CHAPTERVI
TheEverUnpracticalFeminineItwasaninvestigatingnegrochildoftenderyears，who，possessedofapettysenseofcauseandeffect，broughtanilluminativesimplicitytobearupontheproblemoftheforce-pump；andamultitudinousagitationgreetedhisdiscoverythattheengineershadforgottentoconnecttheirpipeswiththeriver。
Thisna媣eomissionwasfataltothesecondwarehouse；thewallburstintoflamebelowCraileyGray，whoclungtothetopoftheladder，choking，stifled，anddizzilyfightingthesparksthatcoveredhim，yetstillclutchingthenozzleofthehose-linetheyhadpassedtohim。Whenthestreamatlastleapedforth，makingthenozzlefightinhisgrasp，hesentitstraightupintotheairandletthecataractfallbackuponhimselfanduponthetwomenbeneathhimontheladder。
Therecameamomentofblessedrelief；andhelookedoutoverthebroadrosybluroffacesinthestreet，wherenoonewonderedmorethanhehowthewaterwastoreachtheroof。Suddenlyhestarted，wipedhiseyeswithhiswetsleeve，andpeeredintentlydownfromundertheshadingarm。Hisrovingglancecrossedthesmokeandflametorestuponatall，whitefigurethatstood，full-lengthabovetheheadsofthepeople，uponapedestalwroughtwiththegrotesqueimagesofboys：agirl’sfigure，stillasnoon，enrapt，likethestatueofsomeyounggoddessforwhomweremadethesesacrificialpyres。Mr。Grayrecognizedhisopportunity。
Ablackenedandunrecognizablefacepeereddownfromtheeaves，andthevoicebelongingtoitsaid，angrily：\"Whydidn’ttheysendupthatlinebeforetheyputthewaterthroughit？\"
\"Nevermind，Tom，\"answeredCraileycheerfully，\"I’llbringitup。\"
\"Youcan’t；I’llcomedownforit。Don’tbeeverykindofafool！\"
\"Youwantamonopoly，doyou？\"AndCrailey，callingtoTappinghamMarsh，nextbelowhim，tocomehigher，leftthewrithingnozzleinthelatter’spossession，swunghimselfoutuponthegrappling-ladder，imitatingthechief’sgymnastics，andimmediately，onehandgraspingthesecondrung，onekneecrookedoverthelowest，leanedheaddownandtookthenozzlefromMarsh。Itwasaheavyweight，andthoughMarshsupportedthelinebeneathit，thegreatstreamhurtlingforthmadeitadifficultthingtomanage，foritwriggled，recoiledandstruggledasifithadbeenalive。
Craileymadethreeattemptstodrawhimselfup；butthestrainwastoomuchforhisgrip，andonthethirdattempthisfingersmeltedfromtherung，andheswungdownfearfully，hangingbyhisknee，butstillclingingtothenozzle。
\"Giveitup，Crailey；itisn’tworthit，\"Vanrevelcalledfromoverhead，notdaringtheweightofbothonthelightgrappling-ladder。
ButthoughCraileycarednomoreforthesavingofRobertCarewe’spropertythanforabutterfly’swinginChina，hecouldnotgiveupnow，anymorethanasaladbecouldhaveforbornetoturnsomersaultswhentheprettiestlittlegirllookedoutoftheschool-housewindow。HepassedthenozzletoTappingham，caughtthesecondrungwithhislefthand，and，oncemorehangingheaddownward，seizedthenozzle；then，withhiskneehookedtight，asthegushingwaterdescribedahugesemicircleuponthesmokeandhotvapor，hemadeamadlurchthroughtheair，whilewomenshrieked；buthelandedupright，half-sittingonthelowestrung。Heclimbedthegrappling-ladderswiftly，inspiteoftheweightandcontortionsoftheunmanageablebeasthecarriedwithhim；Tomleanedfardownandtookitfromhim；andCrailey，passingtheeaves，fell，exhausted，upontheroof。
Justashereachedthistemporarysecurity，aladywasborne，fainting，outoftheacclaimingcrowd。Fanchonwasthere。
Wordhadbeenpassedtothegentlemenofthe\"EngineCompany\"toshutoffthewaterinordertoallowthelinetobecarrieduptheladder，andtheyreceivedthecommandatthemomentTomliftedthenozzle，sothatthestreamdriedupinhishands。Thiswasthelaststraw，andtheblackened，singedandscarredchief，settingthetrumpettohislips，gavehimselfentirelytowrath。
ItstruckCrailey，evenasbelay，coughingandweepingwithsmoke，thattherewassomethingsplendidandlargeintheother’srage。Vanrevelwasordinarilysosteadyandcoolthatthiswasworthseeing，thisberserkergesture；worthhearing，thiswonderfulprofanity，likeWashington’sonefitofcursing；andCrailey，knowingTom，knew，too，thatithadnotcomeuponhimbecauseCarewehadadaughterintowhoseeyesTomhadlooked；nordidheragebecausehebelievedthatCrailey’slifeandhiswereinthegreaterhazardforthelackofeverydropofwaterthatshouldhaveissuedfromtheemptynozzle。Theirlungswereburdenedwithsmoke，whiletheintolerablesmartingofthroat，eyes，andnostrilswasliketheincisionofathousandneedlesinthemembranes；theirclotheswereluminouswithglowingcircleswherethesparkswereeating；theblazewidenedonthewallbeneaththem，andMarshwasshoutinghoarselythathecouldnolongerholdhispositionontheladder；yetCraileyknewthatnoneofthiswasinTom’smindashestood，scorched，blistered，andhaggard，ontheedgeoftheroof，shakinghisfistattheworld。Itwasbecausehischanceofsavingthepropertyofamanhedespisedwasbeingendangered。
Craileystretchedforthahandandtouchedhisfriend’sknee。\"Yoursideoftheconversationisatrifleloud，Tom，\"hesaid。\"MissCareweisdownthere，acrossthestreet，onapileofboxes。\"
