Thebloodwentfromhischeeksasaswallowfliesdownfromaroof；hestartedbackagainsttheoppositewallwithastifledgroan，whileshestaredathimblankly，andgrewasdeathlypaleashe。
Hewasamanofgreatresourceinallemergencieswhichrequiredaquicktongue，but，forthemoment，thiswasbeyondhim。Hefelthimselflost，topplingbackwardintoanabyss，andtheuselessnessofhisdestructionmadehimphysicallysick。Forheneednothavebeenthere；hehadnotwishedtocome；hehadwellcountedthedangertohimself，andthisonetimeinhislifehadgonetothecupola-roomoutofgood-nature。ButBareaudhadbeenobstinateandCraileyhadcomeawayalone，hopingthatJeffersonmightfollow。Andherehewas，poortrappedrat，convictedandruinedbecauseofagoodaction！Atlastheknewconsistencytobeajewel，andthatagreedyboyshouldnevergiveacrust；thatafoolshouldsticktohisfolly，avillaintohisdeviltry，andeachholdhisown；forthemanwhothrustsagooddeedintoalifeofliesiswoundaboutwithperilouspasses，andinhisdeviouswaysathousandunexpecteddamnationsspring。
Beaten，stunned，hang-jawedwithdespair，hereturnedherlong，dumfoundedgazehopelesslyandtoldthetruthlikeaninspireddunce。
\"Icame——Icame——tobringanothermanaway，\"hewhisperedbrokenly；and，attheverymoment，severalheavy，half-suppressedvoicesbrokeintoeagertalkoverhead。
Thewhitehandthatheldthecandlewavered，andtheshadowsglidedinahuge，grotesquedance。Twicesheessayedtospeakbeforeshecoulddoso，atthesamemomentmotioninghimback，forhehadmadeavaguegesturetowardher。
\"Iamnotfaint。Doyoumean，awayfromupthere？\"Shepointedtothecupola-stairs。
\"Yes。\"
\"Have-haveyouseenmyfather？\"
Thequestioncameoutofsuchadepthofincredulousnessthatitwasmoreanarticulationofthelipsthanasound，buthecaughtit；and，withitnothope，buttheshadowofashadowofhope，ahandwavingfromthefarshoretotheswimmerwhohasbeendowntwice。Didshefearforhissake？
\"No——Ihavenotseenhim。\"Hewasgropingblindly。
\"Youdidnotcomefromthat\"
\"Howdidyouenterthehouse？\"
Thedraughtthroughthehallwasblowinguponhim；thedoubledoorsupontheverandahadbeenleftopenforcoolness。\"There，\"hesaid，pointingtothem。
\"But——Iheardyoucomefromtheotherdirection。\"
Hewasbreathingquickly；hesawhischance——ifJeffersonBareauddidnotcomenow。
\"Youdidnothearmecomedownthestairs。\"Heleanedtowardher，riskingitallonthat。
\"Ah！\"AsightoolikeagaspburstfromCrailey。Hisheadliftedalittle，andhiseyeswereluminouswithaneagernessthatwasalmostanguish。Hesethisutmostwillatworktocollecthimselfandtothinkhardandfast。
\"Icamehereresolvedtotakeamanaway，comewhatwould！\"hesaid。\"I
foundthedooropen，wenttothefootofthatstairway；thenIstopped。I
rememberedsomething；Iturned，andwasgoingawaywhenyouopenedthedoor。\"
\"Yourememberedwhat？\"
Herstrainedattitudedidnotrelax，nor，tohisutmostscrutiny，wasthecompleteastonishmentofherdistendedgazealteredonewhit，butahintofheraccustomedhighcolorwasagainuponhercheekandherliptrembledalittle，likethatofachildabouttoweep。Theflickerofhopeinhisbreastincreasedprodigiously，andtherushofittookthebreathfromhisthroatandchokedhim。GoodGod！wasshegoingtobelievehim？
\"Iremembered——you！\"
\"What？\"shesaid，wonderingly。
Artreturnedwithasplendidbound，full-pinioned，hisbeautifulandtreacherousFamiliarwhohaddesertedhimatthecrucialinstant；butshemadeupforitnow，foldinghiminprotectivewingsandbreathingthroughhisspirit。Inrapidandvehementwhispershepouredoutthewordsuponthegirlinthedoorway。
\"Ihaveafriend，andIwouldlaydownmylifetomakehimwhathecouldbe。Hehasalwaysthrowneverythingaway，hislife，histalents，allhismoneyandallofmine，forthesakeof——throwingthemaway！Someothermusttellyouaboutthatroom；butithasruinedmyfriend。TonightI
discoveredthathehadbeensummonedhere，andImadeupmymindtocomeandtakehimaway。YourfatherhassworntoshootmeifIsetfootinhishouseorongroundofhis。Well，mydutywasclearandIcametodoit。
Andyet——Istoppedatthefootofthestair——because——becauseIrememberedthatyouwereRobertCarewe’sdaughter。Whatofyou，ifIwentupandharmcametomefromyourfather？ForIswearIwouldnothavetouchedhim！Youaskedmenottospeakof`personal’things，andIhaveobeyedyou；butyouseeImusttellyouonethingnow：Ihavecaredforthisfriendofminemorethanforallelseunderheaven，butIturnedandlefthimtohisruin，andwouldathousandtimes，ratherthanbringtroubleuponyou！`Athousandtimes？’Ah！Iswearitshouldbeathousandtimesathousand！\"
Hehadparadedinonespeechfromtheprisoner’sdocktoCapulet’sgarden，andhereyeswereshiningintohislikeagreatlightwhenhefinished。
\"Goquickly，\"shewhispered。\"Goquickly！Goquickly！\"
\"Butdoyouunderstand？\"
\"Notyet，butIshall。Willyougo？Theymightcome-myfathermightcome-atanymoment。\"
