\"Iamtostayherealone？\"
\"Lawno，Missy！DatbigMizTanberry，dassdebes’frien’weallgot，shehomeag’in，an’yo’pagoin’invitehervisitatdehouse，whileshegone，an’tostayamont’aftuhhegitback，too，sozeshekingotoalldedoin’san’junketin’swidyou，andtalkwiddeyoungmensdatyoudon’
likewhilesyoutalkswiddemyoudoeslike。\"
\"Whattimewillfathercomehome？\"
\"Home？Hebegonetwoweek’，honey！\"
No；Imeanto-day。\"
\"Law！Heain’comin’back。Bidmepackdetrunkan’ca’yumdowntodeboatatnoon。Denhebidmesayfar’-ye-wellan’akinegood-byefo’him，honey。`Sayhethinkyouain’tfeelin’toowell，sozehewon’t`sturbye，hisself，an’datheunestlydohopeyougoin’havesplen’idtimewhileshetrabblin’。\"（Nelson’simaginationcoveredmanydeficitsinhismaster’scourtesy。）\"Sayhereckonyouan’oleMizTanberrygoin’git`longmightynicewidone’nurr。An’dasswhatmean’Mamiereckon`spechuallyboun’totakeplace，`causedatamightygaylady，datbigMizTanberry，an’olefrien’`erowahfambly。She`uzafrien’eryo’momma’s，honey。\"
MissBettyhadbegunbymakingapretencetoeat，onlytopleasetheoldman，butthevainwoman’scookeryhadbeennotundulyextolled，andNelsonlaughedwithpleasuretoseethefluffyhiscuitsandthechickenwingnotnibbledatbutactuallyeaten。Thiswasahealthyyounglady，hethought，onewhowoulddothehouseholdcreditandjustifytheextravagantpridewhichkitchenandstablealreadyhadinher。Hewasanoldhouse-servant，thereforehehadseenmanyyoungladiesgothroughunhappyhours，andheadmiredMissBettythemorebecauseshewasthefirstwhohadindulgedinstrongweepinganddidnotsnuffleatintervalsafterward。Heunderstoodperfectlyeverythingthathadpassedbetweenfatheranddaughterthatmorning。
Whenherbreakfastwasfinished，sheturnedslowlytothewindow，and，whilehereyesdidnotrefill，aslighttwitchingoftheupperlidsmadehimbelievethatshewasgoingoverthewholesceneagaininhermind；
whereuponhebegantomovebrisklyabouttheroomwithabusyair，pickinguphernapkin，dustingachairwithhishand，exchangingthepositionoftheandironsinthefireplace；and，apparentlydiscoveringthatthepor-
traitofGeorgesMeilhacwasoutofline，hesetitawry，thenstraightagain，thewhilebehummedanold\"spiritual\"ofwhichonlythewords\"ChaindeLionDown\"wereallowedtobequiteaudible。Theywererepeatedoften，andateachrepetitionofthemheseemedprofoundly，thoughdecorously，amused，inawaywhichmighthaveledtoaconjecturethattherefrainboresomedistantreferencetohismaster’seccentricityoftemper。Atfirstbechuckledsoftly，butatthefinaliterationof\"ChaindeLionDown\"burstintooutrightlaughter。
\"Honey，myLaw！\"heexclaimed，\"Butyo’pade`ceivin’destman！Hemightyprouderyou！\"
\"Proudofme！\"Sheturnedtohiminastonishment。
Nelson’slaughterincreased。\"Hain’tbejassde`ceivin’destman！Yessuh，hedesot-uppestmanindistown`countwhatyoudonelastnight。Whathesaydismawn’，datjasshisway！\"
\"Ah，no！\"saidMissBetty，sadly。
\"Yes’m！Heprouderyou，butheteahbulmadatdatman。Hehain’tmadatyou，buthegottercusssomebody！Jassreachoutfo’denighes’hekinlayhan’son，an’dismawn’ithappensozeitwereyou，honey。Uhuh！Yououghterhearnhimins’nightwhenhecomehome。Denitwereme。BlessGod，Iain’tkeerin’。Heweren’tmadatme，nomo’n’hewereatyou。Hejassmad！\"
MissBettylookedattheoldfellowkeenly。Heremained，however，apparentlyunconsciousofherscrutiny，andoccupiedhimselfwithpreparationsforremovingthetray。
\"Nelson，whatisthequarrelbetweenmyfatherandMr。Vanrevel？\"
Hehadliftedthetray，butsetitdownprecipitately，bendinguponherasurprisedandsoberedcountenance。
\"Missy，\"hesaid，gravely，\"Deybigtrouble`twix’demtwo。\"
\"Iknow，\"shereturnedquietly。\"Whatisit？\"
\"Wha’fo’youaxme，Missy？\"
\"Becauseyou’retheonlyoneIcanask。Idon’tknowanyoneherewellenough，exceptyou。\"
Nelson’slipspuckeredsolemnly。\"Mist’VanrevelvoteWhig；butheag’inTexas。\"
\"Well，whatifheis？\"
\"Yo’pamightystrongfo’Texas。\"
\"No’m，datain’thardlydebeginnin’。Mist’lanrevelheaAb’litionist。\"
\"Well？Won’tyoutellme？\"
\"Honey，folksroun’heahmos’on`emlikeMist’Vanrevelsowelldeyain’tholeitupag’in’him——but，Missy，efdeyonethingtopperGod’sworl’
yo’padodesp’itlyandcontestablydespise，hate，cuss，an’outrageously`bominatewuss’n’ayallerAugustspiduhitareaAb’litionist！Hewantstomple`emeve’ylas’oneunderheboot-heel，`cep’ndatoneMist’
CraileyGray。Dey’saconsidabulsprinklin’erdemAb’litionists`boutdekentry，honey；dey’smo’datdon’knoww’ichdeyis；an’dey’smo’stilldatdon’keer。Sozedatwhydeygogitupaquo’ltwix’yo’paan’datman；an’`rangetohave`eronaplatfawm，deyeah`fo’delas’campaign；
an’，suh，deycalldequo’lade-bate；an’alldefolkscomeinf’umdekentry，an’alldefolksintowncome，too。Dewholepossetuckyon`emsitan’listen。