Tomstoppedinthemiddleofaword，forwhichhemayhavereceivedbuthalfablackstrokefromtherecordingangel。Hewheeledtowardthestreet，and，shieldinghisinflamedeyeswithhishand，gazeddownwardinastrickensilence。FromthatmomentMr。Vanrevel’sinstructionstohisfollowerswereofadecorumatwhichnotthemeekestSunday-schoolscholardarehavecavilled。
Thethreemennowonthelongladder，Marsh，EugeneMadrillon，andWillCummings，foundtheirpositionuntenable；fortheflames，reachingallalongthewall，werelickingattheladderitself，betweenMarshandEugene。\"Ican’tstandthisanylonger，\"gaspedTappingham，\"butIcan’tleavethosetwoupthere，either。\"
\"Notalone，\"shoutedCummingsfrombeneathMadrillon。\"Let’sgoup。\"
Thusithappened，thatwhenthewatercameagain，andVanrevelletitfallinagratefulcascadeuponCraileyandhimself，threemanlyvoiceswereheardsinging，asthreementoiledthroughthebillowsofrosygray，belowthebeleagueredpair：
\"OhthenobleDukeofYork，HehadTenthousandmen；
Hemarchedthemupthesideofahouse，Andmarchedthemdownagain！\"
Aheadappearedabovetheeaves，andMarsh，thenEugene，thenCummings，camecrawlingoverthecorniceinturn，tojointheircomrades。Theywereagallantband，thoseyounggentlemenofRouen，andtheycamewiththeironicalsongontheirlips，and，lookingatoneanother，raggedandscarified，burstintohoarsebutindomitablelaughter。
Twoothersmadeanattempttofollow，andwouldnotberestrained。Itwasnoticedthatpartsofthelowerladderhadbeencharring；andtheladder-
menwerepreparingtoremoveittoalessdangerouspoint，whenoldGeneralTrumbleandyoungJeffersonBareaudmadearushtomountit，andwerewellupontheirupwardwaybeforetheladder，weakenedatthemiddle，sagged，splintered，andbroke，TrumbleandBareaudfallingwithit。Andtherewasthegrappling-ladder，danglingfortyfeetabovetheground；andtherewerethefiveupontheroof。
TheDepartmenthadnootherladderofmorethanhalfthelengthoftheshatteredone。NotonlytheDepartment，buteverysoulinRouen，knewthat；andthererosethethick，lowsighofamultitude，asoundfrightfultohear。Itbecameagroan，thenswelledintoadeepcryofalarmandlamentation。
Andnow，almostsimultaneously，thewestwallofthebuilding，andthesouthwall，andallthesouthwesternportionsoftheroof，coveredthem-
selveswithvoluminousmantlesofflame，whichincreasedsohugelyandwithsuchsavagerapiditythattheonestreamontheroofwasseentobebutaridiculousanduselessopposition。
Everybodybegantoshoutadvicetohisneighbor；andnobodylistenedeventohimself。Thefiremenwereinasgreataturmoilaswasthecrowd，whilewomencoveredtheireyes。YoungFrankChenowethwassobbingcursesuponthebruisedandshakingTrumbleandJeffersonBareaud，whocouldonlystandremorseful，impotentlygroaning，andmadenoanswer。
Thewallsofthesouthernmostwarehousefollowedtheroof，crashinginwardoneaftertheother，asacrificialpyrewithitspurposeconsummated；andintheseethandflareofitspassing，TomVanrevelagainshadedhiseyeswithhishand，andlookeddownacrosstheupturnedfaces。Thepedestalwiththegrotesquecarvingswasstillthere；butthecrowningfigurehaddisappeared——theyounggoddesswasgone。Forshe，ofallthatthrong，hadanideainherhead，and，afterscreamingittoeverymanwithinreach，onlytodiscovertheimpossibilityofmakingherselfunderstoodinthatBabel，shewasstrugglingtomakeherwaytowardthesecondwarehouse，throughtheswayingjamofpeople。Itwasadifficulttask，asthefartherinshemanagedtogo，thedenserbecamethepressandthemoretightlyshefoundthepeoplewedged，untilshereceivedinvoluntaryaidfromthefiremen。Inturningtheirsecondstreamtoplayineffectuallyuponthelowerstrataofflame，theyaccidentallydeflectedittowardthecrowd，whoseparatedwildly，leavingabiggap，ofwhichMissBettytookinstantadvantage。Shedartedacross，andthenextmoment，unnoticed，hadenteredthebuildingthroughthedoorwhichCraileyGrayhadopened。
Thefiveyoungmenontheroofwerewellawarethattherewaslittletodobuttowait，andsoontheywouldseewhichwastowin，theyorthefire；
sotheyshiftedtheirlineofhosetotheeasternfrontofthebuilding——
outofharm’sway，foralittletime，atleast——andheldthemuzzlesteady，watchingitswork。Andintruthitwasnotlongbeforetheyunderstoodwhichwouldconquer。ThesouthernandwesternportionsofthebuildinghadflungoutgreatflamesthatflutteredandflaredonthebreezelikeTitanicflags；andsteadily，slowly，atfirst，thenfasterasthesecondsflew，thefiveweredrivenbackward，upthelowslopeoftherooftowardthegable-ridge。TomVanrevelheldthefirstjointofthenozzle，andheretreatedwithasulkyface，liftinghisfootgrudginglyateachstep。Theywereallsilent，now，andnoonespokeuntilWillCummingsfaltered：
\"Surelythey’llgetaropeuptoussomeway？\"
Willknewaswellasdidtheothersthattherewasnoway；buthisspeechstruckthesullenheartofthechiefwithremorse。Heturned。\"Ihopeyou’llallforgivemeforgettingyouuphere。\"
