THE CRISIS

By Winston Churchill

Volume 2. 

CHAPTER VIII

BELLEGARDE

Miss Virginia Carvel came down the steps in her riding-habit. And Ned, who had been waiting in the street with the horses, obsequiously held hishand while his young mistress leaped into Vixen's saddle. Leaving thedarkey to follow upon black Calhoun, she cantered off up the street, greatly to the admiration of the neighbor. They threw open their windowsto wave at her, but Virginia pressed her lips and stared straight ahead. She was going out to see the Russell girls at their father's countryplace on Bellefontaine Road, especially to proclaim her detestation for acertain young Yankee upstart. She had unbosomed herself to Anne Brinsmadeand timid Eugenie Renault the day before. 

It was Indian summer, the gold and purple season of the year. Frost hadcome and gone. Wasps were buzzing confusedly about the eaves again, marvelling at the balmy air, and the two Misses Russell, Puss and Emily, were seated within the wide doorway at needlework when Virginiadismounted at the horseblock. 

"Oh, Jinny, I'm so glad to see you, " said Miss Russell. "Here's EliseSaint Simon from New Orleans. You must stay all day and to-night. "

"I can't, Puss, " said Virginia, submitting impatiently to Miss Russell'swarm embrace. She was disappointed at finding the stranger. "I only came--to say that I am going to have a birthday party in a few weeks. You mustbe sure to come, and bring your guest. "

Virginia took her bridle from Ned, and Miss Russell's hospitable facefell. 

"You're not going?" she said. 

"To Bellegarde for dinner, " answered Virginia. 

"But it's only ten o'clock, " said Puss. "And, Jinny?"

"Yes. "

"There's a new young man in town, and they do say his appearance is verystriking--not exactly handsome, you know, but strong-looking. "

"He's horrid!" said Virginia. "He's a Yankee. "

"How do you know?" demanded Puss and Emily in chorus. 

"And he's no gentleman, " said Virginia. 

"But how do you know, Jinny?"

"He's an upstart. "

"Oh. But he belongs to a very good Boston family, they say. "

"There are no good Boston families, " replied Virginia, with conviction, as she separated her reins. "He has proved that. Who ever heard of a goodYankee family?"

"What has he done to you, Virginia?" asked Puss, who had brains. 

Virginia glanced at the guest. But her grievance was too hot within herfor suppression. 

Do you remember Mr. Benbow's Hester, girls? The one I always said Iwanted. She was sold at auction yesterday. Pa and I were passing theCourt House, with Clarence, when she was put up for sale. We crossed thestreet to see what was going on, and there was your strong-looking Yankeestanding at the edge of the crowd. I am quite sure that he saw me asplainly as I see you, Puss Russell. "

"How could he help it?" said Puss, slyly. 

Virginia took no notice of the remark. 

"He heard me ask Pa to buy her. He heard Clarence say that he would bidher in for me. I know he did. And yet he goes in and outbids Clarence, and buys her himself. Do you think any gentleman would do that, PussRussell?"

"He bought her himself!" cried the astonished Miss Russell. "Why Ithought that all Bostonians were Abolitionists. "

"Then he set her free, " said Miss Carvel, contemptuously Judge Whipplewent on her bond to-day. "

"Oh, I'm just crazy to see him now, " said Miss Russell. 

"Ask him to your party, Virginia, " she added mischievously. 

"Do you think I would have him in my house?" cried Virginia. 

Miss Russell was likewise courageous--"I don't see why not. You haveJudge Whipple every Sunday dinner, and he's an Abolitionist. "

Virginia drew herself up. 

"Judge Whipple has never insulted me, " she said, with dignity. 

Puss gave way to laughter. Whereupon, despite her protests and prayersfor forgiveness, Virginia took to her mare again and galloped off. Theysaw her turn northward on the Bellefontaine Road. 

Presently the woodland hid from her sight the noble river shining farbelow, and Virginia pulled Vixen between the gateposts which marked theentrance to her aunt's place, Bellegarde. Half a mile through the coolforest, the black dirt of the driveway flying from Vixen's hoofs, andthere was the Colfax house on the edge of the, gentle slope; and beyondit the orchard, and the blue grapes withering on the vines, --and beyondthat fields and fields of yellow stubble. The silver smoke of a steamboathung in wisps above the water. A young negro was busily washing the broadveranda, but he stopped and straightened at sight of the younghorsewoman. 

"Sambo, where's your mistress?"

"Clar t' goodness, Miss Jinny, she was heah leetle while ago. "

"Yo' git atter Miss Lilly, yo' good-fo'-nuthin' niggah, " said Ned, warmly. "Ain't yo' be'n raised better'n to stan' theh wif yo'mouf open?"

Sambo was taking the hint, when Miss Virginia called him back. 

"Where's Mr. Clarence?

"Young Masr? I'll fotch him, Miss Jinny. He jes come home f'um seein'that thar trottin' hose he's gwine to race nex' week. "

Ned, who had tied Calhoun and was holding his mistress's bridle, sniffed. He had been Colonel Carvel's jockey in his younger days. 

"Shucks!" he said contemptuously. "I hoped to die befo' the day agemman'd own er trottah, Jinny. On'y runnin' hosses is fit fo' gemmen. "

"Ned, " said Virginia, "I shall be eighteen in two weeks and a young lady. On that day you must call me Miss Jinny. "

Ned's face showed both astonishment and inquiry. 

"Jinny, ain't I nussed you always? Ain't I come upstairs to quiet youwhen yo' mammy ain't had no power ovah yo'? Ain't I cooked fo' yo', andain't I followed you everywheres since I quit ridin' yo' pa's bosses tovict'ry? Ain't I one of de fambly? An' yit yo' ax me to call yo' MissJinny?"

"Then you've had privileges enough, " Virginia answered. "One week fromto-morrow you are to say 'Miss Jinny. '"

"I'se tell you what, Jinny, " he answered mischievously, with an emphasison the word, "I'se call you Miss Jinny ef you'll call me Mistah Johnson. Mistah Johnson. You aint gwinter forget? Mistah Johnson. "

"I'll remember, " she said. "Ned, " she demanded suddenly, "would you liketo be free?"

The negro started. 

"Why you ax me dat, Jinny?"

"Mr. Benbow's Hester is free, " she said. 

"Who done freed her?"

Miss Virginia flushed. "A detestable young Yankee, who has come out hereto meddle with what doesn't concern him. I wanted Hester, Ned. And youshould have married her, if you behaved yourself. "

Ned laughed uneasily. 

"I reckon I'se too ol' fo' Heste'. " And added with privileged impudence, "There ain't no cause why I can't marry her now. "

Virginia suddenly leaped to the ground without his assistance. 

"That's enough, Ned, " she said, and started toward the house. 

"Jinny! Miss Jinny!" The call was plaintive. 

"Well, what?"

"Miss Jinny, I seed that than young gemman. Lan' sakes, he ain' look likeer Yankee. "

"Ned, " said Virginia, sternly, "do you want to go back to cooking?"

He quailed. "Oh, no'm--Lan' sakes, no'm. I didn't mean nuthin'. "

She turned, frowned, and bit her lip. Around the corner of the verandashe ran into her cousin. He, too, was booted and spurred. He reachedout, boyishly, to catch her in his arms. But she drew back from hisgrasp. 

"Why, Jinny, " he cried, "what's the matter?"

"Nothing, Max. " She often called him so, his middle name being Maxwell. "But you have no right to do that. "

"To do what?" said Clarence, making a face. 

"You know, " answered Virginia, curtly. "Where's Aunt Lillian?"

"Why haven't I the right?" he asked, ignoring the inquiry. 

"Because you have not, unless I choose. And I don't choose. "

"Are you angry with me still? It wasn't my fault. Uncle Comyn made mecome away. You should have had the girl, Jinny, if it took my fortune. "

"You have been drinking this morning, Max, " said Virginia. 

"Only a julep or so, " he replied apologetically. "I rode over to the racetrack to see the new trotter. I've called him Halcyon, Jinny, " hecontinued, with enthusiasm. "And he'll win the handicap sure. "

She sat down on the veranda steps, with her knees crossed and her chinresting on her hands. The air was heavy with the perfume of the grapesand the smell of late flowers from the sunken garden near by. A blue hazehung over the Illinois shore. 

"Max, you promised me you wouldn't drink so much. "

"And I haven't been, Jinny, 'pon my word, " he replied. "But I met oldSparks at the Tavern, and he started to talk about the horses, and--andhe insisted. "

"And you hadn't the strength of character, " she said, scornfully, "torefuse. "

"Pshaw, Jinny, a gentleman must be a gentleman. I'm no Yankee. "

For a space Virginia answered nothing. Then she said, without changingher position:

"If you were, you might be worth something. "

"Virginia!"

She did not reply, but sat gazing toward the water. He began to pace theveranda, fiercely. 

"Look here, Jinny, " he cried, pausing in front of her. "There are somethings you can't say to me, even in jest. "

Virginia rose, flicked her riding-whip, and started down the steps. 

"Don't be a fool, Max, " she said. 

He followed her, bewildered. She skirted the garden, passed the orchard, and finally reached a summer house perched on a knoll at the edge of thewood. Then she seated herself on a bench, silently. He took a place onthe opposite side, with his feet stretched out, dejectedly. 

"I'm tired trying to please you, " he said. "I have been a fool. You don'tcare that for me. It was all right when I was younger, when there was noone else to take you riding, and jump off the barn for your amusement, Miss. Now you have Tom Catherwood and Jack Brinsmade and the Russell boysrunning after you, it's different. I reckon I'll go to Kansas. There areYankees to shoot in Kansas. "

He did not see her smile as he sat staring at his feet. 

"Max, " said she, all at once, "why don't you settle down to something?Why don't you work?"

Young Mr. Colfax's arm swept around in a circle. 

There are twelve hundred acres to look after here, and a few niggers. That's enough for a gentleman. "

"Pooh!" exclaimed his cousin, "this isn't a cotton plantation. AuntLillian doesn't farm for money. If she did, you would have to check yourextravagances mighty quick, sir. "

"I look after Pompey's reports, I do as much work as my ancestors, "answered Clarence, hotly. 

"Ah, that is the trouble, " said Virginia. 

"What do you mean?" her cousin demanded. 

"We have been gentlemen too long, " said Virginia. 

The boy straightened up and rose. The pride and wilfulness of generationswas indeed in his handsome face. And something else went with it. Aroundthe mouth a grave tinge of indulgence. 