\"Fus’yo’patalk；denMist’Vanrevel，bofeon`emmightycolean’
civilized。Denyo’pagitwo’mup，Missy，likehedo，`casehesouseterhavehisownway；`tain’thisfault，hejasscain’thelphollerin’an’
cussin’ifanybody`posehim；butMist’Vanrevelhejassassuvvige，buthestaycole，w’ichmakeyo’paalldehotter。Hehollermightystrong，Missy，an’somedebackranks`gunsnickerin’athim。Uhuh！Hefa’rjump，hedid；an’denbimebyMist’Vanrevelhesaydatnomanoughterbegivendepilverigetosellanother，nertowollophimwidablacksnake，whetherhe`busedatpilverigeernot。`Myhonabul`ponent，’s’she，`Mist’Carewe，rep’sentinhisseifde`ristocraticslave-ownin’classerdeSouf，do’heliveindeNawfan’`ployfreelabor；yititsca’selytobeb’lievedatanyeryouwouldwillin’lytrus’himwiddepowaherlifean’deathovahyo’ownchillun，w’ichisvirchouslywhatdeslave-ownahp’sess。’
\"Missy，youjassoughterseeyo’paden！Heblueindefacean’dancedequadrilleondeboa’ds。Heleavehischa’h，gitup，an’run`crosstodeoddersidedeplatfawm，an’shakebefis’ovahdatman’shead，an’screechouthowitallliesdatdeslavesevah`ceivesichatreatments。`Datalllies，youpu’juh！’heholler。`Alllies，youmisabulthief，’heholler。
`Alllies，an’youknowit，youlow-bawnslandah’an’scoun’le！’
\"An’widdatMist’Vanrevel，belaffinyo’paface，an’tuhntodecrowd，hedid，an’say：`Youreckondatifdishyuhmanaslave-ownah，an’aslavehadanguhedhimasIhaveanguhedhimtonight，doesanyeryoub’lievedatdatslavewouldn’betiedupan’whippedtelldebloodrun，an’densoledownderivuhto-morrer？’
\"Well，suh，`co’semos’on`emb’lievesameasyo’pa；butdatsutneyfotch`em，an’windede-bate，`casedeyjassnatchullylaybackan’roah，deydid，Missy；deylaffan’stompan’hollertellyoucouldahearn`emamildaway。An’honey，yo’pa’damillyumtimesdrutherMist’Vanrevel’dakilthimdantuhndelaffonhim。He’dshootaman，honey，efhejasss’picionhimtogrinoutdecornderhiseyeathim；an’tostan’updahwiddewholecountyfa’rroahin’athim——it’sdeGod’smussybedid’nhavenoahmswidhim，datnight！OleMist’Chen’ethdonebrunghimhome，an’
yo’pareachoutan’kickmesquah’out’n’deliberrywindersoon’sheketchsighterme！\"Theoldman’sgravitygavewaytohisenjoymentoftherecollection，andhethrewbackhisheadtolaugh。\"Hesho’did，honey！Uhuh！Ho，ho，ho！Hesho’did，honey，hesho’did！\"
Nevertheless，asheliftedthetrayagainandcrossedtheroomtogo，hissolemnityreturned。\"Missy，\"hesaidearnestly，\"efdatyounggelmunfallinlovewidyou，w’ichIknowshewillefheketchsighteryou，lemmesaydis，an’pleasefo’toba’hinmine：betterhavenuttin’dowidhimfo’heownsake；an’`boveall，keephimfurswayf’umdesep’emises。Don’lethimcomeinamilderdishouse。\"
\"Nelson，wasthatallthequarrelbetweenthem？\"
\"BlessedMussy！ain’dat`nough？Efdey’sanymo’Iain’hearnwhatdatpartwere，\"heansweredquickly，butwithadoggedtighteningofthelipswhichconvincedMissBettythatheknewverywell。
\"Nelson，whatwastherestofit？\"
\"Please，Missy，Igotpackyo’patrunk；an’ittime，longago，fermetobeatmywu’k。\"Hewashalfoutofthedoor。
\"Whatwastherestofit？\"sherepeatedquietly。
\"Now，honey，\"hereturnedwithadeprecatoryshakeofhishead，\"Igotmyownwu’k`tendto；an’Iain’tnevahaxnobodywhat`twas，an’Iain’tgoin’ax`em。An’lemmejassbegyoufoilerdeoleman’sadvice：youdodesame，`casenobodyain’tgoin’tellyou。AllIknowisdatitcomelaterandweresomep’n`boutdatriprarinCraileyGray。Yo’pahesentachannelgetoMist’Vanrevel，an’Mist’Vanrevel`fusetofighthim`causehesayhedon’b’lieveshootin’yo’pagoin’doyo’paanygood，an’hestillgothopemekkin’goodcitizenouterhim。Datbrungdelaffonyo’
paag’in；an’he`claretoGodefheketchVanrevelonanygroun’erhisnheshoothimlikeamaddog。`Ponmylivin’soulhemeandemwuds，Missy！
Deyhadhard`noughtimelas’nightkeepin’himfumteahin’datmantopiecesatdefiah。Youmus’keepdatyounggelmun`wayfumheah！\"
\"Hecamehomewithmelastnight，Nelson；Itoldfatherso。\"
\"Yes’m。Yo’patolemeyousaydat，buthereckonyoudoneittomekhimmadder，`causeyoumad，too。HesayhedoneseedatCraileyGraycomin’
`longdehedgewidyou。\"
\"Hewasmistaken，itwasMr。Vanrevel。\"
Nelsonrolledhiseyesferventlytoheaven。\"Dendatyoungmanrunpintedlyonhedeath！EfyouwantkeepusalldissideerdeJawdanRivuh，don’lethimsetfootindisneighbo’hoodwhenyo’pacomeback！
An’，honey——\"hisvoicesanktoapenetratingwhisper——\"`fo’Idoalickerwu’kIgoin’outindestablean’gitdownonmykneesan’retu’nthanksgivingtodegoodGod`caseheholeCareweStreetindedahknesslas’night！\"
Thiswasthespeechhechoseforhisexit，but，afterclosingthedoorbehindhim，heopeneditagain，andsaid，cheerfully：
\"Soon’sIgitdetrunkfixf’yo’pa，Ibring`roun’datbaycoltwiddesidesaddle。Youbetterset`boutgittin’onyo’ridin’-habit，Missy。Deroadsismightygooddissunshinywedduh。\"