Asound，halfsob，halfgiggle，camefromtheparchedlipsofEugeneMadrillon，ashepattedTomontheshoulderwithoutspeaking，andCraileynoddedquietly，thenleftthegroupandwenttotheeasternedgeoftheroofandlookedoutuponthecrowd。Cummingsdroppedthelineandsatdown，buryinghishotfaceinhisarms，fortheyallsawthatVanrevelthought\"itwasnouse，\"butaquestionofafewminutes，andtheywouldretreatacrossthegableandeitherjumporgodownwiththeroof。
Sincetheworldbegan，idleandindustriousphilosophershavespeculatedmuchuponthethoughtsofmenabouttodie；yetitcannotbetooingenuoustobelievethatsuchthoughtsvaryasthemen，theircharacters，andconditionsoflifevary。Nevertheless，pursuantwiththetraditionsofminstrelsyandromance，itisconceivablethatyoung，unmarriedmen，calledupontofacedesperatesituations，might，atthecrucialmoment，rushtoacommonexperienceofsummoningthevision，eachofhisheart’sdesire，andtomeet，eachhisdoom，withhernameuponhislips。
Anextraordinarythingoccurredinthepresentinstance，for，bymeansofsomefragmentaryremarksletfallatthetime，andafterwardrecalledsuchasTappinghamMarsh’sgasping：\"Atleastitwillbeonherfather’sroof！\"
andfromotherthingslateroverheard，aninevitabledeductionhasbeenreachedthatfourofthefivegentlemenintheperilouscasehereindescribedwereoccupiedwiththevisionofthesameperson，towit：MissElizabethCarewe，\"thelast——theprettiest——tocometotown！\"
CraileyGray，alone，spokenotatall；butwhydidhestrainandstrainhiseyestowardthatempty’pedestalwiththegrotesquecarvings？DidheseekFanchonthere，orwasMissCarewethelastsweetapparitioninthefanciesofallfiveoftheunhappyyoungmen？
Thecoincidenceoftheactualappearanceoftheladyamongthem，thereforeseemedthemoremiraculous，when，wanandhopeless，staggeringdesperatelybackwardtothegable-ridge，theyheardaclearcontraltovoicebehindthem：
\"Hadn’tyoubetterallcomedownnow？\"itsaid。——\"Thestairwaywillbeonfirebeforelong。\"
Onlyonethingcouldhavebeenmoreshockinglyunexpectedtothefivethanthatthereshouldbeasixthpersonontheroof，andthiswasthatthesixthpersonshouldbeMissBettyCarewe。
Theyturned，aghast，agape，chopfallenwithastonishment，stunned，andincredulous。
Shestoodjustbehindthegable-ridge，smilingamiably，amostincongruouslittlepinkfaninherhand，thesmoke-wreathspartlyobscuringherandcurlingbetweenthefiveandherwhitedress，likemistsfloatingacrossthenewmoon。
Wasitbutakindlyphantasmofthebrain？WasittheincarnationofthelastvisionofthelostVolunteers？WasitaValkyrieassumingthatlovelylikenesstoperchuponthiseyrie，waitingtobeartheirheroicsoulstoValhalla，or——wasitMissBettyCarewe？
Tothechiefshespoke——allofthemagreedtothatafterward——butitwasCraileywhoanswered，whileTomcouldonlystare，andstandwagginghisheadatthelovelyphantom，likeaMandarinonashelf。
\"Mymotherinheaven！\"gaspedCrailey。\"Howdidyoucomeuphere？\"
\"There’satrapintheroofontheothersideoftheridge，\"shesaid，andshebegantofanherselfwiththepinkfan。\"Astairwayrunsallthewaydown——oldNelsonshowedmethroughthesebuildingsyesterday——andthatsideisn’tonfireyet。I’msosorryIdidn’tthinkofituntilamomentago，becauseyoucouldhavebroughtthewaterupthatway。Butdon’tyouthinkyou’dbettercomedownnow？\"
CHAPTERVII
TheComedianNotsavageHun，nor\"barbarousVandyke，\"nordemonApache，couldwishtodwelluponthestateofmindoftheChiefoftheRouenVolunteerFireDepartment；therefore，letthecurtainofmercydescend。\"Withoutaword，heturnedanddraggedthenozzletotheeasterneaves，whence，afterawarninggesturetothosebelow，hedroppedittotheground。And，outofcompassion，itshouldbelittlemorethanhintedthatthegestureofwarningwasveryslight。
Whentherescuedbandreachedthefootofthelastflightofstairs，theybeheldtheopendoorwayasaframeforagreatpressofintentandcon-
tortedfaces，everyeyestillstrainedtowatchtheroof；noneoftheharrowedspectatorscomprehendingtheappearanceofthegirl’sfigurethere，norabletoseewhithershehadledthefiveyoungmen，untilTappinghamMarshraisedashoutasheleapedoutofthedooranddanceduponthesolidearthagain。
Then，indeed，therewasamightyuproar；cheeraftercheerascendedtotheredvaultofheaven；womenwept，menwhooped，andthepeoplerushedfortheheroeswithwide-open，welcomingarms。JeffersonBareaudandFrankChenowethandGeneralTrumbledashedatTomVanrevelwithincoherentcriesofthanksgiving，shakinghishandsandbeatinghimhystericallyupontheback。Hegreetedthemwithbitterlaughter。
\"Helpgetthewaterintothenextwarehouse；thisoneisbeyondcontrol，butwecansavetheothertwo。Takethelinesinthroughthedoor！\"Hebrushedtherejoicingfriendsoffabruptly，andwentoninaqueer，hollowvoice：\"Therearestairs——andI’msosorryIdidn’tthinkofituntilamomentago，becauseyoucouldhavebroughtthewaterupthatway！\"