\"But——-\"
\"Doyouwanttodrivemequitemad？Pleasego！\"Shelaidatrembling，urgenthanduponhissleeve。
\"Never，untilyoutellmethatyouunderstand，\"repliedCraileyfirmly，listeningkeenlyfortheslightestsoundfromoverhead。\"Never——untilthen！\"
\"WhenIdoIshalltellyou；nowIonlyknowthatyoumustgo。\"
\"Buttellme-\"
\"Youmustgo！\"
Therewasashufflingofchairsontheflooroverhead，andCraileywent。
Hewentevenmorehastilythanmighthavebeenexpectedfromtheadaman-
tineattitudehehadjustpreviouslyassumed。Realizingthisashereachedthewetpath，heriskedstealingroundtoherwindow：
\"Foryoursake！\"hebreathed；andhavingthusforestalledanytriflingimperfectionwhichmightariseinherrecollectionofhisexitfromthehouse，hedisappeared，kissinghishandtotherainasherandownthestreet。
MissBettylockedherdoorandpulledclosethecurtainsofherwindow。A
numerousbutcarefulsoundoffootstepscamefromthehall，wentbyherdoorandoutacrosstheveranda。Silentlyshewaiteduntilsheheardherfathergoalonetohisroom。
ShetookthecandleandwentintoMrs。Tanberry。Shesetthelightuponatable，pulledachairclosetothebedside，andplacedhercoolhandlightlyonthegreatlady’sforehead。
\"Isn’titverylate，child？Whyareyounotasleep？\"
\"Mrs。Tanberry，Iwanttoknowwhytherewasalightinthecupola-roomtonight？\"
\"What？\"Mrs。Tanberryrolledherselfasuprightaspossible，andsatwithblinkingeyes。
\"IwanttoknowwhatIamsureyouknow，andwhatIamsureeverybodyknows，exceptme。Whatweretheydoingtheretonight，andwhatwasthequarrelbetweenMr。VanrevelandmyfatherthathadtodowithMr。Gray？\"
Mrs。Tanberrygazedearnestlyintothegirl’sface。Afteralongtimeshesaidinagentlevoice：
\"Child，hasitcometomatterthatmuch？\"
\"Yes，\"saidMissBetty。
CHAPTERXIII
TheTocsinTomVanrevelalwayswenttothepost-officesoonafterthemorningdistributionofthemail；thatistosay，aboutteno’clock，andreturnedwiththelettersforthefirmofGrayandVanrevel，bothpersonalandofficial。Craileyandhesharedeverything，evenaboxatthepost-
office；andinfrontofthisbox，onemorning，afteranightofrain，Tomstoodstaringatawhiteenvelopebearingasmall，blackseal。Theaddresswasinawritinghehadneverseenbefore，buttheinstantitfellunderhiseyehewasstruckwithadistinctlypleasurableexcitement。
Whetherthroughsomespiritualexhalationofthewriterfragrantonanymissive，orbecauseofahundredmicroscopicimpressions，thereareanalystswhoareabletoselect，fromapileofletterswrittenbywomen（forthewritingofwomenexhibitscertainphenomenamoredeterminablythanthatofmen）thoseoftheprettiestorotherwisemostattractive。
Andoutupontheloverwhodoesnotrecognizehismistress’shandatthefirstglimpseeverhehasofit，withoutpost-markorotherinformationtoaidhim！ThusVanrevel，worn，hollow-eyed，andsallow，intheRouenpost-
office，heldtheoneletterseparatefromadozen（thelatternot，indeed，fromwomen），andstaredatituntilalittlecolorcamebacktohisdarkskinandagreatdealofbrightnesstohiseye。Hewasnoanalystofhandwritings，yetitcametohiminstantlythatthisnotewasfromaprettywoman。Toseethatitwasfromawomanwassimple，butthatheknew——andhedidknow——thatshewaspretty，savorsoftheoccult。Morethanthis：therewassomethingaboutitthatthrilledhim。Suddenly，andwithoutreason，heknewthatitcamefromElizabethCarewe。
Hewalkedbackquicklytohisofficewiththeletterintheleftpocketofhiscoat，threwthebundleofgeneralcorrespondenceuponhisdesk，wentuptothefloorabove，andpausedathisowndoortolisten。DeepbreathingfromacrossthehallindicatedthatMr。Gray’ssoulwasstillencasedinslumber，andgreatwasitsneed，asTomhadfoundhispartner，thatmorningatfive，stretcheduponthehorsehairsofaintheoffice，lamentingtheemptinessofabottlewhichhadbeenfilledwithfieryBourbonintheafternoon。
Vanrevelwenttohisownroom，lockedthedoor，andtooktheletterfromhispocket。Hehelditbetweenhisfingerscarefully，asthoughitwerealiveandveryfragile，andhelookedatitalongtime，holdingitfirstinonehand，thenintheother，beforeheopenedit。Atlast，however，afterexaminingallthebladesofhispocketknife，heselectedonebrighterthantheothers，andloosenedtheflapoftheenvelopeasgentlyandcarefullyasifithadbeenthepetalofarose-budthathewasopening。
\"DearMr。Vanrevel：
\"Ibelievedyoulastnight，thoughIdidnotunderstand。ButI
understand，now——everything——and，bittertomeasthetruthis，ImustshowyouplainlythatIknowallofit，norcanIrestuntilIdoshowyou。Iwantyoutoanswerthisletter——thoughImustnotseeyouagainforalongtime——andinyouransweryoumustsetmerightifIamanywheremistakeninwhatIhavelearned。
\"Atfirst，anduntilafterthesecondtimewemet，Ididnotbelieveinyourheart，thoughIdidinyourmindandhumor。Evensincethen，therehavecomestrange，small，inexplicablemistrustingsofyou，butnowI