\"Nelson？\"
\"Doyouthinksuchanattackasfatherhadthismorning——is——dangerous？\"
Hehadhopedforanotherchancetolaughviolentlybeforehelefther，andthiscompletelyfittedhisdesire。\"Ho，ho，he！\"heshouted。\"No’m，no，no，honey！Hejassgitsomaditmekhimsick。Youcouldn’killdatmanwidabroad-ax，Missy！\"
Andhewentdownthehailleavingthereverberationsofhishilaritybehindhim。Thepurposeofhisvisithadbeeneffected，for，whenMissBettyappeareduponthehorse-blockinhergreenhabitandgauntlets，shewassmiling；sothatonlyawoman——orawiseoldman——couldhaveguessedthatshehadweptbitterlythatmorning。
Shecanteredouttotheflat，opencountrytotheeast，whereshefoundsoftdirt-roadsthatweregoodforthebaycolt’sfeet，andshereachedacross-roadseveralmilesfromtownbeforeshewasovercomebytheconvictionthatshewasawickedandungratefulgirl。Shecouldnotplacetheexactspotofherguilt，butsheknewitwasthere，somewhere，sinceshefeltherselfaguiltything。
ForthepicturewhichNelsonhaddrawnrosebeforeher：theonemanstandingaloneinhisrageontheplatform，overwhelmedbyhiscalmyoungadversary，beatenandmadethebuttoflaughterforathousand。Herfatherhadbeeninthewronginthatquarrel，andsomehowshewassure，too，hemusthavebeenwronginthe\"personal\"one，aswell：themysteriousdifficultyoverFanchon’sMr。Gray，whohadlookedsoashamedlastnight。Whatfeudcouldtheymakeoverhim，ofallpeopleintheworld？Helookedstrongenoughtotakecareofhisownquarrels，evenifhewassorigorouslyboundbyFanchon’sapron-stringwhenitcametoawordwithanothergirl！
Buttheconclusionthatherfatherhadbeeninerrordidnotlessenthepatheticappealofthesolitaryfigurefacingtheridiculeofthecrowd。
Shefeltthathealwayshonestlybelievedhimselfintheright；sheknewthathewasvain；thathehadanalmostmonstrousconceptionofhisdignity；and，realizingthebitternessofthatpublichumiliationwhichhehadundergone，sheunderstoodthewrath，theunspeakablepainandsenseofoutrage，whichmusthavepossessedhim。
Andnowshewaslettinghimgoforthuponajourney——hiswaybesetwiththechancesofillnessandaccident——whencehemightneverreturn；shewaslettinghimgowithoutseeinghimagain；lettinghimgowithnowordoffarewellfromhisdaughter。Inbrief：shewasawickedgirl。Sheturnedthecolt’sheadabruptlytothewestandtouchedhisflankswithherwhip。
SoitfelloutthatasthepacketfoameditspassagebackwardfromCarewe’swharfintothecurrent，theowneroftheboat，standinguponthehurricanedeck，heardacryfromtheshore，andturnedtobeholdhisdaughterdashdowntotheveryendofthewharfonthewell-latheredcolt。
MissBetty’shairwasblownaboutherface；hercheekswererosy，hereagereyessparklingfrommorethanthehardriding。
\"Papa！\"shecried，\"I’msorry！\"
Sheleanedforwardoutofthesaddle，extendingherarmstohimappealinglyinacharminggesture，and，absolutelyignoringtheidlersonthewharfandthepassengersonthesteamer，wassinglyintentuponthetallfigureonthehurricane-deck。\"Papa——good-by。Pleaseforgiveme！\"
\"BytheAlmighty，butthat’safinewoman！\"saidthecaptainoftheboattoapassengerfromRouen。\"Isshehisdaughter？\"
\"Pleaseforgiveme！\"theclearvoicecameagain，withitsquaverofentreaty，acrossthewideningwater；andthen，asMr。Carewemadenosign，bywordormovement，ofhearingher，andstoodwithouttheslightestalterationofhisattitude，shecriedtohimoncemore：
\"Good-by！\"
Thepaddle-wheelsreversed；theboatswungdowntheriver，Mr。Carewestillstandingimmovableonthehurricane-deck，while，tothegazeofthoseonthesteamer，thefigureonthebaycoltattheendofthewharfbegantogrowsmallerandsmaller。Shewaswavingherhandkerchiefinfarewell，andtheycouldseethelittlewhitespeckinthedistance，dimmeranddimmer，yetflutteringstillastheypassedoutofsightroundthebendnearlythree-quartersofamilebelow。
CHAPTERIX
TheRuleoftheRegentBettyneverforgotherfirstsightoftheoldfriendofherfamily。
Returningwithasadheart，shewaswalkingthecoltslowlythroughthecarriage-gates，whenanextravagantlystoutlady，ingreenmuslinillustratedwithhugeredflowers，cameoutupontheporchandwavedafatarmtothegirl。Thevisitorworeadark-greenturbanandaCashmereshawl，whiletheexpanseofherskirtswasnothingshortofmagnificent：
somecathedral-domeseemedtohavebeenmisplacedandtheladydroppedintoit。HeroutstretchedhandterrifiedBetty：howwasshetoapproachnearenoughtotakeit？
Mrs。Tanberrywasaboutsixty，lookedforty，andatfirstyoumighthaveguessedsheweighednearlythreehundred，butthelightnessofhersmileandtheactualbuoyancywhichshesomehowimpartedtoherwholedominionlessenedthatbyatleastahundred-weight。Sheballoonedouttothehorse-blockwithabillowyrushsomewherebetweenboundingandsoaring；