Aremarkablecaseofdesertionhadoccurred，thepreviousinstant，underhiseyes。Asthepartyemergedfromthewarehouseintothestreet，TomheardCraileysayhurriedlytoMissCarewe：\"Letmegetyouawaycomequickly！\"sawhimsuddenlyseizeherband，and，eludingtheonrushingcrowd，runwithherroundthecornerofthebuilding。Andsomehow，throughwhatinspiration，orthroughwhatknowledgeofhispartner’s\"temperament，\"heavenknows，thepropheticsoulofthechiefwasunhappilyassuredthatCraileywouldofferhimselfasescorttoherhome，andfindacceptance。Butwhynot？WasitCraileywhohadpubliclycalledhisfellow-manfool，idiot，imbecile，atthetopofhislungs，onlytofindhimselftheprovennumskulloftheuniverse！Tomstoodforamomentstaringafterthevanishingpair，whileoverhisfacestolethestrangestexpressionthatevermansawthere；then，withmeeklybowedshoulders，beturnedagaintohiswork。
Atthecornerofthewarehouse，MissCarewedetachedherhandfromCrailey’s，yetstillfollowedhimashemadeaquickdetourroundthenextbuilding。Aminuteortwolatertheyfoundthemselves，undetected，uponMainStreetintherearofthecrowd。ThereCraileypaused。
\"Forgiveme，\"hesaid，breathlessly，\"fortakingyourhand。Ithoughtyouwouldliketogetaway。\"
Sheregardedhimgravely，sothathefounditdifficulttoreadherlook，exceptthatitwasseriouslyquestioning；butwhethertheinterrogationwasaddressedtohimortoherselfhecouldnotdetermine。Afterasilenceshesaid：
\"Idon’tknowwhyIfollowedyou。Ibelieveitmusthavebeenbecauseyoudidn’tgivemetimetothink。\"
This，ofcourse，madehimevenquickerwithherthanbefore。\"It’sallover，\"hesaidbriskly。\"Thefirstwarehouseisgone；thesecondwillgo，butthey’llsavetheotherseasilyenough，nowthatyouhavepointedoutthatthelinesmaybeutilizedotherwisethanasadjunctsofperformancesonthehightrapeze！\"Theywerestandingbyapicket-fence，andheleanedagainstit，overcomebymirthinwhichshedidnotjoin。Hergravityreacteduponhimatonce，andhislaughterwasstoppedshort。\"Willyounotacceptmeasanescorttoyourhome？\"hesaidformally。\"Idonotknow，\"shereturnedsimply，thesortofhonesttroubleinherglancethatisseenonlyinveryyoungeyes。
\"`Whatreasonintheworld！\"hereturned，withacraftysharpnessofastonishment。
Shecontinuedtogazeuponhimthoughtfully，whilehetriedtolookintohereyes，butwasbaffledbecausetheradiantbeamsfromthelady’sorbs（astheelderChenowethmighthavesaid）restedsomewheredangerouslynearhischin，whichworriedhim，for，thoughhischinmadenoretreatandwasfarfromill-looking，itwas，nevertheless，thatfeaturewhichhemostdistrusted。\"Won’tyoutellmewhynot？\"herepeated，uneasily。
\"Because，\"sheansweredatlast，speakinghesitatingly，\"becauseitisn’tsoeasyamatterformeasyouseemtothink。Youhavenotbeenintroducedtome，andIknowyouneverwillbe，andthatwhatyoutoldmewastrue。\"
\"WhichpartofwhatItoldyou？\"Thequestionescapedfromhiminstantly。
\"Thattheothersmightcomewhentheyliked，butthatyoucouldnot。\"
\"Ohyes，yes。\"Hisexpressionalteredtoasinceredejection；hisshouldersdrooped，andhisvoiceindicatedsupremeannoyance。\"Imighthaveknownsomeonewouldtellyou！Whowasit？DidtheysaywhyI——\"
\"Onaccountofyourquarrelwithmyfather。\"
\"Myquarrelwithyourfather！\"heexclaimed；andhisfacelitwithanelatedsurprise；hisshouldersstraightened。Hetookastepnearerher，andasked，eagerly：\"Whotoldyouthat？\"
\"Myfatherhimself。HespokeofaMr。Vanrevelwhomhe——disliked，andwhomImustnotmeet；and，rememberingwhatyouhadsaid，ofcourseIknewthatyouwerehe。\"
\"Oh！\"Crailey’slipsbegantoformasmileofsuchappealingandinimitablesweetnessthatVoltairewouldhavetrustedhim；asmilealto-
getherrose-leaves。\"ThenIloseyou，\"hesaid，\"formyonlychancetoknowyouwasinkeepingithiddenfromyou。Andnowyouunderstand！\"
\"No，\"sheanswered，gravely，\"Idon’tunderstand；thatiswhattroublesme。IfIdid，andbelievedyouhadtherightofthedifference，Icouldbelieveitnosinthatyoushouldspeaktome，shouldtakemehomenow。I
thinkitiswrongnottoactfromyourownunderstandingofthings。\"
Theyoungmansethisexpressionasoneindomitablyfixeduponthecourseofhonor，costwhatitmight；and，intheveryaction，hislurkingpleasureindoingithoppedoutintheflickerofatwinkleinhiseyes，andasinstantlysoughtcoveragain——thefleaintherose-jar。
\"Thenyoumustasksomeother，\"hesaid，firmly。\"Adisinterestedpersonshouldtellyou。Thedifferencewaspoliticalinthebeginning，butbecamepersonalafterward；anditisnowaquarrelwhichcanneverbepatchedup，though，formypart，Iwishthatitcouldbe。Icansaynomore，becauseapartytoitshouldnotspeak。\"
Shemethislevellooksquarelyatlast；andnomaneverhadamoretruthfulpairofeyesthanCraileyGray，foritwashisgreataccomplishmentthathecouldadjusthisemotion，hisreason，andsomethingthatmightbecalledhisfaith，tofitanysituationinanycharacter。
\"Youmaytakemehome，\"sheanswered。\"Imaybewrong，andevendisloyal；
butIdonotfeelitso，now。Youdidaverybravethingtonighttosavehimfromloss，andIthinkthatwhatyouhavesaidwasjustwhatyoushouldhavesaid。\"
