Лето

           Atlast,justasitwasbeginningtoseemasthoughthewholearchoftheskywereonegreatlidpressedagainstherdazzledeye-balls,andstrikingoutofthemcontinuousjetsofjewelledlight,thevelvetdarknesssettleddownagain,andamurmurofexpectationranthroughthecrowd.

           “Now—now!”thesamevoicesaidexcitedly;andCharity,graspingthehatonherknee,crushedittightintheefforttorestrainherrapture.

           Foramomentthenightseemedtogrowmoreimpenetrablyblack;thenagreatpicturestoodoutagainstitlikeaconstellation.Itwassurmountedbyagoldenscrollbearingtheinscription,“WashingtoncrossingtheDelaware,”andacrossafloodofmotionlessgoldenripplestheNationalHeropassed,erect,solemnandgigantic,standingwithfoldedarmsinthesternofaslowlymovinggoldenboat.

           Along“Oh-h-h”burstfromthespectators:thestandcreakedandshookwiththeirblissfultrepidations.“Oh-h-h,”Charitygasped:shehadforgottenwhereshewas,hadatlastforgottenevenHarney’snearness.Sheseemedtohavebeencaughtupintothestars....

           Thepicturevanishedanddarknesscamedown.Intheobscurityshefeltherheadclaspedbytwohands:herfacewasdrawnbackward,andHarney’slipswerepressedonhers.Withsuddenvehemencehewoundhisarmsabouther,holdingherheadagainsthisbreastwhileshegavehimbackhiskisses.AnunknownHarneyhadrevealedhimself,aHarneywhodominatedherandyetoverwhomshefeltherselfpossessedofanewmysteriouspower.

           Butthecrowdwasbeginningtomove,andhehadtoreleaseher.“Come,”hesaidinaconfusedvoice.