andMissBettysliddownfromthecolt，whoshiedviolently，tofindherselfenveloped，inspiteofthedome，inavastsurfofgreenandredmuslin。
\"Mycharminggirl！\"exclaimedtheladyvehemently，inavoiceofsuchhuskyrichness，ofsuchmerrimentandunctionofdelight，thatitfelluponMissBetty’searwithmoreofthequalityofsheergayetythananyshehadeverheard。\"Beautifulchild！Whatabeautifulchildyouare！\"
Shekissedthegirlresoundinglyonbothcheeks；steppedbackfromherandlaughed，andclappedherfathands，whichwerecoveredwithflashingrings。\"Oh，butyouareatrueblueBeauty！You’reaPrincess！IamMrs。
Tanberry，JaneTanberry，youngJanieTanberry。Ihaven’tseenyousinceyouwereababyandyourprettymotherwasagirllikeus！\"
\"Youaresokindtocome，\"saidBettyhesitatingly。\"Ishalltrytobeveryobedient。\"
\"Obedient！\"Mrs。Tanberryutteredthewordwithashriek。\"You’llbenothingofthekind。Iamthelight-mindedestwomanintheuniverse，andanyonewhoobeyedmewouldbeembroiledineverlastingtroubleeverysecondintheday。You’llfindthatIamtheonethatneedslookingafter，mycharmer！\"
ShetappedMissBetty’scheekwithherjeweledfingersasthetwomountedtheverandasteps。\"Itwillbeworryenoughforyoutoobeyyourself；abodyseesthatatthefirstblush。Youhaveconscienceinyourforeheadandrebellioninyourchin。Ha，ha，ha！\"HereMrs。Tanberrysatupon，andobliterated，alargechair，MissCarewetakingastoolatherknee。
\"Peopleofourageoughtn’ttobebotheredwithobeying；there’llbetimeenoughforthatwhenwegetoldandcan’tenjoyanything。Ha，ha！\"
Mrs。Tanberrypunctuatedherobservationswithshortvolleysofhuskylaughter，soabruptinbothdischargeandcessationthat，untilMissBettybecameaccustomedtothehabit，shewasapttostartslightlyateachsalvo。\"Ihadahusband——once，\"theladyresumed，\"butonlyonce，myfriend！Hehadideaslikeyourfather’s——yourfatherissuchanimbecile！——andhethoughtthatwives，sisters，daughters，andsuchlikeoughttobeobedient：thatis，therestoftheworldwaswrongunlessitwasright；andrightwasjusthisownlittle，teeny-squeenyprejudicesandemotionsdressedupforacrazymasqueradeasFacts。Poorman！Heonlylastedaboutayear！\"AndMrs。Tanberrylaughedheartily。
\"They’vebeenatmetimeandagaintotakeanother。\"SheloweredhervoiceandleanedtowardBettyconfidentially。\"NotI！I’dbewillingtoengagemyselftoCraileyGray（thoughCraileyhasn’tgotroundtomeyet）
forIdon’tmindjustbeingengaged，mydear；butthey’llhavetoinventsomethingbetterthanamanbeforeImarryanyoneof`emagain！ButI
love`em，Ido，theCharmingBillies！Andyou’llseehowtheyfollowme！\"
Shepattedthegirl’sshoulder，hersmalleyesbeamingquizzically。
\"We’llhavethegayesthouseinRouen，ladybird！TheyoungmenallgototheBareauds’，butthey’llcomeherenow，andwe’llhavetheBareaudsalongwith`em。I’vebeenawayalongtime，justfinishedunpackingyesterdaynightwhenyourfathercameinafterthefire——Whoo！whatastatehewasinwiththatdevilishtemperofhis！Didn’tIsnaphimupwhenheaskedmetocomeandstaywithyou？Ha，ha！I’dhavecome，evenifyouhadn’tbeenbeautiful；butIwaswildtobeyourplaymate，forI’dheardnothingbut`MissBettyCarewe，MissBettyCarewe’fromeverybodyI
saw，sincetheminutemystagecamein。Youset`emallmadatyourball，andIknewwe’dmakeaglorioushouse-full，youandI！Someofthevagabondswillturnupthisveryevening，you’llseeiftheydon’t。Ha，ha！Thewaytheyfollowme！\"
Mrs。Tanberrywasirresistible：shefilledthewholeplaceotherwisethanbythemerematerialvoluminousnessofher；bubblingoverwithfrothofnonsensewhichflewthroughthehouse，drivenbyherenergy，likesea-foamonaspringgale；andtheday，sodiscordantlybegunforMissBetty，grewmusicalwithherownlaughter，answeringthehuskystaccatoofthevivaciousnewcomer。Nelsonwaiteduponthemattable，radiant，hissmilelikethekeyboardofanebonypiano，andhisdisappearancesintothekitchenwereaccomplishedbymeansofasurreptitiousdouble-shuffle，andfollowedbythecachinnatingechoesofthevainMamie’sreceptionofthevisitor’ssallies，whichNelsonhastilyretailedinpassing。
NorwasMrs。Tanberry’spredictionallowedtogounfulfilledregardingtheadventofthosepersonswhomshehaddesignatedasvagabonds。ItmayhavebeenoutofdeferencetoMr。Carewe’ssenseofdecorum（orfromacautiousregardofwhathewasliabletodowhenheconsideredthatsenseoutraged）
thatthegallantsofRouenhadplacedthemselvesunderthesevererestraintofallowingthreedaystoelapseaftertheirintroductiontoMissCarewebeforethey\"paidtheirrespectsatthehouse；\"but，bethatasitmay，thedictatorwasnowsafelyunderwaydowntheRouenRiver，andMrs。Tanberryreignedinhisstead。Thus，atabouteighto’clockthatevening，thetwoladiessatinthelibraryengagedinconversation——
