinistofhisKindMissCarewewasatherdesk,writingtoSisterCecilia,whomshemostlovedofalltheworld,whenthebellsstartledherwiththeirsuddenclangor。Thequilldroppedfromherhand;shestartedtoherfeet,wide-

  eyed,notunderstanding;whilethewholetown,drowsingpeacefullyamomentago,resoundedimmediatelywithaloudconfusion。Sherantothefrontdoorandlookedout,herheartbeatingwildly。

  Thewesternskywastouchedwithasoftrose-color,whichquicklybecameawarmglow,fluctuated,and,intheinstant,shotuplikethecomingofafullAurora。Thenthroughthebrokenfoliageofthetreetopscouldbeseentheorangecurlsofflames,three-quartersofamileawaythoughtheywere。

  People,callingloudlythat\"itwasCarewe’swarehouses,\"wererunningdownthestreet。Fromthestable,oldNelson,onherfather’sbesthorse,camegalloping,andseeingthewhitefigureinthedoorway,criedoutinaquaveringvoice,withoutcheckinghissteed。

  \"Igoin’tellyo’pa,MissBetty,heindekentryonlan’bus’ness。Gobackindehouse,Missy!\"

  Theotherservants,likeraggedsketchesinthenight,flittedby,withexcitedejaculations,tojointherunners,andMissBettyfollowedthemacrossthedew-strewnturfinhernightslippers,butatthegateshestopped。

  >Fromupthestreetcamethesoundofabellsmallerthanthoseofthechurchesandcourthouse,yetonethatoutdidallothersinthemadnessofitsappealtocleartheway。Itwasbornealongbywhatseemedatfirstanindefiniteblackmass,butwhich——astheAuroragrewkeener,producingevenhereafaint,yellowtwilight——resolveditselfintoamobofhoarsely-shoutingmenandboys,whowererunningandtuggingatropes,whichdrewalongthreeextraordinaryvehicles。TheycamerapidlydownthestreetandpassedMissBettywithahubbubanddinbeyondallunderstanding;onelineofmen,mostoftheminredshirtsandoil-clothhelmets,atadeadrunwiththehose-cart;asecondlinewiththehand-

  engine;thethirddraggingtheladder-wagon。Onemanwasriding,atall,straightgentlemanineveningclothesandwithoutahat,whostoodpre-

  cariouslyinthehose-cart,callinginanannoyedtonethroughabrazentrumpet。MissBettyrecognizedhimatonce;itwashewhocaughtherkitten;andshethoughtthatifshebadbeenFanchonBareaudshemusthavescreamedawarning,forhisbalanceappearedathingofmereluck,and,ifhefell,hewouldbetrampledunderfootandprobablyrunoverbytheengine。But,happily(sheremembered),shewasnotFanchonBareaud!

  Before,behind,andbesidetheDepartment,racedathrongofboys,wildwiththejoyexperiencedbytheirspecieswhenpropertyisbeinghandsomelydestroyed;afterthemcamepantingwomen,holdingtheirsidesandgaspingwiththeefforttokeepupwiththeflyingprocession。

  MissBettytrembled,forshehadneverseenthelikeinherlife;shestoodclosetothehedgeandletthemgoby;thensheturnedinafterthemandranlikeafleetyoungdeer。Shewasgoingtothefire。

  Overalltheuproarcouldbeheardtheangryvoicethroughthetrumpet,callingtheturnsofthestreetstothemeninthevan,upbraidingthemandthoseoftheothertwocompaniesimpartially;andfewofhishearersdeniedthechiefhisrighttoexpresssomechagrin;sincetheDepartment(organizedahalf-year,hard-drilled,andthisitsfirstfireworththename)waslateonaccountoftherefusalofthememberstomoveuntiltheyhaddonnedtheirnewuniforms;fortheuniformshadarrivedfromPhiladelphiatwomonthsago,andtonightofferedthefirstopportunitytodisplaytheminpublic。

  \"HailVanrevel!\"pantedTappinghamMarshtoEugeneMadrillon,asthetwo,runninginthevanofthe\"HoseCompany,\"splatteredthroughamud-puddle。

  \"You’dthinkhewasCarewe’sonlysonandheirinsteadofhisworstenemy。

  Harktotheman!\"

