a ward of the golden gate(½ðÃÅÒ»Çø)-µÚ10²¿·Ö
°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
their¡¡¡¡¡¡hands¡¡¡¡¡¡gracefully¡¡¡¡¡¡advanced¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡line¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡figures£»¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡attitude¡¡
accepted¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡throughout¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡civilized¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡world¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡deportment¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡indicating¡¡
fastidious¡¡refinement¡¡not¡¡unmingled¡¡with¡¡permissible¡¡hauteur¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡three¡¡gentlemen¡¡lifted¡¡their¡¡hats¡¡at¡¡this¡¡ravishing¡¡apparition£»¡¡and¡¡
halted¡£¡¡The¡¡Mayor¡¡advanced¡¡with¡¡great¡¡politeness¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡feared¡¡you¡¡didn't¡¡hear¡¡me¡¡call¡¡you£»¡¡Miss¡¡Yerba£»¡¡so¡¡we¡¡ventured¡¡to¡¡
seek¡¡you¡£¡¡As¡¡the¡¡two¡¡girls¡¡exchanged¡¡almost¡¡infantile¡¡glances¡¡of¡¡surprise£»¡¡
he¡¡continued£º¡¡¡¨Mr¡£¡¡Paul¡¡Hathaway¡¡has¡¡done¡¡us¡¡the¡¡honor¡¡of¡¡seeking¡¡you¡¡
here£»¡¡as¡¡he¡¡did¡¡not¡¡find¡¡you¡¡at¡¡the¡¡convent¡£¡¡You¡¡may¡¡have¡¡forgotten¡¡that¡¡
Mr¡£¡¡Hathaway¡¡is¡¡the¡¡third¡¡one¡¡of¡¡your¡¡trustees¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡inefficient¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡worthless¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡fear¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡doesn't¡¡¡¡¡¡count£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡
Paul£»¡¡¡¨but£»¡¨¡¡raising¡¡his¡¡eyes¡¡to¡¡Yerba's£»¡¡¡¨I¡¡fancy¡¡that¡¡I¡¡have¡¡already¡¡had¡¡the¡¡
pleasure¡¡of¡¡seeing¡¡you£»¡¡and£»¡¡I¡¡fear£»¡¡the¡¡mortification¡¡of¡¡having¡¡disturbed¡¡
you¡¡and¡¡your¡¡friends¡¡in¡¡the¡¡parlor¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Golden¡¡Gate¡¡Hotel¡¡yesterday¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡girls¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡each¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡same¡¡¡¡¡¡childlike¡¡¡¡¡¡surprise¡£¡¡
Yerba¡¡¡¡¡¡broke¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡silence¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡suddenly¡¡¡¡¡¡turning¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡Milly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Certainly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡
remember¡¡how¡¡greatly¡¡interested¡¡we¡¡were¡¡in¡¡the¡¡conversation¡¡of¡¡a¡¡party¡¡of¡¡
gentlemen¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡came¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡am¡¡¡¡¡¡afraid¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡foolish¡¡
prattle¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡disturbed¡¡YOU¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡know¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡struck¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
intelligent¡¡and¡¡eloquent¡¡devotion¡¡of¡¡your¡¡friends¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡perfectly£»¡¨¡¡chimed¡¡in¡¡the¡¡loyal¡¡but¡¡somewhat¡¡infelix¡¡Milly£»¡¡¡¨and¡¡it¡¡
was¡¡so¡¡kind¡¡and¡¡thoughtful¡¡of¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Hathaway¡¡to¡¡take¡¡them¡¡away¡¡as¡¡he¡¡did¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡felt¡¡the¡¡more¡¡embarrassed£»¡¨¡¡continued¡¡Hathaway£»¡¡smiling£»¡¡but¡¡still¡¡
critically¡¡¡¡¡¡examining¡¡Yerba¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡indication¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡something¡¡¡¡¡¡characteristic£»¡¡
beyond¡¡this¡¡palpable¡¡conventionality£»¡¡¡¨as¡¡I¡¡unfortunately¡¡must¡¡present¡¡my¡¡