though，forthesakeofaccuracy，itshouldbesaidthatMrs。Tanberrywasengagedinconversation，MissBettyingivingear——whentheirattentionwasarrestedbysoundsofasomewhatmusicalnaturefromthelawn，whichsoundswereimmediatelyidentifiedasemanatingfromafluteandviolin。
Mrs。Tanberryboundedacrosstheroomlikeapublicbuildingcaughtbyacyclone，and，dashingatthecandles，\"Blow`emout，blow`emout！\"sheexclaimed，suitingtheactiontothewordinaflusterofexcitement。
\"Why？\"askedMissCarewe，startled，assherosetoherfeet。Thecandleswereoutbeforethequestion。
\"`Why！\"repeatedthemerry，huskyvoiceinthedarkness。\"Mygoodness，childprecious，thosevagabondsarehere！Tothinkofyourneverhavingbeenserenadedbefore！\"
Shedrewthegirltothewindowandpointedtoagroupofdimfiguresneartheiliacbushes。\"Thedear，delightfulvagabonds！\"shechuckled。\"I
knewthey’dcome！It’sthebeautifulTappinghamMarshwithhisfiddle，andyoungJeffBareaudwithhisflute，and`GeneMadrillonandlittleFrankChenowithandthinWillCummingstosing。Harktotherascals！\"
Itisperfectlytruthfultosaythattheviolinandfluteexecutedtheprelude，andthenthetriosoundedfullontheeveningair，themoreeffectivechordsobliginglydrawnoutaslongasthebreathinthesingerscouldholdthem，inordertoallowthetwofairauditorscompletebenefitoftheharmony。Theysang\"TheHarpthatOnceThro’Tara’sHalls，\"andfolloweditwith\"Long，LongAgo。\"
\"That，\"Mrs。Tanberrywhispered，betweenstifledgustsofalmostuncontrollablelaughter，\"ismeantforjustme！\"
\"Tellmethetalesthattomeweresodear，\"entreatedthetrio。
\"Itold`emplenty！\"gurgledtheenliveningwidow。\"AndIexpectbetweenuswecangetupsomemore。\"\"Nowyouarecomemygriefisremoved，\"
theysang。
\"TheymeanyourfatherisonhiswaytoSt。Louis，\"remarkedMrs。
Tanberry。
\"Letmeforgetthatsolongyouhaveroved，Letmebelievethatyouloveasyouloved，Long，longago，longago。\"
\"Applaud，applaud！\"whisperedMrs。Tanberry，encouragingtheminstrelsbyaheartyclappingofhands。
Hereupondissensionaroseamongthequintet，evidentlyadisputeinregardtotheirnextselection；oneofthegentlemenappearingmorethanmerelytosuggestasolobyhimself，whiletheotherstoofranklyexpressedadverseopinionsuponthevalueoftheoffering。Theargumentbecameheated，andinspiteofmanya\"Sh！\"and\"Notsoloud！\"theill-suppressedvoiceoftheintendingsoloist，Mr。Chenoweth，couldbeheardvehementlytoexclaim：\"Iwill！Ilearneditespeciallyforthisoccasion。Iwillsingit！\"
Hisdetermination，patently，wasnottobebalkedwithoutphysicalencounter，consequentlyhewaspermittedtoadvancesomepacesfromthelilacbushes，wherehedeliveredhimself，inanearnestandplaintivetenor，ofthefollowingmorbidinstructions，towhichtheviolinplayedanobligatointremulo，soexecrable，andsoexcruciatinglydiscordant，thatMr。Chenoweth’ssubsequentchargethatitwasdonewithadeliberatelyevilintentioncouldneverbesuccessfullyopposed：
\"Go！Forgetme！WhyshouldSorrowO’erthatbrowashadowfling？
Go！Forgetme，and，to-morrow，Brightlysmileandsweetlysing！
Smile！tho’Imaynotbenearthee；
Smile！tho’Imayneverseethee；
MaythysoulwithpleasureshineLastingasthisgloomofmine！\"
MissCarewecompliedatoncewiththerequest；whilehercompanion，unabletostopwiththeslightexpressionofpleasuredemandedbythesongster，threwherselfuponasofaandgavewaytothemirththatconsumedher。
Thenthecandleswererelit，theserenadersinvitedwithin；Nelsoncamebearingcakeandwine，andthehousewasmademerry。Presently，theromp，VirginiaBareaud，makingherappearanceonthearmofGeneralTrumble，Mrs。TanberryledthemallinaheartygameofBlind-man’sBuff，followedbyasheartyadancingofDanTucker。Afterthat，aquadrillebeingproposed，Mrs。TanberrysuggestedthatJeffersonshouldrunhomeandbringFanchonforthefourthlady。However，VirginiaexplainedthatshehadendeavoredtopersuadebothhersisterandMr。GraytoaccompanytheGeneralandherself，butthatMr。Grayhadcomplainedofindisposition，havingsufferedgreatlyfromheadache，onaccountofinhalingsomuchsmokeatthewarehousefire；and，ofcourse，Fanchonwouldnotleavehim。
（MissCarewepermittedherselftheslightestshrugoftheshoulders。）
SotheydancedthequadrillewithJeffersonatthepianoandMr。Marshperforminginthecharacterofalady，aproceedingmostunacceptabletotheGeneral，whomMrs。Tanberryforcedtobehispartner。Andthustheeveningpassedgaylyaway，andbuttooquickly，tojointheghostsofalltheothereveningssincetimebegan；andeachofthelittlecompanyhadaddedacheerfulspritetothelongrowsofthosevariedshadesthattheafteryearsbringtorevisitus，somanywithpatheticreproach，somanybearingatragicburdenoffacesthatwecannotmakeeventoweepagain，andsofewwithsimplemerrimentandlightheartedness。TappinghamMarshspokethetruth，indeed，whenheexclaimedinparting，\"OrareMrs。