"What has your life been?" she went on, speaking rapidly. "A mixture ofgamecocks and ponies and race horses and billiards, and idleness at theVirginia Springs, and fighting with other boys. What do you know? Youwouldn't go to college. You wouldn't study law. You can't write a decentletter. You don't know anything about the history of your country. Whatcan you do--?"

"I can ride and fight, " he said. "I can go to New Orleans to-morrow tojoin Walker's Nicaragua expedition. We've got to beat the Yankees, --they'll have Kansas away from us before we know it. "

Virginia's eye flashed appreciation. 

"Do you remember, Jinny, " he cried, "one day long ago when those Dutchruffians were teasing you and Anne on the road, and Bert Russell and Jackand I came along? We whipped 'em, Jinny. And my eye was closed. And youwere bathing it here, and one of my buttons was gone. And you counted therest. "

"Rich man, poor man, beggarman, thief, doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief, "she recited, laughing. She crossed over and sat beside him, and her tonechanged. "Max, can't you understand? It isn't that. Max, if you wouldonly work at something. That is why the Yankees beat us. If you wouldlearn to weld iron, or to build bridges, or railroads. Or if you wouldlearn business, and go to work in Pa's store. "

"You do not care for me as I am?"

"I knew that you did not understand, " she answered passionately. "It isbecause I care for you that I wish to make you great. You care too muchfor a good time, for horses, Max. You love the South, but you think toolittle how she is to be saved. If war is to come, we shall want men likethat Captain Robert Lee who was here. A man who can turn the forces ofthe earth to his own purposes. "

For a moment Clarence was moodily silent. 

"I have always intended to go into politics, after Pa's example, " he saidat length. 

"Then--" began Virginia, and paused. 

"Then--?" he said. 

"Then--you must study law. "

He gave her the one keen look. And she met it, with her lips tightlypressed together. Then he smiled. 

"Virginia, you will never forgive that Yankee, Brice. "

"I shall never forgive any Yankee, " she retorted quickly. "But we are nottalking about him. I am thinking of the South, and of you. "

He stooped toward her face, but she avoided him and went back to thebench. 

"Why not?" he said. 

"You must prove first that you are a man, " she said. 

For years he remembered the scene. The vineyard, the yellow stubble; andthe river rushing on and on with tranquil power, and the slow panting ofthe steamboat. A doe ran out of the forest, and paused, her head raised, not twenty feet away. 

"And then you will marry me, Jinny?" he asked finally. 

"Before you may hope to control another, we shall see whether you cancontrol yourself, sir. "

"But it has all been arranged, " he exclaimed, "since we played heretogether years ago!"

"No one shall arrange that for me, " replied Virginia promptly. "And Ishould think that you would wish to have some of the credit foryourself. "

"Jinny!"

Again she avoided him by leaping the low railing. The doe fled into theforest, whistling fearfully. Virginia waved her hand to him and startedtoward the house. At the corner of the porch she ran into her aunt Mrs. Colfax was a beautiful woman. Beautiful when Addison Colfax married herin Kentucky at nineteen, beautiful still at three and forty. This, I amaware, is a bald statement. "Prove it, " you say. "We do not believe it. It was told you by some old beau who lives upon the memory of the past. "

Ladies, a score of different daguerrotypes of Lillian Colfax are inexistence. And whatever may be said of portraits, daguerrotypes do notflatter. All the town admitted that she was beautiful. All the town knewthat she was the daughter of old Judge Colfax's overseer at Halcyondale. If she had not been beautiful, Addison Colfax would not have run awaywith her. That is certain. He left her a rich widow at five and twenty, mistress of the country place he had bought on the Bellefontaine Road, near St. Louis. And when Mrs. Colfax was not dancing off to the Virginiawatering-places, Bellegarde was a gay house. 

"Jinny, " exclaimed her aunt, "how you scared me! What on earth is thematter?"

"Nothing, " said Virginia

"She refused to kiss me, " put in Clarence, half in play, half inresentment. 

Mrs. Colfax laughed musically. She put one of her white hands on each ofher niece's cheeks, kissed her, and then gazed into her face untilVirginia reddened. 

"Law, Jinny, you're quite pretty, " said her aunt

"I hadn't realized it--but you must take care of your complexion. You'rehorribly sunburned, and you let your hair blow all over your face. It'sbarbarous not to wear a mask when you ride. Your Pa doesn't look afteryou properly. I would ask you to stay to the dance to-night if your skinwere only white, instead of red. You're old enough to know better, Virginia. Mr. Vance was to have driven out for dinner. Have you seen him, Clarence?"

"No, mother. "

"He is so amusing, " Mrs. Colfax continued, "and he generally bringscandy. I shall die of the blues before supper. " She sat down with a grandair at the head of the table, while Alfred took the lid from the silversoup-tureen in front of her. "Jinny, can't you say something bright? Do Ihave to listen to Clarence's horse talk for another hour? Tell me somegossip. Will you have some gumbo soup?"

"Why do you listen to Clarence's horse talk?" said Virginia. "Why don'tyou make him go to work!"

"Mercy!" said Mrs. Colfax, laughing, "what could he do?"

"That's just it, " said Virginia. "He hasn't a serious interest in life. "

Clarence looked sullen. And his mother, as usual, took his side. 

"What put that into your head, Jinny, " she said. "He has the place hereto look after, a very gentlemanly occupation. That's what they do inVirginia. "

"Yes, " said Virginia, scornfully, "we're all gentlemen in the South. Whatdo we know about business and developing the resources of the country?Not THAT. "

"You make my head ache, my dear, " was her aunt's reply. "Where did youget all this?"

"You ask me because I am a girl, " said Virginia. "You believe that womenwere made to look at, and to play with, --not to think. But if we aregoing to get ahead of the Yankees, we shall have to think. It was allvery well to be a gentleman in the days of my great-grandfather. But nowwe have railroads and steamboats. And who builds them? The Yankees. We ofthe South think of our ancestors, and drift deeper and deeper into debt. We know how to fight, and we know how to command. But we have been ruinedby--" here she glanced at the retreating form of Alfred, and lowered hervoice, "by niggers. "

Mrs. Colfax's gaze rested languidly on her niece's faces which glowedwith indignation. 

"You get this terrible habit of argument from Comyn, " she said. "He oughtto send you to boarding-school. How mean of Mr. Vance not to come! You'vebeen talking with that old reprobate Whipple. Why does Comyn put up withhim?"

"He isn't an old reprobate, " said Virginia, warmly. 

"You really ought to go to school, " said her aunt. "Don't be eccentric. It isn't fashionable. I suppose you wish Clarence to go into a factory. "

"If I were a man, " said Virginia, "and going into a factory would teachme how to make a locomotive or a cotton press, or to build a bridge, Ishould go into a factory. We shall never beat the Yankees until we meetthem on their own ground. "

"There is Mr. Vance now, " said Mrs. Colfax, and added fervently, "Thankthe Lord!"

CHAPTER IX

A QUIET SUNDAY IN LOCUST STREET

IF the truth were known where Virginia got the opinions which sheexpressed so freely to her aunt and cousin, it was from Colonel Carvelhimself. The Colonel would rather have denounced the Dred Scott decisionthan admit to Judge Whipple that one of the greatest weaknesses of theSouth lay in her lack of mechanical and manufacturing ability. But he hadconfessed as much in private to Captain Elijah Brent. The Colonel wouldoften sit for an hour or more, after supper, with his feet tucked up onthe mantel and his hat on the back of his head, buried in thought. Thenhe would saunter slowly down to the Planters' House bar, which served thepurposes of a club in those days, in search of an argument with otherprominent citizens. The Colonel had his own particular chair in his ownparticular corner, which was always vacated when he came in at the door. And then he always had three fingers of the best Bourbon whiskey, no moreand no less, every evening. 

He never met his bosom friend and pet antagonist at the Planters' Housebar. Judge Whipple, indeed, took his meals upstairs, but he neverdescended, --it was generally supposed because of the strong slaveryatmosphere there. However, the Judge went periodically to his friend'sfor a quiet Sunday dinner (so called in derision by St. Louisans), onwhich occasions Virginia sat at the end of the table and endeavored topour water on the flames when they flared up too fiercely. 

The Sunday following her ride to Bellegarde was the Judge's Sunday, Certain tastes which she had inherited had hitherto provided her withpleasurable sensations while these battles were in progress. More thanonce had she scored a fair hit on the Judge for her father, --to themutual delight of both gentlemen. But to-day she dreaded being present atthe argument. Just why she dreaded it is a matter of feminine psychologybest left to the reader for solution. 

The argument began, as usual, with the tearing apart limb by limb of theunfortunate Franklin Pierce, by Judge Whipple. 

"What a miserable exhibition in the eyes of the world, " said the Judge. "Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire" (he pronounced this name with infinitescorn) "managed by Jefferson Davis of Mississippi!"

"And he was well managed, sir, " said the Colonel. 

"What a pliant tool of your Southern slaveholders! I hear that you are togive him a plantation as a reward. "

"No such thing, sir. "

"He deserves it, " continued the Judge, with conviction. "See themagnificent forts he permitted Davis to build up in the South, thearsenals he let him stock. The country does not realize this. But the daywill, come when they will execrate Pierce before Benedict Arnold, sir. And look at the infamous Kansas-Nebraska act! That is the greatest crime, and Douglas and Pierce the greatest criminals, of the century. "

"Do have some more of that fried chicken, Judge, " said Virginia. 

Mr. Whipple helped himself fiercely, and the Colonel smiled. 

"You should be satisfied now, " said he. "Another Northern man is in theWhite House. "

"Buchanan!" roared the Judge, with his mouth full. 

"Another traitor, sir. Another traitor worse than the first. He swallowsthe Dred Scott decision, and smirks. What a blot on the history of thisRepublic! O Lord!" cried Mr. Whipple, "what are we coming to? A Northernman, he could gag and bind Kansas and force her into slavery against thewill of her citizens. He packs his Cabinet to support the ruffians yousend over the borders. The very governors he ships out there, hishenchmen, have their stomachs turned. Look at Walker, whom they areplotting against in Washington. He can't stand the smell of thisLecompton Constitution Buchanan is trying to jam down their throats. Jefferson Davis would have troops there, to be sure that it goes through, if he had his way. Can't you see how one sin leads to another, Carvel?How slavery is rapidly demoralizing a free people?"

"It is because you won't let it alone where it belongs, sir, " retortedthe Colonel. It was seldom that he showed any heat in his replies. Hetalked slowly, and he had a way of stretching forth his hand to preventthe more eager Judge from interrupting him. 