Sotheywentdownthestreet，thehubbubandconfusionofthefiregrowingmoreandmoreindistinctbehindthem。Theywalkedslowly，and，foratime，neitherspoke；yetthesilencewasofakindwhichtheadeptrejoicedtohaveproducedthussoon——theirsecondmeeting。ForhebelievedthereweremorestrangethingsinheavenandearththanHoratiowot；andoneofthestrangestwasthatwheneverhewasnearanattractivewomanduringasilencesuchasthis，somethingnottobedefined，butaseffectiveasitwasindefinite，alwayswentoutfromhimtoher。Itwaslikeawordoftenderness，awordtoogentle，toocompelling，toosweet，tobepartofanytongue，spokenorwritten。Andmore：thisineffablewordhadanecho，andcamebacktohimfromthewoman。
Ashispartnerhadindress，soCraileyhadwithwomen，somecoloroftheBeau；butitwasnotinwhatexperiencehadgivenhimtorecognizeasafact：thattheywereapttofallinlovewithhim。（Thattheywereapttoremaininlovewithhim——heunderstoodperfectly——wasanothermatter。）
Andheknewwhentheyweredoingit；couldhavetoldthemaccurately，ateachstep，whattheywerefeeling，thinking，dreaming，duringtheprocess，becausehewasusuallyexhibitingthesamesymptomstohimselfatthesametime。
Thus，hisownbreastoccupiedwiththatdizzyelationwhichfolloweditsreceptionoftheinsaneyounggod’sarrows，andhisheartwarmwiththeriseoftheoldemotionthatheknewsowell，hewasneverthelessabletowalkwithhisfingeronthepulseoftheexquisitemoment，countingherheartbeatsandhisown。
So，tohisfancy，astheywalked，thelittlespacebetweenthemwashungwithbrilliantstrands，likegossamerchainsofgold，alreadylinkingthemtogether；everysecondfixinganotherslender，preciousfetter，bindingthemcloser，drawinghernearer。HewaiteduntiltheypassedintotheshadowsofthedesertedCareweStreetbeforehespoke。Therebestoppedabruptly；atwhichsheturned，astonished。
\"Nowthatyouhavesavedmylife，\"hesaid，inalow，tremuloustone，\"whatareyougoingtodowithit？\"
Hereyesopenedalmostaswidelyastheyhadatherfirstsightofhiminhergarden。Therewasalongpausebeforeshereplied，andwhenshedid，itwastohisconsiderablesurprise。
\"Ihaveneverseenaplay，exceptthefunnylittleonesweactedattheconvent，\"shesaid，\"butisn’tthatthewaytheyspeakonthestage？\"
Craileyrealizedthathisjudgmentofthesilencebadbeenmistaken，andyetitwaswithathrillofdelightthatherecognizedherclearreadingofhim。Hehadbeentoofloridagain。
\"Letusgo。\"Hisvoicewassoftwithrestrainedforgiveness。\"Youmockedmeoncebefore。
\"Mockedyou？\"sherepeated，astheywenton。
\"Mockedme，\"hesaid，firmly。\"Mockedmeforseemingtheatrical，andyetyouhavelearnedthatwhatIsaidwastrue；asyouwillagain。\"
Shemuseduponthis；then，asinwhimsicalindulgencetoanimportunatechild：
\"Well，tellmewhatyoumeanwhenyousayIsavedyourlife。\"
\"Youcamealone，\"bebegan，hastily，\"tostanduponthatburningroof——\"
\"Whenceallbuthimhadfled！\"Herlaughterrangout，interruptinghim。
\"MyroomwasonthefourthflooratSt。Mary’s，andIdidn’tmindclimbingthreeflightsthisevening。\"
Crailey’sgood-naturewasalwaysperfect。\"Youmockmeandyoumockme！\"
hecried，andmadeherlaughterbutpartofagayduet。\"IknowIhavegonetoofast，havesaidthingsIshouldhavewaitedtosay；but，ah！
rememberthesmallchanceIhaveagainsttheotherswhocanseeyouwhentheylike。Don’tfloutmebecauseItrytomakethemostofarare，stolenmomentwithyou。\"
\"Do！\"sheexclaimed，graveupontheinstant。\"Domakethemostofit！I
havenothingbutinexperience。Makethemostbytreatingmeseriously。
Won’tyou？Iknowyoucan，andI——I——\"Shefalteredtoafullstop。Shewasearnestandquiet，andtherehadbeensomethinginhertone，too——asveryoftentherewas——thatshowedhowyoungshewas。\"Oh！\"shebeganagain，turningtohimimpulsively，\"Ihavethoughtaboutyousincethateveninginthegarden，andIhavewishedIcouldknowyou。Ican’tbequiteclearhowithappened，buteventhosefewminutesleftanumberofstrongimpressionsaboutyou。AndthestrongestwasthatyouwereonewithwhomIcouldtalkofagreatmanythings，ifyouwouldonlyberealwithme。Ibelieve——thoughI’mnotsurewhyIdo——thatitisverydifficultforyoutobereal；perhapsbecauseyouaresodifferentatdifferenttimesthatyouaren’tsure，yourself，whichtherealyouis。
Butthepersonthatyouarebeginningtobeformybenefitmustbethemosttriflingofallyourselves，lighterandeasiertoputonthanthelittlemaskyoucarriedtheothernight。Iftherewerenothingbetterunderneaththemask，Imightplay，too。\"
\"Didyoulearnthisattheconvent？\"gaspedCrailey。
\"Therewasaworldthereinminiature，\"sheanswered，speakingveryquickly。\"Ithinkallpeoplearemadeofthesamematerials，onlyinsuchdifferentproportions。Ithinkalittleworldmightholdasmuchasthelargest，ifyouthoughtitallouthardenough，andyourexperiencemightbejustasbroadanddeepinasmallcorneroftheearthasanywhereelse。
ButIdon’tknow！Iwanttounderstand——Iwanttounderstandeverything！
Ireadbooks，andtherearepeople——butnoonewhotellsmewhatIwant——
I——\"
\"Stop。\"Heliftedhishand。\"Iwon’tact；Ishallnever`play’foryouagain。\"Hewasbreathless；thewitchingsilencewasnothingtowhatstirredhimnow。Asingularexaltationroseinhim，togetherwiththerecklessimpulsetospeakfromthemoodhervehementconfidencehadin-
spired。Hegavewaytoit。