  \"I’dletitburn,ifIwerehe,\"returnedtheother。

  \"ItwasallCrailey’sfault,\"saidTappingham,swinginganarmfreetowipethespatteredmudfromhisface。\"Hesworehewouldn’tbudgewithouthisuniform,andtherestonlybackedhimup;thatwasall。CraileysaidCarewecouldbetteraffordtolosehisshantiesthantheoverworkedDepartmentitsfirstchancetolookbeautifulandearnest。Tomaskedhimwhyhedidn’tsendforafiddle,\"Marshfinishedwithachuckle。

  \"Carewemightaffordtolosealittle,evenawarehouseortwo,ifonlyoutofwhathe’stakenfromCraileyandtherestofus,thesethreeyears!\"

  \"TakenfromVanrevel,youmean。Whodoesn’tknowwhereCrai1ey’s——

  Here’sMainStreet;lookoutfortheturn!\"

  TheyswungoutofthethickshadowsofCareweStreetintofullviewofthefire,andtheirfaceswereilluminatedasbysunrise。

  Thewarehousesstoodontheriver-bank,atthefootofthestreet,justsouthofthenew\"coveredbridge。\"Therewerefourofthem,huge,bare-

  sidedbuildings;thetwonearerthebridgeofbrick,theothersofwood,andallofthemrichwithstoresofeverykindofriver-merchandiseandcostlyfreight:furniturethathadvoyagedfromNewEnglanddownthelongcoast,acrosstheMexicanGulf,throughtheflatDelta,andhadmadethewindingjourneyupthegreatriverathousandmiles,andalmostathousandmore,followingthegreaterandlessertributaries;clothfromConnecticutthathadbeensoldinPhiladelphia,thencarriedovermountainsandthroughforestsbysteam,bycanal,bystage,andsix-mulefreight-wagons,toPittsburg,downtheOhio,andthenceuptoRouenonthepacket;

  Tennesseecotton,onitswaytoMassachusettsandRhodeIslandspindles,laytherebesidehugemoundsofrawwoolfromIllinois,readytobefedtotheRouenmill;datesandnutsfromtheCaribbeanSea;lemonsfromgrovesofthefarawaytropics;cigarsfromtheAntilles;tobaccofromVirginiaandKentucky;mostpreciousofall,thegreatgranaryofthefarmers’

  wheatfromthelevelfieldsathome;andalltherichstoresandthehousesthatheldthem,aswellasthewharvesuponwhichtheyhadbeenlanded,andthesteamersthatbroughtthemuptheRouenRiver,belongedtoRobertCarewe。

  Thatitwasherfather’spropertywhichwasimperilledattestedtothejustificationofMissBettyinrunningtoafire;and,asshefollowedthecrowdintoMainStreet,shefeltanotunpleasantproprietaryinterestinthespectacle。Veryoppositesensationsanimatedthebreastofthemanwiththetrumpet,whowasmoreacutelyconsciousthananyotherthatthesewereRobertCarewe’spossessionswhichwereburningsohandsomely。Norwashetheonlyoneamongthefiremenwhogroundhisteethoverthefollyoftheuniforms;fornowtheycouldplainlyseetheruinbeingwrought,thedevastationthreatened。Thetwoupperstoriesofthesouthernmostwarehousehadswathedthemselvesinonegreatflame;thebuildingnextonthenorth,alsoofframe,wassmokingheavily;andtherewasawindfromthesouthwest,which,continuingwiththefireunchecked,threatenedthetownitself。TherewasworkfortheVolunteerBrigadethatnight。

  TheycamedownMainStreetwitharush,thefigureoftheirchiefswayingoverthemonhishighperch,whiletheirshoutingwasdrownedinthelouderroarofgreetingfromthecrowd,intowhichtheyplungedasadiverintothewater,swirlsandeddiesofpeoplemarkingthewake。Amomentlaterasectionoftheroofoftheburningwarehousefellin,withasonorousandreverberatingcrash。

  The\"EngineCompany\"rantheforce-pumpouttotheendofoneofthelowerwharves;twolinesofpipewereattached;tworowsofmenmountedtheplanksforthepumpers,and,atthewordofcommand,begantheup-and-downofthehand-machinewithadmirablevim。Nothinghappened;thewaterdidnotcome;somethingappearedtobewrongwiththemechanism。Aseveryonefeltthecrucialneedofhaste,nothingcouldhavebeenmorenaturalthanthatallthemembersofthe\"EngineCompany\"shouldsimultaneouslyendeavortorepairthedefect;thereforeensueduponthespotaspeciesofriotwhichputtheengineoutofitssphereofusefulness。