"The welfare of the whole South, as matters now stand, sir, depends uponslavery. Our plantations could not exist a day without slave labor. Ifyou abolished that institution, Judge Whipple, you would ruin millions ofyour fellow-countrymen, --you would reduce sovereign states to a situationof disgraceful dependence. And all, sir, " now he raised his voice lestthe Judge break in, "all, sir, for the sake of a low breed that ain't fitfor freedom. You and I, who have the Magna Charta and the Declaration ofIndependence behind us, who are descended from a race that has donenothing but rule for ten centuries and more, may well establish aRepublic where the basis of stability is the self-control of theindividual--as long as men such as you and I form its citizens. Look atthe South Americans. How do Republics go there? And the minute you and Ilet in niggers, who haven't any more self-control than dogs, on an equalbasis, with as much of a vote as you have, --niggers, sir, that have livedlike wild beasts in the depths of the jungle since the days of Ham, --what's going to become of our Republic?"

"Education, " cried the Judge. 

But the word was snatched out of his mouth. 

"Education isn't a matter of one generation. No, sir, nor two, nor three, nor four. But of centuries. "

"Sir, " said the Judge, "I can point out negroes of intelligence andlearning. "

"And I reckon you could teach some monkeys to talk English, and recitethe catechism, and sing emotional hymns, if you brought over a couple ofmillion from Africa, " answered the Colonel, dryly, as he rose to put onhis hat and light a cigar. 

It was his custom to offer a cigar to the Judge, who invariably refused, and rubbed his nose with scornful violence. 

Virginia, on the verge of leaving, stayed on, fascinated by the turn theargument had taken. 

"Your prejudice is hide-bound, sir, " said Mr. Whipple. 

"No, Whipple, " said the Colonel, "when God washed off this wicked earth, and started new, He saw fit to put the sons of Ham in subjection. They'reslaves of each other in Africa, and I reckon they're treated no betterthan they are here. Abuses can't be helped in any system, sir, though weare bettering them. Were the poor in London in the days of the Edwards aswell off as our niggers are to-day?"

The Judge snorted. 

"A divine institution!" he shouted. "A black curse! Because the world hasbeen a wicked place of oppression since Noah's day, is that any reasonwhy it should so continue until the day of Judgment?"

The Colonel smiled, which was a sign that he was pleased with hisargument. 

"Now, see here, Whipple, " said he. "If we had any guarantee that youwould let us alone where we are, to manage our slaves and to cultivateour plantations, there wouldn't be any trouble. But the country keeps ongrowing and growing, and you're not content with half. You wanteverything, --all the new states must abolish slavery. And after a whileyou will overwhelm us, and ruin us, and make us paupers. Do you wonderthat we contend for our rights, tooth and nail? They are our rights. "

"If it had not been for Virginia and Maryland and the South, this nationwould not be in existence. "

The Colonel laughed. 

"First rate, Jinny, " he cried. "That's so. "

But the Judge was in a revery. He probably had not heard her. 

"The nation is going to the dogs, " he said, mumbling rather to himselfthan to the others. "We shall never prosper until the curse is shakenoff, or wiped out in blood. It clogs our progress. Our merchant marine, of which we were so proud, has been annihilated by these continueddisturbances. But, sir, " he cried, hammering his fist upon the tableuntil the glasses rang, "the party that is to save us was born atPittsburgh last year on Washington's birthday. The Republican Party, sir. "

"Shucks!" exclaimed Mr. Carvel, with amusement, "The Black RepublicanParty, made up of old fools and young Anarchists, of Dutchmen andnigger-worshippers. Why, Whipple, that party's a joke. Where's yourleader?"

"In Illinois, " was the quick response. 

"What's his name?"

"Abraham Lincoln, sir, " thundered Mr. Whipple. "And to my way of thinkinghe has uttered a more significant phrase on the situation than any ofyour Washington statesmen. 'This government, ' said he to a friend ofmine, 'cannot exist half slave and half free. '"

So impressively did Mr. Whipple pronounce these words that Mr. Carvelstirred uneasily, and in spite of himself, as though he were listening toan oracle. He recovered instantly. 

"He's a demagogue, seeking for striking phrases, sir. You're toointelligent a man to be taken in by such as he. "

"I tell you he is not, sir. "

"I know him, sir, " cried the Colonel, taking down his feet. "He's anobscure lawyer. Poor white trash! Torn down poor! My friend Mr. Richardson of Springfield tells me he is low down. He was born in a logcabin, and spends most of his time in a drug-store telling stories thatyou would not listen to, Judge Whipple. "

"I would listen to anything he said, " replied the Judge. "Poor whitetrash, sir! The greatest men rise from the people. A demagogue!" Mr. Whipple fairly shook with rage. "The nation doesn't know him yet. Butmark my words, the day will come when it will. He was ballotted forVice-President in the Philadelphia convention last year. Nobody paid anyattention to that. If the convention had heard him speak at Bloomington, he would have been nominated instead of Fremont. If the nation could haveheard him, he would be President to-day instead of that miserableBuchanan. I happened to be at Bloomington. And while the idiots on theplatform were drivelling, the people kept calling for Lincoln. I hadnever heard of him then. I've never forgot him since. He came ambling outof the back of the hall, a lanky, gawky looking man, ridiculously ugly, sir. But the moment he opened his mouth he had us spellbound. Thelanguage which your low-down lawyer used was that of a God-sent prophet, sir. He had those Illinois bumpkins all worked up, --the women crying, and some of the men, too. And mad! Good Lord, they were mad--'We will sayto the Southern disunionists, ' he cried, --'we will say to the Southerndisunionists, we won't go out of the Union, and you shan't. '"

There was a silence when the Judge finished. But presently Mr. Carveltook a match. And he stood over the Judge in his favorite attitude, --with his feet apart, --as he lighted another cigar. 

"I reckon we're going to have war, Silas, " said he, slowly; "but don'tyou think that your Mr. Lincoln scares me into that belief. I don't counthis bluster worth a cent. No sirree! It's this youngster who comes outhere from Boston and buys a nigger with all the money he's got in theworld. And if he's an impetuous young fool; I'm no judge of men. "

"Appleton Brice wasn't precisely impetuous, " remarked Mr. Whipple. And hesmiled a little bitterly, as though the word had stirred a memory. 

"I like that young fellow, " Mr. Carvel continued. "It seems to be a kindof fatality with me to get along with Yankees. I reckon there's a screwloose somewhere, but Brice acted the man all the way through. He goa afall out of you, Silas, in your room, after the show. Where are yougoing, Jinny?"

Virginia had risen, and she was standing very erects with a flush on herface, waiting for her father to finish. 

"To see Anne Brinsmade, " she said. "Good-by, Uncle Silas. "

She had called him so from childhood. Hers was the one voice that seemedto soften him--it never failed. He turned to her now with a movement thatwas almost gentle. "Virginia, I should like you to know my young Yankee, "said he. 

"Thank you, Uncle Silas, " said the girl, with dignity, "but I scarcelythink that he would care to know me. He feels so strongly. "

"He feels no stronger than I do, " replied the Judge. 

"You have gotten used to me in eighteen years, and besides, " she flashed, "you never spent all the money you had in the world for a principle. "

Mr. Whipple smiled as she went out of the door. 

"I have spent pretty near all, " he said. But more to himself than to theColonel. 

That evening, some young people came in to tea, two of the four bigCatherwood boys, Anne Brinsmade and her brother Jack, Puss Russell andBert, and Eugenie Renault. But Virginia lost her temper. In an evilmoment Puss Russell started the subject of the young Yankee who haddeprived her of Hester. Puss was ably seconded by Jack Brinsmade, whosereputation as a tormentor extended far back into his boyhood. In vain;did Anne, the peacemaker, try to quench him, while the big Catherwoodsand Bert Russell laughed incessantly. No wonder that Virginia was angry. She would not speak to Puss as that young lady bade her good night. Andthe Colonel, coming home from an evening with Mr, Brinsmade, found hisdaughter in an armchair, staring into the sitting-room fire. There was noother light in the room Her chin was in her hand, and her lips werepursed. 

"Heigho!" said the Colonel, "what's the trouble now?"

"Nothing, " said Virginia. 

"Come, " he insisted, "what have they been doing to my girl?"

"Pa!"

"Yes, honey. "

"I don't want to go to balls all my life. I want to go toboarding-school, and learn something. Emily is going to Monticello afterChristmas. Pa, will you let me?"

Mr. Carvel winced. He put an arm around her. He, thought of his lonelywidowerhood, of her whose place Virginia had taken. 

"And what shall I do?" he said, trying to smile. 

"It will only be for a little while. And Monticello isn't very far, Pa. "

"Well, well, there is plenty of time to think it over between now andJanuary, " he said. "And now I have a little favor to ask of you, honey. "

"Yes?" she said. 

The Colonel took the other armchair, stretched his feet toward the blaze, and stroked his goatee. He glanced covertly at his daughter's profile. Twice he cleared hip throat. 

"Jinny?"

"Yes, Pa" (without turning her head). 

"Jinny, I was going to speak of this young. Brice. He's a stranger here, and he comes of a good family, and--and I like him. "

"And you wish me to invite him to my party, " finished Virginia. 

The Colonel started. "I reckon you guessed it, " he said. 

Virginia remained immovable. She did not answer at once. Then she said:

"Do you think, in bidding against me, that he behaved, like a gentleman?"

The Colonel blundered. 

"Lord, Virginia, " he said, "I thought you told the judge this afternoonteat it was done out of principle. "

Virginia ignored this. But she bit her lip

"He is like all Yankees, without one bit of consideration for a woman. Heknew I wanted Hester. "

"What makes you imagine that he thought of you at all, my dear?" askedher father, mildly, "He does not know you. "

This time the Colonel scored certainly. The firelight saved Virginia. 

"He overheard our conversation, " she answered. 

"I reckon that he wasn't worrying much about us. And besides, he wastrying to save Hester from Jennings. "

"I thought that you said that it was to be my party, Pa, " said Virginia, irrelevantly. 

The Colonel looked thoughtful, then he began to laugh. 

"Haven't we enough Black Republican friends?" she asked. 

"So you won't have him?" said the Colonel. 

"I didn't say that I wouldn't have him, " she answered. 

The Colonel rose, and brushed the ashes from his goat. 