\"Iknow，Iknow，\"hesaidhuskily。\"Iunderstandallyoumean，allyoufeel，allyouwish。Itisallechoinghere，andhere，andhere！\"Hetouchedhisbreast，hiseyes，andhisforeheadwiththefingersofhislongandslenderhand。\"Wesighandstrainoureyesandstretchoutourarmsinthedark，gropingalwaysforthestrangeblessingthatisjustbeyondourgrasp，seekingforthepreciousunknownthatliesjustoverthehorizon！It’swhattheymeantbythepotofgoldwheretherainbowends——
only，itmaybethere，afterall！\"
Theystoppedunconsciously，andremainedstandingatthelowerendoftheCarewehedge。Thewesternglowhadfaded，andshewasgazingathimthroughthedarkness，leaningforward，neverdreamingthathertightgrasphadbrokenthesticksofthelittlepinkfan。
\"Yes，\"shewhispered，eagerly。\"Youareright：youunderstand！\"
Hewenton，thewordscomingfasterandfaster：\"Wearehaunted——youandI——bythewishtoknowallthings，andbythequestionthatliesundereverythoughtwehave：theagonizingWhither？Isn’titlikethat？Itisreallydeaththatmakesusthink。YouareagoodCatholic：yougotomass；butyouwishtoknow。DoesGodreign，ordiditallhappen？
Sometimesitseemssodeadlyprobablethattheuniversejustwas，noGodtoplanit，nothingbutthings；thatwedieassparrowsdie，andthebrainisallthesoulwehave，athingthatbecomescloggedandstopssomeday。
Andisthatall？\"
Sheshiveredslightly，buthersteadfasteyesdidnotshiftfromhim。Hethrewbackhishead，andhisface，upliftedtothejewelledskyofthemoonlessnight，wasbeatificinitspeacefulness，ashecontinuedinanalteredtone，gentleandlow：
\"Ithinkallquestionsareansweredthere。Thestarstellitall。Whenyoulookatthemyouknow！Theyhaveputthemonourflag。Therearetimeswhenthisseemsbutapoornation：boastful，corrupt，violent，andpreparing，asitisnow，tostealanothercountrybyfraudandwar；yetthestarsontheflagalwaysmakemehappyandconfident。Doyouseetheconstellationsswingingaboveus，suchunimaginablevastnesses，notrovingorcrashingthroughtheillimitableathaphazard，butmovinginmoreexcellentmeasure，andtoafinerrhythm，thanthemostdelicateclockworkmanevermade？Thegreatocean-linesmarkourseaswiththeirpathsthroughthewater；thefinebrainsoftheeartharebehindtheshipsthatsailfromporttoport，yethowawrythesystemgoes！Whendoesashipcometoherharboratanhourdeterminedwhenshesailed？Whatisashipbesidethesmallestmoonofthesmallestworld？But，thereaboveus，moons，worlds，suns，alltheinfiniteclusterofcolossi，moveintoplacetotheexactnessofahairatthepreciseinstant。Thatinstanthasbeenplanned，yousee；itispartofasystem——andcanasystemexistthatnomindmade？ThinkoftheMindthatmadethisone！DoyoubelievesoinconceivablymajesticanIntelligenceasthatcouldbeanythingbutgood？
Ah，whenyouwonder，lookaboveyou；lookaboveyouinthenight，Isay，\"
hecried，hishandupraisedlikehistransfiguredface。\"Lookaboveyouandyouwillneverfearthatasparrow’sfallcouldgounmarked！\"
Itwasnottothestarsthatshelooked，buttotheorator，aslongasheheldthatpose，whichlasteduntilahard-riddenhorsecamegallopingdownthestreet。Asitdashedby，thoughtheriderlookedneithertorightnorleft，MissBettyunconsciouslymadeafeverishclutchathercompanion’ssleeve，drawinghimclosertothehedge。
\"Itismyfather，\"shesaidhurriedlyinalowvoice。\"Hemustnotseeyou。Youmustnevercomehere。Perhaps——\"Shepaused，thenquicklywhispered：\"Youhavebeenverykindtome。Good-night。\"
Helookedatherkeenly，andthroughthedimnesssawthatherfacewasshiningwithexcitement。Hedidnotspeakagain，but，takingastepback-
ward，smiledfaintly，benthisheadinhumbleacquiescence，andmadeaslightgestureofhishandforhertoleavehim。Shesethereyesuponhisoncemore，thenturnedswiftlyandalmostranalongthehedgetothegate；butthereshestoppedandlookedback。Hewasstandingwhereshehadlefthim，hisfaceagainupliftedtothesky。
Shewavedhimanuncertainfarewell，andranintothegarden，bothpalmsagainstherburningcheeks。
Nightisthegreatnecromancer，andstrangearethefabricsheweaves；helaysqueerspells；breathessoeerieanintoxicationthroughthedusk；hecancastsuchglamoursaboutavoice！Heistheverykingoffairyland。
MissBettybegantowalkrapidlyupanddownthegardenpaths，herheadbentandherbandsstillpressedtohercheeks；nowandthenanunconsciousexclamationburstfromher，incoherent，morelikeagaspthanaword。Alongtimeshepacedthevigilwithherstirringheart，herskirtssweepingthedewfromtheleaningflowers。Herlipsmovedoften，butonlytheconfused，vehement\"Oh，oh！\"camefromthem，untilatlastshepausedinthemiddleofthegarden，awayfromthetrees，whereallwasopentothesparklingfirmament，andextendedherarmsoverherhead。
\"O，strangeteacher，\"shesaidaloud，\"Itakeyourbeautifulstars！I
shallknowhowtolearnfromthem！\"
Shegazedsteadilyupward，enrapt，hereyesresplendentwiththeirownstarlight。
\"Oh，stars，stars，stars！\"shewhispered。
Intheteethofallwizardry，Night’sspellsdopassatsunrise；
marvellouspoemssinktodoggerel，mightydreamstoblownashesandsolidsregainweight。MissBetty，wakingatdaybreak，sawthemotesdancinginthesunatherwindow，andwatchedthemwithaplacid，unrememberingeye。