  Inthemeantime,fiftyorsixtymenandboyswhoranwiththemachines,butwhohadnoplaceintheiroperation,beingtheBucketBrigade,hadformedalineandwerethrowinglargepailsofwaterinthegeneraldirectionofthesouthernmostwarehouse,whichitwasnowimpossibletosave;whilethegentlemenofthe\"Hook-and-LadderCompany,\"abandoningtheirwagons,andarmedwithaxes,heroicallyassaultedthebigdoorofthegranary,thesecondbuilding,whencetheyweredrivenbytheexasperatedchief,whoinformedthemthattheonlywaytosavethewheatwastosavethebuilding。CraileyGray,oneoftheberatedaxemen,remainedbytheshattereddooraftertheothershadgone,and,struckbyasuddenthought,sethishandupontheironlatchandopenedthedoorbythissimpleprocess。Itwasnotlocked。Craileyleanedagainstthecasementandlaughedwithhiswholesoulandbody。

  Meanwhile,bydintofshoutinginmen’searswhennearthem,throughthetrumpetwhendistant,tearingaxesfromtheirhands,imperiouslygesticulatingtosubordinatecommanders,andlingeringinnoonespotformorethanasecond,Mr。Vanrevelreducedhisforcestoasemblanceoforderinaremarkablyshorttime,consideringtheconfusionintowhichtheyhadfallen。

  Thespacebetweentheburningwarehouseandthatnextitwasnotmorethanfiftyfeetinwidth,butfiftyfeetsohotnoonetookthoughtofenteringthere;anareaasdiscomfitinginappearanceasitwasbeautifulwiththethickrainofsparksandfirebrandsthatfelluponit。Butthechiefhaddecidedthatthisspacemustbeoccupied,andmore:mustbeheld,sinceitwastheonlypointofdefenceforthesecondwarehouse。Theroofofthisbuildingwouldburn,whichwouldmeanthedestructionofthewarehouse,unlessitcouldbemounted,becausethestreamsofwatercouldnotplayuponitfromtheground,nor,fromtheladders,domuchmorethanwettheprojectingeaves。Itwasagableroof,theeavestwentyfeetloweronthesouthsidethanonthenorth,wheretheladderscouldnothopetoreachthem。Vanrevelswunghislineofbucketeersroundtothrowwater,notupontheflames,butupontheladder-men。

  MissCarewestoodinthecrowdupontheoppositesideofthebroadstreet。

  Eventherehercheekswereuncomfortablyhot,andsometimesshehadtobrushasparkfromhershoulder,thoughshewastoomuchexcitedtomindthis。Shewaswatchingthebeautifulfieryfurnacebetweenthenorthwalloftheburningwarehouseandthesouthwallofitsneighbor,thefiftyfeetbrilliantandmistywithvaporousrose-color,dottedwiththemyriadredstars,hereyesshiningwiththereflectionoftheirfiercebeauty。

  Shesawhowthevaporsmovedthere,likemenwalkinginfire,andshewasvaguelyrecallingShadrach,Meshach,andAbed-nego,when,overthesilhouettedheadsofthecrowdbeforeher,alongblackladderrose,wobbled,tiltedcrazily,thenlamelyadvancedandrangeditselfagainstthesouthwallofthesecondwarehouse,itstoprungstrikingtenfeetshortoftheeaves。Shehopedthatnoonehadanynotionofmountingthatladder。

  Afigureappeareduponitimmediately,thatofagentleman,bareheadedandineveningdress,withabrasstrumpetswingingfromacordabouthisshoulders;thenoisegrewless;theshoutingdiedaway,andthecrowdbecamealmostsilent,asthefigure,climbingslowlydrewupabovetheirheads。Twoorthreerungsbeneath,cameasecond——amaninhelmetanduniform。Theclothesofbothmen,drenchedbythebucketeers,clungtothem,steaming。Asthesecondfiguremounted,athirdappeared;butthiswasthelast,fortheladderwasfrail,andsaggedtowardthesmokingwallwiththeweightofthethree。

  Thechief,three-fourthsofthewaytothetop,shouteddownastifledcommand,andashortgrappling-ladder,fittedatoneendwithapairofspikedironhooks,waspassedtohim。Thenhetoiledupwarduntilhisfeetrestedonthethirdrungfromthetop;hereheturned,settinghisbacktothewall,liftedthegrappling-ladderhighoverhisheadsothatitrestedagainsttheeavesabovehim,andbroughtitdownsharply,fasteningthespikedhooksintheroof。Astheeavesprojectedfullythreefeet,thisleftthegrappling-ladderhangingthatdistanceoutfromthewall,itslowestrungalittleabovethelevelofthechief’sshoulders。