credentials¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡gentleman¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡much¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡stranger¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡myselfColonel¡¡
Pendleton¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡trade¡wind¡¡was¡¡evidently¡¡¡¡making¡¡itself¡¡felt¡¡even¡¡in¡¡this¡¡pastoral¡¡
retreat£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡gentlemen¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡appeared¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡shrink¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡slightly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡within¡¡
themselves£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡chill¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡have¡¡passed¡¡over¡¡the¡¡group¡£¡¡The¡¡Mayor¡¡
coughed¡£¡¡The¡¡avuncular¡¡Woods¡¡gazed¡¡abstractedly¡¡at¡¡a¡¡large¡¡cactus¡£¡¡Even¡¡
Paul£»¡¡prepared¡¡by¡¡previous¡¡experience£»¡¡stopped¡¡short¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Colonel¡¡Pendleton£¡¡¡Oh£»¡¡do¡¡tell¡¡me¡¡all¡¡about¡¡him£¡¡¨¡¡flashed¡¡out¡¡Yerba£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡37¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡38¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡WARD¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡GOLDEN¡¡GATE¡¡
suddenly£»¡¡with¡¡clasped¡¡hands¡¡and¡¡eager¡¡girlish¡¡breath¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Paul¡¡cast¡¡a¡¡quick¡¡grateful¡¡glance¡¡at¡¡the¡¡girl¡£¡¡Whether¡¡assumed¡¡or¡¡not£»¡¡
her¡¡¡¡¡¡enthusiastic¡¡¡¡¡¡outburst¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡effective¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡Mayor¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡uneasily¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡
Woods£»¡¡and¡¡turned¡¡to¡¡Paul¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Ah£»¡¡yes£¡¡¡You¡¡and¡¡he¡¡are¡¡original¡¡co¡trustees¡£¡¡I¡¡believe¡¡Pendleton¡¡is¡¡in¡¡
reduced¡¡circumstances¡£¡¡Never¡¡quite¡¡got¡¡over¡¡that¡¡bank¡¡trouble¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡question¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡legislative¡¡¡¡¡¡investigation¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡relief£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡
Paul¡¡lightly£»¡¡¡¡yet¡¡with¡¡purposely¡¡vague¡¡official¡¡mystery¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡manner¡£¡¡Then£»¡¡
turning¡¡quickly¡¡to¡¡Yerba£»¡¡as¡¡if¡¡replying¡¡to¡¡the¡¡only¡¡real¡¡question¡¡at¡¡issue£»¡¡
he¡¡continued¡¡pointedly£»¡¡¡¨I¡¡am¡¡sorry¡¡to¡¡say¡¡the¡¡colonel's¡¡health¡¡is¡¡so¡¡poor¡¡
that¡¡it¡¡keeps¡¡him¡¡quite¡¡a¡¡recluse¡£¡¡I¡¡have¡¡a¡¡letter¡¡from¡¡him¡¡and¡¡a¡¡message¡¡
for¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡¡¡¡¡bright¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡¡¡¡¡added¡¡¡¡¡¡plainly¡¨as¡¡¡¡¡¡soon¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡can¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡rid¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
those¡¡people¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then¡¡you¡¡think¡¡that¡¡a¡¡bill¡¨began¡¡the¡¡Mayor£»¡¡eagerly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡think£»¡¡my¡¡dear¡¡sir£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Paul¡¡plaintively£»¡¡¡¨that¡¡I¡¡and¡¡my¡¡friends¡¡have¡¡
already¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡tried¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡patience¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡young¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ladies¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡quite¡¡¡¡¡¡enough¡¡