Shebegantostareattheminapuzzledway，whilealookofwonderslowlyspreadoverherface。Suddenlyshesatupright，asthoughsomethinghadstartledher。Herfingersclenchedtightly。
\"Ah，ifthatwasplaying！\"
CHAPTERVIII
ATaleofaPoliticalDifferenceMr。Carewewasalreadyatthebreakfast-table，butthelightofhiscountenance，hiddenbehindtheRouenJournal，wasnotvouchsafedtohisdaughterwhenshetookherplaceoppositehim，nordidheseefittoreturnhermorninggreeting，fromwhichshegenerouslyconcludedthattheburningofthetwowarehouseshadmeantaseverelosstohim。
\"Iamsosorry，father，\"shesaidgently。（Shehadnotcalledhim\"papa\"
sincethemorningafterherball。）\"Ihopeitisn’ttobeagreattroubletoyou。\"Therewasnoresponse，and，afterwaitingforsometime，shespokeagain，rathertremulously，yetnottimidly：\"Father？\"
Herose，anduponhisbrowweremarkedtheblackestlinesofangershehadeverseen，sothatsheleanedbackfromhim，startled；buthethrewdowntheopenpaperbeforeheronthetable，andstruckitwithhisclenchedfist。
\"Readthat！\"hesaid。Andhestoodoverherwhilesheread。
Thereweresomegrandiloquentheadlines：\"MissElizabethCareweanAngelofMercy！CharmingBelleSavestheLivesofFiveProminentCitizens！HerPresenceofMindPreventsConflagrationfromWipingOuttheCity！\"ItmaybenotedthatWillCummings，editorandproprietoroftheJournal，hadwrittenthesetributes，aswellasthewholeaccountoftheevening’stransactions，andMissBettyloomedaslargeinWill’snarrativeasinhisgoodandlovelornheart。TherewasverylittleconcerningthefireintheJournal；itwasnearlyallaboutBetty。Thatisoneofthemisfortuneswhichpursuealadywhoallowsaneditortofallinlovewithher。
However，therewasascantmentionofthearrivaloftheVolunteers\"uponthescene\"（thoughnoneatallatthecauseoftheirdelay）andanelo-
quentparagraphwasdevotedtotheirhandsomeappearance，Mr。Cummingshavingbeenoneofthosewhoinsistedthatthenewuniformsshouldbeworn。\"Soon，\"saidtheJournal，\"throughthedaringoftheChiefoftheDepartment，andtheCaptainoftheHook-and-LadderCompany，oneofwhomplacedandmountedthegrappling-ladder，overwhichhewasimmediatelyfollowedbytheothercarryingthehose，astreamwassenttoplayuponthedevouringelement，afeatofderring-dopersonallywitnessedbyamajorityofourreaders。Mr。VanrevelandMr。GraywerejoinedbyEugeneMadrillon，TappinghamMarsh，andtheeditorofthispaper，afterwhichoccurredtheunfortunateaccidenttothelongladder，leavingthefivenamedgentlemenintheirterriblepredicament，facetofacewithdeathinitsmostawfulform。Atthisfrightfulmoment\"——andalltherestwasaboutMissCarewe。
AsWillhimselfadmitted，hehad\"laidhimselfoutonthatdescription。\"
Oneparagraphwascomposedofshortsentences，eachbeginningwiththeword\"alone。\"\"Alonesheenteredtheshattereddoor！Aloneshesetfootuponthefirstflightofstairs！Alonesheascendedthesecond！Aloneshemountedthethird。Alonesheliftedherhandtothetrap！Alonesheopenedit！\"Shewasdeclaredtohavemadeherappearancetotheunfortunateprisonersontheroof，evenas\"thepalm-ladendovetothedespairingNoah，\"andWillalsoassertedrepeatedlythatshewasthe\"HeroineoftheHour。\"
MissBettyblushedtoseehernamesoblazonedforthinprint；butshelackedonekindofvanity，andfailedtofindgoodreasonformorethanasomewhattroubledlaughter，thewriter’spurposewassomanifestlykindinspiteofthebizarreresult。
\"Oh，IwishMr。Cummingshadn’t！\"sheexclaimed。\"Itwouldhavebeenbetternottospeakofmeatall，ofcourse；butIcan’tseethatthereisanythingtoresent——itissofunny！\"
\"Funny！\"Mr。Carewerepeatedthewordinacrackedfalsetto，withtheevidentintentionofmockingher，andatthesametimehideouslycontortedhisfaceintoagrotesqueidiocyofexpression，pursinghislipssoextremely，andsettinghisbrowssoawry，thathisotherfeatureswerecartoonedoutofallfamiliarlikeness，effectinganalterationasshockingtobehold，inamanofhisseverecastofcountenance，aswashisfalsettomimicrytohear。Sheroseinakindofterror，perceivingthatthiscontortionwasproducedinburlesqueofherownexpression，and，ashepressednearerher，steppedback，overturningherchair。Shehadlittlerecollectionofherfatherduringherchildhood；andaslongasshecouldremember，noonehadspokentoherangrily，orevenroughly。
Assheretreatedfromhim，heleanedforward，thrustingthehideousmaskclosertoherwhiteandhorror-strickenface。
\"Youcan’tseeanythingtoresentinthat！\"hegibbered。\"It’ssofunny，isit？Funny！Funny！Funny！I’llshowyouwhetherit’sfunnyornot，I’llshowyou！\"Hisvoicerosealmosttoashriek。\"Youhangaroundfires，doyou，onthepublicstreetsatnight？You’reaniceoneformetoleaveinchargeofmyhousewhileI’maway，youtrollop！Whatdidyoumeanbygoinguponthatroof？YouknewthatdamnedVanrevelwasthere！Youdid，Isay，youknewit！\"
Sherantowardthedoorwithafrightenedcry；buthegotbetweenitandher，menacingherwithhisupraisedopenhands，shakingthemoverher。