throwthemallawayandtrustyouwholly，MonsieurCitizenGeorgesMeilbac！——Ishallalwaysthinkofyouinthoseimpossiblegarnishmentsofmypoorgreat-uncle，andIpersuademyselfthathemusthavebeenalittlelikeyou。
\"ItrustyoubecauseIhaveheardthestoryofyourprofoundgoodness。
Thefirstreasonformyfather’sdislikewasyourbeliefinfreedomastherightofallmen。Ah，itisnotyourprettyexaggerationsandflatteries（Ilaughatthem！）thatspeakforyou，butyourcareer，itself，andthebravethingsyouhavedone。Myfather’sdislikeflaredintohatredbecauseyouworstedhimwhenhediscoveredthathecouldnotsuccessfullydefendthewrongagainstyouandfellbackuponsheerinsult。
\"HeisamanwhomIdonotknow——strangeasthatseemsasIwriteit。Itisonlytoyou，whohavetaughtmesomuch，thatIcouldwriteit。IhavetriedtoknowhimandtorealizethatIamhisdaughter，butwearethecoldestacquaintances，thatisall；andIcannotseehowachangecouldcome。Idonotunderstandhim；leastofalldoIunderstandwhyheisagambler。Ithasbeenexplainedtomethatitishisgreatpassion，butallIcomprehendinthesewordsisthattheyarefullofshameforhisdaughter。
\"Thisiswhatwastoldme：hehasalwaysplayedheavilyandskillfully——
addingmuchtohisestateinthatway——andinRouenalwayswithacertaincoterie，whichwasjoined，severalyearsago，bythemanyoucametosavelastnight。
\"YourdevotiontoMr。Grayhasbeenthemostbeautifulthinginyourlife。
Iknowallthatthetownknowsofthat，exceptthethousandhiddensacrificesyouhavemadeforhim，thosethingswhichnoonewilleverknow。（Andyet，yousee，Iknowthemafterall！）Foryoursake，becauseyoulovehim，Iwillnotevencallhimunworthy。
\"Ihaveheard——fromonewhotoldunwillingly——thestoryofthenighttwoyearsago，whentheplayransoterriblyhigh；andhow，inthemorningwhentheywentaway，allwerepoorerexceptone，theirhost！——howMr。Grayhadnothingleftintheworld，andowedmyfatheragreatsumwhichwastobepaidintwenty-fourhours；howyoutookeverythingyouhadsavedintheyearsofhardworkatyourprofession，andborrowedtherestonyourword，andbroughtittomyfatherthatafternoon；how，whenyouhadpaidyourfriend’sdebt，youaskedmyfathernottoplaywithMr。Grayagain；andmyfathermadethathisexcusetosendyouachallenge。Youlaughedatthechallenge——andyoucouldaffordtolaughatit。
\"Butthisisallshame，shameforRobertCarewe’sdaughter。ItseemstomethatIshouldhideandnotliftmyhead；thatI，beingofmyfather’sblood，couldneverlookyouinthefaceagain。Itissounspeakablypainfulandugly。Ithinkofmyfather’sstiffprideandhislookoftheeagle，——andhestillplayswithyourfriend，almostalways`successfully！’Andyourfriendstillcomestoplay！——butIwillnotspeakofthatsideofit\"Mr。Grayhasmadeyoupoor，butIknowitwasnotthatwhichmadeyoucomeseekinghimlastnight，whenIfoundyouthereinthehail。Itwasforhissakeyoucame——andyouwentawayformine。NowthatIknow，atlast——nowthatIhaveheardwhatyourlifehasbeen（andohIheardsomuchmorethanIhavewritten！）——nowthatmyeyeshavebeenopenedtoseeyouasyouare，Iamproud，andgladandhumblethatIcanbelievethatyoufeltafriendshipformestrongenoughtohavemadeyougo`formysake。’Youwillwritetomejustonce，won’tyou？andtellmeiftherewasanyerrorinwhatIlistenedto；butyoumustnotcometothegarden。
NowthatIknowyou，Icannotmeetyouclandestinelyagain。ItwouldhurtthedignitywhichIfeelinyounow，andmyownpoordignity——suchasitis！Ihavebeenearnestlywarnedofthedangertoyou。Besides，youmustletmetestmyself。Iamallflutteringandfrightenedandexcited。Youwillobeyme，won’tyou？——donotcomeuntilIsendforyou。
ElizabethCarewe。\"
Mr。Gray，occupiedwithhistoiletaboutnoon，heardhispartnerdescendingtotheofficewithaheavystep，andissuedfromhisroomtocallaheartygreeting。Tomlookedbackoverhisshoulderandrepliedcheerily，thoughwithacertainembarrassment；butCrailey，catchingsightofhisface，utteredasharpejaculationandcamedowntohim。
\"Why，what’sthematter，Tom？You’renotgoingtobesick？Youlooklikethedevilandall！\"
\"I’mallright，neverfear！\"Tomlaughed，evadingtheother’seye。\"I’mgoingoutinthecountryonsomebusiness，andIdaresayIshallnotbebackforacoupleofdays；itwillbeallupanddownthecounty。\"Hesetdownatravelling-baghewascarrying，andofferedtheotherhishand。
\"Good-by。\"
\"Can’tIgoforyou？Youdon’tlookable\"
\"No，no。It’ssomethingI’llhavetoattendtomyself。\"
\"Ah，Isuppose，\"saidCrailey，gently，\"Isupposeit’simportant，andyoucouldn’ttrustmetohandleit。Well——Godknowsyou’reright！I’veshownyouoftenenoughhowincompetentIamtodoanythingbutwritejingles！\"
\"Youdosomemoreofthem——withoutthewhiskey，Crailey。They’reworthmorethanallthelawingGrayandVanrevelhaveeverdoneoreverwilldo。
Good-by——-andbekindtoyourself。\"
Hedescendedtothefirstlanding，andthen，\"Oh，Crailey，\"hecalled，withtheairofhavingforgottensomethinghehadmeanttosay。