"By Gum!" he said. "Women beat me. "

CHAPTER X

THE LITTLE HOUSE

When Stephen attempted to thank Judge Whipple for going on Hester's bond, he merely said, "Tut, tut. "

The Judge rose at six, so his man Shadrach told Stephen. He had hisbreakfast at the Planters' House at seven, read the Missouri Democrat, and returned by eight. Sometimes he would say good morning to Stephen andRichter, and sometimes he would not. Mr. Whipple was out a great part ofthe day, and he had many visitors. He was a very busy man. Like a greatspecialist (which he was), he would see only one person at a time. AndStephen soon discovered that his employer did not discriminate betweenage or sex, or importance, or condition of servitude. In short, Stephen'sopinion of Judge Whipple altered very materially before the end of thatfirst week. He saw poor women and disconsolate men go into the privateroom ahead of rich citizens, who seemed content to wait their turn on thehard wooden chairs against the wall of the main office. There was oneincident in particular, when a well-dressed gentleman of middle age pacedimpatiently for two mortal hours after Shadrach had taken his card intothe sanctum. When at last he had been admitted, Mr. Richter whispered toStephen his name. It was that of a big railroad man from the East. Thetransom let out the true state of affairs. 

"See here, Callender, " the Judge was heard to say, "you fellows don'tlike me, and you wouldn't come here unless you had to. But when your roadgets in a tight place, you turn up and expect to walk in ahead of myfriends. No, sir, if you want to see me, you've got to wait. "

Mr. Callender made some inaudible reply, "Money!" roared the Judge, "takeyour money to Stetson, and see if you win your case. "

Mr. Richter smiled at Stephen, as if in sheer happiness at thisvindication of an employer who had never seemed to him to need a defence. 

Stephen was greatly drawn toward this young German with the great scar onhis pleasant face. And he was itching to know about that scar. Every day, after coming in from dinner, Richter lighted a great brown meerschaum, and read the St. Louis 'Anzeiger' and the 'Westliche Post'. Often he sangquietly to himself:

 "Deutschlands Sohne Laut ertone Euer Vaterlandgesang. Vaterland! Du Land des Ruhmes, Weih' zu deines Heiligthumes Hutern, uns and unser Schwert. "

There were other songs, too. And some wonderful quality in the German'svoice gave you a thrill when you heard them, albeit you could notunderstand the words. Richter never guessed how Stephen, with his eyes onhis book, used to drink in those airs. And presently he found out thatthey were inspired. 

The day that the railroad man called, and after he and the Judge had goneout together, the ice was broken. 

"You Americans from the North are a queer people, Mr. Brice, " remarkedMr. Richter, as he put on his coat. "You do not show your feelings. Youare ashamed. The Judge, at first I could not comprehend him--he wouldscold and scold. But one day I see that his heart is warm, and since thenI love him. Have you ever eaten a German dinner, Mr. Brice? No? Then youmust come with me, now. "

It was raining, the streets ankle-deep in mud, and the beer-garden by theside of the restaurant to which they went was dreary and bedraggled. Butinside the place was warm and cheerful. Inside, to all intents andpurposes, it was Germany. A most genial host crossed the room to give Mr. Richter a welcome that any man might have envied. He was introduced toStephen. 

"We were all 'Streber' together, in Germany, " said Richter. 

"You were all what?" asked Stephen, interested. 

"Strivers, you might call it in English. In the Vaterland those who seekfor higher and better things--for liberty, and to be rid of oppression--are so called. That is why we fought in '48 and lost. And that is why wecame here, to the Republic. Ach! I fear I will never be the great lawyer--but the striver, yes, always. We must fight once more to be rid of theblack monster that sucks the blood of freedom--vampire. Is it not so inEnglish?"

Stephen was astonished at this outburst. 

"You think it will come to war?"

"I fear, --yes, I fear, " said the German, shaking his head. "We fear. Weare already preparing. "

"Preparing? You would fight, Richter? You, a foreigner?"

"A foreigner!" cried Richter, with a flash of anger in his blue eyes thatdied as suddenly as it came, --died into reproach. "Call me not aforeigner--we Germans will show whether or not we are foreigners when thetime is ripe. This great country belongs to all the oppressed. Yourancestors founded it, and fought for it, that the descendants of minemight find a haven from tyranny. My friend, one-half of this city isGerman, and it is they who will save it if danger arises. You must comewith me one night to South St. Louis, that you may know us. Then you willperhaps understand, Stephen. You will not think of us as foreign swill, but as patriots who love our new Vaterland even as you love it. You mustcome to our Turner Halls, where we are drilling against the time when theUnion shall have need of us. "

"You are drilling now?" exclaimed Stephen, in still greater astonishment. The German's eloquence had made him tingle, even as had the songs. 

"Prosit deine Blume!" answered Richter, smiling and holding up his glassof beer. "You will come to a 'commerce', and see. 

"This is not our blessed Lichtenhainer, that we drink at Jena. One mayhave a pint of Lichtenhainer for less than a groschen at Jena. Aber, " headded as he rose, with a laugh that showed his strong teeth, "weAmericans are rich. "

As Stephen's admiration for his employer grew, his fear of him waxedgreater likewise. The Judge's methods of teaching law were certainly notHarvard's methods. For a fortnight he paid as little attention to theyoung man as he did to the messengers who came with notes and cooledtheir heels in the outer office until it became the Judge's pleasure toanswer them. This was a trifle discouraging to Stephen. But he stuck tohis Chitty and his Greenleaf and his Kent. It was Richter who advised himto buy Whittlesey's "Missouri Form Book, " and warned him of Mr. Whipple'shatred for the new code. Well that he did! There came a fearful hour ofjudgment. With the swiftness of a hawk Mr. Whipple descended out of aclear sky, and instantly the law terms began to rattle in Stephen's headlike dried peas in a can. It was the Old Style of Pleading this time, without a knowledge of which the Judge declared with vehemence that alawyer was not fit to put pen to legal cap. 

"Now, sir, the pleadings?" he cried. 

"First, " said Stephen, "was the Declaration. The answer to that was thePlea. The answer to that was the Replication. Then came the Rejoinder, then the Surrejoinder, then the Rebutter, then the Surrebutter. But theyrarely got that far, " he added unwisely. 

"A good principle in Law, sir, " said the Judge, "is not to volunteerinformation. "

Stephen was somewhat cast down when he reached home that Saturdayevening. He had come out of his examination with feathers drooping. Hehad been given no more briefs to copy, nor had Mr. Whipple vouchsafedeven to send him on an errand. He had not learned how common a thing itis with young lawyers to feel that they are of no use in the world. Besides, the rain continued. This was the fifth day. 

His mother, knitting before the fire in her own room, greeted him withher usual quiet smile of welcome. He tried to give her a humorous accountof his catechism of the morning, but failed. 

"I am quite sure that he doesn't like me, " said Stephen. 

His mother continued to smile. 

"If he did, he would not show it, " she answered. 

"I can feel it, " said Stephen, dejectedly. 

"The Judge was here this afternoon, " said his mother. 

"What?" cried Stephen. "Again this week? They say that he never calls inthe daytime, and rarely in the evening. What did he say?"

"He said that some of this Boston nonsense must be gotten out of you, "answered Mrs. Brice, laughing. "He said that you were too stiff. That youneeded to rub against the plain men who were building up the West. Whowere making a vast world-power of the original little confederation ofthirteen states. And Stephen, " she added more earnestly, "I am not surebut what he is right. "

Then Stephen laughed. And for a long time he sat staring into the fire. 

"What else did he say?" he asked, after a while. 

"He told me about a little house which we might rent very cheaply. Toocheaply, it seems. The house is on this street, next door to Mr. Brinsmade, to whom it belongs. And Mr. Whipple brought the key, that wemight inspect it to-morrow. "

"But a servant, " objected Stephen, "I suppose that we must have aservant. "

His mother's voice fell. 

"That poor girl whom you freed is here to see me every day. Old Nancydoes washing. But Hester has no work and she is a burden to JudgeWhipple. Oh, no, " she continued, in response to Stephen's glance, "theJudge did not mention that, but I think he had it in mind that Nestermight come. And I am sure that she would. "

Sunday dawned brightly. After church Mrs. Brice and Stephen walked downOlive Street, and stood looking at a tiny house wedged in between, twolarge ones with scrolled fronts. Sad memories of Beacon Street filledthem both as they gazed, but they said nothing of this to each other. AsStephen put his hand on the latch of the little iron gate, a gentlemancame out of the larger house next door. He was past the middle age, somewhat scrupulously dressed in the old fashion, in swallowtail coat andblack stock. Benevolence was in the generous mouth, in the large nosethat looked like Washington's, and benevolence fairly sparkled in theblue eyes. He smiled at them as though he had known them always, and theworld seemed brighter that very instant. They smiled in return, whereuponthe gentleman lifted his hat. And the kindliness and the courtliness ofthat bow made them very happy. "Did you wish to look at the house, madam?" he asked "Yes, sir, " said Mrs. Brice. 

"Allow me to open it for you, " he said, graciously taking the key fromher. "I fear that you will find it inconvenient and incommodious, ma'am. I should be fortunate, indeed, to get a good tenant. "

He fitted the key in the door, while Stephen and his mother smiled ateach other at the thought of the rent. The gentleman opened the door, andstood aside to let them enter, very much as if he were showing them apalace for which he was the humble agent. 

They went into the little parlor, which was nicely furnished in mahoganyand horsehair. And it had back of it a bit of a dining room, with alittle porch overlooking the back yard. Mrs. Brice thought of the darkand stately high-ceiled dining-room she had known throughout her marrieddays: of the board from which a royal governor of Massachusetts Colonyhad eaten, and some governors of the Commonwealth since. Thank God, shehad not to sell that, nor the Brice silver which had stood on the highsideboard with the wolves and the shield upon it. The widow's eyes filledwith tears. She had not hoped again to have a home for these things, northe father's armchair, nor the few family treasures that were to comeover the mountains. 

The gentleman, with infinite tact, said little, but led the way throughthe rooms. There were not many of them. At the door of the kitchen hestopped, and laid his hand kindly on Stephen's shoulder:-- "Here we maynot enter. This is your department, ma'am, " said he. 

Finally, as they stood without waiting for the gentleman, who insistedupon locking the door, they observed a girl in a ragged shawl hurrying upthe street. As she approached them, her eyes were fixed upon the largehouse next door. But suddenly, as the gentleman turned, she caught sightof him, and from her lips escaped a cry of relief. She flung open thegate, and stood before him. 

"Oh, Mr. Brinsmade, " she cried, "mother is dying. You have done so muchfor us, sir, --couldn't you come to her for a little while? She thought ifshe might see you once more, she would die happy. " The voice was chokedby a sob. 