Tanberry！\"
Butthehousehadnotdonewithserenadesthatnight。Theguestshadlongsincedeparted；thewindowswerestillanddarkunderthewanoldmoon，whichhadrisenlamely，lookingunfamiliarandnothalfitself；theairboreanodoroflateness，andnothingmoved；whenadelicateharmonystoleoutoftheshadowsbeyondthemistygarden。Lowbutresonantchordssoundedontheheavierstringsofaguitar，whileabovethem，uponthelighterwires，rippledaslender，tinklingmelodythatwooedtheslumberertoadelicioushalf-wakefulness，asdreamily，astenderly，asthecroonofrainontheroofsoothesachildtosleep。Undertheartist’scunningtouchtheinstrumentwasboththeaccompanimentandthesong；andMissBetty，atfirsttakingthemusictobeawanderingthreadinthefabricofherownbrightdreams，driftedgraduallytoconsciousnesstofindherselfsmiling。Hereyesopenedwide，buthalfclosedagainwiththeineffablesweetnessofthesound。
Thenavoicewasheard，eerilylow，yetgallantandclear，avibrantbaritone，singingtotheguitar。
\"Mylady’shair，Thatdarkdelight，IsbothasfairAndduskasnight。
IknowsomelovelornheartsthatbeatIntimetomoonbeamtwinklingsfleet，Thatdanceandglancelikejewelsthere，Emblazoningtheravenhair！
\"Ah，ravenhair！
Sodarkandbright，WhatlovesliethereEnmeshed，to-night？
IknowsomesighingladsthatsayTheirheartsweresnaredandtornaway；
Andnowaspearlsonefatetheyshare，Entangledintheravenhair。
\"Ah，ravenhair，>FromsuchaplightCouldyounotspareOneacolyte？
IknowabrokenheartthatwentToserveyoubutasornament。
Alas！arubynowyouwear，Ensanguiningtheravenhair！\"
Thesonghadgrownfainterandfainter，thesingermovingawayashesang，andthelastlineswerealmostinaudibleinthedistanceTheguitarcouldbeheardforamomentortwomore，thensilencecameagain。ItwasbrokenbyarustlingintheroomnexttoMissBetty’s，andMrs。Tanberrycalledsoftlythroughtheopendoor：
\"Princess，areyouawake？Didyouhearthatserenade？\"
Afterapausetheanswercamehesitatinglyinasmall，falteringvoice：
\"Yes——ifitwasone。Ithoughtperhapshewasonlysingingashepassedalongthestreet。\"
\"Aha！\"ejaculatedMrs。Tanberry，abruptly，asthoughshehadmadeanunexpecteddiscovery。\"Youknewbetter；andthiswasaserenadethatyoudidnotlaughat。Beautiful，Iwouldn’tletitgoanyfarther，evenwhileyourfatherisgone。Somethingmightoccurthatwouldbringhimhomewithoutwarning——suchthingshavehappened。TomVanreveloughttobekeptfarawayfromthishouse。\"
\"Oh，itwasnothe，\"returnedMissBetty，quickly。\"ItwasMr。Gray。
Didn’tyou——\"
\"Mydear，\"interruptedtheother，\"CraileyGray’sspecialtyistalking。
Mostofthevagabondscansingandplayabit，andsocanCrailey，particularlywhenhe’shadafewbowlsofpunch；butwhenTomVanreveltouchestheguitarandliftsuphisvoicetosing，thereisn’tanangelinheaventhatwouldn’tquittheplaceandcometohearhim！CraileywrotethosewordstoVirginiaBareaud。（Herhairisevendarkerthanyours，youknow。）Thatwaswhenhewasbeingengagedtoher；andTommusthavesetthemusicto`emlately，andnowcomesheretosing`emtoyou；andwellenoughtheyfityou！Butyoumustkeephimaway，Princess。\"
Nevertheless，Bettyknewthevoicewasnotthatwhichhadbidherlooktothestars，andsheremainedconvincedthatitbelongedtoMr。CraileyGray，whohadbeentooill，afewhoursearlier，toleavetheBareaudhouse，andnow，withFanchon’skissesonhislips，camestealingintohergardenandsangtoherasonghehadmadeforanothergirl！
Andtheangelswouldleaveheaventolistenwhenhesang，wouldthey？
PoorFanchon！Nowondersheheldhimsotightlyinleadingstrings！Hemightriskhislifeallhewishedattheendofagrappling-ladder，danglinginafierycloudabovenothing；butwhenitcameto——ah，well，poorFanchon！Didsheinventtheheadachesforhim，ordidshemakehiminventthemforhimself？
IftherewasonepersonintheworldwhomMissBettyheldinbittercontemptandscorn，itwastheownerofthatvoiceandthatguitar。
CHAPTERX
EchoesofaSerenadeMorethanthreegentlemenofRouenworetheirheartsintheireyesforanyfooltogazeupon；butthreewasthenumberofthosewhotoldtheirlovebeforetheendofthefirstweekofMr。Carewe’sabsence，andtolditinspiteofMrs。Tanberry’sutmostefforttopreserve，atalltimes，aconjunctionbetweenherselfandMissBetty。Forthegoodlady，foreseeingthesedeclarationsmuchmoresurelythandidthesubjectofthem，wishedtospareherlovelychargethepainoflisteningtothem。
MissCarewehonoredeachofthelornthreewithfewminutesofgravity；
butthegentlerefusalpreventedneveraswainfrombeingastrulyherfollowerasbefore；notthatsheresortedtothepoordeviceofhalf-