\"Yes，Tom？\"
\"Thismorningatthepost-officeIfoundaletteraddressedtome。I
openeditand——\"Hehesitated，anduneasilyshiftedhisweightfromonefoottotheother，withafeeble，deprecatorylaugh。
\"Yes，whatofit？\"
\"Well——thereseemedtobeamistake。Ithinkitmusthavebeenmeantforyou。Somehow，she——she’spickedupagoodmanywrongimpressions，and，Lordknowshow，butshe’smixedournamesupand——andI’velefttheletterforyou。It’sonmytable。\"
Heturnedandcallingafinalgood-byoverhisshoulder，wentclatteringnoisilydowntothestreetandvanishedfromCrailey’ssight。
NoonfoundTomfaroutontheNationalRoad，creakingalongovertheyellowdustinalightwagon，betweenborderingforeststhatsmeltspicilyofwetunderbrushandMay-apples；and，hereandthere，whentheywouldemergefromthewoodstoclearedfields，liberallyoutlinedbylongsnake-
fencesofblackwalnut，thesteady，jog-trottingoldhorseliftedhisheadandlookedinterestedintheworld，butTomneverdideither。Habituallyupright，walkingorsitting，straight，keen，andalert，thatday’ssunsawhimdrearilyhunchedover，mileaftermile，hisforeheadlacedwithlinesofpain。Hestoppedateveryfarm-houseandcabin，and，wheretheyoungmenworkedinthefields，hailedthemfromtheroad，orhitchedhishorsetothefenceandcrossedthesoftfurrowstotalkwiththem。Atsuchtimeshestooderectagain，andspokestirringly，findingeagerlisteners。
Therewasonequestiontheyaskedhimoverandover：
\"Butareyousurethecallwillcome？\"
\"Assureasthatwestandhere；anditwillcomebeforetheweekisout。
Wemustbeready！\"
Often，whenheleftthem，theywouldturnfromtheworkinhand，leavingitasitwas，tolieunfinishedinthefields，andmaketheirwayslowlyandthoughtfullytotheirhomes，whileTomclimbedintohiscreakinglittlewagononcemore，onlytofallintothesamedull，hunched-overattitude。HehadmanythingstothinkoutbeforehefacedRouenandCraileyGrayagain，andmoretofightthroughtotheendwithhimself。
Threedayshetookforit，threedaysdrivingthroughthesoftMayweatherbehindthekind，oldjog-trottinghorse；threedaysontheroad，fromfarm-housetofarm-houseandfromfieldtofield，fromcabinofthewoodstocabinintheclearing。Tossingunhappilyatnight，helaysleeplesstilldawn，thoughnotbecauseofthehardbeds；andwhendaylightcame，journeyedsteadilyonagain，overthevagabondlittlehillsthathadgypsieditsofarintotheprairie-landintheirwanderingsfromtheirrangeontheOhio，and，passingthehills，wentonthroughtheflatforest-land，alwayshunchedoverdismallyinthecreakingwagon。
Butontheeveningofthethirddayhedroveintotown，withthestoopoutofhisshouldersandthelustrebackinhiseyes。Hewashaggard，gray，dusty，buthehadsolvedhispuzzle，andonethingwasclearinhismindasthethingthathewoulddo。Hepattedtheoldhorseaheartyfarewellashelefthimwiththeliverymanfromwhombehadhiredhim，andstrodeupMainStreetwiththeairofamanwhoisgoingsomewhere。Itwaslate，butthereweremorelightsthanusualinthewindowsandmorepeopleonthestreets。Boysranshouting，while，hereandthere，knotsofmenarguedloudly，andinfrontofthelittlecornerdrug-storeanoisilytalkative，widelygesticulativecrowdoffiftyormorehadgathered。Anoldman，acobbler，whohadleftalegatTippecanoeandreplaceditwithawoodenone，chastelydecoratedwithdesignsofhisowncarving，camestumpingexcitedlydownthemiddleofthestreet，wherehewalkedforfearofthecracksinthewoodenpavement，whichweredangeroustohisart-legwhenhecamefromtheRouenHousebar，asonthepresentoccasion。HehailedTombyname。
\"You’rethelad，TomVanrevel，\"heshouted。\"You’rethemantoleadtheboysoutforthegloryoftheState！YougitthewholeblameFireDe-
partmentoutandenlist`embeforemorning！Take`emdowntotheRioGrande，youhearme？
Andyouneedn’tbeafraidoftheirputtin’itout，ifitketchesafire，neither！\"
Tomwavedhishandandpassedon；butattheopendoorsoftheCatholicChurchhestoppedandlookedupanddownthestreet，andthen，unnoticed，enteredtothediminterior，wherethefewcandlesshowedonlyabentoldwomaninblackkneelingatthealtar。TomknewwhereElizabethCareweknelteachmorning；hesteppedsoftlythroughtheshadowysilencetoherplace，knelt，andrestedhisheadupontherailofthebenchbeforehim。
Thefigureatthealtarraiseditselfafteratime，andtheoldwomanlimpedslowlyupasideaisle，mumblingherformulas，courtesyingtothepaintedsaints，onherwayout。Theverythinnestlingeringsofincensehungontheair，seemingtoTomlikethefaintodorthatmightexhalefromaheavywreathofmarguerites，wornindark-brownhair。Yet，theplaceheldnothingbutpeaceandgood-will。Andhefoundnothingelseinhisownheart。Thestreetwasquietwhenheemergedfromthatlornvigil；thecornergroupshaddissolved；shoutingyouthsnolongerpatrolledthesidewalks。Onlyonequartershowedsignsoflife：thelittleclubhouse，wherethewindowsstillshownbrightly，andwhencecamethesoundofmanyvoicessettlingthedestiniesoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica。ThitherTombenthissteps，thoughtfully，andwithaquietmind。Therewasasmallverandaatthesideofthehouse；herehestoodunobservedtolookinuponhisnoisyandagitatedfriends。