Mr. Brinsmade took the girl's hand in his own, and turned to the ladywith as little haste, with as much politeness, as he had shown before. 

"You will excuse me, ma'am, " he said, with his hat in his hand. 

The widow had no words to answer him. But she and her son watched him ashe walked rapidly down the street, his arm in the girl's, until they wereout of sight. And then they walked home silently. 

Might not the price of this little house be likewise a piece of theBrinsmade charity?

CHAPTER XI

THE INVITATION

Mr. Eliphalet Hopper, in his Sunday-best broadcloth was a marvel ofpropriety. It seemed to Stephen that his face wore a graver expression onSunday when he met him standing on Miss Crane's doorstep, picking thelint from his coat. Stephen's intention was not to speak. But heremembered what the Judge had said to his mother, and nodded. Why, indeed, should he put on airs with this man who had come to St. Louisunknown and unrecommended and poor, who by sheer industry had madehimself of importance in the large business of Carvel &, Company? As forStephen Brice, he was not yet earning his salt, but existing by thecharity of Judge Silas Whipple. 

"Howdy, Mr. Brice, " said Mr. Hopper, his glance caught by the indefinablein Stephen's costume. This would have puzzled Mr. Hopper's tailor more. 

"Very well, thanks. "

"A fine day after the rain. "

Stephen nodded, and Mr. Hopper entered the hours after him. 

"Be you asked to Virginia Carvel's party?" he asked abruptly. 

"I do not know Miss Carvel, " said Stephen, wondering how well the otherdid. And if the truth be told, he was a little annoyed at Mr. Hopper'sfree use of her name. 

"That shouldn't make no difference, " said Eliphalet with just a shade ofbitterness in his tone. "They keep open house, like all Southerners, " Mr. Hopper hesitated, --"for such as come well recommended. I 'most forgot, "said he. "I callate you're not any too well recommended. I 'most forgotthat little transaction down to the Court House. They do say that shewanted that gal almighty bad, --she was most awful cut up not to get her. Served her right, though. I'm glad you did. Show her she can't haveeverything her own way. And say, " he added, with laughter, "how you didfix that there stuckup Colfax boy! He'll never forgive you no more thanshe. But, " said Mr. Hopper, meditatively, "it was a durned-fool trick. "

I think Stephen's critics will admit that he had a good right to beangry, and that they will admire him just a little bit because he kepthis temper. But Mr. Hopper evidently thought he had gone too far. 

"She ain't got no use for me, neither, " he said. 

"She shows poor judgment, " answered Stephen. 

"She's not long sighted, that's sure, " replied Eliphalet, with emphasis. 

At dinner Stephen was tried still further. And it was then he made thedetermination to write for the newspapers in order to pay the rent on Mr. Brinsmade's house. Miss Carvel's coming-out party was the chief topic. 

"They do say the Colonel is to spend a sight of money on that ball, " saidMrs. Abner Reed. "I guess it won't bankrupt him. " And she looked hard atMr. Hopper. 

"I callate he ain't pushed for money, " that gentleman vouchsafed. 

"He's a good man, and done well by you, Mr. Hopper. "

"So--so, " answered Eliphalet. "But I will say that I done something forthe Colonel. I've saved him a hundred times my pay since I showed oldHood the leaks. And I got a thousand dollar order from Wright & Companythis week for him. "

"I dare say you'd keep a tight hand enough on expenses, " said Miss Crane, half in sarcasm, half in approval. 

"If Colonel Carvel was doin' business in New England, " said Eliphalet, "he'd been bankrupt long ago. "

"That young Clarence Colfax, " Mrs. Abner Reed broke in, "he'll get aright smart mint o' money when he marries Virginia. They do say hermother left her independent. How now, Mr. Hopper?"

Eliphalet looked mysterious and knowing. He did not reply. 

"And young Colfax ain't precisely a pauper, " said Miss Crane. 

"I'll risk a good deal that she don't marry Colfax, " said Mr. Hopper. 

"What on earth do you mean?" cried Mrs. Abner. It ain't broke off?"

"No, " he answered, "it ain't broke off. But I callate she won't have himwhen the time comes. She's got too much sense. "

Heavy at heart, Stephen climbed the stairs, thanking heaven that he hadnot been drawn into the controversy. A partial comprehension of Mr. Hopper was dawning upon him. He suspected that gentleman of an aggressivedetermination to achieve wealth, and the power which comes with it, forthe purpose of using that power upon those beneath him. Nay, when hethought over his conversation, he suspected him of more, --of theintention to marry Virginia Carvel. 

It will be seen whether Stephen was right or wrong. 

He took a walk that afternoon, as far out as a place called Lindell'sGrove, which afterward became historic. And when he returned to thehouse, his mother handed him a, little white envelope. 

"It came while you were out, " she said. 

He turned it over, and stared at his name written across the front in afeminine hand In those days young ladies did not write in the bold andmasculine manner now deemed proper. Stephen stared at the note, manlike, and pondered. 

"Who brought it, mother?"

"Why don't you open it, and see?" asked his mother with a smile. 

He took the suggestion. What a funny formal little note we should thinkit now! It was not funny to Stephen--then. He read it, and he read itagain, and finally he walked over to the window, still holding it in hishand. 

Some mothers would have shown their curiosity. Mrs. Brice did not, wherein she proved herself their superiors in the knowledge of mankind. 

Stephen stood for a long while looking out into the gathering dusk. Thenhe went over to the fireplace and began tearing the note into littlebits. Only once did he pause, to look again at his name on the envelope. 

"It is an invitation to Miss Carvel's party, " he said. 

By Thursday of that week the Brices, with thanksgiving in their hearts, had taken possession of Mr. Brinsmade's little house. 

CHAPTER XII

"MISS JINNY"

The years have sped indeed since that gray December when Miss VirginiaCarvel became eighteen. Old St. Louis has changed from a pleasantSouthern town to a bustling city, and a high building stands on the siteof that wide and hospitable home of Colonel Carvel. And the Colonel'sthoughts that morning, as Ned shaved him, flew back through the years toa gently rolling Kentucky countryside, and a pillared white house amongthe oaks. He was riding again with Beatrice Colfax in the springtime. Again he stretched out his arm as if to seize her bridle-hand, and hefelt the thoroughbred rear. Then the vision faded, and the memory of hisdead wife became an angel's face, far--so far away. 

He had brought her to St. Louis, and with his inheritance had founded hisbusiness, and built the great double house on the corner. The child came, and was named after the noble state which had given so many of her sonsto the service of the Republic. 

Five simple, happy years--then war. A black war of conquest which, likemany such, was to add to the nation's fame and greatness: Glory beckoned, honor called--or Comyn Carvel felt them. With nothing of the professionof arms save that born in the Carvels, he kissed Beatrice farewell andsteamed down the Mississippi, a captain in Missouri regiment. The youngwife was ailing. Anguish killed her. Had Comyn Carvel been selfish?

Ned, as he shaved his master's face, read his thoughts by the strangesympathy of love. He had heard the last pitiful words of his mistress. Had listened, choking, to Dr. Posthlewaite as he read the sublime serviceof the burial of the dead. It was Ned who had met his master, theColonel, at the levee, and had fallen sobbing at his feet. 

Long after he was shaved that morning, the Colonel sat rapt in his chair, while the faithful servant busied himself about the room, one eye on hismaster the while. But presently Mr. Carvel's revery is broken by theswift rustle of a dress, and a girlish figure flutters in and plantsitself on the wide arm of his mahogany barber chair, Mammy Easter in thedoor behind her. And the Colonel, stretching forth his hands, strains herto him, and then holds her away that he may look and look again into herface. 

"Honey, " he said, "I was thinking of your mother. "

Virginia raised her eyes to the painting on the wall over the marblemantel. The face under the heavy coils of brown hair was sweet andgentle, delicately feminine. It had an expression of sorrow that seemed aprophecy. 

The Colonel's hand strayed upward to Virginia's head. 

"You are not like her, honey, " he said: "You may see for yourself. Youare more like your Aunt Bess, who lived in Baltimore, and she--"

"I know, " said Virginia, "she was the image of the beauty, DorothyManners, who married my great-grandfather. "

"Yes, Jinny, " replied the Colonel, smiling. "That is so. You are somewhatlike your great-grandmother. "

"Somewhat!" cried Virginia, putting her hand over his mouth, "I likethat. You and Captain Lige are always afraid of turning my head. I neednot be a beauty to resemble her. I know that I am like her. When you tookme on to Calvert House to see Uncle Daniel that time, I remember thepicture by, by--"

"Sir Joshua Reynolds. "

"Yes, Sir Joshua. "

"You were only eleven, " says the Colonel. 

"She is not a difficult person to remember. "

"No, " said Mr. Carvel, laughing, "especially if you have lived with her. "

"Not that I wish to be that kind, " said Virginia, meditatively, --"to takeLondon by storm, and keep a man dangling for years. "

"But he got her in the end, " said the Colonel. "Where did you hear allthis?" he asked. 

"Uncle Daniel told me. He has Richard Carvel's diary. "

"And a very honorable record it is, " exclaimed the Colonel. "Jinny, weshall read it together when we go a-visiting to Culvert House. I rememberthe old gentleman as well as if I had seen him yesterday. "

Virginia appeared thoughtful. 

"Pa, " she began, "Pa, did you ever see the pearls Dorothy Carvel wore onher wedding day? What makes you jump like that? Did you ever see them?"

"Well, I reckon I did, " replied the Colonel, gazing at her steadfastly. 

"Pa, Uncle Daniel told me that I was to have that necklace when I was oldenough. "

"Law!" said the Colonel, fidgeting, "your Uncle Daniel was just foolingyou. "

"He's a bachelor, " said Virginia; what use has he got for it?"

"Why, " says the Colonel, "he's a young man yet, your uncle, onlyfifty-three. I've known older fools than he to go and do it. Eh, Ned?"

"Yes, marsa. Yes, suh. I've seed 'em at seventy, an' shufflin' aboutpeart as Marse Clarence's gamecocks. Why, dar was old Marse Ludlow--"

"Now, Mister Johnson, " Virginia put in severely, "no more about oldLudlow. "

Ned grinned from ear to ear, and in the ecstasy of his delight droppedthe Colonel's clothes-brush. "Lan' sakes!" he cried, "ef she ain'trecommembered. " Recovering his gravity and the brush simultaneously, hemade Virginia a low bow. "Mornin', Miss Jinny. I sholy is gwinter s'luteyou dis day. May de good Lawd make you happy, Miss Jinny, an' give you agood husban'--"

"Thank you, Mister Johnson, thank you, " said Virginia, blushing. 