  MissBettydrewinherbreathwithalittlechokedcry。Therewasasmallterracedhillofpiled-uppacking-boxesnearher,possessionofwhichhadbeentakenbyacompanyofraggamuffinishboys,andshefoundherselfstandingonthehighestboxandsharingthesummitwiththesequestionableyouths,almostwithoutnotingheractioninmountingthither,sostrainedwastheconcentrationofherattentionuponthefigurehighupintherose-glowagainstthewarehousewall。Theman,surely,surely,wasnotgoingtotrusthimselftothatbitofwoodenwebhangingfromtheroof!

  WherewasMissBareaudthatshepermittedit?Ah,ifBettyhadbeenFanchonandmadwomanenoughtohaveacceptedthismadman,shewouldhavecompelledhimtocomedownatonce,andthereafterwouldlockhimupinthehousewheneverthebellsrang!

  ButtheroofwastobemountedorRobertCarewe’spropertylost。Alreadylittleflamesweredancingupfromtheshingles,wherefirebrandshadfallen,theirnumberincreasingwitheachsecond。SoVanrevelraisedhisarms,tookahardgripuponthelowestrungofthegrappling-ladderandtrieditwithhisweight;theironhooksbitdeeperintotheroof;theyheld。Heswunghimselfoutintotheairwithnothingbeneathhim,caughttherungunderhisknee,andforamomenthungtherewhilethecrowdwithheldfrombreathing;thenacloudofsmoke,swirlingthatway,madehimthemereghostlynucleusofhimself,blottedhimoutaltogether,and,asitroseslowlyupward,showedtheladderfreeandempty,sothatatfirsttherewasaninstantwhentheythoughtthathehadfallen。But,asthesmokecleared,therewasthetallfigureontheroof。

  Itwasanagileanddaringthingtodo,andthemanwhodiditwasmightilyapplauded。Thecheeringbotheredhim,however,forhewastryingtomakethemunderstand,below,whatwouldhappentothe\"EngineCompany\"

  incasethewaterwasnotsentthroughthelinesdirectly;andwhathesaidshouldbedonetotheengineersincludedthingsthatwouldhaveblanchedthecheekofthemostinventiveSpanishInquisitorthateverlived。

  MissBettymadeagestureasiftoapersonwithinwhisperingdistance。

  \"Yourcoatisonfire,\"shesaidinanordinaryconversationaltone,withoutknowingshehadspokenaloud,andMr。Vanrevel,morethanonehundredfeetaway,seemedparticularlyconsciousofthepertinenceofherremark。Heremovedthegarmentwithalacrity,and,forthelackofthetardywater,begantouseitasaflailuponthefirebrandsandlittleflamesabouthim;thesheerdesperatebestofamaninarage,doingwhathecouldwhenothersfailedhim。Showersofsparksfelluponhim;thesmokewasrisingeverywherefromtheroofandthewallsbelow;and,growingdenseranddenser,shroudedhiminheavyveils,sothat,asheranhitherandthither,nowvisible,nowunseen,stampingandbeatingandsweepingawaythebrandsthatfell,heseemedbuttheredandghostlycaricatureofaXerxes,ineffectuallylashingthesea。Theywerecallingtohimimploringlytocomedown,inheaven’snametocomedown!

  Thesecondmanhadfollowedtothetopoftheladderagainstthewall,andtherehepaused,waitingtopassupthelineofhosewhenthewordshouldcomethattheforce-pumphadbeenrepaired;butthepeoplethoughtthathewaitedbecausehewasafraidtotrusthimselftothegrappling-ladder。Hewasafraid,exceedinglyafraid;thoughthatwasnotwhyhewaited;andhewasstillchucklingovertheassaultoftheaxes。

  Hissituationhadnotmuchtheadvantageofthatofthechief:hisredshirtmighthavebeensetwithorangejewels,sostuddeditwaswiththeflyingsparks;and,alargebranddroppinguponhishelmet,hethrewuphishandtodislodgeitandlostthehelmet。Thegreatlightfelluponhisfairhairandsmilingface,anditwasthenthatMissBettyrecognizedtheIncroyableofhergarden。

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