A slow painful blush went up to Caleb’s hair. “So be it,� he said bitterly. “I’m human and I’ve borne all I can,� and he turned away. “My God!� he added, with a violence so unusual and so heartfelt that it startled the judge, “does that girl think me the dirt under her feet because I’ve sold ribbon? I’m a gentleman; I’m as well-born and as well-bred as she is, but she won’t recognize it—more than half an hour. One day she’s—she’s an angel of courtesy and kindness, the next she insults me. She and Eaton have made my life here a hell!� He clenched his hands until the nails bit into the flesh.
“She’s young,� said Judge Hollis slowly, “and ill advised.�
Trench struggled to be calm; his face paled again, the light died out of his eyes. “Let her leave me in peace!� he cried at last.
The judge drew a pattern on the floor with his stick. “She admires you immensely,� he said deliberately, “and she respects you.�
Trench laughed bitterly.
The judge put on his hat again and held out his hand. “I’ll give you the odds on the money, Caleb,� he said, “but I’d like to know—by the Lord Harry, I’d like to know—what Eaton’s buying niggers for at this late date?�
He got no answer. Caleb’s face was as set as flint.
XII
SOMETIMES early in the morning, and often at evening, Caleb Trench took long walks alone with his dog. It was after sunset, in the sweet long twilight of July, that he came up through the woods behind Colonel Royall’s place, and approached the long elbow of the road, shadowed by the tall walnuts and hickories, and clothed here and there with the black-jack oak. Before him lay the beautiful valley. He could see the curl of the mist below Paradise Ridge, and beyond, the long gray folds of the distant mountains. He looked up toward the beaten trail that led to Angel Pass, and he could perceive the fragrance of wild magnolias.
Shot, who was running ahead, stopped suddenly and stood at attention, one shaggy ear erect. Then Caleb saw the gleam of a white dress, and Miss Diana Royall appeared, walking toward them. Over her head the green boughs locked, and in the soft light she had a beauty that seemed to Trench more than the right of a girl so apparently heartless. He would have passed by the other road, merely raising his hat, but she called to him.