\"You’realovelydaughter，aren’tyou！\"heshoutedhoarsely。\"Youknewperfectlywellwhowasonthatroof，andyouwent！Didn’tyougo？Answermethat！IfI’dhadarmsaboutmewhenIgotthere，I’dhaveshotthatmandead！Hewasonmyproperty，givingorders，theblackhound！AndwhenIorderedhimout，hetoldmeifIinterferedwithhisworkbeforeitwasfinished，he’dhavemethrownout——methatownedthewholeplace；andtherewasn’tamanthatwouldlendmeapistol！`Rescue！’You’dbetterrescuehimfromme，youpalm-ladendove，forI’llshoothim，Iwill！I’llkillthatdog；andheknowsit。Hecanblusterinacrowd，buthe’llhidenow！He’sacowardand——\"
\"Hecamehomewithme；hebroughtmehomelastnight！\"Hervoicerangoutintheroomlikethatofsomeotherperson，andshehardlyknewthatitwasherselfwhospoke。
\"Youlie！\"hescreamed，andfellbackfromher，hisfaceworkingasthoughunderthedominanceofsomephysicaldisorder，thefleshofitplasticbeyondconception，sothatshecriedoutandcoveredherfacewithherarm。\"Youlie！IsawyouatthehedgewithCraileyGray，thoughyouthoughtIdidn’t。Whatdoyouwanttolielikethatfor？Vanreveldidn’tevenspeaktoyou。IaskedMadrillon。Youlie！\"
Hechokeduponthewords；arackingcoughshookhimfromheadtofoot；hestaggeredbackanddroppeduponheroverturnedchair，hisarmsbeatingthetableinfrontofhim，hisheadjerkingspasmodicallybackwardandforwardashegaspedforbreath。
\"Ringthebell，\"bepantedthickly，withanincoherentgesture。\"Nelsonknows。Ring！\"
Nelsonevidentlyknew。Hebroughtbrandyandwaterfromthesideboardwithnostintinghand，andwithintenminutesMr。Carewewasinhisaccustomedseat，competenttofinishhisbreakfast。Insolitude，however，hesat，andnooneguessedhisthoughts。
ForMissBettyhadfledtoherownroom，andhadboltedthedoor。Shelayuponthebed，shudderingandshiveringwithnauseaandcold，thoughthedaywaswarm。Then，likeahotpaininherbreast，cameahomesicknessforSt。Mary’s，andtheflood-tideoftears，asshethoughtofthequietconventinthesunshineovertothewest，thepeaceofit，andthegoodnessofeverybodythere。
\"SisterCecilia！\"Hershouldersshookwiththegreatsobthatfollowedthisname，dearesttoherintheworld，convulsivelywhisperedtothepil-
low\"DearSisterCecilia！\"Shepattedthewhitepillowwithherhand，asthoughitwerethecoolcheekagainstwhichsheyearnedtolayherown。
\"Ah，youwouldknow——youwouldknow！\"WiththethoughtoftheserenefaceofthegoodSister，andofthekindarmsthatwouldhavegoneroundherinhertrouble，hersobbinggrewloudanduncontrollable。Butshewouldnothaveherfatherhearit，andburiedherfacedeepinthepillow。Afteratime，shebegantogrowquieter，turned，andlaywithweteyesstaringunseeinglyatthewall，herunderlipquiveringwiththedeepintakeofeachbrokensigh。
\"Oh，stars，stars，stars！\"shewhispered。
\"Missy？\"Therecameasoftknockuponthedoorandtheclinkofsilveruponchina。\"Missy？
\"Whatisit？\"
SoquickwasMissBettythat，althoughsheansweredalmostatonce，thetearswerewashedaway，andshewaspassingacool，wettoweloverhereyesatthemomentshespoke。
\"Jassme。Ibrungyo’breakfas’，honey。\"
OldNelson’svoicewasalwayslowandgentle，withaquaverandhesitancyintheutterance；nowitwastenderandcomfortingwiththecomprehensionofoneinsuffering，theextraordinarytact，whichtheoldofhisracenearlyallcometopossess。\"Li’lchicken-wingonpiecebrowntoast，honey。\"
Whensheopenedthedoorhecamein，bendingattentivelyoverhistray，and，withoutaglancetowardhisyoungmistress，madesomeshowoffussandbustle，asheplacedituponatablenearthewindowanddrewupachairforhersothatshecouldsitwithherbacktothelight。
\"Dahnow！\"heexclaimedsoftly，removingthewhitenapkinanddisplayingotherdaintiesbesidesthechickenwing。\"Dassdeway！DatoleMamieindekitchen，shegotherfailin’san’hergrievin’sins；butdewayshedohan’lechickenan’biscuitsutneyain’tnoneon`em！Shepleadfo’metoaxyouhowyoulikedembiscuit。\"
Hekepthisheadbentlowoverthetable，settingaforkclosertoBetty’shand；arrangingtheplates，thenrearrangingthem，butneverturninghiseyesinherdirection。
\"DatoleMamiemightyvain，yessuh！\"Hesufferedaveryquietchuckletoescapehim。\"Shedidmostsutney`sistdatIaxyouain’tyoulikedembiscuit。Shedeve’yvaines’womanindisState，datoleMamie，yessuh！\"
AndnowhecastonequickglanceoutofthecornerofhiseyeatMissBetty，beforeventuringalouderchuckle。\"Shereckondembiscuitgoin’
githerbySain’Petuhwhenshe`proachdehevumlygates！Uhuh！Itellhershegotgitredemptionfo’deaigsshedoneruindesemanyyeahs；
`causesheasuselesswidanommelickasatwo-daycalfondeslickice！\"
Herehelaughedloudandlong。\"YoujassgoandtalkwiddatMamie，someday，Missy；you’llseehowvaindatwomanis。\"
\"Hasfathergoneout，Nelson？\"askedBettyinalowvoice。
\"Yes’m；heuptown。\"Theoldman’stonesankatoncetothelevelofherown；becameconfidential，asonespeakstoanotherinaroomwheresomebodyisill。\"Hemekkin’perpetrationtogodownderivuhdisaft’noon。Hesayhedonebrokedenewstoyoudathegoin’`way。Deygoin’buil’demwa’houserightup，an’yo’pahenecistatego`way`countdecontrack。Hebegonetwoweek’，honey，\"Nelsonfinished，withouttoomuchtheairofimpartingcheerytidings，butwithjustenough。