Theywereallthere，fromtheoldGeneralandMr。Bareaud，tothelatter’sson，Jefferson，andyoungFrankChenoweth。Theyweregatheredaboutabigtableuponwhichstoodapunch-bowlandTrumble，hisbrowasangryredastheliquorinthecupheheld，wasproposingahealthtothePresidentinavoiceoffury。
\"InspiteofalltheCraileyGraysandtraitorsthissideofhell！\"hefinishedpolitely。
Craileyemergedinstantaneouslyfromthegeneralthrongandmountedachair，tossinghislighthairbackfromhisforehead，hiseyessparklingandhappy。\"Youfindyourownfriendsalreadyoccupyingtheplaceyoumentioned，doyou，General？\"heasked。
GeneralTrumblestampedandshookhisfist。
\"You’reaspawnofAaronBurr！\"hevociferated。\"There’snotamanheretostandbyyourinfernaldoctrines。YousneeratyourownState，yousneeratyourowncountry，youdefilethesacredground！Whatareyou，bytheAlmighty，whoattackyournativelandinthis，herhourofperil！\"
\"Periltomynativeland！\"laughedCrailey。\"FromSantaAnna？\"
\"TheGeneral’sright，sir，\"exclaimedtheelderChenowethindignantly，andmostofthelistenersappearedtoagreewithhim。\"It’sapoortimetoabusethePresidentwhenhe’scalledforvolunteersandourcountryisindanger，sir！\"
\"Whoisindanger？\"answeredCrailey，liftinghishandtostilltheclamorofapprobationthatarose。\"IsPolkindanger？OrCongress？Butthatwouldbetoomuchtohope！DoyouexpecttoseetheGreasersinWashington？No，youidiots，youdon’t！Yetthere’llbeplentyofmentosufferanddie；andthefirstshouldbethosewhothrustthiswaronusandpoorlittleMexico；butitwon’tbethey；themenwho’lldothefightinganddyingwillbethecountryboysandthelikeofusfromthetowns，whileMr。PolksitsplanningattheWhiteHousehowhecangetelectedagain。IwishTomwerehere，confoundyou！YoulistentohimbecausehealwayshasthefactsandI’mjustanembroiderer，youthink。
What’sbecomeofthegaudycampaigncryyouwereallwearingyourlungsoutwithafewmonthsago？`Fifty-four-fortyorfight！’Bah！Polktwistedthelion’stailwiththatuntilafterelection。Thenhesawhehadtomakeyouforgetit，orfightEnglandandberuined，soheforceswaronMexico，andthecountrydoesforgetit。That’sit：heasksthreeregimentsofvolunteersfromthisStatetodieoffeversandgetshot，sothathecanstealanothercountryandmakehisownelecthimagain。Andyouaskmetodrinkthehealthofthepoliticianwhositsathomeandsendshisfellowmentodietofixhisrottenjobsforhim？\"Craileyhadpersuadedhimselfintosuchearnestness，thatthedepthofhisownfeelingalmostchokedhim，buthefinishedroundlyinhisbeautiful，strongvoice：
\"I’lldrinkforthegoodpunch’ssake——butthathealth？——I’llseeGeneralTrumbleinheavenbeforeI’lldrinkit！\"
Thereroseatoncearoarofangeranddisapproval，andCraileybecameamerestormcentreamidtheupraisedhandsgestulatingmadlyathimashestood，smilingagain，uponhischair。
\"ThiscomesoflivingwithTomVanrevel！\"shoutedtheGeneralfuriously。
\"ThisishisdamnedAbolitionteaching！You’reonlyhisecho；youspendhalfyourlifeplayingatbeingVanrevel！\"
\"WhereisVanrevel？\"saidTappinghamMarsh。
\"Ay，whereishe！\"ragedTrumble，hammeringthetabletilltheglassesrang。\"Lethimcomeandanswerforhisownteaching；it’swastedtimetotalktothisone；he’sonlythepupil。Whereisthetraitor？\"
\"Here，\"answeredavoicefromthedoorway；andthoughthewordwasspokenquietlyitwasnevertheless，atthatjuncture，silencing。EveryoneturnedtowardthedoorasVanrevelentered。ButtheapoplecticGeneral，whomCrailey’sspeechhadstirredtoafurybeyondcontrol，almostleapedatTom’sthoat。
\"Here’sthetea-sippingoldGranny，\"hebellowedhoarsely。（HewasordinarilyveryfondofTom。）\"Here’sthemaster！Here’sthemanwhoseexampleteachesCraileyGraytothrowmudattheflag。He’llstayhereathomewithCrailey，ofcourse，andthrowmore，whiletheothersboysmarchouttodieunderit。\"
\"Onthecontrary，answeredTom，raisinghisvoice，\"Ithinkyou’llfindCraileyGraythefirsttoenlist，andasformyself，I’veraisedsixtymeninthecountry，andIwantfortymorefromRouen，inordertooffertheGovernorafullcompany。Soit’scometo`theKing，nottheman’；Polkisapitifultrickster，butthecountryneedshersons；that’senoughforustoknow；andwhileIwon’tdrinktoJamesPolk\"——heplungedacupinthebowlanddrewitoutbrimming——\"I’llemptythistothePresident！\"
Itwasthenthatfromfiftythroatsthelong，wildshoutwentupthatstirredRouen，andwokethepeoplefromtheirmidnightbedsforhalfamilearound。
CHAPTERXIV
TheFirmofGrayandVanrevelForthefirsttimeitwasCraileywhosatwaitingforTomtocomehome。