"How come she recommembered, Marse Comyn? Dat's de quality. Dat's why. Doan't you talk to Ned 'bout de quality, Marsa. "

"And when did I ever talk to you about the quality, you scalawag?" asksthe Colonel, laughing. 

"Th' ain't none 'cept de bes' quality keep they word dat-a-way, " saidNed, as he went off to tell Uncle Ben in the kitchen. 

Was there ever, in all this wide country, a good cook who was not atyrant? Uncle Ben Carvel was a veritable emperor in his own domain; andthe Colonel himself, had he desired to enter the kitchen, would have beenobliged to come with humble and submissive spirit. As for Virginia, shehad had since childhood more than one passage at arms with Uncle Ben. Andthe question of who had come off victorious had been the subject of manya debate below stairs. 

There were a few days in the year, however, when Uncle Ben permitted thesanctity of his territory to be violated. One was the seventh ofDecember. On such a day it was his habit to retire to the broken chairbeside the sink (the chair to which he had clung for five-and-twentyyears). There he would sit, blinking, and carrying on the while anundercurrent of protests and rumblings, while Miss Virginia and otheryoung ladies mixed and chopped and boiled and baked and gossiped. But woeto the unfortunate Rosetta if she overstepped the bounds of respect! Woeto Ned or Jackson or Tato, if they came an inch over the threshold fromthe hall beyond! Even Aunt Easter stepped gingerly, though she was wontto affirm, when assisting Miss Jinny in her toilet, an absolute contemptfor Ben's commands. 

"So Ben ordered you out, Mammy?" Virginia would say mischievously. 

"Order me out! Hugh! think I'se skeered o' him, honey? Reckon I'd frail'em good ef he cotched hole of me with his black hands. Jes' let him tryto come upstairs once, honey, an' see what I say to 'm. "

Nevertheless Ben had, on one never-to-be-forgotten occasion, orderedMammy Easter out, and she had gone. And now, as she was working the beatbiscuits to be baked that evening, Uncle Ben's eye rested on her withsuspicion. 

What mere man may write with any confidence of the delicacies which wereprepared in Uncle's kitchen that morning? No need in those days ofcooking schools. What Southern lady, to the manner born, is not a cookfrom the cradle? Even Ben noted with approval Miss Virginia's scorn forpecks and pints, and grunted with satisfaction over the accurate pinchesof spices and flavors which she used. And he did Miss Eugenie the honorto eat one of her praleens. 

That night came Captain Lige Brent, the figure of an eager and determinedman swinging up the street, and pulling out his watch under everylamp-post. And in his haste, in the darkness of a midblock, he ran intoanother solid body clad in high boots and an old army overcoat, beside awood wagon. 

"Howdy, Captain, " said he of the high boots. 

"Well, I just thought as much, " was the energetic reply; "minute I seenthe rig I knew Captain Grant was behind it. "

He held out a big hand, which Captain Grant clasped, just looking at hisown with a smile. The stranger was Captain Elijah Brent of the'Louisiana'. 

"Now, " said Brent, "I'll just bet a full cargo that you're off to thePlanters' House, and smoke an El Sol with the boys. "

Mr. Grant nodded. "You're keen, Captain, " said he. 

"I've got something here that'll outlast an El Sol a whole day, "continued Captain Breast, tugging at his pocket and pulling out asix-inch cigar as black as the night. "Just you try that. "

The Captain instantly struck a match on his boot and was puffing in asilent enjoyment which delighted his friend. 

"Reckon he don't bring out cigars when you make him a call, " said thesteamboat captain, jerking his thumb up at the house. It was Mr. JacobCluyme's. 

Captain Grant did not reply to that, nor did Captain Lige expect him to, as it was the custom of this strange and silent man to speak ill of noone. He turned rather to put the stakes back into his wagon. 

"Where are you off to, Lige?" he asked. 

"Lord bless my soul, " said Captain Lige, "to think that I could forget!"He tucked a bundle tighter under his arm. "Grant, did you ever see mylittle sweetheart, Jinny Carvel?" The Captain sighed. "She ain't littleany more, and she eighteen to-day. "

Captain Grant clapped his hand to his forehead. 

"Say, Lige, " said he, "that reminds me. A month or so ago I pulled afellow out of Renault's area across from there. First I thought he was athief. After he got away I saw the Colonel and his daughter in thewindow. "

Instantly Captain Lige became excited, and seized Captain Grant by thecape of his overcoat. 

"Say, Grant, what kind of appearing fellow was he?"

"Short, thick-set, blocky face. "

"I reckon I know, " said Breast, bringing down his fist on the wagonboard; "I've had my eye on him for some little time. "

He walked around the block twice after Captain Grant had driven down themuddy street, before he composed himself to enter the Carvel mansion. Hepaid no attention to the salutations of Jackson, the butler, who saw himcoming and opened the door, but climbed the stairs to the sitting-room. 

"Why, Captain Lige, you must have put wings on the Louisiana, " saidVirginia, rising joyfully from the arm of her father's chair to meet him. "We had given you up. "

"What?" cried the Captain. "Give me up? Don't you know better than that?What, give me up when I never missed a birthday, --and this the best ofall of 'em. 

"If your pa had got sight of me shovin' in wood and cussin' the pilot forslowin' at the crossin's, he'd never let you ride in my boat again. BillJenks said: 'Are you plum crazy, Brent? Look at them cressets. ' 'Fivedollars'' says I; 'wouldn't go in for five hundred. To-morrow's JinnyCarvel's birthday, and I've just got to be there. ' I reckon the time'scome when I've got to say Miss Jinny, " he added ruefully. 

The Colonel rose, laughing, and hit the Captain on the back. 

"Drat you, Lige, why don't you kiss the girl? Can't you see she'swaiting?"

The honest Captain stole one glance at Virginia, and turned red coppercolor. 

"Shucks, Colonel, I can't be kissing her always. What'll her husbandsay?"

For an instant Mr. Carvel's brow clouded. 

"We'll not talk of husbands yet awhile, Lige. "

Virginia went up to Captain Lige, deftly twisted into shape his blacktie, and kissed him on the check. How his face burned when she touchedhim. 

"There!" said she, "and don't you ever dare to treat me as a young lady. Why, Pa, he's blushing like a girl. I know. He's ashamed to kiss me now. He's going to be married at last to that Creole girl in New Orleans. "

The Colonel slapped his knee, winked slyly at Lige, while Virginia beganto sing:

 "I built me a house on the mountain so high, To gaze at my true love as she do go by. "

"There's only one I'd ever marry, Jinny, " protested the Captain, soberly, "and I'm a heap too old for her. But I've seen a youngster that mightmate with her, Colonel, " he added mischievously. "If he just wasn't aYankee. Jinny, what's the story I hear about Judge Whipple's young manbuying Hester?"

Mr. Carvel looked uneasy. It was Virginia's turn to blush, and she grewred as a peony. 

"He's a tall, hateful, Black Republican Yankee!" she said. 

"Phee-ew!" whistled the Captain. "Any more epithets?"

"He's a nasty Abolitionist!"

"There you do him wrong, honey, " the Colonel put in. 

"I hear he took Hester to Miss Crane's, " the Captain continued, fillingthe room with his hearty laughter. "That boy has sand enough, Jinny; I'dlike to know him. "

"You'll have that priceless opportunity to-night, " retorted MissVirginia, as she flung herself out of the room. "Pa has made me invitehim to my party. "

"Here, Jinny! Hold on!" cried the Captain, running after her. "I've gotsomething for you. "

She stopped on the stairs, hesitating. Whereupon the Captain hastilyripped open the bundle under his arm and produced a very handsome Indiashawl. With a cry of delight Virginia threw it over her shoulders and ranto the long glass between the high windows. 

"Who spoils her, Lige?" asked the Colonel, fondly. 

"Her father, I reckon, " was the prompt reply. 

"Who spoils you, Jinny?"

"Captain Lige, " said she, turning to him. "If you had only kept thepresents you have brought me from New Orleans, you might sell out yoursteamboat and be a rich man. "

"He is a rich man, " said the Colonel, promptly. "Did you ever missbringing her a present, Lige?" he asked. 

"When the Cora Anderson burnt, " answered the Captain. 

"Why, " cried Virginia, "you brought me a piece of her wheel, with thechar on it. You swam ashore with it. "

"So I did, " said Captain Brent. "I had forgotten that. It was when theFrench dress, with the furbelows, which Madame Pitou had gotten me fromParis for you, was lost. "

"And I think I liked the piece of wheel better, " says Virginia. "It wasbrought me by a brave man, the last to leave his boat. "

"And who should be the last to leave, but the captain? I saw the thing inthe water; and I just thought we ought to have a relic. "

"Lige, " said the Colonel, putting up his feet, "do you remember theFrench toys you used to bring up here from New Orleans?"

"Colonel, " replied Brent, "do you recall the rough and uncouth youngcitizen who came over here from Cincinnati, as clerk on the Vicksburg?"

"I remember, sir, that he was so promising that they made him provisionalcaptain the next trip, and he was not yet twenty-four years of age. "

"And do you remember buying the Vicksburg at the sheriff's sale fortwenty thousand dollars, and handing her over to young Brent, and saying, 'There, my son, she's your boat, and you can pay for her when you like'?"

"Shucks, Brent!" said Mr. Carvel, sternly, "your memory's too good. But Iproved myself a good business man, Jinny; he paid for her in a year. "

"You don't mean that you made him pay you for the boat?" cried Jinny. "Why, Pa, I didn't think you were that mean!"

The two men laughed heartily. 

"I was a heap meaner, " said her father. "I made him pay interest. "

Virginia drew in her breath, and looked at the Colonel in amazement. 

"He's the meanest man I know, " said Captain Lige. "He made me payinterest, and a mint julep. "

"Upon my word, Pa, " said Miss Virginia, soberly, "I shouldn't havebelieved it of you. "

Just then Jackson, in his white jacket; came to announce that supper wasready, and they met Ned at the dining-room door, fairly staggering under aload of roses. 

"Marse Clarence done send 'em in, des picked out'n de hothouse disafternoon, Miss Jinny. Jackson, fotch a bowl!"

"No, " said Virginia. She took the flowers from Ned, one by one, and tothe wonderment of Captain Lige and her--father strewed them hither andthither upon the table until the white cloth was hid by the red flowers. The Colonel stroked his goatee and nudged Captain Lige. 