yesterday¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡politics¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡law¡making¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡catch¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡six¡o'clock¡¡
train¡¡to¡¡San¡¡Francisco¡¡this¡¡evening£»¡¡and¡¡have¡¡already¡¡lost¡¡the¡¡time¡¡I¡¡hoped¡¡
to¡¡spend¡¡with¡¡Miss¡¡Yerba¡¡by¡¡missing¡¡her¡¡at¡¡the¡¡convent¡£¡¡Let¡¡me¡¡stroll¡¡on¡¡
here£»¡¡if¡¡you¡¡like£»¡¡and¡¡if¡¡I¡¡venture¡¡to¡¡monopolize¡¡the¡¡attention¡¡of¡¡this¡¡young¡¡
lady¡¡for¡¡half¡¡an¡¡hour£»¡¡you£»¡¡my¡¡dear¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Mayor£»¡¡who¡¡have¡¡more¡¡frequent¡¡
access¡¡to¡¡her£»¡¡I¡¡know£»¡¡will¡¡not¡¡begrudge¡¡it¡¡to¡¡me¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡placed¡¡himself¡¡beside¡¡Yerba¡¡and¡¡Milly£»¡¡and¡¡began¡¡an¡¡entertaining£»¡¡
although£»¡¡I¡¡fear£»¡¡slightly¡¡exaggerated£»¡¡account¡¡of¡¡his¡¡reception¡¡by¡¡the¡¡Lady¡¡
Superior£»¡¡and¡¡her¡¡evident¡¡doubts¡¡of¡¡his¡¡identity¡¡with¡¡the¡¡trustee¡¡mentioned¡¡
in¡¡¡¡¡¡Pendleton's¡¡¡¡¡¡letter¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡introduction¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡confess¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡frightened¡¡¡¡¡¡me£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡
continued£»¡¡¡¨when¡¡she¡¡remarked¡¡¡¡¡¡that£»¡¡according¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡statement£»¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡
have¡¡been¡¡only¡¡eighteen¡¡years¡¡old¡¡when¡¡I¡¡became¡¡your¡¡guardian£»¡¡and¡¡as¡¡
much¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡want¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡think¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡belief¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡
Woods¡¡and¡¡the¡¡Mayor¡¡would¡¡detect¡¡me¡¡as¡¡an¡¡impostor¡¡provoked¡¡her¡¡at¡¡last¡¡
to¡¡tell¡¡me¡¡your¡¡whereabouts¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡why¡¡DID¡¡they¡¡ever¡¡make¡¡you¡¡a¡¡trustee£»¡¡for¡¡goodness'¡¡sake£¿¡¨¡¡said¡¡
Milly£»¡¡naively¡£¡¡¡¡¡¨Was¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡grown¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡could¡¡
have¡¡called¡¡upon£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡38¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡39¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡WARD¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡GOLDEN¡¡GATE¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Those¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡EARLY¡¡¡¡¡¡days¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡California£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡responded¡¡¡¡¡¡Paul£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡
great¡¡¡¡¡¡gravity£»¡¡¡¡¡¡although¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡conscious¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡Yerba¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡regarding¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡
narrowly£»¡¡¡¨and¡¡I¡¡probably¡¡looked¡¡older¡¡and¡¡more¡¡intelligent¡¡than¡¡I¡¡really¡¡
was¡£¡¡For£»¡¡candidly£»¡¨¡¡with¡¡the¡¡consciousness¡¡of¡¡Yerba's¡¡eyes¡¡still¡¡upon¡¡him£»¡¡
¡¨I¡¡remember¡¡very¡¡little¡¡about¡¡it¡£¡¡I¡¡dare¡¡say¡¡I¡¡was¡¡selected£»¡¡as¡¡you¡¡kindly¡¡
suggest£»¡¡'for¡¡goodness'¡¡sake¡£'¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨After¡¡all£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡volatile¡¡Milly£»¡¡who¡¡seemed¡¡inclined£»¡¡as¡¡chaperone£»¡¡
to¡¡direct¡¡the¡¡conversation£»¡¡¡¨there¡¡was¡¡something¡¡pretty¡¡and¡¡romantic¡¡about¡¡
it¡£¡¡You¡¡two¡¡poor¡¡young¡¡things¡¡taking¡¡care¡¡of¡¡each¡¡other£»¡¡for¡¡of¡¡course¡¡there¡¡
were¡¡no¡¡women¡¡here¡¡in¡¡those¡¡days¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Of¡¡course¡¡there¡¡WERE¡¡women¡¡here¡¨¡¡interrupted¡¡Yerba£»¡¡quickly£»¡¡with¡¡
a¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡half¡meaning£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡half¡interrogative¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡glance¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡Paul¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡
instinctively¡¡uneasy¡£¡¡¡¨You¡¡later¡¡comers¡¨to¡¡Milly¡¨always¡¡seem¡¡to¡¡think¡¡
that¡¡there¡¡was¡¡nothing¡¡here¡¡before¡¡you£¡¡¨¡¡She¡¡paused£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡added£»¡¡with¡¡
a¡¡naive¡¡mixture¡¡of¡¡reproach¡¡and¡¡coquetry¡¡that¡¡was¡¡as¡¡charming¡¡as¡¡it¡¡was¡¡
unexpected£»¡¡¡¨As¡¡to¡¡taking¡¡care¡¡of¡¡each¡¡other£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Hathaway¡¡very¡¡quickly¡¡
got¡¡rid¡¡of¡¡me£»¡¡I¡¡believe¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡I¡¡left¡¡you¡¡in¡¡better¡¡hands£»¡¡Miss¡¡Yerba£»¡¡and¡¡let¡¡me¡¡thank¡¡you¡¡now£»¡¨¡¡
he¡¡added¡¡in¡¡a¡¡lower¡¡tone£»¡¡¡¨for¡¡recognizing¡¡it¡¡as¡¡you¡¡did¡¡a¡¡moment¡¡ago¡£¡¡I'm¡¡
glad¡¡that¡¡you¡¡instinctively¡¡liked¡¡Colonel¡¡Pendleton¡£¡¡Had¡¡you¡¡known¡¡him¡¡
better£»¡¡you¡¡would¡¡have¡¡seen¡¡how¡¡truthful¡¡that¡¡instinct¡¡was¡£¡¡His¡¡chief¡¡fault¡¡
in¡¡the¡¡eyes¡¡of¡¡our¡¡worthy¡¡friends¡¡is¡¡that¡¡he¡¡reminds¡¡them¡¡of¡¡a¡¡great¡¡deal¡¡
they¡¡¡¡¡¡can't¡¡¡¡¡¡perpetuate¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡much¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡forget¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡checked¡¡
himself¡¡abruptly¡£¡¡¡¨But¡¡here¡¡is¡¡your¡¡letter£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡resumed£»¡¡drawing¡¡Colonel¡¡
Pendleton's¡¡¡¡¡¡missive¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡pocket£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨perhaps¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡read¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡
now£»¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡case¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡message¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡return¡¡by¡¡¡¡me¡£¡¡Miss¡¡Woods¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡
will¡¡excuse¡¡you¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡had¡¡reached¡¡the¡¡end¡¡of¡¡the¡¡rose¡alley£»¡¡where¡¡a¡¡summer¡house¡¡that¡¡
was¡¡in¡¡itself¡¡a¡¡rose¡bower¡¡partly¡¡disclosed¡¡itself¡£¡¡The¡¡other¡¡gentlemen¡¡had¡¡
lagged¡¡behind¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡will¡¡amuse¡¡MYSELF£»¡¡and¡¡console¡¡your¡¡other¡¡guardian£»¡¡
dear£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡vivacious¡¡¡¡¡¡Milly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡rapid¡¡¡¡¡¡exchange¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡glances¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡
Yerba£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨until¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡horrid¡¡¡¡¡¡business¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡over¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Besides£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡added¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡
cheerful¡¡vagueness£»¡¡¡¨after¡¡so¡¡long¡¡a¡¡separation¡¡you¡¡must¡¡have¡¡a¡¡great¡¡deal¡¡
to¡¡say¡¡to¡¡each¡¡other¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡39¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡40¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡WARD¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡GOLDEN¡¡GATE¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Paul¡¡¡¡¡¡smiled¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡rustled¡¡¡¡¡¡away£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Yerba£»¡¡¡¡¡¡entering¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡summer¡¡¡
house£»¡¡sat¡¡down¡¡and¡¡opened¡¡the¡¡letter¡£¡¡The¡¡young¡¡man¡¡remained¡¡leaning¡¡
against¡¡the¡¡rustic¡¡archway£»¡¡occasionally¡¡glancing¡¡at¡¡her¡¡and¡¡at¡¡the¡¡moving¡¡
figures¡¡in¡¡the¡¡gardens¡£¡¡He¡¡was¡¡conscious¡¡of¡¡an¡¡odd¡¡excitement¡¡which¡¡he¡¡
could¡¡trace¡¡to¡¡no¡¡particular¡¡cause¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡true¡¡that¡¡he¡¡had¡¡been¡¡annoyed¡¡at¡¡
not¡¡finding¡¡the¡¡young¡¡girl¡¡at¡¡the¡¡convent£»¡¡and¡¡at¡¡having¡¡to¡¡justify¡¡himself¡¡
to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Lady¡¡¡¡¡¡Superior¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡conceived¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡act¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡gratuitous¡¡
kindness£»¡¡nor¡¡was¡¡he¡¡blind¡¡to¡¡the¡¡fact¡¡that¡¡his¡¡persistence¡¡in¡¡following¡¡her¡¡
was¡¡more¡¡an¡¡act¡¡of¡¡aggression¡¡against¡¡the¡¡enemies¡¡of¡¡Pendleton¡¡than¡¡of¡¡
concern¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡Yerba¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡certainly¡¡¡¡pretty£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡remember¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡
mother¡¡¡¡¡¡sufficiently¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡trace¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡¡¡likeness£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡admired¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
mother's¡¡pronounced¡¡beauty¡£¡¡She¡¡had¡¡flashed¡¡out¡¡for¡¡an¡¡instant¡¡into¡¡what¡¡
seemed¡¡originality¡¡¡¡and¡¡feeling¡£¡¡¡¡But¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡passed£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡asked¡¡no¡¡
further¡¡questions¡¡in¡¡regard¡¡to¡¡the¡¡colonel¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡hurriedly¡¡¡¡¡¡skimmed¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡letter£»¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡seemed¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡
composed¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡certain¡¡¡¡¡¡figures¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡accounts¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡suppose¡¡¡¡¡¡it's¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡right£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡
said£»¡¡¡¨at¡¡least¡¡you¡¡can¡¡say¡¡so¡¡if¡¡he¡¡asks¡¡you¡£¡¡It's¡¡only¡¡an¡¡explanation¡¡why¡¡
he¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡transferred¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡money¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡bank¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡Rothschild's¡¡¡¡¡¡agent¡¡¡¡¡¡years¡¡
ago¡£¡¡I¡¡don't¡¡see¡¡why¡¡it¡¡should¡¡interest¡¡me¡¡NOW¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Paul¡¡made¡¡no¡¡doubt¡¡that¡¡it¡¡was¡¡the¡¡same¡¡transfer¡¡that¡¡had¡¡shipwrecked¡¡
the¡¡colonel's¡¡fortune¡¡and¡¡alienated¡¡his¡¡friends£»¡¡and¡¡could¡¡not¡¡help¡¡replying¡¡
somewhat¡¡pointedly£»¡¡¡¨But¡¡I¡¡think¡¡it¡¡should£»¡¡Miss¡¡Yerba¡£¡¡I¡¡don't¡¡know¡¡what¡¡
the¡¡colonel¡¡explained¡¡to¡¡you¡¡doubtless£»¡¡not¡¡the¡¡whole¡¡truth£»¡¡for¡¡he¡¡is¡¡not¡¡
a¡¡man¡¡to¡¡praise¡¡himself£»¡¡but£»¡¡the¡¡fact¡¡is£»¡¡the¡¡bank¡¡was¡¡in¡¡difficulties¡¡at¡¡the¡¡
time¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡transfer£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and£»¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡make¡¡¡¡¡¡it£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡sacrificed¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡personal¡¡¡¡¡¡fortune£»¡¡
and£»¡¡I¡¡think£»¡¡awakened¡¡some¡¡of¡¡that¡¡ill¡feeling¡¡you¡¡have¡¡just¡¡noticed¡£¡¨¡¡He¡¡
checked¡¡¡¡¡¡himself¡¡¡¡¡¡too¡¡¡¡¡¡late£º¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡again¡¡¡¡¡¡lost¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