Inachairdrawntohispartner’sdeskinthedustyoffice，hehalf-
reclined，armsonthedesk，hischinonhisclenchedfists。Toredeemthegloomhehadlitasinglecandle，whichpaintedhimdimlyagainstthecompletedarknessofhisownshadow，likeaveryoldportraitwhosebackgroundtimehassolidifiedintoshapelessbrowns；theportraitofafair-hairedgentleman，thecavalier，ortheMarquis，onemighthavesaidatfirstglance；notdescribingitimmediatelyasthatofapoet，fortherewasnomarkofartuponCrailey，noteveninhishair，fortheyallworeitratherlongthen。Yettherewasamarkuponhim，nevermorevividthanashesatwaitinginthelonelinessofthatnightforTomVanrevel；
thoughwhatthemarkwasandwhatitssignificancemighthavebeenpuzzlingtodefine。Perhaps，afterall，FanchonBareaudhaddescribeditbestwhenshetoldCraileyoneday，withasuddenhintofapprehensivetears，thathehada\"lookoffate。\"
Tomtookhisowntimeincoming；hehadstayedattheclubtogooverhislists——sohehadtoldCrailey——withtheGeneralandoldBareaud。Hiscompanywasalmostcomplete，andCraileyhadbeenthefirsttovolunteer，tothedumfoundingofTrumble，whohadproceededtodrinkhishealthagainandagain。ButthelistscouldnotdetainTomtwohours，Craileyknew，anditwastwohourssincethenewvolunteershadsung\"TheStarSpangledBanner\"overthelastofthepunch，andhadlefttheclubtoTomandthetwooldmen。OnlyonceortwiceinthattimehadCraileyshiftedhisposition，oralteredthedirectionofhissetgazeatnothing。Butatlastherose，wenttothewindowand，leaningfarout，lookeddownthestreettowardthelittleclubhouse。Itslightswereextinguishedandallwasdarkupanddownthestreet。AbruptlyCraileywentbacktothedeskandblewoutthecandle，afterwhichhesatdownagaininthesameposition。TwentyminuteslaterheheardTom’ssteponthestair，comingupverysoftly。Craileywaitedinsilenceuntilhispartnerreachedthelanding，thenrelitthecandle。
\"Tom，\"hecalled。\"Comein，please，I’vebeenwaitingforyou。\"
TherewasapausebeforeTomansweredfromthehall：
\"I’mverytired，Crailey。IthinkI’llgouptobed。\"
\"No，\"saidCrailey，\"comein。\"
Thedoorwasalreadyopen，butTomturnedtowarditreluctantly。Hestoppedatthethresholdandthetwolookedateachother。
\"Ithoughtyouwouldn’tcomeaslongasyoubelievedIwasup，\"saidCrailey，\"soIblewoutthelight。I’msorryIkeptyououtsidesolong。\"
\"Crailey，I’mgoingawayto-morrow，\"theotherbegan。\"IamtogooverandseetheGovernorandofferhimthiscompany，andto-nightIneedsleep，soplease-
\"No，\"interruptedCraileyquietly，\"Iwanttoknowwhatyou’regoingtodo。\"
\"Todoaboutwhat？\"
\"Aboutme。\"
\"Oh！\"Tom’seyesfellatoncefromhisfriend’sfaceandresteduponthefloor。Slowlyhewalkedtothedeskandstoodinembarrassedcontemplationofthelitteredbooksandpapers，whiletheotherwaited。
\"Ithinkit’sbestforyoutotellme，\"saidCrailey。
\"Youthinkso？\"Tom’sembarrassmentincreasedvisibly，andtherewasmingledwithitanoddappearanceofapprehension，probablytorelievewhichheverydeliberatelytooktwolongcherootsfromhispocket，laidoneonthedeskforCraileyandlittheotherhimself，withextremecarefulness，atthecandle。Afterthisceremonialhedraggedachairtothewindow，tiltedbackinitwithhisfeetonthelowsill，hisbacktothethinlightandhisfriend，andsaidinaslow，gentletone：
\"Well，Crailey？\"
\"IsupposeyoumeanthatIoughttooffermyexplanationfirst，\"saidtheother，stillstanding。\"Well，thereisn’tany。\"Hedidnotspeakdog-
gedlyorsullenly，asoneinfault，butmorewiththeairofamancuriouslyreadytothrowallpossiblelightuponacloudyphenomenon。
\"It’sverysimple——allthatIknowaboutit。IwenttherefirstontheeveningoftheMadrillonmasqueradeandplayedalittlecomedyforher，sothatsomeofmytheatricalallusions——theyweren’tveryilluminating！——tomyengagementtoFanchon，madeherbelieveIwasVanrevelwhenherfathertoldheraboutthepairofus。Idiscoveredthatthenighthiswarehousesburned——andIsawsomethingmore，becauseIcan’thelpseeingsuchthings：
thatyourswasjustthecharactertoappealtoayounggirlfreshfromtheconventandfullofhonestyandfinedreamsandfire。Nobodycouldarrangeamorefatalfascinationforagirlofnineteenthantohaveadeadlyquarrelwithherfather。Andthat’sespeciallytruewhenthefather’slikethatmadbruteofaBobCarewe！Then，too，you’remoreorlessthetownmodelofvirtueandpopularhero，inspiteoftheAbolitionism，justasIamthetownscamp。SoIletitgoon，andplayedalittleatbeingyou，sayingthethingsthatyouonlythink——thatwasall。Itisn’tstrangethatit’slasteduntilnow，notmorethanthreeweeks，afterall。She’sonlyseenyoufourorfivetimes，andmenotmuchoftener。Noonespeaksofyoutoher，andI’vekeptoutofsightwhenotherswereabout。Mrs。Tanberryisheronlyclosefriend，and，naturally，wouldn’tbeapttomentionthatyouaredarkandIamfair，ortodescribeuspersonally，anymorethanyouandIwouldmentionthegeneralappearanceofpeoplewebothmeetabouttown。Butyouneedn’ttellmethatitcan’tlastmuchlonger。Somepetty，unexpectedtriflewillturnup，ofcourse。AllthatIwanttoknowiswhatyoumeantodo。\"