"Look-a-there, now, " said he. "Any other woman would have spent twomortal hours stickin' 'em in china. "

Virginia, having critically surveyed her work, amid exclamations from Nedand Jackson, had gone around to her place. And there upon her plate lay apearl necklace. For an instant she clapped her palms together, staring atit in bewilderment. And once more the little childish cry of delight, long sweet to the Colonel's ears, escaped her. 

"Pa, " she said, "is it--?" And there she stopped, for fear that it mightnot be. But he nodded encouragingly. 

"Dorothy Carvel's necklace! No, it can't be. "

"Yes, honey, " said the Colonel. "Your Uncle Daniel sent it, as hepromised. And when you go upstairs, if Easter has done as I told her, youwill see a primrose dress with blue coin-flowers on your bed. Danielthought you might like that, too, for a keepsake. Dorothy Manners wore itin London, when she was a girl. "

And so Virginia ran and threw her arms about her father's neck, andkissed him again and again. And lest the Captain feel badly, she laid hisIndia shawl beside her; and the necklace upon it. 

What a joyful supper they had, --just the three of them! And as the freshroses filled the room with fragrance, Virginia filled it with youth andspirits, and Mr. Carvel and the Captain with honest, manly merriment. AndJackson plied Captain Brent (who was a prime favorite in that house) withbroiled chicken and hot beat biscuits and with waffles, until at lengthhe lay back in his chair and heaved a sigh of content, lighting a cigar. And then Virginia, with a little curtsey to both of them, ran off todress for the party. 

"Well, " said Captain Brent, "I reckon there'll be gay goings-on hereto-night. I wouldn't miss the sight of 'em, Colonel, for all the cargoeson the Mississippi. Ain't there anything I can do?"

"No, thank you, Lige, " Mr. Carvel answered. "Do you remember, one morningsome five years ago, when I took in at the store a Yankee named Hopper?You didn't like him, I believe. "

Captain Brent jumped, and the ashes of his cigar fell on his coat. He hadforgotten his conversation with Captain Grant. 

"I reckon I do, " he said dryly. 

For a moment he was on the point of telling the affair. Then he desisted. He could not be sure of Eliphalet from Grant's description. So he decidedto await a better time. Captain Brent was one to make sure of his channelbefore going ahead. 

"Well, " continued the Colonel, "I have been rather pushed the last week, and Hopper managed things for this dance. He got the music, and saw theconfectioner. But he made such a close bargain with both of 'em that theycame around to me afterward, " he added, laughing. 

"Is he coming here to-night?" demanded the Captain, looking disgusted. 

"Lige, " replied the Colonel, "you never do get over a prejudice. Yes, he's coming, just to oversee things. He seems to have mighty littlepleasure, and he's got the best business head I ever did see. A Yankee, "said Mr. Carvel, meditatively, as he put on his hat, "a Yankee, when hewill work, works like all possessed. Hood don't like him any more thanyou do, but he allows Hopper is a natural-born business man. Last monthSamuels got tight, and Wright & Company were going to place the largestorder in years. I called in Hood. 'Go yourself, Colonel, ' says he. I I'mtoo old to solicit business, Hood, ' said I. 'Then there's only one man tosend, ' says he, 'young Hopper. He'll get the order, or I'll give up thisplace I've had for twenty years. ' Hopper 'callated' to get it, andanother small one pitched in. And you'd die laughing, Lige, to hear howhe did it. "

"Some slickness, I'll gamble, " grunted Captain Lige. 

"Well, I reckon 'twas slick, " said the Colonel, thoughtfully. "You knowold man Wright hates a solicitor like poison. He has his notions. Andmaybe you've noticed signs stuck up all over his store, 'No Solicitorsnor Travelling Men Allowed Here'"

The Captain nodded. 

"But Hopper--Hopper walks in, sir, bold as you please, right past thesigns till he comes to the old man's cage. 'I want to see Mr. Wright, 'says he to the clerk. And the clerk begins to grin. 'Name, please, ' sayshe. Mr. Hopper whips out his business card. 'What!' shouts old Wright, flying 'round in his chair, 'what the devil does this mean? Can't youread, sir?' 'callate to, ' says Mr. Hopper. 'And you dare to come in here?

"'Business is business, ' says Hopper. 'You "callate"!' bellowed the oldman; 'I reckon you're a damned Yankee. I reckon I'll upset your"callations" for once. And if I catch you in here again, I'll wring yourneck like a roostah's. Git!'"

"Who told you this?" asked Captain Brent. 

"Wright himself, --afterward, " replied Mr. Carvel, laughing. "But listen, Lige. The old man lives at the Planters' House, you know. What does Mr. Hopper do but go 'round there that very night and give a nigger two bitsto put him at the old man's table. When Wright comes and sees him, henearly has one of his apoplectic fits. But in marches Hopper the nextmorning with twice the order. The good Lord knows how he did it. "

There was a silence. Then the door-bell rang. 

"He's dangerous, " said the Captain, emphatically. "That's what I callhim. "

"The Yankees are changing business in this town, " was the Colonel'sanswer. "We've got to keep the pace, Lige. "

CHAPTER XIII

THE PARTY

To gentle Miss Anne Brinsmade, to Puss Russell of the mischievous eyes, and even to timid Eugenie Renault, the question that burned was: Would hecome, or would he not? And, secondarily, how would Virginia treat him ifhe came? Put our friend Stephen for the subjective, and Miss Carversparty for the objective in the above, and we have the clew. For veryyoung girls are given to making much out of a very little in suchmatters. If Virginia had not gotten angry when she had been teased afortnight before, all would have been well. 

Even Puss, who walked where angels feared to tread, did not dare to gotoo far with Virginia. She had taken care before the day of the party tobeg forgiveness with considerable humility. It had been granted with aqueenly generosity. And after that none of the bevy had dared to broachthe subject to Virginia. Jack Brinsmade had. He told Puss afterward thatwhen Virginia got through with him, he felt as if he had taken a rapidtrip through the wheel-house of a large steamer. Puss tried, by variousingenious devices, to learn whether Mr. Brice had accepted hisinvitation. She failed. 

These things added a zest to a party long looked forward to amongstVirginia's intimates. In those days young ladies did not "come out" sofrankly as they do now. Mothers did not announce to the world that theypossessed marriageable daughters. The world was supposed to know that. And then the matrimonial market was feverishly active. Young men proposedas naturally as they now ask a young girl to go for a walk, --and wererefused quite as naturally. An offer of marriage was not the fearful andwonderful thing--to be dealt with gingerly--which it has since become. Seventeen was often the age at which they began. And one of the bigCatherwood boys had a habit of laying his heart and hand at Virginia'sfeet once a month. Nor did his vanity suffer greatly when she laughed athim. 

It was with a flutter of excitement, therefore, that Miss Carvel's guestsflitted past Jackson, who held the door open obsequiously. The boldest ofthem took a rapid survey of the big parlor, before they put foot on thestairs to see whether Mr. Brice had yet arrived. And if their curiosityheld them too long, they were usually kissed by the Colonel. 

Mr. Carvel shook hands heartily with the young mean and called them bytheir first names, for he knew most of their fathers and grandfathers. And if an older gentleman arrived, perhaps the two might be seen goingdown the hall together, arm in arm. So came his beloved enemy, JudgeWhipple, who did not make an excursion to the rear regions of the housewith the Colonel; but they stood and discussed Mr. President Buchanan'sresponsibility for the recent panic, until the band, which Mr. Hopper hadstationed under the stairs, drowned their voices. 

As we enter the room, there stands Virginia under the rainbowed prisms ofthe great chandelier, receiving. But here was suddenly a woman oftwenty-eight, where only this evening we knew a slip of a girl. It was atrick she had, to become majestic in a ball-gown. She held her head high, as a woman should, and at her slender throat glowed the pearls of DorothyManners. 

The result of all this was to strike a little awe into the souls of manyof her playmates. Little Eugenie nearly dropped a curtsey. Belle Cluymewas so impressed that she forgot for a whole hour to be spiteful. ButPuss Russell kissed her on both cheeks, and asked her if she reallywasn't nervous. 

"Nervous!" exclaimed Jinny, "why?"

Miss Russell glanced significantly towards the doorway. But she saidnothing to her hostess, for fear of marring an otherwise happy occasion. She retired with Jack Brim made to a corner, where she recited:--

 "Oh young Lochinvar is come out of the East; Of millions of Yankees I love him the least. "

"What a joke if he should come!" cried Jack. 

Miss Russell gasped. 

Just as Mr. Clarence Colfax, resplendent in new evening clothes justarrived from New York, was pressing his claim for the first dance withhis cousin in opposition to numerous other claims, the chatter of theguests died away. Virginia turned her head, and for an instant the pearlstrembled on her neck. There was a young man cordially and unconcernedlyshaking hands with her father and Captain Lige. Her memory of that momentis, strangely, not of his face (she did not deign to look at that), butof the muscle of his shoulder half revealed as he stretched forth hisarm. 

Young Mr. Colfax bent over to her ear. 

"Virginia, " he whispered earnestly, almost fiercely, Virginia, whoinvited him here?"

"I did, " said Virginia, calmly, "of course. Who invites any one here?"

"But!" cried Clarence, "do you know who he is?"

"Yes, " she answered, "I know. And is that any reason why he should notcome here as a guest? Would you bar any gentleman from your house onaccount of his convictions?"

Ah, Virginia, who had thought to hear that argument from your lips? Whatwould frank Captain Lige say of the consistency of women, if he heard younow? And how give an account of yourself to Anne Brinsmade? Whatcontrariness has set you so intense against your own argument?

Before one can answer this, before Mr. Clarence can recover from hisastonishment and remind her of her vehement words on the subject atBellegarde, Mr. Stephen is making thither with the air of one whoconquers. Again the natural contrariness of women. What bare-facedimpudence! Has he no shame that he should hold his head so high? Shefeels her color mounting, even as her resentment rises at hisself-possession, and yet she would have despised him had he shownself-consciousness in gait or manner in the sight of her assembledguests. Nearly as tall as the Colonel himself, he is plainly seen, andMiss Puss in her corner does not have to stand on tiptoe. Mr. Carvel doesthe honors of the introduction. 

But a daughter of the Carvels was not to fail before such a paltrysituation as this. Shall it be confessed that curiosity stepped into thebreach? As she gave him her hand she was wondering how he would act. 