dismissal，theevery-daymethodoftheschool-girlflirt，whothuskeepstheladsindalliance，butbecause，evenfortherejected，itwasadelighttobenearher。Forthatmatter，itissaidthatnooneeverhadenoughofthemerelookingather。Also，hertalkwasenliveningeventothelively，beingspicedwithsurprisingturnsandamiablyseasonedwiththeartofbadinage。Tousethephraseofthetime，shepossessedtheaccomplishments，anantiquatedcharmnowonthepointofdisappearing，socarefullyhasitbeensnubbedunderwheneverexhibited。Thepursuingwraithoftheyoung，itcomestosit，aghostateverybanquet，drivingtheflowerofouryouthtounheard-ofexertionsinsearchofescape，todubiousdiplomacy，todismalinaction，ortowine；yettimewaswhentheysettheirheartson\"theaccomplishments。\"
MissBettyCareweatherharp，ah！itwasadaintypicture：theclearprofile，withthedarkhairlowacrossthetemple，silhouettedduskily，inthecool，shadowyroom，againsttheopenwindow；theslenderfigure，onearmcurvingbetweenyouandthestrings，theothergleamingbehindthem；
thedelicatelittlesandalstealingfromthewhitefrothofsilkandlacetocaressthepedal；thenimblehandsflutteringacrossthelongstrands，\"Likewhiteblossomsborneonslantinglinesofrain；\"andthegreatgoldharprisingtocatchajavelinofsunshinethatpiercedthevinesatthewindowwherethehoneysucklesswungtheirskirtstotherefrain——itwasapicturetoreturnmanyalongyearafterward，andthrillthereveriesofoldmenwhowerethenyoung。And，followingthelightcascadingripplesoftheharp，whenherlowcontraltoliftedinoneofthe\"oldsongs，\"sheoftenturnedinquiringlytoseeifthelistenerlikedthemusic，andherbrilliant，darkeyeswouldrestonhiswithanappealthatblindedhisentrancedsoul。Shemeantitforthemereindicationofafriendlywishtosuithistastes，butitlookedlikethedivinehumilityoflove。
NobodywonderedthatGeneralTrumbleshouldfalltoverse-makinginhisoldage。
Shesketchedmagnificently。Thisistheverystrongestsupportfortheassertion：FrankChenowethandTappinghamMarshagreed，withtearsofenthusiasm，that\"magnificently\"wastheonlyword。Theycametothisconclusionastheysattogetherattheendofalongdinner（atwhichverylittlehadbeeneaten）afteraday’spicnicbytheriver。MissCarewehadbeenoftheircompany，andTappinghamandChenowethfoundeachhisopportunityintheafternoon。Thepartywassmall，andnoonehadbeenabletoeffectatotalunconsciousnessofthemaneuversofthetwogentle-
men。EvenFanchonBareaudcomprehendedlanguidly，thoughshewasmoreblurredthanever，andherfar-awayeyesbeliedthemechanicalvivacityofhermanner，forCraileywasthirtymilesdowntheriver，withafishing-
rodneatlypackedinaleathercase。
Mr。Vanrevel，ofcourse，wasnotinvited；noonewouldhavethoughtofaskinghimtojoinasmallpartyofwhichRobertCarewe’sdaughterwastobeamember。ButitwashappinessenoughforTom，thatnight，toliehiddenintheshrubbery，lookingupatthestarsbetweentheleaves，whilehelistenedtoherharp，andbornethroughtheopenwindowonenchantedairs，thevoiceofElizabethCarewesinging\"RobinAdair。\"
Itwasnowthatthetownindulgeditsliveliestspirit；neveraneveninglackeditsjunketing，whilethehappyfolkofRouensettheearlysummertomusic。Serenade，dance，andsongforthem，thelight-hearts，youngandoldmakinggaytogether！Itwasalllaughter，eitherinsunshineorbycandlelight，undisturbedbythefarthunderbelowthesouthernhorizon，whereZacharyTaylorhadpitchedhistent，upontheRioGrande。
Onefairevening，soonafterthatexcursionwhichhadprovedfataltothehopesofthehandsomeTappinghamandoftheyouthfulChenoweth，itwastheprivilegeofMr。ThomasVanreveltoassistMissCareweandherchaperonfromtheircarriage，astheydroveuptoadanceattheBareauds’。Thisgoodfortunefellonlytogreatdeserving，forhehadspentanhourlurkingoutsidethehouseinthehopeofperformingsuchofficesforthem。
Heavenwasinhissoulandthebreathdepartedoutofhisbody，when，afteramomentofhesitation，MissBetty’slittlelace-gauntletedglovewasplacedinhishand，andherwhiteslippershimmeredoutfromthelilacflouncesofherdresstofalllikeabenediction，hethought，oneachofthecarriage-steps。
Itwastheageofgarlands；theywreathedtheMuses，theSeasons，andtheirspeech，sothewomenworewreathsintheirhair，andMissBetty’sthatnightwasofmarguerites。\"Readyourfortuneinthemall，\"whisperedTom’sheart，\"andofwhomsoeveryouwishtolearn，everypetalwillsay`Helovesyou；nonedeclare，Helovesyounot！’\"
Shebowedslightly，butdidnotspeaktohim，whichwasperhapsabetterreceptionthanthataccordedtheyoungmanbyhercompanion。\"Oh，it’syou，isit！\"wasMrs。Tanberry’scourteousobservationasshecantedthevehicleinherdescent。ShelookedsharplyatMissBetty，andeventhesmallglowofthecarriage-lampsshowedthatthegirl’scheekshadflushedveryred。Mr。Vanrevel，onthecontrary，waspale。