\"Todo？\"repeatedTomsoftly，andblewalongscarfofsmokeoutofthewindow。
\"Ah！\"Crailey’svoicegrewsharpandloud。\"Therearemanythingsyouneedn’ttellme！YouneednottellmewhatI’vedonetoyou——norwhatyouthinkofme！Youneednottellmethatyouhaveotherstoconsider，thatyouhaveMissCarewetothinkof。Don’tyousupposeIknowthat？AndyouneednottellmethatyouhaveadutytoFanchon——\"
\"Yes，\"Tombrokein，histonenotquitesteady。\"Yes，I’vethoughtofthat。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Haveyou——didyou——\"hehesitated，butCraileyunderstoodimmediately。
\"No；Ihaven’tseenheragain。\"
\"Butyou——\"
\"Yes——Iwrote。Iansweredtheletter。\"
\"As-\"
\"Yes；Isignedyourname。ItoldyouthatIhadjustletthingsgoon，\"
Craileyanswered，withanimpatientmovementofhishands。\"Whatareyougoingtodo？\"
\"I’mgoingovertoseetheGovernorinthemorning。I’llbeawaytwoorthreedays，Iimagine。\"
\"Vanrevel！\"exclaimedCraileyhotly，\"Willyougivemeananswerandnotbeataboutthebushanylonger？Ordoyoumeanthatyourefusetoanswer？\"
Tomdroppedhiscigaruponthebrickwindow-ledgewithanabysmalsigh。
\"Oh，no，itisn’tthat，\"heansweredmildly\"I’vebeenthinkingitalloverforthreedaysinthecountry，andwhenIgotbacktonightIfoundthatIhadcometoadecisionwithoutknowingit，andthatIhadcometoitevenbeforeIstarted；myleavingtheletterforyouprovedit。It’salittlelikethisMexicanwar，amixed-upproblemandonlyonethingclear。
Afewschemershaveledthecountryintoittoincreasetheslave-powerandmakeusforgetthatwethreatenedEnglandwhenwecouldn’tcarryoutthethreat。Andyet，ifyoulookatitbroadly，thesearethesmallerthingsandtheydonotlast。Themeansbywhichthecountrygrowsmaybewrong，butitsgrowthisright；itisonlydestiny，workingoutthroughliesandblood，buttheendwillbegood。Itisboundtohappenandyoucan’tstopit。Ibelievethemenwhomakethiswarfortheirownuseswillsufferinhell-fireforit；butitismade，andthere’sonlyonethingIcanseeasthethingformetodo。They’vecalledmeeverynameonearth——andthesamewithyou，too，Crailey——becauseI’manAbolitionist，butnow，whetherthecountryhassinnedornot，agoodmanythousandmenhavegottodothebleedingforher，andIwanttobeoneofthem。That’stheonethingthatisplaintome。\"
\"Yes，\"returnedCrailey。\"YouknowI’mwithyou；andIthinkyou’realwaysright。Yes；we’llallbeonthewayinafortnightorso。Doyoumeanyouwon’tquarrelwithmebecauseofthat？Doyoumeanitwouldbeapoortimenow，whenwe’reallgoingouttotakeourchancestogether？\"
\"Quarrelwithyou！\"Tomroseandcametothedesk，lookingacrossitathisfriend。\"DidyouthinkImightdothat？\"
\"Yes——Ithoughtso。\"
\"Crailey！\"AndnowTom’sexpressionshoweddesperation；itwasthatofamanwhoseapprehensionshaveculminatedandwhoisforcedtofaceacrisislongexpected，longaverted，butimminentatlast。HiseyesfellfromCrailey’scleargazeandhishandfidgetedamongthepapersonthedesk。
\"No，\"hebeganwithapainfullamenessandhesitation。\"Ididnotmeanit——no；Imeant，that，inthesameway，onlyonethinginthisother——thisotheraffairthatseemssoconfusedandissuchaproblem——onlyonethinghasgrownclear。Itdoesn’tseemtomethat——that——\"herehedrewadeepbreath，beforehewentonwithincreasingnervousness——\"thatifyoulikeamanandhavelivedwithhimagoodmanyyears；thatistosay，ifyou’rereallymuchofafriendtohim，Idon’tbelieveyousitonahighseatandjudgehim。Judging，andallthat，haven’tmuchpartinit。Anditseemstomethatyou’vegotyourselfintoaprettybadmix-up，Crailey。\"
\"Yes，\"saidCrailey。\"It’sprettybad。\"
\"Well，\"Tomlookedupnow，withanalmosttremuloussmile，\"IbelievethatisaboutallIcanmakeofit。Doyouthinkit’sthepartofyourbestfriendtoexposeyou？ItseemstomethatifthereeverwasatimewhenI
oughttostandbyyou，it’snow。\"
Therewasasilencewhiletheylookedateachotheracrossthedeskinthefaintlight。Tom’seyefellagainasCraileyopenedhislips。
\"Andinspiteofeverything，\"Craileysaidbreathlessly，\"youmeanthatyouwon’ttell？\"
\"HowcouldI，Crailey？\"saidTomVanrevelasbeturnedaway。
CHAPTERXV
WhenJuneCame\"MethoughtImetaDamselFairAndtearswereinhereyes；
Herheadandarmswerebare，Iheardherburstingsighs。
\"Istopp’dandlookedherintheface，`Twasthenshesweetlysmiled。
Herfeaturesshonewithmournfulgrace，FarmorethanNature’schild。
\"Withdiffidentanddowncasteye，Inmodesttonesshespoke；
Shewipedatearandgaveasigh，Andthenhersilencebroke——\"