As a matter of fact he acted detestably. He said nothing whatever, butstood regarding her with a clear eye and a face by far too severe. Thethought that he was meditating on the incident of the auction salecrossed through her mind, and made her blood simmer. How dared he behaveso! The occasion called for a little small talk. An evil spirit tookpossession of Virginia. She turned. 

"Mr. Brice, do you know my cousin, Mr. Colfax?" she said. 

Mr. Brice bowed. "I know Mr. Colfax by sight, " he replied. 

Then Mr. Colfax made a stiff bow. To this new phase his sense of humordid not rise. Mr. Brice was a Yankee and no gentleman, inasmuch as he hadoverbid a lady for Hester. 

"Have you come here to live, Mr. Brice?" he asked. 

The Colonel eyed his nephew sharply. But Stephen smiled. 

"Yes, " he said, "if I can presently make enough to keep me alive. " Thenturning to Virginia, he said, "Will you dance, Miss Carvel?"

The effrontery of this demand quite drew the breath from the impatientyoung gentlemen who had been waiting their turn. Several of them spoke upin remonstrance. And for the moment (let one confess it who knows), Virginia was almost tempted to lay her arm in his. Then she made a bowthat would have been quite as effective the length of the room. 

"Thank you, Mr. Brice, " she said, "but I am engaged to Mr. Colfax. "

Abstractedly he watched her glide away in her cousin's arms. Stephen hada way of being preoccupied at such times. When he grew older he wouldwalk the length of Olive Street, look into face after face ofacquaintances, not a quiver of recognition in his eyes. But most probablythe next week he would win a brilliant case in the Supreme Court. And sonow, indifferent to the amusement of some about him, he stood staringafter Virginia and Clarence. Where had he seen Colfax's face before hecame West? Ah, he knew. Many, many years before he had stood with hisfather in the mellow light of the long gallery at Hollingdean, Kent, before a portrait of the Stuarts' time. The face was that of one of LordNorthwell's ancestors, a sporting nobleman of the time of the secondCharles. It was a head which compelled one to pause before it. Strangelyenough, --it was the head likewise of Clarence Colfax. 

The image of it Stephen had carried undimmed in the eye of his memory. White-haired Northwell's story, also. It was not a story that Mr. Bricehad expected his small son to grasp. As a matter of fact Stephen had notgrasped it then--but years afterward. It was not a pleasant story, --andyet there was much of credit in it to the young rake its subject, --ofdash and courage and princely generosity beside the profligacy andincontinence. 

The face had impressed him, with its story. He had often dreamed of it, and of the lace collar over the dull-gold velvet that became it so well. And here it was at last, in a city west of the Mississippi River. Herewere the same delicately chiselled features, with their pallor, andsatiety engraved there at one and twenty. Here was the same lazy scorn inthe eyes, and the look which sleeplessness gives to the lids: the hair, straight and fine and black; the wilful indulgence--not of one life, butof generations--about the mouth; the pointed chin. And yet it was a factto dare anything, and to do anything. 

One thing more ere we have done with that which no man may explain. Hadhe dreamed, too, of the girl? Of Virginia? Stephen might not tell, butthrice had the Colonel spoken to him before he answered. 

"You must meet some of these young ladies, sir. "

It was little wonder that Puss Russell thought him dull on that firstoccasion. Out of whom condescension is to flow is a matter of whichHeaven takes no cognizance. To use her own words, Puss thought him "stuckup, " when he should have been grateful. We know that Stephen was notstuck up, and later Miss Russell learned that likewise. Very naturallyshe took preoccupation for indifference. It is a matter worth recording, however, that she did not tease him, because she did not dare. He did notask her to dance, which was rude. So she passed him back to Mr. Carvel, who introduced him to Miss Renault and Miss Saint Cyr, and other youngladies of the best French families. And finally, drifting hither andthither with his eyes on Virginia, in an evil moment he was presented toMrs. Colfax. Perhaps it has been guessed that Mrs. Colfax was a verygreat lady indeed, albeit the daughter of an overseer. She bore AddisonColfax's name, spent his fortune, and retained her good looks. On thisparticular occasion she was enjoying herself quite as much as any younggirl in the room, and, while resting from a waltz, was regaling a numberof gentlemen with a humorous account of a scandal at the VirginiaSpring's. 

None but a great lady could have meted out the punishment administered topoor Stephen. None but a great lady could have concerned it. And he, whohad never been snubbed before, fell headlong into her trap. How was theboy to know that there was no heart in the smile with which she greetedhim? It was all over in an instant. She continued to talk about VirginiaSprings, "Oh, Mr. Brice, of course you have been there. Of course youknow the Edmunds. No? You haven't been there? You don't know the Edmunds?I thought every body had been there. Charles, you look as if you werejust dying to waltz. Let's have a turn before the music stops. "

And so she whirled away, leaving Stephen forlorn, a little too angry tobe amused just then. In that state he spied a gentleman coming towardshim--a gentleman the sight of whom he soon came to associate with allthat is good and kindly in this world, Mr. Brinsmade. And now he put hishand on Stephen's shoulder. Whether he had seen the incident just past, who can tell?

"My son, " said he, "I am delighted to see you here. Now that we are suchnear neighbors, we must be nearer friends. You must know my wife, and myson Jack, and my daughter Anne. "

Mrs. Brinsmade was a pleasant little body, but plainly not a fit mate forher husband. Jack gave Stephen a warm grasp of the hand, and an amusedlook. As for Anne, she was more like her father; she was Stephen's friendfrom that hour. 

"I have seen you quite often, going in at your gate, Mr. Brice. And Ihave seen your mother, too. I like her, " said Anne. "She has such awonderful face. " And the girl raised her truthful blue eyes to his. 

"My mother would be delighted to know you, " he ventured, not knowing whatelse to say. It was an effort for him to reflect upon their new situationas poor tenants to a wealthy family. 

"Oh, do you think so?" cried Anne. "I shall call on her to-morrow, withmother. Do you know, Mr. Brice, " she continued, "do you know that yourmother is just the person I should go to if I were in trouble, whether Iknew her or not?"

"I have found her a good person in trouble, " said Stephen, simply. Hemight have said the same of Anne. 

Anne was enchanted. She had thought him cold, but these words beliedthat. She had wrapped him in that diaphanous substance with which youngladies (and sometimes older ones) are wont to deck their heroes. She hadapproached a mystery--to find it human, as are many mysteries. But thankheaven that she found a dignity, a seriousness, --and these more thansatisfied her. Likewise, she discovered something she had not looked for, an occasional way of saying things that made her laugh. She danced withhim, and passed him back to Miss Puss Russell, who was better pleasedthis time; she passed him on to her sister, who also danced with him, andsent him upstairs for her handkerchief. 

Nevertheless, Stephen was troubled. As the evening wore on, he was moreand more aware of an uncompromising attitude in his young hostess, whomhe had seen whispering to various young ladies from behind her fan asthey passed her. He had not felt equal to asking her to dance a secondtime. Honest Captain Lige Breast, who seemed to have taken a fancy tohim, bandied him on his lack of courage with humor that was a littlerough. And, to Stephen's amazement, even Judge Whipple had pricked himon. 

It was on his way upstairs after Emily Russell's handkerchief that he ranacross another acquaintance. Mr. Eliphalet Hopper, in Sunday broadcloth, was seated on the landing, his head lowered to the level of the top ofthe high door of the parlor. Stephen caught a glimpse of the picturewhereon his eyes were fixed. Perhaps it is needless to add that MissVirginia Carvel formed the central figure of it. 

"Enjoy in' yourself?" asked Mr. Hopper. 

Stephen countered. 

"Are you?" he asked. 

"So so, " said Mr. Hopper, and added darkly: "I ain't in no hurry. Justnow they callate I'm about good enough to manage the business end of anaffair like this here. I guess I can wait. But some day, " said he, suddenly barring Stephen's way, "some day I'll give a party. And hark tome when I tell you that these here aristocrats 'll be glad enough to getinvitations. "

Stephen pushed past coldly. This time the man made him shiver. Theincident was all that was needed to dishearten and disgust him. Kindly ashe had been treated by others, far back in his soul was a thing thatrankled. Shall it be told crudely why he went that night? Stephen Brice, who would not lie to others, lied to himself. And when he came downstairsagain and presented Miss Emily with her handkerchief, his next move wasin his mind. And that was to say good-night to the Colonel, and morefrigidly to Miss Carvel herself. But music has upset many a man'scalculations. 

The strains of the Jenny Lind waltz were beginning to float through therooms. There was Miss Virginia in a corner of the big parlor, for themoment alone with her cousin. And thither Stephen sternly strode. Not asign did she give of being aware of his presence until he stood beforeher. Even then she did not lift her eyes. But she said: "So you have comeat last to try again, Mr. Brice?"

And Mr. Brice said: "If you will do me the honor, Miss Carvel. "

She did not reply at once. Clarence Colfax got to his feet. Then shelooked up at the two men as they stood side by side, and perhaps sweptthem both in an instant's comparison. 

The New Englander's face must have reminded her more of her own father, Colonel Carvel. It possessed, from generations known, the power tocontrol itself. She afterwards admitted that she accepted him to teaseClarence. Miss Russell, whose intuitions are usually correct, does notbelieve this. 

"I will dance with you, " said Virginia. 

But, once in his arms, she seemed like a wild thing, resisting. Althoughher gown brushed his coat, the space between them was infinite, and herhand lay limp in his, unresponsive of his own pressure. Not so her feet;they caught the step and moved with the rhythm of the music, and roundthe room they swung. More than one pair paused in the dance to watchthem. Then, as they glided past the door, Stephen was disagreeablyconscious of some one gazing down from above, and he recalled EliphaletHopper and his position. The sneer from Eliphalet's seemed to penetratelike a chilly draught. 

All at once, Virginia felt her partner gathering up his strength, and bysome compelling force, more of wild than of muscle, draw her nearer. Unwillingly her hand tightened under his, and her blood beat faster andher color came and went as they two moved as one. Anger--helpless anger--took possession of her as she saw the smiles on the faces of herfriends, and Puss Russell mockingly throwing a kiss as she passed her. And then, strange in the telling, a thrill as of power rose within herwhich she strove against in vain. A knowledge of him who guided her soswiftly, so unerringly, which she had felt with no other man. Faster andfaster they stepped, each forgetful of self and place, until the waltzcame suddenly to a stop. 

"By gum!" said Captain Lige to Judge Whipple, "you can whollop me on myown forecastle if they ain't the handsomest couple I ever did see. "