Theystoodforamomentinawkwardsilence，while，fromthelightedhousewheretheflyingfigurescircled，camethewaltz：\"IdreamtthatIdwe-
heltinma-har-blehalls。\"Tom’sowndreamsweremuchwilderthanthegypsygirl’s；heknewthat；yethespokeoutbravely：
\"Willyoudancethetwofirstwithme？\"
MissBettybitherlip，frowned，turnedaway，and，vouchsafingnoreply，walkedtowardthehousewithhereyesfixedontheground；butjustastheyreachedthedoorsheflashedoverhimalookthatscorchedhimfromheadtofoot，andsenthisspiritsdownthroughthesolesofhisbootstoexcavateagrottointhedepthsoftheearth，sochargeditwaswithwrathfulpityandcontempt。
\"Yes！\"shesaidabruptly，andfollowedMrs。Tanberrytothedressing-room。
Theelderladyshookherheadsolemnlyassheemergedfromtheenormousfoldsofayellowsilkcloak。\"Ah，Princess，\"shesaid，touchingthegirl’sshoulderwithherjeweledhand，\"ItoldyouIwasaveryfoolishwoman，andIam，butnotsofoolishastoofferadviceoften。Yet，believeme，itwon’tdo。IthinkthatisoneofthegreatestyoungmenI
everknew，andit’sapity——butitwon’tdo。\"
MissBettykeptherfaceawayfromherguardianforamoment。Noinconsiderableamountofinformationhaddriftedtoher，fromhereandthere，regardingthecareerofCraileyGray，andshethoughthowintenselyshewouldhavehatedanypersonintheworldexceptMrs。Tanberryforpre-
sumingtothinksheneededtobewarnedagainstthecharmsofthisserenadinglady-killer，whowasthepropertyofanothergirl。
\"Youmustkeephimaway，Ithink，\"venturedMrs。Tanberry，gently。
AtthatBettyturnedtoherandsaid，sharply：
\"Iwill。Afterthis，pleaseletusneverspeakofhimagain。\"
Aslownodoftheother’sturbanedheadindicatedthegravestacquiescence。Shesawthathercompanion’scheekswerestillcrimson。\"I
understand，\"saidshe。
Abuzzofwhispering，likeaJulybeetle，followedMissCareweandherpartnerabouttheroomduringthenextdance。HowhadTommanagedit？
Hadherfathernevertoldher？Whohaddaredtointroducethem？Fanchonwastheonlyonewhoknew，andasshewhirledbywithWillCummings，sheraisedherabsentglancelongenoughtogiveTomanaffectionateandwarningshakeofthehead。
Tomdidnotseethis；MissCarewedid。Alas！Shesmileduponhiminstantlyandlookeddeepintohiseyes。Itwasthethirdtime。
Shewasnotafraidofthisman-flirt；hewastobesettledwithonceandforever。SheintendedtoavengebothFanchonandherself；yetitisahazardousgame，thispiercingofeyewitheye，becausethepointwhichseekstopenetratemaysoftenandmelt，leavingonedefenseless。Forperhapstensecondsthatstraightlooklasted，whileitseemedtoherthatshereadclearintothesoulofhim，andtobeholdit，throughsomebefoolingmagic，asstrong，tender，wise，andtrue，ashisoutwardap-
pearancewouldhavemadeaninnocentstrangerbelievehim；forhelookedallthesethings；sheadmittedthatmuch；andhehadanairofdistinctionandresourcebeyondanyshehadeverknown，eveninthewildscrambleforherkittenhehadnotlostit。So，fortenseconds，whichmaybealongtime，shesawamansuchasshehaddreamed，andshedidnotbelievehersight，becauseshehadnodesiretobeascredulousastheothers，tobeaseasilycheatedasthatpoorFanchon！
ThelucklessTomfoundhisownfeetbeautifulonthemountains，and，treadingtheheightswithairysteps，appearedtohimselfwonderfulandglorified——hewaswaltzingwithMissBettyHebreathedtheentrancingwordstohimself，overandover：itwastrue，hewaswaltzingwithMissBettyCarewe！Herglovelaywarmandlightwithinhisown；hisfingersclaspedthatineffablelilacandwhitebrocadewaist。Sometimesherhaircamewithinaninchofhischeek，andthenheroseoutrightfromthehilltopsandfloatedinagoldenmist。TheglamourofwhichtheIncroyablehadplannedtotellhersomeday，surroundedTom，anditseemedtohimthatthewholeworldwascoveredwithabeautifullightlikeacarpet，whichwasbuttheradianceofthisadorablegirlwhomhisglovesandcoat-sleevewerepermittedtotouch。Whenthemusicstopped，theyfollowedinthetrainofothercouplesseekingthecoolnessofout-of-
doorsfortheinterval，andTom，inhissoul，laughedatallothermenwithillimitablecondescension。
\"Stophere，\"shesaid，astheyreachedtheopengate。Hewaswalkingoutofit，hisheadintheair，andMissBettyonhisarm。Apparently，hewouldhavewalkedstraightacrosstheState。Itwasthehappiestmomenthehadeverknown。
Hewantedtosaysomethingwonderfultoher；hisspeechshouldbelikethemusicandgloryandlirethatwasinhim；thereforehewasshockedtohearhimselfremarking，withaninanityofutterancethatsickenedhim：
\"Oh，here’sthegate，isn’tit？\"
Heranswerwasashortlaugh。\"Youmeanyouwishtopersuademethatyouhadforgottenitwasthere？\"
\"Ididnotseeit，\"heprotested，lamentably。
\"No？\"
\"Iwasn’tthinkingofit。\"
\"Indeed！Youwere`lostinthoughtsof`——\"
\"Ofyou！\"hesaid，beforehecouldcheckhimself。