SosangMrs。Tanberryatthepiano，relievingthemelancholywhichpossessedher；butNelson，pausinginthehailtolisten，andexceedinglycuriousconcerningthepromisedutteranceoftheDamselFair，wastosufferdisappointment，astheballadwasbrokenoffabruptlyandthesongstressclosedthepianowithamonstrousclatter。LittledoubtmaybeentertainedthatthenoisewasdesignedtodisturbMr。Carewe，whosatupontheverandaconsultingabrownPrincipe，andlessthattheintendedinsultwasaccomplished。Foranexpressionofavindictivenaturewasprecipitatedinthatquartersosimultaneouslythatthebangofthepiano-
lidandthecursewereevenasthereportofamusketandtheimmediatecryofthewounded。
Mrs。Tanberryatoncedeboucheduponthepiazza，showingavast，cloudedcountenance。\"AndIhopetoheavenyoualreadyhadaheadache！\"sheexclaimed。
\"Thecourtesyofyourwish，madam，\"Carewereplied，withanangryflashofhiseye，\"isonlyequaledbythekindnessofheaveninansweringit。I
have，infact，aheadache。Ialwayshave，nowadays。\"
\"That’sgoodnews，\"returnedtheladyheartily。
\"Ithankyou，\"retortedherhost。
\"PerhapsifyoutreatedyourdaughterevenadecentIndian’skindofpoliteness，you’denjoybetterhealth。\"
\"Ah！AndinwhatfailuretoperformmydutytowardherhaveIincurredyourdispleasure？\"
\"Whereisshenow？\"exclaimedtheotherexcitably。\"Whereisshenow？\"
\"Icannotsay。\"
\"Yes，youcan，RobertCarewe！\"Mrs。Tanberryretorted，withawrathfulgesture。\"Youknowwellenoughshe’sinherownroom，andsodoI——forI
triedtogetintocomfortherwhenIheardhercrying。She’sintherewiththedoorbolted，whereyoudroveher！\"
\"Idroveher！\"hesneered。
\"Yes，youdid，andIheardyou。DoyouthinkIcouldn’thearyouragingandstormingatherlikeacrazyman？Whenyougetinatemperdoyoudreamthere’sasoulintheneighborhoodwhodoesn’tknowit？You’reafoolifyoudo，becausetheycouldhaveheardyouswearingdownonMainStreet，ifthey’dlistened。Whatareyoutryingtodotoher？——breakherspirit？——orwhat？Becauseyou’lldoit，orkillher。Ineverheardanybodycrysoheart-brokenly。\"Herethegoodwoman’sowneyesfilled。
\"What’stheuseofpretending？\"shewentonsorrowfully。\"Youhaven’tspokentoherkindlysinceyoucamehome。DoyousupposeI’mblindtothat？Youweren’tabadhusbandtothepoorchild’smother；whycan’tyoubeagoodfathertoher？\"
\"Perhapsyoumightbeginbyaskinghertobeagooddaughtertome。\"
\"Whathasshedone？\"
\"ThenightbeforeIwentawaysherantoafireandbehavedtherelikeacommonstreethoyden。TheladiesoftheCarewefamilyhavenotformerlyacquiredanotorietyofthatkind。\"
\"Bah！\"saidMrs。Tanberry。
\"Thenextmorning，whenItaxedherwithit，shedutifullydefiedandinsultedme。\"
\"Icanimaginethedelicacywithwhichyou`taxed’her。Whathasthattodowithyourdevilishtantrumsofthisafternoon，RobertCarewe？\"
\"Iamobligedtoyoufortheexpression，\"hereturned。\"WhenIcamehome，thisafternoon，Ifoundherreadingthatthing。\"HepointedtomanyverysmallfragmentsofMr。Cummings’snewspaper，whichwerescatteredaboutthelawnneartheveranda。\"Shewasouthere，readinganarticlewhichI
hadreaddowntownandwhichappearedinaspecialeditionofthatrottensheet，sentouttwohoursago。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Doyouknowwhatthatarticlewas，madam，doyouknowwhatitwas？\"
Althoughbreathingheavily，Mr。Carewehadcompelledhimselftoacertainoutwardcalmness，butnow，intheuncontrollableagitationofhisanger，hesprangtohisfeetandstruckoneofthewoodenpillarsoftheporchashockingblowwiththebareknucklesofhisclenchedhand。\"Doyouknowwhatitwas？ItwasaeulogyofthatdamnedVanrevel！Itpretendedtobeanaccountoftheenrollmentofhisinfernalcompany，butitwasnothingmorethanaglorificationofthatnigger-lovinghound！Hiscompany——alotofsneaks，who’llrunlikesheepfromthefirstGreaser——electedhimcaptainyesterday，andtodayhereceivedanappointmentasmajor！Itdriesthebloodinmyveinstothinkofit！——thatblackdogamajor！GoodGod！amInevertohearthelastofhim？Cummingswroteit，thefool，thelying，fawning，slobberingfool；heoughttobeshotforit！Neitherhenorhispapereverentermydoorsagain！AndItookthedirtysheetfromherhandsandtoreittopieces——\"
\"Yes，\"interposedMrs。Tanberry，\"itlooksasifyouhaddoneitwithyourteeth。\"
\"——Andstampeditintotheground！\"
\"Oh，Iheardyou！\"shesaid。
Carewecameclosetoher，andgaveheralonglookfromsuchbittereyesthatherownfellbeforethem。\"Ifyou’vebeentreacheroustome，JaneTanberry，\"hesaid，\"thenGodpunishyou！Ifthey’vemet——mydaughterandthatman——whileIwasaway，itisonyourhead。Idon’taskyou，becauseI
believeifyouknewanythingyou’dlieforhersake。ButItellyouthatasshereadthatpaper，shedidnothearmysteponthewalknorknowthatIwasthereuntilIleanedoverhershoulder。AndIswearthatIsuspecther。\"
Heturnedandwalkedtothedoor，whiletheindomitableMrs。Tanberry，silencedforonce，sankintothechairhehadvacated。Beforehedisap-
pearedwithinthehouse，hepaused。